shut out of Gods kingdome But that we may be vnder his guide and Empire Manie shall come saith hee from the East and West and they shall sit with Abraham But the children of the kingdome shall be cast out into outward darknesse there where shall bee weeping and gnashing of teeth The Iewes were the children of the kingdome so long as they were the children of God and hauing lost this qualitie they haue well changed both their condition and their estate It followeth then Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen Wee say not let God doe that hee will but that wee may doe that hee will For who is hee that wil resist against God What is hee that shall let him to doe his will Now because that the diuell is continuallie about vs to turne away our hearts from obedience to God and to doe that which God would wee must bee holpen by himselfe and none alas is assured but by his grace Our Lord Iesus being in the agonie of death and according to the infirmitie stronglie fighting against a number of temptations hath left vs yet a faire example When hee bursteth out in this sort If it bee possible O father let this bitter cuppe passe away from me Yet neuerthelesse not my will but thy will bee done There is in the second Chapter of the first Epistle of S. Iohn an other faire sentence Loue not the world for in so doing the loue of God is not in you Seeing that the world with all his desires shall passe away And as concerning God hee is euerlasting and he that will dwell with him for euermore must doe the will of the euerliuing God Now The will of God what is the will of God It is that which Christ hath fulfilled and that hee hath taught vnto vs. And what is that Humblenes in conuersation stayednesse in faith modestie in wordes iustnesse in doings mercie in workes discipline in manners and not to doe wrong vnto an other and to abide it in himselfe to keepe in peace with his brethren to loue God with all his heart to loue him as a father and to feare him as God and to haue nothing more dearer than Christ for hee also hath nothing more dearer than vs to keepe our selues vnseuered in his charitie to beare him cōpanie couragiouslie in his crosse when his name or glorie is called in question And in our talkes to shew a stayed confession and an assurednesse in our aunsweres when wee bee set vppon and to shew patience in death seeing that by it wee are crowned To doe these thinges is to bee willing to be coheires with the sonne and to fulfill the will of the Father In heauen and in earth We may take the spirit for the heauen and the flesh for the earth that all our partes may bee obedient vnto God or rather that we doe the will of God as Angels Giue vs our dailie bread This may be vnderstood spirituallie of Christ which is the liuing bread as S. Iohn in his 6. Chap. saith But it is certaine that here the Lord would teach vs not to be caryed away with the cares of this present life for as it is said elsewhere it sufficeth for euerie day to haue his miseries Mat. 6. And in deede this will not agree well to desire the kingdome of God and withall to loue the earthlie life and to delight therein Now as S. Paul saith 1 Tim 6. sith that we brought nothing into this world neither shall wee carie anie thing away wherefore doe wee not content our selues with foode and apparell seeing likewise that those which doe aspire vnto riches fetter themselues in manie sorrowes and easilie fall into the snares of the diuell To bee short the coueting of riches is the roote of all ill This is a goodlie shewe that our Sauiour maketh in the 12. of S. Luke Oh wretch that thou art this day shall they demaund thy soule and for what purpose shall the great heapes of thy ritches stored vp serue thee And will we be well disposed to follow Christ It behooueth vs at the least to hinder the causes of worldly thinges In the meane time the iust remaineth not forsaken neither brought into an extremitie by famine The heauenlie Father which prouideth for the young Rauens and Sparowes Pro. 10. Psal 37. well knoweth to furnish vs of our lackes that are necessarie Wee doe see by example apparantlie that which happened vnto Elie in the first booke of the kinges and the 17. Chapter where wee reade that namelie a Rauen caried vnto him wherewith to refresh him After wee doe pray that the Lord forgiue vs our offences as wee doe forgiue them that offend against vs. Now hauing receaued assistance of our foode wee doe demaund the forgiuenesse of our sinnes to the end that hee who is nourished of God may liue to God and that so wee may not onelie haue our bread in this life but that wee may also haue the inioying of the other that is farre better and whereunto wee cannot enter if our sinnes be not forgiuen vs. Now our sinnes are called debtes as likewise in the 18. of S. Matthew I haue forgiuen thee all thy debt because thou hast required it of me Wee are then my brethren here warned that wee be sinners praying to God for the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and asking grace of God the conscience being ouercome through offence Therefore let none of vs set vp our selues what giftes soeuer wee have seeing that dailie we sinne and doe aske mercie of GOD. If wee doe confesse our sinnes saith S. Iohn in the first Chap. of his first Epistle hee is faithfull and iust to forgiue vs our sinnes But if wee say that there is no sinne in vs wee doe lie And since that this good Iesus doeth make vs aske forgiuenesse o◠our offences hee giueth vs a certaine assurance to finde it hee I say that maketh vs strong through the mercifulnesse of his father The condition that hee hath ioyned to this demaund buindeth vs before GOD to forgiue others if that wee will that he forgiue vs. This is it that hee speaketh in an other place With what measure you mete vnto others the same shall they measure vnto you And in the 18. Chap. of Saint Matthew the seruant that goeth on against his companion with all rigor is reproued cast into prison and declared vnwoorthie of the fauour of his Maister And yet this is more clearelie expressed in Iesus Christ When yee shall appeare before God to pray vnto him If you haue anie thing against anie bodie Forgiue him otherwise your father will not forgiue you Then doe wee neuer make this prayer but that we doe condemne our selues if wee forgiue not one an other For as the Lord calleth vs to peace in regenerating vs so will hee that wee doe continue in that brotherhoode and friendship And in deede this is the fairest sacrifice that wee can offer vnto God
