vnto Righteousnesse and with the mouth confession is made vnto Saluation Moreouer the Apostle Peter in hys seconde Epistle and thirde Chapiter sayth that all those that haue giuen their names vnto Christe or are called Christians oughte so farreforthe to procéede in the study of the holy mysteries that they hauing hearde the truth of their Faith out of the Prophets and Apostles declared in the Scriptures mighte fully and substantiallye comprehended the same and also be able euerye man for himselfe at all times and to euery one that requyreth it to render a reason of his faith and hope But that any man shoulde be able to confesse his faith and to yéelde an accompte thereof that hathe not béene some space conuersante in the sacred Scriptures it is by no meanes probable or likely For it is one thing simply to make a confession of Faith and an other to render an accompte of Faith. As for the one it maye readilye ynoughe after a sorte be performed of euerye manne especiallye when there is no perill of persecution néere at hande and there is no manne in a maner which hath not séene at one time or other many folkes so to haue learned and repeated by hearte the Symbole of the Apostles yea and the Nicene Créede and that now then also in an vnknowen language as Popiniayes are wont to chatter whē they bid men good morrowe or good euen but as touching the other he that will do it must of necessitie declare that his faith is vpholden by the worde of GOD it selfe and as Paule speaketh Rom◠confirmed with the testimony of the lawe and the Prophets For thou arte vtterlye deceiued incase thou thinkest it lawfull for thée to put ouer the office of beléeuing to another and to be sufficient in case thou confessest thy selfe to beléeue as thy Godfather beléeued which vndertooke and gaue his worde for thée at the holye Fonte or as the Churches beléeue or as the Ministers of Churches For vndoubtedly in the matter whyche appertayneth to the euerlasting saluation of the soule euerye manne oughte to be his owne factour to be nearest vnto hymselfe to gage hys owne proper Fayth béefore GOD and the Churche wyth hys owne proper hearte to beléeue vnto Righteousnesse and with his owne proper mouth to confesse vnto Saluation For like as it profiteth not thy bodye in case an other manne taketh meate for thée or in thy steade and thrusteth it into his owne mawe and in the meane tyme leaueth thée hungry and almoste hungersterued for wante of foode euen so arte thou wonderfullye deceyued when thou wéenest that it will be behouefull for thy soule in case thou thy selfe beyng ignoraunte of the thynges that belong vnto Faith whilest I meane thou arte bothe of age and vnderstanding méete to haue learned the worde of GOD and making no confession at all an other man doe declare hys Faith before GOD and his Churche This is not the waye no this is not the way beléeue me to attaine vnto the scope and marke of Saluation Those saide preceptes of beléeuing of confessing of rendring an accompte doe in verye déede binde euerye particular man withoute anye difference Be yee readye sayth Peter to gyue a reason alwayes and to euerye one that asketh But how canste thou hope that thou shalte haue at all tymes and in euerye place eyther thy Godfathers and Godmothers or teachers of the Churche to be present wyth thée whyche wyll doe so muche I meane make answere for thée And for this verye cause is the custome commonlye receiued in the Churche that the confession of Fayth shoulde vpon Sondayes and Holy dayes be recited in suche a forme as albeit there be but one common Faith of all like as there is but one GOD and one Baptisme yet it shoulde not be saide in common we beléeue in one GOD but I beléeue in one GOD to the intent verily euery man might perceiue that he hath for himself both to make confession and also to render a reason of his faith For whiche cause also when Baptisme is ministred it is vsed in all Churches and Prouinces after one and the selfesame manner as for example euery one being asked the question of the minister of the Church seuerally aunswereth for himselfe and sayth I beleeue in GOD the father I beleeue in Iesus Christ hys onelye begotten sonne I beleeue in the holye Ghoste and so foorthe as touchyng whyche order of questioning and aunsweryng there is plaine mention Act. 8. where is touched the regeneration of the Ethiopian Eunuch Neither can it be declared howe great a pestilence that fond opiniō of Faith inuolued as they terme it scattered abroad by certaine vnlearned ideots hath broughte into the minds of menne where by they thinke they do inough when they professe thēselues to beléeue as other men beléeue For doubtlesse here vpon hath risen a moste perillous securitie Yea it hath come to passe by little and little that those which should haue obtayned saluation by faith haue bin so bold as vtterly to neglecte and contemne Faith. But those that haue once neglected cast from them the care of their faith howe is it possible that they should afterward performe the workes of Charitie especially such as are pleasing and acceptable vnto GOD of which sort are those onely and alone that flowe and procéede from Faith And in whom there is neither Faith nor Charitie the same must also of necessitie be destitute of the benefite of hope These things being thus determined it followeth that suche persons are hitherto fallen away from the grace of GOD and oughte not to be made anye better accompte of if we haue regarde to spirituall blessings than Pagans or brute beastes Than whiche estate doubtlesse especiallye of a man that is baptized and glorieth in the name of CHRISTE nothyng can bée sayde or thoughte more wretched or myserable The manne that hathe eyther no Faith in hym at all or suche as is verye slender and vnperfecte neyther vseth to stirre vppe to nourishe to encrease and confirme the same by reading and meditating of the worde of GOD that manne I saye whatsoeuer he bée looketh in vaine to receiue anye spirituall benefites at GODS hande But that Faith do we affirme to be nothing or as slight and slender a thing as maye be whiche onelye is implicita that is to saye inuolued or enwrapped suche I meane as is fast fixed and locked vppe in the breaste of an other manne but hath no maner of place in thine owne Therefore euen as Fayth is looked for at thy handes and muste issue from thine owne selfe so is the reading and knowledge of GODS worde wherein are declared the principles of Fayth and whereby the liuely iustifying faith is kindled and nourished in the mind likewise requyred at thy hands must of necessitie also procéede from thy selfe And to thys end pertaineth that rebukemēt or cōplaint whither it be of Chrisostome in hys sixtéene Homily vpon Iohn Some there be
importance It is sayth he quicke or liuely and mighty in working and operation for it pierceth and entreth throughe euen to the diuiding of the soule and the spirite in as muche as it moueth the whole manne after an incredible manner againe it discerneth the thoughtes and intentes of the hearte in asmuche as it findeth faulte with and iudgeth a man and bringeth hym to the knowlege of hymselfe and of God and compelleth him to humble hymselfe to confesse that he is a sinner and to flye vnfaynedly to Gods mercy The other howe that from the worde we maye passe sodainely to GOD hymselfe vnto whome all thinges thoughe neuer so secreate are wyde open and bare Therefore by the former pointe we must be moued to thinke and perswade oure selues that in the worde of GOD yea euen when it is read onelye or hearde there is a certaine maiestie and excellencie by reason whereof it deserueth to be imbraced of vs with all reuerence and lowlynesse of hearte And by this later it commeth to passe that wée belieue that God is not farre absent from his worde but when and so long as it pleaseth him worketh mightily by it as by a fit instrument accomplisheth most wonderfull things Not that the word as it consisteth of bare letters and sillables as it is written read pronoūced or heard is in it selfe of so great efficacie no verily our meaning is not so to perswade but we hold for truth that whilest the authour of the same word written read pronounced or heard is considered and whilest the things signifyed therein are diligently examined the diuine power in the meane season after a certaine imperceyueable manner approcheth wherewyth estsoones the mindes of readers or hearers are so moued pierced inflamed and enlightned that repētāce faith and other such like vertues do folow in them For we vnderstand that euen the very same consideration is to be had of the outward worde that all men do confesse to be had of the outward elementes in the Sacraments of CHRISTES Church The water if it be considered in it selfe is of no great force neyther can it in very déed wash away the filthinesse of the soule but as sone as the worde is added to the element according as CHRIST gaue in commaundemente it becommeth a Sacrament Howe be it in this word of the Sacrament we haue not so muche to marke the sillables and sounde of the letters as we haue to obserue the dignitie of him that first instituted that holy action the things signified by it especially the inuocation and calling vpon of the three persons in one diuine essence or substance of the Deitie And then forsooth so great is the power of the water through the working of the worde that it toucheth indéed the body but it washeth also the heart I vse the worde of S. Augustine in his treatise 80. vppon Iohn not bicause the word is spoke but bicause it is beleued for whereas GOD is thus called vpō by faith there he doth not disdaine by his power to worke heauenlie spirituall effectes in the heartes of those that are baptised We say then that euen in like case when the minde is wholly set vpon the word which is read heard or vnderstoode and hath regard vnto God the Author of the worde and besides weigheth in a iuste ballaunce the things signified in it that then the diuine power doeth wonderfully shewe forth it selfe and repentance faith hatred of sinnes endeuoure of true holinesse of life are stirred vp and euen the whole man both in body and in soule is chaunged and renued Of whych diuine workemanshippe there are proofes sette foorthe in the Sacred Scriptures verye playne and apparant to all men For Ezra read in the booke of the Lawe Nehemia 8. in the open streete that was before the watergate frō morning vntil midday in the presence of men and women that gaue heede vnto it and the eares of all the people hearkned vnto the Booke of the Law It foloweth a little after And al the people when they heard the words of the lawe The Apostle Peter Actes 2. rehearseth the Scriptures to the Iews and interpreteth them as touching Christ which being heard so many as were present were pricked in hearte and said vnto Peter and the rest of the Apostles Men and brethren what shal we do And vnto the Rom 10. But what sayth it The worde is neare thee euen in thy mouth and in thine hart This is the word of Faith which we preach to wit if thou shalt confesse with thy mouth the Lord Iesus shalt beleeue in thine hearte that God raysed him vp from the dead thou shalte bee saued For with the hearte man beleeueth vnto righteousnesse and wyth the