with grace in your hearts giuing thanks always to god the father of our Lord Iesus Christ submitting your selues one to the other in the feare of God Wiues submit your selues vnto your husbandes as vnto the Lord for the husband is the heade of the wife euen as Christ is the heade of the Church and is the sauioure of his bodie Therefore as the Church is in subiection vnto Christ Euen so let the wiues be to their husbandes in euery thing Ye husbands loue your wiues dwel with them as men of knowledge giuing honor vnto the woman as vnto the weaker vessell euen as they which are heires togither of the grace of life Euen as Christ loued the Church and gaue him selfe for it that he might sanctifie it and clense it and make it vnto himself a glorious Church without any spot or wrinckle but that it should be holy and without blame So ought men to loue their wiues as their owne bodies for he that loueth his wife loueth him self For no man euer yet hated his owne flesh but nourisheth cherisheth it as the Lord doth his Churche for we are members of his bodye of hys flesh and of his bones For this cause shal a man leaue father and mother and shall cleaue to his wife and they twaine shall be one flesh Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right Honour thy father and mother which is the first coÌ„maundement with promisse Againe ye Fathers prouoke not your children to wrath but bring them vp in instructioÌ„ information of the Lord. Ye seruauntes must obey vnto them that be your bodily maisters according to the flesh with fear trembling in singlenesse of your heart as vnto the Lord. Not with seruice to the eye as men pleasers but as the seruants of Christ doing the wil of God from the heart with a good will seruing the Lord not men being well assured that whatsoeuer good thing any maÌ„ doth that same shall he receiue of the lord whether he be bonde or free Therefore ye maisters doe the same thing vnto them putting away threatening knowing that you haue a maister also in heauen with whom there is no respect of persons Finally I beséech you all indifferent of what estate condition or calling so euer ye be that ye wil shew your self an ensample in word and conuersation in all good workes kéeping your selfe alwayes vnder discipline and true doctrin without any damage of preiudice to any keeping the word whole irreprehensible y t the aduersaries might be ashamed hauing no occasion to speake euill of you with the truthe Therefore submit your selues to Princes rulers and powers and be readie to euerie good worke Accuse or blame no man be ye not spiteful coÌ„tentious or wrathful but amiable and peaceable shewing louing kindnesse and courteousnesse to all men Girde the loynes of your heart Stande manfully and put your whole trust and coÌ„fidence in the grace which is now offered Let your loue be vnfained Abhorre that which is euill and cleaue to y t which is good Be affectioned to loue one an other with all reuerence Be not slouthful or negligent to do seruice but be feruent in spirite Frame your seâ—fe according to the time Reioyce in hope be patient in tribulation coÌ„tinue in prayer distribute vnto the necessitie of the Saintes giuing your selfe to Hospitalitie Blesse them which persecute you blesse I say â—ursse not if it be possible as much as in you is Haue peace wyth all men Be all of one minde of one concorde and one iudgement That nothing be done throughe contention or vaine gloryâ— but that in méekenesse of minde euery man esteeâ—e other better than him selfe Let no man séeke his owne but the profite of other men Be â—eruent in loue haue brotherly loue among you without the which al other things are nothing to speake of of what faith so euer we boast our selues to haue Loue is courteous long suffering not enuious not guileful nor puffed vp desireth no dishonestie It séeketh not â—ir owne is not prouoked to anger it thinketh no euill it delighteth not in vnrighteousnesse but reioyseth in the truthe endureth all things hopeth in al things and neuer faileth Through very loâ—e and charitie is Christ Iesu become man for vs and hath humbled him selfe in al kind of obedieÌ„ce through loue and suffered death on the Crosse to saue vs. So then let vs abide in charitie and doe well without wearinesse for that which man soweth that same also he shal reape If he sowe in the fleshe he shall reape againe of the fleshe perdition But if he sowe in the spirite he shall reape of the spirite life Therefore continue in wel doing although ye suffer rebuke and ignominie of the world Be humble and méeke with Abraham Moyses and Dauid Be long suffering and pacient with Iob and Thobie in al kind of troubles aduerâ—ities tribulations The Lord alwayes vseth to send his rods first of all ouer his house therfore when he chastneth vs for our sinnes which we haue done in times past we must paciently beare it It must be of necessitie that the godly suffer persecution to exercise their faith and shew their loue and feruencie Abraham was proued héere of the Lord Iob troubled and molested and were both found faithful and coÌ„stant The Apostles were mery and glad that they were fouÌ„d worthy to suffer iniurie wrong contempt hatred for y e name of Iesu Christ. The Lord trieth and proueth the godly as golde in the fornace He chasteneth al them which hée loueth and scourgeth euery sonne which he receiueth It is only faith which ouercommeth all euill and obtaineth victorie through pacience The fruite springing vnto eternall life is maruelously assaulted in the godly whilest we be héere in this world The things must néedes fall vpon vs séeing we are vnperfect Let vs therefore be stedfast and vnmoueable hauing a good hope alwayes in our affliction trouble or persecution in the losing forgoing be it of our friends or goods yea our bodies y t we shal be recoÌ„peÌ„sed greatly for a litle trouble which we heere indure God wil proue trie vs and receiue vs if so be we abide constant as an acceptable sacrifice of sweâ—te sauoure Let vs then depend wholy vpon him and he shal kéepe vs let vs hope and trust vpon him and he wil not forsake vs let vs stedfastly cleaue vnto him he shall not leaue vs destitute Therefore my deare brethren let vs consider and ouerrunne al ages and times and diligently marke if at any time any one was put to confusion and shame which trusted in the Lorde He which called vpon him in faith and confidence was he euer forsaken or contempned of him
