PRO REGE MEO PROSPERIS ET ADVERSIS William Hopkinson. Certain most godly, fruitful, and comfortable letters of such true Saints and holy Martyrs of God, as in the late bloody persecution here within this Realm, gave their lives for the defence of Christ's holy gospel: written in the time of their affliction and cruel imprisonment. Though they suffer pain among men, yet is their hopeful of immortality. Sap. 3. Imprinted at London by john Day, dwelling over Aldersgate, beneath Saint Martin's. 1564. Cum gratia & privilegio Regiae Maiestatis For thy sake are we put to death every day, Psal. 44. And are counted as sheep appointed to be slain. Roma. 8. men being burned alive How long O Lord? Psalm. 13. Behold, I come shortly. Apoc. 22. Oh come Lord jesus. Apoc. 22. He will come, and nottary. Abac. 2. miles Coverdale unto the Christian Reader, most heartily wisheth the continual increase of heavenly taste and spiritual sweetness, in the same assured salvation which cometh only through jesus Christ. THe more nigh that men's words & works approach unto the most wholesome sayings & fruitful doings of the old ancient Saints & choose children of god (which loved not only to hear his word, but also to live thereafter) the more worthy are they to be esteemed, embraced, & followed. And therefore as we hear & read of many godly, both men & women, whose conversation in old time was beautified with singular gifts of the holy ghost (according as the Apostle describeth them in the xi chap. to the hebrews) so have we just cause to rejoice, that we have been familiar & acquainted with some of those, which walked in the trade of their footsteps. For the which cause, it doth us good to read and hear, not the lying legends of feigned, false, counterfeited, and popish canonised saints, neither the trifling toys & forged fables of corrupted writers: but such true, holy, & approved histories, monuments, orations, epistles & letters, as do set forth unto us the blessed behaviour of gods dear servants. It doth us good (I say) by such comfortable remembrance, conceived by their notable writings, to be conversant with them, at the least in spirit. S. Jerome, writing to one Nitia, and having occasion to speak of letters or epistles, maketh mention of a certain Author named Turpilius, whose words, (sayeth he) are these: a letter or epistle, is the thing alone that maketh men present which are absent. For among those that are absent, what is so present, as to hear and talk with those whom thou lovest? Also, that noble Clerk Erasmus Roterodame, commending the book of the Epistles or letters which S. Augustine did write, sayeth thus: by some of Augustine's books we may perceive, what manner of man he was being an infant in Christ. By other some, we may know what manner a one he was being a young man, and what he was being an old man. But by this only book (meaning the book of the Epistles or letters) thou shalt know whole augustine altogether. And why doth S. Jerome or Erasmus say thus? No doubt, even because that in such writings, as in a clear glass, we may see and behold, not only what plentiful furniture and store of heavenly grace, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, faith, love, hope, zeal, patience, meekness, obedience, with the worthy fruits thereof, almighty god had bestowed upon the same his most dear children: but also what a fatherly care he ever had unto them: how his mighty hand defended them: how his providence kept watch and ward over them: how his loving eye looked unto them: how his gracious ear heard their prayers: how he was alway mindful of them, never forgot them, neither failed them, nor forsook them: how the arms of his mercy were streytched out to embrace them, when soever they faithfully turned unto him: how valiant also and strong in spirit, how joyful under the cross, how quiet and cheerful in trouble he made them: what victory of their enemies, what deliverance out of bonds and captivity, what health from sickness, what recovery from plagues, what plenty from scarcenesss: to be short, what help at all need and necessity he gave and bestowed upon them. By such like mounmentes also and writings, it is manifest and plain, how the same dear children of God in their time behaved themselves, aswell towards him, as also towards their friends and foes: yea what the very thoughts of their hearts were, when they prayed (as their manner was incessantly to do) when they confessed their sins, & complained unto god: when they gave thanks: when they were persecuted and troubled: when they were by the hand of god visited: when they felt, not only the horror of death, the grief of sin, & the burden of god's displeasure by reason of the same: but also the sweet taste of his great mercy & eternal comfort through jesus Christ, in their conscience. Of the which things, like as we may evidently perceive rich and plentiful experience in the heavenvly treasury of that most excellent book which we commonly call David's Psalter: so hath not god now in our days, left himself without witnesses: yea no more, than he did in other ages before us: but of his aboundante goodness, even when the late persecution was most cruel, and the enemy's rage most extreme, he hath raised up such zealous men & women as (by the wonderful operation of his holy spirit) of weak were made so valeant & strong in him (aswell against all idolatry, superstition, false doctrine and corrupted religion, as against their own old blemishes & sins) that they have turned to flight, and confounded the whole rabble of such malicious papists, as were the persecutors and murderers of them. Whereby they that list not still to be blind, may plainly behold and see, not only the terrible judgements of God over & against the wicked, but also his wonderful doings mixed wit mercy in and towards his chosen: unto whom, as unto them that love him, he causeth all things to work for the best. So that with him, by the heavenvly light of steadfast faith, they see life even in death: with him, even in heaviness & sorrow, they fail not of joy & comfort: with him even in poverty, affliction and trouble, they neither perish nor are forsaken. How else could they be so patiented, so quiet of mind, so cheerful and merry in adversity and strait captivity: some being thrown into dungeons, ugsome holes, dark, loathsome and stinking corners: other some lying in fetters and chains, and loaded with so many irons that they could scarcely stir: some tied in the stocks with their heels upward: some having their legs in the stocks & their necks chained to the wall with gorgets of iron: some both hands and legs in the stocks at once: sometimes both hands in, and both legs out: sometimes the right hand with the left leg, or the left hand with the right leg fastened in the stocks with manacles and fetters, having neither stool nor stone to sit on, to ease their woeful bodies withal: These engines are called Skevingtons gives, the form & manner whereof you shall see in the book of Martyrs. Fol. 1651. some standing in most painful engines of iron with their bodies doubled: some whipped & scourged, beaten with rods, & buffeted with fists: some having their hands burned with a candle to try their patience, or force them to relent: some hunger pined & most miserably famished. All these torments & many more, even such as cruel Phalaris could not devise worse, If these unmerciful monsters had the reward of their tyranny that Phalarts had, yet should they not have so much as they have justly deserved. were practised by the papists, the stout sturdy soldiers of Satan, thus delighting in variety of tyranny and torments, upon the Saints of god, as it is full well & too well known, & as many can testify which are yet alive, and have felt some smart thereof. Yea & furthermore, so extremely were these dear servants of god dealt withal, that although they were most desirous by their pen and writing, to edify their brethren, other poor lambs of Christ, & one to comfort an other in him, yet were they so narrowly watched and straightly kept from all necessary helps, as paper, ink, books & such like, that great marvel it is how they could be able to write any one of these or other so excellent & worthy letters. For so hardly were they used (as I said afore) for the most part that they could not end their letters begun: notwithstanding all this cruel dealing, they wrote very many worthy and fruitful letters more: whereof sundry are mentioned in this book which shall God willing, be published hereafter, if they in whose hands they remain, will bring them to light. sometime for lack of ease, being so fettered with chains, & otherwise handled as you have heard: sometime for lack of light, when they could neither see to write well, nor to read their letters again: & sometime through the hasty coming in of the keepers or officers, who left no corner nor bedstraw unsearched: yea sometime they were put to so hard shifts, that like as for lack of pens they were fain to write with the lead of the windows: so for want of ink they took their own blood, (as yet it remaineth to be seen) and yet sometime they were feign to tear & rend what they had written at the hasty coming in of the officers. Thus, thus unkindly, thus churlishly, thus cruelly & unnaturally were even they entreated & handled, whose most notable & godly writings are here set forth in this book. For the which, & such other monuments, great cause have we to praise god: which he himself hath preserved & brought to light, no doubt by his singular great providence, that hereby we being taught to have his mighty mercy & merciful working the more in reverent & thankful regard, might not only consider what heavenvly strength & rich possession of constant faith, of ardent zeal, of quiet patience, of peace & joy in the holy ghost, he useth to arm them, that can find in their hearts to abhor all ungodliness both of doctrine & life: but also to join with them ourselves in such sort, that looking to jesus our captain, abiding the cross & despising the shame, as they did for the joy that was set before them, may with much quietness of a good conscience, end this our short course, to his glory, to the edifying of his church, to the confusion of Satan, to the hindrance of all false doctrine, & to our own eternal comfort in the same our lord & alone Saviour jesus Christ. To whom with the father and the holy ghost be all honour, all glory, all thanks and all praise, world without end. Amen. Faults escaped in the printing. Leaf Line Faults Corrected 3 22 I do I do know 19 1 Ridley Cranmer 19 30 Resilcat Rescilcat 20 34 proucratorum procuratorum 26 3 tanta constantia tantaque constantia 26 8 Annunciaueri●t Annunciaverunt 26 22 pufillum pusillum 26 34 Religioni Religionis 32 15 Sat egistis Sategistis 32 25 q̄ pij erant qui pij crant 33 23 equae aeque 44 14 omium omnium 44 36 Cromerum Cromeum 44 21 per manebit permanebit 45 6 veritati veritatis 49 16 fellows concaptives fellows & concaptives 51 33 Gloria Christ Gloria Christi 53 5 before Ea. before Easter 56 11 Commedo Commendo 70 1 have have done 72 2 Consilij Concilij 78 4 in the se. in the second 90 21 loevers lovers 92 37 after the Christ's after Christ's 96 30 truth it is truth is. 192 7 purpose purpose 214 20 worlynges worldlings 223 1 Saunders Philpot 249 28 Godtto God to 251 30 me from from me 297 15 thy vengeance gods vengeance 363 37 god gods 394 10 fair far 394 12 woulh would 427 9 loseth lasteth 429 9 inage Image 476 5 mine own for mine own 591 38 wholes holes 567 1 R. Smith I. Careless Certain godly and fruitful letters of D. Cranmer late Archbishop of Canterbury, who first being imprisoned in the Tower of London, and afterward in Oxford, was there cruelly burnt for the true testimony of Christ's gospel, in the year of our Lord, 1556. the 16. day of Februarye. Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Caunterbury to Queen Mary. MOst lamentably mourning & moaning himself unto your highness Thomas Crammer, although unworthy either to write or speak unto your highness, yet having no person that I know, to be mediator for me, and knowing your pitiful ears ready to hear all pitiful complaints, and seeing so many before to have felt your abundant clemency in like case: He desired to be released of his offence for consenting unto king Edward's will and so he was, but after was accused of heresy, which he best liked for then he knew his cause was Christ's. am now constrained most lamentably and with most penitent and sorrowful heart, to ask mercy and pardon for my heinous folly and offence, in consenting and following the Testament and last will of our late sovereign Lord king Edward the sixth your grace's brother, which will god knoweth, God he knoweth I never liked, nor never any thing grieved me so much that your grace's brother did, and if by any means it had been in me to have letted the making of that will, I would have done it, and what I said therein, as well to his counsel, as to himself, divers of your majesties counsel can report, but none so well as the Marquis of Northhampton, and the Lord Darcy then Lord chamberlain to the kings Majesty, which two were present at the communication between the Kings Majesty and me. I desired to talk with the king's majesty alone, but I could not be suffered, and so I failed of my purpose, for if I might have commoned with the king alone, & at good leisure, my trust was that I should have altered him from that purpose, but they being present, my labour was in vain. Then when I could not dissuade him from the said will, and both he and his privy counsel also informed me that the judges & his learned counsel said, that the act of entailing the crown made by his Father, could not be prejudicial to him, but that he being in possession of the crown, might make his will thereof, this seemed very strange unto me, but being the sentence of the judges and other his learned counsel in the laws of this realm (as both he and his Counsel informed me) me thought it became not me being unlearned in the law, to stand against my prince therein, & so at length I was required by the kings majesty himself to set to my hand to his will, saying that he trusted that I alone would not be more repugnant to his will, than the rest of the counsel were (which words surely grieved my heart very sore) and so I granted him to subscribe his will, and to follow the same, which when I had set my hand unto, I did it unfeignedly and without dissimulation. For the which I submit myself most humbly unto your majesty, acknowledging mine offence with most grievous and sorrowful heart, and beseeching your mercy and pardon, which my heart giveth me, shall not be denied unto me, being granted before to so many which travailed not so much to dissuade both the King and his counsel as I did. And where as it is contained in two acts of parliament (as I understand,) that I with the Duke of Northumberland should devise and compass the deprivation of your Majesty from your royal crown, surely it is untrue, for the Duke never opened his mouth to me, to move me any such matter, nor I him, nor his heart was not such towards me, seeking long time my destruction, that he would either trust me in such a matter, or think that I would be persuaded by him. It was other of the Counsel that moved me, and the King himself, the Duke of Northumberland not being present. Neither before, neither after, had I ever any privy communication with the duke of that matter, saving that openly at the counsel table the duke said unto me, that it became not me to say to the king as I did, when I went about to dissuade him from the said will. Now, as concerning the estate of religion as it is used in this Realm of England at this present, if it please your highness to licence me, I would gladly write my mind unto your majesty. I will never, God willing, be author of sedition, to move subjects from the obedience of their heads and rulers, which is an offence most detestable. If I have uttered my mind to your Majesty, being a Christian Queen and Governor of this realm (of whom I am most assuredly persuaded that your gracious intent is, above all other things to prefer gods true word, his honour and glory) if I have uttered I say, my mind unto your Majesty, than I shall think myself discharged, for it lieth not in me, but in your grace only, to see the reformation of things that be amiss. To private subjects it appertaineth not to reform things, but quietly to suffer that they cannot amend: yet nevertheless to show your majesty my mind in things appertaining unto god, me think it my duty, knowing that I do, and considering the place which in times past I have occupied: yet will I not presume thereunto without your grace's pleasure first known, & your licence obtained, whereof I most humbly prostrate to the ground do beseech your Majesty, and I shall not cease daily to pray to almighty God for the good preservation of your majesty from all enemies bodily and ghostly, and for the increase of all goodness heavenly and earthly, during my life, as I do and will do, whatsoever come of me. ¶ An other letter to Queen Mary. IT may please your Majesty to pardon my presumption, that I dare be so bold to write to your highness, but very necessity constraineth me, that your majesty may know my mind rather by mine own writing, than by other men's reports. So it is that upon Saturday being the .7. day of this month, I was cited to appear at Rome, the lxxx day after, there to make answer to such matters as should be objected against me, upon the behalf of the King and your most excellent Majesty: which matters the Thursday following were objected against me by Doctor Martin and doctor Story your majesties Proctors, before the bishop of Gloucester sitting in iudgemennt by commission from Rome. But alas, it can not but grieve the heart of any natural subject, to be accused of the king and Queen of his own Realm, The king and Queen make themselves no better than subjects in complaining of their own subject to an outward judge, as though they had no power to punish him. and specially before an outward judge, or by authority coming from any person out of this Realm, where the king and Queen, as if they were subjects within their own Realm, shall complain and require justice at a strangers hands against their own subject, being already condemned to death by their own laws: as though the king and Queen could not do or have justice within their own Realm, against their own subjects, but they must seek it at a strangers hands in a strange land, the like whereof (I think) was never seen. I would have wished to have had some meaner adversaries, and I think that death shall not grieve me much more, than to have my most dread and most gracious sovereign Lord and lady (to whom under god I do owe all obedience) to be mine accusers in judgement within their own realm before any stranger and outward power. But forasmuch as in the time of the prince of most famous memory King Henry the .8 your grace's father, The first cause why he would not make answer to the Pope's commissary, is to avoid perjury. The second cause is, for that the pope's laws are contrari to the crown and laws of England. I was sworn never to consent, that the bishop of Rome should have or exercise any authority or jurisdiction in this realm of England, therefore lest I should allow his authority contrary to mine oath, I refused to make answer to the bishop of Gloucester sitting here in judgement by the Pope's authority, least I should run into perjury. another cause why I refused the Pope's authority is this, that his authority as he claimeth it, repugneth to the crown imperial of this realm & to the laws of the same, which every true subject is bound to defend. first for that the Pope sayeth, that all manner of power, aswell temporal as spiritual, is given first to him of God, and that the temporal power he giveth unto emperors & kings to use it under him, but so as it be always at his commandment and beck. But contrary to this claim, the imperial crown & jurisdiction temporal of this realm, is taken immediately from God to be used under him only, and is subject unto none but to God alone. Moreover thimperial laws & customs of this realm the king in his Coronation, The oath of the king & justices, & the duty of subjects. & all justices when they receive their offices, be sworn, and all the whole realm is bound to defend and maintain. But contrary hereunto the Pope by his authority maketh void and commandeth to blot out of our books, all laws and customs being repugnant to his laws, and declareth accursed all rulers and governors, all the makers, writers, and executors of such laws or customs, as it appeareth by many of the Pope's laws, whereof one or two I shall rehearse. In the decrees, distin ten is written thus: Constitutione contra canon's & decreta praesulun Romanorum vel bonos mores nullius sunt momenti. That is, The constitutions or statutes enacted against the Canons and decrees of the bishops of Rome or their good customs are of none effect. Also, Extra de sententia excommunicationis, noverit. Excommunicamus omnes haereticos utriusque sexus quocumque nomine censeantur, & fautores, & receptatores, & defensores eorum: nec non & qui de caetero servari fecerint statuta edita & consuetudines, contra ecclesiae libertatem, nisi ea de capitularibus suis intra duos menses post huiusmodi publicationem sententiae fecerint amoveri. Item excommunicamus statutarios, & scriptores statutorum ipsorum, nec non potestates, consuls, rectores, & consiliarios locorum, ubi de caetero huiusmodi statuta & consuetudines editae fuerint vel seruatae, nec non & illos qui secundum ea praesumpserint judicare, vel in publicam formam scribere iudicata. That is to say we excommunicate all heretics of both sexes, what name soever they be called by, and their favourers & receptours and defenders, and also them that shall hereafter cause to be observed, statutes and customs made against the liberty of the church, except they cause the same to be put out of their books or records within two months after the publication of this sentence. Also we excommunicate the statute makers and writers of those statutes, & also the potestates consuls, governors & counsellors of places where such statutes and customs shall be made or kept, and also those that shall presume to give judgement according to them or put in to public form of writing the matters so judged. Now by these laws, if the bishop of Rome's authority which he claimeth by God, be lawful, all your grace's laws and customs of your Realm, being contrary to the pope's laws be nought, and aswell your majesty as your judges, justices and all other executors of the same, stand accursed among heretics, which God forbidden. And yet this curse can never be annoyed (if the Pope have such power as he claimeth) until such times as the laws and customs of this realm, The Pope's laws & the laws of England are contrary. being contrary to his laws, be taken away and blotted out of the law books. And although there be many laws of this Realm contrary to the laws of Rome, yet I named but a few: as to convict a clerk before any temporal judge of this Realm, for debt, felony, murder or for any other crime, which clarks by the Pops laws be so exempt from the king's laws, that they can be no where sued but before their Ordinary. Also the pope by his laws may give all bishoprics & benefices spiritual, which by the laws of this realm, can be given but only by the kings & other patrons of the same, except they fall into the lapse. By the pope's laws ius patronatus shallbe sued only before the ecclesiastical judge: but by the laws of this realm, it shallbe sued before the temporal judge, and to be short the laws of this Realm do agree with the Pope's laws like fire and water. And yet the kings of this Realm have provided for their laws, by the praemunire: so that if any man have let the excecution of the laws of this Realm by any authority from the sea of Rome, he falleth into the praemunire. But to meet with this, the pope's have provided for their laws by cursing. For who so ever letteth the Pope's laws to have full course within this realm, by the Pope's power standeth accursed: So that the Pope's power treadeth all the laws and customs of this Realm under his feet, cursing all that execute them, until such time as they give place unto his laws. But it may be said, that notwithstanding all the pope's decrees, yet we do execute still the laws and customs of this Realm. Nay not all quietly without interruption of the pope. And where we do execute them, yet we do it unjustly, if the pope's power be of force, and for the same we stand excommunicate, and shall do, until we leave the execution of our own laws & customs. Thu●●o ●e be well reconciled to Rome, allowing such authority. 〈◊〉 ●hy the Realm standeth accursed before God, if the p● 〈◊〉 ●ue any such authority. These things 〈◊〉 suppose) were not fully opened in the parliament house, when the pope's authority was received again within this Realm, for if they had. I do not believe that either the king or queens majesty or the nobles of this Realm, or the commons of the same would ever have consented to receive again such a foreign authority, so injurious, hurtful and prejudicial, aswell to the crown, as to the laws and customs, and state of this realm, as whereby they must needs acknowledge themselves to be accursed. But none could open this matter well but the clergy, and that such of them as had red the pope's laws, whereby the pope hath made himself as it were, a God. These seek to maintain the pope, whom they desired to have their chief head, to the intent they might have, as it were, a kingdom & laws within themselves, distinct from the laws of the crown, and wherewith the crown may not meddle, and so being exempted from the laws of the crown might live in this realm like Lords and kings, without damage or fear of any man, The papists to set up a kingdom of their own, dissemble the known truth and are false to the crown. so that they please their high and supreme head at Rome. For this consideration, I ween, some that knew the truth, held their peace at the parliament, where as, if they had done their duties to the crown and whole realm, they should have opened their mouths, declared the truth, & showed the perils & dangers that might ensue to the crown & realm. And if I should agree to allow such authority within this realm, whereby I must needs confess that your most gracious, highness and also your Realm should ever continue accursed until you shall cease from the execution of your own Laws and customs of your realm: I could not think myself true, either to your highness, or to this my natural country, knowing that I do know. Ignorance, I know may excuse other men, but he that knoweth how prejudicial and injurious the power and authority which he challengeth every where, is to the crown, laws and customs of this realm, and yet will allow the same, I cannot see in any wise how he can keep his due allegiance, fydelity and truth to the crown and state of this realm. another cause I alleged, The third cause why he could not allow the Pope. why I could not allow the authority of the pope, which is this, That by his authority he subverteth not only the law 〈…〉 realm, but also the laws of God, The pope's religion is against Christ's religion. so that whosoever be under his authority, he suffereth them not to be under Christ's religion purely, as Christ did command. And for one example I brought forth, that whereas by God's laws all christian people be bound diligently to learn his word, that they may know how to believe and live accordingly, for that purpose he ordained holy days when they ought, leaving apart all other business, Why latin service ought not to be restored in England. to give themselves wholly to know & serve God. Therefore Gods will and commandment is, that when the people be gathered together, the ministers should use such language as the people may understand, and take profit thereby, or else hold their peace. For as an harp or lute, if it give no certain sound that men may know what is stricken, who can dance after it, for all the sound is in vain? so is it vain and profiteth nothing, sayeth almighty god, by the mouth of S. Paul, if the priest speak to the people in a language which they know not, for else he may profit himself, but profiteth not the people sayeth S. Paul. But herein I was answered thus, that S. Paul spoke only of preaching, that the preacher should speak in a tongue which the people did know, or else his preaching availeth nothing. But if the preaching availeth nothing, being spoken in a language, which the people understand not, how should any other service avail them, being spoken in the same language? And that yet S. Paul meant not only of preaching, it appeareth plainly by his own words, for he speaketh by name expressly of praying, singing, lauding, and thanking of God and of all other things which the Priests say in the churches, whereunto the people say Amen, which they used not in preaching, but in other divine service: that whether the Priests rehearse the wonderful works of god, or the great benefits of god unto mankind above all other creatures, or give thanks unto god, or make open profession of their faith, or humble confession of their sins, with earnest request of mercy and forgiveness, or make suit or request unto god for any thing: then all the people understanding what the Priests say, might join their minds and voices with them and say Amen, that is to say, allow what the Priests say, that the rehearsal of God's universal works and benefits, the giving of thanks, the profession of faith, the confession of sins, and the requests and petitions of the Priests and the people, might ascend up into the ears of god altogether, and be as a sweet savour, odour, and incense in his nose: & thus was it used many hundred yerrs after Christ's ascension. But the aforesaid things cannot be done, when the priests speak to the people in a language not known, and so they or their clerk in their name say, Amen, but they cannot tell whereunto: where as saint Paul saith, how can the people say Amen to thy well saying, when they understand not what thou sayest? And thus was S. Paul understanded of all interpreters, both the Greeks and Latins, old and new, scholeautors and others, that I have red, until about thirty. years past, at which time one Eckius with other of his sort began to devise a new exposition, understanding S. Paul of preaching only. But when a good number of the best learned men reputed within this realm, some favouring the old some the new learning, as they term it (where in deed that which they call the old, is the new and that which they call the new, is in deed the old) but when a great number of such learned men of both sorts were gathered together at wynsor for the reformation of the service of the Church: It was agreed by both without controversy, (not one saying contrary) that the service of the Church ought to be in the mother tongue and that Saint Paul in the .14. chapter to the Corynthians was so to be understanded. And so is saint Paul to be understanded in the civil law more than a thousand years past, where Instinianus a most godly Emperor, in a synod writeth on this manner. jubemus ut omnes episcopi pariter & praesbyterî non tacito modo, sed clara voce quae a fideli populo exaudiantur, sacram oblationem & preces in sacro baptismate adhibitas celebrent, quo maiori exinde devotione in depromendis Domini Dei laudibus audientium animi efferantur. Ita enim & divus Paulus docet in epistola ad Corinth. Si solummodo benedicat spiritus, quomodo is qui privati locum tenet, dicet ad gratiarum actionem tuam, Amen, quandoquidem quid dicas non videt? Tu quidem pulchre gratias agis, alter autem non aedificatur. That is to say: we command, that all bishops and Priests celebrate the holy oblation and prayers used in holy baptism, not after a still & close manner, but with a clear loud voice, that they may be plainly heard of the faithful people, so as the hearers minds may be lifted up thereby with the greater devotion, in uttering the praises of the Lord God. For so Paul teacheth also in the epistle to the Corinthians: 1, Cor. 14. If the spirit do only bless or say well, how shall he that occupieth the place of a private person, say Amen to thy thanks giving, for he perceiveth not what thou sayest? Thou dost give thanks well, but the other is not edified. And not only the civil law, & all other writers a thousand & five hundredth years continually together, have expounded S. Paul not of preaching only, but of other Service said in the church: but reason also giveth the same, that if men be commanded to hear any thing, it must be spoken in a language which the hearers understand, or else as S. Paul saith what availeth it to bear? So that the Pope giving a contrary commandment, The Pope commandeth ●oth against God & natural reason. The sacrament ought to be received in both kinds of all christians. that the people coming to the church shall hear they wots not what, and answer they know not whereto, taketh upon him to command not only against reason: but also directly against god. And again I said, whereas our saviour Christ ordained the Sacrament of his most precious body and blood, to be received of all christian people under the forms both of bread and wine, and said of the cup, drink ye all of this: the Pope giveth a clean contrary commandment, that no lay man shall drink of the cup of their salvation: as though the cup of Salvation by the blood of Christ, pertained not to lay men. And whereas Theophilus Alexandrinus, (whose works Saint Hierom did translate about eleven hundred years passed) saith that if Christ had been crucified for the Devils, his cup should not be denied them: yet the Pope denieth the cup of Christ to christian people, for whom Christ was crucified: so that if I should obey the Pope, in these things I must needs disobey my saviour Christ. But I was answered hereto (as commonly the papists do answer,) that under the form of bread, is whole Christ's flesh and blood, so that whosoever receiveth the form, of bread receiveth aswell Christ's blood as his flesh. Let it be so: yet in the form of bread only, Christ's blood is not drunken but eaten, nor received in the cup under form of wine as Christ commanded, but eaten with the flesh under the form of bread, & moreover the bread is not the sacrament of his blood, but of his flesh only, nor the cup is not the sacrament of his flesh, but of his blood only and so the Pope keepeth from all lay persons the Sacrament of their redemption by Christ's blood, which Christ commanded to give unto them. And furthermore Christ ordained the sacrament in two kinds, the one separated from the other, to be a representation of his death, where his blood was separated from his flesh, which is not represented in one kind alone: so that the lay people receive not the whole sacrament, whereby Christ's death is represented as he commanded. Moreover as the Pope taketh upon him to give the temporal sword or royal & imperial power to kings & princes: so doth he likewise take upon him to depose them from their imperial states, if they be disobedient to him, and commandeth the subjects to disobey their princes, assoiling the subjects aswell of their obedience, as of their lawful oaths made unto their true kings and Princes directly contrary to gods commaundeniente, who commandeth all subjects to obey their kings or other rulers under them. One john patriarch of Constantinople in the time of S. Gregory, claimed superiority above all other bishops, to whom saint Gregory writeth, that therein he did injury to his iij. brethren which were equal with him, that is to say, the bishop of Rome, of Alexandria, & of Antiochia, which iij. were patriarchal seas, aswell as Constantinople, and were brethren one to an other. But sayeth Saint Gregory, if any one shall exalt himself above all the rest to be the universal bishop, the same passeth in pride: but now the bishop of Rome exalteth himself not only above all bishops, but also above all kings and Emperors, and above the whole world taking upon him to give and take away, to set up and put down, as he shall think good. And as the devil having no such authority, The deuil● & the Pope are like. yet took upon him to give unto Christ all the kingdoms of the world, if he would fall down and worship him: in like manner the Pope taketh upon him to give empires and kingdoms being none of his, to such as will fall down & worship him and kiss his feet. And moreover his lawyers and glosers so flatter him, that they say he may command Emperors and kings to hold his stirroppe when he lighteth upon his horse and to be his footmen, and that if any Emperor or king give him any thing, they give him nothing but that is his own, and that he may dispense against God's word, against the old and new Testament, against S. Paul's epistles and against the Gospel. And furthermore whatsoever he doth, although he draw innumerable people by heaps with himself into hell: yet may no mortal man reprove him, because he being judge of all men, may be judged of no man, & thus he sitteth in the temple of god, The Pope is Antichrist that is Christ's enemy Wherefore the Pope is Antichrist. as he were a god & nameth himself God's Vicar, & yet he dispenseth against God. If this be not to play Antichrists part, I cannot tell what is Antichrist, which is no more to say but Christ's enemy and adversary, who shall sit in the temple of God, advancing himself above all other, yet by hypocrisy and feigned religion shall subvert the true religion of Christ, and under pretence and colour of Christian religion, shall work against Christ & therefore hath the name of Antichrist. Now if any man lift himself higher than the Pope hath done, who lifteth himself above all the world, or can be more adversary to Christ than to dispense against God's laws, & where Christ hath given any commandment, to command directly the contrary the man must needs be taken for Antichrist. But until the time that such a person may be found, men may easily conjecture where to find Antichrist. Wherefore seeing the Pope thus, to overthrow both gods laws and man's laws, taketh upon him to make Emperors and kings to be vassals & Subjects unto him, specially the crown of this realm, with the laws & customs of the same, I see no mean how I may consent to admit this usurped power within this realm, contrary to mine oath, mine obedience to god's law, mine allegiance and duty to your majesty, and my love and affection, to this realm. This that I have spoken against the power and authority of the Pope, I have not spoken, (I take God to record and judge) for any malice I own to the Pope's person, whom I know not, but I shall pray to god to give him grace, that he may seek above all things to promote gods honour and glory, and not to follow the trade of his predecessors in these latter days, nor I have not spoken it for fear of punishment and to avoid the same, thinking it rather an occasion to aggravate, then to diminish my trouble: but I have spoken it for my most bounden duty to the crown, liberties, laws, and customs of this realm, but most especially to discharge my conscience in uttering the truth to god's glory, casting away all fear, Luke. 12 by the comfort which I have in Christ's words, who sayeth: Fear not them that kill the body and cannot kill the Soul, but fear him that can cast both body and soul into hell. He that for fear to lose this life will forsake the truth, shall lose the everlasting life: and he that for the truths sake will spend his life, shall find everlasting life. And Christ promiseth to stand fast with them before his father which will stand fast with him here: Mathe. x. which comfort is so great, that whosoever hath his eyes fixed upon Christ, cannot greatly pass of this life, knowing that he may be sure to have Christ stand by him in the presence of his father in heaven. As touching the Sacrament, I said that forasmuch as the whole matter standeth in the understanding of these words of Christ: This is my body, This is my blood, I say that Christ in these words made demonstration of the bread and wine, and spoke figuratively, The sacraments have the names of those things whereof they are sacraments. calling bread his body and wine his blood, because he ordained them to be the sacraments of his body & blood. And where the Papists say in these two points contrary unto me, that Christ called not bread his body, but a substance uncertain, nor spoke figuratively, herein I said I would be judged by the old church, and which doctrine could be proved the elder, that I would stand unto. And forasmuch as I have alleged in my book many old authors both Greeks and latins, which about a thousand years after Christ continually taught as I do, if they could bring forth but one old author that saith in these two points as they say, I offered vi. or seven. years ago, and do offer yet still, that I will give place to them. But when I bring for the any author that sayeth in most plain terms as I do, yet sayeth the other part, that the authors mente not so: as who should say, that the authors spoke one thing and mente clean contrary. And upon the other part, when they cannot find any one author that sayeth in words as they say, yet say they that the authors meant as they say. Now whether they or I speak more to the purpose herein, I refer it to the judgement of all indifferent hearers. Yea the old church of Rome about a thousand years together, neither believed nor used the Sacrament as the church of Rome hath done of late years. For in the beginning the church of Rome taught a pure & a sound doctrine of the sacrament, but after that the church of Rome fell into a new doctrine of transubstantiation & with the doctrine they changed the use of the sacrament, contrary to that Christ commanded, & the old church of Rome used above a M. years. And yet to deface the old they say that the new is the old: wherein for my part I am content to the trial to stand, But their doctrine is so fond and uncomfortable, that I marvel that any man would allow it, if he knew what it is, and what so ever they bear the people in hand, The Papists make Christ two bodies. that which they writ in their books hath neither truth nor comfort. For by their doctrine, of one body of Christ is made two bodies: one natural having distance of members with form and proportion of a man's perfit body, and this body is in Heaven, but the body of Christ in the Sacrament by their own doctrine, must needs be a monstrous body, having neither distance of members nor form, fashion or proportion of a man's natural body, and such a body is in the sacrament (teach they) and goeth into the mouth with the form of bread, and entereth no farther than the form of bread goeth, nor tarrieth no longer than the form of bread is by natural heat in digesting, so that when the form of bread is digested, that body of Christ is gone. And forasmuch as evil men be as long in digesting as good men, the body of Christ (by their doctrine) entereth as far, & tarrieth as long in wicked as in godly men. And what comfort can be herein to any Christian man, to receive Christ's unshapen body, and it to entre no father than the stomach, and to departed by and by, as soon as the bread is consumed? It seemeth to me a more sound and comfortable doctrine, that Christ hath but one body, & that hath form and fashion of a man's true body, which body spiritually entereth into the whole man body and soul, and though the sacrament be consumed, yet whole Christ remaineth and feedeth the receiver unto eternal life, if he continue in godliness and never depart, until the receiver forsake him. And as for the wicked, they have not Christ within them at all, who can not be where Belial is. And this is my faith, and as me seemeth a sound doctrine according to God's word, and sufficient for a Christian to believe in that matter. And if it can be showed unto me, that the pope's authority is not prejudicial to the things before mentioned, or that my doctrine in the sacrament is erroneous (which I think can not be showed) than I was never nor willbe so perverse, to stand wilfully in mine own opinion, but I shall (with all humility) submit myself unto the Pope not only to kiss his feet, but an other part also. another cause why I refused to take the B. of Gloucestre for my judge, was the respect of his own person, being more than once perjured first, for that he being diverse times sworn, never to consent that the B. of Rome should have any jurisdiction with in this realm, but to take the king and his successors for supreme heads of this realm, as by gods laws they be: contrary to this lawful oath the said B. sat then in judgement by authority from Rome, wherein he was perjured, and not worthy to sit as a judge. The second perjury was, that he took his bishopric both of the Queen's Majesty & of the Pope, making to each of them a solemn oath, which oaths be so contrary, that in the one he must needs be perjured. And furthermore in swearing to the Pope to maintain his laws, decrees, a constitutions, ordinances reservations, and provisions, he declareth himself an enemy to the Imperial crown and to the Laws and state of this Realm, whereby he declared himself not worthy to sit as a judge within this Realm, and for these considerations I refused to take him for my judge. ¶ This was written in an other letter to the Queen. I Learned by D. Martin, that at the day of your majesties coronation, you took an oath of obedience to the pope of Rome, and the same time you took an other oath to this realm to maintain the laws, liberties and customs of the same And if your Majesty did make an oath to the pope, I think it was according to the other oaths, which he useth to minister to princes, which is to be obedient to him, to defend his person, to maintain his authority, honour, laws lands & privileges. And if it be so, than I beseech your majesty to look upon your oath made to the Crown and the realm, and to expend and way the two oaths together, to see how they agree, and then to do as your grace's conscience shall give you, for I am surely persuaded that willingly your majesty will not offend nor do against, your conscience for nothing. But I fear me there be contradiction in your oaths and that those which should have informed your grace thoroughly, did not their duties therein. And if your majesty ponder the two oaths diligently, I think you shall perceive that you were deceived, and then your highness may use the matter as god shall put in your heart. Furthermore I am kept here from company of learned men, from books, from council, from pen and ink, saving at this time to write to your Majesty, which all were necessary for a man in my case. Wherefore I beseech your majesty that I may have such of these as may stand with your majesties pleasure. And as for mine appearance at Rome, if your Majesty will give me leave I will appear there, & I trust that god shall put in my mouth to defend his truth there, aswell as here, but I refer it wholly to your majesties pleasure. Your poor orator. T. C. To the Lords of the Counsel. IN most humble wise sueth unto your right honourable Lordships, Thomas Cranmer late Archbishop of Caunterbury, beseeching the same to be a means for me unto the queens highness for her mercy and pardon. Some of you know by what means I was brought & trained unto the will of our late sovereign lord king Edward the vi. & what I spoke against the same: wherein I refer me to the reports of your honours. Furthermore this is to signify unto your lordships that upon Monday, Tuesday, & Wednisday last passed, were open disputations here in Oxford against me, They put to him three questions but they suffered him not to answer fully in one master Ridley, & M. Latymer, in three matters concerning the Sacrament. First of the real presence, secondly of transubstantiation, & thirdly concerning the sacrifice of the mass. How the other two were used I cannot tell, for we were separated, so that none of us knew what the other said nor how they were ordered. But as concerning myself I can report, that I never knew nor heard of a more confused disputation in all my life. For albeit there was one appointed to dispute against me, yet every man spoke his mind and brought forth what him liked with out order, and such haste was made, that no answer could be suffered to be given fully to any argument, and in such weighty and large matters there was no remedy, but the disputations must needs be ended in one day, which can scantly well be ended in three months. And when we had answered them, than they would not appoint us one day to bring forth our profess that they might answer us again, being required of me thereunto, whereas I myself have more to say then can be well discussed in twenty days. The means to resolve the truth, had been to have suffered us to answer fully to all that they could say, and then they again to answer to all that we could say. But why they would not answer us, what other cause can there be, but that either they feared that matter that they were not able to answer us, or else (as by their haste might well appear) they came, not to speak the truth, Behold Satan sleepeth not. Their cruel desire to revenge cold abide no delay. but to condemn us in post hast before the truth might be thoroughly tried and heard, for in all hast we were all three condemned of heresy upon friday. This much I thought good to signify unto your Lordships, that you may know the indifferent handling of matters, leaving the judgement thereof unto your wisdoms, and I beseech your Lordships to remember me a poor prisoner unto the queens majesty, and I shall pray, as I do daily, to god for the long preservation of your good Lordships in all godliness and felicity. ¶ A letter wherein he reproveth and condemneth the false and slanderous reports of the papists which said that he had set, up mass again at Canterbury. AS the devil Christ's ancient adversary ●s a liar and the father of lying: Even so hath he stirred up his servants and members to persecute Christ and his true word and Religion with lying, which he ceaseth not to do most earnestly at this present. For whereas the prince of famous memory king Henry the viii. seeing the great abuses of the latin mass, reform some thing therein in his time, & also our late sovereign lord king Edward the vi. took the same whole away for the manifold errors & abuses thereof, & restored in the place thereof Christ's holy supper according to Christ's own institution and as the apostles in the primative church used the same: the devil goeth about by lying to overthrow the lords holy supper & to restore his latin satisfactory mass, a thing of his own invention & devise: and to bring the same more easily to pass, some have abused the name of me Thomas Archb. of Canterbury, bruting abroad that I have set up the mass at Canterb. & that I offered to say mass at the burial of our late sovereign prince king Edward the .6. & also that I offered to say mass before the queens highness & at Paul's church, and I wot not where. And although I have been well exercised these xx. years to suffer & bear evil reports & lies, & have been much grieved thereat, but have borne all things quietly: yet when untrue reports & lies turn to the hindrance of god's truth, they be in no wise to be suffered. Wherefore these be to signify unto the world, that it was a false, flattering, lying and dissembling monk which caused mass to be set up there without, This was D. Thornton, afterward a cruel murderer of gods saints: of whose horrible end, read in the book of martyrs. Fol. 1706. mine advise or counsel, Reddat illi dominus in die illo. And as for offering myself to say mass before the queens highness, or in any other place, I never did it, as her grace well knoweth. But if her grace give me leave I shallbe ready to prove against all that will say the contrary, that all that is said in the holy communion set out by the most Innocent & godly prince king Edward the vi. in his high court of parliament, is conformable to the order which our sovereign Christ did both observe & commanded to be observed, & which his apostles & primative church used many years: where as the mass in many things not only hath no foundation of Christ, his apostles nor the primative church, but is manifestly contrary to the same, & containeth many horrible abuses in it. And although many unlearned & malicious do report the master Peter Mattyr is unlearned, yet if the queens highness will grant thereunto, I with the said master Peter Martyr, & other iiij. or v. which I shall choose, will (by gods grace) take upon us, to defend not only the common prayers of the church, the ministration of the sacraments & other rites & ceremonies, but also all the doctrine & religion set out by our sovereign lord king Edward the 6. to be more pure & according to gods word than any other that hath been used in England this M, years: so that gods word may be the judge, & that the reasons & profess upon both parties may be set out in writing, to the intent aswell that all the world may examine & judge thereon as that no man shall start back from his writing. And where they boast of the faith that hath been in the church this M. & v. hundredth years, we will join with them in this point, and that the doctrine and usage is to be followed which was in the church a M. and five hundredth years past: and we shall prove that the order of the church set out at this present in this realm by act of parliament, is the same that was used in the church .1500. years past, & so shall they be never able to prove theirs. An epistle to a certain lawyer for his advise and counsel touching his appeal. NAturae lex hoc ab omnibus postulat, ut quatenus citra didivini numinis iniuriam fieri potest, quisque vitam tueatur suam. Quod cum tribus abhi nodiebus mihi in mentem venisset, simulque memoriae occurisset appellatio Martini Lutheri, a Leone decimo ad concilium generale: constitui & ipse concilium generale legittimum & liberum appellare, ne temerè & inconsulto vitam proderem meam. Verum cum appellationis materia ad legisperitos spectet, cuius ego ignarus sum, cumque Lutheri appellatio ad manum mihi non sit: de creui amico alicui fido & jurisperito, concilium meum hac in re pandere, cuius opera in hoc negotio uterer: ac tu quidem unus occurristi, qui mihi in hac Academia visus es ad hoc muuns idoneus. Sed summam haec res taciturnitatem postulat, ut antequam res fiat, nemo refiscat. Dies mihi dictus est ut respondean Rhomae 16. huius mensis, ante quem mihi provocandum esse puto, ac post sententiam appellandum. Sed an mihi primum provocandum, & appellandunsit a judice delegato ad ipsum pontificem, ac deinde ad concilium generale, an omisso pontifice ad concilium primum appellandum sit, concilio mihi opus est tuo. Porro appellationis causae mihi multae sunt. Primo quod juramento astrictus sim, nunquam me consensurum in authoritatem Romani Pontificis. Deinde cum ego respondere omnino renuerem, ad articulos mihi obiectos ab Episcopo Glocestrensi judice delegato, responderam tamen doctori Martino & Storeo cum hac protestatione quod responsio mea non datur judici neque in judicio, sed extraiudicialis esset, & post responsum datum petebam responsionis meae copiam, ut eandem mihi emendare liceret, vel addendo, vel mutando, vel subtrahendo. Quanquam haec m●hi promissa sunt, & a Glocestrensi & a procuratoribus regis & Reginae, omnino tamen fefellerunt fidem, non dantes emendandae responsionis meae copiam, & nihilomiuns (ut audio) inter acta iudicialia adscripserunt. Postremo, cum causa defectionis a Romano ponttifice & a papistica religone in ius vocor, ut iam mibilis sit adversus pontificem Romanum, & nemo aequus judex sit in causa propria: aequum mihi videtur ut concilium appellem, praesertim cum ius naturae (ut aiunt) appellationis remedium nemini negandum censeat. jam cum ad hanc rem maxima taciturnitate opus sit, si forsan ob rerum imperitiam aliorum consiliis tibi opus sit, obtestor tum te per christianam fidem ac charitatem, ut cuius causa sit nemini significes. Et cum iam instet tempus, & mature opus sit facto, hoc me sinas ate impetrare, ut sepositis aliis studiis atque negotiis, huic uni incumbas quousque perfeceris. Potissima sane appellationis meae causa est, ut (si ita deus volverit) donetur eousque vivendi tempus, quousque caeptum contra Marcum Antonium Constantium responsum absoluero. Quod si veritatis hostes meae appellationi deferre nolint, (quod existmo) fiat voluntas dei, susque de que fero, modo glorificetur Deus, sive per vitam, sive per mortem: melius est enim multo mori pro Christo & cum illo regnare, quam in hoc carnis ergastulo concludi, nisi in fratrum utilitatem ad maiorem Dei gloriam propagandam, liceat aliquamdiu militare, Cui sit omnis gloria in aenum, Amen. Est & alia appellationis causa, quod cum Roman vocatus sim illic dictutus causam, interim carcere de tineor ut comparêre mihi ad dictum diem non liceat. Cum autem de statu & vita mea agitur & pro defensione mea jurisperitorum consilio mihi opus esset, quum id peterem, negatum est omne advocatorum, proveratorum & iurisconsultorum consilium & auxilium. Vale. The same in english THe law of nature requireth of all men, that so farforth as it may be done without offence to god, every one should seek to defend and preserve his own life. Which thing, when I about three days ago bethought myself of, and therewithal remembered how that Martin Luther appealed in his time from Pope Leo the tenth to a general counsel (lest I should seem rashly and unadvisedly to cast away myself) I determined to appeal in like sort to some lawful and free general counsel. But seeing the order and form of an appeal pertaineth to the lawyers, whereof I myself am ignorant, and seeing that Luther's appeal cometh not to my hand: I purposed to break my mind in this matter to some faithful friend & skilful in the law, whose help I might use in this behalf, and you only among other came to my remembrance as a man most meet in this university for that purpose. But this is a matter that requireth great silence, so that no man know of it before it be done. It is so that I am summoned to make mine answer at Rome, the xvi day of this month, before the which day I think it good after sentence pronounced to make mine appeal. But whether I should first appeal from the judge delegate to the Pope, and so afterward to the general counsel, or else leaving the Pope, I should appeal immediately to the counsel: herein I stand in need of your counsel. Many causes there be for the which I think good to appeal. First because I am by an oath bound never to consent to the receiving of the bishop of Rome's authority into this realm. Besides this, where as I utterly refused to make answer to the articles objected unto me by the bishop of Gloucester appointed by the Pope to be my judge, yet I was content to answer Martin and Story, with this protestation, that mine answer should not be taken as made before a judge, nor yet in place of judgement, but as pertaining nothing to judgement at all: and moreover after I had made mine answer I required to have a copy of the same, that I might, either by adding thereunto, by altering or taking from it, correct and amend it, as I thought good. The which though both the bishop of Gloucester and also the king and queens proctor's promised me yet have they altogether broken promise with me, and have not permitted me to correct my said answers according to my request, and yet notwithstanding have (as I understand) registered the same as acts formally done in place of judgement. finally forasmuch as all this my trouble cometh upon my departing from the bishop of Rome and from the popish religion, so that now the quarrel is betwixt the Pope himself and me, and no man can be a lawful and indifferent judge in his own cause: it seemeth (me think) good reason that I should be suffered to appeal to some general counsel in this matter: specially seeing the law of nature (as they say) denieth no man, the remedy of appeal in such cases. Now, since it is very requisite that this matter should be kept as close as mayen be, if perhaps for lack of perfect skill herein you shall have need of further advise: then I beseech you even for the fidelity and love you bear to me in Christ, that you will open to no creature alive whose the case is. And forasmuch as the time is now at hand, and the matter requireth great expedition, let me obtain this much of you, I beseech you, that laying a side all other your studies and business for the time, you will apply this my matter only till you have brought it to pass. The chiefest cause in very deed (to tell you the truth) of this mine appeal is, that I might gain time (if it shall so please God) to live until I have finished mine answer against Marcus Antonius Constantius which I have now in hand. This Constantius was Steven Gardener as constant in deed as a wether cock, who thus named himself writing against this good father But if the adversaries of the truth will not admit mine appeal (as I fear they will not) Gods will be done: I pass not upon it so that God may therein be glorified, be it by my life or by my death. For it is much better for me to die in Christ's quarrel & to reign with him, than here to be shut up & kept in the prison of this body, unless it were to continue yet still a while in this warfare for the commodity and profit of my Brethren and to the further advancing of God's glory, to whom be all glory for evermore, Amen. There is also yet an other cause why I think good to appeal, that where as I am cited to go to Rome to answer there for myself, I am notwithstanding kept her fast in prison that I cannot there appear at the time appointed. And moreoverforasmuch as the state I stand in is a matter of life and death, so that I have great need of learned counsel for my defence in this behalf: yet when I made my earnest request for the same, all manner of counsel and help of proctor's, advocates, and layers was utterly denied me. Your loving friend T.C. To mistress Wilkinson a godly matron, exhorting her to fly in the time of persecution and to seek her dwelling where she might serve God according to his word. THe true comforter in all distress is only God thorough his son jesus Christ, and who soever hath him, hath company enough although he were in a wilderness all alone, and he that hath xx. thousand in his company, if god be absent, is in a miserable wilderness and desolation. In him is all comfort, and with out him is none. Wherefore I beseech you seek your dwelling there, as you may truly and rightly serve God and dwell in him and have him ever dwelling in you. What can be so heavy a burden as an unquiet conscience, to be in such a place as a man can not be suffered to serve God in Chrysts true religion? If ye be loath to departed from your kin & friends, remember that Christ calleth them his mother suffers & brothers that do his fathers wil Math. 3. Where we find therefore god truly honoured according to his will, there we can lack neither friend nor kin. If you be loath to depart for slandering of god's word, remember that Christ when his hour was not yet come, departed out of his country into Samaria, john. 4. Mat. 5 to avoid the malice of the scribes and pharisees, and commanded his Apostles that if they were pursued in one place, they should fly to an other. And was not Paul let down by a basket out at a window to avoid the persecution of Areta: 2. Corin. 2. And what wisdom & policy he used from time to time to escape the malice of his enemies, the acts of the Apostles do declare. And after the same sort did the other Apostles: albeit when it came to such a point, that they could no longer escape danger of the persecutors of gods true religion, than they showed themselves, that their flying before came not of fear but of Godly wisdom to do more good, and that they would not rashly without urgent necessity offer themselves to death, which had been but a temptation of god. Yea when they were apprehended and could no longer avoid, than they stood boldly to the profession of Christ, them they showed how little they passed of death, how much they feared god more than men, how much they loved and preferred the eternal life to come above this short & miserable life. Wherefore I exhort you, aswell by Christ's commandment, as by the example of him and his Apostles, to withdraw yourself from the malice of your and gods enemies, into some place where god is most purely served, which is no slandering of the truth, but a preserving of yourself to god and the truth, and to the society and comfort of Christ's little flock. And that you will do, do it with speed, least by your own folly you fall into the persecutors hands, and the Lord send his holy spirit to lead and guide you where soever you go, and all that be godly will say. Amen. T. C ❧ Letters of Doctor Rydley late Bishop of London, who afterlonge imprisonment, was spitefully and cruelly martyred in Oxford for the constant confession of gods true religion, In the year of our Lord God .1555. the xvi. day of October. ☜ Ad fratres in captivitate carnis & per varios carceres dispersos, sed in unitate spiritus atque sacrosanctae religionis in visceribus jesu Christi conglutinatos. GRatia vobis & pax ac misericordia multiplicetur. Quam gratiarum actionem pro vobis fratres red dear possumus domino, super omni consolatione quam de vobis concepimus in domino, qui Sathana saeviente, & peromnia fallaciarum genera mundo imponere studente, & regnum suum iampridem collabascere, ruinamque minitari incipiens, erigere atque denuo instaurare sedulo satagente, tanquam in Petra firmissime fundati, permanetis immobiles. jamque licet Sathan per suos satellites ac ministros, multos (ut audivimus) quotidie ꝑtrahat ad sese, ut stellas etiam e coelo prosternere dicatur, alijs nimirum metum mortis, aut amissionis commodorum huius mundi incutiendo, alijs pollicendo aut ostentando illecebras huius mundi, opes videlicet, atque omnis generis lautitias, aedes amplas, lata praedia, opimasacerdotia, ac quid non? uti prostrati adorent non in domino, sed in dracone, serpent antiquo qui est diabolus, Apoc, oxii. magnam illam bestiam & imaginem eius, utque cum regibus terrae & minore bestia & pseudo prophetis scortari velint cum Babilonica meretrice & cum illa laetari atque luxuriari, & de vino prostitutionis eius inebriari: Benedictus tamen deus, Apo. xvii & pater domini nostri jesu Christi, qui vohis dedit pectus masculum, quique fortitudine spiritus ita vos in interno hominecorrohoravit, ut ist haec oina sive terri culamenta, five huius mundi illicebras ꝓ vanitatibus ac meris nugis nihilique tricis contemnere possitis, quiqueita cordibus vestris, tanta constantia, fiduciam ac amorem domini nostri jesu Christi persuasit, insevit, alteque impressit, ut nullis Antichristi machinis, quantum nis alioqui aut terribilibus aut plausibilibus, sinatis vobis alium jesum aut alium Christum, praeter eum quem prophetae praedixerunt, apostoli annunciaverijt, & sancti dei martyres suo sanguine confessi sunt. In hac fide (fratres) state, & ne rursus iugo servitutis aut suꝑstitionis implicemini. Math. 24 Nostis enim fratres quemadmodum seruatornoster praemonuit suos, futurum ut venirent qui alium Christum mundo ostenta rent, eumque tot miraculorum & fallaciarum dolis atque fraudibus comen darent, ut electi quoque, si fieri posset, seducerentur: tam fortem futuram esse praedixit illusionem seruator. Sed durate (fratres) atque confidite, & memineritis mundum a nostro Agonotheta devictum esse. Maior enim est qui in nobis est, 1. john. 4. quam qui est in mundo: & pollicetur nobis dominus ut propter electos, dies malitiae ahhrenientur. Interea vos, quod sacitis, fratres, durate, durate inquam & vosmet rebus, ut quidam gentilium poetarum dixit, Virgil Aeneid. 1. Heb. x seruate secundis: pergite praehere vos s●re nuos athletas domini, & adiuuate decertantem evangelii fidem. Patientia vobis opus est, ut cum voluntatem domini peregeritis, reportetis promissionem. Adhuc enim pufillun temporis, & qui venturus est veni et & non tardabit: justus enim ex fide victurus est, & fi se subdux erit non p●●●abitur animo meo, dicit dominus. At nos non sumus qui subducamus nos in perditionem, sed ad fidem pertinemus in acquisitionem animae. Math. 10. Non sinamus (fratres) ullis mundi tonitruis verba illa Christi nostris cordihus excidere: ne terreamini ab illit qui occidunt corpus: reliqua nostis. Non enim scribo vobis ut ignorantibus veritatem, sed ut eam cognoscentibus, tantum ut per mutuam fidem consolationem communem capiamus confirmemurque. Nulla unquam melior aut maior causa vel contemnendae vitae vel profundendi sanguinis. Nulla esse potest causa, aut certioris veritatis, evidentiae, aut claritatis. Non enim agitur controversia de ceremoniola aliqua, sed de substantia universae religioni nostrae, adeoque de Christo ipso. Num alium Christum pro eo qui solus est aeterui patris aeternus filius, qui est splendor gloriae & expressa imago substantiae patris, in quo uno plenitudo divinitatis corporaliter inhabitat, qui est solus via, veritas & vita, admittere agnoscereque volumus aut possumus? Absit fratres, absit tanta procul impietas a nobis. Nam quamquam etiam sint qui dicantur dij, sive in coelo sive in terra, 1 Cor. 8 quemadmodum sunt dij multi & domini multi, nobis tamen unus est deus, qui est pater ille ex quo omnia & nos in illum, & unus Dominus Christus per quem omnia & nos per illum: sed non in omnibus est scientia. Haec est (inquit johannes) vita aeterna ut cognoscant te solum verum deum & quem misisti jesum christum. john. 17 Si quis igitur nobis alium deum obtrudere velit praeter eum quem Paulus & Apostoli docuerunt, non audi amus, sed ut anathema procul fugiamus. Profunditates Satanae non ignoratis fratres, non enim cessabit ille circuire vos, ut quaerat quovis modo quem devoret: sed viriliter agite, & comfortemini in Domino: & licet hostes vestri, & adversarij veritatis omnibus mundi prefidijs muniti fuerint, & vos adoriantur, nolite tamen propterea animum despondere, sed confidite duci vestro Christo, confidite spiritui veritatis & veritati causae vestrae, quae ut tenebris ꝑ nequitiam Satanae obduci, ita extingui non potest. Stant enim a nobis (ingentes deo gratiae) certissime, evidentissime, clarissimeque, onnes prophetae, apostoli, & onnes, procul dubio, veteres ecclesiastici scriptores usque ad tempora neotericorum. Confidamꝰ ergo & plenam in domino capia mus consolationem: nec terreamini ab adversarijs, quae enim illis causa est perditionis, vobis autem salutis, & hoc a deo, phil. 1 quia vobis donatum est non solum ut in eum credatis, verum etiam ut ꝓ illo patiamini, & dum probris afficimini in nomine christi, cogitate vos voce Petri, imo & christi salvatoris, beatos esse cum prophetis, cum apostolis, cum martyribus christi, quoniam gloria & spiritus domini super vos requiescit. 1. pet. 4 juxta illos seruator noster maledictis afficitur, juxta vos glorificatur: quid enim aliud vos ꝑsequendo aut etiam crudeliora designando vobis facere possunt, quam vestras vobis coronas insignire, ornare, & multipli eare, sibi vero plagas suas & iras dei graves accumulare & aggravare? Ergo, ne tum qnidem cum maxime in nos de bacchantur, male precemur illis fratres, scientes quoniam dum nos ob Christum insectantur, Rom. 12 1. pet. 3. in seipsos maxime saeviunt ardentesque in capita propria carbones congerunt: sed bene precemur potius, scientes nos in Christo vocatos esse, ut benedictionem haereditate possideamus. Precemur ergo ut dominus è cordibus eorum errorum tenebras dispellat & veritatis lucem illis faciat illucescere, ut agnitis erroribus, supplices paenitudine ad dominum convertantur, & nobiscum solum illum verum deum qui est pater luminum & eius unicum filium dominum jesum, christum agnoscant atque in spiritu & veritate adorent, Amen. Vester in Domino frater, quem tabellarius vobis denunciabit, per Dei gratiam ad convivendum & commoriendum. The same in English. ☞ To the Brethren remaining in Captivity of the flesh, and dispersed abroad in sundry prisons, but knit together in unity of spirit and holy religion in the bowels of the Lord jesus. GRace, peace, and mercy be multiplied among you. What worthy thanks can we render unto the Lord for you my brethren, namely for the great consolation which through you we have received in the lord, who notwithstanding the rage of Satan that goeth about by all manner of subtle means to beguile the world, and also busily laboureth to restore and set up his kingdom again that of late began to decay and fall to ruin: ye remain yet still unmovable as men surely grounded upon a strong rock. And now albeit that Satan by his soldiers and wicked ministers daily (as we hear) draweth numbers unto him, so that it is said of him that he plucketh even the very stars out of heaven, whiles he driveth into some men the fear of death and loss of all their goods, and showeth and offereth to other some the pleasant baits of the world, namely riches, wealth and all kind of delights, and pleasures, fair houses, great revenues, fat benefices, and what not? & all to the intent they should fall down and worship, Apoc. xii not in the lord but in the dragon the old Serpent which is the devil, that great beast, and his image, and should be enticed to commit fornication with the strumpet of Babylon, together with the kings of the earth, with the lesser beast, Apo. xvii● and with the false prophets, and so to rejoice and be pleasant with her, and to be drunken with the wine of her fornication: yet blessed be god the father of our Lord jesus Christ which hath given unto you a manly courage & hath so strengthened you in the inward man, by the power of his spirit, that you can contemn aswell all the terrors, as also the vain flattering allurements of the world, esteeming them as vanities, mere trifles, & things of nought, who hath also wrought, planted, and surely established in in your hearts so steadfast a faith and love of our lord jesus Christ, joined with such constancy, that by no engines of Antichrist, be they never so terrible or plausible, ye will suffer any other jesus or any other Christ to be forced upon you, besides him whom the Prophets have spoken of before, the apostles have preached and the holy Martyrs of God have confessed and testified with the effusion of their blood. In this faith stand ye fast my brethren, Gal. 5 and suffer not yourselves to be brought under the yoke of bondage and superstition any more, For ye know brethren, how that our saviour warned his before hand, that such should come as would point unto the world an other Christ and would set him out with so many false miracles and with such deceivable and subtile practices, that even the very elect (if it were possible) should be thereby deceived: such strong delusion to come did our Saviour give warning of before. But continue ye faithful and constant and be of good comfort, and remember that our grand captain hath overcome the world, 1. john. 4. for he that is in us is stronger than he that is in the world, and the Lord promiseth unto us that for the elects sake the days of wickedness shall be shortened. In the mean season abide ye and endure with patience as ye have begun, endure I say, Virgil eneid. 1. Phil. 1. Heb. 10. and reserve yourselves unto better times, as one of the Heathen poets said. Cease not to show yourselves valiant Soldiers of the lord and help to maintain the traveling faith of the gospel. Ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of god, ye may receive the promises. For yet a very little while, and he that shall come will come and will not tarry, and the just shall live by faith: but if any withdraw himself, my soul shall have no pleasure in him (saith the Lord. But we are not they which do withdraw ourselves unto damnation, but believe unto the salvation of the soul. Let us not suffer these words of Christ to fall out of our hearts, by any manner of terrors or threatenings of the world: fear not them which kill the body, the rest ye know. 1. john. 2 For I writ not unto you as to men which are ignorant of the truth but which know the truth, and to this end only, that we agreeing together in one faith, may take comfort one of an other, and be the more confirmed and strengchened thereby. We never had a better or more just cause either to contemn our life, or shed our blood: we can not take in hand the defence of a more certain, clear and manifest truth. For it is not any ceremony for the which we contend but it toucheth the very substance of our whole religion, yea even Christ himself. Shall we, either can we receive and acknowledge any other Christ in stead of him who is alone the everlasting son of the everlasting father, and is the brightness of the glory, and lively image of the substance of the father, in whom only dwelleth corporally the fullness of the godhead, who is the only way, the truth, and the life? Let such wickedness (my brethren) let such horrible wickedness be far from us. For although there be that are called gods, 1. Corin. 8. whether in heaven either in earth, as there be many gods and many Lords, yet unto us there is but one God, which is the father, of whom are all things and we in him, and one Lord jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him: but every man hath not knowledge. This is life eternal (saith s. john) the they know thee to be the only true god & whom thou hast sent jesus Christ. john. 17. If any therefore would force upon us any other God besides him whom Paul and the Apostles have taught, let us not hear him, but let us fly from him & hold him accursed. Brethren ye are not ignorant of the deep and profound subtleties of Satan, for he will not cease to range about you, seeking by all means possible whom he may devour: but play ye the men and be of good comfort in the Lord. And albeit your enemies and the adversaries of the truth armed with all worldly force and power that may be, do set upon you: yet be not ye faint hearted, nor shrink not therefore: but trust unto your captain Christ, trust unto the Spirit of truth, and trust to the truth of your cause, which as it may by the malice of Satan be darkened, so can it never be clean put out. For we have (high praise be given to God therefore) most plainly, evidently, and clearly on our side, all the Prophets, all the Apostles, and undoubtedly all the ancient Ecclesiastical writers which have written until of late years passed. Let us be hearty and of good courage therefore, and throughly comfort ourselves in the Lord. Be in no wise afraid of your adversaries, Phil. 1. for that which is to them an occasion of perdition, is to you a sure token of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given, that not only ye should believe on him, but also suffer for his sake. And when ye are railed upon for the name of Christ, remember that by the voice of Peter, yea and of Christ our saviour also, ye are counted with the Prophets, 1. pet. 4 with the Apostles and with the holy Martyrs of Christ, happy and blessed therefore: for the glory and spirit of god resteth upon you. On their part our saviour Christ is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. For what can they else do unto you by persecuting you and working all cruelty and villainy against you, but make your crowns more glorious, yea beautify & multiply the same, and heap upon themselves the horrible plagues and heavy wrath of god: and therefore good brethren, though they rage never so fiercely against us, yet let us not wish evil unto them again, knowing, that whiles for Christ's caufe they vex and persecute us, they are like mad men, most ouragious and cruel against themselves, heaping hot burning coals upon their own heads: but rather let us wish well unto them, knowing that we are thereunto called in Christ jesus, 1. pet. 3. that we should be heyers of the blessing. Let us pray therefore unto god that he would drive out of their hearts this darkness of errors, and make the light of his truth to shine unto them, that they acknowledging their blindness, may with all humble repentance be converted unto the Lord, and together with us confess him to be the only true God, which is the father of light, and his only son jesus Christ, worshipping him in spirit and verity, Amen. The spirit of our Lord jesus Christ comfort your hearts in the love of God and patience of Christ. Amen. Your brother in the Lord, whose name this bears shall signify unto you, ready always by the grace of god to live and die with you. Ad fratres qui Christum cum cruce amplectuntur. GRatia vobis & pax a Deo & domino nostro jesu Christo multiplicetur, Amen. Licet a vobis (fratres) nihil nuper accepimus, neque vobis aliquid novi nunc nuntiandum habemus, tamen ideo vi sum est nobis aliquid vohis scribere, ut intelligatis nos memoriam vestri bonam habere perpetuam, sicut vos de nobis habere mimine dubitamus. Veniente nuper ad nos harum latore, & anuntiante nobis vestram omnium in domino constantiam, fortitudinem & patientiam multam, repleti sumus consolatione & gaudio, gratias agentes deo & patri per dominum nostrum jesum Christum, qui ita illuminavit vultum suum sup vos & lumine intelligentiae spiritualis ita illustravit corda vestra, ut quod nuper dum essetis in mundo liberi, verbo & doctrina passim prestare sategistis, nunc propter Christum captivi, quantum licet verbo, sed multo magis opere atque vestro exemplo, prestare non cessastis, hoc est sermonem vitae sustinentes, phil. 2 lucetis tanquam luminaria in munda in medio nationis pravae & tortuosae, idque tanto cum maiore domini nostri jesu Christi gloria fratrumque vestrorum emolumento & utilitate, quanto nunc Satan magis saevit, maioresque luci evangelicae conatur inducere tenebras. De tenebris autem quas nunc ecclesiae Anglicanae Satan offundit, quis potest dubitare? Nuper Christus, salvator, Apostoli, prophetae & doctores ipsius in templo loquebantur populo Anglicano anglice, ita ut ab eye q pij erant & rerum coelestium studiosi, in ijs que ad vitae eternae redemptionem de necessitate salutis pertinebant, clare & absque enigmate facile intelligi poterant: nunc vero quae ab illis olim in edificationem ecclesiae scripta sunt, leguntur in lingua peregrina citra interpretationem, manifest contra preceptum Pauli Apostoli, ita ut a nemine prorsus qui alienam & peregrinam illam linguam non didicerit, intelligi possint. Nuper sacro sancta illa mysteria coelestia, quibus nos sibi Christus insevit & suo corpori complantavit atque nos inter nos mutuo colligavit, quibus natos deo aluit, auxit, atque corroboravit, denique quibus aut ordinem inter sanos docuit, aut egrotis velaia vel corpore veluti salubria pharmaca tradidit, oïa populo clare in sua lingua tradebantur, ita ut quisque, quanta & quam immensa a deo accepisset, quid cuique ex dei prescripto deberet, quid in sua quis que vocatione professus esset & observare teneretur, unde languenti remedium esset petendum, facile is cui deus mentem & animum hec intelligendi au●dum dedit, quam facillime intelligere poterat: nunc vero omnia hec ita traduntur, ut eorum omnium populus Christi sanguine redemptus, & cui hec maxime a Christo in stituta sunt, ne tantillum quidem intelligere possit. Nuper (quum quid orare debemus ut oportet, nescimus) dominus noster jesus christus in sua quam omnibus tradi voluit oratione, atque etiam spiritus sanctus in psalmis, hymnis & cantionibus spiritualibus quae in sacris biblijs reperiuntur, universum populum Anglicanum anglice docuit, ut & quae petenda essent juxta voluntatem patris peterent, & corda cum labijs in oratione coniungerent: nunc vero oina sub involu crolinguae peregrinae iubentur claudi, unde necessario sequi oportet, populum, neque quid orat neque quid orare debeat posse intelligere: & quomodo potest cor voci coniungere quum quid vox valeat, magis quàm brutum intelligere nequeat? Postremo, audio passim in pulpitis nunc damnari catechesim illam editam nuper in sermone vulgari. Oh malitiam demoniacam & humani generis per Christum salut● partae, plane invidam. Omnino Satan tantam lucem vulgari ꝑ or● been, diu sustinere nompotuit: nihil equae in suo regno subvertendo effi cere posse intellexit, quàm si à teneris annis sacris iu●buti pueri Christum didicissent: unde non tantum pueros, sed & senes atque aetate provectiores, qui ab infantia christum prius non didicissent, una cum pueris christum discere necesse erat. Ergo nunc exclamat & nociferae tur. Sed quid faciunt aliud (fratres) qui satanae in hac impietate ope ran impendunt atque ministrant, quam illi quibus Christus seruator no star in evangelio, dirum illud interminatur & intonat dicens: Math. 23 Vae vobis qui clauditis regnum ante homines, qui tulictis clavem scientiae: ipsi non introijstis, & introire volentes prohibuistis. Et unde frates dixerimus has tetras & exitiosas tenebras in mundum invectas exhalasse? unde quaeso, Apoca, 9 quam ex fumo fornacis magni putei ahyssi, ut iam obscuratus sit sol & aêr ex fumo putei? jam iam procul dubio, fratres, apudnos puteus apertus est, locustae luxuriantur, & abaddon regnat. Ergo fratres qui estis Christi, qui signum dei habetis in frontibùs vestris, Apoc. seven. i. john. v. hoc est arra spiritus, obsignati estis in populum peculiarem Deo: viriliter agite & confortamini. Maior enim est qui est in nobis quam qui est in mundo. Scitis autem quod omne quod natum est ex deo vincit mundum, & haec est victoria quae vincit mundum, fides nostra. Fremat, frendat & insaeniat quantumlibet mundus, scitote quod nemo potest nos tollere de manu patris, quia maior est omnibus: qui proprio filio suo non pepercit, sed pro nobis omnibus tradidit illum, Rom. viii & proinde qui steri potest ut non cum illo omnia nobis donet. Quis intentabit crimina adversus electos dei? Deus est qui justificat, quis ille qui condemnet? Christus est qui mortuus immo & qui suscitatus est, qui & intercedit pro nobis. Quis nos seperabit a dilectione Dei? Num afflictio? Num angustia? Num persecutio? Num fames? Num nuditas? Num periculum? Num gladius? reliqua nostis fratres. Speramus plané cum Paulo, per gratiam Domini nostri jesu Christi, quôd nihil prorsus nos poterit separare a dilectione Dei quae est in Christo jesu Domino nostro. Quod, ut & vobis sit & nobis omnibus contingat gratia & miserecordia seruatoris nostri jesu Christi, & nos pro vobis (Deo volente) indesinenter orabimus, & vos pro nobis ne aliquando orare desinatis, etiam atque etiam in visceribus jesu christi (fratres in Domino charissimi) quantum possumus obnixe precamur. Bene valet fratres charissimi. Gratia domini nostri jesu Christi sit semper cum omnibus vobis. Amen. Vester in domino. N.R. The same in English. To the brethren which constantly cleave unto Christ in suffering affliction with him and for his sake. GRace and peace from GOD the father and from our Lord jesus christ be multiplied unto you, Amen. Although brethren, we have of late heard nothing from you, neither have at this present any news to send you: yet we thought good some thing to write unto you, whereby ye might understand that we have good remembrance of you continually, as we doubt not but ye have of us also. When this messenger coming unto us from you of late, had brought us good tidings of your great constancy, fortitude and patience in the Lord: we were filled with much joy and gladness, giving thanks to god the father through our lord jesus Christ, which hath caused his face so to shine upon you, & with the light of spiritual understanding, hath so lightened your hearts, that now being in captivity and bands for Christ's cause, ye have not ceased, as much as in you lieth, by words, but much more by deed and by your example, to stablish and confirm that thing, which when ye were at liberty in the world, ye laboured to publish and set abroad by the word, & doctrine: that is to say, holding fast the word of life, ye shine as lights in the world in the mids of a wicked & crooked nation, Phi. 2. & that with so much the greater glory of our Lord jesus Christ and profit of your brethren, by how much Satan more cruelly now rageth & busily laboureth to darken the light of the gospel. And as for the darkness that Satan now bringeth upon the church of England, who needeth to doubt thereof? Of late time our saviour christ, his Apostles, prophets and teachers, spoke in the temple to the people of england in the english tongue, so that they might be understand plainly and without any hardness, of the godly & such as sought for heavenvly knowledge in matters which of necessity of salvation pertained to the obtaining of eternal life: but now those things which once were written of them for the edifying of the congregation, are red in a strange tongue without interpretation, manifestly against Saint Paul's commandment, so that there is no man able to understand them, which hath not learned that strange and unknown tongue. Of late days those heavenly mysteries, whereby Christ hath engrafted us into his body, and hath united us one to an other, whereby also being regenerate and borne a new unto God, he hath nourished, increased and strengthened us, whereby moreover, either he hath taught and set forth an order amongs them which are whole, or else to the sick in soul or body hath given, as it were, wholesome medicines & remedies: those I say, were all plainly set forth to the people in their own language, so that what great & exceeding good things every man had received of god, what duty every one owed to an other by god's ordinance, what every one had professed in his vocation & was bound to observe, where remedy was to be had for the weak & feeble: he, to whom God had given a desire and willing heart to understand those things, might soon perceive and understand: But now all these things are taught and setforth in such sort, that the people redeemed with Christ's blood, & for whose sakes they were by Christ himself ordained, can have no manner of understanding thereof at all. Of late (forasmuch as we know not how to pray as we ought) our Lord jesus christ in his prayer, whereof he would have no man ignorant, and also the holy ghost in the psalms, hymns, & spiritual songs which are set forth in the bible, did teach and instruct all the people of England in the english tongue, that they might ask such things as are according to the will of the father, & might join their hearts & lips in prayer together: but now all these things are commanded to be hid & shut up from them in a strange tongue, whereby it must needs follow, that the people neither can tell how to pray nor what to pray for: and how can they join their hearts and voice together when they understand no more what the voice signifieth, than a brute beast? Finally I hear say that the Catechism which was lately set forth in the english tongue, is now in every pulpit condemned. Oh devilish malice, and most spite fully injurious to the salvation of mankind purchased by jesus Christ. In deed Satan could not long suffer that so great light should be spread abroad in the world: he saw well enough that nothing was able to overthrow his kingdom so much as if children being godly instructed in religion, should learn to know Christ whiles they are yet young: whereby not only children but the elder for't also, & aged folks that before were not taught to know Christ in their childhood, should now even with children & babes be forced to learn to know him. Now therefore he roareth now he rageth. But what else do they brethren, which serve Satan and become his ministers & slaves in maintaining of this impiety, but even the same which they did, Math. 2●. to whom Christ our saviour threateneth this curse in the gospel: woe unto you which shut up the kingdom of heaven before men, & take away the key of knowledge from them: ye yourselves have not entered in, neither have ye suffered them that would enter to come in. And from whence shall we say (brethren) that this horrible and mischievous darkness proceedeth which is now brought into the world? from whence I pray you, but even from the smoke of the great furnace, the bottomless pit, Apoc. 9 so that the son and the air are now darked by the smoke of the pit? Now, even now out of doubt (brethren) the pit is opened amongs us, and the locusts begin to swarm and abbadon now reigneth. Apoca. 7. Ye therefore (my brethren) which pertain unto Christ, and have the seal of god marked in your foreheads, that is to wit, are sealed up with the earnest of the spirit to be a peculiar people unto god, quite yourselves like men & be strong, for he that is in us, is stronger than he which is in the world: i. john. 5 and ye know that all that is borne of god overcometh the world, & this is our victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Let the world fret, let it rage's never so much, be it never so cruel & bloody, yet be ye sure that no man can take us out of the father's hands, for he is greater than all: who hath not spared his own son but hath given him to death for us all, and therefore how shall he not with him, give us all things also? who shall lay any thing to the charge of gods elect? It is god that justifieth, who shall then condemn? It is Christ that is dead, yea rather which is risen again, Rom. 8 who is also at the right hand of god & maketh request also for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine or nakedness, or peril, or sword? the rest ye know brethren. We are certainly persuaded with S. Paul by the grace of our Lord jesus Christ, that no kind of thing shallbe able to separate us from the love of god which is in Christ jesus our Lord. Which thing, that it may come to pass by the grace and mercy of our lord jesus Christ to the comfort both of you and of us all, as we for our parts will continually God willing, pray for you: so (dear Brethren in the Lord) with all earnest and hearty request, we beseech you even in the bowels of our Lord jesus christ, that ye will not cease to pray for us. Far ye well dear brethren. The grace of our Lord jesus Christ be with you all evermore. Amen. Yours in the Lord Nicolas Ridley. To the queens majesty. IT may please your majesty for Christ our saviours sake in a matter of conscience, & now not for myself but for other poor men, to vouchsafe to hear and understand this mine humble supplication. It is so honourable princes) that in the time whiles I was in the ministry of the sea of London, divers poor men tenants thereof, have taken new leases of their tenantries & holdinges, and some have renewed and changed their old, & therefore have paid fines & sums of money both to me & also to the Chapter of Paul's for the confirmation of the same. Behold the cruel and unjust dealing of Bonner. He can not deal justly and truly with men, which is untrue to god, and a hater of all truth. Now I hear say, that the B. which occupieth the same room now, will not allow the aforesaid leases, which must redound to many poor men's utter ruin and decay. Wherefore, this is mine humble supplication unto your honourable grace, that it may please the same for Christ's sake, to be unto the foresaid poor men their gracious patron and defender, either that they may enjoy their foresaid leases and years renewed, as when their matter shallbe heard with conscience, (I suppose) both justice, conscience & equity shall require, for that their leases shallbe found (I trust) made without fraud or coven either of their part or of mine, & also the old rents always reserved to the sea without any kind of damage thereof: or if this will not be granted, then that it may please your gracious highness to command that the poor men may be restored to their former leases and years, and may have rendered to them again such sums of money as they paid to me and to the chapter for their leases and years so now taken from them. Which thing, concerning the fines paid to me, may be easily done, if it shall please your majesty to command some portion of those goods which I left in my house, to be given unto them. I suppose that half of the value of my plate which I left in mine offices, and specially in an iron chest in my bed Chamber, will go nigh to restore all such fines received: the true sums and parcels whereof are not set in their leases, and therefore if that way shall please your highness, they must be known by such ways and means as your majesty by the advise of men of wisdom and conscience shall appoint. If to succo● the widow and fatherless is pure and undefiled religion as Saint james saith: Then is Boner and his reliō●g filthy and abominable which doth such wrong to the Widow and fatherless. But yet for Christ's sake I crave and most humbly beseech your majesty of your most gracious pity and mercy, that the former way may take place. I have also a poor sister that came to me out of the north, with iij. fatherless children for her relief, whom I married after to a servant of mine own house: she is put out of that which I did provide for them. I beseech your honourable grace, that her case may be mercifully considered, & that the rather in contemplation that I never had of him which suffered endurance at my entrance to the sea of London, one penny of his movable goods, for it was almost half a year after his deposition, afore I did enter in that place: yea, and also if any were left known to be his, he had licence to carry it away, or there for his use it did lie safe, and his officers do know, that I paid for the lead which I found there when I occupied any of it to the behoof of the church or of the house. And moreover I had not only no part of his movable goods, but also as his old receiver & then min, called M. Staunton can testify, I paid for him towards his servants common livertes and wages after his deposition 53. li. or 55. pounds, I cannot tell whether. Notwithstanding these godly and just requests, no justice could be had until that now of late some of these shameful injuries, by order of law have been redressed. In all these matters I beseech your honourable majesty to hear the advise of men of conscience, and especially the archbishop now of York, which for that he was continually in my house a year and more before mine imprisonment, I suppose he is not altogether ignorant of some part of these things, and also his grace doth know my sister, for whose succour and some relief, now unto your highness, I make most humble suit. The xvi day of October. Anno. 1555. N. R. ¶ An answer to a letter written unto him by West sometime his chaplain. I Wish you grace in god and love of the truth without the which truly established in men's hearts, by the mighty hand of almighty god, it is no more possible to stand by the truth in Christ in time of trouble, than it is for the wax to abide the heat of the fire. Sir, know you this, that I am (blessed be God) persuaded that this world is but transitory, and (as saint john saith) the world passeth away & the lust thereof. i. john. 2 Math. 10. I am persuaded Christ's wor●es to be true: whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my father which is in heaven, and I believe that no earthly creature shall be saved, whom the redeemer and saviour of the world shall before his father deny. This the lord grant that it may be so graffed, established, and fixed in my heart, that neither things present nor to come, high nor low, life nor death be able to remove me thence. It is a goodly wish that you wish me deeply to consider things pertaining unto god's glory: but if you had wished also the neither fear of death, nor hope of worldly prosperity should let me to maintain gods word and his truth, which is his glory and true honour, it would have liked me well. You desire me for gods sake to remember myself. In deed sir, now it is time so to do, for so far as I can perceive, it standeth me upon no less danger, then of the loss both of body and soul, and I trow than it is time for a man to awake, if any thing will awake him. He that will not fear him that threateneth to cast both body & soul into everlasting fire, Luk. 12. whom will he fear? With this fear, O Lord, fasten thou together our frail flesh, that we never serve from thy laws. You say you have made much suit for me. Sir God grant that you have not in saving for my worldly deliverance, impaired and hindered the furtherance of God's word and his truth. You have known me long in deed, in the which time it hath chanced me (as you say) to mislike some things. It is true, I grant: for sudden changes without substantial and necessary cause, and the heady setting forth of extremities, I did never love. Canfession unto the minister which is able to instruct, correct, comfort, and inform the weak, wounded, and ignorant conscience, in deed I ever thought might do much good in Christ's congregation, and so I assure you I think even at this day. My doctrine and my preaching, you say you have heard often, & after your judgement have thought it godly, saving only for the Sacrament, which thing although it was of me reverently handled and a great deal better than of the rest (as you say) yet in the margin you writ warily, and in this world wisely: and yet me thought all sounded not well. Sir, but that I see so many changes in this world and so much alteration, else at this your saying I would not a little marvel. I have taken you for my friend, and a man whom I fancied for plainness and faith fullness as much (I assure you) as for your learning: and have you kept this so close in your heart from me unto this day? Sir, I consider more things than one, and will not say all that I think. But what need you to care what I think, for any thing that I shall be able to do unto you, either good or harm? You give me good lessons to stand in nothing against my learning & to beware of vain glory. Truly sir, I herein like your counsel very well, and by God's grace I intend to follow it unto my lives end. To write unto those whom you name, I cannot see what it will avail me. For this I would have you know, that I esteem nothing available for me, which also will not further the glory of God. And now, because I perceive you have an entire zeal and desire of my deliverance out of this captivity and worldly misery, if I should not bear you a good heart in god again, me think I were to blame. Sir how nigh the day of my dissolution and departure out of this world is at hand, I can not tell: the Lords will be fulfilled how soon soever it shall come. I know the lords words must be verified on me, that I shall appear before the incorrupt judge, and be countable to him of all my former life. And although the hope of his mercy is my sheet-anchor of eternal salvation, yet am I persuaded, that whosoever wittingly neglecteth and regardeth not to clear his conscience, he cannot have peace with God nor a lively faith in his mercy. Conscience therefore moveth me, considering you were one of my family and one of my household, of whom then I think I had a special cure, and of all them which were within my house, which in deed ought to have been an example of godliness to all the rest of my cure, not only of good life, but also in promoting of gods word to the uttermost of their power: but (alas) now when the trial doth separate the chaff from the corn, how small a deal it is, god knoweth, which the wind doth not blow away: this conscience I say doth move me to fear least the lightness of my family shall be laid to my charge for lack of more earnest & diligent instruction which should have been done. But blessed be god which hath given me grace to see this my default and to lament it from the bottom of my heart before my departing hence. This conscience doth move me also now to require both you and my friend Doctor Haruy, to remember your promises made to me in times past, of the pure setting forth & preaching of gods word & his truth. These promises, although you shall not need to fear to be charged with them of me hereafter before the world, yet look for none other (I exhort you as my friends) but to be charged with them at god's hand. This conscience and the love that I bear unto you, biddeth me now say unto you both in god's name, fear god and love not the world: for god is able to cast both body and soul into hell fire. Psa. 2. When his wrath shall suddenly be kindled, blessed are all they that put their trust in him. And the saying of S. john is true: john. 2. all that is in the world, as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the father, but of the world, & the world passeth away and the lust thereof, but he that doth the will of god abideth for ever. If this gift of grace, which undoubtedly is necessarily required unto eternal salvation, were truly and unfeignedly graffed and firmly established in men's hearts, they would not be so light, so suddenly to shrink from the maintenance and confession of the truth, as is now (alas) seen so manifestly of so many in these days. But here peradventure you would know of me what is the truth. Sir, god's word is the truth, as s. john saith, john. 17. Eccl. 27 and that even the same that was heretofore. For albeit man doth vary and change as the moon, yet God's word is stable & abideth one for evermore: and of Christ it is truly said, Christ yesterday and to day, the same is also for ever. Heb. 13 When I was in office, all that were esteemed learned in god's word, agreed this to be a truth in gods word written, that the common prayer of the Church should be had in the common tongue. You know I have conferred with many, & I ensure you I never found man (so far as I do remember) neither old nor new, gospeler nor Papist, of what judgement so ever he was, in this thing to be of a contrary opinion. If then it were a truth of god's word, think you that the alteration of the world can make it an untruth▪ If it cannot, why then do so many men shrink from the confession and maintenance of this truth received once of us all? For what is it I pray you else to confess or deny Christ in this world, but to maintain the truth taught in god's word, or for any worldly respect to shrink from the same? This one thing have I brought for an ensample: other things be in like case, which now particularly I need not to rehearse. For he that will forsake wittingly, either for fear or gain of the world, any one open truth of god's word, if he be constrained, he will assuredly forsake god and all his truth, rather than he will endanger himself to lose or to leave that he loveth better in deed than he doth God and the truth of his word. I like very well your plain speaking, wherein you say: I must either agree or die, and I think that you mean of the bodily death which is common both to good & bad. Sir, I know I must die whether I agree or no. But what folly were it then to make such an agreement by the which I could never escape this death which is so common to all, and also incur the guilt of death and eternal damnation? Lord grant that I may utterly abhor and detest this damnable agreement so long as I live. And because (I dare say) you wrote of friendship unto me this short earnest advertisement, and I think verily wishing me to live and not to die, therefore bearing you in my heart no less love in god than you do me in the world, Apostata was he which fled from his captain to the enemy. He was also so called that departed from the christians to the jews & Gentiles I say unto you in the word of the lord (and that I say to you I say to all my friends and lovers in god) that if you do not confess and maintain to your power and knowledge, that which is grounded upon god's word, but will either for fear or gain of the world shrink and play the Apostata, in deed you shall die the death: you know what I mean. And I beseech you all my true friends and lovers in God, remember what I say, for this may be the last time peraduentute that ever I shall write unto you. From Bocardo in Oxford, the 18. day of April. 1554. N.R. Chariss. fratri & venerabili in Christo compresbytero joanni Hopero gratiam & pacem. dilect frater & venerabilis in Christo compresbyter, condonet mihi precor tua dilectio, quod hactenus a tua captivitate, tua simul & mea, tuam dilectionem meis literis non salutauerim, quando (ingenue fateor) mihi abs te (quae tua erat humanitas) binae literae datae fuerunt, diversis quidem temporibus, sed eis semper profecto in quibus aut mihi per iniquitatem temporis rescribere bene non licuit, aut si rescripsissem de literis ad te tuto perferendis multum dubitavi. jam vero charissime frater, quum ex illis tuis lucuhrationibus, quas mihi non nisi obiter videre contigit, facile intelligo nos in ijs quae sunt nostrae religionis fundamenta & bases omium (adversus quas mundus hody tantopere insanit) probe convenire, & in unum conspirare, utcumque in rebus minoribus & religionis appendicibus olim tua prudentia & mea simplicitas, in alîquibus (fateor) uterque suum sensum habebat: iam inquam cognoscat tua dilectio, quod ex animo (deus mihi testis est) in viscerihus Christi te diligam frater in veritate, propter veritatem quae permanet in nobis, & ut mihi per suasum habeo, per gratiam dei per manebit nobiscum in aeternum. Quoniam autem (uti video frater) mundus causam suam igere non cessat, & contra Christum seruatorem quantum potest maximis munitionibus conspirat, 1. Corin. 10 & summas conatur erigere altitudines a duersus cognitionem Dei: iungamus frater dextras in Christo, & pro nostra viriliquantumque in nobis situm erit, non armis carnalibus sed spiritualibus, si non possumus demoliri, saltem pulsemus illas altitudines, & simul nos iam Frater praeparemus ad diem dissolutionis nostrae, per quam cum Christo post momentaneam carnis iftius nostrae afflictionem, in aeternum gratia Domini jesu Christi, simul cum illo triumphabimns in gloria sempeterna. Ohsecro frater, saluta meo nomine venerandum illum tuum concaptiwm & mihi vere venerahilem patrem D. Cromerum, de quo (mihi crede) ex primo die quo de eius sanctissima & grauiss. constantia in confessione veritatis euangelicoe audivi, semper maximam consolationem maximumque gaudium concepi in domino: integritatem enim eius viri, gravitatem & innocentiam, iampridem universa pene (credo) novit Anglia. Benedictus igitur deus qui nobis in tanta abundantia iniquitatis, & in tanta ruina pietatis, talem nobis dedit in isthac veneranda canitie testem sui evangelii veritati. Infoelix quem tanti viri, tam gravis & innocentis pietas & constans confessio nihil permovere possunt ad cognoscendam veritatem dei. Non peto iam, frater, ut mihi quicquam rescribas, multum enim vereor ne literae intercipiantur: quanquam scias mihi de tua constantia & fortitudine in Domini caussa audire semper fore gratissimum. Et ut tuae fraternitati hactenus non rescripserim, bis tamen ut potui tibi significandum curavi quod a me in tuis literis cognoscere voluisti. Nec adhuc profecto frater, possum animum meum mutare: tot enim mihi videre videor pericula, quae me impellunt ut consulam, ne tuarum lucubrationum editionem festinare velis, saltem sub titulo nominis tui. Multum enim vereor ne hac occasione & tibi os obstruatur in posterum, & alijs quoque captivis omnia anferantur, quihus, alioqui multis (deo ita volente) poterunt ꝓ desse. Bene vale in Domino Chaaiss. frater, & si qui alij in vestris aedibus sunt vobiscum in causa Christi concaptiu ï, precor illis meo nomine salutem uti possis, velis impartiri, et omnium uestrum precibus apud dominum me, atque meos concaptivos in domino, etiam atque etiam humillime commendo, & rursus atque in aeternum in Christo bene vale frater Chariss. The same in english ¶ To my most dear brother, and reverend fellow Elder in Christ, john Hoper, grace and peace. MY dearly beloved brother and fellow Elder, whom I reverence in the lord, pardon me I beseech you, that hitherto since your captivity and mine, I have not saluted you by my letters: whereas, I do in deed confess, I have received from you (such was your gentleness) two letters at sundry times, but yet at such times as I could not be suffered to write unto you again, or if I might have written, yet was I greatly in doubt, lest my letters should not safely come unto your hands. But now my dear brother, for as much as I understand by your works, which I have yet but superficially seen, that we thoroughly agree & wholly consent together in those things which are the grounds, & substantial points of our religion, against the which the world so furiously rageth in these our days, howsoever in time passed in smaller matters & circumstances of religion, your wisdom & my simplicity (I confess) I have in some points varied: Now (I say) be you assured, that even with my whole heart (God is my witness) in the bowels of Christ, I love you & in truth for the truths sake, which abideth in us, and (as I am persuaded) shall by the grace of God, abide with us for evermore. And because the world, as I perceive brother, ceaseth not to play his pageant, 1. Cor x. & busily conspireth against Christ our saviour, with all possible force and power, exalting high things against the knowledge of god: let us join hands together in Christ, and if we cannot overthrow, yet to our power and as much as in us lieth, let us shake those high things, not with carnal but with spiritual weapons: & withal brother, let us prepare ourselves to the day of our dissolution, whereby after the short time of this bodily affliction, by the grace of our lord jesus Christ, we shall triumph together with him in eternal glory. I pray you brother salute in my name that reverend father, Of this good father's godly end and constant confession of the truth, you shall read in the next edition of the book of martyrs your fellow prisoner Doctor Crome, by whom since the first day, that I heard of his most godly & fatherly constancy in confessing the truth of the gospel, I have conceived great consolation and joy in the lord. For the integrity and uprightness, the gravity & innocency of that man, all England I think, hath known long ago. Blessed be God therefore, which in such abundance of iniquity, & decay of all godliness, hath given unto us in this reverend old age, such a witness for the truth of his gospel. Miserable & hard hearted is he, whom the godliness & constant confession of so worthy, so grave, & innocent a man, will not move to acknowledge & confess the truth of god. I do not now brother require you to write any thing to me again, for I stand much in fear lest your letters should be intercepted before they can come to my hands. Nevertheless know you, that it shallbe to me great joy to hear of your constancy and fortitude in the lords quarrel. And albeit I have not hitherto written unto you, yet have I twice as I could, sent unto you my mind touching the matter which in your letters you required to know, neither can I yet brother be otherwise persuaded, I see me thinks so many perils whereby I am earnestly moved to counsel you not to hasten the publishing of your works, especially under the title of your own name. For I fear greatly lest by this occasion, both your mouth should be stopped hereafter, & all things taken away from the rest of the prisoners whereby otherwise, if it so please god, they may be able to do good to many. Farewell in the lord my most dear brother, and if there be any more in prison with you for Christ's cause, I beseech you as you may, salute them in my name: to whose prayers, I do most humbly and heartily commend myself and my fellow prisoners concaptives in the lord, and yet o●ce again and for ever in Christ, my most dear brother, Farewell. ☞ A letters of M. Edmund Grindal, then being in exile for the testimony of the truth, and now bishop of London, to D. Ridley prisoner in Oxford, which we thought good here to place, for that the letter following is an answer thereof. GRatiam & consolationem a Domino & seruatore nostro jesu christo. Sir I have often been desirous to have written to you and to have heard from you, but the iniquity of the times have hitherto always put me forth of all hope and comfort. Now at this present god seemeth to offer some likelihood, that these might come to your hands, which I thought to use, referring the rest to God's disposition. Your present state, not I only (who of all other am most bound) but also all other our brethren here, do most heartily lament, as joined with the most miserable captivity that ever any church, of Christ hath suffered. Notwithstanding we give god most humble thanks, for that he hath so strengthened you and others your concaptives, to profess a good profession before so many witnesses. And I doubt nothing, but he that hath called you and them not only to believe upon him, but also to suffer for him, doth not leave you destitute of that unspeakable comfort which he useth to minister abundantly to his in the school of the cross. He grant that his name may be glorified in you, whether it he by life or death, as may be most to his honour, and your everlasting consolation. Sir I thought it good to advertise you partly of our state in these parties. We be here dispersed in divers and several places. Certayne be at Tigurye good students of either university a number, very well entreated of master Bullinger, of the other ministers and of the whole city. another number of us remain at Argentine, and take the commodity of master Martyrs lessons, who is a very notable father. Master Scory and certain other with him be in Friesland, and have an english church there, but not very frequent. The greatest number is at Frankeforde where I was at this present by occasion, a very fair city, the magistrates favourable to our people, with so many other commodities as exiles can well look for. Here is also a church, and now (god be thanked) well quieted by the prudency of master Cox and other which met here for that purpose. So that now we trust god hath provided for such as will fly forth of Babylon, a resting place where they may truly serve him and hear the voice of their true pastor. I suppose in one place and other dispersed, there be well nigh an hundredth students and ministers on this side the seas. Such a lord is god to work diversly in his, according to his unsearchable wisdom, who knoweth best what is in man. Cyprianus de lapsis. Primus est victoriae titulus gentilium manibus apprehensum, dominum confiteri. Secundus ad gloriam gradus est, cauta secessione subtractum domino reseruari. Illa publica, haec privata confessio est. Ille judicem seculi vincit, hic contentus deo suo judice, conscientiam pu●am cordis integritate custodit. Isthic fortitudo promptior, hic solicitudo securior. Ille appropinquante hora sua iam maturus inventus est, hic fortasse dilatus est, qui patrimonio derelicto idcirco secessit, quia non erat negaturus, confiteretur utique si fuisset & ipse detentus. We have also here certain copies of your answers in the disputation. Item Antoniana obiecta cum responsione. The treatise in english against transubstantiation, which in time shallbe translated into Latin. It hath been thought best not to print them till we see what god will do with you, both for incensing of their malicious fury, and also for restraining you and others from writing hereafter, which should be a greater loss to the church of Christ, than forbearing of these for a tyme. If I shall know your will to be otherwise in it, the same shallbe followed. Thus much I thought good to let you understand concerning these matters and concerning the poor state of men here: who most earnestly and incessantly do cry unto god for the delivery of his church, to behold the causes of the afflicted, and to hear the groans of his imprisoned, knowing that you, who in this state have more familiar access unto god, do not forget us. God comfort you, aid you, and assist you with his spirit and grace, to continued his unto th'end, to the glory of his name, the edification of his church, and the subversion of Antichristes' kingdom. Amen. From Frankford the 6. of May. 1555. E. G. ¶ The answer of D. Rydley to the former letter. BLessed be god our heavenly father which inclined your heart to have such a desire to write unto me, & blessed be he again which hath heard your request and hath brought your letters safe unto my hands: and over all this I bless him through our lord jesus Christ, for the great comfort I have received by the same, of the knowledge of your state and of other our dearly beloved brethren and country men in those parties beyond the sea. Dearly beloved brother grindal I say to you & all the rest of our brethren in Christ with you, rejoice in the lord, & as ye love me and the other my reverend fathers and concaptives (which undoubtedly are gloria Christi) lament not our state, but I beseech you and them all to give unto our heavenly father for his endless mercies and unspeakable benefits even in the mids of all our troubles given unto us, most hearty thanks. For know ye that as the weight of his cross hath increased upon us, so he hath not nor doth not cease to multiply his mercies to strengthen us, & I trust, yea by his grace I doubt nothing, but he will so do for Christ our master's sake even to th'end. To hear that you & our other brethren do find in your exile favour & grace with the magistrates, ministers and citizens at Tigury, at Frankforte and other where, it doth greatly comfort (I dare say) all here that do in deed love Christ and his true word. I ensure you it warmed my heart to here you by chance to name some, as Scory and Cox etc. Oh that it had come in your mind to have said somewhat also of Cheek, of Turner, of leaver, of Samson, of Chambers, but I trust to god they be all well. And sir, seeing you say that there be in those parties with you of students and ministers so good a number, now therefore care you not for us, otherwise then to wish that god's glory may be set forth by us. For whensoever god shall call us home (as we look daily for none other, but when it shall please god to say, Come) ye, blessed be God, are enough through his aid, to light and set up again the lantern of his word in England. As concerning the copies ye say ye have with you, I wonder how ever they did wander and could find the way to come to you. This disputation of his own penning is in the book of Martyrs. My disputation, except you have that which I gathered myself after the disputation done, I can not think ye have it truly. If ye have that, than ye have there withal the whole manner after the which I was used in the disputation. As for the treatise in english contra transubstantiationem, vix possum adduci ut credam operoepretium fore ut in latinum transferatur. Caeterum quicquid sit, nullo modo velim ut quicquam quocunque modo meo nomine ederetur, donec quid de nobis dns constituerit fieri, vobis prius certo constiterit: & thus much unto your letters. Now although I suppose ye know a good part of our state here (for we are forth coming, even as when ye departed. etc.) you shall understand that I was in the tower about the space of ij. months close prisoner, & after that had granted to me without my labour, the liberty of the tower, & so continued about half a year, and then because I refused to allow the mass with my presence, I was shut up in close prison again. The last Lent save one, it chanced by reason of the tumult stirred up in Kente, there was so many prisoners in the Tower, that my L. of Canterb. M. Lacimer, M. Bradforde and I were put altogether in one prison, where we remained still almost to the next easter, and then we three, Caunterb. Latymer and I, were suddenly sent a little before Gato Oxford, and were suffered to have nothing with us, but that we carried upon us. About the Whitsuntide following was our disputations at Oxford, after the which was all taken from us, as pen and ink, etc. our own servants were taken from us before, and every one had put to him a strange man, and we each one appointed to be kept in several places, as we are unto this day. Blessed be god we three at the writing hereof, were in good health and (in god) of good cheer. We have looked long ago to have been dispatched, for we were all three on one day within a day or two of our disputations, of D. Weston being the head commissioner, condemned for heretics, and since that time we remain as we were of him left. The Lords will be fulfilled in us, as I do not doubt, but by his grace it shall be to his glory and our endless salvation through jesus Christ our Lord. Likewise the Lord hitherto hath preserved above all our expectation our dear brother, and in Christ's cause a strong Champion I Bradford. He is likewise condemned, and is already delivered unto the secular power, & writs, (as we have heard say) given out for his execution, and called in again. Thus the lord so long as his blessed pleasure is, preserveth whom he lysteth, notwithstanding the wonderful raging of the world▪ Many (as we hear say) have suffered valiantly, confessing Christ's truth, and nothing yielding to the adversary, yea not for the fear or pains of death. The names of them which I knew, & have now suffered are these, Farrer the B. of S. David's, Hoper the B. of Worceter, Rogers tuus olim comprebendarius, D. Taylor of Hadley, M. Saunders, and one Tomkyns a weaver, and now this last day M. Cardmaker with an other were burnt in Smithfield at London, & many other in Essex & kent, whose names are written in the book of life, whom yet I do not know. West your old companion & sometime mine officer (alas) hath relented (as I have heard) but the lord hath shortened his days, This West when he had relented & said mass against his conscience, shortly after pined away and died for sorrow. for anon he died and is gone. Grimbolde was caught by the heel and cast into the marshalsee, but now is at liberty again, but I fear me he escaped not without some becking and bowing (alas) of his knee unto Baal. My dear friend Thomas Ridley of the Bulheade in cheap, which was to me the most faithful friend that I had in my trouble, is departed also unto god. My brother Ship side that hath married my sister, hath been almost half a year in prison for delivering (as he was accused) of certain things, I ween, from me: but now, thanks be to god, he is at liberty again, but so that the bishop hath taken from him his park. Of all us three concaptives at Oxford I am kept most straight, and with least liberty, vel quia viro in cuius edibus, ego custodior, uxordominatur (licet modo sit prefectus civitatis) mulier vetula, morosa, & superstitiosiss: quae etiam hoc sibi laudi ducit quod me dicatur arctissime & cautissime custodire, vir autem ipse Irischius nomine, mitis satis est omnibus, uxori vero plusquam obsequentiss. Licet uxorem (uti nosti) nunquam habuerim, tamen ex hac quotidiana consuetudine quam cum istis coniugibus habeo, videor mihi non nihil posse intelligere quàm grave malum & intollerabile jugum sit cum mala mulierein coniugio colligari. Recte ergo sapiens dixit, uxor bona donum Dei: & iterum, mulieris bonae beatus vir. Vel haec inquam causa est, vel quia a magnis magistratibus (nescio quas ob causas) illud est ut ita fieret, ipsis mandatum: id quod illi si quando de meanimia servitute apud eos conqueror, sedulo soepe rursus mihi inculcant. At Cambridge (as I hear say) Omnes studiorum & statutorum reformationes nuper factae, nunc sunt denuo deformatae & deletae, & omnia sunt in pristinum chaos & in antiquum papismum reducta: omnes collegiorum prefecti qui synceritati evangelii favebant, vel qui coniugati erant, loco moti sunt, & alij papisticae factionis in eorum loca surrogati, quod & de socijs collegiorum qui noluerunt flectere genu Baall factum esse audio. Nec mirum, nam & istud passim factum est in universo regno angliae, in omnibus Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Decanis, prebendarijs, Sacerdotibus ecclesiarum & in toto clero: and to tell you much naughty matter in a few words, Papismus apud nos ubique in pleno fuo antiquo robore regnat. The Lord be merciful and for Christ's sake pardon us our old unkindness and unthankfulness: for when he powered upon us the gifts of his manifold graces, and favour (alas) we did not serve him nor rendered unto him thanks according to the same. We pastors many of us were to cold and bare to much (alas) with the wicked world, our magistrates did abuse to their own worldly gain both god's Gospel and the ministers of the same, the people in many places was wayward and unkind. Thus of every side and of every sort we have provoked God's anger and wrath to fall upon us: but blessed might he be that hath not suffered his to continue in those ways, which so wholly have displeased his secrate majesty, but hath awaked them by the fatherly correction of his own sons cross, unto his glory and our endless salvation through jesus Christ our Lord. My daily prayer is (as god doth know) and by god's grace shallbe so long as I live in this world, for you my dear brethren that are fled out of your own country, because ye will rather forsake all worldly things, than the truth of god's word. It is even the same that I use to make to God for all those churches abroad through the world, which have forsaken the kingdom of Antichrist, & professed openly the purity of the gospel of jesus Christ: that is that god our eternal father for our saviour Christ's sake, will daily increase in you the gracious gift of his heavenly spirit to the true setting forth of his glory & of his gospel, & make you to agree brotherly in the truth of the same, that there rise no rote of bitterness among you, that may infect that good seed that god hath sown in your hearts already, and finally that your life may be so pure and so honest according to the rule of Gods word and according to that vocation whereunto we are called by the Gospel of Christ our saviour, that the honesty & purity of the same may provoke all that shall see or know it, to the love of your doctrine, and to love you for your honesty & virtues sake, and so both in the brotherly unity of your true doctrine & also in the godly virtue of your honest life, to glorify our father which is in heaven. Ex nostratibus magni aliquoc magistratus, Cancellarius Wint. Comes Arundellus, & dns Pachetusiam legatione funguntur una cum Cardinali Polo, in partibus transmarinis ad componendan (ut aiunt) pacem inter imperatorem, regem nostrum, & Francorum regem. Post illorum magistratuum nostrorum reditum, & partum reginae, quem iam quotidie expectamus & iam aliquandiu expectavimus, quëque deus pro sui nominis gloria dignetur bene illi fortunare: nos tunc statim nihil aliud quam nostrae confessionis de hoste nostro antiquo, triumphales in domino coronas expectamus. Omnium vestrum precibus me humillime & ex toto cord commendo. In primis tuis o chariss. in Christo frater & dilectiss. Grindalle, & chariss. fratrum & unice mihi in dno dilectorum Checi Coxi Turneri, Leveri, Sampsonis, Chamberi, & omnium fratrum nostrorum & conterraneorum qui apud vos degunt & diligunt dominum nostrum jesum Christum in veritate. Commedo etiam vobis reverendiss. patres & concaptivos meos in domino Thomam Cranmerum iam vere magnipastoris & Archipresulis nomine digniss. & veteranum illum nostrae gentis Anglicanae verum Apostolum & Christi. H. Latimerum. Condona mihi frater harum prolixitatem, non enim post hac credo chariss: frater, meis literis iam amplius ali quando turbaberis. Oxonij. To M. Cranmer and M. Latymer being separated from him and prisoners in several places. THe cause of my brother's enprisomment is this, so far as I can perceive. There is a young man called M. Grymbolde which was my chaplain a preacher, & a man of much eloquence both in the english and also in the Latin. To this man being desirous of all things which I had written and done since the beginning of mine imprisonment, my brother as is said) hath sent copies, no more but of all things that I have done. First a little treatise which M. Latymer and I wrote in the tour, where is before my my sayings. N. R. & before M. Latimer. H. L. Also an other draft which I drew out of the Evangelists & of S. Paul, that the words of the lords supper, are figuratively to be under stand, alleging out of the doctors only vi: three of the greek church, which are Origen, Chrisost. ad Cesa. monachum, & Theodoret & three of the latin church: Tertullian, Augustine, & Gelasius, He had of my brother also a copy of my iij. positions to the three questions here propounded to us at Oxford: them also a copy of my disputation in the schools as I wrote it myself after the disputation. Item the letter Ad fratres in diversis carceribus. All these things they have gotten of Grymbold (as my brother doth suppose) not that Grymbold hath bewrayed him but (as is supposed) one which my brother trusted to carry his letters unto Grymbolde: for it will not sink into my head to think that Grymbold would ever play me such a judas part. Although these things are chanced far otherwise then I had thought they should (for my mind was that they should not have come abroad until my body had been laid to rest in peace) yet truly I suppose this is not thus chanced without gods gracious providence which he hath over all his, and I trust that god of his goodness shall turn it to his own glory. For it shall evidently appear to the reader of these things which they have, that the cause why I do dissent from the Romish religion is not any study of vain glory or of singularity, but of conscience, of my bond duty towards god & towards Christ's church and the salvation of mine own soul, for the which by god's grace I will willingly jeopard here to lose life lands and goods, name and fame, and what else is or can be unto me pleasant in this world. My brother as yet, because they neither showed any commission or authority whereby they did examine him nor also any thing of his letters (although they said they had them) as yet I say my brother hath confessed nothing. But I look for none other but he shallbe forced to tell where he had the copies and where they be, and I will be content that he shall say the truth, that he had them all of me, let them come and take them & cast them into the fire, if god know they will promote his glory: they can do no more than he will suffer them. Because in the book of N. R. and H. L. it is said in the end that. H L. hath caused his servant to write it, I would Austin should have word if any farther search be, to keep him out of the way. God shall reward you both for my brother: You my Lord of Caunt. for your meat and daily comfort, and you father L. for your money and comfortable messeges. I trust in God my brother though he be young yet will study to, learn to bear Christ's cross patienly as a young Scholar in Christ's School: God increase his grace in us all. Amen. To master Bradford prisoner in the kings Bench. Well-beloved in Christ our saviour, we all with one heart wish you, with all those that love god in deed and truth, grace and health, and specially to our dearly beloved companions which are in Christ's cause and the cause both of their brethren and of their own salvation, ready and willing to put their neck under the yoke of Christ's cross. How joyful it was to us to hear the report of D. Taylor & of his godly confession &c: I ensure you, it is hard for me to express. Blessed be God which was and is the giver of that and all godly strength and stomach in the time of adversity. As for the rumours that have or do go abroad either of our relenting or massing, we trust that they which know god and their duty towards their brethren in Christ, will not be to light of credit to believe them. It is not the slanderers evil tongue but a man's own evil deed, that can with God defile a man, and therefore by god's grace, you shall never have cause to do otherwise then you say you do, that is not to doubt but that we will continue, etc. Like rumour as you have heard of our coming to London hath been here spread of the coming of certain learned men prisoners hither from London: but as yet we know no certeyntye whether of these rumours is or shallbe more true. Know you that we have you in our daily remembrance, and wish you and all the rest of our foresaid companions, well in Christ. It should do us much comfort if we might have knowledge of the state of the rest of our most dearly beloved, which in this troublesome time do stand in Christ's cause, and in the defence of the truth thereof. We are in good health thanks be to God, & yet the manner of our entreating doth change as sour ale doth in summer. It is reported to us of our keepers, that the university beareth us heavily. A coal chanced to fall in the night out of the chimney & burned a hole in the floor, & no more harm was done, the bailiffs servants sitting by the fire. another night there chanced a drunken fellow to multiply words, and for the same he was set in Bocardo. Upon these things as is reported, there is risen a rumour in the town & country about, that we would have broken the prison with such violence, as if the bailiffs had not played the pretty men, we should have made a escape. We had out of our prison a wall that we might have walked upon, and our servants had liberty to go abroad in the town or fields: but now both they and we are restrained of both. The bishop of Worceter passed by us through Oxford, but he did not visit us. The same day began our restraint to be more, and the book of the communion was taken from us by the bailiffs at the Mayor's commandment. No man is licensed to come unto us: afore they might that would, see us upon the wall, but that is so grudgod at and so evil reported, that we are now restrained etc. Sir blessed be God, with all our evil reports, grudgings and restrayntes, we are merry in God, and all our ear is and shallbe by gods grace, to please & serve him, of whom we look and hope after this temporal and momentany miseries, to have eternal joy and perpetual felicity, with Abraham, Isaac and jacob, Peter and Paul and all the blessed company of the angels in heaven, through jesus Christ our lord. As yet there was never learned man or any scholar or other that visited us since we came into Bocardo, Bocardo is a stinking and filthy prison for drunkards whores and harlots and the vilest sort of people. which now in Oxford may be called a college of quondans: for as you know we be no fewer here than three, and I dare say, every one well contented with his portion, which I do reckon to be our heavenly father's gracious & fatherly good gift. Thus far you well. We shall with gods grace one day meet together & be merry: the day assuredly approacheth apace, the lord grant that it may shortly come, for before that day come I fear me the world will wax worse & worse: but than all our enemies shall be overthrown & trodden under foot, righteousness, & truth then shall have the victory and bear the bell away, whereof the lord grant us to be partners & all that sincerely love the truth. We all pray you, as you can to cause all our commendations to be made to all such as you know did visit us & you when we were in the tower with their friendly remembrances & benefits. Mistress Wilkinson & mistress Warcup have not forgotten us, but even since we came into Bocardo with their charitable & friendly benevolence, have comforted us: Not that else we lack, (for god be blessed which ever hitherto hath provided sufficiently for us) but it is a great comfort & an occasion for us to bless god when we see that he maketh them so friendly to tender us, whom some of us were never familiarly acquainted withal. Yours in Christ N. R. To master Bradford. dearly beloved, I wish you grace mercy & peace. According to your mind I have run over all your papers, and what I have done (which is but small) therein may appear. Sir what shall best be done with these things, This was a treatise of the communion with other things which M. Bradforde sent to him to peruse & to give his judgement thereof. now you must consider: for if they come in sight at this time, undoubtedly they must to the fire with their father, and as for any safeguard that your custody can be unto them, I am sure you look not for it: for as you have been partner of the work, so I am sure, you look for none other, but to have and receive like wages and to drink of the same cup. Blessed be god that hath given you liberty in the mean season, that you may use your pen to his glory, & to the comfort (as I hear say) of many. I bless god daily in you and all your whole company, to whom I beseech you to commend me heartily. Now I love my countryman in deed and in truth, I mean. D. Tailor, not now for my earthly countries sake, but for our heavenly father's sake, whom I heard say, he did so stoutly in time of peril confess: and yet also now for our countries sake and for all our mother's sake, but I mean of the kingdom of heaven and of heavenly hierusalem, and because of the spirit which bringeth in him, in you, and in your company such blessed fruits of boldness in the lords cause, of patience, and constancy. The Lord which hath begun this work in you all, perform and perfit this his own deed, until his own day come. Amen. As yet, I perceive you have not been baited & the cause thereof God knoweth, which will let them do no more to his then is his pleased will and good pleasure to suffer them to do for his own glory and to the profit of them which be truly his, for the father which doth guide them that be Christ's to Christ is more mighty than all they, and no man is able to pull them out of the father's hands: except, (I say) it please our father, it please our master Christ to suffer them, they shall not be able to stir one hear of your heads. My brother. P. the bearer hereof, would that we should say what we think good concerning your mind: that is, not for to answer except ye might have somewhat indifferent judges. We are (as ye know) separated, & one of us can not in any thing consult with an other, and much strait watching of the bailiffs is about us that there be no privy conference amongst us. And yet (as we hear) the scholars bear us more heavenly than the townsemen. A wonderful thing, among so many, never yet scholar offered to any of us (so far as I know) any manner of favour either for or in Christ's cause. Now as concerning your demand of our counsel, for my part I do not mislike that which I perceive ye are minded to do: for I look for none other, but if ye answer before the same commissioners that we did, ye shallbe served & handled as we were, though ye were as well learned as ever was either Peter or Paul. And yet further I think that occasion afterward may be given you, and the consideration of the profit of your auditory may perchance move you to do otherwise. finally, determinately to say what shallbe best, I am not able: but I trust he, whose cause ye have in hand, shall put you in mind to do that which shallbe most for his glory, the profit of his flock, and your own salvation. This letter must be common to you & M. Hoper, in whom and in his prison fellow good father Crome, I bless god even from the bottom of my heart: for I doubt not but they both do to our master Christ, true, acceptable and honourable service and profitable to his flock, the one with his pen and the other with his fatherly example of patience and constancy and all manner of true godliness. But what shall I need to say to you, let this be common among your brethren? among whom (I dare say) it is with you as it is with us, to whom all things here are common: meat, money, and what soever one of us hath that can or may do an other good. Although I said the bailiffs & our hosts straightly watch us that we have no conference or intelligence of any thing abroad, yet hath God provided for every one of us in the stead of our servants faithful fellows which willbe content to hear and see, and to do for us what so ever they can: it is God's work surely, blessed be God for his unspeakable goodness. The grace of our Lord jesus Christ and the love of God, and the communion of the holy ghost be with you all, Amen, Amen. As far as London is from Oxford, yet thence we have received of late both meat, money, and shirts, not only from such as are of our acquaintance, but of some whom this bearer can tell, with whom I had never to my knowledge any acquaintance. I know for whose sake they do it: to him therefore be all honour glory and due thanks, And yet I pray you do so much as to show them that we have received their benevolence, and (god be blessed) have plenty of all such things. This I desire you to do, for I know they be of master Hopers and your familiar acquaintance. Master Latimer was crazed, but I hear now thanks be to God that he amendeth again. Yours in Christ N. R. To master Bradford. BRother Bradford I wish you and your company in Christ, yea & all the holy brotherhood that now with you in diverse prisons suffereth and beareth patiently Christ's cross for the maintenance of his gospel: grace, mercy and peace from god the father and from our Lord jesus Christ. Sir, considering the state of this chivalry and warfare, wherein I doubt not but we be set to fight under Christ's banner and his cross against our ghostly enemy the devil and the old serpent Satan, me think I perceive two things to be his most perilous and most dangerous engines which he hath to impugn Christ's verity, his gospel, his faith: and the same two also to be the most massy posts and most mighty pillars, whereby he maintaineth and upholdeth his Satanical synagogue. These two sir, are they in my judgement: the one his false doctrine and idolatry call use of the Lords supper, and the other, the wicked and abominable usurpation of the primacy of the sea of Rome. By these two Satan seemeth to me principally to maintain and uphold his kingdom: by these two, he driveth down mightily (alas) I fear me, Apo. 8. the third part of the stars in heaven. These two poisonful rotten posts he hath so painted over with such a pretence and colour of religion, of unity in Christ's church, of the catholic faith and such like, that the wily serpent is able to deceive (if it were possible) even the elect of god. Wherefore john said not without great cause, Apoc. ij. if any know not Satan's subtleties and the doungeons thereof, I will wish him no other burden to be laden withal. Sir, because these be his principal and main posts whereupon standeth all his falsehood, craft, and treachery, therefore according to the poor power that God hath given me, I have bended mine artillery to shoot at the same. I know it to be but little (God knoweth) that I can do, and of my shoot I know they pass not. Yet will I not (God willing) cease to do the best that I can, to shake those cankered and rotten posts. The Lord grant me good success, to the glory of his name and the furtherance of Christ's gospel. I have now already (I thank god) for this present time spent a good part of my powder in these scryblyng, whereof this bearer shall give you knowledge. Good brother Bradforde, let the wicked surmise and say what they list, know you for a certeynty by gods grace, without all doubt, that in Christ's gospels cause, against and upon the foresaid gods enemies, I am fully determined to live and die. Far well dear brother, and I beseech you and all the rest of our brethren, to have good remembrance of the condemned heretics (as they call them) of Oxford in your prayers. The bearer shall certify you of our state. Far well in the Lord. From Bocardo. Yours in Christ. N.R. To master Bradford dearly beloved brother, blessed be God our heavenly father for his manifold and innumerable mercies towards us, and blessed might he be that hath spared us thus long together, that each one of us may bless his mercy and clemency in other unto this day above the expectation and hope of any worldly appearance. Where as you write of he outrageous rule that Satan our ghostly enemy beareth abroad in the world, whereby he stirreth and raiseth so pestilent and heinous heresies, as some to deny the blessed trinity, some the divinity of our saviour Christ, some the divinity of the holy ghost, some the baptism of infants, some original sin, and to be infected with the errors of the pelagians, & to rebaptise those that have been baptized with Christ's baptism already: alas sir this doth declare this time and these days to be wicked in deed. But what can we look for else of Satan here and of his ministers but to do the worst that they can so far forth as god shall or will suffer them. And now me think he is less to be marveled at at this time if he bestir him by all manner of means, that the truth in deed do take no place. For he seeth now (blessed be God) that some go about in deed and in truth, not trifling, but with the loss of all that they are able to lose in this world, goods lands, name, fame and life also, to setforth God's word and his truth, and by God's grace shall do, and abide in the same unto the end: now therefore it is time to be stir him I trow. And as for the diversity, of errors, what careth he though one be never so contrary to an other? He reckoneth all (and so he may) to be his who soever prevail, so that truth prevail not. Nevertheless good brother, I suppose that the universal plague is most dangerous which at this day is (alas) fostered and maisterfully holden up by wit, worldly policy, multitude of people, power and all worldly means. As for other the devils Galtroppes that he casteth in our ways by some of his busy headed younkers, I trust they shall never be able to do the multitude so great harm. For blessed be god, these heresies before time when Satan by his servants hath been about to broach them, have by gods servants already been so sharply & truly confounded, that the multitude was never infected with them, or else where they have been infected, they are healed again, that now the peril is not so great. And where you say that if your request had been heard, things (you think) had been in better case than they be: know you the concerning the matter you meant, I have in latin drawn out the places of the scriptures and upon the same have noted what I can for the time. Sir in those matters I am so fearful, that I dare not speak farther, yea almost none otherwise then the very text doth (as it were) lead me by that hand. And where you exhort us to help &c: He meane● here the matter of God's election, whereof he afterward Wrote a godly and comfortable treatise remaining yet in the hands of so●●● and hereafter shall come to light, if god so will. O lord what is else in this world that we now should list to do? I bless my lord god I never (as me thinketh) had more nor better leisure to be occupied with my pen in such things as I can do to set forth (when they may come to light) gods glory. And I bless my lord god through jesus Christ, my heart and my work are therein occupied, not so fully & perfectly as I would, but yet so as I bless god for the same. Far well dear brother, the messenger tarrieth & I may not now be longer with you. The lord I trust verily shall bring us thither where we shall each one with other in Christ our saviour, rejoice and be merry everlastingly. Your brother in Christ, N. R. ¶ To master Bradford. dearly beloved brother Bradforde, I had thought of late that I had written unto you your last farewell, until we should have met in the kingdom of heaven, by our dear brother Austin, and I sent it to meet you in Lankeshyre, whether it was said here you were appointed to be sent to suffer. But now, sith they have changed their purpose and prolonged your death, I understand it is no other thing, then that once happened to Peter and Paul. The which although they were of the first which were cast in prison, and as little shoned peril as any other did, yet god would not have them put to death with the first, because he had more service to be done by their ministry, which his gracious pleasure was they should do: so without doubt dear brother I am persuaded that the same is the cause of the delay of your martyrdom. Blessed be the holy Trinity, the father, the son and the holy Ghost. for you threefold confession. I have red all three with great comfort and joy and thanksgiving unto God for his manifold gifts of grace, wherewith it is manifesse to the godly reader that GOD did assist you mightily. And blessed be God again and again, which gave you so good a mind and remembrance of your oath once made against the bishop of Rome, lest you should be partaker of the common perjury which all men almost are now fallen into, in bringing in again that wicked usurped power of his. jeremy, 4. Which oath was made according to the Prophet, in judgement, in righteousness, and in truth, and therefore can not without perintye be revoked: let Satan roar and rage and practise all the cruelty he can. Oh good lord that they are so busy with you about the church. It is no new thing brother that is happened unto you, for that was always the clamour of the wicked bishops and priests against gods true prophets: the temple of the lord, the temple of the lord, the temple of the lord: EZechi. 7. & they said the law shall not depart from the priest nor wisdom from the Elder, and yet in them whom they only esteemed for their priests and sages, there was neither gods law, nor godly wisdom. It is a marvelous thing to hear what vain communication is spread abroad of you. It is said here that you be pardoned your life, and when you were appointed to be banished and to go, I can not tell whether, you should say that you had rather here suffer, then go where you could not live after your conscience, and that this pardon should be begged for you by Borne the Bishop of , for that you saved his life. Again, some say and amongs other mine hosts reported, that you are highly promoted, and are a great man with my lord Chancellor. This I could not believe, but did deny it as a false lie: so surely was I always persuaded of your constancy. What god will do with us he knoweth. In the mean time wonderful it is to behold how the wisdom of GOD hath in fatuated the policy of the world and scattered the crafty devices of the worldly wise. For when the state of religion was once altered, and persecution began to wax hot, no man doubted but Cranmer, Latymer, and Rydley, should have been the first to have been called to the stake. But the subtile policy of the world setting us apart, first assaulted them, by whose infirmity they thought to have more vantage, but god disappointed their subtle purpose. For whom the world esteemed weakest (praised be god) they have found most strong, sound and valyaunte in Christ's cause unto the death, to give such an onset as I dare say all the angels in heaven do no less rejoice to behold in them, than they did in the victorious constancy of Peter, john. 15. Paul, Esay, Helyas or Hieremy. For greater love no man hath than to bestow his life etc. Good brother have me and us all continually in your remembrance to god in your prayers, as God willing we shall not be in our prayers forgetful of you. Your own in Christ. N. R. ¶ To master Bradford. BRother Bradford, I wish you in Christ our Saviour, grace, mercy, and peace, and to all them which are with you or any where else captives in Christ, and to hear that ye be all in good health and stand constantly in the confession of Christ's gospel, it doth heartily rejoice us. Know you likewise that we all here be (thanks be to god) in good health and comfort, watching with our lamps light (I trust in god) when it shall please our master the bridegroom, Math. 25. to call us to wait upon him unto the marriage. Now we suppose the day doth approach apace, for we hear that the Parliament is dissolved. The Burgesses of Oxford are come home, and other news we bear not, but that the king is made protector to the prince to be borne, And that the bishops have full authority Ex officio, to inquire of heresies. Before the Parliament began, it was a rumour here that certain from the Convocation house was appointed, yea ready to have come to Oxford, and then there was spied out one thing to lack for want of a law, to perform their intent. Now seeing they can want no law, we cannot but look for them shortly, I trust to god's glory, let them come when they will. etc. Brother Bradford I marvel greatly of good Austin where he is, for that I heard say he promised his master to have been here before this time, and he had from me that I would be loath to lose, yea to want when time shall be that it might do, nay help me to do my lord and my master Christ service. I mean my scriblynges de abominationibus sedis Romanae & pontificum Romanorum. I have no copy of the same, & I look daily to be called in certamen cum antiquo Serpent, and so I told him, and I ween you also by whose means I was more moved to let him have them. I doubt not of his fidelity: I pray God he be in health and at liberty, for I have been and am careful for him. I have heard that master Grimbolde hath gotten his liberty: If without any blemish of Christ's glory I am right glad thereof. My brother in law is where he was that is in Bocardo the common jail of the town. I have written her a letter to master Hooper, I pray you cause it to be written to him again. Commend me to all your prison fellows and our brethren in Christ. If Austin were here I would have had more to say. The lord grant that all be with him well, who ever preserve you and all that love our saviour Christ in sincerity and truth, Amen. Yours by gods grace in our master Christ's cause unto the stake, & thenceforth without all danger & peril for ever and ever. I am sure you have heard of our new apparel, & I doubt not but London will have their talk of it. Sir know you that although this seemeth to us in our case much thanks worthy, yet have we not that apparel that we look for, for this in time will wear, and that which we look for rightly done on will endure, and is called stola immortalitatis. N. R. ¶ To master Bradford. OH dear brother, seeing the time is now come wherein it pleaseth the heavenly father for Christ our saviour his sake, to call upon you, and to bid you to come, happy are you that ever ye were borne, thus to be awake at the lords calling. Euge serve bone & fidelis, quia super pauca fuisti fidelis, super multa te constituet, & intrabis in gaudium domini. O dear brother, what meaneth this, that you are sent into your own native country? The wisdom and policy of the world may mean what they will, but I trust god will so order the matter finally by his fatherly providence, that some great occasion of Gods gracious goodness shallbe plenteously powered abroad amongst his, our dear brethren in that country by this your martyrdom. Where the Martyrs for Christ's sake shed their blood and lost their lives, O what wondrous things hath Christ afterward wrought to his glory, and confirmation of their doctrine? If it be not the place that sanctify eh the man, but the holy man doth by Christ sanctify the place: Brother Bradford, then happy and holy shall be that place, wherein thou shalt suffer, and shallbe with thy ashes in Christ's cause sprinkled over with all. Al thy country may rejoice of thee that ever it brought forth such a one, which would render his life again in his cause, of whom he had received it. Brother Bradford, so long as I shall understand that thou art in thy journey, by god's grace I shall call upon our heavenly father for Christ's sake, to set thee safely home: and then good brother speak you and pray for the remnant that are for to suffer for Christ's sake, according to that thou then shalt know more clearly. We do look now every day, when we shall be called on, blessed be god. I went, I am the weakest many ways of our company, and yet I thank our Lord god and heavenly father by Christ, that since I heard of our dear brother Rogers departing and stout confession of Christ and his truth even unto the death, my heart (blessed be God) so rejoiced of it, that since that time I say, I never felt any lumpish heaviness in my heart, as I grant I have felt sometimes before. O good brother, blessed be god in thee, and blessed be the time that ever I knew thee. Farewell, farewell. Your brother in Christ, N. R. Brother farewell. ¶ To master Bradford. GRatiam & pacem. etc. Although I ween it is not yet three days ago, since you heard from me, yet having such a messenger & so diversly enforced, I cannot but say some thing to you. What? shall I thank you for your golden token? what mean you man? This token was a piece of gold, which he sent to relieu● his brother Shipside prisoner in Bocardo. Do you not know that we have victum & amictum e penario regio? I was so moved with your token that I commanded it strait way to be had to Bocardo which is our common jail. I am right glad of Austin's return for I was (as I told you) careful for him. Blessed be God that all is well. I have seen what he brought from you, and shortly surveyed the whole, but in such celerity, that other also might see the same before Austin's return: so that I noted nothing but a confused some of the matter, and as yet what the rest have done, I can tell nothing at all, & it was at the writing hereof in their hands. To your request and Austin's earnest demand of the same, I have answered him in a brief letter, He meaneth here Harry Harta froward free will man, who had written a treatise against gods free election, which Bradford sent to M. Rydley, Cranmer, and Latymer to peruse, desiring M. Rydley to answer the same. and yet he hath replied again: but he must go without any further answer of me for this tyme. I have told Austin that I for my part, as I can and may for my tardity and dullness, will think of the matter. We are so now ordered and straitly watched, that scantly our servants dare do any thing for us: so much talk and so many tales (as is said) are told of us abroad. One of us cannot easily nor shortly be of knowledge of an others mind, and you know I am youngest many ways. Austin's persuasions may do more with me in that I may do conveniently in this matter, armed with your earnest and zealous letters, than any rhetoric either of tully or Demosthenes, I ensure you thereof. With us it is said that M. Grymbold was adjudged to be hanged drawn and quartered, of whom we hear now, Note the lying spirit of the papists, whereby you may see whose children they are. that he is at liberty. So we heard of late, that M. Hooper was hanged drawn and quartered in deed, not for heresy but for treason, but blessed be god, we here now that all is true in like. False tongues will not cease to lie and mischievous hearts to imagine the worst. Farewell in Christ, & token for token now I send you not, but know this, that (as it is told me) I have two scarlet gowns that scaped I cannot tell how, in the spoil, whereof you shall have your part. Commend me to all our brethren, & your fellow prisoners in the Lord. Yours in Christ. N, R ¶ To Augustine Berneher, than servant to M. Latymer, and now a faithful minister in Christ's church, to whom because he might not come to the prison to speak with him, he wrote as followeth. BRother Austin you are heartily welcome to Oxford again you have made good speed in deed, and blessed be god for his gracious goodness that all is well with you. That our dearly beloved brethren in Christ are all in good comfort, hearty in Christ's cause & stand steadfast in the confession of his true doctrine: it rejoiceth (I ensure you) my heart in god to hear of it. This day was D. Croak with me, and both he & mistress Irish mine hosts, told me that M. Hoper is hanged drawn and quartered for treason, but I did not believe them, for it is not the first tale that mine hosts hath told me of M. Hoper. And I trust the tidings that were here spread abroad since your departure, that M. Grymbold also should have been arraigned & condemned for treason to be hanged and quartered, was not true: let me hear if there be any such thing. Not three days ago, there was a privy warning given me from a man of god, one Lisley a glover, that we prisoners here all iij. should be shortly and suddenly conveyed into iij. several colleges: for what purpose & how to be ordered god knoweth. At the which time and at the earnest request of that forenamed man of god, I did deliver unto him some of the things I had in hand to write out: what they be you shall know of him. Besides the things which he hath, I have some things else, which (if it please god) I would wish might come to light, if perchance any thereby might receive the light to love the truth the better and to abhor the falsehood of antichrist. I have written annotations in priorem librum Tonstalli plenius, in secundum verò parcius: optarem ut transcriberēturne fortassis una mecum fiant subito Vulcani cihus. I have also many things, but as yet confusedly set together, of the abominable usurpation, pride arrogancy, and wickedness of the sea and bishop of Rome, and altogether in Latin. If those things were written out, I would wish that M. Bradford would take them & translate and order them as he should think might best help to open the eyes of the simple for to see the wickedness of the synagogue of Satan. But that at your last being here you cast cold water upon mine affection towards Grimbold, else me think I could appoint where he might occupy himself to his own profit in learning which he liketh, & to no small profit which might ensue to the church of christ in England: as if he would take in hand to interpret Laurentius Valla, which (as he knoweth) is a man of singular eloquence, his book I mean, which he made & wrote against that false feigned fable, forged of Constantinus magnus, & his dotation, & glorious exaltation of the sea of Rome: & when he hath done that, let him translate a work of Aeneas Silvius de gestis Basiliensis consilii. In the which although there be many things that savoureth of the pan, and also he himself was afterward a bishop of Rome: yet I dare say the papists would glory but a little to see such books go forth in english. If you will know where to have these books or treatises, you may have them both together and many like treatises which painteth out the wickedness of the sea of Rome, in a book set forth by a papist called Ortwinus Gratius, entitled Fasciculus rerum ex petendarum & fugiendarum. In that book you shall have confessionem fratrum Waldensium, men of much more learning, godliness, soberness, and understanding in God's word, than I would have thought them to have been in that time, before I did read their works. If such things had been set forth in our English tongue heretofore, I suppose surely great good might have come to Christ's church thereby. To my good Lady's grace and to my Lady Vane, what thanks can I give, but desire almighty God to lighten, comfort, and strengthen them evermore in his ways. The other two whom you mention, I know not, but the Lord knoweth them: to whom in them all and for all their kindness, I give most hearty thanks. Master Bradford desireth that thanks should be rendered unto you, for your comfortable aid, wherewith you comfort him, but you must tell him that he must bid them thank you for him, which are not bound to thank you for themselves, and if he do so, than I ween, all we prisoners of Oxford, shall so stop his mouth. Brother Austin, you for our comfort do run up and down, and who beareth your charges God knoweth. I know you must needs in so doing take much pains: I pray you take this poor token of my good will towards your charges. To Augustine Bernher. BRother Augustine, I bless god with all my heart in his manifold merciful gifts given unto our dear brethren in Christ, especially to our brother Rogers whom it pleased to setforth first, no doubt but of his gracious goodness & fatherly favour towards him. And likewise blessed be God in the rest, as Hoper Saunders, and Tailor, whom it hath pleased the Lord likewise to set in the forefrount of the battle, against his adversaries, and hath endued them all (so far as I can here) to stand in the confession of his truth and to be content in his cause & for his gospels sake to lose their life. And evermore and without end blessed be even the same our heavenly father for our dear and entirely beloved brother Bradford, whom now the Lord (I perceive) calleth for: for I ween he will no longer vouchsafe him to abide among the adulterous and wicked generation of this world. I do not doubt but that he (for those gifts of grace which the Lord hath bestowed on him plenteously) hath helped those which are gone before in their journey, that is, hath animated and encouraged them to keep the high way, & sic currere uti tandem acciperent premium. The Lord be his comfort, whereof I do not doubt, and I thank God heartily that ever I was acquainted with him, and that ever I had such a one in my house. Protomartyr is the first Martyr: whom he so called, because he was the first that suffered here in those bloody days. And yet again I bless God in our dear brother and of this time protomartyr Rogers, that he was also one of my calling to be a prebendary preacher of London. And now because grindal is gone (The Lord I doubt not hath and koweth wherein he will bestow him) I trust to God it shall please him of his goodness to strengthen me to make up the trinity out of Paul's church, to suffer for Christ, whom God the father hath anointed, the holy spirit doth bear witness unto, Paul and all the Apostles preached. Thus far you well. I had no paper, I was constrained thus to write. To Augustine Berneher. BRother Austin I thank you for your manifold kindness. This alms was sent him by the Lady Katherine Duchess of Suffolk, to who he wrote again a worthy letter, which is l●st and many other written bot● to her & others. I have received my Lady's graces alms, six Royalles six shillings and eight pence. I have written a letter here unto her grace, but I have made no mention thereof, wherefore I desire you to render to her grace hearty thanks. Blessed be God, as for myself I want nothing, but my Lady's alms cometh happily to relieve my poor brother's necessity, whom you know they have cast and keep in prison (as I suppose) you know the cause why. Farewell brother Austin, & take good heed I pray you, & let my brother's case make your the more wary. Read my letter to my lady's grace. I would mistress Wilkinson & master Warcup had a copy of it: for although the letter is directed to my lady's grace alone, yet the matter thereof pertaineth indifferently to her grace and to all good women, which love God and his word in deed and truth. Yours in Christ. N. R. ¶ To Mistress' Glover, a woman zealous and hearty in the cause and furtherance of God's gospel. Mistress' glover, I wish you grace & peace, and although I am not acquainted with you, yet nevertheless, hearing that your husband master Glover is in prison for gods words sake, and also that you are a woman hearty in gods cause, and thirdly that old father Latimer is your uncle or near cousin, whom I do think the lord hath placed to be his standard bearer in our age and country against his mortal foe Antichrist: I was thus bold to write unto you in god's behalf, to do according to the report which I here of you: that is, that you be hearty in God's cause, and hearty to your master Christ, in furthering of his cause and setting fourth his soldiers to his wars to the uttermost of your power. Let no carnality nor worldly regard of any thing set you to declare your true heart, which you are said to bear to your master christ above all other things. Be hearty now also to your husband, and declare yourself to love him in God as the true faithful christian woman unto her husband is bound to do. Now seeing your husband which is set by god's ordinance to be your head, is ready to suffer & abide in adversity by his master's cause, & to cleave to his head christ: see like wise that you do your duty accordingly, and cleave unto him your head: suffer with him that you may further his cause. His cause now I understand to be Christ'S cause, and therefore beware good sister in christ, that in no wise ye hinder it. Love so his body and the case and wealth thereof, as your love may further him to the winning both of body and soul unto everlasting life. And this love shall both God allow, your husband shall have just cause to rejoice thereof, and all the godly to commend you therefore, and to number you for the same, among the godly and holy women of God. To your husband I have written more: And thus far you well now good dear Sister in our saviour Christ. I was the bolder to write unto you, for that I understood my dearly beloved brother Austyne, whom I call Faustus, should be the carrier, a man whom I think God hath appointed to do much pleasure for his pressed servants to his wars. Yours in Christ. N.R. To a friend that came to visit him in prison but could not speak with him. Well-beloved I thank you heartily for your manifold kindness, but the Lord shall, (I trust) acquit you your meed. Though Satan rage, the Lord is strong enough to bridle him, and to put an iron chain over his nose when it shall please him. In the mean time they that are the Lords, will flee unto him, & assuredly he will not forsake them that seek unto him, in very deed and in truth. This bearer my man is trusty, you may send your token by him. Let Nycolas keep still the shirts. The Lord reward that Lady Wiatte, which for his sake hath thus remembered me: I do not know her person. What can I render to master Wylkynson for all her benefits? Nothing surely but to desire the Lord to acquit her with his heavenly grace. If you tarry I shall have more to say to you peradventure hereafter. Now Vale in Domino charissime. Yours in Christ. N. R. ¶ The manner of D. Ridleyes handling in the Schools at Oxford, and of the impudent, spite full, & cruel dealing of the papists: which he set before his disputation by way of a preface, and is not unfit here to be placed among the letters, translated out of his latin copy into english. I Never yet in all my life saw or heard any thing done or handled more vainly or tumultuously, than the disputation which was had with me of late in the schools at Oxford. And surely I could never have thought, that it had been possible to have found any within this realm, being of any knowledge, learning and ancient degree of school, so brazen faced and so shameless, as to behave themselves so vainly and so like stage players, as they did in that disputation. The Sorbonical clamours which at Paris when popery most reigned, I in times paste have seen, might be worthily thought, in comparison of this Thrasonical and glorious ostentation, to have had much modesty. Howbeit, it was not to be wondered at, for that they which should there have been Moderatoures, and rulers of others, and which should have given a good example in word gravity etc. 1. Tim. 4. as Paul teacheth, gave worst example of all, and did, as it were, blow the trumpet to other, to rail, rage, roar, and cry out. By reason whereof good christian reader, it is manifest that they never sought for any truth, but only for the glory of the world, and a bragging victory. But besides the innumerable railings, rebukes, and taunts wherewith I was baited on every side, lest our cause, which in deed is god's cause, and his churches, should also by the false examples of our disputations, be evil spoken of & slandered to the world, & so the verity sustain hurt & hindrance thereby: I have thought good to write my answers myself, that whosoever is desirous to know them and the truth withal, may thereby perceive those things, which were chief objected against me, and also in effect, what was answered of me to every of them. Howbeit good Reader, I confess this to be most true, that it is impossible to set forth either all that was (God knoweth) tumultuously spoken, & like as of mad men objected of so many, which spoke oftentimes hudle, so that one could not well hear an other: either all that was answered of me briefly to such and so diverse opponentes. Moreover, a great part of the time appointed for the disputations, was vainly spent in most contumelious taunts, hyssinges, clapping of hands and triumphs more than tolerable even in stage plays, and that in the english tongue to get the people's favour withal. All which things, when I with godly grief did suffer, and therewithal did openly bewail and witness, that that company of learned men, and schools which were appointed to grave men and to grave matters, were contaminate and defiled by such foolish and Robinhode pastimes, and that they which were the doers of such things, did but thereby openly show their vanity: I was so far by my such humble complaint from doing good, or helping any thing at all, that I was enforced, what with hissing & shouting, and what with authority, to hear such great reproaches and slanders uttered against me, as no grave man without blushing, could abide the hearing of the same spoken of a most vile knave against a most wretched ruffian. At the beginning of the disputation, when I should have confirmed mine answer to the first proposition in few words, and that after the manner of diputations, before I could make an end of my probation, which was not very long, even the doctors themselves cried out, he speaketh blasphemies, blasphemies, blasphemies. And when I on my knees most humbly & heartily besought them, that they would vouchsafe to hear me to the end, whereat the Prolocutor something moved (as it seemed) cried out let him read it, let him read it: Yet when I again began to read it, there was by & by such a cry and noise blasphemies, blasphemies, as I (to my remembrance) never heard or red the like, except it be one which was in the acts of the Apostles stirred up of Demetrius the silver smith and others of his occupation crying out against Paul, great is Diana of the Ephesians, great is Diana of the Ephesians: and except it were a certain disputation which the Arrians had against the Orthodoxes & such as were of godly judgement in Africa, where it is said that such as the precedents & rulers of the disputation were, such was also that end of the disputation. All was done in, and the slanders of the Arrians were so outrageous, that nothing could quietly be heard. So writeth Victor in the sebooke of his history. And thus the cries and tumults of these men against me, now so prevailed, that whether I would or no, I was enforced to leave of the reading of my probations although they were but short. And of the truth hereof, I have all those that were present being of any discretion or honesty to be my witnesses. But hereof will I cease to complain any further. etc. ¶ To Doctor Weston, requiring performance of certain promises made unto him, but never fulfilled, according to thaccustomed wily & unfaithful dealing of the papists. Master Prolocutor, ye remember I am sure how you promised me openly in the Schools after my protestation, that I should see how my answers were there taken and written of the notaries, whom you appointed (Me fateor neminem recusante) to write what should be said, and to have had licence for to have added unto them, or for to have altered them, as upon more deliberation should have seemed me beast. Ye granted me also, at the delivery of mine answer unto your first proposition, a copy of the same. What promises he made openly in the schools that were never performed, read in the book of Martyr's Folio. 958. These promises be not performed. If your sudden departure be any part of the cause thereof, yet I pray you remember that they may be performed, for performance of promises is to be looked for at a righteous judges hands. Now I send you here mine answers in writing to your second and third propositions, and do desire and require earnestly a copy of the same, and I shall by God's grace, procure the pains of the writer to be paid for and satisfied accordingly. When I would have confirmed my sayings with authorities or reasons, you said there openly that I should have had time and place to say and bring what so ever I could an other time. And the same your saying was then there confirmed of other of the Commissioners: Yea and I dare say the audience also thought then that I should have had another day to have brought and said what I could say, for the declaration and confirmation of mine assertions. Now that this was not done, but so suddenly sentence given before the cause was peefectlye heard, I can not but marvel at all, and the due reformation of all things which are amiss, I commit unto almighty god my heavenly father, which by his dear son our saviour Christ (whom he hath made the universal judge of all flesh) shall truly & righteously judge both you and me, Master Prolocutor I desire you, and in God's name require you, that you truly bring forth and show all my three answers written & subscribed with mine own hand, unto the higher house of the convocation, & specially unto my lord chancellor, my Lords of Duresme, Elie, Norwich, Worcetor, & Chichester, and also to show and exhibit this my writing unto them, which in these few lines I writ hereunto you. And that I do make this request unto you by this my writing, know you that I did take witness of them, by whom I did send you this writing, & of those which were then with them present, that is of the bailiffs of Oxford, and of Master Irish Alderman than there called to be a witness. By me N. Rydley. 23. Aprilis. 