mouth manne confesseth to saluation Againe in the same place Fayth commeth by hearing and hearing by the worde of GOD. Moreouer Peter Act. 10. making a plaine declaration of the summe of Christian doctrine oute of the holy Scriptures in the house of Cornelius the Centurion To this CHRIST sayth he beare all the Prophets witnesse that throughe his name whosoeuer beleeue in him shall receiue remission of sinnes While Peter yet spake these wordes the holy Ghoste fell on al them that hearde the worde Wée may therefore out of al question confirme this assertion namely that by the diligent and attentiue reading hearing and meditation of the worde of GOD a man is induced to the knowledge of GOD and of hymselfe to the detestation of his sinnes and to vnfayned repentaunce to Faith in Iesus Christe to the amendment of hys life and conuersation and to bée shorte receiueth the holy Ghoste and wyth hym most large and bountifull giftes That whyche wée knowe in tymes paste vsually befell to the readers or hearers of GODS word that the same also may happen nowe in these dayes wee flatly auouche wythout controlment For why if hée that beyng incensed with desire of profiting taketh in hand the holy Bookes do before al things craue the ayde of the holy Ghost thē next deuoutly reade or heare the word of GOD by which as by an instrument it pleaseth GOD to talke familiarly with vs after this also lifte vp his mind vnto GOD speaking by the Prophets or Apostles and duly discusse the things specified in thē there is no doubt but that God after his acustomed clemency putting to his hande will stirre vp purge teach and sanctifie the heart as well of the reader as the the hearer and graciously grante vnto him Repentance Faith the holy Ghost and other giftes and graces of hys spirite Furthermore to the intent that euery one furnished and affected in that sorte that we speake of maye in reading envre himselfe wisely and discretlye to note picke out and as by a certaine methode to distinguishe those things that may be profitable to all intentes and purposes and applyed to the attaynement of perfection and soule health we adde last of all that the very edge of
of that commaundemente speaketh thus vnto all Christians We haue sayeth he a most sure worde of the Prophets to the which ye do well that ye take heede as vnto a light that shineth in a darke place vntil the day dawne and the day Starre arise in your hearts And the holye Apostle Paule commaundeth exhorteth and leaueth nothing vnattempted whereby he might allure all men to loue and frequent the wrytings of the Prophetes and Apostles Colossi 3. Let the worde of Christe sayeth he dwel in you plentifully with all wisdome and teach and admonishe one another Last of all what things soeuer do offer themselues in the New Testament to the commendation of the holy Scripture or worde of GOD the same oughte to be taken of vs as preceptes and exhortations inuiting vs to the readyng of the sacred bookes Therefore it behoueth vs patientlye to heare GOD the Father speakyng in the olde Testamente CHRIST hys sonne Peter Paule and so manye as followe theyr steppes speakyng in the Newe and as for all false deceyuers and Sophysters perswading the contrarye lette them departe farre off and for euer from the fellowshippe and societye of the Godlye To followe the aduice of wyse and honeste councellours and according to theyr councels to searche and examyne the lawe of the Lorde that is to saye the holye Scriptures with suche diligence and deuotion as is requisite is a point of very great wisdome Prouerbs 2.4 Ieremie 9. But wyth what alacritie and chearefulnesse of minde all true Christians haue euen from the begynnyng obeyed the Apostles so greatelye vrgyng the studye of the holye Scriptures and wyth what great feruencie all haue endeauoured to reade the Diuine mysteries the Historye of the Apostles Actes doâ—th sufficientlye declare The noble menne of Berea among those that were it Thessalonica when they had receyued the word with all readinesse of minde searched the scriptures dayly coueting to trie whether the things whyche they heard of the Apostles were so or no. Act. 17.11 The example of the men of Berea admonisheth vs that it is not ynough for vs to heare Sermons coÌ„tinually in publike assemblies but also verye necessarye duely to discusse examine priuately with our selues all the things whiche we haue hearde to the intente we may become the more sure and certaine of our religion This tryal and examination of doctrine is accomplished by comparing togither of diuerse places out of the holy Scriptures in which it behoueth vs so long time to be occupyed vntill we may plainely perceyue whether the things that are spoken of the teacher or of any other doe agrée with the places of Scripture or no. The Doctrine that men vse to put forth deserueth not to be accounted for sounde and Catholike excepte it be aunswearable to the rule and squire of the Prophetical and Apostolike writings And this manner of discerning in times paste was common to all hearers and besides there was receyued in euerye Churche well neare a certaine publike forme and patterne thereof For proofe whereof make the words of the Apostle 1 Corin. 14. where he saith As oft as yee come togither euery one of you hath a song hath a doctrine hath a tongue hath a reuelation hath an interpretation let all things be done to edifying And a little after Let two or three of the Prophetes speake and let the residewe determyne Further if anye thing be reuealed to another that sitteth by let the firste holde hys peace For ye maye all seuerally prophecie that all may learne and all receyue comforte and the spirites of the Prophetes are subiect to the Prophetes And againe 1. Thessa. 4. he sayeth Quench not the Spirite despise not prophesiying Trye all things holde that which is good Some therefore doe priuately to theyr owne comforte and instruction determine of prophesies and discerne the true and natiue sense from the false and counterfayte othersome whiche especiallye doe excell others in iudgement and giftes of the spirite are required euen in publike meetings that they woulde louinglye declare theyr minde as touching the doctine put forth And vndoubtedly those only can readily and fruitefullye wyth commendation do any thing in this behalfe the haue exercised theÌ„selues at home with coÌ„tinual reading of the scriptures The Apostle moreouer in the same place to the Corin. addeth another coÌ„maundement as concerning the duety of husbands But if the women will learne any thing Let theÌ„ aske sayth he their husbandes at home To the wife therfore demanding a question it behoueth the husbande to make answere render a reason out of the Scriptures euen in like case as euery Prophet or preacher doth wheÌ„ he is questioned with of manye in open publike place Neyther did the goodmaÌ„ of the house in those days performe this duetie alonlye to his wife but also to all his householde of what age or condition soeuer they were especially when there was good hope the so many as should bée instructed in the word of GOD might be made modest sober vigilant much more faithful diligent in doing of their businesse afterward than they were before It is euident also that parentes did then nouzel and instructe euen their tender little ones in the principles of godlynesse Christian religion Continue thou saith the Apostle in the 3. Chap. of his 2. epist. to Timothy in the things which thou hast learned which are committed vnto thee knowing of whoÌ„ thou hast learned theÌ„ that thou hast known the holy scriptures of a child And in the 1. Chap. of his 1. Epi. he putteth Timothy in remeÌ„braunce that he had receiued examples of Faith and godlynesse of life of his mother Eunica and of his grandmother Lois Neither ought any man to maruayle when we saye that all the beléeuers in that age did bothe often and exactlye reade the holye Scriptures and also greatly profitte by readyng of them For as Peter in hys Sermon Actes 2. truelye interpreteth that whyche was long before spoken of the Prophete Ioel it behoued that the same Prophesie shoulde then be fulfilled and that the holy Ghoste being powred into the heartes of a greate number should by and by so instruct them as that they might loue and imbrace the holye Scriptures try and examine them and finally with wonderfull dexteritie expounde and declare the meaning of them whiche benefite was afterwarde made common to all the Godlye but chiefely to those that feruentlye faithfullye and wythout staggering craued true and perfitte Wisdome of GOD the father of lightes as the Apostle saint Iames saith For it behoueth the promise of of GOD to be firme immutable which is extant in the Prophetes and wonderfully commended of CHRIST They shall all sayth he be taught of GOD. And The godlye are annointed of the holy Ghost Esay 54 Iere. 31. Iohn 6.1 Ioan. 2. Hebr. 8. Wherefore Chrisostome vpon Genesis homelie 35 is bold to say That it cannot bee that he which with greate care and feruent desire
places it is not obscurely signified firste that the Bookes of holy Scripture were in times paste by Readers from an hyghe Pulpit with a cleare voice whyche all myghte heare and in the common tongue whyche all might vnderstande accustomed to be recited Secondlye that by name were rehearsed Moses the residue of the Prophets the Psalmes the Gospels the Actes of the Apostles the Apostolicall Epistles and that for the moste parte these bookes were read through from the beginning to the ende Lastly that this order was obserued that the reading wente alwaies before and then followed a more large declaration of the thinges that were read by some one that was excellent in the gifte of Prophecie In the meane time the godly Doctors and Teachers neuer ceassed to exhorte their godlye hearers that they woulde daylye also reade ouer the holy Scriptures at home at their owne houses that they woulde priuatelye call to minde the things that they hadde publikely heard and that by the example of those of Berea they would duly weigh and examine them by the ballaunce and touchstone of the Scriptures And of the peoples diligence profiting at that time in reading the holy Scriptures this is no doubtfull argument for that it was not néedfull for the Doctours themselues thoughe some men in these oure dayes doe very weywardly and importunately vrge it to expresse at all times the names of the Authours and Chapters of the holy bookes In as much as the people themselues so soone as they hadde hearde any place alleaged and broughte forth by and by vnderstood in what Author in what booke and in what parte of the booke the same was to be founde as they that were verye well exercised by reason of their daylye and domesticall reading Therefore the thinges that in so many ages and in euerie place were with singular care great commendation and with no lesse fruite accustomed to be done in sacred assemblies or méetings wherevnto all Christians of all estates and degrées whatsoeuer vsually came togither We may iudge also to be verye séeming and sitting for all the professours of Christianitie in these oure dayes neither can we suppose them to bée within the compasse of Christes flocke or folde that shall contemptuouslie refuse eyther to