yet created but is taken for a person subsistent Afterwardes in the 1. Chap. of S. Marke we doe see the sonne which was baptised the father bearing witnesse of the sonne and the holy ghost comming downe vppon him As it is also commaunded in the 28. of S. Matthew to baptise in the name of the father the sonne and the holy ghost Now thinke it not to be a small thing to acknowledge three persons in one diuine Essence First of all the Christians faith is so discerned from that of the Turkes Iewes and Painims which doe not woorship the true God not acknowledging him as he hath manifested himselfe Secondlie this knowledge guideth vs in our prayer and serueth vs as a great direction because that we call vppon GOD by Iesus Christ in the partaking of the holy Ghost Thirdlie by this distinction of persons wee doe euidētlie see the principall benefites of our God beholding how the father the sonne and the holy ghost haue wrought in our creation and also how they doe worke in our redemption The father sendeth the sonne the sonne taketh humane nature the holy Ghost is he through whose operation he is conceaued in the wombe of the virgin This is he that is the comforter which inspireth and sealeth in our heartes the promises of God Wherefore although that all people doe vaunt of the knowledge of God yet so it is that there is not but the true Church that knoweth God truelie euen as hee manifested himselfe As it is said in the Psalme 147. He hath declared his wordes vnto Iacob and his statutes and iudgementes vnto Israel Hee hath not so dealt with all Nations neither hath he giuen vnto them to know his iudgementes A praier concerning the Trinitie drawen out of S. Augustine his Booke of the priuate Meditatiō of the soule with God 37. Chap. O Three Persons coequal coeternal one God and true God the father the sonne and the holy Ghost which dwellest a lone in eternitie and in the light not able to be come vnto which hast laide the earth by thy power and gouernest the worlde by thy wisedome Holy Holy Holy Lord God of Hostes terrible and strong iust and mercifull wonderfull and louing one onely GOD and three persons one substance and goodnesse open vnto mee crying the gates of righteousnesse that being entered therein I may praise thee O Lorde O houshould father great rich I poore begger doe knocke at thy gates open vnto him that knocketh thou that hast promised to open vnto those which will knocke For O most mercifull father the desires of my entrailes hungering after thy grace do knocke at thy gates All my desire is before thee and my groning is not hid from thee And thou O Lord turne not away thy face any more from me neither in thine anger drawe thy selfe backe from thy seruant Father of mercie heare the groning of thy pupill and stretch forth vnto me thy helping hande to plucke mee out of the deepe waters out of the lake of miserie and out of the stinking puddle and myer that I perish not in the sight of thy mercies and beholding the bowels of thy clemencie but that rather I may come euen vnto thee which art my God to see the riches of thy kingdome and to behold thy face and to sing praises of thy holy name vnto thee O God that doest woonders that from this time forwardes my heart may reioyce through the onely remembraunce of thee who lightnest my youth despise not also mine olde age but giue ioie vnto my bones to make my yeeres reuiue as those of an Aegle that I may praise thee for euermore A prayer vpon the same Argument Euerlasting God thou which with thy onely sonne the holy ghost art one only true GOD and onely Lorde seeing that it hath pleased thee to make knowen the secret of this glorious Trinitie vnto vs thy seruantes giue vs grace that alwaies acknowledging through one true and intire confession the propertie of the three persons the vnitie of the substaunce and the equalitie of the maiestie in one onely true God wee may for euer worship thee and that by this sure faith wee may be defended against all temptations And as the Angels praise thee the powers do worship thee and all the armies of heauen doe magnifie thee let vs thy poore creatures haue this honour to be able to ioyne our songes and our agreementes which this heauenly companie to be agreeable and pleasing vnto thee A prayer of S. Augustine out of the 32. Chap. of his Meditations O God hee that would liue it behooueth him to know thee and he that would rule he must first serue thee he who would haue gladnesse in his heart it behooueth him to praise thee Wherefore my Lorde I praise and worship thee with my lippes with my soule and with all the power that is within me I also thanke thy clemencie and bountie for all the goods that thou hast stored me withall Vnto thee Lorde that art the holie of holies do I sing songs of praise O Lorde I will call vppon thee which art in three persons but one onely and alone substance beseeching thee that it will