1554. To a Cousin of his. GOds holy spirit be with you now and ever, Amen. When I call to remembrabnce (beloved cousin) the state of those that for fear of trouble, either for loss of goods, will do in the sight of the world, those things that they know and be assured are contrary to the will of God, I can do no less but lament their case, being assured that the end thereof will be so pitiful, without speedy repentance, that I tremble and fear to have it in remembrance. I would to God it lay upon some earthly burden, so that freedom of conscience might begenen unto them. I writ, as god knoweth, not of presumption but only lamenting their state whom I thought now in this dangerous time, should have given both you and me comfortable instructions. But alas, in stead thereof, we have persuasions to follow (I lament me to rehearse it) superstitions idolatry, yea & that worst of all is, they will seek to prove it by the scripture. The Lord for his mercy turn their hearts. Amen. Yours N. R. A letter which he wrote as his last farewell, to all his true and faithful friends in God a little before he suffered: with a sharp admoniton by by the way, to the papists the enemies of the truth. AT the name of jesus let every knee bow, both of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and let every tongue confess that jesus Christ is the lord unto the glory of God the father. Amen. As a man minding to take a far journey and to departed from his familiar friends, commonly and naturally hath a desire to bid his friends farewell before his departure: so likewise now I looking daily when I should be called for to depart hence from you (O all ye my dearly beloved brethren and sisters in our saviour Christ, that dwell here in this world) having a like mind towards you all, & also blessed be God of this such time & leisure, whereof I right heartily thank his heavenly goodness: do bid you all my dear brethren and sisters (I say) in Christ, that dwell up on the earth, after such manner as I can, Farewell. Farewell my dear Brother George Shypside, whom I have ever found faithful, trusty, and loving in all state and conditions, and now in the time of my cross, over all other to me most friendly, and steadfast, & that which liked me best, over all other things, in God's cause ever hearty. Farewell my dear sister Alice his wife: I am glad to bear of thee that thou dost take Christ's cross, which is laid now (blessed be God) both on thy back and mine, in good part. Thank thou GOD that hath given thee a godly, and a loving husband: see thou honour him, and obey him, according to God's law. Honour thy mother in law his mother, and love all those that pertain unto him, being ready to do them good as it shall lie in thy power. As for thy children, I doubt not of thy husband, but that he which hath given him a heart to love and fear God, and in God them that pertain unto him, shall also make him friendly and beneficial unto thy children, even as if they had been gotten of his own body. Farewell my well-beloved brother john Rydley of the Waltowne, and you my gentle and loving Sister Elizabeth, whom besides the natural league of amity, your tender love which you were said ever to bear towards me above the rest of your brethren, doth bind me to love. My mind was to have acknowledged this your loving affection, and to have acquitted it with deeds, and not with words alone. Your daughter Elizabeth I bid farewell, whom I love for the meek and gentle spirit that God hath given her, which is a precious thing in the sight of God. Farewell my beloved Sister of Vnthancke, with all your children my nephews and nices. Since the departure of my Brother Hugh, my mind was to have been unto them in the stead of their father: but the Lord god must and will be their father, if they will love him and fear him, and live in the trade of his law. Farewell my well-beloved and worshipful cousins master Nicholas Ridley of Wyllimountswick and your wife, and I thank you for all your kindness showed both to me, and also to all your own kinsfolk and mine. Good Cousin, as GOD hath set you in that our stock and kindred, not for any respect of your person, but of his abundant grace and goodness to be as it were the Bell-wether to order and conduct the rest, and hath also endued you with his manifold gifts of grace both heavenly and worldly above others: so I pray you good Cousin (as my trust and hope is in you) continue and increase in the maintenance of truth, honesty, righteousness and all true godliness, and to the uttermost of your power, to withstand falsehood, untruth, unrighteousness and all ungodliness, which is forbid and condemned by the word and laws of God. Farewell my young Cousin Ralph Whitfield. Oh your time was very short with me: my mind was to have done you good, and yet you caught in that little time a loss, but I trust it shall be recompensed as it shall please almighty god. Farewell all my whole kindred and countrymen, farewell in Christ altogether. The Lord which is the searcher of secrets, knoweth that according to my hearts desire, my hope was of late that I should have come among you, and to have brought with me abundance of Christ's blessed Gospel, according to the duty of that office and ministry, whereunto among you I was chosen, named and appointed by the mouth of that our late piereles Prince king Edward, and so also denounced openly in his court by his privy counsel. I warn you all my well-beloved kinsfolk and countrymen, that ye be not amazed or astonished at the kind of my departure or dissolution, for I ensure you I think it the most honour that ever I was called unto in all my life, and therefore I thank my Lord GOD heartily for it, that it hath pleased him to call me of his great mercy unto this high honour to suffer death willingly for his sake, and in his cause: unto the which honour he called the holy Prophets, & his dearly beloved apostles, and his blessed choose martyrs. For know ye that I doubt no more, but that the causes wherefore I am put to death, are gods causes and the causes of the truth, than I doubt that the Gospel which john wrote is the Gospel of Christ, or that Paul's epistles are the very word of God. And to have a heart willing to abide and stand in god's cause & in Christ's quarrel even unto death, I ensure thee (O man) it is an inestimable and an honourable gift of GOD given only to the true elects and dearly beloved children of GOD, and inheritors of the kingdom of heaven. For the holy Apostle, and also Martyr in Christ's cause, Sayncte Peter sayeth: ●. Pet. 4 if ye suffer rebuke in the name of christ, that is in Christ's cause, and for his truths sake, then are ye happy and blessed, for the glory of the Spirit of God resteth upon you. If for rebukes sake suffered in Christ'S name, a man is pronounced by the mouth of that holy Apostle, blessed and happy: how much more happy and blessed is he that hath the grace to suffer death also? Wherefore all ye that be my true lovers & friends, rejoice and rejoice with me again, and render with me hearty thanks to God our heavenly father, that for his sons sake my saviour and redeemer Christ, he hath vouchsafed to call me, being else without his gracious goodness in myself but a sinful and a vile wretch, to call me (I say) unto this high dignity of his true Prophets, of his faithful Apostles, and of his holy elect and chosen Martyrs, that is to die and to spend this temporal life in the defence & maintenance of his eternal and everlasting truth. Ye know that be my Countrymen dwelling upon the borders, where (alas) the true man suffereth oftentimes much wrong at the thieves hand, if it chance a man to be slain of a thief (as it oft chanceth there) which went out with his neighbour to help him to rescue his goods again, that the more cruelly he be slain, and the more steadfastly he stuck by his neighbour in the fight against the face of the thief, the more favour and friendship shall all his posterity have for the slain man's sake of all them that be true, as long as the memory of his fact and his posterity doth endure: even so, ye that be my kinsfolk and countreyemen, know ye (how soever the blind, ignorant and wicked world hereafter shall rail upon my death, which thing they can not do worse than their fathers did of the death of Christ our saviour, of his holy prophets, Apostles and Martyrs) Know ye (I say) that both before God and all them that be godly, and that truly know and follow the laws of God: ye have and shall have by god's grace ever cause to rejoice, and to thank God highly, and to think good of it, and in god to rejoice of me your flesh & blood, whom God of his gracious goodness hath vouchsafed to associate unto the blessed company of his holy martyrs in heaven, & I doubt not in the infinite goodness of my lord god, nor in the faithful fellowship of his elect & choose people, but at both their hands in my cause, ye shall rather find the more favour & grace: for the Lord sayeth that he will be both to them and theirs that love him, the more loving again in a thousand generations: Deut. 7. john. 15. the Lord is so full of mercy to them (I say) and theirs which do love him in deed. And Christ sayeth again, that no man can show more love then to give his life for his friend. Now also know ye all my true lovers in god, my kynsfolk and countrymen, that the cause wherefore I am put to death, is even after the same sort and condition, but touching more near god's cause and in more weighty matters, but in the general kind all one, for both is God's cause, both is in the maintenance of right, & both for the comen wealth, and both for the weal also of the christian brother: although yet there is in these two no small difference, both concerning the enemies, the goods stolen, and the manner of the fight. For know ye all, that like as there, when the poor true man is rob by the thief of his own goods truly gotten, whereupon he and his household should live, he is greatly wronged, and the thief in stealing and robbing with violence the poor man's Goods doth offend god, doth transgress his law, and is injurious both to the poor man and to the comen wealth: so I say know ye all that even here in the cause of my death it is with the church of england, I mean the congregation of the true chosen children of god in this realm of england, which I knowledge not only to be my neighbours, but rather the congregation of my spiritual brethren and Sisters in Christ, yea members of one body, wherein by god's grace I am and have been grafted in christ. This Church of England had of late of the infinite goodness and abundant grace of almighty God, great substance, great riches of heavenly treasure, great plenty of gods true and sincere word, the true and wholesome administration of Christ's holy Sacraments, the whole profession of Christ's religion truly and plainly set forth in Baptism, the plain declaration and understanding of the same taught in the holy catechism to have been learned of all true Christians. This church had also a true and sincere form and manner of the lords Supper, wherein according to jesus Christ's own ordinance and holy institution, Christ's commandments were executed and done. For upon the bread and wine set upon the Lord's table, thanks were given, the commemoration of the lords death was had, the bread in the remembrance of Christ's body torn upon the cross, was broken, and the Cup in the remembrance of Christ's blood shed, was distributed, and both communicated unto all that were present and would receive them, and also they were exhorted of the minister so to do. All was done openly in the vulgar tongue, so that every thing might be both easily heard and plainly understand of all the people to God's high glory, and the edification of the whole church. This church had of late the whole divine service, all common and public prayers ordained to be said & heard in the comen congregation, not only framed and fashioned to the true vain of holy Scripture, but also all things so set forth, according to the commandment of the Lord and saint Paul's doctrine for the people's edification in their vulgar tongue. It had also holy and wholesome Homilies in commendation of the principal virtues, which are commended in Scripture, and likewise other Homilies against the most pernicious and capital vices that useth (alas) to reign in this Realm of England. This church had in matters of controversy, articles so penned and framed after the holy Scripture, and grounded upon the true understanding of God's word, that in short time, if they had been universally received, they should have been able to have set in Christ's church, much concord and unity in Christ's true Religion, and to have expelled many false errors and heresies, wherewith this church (alas) was almost overgone. But (alas) of late into this spiritual possession of the heavenly treasure of these godly riches, are entered in thieves that have rob and spoiled all this heavenly treasure away. I may well complain on these thieves, and cry out upon them with the Prophet, saying: Deus venerunt gentes in haereditatem tuam. etc. Psalm, 79. O Lord GOD the Gentiles, heathen nations are come into thy heritage, they have defiled thy holy Temple, and made jerusalem an heap of stones, that is, they have broken and beat down to the ground thy holy city. This hethenyshe generation, these thieves of Samaria, these Sabei and Caldei, these robbers have rushed out of their dens, and have rob the Church of England of all the foresaid holy treasure of god: they have carried it away and overthrown it, and in the stead of God's holy word, the true and right administration of Christ's holy Sacraments, as of Baptism and others, they mixed their ministry with men's foolish fantasies, and many wicked and ungodly traditions withal. In the stead of the Lords holy table, they give the people, with much solemn disguising, a thing which they call their Mass, but in deed and in truth it is a very masking and mockery of the true supper of the Lord, or rather I may call it a crafty juggling, whereby these false thieves and jugglers have bewitched the minds of the simple people that they have brought them from the true worship of GOD unto pernicious idolatry, and make them to believe that to be Christ our Lord and Saviour, which in deed is neither God nor man, nor hath any life in itself, but in substance is the creature of bread and wine, and in use of the lords table is the Sacrament of Christ's body and blood, and for this holy use, for the which the Lord hath ordained them in his Table to represent unto us his blessed body torn upon the cross for us, and his blood there shed, it pleased him to call them his body and blood, which understanding, Christ declareth to be his true meaning, when he sayeth: Luke. 22. do this in the remembrance of me. And again Saint Paul likewise doth set out the same more plainly, speaking of the same Sacrament after the words of the consecration, saying: as often as ye shall eat of this bread and drink of this Cup, ●. Cor. 11. ye shall set forth (he meaneth with the same) the lords death until his coming again And here again these thieves have rob also the people of the lords cup, contrary to the plain words of Christ, written in his Gospel. Now for the comen public prayers which were in the vulgar tongue, these thieves have brought in again a strange tongue, whereof the people understand not one word. Wherein what do they else but rob the people of their divine Service, wherein they ought to pray together with the minister, and to pray in a strange tongue, what is it but (as Saint Paul calleth it) barbarousness, chyldishenes, unprofitable folly, yea and plain madness? For the godly articles of unity in Religion, and for the wholesome Homilies, what do these thieves place in the stead of them, but the Pope's laws and decrees, lying Legends and feigned fables and miracles, to delude and abuse the symplycitye of the rude people. Thus this robbery and theft is not only committed, nay sacrilege and wicked spoil of heavenly things, but also in the stead of the same, is brought in and placed the abominable desolation of the tyrant Antiochus, of proud Senacheryb, of the shameless faced king, & of the babylon beast. Unto this robbery, this theft and sacrilege, for that I cannot consent nor (God willing) never shall so long as the breath is in my body, because it is blasphemy against God, high treason unto Christ our heavenly King, lord, master, and our only Saviour and redeemer, it is plain contrary to God's word and to Christ's Gospel, it is the subversion of all true godliness, and against the everlasting salvation of mine own soul, and of all my brethren and sisters whom christ my saviour hath so dearly bought with no less price then with the effusion and shedding forth of his most precious blood: therefore (all ye my true lovers in GOD, my kinsfolk and countrymen) for this cause (I say) know ye that I am put to death, which by God's grace I shall willingly take, with hearty thanks to GOD therefore, in certain hope without any doubting, to receive at god's hand again of his free mercy and grace, everlasting life. Although the cause of the true man slain of the thief helping his neighbour to recover his goods again, and the cause wherefore I am to be put to death, in a generality is both one (as I said before) yet know ye that there is no small difference. These thieves against whom I do stand, are much worse than the robbers and thieves of the borders. The goods which they steal, are much more precious, and their kinds of fight are far divers. These thieves are worse (I say) for they are more cruelll, more wicked, more false, more deceitful and crafty: for those will but kill the body, but these will not stick to kill both body and soul. Those for the general theft and robbery, be called and are in deed thieves and robbers: but these for their spiritual kind of robbery are called Sacrilegi, as ye would say, church robbers. They are more wicked: for those go about but to spoil men of worldly things, worldly riches, gold and silver, and worldly substance: these go about in the ways of the Devil their ghostly father, to steal from the universal church, and peritcularlye from every man, all heavenly treasure, true faith, true charity and hope of salvation in the blood of our saviour jesus Christ, yea to spoil us of our Saviour Christ, of his gospel, of his heavenly spirit, and of the heavenly heritage of the kingdom of heaven so dearly purchased unto us with the death of our Master and saviour Christ. These be the goods and godly substance whereupon the Christian before God must live, and without the which he cannot live: these goods (I say) these thieves, these church robbers, go about to spoil us of. The which goods, as to the man of God they excel and far pass all worldly treasure: so to withstand even unto the death such thieves as go about to spoil both us and the whole church of such goods, is most high & honourable service done unto God. These church robbers be also much more false, crafty, and deceitful than the thieves upon the borders: for these have not the craft so to commend their theft that they dare avouch it, and therefore as acknowledging themselves to be evil, they steal commonly upon the night, they dare not appear at judgements and sessions where justice is executed, & when they are taken & brought thither, they never hang any man, but they be oft times hanged for their faults: But these Church robbers can so cloak and colour their spiritual robbery, that they can make the people to believe falsehood to be truth, and truth falsehood, good to be evil, & evil good, light to be darkness, and darkness light, superstition to be true religion, and idolatry to be the true worship of god, and that which is in substance the creature of bread and wine, to be none other substance but only the substance of Christ the living Lord both God and man. And with this their falsehood and craft, they can so juggle and bewitch the understanding of the simple, that they dare avouch it openly in court and in town, and fear neither hanging nor hedding as the poor thieves of the borders do, but stout and strong like Nembrothe, dare condemn to be burned in flaming fire quick and alive, whosoever will go about to bewray their falsehood. The kind of fight against these church robbers, is also of an other sort and kind, then is that which is against the thieves of the borders. For there the true men go forth against them with spear & lance, with bow and bill and all such kind of bodily weapons as the true men have, but here as the enemies be of an other nature, so the watchmen of Christ's flock, the warriors that fight in the lords war, must be armed and fight with an other kind of weapons and armour. For here the enemies of God, the soldiers of Antichrist, although the battle is set forth against the church by mortal men being flesh and blood, and nevertheless members of their father the devil: yet for that their grand master is the power of darkness, their members are spiritual wickedness, wicked spirits, spirits of errors, of heresies, of all deceit and ungodliness, spirits of idolatry, Ephe 6, superstition and hypocrisy, which are called of S. Paul Principates & powers, Lords of the world, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual subtleties concerning heavenvly things: & therefore our weapons must be fit and meet to fight against such, not carnal nor bodily weapons as spear and lance, but spiritual and heavenly: we must fight against such with the armour of God, not entending to kill their bodies, but their errors, their false craft and heresies, their idolatry, superstition and hypocrisy, Eph 6. and to save (as much as lieth in us) both their bodies and souls. And therefore, as S. Paul teacheth us, we fight not against flesh and blood, that is, we fight not with bodily weapon to kill the man, but with the weapons of God, to put to flight his wicked errors & vice, and to save both body and soul. Our weapons therefore are faith, hope, charity, righteousness, truth, patience, prayer unto God, and our sword wherewith we smite our enemies, we beat and batter and bear down all falsehood, is the word of God. With these weapons, under the banner of the cross of Christ we do fight, ever having our eye upon our grand Master, Duke and captain Christ, and then we reckon ourselves to triumph and to win the crown of everlasting bliss, when enduring in this battle without any shrinking or yielding to the enemies, after the example of our grand captain Christ our Master, after the example of his holy Prophets, Apostles and Martyrs, when (I say) we are slain in our mortal bodies of our enemies, & are most cruelly and without all mercy murdered down like a me any of sheep. And the more cruel, the more painful, the more vile and spiteful is the kind of the death, whereunto we be put: the more glorious in God, the more blessed and happy we reckon, without all doubts, our martyrdom to be. And thus much, dear loevers & friends in god, my country men & kinsfolk, I have spoken for your comfort, least of my death (of whose life you looked peradventure sometimes to have had honesty, pleasures, and commodities) ye might be abashed or think any evil: whereas ye have rather cause to rejoice (if ye love me indeed) for that it hath pleased God to call me to a greater honour and dignity, than ever I did enjoy before either in Rochester or in the Sea of London, or ever should have had in the Sea of Durham, whereunto I was last of all elected and named: yea I count it greater honour before God in deed to die in his cause (whereof I nothing doubt) then is any earthly or temporal promotion or honour that can be given to a man in this world. And who is he that knoweth the cause to be Gods, to be Christ'S quarrel and of his Gospel, to be the common weal of all the elect and chosen children of God, of all the inheritors of the kingdom of Heaven, who is he (I say) that knoweth this assuredly by Gods word, and the testimony of his own conscience (as I through the infinite goodness of god, not of myself, but by his grace, acknowledge myself to do) who is he (I say) that knoweth this & both loveth & feareth god in deed & in truth loveth & believeth his master Christ and his blessed gospel, loveth his brotherhood the chosen children of god, and also lusteth and longeth for everlasting life, who is he (I say again) that would not or can not find in his heart in this cause to be content to die? The Lord forbidden that any such should be that should forsake this grace of God. I trust in my Lord God, the God of mercies and the father of all comfort through jesus christ our Lord, that he which hath put this mind, will, and affection by his holy spirit in my heart to stand against the face of the enemy in his cause, & to choose rather the loss of all my worldly substance, yea and of my life to, then to deny his known truth: that he well comfort me, aid me, and strengthen me evermore even unto the end, and to the yielding up of my spirit and soul into his holy hands: whereof I most heartily beseech his most holy sacred Majesty of his infinite goodness and mercy, through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Now that I have taken my leave of my country men and kinsfolk, and the Lord doth lend me life and giveth me leisure, I will bid my other good friends in God of other places also, farewell. And whom first or before other, than the Vniversytye of Cambridge whereas I have dwelt longer, found more faithful and hearty friends, received more benefits (the benefits of my natural parents only excepted) then ever I did even in mine own native country wherein I was borne. Farewell therefore cambridge my loving mother and tender nurse. If I should not acknowledge thy manifold benefits, yea if I should not for thy benefits, at the lest love the again, truly I were to be counted ungrate & unkind. What benefits hadst thou ever, that thou usest to give & bestow upon thy best beloved children, that thou thoughtest to good for me? Thou didst bestow on me all thy School degrees: of thy common offices, the Chaplaynshyppe of the university, the office of the P●ortorship & of a common reader, and of thy private commodities & emolumentes in colleges, what was it that thou madest me not partner of? first to be Scholar, than Fellow, and after my departure from thee thou called'st me again to a Mastership of a right worshipful college. I thank thee my loving mother for all this thy kindness, and I pray God that his laws & the sincere Gospel of Christ, may ever be truly taught & faithfully learned in thee. Farewell Pembroke hall, of late mine own College, my cure & my charge: what case thou artin now God knoweth, I know not well. Thou wast ever named sithence I knew thee (which is now a xxx years ago) to be studious, well learned, and a great setter forth of Christ's Gospel and of God's true word: so I found the and blessed be god, so I left thee in deed. Woe is me for thee mine own dear College, if ever thou suffer thyself by any means to be brought from that trade. In thy Orchard (the walls, butts & trees, if they could speak would bear me witness) I learned with out book almost all Paul's Epistles, yea and I ween all the Canonical Epistles save only the Apocalypse. Of which study, although in time a great part did departed from me, yet the sweet smell thereof, I trust I shall carry with me into heaven: for the profit thereof I think I have felt in all my life time ever after, and I ween of late (whether they abide there now or no I can not tell) there was, that did the like. The Lord, grant that this zeal and love toward that part of god's word, which is a key and a true commentary to all holy scripture, may ever abide in that college so long as the world shall endure. From Cambridge I was called into Kent by the Archbishop of Caunterbury Thomas Cranmer that most reverend father and man of god, and of him by and by scent to be Vicar of Herne in east kente. Wherefore far well Herue thou worshipful and wealthy parish, the first cure whereunto I was called to minister gods word. Thou hast heard of my mouth ofttimes the word of god preached, not after the popish trade but after the Christ's gospel: oh that the fruit had answered to the seed. And yet I must knowledge me to be thy debtor for the doctrine of the Lords supper which at that time I acknowledge God had not revealed unto me: but I bless God in all that godly virtue and zeal of God's word, which the Lord by preaching of his word did kindle manifestly both in the heart and in the life and works of that godly woman there my Lady Phines': the Lord grant that his word took like effect there in many other more. Farewell thou Cathedral church of Caunterburye, the Metropolitike sea, whereof once I was a member. To speak things pleasant unto thee I dare not for danger of conscience & displeasure of my lord God, and to say what lieth in my heart, were now to much, and I fear were able to do thee now but little good. Nevertheless for the friendship I have found in some there, and for charity sake, I wish thee to be washed clean of all worldliness and ungodliness, that thou mayst be found of God after thy name Christ's Church in deed and in truth. Farewell Rochester, sometime my Cathedral Sea, in whom (to say the truth) I did find much gentleness and obedience, and I trust thou wilt not say the contrary, but I did use it to God's glory and thine own profit in God. Oh that thou hadst and mightest have continued and gone forward in the trade of God's law wherein I did leave thee: Then thy charge and burden should not have been so terrible and dangerous as I suppose verily it is like to be (alas) on the latter day. To Westminster, other advertisement in God I have not now to say, than I have said before to the Cathedral church of Caunterbury, and so God give thee of his grace that thou mayst learn in deed and in truth to please him after his own laws. And thus far you well. Oh London, London, to whom now may I speak in thee, or whom shall I bid farewell? Shall I speak to the Prebendaryes of Paul's? Alas, all that loved God's word and were true setters forth thereof, are now (as I hear say) some and slain, some exiled and banished and some holden in hard prison and appointed daily to be put to most cruel death for Christ's Gospel sake. As for the rest of them, I know they could never broke me well, nor I could never delight in them. Shall I speak to the Sea thereof, wherein of late I was placed almost, and not fully, by the space of iii years? But what may I say to it, being (as I hear say I am) deposed and expuised by judgement as an unjust usurper of that room. O judgement, judgement. Can this be just judgement to condemn the chief minister of God's word, the pastor and bishop of the diocese and never bring him into judgement, that he might have heard what crimes were laid to his charge, nor never suffer him to have any place or time to answer for himself? Thinkest thou that hereafter when true justice shall have place that this judgement can ever be allowed either of God or of man? Well, as for the cause and whole matter of my deposition and the spoil of my goods which thou possessest yet, I refer it unto God which is a just judge, and I beseech God, if it be his pleasure, that that which is but my personal wrong, be not laid to thy charge in the latter day: this only can I pray for. O thou now wicked and bloody Sea, why dost thou set up again many altars of idolatry, which by the word of God were justly taken away? Why hast thou overthrown the lords Table? Why dost thou daily delude the people, masking in thy masses in the stead of the Lords holy Supper, which ought to be comen aswell (saith chrysostom, yea the Lord himself) to the people as to the priest? How darest thou deny to the people of Christ, contrary to his express commandment in the gospel, his holy cup? Why bablest thou to the people the comen prayer in a strange tongue, wherein Saint Paul commandeth in the lords name that no man should speak before the congregation, except it should be by and by declared in their comen tongue that all might be edified? Nay hearken thou whorish bawd of Babylon, thou wicked limb of antichrist, thou bloody Wolf, why slayest thou down and makest havoc of the Prophets of God? Why murderest thou so cruelly Christ's poor silly sheep, which will not hear thy voice because thou art a stranger, and will follow none other but their own pastor Christ his voice? thinkest thou to escape, or that the Lord will not require the blood of his Saints at thy hands? Thy God, which is the work of thy hands, and whom thou sayest thou haste power to make, that thy deaf & dumb God (I say) will not in deed nor cannot (although thou art not ashamed to call him thy maker) make thee to escape the revenging hand of the high and almighty God. But be thou assured that the living Lord our saviour and redeemer, which sitteth on the right hand of his father in glory: he seeth all thy wicked ways and cruelty done to his dear members, and he will not forget his holy ones, and his hands (O thou whorish drab) shalt thou never escape. In stead of my farewell to thee now I say, fie upon thee, fie upon thee filthy drab and all thy false Prophets. Yet O thou London, I may not leave thee thus. Although thy Episcopal Sea, now being joined in league with the seat of Satan, thus hath now both handled me & the saints of God: yet I do not doubt but in that great City there be many privy mourners which do daily mourn for that mischief, the which never did nor shall consent to that wickedness, but do detest & abhor it as the ways of Satan. But these privy mourners here I will pass by and bid them far well with their fellows hereafter, His farewell to these mourners is in the letter next following, when the place and occasion shall more conveniently require. Among the worshipful of the City, and specially which were in office of the Meraltye, yea and in other Citizens also (whom to name now it shall not be necessary) in the time of my Ministry, which was from the later part of sir Rowland hills year unto sir George Barnes year & a great part thereof, I do acknowledge that I found no small humanity & gentleness, as me thought: but (to say the truth) that I do esteem above all other for true christian kindness which is showed in god's cause and done for his sake. Wherefore O Dobbes, Dobbes, Alder man & knight, thou in thy year didst win my heart for ever more, for that honourable act, that most blessed work of god of the erection & setting up of Christ's holy hospitales & truly religions houses which by thee & through thee were begun. For thou like a man of God, when the matter was moved for the relief of Christ's poor silly members to be helped from extreme misery, hunger and famine, thy heart (I say) was moved with pity, and as Christ's high honourable officer in that cause, thou called'st together thy Brethren the Aldermen of the City, before whom thou brakest the matter for the poor, thou didst plead their cause, yea, and not only in thine own person thou didst setforth Christ's cause, but to further the matter, thou broughtest me into the counsel Chamber of the City before the Aldermen alone, whom thou hadst assembled there together to hear me speak what I could say as an advocate by office and duty in the poor men's cause: the Lord wrought with thee, and gave thee the consent of thy brethren, whereby the matter was brought to the common counsel, and so to the whole body of the City, by whom with an uniform consent, it was committed to be drawn, ordered, and devised by a certain number of the most witty citizens and politic, endued also with godliness, & with ready hearts to setforward such a noble act, as could be choose in all the whole city, & they like true & faithful ministers both to their city & their master Christ, so ordered, devised, and brought forth the matter, that thousands of silly poor members of Christ, which else for extreme hunger and misery should have famished and perished, shall be relieved, helped & brought up, & shall have cause to bless the Aldermen of that time, the common counsel and the whole body of the city, but specially thee O Dobbes, and those chosen men, by whom this honourable work of god was begun and wrought, and that so long through out all ages, as that godly work shall endure, which I pray almighty god may be ever unto the worlds end, Amen. And thou O Sir George Barnes, (the truth it is to be confessed to god's glory, and to the good example of other) thou wast in thy year not only a furtherer and contynuer of that which before thee by thy predecessor was well begun: but also didst labour so to have perfected the work, that it should have been an absolute thing and a perfect spectacle of true charity and godliness unto all christendom. Thine endeavour was to have set up an house of occupations, both that all kind of poverty being able to work, should not have lacked whereupon profytablye they might have been occupied to their own relief, and to the profit and commodity of the comen wealth of the City, and also to have retired thithers the poor babes brought up in the Hospitales, when they had come to a certain age and strength, and also all those which in the Hospitals aforesaid have been cured of their diseases. And to have brought this to pass, thou obteinedst (not without great diligence and labour both of thee and thy brethren) of that godly king Edward, that christian and pierles Prince's hand, his princely place of Bridewell, and what other things to the performance of the same, and under what condition, it is not unknown. That this thine endeavour hath not had like success, the fault is not in thee, but in the condition & state of the time, which the lord of his infinite mercy vouchsafe to amend, when it shallbe his grations will & pleasure. Farewell now all ye Citizens that be of god, of what state & condition so ever ye be: undoubtedly in London ye have heard God's word truly preached. My heart's desire and daily prayer shallbe for you (as for whom, for my time, I know to my lord God I am countable) that ye never serve, neither for loss of life nor worldly goods, from God's holy word, and yield unto Antichrist, whereupon must needs follow the extreme displeasure of God, & the loss both of your bodies & souls into perpetual damnation for evermore. Now that I have gone through the places, where I have dwelled any space in the time of my pilgrimage here upon earth, remembering that for the space of king Ewardes reign, which was for the time of mine office in the Seas of London and Rochester, I was a member of the higher house of the parliament: therefore (seeing my God hath given me leisure and the remembrance thereof) I will bid my Lords of the temporalty farewell. They shall have no just cause (by God's grace) to take it, that I intend to say, in ill part. As for the spiritul Prelacy that now is, I have nothing to say to them, except I should repeat again a great part of that I have said before now already to the sea of London. To you therefore my Lords of the temporalty will I speak, and this would I have you first to understand, that when I wrote this, I looked daily when I should be called to the change of this life, and thought that this my writing should not come to your knowledge, before the time of the dissolution of my body and soul should be expired, and therefore know ye, that I had before mine eyes only the fear of God, and christian charity toward you, which moved me to write: for of you hereafter I look not in this world, either for pleasure or displeasure. If my talk shall do you never so much pleasure or profit, you cannot promote me, nor if I displease you, ye can not hurt me or harm me, for I shall be out of your reach. Now therefore if you fear God, and can be content to hear the talk of him that seeketh nothing at your hands, but to serve God and to do you good: hearken what I say. I say unto you, Gala. 3 as S. Paul saith to the Galathians: I wonder my Lords what hath bewitched you, that ye so suddenly are fallen from Christ unto Antichrist, from Christ's gospel unto men's traditions, from the Lord that bought you, unto the bishop now of Rome. I warn you of your peril, be not deceived, except you will be found willingly consenters unto your own death. For if ye think thus: we are lay men, this is a matter of religion, we follow as we are taught and led, if our teachers and governors teach us and lead us amiss, the fault is in them, they shall bear the blame: my Lords this is true (I grant you) that both the false teacher, & the corrupt governor, shallbe punished for the death of their subject, whom they have falsely taught and corruptly led, yea & his blood shall be required at their hands: but yet nevertheless shall that subject die the death himself also, Ezech. 3 Luke. 6 that is, he shall also be dampened for his own sin, for if the blind lead the blind, christ saith, not the leader only, but he saith both shall fall in the ditch. Shall the synagogue and the Senate of the jews (trow ye) which forsook Christ and consented to his death, therefore be excused, because Annas, & Cayphas, with the Scribes and pharisees and their clergy, did teach them amiss? yea & also Pilate their governor and the emperors Lieutenant by his tyranny did without cause put him to death? Forsooth no my lords, no. For notwithstanding that corrupt doctrine, or pilate's washing of his hands, neither of both shall excuse either that synagogue & signory, or Pilate: but at the lords hand, for the effusion of that innocentes blood, on the latter day all shall drink of the deadly whip: ye are witty and understand what I mean. Therefore I will pass over this, and return to tell you, how ye ar● fallen from Christ to his adversary the bishop of Rome. And lest my Lords ye may peradventure think, thus barely to call the bishop of Rome Christ's adversary, or (to speak it in plain terms) to call him Antichrist, that it is done in mine anguish, and that I do but rage, and as a desperate man do not care what I say, or upon whom I do rail: therefore, that your Lordships may perceive my mind, and thereby understand that I speak the words of truth and of sobriety (as S. Paul said unto Festus) be it known unto your Lord ships all, that as concerning the bishop of Rome, Acts. 26. I neither hate the person nor the place. For I ensure your Lordships (the living lord beareth me witness, before whom I speak) I do think many a good holy man, many martyrs and Saints of god, have sit & taught in that place Christ's gospel truly, which therefore justly may be called Apostolici, that is, true disciples of th'apostles, & also that church & congregation of Christians, Apostolic church, yea & that certain hundredth years after the same was first erected and builded upon Christ, by the true Apostolical doctrine taught by the mouths of the Apostles themselves. If ye will know how long that was, and how many hundredth of years, to be curious in pointing the precise number of years, I will not be to bold, but thus I say, so long & so many hundredth years as that Sea did truly teach and preach that gospel, that religion, exercised that power, & ordered every thing by those laws and rules, which that Sea received of the Apostles and (as Tertullian saith) the Apostles of Christ, and Christ of God: so long (I say) that Sea might well have been called Peter & Paul's chair and Sea, or rather Christ's chair, & the bishop thereof Apostolicus, or a true disciple & successor of the Apostles, & a minister of Christ. But since the time that that Sea hath degenerated from the trade of truth and true religion, the which it received of the Apostles at the beginning, and hath preached another Gospel, hath set up an other religion, hath exercised an other power and hath taken upon it to order and rule the church of Christ by other strange laws, Cannons and rules, than ever it received of the Apostles or the Apostles of Christ, which things it doth at this day & hath continued so doing (alas, alas) of to to long a time: Since the time (I say) that the state & condition of that Sea hath thus been changed: in truth it ought of duty and of right, to have the names changed both of the Sea & of the sitter therein. For understand my Lords, it was neither for the privilege of the place or person thereof, that that Sea and bishop thereof, were called Apostolic: but for the true trade of Christ's Religion, which was taught and maintained in that Sea at the first, and of those godly men. And therefore as truly & justly as that Sea then, for that true trade of religion & consanguinity of doctrine with the religion & docrtne of Christ's Apostles, was called Apostolic: so as truly and as justly for the contrariety of religion & diversity of doctrine from Christ and his Apostles, that Sea and the bishop thereof, at this day both aught to be called, and are in deed Antichristian. The Sea is the seat of Satan, and the bishop of the same, that maintaineth the abominations thereof, is antichrist himself in deed. And for the same causes this Sea at this day is the same which saint john calleth in his revelation, Apoc. 17 Apo. 11. Babylon, or the whore of Babylon, and spirituully Sodoma and Egyptus, the mother of fornications, and of the abominations upon the earth. And with this whore doth spiritually mell, and lieth with her and committeth most stinking and abominable adultery before god, all those kings and Princes, yea & all nations of the earth, which do consent to her abominations & use or practise the the same: that is (of the innumerable multitude of them to rehearse some for example sake) her dispensations her pardons and Pilgrimages, her invocation of saints, her worshipping of images, her false counterfeit religion in her monkery and frerage, and her traditions, whereby God's laws are defiled: as her massing, & false ministering of God's word and the sacrementes of Christ, clean contrary to Christ's word and the Apostles doctrine, whereof in particularity, I have touched something before in my talk had with the Sea of London, & in other treatises more at large: wherein (if it shall please god to bring the same to light) it shall appear I trust by god's grace, plainly to the man of god, and to him whose rule in judgement of religion is god's word, that that religion, that rule and order, that doctrine & faith, which this whore of Babylon and the beast whereupon she doth sit, maintaineth at this day withal violence of fire & sword, Apo. 17. Daniel. 7. with spoil and banishment (according to daniel's Prophecy) and finally with all falsehood, deceit hypocrisy, and all kind of ungodliness: are as clean contrary to God's word, as darkness is unto light, or light to darkness, white to black, or black to white, or as belial unto Christ, or Christ unto Antichrist himself, I know my Lords & foresaw when I wrote this, that so many of you, as should see this my writing, not being before endued with the spirit of grace and the light of God's word, so many (I say) would at these my words Lord like stamp and spurn and spit thereat. But sober yourselves with patience and be still, and know ye that in my writing of this, my mind was none other, but in God, (as the living God doth bear me witness) both to do you profit and pleasure. And otherwise, as for your displeasure, by that time this shall come to your knowledge, I trust by god's grace to be in the hands and protection of the almighty, my heavenvly father and the living Lord, which is (as S. john saith) the greatest of all, and then I shall not need (I trow) to fear what any Lord, no nor what king or prince can do unto me. My Lords, if in times past ye have been contented to hear me sometimes in matters of religion before the Prince in the pulpit, and in the Parliament house, and have not seemed to have despised what I have said (when as else if ye had perceived just occasion, ye might then have suspected in my talk, though it had been reasonable, either desire of worldly gain or fear of displeasure) how hath then your lordships more cause to hearken to my word, & to hear me patiently, seeing now ye cannot justly think of me being in this case appointed to die, and looking daily when I shall be called to come before the eternal judge, otherwise but that I only study to serve my Lord God, and to say that thing which I am persuaded assuredly by God's word shall and doth please him, and profit all them to whom God shall give grace to hear and believe what I do say? and I do say even that I have said heretofore both of the sea of Rome, and of the bishop thereof, I mean after this their present state at this day. Wherein if ye will not believe the ministers of God, and true preachers of his word, verily I denounce unto you in Verbo domini, except ye do repent betime, it shall turn to your confusion and to your smart on the latter day. Forget not what I say my Lords, for Gods sake forget not, Psal. 4. but remember it upon your bed. For I tell you moreover, as I know I must be countable of this my talk and of my speaking thus, to the eternal judge (who will judge nothing amiss) so shall you be countable of your duty in hearing, and you shallbe charged, if ye will hearken to god's word, for not obeying to the truth. Alas my Lords how chanceth this that this matter is now a new again to be persuaded unto you? who would have thought of late, but your lordship's had been persuaded in deed sufficiently, or else that ye could ever have agreed so uniformly with one consent to the abolishment of the usurpation of the bishop of Rome? If that matter were then but a matter of policy, wherein the prince must be obeyed, how is it now made a matter, wherein (as your clergy sayeth now, and so saith the pope's laws in deed) standeth the unity of the catholic church, and a matter of necessity of our salvation? Hath the time, being so short since the death of the two last kings, Henry the viij and Edward his son, altered the nature of the matter? If it have not, but was of the same nature and danger before God then as it is now, & be now (as it is said by the pope's laws, and the instructions set forth in english to the curates of the diocese of York) in deed a matter of necessity to salvation: how then chanced it that ye were all (O my Lords) so light and so little passed upon the catholic faith and the unity thereof (without the which no man can be saved) as for your prince's pleasures, which were but mortal men, to forsake the unity of your catholic faith, that is to foresake Christ and his holy gospel? And furthermore, if it were both then and now so necessary to salvation, how chanced it also, that ye, all the whole body of the Parliament agreeing with you, did not only abolish and expel the bishop of Rome: but also did abjure him in your own parsons, and did decree in your acts great oaths to be taken of both the spiritualty & temporalty, whosoever should enter into any weighty & charge able office in the common wealth? But on tother side, if that law and decree, which maketh the supremacy of the sea and Bishop of Rome over the universal church of Christ, a thing of necessity required unto salvation, be an Antichristian law (as it is in deed) and such instructions as are given to the diocese of York, be in deed a setting forth of the power of that beast of Babylon, by the craft and falsehood of his false prophets (as of truth, compared unto God's word, & truly judged by the same, it shall plainly appear that they be) than my Lords never think other, but the day shall come, when ye shallbe charged with this your undoing of that, that once ye had well done, & with this your perjury & breach of your oath, which oath was done in judgement, justice & truth agreeable to God's law. The whore of Babylon may well for a time dally with you, & make you so drunken with the wine of her filthy stews & whoredom (as with her dispensations & promises of pardon A pena & culpa) that for drunkenness & blinnes ye may think yourselves safe. But be ye assured, when the living Lord shall try the matter by the fire, and judge it according to his word, when all her abominations shall appear what they be: than ye my Lords (I give your Lordship's warning in time) repent if ye be happy, and love your own soul's health, repent I say, or else without all doubt ye shall never escape the hands of the living Lord for the gilt of your perjury & the breach of your oath. As ye have banketed and lain by the whore in the fornication of her whorish dispensations, pardons, idolatry, & such like abominations: so shall ye drink with her (except ye repent betime) of the cup of the Lords indignation & everlasting wrath, which is prepared for the beast, his false prophets, & all their partakers. For he that is partner with them in their whoredom & abominations, must also be partner with them of their plagues, & on the latter day shallbe thrown with them into the lake burning with brimstone and unquenchable fire. Thus far ye well my Lords all. I pray God give you understanding of his blessed will and pleasure, & make you to believe & embrace the truth. Amen, An other farewell to the prisoners in Christ's gospels cause, and to all them which for the same cause are exiled and banished out form their own country choosing rather to leave all worldly commodity, than their master Christ. farewell my dearly beloved brethren in Christ, both ye my fellow prisoners, & ye also that be exiled & banished out of your countries, because ye will rather forsake all worldly commodity than the gospel of Christ. Farewell all ye together in Christ, farewell & be merry: for ye know that the trial of your faith bringeth forth patience, and patience shall make us perfect, whole and sound on every side, and such after trial ye know shall receive the crown of life according to the promise of the lord made to his dearly beloved: let us therefore be patient unto the coming of the Lord. jacob. 5 As the husbandman abideth patiently the former and latter rain for the increase of his crop: so let us be patient and pluck up our hearts, for the coming of the lord approacheth apace. Let us my dear brethren, take example of patience in tribulation of the Prophets, which spoke likewise God's word truly in his name. Let job be to us an example of patience: and the end which the Lord suffered, 1. Pet. 1. which is full of mercy and pity. We know my brethren by gods word, that our faith is much more precious than any corruptible gold, and yet that is tried by the fire: even so our faith is therefore tried likewise in tribulations, that it may be found when the Lord shall appear, laudable, glorious and honourable. 1. Pet. 2. For if we for Christ's cause do suffer, that is grateful before God, for thereunto are we called, that is our state and vocation, wherewith let us be content. Christ we know suffered for us afflictions, leaving us an example that we should follow his footsteps, for he committed no sin nor was there any guile found in his mouth: when he was railed upon, and all to reviled, railed not again: when he was evil entreated, he did not threaten, but committed the punishment thereof to him that judgeth a right. Let us ever have in fresh remembrance those wonderful comfortable sentences spoken by the mouth of our saviour Christ: blessed are they which suffer persecution for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men revile you, Math. 5 persecute you, and speak all evil against you for my sake: rejoice and be glad, for great is you reward in heaven, for so did they persecute the prophets, which were before you. Therefore let us alway bear this in our minds, that if any incommodity do chance unto us for righteousness sake, happy are we whatsoever the world doth think of us. Luke. 21. Christ our master hath told us before hand that the brother should put the brother to death, & the father the son, and the children should rise against their parents and kill them, & that Christ's true Apostles should be hated of all men for his name's sake: but he that shall abide patiently unto th'end shallbe saved. Let us then endure in all troubles patiently after the example of our master Christ & be contented therewith for he suffered being our master & lord, how doth it not then become us to suffer? Luke. 6. For the disciple is not above his master nor the servant above his lord. It may suffice the disciple to be as his master, and the servant to be as his lord, If they have called the father of the family, Math. 10. the master of the household Belzebub, how much more shall they call so than of his household? Fear them not then saith our saviour, for all privities shallbe made plain: there is now nothing secret, but it shall be showed in light. Of Christ's words let us neither be ashamed, nor afraid to speak them, for so Christ our master commandeth us, saying: that I tell you privily, speak openly abroad, and that I tell you in your ear preach it upon the house top. And fear not them which kill the body, for the soul they can not kill: but fear him which can cast both body and soul into hell fire. Know ye that the heavenly father, hath ever a gracious eye and respect toward you, and a fatherly providence for you, so that without his knowledge and permission, nothing can do you harm. Let us therefore cast all our care upon him, and he shall provide that which shall be best for us. For if of ij. small sparrows which both are sold for a mite, one of them lighteth not on the ground without your father, and all the hears of our head are numbered, Math. 10. fear not then saith our Master Christ, for ye are more worth than many small sparrows. And let us not stick to confess our master Christ for fear of danger whatsoever it shallbe, remembering the promise that Christ maketh saying: whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall I confess before my father which is in heaven: but whosoever shall deny me, him shall I likewise deny before my father which is in heaven. Christ came not to give unto us hear a carnal amity, & a worldly peace or to knit his unto the world in ease & peace: but rather to separate & divide than from the world, & to join them unto himself, in whose cause we must if we will be his, forsake father and mother, and stick unto him. If we forsake him or shrink from him for trouble or deaths sake, which he calleth his cross: he will none of us, we cannot be his. If for his cause we shall lose our temporal lives here, we shall find them again and enjoy them for evermore: but if in his cause we will not be contented to leave nor lose them here: then shall we lose them so, that we shall never find them again, but in everlasting death. What though our troubles here be painful for the time, and the sting of death bitter & unpleasant: yet we know that they shall not last in comparison of eternity, no not the twinkling of an eye, and that they patiently taken in Christ's cause, shall procure and get us unmeasurable heaps of heavenly glory, 2. Cor 4. unto the which these temporal pains of death and troubles compared, 1. Pet. 4. are not to be esteemed, but to be rejoiced upon. Wonder not, saith S. Peter, as though it were any strange matter that ye are tried by the fire (he meaneth of tribulation) which thing sayeth he, is done to prove you. Nay rather in that ye are partners of Christ's afflictions, rejoice, that in his glorious revelation, ye may rejoice with merry hearts. If ye suffer rebukes in Christ's name, happy are ye, for the glory and spirit of god resteth upon you. Ol them God is reviled and dishonoured, but of you he is glorified. Let no man be ashamed of that he suffereth as a christian & in Christ's cause: for now is the time that judgement and correction must begin at the house of god, and if it begin first at us, what shallbe the end of those think ye, which believe not the gospel? And if the righteous shall be hardly saved, the wicked and the sinner, where shall he appear? Wherefore they which are afflicted according to the will of god, let them lay down and commit their souls to him by well doing, as to a trusty and faithful maker. This (as I said) may not seem strange to us, for we know that all the whole fraternity of Christ's congregation in this world, is served with the like, & by the same is made perfect. For the fervent love that the apostles had unto their master Christ, and for the great commodities & increase of all godliness which they felt by their faith to ensue of afflictions in Christ's cause, & thirdly for the heaps of heavenly joys which the same do get unto the godly, which shall endure in heaven for evermore, for these causes (I say) the apostles of their afflictions did joy, and rejoiced in that they were had and accounted worthy to suffer contumelies and rebukes for Christ's name. And Paul, as he gloried in the grace and favour of god, whereunto he was brought and stood in by faith: so he rejoiced in his afflictions for the heavenly and spiritual profits which he numbereth to rise upon them: yea, he was so far in love with that, that the carnal man loatheth so much, 1. Cor. 2. that is with Christ's cross, that he judged himself to know nothing else, but Christ crucified: be will glory (he saith) in nothing elses but in Christ's cross, yea & he blesseth all those, as the only true Israelits and elect people of god with peace and mercy, which walketh after that rule and after none other. O Lord what a wonderful spirit was that that made Paul, in setting forth of himself against the vanity of Satan's Pseu dopostels and in his claim there that he in Christ's cause did excel & pass them all, 2. Cor. 11 what wonderful Spirit was that (I say) that made him to reckon up all his troubles, his labours, his beatings, his whippings & scourgings, his shipwrecks, his dangers and perils by water and by land, his famine, hunger, nakedness, and cold, with many more, and the daily care of all the congregations of Christ, among whom every man's pain did pierce his heart, and every man's grief was grievous unto him? O Lord is this Paul's Primacy, whereof he thought so much good, that he did excel other? Is not this Paul's saying unto Timothy his own scholar, 2. Timo. 2 & doth it not pertain to whosoever will be Christ's true soldiers? bear thou (saith he) the afflictions like a good soldier of jesus Christ. This is true: if we die with him (he meaneth Christ) we shall live with him, if we suffer with him, we shall reign with him, if we deny him, he shall deny us, if we be faithless, he remaineth faithful, he cannot deny himself. This Paul would have known to every body: for there is none other way to heaven, 2. Tim. 3 but Christ and his way, and all that will live godly in Christ, shall (sayeth saint Paul) suffer persecution. By this way went to heaven the Patryarckes, the Prophets, Christ our master, his apostles, his Martyrs, & all the godly since the beginning. And as it hath been of old, that he which was born after the flesh, Gal. 4, persecuteth him which was borne after the spirit, for so it was in Isaackes' time: so said Saint Paul, it was in his time also. And whether it be so or no now, let the spiritual man, the self same man (I mean) that is endued with the Spirit of almighty God, let him be judge. Of the cross of the Patryarckes as ye may read in their stories if ye read the book of Genesis, ye shall perceive. Of other, Saint Paul in few words comprehendeth much matter, speaking in a generality of the wonderful afflictions, death, and torments, which the men of God in gods cause and for the truth sake, willingly and gladly did suffer. Heb. 11. After much particular rehearsal of many, he saith: other were racked, and despised, & would not be delivered, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Other again were tried with mockings and scourgings, and moreover with bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, hewn a sunder, tempted, fell and were slain upon the edge of the sword, some wandered to and fro in sheeps pilches, in goats pylches, forsaken, oppressed, afflicted, such godly men as the world was unworthy of, wandering in wilderness, in mountains, in caves, and in dens, and all these were commended for their faith. And yet they abide for us the servants of god, & for those their brethren, which are to be slain as they were for the word of god's sake, that none be shut out, but that we may all go together to meet our master Christ in the air at his coming, and so to be in bliss with him in body and in soul for evermore. Therefore, seeing we have so much occasion to suffer and to take afflictions for Christ's names sake patiently, so many commodities thereby, so weighty causes, so many good examples, so great necessity, so sure promises of eternal life and heavenly joys, of him that cannot lie: Let us throw away whatsoever might let us, all burden of sin, and all kind of carnality, and patiently and constantly let us run for the best game in this race that is set before us, ever having our eyes upon jesus Christ the ringleader, Heb. 12. captain, and perfiter of our faith, which for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, not passing upon the ignomy & shame thereof, and is set now at the right hand of the throne of god. Consider this, that he suffered such strife of sinners against himself, that ye should not give over nor faint in your minds. As yet brethren we have notwithstande unto death, fighting against sin. Let us never forget dear brethren for Christ's sake, that fatherly exhortation of the wise that speaketh unto us as unto his children the godly wisdom of god, saying thus: my son despise not the correction of the Lord, nor fall not from him, when thou art rebuked of him, for whom the Lord loveth him doth he correct, and scourgeth every child whom he receiveth: what child is he whom the father doth not chasten? If ye be free from chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and no children. Seeing then, when as we have had carnal parents which chastened us, we we reverenced them, shall not we much more be subject unto our spiritual father, that we might live? And they for a little time taught us after their own mind: but this father teacheth us to our commodity, Heb. 12. to give unto us his holiness. All chastisement for the present time, appeareth not pleasant but painful: but afterward it rendereth the fruit of righteousness on them, which are exercised in it. Wherefore let us be of good cheer (good brethren) and let us pluck up our feeble members that were fallen, or began to faint, heart, hands, knees, and all the rest, and let us walk upright and straight, that no limping nor halting bring us out of the way. Let us look, not upon the things that be present, but with the eyes of our faith let us steadfastly behold the things that be everlasting in heaven, and so choose rather in respect of that which is to come, with the chosen members of Christ, to bear Christ's cross, then for this short life time, to enjoy all the riches, honours, and pleasures of the broad world. Why should we christians far death? Can death deprive us of Christ, which is all our comfort, our joy, and our life? Nay forsooth. But contrary, death shall deliver us from this mortal body, which loadeth and beareth down the Spirit, 2. Cor 5. that it can not so well perceive heavenly things: in the which so long as we dwell, we are absent from God. Wherefore, understanding our state in that we be christians, that if our mortal body, which is our earthly house, were destroyed, we have a building, 2. Cor. 5 a house not made with hands, but everlasting in heaven &c: therefore we are of good cheer, and know that when we are in the body, we are absent from God, for we walk by faith and not by clear sight. Nevertheless we are bold and had rather be absent from the body and present with God. wherefore, we strive whether we be present at home, or absent abroad, that we may always please him. And who that hath true faith in our saviour Christ, whereby he knoweth somewhat truly what Christ our Saviour is, that he is the eternal son of God, life, light, the wisdom of the father, all goodness, all righteousness and whatsoever is good that heart can desire, yea infinite plenty of all these, above that that man's heart can either conceive or think, (for in him dwelleth the fullness of the godhead corporally) and also that he is given us of the father, and made of God to be our wisdom, 1. Cor. 1. our righteousness, our holiness, and our redemption: who (I say) is he that believeth this in deed, that would not gladly be with his master Christ? Phili. 1. Paul for this knowledge coveted to have been loosed from the body, and to have been with Christ, for that be counted it much better for himself, & had rather to be loosed than to live. Therefore these words of Christ to the thief on the cross, that asked of him mercy, were full of comfort and solace: this day thou shalt be with me in paradise. Luke. 23. To die in the defence of Christ's gospel, it is our bounded duty to Christ, and also to our neighbour. To Christ, Rom. 9 1. john. 3. for he died for us, & rose again the he might be lord over all. And seeing he died for us, we also (saith S. john) should jeopard, yea give our life for our brethren. And this kind of giving and losing, is getting and winning in deed: for he that giveth or loseth his life thus, getteth and winneth it for evermore. Apo. 14. Blessed are they therefore that die in the lord, and if they die in the lords cause, they are most happy of all. Let us not then fear death, which can do us no harm, otherwise than for a moment to make the flesh to smart: but that our faith which is surely fastened and fixed unto the word of god, telleth us that we shall be anon after death, in peace, in the hands of god, in joy, in solace, and that from the death we shall go strait unto life. For S. john saith, john. 11. john. 5 he that liveth & believeth in me, shall never die. And in an other place: he shall departed from death unto life. And therefore this death of the christian, is not to be called death, but rather a gate or entrance into everlasting life. Therefore Paul calleth it but a dissolution and resolution, and both Peter and Paul, 2. Pet. 1. 2. Cor. 5 a putting of of this Tabernacle or dwelhouse, meaning thereby the mortal body, as wherein the soul or spirit doth dwell here in this world for a small time. Yea this death may be called to the christian, an end of all miseries. For so long as we live here, Acts. 14. we must pass through many tribulations, before we can enter into the kingdom of heaven. And now, after that death hath shot his bolt, all the christian man's enemies have done what they can, and after that they have no more to do. What could hurt or harm poor Lazarus that lay at the rich man's gate? his former penury and poverty, his miserable beggary and horrible sores and sickness? For so soon as death had stricken him with his dart, so soon came the angels, Luke. 16. & carried him strait up into Abraham's bosom. What lost he by death, who from misery & pain, is set by the ministry of Angels in a place both of joy and solace. Farewell dear brethren, farewell, and let us comfort our hearts in all troubles, and in death with the word of God: for heaven and earth shall perish, but the word of the lord endureth for ever. Farewell Christ's dearly beloved spouse here wandering in this world as in a strange land, far from thine own country, and compassed about on every hand with deadly enemies, which cease not to assault thee, ever seeking thy destruction. Farewell, farewell, O ye the whole and universal congregation of the chosen of god here living upon earth, the true church militant of Christ, the true mystical body of Christ, the very household and family of god, and the sacred temple of the holy ghost. Farewell. Farewell, O thou little flock of the high heavenly pastor Christ, Luke. 12 for to thee it hath pleased the heavenvly father to give an everlasting and eternal kingdom. Farewell. Farewell thou spiritual house of god, thou holy and roi all priesthood, thou chosen generation, thou holy nation, thou won spouse. Far well. Farewell. N. R. ¶ This that followeth, which he further wrote concerning his cruel handling in the schools at Oxford, & also of the condemnation of him, O. Cranmer, & M. Latymer &c: we would not here omit, though in order in should before have been placed, next after the preface to his disputation, Folio 78. KNow (gentle Reader) that master Prollocutour did promise me in the disputations publicly, that I should see mine answers how they were collected and gathered of the Notaries, and that I should have licence to add or diminish, to alter or change afterward, as I should think best would make for me to the answering of the propositions. He promised moreover publicly that I should have both time and place for me to bring in franlkely all that I could, for the confirmation of mine answers. Now when he had promised all these things openly in the hearing of other Commissioners, and of the whole university of Oxford, yet (good reader) mark this, that in very deed he performed nothing of all that he promised: what faith then shall a man look to find at such judges hands in the secret mysteries of God, which in theirs promises so openly made and so duly det (I will not speak of the witnesses of the matter) are found to be so faithless both to God and man? well I will leave it to the judgement of the wise. And now, for that is lest for us to do, let us pray that God would have mercy on his church of England, that yet once, when it shall be his good pleasure, it may clearly see and greedily embrace, in the face of jesus Christ, the will of the heavenly father, and that of his infinite mercy, he would either turn to him the raging and ravening wolves, and most subtle seducers of his people, which are by them altogether spoiled and bewitched, either that of his most righteous judgement, he would drive these faithless feeders from his flock, that they may no more be able to trouble and scatter abroad Christ's sheep from their shepherd, and that speedily: Amen, Amen. And let every one that hath the spirit (as S. john sayeth) say Amen. Yet further know thou, that when Master Prolocutor did put forth three propositions, he did command us to answer particularly to them all. After our answers, neither he nor his fellows did ever enter into any disputation of any one of them saving only of the first. Yea, when that he had asked us after disputations of the first (as ye have heard for my part) whether we would subscribe to the whole, in such sort, form, and words as there are set forth, without further disputation, (which thing we denied) by and by he gave sentence against us all, that is against me, Doctor Cranmer & Doctor Latimer my most dear fathers & brethren in christ condemning us for heinous heretics concerning every of these propositions, and so separated us one from another, sending us severally into sundry and diverse houses to be kept most secretly to the day of our burning, and as before, so still commanded, that all and every one of our servants should be kept from us, whereto he added that at his departure thence, pen, ink, and paper, should departed from us also. He meaneth here that godly and fruitful report of his disputation in Oxford which he penned with his own hand. But thanks be to God that gave me to write this before the use of such things were utterly taken away. almighty God which beholdeth the causes of the afflicted, & is wont to lose & look mercifully on the bonds & groanings of the captives, he vouch safe now to look upon the causes of his poor church in England, & of his great wisdom & unspeakable mercy, with speed to make an end of our misery, Amen, Amen, Amen, ❧ Letters of master john Hoper late bishop of Gloucester: where, after his long and cruel imprisonment in the fleet, he was burnt with most terrible kinds of torments (as you may read in the book of martyrs fol. 1062.) for the defence of the sincere truth of the gospel, the 9 day, of january, in the year of our Lord. 1555. ¶ A letter which he wrote to certain godly persons, professors and lovers of the truth, instructing them how they should behave themselves at the beginning of the change of religion. THe grace, mercy, and peace of God the father through our Lord jesus christ, be with you my dear brethren and with all those that unfeignedly love and embrace his holy gospel, Amen. It is told me that the wicked Idol the mass is stablished again by a law, & passed in the parliament house. Learn the truth of it I pray you, & what penalty is appointed in the act, to such as speak against it. Also whether there be any compulsion to constrain men to be at it. The statute throughly known, such as be abroad & at liberty, may provide for themselves and avoid the danger the better. Doubtless there hath not been seen before our time, such a parliament as this is, that as many as were suspected to be favourers of gods word, should be banished out of both houses. But we must give god thanks for that truth he hath opened in the time of his blessed servant king Edward the sixth, and pray unto him that we deny it not, nor dyshoner it with idolatry but that we may have strength and patience rather to die ten times, then to deny him once. Blessed shall we be if ever god make us worthy of that honour, to shed our blood for his name's sake. And blessed then shall we think the parents which brought us into this world, that we should from this mortality be carried into immortality. If we follow the commandment of saint Paul that saith, if ye be risen again with christ, Col. 3. seek the things that be above where christ sitteth at the right hand of God: we shall neither depart from the vain transitory goods of this world, nor from this wretched and mortal life, with so great pains as other do. Let us pray to our heavenly father that we may know and love his blessed will, and the glorious joy prepared for us in time to come, and that we may know and hate all things contrary to his blessed will and also the pain prepared for the wicked men in the world to come. There is no better way to be used in this troublesome time for your consolation, than many times to have assemblies together of such men and women as be of your religion in christ, and there to talk and renew among yourselves the truth of your religion, to see what ye be by the word of God and to remember what ye were before ye came to the knowledge thereof, to weigh and confer the dreams and false lies of the preachers that now preach, with the word of God that retaineth all truth, and by such talk and familiar resorting together, ye shall the better find out all their lies that now go about to deceive you, and also both know and love the truth that God hath opened to us. It is much requisite that the members of christ, comfort one an other, make prayers together, confer one with another: so shall ye be the stronger, and God's spirit shall not be absent from you but in the mids of you to teach you, to comfort you, to make you wise in all godly things, patient in adversity and strong in persecution. Ye see how the congregation of the wicked by helping one an other, make their wicked religion & themselves strong against God's truth & his people. It ye may have some learned man that can, out of the scriptures speak unto you of faith & true honouring of God, also that can show you the descent of Christ's church from the beginning of it until this day, that ye may perceive by the life of your forefathers these two things: the one that Christ'S word, which said that all his must suffer persecution and trouble in the world, be true: the other that none of all his before our time, escaped trouble: then shall ye perceive that it is but a folly for one that professeth Christ truly, to look for the love of the world. Thus shall ye learn to bear trouble and to exercise your religion and feel in deed that Christ'S words be true: in the world, ye shall suffer persecution. john. 16 And when ye feel your religion in deed, say ye be no better than your forefathers, but be glad that ye may be counted worthy soldiers for this war, and pray to God when ye come together, that he will use and order you and your doings to these three ends, which ye must take heed of: the first that ye glorify God, the next that ye edify the church and congregation, the third that ye profit your own souls. In all your doings beware ye be not deceived. For although this time be not yet bloody and tyrannous as the time of our forefathers that could not bear the name of Christ without danger of life and goods: yet is our time more perilous both for body and soul. Therefore of us christ said: Luke. 18. think ye when the son of man cometh, he shall find any faith upon earth? He said not, think ye he shall find any man or woman chrystened and in name a christian: but he spoke of the faith that saveth the christian man in christ, and doubtless the scarcity of faith is now more (and will I fear increase) than it was in the time of the greatest tyrants that ever were: and no marvel why. Read ye the sixth chapter of saint john's Revelation and ye shall perceive amongs other things, that at the opening of the fourth seal, came out a pale horse, and he that sat upon him was called death, and hell followed him. This horse is the time wherein hypocrites and dissemblers entered into the Church under the precente of true religion, as monkers, Friars nuns, massing priests, with such other, that have killed more souls with heresies and superstystition, them all the tyrants that ever were, killed bodies with fire, sword, or banishment, as it appeareth by his name that sitteth upon the horse, who is called death: for all souls that leave Christ and trust to these hypocrites, live to the devil in everlasting pain, as is declared by him that followeth the pale horse which is hell. These pretenced and pale hypocrites, have stirred the earthquakes, that is to wit, the princes of the world, against Christ's church, and have also darkened the son, and made the moon bloody, and have caused the stars to fall from heaven, that is to say, have darkened with mists and daily do darken, as ye hear by their sermons, the clear son of Gods most pure word: the moon, which be Gods true preachers, which fetch only light at the son of God's word, are turned into blood, prisons, and chains, that their light can not shine unto the world as they would: Whereupon it cometh to pass that the stars, that is to say Christian people, fall from heaven that is to wit, from Gods most true word, to hypocrisy, most devilish superstition and idolatry. Let some learned man show you all the articles of your belief and monuments of Christian faith, from the time of Christ hitherto, and ye shall perceive that there was never mention of such articles as these hypocrites teach. God bless you, and pray for me as I do for you. Out of the Flete by your brother in Christ john Hoper To all my dear brethren, my relievers and helpers in the City of London. THe grace of God be with you, Amen. I have received from you (dearly beloved in our saviour jesus Christ) by the hands of my servant william Downton, your liberality, for the which I do most heartily thank you, and I praise god highly in you and for you, who hath moved your hearts to show this kindness towards me, praying him to preserve you from all famine, scarcity, and lack of the truth of his word, which is the lively food of your souls, as you preserve my body from hunger and other necessities, which should hap unto me, were it not cared for by the benevolence and charity of godly people. Such as have taken all worldly goods and lands from me, and spoiled me of all that I had, have imprisoned my body and appointed no one halfpenny to feed or to relieve me withal. But I do forgive them and pray for them daily in my poor prayer unto God, and from my heart I wish their salvation, and quietly and patiently bear their injuries, wishing no farther extremity to be used towards us. Yet if it seem contrary best unto our heavenly father, I have made my reckoning, and fully resolved myself to suffer the uttermost that they are able to do against me, yea death itself, by the aid of Christ jesus, who died the most vile death of the cross for us wretches and miserable sinners. But of this I am assured, that the wicked world with all his force and power, shall not touch one of the hears of our heads without leave ad licence of our heavenly father, whose will be done in all things. If he will life, life be it: if he will death, death be it. Only we pray, that our wills may be subject unto his will, and then although both we and all the world see none other thing but death, yet if he think life best, we shall not die, no although the sword be drawn out over our heads: as Abraham thought to kill his son Isaac, yet when god perceived that Abraham had surrendered his will to God's will, and was content to kill his son, god then saved his son. dearly beloved, if we be contented to obey gods will, and for his commandments sake, to surrender our goods and ourselves to be at his pleasure, it maketh no matter whether we keep goods and life, or lose them. Nothing can hurt us that is taken from us for God's cause, nor nothing can at length do us good, that is preserved contrary unto God's commandment. Let us wholly suffer God to use us and ours after his holy wisdom, and beware we neither use nor govern ourselves contrary to his will by our own wisdom, for if we do, our wisdom will at length prove foolishness. It is kept to no good purpose that we keep contrary unto his commandments. It can by no means be taken from us that he would should tarry with us. He is no good christian that ruleth himself and his, as worldly means serveth: for he that so doth shall have as many changes as chanceth in the world. To day, with the world he shall like and praise the truth of GOD, to morrow as the world will, so will he like and praise the falsehood of man: to day with christ, and to morrow with antichrist. Wherefore dear brethren, as touching your behaviour towards God, use both your inward spirits and your outward bodies, your inward and your outward man (I say) not after the means of men, but after the infallible word of God. Refrain from evil in both, and glorify your heavenly father in both. For if ye think ye can inwardly in the heart serve him, and yet outwardly serve with the world in external service, the thing that is not GOD, ye deceive yourselves, for both the body and the soul must together concur in the honour of God, as saint Paul plainly teacheth. 1. Cor 6. For if an honest wife be bound to give both heart and body to faith and service in marriage, and if an honest wives faith in the heart, cannot stand with an whorish or defiled body outwardly: much less can the true faith of a christian in the service of christianity, stand with the bodily service of external idolatry: for the mystery of marriage is not so honourable between man and wife, as it is between christ and every Christian man, as saint Paul sayeth. Therefore dear brethren, pray to the heavenly father, that as he spared not the soul nor the body of his dearly beloved son, but applied both of them with extreme pain, to work our salvation both of body and soul: so he will give us all grace to apply our bodies and souls to be servants unto him, for doubtless he requireth aswell the one as the other, and cannot be miscontented with one, and well pleased with the other. Either he hateth both or loveth both: he divideth not his love to one and his hatred to the other. Let not us therefore good brethren, divide ourselves, and say our souls serve him whatsoever our bodies do to the contrary, for civil order and policy. But (alas) I know by myself what troubleth you, that is, the great danger of the world that will revenge (ye think) your service to God, with sword and fire, with loss of goods and lands, But dear brethren way of the other side, that your enemies and Gods enemies shall not do as much as they would, but as much as God shall suffer them, who can trap them in their own counsels, and destroy them in the mids of their furies. Remember ye be the workmen of the Lord, and called into his vineyard, there to labour till evening tide, that ye may receive your penny, Math. 20. which is more worth than all the kings of the earth. But he that calleth us into his vineyard, hath not told us how sore or how fervently the son shall trouble us in our labour: but hath bid us labour and commit the bitterness thereof unto him, who can and will so moderate all afflictions, that no man shall have more laid upon him, then in Christ he shallbe able to bear: unto whose merciful tuition and defence, I commend both your souls and your bodeiss. 2. September. 1554. Yours with my poor prayer, john Hooper. An answer of a letter whereby he was advertised of a godly company, to the number of thirty, taken at prayer in a house in Bowchurchyarde and carried to prison. THe grace of God be with you, Amen. I perceived by your letter, how that upon new years day at night, there were taken a godly company of Christians, whilst they were praying. I do rejoice, in that men can be so well occupied in this perilous time, and & fly unto God for remedy by prayer, as well for their own lacks and necessities, as also charitably to pray for them that persecute them. So doth the word of God command all men to pray charitably for those that hate them, and not to revile any magistrate with words, or to mean him evil by force and violence. They also may rejoice that in well doing they were taken to the prison. Wherefore I have thought it good to send them this little writing of cosolation, praying god to send them patience, charity, and constancy in the truth of his most holy word. Thus far you well, and pray to God to send his true word into this realm again amongst us, which the ungodly bishops have now banished, 4. january. 1554. ¶ To the godly and faithful company of prisoners in both the Counters, which were taken together at prayer in a house in Bowchurchyard. THe grace, favour, consolation, and aid of the holy ghost be with you now and ever: so be it. dearly deloved in the Lord, ever sithence your imprisonment, I have been marvelously moved with great affections and passions, as well of mirth and gladness, as of heaviness and sorrow. Of gladness in this, that I perceived how ye be bend and given to prayer and invocation of gods help, in these dark and wicked proceedings of men against gods glory. I have been sorry, to perceive the malice and wickedness of men to be so cruel, devilish, and tyrannical, to persecute the people of god, for serving of god, for saying and hearing of the holy psalms and the word of eternal life. These cruel doings do declare, that the papists church is more bloody and tyrannical, then ever was the sword of the Ethnics & gentiles. When I heard of your taking, and what ye were doing, wherefore, and by whom ye were taken: I remembered how the christians in the primitive church were used by the cruelty of unchristened heathens in the time of Trajan the emperor, about 77 years after Christ's ascension into heaven. The christians were persecuted very sore, as though they had been traitors & movers of sedition. Whereupon the gentile emperor Trajan required to know the true, cause of christian mens trouble. A great learned man called Plinius secundus wrote unto him and said, it was because the christians said certain psalms before day unto one called Christ, whom they worshipped for god. When Trajan the emperor understood it was for nothing but for conscience and religion: he caused by his commandments every where, that no man should be persecuted for serving of god. Lo, a gentile and heathen man would not have such as were of a contrary religion, punished for serving of god. But the pope and his church have cast you into prison, being taken even in doing the work of god, and one of the most excellent works that is required of christian men, that is to wit, whiles ye were in prayer, & not in such wicked and superstitious prayer, as the papists use: but in the same prayer that Christ hath taught you to pray, and in his name only ye gave god thanks for that ye have received, and for his sake ye asked for such things, as ye want. O glad may ye be that ever ye were born, Math. 5 to be apprehended whilst ye were so virtuously occupied. Blessed be they that suffer for righteousness sake. For if god had suffered them that took your bodies, then to have taken your life also: now had ye been following the lamb in perpetual joys away from the company & assemble of wicked men. But the lord would not have you suddenly so to departed, but reserveth you gloriously to speak & maintain his truth to the world. Be ye not careful what ye shall say, for god will go out & in with you, & will be present in your hearts & in your mouths to speak his wisdom, although it seem foolishness to the world. He that hath begun this good work in you, confirm, strengthen, & continue you in the same unto the end, and pray unto him, that ye may fear him only, that hath power to kill both body and soul, & to cast them into hell fire. Be of good comfort, all the hears of your heads be numbered, Math. 10. and there is not one of them can perish, except your heavenly father suffer it to perish. Now ye be even in the field, and placed in the forefront of Christ's battle. Doubtless it is a singular favour of God, and a special love of him towards you, to give you this forward and pre-eminence, and a sign that he trusteth you before others of his people. Wherefore (dear brethren and sisters) continually fight this fight of the Lord. Your cause is most just and godly, ye stand for the true Christ, who is after the flesh in heaven, and for his true religion and honour, which is amply, fully, sufficiently and abundantly contained in the holy Testament sealed with Christ's own blood. How much be ye bound to god, to put you in trust with so holy and just a cause? Remember what lookers upon ye have, to see & behold you in your fight, even god and all his holy angels, who be ready always to take you up into heaven, if ye be slain in this fight. Also you have standing at your backs all the multitude of the faithful, who shall take courage, strength & desire, to follow such noble and valiant christians as ye be. Be not afeard of your adversaries, i. jobn. 4. for he that is in you, is stronger than he that is them. Shrink not although it be pain to you. Your pains be not now so great as hereafter your joys shall be. Read the comfortable chapters to the Ro. 8.10.15. Heb. 11.12. And upon your knees thank god that ever ye were accounted worthy to suffer any thing for his name's sake. Read the second chapter of S. Luke's gospel, and there ye shall see, how the shepherds that watched upon their sheep all night, as soon as they heard that Christ was borne at Bethlem, by and by they went to see him. They did not reason nor debate with themselves who should keep the wolf from the sheep in the mean time, but did as they were commanded, & committed their sheep unto him whose pleasure they obeyed. So let us do now, when we be called, and commit all other things unto him that calleth us. He will take heed that all things shall be well: he will help the husband, he will comfort the wife, he will guide the servants, he will keep the house, he will preserve the goods, yea rather than it should be undone, i Pet. 5 he will wash the dishes and rock the cradle. Cast therefore all your care upon god, for he catech for you. Besides this, ye may perceive by your imprisonment, that your adversaries weapons against you, be nothing but flesh, blood, and tyranny. For if they were able, they would maintain their wicked religion by god's word: but for lack of that, they would violently compel such as they can not by the holy scripture persuade, because the holy word of God and all Christ's doings be clean contrary unto them. I pray you pray for me and I will pray for you. And although we be a sunder after the world, yet we are in Christ (I trust) for ever, joining in the spirit, and so shall meet in the palace of the heavenvly joys after this short and transitory life is ended. God's peace be with you, Amen .4. of january. 1554. ¶ To certain of his beloved friends in god, exhorting them to stick constantly to the professed truth of the gospel in those days of trial, and not to shrink for any trouble. THe grace of God be with you, Amen. I did write unto you of late, & told you what extremity the parliament had concluded upon concerning religion, suppressing the true, and setting forth the untrue, intending to cause all men by extremity to forswear themselves and to take again for the head of the church, him that is neither head nor member of it, but a very enemy, as the word of god and all ancient writers do record: and for lack of law and authority they will use force and extremity, which have been the arguments to defend the Pope and popery sith his wicked authority began first in the world. But now is the time of trial, to see whether we fear more God or man. It was an easy thing to hold with Christ, whiles the prince and world held with him: but now the world hateth him, is the true trial who be his. Wherefore in the name and in the virtue, strength, and power of his holy spirit, prepare yourselves in any case to adversity and constancy. Let us not run away when it is most time to fight. Remember that none shallbe crowned but such as fight manfully, and he that endureth unto the end, shallbe saved. Ye must now turn all your cogitations from the peril ye see, and mark by faith what followeth the peril: either victory in this world of your enemies, or else a surrender of this life, to inherit the everlasting kingdom. Beware of beholding to much the felicity or the misery of this world: for the consideration and earnest love or fear of either of them, draweth from god. Wherefore think with yourselves as touching the felicity of the world, it is good, but yet none otherwise than it standeth with the favour of god: it is to be kept, but yet so far forth as by keeping of it, we lose not god. It is good to abide and tarry still among our friends here, but yet so that we tarry not therewithal in god's displeasure, and hereafter to dwell in hell with the devils in fire everlasting. There is nothing under god by may be kept, so that god being above all things we have, be not lost. Of adversity judge the same. Imprisonment is painful: but yet liberty upon evil conditions is more painful. The prison's stink, but yet not so much as sweet houses, where as the fear and true honour of god lacketh. I must be alone and solitary, it is better so to be and have god with me, thou to be in company with the wicked. Loss of goods is great, but loss of god's grace and favour is greater. I am a poor simple creature and cannot tell how to answer before such a great sort of noble, learned, and wise: It is better to make answer before the pomp and pride of wicked men, then to stand naked in the sight of all heaven and earth before the just God, at the latter day. I shall die then by the hands of the cruel man: he is blessed that looseth this life full of mortal miseries and findeth the life full of eternal joys. It is a grief to departed from goods and friends, but yet not so much as to departed from grace and heaven itself. Wherefore there is neither felicity nor adversity of this world, that can appear to be great, if it be weighed with the joys or pains in the world to come. I can do no more but pray for you: do the same for me for God's sake. For my part I thank the heavenly father, I have made mine accounts & appointed myself unto the will of the heavenly father: as he will, so I will by his grace. For god's sake, as soon as ye can, send my poor wife and children some letter from you, and my letter also which I sent of late to Downton. As it is told me, she had never letter from me, sith the coming of master S unto her: the more to blame the messengers, for I have written divers times. The lord comfort them and provide for them, for I am able to do no thing in worldly things. She is a godly and wise woman, & if my meanings had been accomplished she should have had necessary things: but that I meant god can perform, to whom I commend both her and you all. I am a precious jewel now and daintily kept, never so daintily: for neither mine own man nor any of the servants of the house may come at me, but my keeper alone, a simple rude man god knoweth. But I am nothing careful thereof. 21. janu. 1554. Yours bounden. john Hooper. another letter to certain godly parsons written to the same effect. THe grace of god be with you, Amen. I do give our heavenly father thanks, that moveth you to remember your afflicted brethren, and I do (as I am bound) pray for you, that with your remembrance of me, ye provide help, & secure me with such goods, as god doth endue you withal. Doubtless if ever wretch & vile sinner was bound unto God, I am most specially bound: for these ten months almost, ever since my imprisonment, I have had no living nor goods to sustain myself withal, yet such hath been the favour of our heavenly father, that I have had sufficient to eat and drink and the same paid for. Seeing he is so merciful and careful for my sinful body, I doubt not but he hath more care of my wretched soul, so that in both I may serve his majesty, and be a lively and profitalbe member of his poor afflicted church. I do not care what extremity this world shall work or devise, praying you in the bowels of him that shed his precious blood for you, to remember and follow the knowledge ye have learned of his truth. Be not ashamed nor afraid to follow him, beware of this sentence, that it take no place in you: Luke. 9 no man (sayeth Christ) that putteth his hand to the plough and looketh backward, is meet for the kingdom of God. Remember that christ willed him that would build a Tower, to sit down first and look whether he were able to perform it, least he should begin and leave of in the midst and so be mocked of his neighbours and lose therewithal asmuch as he bestowed. Luke. 14 Christ told such as would build in him eternal life, what the price thereof was, even at the beginning of his doctrine, and said they should be persecuted. Math. 10. Also they should sometime pay and bestow both goods and lands, before the Tower of salvation would be builded. Seeing the price of truth in religion hath been always the displeasure and persecution of the world, let us bear it, and Christ will recompense the charges abundantly. It is no loss to lack the love of the world, and to find the love of God, nor no harm to suffer the loss of worldly things and find eternal life. If man hate and god love, man kill the body and god bring both body and soul to eternal life, the exchange is good and profitable. For the love of God use singleness towards him, beware of this foolish and deceitful collusion, to think a man may serve god in spirit secretly to his conscience although outwardly with his body and bodily presence, he cleave for civil order, to such rites and ceremonies as now be used contrary to god and his word. Be assured that whatsoever he be that giveth this counsel, shallbe before God able to do you no more profit than the fig leaves did unto Adam. 1. Cor. 6. glorify GOD both in your bodies and in your spirits which are gods. Take heed of that commandment, no man is able to dispense with it. Such as be yet clear and have not been present at the wicked mass and idolatrous service let them pray to god to stand fast: such as for weakness and fear have been at it, repent, and desire god of forgiveness, and doubtless he will have mercy upon you. It is a fearful thing, that many do not a lonelye thus dissemble with God, but also excuse and defend the dissimulation: beware of that dear brethren, for it is a sore matter to delight in evil things. prover. 2 Let us acknowledge and bewail our evil, than god shall send grace to amend us, and strength, better to bear his cross. I doubt not but ye will judge of my writing as I mean towards you in my heart, which is doubtless your eternal salvation in Christ jesus, to whom I heartily commend you. 14. june. 1554. To a merchant of London, by whose means he had received much comfort in his great necessity in the Fleet: where how cruelly he was handled, you shall see in the letter next following. THe grace of god be with you, Amen. I thank god and you for the great help and consolation I have received in that time of adversity by your charitable means, but most rejoice that you be not altered from truth, although falsehood truly seeketh to distain her. judge not (my brother) truth by outward appearance, for truth now worse appeareth & more vilely is rejected, than falsehood. Leave the outward show, & see by the word of god what truth is, & accept truth & dislike her not though man call her falsehood. As it is now, so hath it been heretofore, the truth rejected & falsehood received. Such as have professed truth, for truth have smarted, and the friends of falsehood laughed them to scorn. The trial of both hath been by contrary success, the one having the commendation of truth by man, but the condemnation of falsehood by god, flourishing for a time with endless destruction: the other afflicted a little season with immortal joys. Wherefore dear brother ask & demand of your book, the testament of jesus Christ in these woeful & wretched days, what you should think, and what you should stay upon for a certain truth, and whatsoever you hear taught, try it by your book whether it be true or false. The days be dangerous and full of peril, not only for the world and worldly things, but for heaven and heavenly things. It is a trouble to lose the treasures of this life, but yet a very pain if they be kept with the offence of god. Cry, call, pray, and in Christ daily require help, succour, mercy, wisdom, grace and defence, that the wickedness of this world prevail not against us. We began well, god preserve us until the end. I would write more often unto you, but I do perceive you be at so much charges with me that I fear you would think when I writ, I crave. Send me nothing till I send to you for it, and so tell the good men your partners, and when I need I will be bold of you .3. Decem. 1554. Yours with my prayer, I. Hoper. A report of his miserable imprisonment and most cruel handling by Babington, that enemy of god and of his truth, than Warden of the Fleet. THe first of Semptember. 1553. I was committed unto the Flete from Richmont, to have the liberty of the prison, and within vi. days after, I paid for my liberty five pounds sterling to the Warden for fees, who immediately upon the payment thereof, complained unto Steven Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, and so was I committed to close prison one quarter of a year, in the Tower chamber of the Fleet, & used very extremely. Then by the means of a good gentlewoman, I had liberty to come down to dinner and supper, and not to speak with any of my friends: but as soon as dinner and supper was done, to repair to my chamber again. Notwithstanding, whiles I came down thus to dinner and supper, the Warden and his wife piked quarrels with me, and complained untruly of me to their great friend, the bishop of winchester. After one quarter of a year, and somewhat more, the Warden and his wife fell out with me, for the wicked mass and thereupon, the warden resorted to the bishop of Winchester, & obtained to put me into the wards, where I have continued a long time, having nothing appointed to me for my bed, but a little pad of straw, a rotten covering, with a tike and a few feathers therein, the chamber being vile and stinking, until by God's means, good people sent me bedding to lie in: of the one side of which prison, is the sink & filth of all the house, & on the other side, the town ditch: so that the stench of the house hath infected me with sundry diseases. During which time, I have been sick, & the doors, bars, haspes and chains being all closed, and made fast upon me, I have mourned, called and cried for help. But the warden, when he hath known me many times ready to die, and when the poor men of the wards have called to help me, hath commanded the doors to be kept fast, and charged that none of his men should come at me, saying: let him alone, it were a good riddance of him. And among many other times, he did thus the 18. of October. 1553. as many can witness. I paid always like a Baron to the said warden, aswell in fees as for my board, which was xx. shillings a week, besides my man's table, until I was wrongfully deprived of my bishoprycke. And sithence that time, I have paid him, as the best gentleman doth in his house? yet hath he used me worse and more vylye, than the veriest slave that ever came to the hall commons. The said warden hath also imprisoned my man, William Downton, and stripped him out of his clothes to search for letters, and could find none, but only a little remembrance of good people names, that gave me their alms to relieve me in prison. And to undo them also, the Warden delivered the same bill unto the said Steven Gardiner, God's enemy and mine. I have suffered imprisonment almost eighten months, my goods, living, friends, and comfort taken from me, the Queen owing me by just account four score pounds or more. She hath put me in prison, and giveth nothing to find me, neither is there suffered any to come at me, whereby I might have relief. I am with a wicked man and woman, so that I see no remedy (saving God's help) but I shallbe cast away in prison, before I can come to judgement. But I commit my just cause to God, whose will be done whether it be by life or death. john Hoper. ¶ A letter concerning the vain and false reports which were spread abroad of him, that he had recanted and abjured that doctrine which he before had preached. THe grace and peace of God be with all them that unfeignedly look for the coming of our saviour Christ, Amen. Dear brethren and sisters in our lord, and my fellow prisoners for the cause of God's gospel, I do rejoice and give thanks unto God for your constancy and perseverance in affliction, wishing and praying unto him for your continuance therein to the end. And as I do rejoice in your faithful and constant affliction that be in prison: even so do I mourn and lament to hear of our dear brethren abroad, that yet have not suffered nor felt such dangers for God's truth as we have and do feel, & are like daily to suffer more, yea the very extreme death of the fire: Yet such is the report abroad (as I am credibly informed) that I john Hoper a condemned man for the cause of Christ, now after sentence of death, being in Newgate prisonner, looking daily for execution, should recant and abjure that heretofore I have preached. And this talk riseth of this, that the bishop of London and his chaplains resort unto me. Doubtless if our brethren were as godly as I could wish them to be, they would think, that in case I did refuse to talk with them, they might have just occasion to say that I were unlearned, & disdained to speak with them. Therefore to avoid just suspicion of both, I have and do daily speak with them when they come, not doubting but they will report that I am neither proud nor unlearned. And I would wish all men to do as I do in this point, for I fear not their arguments, neither is death terrible unto me. wherefore I pray you to make true export of the same as occasion shall serve, & also that I am more confirmed in the truth that heretofore I have preached, by their communication: and ye that may, send to the weak brethren abroad, praying them that they trouble me not with such reports of recantation as they do. For I have hitherto left all things of this world, & suffered great pains & long imprisonment, & I thank God I am ready, even as gladly to suffer death for the truth I have preached, as a mortal man may be. Oh Lord, how slipper the love of man, yea man himself is. It were better for them to pray for us, rather than to credit or raise rumours that be untrue, unless they were more certain thereof, then ever they shall be able to prove: we have enemies enough of such as know not God. Truly this report of weak brethren, is a double trouble and a triple cross. I do wish you eternal salvation in christ jesus, and also require your continual prayer, that he which hath begun in us, may save us to the end. I have taught this truth with my tongue and pen heretofore, and hereafter shortly will confirm (by God's grace) the same with my blood. Pray for me gentle brethren & have no mistrust. From New gate: 2. February Your brother john Hoper To mistress Wilkinson, a woman hearty in gods cause, & comfortable to his afflicted members. THe grace of God and the comfort of his holy spirit be with you, Amen. I am very glad to hear of your health &, do thank you for your loving tokens. But I am a great deal more glad to hear how christianly you avoid idolatry, & prepare yourself to suffer the extremity of the world, rather than to endanger yourself to God. You do as you ought to do in this behalf, and in suffering of transitory pains, you shall avoid permanent torments in the world to come. Use your life, and keep it with as much quietness as you can, so that you offend not God. The ease that cometh with his displeasure, turneth at length to unspeakable pains: & the gains of the world with the loss of his favour, is beggary & wretchedness. Reason is to be amended in this cause of religion: for it will choose & follow an error with the multitude if it may be allowed, rather than turn to faith and follow the truth with the people of God. Moses found the same fault in himself & did amend it, choosing rather to be afflicted with the people of God, Heb. 11. then to use the liberty of the kings daughter that accounted him as her son. Pray for contentation and peace of the sprite, and rejoice in such troubles as shall hap unto you for the truths sake, for in that part Christ saith you be happy. Math. 5. Pray also for me & I pray you) that I may do in all things the will of our heavenly father, to whose tuition and defence I commend you. To my dearly beloved Sister in the Lord masters. A. W. THe grace of god be with you, Amen. I thank you for your loving token. I pray you burden not yourself to much, it were meet for me rather to bear a pain, then to be a hindrance to many. I did rejoice at the coming of this bearer, to understand of your constancy, & how that you be fully resolved by god's grace, rather to suffer extremity, than to go from that truth in God which you have professed. He that gave you grace to begin in so infallible a truth, will follow you in the same unto the end. But my loving Sister, as you be traveling this perilous journey, take this lesson with you, practised by wise men: whereof ye may read in the second of saint Mathewes gospel. Such as traveled to find christ, followed only the star, and as long as they saw it, they were assured they were in the right way, and had great mirth in thery journey. But when they entered into jerusalem, where as the star led them not thither but unto Bethelem, and there asked the citizens the thing that the star showed before: as long as they tarried in Jerusalem and would be instructed where Christ was borne, they were not only ignorant of Bethelem, but also lost the sight of the star that led them before. Whereof we learn, in any case whiles we be going in this life, to seek Christ that is above, to beware we lose not the star of God's word, that only is the mark that showeth us where Christ is, and which way we may come unto him. But as jerusalem stood in the way, & was an impedimentte to these wise men: so doth the synagogue of antichrist that beareth the name of jerusalem, which by interpretation is called the vision of peace, and amongs the people now is called the catholic church, standeth in the way that pilgrims must go by through this world to Bethelem the house of saturity and plentifulness, and is an impediment to all Christian travelers: yea and except the more grace of God be, will keep the pilgrims still in her that they shall not come where Christ is at al. And to stay them in deed, they take away the star of light which is God's word that it can not be seen, as as ye may see how the celestial star was hid from the wise men, when they asked of the pharisees at Jerusalem where Christ was borne. Ye may see what great dangers happened unto these wise men, whiles they were a learning of liars where Christ was. first they were out of their way, and next they lost their guide and conductor, the heavenly star. Christ is mounted from us into heaven and there we seek him, as we say let us therefore go the theeward by the star of his word, and beware we happen not to come into Jerusalem the church of men & ask for him. If we do, we go out of the way & lose also our conductor & guide that only leadeth us straight thither. The poets writ in fables, that jason when he fought with the dragon in the isle of Colchis was preserved by the medicines of Medea, and so won the golden fleece. And they writ also that Titan, whom they feign to be son and heir of the high God jubiter, would needs upon a day have the conducting of the Sun round about the world, but as they feign, he miss of the accustomed course, whereupon when he went to high, he burned heaven, & when he went to low, he burned the earth & the water. These profane histories do shame us that he christian men. jason against the poison of the dragon, used only the medicine of Medea. What a shame is it for a Christian man against the poison of the devil, heresy, and sin, to use any other remedy, than Christ and his word? Titan for lack of knowledge, was afeard of every sign of the Zodiac that the son passeth by: wherefore he now went to low and now to high, and at length fell down and drowned himself in the sea. Christian men for lack of knowledge, and for fear of such dangers as Christian men must needs pass by, go clean out of order, & at length fall into the pit of hell. Sister take heed, you shall in your journey towards heaven, meet with many a monstrous beast: have salve of god's word therefore ready. Ye shall meet husband, children, lovers & friends, that shall if god be not with them (as god be praised he is, I would it were with all other a like) be very lets & impediments to your purpose. You shall meet with slander & contempt of the world and be accounted ungracious & ungodly: you shall hear & meet with cruel tyranny to do you all extremities: you shall now & then see the troubles of your own conscience, & feel your own weakness: you shall hear that you be cursed by the sentence of the catholic church, wit such like terrors: but pray to God, & follow the star of his word, & you shall arrive at the port of eternal salvation by the merits only of jesus Christ, to whom I commend you and all yours most heartily. Yours in Christ john Hoper. To master Ferrar bishop of S. David's. D. Tailor, master Bradford and master Philpot, prisoners in the kings Bench in South work. THe grace of God be with you, Amen. I am advertised by diverse, aswell such as love the truth, as also by such as yet be not come unto it, that ye & I shall be carried shortly to Cambrige, there to dispute in the faith & for the religion of Christ (which is most true) that we have & do profess. I am (as I doubt not ye be) in Christ ready not only to go to Cambridge, but also to suffer by gods help, death itself in the maintenance thereof. Weston and his complices have obtained forth the commission already, and speedily (most like) he will put it in execution. Wherefore dear brethren, I do advertise you of the thing before for diverse causes. The one to comfort you in the Lord, that the time draweth nigh and is at hand, that we shall testify before gods enemies, god's truth. The next, that ye should prepare yourselves the better for it. The third to show you what ways I think were best to use ourselves in this matter, & also to hear of every one of you, your better advise, if mine be not good. Ye know such as shallbe censors and judges over us, breath & thirst our blood, & whether we by gods help overcome after the word of god, or by force & subtlety of our adversaries be overcome, this willbe the conclusion, our adversaries will say they overcome, as you perceive how they report of those great learned men, and godly personages at Oxford. Wherefore I mind never to answer them, except I have the books present, because they use not only false allegation of the doctors, but also a piece of the D. against the whole course of the doctor's mind. The next, that we may have sworn notaries to take things spoken, indifferently, which will be very hard to have, for the adversaries will have the oversight of all things, and then make theirs better than it was, and ours worse than it was. Then if we see that two or three or more will speak together, or with scoffs and taunts illude and mock us, I suppose it were best to appeal, to be heard before the Queen and the whole Counsel, & that would much setforth the glory of god. For many of them know already the truth, many of them err rather of zeal than malice, and the others that be iudurate should be answered fully to their shame (I doubt not) although to our smart and bloodsheeding. For of this I am assured, that the commissioners appointed to hear us & judge us, mean nothing less than to hear the cause indifferently, for they be enemies unto us & unto our cause, and be at a point already to give sentence against us: so that if it were possible with saint Stephen to speak so that they could not resist us, or to use such silence & patience as Christ did, they will proceed to revenging. Wherefore my dear brethren in the mercy of jesus christ, I would be glad to know your advise this day or to morrow, for shortly we shall be gone, and I verily suppose that we shall not company together, but be kept abroad one from the other. They will deny our appeal, yet let us challenge the appeal, and take witness thereof of such as be present, and require for indiffencye of hearing, and judgement to be heard either before the Queen and the Counsel, or else before all the parliament, as they were used in king Edward's days. Further, for my part I will require both books and time to answer. We have been prisoners now three quarters of a year, and have lacked our books, and our memories by close keeping and ingratitude of their parts, be not as present and quick, as theirs be. I trust God will be with us, yea I doubt not but he will, and teach us to do all things in his cause godly and constantly. If our adversaries that shallbe our judges, may have their purpose, we shall dispute one day, be condemned the next day, & suffer the third day. And yet is there no law to condemn us (as far as I know) & so one of the convocation house said this week to D. Weston. To whom Weston made this answer, it forceth not (quoth he) for a law, we have commission to proceed with them: when they be dispatched, let their friends sue the law. Now how soon a man may have such a commission at my Lord chancellors hand, you know: it is as hard to be obtained, as an indictment for Christ at Cayphas hand. Besides that, the bishops having the Queen so upon their sides, may do all things both without the advise, and also the knowledge of the rest of the Lords of the temporalty, who at this present have found out the mark that the bishops shoot at, and doubtless be not pleased with their doings. I pray you help that our brother Saunders & the rest in the marshalsea may understand these things, & send me your answer be tyme. judas non dormit: nec scimus diem neque horam. Dominus jesus Christus suo sancto numine nos omnes consoletur & adiwet. Amen. 6. Maii. 1554. Yours and with you unto death, in christ, john Hoper. To my dear friends in God master john Hall and his wife. THe grace of God be with you, Amen. I thank you for your loving and gentle friendship at all times, praying god to show unto you such favour, that whatsoever trouble & adversity happen, ye go not back from him. These days be dangerous and full of peril, but yet let us comfort ourselves in calling to remembrance the days of our forefathers, upon whom the Lord sent such troubles that many hundreds, yea many thousands died for the testimony of jesus Christ, both men & women, suffering with patience & constancy as much cruelty as tyrants could devise, & so departed out of this miserable world to the bliss everlasting, where as now they remain for ever, looking always for the end of this sinful world, when they shall receive their bodies again in immortality, and see the number of the elects associated with them in full and consummate joys. Heb. 11, And as virtuous men suffering martyrdom, and tarrying a little while in this world with pains, by and by rested in joys everlasting, and as their pains ended their sorrows, and began ease: so did their constancy and steadfastness animate & confirm all good people in the truth, and gave them encouragement and lust to suffer the like, rather than to fall with the world to consent unto wickedness and idolatry. Wherefore my dear friends, seeing god of his part, hath illuminated you with the same gift & knowledge of true faith, wherein the Apostles the Evangelists, and all martyrs suffered most cruel death, thank him for his grace in knowledge, and pray unto him for strength and perseverance, that through your own fault, you be not ashamed nor afeard to confess it. Ye be in the truth, and the gates of hell shall never prevail against it, nor Antichrist with all his Imps prove it to be false. They may kill and persecute, but never overcome, be of good comfort and fear more god then man. This life is short & miserable, happy be they that can spend it to the glory of god. Pray for me as I do for you, and commend me to all good men and women. 22. December. 1554. Your brother in Christ. john Hoper. To one that was fallen from the known truth of the gospel, to antichrist and his damnable religion, GRace, mercy and peace of conscience, be multiplied in all penitent hearts, Amen. Dear brother in Christ jesus, it is not long since I was informed what love and servant zeal ye have heretofore born to gods true religion, appearing as well by your life and conversation, as by absenting yourself from the Idolaters temple and congregation of false worshippers. But now (alas) through the devilish persuasions and wicked counsel of worldly men, ye have declined from your former profession, building again that which before ye destroyed & so are become a trespaser, Gala. 2 2. Cor. 6. bearing a strangers yoke with the unbelievers. Of which thing, ever since I was informed, I have been marvelously moved with inward affections, much lamenting so great and sudden a change, as to be turned from him that called you in the grace of Christ, unto the dissimulation of wicked hypocrites, Gala. 1. which (as S. Paul saith) is nothing else, but that there be some, which trouble you, intending to make you like as they are, even lovers of themselves, whose hearts are wedded to the perishing treasures of this world, wherein is their whole joy and felicity, contrary to S. john, i. john. 2. which saith: see that ye love not the world neither those things which are in the world. But they as men without ears and having hearts without understanding, do neither weigh the terrible threatenings of god against such offenders, and the most woeful punishment dew for the same, nor yet consider the loving admonition and calling of god, who both teacheth how to avoid his wrath, and also by what means to attain to salvation. Wherefore (dear brother) I humbly beseech you, even by the mercifulness of god, and as you tender your own salvation, to give ear no longer to their pestilent persuasions, but even now forth with to repent: and have no longer fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, Ephe. 5, Rom. 12 james. 4. Eph. 4. Apo. 2. neither fashion you yourself again gain like unto the world, delight not in the friendship thereof, for all such be made the enemies of god: grieve not any longer the holy spirit of god, by whom ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Acknowledge your offence and from whence ye are fallen: prostrate yourself before god, ask mercy for Christ's sake. Mourn with Mary Magdalen, lament with David, Math. 20. cry with jonas and weep with Peter, and make no tarrying to turn to the lord, whose pitiful eyes attend always to wipe away the tears from every troubled conscience. Such is his entiere love toward all those that turn unto him, EZechi. 18 making them this sweet promise confirmed by a mighty and vehement kind of speaking: tell them as truly as I live (saith he) I will not the death of a sinner, but much rather that he turn from his evil ways and live. Turn you, turn you from your ungodly ways, O ye of the house of Israel, O wherefore will ye die. Behold ye are here forgiven, your sin is blotted out, and the most joyful countenance of god turned again towards you. What now remaineth? Verily this, that you from henceforth keep circumspect watch, and become a follower of Christ, sustaining for his name's sake, all such adversities as shallbe measured unto you by the sufferance of god our heavenly father, who so careth for us, that not one hear of our head shall perish without his will, who also considering the tender and weak faith of his children, not able as yet to stand against the force of Antichrists tyranny, giveth them this loving liberty: when ye be persecuted in one city, fly to an other. Math. ● O most tender compassion of Christ, how careful is he over his people? who would not now, rather than to offend so merciful a God, fly this wicked realm, as your most christian brother and many other have done, or else with boldness of heart, and patience of the spirit, bear manfully the cross even unto the death (as divers of our brethren have done before us) as is declared at large in Paul's epistle to the Heb. which I pass over, and come to our saviour Christ, whose example for our singular comfort S. Paul encourageth us to follow, saying: let us also, Heb. 11. seeing that we are compassed with so great a multitude of witnesses, lay away all that presseth down, and the sin that hangeth on, and let us run with patience unto the battle that is set before us, looking unto jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joys that was set before him, abode the cross and despised the shame, Heb. 12. and is set down on the right hand of the throne of god. etc. From whence he shall come shortly saith S. john, and his rewards with him, Apo. 22. to give every man according as his deeds shallbe. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that their power may be in the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates unto the City, where they (saith Esay) shall have their pleasure in the lord, who will carry them on high, Esay. 58. above the earth & will feed them with the heritage of jacob their father, for the lords own mouth hath so promised. Thus I have been bold to write unto you for christian love sake that I bear to you, whose salvation I wish as mine own, beseeching god that your whole spirit, soul and body may be kept fautl●s unto the coming of our lord jesus Christ. Amen. Your brother in Christ. john Hoper. To the faithful and lively members of our saviour jesus Christ, inhabiting the city of London, grace and peace from the heavenly father through our lord jesus Christ. YOur faith and firm hope of eternal life (dearly beloved) which of long time ye have learned and throughly persuaded yourselves in, by the truth & unfallible verity of the heavenly word, sealed with Christ's most precious blood, is very sore and dangerously assaulted, and by all means possible attempted to be taken from you, that ye should have no longer credit to god's truth, but believe man's lies, nor have you salvation by Christ that once died and offered himself for sin once for all, but that ye should believe now your salvation in Christ, to be many times offered by wicked men every day in the abominable mass, to the utter conculcation and defacing of Christ's death, as the wicked pope and his adherents would persuade you, & not as Christ your saviour hath taught you. But this sudden and miserable change from the truth unto falsehood, & from god & Christ to the devil and Antichrist, doubtless cometh of god for our manifold sins towards the heavenly father our shepherd, that taught us a long time with his blessed word, and we were neither thankful for it, nor yet put our trust in him, as in one that only could save and defend his own word, but we thought in our foolishness, that the world was so much and so many ways with the word of God, that even by man's strength it might have been defended, whereas the truth of god's word is permanent and never faileth, saying: jeremy. 17 Psal. 30, cursed be they that make flesh their defence & shield. For as king David, when god had brought him to possess his kingdom peaceably, said (like a fool as he was) I shall never be more unquieted, but yet the Lord turned his face from him, and he found strait way such an alteration as he never found before, with increase of new, dangers more troublous than ever he had before: even likewise when god had given us a blessed and holy king, and such magistrates (although they were sinners) as wished the glory of god only to be preferred by true doctrine: we like carnal men thought ourselves so sure and so established, that it had not been possible to have seen such a piteous and miserable change, and the truth of god's word so oppressed as we see at this present day. But we be most worthily punished, & even the same ways that we have offended. We did put our trust in flesh, and where as God's spirit in flesh dwelled, as in our holy & blessed king Edward the sixth, he is now dead in the flesh, and his holy soul resteth with the heavenly father in joys for ever: he is now (I say) taken from us and cannot help us, & such as in his time, seemed much to favour the glory of god, are become gods enemies, & can both hear other to proceed against the glory of god, & also set fort the same themselves as much as they may: so that such spiritual and godly persons as sought in the flesh gods glory are taken from us, or else in such case, as they can do us no good. And such flesh as followed and loved God in the sight of the world, and had great vantage by his word, are become his very enemies, and not only his, but also enemies to his members. But yet as king david knew his foolish folly, and with repentance repent and found grace: so it may please god to give us of his grace & holy spirit, to amend our faults in the like offence, and help us, as he did him. But doubtless great is our iniquity. For there was never so great abomination red of and so quickly to prevail, as this abomination of the wicked mass hath prevailed in England. And all Christian men know that the Turks and heathen, neither have nor yet had ever, any so sensibly known, and manifest an Idol. Wherefore, Upon this psalm (as upon divers other) he wrote a godly & most comfortable treatise, whe● unto he annexed this letter as a preface. that almighty god of his mercy may preserve his people in this noble City of London, I have write upon the 23. psal. of king David, to advertise men how they shall beware of heresies and false doctrine, and so to live to his honour and glory. Albeit I know (dearly beloved) that all those which seek Gods honour, and the furtherance of his gospel, be accounted the queens enemies, although we daily pray for her grace and never think her harm: but we must content to suffer slander, & patiently to bear all such injuries. Nevertheless this is out of doubt, that the queens highness hath no authority to compel any man to believe any thing, contrary to god's word, neither may the subject give her grace that obedience: in case he do his soul is lost for ever. Our bodies, goods and lives be at her highness commandment, and she shall have them as of true subjects: but the soul of man for religion is bound to none but unto god and his holy word. To a certain godly woman, instructing her how she should behave herself in the time of her widowhood. THe grace of god, and the comfort of his holy spirit, be with you and with all them that unfeignedly love his holy gospel, Amen. I thank you (dear sister) for your most loving remembrance, and although I can not recompense the same, yet do I wish with all my heart that god would do it, requiring you not to forget your duty towards god in these perilous days, in the which the Lord will try us. I trust you do increase, by reading of the Scriptures, the knowledge you have of God, and that you diligently apply yourself to follow the same: for the knowledge helpeth not, except the life be according there unto. Further, I do heartily pray you, to consider the state of your widowhood, and if God shall put in your mind to change it, remember the saying of Saint Paul. 1. Corinthians. 7: it is lawful for the widow or maiden to marry to whom they list, so it be in the lord: that is to say, to such a one as is of Christ's religion. dearly beloved in Christ, remember these words, for you shall find thereby great joy and comfort, if you change your state. Whereof I will when I have better leisure (as now I have none at all) further advertise you. In the mean time, I commend you to God and the guiding of his good spirit, who stablish and confirm you in all well doing and keep you blameless to the day of the Lord. Watch and pray for this day is at hand. Yours assured in Christ. Ioh Hoper. An answer to a friend of his for a woman that was troubled with her husband in matters of religion, how she should behave herself towards him. THe grace and peace of God our dear father through jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. As concerning the party whom you wrote unto me of, I have here sent you mine advise, and what I think is best in this case to be done. first she shall remember the counsel of S. Paul. 1. Cor. 7. where he speaketh to such as be coupled in matrimoy and be of two sundry and divers religions: If the unbelieving man will dwell with the faithful woman, the wife cannot forsake him. Or in case the unbelieving woman will dwell with her believing husband, the husband cannot forsake her. But if the unbelieving party (whether it be husband or wife) will depart, the believing party is at liberty. Now in this time, to believe that the priest can make God, or to believe that which was not God yesterday, can be both God and man to day, & so to honour that which was but very bread yesterday, for the true God that made both heaven and earth and all that be in them, and for the body and soul of Christ that suffered for our redemption, and took from us our sins upon the cross: is very idolatry & to be committed of no christian man, for the pain of it with out repentance, is everlasting damnation. In matrimony it is meet therefore, that which party so ever be persuaded & knoweth the truth, be it the husband or the wife, the truth be spoken, taught, and opened unto the party that is not persuaded. For as Saint Paul sayeth: how knowest thou O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife, or how knowest thou O woman, whether thou shalt save thy husband. Therefore let the best and more godly party be diligent in saving (by his or her labours) the party that is not instructed nor persuaded in the truth. If it prevail, then is the worse part amended, and the best part hath done his or her duty and office, as it is commanded. Ephesi. 4. Colloss. 3. 1. Pet. 3. In case the worse part will not be amended, but tarry still in error, and so offend the almighty God the author of marriage, let the best part that is persuaded and knoweth the truth, as in this case the woman, labour with her companion to be free and at liberty, and not to be compelled to honour any false God, or to serve God otherwise then she knoweth she may do with a good conscience, as she is taught by the word of God. And if she may thus obtain to be at liberty, and be not compelled to do things against her conscience, she may not in any wise depart from him that she is married unto. If this woman cannot win her husband to the truth, nor obtain to live freely and at liberty in the faith of Christ herself, let her cause some godly and grave men or women to persuade with her husband, as well for his own better knowledge, as for the freedom and liberty of herself, and let her and whosoever entreateth of the matter, use modesty, soberness, and charity, and pray unto God that their doings may take virtuous and godly success. In case (which God forbid) the husband will not reform himself of his error, nor suffer his wife to refrain the company and fellowship of such as be present at the mass, whereas an idol is honoured for God: this wife must make answer soberly and christianly, that she is forbidden by gods laws to commit idolatry, Acts. 5. Exod. 20. and that gods is more to be obeyed then man, and so in any case beware she offend not against the first commandment which is, thou shalt have no other Gods but me. It may come to pass, that when the husband shall perceive the wife's love and reverence towards him, and also her constancy and strength in the truth and true religion of GOD, although he be not converted unto the truth by her, yet he will be contented to suffer her to use the liberty of her conscience, without compulsion to any religion that she doth by God's word detest and abhor. But if there be no remedy, but either the wife must follow in idolatry her husbands commandment, or else suffer the extremity of the law: here must the wife remember and learn whether there be any law or not, that can compel her ordinarily to come to the mass, whereas idolatry is committed. If there be no law or other means to compel her then her husband's foul words, which be nothing else but threatenings to put her in fear, she must if she can with wisdom, and womanhood amend the same: if she cannot, then must she christianly and patiently bear them as a woman of God, that for his sake must suffer as much, as his pleasure is to lay upon her. In case there be a law to compel her and all other, if otherwise she will not obey to come to the mass: first she must wisely and discreetly way her husbands nature, whether he is wont to be in deed, works, and offers, cruel as he is in words. If she can find that his nature is (as the most part of men's be) more churlish & cruel in words then in works, then howsoever he threateneth by dangerous words, he will not accuse his wife to harm her, but rather excuse her. In case either for lack of love, or for fear of losing of his goods, she perceive verily that he mindeth to bring her in danger by a law: then must she pray to God and use one of these two extreme remedies. First if she find by prayer herself strong to abide the extremity of the law, yea though she should die, let her in no case departed from her husband. In case she find herself to weak to suffer such extremity, then rather than to break company and marriage between God and her, conjoined by the precious blood of Christ, she must convey herself into some such place as idolatry may be avoided. For if the husband love the wife, or the wife the husband more than Christ, he nor she be not meet for christ. Math. 10.16. Luke. 14.9. Yea if a man love his own life more than Christ he is not meet for Christ. And what doth it avail a man to win all the world & to lose his soul? But here the woman must take heed that in case for the keeping of the marriage between god and her, she depart from her husband: that she be always in honest, virtuous, & godly company, that she may at all times have record for her godly behaviour, if any thing should be laid to her charge, and let her live a sole, sober, and modest life, with prayer and soberness to god, that it may please him to banish such wicked laws and wicked religion, as make debate between God and man, & husband and wife, & then God shall from time to time give counsel to every good man & woman, what is best to be done in such pitiful cases, to his honour & to the salvation of our woeful & troubled consciences. Out of the Flete by the prisoner of the lord. john Hoper. To my beloved in the Lord. W. P. THe grace of God be with you. I have sent you letters for my wife, who is at Frankford in high Almaigne. I pray you convey them trustily and speedily, and seal them close after the merchants fashion, that they be not opened. William Dounton my servant hath the first copy of that I wrote concerning master Hales hurt. I would master Bradforde did see it, and then the copy to be well kept, lest any man of malice should add any thing to the matter more and worse than I have made it. I pass not of that may come of it, I thank God: and my conscience beareth me record that I did it of zeal to the word of God, which the bishop of Winchester called the doctrine of desperation. Not only my heart but also my mouth, my pen, and all my power shall be against him even till death (by God's help) in this case, let god do with the matter as it pleaseth his high majesty: to whom I commend you. 29. April. 1554. Yours john Hoper. To my dearly beloved friend in Christ master john Hal. THe grace of God be with you, Amen. It was much to my comfort I assure you, when I understood by this bearer my faithful servant William Dounton that you and your wife were in health. Many times I had occasion to inquire for you before the departure of my poor wife, to have holpen her out of the land from the hands of the cruel, but I could hear nothing where you were. It was told me you abode in the country with your wife, to whom make my hearty commendations, and to the rest of all your house that fear God: and my trust is, you do not forget your duty towards God in this troublesome world. See that you tarry with him in one hour of trouble, and doubtless he will keep you for ever with him in the joys everlasting. I would write more, but this bearer can tell what need I have to make haste. Far you well as myself & be strong in Christ, for I thank him, for my part I am not ashamed of his gospel, neither afeard of the Pope, the devil, nor the gates of hell. The lords will be done. Written the .4. day of August. Anno. 1554. Your poor friend john Hoper ☞ An exhortation to patience, sent to his godly wife Anne Hoper: whereby all the true members of Christ may take comfort and courage, to suffer trouble and affliction for the profession of his holy Gospel. Our saviour jesus Christ (dearly beloved & my godly wife) in S. Mathewes gospel said to his disciples, Math. 18. that it was necessary slanders should come: and that they could not be avoided, he perceived as well by the condition of those that should perish and be lost for ever in the world to come, as also by their affliction that should be saved. For he saw the greatest part of the people would contemn and neglect, what soever true doctrine, or godly ways should be showed unto them, or else receive it & use it as they thought good, to serve their pleasures, without any profit to their souls at all, not caring whether they lived as they were commanded by God's word or not: but would think it sufficient to be counted to have the name of a Christian man, with such works and fruits of his profession and christianity, as his fathers & elders after their custom and manner, esteem and take to be good fruits & faithful works, & will not try them by the word of God at all. These men, by the just judgement of God, be delivered unto the craft and subtlety of the devil, that they may be kept by one slanderous stumbling block or other, that they never come unto Christ, Math. 2 4 who came to save those that were lost: as ye may see how god delivereth wicked men up unto their own lusts, to do one mischief after an other careless, until they come into a reprobate mind, Rom i 1. Thes. 2. that forgetteh itself and cannot know what is expedient to be done or to be left undone, because they close their eyes & will not see the light of God's word offered unto them, and being thus blinded, they prefer their own vanities, before the truth of God's word. Whereas such corrupt minds be, there is also corrupt election, and choice of God's honour: so that the mind of man taketh falsehood for truth, superstition for true religion, death for life, damnation for salvation, hell for heaven, and persecution of Christ's members, for God's service and honour. And as these men wilfullly and voluntarily reject the word of God: even so God most justly delivereth them into the blindness of mind, john. 8.9. and hardness of heart, that they cannot understand, nor yet consent to any thing that God would have preached and setforth to his glory after his own will, and word: wherefore they hate it mortally, and of all things most dearest gods holy word. And as the devil hath entered into their hearts, that they themselves cannot, nor will not come to Christ to be instructed by his holy word: even so can they not abide any other man to be a christian man, and to lead his life after the word of God, but hate him, persecute him, rob him, imprison him, yea & kill him, whether he be man or woman, if God suffer it. And so much are those wicked men blinded, that they pass of no law whether it be gods or man's, but persecute such as never offended, yea do evil to those that daily have prayed for them and wish them Gods grace. In their Pharaonicall and blind fury, they have no respect to nature: for the brother persecuteth the brother, the father the son & most dear friends, in devilish slander and offence are become most mortal enemies. And no marvel, for when they have chosen sundry masters, the one the devil the other God, th'one shall agree with the other, as god and the devil agree between themselves. For this cause that the more part of the world doth choose to serve the devil under cloaked hypocrisy of God's title, Christ said it is expedient and necessary that slanders should come, and many means be devised to keep the little babes of Christ from the heavenly father. Math. 18. But Christ sayeth, woe be unto him by whom the offence cometh: yet is there no remedy, man being of such corruption and hatred towards God, but that the evil shallbe deceived and persecute the good: and the good shall understand the truth and suffer persecution for it, Gene. 4 Gala. 4 until the worlds end. For as he that was borne after the flesh, persecuted in times passed him that was borne after the spirit, even so it is now. Seeing therefore we live for this life amongs so many & great perils and dangers, we must be well assured by god's word, how to bear them, and how patiently to take them, as they be sent to us from God. We must also assure our selves that there is no other remedy for christians in the time of trouble, Luke. ij than Christ himself hath appointed us. In S. Luke he giveth us this commandment: ye shall possess your lives in patience, sayeth he. In the which words, he giveth us both commandment what to do, and also great consolation and comfort in all troubles. He showeth also what is to be done and what is to be hoped for in troubles: and when troubles happen, he biddeth us be patient, and in no case violently nor seditiously to resist our persecutors, because God hath such cure and charge of us, that he will keep in the mids of all troubles the very hears of our head, so that one of them shall not fall away without the will & pleasure of our heavenly father. Math. 10. Whether the hear therefore tarry in the head, or fall from the head it is the will of the father. And seeing he hath such care for the hears of our head, how much more doth he care for our life itself? wherefore let gods adversaries do what they lust, whether they take the life or take it not, they can do us no hurt, for their cruelty hath no further power than god permitteth them: and that which cometh unto us by the will of our heavenly father, can be no harm, no loss, neither destruction unto us, but rather gain, wealth, and felicity. For all troubles and adversity that chance to such as be of god, Rom. 8. by the will of the heavenly father, can be none other but gain & advantage. That the spirit of man may feel these consolations, the giver of them the heavenly father, must be prayed unto for the merits of Christ's passion: jacob. 1. 1. Cor. 1.8. for it is not the nature of man that can be contented until it be regenerated and possessed with god's spirit, to bear patiently the troubles of the mind or of the body. When the mind and heart of a man seeth of every side sorrow and heaviness, and the worldly eye beholdeth nothing but such things as be troublous & wholly bend to rob the poor man of that he hath, & also to take from him his life: except the man weigh these brittle and uncertain treasures that be taken from him, with the riches of the life to come, and this life of the body with the life in Christ's precious blood, and so for the love and certeynty of the heavenly joys contemn all things present, doubtless he shall never be able to bear the loss of goods, life, or any other things of this world. Therefore S. Paul giveth a very godly and necessary lesson to all men in this short & transitory life, and therein showeth how a man may best bear the iniquity, and troubles of this world: Col. 3. if ye be risen again with Christ (saith he) seek the things which are above, where christ sitteth at the right hand of God the father. Wherefore the christian man's faith must be always upon the resurrection of Christ when he is in trouble, and in that glorious resurrection he shall not only see continual and perpetual joy and consolation: but also the victory and triumph of all persecution, trouble, sin, death, hell, the devil, and all other persecutors, and tyrants of Christ and of Christ's people, the tears and weepings of the faithful dried up, their wounds healed, their bodies made immortal in joy, their souls for ever praising the Lord, and conjunction and society ever lasting with the blessed company of Gods elects in perpetual joy. But the words of S. Paul in that place, if they be not marked, shall do little profit to the reader or hearer, and give him no patience at all in this impatient and cruel world. In the first part Saint Paul commandeth us to think or set our affections on things that are above. When he biddeth us seek the things that are above, he requireth that our minds never cease from prayer and study in God's word, until we see, know, and understand the vanities of this world, the shortness and misery of this life, & the treasures of the world to come, the immortality thereof, and the joys of that life, and so never cease seeking, until such time as we know certainly and be persuaded what a blessed man he is that seeketh th'one and findeth it, and careth not for tother though he lose it: and in seeking to have right judgement between the life present, and the life to come, we shall find how little the pains, imprisonment, slanders, lies, and death itself is in this world, in respect of the pains everlasting, the prison infernal, and dungeon of hell, the sentence of gods just judgement, and everlasting death. When a man hath by seeking the word of God, found out what the things above be: then must he (as saint Paul saith) set his affections upon them. And this commandment, is more hard than tother. For man's knowledge many times seeth the best, and knoweth that there is a life to come better than this life present, as you may see how daily men and women can praise and commend, yea and wish for heaven and to be at rest there, yet they set not their affection upon it, they do more affect & love in deed a trifel of nothing in this world that pleaseth their affection, than a treasure of all treasures in heaven, which their own judgement sayeth is better than all worldly things. Wherefore we must set our affections upon the things that be above: that is to say, when any thing worse than heaven upon the earth offereth itself to be ours, if we will give our good wills to it and love it in our hearts: then to see by the judgement of god's word, whether we may have the world without offence of god, and such things as be for this worldly life, without his displeasure. If we cannot, S. Paul's commandment must take plate: set your affection on things that are above. If the riches of this world may not be gotten nor kept with god's law, neither our lives be continued with out the denial of his honour, we must set our affection upon the riches and life that is above, and not upon things that be on the earth. Therefore this second commandment of S. Paul requireth, that as our minds judge heavenly things to be better than things upon the earth, and the life to come better than the life present: so we should choose them before other, & prefer than, and have such affection to the best, that in no case we set the worst before it, as the most part of the world doth, and hath done, for they choose the best and approve it, and yet follow the worst. But these things (my godly wife) require rather cogitation, meditation and prayer, than words or talk. They be easy to be spoken of but not so easy to be used and practised. Wherefore seeing they be gods gifts and none of ours to have as our own when we would, we must seek them at our heavenly father's hand, who seeth and is privy how poor and wretched we be, and how naked, how spoiled & destitute of all his blessed gifts we be, by reason of sin. He did command therefore his disciples, when he showed them that they should take patiently the state of this present life full of troubles & persecution, Math. 24. Luke. ij to pray that they might well escape those troubles that were to come, and be able to stand before the son of man. When ye find yourself to much oppressed (as every man shall be sometime with the fear of god's judgement, use the 77. psal. that beginneth: psalm. 77. I will try unto god with my voice, and he shall hearken unto me. In which psalm is both godly doctrine and great consolation unto the man or woman that is in anguish of mind. Read also his exposition upon this psalm, most comfortable for all broken and afflicted hearts. Use also in such troubles the .88. psalm, wherein is contained the prayer of a man that was brought into extreme anguish and misery, and being vexed with adversaries, and persecutions, saw nothing but death and hell, and although he felt in himself, that he had not only man but also god angry towards him: yet he by prayer humbly resorted unto god as the only port of consolation, and in the mids of his desperate state of trouble, put the hope of his salvation in him whom he felt his enemy. How be it no man of himself can do this, but the spirit of god that striketh the man's heart with fear, Rom. 8 prayeth for the man stricken & feared, with unspeakable groanings. And when you feel yourself or know any other oppressed after such sort, be glad: for after that god hath made you to know what you be of yourself, he will doubtless show you comfort, Note this well to thy comfort that art afflicted, and read the 4. chap. of Eccle. & declare unto you what you be in Christ his only son: & use prayer often, for that is the means whereby god will be sought unto for his gifts. These psalms be for the purpose, when the mind can take no understanding, nor the heart any joy of gods promises: & therefore were these psalms also made .6.22.30.31.38.69. from the which you shall learn both patience & consolation. Remember that although your life (as all christian men's be) be hid and appeareth not, Col. 3. what it is, yet is it safe (as S. Paul saith) with god in Christ: and when Christ shall appear, them shall our lives be made open in him with glory. But in the mean time with seeking and setting our affections upon the things that be above, we must patiently suffer whatsoever god shall send unto us in this mortal life. notwithstanding it might fortune some would say, who is so perfect that can let all things pass as they come, and have no care of them, suffer all things and feel nothing, be attempted of the devil, the world and the flesh, and not be troubled? Verily no man living. But this I say, that in the strength of jesus Christ, things that come may pass with care, for we be worldly, & yet are we not carried with them from Christ, for we be in him godly. We may suffer things and feel them as mortal men: yet bear them, and overcome them as christian men. We may be attempted of the devil, the flesh, & the world: but yet although these things pinch they do not pierce, and although they work sin in us, Rom. 8. yet in Christ no damnation to those that be grafted in him. Hereof may the christian man learn both consolation & patience. Consolation, in that he is compelled both in his body and goods to feel pain and loss, and in the soul heaviness and anguish of mind: how be it none of them both shall separate him from the love that God beareth him in Christ. He may learn patience, for as much as his enemies both of the body and soul, and the pains also they vex us withal for the time, if they tarry with us as long as we live, yet when death cometh they shall avoid and give place to such joys as be prepared for us in Christ: for no pains of the world be perpetual, and whether they shall afflict us for all the time of our mortal life, we know not, for they be the servants of god to go and to come, as he commandeth them. But we must take heed we meddle not forcibly nor seditiously, to put away the persecution appointed unto us by God, but remember Christ's saying: Luke. 2 possess you your lives by your patience. And in this commandment, god requireth in every man and woman this patiented obedience. He sayeth not, it is sufficient that other holy Patryarckes, Prophets Apostles, Evangelists and Martyrs continued their lives in patience and patient suffering the troubles of this world: but Christ sayeth to every one of his people, by your own patience ye shall continue your life: not that man hath patience of himself, but that he must have it for himself of God, the only giver of it, if he purpose to be a godly man. Now therefore, as our profession and religion requireth patience outwardly without resistance and force: so requireth it patience of the mind, and not to be angry with God, although he use us that be his own creatures, as him listeth. We may not also murmur against God, but say always his judgements be right & just, and rejoice that it pleaseth him by troubles to use us as he used heretofore such as he most loved in this world, & have a singular ear to this commandment: Gaudete & exultate, be glad & rejoice, for he showeth great cause why: Math. 5. your reward (saith he) is great in heaven. These promises of him that is the truth itself, shall (by gods grace) work both consolation & patience in the afflicted christian person. And when our saviour Christ hath willed men in trouble to be content and patient, because god in the end of trouble in Christ hath ordained eternal consolation: he useth also to take from us all shame and rebuke, as though it were not an honour to suffer for Christ, because the wicked world doth curse and abhor such poor troubled Christians. Wherefore Christ placeth all his honourably, Math. 24. and saith: even so persecuted they the Prophets that were before you. We may also see with whom the afflicted for Christ's sake, be esteemed, Heb. 11. by S. Paul to the Hebrews, where as the number of the blessed and glorious company of Saints appear now to our faith in heaven in joy: yet in the letter, for the time of this life, in such pains and contempt, as was never more. Let us therefore consider both them and all other things of the world sithence the fall of man, and we shall perceive nothing to come to perfection, but with such confusion and disorder to the eye of the world, as though things were rather lost for ever, then like to come to any perfection at all. For of godly men, who ever came to heaven (no not Christ himself) until such time as the world had thought verily that both he and all his, had been clean destroyed and cast away? Sap. 5. as the wise man saith of the wicked people: we thought them to be fools, but they be in peace. We may learn by things that nourish and maintain us, both meat and drink, to what loths● means and (in manner) abhorring they come unto, before they work their perfection in us. From life they be brought to the fire, and clean altered from that they were when they were alive: from the fire to the trencher and knife, and all to hacked: from the trencher to the mouth, and as small ground as the teeth can grind them: and from the mouth into the stomach, and there so boiled and digested before they nourish, that whosoever saw the same, would loath and abhor his own nourishment before it come to his perfection. Is it then any marvel if such christians as god delighteth in, be so mangled and defaced in this world, which is the kitchen and mill to boil and grind the flesh of Gods people in, till they acheave their perfection in the world to come? And as man looketh for the nutriment of his meat when it is full digested, and not before: so must he look for his salvation when he hath passed this troublous world, and not before. Raw flesh is not meat wholesome for man: and unmortified men and women, be no creatures meet for God. Therefore Christ saith, Math. 10. that his people must be broken and all to torn in the mill of this world, and so shall they be most fine meal unto the heavenly father. And it shall be a christian man's part, and the duty of a mind replenished with the spirit of God, to mark the order of god in all his things, how he dealeth with them, and how they suffer and be content to let god do his will upon them: As S. Paul saith, Rom. 8. they weep until the number of the elects be fulfilled and never be at rest, but look for the time when gods people shall appear in glory. We must therefore patiently suffer, and willingly attend upon gods doings, although they seem clean contrary after our judgement, to our wealth and salvation: as Abraham did when he was hid to offer his son Isaac, in whom god promised the blessing & multiplyeng of his seed. joseph at the last came to that which god promised him, although in the mean time, after the judgement of the world, he was never like to be (as god said he should be) lord over his brethren. When Christ would make the blind man to see, john. 9, he put clay upon his eyes, which after the judgement of man was means rather to make him double blind, than to give him his sight: but he obeyed and knew that God could work his desire, what means so ever he used contrary to man's reasons: and as touching this world, he useth all his after the same sort. If any smart, 1. Pet. 4. his people be the first: if any suffer shame, they begin: if any be subject to slander, it is those that he loveth, so that he showeth no face or favour nor love almost in this world outwardly to them, Col. 3. but layeth clay upon their sore eyes that be sorrowful: yet the patiented man seeth (as S. Paul saith) life hid under these miseries and adversities, and sight under foul clay, and in the mean time he hath the testimony of a good conscience and believeth gods promises to be his consolation in the world to come, which is more worth unto him then all the world is worth beside, and blessed is that man in whom gods spirit beareth record that he is the son of God, Rom. 8 whatsoever troubles he suffer in this troublesome world. And to judge things indifferently (my godly wife) the troubles be not yet generally as they were in our good father's times, soon after the death and resurrection of our saviour Christ jesus, Math. 24. whereof he spoke in S. Matthew. Of the which place you & I have taken many times great consolation, and especially of the latter part of the chapter, where in is contained the last day and end of all troubles (I doubt not) both for you and me, and for such as love the coming of our saviour Christ to judgement. Remember therefore that place and mark it again, and ye shall in this time see great consolation, and also learn much patience. Was there ever such troubles as Christ threatened upon jerusalem? Was there sithence the beginning of the world such affliction? Who was then best at ease? The Apostles that suffered in body persecution, and gathered of it ease and quietness in the promises of god. And no marvel, for Christ sayeth, lift up your heads for your redemption is at hand, Luke. 2 that is to say, your eternal rest approacheth and draweth near. The world is stark blind, and more foolish than foolishness itself, and so be the people of the world. For when god saith trouble shall come, they will have ease. And when God sayeth be merry and rejoice in trouble, we lament and mourn, as though we were castawais. But this the flesh (which is never merry with virtue, nor sorry with vice, never laugheth with grace, nor ever weary with sin) holdeth fast with the world, & letteth god slip. But (my dearly beloved wife) you know how to perceive and to beware, of the vanity and crafts of the devil well enough in Christ. And that ye may the better have patience in the spirit of god, read again the .24. chap of S. Mat. & mark what difference is between the destruction of jerusalem & the destruction of the whole world, Math. 24. & you shall see, that then there were left alive many offenders to repent: but at the latter day there shallbe absolute judgement & sentence (never to be revoked) of eternal life & eternal death upon all men, and yet towards the end of the world, we have no thing so much extremity, as they had then, but even as we be able to bear. So doth the merciful father lay upon us now imprisonment, (and I suppose for my part shortly death) now spoil of goods, loss of friends, and the greatest loss of all, the knowledge of God's word. God's will be done. I wish in Christ jesus our only mediator and saviour, your constancy and consolation, that you may live for ever and ever, whereof in Christ I doubt not: to whom for his blessed and most painful passion I commit you. Amen. 13. Octob. 1553. Your brother in Christ. john Hoper. ☞ A letters sent to the Christian congregation, wherein he proveth that true faith cannot be kept secret in the heart without confession thereof openly to the world when occasion serveth. SAint Paul in the .10. chap. to the Rom. annexeth the faith of Christ in the heart, with the confession of the mouth, so that the one (it seemeth by him) can be no more without the other, than fire can be without heat, saying these words: with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, & with the mouth he confesseth unto salvation, Wherein he declareth, that even as the cause of our acceptation through Christ, is the confidence and faith of the heart in the promises of god: so is the confession outwardly of the same faith by the mouth, the fruit that all christian faithful hearts bring forth through the same gift of God. And where as this effect of confession of faith is not, there wanteth also the cause of confession, which is true faith: for as the tree is known by her fruits, so is faith by her effects. And as the want of fruit is a demonstration that the tree is unprofitable: so the want of true confession of faith, is a token that the faith is dead. The end of the unprofitable tree, Math. x. 1. Pet. 3. is cutting down and casting into the fire: the end of the fruitless faith is death and casting to eternal damnation. Wherefore Saint Peter requireth us to make answer to every man that demandeth of us, of such hope as is in us, with gentleness & reverence, which is a very testimony that we sanctify god in our hearts, as it is before expressed in the same chapter. For the greatest honour that man can give to god, is to confess in the time of trouble, truly and faithfully his holy word and faith. Wherefore it is the duty of every christian, to pray & study to have a through knowledge of his faith in Christ, and as the glory of god shall require, & the cause of his religion, to be ready to make answer for the same (how soever the world, fear, displeasure, friendship, or other lets shall move us to the contrary) upon pain, saith Christ in the x, Math. x. of Matthew, that I will deny him before my father which is in heaven. But how hard a thing it is to confess Christ in the days of trouble, not only the scripture, but also daily experience in good men and women doth declare. True confession is warded on every side, with many dangers, on the right hand and on the left hand, now with fair means, then with foul threatenings, fearful and dangerous: as it is said by Christ our saviour, they shall betray you to the judges, and of them ye shall be beaten and judged to death. Of the other side shall pull us back the love of wife, children, brother, Sister, kin, friends, and the love unto ourselves. But he that is overcomen by any of these means, hath his judgement: he is not meet for me saith Christ. These things be impossible unto men, yet to christian men, in Christ possible, and so necessary, that christianity and true religion cannot be in him, that is a feared to confess Christ and his gospel in the time of persecution. The wisdom of the world doth say, although I accomplish the desire of my friends, and to the sight of the world am present at the mass, and with my body do as other men do, or as I may do: yet my heart is clean contrary to their belief, & I do detest such Idolatry & believe that the thing that I am present at, is mere idolatry, and abomination. Here be fair words for an evil purpose, and pretenced excuse, for a just condemnation before God. For if it be true that ye know the thing which ye resort unto, to be the dishonour of god, why do ye honour it with your presence? If ye know it to be evil, why refrain ye not from it? If your conscience say it is Idolatry, why serveth your body such things as your faith abhorreth? If in your heart you know but one God, why with your exterior presence, serve ye the thing that ye know is not God? If your faith see idolatry, why doth your silence confess and allow the same? Two men in one, god loveth not. If the inward man know the truth, why doth the outward man confess a falsehood? If your spirit be persuaded that the mass is idolatry, why do ye with your bodily presence, use it as a God and give godly honour to it? Do ye not perceive that it is written Esay. 25. Math. 15. these people honour me with their mouth, but their hearts be far from me? The cause why God was offended with these people, was that outwardly they confessed him & served him, but their hearts were far from him inwardly. Wherefore ye may see what it is to bear two faces in one hood, outwardly to serve God, and inwardly to serve the devil. Now mark of this place, if it be so horrible & damnable a thing to be false in the heart, which none knoweth but God, and is worthy also of damnation: what is to be judged of the outward and manifest use of idolatry, which not only God, but also every good man knoweth and abhorreth? There is no colour, nor cloaked hypocrisy, that God can away with. If the heart think not as the tongue speaketh, or else the tongue speak otherwise than the heart thinketh, both be abominable before God. 2. Cor. 6. Read ye the .3. and the .6. Chapters of the first Epistle of S. Paul to the Corinth, where as S. Paul saith: know ye not that your body is the temple of the holy ghost? If your body be the temple of the holy ghost, what agreement hath it with idolatry? Can one body at one time, be the temple of the holy ghost, and be present at such idolatry as god abhorreth and detesteth? Can a man serve two masters? If he do, he loveth (as Christ saith) the one and hateth the other. Math. 6. As god requireth of a faithful man, a pure heart: even so requireth he that his external profession in all things be according thereunto, for both body and soul be debtors unto god, & he redeemed them both. The word of God saith unto us, 1. Cor. 6. glorify and bear God in your bodies. If we be present at such idolatry as God forbiddeth, and our own knowledge in conscience is assured to be evil, do we glorify God in our bodies? No doubtless we dishonour him, and make our bodies the servants of idolatry, not only to God's dishonour, but also to the great danger both of body and soul. For this is a true saying of S. Augustine, he that doth against his conscience, buildeth to hell fire. It is not enough for a Christian man to say, I know the mass is nought, but to obey civil laws and orders I will do outwardly as other men do, yet in my heart abhor it & never think it to be good. Doubtless these two minds, the spirit to think well & the body to do evil, in this respect be both nought, & god will spew that whole man out of his mouth, as he did the minister of the congregation of Laodicia. Apo. 3. The 8. chap. & the .10 of the first to the Corinthians in this matter & in this time, be places very much expedient to lead & govern the judgement of every Christian man: where we may see that the Corinthians in deed had knowledge & perceived right well that neither the idols amongst them, neither the meat dedicated unto the idols were any thing, & passed as light of both, as of things of nothing, & upon that knowledge used to be present and also to eat at the feast, & of the meat dedicated unto Idols. Wherewithal Paul was so sore offended, that he gave this sentence: if a man see thee which hast knowledge, 1. Cor. 8 sit at table in the Idols temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak, be boldened to eat those things which are sacrificed to Idols? and through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died. Now when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. This judgement of Paul is more to be followed, than all our own feigned and wrested defences, which would fain seem to do well, when we halt on both sides, which god abhorreth. Paul hath a profound & deep consideration of that man's fault that hath knowledge, & perceiveth his dissimulation to be dangerous & perilous to all persons which he dwelleth with al. First such as be of a right and stayed judgement and will not prostrate their bodies to an Idol, do condemn, & needs must, such dissimulation. The very Idolaters themselves, have a defence of their abomination, by the presence of him that the Christian congregation knoweth to have knowledge. The weaker sort that would gladly take the best way, by a dissemblers halting & playing of both hands, embraceth both in body and in soul, the evil that he abhorreth in his heart, and though he have knowledge, yet with his presence he esteemeth it as other do which have no knowledge. If S Paul said that the weak brother doth perish for whom Christ died, by him that abused knowledge in meats and drinks that of themselves be indifferent: how much more by the knowledge of him that useth manifest Idolatry forbidden of God as a thing not indifferent? Take heed what s. Paul meaneth, and what he would prove against this man which had knowledge that neither the Idols neither the meats dedicated to Idols were any thing. Forsooth this would he prove: that a poor man that wanteth knowledge, by the example of him that hath knowledge, doth there adventure to do evil, which he would not do in case he saw not those that he hath good opinion of, to go before him as authors of the evil. And in deed the ignorant people, or those that be half persuaded in a truth, yea or else thoroughly persuaded what is evil, when they have any notable men or women for an example to follow, they think in following of them, they be excused, yea although peradventure they do it against their consciences: as ye may see how many good men by the example of Peter began to dissemble, yea Barnabas himself the Apostle of the Gentiles. Gala. 2 But how great offence this is before god, so to make a doubtful conscience or strivig against knowledge to do any thing that is not godly, let the judgement of men pass, and measure it from gods word. Christ saith, Math. 18 it were better a millstone were hanged about such an offenders neck, & cast into the sea. And doubtless the pain must be the greater, because we give offence willingly, and against our own consciences: and this before God is a wicked knowledge that causeth an other to perish. Woe be unto him that is learned to bring his brother to destruction. Doth a Christian man know the truth to bring his brother to a lie? For those weaklings that we make to stumble, Christ died, as S. Paul saith. God defend we should confirm any man's conscience in evil. Let every man of god way with himself the doctrine of S. Paul that commandeth us to fly idolatry. 1. Cor. 10 And mark what s. Paul in that place calleth idolatry. It is to be seen plainly that he speaketh not of such idolatry as men that lack knowledge in their hearts what god is and & what god is not, do commit. For in the .8. chapter before he saith, that men know that the idols were no gods, and that although by name the gentiles had many gods, yet they knew that there was but one god. Therefore he meaneth nothing by this commandment, fly idolatry, but to avoid such rites, ceremonies, and usages, as outwardly were used in the honour & reverence of the idols that were no gods, and weighing the right use of the Lords supper and the dignity thereof, with the manner and use of the Gentiles towards their gods, he would bring the church of the Corrinthians to understand how that, as the divine and sacrate rites, ceremonies and use of the sacrament of Christ's body and blood, did sanctify him and declare him that used it to be the servant and child of God: so did the rites & sacraments of the Gentiles defile the users thereof, and declared them to be the servants and children of the idol, notwithstanding that they knew in their heart's the idol was nothing. God by his sacrament doth couple us unto him: let us pray therefore to him that we pollute not ourselves with any rites, ceremonies, or usages not instituted by god, and so divide ourselves from him. In this cause, if a faithful man should be at the mass, it is to be considered with what mind those that he doth there accompany himself withal, do come thither, and what the end is of the work that the priest doth. The people come to honour the bread and wine for god, and the priest purposeth to consecrate both god and man, and so to offer Christ to the father for remission of sin. Now do they that adjoin themselves unto those people, profess and declare a society and fellowship of the same impiety, as s. Paul laid to the Corrinthians charge. S. Paul was not offended with the Corinthians because they lacked knowledge of the true God, but because contrary to their knowledge, they associated themselves with idolaters. For this is true, that in all rites, sacraments & honouring, whether they be of god or of the devil, there is a profession of a communion: so that every man protesteth to be of the same religion, that the rest be of, that be partakers with him. I know there be many evasions made by men, that judge a man may with safeguard of conscience be at the mass. But forasmuch as M, calvin, M. Bullynger and other have throughly answered them: such as be in doubt, may read their books. This is my conscience after God's word. john Hoper. ¶ An epistle of the famous learned man M. Henry Bullinger, written to M. Hoper in the time of his trouble: which for the worthiness of the matter, we thought not impartinent here to place amongs his letters. Reverendissimo Wigorniae & Glocestriae Episcopo D. joanni Hopero nunc vincto jesu Christi, Compatri & Domino meo colendiss. fratrique chariss, in Anglia. GRatiam & pacem per jesum Christum Dominum nostrum, cum sapientia, patientia & fortitudine spiritus sancti, concedat tibi & omnibus propter nomen suum vinctis, pater caelestis. Binas a tua humanitate literas accepi, frater chariss. priores mense Septemb. anni praeteriti, posteriores mense Maio anni presentis, utrasque ex carcere. Ego vero quum timerem ne frustra responderem quum tibi meas literas reddi non posse vererer, vel malum aliquod tibi conciliarem & conduplicarem: a munere scribendi abstinui. Qua quidem in re, me habes excusatum haud dubie, maxime quum rebus adhuc pacatis & integris, ad libellos nedum epistolas meas, ne semel quidem per annum integrum respondere dignatus sis, perseverante me nihilominus in scribendi munere: sicuti ne nunc quidem, posteaquam in vincula coniectum audiebam, unquam a precibus abstinui, rogans patrem nostrum coelestem per unicum intercessorem nostrum Christum jesum, ut tibi & concaptivis tuis omnibus concedat patientiam, fidem, & constantiam in finem usque, Euenit nunc tibi, (mi frater,) quod eventurum nobis, quum apud nos esses, coepissime nobis ipsis praesagiebamus, maxime quum de rebus antichristi, potentia, felicitate & vistoriis loqueremur. Scis enim illud Danielis: roborabitur fortitudo eius & non in viribus suis, & supra quam credi potest, Dani. 8 vastabit universa & prosperabitur & faciet, & interficiet robustos ac populum sanctorum secundum voluntatem suam etc. Scis quid praedixerit nobis dominus apud Math. cap. 10. &. joan. 15. &. 16. Quid item electum Christi organum Paulus scripserit in .2. ad Timoth. Capi. 3. unde nihil dubito de tua, per gratiam dei, fide & patientia, quum scias te nihil inexpectatum aut fortuitum pati, & ea quae sustines propter causam optimam, verissimam, & sanctissimam sustinere. Quid enim verius & sanctius est doctrina nostra quam persequuntur Papistae Antichristicolae? Omnia salutis tribuimus uni Christo & instituti● eius, sicuti & ab ipso & discipulis eius accepimus: illi vero illa ipsa & Antichristo suo Romano & institutis eius communicari volunt. His ergo non minus obsistendum est, quam Heliam Baalitis obstitisse legimus. Si enim jesus est Christus, agnoscant illum esse complementum suae ecclesiae, & quidem plene: si autem Antichristus est Rex & Sacerdos, deferant illi hunc honorem. Quousque claudicant in utrumque latus? An dabunt illi nobis meliorem Christo? Aut quis erit aequalis Christo qui cum ipso componatur, nisi quem Apostolus vocat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉? Si autem Christus sufficit suae Ecclesiae, quid oro opus est illis sutelis & additamentis? Caeterum his disputationibus nihil opus apud te esse scio, qui sincere Doctus & radicatus es in Christo, haud ignorans te habere in ipso omnia & nos in illo esse completos. Perge ergo constanter confiteri Christum & execrari Antichristum, memor sanctissimi & verissimi illius sermonis Domini nostri jesu Christi: qui vicerit posside bit omnia, Apoc. 21. & ero illi deus & ipse erit mihi filius. Timidis autem & incredulis, & execratis, & homicidis, & scortatoribus, & veneficis, & Idololatris, & omnibus mendacibus, pars illorum erit in stagno ardenti igne & sulphur, quod est mors secunda. Facile superatur mors prima etiamsi ardendum sit pro domino: recte enim dicunt ignem hunc nostrum vix umbram esse eius qui increduli● & defectoribus paratus est. Concedit praeterea dominus, ut mox superare eius virtute possimus mortem primam, quam & ipse gustavit & superavit, promittens interim gaudia nunquam finienda & amplitudine ineffabilia, quae & percepturi sumus, simul atque hinc migraverimus. Sic enim iterum dicit angelus domini: Si quis adoraverit Bestiam & imaginem eius, Apo. 21. & acceperit characterem in fronte sua aut in manu sua, & hic bibet de vino irae dei quod mixtum est mero in calice irae ipsius, & cruciabitur igne & sulphur in conspectu angelorum sanctorum & in conspestu agni, & fumus tormenti eorum ascendit in saecula saeculorum, nec habent requiem die & nocte qui adorant Bestiam & imaginem eius, & si quis acceperit characterem nominis eius. Hic patientia sanctorum est. Hic qui custodiunt mandata dei & fidem jesu. His addit mox, Et audivi vocem de coelo dicentem mihi, scribe: beati mortui qui in domino moriuntur amodo (vel protinus scilicet beati sunt) etiam dicit spiritus, ut requiescant a laboribus suis, sed opera illorum sequuntur illos: non enim erit labor noster frustraneus & inanis. Amplissimam ergo promissionem quum habeas, 1. Timo. 6. sis fortis in domino: certa bonum certamen, serva fidem domino in finem usque. Cogita te ducem & propugnatorem habere Christum dei filium: omnes autem Prophetas, Apostolos & Martyres, esse tuos commilitones. Qui nos persequuntur & tribulant, homines sunt, peccatores, & mortales, quorum gratiam prudens non emerit terun●io. Sed & vita nostra aliâs brevis est et caduca, foelices nos si in Christo obdormiamus: hic concedat tibi et omnibus concaptivis, fidem et constantiam. Commenda me reverendiss. et sanctiss. Christi confessoribus D. Cranmero episcopo Cantuar. D. Rydlaeo episcopo Lond. et D. Latymero seni. Hos et alios omnes captivos salutabis ex me et ex omnibus Symmistis, qui omnes imprecantur vobis gratiam Dei et constantiam in veritate. Oramus sedulo cum tota Ecclesia pro vobis. Quod attinet ad statum nostrae Ecclesiae, is omnino manet adhuc qualis erat quum a nobis recederes in patriam. utinam Deo simus grati, & fidem non tantum verbis confiteamur, sed exprimamus vere bonis operibus ad gloriam Dei nostri. Alioqui crescit valde sermo Domini per Italiam vicinam & per Galliam. Interim pij graves sustinent persecutiones, & magna constantia & gloria per tormenta, concedunt ad dominum. Ego & tota domus mea cum generis & affinibus, recte in domino valemus. Salutant te sigillatim omnes & precantur tibi constantiam, condolentes tibi & concaptivis reliquis. Venerunt ad nos Angli studiosi, pij, & docti viri, recepti sunt a magistratu nostro. Cohabitant decem, reliqui agunt hinc inde apud viros bonos. Inter alios mihi charus & familiaris est. D. Thomas Leverus. Si quid est quod in gratiam uxoris tuae & liberorum potuero, me totum libenter illis impendam: qua de re ad uxorem tuam scribo, audio enim illam as gere Francofordiae. Sis fortis & laetus in Christo,, expectans eius liberationem ut & quando ipsi fuerit visum. Dominus jesus misereatur Angliae, & illuminet illam spiritu suo, ad gloriam nominis sui & animarum salutem. Dominus jesus servet te & liberet ab omni malo, cum omnibus qui invocant nomen eius. Vale & Vale aeternum. 10. Octobris. 1554. Tiguri. Nosti manum. H. B. The same in English. ☞ To the most reverend father M. john Hoper bishop of Worceter and Gloucester, and now prisoner for the Gospel of jesus Christ, my fellow Elder and most dear brother, in England. THe heavenly father grant unto you, and to all those which are in bands & captivity for his name's sake, grace, and peace through jesus Christ our lord, with wisdom, patience & fortitude of the holy ghost. I have received from you two letters (my most dear brother) the former in the month of Septemb. of the year past, the later in the month of May of this present year, both written out of prison. But I doubting least I should make answer to you in vain, whilst I feared that my letters should never come unto your hands, or else increase & double your sorrow: did refrain from the duty of writing. In the which thing I doubt not but you will have me excused, especially seeing you did not vouchsafe, no not once in a whole year to asunwere to my whole libels rather than letters, whereas I continued still notwithstanding in writing unto you: as also at this present, after I heard that you were cast in prison, I did not refrain from continual prayer, beseeching our heavenly father through our only mediator jesus Christ, to grant unto you and to your fellow prisoners, faith and constancy unto the end. Now is that thing happened unto you (my brother) the which we did often times prophecy unto ourselves, at your being with us, should come to pass, especially when we did talk of the power of Antichrist and of his felicity and victories. Daniel. 8. For you know the saying of Daniel: his power shall be mighty, but not in his strength, and he shall wonderfully destroy and make havoc of all things, and shall prosper and practise, and he shall destroy the mighty and the holy people after his own will. You know what the Lord warned us of before hand by Matthew in the tenth chapter, by john in the 15. chapter and the 16. and also what that chosen vessel Saint Paul hath written in the second to Timothy and the third Chapter. Wherefore I do nothing doubt (by God's grace) of your faith and patience, whilst you know that those things which you suffer are not unlooked for or come by chance, but that you suffer them in the best, truest and most holy quarrel: for what can be more true and holy than our doctrine which the papists, those worshippers of Antichrist do persecute? All things touching salvation, we attribute unto christ alone & to his holy institutions, as we have been taught of him & of his disciples, but they would have even the same things to be communicated as well to their Antichrist, and to his institutions. Such we ought no less to withstand than we read that Helias withstood the Baalites. For if jesus be Christ then let them know that he is the fullness of his church and that perfectly? but & if Antichrist be King and Priest, Ephe. 1. them let them exhibit unto him that honour. How long do they halt on both sides? Can they give unto us any one that is better than Christ? or who shallbe equal with Christ, that may be compared with him, except it be he whom the Apostle calleth the Adversary? 2. Thess. 