shall wax colde But so many as beare more loue to God and séeke more to please hym than the diuell they must take good heede to do that which pleaseth him according to his reuealed wil For whom it is not sufficient to know Antechriâ—t to blame him to speake and reporte of him as his doings deserue but it is requisitâ— for them most chiefly to confesse the name of the Lorde euen from their very hearts to honour feare him to beleue and put all confideÌ„ce in hym to loue hym and as neere as we can to expresse him in oure conuersation thorough loue vnfayned therby to shew oure selues to be hys Disciples For not euerye onâ— sayeth oure Sauioure Christe that sayeth Lorde Lorde shall enter into the Kyngdome of heauen but suche as doe the will of my father Again saythe Christe Whosoeuer louethe hys lyfe héere in thys worlde shall loose it and who so hateth his lyfe here for my names sake shal kéepe it to life euerlasting Againe he that will be my Disciple let hym folowe me and where I am he shal be also Who so serueth me my Father shall honoure hym The seruaunte is no better than hys maister and a messenger is no more than he that sente hym If we kéepe the commaundements of Christe we shall remaine in his loue euen as hée did the will of hys father and remayned in his loue Hys commaundement is that we loue one an other as he loued vs let vs therfore henceforth leade a good lyfe coÌ„uersation according to the wyll of the Lorde and frame our lyfe to the doctrine and exaumple of our maister and Lorde Iesu Christ in kéeping the commaundementes of the Lorde Christe Lette vs not be wrathfull but loue one an other Praye sayeth the Lorde for them that persecute you and speake euyll of you and be ye perfect as I am perfecte That thys our sinful body might be destroyed and that henceforth wée serue syâ—ne no more for he that is dead is frée from sinne Let vs then thinke that we are dead to sinne and liue not to our selues but to our Lorde and Sauâ—our Iesus Christ. Let not sinne saith the apostle S. Paule raigne in your mortall body that ye shoulde obey the lustes thereof but be ye true seruantes of righteousnesse vnto life not seruaunts of sinne of the fleshe or the world â—o death neyther gyue ye henceforth your meÌ„bres as weapons of vnrighteousnesse vnto sinne but as weapons of righteousnesse vnto GOD. For when we were the seruauntes of synne we were not vnder righteousnesse what frute had we then in those things wherof we are nowe ashamed for the ende of those things is death but contrarywise the fruite of rightousnesse is euerlasting life Brethren it is now tyme to awake from sléepe forasmuche as the nyghte is passed and the day approcheth and is euen at hande God hath fréely sent his true and faithful ministers and giueth his woord pleÌ„tifully to be preached let vs cast away then the workes of darkenesse and take vnto thée the armour of light walke honestly as in the daye time not in gluttonie dronkennesse nor in chambering wantonnesse nor in strife nor enuying but put ye on the Lord Iesus Christ take no thought for the fleshe to fulfill the lustes thereof but according to the good pleasure of God in al spiritual exercises The workes of the flesh are notorious manifest as adulterie fornication vncleanesse wantonnesse Idolatrie witchcraft hatred debate emulation wrathe contentions heresies enuie murthers dronkennesse gluttonie and suche like The workers whereof are y e most wretches and miserable slaues that euer wer yea they are threatned that who so euer coÌ„mitteth such things shall not enherite the kingdom of heaueÌ„ On the other side the fruitâ—s of y e spirit are loue ioy peace long suffering geÌ„tlenesse goodnesse faith méekenesse temperancie and suche like After this sort ought euery christian maÌ„ to walke being carefull to mortifie his own flesh exercising himself in these good works which God hath prepared for him to walke in casting of the old maÌ„ which is corrupt through deceiuable lusts be ye therfore renued in y e spirit of your mind and put ye on the new man which after god is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse Wherfore cast of lying speak euery man true vnto his neighbour For we are members y e one of the other Be angrie but sinne not let not the Sunne goe down vpon your wrath neither giue place to the Diuell Let him that stole steale no more but let him rather labour and work with his hands the thing that is good that he may haue to giue him that néedeth Let not corrupt communication procéed out of your mouth but that which is good to edifie withal that it may minister grace vnto the hearers And gréeue not the holy spirite of God by whom ye are sealed vnto the day of redeÌ„ption Let all bitternesse anger and wrath crying and euil speaking be put away from you with all maliciousnesse Be ye courteous one to an other and teÌ„der hearted forgiuing one an other eueÌ„ as god for Christs sake forgaue you Be ye then followers of god as dear children walk in loue eueÌ„ as Christ hath loued vs hath giuen him self for vs to be an offring and a sacrifice of a sweet smelling sauor to god So then fornication and all vncleannesse or couetousnesse let it not be once named amoÌ„g you as it becometh sainctes Neither vse ye filthinesse nor foolish talking neyther iesting which are things not comely but rather giuing of thaÌ„ks For this ye must know that no whoremonger neither vncleane persoÌ„ nor couetous person which is an Idolatour hath any inheritaunce in the kingdom of Christ of God Let no man deceiue you with vaine wordes for by such things cometh the wrath of God vpon the children of disobedience Be not therefore companions wyth them for so much as ye were once in darknesse but are now light in the lord walk therfore as it becometh children of light for the fruite of the spirit is in all goodnesse righteousnesse and truthe Approue and assay that which is pleasing to the Lord and haue no fellowship with the vnfruitful works of darknesse but euen reproue them rather take ye heede that ye walke circumspectly and wisely not like the foolish but as the wise and redeeme y e time for euen these dayes are euill and dangerous days Therfore be ye not ignorant but replenished with knowledge and spirite Let the woord of God dwell in you plentuously in all wisdom teaching and admonishing your own selues in psalms spirituall songs synging
Was there euer any were he neuer so wicked which turned to the Lord not receiued No surely for God is mercifull long suffering and readie to forgiue He heareth in the day of trouble and he is at hande to all them that call vpon him He is a protectoure and defendoure of all those that séeke him in truthe and trust in him But fie vpon them curssed are they that are faint hearted inconstant wauerers vntempered braines yea mockers and very libertines fearing men poore princes more than God which haue a greater care of these transitorie goodes and haue muche rather to please the worlde than God bycause they looke for none other God héere than to haue that they luâ—te and desire for their belly yea they say in their heartes there is no God They would gladly leaue to God the heauens so that they might râ—maine vppon the â—arth They know none other heauen then héere on earth which rather might be called an hel than heauen bicause we all are subiecte to many infirmities Bisides that they caÌ„not haue héere any rest or quietnesse in minde or conscience Neyther can they haue things as they would be they neuer so rich These men as they are altogether worldly carnal so can they neuer come to any knowledge of God For the worldly and naturall men canne not perceiue the things which are of the spirite of God neither consider they the gloryous maiestie of God neither are they so muche as once carefull of the life to come Woe be vnto the sinnefull lips slouthfull hands to the sinner which keepeth two wayes Woe to the dissolute of heart for they shall not be defended bicause they beleeue not Woe vnto the vnpacient that haue lost and forsaken the right way to decline and wander in the crooked way Woe vnto them for what shall they say when the Lord shall searche them out Let vs loue the Lord therfore all we that feare him Let vs put our confidence in him let vs remaine faithful and let vs walke according to his holy will let vs searche diligeÌ„tly after those things which please him let vs prepare our heartes and frame our selues to be acceptable in hys fight and humble our soules before his face let vs paciently abide the time vntil he send vs succour helpe and comfort saying It is