should not perish whom hee had created Therefore behold two natures but knit together in such sort as there is but one onelie Sauiour euen as the soule and the bodie are gathered together in one onely man in the meane time keeping their proprieties as it is knowne that some proprieties are of the bodie others of the soule but let a man marke thē put a differēce betweene those proprieties yet dooth hee not therefore separate the bodie from the soule The scriptures then and also the aunciēt Doctors speaking of Iesus Christ haue sometimes respect vnto the proprietie of the natures And then it is said that Christ knew not the hower of Iudgement when hee was wrapped vp in swadling bandes when hee did increase in all wisdome and had respect but vnto the humane nature Some-times that he is the Image and brightnesse of his father that hee will bee with vs euen vnto the end of the world 1. Cor. 2. hauing respect vnto his nature and diuine Maiestie And sometimes the scripture dooth consider these two natures of Christ knit together When it is said that the Lord of glorie was crucified Wherefore Because that Christ hath yet suffered in the flesh Yet so it is that hee who hath suffered was the Lord of glorie For this flesh is knit with the eternal word of the personall vnion So it is said that God hath redeemed vs by his bloud Actes 20. because that this bloud is the bloud of this bodie which is knitte with the sonne of God As wee doe say for the vnion of the bodie with the soule when a man is dead albeit that there is but the least part dead to witte the bodie the soule being as we know immortal From whence heresies doe proceede This is to be noted because the most part of heresies doe come forth in that whereas either a man confoundes the natures of Christ or that one sundereth the natures and they leaue not this ground or this foundation that wee haue in the scripture to wit that there is but one Christ And that this Christ is as mediatour knit vnto two natures and to acknowledge them it is necessarie that the proprieties do remain For how should we knowe the humane nature if it were inuisible and in all places as some dreame What God should Iesus be if he were created euen as Arritus did blaspheme The humane nature therefore of Christ hath reciued great prerogatiues Prerogatiues of Christs humane nature as to be sanctified from the beginning by the holy Ghost to be knit with the diuine nature and to abide in the same so as of this man it is sayde that he is the sonne of God as in hauing all fulnesse of grace all treasures of wisedome in the eternall worde which is declared and laide abroade in the humane nature and so farre forth as was needeful and might bring to him To be short we must holde that as the humane nature taken to the sonne of God hath not weakened the diuinitie So hath not the diuinitie swallowed vp the deity nor consumed the humanitie as the Schuencfeldians thought For our sauiour is true God and man and not a man deified Moreouer we must haue daily remembraunce of our religion which is faith whereunto all curiosities are contrarie These mysteries as this is the greatest of all and the true secret of God hauing ordeined that his euerlasting sonne should take vppon him humane nature that in our flesh he might make satisfaction for our sinnes These mysteries I say we doe beleeue them when as all humane reason all discourse and all the worlde woulde say or thinke to the contrarie And in thus beleeuing wee are not lead by opinion or ill grounded but assured of a most certaine knowledge that is more surer than all the sciences of the world because that it proceedeth from the shewe of the spirite of God Heere followe certaine goodly places of the conception and birth of Iesus Christ out of the 1. Chap. of S. Luke THe Angell sayde vnto Marie Lo thou shalt conceiue in thy wombe and beare a sonne and shalt call his name Iesus He shall be great and shal be called the sonne of the most high and the Lorde God shall giue vnto him the throne of his father Dauid And hee shall reigne ouer the house of Iacob for euer and of his kingdome shall be none ende Then sayd Marie vnto the Angell how shall this be seeing I know not man The Angell aunswered and sayde vnto her the holy Ghost shall come vpon thee and the power of the most high shal ouershadowe thee therefore also that holie thing which shall be borne of thee shal be called the sonne of God Therefore beholde three great prerogatiues in this childe that is giuen vnto vs. First this person is the sonne of God Secondly eternall king established for Messias and true restorer of the throne of Dauid and of the Church head and chiefe thereof that which a man cannot speake of anie creature Thirdly he is the holy as many times he is so called in the prophets and hath in such sort taken our nature as he hath made it holy frō his mothers wombe This conception therefore by the holy Ghost is not that the spirite had beene as the father or as if his body were of a spiritual substance But the Angell sayth that which seemed vnpossible that a virgin should conceiue shal be done by the vertue of Gods spirit to whome nothing is harde and the same spirite shall make the virgine not alonely to conceiue and beare a sonne but also to conceiue and beare him which shall be holy and making holy all mankinde making holy the natiuitie and conception of all those that are of his faithfull chosen Wherfore Christ was baptised For that that he was baptised and circumcised was not in the respect of him that he had neede of it he who washed and circumcised our heartes but because that he had brought himselfe vnder the lawe in our name and being made our pledge had charged vpon him our sinnes to make vs learne in what reuerence wee ought to haue the Sacramentes Out of the 1. of S. Iohn ver 14. This worde was made flesh and dwelt among vs and we sawe the glorie thereof I say the glorie as of the onely begotten sonne of the father full of grace and truth Out of the 1. Chap. of the Epistle of S. Paule to the Romanes God which had promised heeretofore the Gospell concerning his sonne which was made of the seede of Dauid according to the flesh and declared mightilie to be the sonne of God touching the spirite of sanctification and by the resurrection from the dead that is to say our sauiour Iesus Christ Out of the 16. Chap. of the Romanes To him nowe that is of power to establish you according to my Gospell and preaching of Iesus Christ by the reuelation of the mysterie which was kept secret since
whereby the true Church of God is discerned from that false and bastard Church which wanteth both true faith Ephe. 3.14 true inuocatiō Now I bowe the knees of my soule to the Father of our Lorde Iesus Christ to the end that according to the riches of his glorie The Pastors of the Church of Orlians that were preserued M. Gallars M. Anton. Chanorrier M. Robert Mason M. Pet. Baron Daniel Toussain he will graunt vs that wee may be strengthened by his spirit that Christ may dwell in you through faith through the which you may be rooted and grounded in all true knowledge of his will And as it hath pleased him in the middest of so manie floudes miraculouslie to keepe the Pastors of your Church whom God be praised he employed alwayes to his seruice that it will please him to shewe you this fauour raysing vp your estate as from death to haue strength to reioyce againe and that quicklie to the end that we may altogether as it were created anew sing vnto him a newe song to his honor vnder the protectiō of the shadow of his winges Frō S. Lābert within the coūtie Palatine this 20. of Iuly 1578. Daniel Toussain THE FOVNDATION and spring of all holy prayers and christian meditatiōs ought to be faith Behold where fore we shall set heere in the entrie the articles of our faith which some call the symbole of the Apostles as in deede they conteine a summarie of the Apostles doctrin as is to be sene of that which is written in the 15. Chap. of the 1. vnto the Cor. vers 3. elswhere it is to be seene by the writings of the elders as by the cathechisme of Cyrill and the treatise of S. Ambrose of Cayne and Abell and in the 8. Chap. of S. Augustines booke named Enchiridion that is to say Manuel that these Articles of the faith were holden amongest them as the true beginninges and foundation of Christian religion I Beleeue in God the Father almightie maker of heauen and earth And in Iesus Christ his onelie sonne our Lord. Which was conceiued by the Holie Ghost borne of the virgine Marie Suffered vnder Ponce Pilate was crucified dead buried he descended into hell The thirde day he rose againe from the dead He ascended into heauen and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almightie From thence shall he come to iudge the quicke and the dead I beleeue in the Holie Ghost The holie Catholike Church The communion of Saints The forgiuenesse of sinnes The resurrection of the bodie And the life euerlasting Amen IN the yeare of our Lord 273. in the Synode of Antioch was condemned the heresie of Samosatenus who would not auowe Iesus Christ to be the worde subsisting but made thereof a sound or decree of God not a seconde person of his diuinity in such sort as against his errours was published a confession by George Neocoefariensis as is to be seene in the 3. booke of Eusebius IN the yeare of our Lord about 332. 