2. But if Christ be sufficient for his church, what needeth this patching and piecing? But I know well enough I need not to use these disputations with you which are sincerely taught and have taken root in Christ, being persuaded that you have all things in him & that we in him are made perfect. Go forwards therefore constantly to confess Christ and to defy Antichrist, being mindful of this most holy and most true saying of our lord jesus Christ: Apo. 21 he that overcometh shall possess all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son: but the fearful, and the unbelieving, and the abominable, and the murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and Idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. The first death is soon overcome although a man must burn for the lords sake: for they say well that do affirm this our fire to be scarcely a shadow of that which is prepared for the unbelievers and them that fall from the truth. Moreover the lord granteth unto us that we may easily overcome by his power the first death, the which he himself did taste and overcome, promising withal, such joys as never shall have end, unspeakable and passing all understanding, the which we shall possess so soon as ever we depart hence. Apoc. i4 For so again saith the Angel of the lord, if any man worship the beast & his image & receive his mark in his forehead or on his hand, the same shall drink of the wrath of god, yea of the wine which is powered into the cup of his wrath, and he shall be tormented in fire and brimstone before the holy Angels and before the Lamb: and the smoke of their torments shall ascend evermore, and they shall have no rest day nor night, which worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the print of his name. Here is the patience of saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of jesus. In this time of Antichrist is the patience and faith of gods children 〈◊〉 tried, whereby they shall overcome all is tyranny. read Math. 24. To this he addeth by & by: I heard a voice saying to me, writ, blessed be the dead that die in the lord from henceforth (or speedily they be blessed. Io. 5) even so sayeth the spirit, for they rest from their labours, but their works follow them: for our labour shall not be frustrate or in vain. Therefore, seeing you have such a large promise, be strong in the lord, fight a good fight, be faithful to the Lord unto the end: consider that Christ the son of god is your capitain and fighteth for you, and that all the prophets, Apostles and Martyrs, are your fellow soldiers. They that persecute and trouble us, are men, sinful, and mortal, whose favour a wise man would not buy with the value of a farthing, and besides that, our life is short, frail and transitory. Happy are we if we depart in the Lord: who grant unto you and to all your fellow prisoners faith and constancy. Commend me to the most reverend fathers and holy confessors of Christ. D. Cranmer Bishop of Caunterburye. D. Rydley bishop of London, and the good old father D. Latymer. Them and all the rest of the prisoners with you for the Lords cause salute in my name, and in the name of all my fellow Ministers, the which do wish unto you the grace of god and constancy in the truth. Concerning the state of our church, it remaineth even as it was when you departed from us into your country. God grant we may be thankful to him, and that we do not only profess the faith with words, but also express the same effectually with good works to the praise of our Lord. The word of god increaseth daily in that part of italy that is near unto us, and in France. In the mean while the godly sustain grievous persecutions, and with great constancy and glory, through torments they go unto the Lord. I and all my household, with my sons in law and kinsmen, are in good health in the Lord: They do all salute you, and pray for your constancy, being sorrowful for you and the rest of the prisoners. There came unto us english men students, both godly and learned: they be received of our Magistrate. Ten of them dwell together, the rest remain here and there with good men. amongs the rest M. Thomas Lever is dear unto me and familiar. If there be any thing wherein I may do any pleasure to your wife & children, they shall have me wholly at commandment: Whereof I will write also to your wife, for I understand she abideth at Frankford. Be strong and merry in Christ, waiting for his deliverance when and in what sort it shall seem good unto him. The Lord jesus show pity upon the realm of England, and illuminate the same with his holy spirit to the glory of his name and the salvation of souls. The Lord jesus preserve you and deliver you from all evil, with all them that call upon his name. Farewell, and farewell eternally. The 10. of October. 1554. From Zurich. You know the hand. H. B. ❧ Certain letters of Doctor Taylor parson of Hadley in Suffolk: who by his death & martyrdom, there witnessed and confirmed that doctrine, which he had before most painfully and faithfully taught. The 9 of February, in the year of our Lord. 1555. ¶ To my dear fathers and brethren. D. Cranmer, D. Rydley, and D. Latymer prisoners in Oxford for the faithful testimony of gods holy Gospel. Right reverend fathers in the lord, I wish you to enjoy continually gods grace and peace through jesus Christ, and God be praised again and again, for this your most excellent promotion which ye are called unto at this present, that is, that ye are counted worthy to be allowed amongst the number of Christ's records and witnesses. Many profess god ad ignem exclusive, that is, in words & outward profession, but few stick to him ad ignem inclusive, that is, in deed, and in suffering for his sake. England hath had but a few learned bishops that would stick to Christ ad ignem inclusive. Once again I thank God heartily in Christ for your most happy onset, most valiant proceeding, most constant suffering of all such infamyes, hyssynges, clappyng, taunts, open rebukes, loss of living and liberty for the defence of god's cause, truth and glory. I can not utter with pen how I rejoice in my heart for you iij. such captains in the forward under Christ's cross, banner, or standard in such a cause and skirmish, when not only one or ij. of our dear redeemers strong holds are besieged, but all his chief castles ordained for our safeguard, are traitorously impugned. This your enterprise in the sight of all that he in heaven, & of all god's people in earth, is most pleasant to behold. This is an other manner of nobility, then to be in the forefront in worldly warrefares. For god's sake pray for us, for we fail not daily to pray for you. We are stronger and stronger in the lord, his name be praised, and we doubt not but ye be so in Christ own sweet school. Heaven is all and wholly of our side: therefore Gaudete in domino semper, et iterum gaudete et exultate. Your assured in Christ Rowland Taylor. ¶ To a friend of his which was desirous to know the talk that was betwixt him and the queens commissioners at the time of his examination. Whereas you would have me to write the talk, between the king and queens most honourable council and me on Tuesday, the xxij. of januar. this so far as I remember, was the effect thereof. first my lord Chancellor said, you among other are at this time sent for, to enjoy the Kings and queens majesties favour and mercy, if you will now rise again with us from the fall, which we generally have received in this Realm, from the which (god be praised) we are now clearly delivered miraculously. If you will not rise with us now, and receive mercy now offered, you shall have judgement according to your demerits. To this I answered, that so to rise, should be the greatest fall that ever I could receive, for I should so fall from my dear saviour Christ to antichrist. For I do believe that the Religion set forth in King Edward's days, was according to the vain of the holy Scripture, which containeth fully all the rules of our christian religion, from the which I do not intend to decline so long as I live, by god's grace. Then master Secretary Bourne said, which of the religions mean you of in king Edward's days? for you know there were divers books of religion set forth in his days. There was a religion set forth in a catechism by my Lord of Caunterburye, do you mean, that you will stick to that? I answered, my lord of Caunterbury made a Catechism to be translated into English, which book was not of his own making, yet he set it forth in his own name, and truly that book for the time did much good: but there was after that set forth by the most innocent king Edward (for whom god be praised everlastingly) the whole church Service, set forth with great deliberation and the advise of the best learned men of the realm, and authorized by the whole Parliament, and received and published gladly by the whole realm, which book was never reform but once, and yet by that one reformation it was so fully perfected, according to the rules of our religion in every behalf, that no christian conscience could be offended with any thing therein contained: I mean of that book reformed. Then my lord Chancellor said, didst thou never read the book that I set forth of the Sacrament? I aunaunswered that I had red it. Then he said, how likest thou that book? With that one of the Council (whose name I know not) said, my Lord that is a good question, for I am sure that book stoppeth all their mouths. Then said I, my Lord I think many things be far wide from the truth of God's word in that book. Then my lord said, thou art a very varlet. To that I answered, that is as ill as Racha or Fatue. Then my Lord said, thou art an ignorant betyll brow. To that I answered, I have red over and over again the holy Scriptures, and Saint Austin's works through, and saint Cyprian, Eusebius, Origene, Gregory Nazianzen, with divers other books through out: therefore I thank God I am not utterly ignorant. Besides these my lord, I professed the Civil law, as your Lordship did, and I have red over the Cannon law also. Then my lord said, with a corrupt judgement thou readest all things. Touching my profession, it is Divinity, in which I have written divers books. Then I said, my Lord ye did write one book De vera obedientia: I would you had been constant in that, for in deed you never did declare a good conscience that I heard of, but in that one book. Then my Lord said, tut, tut, tut: I wrote against Bucer in priests marriages, but such books please not such wretches as thou art, which hast been married many years. To that I answered, I am married in deed, & I have had ix, children in holy matrimony, I thank god: & this I am sure of, that your proceedings now at this present in this realm against priests marriages, is the maintenance of the doctrine of devils, against natural law, Civil law, Canon law, general Counsels, Canons of the apostles, ancient doctors, & gods laws. Then spoke my lord of Duresme saying, you professed the Civil law, as you say: than you know that justinian writeth, that priests at their taking of Orders should swear, that they were never married, and he bringeth in to prove that, Canon's Apostolorum. To that I answered that I did not remember any such law of justinian: but I am sure that justinian writeth in Titulo de indicta viduitate, in cod. that if one would bequeath to his wife in his testament al●egacie under a condition that she should never mary again, and take an oath of her for the acomplishing of the same, yet she shall mary again if he die, notwithstanding the aforesaid condition and oath taken and made against marriage: and an oath is an other manner of obligation to God, then is a papistical vow. Moreover in the Pandectes, it is contained, that if a man do manumit his handmaid under a condition that she shall never mary: yet she may marry, & her Patron shall lose ius patronatus for his adding of the unnatural & unlawful condition against matrimony. Then my Lord chancellor said, thou sayest that priests may be married by god's law, how provest thou that? I answered by the plain words and sentences of S. Paul both to Timothy and to Titus, where S. Paul doth speak most evidently of the marriage of priests, Deacons, and bishops. And S. chrysostom writing upon the Epistle to Timothy, saith: it is an heresy to say that a Bishop may not be married. Then my lord Chancellor said thou liest of chrysostom, but thou dost as all thy companions do, belie ever without all shame, both the scriptures & the doctors. Didst thou not also say, that by the Cannon law priests may be married? which is most untrue and the contrary is most true. I answered, we read in the decrees, that the four general counsels, Nicene, Constantinopolitan, Ephesme and Chalcedon, have the same authority that the four Evangelists have. And we read in the same decrees, which is one of the chief books of the Canon law, that the Council of Nice, by the means of one Paphnutius, did allow Priests and bishops marriages: therefore by the best part of the Canon law, priests may be married. Then my Lord Chancellor said, thou falsifiest the general council: for there is express mention in the said decree that priests should be divorced from their wives which be married. Then said I, if those words be there as you say, them am I content to lose this great head of mine: let the book be fetched. Then said my lord of Duresme, though they be not there, yet they may be in Ecclesiastica historia, which Eusebius wrote, out of which book the decree was taken. Then said I, it is not like that the pope would leave out any such sentence, having such authority. & making so much for his purpose. Then my lord Chancellor said, Gracian was but a patcher, and thou art glad to snatch up such a patch as maketh for thy purpose. I answered, my Lord I can not but marvel that you do call one of the chief papists that ever was, but a patcher. Then my lord Chancellor said, Nay I call thee a snatcher & a patcher. To make an end, wilt thou not return again with us to the Catholic church? and with that he rose. And I said, By god's grace I will never departed from Christ's church. Then I required that I might have some of my friends to come to me in prison. And my lord Chancellor said, thou shalt have judgement within this week. My lord of Durreme would that I should believe as my father, and my mother. I alleged S. Augustine, that we ought to prefer gods word before all men. And so I was delivered again unto my keeper. R. T. The copy of a writing that D. tailor sent to a friend of his concerning the causes wherefore he was condemned. IT is heresy to defend any doctrine against the holy scripture: therefore the Lord Chancellor and bishops consenting to his sentence against me, be heretics, for they have given sentence against the marriage of priests, knowing that S. Paul to Timothe and Titus writeth plainly, that Bishops, priests, and Deacons may be married, knowing also that by S. Paul's doctrine; it is the doctrine of devils to inhibit matrimony, and S. Paul willeth every faithful minister to teach the people so, lest they be deceived by the marked merchants. 1. Tim. 4. These bishops are not ignorant, that it is not only S. Paul's counsel and lawful, but god's commandment also to marry, for such as can not other wise live chaste, neither avoid fornication. 1. Cor. 7 Gene. 2. They know that such as do marry, do not sin. They know that god, before sin was, ordained matrimony, and the in paradise between two of his principal creatures, Man & Woman. They know what spirit they have, which say it is evil to marry, seeing God said: Gene. 2. it is not good for man to be alone without a wife, having no special gift contrary to the general commandment and ordinance diverse times repeated in the book of Genesis, Gene. 1. which is to increase & multiply. They know that Abraham carried into the land of Chanaan his old & yet barren wife the virtuous woman Sara with him, Gene. 12. leaving father & mother & country, being otherwise at god's commandment. For though father and mother and other friends are dear and near, yet none are so dearly and nearly joined together, Ephe. 5. Heb. 13. as man and wife in matrimony, which must needs be holy for that it is a figure and similitude of Christ & his church. They know that S. Paul giveth a great praise to matrimony, calling it honourable, and that not to & among many, but to and among all men without exception, whosoever have need of that God's remedy for man's and woman's infirmity. They know that if there were any sin in matrimony, it were chief to be thought to be in the bedcompanye: but S. Paul saith that the bed company is undefiled. Gene. 18. Exod. 18. Genes. 25. Gene. 31. 2. Reg. 7. Math 1. They know that the having of a wife was not an impediment for Abraham, Moses, Isaac, jacob, David, etc. to talk with God, neither to the Levites; bishops & priests office in the time of the old Testament or the new. They know that Christ would not be conceived or borne of the blessed mother the Virgin Mary, before she was espoused in marriage his own ordinance. They know by S. Cyprian, and S. Austin, that a vow is not an impediment sufficient to let matrimony, or to divorce the same. They know that S. chrysostom saith: it is heresy to affirm that a Bishop may not have a wife. They know that S. Ambrose will have no commandment but counsel only to be given, touching the observing of virginity. They know that Christ with his blessed mother and Apostles were at a marriage, john. 2. & beautified & honoured the same with his presence and first miracle. To be short, they know that all that I have here written touching the marriage of priests, is true, and they know that the papists themselves do not observe touching that matter, their own laws & canons, and yet they continue marked in conscience with an hot iron as detestable heretics in this behalf. The lord give them grace to repent, if it be his good will, Amen. My second cause why I was condemned as an heretic, is that I denied the transubstantiation & concomitation, two juggling words of the papists, by the which they do believe and will compel all other to believe that Christ's natural body is made of bread, & that the godhead by & by is joined thereunto: so that immediately after the words called the words of consecration, there is no more bread and wine in the sacrament, but the substance only of the body and blood of Christ together with his godhead: so that the same being now Christ both god & man, aught to be worshipped with godly honour, & to be offered to god, both for the quick and the dead, as a sacrifice propitiatory and satisfactory for the same. This matter was not long debated in words, but because I denied the foresaid papistical doctrine, yea rather plainly most wicked Idolatry, blasphemy and heresy, I was judged an heretic. I did also affirm the pope to be Antichrist, & popery antichristianity: and I confessed the doctrine of the Bible to be a sufficient doctrine touching all & singular matters of Christian religion and of salvation. I also alleged that the oath against the Supremacy of the bishop of Rome, was a lawful oath, and so was the oath made by us all touching the kings or Queen's pre-eminence. For chrysostom saith that Apostles, Evangelists, and all men in every Realm were ever & aught to be ever, touching both body & goods, in subjection to the Kingly authority, who hath the sword in his hand as gods principal officer & governor in every Realm. I desired the Bishops to repent for bringing the Realm from Christ to Antichrist, from light to darkness, from verity to vanity. Thus you know a sum of my last examination & condemnation. Pray for me, & I will pray for you. God be praised, since my condemnation I was never afraid to die: Gods will be done. If I shrink from god's truth, I am sure of an other manner of death than had judge Hales. But God be praised, even from the bottom of my heart, I am unmovably settled upon the rock, nothing doubting, but that my dear god will perform and finish the work, that he hath begun in me & other. To him be all honour both now and ever through Christ our only & whole Saviour. Amen. R. T. A letter which he sent to his wife and children and other of his friends in Hadley as his farewell and last testament. I Say to my wife, & to my children, the Lord gave you unto me, & the Lord hath taken me from you, and you from me: blessed be the name of the Lord. I believe that they are blessed which die in the lord Apoc. i4 Luke. 12. God careth for sparrows, and for the hears of our heads. I have ever found him more faithful and favourable, than any father or husband. Trust ye therefore in him by the means of our dear Saviour Christ's merits, believe, love, fear, and obey him: pray to him for he hath promised to help: Count me not dead, for I shall certainly live, and never die. I go before, & ye shall follow after to our long home. I go to the rest of my children, Susan, George, Ellen, Robert, and Zacharie: I have bequeathed you to the only omnipotent. I say to you my dear friends of Hadley, & to all other which have heard me preach, that I depart hence with a quiet conscience as touching my doctrine, for the which I pray you, thank god with me, for I have after my little talon declared to other, those lessons that I gathered out of god's book the blessed Bible. Therefore if I or any Angel from heaven, should preach to you any other gospel, Gala. 1 then that ye have received, God's great curse upon that preacher. Beware for God's sake, that ye deny not God neither decline from the word of faith, lest god decline from you, and so ye do everlastingly perish. For god's sake beware of popery, for though it appear to have in it unity, yet the same is in vanity and antichristianity and not in Christ's faith and verity. Beware of the sin against the holy ghost now after such a light opened so plainly, and simply, truly, thoroughly, and generally to all England. The Lord grant all men his good & holy spirit, increase of his wisdom, increase of contemning the wicked world, increase of desiring heartily to be with God and the heavenly company, through jesus Christ our only mediator, advocate, righteousness, life, sanctification, and hope, Amen Amen. Pray. Pray. ¶ Rowland tailor departing hence in sure hope, without all doubting, of eternal salvation, I thank god my heavenly father through jesus Christ my certain saviour. Amen. 5. Februarye. Anno. 1555. ❧ Letters of Master Laurence Saunders parson of Alhollowes in Bredstrete in London: who, after faithful testimony of his doctrine by long imprisonment, was condemned to the fire, and at Coventrie (by gods providence, no doubt, to confirm that he had in that country also fruitfully taught) suffered with most valiant and cheerful courage, as ye may read in the book of martyrs, Fol. 1048. The .8. day of Febr. In the year of our Lord. 1555. ¶ To my most dear and reverend fathers in Christ. D. Cranmer. D. Rydley and D. Latimer prisoners in Oxford. IN my most humble wise I salute you most reverend Fathers in Christ jesus our Lord. Immortal thanks & everlasting praises be given unto that our father of mercies, Collo. 1. which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of saints in light, which hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his beloved son, by whom we have redemption through his blood, etc. Oh most happy estate, Collo. 3. that in an unspeakable wise, our life is hid with Christ in God: but whensoever Christ which is our life, shall show himself, then shall we also appear with him in glory. 1. Cor. i3. 2. Cor. 5. In the mean season, as our sight is but in a glass, even in a dark speaking, so we walk in faith, not after outward appearance. The which faith, although for want of outward appearance, reason reputeth but as vain: yet the chosen of God do know the effect thereof to bring a more substantial cast & lively fruition of very felicity and perfect blessedness, than reason can reach, or senses conceive. By this faith, we have in our profession all good things: yea even those which the eye hath not seen & the ear hath not heard, 1. Cor. 2. neither have entered into the heart of man. etc. Then if hereby we do enjoy all good things, it followeth that we must needs possess, have and enjoy you most reverend fathers, who be no small part of our joy & good things given us of God. We heretofore have had the fruition of you by bodily presence to our inexplicable benefit (praised be that our gracious God therefore) and now in spirit we have the experience of unspeakable comfort by your reverend fatherhodes, Math. 5. for that in this so glorious sort, ye become a town set upon a hill, a candle upon a Candlestick, 1. Cor. 4. Phi. 1. a spectacle unto the world, & to the Angels, and unto men. So that, as we to our great comfort do feel, ye also may assuredly say with S. Paul, that the things which hap unto us, do chance unto the great furtherance of the Gospel: so that our bonds in Christ are manifest, not only throughout all the judgement hall, but in all whole Europa, in so much that many of the brethren in the Lord being encouraged through our bonds, dare more boldly speak the word without fear. And herein as you have with S. Paul greatly to rejoice: so we do rejoice with you, & we do in deed with you give thanks for this excellent worthy favour of our God towards you, that Christ is thus magnified in you, yea and hereafter shall be magnified in your bodies, whether it be through life or death. Of which thing truly we are assured in our prayers for you, and ministering of the spirit. And although for your own parts Christ is unto you life, and death advantage, and that your desire is (as in deed it were better for you) to be loosed, Phil. 1. and to be with Christ, yet for the church of Christ were it much more necessary, that ye should abide in the flesh: Yea that merciful god even for his Christ's sake, grant that ye may abide & continue for the furtherance of the church & rejoicing of faith, that the rejoicing thereof may be the more abundant through jesus Christ by your restoring again, Amen, Amen. But if it seem better otherwise unto the divine wisdom, that by speedy death he hath appointed you to glorify him, the Lords will be done. Yea even as we do rejoice both on your behalfs, & also on our own, that god is magnified by life, & should be more abundantly glad for the continuance thereof: so we shall no less rejoice to have the same wrought by death. We shall give thanks for this honour given unto you, phi. 1. rejoicing that ye are accounted worthy to suffer for the name of Christ, & that it is given to you of god not only that ye should believe in him, but also that ye should suffer for his sake. And herein we shall have to rejoice in the be half of the church of Christ, whose faith may be the faster fixed upon god's verity, being confirmed with three such worthy witnesses. Oh thanks be to god for this his unspeakable gift. And now most reverend fathers, that ye may understand the truth of us and our estate how we stand in the Lord, I do assure your reverences, partly by that I perceive by such of our brethren as be here in bonds with me, partly by that I hear of them which be in other places, and partly by that inward experience which I most unworthy wretch have of God's good comfort, more abundance whereof I know there is in others: ye may be assured I say (by gods grace) that ye shall not be frustrate of your hope of our constant continuance in the cheerful confession of God's everlasting verity. Ephe. i. For even as we have received the word of truth, even the Gospel of our salvation, wherein we believing, are sealed with the holy spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, Rom. 8 the which spirit certifyeth our spirit that we are the children of God, and therefore God hath sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts crying, Abba father: Gal. 4. so after such portion as God measureth unto us, we with the whole church of Christ, and with you reverend Fathers, receiving the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed & therefore I have spoken, we also believe, and therefore speak. 2. Cor. 4. Psa. 116. For the which we in this dangerous bondage and other afflictions, having even such a fight as we have seen in you and have heard of you, phil. 1. we are in no wise afraid of our adversaries. And forasmuch as we have such an office, even as God hath had mercy on us, we go not out of kind, but even with you, after our little power, we labour to maintain the faith of the gospel, knowing most certainly, 2. Cor. 4. that though we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power might be gods & not ours, yet shall we not be dashed in pieces, for the lord will put his hand under us. When we are troubled on every side, yet are we not without shift: when we are in poverty, we are not utterly without something: when we suffer persecution, we are not forsaken therein: when we are cast down, yet we shall not perish: but to communicate with our sweet Saviour Christ in bearing the cross, it is appointed unto us, that even with him also we shall be glorified. For it is a true saying: 2. Timo. 2 If we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we be patiented, we shall also reign with him: 2. Cor. 4. If we deny him, he shall also deny us. Wherefore we be of good cheer always, bearing about in our body the dying of the Lord jesus, that the life of jesus might appear also in our body. For we know that he which raised up the Lord jesus, shall raise up us also by the means of jesus, and shall join us to himself together with you. Wherefore we are not wearied, but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our tribulation, which is momentane and light, prepareth an exceeding & an eternal weight of glory unto us, whiles we look not on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen, are temporal: but things which are not seen, are eternal. We testify unto you reverend fathers, Esay. 12. that we draw these waters with joy out of the wells of the Saviour. And I trust we shall continually with you bless the Lord, & give thanks to the lord, out of these wells of Israel: Apoca. 19 we trust to be merry together at the great Supper of the Lamb, whose Spouse we are by faith, and there to sing that song of everlasting Haleluyah. Amen. Yea come Lord jesus. The grace of our Lord jesus Christ be with you. Amen. ¶ To the professors of the Gospel and true doctrine of our Saviour jesus Christ, in the town of Litchefelde GRace and peace with continuance in unfeigned faith and a good conscience, be unto you in Christ jesus. Amen. At what time it pleased that gracious god of Abraham, Isaac, and jacob, wonderfully to work the deliverance of their offspring the Israelites, even as he brought to pass the same by his mighty arm: so did he thereunto admit man's ministry as his ordinary instrument, and therefore instructed first Moses that faithful servant of his, what was to be done, as also with what cheerful courage he should do the same. These people by the hand of this Moses, were brought by no small perils, Deut. 34. the mid way toward their promised patrimony, when as it pleased God to take unto himself his servant Moses from this miserable vale. In whose place he appointed josua that worthy leader of the lords people, who not alonely for his part did boldly take in hand so dangerous an enterprise, josua. 1. but also with earnest study stirred up his said people with lusty courage to go forward in the appointed passage of their jeopardous journey. Yea he was able abundantly to comfort them with such comforts as he himself received of his god, who at sundry times assured him thereof, saying unto him thus: even as I was with Moses, so will I be with thee, I will not forsake thee, neither leave thee, be thou therefore of good courage and strong: fear not, neither be dismayed, for I am with thee in all that thou takest in hand. What soever things be written are written for our doctrine etc. dearly beloved, albeit that in these days it may be said truly that ye have very few such captains to be compared with Moses or josua gods singular jewels, yet that same lord which is no changeling, but even the same merciful and almighty defender of all his people at all times: doth and shall in some degree direct you his chosen children in the high way toward your heavenly inheritance by the hand of a Moses, in some part resembling these two principal patterns. For though we your brethren, who heretofore by our vocation have sit in the chair of Moses, and be ghostly captains as Moses and josua unto you: though I say we well know and acknowledge how little we have to boast of, as of ourselves, yet this we have to rejoice of in the lord our god, that as we have been of him appointed unto such a place and function: so we do not altogether degenerate. For first unto our own strengthening, even that gracious god which biddeth us to be strong by the operation of his spirit, performeth the same in some part in us, all glory be unto him therefore. Also in the word of the lord we testify unto you, to be strong in the lord, and shrink not back because of the sundry temptations assaulting you in the passage unto your country through the wilderness of this world. Be content to be proved as those people were. Do not addict yourselves unto the fantasing of the flesh pots of egypt, Exo. 16. most unthankfully relinquishing the promised possession. We give you to know what warrantise we have of prosperous success in such our procedings: no less (be ye assured) then those former captains Moses and josua had. For besides that all the same most comfortable promises which made them & their people to be bold to proceed in their enterprise, do belong unto us: we have to rejoice in our god for his unmeasurable mercies more plentifully powered upon us by that abundant grace in his dear son our christ, in whom he offereth us all fullness of favour and benevolence, all readiness of deliverance, appointing all credit without care to be given unto such a governor. Yea and that same his Christ, who is made of him our anointed saviour, is now become our grand captain, yea what is he not unto us to do us good? He is our shepherd, we be his people and the sheep of his pasture: he is our husband, we be his spouse. john. 10 Math. 28. He hath promised to keep his sheep that none shall snatch them out of his hands. He hath promised to be with his church always, yea and that effectually to be with it, even as the head to give life unto the members and parts of the body, even as the vine stock to quicken the vine branches, and even as the most loving husband to tender, cherish, defend, and keep his well-beloved spouse. Let us be bold to commit ourselves unto such a safe conductor, casting our care upon him: for were it not that he many times more careth for us, than we can for ourselves, it would not be well with us. Full little did Peter perceive any cause of grievance for that perilous fall which after befell. Luke. 24. But that suffraigne shepherd before hand espied the spiteful desire of that wolvish Satan to syft his Peter that silly poor sheep: and therefore prayed unto his father that Peter's faith might not faint. Such a shepherd shall he be always unto his people, humbly complaining unto him in extreme dangers. And great cause have we so to do, considering not only the greedy desire of this Satan most tyrannously raging like a roaring Lion seeking whom he may devour: but also the imbecility in ourselves, 1. Pet. 5. being such as is not able to withstand the least of his assaults: but on the contrary being overwhelmed with the waves which be stirred up by these tempests of his temptations, Math. 8. we are compelled to cry with these disciples, who in their extremity cried, save us Lord or else we perish. The times be perilous: we must therefore be circumspect & not solace ourselves in carnal security, but being content to enter into the sheep of Christ's cross and objecting ourselves to all jeopardous passages in the adventurous journeying to our heavenly country, let us for this present usage account it comfort enough to have the fellowship of such a fellow venterer. He once being in the Ship with his Disciples, did with his word assuage the swelling of the Sea so dangerous. He hath not left us alone in the Ship of this frail flesh, but joineth with us in this dangerous journey, aswell by his once being subject unto all bodily infirmities as we be (sin only except) as also by his assuring us of his gracious assistance, now that he is become before his heavenly father our Prince, our Priest, and our Prophet, always priest and ready to help by his power, propitiation, and inspiration of his holy spirit. And what though he for a season do sleep and do so suffer us (unto our seemynges) to sink? He will be awaked being pulled by prayer: and therefore doth he delay our speedy deliverance, even to fortify our faith by importune prayer. Let us then with instance apply this business, and the rather in respect of the dangerous do●ing of this old age of the world. For it is with the men of this latter age of the world as it is with a very aged man, who for impotency of the powers both of the mind & the body, is brought to much imbecility. Then do the wits by weakness wander out of the way. The body by feebleness and default of the former strength doth stagger & full weakly doth any limb or part of that wretched body execute the function unto it belonging. In like manner is it with the church of Christ in this do●yng old age of the world. There is nothing such fullness in gods graces as heretofore hath been in the primative church and the times immediately ensuing. There is less perfection in the faith, fear, and love towards god, & charity towards the brethren. There is less zeal to confess god, and less constancy to continue in god's truth, than was heretofore. And this is not strange unto them which do observe the fore-speakings of the scriptures, aswell of the prophets of our saviour Christ, as also of his apostles, by whom it hath been signified before hand what dangerous days should come in the latter times, as Math. 24, 2. Thess. 2. 1. Timoth. 2. Timo. 3.2. Peter. 2. Wherefore let us which are come into these latter dangerous times, first consider how that the holy ghost hath given us warning thereof, and also that we by proof have experience of the verifying of the same: let us now (I say) the more earnestly apply our humble petition unto that merciful father and his son our sweet saviour, who is the head of his church, even this his body (weak though it be) that he will vouchsafe not so much to observe the backesliding and shrinking of this his feeble body: as to respect the forspeakynges of these perilous times, and let us with and in the name of the whole church, remember often the prayer of David Psal. 71. Lord cast me not away in the time of mine old age when my strength doth decay. That time of the church is even now present: and truly if we be instance in prayer, we be not without warrantise of gods promises to obtain that we pray for. Psal. 40. Math. 24. 1. Cor. 10 Yea call upon me (saith he) in the day of thy trouble and I will deliver thee. For the elects sake it is said the dangerous days shallbe shortened. Yea faithful is he that will not suffer us to be tempted above that we be able to abide. We may be bold to put our gracious god in remembrance of his old mercies, Psal. 44. & with David say, oh god we have heard with our ears and our fathers have declared unto us the noble works that thou didst in their days and in the old time before them. The testimonies of his word do teach us how he hath from the beginning always gathered unto himself a congregation & church, unto the which his choose church he hath bound him self by his covenant of mercy to be their god and saviour, and besides that hath powered upon them his sundry blessings and benefits. But again it is to be seen in the scriptures, how that even these peculiar god's people, did at sundry times fall from that their heavenly profession, aswell to idolatry and false God's service, as also unto dissolute living, thereby provoking gods wrathful plagues and punishments, the which in deed oftentimes, as they were often deserved, so they fell upon them. But even as the god of Israel did visit the offences of his people with his rod of chastisement: so did he not at any time take away his mercies from them, Psal. 89. and that for that covenant of mercy made unto them in Abraham, Isaac, and jacob their forefathers. And therefore when at any time through his grace they did by repentance turn unto him, he most fatherly embraced them with the arms of his mercy. These things be written for us, that we in semblable wise should consider first the dignity whereunto we have been called, that is even to be his church and people. Yea in comparing our profession with either the heathenish Turks & infidels, or unto the people which are professed unto this hypotriticall papistry: we have to advance ourselves as the true children of Christ, for that we bear the right badges of gods true people, and that is the earnest desire towards the propagation of gods most holy word, and the right use of the sacraments agreeable to the same, having joined there with a readiness of heart and mind to suffer affliction & persecution for the confession of our faith, or at the least rather than we will deny or put away faith and a good conscience. And besides these outward notes and tokens declaring the we be the true church there is a nearer token in gods elect, which is the inward testimony of god's spirit, which beareth witness unto our spirit that we be gods children, Rom. 8 causing us to cry Abba father, and being in deed the earnest penny of our salvation. But notwithstanding that we be thus promoted by our god, and dignified by his graces, yet must we consider how unworthily we have used in sundry wise, these gods graces & blessings: yea so unthankfully we have received them, that no less plagues by gods just judgement, belong unto us, than was at that time due unto those his people. Wherefore let us faithfully confess that we have offended with our forefathers. The which being done in our conversion unto the Lord our God with our whole heart, Psal. 89. let us assure ourselves that even as he hath and doth visit our sins with this captivity of body and conscience and such other plagues being his rod of chastisement, so hath he not taken away his mercy from us: but will plentifully visit us with the same, even for that covenant of mercy made unto us, not in Abraham, Isaac, and David, but in that promised seed of Abraham, in that spiritual David even jesus Christ, who is that peaceable Solomon, making peace between us and his Father by the offering of his body and sheeding of his blood, by whose means we must look for the gilt of our sins to be forgiven and the plagues thereby purchased to be taken away. And now (dearly beloved) we be taught by that heavenly spirit which our god hath given unto us, to seek comfort in these times of affliction, not in hope of rebellion or fulfilling unprofitable, yea pestilent welsh prophecies, but in the most comfortable & glad tidings of the heavenly promises assured in his dear Christ. And touching this most miserable estate of the ghostly captivity of conscience and bodily bondage, wherein for our sins presently we be holden: let us first most obediently kiss this rod of our father by obedience submission, to abide all extremity that man may do unto us, rather than to forego faith and a good conscience. Let us also beseech our heavenly father for his Christ's sake, to leave of beating us and to take away the rod, either by converting the hearts of those which afflict & persecute us (for so did he sometime take away the rod, as namely by converting of Nabuchodonozer, & Manasses) or else if such wicked scourges be not to be converted, but be reprobates, vessels of gods wrath, children of perdition, such upon whom it pleaseth god to show his iudgementees, and in whom he will show his power: If I say they be such, let us wish most earnestly that our God will speedily arise that his and our enemies may shortly be scattered. Yea he knoweth what these execrable erecters of the romish religion are. They be the proud builders of the Babylonical Tower. They will climb up into God's kingdom by their own attempts, not expecting & waiting for God's help. Yea that lord be judge betwixt them & us. He knoweth that as their buildings tend unto the destruction of that true & only foundation Christ: so our building by God's word hath and doth tend to the substantial laying of that only foundation, and to the establishing of Christ's chosen church upon that same rock, with an unfeigned faith and pure conscience, & also unto the building upon the same faith all fruitful works of the Spirit, to serve GOD in holiness and righteousness, etc. Tit. 2. Yea that ever living Lord knoweth the earnest desire of our hearts, is even the greedy expectation of the glorious coming of that great judge, unto whose judgement, (lo heaven and earth be witness and ye Gods saints) we do appeal: in the mean season abiding our Gods good pleasure to do with us that may most redound unto his glory whether to live or die, nothing doubting in him to be strengthened merely, and cheerfully to make a sacrifice and burnt offering for the confirmation of this infallible verity taught by us, and once received of you. And join with us dear fellow heirs as we join with you in humble prayer, that even as all we be by saith handfasted unto our husband and knit unto our head jesus Christ, and also be kindled by love one to an other, as mutual members in this mystical body: so we may persevere and continue unto the end, and that by and in our Christ we may increase more and abound in the spirit of grace and prayer, whereby to fetch all heavenly influence from that our head Christ one for an other, even as in the body one member ministereth unto an other, Amen, Amen. In the Marshalsee. 17. Octob. 1554. A prisoner in the Lord trusting shortly to be with the Lord. L. Saunders ¶ To master lucy Harryngton a godly gentlewoman, and friendly in his trouble to him and his. YOur most gentle commendations, whereof this messenger made remembrance unto me, was for two causes very comfortable. first for that thereby I understood of the stare of your health and bodily welfare, for the which I give thanks unto GOD, who grant the long continuance thereof to his honour and fatherly good will, whereunto I will daily say, Amen. And father I was refreshed by the expressing of your mindful friendship towards me far unworthy thereof. Wherein I take occasion of much rejoicing in our so gracious a god and merciful father, who as he hath in his unmeasurable mercy by faith handfasted us his chosen children unto his dear son our Christ, as the spiritual spouse of such an heavenly husband: so he lynketh us by love one unto another, being by that bond compact together with charitable readiness to do good one unto an other: so that first to the glory of our god and his christ, then to our own joying in the testimony of a good conscience, and last of all to the stopping of the mouths and confusion of our adversaries, we bear the badge as the right spouse of our Christ, which he himself noteth in this his saying: john. 13. herein shall all men know that ye be my disciples, if ye love one an other. Then farther by this bond of mutual love, is set forth the fatherly providence of god towards us his children: that though it be he which careth for us, in whom we live, move and be, who feedeth all flesh with bodily sustenance, yet hath he appointed us in these present necessities, to stand in his stead one unto an other. Wherein is not only set forth our dignity, but also that unspeakable accord and unity among us the many members in this mystical body. And though that either for lack of ability, or else through distance of place, power and opportunity of helping one another do fail: yet wonderful is the working of gods children through the spirit of prayer, as whereby they fetch all heavenly influence from Christ their celestial head by his spirit, john. 15 to be measured severally as may serve to the maintenance of the whole body. Thus doth our faithful prayer which we make one for an other, distribute and scatter gods bountiful blessings both ghostly and bodily when ordinary ability lacketh, and when the arm may not reach such gods riches. According hereunto I well perceive and understand your readiness to do good unto all, and especially I have experience of your ready good will towards me in your hearty desire to stretch out your helping hand to relieve my lack, and of your help to be extended to me in the other spiritual sort by your good prayer, I doubt not: as I also therein assure you of my help, being all that I may do, and yet the same not so much as I would do. My need concerning bodily necessaries, is as yet furnished by God's provision, so that I am not driven to any extremity wherefore to be burdenous to you, as your gentle benevolence provoketh me, the Lord reward you therefore. If god make me worthy to be his witness at this present in giving this corruptible body to burn for the testimony of his truth, it is enough for me to say unto you that I have a poor wife and child whom I love in the Lord, and whom I know for my sake you will tender when I am departed hence. To be short, I say unto you as I say unto myself, rejoice in the Lord, cast your care on him, for he careth for us etc. and according to the time present, let us with our Christ and all his dear Disciples weep, let us with him (I say) weep a while that we may laugh with him everlastingly. Apoc. 7. Let us consider of what sort of people they were whom Saint john by Revelation did behold in the heavenly bliss and everlasting joy. These are they (said the Angel unto him) which came out of great tribulation and made their garments white in the blood of the lamb, and therefore are they in the presence of the seat of God and serve him day and night in his temple, and he that sitteth in the seat will dwell among them, they shall hunger no more, neither thirst, neither shall the Sun light on them, neither any heat, for the lamb which is in the midst of the seat shall feed them and shall lead them unto fountains of living water, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Though we sow in sorrow, we shall reap in great joy, and for this hopes sake we seek the things above and forsake the things present. I beseech you give most hearty salutations unto my good Lady Fitzwilliams, unto whom I wish as to you and to myself in all good things. The grace of God be always with you & that good family, Amen. L. S. another letter to Mistress Lucy Harrington. GRace & mercy etc. It happeneth oftentimes the abundance of matter bringing with it much vehemency of friendly affection, maketh men dumb: & even then chief when there is most eager purpose of speaking, silence doth suppress, and causeth the party so affected, unperfectly to express that he goeth about to utter. Such impediment by much matter mingled with fervency of affection, feel I sometimes in myself letting the utterance either by tongue or writing of the abundance of the heart. The love of our most gracious God and heavenly Father bestowed upon us in the merits of his Christ our Saviour, who may by concept of mind comprehend, passing in deed all understanding? much less may the same by any means be expressedly uttered. And as such heavenly blessings which by faith we fetch from above, be inexplicable: so is it hard to utter, when the faithful are set on fire by love, their readiness to reach forth and to give by charity, as by faith they have received. But (alas) we carry this treasure in earthen vessels: many times faith is feeble and then love loseth her fervour. Pray we therefore, Lord increase our faith, and love forthwith will be on fire. And immortal thanks be given unto our God, who in our Christ hath bestowed upon us the first fruits of his spirit, who crieth in our hearts Abba Father. Rom. 8. And (as S. Paul saith) seeing we have the same spirit of faith, according as it is written I believed and therefore have I spoken: we also believe and therefore we speak: yea God knoweth this spirit putteth in us a mind to speak, 1. Cor. 4 but in attempting thereof, we are driven with Moses to say, O Lord, I am slow mouthed and of uncircumcised lips, and with Jeremy, O Lord I can not speak. Albeit that this infancy restraineth the opening of such abundance of heart in my tender Christian duty to be declared towards you, yet I beseech you let this be settled in your understanding, that as S. Paul expresseth unto his Corinthians that they were in his heart either to live or to die, with many other such sayings uttered unto them and the Galathians, expressing his vehement affection towards them: so in some part I would be like affected towards all God's children, and especially towards you whom I know in Christ, and to whom I will not say, how much I am indebted. I thank you for your great friendship & tender good will towards my wife: yea that good gracious God recompense you, which may worthily with the more countervail the same & fulfil that which lacketh of thankful duty in us. And because of that which heretofore I have conceived of you and of your love more than natural towards me and mine: I make myself thus bold to lay this burden upon you, even the care and charge of my said poor wife, I mean, to be unto her a mother and a mistress to rule and direct her by your discrete Counsel. I know she conceiveth of you the same that I do, and is thankful unto God with me for such a friend, and therefore I beseech you even for Christ's sake, put never from you this friendly charge over her whether I live longer or shortly departed. But to charge you otherwise, thanks be to God, neither I neither she have any such extreme need: if we had, I would be as bold with you as mine own mother. I beseech you give my hearty salutations unto Master Fitzwilliams and my good Lady, with thanks also for my poor wife and child, the Lord recompense them. L. S. To his godly and faithful wife and to his dear friends Master Robert Harrington and Master Hurland. GRace and comfort etc. Dear wife rejoice in our gracious God and his our Christ, and give thanks most humbly and heartily to him for this days work, that in any part I most unworthy wretch should be made worthy to bear witness unto his everlasting verity, which Antichrist with his, by main force (I perceive) & by most impudent pride and boasting, will go about to suppress. Remember God always my, dear wife, and so shall God's blessing light upon you and our Samuel. O remember always my words for Christ's sake: be merry & grudge not against God & prey, pray. We be all merry here thanks be unto god who in his Christ hath given us great cause to be merry, by whom he hath prepared for us such a kingdom, & doth & will give unto us some little taste thereof even in this life, & to all such as are desirous to take it. Blessed (saith our Christ) be they which hunger & thirst after righteousness, for such shall be satisfied. Let us go, yea let us run to seek such treasure, and that with whole purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord, to find such riches in his heavenly word through his spirit obtained by prayer. My dear friends and brethren Master Harrington and Master Hurlande, Pray, pray. Math. 26. Spiritus quidem promptus est caro autem infirma. When I look upon myself, quid ego stupidus & attonitus habeo quod dicam, Luke. 5. Psa. 119. nisi illud Petri, exi a me domine quia homo peccator sum. But then feel I that sweet comfort, lucerna pedibus meis verbum domini & lumen semitis meis, & hec mea est consolatio in humilitate mea. john. 6. Then wax I bold with the same Peter to say, domine ad quem ibimus, verba vitae eternae habes. This comfort have I when the giver thereof doth give it. But I look for battles which the rote of unfaithfulness, the which I feel in me, will most egerlye give unto my conscience when we come once to the combat. We be (I ween) within the sound of the trump of our enemies, play ye that be abroad the part of Moses' orantes in omni loco, sustollentes puras manus, & God's people shall prevail, yea our blood shall be their perdition who doth most triumphantly spill it, and we then being in the hands of our god, Sapien. 5. shall shine in his kingdom & shall stand in great steadfastness against them which have dealt extremely with us. And when these our enemies shall thus see us, they shall be vexed with horrible fear, & shall wonder at the hastiness of the sudden health, and shall say with themselves having inward sorrow & mourning for very anguish of mind: these are they whom we sometime had in derision & jested upon: we fools thought their lives to be very madness and their end to be without honour; but lo how they are accounted among the children of God. The blessing of God be with you al. Salute I pray you my sister B. S. with other our friends in the same house, gods grace keep them with all the rest of our godly acquaintance, lovers of the truth & furtherers of the true confession of the same: whom all I bid most heartily to be merry in the lord rejoicing in hope, preparing themselves to be patient in tribulation with continuance in prayer. Let some body buy for me a pencil of lead to write with all, for I shall hardly have pen and Ink here sith all liberty of writing is taken away from us. L. S. another letter to his wife and to Master Harrington and Master Hurland. GRace and comfort, etc. wife you shall do best not to come often unto the grate where the porter may see you. Put not yourself in danger where it needs not: you shall I think, shortly come far enough into danger by keeping faith and a good conscience, which (dear wife) I trust you do not slack to make reckoning & account upon by exercising your inward man in meditation of Gods most holy word, being the sustenance of the soul, and also by giving yourself to humble prayer: for these two things be the very means how to be made members of our Christ meet to inherit his kingdom. Do this (dear wife) in earnest, & not leaving of, and so we two shall with our Christ and all his chosen children, enjoy the merry world in the everlasting immortality, where as here will nothing else be found but extreme misery, even of them which most greedily seek this worldly wealth: and so, if we two continue God's children graffed in our Christ, the same God's blessing which we receive, shall also settle upon our Samuel. Though we do shortly departed hence and leave the poor Infant (to our seeming) at all adventures, yet shall he have our gracious God to be his God, for so hath he said and he can not lie: I will be thy God sayeth he and the God of thy seed. Yea if you leave him in the wild wilderness destitute of all help, being called of God to do his will either to die for the confession of Christ, either any work of obedience: that God which heard the cry of the little poor infant of Agar Sara's handmaiden and did secure it, will do the like to the child of you or any other fearing him and putting your trust in him. And if we lack faith, as we do indeed many times, let us call for it and we shall have the increase both of it and also of any other good grace needful for us, and be merry in GOD, in whom also I am very merry and joyful. O Lord what great cause of rejoicing have we, to think upon that Kingdom which he voucheth safe for his Christ's sake, freely to give us, forsaking ourselves and following him? Dear wife this is truly to follow him, even to take up our cross and follow him, and then as we suffer with him, so shall we reign with him everlastingly, Amen. Shortly, shortly. Amen. My dear friends Master Harrington, and Master Hurland, Pray pray, and be merry in God, and I beseech you as you may, let the good brethren abroad be put in mind of our dear tried brethren and sisters who have (the Lord be praised) made known their constancy in confessing the truth to the glory of GOD and comfort (I doubt not) of his Church abroad. Thus have they sown spiritual things confessing Christ. I trust they will not be forgetful that they may reap of them which are of ability and at liberty their carnal things. Hereof I speak now, because of my tender desire towards these dear brethren here now in bonds and in other places, and also for that I doubt whether I may have wherewith to write hereafter. The keeper sayeth he must needs see that we writ not at al. The devil roareth but be of good cheer, he will shortly be trodden under foot and the rather by the blood of Martyrs. Salute in my most hearty manner good masters Harrington and my good Lady. F. I am theirs as long as I live and pray for them: desire them to do likewise for me and for all us sheep appointed to the slaughter. A prisoner in the Lord, Laurence Saunders. An answer to a friend of his who sent to know what Doctor Weston did at the Marshalse. Master Weston came to confer with M. Grymbold & what he hath with him concluded I know not: pray that it may be to God's glory. Amen. Master Weston of his gentleness visited me & offered me friendship in his worldly wily sort etc. I had not so much manner to take it at his hands, saying that I was well enough and ready cheerfully to abide the extremity to keep thereby a good conscience. You be a sleep in sin said he. I would awake (qoth I) & do not forget vigilate & orate, &. what church was there (qoth he) xxx years past? What church was there in Helias time quoth I &c. joane of Rent (quoth he) was of your Church. No (qoth I) we did condemn her as an heretic. Who was of your church (quoth he) thirty. years paste? Such (quoth I) as that romish Antichrist andhis rabble had reputed and condemned as heretics. Wicliffe, Thorpe, old castle (quoth he) etc. Yea (quoth I) with many more as stories do tell. The bishop of Rome hath (quoth he) long time played apart in your railing sermons, but now be ye sure he must play an other manner of part. More pity (quoth I) and yet some comfort it is to see how that the best learned, wisest, and holiest of you all, have heretofore had him to play a part likewise in your sermons and writings, though now to please the world, ye turn with the weathercock. Did you ever (quoth he) hear me preach against the bishop of Rome? No (quoth I) for I never heard you preach, but I trow you have been no wiser than other etc. Pray, pray. God keep that family and bless it. Laurence Saunders. To his wife and other of his dear friends and lovers in the Lord. GRace and comfort in Christ jesus our only comfort in all extreme assaults be with you, Amen. Fain would this flesh make strange of that which the spirit doth embrace, Oh Lord how loath is this loitering sluggard to pass forth in God's path? It fantasieth forsooth much fear of fraybugges, & were it not for the force of faith pulling it forward by the bridle of Gods most sweet promises, and of hope pricking on behind, great adventure there were of fainting by the way. But blessed and everlastingly blessed be that heavenly father of ours, who in his Christ our sufficient Saviour, hath vouched safe so to shine in our hearts, that he giveth us the light of the knowledge of the glory of god in the face of jesus Christ, and having this treasure in our earthen vessels that the excellency of the power might be Gods, 2. Cor. 4 and not ours: we are, according to his good will, troubled on every side, yet are we not without shift, we are in poverty, but yet not without that is sufficient, we suffer persecution, but are not forsaken therein, we are cast down, nevertheless we perish not, we bear in our body the dying of the Lord jesus, that the life of jesus might appear also in our bodies. Wherefore by the grace of our Christ we shall not be wearied nor be dismayed by this our probation through the fire of affliction, as though some strange thing had happened unto us: but by his power we shall rejoice, in as much as we are partakers of Christ's passions, that when he doth appear, we may be merry & glad, knowing that our tribulation which is momentane & light, prepareth an exceeding and eternal weight of glory unto us, not looking on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not seen. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy: Psa. 126. he that goeth on his way now weeping & scattereth his good seed, shall doubtless come again with joy and bring his sheaves with him. Then then shall the Lord wipe away all tears from our eyes. Then then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, 1 Cor. 15 Death is swallowed up in victory, Death where is thy sting? hell where is thy victory? Yea thanks be to god who hath given us the victory through our Lord jesus Christ, Amen. Now then in the mean season it remaineth for us to follow s. Peter's bidding. 1. Peter. 4. Let them saith he, that are troubled according to the will of god, commit their souls to him with well doing as unto a faithful creator and maker. He is our maker, we be his handiwork & creatures, whom now when he hath made, he doth not so leave & forsake as the carpenter doth the ship, leaving it at all adventures to be tossed in the tempest, but he comforteth us his creatures, Acts. 17 and in him we live, move, and have our being. Yea not only that, but now that he hath in his dear Christ repaired us being before utterly decayed, and redeemed us, purging us unto himself as a peculiar people by the blood of his son, he hath put on a most tender good will and fatherly affection toward us, never to forget us unto whom by such sure promises he hath plyghted such faith, that though it were possible that the mother could forget her infant and not be tender hearted to the child of her womb, Esay. 49. yet may it not be that his faithful believers should with him fall into forgetfulness. He biddeth us to cast our care on him, & telleth us that he assuredly careth for us. 1. Pet. 5. And what though for a season he suffereth us to be turmoiled in the troublous tempests of temptation, and seemeth in much anger to have given us over and forgotten us? Let not us for all that leave of to put our trust in him, but let us with godly job conclude in our selves and say: yea though he kill me, job. 13 yet will I put my trust in him. Let us with the blessed Abraham in hope even contrary to hope, by belief, leave unto that our loving Lord, who though for our probation he suffereth us to be afflicted & proved for a season, yet will he not be always chiding, neither keepeth he his anger for ever: for he knoweth whereof we are made, he remembreth that we are but dust. Psa. 103. Wherefore look how high the heaven is in comparison of the earth, so great is his mercy towards them which fear him. Look how wide the East is from the West, so far hath he set our sins from us. Yea, like as a father pitieth his own children, even so is the lord merciful unto them that fear him. Oh what great cause of rejoicing have wetherfore in our most gracious god? We cannot but burst out into the praising of such a bountiful benefactor, and say with the Psalmist: Praise the lord O my soul, and all that is within me praise his holy name. Praise the Lord O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. My dear wife, riches I have none to leave behind me wherewith to endow you after the worldly manner, but that treasure of tasting how sweet Christ is unto hungry consciences (whereof, I thank my Christ I do feel part, and would feel more) I bequeath unto you, and to the rest of my friends, to all you I say that love me in the Lord, to retain the same insense of heart always. Pray, pray. I am merry, & I I trust shall be merry in the fpyght of all the Devils in hell. I utterly refuse myself and I resign myself wholly unto my christ, in whom I know I shallbe strong as he seeth needful. Pray, pray, pray. L. Saunders. ¶ To his Wife. GRace mercy and peace in jesus Christ our lord. Entirely beloved wife, even as unto mine own soul and body, so do I daily in my hearty prayer wish unto you, for I do daily twice at the least in this sort remember you. And I do not doubt (dear wife) but that both I and you, as we be written in the book of life, so we shall together enjoy the same everlastingly through the grace & mercy of god our dear father in his son our Christ. And for this present life, let us wholly appoint ourselves to the will of our good god to glorify him either by life or by death, and even that same merciful Lord make us worthy to honour him either way, as pleaseth him, Amen. I am merry I thank my god and my Christ, in whom and through whom I shall (I know) be able to fight a good fight and finish a good course & then receive the crown which is laid up in store for me and all the true soldiers of Christ. 1. Timo. 4. Wherefore wife let us in the name of our God, fight lustily to overcome the flesh, the devil and the world. What our harness and weapons be in this kind of fight, look the vi. unto the Ephesians, and pray, pray, pray. I would that you make no suit for me in any wise. Thank, you know whom, for her most sweet and comfortable putting me in remembrance of my journey whether I am passing. God send us all good speed and a joyful meeting. I have to few such friends to further me in that journey, which is in deed the greatest friendship. The blessing of god be with you all. Amen. A prisoner in the Lord. Laurence Saunders. ¶ To his Wife. GRace mercy and peace. etc. Dear wife even that our merciful God and most loving father, whom we call upon daily and of whose mercies we daily taste, ●nd who will be a most tender father unto all them which heartily turn unto him, believe in him and cast their care upon him, that our good god (I say) even for his son our sweet Christ's sake be your helper and keeper, Amen, Amen. And now you see his goodness towards you by many ways, provoking you to embrace him as your only god & only comfort. He is more ready mercifully to receive you than you can be ready to run unto him for help. He saith by his prophet, I will favour them even as a father doth favour his child that offendeth. Esay. 49. And in an other place is it possible that a mother can forget her child which she hath borne? If she be forgetful, yet will not I forget thee. Thus saith he unto all such as unfeignedly seek him. You be in the lords bonds and in his blessed tuition, I do not doubt. Commend yourself and that which he hath given you unto his merciful and blessed will, and so do I and shall do by his goodness. Exercise yourself in the comfortable remembrance of gods manifold & merciful promises. Put him in remembrance of the same by often prayer, and put your whole trust in him who for his name's sake, his promise sake, and for his Christ's sake, will do that is best for you. Commend me to all the godly there. Send me word in any wife if you lack. Take heed that you be no more chargeable unto them at whose house you be, than you shall fully content them, in any wise. God keep you. A letter written to Steven Gardiner Bishop of winchester and then Lord Chancellor, as an answer to some things wherewith he had before charged him. TOuching the cause of mine imprisonment, I doubt whether I have broken any law either proclamation. In my doctrine I did not, forasmuch as at the time it was permitted by the proclamation to use according unto our consciences such service as was then established. My doctrine was then agreeable unto my conscience and the service then used. He meaneth the public preaching of gods word in his own parish. This proclamation was to inhibit the preaching of gods holy word. The act which I did was such as being indifferently weighed, sounded to no breaking of the proclamation, or at least to no wilful breaking of it, for as much as I caused no bell to be rung, neither occupied I any place in the pulpit after the order of Sermons or lectures. But be it that I did break the proclamation: this long time of continuance in prison may be thought to be more than sufficient punishment for such a fault. Touching the charging of me with my religion, I say with S. Paul: Confiteor hoc, quod juxta viani quam vocant haeresim, Acts. 24 sic colo patrium deum, credens omnibus quae in lege et prophetis scripta sunt, spem habens in deum, etc. Quin in hoc et ipse studeo sine offendiculo conscientiam habere erga deum et erga homines semper. That is to say: this I confess, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my forefathers, believing all things which are written in the law and prophets, and have hope towards God. etc. And herein I endeavour myself to have alway a clear conscience towards God and towards men: So that GOD I call to witness I have a conscience. And this my conscience is not grounded upon vain fantasy, but upon the infallible verity of God's word, with the witnessing of his chosen church agreeable unto the same. It is an easy thing for them which take Christ for their true pastor, to discern the voice of their true shepherd, from the voice of wolves, hirelings and strangers, forasmuch as Christ saith: john. 10 Oues meae vocem meam audiunt. That is, my sheep hear my voice. Yea and thereby they shall have the gift to know the right voice of the true shepherd, and so to follow him and to avoid the contrary, as he also saith: Oues pastorem sequuntur quia noverunt vocem eius: altenum vero non sequuntur, sed aufugiunt ab eo, quia non noueruut vocem alienorum. That is, the sheep follow the shepherd, for they know his voice: a stranger will they not follow but fly from him, for they know not the voice of a stranger. Such inward inspiration doth the holy ghost put into the children of God, being in deed taught of god, but otherwise unable to understand the true way of their salvation. And albeit that the wolf, as Christ saith, cometh in sheeps clothing, yet he saith, ex fructibus eorum cognoscetis eos. That is, by their fruits ye shall know them. For there be certain fruits whereby the wolf is bewrayed, notwithstanding that otherwise in sundry sorts of devout holiness in outward show, he seemeth never so simple a sheep. That the Romish religion is ravening and wolvish, it is apparent in three principal points. first it robbeth god of his due and only honour. Secondly it taketh away the true comfort of conscience in obscuring or rather burying of Christ & his office of salvation. Thirdly it spoileth god of his true worship & service in spirit & truth appointed in his prescript commandments, & driveth men unto the inconvenience against the which Christ with the prophet Esay doth speak sharply: Populus hic labijs me honorat, cor autem eorum long a me est, sed frustra me colunt docentes doctrinas & praecepta hominum. Esay. 26. Math. 25. That is, this people honoureth me with their lips but their heart is far from me: they worship me in vain teaching the doctrine and precepts of men. And in an other place: Reijcitis mandatum Dei ut traditionem vestram statuatis. That is, ye cast away the commandments of god, to maintain your own traditions Wherefore I in conscience weighing the romish religion, and by indifferent discussing thereof, finding the foundation unsteadfast, and the building thereupon but vain: and on the other side having my conscience framed after the right and uncorrupt religion, ratified and fully established by the word of god and the consent of his true church: neither may nor do intend by gods gracious assistance, to be pulled one jot from the same, no though an angel from heaven should preach any other doctrine. Explicita fide● is called of the schoolmen that faith whereof a reason may be given, and implicita fides is called that simple faith which leaneth only to the church although there can no reason be given thereof. And although either for lack of so learned knowledge and profound judgement, or of so expedite utterance of that I do know and judge as shallbe required, I shall not be able sufficiently to answer for the convincing, of the again sayer: and albeit I cannot explicita fide (as they call it) conceive all that is to be conceived, discuss all that is to be discussed, effectually express all that is to be expressed: Nevertheless, I do bind myself, as by humble simplicity, so by my fidem implicitam (as it is called) to wrap my belief in the credit thereof, that no authority of that Romish religion repugnant thereunto, shall by any means remove me from the same, A prisoner in the Lord L. Saunders ¶ To his wife and other of his friends after his condemnation to the fire and a little before his death. GRace in Christ, with the consolation of the holy ghost, to the keeping of faith and a good conscience, confirm and keep you for ever vessels to gods glory. Amen. Oh what worthy thanks can be given to our gracious god for his unmeasurable mercies plentifully powered upon us? And I most unworthy wretch cannot but at this present from the bottom of my heart power out the bewailing of my great ingratitude and unkindness towards so gracious a god and loving a lord. I beseech you all, as for my other many sins, so especially for this sin of mine unthankfulness against god, crave for me in your commending me unto god's mercy in Christ by your hearty prayers, pardon and forgiveness. To stand to number these mercies in particulars, were to number the drops of the sea, the sand on the shore, & the stars in the sky. Oh my dear wife and ye the rest of my friends that love me in the lord, rejoice, rejoice with me, rejoice (I say) with thanksgiving for this my present promotion to be made worthy to magnify my god, not only in my life by my slow mouth & uncircumcised lips to hear testimony unto his truth, but also by my blood to seal the same to the glory of GOD and confirming of his church. And as yet, I testify unto you the comfort in my sweet christ doth drive from my fantasy the fear of death. But if my dear husband do for my trial leave me alone to myself, I know in what case I shall then be: but if for proof he do so, I am sure he will not be far from me. Though he stand behind the wall and hide himself (as Solomon saith in his mystical ballad) yet will he peep in by a crest to see how I do. Cant. 2. He is so tender hearted a joseph that though he speak roughly to his brethren and handle them hardly, yea and put his best beloved brother Benjamin in prison, yet can he not contain himself from weeping with us and upon us, with clipping us about the neck and kissing us: such a brother is our Christ unto us all. Wherefore hasten to go unto him as jacob did and his sons and family, leaving their own country and acquaintance. Yea this joseph of ours hath obtained for us his brethren, that Pharaoh the infidel shall minister unto us charetres wherein to be carried to come unto him: as we have experience how our very adversaries help us unto our everlasting bliss by their speedy dispatch, yea how all things have been holpynges unto us blessed be our God. And be not afraid of fray bugs by the way: fear rather the everlasting fire, fear the serpent that hath a sting, and that is this bodily death to them which are not graffed in Christ, being without faith and a good conscience, and so not acquainted with Christ the killer of death. But (O my dear friends and brethren) we we, whom God hath delivered from the power of darkness and hath translated in to the kingdom of his dear son by putting of the old man and by faith putting on the new, even our Lord jesus Christ, his wisdom, holiness, righteousness and redemption: we I say have to triumph against that terrible & spiteful serpent the devil, sin, death, hell, & damnation, for Christ our brazen serpent hath pulled away the sting thereof, 1 Cor. 15 so that now we may boldly in beholding the serpent this bodily death spoiled of her sting, triumph and with our Christ & all his elett say, O death where is thy sting? O hell where where is thy victory? thanks be unto god who hath given us the victory through our Lord jesus Christ. Wherefore be merry my dear friends and brethren, always remember the Lord my fellow heirs of the everlasting kingdom: rejoice in hope, be patiented in tribulation, continue in prayer, and for us pray now already appointed to the slaughter, that we may be unto our heavenly father a fat of ●ring & an accepted sacrifice. I may hardly write unto you, To this his flock he Wrote also a fruitful lette● exhorting and charging them to beware of the Romish religion, which is not yet come to light wherefore let these few words be a witness of commendations to you & all them which love us in the faith, and namely unto my flock, amongs whom I am now resident by gods providence, but as a prisoner. And although I am not amongs them as I have been to preach to them out of a pulpit, yet doth god now preach unto them by me & by this mine imprisomment & captivity which now I suffer amongs them for Christ's gospels sake bidding them to beware of the Romish Antichristian religion and kingdom, requiring and charging them to abide in the truth of Christ, which is shortly to be sealed with the blood of their pastor, who though he be unworthy of such a ministry, yet Christ their high pastor is to be regarded, whose truth hath been taught them by me, is witnessed by my chains, and by his power shallbe by my death also. Be not careful good wife, cast your care on the Lord and commend me unto him in repentant prayer, as I do you and our Samuel, whom even at the stake I will offer, as myself unto God. Far ye well all in Christ, in hope to be joined with you in joy everlasting. This hope is laid up in my bosom, Amen, Amen. pray, pray. Out of the Counter in Breadstreate L. Saunders To his Wife and other of his friends. GRace and comfort in Christ, Amen. Dear wife be merry in the mercies of our Christ, & ye also my dear friends. Pray, pray for us every body. We be shortly to be dispatched hence unto our good Christ, Amen, Amen. wife I would you sent me my shirt which you know whereunto it is consecrated. Let it be sowed down on both the sides and not open. Oh my heavenly father look upon me in the face of thy Christ, or else I shall not be able to abide thy countenance, such is my filthiness. He will do so, and therefore I will not be afraid what sin, death, hell, and damnation can do against me. O wife always remember the Lord. God bless you, yea he will bless thee good wife and thy poor boy also: only cleave thou unto him and he will give thee all things. Pray, pray, pray. ¶ To master Robert Glover and john Glover two worthy brethren, as in the flesh, so in the Lord, the one afterward a Martyr, the other a faithful confessor. MY dearly beloved and mine own hearts in the lord. M. glovers, with all yours and the rest which with you unfeignedly fear god & comfort yourselves in his swear Christ: I beseech you be thankful unto that merciful Lord always for his unspeakable goodness & among other, for me his most unworthy minister. I thank my God Christ, I was never better acquainted with him in all my life, and I perceive he is no less loving then his word warranteth him to be. Be thankful I say, and pray, pray: multum valet deprecatio justi. I was at this present much occupied, else I would have enlarged in some matter needful etc. The devil roareth because he can not have his foul will he must be at length (I ween) eased by the blood of God's Saints, and yet that shall be his bane be he sure, and that shortly by god's goodness. Be merry & fear not little flock, saith our sweet comforter, Luki. 12. for it pleaseth your father to provide a kingdom for you. Etiam Amen. Veni domine jesu veni cito. The heavenly blessing of god be with you all. In the Marshalse. 28. Octob. 1553. A prisoner of the Lord, the lords name be blessed forever, Laurence Saunders. a other letter to. M. glovers, written the same morning that he was burnt. GRace and consolation in our sweet saviour Christ. Oh my dear brethren whom I love in the Lord, being loved of you also in the Lord, be merry and rejoice for me now ready to go up to that mine inheritance, which I myself in deed am most unworthy of, but my dear Christ is worthy, who hath purchased the same for me with so dear a price. Make haste my dear brethren to come unto me that we may be merry, eo gaudio quod nemo tollet a nobis. Oh wretched sinner that I am, not thankful unto this my Father, who hath vouched me worthy to be a vessel unto his honour. But O Lord, now accept my thanks, though they proceed out of a not enough circumcised heart. Salute my good sisters your wives: and good sisters fear the Lord. Salute all other that love us in the truth. God's blessing be with you always. Amen. Even now towards the offering of a burnt sacrifice. Oh my Christ help or else I perish. Laurence Saunders. A letter written to a certain backeslyder from the truth of God's word, which he had both professed and taught: the which, because it is thought of some, albeit not certainly known, to be written by. M. Saunders, we have here annexed unto his letters. IN mine own name and in the name of many other your old familiars and acquaintance, I do write unto you in heaviness of heart, for that we have heard of your fall. Oh how much better had it been for you never to have set your hand to the plough then negligently to look back, yea and foolishly to follow that plough that tilleth not gods field, but turneth up the roots of that seed which in times past you yourself have sown. Alas how foolish a builder were you that would enterprise to build upon the rock Christ, seeing in yourself not only the lack of those things which be required to the finishing of that work, but also the lack of a will to have them, as appeareth by that that you go about to overthrow that little which you seemed to have mightily builded upon that rock. How foolish a virgin have you declared yourself to be which have gone forth to meet the bridegroom and tarried so long for his coming not having oil in store, Math. 25. but are now driven when you hear the voice of the forerunner, to seek at them that sell? You bancketed with the children of the bridegroom so long as he was with us, but now he is gone, you leave us alone to fast. You were contented to be fed at Christ's hand with five thousand, but when he willeth you not to seek the meat that perisheth, you depart. The children of Israel were much to be blamed, for that they desired to be in Egypt again, and yet was their lack and labour then more in desert than yours in London. Alas wretched man what hath caused thee thus to cast away thyself once knowing the truth, and to take in hand to be a minister in Antichristes' Church? Art thou so soon weary of the heavenly Manna and so ready to return to thy old vomit again? we thought thou hadst been so clean escaped through the word of grace, that thou hadst been a worthy man, to be a comfort to them that stand, a succour to the weak, and an help to them that fall: and art thou now rolled in thy filthy puddle again, and art become an helper to put other into the same? Oh more than damnable doings, the forgiveness whereof far passeth the hope of man. And were it not that things impossible to man are possible with God, we should utterly despair of thy return. But knowing that with God there is no impossibility, we will not only advertise thee to remember from whence thou art fallen, that thou mayest seek to rise again, but we will also pray that he to whom thy return is possible, will vouchsafe of his infinite mercies to work it in thee. Thou haste with judas sold thy most loving and gentle Master: repent thee Peter and no doubt thou shalt find mercy. To fall is a thing annexed to the corrupt nature of man, but to lie still in the filthy puddle of perdition, is to despise God the author and first maker of nature. To fall into the darkness of error is a point of man's ignorance: but to walk on still in darkness, is to love darkness more than light. To wink at the brightness of the Sun, is a weakness of the eyes, but to fly the light is to be of the night. To leave the rough way that leadeth unto life, and walk in the pleasant way that leadeth unto perdition, is to love this life: but not to leave the way when we are warned, is to despise the life to come. Briefly to leave the good things undone that god commandeth, and to do that evil which he forbiddeth, is to deserve everlasting damnation at his hand that rewardeth every man according to his works: but not to repent of that evil when God calleth by his means, is to kindle the wrath of God against the impenitent and obstinate sinner. least you therefore should be found a despiser of God the author of nature, a lover of darkness more than light, not of the day but altogether of the night, a lover of this life and an hater of the life to come, & finally such a one as would kindle the wrath of God against you: repent and come again to Christ. Remember what joy there is in heaven among the Angels at the conversion of a sinner. Forget not thy merciful spouse which would not cast of the adulterous Israel when she had committed whoredom with stocks & stones notwithstanding that he had purged her from her filth & married her to himself. Be mindful of that loving Lord, which hath said, I will not the death of a sinner, but rather that he convert and live, Ezechi. 18. and in what day so ever the sinner doth repent him of his sin from the bottom of his heart, I will remember his iniquity no more. No weariness should discourage us to bear the Lords armour or to fight under his banner, nor lack cause us to shrink from him. What should separate us from the love of this Lord? What should make us to fly from this our captain? Should the weariness of an arm? should the lack of such things as the fantasy would have? Better it were for us to enter into life with weary arms and thin cheeks, then with lovely countenances and lusty limbs to be cast into hell fire. Make not provision for the flesh with the loss of your soul. Believe him that hath promised all things necessary to them that seek the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof. He hath not at any time deceived you: why then should you seek such shameful shifts to make provision for the flesh? Have not you yourself had experience of the care that he taketh for them that put their trust in him? And now why are you fallen from him for the bellies sake? This have I written to call you back again, if you be not clean gone out of the way, but and if you be so given over to error that you think light to be darkness and darkness to be light, good to be evil and evil to be good, Christ to be belial and belial to be Christ, the temple of God to be the synagogue of Satan, and the synagogue of Satan to be the temple of God: then have I nothing to say unto you, but the Lord confound both you and all such. But with God's grace we trust to hear better of you. The .20. of Septemb. 1555. A letter sent to Master Farrer B. of S. David's. Doctor tailor. M. Bradford, and M. Philpot: which, albeit it was written before his condemnation, we thought good here to place as it came unto our hands. GRace mercy and peace in jesus Christ our Lord etc. Good Fathers & dear brethren, be thankful unto our most gracious God, which hath preserved us, and shall (I doubt not) from blaspheming his blessed name: yea not only that, but also, ex ore infantium & lactentium perficiet laudem etc. They offer us (on God's name) our liberty and pardon, so that we will rise with them unto that faith which we with them were fallen from. Yea or no, must be answered in haste. They will not admit any needful circumstances, but all (as heretofore) most detestable and abominable. Rise with them we must unto the unity. A pardon (say I) of me must not be so dearly purchased. A pardon I desire, for to live with an unclogged conscience. The Donatists say they, sought for such singularity, but they were not meet to live in a common wealth, no more be you, as you shall shortly understand. Wherefore away with him, yea the time was named with in this seven night. There be .12. hours in the day. john. 1● Death shall be welcome (say I) as being looked for long since, and yet do justice ye were best, for Abel's blood cried you wot what. The spirit of God be upon you and God save your honours. Thus departed I from them. Pray pray. Ah, Ah, Puer sum, nescio loqui. My brother P. shall show you more herein. By him send me word what you have done. Far ye well and pray pray. I would gladly meet with my good brother Bradford on the back side about a xi of the clock. Before that time I can not start out, we have such out walkers, but then will they be at dinner. Yours as you know, Laurence Saunders. another letter written also before his condemnation to Mistress Harrington: which, as it is here last in order, coming last unto our hands, so it seemeth to be the first he wrote unto her. GRace, mercy, and peace in jesus Christ, Amen. Such is the knot wherewith true Christians are compact and joined together as members in the mystical body of Christ, that no man can express the commodities so well as they which thereof have experience, and yet neither can they by words be able to utter that which therein the conscience conceiveth, passing (in deed) all understanding. And hereof can I unworthy wretch somewhat speak of experience, for that by exercise of the inward man and practise of conscience, I have some acquaintance with my good God and his sweet Christ, and namely now in this my present estate it pleaseth that merciful Lord to give me some taste of his mercies by the assurance and the sealing up of his gracious promises in my conscience by his holy spirit, whereby I do feel the incomparable benefit of his heavenly blessing powered upon us his chosen congregation. 2. Timot. 1. john. 15 We be called in Christ with an holy vocation: we be graffed in him as branches in that so heavenly a vine: we be knit unto him as the sundry members of that body whereof he only is the head, in whom all the body is coupled together in every joint, Ephes. 4. wherewith one ministereth unto another according to the operation, as every part hath his measure, and increaseth the body unto the edifying of itself in love, and we be handfasted unto him as the spiritual spouse of so heavenly an husband, Ephe. 5. even flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bone: so that to the faithful believer what can be lacking unto perfect felicity in such a communion and precious partaking with Christ in all heavenly treasures? For from him we may fetch abundant fullness to supply our extreme emptiness: we be quick in him as lively branches in the vinestocke: We be made alive unto god in him, as members of the body do live by the head, and we be by faith in him accepted as his dear spouse, and in this matrimonial bond and covenant he hath made with us a most happy exchange. He hath taken unto him what we brought, and giveth us all that is his be it never so precious: so entirely he loved us. Thus be we made rich in him, as many as thus know him and thus do believe him to be ours. And blessed be that heavenly father who hath hid these things from the wise and prudent, Luke. 10. and hath revealed the same unto his choose little ones, Phillip. 3. who with holy Paul do count all things but loss, and do judge them but dung for the excellent knowledge of Christ jesus the Lord, to win him and to be found in him not having righteousness of themselves, but the righteousness which cometh of God through faith in Christ, in knowing him and the virtue of his resurrection and the fellowship of his passions, to be conformable unto his death whereby to attain the resurrection from death. This, this, is that treasure hid in the field, whereof is spoken Math. 13. Math. 13. the which a man findeth and hideth and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth that field. This is that precious pearl etc. Now even as the conceiving of this communion & fellowship which we have with Christ, bringeth such peace as passeth all understanding: so (as I said) the Christian knitting of faithful believers in this Christ's mystical body, is unto the understanders a joyful joining and enjoying, and a profitable fruition one of an other: as in the body one member thereof ministereth unto an other, thereby taking comfort one in an other, Ephe. 4. whereof Saint Paul most lively and comfortably speaketh in the .4 Chapter to the Ephes. which words be above mentioned. The bond of this compacting and knitting of us together, is love. For even as our head Christ by his unmeasurable mercy and unspeakable love towards us doth assure himself unto us to be one with us, we being in him and he in us: so this love is by his spirit powered into our hearts, whereby we be taught, that the faithful believers as they are in number many, so are they in Christ many members making be but one body. And hereof ensueth the careful compassion & cheerful rejoicing of one for an other, as occasion requireth. Hereof proceedeth not only a thankfulness unto God for his graces received, but also a continual perseverance in praying one for an other, thereby to purchase the mutual partaking of his manifold blessings needful for us. And finally hereby is wrought in us a lively feeling of a spiritual welfare, even as in the body one member is the better forth welfare of the other: and thus much hereof. Which as I do not amplify as an idle speculation without some practise of the same: so must I confess that I am far from that feeling which I ought & also would have thereof. Notwithstanding I yield most humble thanks unto my God, who hath practised me in some comfortable unfeigned experience of the same, and as I somewhat have felt, so I somewhat have spoken. And yet the rather do I rejoice to enlarge herein unto you (my dear Christian friend good Mistress Harrington) for that I do well know, 2. Cor. 4. that you have drunk of the holy spirit with other, unto whom the knowledge hereof seemeth not foolishness (as it doth unto worlynges) but is in deed, the wisdom of God, and the high power of God to save all them that believe it. And for because I do esteem you as one of the members belonging unto that mystical body, I do with no small comfort many times remember you, giving god thanks for you, and daily do I by name remember you in my prayers, yea and also your family, that you may in the fear of god consider your great charge, and that the rather by your abiding in the true reverend fear of God, they whom you have charge of, may be virtuously transformed into the same, Amen, Amen. I doubt not but that you have learned the losson of. s. Paul unto his Timothy: 1. Timot. 1. have faith and a good conscience, the which while some have put from them, they have made shipwreck of their faith. I know I shall not need to bid you fly from Idolatry, yea that most detestable idol of the mass. The Lord minister unto you right understanding in all things, & pray, pray, & for me also, for I know I both have & shall far the better for your prayer. I can tell you by expeerience that our Christ is even that sweet saviour that we have taken him to be, and he will be the helper at an extreme pinch. Oh how sweet is he unto them that will be the simple sheep of his pasture? They can say with the faith of David: Psa. 23. the lord is my shepherd, and I shall lack nothing. etc. I can be merry in him I thank him therefore, and I thank you for your remembrance of me, whereof I understand by your letters unto master james Haddon. I would not refuse the blessing of your benevolence, in ministering unto my necessity, if my case so required: but I thank god I am not as yet in any need, therefore be not you therein careful. And for this time no more but pray pray, and I pray that good god, even our own god to keep you always, Amen. In hast the 21. of November .1553. a prisoner in in the Lord. Yours as you know L. Saunders. ¶ Certain godly verses not here to be omitted, which he wrote to his prison fellows of the Marshalsee. THe grace of God declared is in Christ his son most dear, And teacheth us in holiness, to live in his true fear. Whoso then in that heavenly birth, a child is rightly borne, His fathers will he followeth, and thereunto is sworn. Children of love their fathers will do lovingly embrace, Servants of fear their masters will to do, do somewhat pass. To children and to servants both the rod doth oft times reach The children and the servants both, the rod doth penance teach. All ye therefore which here remain in strait captivity. Be servants unto righteousness, from sin be lose and free. Be mindful of all duty due unto the Lord above, Be thankful for his benefits, the pledges of his love. Consider with yourselves (I say) to sanctify the Lord, In every place continually by thought, deed, and by word. L. Saunders. ❧ Letters of that hearty and zealous man of God Master john Philpot Archdeacon of Winchester: who, besides the great tyranny and torments which he suffered in Boners blind coalhouse, and other his painful imprisonments, was also most cruelly martyred for the testimony of the Lord jesus. The .18. day of December in the year of our Lord .1557. ¶ A letter which he sent to the Christian congregation, exhorting them to refrain themselves from the Idolatrous service of the papists, and to serve god with a pure and undefiled conscience after his word. IT is a lamentable thing to behold at this present in England, the faithless departing both of men and women from the true knowledge and use of Christ's sincere religion, which so plentifully they have been taught & do know, their own consciences bearing witness to the verity thereof. Hebr. 6. If that earth be cursed of god, which eftsoves receiving moisture and pleasant dews from heaven, doth not bring forth fruit accordingly, how much more grievous judgement shall such persons receive, which having received from the father of heaven the perfect knowledge of his word by the ministry thereof, do not show forth gods worship after the same: If the lord will require in the day of judgement a godly usury of all manner of talents which he dareth unto men and women, Math. 25. how much more will he require the same of his pure religion revealed unto us (which is of all other talents the chiefest and most pertaining to our exercise in this life) if we hid the same in a napkin and set it not forth to the usury of god's glory, and edifying of his church by true confession? God hath kindled the bright light of his gospel, which in times paste was suppressed and hid under the vile ashes of man's traditions, and hath caused the brightness thereof to shine in our hearts, to th'end that the same might shine before men to the honour of his name. It is not only given us to believe, Math 5. Rom. x Math. 12. Luke. 12. Math. 7 but also to confess and declare what we believe, in our outward conversation. For as S. Paul writeth to the Romans, the belief of the heart justfieth, & to knowledge with the mouth maketh a man safe. It is all one before god not to believe at all, and not to show forth the lively works of our belief. For Christ saith, either make the tree good and his fruits good, or else make the tree evil and the fruits evil, because a good tree bringeth forth good fruits: so that the person which knoweth his masters will and doth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes. And not all they which say lord lord, shall enter into the kingdom of God, but he that doth the will of the father. Luke. 9 And whosoever in the time of trial is ashamed of me (saith Christ) and of my words, of him the son of man will be ashamed before his father. After that we have built ourselves in to the true church of god, it hath pleased him by giving us over into the hands of the wicked synagogues to prove our building, Math. 7. & to have it known aswell to the world as to ourselves, that we have been wise builders into the true church of god upon the rock, and not on the sand, and therefore now the tempest is risen and the storms do mightily blow against us, that we might notwithstanding stand upright and be firm in the Lord, to his honour and glory and to our eternal felicity. There is no new thing happened unto us, for with such tempests and dangerous weathers the church of GOD hath continually been exercised. Now once again as the Prophet Aggey telleth us, the Lord shaketh the earth, Aggeus. 2. that those might abide for ever which be not overthrown. Therefore my dearly beloved be stable and immovable in the word of god, and in the faithful observation thereof, and let no man deceive you with vain words saying, that you may keep your faith to yourselves, and dissemble with antichrist, and so live at rest & quietness in the world, as most men do, yielding to necessity. This is the wisdom of the flesh, Rom. 8 1 Cor. 6. Math. 16. but the wisdom of the flesh is death and enmity to god, as our saviour for ensample aptly did declare in Peter, who exhorted christ not to go to jerusalem to celebrate the passover and there to be slain, but counseled him to look better to himself. Likewise the world would not have us to forsake him, neither to associate ourselves to the true church, which is the body of Christ, whereof we are lively members, and to use the sacraments after gods word, with the danger of our lives. But we must learn to answer the world as Christ did Peter and say: go behind me Satan, thou savourest not the things of god. Heb. 11. Psa. 116. Shall I not drink of the cup which the father giveth me? For it is better to be afflicted & to be slain in the church of god, then to be counted the son of the king in the synagogue of false religion. Death for righteousness is not to be abhorred but rather to be desired, which assuredly bringeth with it the crown of everlasting glory. These bloody executioners do not persecute Christ's Martyrs, but crown them with everlasting felicity. We were borne into this world to be witnesses unto the truth, both learned & unlearned. Now since the time is come that we must show our faith, & declare whether we will be gods servants in righteousness and holiness, as we have been taught and are bound to follow, or else with hypocrisy serve unrighteousness: let us take good heed that we be found faithful in the lords covenant and true members of his church, in the which through knowledge we are engraffed, from the which if we fall by transgression with the comen sort of people, it will more straightly be required of us than many yet do make account thereof. We cannot serve two masters. Luke. 18. 3. Reg. 18 Apoc. 3. we may not halt on both sides, and think to please god: we must be fervent in gods cause, or else he will cast us out from him. For by the first commandment we are commanded to love God with all our heart, with all our mind, with all our power and strength: but they are manifest transgressors of this commandment, which with their heart, mind, or bodily power do communicate with a strange religion contrary to the word of god in the papistical synagogue, which calleth itself the church and is not. As greatly do they offend god now which so do, as the Israelites did in times passed by forsaking jerusalem the true church of God, 3. Reg 13. and by going to bethel to serve God in a congregation of their own setting up and after their own imaginations and traditions, for the which doing god utterly destroyed all Israel, as all the prophets almost do testify. This happened unto them for our ensample, that we might beware to have any fellowship with any like congregation to our destruction. God hath one catholic church dispersed throughout the world, and therefore we are taught in our creed to believe one catholic church, and to have communion therewith, which catholic church is grounded upon the foundation of the prophets and of the apostles and upon none other, as S. Paul witnesseth to the Ephesians. Ephe. 2. Therefore where so ever we perceive any people to worship god truly after that word, there we may be certain the church of christ to be, unto the which we ought to associate ourselves, and to desire with the Prophet david, Psal. 2. to praise god in the midst of this church. But if we behold through the iniquity of time, segregations to be made with counterfeit religion, otherwise then the word of god doth teach, we ought than if we be required, to be companions thereof, Psal. 26 Apoc. 2 to say again with david I have hated the synagogue of the malignant and will not sit with the wicked. In the apocalypse the church of Ephesus is highly commended, because she tried such as said they were apostles and were not in deed, and therefore would not abide the company of them. Further, god commanded his people that they should not seek bethel, neither enter into Balgala where idolatry was used, by the mouth of his prophet Amos. Also we must conside, Amos. 5 1. Cor. 3. that our bodies be the temple of god, and whosoever (as S. Paul teacheth) doth profane the temple of God, him the Lord will destroy: may we than take the temple of Christ and make it the member of an herlotte? All strange religion and idolatry is counted whoredom with the prophets, and that more detestable in the sight of God, them the adulterous abuse of the body. Therefore the princes of the earth in the revelation of saint john, Apo. 17 be said to go a whoring when they are in lone with false religion & follow the same. How then by any means may a christian man think it tolerable to be present at the popish private mass, which is the very profanation of the sacrament of the body & blood of Christ, and at other Idolatrous worshiypynges & rites, which be not after the word of god, but rather the derogation thereof, in setting man's traditions above gods precepts, since god by his word judgeth all strange religion, which is not according to his institution, for whoredom and adultery? Some fondly think that the presence of the body is not material, so that the heart do not consent to their wicked doings. But such persons little consider what S. Paul writeth to the Corinthians, 1. Cor. 6. commanding them to glorify God as well in body as in soul. Moreover we can do no greater injury to the true church of Christ, then to seem to have forsaken her or disallow her by cleaning to her adversary, whereby it appeareth to others which be weak, that we allow the same, and so contrary to the word, do give a greet offence to the church of God, and do outwardly slander (as much as men may) the truth of Christ. But woe be unto him by whom any such offence cometh. Better it were for him to have a millstone tied about his neck and to be cast into the bottom of the sea. Such be traitors to the truth like unto judas, who with a kiss betrayed Christ. Our God is a jealous god, and cannot be content that we should be of any other body then of that unspotted church whereof he is the head only, and wherein he hath planted us by baptism. This jealousy which god hath towards us, will cry for vengeance in the day of vengeance, against all such as now have so large consciences to do that which is contrary to god's glory & the sincerity of his word, except they do in time repent and cleave unseparably to the gospel of Christ, Mar. 8. how much soever at this present both men and women otherwise in their own corrupt judgement, do flatter themselves. God willeth us to judge uprightly, & to allow and follow that which is holy and acceptoble in his sight, and to abstain from all manner of evil, and therefore Christ commandeth us in the gospel to beware of the leaven of the Phariseis which is hypocrisy. Heb. 10 S. Paul to the Hebrews saith, that if any person withdraw himself from faith, he shall not be approved in his judgement, and therefore he saith also, that we are none such as do withdraw ourselves unto perdition, but we belong unto faith for the attaynement of life. Apoc. 13 S. john in the Apocalypse telleth us plainly that none of those who are written in the book of life, do receive the mark of the beast, Ephe. 5. phil. 2 which is of the papystical synagogue, either in their foreheads or else in their hands, that is apparently or obediently. S. Paul to the Philippians affirmeth that we may not have any fellowship with the works of darkness, but in the midst of this wicked and froward generation, 2. Cor. 6. we ought to shine like lights up holding the word of truth. Further he saith that we may not touch any unclean thing, which signifieth, that our outward conversation in foreign things, ought to be pure & undefiled as well as the inward, that with a clean spirit and rectified body, we might serve god justly in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. Apoc. 18 finally in the 18. of the apocalypse god biddeth us plainly to departed from this babylon synagogue, Thess. 3 and not to be partakers of her trespass. S. Paul to the Thessalonians commandeth us in the name of the Lord jesus Christ, to withdraw ourselves from every brother that walketh inordinately & not according to the institution which he hath received of him. Ponder therefore well good brethren and sisters these Scriptures which be written for your erudition and reformation, whereof one jot is not written in vain, which be utterly against all counterfeit collusion to be used of us with the papists in their fantastical religion, and be adversaries to all them that have so light consciences in so doing, and if they do not agree with this adversary (I mean the word of God) which is contrary to their attempts, Math. 5 he will as it is signified in the gospel, deliver them to the judge which is Christ, and the judge will deliver them to the executioner, that is the devil, and the devil shall commit them to the horrible prison of hell fire, Math. 24. where is the portion of all hypocrites with sulphur & brimstone, with wailing & gnashing of teeth world without end. But yet many will say for their vain excuse, god is merciful & his mercy is over al. But The scripture teacheth us, that cursed is he that sinneth upon hope of forgiveness. Truth it is, that the mercy of God is above all his works, and yet but upon such as fear him, for so is it written in the psalms: Psa. 102.146. the mercy of GOD is on them that fear him, and on such as put their trust in him. Where we may learn that they only put their trust in god that fear him, and to fear god, is to turn from evil and to do that is good. So that such as do look to be partakers of gods mercy, may not abide in that which is known to be manifest evil and detestable in the sight of god. another sort of persons do make them a cloak for the rain under the pretence of obedience to the magistrates, whom we ought to obey although they be wicked. But such must learn of Christ to give to Cesar that is Caesar's, and to god that is due to god, Luke. 20. 1. Peter. 2. and with S. Peter to obey the higher powers in the Lord albeit they be evil, if they command nothing contrary to god's word, otherwise we ought not to obey their commandments although we should suffer death therefore: as we have the apostles for our example herein to follow, who answered the magistrates as we ought to do in this case, not obeying their wicked precepts, saying: judge you whether it be more righteous that we should obey men rather then God. Acts. 4. Daniel. 6. Math. 15 Also Daniel chose rather to be cast into the den of Lions to be devoured, them to obey the kings wicked commandments. If the blind lead the blind, both fall into the ditch. There is no excuse for the transgression of god's word, whether a man do it voluntarily or at commandment, although great damnation is to them, by whom the offence cometh. Some other there be that for an extreme refuge in their evil doings, do run to god's predestination and election, saying: that if I be elected of god to salvation, I shallbe saved whatsoever I do. But such be great temptours of God and abominable blasphemers of gods holy election, and cast themselves down from the pinnacle of the temple in presumption, that god may preserve them by his angels through predestination. Such verily may reckon themselves to be none of gods elect children, that will do evil that good may ensue, whose damnation is just as S, Paul faith. God's predestination and election ought to be with a simple eye considered, Rom. 3. to make us more warily to walk in good and godly conversation according to God's word, and not to set cock in the hoop and put all on Gods back to do wickedly at large, for the elect children of God must walk in righteousness and holiness after that they be once called to true knowledge: for so sayeth saint Paul to the Ephesians, Ephe. 1. that God hath chosen us before the foundations of the world were laid that we should be holy and blameless in his sight. 2. Peter. 1. Therefore Saint Peter willeth us through good works to make our vocation and election certain to ourselves, which we know not but by the good working of God's spirit in us, according to the rule of the Gospel, and he that transformeth not himself to the same in Godly conversation, may justly tremble and doubt that he is none of the elect children of God, but of the viperous generation, & a child of darkness. For the children of light, will walk in the works of light and not of darkness: though they fall, Prove. ●4 john. 12 they do not lie still. Let all vain excusations be set a part, and whiles ye have light, as Christ commandeth, believe the light and abide in the same, john. 3. least eternal darkness overtake you unwares. The light is come into the world, but alas men love darkness more than the light. God give us his pure eyesalue to heal our blindness in this behalf. O that men and women would be healed, and not seek to be wilfully blinded. The Lord open their eyes, Heb. 6.10. that they may see how dangerous a thing it is to decline from the knowledge of truth contrary to their conscience. But what said I conscience? many affirm their conscience will bear them well enough to do all that they do, and to go to the Idolatrous Church to service, whose conscience is very large to satisfy man more than God. And although their conscience can bear them so to do, yet I am sure that a good conscience will not permit them so to do, which can not be good unless it be directed after the knowledge of God's word, and therefore in latin this feeling of mind is called Conscientia, which soundeth by interpretation, with knowledge. And therefore if our conscience be led of herself, and not after true knowledge, yet we are not so to be excused, as Saint Paul beareth witness saying, 1. Cor. 4. 1. Timon, 1. although my conscience accuseth me not, yet in this I am not justified. And he joineth a good conscience with these three sisters, charity, a pure heart, and unfeigned faith. Charity keepeth Gods commandments, a pure heart loveth and feareth God above all, and unfeigned faith is never ashamed of the profession of the Gospel, what soever damage she shall suffer in body thereby. The Lord which hath revealed his holy will unto us by his word, grant us never to be ashamed of it, and give us grace so earnestly to cleave to his holy word and true Church, that for no manner of worldly respect we become partakers of the works of hypocrisy, which God doth abhor, so that we may be found faithful in the Lords Testament to the end both in heart, word, and deed, to the glory of God, and our everlasting salvation, Amen. john Philpot prisoner in the kings Bench for the testimony of the truth. 1555. To his dear friend in the Lord john Careless prisoner in the king's Bench. MY dearly beloved brother Careless, I have received your loving letters full of love & compassion, in so much that they made my hard heart to weep, to see you so careful for one that hath been so unprofitable a member as I have been & am in Christ's Church. God make me worthy of that I am called unto, and I pray you cease not to pray for me, but cease to weep for him who hath not deserved such gentle tears, and praise God with me, for that I now approach to the company of them, whose want you may worthily lament: god give your pitiful heart his inward consolation. In deed my dear Careless, I am in this world in hell & in the shadow of death: but he that hath brought me for my deserts down unto hell, shall shortly lift me up to heaven, where I shall look continually for your coming and others my faithful brethren in the kings Bench. And though I tell you that I am in hell in the judgement of this world, yet assuredly I feel in the same, the consolation of heaven praise god. And this loathsome & horrible prison, is as pleasant to me as the walk in the garden of the king's Bench. You know brother Careless, that the way to heaven out of this life, is very narrow, & we must strive to enter in at a narrow gate. If God do mitigate the ouglenes of mine imprisonment, what will he do in the rage of the fire whereunto I am appointed? And this hath happened unto me that I might be hereafter an ensample of comfort, if the like happen unto you or to any other of my dear brethren with you in these cruel days, in the which the devil so rageth at the faithful flock of Christ, but in vain (I trust) against any of us, who be persuaded that neither life neither death is able to separate us from the love of Christ's Gospel, which is gods high treasure committed to our brittle vessels to glorify us by the same. God of his mercy make us faithful stewards to the end, & give us grace to fear nothing whatsoever in his good pleasure we shall suffer for the same. That I have not written unto you erst, the cause is our strait keeping & the want of light by night, for the day serveth us but a while in our dark closet. This is the first letter that I have written since I came to prison, besides the report of mine examinations, & I am feign to scribble it out in haste. Commend me to all our faithful brethren & bid them with a good courage look for their redemption and frame themselves to be hearty soldiers in Christ. They have taken his priest money a great while, & now let them show themselves ready to serve him faithfully & not to fly out of the lords camp into the world, as many do. Let them remember that in the apocalypse the fearful be excluded the kingdom. Let us be of good cheer for our lord overcame the world, that we should do the like. Blessed is the servant whom when the Lord cometh, he findeth watching. O let us watch and pray earnestly one for an other that we be not led into temptation. Be joyful under the cross & praise the Lord continually, for this is the whole sacrifice which the lord chief delighteth in. Commend me to my father Hunt & desire him to love & continue in the unity of Christ's true church which he hath begun, & then shall he make me more & more to joy under my cross with him. Tell my brother Clements that he hath comforted me much by his loving token in signification of an unfeigned unity with us: let him increase my joy unto the end perfectly. The Lord of peace be with you all. Salute all my loving friends, Master Mering, Master Crooth, with the rest, & specially Master Martial and his wife, with great thanks for his kindness showed unto me. Far well my dear Careless. I have dallied with the devil a while, but now I am over the shoes, God send me well out. Out of the coalhouse by your brother john Philpot. another letter written to john Careless out of the coalhouse of darkness, whereby he giveth light and heavenly comfort to his heavy and troubled mind. THe God of all comfort, and the father of our Lord jesus Christ, send unto thee my dear brother Careless the inward consolation of his holy spirit, in all the malicious assaults and troublous temptations of our common adversary the Devil, Amen. That god giveth you so contrite a heart for your sins, I can not but rejoice to behold the lively mark of the children of god, whose property is to think more lowly and vilely of themselves, then of any other, and often times do set their sins before them, that they might the more be stirred to bring forth the fruits of repentance, and learn to mourn in this world that in an other they might be glad and rejoice. Such a broken heart is a pleasant sacrifice unto God: O that I had the like contrite heart. God mollify my stony heart, which lamenteth not in such wise my former detestable iniquities. Praised be god that he hath given you this sorrowful heart in respect of righteousness, & I pray you let me be partaker of these Godly sorrows for sin, which be the testimony of the presence of the holy ghost. Did not the sword of sorrow pierce the heart of the elect and blessed mother of our Lord? Did not Peter weep bitterly for his sins which was so beloved of Christ? Did not Mary Magdalene was the feet of our Saviour with her tears, and received therewithal remission of her sevenfold sins? Be of good comfort therefore mine own dear heart, in this thy sorrow, for it is the earnest penny of eternal consolation. In thy sorrow laugh, for the spirit of God is with thee. Blessed be they (saith Christ) that mourn: Math. 15. Psa. 125. psal. 51 Luke. 7 for they shall be comforted. They went forth and wept, faith the Prophet: such shall come again having their gripes full of gladness. And although a sorrowful heart in consideration of his sin, be an acceptable sacrifice before God, whereby we are stirred up to more thankfulness unto God, knowing that much is forgiven us that we might love the more: yet the man of god must keep a measure in the same, least he be swallowed up by to much sorrow. saint Paul would not the Thessalonians to be sorry as other men which have no hope. Such a sorrow is not commendable, 1. Thess. 4. 2. Cor. 7. but worketh damnation, and is far from the children of God, who are continually sorrowful in god, when they look upon their own unworthiness with hope of forgiveness. For God to this end by his spirit setteth the sins of his elect still before them, that where they perceive sin to abound, Rom. 5. there they might be assured that grace shall superabound, & bringeth them down unto hell, that he might lift them up with greater joy unto heaven. Wherefore mine own bowels in Christ, as long as you are not void altogether of hope, be not dismayed through your pensive heart for your sins how huge so ever they have been, for God is able to forgive more than you are able to sin, yea, and he will forgive him which with hope is sorry for his sins. But know brother, that as oft as we do go about by the help of God's spirit, to do that is good, the evil spirit Satan layeth hard wait to turn the good unto evil, & goeth about to mix the detestable darnel of desperation with the godly sorrow of a pure penitent heart. You be not ignorant of his malicious subtlety, and how that continually he assaulteth that good which the grace of god planteth. I see the battle betwixt you & him, but the victory is yours, yea & that daily. For you have laid hold upon the anchor of salvation, which is hope in Christ, the which will not suffer you to be made ashamed. Be not discomforted that you have this conflict, but be glad that god hath given you the same to try your faith, & that you might appear daily worthy of the kingdom of God, for the which you strive. God beholdeth your striving faith against Satan, & is pleased with your mighty resistance. The spirit which is in you is myghtyer than all the adversaries power. Tempt he may, & lying await at your heels, give you a fall unwares: but overcome he shall not, yea he can not, for you are sealed up already with a lively faith to be the child of God for ever, and whom God hath once sealed for his own, him he never utterly forsaketh. The just falleth seven times, but he riseth again. It is man's frailty to fall, but it is the property of the devils child to lie still. This strife against sin is a sufficient testimony that you are the child of god, for if you were not you should feel no such malice as he now troubleth you withal. Luke. 11 When this strong Goliath hath the hold, all things be in peace which he posseseth, and because he hath you not, he will not suffer you unassaulted. But stand fast, and hold out the buckler of faith, and with the sword of gods promises smite him on the scalp that he may receive a deadly wound & never be able to stand against you any more. james. 4. S. james telleth you that he is but a coward, saying: resist the devil and he will fly away. It is the will of god that he should thus long tempt you and not go away as yet, or else he had done with you long ere this. He knoweth already that he shall receive the foil at your hands, and increase the crown of your glory, for he that overcometh shall be trowned. Therefore glory in your temptations since they shall turn to your felicity. Be not afraid of your continual assaults, Ezechi. 33. which be occasions of your daily victory. The word of god abideth for ever: in what hour soever a sinner repenteth him of his sins they be forgiven. Who can lay anything to the charge of gods elect? Do you not perceive the manifest tokens of your election? First your vocation to the gospel, & after your vocation the manifest gifts of the spirit of god given unto you above many other of your condition, with godliness which believeth and yieldeth to the authority of the scriptures, & is zealous for the same? you are gods own darling, who can hurt you? Be not of a deject mind for these temptations, neither make your unfeigned friends to be more sorrowful for you then need doth require. Since God hath willed you at your Baptism in Christ to be Carls, why do you make yourself careful? Cast all your care on him: set the Lord before your eyes always, for he is on your right side that you shall not be moved. Behold the goodness of god toward me. I am careless, being fast closed in a pair of stocks, which pinch me for very straightness, & will you be careful? I will not have the unseemly addition to your name. Be as your name pretendeth, for doubtless you have none other cause but so to be. Pray I beseech you that I may be still careless in my careful estate, as you have cause to be careless in your easier condition. Be thankful & put away all care, & then I shall be joyful in my straight present care. Commend me to all our brethren, & desire them to pray for me that I may overcome my temptations, for the devil rageth against me. I am put in the stocks in a place alone because I would not answer to such articles, as they would charge me with all in a corner at the bishop's appointment, & because I did not come to mass when the bishop sent for me. I will lie all the days of my life in the stocks (by gods grace) rather than I will consent to the wicked generation. Pray●e god & be joyful that it hath pleased him to make us worthy to suffer somewhat for his name's sake. The devil must rage's for ten days. Commend me to master Fokes & thank him for his law books, but law neither equity will take any place among these blood thirsty. I would for your sake their unjust dealing were noted unto the Parliament house, if it might avail. God shorten these evil days. I have answered the bishop meetly plain already, & I said to him if he will call me in open judgement, I will answer him as plainly as he will require: otherwise I have refused because I fear they will condemn me in. The peace of god be with you my dear brother. I can write no more for lack of light, & that I have written I can not read myself, & god knoweth it is written far uneasily: I pray god you may pytke out some understanding of my mind towards you. Written in a coalhouse of darkness out of a pair of painful stocks by thine own in Christ. john Philpot. A letter of john Careless written to Master Philpot, which we thought best here to place a part from his other letters hereafter following, because it is an answer to the former letter. A faithful friend is a strong defence, who so findeth such a one, findeth a treasure. A faithful friend hath no peer, the weight of gold and silver is not to be compared to the goodness of his faith. A faithful friend is a medicine of life, and they that fear the Lord shall find him. Ecclesiast. 6. THe Father of mercy and God of all consolation, comfort you with his eternal spirit (my most dear and faithful loving friend, good Master Philpot) as you have comforted me by the mighty operation of the same, the everlasting God be praised therefore for ever, Amen. Ah my dear heart, and most loving brother, if I should do nothing else day and night so long as the days of heaven do endure, but kneel on my knees and read psalms, I can never be able to render unto God condign thanks for his great mercy, fatherly kindness, & most loving compassion extended unto me most vile, sinful, wicked and unworthy wretch. Oh that the lord would open my mouth and give me a thankful heart, that from the bottom of the same might flow his continual praise. Oh that my sinful flesh (which is the cause of my sorrow) were clean separated from me, that I might sing psalms of thanksgiving unto the Lord's name for ever: that with good samuel's mother I might continually record this noble verse following, the which by good experience I have found most true, praised be my good god therefore. 1 Reg 2 The Lord (saith the good woman) killeth and maketh alive: he bringeth down to hell and fetcheth up again. Praised be that Lord for ever, yea, & praised be his name, for that he hath given me true experience and lively feeling of the same. Blessed be the lord god, whose mercy endureth for ever, which hath not dealt with me according to my deep deserts, nor destroyed me in his displeasure, when I had justly deserved it. Oh what reward shall I give again unto the Lord, for all the great benefits that he hath done for my soul? I will gladly receive the cup of salvation at his hand, and will worship his name with prayer and with praise. Ah my dear heart, yea most dear unto me in the lord, think not this sudden change in me to be some fickle phantasy of my foolish head (as in deed some other would surely suspect it to be) for doubtless it is the marvelous doing of the Lord, most merciful unto me his unworthy creature. God for his great mercy sake give me grace to be more than full unto him than I heretofore have been, and keep me that I never fall forth of his favour again. And now my dear brother & most blessed messenger of the lord, whose beautiful feet have brought much glad tidings unto my soul, what shall I do or say unto you in the least part, to recompense your fatherly affection and godly care that you continually keep for me. Oh that god would give me the spirit of fervent prayer that I might yet that way supply some little part of my duty toward you. Ah my true loving friend, how soon did you lay aside all other business to make a sweet plaster for my wounded conscience, yea and that out of a painful pair of stocks, which place must needs be uneasy to write in. But god hath brought you into a straight place, that you might set my soul at liberty. Out of your pinching & painful seat you have plentifully powered upon me your precious narde, the sweet savour whereof hath greatly refreshed my tired soul. The lord likewise refresh you both body and soul by pouring the oil of his gracious Spirit into yours sweet heart. Ah good jeremy, jeremy. 20 hath Phasure put thee in the stocks? Why now thou hast the right reward of a prophet. Thy glory never began to appear until now. I doubt not but shortly in stead of Ahikam the son of Saphan, jeremy. 26 jesus the son of the living god will come and deliver thee forth of the hands of all thine enemies, & will also make good against them & the Antichristian synagogue, all the words that thou hast spoken in his name. jeremy. 1. The lord hath made thee this day a strong defended Tower, a iron pillar and a brazen wall against the whole rabble of Antichrist, and though they fight against thee never so fiercely, jeremy. 15. yet shall they not overcome thee, for the Lord himself is with thee to help and deliver thee, and he will rid thee out of the hands of the wicked, & will deliver thee out of the hands of the tyrants. And in that you are not busy in casting pearls before swine, Math. 7 nor in giving holy things unto dogs, you are much to be commended in my simple judgement. And sure I am that your circumspect and modest behaviour hitherto hath been as much to god's glory & confusion of your enemies, as any man's doings that are gone before you. Wherefore mine advise & most earnest desire is, with all other of your loving friends, that you still keep that order with those bloodthursty bishops that you have begun. For though in conclusion they will surely have your blood: yet shall they come by it with shame enough, and to their perpetual infamy whiles the world doth endure. They would in deed condemn you in to darken gods glory if it might be: but Satan's thoughts are not unknown to you and the depth of his subtiliy is by you well foreseen. Therefore let them do whatsoever god shall suffer them to do, for I know all things shall turn to your best. Though you lie in the dark, storryed with the bishops black coal dust: yet shall you shortly be restored to the heavenly light, psal. 68 and made as white as snow in Salmon, and as the wings of a Dove that is covered with silver wings and her feathers like gold. You know the vessel, before it is made bright, is soiled with oil and other things that it may scour the better. Oh happy be you that you be now in the scouring house, for shortly you shall be set upon the celestial shelf as bright as angels. Therefore my dear heart, I will now according to your loving request, cast away all care, and rejoice with you and praise GOD for you and pray for you day and night. Yea I will now with God's grace, sing psalms of praise and thanksgiving with you, for now my soul is turned into her old rest again, and hath taken a sweet nap in Christ's lap. I have cast my care upon the Lord which careth for me, and will be Careless according to my name in that respect which you would have me. I will leave out my unseemly addition as long as I live, for it can take no place where true faith and hope is resident. So soon as I had read your most godly and comfortable letter, my sorrows vanished away as smoke in the wind, my spirit revived, and comfort came again whereby I am sure the spirit of god was author of it. Oh good master Philpot, which art a principal pot in deed, sylled with most precious liquor, as it appeareth by the prenceous pouring forth of the fame: oh pot most happy, of the high potter ordained to honour, which dost contain such heavenly treasure in thy earthen vessel: oh pot chryse happy, in whom Christ hath wrought a great miracle, altering thy nature and turning water into wine and that of the best, whereout the master of the feast hath filled my cup so full, that I am become drunken in joy of the spirit through the same: when martyrdom shall break thee (O vessel of honour) I know the fragraunce savour of thy precious narde will much rejoice the heavy hearts of Christ's true members, although the Indasses' will grudge & murmur at the same, yea and burst out into words of slander, saping: it is but lost and waste. Be not offended dear heart, at my Metaphorical speech, for I am disposed to be merry and with David to dance before the Ark of the Lord, and though you play upon a pair of Organs not very comely or easy to the flesh, yet the sweet sound that came from the same causeth me thus to do. O that I were with you in body, as presently I am in spirit, that I might sing all care away in Christ, for now the time of comfort is come. I hope to be with you shortly, if all things happen aright, for my old friends of coventry have put the Counsel in remembrance of me not six days ago, saying that I am more worthy to be burnt then any that was burned yet. God's blessing on their hearts for their good report, GOD make me worthy of that dignity and hasten the time that I might set forth his glory. Pray for me dear heart I beseech you and will all your company to do the same, and I will pray GOD for you all so long as I live. And now farewell in Christ thou blessed of gods own mouth, I will for a time take my leave, but not my last farewell. Blessed be the time that ever I came into the kings Bench to be joined in love and fellowship with such dear children of the lord. My good brother Bradford shall not be dead whiles you be alive, for verily the spirit of him doth teste on you in most ample wise. Your letters of comfort unto me in each point do agree, as though the one were a copy of the other. He hath planted in me, and you do water, the Lord give good increase. My dear brethren and fellow prisoners here, have them humbly and heartily commended unto you and your company, mourning for your misery, but yet rejoicing for your plenteous consolation and comfort in Christ. We are all cheerful and merry under our cross, and do lack no necessaries, praised be god for his providence, and great mercies towards us for evermore. Amen. john Careless ¶ To certain godly women forsaking their own country and going beyond the seas in the time of persecution, for the testimony of the Gospel. THe spirit of truth revealed unto you my dearly beloved, by the gospel of our saviour jesus Christ, be continually abiding with you, and augmented into a perfect building of you into the lively temple of God, through the mighty operation of his power, Amen. I read in the Evangelists of certain godly women that ministered unto Christ, following him in the days of his passion and never forsook him, but being dead in his grave, brought oil to anoint him, until that he had showed himself unto them after his resurrection, and hidden them show unto his disciples, which at his passion were dispersed, and tell them that he was risen, and that they should see him in Galilee. To whom I may justly compare you (my loving sisters in Christ) who of late have seen him suffer in his members, and have ministered to their necessity anointing them with the comfortable oil of your charitable assistance, even to the death: and now since ye have seen Christ to live in the ashes of them whom the tyrants have slain, he willeth you to go away upon just occasion offered you, & to declare to our dispersed brethren and sisters, that he is risen and liveth in his elect members in England, and by death doth overcome infidelity, and that they shall see him in Galilee, which is by forsaking this world, and by a faithful desire to pass out of this world by those ways which he with his holy martyrs hath gone on before. God therefore (entire sisters) direct your way, as he did Abraham and Tobias unto a strange land. God give you health both of body & soul, that ye may go from virtue to virtue, & grow from strength to strength, until ye may see face to face the god of Zion in his holy hill, with the innumerable company of his blessed Martyrs and Saints. Let there be continual ascensions unto heaven in your hearts. Let there be no decrease of any virtue, which is already planted in you. Be as the light of the just, such as Solomon saith increaseth to the perfect day of the Lord. Let the strength of god be commended in your weak vessels, as it is. Be examples of faith and sobriety to all that ye shall come in company withal. Let your godly conversation speak where your tongue may not in the congregation. Be swift to hear and slow to speak after the counsel of S. james. Be not curious about other men's doings but be occupied in prayer and continual meditation, with reverent talking of the word of God without contention amongst the saints. Let your faith shine in a strange country, as it hath done in your own, that your father which is in heaven may be glorified by you to the end, This farewell I send you, not as a thing needful, which know already what your duty is, and be desirous to perform the same, but as one that would have you understand that he is mindful of your godly conversation, whereof he hath had good experience, and therefore writeth this to be as a perpetual memorial betwixt you and him until our meeting together before god, where we shall joy that we have here lovingly put one another in memory of our duty to perform it. Farewell again mine own bowels in christ, and take me with you wheresoever you go, and leave yourselves with me, that in spirit we may be present one with another. Commend me to the whole congregation of christ, willing them not to leave their country without witness of the Gospel, after that we all be slain, which already be stauled up and appointed to the slaughter, and in the mean season to pray earnestly for our constancy, that Christ may be glorified in us and in them both by life and death. Farewell in the Lord. Yours for ever, john Philpot. ¶ An exhortation to a Sister of his, constantly and cheerfully to stick to the truth, and to abide the trial of that doctrine which she had fruitefullye professed. GOd the eternal father, who hath justified you by the blood of his son jesus Christ, and calleth you to hallow his name thorough a good conversation and profession of life, he sanctify you with daily increase of virtue and faith by his holy spirit, that you may appear a vessel of sanctification in the midst of this wicked and perverse generation, to the land and praise of the Gospel, Amen. I have occasion (mine own dear sister) to praise God in you for two causes: the one, that to your ability you are ready to show yourself a natural loving sister unto me your poor afflicted brother, as by your gentle tokens you have eftsoons testified being absent, as also presently visiting me: which well declareth that you be a very natural sister in deed, and to be praised in this behalf. But in the other, that you be also a sister to me in faith after Christ's gospel, I am occasioned to thank god so much the more, how much the one excelleth the other, and the spiritual consanguinity is more perdurable than that which is of flesh and blood, and is a worker of that which is by nature, for commonly such as be ungodly be unnatural and only lovers of themselves, as daily experience teacheth us. The living lord, which through the incorruptible seed of his word hath begotten you to be my liege sister, give you grace so to grow in that generation, that you may increase to a perperfecte age in the lord to be my sister with Christ for ever. Look therefore that you continue a faithful sister as you are called and are godly entered, not only to me but to all the church of Christ, yea to Christ himself, who voucheth you in this your unfeigned faith, worthy to be his sister. Consider this dignity to surmount all the vain dignity of the world, and let it accordingly prevail more with you, than all earthily delights, for thereby you are called to an equal portion of the everlasting inheritance of Christ, if now in no wife you do show yourself an unnatural sister to him in forsaking him in trouble, which I trust you will never for no kind of worldly respect do. You are under dangerous temptations to be turned from that natural love you own unto Christ, and you shall be tried with god's people through a sieve of great affliction, for so Satan desireth us to be sifted, Luke. 22 that through fear of sharp troubles we might fall from the stableness of our faith, and so be deprived of that honour, joy, and reward, which is prepared for such as continue faithful brothers and sisters in the lords covenant to the end. Therefore the wise man in the book of Ecclesiasticus, biddeth them that come to the service of the Lord, to prepare themselves to suffer temptations. Since than that for the glory of God and our faith, we are called now to abide the brunt of them, and that when our adversary hath done all that he can, yet we may be stable and stand: this Christ our first begotten brother looketh for at our hands, and all our brethren and sisters in heaven desire to see our faith through afflictions to be perfect, that we might fulfil their number, and the universal church here militaunte rejoiceth at our constancy, whom all by the contrary we should make sorry, to the danger of the loss both of body and soul. Fear not therefore what so ever be threatened of the wicked world: prepare your back and see it be ready to carry Christ's cross. And if you see any untowardness in you (as the flesh is continually repugnant to the will of GOD) ask with faithful prayer that the good spirit of GOD may lead your sinful flesh whether it would not, john. 21 for if we will dwell in the flesh and follow the counsel thereof, we shall never do the will of God, neither work that tendeth to our salvation. You are at this present in the confines and of Babylon, where you are in danger to drink of the whore's cup, unless you be vigilant in prayer. Take heed the serpent seduce you not from the symplicity of your faith, as he did our first mother Eue. Let no worldly fellowship make you partaker of iniquity. He that toucheth tar cannot but be defiled thereby, and with such as be perverse, a man shall soon be perverted, with the holy you shall be holy. Psa. 15. Therefore say continually with the prophet David: unto the saints which be on the earth, all my will is on them. You have been sanctified and made pure through the truth, take heed you be not unholied and defiled, lest the last be worse than the first. I writ not this because I stand in any doubt of your sincere continuance, of the which I have had so good experience: but because the days be evil, and in the same it is the duty of every one of us to exhort another. I am bold to put you my good sister, in remembrance of that which doth not a little comfort me to remember in my troubles & daily temptations. Wherefore I doubt not, you will take that in good part which cometh from your brother both in spirit and body, who tendereth your salvation as earnestly as his own, that we might joy together eternally with such joy as the world shall never be able to take from us. Thanks be unto god, you have begun to run a good and great time well in the ways of the lord: run out the race to the end which you have begun, and then shall you receive the crown of glory. None shall be crowned but such as law fully striveth. 2. Tim. 2. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome tuill with good, and the Lord shall make you one of those faithful virgins that shall follow the Lamb wheresoever he goeth, Apo. 4. the which Christ grant both you and me, Amen. This was for the first fruits of his Archdeaconry, whereof all the time of his imprisonment he had no commodity, and yet his sureties were compelled to pay the same. Commend me to all them that love me in the Lord unfeignedly. God increase our faith & give us grace never to be ashamed of his gospel. That same request which I have made to my brother Thomas I make also to you, desiring you by all means you can co accomplish my request that my sureties might be satiifyed with that is mine own to the contentation of my mind, which cannot be quiet until they be discharged: therefore I pray you help to purchase quietness that I might depart out of this world in peace. My dissolution I look for daily, but the Lord knoweth how unworthy I am of so high an honour, as to die for the testimony of his truth. Pray that God would vouchsafe to make me worthy, as he hath done of long imprisonment, for the which his name be praised for ever. Pray and look for the coming of the Lord, whose wrath is great over us, and I will pray for you as long as I live. The ix of july in the kings Bench. Your own loving brother as well in Faith as in body. john Philpot. To my dear friend and brother in the Lord. M. Robert Harrington. GEntle master Harrington, I can not tell what condign thanks I may give unto God for you, in respect of that great gentleness and pain which you have taken for the relief of me & of other our afflicted brethren in Christ. God be praised for his mercy, whose loving providence we have seen towards us by such faithful stewards as you have been towards a great many. Blessed be you of god for the loving care which you have taken for his poor flock. God hath reserved your reward of thanks in heaven, & therefore I do not go about to render you any, lest I might seem to judge that you looked for that here, which is reserved to a better place. I thank god for that I have found by your faithful & diligent industry, & god forgive me my unworthiness of so great benefits: god give me grace to serve him faithfully, & to run out my race with joy. Glorious is the course of the martyrs of Christ at this day. Never had the elects of god a better time for their glory than this is: now may they be assured under the cross, that they are Christ's disciples for ever. Me think I see you desiring to be under the same: the flesh draweth back, john. 2● but the spirit saith it must be brought whether it would not. Here is the victory of the world, here is true faith & everlasting glory. Who is he which desireth not to be found faithful to his master? And now is the time that every faithful servant of Christ hath just opportunity to show himself a glorious soldier in the Lord's sight. Now do the Amalachites invade the true Israelites, that the Israelites might with speed be glorified. I need not, for want of understanding, to admonish you here of, but as a willing soldier in Christ, to exhort you so to run as you may get the victory, and that speedily with us. A man that is bid to a glorious feast, wisheth his friend to go with him and to be partaker thereof. God doth call me most unworthy among other, to drink of the bridecup of his son, whereby we shall be made worthy, as many of our brethren have been before us, to sit at the right hand and at the left hand of Christ. O what unspeakable condition is that? may any worldly thing stay us from the desire thereof? Since we seek the kingdom of God, why do we not apprehend it being so near offered unto us? Let us approach near unto God and god will draw near unto us. God draw us after him that we may all run after the savour of his sweet ointments. Christ anoint us, that we may be suppled in these evil days to run lightly, unto the glory of the lord. Shame, imprisonment, loss of goods, and shedding of our blood, be the just price which we must willingly bestow for the same. Wherefore dearly beloved in the Lord, let not the great charges keep you back from buying this glory, for the reward is ten thousand told greater than the price. That you have married a wife, whom God bless, I can not excuse you from this mart, but you must bring your wife for a usury to the Lord, whose pleasure is in godly yokefellowes. I wish you to be as I am, except these horrible bands, but yet most comfortable to the spirit, assuring us that we are made worthy through Christ, of the kingdom for the which we suffer. Praised be the Lord for the affliction which we suffer, & he give us strength to continue to the end. Commend me to. M. Heath, and tell him that I would wish him with me to prove how apt he is to carry the cross of Christ. I pray for his continuance in Christ as for mine own. Commend me to his wife and to Mistress' Hall, certifying them that I am brought to the gates of hell, that I might never enter into the same, but be raised up from hell to heaven, through the word that sanctifieth us. Commend me to. M. Elsinge & his wife, and thank them that they remembered to provide me some ease in prison, and tell them that though my Lord's coalhouse be but very black, yet it is more to be desired of the faithful, than the Queen's palace. God make her a joyful mother, and preserve them both to the comfort of God's people. Thus for this time, farewell dear brother. Written in post hast because of strait keeping. This day I look to be called before the commissioners again. Pray dear brother for the spirit of wisdom to remain with me. Commend me to your wife, & I thank you both for your tokens. Your token I have sent to your wife, & my token unto you, is my faithful heart with this letter. Commend me to all my friends, & tell them. I thank God, I am cheerful in Christ, wishing them to fear god more than man, and to learn to despise earnestly the vanities of this world, desiring you all to pray for me that I may end my journey with fidelity, Amen. john Philpot. To Master Robert Glover prisoner in coventry for the maintenance of God's Gospel. THe knowledge of god which hath illightened your mind with the true religion of Christ, and now doth in the beginning of darkness shine in you to the commendation of your true faith, & to the strengthening of many weak brethren, remain with you to the end through the mighty operation of the holy ghost, Amen. It is a singular comfort to the afflicted flock of Christ, to behold such as have been ministers and professors of his truth in religion, to stand in the same, & that in the time of persecution, when as the same may not be abidden by before the face of the rich & mighty in this world, to be preached without present danger. So Paul willeth Timothe both in season & out of season to be earnest in sowing the word. And praised be God that we here in prison for the testimony thereof, do hear of your diligence in this behalf, which cease not to do the office of an evangelist, although it be with danger of affliction. Such faithful ministers be to be honoured that do submit their own heads to peril for the love of the gospel. Such Christ will acknowledge and confess before his father in heaven, that they are those which have bidden with him in temptations▪ & therefore shall eat and drink with him at his table in the kingdom of heaven. I thought it therefore my duty at the motion of this bearer, albeit I have no bodily acquaintance with you, to exhort you, as. s. Paul willeth us to exhort one an other as long as we are in this life, boldly to continue in this good & necessary work of the Lord, specially in these evil days, in the which Satan rageth against the church of Christ, & daily imprisoneth and robbeth the members thereof for their faithful testimony, and be you assured he will not leave you untouched, for above all other he seeketh to suppress the good ministers of the word, for they be such as have destroyed his kingdom: but you must not for fear of his odious and tedious assaults, withdraw yourself from your vocation, but rather provoke him by your constant profession to do his worst, knowing that the same shall turn unto you to the best, even to the crown of your glory. There is none crowned but such as hold out to the goal end, and therefore our saviour Christ saith in the gospel: Beatus qui perseverat usque in finem. You run well, god is praised therein, & the afflicted church much comforted by so faithful a captain: run out therefore (as I doubt not you will) and fear nothing of that you shall suffer for your labour, for if you be faithful unto death, you shall assuredly have the reward of eternal life. Many go on well till they come to the pikes and then they turn their backs and give over in the plain field, to the shame of Christ and his church that hath so faint hearted soldiers in his host at the time of need, in that which his glory ought most manfully to be showed. I done not but you have already cast the price of this your building of the house of god, that it is like to be no less than your life: for I believe (as Paul saith) that god hath appointed us in these latter days like sheep to the slaughter. Rom. 8 Antichrist is come again, and he must make a feast to Beelzebub his father of many Christian bodies for the restoring again of his kingdom: let us watch and pray that the same day may not find us unready. The peace of god be with you and remain with you for ever. Your loving brother in Christ, & in spirit your familiar friend, captive in the Kings Bench. john Philpot. To my dearly beloved Sister in the Lord Mistress' Heath. THe light of the Gospel of Christ which hath illigthned you with the true understanding of faith, be daily increased in you my dearly beloved sister, unto the perfit day of the Lord, through the mighty operation of his spirit, Amen. Where as you have required of me a token at your departing, that might be a remembrance with you of my brotherly love toward you, I mused of diverse things what I might commend unto you best, & among all other, I found none so certain a token either of the love of God toward us, or else of the love of us one to an other, as to bear the cross together with Christ. To bear the cross, is to be partaker of the afflictions of Christ which now he suffereth in his members for the accomplishment of his body the church, which are we that believe in him sincerely, which is the surest token of God's love towards us that we can have in this world: for whom god loveth he chasteneth, and as it is written, Heb. 12 he chasteneth every son whom he receiveth. Wherefore above all things love the cross of Christ under the which all the church of Christ in England now is, & be content to have your faith tried every day by some cross or other as it pleaseth God to put on you, and if God putteth no grievous cross upon you, let your brethren's cross be your cross, which is a certain token of true brotherly love. If the church in England had learned with the Gospel to have borne the cross of Christ, as all that be professors of the Gospel be called thereunto, they would not so lightly at the commandment of man, have turned from the ways of salvation, to their old vomit again contrary to their conscience, and all to avoid the cross, the merciful sign of God's love towards us. If the cross were not, the faithful could not be known. If the cross were not, God should not so manifestly appear to be our deliverer and comforter as he doth show himself in the midst thereof unto all them that put their trust in him. Therefore believe them verily to be in most happy estate that be under the cross,: & such as do utterly abhor the same, are cowards & not fit soldiers for the lord. We have all received the credit of faith from god in Christ, that we should beautify the same or rather god in the same. 1. Cor. 4. We have this treasure in brittle vessels, let us take heed that the britelnes of the vessels she'd not out our precious treasure on the earth, as it is lamentable to see at this day many have most unfaithfully done. Are they worthy of the heavenly kingdom which here esteem more earth than heaven? O palpable infidelity. Will not god require the credit of faith which he hath committed unto us? Yea verily. Is this the usury of faith to love the world more than the Gospel, and to fear man more than god? If men which count themselves stronger & worthier vessels have thus unfaithfully dealt in the things of god, let the weakness of women be more firm in their faith to the glory of God, whose might appeareth in weakness. There is no exception of person before god both man and woman be on in god: and that person in all sorts of people is acceptable to him that striveth to do his will. Wherefore contend in these cross days, which be the love days of god towards us, to show yourself faithful to him that calleth you, and to be ready to do his will according to true knowledge, and that under the cross. God hath given you a faithful guide, whom see you love with all humility, patience, and obedience, as it becometh a holy woman to be subject to her faithful head in the Lord, & comfort him in our common cross, and bid him cheerfully take up the one end and you will bear the other, a double string knit together. As you in your godly matrimony do represent the mystery of Christ and his church: so continue you lively members of faith in the same, and learn daily more and more to bear the cross of Christ, that other seeing your strength may be comforted and be ashamed of their weakness in their masters cause. The faithful servant the Lord loveth which bringeth his talon to his table with increase. Now is the time to increase to the lord and not to decrease to multiply our faith under the cross & not to diminysh it. Ose. 6 Gene. 9 The ways of the just do increase as the dawning of the day: Embrace therefore the cross as the rainbow of gods merciful covenant: pray that we may together end our course therein with joy. Take my token in good worth until we be made partakers of the glory of the cross. Out of my Lord of London's coalhouse. The xi of November. Yours john Philpot. To my brother john Careless prisoner in the kings Bench. THe grace of God the father through his dear son Christ our Saviour, with perseverance in all godly verity, be with thee my dear brother Careless, and with all my prison fellows, Amen. Ah my own love in Christ, These were certain free-will men, arrogant, frowerd and unquiet spirits. I am sorry to hear of thy great trouble which these shismatiks do daily put thee to: I would I were with thee, in part to relieve thy grief, but since that it hath pleased God otherwise, take my advice in this your conflict, & be patient what soever your adversaries can say or do against you. Know that you are appointed for the defence of the gospel, for the which you (god be praised) do suffer: yet you must understand that you are but a voice in the wilderness & a planter, & that it is god which must give the encease. And therefore if there come not such fruit of your good labours as you would wish, be content & know that a stony ground can not fructify: yet shall not god forget your labour, but you shall reap as plenteously in the day of reward, as though it had increased after your expectation. Have patience therefore in your labour, and let not care eat out your heart. Commit the success to God, and cease not with charity to be earnest in the defence of the truth against these arrogant and self will blinded scatterers. These sects are necessary for the trial of our faith & for the beautifying thereof. Be not perverted with them that be perverse and intractable: they resist not you, they resist Christ, and be workers against their own salvation. Show as much modesty and humility as you may possible: so shall your labour please God best, and your adversaries receive the more shame, and others seeing your modest conversation amongst these contentious babblers, shall glorify god in his truth by you, & the more abhor them, as you see it hath come to pass in times passed. Be content that Semei do rail at David and cast stones a while, 2. Reg. 16. be sure his railing judgement will fall upon his own pate. Have always that notable rule of Christ's church before your eyes, 1. Cor. 11. which Saint Paul writeth, that if any body be contentious, neither we neither the church of god hath any such custom, Desire all our brethren in the bowels of jesus Christ, to keep the bond of peace, which is the unity of Christ's church where, be all the treasures of spiritual consolation in heavenly things. Hebr. 12 Let no root of bitterness spring up, which the devil with all diligence seeketh to thrust in amongst the children of god. Kiss one another with the kiss of unfeigned brotherly love, and take one another by the hand cheerfully and say, let us take up our cross together and go to the mount of Calvary, & there be willing to suffer what soever it pleaseth god we shall. Hitherto we have not resisted to blodshedding. Our blood must not be to dear for the lord, and then his kingdom shall not be to dear for us. Thus exhort one an other to offer yourselves a joyful sacrifice unto God, for this is that pleasant sacrifice wherewith his wrath shall be pacified, which is now kindled most justly against us. Be thankful unto God that it hath pleased him to make you worthy of this glrious affliction, yea & I pray you give thanks unto god for me, that it hath been his good will to take me most filthy & unthankful sinner to be one of this number. My joy of the love of God towards me in this behalf is such, that it maketh all my strait imprisonment to seem pleasure: god be praised I can not be sorry though I would. O how great is the love of God towards us? Be merry brethren & rejoice continually in the lord, for the victory is ours, yea heaven is ours & all the glory thereof. Faint not but run out, for we are even at an end. Be glad of nothing so much as in the mortification of the old Adam: murmur not in no case what soever necessity you be in. Communicate your necessities to me, & to others of his people, and God will make us to divide stakes. Be always praising God, talking, comforting, teaching, & exhorting in God, and he will not see you utterly destitute. I commend me to your faithful prayers all. And you Careless see that you be in my dungeon with me, as I am in spirit with you in the Kings Bench, and with you al. Thine own brother john Philpot To Mistress Anne Hartipole, who was fallen from the sincerity of the gospel which she had before long known and professed, to the Pope and his Idolatrous religion. THe grace of God and true light wherewith he lighteneth the hearts of all the true and faithful believers, lovers, and followers of his holy Gospel, lighten your heart by the mighty operation of his holy spirit, Amen. I have not hitherto been accustomed to write unto you in the matters of our common faith, which is now dangerously assaulted, especially for that otherwise by corporal presence and mutual conference, we have had consolation in the same, as the time present did require. In the which I perceived your judgement and constancy to be so much, that I received by your good and godly example, strength in the same, as I have done even from the beginning, before I was called unto the light of the gospel, in the which you went before me and ministered occasion to me to follow, at such time as that blessed woman Anne Askewe (now a glorious Martyr in the sight of jesus christ) was harboured in your house: so that I thought it superfluous and not needful to write thereof unto you, that of so long time have been instructed, and by so many learned books confirmed. But now hearing that the old serpent our ancient enemy, which lieth in continual wait of our steps, hath bitten you by the heel and given you a foul fall, I cannot but be heartily sorry, and as brotherly charity moveth me, testify the same unto you by writing, for that I may not presently otherwise open myself in this behalf. Alas sister that so sincere profession, should receive so gross an infection, to the dishonour of god and of his church. What meaneth it that you are so suddenly departed from jerusalem unto Hierico, Luke 10 to be a companion of thieves & idolaters, to the utter overthrowing of that good which you have professed: for as saint james teacheth us, he that offendeth in one, is guilty in all, and to come to idolatry and strange worshipping of god forbidden by his word, is of all transgressions the most detestable. Therefore I cannot cease to wonder how you could so soon be alured or drawn thereto. I had thought the love of the truth had been so graffed in your heart, that neither persecution, sword, fire, nor gallows might have brought this to pass, that at the voice of a handmaid in the first temptation, you should have denied Christ. For not to walk after the synceritye of his Gospel in deed, is to deny him, and none can be partakers of the lords table and of the table of devils, which is the popish Mass, and the malignant synagogue using the same. Me think I hear your excuse, pretending your conscience to be sound before GOD notwithstanding, and that your conscience will give you leave thus to do with the common sort of dissemblers both with God and man: but I must tell you plain (Sister) in God's cause, that your conscience so affected, is a syckelye and unsound conscience and craftily blinded, for before GOD there is no such conscience allowed, which alloweth your body to do that which it condemneth. We shall receive all according to that which we do in our bodies, whether it be good or evil, and it is commanded us as well to glorify GOD in our bodies as in our souls. We must show our faith by our outward conversation, that men saying our good works, might glorify our father which is in heaven. Will ye now with your presence go about to beautify that which hitherto you have justly destroyed? What do you else in so doing, but notify yourself to be an infidel to the church of Christ, that will be content to associate yourself with her enemy, for the contentation of man? Hath ever any person of God so done, that was allowed therein? Be not deceived good Sister, with the persuasive words of man, neither be afraid of his threats. Follow the Gospel of Christ according to true knowledge, and fear to do that which by the same is straightly forbidden you. Tempt not GOD any longer by this evil doing, for you can do nothing more heinous in his sight. Let this halting be healed up, and turn not from the right ways of the Lord. Be not ashamed of his gospel, neither of the cross, which is the badge of the true and unfeigned professons thereof, which you see now his faithful (praised be his name therefore) are so well content and willing to bear: but rather as you are called, take up your cross, and be assured thereby to enter into Christ's glory: for unless we suffer with him, we shall not reign with him, and if we die not with Christ, we shall not live with Christ. The cross now is the ready way to heaven, therefore I wish you should choose to be afflitted with the people of god, rather than to live in the tabernacles of the wicked. Do not any more that which of all things ye have now most cause to repent, neither lay daily the foundation of repentance, but let this fall be a teaching unto you of the want of faith which is in you, and so become more fervent in prayer, and godly exercises, that with this new year, ye may become a new woman in a godly and new perfection, the which GOD for his mercy's sake in Christ, work both in you and me to the end. Amen. Written in haste by your brother in captivity. john Philpot. ¶ To a faithful woman and late wife to one of the bishops which gave their lives in the lords quarrel. REmember dear Sister that your life in this world is a continual warfare, to fight against the world, the flesh, and the devil, in the which you are appointed for the trial of your faith & love to godt to fight manfully to overcome: for the spirit of god which is in you, is stronger than he which is in the world, & by this you may know that you are the child of god, even by the spirit which striveth in you against the flesh & sin, & will not suffer sin to reign in you. This spirit is obtained by often and daily reading and hearing the word of GOD, joined with faithful and hearty prayer: for diligent reading of God's word planteth the holy spirit in you, and earnest prayer increaseth the same. Read therefore the word studiously and pray heartily that the same good gift of faith which you have learned of your faithful husband and good bishop in the Lord, who hath gloriously yielded his life for the same, may be confirmed in you even unto death, that you may receive the same crown of glory, which he now hath, for precious is the death of the faithful in the lords sight, therefore desire still to die to the Lord, and be glad to be poor both in body and spirit, and thus assure yourself the kingdom of heaven is yours. Your own in the Lord john Philpot. ❧ Letters of Master john Bradforde, a faithful Minister and a singular pillar of Christ's church: by whose great travails and diligence in preaching and planting the sincerity of the gospel, by whose most godly and innocent life, and by whose long and painful imprisonments for the maintenance of the truth, the kingdom of god was not a little advanced: who also at last most valiantly & cheerfully gave his blood for the same. The .4. day of july. In the year of our Lord. 1553. ¶ To all that profess the gospel and true doctrine of our Lord and saviour jesus Christ in the City of London, john Bradford a most unworthy servant of the Lord, now not only in prison but also excommunicated and condemned to be burned for the same true doctrine, wisheth mercy, grace and peace, with increase of all godly knowledge, from God the father of mercy, through the merits of our alone and omnisufficient redeemer jesus Christ, by the operation of his holy spirit for ever. Amen. MY dearly beloved brethren in our saviour Christ, although the time I have to live is very little (for hourly I look when I should be had hence to be conveyed into Lankeshyre there to be burned, and to render my life by the providence of God, where I first received it by the same providence) and although the charge is great to keep me from all things whereby I might signify any thing to the world of my state: yet having as now I have pen & ink, through god's working, manger the head of Satan and his soldiers, I thought good to write a short confession of my faith, and thereto join a little exhortation unto you all, to live according to your profession. This my faith I would gladly particularly declare and expound to the confirmation and comfort of the simple: but alas, by starts and stealth I write in manner that that I writ, and therefore I shall desire you all to take this brevity in good part. First for my faith, I do confess and pray all the whole congregation of Christ to bear witness with me of the same, that I do believe constantly through the gift and goodness of god (for faith is gods only gift) all the xii. articles of the symbol or creed, commonly attributed to the collection of the Apostles, not because of the creed itself, but because of the word of god, the which teacheth and confirmeth every article accordingly. This word of god written by the prophets and Apostles, left and contained in the canonical books of the holy Bible, I do believe to contain plentifully all things necessary to salvation: so that nothing, as necessary to salvation, aught to be added thereto, and therefore the church of Christ nor none of his congregation ought to be burdened with any other doctrine then which here out hath her foundation and ground. In testimony of which faith, I render and give my life, being condemned as well for not acknowledging the Antichrist of Rome to be Christ's Vicar general and supreme head of his catholic & universal church here and else where upon earth: as for denying the horrible and idolatrous doctrine of transubstantiation and Christ's real, corporal & carnal presence in his supper, under the forms and accidents of bread and wine. To believe Christ our saviout to be the head of his church, and kings in their realms to be the supreme powers, to whom every soul oweth obedience, and to believe that in the supper of Christ (which the sacrament of the altar as the papists call it and use it, doth utterly overthrow) is a true and a very presence of whole Christ god and man to the faith of the receiver (but not to the slander by and looker upon) as it is a true and a very presence of bread and wine to the senses of men: to believe this (I say) will not serve, and therefore as an heretic I am condemned & shall be burned, whereof I ask god heartily mercy that I do no more rejoice than I do, having so great cause as to be an instrument wherein it may please my dear lord and Saviour to suffer. For albeit my manifold sins, even sithen I came into prison, have deserved at the hands of God, not only this temporal but also eternal fire in hell, much more than my former sinful life, which the lord pardon for his Christ's sake, as I know he of his mercy hath done & never will lay my iniquities to my charge to condemnation, so great is his goodness, praised therefore be his holy name: although (I say) my manifold & grievous late sins have deserved most justly all the tyranny that man or devil can do unto me (and therefore I confess that the lord is just & that his judgements be true & deserved on my behalf) yet the bishops and prelate's do not persecute them in me but Christ himself, his word, his truth and religion. And therefore I have great cause yea most great cause, to rejoice that ever I was borne & hitherto kept of the lord, that by my death, which is deserved for my sins, it pleaseth the heavenvly father to glorify his name, to testify his truth, to confirm his verity, to oppugn his adversaries. Oh good god & merciful father, forgive me my great unthankfulness, especially herein. And you my dearly beloved for the lord jesus Christ's sake, I humbly & heartily in his bowels & blood, do now for my last Yale & farewell in this present life, beseech you & every of you, that you will consider this work of the lord accordingly. First by me to be admonished to beware of hypocrisy & carnal security. Profess not the gospel with tongue & lips only, but in heart & verity: frame and fashion your lives accordingly. Be aware gods name be not evil spoken of, & the gospel less regarded by your conversation. God forgive me that I have not so heartily professed it as I should have done, but have sought much myself therein, The gospel is a new doctrine to the old man: it is new wine, & therefore cannot be put in old bottles, without greater hurt than good to the botlels. If we will talk with the lord, we must put of our shoes & carnal affections: if we will hear the voice of the lord, we must wash our garments & be holy: if we will be Christ's disciples, we must deny ourselves, take up our cross & follow christ. We cannot serve ij. masters: if we seek Christ's kingdom, we must also seek for the righteousness thereof. To the petition of, let thy kingdom come, we must join, thy will be done, done, done on earth as it is in heaven. If we will not be doers of the word, but hearers of it, we sore deceive ourselves. If we hear the gospel & love it not, we declare ourselves to be but fools & builders upon the sand. The lords spirit hateth feigning: deceitfulness the lord abhorteth. If we come to him, we must beware we come not with a double heart, for them it may chance that god will answer us according to the block which is in our heart, & so we shall deceive ourselves and others. To faith see that we couple a good conscience, lest we make a shipwreck. To the Lord we must come with fear and reverence. If we will be gospelers we must be Christ's, if we be Christ's we must crucify our flesh, with the lust and concupiscences thereof. If we will be under grace, sin must not bear rule in us. We may not come to the lord and draw nigh to him with our lips, and leave our hearts elsewhere, lest the lords wrath wax hot, and he take from us the good remaining: in no case can the kingdom of Christ approach to them that repent not. Therefore my dearly beloved, let us repent & be heartily sorry that we have so carnally, so hypocritically, so covetously, so vain gloriously professed the gospel. For all these I confess of myself to the glory of God and mine own confusion here, that he may cover mine offences in the day of judgement. Let the anger and plagues of god most justly fallen upon us, be applied to every one of our deserts, that from the bottom of our hearts, every of us may say: it is I Lord that have sinned against thee, it is mine hypocrisy, my vain glory, my covetousness, uncleanness, carnality, security, idleness, unthankfulness, self love and such like, which have deserved the taking away of our good king, of thy word and true religion, of thy good ministers by exile, prisonment and death: it is my wickedness, that causeth success and increase of authority and peace to thine enemies. Oh be merciful, be merciful unto us. Turn to us again, (oh lord of hosts) and turn us unto thee. correct us, but not in thy fury, least we be consumed. In thy wrathful displeasure reprove us not, but in the mids of thine anger remember thy mercy: for if thou wilt mark what is done amiss, who shall be able to abide it? But with thee is mercifulness, that thou mightest be worshipped: oh than be merciful unto us that we might truly worship thee. Help us, for the glory of thy name be merciful unto our sins for they are great: oh heal us and help us for thine honour, let not the wicked people say, where is their god. etc. On this sort my right dearly beloved, let us heartily bewail our sins, repent us of our former evil life, heartily and earnestly purpose to amend our lives in all things, continually watch in prayer, diligently and reverently attend, hear, and read the holy scriptures, labour after our vocation to amend our brethren. Let us reprove the works of darkness: let us fly from all idolatry: let us abhor the Antichristian & romish rotten service, detest the popish mass, forsake their Romish God, prepare ourselves to the cross, be obedient to all that be in authority in all things that be not against God and his word: for then answer with the Apostles, it is more meet to obey God then man. Howbeit, never for any thing resist, or rise against the Magistrates: avenge not yourselves, but commit your cause to the lord to whom vengeance pertaineth, and he in his time will reward it. If ye feel in yourselves an hope & trust in god, that he will never tempt you above that he will make you able to bear, be assured the lord will be true to you, and ye shall be able to bear all brunts. But if ye want this hope, fly & get you hence, rather than by your tarrying, god's name should be dishonoured. In sum, cast your care on the Lord, knowing for most certain that he is careful for you: with him are all that hears of your head numbered, so that not one of them shall perish without his good pleasure & will, much more than nothing shall happen to your bodies which shall not be profitable, how soever for a time it seem otherwise to your senses. Hang on the providence of god, not only when you have means to help you, but also when you have no means, yea when all means be against you. give him this honour, which of all other things he most chiefly requireth at your hands, namely believe that ye are his children through Christ: that he is your father & God through him: that he loveth you, pardoneth you all your offences: that he is with you in trouble, & will be with you for ever. When ye fall he will put under his hand, ye shall not lie still. Before ye call upon him he heareth you: out of evil he will finally bring you, and deliver you to his eternal kingdom. Doubt not my dearly beloved hereof, doubt not I say: this will god your father do for you in respect, not of yourselves, but in respect of Christ your captain, your pastor, your keeper, out of whose hands none shall be able to catch you. In him be quiet, and often consider your dignity: namely how that ye be gods children, the saints of God, citizens of heaven, temples of the holy ghost, the thrones of God, members of Christ, and Lords over all. Therefore be ashamed to think, speak, or do any thing that should be unseemly for God's children, Gods saints, Christ's member etc. Marvel not though the devil and the world hate you: though ye be persecuted here, for the servant is not above his master. Covet not earthly riches, fear not the power of man, love not this world nor things that be in this world: but long for the Lord jesus his coming, at which time your bodies shall be made like unto his glorious body. When he appeareth ye shall be like unto him: when your life thus shall be revealed, then shall ye appear with him in glory: in the mean season live in hope hereof. Let the life you lead be in the faith of the son of god, for that just doth live by faith, which faith flieth from all evil & followeth the word of god as a lantern to her feet, & a light to her steps: her eyes be above where Christ is: she beholdeth not the things present, but rather things to come: she glorieth in afflictions, she knoweth that the afflictions of this life are not to be compared to the glory which god will reveal to us and in us. Of this glory god grant us here a lively taste: them shall we run after the sent it sendeth forth. It will make us valiant men to take to us the kingdom of god: whether the lord of mercy bring us in his good time through Christ our lord, to whom with the father and the holy ghost, three persons and one God, be all honour and glory world without end, Amen. My dearly beloved, I would gladly have given here my body to have been burned for the confirmation of the true doctrine I have taught here unto you, but that my country must have: therefore I pray you take in good part this signification of my good will towards every of you. Impute the want herein to time and trouble. Pardon me mine offensive and negligent behaviour, when I was amongs you. With me repent and labour to amend: continue