better to fall in the hands of men than in the hands of the Lorde for as he is great and mightie so is he also merciful Let vs then be pacient and not shrinke yea rather let vs manfully striue in the middest of our troubles afflictions and miseries knowing that aduersitie engendreth pacience pacience trial or probation probation hope hope shall not be ashamed for the loue of God is poured into our hearts Goe forwarde then my brethren to all good works and make your selfe sure to the Lord and to the power of his might Take vnto you therefore the whole armour of God that ye may be able to resist in the euill day Stand therfore hauing your loynes girded with the truth hauing on the brest plate of righteousnesse and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace Aboue all take vnto you the shield of faith wherewith ye may quenche the fierie dartes of the wicked Take vnto you also the helmet of saluation and the sword of the spirite which is the worde of God and pray without ceassing in all your assaultes and necessities making your prayers in huÌ„blenesse of the spirite Be diligent and watchfull Be you wise and suttle like Serpents simple without fraude or guile as Doues Be sober watche for your aduersarie the Deuil who goth about like a roaring Lion séeking whom he may deuoure He vseth a thousand sleights setches many kinds of wayes diuers and sundry meanes to entrap and snare by Resist ye him therfore be stedfast in faith and defende thy selfe with the armor right nowe before mentioned Beare your selfe manfully confirm and refresh your self euery time with that excellent meat of the spirite which doth not perish which is the word of god that ye might withstand him both day and night like a good souldior and all his assaultes Take ye héede therefore to giue any place to euill but set your selfe valiantly and couragiously against him at what time he shall assault you either by faire or foule meanes by flatterie in shewing you the riches the glorye and pompe of this world to none other ende and purpose than to entrap and deceiue you or by crueltie persecution or trouble to ouercome and vanquishe you if ye hearken vnto him any manner of way And bicause he can transforme him â—elfe into an Angell of light it is requisite and necessarie that euery sprite be proued by the touche stone of Gods holye worde if so be that it agreeth therewith so must it be holden for good be beléeued and followed But if so be that it in any parte be contrary to that it muste according to the Apostle S. Paules saying be accurssed Let no euill take any roote in your heart but pluck it out forthwith God is meeke holy long suffering mercifull and altogither good but féeling that any one bringeth any thing contrarye to these particularities appropriated vnto God be ye sure that that spirite is not of God from those refraine your selfe resisting them wyth the weapons before mentioned Be sober and humble in mind content with a litle not caried away of couetousnesse after the richesse and glorye of this world neither be ye seduced by the pleasure of carnall concupiscence and voluptnousnesse of this world which are deceitfull and bring great paines to them that folow after them But to kéepe your self the rather cleane from the thraldom of them way and consider how vain vncertaine and vile a thing it is what euill procéedeth froÌ„ it Againe remember that all flesh is graâ—se hay and all the glory honor force and might of it as the floure of the field The grasse withereth and the floure fadeth away Yea all Princes and people are but hay where ouer if y e breth of the Lord doe but blow it becommeth dry the floure of it falleth But y e word of the lord abideth for euer Thou lettest man Lord saith Dauid passe away as the hearbe which is greene in the morning and at night is cutte downe The time of our life is thrée score and x. yeres and thoughe men be so strong that they come to foure score yeares yet is their strength then but laboure and paine What is man sayeth he or what is thâ— wisedome of man The numbre of hyâ— dayes are a hundreth yeres at the moste and a thousand yeares compared vnto eternitie are not so much as a drop of water to the whole sea or as a little duste vnto the sandes of Affrike for that commeth to an ende and
their hearts do persecute the church of God Yes assuredly most happy christiaÌ„ and vertuous princesse euen in the highest degree Howe shall I be able then to expresse with tong or to endite with pen your praises sufficiently verily I am confounded and put to silence and do confesse my self to be altogether insufficient Wherfore moste gracious Ladie I rest with my heartie and continuall prayer vnto God for your maiestie that he turne not his face from you but that it wold please him to continue and daily to encrease his grace and fauor towards you and his holy spirite within you as also in and towardes those that be of your Maiesties counsel and all other Magistrates and officers whatsoeuer hauing authoritie vnder your highnesse within your maiesties realms and dominioÌ„â—â— that walking in the fear loue of him they may do al their endeuour through the preaching of his holy word to aduaunce his holy name and aboue al things especially to seke the safetie and weal of his church And therfore for the great benefit good that God hath don vnto his church by means of your maiesty most gracious prince al tru faithful whatsoeuer they be as wel strangers as your natural subiects seke to do vnto your maiestie most faithful and honorable seruice according to their power Besides in al their asseÌ„blies in euery congregation they make their hartie ferueÌ„t prayers vnto almightie God for the helth of your soule the safegard of your most royal person the prosperous estate of your realm long to coÌ„tinue And I especially for mine own part bicause I wold not be vnthaÌ„kful for the great benefits I enioy by your grace abiding vnder your maiesties protectioÌ„ forasmuch as ingratitude is a a most horrible and detestable vice in consideration thereof moste gracious Lady I present your highnesse with this smal Treatise of mine as the best Iewel that I haue in store at this presente in signification of my good wil and for declaration of my duetie in this behalfe beseeching youre highnesse moste humbly to accept it in good parte as considering your maiesties natural bountie and your accustomed goodnesse my trust is you will vouchsafe to doe For I am persuaded albeit the stile be rude that the matter shall be fitte for your Maiestie to reade and that the same shall not be vnpleasant vnto you but minister vnto your grace great occasion of much ioy peace and contentation of minde and conscience And these be the causes and respects for the which I presume to present the same to your maiestie in most humble maner beseching your highnesse to accepte the same and praying to almightie God to graunt vnto your Maiestie a moste happie reign in this world and after this life to reigne with him for euer for his only son our Lorde Iesus Christes sake At London your Maiesties Citie and seate royal The .25 of May .1569 Your Maiesties most humble seruanâ—â— Iean vander Noodt BEing one day at my window all alone So many strange things hapned me to see As much it grieueth me to thinke thereon At my right hande a Hinde appearde to me So faire as mought the greatest God delite Two egre Dogs dyd hir pursue in chace Of whiche the one was black the other white With deadly forceâ— so in their cruell race They pinchte