1. Synode called vniuersall was vnder Constantine the Great assembled a Synode or Councel to the assisting whereof there were 328. Bishoppes at Nice a citie in Bythinia there where was chieflie condemned the heresie of Arrius who dinied the true sonne of God equall with the father and of the same substance In this Synode were made plaine and cleare against Arrius the Articles of faith which concerne Iesus Christ by a confession as followeth 1 I Beleeue in one God The Symbol of Nice the Father Almightie maker of heauen and earth and of all things visible and inuisible 2 And in one Lorde Iesu Christ the onely begotten sonne of God begotten of his Father before all worldes 3 God of God light of light verie God of verie God begotten not made beeing of one substance with the Father by whome all thinges were made 4 Who for vs men and for our saluation came downe from heauen 5 And was incarnate by the Holie Ghost of the virgin Marie and was made man 6 And was crucified also for vs vnder Poncius Pilate he suffered and was buried 7 And the thirde day he arose againe according to the Scriptures and ascended into heauen and sitteth at the right hand of the Father 8 And he shal come againe with glory to iudge both the quicke and the dead whose kingdome shall haue none ende 9 And I beleeue in the holie Ghost the Lorde and giuer of life who proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne who with the Father and the Sonne together is worshipped and glorified who spake by the Prophets 10 And I beleeue one Catholike and Apostolike Church 11 I acknowledge one Baptisme for the remission of sinnes 12 And I looke for the resurrection of the dead the life of the world to come Amen IN the yeare of our Lorde 386. Seconde Councell there assembled at Constantinople the second Synode called vniuersall which confirmed and ratified the confession made at Nice adding onely that which followeth against the heretike Macedonius who denied the true diuinitie of the holie Ghost We beleeue in the holy Ghost Lorde and giuer of life proceeding from the father and the sonne who with the father the sonne together is worshipped and glorified HEere followeth the Symbole or confession of Athanasius Bishoppe of Alexandria being chosen fiue monthes after the Councell held at Niece who hath abiden great combats for the pure doctrine of the sonne of God against the Arrians WHosoeuer will be saued before all things it is necessarie that he holde the Catholike faith Which faith except euerie one doe keepe holy and vndefiled without doubt hee shall perish euerlastingly And the Catholike faith is this that we worship one God in Trinitie and Trinitie in vnitie Neither confounding the persons nor diuiding the substance For there is one person of the Father another of the Sonne and another of the Holie Ghost But the Godhead of the Father of the Sonne and of the Holie Ghost is all one the glorie equall and the maiestie coeternall Such as the Father is such is the Sonne and such is the Holie Ghost The Father vncreate the Sonne vncreate and the Holie Ghost vncreate The Father incomprehensible the Sonne incomprehensible and the Holie Ghost incomprehensible The Father eternall the Sonne eternall and the Holie Ghost eternall And yet they are not three eternalles but one eternall As also there bee not three incomprehensibles nor three vncreated but one vncreated and one incomprehensible So likewise the Father is almightie the Sonne almightie and the holie Ghost almightie And yet they are not three almighties but one almightie So the Father is God the Sonne is God and the Holie Ghost is God And yet are they not three Gods but one God So likewise the Father is Lord the Sonne Lorde and the Holie Ghost Lorde And yet not three Lordes but one Lorde For like as wee be compelled by the Christian veritie to acknowledge
of these articles of our faith Preserue and keepe the relieuers of thy Church and giue vnto thē victorie against all assaultes of enimies for this great sauiour Iesus Christ his sake So be it Certaine notable places concerning Iesus Christ drawen out of the scripture Out of the 3. Chap. of Genesis The Serpent After the fall of Adam and Eue the Lord spake vnto Sathan which is the auncient serpent leading or tempting the world as it is said in the 12. of the Apocalyps I will put enmitie betweene thee and the woman and betweene thy seede and her seede Hee shall breake thine head and thou shalt bruse his heele The Chaldie translatiō or rather Paraphrase in stead of seede putteth thy sonne and her sonne meaning by the sonne of the Serpent Antichrist and by the sonne of the woman the promised seede By the same were the fathers comforted and namelie S. Paul saith in the 3. to the Galat. that the promised seede was Christ Out of the 49. of Genesis The seed The scepter shal not depart from Iudah not a lawgiuer from betweene his feete vntill Shiloh come and the people shal be gathered vnto him Now the Chaldey Paraphrase and the Targum Ierosolomite doe not onelie expound it of the Messias but also the most learned of the Hebrewes are constrained so to doe And in the same Chap. and the 18. ver the good Patriarch Iacob saith O Lorde I haue waited for thy saluation Thereupon writeth the Targū of Ierusalem I doe not awaite for a saluation saith Iacob or a deliuerance from a Gedeon or from a Sampson whose deliueraunces were temporall But I doe awaite for that which the Messias shall bring Out of the 18. Chap. of Deuteronomie I wil raise vp vnto them saith the Lord vnto Moses a prophet from among their brethren like vnto thee and will put my wordes in his mouth and hee shall speake vnto them all that I shall commaund him This place cannot bee vnderstoode but of Christ as also it is said by this occasion in the 1. of S. Iohn and the 45. ver how Moses hath written of Christ And in the 3. of the Actes S. Peter dooth also in the 22. ver apply there this place vnto Iesus Christ For albeit that GOD hath raised vp manie Prophets Yet so it is as it is said in the last Chap. of Deuteronomie There arose not a Prophet in Israel like vnto Moses So as a man cannot vnderstād the said place but of Iesus Christ the leader of his people and true Prophet by whome God hath spoken vnto them in these last times as it is said in the 1. Chap. to the Hebrewes Out of the 19. Chap. of Iob. I knowe well that my redeemer liueth he shall stand the last on the earth Out of the 2. Psalme Why doe the Princes assemble together against the Lorde and against his Christ I haue ordained him king vppon Sion mine holie mountaine I wil declare the decree that is the Lord hath said vnto me Thou art my sonne this day haue I begotten thee Aske of me and I shall giue thee the nations for thine inheritance and the endes of the earth for thy possession Now that this Psalme is properlie referred vnto Christ a man may plainelie see it First because that he called him his euerlasting begotten sonne as it is expounded in the 1. of the Hebrewes secondlie in the 11. ver the same sonne is called Iehoua and the kinges of the earth are exhorted to reuerence and imbrace him Thirdlie that his kingdome spreadeth forth it selfe euen vnto the endes of the earth that which a man cannot vnderstand of the kingdome of Dauid Last of all it is said how they are blessed which haue their hope trust in him For as S. Paul speaketh in the 10. to the Romans such shall not bee confounded Therefore the Apostes had reason to apply in the 2. of the Actes this Psalme vnto Christ Out of the 8. Psalme What is man that thou art so mindeful of him the sonne of man that thou visitest him For thou hast made him a little lower than God hast crowned him with glorie honor Thou hast made him to haue dominion ouer the workes of thine handes Thou hast put all thinges vnder his feete Howsoeuer it be that this place setteth out the dignitie excellēcie of the first Adam yet we see by the 12. Chap. to the Hebrewes how this is applyed vnto the secōd Adam that is to say vnto Christ in whom our wretched nature that was fallen frō his first glory was restored againe to honor in such sort as God hath no lesse shewed his woonderfull goodnesse euen with aduantage in the restoring of man againe as hee hath doone in the first creation And as touching the Psalmes we haue verie manie goodlie testimonies of Iesus Christ as of his death and passion in the 22. and 69. the which are alledged in the 27. of S. Matthew and in the 1. of the Actes ver 20. of the resurrection in the 16. Psalme the which is alledged in the 2. of the Actes Of his Ascensiō in the 68. Psalme