in the truth which I have truly taught unto you by preaching in all places where I have come, God's name therefore be praised: confess Christ when ye are called, what soever cometh thereof, and the God of peace be with us al. Amen. Your brother in bonds for the lords sake, john Bradford. To all that love the lord jesus, and his true doctrine being in the university and town of Cambridge, john Bradforde, a most unworthy servant of the lord, now not only prisoned but also condemned for the same true doctrine, wisheth grace, peace, and mercy with increase of all godliness, from god the father of all mercy, through the bloody passion of our alonely Saviour jesus Christ, by the lively working of the holy spirit, for ever, Amen. Although I look hourly when I should be had to the stake (my right dearly beloved in the Lord) and although the charge over me is great and strait: yet having by the providence of GOD secretly pen and ink, I could not but something signify unto you my solicitude which I have for you and every of you in the Lord, though not as I would, yet as I may. Ye have often and openly heard the truth (especially in this matter wherein I am condemned) disputed and preached, that it is needles to do any more, but only to put you in remembrance of the same: but hitherto ye have not heard it confirmed, & (as it were) sealed up, as now ye do, & shall do here by me, that is, by my death and burning. For Albeit I have deserved (through my uncleanness, hypocrisy, avarice, vainglory, idleness, unthankfulness, and carnality, whereof I accuse myself to my confusion before the world, that before God through Christ I might, as my assured hope is I shall, find mercy) eternal death & hell fire, much more than this affliction & fire prepared for me: yet my dearly beloved, it is not these or any of these things, wherefore the Prelates do persecute me, but god's veretye and truth: yea even Christ himself is the only cause and thing wherefore I now am condemned, and shall be burned as an heretic, because I will not grant the Anttchrist of Rome to be Christ's Vicar general & supreme head of his church here, and every where upon earth, by god's ordinance, & because I will not grant such corporal, real, and carnal presence of Christ's body & blood in the sacrament, as doth transubstantiate the substance of bread & wine, and is received of the wicked, yea of dogs and mice. Also I am excommunicated, and counted as a dead member of Christ's church, as a rotten branch, & therefore shall be cast into the fire. Therefore ye ought heartily to rejoice with me, & to give thanks for me, that god the eternal father hath vouched safe our mother to bring up any child, in whom it would please him to magnify his holy name as he doth & I hope for his mercy and truths sake, will do in me & by me. Oh what such benefit upon earth can there be, as that that which deserved death by reason of my sins, should be diverted to a demonstration, a testification, and confirmation of god's verity and truth. Thou my mother the university, haste not only had the truth of god's word plainly manifested unto thee by reading, disputing, & preaching publicly & privately, but now (to make thee altogether excuseles and as it were almost to sin against the holy ghost, if thou put to thy helping hand with the romish rout to suppress the verity & set out the contrary) thou hast my life and blood as a seal to confirm thee if thou wilt be confirmed, or else to confound thee & bear witness against thee, if thou wilt take part with the prelate's and clergy, which now fill up the measure of their fathers, which flew the prophets and Apostles, that all righteous blood from Abel to Bradford shed upon the earth may be required at their hands. Of this therefore I thought good before my death, as time & liberty would suffer me, for the love and duty I bear unto thee, to admonish thee good mother, and my sister the town, that ye would call to mind from whence ye are fallen, and study to do the first works. Ye know (if you will) these matters of the Romish supremacy, and the Antichristian transubstantiation, whereby Christ's Supper is overthrown, his priesthood evacuate, his sacrifice frustrate, the ministry of his word unplaced, repentance repelled, faith fainted, godliness extinguished, the mass maintained, idolatry supported, and all impiety chearyshed: you know (I say) if you will, that these opinions are not only besides God's word, but even directly against it, and therefore to take part with them, is to take part against god, against whom you can not prevail. Therefore for the tender mercy of Christ, in his bowels and blood I beseech you to take Christ's collyrium and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that ye may see what ye do and have done in admitting (as I hear ye have admitted, yea alas authorized, and by consent confirmed) the romish rotten rags, which once ye utterly expelled. Oh be not canis reversus ad vomitum, be not sus lota reversa ad volutabrum coeni. Beware least old Satan enter in with seven other spirits, and so the last shall be worse than the first. It had been better ye had never known the truth, then after knowledge to run from it. Ah woe to this world & the things therein which hath now so wrought with you. Oh that ever this dirt of the devil should daub up the eye of the realm: for thou (O mother) art as it were the eye of the realm. If thou be light and give shine, all the body shalfare the better: but if thou the light be darkness, alas, how great will the darkness be? What is man whose breath is in his nose-threls, that thou shouldest thus be afraid of him? Oh what is honour & life here but plain bubbels? What is glory in this world but shame? Why art thou afraid to carry Christ's ccosse? Wilt thou come into his kingdom and not drink of his cup? Dost thou not know Rome to be Babylon? Dost thou not know that as the old Babylon had the children of juda in captivity, so hath this, true juda, that is the confessors of Christ? Dost thou not know that as destruction happened unto it, so shall it do unto this? And trowest thou that God will not deliver his people now, when the time is come, as he did then? Hath not God commanded his people to come out from her, and wilt thou give ensample to the whole realm to run into her? Hast thou forgotten the woe that Christ threateneth to offence givers? Wilt thou not remember that it were better a millstone were hanged about thy neck, and thou thrown into the sea, then that thou shouldest offend the little ones? And alas, how hast thou offended? Yea how dost thou still offend? Wilt thou consider things according to the outward show? Was not the synagogue more seemly & like to the true church, than the simple flock of Christ's Disciples? Hath not the whore of Babylon more costly array and rich apparel externally to set forth herself, than the homely housewife of Christ? Where is the beauty of the kings daughter the Church of Christ? Without or within? Doth not David say within? Oh remember that as they are happy which are not offended at Christ, so are they happy which are not offended at his poor church. Can the pope & his prelate's mean honestly which make so much of the wife, and so little of the husband? The church they magnify, but Christ they contemn. If this church were an honest woman (that is Christ's wife) except they would make much of her husband Christ and his word, she would not be made much of, of them. When Christ and his Apostles were upon earth, who was more like to be the true church? They, or the prelate's, bishops and synagogue? If a man should have followed custom, unity, antiquity or the more part, should not Christ and his company have been cast out of the doors? Therefore bad Christ: search the scriptures. And good Mother, shall the servant be above his master? shall we look for other entertainment at the hands of the world, than Christ and his dear Disciples found? Who was taken in noah's time for the church? Poor Noah and his family, or others? Who was taken for god's church in Sodom? Lot, or others? And doth not Christ say: as it went then so shall it go now towards the coming of the son of man? What meaneth Christ when he saith, iniquity shall have the upper hand, doth he not tell that charity shall wax cold? And who seeth not a wonderful great lack of charity in those which would now be taken for Christ's church? All that fear god in this Realm truly, can tell more of this, than I can write. Therefore dear Mother, receive some admonition of one of thy poor children now going to be burned for the testimony of jesus. Come again to God's truth: come out of Babylon: confess Christ and his true doctrine: repent that which is past: make amends by declaring thy repentance by the fruits. Remember the readings and preachings of God's Prophet and true preacher Martyne Bucer. Call to mind the threatenings of God, now some thing seen by thy children leaver, and others. Let the exile of leaver, Pilkinton, Gryndall, Haddon, Horn, Scorye, Povet etc., some thing awake thee. Let the imprisonment of thy dear sons, Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer move thee. Consider the martyrdom of thy Chickens, Rogers, Saunders, tailor. And now cast not away the poor admonition of me going to be burned also, & to receive the like crown of glory with my fellows. Take to heart Gods calling by us. Be not as Pharaoh was, for than will it happen unto thee as it did unto him. What is that? Hardness of heart. And what then? Destruction eternally both of body and soul. Ah therefore good Mother awake, awake, repent, repent, bustell thyself and make haste to turn to the Lord, for else it shall be more easy for Sodom and Gomorre in the day of judgement, then for thee. Oh harden not your hearts: Oh stop not your ears to day in hearing gods voice, though it be by me a most unworthy messenger. Oh fear the Lord, for his anger is begun to kindle. Even now the are is laid to the root of the tree. Ye know I prophesied truly to you before the sweat came, what would come if ye repented not you carnal gospelling, and now I tell you before I depart hence, that the ears of men will tingle to hear of the vengeance of God that will fall upon you all, both town and university, if ye repent not, if ye leave not your Idolatry, if ye turn not speedily to the Lord, if ye still be ashamed of Christ's truth which ye know. Oh Perne repent, Oh Thomson repent, Oh ye Doctors, Bachelors and Masters repent, Oh Mayor Aldermen, & town dwellers repent, repent, repent that ye may escape the near vengeance of the Lord. Rend your hearts, and come apace calling on the Lord. Let us all say, Peccavimus, we have sinned, we have done wickedly, we have not hearkened to thy voice O Lord. Deal not with us after our deserts, but be merciful to our iniquities, for they are great. Oh pardon us our offences: In thine anger remember thy mercy. Turn us unto thee O Lord God of hosts, for the glory of thy names sake: spare us, and be merciful unto us. Let not the wicked people say: where is now their god? Oh for thine own sake, for thy name's sake deal mercifully with us. Turn thyself unto us, and us unto thee, and we shall praise thy name for ever. If in this sort (my dearly beloved) in heart and mouth we come unto our father, and prostrate ourselves before the throne of his grace, then surely surely we shall find mercy: then shall the Lord look merely upon us for his mercy sake in Christ: then shall we hear him speak peace unto his people, for he is gracious and merciful, of great pity and compassion: he can not be chiding for ever, his anger can not last long to the penitent. Though we weep in the morning, yet at night we shall have our sorrow to cease, for he is exorable, & hath no pleasure in the death of a sinner: he rather would our conversion and turning. Oh turn you now and convert, yet once again I humbly beseech you, & then the kingdom of heaven shall draw nigh. The eye hath not seen, the ear hath not heard, nor the heart of man is able to conceive the joys prepared for us if we repent, amend our lives, and heartily turn to the Lord. But if ye repent not, but be as ye were, and go on forwards with the wicked, following the fashion of the world, the Lord will lead you on with wicked doers, ye shall perish in your wickedness, your blood will be upon your own heads, your part shall be with hypocrites, where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, ye shall be cast from the face of the Lord for ever and ever, eternal shame, sorrow, woe, and misery shall be both in body and soul to you world without end. Oh therefore, right dear to me in the Lord, turn you, turn you, repent you, repent you, amend, amend your lives, depart from evil, do good, follow peace and pursue it. Come out from Babylon, cast of the works of darkness, put on Christ, confess his truth, be not ashamed of his Gospel, prepare yourselves to the cross, drink of God's cup before it come to the dregs, and then shall I with you and for you, rejoice in the day of judgement, which is at hand, and therefore prepare yourselves thereto I heartily beseech you. And thus I take my Vale in aeternum with you in this present life, mine own dear hearts in the Lord. The Lord of mercy be with us all, and give us a joyful, and sure meeting in his kingdom. Amen, Amen. Out of prison the .11. of February. Anno. 1555. Your own in the Lord for ever. john Bradford. ¶ To all those that profess the name and true religion of our saviour jesus Christ, in Lankeshyre and cheshire, and specially abiding in Manchester and thereabouts, john Bradford a most unworthy servant of the Lord, now not only in bonds but also condemned for the same true religion, wisheth mercy and grace, peace and increase of all godliness, from god the father of all piety, through the deserts of our Lord jesus Christ, by the working of the most mighty and lively spirit the comforter for ever. Amen. I Hear it reported credibly (my dearly beloved in the lord) that my heavenvly father hath thought it good to provide that, The enemies had appointed to burn him at Manchester, but the lord altered their purpose. as I have preached his true gospel and doctrine amongs you by word, so I shall testify and confirm the same by deed: that is, I shall with you leave my life, which by his providence I first received there (for in Manchester was I borne) for a seal to the doctrine I have taught with you & amongs you: so that if from henceforth you waver in the same you have none excuse at all. I know the enemies of Christ, which exercise this cruelty upon me (I speak it in respect of mine offence, which is none to them wards) think by killing of me amongs you, to affray you and others lest they should attempt to teach Christ truly or believe his doctrine hereafter: but I doubt not but that heavenly father will by my death more confirm you in his truth for ever. And therefore I greatly rejoice to see Satan and his soldiers supplanted in their own sapience, which is plain foolishness amongs the wise in deed, that is, amongs such as have heard gods word, and do follow it, for they only are accounted wise of the wisdom of God our saviour. In deed, if I should simply consider my life, with that which it ought to have been, and as God in his law requireth, than could I not but cry as I do. justus es domine & omnia judicia tua vera: Righteous art thou O lord and all thy judgements are true. For I have much grieved thee and transgressed thy holy precepts, not only before my professing the gospel, but sithen also, yea even sithen my coming into prison. I do not excuse but accuse myself before god and all his church, that I have grievously offended my Lord god, I have not lived his gospel as I should have done. I have sought myself & not simply & only his glory and my brethernes commodity, I have been to unthankful, secure, carnal, hypocritical, vain glorious. etc. All which my evils the lord of mercy pardon me for his Christ's sake, as I hope & certainly believe he hath done for his great mercy in Christ our redeemer. But when I consider the cause of my condemnation I can not but lament the I do no more rejoice than I do, for it is god's verity and truth: so that the condemnation is not a condemnation of Bradford simply, but rather a condemnation of Christ and his truth: Bradford is nothing else but an instrument, in whom Christ and his doctrine is condemned. And therefore (my dearly beloved) rejoice, rejoice and give thanks with me & for me, that ever god did vouchsafe so great a benefit to our country, as to choose the most unworthy (I mean myself) to be one, in whom it would please him to suffer any kind of affliction, much more this violent kind of death which I perceive is prepared for me amongs you for his sake. All glory & praise be given unto god our father for his exceeding great mercy towards me through jesus Christ our lord. But perchance ye will say unto me, what is the cause for the which you are condemned? we hear say that you deny all presence of Christ in his holy supper, & so make it a bare sign & common bread & nothing else. My dearly beloved, what is said of me & will be, I cannot tell. It is told me that M. Pendleton is gone down to preach with you, not as he hath recanted (for ye all know how he hath preached contrary to that he was wont to preach afore I came amongs you) but to recant that which he hath recanted. How he will speak of me & report before I come, when I am come, & when I am burned, I much pass not: for he the is so uncertain & will speak so often against himself, I cannot think he will speak well of me, except it make for his purpose & profit. But of this enough. In deed the chief thing which I am condemned for as an heretic is, because I deny the sacrament of the altar (which is not Christ's supper, but a plain perverting of it, being used as the papists now use it) to be a real, natural, & corporal presence of Christ's body & blood under the forms & accidents of bread and wine: that is, because I deny transubstantiation, which is the darling of the devil and daughter and heir to Antichrists religion, whereby the Mass is maintained, Christ's supper perverted, his sacrifice & cross imperfected, his priesthood destroyed, the ministry taken away, repentance repelled, and all true godliness abandoned. In the supper of our lord or sacrament of Christ's body and blood, I confess & believe, that there is a true & very presence of whole Christ god & man, to the faith of the receiver (but not of the slander by or looker on) as there is a very true presence of bread and wine to the senses of him that is partaker thereof. This faith, this doctrine, which confenteth with the word of god & with the true testimony of Christ's Church (which the popish church doth persecute) will I not forsake, and therefore am I condemned as an heretic & shallbe burned. But my dearly beloutd, this truth which I have taught, ye have received, I believed & do believe, and therein give my life: I hope in god shall never be burned, bound, nor overcome, but shall triumph, have victory and be at liberty, manger the head of all gods adversaries. For there is no counsel against the lord, nor no devise of man can be able to defeat the verity in any other, then in such as be children of unbelief, which have no love to the truth, and therefore are given up to believe lies. From which plague the lord of mercies deliver you and all this realm, my dear hearts in the Lord, I humbly beseech his mercy, Amen. And to the end ye might be delivered from this plague (right dear to me in the Lord) I shall for my farewell with you for ever in this present life, heartily desire you all in the bowels and blood of our most merciful saviour jesus Christ, to attend unto these things, which now I shall shortly write unto you out of the Holy scriptures of the Lord. Ye know an he ●aye plague or (rather plagues) of God is fallen upon us, in taking away our good king, gods true religion, God's true prophets and ministers etc. and setting over us such as seek not the Lord after knowledge, whose endeavours GOD prospereth wonderfully● to the trial of many, that his people may both better know themselves, and be known. Now the cause hereof is our iniquities and grievous sins. We did not know the time of our visitation, we were unthankful unto god, we contemned the gospel and carnally abused it to serve our hypocrisy, our vain glory, our viciousness, avarice, idleness, security. etc. Long did the lord linger & tarry to have showed mercy upon us, but we were ever the longer, the worse. Therefore most justly hath God dealt with us, and dealeth with us. Yea, yet we may see, that his justice is tempered with much mercy: whereto let us attribute that we are not utterly consumed: for if the lord should deal with us after our deserts (alas) how could we abide it? In his anger therefore, seeing he doth remember his mercy undeserved, yea undesired on our behalf, let us take occasion the more speedily to go out to meet him, not with force and arms, for we are not so able to withstand him, much less to prevail against him: but to beseech him to be merciful unto us, and according to his wanted mercy to deal with us. Let us arise with david and say: Ne intres in judicium cum servo tuo. etc. Enter not into judgement (oh Lord) with thy servant, for in thy sight no flesh living shall be justified. Let us send ambassadors with the Centurion and say, Lord we are not worthy to come ourselves unto thee, speak the word and we shall have peace. Let us penitently with the Publican look down on the earth, knock our hard hearts to burst them, and cry out: oh god be merciful unto us wretched sinners. Let us with the lost son return and say, O father we have sinned against heaven and earth & before thee, we are unworthy to be called thy children. Let us (I say) do on this sort, that is, heartily repent us of our former evil life and unthankful gospelling past, convert & turn to god with our whole hearts, hoping in his great mercy through Christ, and heartily calling upon his holy name, and then undoubtedly we shall find and feel otherwise then yet we feel, both inwardly and outwardly. Inwardly we shall feel peace of conscience between god and us, which peace passeth all understanding, & outwardly we shall feel much mitigation of these miseries, if not an outward taking of them away. Therefore my dearly beloved in the lord, I your poorest brother now departing to the Lord, for my vale in aeternum, for this present life, pray you, beseech you, and even from the very bottom of my heart, for all the mercies of god in Christ showed unto you, most earnestly beg and crave of you out of prison, as often out of your pulpits I have done, that ye will repent you, leave your wicked and evil life, be sorry for your offences and turn to the lord, whose arms are wide open to receive and embrace you, whose stretched out hand to strike to death, stayeth that he might show mercy upon you: for he is the lord of mercy and god of all comfort, he will not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should return, convert and amend, he hath no pleasure in the destruction of men, his long suffering draweth to repentance before the time of vengeance and the day of wrath which is at hand, doth come. Now is the axe laid to the root of the tree, utterly to destroy the impenitent. Now is the fire gone out before the face of the Lord, and who is able to quench it? Oh therefore repent you, repent you. It is enough to have lived as we have done. It is enough to have played the wanton gospelers, the proud protestants, hypocritical & false Christians, as (alas) we have done. Now the lord speaketh unto us in mercy and grace: oh turn before he speak in wrath. Yet is there mercy with the lord and plenteous redemption: yet hath he not forgotten to show mercy to them that call upon him: oh than call upon him while he may be found, for he is rich in mercy and plentiful to all them that call upon him: so that he that calleth upon the name of the lord shallbe saved. If your sins be as red as scarlet, the Lord saith he will make them as white as snow. He hath sworn and never will repent him thereof, that he will never remember our iniquities, but as he is god faithful and true: so will he be our God, and we shallbe his people. His law will he write in our hearts, and engraft it in our minds, and never will he have in mind our unrighteousness. Therefore my dear hearts in the Lord, turn you, turn you to the lord your father, to the lord your Saviour, to the Lord your comforter. Oh why do you stop your ears and harden your hearts to day, when you hear his voice by me your poorest brother? Oh forget not how that the lord hath showed himself true, & me his true preacher by bringing to pass these plagues which at my mouth & by my preaching ye often heard before they came: specially when I entreated of noah's flood, and when I preached of the 23. chap. of. S. Math. gospel on S. Steuens day the last that I was with you. And now by me the same Lord sendeth you word (dear country men) that if ye will go on forwards in your impenitency, carnality, hypocrisy, idolatry, covetousness, swearing, gluttony, drunkenness, whoredom, etc. wherewith (alas, alas) our country floweth: if (I say) ye will not turn & leave of, seeing me now burned emongs you, to assure you on all sides how god seeketh you and is sorry to do you hurt, to plague you, to destroy you, to take vengeance upon you: oh your blood will be upon your own heads. Ye have been warned & warned again, by me in preaching, by me in burning. As I said therefore I say again (my dear hearts and derlinges in the Lord) turn you, turn you, repent you repent you, cease from doing evil, study to do well, away with idolatry, fly the romish god & service, leave of from swearing, cut of carnality, abandon avarice, drive away drunkenness, fly from fornication & flattery, from murder & malice, destroy deceitfulness & cast away all the works of darkness, put on piety & godliness, serve god after his word & not after custom, use your tongues to glorify god by prayer, thanks giving & confession of his truth etc. Be spiritual, & by the spirit mortify carnal affections, be sober, holy, true, loving, gentle, merciful, & then shall the lords wrath cease, not for this your doings sake, but for his mercy's sake. Go to therefore (good countrymen) take this counsel of the lord by me now sent unto you, take it as the lords counsel (I say) & not as mine, that in the day of judgement I may rejoice with you and for you: the which thing I heartily desire, and not to be a witness against you. My blood will cry for vengeance, as against the papists gods enemies (whom I beseech god if it be his good will, heartily to forgive, yea even them which put me to death and are the causers thereof, for they know not what they do) so will my blood cry for vengeance against you (my dearly beloved in the lord) if ye repent not, amend not, and turn not unto the Lord. Turn unto the Lord, yet once more I heartily beseech thee, thou Manchester, thou Bolton, bury, Wigyn, Lierpole, Ashton underlyne, Mottrine, Stepport, Winsley Eccles, Pressed, Middleton, Radcliefe, and thou City of Westchester, where I have truly taught and preached the word of god. Turn I say unto you all, and to all the inhabitants thereabouts, unto the Lord our god, and he will turn unto you. He will say unto his angel: it is enough, put up thy sword. The which thing that he will do, I humbly beseech his goodness for the precious bloods sake of his dear son our saviour jesus Christ. Ah good brethren, take in good part these my last words unto every one of you. Pardon me mine offences and negligence in behaviour amongs you. The Lord of mercy pardon us all our offences for our saviour jesus Christ's sake, Amen. ¶ Out of prison, ready to come to you. The .11. of Februarye Anno. 1555. john Bradford. ¶ To the faithful and such as profess the true doctrine of our Saviour jesus Christ, dwelling at Walden and thereabouts, john Bradford a most unworthy servant of the Lord, now in bands and condemned for the same true doctrine, wisheth grace, mercy and peace, with the increase of all godliness, in knowledge and living, from God the father of all comfort, through the deserts of our alone and full redeemer jesus Christ, by the mighty working of the most holy spirit, the comforter for ever. Amen. WHen I remember how that by the providence and grace of god, I have been a man by whom it hath pleased him, through my ministry to call you to repentance and amendment of life something effectually (as it seemed) & to so we amongs you his true doctrine & religion, left that by my affliction and the storms now risen to try the faithful, and to conform them like to the Image of the son of GOD, into whose company we are called, ye might be faint hearted: I could not but out of prison secretly (for my keepers may not know that I have pen and ink) to write unto you a signification of the desire I have that you should not only be more confirmed in the doctrine I have taught amongs you, which I take on my death as I shall answer at the day of doom, I am persuaded to be gods assured, infallible and plain truth: but also should after your vocation avouch the same by confession, profession, and living. I have not taught you (my dearly beloved in the lord) fables, tales, or untruth, but I have taught you the verity, as now by my blood gladly (praised therefore be god) I shall seal up the same. In deed to confess the truth unto you and to all the church of Christ, I do not think of myself but that I have most justly deserved not only this kind, but also all kinds of death and that eternally, for mine hypocrisy, vain glory, uncleanness, self love, covetousness, idleness, unthankfulness, and carnal professing of gods holy gospel, living therein not so purely, lovingly, and painfully as I should have done: the lord of mercy for the blood of Christ pardon me as I hope, yea I certainly believe he hath done for his holy names sake through christ. But my dearly beloved, ye and all the whole world may see and easily perceive, that the prelate's persecute in me another thing than mine iniquities: even christ himself, christes verity and truth, because I can not, dare not, nor will not confess transubstantiation, and how that wicked men, yea mice and dogs, eating the sacrament (which they term of the altar, thereby overthrowing Christ's holy supper utterly) do eat Christ's natural and real body borne of the Virgin Mary. To believe and confess as god's word teacheth, the primative church believed, and all the catholic & good holy fathers taught for 500 years at the lest after christ, that in the supper of the Lord (which the mass overthroweth, as it doth Christ's priesthood, sacrifice, death and passion, the ministry of his word, true faith, repentance and all godliness) whole Christ god and man is present by grace to the faith of the receivers, but not of the standers by and lookers on, as bread & wine is to their senses: will not serve, and therefore I am condemned and shallbe burned out of hand as an heretic. Wherefore I thank my lord god heartily, that will & doth vouch me worthy to be an instrument, in whom he himself would suffer. For ye see my affliction and death is not simply because I have deserved no less, but much more at his hands and justice: but rather because I confess his verity and truth, and am not afraid through his gift, so to do, that ye also might be confirmed in his truth. Therefore my dearly beloved, I heartily do pray you and so many as unfeignedly love me in god, to give with me and for me most hearty thanks to our heavenly father through our Saviour jesus Christ, for this his exceeding great mercy towards me & you also, that your faith should not waver from the doctrine I have taught and ye have received. For what can ye desire more to assure your consciences of the verity taught by your Preachers, than their own lives? Go to therefore (my dear hearts in the lord) waver not in Christ's religion truly taught you & set forth in King Edward's days. Never shall the enemies be able to burn it, to prison it and keep it in bonds. Us they may prison, they may bind and burn, as they do and will do so long as shall please the lord, but our cause, religion and doctrine which we confess, they shall never be able to vanquish and put away. Their Idolatry and popish religion, shall never be built in the consciences of men that love the truth. As for those that love not gods truth, that have no pleasure to walk in the ways of the Lord, in those (I say) the devil shall prevail, for god will give them strong illusion, to believe lies. Therefore (dear brethren and sisters in the Lord) I humbly beseech you and pray you in the bowels and blood of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, now going to the death for the testimony of jesus, as often times I have done before this present out of the pulpit, that ye would love the lords truth: love it (I say) to live it, and frame your lives thereafter. Alas ye know the cause of all these plagues fallen upon us, and of the success which Gods adversaries have daily, is for our not living god's word●: ye know how that we are Gospelers in lips and not in life: we are carnal, full of concupiscene, idle, unthankful, unclean, covetous, a●●●gant, dissemblers, crafty, subtle, malicious, false, backebiters etc. And even glutted with god's word, yea we loathed it, as did the Israelites the Manna in the wilderness: and therefore as to them the Lords wrath waxed hot, so doth it unto us: so that there is no remedy but that (for it is better late to turn than never to turn) we confess our faults even from the bottom of our hearts, and with hearty repentance, (which god work in us all for his mercies sake) we run unto the Lord our God, which is exorable, merciful and sorry for the evil poured out upon us, and cry out unto him with Daniel saying: we have sinned, we have sinned, grievously (Oh lord god) against thy majesty, we have heaped iniquity upon iniquity, the measure of our transgressions floweth over, so that just is thy wrath & vengeance fallen upon us: for we are very miserable, we have contemned thy long suffering, we have not hearkened to thy voice when thou hast called us by thy preaches, we hardened our hearts, and therefore now deserve that thou send thy curse hereupon to harden our hearts also, that we should henceforth have eyes and see not, ears and hear not, hearts and understand not, lest we should be converted and saved. Oh be merciful unto us, space us good Lord and all thy people whom thou hast dearly bought. Let not thine enemy's triumph altogether & always against thee, for than will they be puffed up. Look down and behold the pitiful complaints of the poor: let the sorrowful sighings of the simple come in thy sight, and be not angry with us for ever. Turn us (Oh Lord god of hosts) unto thee and turn thee unto us, that thou mayest be justified in thy sweet sentences, and overcome when thou art iudg●d, as now thou art of our adversaries: for they say where is their god? Can God deliver them now? Can their gospel serve them? Oh Lord how long? For the glory of thy name, and for thy honour's sake, in the bowels and blood of jesus Christ, we humbly beseech thee, come and help us, for we are very miserable. On this sort, I say, dearly beloved, let us publikelye and privately bewail our sins: but so that hereto we join ceasing from wilfulness and sin of purpose, for else the Lord heareth not our prayers, as David saith. And o● Saint john it is written, the impenitent sinners god heareth not. Now impenitent are they which purpose not to amend their lives: as for example, not only those which follow still their pleasures in covetousness, uncleanness, carnality: but those also which for fear or favour of man, do against their conscience, consent to the romish rags, and resort to the rotten religion, communicating in service and ceremonies with the papists, thereby declaring themselves to love more the world than God, to fear more man than Christ, to dread more the loss of temporal things, then of eternal: in whom it is evident, the love of God abideth not: for he that loveth the world, hath not God's love abiding in him, saith the Evangelist. Therefore (my dear hearts, and dear again in the lord) remember what ye have professed, Christ's religion & name, and the renouncing of the devil, sin and the world. Remember that before ye learned A. B. C. your lesson was Christ's cross. Forget not that Christ will have no disciples, but such as will promise to deny themselves, to take up their cross (mark, they must take it up) & follow him, & not the multitude, custom & use. Consider for god's sake, that if we gather not with Christ, we scatter abroad. What should it profit a man to win the whole world, and lose his own soul? We must not forget that this life is a wilderness and not a paradise, here is not our home, we are now in warfare: we must needs fight, or else be taken prisoners. Of all things we have in this life, we shall carry nothing with us. If Christ be our captain, we must follow him as good soldiers. If we keep company with him in afflittion, we shall be sure of his society in glory. If we forsake not him, he will never for sake us. If we confess him he will confess us: but if we deny him, he will deny us. If we be ashamed of him, he will be ashamed of us. Wherefore as he forsook father, heaven, and all things to come to us: so let us forsake all things to come to him, being sure & most certain that we shall not lose thereby. Your children shall find & feel it double, yea triple, what soever ye lose for the Lords sake, and ye shall find and feel peace of conscience & friendship with god, which is more worth than all the goods of the world. My dearly beloved, therefore for the lords sake consider these things, which I now write unto you of love, for my Vale and last farewell for ever in this present life. Turn to the Lord, repent ye your evil and unthankful life, declare repentance by the fruits, take time whiles you have it, come to the Lord whiles he calleth you, run into his lap whiles his arms be open to embrace you, seek him whiles he may be found, call upon him whiles time is convenient, forsake and fly from all evil both in religion and in the rest of your life and conversation, let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and praise god in the day of his visitation. Oh come again, come again ye strange children & I will receive you, saith the Lord. Convert and turn to me and I will turn unto you. Why will ye needs perish? As sure as I live (sweareth the Lord) I will not your death, turn therefore unto me. Can a woman forget the child of her womb? If she should, yet will not I forget you, saith the lord your god. I am he, I am he which putteth away your sins for mine own sake. Oh then (dear friends) turn, I say, unto your dearest father: Cast not these his sweet and loving words to the ground and at your tail, for the Lord watcheth on his word to perform it, which is in two sorts: to them that lay it up in their hearts and believe it, will he pay all and eternal joy and comfort. But to them that cast it at their backs and wilfully forget it, to them (I say) will he pour out indignation and eternal shame. Wherefore I heartily yet once more beseech and pray you and every of you, not to contemn this poor and simple exhortation which now out of prison I make unto you, or rather the Lord by me. Loth would I be to be a witness against you in the last day, as of truth I must be if ye repent not, if ye love not gods gospel, yea if ye live it not. Therefore to conclude, repent, love gods gospel, live it in all your conversation: so shall gods name be praised, his plagues mitigated, his people comforted, & his enemies ashamed. Grant all this thou gracious Lord god to every of us, for thy dear sons sake our Saviour jesus Christ: To whom with thee and the holy ghost be eternal glory for ever and ever, Amen. The 12. of Febr. 1555. By the bondman of the Lord your afflicted poor brother. john Bradford. To the honourable lord russel, now Earl of Bedford, being then in trouble for the verity of god's Gospel. THe everlasting and most gracious god & father of our saviour jesus Christ, bless your good Lordship with all manner of heavenly blessings in the same Christ our only comfort and hope, Amen. Praised be god our father which hath vouched you worthy, as of faith in his Christ, so of his cross for the same. Magnified be his holy name, who as he hath delivered you from one cross, so he hath made you willing (I trust) and ready to bear an other when he shall see his time to lay it upon you: for these are the most singular gifts of God given as to few, so to none else but to those few which are most dear in his sight. Faith is reckoned and worthily, among the greatest gifts of god, yea it is the greatest itself that we enjoy, for by it, as we be justified & made gods children, so are we temples & possessors of the holy spirit, yea of Christ also, Eph. 4. and of the father himself, john. 14. By faith we drive the devil away. 1. Pet. 5. We overcome the world. 1. joh. and are already citizens of heaven and fellows with gods dear saints. But who is able to reckon the riches that this faith bringeth with her unto the soul she sitteth upon? No man nor Angel. And therefore (as I said) of all gods gifts, she may be set in the top & have the uppermost fear. The which thing if men considered (in that she cometh alonely from gods own mercy seat, by the hearing, not of Mass or Mattyns, Diriges or such draff, but of the word of God in such a tongue as we can and do understand) as they would be diligent and take great heed for doing or seeing any thing which might cast her down (for them they fall also) so would they with no less care, read and hear Gods holy word, joining thereto most earnest and often prayer, aswell for the more and better understanding, as for the loving, living & confessing of the same, maugre the head of the devil, the world, our flesh, reason, goods possessions, carnal friends, wife, children, and very life here, if they should pull us bark to hearken to their voice and counsel, for more quiet, sure, and longer use of them. Now, notwithstanding this excellency of faith, in that we read the Apostle to match therewith, yea (as it were) to prefer suffering persecution for Christ's sake, Philip. 1. I trow no man will be so fond as to think otherwise, but that I and all gods children have cause to glorify & praise god, which hath vouched you worthy so great a blessing. For though the reason or wisdom of the world think of the cross according to their reach and according to their present sense, & therefore flieth from it as from a most great ignominy & shame: yet God's scholars have learned otherwise to think of the cross, that it is the frame house in the which god frameth his children like to his son Christ: the furnace that fyneth gods gold: the high way to heaven: the Suit and livery that gods servants are served withal: the Earnest and beginning of all consolation & glory. For they (I mean gods scholars, as your Lordship is I trust) do enter into god's Sanctuary, Psal. 72 lest their feet slip. They look not as beasts do, on things present only but on things to come, & so have they as present to faith, the judgement & glorious coming of Christ, like as the wicked have now their worldly wealth wherein they wallow & will wallow till they tumble headlong into hell, where are torments too terrible and endless. Now they follow the Fiend as the Bear doth the train of honey and the Sow the swillinges, till they be brought into the slaughter-house, and then they know that their prosperity hath brought them to perdition. Then cry they woe, woe, we went the wrong way: we counted these men (I mean such as you be the suffer for god's sake loss of goods, friends and life, whom they shall see endued with rich robes of righteousness, crowns of most pure precious gold, and palms of conquest in the goodly glorious palace of the lamb, where is eternalioye, felicity etc.) we counted (will they then say) these men but fools and mad men, we took their conditions to be but curiosity, etc. But then will it be to late, than the time will be turned, laughing shall be turned into weeping, and weeping into rejoicing. Read Sapien. 2. 3. 4. 5. Therefore (as before I have said) great cause have I to thank God which hath vouched you worthy of this most bountiful blessing: much more than you have cause (my good Lord) so so be, I mean thankful. For look upon your vocation I pray you, and tell me how many noble men, Earls sons, Lords, Knights and men of estimation hath God in this Realm of England dealt thus with all? I dare say you think not that you have deserved this. Only God's mercy in his Christ hath wrought this on you, as he did in jeremyes' time on Abimeleche, in Achabs' time on Abdias, in Christ's time on joseph of Arimathia, in the Apostles time on Sergius Paulus and the Queen of Candaces chamberlain. Only now be thankful and continue, continue, continue (my good Lord) continue to confess Christ. Be not ashamed of him before men, for than will not he be ashamed of you. Now will he try you: stick fast unto him and he will stick fast by you: he will be with you in trouble and deliver you. But then must you cry unto him, for so it precedeth: Psa. 9●. he cried unto me and I heard: I was with him in trouble etc. Remember Loathes wife which looked back. Remember Frances Spira. Remember that none is crowned but he that striveth lawfully. Remember that all you have, is at Christ's commandment. Remember he lost more for you then you can lose for him. Remember you lose not that which is lost for his sake, for you shall find much more here and else where. Remember you shall die, and when where, and how, you can not tell. Remember the death of sinners is most terrible. Remember the death of God's Saints is precious in his sight. Remember the multitude goeth the wideway, which windeth to woe. Remember that the strait gate which leadeth to glory hath but few travelers. Remember Christ biddeth you strive to enter in thereat. Remember he that trusteth in the lord shall receive strength to stand against all the assaults of his enemies. Be certain all the hears of your head are numbered. Be certain your good father hath pointed bounds over the which the devil dare not look. Commit yourself to him: he is, hath been, & will be your keeper: cast your care on him & he will care for you. Let Christ be your scope & mark to prick at: let him be your patron to work by: let him be your ensample to follow: give him as your heart so your hand, as your mind so your tongue, as your faith so your feet, & let his word be your candle to go before you in all matters of religion. Blessed is he that walketh not to these popish prayers, nor standeth at them nor sitteth at them: Psa. 1 2. Cor. 6. glorify God in both soul & body. He that gathereth not with Christ scattereth abroad. Use prayer, look for gods help, which is at hand to them that ask & hope thereafter assuredly. In which prayer I heartily desire your Lordship to remember us, who as we are going with you right gladly (God therefore be praised) so we look to go before you, hoping that you will follow, if God so will, according to your daily prayer: thy will be done on earth etc. The good spirit of God always guide your Lordship unto the end, Amen. Your Lordships own for ever, john Bradford. another letter to the Lord russel THe eternal mercies of God in his dear son our saviour jesus Christ, be more and more felt and heartily perceived of you, my good Lord, to your endless joy and comfort, Amen. Because your Lordship looketh not for thanks of me for God's benefits ministered by you, and in few words I can not duly declare that I would do, I will omit the same, praying God our dear father in the day of his retribution to remember it, & in the mean season to assist, counsel, and comfort you as his child for ever in all things. I doubt not but that you have that childly opinion. Yea persuasion of his goodness in Christ towards you: them which blessing (my good lord) none is greater given to man upon earth. For assuredly he that hath it, is the very child of God, elect before all time in Christ jesus our lord, & therefore shall enjoy everlasting felicity, although he be here afflicted and tossed in trouble and temptation to his trial, that when he is found faithful he may receive the crown of glory. The only thing that discerneth the child of God from the wicked, is this faith, trust and hope in gods goodness through Christ, the which I trust you have, God increase it in you & make you thankful. Certainly such as enjoy it be happy: if they be happy, and that happiness is not where any thing is to be desired, they can not but for ever be most assured of perseverance to salvation, for if they fall the lord putteth under his hand that they shall not perish: they are beloved of Christ which loveth them to the very end. God for his mercy sake in Christ open more & more your eyes to see this his sweetness in Christ, to make you secure in him, and awake the flesh from her security, to be vigilant and heedeful how you may most behave yourself in thankful obedience to God and careful help and service to his people, that all your whole life may tend to this, how by example and otherwise you may do good to others, and still confirm his true service and religion by your constancy. Wherein if you continue to the end you shall receive an incorruptible crown of immmortal & unspeakable glory: but if for because of gods tarrying, which is only to prove you, you relent (which god forbidden) thinking it enough in heart to serve god, and in body to do as may make most to your commodity temporally, as many do: then undoubtedly your standing hitherto (wherefore gods holy name be praised) shall make much more for the papistical kingdom and glory thereof, then if you had never done as you have done. Whereof (my good lord) be not weary nor unthankful, for with the godly and in the church of god you are and shallbe had as a worthy member of christ, worthy of double honour, because god of his goodness hath vouched you worthy with out your deserts. In the one, that is for lands and possessions, you have companions many: but in the other (my good lord) you are A per se A with us to our comfort and joy unspeakable, so long as you continue (as I trust you will do to the end) and to our most heavy sorrow (which god forbidden) if you should relent in any point. Therefore I beseech your lordship in the bowels and blood of our saviour jesus Christ, to persever and continue to the end. He that hath not tempted you hitherto above your strength, will continue so to the end. If for a time he hide his face from you, yet he doth it but for a moment to make you the more heartily to cry to him, and surely he will hear you, not only when you are in crying, but also whilst you are in thinking how to cry: he is with you in trouble and will in deed deliver you. The longer he tarrieth, the more pleasantly and comfortably will he appear. Only believe and look for his help and you shall have peace, such peace as the world knoweth not nor can know, the which god give us a true feeling of, and then we shall not be grieved with afflictions, but rather rejoice in them, because they are but exercises and trials of faith, to the increase of faith and patience, with many godly virtues. etc. As concerning the number and charges of us hear (which this day I heard your lordship desired to understand) this is so much as I know, that we are iiij. in number together, whose names this bearer shall tell you. The charges of the least is xii. s. a weak. There are .v. others whose charges be not so great, but as they will themselves, I mean they pay daily as they take, and that to the uttermost: these were never ministers. I trust there is no urgent need in any of us all, & (I think) least in myself, through god my father's providence, the which I have and do daily wonderfully feel, his name therefore be praised. Other things I would write, but because they may be more safely told by this bringer, I have omitted the same for that purpose. God of his goodness ever be with you & keep your lordship to the very end as his dear child, Amen, Amen. Your humble to command. john Bradford. ¶ To. M. Warcuppe and his wife, Mistress Wilkinson, and other of his godly friends with their families. THe same peace our saviour Christ left with his people, which is not without war with the world, almighty god work plentifully in your hearts now and for ever, Amen. The time I perceive is come wherein the lords ground will be known, I mean it will now shortly appear, who have received gods gospel into their hearts in deed, to the taking of good root therein, for such will not for a little heat or sun burning, wither, but stiffly will stand and grow on, maugre the malice of all burning showers & tempests. And for as much as (my be loved in the Lord) I am persuaded of you, that ye be in deed the children of god, gods good ground, which groweth and will grow on (by gods grace) bringing forth fruit to gods glory after your vocations, as occasion shall be offered, burn the sun never so hot: therefore I cannot but so signify unto you, & heartily pray you and every one of you, accordingly to go on forwards after your master Christ, not sticking at the foul way and stormy wether which you are come into and are like so to do, of this being most certain, that the end of your journey shallbe pleasant & joyful, in such a perpetual rest and blissefulnes, as cannot but swallow up the showers that ye now feel and are soused in, if ye often set it before your eyes after Paul's counsel in the later end of the 4. and beginning of the 5. of the 2. epist. to the Cor. Read it I pray you and remember it often, as a restorative to refresh you, lest ye faint in the way. And besides this, set before you also, that though the weather be foul & storms grow apace, yet go not ye alone, but other your brothers & sister's pad the same path, as S. Peter telleth us, & therefore company should cause you to be the more courageous & cheerful. But if ye had no company at all to go presently with you, I pray you tell me if even from the beginning, the best of gods friends have found any fairer weather & way to the place whether ye are going I mean heaven) than ye now find & are like to do: except ye will with the worldlings, which have their portion in this life, tarry still by the way till the storms be overpast, and then either night will so approach that ye cannot travail, either the doors will he sparred before ye come, and so you shall lodge without in wonderful evil lodgings. Read Apo. 22. Begin at Abel and come from him to Noah, Abraham, Isaac, jacob, joseph the patriarchs, Moses, David, Daniel, & all the Saints in the old testament, & tell me whether for any of them found any fairer way than ye now find. If the old Testament will not serve, I pray you come to the new, & begin with Mary & joseph, & come from them to Zachary, Elizabeth, john Baptist, & every one of the Apostles & Evangelists, and search whether they all found any other way into the City, we travel towards, then by many tribulations. Besides these, if ye should call to remembrance the primative church, lord god ye should see so many to have given cheerfully their bodies to most grievous torments rather than they would be stopped in their journey, that there is no day in the year, but (I dare say) a M. was the fewest that with great joy lost their homes here, but in the City they went unto, have found other manner of homes than man's mind is able to conceive. But if none of all these were, if ye had no company now to go with you, as ye have me your poor brother and bondman of the lord, with many other I trust in god if ye had none other of the fathers, patriarchs, good Kings, Prophets, apostles, Evangelists, Martyrs and other holy saints & children of God that in their journey to heaven ward found as ye now find & are like to find if ye go on forward as I trust ye will: yet ye have your master and your captain jesus Christ, the dear darling and only begotten and beloved son of God, in whom was all the father's pleasure, joy and delectation, ye have him to go before you, no fairer way but much fouler, into this our city of jerusalem. I need not (I trust) to rehearse what manner of way he found. Begin at his birth and till ye come to his burial, ye shall find that every foot and strided of his journey, was no better, but much worse than yours now is. Wherefore (my dearly beloved in the Lord) be not so dainty as to look for that at gods hands your dear father, which the father's patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Evangelists, Martyrs, Saints, and his own son jesus Christ did not find. Hitherto we have had fair way (I trow) and fair weather also: now because we have loitered by the way and not made the speed we should have done, our loving lord and sweet father hath overcast the weather and stirred up storms and tempests that we might with more haste run out our race before night come, and the doors be sparred. The devil standeth now at every Inn door in his city and country of this world, crying unto us to tarry and lodge in this or that place, till the storms be overpast: not that he would not have us wet to the skin, but that the time might overpass us to our utter destruction. Therefore beware of his enticements: cast not your eyes on things that be present, phi. 3. how this man doth and how that man doth: but cast your eyes on the gleve ye run at, or else ye will lose the game. Ye know that he which runneth at the gleve, doth not look on other that stand by and go this way or that way, but altogether he looketh on the gleve, and on them that run with him that those which be behind overtake him not, and that he may overtake them which be before: even so should we do, leave of looking on those which will not run the race to heavens bliss by the path of persecution with us, and cast our eyes on the end of our race and on them that go before us that we may overtake them, and on them which come after us, that we may provoke them to come the faster after. He that shooteth will not cast his eyes in his shooting on them that stand by or ride by the ways (I trow) but rather on the mark he shooteth at, for else he were like to win the wrong way: Even so my dearly beloved, let your eyes be set on the mark ye shoot at, even Christ jesus, who for the joy he set before him, did joyfully carry his cross, contemning the shame, and therefore he now sitteth on the right hand of the throne of god. Let us follow him, for this did he that we should not be faint hearted. For we may be most assured, Hebr. 12 Rom. 8 2. Tim. 3 Math. 12 that if we suffer with him, we shall undoubtedly reign with him, but if we deny him, surely he will deny us: for he that is ashamed of me (sayeth Christ) and of my gospel in this faithless generation, I will be ashamed of him before the Angels of God in heaven. Oh how heavy a sentence is this to all such as know the Mass to be an abominable idol, full of idolatry, blasphemy & sacrilege against god and his Christ (as undoubtedly it is) and yet for fear of men, for loss of life or goods, yea some for advantage and gain, will honest it with their presence, dissembling both with God and man, as their own heart and conscience doth accuse them? Better it were that such had never known the truth, than thus wittingly, and for the fear or favour of man, whose breath is in his nostrils, Esay. 2 2. Pet. 2 Heb. 6.10. to dissemble it or rather (as in deed it is) to deny it. The end of such is like to be worse than their beginning. Such had need to take heed of the two terrible places to the Hebrews in the vi. and x. Chapters, least by so doing they fall therein. Let them beware they play not wily beguile themselves, as some do I fear me which go to Mass, and because they worship not, nor kneel not, nor knock not as others do, but sit still in their pues, therefore they think they rather do good to others than hurt. But (alas) if these men would look into their own consciences, there should they see that they are very dissemblers and in seeking to deceive others (for by this means the magistrates think them of their sort) they deceive themselves. They think at the elevation time, all men's eyes are set upon them to mark how they do. They think others hearing of such men going to mass, do see or inquire of their behaviour there. Oh if there were in those men that are so present at the mass, either love to god, or to their brethren, them would they for the one or both, openly take gods part and admonish the people of their idolatry: Math. 10 3. Reg. 8 Apoc. 3 they fear man more than him which hath power to cast both soul and body into hell fire, they halt on both knees: they serve two masters. God have mercy upon such and open their eyes with his eye salve that they may see, that they which take not part with god, are against God, and that they which gather not with christ, do scatter abroad. Oh that they would read what Saint john sayeth will be done to the fearful. Apoc. 21 Apo. 3. The counsel given to the church of Laodicea is good counsel for such. 2. Tim 1 Rom. 1 But to return to you again (dearly beloved) be no tie ashamed of god's gospel. It is the power of god to salvation, to all those that do believe it. Be therefore partakers of the afflictions, as God shall make you able, knowing for certain, that he will never tempt you farther than he will make you able to bear: 1. Cor. 10. phi. 1. 1. pet. 3. Math. 5 And think it no small grace of god to suffer persecution for gods truth, for the spirit of god resteth upon you, and ye are happy as one day ye shall see. Read 2. Thess. 1. and Hebr. 12. As the fire hurteth not gold but maketh it finer, so shall ye be more pure by suffering with Christ. 1. Pet. 1. The flail and wind hurteth not the wheat but cleanseth it from the chaste. And ye (dearly beloved) are gods wheat, fear not therefore the flail, fear not the fanning wind, fear not the millstone, fear not the oven, for all these make you more meet for the lords own tooth. Soap, though it be black, soileth not the cloth, but rather at the length maketh it more clean: so doth the black cross help us to more whiteness, if God strike with his batteldore. Rom. 8 Because ye are gods sheep, prepare yourselves to the slaughter, always knowing that in the sight of the lord, our death shall be precious. The souls under the altar, look for us to fill up their number: happy are we if god have so appointed us. 1. pet. 5 Math. 10. How soever it be (dearly beloved) cast yourselves wholly upon the Lord, with whom all the hears of your heads are numbered, so that not one of them shall perish. Will we, nill we, we must drink gods cup if he have appointed it for us. Drink it willingly then, & at the first when it is full, lest peradventure if we linger, we shall drink at the length of the dregs with the wicked, Psal. 75 1. pet 4 if at the beginning we drink not with his children: for with them his judgement beginneth, & when he hath wrought his will on mount Zion, then will he visit the nations round about. Submit yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of the Lord. 1. pet. 7 Rom. 8 No man shall touch you without his knowledge. When they touch you therefore, know it is to your weal: GOD thereby will work to make you like unto Christ here, that ye may be also like unto him elsewhere. Acknowledge your unthankfulness and sin, and bless god that correcteth you in the world, 1. Cor. 11. because ye shall not be damned with the world. Otherwise might he correct us, then in making us to suffer for righteousness sake: but this he doth because we are not of the world. Cal upon his name through Christ for his help, as he commandeth us. Believe that he is merciful to you, heareth you, & helpeth you: Psa. 50. Psal. 92 I am with him in trouble, & will deliver him saith he. Know that god hath appointed bounds over the which the devil, and all the world shall, not pass. If all things seem to be against you, yet say with job. If he kill me I will hope in him. Read the 91. psalm, and pray for me your poor brother & fellow suff●er for gods gospels sake, his name therefore be praised, & of of his mercy he make me & you worthy to suffer with good conscience for his name's sake. Die once we must, & when, we know not: happy are they whom god giveth to pay nature's det: I mean to die for his sake. Here is not our home, therefore let us accordingly consider things, always having before our eyes heavenvly jerusalem, Heb. 12. Apo. 21.22. the way thither to be by persecutions: the dear friends of God, how they have gone it after the example of our saviour jesus christ, whose footsteps let us follow even to the very Gallows, if god so will, not doubting but that as he within three days rose again immortal: even so we shall do in our time: that is when the trump shall blow, and the angel shall shoots, and the son of man shall appear in the clouds with innumerable saints and angels in majesty and great glory, then shall the dead arise, and we shall be caught up into the clouds to meet the lord, and so be always with him. Comfort yourselves with these words and pray for me for gods sake. Ecarcere. 19 novemb. 1553. john Bradford. ¶ To Sir james Hales knight, than prisoner in the Counter in Bredestrete. THe god of mercy, and father of all comfort, plentifully power out upon you, and in you his mercy, and with his consolations comfort & strengthen you to the end, for his and our Christ's sake, Amen. Although, right worshhpfull Sir, many causes might move me to be content, with crying for you to your god and my god, that he would give you grace to persever well, as he hath right notably begun to the great glory of his name, & comfort of all such as fear him, as lack of learning, of familiarity, yea acquaintance (for I think I am unknown to you both by face & name) & other such like things: yet I cannot content myself, but presume something to scribble unto you, not that I think my scribbling can do you good but that I might hereby declare my 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and compassion, love, and affection I bear towards your mastership, which is contented, yea desirous with us poor misers, to confess Christ's gospel in these perilous times and days of trial. Oh Lord god how good art thou, which dost thus glean out grapes, I mean children for thyself, and brethren for Christ? Look good. M. Hales on your vocation, not many judges, not many knights, not many landed men, not many rich men & wealthy to live as you are, hath god choose to suffer for his sake, as he hath now done you. Certainly I dare say, you think not so of yourself, as though God were bound to prefer you, or had need of you: but rather attribute this, as all good things, unto his free mercy in Christ. Again I dare say, you being a wise man, judge of things wisely, that is concerning this your cross, you judge of it not after the world & people, which is magnus erroris magister, nor after the judgement of reason and worldly wisdom, which is foolishness to faith, nor after the present sense, to that which non videtur gaudij sed molestioe, as Paul writeth: Heb. 1● but after the word of god, which teacheth your cross to be, in respect of yourself between god and you, gods chastising and your father's correction, nurture, school, trial, pathway to heaven, glory and felicity, and the furnace to consume the dross and mortify the relics of old Adam which yet remain: yea even the frame house to fashion you like to the dearest Saints of god here, yea to Christ the son of God, that else whece you might be like unto him. Now concerning your cross in respect of the world between the world & you, god's word teacheth it to be a testimonial of God's truth, of his providence, of his power, of his justice, of his wisdom, of his anger against sin, of his goodness, of his judgement, of your faith and religion: so that by it you are to the world a witness of God, one of his testes, that he is true, he ruleth all things, he is just, wise, and at the length will judge the world and cast the wicked into perdition, but the godly he will take and receive into his eternal habitation. I know you judge of things after faiths fetch and the effects or ends of things, and so you see aeternum pondus gloriae, 2. Cor. 4. which this cross shall bring unto you, dum non spectas ea quae videntur, sed ea quae non videntur. Let the worldlings way things and look upon the affairs of men with their worldly and corporal eyes, as did many in subscription of the kings last will, and therefore they did that for the which they beshrewd themselves: but let us look on things with other manner of eyes, as god be praised you did in not doing that which you were desired, and driven at to have done. You than beheld things not as a man, but as a man of god, and so you do now in religion, at the least hitherto you have done, and that you might do so still, I humbly beseech & pray you, say with David: Psa. 117. Defecerunt oculi mei in eloquium tuum, quando consolaberis me? Though you be as uter in fumo (for I hear you want health) yet ne obliviscaris iustificationes dei: but cry out, quot sunt dies servi tui, quando facies de persequentibus me judicium? Aba. 2. psa. 30. And be certain quod dominus veniens veniet & non tardabit. Si moram fecerit, expecta illum: for he is but add moment 'em in ira sua & vita in voluntate eius. Isaiah. 26. Ad vesperam demorabitur fletus, & ad matutinum letitia. Follow therefore Esayes' Counsel: Abscondere ad modicum, ad momentum, donec pertranseat indignatio eius, which is not indignatio in deed, but to our sense, and therefore in the 27. Isaiah. 27. Chapter of Isaiah God saith of his church and people, that as he keepeth night & day, so non est indignatio mihi, saith he. The mother sometime beateth the child, but yet her heart melteth upon it even in the very beating, and therefore she casteth the rod into the fire, and colleth the child, giveth it an apple and dandleth it most motherly. And to say the truth, the love of mothers to their children is but a trace to train us to behold the love of God towards us, & therefore saith he: can a mother forget the child of her womb? As who say, Isaiah. 49. no: but if she should so do, yet will not I forget thee, saith the Lord of hosts. Ah comfortable saying: I will not forget thee saith the Lord. In deed the children of God think oftentimes that God hath forgotten them, Psal. 26 Psa. 70. 1●8 37.26. Psa. 31. and therefore they cry: Ne abscondas faciem tuam a me etc. Ne derelinquas me domine etc. Whereas in very truth it is not so, but to their present sense, and therefore David said: ego dixi in excessu meo, proiectus sum a fancy tua. But was it so? Nay verily. Read his psalm and you shall see. So writeth he also in other places very often, especially in the person of Christ, as when he saith: Deus meus, deus meus ut quid dereliquisti me? he saith not ut quid derelinquis or derelinques me, but ut quid dereliquisti me? Where in deed God had not left him, but that it was so to his sense, and that this psalm telleth full well, which psalm I pray you now and then read, it is the 22. and thereto join the .30. and the .116. with diverse other. The same we read in the Prophet Esay in his .40. chapter, where he reproveth Israel for saying god had forgotten them. Nunquid nescis, sayeth he? An non audisti? etc. Qui sperant in domino mutabunt fortitudinem. And in his .54. Chapter: Noli timere etc. Ad punctum enimin modico dereliqui te, & in miserationibus magnis congregabo te. In momento indignationis abscondi faciem meam parumper a te, & in misericordia sempiterna misertus sum tui, dixit redëptor tuus dominus. Nam istud erit mihi sicut aquae Noe. enim iuravi ne porro aquae Noe pertransirent terram, sic iuravi ut non irascar tibi & non increpemte. Montes enim comovebuntur & colles contremiscent, misericordia autem mea non recedet a te, & foedus pacis meae non movebitur, dixit miserator tuus dominus. But the scriptures are full of such sweet places to them that will portare iram domini & expectare salutem & auxilium eius. As of all temptations this is the greatest, Mich. 7● that god hath forgotten or will not help us through the pikes, as they say: so of all services of God, this liketh he best, to hope assuredly on him and for his help always, which is adiutor in tribulationibus, 1. Cor. 11. and doth more gloriously show his power by such as be weak and feel themselves so. For quo infirmiores sumus, eo sumus in illo robustiores. Psalm. 144 Sic oculi domini be on them that tremble & fear. Voluntatem eorum faciet: he is with them in their trouble, he will deliver them: antequam clamaverint exaudit eos, as all the scriptures teach us: to the reading whereof and hearty prayer, I heartily commend you, beseeching almighty God, that of his eternal mercies he would make perfect the good he hath begun in you & strengthen you to the end, that you might have no less hope, but much more, of his help to your comfort now against your enemies, than already he hath given you against. N. for not subscribing to the Kings will. Be certain, be certain good Master Hales, that all the hears of your head your dear father hath numbered, so that one of them shall not perish: your name is written in the book of life. Therefore upon god cast all your care, which will comfort you with his eternal consolations, and make you able to go through the fire (if need be) which is nothing to be compared to the fire whereinto our enemies shall fall and lie for ever: from the which the Lord deliver us though it be through temporal fire, which must be construed according to the end & profit that cometh after it: so shall it then not much dear us to suffer it, for our master Christ's cause, the which the Lord grant for his mercy's sake, Amen. From the King's Bench. Your humble john Bradford To his Mother, a godly matron dwelling in Manchester, & to his brethren and sisters and other of his friends there. Our dear & sweet Saviour jesus Christ, whose prisoner at this present (praised be his name therefore) I am, preserve and keep you my good Mother, with my brothers and sisters, my father john Traves, Thomas Sorrocolde, Laurence and james Bradshaw with their wines & families etc. now and for ever, Amen. I am at this present in prison sure enough for starting, to confirm that I have preached unto you: as I am ready (I thank God) with my life and blood to seal the same, if god vouch me worthy of that honour. For good Mother and brethren, it is a most special benefit of god to suffer for his name's sake and gospel, as now I do: I heartily thank him for it, ●. Timo. 2. and am sure that with him I shall be partaker of his glory, as Paul sayeth: if we suffer with him we shall reign with him. Therefore be not faint hearted, but rather rejoice, at the least for my sake which now am in the right and high way to heaven: for by many afflictions we must enter into the kingdom of heaven. Acts. 14. Now will god make known his children. When the wind doth not blow, them can not a man know the wheat from the chaff: but when the blast cometh, then flieth away the chaff, but the wheat remaineth and is so far from being hurt, that by the wind it is more cleansed from the chaff and known to be wheat. Gold when it is cast into the fire, is the more precious: so are gods children by the cross of affliction. Always God beginneth his judgement at his house. Christ and the Apostles were in most misery in the land of jewry, but yet the whole land smarted for it after: so now God's children are first chastised in this world, that they should not be dampened with the world, for surely great plagues of god hang over this realm. Ye all know there was never more knowledge of god & less godly living & true serving of god. It was counted a foolish thing to serve god truly, & earnest prayer not past upon. Preaching was but a pastime. The communion was counted to common. Fasting to subdue the flesh, was far out of use. Alms was almost nothing. Malice, covetousness and uncleanness was common every where, with swearing, drunkenness & idleness. God therefore now is come as you have heard me preach, and because he will not damn us with the world, he beginneth to punish us: as me for my carnal living. For as for my preaching, I am most certain it is and was gods truth, and I trust to give my life for it by gods grace, but because I lived not the gospel truly but outwardly, therefore doth he thus punish me: nay rather in punishing bless me. And in deed I thank him more of this prison, then of any parlour, yea then of any pleasure that ever I had: for in it I find God my most sweet good god always. The flesh is punished, first to admonish us now heartily to live as we profess, secondly to certify the wicked of their just damnation, if they repent not. Perchance you are infirmed & weakened of that which I have preached, because god doth not defend it (as you think) but suffereth the old popish doctrine to come again and prevail: but you must know good Mother, that God by this doth prove and try his children and people whether they will unfeignedly and simply hang on him & his word. So did he with the Israelites, bringing them into a desert, after their coming out of Egypt, where (I mean the wilderness) was want of all things in comparison of that which they had in Egypt. Christ when he came into this world, brought no worldly wealth nor quietness with him, but rather war: the world (sayeth he) shall rejoice, john. 16. but ye shall mourn & weep, but your weeping shall be turned into joy: and therefore happy are they that mourn and weep, for they shall be comforted. They are marked then with gods mark in their foreheads and not with the beasts mark, I mean the Pope's shaven crown, who now with his shavelings rejoice, but woe unto them, for they shall be cast down, they shall weep and mourn. The rich Glutton had here his joy, and Lazarus sorrow, but afterwards the time was changed. The end of carnal joy is sorrow. Now let the whoremonger joy, with the dronckard, swearer, covetous, malicious, and blind buzzard Sir john: for the Mass will not bite them, neither make them to blush as preaching would. Now may they do what they will, come devils to the Church and go devils home, for no man must find fault. And they are glad of this: now have they their hearts desire, as the Sodomites had when Loth was gone, but what followed? Forsooth when they cried peace all shall be well, then came God's vengeance, fire and brimstone from heaven and burnt up every mother's child: even so dear Mother will it do to our papists. Wherefore fear God: stick to his word though all the world would serve from it. die you must once, and when or how, you can not tell. die therefore with Christ, suffer for serving him truly & after his word: for sure may we be that of all deaths it is most to be desired to die for gods sake. This is the most safe kind of dying: we can not doubt but that we shall go to heaven if we die for his name's sake. And that you shall die for his name's sake, God's word will warrant you, if you stick to that which GOD by me hath taught you. You shall see that I speak as I think: for by God's grace I will drink before you of this cup if I be put to it. I doubt not but God will give me his grace, & strengthen me thereunto: pray that he would, and that I refuse it not. I am at a point even when my Lord God will, to come to him. Death nor life, prison nor pleasure (I trust in God) shall be able to separate me from my Lord God and his Gospel. In peace when no persecution was, then were you content and glad to hear me: then did you believe me, and will you not do so now, seeing I speak that which I trust by god's grace if need be, to verefye with my life? Good Mother I writ before God to you, as I have preached before him. It is god's truth I have taught: It is that same infallible word whereof he hath said: heaven & earth shall pass, but my word shall not pass. The mass and such baggage as the false worshippers of god and enemies of Christ's cross (the papists I say) have brought in again to poison the church of God withal, displeaseth God highly and is abominable in his sight. Happy may he be which of conscience suffereth loss of life or goods in disallowing it. Come not at it. If God be God follow him: If the mass be God, let them that will see it, hear or be present at it, go to the devil with it. What is there as God ordained? His supper was ordained to be received of us in the memorial of his death, for the confirmation of our faith that his body was broken for us & his bloodshed for pardon of our sins: but in the Mass there is no receiving, but the priest keepeth all to himself alone. Christ sayeth, take eat: no sayeth the Priest gape peep. There is a sacrificing, yea killing of Christ again as much as they may. There is Idolatry in worshipping the outward sign of bread and wine: there is all in Latin, you can not tell what he sayeth. To conclude, there is nothing as God ordained: Wherefore my good Mother come not at it. Oh will some say, it will hinder you if you refuse to come to mass and to do as other do. But God will further you, (be you assured) as you shall one day find: who hath promised to them that suffer hindrance or loss of any thing in this world, his great blessing here, Mathe. 19 and in the world to come life everlasting. You shallbe counted an heretic: but not of others then of heretics, whose praise is a dispraise. You are not able to reason against the priests: but God will, that all they shall not be able to withstand you. No body will do so but you only: In deed no matter, for few enter into the narrow gate which bringeth to salvation. How be it, you shall have with you (I doubt not) Father Traves and others my brothers and sisters to go with you therein: but if they will not, I your son in GOD, (I trust) shall not leave you an inch, but go before you: pray that I may, and give thanks for me. Rejoice in my suffeting, for it is for your sakes to confirm the truth I have taught. How soever you do, beware this letter come not abroad but into Father Traves his hands: for if it should be known that I have pen and Ink in the prison, then would it be worse with me. Therefore to yourselves keep this letter, commending me to God and his mercy in Christ jesus, who make me worthy for his name's sake, to give my life for his gospel & church sake. Out of the Tower of London the .6. day of October. 1553. My name I write not for causes, you know it well enough: like the letter never the worse. Commend me to all our good brethren and sisters in the Lord. How soever you do be obedient to the higher powers, that is in no point either in hand or tongue rebel, but rather if they command that, which with good conscience you can not obey, lay your head on the block and suffer what soever they shall do or say. By patience possess your souls. To my very friend in the Lord Doctor Hill Physician. THe God of mercy and father of all comfort, at this present and for ever, engraft in your heart the sense of his mercy in Christ, and the continuance of his consolation, which can not but enable you to carry with joy, what soever cross he shall lay upon you, Amen. Hitherto I could have no such liberty as to write unto you, as I think you know: but now in that through god's providence I have no such restraint, I can not but something write, aswell to purge me of the suspicion of unthankfulness towards you, as also to signify my carefulness for you in these perilous days, lest you should wax cold in God's cause (which god forbidden) or suffer the light of the Lord once kindled in your heart, to be quenched, and so become as you were before, after the example of the world and of many others, which would have been accounted otherwise in our days, and yet still beguile themselves, still would be so accounted, although by their outward life they declare the contrary, in that they think it enough to keep the heart pure, notwithstanding that the outward man doth curry favour. In which doing, as they deny God to be jealous, and therefore requireth he the whole man as well body as soul, being both create, as to immortality and society with him, so redeemed by the blood of jesus Christ, and now sanctified by the holy spirit to be the temple of God, and member of his Son: as (I say) by their parting stake to give God the heart, and the world the body, they deny god to be jealous (for else they would give him both, as the wife will do to her husband whether he be jealous or no if she be honest) so they play the dissemblers with the church of God, by their fact offending the godly, whom either they provoke to fall with them, or make more careless & conscienceles if they be fallen, and occasioning the wicked and obstinate to triumph against god, and the more vehemently to prosecute their malice against such as will not defile themselves in body or soul with the romish rags now revived amongs us. Because of this, I mean lest you my dear Master & brother in the lord, should do as many of our gospelers or rather gospel spillers do for fear of man, Esay. 2 whose breath is in his nostrils, and hash power but of the body, not fearing the Lord which hath power both of soul and body, and that not only temporally but also eternally: I could not but write something unto you, aswell because duty deserveth it (for many benefits I have received of God by your hands. for the which he reward you, for I cannot) as also because charity and love compelleth me: not that I think you have any need (for as I may rather learn of you, so I doubt not but you have hitherto kept yourself upright from halting) but that I might both quiet my conscience calling upon me hereabout, and signify unto you by some thing my carefulness for your soul, as painfully and often you have done for my body. Therefore I pray you call to mind that there be but two masters, two kinds of people, two ways, and two mansion places. The masters be Christ and Satan: the people be servitures to either of these: the ways be strait and wide: the mansions be heaven and hell. Again: consider that this world is the place of trial of god's people and the devils servants: for as the one will follow his master whatsoever cometh of it, so will the other. For a time it is hard to discern who pertaineth to god and who to the devil: as in the calm and peace, who is a good shipman and wariour, & who is not. But as when the storm ariseth the expert mariner is known, as in war the good soldier is seen, so in affliction and the cross, easily gods children are known from Satan's servants: ●or then as the good servant will follow his master, so will the godly follow their captain, come what come will, where as the wicked and hyyocrites will bid adieu, and desire less of Christ's acquaintance. For which cause the cross is called a probation and trial, because it trieth who will go with GOD and who will forsake him. As now in England we see how small a company christ hath in comparison of Satan's soldiers. Let no man deceive himself, for he that gathereth not with Christ, scattereth abroad. No man can serve two masters: the Lord abhorreth double hearts: the lukewarm, that is such as are both hot and cold, he spiteth out of his mouth. None that halt on both knees, doth god take for his servants. The way of Christ is the straight way, and so straight, that as few find it, and few walk in it, so no man can halt in it, but needs must go upright: for as the straightness will suffer no reeling to this side or that side, so if any man halt, he is like to fall of the bridge into the pit of eternal perdition. strive therefore good master Doctor, now you have found it, to enter into it: and if you should be called or pulled back, look not on this side or that side, or behind you as Loathes wife did: but straight forwards on the end, which set before you (though it be to come) as even now present: like as you do and will your patientes to do in purgations and other your ministrations, to consider the effect that will ensue, where through the bitterness and loathsomeness of the purgation, is so overcome, and the painfulness in abiding the working of that is ministered, is so eased, that it maketh the patiented willingly & joyfully to receive that is to be received, although it be never so unpleasant: so (I say) set before you the end of this strait way, and then doubtless, as Paul saith, aeternum pondus gloriae pariet, whiles you look not on the thing seen, for that is temporal, but on the thing which is not seen which is eternal. So doth the husbandman in ploughing and tilling set before him the harvest time: so doth the fisher consider the draft of his net rather than the casting in: so doth the merchant the return of his merchandise: and so should we in these stormy days set before us not the loss of our goods, liberty, & very life, but the reaping time, the coming of our saviour Christ to judgement, the fire that shall burn the wicked & disobedient to god's gospel, the blast of the Trump, the exceeding glory prepared for us in heaven eternally, such as the eye hath not seen, the ear hath not heard, nor the heart of man can conceive. The more we lose here, the greater joy shall we have there. The more we suffer the greater triumph. For corruptible dross, we shall find incorruptible treasures: for gold glory: for silver, solace without end: for riches, robes royal: for earthily houses, eternal Palaces, mirth without measure, pleasure without pain, felicity endless: Summa, we shall have God the father, the son and the holy Ghost. Oh happy place, oh that this day would come. Then shall the end of the wicked be lamentable, then shall they receive the just reward of thy vengeance, then shall they cry woe, woe, that ever they did as they have done. Read Sapien 2.3.4.5. Read Matthew. 25. Read 1. Corrinthians. 15. 2. Corrinthians. 5. and by faith (which GOD increase in us) consider the things there set forth. And for your comfort, read Hebrews. 11. to see what faith hath done, always considering the way to heaven to be by many tribulations, & that all they which will live godly in Christ jesus, must suffer persecution. You know this is our Alphabet: he that will be my Disciple, sayeth Christ, must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me: not this Bishop, nor that Doctor, not this Emperor, nor that King, but me sayeth Christ: for he that loveth father, mother, wife, children, or very life better than me, is not worthy of me. Remember that the same Lord sayeth: Math. 8. he that will save his life shall lose it. Comfort yourself with this, that as the devils had no power over the Porkettes, or over jobes' goods without God's leave, so shall they have none over you. Remember also that all the hears of your head are numbered with God. The devil may make one believe he will drown him, as the Sea in his surges threateneth to the land: but as the Lord hath appointed bounds for the one, over the which he cannot pass, so hath he done for the other. On god therefore cast your care, love him, serve him after his word, fear him, trust in him, hope at his hand for all help, and always pray, looking for the cross, and when soever it cometh, be assured the Lord, as he is faithful, so he will never tempt you further than he will make you able to bear, but in the midst of the temptation, will make such an evasion as shallbe most to his glory, and your eternal comfort. God for his mercy in Christ with his holy spirit endue you, comfort you, under the wings of his mercy shadow you, and as his dear child guide you for evermore. To whose merciful tuition, as I do with my hearty prayer commit you: so I doubt not but you pray for me also, and so I beseech you to do still. My brother. P. telleth me you would have the last part of saint Hieromes' works, to have the use thereof for a fortenighte. I cannot for these three days well forbear it, but yet on thursday next I will send it you if god let me not, & use me & that I have as your own. The lord for his mercy in Christ direct our ways to his glory. Amen. Out of prison by yours to command. john Bradford. To masters M. H. a godly gentlewoman, comforting her in that common heaviness and godly sorrow, which the feeling and sense of sin worketh in gods children. I Humbly and heartily pray the everliving good god and father of mercy, to bless and keep your heart and mind in the knowledge and love of his truth, & of his Christ through the inspiration and working of the holy spirit, Amen. Although I have no doubt but that you prosper and go forwards daily in the way of godliness, more and more drawing towards perfection, and have no need of anyething that I can write, yet because my desire is that you might be more fervent and persever to the end. I could not but write something unto you, beseeching you both often and diligently to call unto your mind as a mean to stir you hereunto, yea as a thing which god most straightly requireth you to believe, that you are beloved of god, & that he is your dear father in, through and for Christ and his deaths sake: This love & tender kindness of god towards us in Christ is abundantly herein declared, in that he hath to the godly worst of creation of this world, made us after his image, redeemed us being lost, called us into his church, sealed us with his mark and sign manuel of Baptism, kept and conserved us all the days of our life, fed, nourished, defended and most fatherly chastised us, and now hath kindled in our hearts the sparkles of his fear, faith, love, and knowledge of his Christ and truth, and therefore we lament because we lament no more our unthankfulness, our frailness, our diffidence and wavering in things wherein we should be most certain. All these things we should use as means to confirm our faith of this, that god is our god and father, and to assure us that he loveth us as our father in Christ: to this end (I say) we should use the things before touched, especially in that of all things god requireth this faith and persuasion of his fatherly goodness, as his chiefest service. For before he ask any thing of us, he saith: I am the Lord thy god, giving himself, and then all he hath to us, to be our own. And this he doth in respect of himself, of his own mercy and truth, and not in respect of us, for than were grace no grace. In consideration whereof, when he saith, Thou shalt have none other gods but me, thou shalt love me with all thy heart &c: though of duty we are bound to accomplish all that he requireth, and are culpable and guilty if we do not the same, yet he requireth not these things further of us, than to make us more in love and more certain of this his covenant, that he is our lord and god. In certainty whereof, as he hath given this whole world to serve to our need and commodity, so hath he gived his son Christ jesus, and in Christ, himself to be a pledge and gage, whereof the holy Ghost doth now and then give us some taste and sweet smell to our eternal joy. Therefore (as I said) because God is your father in Christ, and requireth of you straightly to believe it, give yourself to obedience, although you do it not with such feeling as you desire. First must faith go before, and then feeling will follow. If our imperfection, frailty, and many evils should be occasions whereby Satan would have us to doubt, as much as we can let us abhor that suggestion as of all others most pernicious: for so in deed it is. For when we stand in a doubt whether God be our father, we cannot be thankful to GOD, we cannot heartily pray or think any thing we do, acceptable to God, we cannot love our neighbours and give over ourselves to care for them and do for them as we should do, and therefore Satan is most subtle hereaboutes, knowing full well that if we doubt of Gods fatherly eternal mercies towards us through Christ, we cannot please god, or do any thing as we should do to man. Continually casteth he into our memories our imperfection, frailty, falls and offences, that we should doubt of god's mercy and favour towards us. Therefore my good Sister, we must not be sluggish herein, but as Satan laboureth to losen our faith, so must we labour to fasten it by thinking on the promises and covenant of God in Christ's blood, namely that god is our god with all that ever he hath: which covenant dependeth and hangeth upon gods own goodness, mercy and truth only, and not on our obedience or worthiness in any point, for than should we never be certain. In deed God requireth of us obedience & worthiness, but not that thereby we might be his children and he our father, but because he is our father and we his children through his own goodness in Christ, therefore requireth he faith and obedience. Now if we want this obedience and worthiness which he requireth, should we doubt whether he be our father? Nay, that were to make our obedience and worthiness the cause, and so to put christ out of place, for whose sake god is our father. But rather because he is our father and we feel ourselves to want such things as he requireth, we should be stirred up to a shamefastness and blushing, because we are not as we should be: and thereupon should we take occasion to go to our father in prayer on this manner: Dear father thou of thine own mercy in Christ hast chosen me to be thy child, and therefore thou wouldst I should be brought into thy church, & faith full company of thy children, wherein thou hast kept me hitherto, thy name therefore be praised. Now I see myself to want faith, hope, love, etc. which thy children have & thou requirest of me, where through the devil would have me to doubt, yea utterly to despair of thy fatherly goodness, favour, and mercy. Therefore I come to thee as to my merciful father through thy dear son jesus Christ, and pray thee to help me good Lord, help me, and give me faith, hope, love, etc. and grant that thy holy spirit may be with me for ever, and more and more to assure me that thou art my father: that this merciful covenant thou madest with me in respect of thy grace in Christ and for Christ, and not in respect of any my worthiness, is always true to me, etc. On this sort (I say) you must pray and use your cogitations when Satan would have you to doubt of salvation. He doth all he can to prevail herein. Do you all you can to prevail herein against him. Though you feel not as you would, yet doubt not, but hope beyond all hope, as Abraham did. faith always (as I said) goeth before feeling. As certain as god is almighty, as certain as god is merciful, as certain as god is true, as certain as Christ was crucified, is risen, and sitteth on the right hand of the father: as certain as this is god's commandment, I am the Lord thy god: so certain ought you to be that God is your father. As you are bound to have none other gods but him, so are you no less bound to believe that god is your God. What profit should it be to you to believe this to be true: I am the Lord thy god, to others, if you should not believe that this is true to yourself? The Devil believeth on this sort. And whatsoever it be that would move you to doubt of this, whether god be your god through Christ, that same cometh undoubtedly of the devil. Wherefore did GOD make you, but because he loved you? Might not he have made you blind, dumb, deaf, lame, frantyke & c? Might not he have made you a jew, a Turk, a papist & c? And why hath he not done so? Verily because he loved you. And why did he love you? What was there in you to move him to love you? surely nothing moved him to love you, & therefore to make you, and so hitherto to keep you, but his own goodness in Christ. Now then in that his goodness in Christ still remaineth as much as it was: Eccle. 2. that is, even as great as himself, for it cannot be lessoned, how should it be but that he is your god and father? Believe this, believe this my good Sister, for god is no changeling: them whom he loveth, he he loveth to the end. Cast therefore yourself wholly upon him, and think without all wavering that you are gods child, that you are a citizen of heaven, that you are the daughter of god, the temple of the holy Ghost etc. If hereof you be assured, as you ought to be, then shall your conscience be quieted, then shall you lament more and more that you want many things which god loveth, then shall you labour to be holy in soul and body, then shall you go about that God's glory may shine in you in all your words and works, then shall you not be afraid what man can do unto you, then shall you have such wisdom to answer your adversaries, as shall serve to their shame and your comfort, then shall you be certain that no man can touch one hear of your head further than shall please your good father to your everlasting joy, then shall you be most certain that god as your good father, will be more careful for your children and make better provision for them, if all you have were gone, than you can, then shall you (being assured I say of god's favour towards you) give over yourself wholly to help and care for others that be in need, then shall you contemn this life, and desire to be at home with your good and sweet father, then shall you labour to mortify all things that would spot either soul or body. All these things spring out of this certain persuasion and faith that god is our father, and we are his children by Christ jesus. All things should help our faith herein: but Satan goeth about in all things to hinder us. Therefore let us use earnest and hearty prayer. Let us often remember this covenant, I am the Lord thy god: let us look upon Christ and his precious blood shed for the obsignation and confirmation of this covenant. Let us remember all the free promises of the gospel: let us set before us gods benefits generally in making this world, in ruling it, in governing it, in calling and keeping his church etc. Let us set before us gods benefits particularly, how he hath made us creatures after his image: how he hath made us of perfect limbs, form, beauty, memory &c: how he hath made us Christians, and given us a right judgement in his religion: how he hath ever sithen we were borne, blessed, kept, nourished and defended us: how he hath often beaten, chastised and fatherly corrected us: how he hath spared us and doth now spare us, giving us time, space, place, grace. This if you do and use earnest prayer, and so fly from all things which might wound your conscience, giving yourself to diligence in your vocation: you shall find at the length that (which god grant to me with you) a sure certainty of salvation, without all such doubt as may trouble the peace of conscience, to your eternal joy and comfort, Amen, Amen. Yours to use in Christ. john Bradford. another letter full of Godly comfort written to the same person. THe good spirit of God which guideth his children, be with you my good sister in the Lord for ever, Amen. Although, as I to you, so you unto me in person are unknown, yet to him whom we desire to please, we are not only in persons, but also in hearts known & thoroughly seen. And therefore as for his sake you would by that you sent, of me be perceived how that in God you bear to me a good will: so, that I to you might be seen in God to bear you the like, I send to you these few words in writing, wishing that in all your doings and speech, yea even in your very thoughts, you would labour to feel that they are all present and open before the sight of GOD, be they good or bad This cogitation often had in mind, and prayer made to god for the working of his spirit, thereby (as a mean) you shall at the length feel more comfort & commodity, than any man can know but such as be exercised therein. Howbeit this is to be added, that in thinking yourself & all that you have, & do, to be in the sight of god: this (I say) is to be added that you think his sihht is the sight, not only of a Lord, but rather of a father, which tendereth more your infirmaties than you can tender the infirmities of any your children. Yea when in yourself you see a motherly affection to your little one that is weak: let the same be unto you a trace to traint you to see the unspeakable kind affection of god your father towards you. And therefore upon the consideration of your infirmities & natural evils, which continually cleave unto us, take occasion to go to god as your father through Christ, & before his merciful heart lay open your infirmities & evils, with desire of pardon & help after his good will & pleasure, but in his time & not when you will, & by what means he will, not that way that you would: in the mean season hang on hope of his fatherly goodness, & surely you shall never be ashamed. For if a woman that is natural can not finally forget the child of her womb, be sure god which is a father supernatural, can not, nor will not forget you. Yea if a woman could be so forgetful, Isaiah. 4●. yet god himself saith, he will not be so. This opinion, yea rather certain persuasion of god your father through christ, see that you cherish, & by all means, aswell by diligent consideration of his benefits, as of his loving corrections, whether they be inward or outward, see that you nourish, knowing for certain that as the devil goeth about nothing so much as to bring you in a doubt whether you be gods child or no: so whatsoever shall move you to admit that dubitation, be assured the same to come from the devil. If you feel in yourself not only the want of good things, but also plenty of evil, do not therefore doubt whether you be gods child in christ or no. For if for your goodness, or illness sake, which you feel or feel not, you should believe or doubt, them should you make Christ jesus, for whose sake only god is your father, either nothing, or else but a half Christ. But rather take occasion of your wants in good, & of your plenty in evil, to go to god as to your Father, & to pray him that in as much as he commandeth you to believe that he is your God and Father: so he would give you his good spirit, that you might feel the same, & live as his child to his glory: & cease not upon such prayers to look for comfort in Gods good time, still hoping the best & rejecting all dubitation, & so all evil works words & cogitations, as the Lord shall enable you by his good spirit & grace, which I beseech him to give unto you, my goodsister for ever. And further I pray you that as he hath made you to be a helper unto your husband, so you would endeavour yourself therein to show the same aswell in soul as body: and beg grace of god, that your endeavours may be effectual to both your comforts in Christ, Amen. john Bradforde. To my beloved in the Lord. W. P. GRrace and peace from God the Father through our Lord jesus Christ, Amen. Dear brother, god most justly hath cast me now into a dungeon but much better than I deserve: wherein I see no man but my keeper, nor can see any except they come to me. Something in the earth my lodging is: which is an example & memorial of my earthly affections (which god I trust will mortify) & of my sepulchre whereunto I trust my Lord God will bring me in peace in his good time. In the mean season, he give me patience, lively hope and his good spirit. This disease was a Rheum with a feebleness of stomach, wherewith he was much troubled whiles he was at liberty. I pray you pray for me, for the prayer of the godly, if it be effectual, worketh much with God. I thank God my common disease doth less trouble me now, then when I was abroad, which doth teach me the merciful providence of god towards me. Commend me to Mistress Wilkinson, whom we pray god to strengthen in his truth & grace unto the end. Use true and hearty prayer and you shall perceive god at length will declare himself to see where now many think he sleepeth, Out of the Tower by the lords prisoner. john Bradford To Mistress I. H. a faithful woman and fearing God, whom he exhorteth to be patient under the cross & not to fear death. MY dearly beloved, I beseech our merciful father to comfort your heavy and pensive heart with his own consolations in Christ, as I am assured he will in his good time: which with patience look for (good sister) after the example of job, james. 5. Helias, Abraham, and all the dear Saints of God, which are set forth unto us for patrons of patience: god grant us well to cut our cloth after them, for God is the same God now, and the end will show that he is a merciful Lord and full of compassion. My dear sister you shall unfeignedly feel it at the length, though presently it seemeth otherwise unto your sense: you shall, after you be a little exercised herein, Heb. 12 find a quiet fruit of righteousness, the God of grace which hath called you unto his eternal glory, confirming & strengthening you, being some deal afflicted with your brethren and sisters that be in the world, 1. pet. 5 for alone you suffer not as I trust you know. It comforted me to read in your letters that no displeasure of father, mother, husband, children etc. doth move you to be ruled after the counsel of the world, and therefore you will me not to be afeard for you. Oh my beloved what thanks should I give to our god and dear father for this his exceeding kindness towards you? His name be magnified for you for ever: his mercy be more and more multiplied unto you, in you & upon you for ever and ever, Amen. God make me thankful herefore. But you add that the fear of death doth now and then move you a little. Howbeit you say, that as I have counseled you, you will strive there against. My good joice I take you at your word, keep promise I pray you, that is, strive against it, and I promise you in the name of the Lord, that you shall have the victory, which I would wish you to set before your eyes also, & so shall the terror of death trouble you the less. Soldiers going to war, set not before their eyes simply the stripe, but rather the victory: and my good sister will not you herein follow them? In your travail with child doth not the hope of the babe to be delivered, mitigate the malady? Doth not the sick in taking bitter and loathsome Physic set before him the commodity which will ensue? And my dear sister, will not you by these be something informed? Consider what this life is: consider what death is: consider what is prepared for you after death. Concerning this life, you know that it is full of misery, vanity and woe: it is a plain exile and hath nothing in it permanente. It is therefore compared to a vapour, to a smoke, to a shadow, yea to a warfare, a wilderness, a vale of wretchedness, wherein we are compafed on every side with most fierce and fearful enemies: and should we desire to dwell here? Should we lust to live in this loathsome and laborious life? Should we wish to tarry in this wretchedness? Should we have pleasure to remain in this perilous state? daniel's den is not so dreadful as is this dungeon we dwell in. Concerning death to them that be (as I know you are) Gods dear children, my tenderly beloved sister, what other thing is it then the dispatcher of all displeasure, the end of all travail, the door of desires, the gate of gladness, the port of paradise, the haven of heaven, the rail of rest and quietness, the entrance to felicity, the beginning of all blissfulness. It is the very bed of down (and therefore well compared to a sleep) for the doleful bodies of God's people to rest in, out of the which they shall rise and awake most fresh and lusty to life everlasting. It is a passage to the Father, a chariot to heaven, the lords messenger, a leader unto Christ, a going to our home, a deliverance from bondage and prison, a dismission from war, a security from all sorrows, and a manumission from all misery. So that the very heathen did in some places cause the day of their death to be celebrated with mirth, melody and minstrelsy, and should we be dismayed at it? Should we be afraid of it? Should we tremble to hear of it? Should such a friend as it is, be unwelcome? Should the foulness of his face fear us from his good conditions? Should the hardness of his husk hinder us from his sweet cornel? Should the roughness of the tide tie us to the bank and shore, there to be drowned, rather than the desire of our home drive us to go aburde? Should the hardness of the saddle set us on our feet to perish by the way, rather than to leap up and endure the same a little, and so to be where we would be? Concerning that which is prepared for you after death, if I should go about to express it, the more I should so do, the further I should be from it. For the eye hath not seen, neither the ear hath heard, nor the heart of man is able to conceive in any point, the joy, mirth, melody, pleasure, power, wealth, riches, honour, beauty, fellowship, dainties, odours, glory, wisdom, knowledge, threasures, security, peace, quietness and eternal felicity, which you shall have and enjoy world without end, with God the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, with the Angels, Archangels, with the patriarchs and Prophets, with the Apostles and Evangelists, with the Martyrs and Confessors, and with all the Saints of God in the Palace of the Lord in heaven, the kingdom of God, the glory of the Father. Oh woe to the blindness of our eyes that see not this: Woe to the hardness of our hearts that feel not this: Woe to the deafness of our ears that hear not this in such sort as we should do: wherethrough we might be so far from fearing death, that rather we should wish it, crying with Simeon: Now let thy servant departed in peace: With Paul, I desire to be desoulued and to be with Christ: With David, when shall I come and appear before thee? And again: Oh woe is me that my habitation is thus prolonged etc. Psa. 119. But halas dear sister, great is our unbelief. Full faint is our faith, or else night and day tears should be our bread and drink, Psal. 41. whilst it is said unto us, where is your GOD? It is a token of little love to God, to be loath to go unto him when he calleth. If my dearest friend, of a special favour and tender good will, should send a horse for me to come unto him, should I be displeased thereat? yea should I not be willing and glad to come unto him? And halas, yet if death the Lords palfrey, the lords messenger should come, I think I should not be so ready, but be fearful as you foresee yourself to be. Wherethroughe I doubt not but you take occasion to lament the weakness of your faith, and seeing your need, to prepare for remedy against the time of need, and to beg of GOD his aid, strength and comfort against that pintche, which undoubtedly you shall have, and find his promise true, that in an acceptable time he heard your prayer. Such as I am, have no such foresight of death, and therefore are less presently dismayed, which will turn to our greater grief in the plunge, save that for my part, I hope he will never tempt me further than he will make me able to bear. Into his hands I offer myself, beseeching him for his Christ's sake to keep me soul and body to his kingdom and glory, and to lead me, order me, and dispose me as he will in all things, in all places and for ever, that at the length I may come whether I will, that is into his own blessed presence and fruition of immortality with you and his Saints, Amen. Thus much I thought good to write unto you for this present, to occasion you the less to fear death, which either needeth not or booteth not: and therefore even reasonable men, much more spiritual men, labour to strive against the fear of that which they can by no means avoid. But of this hereafter I trust mouth to mouth to speak with you. Now as to my soul, I pray and wish unto you my most dear sister in the Lord, whose grace guide you, and his mercy embrace you on every side for ever, Amen. Yours john Bradford To my good friend in God Master Humphrey Hales. AS to my dear friend, I wish unto you gentle master Hales, health of soul and body to God's glory and your everlasting comfort, Amen. Although it be commonly spoken and as commonly verified, that seldom seen is soon forgotten: yet it is not so commonly seen or experienced amongs them, whose friendship is in God the Father through Christ, as ours is, but in those whose friendship is begun in respect of some earthly commodity. And therefore lest I should incur this suspicion at your hands, which have so many ways deserved the contrary, I thought it my duty to refresh (if it need refreshing) the amity in God begun betwixt us, which I doubt not shall continue so long as we live, or else I would be sorry. In consideration whereof, both mindful of my promise made unto you, and careful for your safety, I have caused a place to be provided for your wives deliverance, where she may so quietly and safely remain, that for the avoiding of the perils and dangers of these days. I see none more convenient: I mean it in Hadley at D. tailors house, where I trust there is no peril to you ward nor to any that feareth or regardeth any peril that thereby may happen. And herein of very love and good will I am the more familiar and bold to admonish you, not as distrusting you (god forbidden, for I think of you as of a very child of god) but as one careful for you, lest you should at length through the common infirmity of our frail flesh & the manifold offences given of the world, do exteriorly as the world doth, to save your sleeve and maim your arm for ever: as those do which for the saving of their goods, jeopardy goods of body and soul in the peril of eternal damnation. If I suspected any such thing in you (gentle master Hales) I then would go about to tell you what this life is: a smoke, a shadow, a vapour etc. what the glory of this life is: grass, hay: yea how full of misery it is, and hath more allows then honey job. 9 If I suspected any thing your conscience, I would then set before you on the one part the judgement of Christ which shall be most assuredly, the terrible sentence to them which are ashamed to confess his gospel: the eternal woe and misery which they shallbe cast into that will not obey his gospel here: and on the other part, the most pleasant shout of the Angel to summon all men to come before our captain and brother Christ, the collection and catching of us up in the clouds to meet our master, the eternal joy and felicity which we shall receive that here confess him, here suffer with him, here lose any thing for his sake. If I did in any point so much as think that you would defile your body in the Antichristian service now used, then would I go about to set forth these things briefly, spoken more at large. But as I said before I say again, because I am as well persuaded of you (my dearly beloved brother) as of any in your profession & state: I cannot but pray god to make perfect the good which he hath begun in you, and desire you, as you have begun in god, so to go forward. As your example hath done good to many, so cast not all down with a type. Terrible is that woe which Christ threateneth to them by whom offences do come. You know that the way to salvation is straighter than men make it. You know the soul is to be considered above all things. Happy is the loss of that bodily life, liberty and goods, by the which a spiritual life, freedom and felicity is purchased. What should it profit a man to win the whole world and to lose his own soul? Who would desire a two years merry life for an eternal sorrow? as these mass gospelers do, which yet are uncertain of two years life, and god knoweth what wounds their consciences have. Hard is it to recover health to the conscience: and because I am careful for it to you wards, as to mine own brother and dear friend, therefore I write thus. We are in gods power and not in the power of our enemies: he it is that hath all our hears numbered: before he say Amen, no man shall once touch you. Into his hands commit yourself: cast your care on him, have a care to please him, & then he will care to keep you. You know the oath the Athenienses did make: pugnabo pro sacris, & solus & cum alijs. I will fight for the defence of religion both alone and with others. Which saying of the heathen will be to our condemnation, if for his holy word & gospels sake we dare not adventure the loss of that he hath lent us, keepeth for us, and can when he will take away from us, or us from it. If worldly men dare jeopard a joint with god, rather than they would lose worldly things (as experience teacheth) certainly it should be much to our shame, which in Baptism have vowed and solemnly sworn to forsake the world, if we dare not jeopard a joint with man, rather than we would lose a good conscience and spiritual treasures. He that will not have gods blessing, it shall be taken from him, sayeth david. Therefore (my dearly beloved) beware: you are now the temple of the holy ghost, defile it not for the lords sake, but keep it pure, not only from all uncleanness of the spirit, but also of the flesh. 2. Cor. 7. as I trust you will: and cry upon your father for his strength and aid, which I beseech him of his mercy always to give unto you, my own good friend, even as I desire to myself. If in any thing I could help you, you may be as assured thereof as of your brother. My prayer to god night and day you shall have, that for his holy names sake he would bless you in all things & keep you, with my good sister your wife, unto the very end, as his dear elect children, Amen, Amen. From my lodging you know where this v. of August. By your own to use in the Lord for ever. john Bradford. ¶ An other letter to Master Humphrey Hales and his Wife. THe everliving & merciful god our dear father through Christ, be with you both my most dearly and entirely beloved in the Lord, now and for ever. I cannot forbear but signify unto you both, that my heart is careful and heavy for the cross which is come upon you by the heavy and fearful judgement of god fallen upon your father justly for his denying of god for fear of men & love of these things, which he hath left behind him unto you & others. God grant his fact be so imprinted in the hearts of all men, especially of you both, that his fall may be unto you, I will not say arising (for yet I trust ye are not fallen) but an establishing in the verity of god, whereof who so is ashamed, shall at length feel such shame as I beseech God keep us all from. Happy are they that mark the judgements of god upon other to come and increase in repentance, Luke 13. to fear gods wrath and judgements, which is always like hymsefe, if we follow the steps of them on whom he taketh punishment. I need not to tell you the cause of this that hath happened unto your father, if it be as I with sorrow have heard. For you know well enough that till he forsook god, gave ear to the Serpent's counsel, began to mamber of the truth, & to frame himself outwardly to do that which his conscience reproved inwardly (for that which he mingled with the love of god, I mean the love of the world, cannot be in any man without the expulsion of gods love) till then. I say, god did not depart and leave him to himself to the example of you and me and all others, that we should fear even ourselves and our own hands more than man & all the powers of the world, if we therefore should do any thing which should wound our conscience. The conscience (I tell you) is soon wounded, yea sooner than we beware of. The devil useth all kind of desceite to blind us from seeing that which might wound it: but when the stripe is given, than either shutteth he still up our eyes with contempt to our hardening, or else openeth them to bring us to utter despairing. In your father, as ye may see the later, so in many worldly gospelers you may (if you will) see the other. God might deal with all such, as he hath done now with your father: but because the time of his judgement is not yet come, his wisdom hath thought good to set your father forth as an example to all men: as he did in the first world Cain, in the .2. world Cham, in the .3. age Chore etc. in Christ's time judas, in the apostles time Ananias etc. although none will heartily consider it, but such as be gods children in deed. But hear in comparing your father thus (my dearly and unfeignedly beloved in the Lord) I must pray you not to be offended, or think that I do de●ermynatelye judge (to God I leave all judgement) but because the fruit to us declareth no less, to the admonishment of us all, I trust ye will accordingly consider my collation. For your parts as I think godly of you both, that in deed ye are both the the children of god: so I pray you comfort yourselves as david did, though his son Absalon perished so desperately, and though his father in law Achitophel▪ father to Bethsabe as the Hebrews write, perished so miserably. Ye know jonathas was not the worse because his father slew himself, nor Bethsabe because of her father Achitophel: they both were the children of god, and so I am assured (as man can be) that ye are. As they used gods judgements upon their parents, so do ye, to fear god and love god the more & to fly from those things which in your father ye did see displeased God. Oh that I were with you but one half hour, not only with you to lament, but also as god should lend me his grace, to comfort you, who by this judgement doth tempt your patience & faith to the comfort of you both, as you shall find, I am assured. My dear hearts in the lord, if I could by any means comfort you, certainly if my life lay on it, I think you should forthwith perceive it: but because I can do no more than I can, therefore as I can I do, that is, as to write, so to send this messenger my good friend and brother with the same, to learn certainly the truth herein and the condition of your estate. My other letter was made before I knew of this matter. I pray god this which by report I understand, be otherwise, but gods good will be done, who give us patience and comfort in him. To whom I commend you both even as heartily as any friends I have in this life of your estate. From my lodging you know where, this eight of August. Anno Domini. 1554. By your own to use in the Lord for ever. john Bradford. ¶ To certain of his faithful friends in God, exhorting them to be joyful under the cross as a token of gods singular favour towards them. GOd our dear and most merciful father through Christ, be with you my good brother and Sister, as with his children for enuer, and in all things so guide you with his holy spirit the leader of his people, as may be to his glory and your own everlasting joy and comfort in him, Amen. Because I have often times received from either of you comfort corporally (for the which I beseech the Lord, as to make me thankful, so to recompense you both now and eternally) I cannot but go about (lord help hereto for thy mercy's sake) to write something for your comfort spirituly. My dearly beloved, look not upon these days and the afflictions of the same here with us simply as they seem unto you: that is, as dismal days, and days of gods vengeance, but rather as lucky days, and days of gods fatherly kindness towards you, and such as ye be, that is, towards such as repent their sins and evil life passed, and earnestly purpose to amend, walking not after the will of the world, as the most part of men do for the preservation of their pelf, which will they, nill they, they shall leave sooner or later, & to whom, or how it shall be used they know not. In deed to such as walk in their wickedness and wind on with the world, this time is a time of wrath and vengeance and their beginning of sorrow is but now, because they contemn the physic of their father, which by these purging time and cleansing days would work their weal, which they will not: and because they will not have gods blessing which both ways he hath offered unto them, by prosperity and adversity: therefore it shall be kept far enough from them: as when the sick man will no kind of physic at the hands of the physician, he is left alone and so the malady increaseth and destroyeth him at the length. To such men in deed these days are and should be doleful days, days of woe and weeping, because their damnation draweth nigh. But unto such as be penitent, and are desirous to live after the Lords will, (amongs whom I do not only count you, but as far as man may judge I know ye are) unto such, I say, this time is and should be comfortable. For first now your father chastiseth you and me for our sins, for the which if he would have destroyed us, than would he have let us alone, & left us to ourselves in nothing to take to heart his fatherly visitation, which here it pleaseth him to work presently, because elsewhere he will not remember our transgressions, as Paul writeth: he chastiseth us in the world, lest with the world we should perish. Therefore my dear hearts, call to mind your sins to lament them and to ask mercy for them in his sight, and withal undoubtedly believe to obtain pardon and assured forgiveness of the same, for twice the Lord punisheth not for one thing. So that I say, first we have cause to rejoice for these days because our father suffereth us not to lie in jesabels' bed sleeping in our sins and security, but as mindful on us doth correct us as his children: whereby we may be certain that we be no bastards but children, for he chastiseth every child whom he receiveth. So that they which are not partakers of his chastising or that contemn it, declare themselves to be bastards and not children, as I know ye are, which as ye are chastised, so do ye take it to heart accordingly: and therefore be glad my dear hearts, as folks knowing certainly even by this visitation of the Lord, that ye are his dear elect children, whose faults your father doth visit with the rod of correction, but his mercy will he never take away from you, Psal. 89. Amen. secondly ye have cause to rejoice for these days, because they are days of trial, wherein not only ye yourselves shall better know yourselves, but also the world shall know that ye be none of his but the Lords darlings. Before these days came (Lord GOD) how many thought of themselves they had been in God's bosom, and so were taken and would be taken of the world, but now we see whose they are: for to whom we obey his servants we are. If we obey the world (which god forbid and hitherto ye have not done it) then are we the worlds: but if we obey GOD, then are we gods. Which thing (I mean that ye are Gods) these days have declared both to you, to me, and to all other that know you, better than ever we knew it. Therefore ye have no cause to sorrow, but rather to sing, in seeing your selves to be God's babes, and in seeing that all God's children do so count you. What though the world repine thereat: What though he kick? what though he seek to trouble and molest you? My dear hearts he doth but his kind: he cannot love the Lord which live not the Lord: he cannot brook the child that hateth the father: he cannot mind the servant that careth not for the ma●●er. If ye were of the world, the world would love you, ye should dwell quietly, there would be no grief, no molestation. If the devil dwelt in you (which the lord forbid) he would not stir up his knights to besiege your house, to snatch at your goods, or suffer his friends to enter into your hogs. But because Christ dwelleth in you (as he doth by faith) therefore stirreth he up his first begotten son the world, to seek how to disquiet you, to rob you, to spoil you, to destroy you. And perchance your dear father to try and to make known unto you and to the world that ye are destinate to an other dwelling then here on earth, to an other city than man's eyes hath seen at any time: hath given or will give power to Satan and to the world, to take from you the things which he hath lente you, and by taking them away, to try your fidelity, obedience and love towards him (for ye may not love them above him) as by giving that ye have and keeping it, he hath declared his love towards you. Satan perchance telleth GOD (as he did of job) that ye love GOD for your goods sake. What now then, if the Lord to try you with job, shall give him power on your goods and body accordingly, should ye be dismayed? Should ye despair? Should ye be faint hearted? Should ye not rather rejoice as did the apostles that they were counted worthy to suffer any thing for the lords sake? Oh forget not the end that happened to job: for as it happened to him, so shall it happen unto you: for god is the same god and can not long forget to show mercy to them that look and long for it, as I know ye do, and I pray you so to do still, for the Lord loveth you, and never can nor will forget to show and power out his mercy upon you. After a little while that he hath afflicted and tried you (saith Peter) he will visit, comfort, and confirm you. As to jacob wrestling with the angel, at the length morning came and the son arose: so dear hearts, doubtless it will happen unto you. Howbeit do ye as job and jacob did, that is, order and dispose your things that god hath lente you as ye may and whiles ye have tyme. Who knoweth whether god hath given you power this long even to that end? Go to therefore, dispose your goods, prepare yourselves to trial, that either ye may stand to it like gods champions, or else if ye feel such infirmity in yourselves that ye be not able, give place to violence, and go where ye may with free and safe conscience serve the lord. Think not this counsel to come by chance or fortune, but to come from the Lord: other oracles we may not look for now. As God told joseph in a dream by an angel that he should fly: so if ye feel such infirmity in yourselves as should turn to gods dishonour and your own destruction withal: know that at this present I am as god's angel to admonish you to take time whiles ye have it, and to see that in no case God's name by you might be dishonoured. joseph might have objected the omission of his vocation, as perchance ye will do: but dear hearts, let vocations and all things else give place to god's name & the sanctifyeng thereof. This I speak not as though I would not have you rather to tarry & to stand to it, but I speak it in respect of your infirmity, which if ye feel to be so great in you that ye are not certain of this hope that god will never tempt you above you ability: fly and get you hence, and know that thereby god will have you tried to yourselves & to others. For by this you shall know how to take this world, and your home here as no home, but that ye look for an other, and so give occasion to others, less to love this world, and perchance to some to doubt of their religion, Wherein though they be earnest, yet would not they lose so much as ye do for your religion, which ye confirm to me & others by your giving place to violence. last of all, ye have cause to rejoice over these days because they be days of conformation, in the which and by the which god our father maketh us like to Christ's image here, that we may be like to him elsewhere. For if we suffer with him, we shall reign with him: if we be buried with him, we shall rise with him: if we company with him in afflictions, we shall rejoice with him in glory: if we sow with him in tears, we shall reap with him in gladness: if we confess him before men, he will confess us before his Father in heaven: if we take his part, he will take ours: if we lose aught for his name's sake, he will give us all things for his truths sake: So that we ought to rejoice & be glad, for it is not given to every one to suffer loss of country, life, goods, house, etc. for the Lords sake. What can god the father do more unto us then to call us into camp with his son? What may Christ our Saviour do more for us then to make us his warriors? What can the holy ghost do to us above this, to mark us with the cognisance of the Lord of hosts? This cognisance of the Lord standeth not in forket caps tippettes, shaven crowns or such other baggage and antichristian pelf, but in suffering for the Lords sake. The world shall hate you saith Christ. Lo there is the cognisance and badge of gods children, the world shall hate you. Rejoice therefore my dearly beloved, rejoice that god doth thus vouchsafe to begin to conform you and make you like to Christ. By the trial of these days ye are occasioned more to repent, more to pray, more to contemn this world, more to desire life everlasting, more to be holy (for holy is the end wherefore GOD doth afflict us) and so come to god's company. Which thing, because we can not do as long as this body is as it is, therefore by the door of death we must entre with Christ into eternal life and immortality of soul and body: which God of his mercy send shortly, for our Saviour jesus Christ's sake, Amen. john Bradford To mine own dear brother Master Laurence Saunders prisoner in the Marshalsee. GOds sweet peace in Christ be with you, my good brother in the Lord jesus, & with all your concaptives, Amen. I was letted this morning from musing on that which I was purposed to have thought on, by reason of you, against whom I saw myself guilty of negligence even in this point that I would not write, I should say, that I had not written unto you as yet: therefore out of hand in manner I prepared myself to purge myself hereof, not that I will go about to excuse my fault (for that were more to load me) but by ask both god and you pardon, to get it no more laid to my charge. Now then as I was thus purposing & partly doing, cometh there one with a letter from you, for the which as I have cause to thank god and you (howbeit not so that you should think I give not the whole to god) so I see myself more blame worthy for thus long holding my peace. Howbeit good brother, in this I have given a demonstration to you, to behold my negligence in all other things, and especially in praying for you and for the church of god, which for my sins and hypocrisy (hypocrisy in deed even in this writing, god deliver me from it) have deserved to be punished. Just is god, for we have deserved all kinds of plaggues at his hands: but yet merciful is he that will on this wise chastise us with this world ne cum mundo condennemur. He might otherwise have punished us, I mean, he might have for other causes cast us in prison, me especially, then for his gospel and words sake: Praised therefore be his name which voucheth us worthy this honour. Ah good god, forgive us our sins, and work by this thy fatherly correction on us, on me especially, effectually to love thee and thy Christ: and with joyfulness unto the end to carry thy cross through thick and thin. Always set before our eyes not this gallows on earth if we still stick to thee, but the gallows in hell if we deny thee or swarm from that we have professed. Ah good brother, if I could always have GOD, his majesty, mercy, heaven, hell, etc. before mine eyes, than should I obdurare as Paul writeth of Moses. Heb. 11. obduravit in quit, perinde quasi vidisset eum qui est invisibilis, Pray for me, as I know you do, and give thanks also for in domino spero non nutabo. Psal. 22. Si ambulavero per valle●n umbrae mortis, non timebo quia tu domine mecum es, Amen. I think we shall be shortly called forth: for now legem habent, & secundum legem etc. otherwise will they not reason with us: and I think their shootanker will be, to have us to subscribe. The which thing if we do, though with this condition, so far as the thing subscribed to, repugneth not against God's word, yet this will be offensive. Therefore let us vadere planê and so sanê, I mean, let us all confess that we are no chaungelinges, but reipsa are the same we were in religion, and therefore can not subscribe except we will dissemble both with God, ourselves, and the world. Haec tibi scribo frater mi charisime in domino. I am legam tuam epiflolam. Ah brother that I had practicam tecum scientiam in vite illa quam pingis: john. 15 roga dominum ut ita verê sentiam, Amen. God make me thankful for you. Salutant te omnes concaptivi & gratias domino pro te agunt: idem tu facies pro nobis & oars ut etc. Your brother in the Lord jesus to live and die with you. john Bradford An other letter to Master Laurence Saunders. MY good brother, I beseech our good god & gracious father, always to continued his gracious favour and love towards us, & by us as by instruments of his grace, to work his glory & confusion of his adversaries. This friend moved them to subscribe to the papists articles with this condition, so far as they were not against God's word, being in deed clean contrary to it: and yet shortly after he valiantly suffered death for refusing the same, Ex ore infantium & lactentium fundet laudem ad destruendum inimicum etc., Amen. I have perused your letters to myself & have red them to others. For answer whereof, if I should write what D. tailor and Master Philpotte do think, then must I say that they think the salt sent unto us by your friend is unseasonable. And in deed I think they both will declare it heartily if they should come before them. As for me, if you would know what I think (my good and most dear brother Laurence) because I am so sinful and so conspurcate (the Lord knoweth I lie not) with many grievous sins (which yet I hope are washed away sanguine Christi nostri) I neither can nor would be consulted withal but as a cipher in Agrime. Howbeit to tell you how and what I mind, take this for a sum: I pray God in no case I may seek myself. And in deed (I thank God therefore) I purpose it not. Quod reliquum est domino Deo meo committo, & spero in illum, quod ipse faciet juxta hoc: jacta in dominum curam, Psa. 54 Psa. 36 Psal. 31. etc. Omni cura vestra coniecta in illum etc. Revela domino viam tuam & spera &c. Sperantem in domino misericordia circumdabit. I did not nor do not know but by your letters quod cras, we shall come, coram nobis. Mine own heart, stick still to dabitur vobis: Math. 10. 1. Cor. 10 3. pet 2 fidelis enim est dominus, dabit in tentatione eventum quo possimus sufferre. Novit dominus pios ê tentatione etc. O utinam pius ego essem. Novit dominus in die tribulationis sperantes in se etc. Nahum. 1. I can not think that they will offer any kind of indifferent or mean conditions. For if we will not adorare bestiam, we never shall be delivered but against their will, think I. God our Father and gracious Lord make perfect the good he hath begun in us. Faciet mi frater, charisime frater, quem in intimis visceribus habeo ad convinendum & commoriendum. O si tecum essem. Pray for me mine own heart root in the Lord. For ever your own. john Bradforde. A letter which he wrote to a faithful woman in her heaviness and trouble: most comfortable for all those that are afflicted and broken hearted for their sins. AH my dearly beloved, & most dearly beloved in the Lord, how pensive is my heart presently for you by reason of the fearful judgement of our god, which even now I heard for truth by Richard Proud? God our good father for his great mercy's sake in christ, have mercy upon us, & so with his eternal consolation, comfort you (my dear heart) as I desire in my most need to be of him comforted, Amen. The cause why since the receipt of your letter I have not sent unto you, this bringer can tell you: yea if I had not heard for truth of this heavy chance, as yet you had not thus soon heard from me. For I began of late a piece of work for your comfort, whereof I send you now but a part, because my heart is heavy for your sake, and I can not be quiet till I hear how you do in this cross. Wherein (my dear sister) I beseech you to be of good comfort, and to be no more discouraged than was David of Absalon's death, the good jonathas of his father saul's fearful end, Adam of Cain, Noah of Cham, jacob of Reuben, and the Godly Bethsabee of the terrible end of her father or at the least her grandfathers death Achitophel. Not that I utterly condemn and judge your father (for I leave it to God) but because the fact of itself declareth God's secrets and fearful judgement and justice towards him and all men, and his great mercy towards us, admonishing all the world how that he is to be dread and feared, and Satan not to sleep, and us his children especially, how weak and miserable we be of ourselves, and how happy we are in him, which have him to be our father, protector and keeper and shall have for ever more, so that no evil shall touch us, further than shall make to our father's glory and to our everlasting commodity. And therefore let this judgement of God be an occasion to stir us up more carefully to walk before GOD, and unfeignedly to cast our whole care upon our dear father, which never can nor will leave us: for his calling and gifts be such that he can never repent him of them. Roma. 11. whom he loveth, he loveth to the end: none of his chosen can perish. Of which number I know you are my dearly beloved sister: God increase the faith thereof daily more and more in you: he give unto you to hang wholly on him and on his providence and protection. For who so dwelleth under that secret thing, and help of the Lord, Psa. 90.31 he shall be cock sure for ever more: he that dwelleth I say, for if we be flitters and not dwellers (as was Loath a flitter from Segor, where GOD promised him protection if he had dwelled there still) we shall remove to our loss as he did into the Mountains, Genesis. 19 Dwell therefore, that is trust and that finally unto the end in the Lord (my dear sister) and you shall be as Mount Zion. As Mountains compass jerusalem, so doth the Lord all his people. How then can he forget you which are as the apple of his eye, for his dear sons sake? Ah dear heart, that I were now but one half hour with you, to be a Simon to help to carry your cross with you. GOD send you some good Simon to be with you and help you. I will be a Simon absent to carry, as I can learn, your cross, which you have promised not to hide from me. Oh that GOD would heartily touch your husbands heart, so that he would get him beyond the Seas, although by that means I should never more, corporally see you (as in deed I fear it, I fear it) but God's good will be done. I have written to him: God for his mercies sake turn it to your and his good, Amen. But to come again to that from whence I am digressed, whereunto you occasion me also by your letters, complaining to me of the blindness of your mind and of the trouble you feel through talk with some: my dearlye beloved, GOD make you thankful for that which he hath given unto you: he open your eyes to see what and how great benefits you have received, that you may be less covetous or rather impatient, for so (I fear me) it should be called, and more thankful. Have not you received at his hands sight to see your blindness, and thereto a desirous and seeking heart to see where he lieth in the mid day, as his dear spouse speaketh of herself in the Canticles? Oh joice, my good joice, what a gift is this? Many have some sight, but none this sobbing and sighing, none this seeking which you have I know, but such as he hath married unto him in his mercies. You are not content to kiss his feet with the Magdalen, but you would be kissed even with the kiss of his mouth. Canti. 1. You would see his face with Moses, forgetting how he biddeth us seek his face, Psalm. 27. yea and that for ever, Psalm. 105. Which signifieth no such sight as you desire, to be in this present life, which would see GOD now face to face, where as he can not be seen but covered under something: yea some time in that which is (as you would say) clean contrary to God: as to see his mercy in his anger: in bringing us to hell, faith seeth him bring us to heaven: in darkness it beholdeth brightness: in hiding his face from us, it beholdeth his merry countenance. How did job see God, but (as you would say) under Satan's cloak? For who cast the fire from heaven upon his goods? Who overthrew his house and stirred up men to take away his cattle but Satan? And yet job pierced through all these and saw God's work, saying: the Lord hath given, the Lord hath taken away etc. In reading of the psalms, how often do you see that David in the shadow of death, saw Gods sweet love? And so (my dearly beloved) I see that you in your darkness and dimness, by faith do see clarity and brightness: by faith (I say) because faith is of things absent, of things hoped for, of things which I appeal to your conscience whether you desire not. And can you desire any thing which you know not? And is there of heavenly things any other true knowledged then by faith? Therefore my dear heart, be thankful, for (before God I writ it) you have great cause. Ah my joice, how happy is the state wherein you are? Verily you are even in the blessed state of God's children: for they mourn, and do not you so? and that not for worldly weal, but for spiritual riches, faith, hope, charity, etc. Math. 5 Do you not hunger and thirst for righteousness? And I pray you saith not Christ, who can not lie, that happy are such? How should GOD wipe away the tears from your eyes in heaven, if now on earth you shed no tears? How could heaven be a place of rest, if on earth you did find it? How could you desire to be at home, if in your journey you found no grief? How could you so often call upon god, and talk with him as I know you do, if your enemy should sleep all day long? How should you elsewhere be made like unto Christ, I mean in joy, if in sorrow you sobbed not with him? If you will have joy and felicity, you must first needs feel sorrow and misery. If you will go to heaven, you must sail by hell. If you will embrace Christ in his robes, you must not think scorn of him in his rags. If you will sit at Christ's table in his kingdom you must first abide with him in his temptations. If you will drink of his cup of glory, forsake not his cup of ignominy. Can the head corner stone be rejected and the other more base stones in God's building be in this world set by? You are one of his lively stones: be content therefore to be hewn and snagged at, that you might be made the more meet to be joined to your fellows which suffer with you Satan's snatches, the world's wounds, contempt of conscience, and frets of the flesh, where through they are enforced to cry: Oh wretches that we are, Rom. 6 who shall deliver us? You are of God's corn, fear not therefore the flail, the fan, millstone, nor oven. You are one of Christ's Lambs, look therefore to be fleeced, hailed at, and even slain. If you were a market sheep, you should go in more fat and grasye pasture. If you were for the Fair, you should be staulfed and want no weal: but because you are for Gods own occupying, therefore you must pasture on the bare common, abiding the storms and tempests that will fall. Happy and twice happy are you (my dear sister) that GOD now haileth you whether you would not, john. 21. that you might come whether you would. Suffer a little and be still. Let Satan rage against you, let the world cry out, let your conscience accuse you, let the law load you and press you down: yet shall they not prevail, for Christ is Emanuel that is god with us. If God be with us who can be against us? The Lord is with you: your father can not forget you: your spouse loveth you. Math. 8 If the waves and surges arise, cry with Peter Lord I perish, and he will put out his hand and help you. Cast out your anchor of hope, and it will not cease for all the stormy surges, till it take hold on the rock of god's truth and mercy. Think not that he which hath given you so many things corporally as inductions of spiritual and heavenly mercies, and that without your deserts or desire, can deny you any spiritual comfort desiring it. phi. 2. For if he give to desire, he will give you to have and enjoy the thing desired. The desire to have and the going about to ask, aught to certify your conscience that they be his earnest of the thing which you asking, he will give you, yea before you ask and whilst you are about to ask he will grant the same (as Esay saith) to his glory and your eternal consolation. He that spared not his own son for you, Rom. 8 will not nor cannot think any thing to good for you, my heartily beloved. If he had not chosen you (as most certainly he hath) he would not have so called you: he would never have justified you: he would never have so glorified you with his gracious gifts, which I know, praised be his name therefore: he would never have so exercised your faith with temptations as he hath done and doth, if (I say) he had not choose you. If he have chosen you (as doubtless dear heart he hath done in Christ, for in you I have seen his earnest, and before me and to me you could not deny it, I know both where and when) if I say, he have chosen you, than neither can you nor shall you ever perish. For if you fall, he putteth under his hand: you shall not lie still: so careful is Christ your keeper over you. Never was mother so mindful over her child, as he is over you. And hath not he always been so? Speak woman: when did he finally forget you? And will he now trow you in your most need do otherwise, you calling upon him and desiring to please him? Ah my joice, think you god to be mutable? Is he a changeling? Rom. 31 Doth he not love to the end them whom he loveth? Are not his gifts and calling such that he cannot repent him of them? For else were he no God. If you should perish, than wanted he power: for I am certain his will towards you is not to be doubted of. Hath not the spirit, which is the spirit of truth, told you so? And will you now hearken with Eve to the lying spirit which would have you, not to despair (no he goeth more craftelye to work, howbeit to that end, if you should give ear unto it, which God forbid) but to doubt and stand in a mammering, and so should you never truly love God, but serve him of a servile fear, lest he should cast you of for your unworthiness and unthankfulness: as though your thankfulness or worthiness were any causes with God, why he hath chosen you, or will finally keep you. Ah mine own dear heart, christ only, Christ only, and his mercy and truth. In him and for him is the cause of your election. This Christ, this mercy, this truth of God remaineth for ever, is certain for ever, and so is your election certain for ever, for ever, for ever, I say for ever. If an angel from heaven should tell you contrary, accursed be he, accursed be he. Your thankfulness and worthiness are fruits and effects of your election, they are no causes. These fruits and effects shall be so much more fruitful and effectual, by how much you waver not. Therefore (my dearly beloved) arise and remember from whence you are fallen. Psalm. 120 You have a shepherd which neither slumbereth nor sleepeth. No man nor devil can pull you out of his hands. Night and day he commandeth his angels to keep you. Have you forgotten what I red to you out of the psalm, the Lord is my shepherd, I can want nothing? Psal. 23 Do you not know that god sparred No in the Ark on the outside, so that he could not get out? So hath he done to you my good Sister, so hath he done to you. Psa. 90. Ten thousand shall fall on your right hand and twenty on your left hand: yet no evil shall touch you. say holdelye therefore: Psa. 123. many a time from my youth up they have fought against me, but they have not prevailed: no nor never shall prevail, for the Lord is round about his people. And who are the people of GOD, but such as hope in him: Happy are they that hope in the Lord: and you are one of those my dear heart, for I am assured you have hoped in the Lord: I have your words to show most manifestly & I know they were written unfeignedly. I need not to say that even before god you have simply confessed to me, and that often times no less. And once if you had this hope, as you doubtless had it, though now you feel it not yet shall you feel it again: for the anger of the Lord lasteth but a moment, but his mercy lasteth for ever. Tell me my dear heart, who hath so weakened you? surely not a persuasion which came from him that called you. Gal. 5. For why should ye waver? Why should you waver and be so heavy hearted? Whom look you on? On yourself? On your worthiness? On your thankfulness? On that which God requireth of you, as faith, hope, love, fear, joy? etc. Then can you not but waver in deed, for what have you as God requireth? Believe you, hope you, love you etc. as much as you should do? No no, nor never can in this life. Ah my dearly beloved, have you so soon forgotten that which ever should be had in memory: namely that when you would and should be certain and quiet in conscience, then should your faith burst throughout all things not only that you have in you, or else are in heaven, earth or hell, until it come to Christ crucified, and the eternal sweet mercies and goodness of god in Christ? Here, here is the resting place, here is your spouses bed: creep into it, & in your arms of faith embrace him: be wail your weakness, your unworthiness, your diffidence etc. & you shalsee he will turn to you. What said I, you shall see? Nay I should have said you shall feel he will turn to you. You know that Moses, when he went into the Mount to talk with God, he entered into a dark cloud, & Helias had his face covered when God passed by. Both these dear friends of god heard God, but they saw him not: but you would be preferred before them. See now my dear heart, how covetous you are. Ah be thankful be thankful. But god be praised that your covetousness is Moses covetousness. Well with him you shall be satisfied. But when? Forsooth when he shall appear. Here is not the time of seeing, psa. 16. but as it were, in a glass. Isaac was deceived because he was not content with hearing only. Therefore to make an end of these many words, wherewith I fear me I do but trouble you from better exercises: in asmuch as you are in deed the child of God elect in christ before the beginning of all times: in asmuch as you are given to the custody of Christ as one of gods most precious jewels: in asmuch as christ is faithful & there to hath all power, so that you shall never perish, no one hear of your head shall not be lost: I beseech you, I pray you, I desire you, I crave at your hands with all my very heart, I ask of you with hand, pen, tongue & mind, in Christ, through Christ, for Christ, for his name, blood, mercies, power and truths sake (my most entirely beloved Sister) that you admit no doubting of gods final mercies towards you, how soever you feel yourself: but complain to god and crave of him; as of your tender & dear father, all things, and in that time which shallbe most opportune, you shall find and feel far above that your heart or the heart of any creature can conceive, to your eternal joy. Amen, Amen, Amen. The good spirit of god always keep us as his dear children, he comfort you, as I desire to be comforted (my dearly beloved) for evermore, Amen. I break up thus abruptly because our common prayer time calleth me. The peace of Christ dwell in both our hearts for ever, Amen. ❧ As for the report of W. P. if it be as you hear, you must prepare to bear it. It is written on heavens door: do well, and hear evil. Be content therefore to hear whatsoever the enemy shall imagine to blot you withal. God's holy spirit always comfort and keep you, Amen, Amen. This 8. of August, by him that in the Lord desireth to you as well and as much felicity as to his own heart. john Bradford. ¶ To my loving brethren. B. and. C. with their wives and whole families. I Beseech the everliving god to give to you all my good brethren and sisters, the comfort of his holy spirit and the continual feeling of his mercy in Christ our Lord, now and for ever, Amen. The world my brethren at this present seemeth to have the upperhand, iniquity overfloweth, the truth and verity seemeth to be suppressed, and they which take part therewith are unjustly entreated. The cause of all this is god's anger, and mercy: his anger because we have grievously sinned against him: his mercy, because he here punisheth us & as a father nurtereth us. We have been unthankful for his word, we have contemned his kindness, we have been negligent in prayer, we have been to carnal, covetous, licentious, etc. we have not hastened to heavenward, but rather to helward, we were fallen almost into an open contempt of god and all his good ordinances: so that of his justice he could not long forbear, but make us to feel his anger, as now he hath done in taking his word and true service from us, and permitting Satan to serve us with Antichristian religion, and that in such sort, that if we will not yield to it and seem to allow it in deed and outward fact: our bodies are like to be laid in prison and our goods given we cannot tell to whom. This should we look upon as a sign of gods anger procured by our sins, which (my good brethren) every one of us should now call to our memories often times so particularly as we can, that we might heartily lament them, repent them, hare them, ask earnestly mercy for them, and submit ourselves to bear in this life any kind of punishment which god will lay upon us for them. Thus should we do in consideration of god's anger in this time. Now his mercy in this time of wrath is seen & should be seen of us (my dearly beloved) in this, the god doth vouchsafe to punish us in this present life. If he should not have punished us, do not ye think that we would have continuin the evils we were in? Yea verily, we would have been worse and have gone forwards in hardening our hearts by impenitency, & negligence towards God & true godliness, & then if death had come, should not we have perished both soul and body into eternal fire and perdition? Alas, what misery should we have fallen into, if god should have suffered us to have gone forward in our evils? No greater a sign of damnation there is, then to lie in evil & sin unpunished of god: as now the papists (my dearly beloved) are cast into jezabels' bed of security, Apoc. 3 Hebr. 12 which of all plagues is the most grievous plague that can be. They are bastards and not sons, for they are not under God's rod of correction. A great mercy it is therefore that god doth punish us: for if he loved us not, he would not punish us. Now doth he chastise us that we should not be damned with the world. 1. Cor. 2 Now doth he nurture us, because he favoureth us. Now may we think ourselves to be God's household and children, 1. pet. 4 because he beginneth his chastising at us. Now calleth he us to remember our sins past. Wherefore? That we might repent and and ask mercy. And why? That he might forgive us, pardon us, justify us, and make us his children, and so begin to make us here like unto Christ, Rom. 8 that we might be like unto him elsewhere, even in heaven, where already we are set by faith with Christ, and at his coming in very deed shall enjoy his presence, when our sinful and vile bodies shallbe made like to Christ's glorious body, phil. 3. according to the power whereby he is able to make all things subject to himself. Therefore my brethren, let us in respect hereof, not lament, but laud god: not be sorry but be mercy: not weep but rejoice and be glad that god doth vouchsafe to offer us his cross, Rom. 8 2. Timo. 3. Math. 10. thereby to come to him to endless joys and comforts. For if we suffer, we shall reign: If we confess him before men, he will confess us before his father in heaven: If we be not ashamed of his Gospel now, he will not be ashamed of us in the last day, Math. 5. 1. pet. 4 1. pet 5 but will be glorified in us, crowning us with crowns of glory and endless felicity. For blessed are they that suffer persecution for righteousness sake, for their is the kingdom of heaven. Be glad saith Peter, for the spirit of God resteth upon you. After that ye are a little while afflicted, god will comfort, strengthen, & confirm you. And therefore (my good brethren) be not discouraged for cross, for prison or loss of goods, for the confession of Christ's gospel and truth, which ye have believed and lively was taught emongs you in the days of our late good & most holy prince King Edward. This is most certain, if ye lose any thing for Christ's sake, Math. 19 and for contemning the Antichristian service set up again among us, as ye for your parts even in prison shall find gods great and rich mercies far passing all worldly wealth: so shall your wives & children in this present life, find and feel gods providence more plentifully than tongue can tell: for he will show merciful kindness on thousands of them that love him: The good man's seed shall not go a begging his bread. Ye are good men so many as suffer for Christ's sake. Psalm. 27 I trust ye all (my dearly beloved) will consider this gear with yourselves, and in the cross see gods mercy, which is more sweet and more to be set by then life itself: much more them, than any muck or pelf of this world. Rom. 8. This mercy of god should make you merry and cheerful: for the afflictions of this life are not to be compared to the joys of the life prepared for you. Ye know the way to heaven is not the wide way of the world, which windeth to the devil, but it is a straight way, Math. 7 2. Timot. 3 2. Cor. 5 Math. 14. which few walk in: for few live godly in Christ jesus, few regard the life to come, few remember the day of judgement, few remember how Christ will deny them beforh his father that do deny him here, few consider that Christ will be ashamed of them in the last day, which are ashamed now of his truth & true service, few cast their accounts what will be laid to their charge in the day of vengeance, few regard the condemnation of their own consciences in doing that which inwardly they disallow, few love god better than their goods: Rom. 14. but I trust yet ye are of these few my dearly beloved, I trust ye be of the little flock which shall inherit the kingdom of heaven, I trust ye are of the mourners and lamenters which shallbe comforted with comforts which never shallbe taken from you, if ye now repent your former evils, Luke. 10 if now ye strive against the evils that are in you, if now ye continued to call upon God, if now ye defile not your bodies with any Idolatrous service used in the Antichristian churches, Ephesi. 4. if ye molest not the good spirit of God which is given you as a gage of eternal redemption, a counsellor & master to lead you into all truth: which good spirit I beseech the father of mercy to give us all for his dear sons sake jesus Christ our lord, Acts. 20 to whom I commend you all & to the word of his grace, which is able to help you all & save you all that believe it, follow it, & serve god thereafter. And of this I would ye were all certain, that all the hears of your heads are numbered, so that not one of them shall perish, Math. 8. job. 1. Psa. 104 Psa. 13. 1. pet. 5 neither shall any man or devil be able to attempt any thing, much less to do any thing to you or any of you, before your heavenvly father which loveth you most tenderly, shall give them leave, & when he hath given them leave, they shall go no further than he will, nor keep you in trouble any longer than he will. Therefore cast on him all your care, for he is careful for you: only study to please him and to keep your consciences clean and your bodies pure from the Idolatrous service, which now every where is used, and god will marvelously and mercifully defend and comfort you: which thing he do for his name's sake in Christ our Lord. Amen. john Bradforde. To my good Lady Vane. THe true sense and sweet feeling of gods eternal mercies in Christ jesus, be ever more and more lively wrought in your heart by the holy ghost. Amen. I most heartily thank you (good madame) for your comfortable letters, & where as you would be advertised what were best to be done on your behalf concerning your iij. questions: the truth is, that the questions are never well seen nor answered, until the thing whereof they arise, be well considered: I mean until it be seen how great an evil the thing is. If it be once in deed in your heart perceived upon probable and pithy places gathered out of god's book, that there was never thing upon the earth so great & so much an adversary to gods true service, to Christ's death, passion, priesthood, sacrifice, and kingdom, to the ministry of god's word and sacraments, to the church of God, These questions were concerning the mass wherein she desired his judgement. to repentance, faith and all true godliness of life, as that is whereof the questions arise (as most assuredly it is in deed) then cannot a christian heart but so much the more abhor it and all things that in any point might seem to allow it or any thing pertaining to the same, by how much it hath the name of god's service. Again, your Ladyship doth know that as all is to be discommended and avoided which is followed or fled from in respect of ourselves, in respect of avoiding Christ's cross: so the end of all our doings should be to godwards, to his glory, to our neighbours, to edification and good example, whereof none can be given in allowing any of the iii questions by you propounded. But because this which I writ now, is brief and needeth the more consideration or explication: as I doubt not of the one in you, so from me by God's grace you shall receive the other shortly. For I have already written a little book of it which I will send unto you, He meaneth his book which he calleth the hurt of hearing mass. in the which you shall have your questions fully answered and satisfied, and therefore I omit to write any more hereaboutes presently: beseeching God our good father to guide you as his dear child with his spirit of wisdom, power and comfort unto eternal life, that you may be strong and rejoice in him and with his church, to carry Christ's cross if he shall so think it need. 1. Pet. 1. which is a thing to be desired, wished, and embraced if we looked on things after the judgement of God's word, and tried them by that touchstone. If you be accustomed to think on the brevity, vanity, and misery of this life, and o● the eternity, truth and felicity of everlasting life: if you look on things after their ends and not after their present appearance only: if you use yourself to set gods presence, power and mercy always before your eyes, to see them as god by every creature would you should: I doubt not but you shall find such strength and comfort in the Lord, as you shall not be shaken with all the power of Satan. God's mercy in Christ be with you and his good spirit guide you for ever, Amen. another letter to the Lady Vane. AS to mine own soul, I wish to your Ladyship grace and mercy from God our dear Father in Christ our Lord and saviour. I thank God that something he hath eased you, and mitigated his fatherly correction in us both: I would to God he had done so much in the behalf of the grief of the body to you as he hath done to me. For as for the soul I trust you feel that which I pray god increase in you, I mean his fatherly love, and grant that I may with you feel the same in such degree as may please him: I will not say as you feel, lest I should seem to ask to much at one time. God doth often much more plentifully viset with the sense of his mercy, them that humble themselves under his mighty hand, and are sore exercised, as you long have been: then others, which to the face of the world have a more show and appearance. Therefore I wish as I do, and that not only for mine own commodity, but also that I might occasion you to the consideration of the goodness of God, which I by your letters do well espy, which is in deed the high way whereby as God increaseth his gifts, so showeth he more linelye his salvation, Psalm. 50.107. I have received God's blessing from you, the which I have partly distributed unto my three fellow prisoners Master Farer, Master tailor, Master Philpot, and the residue I will bestow upon four poor souls which are imprisoned in the common jail for religion also. As for mine own part, if I had had need, I would have served my turn also. But because I had not, nor (I thank God) have not, I have been and will he your Almoner in such sort as I have already advertised you. God reward you and give you to find it spiritually and corporally. Because otherwise I can not talk with you, therefore on this sort, as occasion and opportunity will serve, I am ready to show my good will and desire of your help and furtherance in the Lord to everlasting life, whereunto GOD bring us shortly for his mercies sake, Amen. Good Madam be thankful to God, as I hope you be, be earnest in prayer, continue in reading and hearing God's word, and if Gods further cross come, as therein God doth serve his providence (for else it shall not come unto you) so be certain the same shall turn to your eternal joy and comfort, Amen. john Bradford To the Lady Vane. THe everlasting and most merciful god, which is the father of our saviour jesus Christ, increase in your ladyship the knowledge & love of his truth, with the gift of perseverance to continued therein to the end, Amen. Albeit at this present I have no convenient leisure to write is should be seemly to send to your parsonage, yet considering your gentle good will for gods cause towards me, I thought I mought be the more bold to write something, although not in such sort as I would & perchance on your behalf might be looked for. I doubt not but that your ladyship considereth often with yourself, the you are the child of god and a citizen of heaven by Christ, in whom God the father before the world was made, hath chosen you of his own mere mercy and not of your deserts done or to be done. That you should with thankfulness call this to mind often, thereby to excite and stir up yourself to the love of god in his sight, and to all holiness of life in the sight of man, many things should move & occasion you justly: as that you were borne of Christian parents, that the name of god was called upon you in baptism, which is a sacrament of regeneration and adoption into the children of god, with all other benefits which hitherto you have received. amongs which surely, your ladyship should not think the least, even the crosses that god hath hitherto exercised you with all: as the loss of your good husband, lands, and other worldly commodities etc. But above all, next to Christ crucified, this is most thankfully to be considered, that god, as he hath given you patience (I trust) in your trouble: so in these dangerous days he hath given you a desire to know him, and to help them which for his sake be in trouble: for this I gather and evidently see by your twice sending to me, which am not otherwise known to you but by name. I pray god I may be heartily thankful to him for you, and so dispose your benefits as you desire. My best I will do by god's grace: but enough of this. My desire is, good Madam (although I have no doubt (as I said) but that you be diligent herein) that you would often call to mind your state before god, I mean how that you be his child through Christ: and this I would you did for diverse causes. first that you might be quiet in conscience before him in this troublesome world, as we never can be until this be something settled. Secondly that you might be careful to appear in his sight and in the sight of man, as one of God's children. Thirdly that you might in all troubles boldly by prayer through Christ, go to him and call him by the name of father, with hope of his help always to your comfort. Fourthly that you might not be dismayed if trouble come unto you, as it can not be but more or less it must needs come: for the world loveth none but such as be his: the devil can never suffer the children of God to be quiet. I will not speak of our mortal and familiar enemy the flesh, which ceaseth not to fight against the spirit. But God your father being heartily called upon, in and through Christ, as he will with his holy spirit help you, so will he give you the victory at the length to your singular comfort: Which I pray God you may daily more and more feel, Amen. From the King's Bench in haste as appeareth. Your Ladyships own in Christ to command. john Bradforde. To my dear friends and brethren. R. and E. with their wives and families. THe comfort of Christ felt commonly of his children in their cross for his sake, the everliving God work in both your hearts my good brethren, and in the hearts of both your yokefellowes, especially of good Mary my good sister in the Lord, Amen. If I had not something heard of the hazard which you are in for the gospels sake if you continue the profession & confession thereof, as I trust you do and will do and that unto the end God enabling you, as he will doubtless for his mercies sake if you hope in him (for this bindeth him as David in Christ's person witnesseth, our father keeped in thee, and thou deliverest them &c. Psal. 22) yet by conjectures I could not but suppose (though not so certainly) the time of suffering and probation to be at hand. For now is the power of darkness fully come upon this Realm most justly for our sins and abusing the light lente us of the Lord, to the setting forth of ourselves more then of God's glory, that aswell we might be brought into the better knowledge of our evils, and so heartily repent (which god grant us to do) as also we might have more feeling & sense of our sweet saviour jesus Christ, by the humbling and dejecting of us, thereby to make us, as more desirous of him, so him more sweet and pleasant unto us: the which thing the good spirit of God work sensibly in all our hearts for Gods holy names sake. For this cause I thought it my duty, being now where I have some liberty to write (the Lord be praised) and hearing of you as I hear: to do that which I should have done if I had heard nothing at all: that is, to desire you to be of good cheer and comfort in the Lord (although in the world you see cause rather to the contrary) and to go on forwards in the way of God wherinto you are entered, considering that the same can not but so much more and more wax straight to the outward man, by how much you draw nearer the end of it. Even as in the traveil of a woman, the nearer she draweth to her delivery, the more her pains increase: so it goeth with us in the lords way, the nearer we draw to our deliverance by death to eternal felicity. Example whereof we have, I will not say in the holy Prophets & Apostles of god, which when they were young girded themselves and went in manner whether they would, but when they waxed old, they went girded of others, whether they would not, john. 21. concerning the outward man: but rather and moste lively in our saviour jesus Christ, whose life and way was much more painful to him towards the end, than it was at the beginning. And no marvel, for Satan can something abide a man to begin well and set forwards, but rather than he should go on to the end, he will vomit his gorge and cast floods to overflow him, before he will suffer that to come to pass. Therefore as we should not be dismayed, now at this world as though some strange thing were happened unto us, in that it is but as it was wont to be to the Godly, in that the devil declareth himself after his old wont, in that we have professed no less but to forsake the world and the devil as gods very enemy, in that we learned no less at the first when we came to God's school, then to deny ourselves and to take up our cross and follow our Master, which leadeth us none other way than he himself hath gone before us: as (I say) we should not be dismayed, so we should with patience and joy go forwards, if we set before us as present, the time to come, like as the wife in her travail doth the deliverance of her child, and as the Saints of God did, Hebr. 12 but especially our saviour and pattern jesus Christ: for the Apostle sayeth, he set before him the joy and glory to come, and therefore contemned the shame and sorrow of the cross: so if we did, we should find at the length as they found. For whom would it green which hath a long journey to go, to go through a piece of foul way, if he knew that after that, the way should be most pleasant, yea the journey should be ended and he at his resting place most happy? Who will be afeard or loath to leave a little pelf for a little time, if he knew he should shortly after receive most plentiful riches? Who will be unwilling for a little while to forsake his wife, children, or friends etc. when he knoweth he shall shortly after be associated unto them inseperablye, even after his own hearts desire? Who will be sorry to forsake this life, which can not but be most certain of eternal life? Who loveth the shadow better than the body? Who can love this life, but they that regard not the life to come? Who can desire the dross of this world, but such as be ignorant of the treasures of the everlasting joy in heaven? I mean, who is afeard to die, but such as hope not to live eternally? Christ hath promised pleasure, Math. 19 riches, joy, felicity, and all good things to them that for his sake lose any thing, or suffer any sorrow. 1. pet. 2. And is he not true? How can he but be true, for guile was never found in his mouth? Halas then why are we so slack and slow, yea hard of heart to believe him promising us thus plentifully eternal blissfulness: and are so ready to believe the world promising us many things and paying us nothing? If we will curry favour now and halt on both knees, if so: than it promiseth us peace, quietness, and many things else. But how doth it pay this gear? or if it pay it, with what quietness of conscience? Or if so: how long I pray you? Do not we see before our eyes men to die shamefully, I mean as rebels and other malefactors, which refuse to die for God's cause? What way is so sure a way to heaven, as to suffer in Christ's cause? If there be any way on horseback to heaven, surely this is the way. By many troubles sayeth the Apostle, Act 14. 2. Timo. 3. we must enter into heaven. All that will live Godly in Christ jesus must suffer persecution. For the world can not love them that are of GOD: the devil can not love his enemies: the world will love none but his own: but you are Christ's, therefore look for no love here. Should we look for fire to quench our thirst? And as soon shall God's true servants find peace and favour in Antichristes' regiment. Therefore my dearly beloved, be stonte in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on you his armour: stand in the liberty of Christ which you have learned: rejoice that you may be counted worthy to suffer any thing for God's cause: to all men this is not given. Your reward is great in heaven, though in earth you find nothing. The journey is almost passed: you are almost in the haven, hale on a pace I beseech you, and merely hoist up your sails. Cast yourself on Christ who careth for you. Keep company with him now still to the end: he is faithful and will never leave you, nor tempt you further than he will make you able to bear: yea in the midst of the temptation he will make an outskape. Now pray unto him heartily, be thankful of his dignation, rejoice in hope of the health you shall receive, and be mindful of us which are in the vanward, and by God's grace trust in Christ to be made able to break the Ice before you, that you following may find the way more easy. God grant it may so be, Amen, Amen. Out of prison by your brother in Christ. john Bradford. To masters Wylkinson. Almighty God our most loving Father increase in your heart (my good mother and dear Mistress in the Lord) his true knowledge and love in Christ, to the encouraging & comforting of your faith in these stormy days: as necessary unto us, so profitable if we persist unto the end, which thing God grant to us, Amen. My right dearly beloved, I know not what other thing to write unto you, then to desire you to be thankful unto the Lord, in that amongs the not many of your calling and state, it pleaseth him to give you his rare blessing, I mean to keep you from all the filth wherewith our country is horribly defiled. This blessing assuredly is rare as you see. But now if he shall bless you with an other blessing which is more rare, I mean to call you forth as a Martyr and as a witness against this filth, I hope you will become double thankful. For a greater token commonly we have not to judge of our election and salvation, next to Christ and faith in him, than the cross, especially when it is so glorious as on this sort to suffer any thing, but chief loss of this life, which in deed is never found till it be so lost: except the grain of wheat fall and be dead, it remaineth fruitless. You know how that he which was rapt into the third heaven & did know what he wrote, doth say that as the corn liveth not except it be dead and cast into the earth, so truly our bodies. And therefore the cross should so little fear us, that even death itself should altogether be desired of us, as the tailor which putteth of our rags and arrayeth us with the royal robes of immortality, incorruption, and glory. Great shame it should be for us, that all the whole creatures of God should desire, yea groan in their kind for our liberty, Rom. 8. & we ourselves to loath it: as doubtless we do if for the cross, yea for death itself we with joy swallow not up all sorrow that might let us from following the Lords calling, and obeying the lords providence: whereby doubtless all crosses and death itself doth come and not by hap or chance. In consideration whereof (right dear Mother) in that this providence stretcheth it self so unto us and for us, that even the hears of our heads are numbered with GOD, not one of them to fall to our hurt: surely we declare ourselves very faint in faith, if we receive not such comfort, that we can willingly offer ourselves to the Lord, and cast our whole care upon his back, honouring him with this honour that he is & ever will be careful for us and all we have, as for his dear children. Be therefore of good cheer even in the midst of these miseries, be thankful to the Lord and prepare yourself for a further trial, which if god send you: as I hope, so do you believe, that god therein will help and comfort you, and make you able to bear whatsoever shall happen. And thus much having this opportunity. I thought good to write, praying god our father to recompense into your bosom, all the good that ever you have done, to me especially, and to many others both in this time of trouble and always heretofore. Your own in the Lord, john Bradford. To masters Wylkinson. THe Lord of mercy in Christ his son our Saviour and only comforter, be with you all now and for ever, Amen. Although presently I have little time by reason of this bringers short departing, & less occasion of necessary matter to write unto you: yet in that it hath pleased god to offer me more liberty to write than before I had (as this reader can report) I thought good to signify unto you the same with the acknowledging of the receipt of your tokens, for the which I neither can nor will go about to flatter you with thanks, in that I know you look for none at mine hands, god being the cause and his word the end wherefore you did so: to him I know you would have me thankful, and I beseech you pray that I may so be, and not only thankful for myself and his benefits towards me, but also thankful for you to whom God hath given to fear his name and love his truth. The which gifts far pass the riches of the world, for they shall perish and be left we know not unto whom: but these gifts of god as they last for ever, so they make happy the possessors of the same. Go to therefore, and pray god to increase them of his goodness, as of his mercy he hath begun them in you, & in deed so he will. For to whom he giveth the earnest of willing, to the same he will give the grace of continuing, if we reject not the same: as we do when we be double harred, ●4 Reg. 17. and part our fear and love, as did the Samaritans, which feared god, and their Adramelech, loved gods religion and their old country customs etc. If this doubleness come on us, that we fear more the world and couple it with the fear of God: if we love the muck of this mould and couple it with the love of God's religion, than part we stake, then mar we the market, than the spirit of GOD will depart, Act. 5. than play we as Ananias and Saphyra did, and so sooner or later shall fall to perdition with them. But (as I said) I think no such thing of you: I think of you as of God's dear children, whose hearts are whole with the Lord. And therefore I write not this as though you were such, but because it is God's goodness you be not such, because Satan would have you such, and because many that were as you now be, are such. Therefore to make you, as thankful, so careful to continue (but yet so that your care be cast all on the Lord) is the only cause I writ this, and would write more, but that the bringer can not carry. And therefore hastily and abruptly I make an end, beseeching almighty GOD in our redeemer jesus Christ, to be with you, and with his holy spirit comfort you all, and help my good Sister Mistress W. to be an happy and a good mother of the child of which as yet, I hear God hath not delivered her. By your own to use in the Lord for ever. john Bradford. ¶ To my dear Brother in the Lord Master Richard Hopkyns and his wife dwelling in coventry, and other my faithful brethren and Sisters, professors of gods holy Gospel there and thereabouts. THe peace which Christ left to his church and to every true member of the same, john. 14. Rom. 8 the holy spirit the guide of God's children, so engrafte in your heart and in the heart of your good wife, and of all my good brethren and sisters about you, that unfeignedly ye may in respect thereof, contemn all worldly peace, which is contrary to that peace that I speak of, and driveth it utterly out of the hearts of all those, which would patch them both together. For we cannot serve two masters: Math. 6 no man can serve GOD and mammon: Christ's peace cannot be kept with this worlds peace. God therefore of his mercy do I beseech, to give unto you his peace which passeth all understanding, and so keep your hearts and minds, phil. 4. that they may be pure habitacles and mansions for the holy spirit, yea for the blessed trinity, john. 14 who hath promised to come and dwell in all them that love christ and keep his sayings. My dearly beloved, the time is now come wherein trial is made of men that have professed to love christ, and would have been counted keepers of his testimonies. But weal away, the tenth person persevereth not: the more part do part stakes with the papists and protestants, so that they are become maungye Mongrelles, to the infecting of all that company with them, and to their no small peril. For they pretend outwardly popery, The Mongrels excuse, going to Mass with the papists & tarrying with them personally at their Antichristian and idolatrous service: but with their ha●●s (say they) and with their spirits they serve the lord. Math. 8. And so by this means as they save their pigs which they would not lose, I mean their worldly pelf, so they would please the protestants and be counted with them for gospelers, Company not with Mongrels yea marry would they. But mine own beloved in the Lord, flee from such persons as from men most perilous and pernicious both before God and man: Mongrels are false both to god and man. for they are false to both, and true to neither. To the magistrates they are false, pretending one thing and meaning clean contrary. God will have the whole service of soul and body. He made both He keepeth both. He redeemed both. To god they are most untrue giving him but a piece, which should have the whole. I would they would tell me who made their bodies. Did not GOD, as well as their spirits and souls? And who keepeth both? Doth not be still? And alas, shall not he have the service of the body, but it must be given to serve the new found god of Antichristes' invention? Did not Christ buy both our souls and bodies? And wherewith? with any less price then with his precious blood? Ah wretches then that we be, if we will defile either part with the rose coloured whore of Babylon's filthy Mass abomination. Apoc. 18 2. pet. 2 Hebr. 6.10 Math. 12 Luke. 11 Mongress sin against their own consciences. It had been better for us never to have been washed, then so to wallow ourselves in the filthy puddle of popery. It had been better never to have known the truth, then thus to betray it. Surely, surely, let such men fear that their later end be not worse than the beginning. Their own conscience now accuseth them before god (if so be they have any conscience) that they are but dissemblers and hypocrites to God and man. For all the cloaks they make, they cannot avoid this, but that their going to church and to Mass, is of self love: The only cause why Mongrels go to Mass, is to avoid the cross. 