the haunches of this gentle beast That at the last and in shorte time I spied Vnder a rocke where she alas opprest Fell to the grounde and there vntimely dide Cruell death vanquishing so noble beautie Oft makes me waile so harde a destinie AFter at Sea a tall Ship dyd appere Made all of Heben and white Iuorie The sailes of Golde of Silke the tackle were Milde was the winde calme seemed the sea to be The Skie eche where did shew full bright and faire With riche treasures this gay ship fraighted was But sodaine storme did so turmoyle the aire And tombled vp the sea that she alas Strake on a rocke that vnder water lay O great misfortune O great griefe I say Thus in one moment to see lost and drownde So great riches as lyke can not be founde THâ—n heauenly branches did I see arise Out of a fresh and lusty Laurell tree Amidde the yong grene wood Of Paradise Some noble plant I thought my selfe to see Suche store of birdes therein yshrouded were Chaunting in shade their sundry melodie My sprites were rauisht with these pleasures thereâ— While on this Laurell fixed was mine eye The Skie gan euery where to ouercast And darkned was the welkin all aboute When sodaine flash of heauens fire outbrast And rent this royall tree quite by the roote Which makes me much and euer to complaine For no such shadow shal be had againe WIthin this wood out of the rocke did rise A Spring of water mildely romblyng downe Whereto approched not in any wise The homely Shepherde nor thâ— ruder cloune But many Mâ—ses and the Nymphes withall That sweetely in accorde did tune their voice Vnto the gâ—ntle sounding of the waters fall The sight wherof dyd make my heart reioyce But while I toke herein my chiefe delight I sawe alas the gaping â—arth deuoure The Spring the place and all cleane out of sight Whiche yet agreues my heart euen to this houre I Saw a Phoenix in the wood alone With purple wings and crest of golden hew Straunge birde he was wherby I thought anone That of some heauenly wight I had the vew Vntill he came vnto the broken tree And to the spring that late deuoured was What say I more Eche thing at length we see Doth passe away the Phoenix there alas Spying the tree destroyde the water dride Himselfe smote with his beake as in disdaine And so forthwith in great despite he dide For pitie and loue my heart yet burnes in paineâ— AT last so faire a Ladie did I spie That in thinking on hir I burne and quake On herbes and floures she walked pensiuely Milde but yet loue she proudely did forsake White seemed hir robes yet wouen so they were As snowe and golde together had bene wrought Aboue the waste a darke cloude shrouded hir A stinging Serpent by the heele hir caught Wherewith she languisht as the gathered floure And well assurde she mounted vp to ioy Alas in earth so nothing doth endure But bitter griefe that dothe our hearts anoy MY Song thus now in thy Conclusions Say boldly that these same six visions Do yelde vnto thy lorde a sweete request Ere it be long within the earth to rest IT was the time when rest the gift of Godâ— Sweetely sliding into the eyes of men Doth drowne in the forgetfulnesse of slepeâ— The carefull trauailes of the painefull day Then did a ghost appeare before mine eyes On that great riuers banke that runnes by Romeâ— And calling me then by my propre name He bade me vpwarde vnto heauen looke He cride to me and loe quod he beholde What vnder this great Temple is containde Loe all is
selling of their Oile Creame Salte Holy water Shrift Candels Blessings Crosses Banners Ashes Palmes Incense Waxe Beades Bulles and Pardons letters of Dispensation to contract Matrimonie licences to eat flesh egges butter c. All which not God but they vpon paine of euerlasting damnation to their owne commoditie and profite haue forbidden Of like qualitie are their Images Ringing of Belles their Reliques Bones of departed Sainctes and other like things Whereby and by many other of their fained holinesse they are become through the aboundaunce of their goods and richesse so lusty spiteful proud and lofty that they haue obtained the possession and gouerning of Countreis and Realmes of Cities Fortresies and Castels and mâ—ny other pleasaunt places Woodes Warrennes Parkes Farmes Conduits Fountaines Hounds Horsses and Mules So that in aucthoritie and power in riches and substance and in all kinde of plesant things they are nothing inferior to Kings and Princes Moreouer they are not ashamed to take other mennes wiues to fulfill their most filthie and vnsatiable desires yea honest mennes daughters maidens and seruauntes yea and yong men too which they most abhominably and shamefully defile marre and spoile I leaue you to consider what gaines Bishops Prelats gather of the first fruiâ—ts of the tenths of Buls Pardons and resigning of benefices Againe it can not well be tolde what golde and siluer they get by singing and saying of their Collects by going and gathering of their yearely Offerings and the great liuings reuenues and rentes which their Cathedral Churches Abbeis Religious houses and Couents haue so that in al things they passe the welthiest There is no kind of pleasure come it neuer so farre off be it neuer so deare and costly but they wil haue a tast of it NotwithstaÌ„ding they caÌ„ play so wel the hipocrites at their sermons y t it séemeth they regarde nothing lesse than the vanitie of this world and praise aboue measure fasting and abstinence But they haue their rewarde héere and shall héereafter haue their portion with the dissemblers and hipocrites where shall be wéeping wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth And I hâ—ard another voice an other warning of the spirite whereby the true and faithfull ministers of God are instructed and taught warning vs and saying Goe out of hir my people come away with Esdras out of that wicked Babylon goe forthe with Abraham out of Caldee runne and flie with Lothe out of filthye Sodomâ— and meddle no more wyth that whoorish Church of Rome denie forsake and detest wholly hir false and fained holynesse hir foule and filthy ceremonies abhorre hir dissimulation and hypocrisie curse and ban their trifles and iestings and haue no felowship more wyth these whooremongers Nicolaites Balaamites Lifte vp and repent from the bottom of your hearts your former follie and abhominations which you haue done in times past and come to me sayth the Lord all ye that trauail and are heauie loden and I shall refresh you Get ye away from among them without looking behinde you that ye be not partakers of their sinnes which is the veÌ„geance and ire of Gods wrath and indignation At all tymes and seasons there haue bene holy and godly men and well learned fathers whiche through their excellent and diuine woorkes and writings haue exhorted and cried especially since the comming vp of the Pope for redresse and reformation of the churche for the amendemente of many faultes and to sée brotherly exhortation and christian discipline vsed in the same As by Bertrandus Herebaldus BereÌ„garius Thuronensis Bruno Andegauensis Peter Damianus Valeriane Medeburgensis Bernardê° ClareualeÌ„sis Robertus Tuitiensis Ioachim Abbas Cyrillus Graecus IoaÌ„nes Salisburgensis Gilbertê° LaÌ„tcestrius Angelus Hierosolimitanê° Guilhelmus de sancto Aniore Guido Bonatus Nicolaus Gallus Hubertinus de Casali Pelius Casali Petrus Ioannes Marcilius Patauinus IoaÌ„nes Paris Arnoldê° de villa noua Michael Caesenas Gulielmus Occam Nicolaus de Luca Marcus de FloreÌ„tia IoaÌ„nes wiclefus IoaÌ„nes