that is alledged in the 4. Chap. to the Ephes Of his Priesthood in the 110. which is alledged in the 22. of S. Matthew to prooue that hee is the sonne and Lorde of Dauid altogether and in the 5. Chap. to the Hebrewes Of the calling of the Gentiles by the preaching of the Gospell in the 19. Psal and 72. which are alledged in the 10. of the Romans Of the kingdome of Christ in the 2. and 67. Psalme Out of the Prophet Isaie who is by manie called the Euangelicall Prophet And therefore S. Ambrose did exhort S. Augustine before his conuersion to read him diligentlie thereby to giue vnto him taste of the grace of God like as S Augustine doeth witnesse in the 9 booke of his Confessions Out of the 7. of Isaiah The Lorde himselfe will giue you a signe beholde a virgine shall conceiue and beare a sonne and shee shall call his name Immanuell Of this it is spoken in the first of S. Matthew verse 23. Out of the 9. of Isaiah Vnto vs a childe is borne vnto vs a sonne is giuen and the gouernement vpon his shoulders and he shal call his name wonderfull counseller the mightie God the euerlasting father the prince of peace His gouernement shal be inlarged and peace shall haue none ende there he shall sit vpon the throne of Dauid and vpon his kingdome to order it Luke 1. and to stablish it with iudgement Thus is Iesus Christ described vnto vs the sonne of Dauid Rom. 1. according to the fleshe in the 11. of Isaiah and this is alledged in 13 of the Actes and the 23. verse There shall a twig come forth of the stocke of Iessay and a branche shall increase out from his roote and the spirite of the Lorde shall rest vpon him the spirite of wisedome and of vnderstanding the
death and shewing that she had no more power sith that Christ is risen againe Nowe will some say howe doth this place agree with S Paule Wee must consider the thinges more neerer It was sayde that if the people had turned to God he had deliuered them through his diuine mercie But forasmuch as there was nothing in vs but sinne and so likewise death it behoueth vs to looke vpon Christ who hath ouercome death and vanquished Hell in such sort as they cannot hurt the children of God For being graffed in Christ we feare nothing Wherefore S. Paule who reioyceth himselfe in Christ and in his righteousnesse and who considereth that through him saluation is giuen vnto vs doth with good right dispite and tryumph ouer death and as concerning him he doth not recite the wordes of the prophet worde for word but he hath a respect to the intent and meaning of them By Christ then are we quickened therefore haue we sure hope of the resurrection so as that which the righteousnesse of the lawe could not do is fulfilled and wrought through Christ in whome wee feare not death Thus by faith we are deliuered from the whole curse Out of the 22. Chap. of S. Matthew Iesus disputing of the resurrection against the Sadduces sayde And concerning the resurrection of the dead haue ye not read what is spoken vnto you of God saying I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaae and the God of Iacob God is not the God of the dead but of the liuing Out of the 5. of S. Iohn The houre shall come in the which all that are in the graues shal heare the voice of the sonne of man And they shall come foorth that haue doone good vnto the resurrection of life but they that haue doone euill vnto the resurrection of condemnation Excellent witnesses of the resurrection out of the 15. Chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians If there be no resurrection of the dead then is Christ not risen But Christ is risen was seene of manie Then is there a resurrection of the dead If we haue our only hope in this life we shall be most miserable of all mankinde But our faith is not in vaine neither the witnesse that the holy Ghost doth yeelde vnto our heartes that wee be the children of God Then is there another entire life of man and consequently a resurrection The seconde Adam is truly as mightie at the least as the first Nowe all these die which are borne of Adam it followeth then that they which be borne againe in the seconde Adam which is Christ are also made liuing after the bodie and soule The sacrament of Baptisme is vnto vs also a sacrament which doth represent vnto vs our mortification our life and resurrection when the people were drawen through the water The saintes and faithfull neither fought nor suffered in vaine For if there were not another life in vaine should they suffer euen vnto death We haue likewise saith S. Paul an example of the resurrection in the graine of corne and in other seedes which die in the grounde and in dying doe in the spring time rise againe more fairer wherefore is it that that should not so likewise happen vnto our bodies Out of the 3. Chap. of the Epistle of S. Paule to the Philippians Our conuersation is in heauen from whence also we looke for the sauiour euen the Lorde Iesus Christ who shall change our vile bodie that it may be fashioned like vnto his glorious bodie according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all thinges vnto himselfe Out of the 2. Chapter of the 2. Epistle to Timothie S. Paule reproueth Hymeneus and Philetus which haue erred from the truth saying that the resurrection is past alreadie and doe destroy the faith of certaine I beleeue the life euerlasting Euerlasting saluation is the ende of our faith as sayeth S. Peter in the 1. Epistle and 1. Chap. This is truely the glorie of God which ought to be our ende and that whereunto wee doe aspire euen the price which is promised to this militant Church that is life euerlasting The soule of Lazarus separated from the bodie Luke 16.22 was receaued to euerlasting rest It was said vnto the good thiefe as he is called which confessed Christ with repentance To day shalt thou bee with me in paradise Now who is hee which could expresse the blessednes of the life euerlasting For this word Life comprehendeth all ioy peace glorie and honor as S. Paul saith in the 2. Chap. to the Romans Vnto those which with patience are giuē to goodnes shall bee giuen Glorie honor immortalitie and life euerlasting And they shall shine as the sunne in the kingdome of their father as it is said in the 13. of S. Matthew Contrariwise the Infidels shall bee cast out from the face of the Lorde with anger with euerlasting tormentes where shall bee weeping and gnashing of teeth Behold what is the auncient faith that the Apostles haue held and S. Peter hath preached for the which our Churches are persecuted and wee are called heritikes But what Wee oftentimes call to remembrance that goodlie admonition that S. Paul made to Timothie in the 6. Chap. of his first Epistle Fight the good fight of faith Lay hold of eternall life whereunto thou art also called and of that which Dauid speaketh in the 138. Psalme Lorde though I walke in the middest of trouble yet wilt thou reuiue me And of this goodlie place which is in the 25. of Esai The Lorde will destroy death for euer and will wipe away the teares from all faces and the rebuke of his people wil he take away out of all the earth And in that day shall men say Lo this is our God wee haue awaited for him and hee will also saue vs. This is the Lorde wee haue awaited for him wee will also bee ioyfull and reioyce in his saluation And though wee bee deliuered to death for the name of Iesus yet doe wee know that his life shall bee manifested in our mortall flesh as it is said in the 4. Chap. of the 2. to the Corinth But the fearefull and vnbeleeuing the abominable and murtherers and whoremongers and sorcerers Idolaters and lyers shall haue their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Apoca. 21.8 Comfortes against death taken out of manie auncient Doctors IT is not without great reason that the great philosopher Plato saith that the life of a wise man ought to passe in a continuall meditation of death For wee shall in deede auoid a number of offences if we haue in remembrance our end and the estate of this life which is so short as it is said in the 7. of Ecclesiast Nowe it is a strange thing to consider the blockishnesse of men in this case which by dailie experience well see that they must die They see well that our bodies bee not