heare the holy Scriptures in the Churche or to reade them oftentymes at home by themselues Wherefore if thou dwellest in suche a place where as the Propheticall and Apostolique writings are not accustomed to bée recited in holy publike assemblies then forsooth is it most requisite and necessarie that thou shouldest prescribe vnto thy selfe a perpetuall and vnchangeable Lawe as touching the dayly reading of them at home at thy house But if thou dwellest where they are publikelie recited in a tong knowen vnto thée it is well and thou hast good cause to reioyce wyth thy selfe as one in farre more happie estate than infinite thousands of men whome a man may finde euery where in Cities Townes Villages and stréetes vtterly voyde and destitute of the knowledge of Heauenly and Spirituall thyngs but thou must prouide neuerthelesse with all possible diligence that thou mayest profite and goe forwarde in the wholesome doctrine of GODS worde not onely in the Lordes house or Temple but also in thine owne priuate house by all occasions and to the vttermost of thy power according to the holye admonitions of godly and learned Pastors For true Christianitie consisteth not in thys that a man doth oftentimes conueygh hymselfe bodilie from hys House to the Churche but in that a man both at home and in the Churche shoulde bende hys whole heart and mynde to the true vnderstanding of the mysteries of GODS holye worde But why doe we not alleadge some of the exhortations that the holy Fathers vsed to make to their hearers when they coueted to stirre them vp to the priuate reading of the sacred Scriptures forsooth I trust they wyll no lesse profite now a great number than it is certayn they profited in times past For they prouided their painefull workes both for vs and our whole posteritie And certes for mâ—ne owne part I confesse I coulde not deuâ—se either more pithy or profitable exhortations than thâ—irs are OrigeÌ„ therfore about the yeare of our Lord 230. being a Doctor of the famous schole and Church of Alexandria from when his voyce sounded into the whole world namely whilest out of his Auditory there came on euerye side innumerable wise gouernours of Churches whom also Mammea mother of AlexaÌ„der Seuerus the Emperor called vnto hir for a time to Antioch whilest hir desire was to be instructed of hym the same OrigeÌ„ I say expounding the booke of Leuiticus in his homilie 9. hath these words For those only doeth the high Priest aduocate propitiator Christ pray that are the Lords inheritaunce that wayte for him before the gates that depart not froÌ„ the teÌ„ple but giue theÌ„selues to fasting and prayer Dost thou thinke that scarcely coÌ„mest to the Church on holy and festiual dayes neyther giuest thy selfe to heare the word of God nor applyest thy diligeÌ„ce to keepe his coÌ„maundements that the Lords inheritance can light vpon thee Neuerthelesse we wish that by the hearing of these things you would bend your selues not only in the Church to hearken to the worde of God but also in your own houses to be exercised and to meditate in the law of the Lord day night for Christ is eueÌ„ there also and euery where present to all those that seeke after him For therfore is it commaunded in the law that wee should thinke vpon it when we go by the way when we sit in the house and when we ly in our bed and when we rise vp and this is in very deed truely to waite before the dores for the high Priest tarying within in the holye place and to become the Lords inheritaunce Againe in the self same homilie not much after he inueigheth sharply against those the when they heare the Scriptures red do not as they ought to do giue diligent héed vnto theÌ„ And at length hauing exhorted theÌ„ to bridle the flesh to stir vp the spirite he addeth immediatelye these wordes as touching the hearing reading of the word of GOD If thou coÌ„mest often to the Church loke thou giue eare to the hearing of the holy scriptures see thou takest hold of the meaning of the heauenly coÌ„maundements For as the flesh is nourished with meat drinke eueÌ„ so is the spirite strengthned with the liuely sense and working of the word of God which being made more stroÌ„g wil enforce the flesh to stoop vnto him to be obedieÌ„t to his laws The nourishments therfore of the spirite are the reading of the Scriptures coÌ„tinual prayers teaching coÌ„ference of the word With these meats it is norished with these it is streÌ„gthned with these it getteth the vpper haÌ„d Which things bycause ye do not loke ye coÌ„plaine not of the infirmitie of your flesh The same
togither let vs giue good heede to the things that are read that hauing reaped the greater fruite thereby we maye so depart And not much after he addeth That wee oughte so to giue our selues to the studies of holye Scripture as that we maye haue things not only sufficient for our owne vse but what also wee maye minister vnto others as well sayth he in reforming of our wiues children and seruants as also of our neyghbours friends and enimies For such is the nature of spiritual doctrines that they may be propounded in common to al there is no diuersitie in them except it be when one bringeth a minde more attentiuely bente than another and whē one surmounteth another with a more feruente desire c. Neyther can I ouerpasse the chiding speache or expostulation that the same holye father in his thirtéenth Homily vppon the Gospell of Iohn sometyme vsed although it be somewhat long and tedious Let vs blushe sayeth he and be ashamed the woman that had had fiue husbandes and was a Samaritane vseth so greate diligēce in learning that shee coulde neyther in the time of the daye nor by any other lettes or occasions be withdrawn from the doctrine of Iesus Whereas wee doe not onlye not enquire after any thyng that might tende to oure instruction in heauenly things but also are verye carelesse in all thynges and alwayes like affected and therefore passe for no manner of thyng that good is Which of vs I praye you when hee commeth home taketh in hande anye worke worthy of a Christian who searcheth for the meaning of the Scriptures None truely but as for dice and tables we finde them commonly bookes verye seldome which yet if any haue they keepe as though they hadde them not close in theyr Coffers or else all theyr studye consistes in setting forth the leaues and couers and in making the letters beautifull to the eye not to the intent to reade them neyther to gette any profite by them but to vaunte of their riches to shewe their ambition therefore studye they in them So greate is their vaine glorie I heare of no ambitious person that vnderstandeth his booke but hee is in loue onely with the glittering glose of the golden letters What gaine call yee this I beseeche you The Scriptures are not therefore giuen vs that we should haue them in bookes alone but that we shoulde engraue them in our heartes Therefore this outwarde possession of bookes is a token of the ambitiousnesse of the Iewes to whom the commaundemēts were giuen in letters to vs are they not so giuen but in fleshly tables of the heart Howbeit I forbidde no manne to buye bookes but I admonishe and with all my heart desire that we may buye them yet so as we maye oft times ponder both the letters and their meanings in our mindes and by thys meanes haue a pure minde wrought within vs For if in what house so euer the Gospell be there the Diuel dare not enter then how muche lesse power shall the Diuell or Sinne haue ouer that soule that is acquainted with it by continuall readings Sanctify therefore they soule san̄ctifye thy body this shall come to passe if thou haue alwayes the Gospell both in thy heart and tongue Where if the filthinesse of thy tong defyleth the soule if it call vppon Diuels it is euident that by spirituall reading the same is sanctified and the grace of the holy Ghost abundantly powred into it The Scriptures be as it were diuine charmes From them let vs fetch a remedy for our griefe for the maladies of our soule the vtilitie wherof if we would consider we should with attentiuenes apply oure study in them These things I oftentimes touch Is it not a thing very preposterous that common market menne shoulde beare in minde the names of Cartars and Dauncers their kinds countreis actions maners and tell likewise of the prowesse of horses and what euerye one coulde doe and they that come hither goe their wayes knowing nothing at all no not so muche as the number of the holy Bookes Thus muche hath this most excellent Preacher questionlesse in that place who in other places also ofte times singeth the selfe same song as in verye déede that song is neuer thoughte to be oute of season whych is acceptable to the eares of all men especiallye of suche as are skilfull in Musicke and is of it selfe verye swéete and delectable for in his two and fiftith Homilie vppon Iohn he againe wisheth all men to haue the Bookes of holye Scripture in their houses and diligentlye to peruse them throughe In hys fourtéenth Homilie hée requireth greate diligence to be bestowed in searching of the Scriptures And euerye where in the beginnings of hys Sermons and likewise in the latter endes or perorations hée entreateth of the manifolde vse of the Scriptures Vppon whyche occasion hée eftesoones vrgeth requyreth enforceth and pricketh forwarde all menne that whensoeuer oportunitie shall serue they woulde as well at home as abroade conferre togither of the doctrine of godlynesse that they would as touching doubtfull places both aske the opinion of others and also now and then shew their owne iudgement that they would draw this practise as a custome and perpetually kéepe it in vre But what if yée shoude haue hearde Chrysostome himselfe vttering his owne words for let it be lawfull to me I beséeche you to vsurpe the selfesame words of this mā that Aeschines sometimes did of Demosthenes whome he enuied onely for desire of glorie Albeit we haue this priuiledge after a sort graunted vnto vs euen to heare hym also whylest the things whiche he moste swéetely pronounced in the chiefe Citie and seate of a most mightye Empire we may reade in Authētical writing published throughout the whole worlde euen in like sorte as the edictes and proclamations of kings and princes are out of one notable place heard a farre off and take effect in all prouinces But least any man shoulde suppose that the Gréeke writers and Doctours of the East Churches whome otherewise some affirme let them sée with what iudgemēt and with what right they speake it to disagrée and erre in many things from the Latines and west Churches were only and altogither of this minde heare I beséech you likewise the voyces of the Latine writers as touching the selfe same cause What accompt makest thou of Hierom what of Augustine Thou grauntest them I am sure to be of the number of the chiefe and principall Diuines Then marke what Hierome hathe noted vppon those wordes of the second Epistle to the Corinthians the thirtéenth Chapter Laste of al my brethren fare yee well bee perfect be of good comforte It is to be noted sayth he that writing to the whole Churche he telleth them they oughte to be perfite and that the Laitie ought one to exhort an other Again vpon those words of Paule to the Colossians Cap. 3. Let the word of Christ dwel in you Here it is shewed that