Hus Michael de Bononia Ioannes Hildeshem Dante 's Aligerius FraÌ„ciscus Petrarcha Nicolaus Clemadis Petrus de Aliaco Ioannes Gerson Laurentius Valla Lodouicus Arelatensis Ioannes Segebius Thomas RedoneÌ„sis Gallus Mattheus Palmarius Dauid Boys Dionysiê° Chartusianê° IoaÌ„nes Miluerto Ioannes Gorchius Ioannes de Vsalia VVormaceÌ„sis Ioannes Ghyler IoaÌ„nes Crutser VVessalus Groenegensis Eneas Siluius Redoricus Samorensis Iulianus Brixiensis and Hieronymus Sauonarola Beside these there be other which are of oure time as IoaÌ„nes Reuchlin Baptista Mantuanus Baptista Panetius Iohannes Crestonê° Erasmus Lutherus Zwinglius Caluinus and more other All whiche the Papistes for the moste parte haue condemned for heretikes To rehearse here their wrytings their reasons and testimonies it would require to much time I muste therefore leaue it behynde I haue onely rehersed some of their names to thys end and purpose that it myght appeare to the Reader that at all tymes God hath had one or other that hath not ben in all poynts consenting to their blasphemies Albeit the light of Gods truthe was not then so perfectly reueled vnto them as it is now a dayes God be praised vnto vs. Many godly and vertuous Emperours Princes haue by generall Counsels and by al other meanes possible assayed and proued to haue a refourmation and amendemente made of all absurdities and abuses whiche were crepte into the churche but they haue alwayes met with wicked and vngodly princes which resisted them and letted them of their vertuous enterprises whiche also maintained those Antechrists in their impietie wickednesse defending them with toothe and nayle to the vttermoste neuerthelesse it is without any doubt that these as Pharao with all his power in the red Sea and as that proude kinde of Phariseys and priestes of the Iewes in the Citie bicause of theyr manifeste blasphemies perished so shall likewise at the hour and time of God appointed all these perishe and vanishe away For the sinnes of this whoore or the innumerable blasphemies of this false religion the great abhomination and filthie idolatrie the burning hangyng drowning and sheading of innocente bloude are come vp into Heauen there to desire the vengeance of God for their vncleannesse vnshâ—mefastnesse hath caused prouoked Gods wrath and indignation against them And God hath remeÌ„bred their iniquities The multitude greatnesse wherof ar come vp into heauen Therfore haue they most iustly deserued the threatened plagues of the most righâ—eous God no lesse than Sodome and Gomorre for their transgression and wickednesses which when it was foretolde them made light of it and went forwarde to al mischiefe vntil God pouring out his vengeance destroyed them with fire and brimstone Rewarde hir euen as she hath rewarded you Measure vnto hir againe with such measure as she did measure vnto you Take ye good héede and looke narowly ye that haue gotten the iudgement seate Crie vpon hir euen as she dyd crie vpon you snare hir as she hath snared you Againe as she hath heretofore wrongfully molested and
troubled you scornefully intreated yea and by hir Traditions iudged and condemned you euen vnto death so nowe do ye likewise rebuke hir and exhorte hir of hir wyckednesse iudge hir like a very harlot and condemne hir by the mightie and true worde of God to euerlasting fire whiche can not be quenched And giue hir double according to hir workes And in the cup that she hath filled to you fill hir the double That is render vnto hir double in all punishmentes and giue vnto hir euen for worldly punishements whiche she hath brought vpon the elect of God hellishe torments For corporal and bodily troubles and vexations eternal pains and torment of the minde for the blame and ignomynie of thys worlde perpâ—tuall shame and confusion for temporall death euerlastyng damnation both of body and soule And the cup. c. That is al kinde of troubles aduersities and miseries whiche she filled to you out of hir cup that is caused to come vpon you shal be doubled to hir againe for as it is sayd she shall receyue for temporall euils euerlasting The holy Ghost calleth here double that which is withoute comparison euen as a little tyme to no time or euerlastingnesse Hir pleasure and ioy shall be conuerted into sorowes and griefes hir mery and pleasaunt talke hir iestyngs and laughyngs into weepyng mournyng wringyng of handes and gnashyng of teeth Hir commaundings shal be turned into crauings hir reuerence into contempt hir honoure into shame c. For she hathe pretended moste faynedly an holy kynde of priesthode she boasteth and braggeth much oâ— that whiche they are furthest from She hath vsurped and wroÌ„gfully taken vpon hir and proudely claimed vnto hir a royall maiestie and highnesse Whiche two kynde of dignities she hath yet worse vsed lette hir thereâ—ore wayte and attende on the plagues and punishementes due vnto hir pernicious temeritie and arrogancie Take away hir pleasaunt Euphrates wyth the spoyle and greate reuenues wherewithall she hath hytherto so vniustly maintained and kepte hir selfe and throw hir in the deepe pit of all misâ—ries and wretchednesse For she sayth in hir heart I sitte being a Queene enuironned with ioy and pleasure I am the chiefe of the vniuersall worlde on me dependeth the Catholike and holy Churche I haue authoritie and power in Heauen earth and Hell I haue also might to binde and to loose to saue and condempne It standeth not with me as it doth with thâ—se that be not of this worlde for all thyngs here are at my commaundement I am no widowe I am not dâ—solate The hyghest powers and gouernours of thys worlde do assiste and defende mee putting to death al those that lay against me Nero Domitian Traian or Maxence were neuer more addicted to the defence of my predecessours than are now adays the Princes of our tyme readie to maintaine wyth fire and faggot my Decrées Traditions and Ceremonies Therefore I shall see no mournyng I shall continue alwayes I shall be called Madame at all tymes my kyngdome shall abyde for euer my seate shall no man take awaye from me I shall neuer fall nor any euil can come vppon mée After thys sorte boaste wyth no small presumption our Papistes also saying That the lyttle vessell of Sainâ—â— Peter may wel by the reason of weather and tempeste be shaken and with the waues of the sea troubled but neuer can be ouerwhelmed or perishe hereby goyng aboute to proue that theyr superstitious and Romyshe churche should abyde styll and neuer be ouerthrowne But they consider not of what abilitie and power the Lambe is whiche abideth vppon the mount Syon against whom they stick and make warre against continually whose congregation and little flocke they persecuâ—e daily with great tyrannie crueltie and rigorousnesse Therfore shal hir plagues come at one day God shall once poure vpon this wicked race malignant â—hurch Death sorowes hunger and swâ—rdeâ— euen as he dyd sende vpon the â—ynfull Cities â—ire and Brymstone They shal be depriued for euer of the life wâ—iche is in Christe Iesu they shall remaine in sobbes and teares tâ—ey shal not ceasse to mourne to wring their handes and gnashe their teeth they shall be inheritours oâ— eueâ—lastyng darkenesse theyr worme shall neuer die they shall hunger and neuer be satiâ—fied And this whoore with the whole generation of hypocriâ—es shall be burnt with vnquencheable fyrâ— prâ—pared for the deuyl and his auâ—gels This sentâ—nce is not so seuere as true for the Lorde who shal iudge them is of power