please thee to come vnto me and to make me a temple of thy glorie I pray the father by the sonne I pray the sonne I pray the holy Ghost that all vices may be farre off from me and that all holy vertues may be planted in me O infinite God of whom and by whom all thinges are visible and inuisible that doest compasse thy workes without and fillest them within that couerest them from aboue and bearest them belowe keepe mee that am the worke of thy handes which trust in thee and haue none other confidence but in thy mercie Keepe me before and behinde heere and euerie where nowe and euer within and without aboue and beneath to be short on all sides that neither taken at vnwares nor by ambushment of my enemie I may be endamaged Thou art the almightie God the protector and defender of all those that trust in thee without whom nothing is sure neither free from daunger Thou art the true God and there is none other God but thou alone neither in heauen aboue neither in the earth belowe Thou doest wonders without number Therefore vnto thee doth appertaine praise honour and thankesgiuing The Angels praise thee the heauens also doe honour thee as the creature is bounde to honour his maker and the seruant his maister euen so ought all flesh and all soules to praise the holy and inseparable Trinitie A prayer of S. Augustine out of the 33. Chap. of his Meditations GEue me grace O Lorde so long as I shal be compassed about with this fraile bodie that my soule may praise thee that my tongue may blesse thee and that all my bones may agree to speake of thee Lorde who is like vnto thee Thou art the almightie God whom we doe worshippe in three persons and one diuine
which are in earth thinges visible and thinges vnuisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers It appeareth by this place that when it was spoken in the 1. ver and the 1. Chap. of Genes howe God created heauen and earth Creation of Angels we must comprehende there also the creations of the Angelles But as Athanasius sayeth in his questions vnto Antiochus Moses wold not willingly speake much of Angels in the beginning of his historie then knowing the superstition and curiousnesse of the Iewes where of after the Church being more aduaunced was spoken of by the prophetes and Apostles Also mention is made in the first of the Hebrewes of the creatiō by the sonne hath God made the worldes Thou Lorde in the beginning hast established the earth and the heauens are the worke of thine handes The creatures of God are good Nowe must we knowe that God is not the onely creator of all thinges but also all that which he hath created as it proceeded from him is good as it is saide in the 1. Chap. of Genes and in the 4. Chap. of the 1. Epistle to Timoth. But the creatures in part are turned away from God as the wicked Angelles that haue not kept their beginning as it is sayde in the Epistle of Iude. And in speaking lies they spake of their verie owne not according to their first creation man was also lead away by the olde serpent which is the Diuell as wee doe reade in the 3. of Genes and in the 12. of the Apocalyps The creatures which in part had beene created for man hauing sinned were subiect to vanitie as it is saide in the 8. to the Romanes and the earth was cursed as may be seene in the third of Genes Men also greatlie abused the creatures Abuse of the creatures of Iron and steele to murther of wine and of other meates and foode so of manie other creatures the which wee ought to haue receaued as Gods giftes 1. Cor. 10. and to vse them with all reuerence and vnto the glorie of the creator For so ought the creature be vnto vs as a booke as a certaine Aegiptiā Eremit named Anthonie of whome is spoken in the 8. booke of the tripartite historie and the 1. Chap. saith that the Cloister of this whole world was a goodlie booke wherein there is as many leaues as there are creatures and wherein a man might with great pleasure reade yea and dailie reade againe and learne to know God who sheweth his name great and woonderfull in this great and large world as Dauid singeth in the 8. Psalme S. Augustine in the 21. Chap. of his priuate Meditation O Lorde how great and woonderfull shall the riches be S. Augustines prayer which thou preparest for those that loue thee in the true countrie and euerlasting kingdome when as we shall see thee face to face For if thou doost vnto vs so manie good turnes in this world which is but a prison and doost shew vs so manie excellent thinges what wilt thou doe then when wee shall bee in thy Pallace Graunt vnto vs therefore grace O Lord to aspire vnto this happinesse that eye hath not seene neither eare heard and that mans tongue cannot expresse But the wise man dooth well exhort vs in the 12. Chap. of Eccles to remember our maker before the dayes of aduersitie come In the meane time men for the most part care not at all as the Lord complayneth in the 5. Chap. of Ieremie Feare ye not me saith the Lord Or will yee not be afraid at my presence which haue placed the sand for the boundes of the Sea by the perpetuall decree that it cannot passe it and though the waues thereof rage yet can they not preuaile though they roare yet cannot they passe ouer it But this people hath an vnfaithfull and a rebellious heart they are departed and gone For they haue not said in their heart Let vs now feare the Lorde our GOD that giueth raine both earlie and late in due season hee reserueth vnto vs the appointed weekes of the Haruest Gene. 6. Notwithstanding it appeareth that the world was not created for the wicked for so soone as all fleshe had corrupted his way God sent a floud vpon the earth And as Dauid saith in the 37 Psalme That the wicked and vngodlie shall