1 Cor. 10. Acts. 5 Deut. 12. that is, they go thither because they would avoid the cross. They go thither because they would be out of trouble. They seek neither the queens highness nor her laws, which in this point cannot bind the conscience to obey, because they are contrary to gods laws, which bid us often to flee idolatry and worshipping him after men's devices: they seek neither (I say) the laws (if there were any) neither their brethernes commodity (for none cometh thereby) neither godliness or good example (for there can be none found in going to Mass etc. but horrible offences and woe to them that give them) but they seek their own selves, their own ease, their escaping the cross etc. Math. 15. when they have made all the excuses they can, their own conscience will accuse them of this, that their going to church is only because they seek themselves. For if there would no trouble ensue for tarrying away, I appeal to their conscience, would they come thither? Never I dare say. Therefore (as I said) they seek themselves, they would not carry the cross. And hereof their own conscience (if they have any conscience) doth accuse them. Now if their conscience accuse them at this present, what will it do before the judgement seat of Christ? who will then excuse it, when Christ shall appear in judgement, Luke. 9.12 Mark 8. and shall begin to be ashamed of them then, which now here are ashamed of him. who then (I say) will excuse these Mass gospelers consciences? will the queens highness? She shall then have more to do for herself, then without hearty and speedy repentance she can ever be able to answer, though Peter, Paul, mary, james, john the Pope and all his Prelates take her part, with all the singing Sir john's that ever were, are, and shall be? Will the Lord Chancellor and prelate's of the realm excuse them there? Nay, nay, they are like then to smart for it so sore as I would not be in their places for all the whole world. Will the laws of the realm, the nobility, gentlemen, justices of peace etc. excuse our gospel massmongers conscience then? Nay, God knoweth they can do little there but quake and fear for the heavy vengeance of God like to fall upon them. Will their goods, lands and possessions, the which they by their dissembling have saved, will these serve to excuse them? No no, god is no merchant, as our Mass priests be. Will Masses or trentals & such trash serve? No verily the haunters of this gear than shall be horribly ashamed. Will the Catholic church excuse them? Nay it will most of all accuse them, as will all the good fathers, patriarchs, Apostles, Prophets, Martyrs confessors and saints, with all the good Doctors, and good general counsels, The most abomination o●●aeth is the Mass. all these already condemn the Mass & all that ever useth it as it is now, being of all idols that ever was, the most abominable and blasphemous to Christ and his priesthood, manhood and sacrifice: for it maketh the priest that saith Mass, the Mass priest is Christ's fellow. god's fellow and better than Christ, for the offerer is always better or equivalent to the thing offered. If therefore the priest take upon him there to offer up Christ, as they boldly affirm they do, them must he needs be better, or equal with Christ. Hebr. 5. Oh that they would show but one jot of the scripture of god calling them to this dignity, or of their authority to offer up Christ for the quick and dead, & to apply the benefit & virtue of his death and passion to whom they will. The Mass priests friendship is better-then Christ's. Surely if this were true, as it is most false and blasphemous, prate they at their pleasure to the contrary, than it made no matter at all, whether Christ were our friend or no, if so be the Mass priest were our friend: for he can apply us Christ's merits by his Mass if he will, and when he will, The Mass priest is above god, for he can make god. Math. 24. and therefore we need little to care for Christ's friendship. They can make him when they will and where they will. Lo hear he is, there he is say they, but believe them not saith Christ, believe them not, believe them not saith he. For in his human nature and body, which was made of the substance of the virgin's body and not of bread, in this body (I say) he is & sitteth on the right hand of God the father almighty in heaven, from whence and not from the pyx, shall he come to judge both the quick & dead. Act. 3. Rom. 8 Hebr. 7 Hebr. 9 1. Thess. 5. In the mean season heaven saith S. Peter must receive him. And as Paul saith, he prayeth for us. & now is not seen elsewhere or otherwise seen then by faith there, until he shallbe seen as he is, to the salvation of them that look for his coming, which I trust be not far of. For if the day of the lord drew near in the Apostles time, Luke. 21. which is now above xv. C. years past, it cannot be (I trust) long hence now: I trust our redeemers coming is at hand. Apo. 6 Then these Mass sayers and seers shall shake and cry to the hills hide us from the fierce wrath of the Lamb, if they repent not in tyme. Then will neither gold nor goods, friendship: nor fellowship, lordship nor authority, power nor pleasure, unity nor antiquity, custom nor counsel, john. 12. Doctors, decrees nor any man's devise serve. The word which the Lord hath spoken, in that day shall judge, The word of god shallbe our judge. 1. Cor. x. i. Cor. 6. the word (I say) of god in that day shall judge. And what sayeth it of idolatry and idolaters? Sayeth it not flee from it? And further, that they shall be dampened? Oh terrible sentence to all massmongers, and worshippers of things made with the hands of Bakers, Carpenters etc. Heb. 7.9.10. This word of God knoweth no more oblations or sacrifices for sin, but one only which Christ himself offered never more to be reoffered, but in remembrance thereof his supper to be eaten sacramentally and spiritually according to Christ's institution: which is so perverted now that there is nothing in it simply according to the judge, I mean the word of God. Math. 5. It were good for men to agree with their adversary the word of god now whilst they be in the way with it, lest if they linger, it will deliver them to the judge Christ, in all things hearken to the word of god as did the Thes. Act. 17. who will commit them to the Tailor, and so they shall be cast into prison, and never come our thence till they have paid the uttermost far thing, that is never. My dearly beloved, therefore mark the word hearken to the word: it alloweth no Massing, no such sacrificing nor worshipping of Christ with tapers, candles, copes, canapies, etc. It allowed no Latin service no images in the Temples, no praying to Saints dead, no pray judge for the dead. It alloweth no such disssmulation as a great many use now outwardly. Hebr. 20. If any withdraw himself my soul, sayeth the holy Ghost, shall have no pleasure in him. It alloweth not the love of this world, i. john 2. which maketh meant to do many times against their consciences: for in them that love the world, Math. 12 Apo. 3 3. Reg. 18. Rom. ● Math. 16. Mark. 8. Luk. 9.14 phil. 2. math. 7.20 Rom. 16. Acts. 4.5, Ephesi. 5. john. 10 the love of God abideth not. It alloweth not gatherers elsewhere then with christ, but sayeth they scatter abroad. It alloweth no lukewarm gentlemen: but if God be God, then follow him, if Baal and a piece of bread be GOD, then follow it. It alloweth not faith in the heart that hath not confession in the mouth. It alloweth no Disciples that will not deny themselves, that will not take up their cross and follow christ. It alloweth not the seeking of ourselves or of our own ease and commodity. It alloweth not the more part but the better part. It alloweth not unity except it be in verity. It alloweth no obedience to any which cannot be done without disobedience to God. It alloweth no church that is not the spouse of christ and hearkeneth not to his voice only. It alloweth no doctor that speaketh against it. It alloweth no general counsel that followeth not in all things. Galat. 1 Summa, it alloweth no angel, much more than, any such as should teach any other thing than Moses, the Prophets, Christ jesus and his Apostles have taught and left us to look upon in the written word of god the holy books of the Bible, 1. Timot. 6 Math. 7 jeremy. 8. Rom. 16. but curseth all that teach not only contrary, but also any other doctrine. It saith they are fools, unwise proud, that will not consent to the sound word and doctrine of Christ and his Apostles, and biddeth & commandeth us to flee from such. Therefore obey this commandment, company not with them specially in their church service, but flee from them: for in what thing consent they to Christ's doctrine? He biddeth us pray in a tongue to edify: 1. Cor. 14. Math. 6. ●oan: 14.15 Math. 26. Luke. 22 1. Cor. 12 they command contrary. He biddeth us call upon his father in his name when we pray: they bid us run to Mary, Peter etc. He biddeth us use his supper in the remembrance of his death & passion, preaching it out till it come, whereby he doth us to wit, that corporally he is not there in the form of bread: therefore sayeth Paul till he come. He willeth us to eat of the bread, calling it bread after consecration, and drink of that cup all, making no exception so that we do it worthily: that is take it as the sacrament of his body & blood broken & shed for our sins, & not as the body itself & blood itself without bread, without wine, but as the sacrament of his body and blood, The fruits that follow the worthy receiving of the lords supper. whereby he doth represent and unto our faith give and obsigne unto us, himself wholly with all the merits and glory of his body and blood. But they forbidden utterly the use of the supper to all but to their shavelings, except it be once in the year, and then also the cup they take from us: they never preach forth the lords death but in mocks and moes. Transubstantiation taketh away the Sacrament. They take away all the Sacrament by their transubstantion, for they take away the element and so the Sacrament. To be short they most horribly abuse this holy ordinance of the Lord, by adoration, reservation, Apoc. 22 john. 5. oblation, ostentation etc. In nothing they are contented with the symplicity of god's word. They add to and take fro at their pleasure, and therefore the plagues o● God will fall upon them at the length, and upon all that will take their part, They seek not Christ nor his glory for you see they utterly have cast away his word, jeremy. 8. Deut. 4 Apoc. 18. and therefore (as the prophet saith) there is no wisdom in them. They follow the strumpet church and bawdy spouse of Antichrist, which they call the catholic church, whose foundation and pillars is the devil & his daughter the mass, with his children the pope & his prelate's. Their laws are craft & cruelty: their weapons are lying and murder: their end & study is their own glory, fame, wealth, rest & possessions. For if a man speak nor do nothing against these, though he be a Sodomite, an adulterer, an usurer etc. it forceth not, he shall be quiet enough, no man shall trouble him. But if any one speak any thing to god's glory, which cannot stand without the overthrow of man's glory: them shall he be disquieted, imprisoned & troubled, except he will play mum and put his finger upon his mouth, although the same be a most quiet and godly man. job. 31. So that easily a man may see how that they be Antichrists church, and sworn soldiers to the pope and his spouse, and not to Christ and his church, for them would they not cast away gods word, them would they be no more adversaries to his glory, which chief consisteth in obedience to his word. Therefore my dear hearts in the Lord, seem not to allow this or any part of the pelf of this romish church and synagogue of Satan. Halt not on both knees, 3. Reg. 18. Hebr. 12 Mat. 10.16 Mark. 8. Luk. 9.14. 2. Timo. 3. Rom. 10 1. pet. 3. for halting will bring you out of the way: but like valiant champions of the Lord confess, confess I say, with your mouth as occasion serveth, and as your vocation requireth, the hope and faith you have and feel in your heart. But you will say that so to do is perilous, you shall by that means lose your liberty, your lands, your goods, your friends, your name, your life etc. and so shall your children be left in miserable state etc. To this I answer my good brethren, that you have professed in baptism to fight under the standard of your captain Christ, & will you now for perils sake leave your lord? You made a solemn vow that you would forsake the world, & will you be forsworn & run to embrace it now? Mat. 16.19 Mat. 10. Mark. 8. Luke. 9 You swore & promised to leave all & follow Christ, & will you now leave him for your father, your mother, your children, your lands, your life? etc. He that hateth not these saith Christ, is not worthy of me. He that forsaketh not these & himself also, and withal taketh not up his cross and followeth him, the same shall be none of his Disciples. Therefore either by a Christ adieu be forsworn, & run to the devil quick, Aect. 20. or else say as a Christian should say, that wife, Psal. 119. Psal. 49. Heb. 11.12 psa. 1●9 39 children, goods life, etc. are not to dear unto you in respect of Christ, who is your portion and inheritance. Let the worldings which have no hope of eternal life, fear perils of loss of lands goods, life etc. Here is not our home we are here but pilygrymes and strangers: this life is but the desert and wilderness to the land of rest. We look for a city whose workman is GOD himself. Hebr. 11. psal. 120 job. 9 psal. 90 job. 5. 2. Cor. 5. Rom. 8 Phil. 1. math. 7. Luke. 13. 2. Cor. 4. john. 16. math. 25. Rom. 8 We now dwellers in the tents of Cedar. We are now in warfare, in travail and labour whereto we were borne as the bird to fly. We sorrow and sigh desiring the dissolution of our bodies, and the putting of of corruption that we might put on incorruption. The way we walk in is strait and narrow and therefore not easy to our enemy the corrupt flesh: but yet we must walk on, for if we hearken to our enemy, we shall be served not friendly. Let them walk the wide way that are ruled by their enemies: let us be ruled by our friends and walk the strait way whose end is weal, as the other is woe. The time of our suffering is but short, as the time of their ease is not long: but the time of our rejoicing shall be endless, as the time of their torments shall be ever and intolerable. Our breakfast is sharp, but our supper is sweet. The afflictions of this life may not be compared in any part to the glory that shall be revealed unto us. 2. Timot. 3 This is certain, if we suffer with Christ, mat. 10. we shall reign with him: if we confess him, he will confess us, and that before his father in heaven and all his angels and Saints saying, math. 25. come ye blessed of my Father possess the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning. Apo. 7.14.19.20.21. 3. Cor. 2. Esay. 64. Hebr. 12 There shall be joy, mirth, pleasure, solace, melody, and all kind of beatitude and felicity, such as the eye hath not seen, the ear hath not heard, nor the heart of man is able in any point to conceive it as it is. In respect of this and of the joy set before us, should not we run our race though it be something rough? Did not Moses so, the Prophets so, Christ so, the Apostles so, the Martyrs so, & the confessors so? Psal. 36 They were drunken with the sweetness of this gear, & therefore they contemned all the man & devils could do to them. Their souls thirsted after the lord & his tabernacles, psa. 84.41 63. & therefore their lives & goods were not to dear to them. Read the 11. to the hebrews, and the .2. of the Maccabees. the .7. Act. 14. 2. Timo. 3. Chapt. and let us go the same way, that is by many tribulations. Let us labour to enter into the kingdom of heaven▪ for all that will live godly in Christ jesus must suffer persecution. Think therefore the cross, 1. pet. 4. if it come for confession of Christ, no strange thing to gods children: but rather take it as the Lords medicine by the which he helpeth our imfirmities & setteth forth his glory. Our sins have deserved cross upon cross: Psalm. 8. Rom. 8. 2. Cor. 1 1. Cor. 15 now if god give us his cross to suffer for his truth & confessing him, as he doth by it bury our sins: so doth he glorify us, making us like to Christ here, that we may be like unto him elsewhere: for it we be partakers of the affliction, we shall be partakers of the consolation: if we be like in ignominy, we shall be like in glory. Great cause we have to give thanks to god for lending us liberty, lands, goodness, wife, children, life etc. thus long: so that we shall be guilty of ingratitude, if he now shall come and take the same away, except we be cheerful and content. job. 1. God hath given and God hath taken away, saith job, as it pleaseth the lord so be it done. And should not we do this, Deut. 13. especially when the Lord taketh these away of love to try us, & prove us whether we be faithful lovers or strumpets, that is whether we love him better than his gifts or otherwise? This is a truth of all truths to be laid up in our hearts, read the history of the widow. 4. reg. 4. Psal. 37, Psal. ●47. that that is not lost which seemeth so to be for the confession of christ. In this life your children shall find gods plentiful blessing upon them when you are gone and all your goods taken away. God is so good that he helpeth the young Ravens before they can fly, and feedeth them when their dams have most unkindly left them: and trow ye that God which is the God of the widows and fatherless children, Psa. 68 2. Cor. 4. john. 21. 1. Pet. 5. Psa. 55. math. 6. Luke. 12. will not specially have a care for the babes of his dear Saints which die or lose any thing for conscience to him? Oh my dearly beloved, therefore look up with the eyes of faith. Consider not things present but rather things to come. Be content now to go whether God shall gird & lead us. Let us now cast our selves wholly into his hands with our wives, children & all that ever we have. Let us be sure the hears of our head are numbered, so that one hear shall not perish without the good will of our dear father, Math. 10 Psal. 91. who hath commanded his Angels to pitch their tents about us, & in their hands to take & hold us up, that we shall not hurt as much as our foot against a stone. Let us use earnest prayer: Ephesi. 6. Luke. 13. Deut. 6. 3. Cor. 7. 1. Thess. 5. Math. 25. 1. Timo. 5. Rom. 12 Rom. 16. let us heartily repent: let us hearken diligently to god's word: let us keep ourselves pure from all uncleanness both of spirit and body: let us flee from all evil and all appearance of evil: let us be diligent in our vocation and in doing good to all men, especially to them that be of the household of faith: let us live in peace with all men as much as is in us. And the Lord of peace give us his peace and that for ever more, Amen. I pray you remember me your poor afflicted brother in your hearty prayers to god. This .2. of September. john Brdford. another letter to Master Richard Hopkins then Sheriff of coventry and prisoner in the Fleet for the faithful and constant confessing of gods holy Gospel. dearly beloved in the Lord, I wish unto you, as unto mine own brother, yea as to mine own heart root, God's mercy and the feeling of the same plentifully in Christ our sweet saviour, who gave himself a ransom for our sins, and price for our redemption, praised therefore be his holy name for ever and ever. Amen. I will not go about to excuse myself for not sending unto you hitherto suffering for the lords sake as you do, to the comfort of me and of all that love you in the truth: but rather accuse myself both before GOD and you, desiring you of forgiveness, and with me to pray to GOD for pardon of this my unkind forgetting you, and all other my sins, which I beseech the Lord in his mercy to do away for his Christ's sake, Amen. Now to make amends to your ward, I would be glad if I could, but because I cannot, I shall heartily desire you to accept the will, and this which I shall now write unto you, thereafter: I mean, after my will and not after the deed, to accept and take it. At this present my dear heart in the lord you are in a blessed state, although it seem otherwise to you, or rather unto your old Adam, the which I dare now be so bold as to discern from you, because you would have him not only discerned, but also utterly destroyed. For if god be true, then is his word true. Now his word pronounceth of your state that it is happy, therefore it must needs be so. To prove this I think it need not: for you know that the holy ghost saith, that they are happy which suffer for righteousness sake, & that God's glory and spirit resteth on them which suffer for conscience to God. Now this you can not but know, that this your suffering is for righteousness sake and for conscience to god wards, for else you might be out of trouble even out of hand. I know in very deed that you have and feel your unthankfulness to god and other sins, to witness to you that you have deserved this prisonment, and lack of liberty betwixt god & yourself, and I would you so would confess unto god in your prayers, with petition for pardon & thanksgiving for his correcting you here. But you know that the Magistrates do not persecute in you your sins, your unthankfulness etc. but they persecute in you Christ himself, his righteousness, his verity, and therefore happy be you that have found such favour with God your father as to account you worthy to suffer for his sake in the sight of man: surely you shall rejoice therefore one day with a joy unspeakable in the sight of man also. You may think yourself borne in a blessed time, that have found this grace with God, to be a vessel of honour to suffer with his Saints, yea with his son. My beloved, god hath not done so with many. The Apostle saith not many noble, 1. Cor. 8 not many rich, not many wise in the world hath the Lord god chosen. Oh than what cause have you to rejoice, that amongst the not many he hath chosen you to be one. For this cause hath God placed you in your office, that therefore you might the more see his special dignation & love towards you. It had not been so great a thing for Master Hopkins to have suffered as Master Hopkins, as it is for M. Hopkins also to suffer as Master Shrefe. Oh happy day that you were made Shrefe, by the which, as God in this world would promote you to a more honourable degree, so by suffering in this room he hath exalted you in heaven & in the sight of his church & children, to a much more excellent glory. When was it red, that a Shrefe of a city hath suffered for the Lords sake? Where read we of any shrefe that hath been cast in prison for conscience to godwardes? How could god have dealt more lovingly with you then herein he hath done? To the end of the world it shall be written for a memorial to your praise that Richard Hopkins Shrefe of Coventry for conscience to do his office before god, was cast in the Flete & there kept prisoner a long time. Happy, & twice happy are you, if herefore you may give your life. Never could you have attained to this promotion on this sort out of that office. How do you preach now, not only to all men, but specially to Magistrates in this realm? Who would ever have thought that you should have been the first magistrate that so: Christ's sake should have lost any thing? As I said before therefore I say again, that your state is happy. Good brother before god I writ the truth unto you, may conscience hearing me witness, that you are in a most happy state with the lord and before his sight. Be thankful therefore, rejoice in your trouble, pray for patience, jacob. i. persever to the end, let patience have her perfect work. If you want this wisdom and power, ask it of god, who will give it to you in his good time. Hope still in him, yea if he should slay you, yet trust in him with job, and you shall perceive that the end will be to find him merciful & full of compassion: for he will not break promise with you, which hitherto did never so with any. He is with you in trouble: he heareth you calling upon him, yea before you call your desires are not only known, but accepted through Christ. If now and then he hide his face from you, it is but to provoke your appetite, to make you the more to long for him. This is most true, he is a coming and will come, he will not be long. But if for a time he seem to tarry, yet stand you still and you shall see the wonderful works of the Lord. Oh my beloved, wherefore should you be heavy? Is not Christ Emanuel god with us? shall you not find that as he is true in saying, in the world you shall have trouble: so is he in saying, in me you shall have comfort? He doth not swear only that trouble will come, but withal he sweareth that comfort shall ensue. 1. Cor. 2 And what comfort? such a comfort as the eye hath not seen, the ear hath not heard, nor the heart of man can conceive. Oh great comfort: who shall have this? Forsooth they that suffer for the lord. And are not you one of them? Yea verily are you. Then as I said, happy, happy, and happy again are you my dearly beloved in the Lord. You now suffer with the lord, surely you shall be glorified with him. Cal upon God therefore now in your trouble and he will hear you, yea deliver you in such sort as most shall make both to his & your glory also. And in this calling I heartily pray you to pray for me your fellow in affliction. Now we be both going in the high way to heaven, for by many afflictions must we enter in thither: whether god bring us for his mercy's sake, Amen, Amen. Your fellow in affliction. john Bradforde. To my dear fathers D. Cranmer D. Ridley D. Latymer, prisoners in Oxford for the testimony of the Lord jesus and his holy Gospel. Almighty god our heavenly father more and more kindle our hearts and affections with his love, that our greatest cross may be to be absent from him and strangers from our home, and that we may godly contend more and more to please him, Amen. As always I have had great cause to praise our dear father through christ: so me thinks I have more & more, in seeing more likely the end of my life which is due for my sin, to be through the exceeding grace of Christ a testimony of God's truth. Thus the lord dealeth not with every body: not the every body hath not more deserved at gods hands than I, which have deserved more vengeance than any other (I know) of my time and state: but that by me I hope the Lord will make the riches of his grace to his glory, to be seen more excellent. With me therefore I humbly beseech you all (my most dear) fathers in God, to give thanks for me, and as you do still to pray for me that the Lord, as for his loves sake in Christ he hath begun his good work in me, even so of and for the same his loves sake in Christ, he would make it perfect, and make me to continue to the end, as I hope he will: for his mercy & truth endureth for ever. As for your parts, in that it is commonly thought your staff standeth next to the door, ye have the more cause to rejoice and be glad, as they which shall come to your fellows under the altar: to the which society god with you, bring me also in his mercy when it shall be his good pleasure. I have received many good things from you my good Lord, Master, & dear father. N. Ridley, fruits I mean of your godly labours. All which I sand unto you again by this bringer: one thing except which he can tell, I do keep upon your further pleasure to be known therein. And here withal I send unto you a little treatise which I have made, that you might peruse the same, & not only you, but also ye my other most dear and reverent fathers in the lord for ever, to give to it your approbation as ye may think good. All the prisoners hereaboutes, in manner, have seen it and red it, and as therein they agree with me, nay rather with the truth: so they are ready and will be to signify it as they shall see you give them example. The matter may be thought not so necessary as I seem to make it. But yet if ye knew the great evil that is like hereafter to come to the posterity by these men, as partly this bringer can signify unto you: surely then could ye not but be most willing to put hereto your helping hands. The which thing that I might more occasion you to perceive, I have sent you here a writing of Harry Hearts own hand, This was the chiefest maintainer of man's free-will, & enemy to God's free grace. whereby ye may see how Christ's glory & grace is like to lose much light if that your sheep quondam be not something helped by them which love God, and are able to prove that all good is to be attributed only and wholly to God's grace and mercy in Christ without other respect of worthiness than Christ's merits. The effects of salvation they so mingle & confound with the cause, that if it be not seen to, more hurt will come by them, than ever came by the papists, in as much as their life commendeth them to the world more than the papistes. God is my witness that I writ not this but because I would gods glory and the good of his people. In freewill they are plain papists, yea Pelagians: This is well known to all those which have had to do with them in disputations or otherwise: for the wittings and authority of the learned, they have utterly rejected & despised & ye know the modicum fermenti totam massam corrumpit. They utterly contemn all learning. But hereof shall this bringer show your more. As to the chief captains therefore of Christ's church here, I complain of it unto you: as truly I must do of you even unto GOD in the last day, if ye will not as ye can, help something ut veritas doctrinae maneat apud posteros in this behalf, Upon this occasion. M● Rydley wrote a learned and godly treatise of god's election and predestination. as ye have done on the behalf of matters expugned by the papists. God for his mercy in Christ, ●uide you (my most dearly beloved fathers) with his holy spirit here and in all other things, as most may make to his glory and the commodity of his church. Amen. All here (god therefore be praised) prepare themselves willingly to pledge our captain Christ, even when he will and how he will. By your good prayers we shall all far the better, & therefore we all pray you to continue to cry to god for us, as we god willing, do and will remember you. My brethren here with me have thought it their duty to signify this need to be no less than I make it, to prevent the plantations which may take root by these men. Yours in the Lord. Robert Ferrar. rowland Taylor. john Bradford. John Philpot. ¶ To Master Shalcrosse and his wife dwelling in Lankeshyre. THe peace of conscience in Christ, and through faith in his blood, which as it passeth and is far better than any worldly riches or joy, so is it to be redeemed with the loss of the dearest treasures we have, rather than we should lose it: this peace I wish unto you good M. Shalcrosse and unto your good yoke-fellow, my good sister in the Lord, now and for ever, Amen. Hertherto although I could not write unto you, yet as I trust you pray for me, so I have not been forgetful of you in my poor prayers to almighty GOD my dear father through Christ, to whom I give humble praises that he hath given you grace as yet (for so I hear) to keep yourself undefiled in his service, which far differeth from the romish rags revived of late and justly for our sins and unthankful using his true religion and holy ceremonies, once again in place and use amongst us. In token whereof (I mean that I have not been forgetful of you) I thought good now when I may write, to signify the same, aswell to renew our mutual love in GOD and care one for an other by hearty prayer, as to excite and provoke you both, to thankfulness for gods graces hitherto, especially in the point before spoken of, and to be diligent and wary that you unto the end continue in the same: for you know that perseverance in godliness and purity, is required of us, 2. Timot. 2 and that none other shallbe crowned but such as fight lawfully. Go to therefore and fight on a good fight floutly and manfully: that is, as you know God is not to be worshipped and served but after his word written, and not after unwritten verities, or the devise, fantasy and pleasures of men or women, in what state soever they be, accordingly behave yourself, as inwardly in god's sight, so outwardly before your brethren. Seem not to approve by your outward man, that which the inward man detesteth. It is not enough to believe with the heart, except the mouth and fact confess the same. Nor it is not enough with the mouth to acknowledge a verity, and by our fact and deed to destroy the same. Paul speaketh sometimes of deniers of god not only with their lips & tongue but also with their deed and life. Let not the world or the more part of men be an example to you to follow them or do as they do in the service of God. Christ saith follow me, speaking of himself, which is the patron and sampler we should set before us, and not the world or more part, which windeth the wide and broad way, whose end doth lead to perdition and everlasting woe: but rather let the example of such as walk in the narrow and straightway which bringeth to life endless, encourage you to walk with them, although the number of them be but s●we, & the personages of them be uttyrly contemned with the world & in the world, which world cannot love, no not know in deed the children of god, because it cannot receive the spirit of God: and therefore, as the Ape her young ones, so it (the world I mean) doth think her own birds the fairest, contemning with deadly hate all others that will not follow her judgement. But what saith christ? Be of good there: although the world will persecute you, yet I have overcome the world. Oh comfortable sentence, I have overcome the world. This undoubtedly he meaneth for you & me & all other his children, that he hath overcome the world for us. But by what means? Surely by suffering contempt, wrong, false reports, and even very shameful & most bitter death. If he went this way, & won the victory this way, as I trust we know: let us as his servants (whose state ought not to be above our masters) not be dismayed of contempt, of wrong, of loss of goods or life itself: but rather joyfully suffer the same, as men knowing we have better portions in heaven, & that this is the sure way to victory most victorious: for by many tribulations must we enter into the kingdom of heaven, if we will come thither, except for tribulation sake we will with ease and worldly quietness go to hell. You know that Paul saith, all that will live godly in christ jesus must suffer persecution. Wherefore in that you are in Christ jesus, I dare say you will continue though persecution come to you, being assured that it cannot come except god have so decreed: and if he have so decreed, then can not you but receive it, or else a cross which will be much worse. Willingly therefore take what cross the lord shaloffer, & then the lord will make you able to bear it, & never tempt you further than he will make you strong enough: yea all the hears of your head he will number & keep, so that one of them shall not perish: but if you should refuse gods cross, especially in suffering the loss of any thing for his sake, which giveth you all the good that ever you have & keepeth it: if I say you refuse, be certain the plagues of God will be poured down, first on your soul & conscience in hardening your heart & blinding your mind, either by bringing you into despair or into a contempt & carnal security: whereafter will ensue loss of the dearest things you have, if god love you, or else he will conserve the same to your eternal destruction. I write not this as distrusting your constancy in gods cause: God forbid (for me think I am assured of your godly zeal) but I do it as I said, that you may be the more heedye, ware, diligent, and earnestly given to call upon the name of god for his help and grace of perseverance, which is more ready to give, than we to ask. I know this kind of writing is madness to the world, foolishness to reason, and sour to the flesh: but to you which are a man of God, and by profession in baptism have forsaken the world, and do consider things after the reach of faith, and have tasted of the good spirit of God and of the life to come, unto such a one I say, (as I trus you be) this kind of writing is otherwise esteemed. For hear you are but a pilgrim your home is in heaven, your treasures are their hurded where thieves cannot come to steal them, there is your heart: and therefore you can and will say as the philosopher said when he was rob of all he had, Omnia mea mecum porto, I carry all with me. If he an heathen took his riches to be the worlds rather than his, how much more should we so do? Therefore my dear brother, accordingly prepare yourself, as you have done and do I hope Read the .2. of Ecclesiasticus, how he counseleth them that will serve god, to prepare themselves to temptation. Often set before your eyes the judgement of Christ, his coming in the clouds, and the resurrection, which is now our comfort, especially in afflictions. I write to you none otherwise than I am persuaded (I thank god) and purpose to go before you. I know there is an eternal life, I hope to be partaker of it through christ. I know this is the way thither, I mean by suffering. I know if we suffer with him, we shall reign with him. I know that by the cross, he maketh us like to Christ here that we mayghte be like to him elsewhere: therefore I write to you not words only. And hereupon I am the more earnest: as to admonish, so to pray you to cleave still to the lord and his true religion which you have received, and I for my part am sure that I have preached unto you. For the confirmation whereof, as I am in bonds, so I trust in the goodness of God and his power, to give my life in and for the same, that you and others might be certain, and follow as god shall call you and vouch you worthy. Remember that die you must, but when, as you know not, so where and how, it is uncertain to you. Again all that you have you must leave behind you, for nothing shall go with you but a good or an evil conscience. Moreover to whom you shall leave your goods it is hid from you, for you may purpose, but god will dispose. Therefore if god will have you to die, or to lose your goods for his cause, how much are you bound then to bless God? sure you may be that you can not perish, for of all ways to heaven it is the most sure way. Your goods God will preserve, so that your children shall find them, although the wyckeh spoil every piece of them: for the righteous man's seed I have not seen (saith david) beg their bread, but god will bless them into a thousand generations: the which thing I pray god to remember towards your children for his name sake, Amen. Thus will I betake you to god, and to his holy word, which is able, as to teach you which way to serve god, so to save you if you believe and love it. If I thought it might do you any good, I would send you a book which james Bradshaw already hath, to teach you how you should behave yourselves, especially concerning the Mass. I wrote it sithen my trouble. Commend me to T. Riddleston, although I fear me he have defiled himself in this false service. That book I would wish he would read: as you shall advertise me, I will do in sending to him. I shall pray god to illuminate his eyes with his grace. Commend me to Sir W. Charelton, who I trust hath kept himself pure from idolatry: god grant he so continue. Written in haste as it appeareth from the Counter in the Poultre. By yours in Christ. john Bradford To his godly friends. G. and N. encouraging them to prepare themselves to the cross, and patiently to endure afflictions for god cause and his hohies Gospel. THe God of all mercies and the father of all consolations, show unto you more and more the riches of his mercies in christ jesus our lord, and grant you a lively faith to apprehend and pull unto yourselves the same, to your everlasting comfort, Amen. Because my mind will not let me rest to think upon, & as it were to see sore storms like to fall more felly than any yet we have felt (I should rather say ye have felt & are like to feel, if ye continue to confess christianly as ye have begun) I thought it my duty to admonish you that therefore ye should not be dismayed nor think it any strange thing. For undoubtedly you confessing Christ according to the truth taught you, yea received of you, though trouble come, the same shallbe so far from hurting you, that it shall profit you exceedingly, making you thereby like to him which for your sakes suffered much greater sorrow than all men can sustain: aswell that your sorrows and afflictions whatsoever they be that shall come unto you, should be sanctified in his cross, & that which he suffered: as also that in him ye might have both example how to order yourselves in the cross, and how soon, shortly, and gloriously the end of your cross will be. Therefore I say, be not dismayed in that the cross cannot but conform and make us like unto Christ, not simply of itself, but by god's spirit which maketh it his chief mean thereto: first in putting us in mind of our corruption received of Adam, the cause of all care: then by occasioning us to remember as well our privy hid sins, as also our more manifest evils, that we there through might be provoked to repentance & ask of mercy, the which undoubtedly god will give us for his Christ's sake, & thereto also his holy spirit to sanctify us if we ask the same. Now this spirit will not cease more & more both to mortify the old man with his desires, & also to renew & repair the new man daily with augmentation & increase: so that at the length we shallbe made so like to Christ that we cannot but be coupled unto him, I mean not by faith as now we be, but even in deed, leaving here behind us with Hely our cloak the flesh, which one day god will call & quicken again to be like unto the glorious & immortal body of his son jesus Christ out lord, after the it hath suffered & slept as his hath done, the afflictions & time which god hath already appointed. My dear brethren and sisters, this is most certain that the afflictions and crosses which ye shall suffer, god hath already appointed for you, so that they are not in the power, choice, and will of your & his enemies. If ye would fly then ye cannot, but will ye, nil ye, needs must ye have them. If ye will not carry them in the love of god, ye shall carry them in his displeasure. Therefore cast your care on him which careth for you, & hath counted all the hears of your heads, so that one shall not perish if that ye commit yourselves to his ordering, where else your heads & bodies, yea souls too shall perish if that ye with draw yourselves as unwilling to take his cup & to drink of it: not that I would have you to thrust yourselves headlong & rashly to take or pull unto you trouble, or that I would not have you to use such honest & lawful means as ye may in the fear of god & with good conscience, to avoid the cross and give place to evil: but that I would have you willing to put for't your hand to take it when god offereth it in such sort as with good conscience ye cannot escape. Then take it, kiss it, & thank god for it: for it is even a very sacrament that god loveth you, as he saith, whom I love them do I chastise: & if ye be not partakers of correction, surely ye are no children: but if he once chastise you, if that ye kiss the rod, verily he will ease the rod into the fire, & coll you & kiss you as the mother doth her child when she perceiveth the child to take in good part the correction. But why do I compare god your father's love to a mother, in that it far passeth it? For saith he, though it be possible that a natural mother should forget the child of her womb: yet will not I forget thee, saith the lord our good god and father through Christ. Though he seem angry towards evening, yet in the morning we shall find him well pleased, if in Christ we come to him and cry Abba dear father, help us and (as thou hast promised) tempt us not further than thou wilt make us able to bear. Therefore (my dear hearts in the lord) be of good comfort, be of good comfort in the lord. Confess him and his truth and fear not prison, loss of goods or life. Fear rather that prison, out of the which there is no deliverance: fear rather the loss of those goods which last for ever: fear rather the loss of the life which is eternal, whereunto ye are called, & the way by which god will bring you to it, in that ye certainly know not whether it will be by prison, fire, halter, etc. whensoever these come (as I said before) let them not dismay you nor seem strange to you. For no small number, of gods children are gone that way, and we are a good company here together, which are ready to follow the same way through gods grace, if god so will. I beseech you make you ready and go with us, or rather be ready that when we come we may go with you. The journey is but short, though it be unpleasant to the flesh. Perchance if we should die in our beds on a corporal malady, it would be much longer and also more painful, at the least in god's sight it cannot be so precious and gayneful, as I know this kind of death is: whereto I exhort you to prepare yourselves mine own dear hearts in the bowels and blood of our saviour jesus Christ, to whose tuition grace, governance, and protection, I heartily commend you all, and beseech you that ye would do the like unto me in your hearty prayers. Out of the tower of London. 1554. By your own to use in the Lord for ever. john Bradford. another letter written to certain godly persons to the same effect. Gracious god and most merciful father for jesus Christ's sake thy dearly beloved son, grant us thy mercy, grace, wisdom and holy spirit, to counsel, comfort and guide us in all our cogitations, words and works, to thy glory and our everlasting joy and peace for ever, Amen. In my last letter ye might perceive my conjecturing to be no less towards you, than now I have partly learned. But (my dearly beloved) I have learned none other thing, then before I have told you would come to pass, if ye cast not away that which I am sure ye have learned. I do appeal to both your consciences, whether herein I speak truth as well of my telling (though not so often as I might and should, god forgive me) as also of your learning. Now God will try you, to make others to learn by you that which ye have learned by others, The lady lasts & her husband were beheaded that day. & by them which suffered this day ye might learn (if already ye had not learned) that life and honour is not to be set by more than gods commandment. They in no point for all that ever their ghostly fathers could do, having Doctor Death to take their part, would consent of seem to consent to the popish Mass and papistical God, otherwise then in the days of our late King they had received. And this their faith they have confessed with their deaths, to their great glory and all our comforts, if we follow them: but to our confusion if we start back from the same. Wherefore I beseech you both to consider it, aswell to praise god for them, as to go the same way with them if god so will. Consider not the things of this life, which is a very prison to all gods children: but the things of everlasting life which is our very home. But to the beholding of this gear ye must open the eyes of your mind, of faith I should have said, as Moses did, which set more by trouble with God's people then by the riches of Egypt & Pharaos court. Your house, home, and goods, yea life and all that ever ye have, god hath given you as love tokens, to admonish you of his love and to win your love to him again. Now will he try your love, whether ye set more by him then by his tokens or no. If ye for his token's sake, that is, for your home, house, goods, yea life, will go with the world lest ye should lose them, then be assured, your love, as he can not but espy it to be a strumpets love, so will he cast it away with the world. Remember that he which will save his life, shall lose it, if Christ be true: but he which adventureth yea loseth his life for the gospels sake, the same shall be sure to find it eternally. Do not ye both know that the way to salvation is not the broad way which many run in, but the strait way which few now walk in? Before persecution came, men might partly have stand in a doubt by the outward state of the world with us (although by god's word it was plain) whether was the high way (for their was as many pretended the gospel as popery) but now the son is risen, & the wind bloweth, so that the corn which hath not taken fast root cannot nor will not abide: and therefore easily ye may see the strait way by the small number that passeth through it. Who will now adventure their goods and lift for Christ's sake, which yet gave his life for oursakes? Math. 8. We now are Gergesites, that would rather lose Christ then our porkets. A faithful wife is never tried so to be, but when she rejecteth & with standeth wooers. A faithful Christian is then found so to be, when his faith is assaulted. If we be not able, I mean if we will not forsake this world for gods glory and gospels sake, trow ye that god will make us able or give us a will to forsake it for nature's sake? Die ye must once, and leave all ye have (God knoweth how soon and when) will ye or will ye not. And seeing perforce ye must do this, will ye not willingly now do it for gods sake? If ye go to Mass and do as the most part doth, then may ye live at rest and quietly: but if ye deny to go to it, then shall ye go to prison, lose your goods, leave your children comfortless, yea lose your life also. But my dearly beloved, open the eyes of your faith, and see how short a thing this life is, even a very shadow and smoke. Again, see how intolerable the punishment of hell fire is, and that endless. Last of all look on the joys incomprehensible, which God hath prepared for all them world without end, which lose either lands or goods for his name's sake. And then do ye reason thus: if we go to Mass the greatest enemy that Christ hath, though for a little time we shall live in quiet, and leave to our children that they may live hereafter, yet shall we displease god, fall into his hands, which is horrible to hypocrites, and be in wonderful hazard of falling from eternal joy into eternal misery, first of soul and then of body, with the devil & all Idolaters. Again, we shall want peace of conscience, which surmounteth all the riches of the world, and for our children, who knoweth whether god will viset our idolatry on them in this life: yea our house & goods are in danger of losing, as our lives be, through many casualties, and when God is angry with us, he can send always when he will, one mean or an other to take all from us for our sins, and to cast us into care for our own sakes, which will not come into some little trouble for his sake. On this sort reason with yourselves, & then doubtless god will work otherwise with you and in you, than ye are ware of. Where now ye think yourselves unable to abide persecution, be most assured, if so be ye purpose not to forsake God, that God will make you so able to bear his cross, that therein ye shall rejoice. 1. Cor. 1● faithful is god (saith Paul) which will not tempt you further than he will make you able to bear, yea he will give you an outscape in the cross which shall be to your comfort. Think how great a benefit it is, if God will vouch you worthy this honour to suffer loss of any thing for his sake. He might justly cast most grievous plagues upon you, & now he will correct you with that rod whereby you shall be made like to his Christ, that for ever ye may reign with him. Suffer yourselves therefore now to be made like to Christ, for else ye shall never be made like unto him. The devil would gladly have you now to overthrow that which godly ye have of long time professed. Oh how would he triumph if he could win his purpose? Oh how would the papists triumph against god's gospel in you? Oh how would you confirm them in their wicked popery? Oh how would the poor children of god be discomforted if now ye should go to Mass and other Idolatrous service, & do as the world doth? Hath God delivered you from the Sweat to serve him so? Hath GOD miraculously restored you to health from your grievous Agewes for such a purpose? Hath God given you such blessings in this world & good things all the days of your life hitherto, & now of equity will ye not receive at his hands & for his sake, some evil? God forbid. I hope better of you. Use prayer, and cast your care upon God: commit your children into his hands: give to god your goods, bodies and lives as he hath given them, or rather lent them unto you. Say with job, God hath given & God hath taken away, his name be praised for ever. Cast your care upon him (I say) for he is careful for you: and take it amongs the greatest blessings of God to suffer for his sake. I trust he hath kept you hitherto to that end. And I beseech thee O merciful father for jesus Christ's sake, that thou wouldst be merciful unto us, comfort us with thy grace, and strengthen us in thy truth, that in heart we may believe & in tongue boldly confess thy gospel, to thy glory and our eternal salvation, Amen. Pray for me and I by God's grace will do the same for you. john Bradforde. another letter to the same persons. GOds mercy in Christ I wish you to feel, my dear brother, with my faithful sister your wife now & for ever, Amen. Having this occasion, I could not but write something, as well to put myself in remembrance of my duty to godwardes for you both, in thankfulness & prayer, as to put you in remembrance of me & your duty towards god for me, in praying for me: for I dare not say in thankfulness for me: not that I would have you to give no thanks to God for his wonderful great & sweet mercies towards me & upon me in Christ his son: but because I have not deserved it at either of your hands. For ye both know right well, at least my conscience doth accuse me, how that I have not only not exhorted & taught you (as both my vocation & your deserts required) to walk worthy of that vocation which god hath made you worthy of, & with trembling & fear to work out your salvation, that is in the fear of god to give yourselves to great vigilancy in prayer for the increase of faith, & to a wary circumspection in all your conversation, not only in works & words but also in thoughts, because god is a searcher of the heart, & out of the heart it cometh that defileth us in gods sight: I have (I say) not only not done this but also have given you example of negligence in prayer, watching, fasting, talking & doing, so that woe to me for giving you such offence. Partly for this cause dear brother & sister god hath cast me and keepeth me here that I might repent me and turn to him, & that ye might also by this correction upon me, be more diligence to redress these things and others, if they in your conscience do accuse you. My dearly beloved, heavy is god's anger fallen upon us all: doleful is this day. Now hath Antichrist all his power again, now is Christ's gospel trodden under foot, now is god's people a derision & a pray for the wicked. Now is the greatest plague of all plagues fallen, the want of god's word: and all these we have, yea I alone have justly deserved. Oh that as I writ (I alone) I could with David, 1. Par. 21. & with jonas in heart say so. But I do not, I do not, I see not how grievously I have sinned, & how great a misery is fallen for mine unthankfulness for gods word, for mine hypocrisy in professing, preaching, hearing & speaking of gods word, for my not praying to God for the continuance of it, for my not living of it thoroughly as it requireth etc. I will speak nothing of my manifest evils, for they are known to you well enough. Dear brother & sister, with me say ye the like for your own parts, & with me join your hearts, & let us go to our heavenly father & for his Christ's sake beseech him to be merciful unto us and to pardon us: Oh good father it is we that have deserved the taking away of thy word, it is we that have deserved these thy just plagues fallen upon us, we have done a miss, we have dealt unjustly with thy Gospel, we have procured thy wrath, & therefore just art thou in punishing us, just art thou in plaguing us, for we are very miserable. But good Lord and dear father of mercy, whose justice is such that thou wilt not punish the poor souls of this realm, which yet have not thus sinned against thee as we have done (for many yet never heard thy word) for our trespasses, & whose mercy is so great that thou wilt put our iniquities out of thy remembrance for thy Christ's sake, if we repent & believe: grant us we beseech thee true repentance and faith, that we having obtained pardon for our sins, may through thy Christ get deliverance from the tyranny of Antichrist now oppressing us. Oh good father which haste said that the Sceptre of the wicked should not long lie upon and over the just, lest they put forth their hands to iniquity also: make us just, we pray thee in Christ's name, & cut a sunder the cords of them that hate Zion: let not the wicked people say where is their god? Thou our god art in heaven & dost what soever it pleaseth thee upon earth. Oh that thou wouldst in the mean while, before thou do deliver us, that (I say) thou wouldst open our eyes to see all these plagues to come from thee, & all other that shall come whatsoever they be public or private, that they come not by chance nor by fortune, but that they come even from thy hand, and that justly & mercifully: justly because we have & do deserve them, not only by our birthpoyson still sticking & working in us, but also by our former evil life passed, which by this punishment & all other punishments that wouldst have us to call to our remembrance & to set before us, that the mightest put them from before thee, where as they stand so long as they are not in our remembrance to put them away by repentance. Mercifully oh lord god dost thou punish, in that thou dost not correct to kill, but to amend, that we might repent our sins, ask mercy, obtain it freely in Christ, and to begin to suffer for righteousness sake: to be part of thy house, whereat thy judgement beginneth: to be partakers of the afflictions of thy church and thy Christ, that we might be partakers of the glory of the same: to weep here, that we might rejoice elsewhere: to be judged in this world that we might with thy Saints judge hereafter the world: to suffer with Christ that we might reign with him: to be like to Christ in shame, that we might be like to him in glory: to receive our evelles here, that we might with poor Lazarus find rest elsewhere: rest (I say) & such a rest as the eye hath not seen, the ear hath not heard nor the heart of man is able to conceive. Oh that our eyes were open to see this, that the cross cometh from thee to declare thy justice & thy mercy, and hereto, that we might see how short a time the time of suffering is: how long a time the time of rejoicing is to them that suffer here: but to them that will not, how long and miserable a time is appointed and prepared, a time without time in eternal woe and perdition too horrible to be thought upon. From the which keep us dear father & give more sight in soul to see this gear, and how that all thy dearest children have carried the cross of grievous affliction in this life, in whose company do thou place us, and such a cross lay upon us as thou wilt make us able to bear, to thy glory and our salvation in Christ, for whose sake we pray thee to shorten the days of this our great misery fallen upon us most justly, and in the mean season give us patience, repentance, faith, and thy eternal consolation, Amen, Amen, Amen. And thus dear hearts I have talked (me thinks) a little while with you, or rather we have all talked with god. Oh that god would give us his spirit of grace and prayer. My dearly beloved pray for it, as for yourselves, so for me, and that god would vouchsafe to make me worthy to suffer with a good conscience for his name's sake. Pray for me, & I shall do the like for you. This .20. of December, by him whom by this bringer ye shall learn. I pray you give my commendations to all that love me in the Lord. Be merry in Christ, for one day in heaven we shall meet and rejoice together for ever more, Amen. john Bradford To my good brother john Careless prisoner in the King Bench. THe father of mercy & god of all comfort, viset us with his eternal consolation, according to his great mercies in jesus Christ our Saviour, Amen. My very dear brother, if I shall report the truth unto you, I can not but signify that sithen I came into prison, I never received so much consolation as I did by your last letter, the name of god be most heartily praised therefore. But if I shall report the truth unto you, and as I have begun, speak still the verity, I must confess that for mine unthankfulness to you wards & to god especially, I have more need of gods merciful tidings, than I had ever heretofore. Ah that Satan envieth us so greatly. Ah that our Lord would tread his head under our feet shortly. Ah that I might for ever, both myself beware, & be a godly example to you & others to beware of unthankfulness. Good brother Careless, we had more need to take heed after a lightning, of a foil them before. God therefore is to be praised even when he hideth & that of long, a cheerful countenance from us, lest we being not expert how to use it as we should do, do hurt more ourselves thereby: so great is our ignorance and corruption. This my good brother & right dear to my very heart, I writ unto you as to one whom in the Lord I embrace, and I thank god that you do me in like manner. God our father more & more give us both his good spirit, that as by faith we may feel ourselves united unto him in Christ, so by love we may feel ourselves linked in the same Christ one to an other, I to you and you to me, we to all the children of God and all the children of God to us, Amen, Amen. Commend me to our good brother Skelthrop, for whom I heartily praise my God which hath given him to see his truth at the length, & to give place to it. I doubt not but that he will be so heedye in all his conversation that his old acquaintance may ever thereby think themselves astray. Woe & woe again should be unto us, if we by our example should make men to stumble at the truth. Forget not salutations in Christ, as you shall think good to True & his fellows. The Lord hath his time (I hope) for them also, although we perchance think otherwise. A drop maketh the stone hollow, not with once but with often dropping: so if with hearty prayer for them and good example, you still and drop upon them as you can, you shall see gods work at the length. I beseech God to make perfect all the good he hath begun in us all, Amen. I desire you all to pray for me the most unworthy prisoner of the Lord. Your brother john Bradforde. To Master john Hall and his wife prisoners in Newgate for the testimony of the Gospel. Almighty god our heavenly father through jesus Christ, be with you both my dearly beloved, as with his dear children for ever, and he so bless you with his holy spirit that you may in this your cross (for his cause doubtless) rejoice, and gladly take it up to bear it so long as he shall think good. I have heard (my good brother & sister) how that God hath brought you both into his schoolhouse, where as you were both purposed by his leave to have played the Trewands, that thereby you might see his carefulness and love toward you. For if it be a token of a loving and careful father for his children, to prevent the purpose and disappoint the intent of his children purposing to depart a while from the school for fear of beating, which thing they would not do if they did as much consider the commodity of learning which there they might get: how should you take this work of the Lord preventing your purpose, but as an evident sign of love and fatherly carefulness that he beareth towards you? If he should have winked at your wills, than would you have escaped beating, I mean the cross: but then should you have lost the commodity of learning, which your father will now have you to learn & feel, & therefore hath he sent to you his cross. He I say, hath brought you where you be: & though your reason and wit will tell you it is by chance or fortune or or otherwise, yet (my dearly beloved) know for certain that whatsoever was the mean, GOD your father was the worker hereof; and that for your weal, although otherwise your old Adam doth tell you, and you feel: yet I say, of truth that your duty is to think of this cross, that as it is of gods sending and cometh from him: so although your deserts be otherwise, it is of love and fatherly affection for your weal and commodities sake. What commodity is hereby, you will perchance object? You are now kept in close prison you will say: your family and children be without good overseers: your substance deminisheth by these means: poverty will approach, and perchance more perils also, as loss of life etc. these are no commodities but discommodities, and that no small ones: so that justly you would be glad to know what commodity can come to you by this cross, whereby cometh so great discommodities. To these things I answer, that in deed it is true you say of your bodies, families, children, substance, poverty, life etc. Which things, if you would consider a while with inward eyes as you behold them with outward, then perhaps you should find more ease. Do not you now by the inward sense perceive that you must part from all these, and all other commodities in the world? Tell me then, have not you this commodity by your cross, to learn to loath and leave the world and to long for and desire an other world where is perpetuity? You ought of your own head and free-will to have (according to your profession in baptism) forsaken the world and all earthly things, using the world as though you used it not, your heart only set upon your hourde in heaven, or else you could never be Christ's true disciples, that is be saved and be where he is. And trow you (my good hearts in the lord) trow you I say, that this is no commodity, by this cross to be compelled hereto, that you might assuredly enjoy with the lord endless glory? How now doth god (as it were) fatherly pull you by the ears to remember your former offences concerning these things and all other things, that repentance and remission might ensue? How doth god now compel you to call upon him and to be earnest in prayer? Are these no commodities? Doth not the fcripture say that God doth correct us in the world because we shall not be dampened with the world? that god chasteneth every one whom he loveth? that the end of this correction shall be joy and holiness? Doth not the scripture say that they are happy that suffer for righteousness sake, as you now do? that the glory and spirit of God is upon them? that as you are now made like unto Christ in suffering, so you shall be made like to him in reigning? Doth not the scripture say that you are now going the high and right way to heaven? that your suffering is Christ's suffering? My dearly beloved what greater commodities than these can a godly heart desire? Therefore ye are commanded to rejoice and be glad when ye suffer, as now ye do: for through the goodness of god, great shallbe your reward. Where? Forfoth on earth, first for your children: for now they are in gods mere and immediate protection. Never was father so careful for his children as God is for yours presently. God's blessing which is more worth than all the world, you leave in deed to your children. Though all your providence for them should be pulled away: yet god is not poor, he hath promised to provide for them most fatherly. Psalm. 55 Cast thy burden upon me (saith he) and I will bear it. Do you therefore cast them and commend them unto god your father, and doubt not that he will die in your dec. He never yet was found unfaithful, and he will not now begin with you. The good man's seed shall not go a begging his bread: Psal. 37, for he will show mercy upon thousands of the posterity of them that fear him. Therefore as I said, god's reward first upon earth shallbe felt by your children even corporally, and so also upon you if God see it more for your commodity, at the least inwardly you shall feel it by quietness and comfort of conscience: and secondly after this life you shall find it so plentifully, as the eye hath not seen, the ear hath not heard, the heart cannot conceive how great & glorious gods reward will be upon your bodies, much more upon your souls. God open our eyes to see and feel this in deed. Then shall we think the cross which is a mean hereto, to be commodious. Then shall we thank god that he would chastise us. Then shall we say with David, happy am I that thou hast punished me, for before I went astray, but now I keep thy laws. This that we may do in deed my dearly beloved, let us first know that our cross cometh from god. Secondly that it cometh from god as a father, that is to our weal & good. Therefore let us thirdly call to mind our sins & ask pardon. Whereto let us four look for help certainly at god's hand in his good time: help I say, such as shall make most to god's glory, & to the comfort & commodity of our souls & bodies eternally. This if we certainly conceive, them will there issue out of us hearty thanks giving which god requireth as a most precious sacrifice. That we may all through Christ offer this, let us use earnest prayer to our god and dear father, who bless us, keep us, and comfort us under his sweet cross for ever, Amen, Amen. My dear hearts, if I could any way comfort you, you should be sure thereof though my life lay thereon, but now I must do as I may because I cannot as I would. Oh that it would please our dear father shortly to bring us where we should never depart, but enjoy continually the blessed fruition of his heavenly presence: pray, pray that it may speedily come to pass, pray. To morrow I will send unto you to know your estate, send me word what are the chiefest things they charge you withal. From the Counter. By your brother in the Lord. john Bradford. To Mistress Hall prisoner in Newgate and ready to make answer before her adversaries. Our most merciful god and father through Christ jesus our lord and saviour, be merciful unto us, and make perfect the good he hath begun in us unto the end, Amen. My dear Sister, rejoice in the lord, rejoice, be glad (I say) be merry and thankful, Math. 5 not only because Christ so commandeth us, but also because our state wherein we are presently, requireth no less, for we are the lords witnesses. God the father hath vouched safe to choose us amongs many, to witness and testify, that christ his son is King and that his word is true. Christ our saviour for his loves sake towards us, will have us to bear record that he is no usurper nor deceiver of the people, but God's Ambassador, Prophet, and Messiah: so that of all dignities upon earth this is the highest. Greater honour had not his Prophets, Apostles nor dearest friends, then to bear witness with Christ, as we now do. The world following the counsel of their Sire Satan, would gladly condemn Christ and his verity: but lo the lord hath chosen us to be his champions, to let this. As stout soldiers therefore let us stand to our master, who is with us and standeth on our right hand that we shall not be much moved, if we hope and hang on his mercy: he is so faithful & true, that he will never tempt us further than he will make us able to bear. Therefore be not careful (for I hear say this day you shall be called forth) what you shall answer. The lord which is true & cannot lie, hath promised and will never fail nor forget it, that you shall have both what and how to answer, so as shall make his shameless adversaries ashamed. Hang therefore on this promise of God, who is an helper at a pinch and a most present remedy to them that hope in him. Never was it heard of or shallbe, that any hoping in the lord was put to foil. Therefore as I said, I say again, Dear Sister be not only not careful for your answering, but also be joyful for your cause. Confess Christ and be not ashamed, and he will confess you and never be ashamed of you. Though loss of goods and life be like here to ensue: yet if Christ be true (as he is most true) it is otherwise in deed: for he that loseth his life saith he, winneth it, but he that saveth it, looseth it. Our sins have deserved many deaths. Now if god deal so with us, that he will make our deserved death a demonstration of his grace, a testimonyall of his verity, a confirmation of his people, & an overthrow of his adversaries: what great cause have we to be thankful? Be thankful therefore good Sister, be thankful, rejoice and be merry in the Lord, be stout in his cause and quarrel, be not faint hearted, but run out your race, and set your captain Christ before your eyes. Behold how great your reward is: See the great glory and the eternity of felicity prepared for you. Strive and fight lawfully, that you may get the crown. Run to get the game, you are almost at your journeys end. I doubt not, but our father will with us send to you also, 4, Reg. 2. as he did to Hely a fiery charette, to convey us into his kingdom. Let us therefore not be dismayed to leave our cloak behind us, that is our bodies to ashes. God will one day restore them to us like to the body of our lord and saviour jesus christ, whose coming is now at hand: let us look for it and lift up our heads, for our redemption draweth nigh, Amen, Amen. The Lord of mercy grant us his mercy, Amen. I pray you pray for me, and so desire my brethren which be with you. God's peace be with us all Amen. Blessed be the dead that die in the Lord: then how much more they that die for the Lord. Your brother in bonds. john Bradford ¶ An admonition to certain professors and lovers of the gospel, to beware they fall not from it in consenting to the romish religion by the example of the shrinking, halting, and double faced Gospelers. THe peace of Christ which is the true effect of god's gospel believed (my dearly beloved) be more and more plentifully perceived of you, through the grace of our dear father, by the mighty working of the holy spirit our comforter, Amen. Though I have many lets presently to hinder me from writing unto you, yet being desired, I could not but something signify my ready good will in this behalf so much as I may, when I cannot so much as I would. You hear and see how Satan bestirreth him, raging as a roaring Lion to devour us. You see and feel partly what storms he hath raised up to drown the poor boot of Christ, I mean his church. You see how terribly he traineth his soldiers to give a fierce onset on the vanguard of god's battle. You see how he hath received power of god to molest gods children, and to begin at his house. By reason whereof consider two things: one the cause on our behalf: the other what will be the sequel on strangers. For the first, if we be not blind, we cannot but well see that our sins are the cause of all this misery: our sins I say, which I would that every one of us would apply to ourselves after the example of jonas and David, turning over the wallet that other men's offences might lie behind and our own before. Not that I would excuse other men, which exteriorly have walked much more grossly than many of you have done: but that I would provoke you all as myself, to more hearty repentance and prayer. Let us more & more increase to know and lament our doubting of God, of his presence, power, anger, mercy etc. Let us better feel and hate ourself love, security, negligence, unthankfulness, unbelief, impatience etc. and then doubtless the cross shall be less careful, yea it shall be comfortable, and Christ most dear and pleasant: death then shall be desired as the dispatcher of us out of all misery, and entrance into eternal felicity & joy unspeakable: the which is so much the more longed for, by how much we feel in deed the Serpent's bits wherewith he woundeth our heels, that is our outward Adam and senses. If we had I say, a lively and true feeling of his poison, we could not but, as rejoice over our Captain that hath bruised his head, so be desirous to follow his example, that is to give our lives with him and for him, Coloss. 1 and so to fill up his passions, that he might conquer and overcome in us, and by us, to his glory and comfort of his children. Now the second (I mean the sequel, or that which will follow on the strangers) my dearly beloved, let us well look upon. For if so be that god justly do thus give to Satan and his seed, to vex and molest Christ and his penitent people: oh what and how justly may he and will he give to Satan to entreat the reckless and impenitent sinners? If judgement begin thus at god's house, what will follow on them that be without, if they repent not? Certainly for them is reserved the dregs of gods cup, that is, Brimstone, fire, and tempest intolerable. Now are they unwilling to drink of god's cup of afflictions which he offereth common with his son Christ our Lord, lest they should lose their pigs with the Gergesites. Math. 8. They are unwilling to come into the way that bringeth to heaven, even afflictions: they in their hearts cry, let us cast his yoke from us: they walk two ways that is, they seek to serve god and Mammon, which is unpossible. They will not come nigh the strait way that bringeth to life: they open their eyes to behold present things only: they judge of religion after reason, and not after gods word? they follow the more part and not the better: they profess God with their mouths, but in their hearts they deny him, or else they would sanctify him by serving him more than men: they part stake with GGD which would have all, giving part to the world, to the romish rout, and Antichristian Idolatry now set abroad amongst us publicly: they will have Christ, but none of his cross, which will not be: they will be counted to live godly in Christ, but yet they will suffer no persecution: they love this world where through the love of god is driven forth of them: they saver those things that be of men, and not that be of god. Summa, they love god in their lips▪ but in their hearts, yea and in their deeds deny him, aswell by not repenting their evils passed, as by continuing in evil still, by doing as the world the flesh, and the devil willeth, & yet still perchance they will pray or rather prate: thy will be done in earth, which is generally that every one should take up his cross and follow christ. But this is a hard sermon, who is able to abide it? Therefore Christ must be prayed to departed, lest all their pigs be drowned. The devil shall have his dwelling again in themselves, rather than in their pigs, & therefore to the devil shall they go & dwell with him in eternal perdition & damnation, even in hell fire a torment endless, & above all cogitations incomprehensible, if they repent not. Wherefore by them (my dearly beloved) be admonished to remember your profession, how that in Baptism you made a solemn vow to renounce the devil, the world, etc. You promised to fight under Christ's standard. You learned Christ's cross, afore you begun with A. B. C. Go to them, pay your vow to the lord: fight like men and valiant men under Christ's standard: take up your cross and follow your master, as your brethren M. Hoper, Rogers, Tailor, and Saunders have done: and as now your brethren M. Cranmer, Latymer, Rydley, Farror, Bradforde, hawks etc. be ready to do. The Ice is broken before you, therefore be not afraid, but be content to die for the lord. You have no cause to waver or doubt of the doctrine thus declared by the blood of the pastors. Remember that christ sayeth, he that will save his life shall lose it. And what should it profit you to win the whole world, much less a little quietness, your goods &c. and to lose your own souls? Render to the Lord that he hath lent you, by such means as he would have you render it, and not as you would. Forget not Christ's disciples must deny themselves, as well concerning their will, as concerning their wisdom. Have in mind that as it is no small mercy to believe in the Lord, so it is no small kindness of God towards you to suffer any thing, much more death for the Lord. If they be blessed that die in the Lord, how shall they be that die for the Lord? Oh what a blessing is it to have death due for our sins, diverted into a demonstration and testification of the lords truth? Oh that we had a little of Moses faith to look upon the end of the cross, to look upon the reward, to see continually with Christ and his people greater riches, than the riches of Egypt. Oh let us pray that god would open our eyes to see his hid Manna, heavenly jerusalem, the congregation of the first borne, the melody of the saints, the tabernacle of God dwelling with men: then should we run and become violent men, and so take the kingdom of heaven as it were by force. God our father give us for his Christ's sake, to see a little what and how great joy he hath prepared for us, he hath called us unto, and most assuredly giveth us for his own goodness and truths sake, Amen. My dearly beloved, repent, be sober & watch in prayer, be obedient & after your vocations show your obedience to the higher powers in all things that are not against god's word, therein acknowledge the sovereign power of the Lord: howbeit so that ye be no rebels or rebellers for no cause: but because with good conscience you can not obey, be patient sufferers, and the glory and good spirit of God shall dwell upon us. I pray you remember us your afflicted brethren being in the Lords bonds for the testimony of Christ, and abiding the gracious hour of our dear and most merciful father. The Lord for Christ's sake, give us merry hearts to drink lustily of his sweet cup, which daily we groan and sigh for, lamenting that the time is thus prolonged. The Lord jesus give us grace to be thankful, & to abide patiently the provident hour of his most gracious good will, Amen, Amen. From the Counter in the Poultry. Yours in Christ. john Bradford. To my good friends in the Lord Master R. and his wife. MY dearly beloved, I heartily commend me unto you in our common Christ, whom I so call, not that I would make him as common things be, that is nothing set by, but because by him we are brought into a communion, & that as with him, so with his father, & as with his father, so with all god's people, if we be his people, as I trust we are: and therefore writ I unto you as one careful (but not so much as I should be) for you, as for them whose well doing comforteth me & is profitable to me, and whose evil doing maketh me heavy, and woundeth me. The days are come in the which we can not but declare what we be, if we be in deed as we should be, as I trust we are, that is, if we be Christ's Disciples. I mean we can not now do as the world doth, or say as it sayeth, but as God's Church doth and sayeth. The world seeketh itself, and speaketh thereafter. The Church of God seeketh Christ's glory, and speaketh accordingly. The worldlings follow the world: the church children follow their Captain Christ, and therefore, as of the world they are not known to be as they be, so are they hated, and if God permit it, are persecuted and slain: the which persecution is the true touchstone which trieth the true Church children from hypocrites, as the wind doth the wheat from the chaff. And of this gear this our time and age setteth very many forth for example, doctrine and fear, which once were hearty and very zealous, and now are so cold, that they smell nothing of the spirit, for they are not only afeard to seem to speak with a Church child, but also ashamed, and not only ashamed of them and so of that they profess: but also frame and fashion themselves in all outward behaviour, as in coming to Church and hearing Mass, so as no man can accuse them for not allowing it or not honouring it, as well as the papists: where in their hearts they disallow it, and know the same to be nought, at the least they have known it, but halting out of the way may perchance have brought them so far, that now they can not see the way, they are so far and so long gone astray: for the further and longer a man goeth wide, the harder shall it be to recover and see the way: and therefore the Apostle giveth warning thereof hebrews. 12. as doth Moses. Deutrono. 29. speaking of men that bless themselves, inwardly cursing themselves. Read both the chapters I pray you. And mark the example of Master Hales, which after that he consented to seem to allow in outward fact, that which he knew once was evil, was fearfully left of GOD to our admonition. For albeit God hath not done thus to all that have in deed done that he purposed to do, yet in this example he teacheth us how fearful a thing it is to wound our conscience, and do any thing there against, to the offence of the Godly, and comfort of the obstinate. I write not this as thereof to accuse you or either of you, for as I can not lightly be persuaded of any such thing of you, so I am assured you hitherto. Would not do any such thing, for I ween there be yet no great penalty to punish you for not so doing, if thereof you should have been accused. For he that will do a thing unforced, I can not hope any thing of the same, but that he will run apace when he is forced. But of this enough to you, which are to be comforted and exhorted to continue in that pureness of religion which you have (as I think) hitherto received and by your open conversation protested. Howbeit, considering how you have heard and red as much as in manner can be spoken herein (for the Scriptures which of themselves are most perfect herein, you have red and red again) I think it good to exhort you to use earnest and hearty prayer (as I trust you do) and then doubtless God will so write that you have red, in your hearts, as shall be both comfortable and profitable unto you and others plentifully. Math. 7. You shall rejoice in the straight way which few find, and fewer walk in, but most few continue therein to the end. Heb. 10 You shall suffer with joy the direption of your goods, because the best part of your substance is in heaven. You will set before you the example of Christ the beginner and ender of your faith, Heb. 12. who suffered much more than we can suffer, that we should not be faint hearted. You will rejoice and greatly, Math. 5 Act. 4. because great is your reward in heaven. You will be glad that GOD accounteth you worthy to suffer any thing for his sake. 2. Cor. 4. 2. Thess. 1. You will set before you the end of this your short cross, and the great glory which will ensue the same. You will know that it is no small benefit of God to suffer for his sake. Phi. 1. You will know that your sorrowing shall be turned to joying. john. 14.16 Rom. 8 You will know that as God doth make you now like to Christ in suffering, so shall you be in reigning: & if you be partakers of affliction you shall be also of glory etc. Summa, you will know that this is the surest and savest way to heaven, which is called the kingdom of patience. Apocal. 1. But because I have written a little treatise hereof, and of the harm of halting with the world in coming to Mass, I send them both unto you to peruse and read them, and then at your leisure to rediliver them to this bringer, or my man when I shall send to you for the same. In the mean season, I shall as heartily as I can, pray to God for you both, my most dear members in the lord. What said I as heartily as I can? God forgive me, for I do nothing so well as I might, in that I flatter myself to much: God lay it not to my charge. In deed I have most cause to pray night and day, and to give thanks night and day for you both. The Lord of mercy in Christ bless you both, keep you both, and send you both aswell to do as I wish to my dearest and best beloved friends and brethren in the Lord. I pray you continue to pray for me, as I doubt not you do, and so give thanks to God for me, for he is good and his mercy endureth forever. The day will come when we shall mere together and never depart. God send it shortly, Amen. john Bradforde. To the worshipful Sir William Fitzwilliams then being knight Marshal of the kings Bench. THe peace of god proper to his people, the holy ghost work daily and deeply in your heart through jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. I thank my Lord and God through his Son our mediator and saviour, for his mercies and graces given to your Mastership, the which I beseech his goodness to increase in you continually to your everlasting comfort in him. By his mercies towards you, I mean not in your lands, possessions, offices, natural wisdom, rychts, health, form etc. which in deed be gifts of God given to you of his mercy without your deserts, and therefore should he be daily of you praised for the same, as I doubt not but he is, for else your ingratitude would provoke him to punish you in them and by them, if he love you: but I mean his mercies towards you in the knowledge and love of his truth in religion. The which benefit in that you amongst the not many of your estate and condition, 1. Co. 1 as Saint Paul witnesseth, have received as a very testimonial of your election in Christ, I would be sorry that you should need any such as. I am to move you to thankfulness: for I am not in a mammering whether you be thankful to god for this great mercy, which is much more to be esteemed than all that ever you have: I humbly beseech God in his Christ to increase the same in you to the very end. And that by me he might do the same in some part, I thought it good and also my bounden duty deeply deserved on your behalf towards me (for the which I beseech the Lord to reward you) to send to you this treatise of the doings of Master Ridley at Oxford concerning his disputation about the Sacrament. This treatise of M. Ridleyes disputation which he sent to him, you shall read in the book of Martyrs. Fol. 963. I know that there hath gone diverse copies abroad, but none of them were as I know this is: for I have translated it out of that copy in Latin which was corrected with his own hand, which came unto me not without his own consent, and therefore dare I be bold to say that this hath not before been seen on this sort. In reading whereof you shall well see this I speak to be most true: and also that, which causeth me to suppress commendations of the thing (the excellency and worthiness thereof I mean) because I think I cannot speak any thing so worthily as undoubtedly these his doings do deserve. Unto your Mastership I send them as a token of my duty towards you, thereby to declare that as you deserve much of me, so I would show myself willing to recompense the same if I could: but in that I can not, and also your doing is simply in respect of GOD and his cause, I will according to your expectation leave the recompense unto him, in the mean season praying him that of his goodness he would, as increase the knowledge and love of his truth in you, so strengthen you after your vocation, both purely to walk and manfully to confess his Gospel, if he shall think it needful to call you to that honour, for surely of all honours it is the greatest to suffer any thing for Christ's sake. Most happy may that man think himself that hath any thing for his cause to lose. As he shall be sure to find for his own part eternal felicity and honour endless: so shall his posterity even temporally prove this to be most true. For god's sake therefore right worshipful Sir, consider well this gear, and way it not as the world and your mother wit will move you to do, but as the word of God doth teach you: there shall you see this I speak of, to be matter of much mirth, joy and glory, though to the world it seem clean contrary. God's good spirit always guide you to his glory, & give you the spirit of prayer, continually to pray that God never further tempt you then he will make you able to bear, Amen. In that this copy is not so fair written as I wish and would have had it, I shall desire you to consider where I am, and how I can not have things so done as I would, and therefore you have it as may be, when it may not be as I would it were and should be. From the kings Bench. Your humble. john Bradforde. To my good brother Master Coker at Maldon in Essex. Although I have presently both little time and less opportunity otherwise to write as I would, yet as I may I thought better to write something than utterly to be silent. For if I should not so do having so convenient a messenger, as I might towards you incur the suspicion of ingratitude and forgetfulness: so might I not satisfy the desire of this my poor brother and friend john Searchfield, which cometh unto you for help and comfort in this troublesome time. This dare I say that the man feareth God, and for God's sake and conscience towards him, sustaineth both loss and labour. For our common father's sake therefore in Christ, help him to some hole to hide himself in for a little time, if conveniently you may, and remember that he that receiveth one of Christ's little ones, receiveth Christ, as he himself in the last day will acknowledge: Which last day let us often look on and set before us as the thing which most maketh to our comfort. Now we sorrow and sigh to see the sea swell and rage on this sort as it doth. And to confess the truth, we have double cause: as well because we have deserved this sour sauce by reason of our unthankfulness and many sins (which the Lord pardon) as because god's glory is trodden under foot. But this comfort we have, that as God our good father will not the death of a sinner, so will he order this gear most to his glory and our joy and comfort, if we repent now and heartily lament our evils, use earnest, humble, and often, yea continual prayer, and cast ourselves wholly on him and his goodness, still labouring to loath this life and longing for the life to come, for the which we should account this as it is, a very vale of misery, much to be mourned in, because the time of our habitation herein and exile is prolonged. God grant us his holy spirit to strengthen us in his truth professed, that we may persever to the end in the joyful and courageous confessing of his Christ, Amen. I pray you continue as I trust you do, to keep both soul and body pure in gods service. Strive to enter in at that narrow gate, though you leave your lands and goods behind you. It is not lost which for Christ's sake we leave, but lent to a great usury. Remember that this time is come but to try us. God make us faithful to the end, God keep us always as his children, Amen. I pray you commend me to Master Osburne, & to all our good brethren in the Lord. The peace of Christ be with us all, Amen, Amen. Yours in Christ john Bradford. To a friend of his, instructing him how he should answer his adversaries. MY good brother, our merciful God and dear father through Christ, open your eyes effectually to see, and your heart ardently to desire the everlasting joy which he hath prepared for his slaughter sheep, that is for such as shrink not from his truth for any storms sake, Amen. When you shall come before the Magistrates to give an answer of the hope which is in you, do it with all reverence & simplicity. And because you may be something afraid by the power of the Magistrates & cruelty which they will threaten against you, I would you set before you the good father Moses to follow his example: for he set the invisible God before his eyes of faith, and with them looked upon God & his glorious majesty and power, as with his corporal eyes he saw Pharaoh and all his fearful terrors. So do you my dearly beloved: let your inward eyes give such light unto you, that as you know you are before the magistrates, so & much more, you and they also are present before the face of god, which will give such wisdom to you fearing him and seeking his praise, as the enemies shall wonder at, and further he will so order their hearts and doings, that they shall, will they nill they, serve gods providence towards you (which you can not avoid though you would) as shall be most to his glory and your everlasting comfort. Therefore my good brother, let your whole study be only to please God, put him always before your eyes, for he is on your right hand lest you should be moved: he is faithful and never will suffer you to be tempted above that he will make you able to bear. Yea every hear of your head he hath numbered, so that one of them shall not perish without his good will: which can not be but good unto you, in that he is become your father through Christ, & therefore as he hath given you to believe in him (God increase this be lief in us all) so doth he now graciously give unto you to suffer for his name's sake, the which you ought with all thankfulness to receive, in that you are made worthy to drink of the self same cup which not only the very sons of god have drunk of before you, but even the very natural son of God himself hath brought you good luck: Oh he of his mercy make us thankful to pledge him again Amen. Because the chiefest matter they will trouble you & go about to deceive you withal, is the Sacrament, not of Christ's body and blood but of the altar (as they call it) thereby destroying the sacrament which Christ instituted: I would you noted these. 2. things. First that the sacrament of the alter which the priest offereth in the Mass & eateth privately with himself, is not the Sacrament of Christ's body and blood instituted by him, as Christ's institution plainly written & setforth in the Scriptures, being compared to their using of it, plainly doth declare. Again if they talk with you of Christ's sacrament instituted by him, whether it be Christ's body or no, answer them, that as to the eyes of your reason, to your taste and corporal senses it is bread and wine, and therefore the scripture calleth it after the consecration so: even so to the eyes, taste and senses of your faith, which ascendeth to the right hand of God in heaven where Christ sitteth, it is in very deed Christ's body and blood, which spritually your soul feedeth on to everlasting life in faith and by faith, even as your body presently feedeth on the sacramental bread and sacramental wine. By this means, as you shall not allow transubstantiation, nor none of their popish opinions: so shall you declare the sacrament to be a matter of faith and not of reason, as the papists make it. For they deny gods omnipotency in that they say Christ is not there if bread be there: but faith looketh on the omnipotency of god joined with his promise, and doubteth not but that Christ is able to give that he promiseth us spiritually by faith, the bread still remaining in substance, as well as if the substance of bread were taken away: for Christ saith not in any place this is no bread. But of this gear god shall instruct you, if you hang on his promise, and pray for the power and wisdom of his spirit, which undoubtedly as you are bound to look for, praying for it, so he hath bound himself by his promise to give it, the which thing he grant unto us both, and to all his people, for his name's sake through Christ our lord, Amen. john Bradford ¶ A letter written to a dear friend of his, wherein he entreateth, as briefly, so most perfectly, godly, sound and pithily, of gods holy election, free grace and mercy in jesus Christ. Faith of god's election, I mean to believe that we be in very deed the children of god through christ, and shallbe for ever inheritors of everlasting life through the only grace of God our father in the same Christ, is of all things which god requireth of us▪ not only most principal, but also the whole sum: Rom 14 Heb. 11. Exod. 20 so that without this faith, there is nothing we do that can please god. And therefore as god first requireth it in saying, I am the Lord thy God etc. that is, I remit thee thy sins and give thee my holy spirit, and for ever will I keep thee: Math. 6. so our Saviour would have us to be persuaded when we come to pray, and therefore teacheth yea he commandeth us to call God our father: whose power were not infinite, as we profess in the first article of our belief, where we call him expressly our almighty father, if we shall doubt of his final favour. And therefore I cannot but much marvel at some men which seem godly, and yet are in this behalf too malicious both to God and man. For what is more seemly to God then mercy, which is most magnified of the elect children of God? And what is more seemelye to man then humility, the which is not nor cannot be in deed but in the elect of god, for they alone attribute nothing at all to themselves continually but damnation, jeremy. 9 that in God only and for ever may be their whole glory? But this notwithstanding, there is that have gone about together, yea to set abroad enormities out of the doctrine of gods most holy and comfortable election and predestination: where the same doctrine hath more commodities than all the whole world can be able to conceive, much less to express. For what destroyeth enormities so much as it doth? It overthroweth the most pestilent papistical poison of doubting of god's favour, which is the very dungeon of despair and of the contempt of god. It destroithe Ethnic opinion of fortune. It comforteth most comfortably in the cross, and casteth down all cogitations that would else cover us with sorrow and dolour, in telling that all things shall turn to the best. Rom. 8 It maketh us modest and putteth away pride in prosperity by pulling from men meriting or deserving. It enforceth men to love & carefully to travail for their brethren, utterly impugning the contempt of any. 1 Cor. 1. 1. john. 1 ●. Cor. 6.3. It provoketh to piety, & is the greatest enemy to ungodliness that can be, by teaching us of what dignity we be, of what price even our bodies be, temples of the holy ghost, & members of Christ, It engendereth a true desire of our home in heaven, & so to despise this world & the things that this world hath in estimation. It maketh man wholly & continually to give over himself to be careful not for himself, but for others, & for those things that make to god's glory. It helpeth very much to the true understanding of the scriptures, & preserveth from errors, by knowing what is to be attributed to the law, to the gospel, to the ministry, to the vocal word, to the old testament, to the new testament, to the sacraments, to faith, to works, to prayer, to penance, to god, to man etc. For by the spirit of election we see & know Christ, Colloss. 1 in whom dwelleth all the riches & treasures of knowledge. It setteth up Christ's kingdom, and utterly overthroweth the wisdom, power, choice, and hahlenes of man, that all glory may be given only unto god. But what go I about to reckon the commydities coming out of the doctrine of god's election, in that they be innumerable? This is a sum, Tit. 2. that where a christian man's life hath respect to god, to man & to himself, to live godly, justly, and soberly: all is grounded in predestination in Christ. For who liveth godly, but he that believeth? Act. 13. And who believeth but such as are ordained to eternal life? who liveth justly, but such as love their neighbours? And whence springeth this love; but of god's election before the beginning of the world, that we might be blameless by love? Who liveth soberly but such as be holy? and who are those, Ephesi. 1 2 Cor. 1 but only they that be endued with the spirit of sancrification, which is the seal of our election which by election do believe? Wherefore (my dearly deloved in the lord) I have taken in hand at this present something to write to you & for your sake in this matter, which herewtal I have sent unto you, aswell to be a help to you herein, as also to be a pledge of my careful love & hearty desire I have for your continuance in the truth, (where in I trust you stand presently) when I am dead & burned, as I look for none other, so soon as god shall give leave to his enemies for my weal & endless joy in Christ: to whom as to a most faithful pastor, from the bottom of my heart, I do commend & bequeath you, beseeching him to watch over you night & day as over one of his poor lambs, to keep you out of the claws of the Lion & mouth of the wolves, to his glory and your eternal joy and comfort in him. Amen. All things must be esteemed after god's wy● THere is neither virtue nor vice to be considered according to any outward action nor according the will & wisdom of man, but according to the will of god. Whatsoever is conformable thereto, the same is virtue, and the action that springeth thereof is laudable and good, howsoever it appear otherwise to the eyes and reason of man: as was the lifting up of Abraham's hand to have slain his son. Gene. 22. Whatsoever is not conformable to the will of god, that same is vice, and the action sprynginge thereof is to be disallowed and taken for evil, and that so much the more and greater evil, by how much it is not consonant and agreeing to gods will, although it seem fair otherwise to man's wisdom: as was Peter's wish of making three tabernacles, Math. 17. Mark 9 and the request of some which would have had fire to come down from heaven upon a zeal to god etc. God's will must be sought for in his word. Now, the will of god is not so known as in his word: therefore according to it must vice and virtue, good and evil be judged, and not according to the judgement, wisdom, reason and collection of any man or of all the whole world, if all the angels in heaven should take their part. God's word is written in the Bible. But this word of God which is written in the canonical books of the Bible, doth plainly set forth unto us, that god hath of his own mercy and good will, and to the praise of his grace and glory, In the Bible is predestination published. in christ elected some and not all, whom he hath predestinate unto everlasting life in the same Christ, and in his time calleth them, justfieth them, and glorifieth them, so that they shall never perish and err to damnation finally. Therefore to affirm, teach, and preach this doctrine, hath in it no hurt, No enormity is therefore in it. no vice, no evil, much less than hath it any enormities (as some do affirm) to the eyes and spirit of them which are guided and will be by the word of god. The proposition that showeth what is meant by election and predestination, Which he after proveth by the parts out of the text of S. Paul immediately following. That god the eternal father of mercies before the beginning of the world, hath of his own mercy and good will, and to the praise of his grace & glory, elected in Christ some and not all of the posterity of Adam, whom he hath predestinate unto eternal life, and calleth them in his time, justifieth them, and glorifyeth them, so that they shall never perish or err to damnation finally: that this proposition is true and according to gods plain and manifest word, by the help of his holy spirit (which in the name of jesus jesus Christ, I humbly beseech him of his mercy, plenteously to give to me at this present and for ever, to the sanctification of his holy name: by the help (I say) of his holy spirit, I trust so evidently to declare, that no man of God shall be able by the word of God, ever to impugn it, much less to confute it. In the first chapter of the epistle to the Ephesians, Ephesi. 1. the Apostle sayeth thus: Blessed be god the father of our Lord jesus Christ, which hath blessed us with all manner of blessings in heavenly things by Christ, according as he hath elect or chosen us in him before the foundation of the world was laid that we should be holy and without blame before him through love: and hath predestinate us (or ordained us) through jesus Christ, to be heirs unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherewith he hath made us accepted in the beloved, by whom we have received redemption through his blood, and the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of his grace, which grace he hath shed on us abundantly in all wisdom and understanding, and hath opened unto us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in himself, to have it declared when the time was full come, that he might gather together all things by (or in) Christ, as well the things that be in heaven, as the things that be in earth, even in (or by) him: by (or in) whom we are made heirs, being thereto predestinate according to the purpose of him which worketh all things according to the decree (or counsel) of his own will, that we which hoped before (you) in Christ, should be unto the praise of his glory: in whom ye also hoped, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, wherein ye also believing, were sealed with the holy spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption (or full fruition) of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. These be the words of Paul, which I have faithfully translated according to the very text in the Greek, as by the judgement of all that be learned I desire herein to be tried. Out of the which words of Paul we may well perceive every thing affirmed in my proposition, as I will give occasion plainly to them that will, to see it. The cause of god's election is his grace & good will. First, that the cause of god's election is of his good will, the Apostle showeth in saying that it is through his love, whereby we are holy and without blame: also, according to the good pleasure of his will: according to his good pleasure purposed in himself: according to his purpose which worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. The time of god's election was from the beginning. Secondly, that election was before the beginning of the world, the apostle plainly showeth in saying, that we were chosen before the foundation of the world was laid: and afterwards, in calling it the mystery of his will purposed with himself, in time to be declared. Election is in Christ. Thirdly, that election is in Christ, the Apostle doth so flatly and plainly set it forth, that I need not here to repeat it. We (sayeth he) are chosen in him: we are heirs by him: we are accepted by him: we are gathered together in him etc. Electionis not of all men. Fourthly, that election is of some of Adam's posterity and not of all, we may plainly see it, if we consider that he maketh the true demonstration of it, believing, hoping, and having the earnest of the spirit. In whom yea hoped (saith he) after ye heard the word. etc. In whom ye believed, were sealed up etc. Again, in attributing to the elect, forgiveness of sins, holiness, blameless living, being in Christ etc. That we should be holy saith he etc. we have received forgiveness of sins etc. Who seeth not that these are not common to all men? 2. Thess. 3 Act. 13. 1 john. 1 Math. 13 All men have not faith, saith Paul elsewhere. None believed (saith Luke) but such as were ordained to eternal life. None believe but such as be borne of god. None believe truly but such as have good hearts, and keep gods seed to bring forth fruit by patience. Faith is a demonstration of election to such as be of years of discretion. Psal. 125. So that it is plain (faith being a demonstration of god's election to them that be of years of discretion) that all men are not elect: because all men believe not. For he that believeth in the lord, shallbe as mount Zion, that is, he shall never be removed: for if he be removed, that is finally perish, surely he never truly believed. But what go I about to lighten a candle in the clear son light, when our saviour plainly saith that all be not chosen, but few? Many be called (saith he) but few be chosen. Mat. 20. And in the 2. chap. to the Ephes. the Apostle plainly saith that the great riches of gods mercy through his exceeding great love, hath saved them before their parents & many other Gentiles, which were excluded from Christ and strangers from the promise, hopeless, godless etc. Rom. 11. Psal. 144. wherethrough we may be occasioned to cry: oh the depth of the judgements of god, which is just in all his doings, and holy in all his works, extending his mercy after his good pleasure & will, above all his works. fifthly, that god hath predestinate these, Election is to eternal life thus elect unto everlasting life in Christ, the apostle doth also in the words before written declare, in saying: and hath predestinate us through jesus Christ to be heirs unto himself. Again, by him (saith he) year made heirs and predestinate to the praise of his glory. Rom. 8 So sayeth the Apostle elsewhere: whom he hath predestinate, them hath he predestinate to be like fashioned unto the shape of his son. Luke. 10 And therefore Christ sayeth, rejoice in this, that your names are written in heaven. Syxtlye, The end of election is to the praise and glory of god, that the end of election is to the praise of god's glory and grace, the Apostle showeth here, in saying: we are predestinate to be holy & without blame before god etc. In saying we are predestinate to the glory of his grace. And in saying also, unto the praise of his glory: so that nothing can be more manifest. Seventhly, Election is not without vocation and justification in time that predestination is not without vocation in gods time, and justification, the Apostle here doth teach in bringing us to the consideration of hearing the word of truth, believing, receiving the holy spirit, remission of sins etc. In whom (saith he ye have hoped, after that ye heard the word of truth etc. Again, by whom ye have redemption, that is, remission of sins through the shedding of his blood etc. Also, he hath in his full time declared the mystery of his will etc. Unto the Rom. the apostle showeth it most manifestly in saying: whom he hath predestinate, them he calleth; whom he calleth them he justifieth. Whereby we may see the predestination or election is not universal of all, for all be not justified. Eightly and last of all, that election is so certain that the elect and predestinate to eternal life shall never perish or err to damnation finally, Election is certain for ever. the Apostle doth here also very plainly show, in saying: that they are predestiinate to the praise of god's grace. He saith not to the praise of his justice, to the praise of his wisdom, to the praise of his power (although he might most truly say so) but he sayeth, Rom. 12 to the praise of his grace: which were not grace if there were any respect at all of works on our behalf, for them were grace not grace. If there should be any condemnation of the elect and predestinate to eternal life, it must needs be because of their sins: but where were the praise of gods grace then, which is the end of god's election? Shall we not by this means make gods election without an end, and so without a head, and so no election at all, as some would have, further than they elect themselves▪ Let such fear they shall not find the benefit of god's election, because they seek it as the Israelites did, Rom. 11. Psalm. 69 and not as the elect, which not only find it, but also obtain it. The other are blinded, as it is written: God hath given them the spirit of unquietness, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should hear, even to this day etc. Secondly, he showeth the certainty of salvation to them that be elected, in saying that they be accepted in the beloved. Once accepted and beloved in Christ, john. 13 Rom. 11 john. 13 and ever beloved: for whom he loveth, he loveth to the end: and gods gifts are such that he cannot repent him of them. And therefore saith Christ, I know whom I have chosen, attributing to election the cause of final perseverance. By which thing judas was seen not to be elected to eternal life, although he was elected to the office of an Apostle, as Saul was elected to the office of a king. Which kind of election is to be discerned in reading the scriptures, from this kind of election the which I speak of now, that is, from election to eternal life in Christ. Thirdly he showeth the certainty of salvation of the elect, by calling them heirs. For if we be heirs of god, them are we fellow heirs with Christ, Rom. 8 to be afflicted and glorified with Christ: and therefore saith he, according to the decree of his own will. Lo he calleth it a decree or counsel which shall stand, as Esay saith: Esay. 46 the counsel of the Lord shall stand. fourthly, he showeth this certainty, by saying that they are elect and predestinate to the praise of god's glory, which we should more care for, then for the salvation of all the world. This glory of the lord is set forth as well in them that perish and are reprobates, as in the elect, & therefore. john. 12 S. john bringing in the place of Esay speaking of the reprobate, saith that Esay spoke that when he saw the glory of the lord. This glory of the Lord to be set forth by us, is a great mercy and benefit of God. I am assured that if the very devils and reprobates did not repine hereat, but were thankful that they might be ministers in any point to set forth God's glory: I am assured (I say) that they should find no hell nor torments. Their hell and torments cometh of the love they have to them selves, and of the malice, envy and hatred they have against God & his glory. Let them tremble and fear that may not away with the glory of the Lord in election and reprobation. Let not their eyes be evil because god is good & doth good to whom it pleaseth him: wrong he doth to no man, Rom. 9 nor can do, for than he were not righteous, & so no God. He can not condemn the just, for them were he untrue, because his word is contrary. He can not condemn the penitent and believer, for that were against his promise. Let us therefore labour, study, cry and pray for repentance and faith, Math. 25. & then can not we be damned, because we are the blessed of the father before all worlds, and therefore we believe, therefore we repent. 1 Cor. 2 And for as much as it pertaineth to us which be within, to see and to speak of those things which are given unto us of God in Christ: let us labour hereaboutes, 1. Cor. 5. Ephesi. 1. and leave them that be without to the Lord, which will judge them in his tyme. The Apostle prayeth for the Ephesians, for none other wisdom and revelation from God, Coloss. 2 then whereby they might know god, and have their minds illumined, to see what they should hope for by their vocation, and how rich the glory of his inheritance is upon his Saints. Further than this, I think is unseemly for us to search, until we have sought out, how rich God's goodness is and will be to us his children. The which we can never do, but the more we go thereabouts, and the more we taste his goodness, the more we shall love him and loath all things that displease him. This (I say) let us do, and not be too busy bodies in searching the majesty & glory of god, or in nourishing in any wise the doubting of our salvation, whereto we are ready enough, and the devil goeth about nothing else so much as that: for by it we are dull to do good to other, we are so careful for ourselves. By it we are more dull to do good to ourselves, because we stand in doubt whether it profiteth us or no. By it we dishonour god, either in making him as though he were not true, or else as though our salvation came not only & altogether from him, but hanged partly on ourselves. By it the devil will bring men at length to despair and hatred of god. Doubt once of thy salvation and continue therein, & surely he then will ask no more. It was the first thing wherewith he tempted Christ: Math. 4. if thou be the son of god etc. It is the first & principallest dart he casteth at gods elect. But as he prevailed not against Christ, no more shall he do against any of his members, Ephesi. 6 Luke. 18. Psal. 34. Psal. 92, for they have the shield of faith which quencheth his fiery darts. They praise god night & day, how then should they perish? The Angels of the Lord pitch their tents round about them, how then should Satan prevail? They are borne in the hands of the Angels lest they should hurt their feet at any stone. God hath given commandment to his Angels over them. Heb. 1. Luk. 10 phil. 4. Rom. 8 The Angels are ministers unto them. Their names are written in the book of life, & therefore Christ bade them rejoice: as Paul doth the Philippians, for nothing shall separate them from the love wherewith god loveth them in Christ jesus, who sayeth that it is impossible for them to err finally to damnation: Mat. 24 Psalm. 18. john. 6.10 Heb. 3. john. 5.6. john. 17 Heb. 5. Rom. 8 joh. 10. 1. Cor. 6 1. Cor. 1. 1. Ioh 4 Psalm. 67. Ose. 6. for he is their light to illumine their darkness. They be given to him to keep, & he is faithful over all gods children. He saith he will keep them so that they shall never perish. After they believe, they are entered already into everlasting life. Christ hath set them there already: he hath committed them into his father's hands by prayer, which we know is sure, & therefore death, hell, devils, nor all power, sins nor mischief, shall never pull us out of our heads hands, whose members we are, & therefore receiving of his spirit as we do, we cannot but bring forth the fruits thereof, though now & then the flesh fail us. But the Lord, even our Lord be praised, which is more strong in us than he which is in the world. He always putteth under his hand that we lie not still nor shall do as the reprobate, whose piety is as the morning dew, soon come & soon gone, and therefore they can not continue to the end. Cannot? No they will not if they could, because they hate god & his glory, and therefore all them that seek it or set it forth: whereas the elect love all men and seek to do all men good in God, suspending their judgements of others, Rom. 14 that they may stand or fall to the Lord and not to them. Hitherto out of this one place of Paul to the Ephesians, if the matter of election & predestination be so fully set forth to god's glory and to the comfort of his church: how may we suppose is this matter set forth in the whole body & books of the canonical scripture? Whereto I had rather send you with this candle light which I have now given you, then in a matter so manifest to make more a do then needeth. john Bradforde. To a woman that desired to know his mind whether she, refraining from the Mass, might be present at the popish Mattyns or no. I Beseech almighty God our heavenly father to be merciful unto us, & to increase in you, my good sister, the knowledge & love of his truth, and at this present give me grace so to write to you something of the same, as may make to his glory, and our own comfort and confirmation in him through Christ our Lord, Amen. Whether you may come with safe conscience to the church now, that is, to the service used commonly, in part, as at Matins or at Evensong or Noah, is your desire to have me to write something for your further stay. My dearly beloved, although your benefits towards me might perchance make you to think, that in respect thereof I would bear with that which else were not to be borne withal, yet by god's grace I am purposed simply & without all such respect in this matter, to speak to you the truth according to my conscience, as I may be able to stand unto, when I shall come before the Lord. first therefore go about to learn perfectly the first lesson to be learned of all that profess Christ, that is to deny yourself, and in nothing to seek yourself. Secondly learn after this, to begin at the next lesson to it, which is to seek God in all things you do and leave undone. Thirdly, know that then you seek God, when in his service you follow his word and not man's fantasies, custom, multitude etc. and when with your brother, you follow the rule of charity, that is, to do as you would be done by. In these is a sum of all the counsel I can give you: if that hereto I admonish you of the service now used, which is not according to god's word, but rather against god's word directly and in manner wholly. So that you going to the service is a declaration that you have not learned the first lesson, nor never can learn it so long as you go thither: therefore the second lesson you shall utterly lose, if you cease not the seeking yourself, that is, if for company, custom, father or friend, life or goods, you seem to allow that which god disalloweth. And this that you the better may perceive, I purpose by god's grace, briefly to show. First the Matins & Evensong is in a tongue forbidden publicly to be used in the congregation that perceiveth not the tongue. Read how Paul affirmeth it, 1. Cor. 14. to pray in an unknown tongue to be against god's commandment. This one (I trow) were enough, if nothing else were. For how can gods glory be sought where his word & commandment is wilfully broken? How can charity to man stand, when charity to god, which is obedience to his word, is overthrown? Again, both in Matins & in Evensong is idolatry maintained for god's service: for there is invocation and prayer made to Saints departed this life, which robbeth god of that glory which he will give to none other. Esay. 5. Moreover, this service & the setters forth of it, condemneth the English service as heresy, thereby falling into God's curse, which is threatened to all such as call good evil, and evil good, whereof they shall be partakers that do communicate with them. Besides this, this latin service is a plain mark of Antichrists catholic synagogue, so that the Communicantes & approvers of it, thereby declare themselves to be members of the same synagogue, & so cut of from christ & his church: whose exterior mark is the true administration of god's word & sacraments. Furthermore, the example of your going thither to allow the religion of Antichrist (as doubtless you do in deed, howsoever in heart you think) occasioneth the obstinate to be utterly intractable, the weak papists to be more obstinate, the strong Gospelers to be sore weakened, and the weak gospelers to be utterly overthrown: which things how great offences they be, no pen is able to utter by letters. All these evils you shall he guilty of, that company with these in religion exteriorly, from whom you are admonished to fly. If Christ be Christ follow him: gather with him, lest you scatter abroad. Serve God not only in spirit but also in body. Make not your body now a member of Christ, a member of Antichrist. Come out from amongst them saith the Lord, & touch no unclean thing. Confess Christ and his truth, not only in heart but also in tongue, yea in very deed which few gospelers do. In deed they deny him, & therefore had need to tremble, least that Christ will deny them in the last day: the which day if it were set before our eyes often, then would the pleasures & treasures of this world be but trifilles. Therefore good sister, often have it before your eyes, daily set yourself & your doings as before the judgement seat of Christ now, that hereafter you be not called into judgement. Think that it will little profit you to win the whole world, & to lose your own soul. Mark Christ's lessons well: he that will save his life shall lose it. The father from heaven commandeth you to hear Christ, & he saith follow me: this can you not do & follow idolatry or Idolaters. Fly from such saith the Scripture. This god grant to you, to me, & to all gods children, Amen. Thus in hast I have accomplished your request, god grant that as you have done me much good bodily, so this may be a little mean to do you some good spiritually, Amen. If time would serve, I would have written more at large, The .2. of March. Anno. 1556. To the worshipful, and in God my most dear friend, the Lady Vane. THe good spirit of God our father be more & more plentifully perceived of your good Ladyship, through the mediation & merits of our dear Saviour jesus Christ, Amen. Although your benefits towards me have deserved at my hands the service I can do for you, yet (right worshipful and dearly beloved in the Lord) the true fear of god and the love of his truth, which I perceive to be in you, especially and above all other things doth bind me hereunto. This bearer hath told me that your desire is, to have something sent to you concerning the usurped authority of the supremacy of the Bishop of Rome, which is undoubtedly the great Antichrist of whom the Apostles do so much admonish us, that you may have aswell something the more to stay you on, as also wherewith to answer the adversaries, because you may perchance therein be something aposed. To satisfy this your desire I will briefly go about, and so, that I will by god's grace, fully set forth the same to enarme you to withstand the assaults of the papists herein, if you mark well and read over again that which I now write. The papists do place in pre-eminence over the whole church the Pope, thereby unplacing Christ which is the head of the church that giveth life to the whole body, & by his spirit doth make lively every member of the same. This they do without all scriptures. For where they bring in this spoken to Peter, feed my sheep, I would gladly know whether this was not commanded unto others also. As for that (which perchance they will urge) that he spoke to Peter by name, if they had any learning, they would easily perceive how that it was not for any such cause as they pretend, but rather by a threefold commandment to restore to him the honour of an Apostle, which he had lost by his threefold denial. And how dare they interpretate this word, my sheep, my Lambe●, to be the universal Church of Christ? I trow a man might easily by the like reason prove that Peter himself had resigned that which Christ had given to him, in exhorting his fellow pastors to feed the flock of Christ. Is not this pretty stuff? Because Christ saith to Peter, feed my sheep, therefore he ought to rule the universal and whole church of Christ. If Peter do truly write unto others that they should do the like, that is fede Christ's flock, either he translateth his right & authority committed to him upon them, or else he doth participate & communicate it with them. So that foolishly they go about to establish that which hath no ground. Peter in deed was a shepherd of the sheep, but such a one as bestowed his labour on them so far as he could stretch out himself by his ministry. But the papists prate that he had full power over all Churches: Wherein they may see Paul to improve them, for else he had done unjustly in denying them the superior place. Howbeit, who ever yet red that Peter did take any thing upon him over Churches committed unto other men? Was not he sent of the church, & sent as one not having rule over the reaile I grant that he was an excellent instrument of God, and for the excellency of his gifts, when soever they meet together, place therefore was commonly given unto him. But what is this to the purpose, to make him ruler & head over all the whole Church because he was so over a small congregation? But be it so that Peter had as much given to him as they do affirm: who yet will grant that Peter had a patrimony given for his heirs▪ He hath left (say the papists) to his successors, the self same right which he received. Oh Lord God, then must his successor be a Satan: Math. 4. for he received that title of Christ himself. I would gladly have the papists to show me one place of succession mentioned in the Scriptures. I am sure that when Paul purposely painteth out the whole administration of the Church, he neither maketh one head, nor any enheritable primacy, and yet he is altogether in commendation of unity. After he hath made mention of one God the father, of one Christ, of one spirit, of one body of the Church, of one faith, and of one baptism, than he describeth the mean and manner how unity is to be kept: namely because unto every pastor is grace given after the measure wherewith Christ hath endowed them. Where I pray you is now any title of Plenitudinis potestatis, of fullness, of power? When he calleth home every one unto a certain measure, why did he not forthwith say, one Pope? Which thing he could not have forgotten, if the thing had been as the papists make it. But let us grant that perpetuity of the primacy in the Church, was established in Peter: I would gladly learn why the Seat of the primacy should be rather at Rome, then elsewhere. Marry say they, because Peter's chair was at Rome. This is even like to this, that because Moses the greatest prophet, And Aaron the first Priest exercised their offices unto their death in the desert, therefore the principallest place of the jewish Church should be in the wilderness. But grant them their reason, that it is good. What should Antioch claim? For Peter's chair was there also: wherein Paul gave him a check, which was unseemly and unmannerly done of Paul, that would not give place to his precedent & better. No say the papists, Rome must have this authority because Peter died there. But what and if a man should by probable conjectures show, that it is but a fable, which is feigned of Peter's Bishopric at Rome? Read how Paul doth salute very many private persons when he writeth to the Romans. Three years after his Epistle made, he was brought to Rome prisoner. Luke telleth, that he was received of the brethren, and yet in all these, no mention at all of Peter, which then by their Stories was at Rome. Belike he was proud, as the Pope and Prelates be, or else he would have visited Paul. Paul being in prison in Rome, did write diverse Epistles, in which he expresseth the names of many which were in comparison of Peter but rascal personages, but of Peter he speaketh never a word. surely if Peter had been there, this silence of him had been suspicious. In the second Epistle to timothy, 2. Timo. 4. Paul complaineth that no man was with him in his defence, but all had left him. If Peter had been then at Rome, as they writ, then either Paul had belied him, or Peter had played his Peter's part. Luke. 23. In an other place, how doth he blame all that were with him, Phi. 2. only Timothy excepted? Therefore we may well doubt whether Peter was at Rome bishop as they prate: for all this time and long before, they say that Peter was bishop there. But I will not stir up coals in this matter. If Rome be the chief Seat because Peter died there, why should not Antioch be the second? Why should not james and john which were taken with Peter to be as pillars, Why (I say) should not their Seats have honour next to Peter's Seat? Is not this gear prepostorous, that Alexandria where Mark which was but one of the Disciples, was Bishop, should be preferred before Ephesus where john the Evangelist taught and was bishop, and before jerusalem where not only james taught and died bishop, but also Christ jesus our lord and high priest for ever? By whom being Master (I hope) honour should be given to his chair, more than to the chair of his chaplains. I need to speak nothing how that Paul telleth Peter's Apostleship to concern rather circumcision or the jews, and therefore properly pertaineth not to us. Neither do I need to bring in Gregorius the sixth bishop of Rome, which was about the year of our Lord .600. Who plainly in his works doth write, that this title of Primacy, & to be head over all churches under Christ, is a title meet and agreeing only to Antichrist, and therefore he calleth it a profane, a mischievous, and an horrible title. Who should we believe now, if we will neither believe Apostle nor Pope? If I should go about to tell how this name was first gotten by Phocas, I should be to long. I purpose god willing to set it forth at large in a work which I have begun of Antichrist, if god for his mercy's sake give me life to finish it. For this present therefore I shall desire your Ladyship to take this in good part. If they will needs have the Bishop of Rome to be acknowledged for the head of the church, then will I urge them that they shall give us a bishop. But they obtrude unto us a butcher rather, or a biteshepe, than a bishop. They brag of Peter's succession, of Christ's Vicar, this is always in their mouth. But alas, how can we call him Christ's Vicar that resisteth Christ, oppugneth his verity, persecuteth his people, and like a Prelate preferreth himself above God and man? How, or wherein doth the Pope and Christ agree? How supplieth he Peter's ministry that boasteth of his succession? Therefore to begin withal, which I will use presently for a conclusion, if the papists will have the bishop of Rome Supreme head of the church of Christ in earth, they must afore they attain this, give us a bishop in deed and not in name. For whosoever he be that will make this the bond of unity, what soever the bishop of Rome be, surely this must needs follow, that they do nothing else but teach a most wicked defection and departing from Christ. But of this, if God lend me life, I purpose to speak more at large hereafter. Now will I betake your Ladyship, unto the tuition of god our father and Christ our only head pastor & keeper, to whom see that you clean by true faith which dependeth only upon the word of god, which if you do follow as a lantern to your feet and a light to your steps, you shall then avoid darkness, and the dangerous depts wherinto the Papists are fallen by the just judgement of god, and seek to bring us into the same dungeon with them, that the blind following the blind, they both may fall into the dysche: out of the which god deliver them according to his good will, & preserve us for his name's sake, that we being in his light may continue therein and walk in it whilst it is day: so shall the night never oppress us, we going from light to light, from virtue to virtue, from faith to faith, from glory to glory by the governance of gods good spirit, which God our father give unto us all for ever and ever. Amen. From the kings Bench. Your brother in bonds for the testimony of jesus Christ. john Bradforde. To mine own good brother Master john Phylpot, prisoner in the Kings Bench. MY dear brother, God our father be praised for the good he doth work in you and by you. Even now I have received your loving letters, wherein I see cause to bless God for the wisdom, love, and efficacy he hath and doth work in you and by you. Go on for god's sake to seek unity in christ. If any will go to work dissemblingly, refuse it not: either shall it increase his damnation, or occasion him the sooner to conversion. judas dissembling turned to the hurt of himself only. If once we come into an unity and love, then shall we not respect one an other, neither take things in to the worse part. Nothing hindereth them more, then for that now they hear all that ever we speak Cum preiudicio, He meaneth here certain freewill men. Where if an unity be had, this preiudicium will be taken away, and so then shall they see the truth the sooner. Therefore mine own dearest brother, go on & bring it to a good end. God our father be with thee for ever, Amen. Pray my good brother, and desire mine own fellow and beloved brother. I. Careless to do the like. I shall pray for you, both in my prayers with others, and with myself alonely, as for my most dear brother upon earth. I will not forget by god's grace, to write in the behalf of our brethren in necessity. jesus Christ our sweet Saviour be with us all Emanuel for ever. Amen. Your own in the Lord. john Bradford. To my friends and brethren in the Lord R. Cole, and N. Sheterden. I Wish to you my good brethren, the same grace of God in Christ, which I wish and pray the father of mercies to give to me for his holy names sake, Amen. Your letter though I have not red myself, because I would not alienate my mind from conceived things to write to others, yet I have heard the sum of it, that it is of god's election: where in I will briefly write to you my faith, & how I think it good & meet for a christian man to wade in it. I believe that man made after the image of god, did fall from that blessed state to the condemnation of himself and all his posterity. I believe that Christ for man being thus fallen, did appose himself to the justice of god a mediator, paying the ransom and price of redemption for Adam and his whole posterity that refuse it not finally. I believe that all that believe in Christ (I speak of such as be of years of discretion (are partakers of christ & all his merits. I believe that faith, & to believe in Christ (I speak not now of faith that men have by reason of miracles Io. 2.12. Act. 8. or by reason of earthly commodity Mat. 13. custom & authority of me which is commonly seen, the hearts of them that so believe being not right and simple before god: Exod. 14 but I speak of that faith which in deed is the true faith, the iustifyeng and regenerating faith) I believe I say that this faith and belief in Christ, is the work and gift of God, given to none other then to those which be the children of God, that is, to those whom GOD the father before the beginning of the world hath predestinate in Christ unto eternal life. Thus do I wade in predestination, For the certainty of this faith search your hearts. If you have it, praise the Lord, for you are happy, and therefore cannot finally perish: for then happiness were not happiness, if it could be lost. when you fall, the Lord will put under his hand that you shall not lie still. But if ye feel not this faith, then know that predestination is to high a matter for you to be disputers of, until ye have been better scholars in the schoolhouse of repentance and justification, which is the Grammar school wherein we must be conversant and learned, before we go to the university of gods most holy predestination and providence. in such sort as god hath pacified and opened it. Though in god it be the first, yet to us it is last opened. And therefore I begin with creation, from thence I come to redemption, so to justification, and so to election. On this sort I am sure that warily & wisely a man may walk in it easily by the light of god's spirit, in and by his word, seeing this faith not to be given to all men, 2. Thess. 3.. but to such as are borne of god, predestinate before the world was made, after the purpose and good will of God: which will we may not call into disputation, but in trembling and fear submit ourselves to it as to that which can will none otherwise then that which is holy right & good, how far so ever otherwise it seem to the judgement of reason, which must needs be beaten down to be more careful for gods glory then for man's salvation, which dependeth only thereon, as all gods children full well see, for they seek not the glory which cometh of men: but the glory which cometh of God. jeremy. 9 joan. 5. They know God to be a God which doth on earth not only mercy but also judgement, which is justice & most justice, although our foolish reason cannot see it. And in this knowledge they glory and rejoice, though others through vain curiosity, grudch and murmur there against. Thus briefly I have sent you my mind and meaning concerning this matter. Hereafter you shall have (I think) your letter particularly answered by M. Philpotte: as also if I have time and you so require it, I will do, john Bradford To my good brother R. Cole. Mine own good brother, our good & most merciful father more and more embrace us in the arms of his mercy as his loving & own natural children, and give us one to embrace an other in the arms of love as true brethren, that with one heart and mind we may praise his holy name in Christ our Saviour, and through the grace of his spirit may mightily every one fight against sin and all that is against the kingdom of Christ: whereunto (my beloved) we are called effectually to our everlasting felicity (I doubt not) praised be the name of our good god therefore for ever and ever, Amen. Mine own heart in the lord, desire our brethren that every one would bend himself to bow: let us never break. Love suffereth long and seeketh not herself. We have all one father, we are all brethren, God keep us from dissension. If we cannot agree in all points, either the points perchance be not so necessary, or else by love we shall hereafter he brought to see that which yet is hid. If love may appear in all our doings, and that we seek one an other with a simple and a single eye in god's sight, doubtless all prejudice whereby we are letted to see manifest things, will be had away, and we will take things spoken and done in the best part: and so doubtless the name of our father shallbe sanctified in us and by us, as by instruments of grace, and gods kingdom shall increase apace in us and by us also, which thing he grant for his mercy's sake, Amen. Commend me heartily I pray you to both those good women. Good I call them, because I am persuaded that god will deliver them, especial my good Mary. I will not cease but even as for myself to pray to god for them, and for you, my right dear brother in the Lord. If you were acquainted with M. Robert Harrington, you should find a plain Nathanael, you should see the worst at the first: I dare say for him his only desire is to please God, and he is afraid to offend him. Pray for him, and for my good Sister I. H. as I know she doth for you. The peace of God be with you mine own in the Lord. john Bradford ¶ To my good Sister Mistress Elizabeth Browne. GOod Sister, god our father make perfect the good he hath begun in you unto the end. I am afraid to write unto you because you so overcharge yourself at all times, even whensoever I do but send to you commendations. I would be more bold on you then on many others, and therefore you might suspend so great tokens till I should write unto you of my need, which thing doubtless I would do, if it urged me. Dear Sister, I see your unfeigned love to me wards in god, and have done of long time, the which I do recompense with the like and will do by gods grace so long as I live, and therefore I hope not to forget you, but in my poor prayers to have you in remembrance, as I hope you have me. Otherwise I can do you no service, except it be now and then by my writing to let you from better exercise, where yet the end of my writing is to excite & stir up your heart more earnestly to go on forwards in your well begun enterprise. 2. Timo. 2. For you know none shallbe crowned but such as strive lawfully, and none receiveth the gleve but those that run to the appointed mark. None shall be saved but such as persist and continue to the very end. Therefore (dear Sister) remember that we have need of patience, Hebr. 20 that when we have done the good will of God we may receive the promise. Patience and perseverance be the proper notes whereby gods children are known from counterfeits. They that persever not, were always but hypocrites. Many make godly beginnings, yea their progress seemeth marvelous, but yet after the end they fail. These were never of us, saith S. john: for if they had been of us, they would have continued unto the very end. Go to therefore mine own beloved in the Lord: as you have well begun and well gone forward, so well persist and happily end, and then all is yours. Though this be sharp and sour, yet it is not tedious or long. Do all that ever you do, simply for GOD and as to God, so shall never unkindness nor any other thing make you to leave of from well doing, so long as you may do well. Accustom yourself now to set GOD continually, that he may be all in all unto you. In good things behold his mercy and apply it unto yourself. In evil things and plagues behold his judgements, wherthorough learn to fear him. Beware of sin as the Serpent of the soul, which spoileth us of all our or nature and seemly apparel in God's sight. Let christ crucified be your book to study on, and that both night and day. Mark your vocation, and be diligent in the works thereof: use hearty and earnest prayer and that in spirit. In all things give thanks to GOD our father through christ. Labour to have here life everlasting begun in you: for else it will not be elsewhere enjoyed. Set Gods judgement often before your eyes that now examining yourself, you may make diligent suit and obtain never to come into judgement. Uncover your evils to God, that he may cover them. Beware of this Antichristian trash: defile not yourself in soul or body therewith, but accomplish holiness in the fear rf GOD, and bear no yoke with unbelievers. Look for the coming of the Lord, which is at hand: by earnest prayer and godly life, hasten it. GOD our father accomplish his good work in you. Amen. Commend me to my good Mother Mistress Wylkynson, and to my very dear Sister Mistress Warcuppe. I shall daily commend you all to GGD, and I pray you do the like for me. john Bradforde. To Mistress Browne. GOod Sister I beseech god to make perfect the good he hath begun in you unto, the very end, Amen. This life more and more waxeth unto us as it should be, that is a miserable life, a weeping life, a woeful life, and therefore let us long for our happy life, our laughing life, our joyful life, which we shall enjoy & then have in very deed, when we depart by death out of this dangerous state, wherein we now are by reason of this sinful flesh which we carry about us. Therefore let us prepare ourselves accordingly, and in misery and sorrow, be glad through hope. Now we are dispersed, but we shall be gathered together again there, where we shall never part, but always be together in joy eternal. In hope hereof let us bear with better will, our bitter burdens which we feel and shall feel in this miserable world. We have cause to thank god that maketh this world unto us a wilderness. If so be therein we be patiented, kiss gods todde, and humble ourselves before God: assuredly we shall come into the most pleasant land of rest. Wherefore (good Sister) as I said I say again, be merry with sorrow, rejoice in hope, be patient in trouble, pray in affliction, & amongst other, I pray you heartily pray for me, that god would forgive me my unthankfulness, not only against you which is great in deed, but also against all his people, but specially against his majesty. As I can, I shall commend you unto the tuition of our shepherd Christ, who always keep us as his Lambs, for his holy names sake, Amen. Your afflicted brother. john Bradford. ¶ To a faithful friend of his, whom for his godly symplicity and singleness of heart in the ways of the Lord, he called nathanael, as he doth also here in this letter. THe merciful God, and father of our Saviour jesus Christ, which loveth us as a most dear father, and hath put upon him towards us the affection of a most tender mother towards her children, so that he can no less think upon us (although of ourselves we be most unworthy and deserve nothing less) than she can think on her only begotten child in his distress, yea if she should forget her child as some unnatural mother will do, yet will he never forget us, although for a time he seem to sleep, that we might be occasioned to call loud and awake him: this good GOD keep you my dear brother nathanael, and your good yokefellowe, my heartily beloved Sister in the Lord, in all things now and for ever, to his glory and your eternal comfort, and also of his goodness he grant you both the feeling of that hope, which undoubtedly he hath laid up in store for you both, far passing the store and provision, not only which you had made, but all the world is able to make, as I trust already he hath wrought it in you, but I beseech him to increase it more and more, and kindle in you a hearty longing for the enjoying of the same: the which once felt and had indeed, than the means by the which we come thereto, can not be so greatly dread, as most men do dread them, because either they want this feeling (I mean it of altogether) or else because the sense of this present time and things therein, are as a mist to the hiding of those things from our sight, lest we should run and embrace them by hearty prayer: the spirit whereof God grant us, and in deed we should attain enough in this behalf, if we continued therein. For auricular confession, wherein you desire my advice for your good yokefellowe and family (my most dear brother) I am as ready to give it, as you to desire it, yea more glad, forasmuch as half a suspicion was in me (at the least touching my dear sister your wife) of a loathing of my advice, that too much had been given, where in deed I should lament my to little feeding you spiritually, as both you out of prison and in prison have fed me corporally. But as I always thought of her, so I yet think, that she is the child of GOD, whom God dearly loveth, and will in his good time, to her eternal comfort, give her her hearts desire in sure feeling and sensible believing of this, which I would she had often in her mind: namely that he is her God and father through Christ jesus our dear Lord and Saviour. A greater service to God, she can not give then to believe this. If Satan say she believeth not, to answer, not him but the Lord, and to say, yea Lord help my unbelief and increase my poor faith, which Satan sayeth is no faith: make him a liar Lord as always he hath been, is, and shall be. Undoubtedly sooner or later, God will graciously here her groves, and keep all her tears in his bottle yea write them in his counting book: for he is a righteous God and hath no pleasure in the death of his creature: he loveth mercy, he will return and show her his mercy: he will cast all her sins and iniquities into the bottom of the sea: and the longer that he tarrieth (as he doth it but to prove her) so the more liberally will he recompense her long looking, which no less pleaseth him, than it grieveth now her outward Adam. For the mortification whereof, God useth this cross, and therefore if she desire to bear the same, doubtless God will make her able to bear it: and in presumption of his goodness and strength, let her cast herself wholly upon him: for he is faithful and will assuredly confirm and bring to a happy end that good which graciously he hath begun in her. The which thing I desire him to do for his own glory and names sake, Amen, Amen. And now to the matter. Confession auricular, as it was first used and instituted (which was by the way of a counsel ask) I take to be amongs those traditions which are indifferent, that is, neither unlawful, nor necessarily binding us, except the offence of the weak could not be avoided. But to consider it as it is now used) I writ to you but as I think and what my mind is, the which follow no further then good men by God's word do allow it) to consider it I say, as it is now used, me thinks it is plainly unlawful and wicked, and that for these causes. first because they make it a service of God and a thing which pleaseth God of itself, I will not say meritorious. This bringer my brother can tell you at large how great an evil this is. secondly because they make it of necessity, so that he or she that useth it not, is not taken for a good Christian. thirdly because it requireth of itself an impossibility, that is, the numbering and telling of all our sins, which no man perceiveth, much less can utter. fourthly because it establisheth and confirmeth, at the least alloweth praying to Saints: precor Sanctam Mariam you must say or the priest for you. fifthly because it is very injurious to the liberty of the Gospel, the which to affirm in example and fact, I take to be a good work and a dear in God's sight. sixthly because (as it is used) it is a note, yea a very synowe of the popish Church, and therefore we should be so far from allowing the same, that we should think ourselves happy to lose any thing in bearing witness there against. Seventhly, because in stead of counsel, thereat you should receive poison, or if you refuse it under Sir john's benedicite, you should no less there be wound in the briars. Eyghtlye because the end and purpose why we go thither, is for the avoiding of the cross, that is; for our own cause and not for Christ's cause or for our brethren's commodity. For in that they make it so necessary a thing and a worshipping of God, it can not but be against Christ and the freedom of his Gospel: and the same thing teacheth us that it is against the commodity of our brethren, which either be weak, either be strong, either be ignorant, either be obstinate. If they be weak, by your resorting to it they be made more weak. If they be strong, you do what you can to infirm their strength, if they be ignorant, therein you help to keep them by your fact. If they be obstinate, your resorting to it, can not but rock them a sleep in their obstinate error of the necessity of this rite and ceremony. These causes recited do show you what I think in this: but my thinking must no further bind you then a man's thought should do, except the same be grounded upon god's word which bindeth in deed, as I think they do. I doubt not but you weighing these causes, and especially ii of the first and the last, if you pray to God for his spirit to direct you, and thereto ask the advice of this my good brother and other godly learned men, I doubt not (I say) but you should be guided to do that which is best in God's sight, although in the sight of the world, perhaps you should be counted foolish and precise. But be at a point with yourselves, as the Disciples of Christ which had forsaken themselves, to follow, not your will but Gods will, as you daily pray in the Lord's prayer. The cross of Christ, be willing to carry, least you carry the cross of the world, the flesh, or the devil. One of these four crosses you must carry. Three of them bringeth to hell, why the more part go that way that leadeth to perdition. and therefore the more part goeth that way, which is a broad way. Only the fourth bringeth to heaven, but few go that way, aswell because the way is straight, as also because few walk in it. Howbeit, though it be strait it is but short, and the few are many if you consider the godly, as the patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, and Christ jesus, with all his Guard & train. Think not scorn to come after them which are gone before you, and after them which now go before you, in whose number I trust I am appointed to be one, and I beseech you pray for me that god would vouch me worthy that honour. Our sins deserve plagues, prison, and the loss of all that ever we have: therefore if god remove our sins out of sight, and send us prison, or loss of goods and living for his name's sake, Oh how happy are we? My dear hearts in the Lord, consider this gear, and be assured that he which loseth any thing for Christ's sake, the same in his posterity shall find it here, and in heaven elsewhere. As for unableness to answer for your faith: it shall be enough to will them to dispute with your teachers. Faith standeth not in disputing. I think few, if it came to disputing, could defend the Godhead of Christ, and many other articles: I speak it for the simple sort. Pray for me. Lack of paper maketh this end. Commend me to my good brother Richard Bleacher, and my good sister his wife: I pray them to pray for me. I trust by this bearer to hear how you do. john Bradforde. To certain Godly men, whom he exhorteth to be patiented under the cross & constant in the true doctrine which they had professed. MY dearly beloved in the Lord, as in him I wish you well to far, so I pray God I and you may continue in his true service, that perpetually we may enjoy the same welfare, as here in hope, so in heaven in deed and eternally. You know this world is not your home, but a pilgrimage and place wherein God trieth his children, and therefore as it knoweth you not, nor can know you: so I trust you know not it, that is, you allow it not, nor in any point will seem so to do, although by many you be occasioned thereto. For this hot sun which now shineth, burneth so sore, that the corn which is sown upon sand and stony ground, beginneth to wither: that is, many which before times we took for hearty Gospelers, begin now for the fear of afflictions to relent, yea to turn to their vomytte again, thereby declaring that though they go from amongst us, yet were they never of us: for else they would have still tarried with us, 1. joh. 2 and neither for gain nor loss, have left us either in word or deed. As for their heart (which undoubtedly is double, and therefore in danger to God's curse) we have as much with us, as the papists have with them, and more too by their own iudgenente. For they playing wily beguile themselves, think it enough inwardly to favour the truth, though outwardly they curry favour. What though with my body (say they) I do this or that, GOD knoweth my heart is whole with him. Ah brother, if thy heart be whole with GOD, why dost not thou confess and declare thyself accordingly by word and fact? Either that which thou sayest thou believest in thy heart, is good or no. If it be good, why art thou ashamed of it? If it be evil, why dost thou keep it in thy heart? Is not GOD able to defend thee, adventuring thyself for his cause? Or will not he defend his worshippers? Doth not the Scripture say that the eyes of the Lord are on them that fear him, and trust in his mercy? Psal. 33 And whereto? Forsooth to deliver their souls from death, and to feed them in the time of hunger. If this be true, as it is most true, why are we afraid of death, as though GOD could not comfort or deliver us, or would not, contrary to his promise? Why are we afraid of the loss of our goods, as though GOD would leave them that fear him, destitute of all good things, and so do against his most ample promises? Ah faith faith, how few feel thee now a days? Luke. 18. Full truly said Christ that he should scarcely find faith when he came on earth. For if men believed these promises, they would never do any thing outwardly, which inwardly they dysallowe. No example of men, how many so ever they be, or how learned so ever they be, can prevail in this behalf: for the pattern which we must follow, is Christ himself, and not the more company, or custom. His word is the lantern to lighten our steps, Psalm. 118 and not learned men. Company and custom are to be considered according to the thing they allow. Learned men are to be listened to, and followed according to God's lore and law, for else the more part goeth to the devil. As custom causeth error and blindness, so learning, if it be not according to the light of God's word, is poison, and learned men most pernicious. The devil is called Daemon for his cunning, and the children of this world are much wiser than the children of light in their generation: Luk. 16. and I know the devil and his dearelynges have always for the most part, more helps in this life than Christ's Church and her children. They (the Devil and his synagogue I mean) have custom, multitude, unity, antiquity, learning, power, riches, honour, dignity, and promotions plenty, as always they have had, and shall have commonly and for the most part, until Christ's coming, much more than the true Church have presently, heretofore have had, or hereafter shall have. For her glory, riches and honour is not here: her trial, cross, and warfare is here. And therefore (my dear hearts in the Lord) consider these things accordingly. Consider what you be, not worldings but God's children. Consider where you be, not at home but in a strange country. Consider among whom you are conversant, even in the midst of your enemies, and of a wicked generation, and then I trust you will not much muse at affliction, which you can not be without, being as you be, God's children, in a strange country, and in the midst of your enemies, except you would leave your Captain Christ, and follow Satan for the muck of this mould, rest and quietness, which he may promise you, and you in deed think you shall receive it by doing as he would have you to do, but (my sweet hearts) he is not able to pay that he promiseth. Peace and war come from GOD, riches and poverty, wealth and woe. The devil hath no power but by God's permission. If then GOD permit him a little on your goods, body or life, I pray you tell me, what can much hurt you (as Peter sayeth) you being followers of godliness? 1. Pet. 3. Think you that GOD will not remember you in his time as most shall be to your comfort? Can a woman forget the child of her womb? Esay. 49. And if she should, yet will not I forget thee, sayeth the Lord. Look upon Abraham in his exile and misery, look upon jacob, joseph, Moses, David, the Prophets, Apostles, and all the Godly from the beginning: and my good brethren, is not GOD the same God? Is he a changeling? You have heard of the patience of job (saith Saint james) and you have seen the end how that God is merciful, jacob. 5 patient and long suffering: even so say I unto you, that you shall find accordingly, if so be you be patient, that is, if so be you feat him, set his word before you, serve him thereafter, and if he lay his cross on you, you bear it with patience: the which you shall do, when you consider it not according to the present sense, but according to the end. Hebru. 12.2, Corin. 4., Therefore I heartily beseech you, and out of my bonds which I suffer for your sake, pray you (mine own sweet hearts in the Lord) that you would cleave in heart & humble obedience, to the doctrine taught you by me and many other my brethren. For we have taught you no fables nor tales of men, or our own fantasies, but the very word of god, which we are ready with our lives (God so enhabling us, as we trust he will) to confirm, & by the shedding of our bloods, in all patience & humble obedience to the superior powers, to testify and seal up, as well that you might be more certain of the doctrine, as that you might be ready to confess the same before this wicked world, knowing that if we confess Christ and his truth before men, he will confess us before his father in heaven: if so be we be ashamed hereof for loss of life, friends or goods, he will be ashamed of us before his father and his holy Angels in heaven. Therefore take heed, for the Lords sake take heed, take heed, & defile not your bodies or soul's with this Romish & Antichristian religion set up amongst us again: but come away, come away as the Angel crieth, Apoca. 18. from amongst them in their Idolatrous service, lest you be partakers of their iniquity. hearken to your preachers as the Thessalonians did to Paul: that is, confer their sayings with the Scriptures, and if they sound not thereafter, Esay. 8. the morning light shall not shine upon them. Use much and hearty prayer for the spirit of wisdom, knowledge, humbleness, meekness sobriety and repentance: which we have great need of, because our sins have thus provoked the Lords anger against us: but let us bear his anger, & acknowledge our faults with bitter tears, and sorrowful sighs, & doubtless he will be merciful to us after his wont mercy. The which thing he vouchsafe to do for his holy names sake in Christ jesus our Lord, to whom with the father and the holy ghost be all honour, glory, praise, and everlasting thanks from this time forth for evermore, Amen. Out of prison by yours in the Lord to command. john Bradford. To my dearly beloved in the lord Mistress W. and Mistress W. ALmighty God our dear and most merciful father, be always with you both (my entirely beloved mother and Sister in the Lord) and as his babes, he for ever keep you unto his eternal kingdom through Christ our Saviour, Amen. I purpose not to go about to render thanks to you for gods great goodness towards me by you, because I can not. Either of you hath so heaped upon me benefits, that it were hard for me to reckon the tithes. He for whose sake you have done it, and all the good you do, one day recompense you after your hearts desire in him. In the mean season, I beseech him to reveal unto you more and more the riches of his grace and love in Christ, by whom ye are beloved and were, before the world was, and shall be doubtless world without end. According to the revelation, & your sense or faith herein, so will you contend to all piety and godliness, as S. john saith: he that hath this hope will purify himself as Christ is pure. 1. john. 3 For how should it otherwise be, but if we be certainly persuaded that heaven is ours and we citizens thereof, but (I say) we should desire the dissolution of our bodies, and death to dispatch us, and to do his office upon us? If we did certainly believe we were members of Christ and gods temples, how should we but fly from all impurity and corruption of the world which cometh by concupiscence? If we did certainly believe that god in deed of his mercy in Christ, is become our father, in that his good will is infinite, and his power according thereto, how could we be afraid of man or Devil? How could we doubt of salvation, or any good thing which might make to God's glory and our own weal? Now that we should be certain and sure of this, that we are Gods children in Christ, mark whether all things teach us not? Behold the creation of this world, and the gubernation of the same: do not these teach us that God loveth us? And is gods love out of Christ the beloved? If not his love as he is unchangeable? john. 13. Doth not S. john say, that he loveth to the end whom he loveth? Therefore I say, the very creatures of god, concerning both their creation & conservation, tell us that god loveth us: that is, that we in Christ be his children and darlings, although in ourselves and of ourselves we be otherwise: namely children of wrath. Again look upon the law of god, and tell me whether it do not require this certainty of you, namely that you be gods dear children in Christ? Doth not god plainly affirm & say: I am the Lord thy God? Doth he not charge you to have none other gods but him? How then can you perish if god be your god? psal. 143 Doth not that make god no god? Doth not David say that those people be happy which have the Lord for their God? Besides this, look on your belief: do you not profess that you believe in God your father almighty, which wanteth no power to help you, as he wanted no good will in Christ to choose you? Do you not say that you do believe remission of sins, resurrection of the body, life everlasting, fellowship with the saints? etc. But how do you say you believe this gear, and be not certain thereof? Is not faith a certainty? Is not doubting against faith, as S. james sayeth? Pray in faith and doubt not, for he that doubteth obtaineth nothing. Math. 8 When Peter began to doubt, he had like to have been drowned: beware of it therefore. Moreover, for to certify your consciences that you be gods children, & shall never finally perish, through god's goodness in Christ, behold your head, your captain, I mean Christ jesus. Wherefore came he into this world, but to redeem you? to marry you unto himself? to destroy the works of Satan? to save and seek that which was lost? Wherefore suffered he so great and bitter passions? did he it not to take away your sins? Wherefore did he rise from death? Did he it not to justify you? Wherefore did he ascend into heaven? Did he it not to take possession there for you? to lead your captivity captive? to prepare and make ready all things for you? to appear before the father, always praying for you? If these be true, as they be most true, why then stand you in a doubt? Do you not thereby deny Christ? Wherefore were you borne of Christian parents and in god's church, but because you were Gods children by Christ before you were borne? For this cause you were baptized, and hitherto the Lord hath thus dealt with you, sparing you, correcting you, and blessing you. but why? Verily because you be his children, and shall be for ever through Christ. Tell me, why hath God kept you till this time, but that he will for his sake have you even here made like unto Christ, th●t elsewhere you may so be? Why hath he opened your eyes from Popery, but because you be his children in deed? When you do pray, do you not call him father? Why do you doubt of it then? Why will you believe the Devil more than God your father, the Son, and the holy ghost? more than the holy word of GOD, both in the law and in Gospel? more than all the blessings and castigations of God? Do not all these preach to you and tell you that you are gods babes through Christ? Therefore my dearly beloved, believe it and give not place to the Devil, but withstand him strong in faith. Mark. 9 Luk. 19 Say with the poor man: I believe Lord, help my unbelief. Say with the apostles, Lord increase our faith. This mine own hearts in the Lord, I write not that you should live more securely and carnally, doing as the Spiders do, which gather poison where bees gather honey: but that as the elect of god, you might live in all purity, godliness and peace, which god increase in us all for his Christ's sake, Amen. I pray you heartily pray for us, that to the very end we may (as I hope we shall) go lustily and cheerfully whether soever our heavenly father shall bring and lead us. His will which is always good, be done in earth as it is in heaven, Amen. Your brother in bonds for the testimony of jesus Christ. john Bradforde. To my good Sister M. H. THe peace of God, with increase of faith and feeling of his mercy to your comfort in Christ, the holy ghost work in your heart now and for ever, Amen. As it is much to my comfort that God hath given you such a love and zeal to his truth: so I exhort you (my good Sister) diligently to labour, as by continual reading and meditation of gods holy word, so by earnest prayer and other godly exercises, to maintain and increase the same: that by the feeling of gods gracious spirit working in you such good fruits as witnesses of your faith, you may grow in strength thereof, and certainty of god's favour and good will towards you. For above all things, of this I would have you to be most assured, that you are beloved of god: that you are his dear child, and shall be for evermore through Christ, in whom you are by faith, and he in you. Out of this certainty (the cause whereof is gods own goodness, grace, and truth) springeth true love, and loving fear, and obedience to god continually and in all things. Where it is (I mean this faith, certainty and persuasion of gods eternal goodness to you in Christ) there no sins are imputed to you, or laid to your charge to condemnation nor shallbe: though for correction sake, now & then your heavenly father visit them fatherly, or rather you for them. Where it is not, there is nothing be it never so well done, that pleaseth God. Labour therefore for this certainty of faith, through Christ. Whensoever you doubt, you heap sin upon sin. If Satan, your conscience, or gods law do accuse you, confess your fault, & hide it not before the lord. But when they would infer that because of your sin you are condemned, you are cast away: then answer them that it is but their office to accuse and witness, not to give sentence & judge: it only appertaineth to god to give judgement. Paul saith, it is god that absolveth, who then shall condemn us? God himself promiseth, before he demand any thing of us, that he is our Lord and our god: and are not they happy which have the lord for their god? Is he god to any whose sins he remitteth not? Through Christ he is our father, and therefore we are commanded so to call him: and can there want any fatherly kindness in him towards us, which be his children? No verily. Therefore be sure, and waver not of god's love & favour towards you in Christ. The cause of his love is his own goodness and mercy: this lasting for ever, his love loseth for ever. How can you then but be quiet & happy? Use this gear to comfort the weak conscience, and not to unbridle the mighty affections of the flesh or old Adam, which must have other meat. Your own in the Lord. john Bradford. ¶ An exhortation to the patiented suffering of trouble and afflictions for Christ's cause, written to all the unfeigned professors of the gospel throughout the realm of England, at the beginning of his imprisonment, and here placed as it came to our hands. THe holy spirit of God, which is the earnest and pledge of God, given to his people for their comfort and consolation, be powered into our hearts by the mighty power & merits of our alone Saviour jesus Christ, now and for ever, Amen. Because I perceive plainly, that to the evils fallen upon us which profess Christ's gospel, greater are most like to ensue, and after them greater, Gene. 15. Luke. 9 Genes. 19 till the measure of iniquity be up heaped (except we shrink, & having put our hands to the plough do look back, and so with Loathes wife and the Israelits, desiring to return into Egypt, fall into gods heavy displeasure uncurably, all which god forbid) and because I am persuaded of you, my dearly beloved brethren and Sisters through out the realm of England, which have professed unfeignedly the gospel of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ (for unto such do I write this epistle) that as ye have begun to take part with god's gospel and truth, so through his grace ye will persever and go on forwards notwithstanding the storms risen and to arise: I cannot but write something unto you, lustily to go on forwards in the way of the Lord, and not to become faint hearted or fearful, Apoca. 25. whose place S. john appointeth with the unbelievers, murderers, and Idolaters in eternal perdition, but cheerfully to take the lords cup and drink of it afore it draw towards the dregs and bottom, Psal. 75, whereof at the length they shall drink with the wicked to eternal destruction, 1. pet. 4 which will not receive it at the first with gods children: with whom god beginneth his judgement, that as the wicked world rejoiceth when they lament, john. 16. so they may rejoice when the wicked world shall mourn, and without end find woe intolerable. First therefore my dearly beloved in the Lord, I beseech you to consider, john. 14 Psal. 17 2. Cor. 4. Apoc. 12 Heb. 11 1. pet. 2 Heb. 13 Psalm. 119 Heb. 12 Mat. 28 Rom. 9 1. joh. 5 Apo. 13 Luke. 6. EZech. 9 Math. 5. Esay. 22 1. Cor. 15 that though ye be in the world yet ye are not of the world. Ye are not of them which look for their portion in this life, whose Captain is the god of this world, even Satan, who now ruffleth it apace as he were wood because his time on earth is not long. But ye are of them that look for a City of gods own blessing. Ye are of them that know yourselves to be here but pilgrims and strangers: for here ye have no dwelling place. Ye are of them whose portion is the lord, and which have their hope in heaven: whose captain is Christ jesus the Son of God and governor of heaven and earth. Unto him is given all power, yea he is god almighty with the father and the holy ghost, praise worthy for ever. Ye are not of them which receive the beasts mark, which here rejoice, laugh and have their hearts ease joy, paradise and pleasure: but ye are of them which have received the Angels mark, yea Gods mark, which here lament, mourn, sigh, sob, weep, and have your wilderness to wander in, your purgatory and even hell to purge and burn up your sins. Ye are not of them which cry, let us eat and drink for to morrow we shall die. Ye are not of that number which say they have made a covenant with death and hell for hurting of them. Esay. 28 Mal. 3. Apo. 3. Ezech. 8. Psa. 73. Math. 4. Dani. 3. Ye are not of them which take it for a vain thing to serve the lord. Ye are not of them which are lulled and rocked a sleep in jesabels' bed, a bed of security. Ye are not of the number of them which say, tush god is in heaven and seeth us not nor much passeth what we do. Ye are not of the number of them which will fall down for the muck of the world to worship the Fiend, or for displeasing of men to worship the golden mage. Math. 8. 1 Mach. 1.2 Exod. 13 3. Reg. 22. Rom. 6.7. Coloss. 3 finally year not of the number of them which set more by your pigs then by Christ, which for ease and rest in this life will say and do as Antiochus biddeth you do or say, and will follow the multitude to do evil with Zedechias and the 300. false Prophets, yea Achab, jesabel, and the whole court and country. But ye are of the number of them which are dead already or at least be in dying daily to yourselves & to this world. Ye are of them which have made a covenant with god to forsake yourselves in this world and Satan also. Ye are of them which say, Luk. 12. Mala. 3. nay the lord hath all things written in his memorial book for such as fear him and remember his name. Luke. 12. psa. 33.14.101. Ye are of them which have their loins girded about and their lights burning in their hands like unto men that wait for their lords coming. Ye are in the number of them that say, the lord looketh down from heaven and beholdeth the children of men from the habitation of his dwelling: he considereth all them that dwell upon the earth. Luke. 3. Dan. 3. 1. pet. 2. Psal. i20. i Mac. 2 Math. 7 3. Reg. 22. Ye are of the number of them which will worship the only lord god and will not worship the works of man's hands, though the oven burn never so hot. Ye are in the number of them to whom Christ is precious & dear, which cry out rather because your habitation is prolonged here, as david did. Ye are of them which follow Mathathias and the godly jews: which know the way to life to be a strait way and few to go through it: which will not stick to follow poor Micheas although he be racked and cast into prison, having the Sun, Moon, seven Stars and all against him. Thus therefore (dearly beloved) remember first that (as I said) ye are not of this world: that Satan is not your Captain: your joy and paradise is not here: your companions are not the multitude of worldlings and such as seek to please men and live here at ease in the service of Satan. phil. 3. Heb. 13 But ye are of an other world: Christ is your Captain: your joy is in heaven, where your conversation is: your companions are the fathers, patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Virgins, confessors, and the dear saints of God, Apo. 7 job. 78.14. Psalm. 9 james. 4 which follow the Lamb whether soever he goeth, dipping their garments in his blood, knowing this life and world to be full of evil, a warfare, a smoke, a shadow, a vapour, and as replenished, so environed with all kind of miseries. This is the first thing which I would have you often and diligently with yourselves to consider & to muse well upon, namely what ye be and where ye be. Now secondly forget not to call to mind that ye ought not to think it any strange thing if misery, trouble, adversity, persecution, and displeasure come upon you. 1. pet. 4 john. 14. 