thy mind this taske perform thou to thy Lorde and mayster Neither giue thy members to reste before thou haste filled the hamper of thy breaste with this oufe And not contented with this diligence he willeth widowes oftentimes to reade the commentaries of learned men to aske counsell of learned men After the holy Scriptures sayeth he reade the treatises of learned men of those especiallye whose faythe is known Thou hast neede to seeke gold in clay with many precious stones purchase one pearle Stande vpright as Ieremy sayth in many wayes that thou mayst come to that way that leadeth vnto peace Transferre the loue of collers iewels and silken garments to the knowlege of the holy Scriptures Againe Thou hast Exuperius of an approued age and Fayth which may oftimes enstruct thee with his godly admonitions He commēdeth moreouer Furiaes sister for hir exquisite knowlege in the holy Scriptures O that thou sawest sayth he thy sister mightest but heare face to face the sweete eloquence of hir sacred mouth thou shouldest see in a litle body what wonderfull courage of minde there were Thou shouldest heare the plentifull furniture of the olde and newe Testament to flame out of hir heart What a number of Epistles furthermore doeth the same Ierome wryte to diuerse virgins and matrones and the same stuffed with manifolde doctrine of godlynesse with sundry places of Scripture expounded and declared and with many pretye knottes and questions dissolued and loosed He wryteth to Laeta to Demetriades to Saluina to Furia to Geruntia the widowe to Celantia to Mercella to Principia the virgin to Eustochium to Paula to Theodora to Brisilla to Castorina to Nitia to Asella to Sunia to Fretela to Hedibidia to Algasia to Vrbica What maye be sayde of thys moreouer that he dedicateth certaine of his workes wherein he expoundeth many of the bookes of holy Scripture to Paula to Eustochium and Marcella and rendereth a reason of this his doing in his preface to Sophony the Prophete And in all these to whō he writeth he alwayes for the moste parte either prayseth or accounteth prayse worthy partly their loue and study of the holy Scriptures partlye their knowledge and vnderstandyng or whyche is leaste of all to the intent they myghte endeauour to bring to passe somethyng worthye of commendation in perceyuing the doctrine of religion hée both beséecheth them by commaūdyng and commaundeth them by beséeching In many other places besides when occasion serueth he handleth the selfsame cause In the proeme of his thirde booke of Commentaries vpon the Epistle to the Ephesians and euen incontinentlye in the enarration it selfe againe in the tenth Chapter of Ecclesiastes he saith that al ought to get wisedome by dayly reading of the Scriptures and to meditate without ceassing in the Lawe of the Lorde In his exposition of the firste Chapter of the Epistle to Titus he blameth them whyche doe contemne those that are studious of holye learning as vnprofitable and vaine But that is very worthy the noting and properly to be vnderstanded of our times whyche in the end of his Commentarie vpon Nahum the Prophete he sayth woulde come to passe namely that aboute the comming of Christ to execute iudgement the people euery where shoulde flocke togither to learne the holye Scriptures Now then that the comming of Christ is euen at hand it is forsooth more certaine and sure than that it is lawfull for any man to doubt Furthermore frō Ierome disagréeth not Au. thē who for the defence of sound doctrine against the treacheries of Heretickes no man hath sustayned more paineful labours He therefore writing to volusianus in his Epistle 3 auoucheth that the Scriptures are to be redde not only of the learned but also of the vnlearned and euen of all sortes of men whatsoeuer For why it was prouided by GOD that the holy Oracles should be written in a simple and playne kynde of speache leaste anye manne should pretende that hee vnderstoode nothing in them The very phrase of speaking saith he wherein the holy Scripture is indited albeit it be easie vnto al yet are very fewe able to pierce into it the thinges that are apparant are as a familiar friend speaking without guile to the hearte as well of the learned as vnlearned But those thinges whiche the holy Ghost wrappeth in misteries neyther doeth hee lyfte vp with proude eloquence anye otherwise than euen the drooping and vnlearned soule may be bold to approch as a poore man to a ritche but he inuiteth al men with his lowly maner of speeche whome hee doth not onelye feede with manifest truth but also exercise in secrete veritie being of like nature in things easie as he is in things hidden But least the things that are open plaine should breed contempt the same again are hiddē to the end they should be longed after being longed after should after a sort be renued being renued should sweetely be embraced Hereby are bothe crabbed wits holsomly corrected small wits norished great wits delighted That mind is an enimy to this doctrine that either throgh error knoweth it not to be most holsome or in being sicke hateth to bee healed Thus much in the place It is thoght also the some of the fathers did of a set purpose put forth certaine of their workes in a homely kind of stile to the intent euery one euen among the common sorte and vnlearned artificers vnto whome notwithstanding the Latine tongue was at that time euerye where familiar howbeit somewhat corrupted might the more willingly peruse them ouer and all both learned and vnlearned enioye in common togither the commodities of godly doctrine As touching whych matter D. Erasmus Roterodamus as moste sharpe and seuere Iudge if euer there were anye of an other mans stile in writing hathe discoursed at large in an Epistle whyche hée prefixed before the Commentaries of Arnobius vppon all the Psalmes The same man where hée sheweth his iudgement as touching sundrye bookes of Saint Augustines admonisheth that there is a booke extant of the maners of the Catholike Church compiled and written by Saint Augustine in a wonderfull elegant stile but in that whiche followeth as concerning the maners of the Mainchees that the forme of spéech is debaced to the capacitie and vnderstanding of the vulgare people Thou wouldest suppose that it were not the same Authors but Charitie whereby they acknowledge themselues with the Apostle to be debtors both to the learned and vnlearned Rom. 1. couet indifferently to prouide for all men alike enforceth them to vse diuers and sundrye kindes of speaking But that we may retourne to the iudgement of Saint Augustine as touching the reading of the holye Scriptures he in the seconde booke and. 38. Chapter of his Retractations testifyeth that Laie men studious of the diuine Oracles had sent vnto him certaine writings concerning the doctrine of Religion and that the againe as was méete and conuenient had made aunswere vnto them
Vppon whiche occasion hée affirmeth that his worke De fide operibus tooke the beginning And that in those dayes the Laitie was accustomed of their owne accorde to handle the holy Scriptures that they had scarce anye néede of admonitions this may be a proofe suffcient that Augustine like as Hierome also before hym was often tymes â—nen of Virgins and women not only louers of the holy Scriptures but also expert in them earnestly called vpon by letters to resolue them in certaine doubtes and that for their sakes he one while declared hard and perplexed questions whiche they didde putte sooth an otherwhile did some other thing to prouoke and help forwarde the study of godlinesse Reade hys Epistles to Paulina Demetriades Fabiola Felicia Prota 〈◊〉 Edith Florentina a mayde and Maxima a widowe of Italy In his seconde Booke De anima â—â—â—â—igme hee telleth of one Peter an olde Prieste that he learned manye things of a young man of the Laitie and that hée reioyced excéedingly and gaue harty thanks vnto GOD therefore Seing then that by these and such like reasons S. Augustine witnesseth abundantlye that the studye of holy Scripture was in his tyme verye common and familiar among men and that the people of al sorts sexes and ages were able then godlye and expressely bothe to question and make aunswere as touching the affayres of religion it should be superfluous to enterlace in these our wrytings the exhortations to the same study whyche are to be founde in his workes verye frequent and forceable Verily out of one onely Sermon which is entituled Of the study of Wisdome meditation of Gods lawe as out of one bed I will gather certaine floures whereby euery manne maye easily coniecture what maner of posies of the same sorte are to be founde in the rest of hys Sermons We haue yet saith he a good comfort in reding the holy Scripturs bicause the reding of the holy Scripturs is no small foreknowlege of the diuine blessednesse For in them as in a certaine glasse a man maye consider of himselfe what hee is or whether he goeth Continuall reading purifyeth all things it causeth feare of hel sire it stirreth vp the heart of the reader to long after heauenly ioyes Hee that will alwayes be with GOD ought often to pray and reade For when we praye wee talke with GOD and when we read GOD talketh with vs The reading of the holy Scriptures bringeth with it a double commoditie either for that it instructeth the vnderstanding of the soule or bycause it leadeth a man froÌ„ the vanities of the world to the loue of GOD the labour bestowed in reading is commendable auayleth much to the clensing of the minde For like as the flesh is nourished with carnal meates so is the inner man nourished and fed with the diuine Oracles of GOD as sayeth the Psalmest How sweet are thy testimonies to my mouth oh Lord yea they are sweeter than hony and the honye combe But he is moste blessed of all that so readeth the holy scriptures as he turneth them into practise Hitherto hée Soothly these words are well worthy to be written of the godly in golden letters and to be painted in those bookes whych they dayly beare about them to the intente they maye oftentimes learne exactly to weygh and consider euery one of them Saint Ambrose whom whilest he liued S. Augustine most willingly hearde and reuerenced with all dutifulnesse in his Sermon 35 entituled Of the fasting of the Lord in the desert and that man liueth not by bread only againe where he expoundeth Psal. 118. in his SermoÌ„ 21. exhorteth al the faithful to the diligent reading of the Scriptures and in his booke of Offices Chapter 22. hée sayeth That our wordes and communications oughte chiefely to bee framed of the Scriptures We myghte moreouer call to remembraunce the notable sayings of other famous men as touching this matter but I feare me least these which we haste noted already may séeme to be ouer manye and too too tedious to the queysie stomackes of some How beit I could doe no lesse but out of those most excellent authours describe some things euen word for word and that partly to the intent we myght testifye to the world that we with all faithful sincerity and according to the iudgements of most holy men doe handle this cause partely to the ende we might stoppe the mouthes of some arrogant persons whiche as soone as they perceyue a