bee founde a watching faithfull seruaunt And as the prince of this worlde comming towardes thy sonne Iesus Iohn 14. founde nothing what to bite vpon him so also the same enemie may not haue any thing against me seeing that I doe belong to thy sonne Iesus By faith O Lorde haue our fathers ouercome kingdomes and closed the mouthes of the Lyons Therefore O Lorde graunt me grace that I may also ouercome by faith all tentations vntill that this faith being ended I may enter into thy euerlasting â—est A prayer against the sorrowes of Death O Lorde GOD my father who weart willing that thy sonne Iesus should yeelde vppe his spirite to saue me graunt mee grace that I may beare in my heart the remembrance of his bitter sorrowes and passion and that I may forthwith remember the sweete tender affection that thou bearest vnto vs poore sinners sauing them with so pretious a price that of one part I may with a true sorrowe die vnto sinne and forsake all mine iniquities and of the other part the remembrance of thy grace may make my soule liue let thy mercie O good God be vnto me a lampe and light to lighten me in the darkenesse of death vntill that I come vnto thee O Lorde if thou weart vnto me so good a father in life be also the same vnto me in death Leaue me not then when as my strengthes shall faile me And euen then namely when my mouth shal be no more able to speake leaue not off Lord to heare my desires vnto the last breath of my life Comfort againe thy weake creature and receiue my soule into thy glorie who yeeldeth vp to thee Thou O Lorde hast saued mee into thy handes I recommende my spirit Grant me the last words of thy sonne Iesus in his voice vppon his crosse that they may be my last wordes in this life Behold the earthly abode of this bodie which dissolueth it to yeelde my selfe ioiful of this tabernacle most blessed which is not made with mans hands This great prophet Elias when hee was taken vp into heauen let fall his cloke so willingly would I also leaue this garment both earthly and corruptible to bee clothed with immortalitie Heeretofore I was a wayfarer nowe am I come into my true countrey Euen vntill this time was I in fight now go I to triumph with our head Iesus Christ I begin to see alreadie this hauen which I haue so long desired hulling amongst the tempests of the world To be short I ioyfullie passe out of darknesse into light from daungers of this world to a place of assurance out of a lamentable case into a blessed state from battaile to victorie from an earthlie to an euerlasting life Here am I blind and there shall I receiue light In this place was I hacked with manie woundes and there shall I receaue healing O wretched life O fraile and life vncertaine in this world howe deceitfull and yrksome art thou The more thou thinkest or beleeuest the more thou distrustest and misbeleeuest The more one goeth in this world the more is hee charged with faintnesse and miseries Blessed is hee which knoweth the vanitie of this world yet more blessed that dooth not set his affection therein and most blessed which is withdrawen from thence to bee with thee Oh my God and my sauiour A prayer vppon the same Argument Alas when shall I come before the face of my God and when shall I haue my abiding in his house How long shall I bee in this exile whereunto for sinne we were banished But how shall a sinner stand before this great God How shall this poore flesh get vp into euerlasting paradise But praised bee my God who hath giuen vnto vs so good an assurance in his holie word Blessed bee GOD which hath ordained for vs this good ladder by the which wee ascend vp into heauen to wit Iesus Christ so that which was vnto vs impossible is possible to the beleeuer Therefore looke not O Lord into the manifold sinnes that are within me But rather remember that I am thy creature and the worke of thy handes I am vnworthie to bee called thy childe but it hath pleased thee to bee my father Thy will was that thy sonne Iesus should come downe here below to vs to make vs ascend vp to thee I feare not then death seeing I haue life with me Thy son hath destroyed death for all those which doe beleeue in him And albeit that this bodie be gnawen with wormes yet the soul goeth forthwith into rest the body awaiteth the resurrection I do desire therfore to die to beholde thy face and willinglie leaue this life to be with Christ Oh my God if the simple sound of thy worde which I heare on earth doth cause my soule to liue alreadie what life what countenance shall I haue there on high wheÌ„ as I shall receiue it in my heart seeing thy glorie being in so blessed a companie Open vnto me then O Lorde the gate of thy kingdome Make mee to heare this sweete voice which was prepared for the poore thiefe on the crosse To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Alas Lorde I am vnworthy thereof yet thy mercie giueth me assurance Grant me also O father streÌ„gth to perseuere giue me daily this desire of the life to come for if we be so much affectioned to this earthly life that is but for a day ful of miseries with what wish ought I to desire that glorious life which thy sonne Iesus hath purchased for vs Other short praiers for certaine necessities of the Churches To demand perseuerance Almightie God seeing we be knit together by the guide and counsell of thy sonne to this bodie of the Church which was so often scatered and dispersed graunt that we may abide in this vnitie of faith and that wee may constantly fight against all temptation of this worlde and that wee may not turne away from a true and right intent though it come to passe that troubles vppon troubles doe happen offences vpon offences seeing our faith is not builded vpon the holinesse of man or vpon their persons but vppon thee O true and almightie God And whatsoeuer euilles or deathes that shal be offered vnto vs we may not be possessed with such feare as may plucke away our hope out of our heartes but that we may rather learne to lift vp our eies yea our vnderstanding all our wittes vnto this thy power by the which thou quicknest the dead raisest vp that which was of nothing that our spirites may alwaies aspire vnto euerlasting rest albeit it behooued vs daily to die vntill at the last thou shalt shewe how thou art the true fountaine of life granting vnto vs the immortalitie through thy sonne Iesus Christ A prayer to haue stedfastnesse and constancie EVerlasting and almightie God al good and mercifull seeing we be heere subiect to so great aduersities and of so many sortes
which lift themselues vp like suddaine tempestes graunt that wee hauing our heartes directed vp to heauen may neuerthelesse repose our selues vppon thy secret prouidence and what so euer troubles there be in our senses wee may rest assured in this principall and holde it as certaine that is that thou art he that will be our father and gouerne vs by thy wisedome to the ende that in all our troubles we may alwaies acknowledge thy hande and thy counsel full of righteousnesse and of great and singular wisdome and iustice that we may call euermore vpon thee and saue our selues at this hauen that is to wit that although we be driuen and tossed hither and thither yet thou holdest vs vp by thy hande vntill we be receiued into thy rest A prayer to obtaine victorie by Iesus Christ Almightie God forasmuch as wee be filled full of so many desires which might defile the pure and holy giftes of the spirite graunt that we may receiue in good woorth the chastisementes which thou doest sende vnto vs to tame the saide desires and that acknowledging thee for our sheepeheard we may suffer our selues to be gouerned by the hooke of thy sheepeheardes staffe daily profiting vnder thy corrections and tasting thy goodnesse in thy displeasure we may not lose courage but as walking through blame dishonor yea in the middest of death for thy names sake we may reioyce in thee esteeming all thinges losse in cōparison of the knowledge of thy sonne Let therfore that same spirit which hath sanctified vs strengthen vs also that being partakers of this annointing of the holy Ghost we may be likewise partakers of the victorie of thy sonne Iesus Christ A prayer paciently to abide pouerty when God shall sende it Lorde God and father since it hath pleased thee to abase thy selfe euen to take care ouer vs namely for the respect of this life to promise vs daily bread granting vs wherwith to passe on our way here beneath graunt that we may learne to rest our selues peaceably vpon thee who art our God and of our children hast had care of vs when as we were nothing that so resting vs vpon thy blessing we may behaue our selues not onely from all theftes and vnlawfull meanes to plucke away other mens goods but also from all couetousnesse and impatience as we O Lord may content our selues vnder thy feare and that we may learne so to beare pouertie on the earth that being satisfied with the riches which thou hast offered vnto vs by thy Gospell and whereof we be alreadie partakers through faith we may cherefully bende to the fulnesse thereof and vnto this perfect coniunction with thy sonne Iesus Christ in his kingdome A prayer for the morning O Lorde God and father I poore creature which am naturally swathed in darknesse durst not lift vp my eies vnto thee that dwellest in a light not able to be come vnto were it not that thy deere sonne Iesus Christ which is the brightnesse of thy glorie hath made me way vnto the throne of thy grace through the shedding of his most precious bloud So nowe my God I doe acknowledge howe that it is a great benefit that I which am vnworthy to liue vpon the earth and that haue deserued through my sins to be cast into vtter darknesse for