1. pet 5 For how can it otherwyst be, but that trouble and persecution must come upon you? Can the world love you which are none of his? Can worldly men regard you, which are your chief enemies soldiers? Can Satan suffer you to be in rest, Math. 7. which will do no homage unto him? Can this way be chosen of any that make it so narrow and strait as they do? Will ye look to travail and to have no fowl way or rain? Will shipmen shrink or sailors on the sea give over if storms arise? Do they not look for such? And (dearly beloved) did not we enter into god's ship and Ark of Baptssme at the first? 1. pet. 4 Will ye then count it strange if perils come or tempests blow? Are not ye travailing to your heavenvly City of jerusalem, where is all joy and felicity: and wsll ye now tarry by the way for storms or showers? john. 9 Mat. 25 The Mart and fair will then be passed: the night will so come upon you that ye cannot travail: the door will be spared, and the bride will be at supper. Therefore away with dainty niceness. Will ye think the father of heaven will deal more gently with you in this age, them he hath done with others his dearest friends in other ages? What way, Gen. 4 6.7.8.9. etc. yea what storms and tempests, what troubles and disquietness found able, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, jacob & good joseph? Which of these had so fair a life and resteful times as we have had? Exod. 2.3.4.5. etc. Moses, Aaron, Samuel, david the king, and all the good kings, Priests, Prophets in the old testament at one time or other (if not through out their life) did feel a thousand parts more misery than we have felt hitherto. As for the new Testament, Lord god how great was the affliction, of mary, of joseph, of Zacharye, of Elizabeth, of john baptist, of all the Apostles and evangelists, Math. two yea of jesus Christ our Lord, the dear son and darling of God? And since the time of the Apostles, Euseb. eccl hist. Tripart. hist. how many and great are the number of Martyrs, Confessors and such as have suffered the shedding of their blood in this life, rather than they would be stayed in their journey, or lodge in any of Satan's Inns, lest the storms or winds which fell in their travailinges, might have touched them? And dearly beloved, let us think what we are, and how far unmeet to be matched with these, with whom yet we look to be placed in heaven. Psa. 49 But with what face can we look for this, that are so fearful, unwilling and arsward to leave that, which will we nill we, we must leave, and that so shortly, as we know not the time when? Where is our abrenouncing and forsaking of the world and the flesh, which we solemnly took upon us in baptism? Ah shameless cowards that we be, 1. pet. 5. which will not follow the trace of so many Fathers, patriarchs, Kings, Priests, Prophets, Apostles, evangelists and Saints of God, yea even of the very Son of God. How many now go with you lustily, as I and all your brethren in bonds and exile for the Gospel? Pray for us, for God willing we will not leave you now: we will go before you. Ye shall see in us by God's grace, 1. Pet. 2 that we preached no lies nor tales of tub, but even the very true word of God: for the confirmation whereof, we by God's grace, and the help of your prayers, will willingly and joyfully give our blood to be shed, as already we have given our livings, goods, friends and natural country: for now be we certain that we be in the high way to heavens bliss, as Saint Paul sayeth, Act. 14. by many tribulations and persecutions we must enter into God's kingdom. And because we would go thither ourselves and bring you thither also, therefore the devil stirreth up the coals. And forasmuch as we all loitered in the way, Math. 8. Math. 14. he hath therefore received power of god to overcast the whether and to stir up storms, that we gods children, might more speedily go on forwards, & make more haste: as the counterfeits and hypocrites will tarry & linger till the storms be paste, and so when they come, the market will be done and the doors spared, as it is to be feared. Read Math. 25. This wind will blow gods children forwards and the devils darlings backward. Therefore like God's children, let us go on forward apace: the wind is on our backs: Thren. 3 Heb. 6. hoist up the sails: lift up your hearts and hands unto god in prayer, and keep your anchor of faith to cast out in time of trouble on the rock of God's word and mercy in Christ, by the gable of god's verity, and I warrant you. And thus much for you secondly to consider: that affliction, persecution and trouble is no strange thing to God's children, and therefore it should not dismay, discourage, or discomfort us: for it is none other thing then all Gods dear friends have tasted in their journey to heaven wards. As I would in this troublesome time that ye would consider what ye be by the goodness of God in Christ, even Citizens of heaven, though ye be presently in the flesh, even in a strange region, on every side full of fierce enemies: and what wether and way the dearest friends of god have found: even so would I have you thirdly to consider for your further comfort, Phil. 3. that if ye shrink not, but go on forwards pressing to the mark appointed, all the power of your enemies shall not overcome you, nor in any point hurt you. But this must not you consider according to the judgement of reason, & the sense of old Adam, but according to the judgement of god's word, and the experience of faith & the new man, for else you mar all. For to reason, and to the experience of our sense or of the outward man, we poor souls which flicke to God's word, to serve him as he requireth only, are counted to be vanquished and to be overcome, in that we are cast into prison, lose our livings, friends, goods, country and life also at the length concerning this world. But dearly beloved, God's word teacheth otherwise, and faith feeleth accordingly. Is it not written: who shall separate us from the love of God? Rom. 8 Shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, either hunger, either nakedness, either peril, either sword? As it is written: Psal. 44. for thy sake are we killed all day long, & are counted as sheep appointed to be slain. Nevertheless in all these things we overcome through him that loved us. For I am sure that neither death, neither life, neither angels nor rule, neither power, neither things present, neither things to come, neither high nor low, neither any creature shall be able to part us from that love wherewith god loveth us in Christ jesus our Lord. Thus spoke one which was in affliction as I am, for the lords gospels sake, his holy name be praised therefore: and he grant me grace with the same to continue in like suffering unto the end. This (I say) one spoke which was in affliction for the gospel: but yet so far from being overcome, that he rejoiced rather of the victory which the gospel had. For though he was bound, 2. Timo. 2. yet the gospel was not bound. And therefore giveth he thanks unto god which always giveth the victory in Christ, 2 Cor. 2 and openeth the savour of his knowledge by us, & such as suffer for his truth, although they shut us up never so much, and drive us never so far out of our own natural country in every place, The world for a time may deceive itself, thinking it hath the victory, but yet the end will try the contrary. Gen. 4. Did not Cain think he had the victory when Abel was slain? But how say you now, is it not found otherwise? Thought not the old world & men them living, that they were wise & well, and No a sole, Gen. 7.8. which would creep into an Ark, leaving his house, lands possessions? for I think he was in an honest state for the world: but I pray you, who was wise when the flood came: Abraham (I trow) was counted a fool to leave his own country and friends, kith & kin, because of god's word: Gen. i2. but dearly beloved, we know it proved otherwise. I will leave all the patriarchs & come to Moses, & the children of Israel. Tell me, were not they thought to be overcome and stark mad when for fear of Pharaoh at god's word, they ran into the red sea? Exod. 14. Did not Pharaoh and the Egyptians think themselves sure of the victory? But I trow, it proved clean contrary. Saul was thought well, and David in an evil case, 1. Regum. 16 17.18.19. and most miserable, because he had no hole to hide him in: but yet at the length saul's misery was seen, and David's felicity began to appear. The prophet Mycheas being cast into prison for telling Achab the truth, 3. Reg. 22. was thought to be overcome of Zedechias and the other false Prophets: but my god brethren and sisters, the holy history telleth otherwise. Who did not think the prophets unhappy in their time? jeremy. 20 Esay. 8. 4. Regum, 2. 1 Cor. 4 For they were slain prisoned, laughed to scorn and jested at of every man. And so were all the Apostles, yea the dearly beloved friend of God: than whom among the children of women none arose greater, I mean john baptist, who was beheaded and that in prison, even for a dancing Damosels desire. As all these to the judgement of reason, were then counted heretics, runagates, unlearned, fools, fishers, Publicans &c: so now unhappy and overcome in deed, if gods word and faith did not show the contrary. Rom. 8. But what speak I of these? Look upon jesus Christ to whom we must be like fashioned here, if we will be like him elsewhere. How say ye, was not he taken for a most fool, a seditious person, a new fellow, an heretic, and one overcome, of every body? yea even forsaken both of god & men? But the end told them and telleth us an other tale: for now is he in majesty and glory unspeakable. When he was led to Pilate or Herode, or when he was in prison in Cayphas house, did not there reason think, that he was overcome? When he was beaten, buffeted, scourged, crowned with thorn, hanged upon the cross, and utterly left of all his Disciples, taunted of the high priests and holy fathers, cursed of the commons, railed on of the Magistrates, and laughed to scorn of the lewd heathen: would not a man then have thought that he had been out of the way, and his disciples fools to follow him and believe him? Think ye that whyllest he did lie in his grave men did not point with their fingers, when they saw any that had followed and loved him, or believed in him and his doctrine, saying: where is their Master & teacher now? What? is he gone? Forsooth if they had not been fools they might well have known, that this learning he taught, could not long continue. Our Doctors & Pharesees are no fools now, they may see. On this sort either men spoke, or might have spoken against all such as loved Christ or his doctrine: but yet at the length, they and all such were proved fools and wicked wretches. For our Saviour arose maugre their beards, and published his gospel plentifully spite of their heads, & the heads of all the wicked world, with the great powers of the same, always overcoming, and then most of all, when he and his doctrine was thought to have the greatest fall. As now (dearly beloved) the wicked world rejoiceth: the papists are puffed up against poor Christ & his people after their old kind: now cry they out where are these new found preachers? Are they not in the Tower, Marshalsee, Fleet, and beyond the Seas? Who would have thought, that our old Bishops, Doctors, & Deans, were fools as they would have made us to believe, & in deed have persuaded some already which are not of the wisest, especially if they come not home again to the holy Church? These and such like words they have, to cast in our teeth, as tryumphers & conquerors. But dearly beloved, short is their joy, they beguile themselves. This is but a lightning before their death. Euse. eccl. hist. Lib. 3 cap. 5.6.7.8.9. As God after he had given the jews a time to repent, visited them by Vespasian and Titus most horribly to their utter subversion, delivering first all his people from among them: even so (my dear brethren) will he do with this age. When he hath tried his children from amongst them (as now he beginneth) and by suffering hath made us like to his Christ, and by being overcome, to overcome in deed to our eternal comfort: then will he, if not otherwise, come himself in the clouds, 1. Thess. 4. I mean our dear Lord whom we confess, preach and believe on: he will come (I say) with the blast of a Trump and shout of an archangel, and so shall we be caught up in the clouds to meet him in the air, Math. ●3. the Angels gathering together the wicked wretches, which now walter and wallow as the world and wind bloweth, to be tied in boundells and cast into the fire, which burneth for ever most painfully. There and then shall they see who hath the victory, they, or we. Luk. 16 Sapie. 3. When they shall see us a far of in Abraham's bosom, them will they say, oh, we thought these folks fools and had them in decision, we thought their life madness & their end to be without honour: but look how they are counted among the children of god, & their portion is with the Saints: Oh we have gone amiss and would not hearken. Such words as these, shall the wicked say one day in hell: whereas now they triumph as conquerors. And thus much for you thirdly to look often upon: namely that whatsoever is done unto you (yea even very death itself) shall not dash or hurt you, no more than it did Abel, David, Daniel, john Baptist, jesus Christ our Lord, with other the dear Saints of God which suffered for his name's sake. Let not reason therefore be judge in this matter, nor present sense, but faith and God's word, as I have showed. In the which, if we set before our eyes the shortness of this present time wherein we suffer, and consider the eternity to come: as our enemies and persecutors shall be in intolerable pains helpless, 1. Cor. 2 Isaiah. 64. and we if we persever to the end, in such felicity & joys dangerless, as the very heart of man in no point is able to conceive: if we consider this (I say) we can not but even contemn & set nothing by the sorrows & griefs of the cross, & lustily go through thick & thin with good courage. Thus have I declared unto you iii things necessary to be mused on of every one which will abide by Christ & his Gospel in this troublesome time, as I trust you all will: namely first to consider that we are not of this world, nor of the number of the worldlings, or retainers to Satan: that we are not at home in our own country, but of an other world, of the congregation of the Saints, & retainers to Christ, although in a region replete and full of untractable enemies. Secondly that we may not think it a strange thing to be persecuted for god's gospel, Heb. 2. from the which the dearest friends of god were in no age free, as in deed it is impossible that they should any long time be, their enemies being always about them to destroy them if they could. And thirdly that the assaults of our enemies, be they never so many & fierce, in no point shall be able to prevail against our faith, albeit to reason it seemeth otherwise. Wherthroughe we ought to conceive a good courage and comfort: for who will be afeard when he knoweth the enemies can not prevail? Now will I for the more encouraging you to the cross, give you a further memorandum: namely of the commodities and profits which come by the trouble & afflictions now risen and to arise to us which be gods children elect through jesus Christ. But here look not to have a rehearsal of all the commodities which come by the cross, to such as are exercised well therein: for that were more than I can do. I will only speak of a few, thereby to occasion you to gather, and at the length to feel and perceive more. first, in that there is no cross which cometh upon any of us without the counsel of our heavenly father (for as for the fancy of fortune, it is wicked, Amos. 3 Thren. 3 Math. 10 Isaiah. 45. as many places of the scripture do teach) we must needs, to the commendation of god's justice (for in all his doings he is just) ackdowledge in ourselves that we have deserved at the hands of our heavenly father, this his cross or rod fallen upon us. We have deserved it, if not by our unthankfulness, slothfulness, negligence, intemperancy, uncleanness, and other sins committed often by us (whereof our consciences can & will accuse us, if we call them to counsel, with the examination of our former life) yet at least by our original & birth sin, as by doubting of the greatness of god's anger and mercy, by self love, concupiscence, Psal. 51 Heb. 12 Gala. 5. and such like sins, which as we brought with us into this world, so do the same alway abide in us, and even as a spring do always bring something forth in act with us, notwithstanding the continual fight of God's spirit in us against it. The first commodity therefore that the cross bringeth, is knowledge, and that double: of God and of ourselves. Psalm. 51. Genesi. 8. jerem. 17. Ephesi. 17. 1. Regum. 8. Genes. 42. Of God, that he is just, pure & hateth sin. Of ourselves, that we are borne in sin, & are from top to toe defiled with concupiscence and corruption: out of the which hath sprung all the evils that ever at any time we have spoken & done. The greatest and most special whereof, by the cross we are occasioned to call to mind (as did the brethren of joseph) their evil fact against him, when the cross once came upon them. And so by it we come to the first step to get health for our souls, that is, we are driven to know our sins original and actual by God's justice declared in the cross. Secondly the end wherefore God declareth his justice against our sin original and actual, & would by his cross have us to consider the same and to call to mind our former evil deeds: the end hereof (I say) is this, that we might lament, be sorry, sigh and pray for pardon, that so doing we might obtain the same by the means of faith in the merits of jesus Christ his dear Son: and further that we being humbled because of the evil that dwelleth in us, might become thankful for God's goodness and love in continual watching and wariness to suppress the evil which lieth in us, jacob. 1. that it bring not forth fruits to death at any time. This second commodity of the cross therefore, must we not count to be a simple knowledge only, but a great gain of God's mercy, with wonderful rich and precious virtues of faith, repentance, remission of sins, humility, thankfulness, mortification, and diligence in doing good. Not that properly the cross worketh these things of itself, but because the cross is the mean and way by the which God worketh the knowledge and feeling of these things in his children: as many, both testimonies and examples in Scriptures are easily found of them, that diligently way what therein they read. To these too commodities of the cross, join the third of God's singular wisdom, that it may be coupled with his justice and mercy. On this sort therefore let us conceive when we see the Gospel of God and his Church persecuted and troubled, as now with us it is, that because the great learned and wise men of the world use not their wisdom to love and serve God, as to natural wisdom and reason he openeth himself manifestly by his visible creatures: Rom. 1. therefore doth God justly infatuate and make them foolish, giving them up to unsensibleness, especially herein. For on this manner reason they concerning the affliction which cometh for the Gospel: If (say they) this were God's word, if these people were God's children, surely God would then bless and prosper them & their doctrine. But now in that there is no doctrine so much hated, no people so much persecuted as they be: therefore it can not be of God. Rather this is of God which our Queen & old Bishops have professed. For how hath God preserved them and kept them? what a notable victory hath GOD given unto her, where it was impossible that things should so have come to pass as they have done? And did not the great Captain confess his fault that he was out of the way, and not of the faith which these gospelers profess? How many are come again, from that which they professed to be gods word? The most part of this realm (notwithstanding the diligence of preachers to persuade them concerning this new learning, which now is persecuted) never consented to it in heart, as experience teacheth. And what plagues have come upon this realm sithen this gospel (as they call it) came in amongst us? Afore, we had plenty but now there is nothing like as it was. Moreover all the houses of the parliament have overthrown the laws made for the stablishing of this gospel and religion, and new laws are erected for the continuance of the contrary. How miraculously doth God confound their doctrine and confirm ours? For how was wyatt overthrown? How prosperously came in our King? How hath God blessed our Queen with fruit of womb? How is the Pope's holiness restored again to his right? All these do teach plainly that this their doctrine is not gods word. Thus reason the worldly wise which see not gods wisdom. For else if they considered that there was with us unthankfulness for the gospel, no amendment of life, but all kind of contempt of God, all kind of shameless sinning ensued the preaching of the Gospel: they must needs see that God could not but chastise and correct: and as he let Satan loose, Apoc. 20. after he had bound him a certain time, for unthankfulness of men: so to let these Champions of Satan run abroad, by them to plague us for our unthankfulness. Great was gods anger against Achab because he saved Benadad king of Syria, after he had given him into his hands, 3. Reg. 20. and afterward it turned to his own destruction. God would that double sorrow should have been repaid to them by cause of the sorrow they did to the saints of God. Read the .18. of the revelation. As for the victory given to the queens highness, if men had any godly wit, they might see many things in it. First god hath done it to win her heart to the Gospel. Again, he hath done it, aswell because they that went against her, put their trust in horses and power of men, and not in God, as because in their doing they sought not the propagation of god's gospel: which thing is now plainly seen. Therefore no marvel why god fought against them: would they were hypocrites, and under the cloak of the Gospel, would have debarred the queens highness of her right, but god would not so cloak them. Now for the relenting, returning, & recanting of some from that which they once professed or preached: alas, who would wonder at it? for they never came to the gospel but for commodity & gains sake, and now for gain they leave it. The multitude is no good argument to move a wise man. For who knoweth not more to love this world, better than heaven: themselves better than their neighbours. Wide is the gate (saith Christ) and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, Math. 7 and many there be that go in thereat. But straight is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. All the whole multitude cry out upon jesus, crucify him truss him up: but (I trow) not because they were the bigger part, Gene. 12. therefore they were to be believed. All Chaldee followed still their false gods: only Abraham followed the true god. And where they say the greater plagues are fallen upon the realm in poverty and such other things then before, is no argument to move others than such as love their swine better than Christ. Math. 8. For the Devil chief desireth his seat to be in religion. If it be there, them he will meddle with nothing we have: all shall be quiet enough. But if he be raised thence, them will he beg leave to have at our pigs. Read Math. 8. of the Gergesites. As long as with us he had the ruling of religion, which now he hath gotten again: then was he Robin good fellow: he would do no hurt. But when he was tumbled out of his throne by preaching of the gospel, then ranged he about as he hath done, but secretly. Ephesi. 2 Finally, effectual he hath not been, but in the children of unbelief. Then in deed hath he stirred up to be covetous, oppressors, blasphemers, useres, whoremongers, thieves, murderers, tyrants, and yet perchance he suffered them to profess the Gospel, the more thereby to hinder it, & cause it to be slandered. How many now do appear to have been true gospelers? As for the parliament & statutes thereof, no man of wisdom can think otherwise, but that look what the rulers will, the same must there be enacted. For it goeth not in those houses by the better part, but by the bigger . And it is a comen saying, & no less true: maior pars vincit me liorem, the greater part overcometh the better. 7 john. So they did in condemning Christ, not regarding the counsel of Nicodemus. So they did also in many general Counsels. But all wise men know the acts of parliament are not for gods law in respect of gods law, but in respect of the people. Now what we are god knoweth, and all the world seeth: more meet a great deal, to have the devils decrees than gods religion: so great is our contempt of it: and therefore justly for our sins (as job saith) God hath set hypocrites to reign over us, joh. 34 which can no more abide gods true religion, then the Owl the light, or bleared eyes the bright Sun: for it will have them to do their duties & walk in diligent doing of the works of their vocation. If gods word (I mean) had place, bishops could not play chancellors & idle prelate's as they do. priests should be otherwise known then by their shaven crowns and typets. But enough of this. As for miracles of success against Wyatt & other: of the Kings coming in, &c: I would to god men would consider two kinds of miracles: one to prepare & confirm men in the doctrine which they have received, & an other to prove and try men how they have received it, and how they will stick unto it. Of the former, these myrabe not, but of the second. Now by this success given to the Queen. God trieth whether we will stick to his truth simply for his truth sake, or no. This is a mighty elusion which god sendeth to prove his people, and to deceive the hypocrites which receive not gods truth simply but in respect of gain, praise, estimation. Read how Achab was deceived. 2. Thess. 2. Deut. 13. But I will now return to the third commodity coming by the cross. Here let us see the wisdom of God in making the wisdom of the world foolish, which knoweth little of man's corruption how foul it is in the sight of god, and displeaseth him: which knoweth little the portion of god's people to be in an other world▪ which knoweth little the patron of Christians Christ jesus: which knoweth little the general judgement of GOD: the great malice of Satan to God's people: Luk. 12. the price and estimation of the Gospel: and therefore in the cross seeth not, as god's wisdom would we should see, namely that god in punishing them which sin least, would have his anger against sin seen most and to be better considered & feared. In punishing his people here he kindleth their desire towards their restful home. In punishing his servants in this life, he doth conform and make them like to Christ, Phi. 1. that as they be like in suffering, so shall they be in reigning. In punishing his church in the world, he doth give a demonstration of his judgement which shall come on all men, when the godly shall there find rest, though now they be afflicted: and the wicked now wallowing in wealth shallbe wrapped in woe and smart. In punishing the proprofessers of his gospel in earth, he setteth forth the malice of Satan against the gospel and his people, Acts. 16 for the more confyrming of their faith & the gospel to be gods word in deed, and they be gods people: for else the Devil would let them alone. In punishing the lovers of his truth more than others which care not for it, he putteth them in mind how they have not had in price as they should have had, the jewel of his word and gospel. Psalm. 119 Before such trial and experience came, perchance they thought they had believed & had had faith, which now they see was but a lip faith, a mock faith, or an opinion. All which things we see are occasions for us to take better heed, by mean of the cross. Therefore third lie let us consider the cross to be commodious for us, to learn gods wisdom, and what is man's foolishness: gods displeasure at sin: a desire to be with god: the conformity with Christ: the general judgement: the malice of Satan: hatred of sin: the gospel to be gods word, and how it is to be esteemed, etc. Thus much for this. Now will I four briefly show you, the cross or trouble to be profitable for us to learn and behold better, the providence, presence, and power of god, that all these may be coupled together as in a chain to hang about our necks: I mean god's justice, mercy, wisdom power, presence, and providence. When all things be in rest, and men be not in trouble, than they are forgetful of god commonly, and attribute to much to their own wisdom, polices, providence diligence, as though they were the procurers of their own fortune and workers of their own weal. But when the cross cometh, and that in such sort as their wits policies and friends cannot help, though the wicked despair, run from god to saints, & such other unlawful means: yet do the godly therein behold the presence, the providence and power of God. For the Scripture teacheth all things to come from God, weal, and woe: Amos. 3 and that the same should be looked upon as gods work, although Satan the Devil be often an instrument by whom god worketh justly and mercifully. justly to the wicked, & mercifully to the godly: Thren. 3 Esay 45 Math. 10. as by the examples of wicked Saul and godly job, easily we may see gods work by Satan, his instrument in them both. The children of god therefore, which before forgot god in prosperity, now in adversity are awaked to see God in his work, and no more to hang on their own forecasts, power, friends, wisdom, riches, &c: but learn to cast themselves on gods providence and power, whereby they are so preserved and governed, and very often miraculously delivered, that the very wicked cannot but see gods providence, presence, and power in the cross and affliction of his children, as they (his children I mean) to their joy do feel it, Esay. 45. Ose. 1. 1 Reg. 2 Luke. 1. Psalm. 139 1. pet 5 thereby learning to know GOD to be the governor of all things. He it is that giveth peace: he it is that sendeth war: he giveth plenty and poverty: he setteth up and casteth down: he bringeth to death & after giveth life: his presence is every where: his providence is within & without: his power is the pillar whereby the godly stand, and to it they lean, as to the thing no less able to set up, then to cast down. Which thing full well the apostle saw in his afflictions, & therefore rejoiced greatly in them, 2. Cor. 4 that eminentia virtutis Dei, gods power might singularly be seen therein. Concerning this thing I might bring forth innumerable examples, of the affliction of gods children, both in the old and new testament: wherein we may see how they felt gods presence, providence, and power plentifully. But I will omit examples, because every one of us that have been or be in trouble, cannot but by the same remember gods presence which we feel by his hand upon us: his providence which leaveth us not unprovided for, without any of our own provision: and his power which both preserveth us from many other evils which else would come upon us, & also maketh us able to bear more than we thought we could have done. So very often doth he deliver us by such means, as have been thought most foolish, and little to have been regarded, and therefore we shake of our sleep of security, & forgetting of god: our trust & shift in our own policies: out hanging on men, or on our own power. So that the cross you see is commodious four, for to see gods presence, providence & power, & our negligence, forgetfulness of god, security, self love, trust, and confidence in ourselves, and things in this life to be cast of, as the other are to be taken hold on. And this shall suffice for the commodities which come by the cross, wherethrough we may be in love with it for the commodities sake: which at length we shall find, though presently in sense we feel them not. Heb. 12 No castigation or punishment is sweet for the present instant saith the apostle, but afterwards the end & work of the thing, is otherwise. As we see in medicines, the more wholesome that they be, the more unpleasant is the taste thereof: as in pills, potions, and such like bitter stuff: yet we will on the physicians word drink them gladly for the profit which cometh of them. And dearly beloved, although to lose life and goods or friends for gods gospel sake, it seem a bitter & sour thing, yet in that our physician which cannot lie, jesus Christ I mean, doth tell us that it is very wholesome, howsoever it be toothsome, let us with good cheer take the cup at his hand & drink it merrily. If the cup seem unpleasant & the drink to bitter, Exod. 15 let us put some sugar therein even a piece of that which Moses cast into the bitter water and made the same pleasant. I mean an ounce, yea a dram of Christ's afflictions & cross, 1. pet. 4 which he suffered for us. If we call this to mind, & cast of them into our cup (considering what he was, what he suffered, of whom, for whom, to what end, & what came thereof) surely we cannot loath our medicine but wink & drink it lustily. Lustily therefore drink the cup which christ giveth and will give unto you my good brethren and Sisters: I mean prepare yourselves to suffer, whatsoever god will lay upon you for the confessing of his holy name. If not because of these three things, that ye are not of the world: ye suffer not alone, your trouble shall not hurt you: yet for the commodities which come of the cross. I beseech you heartily to embrace it. The fight is but short, the joy is exceeding great. Oportet semper orare, Luke. 18 we must pray always. Then shall we undoubted lie be directed in all things by gods holy spirit which christ hath promised to be our doctor, teacher and comforter, and therefore we need not to fear what man or devil can do unto us either by false teaching or cruel persecution: john. 14 15, 16. for our pastor is such a one, that none can take his sheep out of his hands. Thus much, Psal. 27, Heb. 13 1. pet 2 joh. 10 1. pet. 5. Act. 2. Exo. 20 my dear brethren and sisters in our dear lord & saviour jesus Christ, I thought good to write unto you for your comfort. From the which, if ye for fear of man loss of goods, friends or life, do serve or departed, them ye depart, and serve from Christ, & so snarl yourselves in Satan's sophistry to your utter subversion. Therefore as S. Peter saith, watch & be sober, for as a roaring Lion he seeketh to devour you. Be strong in faith, that is, mammer not nor waver not in gods promises but believe certainly, that they pertain to you: that god is with you in trouble: that he will deliver you, & glorify you. Psalm. 93. Math. 26. But yet see that ye call upon him, specially, that ye enter not into temptation, as he taught his Disciples even at such time as he saw Satan desire to sift them, Luke. 22. as now he hath done to sift us. O dear saviour prevent him now as thou didst then with thy prayer, I beseech thee, and grant that our faith faint not, but strengthen us to confirm the weak, that they deny not thee and thy Gospel, 2. Pet. 2 Math. 10. Heb. 6.10. Mar. 8. Luke. i1 that they return not to their vomit, stumbling on those sins from the which there is no recovery, causing thee to deny them before thy father, making their later end worse than the beginning: as it chanced to Loathes wife, judas Iscariot, Frances Spira, and to many others. But rather strengthen them and us all in thy grace, and in those things which thy word teacheth, that we may here hazard our life for thy sake, and so shall we be sure to save it: as if we seek to save it, Math. 6 we cannot but lose it, and that being lost, what profit can we have, if we win the whole world. Oh set thou always before our eyes, not as reason doth, this life, the pleasure of the same, death of the body, and prisonment, &c: but everlasting life, and those unspeakable joys which undoubtedly they shall have, which take up the cross and follow thee, and eternal hell fire and destruction of soul and body for evermore which they must needs at length fall into, the which are afraid for the hoar frost of adversity that man or the Devil stirreth up to stop or hinder us for going forward our journey to heavens bliss, to the which do thou bring us for thy name's sake, Amen. Your own in the Lord, john Bradford. ¶ To my dear friend and brother in the Lord Master George Eton. Almighty God our dear father give to you daily more and more, the knowledge of his truth, and a love and life to the same for ever in all things, through jesus christ our Lord, Amen. I should begin with thanks giving to god, and to you as his steward, for the great benefits I have oftentimes received from you, and specially in this time of of my most need, far above my expectation: but because thankfulness lieth not in words or letters, and because you look not to hear of your well doing of man, I am purposed to pass it over with silence and to give myself presently to that which is more profitable unto you: that is, as god shall lend me his grace, briefly to labour, or at least to show my good will, to help you in gods gift to me, as you by your doing the like in gods gift unto you, have, as already done, so occasioned me greatly hereto. I would gladly have done it heretofore, but I have been discouraged to write unto you, least hurt thereby might come unto you: which is the only cause I have not hitherto writted, nor now would not have done, but that I stand in adout whether ever hereafter I shall have liberty to write unto you. And therefore whilst I something may, I thought good to do thus much, to declare unto you, how that, as I think myself much bound to God for you: so I desire to gratify the same as God should enable me. The days are come and more and more do approach, in the which trial will be of such as have unfeignedly red and heard the gospel: for all others will abide no trial but as the world will. But of you because I have better hope, I cannot but, as pray to god, in him to confirm you: so to beseech you of the same. I know it will be a dangerous thing in deed to declare that which in word you have confessed, and in heart have believed, specially concerning the papistical Mass: but notwithstanding, we must not for dangers depart from the truth, except we will departed from God. For in as much as GOD is the truth, and the truth is God, he that departeth from the one departeth from the other. Now what a thing it is to depart from God, I need not to tell you, because you know it is no less than a departing from all that good is, and not only so, but also a coupling of yourself to all that evil is: for there is no mean, either we depart from god and stick to the devil, or depart from the devil and stick to God. Some men there be, which for fear of danger and lo●le of that they must leave, when, where, and to whom, they know not, do deceive themselves after the just judgement of God, to believe the devil, because they have no lust to believe God, in hearkening to Satan's counsel of parting stake with God: as to be persuaded that it is not evil, or else no great evil, inwardly in heart to conceal the truth, and outwardly in fact to betray it. And therefore, though they know the Mass to be abomination, yet they make it but a straw in going to it as the world doth: in which thing the Lord knoweth they deceive themselves to damnation, dream they as they lust. For surely the body departing from the verity, and so from god, will draw and drown in damnation, the soul also. For we shall receive according to that we do in the body, good or bad. And therefore the matter is more to be considered then men make of it: the more it is to be lamented. But I trust (my right dearly beloved) you will consider this with yourself, and call your conscience to account, as god's word maketh the charge. Beware of false Auditors, which making a false charge, can get no quietness of the conscience after god's word. Therefore cast your charge, and there shall you see, that no belief of the heart justfieth, which hath not confession of the mouth to declare the same. No man can serve ii Masters. He that gathereth not with Christ (as no mass seer unreproving it doth) scattereth abroad. God's chosen are such as not only have good hearts, but also kiss not their hands, nor bow their knee to Baal. Christ's Disciples are none but such as deny themselves, take up their cross & follow him. He that is ashamed of Christ his truth in this generation, must look that Christ will be ashamed of him in the day of judgement. He that denieth Christ before men, shall be denied before God. Now, two kinds of denial there be, yea three kinds: one in heart, an other in word, & the third in deed. In the which kinds, all mass gospelers be so bitten, that all the Surgeons in the world can lay no healing plaster thereto till repentance appear and draw out the matte● of using the evil and resorting to the Mass. For pure should we be from all spots, not only of the flesh, but also of the spirit. And our duty is to depart, not only from evil, that is, from the Mass. But also from the appearance of evil, that is, from coming at it. Woe unto them that give offence to the children of God: that is, which occasion by any means, any to tarry in the church at Mass time, much more then, they which occasion any to come thereto: most of all they which enforce any thereto. Assuredly a most heavy vengeance of go● hangeth upon such. Such as decline to their crookedness, God will lead on with wicked workers, whose portion shall be snares, Psa. 11. fire, brimstone, & stormy tempests: Whose Palace and home shall be hell fire and darkness: Whose cheer shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth: Whose song shall be woe, woe, woe, from the which the lord of mercy deliver us. My dearly beloved, I writ not this, as one that thinketh not well of you, but as one that would you did well, and therefore to help you thereto, I writ as I writ. Beseeching God to open your eyes to see the dangers men be in that dissemble with God and man, to the end you do not the like: and also to open your eyes to see the high service you do to God, in adventuring yourself and that you have for his sake. Oh that men's eyes were opened to see that the glory of God resteth upon them, that suffer any thing for his sake. Oh that we considered that it is happiness to suffer any thing for Christ's sake, which have deserved to suffer so much for our sins & iniquities. Oh that our eyes were opened to see the great reward they shall have in heaven, which suffer the loss of any thing for God's sake. If we knew the cross to be as a purgation most profitable to the soul, as a purifying fire to burn the dross away of our dyrtinesse and sins, as an oven to bake us in, to be the lords bread, as soup to make us white, as a stew to mundify and cleanse us, as God's framehouse to make us like to Christ here in suffering, that we may be so in reigning: then should we not so much care for this little short sorrow which the flesh suffereth in it: but rather in consideration of the exceeding endless joy and comfort which will ensue, we should run fowards in our race, after the example of our Captain Christ: who comfort us all in our distress, and give us the spirit of prayer, therein to watch and pray, that we be not led into temptation: which God grant to us for ever, Amen. And thus much I thought good to write to you at this present, to declare my carefulness for the well doing of you, and all your family, whom I commend with you into the hands and tuition of God our Father, So be it. Your own in the Lord. john Bradford. another letter to Master George Eton. almighty God our heavenly father, recompense abundantly into your bosom (my dearelye-beloved) here and eternally, the good which from him by you I have continually received, sithen my coming into prison. Otherwise can I never be able to requite your loving kindness here, then by praying for you, and after this life, by witnessing your faith declared to me by your fruits, when we shall come & appear together before the throne of our saviour jesus Christ: whether (I thank god) I am even now a going, ever looking when the officers will come & satisfy the precept of the Prelates, whereof, though I can not complain, because I have justly deserved an hundredth. M. deaths at gods hands by reason of my sins, yet I may and must rejoice, because the Prelates do not persecute in me mine iniquities, but Christ jesus & his verity: so that they persecute not me, they hate not me, but they persecute Christ, they hate Christ. And because they can do him no hurt (for he sitteth in heaven & laugheth them & their devices to scorn, as one day they shall feel) therefore they turn their rage upon his poor sheep, as Herode their father did upon the infants. Math. 2. Great cause therefore have I to rejoice, that my dear Saviour Christ will vouchsafe amongst many, to choose me to be a vessel of grace to suffer in me (which have deserved so often & justly to suffer for my sins) that I might be most assured I shall be a vessel of honour, in whom he will be glorified. Therefore (my right dear brother in the lord) rejoice with me, give thanks for me, and cease not to pray, the god for his mercy's sake would make perfect the good he hath begun in me. And as for the doctrine which I have professed & preached, I unto you do confess in writing, as to the whole world I shortly shall by god's grace in suffering, that it is the very true doctrine of jesus Christ, of his Church, of his Prophets, Apostles, & all good men: so that if an angel should come from heaven and preach otherwise, the same were accursed. Therefore waver not (dear heart in the Lord) but be confirmed in it, and as your vocation requireth, when God so will, confess it, though it be perilous so to do. The end shall evidenlye show an other manner of pleasure for so doing, than tongue can tell. Be diligence in prayer, and watch therein. Use reverent reading of God's word. Set the shortness of this time before your eyes, & let not the eternity that is to come departed out of your memory. practise in doing that you learn, by reading & hearing. Decline from evil & pursue good. Remember them that be in bonds, especially for the lords cause, as members of your body and fellow heirs of grace. Forget not the afflictions of Zion, and the oppression of jerusalem: and god our father shall give you his continual blessing, through Christ our Lord, who guide us as his dear children for ever, Amen. And thus I take my Vale and farewell with you (dear brother) for ever in this present life, till we shall meet in eternal bliss: whether our good God and father bring us shortly, Amen. God bless all your babes for ever, Amen. Out of prison this .8. of Februarye. Your afflicted brother for the lords cause. john Bradford A letter written to his Mother, as a farewell, when he thought he should have suffered shortly after. TThe Lord of life and Saviour of the world jesus Christ, bless you and comfort you, my good and dear Mother, with his heavenly comfort, consolation, grace and spirit now and for ever Amen. If I thought that daily, yea almost hourly you did not cry upon God the father through jesus Christ, that he would give me his blessing, even the blessing of his children: then would I write more hereaboutes. But for as much as herein I am certain you are diligent, and so I beseech you good Mother to continue: I think it good to write something whereby this your crying might be furthered. Furthered it will be, if those things which hinder it be taken away. Among the which, in that I think my imprisonment is the greatest and chiefest, I will there about spend this letter, and that briefly, least it might increase the let, as my good brother this bringer can tell you. You shall know therefore good Mother, He meaneth the danger of more street imprisonment that might hereby follow that for my body, though it be in an house out of the which I can not come when I will, yet in that I have conformed my will to God's will, I find herein liberty enough I thank God. And for my lodging, bedding, meat, drink, Godly and learned company, books and all other necessaries for mine ease, comfort, and commodity, I am in much better case than I could wish, and Gods merciful providence here is far above my worthiness. Worthiness quoth I? Alas I am worthy of nothing but damnation. But besides all this, for my soul I find much more commodity. For god is my father, I now perceive, through Christ: therefore in prisoning me for his Gospel, he maketh me like to the image of his Son jesus Christ here, that when he cometh to judgement, I might then belike unto him, as my trust and hope is I shall be. Now maketh he me like to his friends the Prophets, Apostles, the holy Martyrs and Confessors. Which of them did not suffer, at the least, imprisonment or bannyshment for his Gospel and word? Now Mother, how far am I unmeet to be compared to them? I (I say) which always have been and am so vile an hypocrite and grievous a sinner? God might have caused me long before this time to have been cast into prison as a thief, a blasphemer, an unclean liver, and an heinous offender of the laws of the Realm, but dear Mother, his mercy is so great upon both you and me and all that love me, that I should be cast into prison as none of these, or for any such vices: but only for his Christ's sake, for his Gospels sake, for his Church's sake: that hereby, as I might learn to lament and bewail my ingratitude and sins: so I might rejoice in his mercy, be thankful, look for eternal joy with Christ, for whose sake (praised be his name for it) I now suffer, and therefore should be merry and glad. And in deed good Mother, so I am, as ever I was, yea never so merry and glad was I, as I now should be, if I could get you to be merry with me, to thank God for me, and to pray on this sort. Ah good father which dost vouchsafe that my son being a grievous sinner in thy fight, should find this favour with thee, to be one of thy sons captains, and men of war to fight and suffer for his Gospels sake. I thank thee and pray thee in Christ's name that thou wouldst forgive him his sins and unthankfulness, and make perfect in him that good which thou haste begun: yea Lord I pray thee make him worthy to suffer not only imprisonment, but even very death for thy truth, religion and gospels sake. As Anna did apply and give her first child Samuel unto thee: so do I dear father, beseeching thee for Christ's sake to accept this my gift, and give my son john Bradford grace always truly to serve thee and thy people as Samuel did, Amen, Amen. If on this sort Mother, from your heart you would pray, as I should be the most meryest man that ever was, so am I certain the lets of your prayer for my imprisonment, would be taken away. Good Mother therefore mark what I have written, and learn this prayer by heart, to say it daily, and then I shall be merry, and you shall rejoice: if that you continue as I trust you do, in God's true religion, even the same I have taught you, and my father Traves (I trust) will put you in remembrance of: my brother Roger also I trust doth so daily. Go to therefore and learn apace. Although the devil cast diverse lets in the way, God, in whom you trust, will cast them away for his Christ's sake, if you will call upon him, and never will he suffer you to be tempted above that he will make you able to bear. But how you should do herein, the other letter I have written herewith, shall teach you, This letter cometh not to our hands. which I would none should read till my father Traves have red it, and he will give you by God's grace, some instructions. Now therefore will I make an end, praying you good Mother, to look for no more letters: for if it were known that I have pen and ink and did write, then should I want all the foresaid comedies I have spoken of concerning my body, and be cast into some dungeon in fetters of iron: which thing I know would grieve you, & therefore for god's sake, see that these be burned when this little prayer in it, is copied out by my brother Roger: for perchance your house may be searched for such gear, when you think little of it, & look for no more sweet Mother, till either God shall deliver me and send me out, either you and I shall mere together in heaven, where we shall never part a sunder, Amen. I require you Elizabeth & Margeret my sisters, that you will fear God, use prayer, love your husbands, be obedient unto them, as God willeth you: bring up your children in God's fear: and be good housewives. God bless you both, with both your husbands my good brethren, whom to do good, because I now can not, I will pray for them and you. Commend me to my sister Anne, Mother Pike, T. Sorrocold and his wife, R. Shalcrosse and his wife, R. Bolton, I. wild, M. Vicar, the person of Mottrom, Sir Laurence Hall, with all that love, and I trust live the Gospel: and God turn Sir Thomas his heart, Amen. I will daily pray for him. I nedee not to set my name, you know it well enough. Because you should give my letters to father Traves to be burned, I have written here a prayer for you to learn to pray for me good Mother, and an other for all your house in your evening prayer to pray with my brother. These prayers are written with mine own hand: Keep them still, but the letters give to father Traves to burn, and give father Traves a copy of the latter pray. Another letter to his Mother, as his last farewell unto her in this world a little before he was burned. GOds mercy and peace in Christ, be more and more perceived of us, Amen, My most dear Mother in the bowels of Christ, I heartily pray & beseech you to be thankful for me unto God, which thus now taketh me unto himself. I die not, my good Mother, as a thief, a murderer, an adulterer &c: but I die as a witness of Christ his gospel & verity, which hitherto I have confessed (I thank god) as well by preaching, as by prisonment, and now even presently I shall most willingly confirm the same by fire. I knowledge that god most justly might take me hence simply for my sins (which are many, great and grievous, but the Lord for his mercy in Christ, hath pardoned them all I hope) but now dear Mother, he taketh me hence by this death, as a confessor and witness that the religion taught by Christ jesus, the Prophets and the Apostles, is god's truth. The prelate's do persecute in me Christ whom they hate, and his truth which they may not abide, because their works are evil and may not abide the truth and light, lest men should see their darkness. Therefore my good and most dear Mother, give thanks for me to god, that he hath made the fruit of your womb to be a witness of his glory, and attend to the truth which (I thank god for it) I have truly taught out of the pulpit of Manchester. Use often and continual prayer to God the father through Christ. hearken, as you may, to the scriptures: serve God after his word and not after custom: beware of the romish religion in England, defile not yourself with it: carry Christ's cross as he shall say it upon your back: forgive them that kill me: pray for them, for they know not what they do: commit my cause to god our father: be mindful of both your daughters to help them as you can. I send all my writings to you by my brother Roger: do with them as you will, because I cannot as I would: he can tell you more of my mind. I have nothing to give you or to leave behind me for you: only I pray God my father for his Christ's sake, to bless you and keep you from evil. He give your patience, he make you thankful, as for me so so for yourself, that will take the fruit of your womb to witness his verity: wherein I confess to the whole world I die, and depart this life in hope of a much better: which I look for at the hands of god my father through the merits of his dear son jesus Christ. Thus my dear Mother I take my last farewell of you in this life, beseeching the almighty and eternal father by Christ, to grant us to meet in the life to come, where we shall give him continual thanks and praise for ever and ever, Amen. ¶ Out of prison the .24. of june, 1555. Your son in the Lord, john Bradforde. To one by whom he had received much comfort and relief in his trouble and imprisonment. THe mercy of god in Christ, peculiar to his children, be ever more felt of you, my dearly beloved in the lord, Amen. When I consider with myself the benefits which God hath showed unto me by your means, if I had so good and thankful a heart as I would I had, I could not with dry eyes give him thanks: for certainly they are very many and great. And now being yet still the lords prisoner. I perceive from him more benefits by you. For the which I think myself so much bound to you, my good brother (although you were but the instrument by whom god wrought and blessed me) that I look not to come out of your debt by any pleasure or service that I shall ever be able to do you in this life. I shall heartily pray unto god therefore to requite you the good you have done to me for his sake: for I know that which you have done, you have done it simply in respect of god & his word. He therefore give you daily more & more to be tonfirmed in his truth & word, & so plentifully pour upon you the riches of his holy spirit and heavenvly treasures laid up in store for you, that your corporal & earthly riches may be used of you as sacraments & significations thereof: the more to desire the one, that is the heavenvly, and the less to esteem the other, that is the earthly. For Satan's sollitation is, so to set before you the earthly, that therein and thereby you should not have access to the consideration of the heavenly, but as one bewitched should utterly forget them, and altogether become a lover & worshipper of the earthly Mammon, & so to fall to covetousness & a desire to be rich, by the means to bring you into many noisome and hurtful lusts: as now adaiss I hear of many which have utterly forsaken god & all his heavenvly riches, for Antichrists pleasure & the preserving of their worldly pelf, which they imagine to leave to their posterity: whereof they are uncertain, as they may be most certain they leave to them gods wrath & vengeance, in his time to be sent by visitation, if they in time, heartily repent not, & prevent not the same, by earnest prayer. Wherein my good brother, if you be diligent, hearty, & persever, I am sure god will preserve you from evil & from yielding yourself to do as the world now doth, by allowing in bodily fact in the Romish service, that which the inward cogitation & mind doth disallow. But if you be cold in prayer & come into consideration of earthly & present things simply, than shall you fall into faithless follies, & wounding of your conscsence: from which god evermore preserve you with your good wife & your babe Leonard & all your family, to that which I wish the blessing of God now and for ever, through Christ our Lord, Amen. I pray you give thanks for me to your old bedfellow, for his great friendship for your sake showed to me, when I was in the Tower. john Bradford. To my dearly beloved Sister Mistress A. W. THe everlasting peace of Christ be more & more lively felt in our hearts, by the operation of the holy ghost, now and for ever, Amen. Although I know it to be more than needeth, to write any thing unto you, good Sister, being (as I dont not you be) diligently exercised in reading of the scriptures, meditating the same, & hearty prayer to god for the help of his holy spirit, to have the sense & feeling especially of the comforts you read in gods sweet book: yet having such opportunity, & knowing not whether hereafter I shall have the like (as this bringer can declare) I thought good in few words to take my farewell in writing, because otherwise I can not. And now me thinks I have done it. For what else can I, or should I say unto you (my dearly beloved in the lord) but farewell: Farewell dear Sister, farewell. How be it in the lord, our lord (I say) farewell. In him shall you farewell, & so much the better, by how much in yourself you far evil, & shall far evil. When I speak of yourself, I mean also this world, this life, & all things properly pertaining to this life. In them as you look not for your welfare, so be not dismayed when accordingly; you shall not feel it. To the lord our god, to the Lamb our Christ, which hath borne our sins on his back, and is our mediator for ever, do I send you. In him look for welfare, & that without all wavering, because of his own goodness and truth, which our evilness and untruth cannot take away. Not that therefore I would have you to flatter yourself in any evil or unbelief, but that I would comfort you, that they should not dismay you. Yours is our Christ wholly: Yours I say he is, with all that ever he hath. Is not this welfare trow you? Mountains shall move and the earth shall fall, before you find it otherwise: say the liar Satan what he list. Therefore good Sister farewell, and be merry in the Lord: be merry I say, for you have good cause. If your welfare, joy, and salvation hanged upon any other thing, then only god's mercy and truth, then might you well be sad, heavy, and stand in a doubt. But in that it hangeth only upon these two, tell Satan he lieth, when he would have you to stand in a mammering, by causing you to cast your eyes, which only in this case should be set on Christ your sweet saviour, on yourself in some part. In deed look on yourself, on your faith, on your love, obedience etc. to awake you up from security, to stir you up to diligence in doing the things appertaining to your vocation: but when you would be at peace with god, and have true consolation in your conscience, altogether look upon the goodness of god in Christ. Think on this commandment, which precedeth all others, that you must have no other gods but the Lord jehovah, which is your Lord and god: the which he could not be, if that he did not pardon your sins in very deed. Remember that Christ commandeth you to call him father for the same intent. And hereto call to mind all the benefits of god hitherto showed upon you: and so shall you feel in very deed, that which I wish unto you now, and pray you to wish unto me, farewell or welfare in the Lord jesus: with whom he grant us shortly to meet as his children, for his name and mercies sake, to our eternal welfare, Amen, Amen, Your own in the Lord. john Bradford. ¶ An other letter to Mistress A.W. ALmighty god our heavenly father for his Christ's sake, increase in us faith, by which we may more and more see what glory and honour is reposed, and safely kept in heaven, for all them that believe with the heart, and confess Christ and his truth with the mouth, Amen. My dearly beloved, I remember that once heretofore I wrote unto you a Vale or a farewell upon conjecture: but now I write my farewell to you in this life in deed, upon certain knowledge. My staff standeth at the door: I continually look for the Sheriff to come for me, and I thank God, I am ready for him. Now go I to practise that which I have preached. Now am I climbing up the hill: it will cause me to puff and blow before I come to the cliff. The hill is step and high: my breath is short, and my strength is feeble: pray therefore to the lord for me, that as I have now through his goodness, even almost come to the top, I may by his grace, be strengthened, not to rest till I come where I should be. Oh loving Lord, put out thy hand and draw me unto thee: for no man cometh, but he whom the father draweth. See (my dearly beloved) gods loving mercy: he knoweth my short breath and great weakness. As he sent for Helias a f●ry chariot, so sendeth he for me: for by fire my dross must be purified, that I may be fine gold in his sight. Oh unthankful wretch that I am: Lord do thou forgive me mine unthankfulness. In deed I confess (right dear to me in the lord) that my sins have deserved hell fire: much more then, this fire. But lo, so loving is my Lord, that he converteth the remedy for my sins, the punishment for my transgressions, into a testimonial of his truth, and a testification of his verity, which the Prelates do persecute in me, and not my sins: therefore they persecute not me but Christ in me, which I doubt not will take my part unto the very end, Amen. Oh that I had so open an heart, as could so receive as I should do, this great benefit and unspeakable dignity, which God my father offereth to me. Now pray for me (my dearly beloved) pray for me that I never shrink. I shall never shrink I hope, I trust in the Lord, I shall never shrink: for he that always hath taken my part, I am assured will not leave me when I have most need, for his truth & merties sake. Oh Lord help me: into thy hands I commend me wholly. In the Lord is my my trust, I care not what man can do unto me, Amen. My dearly beloved say you Amen also, and come after if so god call you. Be not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, but keep company with him still. He will never leave you: but in the midst of temptation will give you an outscape, to make you able to bear the brunt. Use hearty prayer: reverently read and hear gods word: put it in practice: look forth cross: lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh: know that the death of gods saints is precious in his sight: be merry in the Lord: pray for the mitigation of gods heavy displeasure upon our country. God keep us for ever: God bless us with his spiritual blessings in Christ. And thus I bid you farewell for ever in this present life. Pray for me, pray for me, for god's sake, pray for me. God make perfect his good work begun in me, Amen. Out of prison this 7. of February. Yours in the Lord. john Bradford. ¶ To certain godly men relievers and helpers of him and others in their imprisonment. THe peace of Christ which passeth all pleasure and worldly felicity, be daily more and more felt in your hearts (my right dearly beloved in the Lord) by the inward working of the holy spirit, the earnest of our inheritance, and guider of gods elect: with the which god our dear father more & more endue us all unto the end, for his beloved sons sake our lord jesus Christ, Amen. Praised be god the father of our lord jesus Christ, which is a father of mercy & a god of all consolation, that hath blessed you with the knowledge & love of his truth, not only to your own comforts, but also the great ease & comfort of many, which without the help of god by you hitherto, had been in much more misery. By your relieving the lords prisoners, I am brought to see the rote whereof the work doth spring, even the knowledge & love of god's truth, wherefore we are in hands. The which knowledge & love, in that it is a blessing of all blessings the greatest (for it is even eternal life. joh. 17) I cannot but praise god for you on this behalf, that it hath pleased him to much you worthy so excellent & singular a benefit: which is more to be esteemed, desired & cared for, them any thing else. The world, for all that ever it hath, cannot attain by any means to this blessing, which God our father hath given you freely of his own good will through christ, even before ye were purposed to desire it. Therefore I beseech you all to be thankful with me & to rejoice in the lord. For if he have given us such a gift unasked, undesired, yea unthought upon: how can it be the he will deny us any good thing now, which may be necessary for us? Will he (trow ye) sow his seed in the ground of your hearts, & not keep away the fowls from picking it up? would he so bestow his seed in you as he hath, if that he would not hedge in your hearts his field, from common paths & from breaking in of beasts to destroy it? Will he be more careless than a good husbandman to weed out the weeds which are in us, lest they should overgrow the corn of his word? Will not he bestow muck & marvel upon us, that we may bring forth more fruit? If in a good husbandman this be not lacking, alas how should we think then but that the lord god, a good husbandman & nothing but good, & only good: how (I say) should it be, but that he is most careful to keep his seed already sown in your hearts by the ministry of us & other his preachers, & that to the bringing forth of just and full fruits? He that hath begun with you doubt not (my dearly beloved) but that he will happily make an end with you. He hath begun to sow his seed in you, as I dare say ye feel it: be sure them that all this will follow: First he will have Skarecrowes in your hearts: I mean, such sparkcles of his fear will he drop, yea already he hath dropped into you, that the birds of the air, vain & evil cogitations shall not be cherished of you, but expelled, by crying to the lord for his help. Secondly he will make such hedges, as shall keep you aswell from by paths of all evil customs & usages, as also preserve you from the power of evil, & dominion of sin, which would have the upper hand on you. Thirdly he will doubtless pour such showers upon you to supple you, so ●ede you, so muck & marvel you by temptation & other exercises, that the Sunshine of persecution shall make more to the ripening of his seed in you, then to the withering of it away. These things (my dearly beloved) the Lord god, which hath begun them in you and for you, will continue with you: that in the end you may be brought into his barn, there to rest with him in eternal felicity. For God's sake therefore wait and look for no less than I have told you, at his hands: a greater service can you not give him. If god keep not the order I have told you, but perchance begin to muck and marvel you: to pour his showers upon you: to nip you with his weeding tongues, &c: rejoice & be glad that God will do that in you and with you at once, which a long time he hath been a working in & for others. Now undoubtedly great showers are fallen, to supple our hearts that gods word might enter therein and take root. Now the Lord goeth a weeding, to weed out of us our carnality, securirye, covetousness, self love, forgetfulness of God, love of this world. Now the lord doth muck & mar●e us, loading us with heaps and burdens of crosses, that our hearts might be made good ground to bring forth fruit to gods glory by patience, as well in suffering inward temptations and griefs, whereof we must complain to the Lord for his Skarecrowes to drive them forth of us, ●s also in suffering outward assaults: for the which we must cry to our Master for his hedges and defence. Which hath ij. parts: the one concerning us, to help and deliver us: and the other concerning our, or rather his obstinate adversaries, to take vengeance upon them: which he will do in his tyme. Therefore let us by patience possess our souls, knowing that they which persever to the end shallbe saved. Let us not be weary of well doing: for in our time we shall reap the fruits thereof. But rather whiles we have time, let us redeem it in doing well to all men, but specially to the household of faith. which thing hither to you have done (the lord therefore be praised, and in the day of his coming, he recompense you) and in the rest I hope well: I mean, that you have declared no less in confessing the truth planted in your hearts, by your words and works after your vocation, to the glory of God. I hope you have godly behaved your selves, not being as too many be now a days, even mongrels, giving half to God & half to the world, halting on both knees, going two ways: I mean it of the Mass gospelers, which are worse than any papists. In this point I hope well of you (my dearly beloved) that you have not contaminated yourselves, that you have both confessed the truth as oft as need hath required, and also have refrained from coming to church now, where is nothing but idolatrous service. ● hope you have glorified god both in soul and body. I hope you have gathered with Christ & not scattered abroad. I hope you have drawn no yoke with unbelievers, nor communicated with other men's sins, but have abstained from all appearance of evil, confessing in heart, confessing in tongue, confessing in deed & act the true knowledge of God, which he hath of his great mercy given unto you, not to be as a candle under a bushel, but upon the candlestick, to give light that men may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven. All this I hope of you (my beloved) and also of all purity of life and godly conversation, not doubting but in this behalf also, you have declared gods verity in your heart, and for the lords sake do so still in all points: that is, in your vocations be diligent and righteous, towards yourselves be sober and pure, towards your neighbours be charitable and just, towards god be faithful and thankful, loving and obedient. Use earnest and often hearty prayer. Meditate much upon, and often hearken to the word of god. If you be called, give with modesty an account of the hope which is in you. Be not ashamed of God's true service: allow not that with your presence which is contrary to Gods wil Make not the members of Christ's Church, that is, yourselves, members of Antichristes' church. Be not ashamed of the gospel, or of such as be bound therefore: but rather be partakers thereof, first inwardly by compassion, prayer, &c: then outwardly by giving according to that the Lord hath lent you to that end: and last of all, by suffering with us if God so will, and if it be needful for you. For my dearly beloved, be certain that no man can touch you or lay hands upon you, but by the will of God, which is all good towards you, even as the will of a most dear father, which an not always be angry, or otherwise use his rod, then only to chastise and correct, not to destroy his children. Again, be certain that no cross shall come unto you before you need it. For God is our Physician, and when he seeth our souls in peril, he preventeth the peril by purgation and ministering Physic, which is the cross. As therefore for the body, we follow the advice of the Physicians for the health thereof, thankfully using their counsel and obeying their precepts: so for god's sake, let us for our souls being sick, thankfully receive the heavenly physicians physic and diet: so shall we wax strong men in GOD and in his Christ. Which thing I beseech thee O holy spirit to work in us all, Amen. My dearly beloved, this have I briefly written unto you, Phil. 4. not as one that seeketh any gifts, as Paul saith, but as one that seeketh abundant fruits on your behalf, and to your commodity. For it is better to give then to receive, sayteh Christ by his Apostle S. Paul: who testifieth that according to that we sow, so shall we reap. He that soweth little, 2. Cor. 9 shall reap little: he that soweth much shall reap much. Never should we forget, how that the Lord jesus being rich, for our sakes became poor, that we might be made rich by him. Again, never should we forget that we are dead to sin, and alive to righteousness. Therefore should we live wholly unto god & for god, & not for ourselves. In all things therefore we must avoid the seeking of our selves, as well in doing, as in leving things undone. If the cross come upon us therefore, then are we happy, for the spirit of God and the glory of God, resteth upon us. Therefore rejoice (saith christ) for your reward is great in heaven. Math. 5 In this we are made like to Christ here: therefore we shall be so else where, even in eternal joy & endless glory. The high way to heaven, you know is affliction: so that all that will live godly in Christ jesus, must suffer persecution. If we were of the world, the world would love us: john. 15 but we are not of the world, but bear witness against the world, & therefore the world doth hate us. But let us rejoice, our lord hath overcome the world. He suffered out of the City, bearing our rebuke, saith the Apostle. Let us then go out of our tents & bear his rebuke: that is, let us deny ourselves, Heb. 13 take up our cross, which is his also, & follow him. Let us know & esteem this more riches, than all the treasures of the world, as Moses did. Let us know, that he that saveth his life, shall lose it. Let us know that the way to salvation is a straight way, and a way wherein we can not carry our bags and chests with us. Let us know that no excuse of wife, farm, house or children, will excuse us. Let us know that in this case we must be so far from loving father, mother, Luke. 14. wife & children, that we must hate them & our own selves also. Though this be a hard saying, yet we must not leave our loads man for a little foul way. Yea rather we should know in deed, that it is but hard to the flesh, which, if she be handled daintily, will be imperious: under must she be kept, that the spirit, which is a precious thing in gods sight, may have her commodities. If we should follow the fancy of the flesh, we could not please god. Against it we have made a solemn profession, as also against the devil & the world in our baptism. And shall we now look for easy things of our enemies? Shall we not look rather to be hardly entreated of them? O that we considered often & in deed what we have professed in baptism: then the cross & we should be well acquainted together. For we are baptized into Christ's death: that is, as to be partakers of the benefit of his death, which is remission of sins: so to be made like thereunto continually by dying to sin. O that we considered what we be: where we be: whether we are going: who calleth us: how he calleth us: to what felicity he calleth us: whereby he calleth us: then my dear hearts in the Lord, we should say to all worldly persuasions & persuaders, follow me Satan, thou severest not those things that be of god, but the things that be of men. Shall we not drink the cup which our heavenly father hath appointed for us? O Lord god open thou our eyes that we may see the hope whereunto thou haste called us. give us eyes of seeing, ears of hearing, & hearts of understanding. In the favour thou bearest to thy people, remember us: visit us with thy saving health, that we may see the good things thou hast prepared for thy elect children: that we may have some sight of thy heavenly jerusalem, and have some taste of the sweetness of thy house. O dear father, kindle in us an earnest desire to be with thee in soul and body, to praise thy name for ever withal thy saints in thy eternal glory, Amen. john Bradford To my dear fathers. D. Cranmer. D. Ridley and D. Latimer. Jesus Emanuel. My dear fathers in the Lord, I beseech God our sweet father, through Christ, to make perfect the good he hath begun in us all, Amen. I had thought that every of your staves had stand next the door, but now it is otherwise perceived. Our dear brother Rogers hath broken the Ice valiantly, and as this day (I think) or to morrow at the uttermost, hearty Hoper, sincere Saunders, and trusty Tailor end their course and receive their crown. The next am I, which hourly look for the porter to open me the gates after them, to enter into the desired rest. God forgive me mine unthankfulness for this exceeding great mercy, that amongs so many thousands, it pleaseth his mercy to choose me to be one in whom he will suffer. For although it be most true, that lust patior (for I have been a great hypocrite and a grievous sinner, the Lord pardon me, yea he hath done it, he hath done it in deed) yet, hic autem quid mali fecit? Christ whom the Prelates persecute, his verity which they hate in me, This is a singular mercy of God, to have death which is a due punishment for sin, turned into a demonstration and ●es●fication of the lords truth. hath done no evil, nor desermeth death. Therefore ought I most heartily to rejoice of this dignation, and tender kindness of the Lord towards me, which useth the remedy for my sin, as a testimonial of his testament, to his glory, to my everlasting comfort, to the edifying of his Church, and to the overthrowing of antichrist and his kingdom. O what am I Lord, that thou shouldest thus magnify me so vile a man and miser, as always I have been? Is this thy wont to send for such a wretch and an hypocrite as I have been, in a fiery chariot, 4. Regum. 2 as thou didst for Helias? Oh dear fathers, be thankful for me, and pray for me, that I still may be found worthy, in whom the Lord would sanctify his holy name. And for your parts, make you ready, for we are but your gentlemen hushers. Nuptiae agni paratae sunt, venite ad nuptias. I now go to leave my flesh there, where I received it. He meaneth that he should be conveyed by the Queen's Guard into Lankeshire to be burnt, as the adversaries had one● determined: like as ignatius was by a company of soldiers conveyed to Rome, & cas● to the Leoperdes. Eccle. hist. Libr. 3. Cap. 36. I shall be conveyed thither, as Ignatius was to Rome, Leopardis: by whose evil I hope to be made better. God grant, if it be his will that I ask, it may make them better by me, Amen. For my farewell therefore, I writ and send this unto you, trusting shortly to see you, where we shall never be separated. In the mean season I will not cease, as I have done to commend you to our father of heaven. And that ye would so do by me, I most heartily pray every one of you: You know now I have most need. But fidelis deus, qui nunquam finet nos tentari supra id quòd possumus. He never did it hitherto, nor now, I am assured, he will never do, Amen. A dextris est mihi, non movebor. Propter hoc laetabitur cor meum, quia non derelinquet animam meam in inferno, nec dabit me sanctum suum, per gratiam in Christo, videre corruptionem. E carcere raptim, expectans omni momento carnificem. The. 8. of febr. Anno. 1555. john Bradford To the Lady Vane. Our dear and most meek father, always be with us for his Christ's sake, and as his children guide us for ever, Amen Your comfortable and necessary letters last sent to me, right worshipful and dearly beloved, do deserve at my hands, as other your benefits have done, that which I can not give. The Lord my God recompense you, as he can and will undoubtedly. Now am I going to my good father and your father: now am I going to my Christ and your Christ: now am I going to my home and your home. I go before but you shall follow: howbeit when or which way, I know not, the Lord knoweth. Unto his providence and will, commend yourself. For as it can not but come to pass, so is there nothing so good to us as it is. Happy were we that ever we were borne, that God might set forth his glory by us, how soever he do it. Though I am led (as to Peter was said) whether I would not, yet with me and for me give thanks that it pleaseth my father thus to lead me. I have deserved, yea even since I came into this prison, many a shameful death: such and so great is my ingratitude and sins. But lo, the tender kindness of my father doth correct me as a child & son, making the remedy for my sins an occasion of his glory, a witnessing of his verity, a confirmation of his true religion, heretofore set forth & preached by me. Wherein (good Madam) persist & you shall be safe. Be not now ashamed of it, for though it seem to be overcome, yet by suffering it overcometh: that God's wisdom, which is foolishness to the world, god's power, which is weakness to the reason of man, may triumph and confound that which with the world is wise and mighty. Now do I begin to be Christ's disciple: now I begin to be fashioned like to my Master in suffering, that so I may be in reigning: now do I for ever take my farewell of you for this life: now commend I myself into the hands of my father, by whose providence I came into this world, by whose providence I have been kept in this world, and by whose providence I do depart hence. And as his providence is towards me, so doubt you nothing but it is towards you: though not in such sort exteriourlye, yet in such love, solicitude, and carefulness for you interiourlye. God, our God, & father of mercy, for the blood of his Christ, wash away all our sins, comfort his Church, strengthen the weak, convert or confounded, as may make most to his glory, his enemies, and he with us Emanuel for ever, Amen, Amen. In haste out of prison the .5. of Febru. 1555. john Bradforde. To my good brother Augustine Berneber. Mine own good Augustine, the Lord of mercy bless thee my dear brother for ever. I have good hope that if you come late at night, I shall speak with you, but come as secretly as you can. Howbeit, in the mean season if you can, and as you can, learn what Master G. hath spoken to Doctor Story and others. The cause of all this trouble both to my keeper and me, is thought to come by him. It is said that I shall be burned in Smithfield and that shortly. Domini voluntas fiat. Ecce ego domine, mitte me. Ah mine own sweet friend, I am now alone, lest I should make you & others worse. If I should live, I would more warily use the company of gods children then ever I have done. Iram domini portabo, quon●am peccavi ei. Mich. 6. Commend me to my most dear Sister, for whom my heart bleedeth, the Lord comfort her and strengthen her unto the end. I think I have taken my leave of her for ever in this life, but in eternal life we shall most surely meet and praise the Lord continually. I have now taken a more certain answer of death, than ever I did: and yet not so certain as I think I should do. I am now as a sheep appointed to the slaughter. Ah my God the hour is come, glorify thy most unworthy child. I have glorified thee, saith this my sweet father, & I will glorify thee, Amen. Ah mine own bowels, praise God for me, and pray for me: for I am his I hope: I hope he will never forsake me, though I have above all other most deserved it. I am the most singular example of his mercy: praised be his name therefore for ever. cause Mistress Perpoynte to learn of the Sheriff M. Chester, what they purpose to do with me, and know if you can, whether there be any writ forth for me. Factus sum sicut nicticorax in domicilio, Psa. 101. ● passer solitarius in tecto. Ah my Augustine, how long shall God's enemies thus triumph? I have sent you this of the baptism of children to write out, when this is done, you shall have other things. Pray, pray mine own dear heart, on whom I am bold. The keeper telleth me that it is death for any to speak with me, but yet I trust that I shall speak with you. john Bradford. To mine own good Augustine. Dear brother Augustine, I can not but be bold of you in my need, and therefore I writ as I do. Come hither betimes, I pray you, in the morning, & use so to do: for than I think you shall speak with me. Also use to come late in the evening, & let me know whether, in the day time I may send for you. Pray Walshe to steal you in, as I hope he will do. If he do bring you in, then shall this which followeth not need: but doubting the worst, this do I write. first will my man William to make all things ready for me, for I am persuaded I shall into Lankeshire there to be burnt: howbeit first they say I must to the Fleet. Then will him to hearken early in the morning, whether I be not conveyed away before men beware. Also I pray you, will Robert Harrington, who I hope will go with me, to look for that journey. Visit often my dear sister, and although I can not now write unto her, as I would (for all things are more strange here, & cases more & more perilous) yet tell her that I am careful for her: desire her to be of good comfort: God shall give us to meet in his kingdom. In the mean season I will pray for her as my dearest sister. Of truth I never did love her half so well as I now do, and yet I love her not half so well as I would do: she is the very daughter of Abraham. I pray thee heartily be merry my good brother, and desire all my friends so to be: for I thank god, I feel a greater benefit than all the Bishops in England can take from me. Praise God and pray for me, mine own dear heart in the Lord, whom I hope I shall never forget. Your poor brother in the Lord. john Bradford. To certain men, not rightly persuaded in the most true, comfortable, and necessary doctrine of God's holy election and predestination. GRace, mercy, and peace, with increase of all godly knowledge and living, from god the eternal father of all consolation, through the bloody death of our alone and full redeemer jesus Christ, by the mighty and lively working and power of the holy spirit the comforter. I wish unto you now and for ever, Amen. Although I look hourly for officers to come and have me to execution, yet can I not but attempt to write something unto you, my dearly beloved (as always you have been, how soever you have taken me) to occasion you the more to weigh the things wherein some controversy hath been amongst us, especially the article and doctrine of predestination. Whereof I have written a little treatise: therein, as briefly showing my faith, so answering the enormities gathered of some, to slander the same necessary & comfortable doctrine. That little piece of work I commend unto you, as a thing whereof I doubt not to answer to my comfort before the trubual seat of jesus Christ: and therefore I heartily pray you and every of you, for the tender mercies of God in Christ, that you would not be rash to condemn things unknown, lest gods woe should fall upon you for calling good evil and evil good. For the great love of god in Christ, cavil not at things that be well spoken, nor construe not things to the evil part, when ye have occasion otherwise. Do not suppose that any man, by affirming predestination (as in that book I have truly set it forth according to god's word, and the consent of Christ's church) either to seek carnality, or to set forth matter of desperation. Only by the doctrine of it, I have taught, as to myself, so to others, a certainty of salvation: a setting up of Christ only: an exaltation of god's grace, mercy, righteousness, truth, wisdom, power and glory, and a casting down of man and all his power, that he that glorieth may glory only and altogether, and continually in the Lord. Man consisteth on two parts, the soul and the body, & every man of god hath (as a man would say) ij. men, an outward or old man, and an inward or new man. The devils drift is, to bring the one into a carnality, and the other into a doubt, and so to despair, and hatred of god: but god for remedy hereof, hath ordained his word: which is divided into ij. parts: the one is a doctrine which demandeth of us our duty, but giveth no power thereto, the other is a doctrine which not so much demandeth as giveth. The former is called the law, which hath his promises, conditionals and comminations, or threats accordingly. The other is called the gospel, or rather the free promises hanging not on conditions on our behalf, but simply on god's verity & mercy, although they require conditions, but not as hanging thereon: of which promises the gospel may well be called a puplication. The former, that is, the law with her promises and comminations, tell man what he is, and show him what he can do. The later, that is the gospel and free promises, tell and set forth Christ, and what mercy at God's hand through Christ, we have offered and given unto us. The former part serveth to keep the old man from carnality and security, and to stir him up to diligence and solicitude. The later part serveth how to keep the new and inward man from doubting and despair, & to bring us in to an assured certainty and quietness with God, through christ. The old man and the field he resteth in, may not be sown with any other seed than is agreeable to the former doctrine. The new man and the field he resteth in, may not be sown with any other, then is agreeing to the later doctrine. By this means man shall be kept from carnality, and from desperation also, and brought into diligence and godly peace of conscience. It is forbidden in the old law, Deut. 22. to sow two kinds of seeds in one field, to wear lynsey wolsey perticotes, or to eat beasts that did not cleave the hofes. Deut. 14. God grant us to be wise husbandmen, to sow according as I have said. God grant us to be wise tayloures to cut our coats for two men of one whole cloth, as is declared. GOD grant us to be clean beasts, to cleave the hofes accordingly, that is to give the old man meat, meet for the mowers, that is the law with his appurtenances, conditionals, promises, and comminations, and to give to the new man the gospel and sweet free promises, as appertaineth: and then doubtless we shall walk in the right high way unto eternal life, that is in christ jesus the end of the law and the fulfilling of the promises, in whom they be yea and, Amen. If this my poor advise be observed (my dear brethren in the Lord) I doubt not but all controversies, for predestination, original sin, free-will, &c: shall so cease, that there shall be no breach of love, nor suspicion amongs us: which GOD grant for his mercy's sake. I am persuaded of you, that you fear the Lord, and therefore I love you, and have loved you in him, (my dear hearts) though otherwise you have taken it without cause on my part given, so far as I know. For hitherto I have not suffered any copy of the treatise above specified to go abroad, because I would suppress all occasions so far as might be. Now am I going before you to my God and your God, to my father and your father, to my Christ and your Christ, to my home and your home. I go before, but you shall come after, sooner or later. Howbeit I could not but before I go, sygnify thus much unto you, as I have done, that you might see my love, and thereby be occasioned to increase in love, and learn rather to bear then break. My poor & most dear Sister to me that ever I had, with whom I leave this letter, I commend unto you all and to every of you, beseeching you, and heartily praying you in the bowels and blood of jesus christ, to care for her, as for one which is dear in God's sight, and one which loveth you all in GOD, and hath done, as I can and do bear her witness: although in the point of predestination, it hath pleased God by my ministry, to open unto her his truth. Wherein as she is settled, and I trust in God, confirmed: so if you cannot think with her therein as she doth, I heartily pray you, and as I can, in God's behalf charge you, that you molest her not, nor dysquiete her, but let love abound, and therein contend who can go most before. I commend also unto you my good Sister M. C. making for her the like sure unto you all. Ah dear hearts, be not faint hearted for these evil days, which are come to try us & purify us, that we may the more be partners of gods holiness: as to ourselves, so to the world we shall be better known. Continue to walk in the fear of the Lord, as ye have well begun. Keep yourselves pure, as I hope you do, from this rotten Romish, yea Antichristian religion. Reverently read gods word, thereto joining prayer: that as you hear in reading god speak unto you, so in praying you may speak unto him. Labour after your callings to help other. As you have done, do still, and I pray god give you grace to continue, as I doubt not but he will, for his goodness sake. At the length we shall meet together in Christ's kingdom, and there never part a sunder, but praise the name of our good god and father, with the patriarchs, Prophets, apostles, Angels, archangels, and all the Saints of God. Oh joyful place, oh place of all places desired. My brethren, I think myself more happy than you, by how much I am now more near unto it. Helias chariot I hourly look for, 4 Reg. 2 to come and catch me up. My cloak that is, my carcase, I shall leave behind me in ashes, which I doubt not, my Lord will raise up and restore to me again in the last day, glorified even like unto his own most glorious body. The portion of the good spirit, which my father hath lent me, I wish, yea double and triple unto you al. God the father of mercy in the blood of his christ, give to every of you (my dear hearts) in him, his blessing, and pour plentifully upon you his holy spirit, that you may increase in all godly knowledge and godliness, to your own comfort and the edification of many others, Amen. Yet once more I commend unto you my foresaid most dear and beloved Sister in the lord: who always be unto her a most loving father, spouse and pastor, Amen, Amen. Out of prison the 16. of February. 1554. Your own heart john Bradforde. To True, and Abyngton, with other of their company, teachers and maintainers of the error of man's free-will. YEt once more beloved in the Lord, before pen and yuke be utterly taken from me (as I look it to be this after noon) I thought good to write unto you, because I stand in a doubt, whether at any time hereafter, I shall see or speak with you: for within this seven night my lord chancellor bade look for judgement. God knoweth I lie not, I never did bear you malice, nor sought the hindrance of any one of you, but your good both in soul and body, Read the 1. Cor. 13. chap. and compare these spirits with the spirit of humbleness, unity and love, which here you see in this man of God, doing good even to his adversaries, and then judge of them & their doctrine. as when we shall all appear together before God, I am certain you shall then know, though now you doubt it, and that causes, I am right well assured. For mine own conscience can and doth bear witness with me, that I never defrauded you or any of you, of the value of one penny or penny worth of any thing, but have sought with that which hath been given, not only in common, but also unto me & to mine own use, discretion, and distribution: to do you good. Therefore disdain not the good will of your lover in god. And in hope that you will not, I have eftsoons even now sent unto you. xiij.ss. iiij d. If you need as much more, you shall have it, or any thing olles I have, or can do for you. Though in some things we agree not, yet let love bear the bell away, and let us one pray for another, He meaneth concerning freewill, original sum, predestination, etc. wherein they are plain Pelagians and papists. and be careful one for another: for I hope we be all Christ's. As you hope yourselves to pertain to him, so think of me: and as you be his, so am I yours. john Bradford. ¶ At this letter, these men were so sore offended, because he said he had hindered himself to further them, as though be had thereby upbraided them: that in displeasure they sent it to him again. Whereupon he wrote unto them as followeth. HE that seeketh not to hinder himself temporally, that he may further his brother in more need, the same wanteth true love. I have done, do, and will (except you refuse it) hinder myself this way that I may further you, and in deed myself also that way, Though he distributed to them, amongs other prisoners there, not only that which was given in common but also to his own use: yet they suspected him of evil dealing. Thus do not they, in whom the love of God dwelleth wherein I desire to be furthered. If I would seek mine own gains temporally, then could I have taken & used many portions of money, which have been given to me mine own use. I never minded to upbraid you: but that which I did write of mine own hindrance, was that you might see I loved you, and sought your weal, as I do, and will be glad to do it continually. The lord of mercy hath forgiven us all, wherefore henceforth let us rather bear then break. Yours in the Lord. john Bradford. ¶ A letter which he set as a preface before a supplication sent to Queen mary, her counsel, and the whole parliament: which supplication cometh not yet to our hands. IN most humble wise complaineth unto your Majesty and honours, a poor subject persecuted for the confession of Christ's verity: the which verity deserveth at your hands to be maintained and defended, as the thing, by the which you reign and have your honour and authorities. Although we that be professors, and through the grace of GOD, the constant confessors of the same, are (as it were) the out swepynges of the world: yet (I say) the verity itself is a thing not unworthy for your ears to hear, for your eyes to see, and for your hands to handle, help, and succour, according to that the Lord hath made you able, and placed you where you are, for the same purpose. Your highness and honours ought to know, that there is no innocency in words or deeds, where it is enough and sufficeth, only to accuse. It behoveth kings, Queens, and all that be in authority, to know that in the administration of their kingdoms, they are gods Ministers. It behoveth them to know, that they are no Kings but plain tyrants, which reign not to this end, that they may serve and set forth gods glory after true knowledge. And therefore it is required of them, that they would be wise, and suffer themselueh to be taught, to submit themselves to the lords discipline, and to kiss their Sovereign, lest they perish: as all those Potentates with their pryncipalities and dominions, cannot long prosper but perish in deed, if they and their kingdoms be not ruled with the sceptre of God, that is with his word: which, who so honoureth not, honoureth not GOD, and they that honour not the Lord, the Lord will not honour them, but bring them into contempt, and at the length take his own cause, which he hath most chiefly committed unto them to care for, into his own hands, and so overthrow them, and set up his truth gloriously: the people also perishing with the Princes, where the word of prophecy is wanting, much more is suppressed, as it is now in this Realm of England: over which the eyes of the Lord are set to destroy it, your highness and all your honours, if in time you look not better to your office and duties herein, and not suffer yourselves to be slaves and hangmen to antichrist and his prelate's, which have brought your highness & honours already to let Barrabas lose, and to hang up Christ. As by the grace and help of God I shall make apparante, if first it would please your excellent majesty, and all your honours, to take to heart gods doctrine, which rather through the malice of the Pharisees, I mean the Bishops and prelate's, than your consciences, is oppressed, and not for our contemptible and execrable state in the sight of the world, to pass the less of it. For it (the doctrine I mean) is higher and of more honour & majesty, than all the whole world, It standeth invincible above all power, being not our doctrine, but the doctrine of the everliving GOD and of his Christ, whom the father hath ordained King, psal. 72, to have dominion from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the world. And truly so doth he and will the reign, that he will shake all the whole earth with his iron & brazen power, with his golden & silvery brightness, only by the rod of his mouth, to shyvers in such sort, as though they were pots of clay, according to that which the Prophets do write of the magnificence of his kingdom. And thus much for the thing, I mean the doctrine, and your duties to hearken, to propagate, & defend the same. But now will our adversaries mainly cry out against us, because no man may be admitted once to whist against them, that we pretend falsely the doctrine and word of god, calling us the most wicked contemners of it, and heretics, schysmatikes, traitors, etc. All which their sayings, how malicious and false they are, though I might make report to that, which is written by those men whose works they have condemned, and all that retain any of them, publicly by proclamation: yet here will I occasion your majesty and honours by this my writing, to see that it is far otherwise than they report of us. God our father, for his holy names sake direct my pen to be his instrument to put into your eyes, ears, and hearts, that which most may make to his glory, to the safeguard of your souls and bodies, and preservation of the whole realm, Amen. john Bradford. To a faithful and dear friend of his, entreating of this place of S. Paul to the Romans: The fervent desire of the creature waiteth, when the children of God shallbe delivered. GRace and peace, with increase of all godliness in Christ, I wish unto you my dearly beloved. Because this morning I had some knowledge, more than before I had, how that my life stood in great danger, & that even this week, so far as men might both by the doings and sayings of such as be in authority attempted and spoken concerning me, judge and perceive: I thought good (my right dearly beloved in the Lord) to go about something which might be on my behalf, as it were, Cygnea cantio, That is, which might be a special comfort to him being them ready to be burnt: as the swans sung is sweetest a little before his death. a swans song, and towards you, both a monument of the kind of my love, and also a help or at the least, an occasion for you to profit in that, which I bear you record you most desire, I mean everlasting life and the state thereof. And this will I attempt upon the last talk we had betwixt us, when you were here with me. I know you have not forgotten that we talked together of the place of. S. Paul to the Rom. cap. 8. concerning the groanings of the Creature and his desire of the revelation of the children of god. You demand whether this word Creature was to be understand of man or no: and I told you that, though some did take Creature there for man, because there is no kind of creature which may not be acknowledged in man: yet (said I) the text itself considered with that which the Apostle writeth of Christ Eph. 1. Col. 1. the restorer and reformer of all things that be both in heaven & in earth, and with the argument which. S Paul presently hath in hand there, doth enforce a Godly mind to take every creature there (as also. S. chrysostom and S. Ambrose do) for the whole world, and every creature both heavenly and earthly. All things I told you, were made for man, & according to man's state, so are they. When man was without sin & in god's favour, there was no malediction, curse or corruption. But when man by sin was cast out of favour, than was the earth curse. For the wickedness of the inhabitants, fruitful lands are turned into salt ground: as for their piety, barren countries are made fruitful. Psae. 107. The Angels themselves do rejoice over one sinner that repenteth, thereby giving us notice that in their kind they lament over the impenitent. In reading the Prophets, you may see how that all things do depend of man. When they prophecy any great blessing or plague to come to god's people, they do communicate the same both to heaven and earth & to every thing else. As for example, when the Prophets do foreshow the overthrows of realms & peoples, how do they say that the whole shape of the world shall be moved thereat? Look upon Esay, how he, when he prophesieth the fall of Babylon, doth say that the stars shall not shine from heaven: the sun shall be darkened in his rising: the moan shall not give her light. And afterwards he saith: I will shake the heavens & the earth shall be moved out of his place. Esay. 13. But the histories do witness that there are wonderful changes of all creatures both heavenly & earthly in the overthrows and destructions of realms & people. Again, when Esay doth prophecy of the kingdom of Christ, he doth promise new heavens & new earth, and that so excellent and new, that he showeth the former heavens & earth to be utterly forgotten. Esay. 63. Whereto the Apostle agreeth, making Christ the repairer of all things in heaven & in earth. Ephesi. 1. Col. 1. How did both heaven and earth give their service to the Israelites coming forth of Egipte, aswell in preserving them, as in destroying their enemies: How did the sun shine longer than it was wont to do, for joshua to overcome his enemies? How did even the very Angels fight for Ezechias against the Assyrians? Read the .30. chap. of Esay. And behold the history of Christ: consider how the Angels rejoiced: how the star brought the wise men to Christ: how the angels were ministers unto him in the wilderness: how the devils confessed him. In his death, how did all the whole world show compassion? The sun was darkened: the earth did quake: the rocks clave a sunder: the vail of the temple rend a sunder. When he arose, both heaven (for the Angel's with great heavenvly brightness appeared) and earth which was moved, did rejoice: the Angels were preachers of it. In his ascension also: did not a bright cloud receive him and take him up? Did not the Angels testify of his return? When he sent the holy ghost and made his new covenant of grace, did not all the whole world serve thereto by thunder, smoke, fire, earthquake? Now, how wonderfully they will do their service to Christ, coming to judgement, it is more plain than I need to rehearse. And in as much as we are the members of Christ, he being our head, we may soon see how that all things have a certain compassion with man, & do after their kind, as the Apostle writeth, look for a deliverance from vanity, which they shall obtain in their restoration. I therefore told you how that I do take the Apostle to mean by every creature simply, even all the whole shape & creatures in the world. He doth attribute unto them, how that they look for the perfection of our salvation: how that they are subject to vanity: how that they are subject in hope: how that they groan and travel, attributing these things unto the senseless creature, by translation from man, to signify the society, cognation, and consent, which all & every creature hath with man: that as every & all things were made for man: so by the man Christ, all and every thing both earthly and heavenly shall be restored. These things you know in effect I spoke unto you, to stir up both myself and you to a deeper consideration of our blessed state, which now we enjoy in hope, which will never deceive us: the more to occasion us to desire the full fruition of the same. But I do remember that you were something troubled with some doubtfulness hereabout. Therefore I purpose now to write of this matter more at large, thereby to occasion us both to see better, through the help of god's spirit, that which we desire, & I pray God grant unto us both for his mercy's sake: I mean the felicity of his children, and the happy state which one day in very deed (my dear heart) we shall fully possess, and both together praise the Lord with all his Saints, world without end, Amen, Amen. This was your doubt: If so be that. S. Paul did mean by all creatures simply (as I have spoken) that they shall be delivered from corruption into such a state as shall adorn the freedom of God's children: whether that plants, beasts and other things having life, shall be restored. If yea: than you would know whether all things that have been, shall be restored also. And after this you will perchance ask in what place they shall be: what they shall do, and so forth. As I think upon this matter, and as I am accustomed to answer such questions coming to me, I will here write for an answer unto you also: not doubting but that therewith you will be satisfied, because I know your heart is satisfied with godly & sufficient answers. Thus I think: All & every creature groaneth & traveleth as yet, hoping & looking for my restoration: for they be subject to corruption for my sins sake: but they all shall be delivered by my Christ, from the bondage of corruption, them when he shall restore us his members. This will I muse on, & way with myself, that I may duly know, both in me and in all other things, the atrocity and bitterness of sin whieh dwelleth in me, & so may the more heartily give over myself wholly to the lord Christ my Saviour, that he may, with what cross soever shall please him, slay sin in me, and bring me after his own will & way, to newness of life. Whereunto, that I for my part, may faithfully & withal my whole heart, do my diligence in mortifying the desires of my flesh, & in labouring to obey the desires of the spirit, to live a life acceptable to him, I beseech him of his grace. And that I may do this cheerfully, & continued in this purpose & diligence, I will fasten my mind, as much as the Lord shall enable me, to consider this my so great happiness whereunto I shall be restored in the resurrection: the which resurrection doubtless shall be adorned by the whole shape of the world delivered from corruption. These things will I think on, these things will I pause on: herein will I, as it were, drown myself, being careless of this: I mean, what parts of the world the Lord Christ will restore with me, or how he will do it, or what state or condition he will give it. It is enough & enough for me, that I and all the whole world with me, shall be much more happy than now I can by any means conceive. By reason hereof I will praise and glorify my Lord, and by his grace I will study to please him with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my strength, singing unto him, that he both doth well and hath done and made all things well: to him be eternal glory for ever. This is my cogitation in this matter, and not mine only, He meaneth that most godly and learned father M. Martyne Bu●er. but the cogitation of one which was my father in the Lord, and now, I am assured, with the Lord at home, where we yet are from home by reason of this our corruptible habitacles wherein we abide the lords leisure. If you would know the reason that moveth me to answer as I have done to the foresaid doubts or questions, it is this. You see that the Apostle in this place to the Romans, speaketh of the deliverance of every creature from the bondage of corruption, and that to the beautifying of the glory of God's children. This is so manifest, that no man can well deny it. It is but a simple shift to say that the Apostle doth mean in this place by every creature, man only. He is not wont to speak on that fort. Neither dare I say that the Apostle speaketh here hyperbotically or excessively: although some think so. But as I said, I say again, that the Apostle doth here simply affirm, that there shall be a renovation & a deliverance from corruption, not only of man, but also of all and of every part of the whole world: of every part (I say) meaning parts in deed, & not such as be rather vices & added for plagues, then for parts. For by reason of sin▪ many spots & corruptions are come into the world, as is all that is hurtful and filthy in the creatures. Also, all that cometh of corruption, as perchance flees, vermin, and such like. This renovation of all things, the Prophets do seem to promise, when they promise new heavens & new earth: For a new earth seemeth to require no less renovation of earthly things, then new heavens do of heavenly things. But these things the Apostle doth plainly affirm the Christ will restore, even whatsoever be in heaven & in earth. Col. 1. Therefore me thinks it is the duty of a Godly mind, simply to acknowledge, and thereof to brag in the Lord, that in our resurrection all things shall be so repaired to eternity, as for our sin they were made subject to corruption. The ancient writers our of Peter, have, as it were, 2. pet. 3 agreed to this sentence, that the shape of this world shall pass a way through the burning of earthly fire, as it was drowned with the flowing of earthly waters. August. de civitate dei lib. cap. 6 These be S. Augustine's words. Whereto I will add these which he there writeth: the qualities (saith he) of the corruptible elements which agreed with our corruptible bodies, shall utterly be burned with that same worldly conflagration and burning, as I said: but the substance itself, shall have those qualities, which do agree by a marvelous change, to our bodies, that the world changing into the better, may openly be made meet to man returned even in the flesh into the better. These be his words. Whereby it is plain, that this good man did believe that the elements should be renewed: but of other things he meddleth not, except it be of the sea, by the occasion of that which is in the apocalypse: howbeit, so he speaketh that he can not well tell whether it also shall be changed into the better, adding these words: but we read that there shallbe a new heaven and a new earth. For he did understand the place of Esay concerning the new heaven and new earth, simply: of other things he expresseth nothing. But Thomas Aquinas entreateth this question more exactly or rather curiously, affirming the celestial bodies, the elements & mankind to be renewed: but in no wise beasts plants etc. to be so: and this is his principal reason. The renovation of the world shall be for man: therefore such shall be the renovation as shall be conformable to the renovation of man. But the renovation, of man shall be from corruption to incorruption: from moving to rest: the things therefore that shall be renewed with man, must be brought also to incorruption. Now, the celestial bodies & the elements were made to incorruption: the one wholly & in every part, the other, that is the elements, though in part they are corruptible, yet concerning the whole, they are incorruptible, as man is incorruptible concerning part, that is the soul. But beasts, plants etc. are corruptible both wholly & in every part: therefore they were not made to incorruption, and so are they not conformable to the renewing, that is, they are not receaveable of incorruption, and therefore they shall not be restored. This reason is true in this part, that it affirmeth things shall be restored with man, and with him shall be brought to perpetuity, & as the Apostle saith, to be delivered from the bondage of corruption. Again, his reason is true herein also, that man's reason may sooner be persuaded the things now partly incorruptible, shall be restored altogether to incorruption. But now to say that by no reason those things may be brought to perpetuity, which now both wholly & partly be temporal and momentane, how can he prove it? in that the nature & being of all things, dependeth on the omnipotency of God, which after his own pleasure doth give to things which he hath made, their being, and all is one to him, to make a thing temporal and to make it eternal. For he made all things of nothing: and therefore heaven and the celestial bodies have no more of themselves that they be perpetual, then have those things that last but a day. Wherefore, this reason which Thomas maketh, is not firm, in that it wholly leaveth to that which now seemeth and appeareth in things. In deed (as I said) it hath some show or probability, that these things shall be renewed to eternity for the glory of gods children, which now something are partakers of the same. But now, seeing that both it which they now have, and also shall have, dependeth upon the beck & pleasure of God, whom hath God made of counsel with him concerning the renovation of the world & of all things, that he can tell what parts of things & what kinds of things he will renew? Yea even Aristotle did acknowledge that Physice or natural knowledge, because it bringeth his reasons from the disposition & nature of things, hath not full necessity of his reasons. For nature is nothing else than the ordinary & wont will of god, as a miracle, portent, or monster, is the rare & unwonted will of God. We say that the nature of stones & all heavy things, is to sink downward: which is nothing else but the pleasure of God so depelling them and putting them down, for else of themselves nothing is either heavy or light: all is a like to be carried downwards or upwards. Who may make God subject to his work? Can not he that made all things of nothing, give hereafter to the things that he hath made, that whereof now in themselves they have no capacity? These things I do therefore rehearse, to the end I might declare, that when we dispute what god will do concerning his works, how that it is not seemly for us to conclude according to that which seemeth & appeareth to us in things, but rather as godliness requireth, to refer all things to the will of God. This will, if it be expressed in holy scripture, then may we simply determine that which we read expressed there. But if it be not so, then ought we freely to confess our ignorance, and not prescribe to God what he ought to do of his works, by that which already he hath done. God is of power infinite & of nothing did he not only make all things, but also will do what pleaseth him both in heaven and in earth, saith David. The foresaid Thomas bringeth forth also other reasons, but which he himself counteth not for invincible. One is, if beasts and plants shall be restored, either all or some shall be restored. If all shall be restored, then must the resurrection be communicate unto them, that the same in number be restored: which is not convenient. If some shall be restored, there appeareth no reason why these should be restored more than other: therefore saith he, they shall not be restored. But here, what would he answer, if one should ask him how he knoweth it is not convenient that either all in number be restored, as man shall arise, either only some, in the this thing wholly resteth in the hand and will of God? another reason he maketh out of Aristotle, and out of a ground which is uncertain. Aristotle affirmeth the perpetuity of things to hang on the continual moving of heaven. Thomas now hereto gathereth thus: but the moving of heaven shall cease: therefore he concludeth that in these inferior things no perpetuity may be looked for. But here, what answer will he make, if a man shall say that all things hang at the beck and pleasure of God, who now for the conservation of his creatures, which now arise and spring, and now die and fall down: useth the moving of heaven, and can afterwards not use it for this purpose? This is a truth, that all things of themselves are nothing: much more than can they not do any thing. Now, men may conjecture that the moving of heaven shall cease, but yet by the certain word of God, they can not prove it. In like manner is his last reason which he maketh of the end of beasts and plants, but which end he knoweth not. Beasts and plants saith he, were made for the sustentation of the mutual life of man, but this life shall cease, therefore shall they also. But here hath he no answer if a man should demand, who knoweth whether GOD have made them to none other end or use? Seeing therefore these things be as you see, I suppose it not to pertain to a godly man, to deny the beasts and plants to be restored, in that the Apostle doth here expressly say, that every creature which is now subject to vanity, shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the children of god. In that the holy ghost doth affirm this of every creature, by what reason dare a godly mind exempt any part from this deliverance to come? Howbeit, neither will the Godly mind contend whether every creature shallbe renewed. For the holy ghost spoke of the creature generally, and not particularly, and therefore we may not otherwise affirm, because we must not speak but god's word. Therefore it is the part of a godly man, and of one that hangeth in all things upon the word of god, to learn out of this place, that whatsoever corruption, death, or grief he seeth in any thing, wheresoever it be, that (I say) he ascribe that wholly unto his sins, and thereby provoke himself to true repentance. Now as soon as that repentance compelleth him to go to Christ, let him think thus: but this my Saviour, and my head jesus Christ did for my sins, and therewith, as he took away death, so hath he taken away all the corruption and labour of all things, and will restore them in his time, whether so ever they be in heaven or in earth. Now every creature travaileth and groaneth with us, but we being restored, they also shallbe restored. There shall be new heavens, new earth, and all things new, Thus I wish that our minds might stay in this generality of the renovation of the world, and not curiously to search what parts of the world shallbe restored, and what shall not, or how all things shallbe restored: much more than I would not have us curious nor inquisitive of their place where they shall be, of their action what they shall do, or of their properties and such like. For if, to have foreknown these things, would have made much to godliness, surely the holy ghost would most plainly have told them. For according to Christ's promise he bringeth us into all truth, all truth (I say) such as the knowledge of it would profit us. Al the scripture is given to us for this purpose that the man of god might be made perfect, and instructed to all good works: and truly that can be no good work, which we do, except god teach us the same. He hath prepared the good works wherein we walk. Ephesi. 2 But the certain and bottomless fountain of these good works is, in all things to hang on the beck and pleasure of god, and through our Lord jesus Christ, to look for, with remission of sins, life everlasting, and the glory of the resurrection. To the end therefore that we may more fully know our sins, and more make of our redemption from them by Christ: let us set before our eyes, death the hire of sin, and that not only in ourselves, but also in every creature of the world. Howbeit, this let us do with a hope of so ample a restoration, and never enough to be marveled at, which shall be even in all things for our renovation by the Lord jesus Christ the renewer of all things whatsoever be in heaven or in earth. He that with true faith weigheth & considereth these things, will be (as it were) swallowed up in the admiration of so exceeding great benevolence and love of God our heavenly father, that he can never admit to yield to this curiosity of searching what kind of things shall be renewed, and how they shall be renewed, or what state or condition they shall be in when they are renewed. These be things of the life to come, whereof this foreknowledge is sufficient that all these things shall be more perfect and happy, than the reach of reason is able to look upon the glory of them. For the eye hath not seen, nor the ear hath heard, nor it cannot ascend into man's heart, that God hath prepared for them that love him. For concerning our resurrection, what other thing do we know before hand, but that we shall be most happy? even so therefore let us not doubt but that there shall be a deliverance of the creature from the servitude of corruption. And let us consider these things so, that we wholly may bend ourselves to put away all the oldness of our flesh, whence in deed corruption and death doth come, and that we may provoke ourselves to the newness of the spirit and the life of Christ, wherein is all incorruption and the true taste of the resurrection: for to this end the holy ghost did write this by the Apostle. That therefore this spirit might lead us hereunto, let us pray, & then we shall understand this place of Paul with profit. If perchance it will move you that the Apostle speaketh not of this deliverance of the creature from corruption, in any other place but here, neither any other holy writer: I would you would think that the misery of the restoration of Israel, also of Antichrist, is not expounded but in the apostles writings, and that but in one place: yea the manner of our resurrection is not written but in two places. We ought to know that they are the words of the Lord, what soever the Apostle hath left to us written. Again, the simplicity of this place Rom. 8 is plain. And thus (my dearly beloved) I have written to you so much as I think is sufficient about this matter, and therefore need not to tarry herein any longer, or to spend any more time about the answering of that which is but curiosity. God our father give us now his holy spirit to lead us into this and all other necessary truth, in such sort that we may have a lively feeling of eternal life begun in us: that we may become first new, and so look for new heaven and earth, wherein righteousness dwelleth: which God impute to us and begin in us for his Christ's sake, Amen, Amen. Your own for ever in the Lord. john Bradford. ❧ Certain letters of master Thomas Whyttel, a godly and a faithful minister and preacher of god's word, who after he had relented by the tyranny and cruel dealing of Bonner, returned again with great constancy, and stood to the defence of the truth unto the fire. The .12. of january. In the year of our Lord. 1556. To my beloved friend and faithful Brother in Christ, john Careless prisoner in the Kings Bench. THe peace of god in Christ be with you continually, dearly beloved brother in Christ, with the assistance of god's grace and holy spirit, to the working and performing of those things, which may comfort and edify his church (as ye daily do) to the glory of his name, and the increase of your joy, and comfort of soul in this life, and also your reward in heaven with Christ our captain, whose faithful soldier you are, in the life to come, Amen. I have greatly rejoiced (my dear heart) with thanks to god for you, since I have heard of your faith and love towards god and his saints, with a most godly ardent zeal to the verity of Christ's doctrine and religion, which I have heard by the report of many, but specially by the declaring of that valiant captain in Christ's church, that stout champion in gods cause, that spectacle to the world, I mean our good brother Philpot, who now lieth under the aultare, & sweetly enjoyeth the promised reward. And specially I & my condemned fellows give thanks to God for your loving and comfortable letter in the deepness of our trouble after the flesh, sent unto us to the consolation of us all, but most specially to me most sinful miser on mine own behalf, but happy (I hope) through godsloving kindness in Christ showed unto me: who suffered me to faint and fail through human infirmity, by the working of the Archenemye in his sworn soldiers the bishops and priests. In whom so lively appeareth the very visage and shape of Satan, that a man (if it were not prejudice to god's word) might well affirm them to be Devils incarnate, as I by experience do speak. Wherefore, who so shall for conscience matters, come into their hands, had need of the wiliness of the Serpent to save his head, though it be with the wounding of his body: and to take diligent heed how he consenteth to their wicked writings, or setteth his hand to their covenants. Sore did they assault me, and craftily tempt me to their wicked ways, or at least to a denegation of my faith and true opinions, though it were but by colour and dissimulation: and (alas) something they did prevail. Not that I any thing at all liked their opinions and false papistical religion, or else doubted of the truth wherein I stand, but only the infirmity of the flesh beguiled me, desiring liberty by an unlawful means. God lay it not to my charge at that day, & so I desire you heartily to pray. How be it, uncertain I am whether more profit or disprofit came thereby: profit to me, in that god suffered Satan to buffet me by his foresaid ministers of mischief, showing me mine infirmity, that I should not boast nor rejoice in myself, but only in the Lord. Who when he had led me to hell in my conscience, through the respect of his fearful judgements against me for my fearfulness, mistrust, and crafty cloaking in such spiritual and weighty matters (in the which mine agony & distress, I found this old verse true, Non patitur ludum fama, fides, oculus) yet he left me not there, but brought me from thence again, to the magnifying of his name, suspecting of flesh and blood, and consolation of mine own soul, & also that I might feel the disprofit in offending the congregation of god, which peradventure will rather adjudge my fall to come of doubtfulness in my doctrine & religion, them of human imbecility. Well, of the importune burden of a troubled conscience for denying or dissembling the known verity, I by experience could say very much more, which perhaps I will declare by writing to the warning of other, if god grant time: for now am I & my fellows ready to go hence, even for Christ's cause: Gods name be praised, who hath hitherto called us. Pray, I pray you, that we may end our course with joy, and at your appointed time, you shall come after. But as the Lord hath kept you so will he preserve your life still, to the intent you should labour (as you do) to appease and convince these ungodly contentions and controversies which now do to much reign, brauwling about terms to no edification. GOD is dishonoured, the church disquieted, and occasion to speak evil of the Gospel ministered to our adversaries. But such is the subtlety of Satan, that whom he cannot win with gross idolatry in open religion, them he seeketh to corrupt and deceive in opinions, in a private profession. But here I will abrutply leave, least with my rudeness and symplicity, I should be tedious to you, desiring you (my loving brother) if it shall not seem grievous unto you, to write unto me and my fellows yet once again, if you may have leisure, and we time to the same, and send me word if you can hastily. Provide me Master Philpots ix examinations for a friend of mine, and I shall pay you therefore, by the leave of almighty GOD our heavenly father, who correcteth all his dear children in this world, that they should not be damned with the world, and trieth the faith of his saints through many tribulations, that being found constant to the end, he may crown his own gifts in them, and in heaven highly reward them. Whether I trust to go before, looking for you to follow (my faithful friend) that we may sing perpetual praise to our loving Lord god, for victory over Satan & sin, won for us by jesus christ God and man, our only sufficient saviour and advocate, Amen. Farewell, and pray in faith. Yours Thomas Whittell Minister, and now condemned to die for the Gospel's sake. Anno 1555. january. 21. ¶ To my dear friend and brother Thomas went and other his prison fellows in Lollards Tower. HE that preserved joseph prisoner in Egypt, Act. 16 fed Daniel in the Lion's den, & delivered Paul, Peter, and the other apostles out of prison: vouchsafe of his goodness to keep, fede, and deliver you my good brother Went, with the other our fellow soldiers, your prison fellows, as may be most to his glory, to your consolation and the edification of his church. I cannot but praise god most earnestly, when I hear of your constancy in the faith and joy in the cross of christ, which you now bear and suffer together, with many other good members of Christ: 2. Thess. ● which is a token that by Christ ye are counted worthy the kingdom of God, as Paul sayeth. And though the world counteth the yoke and cross of Christ as a most pernicious & hurtful thing, yet we which have tasted how friendly the Lord is, cannot but rejoice in this persecution as touching ourselves, 1. pet. 2 in as much as the cause for the which we suffer is the lords cause, and not altogether ours: at whose hand, if we endure to the end, we shall receive through his liberal promise in Christ, not only a great reward in heaven, but also the kingdom of heaven itself, and also in the mean season be sure to be defended & cared for, so that we shall lack no necessary things, Math. 10 neither a hear of our heads shall perish without his knowledge. O what is he that would mistrust, or not gladly serve so loving a father? O how unhappy are they that forsake him and put their trust in man? But how blessed are they that for his love and for his holy words sake, in these troublesome days, 1. pet. 4 do commit their souls and bodies into his hands with well doing, counting it greater happiness and riches to suffer rebuke with Christ and his church, Heb. 11 then to enjoy the pleasures of this life for a little short season? This cross that we now bear, hath been common to all the faithful from Abel hitherto, & shallbe to the end, for because the devil having great wrath against god & his Christ, Apo. 12 cannot abide that he should for his manifold mercies be lauded and magnified, and Christ to be taken and believed upon for our only and sufficient redeemer, Saviour, and advocate. And therefore, because will not deny Christ, nor dissemble with our faith, but openly protest and profess the same before the world: he seeketh by all means to stir up his wicked members, to persecute and kill the bodies of the true christians: Apo. 2. psal. 115, as john sayeth, the devil shall cast some of you into prison. And David sayeth, I believed, and therefore have I spoken, but I was sore troubled. This notwithstanding, go forward dear brethren, as ye have begun, to fight the lords battle, considering Christ the captain of your war, who will both fight for you, give you victory, and also highly reward your pains. Consider to your comfort, the notable & chief shepehards and soldiers of Christ, which are gone before us in these days, I mean those learned & godlo bishops, doctors, and other ministers of gods word: whose faith and examples we that be inferiors ought, to follow, Heb. 13 as Paul saith. Remember them that have declared unto you the word of god, the end of whose conversation see that ye look upon, and follow their faith. The grace & blessing of God, with the ministry of his holy Angels, be with you for ever, Amen. All my prison fellows you. From the Colebouse this this .4. of December. By your poor brother Thomas Whittell, an unworthy minister of Christ, now his prisoner for the gospels sake, Amen. ¶ To all the true professors and lovers of Gods holy Gospel within the City of London. Rom. 4. Luke. 1. THe same faith for the which Abraham was counted righteous, and Mary blessed, the Lord god increase and make stable in your hearts, my dear and faithful brethren and Sisters of London, for ever and ever, Amen. Dearly beloved, be not troubled in this heat which is now come amongs you to try you, 1. Pet. 4. as though some strange thing had happened unto you, but rejoice in as much as ye are partakers of Christ's passions, that when his glory appeareth, ye may be merry & glad etc. Out of these words of S. Peter, I gather most specially these .4. notes. First the persecution happeneth to Christ's church for their trial, that is, for the probation & prose of their faith. Which faith, like as it is known with god in the depth of our hearts, so will he have it made manifest to the whole world thorough persecution, that so it may evidently appear that he hath such a church & people upon earth, which so trusteth in him & feareth his holy name, that no kind of persecution, pains, Rom. 8. Gene. 22. job. 1 nor death shall be able to separate them from the love of him. And thus was Abraham tried & job tempted, that their faith which before lay hid almost in their hearts, might be made known to the whole world to be so steadfast & strong, that the devil, natural love, nor no other enemy could be able to bereave than thereof: whereby also god was to be magnified, who both trieth his people by many tribulations, and also standeth by them in the midst of their troubles to deliver them by life or death, as he seeth best: like as he assisted Loath & delivered him out of his enemy's hands, Rom. 9 2 Cor. 11. Aect. 16. Genesis. 4. 2. Macb. 6. Aect. 7. Matth. 27. james. 4. joseph out of the hands of his brethren & out of prison, Paul from his enemies in Damascus, & the Apostles out of the stocks & prison. These with many more he delivered to life: & also he delivered Abel, Eleazar, Steven, & john Baptist, with other many by death, and hath also by the trial of their faith made them good precedents & examples to us & all that come after, to suffer affliction in the like cause, as s. james saith. Take, my brethren, saith he, the Prophets for an ensample of suffering adversity and of long patience, which spoke unto you in the name of the Lord: behold we count them happy which endure. Y e have heard of the patience of job, & have known what end the lord made with him, for the lord is very pitiful & merciful. Also the lord trieth us, to let us see our own hearts & thoughts, that no hypocrisy nor ambition deceive us, & that the strong in Christ may pray that he fall not but endure to the end, & that those that fall through fearful infirmity, might speedily repent & rise again with Peter, & also that the weak ones might bewail their weakness, & cry with David: have mercy upon me O lord, Psalm. 6. for I am weak, O lord heal me for all my bones are vexed. Of this opening of the heart by persecution, spoke holy Simeon to mary Christ's Mother when he said, Luke. 2. the sword, that is, the cross of persecution shall pierce thy soul that the thoughts of many hearts may be opened. For like as a King that should go to battle, is compelled to look in his coffers what treasure he hath, and also what number and puissance of men and weapons, so that if he see himself unready and unarmed to bycker with his enemy, he surceaseth and taketh truce for a time: even so we by persecutions have our hearts opened that we may look therein to see what faith in Christ we have, and what strength to withstand the enemies and to bear the cross, that if we be rich in these treasures, we might rejoice and valiantly go to battle, or if we want these things, with all speed to call and cry upon him, which giveth all good gifts to those that ask them. Item the cross trieth the good people from the bad, the faithful from the worldlings & hypocrites, & also cleanseth & scoureth the faithful hearts from all corruption & filthiness both of the flesh & the spirit. And even as an iron, except it be often scoured, will soon wax rusty: so except our sinful hearts & flesh be often scoured with the whetstone of the cross, they will soon corrupt & overgrow with the rust of all filthiness and sin. And therefore it is meet & good for us (as the wisman saith) that as gold & silver are tried in the fire, Sirach. 2. so should the hearts of acceptable men be tried in the furnace of adversity. Abide the trial (dear friends) that ye may obtain the crown of life. Fight manfully in this the Lords cause, that ye may obtain a glorious victory here, and receive a great reward in heaven hereafter. As ye are called Christians, and would be angry to be called jews or Turks, so declare your christianity by following the steps of Christ, whose name ye bear: suffer with him and for his Gospels sake, rather than to deny him or to defile your faith and conscience with false worshipping or romish religion. Take up your cross (my dear hearts) now when it is offered you, and go up with Christ to jerusalem amongst the bishops, Priests, and rulers (if GOD call you thereto) and they will anon send you to Caluarye: from whence (dying in the cause of the Gospel, wherein our good preachers and brethren have given their lives) your souls, I warrant you, through Christ jesus, Eccle. 12. shall ascend to GOD that gave them, and the body shall come after at the last day, and so shall ye dwell with the Lord for ever in unspeakable joy and bliss. O blessed are they that suffer persecution for righteousness sake, as Christ's people in this jewish England now doth, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. O my beloved, set your minds on this kingdom where Christ our head and King is, considering that as the brute beast looketh downwards with the face towards the earth, so is man made contrary wise with his face looking upwards towards the heavens, because his conversation should be in heaven and heavenly things, and not upon the earth and earthly things, Col. 3 as Saint Paul saith: set your minds on things which are are above where Christ is. And again he sayeth, phil. 3. our conversation is in heaven, from whence we look for our Saviour, who will change our vile bodies and make them like to his glorious body. Oh the glorious estate that we be called unto: the Lord preserve us blameless to his eternal kingdom through Christ jesus our Lord, Amen. The second thing that I note in the foresaid words of Peter, is, that he calleth persecution no strange thing. And truth it is: for which of the Prophets were not persecuted with Christ and his Apostles, and some of them in the end cruelly killed for the truths sake? Cain killed Abel, Isaac was persecuted of Ishmael, 3. Regum. 4. Regum. jacob was hated of Esau, joseph was prisoned and set in the stocks, The prophet Isaiah was cut in two with a saw, jeremy was stoned, Micheas was buffeted and fed with bread and water, Helias was sore persecuted, Eleazar, and the woman with her seven sons were cruelly killed. 2. mac. 6.7 What Christ and the Apostles suffered, it is well known: so that by many tribulations (as Paul sayeth) we must enter into the kingdom of heaven. Act. 14, All the holy Prophets, Christ and his Apostles suffered such afflictions, not for evil doing, but for preaching Gods word, for rebuking the world of sin, and for their faith in jesus Christ. This is the ordinance of GOD (my friends) this is the high way to heaven, by corporal death to eternal life: john. 5. as Christ saith, he that heareth my words & believeth in him that sent me, hath eternal life, & shall not come into judgement, but is escaped from death to life. Let us never fear death, which is killed by christ, but believe in him & live for ever, Roman. 8. as Paul saith: there is no damnation to them that are in christ jesus, which walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. 1. Corin. 15. And again, Paul saith: Death where is thy sting? Hell where is thy victory? Thanks be to god which hath given us victory through jesus Christ. Besides this, ye have seen & daily do see the blood of your good preachers, & brethren which hath been shed in the gospels cause in this sinful Sodom, this bloody jerusalem, this unhappy city of London. Let not their blood be forgotten, nor the blood of your good bishop Ridley, who like a good shepherd, to your comfort & example, hath given his life for his sheep. S. Paul saith, remember them that have spoken to you the word of god, john. 10. Heb. 13 & look upon the end of their conversation, and follow their faith. The devil ever stirreth up false teachers, as he hath done now over all England, 2. peter. 2. 1. Timot 4. 2. Timo. 3. jude. 1. as Peter, Paul, & Jude prophesied it should be, to poison & kill our souls with false doctrine. And where he faileth his purpose that way, then moveth he his members to persecute the silly carcases of the Saints, because they will not deny nor dissemble their pure faith in our living Christ, & confess a dead bready christ, and honour the same as Christ god & man, Exod 20. 1. john. 5. 2. Corin. 10 contrary to gods commandments. This is the working of Satan, who knowing his own just damnation, would all mankind to be partakers with him of the same: such a mortal hatred beareth he against god & his people. Matth. 4. And therefore when this wicked tempter could not kill Christ with subtle temptation to fall down & worship him, then he stirred up his servants the bishops & Pharisees to kill his body, whereby notwithstanding the devil lost his title & interest which he had to man's soul, and man by his precious passion and death was ransomed from the devil, death & hell, to immortality & life everlasting: and so when Satan thought to have won all in killing of Christ he lost all, and so shall he do in us if we abide constant and strong in the faith of our lord and Saviour jesus Christ unto the end. God grant it, for his mercies sake in Christ: blessed are all they that put their trust in him, Amen. Wherefore (my heartily beloved brethren & sisters) be of good comfort through jesus Christ, for he that is in us, is stronger than he that is in the world. Therefore draw ye near to god, james. 2 & he will draw near to you. Resist the devil & he will (as james saith) flee from you. Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. Math. 16. Touch not pitch, lest ye be defiled therewith. Eat no swines flesh, for it is against the law: I mean defile not yourselves neither inwardly nor outwardly with this false & wicked religion of Antichrist: for it is nothing else but pitch, Apo. 13.14. Apo. 18 2. Cor. 6. & swines flesh. Beware of the beasts mark, lest ye drink of the cup of god's wrath. If god have given you knowledge & faith, dissemble not therewith. Deny not the known verity before men, lest Christ deny you before his father. Come away from Babylon, as john biddeth you, & touch no unclean thing, but separate yourselves from the company of the ungodly, as Paul commandeth you. What soever ye have done amiss heretofore, now repent and amend, psal. 129. for with the lord there is mercy and plenteous redemption. The third thing & note which I gather out of the foresaid words of Peter, is this, that he saith rejoice because ye are partakers of Christ's passions. Our sufferings (my well-beloved) are Christ's sufferings: and that injury that is done to us for his sake, he reckoneth it to be done to himself: as he said to Paul, Act. 9 Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Col. 1. Therefore we ought to rejoice in our sufferings, as Paul writeth, which we suffer with Christ & one with an other, as Peter saith, & so to fulfil that which is behind of the passions of Christ in our flesh: which Christ hath by his passion, fully redeemed & saved us in his own person: howbeit his elect must suffer with him & for him unto the worlds end, Mat. 5. that he may be glorified in them and they thereby corrected & cleansed from sin in this world, & be made more meet temples for the holy ghost, and also obtain a great reward in heaven for their suffering for righteousness sake, according to his promise. And therefore I say (my brethren) rejoice in the lord always, & again I say rejoice. Let us rejoice in the cross of our lord jesus Christ, Phillip 3. Galat. 6. whereby the word is crucified to us & we to it. And why should we so greatly rejoice in the cross of Christ, which we now suffer? Because (saith Peter) when his glory appeareth, we may be merry & glad. And this is the fourth note that I gather out of his words above written: Wherein is set out the reward of suffering, not to be had in this world, but at his coming to judgement when we shall be raised again, and then shall they that have sown in tears, reap in joy, as christ saith: blessed are they that weep here, for they shall laugh. Blessed are ye when men hate you, & thrust you out of their company, railing on you, & abhorring your name as an evil thing for the son of man's sake, Luke. 6 rejoice ye in that day and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. Wherefore (my dearly beloved) through hope of this heavenly joy & reward, 1. Cor. 2. Heb. 12 which he that can not lie hath promised (which joy is so great that no ear hath heard, no eye hath seen, nor the heart can think, where we shall dwell for ever in the heavenly city, the celestial jerusalem, in the presence of God the father, & jesus Christ our mediator, as Paul sayeth, and in the company of innumerable Angels, and with the spirits & souls of all faithful & just men) rejoice & be glad: & seeing ye be called to so great glory, 2 pet. i. see that ye make your election & vocation sure by good works, & specially by suffering adversity for the Gospel's sake: Phil. 1. for it is given us of god, saith Paul, not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for his sake. Continue in prayer, & pray for me that I may end my course with joy. Have brotherly love amongst yourselves, john. 14 which is a token that ye be Christ's distiples. Edify & comfort one an other in the word of the lord, & the god of peace & love be with you always. Amen. For your liberality & kindness showed upon the prisoners & afflicted people of god in this time of persecution, the lord will reward you when he cometh to reward every man according to their deeds, and will not leave a cup of cold water bestowed upon his faithful people, unrewarded. God make you rich in all grace, Matth. 10. 2. Cor. 8. that ye always having sufficient, may be rich unto all manner of good works. The grace of our Lord jesus Christ, the love of god, and the fellowship of the holy ghost be with you always, Amen. Your brother now in bonds for the gospel, Thomas Whittell. To my loving and faithful brother john Careless, prisoner in the Kings Bench. THe same faith for the which Abraham was accounted just and Mary blessed, whereby also all just men live, the lord god our loving father increase and stablish in you and me, to the obtaining of eternal life in our alone and sweet Saviour jesus Christ, Amen. I can not worthily & sufficiently praise god (my heartily be loved brother) for the consolation & joy that I received by reason of your loving letters, repenting me much that I being so long so near you, did not enterprise to stir up familiarity & comunication between us by writing, to our mutual consolation in Christ. For what is there upon earth wherein to rejoice (where all things are transitory & vain, yea man himself, respecting this life) but, as David saith, Psal. 16 the Saints that dwell upon the earth, & such as excel in virtue? But here now I consider, that if the fellowship, love, & joy of faithful men and children of god, being as we now be in double bondage, the body within clay walls, & the soul within these frail earthly bodies, be so great and comfortable: how unspeakable will those joys be, when we shall be delivered from all corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of god, Where we shall be present together continually in our glorified bodies, beholding the face of our father presently (whom now we see but in the glass of faith) with his dear son christ our redeemer & brother, and the blessed company of Angels & all faithful saved souls? Oh the incomparable good things and heavenly treasures laid up for us in heaven by christ jesus. For the obtaining whereof, we ought to set light by all temporal griefs and transitory afflictions so much the more, in that our good God is faithful & will not suffer us to be tempted above our strength, & that namely in the end of our life, Eccle. 11. when the tree where it falleth, lieth still, as the preacher sayeth: when every one, causa sua dormit & causa sua resurget: for else before the end he suffereth his sometime to fall, but not finally to perish: as Peter sincked upon the sea, but yet was not drowned, and sinned grievously upon the land through infirmity denying his Master, but yet found mercy: for the righteous falleth oftentimes. And Christ's holy Apostles are taught to say, remit nobis debita nostra: Yea though the righteous fall, saith David, he shall not be cast away, for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. Oh the bottomless mercy of God toward us miserable sinners. He vouchsafe to plant in my heart true repentance and faith, to the obtaining of remission of all my sins in the mercies of God, and merits of Christ his son, and thereto I pray you say, Amen. Oh my heartily beloved, it grieveth me to see the spoil & havoc the Saul maketh with the congregation of Christ, but what remedy? This is gods will & ordinance, that his people shall here both be punished in the flesh, & tried in their faith, as it is written: many are the troubles of the righteous, but the lord delivereth them out of all, for by a straight path & narrow door must we enter. Whether? Into the joyful kingdom of heaven. Therefore blessed are you, & other that suffer persecution for Christ's sake, for the possessing of the same. Pray for me & my fellows (good brother) that we may fight a good fight, that we may keep the faith, and end our course with joyful gladness, for now the time of our deliverance is at hand. The lord guide, defend, and keep us & you, & all his people in our journey, that we may safely through a short death, pass to that long lasting life. Farewell my dear and loving brother & fellow soldier in Christ, farewell I say in him, who receive our souls in peace when they shall departed from these tabernacles, and he grant us a joyful resurrection, and a merry meeting at the last day, and continual dwelling together in his eternal and heavenly kingdom, through jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. Yours with my poor prayer, other pleasure can I do you none, Thomas Whittell minister. To my dear brethren. M. Fills and Cuthbert. MY dear and well-beloved brethren in Christ M. Fills and Cuthbert, I wish you all welfare of soul & body. Welfare to the soul, is repentance of sin, faithful affiance in christ jesus, & a godly life. Welfare to the body, is the health of the same, with all necessary things for this bodily life. The soul of man is immortal, & therefore aught to be well kept, lest immortality to joy, should turn to immortality of sorrow. As for the body, be it never so well kept & much made of, yet shortly by nature will it perish & decay. But those that are engrafted and incorporated into Christ by true faith, feeling the motion of God's holy spirit, as a pledge of their electition and inheritance, exciting and stirring them not only to seek heavenly things, but also to hate vice & embrace virtue: will not only do those things, but also if need require, will gladly take up their cross and follow their Captain, Mat. 26. Mar. 14 their King, and their saviour jesus Christ, as his poor afflicted Church of England now doth, against that false and Antichristian doctrine & religion now used, and specially that blasphemous mass, wherein Christ's supper and holy ordinance is altogether perverted and abused contrary to his institution, Luke. 22. 2. Cor. 1● and to Paul's procedings: so that, that which they have in their Mass is neither sacrament of christ nor yet sacrifice for sin, as the priests falsely pretend. It is a sacrament, that is as S. Augustine saith, a visible sign of invisible grace, when it is ministered to the communicantes according to Christ's example, and as it was of late years in this realm. And as for sacrifice, there is none to be made now for sin: Heb. 9.10 for christ with one sacrifice hath perfected for ever those that are sanctified. Beware of false religion and men's vain traditions, and serve god with reverence and godly fear, according to the doctrine of his Gospel, Luke. i1 whereto clean ye that ye may be blessed, though of wicked men ye be hated & accursed. Rather drink of the cup of Christ with his church, Apo. 18. then of the cup of that rose coloured whore of Babylon. which is full of abominations. Rather strive ye to go to heaven by that path which is straight to flesh and blood with the little flock, then to go the wide way, following the enticements of the world and the flesh, which leadeth to damnation. Like as Christ suffered in the flesh, saith S. Peter, pet. 4.3 so arm ye yourselves with the same mind: for Christ suffered for us, leaving us example to follow his footsteps. Blessed are they that suffer for his sake, great is their reward in heaven. He that overcometh saith S. john, shall eat of the tree of life: he shall have a crown of life, Apoca. 2.3 and not be hurt of the second death: he shall be clothed with white array, & not be put out of the book of life: yea I will confess his name, saith Christ, before my father, and before his angels, & he shallbe a pillar in the house of God, and sit with me on my seat. And thus I bid you farewell, mine own brethren and dear fellows in Christ, whose grace and peace be alway with you, Amen. This world I do forsake To Christ I me betake, And for his gospel sake Patiently death I take. My body to the dust Now to return it must: My soul I know full well With my god it shall dwell. Thomas Whittell. ❧ Letters of Master Robert Samuel, a godly and learned Minister and preacher of God's word, burnt at Ipsewiche for the faithful testimony of the same, the 18. of August. 1555. of whose strange torments, and unmerciful handling etc., read in the book of Martyrs. Fol. 1270. An exhortation to the patiented suffering of afflictions for Christ's cause, and the verity of his Gospel. Eccle. 9 A Man knoweth not his time, but as the fish is taken with the angle, and as the birds are caught with the snare: even so are men caught and taken in the perilous time, when it cometh upon them. The time cometh, the day draweth near. Ezechi. 7. Better it were to die, as the preacher saith, Eccl. 4 then to live and see the miserable works which are done under the Sun: such so deign and strange mutations such woeful, heinous, and lamentable divisions so fast approacheth, and none or very few thoroughly repenteth. Esay. 1. Alas for this sinful nation a people of great iniquity and seed of ungraciousness, corrupting their ways. They have forsaken the lord, they have provoked the holy one of Israel to anger, and are gone backward. Who now liveth not in such security and rest, as though all dangers were clean overpast? Who now blindeth and buffeteth not christ, with seest me and seest me not? Yea who liveth not now in such felicity, worldly pleasures, and joys, wholly seeking the world, providing and craftily shyfting for the earthly clod and all carnal appetites, as though sin were clean forgotten, overthrown, and devoured? Like hoggyshe gaddernes now are we more afraid and ashamed of Christ our Messiah, Math. 8 fearing the loss of our filthy pigs, I mean our transitory goods, and disquieting of our sinful and mortal bodies in this short, uncertain, and miserable life: them of a legion of devils, seducing and driving us from hearing, reading, Mark. 5. and believing Christ gods eternal son and his holy word, the power to save our souls: unto vanities, lies and fables, Rom. 10. and to this bewitching world. Oh perilous abundance of goods, to much saturity of meats, wealth & quietness, Genes. 19 which destroyed with so many souls, those goodly Cities Sodom and Gomorre. jeroboam, so long as he was but a poor man, not yet advanced to his dignity, lived in the laws of god without reprehension: but brought once to wealth and prosperous estate, he became a wicked and most shameful idolater. And what made the covetous young man so loath to follow Christ, Math. 19 when he was bidden to forsake but worldly wealth which he then enjoyed? Woe be unto these false elusions of the world, baits of perdition, hooks of the Devil, which have so shamefully deceived and seduced full many from the right path unto the Lord, into the high ways of confusion and perpetual perdition. We might now worthily (dear christians) lament and bewail our heavy state, miserable condition, and sorrowful chance: yea I say we might well accuse ourselves, and with job curse these our troublous, wicked, job. 3. and bloody last days of this world, were it not that we both see and believe, and find in gods sacred book, Esay. 10 that a remnant god hath in all ages reserved, I mean the faithful, as many as have been from the beginning of the world, exercised, whetted and polished with divers afflictions, troubles, & tossings, cast and dashed against all perils and dangers, as the very dross and outcasts of the earth, and yet will in no wise halt between god and Baal: 1. Cor. 4 for God utterly abhorreth two men in one: he cannot away with them that are between both, but casteth them away as a filthy vomit. Apoca. 3. Christ will not part spoil with his mortal enemy the devil: he will have all or lose all: he will not permit the Devil to have the service of the body, and he to stand contented with the heart and mind: but he willbe glorified both in your bodies and in your spirits, which are his as S. Paul sayeth, 1. Cor. 6 For he hath made all, bought all and dearly paid for all, As S. Peter saith: 1. pet. 1. with his own immaculate body hath he clean discharged your bodies from sin, death, and hell, and with his most precious blood paid your ransom & full price once for all and for ever. Now what harm I pray you, or what loss sustain you by this? Why are you O vain men, more afraid of jesus your gentle Saviour, and his gospel of salvation, then of a legion of cruel devils, going about with false delusions utterly to destroy you both bodies and souls? Think you to be more sure then under your captain Christ? Do you promise yourselves to be more quiet in Satan's service, then in Christ's religion? Esteem you more these transitory and pernicious pleasures, than god and all his heavenly treasures? Oh palpable darkness, horrible madness, and wilful blindness without comparison, to much to be suffered any longer. We see & will not see: we know and will not know: yea we smart & will not feel, & that our own conscience well knoweth. Oh miserable and brainless souls, which would for foolish pleaiures and slippery wealth, lose the royal kingdom and permanent joys of god, with the everlasting glory which he hath prepared for them that truly love him, and renounce the world. 2. Cor. 4 The children of the world live in pleasure and wealth, and the devil who is their GOD and Prince of this world, keepeth their wealth which is proper unto them, and letteth them enjoy it. But let us which be of Christ, joh. 12 seek and inquire for heavenly things, which by god's promise and mercy in Christ, shallbe peculiar unto us. Let (I say) the Cretians, epicures and such other beastly Belials and carnal people, pass for things that be pleasant for the body, and do appertain to this transitory life: yet shall they once (as the kingly Prophet saith) run about the City of god to & fro howling like dogs, Psalm. 58. desiring one scrap of the joys of gods elect, Luk. 16 but all to late, as the rich glutton. Let us therefore pass for those things that do pertain to the spirit, and be celestial. Coloss. 3 Heb. 13 job. 7. We must be here (saith Paul) not as inhabitors and home dwellers but as strangers: not as strangers only, but after the mind of job, as painful soldiers appointed of our governor to fight against the governor of darkness of this world, against spiritual craftiness in heavenly things. The time is come: we must to it: Ephesi. 5 1. pet. 4 the judgement must begin first at the house of god. Began they not first with the green and sappy tree? and what followed then on the dry branches? jeremy speaking in the person of God saith, in the City wherein my name is innocate, Luke. 14. will I begin to punish, but as for you (meaning the wicked) you shall be as innocentes and not once touched: jeremy. 15. for the dregs of gods wrath, the bottom of all sorrows, are reserved unto them in the end: but god's household shall drink the flower of the cup of his mercy. 2. Para. 3. And therefore let us say with Ezechias, play the men and shrink not: let us comfort ourselves, for the lord is with us our helper, and fighteth for us. The Lord is (saith he) with you when you be with him, and when you seek him he will be found of you, and again, when you forsake him he will forsake you. Wherefore we ought not to be dismayed or discourage ourselves, but rather to be of good comfort: not to be sad but merry: not sorrowful, but joyful, in that god of his goodness will vouchsafe to take us as his beloved children, to subdue our sinful lusts, our wretched flesh and blood unto his glory, the promoting of his holy word, and edifying of his church. 2. Cor. 5. What if the earthly house of this our habitation (Paul meaning the body) be destroyed? We know assuredly we shall have a building of God not made with hands, but everlasting in heaven, with such joys as faith taketh not, hope toucheth not, nor charity apprehendeth not. They pass all desires and wishes. Gotten they may be by Christ, esteemed they cannot be. Wherefore the more affliction & persecution the word of God bringeth, the more felicity & greater joy abideth in heaven. But the worldly peace, idle ease, wealthy pleasure, and this present & pleasant transitory life and felicity, which the ungodly foolishly imagine to procure unto themselves by persecuting and thrusting away the gospel, shall turn unto their own trouble, and at last unto horrible destruction and mutations of realms and countries, and after this life (if they repent not) into their perpetual infelicity, perdition, and damnation. 1. Regum. 25 For they had rather with Nabal and his temporal pleasures, descend to the devil, then with poor Christ and his bodily troubles, ascend into the kingdom of God his father. But an unwise man (saith the psalmist) comprehendeth them not, negther doth the foolish understand them, that is, these bloody persecutors grown up and flourishing like the flower and grass in the field. But unto this end do they so flourish, that they might be cut down and cast into the fire for ever. job. 21. For as job saith, their joy lasteth but the twinkling of an eye, and death shall lie knawing upon them as doth the flock upon the pasture: psal. 4●. Mar. 9 yea the cruel worm, late repentance as S. Mark saith, shall lie gnawing, tormenting, and accusing their wretched conscience for evermore. Let us therefore (good christians) be constant in obeying God rather than men. For although they slay our sinful bodies, yea rather our deadly enemies, for god's verity: yet can they not do it but by god's sufferance and good will, to his praise and honour, and to our eternal joy and felicity. For our blood shed for the gospel, shall preach it with more fruit and greater furtherance, than did our mouths, lives, and writings: as did the blood of Abel, Steven, with many other more. What though they laugh Christ and his word to scorn, which sit in the chair of perverse pestilent scorners? To whom as to the wise Gentiles of the world, the gospel of Christ is but foolishness, as it was to the jews a slander and a stumbling stone, whereat they now being fallen, have provoked the wrath and vengeance of god upon them. Luke. 2. These are the days of vengeance (saith Luke) that all things written may be fulfilled. And surely it shall be no less than a huge storm of evils that shall come upon us, because that a long and a cursed obstinate maliciousness of us, hath gone before crying in the ears of the Lord GOD of hosts, who so many times and so many ways, have been provoked, with the unspeakable riches of his goodness, his patience, and long suffering, to amendment, and have nevertheless contemned the same, Esay. 3 and proceeded forward to worse and worse, provoking and stirring the presence of god's majesty unto anger. EZech. Now therefore saith God by the mouth of his Prophet, I will come upon thee, and I will send my wrath upon thee: upon thee (I say) O England, and punish thee according to thy ways, & reward thee after all thine abominations. Thou hast kindled the fire of god's wrath and hast stirred up the coals. Esay. 5. For thou wast once lightened and hadst tasted of the heavenly gift, and waste become partaker of the holy Ghost, and hadst tasted of the good word of God: Yea, it is yet in thy mouth saith the Prophet. Alas, O England, thou knewest thy Lord & masters will, but didst nothing thereafter, thou must therefore (saith he) suffer many stripes & many sharp strokes, & walk on in the glittering & hot flame of thine own fire, and in the coals that thou hast kindled. This cometh to thee from my hand, saith the Lord: namely that thou shalt sleep in sorrow, yea even so thou shalt. The plain truth telleth the tale, the immutable justice of the everliving God, and the ordinary course of his plagues from the beginning, confirmeth the same. The joy of our heart (saith jeremy) is gone, our glory is fallen away, jeremy. 5. our merry singing is turned into mourning, the garland of our head is fallen. Alas and weal away that ever we sinned so sore: woe worth all abominations, and wickedness: woe worth cloaked hypocrisy: woe worth our carnal liberty: woe worth our most cursed Idolatry. For because of these things saith the Lord, ye shall perish with sword, hunger and pestilence. Wherefore, let all the wicked enemies of Christ, and all the unbelievers, be afraid to be tormented and vexed, with all hellish furies, and clean without hope at gods accounting day, which know not God in Christ to be their very righteousness, their life, john. 8. their only salvation and alone Saviour, nor believe not in him. They must saith S. john, needs abide and perish with their sins in death and in eternal damnation. But we be the children of saints, as the elder Toby did answer, and look for an other life, which God shall give to all them which change not their faith, nor shrink not from him. Rejoice therefore ye christian afflicted brethren, for they can not take our souls and bodies out of the hands of the almighty, which be kept as in the bosom of our most sweet and loving father, Matth. i0. and if we abide fast in Christ and turn not away like weathercockes, surely we shall live for ever, Christ affirming the same saying: my sheep here my voice, I know them, they hearken, unto me and to no strangers, and I give them everlasting life, john. 10 for they shall not be lost nor no man shall pluck them out of my hands: no nor yet this flat ring world with all his vain pleasures, nor any Tyrant with his great threats and stout brags can once move them out of the way of eternal life. What consolation and comfort may we have more pleasant and effectuous than this? God is on our side and fighteth for us: he suffereth, he smarteth, & is afflicted with us. As the world can do nothing against his might, Esay. 4 neither in taking away or diminishing of his glory, nor putting him from his celestial throne: so can it not harm nor hurt any one of his children without his good will: Ephesi. 5 for we are members of his body, out of his flesh and of his bones, and as dear to him as the apple of his eye. Let us therefore with an earnest faith, set fast hold and sure feeling upon the promises of God in the gospel, and let us not be sundered from the same by any temptation, tribulation, or persecution. Let us consider the verity of god to be invincible, inviolable, and immutable, promising and giving us his faithful soldiers, life eternal. It is he only that hath deserved it for us: it is his only benefit, and of his only mere mercy: unto him only must we render thanks. Let not therefore the vain fantasies and dreams of men, the foolish gauds and toys of the world, nor the crafty delusions of the devil, drive & separate us from our hope of the crown of righteousness, that is laid up in store for us against the last day. Oh that happy and merry last day, I mean to the faithful, when Christ by his covenant shall grant and give unto them that overcome and keep his words to the end, that they may ascend and sit in seat with him, as he hath ascended and sitteth on throne with his father. The same body and soul that is now with Christ afflicted, shall then be with Christ glorified: now in the butcher's hands as sheep appointed to die, 2. Timo. 2. then sitting at gods table with Christ in his kingdom, as gods honourable and dear children: where we shall have for earthly poverty, heavenly riches, for hunger and thirst, saturity of the pleasant presence of the glory of God, Psalm. 16. for sorrows, troubles and cold irons, celestial joys, and the company of Angels, and for a bodily death, life eternal. Oh happy souls, oh precious death and evermore blessed: right dear in the eyes of god, to you the spring of the Lord shall ever be flourishing. Then as saith Esay, the redeemed shall return & come again into Zion praising the Lord, and eternal mercies shall be over their heads: they shall obtain mirth and solace: sorrow and woe shall be utterly vanquished: yea I am even he sayeth the Lord, that in all things giveth you everlasting consolation. To whom with the Father, and the holy ghost, be glory and praise for ever, Amen. Robert Samuel. another letter written to the Christian congregation, called the faith of Robert Samuel. The belief of the heart justfieth, and to knowledge with the mouth maketh a man safe. Rom. 10. Fear not the curse of men, be not afraid of their blasphemies and revilings, for worms and moths shall eat them up like cloth and will, but my righteousness shall endure for ever, and my saving health from generation to generation. Esay. 51. COnsidering with myself these perilous times, 2. Timo. 3. perishing days, & the unconstant and miserable state of man, the decay of our faith, the sinister report & false slander of gods most holy word, these urgent causes in conscience do constrain me to confess & acknowledge my faith and meaning in Christ's holy religion, as S. Peter teacheth me, saying: 1. pet. 3 be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, and that with meekness & fear, having a good conscience, that when they backbite you as evil doers, they may be ashamed, for asmuch as they have falsely accused your good conversation in Christ. As touching my doctrine, for that little talon that god hath given me, god I take to record, mine own conscience & mine auditory knoweth, that I neither in doctrine nor manners, willingly taught any other thing than I received of the holy patriarchs, Prophets, Christ & his Apostles. For it were not only sin, but also the very part of a cursed miscreant, to deny, to belie, or betray the innocency of that heavenvly doctrine, or to be ashamed to confess & stand to the defence of the same, Mar. 8. seeing the christ planted it with his most precious blood: and all good men have more esteemed the true & infallible word of god, than all this transitory world, or their own mortal lives. And I believe this doctrine of the patriarchs, Prophets, Christ & his Apostles to be sufficient & absolutely perfect to instruct & teach me & all the holy church of our duties towards god, the magistrates, & our neighbours. first & principally I do assuredly believe, without any doubting, that there is one deity or divine essence, & infinite substance, which is both called & is in deed god everlasting, unbodely, unpartable, unmeasurable in power, wisdom & goodness, the maker & preserver of all things, as well visible as invisible: & yet there be three distinct persons, all of one godhead or divine being, & of all one power, coequal, consubstantial, & coeternal, the father, the son & the holy ghost. I believe in god the father almighty, etc. As touching god the father of heaven, I believe as much as holy scripture teacheth me to believe. The father is the first person in trinity, Ephesi. ●. first cause of our salvation, which hath blessed us with all manner of blessings in heavenvly things by Christ: which hath choose us before the foundations of the world were laid, that we should be holy & without blame before him: who hath predestinate us & ordained us to be his children of adoption through Christ jesus. Act. 17. Psal. 176. In him as it is said, we live, we move & have our being: he nourisheth, feedeth, & giveth meat to every creature. And in jesus Christ his only son our lord. I believe that the word, that is, the son of god the second person in trinity, did take man's nature in the womb of the most blessed virgin Mary. Heb. 1. So that there be in him ii natures: a divine nature & an humane nature in the unity of person inseparable, conjoined & knit in one Christ, truly god & truly man, the express & perfect image of the invisible god, wherein the will of god the father shineth apparently, & wherein man, as it were in a glass, may behold what he ought to do that may please god the father. Born of the virgin Mary ●●trulye suffering his passion, crucified, dead and buried, to the intent to bring us again into favour with god the father almighty, & to be a sacrifice, host & oblation, Esa. 48.43 Gen. 1.22. Esay. 53. Act. 10. Math. 8. not only for original sin, but also for all actual sins of the whole generation of mankind. For all the works, merits, deservings, doings & obedience of man towards god, although they be done by the spirit of god in the grace of god, yet being thus done, be of no validity, worthiness, nor merit before god except god for his mercy & grace, account them worthy for the worthiness & merits of Christ jesus. The same Christ went down to the hells and truly rose again the third day and ascended into the heavens, that he might there still reign & have dominion over all creatures: & from thence shall come etc. I believe in the holy ghost, coequal with god the father & the son, & proceeding from them both: by whose virtue, strength & operation, the true catholic church, which is the communion & society of Saints, is guided in all truth & verity, & kept from all errors & false doctrine, the devil, & all power of sin. Which church is sanctified & hallowed with the precious blood & spirit of our Lord jesus Christ: john. 10.8. Galat. 1. 1. Timo. 3. which hath also her sign and mark, that she heareth & followeth the voice of her only & true pastor christ & no strangers. This church also is the house of god, the congregation of the living god, the pillar of truth, the lively body of Christ, a church both in name & in deed. I believe the remission of sins by the only means & merits of Christ's death & passion: who was made unto us of god that only sacrifice & oblation offered once for all & for ever, for all them that be sanctified. I believe the resurrection of the body, whereby in the last day all men shall rise again from death, the souls joined again to the bodies, the good to everlasting life, the wicked to everlasting pain & punishment. And nothing may more certainly stablish & confirm our faith that we shall rise again immortal both in body & soul, them the resurrection of Christ our Saviour & first fruits of the dead. Now, that Christ our head is risen, we being his body & members, must follow our head. Death, hell and sin can not sunder nor pluck us from him. For as the son can not be divided nor sundered from the father, nor the holy ghost from them both, no more may we being the faithful members of Christ, be separated from christ. And for a confirmation of our resurrection, christ would be seen after his resurrection in his most glorious body, his wounds being handled & felt, speaking & teaching, eating & drinking etc. We look saith S. Paul, john. 10 john. 1. Phil. 3. for jesus Christ our Saviour, which shall transfygure our vile bodies, & conform them to his glorious body by the same power & virtue, wherewith he is able to subdue all things: even like as the grain of wheat sown in the ground, john. 12. is first putrefied & brought as into a thing of nought, yet after that it springeth up freshly with a goodlyer colour, form & beauty than it had before. The body is sown in corruption and riseth in incorruption: 1. Cor. 15 it is so●en in dishonour & riseth in honour. Thus I verily know and assuredly believe the resurrection of our bodies, & to have life eternal by Christ & for Christ's sake. Verily, verily I say unto you (sayeth Christ) he that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me, john. 5. hath everlasting life, and shall not come into damnation, but is escaped from death to life. It is Christ that died once for our sins, Roma. 10, Ose. 13. and is risen again, never more to die: it is he that swallowed up death and hath cast it under his feet for ever. What now can death do unto us? Verily nothing else but for a little time separate our precious souls from our wretched bodies, that divine substance from a Mass of sin, that eternal life from a body of death, and so send our souls out of this miserable, wretched & sorrowful life cumbered with all calamities, unto that most blessed felicity and joys eternal. As concerning the holy and reverent sacraments of Christ's Church, which be in number ii the Sacrament of baptiseme and the Supper of the Lord, I believe them to be as Saint Paul calleth them, confyrmations or seals of God's promises, which have added to them a promise of grace, and therefore they are called invisible signs of invisible grace. The Sacrament of baptism is a mark of Christ's Church, a seal and confirmation of our acceptation into the grace and favour of God, for Christ's sake. For his innocency, his righteousness, his holiness, his justice is ours, given us of God: and our sins and unrighteousness, by his obedience and abasing of himself to the death of the cross, are his, whereof baptism is the sign, seal, and confirmation. Baptism is also a sign of repentance, to testify that we be borne to the waves of perils, and changes of life, to the intent that we should die continually, as long as we live, from sin, and rise again like new men unto righteousness. Rom. 6. The other sacrament, which is the Supper & holy maundy of our Saviour Christ, whereby the church of Christ is known, I believe it is a remembrance of Christ's death & passion, a seal & confirmation of his most precious body given unto death, even to the vile death of the cross, wherewith we are redeemed & delivered from sin death, hell & damnation. It is a visible word, because it worketh the same thing in the eyes, which the word worketh in the ears. For like as the word is a mean to the ears, whereby the holy ghost moveth the heart to believe. Ro. 10: so this Sacrament, is a mean to the eyes, whereby the holy ghost moveth the heart to believe: it preacheth peace between God and man, it exhorteth to mutual love and all godly life, and teacheth to contemn the world for the life to come, when as Christ shall appear, which now is in heaven & no where else as concerning this humane body. Act. 1.3. Yet do I believe assuredly that his very body is present in his most holy supper at the contemplation of our spiritual eyes, & so verily eaten with the mouth of our faith. For as soon as I hear these most comfortable & heavenly words spoken and pronounced by the mouth of the minister: this is my body which is given for you, when I hear (I say) this heavenly harmony of gods unfallible promises & truth: I look not, upon, neither do I behold bread & wine, for I take & believe the words simply and plainly, even as Christ spoke them. For hearing these words, my senses be rapt & utterly excluded: for faith wholly taketh place, & not flesh nor the carnal imaginations of our gross, fleshly and unreverent eating, after the manner of our bodily food which profiteth nothing at all, as Christ witnesseth. joan. 6: but with a sorrowful & wounded conscience, an hungry and thirsty soul, a pure & faithful mind, do fully embrace, behold, and feed & look upon that most glorious body of Christ in heaven at the right hand of god the father, very God and very man, which was crucified & slain, & his bloodshed for our sins, there now making intercession, offering & giving his holy body for me, Rom. 8. Heb. 9 yea my body, my ransom, my full price & satisfaction, my Christ and & all that ever he hath: and by this spiritual and faithful eating of this lively and heavenly bread, I feel the most sweet sap & taste of the fruits, Roma. 5. benefits & unspeakable joys of Christ's death & passion, fully digested into the bowels of my soul. For my mind is quieted from all worldly adversities, tormoylinge and troubles: my conscience is pacified from sin, death, hell & damnation: my soul is full & hath even enough, & will no more: for all things are but loss, vile, phil. 3 dung, and dross, vain vanity, for the excellent knowledge sake of Christ jesus my Lord and Saviour. Thus now is Christ's flesh my very meat in deed, john. 6. Ephesi. 5 Galat. 