bee rooted out and the godly shall inherit the land For they shall possesse all thinges in God The Philosophers and others haue truelie considered the creatures of God and haue commended them yet notwithstanding they haue strayed to all vanitie more woorshipping the creatures Rom. 1.25 than the creator not seeing how these visible signes ought to guide vs vnto a consideration of inuisible thinges For when wee doe see anie faire peece of worke this maketh vs to inquire after the woorkeman that wrought it euen so ought a man to inquire after the Lord. Furthermore this world how faire soeuer it is is a bondman and sigheth awaiting the deliuerance of the sonnes of God How much more ought we to aspire vnto heauenlie thinges because that wee tread the earth vnder our feete to shew vnto vs how that man ought to make but little account of earthlie thinges but ought rather to haue his conuersation in heauen Philip. 3.20 where as our head is preparing a place for vs. Of Gods prouidence NOw if God had onelie created the world and that hee did not gouerne it dispose and maintaine it with all her partes he should not bee the almightie but a halfe God This is because when as one speaketh of the creation It is necessarie alwayes to ioyne dailie the doctrine of the prouidence of God as also the Scripture dooth with the woonderfull disposition of all thinges which are in this whole world For hauing made his woorke especiallie man which is as the head of his worke he did not there set him and leaue him but wrought with the Sonne and the holie Ghost dailie blessing multiplying preseruing restoring and disposing all thinges to his glorie and the saluation of his elect as it dooth appeare by these places and examples that follow The 28. of Iob. God daily woorketh The windes the raine The thūders God beholdeth the endes of the world and seeth all that is vnder heauen To make the waight of the windes and to weigh the waters by measure To make a decree for the raine and a way for the lightnings of the thunders The 37. of Iob. God thundereth maruelouslie with his voyce he worketh great thinges which we know not For hee saith to the Snow The snow be thou vppon the earth likewise vnto the small raine and to the great raine of his power with the force thereof hee shutteth vp euerie man Men. that all men may know his woorke At the breath of God the frost is giuē Frost and the bredth of the waters is made narrowe The brightnesse commeth out of
his welbeloued sonne O good sauiour haue mercie on thy brethren come vnto them and dwell in them A prayer concerning Iesus Christ for to know him rightly O Lord my God seeing thou hast prouided for vs so precious a gift giuing vnto vs thy sonne Iesus fill my soule with the feeling of his bountie kindle in me a true desire of thy deere sonne and of his grace quench in me all euill affections neither suffer that my soule be vexed by worldlie cares but lift it vppe O Lorde and drawe it vnto a perpetuall meditating of thy sonne my redeemer Let his name be in my mouth let his mercie be shed in my heart to run through all my bones marowe and that I may neuer tast any other thing than this good sauiour that is dead for me Grant me also grace to correct my manners and take away from mee that which displeaseth thee for to giue me that which is agreeable and pleasing vnto thee Alas who shall make man cleane that is conceiued in vncleannesse if he be not washed and made righteous by thy sonne Iesus My health lyeth in thee good GOD and my weakenesse is before thee Heale this and by thy grace graunt vnto me the other For it is thou that healest the infirmities and keepest them that are healed and all through thy mercie An other prayer on the same matter O Lorde if our eyes be so tender and weake that they bee not able to beare the light of the sunne howe can we alas beholde thee if thou haddest not declared thy selfe in thy sonne which is the eternall worde and brightnesse of thy glorie O woonderfull secret that is not vnderstoode by mans wisedome the which is come out of the heauenly closet This is it that GOD was made man the euerlasting is made mortall hee that was not subiecte to suffer was made subiect to suffer the maister to abide the death for his seruauntes and he which ought nothing hath payed the debt to set vs poore sinners free O the great goodnesse of our sauiour to abide and suffer so much for vs O great power of our Lord Iesus Christ to ouercome death Hell had thought to haue swallowed him vp but it is hee that hath ouercome hell And in such manner it is come to passe therein as vnto fishes the which are taken when they thinke to take the baite euen so death taking our redeemer was himselfe taken And nowe Lorde who is he that will not trust in thee seeing that thy sonne is risen againe on the thirde daie so gloriously and tryumphauntly seeing that hee is ascended aboue all the highest heauens and hath deliuered man from his captiuitie to make him way euen vnto the heauenlie dwelling place It is there where hee sitteth on thy right hande and where wee doe worshippe him with thee the father and with the holie Ghost the comforter of the afflicted This is thy sonne our Lorde who is our life and our resurrection This is the hope and trust of the afflicted this is our light in our darkenesse this is the dewe of our thirstie soules This is he that doeth strengthen vs in our weakenesses and that healeth our woundes Wee are sinners but our sinne is not so great and mightie as is his mercie We be wanderers in this worlde but he is our shephearde and we doe awaite vpon him with a most earnest desire that our bodies may be alike vnto his glorious bodie and that wee may O mightie God beholde thy face A