euer more I haue this blessing to see the light of the day of the sunne and to beholde the workes of thy handes with the inioying of the earthly riches that thou hast stored vs with all And for so much as O God that thy sunne shineth as well vpon the wicked as on the good and that this outwarde light is not but to guide our bodies graunt O God to shine vpon vs the brightnes of thy face in blessing me and in lightning my vnderstanding begetting and sanctifying me a new that I may walke in the way of thy commaundements and that I may behaue my selfe in my calling in such sort as all my thoughtes wordes and deedes may be to thy honour and glorie and the edifying of my neighbours Thou hast O Lord withdrawen me from the darkenesse of ydolatrie and ignoraunce and thou hast taken from before mine eies the bende of superstition Thou hast also in our time made shine or as it were lightened againe the faire lampe of the preaching of thy Gospell But suffer me not that hauing eies I see no whit inlighten O Lord all the parts of my soule and cause all that is in me to be employed to render vnto thee all honour and obedience and that in my calling thy feare be before mine eies And because thou esteemest not to bee beloued of vs vnlesse we loue our neighbours imprint in me a faith working by charitie in such sort as with hope I may haue a good conscience not dooing to any but that I would to be doone vnto my selfe that I may haue a mercifull hart and louing that my entrailes be not shut vp in the behalfe of the poore and needie To be short that seeing how the figure of this worlde passeth I may vse the worlde as passing thorow it remēbring my selfe alwaies that heauen is the place of my corporation Grant me peace amongst my familie giue blessing to my labour contentment to my spirite rest and comfort to the poore afflicted and full deliuerance to thy Church by thy sonne Iesus Christ So be it A praier for the Euening O Lord God thy people Israell did present to thee the morning and euening sacrifices in token of confessing thee how that thou keepest vs both euening and morning But what more liking sacrifice can we offer nowe than our sorowefull heartes and our tongues that doe praise and blesse thee Wherefore O Lorde I present my selfe in all humilitie and reuerence before thy face beseeching thee that thou wouldest not enter into an account neither into iudgement with me thy poore creature For be it that thou looke into the first or the seconde table of thy commandementes thou shalt finde that I haue offended thee many waies Notwithstanding like as the childe hath alwaies his recourse vnto his father euen so haue I my refuge and my retire to thee O Lorde that art not lightly angry but of great mercie beseeching thee that by thy goodnes thou couer my faultes euen as all thinges are couered by the darkenesse spread forth ouer the earth Alas my God I knowe that sathan goeth about as a roaring lyon and I doe knowe that he is the gouernour of darkenesse and prince of this worlde but if thou be for me who shall be against me It is thou that hast thousandes of Angels which are incamped about vs it is thou that hast created the hotte sonne and the shattering cold moone it is thou that gouernest the whole world and doest neuer slumber Grant me therefore grace to rest this night in peace and not to sleepe in earthly thinges but more and more to acknowledge thy goodnesse vntill thou call me vnto
this so desired a rest which thou hast prepared for vs. O how sweete louing shall this awaking be when as in our graues we shall heare the voice of thy son to raise vs vp againe in a glorious immortalitie Yet while wee doe awaite for this last comming we recommende our selues vnto thee O heauenly father the peace and preseruation of thy Church superiors magistrates all those which haue neede of thy succour beseeching thee that in this oldenesse of the worlde wherein all kingdoms of the worlde do shake that thou wouldest be the stay of thy poore people and in steede of so many sorowefull daies and yeares as we haue seene we may behold some rest in the middest of thy Church Raise vp daily O Lord some softer father and also some retiring place for thy children that no violent oppression ouerwhelme them and that for thy sonnes sake in whom I trust and vppon whom I rest my selfe So be it Heere followeth a litle Paraphrase and short exposition of the Lordes praier taken out of S. Cyprian almost worde by worde THe doctrine contained in the Gospell is no other thing than the ordinance of our maister God the grounde whereon to builde our hope and to strengthen our faith the foode wherewith to nourish our soule the pylates whereby to guide our shippe in this nauigation the helpes by whom we come to saluation in such sort as when the faithfull heart yeeldeth it selfe to be trainable heere in earth it is a meane to bring it vp vnto heauen It hath pleased God that many thinges were often spoken by the prophetes and heard by them But how much more excellent ought that to be reputed which the father hath sayd and pronounced by his sonne than that which he hath sayde by his seruantes For in them spake the spirite of Christ and he himselfe hath spoken in the later time in his owne voice He doth not now commaund that men prepare the way vnto him that commeth because that he himself is come and discouereth the true way that wee which goe wandering and groping in the darknesse of death may be by the light of his wisedome directed in the way of life Now amongest so many good lessons as he hath left vs for our saluation The forme of praier hee hath chieflie giuen vnto vs the right forme of prayer he that hath made vs to liue hath taught vs also to pray yea he hath done it after his grace goodnesse wherethrough he hath stored vs with all thinges and wrought it vnto the ende that his father might the more willinger heare vs when wee praie vnto him in that praier that his son hath taught vs. He did foretell howe that the houre should come wherein the true woorshippers should worshippe him in spirite and trueth He hath also fulfilled that which he had promised giuing vs his spirite to worshippe him The Lords praier What praier may be now more spirituall than that which hath bin giuen vnto vs by Iesus Christ by whome also the holy spirite hath beene sent vnto vs What praier shal be more true and perfect before God than that which cōmeth from the sonne who is the trueth of Gods owne mouth In manner as otherwise to pray concerning the substance then hee hath taught vs is not alonely an ignorance but also a blockish fault as he rebuketh the Iewes elsewhere how they did despise Gods commaundement to set vp their traditions Let vs therefore pray my brethren euen as hee which is both our God and maister hath taught vs. That prayer is agreeable vnto God when one praieth with a praier that is his and when we make the wordes of his sonne to mount vp vnto his eares The father doth acknowledge his sonnes language when wee doe pray let him that dwelleth in our heart be also in our voice vpon our tongue And seeing that the sonne is our aduocate as often as we doe demaund forgiuenesse for our sinnes let vs take in our mouthes the wordes of our aduocate For seeing that he sayth how all that we shall aske of the father in his name it shal be granted vnto vs whē shal our praiers haue greatest strēgth but then when we shall call vppon him by the peculiar praier which he hath made It behoueth those which pray to keepe a certaine forme in their speach with a staied manner and full of all reuerence humblenesse Let vs remember that it is before Gods face that we presēt our selues Let vs therefore seeke to please him as wel in the behauiour of our bodies as in the conueiance of our voice It is an ill fauored thing and a signe of impudencie to vse much crying out in praier and there is nothing that doeth set it out more than modestie To be short wee doe see that the Lorde doth allowe that praier which is made priuately in secret and in ones chamber a thing that well agreeth with our faith to the ende to make vs vnderstand that God is present throughout all that he heareth and seeth all and that the fulnesse of his maiestie pearceth into the most hidden secret places as the scripture speaketh I am thy God neere at hande and not afarre off If a man be hidden in a priuie or close place doe not I see him Doe not I fill both heauen and earth Then when wee shall come together with our brethren we must in good order solemnise the sacrifices of God not thinking to make our praiers to take place before the Lord with chaunting and crying out God vnderstandeth the heart not with the voice for it is not needeful to aduertise him by a lifting vp of a voice who seeth our thoughts This is it that he often sayth that he is the searcher of hearts hauing the knowledge of our most secret thoughtes We haue a goodly example in the good woman Anna mother of Samuel who prayed vnto the Lord not with a strong or lifted vp voice but secretly soberly and in her heart Her praier was secret but her faith was open shee spake not with the voice but with the heart knowing verie well that the Lorde our God so heareth his and in such sort she receiued in effect that which by faith she had required We haue another example of a praier right wel directed and verie modest in the person of the Publicane He went vp into the temple and made his praier not in a rude and presumptuous maner as the other without lifting vp his head or his forehead he only fell downe confessed with his mouth his sinne that hee felt shut vp in his heart in such sort as God heard the prayer of the humble that rested not vpon his owne innocencie For who is hee that is innocent His praier was humble and hee which aduaunceth and fauoreth the humble heard the poore Publican Thus much cōcerning the fashion and coūtenance that we ought to keepe in our praiers Let vs now consider how our maister