2. & his blood my very drink in deed, & I am become flesh of his flesh, & bone of his bones. Now I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: yea I dwell in him and he in me: for through faith in Christ, and for Christ's sake, we are one, that is, of one consent, mind, and fellowship with the father, the son and the holy ghost. joan. 17. Thus am I assured and fully persuaded, and on this rock have I builded by God's grace, my dwelling & resting place for body and soul, life and death. And thus I commit my cause unto Christ the righteous and just judge, who will an other day, judge these debates and controversies: whom I humbly beseech, to cast his tender and merciful eyes upon the afflicted and ruinous churches, and shortly to reduce them into a godly and perpetual concord, Amen. Thus do I believe, and this is my faith and my understanding in Christ my Saviour, and his true and holy religion. And this who so ever is ashamed to do, Mar. 8. among this adoulterous and sinful generation, of him shall the son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his father with the holy Angels. Robert Samuel. ❧ Letters of Master john Hullyer, a true pastor and a faithful minister in God's Church: who, for the confirmation of that doctrine which he had most faithfully professed and taught, gave his body to be burnt at Cambrige the .16. day of April. Anno. 1556. A letter written to the Christian congregation, exhorting them constantly and faithfully to abide in the doctrine of the Lord. IT standeth now most in hand (O dear Christians) all them that look to be accounted to be of Christ's flock at that great and terrible day, when a separation shall be made of that sort that shall be received, from the other which shall be refused, faithfully in this time of great afflictions, to hear our Master Chris●es voice, the only true shepherd of our souls, which saith: Matth. 24. whosoever shall endure to the end, shall be safe. For even now is that great trouble in hand (as here in England we may well say) that our Saviour Christ spoke of so long before, which should follow the true and sincere preaching of his Gospel. Therefore in this time, we must needs either make that we be his faithful soldiers, and continue in his battle unto the end, putting on the armour of GOD, Ephesi. 6. 1. Thess. 5. the buckler of faith, the breast plate of love, the helmet of hope and salvation, and the sword of his holy word (which we have heard plentifully) with all instance of supplication and prayer: or else if we do not work and labour with these, we are Apostates and false soldiers, shrinking moste unthankfully from our gracious and sovereign Lord and Captain Christ, and leaning to belial. For, Luk. 14 as he saith plainly, who soever beareth not his cross and follow him, he can not be his disciple. And no man can serve ii Math. 6. Masters. for either he must hate the one and love the other, or else he shall lean to the one and despise the other. The which thing the faithful prophet Helias signified, 3. Regum. 18 when he came to the people and said: why halt ye between ii opinions? If the Lord be GOD follow him, or if Baal be he, then follow him. Now let us not think, but that the same was recorded in writing for our instruction, whom the ends of the world are come upon, Roman. 15 as the Apostle Saint Paul sayeth: what so ever things are written aforehand, they are written for our learning. If Christ be that only good and true shepherd, that gave his life for us, then let us that bear his mark, and have our consciences sprinkled with his blood, follow altogether for our salvation, his heavenly voice and calling, according to our profession and first promise. But if we shall not so do, certainly (say what we can) although we bear the name of Christ, yet we be none of his sheep in deed: for he saith very manifestly, my sheep hear my voice and follow me: john. 10 a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him, for they know not the voice of a stranger. Therefore let every man take good heed in these perilous days (whereof we have had so much warning aforehand) that he be not beguiled by the goodly outward show and appearance, as Eve was of our old subtle enemy, whose craft and wiliness is so manifold and diverse, and so full of close windings, that if he can not bring him directly and the plain straight way to consent to his suggestions, than he will allure him and wind him in by some other false ways (as it were by a train) that he shall not perceive it, to deceive him with all, and to steal from him that goodly victory of the uncorruptible and eternal crown of glory, 2. Timot. 2. which no man else can have but he that fighteth lawfully: as at this present day, if he can not induce him throughly, as other do, to favour his devilish religion, and of good will and free heart to help to uphold the same, yet he will enuegle him to resort to his wicked and whorish schoolhouse, and at the least wise, to be conversant and keep company with his congregation there, and to hold his peace and say nothing whatsoever he think, so that he be not a diligent soldier and a good labourer on Christ's side to further his kingdom, by that subtle means flattering him that he shall both save his life, and also his goods, and live in quiet. But if we look well on Christ's holy will and testament, we shall perceive that he came not to make any such peace upon earth, Math. 10 john. 14.15.16. nor yet that he gave any such peace to his Disciples. I leave peace with you (saith he) my peace I give you, not as the world giveth it, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor fearful: these things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye should have peace. In the world ye have affliction, but be of good cheer. I have over come the world. The servant is not greater than his lord and master: if they have persecueed me, they shall also persecute you. If any man come to me and hateth not his own father and Mother, wife, children, Sisters, yea and moreover his own life, Luk. 6.14 it is not possible for him to be my disciple. Blessed be ye that now weep, for ye shall laugh: & woe be unto you that now laugh, for ye shall mourn and weep: he that will find his life, shall lose it. john. 12 Therefore the god of that true peace and comfort, preserve and keep us that we never obey such false flattering, which at length will pay us home once for all, bringing for his temporal peace and quietness, everlasting trouble, vexation, & disquietness: for these vain and transitory goods, extreme loss and utter damage of the eternal treasure and inhericaunce: for this mortal life, deprivation of the most joyful life immortal: finally the entrance into endless death most miserable, unmeasurable pain, and torment both of body and soul. Now, conferring these two Schoolmasters together, let us consider the thing well, and determine with ourselves which way we ought to take, and not to take the common broad way which seemeth here most pleasant, and that the most part of people take. Surely I judge it to be better to go to school with our master Christ, and to be under his ferula & rod (although it seem sharp and grievous for a time) that at the length we may be coheritours with him of everlasting joy, rather than to keep company with the devils scholars, the adulterous generation, in his School that is all full of pleasure for a while, and at the end to be paid with the wages of continual burning in the most horrible lake, which burneth evermore with fire and brimstone without any end. What shall then these vain goods and temporal pleasures avail? Who shall then help when we cry incessantly, woe, woe, alas and weal away for, unmeasurable pain, grief, & sorrow? O let us therefore take heed betime, and rather be content to take pains in this world for a time, that we may please god. Our saviour Christ the true teacher sayeth: every branch that bringeth not forth fruit in me, john. 15 Eccl. 41. my father will take away. It is also written not in vain: the children of the ungodly are abominable children, and so are they that keep company with the ungodly. What doth he else I pray you, that resorteth to the ministration & service that is most repugnant and contrary to Christ's holy testament, there keeping still silence and nothing reproving the same, but in the face of the world by his very deed itself, declareth himself to be of a false, fearful, dissembling, feigned and unfaithful heart, and to have laid away from him the armour of light, discouraging as much as lieth in him, all the residue of Christ's host, and giving a manifest offence to the weak, and also confirming, encouraging, and rejoicing the hearts of the adversaries in all their evil doing? By which example he doth show himself, neither to love god, whom he seeth to be dishonoured & blasphemed of an Antichristian minister, nor yet his neighbour, before whom he should rebuke the evil, levit. 18. as it is expressly commanded in gods holy law, where it is said: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, that thou bear not sin for his sake. Wherefore let such a one never fantasy to deceive himself, that his name is registered in the book of life to have the stipend of Christ's soldier, except he do the duty and perform the part of a faithful, & right true soldier, as other have done before. For such fearfulness cometh not from god, as testifieth S. Paul saysng: 2. Timot. 1. God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power & of love. Be not ashamed saith he, to testify our lord, but suffer adversity also with the gospel through the power of god, which saved us, & called us with an holy calling. To be now fearful, when most need is that we should be of strong hearts, is utterly that rejecting of the fear of god, & plain unfaithfulness & disobedience to the express commandment of our Saviour christ, which saith in his holy gospel: Mat. 10. fear not them that kill the body, etc. For what faithfulness do we express towards him, when he saith thus to us, and yet we declare in our doings the very contrary, being ever fearful, even as the unbelieving Israrlites, which unfaithfully feared gods enemies the heathen Canaanites, where as he had oftentimes given them commandment by his true prophet Moses to do the contrary? For the which cause, Nume. 13.14. all the whole number of that sect were destroyed in process of time in the wilderness, and enjoyed not the pleasant land of promise. Which was a bodily figure showed before, and now agreeing to the promise of the heavenvly inheritance, which shall be given to none other, but only to all such as with love unfeigned, be wholly bend, without any fear of man, to fulfil gods holy will & pleasure. But all they that pertain to the lively faith to the winning of the soul, will faithfully stick to the commandment, trusting most firmly & faithfully, that he that gave the same, will also give strength plentifully to perform it even in the weakest vessels of all as we have heard & seen by many and divers examples, he only be praised therefore. S. Peter saith: fear not though they seem terrible unto you, ●. pet. 3. neither be troubled, but sanctify the lord god in your hearts. Only saith S. Paul, let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of christ. Continued in one spirit, & in one soul; phil. 3 labouring as we do, to maintain the faith of the gospel, & in nothing fearing your adversaries: which is to them a token of damnation, and to you of salvation, & that of god: for unto you it is given, the not only ye should believe in Christ, but also suffer for his sake. Wherefore let us be right well assured that we shall yield a most strait reckoning and account, if we transgress the said most wholesome precepts given us of our master Christ & of his apostles, & now in this troublesome time wherein the gospel is persecuted, show ourselves fearful soldiers: as it is manifestly declared in the Revelation of S. john, where it is written, Apo. 2. that the fearful shall have their part with the unbelieving, and abominable, in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. Apoc. 3 Again it is written in the same book for our warning: because thou art betwixt both, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew the out of my mouth. Now therefore good christians, these true testimonies of gods lively word deeply considered and weighed, let us chief stand in awe of his most terrible judgements, Esay. 8. prover. 3. and be not as they that presumptuously tempt him. Let him always be our fear & dread. He now chasteneth, he now nurtereth us for our profit, delighting in us even as a loving father in his beloved child, Heb. 12 1. Cor. 11 2. Reg. 7. to make us perfect, and to have us to be partakers of his holiness. He now judgeth us, not utterly taking away his everlasting love and mercy from us, as he doth from the malignant and wicked, that we should not be condemned with the wicked world: but if we now refuse his most loving chastising & follow the world, we must needs have our portion with the world. Wide is the gate & broad is the way which leadeth to destruction, Math. 7 and many there be which go in thereat. But strait is the gate & narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Oh how much better is it to go this narrow way with the people of god, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a tyme. In consideration whereof, let us without any more slacking and further delays in this great warning by gods loving visitation, submit ourselves betime under his mighty hand, 1. pet. 5 that he may exalt us when the time is come. And thus I wholly commit you to him, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build further, beseeching you most heartily to pray for me, that I may be strong through the power of his might, and stand perfect in all things, being always prepared and ready, looking for the mercy of our lord unto eternal rest, and I will pray for you as I am most bound. So I trust he will graciously hear us for his promise sake made unto all faithful in his dearly beloved son Christ our alone Saviour, whose grace be with your spirit, most dear Christians, for ever. So be it. By your Christian brother john Hullyer a prisoner of the Lord. ¶ john Hullyer being of long time prisoner, and now openly judged to die for the testimony of the lord jesus, wisheth heartily to the whole congregation of God, the strength of his holy spirit, to their everlasting health, both of body and soul. I Now (most dear christians) having the sweet comfort of gods saving health, and being confirmed with his free spirit (be he only praised therefore) am constrained in my conscience, thinking it my very duty, to admonish you, as ye tender the salvation of your souls, by all manner of means to separate yourselves from the company of the Pope's hirelings, considering what is said in the revelation of S. john, Apo. 14. by the angel of god, touching all men. The words be these: If any man worship the beast, and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured into the cup of his wrath, and he shall be punished with fire and brimstone before the holy angels and before the lamb, and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up evermore. Mark well here good christians, who is this beast and worshippers, that shall be partakers of that unspeakable torment. This beast is none other but the carnal and fleshly kingdom of Antichrist, the Pope with his rabble of false Prophets and ministers, as it is most manifest: the which to maintain their high titles worldly promotions and dignities, do with much cruelty daily more and more set forth and establish their own traditions, decrees, and decretals, contrary to gods holy ordinances, statutes, laws and commandments, and wholly repugnant to his sincere & pure religion and true worshipping. Now what do they else but worship this beast and his image, which after they had once already escaped from the filthiness of the world, 2. peter. 2. through the knowledge of the lord and saviour jesus Christ, are yet again tangled therein, and overcome, using dissimulation unfaithfully, for fear of their displeasure, doing one thing outwardly, and thinking inwardly an other: so having them in reverence under a cloak and colour, to whom they ought not so much as to say god speed: john. 3. & adjoining themselves to the malignant congregation which they ought to abhor as a den of thieves & murderers, john. 10 EZe. 16 & as the brothel house of most blasphemous fornicators, whose voices being contrary to Christ's voice, if they were of his flock, they would not know, but would fly from them: as he himself being the good shepherd of our souls doth full well in his holy gospel testify. john. 10. Again, what do they else I pray you, but receive the beasts mark in their foreheads & in their hands, which do bear a fair face and countenance outwardly in supporting them as other do, being ashamed openly to confess christ and his holy gospel. But this fainednes & dissimulation, Mar. 18. christ and his gospel will in no wise allow: of whom it is said, whosoever shallbe ashamed of me & my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, Luke. 9 of him also shall the son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in the glory of his father with his holy angels. Therefore saith almighty god by his prophet Malachy: Mala. 1. Heb. 6 cursed be the dissemblers. Ye were once syghtned and tasted of the heavenly gift, & were become partakers of the holy ghost, & tasted of the word of god, and of the power of the world to come. Luk. 6. 2. john, 2. And our Saviour Christ saith: no man that putteth his hand to the plough and looketh back, is apt for the kingdom of god. Therefore S. john the Apostle useth this for a manifest token, that the backsliding from the true teachers of gods word, declareth evidently, that they be not of the number of them. For saith he, they went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, no doubt, they would have continued with us. Surely, so long as we use dissimulation, & to play on both hands, we are not in the light. For whatsoever is manifest, Ephe. 4 the same is light, as the elect vessel of god S. Paul witnesseth. Wherefore (good christians) for gods most dear love, deceive not yourselves through your own wisdom, & through the wisdom of the world which is foolishness before god, but certify & stay your own conscience with the sure truth & faithful word of god, 1. Cor. 3 & with the infallible testimonies of holy scripture. For although gods mercy is over all his works: Psal. 3. Heb. 3. yet it doth not extend but only to them that hold fast the confidence & rejoicing of hope unto the end, not being weary in well doing, but rather wax every day stronger and stronger in the inward man. Therefore in the Revelation of S. john, 2. Cor. 4. where it is entreated of the beast and his image, it is also said: here is the sufferance of saints, & here are they that keep the commandments, & the faith of jesus Christ. Whereby almighty god doth show plainly that he doth use those wicked men as instruments for a time, to try the patience & faith of his peculiar people, without the performance whereof we can have no part among the living, but as it is said in the same Revelation, the fearful shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. But peradventure ye will object and say unto me: what shall we do? Shall we cast ourselves headlong to death? I say not so. But this I say, that we are all bound (if ever we look to receive salvation at gods hand) in this case wholly to be obedient to his determinate counsel and foreknowledge, 1. Corin. 12 expressed by the gift of the spirit in holy Scripture, and then to cast all our care upon him, who worketh all in all for the best unto them that love him: Roma. 28. & thus he giveth commandment saying, come away from her my people, Apo. 18. that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues. Now who hearing this terrible voice of god, which must needs be fulfilled, will not with all speed & diligence apply himself to do thereafter, except such as will presumptuously tempt him? And as touching such the wise man sayeth: Ecclesi. 3. he that loveth peril and danger shall perish therein: but they that be of the faith of Abraham, even as he did, so will they in all assays & trials be obedient to the heavenly voice, howsoever it seemeth contrary to their own natural will & carnal reason, Psalm. 36. according to the sure word of faith which saith: hope thou in the lord & keep his way: hold thee still in the lord & abide patiently upon him. Let not thy jealousy move thee also to do evil. 2 Cor. 6. Come out from among them, & join not yourselves to their unlawful assembles: yea do not once show yourselves with the lest part of your body, to favour their wicked doings, but glorify god (as most right is) so well in your whole body outwardly, 1. Cor. 6. as inwardly in your spirit, or else you can do neither of hothe well: for your body doth belong to god, so well as your spirit. At the dreadful day of judgement we shall all receive the works of our bodies, according to that we have done, 2. Cor. 5 whether it be good or bad. Therefore whatsoever we do, we may not bring the spirit in bondage to the body, but contrariwise we must subdue the body and the will of the flesh to the spirit, that the spirit may freely accomplish the will of God in all things: for otherwise we shall never be partakers of his promise, with the true children of Abraham. For as S. Paul saith, they which are the children of the flesh, are not the children of god: if we shall live according to the flesh, we shall die. For to be carnally minded, is death: but to be spiritually minded, is life and peace, because that the fleshly minded is enmity of god: for it is not obedient to the law of God, neither can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Now chose you which way you will take, either the narrow way that leadeth unto life, which christ himself and his faithful followers have gone through before: or else the broad path way that leadeth to destruction, which the wicked worldlings take their pleasure in for a while. I for my part have now written this short admonition unto you of good will (as God be my witness) to exhort you to that way which at length you yourselves should prove and find to be best, yea and rejoice thereof. And I do not only write this, but I will also (with the assistance of god's grace) ratify, confirm, and seal the same with the effusion of my blood, when the full time shallbe expired that he hath appointed: which (so farforth as I may judge) must needs be within these few days. Therefore I now bid you all most heartily farewell in the lord, whose grace be with your spirit, Amen. Watch & pray, watch and pray, pray, pray. So be it. john Hullyet. ❧ Letters of Master Robert Glover, a gentleman of much godly learning, innocency and uprightness of life, and hearty zeal to the word of God, burnt at Coventrie for the faithful testimony of the same, the .14. day of September, In the year of our Lord .1555. To my most intyrelye beloved wife mary Glover. THe peace of conscience which passeth all understanding the sweet consolation, comfort strength, and boldness of the holy ghost, be continually increased in your heart, through a fervent, earnest, and steadfast faith in our most dear and only Saviour jesus Christ, Amen. I thank you heartily moste loving wife, for your letters sent unto me in my imprisonment. I red them with tears more than once or twice, with tears (I say) for joy and gladness, that God had wrought in you so merciful a work: first an unfeigned repentance, secondly an humble and hearty reconciliation, thirdly a willing submission and obedience to the will of God in all things. Which when I red in your letters, and judged them to proceed from the bottom of your heart, I could not but be thankful to God, rejoicing with tears for you and these his great mercies poured upon you. These your letters, and the hearing of your most Godly proceedings and constant doings from time to time, have much relieved and comforted me at all times, and shall be a goodly testimony with you at the great day, against many worldly and dainty deigns, which set more by their own pleasure and pelf in this world, then by God's glory, little regarding, as it appeareth, the everlasting health of their own souls or others. My prayer shallbe whilst I am in this world, that god, which of his great mercy hath begun his good work in you, will finish it to the glory of his name and by the mighty power and inspiration of his holy spirit so strengthen, stablish, and confirm you in all his ways to the end, that we may together show forth his praises in the world to come to our unspeakable consolation everlastingly, Amen. So long as God shall lend you continuance in this miserable world, above all things give yourself continually to prayer, 1. Timo. 2 lifting up, as Saint Paul saith, clean or pure hands without anger, wrath, or doubting, forgiving (as he sayeth also) if you have any thing against any man, as Christ forgiveth us. And that we may be the better willing to forgive, it is good often to call to remembrance the multitude and greatness of our own sins, which Christ daily and hourly pardoneth and forgiveth us, & then we shall, as Saint Peter affirmeth, 1. peter. 4. be ready to cover and hide the offences of our brethren, be they never so many. And because gods word teacheth us, not only the true manner of praying, but also what we ought to do or not do in the whole discourse and practise of this life: What pleaseth or displeaseth God: and that, as Christ saith, the word of god that he hath spoken shall judge in the last day: let your prayer be to this end specially, that god of his great mercy would open and reveal more & more daily to your heart the true sense, knowledge, and understeanding of his most holy word, and give you grace in your living, to express the fruits thereof. And for as much as it is, as the holy ghost calleth it, the word of affliction, 1. Cor. 1. that is, it is seldom without hatred, persecution, peril, danger of loss of life and goods, and whatsoever seemeth pleasant in this world, as experience teacheth you in this time: call upon GOD continually for his assistance always, as Christ teacheth, casting your accounts what it is like to cost you, endeavouring yourself, through the help of the holy ghost, by continuance of prayer, to lay your foundation so sure, that no storm or tempest shall be able to overthrow or cast it down: remembering always (as Christ sayeth) Loathes wife, Luke. 17. that is to beware of looking back to that thing that displeaseth God. And because nothing displeaseth GOD so much as idolatry, that is, false worshipping of God, otherwise than his word commandeth: look not back (I say) nor turn not your face to their Idolatrous and blasphemous Massing, manifestly against the word, practise, & example of Christ: as it is most manifest to all that have any taste of the true understanding of God's word, that there remaineth nothing in the church of England at this present, profitable or edifying to the church and congregation of the Lord, all things being done in an unknown tongue, contrary to the express commandment of the holy ghost. They object that they be the Church, and therefore they must be believed. My answer was, the Church of GOD knoweth and reknowledgeth no other head but jesus Christ the son of GOD, whom ye have refused, and chosen the man of sin, the son of perdition, enemy to Christ, the devils deputy and lieutenant the Pope. Christ's Church heareth, john. 10 teacheth and is ruled by his word, as he sayeth: my sheep hear my voice. If you abide in me & my word in you, you be my Disciples. Their church repelleth god's word, and forceth all men to follow their traditions. Christ's Church dare not add or diminish, altar or change his blessed testament: but they be not afraid to take away all that Christ instituted, and go a whoring (as the Scripture sayeth) with their own inventions, & letari super operibus manuum suarum, to glory, Act. 7. & rejoice in the works of their own hands. The Church of Christ is, hath been and shallbe in all ages, under the cross, persecuted, molested and afflicted, the world ever hating them because they be not of the world. But these persecute, murder, slay, & kill such as profess the true doctrine of Christ, be they in learning, living, conversation, & other virtues, never so excellent. Christ and his Church reserved the trial of their doctrine to the word of god, john 5. and gave the people leave to judge thereof by the same word search the scriptures. But this Church taketh away the word from the people, and suffer neither learned, nor unlearned to examine or prove their doctrine by the word of God. The true Church of God laboureth by all means to resist and withstand the lusts, desires, and motions of the world, the flesh and the devil. These for the most part, give themselves to all voluptuousness, and secretly commit such things, which (as Saint Paul sayeth) it is shame to speak of. Ephe. 5. By these and such like manifest probations, they do declare themselves to be none of the Church of Christ, but rather of the synagogue of Satan. It shall be good for you oftentimes to confer and compare their proceedings and doings, with the practise of those whom the word of God doth teach to have been true members of the Church of God, and it shall work in you both knowledge, erudition, and boldness to withstand with suffering, their doings. I likened them therefore to Nemrod, whom the Scripture calleth a mighty hunter or a stout champion, telling them that that which they could not have by the word, they would have by the sword, and be the Church whether men will or no, and called them with good conscience, as Christ called their forefathers, the children of the devil: and as their father the devil is a liar and murderer, so their kingdom and church (as they call it) standeth by lying and murdering. Have no fellowship with them therefore, my dear wife, with their doctrine, and traditions, lest you be partaker of their sins: for whom is reserved a heavy damnation, without speedy repentance. Beware of such as shall advertise you something to bear with the world as they do, for a season. There is no dallying with God's matters: it is a fearful thing (as Saint Paul sayeth) to fall into the hands of God. Remember the Prophet Helias: 3. Regum. 18 Luk. 9 why halt ye on both sides? Remember what Christ sayeth: he that putteth his hands to the plough and looketh back, is not worthy of me. And seeing god hath hitherto allowed you as a good soldier in the forward, play not the coward, Apo. 2. neither draw back to the rearward. Saint john numbereth among them that shall dwell in the fiery lake, such as be fearful in gods cause. Set before your eyes always the examples of such as have behaved themselves boldly in God's cause: as Steven, Peter, Paul, Daniel, the three children, the widows sons, and in your days Arm Askewe, Laurence Saunders, john Bradford, with many other faithful witnesses of christ. Phil. 1. Be not afraid in nothing, saith S. Paul, of the adversaries of Christ's doctrine: the which is to them the cause of perdition, but to you, of everlasting salvation. Christ commandeth the same, saying: fear them not. Let us not follow the example of him which asked time, first to take leave of his friends. If we so do, we shall find few of them that will encourage us to go forward in our business, please it god never so much. We read not the james & john, Andrew and Simon, when they were called, put of the time till they had known their fathers & friends pleasure: but the scripture sayeth they forsook all and by and by, followed Christ. Christ likened the kingdom of GOD to a precious pearl, Mat. 13. the which whosoever findeth, selleth all that he hath for to buy it. Yea whosoever hath but a little taste or glimmering how precious a treasure the kingdom of heaven is, will gladly forego both life and goods for the obtaining of it. But the most part now a days, be like to Aesopes' cock, which when he had found a precious stone, wished rather to have found a barely corn. So ignorant be they how precious a jewel the word of God is, that they choose rather the things of this world, which being compared to it, be less in value then a barley corn. If I would have given place to worldly reasons, these might have moved me. first the foregoing of you and my children: the consideration of the state of my children being yet tender of age and young, apt and inclinable to virtue and learning, and so having the more need of my assistance, being not altogether destitute of gifts to help them withal: possessions above the common sort of men: because I was never called to be a preacher or minister: and (because of my sickness) fear of death in imprisonment before I should come to my answer, and so my death to be unprofitable. But these and such like, I thank my heavenly father (which of his infinite mercy inspired me with his holy ghost, for his sons sake my only saviour and redeemer) prevailed not in me: but when I had, by the wonderful permission of GOD, fallen into their hands, at the first sight of the Sheriff, nature a little abashed: yet or ever I came to the prison, by the working of god and through his goodness fear departed. I said to the Sheriff at his coming unto me: what matter have you Master Sheriff to charge me withal? He answered, you shall know when you come before the Masters. And so taking me with him, I looked to have been brought before the masters, & to have heard what they could have burdened me withal. But contrary to my expectation, I was committed fortwith to the jail not being called to my answer, little justice being showed therein. But the less justice a man findeth at their hands, the more consolation in conscience shall he find from God: for whosoever is of the world, the world will love him. After I came into prison & had reposed myself there a while, I wept for joy and gladness my belly full, musing much of the great mercies of god, and (as it were) saying to myself after this sort: O Lord who am I, on whom thou shouldest bestow thus thy great mercy, to be numbered among the Saints that suffer for thy Gospel's sake? And so beholding and considering on the one side my imperfection, unableness, sinful misery, and unworthiness, and on the other side the greatness of God's mercy, to be called to so high a promotion: was as it were, amazed and overcome for a while with joy and gladness, concluding thus with myself in my heart: O Lord thou showest power in weakness, wisdom in foolishness, mercy in sinfulness, who shall let thee to choose where and whom thou wilt? As I have zelouslye loved the confession of thy word, so ever thought I myself to be most unworthy to be partaker of the affliction for the same, Not long after, came unto me Master. W. Brasbryge, Master C. Phinees, Master N. Hopkins, traveling with me to be dysmissed upon bonds: to whom my answer was (to my remembrance) after this sort. For as much as the Masters have imprysonned me, having nothing to burdeine me with all, if I should enter into bonds, I should in so doing accuse myself. And seeing they have no matter to lay to my charge, they may aswell let me pass without bonds, as with bonds. secondarily, if I shall enter bonds, covenant, and promise to appear, I shall do nothing but excuse, colour, and cloak their wickedness, and endanger myself nevertheless, being bound by my promise to appear. They alleged many worldly persuasions unto me to avoid the present peril, and also how to avoid the forfiture, if I broke my promise. I said unto them I had cast my penyworthe, by God's help. They undertook also to make the bond easy. And when they were somewhat importune, I said to Master Hopkins that liberty of conscience was a precious thing, and took as it were a pause, lifting up my heart to God earnestly for his aid and help that I might do the thing that might please him. And so, when they had let their suit fall, my heart, me thought, was wonderfully comforted. Master Dudley commoned with me in like manner: whom I answered in effect as I did before. afterward debating the matter with myself, these considerations came to my head: I have from time to time with good conscience (God I take to record) moved all such as I had conference with all, to be no daliers in God's matters, but to show themselves after so great a light and knowledge, hearty, earnest, constant, and stable in so manifest a truth, and not to give place one jot contrary to the same. Now thought I, if I shall withdraw myself, and make any shifts to pull my own neck out of the colour, I shall give great offence to my weak brethren in Christ, and advantage to the enemies to slander God's word. It will be said, he hath been a great boldner of others to be earnest & fervent to fear no worldly perils or dangers, but he himself will give no such example. Wherefore I thought it my bounden duty both to God and man, being (as it were) by the great goodness of God. marvelously called and appointed hereunto, to set aside all fear, perils, and dangers, all worldly respects and considerations, and like as I had heretofore, according to the measure of my small gift, within the compass of my vocation & calling, from the bottom of my heart unfeignedly moved, exhorted, & persuaded all that professed gods word, manfully to persist in the defence of the same, not with sword & violence, but with suffering and loss of life, rather than to defile themselves again with the whorish abomination of the Romish Antichrist: so the hour being come, with my fact and example to ratify, confirm, and protest the same to the hearts of all true believers: & to this end (by the mighty assistance of God's holy spirit) I resolved myself with much peace of conscience, willingly to sustain what soever the romish Antichrist should do against me, and the rather because I understood the bishops coming to be at hand, and considered that poor men's consciences should be then sharply assaulted. So remained I prisoner in coventry by the space of .10. or .11. days, being never called to my answer of the Masters, contrary to the laws of the Realm, they having neither statute, law, proclamation, letter, warrant, nor commandment for my apprehension. They would have laid all the matter upon the Summer. Who being examined, denied it before their faces, as one of my friends told me, saying: that he had no commandment concerning me, but for my elder brother. God lay not their extreme doings against me, to their charge at the great day. The second day after the bishops coming to Coventry, M. Warren came to the Yeldhaule, & willed the chief jailer to carry me to the Bishop. I laid to M. Warrens charge the cruel seeking of my death: and when he would have excused himself, I told him he could not wipe his hands so: he was as guilty of my blood before God, as though he had murdered me with his own hands. And so he parted from me saying, I need not to fear, If I would be of his belief. God open his eyes if it be his will, and give him grace to believe this, which he & all of his inclination, shall find (I fear) to true for their parts: that is, that all they which cruelly, maliciously, and spitefully persecute, molest & afflict the members of Christ for their conscience sake, and for the true testimony of Christ's word, and cause them most unjustly to be slain and murdered: without speedy repentance, shall dwell with the devil & his Angels in the fiery lake everlastingly, where they shall wish & desire, cry & call, but in vain (as their right companion Epulo did) to be refreshed of them, Luk. 16 whom in this world they contemned, despised, disdained, as slaves, misers, and wretches. When I came before the Bishop in one Dentons house, he began with this protestation, that he was my bishop for for lack of a better, and willed me to submit myself. I said to him, I am not come to accuse myself: what have you to lay to my charge, He asked me whether I was learned? I answered, smally learned. M. Chancellor standing by said I was a master of Arte. Then my Lord laid to my charge my not coming to the curch. Here I might have dallied with him and put him to his proofs, for as much as I had not been for a long season in his diocese, neither was any of the Citizens able to prove any such matters against me. notwithstanding I answered him through gods merciful help, that I neither had nor would come at their church as long as their mass was used there, to save (if I had them) v. hundredth lives. I wylled him to show me one jot or title in the scripture for the proof and defence of the mass. He answered, he came to teach and not to be taught. I was content (I told him) to learn of him, so far as he was able to teach me by the word of god. Who shall judge the word said my Lord? I answered, Christ was content that the people should judge his doctrine by searching the scriptures, and so was Paul: me thinketh ye should claim no further privilege or pre-eminence, than they had. I offered him further, that I was content the primitive church next to the Apostles time, should judge betwixt him and me. He refused also to be judged by that. Then, he was my Bishop he said, and therefore I must believe him. If you say black is white (my lord) must I also say as you say, and believe the same because you say it is so? M. chancellor noted me to be arrogant, because I would not give place to my bishop. I said to my lord, if you will be believed because you be a bishop, why find you fault with the people that believed M. Latymer, M. Rydley, M. Hoper, and the residue of them that were bishops? He answered, because they were heretics. And may not you err (quoth I as well as they? I looked for learning at my lords hand to persuade me, and he oppressed me only with his authority. He said I dissented from the church, and asked me where my church was before king Edwardes tyme. I desired him to show me where their church was in Helias time, and what outward show it had in Christ's tyme. My lord said, that Helias complaint was only of the ten tribes that fell from David's house, whom he called heretics. You be not able to show (said I) any prophets that the other ij. tribes had at the same tyme. My lord making no answer to that, M. Rogers one of the masters of the City cometh in the mean season, taking upon him as though he would answer to the text. But my lord forthwith commanded me to be committed to some tour if they had any beside the common jail, saying he would at the end of his visitation of his diocese, weed out such wolves. M. Rogers willed him to content himself for that night till they had taken further order for me. Even where it pleaseth you said I to my lord I am content, & so I was returned at that time to the common jail again from whence I came. On the Friday morning being the next day after, I had warning by one of the prisoners to prepare myself to ride with my fellow prisoners the same day to Lychfield, there to be bestowed at the bishop's pleasure. Which tidings at the first, something discouraged me, fearing lest I should, by the means of my great sickness through extreme handling, which I looked for, have died in the prison before I should come to my answer. But I rebuked immediately with god's word, this infidelity in myself, and by the same corrected mine own mistrust and fantasy after this manner: What make I of God? Is not his power as great in Lichfield as in Coventry? Doth not his promise extend as well to Lichfielde as to Coventry? was he not with Abacuk, Daniel, Misach, and jeremy in their most dangerous imprisonments? He knoweth what things we have need of. He hath numbered all the hears of our head. The sparrow falleth not on the ground without our heavenvly father's will: much more will he care for us if we be not faithless, whom he hath made worthy to be witnesses of his truth. So long as we put our trust in him, we shall never be destitute of his help, neither in prison, neither in sickness nor in health, neither in life nor in death, neither before kings nor before bishops: nor the Devil himself, much less one of his ministers, shallbe able to prevail against us. with such like meditations, I waxed cheerful and of good consolation and comfort. So that hearing one say that they could not provide horses enough for us, I said let them carry us in a dung cart for lack of horses if they list: I am well content for my part. notwithstanding at the request of my friends, I wrote to master Maior and his brethren briefly requiring them that I might make answer here to such things as should be laid to my charge: but I received no answer of my letters to nor fro. I conjectured that when the bishop and the Chancellor had seen them, it moved them the rather to have me away, being more desirous (as I suppose) to have had me dispatched privily in prison, them to come openly to my answer. The manner of entreating & using me at my first coming to prison did partly declare the same. Certain sergeants & Constables of Coventry, being appointed to have the conveying of us to Lichfield to be delivered there to one jephcot the Chancellors man sent from Coventry with us for the same purpose, we were commanded to horseback about 11. or .12. of the clock on Friday being market day that we might be the more gazed and wondered at. And to kindle the people's hearts more against us, they did proclaim a letter concerning a proclamation made for calling in and disannulling of all such books as truly expound & interpret the scriptures. We came to Lichfield about 4. of the clock at night, & had leave to repose ourselves our supper tyme. We Inned at the sign of the Swan, where we were entertained friendly and gently. After supper jephcot repaired to us, whom we entreated that upon sureties we might rest ourselves that night, being unprovided of any thing to help ourselves withal in the prison at that present. He was content at the first, as he seemed: but afterwards, whether it was by persuasion, or rather, as it seemed to me, he did but of policy put of the time till he had gathered a multitude to stare and wonder upon us, and also that we should provide nothing to ease ourselves withal, he revoked his promise, and so by consent we were had to the prison, the the multitude wondering at us. I willed jephcot before, to execute his office with mercy, telling him that they should have judgement without mercy, that showed no mercy. And this mercy I found at his hand. He put me into a prison the same night, where I continued until I was condemned, a place next to the doungel, narrow of rooms, strong of building, and very cold, with small light: and there alloweth he me a bundle of straw in stead of my bed, without chair, form or any thing else to ease myself withal. God of his mercy gave me great patience through prayer that night, so that if it had been his pleasure, I could have been contented to have ended my life. But jephcot and one Persey the bishop's man, which afterwards was my continual keeper for the most part, came to me in the morning: to whom I said this is great extremity, god send us patience, and no more. Then they were content that I should have a bed of mine own procurement. But I was allowed no help, neither night nor day, nor company of any man, notwithstanding my great sickness, nor yet paper, pen, or ink, or books saving my new testament in Latin, & a prayer book which I privily stole in. Within two days after. M. Chancellor and one Temsey a prebendary there, came to me into my prison. M. Chancellor exhorted me to conform myself to my Lord and to the church. He wished to my soul no more hurt than to his own: belike because I had laid to his charge at Coventry the seeking of my blood unjustly and wrongfully. Now thus the second time, I answered M. Chancellor to his exhortation, that I refused not to be ruled by that church that was content to be ordered and governed by the word of God. He asked me how I knew the word of God, but by the church. The church showeth which is the word of god, therefore the church is above the word of God. This is no good reason in learning, said I to Master Chancellor. For it is like unto this: john showed the people who was Christ, Ergo john was above Christ. Or else, I have a man that knoweth not the king, and I tell him who is the king, am I therefore above the king? M. Chancellor said he came not to reason with me, and so departed. So remained I without any further conference of any man by the space of .8. days, and till the bishop's coming: in in the which time I gave myself continually to prayer, and meditation of the merciful promises of god, made unto all without exception of person, that call upon the name of his dear son jesus Christ. I found in myself daily amendment of health of body: increase of peace in conscience: and many consolations from god, by the help of his holy spirit, & sometimes as it were a taste and glimmering of the life to come: all for his only son jesus Christ's sake: to him be all praise for ever and ever, Amen. The enemy ceased not many times, sundry ways to assault me, oftentimes objecting to my conscience mine own unworthiness, through the greatness of the benefit to be counted among the number of them that should suffer for christ, or his gospels sake. Against him I replied with the word of God in this sort: what were all those whom God had chosen from the beginning, to be his witnesses, and carry his name before the world? Were they not men, Act. 14. as Paul & Barnabas said, similiter obnoxii peccato, aswell subject to wickedness, sin, imperfections, as other men be? Even such were No, Abraham, David and all the rest. Rom. 11 Roma. 4. Quis prior dedit illi, as S Paul saith? Who gave first unto him? And also speaking to every man: What hast thou that thou receivedst not? Likewise john, all have received of his fullness: Iohn ●. they were no bringers of any goodness to god, but altogether receivers. They chose not god first, but he chose them. They loved not god first, but he loved them first. Yea he both loved and chose them when they were his enemies, Roma. 10. full of sin and corruption, and void of all goodness. Est dominus omnium, dives in omnes & super omnes invocantes eum. He is and will be still the same god, as rich in mercy, as mighty, as able, as ready, as willing to forgive the sins, without respect of person, to the worlds end, of all them that call upon him. Prope est dominus omnibus invocantibus eum. God is near, he is at hand, Psal. 145. he is with all, with all (I say) and refuseth none, excepteth none, that faithfully in true repentance call upon him, in what hour, what place or what time soever it be. It is no arrogancy nor presumption in any man, to burden god (as it were) with his promise, & of duty to claim and challenge his aid, help, and assistance in all our perils, dangers, and distress, calling upon him, not in the confidence of our own godliness, but in the trust of his promises made in Christ, in whom and by whom, and for whose sake, whosoever boldly approacheth to the mercy seat of the father, is sure to receive whatsoever is expedient or necessary either for body or soul, in more ample ways and large manner, than he can well wish, or dare desire. His word cannot lie: call upon me in the day of trouble and I will hear thee, and thou shalt praise me. Psal. 50. I answered the enemy also on this manner: I am a sinner and therefore not worthy to be a witness of his truth. What then? Must I deny his word because I am not worthy to profess it? What bring I to pass in so doing, but add sin to sin? What is greater sin then to deny the truth of Christ's gospel? As Christ himself beareth witness: he that is ashamed of me or of my words, of him I will be also ashamed before my father and all his Angels. I might also by like reason forbear to do any of gods commandments. When I am provoked to pray, the enemy may say unto me I am not worthy to pray, therefore I shall not pray. And so in like manner of all the commandments: I shall not forbear swearing, stealing, murdering, because I am not worthy to do any commandment of God. These be the delusions of the Devil, and Satan's suggestions, which must be overcome by continuance of prayer, and with the word of god applied according to the measure of every man's gift, against all assaults of the Devil. At the bishops first coming to Lichefield after mine imprisonment. I was called into a by chamber next to my prison, to my Lord. Before whom when I came and saw none but his officers, chaplains, and servants, except it were an old priest, I was partly amazed and lifted up my heart to god for his merciful help and assistance. My lord asked me how I liked my imprisonment. I gave him no answer touching that question. He proceeded to persuade me to be a member of his church, which had continued so many years. As for our church (as he called it) was not known be said, but lately in king Edwards tyme. I profess myself to be a member of that church (said I) that is builded upon the foundation of the Apostles & Prophets, jesus Christ being the head corner stone: & so alleged the place of. S. Paul to the Ephes. And this church hath been from the beginning (said I) though it bear no glorious show before the world, being ever for the most part under the cross & affliction contemned, despised, and persecuted. My lord on the other side, contended that they were the church. So cried all the clergy against the Prophets at jerusalem saying, templum Domini, templum Domini, the church, the church. And always when I was about to speak any thing, my lord cried hold thy peace, hold thy peace: I command thee by the virtue of obedience to hold thy peace, calling me a proud arrogant heretic. I willed my lord to burden me with some specialties, & then to convince me with some scriptures & good learning. Then my lord began to move certain questions. I refused to answer him in corners, requiring that I might make my answer openly. He said I should answer him there. I stood with him upon that point until he said I should to prison again, and there have neither meat nor drink till I had answered him. Then I lifted up my heart to God, that I might stand and agree with the doctrine of his most holy word. The first question was this: how many sacraments Christ instituted to be used in the church. The Sacrament of Baptism said I, and the sacrament that he instituted at his last supper. No more said he? To all those that declare a true and unfeigned repentance, a sure hope, trust & confidence in the death of Christ, to such the ministers I grant that have authority to pronounce by the power of god's word, the remission of their sins: Here interrupting me he would needs bear me in hand that I called this a Sacrament. I would not greatly contend with him in that point, because the matter was of no great weight or importance, although he in so doing, did me wrong, for I called it not a sacrament. He asked me further whether I allowed their confession. I said no. Then he would know my mind what I thought of the presence of Christ's body in the sacrament. I answered that their mass was neither sacrifice nor sacrament, because (said I) you have taken away the true institution, which when you restore again, I will tell you my judgement concerning Christ's body in the sacrament. Here was he prevented that he could not make an end of this which he most godly had begun, by reason of the 〈◊〉 which came from London concerning his execution and martyrdom, which he suffered shortly after. To the Mayor of coventry and his Brethren. I Beseech you to understand that it is not unknown, aswell to the keeper of the jail, as to the inhabitors about me where I dwell, that I am a man subject to very great sickness, and have been by the space of seven years & more, so that it is not like that I shall be removed without peril and danger of my life And because I was here committed toward by your appointment, I would gladly here answer to such things as shallbe laid to my charge. If I may obtain this of you, I have cause thankfully to reknowledge your indiffenercy: if otherwise, I pray god it be not laid to your charge at the great day, where every man shall have just judgement without respect of person. Your prisoner in the Lord always mindful of you in my poor prayer. Robert Glover. ¶ To his wife, children, and whole family, as his last farewell to them for ever in this world. THe mighty consolation of the holy spirit, from our most loving & merciful father, for his dear sons sake jesus Christ, continually dwell in your heart, my dear, and to the end, most faithful and godly wife. His holy Angels pitch their rents about you, and your little ones, and suffer you not to be tempted above your strength so to the end, that we may dwell altogether with our loving and merciful god & father, & sing praises to his name with his Angels and archangels for ever and ever, Amen. I bid you all farewell in the Lord. Continue in prayer & rejoice in hope: be patient in your affliction: comfort your heart always with the life to come. For my departure, consider how oft I have been going from you through my long sickness, and yet god my most loving and merciful father, maruelousye hath reserved me to this high promotion, for the which you ought to give hearty thanks, if you love his glory, & my eternal joy & felicity. And if you show yourselves obedient children to your heavenly father, he will love you, keep you, help you, so that you shall lack nothing expedient for soul or body, and in the end, when his good will & pleasure is, you shall come to me and perpetually enjoy me & I you, & we all shall have the fullness of that joy that shall never be taken from you. Ye little ones, love your mother: yield reverent obedience unto her in all godliness. Be not unkind nor unthankful. Pray for her preservation & continuance amongst you. Pray that she may be an ensample to you in all the ways of the Lord. And how ye may be have yourselves towards god, your mother, and all other estates and degrees, let always gods word be your rule. Exercise yourselves therein night and day, joining always prayer therewith. God send you a good guide & good passage if it be his will, out of this idolatrous & bloody realm. And as Christ committed his mother to john: so I commit you in this world to the Angel of God, Augustine Bernher. His advertisement if you will follow, I trust you shall not decline from the fear of god. Be thankful for him, & cease not to pray for his preservation. And thus I commit all, aswell servants as wife & children, to the merciful tuition of our most merciful god and father, & to his dear son our only Saviour jesus Christ, with the holy ghost the comforter: to him be all praise now and for ever, Amen. I heartily forgive you all, and doubt not but that you do the same to me. Robert Glover, Be faithful unto the death, and I will give thee the crown of life. Apoc. 2. ❧ Letters of Robert Smyth, one of the Chapel at windsor, who as a true and constant witness of God's word, which he most faithfully had professed, was cruelly Martyred at Vrbridge, the .14. day of August, In the year of our Lord. 1555. To all them which love God unfeignedly, and intend to lead a Godly life according to his gospel, and to persever in his truth unto the end: grace and peace from God the father, and from our Lord jesus Christ, Amen. BE not afraid, most dearly beloved in our Saviour jesus Christ, at these most perilous days, This letter is thought of some to be M. Hopers', partly for that in one copy amongs divers, it is entitled unto him: and also by the phrase and manner of writing, it may be well conjectured so to be. wherein by the sufferance of God, the prince of darkness is broken lose, and rageth in his members against the elect of god with all cruelty, to set up again the kingdom of Antichrist: against whom, see that ye be strong in faith, to resist his most devilish doctrine with the pure Gospel of God, arming yourselves with patience, to abide what soever shall be laid to your charge for the truths sake, knowing that thereunto ye be called, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Oh how happy are ye that in the sight of God are counted worthy to suffer for the testimony of Christ? Quiet therefore yourselves (Oh my loving brethren) and rejoice in him for whom ye suffer: for unto you do remain the unspeakable joys, which neither the eye hath seen, nor the ear hath heard, neither the heart of man is able to comprehend in any wise. Be not afraid of the bodily death, Apo. 17. for your names are written in the book of life. And the prophet doth record, Psalm. 115. that in the fight of the Lord, precious is the death of his Saints. Watch therefore and pray, that ye be not prevented in the day of temptation. Now cometh the day of your trial, wherein the waters rage, Matth. 7. and the stormy winds blow. Now shall it appear whether ye have builded upon the fleeting sand, Ephe. 2 or upon the unmoveble rock Christ, which is the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets: whereon every house that is builded, groweth into an holy temple of the Lord, by the mighty working of the holy ghost, Now approacheth the day of your battle, wherein it is required that ye show your selves the valiant soldiers of jesus Christ, 2. Tim, 8, Ephe. 6 phil. 2, Heb. 12. Col. ● with the armour of God, that ye may be able to stand fast against all the crafty assaults of the devil. Christ is your Captain, and ye be his soldiers, whose cognisance is the cross, to the which he willingly humbled himself even unto the death, and thereby spoiled his enemies, and now triumpheth he over them in the glory of his father, making intercession for them that here do remain to suffer the afflictions that are to be fulfilled in his mystical body. Pet. 5. It behoveth therefore every one that will be counted his scholar, to take up his own cross and follow him, as ye have him for an ensample: and I assure you that he being on your side, nothing shall be able to prevail against you. And that he will be with you even to the worlds end, ye have his promise in the .28. of matthew. He will go forth with his host as a conqueror to make a conquest. He is the man that sitteth on the white horse, Apoc. 6, 1. Cor. 1. crowned with immortality, and ye, brethren, are his fellowship, whereof he is the head. He hath your heart in his hand as a bow bent after his godly will: he shall direct the same according to the riches of his glory, into all spiritual and heavenly cogitations. He is faithful, 1, Cor, i● and will not suffer you to be further assaulted, than he will give you strength to overcome, and in the most danger he will make a way, that ye may be able to bear it. Shrink not therefore dear hearts, when ye shall he called to answer for the hope that is in you: i Pet. 3. for we have the comforter, Luk. 13. Act. 2. psalm. 52. even the spirit of truth which was sent from the heavens to teach us. He shall speak in us, he shall strengthen us: what is he then that shall be able to confounded us? Nay, what tyrant is he that now boasteth himself of his strength to do mischief, whom the Lord shall not with the same spirit, by the mouth of his servants, strike down to hell fire? Yea, suddenly will the Lord bring down the glory of the proud Philistians, by the hands of his servant David. Their strength is in spear and shield, ● Regum 17. psal. 6. 2. Cor. 6 Heb. 8. Psalm. 32. but our help is in the name of the Lord, which made both heaven and earth. He is our buckler and our wall: a strong tower of defence. He is our God, and we are his people. He shall bring the counsels of the ungodly to nought. He shall take them in their own net. He shall destroy them in their own inventions. The right hand of the Lord shall work this wonder. Psalm. 117. Psalm. 52. psal. 65. His power is known among the children of men▪ Their fathers have felt it, and are confounded. In like manner shall they know that there is no counsel against the Lord, when their secrets are opened to the whole world, and are found to be against the living God. Work they never so craftily, Gene. 12. build they never so strongly: yet down shall their rabble fall, and the builders themselves shall then be scattered upon the face of the earth, as accursed of God. The just shall see this and be glad, psalm. 33. and praise the name of the Lord, that so marvelously hath dealt with his servants, as to bring their enemies under their feet. Then shall the fearful seed of Cain tremble and quake. Gene. 4. Gene. 21. Gen. 11. phil. 3, psalm. 2. 1. Corin. 3. psalm. 74. job. 5. Apoc. 12. Then shall the mocking Ismalites be cast out of the door. Then shall the proud Nembrothe see his labour lost. Thou shall the beast of Babylon, be trodden under foot. Then shall the Scribes and Pharisees for madness fret and rage. Then shall their painted wisdom be known, for extreme folly. Then shall the bloody Dragone be void of his pray. Then shall the whore of Babylon, receive double vengeance. Then shall they scratch their crowns for the fall of their Mistress' harlot, whom they now serve for filthy lucre, when no man will buy their wares any more, then shall the popish priesthood cry weal a way with care, even when the Lord shall help his servants: Apo. 18 Psal. 145. which day is not far of, the day wherein the kingdom of Antichrist shall have an end, and never arise any more. In the mean time, abide in certain and sure hope, 1. Corin. 6. 1. Cor. 8. Heb. 9 cleanyng-unto the promises of God, which in their own time shall be fulfilled. Acquit yourselves like men against the enemies of God in all humbleness of mind, strong in spirit to acknowledge one God, one holy Saviour jesus Christ, one only everlasting and sufficient sacrifice for the remission of sins, even the precious body of the Lord jesus once offered for all and for ever. Which now sitteth on the right hand of God, Act. 3. and from thence shall he come, to judge both the quick and the dead at the last day: and until that time, Heb. i. i pet. 3. Ephesi. 1. occupieth that blessed body none other place to dwell in, to be kept in, to be closed in, but only in the heavens, even in the glorious majesty of GOD, personally abiding there in the flesh, not coming down from thence till the last hour. Ephess. 2. And as he never ceaseth to be man, so doth he never lose the similitude of man: his body there hath his lineaments, he leaveth them not: so hath that body there his highness, and shrinketh not, and his manly shape, he altereth not at any tyme. He is in that he took of the virgin mary, a natural man in all conditions except sin. Rom. 1. And what he took of his blessed Mother, by the working of the holy ghost, he took it for ever, and will not exchange the same for any other. He took the shape of a man with the substance of his manhood, in one sacred womb. There were they coupled together by the holy ghost, never to be divided a sunder. Ephe. 2. He retaineth the one with the other, inseperablye. As he will not alter the substance of his flesh, into the substance of bread: no more will he alter the shape of his body, into the form of bread. There can not be a greater absurdity against the truth, then to think that he would leave the shape that he took in the virgin's womb, being an accident unto his manhood, and join unto the same a wafer take baken in an oven, or between a pair of irons. ●. john. 1 As he is in heaven very man, one only mediator between God and man, even the man Christ jesus, he it is that is the propitiation for our sins. Be bold therefore, to confess this most pure and Apostolical doctrine: Col. i. and also that all favour, mercy, and forgiveness cometh only by him. He only of God the father was made for us, all wisdom, righteousness, 1. Cor. i Eph. 2. sanctification and redemption. All these are the gifts of God the father, freely given unto us by Christ jesus God and man, through faith in his blood, and not by the merits of men. Abacu. 2. Gala. 3. Act. 10. Gifts they are (I say) freely given unto us of favour, without our desert: by believing, and not by deserving. To this do the law and the Prophets bear witness. This doctrine have all the blessed Martyrs of Christ's Church, witnessed with their blood to be true. To this truth, have all the consciences of all true believers subscribed, ever since the Ascension of Christ. This witness is not of man, but of God. What better quarrel can ye th●n have to give your lives for, Luk. 9 than the truth itself? That man that giveth his life for the truth, taketh the readiest way to life. He that hath the Pope's curse for the truth, is sure of Christ's blessing. Well then my brethren, what shall now let, but that ye go forward as ye have begun? Nay rather run with the runners that ye may obtain the appointed glory. john. 14 Psal. 15. Eph. 4. Col. 5. Math. 10 Mark. 8. Hold on the right way, look not back, have the eye of your heart fixed upon god, and so run, that ye may get hold of it. Cast away all your worldly pelf, and worldly respects, as the favour of friends, the fear of men, sensual affection, respect of persons, honour, praise, shame, rebuke, wealth, poverty, riches, lands, possessions, carnal fathers and mothers, wife and children, with the love of your own selves, and in respect of that heavenly treasure ye look for, let all these be denied, and utterly refused of you, so that in no condition they do abate your zeal, or quench your love towards God. In this case make no account of them, but rather repute them as vile, in comparison of everlasting life. Phil. 3. A way with them as thorns that choke the heavenly seed of the Gospel, where they be suffered to grow. Luke. 8.14 They are burdens of the flesh, which encumber the soul: Roman. 7. exchange them therefore for advantage. Doth not he gain that findeth heavenly and immortal treasure, for earthly and corruptible riches? Loseth that man any thing, which of his carnal father and mother is forsaken, Ephe. i. Gala, 4. Phi. 3. when therefore he is received of God the father to be his child and heir in Christ? heavenly, for earthly: for mortal, immortal: for transitory things, permanente: is great gains to a Christian conscience. Therefore as I began, I exhort you in the Lord, not to be afraid. Shrink not my brethren, mistrust not God, Heb. 6. 1. Cor. 2. be of good comfort, rejoice in the Lord, hold fast your faith, and continue to the end. Deny the world and take up your cross and follow him which is your lodesman, and is gone before. If you suffer with him, you shall reign with him. What way can you glorify the name of your heavenly father better, then by suffering death for his sons sake? What a spectacle shall it beto the world, to behold so godly a fellowship as you servants of god, in so just a quarrel as the gospel of Christ is, with so pure a conscience, so strong a faith, and so lively a hope, to offer yourselves to suffer most cruel torments at the hands of God's enemies, and so to end your days in peace, to receive in the resurrection of the righteous, life everlasting? Heb. 11. Be strong therefore in your battle. The Lord God is on your side, and his truth is your cause: phi. 3 and against you be none, but the enemies of the cross of Christ, as the Serpent and his seed, the Dragon with his tail, Math. 3. john. 8. the marked men of the Beast, the offspring of the Pharisees, the congregation malignant, the generation of Vipers, murtheters, as their father the devil hath been from the beginning. To conclude, such are they are the Lord God hath always abhorred, and in all ages resisted and overthrown. God, from whom nothing is hid, knoweth what they are. He that searcheth the hearts of men, Psal. 34. Heb. 4. he hath found them out to be crafty, subtle, full of poison, proud, disdainful, stifenecked, devourers, ravenees, and barkers against the truth, filthy and shameless: and therefore doth the spirit of God, by the mouths of his holy Prophets and Apostles, call them by the names of Foxes, jude. 1. Serpents, Cockatrices, Lions, Leopards, Bulls, Bears, Wolves, Dogs, Swine, Beasts, teaching us thereby to understand, that their natural inclination is, to deceive, poison, and destroy (as much as in them lieth) the faithful and elect of God. Psalm. 76. But the Lord with his right arm shall defend his little flock against the whole rabblement of these worldlings, Matth. 20. Luk. 2i Math. 10. 1. Pet. 2. which have conspired against him: he hath numbered all the hears of his children's heads, so that not one of them shall perish without his fatherly will. He keepeth the sparrows, much more will he preserve them whom he hath purchased with the blood of the immaculate Lamb. He will keep them unto the hour appointed, wherein the name of God shall be glorified in his Saints. In the mean time let them work their wills, Math. 10 Sapi. 3. let them envy, let them malign, let them blaspheme, let them curse, ban, betray, whip, scourge, hang and burn: for by these means God will try his elect as gold in the furnace, and by these fruits, shall they also bring themselves to be known what they be, for all their sheeps skins. For as he that in suffering patiently for the Gospel of God, is thereby known to be of Christ: even so in likewise is the persecutor of him known, Psal. 7. to be a member of antichrist. Besides this, their extreme cruelty shall be a mean, the sooner to provoke god to take pity upon his servants, and to destroy them that so tyranouslye entreat his people: as we may learn by the histories, as well in the bondage of Israel under Pharaoh in egypt, Exod. 13. Esd. 3.13 as also in the miserable captivity of juda in Babylon: Where as, when the people of God were in most extreme thraldom, than did the Lord stretch forth his mighty power to deliver his servants. 2. Mach. 7. jacob. 4. i Pet. 5. Apo. 9 Heb 12. jacob. 2 Though God for a time, suffer them to be exalted in their own pride, yet shall they not scape his vengeance. They are his rods, and when he hath worn them to the stumps, then will he cast them into the fire: this shall be their final reward. Our duty is in the mean while, patiently to abide the will of god, which worketh all things for the best. Thus dealeth he with us, partly for our trial, 2, Cor, i2. Esdras. 36 & partly also for our sins, which we most grievously have committed to the great slander of his gospel, whereby the name of God was evil spoken of among his enemies: Roma. 2. for the which he now punisheth us with his fatherly corrections in this world, i. Cor, i, Luke. 15 that we should not be dampened with the world. By this means seeketh he his sheep that were lost, to bring them home to the fold again. By this way seeketh he to reform us, that we may be like unto him, Ephesi. 4 after the image of his son jesus Christ, in all holiness and righteousness before him. Finally, this way useth his godly wisdom, to make us thereby to know him, Ose. 13. & ourselves in him, that afore time had in a manner forgotten him, praised be his name therefore. And as for these Balaamites, which now do molest us, commit them to the hands of god, give him the vengeance, and he will reward them. Rom. 12. phil. 2 Luke. 8. Mark. 4. psal. 8. psal. 4. jeremy. 12. Fall ye to prayer, and let these belly gods prate. For he is in heaven and sleepeth not, that keepeth Israel. He is in heaven that made the seas calm, when the Disciples were afraid. Let us now faithfully call upon him and he will hear us. Let us cry unto the Lord for he is gracious and merciful. When we are in trouble he is with us, he will deliver us, and he will glorify us. If we come unto him, we shall find him turned unto us. If we repent us of our wickedness done against him, jeremy. 18 then shall he take away the plague that he hath devised against us. Let us therefore earnestly repent, & bring forth the worthy fruits of repentance. Let us study to be his, then shall we not need to fear what these hypocrites do against us, Matth. 12. which with their pretenced holiness deceive the hearts of the simple, and abuse the authority of god in his Princes, causing them (by their procurement) to testify their ambitious prelacy, and to erect up their Idol again with the Romish Masie. God in whose hands are the hearts of kings, job. i2 pro. 15.22. open the heart of the queens highness, to espy them out what they be, & so to weed them out, that they no longer be suffered to trouble the congregation of God, & to poison the realm with Pope holy doctrine. psal. 24.30 78. God almighty for his son jesus Christ's sake, deliver the queens highness and this her church realm, from these proud prelate's, which are as profitable in the church of Christ as a polecatte in the mids of a warren of coneyes. To conclude my brethren. I commit you to God and to the power of his word, which is able to establish you in all truth. His spirit be with you and work always that ye may be mindful of your duties towards him whose ye are both body and soul. Whom see that ye love, serve, dread & obey, above all worldly powers, and for nothing under the heavens, defile your conscience before God. Dissemble not with his word: Mark. 6 Matth. 10. Apo 5. God will not be mocked: nay they that dissemble with him, deceive themselves. Such shall the lord deny and cast out at the last day: such (I say) as bear two faces in one hood: such as play on both hands: such as deny the known truth: such as obstinately rebel against him. All such with their partakers shall the lord destroy. God defend you from all such, and make you perfect unto the end. john. 16. Your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A letter sent to a friend of his. THe eternal God keep you in his fear. I have me heartily commended unto you & your husband, beseeching almighty god to preserve you in well doing, and in perfect knowledge of his Christ, that you may be sound faultless in the day of the Lord. I have heard say that my friend is given over to vanity. It breaketh my heart, not only to hear that he so doth, but also teacheth other, that it is unhurtful to go to all abominations, which now stand in the Idols temples. Nevertheless (dear friend) be not moved to follow sinners: for they have no inheritance with GOD and Christ. But look that by going into the Idols temple, you defile not the temple of God, for light hath no fellowship with darkness: but look what the Lord hath commanded, that do. For if not going to church were without persecution, they would not learn you that lesson. But all thing that is sweet to the flesh, is allowed of the fleshly. The Lord shall reward every man according to his works, & he that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity, and he that by the fleshly man is led in the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption. The lord jesus give you his holy spirit, Amen. Seek peace and ensue it. Fear god, love god with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Your friend and all men's in Christ jesus, R. Smith. scribbled in haste from Newgate the .12. of May. To his Wife. THe God and father eternal, which brought again from death our Lord jesus Christ, keep thee dear wife now and for ever, with thy Parents and all thy friends, Amen. I praise God for his mercy, I am in the same state that you left me in, rather better than worse, looking daily for the living GOD, before whom I hunger full sore to appear, and receive the glory, of which I trust thou art willing to be a partaker: I give GOD most hearty thanks therefore, desiring thee of all loves, to stand fast in that faith which thou hast received, and let no man take away the seed that almighty god hath sown in thee, but lay hands of everlasting life, which shall ever abide, when both the earth & all earthly friends shall perish, desiring them also to receive thankfully our trouble, which is momentane & light, & (as S. Paul saith) not worthy of the things which shallbe showed on us: that we patiently carrying our cross may attain to the place whether our Saviour Christ is gone before, to the which I beseech god of his mercy bring us speedily. I have been much troubled about your deliverance, fearing much the persuasions of worldlings, & have found a friend which will (I trust) find a mean for you, if you be not already provided, desiring you in any case to abide such order as that my friend shall appoint in god. And bear well in mind the words which I spoke at our departing, that as god hath choose us & made us worthy to suffer with him, we may endeavour ourselves to follow uprightly in this our vocation, desiring you to present my hearty commendations to all our friends, and especially to your Parents, keeping your matter close in any wise. give most hearty thanks to my friend, which only for our cause is come to Windsor. Continue in prayer. Do well. Be faultless in all things. Beware of abominations. Keep you clean from sin. Pray for me as I do for you. I have sent you a piece of gold for a token, and most entirely desire you to send me word if you lack any thing. The lord jesus preserve you and yours, Amen. From Newgate the .15. of Apryll. If you will meet with me again, Forsake not Christ for any pain. By your faithful husband Robert Smyth. ❧ Letters of Master Bartelet Grene, a gentleman and professor of the Law: who, for god's cause and the maintenance of his holy Gospel, suffered martyrdom, the .13. of Ianuarye. In the year of our Lord. 1556. To his dearly beloved in the lord Mistress Elizabeth C. WOuld God (if it were his pleasure) that with this letter I might send you my heart & mind, and whatsoever there is in me else that pertaineth unto god. So should I think it the best message & happiest letter that ever I could write. But though I obtain not my desire, yet shall I not cease with continual prayer to labour for you, desiring almighty god to increase that which he hath long sith begun in you, of sober life & earnest zeal towards his religion. In faith as saith S. Paul) she that is a true widow & friendless, putteth her trust in god, i. Cor, 7, continuing day and night in supplication and prayer: but she that liveth in pleasure is dead, even yet alive. And verily, a true widow is she that hath married Christ, forsaking the vanities of the world and lust of the flesh. For as the married woman careth how to love, please, and serve her husband: i. Tim, 5, so ought the widow to give all her heart and soul, thoughts and words, studies and labours, faithfully to love god, virtuously to bring up her children and household, and diligently to provide for the poor and oppressed. Therefore Saint Paul first instructeth a widow how to behave herself, that is (to begin where Paul leaveth) not to live in pleasure: then to watch unto prayer as the only means to obtain all our desires, steadfastly laying up all our trust in God, as Solomon right well saith: psalm. 34. Luk. 2. first eschew evil than do good. Of Anna the praise is written, that she never went out of the temple, but served God with fasting and prayer night and day: so well had she espoused Christ. judith. 8. judith ware a smock of hear continuing in fasting, and had good report of all men. The next care that belongeth unto a widow, is that she bring up her children and household godly, Ephes. 6. in the nurture and information of the Lord. Whereof Saint Paul saith, if any widow have children or Nephews, 1. tim 5. let them learn first to rule their own house godly, and to recompense their elders. The incontinency & covetousness of Phynees and O phny not corrected by Ely their father, ●. Reg. 2 provoked gods vengeance upon him & all his kindred. The over tender love of Absalon expelled david from his kingdom. 2. Regum. 15 The unrebuked sins of Ammon encouraged Absalon to slay his brother. Most manifest examples against the parents, 1. Reg. 3. for the offences of their children. Contrariwse how greatly might Hamnah rejoice over Samuel her son, 2. Reg. 13 whom she had brought up in the house of the Lord? What thanks should Tobias wife give for her son Toby? 3e Reg. 1 How happy was Solomon to be taught by the prophet Nathan? But above all widows, thrice blessed was the happy mother of seven sons, that so had instructed them in the fear of God, ●. Mach. 7 that by no torments they would shrink from the love of his truth. Of the last part Saint Paul showeth: that a widow should be chosen, if she have nourished her children, if she have been liberal to strangers, if she have washed the saints feet, and if she have ministered to them in adversity. Herein it is evident how earnestly Saint Paul would have widows bend towards the poor, for that (as though they only had been therefore meet) he appointed only widows to minister unto the Saints, and to gather for the poor. Which use also continued almost throughout the primitive church, that widows had the charge and gathering for poor men and strangers. Of your neighbours I need not to put you in remembrance, seeing you daily feed them with good hospitality, by which means also many foreigners are of your relieved: but of the poor alms houses & miserable prisoners here in London, many lacking their liberty without cause, some under the colour of religion, some only kept for fees, and some on private men's displeasure. Alas that Christ so hungereth and no man will feed him: is so sore oppressed with thrust, and no man will give him to drink: destitute of all lodging and not relieved: naked and not clothed: sick and not visited: imprisoned and not seen. In time paste, men could bestow large sums of money, on copes, vestments, and ornaments of the church. Why rather follow we not Saint Ambrose example, which sold the same to the relief of the poor, or Chrisostomes' commandment, which willeth first to deck and garnish the living temple of God? But alas, such is the wickedness of these our last days, that nothing moveth us: neither the pure doctrine, the godliness of life, nor good examples of the ancient fathers. If in any thing they erred, if they have written any thing that serveth for sects and dissension, that will their charitable children embrace, publish and maintain with sword faggot and fire. But all in vain: they strive against the stream. For though in despite of the truth, by force of the oars of crafty persuasion, they may bring themselves into the haven of hell: yet can they not make all men believe, that the banks move whiles the ship saileth, nor ever shallbe able to turn the direct course of the stream of god's truth. Our Lord jesus Christ strengthen you in all pure doctrine and upright living, and give you grace, virtuously to bring up your children and family, and carefully to provide for the poor and oppressed, Amen. At Newgate the .20. of janu. 1556. Your assured, Bartelet Grene. To my very loving friends and masters, M. Goring, M. Farneham, M. Fletewode, M. Roses well, M. Bell, M. Hussey, M. Calthorpe▪ M. Boyer, and other my Masters of the Temple, Bartelet Grene wisheth health of body and soul. VEry friends are they which are knit together with the knot of Charity. Charity doth not decay, but increase in them that die faithfully. Whereof it followeth that though we be absent in body, yet are we present in spirit, coupled together with the unity of faith in the bond of peace, which is love. How is be worthy the name of a friend, that measureth his friendship with the distance of place, or parting of persons? If thy friend be out of sight, is thy friendship ended? If he be gone into the country, wilt thou cease to love him? If he be passed the seas, wilt thou so forsake him? If he be carried into heaven, is charity hindered thereby? On the one side, we have the use of the fathers from the primative church, that gave thanks for their friends that died in the faith, to prove that charity died not with death. On the other side (saith Horace) Coelum non animum mutant qui trans mare currunt. What speak I of Horace? Saith not S. Paul the same thing? For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his blood: yea we are members one of another. Is the hand, or arm, foot, or leg, a member when it is dissevered from the body? How can we be members except we be joined together? What is the line that coupleth us but love? When all things shall fail, love faileth never. Hope hath his end, when we get that we hoped for. Faith is finished in heaven. Love endureth for ever: love I say that proceedeth of charity. For carnal love (when that which he loved is lost) doth perish with the flesh. Neither was that ever but fleshly love, which by distance of place, or severing of bodies, is parted a sunder. If love be the end, or sum of the law: if heaven and earth shall perish: if one jot of god's word shall not decay, why should we think that love lasteth not ever? I need not to write much to you my friends, neither can I have leisure now that the keepers are risen. But this I say, if we kept Christ's commandment in loving each other, as he loved us, than should our love be everlasting. This friendship Paul felt when it moved him to say, that neither length nor breadth (meaning no distance of place) neither height nor depth should sever him from the love of Christ. Wey well this place, and meet it with Paul's measures: so shall you find, that if our love be unfeigned, it can never be ended. Now may you say, why writest thou this? Forsooth, to the end that if our friendship be stable, you may accomplish this the last request of your friend, perform after my death the friendship we began in our life, that amity may increase, until god make it perfect at our next meeting together. Master Fletewode, I beseech, you remember Wittrance & Cook, two singular men amongs common prisoners. Master Fernhan & M. Bel with M. Hussey (as I hope) will dispatch Palmer and Richardson, with his companions. I pray you M. Calthrop think on john Grove, an honest poor man, Traiford and Rice Aprice his accomplices. My Cousin Thomas Witton, a scrivener in Lomberd street, hath promised to further their delivery: at the least he can instruct you which way to work. I doubt not but that Master Boyer will labour for the good wife Cooper (for she is worthy to be helped) and Gerard the Frenchman. There be also diverse other well disposed men, whose deliverance if ye will not labour for: yet I humbly beseech you to seek their relief as you shall see cause: namely of Henry Aprice, Lancelote, Hobbes, Loather, Homes, Car, and Buckingham a young man of goodly gifts in wit and learning, and (saving that he is somewhat wild) likely to do well hereafter. There be also two women. N. Coningham, and Alice Alexander, that may prove honest. For these and all other poor prisoners here, I make this my humble suit and prayer to you all my Masters, and especial good friends, beseeching you of all bonds of amity, for the precious blood of jesus Christ in the bowels of mercy, to render the causes of miserable captives. Help to cloth Christ, visit the afflicted, comfort the sorrowful, and relieve the needy. The very God of peace guide your hearts to have mercy on the poor, and love faithfully together, Amen. This present Monday, when I look to die, and live for ever. Yours for ever. Bartelet Grene. ❧ Letters of that faithful man of God John Careless, who by cruel imprisonment and unmerciful dealing of the papists, died in the Marshalsee and was buried in the fields on a dunghill: and therefore is not unworthy here to be placed amongs the Martyrs. To my most dear and faithful brethren in Newgate, condemned to die for the testimony of God's everlasting truth. THe everlasting peace of god in jesus Christ, the continual joy, strength & comfort of his most pure, holy & mighty spirit, with the increase of faith & lively feeling of his eternal mercy, be with you my most dear & faithful loving brother Timmes, and with all the rest of my dear hearts in the Lord, your faithful fellow soldiers, and most constant companions in bonds, yea of men condemned most cruelly for the sincere testimony of gods everlasting truth, to the full finishing of that good work, which he hath so graciously begun in you all, that the same may be to his glory, the commodity of his poor afflicted church, and to your everlasting comfort in him, Amen. Ah my most sweet and loving brethren, & dearest hearts in the Lord, what shall I say, or how shall I write unto you in the least point or part, to utter the great joy that my poor heart hath conceived in god, through the most godly example of your christian constancy & sincere confession of Christ's verity? Truly my tongue can not declare, nor my pen express the abundance of spiritual mirth & gladness, that my mind & inward man hath felt, ever since I heard of your hearty boldness, and modest behaviour, before that bloody butcher in the time of all your crafty examinations, specially at your cruel condemnation in their cursed Consistory place. Blessed be god the father of all mercy, & praised be his name, for that he hath so graciously performed upon you his dear darelings, his most sweet & comefortable promises, in not only giving you the continual aid, strength & comfort of his holy & mighty spirit, to the faithful confession of his christ, for whose cause (O most happy men) ye are condemned to die: but also in giving you such a mouth & wisdom, as all your wicked enemies were not able to resist, but were feign to cry peace, peace, and not suffer you to speak. As truly as god liveth (my dear brethren) this is not only unto you a most evident probation that god is on your side, & a sure certainty of your everlasting salvation in him, but also to your cruel adversaries (or rather Gods cursed enemies) a plain demonstration of their just eternal woe and damnation, which they shall be full sure shortly to feel, when ye shall full sweetly possess the place of felicity and pleasure prepared for you from the beginning. Therefore (my dearly beloved) cease not so long as ye be in this life, to praise the lord with a lusty courage, for that of his great mercy & infinite goodness, he hath vouched you worthy of this great dignity, to suffer for his sake, not only the loss of goods, wife & children, long imprisonment, cruel oppression &c: but also the very deprivation of this mortal life, with the dissolution of your bodies in the fire. The which is the greatest promotion that god can bring you or any other unto in this vale of misery, yea so great an honour, as the highest Angel in heaven is not permitted to have: and yet hath the lord (for his dear son Christ's sake) reputed you worthy of the same, yea & that before me and many other, which have both long looked & longed for the same. Ah my most dear brother Timmes, whose time resteth altogether in the hands of thy Lord, in a full happy time camest thou into this troublesome world, but in a much more blessed hour shalt thou departed forth of the same: so that the sweet saying of Solomon, or rather of the holy ghost, shallbe full well verified upon thee, yea & all thy faithful fellows: Eccle. 7 better is the day of death (saith he) than the day of birth. This saying can not be verified upon every man, but upon thee my dear brother, and such as thou art, whose death is most precious before God, and full dear shall your blood be in his sight. Blessed be god for thee my dear brother Timmes, and blessed be god again that ever I knew thee, for in a most happy time I came first into thy company. Pray for me dear brother, pray for me that God will once vouch me worthy of that great dignity whereunto he hath now brought you. Ah my loving brother Drake, whose soul draweth now nigh unto god, of whom you have received the same, full glad may you be that ever God gave you a life to leave for his sake. Full well will he restore it to you again in a thousand fold more glorious wise. Praise God good brother, as you have great cause, and pray for me, I beseech you, which am so much unworthy (so great are my sins) of that great dignity whereunto the Lord hath called you and the rest of your godly brethren: whom I beseech you to comfort in the Lord, as you can full well, praised be God for his gifts, which you have heartily applied to the setting forth of his glory and the commodity of his poor afflicted church. Which thing shall surely redounded to your everlasting joy and comfort, as you shall most effectually feel or ever it be long, though the wicked of the world judge far otherwise. Ah mine own hearts, and most dearly beloved brethren. Cavil, Ambrose, and both the Spurges: blessed be the Lord on your behalf, and praised be his name, which hath given you such a glorious victory. Full valiant have you showed yourselves in the lords fight, and full faithful in your painful service. Faint not but go on forward as ye have most godly begun, for great shall your reward be at the end of this your travel. Ah my good faithful brethren all, what shall I say, or what shall I write unto you, but even the same that good Elizabeth did say to her godly kinneswoman Mary the blessed Mother of Christ. Luke. 1. Happy art thou (quoth that good woman) which haste believed: for all things which the Lord hath spoken to thee, shall be fulfilled. So I say to you (my dear hearts in the Lord) happy are ye all, yea twice happy shall ye be for evermore, because ye have steadfastly believed the most sweet promises which god the father hath made unto you with his own mouth, in that he hath promised you (which are the faithful seed of the believing Abraham) that ye shall be blessed ever world without end. The promises of God your sweet father as ye do believe, so do ye bear record the god is true. The testimony whereof ye have full worthily borne to the world, and shortly will full surely seal the same with your blood, yea even to morrow I do understand. Oh constant Christians: oh valiant soldiers of the high Captain jesus Christ, who for your sake hath conquered the devil, death, sin & hell, and hath given you full victory over them for ever more. Oh worthy witnesses & most glorious Martyrs, whose invincible faith hath overcome that proud, sturdy, bragging prince of the world, and all his wicked army, over whom ye shall shortly triumph for evermore. Ah my sweet hearts, the everlasting treasures are full surely laid up for you in heaven. The immercessible and most glorious crown of victory is already made and prepared for you, to be shortly clapped upon all your happy heads. The holy Angels of your heavenly father are already appointed to conduct your sweet souls into Abraham's bosom. All the heavenly host rejoiceth already, for that they shall shortly receive you with joy and felicity into their blessed fellowship. Selach. Rejoice with double joy, & be glad my dear brethren, for doubtless ye have more cause than can be expressed. But (alas) I that for my sins am left behind, may lie and lament with the holy Prophet saying, psalm. 119. woe is me that the days of my joyful rest are prolonged. Ah cursed Satan, which hath caused me so sore to offend my most dear loving father, whereby my exile and banishment is so much prolonged. Oh Christ my advocate, pacify thy father's wrath which I have justly deserved, that he may take me home to him in his sweet mercy. Oh that I might now come home unto thee with my blessed brethren. Well, thy will (Oh Lord) be effectuously fulfilled, for it is only good, & turneth all things to the best, for such as thou in thy mercies haste chosen. And now farewell my dear hearts, most happy in the Lord. I trust in my good God, yet shortly to see you in the celestial City, whereof undoubtedly the Lord hath already made you free Citizens. Though ye be yet with us for a little time, your very home is in heaven, where your treasure doth remain with your sweet lord & redeemer jesus christ, whose calling you have heard with the ears of your hearts, & therefore ye shall never come into judgement, but pass from death to life. Your sins shall never be remembered, be they never so many, so grievous, or so great: for your Saviour hath cast them all into the bottom of the sea: he hath removed them from you as far as the east is from the west, psalm. 103. & his mercy hath much more prevailed over you, than is distance between heaven and earth: and he hath given you for an everlasting possession of the same, all his holiness, righteousness, & justification, yea and the holy ghost into your hearts, wherewith ye are surely sealed unto the day of redemption, to certify you of your eternal election, and the ye are his true adopted sons, whereby ye may boldly cry unto god, Abba dear father, for ever more: so that now no creature in heaven, earth, nor hell shall be able to accuse you before the throne of the heavenly King. Gen, 3. Satan is now cast out from you: he himself is judged & hath no part in you. He will once more bite you by the heel, and then he hath done, for at the time you shall squise his head through your own good Christ, & so have final victory for ever more. In joyful triumph whereof, ye shall sweetly ascend into the place of eternal rest, whether your eldest brother Christ is gone before you, to take possession for you, and to prepare your place under the holy Altar, with Cranmer, Latymer, Ridley, Rogers, Hoper, Saunders, Farrer, Tailor, Bradford, Philpot, with many other, who will be full glad of your coming, to see vi. more of their appointed number, that their blood may so much the sooner be revenged upon them that dwell on the earth. Thus I make an end, committing you all to gods most merciful defence, whose quarrel ye have defended, whose cause ye have promoted, whose glory ye have set forth, and whose name ye have constantly confessed. Farewell for a while my dear hearts in the Lord: I will make as much haste after you as I may. Al our dear brethren salute you. They pray for you and praise god for you continually. Blessed be the dead that die in the Lord, for they rest from their labours saith the holy ghost, Apo. ●1 and their works follow them. Your own john Careless, a most unprofitable servant of the Lord, yet of his great mercy, prisoner for his sake, abiding his further good pleasure. Pray, pray, pray. To M. green, M. Whittell and certain other prisoners in Newgate, condemned and ready to be burnt for the testimony of the Lord jesus. THe everlasting peace in jesus Christ, the continual comfort of his most pure & holy spirit, be with you my most dear and faithful brethren and sisters of Newgate, the Lords appointed sheep unto the slaughter, to the good performance of the great and notable work of the lord, which he hath so graciously begun in you all: that the same may redound to the setting forth of his glory, and to the commodity of his church, and to your own everlasting comfort in him. So be it. Ah my dear hearts, & most faithful brethren & sisters in the lord, what high laudes & praise, yea what humble and continual thanks am I bound to give to god our father for you & on your most happy behalf, who so mightily hath magnified himself in you thus farforth, in giving you his holy & mighty spirit, to the constant confessing of Christ's verity, even to the cruel condemnation, & I doubt not but he will do the same to the death. Oh happy & blessed are you the ever you were borne, that the lord will vouch you worthy of this great dignity, to die for his sake. Doubtless it is the greatest honour the god can give you in this life. Yea if they be so blessed of god that die in the Lord, as the holy ghost saith they be: how much more blessed & happy then are you that die not only in the lord, Apo. 11. but also for the lord. Oh that it were the good will of god that the good hour were now come, that I might go with you. Ah that my sins made me not unworthy of such an excellent dignity. Be thankful dear hearts, be thankful & rejoice in the lord: for mighty is his mercy towards you, & great is your reward in heaven, the which you like faithful persons, have plucked to you with a godly violence of an invincible faith. Oh worthy warriors of the most high captain: oh constant confessors of the everlasting verity: how glorious a crown of victory shall you shortly receive, which is prepared for all such as do connue to the end? Oh you sweet Saints of the lord, how precious shall your death be in his sight? Oh how dear are your souls to your redeemer, in whole hand they shall most joyfully rest, and the pains of death shall never touch you? Oh how blessed shall you be, when Christ shall appear, at the which time you shall receive your bodies again full of immortality: Oh how joyful shall you be, when Christ, according to his promise, shall knowledge you before his father & his holy Angels, as you have most constantly confessed him to be your Lord and only Saviour before men? Oh blessed Grene, thou meek & loving lamb of the lord, how happy art thou to be appointed to die for his sake? A full dainty dish art thou for the lords own to the. Fresh & green shalt thou be in the house of the Lord, & thy fruits shall never whither nor decay. Although thou go here forth sowing thy good fruits with tears, the time shall come that thou shalt reap with joy and gladness, the fruits of everlasting life, and that without ceasing. Be merry therefore and fear not, for it is thy father's will to give thee a kingdom, Luke. 12. whereunto he hath chosen thee before the foundations of the world were laid. Oh happy Minister, thou man of God, how glad mayest thou be of God's gracious favour, which hath prevented thee in the day of thy trial? Oh happy Peter, whose part thou hast well played: therefore thy reward and portion shallbe like unto his. Now hast thou good experience of man's infirmity, but much more proof & taste, yea sense and feeling of gods abundant bottomless mercy. Although Satan desired to sift thee, Luk. 22 yet Christ thy good Captain, prayed that thy faith should not fail. God's strength is made perfect by thy weakness, and his grace is sufficient for thee his dear child. Thine example did so encourage and strength thy poor brethren, that God is every way glorified by thee, and shortly will he glorify thee with himself, with that glory which he hath prepared for thee his elect darling, before the world was made. Therefore rejoice and be glad, for thou haste good occasion in finding such favour in his sight. This is most true (Oh my other brethren whom I do not know, neither have I heard much of you) happy are you that ever you were borne, and blessed be our god which hath given you such victory over the bloody beast. Apo. 1●. Shortly shall you be clothed in large white garments, and fine reins of righteousness, & so shall you follow the Lamb on mount Zion with new songs of mirth and melody, for your delivery forth of Satan's power and tyranny. God for evermore be blessed for you, and strengthen you to the end, as I doubt not but he will: for he never failed them that put their trust in him. Oh my dear and faithful Sister joane Warner, what shall I say to thee? Thy trial hath been great: thy victory in Christ hath been notable. Thou hast overcome many a sharp shower & storm. Shortly shalt thou arrive at the haven of quiet rest, & receive a reward due to a constant Martyr. Thou shalt go home to thy heavenly father, & possess for ever the inheritance which Christ hath purchased for thee, where thy earthly parents be, still looking for thee, which have triumphed over Antichrist most victoriously. Oh blessed Parents of happy children, which have showed such an example, as the like hath been seldom seen. I salute thee dear Sister of like constant mind: whose constant example is worthy of continual memory. Praised be God for you my own sweet Sisters, which hath made you to play such wise Virgin's parts. Math. 25 He hath plentifully powered the oil of his spirit into the lamps of your faith, so that the light thereof shall never be extinct. You shall enter with your bridegroom into everlasting joy, whereunto you were choose in him from the beginning. Oh my dear brethren and Sisters, you blessed saints of the Lord, how much & how deeply am I bound to praise god for you both day and night? Pray, pray for me (my dear hearts) for the tender mercy of God, that I may be made worthy to follow your trace. Oh that I had run the race of my life, as far as you have done yours, and were as nigh my journeys end as you be unto yours. But alas, I lie like the lame man at the pools side by Salamons' porch, john. 5. and every man goeth into the place of health before me. But God will appoint me one, one day to put me in. I trust my Lord of London's coalhouse is empty, and all his officers idle. Therefore they must shortly fetch more sheep to the Shambles: for he is the common slaughter slave of all England. But happy are you that are passed through the pikes, and delivered out of his hands, and from all the angels of the darkness of this world, which long tempted you in the wilderness of the same: but now shall the angels of god come and minister unto you, for they are your servants to hold you up in their hands, that you shall not hurt your foot, psal. 60. 4. Reg. 2. no nor one hear of your head shall perish. They shall carry you up to heaven in a fiery chariot, though you leave your mantel behind you for a time, till God restore the fame to you again in a more ample and glorious sort. Thus in haste, as it doth appear, I am constrained to make an end, committing you all to gods most merciful defence: who ever have you in his blessed keeping, desiring you all to remember me in your godly and faithful prayers, as I will not forget you in mine by gods grace. The blessing of God be with you all my dear brethren and Sisters. All our brethren and fellow prisoners here, have them most heartily commended unto you, and pray for you without ceasing. God send us a merry meeting in his kingdom, Amen. By your brother and unfeigned lover john Careless prisoner, abiding his most merciful will and pleasure. Pray, pray, pray. To my dear and faithful brother W. Tymmes prisoner in Newgate. THe everlasting peace of god in jesus Christ, with the continual joy, comfort, & strength of his sweet spirit, be multiplied, & daily more & more increased in your good heart (my most faithful & dear brother Tymmes) to the full quieting of your conscience, and beating back of all the fiety darts of the wicked, that you may shortly receive the glorious crown of victory, and in the same triumph over all your enemies forevermore, Amen. I cannot express the exceeding great joy & consolation of my poor heart, considering the marvelous works of God most graciously wrought upon you, not only in proving you & trying your faith by his great & huge crosses both inwardly and outwardly, but also in giving you so great consolation & constancy in the mids of the same. Faithful is god & true of his promises, who hath said that he will never suffer his chosen children to be tempted above their strength, but in the mids of their temptation will make an outscape for them, by such means as may make to his glory and their everlasting consolation. My dear heart, great cause have you to be of good comfort, for I see in you as lively a token of God's everlasting love & savour in jesus Christ, as ever I perceived in any man. In respect whereof I do even with my heart, love, honour and reverence you, beseeching god for his glorious names sake, in the bowels & blood of our lord and only Saviour jesus christ, to finish his good work in you, as I doubt not but he will do, according to his unfallible promises: yea I am well assured thereof, forasmuch as you have so effectually received his holy spirit into your heart, as a pledge & sure seal of your eternal redemption, & a testimony of your adoption in Christ jesus. For which cause Satan so sore envieth you, that he hath now bent all his fierce ordinance against you, thinking thereby utterly to destroy the invincible fort of your faith founded most firmly upon the unmovable rock christ, against the which, the devil, sin, nor yet hell gates shall never prevail, Selah. Therefore mine own bowels in the lord, be not discomforted for this your conflict, which doubtless shall greatly increase your crown of glory, triumph, and victory: but take a good heart unto you, and buckle boldly with Satan both in himself and in his subtle members. It is the very divine ordinance of god, that all his regenerate children shallbe tempted, proved and tried: as we see by the example of our Saviour Christ, who as soon as he was baptized, was strait ways led of the holy ghost into the wilderness, there to be tempted of the devil. But there got he such a glorious victory of Satan, that he could never since finally prevail against any of his poor members, but in every assault that he maketh either inwardly or outwardly, he getteth a foil and taketd shame: so that now he rageth with all the spite possible, specially because he knoweth his time is but short. james. 4. Saint james testifieth that he is but a very coward, that will soon fly if he be faithfully resisted. And as for his tempting tools, the Lord hath made them manifest unto us, so that he cannot deceive us, though he assault us: for as saint Paul saith, 2. Cor. 3 his very thoughts are not unknown to us, as it doth in you largely appear, praised be the lords name therefore. You see dear brother, that now to molest you & such as you are, that be even passing from this vale of misery, he hath but two ways, or two pieces of ordinance to shoot at you, with the which he cannot hurt you because you have two bulwarks to defend you. The first of these terrible guns that Satan hath shot at you, is the very same that he continually shooteth at me, that is to say fear and infidelity for the uglesomnes of death, & horror of my sins, which be so many, grievous, and great. But this pellet is easily put away with the sure shield of faith in the most precious death and bloodshedding of our dear Lord and only Saviour jesus Christ, whom the father hath given unto us wholly to be ours for evermore, & with him hath given us all things, as Paul saith: so that though we be never so great sinners, yet Christ is made unto us holiness, righteousness and justification. He hath clothed us with all his merits, mercies and most sweet sufferyngs, and hath taken unto him all our misery, wretchedness, sin and infirmity. So that if any should now be condemned for the same, it must needs be jesus Christ, which hath taken them upon him. But in deed he hath made satisfaction for them to the uttermost jot: so that for his sake they shall never be imputed to us, if they were a thousand times so many more as they be. This do you most effectuously feel and know, dear brother, a great deal better than I can tell you, blessed be God therefore. And now Satan, seeing that he cannot prevail with his boisterous battery against this bulwark of faith, which doth so quench all his fiery darts that they can do you no harm, but rather do you good service to cast you down under the mighty hand of God, that he may take you up by his only grace & power, & so you may render him all the glory by jesus Christ, (which thing the enemy cannot abide in no wise) therefore he shooteth of his other piece most pestilent, to provoke you to put some part of your trust and confidence in yourself, & in your own holiness & righteousness, that you might that way rob god of his glory, Christ of his honour and dignity of his death. But blessed be the Lord God, you have also a full strong bulwark to beat back this pestiferous pellet also, even the pure law of god, which proveth the best of us all damnable sinners in the sight of god, if he would enter into judgement with us, according to the severity of the same, & that even our best works are polluted & defiled in such sort, as the Prophet describeth them. With which manner of speaking, Esay. 64. our freewill Phariseis are much offended: for it felleth all man's righteousness to the ground (I had like to have said to the bottom of hell) and extolleth only the righteousness of jesus Christ, which is allowed before god, & is freely given to all those that firmly believe, as blessed be god you do. Ah my good brother Tymmes, Satan hath put his hand in a wrong box when he beginneth to tempt you, either to vain glory or mistrust: for you are an old beaten soldier, and have had good experience of these manner of temptations both by yourself & other, whom you know well were the beloved of god. Be of good cheer therefore, dear heart, be of good cheer, for now Satan hath wrought all his malice: he hath done all that he can, and hath shot of all his last pieces wherewith he had thought to have done most mischief: but now he seeth he can not prevail (the strong tower of your faith being so invincible) he will pluck up all his tents, and get him to some other place to practise the like assaults: and then will the angels of god come and minister unto you the most sweet and heavenvly consolations of the holy ghost. To him therefore who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that ever we can desire or think, I do most heartily commit you, with all the rest of your godly prison fellows, who comfort strengthen, and defend you with his grace and mighty operation of his holy spirit, as he hath he thereto done, that you having a most glorious victory over the subtle Serpent and all his wicked seed, may also receive the crown of glory & immortality prepared for you before the foundations of the world were laid, & is so surely kept for you in the hands of him whose promise is unfaflible, that the Devil, sin, death, or hell shall never be able to deprive you of the same. The blessing of God be with you now and for evermore, Amen. Pray, pray, pray, for me. Your own for ever, john Careless. ¶ To my dearly beloved in the lord Mistress A. K. THe everlasting peace of god in jesus Christ, the help, comfort, and assistance of his most pure and holy spirit, be with you my most dear Sister, to the performance of that he hath so graciously begun in you, that it may be to his glory, the profit of his church, and your eternal comfort in him, Amen. As I am right sorry at my poor heart (O worshipful Matron) that any afflictions or passions of heaviness should trouble your godly and loving heart (unto the which I wish unfeignedly all godly joy & quietness) even so am I glad and give god most hearty thanks, that he of his great goodness hath used me poor wretched miser by any means, to be an occasion of the increase of your godly mirth and gladness. But O my good and faithful Sister, I see whereabout you go. You play with me as a good loving mother doth with her unwilling child. When it doth any thing at her desire, she praiseth it and maketh herself glad thereof, that it may take courage to do better, and be more willing against an other tyme. Even so do you (right reverend Matron) make yourself glad of my simple doings, to comfort & encourage me, to continued in that which is good, and to grow and go forward willingly in the same. God for Christ's sake, give me his grace that in all things I may satisfy your godly expectation, that I may do some honour to his heavenly doctrine. And as you have greatly comforted me with your most godly and loving letter: even so I beseech you to assist me with your faithful and hearty prayer, as I doubt not but you do, for I feel the present help thereof, praised be God therefore. God make me thankful for you my (dear Sister) and also mindful of my duty towards you & all other the lords elect children. Ah my dear and faithful heart in the Lord, how much and how deeply am I bound to praise god for you, and to give him thanks day and night on your good behalf? Oh happy are you that ever you were borne, the God will so mightily be magnified in you. O blessed woman that so surely believest and hast so plentifully tasted of gods holy spirit, that out of thy womb do flow the rivers of the water of life: to whom god hath made manifest that might of his marvelous mercy, and hath given consolation in the same, so that you are able of your own good experience, to comfort others in all their afflictions: which thing I can witness (I praise god therefore) in that I do deeply taste & feel of the same. God for Christ's sake recompense the same & all other your good doings, seven fold into your bosom, as I doubt not but he will do, according to his promise. God make me such a one as you report me to be, that my fruits might take such effect as you speak of. But (alas) I am a great, horrible, & most grievous sinner: therefore I fear me, god be angry with me for presuming to take his word in my mouth. God hide my sins from the sight of the world, that I be not a slander to his truth. But it is you (O dear daughter of Abraham) which do so love & live the gospel, that I & other are more confirmed in the truth thereof by your good example. God hath at this day in his poor afflicted church, a sort of worthy women, which do him and his such service as is acceptable in his sight. I speak of experience (I praise god therefore) and not to the end to flatter you or any other, the lord is my witness. God for my sins hath taken from me the company of godly learned men, to my great grief and heavy discomfort: but of his great goodness & mercy he doth supply my spiritual lack by the good ministry of godly & virtuous women. Of which faithful labourers in the gospel, whose names are written in the book of life (my dearly beloved Sister) you are not the least. The lord be thanked for you, & blessed be the time that ever I knew you: for your love & faithful amity is to me a sure sign & seal of god's love & mercy. Oh dear lord what am I upon whom thou shouldest vouchsafe to show such great tokens of thine inestimable love & kindness? Oh faithful father, forgive me my great ingratitude & sins. Oh let me be no longer negligent in doing my duty towards thy dear children, which thou haste linked in love with me, knitting our hearts together in a perfect bond of Christian charity, whereby all men may see that we are thy Disciples. O my good Sister, I would you knew what joy & comfort I do feel in my good christ, at this present hour. God make you partaker of the same: for this which I have, partly cometh by you whom god hath used as his good instrument thereto. And where as you do most godly counsel me with S. Peter, 1. Pet. 5 to cast all my care upon the Lord, and to be careless, not only in name but also in effect, specially in respect of him for whose sake I do suffer, and the sincere truth which I do profess: I thank you heartily for your most godly and comfortable exhortation, and I intend by god's grace to follow the same as farforth as he shall assist me with his holy and mighty spirit, without the which I can neither take things patiently, neither rejoice under the cross as I ought for to do. Oh what great cause have I to rejoice & be glad the god of his great mercy & infinite goodness, will count me worthy to suffer for his sake, & to bear his sweet cross, wherewith he doth marvelously begin to fashion me into his own similitude and likeness, that in his glory I may be like him also? Oh how well may I be Careless in deed, as well as in name, seeing that I have cast my care upon the lord himself, who (I am right well assured by faith) careth for me, & hath committed me to Christ's safe custody, which loveth me unto the end, and will not lose me, but will raise me unto life at the last day. psalm. 27. The lord is my light and my defence, of whom then should I be afraid? The lord is the preserver of my life, what can man then do unto me? I am one of the lords elect, who shall lay aught them to my charge? The lord himself doth justify me, Rom. 8. who shall then condemn me? Sith Christ is mine and I am his, what shall make me careful, or who shall separate me from his sweet love: which (as Solomon saith in his sweet songs) is mightier than the death? No, no, let the tyrants come when they will, I trust they shall find me ready and willing to go home to my heavenly father, whether my good brethren be gone before me with joy, triumph, and victory over the bloody Beast and her Babylonical brood: blessed be god therefore. Your sweet examples of Helias, Daniel, and the Israelites, do much confirm my faith in Christ, although I be far inferior to any of them. But as you say full well, god himself is my father & doth love me his prodigal son with an everlasting love: sure I am therefore he will not see me lack either for body or soul: for he feedeth the birds & brute beasts, yea and men that he much worse than they, as you full well have said. And further (my dear heart) where as you say that your heaviness and sorrow is, when you call to remembrance my cross, and double cross &c: ah my good loving sister, let not my crosses make your good tender heart heavy, but rather be glad & rejoice with me that God of his great mercy will repute me worthy to bear them for his sake. Sing psalms with me of praise & thanksgiving, for God hath made me able to bear them patiently, if they were a thousand times so many more as they be, as in deed my sins have justly deserved. Well is me the ever I was born, that he would vouch me worthy to suffer at all hands, or all sorts of men for his sake: or rather that it would please his goodness to choose me poor caitiff in whom himself would suffer: For the enemies do not punish me for my sins (as they might justly do) but they do persecute sweet Christ in me, whose truth I do profess. And now, as concerning the most comfortable doctrine of our eternal election in him, before the foundation of the world was laid: I do protest before God & man, that if every hear of my head were a man's life, I would willingly give them all in the defence thereof. Full little wotteth our free will men what they do, when they go about so rashly to condemn that doctrine. The Lord illuminate their minds with the light of his holy spirit, that they may once see the truth thereof, and leave their kicking against the prick. In deed dear friend, in the respect of them and the peril which they be in, you and I both have good cause to mourn, lament, and be sorry, & to pray for them day & night, that the Lord if it be his will, would convert them. And whether their blindness be of simplicity (as I hope it is) or of wilful obstinacy (which thing is greatly to be feared) yet have I no cause to be angry with them, for it is their own harm: where as mine should have been the like, if god had left me to myself, as he might most justly have done: and for that I am as I am, his name only have the praise, and for his sake I will always seek to do them good as much as lieth in me. And what soever they have said, or shall say or do against me, I do and will as heartily forgive them all, as I would be forgiven of god, my great sins & trespasses. For sure I am that what soever he be, that hath any true taste or lively feeling of the great mercy, love, and kindness of God towards him in Christ, he can not bear hate or displeasure against any thing but sin & Satan the only author thereof. Therefore, in that they do talk so much of love, and let so little appear in their deeds, it doth evidently appear how little taste and lively feeling of the free mercy of God in Christ they have. A weak faith hath ever a cold charity annexed unto it, which is quenched with every unkind word. Yours unfeignedly, john Careless. To my dear Sister. M. C. THe everlasting peace of god in jesus Christ, the continual aid, strength, & comfort of his most pure, holy, and mighty spirit, with the increase of faith and lively feeling of his eternal mercies, be most effectuously wrought in your heart (my dear and faithful Sister) to the full accomplishing of that good work which the Lord hath so graciously begun in you, that it may be to the setting forth of his glory, the comfort of his poor afflicted church, and to your own eternal consolation in him, Amen. I thank God most heartily for you (my dear heart in the Lord) with all remembrance of you in my prayers, as of duty I am bound, not doubting but you do the same for me to my great joy & comfort in the midst of my crosses, which daily do increase, yea and that in such sort that if the faithful god by your hearty prayer and others gods dear children, did not put to his helping hand, I should surely sink down under them. Ah good sister, beg hard of our dear father for me, that he would shortly tread Satan under my feet, and that I may play the man in the Lords battle, as you bid me, & be joyful in my Christ, what pain or peril soever I suffer. And rejoice with me (good sister) in the Lord, and let us be merry in him, not only to cheer the good hearts of all our faithful friends, but also to anger the cankered heart of Satan that crooked Serpent our ancient enemy. For I know that there is nothing that can grieve his malicious mind more, than the mirth, gladness, and hearty rejoicing of the children of God in their good Christ. Ah my faithful friend, if your good heart be heavy, who can make mine light? If you be sorry, who can make me glad? But if you be merry and rejoice in the Lord, there shall no trouble, make me sad or sorrowful. Be of good cheer therefore my good sister, & comfort my sweet brother. V Oh that I might once hear that he and his bridegroom were in bed both together, and that he had taken a sweet sleep in his lovers arms, as john did upon his lap on the Maundie night. john. 13 Commend me unto him most heartily, and desire him for the Lords sake, to fulfil my joy & increase my crown. Bid him be mindful of me in his hearty prayers, as I neither will nor can forget him in mine. Full dear is he unto my soul. So are you my good sister (the Lord he knoweth) even so are you: you have so surely knit me to you with that bond of unfeigned love, whereby you are linked to the children of God. Oh blessed bond of perfection, and true badge of Christ's disciples. Oh true and unfeigned love, wrought by his spirit in the hearts of all his elect. This is to us a true sign and sure seal that we are the very children of God. This love is that flower that never shall fade, but flourish daily more and more, and be made perfect in that place where faith and hope shall have no office, 1. Cor. 13. but possess for ever that which they have here long looked for with patience. My dear heart, be of good cheer: for though our bodies be here separated a sunder for a little time, yet shall the lord bring us together again ere it be long, into a place of great joy, where we shall dwell for ever. Yea god can & will, if he see it good for us, bring us together again in this life, that we may have a merry meeting & further occasion to praise his holy name. He can work wonders when himself listeth. Psa. 91. Oh what it is to dwell under the defence of the most highest, and to sit under the shadow of the almighty? The buggysh Bishops can not make such a one a feared, because they can not take away one hear from our head until god give them leave: which I am sure he will not do until such time as he shall see it most to his glory, and the profit of his saints: and when that time is once come, who will desire to tarry here any longer? Thus dear sister, I have scribbled a few lines to you in haste: I will not say that it shallbe my last farewell, although it be very like in this life. Commend me to my good brethren M. Heath, Robert Cole, john Lydley etc. I would be glad to see them, & take my leave of them, if they may do it without danger, as I think they may: but in no wise let them not danger themselves for that matter: sure I am we shall all have a most joyful meeting shortly. God strengthen you all in his truth, and make you instruments of his glory, to defend the gospel of his grace against all sorts of enemies thereof. Amongst whom, me thinks I do foresee dear sister, the great plague that these free-will men shall pour upon the poor afflicted Church of God: for without all doubt the Dragon will make the river of reproach, Apo. 12 which you now sustain for the verities sake, a great flood or ever it be long: but in the end they shall drink it up all themselves, as they now do that, which they spewed forth against our blessed brethren, Bradford and Philpot. And yet the verity doth flourish, and shall spite of the Pie, which grieveth Satan at the heart, & therefore he bestirreth him like a wode Lion, knowing that his time is short. The lord deliver us from these poisoned tongues. Verily I can not tell whether I may more lament my long tarrying amongs these Ismalites, so given to malice, or the leaving of you and other my dear lovers in the Lord, amongs them. The Lord be merciful unto his elect, and shorten these sorrowful days for their sakes, as he hath said he will. Farewell mine own dear heart, farewell in the Lord jesus christ, who pour his holy spirit plenteously upon you, that by the mighty operation of the same, you may daily more & more effectuously feel the sure certainty of your eternal salvation in jesus Christ, that you may ever be able to comfort other with the same comforts, wherewith you are comforted in him. To whose most merciful defence I do heartily commit you now & ever more. Amen. The blessing of God be with you all now and ever, Amen. Your own poor brother john Careless, prisoner of the Lord, abiding his good pleasure. To my good Sister. M. C. THe peace of god in jesus Christ, the eternal comforts of his sweet spirit, be with you my dear and fatithfull sister: to the full accomplishment of that good work which he hath most graciously begun in you, that the same may be effectual to the setting forth of his glory, and to your everlasting consolation in him Amen. My loving and faithful sister in the Lord, I thank you for all your loving kindness showed unto me, but specially for your godly remembrance of me in your fervent and faithful prayers, and for your most godly and comfortable letter, whereby you do not only much increase my joy and comfort, but also put me in remembrance of my duty towards you. Blessed be the Lord our God, which of his great mercy hath so beautified his church in these our days, that even unto many godly women, he hath given most excellent gifts of knowledge and understanding of his truth, so that they are not only well able to inform their own consciences in all things necessary to salvation, but also most sweetly to comfort their sorrowful brethren & sisters that sustain any trouble for the testimony of god's truth, yea & that which is more, even in the mids of their great confllictes of conscience. Of which most happy number of godly & virtuous women, my dear heart, you are one & that of the chiefest, being plentifully endued with the gifts of gods most gracious spirit, as it doth full well appear in your daily doings, God only have the praise therefore. For as much then as God hath given you the gift to write, I shall most heartily desire you to let me hear from you sometimes, be it never so little, for truly I take great comfort & courage thereby, specially in my poor conscience, which is sore assaulted of subtle Satan, & in a manner oppressed of my sins. Pray dear sister, that god may give me true, hearty, and earnest repentance, and increase my faith, for they are both the good gifts of God only, & far pass the reach of my power to take at my plearsure. Therefore dear sister, if you will help me to beg the same of our dear loving father, I am sure that he both can & will give them me in his good time. And as for the fear of death or terror of the fire, I most heartily thank my good God. I feel it not: only it is mine own sins and unthankfulness, which holdeth hard battle, & wageth strong war against me, which only goeth about to separate me from my good captain Christ, that I should not enjoy his glorious victory: but God being on my side (as I am sure he is) that can not continually prevail against me. Though God for a time permit Satan to take his pleasure on me, as he did up on job, yet I doubt not but in the end all shall turn to my profit, through the merits of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, to whose most merciful defence I commit you dear sister, with all the rest of the Lords elect. Farewell in Christ. Yours unfeignedly, john Careless. Pray, pray, pray, pray. To my most dear and faithful brother in the lord. T. V. THe everlasting peace of god in jesus Christ, with continual joy comfort and quietness of conscience, through the mighty operation of the holy ghost, be with you my most dearly beloved brother. V to the increase of your crown and victory, now and ever, Amen. I have been often times earnestly minded to write unto you (my dear heart in the Lord) sith I received your most godly and loving letter: but the likelihood & hope which I have often since conceived to see you & talk with you mouth to mouth, hath caused me to forbear, that love hath so often provoked me unto. But sith mine expectation is not yet certified, nor (as far as I can perceive) is like to be in this life: I can no longer forbear the scribbling of these few lines unto you. The which I desire you to take in good worth: for as I have done the same altogether in haste, so is it the contents of an heart something troubled, and not altogether in so sweet a security as it hath been in times past, and I doubt not but it shallbe so full well again. Ah my dear brother, if I should not now & then drink with Christ of the bitter cup of inward afflictions, I should to much neglect my duty towards you and other my dear hearts in the Lord, whom the mighty God hath made worthy to feel with Christ, the fellowship of his passions. But blessed be my God, and most dear loving father, which of his great mercy & infinite goodness in Christ, will vouch me worthy with you & other of his dear darlings, to carry as well the inward cross, which is most grievous and heavy, as the outward cross, which is so light & easy. 2. Cor. 4 I know there is an exceeding weight of glory prepared for me, although Satan now, by god's permission seeketh all means possible to persuade me to the contrary, by casting of his clouds & mists over me that he might darken the love of my dear lord & Christ, which died for me, yea & that when I was his utter enemy, & by nature the very child of wrath and perdition: but I know that the love of my Christ being so great, will burst out again most gloriously. Oh God, me thinks even now I feel it begin to kindle in my breast marvelously. Pray for me dear heart, pray for me, that my soul may sweetly turn to her old rest again: for verily Satan hath made a sore ruffeling with her of late, that he might have bereft her of her vyrginitye, with the fornication of mistrust and infidelity. But I see well, my God is faithful (as Saint Paul saith) and will not suffer her to be tempted above the strength he will give der. Pray for me dear heart I say again, and praise GOD most heartily for his great mercy extended towards me, as by your letter I understand you do: I thank you most heartily therefore, and I promise you (by God's grace) I will never forget you so long as the breath is in my body, neither can I though I would. And now mine own bowels in the Lord, I long much to hear of your state, which I trust be most happy & blessed. Gladly would I hear that the celestial bridegroom were at home with you, and that in respect of his most blessed and cheerful presence, you had cast away all your mourning garments. Oh that I might once bear you heartily sing with the spouse this sweet verse: Can. 2. My delight is to sit under the shadow of my love, for his fruit is full sweet unto my throat: he bringeth me into his wine seller: his banner spreadeth over me his love: his left hand lieth under my head, and his right hand shall embrace me etc. Oh my dear heart, I am now constrained to end for this time, but god will send me an other I doubt not, to whose most merciful defence I do heartily commit you. Yours unfeignedly, john Careless. To my dear brother. T. V. THe everlasting peace of god in jesus christ, the continual comforts of his most pure & holy spirit, be with you my most dear friend and faithful brother V to the increase of your faith, & comfort of your sorrowful spirit, which is to the father a sweet sacrifice through Christ: for whose sake he will never despise your humble and contrite heart, but doth favourably accept the same, and will in most ample wise perform the desire thereof to his glory and your eternal comfort in him. In the mids of my manifold crosses & troubles, wherein I am constrained to flee unto God for refuge & succour by earnest and faithful prayer, I can not forget you (my dear heart in the Lord) but esteeming your state for mine own. I do pour forth my complaint for you, as I do for myself, and rather more, as I think presence need doth require, desiring most heartily to hear of the good success of the same in you. The Lord God for his great mercies sake, accomplish my desire, as I doubt not but he will, when he seeth it good & most to his glory, & to your comfort and commodity. Oh that I might once see you so merry in christ as you have just cause to be, that you might say with david: psalm. 57 Awake my glory, awake Lure and Harp, bring forth the Psalter with the merry song, that I might sing a new song of praise and thanksgiving unto the Lord for the light of his favourable countenance, his help and deliverance. Psa. 45. Oh that would refresh me as a most precious oil, and gladden my poor heart, which is assaulted with sorrow more ways than one. I doubt not but the same shall by your means receive much comfort, though for a time it doth mourn with you, that we may be made both glad together, yea and that with such gladness as shall continue for ever. But in the mean space (I say) most happy are you that so heartily mourn the absence of the bridegroom. Math. 9 If you were not a wedding child, you could never do it. Only Christ's true Disciples do mourn for his absence: therefore shall they doubtless rejoice at his presence, which will be so much more joyful, by how much the absence is more sorrowful. Therefore my good brother, take a good heart unto you & be of good cheer. Say with the prophet david: psalm. 42 O my soul why art thou so heavy, and why art thou so disquieted with in me? O put thy trust in god, for I will yet give him thanks for the help of his loving countenance and because he is my god. Read psalm. the .41. and .42. for your comfort, and consider that the holy king and Prophet, at the making and first saying of them, was even in the same case that you are now in: but he still comforted himself with the sweet promises of god: and so do you my dear heart, for to you they do as well pertain as they did to him, and as surely shall they be performed upon you, as they were upon him: for he is one god and dear father unto you both, and for his mercy, truth, and promise sake, he must needs make good unto you all that he hath said. If his love towards you, stood in the respect of your own merit or worthiness, you might well mourn, lament & complain: yea you had good cause to doubt, fear, and mistrust. But seeing he loveth you only for and in jesus Christ, who is your whole holiness, righteousness, & redmption: lay away all mourning, lamenting and complaining: banish from you all fear, mistrust and infidelity, and know that as long as Christ doth continue gods son, so long must the love of the father continue towards you immutable, and his good will unchangeable, & cannot be altered through any of your infirmities. For this is most true, that as long as the cause of any thing doth last, so long must the effect remain: but christ is the whole cause, why the father loveth you, and he also continueth for ever, then must I needs conclude that the love of the father continueth towards you for ever, and (as the Palmiste most joyfully so often singeth) his mercy endureth for ever and ever. This is most true mine own dear heart, although the Lord for a time bide it from your senses, that you might be the more earnest in prayer to him for the feeling of it, & also the more thankful for it when he doth give the lively taste of it, as doubtless he will do or ever it be long: and then shall you be well able to comfort other in the same state that you are now in, with the same comfort wherewith you are, and further shall be comforted of god. Heb. 12 Therefore, lift up your hands that are now a little fallen down, and stretch forth the weak knees of your troubled mind; which now mourneth with a godly mourning, and therefore shall it be full well comforted with that sweet peace of GOD which passeth all understanding: and you are sure already to enjoy the blessing that Christ gave unto the godly mourners of Zion upon the mount. Eccle. 7 at the first set money that he made. Oh happy. V in, whose mourning company I had rather be, then in the house of mirth & banqueting of such as see not what cause they have to mourn and be sorry. But yet my good brother, use a measure in this your godly mourning, and make not your faithful friends to much sorry for you. Let the persuasions of such godly lovers as you do daily company withal, or rather the persuasions of the holy ghost by them, move you to some godly mirth and rejoicing. Phillip 4 Consider that you are commanded of God by the mouth of saint Paul thereto: Rejoice in the Lord (saith he) and I say again rejoice. Mark how he doubleth the sentence, that we may perceive it is a most earnest and necessary thing he requireth. Obey the commandment of God in this behalf: wherein as you cannot but highly please him, so I assure you, you shall very much rejoice my poor heart, and the hearts of other which pray for you with mourning tears, and make that cruel enemy Satan and all your adversaries sorry, which will rejoice and laugh to see you mourn. Oh my good brother, let it manifestly appear that the lord of his great mercy hath heard our faithful and hearty requests for you. Oh how would that rejoice me in the mids of my troubles? Therefore now to conclude, because the darkness constraineth me to make an end for this time, I say my dear and faithful brother. V in respect of the great cause you have of your own part through Christ, and for the glory and honour of almighty GOD: the comfort, joy, and rejoicing of your dear brethren and Sisters in Christ: also your own duty by the commandment of GOD: and last of all to vex, molest and grieve Satan withal rejoice in the Lord, and be most heartily glad in him, who is wholly yours and you are his and shallbe for evermore. Selah. Farewell mine own bowels in the Lord, and praise GOD with joyful lips and a merry heart, and pray for me his most unprofitable servant, which have more cause concerning myself, to lament then any one man living: out my good bridegroom is present, & biddeth me cast away my mourning garments, and therefore I must needs be merry with him: & so he biddeth you to be by my mouth, for he is present with you, although for sorrow you cannot know him, as Magdalen could not in the garden, until he spoke unto her. The Lord God speak the words of comfort in your heart, and open the eyes of your mind, that you may perfectly perceive and feel his blessed presence, and so rejoice in the same for evermore, Amen. comfort your heart in Christ and cast your care upon him, for he careth for you. Your brother in the Lord abiding his good pleasure. john Careless. Unto all the faithful flock of jesus Christ within the city of London, which fear god unfeignedly & seek to serve him in such holiness & righteousness as is acceptable in his sight: john Careless wisheth the eternal peace of God in jesus christ, the continual aid, strength and comfort of his most holy spirit, who the increase of faith and lively feeling of his mercy, now & evermore, Amen. WHen I had with myself well weighed and considered (right worshipful citizens) the great charge and burden that you have borne and been at, not only with me (which am most unworthy of your liberal benefits) but also with many other the poor afflicted people of God, ever since the time that Tyranny last broke lose into this miserable land &c: I was even ashamed and in conscience confounded to think of my great sloth and negligence, yea ingratitude and unthankfulness towards you, in not sowing some of these spiritual gifts which God hath given me, amongst you, of whom I have reaped so manifoldly your temporal benefits. God for his dear sons sake, forgive me my great sin that in this point I have commiited against both him and you, desiring you also to do the same, and I will promise you by god's grace, if he spare me life, I will henceforth better perform my duty towards you, my poor prayer always supplying that, which otherwise I am not able to perform. And in testimony thereof, I have here written unto you this simple admonition, the which I ween will be my leave taking of you and last farewell in this corruptible life, as by many likelihoods it doth appear: wherefore I beseech you all to accept it in good part as a sign and token of some parcel of my good will towards you. But what shall I write unto you, or whereof shall I entreat that you already do not perfectly know? You have had the pure word of God plentifully preached amongst you: yea and the same sealed (praised be god therefore) with good store of blood. You have also the blessed Bible, and all other good books of godly men's doings among you, so that I think you are ignorant of nothing that pertaineth to the life of a perfect christian. Therefore I will not here take upon me to teach you any thing, sith I know that the most part of you perceiveth of the mind of God, as much or more than I do. But I will now most humbly pray you, & heartily beseech you, & that by the mercifulness of god in jesus Christ, and as we shall all assemble shortly before him, that you will in no wise do contrary to your knowledge, lest your own conscience become also a swift witness at the great day against you. I will not meddle with secret matters, but speak of those things which be to much apparent, and yet not of all, but namely of one: the which as it seemeth to be least regarded amongst you, so am I sure the same is yet most horrible & odious in the sight of god: that is to say, the being present with the papists at any of their Antichristian and idolatrous service, which is not only a wicked dissembling of your faith, and a very outward denial of the gospel of God, but also a manifest committing of idolatry with the wicked, and doth deeply deserve gods heavy wrath and displeasure: which is not far of, unless you heartily repent in time and turn to the Lord, coming clean away from the filthiness aforesaid, as he doth lovingly call you. Ah my dear hearts, what shall I say to you, or how shall I temper my pen to persuade you? All the godly preachers that in times past have taken pains amongst you, have fully agreed and wholly concluded, yea and by the holy scriptures plainly proved, that it is not lawful for any of you to be personally present with the papists at any part of their Antichristian service. This have they truly taught you: this have they largely and learnedly written unto you: and this have they most godly confirmed with their blood before you. What would you have more? Yea many a faithful heart hath followed them, and to their power done the like, and yet (alas) all will not now serve. How happeneth this (my dear friends of London) that neither the loving admonitions of all gods good Prophets, nor the earnest warnings of his dear witnesses and worthy Martyrs, will take no place amongst you? Do you think that they have not told you the truth, but some dream or vain tale that shall not so come to pass? Do you think that they did but dally with you to delude you, and to make you afraid of a flea biting or vain shadow, where no need of fear is? Certainly you shall find it otherwise shortly, if you so think, as you may see if you will, by experience of that which is already come to pass, even as they did truly tell you in their preaching or rather prophesy for your for warning. Be you sure the Lord is no less mighty to-performe his word pronounced by these his fore runners, before his latter coming: then he was true to pour forth his plagues upon the jews prophesied both by john Baptist & other his forerunners, before his first coming. Latymer, Rydley, Hoper, Rogers, Bradforde, Saunders, with the rest of their blessed brethren that are fled or burned, are as well to be believed in this point, as Helias, Esay, jeremy or john Baptist, in those things that they warned the world of. It is all one word which they all have preached: & in the power of one spirit, that they have ministered. And as verily as they were the lords messengers to Israel for that age: so surely were these later sort the lords ministers to warn England for this age, & I fear, the last that ever shallbe sent unto it. But I ask again, how happeneth it, that you pretending to be of the flock of Christ, do not now hearken to the voice of your head pastor Christ, pronounced by his servants, to obey & follow it? Verily I fear me, because you be but wild goats, & none of Christ's true elect sheep. For if you were Christ's sheep in deed, you would surely give more regard to the voice of your shepherd speaking in his godly preachers, and not presume to follow strangers (as I here say you do) which entice you to lewdness and backeloking from the plough, on which you had once laid hand: Luke. 17 but Christ biddeth you remember Lot's wife. I here say that there is amongst you now adays, a sort of worldly wise men (whose doings will prove foolishness before god one day, without doubt) which have so diligently sought the scripture, that they have found out that which none of our good preachers ever could do, though their whole study was only therein day and night. And what is that? Forsooth as some say, they have found there, that it is permitted lawful for christian men that know the truth, to be present with the papists at their Anitchristian and idolatrous service, and that they may cloak their knowledge and dissemble their faith, & seek what shifts they can, to save their life, lands & goods, so that they do not utterly deny the truth in their hearts or by express words, in the way of recanting. Ah sirrah, have they so? Yea Sir I warrant you they have not had the Bible in their houses all this while for nought. They have found one trick to serve their turn when the time of trial cometh, that all our foolish preachers could not perceive: for had they known that knack, they would not so headlong have run into the fire as they have done. But with your leave, I will now a while talk with these worldly wise Divines, which have found out this hid mystery, I might say of iniquity well enough. I pray you my Masters, Massemongrel gospelers, where do you find that any faithful christian, may dissemble the profession of his masters religion, to frame and fashion himself like unto the wicked world, where out the Lord hath chosen him to serve him in spirit & truth? You find it be like in the bottom of your bags of gold & silver, for in god's Bible book, I am sure you find it not, but altogether the contrary. You here there, how god doth bid you not to bear a strange yoke with the unbelievers, but to come out from amongst them, & to separate yourselves from them: but many men's hearing will not serve them on that side. You here there also that God will spew out such lukewarm gentlemen as be neither hot nor cold, forth of his mouth: Apo. 3. but I ween you do not believe it, well I say no more, but mark the end of this gear. I will not deny but that you may wring and wrest some places of the holy scripture contrary to all the rest, to make them seem among the simple or carnal, as though they served for your purpose: and even so may the rankest heretic in the world do to establish his heresy withal. But surely in the end such rakers shall receive a heavy reward, which will be a great deal sooner than they ween, let them make as light of the matter in the mean space as they list. Ah what a great grief is this, & how greatly to be lamented in these our woeful days, that so many which bear the name of christians, unto whom it hath pleased the lord of his great goodness & infinite mercy to reveal the blessed knowledge of his holy & sincere word, and thereto hath opened the eyes of their minds, & illuminate their understanding, whereby they do perceive, aswell what is pleasant & acceptable in his sight, as also what is abominable & detestable in the same: do yet that not withstanding, not only leave the good which they ought withal their endeavour to have done, but also with a wicked boldness do commit that evil, which they ought in no wise to have done: that is, where as they ought by all godly means, to have encouraged their christian brethren, and Sisters to be strong in the lord, and boldly to confess Christ, bearing his cross also with joy and patience, and to avoid all detestable idolatry, superstition, and wickedness, which is the right occupying of their talon, and the very end whereto God hath given them the same: do contrariwise as much as in them lieth, both by word & wicked example, discourge their weak brethren and Sisters from the bold confession of Christ's verity, that they should not with joy and patience bear Christ's sweet cross: and also do provoke, yea allure and draw them to all kind of idolaty, superstition, and wickedness, in being present with the papists at their most horrible and blasphemous Mass and other Antichristian service. Whereby it is now come to pass (alas therefore) that the old proverb that S. Peter speaketh of, 2. Pet. 2. is found to true: the dog is turned to his vomit again, and the Sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire, to the utter destruction of many a one, unless the lord of his great mercy give them grace to repent and turn in time. Oh world of wickedness, and case most lamentable, that ever any man, to whom the Lord hath given any of his good gifts, should now apply the same to the destruction of his christian brethren and Sisters, for whom Christ shed his most precious blood. Alas that ever there should be any such unthankfulness found amongst those that bear the name of gospelers. It had been much better for such, unless they in time repent, that they had never known the gospel, than thus beastly to abuse their knowledge, not only to the terrible destruction of themselves, but also of many other simple souls, which would never have been present or partakers with the Antichristes' at their babylon superstition, had it not been for such tempting Serpents which have subtly deceived them under a pretence of knowledge, Oh miserable blind guides and blind leaders of the blind, who can sufficiently lament your woeful state, into the which your worldly wisdom hath brought you hath god for your ingratitude so given you up to yourselves, that you can now find in your heart with your knowledge to go about to destroy that thing which you ought chief to edify, I mean the church of Christ whereof you pretend to be members, & also to erect and edify the thing which (God he knoweth) you ought by all lawful means to pull down & destroy, I mean the synagogue of Satan, or malignant church of Antichrist? Full well am I assured (O you hollow hearted hypocrites) that the pestilent papists themselves, neither by fear nor flattery, could ever have been able to have brought so many simple souls, that had some zeal to god's word, to the presence of their devilish Idolatry, if you & such like carnal gospelers, had not holp them aswell with your lying persuasions, as also with your devilish doings & most wicked examples. Therefore I must needs say that you have showed yourselves to be greater enemies to the church of Christ, & dearer scends to the church of Antichrist then the very papists themselves be. Verily you are far fit instruments for the devil to use his deceit by, than the papists, be they never so rank: yea to say the truth, you are a far sweeter bait to catch the simple souls that do not suspect you, then the finest papists upon the whole earth. For is not this a sweet kind of gospelling (trow you) to the senses of the carnal man, to come & tell him that is something fearful & worldly minded with all, that he may by the word of God lawfully go to church, & do all things outwardly as the papists do, only let his heart be towards god, and all shall be well enough: yea and so he may live & be quiet & save his lands, & goods, and do much good an other way many a day to come, when the gospel shall come again &c: and (to make this bait yet something more sweeter & more subciller to deceive) to garnish the same with diverse sayings and examples of the holy scriptures, which at the first blush, before they be well weighed, seem to make something for your purpose: think you (I say) that this is not a sweet slight of the subtle Serpent to deceive the simple souls of carnal & wavering minded men withal? Yes verily: for this is (as the Prophet ezechiel sayeth) a sowing of pillows under all arm wholes, EZec. 13. and bolsters under the heads of young and old, to catch souls, and to lay the conscience a sleep upon. But when the time shall come that God doth waken them, then will such slepers say with the Prophet, woe be to them that so have done: Woe be unto such ungodly gospelers that give such counsel unto carnal men, making them by evil means to seek to save their lives, whereby they are like utterly to lose the same both in body & soul for ever. These be the enemies of the cross that Saint Paul speaketh of, Phil. 3. which with sweet preaching & flattering words deceive unstable souls. These do not choose rather to suffer adversity with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a little season, esteeming the rebukes of Christ to be greater riches than all the treasures of Egipte, Heb. 11. Matth. 