man to differ from them in opinion do grinne by and by exclayme without measure and accuse him of heresie not considering in the meane time that whilest they condemne vs they condemne likewise the most excellent and antientest diuines whose voyces haue now bene heard But sithence they haue thus defined determined the were of all other in a maner as the coÌ„moÌ„ schoolemasters and teachers I meane Origen Chrisostome Hierome Augustine Ambrose it cannot be doubtfull to no man that all their Scholers in like manner maintained the selfe same opinion and wheresoeuer they became with incredible diligence commanded it and set it forth For that a gentle and discréete Disciple shoulde vary and disagrée from his faithfull Schoolemayster professing the truth is a thing verye rare or at leaste verye vncomely and vnciuill And vndoubtedly their Epistles written to Laye menne of diuers nations likewise vnto Virgins matrones widowes in al prouinces where they dwelte doe declare that there were a great number that applied themselues lustily to the reading fo the holye Scriptures Certes Hierome writing to Sunia and Fretela proueth that in Germany and eueÌ„ among the people called Gete where they inabited the common opinion is that the Getes towarde the North possessed the bancke of the riuer Fistula and Suedeland with the Marchesse adioyning wherein of the name of Getes came the Gothes the couetrey of Gothlande to bée so called to this daye the study of the holy Scriptures and likewise of the Gréeke and especiallye the Hebrewe tongues was at that time muche made of and highly estéemed Who would beleeue this sayth hée that the barbarous tonged Getes shoulde seeke after the trueth of the Hebrewe and that whilest the Greekes slepte naye rather laboured to the contrarye Germany woulde searche out the oracles of the holy Ghoste O good God what a Worlde was that wherein the Laitie bothe men and women were founde euerye where skilfull in Diuine matters How swéetely didde such reason and conferre togither of the doctrine of the Lawe and the Gospell and of all the dueties of godlinesse Certes I beléeue the godly in those dayes tried among themselues moste honeste maysteries as family to be founde in which there was not eyther the maister or mistresse eyther the sonne or the daughter or at leaste wise some one or other of the householde that coulde not at appointed times reade certaine Chapters of the holy Bible and indifferently wel expounde all the profitablest places in them The holy bookes were at
goe forward in patience faith and hope as for example when war beséegemeÌ„t tumults fires flouds famine pestileÌ„ce or other contagious sicknesses perils by Heretikes crueltie of Tirants or other strange calamities do on euery side oppresse and in a manner destroy Churches and Common Weales But muche more ofteÌ„ do priuate meÌ„ as in déede infinite are the kinds of temptatioÌ„s dangers wherinto we wretched creatures are alwayes ready to fall require the easementes of coÌ„fort and consolation Therfore the Minister of the Church shall haue in a readinesse to all euents purposes great store of coÌ„solatioÌ„s out of the Scriptures vnlesse he wil be coÌ„tent to heare his owne doome namely that he vtterly forsaketh euen betrayeth a greate number of men terrified and gréeued with the burthen of their sinnes and that euen then when they haue most of all néede of his help and so dryueth them to vtter impacience and from impacience they are caried headlong into furie from furie into horrible mischiefes which they commit either vpoÌ„ themselues or vpoÌ„ some others after mischeuous actes they incurre the blotte of infamy from infamy they fall finally into desperation which is the most vnhappie winding vp of al miseries ending in euerlasting damnatioÌ„ Now if any through ignoraÌ„ce of the holy Scriptures shall become the authour of so great mischiefes vnto others thinkest thou the he caÌ„ be able to giue accoÌ„pt vnto GOD of the charge coÌ„mitted vnto him Verily I confesse with all my hearte that there is great dignitie and true glorie attributed as in déede it ought to the Ecclesiasticall office but on this conditâ—oÌ„ that so manye as are placed in it be founde skilfuâ—â— in the holy Scriptures The honour commeth not of the persons but of the functions For what is it to haue the name and title of a thing without the thing it selfe As for those I meane names and titles anye Bishoppe or Suffragan can easily giue at his pleasure who hathe himselfe peraduenture of late boughte with a greate summe the vayne title of a Bishopricke lying in the further part of all Asia But vndoubtedly as touching the thing it selfe he can no more giue that than can the maker of a Play or Enterlude who whilest he is busie in setting forth of a Comedie or Tragedie appoynteth to this man for the while the person of a King to that man of a Prince to another of a Iudge in the Theatre and yet that any one of these should at any time be aduanced publikely to so high a degrée of honour he can by no meanes bring to passe If so be then thou haue nothing else saue the idle name of a Pastor and art in very déede farre distant from the thing it selfe with what face darest thou be so bolde as to gather the fruites not due but to those that do faithfully execute their office Who hathe authorized thée to reape corporall things that by reason thou arte ignorante of the Scriptures canst not sow spirituall things Why wilt thou milke or sheare the Shéepe that thou hast not fedde It is coÌ„monly saide If thou wilte needes reape the gaine then must thou needes also take the payne Whosoeuer desireth to haue the guerdons of honour allowed him it is right reason that he susteine also the difficulties of the burtheÌ„ Which thing séeing it is so thou oughtest to iudge that thou canst by no meanes receyue tithes first fruites oblatioÌ„s and other duties by what name title soeuer they be called if being placed in the ministerie of the word thou doest not labour take paynes in the word They the receyue wages meate and drinke and apparel of noble meÌ„ do know very well and professe that those things are bestowed vppon them to the intent they shoulde euerye moment be in a readinesse to accomplishe the thynges that are commaunded them to doe and truly they brag not a little albeit they endure sometimes labours very full of daungers that they are entertayned into the fauoure and protection of so honorable personages and in that behalfe thinke themselues to be in very happy and fortunate estate After the same sorte so often as thou puttest on thy apparell takest thy meate receyuest tithes or other thynges into thine house thou oughtest to thinke and reioyce wyth thy selfe that all these thyngs doe happen vnto thée for and in consideration of thy diligent study bestowed in the holye Scriptures As ofte likewise as anye honour or dignitie do befall thée thou oughtest to consider with thy selfe that that chiefly commeth to passe by reason of thy knowledge of the holye Scriptures in respecte whereof thou arte aduaunced to the gouernement of the Churche and by the direction only wherof thou arte able to discharge thine office arighte Where if at length thou féelest thy selfe to be altogether vnfitte for the office of teachyng the worde of GOD my counsell is that thou rather giue ouer the Ecclesiasticall function than to receyue the fruites that thou deseruest not For this is the verye commaundement of GOD hymselfe hauyng grieuous threatnings ioyned wyth it againste all those that wyll not subscribe thereunto For why the Prophete Osée in hys fourth Chapter after hée had complayned that there was neither Trueth nor Honesty nor knowlege of GOD lefte vppon earth turning to the Priests and Prophetes sayth My people bee cutte downe bicause they are wythout Knowledge and forasmuche as thou haste refused knowledge I haue also refused thee that thou shouldest not be my Priest In which place manye thynges are spoken to the same effecte Ieremy Chap. 23. calleth the ministers of the Church whyche are ignoraunte and negligent in the worde of GOD and whyche in steade of the worde doe obtrude vnto the people their owne fonde and fantasticall dreames burthens that muste be caste awaye from the presence of the lord In Ezechiel Chap. 22. 44. the Lord requireth suche to be Ministers of the Temple as among other thinges can teache also the people what difference there is betwyxte Holy and Prophane those that cannot so do he vtterly excludeth and wil haue them to be marked with a perpetuall blotte of infamy and shame And like as the Lorde doeth greatelye commende Malach 2. the Leuites and Priestes from whose mouth is hearde the exposition of the Lawe euen so on the other side so many as caÌ„not performe that thing but become rather occasions to the people of erring straying from the right way he vtterly discrediteth maketh theÌ„odious vnto al And wheÌ„ as about the same time Ezra Nehemias after the retourne oute of the captiuitie of Babilon had ordayned a Church and Common weale they prohibited so long the Leuites from eating of the Sanctum Sanctorum that is the holiest of all vntill there arose a Prieste wyth Vrim and Thummim that is to saye as the LXX Interpreters haue translated it Exod. 28. The declaration or manifestation of the Trueth except some peraduenture hadde rather call Vrim
should be limited out certayne orders kindes of life functions and besides that sundry duties should of sundry meÌ„ according to their seuerall natures qualities be perfourmed and accomplished yet it can not be denyed but that there are some things also found coÌ„mon indifferent to all without exception As in meÌ„s bodies we sée alwaies great difference in their stature lineamentes voyce countenance but greater in theyr gestures motioÌ„s which expresse the affectioÌ„s of their mindes so likewise in those large and ample bodyes of ciuile societie wonderfull diuersities doe euery where appeare whilest namely some duties are executed by Kings Princes Iudges othersome by Lawyers Phisitions Souldiours Merchant men Artificers yea in a small house or familie some by the husband and the wife some other by the sonnes and daughters othersome finally by the seruants and handmaydes But agayne like as in this poynte all men and women are very like and egal that they consist of soule and body and are partakers of one and the selfesame substance and are all subiecte to the common lawe of being borne into the world and departing out in which behalfe verily none is saide to be aboue other nor none inferioure vnto other euen so must thou néedes graunte whether thou wilt or no that there are no small number of actions to the accomplishing whereof partly for the reteyning of the dignitie of the minde partly for the conseruation of the body all men mortall are bounde For if we haue regard to the body it selfe truly whether wée meane to speake of the most rich King Croesus or if the most vile begger Irus or of any other that by reason of outward respectes do very farre differ betwéene themselues we must néedes confesse that all of them oughte héere vnto to apply their diligence and indifferently to ioyne in this namely that they betwéene whiles refresh their bodies with meate and drinke that they take their swéete