and might he is holy and faitâ—ful in mercie true in his worde and promise maruellous in all his workes fearefull terrible and righteous in his iudgementâ— against the wycked No man then shall be able in those dayes to withdrawe any part of the threatned vengeaunâ—e of hys wrath from the euill doer Neither oure Lady with castyng of hir bâ—ades into the ballaunces of S. Michaell neyther S. Iohn Baptist with hys lambe holdyng a crosse neyther S. Peter wyth hys Key nor S. Paule wyth his sworde as they vse to make them yea and if Moyses Samuel and the rest of the Prophetes with Noe Dauid and Iob would make intercession yet shoulde they not be hearde And the Kings of the earth namely the worldly and carnall Princes whiche haue committed fornication and lyued in pleasure with hir in all vncleannesse and filthynesse shall bewaile hir when they shall see hir ouerthrowen and so yll intreated it shall grieue them sore that they may or can not maintaine and defende hir with water fyre and sworde against â—od and hys saincts for they shall be nothyng well pleased with the ordinaunces and institutions of Christe bycause they doe hate nothyng more than the workes of the spirite that is to frame theyr liues according to the will of God It shall anger them to the hearte that they are not able to burne still and slay all those that speake write or preache agaynst the deedes of the fleshe and do reproue them of their fornication adulterie and theyr mischeuous and inordinate lyfe and rebuke them of theyr moste abhomynable idolatrie And lamente ouer hir when they shall see the smoke of hir burnyng And shall stande a farre of for feare of hir tormentes crying and saying Alas alas that greate citie Babylon that mâ—ghtie Citie Alas our mother the holy Churche of Rome so many holy fathers Popes Cardinalles and Byshops Alas for our Monkes Chanons and Friers with their so holy so deuoute and straight lyuâ—s and rude garmentes Alas for so many Pardons Indulgences and confessions so many principall bye Feastes Holy dayes and gay Coapes and Garmentes Alas for oure holy Water holy Candelles holye Palmes holye Ashes hallowed Belles organs play and prick song and the resâ— of our so gay ceremonies With these and the lyke wordes shall they bewayle hir trembling and quakyng for feare crying out on this maner Wo wo to that
Lord the rod and scepter of his dominion against the wicked in those dayes as he shall say Goe from me ye curssed into euerlasting fire Again how comfortable ioyful a thing shall it be for the elect to see them selues exempted of this condemnation and to haue the fruition of that souerain blessednesse in eternal glory For he it is that treadeth the wine presse of the fiercâ—nesse and wrath of almighty God That is he shall poure forth his vengeaunce vpon the proud and infidels and shall punish them most greuously with his strong mightie arme stretched ouer their heads striking them in his rage furie wherunder all things are set And I saw an Aâ—gell standing in the Sunne signifying the Apostles and al true ministers of the word of god which stand in the bright cleare sunne of righteousnesse which is Christ Iesu that amiable and shining morning starre And these worthy witnesses stand fast in a stedâ—ast assuraÌ„ce of faith in his name against the whole multitude of Antechrist without mouing of their féete from y e well grounded stone which is Christ Iesu which for nothing in this world be it persecution paine torment or deathe will shrincke therefro And he cried with a loude voyce to all the Foules that did flie by the middes of heauen This voice cried and shall call vntil the worldes end with a feruent and constant mind vnto al foules which flie vnder heauen to them which are humble of mind and beâ—â—me spiritual through faith and heauenly giftes These fâ—ying foules laying aside quite abolishing all worldly plesures or corruptiblenesse lift themselues vp aboue their affections on hie and make their coÌ„uersation to be in heauen and lead héere in earth an heauenly life These are the choseÌ„ soules which the father féedeth and sustaineth wythâ—ute their own deserts Such a one was AbrahaÌ„ in Mesopotamie Moyses in Sinai Helias vpon y e mount Carmelus Daniel amoÌ„gst y e lions â—aul in Damasâ—o S. Iohn in Pathmos and many moe euen herein England and in other places and shal be to the worlds end The maner of their calling is Come assemble you in vnitie of faith and mind knit your selues togither in Christ Iesu in loue which is the bond of perfâ—ctnesse that the peace of god which passeth al vnderstanding kéepe your hearts mindes in Christ Iesu our Lord. Prepare ye sayth the Angel to come to that great and supernaturall good supper of the Lord Which is that eternall and euerlasting refreshing of the soul. Come on and tast of the most daintiest dishes most sumptuous fare which neuer eye hath séene neither care hath heard neither came into mannes heart which God hath prepared for them y â— loue him learne out of gods holy word what his good wil pleasure is folow the same in life maners flie from al worldly pleasures Liue soberly temperately chastly righteously in the feare of god attending and waiting vpon the coÌ„ming of our Lord and God Finally order and frame your life so that ye may eat tâ—e flâ—she of kings that ye may by exhortation and ensample teach the worldly gouerners to conuert vnto the Lord and to forsake all maner of filthie carnall and sinnefull lustes And that ye may eat the flâ—sh of all captaines and mightie men pluck down the hie minded hearts of tiraÌ„ts to bring vnder their â—rueltie and loftie stomacks deuour also the flesh of the worldly rich and proud maÌ„ cause him to leaue of al worldly pleasures â—xcesse and manifolde vanities And the flâ—she of horsses â—nd of them that sit on them And the flesh of al fre men boÌ„dmen and of smal and great Regard neither horsses nor them that sit on theÌ„ but teare their flesh in péeces Spare no man neyther hie nor low rich nor poore bond nor frée but checke and taunt them that they leauing their old wicked wayes turne to the lord As for the obstinate and stubborn which wil not bow but resist break them and hew them in pieces punish the wicked and carnall worldlings of what degree so euer they be and these beastly Antechristes cruel Grashoppers which sit on them take away the pride and loftinesse from these loitering prelates and idle bishops and also of theÌ„ that imitate and follow their mischeuous hipocrisie deliuer the oppressed and turne back the cruell persecution from the innocents poure downe thy wrath ouer the wicked according to their desertes and let none escape Imitate the Eagle and Kite resort there where as the dead carkasses men without liuely faith and drouned in sinne be Teache euery one to walke honestly in their vocation let Princes vnderstand that it behoueth them to be learned and wise in all scieÌ„ces but aboâ—e al in the holy Bible which be the Scriptures and that it becometh theÌ„ to walke in the feare of god not to do al things vnaduisedly and according to their owne pleasure but orderly as reason and equitie doth require not to oppresse the poore innocents and fatherlesse but to aid succoure and helpe them and to punishe the wicked and malefactors nor vse exfortion in taxing ouermuch their commens subiects The rich welthy that they be merciful good stewards distributers of y e gifts of God coÌ„mitted to their charge To the hipocrites Idolaters that they leaue of their vaine trust or confidence