prayer and meditation vppon the birth of Iesus Christ taken out of the 15. Chap. of the Meditations of S. Augustine O Exceeding goodnesse O inestimable loue of thee my God who hast giuen thy sonne to redeeme thy seruaunt God was made man that man being lost should be redeemed out of the diuels pawes It must be O Lorde true that thy sonne Iesus hath right tenderly loued mankinde seeing that he hath not alonely brought him selfe so lowe to bee willing to become man and to bee borne of a virgine but did willingly yeelde himselfe vnto the punishment of the crosse and that for our saluation The good sauiour is come vnto vs he by his goodnesse is come to seeke out that which was lost hee hath sought out the lost sheepe and hauing founde him he hath taken him vppon his shoulders to carie him vnto the sheepe folde O good Lorde O true shephearde O woonderfull charitie And who is he that may heare these thinges without beeing astonied from the bowelles of this mercie Who will not marueile thereat or rather reioyce therein in that thou hast so much loued vs Lorde thou hast sent thy sonne in the likenesse of a sinnefull man that he who was without sinne might ouercome sinne and that we might of thy righteousnesse reioyce in him For hee it is that is the true Lambe without spotte and that hath taken away the sinnes of the worlde and that in dying hath destroyed death and in rysing againe hath brought life But alas O Lorde what shall I yeelde vnto thee for these so excellent benefites What prayses what thankesgiuing shall I giue vnto thee O Lorde Although wee shoulde be indewed with the knowledge of Angelles yea though all our members shoulde bee turned into tongues yet shoulde we be vnsufficient and vnwoorthy to praise so great a louing kindenesse for thy inestimable charitie that thou hast shewed vnto vs poore and vnworthie creatures dooth ouercome all knowledge Because that thy sonne hath not taken the seede of Angelles but of Abraham beeing made like vnto vs sinne excepted Therefore hauing taken humane nature and glorifying it and through his resurrection decking it with immortalitie he hath lifted vp him selfe aboue all heauens and hath placed him at thy right hande where hee is hee that is thy sonne worshipped and feared of Angelles Nowe beholde my comfort and my hope and wee all haue a portion in his flesh And since that he that hath taken our flesh raigneth with it I doe beleeue that I shall raigne because that my flesh is glorified in the person of Christ we shal be also glorified Albeit that my sinnes may let mee therein yet will this coniunction that I haue with Christ take away the lettes My God is not so rigorous and seuere to despise man seeing hee hath carried man and the humane nature vp on high How should hee forget that that hee hath with him Truelie this good Lorde is gentle and louing and loueth his flesh And if the Father loue his sonne as in deede hee loueth him hee also loueth all the which dooth appertaine vnto him so that from henceforth we be as raised vp in Christ Wee be alreadie seated in the kingdome of God since that the humane nature is gone vp thither with Christ No man hath euer hated his owne flesh We be bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh Oh that this is a great secrete saith the Apostle this of Christ and of his Church O
Symbolo Insomuch as S. Augustine sayeth As it is a curiousnesse to aske how or in what sort Christ is in heauen so must we faithfullie beleeue that he is there But in the meane while he is not there simplie as Henoche who was lifted vppe or Helie that was ascended thither Gene 5. 2. Kinge 2. or as the other his faithfull members but he is there as Head and he is there as he that is set on the right hande of his father For Iesus Christ as the sonne of God hath had trulie alwayes all power in heauen and in earth And now this Iesus who hath taken humane nature this person that is true God and true man gouerneth all thinges and hath a glorie and empire aboue all creatures whereof it doth not followe as some railers thinke that this his humane nature is in al places and euerie where For although that the right hande of God and his mightinesse is infinite yet is it not said that he is made the right hande of God or that the bodie of Christ is become the right hande of God but that hee is set at his right hande Nowe to sit at the right hande of God is not to spreade his bodie throughout all but to gouerne all with the father And likewise that which is spoken of the whole person cannot be particularly and simplie vnderstoode of his humane nature which keepeth alwaies his properties Furthermore the scripture by this sitting at the right hande of God doth not conclude that the bodie of Christ is throughout all but that he is in heauen as it may appeare by the places following Out of the 26. of S. Matthew verse 64. Hereafter shal ye see the sonne of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God and come in the cloudes of heauen Out of the 16. of Marke Iesus was carried vp into heauen and sitteth on the right hand of God Out of the 2. Chap. of the Actes verse 33. To wit as Christ and by his might For hee was laid in the graue awaiting the resurrection How Christ sitteth at the right hand of God Since then that hee by the right hand of God hath bin exalted and hath receiued of his father the promise of the holie Ghost hee hath shewed forth this which ye now see and heare For Dauid is not ascended into heauen but hee saith the Lord said vnto my Lord sit at my right hand vntil I make thine enemies thy footstoole Therefore let all the house of Israel know for a suretie that God hath made him both Lord and Christ this Iesus I say whom yee haue crucified