sléepe and rest being wéerie that they preserue and maynteyne their health that they recouer it when it is lost that they séeke to nourish it when it is recouered that they couer and defend their bodies with apparell c. There is no néede why we should procéede any further in this reckning In like maner if we consider the minde no man whether he be of the highest degrée of honour or of meane worship or of the lowest and basest estate of all can be vtterly voyde of all knowledge of God no man can bée ignorante of the will and Commaundementes of God according wherevnto we discerne good things from euill and are moued to follow the one and eschue the other no man can auoyde but that he must néedes yéelde obedience vnto GOD as vnto him that is most high most mightie most excellent and most iust But séeing that whatsoeuer things be of this kind are most plentifully declared in the Bookes of the Prophetes and Apostles and that we speake all this while to Christians which doe highly reuerence and embrace these Bookes wée worthelie conclude that it is the dutie of all Christians both to reade and heare the said Bookes and to gather out of them the knowlege of GOD and his most holy misteries This studie and this diligence euery one oweth vnto his owne soule for the dignitie health and saluation whereof we ought to leaue nothing vnassayed nothing vnattempted Looke how déere thyne owne Soule is vnto thée and so farre shouldest thou be off from foreslowing the studie and practise of Gods holy word But as touching the duties which for the dignitie of their minds are common indiffereÌ„tly to all Christians we shall haue occasion agayne anon after to speake Now we will shew that to the end euery man may according to his calling and kind of life duly execute those manyfolde and seuerall offices whyche are alotted vnto him it is good yea very necessarie before he beginne or attempt any action which at leastwise may become vprighte and acceptable to God to heare the counsell and iudgement of the holy Scriptures and in all things to follow and be aduised by the same For in very déede neyther king nor Prince nor Iudge nor any other man else whatsoeuer can possibly performe to any purpose the things that belong to his office and calling vnlesse he firste shall haue learned as well as the Minister of the Churche the manner and forme of good actions out of the Propheticall and Apostolike writings As touching whiche poynt least any manne shoulde doubte we will not sticke of diuers degrées of men to set downe so much in effect as to this presente businesse shall séeme expedient Wherfore if thou be a King or Prince verily there is so much the more cause why thou shouldest continually and attentiuely reade the holy Scripture For it is thyne office to gouerne and preserue Common Weales to make iust and vpright lawes to defend the innocent to punishe malefactors But howe and after what sort these things shouâ—d rightly and according to Gods holy ordinance be done and accomplished it is most certaynely to be learned out of the sacred Scriptures And for the same cause did GOD commaunde Kings and Princes by name studiously to reade the holy Bookes in giuing forthe a statute as touching thys matter Deut. 17. When the King sitteth sayth he on the seate of his kingdome he shall lay before him a patterne of the Booke of this Law in the sight of the Priests and Leuites and it shal remaine with him and he ought to reade in it al the dayes of his life namely that he may learne to feare the Lord his GOD and to obserue all the wordes of this Lawe and these Statutes to do them In which place more matter touching the office of a King both goeth before and followeth after I omitte to tell that in the 1. Samuel Chapter 8.12 and 1. king 5.8.10 2. king 22. 2. Chron. 1.9 Prouerbs 20.21.25.29.31 Eccles 10. Psalme 20.101 Ieremy 22. and in other infinite places mo many things bée declared whyche are most néedefull to be knowen and obserued of all Kings and Princes if at leastwise they couet to obteyne anye place in the Kingdome and Court of the most mightie King IESVS CHRIST if they will from their heart testifye and declare that they according to the counsell of the most holy King and Prophet Dauid Psalm 2. doe in dede kisse and adore the Sonne sent of GOD the Father into the earthe to whome the Father hathe gyuen the Gentiles for an inheritance and all the coastes of the earth for a possession and therewithall also power and authoritie to destroy all the wicked and vngodly from the face of the earth Againe further both all the Courtiers and all the whole nobilitie must indeuour to frame and conforme themselues after the example of the King must wyth a certayne holy kind of ambitioÌ„ striue among theÌ„selus to the intent that by reading learning the Diuine philosophie and true Christianitie
men shall so be stricken and pierced thorow that whosoeuer wil be counted in the nūber of Christians which make not their vaunt at the least of the vaine title maye easilye vnderstande that hée hathe of necessitie to applye himselfe diligentlye to the reading of the Scriptures Whyche thyng that wée woulde doe and accomplishe we haue once before promised alredye Tell me therefore whosoeuer thou be and haste a desire to be called a Christian I meane suche a desire as is vnfayned oughtest thou not if thou couetest in déede to be that whiche thou faine wouldest to laboure by all meanes possible to declare thy selfe to be a true and liuely member of that spirituall bodye whyche is the Churche and whereof Christe is the heade for thus we reade of all men of what age sexe dignitie or condition soeuer they be that are regenerate and borne againe in CHRIST Rom. 12. Wee being many are one body in CHRIST and euerye one seuerally one an others members 1. Corinth 12. Wee are all baptized by one spirite into one body whether wee bee Iewes or Greekes or bonde or free and we haue al tasted of one spirite And in the same Epistle and tenth Chapiter Wee that are manye are one breade and one bodye ▪ for wee are all partakers of one breade Ephes 4. One bodye and one spirite like as also you are called in one hope of youre calling One Lorde one Faith one Baptisme one GOD and father of vs all Chap. 5. Wee are members of his body whyche is the Churche Therefore thou canste not choose if so be thou wilte be counted better than an Ethnicke Iewe or Turke but testifie by some meanes that thou arte indéede a true liuelye and effectuall working member of the holye Churche of god But if thou canste not be the mouth or the eie that thou mightest sustaine the roomth of a Byshop and gouerne the Churche by commaunding ordeynyng whatsoeuer things should be profitable and necessarye if thou canste not be the tongue whereby thou mightest publikelye teache and prophecie in the Churche if thou canste not be the hande to dispose the Sacramentes or goodes of the Churche yet surely thou mayste be the eare thou mayste be the finger thou mayste be a parte of the breaste and to make an ende thou mayste and oughtest to be of that Churche whyche standeth in néede of verye manye Ministers and is alwayes occupyed aboute manye thynges some certayne member and that truelye quicke liuely stirring and suche a one as is bewtified both with féeling and mouing Onelye take héede thou dispayre not and accounte thy state to be happye if thou mayste haue place in the Churche but euen among the basest and weakest members so they be sounde and not as yet for their rottennesse to be cutte quite awaye But there is no common wealth that acknowledgeth that manne to be a Citizen and suffereth him to enioy the common priuiledges of the Countrey whyche doth not reuerence the Magistrates in it but refuseth to obey them whyche will not embrace the vprighte Lawes and excellent Statutes that are the verye sinewes of Common weales neyther promise that he will liue after them Neither in very déede deserueth hée the name of a good Citizen that careth for none of those thynges whyche pertayne eyther to the dignitie of the Common wealth wherein he liueth or to hys duetie in defending and adorning the same Howe then shall the Churche iudge thée to be a liuelye member of hirs incase thou doest not homage as thou arte bounde vnto CHRISTE hir heade incase thou neuer bethinke thy selfe to vnderstande the Doctrine of CHRISTE incase she perceyueth no lyfe of Fayth no motion of anye good actions to be in thée the Churche finally is not holpen by any duety or diligence of thine For why it is certayne that all the godlye do receiue lyfe and mouing from CHRISTE their heade and from hys worde CHRISTE is the life of the Churche who powreth abroade after a wonderfull manner his vitall powers into all hys members and the wordes whyche CHRIST speaketh are spirite and lyfe Ioh. 6. and againe by the worde of GOD the faithfull do liue Deut. 4. Math. 4. Is any of you so fonde and foolishe as to thinke himselfe for thys cause onelye to become a member of the Churche for that he doeth nowe and then or if hée will euerye daye in the wéeke repayre corporally to holye assemblies Nay it behoueth thée to be ingraffed and linked into that bodye in spirite like as in verye déede the selfe same bodye is spirituall But the spirite is nourished and sustained by the word wyth the which it hath a certaine Anologie or proportion Now therefore if so be either when thou arte present in Ecclesiasticall assemblies whiche are especiallye ordayned for the handling of Gods worde or when thou art returned home to thy house thou intentiuely readest the worde of GOD hearest it and layest it vppe in thy mind then beléeue me shalt thou bée reputed and taken in very déede for a liuely member of the Church And truely this is a verye small matter and easie to be done whyche as a testimonye of thy engraffing into the Churche wée requyre at thy handes For if thou refuse once to ensearche the Scriptures doubtlesse I doe not sée howe thou shalte bée able to perfourme anye thyng worthye of commendation Hée that cannot abide to apply himselfe to the hearing and reading of Gods worde wythout the which there is no accesse vnto Faith howe shall we suppose that he can be broughte to accomplishe anye workes or dueties of Loue flowing out of Faith for soothly where the word of GOD is there is hearing where Hearing is there is Faith where Fayth is there followe of necessitie the workes of loue Be carefull therefore to heare reade and vnderstande the worde of GOD so shalte thou haue Faith and the fruites of Faith and Workes yea and so shall all thinges redounde to the common edifying and encrease of the wholebodye of the Churche Ephes 4. But I haue further to demaunde of thée O Christian for I doe as willingly for mine owne parte attribute this glorious title vnto thée as thou for thy parte arte willing to heare it Wherefore I praye thée art thou called a Christian but bycause thou beléuest in IESVS CHRIST and haste once receyued baptisme as a seale of this thy fayth and of the Righteousnesse thereof But howe wilte thou perswade vs that thou beléeuest in CHRIST if so be thou be ignorante of the articles of Fayth if thou canst not make confession of thy Fayth and so ofte as néede is render an accompte of the same for there are certayne generall preceptes prescribed indifferently to all Christians as Hee that beleeueth shall be saued Math. 28. Rom. 10. c. He that confesseth me before men I wil confesse him before my father whiche is in Heauen Math. 10. Marc. 8. and Luke laste Againe Rom. 10. With the hearte man beleeueth