in any creatures returne vnto the liuing God Again the whoremonger that he goe no more like a beast and Mule in whom is no vnderstanding after other mennes wiues but rather take his own wife to flie al occasions of euil CoÌ„maund the ruler to be faithful in his calling and the Commons louingly to obey The wife to be true and obedient to hir husband againe the husband to be friendable and louing to his wife defend hir cherish and nourish hir euen as Christ defended his Church and cared for hir Children to be obedieÌ„t to their Parents the Parentes not to prouoke their children to wrathe And the seruaunts to obey them that be their masters c. Thou shalt eate the flesh of the Giantes and drinke the bloud of the Princes of the earth of the Weathers of Buckes and Bulles which shall be slayne at Basan And I saw the Beast and the Kings of the earth and their armie That is these Ruffians and lecherous Bishops Monkes Abbots and the rest of these shauelings of Antechrist with the Princes of this world cruel tyrantâ— catchpols and hangmen of the Beast are assembled together to consult and gather souldiours and set them out to fight against him which sate vppon the white horse to make warre against Christ and his beloued Churche his chosen and peculiare people his seruaunts which without any kind of doubt or wauering follow him They séeke I say to kil and slay
loued most of al y â— did write the Reuelation in Pathmos 10 The tenth of a Chrisophrasius whose nature is to shine like gold and yet greenish in the sight Such are those who hauing receiued good knowledge perfecte wisdom of God distribute vnto others according vnto the talent which god hath deliuered vnto theÌ„ Therby to awake the sluggish and dreaming people and bring to heauenly meditations Amongst those may Ezechiel wel be couÌ„ted which in his time did sée maruellous things and wonderful straunge Reuelations 11 The eleuenth of a Iacinct the colour of which stone is like vnto water hauyng stripes glistering like the bright shining beames of the Sunne By this stone are represented suche as doe séeme to be ignorant and are counted noddies fooles before the world which notwithstaÌ„ding haue heauenly wisdom inough although in sight very ideots voyde of all knowledge yet neuerthelesse are they instructed and taught of God to reueale hidden and secrete mysteries of the numbre Of those are Ozee Ioel Amos whiche was but a poore shephierd with the rest of the small prophets Such were also Andrew Peter Philip Thomas and the rest of the Apostles of Christ. 12 The twelfth an Ametist this is of a violet or purpure and roste colour and this signifieth them which abide zelous meke and stedfast in the knowne truthe of the Lorde whiche also are ready at all times to die and shed their bloude euen for the same suche were the seuen brethren of the Machabees with their mother Such were also Iames the greater and Antipas that faithfull witnesse with many more disciples and martirs No man can shew any greater loue than this when any maÌ„ bestoweth hys lyfe for hys friendes All these sayth our Sauiour are blessed and the kyngdome of heauen doth belong vnto them On this maner then is notified by these fundations the same which the true and faithfull ministers and pastors of the churche of Christ according to the diuersitie of gifts giuen vnto them haue buylded vpon some gold siluer or precious stones but such as haue added to this buildyng any wood hay or stubble which are customes traditions and other duÌ„be Ceremonies or else vayneglorie worldly honoure riches and pleasures shall neuer be accompted among thys heauenly companie These fundations haue ben prefigured by the precious stones which were in the stomacher of Aaron the high Priest and in the costely and royall garmentes of the Kyng of Tyrus He whiche is desirous to know more of the nature condition and propretie of these precious stones may reade Plinie his .xxxvij. booke of naturall Histories or Bartholomeus de proprietatibus rerum and concerning the mysterie and allegorie reade Saint Hierome vpon the .54 Chapiter of Esaye or Beda Haymo Costasius BacoÌ„thorp Eleyne Tilney and dyuers more other whiche haue written vppon the Reuelation It suffiseth vs to haue shewed thée according to the meanyng of Saint Austen that these stones doe signifie the manyfolde gyftes and diuers gracâ—s of the holy Ghost for the onely spirite of the lord worketh all these thyngs dyuersly Hée measureth hys gyftes vnto euery one according to hys good will and pleasure thâ— whiche altogether are singular preciouâ— and moste excellente as it shall well aâ—peare in that great and ioyous day of the chyldren of God And the Angell sayeth Sainct Iohn whiche dydde shewe all those foresayde thyngs moued me in spirite to take the more heede to the gracious and mercifull purpose of the Lorde and to bryng me to a more déeper knowledge of his misteries shewed me a pure Riuer of water of life whiche is therefore called the Water of Lyfe bycause it maketh whole and gyueth saluation to oure soules Thys Ryuer is nothyng else but the flâ—wing veritie and the worde of Saluation or the myghtie doctrine of Christe Thys is that swéete Ryuer whyche proceâ—deth of Edom to refresh Paradise which diuiding it selfe in foure watereth the foure parts of the earthe This runnyng water maketh the Citie of God very pleasant and delectable This riuer is maruelous comfortable springyng into eternall lyfe it is here a spirituall comfort for the childreÌ„ of God and shal be hereafter that incomprehensible glory of the Sainctes in heauen To whome shal we go sayth Peter but to thée for thou hast the worde of eternall life The vertue and nature of this water is to satisfie purge and clâ—Ì„se to comfort to make whole and healthful for it procéedeth and floweth froÌ„ the maiestie of God it commeth from that eternal and excellent schoole of the father and thence procéedeth forwarde to the ouer-fulnesse of the lambe Christ Iesu and his diuine spirite I will poure cleane water sayth the Lorde vpon you and ye shall be frée from all your filth vncleannesse I will also gyue you a newe hearte and plant in you a new spirite In the middes of the strete of it and of either side of the riuer was the tree of life This riuer signifieth the two testamentes of the Lorde wherby stode that moste pleasant trée of lyfe namely Christ Iesus the mediatour and pastour the sauiour and redéemer of the worlde Out of the roote and progenie of Dauid spryngeth thys tree according to the fleshe conceyued of the holye Ghost borne of the virgin Marie As the tree of life in the beginnyng was planted in the middest of Paradise euen so is hée spiritually in the middest of his Churche whiche is his moste pleasaunt garden if that grounde or earth which maketh the trées twice fruitefull in the yeare be called happy so may this garden by good rereason well be called happy and blessed Where this trée standeth whiche neuer is without frute nor drieth vp or withereth which dothe not onely beare twyce a yeare fruite signifiyng all the vnspeakable giftes of the holy Ghoste but rendreth his frutes euery month of the yere that is continually bothe Sommer and winter All they which are thys Congregation people haue continually so long as they lyue greate Consolation in all theyr assaultes and trialles and in all kinde of aduersitie bothe spirituall and temporall And the leaues of the trees serued to heale the nations with The promises and the worde of GOD are spirite and lyfe the nature propretie and vertue of them are blessednesse and eternal saluation These leaues can not by any meanes wyther awaye When Gods worde is sincerely preached and taughte then we remember the benefites of oure deliueraunce then is oure conscience appeased and satisfied and the minde mery and gladde then dothe the soule of man reioyce and rendreth therfore to GOD the Father moste heartie thanckes worthie prayses syngyng and magnifiyng hym for his eternall goodnesse and merâ—ie So then the Nations are quite healed and made healthfull thorough beléefe and cleauing faste vnto the woorde acknowledgyng and confessyng Christe Iesu to be their onely Sauiour righteousnesse and true holynesse The woorde of GOD