Out of the 5. of the Actes verse 30.31 The God of our Fathers hath raised vp Iesus whome yee slew and hanged on a tree Him hath God lifte vp with his right hand to bee a Prince and a Lorde to giue repentaunce to Israel forgiuenesse of sinnes Out of the 7. of the Actes and 55. verse S. Steuen being full of the holie ghost looked stedfastlie into heauen and sawe the glorie of God and Iesus standing at the right hand of God Out of the 8. Chap. to the Romans verse 34. Who shal condemne it is Christ which is dead yea or rather which is risen againe who is also at the right hand of God and maketh request also for vs. Out of the 1. Chap. to the Ephes verse 20. According to the woorking of his mighty power which is wrought in Christ when hee raised him vp from the dead set him at his right hand in the heauenlie places farre aboue all principalitie and power might and domination and euerie name that is named not in this world onelie but also in that that is to come And hath made all thinges subiect vnder his feete and hath appointed him ouer all thinges to be the head to the Church Out of the 3. Chap. to the Colos verse 1. Seeke those thinges which are aboue where Christ sitteth aâ— the right hand of God Out of the first Chap. and the 3. verse to the Hebrewes The sonne hath by himselfe purged our sinnes and sitteth at the right hand of the maiestie in the highest places In the 13. verse Vnto which also of the Angels said hee at anie time sit at my right hand til I make thine enemies thy footestoole Out of the 8. Chap. to the Hebrewes verse 1. Wee haue such an high priest that sitteth at the right hand of the throne of the maiestie in heauen and is a Minister of the sanctuarie and of the true Tabernacle Out of the 10. to the Hebrewes verse 12. This man after hee had offered one sacrifice for sinnes sitteth for euer on the right hand of God And from henceforth tarieth till his enemies be made his footestoole Out of the 12. to the Hebrewes ver 2. Looking vnto Iesus the Author finisher of our faith who for the ioy that was set before him endured the crosse and despised the shame and is set at the right hand of the Throne of God Out of the 3. Chap. and first Epistle of S. Peter verse 22. Christ is at the right hand of God gone into heauen to whome the Angels and powers and might are subiect A prayer O Lorde my God giue me grace neuer to be ashamed of the Crosse of Christ seeing that he is exalted at thy right hand and that hee is the Lord of all creatures And seeing that thou hast so much honored our nature let me despise all rebukes for thy name and patientlie awaite the hower in the which all thy enemies shall be made thy footestoole From thence shall he come to iudge the quicke and the dead MEDITATION OH the woonderfull counsell of God that hee who was wickedlie iudged vnder Ponce Pilate is established not onelie a mediatour and Sauiour but also iudge of the quicke and the dead O Iudge truelie to be feared of all vnbeleeuers Iohn 3. For hee that dooth not beleeue in thee is condemned and subiect alreadie to perdition Rom. 8. how proude and gallant soeuer he be But yet to bee desired and awaited of all the faithfull to whome there is no condemnation for so much as they are grafted in thee Oh that diuers and manie times do the faithfull lift vp their heades amongst these vniust and most tyrannous going forewardes of these wicked Iudges in so manie tormentes and persecutions dailie looking for such a Iudge who will iudge the causes of his little ones and those that the world treadeth vnder foote Psal 12. It is from heauen and not on the earth that wee must awaite for such a Iudge who shall bring the hidden thinges and shall doe this honor vnto his seruantes that they shall bee as his benchars counsellers and companions in iudgement as it is said in the 6. Chap. of the 1. vnto the Corinthians That the Saintes shall iudge the world and in the 19. of S. Matthew That the Apostles shall iudge the tribes of Israel insomuch
our heartes bee as his temple O right blessed are they that thus doe eate the flesh of the Lorde hauing a desire to remaine with him and to obey him The bodie of Christ set foorth in his worde is our foode The meane and way to eate him is faith that doth stay vpon his promises and is ioyned vnto him On earth we do communicate with Christ by the helpe of his worde and sacramentes but on hie in heauen we shal eate this heauenly bread without anie outwarde helpe and shall drinke this holy drinke feeling effectually his presence the ioie of that glorious life O happy time so much desired in the which we shall eate with the holy Angels at the table of the Lorde in his kingdome O we now very happie blessed from hence forth seeing we sauour already the sweetenesse of the life to come in Christ O howe easily may we despise the rich mens tables and their iounket and delicate meates to partake the bloude of Christ in the Church of God Yea this bloud yea this is our victorie and glorie this is it that we ought to take chearefully in the supper and so to beare with Christ all afflictions in this life although the banket of the crosse seeme verie thinne and troublesome vnto the beastly ignorant worlde But they which do possesse Christ care not to possesse the world and they that haue drunke of the Lordes cup care not they are at a point to powre out their bloud for the name of Christ for their liues are most assured in their sauiour Reioyce thou thē flocke of the Lorde seeing thou hast so liberall a sheepeheard which feedeth thee with his bloud that thou maiest liue by his life For they that liue not but of the infected bloud of Adam and of the carnall and sensuall life are more wretched than the beastes To this feast