of the bones and to the innermost entrayles of the heart and euen leaueth behynde it certaine strings sticking fast of long tyme after in the minds of the readers whiche thyng to be true Sainct Augustine in his booke of Confessions and other holy meÌ„ do auouch that they haue tryed by experience And Iohn Chrysostome in his thirde Sermon of Lazarus presumeth to saye That men euen only by the outwarde viewe of the holy bookes are afrayde to commit sinne and that wheresoeuer the spirituall books are from thence is expelled the force of the Diuell and all things become there safe and sound But he that heareth not GOD in the Scriptures by a certaine priuye violence but yet with great absolute authoritie briefely ripping vp sinnes though neuer so secret and hidden how will he heare man when he accuseth controlleth or also by a certain graue kind of speaking condemneth them But if there be any person that neyther admitteth man to be his counseller nor yet hearkeneth vnto GOD continually speaking in the Scriptures that such a one from his hearte shoulde be a Christian no man I am sure but he that is ouer lightly carried away with wordes and willingly suffereth himselfe to be deceyued wil euer graunt or allow Therefore to the intente thou mayst declare that thou arte at the least vnfeynedly sory for that thou remaynest fast fettered in the bandes of sinne and that thou couetest to heare GOD louingly and with a fatherlye affection talking with thée admonishing thée and calling thée backe into the righte waye before thou be vtterly destroyed thou wilt if thou wise be invre thy selfe dayly to reade the holy Scriptures and in them as in a glasse beholde and learne more familiarly to knowe not so muche what GOD is as what thou thy self art But howe large a fielde shoulde be opened incase I mighte speake of consolations whereof in the holye Scripture are expressed innumerable and the same most certayne and sound For albeit Philosophye hathe nowe long since béene commended of hir retayners for many causes but especiallye for that she ministreth in aduersitie a present comforte yet are all Philosophicall reasons found to be very faint barren colde weak if they be compared with those whyche the holy Scriptures do afford Truly I haue oftetimes sorrowed with my self and complayned that as well Tullius Hortensius with which worke Saint Aug. confesseth himselfe to haue bin wonderfully stirred vp in his 3. booke and 4. Chap. of Confessions as also his booke of Comforte likewise the excellent and moste cleare Consolatory workes of other Philosophers beside are vtterly loste But my minde somewhat stayed with thys cogitation I againe confirmed interpreting that this thing came not to passed wythoute the prouidence of GOD namely to the intent that men when they sée themselues depriued of the necessarye ayde of suche writings mighte take occasion to flye more studiously to the holy bookes out of which onely and alone the remedy against euery heauy happe and all lamentable and dolefull euents is to be taken For to this ende especially is the Scripture before all other disciplines put foorth that it mighte supply in the families and asseÌ„blies of wretched creatures the moste néedefull and commendable office of comforting Whervpon to the Romaines 15. the Apostle affirmeth that whatsoeuer thinges are reuealed in the holy Scriptures are reuealed for oure learning to the intent that by the worthye examples of Patience and by the notable Sermons of comfort made euery where by the Prophetes Christe and Apostles wée might be encouraged and supported to the holding faste of oure hope in daungers and to the inuincible goyng forwarde in all godlinesse and vertue And who is he I beséeche you that will not iudge that a man ought rather to gyue credite and to staye hymselfe vppon the comfortable perswasions that are giuen from the holye Ghost that is from GOD himselfe and which by reason of the dignitie power and goodnesse of God must of necessitie by all meanes be effectuall and fruitefull than vpon those that are vttered and put forth of men whiche do themselues wauer and are oft-times deceyued neuer able to perfourme the things that they promise and to be shorte being taken for very tall men of their hands do commonly stande in néede to be comforted and encouraged by others If there be anye thyng sayth Hierome in the Preface of his Commentaries on the Epistle to the Ephesians that holdeth vp a wise man in this life and perswadeth him to abide paciently among the troubles and vexations of the world then is it euen this specially in my iudgement namely the meditation and knowledge of the Scriptures Whyche things séeing they are thus verily I am not afrayd to saye that like as God hathe so appoynted that no man whether he bée in noble or base condition should be vtterly voyde and frée from all dangers so also is it to bée determined that no man in what state or calling soeuer he bée can wante or bée withoute the reading hearing and vnderstanding of the Scriptures Let there come forth amongst vs some odde Christian and tell vs that he was neuer at anye time assayled with the dartes of temptations eyther inward or outwarde that he was neuer héeretofore plunged in anye troubles or perturbations or that he neuer néedeth to feare any héereafter let such a one I saye come forthe and he shall make vs beléeue that hée is one alone that wanteth no comforte and to whome we ought to graunte that hée maye liue and dye in the ignorance of the Scriptures But woulde to God that miserable and tenne tymes wretched men compassed aboute on euerie side with innumerable calamities could sufficiently consider partly their owne weakenesse farre vnfiâ—te to susteyne the burthen of so many miseries continuallye oppressing them partlye the most bountifull helps and comforts which they may receyue out of the holy Scriptures then out of all doubt shuld their sâ—ates be in farre better case than they be and we shoulde not sée so many dayly as we doe to cast themselues headlong into the déepe gulfe of desperation and with theyr endlesse shame and confusion to die not onely in thys worlde but also in the world to come But the tyme would fayle me if I shoulde procéede anye further to discourse of the necessitie vtilitie and efficacie of consolations to be gathered out of the Scriptures wherefore I thinke it requisite euen héere to make an ende Therefore O yée Christians all of what state or condition soeuer ye bée I hartily pray and beséeche you by the precious bloud of our Lord and Sauiour IESVS CHRIST that yée woulde throughly perswade youre selues that the things whiche haue hitherto of me bin treated of do tende first to the sanctifying and celebrating of Gods name héere on earth and next to the stirring vp of euery one of you to the intente you maye become diligente in procuring the businesse of youre owne euerlasting saluation
the eyes of their mind whereby they may iudge vprightly of al things Further it cānot be denied but that there be many things in the Scriptures of thēselues very plaine and easie to be vnderstoode Likewise there are dyuers and sundrye thynges here and there intermixed whyche who so hathe any iudgement at all doeth soone perceiue where vnto they tende Moreouer there is no man the carrieth not about with hym an expert maistresse of manye secrete and mysticall matters to witte hys owne proper conscience whych doeth ofte times priuily reproue finde faulte with and make ashamed those that pretende that they vnderstand not the holy Scriptures It is a very grieuous offence when thou once vnderstandest the truth to dissemble it to neglect not exercise or deny it and God is wonte to giue vppe those that so doe hauing firste as witnesseth the Apostle Rom. 1. blinded their harts into a reprobate sense Furthermore be shall best prouide for his owne safety that dothe not labour to flye ouermuch alofte but contenteth himselfe in places some what harde and difficulte to drawe forthe the simple and sounde meaning whych the words themselues do signifie wythout any couertures and whyche séeme not to be strange from the minde and purpose of the author To hunt after subtil and straunge interpretations to muse vppon allegories wythout cause why to crake continuallye of mysticall meanings is the property of men that consider not sufficiētly the snares and bayted hookes of the deuill Examples howe suche curiositie and vnaduisednesse hath bin punished God would haue in all ages to be séene Woulde to God we coulde oftetimes call to remembraunce howe greate a benefite it is to be wise to sobrietie He shal not a little be helpen to the collecting of proper sentences that will exactlye marke where the beginnings of sermons disputations and narrations and where the endings of the same bée again where the prefaces propositions confirmations confutations conclusions are distinguished in them Let hym obserue also the proper spéeches and phrases that are familiar in the Scriptures let hym searche diligētly throughout euery member as well the thynges that goe before as also the things that follow after to be short let hym duely examine the causes and circumstances of euery point If after all these things thus discussed there remaine some things yet still hidden it shall be expedient to repeate them oftener than once and the more intentiuely to consider of them Repetition commonlye causeth some things to be more cleare and lightsome and that whyche is harde to daye to morrowe or nexte daye becommeth plaine and easie One daye teacheth an other and one night certifieth an other If the daye as it is saide in the prouerbe taketh away the sicknesse oft he bodye then vndoubtedly taketh in awaye also ignoraunce whyche is a maladie of the minde It shall be verye profitable in lyke manner to conferre diligentlye the playne and agréeable places of the Scriptures wyth that place touching the meaning whereof the question is as Luke reporteth Act. 17. the Thessalonians did If thys conference be in vayne then there is no let but that thou maiste aske the aduice of some other wiser than thy selfe GOD wil bring to passe that when thou thinkest leaste of it thou shalte lighte vpō some Philip that may resolue thée of thy most intricate doubtes Act. 8. Hée that wanteth altogither the helpe of a teacher let hym looke ouer the Commentaries or Annotations of the choicest interpretres that hée can come by Laste of all if all thy labour in searching of some hidden mysteries proue voyde and of none effecte and that mannes industry as ye woulde saye be mocked and deceyued then doubt thou not that it commeth to passe for some benefite of thine that some thinges whyche thou soughtest verye desirously to knowe doe remaine still vnknowen vnto thée It is profitable that thou shouldest knowe by this meanes the infirmitie and ignorance as well of all mankinde as also of thy selfe Hereby also thou learnest how highly thou oughtest to estéeme the giftes of the holy Ghoste who enlightneth the