What was it that gaue so many torments vnto their mindes spirites It was O mightie God these poore people that were captiue certainely thou art great in the middest of thy people For thy children all together poore and litle that be in the world are terrible vnto the wicked because that they leane and stay vndoutedlie vpon thy strength Herode trembled hearing of a childe that was borne at Bethelem Therefore a miserable man a miserable people a miserable kingdome which hath none other streÌ„gth but vpon his owne arme and vpon their owne counsell The wicked haue greatcraft to consult subtilitie to woorke deceites and are subtle and presumptuous But all this O Lord is nothing before thy face but a great heape of smoke the which the higher it ascendeth the more it vanisheth away On the other part thy people walking in their simplicitie are afflicted and lie open to manie wronges But thou redressest them by thy mightie hand euen in such sort that as the seede dying in the earth bringeth forth greater abundance of fruite euen so dooth thy Church increase and waxe fruitfull vnder the crosse by meanes of the deawe of thy grace In such manner as neither the hote sonne nor the cold moone nor any other difficulties can bee hurtfull vnto thy children Seeing then O eternall God that against thee there is no power nor deceipt that in thee we haue our streÌ„gth and wisedome graunt vs grace that wee feare nothing but thee neither put our trust in any but in thee and that wee bost not ourselues but in thee through thy son Iesus Christ So be it An other example of Gods fatherly care of his people in their neede out of Exodus the 3. Chap. ANd the Lorde sayde vnto them I haue surely seene the trouble of my people which are in Egypt and haue heard their crie because of their taske-maisters for I knowe their sorowe and am come downe to deliuer them out of the hande of the Egyptians A prayer necessarie in these daies O Lord how great wrong haue we when as we doe not thinke that thou doest see vs in all our afflictions and that thou art farre from vs as the world is perswaded that thou hast no care or keepe ouer vs. For albeit thou be great yet despise thou not thy little ones And although that thou art a glorious God yet cast not away those that are in affliction and sorrow And albeit that thou art a spirituall substance yet thou hast eyes to see that is to say a woonderfull prouidence the which dooth not alonelie beholde but dooth gouerne also the whole world Thou hast thy eares open of mercie and pitie to vnderstand the prayers and cryinges of thy people Thou hast thy handes of strength and might to helpe vs. Thou hast the feete to come downe swiftlie that is to witte the readinesse of thy force and good will which thou in neede makest vs to know Now if thou hast had anie pitie of thy people Israel in AEgypt yea if the great exaction and violence which was doone vnto them hath mooued thee to prouide for them it is now surelie time that thou helpe thy Church Their malice vnfaithfulnes extortion and tyrannie are they not come vnto their fulnesse Was AEgypt then more cruell than those which rise vp in these daies against thy people Was Pharao more hardened in heart than our aduersaries No Lord for he straâ—e to driue away Moses But these thirst without ceasing after our bloud doe dailie inuent new torments and cruelties O God almightie wherefore wilt thou who hast the heartes of kinges in thy handes not bend them as thou hast doone Manasses and that of Nabuchadonezer and therein doe thy iust iudgementes and shewe thy glorie thy power against the tyrantes as thou hast doone in times past against Pharao And as concerning thy people O Lord draw them out of AEgypt out of this harder bondage than to make Brick since that it is seruile vnto Antichrist and Idolatrie Make soft their heartes that are reuolted giue them grace to knowe the horrible captiuitie where they be vnder Antichrist that neither the Garlick nor the Onyons neither anie other stincking pleasures of the flesh and world doe let them or stay them to come out of AEgypt to seeke out the places wherein thou art both purelie serued and honored to call vppon thee in purenesse and sinceritie of faith and in rest and peace of conscience through our Lord thy Sonne Iesus Christ A consideration of this place which is in the 13. of Exodus of the Clowdie Pillar in the day and of the fierie Pillar by night that departed not from the people O How blessed are the people of whom GOD is the Lorde for as hee is the creator and Lord ouer all things so dooth he make all his creatures to serue as a coÌ„moditie vnto his chosen May it be possible to see a more greater care prouideÌ„ce louingnesse than that which the Lorde hath shewed vnto his people who did not alonelie withdrawe theÌ„ from a wretched and hard bondage that was too much but was also a guide and an assistant and companion likewise with his signes and witnesses so woonderfull of his fauour Where then are they which alwaies are afraid to want and to bee destitute if they passe out of AEgypt and giue ouer their idolatrie and therefore looke dailie backe as Lots wife did Yea but some will say wee doe see no more these signes neither the fierie Pillar nor the cloudie pillar Truelie they cannot bee seene to them whose eyes the brightnesse of worldlie honors doe lighten and that haue no more sight than the back or mouldiwarpe But the children of GOD doe sufficientlie acknowledge the most certaine testimonies of Gods presence For haue they neede of the clowdie pillar The holie Ghost shall refresh them and yeelde them contented and strengthen them in the middest of temptations GOD is also their fierie wall which dailie kindeleth in them faith and other giftes most excellent In summe The pillars which doe guide and comfort vs in world the children of God doe not require more fairer and goodlier Pillars to guide them and comfort them in the pilgrimage of this vaile of miserie than the pure Ministerie of Gods word and the pure administration of his holie Sacramentes Hauing this Pillar of trueth they are certaine to bee surelie grounded to bee well guided and to be well directed in all their liues when as the people of the world shall be drowned in the puddle of Idolatrie with Pharao and with the pleasures of this present world that shall perish Why should we then be so vnhappie to forsake the pure seruice of our God and to doe seruice vnto strange Gods eueÌ„ like as it is said in the 32. of Deuteronomie that we would recompence the Lord Is he not our father our possessour hath he not made and fashioned vs Let vs consider saith hee in the same place
spirite of counsell and of strength c. 2. Thes 2. He shall iudge the poore in righteousnes and reproue them in equitie to maintaine the afflicted on the earth and will smite the earth with the rod of his mouth shal slay the wicked by the breath of his lyps the which cannot be vnderstoode but of Iesus Christ and of the power of his Gospell The 53. Chap. of Isaiah is altogether Euangelicall is very often times aledged in the new testament how Christ hath borne our stripes See the 8. Chap. of S Mathew the 1. to the Corinth and the 15. Chap. Actes 8. Chap. ver 37. The 61. of Isaiah the 1. ver and 2. is aledged in the 4. Chap. of S Luke of the office of Iesus Christ who is sent to bring the good tidinges vnto the afflicted and to heale the broken hearted to preach deliuerance vnto the Captiues and to publish the acceptable yeare of our Lord. Out of the 23. Chap. of Ieremiah verse 5. 6. Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I will raise vnto Dauid a righteous braunch and a king shall raigne and prosper and shall execute iudgement and iustice in the earth In those dayes Israel shal be saued and Israel shall dwell safelie his And behold the name whereby they shal call him The Lord our righteousnes Out of the 34. Chap. of Ezechiel ver 22. I will saue my sheepe and they shall no more be spoyled and I will iudge betweene sheepe and sheepe And I wil set vp a shepheard ouer thē and hee shall feede them euen my seruant Dauid Note ye that Christ is called Dauid First because that according to the flesh he is descended of him Secondlie in that the kingdome of Dauid was a figure of the Messias Thirdlie for that he ought to sit on the throne of Dauid and to confirme it being established eternall king It followeth in Ezechiel he shal feede thē and hee himselfe will be their shepheard and I will make with them a couenaunt of peace c. Out of the 9. of Daniel There are in this Chapter amongest others two notable places of Iesus Christ The first in the 17. verse Heare O our God the prayer of thy seruant and his supplications for the Lordes sake The other place is in the ver 26. and 27. After threescore and two weekes shall Messiah be slaine But hee shall confirme the couenant for one weeke And hee shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease In this Chap. is foretold the time of Christ his comming his death spoken of before and his office Out of the 5. Chap of Micheas And thou Beth-leem Ephrathah Out of thee shall hee come forth vnto me that shall be the ruler in Israel whose goinges forth haue beene from the beginning and from euerlasting Out of the 9. of Zacharie Reioyce greatlie O daughter Zion shout for ioy O daughter Ierusalem Behold thy king commeth vnto thee hee is iust and thy Sauiour Malachie the 4. Chap. and 2. ver Vnto you that feare my name shall the sunne of righteousnesse arise and health shall bee vnder his winges There are manie other places But behold the chiefe out of the old Testament They of the new are innumerable for all the new Testament beareth witnesse of Iesus Christ and diuers haue beene alreadie alledged in that consideration out of the 16. Chap. of S. Matthew Who say you I am Simon Peter aunswered and said Thou art Christ the sonne of the liuing God Out of the song of Zacharie that is in the 1. Chap. of S Luke Blessed bee the Lord God of Israel because hee hath visited and redeemed his people And hath raised vp the horne of saluation vnto vs in the house of his seruaunt Dauid as hee spake by the mouth of his holie Prophetes which were since the world began that wee should bee saued from our enemies c. Out of the 2. Chap. of S. Luke being the song of Simeon Lord now lettest thou thy seruant depart in peace according to thy word For mine eyes haue seene thy saluation which thou hast prepared before the face of all thy people a light to be reuealed vnto the Gentiles the glorie of thy people Israel Out of the 1. of S. Iohn The Lawe was giuen by Moses but grace and trueth came by Iesus Christ This is the Lambe of God that taketh away the sinnes of the world Simon said we haue found the Messias that is as much to say as Christ A Meditation out of Chrysostome vppon this place of the 1. of S. Iohn All wee of his fulnesse haue receiued grace for grace WIthout Iesus Christ wee can finde no grace and if we doe thinke to drawe anie thing without him those are as it were dead Cysternes But behold a good spring a flowing fountaine to wit our Lord Iesus Christ For that he hath he hath it not by loue or by participation as other creatures haue but he hath it as the spring and fulnesse of all good thinges O what comfort is it in that this fulnesse is not shut vp or hid for Christ onelie but that it is opened vnto vs to the end that out of the same may bee powred vppon vs all those graces which for vs are necessarie And yet there is much more For let vs drawe from hence so much as wee will yet all plentie and fulnesse dailie remaineth in Christ and hee dooth neuer lessen anie whit his abundance in giuing vnto vs and thus hee dooth euen fill vs againe with the floudes of his graces For the Prophetes and Apostles haue all drawen of this fountaine To be short Man hath nothing except that which proceedeth from this fulnesse O Lord blessed are those which haue this good happe to participate of this For thou Lorde art not nigardlie in thy giftes Thou giuest vnto vs grace vppon grace Thy blessinges are manifoldlie heaped vp and they are soueraigne As soone as thou giuest vs forgiuenesse of our sinnes so soone thou doost bestowe vppon vs euerlasting life So that one grace followeth vppon an other For as much then O heauenlie father as thou doost store vs with so excellēt riches giue vnto vs grace O good God to honor thee also to despise the world that hath not this fulnesse of grace that wee may for euermore depend vppon thy great mercie Vppon this place out of first Chap. of S. Iohn No man hath seene God at anie time the onelie begotten sonne which is in the bosome of his father hee hath declared him CONSIDERATION WHat maketh this for vs will some say if yee doe assure you to beleeue that out of the diuine fulnesse all aboundance of grace is giuen vnto vs Who is hee that hath seene God Who was his counseller Esaiah 6. It is the sonne who hath reuealed him to vs who was with the Father from euerlasting Now as touching vs we alas neuer sawe God Exod. 33. For the verie Angels
and to make doubtful this Article for the forgiuenesse of our sinnes to the ende to trouble our poore consciences Let vs holde I say this for an vndoubted article as it is saide in the 10. of the Actes that all the prophetes doe giue this testimonie of Iesus that through his name all that beleeue in him without exception of persons shall receiue remission of sinnes We haue indeede strongly to wrestle and we feele yet the lawe of our members which kicketh against the spirit Rom. 7.23 neither also doe we beleeue an vtter putting off of our sinnes but the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and therefore wee crie out with S. Paule Alas wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from the bodie of this death I thanke God through Iesus Christ our Lorde who as it is saide in the 4. Chap. to the Romans is ordained an oblation for the forgiuenesse of our sinnes Prayers and meditations to dispose a man to the acknowledgement of his sinnes A prayer of S. Augustine out of the 11. and 24. of his priuate meditation of the soule with God O Lorde I thy poore creature will yet haue hope in the shadowe of thy winges all sinnefull that I am hauing remembraunce of this thy goodnesse according to the which thou hast created mee Helpe therefore thy creature that thy goodnesse would frame and suffer not that he whoÌ„ thy mercie hath made be destroied through my malice For if I O Lord returne to dust whereto shall thy creature serue thee It was not my deseruinges neither the grace that was in me then when I was but dust which could leade thee to create me let then this clemencie which moued thee to create me let the same lead thee to keepe me Whereto shall it serue thee that I was made if thy right hande holde me not vp Alas my God I verie wel knowe that thy hande is not shortened that it cannot saue me neither is thy eare likewise stopped that it cannot heare But I truely feele that they are my sinnes which haue made the diuision betweene thee and mee betweene darkenesse and light betweene death and life betweene vanitie and veritie betweene this daylie life and the euerlasting life Notwithstanding O mightie God I that am the worke of thy handes I will call vppon thee yea I will crie vpon thy name O Lorde For it is not in my selfe neither in my strength that I haue set my hope It is thy arme that shall saue me it is the light of thy couenaunt that shall make me glad Otherwise alas if thou weart not my hope I shoulde despaire But thou art my maker which neuer leauest them that trust in thee Thou art a great God louing sweete pacient disposing all things with an vnmeasurable mildenesse True it is that we are as a withered leaâ—e or as a litle flower and all our life is but vanitie and a winde that passeth away For this cause wee beseech thee also that thou proceede not against vs in thy wrath yea seeing that we be thy litle children that thou hast made of the earth alas wouldest thou trie thy strength against a leafe or against strawe and stubble We haue hearde so much praise of thy mercie in that thou desirest not the death of vs poore sinners Therefore suffer not death whome thou hast not created to rule ouer thy creature I desire O Lorde to be saued but in hauing a will thereto I haue not the power thereof to be short I can doe nothing vnlesse thy power comfort me I doe not knowe to will and desire that I ought vnlesse thou graunt mee grace that thy will be doone in mee as it is in heauen Thou art the Lorde of the whole worlde and the prince of all fleshe That which doth like thee thou doest fulfill in heauen in earth and in the depthes Let then thy will be done in vs on whom thy name is called vpon and that thy creature whom thou hast created to thy likenesse perish not A prayer vpon the same matter O Lorde howe dare I name thee my father and esteeme my selfe thy childe seeing that in me there is no obedience How dare I lift vp my eies to heauen