are not onely bidden the sacrificers and priestes of Leui but all the Church But aboue all let vs take heede that this gift of God be vnto vs a wholesome gift and that we partake not therein to our condemnation Let vs therfore take on the wedding garment and make cleane our vessels to receiue so excellent a gift Let vs also beware of hauing therein any profanation in steede of deuotion Let vs keepe our selues from communicating in darkenesse when we doe come neere vnto this light And as S. Ierome sayeth writing vnto Theophilus When we drawe neere to Christ let vs not giue him a Iudas kisse Let vs knowe that these are the poore in spirite that shall finde comfort in that banquet These are not the worldlinges nor the high in degree neither the ouerweening and brablesome persons For if Christ declare that euerie oblation displeaseth GOD without reconciliation howe should he make an offering vnto vs of a thing so singular if wee haue not peaceable heartes And if we be not knit together with our brethren howe would we that he shoulde knit himselfe with vs A prayer concerning the holy supper O Lorde God the heauen of heauens cannot comprehende thee and yet thou doest vnto vs this honour to haue fellowshippe with vs. Alas who are wee that thou shouldest take pleasure to bee with vs yea in vs Neuerthelesse wee doe thanke thee in that through thy mercie thou makest vs able to receiue thy graces whereof Psalm 36. of our owne corrupt nature we were altogether vnwoorthie For in trueth they onely are blessed that doe not depart from thee and they that doe partake with the bodie of thy sonne on earth beginne alreadie to liue in heauen The Israelites haue eaten manna in the desert but the most part in the meane while are dead in the wildernesse without seeing the lande of promise But they that eate of this sacred foode are assured to come to the euerlasting heritage O what comfort is this vnto vs in this vale of miserie to bee refreshed with such a pasture O woonderfull pasture which seemeth to bee eaten with teeth in so much as the signes doe beare his name and yet in the meane space is neuer consumed but nourisheth the soule with great vertue That which Adam and Eue did eate in the earthly gardein by the temptation of Sathan caused them to die But O Lorde this meate that we do eate by thy appointment bringeth vnto vs life Now Lorde seeing it hath pleased thee to ioine the earthly with the heauenly by this sacrament the humane creatures with the celestiall graunt vs grace truely to consider these so hie mysteries and to vse them withal innocencie and reuerence For Lord Iob. 14. who is he that shall make cleane that which is vncleane O father who hast redeemed vs by the bloude of thy sonne thou canst only wash and sanctifie vs by thy spirite And as the fulnesse of ioie and gladnesse is to see thy face and to feele thy presence So let our soules feele effectually the sweetenesse of thy son Iesus let vs feele the increase of strength and of faith by the meanes of this holie sacrament and suffer vs not to followe the example of Esau who for a messe of pottage lost his birthright but rather that wee doe not forsake thee for any worldlie thing But that all our consolation may rest in thee Graunt vs O Lorde that thou keepe that assurance which thou hast promised likewise as thou wilt that wee keepe a remembraunce of thy sonne and of his death so haue thou daily remēbrance of vs and as he was giuen for vs so let vs yeelde ourselues louing vnto our neighbours through christian loue and that aboue all our heartes may be lifted vp where our head Iesus Christ is in thy glorie Further more for so much O Lord as we doe eate at thy table as thy children and familie of thy house let vs also walke in all goodnesse as it is becomming those which doe belong vnto such a Lorde And for so much O God as this sacred meate beseemeth not an irkesome and full stomacke Graunt vs grace that we may haue a true and a right hunger yea and a holie appetite vnto these graces that we may sauourly tast these meats of thine and well degest thē tasting how gratious sweete thou art also how bitter all the delights of the worlde are in comparison of the sweetenesse of Iesus Christ So be it Another prayer concerning the supper What tongue O Lorde can expresse and what heart can comprehend thy wonderfull loue towardes vs for that to redeeme a wretched creature thou wouldst that thy sonne should suffer so many labours and sorrowes euen to bee sacrificed on the crosse And howsoeuer it be that thou doest not content thy selfe with all these things that are alreadie done but to the end that the remembrance of thy loue should not be blotted-out of our heartes or that our faith should flite or be shaken syth that thy sonne is ascended vp to thy right hande thou leauest not yet to nourish
our soules and hast left vnto vs amongest others the sacrament of the supper that we should be assured howe his life doeth flowe into vs. O what a refreshing is this to vs in this our pilgrimage yea to them that feele and laie holde of such like graces By the presse men doe drawe foorth out of the grapes the lyquor of wine And thou O Lorde thou hast put thy sonne vpon the presse of the crosse to make vs drinke of this holy lyquor But nowe O Lorde my God to the ende that I doe not vnworthily present my selfe vnto this holie table and foode which is marueled at and honoured by the Angelles purifie and cleanse my heart by thy holie spirite Powre foorth thy loue through all the partes of my soule that I may take increase in all vertue and holinesse and that I may so continue in this blessed fellowshippe of the bodie of thy sonne that I may drawe out of him strength and life as the branch