myndes of the godly Thou vnderstandest agayne that the same gifts are giuē to euery man according to the measure of Faith. Further thou haste in admiration eayl◠more and more the maiestie of the things comprehended in the sacred Scriptures And there are in verye deede some things in them whych ought of vs rather to be beleeued than perceiued like as also certaine pointes are onely touched by the way but not fully declared Neither truely is it to be doubted but that many before thée haue sticked and stammered at the selfe-same places Yea euen the diligentest of al other do oftetimes stumble and are deceyued Therefore the wante of knowledge of some certaine places doeth by no meanes giue thée occasion to caste awaye the holye Bookes but rather thou muste so muche the more diligentlye and constantlye goe forwarde to pervse them as thou arte sure and certaine that there wyll be alwayes a number of thynges whyche thou shalte neuer bée able to attayne vnto and that a Christian manne oughte all hys lyfe long to bée a Scholler of the holye Ghoste But to declare howe and by what meanes thou mayste reape a Spirituall profite by the thynges whyche thou readest and indifferently at the leaste vnderstandest althoughe a man myghte stand long vppon thys matter yet I will saye so muche in effecte as I truste for this present time shall be sufficient Firste all menne oughte to be perswaded of this that the effectualnesse of prayer poured from the hearte vnto GOD is very greate for whyche cause we haue a little before admonished that so ofte as we come to the readyng of the holye Bookes wée shoulde in anye case to beginne wythall vse some forme of prayer Secondly there lyeth hidden in the worde of GOD it selfe when it is read or hearde or when it is duely examined a certaine wonderfull power of the spirite where with the mindes of men are stricken and after an vnspeakable maner moued drawen Whiche thing doubtlesse we woulde by no meanes affyrme except it were found expressed in the sacred Scriptures and except further it were manifest that many good mē had at all tymes proued the selfe same thyng to be true Hearken I praye you what the Author of the Epistle to the Hebrewes Chap. 4. sayth The worde of GOD is liuely and mighty in operation and sharper than anye two edged sworde and entreth throughe euen to the diuiding asunder of the soule and the spirite and of the ioyntes and the marow and is a discerner of the thoughtes and of the intents of the heart Neyther is there anye creature whyche is not manifest in his sight but al thyngs are naked and open to hys eyes wyth whome wee haue to do In whyche place there are two things of vs to be obserued The one that vnto the worde of GOD are ascribed life and other effectes of verye great
thrusteth forthe one while verily suche as are approued in opinion for their notable wisedome another while swinishe haters and contemners of all holy things an other while Hypocrites puffed vp with a vaine shew of holynesse and therefore maruellous fit instrumentes to beguile the simple by whose painted and smooth persuasions and by other crafty conueyances the vnwarie sort maye be broughte to the neglecting and open hatred of the Scriptures but it is your partes with these reasoÌ„s and instructions whereof you haue hitherto heard many and sundry as well out of the sacred Scriptures theÌ„selues as also out of the moste godly and learned fathers to shoare vp and fortify your minds and euen in spight of all the rablement of the wicked whome Sathan subborneth and armeth dayly against vs to stirre them vp to the loue and study of Gods word Let vs coÌ„sider that CHRIST doth euen now also without ceasing preache vnto vs which in very déede he doth not after one waye or manner and that there is no precepte of him oftner vrged and repeated than this wherein he sayeth to all Christians Searche the Scriptures for they are they that testifye of me This voyce of CHRIST for so much as his heauenly father hath so coÌ„maunded let vs heare with patient and stayed mindes and with al reuerence and submission obey it finally in comparison of that let vs refuse and abandon all mens pesuasions preceptes counsels flatteries threatnings curses and tormentes whatsoeuer For he that maketh none accompt of thys voyce of CHRIST there is no doubt but that his name shall oneday be vtterly scraped and raced out of the register of Christians that is to saye out of the booke of life whiche GOD himselfe hath written and that at the laste iudgement of the great day he shal heare froÌ„ the mouth of the same CHRIST a far other manner of voyce namely a heauye and a horrible voyce as touching the suffering and enduring of euerlasting fire THE ENDE Ps. 14.2.3.4 Psâ—l 53.4 Ps. 5.10 and 140.2 and 10.7 Prou. 1.16 Iam. 4.8 1. Cor. 1.20 2.14 Iere. 9.26 Deut. 10.16 Eccles 11.33 Genes 6.5.11.12 and 8.21 Psal. 36.1 Esa. 59.3.7 Rom. 3.10.11.12.13.14.15.16.17.18 Psalm 51.5 Eph. 2.1.3.5 Rom. 3.9 Galath 3 22 Rom. 2.22 Psalm 116.11 Rom. 3.4 Esa. 59.5 Deut. 27 Galath 3.10 Coloss 2.13 Ephes 2.12 Rom. 6.23 1 Pet. 5.8 Ephes 6.12 Ephes 2.2 Genes 3.1 1. Pet. 5.8 Apocal. 12 3 Ioan. 3.3 Ephes 4.23 1. Pet. 2.2 Hebr. 13.14 â— Corinth 1.10 11. Time. 3.16 Rom. 15.4 Man is created to the knowledge of GOD and of his will. Ouid. Metamorph Lib. 1. Of the former booke which is the whole world Of the later booke to wit the holy Scripture VVe must giue more attendaunce to the latter booke of the holy Scripture than to the former and that for three causes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 III. It behoueth all men to reade the word of GOD in that it is graunted to them only to speake and vnderstand They must especiallye read the holye Scriptures which professe themselues to be Christians It is a shame for a Christian to be ignorant of the things that Christe commaundeth The Iewes reade the Scriptures painefully God commandeth in the Lawe the bookes of holy Scripture to be read and perused of all people For what cause and coÌ„sideratioÌ„ God woulde haue his doyngs and sayings committed to writing The Fathers albeit they were without Bookes yet taught they most diligently the doctrine of religion then what ought not wee to do that haue Bookes graunted vnto vs. The commandement of God as touching the reading of the Scriptures belongeth not only to Iewes Christ also commaundeth vs to reade the Scriptures In the Apostles time all the Godly read the Scriptures most diligently The holy Ghost is giueÌ„ to the beleuers to the intent they may learne and vnderstande the Scriptures â–ª Euen the Gentiles also in these dayes vsed to reade the Scriptures albeit they were extance onely in the Greeke tong In these dayes wee haue the holy Scripturs extant in all tongues And after the Apostles time all the godly serched continualy the Scriptures Exhortations of the holy Fathers as touching the reading of the holy Scriptures priuatly in houses Origen Eusebius â—â—misenus Iohn Chrisostome Augustine Ambrose Now a dayes some Bishops there be that forbid the holy Scriptures to be read The neglecting of the Scriptures of this time if it be compared with the diligence of the auntient people is verie shamefull and ignominious The Lâ—â—ie is profited 〈◊〉 dâ—â—g of the Scriptures that they were able also to teache others Laie men skilful of the holy Scriptures in times paste taughte in Churches and were chosen to thâ— goueâ—â—emet of the same The barbarus enimies of Christian religion oughte sooner by orderly teching of sounde doctrine than by force of armes be won and vnited vnto vs. The very consideration of the times present doth require that all should applye themselues to the studie of the holye Scriptures The answere It behoueth the Ministers of the Church to bee exercised in the holy Scriptures aboue all other The Ecclesiasticall Ministery consisteth not in songs or colde ceremonies The Minister ignorant of the holye Scriptures can not conuince false opinions The Minister that is without the knowledge of the Scriptures can not wisely reproue sinne The Minister that is ignorant of the Scriptures can not confer with others of godlynesse and pietie The Minister can giue no counsell to carefull consciences that is not conuersant in the Scriptures The Minister that he may be able to coÌ„fort the afflicted must of necessitie haue experience in the Scriptures To haue the name of the Ministerie without the substance of it is an absurde thing They that can not perfourme the office of the Ministerie must not reape the fruites of it The Ministers that are vnskilfull of the Scriptures oughte to bee remoued from their places They do moste grieuoâ—sly offende whiche beeing placed in the Ecclesiasticall Ministery doe still neglect the holy Scripture Albeit the studye of the holy Scripeurs doe especiallye become the Ministers of the worde yet maye not the Laitie therefore reiect it There is no degree of men among Christians to whome it perteyneth not exactly to learne the holy Scriptures Kings and Princes must reade also the holy Scriptures All Câ—urtiers and noble men must diligently reade the holy Scriptures Iudges Consuls Pretors must exercise themselues in reading the holy Bible Neither must souldiors neglecte to reade the holy Scriptures Lâ—wiâ—rs ougâ—â— to be familiarly acquainted with the holi Scripturs Phisitions also muste deuoutly trauâ—ile in the Scriptures It is expedient that Merchant men also and Artificers should profit in the Scriptures To husbandmen also is commended the reading and hearing of the Scriptures It is expedient that Boyes and Mothers also be instructed in the holy Scriptures There be certayne duties common to all Christians whiche it is needefull for theÌ„ to learne out of the holy Scriptures All Christians muste endeuor to shewe themselues to be true members of the Churche Euerye Christian ought to bee readye to render a reason of hys Fayth to euerye one that asketh it Euery Christian ought to foresee prouide that hee erre not or be not deceiued in the doctrine of Religion There is no ChristiaÌ„ that standeth not in neede to be reproued for his sinnes and oft times to be admonished No Christian caÌ„ be without comfortes The Conclusion The willing mind easilie findeth oportunitie to do well It is false to saye that in reading there is labour and griefe How we maye get leysure oportunitie to read the holie Scriptures That a time certain ought to be giuen to the reading of the Scriptures VVhat time most apt to the reading of the Scriptures How much euery day to be read The Canonical bookes of the olde Testament Let a man read dayly certaine chapters but vvithout superstition The depth and maiestie of the holy Scriptures ought not to fray vs froÌ„ the reading of theÌ„ No maÌ„ ought to complayne that he cannot vnderstaÌ„d the Scripturs howe we maye attayne to the vnderstaÌ„ding of them Some thinges we are ignoraÌ„t of to cure benefite Howe thou mayste gather spirituall profite by the thyngs that thou readest The power of the spirite worketh priuiely through the worde is the heartes of the readers and hearers Certain Chapters or fountains to which all things in the holy Scriptures ought to be referred Teaching Reprouing Instructing Correcting Comforting Conclusion Jmprinted at London by Henry Bynneman 1579.