seeing I am vnworthie that the earth should beare me For death is the rewarde of sinners and my iniquities are before mee which set thine anger in my sight I haue alas so often offended and my sinnes haue fought against thy mercie Thou hast giuen mee vnderstanding to knowe thee and a heart to honour thee Thou hast giuen me eies to beholde thy workes and handes to stretch foorth to the comfort of my neighbour to be short thou hast fashioned mee to thy glorie But O God I haue turned backe my spirite doeth applie it selfe to iniquitie My heart hath serued this wretched bodie which is but a vessell of dung and must be a pray for wormes My soule hath not loued thee with all her strength neither hath meditated in thy worde My eies haue beene fixed on the grounde I haue stretched out my handes to doe sooner euill than good My feete haue walked in the way of the worlde and not in thy pathes And in such sort O Lorde as if thou shouldest goe forwardes against mee in thine anger I could not awaite for anie other thing at my departure out of this worlde than to make my abode in hell I cannot awaite but for thy iudgement and this horrible sentence that shall flash and lighten vpon the wicked when they shall be sent vnto euerlasting fire But O good God I haue yet my trust in thee for it is not the assurance of my workes whereon I rest it is in thy great mercie it is in thy sonne Iesus which is flesh of my flesh and bones of my bones according to his humanitie Beholde then his precious bloud which was shedde for me Forgiue thy sinfull seruant for thy innocent sonnes sake Wipe away that tract that Sathan hath made in me and graue in my heart thy commandementes Quench vice in mee and there kindle faith and true godlinesse Take from me a stony heart and giue me a heart apt to be taught which may loue thee honour thee and delight in thy worde and that so I may haue part in thy kingdome Another confession of sinnes O Lorde my God I haue sinned against thy maiestie I haue prouoked thy wrath against me and also my soule is in sorrow For it feeleth the condemnation that it hath deserued and hath no satisfaction that may content thee What then O Lord shall I perish in mine iniquitie must I in steede of breathing againe despaire in my selfe It had beene much better that I neuer had beene borne in the world than to be here without thy grace Whereto doth this life serue me if thou which art life dost not fauour me Alas my God by my sinne I haue lost thy fauour but thou neuer loosest thy goodnesse therefore looke not vpon me a sinner in thy righteousnesse
hath taught vs to pray When you pray sayth he say thus Our Father vvhich art in heauen halowed bee thy name thy kingdome come thy vvill be done in earth as it is in heauen giue vs this day our daily bread and forgiue vs our trespasses as vve forgiue them that trespasse against vs leade vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euil For thine is the kingdome the povver and the glorie for euer and euer Amen THe first thing which wee learne in the entrie of this prayer An exposition of the Lords prayer is that the Doctor of peace and the Maister of all true vnion and concord would not that our prayer should be particular for one alone See wherefore we doe not say My father which art in heauen giue me my dailie bread c. Thus it appeareth how this prayer is publike and common and wee pray not for one alone but for all because in deede all Gods people is but one bodie God would that one onelie making his prayer should pay for all the other euen as one onelie man hath saued manie and through one onelie spirit he gouerneth all his childrens heartes And to this doeth agree that which wee doe read of the Apostles Actes 1. who continued together in holie prayers so as there was but one heart amongest them all and of their holie companie Now my brethren it is an incredible thing how manie great secretes there bee here in this prayer of the Lorde that is so well trussed vp and short in wordes but of most great strength and right well furnished of all demaundes that are needefull and necessarie for vs. Yee shall say then Our Father Our Father which art c. Oh the happie and louing beginning of our prayer For marke yee howe the new regenerate man that is reconciled vnto God such a one calleth vppon God his father because that hee hath alreadie begunne to bee the childe of God To all those that haue receiued him Iohn 1. hee hath giuen vnto thē this priuiledge to bee made the children of God vnto those I say that doe beleeue in him In such sort as the beleeuing man to make an acknowledgement vnto the Lord of such a fauour Deut. 33.9 Not that he ought to despise his father but God ought to goe before and those places are not simply to this purpose both to strengthen his faith also to make witnesse to whome hee doeth belong ought to call vpon God as his father before all things to recken him for such In the 33. of Deut. he saith of his Father Mother I haue not knowen nor seene him such a one is praysed because he stayeth himselfe to keepe the statutes couenants of the Lord. To this hath our Lord respect in the 23. of S. Matthew saying Let vs not name the Father on the earth Mat. 23.9 because that we haue a father that is on high in heauen Matth. 8.22 And in S. Matthew he said vnto a yong man Leaue off from burying thy father which is dead which was to the ende that hee might studie to doe rather his duetie towardes the liuing and heauenlie Father Go to then behold God which is in heauen but see the consolation of Christians how he is ours and we are his in as much as he hath chosen and sanctified vs. The Iewes The wretched Iewes that haue mistooke Iesus Christ and cruelly haue put him to death cannot call God their father For as the sauiour reprooueth them to their great confusion Iohn 8. the deuill is your father seeing that you fulfill his desires God did then this honor to communicate himselfe with them But he saith by Esai Esay 1.2 I haue nourished and chosen children and they haue mistaken and disdained me that which the Oxe and the Asse haue not done who know the stable and crib of those which owe them Therefore my brethren let vs consider how God by the meane of our faith beginneth to be our father and for the Iewes vnbeliefe ceaseth to bee theirs are wee then giuen ouer to sinnne Wee bee no more children but seruauntes according vnto that our Lorde saith Whosoeuer sinneth is a seruant to sinne The sonne remaineth alwayes in his fathers house that which the seruant doeth not Let vs therefore my louing brethren acknowledge acknowledge againe what fauor it is for vs to dare be able to presēt our selues before God in the qualitie of Gods childrē Who durst haue beene so bold as to haue giuen himselfe such a title to haue vndertaken it if the true onelie euerlasting sonne of God had not giuen vs leaue and commaundement It is for vs to haue remembraunce that hauing God for our Father wee must behaue our selues according as it is becomming for the children of such a Lorde And if wee be well contented of such a father let vs also doe in like manner that hee may of his owne part in like case haue iust occasion not to bee mislyking of vs. Let vs not become bastardes but let vs become spirituall and giuen to all holie and praise woorthie thinges after the example of our father and that it may appeare how wee bee the children and temple of this great God Now what is the first demaund that we doe aske of our Father How the name of God is made holie Hallowed bee thy name Not that our prayers doe make the name of God holie but wee pray that his name may be made holie in vs. What is hee will some say that shall sanctifie the name of God Is it not hee which sanctifieth all thinges Wee are admonished in the 20. of Leuiticus Be ye holie as I am holie Therefore let vs pray him that hee will graunt vs grace to enter into the holinesse whereof we are aduertised in our baptisme to continue therein And so be we who aske to bee sanctified yea alwayes for so much as our sinnes doe dailie defile vs in such sort as the name of God his word are not made holie honored by vs vnlesse wee our selues be also sanctified Afterwardes hee saith Thy kingdome come Gods kingdome is euerlasting and was before that euer wee were But it is in the respect of vs that wee doe aske Let thy kingdome come That wee which haue serued in the world and to Sathan may haue from henceforward Christ raigning in vs. This kingdome is gotten vnto vs by the bloud of our Sauiour and shall bee truelie fulfilled when wee shall heare this sweete saying Come yee blessed of my father into the kingdome which is prepared for you c. Now wee doe well to require the kingdome of heauen For there is also an earthlie kingdome But hee that hath tasted the least thing in the world what the heauenlie things are doth despise the earthlie And it is a thing vnto the which wee ought diligentlie to watch with Prayers and supplications least that we be