out of the vine stocke and that beeing knitte with thy sonne Iesus I may be one with thee that I may liue to thee vntill the time I doe come euen vnto thee So be it A giuing of thankes after the supper O Lord I giue thee thankes for thy inestimable loue for that not onely I haue this benefitte of my beeing and mouing in thee but chiefly in that it hath pleased thee to make mee to liue for euer in thy kingdome redeeming mee from euerlasting damnation which I had deserued through my sinnes But good God I beseech thee that this precious bloud be not shedde in vaine for me but daily nourish my soule by the partaking of the flesh of thy sonne Quicken mee in his bloud that I may be of the number of thy children and a member of the bodie of thy Church that I be not so vnhappie to abuse these sacred meates which haue cost so deere a price of thy deere beloued sonne Iesus to prepare them for vs that I be not also like vnto the dogges which returne vnto their vomittes and swine that goe backe againe vnto their puddle Alas Lorde make me that I neuer forsake thy holie couenaunt for any thing in the worlde For whither is it that I shoulde goe but vnto thee that hast the wordes of euerlasting life Let it not be a daie onely that the remembrance of thy sonnes passion bee before my eies But that I may for euermore honour this good sauiour which hath left vnto vs so faire an heritage by his testament and hath giuen vs thereof so goodly an earnest in the supper Now to thee O God my creator to thee Christ my redeemer to thee holie Ghost my comforter who worketh this holie coniunction of men with GOD and of earth with heauen vnto thee one alone true God be honour and glorie I poore creature doe recommende my selfe vnto thee glorious God being well determined through thy grace to goe in peace and in ioy to death when the houre shall come since that Christ is my life Auaunt from me all delightes and earthly meates which doe turne into doung syth that I haue a foode which turneth me to immortalitie the bread of Angelles the breade which wee shall eate without signes and sacramentes when as we shall inioye that felicitie beeing in heauen Prayers for the Church A Prayer against the aduersaries of the Church ALmightie God since that thou seest thine aduersaries so proud yea with a diuelish rage to force against thy Church cause that wee may feele how thou art the verie same whome all thy faithful haue prooued in times past in all ages to wit that thou hast the care of the saluation of those that call vppon thee with a pure heart yea and seeke thee in extreme distresse and necessitie that although thou stretchest forth thy hand at this day and repressest this rage which thou seest to be kindeled against all thy seruauntes and children to the end that last of all the reprobates may feele and vnderstand and that to their destruction how they haue not vndertaken warres against a miserable people corrupted stripped and naked of all ayd but against thine vnestimable vertue that being confounded albeit they haue no shame rore out the more against thee and against thy power yet they may serue notwithstanding for an example and bee for a manifest instruction that thou art not onelie faithfull in all thy promises But also furnished and garnished with such vertue that thou canst execute and fulfill all that which thou hast promised for the safe keeping of thy Church vntill such time as thou hast fullie deliuered vs out of our enemies hand An other prayer vppon the same matter ALmightie GOD forasmuch as thou seest how wee be at this day compassed about on all sides with so manie enemies who practise continuallie our ouerthrowe and that we are so weake and feeble make vs learne to looke vnto thee and that our faith may so rest vppon thee that into whatsoeuer daungers wee be put and howsoeuer our flesh saith wee may neuer doubt but that thou art stored with a mightie power to make all our enemies afraid that amongest the daungers of this life wee may liue in rest of spirit and that wee cease not from calling vppon thee as thou hast promised to be a faithfull protector of those that call on thee in Iesus Christ his name So be it A prayer to perseuere in the doctrine of the Gospel ALmightie God seeing we be so much inclined vnto corruption that with great hardnesse wee doe enter into the listes so lightlie wee retire our selues from the course being well instructed yet we fall off and doe easilie degenerate graunt that being by thy spirit furnished with constancie we may perseuere to the end in that same right way that thou hast shewed vnto vs by thy word Furthermore though that manie are cast into diuers errors yet that wee maie take pleasure to call and to withdrawe them backe againe yea if wee doe not profite anie whit therein yet at the least that wee be not allured after them but that wee may remaine constant in faithfull obedience vntill such time as hauing atchieued all our Combates we may be gathered together to that blessed rest which is kept for vs by our captaine and sauiour Iesus Christ in the heauens A Prayer to bee constant in Religion against all lettes or withstandinges Almightie God sith that Satan setteth before vs at these dayes manie feares and dreades which might altogether cast vs downe and make vs lose courage as in deed wee bee but feeble and weake graunt that wee hauing our eies lifted vp to heauen wee may consider this inuincible power wherewith thou art furnished to make vs ouercome all lettes Besides although nothing doe appeare in this world but that which is contemptible which may confirme or maintaine our faith yet notwithstanding graunt that wee may pearce by the eyes of our faith into this secret vertue and so