8. as good Moses did. But these godless hypocrites, with the Gergesites, set more by their Porkettes then by the company of Christ, and therefore have they not only desired him, but also compelled him to departed out of their coasts, and in his stead they have gently received the Devil and antichrist his eldest son, yea with all their force and might they have brought him in again as a good Swineherd to keep their pigs of worldly pelf etc. Can the wicked papists ever have wrought their cursed feats as they have now done for the advancing of their paultrye, and bringing the rest of their tyranny and cruel purpose to pass, had not these dissembling gospelers been so aplyable to their minds at the first dash, and with their subtle persuasions bewitched the hearts of others to come to their wickedness? No surely, they should sooner for shame, despair, and distress of mind, have hanged themselves, as their predecessor judas did: and therefore I dare accuse them all before God (except they repent) as accessaries to the wilful murder of all the Godly Christian Preachers that have of late been put to death within this Realm, and also of the souls of such as perish for lack of true preaching. Ah, now do I perceive that it was not for nought that the Prophet so sore threateneth them with eternal damnation, Esay. 30 when he crieth, woe be unto those shrincking children that seek succour under the shadow of wicked Pharaoh. Oh woe is my heart for them, that ever they should so slide from the Lord their Instructor, and cause other to do the same. Yea the most merciful Lord himself doth in his word bewail them, and as it were mourn for them, saying: alas for these disobedient shrincking children, that they will take counsel without me: alas that they will take a secret advise, and not out of my spirit, Esay. 30. and therefore heap they sin upon sin etc. Now tell me, O you vain and carnal gospelers, that be not only content to play the disobedient shrincking children yourselves, but also as much as in you lieth, do assure all other to do the like, to the great dishonour of GOD and destruction of your brethren's souls: tell me (I say) where you have that counsel and wicked advise? Verily out of the spirit of error and lies: for out of the lords spirit of truth you have it not, for the spirit of God is always consonant and agreeable to his word. Yea in his word he commandeth the true servants of God to set themselves at liberty, 2. Cor. 6 and not any longer to bear the strange yoke with the unbelievers. But you contrariwise counsel them to become again the bondslaves of Satan and his son antichrist, serving their idolatry and superstition with their bodily presence. You bid them bear still the straunge-yoke of men's traditions and devilish inventions, with the unbelievers, telling them that there is honest fellowship between righteousness and unrighteousness, and good company between light and darkness, and friendly concord between Christ and belial, and that the believer and the infidel may part stakes well enough: that their body which is, or aught to be the temple of the holy ghost, may agree with Images well enough, which be forbidden by the word of God: yea and teaching them to worship the greatest Idol that ever was under heaven: and therefore, whereas the Lord by his holy Prophet doth command his people to come out from amongst them, and to separate themselves from them, and to touch no unclean thing: you like tempting Serpents, do will them to thrust in themselves among the thickest of them, & to join themselves, which ought to be the members of Christ's mystical body, to the wicked members of Satan. And not only to touch unclean things, but also to behold, and outwardly worship them, yea to receive into their bodies (which ought to be the temple of the living god) the most filthy Idol, the strange god Mauzim, the papists God of defence, yea and there to retain him, until the jakes receive him, which is a more meeter place for him then the sanctified body of a Christian. Alas and weal away that ever any man that beareth the name of a Christian, yea of a gospeler and favourer of God's word, should become such a vile slave to Satan, and to do him such notable service in these perilous days: by the means whereof he hath prevailed more than he ever did in so short time, since the beginning of the world. Oh what devil hath bewitched you, you runagates from God, that you should now do him such diligent service: whom you have not only pretended to hate, but also promised at your baptism utterly to forsake? Yea and that you should now become such pernicious enemies to Christ, whose word you have so long pretended to love, some of you nigh these .20. years? Have you clean forgotten what you professed and promised unto him at your baptism? Hath not the devil servants enough of the papists and infidels to set a work to suppress Christ's sincere religion, but he must send forth you to help him, which of all other ought to hinder his cruel enterprise? Where be your wits become (oh you mad men) the which for a little muck of this mould, will lose the precious part of everlasting life? Well, if you will needs play the traitors against God, and dissembling devils, and run headlong into hell yourselves, yet I pray you take not such pains to draw others with you, which by their will would not come there? Go not about to persuade them, that evil is good, Esay. 5. that darkness is light, and that sour is sweet, lest your woe and damnation be the greater. If he shall be sore punished that hideth his talent in the ground, and doth none other man good therewith, how much more shall he be punished that occupieth his talon to evil uses, and employeth the same to the destruction of his weak brethren, Math. 18. for whom Christ died? If it were better for one to have a millstone hanged about his neck, and to be cast into the midst of the sea, then to offend one of Christ's little ones, yea though it were but by example: what then shall become of them that lead them forth of the way to commit most strong and detestable Idolatry? If evil may not be done although good should come thereof, than that evil may not be done whereof cometh nothing but innumerable evils both to body & soul, yea so many as a great volume were not able to contain them, if they should be rightly descrbed. I could make a great many of strong arguments forth of the scriptures, to prove the doings of these dissemblers both with god & man, to be devilish & detestable, but these be sufficient to warn such as have not their hearts hardened: but as for the rest, I will say with S. john, Apoc. 22. he that is filthy let him be filthy still, and upon their own heads be the peril of their perishing. And now again to you my dear hearts, which by such have been deceived, or are by fear or fragility fallen: to you I speak, and of love I warn you, my dear and faithful friends of London, whom I love in the Lord, as I am no less bound: I would be full loath to be a witness against any of you all at the great day. I have found great kindness of you, God recompense you, and therefore duty doth bind me, and love doth compel me to call & cry unto you to come away from that filthy whore of Babylon, and buy no more of her wicked wares. Meddle not with her merchandise at this market time of Easter, for verily her sin is already ascended up into heaven, and hath also procured God's plagues and vengeance shortly to be poured upon her: whereof you shall surely be partakers, if you do not in time repent your backesliding & shrinking from the Lord. Repent I say, repent for the tender mercy of God, and have compassion upon your own souls before it be to late. truly dear friends, it is now no time to flatter with you, neither can I laugh at your harm, which I see to be at hand, though it be hid from your eyes, as it was from the jerosolimitanes, when Christ wept full bitterly at their merry singing, etc. It is not the part of a true heart to laugh with his friend when present peril is at hand, but rather to lament to see him so merry, when he hath more cause to mourn. In which respect, I am even constrained with weeping tears to call unto you my dear friends of London in general, because I will name no person, that you may yet take heed & know the time also of God's first visitation: for sure I am that his second is hard at hand. Do not you think to flee from his presence, for his heavy hand will find you out, though you should hide yourselves in the very bottom of hell, as the prophet David sayeth. Psal. 139 Think not then that these romish rocks whereinto you daily creep, can cover you from his fearful face, when he shall begin to call you to account for the talon that he hath lent you. It is not that your feigned excuse of fear and fragility of the flesh, that shall excuse your folly and flying back from him. No no, you will be even speechless at that day, when every body shall spy how you have defiled your marriage grament with the superstitions of the whore of Babylon, Apoc. 7. and how you have with that great harlot committed fornication in the body and spirit, against your dear husband Christ, which redeemed you neither with corruptible gold nor silver, 2. Pet. 1. but with his own most precious heart blood, and cleansed you in the fountain of water through his word, that you might be unto himself a glorious spouse and congregation, Eph. 5. without spot or wryncke in his sight. Then will it appear in the presence of Angel, man, and devil, how like dogs you have turned to your vomit again, and as filthy swine soiled yourselves in the popish mire pits and dirt of the romish dregs. Repent therefore I say again, repent in time, and take the earnest warning that GOD doth send you by me his poor messenger, willing you to turn unto him before it be to late. But peradventure you will say, as the gests did that were first bidden to the feast, you can not so easily forego your farms, your cattle, goods and lands, your wives and children etc. O my dear friends for the Lords sake, lay away these vain, yea wicked excuses, for verily God will in no wise accept them. Consider for Christ's sake, your duty towards God in these dangerous days, Math. 3. wherein the Lord is willing to try the chaff from the good corn, and to purge his store with his fan, that is, his cross, that he may bring the wheat into his barn, and burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. You are called unto a kingdom that must be won with suffering on every side. Into the which you must also enter (as S. Paul saith) through many tribulations, temptations, and afflictions, Act. 14. in that which you must travel as strangers & pilgrims in this wretched world, which is not our native country, nor the place where we must rest for ever. Oh then learn to leave all things willingly that you do here possess, and lift up your minds always to the heavenly habitation, where you shall continually remain in joys unspeakable. Repose not your felicity in the pelf of this world, which shortly shall perish & come to nought: but set your heart's joy upon the living god, who in Christ & for his sake, hath given himself wholly to be your portion and inheritance for ever, & therefore of right aught you with gladness to give yourselves wholly unto him, both in body and soul. But that do you not so long as you seek to serve two Masters, Math. 6. which yet you can not do as Christ affirmeth, though you cloak, colour, and counterfeit never so much. Do you think it but a small thing for the Lord god himself, even the mighty jehovah, to give himself wholly to be your own good God and most dear loving father? Do you think it but a light matter that he hath given for you even to the death of the cross, his own only dear son jesus Christ, in whom was & is all his whole pleasure & delight, yea and that when you were his very enemies: by the which gift he hath given you all things both in heaven & in earth? Do you esteem it but a trifle that he hath given you the holy ghost, by whose power & mighty operation you are made the very sons of god, and coheir annexed with Christ of all your father's goods and possessions? But peradventure you will ask me, who doth not seriously regard all these aforesaid most precious gifts? Verily I say that none of you all doth regard them, that do not wholly give over yourselves again to serve him, yea and that in such holiness & righteousness, as is accepted before him. For if you did duly consider the depth of his abundant bottomless love and mercy in jesus Christ, you would so love him again, that you would boldly burst out and say with S. Paul, who is he, or what is it, that shallbe able to separate us from the love of God in jesus Christ our Lord? Rom. 8. Read the whole Chapter and the .11. and .12. to the Hebrews, for your comfort. But I know that some of you will say, doth none love god and serve him truly, but such as lie in prison or give their lives for his sake? Then God help us, for very few shallbe saved. In deed dear friends, even so our saviour christ doth say: Math. 22. Math. 7. Luk. ●2. many are called but few are chosen: and strait is the gate that leadeth to life, and few find it. And in an other place Christ calleth his true Church a little flock. And as concerning the first part of your question, Christ doth also make you a plain & direct answer, saying: that whosoever will be his Disciple, Math. ●6. must needs take up his cross & follow him. And again, he that loveth father, mother, wife, or children, Math. 10. goods or lands or yet his own life more than me (saith he) is not worthy of me. And S. Paul affirmeth to you plainly, 2. Timo. 3. that all without exception, that will live Godly in Christ jesus, must suffer persecution. And in an other place he saith, Phil. ●. to you it is given not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for his sake. Now tell me I pray you, whether these texts of Scripture do not prove that all such as will not gladly suffer with Christ, do neither love him, nor serve him, nor yet be any of his Disciples? Say what you will, and think what you list, yet shall you find this full true, that all such as will not suffer with Christ here, shall not reign with him elsewhere, neither is it meet that they should. But now me thinketh I hear some of you say to me, why Sir we do suffer with Christ as it becometh Christians, in helping you to bear the cross with our liberal relief. If we had loved our goods more than we do Christ, as you seem to lay to our charge, than would we not have bestowed so much of them upon you and other, as we have done, yea and dangered ourselves to bring it to you, etc. In deed dear friends, in this point I must needs confess that you have done your duty towards us: the Lord GOD grant you to do the rest belonging to him aswell, for verily this is not all that GOD doth at this time require of you, as all those good men and women can tell, that have as largely sowed the fruits of faith amongst us, as any of you have done, and yet never came at any of Antichristes' service. God will not be answered with a piece of your goods, sith you have promised to forsake all for his love. You must not play the part that Ananias and Saphira his wife did, Act. 5. for the holy ghost will not suffer himself to be dissembled withal: therefore be warned by that example. Also, God doth not think it sufficient that you do forsake all your goods and lands, but doth look that you should suffer in your own persons also for his sake, yea the very loss of your lives if he so permit. And but reason, sith Christ did not only give us the gifts of his grace and all other good things that we do here possess, but also his very life, yea & that when we were his very enemies. He gave us that freely which was his own, and shall we think scorn to render unto him again that which is his, and but for a time lent us, specially seeing that we shall receive the same in a far more glorious wise? Leave it we shall shortly, will we, nil we, and God he knoweth in what horror, fear, or trembling. And were we not better then to wish the same taken from us by such means as might not only make most to the setting forth of god's glory, and the commodity of his church: but also to our own everlasting joy & comfort, being certified by the same, that we be the true servants or rather the chosen children of god, whose death is right dear & precious in his sight? Ah why do we not with the Apostles, desire to be reputed worthy to suffer for Christ's sake, seeing the same is the greatest dignity & highest promotion that god can bring us unto in this life, yea and an honour that the highest Angel in heaven is not permitted to have? Oh lord that the cross which is now come amongst us for the trial of our faith, should seem a strange thing unto us that profess the name and gospel of Christ, whereas in very deed we should be most familyarlye acquainted therewith, as with our inseparable companion in this life? Look upon all the holy patriarchs & prophets before the coming of Christ: look upon all the apostles, Martyrs, Virgins, and confessors since the coming of Christ, and tell me if any one of them all did not continually carry the cross as long as they lived, and all in a manner in the end died for god's sake: yea most chief of all, look upon jesus Christ himself, the very dear and only son of god, and tell me if all his life and death was not full of most painful and bitter crosses: and will you look to be his disciples, & yet think scorn to bear your cross with him? Disdain you to drink of that same cup that your lord and master hath done before you? Will you look to enter into the kingdom of god, otherwise than all other have done that are gone before you? I pray you show me your privilege & tell me where you have this prerogative above the rest of your brethren, yea above the son of god himself, concerning his humanity. My dear friends and faithful lovers of London, be not deceived with self love and your own fleshly imagination, for at one word this is true, even as God in heaven is most true, that if you do not forthwith & even out of hand fly from that filthy whore of Babylon, and all her abominable Idolatry and superstition, you shall surely perish with her in the plagues that god shall shortly pour upon her. And furthermore I say, that if you will not here willingly suffer with Christ for the testimony of his everlasting truth, you shall suffer with the world here for your own wickedness, and then shall you not reign with Christ in glory at his gracious coming: unto the which I hope now it be not very long. For this is the firm decree and purpose of the immutable God revealed in his everlasting word, that all they which will live godly in Christ jesus, must suffer persecution, 2. Timo. 3. and that every one of his elected sons shallbe scourged, proved, & tried, as gold in the furnace or fire. And these words of Christ shall continue for ever, and be most effectuously fulfilled, that whosoever shall be ashamed of him, Mark. 8. or of his word amongst this sinful and adulterous generation, of him will the son of man be ashamed before his father and his angels, and he that goeth about by such wicked means to save his life, shall surely lose it for evermore. Therefore dear hearts, look to yourselves in time, and consider your calling. Lay away all vain excuses, for verily they will not serve for your discharge when he shall come that will reward every man after the works of their bodies: but he will require of you in this point, all that he hath commanded you, as he afore hand hath told you both plainly and often enough: God give you grace to take it as a warning. And if you feel yourselves to weak to confess gods truth before the tyrants, then for your refuge, the Lord hath given you leave to fly from place to place, and that is the uttermost that he will permit you to do: which doing yet is a good confession of Christ and his verity before the wicked world. Oh that you would follow the good example of a great number of your godly neighbours, which are graciously escaped the snares of Satan, & are now where they serve the Lord with a safe conscience, and enjoy the right and free use of his word and sacraments: follow them for the lords sake, & get you hastily out of Sodom, for surely the lord is utterly minded to destroy it. Linger not as Loath did, if you love your own lives, lest you find not altogether so much mercy at the lords hands as he did: for verily you have tempted him to far already, & have to much despised his long suffering, levity and gentleness, which ought to lead you to earnest and hearty repentance. He hath mercifully forborn you these ij. years past and more: if he find no fruit in you shortly, make reckoning to be pulled up by the roots every mother's son of you: for the axe is already laid at the rote of England, as it was by the Romans at the root of the jews, when john baptist began his preaching I pray god that we feel not the sharp stroke of it as they did. Pray, pray, pray, and repent in time: convert to the lord that he may heal your backslidings before your wounds be uncurable. I could here say much more, but time will not suffer me. I trust this shallbe sufficient to all such as have any spark of faith, love, or true fear of God. As for the rest, they are as a point with themselves: whatsoever any man either write or say, they will surely dissemble one way or other to save their pigs, yea though they do but put their names in the Pope's books. Well, yet say not an other day but that ye were warned and though it were but by a poor simple man, yet it was by him that wisheth wealth to all your souls, & one that in this point hath told you the truth, and he trusteth shortly you shall see him seal the same with his blood through the help of the good prayers of all you that truly repent and mind unfeignedly to turn the lord in time. As for the rest, I will pray for them, but let them keep their own prayers to themselves in god's name, for I will be no partaker with them, sith I know the same is turned unto sin. Thus with most hearty thanks for all your benefits and manifold kindness showed unto me & my poor brethren, beseeching god to recompense the same seven fold into all your bosoms, as I doubt not but he will, according to his unfallible promises, I do heartily commit you all unto gods most merciful defence, who ever have you all in his blessed keeping, Amen. The blessing of God be with you all, Amen. Your poor, daily, and most bounden Orator john Careless, prisoner of the Lord in the kings Bench, at all times abiding gods most merciful will and pleasure. Pray for me for gods sake, as I will never forget you by god's grace. To his Wife. AS by the great mercy of God, at the time of his good will and providence appointed (my dearly beloved wife) you and I were joined together in the holy and christian state of godly matrimony, as well to our great joy and comfort in Christ, as also to the increase of his blessed church and faithful congregation, by having lawful children by and in the same, with the which God of his mercy hath blessed us, praised be his name therefore: even so now, by his merciful will and divine ordinance, the time is come (so far as I can perceive) wherein he will, for his glory and our eternal comfort, dissolve the same and separate us asunder again for a tyme. Wherefore I thought it good, yea and my bounden duty, by this simple letter to provoke, stir, and admonish you, to behave yourself in all your doings sayings, and thoughts, most thankfully unto our good God for the same. And therefore (my dear wife) as you have heartily rejoiced in the lord, & oftentimes given god thanks for his goodness in bringing us together in his holy ordinance: even so now I desire you, when this time of our separation shall come, to rejoice with me in the lord, and to give him most hearty thanks, that he hath (to his glory and our endless commodity) separated us again for a little time: and hath mercifully taken me unto himself forth of this miserable world, into his celestial kingdom: believing and hoping also assuredly, that God of his goodness, for his son Christ's sake, will shortly bring you & your dear child●rne thither to me, that we may most joyfully together sing praises unto his glorious name for ever. And yet once again I desire you for the love of god, & as ever you loved me, to rejoice with me, and to give GOD continual thanks for doing his most merciful will upon me. I hear say that you do oftentimes use to repeat this godly saying, the Lords will be fulfilled. Doubtless it rejoiceth my poor heart to hear that report of you, and for the Lords sake use that godly prayer continually, & teach your children and family, to say the same day and night: and not only to say it with your tongues, but also with your heart & mind joyfully to submit your will to gods will in very deed, knowing and believing assuredly that nothing shall come to you or any of yours, otherwise than it shall be his almighty & fatherly good will & pleasure, & for your eternal comfort and commodity. Which thing to be most true and certain, Christ testifieth in his holy gospel, saying: are not two Math. 10. little sparrows sold for a farthing, and yet not one of them shall perish without the will of your heavenly father? And he concludeth saying: fear not ye therefore, for ye are better than many sparrows. As though he should have said, if god have such a respect and care for a poor sparrow, which is not worth one farthing, that it shall not be taken in the lime twig, net, or pitfall, until it be his good will and pleasure: you may be well assured that not one of you (whom he so dearly loveth, that he hath given his only dear son for you) shall perish, or departed forth of this miserable life without his almighty good will and pleasure. Therefore dear wife, put your trust and confidence wholly and only in him, and ever pray that his will be fulfilled and not yours, except it be agreeing to his will, the which I pray GOD it may ever be, Amen. And as for worldly things, take you no care, but be you well assured the Lord your dear God and father will not see you nor yours lack, if you continue in his love and childly fear, and keep a clear conscience from all kind of idolatry, superstition and wickedness, as my trust is that you will do, although it be with the loss and danger of this temporal life. And good Margaret, fear not them that can but kill the body (and yet can they not do that until God give them leave) but fear to displease him that can kill both body and soul, and cast them into hell fire. Let not the remembrance of your children keep you from God. The Lord himself will be a father and a mother, better than ever you or I could have been unto them. He himself will do all things necessary for them: yea as much as rock the cradle if need be. He hath given his holy angels charge over them, therefore commit them unto him. But if you may live with a clear conscience (for else I would not have you to live) and see the bringing up of your children yourself, look that you nurture them in the fear of God, and keep them far from Idolatry, superstition, and all other kind of wickedness: and for god's sake help them to some learning, if it be possible, that they may increase in virtue & godly knowledge, which shallbe a better dowry to marry them withal, than any worldly substance: and when they be come to age, provide them such husbands as fear god, and love his holy word. I charge you take heed that you match them with no papists, and if you live, and marry again yourself (which thing I would wish you to do if need require, or else not) good wife take heed how you bestow yourself, that you and my poor children be not compelled to wickedness. But if you shallbe able well to live gods true widow, I would counsel you so to live still, for the more quietness of yourself and your poor children. Take heed Margaret & play the wise woman's part. You have warning by other if you will take an example. And thus I commit you & my sweet children unto gods most merciful defence. The blessing of god be with you, & god send us a merry meeting together in heaven. Farewell in Christ, farewell mine own dear hearts all. Pray, pray To my dear Sister, M. C. THe everlasting peace of god in jesus christ, the continual comforts of his most pure and holy spirit, be with you (my dear and faithful loving Sister) and comfort your heart with the plenteous consolation in Christ, that with the abundance of the same you may (according to your old custom) comfort me in my sorrowful estate, that I may be occasioned thereby to praise the lord with and for you, and other his dear children, Amen. Albeit my dear & faithful loving Sister, that it were now my part & very duty to show myself so comfortable & joyful in god for the great triumph & glorious victory that he hath so graciously given unto his dear & faithful child good M. Philpot, that you & all other (whose sorrows I dare say are much increased) might be solaced by the same: yet (alas) such is my loss & lack of him, that I cannot but so sore lament the same, that I fear me I shall not only discomfort you therewith, but also displease god, which for my sin hath taken him away. And though it had been both mine honesty & duty, seeing myself to be in so much sorrow, to have kept the same to myself, & not to have increased yours therewith: yet could I no longer forbear but to communicate some part thereof, to the end that you might communicate again to me either your joy or sorrow, whether so ever you have most store of. If your joy in christ have the victory, as doubtless it ought to have in the respect of gods glory, which is so mightily set forth by his sweet saint: them I pray you come to me as shortly as you can, & communicate some part thereof unto me, whose froward and stubborn heart cannot yet be content to prefer the good will & glory of god, before mine own will & commodity, as I ought to do. But if sorrow in you have gotten the upper hand (as in very deed it doth be guide to do in me) good Sister come & speak with me ●o lo●e as you can, that we may measure our mourning together, and in comforting one an other, may be both constrained to forget our sorrows, & praise god with him, who is now singing in solace ● his sweet companions that so constantly went before him, looking and wishing for us two, I dare well say: god grant us grace to follow their faith and footsteps unto the end, Amen. Ah my dear heart, me thinks I am like a vessel of wine, that after it hath been tumbled and tossed to and fro, if it should not have a vent, would burst in pieces: Even so the taking away of this very man of god (whose sweet comfort my poor soul doth lack) so tosseth and tormoileth my poor heavy heart, that except I should, as it were with a vent, express the same to god with weeping tears, and open the same to you with words and letters: I think verily it would burst in pieces: which thing were to me most happily welcome, so that god were pleased therewithal. Oh, if nature will so work in a wicked worldling, to make him heartily to lament the loss of his friend, by whose death he doth yet obtain divers commodities: how can it be but the tender hearts that be mollified with the good spirit of god, must needs bewail the taking away of those dear hearts, by whose death they are deprived of so many heavenvly benefits, which so far without comparison do pass all earthly treasures? Ah dear heart, I never wist what the benefit of that worthy Bradford was, until now that I feel the want of his dear fellow Philpotte, which full oft poured the precious water of life and comfort upon my poor afflicted foul. But now (alas) for my great ingratitude, negligence & other my great sins, god hath taken them both from me: I shall no more hear than in this life (the more is my sorrow) declare unto me the most comfortable message of gods great mercy towards me. Their worthy writings (alas) shall no more bring me the most joyful news and merry tidings of the Gospel, to tell me that all my horrible sins and offences are freely forgiven me. Oh my great loss which maketh me much to lament, and so vexeth and tormenteth my mind, that I cannot well tell what I writ. Oh true token of gods terrible wrath against me, in taking away such precious jewels of comfort from me. But just is the judgement of god against me for my sin, which have largely deserved to be deprived of their sweet and comfortable company, not only in this life, but also in the life to come. But yet I know the Lord will not so do, but of his great mercy he hath taken them at this time from me, that I might make the more haste with hearty desire, to be dissolved & to be with them. Oh gracious god, how much is thy mercy? How marvelous is thy loving power, & how great is thy goodness and the abundance of thine exceeding kindness, which turnest all things to thy glory & the commodity of thy chosen children? Oh make me so much to rejoice in the respect of thy glory, which thou so mightily hast magnified in thy sweet Martyrs, that the same may soon swallow up my deserved sorrows, Amen. Commend me to my good sister. C. and bring her with you if you can. john was wont to comfort Mary: but now good sweet mary's come comfort john. Written in haste with plentiful tears, by your own in Christ, john Careless. To my dear & faithful brother, Augustine Bernher. THe peace of god in jesus Christ, the help, comfort, and assistance of his eternal spirit, be with you my dear and faithful brother Augustine, and with all the rest of my good brethren & sisters of the houses of Baxterley, & Mancetur (which mourneth for the misery of god's people) to your everlasting consolation in him, Amen. Right glad I am to hear (my dear & faithful brother Augustine) that god of his great mercy & infinite goodness, hath yet so graciously delivered & preserved you out of your enemy's hands, beseeching almighty god also, from the bottom of my heart, to be your continual defence unto the end, as hitherto he hath most graciously been, that you may both live & die to god's glory, the commodity of his church, & to the increase of your own everlasting joy & comfort in him. Know you dear brother that I have received your letter, for the which I heartily thank you. indeed I think it very short, although it seemeth something sharply to rebuke me in the beginning, for the breach of my promise in not writing to you of this long time. Well brother, I am content to bear it with patience, considering that you are troubled otherwise (the Lord comfort you and all heavy hearts) neither will I spend ink & paper for my purgation in this point. God he knoweth whether I be so mindles of my promise as it appeareth in your sight I am. Your request I will truly perform to the uttermost of my power, as gladly as any poor wretch shall do in the world, and I thank GOD I have done no less of long tyme. And as my poor prayer shall be a hand maid to wait upon you which way so ever you tide or go, so I beseech you that my simple counsel may take some place in you, in this time of your pilgrimage, which you pass in no small apparel: GOD keep and preserve you for his name's sake. I do not disallow, but much praise and commend your hearty boldness in putting yourself in press, when any one of God's people needeth your help in any point. But yet I would not have you thrust yourself in danger, when you can do them no good, or at least wise when they may well enough spare that good you would do them. For if you should then chance to be taken, you shall not only be no comfort unto them, but also a great discomfort, adding sorrow unto their sorrow. I do not persuade you to absent yourself from any place where your presence of necessity is required, for in all such places, I know, GOD will preserve you, as he hath hitherto wonderfully done, praised be his name therefore: or if it shall please him to permit you in any such place to be taken, I know he will most sweetelye comfort your conscience with this consideration, that it is the very providence and appointment of GOD that you should there and then be taken up for a witness of his truth unto the world: but I can not allow you, nor be contented that you should rashly or negligently thrust yourself into that place where your wicked enemies do continually haunt, yea and lay wait for you, when no necessity of yourself nor of any other of God's people doth require your company. If they need any of your Godly counsel, you may write unto them that thing that you think good: which, I dare say, will be sufficient unto them. For (continual thanks and praises be given unto the everlasting God) there is none of those that be cruelly condemned for God's truth, that now be weaklings: for they have manfully passed through the pikes, and they have boldly abidden the brunt of the battle, and therefore I reckon the worst is past with them already. So that now and then a Godly letter from you to them, shall do as much good as your company shall do, and perchance more too. For writing sticketh longer in the memory than words do: yea though your letters were as short to them, as your last was to me, so that the same be something sweeter and not all thing so sharp. This (dear brother) is the simple counsel which I would gladly have you observe, partly for that I heartily pray for your preservation to the commodity of Christ's church, and partly for that I unfeignedly wish the peace, comfort, & tranquillity of your own conscience, which I know will be quickly ready to accuse you if you do any thing wherein you have not the word of God for your warrant. For in a glass that is clear, a small mote will soon appear: even so the good conscience of Gods chosen children being more clear than Christ all, will quickly accuse them at the least fault they do commit, where as the wicked worldlings have their conscience clogged and corrupted through the custom of sin, that they can not once see nor perceive their own shameful deeds and wicked works, until GOD set the same before them for their utter destruction, and then despair they immediately. But seeing the god hath given you a clear conscience & a pure, sharp, quick, & lively sight in your soul, I would wish you to beware that you do nothing unadvisedly, but upon a good ground. For an accusing conscience is a sore thing when death doth approach, & then Satan will not stick to tell you that you have to much tempted god, when peradventure you have done nothing so at all. For this cause (I say) partly I have thought it good to admonish you (as I have done often) to be circumspect, according to the counsel of Christ, Math. 10. which biddeth you beware of men. Other things I have not for to write, for I know this bearer can certify you of all things at large, better than I can declare it by writing. I beseech you good Augustine, help me forwards with your hearty prayers, for I trust I have but a small time to tarry in this troublesome world. Doctor Story told our Marshal that we should all be dispatched so soon as he came from Oxford, whether he & other bloody butchers be gone to make slaughter of Christ's sheep, the lie there appointed to be slain. God for Christ's sake put them and such like, besides their cruel purpose, if it be his good will and pleasure: Amen good Lord. I pray you do my most hearty commendations to my dear sister and faithful friend, good Mistress mary Glover. I beseech GOD be her comfort, as I doubt not but he is. I am very glad to hear that she doth so joyfully and so patiently bear this great cross that God hath laid upon her. I pray GOD strengthen her, and all other his dear Saints unto the end, Amen. Commend me unto my dear and faithful Sister Elizabeth. B. I thank her most heartily for my napkin, and so I do you dear brother, for my shirt. truly that day that we were appointed to come to our answer before the Commissioners, which had sent word the same morning, that they would come to the Kings Bench by viii. of the clock, and the house and all things were trimmed and made ready for them: I got that shirt on my back and that napkin in my hand, and me thought that they did help to harness me and weapon me well, to go fight against that bloody beast of Babylon. And trust me truly, if they had come, I would have stricken iij. strokes the more for your two sakes, as well as GOD would have abled me to have set them on, as by God's grace I will not fail to do at the next skirmyshe that I come to: Wherefore I pray you pray for me, that I may be strong and hardy to lay on good load. Oh that I might so strike him down, that he should never be able for to rise again: but that stroke belongeth only unto the Lord to strike at his coming, the which I trust will be shortly. Oh hasten it good Lord, and shorten these sorrowful and sinful days, for thy great mercies sake. Far well my dear and faithful brother: the Lord defend, keep, & preserve you from the power of your enemies visible and invisible, and send us a most joyful and merry meeting here or elsewhere, as it shall please his goodness to appoint us. In the mean space I shall most earnestly desire you to pray for me, for I never had more need in my life: and doubtless you shall never want my poor prayer, if it shall please god to accept the prayer of so sinful a wretch as I am. The Lord impute not my sins to me, for jesus Christ's sake, unto whose most merciful defence, I do most heartily commit you. The blessing of God be with you now and ever, Amen. I pray you do my most hearty commendations unto M. john Glover. I do not forget him in my daily prayers, & I trust he doth remember me. Your poor brother always mindful of you in my prayer, john Careless prisoner, abiding gods pleasure. To my dear brother Harry Adlington prisoner in the Lollards Tower. THe everlasting peace of GOD in jesus Christ, the continual aid, strength, joy, and comfort of his most pure, holy, and mighty spirit, with the increase of faith and lively feeling of his mercies: be most effectuously wrought in your heart, my dear and faithful loving brother Adlington, and in the hearts of all your other Godly prison fellows, to the full finishing of that good work, which the Lord hath most graciously begun in you: that the same may be to the setting forth of his glory, the commodity of his poor afflicted Church, and to your own eternal joy and comfort in him, Amen. My most dear and faithful loving brother in our Lord, I with all the rest of my loving brethren here with me, do most humbly & heartily commend us unto you, with all faithful remembrance of you in our daily prayers, giving god earnest thanks on your most happy behalf, for that he hath given you such hearty boldness and Christian constancy in the faithful confession of his everlasting verity. Blessed be God for thee my dearly beloved brother, which hath vouched thee worthy of so great dignity, as to suffer for his sake and the setting forth of his glory. Oh glad in heart mayest thou be, to whom it is given, not only to believe in thy Lord and Christ most lively: but also to suffer for his sake, as one of his silly sheep appointed to the slaughter. Be of good comfort therefore my good brother, for your calling unto the cross of Christ, was after a marvelous sort. surely, it was only the Lords appointment, and therefore he will well perform his own work in and upon you, to the great magnifying of his glory, and comfort of your brethren: whose hearts are mightily refreshed, to hear how heartily you have behaved yourself hitherto. This present day I received a letter from you, at the reading whereof my brethren and I were not a little comforted, to see your conscience so quieted in Christ, and your continuance so steadfast in him: which things be the special gifts of GOD, not given unto every man, but to you his dear darling, elect, and chosen in Christ, and such as you be. And where as you do require to know my simple mind concerning your answer unto Doctor Story and the chancellor: truly I say you did answer them very well: for there are but two Sacraments in deed: that is to say, the Sacrament of Baptism, and the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, as you have full well answered them: praised be God for his good gifts, who chooseth the weak to confound the strong, and the foolish to confound the worldly wise. If, when you come before them again, they do ask you what a Sacrament is, say you that a Sacrament, being ministered according to Christ's institution, is a visible sign of an invisible grace, and hath the promise of God's mercy annexed unto it, available to all such as do worthily receive it, and not unworthily worship it: as they would have us to do, contrary to God's commandment. And these properties belonging to Christ's true Sacraments, can not be applied unto any one of those five Sacraments which they have invented of their own brain, since antichrist began to reign, to blind the people with all. I perceive dear heart, that upon friday they do intend to condemn you and to give you your judgement. Therefore I think they will have no great reasoning with you, but bid you answer them directly, either yea or nay, to all such things as they have to charge you with all, which they have gathered of you since you came into their cruel hands. But if they will needs make many words with you, because you are but a simple man, and therefore perchance they will be the busier with you to ttouble you with many questions to cumber your knowledge, and then seem to triumph over you and that truth that you do hold: if (I say) they do this, as perhaps for some evil purpose they will: then be you so plain and short as you can, saying roundly unto them these or such like words as nigh as you can. Be it known unto you, that I in all points do believe as it becometh a true Christian, and as I have been truly taught in the days of that good King Edward, of such godly Preachers and Prophets sent of GOD, as have sealed their doctrine with their blood: from whom I will dissent in no point: for I am a poor man without learning, but am commanded of GOD to follow the counsel of his constant Preachers, and so do I intend to do, god giving me grace and assistance thereto. As for you, I know you to be none of Christ's shepherds, but ravening wolves which come to kill and scatter the flock of Christ, as the Lord said you should: and doth will us to beware of you and your poisoned doctrine, bidding us to judge you according to your fruits, whereby all men may see and know what you be, that will not be wilfully blind. But the good shepherds have given their lives for the defence of Christ's flock: and I am commanded to follow their faithful and Godly example, and to confess with them one truth, even to the fire, if GOD shall see it good: and this as a true Christian. I have hitherto done and hence forth by God's grace intend for to do. And if for the same, GOD shall suffer you to take away my life, as you have done theirs, I am contented therewith▪ his will be done, for that only is good. But of this be you sure, the Lord will shortly call you to account for all the innocent blood that is shed with in this Realm: which you have brought into a most woeful case, and made many a heavy heart in the same, and more I perceive you will make, so long as the Lord for our sins will suffer you to prosper, and until the time that your own iniquity be full ripe. But then be you sure, the Lord will sit in judgement upon you, as well as you do now upon his Saints, and will reward you according to your deservings: to whom with my whole heart I commit my cause, and he will make answer for me, when the full time of my refreshing cometh. In the mean space I will keep silence with this that I have said, trusting that I have sufficiently discharged my conscience in confessing my faith and religion to you, declaring of what Church I am, even of the catholic Church of jesus Christ, which was well known to be here in england in our late good King's days, by two special tokens which can not deceive me, nor suffer me to be deceived: that is to say, the pure preaching of his holy word, and the due administration of the holy sacraments: which is not to be seen in your romish church, and therefore it can not justly be called the Church and spouse of Christ. I believe in the holy Trinity, and all the other articles of the Christian faith contained in the three Credes, and finally all the canonical Scripture to be true in every sentence. And I detest all sects both of the Arrians and anabaptists, or any other that divide themselves from the true church of Christ, which is his mystical body, the ground and pillar of truth, and the very house of the living God. And if for these things you take away my life, and make yourselves guilty of my blood, you may: for I am in your hands, as the sheep brought to the Shambles, abiding the grace of the Butcher. And be you sure, your judgement stepeth not, but when you cry peace, peace, 2. Thes. 5. and all is safe: then shall your plagues begin like the sorrows of a woman traveling with child, according to Christ's infallible promise. This kind of answer my dear heart, it shall be best for you to make, and by God's grace, I do intend to take the same order myself in time to come, when the Lord shall vouch me worthy of that great dignity, whereunto he hath called you. And if they shall laugh you to scorn, as I know they will, saying thou art a fool and an unlearned asseheade, and art able to make answer to nothing &c: care not you for it, but still commmit your cause unto god, who will make answer for you, and tell them that they have been answered again & again of divers godly and learned men: but all will not help, for you have one solution for all manner of questions, even a fair fire and faggots, this will be the end of your disputations. Therefore I pray you to trouble me no more, but do that which you are appointed, when god shall permit the time. I am no better than Christ, his apostles, and other of my good brethren that are gone before me. This kind of answer will cut their combs most, and edify the people that stand by, so that the same be done coldly with sobriety, meekness, and patience: as I heard say out sweet brethren Thomas Harland & john Osward did at jews in Suffex, to the great rejoicing of the children of god that were in those parties: & I hear say, that they were dissolved from this earthly tabernacle at Leawes on Saturday last, & were condemned but the wednesday before: so that we may pertain the papistes have quick work in hand, that they make such haste to have us home to our heavenly father. Therefore let us make ourselves ready to ride in the fiery chariot, 4. Reg. 2. leaving these sorry mantles and old cloaks behind us for a little time which god shall restore unto us again in a more glorious wise. My good brother Harry, you shall understand the bragging john. T. hath beguiled his keepers (who trusted him to well) and is run away from them, & hath brought the poor men into great danger by the same. The one of them is cast by the Counsels commandment, into the gate house at Westminster, the other is stead forth of the country for fear. Thus you may see the fruits of our free-will men, that made so much boast of their own strength. But that house which is not builded surely upon the unmovable rock, will not long stand against the boisterous winds and storms, that blow so strongly in these days of trouble. But my dearly beloved brother, blessed be god for you and such as you be, which have played the parts of wise builders. You have digged down passed the sand of your own natural strength, & beneath the earth of your own worldly wisdom, & are now come to the hard stone and unmovable rock Christ, who is your only keeper: and upon him alone you have builded your faith most firmly, without doubting, mistrust, or wavering. Therefore neither the storms nor tempests, winds nor weathers that Satan and all his wily workmen can bring against you, with the very gates of hell to help them, shall ever be able once to move your house, much less to overthrow it: for the lord god himself (and no man) is the builder thereof, & hath promised to preserve and keep the same safe for ever. Unto his most merciful defence therefore, I do heartily commit you and all your good comapany, desiring him for his sweet son jesus Christ's sake, to confirm and strengthen you all, that you may be constant unto the very end: that after the final victory is once gotten, you may receive the inmercessible crown of glory, of gods free gift through his great mercy in jesus Christ our alone Saviour. To whom with the father and the holy ghost be all honour, glory, praise, thanks, power, rule and dominion for ever and evermore, Amen. The blessing of God be with you all. john Careless. ¶ To my faithful and loving brother William Aylsebury. THe everlasting peace of god in jesus Christ, the continual aid, strength & comforts of his most pure, holy & mighty spirit, with the increase of faith and lively feeling oaths mercy: be with you my dear and faithful loving brother W. Ailsebury, to the increase of his good gifts in you and the full finishing of that which the Lord hath so graciously begun in you, that the same may be to the setting forth of his glory the commodity of his poor afflicted church, and to your own everlasting comfort in him. Amen. Albeit, my dear heart in the lord, that at this very present, my sorry slow hand is something pestered with writing, to please my friends which daily call upon me for the performance of my promise and duty towards them, by the means whereof I cannot now write unto you in so ample manner as I fain would: yet lest by my to long silence, my great ingratitude for your love and godly letters, should to much appear, I have here in haste scribbled these few words unto you, desiring you to accept the same in good part, until the Lord shall send me a more convenient time to express my good will and bounden duty more largely unto you, promising you in the mean space, that my poor prayer shall supply that which wanteth otherwise: as I trust you do not forget me in yours, for verily I have great need of it. My dear brother. I thank you most heartily for your godly, loving, and most comfortable letters, in the which I do evidently perceive the precious gifts of God wherewith you are plentifully endued: the Lord be praised for you, and from the bottom of my heart I do reverence his spirit in you. Wherefore my good brother, be not negligent in the talon that God hath delivered unto you: but diligently apply the same, as I know well you do, that the Lord may receive his own with vantage, and you the reward of a faithful servant at the time of his most joyful return. Truly I will not speak it to flatter you, neither would I provoke you to vain glory, but I will say as I see just cause, that god hath abundantly blessed you with the sweet knowledge and pure understanding of his holy word. Be always thankful unto god I charge you, and humble and meek in your own sight, that GOD only may have all the glory from the bottom of your heart: And look that you be very circumspect in all your life & conversation, that the light of your good works may so shine before men, that they may be occasioned to glorify your heavenvly father on your behalf, Be diligent in your doings, and quick & trusty in all your masters business that you go about, that by all means you may do honour to the doctrine of our Saviour jesus Christ. Remember that Satan now will have greater spite at you, then at many other, because you are such a mortal enemy to his kingdom on enerye side. Therefore be you sure he will now lie biting at your heel, to see if he can give you a fall any manner of way. that he might make the truth of that godly doctrine, which you constantly confess, to be slandered by the means thereof. I know well that Satan's thoughts are not hid from you. 2. Cor. 2. I doubt not but you will be more circumspect than I can declare: notwithstanding I thought it my bounden duty to warn you, as one whom I love as mine own soul, wishing you all the good I can possible. Commend me unto my dear friend john Manning and thank him for his manifold kindness. I am much to blame for him: but if the lord do spare my life a little longer, I will write something to him for a remembrance when I am gone. Desire him to pray for me, as I do not forget him. I have sent you your writings again with thanks. I pray you writ me a copy of that, concerning the Trinity: for I like it marvelous well, it is so brief & pithy. I have no leisure to write it, yet would I fain have it: as knoweth the lord GOD, to whose most merciful defence I do heartily commit you, with my good brother john Manning: that he with his grace and spirit, will guide you both, with all the rest of his dear children unto the end, Amen. The blessing of God be with you now and evermore, Amen. Your own unfeignedly john Carelet prisoner of the Lord. Pray, pray, pray. To my most faithful and dear brother. T. V. THe everlasting peace of god in jesus Christ, the continual comforts of his most pure & holy spirit, be with you my dear and faithful brother. V and in all things make you joyful through the lively feeling of his fatherly mercy and godly providence for you: that you having daily more and more the sure sense of the same, may be able of your own good experience, perfectly to comfort me and all other with the same comfort which you have, and further shall receive of god: who bless and keep you now and ever, Amen. I cannot express (my dear heart in the Lord) how my joys do increase to see how god of his great mercy doth daily add unto his true church and poor afflicted congregation, such as he in Christ hath elected to salvation, before the foundation of the world was laid: of which most happy number preserved only by his free mercy and grace, the lord (no doubt) hath chosen, and doth reckon you for one, and hath registered your name in his book of life, where it shall remain for ever, and that so sure, that neither Satan, death, sin nor hell shall ever be able to blot or scrape out the same: though for the further proof and trial of your faith, god many times suffereth the same to appear to your senses far contrary. Rejoice therefore, and with gladness give god most humble praise and hearty thanks that ever you lived to see this day, in the which he hath surely sealed you with his holy & mighty spirit, unto the day of your final redemption and most happy deliverance from all corruption. God make the same certain unto you, by thou true testimony of the holy ghost in your heart: whose witness unto your spirit that you are the adopted son of God, is more sure and certain, than all the outward oracles in the world. And as this most true & heavenly doctrine doth bring all mirth, joy, peace, and quietness unto a christian conscience: so doth it set Satan in a most sore rage & malice against the same: for that ancient enemy of ours cannot abide, that we should altogether hang and depend upon god our most dear father with full trust and confidence. He would not have us thoroughly persuaded of his great love & kindness towards us: yea of his most fatherly care & providence for us his dear children. For the enemy knoweth that whosoever hath faithfully conceived this true opinion of God, shall by the same be alured, yea forced and constrained to set all his love and hearts delight upon the lord again, and in respect of the same only, be willing to serve him in true holiness and righteousness all the days of his life: yea of love and childlye fear, seek to please him, be loath to offend him, & ready with good will to suffer all things for his sake: which be the points and properties belonging to the lords elect. Therefore, above all things▪ Satan seeketh to darken and make dim this doctrine of our salvation: yea clean to quench it out if he could, and to bring us from this persuasion of god's spirit, unto distrust and infidelity. which is the very root and fountain where hence all other wickedness doth spring: for whatsoever is not done of this faith and godly persuasion, is sin in the sight of god, how glorious soever it doth appear in the sight of men. Let us therefore above all things, pray for the increase of faith, by the light whereof we do perfectly see in our good Christ. God to be presently ours, with all that ever he is or can be, and shall be for evermore. Let us hold this fast, as the sure shore anchor of our soul: and though Satan stir up never so many storms and tempests of trouble and persecution, or never so many foul and foggy mists of darkness and heresies, yet shall our ship sail in safety: for god himself is our loads man, and his holy and mighty spirit is the Master mariner, and both can and will guide & conduct us into the haven of health and port of everlasting safeguard. Therefore let us say with David, that though the waves and raging surges of the seas be marvelous, yet the Lord is more mighty and marvelous, and can still them with a word. Alas, I am here constrained to make an end even in the midst of my letter, & truly I have been feign by occasions that hath come, to lay aside this letter vi. or seven. times since I begun. Therefore take it in good worth as it is, & an other time I trust to finish the same to your comfort, and to the accomplishyng of my duty towards you, to whom I do owe myself and all that I can do: as knoweth God, to whose most merciful defence, I do heartily commit you my dear brother V & all the rest of his dear darlings, whom I love as mine own soul, and thank God for your love to me. The blessing of God be with you all, Amen. Yours unfeignedly john Careless, prisoner of the Lord at all times abiding his most merciful will and pleasure. Pray for me for gods sake▪ as I will never forget you. To my most dear and faithful brother. T. V. THe everlasting peace of god in jesus Christ, the continual joy and comfort of his most pure, holy, and mighty spirit, with the increase of faith and lively feeling of his mercy, be with you my dear heart in the Lord, and faithful loving brother. T. V to the full accomplishing of that good work which he hath so graciously begun in you, that the same, by all means, may be to the setting forth of his glory, to the commodity of his poor affliced congregation, and to the sweet comfort and quietness of your conscience in him now and evermore, Amen. With such due honour, love, and reverence, as it becometh me to bear unto the sweet saints and dearly beloved children of god, I have me most heartily commended unto you, my dear brother V with all earnest and faithful remembrance of you in my daily prayers, thanking God right heartily that you do likewise remember me in yours, assuring you that my poor heart doth daily feel great consolation thereby, GOD only have the praise for the same and all other his benefits. Ah my dear heart in the lord, well is me that ever I was borne, that God of his great mercy and infinite goodness hath used me most miserable wretch at any time, as his instrument to minister any thing unto you either by word or writing, that might be an occasion of your joy and comfort in the Lord, and a provoking of you to praise and thanksgiving unto GOD for the same, as your most loving and godly letter seemeth to import. Oh happy am I that the Lord hath appointed me unto so good a ground to sow his seed upon: but much more happy are you whose heart the lord hath prepared and made so meet to receive the same so effectuously, giving thereto the sweet showers and heavenly dews of his grace and holy spirit, that it may bring forth fruits in due season accordingly: the increase whereof we shall shortly reap together with perfect joy & gladness, & that continually. Therefore (my dear brother) I say unto you as good Elizabeth did to her dear cousin Mary: happy are you, Luke. ●. & happy shall you be for evermore, because you have believed. The most sweet & faithful promises of your redeemer jesus christ you have surely laid up in the treasury of your heart. His comfortable callings you have faithfully heard: his loving admonitions you have humbly obeyed, and therefore you shall never come into judgement: your sins shall never be remembered: for your saviour hath cast them all into the bottom of the sea: Miche. 7 Psal. ●03. he hath removed them from you as far as the East is from the West, & hath given you for an everlasting possession his justification and holiness: so that now no creature neither in heaven nor in earth shallbe able to accuse you before the throne of the heavenly king. Satan is now judged: he is now cast out from you: he hath no part in you: you are wholly given unto Christ, which will no● lose you: your steadfast faith in him hath overcome that sturdy & bragging prince of the world: Christ hath given you the final victory over him and all his army, that they shall never hurt you. What would you have more? Oh my dear heart, how great treasures are laid up in store for you, and how glorious a crown is already made & prepared for you? And albeit the holy ghost doth bear witness of all these things in your heart, & maketh you more sure and certain thereof, then if you had all the outward oracles in the world: yet I being certainly persuaded & fully assured by the testimony of god's spirit in my conscience, of your eternal & sure salvation in our sweet Saviour jesus Christ, have thought it good, yea and my bounden duty, not only at this time to write unto you, and to show my joyful heart in that behalf: but also by the word and commandment of Christ, to pronounce and affirm in the name and word of the heavenly king jehovah, and in the behalf of his sweet son jesus Christ our lord, to whom all knees shall bow, whom all creatures shall worship: and also by the impulsion of the holy ghost, by whose power and strength all the faithful be regenerate: I do I say, pronounce to thee my dear brother. T. V that thou art already a citizen of heaven. The lord thy God in whom thou dost put all thy trust, for his dear sons sake in whom thou dost also undoubtedly believe: hath freely forgiven thee all thy sins, clearly released all thine iniquities, and fully pardoned all thine offences, be they never so many, so grievous, or so great, and will never remember them any more to condemnation. As truly as he liveth, he will not have thee die the death, but hath verily determined, purposed, & eternally decreed, that thou shalt live with him for ever. Thy sore shallbe healed, and thy wounds bound up, even of himself for his own names sake. He doth not nor will not look upon thy sins in thee: but he respecteth & beholdeth thee in christ, in whom thou art lively graffed by faith in his blood, and in whom thou art most assuredly elected and chosen to be a sweet vessel of his mercy and salvation, and waste thereto predestinate in him before the foundation of the world was laid. In testimony and earnest whereof, he hath given thee his good and holy spirit, which worketh in thee, faith, love, and unfeigned repentance, with other godly virtues, contrary to the corruption of thy nature. Also he hath commanded me this day (although a most unworthy wretch) to be a witness hereof by the ministry of his holy word, grounded upon the truth of his most faithful promises: the which thou believing, shalt live for ever. believest thou this my dear heart? I know well thou dost believe. The Lord increase thy faith, & give thee a lively feeling of all his mercies: whereof thou art warranted and assured by the testimony of the holy ghost, who confirm in thy conscience (to the utter overthrowing of Satan and those his most hurtful dubitations, whereby he is accustomed to molest and vex the true children of god) all that I have said: and by god's grace I will, as a witness thereof, confirm & seal the same with my blood, for a most certain truth. Wherefore (my good brother) praise the Lord with a joyful heart, and give him thanks for this his exceeding great mercy, casting away all dubita● on and wavering, yea all sorrow of heart and pensiveness of mind: for this the Lord your God and most dear and loving father, commandeth you to do by me, nay rather by his own mouth and word pronounced by me. But now my dear brother, after that I have done my message, or rather the lords message in deed, I could find in my heart to write ij. or three sheets of paper, declaring the joy I bear in my heart for you, mine own bowels in the Lord: yet the time being so short (as you do well know) I am here constrained to make an end, desiring you to pardon my slackness, and to forgive my great negligence towards you, promising you still that so long as my poor life doth last, my prayer shall supply that my pen doth want: as knoweth the almighty god, to whose most merciful defence I do heartily commit you & all other his dear children, as well as though I had rehearsed them by name, desiring them most heartily to remember me in their hearty & daily prayers, as I know right well they do: for I feel the daily comfort and commodity thereof, and therefore I neither will nor can forget them nor you or any such like. The blessing of God be with you all, Amen. Yours for ever unfeignedly, john Careless, still careful for you, prisoner for the testimony of gods everlasting truth, abiding his most blessed will and pleasure. Pray. p.p.p. To my dear friend and faithful Sister, Mistress mary Glover. THe same everlasting god and most gracious good Lord, that blessed Abraham, Isaac, jacob & joseph, and comforted them in all their crosses, troubles, & manifold afflictions, yea & preserved them & provided for them in all extreme apparel, danger, and necessities: bless, comfort, preserve and keep you, with all your sweet children and family (my dear friend and faithful Sister in the Lord, good Mistress Mary Glover) with and by the power of his holy and mighty spirit, our eternal comforter now and for evermore, Amen. Ah my dear friend, what shall I say, or how shall I comfort you in this great cross that GOD hath laid upon you, in taking home to himself, those his blessed Saints whom he for a time lente you? Verily I am afraid lest I shall renew your sorrows in speaking of them. But my dear heart, let that be far from you: rather now with them rejoice in GOD for their great glory, triumph and victory, ever submitting with all meekness, your will unto his, which only is good and worketh all things for your best: of which thing if you be fully and thoroughly persuaded, you can by no means lack spiritual joy and comfort. Whereof in few words I will something say, although I doubt not but you know it already, though perhaps now sorrow doth a little darken the same, as at times it hath done in many good men: but faith is of such force and power, if it be unfeigned, that it will with jonas, forth of the Whale's belly, cry unto the Lord, and bring from him the comforts of his spirit and promises: which chiefly do consist in that which is rehearsed in the first commandment. Hear Israel (saith the Lord) I am thy Lord GOD, and thou shall love me etc. Behold with a steadfast and lively faith, this sweet saying and commandment of God. He biddeth us hear, & give credence. To what I pray you? Forsooth that he of his goodness hath given himself wholly unto us, to be our own peculiar and proper possession for ever, Psal. 16. as the Prophet David doth pleasantly sing: The Lord himself (saith he) is my portion and inheritance: my lot is fallen unto me in a happy ground etc. Oh gracious GOD, what a thing is this, that the great Lord jehovah, that omnipotent GOD which made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is therein, upon whose providence all things do depend, at whose only beck, both Angel and devil must be fain to obey: Oh Lord (I say) what a thing is this, that he will vouchsafe to give himself wholly to be ours, with all that ever he may be? Oh what are we most vile dung, earth, and ashes, yea most wicked cattiffes and horrible sinners, that he would vouch us worthy of this great benefit, which can not be expressed with the tongues of men or Angels? This must we now needs think and believe of GOD, or else we do most wickedly transgress the great and first commandment. But do we obey, and believe that this is true? So shall we of force by the same be constrained to fulfil the second part, that is to say, love him with all our heart etc. For who, seeing the goodness of GOD towards him in jesus Christ (for whose sake only he hath given himself wholly to be ours in most large & ample wise that may be) who I say, seeing this would not with all his heart, soul, and mind, love the Lord again, and of love, not only leave the doing of such things as might displease him, but also be ready and willing to do what so ever is acceptable in his sight? yea most gladly and joyfully suffer what soever he will appoint us to do for his sake, knowing assuredly that nothing can come unto us (not not the diminishing of one hear of our head) without his good will, pleasure, and merciful appointment and that he loving us so well that he would give his son himself, the holy ghost, and finally all other things in Christ, to us: will not appoint any thing unto us otherwise then shall be to the setting forth of his glory, and our everlasting commodity. This great abundant bottomless love and mercy of god, did holy S. Paul deeply feel when he made that bold proclamation in the latter end of the .8. Chap. to the Rom. saying: who is it, or what is it that shallbe able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ jesus our Lord: Read the whole Chapter often times I beseech you. Thus dear heart, you see the eternal love & fatherly care & providence of God towards you. In respect whereof, I trust you do not only cast all your care upon him: but also most lovingly obey him in all his holy ordinances, evermore meekly submitting your will unto his in all and every thing: knowing that the same will make all things turn to your best, and that without his pleasure, a poor sparrow shall not perish in the fowlers net: much less you, or your dear husband, your good Uncle M. Latymer or any of yours. Let this faith and godly persuasion, ever more be firm in your heart without doubting or wavering: for ●ou● it, all that ever you go about is in vain: yea without this faith in God, you can not please him: you can not commit and betake yourself wholly unto him: you can not truly fear him: you can not love him in deed: you can not call upon him or heartily pray unto him, neither yet praise him a tight. Therefore let this be your alone and continual endeavour, to be confirmed more and more of this, that GOD is your own most dear loving father through Christ, that he hath a most tender care over you, and for you, as always he hath had and ever will have, both in soul and body for this life & for eternal life, how so ever things have or shall hap to appear unto you. According to this your faith and as you believe, so shall it be unto you: and as you think god to be unto you, so shall you feel him. Think therefore sweetly of the lord & of his goodness, & thank him most heartily that ever he would vouch you worthy to sustain the loss of your chiefest treasures in earth for his sake, and that he would ever give you any thing to bestow for his love. And as you praise the Lord for his great mercies & manifold benefits so largely given unto you before many other: so do you faithfully pray unto him, that he will continue his loving kindness towards you, and keep you blameless through love in Christ, unto the end: yea & make you worthy, strong, and able, to suffer the loss of your own life for the testimony of his truth: which (as your good Uncle said to me once, and your dear husband full often) is the greatest promotion and dignity that God can bring us unto in this life, yea it is an honour which the highest angels in heaven be not permitted to have. And in this your hearty and faithful prayer, I do most humbly require you to remember me a most miserable wretch, I fear me, not counted worthy to become one of his constant witnesses unto the world in such sort as I would fain be: pray for me my dear heart, pray for me, as I will never forget you nor your blessed children so long as I am in this prison of the body. Commend me unto Hewgh Glover, Marmaduke, and to their younger brother and sister. The Lord god comfort and bless them, and pour his good spirit upon them, wherewith their good father was plentifully endued. I pray you do my hearty commendations unto my good brother her Augustine and his wife, and I heartily thank you for your goodness towards them. Desire them also to pray for me, for now the needful time doth approach. I praise God, I am more hearty than ever I was, and so I beseech him to make you all to be. I have many things to say more, but I am here constrained to make an end. Al my doings come to an end with extremity. God grant that I may enter into his glory through the strait gate, though I struggle & strive, thrusting among the press with great violence. I beseech you yet once again, & all my dear friends in god, to aid & strengthen me with your prayers, as I will never forget any of you, so long as this wrestling life of mine doth last: as knoweth God to whose most merciful defence I do heartily commit you and all yours. The sweet blessing of god the father, the son, & the holy ghost be with you all, Amen. Your daily and most bounden Orator, john Careless prisoner of the Lord, pray, pray for me in faith. To my good brother M. john Bradford. THe peace of god in jesus Christ, the eternal comfort of his sweet spirit, which hath surely sealed you unto eternal salvation, be with you and strengthen you in your joyful journey towards the celestial Jerusalem (my dear friend and most faithful brother M. Bradforde) to the setting forth of God's glory, and to your eternal joy in Christ, Amen. Ever since the good M. Philpot showed me your last letter (my dear heart in the lord) I have continued in great heaviness & perplexity▪ not for any hurt or discommodity that I can perceive coming towards you, unto whom doubtless, death is made life and great felicity: but for the great loss that gods church here in England shall sustain by the taking away of so godly, worthy, and necessary an instrument, as the lord hath made you to be. Oh that my life & a thousand such wretched lives more might go for yours. Oh why doth god suffer me & such other Caterpillars to live, that can do nothing but consume the alms of the church, and take away you so worthy a workman & labourer in the Lords vineyard? But woe be to our sins & great unthankfulness, which is the greatest cause of the taking away of such worthy instruments of god as should setforth his glory & instruct his people. If we had been thankful unto god for the good ministers of his word, we had not been so soon deprived both of it and them. The Lord forgive our great ingratitude and sins, & give us true repentance & faith, & hold his hand of mercy over us, for his dear son Christ's sake. Take not away all thy true preachers forth of this realm (O lord) but leave us a seed, lest England be made like unto Sodom & Gomore, when thy true Loathes be gone. But what go I about to mingle your mirth with my mourning, & your just joy with my deserved sorrow: If I loved you in deed, as I have pretended, I should surely rejoice with you most heartily, & praise god on your behalf from the very bottom of my heart: I should praise god day & night for your excellent election in & through his great mercy, & should give him most humble thanks for your vocation by his gospel & your true knowledge in the same: I should earnestly praise him for your sweet justification, whereof you are most certain by gods grace & spirit, and should instantly pray unto him for your glorification which shall shortly ensue: I should rejoice & be glad to see you so dignified by the crown of martyrdom, and to be appointed to that honour, to testify his truth & to seal it with your blood: I should highly extol the lord who hath given you a glorious victory over all your enemies, visible & invisible, & hath given you grace & strength to finish the tower that you have begun to build. finally, if I loved you, I should most heartily rejoice & be glad to see you delivered from this body of sin and vile prison of the flesh, and brought into that heavenly tabernacle where you shallbe safely kept & never offend him more. This and much more should I do, if I had a good heart towards god, or you his dear child. But (alas) I am an hypocrite, and do seek nothing but mine own commodity. I would have gods everlasting providence, give place to my peevish will & purpose, although it were to the hindrance of his glory & your sweet commodity. God forgive me my horrible ingratitude, sins and offences against him, and good brother do you forgive me my great negligence and unthankfulness towards you, and hence forth I promise you, I will put my will to Gods will, and pray that the same may be fulfilled in you, so long as you be on this earth: and when you are taken hence, I will most heartily praise the Lord for you, so long as I have my being in this world. Ah my dear heart, now I must take my leave of you, and as I think, my ultimum Vale in this life, but in the life to come I am right well assured we shall merely meet together, and that shortly I trust. And in taking of my leave of you (my dear heart in the lord) I shall desire you faithfully to remember all the sweet messages that the Lord our good God and most dear loving father hath sent you by me his most unworthy servant, which as they are most true, so shall they be most truly accomplished upon you eternally: and for the more assurance and certificate thereof to your Godly conscience, he hath commanded me to repeat the same unto you again in his own name & word. Therefore now give ear & faithful credence. hearken O ye heavens & thou earth give ear, and bear me witness at the great day, that I do here faithfully & truly the lords message unto his dear servant, his singularly beloved & elect child john Bradford. john Bradford, thou man so specially beloved of god, I pronounce & testify unto thee in the word & name of the lord jehovah, that all thy sins whatsoever they be, be they never so many, so grievous, or so great, be fully & freely pardoned, released, & forgiven thee, by the mercy of god in jesus Christ, thine only Lord and sweet Saviour, in whom thou dost undoubtedly believe. Christ hath cleansed thee with his blood, & clothed thee with his righteousness, & hath made thee in the sight of god his father, without spot or wrinkle. So that when the fire doth his appointed office, thou shalt be received (as a sweet sacrifice) into heaven, where thou shalt joyfully remain in god's presence for ever, as the true inheritor of his everlasting kingdom, unto that which thou wast undoubtedly predestinate & ordained by the lords unfallible purpose & decree, before the foundation of the world was laid. And that this is most true that I have said, I call the whole Trinity, the almighty & eternal Majesty of god the father, the son, & the holy ghost to my record at this present: whom I humbly beseech to confirm & stablish in thee the true and lively feeling of the same, Amen. Selah. Now with a merry heart & a joyful spirit, something mixed with lawful tears, I take my farewell of you, mine own dear brother in the Lord: who send us shortly a merry meeting in his kingdom, that we may both sing praises together unto him with his holy Angels & blessed spirits for ever & ever. Farewell thou blessed of the lord, farewell in Christ: depart unto thy rest in the Lord, & pray for me, for God's sake. As I had made an end of this simple letter, I heard some comfort both of good Master Philpottes servant & yours: but (alas) I do scarcely believe them. Well I will hope in god, and pray all night that god will send me some comfort to morrow, & if the Lord give you sparing to morrow, let me hear four words of comfort from you for god's sake. The blessing of god be with you now and for ever, Amen. Yours for ever in the Lord jesus, john Careless, living in hope against hope. To a faithful friend of his, by whom he had received much comfort in his trouble and affliction. THe peace of God in jesus Christ, with the eternal comfort of his sweet spirit, be with you my dear brother now and ever, Amen. Ah my dear & faithful brother, what humble praise & hearty thanks am I bound continually to tender unto god for you, in that he hath made you so worthy and comfortable an instrument unto me his most unworthy servant in this time of my great conflict, This is the conflict whereby Satan hath always sought to molest and vex the true children of god, & to pluck them from the hope of their salvation in Christ▪ Read psal. 77.88.22 31.38.69. and concerning this matter, read before fol. 152 194. 288. 325. & the whole letter following. not only against flesh and blood, but also against the spiritual power of darkness? In which wrestling though I be very weak, yet have I (I thank God most heartily therefore) received such strength and comfort by your faithful prayers and most godly and comfortable letters, that I am put in great hope, yea in full assurance of a glorious victory. Blessed be the time that ever I knew you, for God (I perceive) hath made you an instrument in the steed of good Master Bradforde, to supple my soul with the oil of his mercy, by pouring into the same his most gracious promises: god for Christ's sake mollify my hard heart, & give me grace to believe them. Oh Lord increase my faith. I believe lord: oh help my unbelief, that I may taste and feel the certainty of my salvation, and be thoroughly persuaded & assured, that thy grace good Lord, is sufficient for me. Oh pray, pray, dear heart pray for me, and as you can, comfort me with more such sweet letters, that I may sometimes feel a flash of gods favourable countenance in my face, as doubtless I did at the reading of your last most comfortable letter. God verify your saying, or rather his saying by you, upon me for ever: & the same Lord will I continually beseech, to make you always plentifully to feel the fruition of his most gracious favour, that you may always plentifully pour forth upon me and all others that have need, the consolations of jesus christ. Oh that the time were now come, that I might put of this trail tabernacle of the flesh, in this heavenly security and quietness of conscience in jesus Christ. God make you dear brother, and all other his dear servants, to feel the like in your most need. Truly dear heart, I have seven. most godly and comfortable letters of that blessed of the lord good master Bradforde, which he wrote only for my comfort. When I signified my woeful state unto him: This state, to the worldly, and such as have not tasted of gods sweet cross, seemeth foolishness: but it is not strange to gods children. and though he have therein plentifully published the promises of gods mercy unto me, and sealed the same with his blood, yet had Satan blinded mine eyes, & put the same for the of my weak and frail memory, until your most happy letter came, yea in a most happy hour may I say. But of this enough until an other tyme. I am here constrained to break of from this thing, which I have scribbled in haste, as this bearer can testify. Farewell in Christ, farewell I say mine own dear heart in the lord. The Lord our god bless you, and increase his good gifts in you, to the setting forth of his glory, and to your continual comfort in him, Amen. Your daily Orator and poor brother john Careless. Pray, pray. another letter written to the same person. BLessed be god the father of all mercy, for the great comfort and christian consolation which he hath so mercifully ministered unto my poor afflicted heart by your means, my most dear & faithful brother. Truly me thinketh your words or rather gods words by you uttered, have a wondered power & efficacy working in my heart at the hearing or reading of them. Rejoice therefore my dear brother & be thankful unto god: for verily he both is & will be mightily magnified in you, and that divers and many ways, both to the strengthening of them that stand in his truth, and also to the raising up of such as are fallen from the same. God make me thankful for you and on your behalf, for verily great is the goodness of god towards me in giving me acquaintance in faithful love and amity with you: gods name for ever be praised therefore, and he perform all his merciful promises upon you, as I doubt not but he will for his sake in whom you trust. I thank my god most heartily, & also you my good brother, for that you are so careful for me in your faithful prayers, remembering my just deserved sorrows, as though they were your own, & labouring so much to solace the same. Ah my gracious good god, what am I, for whom thou & thy dear children should be so careful? Oh sweet lord, forgive me my great ingratitude and sin, & grant that I never abuse thy great benefits. Oh let the love of thine elect, which love me for thy sake, be a sure sign & token, yea a most firm testimony & a seal to my sinful conscience of thine everlasting love and mercy towards me in Christ: as verily it would and ought to be, if mine infidelity did not let it. Oh circumcise therefore the foreskin of my heart, that I may with lively faith behold thy great love towards me in all thine elect, that I may always be thankful for the same, and love thee and them again most heartily and unfeignedly. Ah my dear heart, how sweetly and how truly, yea how godly and how comfortably have you rehearsed the sweet saying of Solomon concerning prosperity with true and godly friends. I will join with it the sentence which goeth a little before, for doubtless it may be well verified on you. A sure friend (saith the wise man) will be unto thee even as thine own soul, and deal faithfully with thy household folk. If thou suffer trouble and adversity, he is with thee and hideth not his face from thee. A faithful friend is a strong defence: who so findeth such a one findeth, a treasure. A faithful friend hath no peer: the weight of gold is not to be compared to the goodness of his faith. A faithful friend is a medicine of life, and they that fear the lord, shall find him, etc. Lo (my dear heart in the lord) here is a lively image or description of you: for verily such a one have I always found you unto me, not only sorrowing for my great sorrow: but also oftentimes making me merry & joyful, with such joys as the world cannot feel. Now let the world brag of his feigned friendship: but I will boast of this true friendship in god, and esteem it a more treasure than all transitory things. And as for my mourning, dear brother, god hath made you to turn it unto mirth: for god hath put you in the stead of them to be my comfort, whom he hath in his great mercy taken away. I trust henceforth to leave the mourning for my great loss, and to praise god for gaining unto himself so great glory by his chosen children. God make me a true mourner of Zion, Such mourners should we be continually with this & other gods dear children: and blessed be they that so mourn. Math. 5. both for mine own sin and wickedness, and also to see his honour defaced, that I may be made meet and apt to hear the joyful & comfortable message that your beautiful feet shall bring me. God bless thee my dear heart and faithful loving brother, and increase his good gifts of grace in thee, as he hath most happily begun, that you may daily more effectually feel & lively perceive the certainty of god's grace wherein you stand, and firmly to testify the same, to the conversion or confounding of all gainesaiers, and to the comfort and confirmation of all gods dear children. Amen. Farewell mine own sweet brother, farewell as mine own heart. Your own in Christ john Careless. Because he maketh mention in the former letter and other heretofore, of the most godly and christian conflicts which he had sustained, we thought good to adjoin hereto this sweet and heavenly exercise following, whereby it may appear what fruit these conflicts wrought in his most godly and christian conscience. SOme men for sudden joy do weep, And some in sorrow sing: When that they lie in danger deep, To put away mourning. Between them both will I begin, Being in joy and pain: In sighing to lament my sin, But yet rejoice again. My sinful life doth still increase, My sorrow is the more: From wickedness I cannot cease, Woe is my heart therefore. Sometimes when I think to do well, And serve God night and day: My wicked nature doth rebel, And leadeth me astray. As bond and captive unto sin, which grieveth me full sore: This misery do I live in, Woe is my heart therefore. In deed sometime I do repent, and pardon do obtain: But yet (alas) incontinent, I fall to sin again. My corrupt nature is so ill, Offending more and more: That I displease my Lord god still, Woe is my heart therefore. Woe is my heart, woe is my mind, woe is my soul and spirit: That to my God I am unkind, In whom I should delight. His love always I should regard, which toward me was so pure: But I with sin do him reward, O most unkind creature. The beast, the bird, the fish, the foul, Their maker do obey: But I that am a living soul, Am far much worse than they. For they according to their kind, To serve him do not cease: But I with sinful heart and mind, Do daily him displease. Thus do I sore complain of sin, And with king david weep: For I do feel my heart within, The wrath of God full deep. To heaven mine eyes I dare not life, Against it I have trespaste: And in the earth I find no shift, Nor succour that can last. What shall I do? shall I despair, And from my Saviour slide? Nay god forbidden, there is no fear, Sith Christ for me hath died. God became man, and for us men, He died and rose again: His mercy great we may see then, For ever doth remain. Therefore my sin I will confess, To God, and mourning make: who will forgive the same doubtless, for his son Christ's sake. If sin in me god should respect, Then do I know full well, His justice would me soon reject, To the deep pit of hell. His glorious eyes cannot abide The foul and filthy smoke: Wherewith I am on every side, Covered as with a cloak. But he in Christ doth me behold, In whom he doth delight, And mine offences manifold, Through him releaseth quite. Reputing me amongst the just, forgiving all my sin: Therefore my faith, my hope, my trust, Shall ever be in him. O Lord increase true faith in me, Thy good spirit to me give: That I may grow in love toward thee, And ever seek to live, In true obedience of thy will, And thankfulness of heart, And with thy grace so guide me still, That I never depart From thy true word and testament, All the days of my life: Nor from thy church most innocent, Thine own true spouse and wife. But from that filthy whore of Rome. Lord keep me evermore: As graciously thou hast yet done, Thanks be to thee therefore. And sith thou haste of thy goodness, forgiven me all my sin: Strength me, thy truth for to confess, And boldly die therein. That as I have confessed thee, Before the wicked sort: thou mayest in thy good time know me To my joy and comfort. My soul return unto thy rest, Thou art well satisfied: The Lord hath granted thy request, And nothing thee denied. Praise be God the father of might, Praise be to thee O Christ: Praise be to thee O holy spirit, Three in one God most highest. Continue constant in Christ ꝙ Careless. ¶ A brief admonition written to Mistress jane Glascocke, in a book of hers when she came to the prison to visit him. THere is nothing that the holy Scripture throughout doth so much commend unto us, as a true faith & steadfast trust in the promises of gods eternal mercies towards us in jesus Christ. For from the same, as forth of the chief fountain and wellspring of life, do flow all kinds of virtues and godly fruits, specially true love towards God, in the which we ought purely to serve him all the days of our life: and also christian charity towards our neighbours, aswell to help them at all needs, as also not to hurt them by any means. Therefore pray earnestly for the increase of faith and lively feeling of god's mercy: for all things are possible unto him that can undoubtedly believe. Faith is the thing which assureth us of god's mercy, and whereby we vanquish all the fiery darts of the devil: our victory that overcometh the world: the knife that killeth and mortifieth the flesh: and finally that which setteth us at peace with God, and quieteth our consciences always before him, and maketh us merry and joyful under the cross, with many more things than I can now express. Pray therefore for faith, in faith. And for the lords sake, beware of popery and popish idolatry, the id●lle of the wicked Mass, and other Idolatrous service. Make not your body, which is a member of Christ, a member of Antichrist. Remember that we shall receive of God according to that we do in the body, be it good or evil. Therefore glorify god in your body, which is dearly bought. Betray not the truth, lest the Lord deny you. If God be God, follow him. You can not serve two Masters. I writ not this as doubting you, but by the way of admonition. God keep you from all evil. ☞ My Sister dear god give you grace With steadfast faith in Christ's name, His gospel still for to embrace, And live according to the same. To die therefore, think it no shame, But hope in god with faithful trust, And he will give you praise with fame When you shall rise out of the dust. For which most sweet and joyful day To God with faith your prayer make, And think on me I do you pray, The which did write this for your sake. And thus to God I you betake Who is your castle and strong rock: He keep you whether you sleep or wake. Farewell dear Mistress jane Glascoke. If God be with us, who can be against us. ☞ Though worldly waves do rage apace, And wicked winds blow out of frame, Though Mountains move forth of their place, Through the great tempests of the same: Yet shall the Lord still you defend Under the shadow of his wings: He loveth you unto the end, And for your wealth doth work all things. Therefore in him put all your trust: Fear not these boisterous winds that blow. The Lord can lay them when he lust, And bring the raging waves full low. But your safeguard shall still remain. In a strong castle of defence. God grant us well to meet again With mirth and joy in his presence. john Careless. To the afflicted Christian. ☞ Fear not for death, pass not for hands, Only in God put thy whole trust: For god will require thy blood at their hands, And this thou dost know that once die thou must, Only for Christ thy life if thou give, Death is no death but a mean for to live, A letter of Doctor tailor of Hadley, written to his wife, This packer is called sir Robert Bracher, a false protesstant in King Edward's days, & afterward a deadly enemy to that religion which he had professed, and now is become a protesstante again, & serveth at S. Denys in London in Fann●-church street, & calleth himself Harry Bradshaw. This peddler coming to the burial of his friend, and gods great enemy Walter Clerk of Hadley, albeit he came somewhat to late to the market (as he said) yet being desirous to utter his ware, opened there his pack full of most pestilent & poisoned doctrine. This was one of them that so unmercifully thrust D. tailors wife & children out of the do●es, as she h●● 〈◊〉 can testify. which we have here placed as it came to our hands, with certain other letters following. Dear wife, I pray god be ever with us through Christ our only Mediator, Amen. I thank you for my cap, I am something proud of it, for it is one step from the clergy in these days. I thank god, my heart is clean divided from their proceed. For I know that no man can serve two Masters, specially if they agree no better than Christ & Antichrist do. I am glad that Hadley can skill of such packing ware, as was brought thither the first day of May last past. Christ's sheep can discern Christ's voice from the voice of strangers, thieves or hirelings. The pack bringer was sorry that he came to late to the funeral market of his faithful friend. But here I will leave them both to God's judgement, & something touch the matter whereof the packer made mention on his opening day. At the first he called the scripture (as I hear) full of dark sentences, but in deed it is called of S. David, a candle to our feet, & a light to our paths. Our Saviour Christ calleth his word the light, which evil doers do fly from, & hate, lest their deeds should be reproved thereby. S. Paul would have us to walk as children of light, & in any wise not to continued in ignorance or darkness. But all we in the world pertain to two princes: either to the father of light & truth, or else to the prince of darkness & lies. In these days preachers declare evidently of whom they are sent, and with what spirit they speak, & to what prince they belong: For they cry out against God's lights, sun, moon, stars, torches, lamps, lanterns, cressets, & candles in gods book the Bible, provided of gods great goodness & mercy, to avoid all foul darkness, clouds, & mists or dangerous doubtful ways in this our journey to our heavenvly father, long home, mansion houses, & dearly purchased heritage. Esay gods faithful messenger sayeth: woe be unto them that call sweet sower, good evil, & light darkness. Therefore cometh my people into captivity, because they have no understanding. Our saviour Christ pronounceth errors & heresies to remain among the people, so long as ignorance of the scriptures remaineth. And hereby it appeareth to all good consciences, what they mean, which defame or accuse gods blessed word being full of light, as though it were full of darkness. These oules would have all day lights scraped out of books, hearts, & churches. Oh lord, turn their hearts & tongues: bow them from the way of darkness, lest they go to the prince of darkness, & be cast into the paradise of utter darkness, where is weeping & gnashing of teeth. Now, touching the packs of wool, & packs of cloth, I fear they were, as all other their wares be, transsubstantiate into flocks, even his very finest packing stuff against only faith justifying▪ & for the corporal presence of Christ's body in the sacrament, for praying for souls departed, & for auricular confession. Abraham's justification, by faith, by grace, by promise, & not by works, is plainly setforth both in the Epistle to the Rom. cap. 4 & to the Gala Cap 3. And Abraham's works of obedience in offering up his son so long after his justification, must needs be taken as a fruit of a good tree justifying before men, & not of justification before god: for them had man to glory in: then did Christ die in vain. And where as the .6. chap. of S. john was alleged, to prove the Christ did give his body corporally in his supper, even as he had promised in the said 6. chap. it is most untrue. For only he gave his body sacramentally, spiritually & effectually in his supper to the faithful Apostles, and corporally he gave it in a bloody sacrifice for the life of the world upon the cross once for al. There in his own person, in his own natural body, he bore all our sins: by whole stripes we were healed, as S. Peter proveth. 1. Pet. 2. & Esay cap 53. In deed, receiving Christ's sacrament accordingly, as it was instituted, we receive Christ's body & Christ's blood, even as I said before the Apostles did. But the popish Mass is an other matter. The Mass, as it is now, is but one of Antichristes' youngest daughters, in the which the devil is rather present & received, than our Saviour, the .2. person in Trinity, god & man. O Lord god, heavenly father, for Christ's sake, we beseech thee to turn again England to the right way it was in, in King Edward's time, from this Babylonical stewyshe spiritual whoredom, conspiracy, tyranny, detestable enormities, false doctrine, heresy, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy word & commandments, from this evident & open Idolatry, sacrilege, simony, blasphemy, superstition, hypocrisy, transubstantiate Angel of light & day devil, kingdom of lies, foul vain schisms, sects, sedition, apostasy, gay sweet poison, honeyed and sugared viperous venom, wily woluishnes, Sathanical subtlety, and abomination in the sight of God and of all such as put on the true spectakles of holy scripture. I am the more plain now in this matter, because I fear greatly, the many will be to much ready to go from Christ to Antichrist, from the Bible, true gods service & religion, to latin lying legends, portases, Massebokes & superstition. They say their church can not err in any point, when in deed they be not of god's church, and therefore they can do nothing but err, even as they do almost in all cases of true faith. But to come again to the packer, rather than preacher, he bringeth S. Chrisostomes' sentence writing ad popu●um antiochenum, where he, making a comparison between Christ's flesh & Elias cloak cast down to Elizeus when Elias was taken up in the fiery chariot, at length he saith, the Christ ascending up to heaven, took his flesh with him, & also left his flesh behind him in earth. The meaning of it is, he did ascend with his flesh and left a memorial cloak of the same body & flesh, which he calleth his flesh, as he in the sacramental phrase, calleth bread his body, because it representeth his body: and as in the like manner of sacramental speech, a Lamb was called the passover, the circumcision, god's covenant. He took up his flesh corporally, & left his flesh in mystery & sacrament spiritually. Or it may he said that he left his flesh upon earth: that is, his mystical body, his faithful people, whom S. Paul calleth the members of his body, of his flesh, of his bones. Eph. 5. In the .49. chap. of Gene. there is no word of Christ's sacrament, but there is a prophecy of Christ's passion, wherein his fool was bound, that is, his body. And where he speaketh there of grapes & wine, it is as that is spoken of christ in an other place, where he saith: ego solus torcular calcavi, I alone did tread the wine press, meaning thereby, that christ alone suffered painful passion for the remission of sins, & for the consolation of all his faithful soldiers. It is not true, that the packer said, that Christ's infinite power may make his body to be in a thousand places at once, as a loaf to be in a thousand bellies: for them might christ divide the parts of his body, as a loaf is divided & so consumed, & then might scripture be false, appointing Christ's body to be but in one place, Act, 3. Phi. 3 Herald 1. The Articles of our faith tell us sufficiently, where Christ's body is. It was never in two places at once, neither ever shallbe, neither ever can be corporally & naturally: neither ever was, is, can, or shallbe eaten so ● any corporal mouths, as the Capernaires & papists most erroneously & heretically do judge. If our saviour jesus christ hath no other body natural, than is made of the substance of bread, & is in a thousand places at once, as I have often said in Hadley: we are not yet redeemed, neither shall our bodies rise again & be made like unto his glorious body. We are sure that our Saviour Christ's body is made of none other substance, than of his mother the blessed Virgin mary's substance. We are sure, that he taketh not the nature of Angels, much less of bread. Only he taketh on him the sede of Abraham. Heb 2. in all things like unto us, only sin except. And this is a comfortable doctrine to us christians, believing steadfastly, as the true catholic saith is, the Christ hath but two natures, perfit god & perfit man. Upon this rock Christ's church is builded, & the gates of hell shall never prevail against it. Math, 16. I speak nothing now of auricular confession & praying for souls departed, because I do not hear what authors the packer brought in for this purpose. Sure I am, the he can bring no authentical & canonical warrant for such his packware. He may say what he will of Hebricians & Grecians, & flesh under forms & not above forms, or above the board. He may conjure & convey, pass & repass, even what he will, in such clouds & mists. He reproved the scriptures as full of darkness, & yet is full of darkness himself. He did wittily to bring profess out of jewrye, Turkey and other strange places for his round white cake, for that such his pedlary pelf pack is contrary to the plain symplicitye of Christ's supper. He glanced at priests marriages. He might against that have brought as ancient a Doctor as any he alleged out of Hebrew, for his Mass or wafer cake, the is doctor Devil. 1. Tim. 4 I marvel that he did not confute & confound S. Paul for the sentences, written above the alter, of the which he made mention in the pulpit. For he & his fellows of Oxford be so profound, so excellent, so glorious & triumphant clerk, that they can easily prove a man an ass, & all writers in the Bible ignorant, simple, full of errors, full of heresies, & beggarly fools. Yet they will be called catholics, faithful true christian people, defenders of the holy mother the church: but truly they take part with the Prince of darkness, with Antichrist, with jezabel. Apo. 2. They will not be called papists. Pharisees, jews, Turks, heretics, & so forth: but what soever they will be called, gods religion had never more evident adversaries, and that in all the chief points of it: no not then, when our Saviour Christ whipped such merchants out of the rendle, calling them a company of thieves. Ma●. 21. God give them grace to repent. God be thanked that the nobility something of late hath spied & stopped their tyranny. Oh unhappy England. Oh more ungrate people, sooner bewitched, than the foolish Galathians. We have now none excuse. We have undoubtedly seen the true trace of the prophetical, apostolical primitive catholic church. We are warned to beware, lest we be led out of that way, society, & rule of religion. Now we shall show what country men we be: whether spiritual & heavenvly, or carnal & worldly. We had as true knowledge as ever was in any country or in any time, since the beginning of the world: god be praised therefore. If Hadley being so many years persuaded in such truth, will now willingly & wittingly forsake the same, & defile itself with the cake god, Idolatry, & other antichristianity thereunto belonging, let it surely look after many and wonderful plagues of god shortly. Though an other have now the benefice, yet as god knoweth, I can not but be careful for my dear Hadley. And therefore as I could not but speak, after the first abominable Mass begun there, I being present, no more I can not but write now being absent, hearing of the wicked profanation of my late pulpit, by such a wily wolf. God's love, mercy, goodness and favour hath been unspeakable in teaching us the right way of salvation and justification. Let us all have some zeal, some care, how to serve him according to his good will written. The God of love and peace be ever in Hadley through Christ our only advocate, Amen. Roland tailor. A letter of M. Philpot written to certain of his faithful friends, as his last farewell a little before he suffered. THe knowledge of god which hath illightened you with true understanding of the gospel of Christ, be remaining with you still to the end, & be augmented in your hearts & doings through the operation of the holy spirit to the glory of God & your eternal salvation. Amen. A man that is passing into far countries, before his departing, committeth such goods as god hath endued him with all, to his dearest friends, to the end that they might be the better by them if he return not again. Even so dearly beloved, and right worshipful, my good friends, I having shortly to pass unto my heavenly inheritance which is hidden with Christ, & to our common country and eternal dwelling place, which we shall have ● god, never to return before the latter day, in the which our souls shall come to judgement, and receive their bodies to be glorified, according to their doings: have thought it my duty to communicate unto you something (with whom I have found great humanity) of the few heavenly treasures, with the which God among others, hath endued me in Christ, whereby he hath made me his child, and assuredly the inheritor of the kingdom of heaven, which all those which unfeignedly love him, and constantly cleave to his holy gospel: and that is, by the renovation of his Image, whereunto man was first created like unto god, which is to be in the favour of God, to know God truly, to live justly, to delight fervently in the contempplation of God, to be continually happy, to be immortal, void of all corruption and sin: the which blessed Image, through sin is deformed in us, and in manner lost, saving that it hath pleased GOD of his mercy (who willeth not the death of a sinner) to restore that Image by grace, through knowledge and belief of the Gospel, which otherwise in our nature is clean suppressed & extinguished. Therefore, we knowing the great and lamentable loss which we do sustain in Adam, ought most earnestly to seek the recovery thereof, that we might eternally live like unto God in immortality and felicity: the which we shall never recover, unless we go about to mortify our outward man all the days of our life more and more, and be renewed in spirit, according to the true knowledge of GOD: the which if we be, then may we be assured that we have found that joy, felicity, and eternal life, which Adam had in paradise, yea and more than that ten thousand fold, for that it is such as the eye hath not seen, the ear hath not heard, neither the heart can conceive which christ hath prepared for us. This image of god, whosoever by faith doth find, he hath found the most precious treasure that any man can find, for he is even here a citizen of heaven, and in possession of eternal life. Therefore I commit unto you principally a daily care of the renovation of this image, as the chiefest jewel you can desire in this world. And hereof now I am the more moved to put you in remembrance, because I love you entirely in the lord, and desire your fellowship, which the iniquity of our time will not permit me to enjoy here. And for asmuch as we have a better life to come then this present is, an eternal society with Christ, which neither the malice of time, neither the distance of place can dissolve or separate: I exhort you now as one that hath obtained mercy of god in the reparation of his image in me, to embrace the care thereof, with earnest desire to attain the same, whereby we shall all have a perfect fruition of our love & friendship, which already we have here begun, & with god in heaven shallbe (without all doubt) made joyfully perfect. Let this be a perpetual remembrance of your poor afflicted friend, which daily looketh through fire, to enter into that eternal life, where he trusteth assuredly to enjoy your fellowship, if the image of god be renewed in you through the knowledge of Christ, which you have received & do know. Look whose image the coin beareth, his it is. Semblably, if your conversation be after the gospel, verily you are the elect of Christ: but if it be according to the world, his servants you are whom your life doth express. We have all in Baptism put on Christ, whom if we endeavour to represent, we are in deed the sons of God and inheritors with Christ. One good rule S. Paul to the Rom. in the xii. chap. doth appoint for the restoration of this our image of God. Fashion not yourselves (saith he) unto this world, but be ye changed in your shape, by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the will of god, which thing is good, acceptable & perfect. God grant that this rule may take place with you, & then doubtless our company shall be inseparable with all the saints of God in eternal bless. Be you not deceived by the vain possessions and uncertain pleasures of this world, which serve to none other purpose, then to blind your eyes that they might not behold the things which be glorious and permanent for ever. The things which we see, are mortal: but the things which we see not but certainly hope for, be immortal. For all flesh, as the Prophet Esay saith, is but grass, and the glory thereof as the flower of the field. Oh that you which have the possessions of this world, would so account them, & not sell your eternal inheritance for a mess of porridge, as Esau did. God open your eyes that you may see the glory of Christ in the mount with Peter, john, and james. Then I doubt not, you would say with Peter. Lord it is good for us to abide here: let us here make our dwelling places. We have in this world no firm mansion, but we seek after that which is to come: the which if we seek now where it may be found, we shall surely find it. If we mortify the image of Adam, which through sin reigneth in our flesh, then shall the image of Christ revive in us to our eternal glory. We are all baptized to die with Christ, to the end we should walk in newness of life as persons dead to the world, and living to God. And if we die with him by crucifying our concupiscence and lusts, we shall eternally live. Infidelity is the cause of all our misery: which causeth us to fear man more than GOD, and to esteem the things presence more than the things to come. God enlighten our eyes that we may understand how precious an inheritance Christ hath prepared for such as hunger and thirst thereafter. Then I doubt not we would say with Sayncte Paul, I am surely persuaded that neither death nor life, neither Angels nor rule, neither power, neither things present, neither things to come, neither any other treasure, or creature, shall separate us from the love which is in Christ jesus. The Lord increase our faith, and give us his holy spirit to discern with ourselves, how much we are grown in his image, and are like unto him: for how much we are unlike to the world, so much more are we like unto god, and so much the more do we approach unto him. The lord draw you by his holy spirit, and fashion you unto his likeness, that we may eternally live together. The means to come thereunto, is diligent exercise in gods word: continual and faithful prayer: a desire and love to GOD: the fear of God: the contempt of the world: and a constant faith in the knowledge of his word, joined with the works of righteousness. This is the Sum of all our christian religion which we do profess: which if we follow, happy are we that ever we were borne. But if we be negligent in this, it had been better for us never to have been borne: for cursed are they that decline from the Lord and his holy commandments, and have their delights in the vanities of this world. Cease not to follow the image of God, and to express the same in yourselves to the glory of god, and then god will glorify you for his image sake, which he saith to live in you. We are all weak in transforming the same in us at the beginning: for our flesh is clean contrary to it. But we must not give over by lawfully striving, till we may say with Saint Paul, now live I, but not I, but christ in me. The Lord grant that Christ, which by the gospel is planted in us, may be fashioned in our godly conversation, to the glory of God, and to the good example of our brethren, that our temporal life may be changed into eternal life, and our friendship in God, eternally endure, Amen. This last farewell I send unto you to be a token of my love until we shall meet in the kingdom of Christ, there to rejoice perfectly of that godly fellowship which here we have had on the earth. God hasten that meeting and deliver you from the temptation which is now come upon the Church of England, for the trial of such as be faithful in the Lords Testament, to the crown of their glory if they be found faithful to the end. Let us watch and pray one for another, that these evil days do not overwhelm us, in the which our adversary the devil goeth about like a roaring Lion seeking whom he may devour. The peace of GOD remain with you for ever. written in the kings Bench by one of the poor captive sheep of Christ, appointed to the slaughter for the testimony of the truth, where he doth joy, and wisheth you to joy, praising God with him, Amen. john Philpot. A letter of M. Bradforde, to certain men which maintained the heresy of the Pelagians and papists concerning man's free-will: which upon occasions, were then prisoners with him in the kings Bench. THe good spirit of god, which is the spirit of truth, and guide to gods children, be with us all, and lead us into all truth, Amen. Hitherto I have oftentimes resorted unto you (my friends, as I thought) and by all means sought to do you good, even to mine own charges and hindrance. But now I see it happeneth otherwise: and therefore I am purposed, till I may know more than I do, to absent myself from you▪ but not my help: and by these letters to supply that, which by mouth patiently you cannot abide to hear. You report me to my face that I am a great slander to the church of God: which may be two ways understand, that is by living & doctrine. But as for living you yourselves (I thank god therefore) gave testimony with me. In doctrine therefore you mean it. Now, in that there be many parts of the doctrine of christ, I trow you mean not generally, but particularly: for you in generality have divers times given your commendation on my behalf, both to my face and behind my back: for the which I humbly praise my god, through Christ. In particularity therefore you mean that I am a slander: which (as far as I know) is only in this to you wards, that I believe and affirm the salvation of gods children to be so certain, that they shall assuredly enjoy the same. You say it hangeth partly upon our perseverance to the end: and I say it hangeth only and altogether upon god's grace in Christ, and not upon our perseverance in any point: for than were grace no grace. Rom. 11. You will and do in words deny our perseverance to be any cause, but yet in deed you do otherwise. For if perseverance be not a cause, but only gods grace in Christ the whole and only cause of salvation: then the cause, that is to say grace remaining, the thing, that is to say salvation, cannot but remain also. Of which thing, if with the scriptures you would make perseverance an effect or fruit, then could you not be offended at the truth: but say as it saith, that the salvation of gods children is so certain, that they shall never finally perish, the lord putting his hand under them, that if they fall, yet they shall not lie still. For whom he loveth, he leaveth not, john. 13. but loveth them unto the end: so that perseverance is proper to them and doth discern them from hypocrites, and such as seem to other & to themselves also sometimes, that they be gods children. Which if they once were in deed, then as S. john saith, they should not sin the sin to death, 1. john. 3.5 1. john. 2. Heb. 3. neither should they go out of god's church, but as Paul saith, should persever to the end. Now to be gods child, is no less in all points above the power of man, then to be man's child, is above our own power: but so much it passeth our habililie in all points to be gods child, by how much this dignity is greater. Again, once god's child in deed, and gods child for ever: that is, finally shall not he that is so, perish eternally, if that god our father be both of good will infinite, and also of power accordingly: and if the seed of god which remaineth in his children, 1. john. 3 Matth. 6. Rom. 6 can keep them from singing (I mean to death) for otherwise they sin, and therefore pray daily: forgive us our debts, etc. Moreover, gods children be under grace, and not under the law, Rom. 4. and therefore sin shall not damn them. For where no law is, there is no transgression (transgression I say to final damnation) for the new covenant of god is, never to remember their sins, but to give them such hearts & minds, that as they naturally lust & labour to do that is evil: so their inward man renewed, striveth to the contrary, and at the length shall prevail, 1. john. 3 Rom. 8 john. 6.10 Math. 24. Heb. 13 Heb. 3. because he is stronger that is in them, than he that is in the world. And S. Paul saith, who shall lay any thing to the charge of gods elect, in that god absolveth them for Christ's sake, of whom they are kept? so that it is not possible for them to perish in respect of their pastor, who is faithful over god's people. This certainty and assurance, who so feeleth in himself by the testimony of god's spirit: in deed and of truth, the same is happy for ever, and cannot but as he hopeth he shall be like to Christ in his coming, so desire it, and purify himself in all purity (so far will he be from carnal liberty) and as the elect of God, he will endue and apparel himself daily with the apparel of the elect, using prayer night and day: which is an other property of gods children. To this certainty, all the creatures of god call us, concerning their creation and use. This assurance gods first commandment requireth under pain of damnation: the gospel of god and all his promises: the sacraments & the substance of them, which is Christ jesus our Saviour, doth above all things require it of every one that is baptized and brought into god's church. Nothing else doth GOD to require of us, as thus to be persuaded of him: for out of it floweth all godliness to god & man. So that it cannot be but they take Satan's part, which go about to let or hind this certainty in themselves and in others. The which thing in that you do in deed, howsoever you mean: I cannot but as I have done often before, admonish you of it eftsoons, that your bloods may be on your own heads, if you persever in your obstinacy, and if you do it obstinately and not ignorantly. From the which I beseech almighty God to deliver you, Amen. 1. january. john Bradford A letter of M. Thomas Whyttel written to a friend of his, declaring the shameful tyranny of bloody Bonner: who like a right angel of Satan, to pervert his faith and drive him from God, buffeted him with his butcherly fists, and most cruelly beat him. Upon thursday, which was the ten of january, the bishop of London sent for me out of the Porter's lodge, where I had been all night, lying upon the earth upon a pallet: where I had as painful a night of sickness as ever I had, I praise god. And when I came before him, he talked with me many things of the sacrament, so grossly, as is not worthy to be rehearsed. And amongst other things, he asked me if I would have come to Mass that morning, if he had sent for me. Whereunto I answered that I would have come to him at his commandment, but to your Mass (said I) I have small affection. At which answer he was displeased sore, and said I should be fed with bread and water. And as I followed him through the great hall, he turned back and beat me with his fift, first on the one cheek, and then on the other, as the sign of my bearing did many days after appear. And then he sent me into a little salthouse, They that saw his face thus miserably arrayed, & much worse than he reporteth, can bear witness to the truth hereof. S. paul commandeth that a bishop should be no fighter or stryker Titus▪ ● where I had no straw nor bed, but lay two nights on a table & slept sound, I thank God. Then upon the Friday next after I was brought to my lord, who gave me many fair words, and said he would be good to me. And so he going to Fullam, committed me to D. Harpesfield, that he and I in that after noon should common together: and drew out certain articles, whereunto if I would subscribe, I should be dismissed. But D. Harpesfield sent not for me till night, & then persuaded me very sore to forsake my opinions. I answered, I held nothing but the truth, & therefore I could not so lightl● turn therefrom. So I thought I should at that time have had no more add: but he had made a certain bill, which the Register pulled out of his bosom, & red it. The bill indeed was very easily made, & therefore more dangerous. The children of god, when they see their imperfections, frailty, falls, & offences, are many times brought to such heaviness, doubting, & mistrust of god's mercy towards them as though he had clean forsaken them: as you may read psal. 31.22.77. but then wax they most strong & receive new comforts again in Christ: as here you may see in this man of God. For the effect thereof was, to detest all errors and heresies against the sacrament of the altar, and other sacraments, & to believe the faith of the catholic church, and live accordingly. To this bill I did in deed set to my hand, being much desired & counseled so to do, & the flesh being always desirous to have liberty, I considered not thoroughly the inconvenience that might come thereupon: & respite I desired to have had, but earnestly they required me to subscribe. Now when I had so done, I had little joy thereof. For by & by my mind & conscience told me by god's word that I had done evil by such a sleight to shake of the sweet cross of Christ: and yet it was not my seeking, as god he knoweth, but altogether came of them. O the crafty subtlety of Satan in his members. Let every man the god shall deliver into their hands, take good heed, & clean fast to Christ: for they will leave no corner of his conscience unsought, but will attempt all gileful and subtle means to corrupt him, and make him to fall both from God and his truth. But yet let no man despair of gods help: for Peter did fall & rise again. And David saith, a righteous man though he fall, he shall not be cast away: for the Lord up holdeth him with his hand. For I for my part have felt my infirmities, and yet I have found gods present help & comfort in time of need, I most humbly thank him therefore. The night after I had subscribed, I was sore grieved, and for sorrow of conscience could not sleep. For in the deliverance of my body out of bonds, which I might have had, I could find no joy nor comfort, but still was in my conscience tormented more and more, being assured by god's spirit & his word, that I through evil council & advisement, had done amiss: and both with disquietness of mind, and with my other cruel handling, I was very sickly, lying upon the ground when the keeper came: whom I desired to pray D. Harpesfield to come to me, and so he did. And when he came and the Register with him, I told him that I was not well at ease, but specially I told him I was grieved very much in my conicience & mind, because I had subscribed, and I said that my conscience had so accused me through the just judgement of God and his word, that I had felt hell in my conscience, and Satan ready to devour me: and therefore I pray you M. Harpesfield said I, let me have the bill again, for I will not stand to it. So he commanded it to be fetched, and gave it me, and suffered me to pull out my name: whereof I was right glad when I had so done, although death should follow. And hereby I had experience of god's providence and mercy towards me, who trieth his people and suffceth them to fall, but not to be lost. For in the mids of this temptation and trouble, he gave me warning of my fall, & also delivered me, his name be praised forevermore. Amen. Neither devil nor cruel tyrant can pluck any of Christ's sheep out of his hand. Of the which flock of Christ's sheep. I trust undoubtedly I am one, by means of his death & bloodshedding, which shall at the last day stand at his right hand and receive with other, his blessed benediction. And now being condemned to die, my conscience & mind, I praise god, is quiet in Christ, & I by his grace am very well willing & content to give over this body to the death for the testimony of his truth and pure religion, against antichrist and all his false religion and doctrine. They that reyort otherwise of me, speak not truly. And as for Fountain, I saw him not all this while. Thomas Whittle Ministes Another letter of M. Thomas Whittell written to a cerrayne godly woman. OH my dear and loving Sister in Christ, be not dismayed in this storm of persecution, for Paul calleth the gospel the word of the cross, because it is never truly taught but the cross and cruel persecution immediately and necessarily doth follow the same, and therefore it is a manifest token of God's truth, that hath been here, and is still abroad, and that is a cause of the rage and cruelty of Satan against Christ and his members, which must be corrected for their sins in this world: their faith must be tried, that after trial and patient suffering, the faithful may receive the crown of glory. Fear not therefore my well-beloved, but proceed in the knowledge and fear of GOD, and he will keep you from all evil. Call upon his holy name, and he will strengthen you and assist you in all your ways: and if it please him to lay his cross upon you for his gospels sake, refuse it not, neither shake it of by unlawful means, lest you should (as God forbid) find a more grievous cross, and torment of conscience, if you should dissemble and deny the known verity, then is any persecution or death of body. Oh how happy are they that suffer persecution for righteousness sake? Their reward is great in heaven. The momentane afflictions of this life are not worthy of the glory that shall be showed upon us. Oh remember the Godly women of the old testament and new, which lived in God's service and fear, and therefore are now in bliss and commended for ever: as namely judith, Hester, abigael, the Mother of the vij sons, mary, Elizabeth, Susanna, Lydia, and Phebe, and others. Set their examples before your eyes, and fear nothing: for Satan is conquered by our Saviour Christ: sin is put to flight and the gate of immortality and eternal life is set wide open: God grant we may enter therein through the door jesus Christ, Amen. Thomas Whittel. Master Bartlet Grene to certain of his friends a little before his death. BEtter is the day of death, saith Solomon, than the day of birth. Man that is borne of woman, liveth but a short time, and is replenished with many miseries: but happy are the dead that die in the Lord. Man of woman is borne in travel, to live in misery: Man through Christ, doth die in joy and live in felicity. He is borne to die, and dieth to live. Straight as he cometh into the world, with cries he uttereth his miserable estate: straight as he departeth, with songs he praiseth god for ever. Scarce yet in his cradle, in deadly enemies assaults him: after death no adversary may annoy him. Whilst he is here, he displeaseth god: when he is dead, he fulfilleth his will. In this life here he dieth through sin: in the life to come, he liveth in righteousness. Through many tribulations in earth, is he still purged: with joy unspeakable in heaven, is he made pure for ever. Here he dieth every hour: there he liveth continually. Here is sin: there is righteousness. Here is time: there is eternity. Here is hatred: there is love. Here is pain: there is pleasure. Here is misery: there is felicity. Here is corruption: there is immortality. Here we see vanity: there shall we behold the Majesty of God, with triumphant and unspeakable joy in glory everlasting. Seek therefore the things that are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God the father: unto whom with the son and the holy ghost, be all honour and glory world without end, Amen. Christ deus, sine te spes est mihe nulla salutis: Te duce vera sequor, te duce falsa nego. In english thus. O Christ my God, sure hope of health besides thee have I none: That truth I love and falsehood hate, thou art my guide alone. Yours in Christ, Bartlet Grene. A letter of john Careless to one Mistress Cotton. THe everlasting peace of god in jesus Christ, the eternal comforts of his most pure, holy, & mighty spirit, with the increase of faith & lively feeling of his sweet mercies, be with you dear friend & faithful loving Sister (good Mistress Cotton) to the full increase of your joy in Christ, now and evermore, Amen. As from the very bottom of my poor heart, I wish unto you health both of body & soul, my dear loving Sister in the Lord, so will I never cease praying unto god for the same, according unto my most bound duty. Howbeit of your body upon condition, but of your soul without any condition, being well assured that the lord for his dear sons sake, will perfectly grant me the same, so far forth as shall be most for your profit. So that if the health of your body, will stand with the wealth of your soul, I am sure I shall have my petition granted for the health of the same. But if the sickness of your body be for the health of your soul, as I am sure it is, then have I also my desire granted, because I ask the same no further than it may stand with the other. But for the everlasting health of your soul do I heartily pray without the addition of any condition, for it is the lords good will I should so do. Therefore I am sure my request is already granted therein for his sake, who hath redeemed the same with his most precious blood, yea in whom you were elected before the foundation of the world was laid. This is most true, & therefore let nothing persuade you to the contrary. Rest upon this rock, & be you sure the gates of hell shall not prevail against you. I know dear heart, that you have done much good to the poor for jesus Christ's sake, yet beware you do not put any trust or confidence in your good deeds, merits, or deservings, but only in jesus christ, which hath given you himself wholly to be yours with all his holiness, righteousness, justification & redemption, & all that ever he may. On the other side he hath taken upon himself all your sins, misery, & infirmity, & hath made a full satisfaction for them, with the sacrifice of his own body & blood offered once for al. This I know (my good sister) you do constantly confess & believe, as the godly fruit of your christian faith doth daily testify. I trust to be a witness with you at the great day, that your faith is unfeigned & full of godly charity: the lord increase the same. I am constrained here to make an end full sore against my will. My poor prayers shall supply that, which my pen doth lack. The blessing of God be with you now and ever, Amen. Your daily Orator, john Careless. A letter of M. John Rough written a little before his death, to the Christian congregation in London, whereof he was a minister and Preacher. THe comfort of the holy ghost make you able to give consolation to others in these dangerous days, when Satan is let lose to the trial of the chosen, when it pleaseth our God to sift his wheat from the chaff. I have not leisure and time to write the great temptations I have been under. I speak to God's glory; my care was to have the senses of my soul open to perceive the voice of god, saying: who that denieth me before men, them will I deny before my father, & his Angels: and to save the life corporal is to lose the life eternal: and he that will not suffer with Christ, shall not reign with him. Therefore (most tender ones) I have by God's spirit given over the flesh, with the fight of my soul, and the spirit hath the victory. The flesh shall now ere it be long, leave of to sin, the spirit shall reign eternally. I have chosen the death to confirm the truth by me taught. What can I do more? Consider with yourselves, that I have done it for confirmation of God's truth. Pray that I may continue unto the end. The great part of the assault is paste. I praise my God. I have in all my assaults, felt his present aid, I give him most hearty thanks therefore. Look not back, nor be ye ashamed of Christ's Gospel, nor of the bonds I have suffered for the same: thereby ye may be assured it is the true word of God. The holy ones have been sealed with the same mark. It is no time for the loss of one man in the battle, for the camp to turn back. Up with men's hearts, blow down the daubed walls of heresies. Let one take the Banner, an other the Trumpet: I mean, not to make corporal resistance, but pray, and ye shall have Elias defence, and Heliseus company, to fight for you: for the cause is the lords. Now my brethren, I can write no more, time will not suffer, and my heart with pangs of death is assaulted: but I am at home with my God, yet alive. Pray for me, and salute one an other with the holy kiss. The peace of God rest with you all, Amen. From Newgate prison, in haste the day of my condemnation, john Rough. A letter of Cutberte Symson, a Deacon of the Christian congregation in London, & burnt in Smythfielde for the veretye of Christ's Gospel, written to his wife out of the coalhouse. MY dearly beloved in the Lord jesus Christ, Of the exceeding cruel & unmerciful Rackings and other torments that this man of God most patiently suffered, read & see in the book of Martyrs. Fol. 16●1. I can not write as I do wish unto you. I besethe you with my soul, submit yourself under the mighty hand of our God, trusting in his mercy, and he will surely help us, as shallbe most unto his glory and our everlasting comfort, being sure of this, that he will suffer nothing to come unto us, but that which shallbe most profitable for us. For it is either a correction for our sins, or a trial of our faith, or to set forth his glory, or for altogether, and therefore must needs be well done: for there is nothing that cometh unto us by fortune or chance, but by our heavenly father's providence. And therefore pray unto our heavenly father that he will ever give us his grace so to consider it. Let us give him most hearty thanks for these his fatherly corrections: for as many as he loveth, he correcteth. And I beseech you now, be of good cheer, & count the cross of Christ greater riches, than all the vain pleasures of England. I do not doubt (I praise God for it) but that you have supped with Christ at his maundy, I mean, that you believe in him, for that is the effect, & then must you drink of his cup, I mean his cross, for that doth the cup signify unto us. Take the cup with a good stomach in the name of god, & then shall you be sure to have the good wine Christ's blood to your poor thirsty soul. And when you have the wine, you must drink it out of this cup. Learn this when you come to the Lords supper. Pray continually. In all things give thanks. Cuthbert Symson A letter of William Coker, than prisoner in Caunterburye and afterward burnt, for the testimony of the truth, written to a friend of his. AS your hearty friend in god, and through the mercy of our lord jesus Christ, as pertaining to the faith, your brother, I send you greeting & most Christian salutations. For your kindness, in that you wrote so speedily to me again. I commend you, & thank god for it, though of necessity (you say) you were partly moved so to do by reason of my bonds in the Lord. I heartily joyed by occasion of your letter, because I understood thereby the state of mine old friends & godly acquaintance, and how ye all continually labour, as we do, in the Gospel of Christ, which is the word of salvation to as many as believe. Wherein we have this confidence through our faith in the blood of Christ, the though Satan & his rabble of ministers do rage never so much with lying & deceivable power, yea though he should appear never so glorious & Angelic in the sight of the world: yet shall his fiery darts be quenched & he never able to prevail against us. For the which testimony of conscience, I give thanks unto god from the bottom of my heart, & pray always unto the Lord, that as we have begun, even so we may go forwards unto the end, until the time that the darkness be clean put away, and the perfect light shine in our hearts, souls & bodies in the eternal kingdom with god, where we shall be sure our enemies shall not prevail against us, but then most victoriously be overcome by that sweet Lamb, the son of God. In the mean time, the Lord preserve & keep us from evil. The Lord make us stout in his cause, & give us grace to confess the truth before this whorish generation. The Lord grant we may work his heavenly will, that when the time shall come, he may receive us unto himself in the glory everlasting. To whom be praise & honour for ever and ever, Amen. Your brother in bonds for the lords cause. William Coker. A letter of Nicholas Shetterden a faith full Martyr of jesus Christ, written to his Mother a little before his death. O My good Mother, whom I love with reverence in the Lord, according to my duty, I desire your favourable blessing, and forgiveness of all my misdeeds towards you. Oh my dear Mother, in few words I wish you the same salvation, which I hope myself to feel, and partly taste of before this come to you to read, and in the resurrection I verily believe to have it more perfectly in body and soul joined together for ever: and in that day GOD grant you to see my face with joy: but dear Mother then beware of that great idolatry and blasphemous Mass. O let not that be your GOD, which Mice and worms can devour: behold I call heaven and earth to record, that it is no GOD, yea the fire that consumeth it, and the moistness that causeth it to mould. And I take Christ's Testament to witness, that it is none of his ordinances, but a mere invention of men, and a snare to catch innocentes blood, and now that GOD hath showed it unto you, be warned in tyme. O give over old customs, and become new in the truth. What state soever your fathers be in, leave that to God, & let us follow the counsel of his word: dear Mother, embrace it with hearty affection: read it with obedience: let it be your pastime, and cast of all carnal affections, and love of worldly things: so shall we meet in joy at the last day, or else I bid you farewell for evermore. Oh, farewell my friends and lovers all: God grant me to see your faces in joy, Amen. From Westgate the .11. of july .555. Nicholas Shetterden, appointed to be slain for Christ's cause and the maintenance of his most sound and true religion. A letter wrytttn by the Lady jane Grace to her Sister the Lady Katherine, immediately before she suffered. I Have here sent you (good Sister Katherine) a book, which although it be not outwardly trimmed with gold, This book was a new Testament in Greek, in the end whereof she had written this letter. yet inwardly it is more worth than precious stones. It is the book (dear Sister) of the law of the Lord: it is his testament and last will, which he bequeathed unto us wretches: which shall lead you to the path of eternal joy: and if you, with a good mind do read it, & with an earnest purpose follow it, it shall bring you to an immortal & everlasting life. It will teach you to live, & learn you to die. It shall win you more than you should have gained by the possession of your woeful father's lands. For, as if god had prospered him you should have in herited his lands: so if you apply diligently this book, seeking to direct your life after it, you shallbe an inheritor of such riches, as neither the covetous shall withdraw from you, neither the these shall steal, neither yet the moths corrupt. Desire with David (good Sister) to understand the law of the Lord your god. Live still to die, that you by death may purchase eternal life. And trust not that the tenderness of your age shall lengthen your life: for as soon, if God call, goeth the young as the old. And labour always to learn to die. Defy the world, deny the devil, & despise the flesh, & delight yourself only in the Lord. Be penitent for your sins, & yet despair not: be strong in faith, & yet presume not, & desire with S. Paul to be dissolved, & to be with christ, with whom even in death there is life. Be like the good servant, & even at midnight be waking, lest when death cometh and stealeth upon you like a thief in the night, you be with the evil servant found sleeping: and lest for lack of oil, you be found like the five foolish women, & like him that had not on the wedding garment, and so be cast out from the marriage. Rejoice in Christ, as I praise God I do. Follow the steps of your master christ, & take up your cross: lay your sins on his back & always embrace him. And as touching my death, rejoice as I do (good Sister) that I shallbe delivered from this corruption, and put on incorruption: for I am assured that I shall for losing of a mortal life, win an immortal life. The which I pray god grant you: send you of his grace to live in his fear, and to die in the true christian faith: from the which (in gods name) I exhort you that you never swarm, neither for hope of life, nor for fear of death. For if you will deny his truth to lengthen your life, God will deny you, and yet shorten your days. And if you will cleave unto him, he will prolong your days, to your comfort & his glory: to the which glory god bring me now and you hereafter, when it pleaseth him to call you. Far you well (good Sister) and put your only trust in god, who only must help you. Letters of M. George Marsh, a godly, faithful, and learned pastor in Christ's church, put to death at Westchester, with most cruel kinds of torments (as you may see in the book of Martyrs, fol. 1122) for the constant and faithful confession of Christ's Gospel. To the professors of gods word and true religion in the town of Langhton. GRace be with you, and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. I thought it my duty to write unto you, my beloved in the lord at Langhton, to stir up your hearts, & to call to your remembrance the words which have been told you before, and to exhort you (as that good man and full of the holy ghost Barnabas did the Antiochians) that with purpose of heart ye continually cleave unto the lord, Acts. ●● and that ye stand fast, & be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, whereof (God be thanked) ye have had plenteous preaching unto you by your late pastor M. Saunders, & other faithful ministers of jesus Christ, Luke. 8. Rom. 1 which now when persecution ariseth because of the word, do not fall away like shrinking children, and forsake the truth, being ashamed of the gospel whereof they have been preachers, but are willing and ready for your sakes (which are Christ's mystical body) to forsake not only the chief & principal delights of this life, I mean their native countries, friends, livings &c: but also to fulfil their ministry unto the uttermost, that is to wit, with their painful imprisonments & bloodsheding (if need shall require) to confirm and seal Christ's gospel, whereof they have been ministers: and (as S. Paul saith) they are ready not only to be cast into prison, Acts. 12 but also to be killed for the name of the lord jesus. Whether these being that good salt of the earth, Matth. 5. that is, true ministers of gods word, by whose doctrine, being received through faith, men are made savoury unto god, & which themselves lose not their saltness now when they be proved with the boisterous storms of adversity & persecution: or others being that unsavoury salt, which hath lost his saltness: that is to wit, those ungodly ministers which do fall from the word of god unto the dreams & traditions of Antichrist: whether of these (I say) be more to be credited and believed, let all men judge. Wherefore my dearly beloved, james. 1. receive the word of god with meekness that is graffed in you, which is able to save your souls, and see that ye be not forgetful hearers, deceiving yourselves with Sophistry, but doers of the word: whom Christ doth liken to a wise man which buildeth his house on a rock, that when the great rain descendeth, Math. 7. & the floods come and beat upon that house, it fall not because it is grounded upon a rock: that is to wit, that when Satan & all his legion of devils, with all their subtle suggestions: the world and all the mighty princes thereof, with their crafty counsels, Psalm. 2 do furiously rage's against us, we faint not, but abide constant in the truth being grounded upon a most sure rock which is Christ, & the doctrine of the gospel, against which the gates of hell, that is the power of Satan, cannot prevail. Math. 16 And be ye followers of Christ and the apostles, and receive the word in much affliction, as the godly Thessalonians did: 1. Thess. ● for the true followers of Christ & the apostles be they, which receive the word of god. They only receive the word of God, which both believe it, and also frame their lives after it, and be ready to suffer all manner of adversity for the name of the Lord, as Christ and all his Apostles did, and as all that will live godly in christ jesus must do: 2. Tim. ● Acts. ● Math. ● Math. 7 Mark. ●. for there is none other way unto the kingdom of heaven, but through much tribulation. And if we suffer any thing for the kingdom of heaven and for righteousness sake, we have the prophets, Christ, the apostles & Martyrs for an ensample to comfort us: for they did all enter into the kingdom of heaven at the strait gate & narrow way the leadeth unto life, which few do find. And unless we will be contennt to deny our own selves, & take up the cross of Christ & follow him, we cannot be his disciples: for if we deny to suffer with Christ & his saints, it is an evident argument, 2. Tim. 2 that we shall never reign ● him. And again, if we can find in our hearts patiently to suffer persecutions and afflictions, it is a sure token of the righteous judgement of God, that we are counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which we also suffer. 2. Thess. ● It is verily (saith the Apostle) a righteous thing with God, to recompense tribulation to them that trouble us, and rest to us that be troubled. For after this life, the godly being delivered from their tribulations and pains, shall have a most quiet and joyful rest, whereas the wicked and ungodly contrariwise, shallbe tormented for evermore with intolerable & unspeakable pains: Luke. 16. as christ by the parable of the rich glutton and wretched Lazarus, doth plainly declare and teach. These ought we to have before our eyes always, that in time of adversity and persecution (whereof all that will be the children of god, shall be partakers, Heb. 12 and wherewith it hath pleased God to put some of us in ure already) we may stand steadfast in the Lord, and endure even unto the end, 2. Tim. 2. that we may be saved. For unless we like good warriors of jesus Christ, will endeavour ourselves to please him, who hath choose us to be his soldiers, & fight the good fight of faith, even unto the end: we shall not obtain that crown of righteousness, which the Lord that is a righteous judge, shall give to all them that love his coming. Let us therefore receive with meekness the word that is graffed in us, james. 1. which is able to save our souls, and ground ourselves on the lure rock Christ. For (as the Apostle saith) other foundation can no man lay, besides that which is laid already, which is jesus Christ. If any man build on this foundation gold, 1. Cor. 3. silver precious stones, timber, hay, stubble every man's work shall appear, for the day shall declare it, and it shallbe showed in the fire, and the fire shall try every man's work what it is. If any man's work that he hath builded upon, abide, he shall receive a reward: if any man's work burn, he shall suffer loss, but he shallbe safe himself: nevertheless, yet as it were through fire. By fire here doth the Apostle understand persecution and trouble. For they which do truly preach and profess the word of god (which is called the word of the cross) shallbe railed upon, abhorred, hated, thrust out of company persecuted and tried in the furnace of adversity, as gold and silver are tried in the fire. By gold, silver, and precious stones, 1. Cor. 1. Math. 5 Luke. 6. Math. 3 Psalm. 1 he understandeth them that in the mids of persecution abide steadfast in the word: by timber, hay, and stubble, are meant such as in time of persecution do fall away from the truth, and when Christ doth purge his flore with the wind of adversity, these scatter away from the face of the earth like light chaff, which shallbe burned with unquenchable fire. If they then which do believe, do in time of persecution stand steadfastly in the truth, the builder (I mean the preacher of the word) shall receive a reward, and the work shallbe preserved and saved: but if so be that they go back and serve when persecution ariseth, the builder shall suffer loss, that is to say, shall lose his labour & cost: but yet he shallbe saved if he being tried in the fire of persecution, do abide fast in the faith. Wherefore (my beloved) give diligent heed, that ye, as living stones, be builded upon this sure rock, 1. Peter. 2. 2. Cor. 3 and be made a spiritual house & a holy priesthood for to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable unto god by jesus Christ. For we are the true temple of god, and the spirit of god dwelleth in us, if so be that we continue in the doctrine of the gospel. We are also an holy and royal priesthood, for to offer up spiritual sacrifices and oblations: 1. Pet. 2 for the sacrifices of the new testament are spiritual, and of three manners. The first is, the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, which S. Paul doth call the fruits of those lips which confess the name of god. The second is mercy towards our neighbours, Heb. 13 Osee. 6 Rom. 12 as the prophet Osee saith: I will have mercy and not sacrifice. Read the 25. chap. of Math. The third is, when we make our body a quick sacrifice, holy & acceptable unto God: that is, when we mortify, and kill our fleshly concupiscences and carnal lusts, & so bring our flesh, through the help of the spirit, under the obedience of God's holy law. This is a sacrifice to god most acceptable, which the apostle calleth our reasonable serving of God. And let us be sure that unless we do now at this present take better heed to ourselves, and use thankfully the grace of God offered to us by the gospel preaching these years past, whereby we are induced & brought to the knowledge of the truth, Ephes. 3 unless (I say) we keep Christ and his holy word, dwelling by faith in the house and temple of our hearts the same thing that Christ threateneth unto the jews, shall happen unto us: Math. 14 that is to wit, the unclean spirit of ignorance, superstition, idolatry, and infidelity or unbelief, the mother and head of all vices (which by the grace of god was cast out of us) bringing with him seven other spirits worse than himself, shall to our utter destruction, return again into us, & so shall we be in a worse case than ever we were before. 1. Pet. 2 For if we after we have escaped from the filthiness of the world through the knowledge of the lord and saviour jesus Christ, be yet tangled therein again & overcome, then is the latter end worse than the beginning, & it had been better for us not to have known the way of righteousness, then after we have known it, to turn from the holy commandment given unto us: prover. 26 for it happeneth them unto us according to the true proverb, the dog is turned to his vomit again, and the sow that was washed to wallowing in the mire. And thus to continue and persever in infidelity, & to kick against the manifest and known truth, and so to die without repentance, and with a despair of the mercy of god in jesus Christ, is to sin against the holy ghost, which shall not be forgiven, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. Math. 23 Heb. 6 For it is not possible (saith S. Paul) that they which were once lighted, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were become partakes of the holy ghost, & have tasted of the good word of god, & of the power of the world to come: if they fall away, should be renewed again▪ by repentance for as much as they have (as concerning themselves) crucified the son of god again, making a mocking of him. Saint Paul's meaning in this place is: that they that believe truly & unfeignedly gods word, do continue & abide stead fast in the known truth. If any therefore fall away from Christ and his word, it is a plain token that they were but dissembling hypocrites, Math. 26 for all their fair faces outwardly, & never believed truly: as judas, Simon Magus, Demas, Hymeneus, Philetus & others were, which all fell away from the known verity, & made a mock of Christ, which S. Paul doth call here, to crucify Christ a new, because that they turning to their old vomit again, did most blaspemously tread the benefits of Christ's death & passion under their feet. They that are such, can in no wise be cenued by repentance: for their repentance is fleshly, as the repentance of Cain, Saul, and judas was, which being without godly comfort, breedeth desperation unto death. These are not of the number of th'elect, & as S john doth say, they went out from us, but they were not of us: 1 john. 2. for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us unto the end. Also the apostle saith in an other place, Heb. 10 if we sin willingly. after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin, but a fearful looking for judgement & violent fire, which shall devour the adversaries. They sin willingly, which of a set malice and purpose do withhold the truth in unrighteousness & lying, Rom. 1. ky●kyng against the manifest & open known truth: which although they do perfectly know that in all the world there is none other sacrifice for sin, but only that omnisufficient sacrifice of Christ's death, yet notwithstanding they will not commit themselves wholly unto it, but rather despise it, allowing other sacrifices for sin, ●inuēted by the imagination of man, as we see by daily experience: unto whom, if they abide still in their wickedness and sin, remaineth a most horrible and dreadful judgement. This is that sin unto death, for which S. john would not that a man should pray. Wherefore my dearly beloved in Christ, 1. john. 5 1. Cor. 10 Apoc. 12 Math. 24. Rom. 1 let us (on whom the ends of the world are come) take diligent heed unto our selves, that now in these last & perilous times, in the which the Devil is come down, & hath great wrath, because he knoweth his time is but short, & whereof the prophets, Christ & the apostles, have so much spoken & given us so earnest forewarning, we withhold not the truth in unrighteousness, believing, doing, or speaking any thing against out knowledge & conscience, or without faith. For if we do so, for what cause soever it be, john. 8. phi. 2. Math. 3 it is a wilful & obstinate infidelity, & a sin unto death: as our Saviour Christ saith: if ye believe not, ye shall die in your sins. For unless we hold fast the word of life, both believing it, & also bring forth fruit worthy of repentance: we shall with that unprofitable fig tree, which did but cumber the ground, Luke. 13 be cut down, & our talon taken from us, & given unto an other that shall put it to a better use: & we through our own unthankfulness put from the mercy of god, Matth. 18. shall never be able to pay our debts, that is to say, we shall altogether be lost and undone. Heb. 6. For the earth that drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them that dress it, receiveth blessing of God, But that ground that beareth thorns and brears, is reproved, and is nigh unto cursing, whose end is to be burned. Nevertheless (dear friends) we trust to see better of you, and such things as accompany salvation: and that ye being that ground, watered with moistness of god's word plenteously preached amongs you, Luke. 8 james. 1. will with a good heart hear the word of god & keep it, bringing forth fruit with patience, and be none of those forgetful and hypocritishe hearers, which although they hear the word, Math. 13 yet the Devil cometh, and catcheth away that which was sown in the heart: either having no root in themselves, endure but a season, and as soon as tribulation or persecution ariseth, because of the word, by and by they are offended: either with the cares of this world and deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and so are unfruitful. Read the parable of the sour, & amongs other things note and mark, that the most part of the hearers of gods word are but hypocrites, and hear the word without any fruit or profit, yea only to their greater condemnation: for only the fourth part of the seed doth bring forth fruit. Therefore let not us that be Ministers or professors, and followers of gods word, be discouraged, though that very few do credit and follow the doctrine of the Gospel, and be saved. Math. 11. Whosoever therefore hath ears to hear, let him hear: for whosoever hath, to him shallbe given, and he shall have abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shallbe taken away that he hath: that is to say, they that have a desire of righteousness and of the truth, shallbe more and more illuminated of God. On the contrary part, they that do not covet after righteousness and truth, are more hardened and blinded, though they seem unto themselves most wise. For God doth here follow an example of a loving father, which when he seeth that fatherly love & correction doth not help towards his children, useth an other way: He ceaseth to be beneficial unto them, and to minister unto them fatherly correction: he giveth them over unto themselves, suffering them to live as they lust themselves. Heb. 6 Mat. 8 But we trust to see better of you (my dearly beloved) and that ye like Gaderenites, for fear to lose your worldly substance or other delights of this life, Acts. 14. will not banish away Christ & his Gospel from amongst you: but that ye ● all diligence of mind will receive the word of god taught you by such ministers as now when persecuion ariseth because of the word, 2. Tim. 1 2. Tim. 2. are not ashamed of the testimony of our lord jesus, but are content to suffer adversity with the gospel, & therein to suffer trouble as evil doers, even unto bonds. And if ye refuse thus to do, your own blood will be upon your own heads. And as ye have had plenteous preaching of the gospel, more than other have had: Acts. 18 so shall ye be sure if ye repent not, & bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, to be sorer plagued & to receive greater vengeance at gods hand than others, and the kingdom of God shallbe taken from you, and be given to an other nation, which will bring forth the fruits thereof. Wherefore my dearly beloved in christ, take good heed to yourselves▪ & ponder well in your minds, how fearful and horrible a thing it is to fall into the hands of the living god. And see that ye receive not the word of god in vain, 2. Cor, 6. jame. 2. but continually labour in faith, and declare your faith by your good works, which are infallible witnesses of the true justifying faith, which is never idle, but worketh by charity. Gala. 5. Tit. 2. Rom. 13. give yourselves (I say) continually to all manner of good works. amongs the which the chiefest are, to be obedient to the Magistrates, sith they are the ordinance of god, whether they be good or evil, unless they command Idolatry & ungodliness, that is to say, things contrary unto true religion: for than ought we to say with Peter, we ought more to obey God then man. But in any wise we must beware of tumult, Act. 5. insurrection, rebellion, or resistance. The weapon of a christian man in this matter, aught to be the sword of the spirit, Eph. 6 which is god's word, & prayer coupled with humility & due submission, with readiness of heart rather to die then to do any ungodliness. john. 19 job 34. Rom. 14 Christ also doth teach us that all power is of god, yea even the power of the wicked, which god causeth oftentimes to reign for our sins, & disobedience towards him & his word. Whosoever then doth resist any power, doth resist the ordinance of god, and so purchase to himself utter destruction & undoing. We must also by all means, be promoters of unity, peace, & concord. 1. Pet. 2 Eph. 6 We must honour and reverence princes & all that be in authority, & pray for them, and be diligent to setforth their profit & commodity. Secondly, we must obey our parents, 1. Tim. 5. or them that be in their rooms, & be careful for our households, that they be provided & fed, not only with bodily food, but much rather with spiritural food, which is the word of god. Thirdly, we must serve our neighbours by all means we can, Math. 7 1. Tim. 2 remembering well the saying of Christ: what soever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye likewise unto them: for this is the law and the Prophets. Fourthly, we must diligently exercise the necessary work of prayer for all estates: knowing that god therefore hath so much commanded it, & hath made so great promises unto it, & doth so well accept it. After these works we must learn to know the cross, Math. 5. & what affection & mind we must bea●e towards our adversaries & enemy's, what soever they be, to suffer all adversities & evil patiently, to pray for them that hurt, persecute, & trouble us. And by thus using ourselves, we shall obtain an hope and certainty of our vocation, that we be the elect children of god. And thus I commend you brethren unto god, & to the word of his grace, 2. Pet. 1 Acts. 20. which is able to build further, & give you an inheritance among all them, which are sanctified: beseeching you to help M. Saunders & me your late pastors, & all them that be in bonds for the gospels sake, with your prayers to god for us, that we may be delivered from all them that believe not, & from unreasonable & froward men, Rom. 15. Coloss. 4 Phil. 1. & that this our imprisonments, & affliction may be to the glory & profit of our christian brethren in the world, & that Christ may be magnified in our bodies, whether it be by death or by life, Amen. Salute from me all the faithful brethren: and because I writ not several letters to them, let them either read or hear these my letters. The grace of our Lord be with you all, Amen. The .28. of june, by the unprofitable servant of jesus Christ, and now also his prisoner, George Marsh. Save yourselves from this untoward generation, pray, pray, Acts. 2. pray: never more need. To certain of his dearly beloved friends, dwelling at Manchester in Lankeshyre. GRace be with you, and peace from God our father, and from our Lord jesus Christ, Amen. After salutations in Christ to you, with thanks for your friendly remembrances of me, desiring and wishing unto you, not only in my letters, but also in my daily prayers, such consolation in spirit, and taste of heavenly treasures, that ye may thereby continually work in faith, labour in love, persever in hope, and be patient in all your tribulations and persecutions, even unto the end and glorious coming of Christ: Coloss. 2. Phillip 2. 1. Pet. 3 Mat. 10 Luk. 11. these shall be earnestly to exhort and beseech you in Christ, that as ye have received the Lord jesus, even so to walk, rooted in him, and not to be afraid of any terror of your adversaries, be they never so many and mighty, and you on the other side never so few and weak: for the battle is the Lords. And as in times passed, God was with Abraham, Moses, Isaac, David, the Maccabees and other, and fought for them, and delivered all their enemies into their hands: even so hath he promised to be with us also, unto the worlds end and so to assist, strengthen, and help us, that no man shall be able to withstand us. Math. 28. josua. 1. For as I was with Moses, so will I be with thee (sayeth God) and neither leave thee nor forsake thee. Be strong and bold, neither fear nor dread: for the Lord thy God is with thee, whether so ever thou goest. Now. if God be on our side, who can be against us? Rom. 8. In this our spiritual warfare, is no man overcome, unless he traitorously leave & forsake his Captain, either cowardly cast away his weapons, or willingly yield himself to his enemies, either fearfully turn his back and fly. Be strong therefore in the Lord (dear brethren) and in the power of his might, and put on all the armour of god, Eph. 6. that ye may be able to stand steadfast against the crafty assaults of the devil. Now what weapons ye must fight with all, 2. Cor, 11.12 Act. 21. learn of S. Paul, a champion both much exercised, and also most valiant and invincible. For we must think none other, but that the life of man is a perpetual warfare upon earth as the examples of all godly men, throughout all ages do declare. The valiant warrior S. Paul, being delivered from the hands of the ungodly, and that so many times, & from so many extreme perils and dangers of death, as he himself doth witness, is fain to commit himself in the end to the rough waters of the sea, where he was in great peril and jeopardy of his own life: Act. 12. yet was god always (to the great comfort of all that hear of it) most ready to comfort and secure him, & gloriously delivered him out of all his troubles: so that no man that did invade him, could do him any harm, & in the end he was compelled to say: I have finished my course, 2. Tim. 4. Phil. 1. Rom. 15. the time of my departing is at hand, I long to be loosed & to be with christ, which thing is best of all, most heartily desiring death. These things be written for our learning & comfort & be to us a sure obligation, that if we submit ourselves to god & his holy word, no man shallbe able to hurt us, & that he will deliver us from all troubles: yea even from death also, until such time as we covet & desire to die. Heb. 12. Let us therefore run with patience unto the battle that is set before us, & look unto jesus the captain & fynysher of our faith, & after his example for the rewards sake that is set out unto us, patiently bear the cross & despise the shame: for all that will live godly in Christ jesus, shall suffer persecution. 2. Tim. 3. Math. 3.4. Christ is no sooner baptized & declared to the world to be the son of god, but Satan is by & by ready to tempt him. Which thing we must look for also: yea the more we shall increase in faith and virtuous living, the more strongly will Satan assault us, whom we must learn after the example of Christ, to fight against, & overcome with the holy & sacred scriptures, Eph. 6. Math. 4 & word of God (which is our heavenly armour) & sword of the spirit. And let the fasting of christ, while he was tempted in the wilderness, be unto us an example of sober living, not for the space of forty days (as the papists do fond fancy of their own brains) but as long as we are in the wilderness of this wretched life, assaulted of Satan, who like a roaring Lion walketh about, & ceaseth not seeking our utter destruction: 1. Pet. 5. neither can the servants of god at any time come & stand before god, that is, lead a godly life & walk innocently before god, but Satan cometh also among them: job. 1.3. that is, he daily accuseth, findeth fault, vexeth, persecuteth & troubleth the godly: for it is the nature & property of the devil always to do harm, & to hurt, unless he be forbidden of god: for unless god do permit him, he can do nothing at all, Math. 8 no not so much as enter into a filthy hog: but we are more of price them many hogs before God, if we cleave unto his son by faith. Let us therefore, knowing Satan's deceits and rancour, Eph. 6. walk the more warily, and take unto us the shield of faith, wherewith we may be able to quench and overcome all the fiery and deadly darts of the wicked. Let us take to us the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of god, & learn to use the same according to the example of our grand Captain Christ. Let us fast & pray continually: Mat. 4. Math. ●7. for this frantic kind of devils goeth not out otherwise (as Christ doth teeth us) but by faithful prayers & fasting, which his true abstinence & soberness of living, if we use the same according to the doctrine of the gospel & word of God. Fasting is acceptable to god, if it be done without hypocrisy: that is to say, if we use it to this intent, that thereby this mortal body & disobedient carcase may be tamed, & brought under the subjection of the spirit: and again, if we fast to this intent that we may spare, wherewith to help & secure our poor needy brethren. This fast do the true christians use all the days of their life, although among the common sort of people remaineth yet still that superstitious kind of fasting, which god so earnestly reproveth by his Prophet Esay. Esay. 58 For as for true chastening of the body, & abstaining from vice, with showing mercy towards our needy neighbours, we will neither understand nor hear of, but still think with the jews, that we do god a great pleasure when we fast, & that we then fast when we abstain from one thing, & fill our bellies with an other. And verily in this point doth our superstition much exceed the superstition of the jews, for we never read that they ever took it for a fast to abstain from flesh and to eat either fish or white meat, as they call it. To fasting & prayer must be joined alms, and mercy towards the poor & needy. And that our alms may be acceptable unto god, three things are chief required. First, 2. Cor. 9 that we give with a cheerful & joyful heart, for the lord loveth a cheerful giver. Secondly that we give liberally, putting a side all nigardship, knowing that he the soweth little shall reap little, and he that soweth plentifully, shall reap plentifully. Let every man therefore do according as he is able. The poorest caitiff in the world may give as great & acceptable an alms in the sight of god, as the richest man in the world can do. The poor widow that did offer but two mites, Mark. 12 which make a farthing, did highly please Christ, in so much that he affirmed with an oath, that she of her penury had added more to the offerings of god, than all the rich men, which of their superfluity had cast in very much. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted, according to the a man hath, & not according to that a man hath not. Thirdly, we must give without hypocrisy & ostentation, not seeking the praise of men, or our own glory or profit. And although the scriptures in some places ache mention of a reward to our alms & other good works: yet ought we not to think that we do merit or deserve any thing: but rather we ought to acknowledge, that god of his mere mercy rewardeth in us his own gifts. For what hath he that giveth alms, that he hath not received? He than the giveth unto a poor man any manner of thing, giveth not of his own, but of those goods which he hath received of god. What hast thou (saith the Apostle) that thou hast not received? If thou hast received it, ●, Cor. 4 why rejoicest thou, as though thou hadst not received it? This sentence ought to be had in remembrance of all men: for if we have nothing but that which we have received, what can we deserve? or what need we to dispute & reason of our own merits? It cometh of the free gift of God, that we live, that we love god, that we walk in his fear, where is our deserving them▪ We must also in this our spiritual warfare arm ourselves with continual prayer, a very necessary, strong, & invincible weapon: Math. 26. Heb. 4. ●. Mach. 4 & after the example of Christ, & all other godly men, cry heartily unto god in faith, in all our distresses & anguishes. Let us go boldly to the seat of grace, where we shallbe sure to receive mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. For now is pride and persecution increased: now is the time of destruction and wrathful displeasure. Wherefore my dear brethren, he ye fervent in the law of god, & jeopard ye your lives, if need shall so require, for the testament of the fathers, & so shall ye receive great honour, & an everlasting name. Remember Abraham: was not he found faithful in temptation, Gene. 22. Gene. 41. Num. 25. & it was reckoned unto him for righteousness? joseph in time of his trouble kept the commandment, & was made a Lord of Egypt. Phinees was so fervent for the honour of god, that he obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood. josua. 1 Num. 14 1. Regum. 24 josua for fulfilling the word of God, was made the captain of Israel. Caleb bare record before the congregation, and received an heritage. David also in his merciful kindness obtained the throne of an everlasting kingdom, 4. Regum. 2 Elias being zealous and fervent in the law, was taken up into heaven. Annias, Azarias, Dan. 3. & misael remained steadfast in the faith, and were delivered out of the fire. In like manner Daniel being unguilty, Dan. 6. was saved from the mouth of the Lions. And thus ye may consider throughout all ages since the world began, that whosoever put their trust in god, were not overcome. Fear not ye then the words of ungodly men: for their glory is but dung & worms. Psal. 38. To day are they set up, & to morrow are they gone: for they are turned into earth, & their memorial cometh to nought. Wherefore let us take good hearts unto us, & quite ourselves like men in the law: for if we do the things that are commanded us in the law of the lord our god, we shall obtain great honour therein. Beloved in Christ, let us not faint because of affliction, wherewith God trieth all them that are sealed unto life everlasting: for the only way into the kingdom of god, Act. 14. 4. Esdr, 7. is through much tribulation. For the kingdom of heaven (as god teacheth us by his Prophet Esdras) is like a city builded and set upon a broad field, & full of all good things: but the entrance is narrow & sudden, full of sorrow & travail, perils & labours, like as if there were a fire at the right hand, & a deep water at the left, and as it were one straight path between them both, so small that there could but one man go there. If this city now were given to an heir, and he never went through the perilous way, how would he receive his inheritance? Wherefore seeing we are in this narrow & straight way, which leadeth unto the most joyful & pleasant city of everlasting life, let us not stagger, either turn back being afraid of the dangerous & perilous way, but follow our Captain jesus Christ in the narrow & straight way, & be afraid of nothing, no not even of death itself: for it is he that must lead us to our journeys end, & open us the door unto everlasting life. Consider also the course of this world, how many there be which for their masters sake, or for a little promotions sake, would adventure their lives in worldly affairs, as commonly in wars, & yet is their reward but light & transitory, & ours is unspeakable, great and everlasting. They suffer pains to be made Lords on the earth for a short season: how much more ought we to endure like pains (yea peradventure much less) to be made kings in heaven for ever more? Consider also the wicked of this world, which for a little pleasures sake, or to be avenged on their enemies, will fight with sword & weapons, & put themselves in danger of imprisonment & hanging. So much as virtue is better than vice, & god myghtyer than the devil, so much ought we to excel then in this our spiritual battle. And seeing brethren, it hath pleased God to set me & that most worthy minister of Christ▪ john Bradford your countrymen, in the forefront of this battle, where for the time, is most danger: I beseech you all in the bowels of Christ, to help us & all others our fellow soldiers standing in like perilous place, with your prayers to god for us, that we may quite ourselves like men in the Lord, & give some example of boldness & constancy, mingled with patience in the fear of god, that ye & others our brethren, through our example may be so encouraged and strengthened to follow us, that ye also may leave example to your weak brethren in the world to follow you, Amen. Consider what I say: the Lord give us understanding in all things. 2. Tim. 2 3. Cor. 7 1. john. 2. Brethren the time is short: it remaineth that ye use this world as though ye used it not: for the fashion of this world vanisheth away. See that ye love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. But set your affection on heavenvly things, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of god. Be meek & long suffering: serve & edisy one an other with the gift that god hath given you. Beware of strange doctrine: lay aside the old conversation of greedy lusts, & walk in a new life. Beware of all uncleanness, covetousness, foolish talking, false doctrine, & drunkenness: rejoice & be thankful towards god, & submit yourselves one to an other. Cease from sin: spend no more time in vice: be sober & apt to pray: be patient in trouble: love each other, & let the glory of god & profit of your neighbours be the only mark you shoot at in all your doings. Repent ye of the life that is past, & take better heed to your doings hereafter. And above all things cleave ye fast to him, who was delivered to death for our sins, & rose again for our justification. To whom with the father & the holy ghost be all honour & rule for ever more. Amen. Salute from me in Christ, all others which love us in the faith, and at your discretion make them partakers of these letters: and pray ye all for me and other in bonds for the gospel, that the same god (which by his grace hath called us from wicked papistry, unto true christianity, and now of love proveth our patience by persecution) will of his mercy & favour in the end gloriously deliver us, either by death, or by life, to his glory, Amen. At Lancaster the .30. of Aug. 1554. By me an unprofitable servant and prisoner of Christ, George Marsh. The copy of a letter written by Steven Cotton to his brother john cotton, declaring how he was beaten of Bonner. BRother, in the name of the Lord jesus, I commend me unto you, and I do heartily thank you for your godly exhortation and counsel in your last letter declared to me. And albeit I do perceive by your letter you are informed, that as we are divers persons in number, so are we of contrary sects, conditions and opinions, contrary to that good opinion you had of us at your last being with us in Newgate: be you most assured (good brother in the Lord jesus) the we are all of one mind, one raith, one assured hope in our lord jesus, whom I trust we altogether with one spirit, one brotherly love, do daily call upon for mercy and forgiveness of our sins, with earnest repentance of our former lives, and by whose precious blood heding we trust to be saved only, and by no other means. Wherefore good brother, in the name of the lord, seeing these impudent people whose minds are altogether bend to wickedness, envy, uncharitableness, evil speaking, do go about to slander us with untruth, believe them not, neither let their wicked sayings once enter into your mind. And I trust one day to see you again, although now I am in god's prison, which is a joyful school to them that love their lord and god, and to me being a simple scholar, most joyful of al. Good brother, once again I do, in the name of our lord jesus, exhort you to pray for me, that I may fight strongly in the lords battle, to be a good soldier to my captain jesus Christ our lord, and desire my Sister also to do the same: and do not ye mourn or lament for me, but be ye glad and joyful of this my trouble. For I trust to be loosed out of this dungeon shortly, and to go to everlasting joy, which never shall have end. I heard how ye were with the commissioners for me, and how ye were suspected to be one of our company. I pray you sue no more for me, good brother. But one thing I shall desire you, to be at my departing out of this life, that you may bear witness with me that I shall die, I trust in god, a true christian, & I hope all my companions in the lord our God, & therefore believe not these evil disposed people, who are the authors of all untruth. I pray you provide for me a long shirt against the day of our deliverance: for the shirt you gave me last, I have given it to one of my companions, who had more need than I: and as for the money and meat you sent us, the bishop's servants delivered none to us, neither he whom you had so great trust in. Brother there is none of them to trust to: for qualis magister, talis ser●us. I have been twice beaten, and threatened to be beaten again by the bishop himself. I suppose we shall go into the country to Fulham, to the bishop's house, and there be arraigned. I would have you to hearken as much as you can: for when we shall go, it shall be suddenly done. Thus far ye well. From the coalhouse this present Friday. Your brother Steven Cotton. A letter of Richard Rothe burnt at Islington, to certain condemned at Colchester, & ready to die for the lords cause, written with his own blood. O Dear brethren and Sisters, how much have you to rejoice in god, that he hath given you such faith to prevail against these bloodthirsty tyrants thus far: and no doubt he that hath begun that good work in you, will fulfil it unto the end. O dear hearts in Christ, what a crown of glory shall ye receive with Christ in the kingdom of god? Oh that it had been the good will of god, that I had been ready to have gone with you: for I lie in my lords little ease in the day, and in the night I lie in the coalhouse, from Ralph Allerton, or any other. And we look every day when we shall be condemned: for he said that I should be burned within ten days before Easter: but I lie still at the pools brink, and every man goeth in before me: but we abide patiently the Lords leisure, with many bands, in fetters & stocks, by the which we have received great joy in god. And now far you well dear brethren and Sisters in this world: but I trust to see you in the heaven, face to face. O brother Munt, with your wife & my dear Sister Rose: oh how blessed are you in the Lord, that god hath found you worthy to suffer for his sake: with all the rest of my dear brethren & Sisters known & unknown. O be joyful even unto death, fear it not saith Christ, for I have overcomen death. Oh dear hearts, seeing that jesus Christ will be our help, tarry ye the lords leisure. Be strong, let your hearts be of good comfort, & wait you still for the lord. He is at hand, yea the angel of the lord pitcheth his tent round about them that fear him, and delivereth them which way he seeth best: for our lives are in the lords hands, and they can do nothing unto us before God suffer them: therefore give all thanks to god. Oh my dear hearts now shall you be clothed with long white garments upon the Mount Zion, with the multitude of Saints, and with jesus Christ our saviour, which will never forsake us. Oh blessed Virgins, ye have played the wise Virgin's part, in that ye have taken oil in your lamps, that ye may enter with the bridegroom, when he cometh, into the everlasting joy. But as for the foolish they shallbe shut out, because they made not themselves ready to suffer with Christ, neither go about to take up his cross. Oh how precious shall your death be in the sight of the Lord: for dear is the death of his saints? Farewell mine own dear hearts, and pray. The grace of our lord jesus Christ he with you al. Amen, Amen. Pray, p.p. By me Richard Roth, written with mine own blood. The copy of a letter written and cast out of the Castle of Caunterbury by the prisoners there in bands for gods wo●●, declaring how the papists went about to famish the 〈◊〉 death, of the which company five were famished amongst them already. BE it known unto all men that shall read or hea●e red these our letters, that we the poor prisoners of the Castle of Cauntorbury for god's truth, are kept and lie in cold irons, and our keeper will not suffer any meat to be brought to us to comfort us. And if any man do bring any thing, as bread, butter, cheese, or any other food, the said keeper will charge them that so bring us any thing, except money or raiment, to carry it with them again, or else if he do receive any food of any for us, he keepeth it for himself, and he & his servants do spend it, so that we have nothing thereof. There were five famished in that prison whose names were these: john Clarke, Dunston Chettenden, W. Foster, A. Fotkins, john Archer. And thus the keeper withholdeth & keepeth away our victuals from us, in so much that there are four of us prisoners there for god's truth, famished already. And thus is it his mind to famish us all: and we think he is appointed of the bishops & priests, and also of the justices, so to famish us, & not only us of the said Castle, but all other prisoners in other prisons for the like cause to be also famished. Notwithstanding we writ not these our letters to that intent we might not afford to be famished for the lord jesus sake: but for this cause and intent, that they having no law so to famish us in prison, should not do it privily, but that the murderers hearts should be openly known to all the world, that all men may know of what church they are, & who is their father. Out of the castle of Caunterbury. A letter of that true pastor and worthy Martyr D. Ridley: wherein you may see the singular zeal he had to the glory of God, and the furtherance of his Gospel: written to Master Cheke in King Edward's days, & here placed as it came to our hands. Master Cheke, I wish you grace and peace. Sir in God's cause, for God's sake, and in his name, I beseech you of your help & furtherance towards god's word. I did talk with you of late what case I was in concerning my Chaplains. I have gotten the good will & grant to be with me, of three preachers, men of good learning, and (as I am persuaded) of excellent virtue, which are able both with life and learning, to set forth God's word in London, and in the whole diocese of the same, where is most need of all parts in England: for from thence goeth example (as you know) into all the rest of the Kings Majesties whole Realm. The men's names be these. M grindal, whom you know to be a man of virtue and learning. M. Bradforde, a man by whom (as I am assuredly informed) God hath and doth work wonders, in setting forth of his word. The third is a preacher the which for detecting and confuting of the Anabaptists and papists in Essex both by his preaching and by his writing, is enforced now to bear Christ's cross. The two first be Scholars in the University. The third is as poor as either of the other twain. Now, there is fallen a Prebend in Paul's called Cantrelles, by the death of one Layton. This Prebend is an honest man's living of xxxiiij pounds, and better in the King's books. I would with all my heart give it unto M. grindal, and so I should have him continually with me and in my diocese, to preach. But Alas Sir, I am letted by the means (I fear me) of such as do not fear God. One M. William Thomas, one of the Clerks to the Counsel, hath in times past set the Counsel upon me, to have me to grant that Layton might have alienated the said Prebend unto him and his heirs for ever. God was mine aid and defender, that I did not consent unto his ungodly enterprise. Yet I was so then handled before the Counsel, that I granted that whensoever it should fall, I should not give it, before I should make the kings Majesty privy unto it and of acknowledge, before the collation of it. Now Layton is departed, and the Prebend is fallen, & certain of the Counsel (no doubt, by this ungodly man's means) have written unto me, to stay the collation. And where as he despaireth, that ever I would assent that a preachers living should be bestowed on him: he hath procured letters unto me, subscribed with certain of the Counsels hands, that now the Kings Majesty hath determined it unto the furniture of his highness stable. Alas Sir, this is a heavy hearing. When papistry was taught, there was nothing too little for the teachers. When the Bishop gave his benefices unto idiots, unlearned, ungodly, for kindred, for pleasure, for service, & other worldly respects, all was then well allowed. Now, where a poor living is to be given unto an excellent Clerk, a man known & tried to have both discretion & also virtue, & such a one as before god, I do not know a man yet unplaced & unprovided for, more meet to set forth gods word in all England: when a poor living (I say) which is founded for a preacher, is to be given unto such a man, that then an ungodly person shall procure in this sort letters to stop & let the same, alas M. Cheke, this seemeth unto me to be a right heavy hearing. Is this the fruit of the gospel? Speak M. Cheke, speak for god's sake, in god's cause, unto whom soever you think you may do any good withal. And if you will not speak, than I beseech you, let these my letters speak unto M. Gates, to M. Wroth, to M. Cicill, whom all I do take for men that do fear God. It was said here constantly, my Lord Chamberlain to have been departed. Sir, though the day be delayed, yet he hath no pardon of long life, & therefore I do beseech his good Lordship, & so many as shall read these letters, if they fear God, to help that neither horse, neither yet dog be suffered to devour the poor livings appointed & founded by godly ordinance, to the ministers of gods word. The causes of conscience, which do move me to speak & write thus, are not only those which I declared once in the cause of this Prebend, before the Kings Majesties Counsel, which now I let pass: but also now the man M. Grindal, unto whom I would give this Prebend, doth move me very much: for he is a man known to be both of virtue, honesty, discretion, wisdom, & learning. And besides all this, I have a better opinion of the Kings Majesties▪ honourable Counsel, them (although some of them have subscribed at this their Clerks crafty & ungodly suit, to such a letter) then (I say) they will let, & not suffer, after request made unto them, the living appointed & founded for a preacher, to be bestowed upon so honest and well a learned man. Wherefore for god's sake, I beseech you all, help that with the favour of the Counsel, I may have knowledge of the king's majesties good pleasure, to give this preachers living unto M. grindal. Of late, there have been letters directed from the kings Majesty and his honourable Counsel, unto all the bishops, whereby we be charged & commanded, both in our own persons, and also to cause our preachers & ministers, especially to cry out against the insatiable serpent of covetousness, whereby is said to be such a greediness amongs the people, that each one goeth about to devour other: and to threaten than with God's grievous plagues, both now presently thrown upon them, and that shallbe likewise in the world to come. Sir, what preachers shall I get to open and set forth such matters, and so as the King's Majesty and the Counsel do command them to be set forth, if either ungodly men, or unreasonable beasts be suffered to pull away & devour the good and godly learned preachers livings? Thus I wish you in god, ever well to far, & to help Christ's cause, as you would have help of him at your most need. From Fulham this present, the 23. of julie. 1551. Yours in Christ. Nicholas London A letter of Cuthbert Symson, to certain of his friends concerning his Racking and other cruel torments which he suffered in the Tower. THe .13. day of December, I was sent to the Tower, and on the Thursday after, I was called into the warehouse before the Constable of the Tower and the Recorder of London, Master Cholmeley. They commanded me to tell them whom I did will to come to the english service. I answered, I would declare nothing. This Engine is called Skenyngtons Gives, wherein the body standeth double, the head being drawn towards the feet. The form & manner of these gives, and of his Racking, you may see in the book of Martyrs. Folio. 1631. Then was I set in an engine of Iron for the space of three hours as I judged. After that they asked me if I would tell them. I answered as before. Then was I loosed and carried to my lodging again. On the sunday after, I was brought into the same place again before the Lieutenant being also Constable, and the Recorder of London, and they examined me. As before I had said, I answered. Then the Lieutenant swore by god, I should tell. Then did they bind my two forefyngers together, and put a small arrow betwixt them, and drew it through so fast that the blood followed, and the arrow broke. Then they racked me twice. After that was I carried to my lodging again, and ten days after, the lieutenant asked me if I would not confess that which before they had asked me. I said, I had said as much as I would. Then five weeks after he sent me unto the high priest, where I was greatly assaulted, and at whose hand I received the Pope's curse, for hearing witness of the resurrection of jesus Christ. And thus I commend you unto God, and to the word of his grace, with all them that unfeignedly call upon the name of jesus, desiring GOD of his endless mercy through the merits of his dear son jesus Christ, to bring us all to his everlasting kingdom, Amen. I praise God for his great mercy showed upon us. Sing hosanna unto the highest, with me Cuthbert Symson. God forgive me my sins. I ask all the world forgiveness & I do forgive all the world: and thus I leave this world, in hope of a joyful resurrection. Cuthbert Symson A brief admonition written by M. Bradford in a new testament of a friend of his. THis book is called sermo crucis, the word of the cross, 1. Cor. 2 because the cross doth always accompany it: so that if you will be a student hereof, you must needs prepare yourself to the cross, which you began to learn before you learned your Alphabet: and Christ requireth it of every one that will be his disciple, therein not swerving from the common trade of callings or vocations: for no profession or kind of life wanteth his cross. So that they are far overseen which think that the profession of the gospel, which the devil most envieth, the world most hateth, & the flesh most repineth at, can be without a cross. Let us therefore pray that god would enable us to take up our cross by denying ourselves. E carcere. 18. Februarij. 155●. john Bradford. A letter of Master Thomas leaver being then in exile for the testimony of god's gospel, to M. Bradford prisoner in the tower of London. THe grace of god be unto you, with my hearty commendations. I have seen the places, noted the doctrine and discipline, and talked with the learned men of Argentine, Basyll, Zurich, Berne, Lausan, and Geneva, and I have had experience in all these places, of sincere doctrine, godly order, and great learning, and especially of such virtuous learning, diligence, and charity in Bullinger at Zurich, and in calvin at Geneva, as doth much advance gods glory, unto the edifying of Christ's church with the same religion for the which you be now in prison. And as I doubt not but you in reading of their books, have found much godly and comfortable knowledge, so I am sure that they in hearing of your constancy & patience, take occasion greatly to rejoice, with thanks giving unto God, which doth testify his truth unto the world, not only by their writing, but also by your suffering. The lord therefore, which useth this your suffering joined with godly learning, to set forth his glory, not only unto the comfort of simple souls in England, but also unto the great rejoicing & encouraging of the most godly learned men in all countries: will (as I desire and trust) give you such comfort in conscience, as shall easily bear the pains of your imprisonment. If you desire to suffer or do that thing which might testify the truth, advance the glory, & edify the church of Christ, truly you have your desire: yea and I ensure you, very many godly men in divers places, give daily thanks unto god in prayer for you. You know your cause is good: your friends be in favour, & your adversaries in displeasure with the almighty god, your heavenvly father: your suffering for the truth, shall not be unrewarded: your hope in Christ shall never be confounded. For although your bodies be kept within prisons, yet your testimony unto the truth, shineth far abroad in the world, and your faithful prayers in charitable unity, joined with many others, be continually presented afore the throne of god. God grant you grace to find & use comfortable meditation of his word, in diligent obedience unto his will. Christ be your keeper in comfort, Amen. From Zurich the .52. of Octob. by yours faithfully in Christ. Thomas leaver. Sap. 3. They are punished in few things, but in many things shall they be rewarded. He trieth them as the gold in the furnace, & receiveth them as a hurnt offering. Gratia (sancte pater) tua det, quò in firma ferendae, He caro victrici nostra sit apta cruci. Thy holy spirit & grace grant us, O father dear, whereby we may be strong thy cross always to bear ❧ A Table of the letters contained in this book, declaring by whom and to whom they were written, Letters of D. Cranmer Archb. of Cant. A Letter to Queen Mary. 1 An other letter to Queen Mary. 3 To the Lords of the Council. 16 A letter wherein he reproveth the slanderous reports that he had set up Mass again at Caunt. 17 To a certain Lawyer. 19 To Mistress Wilkinson. 23 Letters of D. Ridley B. of London. TO the brethren dispersed abroad in sundry prisons. etc. 28 To the brethren which constantly cleave unto Christ etc. 34 To Queen Mary. 38 An answer to West. 40 To master Hoper. 45 A letter sent unto him by master Grindal being in exile. 49 An answer written by him to the former letter. 15 A letter to D. Cranmer, & D. Latymer. 56 Viii several letters to M. Bradford. 58 iii. letters to Augustine Berneher. 70 To mistress Mary Glover. 74 To a friend that came to visit him in the prison. 75 A letter of his cruel handling in Oxford. 76 To D. Weston. 78 To a Cousin of his. 79 A letter written to all his faithful friends as his last farewell. 80 An other farewell to the prisoners in the cause of Christ's gospel. 103 A letter of his cruel handling in the schools at Oxford, and of his condemnation. etc. 112 Letters of M. Hoper B. of Gloucester. TO certain godly persons instructing them how to use themselves at the change of religion. 114 To certain of his relievers and helpers in the City of London. 117 An answer to a letter whereby he was certified of them that were taken at Bow. 120 To the prisoners in both Counters which were taken at Bow. 121 To certain of his friends, exhorting them to stick to the truth. 123 An other letter to the same effect. 125 To a merchant man by whom he had received comfort in the Flete. 127 A letter of his cruel handling in the Flete. 128 A letter against false reports that he had recanted. 130 To mistress Wilkinson. 131 To mistress A. W. 132 To master Farrar. D. Tailor, M. Bradford, & M. Philpot. 134 To M. Hall and his wife. 136 To one that was fallen from the truth of the Gospel. 137 To the faithful in the city of London. 140 To a certain woman teaching her how to behave herself in her widowhood. 142 A letter concerning a woman that was troubled with her husband in matters of religion. 143 To his beloved W.P. 146 To M. john Hall. 146 An exhortation to his wife. 147 To the christian congregation. 157 A letter of M. Bullinger to M. Hoper. 166 Letters of D. Taylor. TO D. Cranmer. D. Rydley, and D. Latymer. 171 To a friend of his concerning his talk with the commissioners. 172 A letter concerning the cause of his condemnation. 175 To his wife and children. 178 Another letter to his wife. 641 Letters of M. Laurence Saunders. TO D. Cranmer. D. Ridley and D. Latymer. 179 To the professors of the gospel in the town of Lichfield. 182 To mistress Lucy Harrington. 191 An other to mistress Harrington. 192 To his wife, M. Harrington and M. Hurland. 193 An other letter to them. 195 A letter concerning D. weston's coming to him to the Marshalsee. 197 To his wife and certain other of his friends. 197 two. other letters to his wife. 200 To S. Gardiner B. of Winchester. 201 To his wife & other of his friends. 204 An other letter to his wife and certain other of his friends. 205 two. letter to M. Robert Glover & john Glover. 205 To a certain backeslider from the truth of god's word. 208 To M. Ferr●r, D tailor, M. Bradforde and M. Philpot. 211 A letter to mistress L. Harrington. 212 Letters of M. john Philpot. A Letter written to the christian congregation. 216 To john Careless prisoner in the king's Bench. 224 An other letter to john Careless. 226 An answer of I. Careless to the former letter. 230 To certain godly women going beyond the seas. 234 An exhortation written to a Sister of his. 236 To M. Robert Harrington. 239 To M. Robert Glover prisoner in Coven. 241 To mistress Heath. 243 To john Careless. 245 To mistress A. Hartipole. 247 To a faithful woman exhorting her to be patiented under the cross. 249 To certain of his friends as his last farewell 645 Letters of M. john Bradford. To the faithful professors of gods word in the City of London. 251 To the true professors of gods word in the university and town of Cambridge 257 To the professors of the true religion of christ in Lankeshyre and cheshire. 263 To the unfeigned professors of the truth dwelling at Walden. 269 To the honourable L. russel. 275 An other letter to the L. russel. 278 To Master Warcup, mistress Wilkinson and other his friends. 280 To Sir james Hales. 286 To his Mother. 290 To D. Hill Physician. 294 To Mistress M. H. 298 An other letter to her. 303 To his beloved. W. P. 305 To mistress I. H. 306 To M. Humphrey Hales. 309 An other letter to master H. Hales. 312 To certain of his friends encouraging to be joyful under the cross. 314 To M. Laurence Saunders prisoner in the Marshalsee. 319 An other letter to M. Saunders. 321 A letter of comfort to a faithful woman in her heaviness and trouble. 322 To his loving brethren, B.C. 330 To the Lady Vane. 334 two. other letters to the L. Vane. 335 To his dear friends. R. E. 338 To Mistress Wilkinson. 342 An other letter to mistress Wilkinson. 343 To M. Richard Hopkins. 345 An other letter to M.R. Hopkins. 357 To D. Cranmer, Ridley, and Latymer, prisoners in Oxford. 357 To his friend M. Shalcrosse and his wife. 359 To his godly friends G.N. exhorting them to be patiented under the cross. 363 An other letter to certain godly persons to the same effect. 366 An other letter to the same persons. 370 To john Careless. 373 To M. john Hall and his wife prisoners in Newgate. 374 A letter to mistress Hall. 377 An admonition to certain professors of the truth, that they consent not to the shrinking and ha●ing gospelers. 379 To his friend M.H.R. & his wife. 383 To Sir W. Fitzwiliams knight. 386 To his friend M. Coker. 388 To a friend of his instructing him how he should answer his adversaries. 389 To a friend of his entreating of god's election and predestination. 391 To a woman desiring to know whether she might come to the popish matins. 401 To the Lady Vane. 403 To M. john Philpot. 408 To. R. Cole and N. Shetterden. 409 To Robert Cole. 411 To mistress Elizabeth Browne. 412 An other letter to mistress Browne. 413 A letter to a friend of his whom he called nathanael. 414 To certain godly men exhorting them to patience, & constancy in the truth. 419 To mistress W. and mistress. W. 423 To mistress M.H. 426 To all the professors of the gospel with in the realm of England. 427 To M. George Eton. 446 An other letter to M. Eton. 449 A letter to his mother as his farewell 451 A letter to his mother as his last farewell. 454 To one by whom he had received much comfort in his imprisonment. 456 To mistress A.W. 457 An other letter to mistress A.W. 458 To certain relievers of him and others in their imprisonment. 460 To D. Cranmer, Rid. and Lat. 466 To the Lady Vane. 467 two. letters of Augustine Berncher. 468 To certain men not rightly persuaded in the doctrine of election. etc. 470 To True & Abington free-will men. 474 An other letter to them. 476 To Queen Mary the counsel & parliament 478 A letter entreating of the place of S. Paul concerning the desire and groanings of the creature for the deliverance of gods children 478 To certain men maintaining the heresy of man's free-will with the Pelagians & papists. 682 Letters of M. Thomas Whyttle. TO his dear friend I. Careless. 490 To Thomas Went and others. 493 To the professors of the Gospel in the City of London. 494 To john Careless. 500 To M. Fils and Cuthbert. 502 A letter declaring how cruelly he was handled of Boner▪ 652 To a faithful woman exhorting her to patience under the cross. 655 Letters of M. Robert Samuel. AN exhortation to the patient suffering of afflictions. 504 A letter to the Christian congregation called samuel's faith. 511 Letters of M. john Hullyer. TO the Christian congregation 517 An other letter to the Christian congregation. 523 Letters of M. Robert Glover. A Letter to his wife 517 To the Mayor of Coventry and his brethren. 542 To his wife and whole family. 541 Letters of Robert Smith. TO the true and unfeigned professors of the Gospel. 544 A letter to a friend of his, to beware of Idolatry. 552 A letter to his wife. 553 Letters of M. Bartelet Grene. TO his beloved in the Lord Mistress Elilizabeth. C. 555 To certain Gentlemen of the temple. 557 To certain of his friends a little before his death. 656 Letters of john Careless. TO certain in Newgate condemned to be burnt. 560 To M. Grene, M. Whittle, and certain other in Newgate condemned to be burnt. 565 To William Tymmes. 568 To mistress A.K. 572 To his beloved Sister M.C. 578 An other letter to M.C. 579 To his dearly beloved. T.U. 580 An other letter to T.U. 582 To the faithful flock of Christ in the city of London. 585 To his wife. 602 To his dear Sister M.C. 605 To his faithful brother. A. Berneher. 607 To H. Adlington condemned to die. 611 To W. Aylesbury. 616 two. letters to T. V. 618 To mistress Mary Glover. 624 To M. john Bradford. 628 To a friend by whom he had been comforted in his trouble. 631 An other letter to the same person. 632 His christian exercise. 634 An admonition to mistress jane Glasclocke. 638 To one mistress Cotton. 657 Letters of M. George Marsh. TO the professors of God's word in the town of Langhton. 664 To certain of his friends at Manchester. 672 Letters of other men. A letter of M. john Rough. 658 A letter of Cuthbert Symson. 659 A letter of William Coker. 660 A letter of N. Shetterden. 661 A letter of the Lady jane Grey. 662 A letter of Steven Cotton to his brother I. Cotton. 679 A letter of Richard Roth to certain condemned at Colchester. 680 A letter of the prisoners of Caunterbubury Castle. 681 A letter of Cuthbert Symson, of his cruel handling in the Tower. 682 FJNJS. Imprinted at London by john Day, dwelling over Aldersgate, beneath S. martyn's. Cum gratia & privilegio Regiae Maiestatis.