eternitie hath none ende but continueth alwayes All fleshe waxeth olde as a garment and all that is made and can be séene shall perish in season The generation of fleshe and bloude is suche that when one is borne an other dieth One kyngdome increaseth an other decreaseth Who so euer committeth wickednesse shall perish with them Blessed is the man which through wisedome exerciseth hym selfe in al goodnesse and declareth holy things with vnderstaÌ„ding This many of the Heathen Philosophers and other Pagans could well discerne and iudge of by naturall reson the which also did contemne and forsake riches greate estimation and authoritie bicause of many labours paines and vnquietnesse and other euyls whiche herehence procéede for to passe ouer spende their time in more quietnesse would not be intangled with any kind of thing that mighte hynder them of their studie and other exercises Cecilius Metellus a valiaÌ„t captain wold neuer receue the office of Dictator which was offered him neither the charge of a CoÌ„sul or magistrate saying that he wold spend that in quietnesse y t he had gotten by great trauaile and paine in y e warres The Philosopher Anatillus dyd refuse to be gouernoure of Athenes saying that he would be rather a seruaunt of good men than a hangman of the wicked Nicodius did not regarde nor made any accompt of the great tresure which kyng Cyrus sent him for a present to go with him to war Aristotle forsooke the good entertainment of Alexander the great bicause he had rather be at Athenes to reade to his scholers after his accustomed maner Philosophie Apollonâ—us Thianeus leauyng hys owne natiue countrey toke his iorney to go thoroughout whole Asie to goe to sée the philosopher Hirarchus in Indie M. Curius contemned the great sum of gold the Samnites offred him The great Philoâ—opher Crates mentioned in y e beginning of our boke cast al his goodes riches into y e sea The inhabiters of the Isle of Varales being aduertised of the aâ—arice couetousnesse of their nâ—ibors threw al theyr tresure their gold siluer into the sea bicause they shold not take occasioÌ„ to make warre against them for their goods Upon a day in the presence of Phillip king of the Macedonians was moued a question among the philosophers namely What was the greatest thing in this worlde Whereunto one aunswered It was the Sunne the next sayd the sea the thirde the mount of Atlas the fourth sayd that great and learned Poet Homere Shortly euery one â—ayd that which semed him best But the wisest of them all aunswered after thys sorte The greatest and most coÌ„mendable thing is the heart and courage of Man whyche dothe not regarde worldly and transitorie Riches But I coulde rehearse here a greate many more of examples yf neede shoulde so require and tyme serue But if the Heathen haue done thys howe muche more â—ught ChristiaÌ„s to do that in knowledge discretion which they dyd in ignoraÌ„ce And to draw your selues the rather from all vayne and transitorie thyngs whiche leade men vnto all euill and to addresse your selfe with heart and mind towards the Lorde ye must call to remembrance often the wrath which shall come to the seruants of vnrighteousnesse the childreÌ„ of the worlde the fleshe and the deuill at the last day Agayne call to minde that worthie reward and glorious inheritaÌ„câ— whiche the children and seruants of God haue prepared for them The tyme passeth and is turned from mornyng vntil euening Therfore be ye wyse and haue the feare of God before your eyes kéepe your self from doing of euil in these dangerous dayes The foole hath no consideration of the time but the wise man vnderstandeth all that belongeth to knowledge and taketh héede to instruction He which findeth wisedom estéemeth it and maketh much of it A wittie man in talk sayth the wise man walketh wisely Also they haue knowen veritie and iustice and haue searched after true iudgement Withdrawe your selfe then if ye will bâ— counted wise before God from the vanitie of this present worlde and caste aside all manner of voluptuousnesse pleasure and carnall Concupiscence For yf you folow the peruerse iudgement of the worlde and giue the bridle to the wicked desires of the body it will cause your enimies to reioice ouer you Let it not greue you to sée y e wicked prosper to be regarded and to come to high promotion Be not ye abashed or displesed for consideratioÌ„ of teÌ„porall felicitie which god gyueth here vpon earthe vnto the vngodly wicked and carnall libertinâ—sâ— to Epicures bellygods and other seing they are of no continuaunce they shal fall vanyâ—he and come to naught they shall consume lyke smoake and perishe like the herbe and floure of the fieldes But truste ye in the Lorde and go forward from goodnesse to better Christe Iesu our Sauiour to the comfort of all troubled Christians warneth vs saying Feare not ye him which killeth the body seing he can not hurt the soule whiche is in the Lordes kéepyng though y e body be neuer so miserably tormented or yll intreated yet are we sure that God shall raise it vp agayne and so body and soule being ioyned receyue euerlasting ioy and blessednesse Contrary wyse all the wicked which persecute the true membres of Christ as doth at thys day that wycked tyrant the Duke of Alba with all his adherents very hangmen and cruel murtherers of the Pope shall haue an ylfauored and shameful end here in this worlde and hereafter haue eternall ignominie and confusion in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone The reward in deede of all such tyrantes and wicked ones as nowe be or euer were as Neâ—o Dioclesian Dioscore Maximian Iouian Maxence Licinus Constantius Phocus and many more other whose fearefull and terrible examples ought to moue the cruell tyrantes of our dayes were it not that they by the iuste iudgement of GOD were hardened in theyr wycked malicousnesse Examynyng then the naughtie ende of these wicked tyrantes and waying again our good end and â—ure consolation which we gather out of the worde of God we ought by good reson to reioyce and be glad of oure estate from the bottom of our harts to thanke the Lorde oure God that it hath pleased him to cal vs to such a good state and that he hath thoughte vs worthy to suffer any thing for his name sake Then be of good cheere and take courage and takyng thy crosse on thy shoulder followe stoutely Christ Iesu thy kyng and only head â—ut if thou wilt do this thou must contemne cast of and forsake euen as Christ did al couetousnesse worldly honor carnal lusâ—s concupiscence and thou shalâ— finde that it is much easier to serue the Lord thaÌ„ to â—e a slaue to this wretched world for hys yoke is light his burden is easy Be ye therfore streÌ„gthned coÌ„forted by vertue of gods holy spirit neither purpose or desire either by worde or déede