sonne who hath spoken vnto vs Mar. 16.15 secondly by his Apostles ambassadors whom he sent into all the world to preach the Gospel to euerie creature to the ende that whosoeuer would receiue him by faith and true obedience should receiue also by the same meanes the remission of all his sinnes thereby his saluation life Whereby we may see that the word is the instrument which God vseth to accomplishe his worke when he would regenerate vs cal vs iustifie vs lead vs to glory happines to the which he hath predestinated vs and that finally all that which doeth appertaine to our saluation is brought to passe accoÌ„plished by this word By it we are illuminated in the true knowledge of God of Iesus Christ of the whole mistery of our redemption by it we know our selues that we are nothing but vanitie corruption Psal 39.5 to the ende we may learne alwaies to humble our selues before God and presume nothing of our selues nor of our vertues nor of our dignities nor of wealth nor of frends nor of riches nor of our power but to depend of God in all our affaires and to bow downe our neckes and make the curtesie euer before him and not to ground the hope of our saluation in any other thing then onely in his grace and mercy By it we learne how to serue god to wit the affiance which we ought euer to haue in him and the recourse vnto him in all our necessities the homage and reuerence that we owe vnto his maiestie the obedience which we ought to performe towardes him the feare which we ought to haue in offending him the care to acknowledge call to mind oftentymes the benefites which he hath bestowed on vs to thank him aboue all the perfect loue which we ought to beare vnto him with al our heart with all our soule with al our strength that doth cause vs to esteeme lesse of all other things theÌ„ of his honor seruice by it wear aduertised of those things wherby he may be blasphemed disho nored to the end we may take heed of them shuÌ„e theÌ„ Furthermore by it wear taught how after what sort we oght to pray what things we ought to aske Ihon. 14.13 1. Cor. 14. what assuraÌ„ce we haue to obtaine them when we aske them in the name fauour of Iesus Christ by it we are exhorted moued to performe our duty when we are neghgeÌ„t slouthfull likewise threatned wheÌ„ we are to much behinde hand Psal 19. By it we are coÌ„forted and vpholden in our afflictions there is no kinde of sorowe for the which we maye not finde a ready preseÌ„t remedy to asswage heale the same Ephes 611 By it we are fortified against all teÌ„ptations which may happen vnto vs by Sathan the world the flesh and other cur enemyes by it we are sharply reproued wheÌ„ we go out of order out of the way wherin we oght to walke It is vnto vs in stead of a bridle to restraine vs wheÌ„ we wold go astray of a spurre to prick vs foreward when we are laisie slow to do that which our maister coÌ„mandeth vs. It the light which doth direct our steps for feare of stuÌ„bling Psal 19. the guide which doth accoÌ„pany vs to shew vs the fairest surest shortest waâ—es It is the rule which god hath geuen vs wherby we must squaire al our thoughts our affections our words actioÌ„s in measuring theÌ„ therby we must see whether they be straight that we may continue in them or croked that we may redresse them Mat. 4.4 It is the foode of our soules It is the armor both to hurt our enemies defend our selues to strengthen fortifie assure vs in all combats oh who were able to tel all the coÌ„modities which the word of God bringeth to those Psal 1.2 who will heare beleeue read meditate therin day and night as Dauid doth exhort vs for the Apostle saith that 2. Tim. 316 The whole Scripture is geueÌ„ by inspiratioÌ„ of god is sufficieÌ„t WheÌ„ by the grace spirit of god it is receiued and wel imprinted in the heart of maÌ„ to make him perfect absolute in al good works And he that will diligently know what is the vertue efficacy of this word together with the great coÌ„modities honor riches pleasures the felicity which it bringeth vnto all those which loue follow it Let him read diligeÌ„tly attentiuely the psalmes of Dauid especially the 119 Psal 119.1 wher euen in the beginning he doth ascribe vnto it the felicity of man Blessed are those that are vpright in their way and walke in the law of the Lord Blessed are they that kepe his testimonies and seeke him with their whole hearte And by by after he setteth downe the partes of true felicitie to wit honor riches and pleasures the honor in the first place ver 6 Then shall I not be confounded when I haue respect to all thy commandements Secondly the riches ver 72. The lawe of thy mouth is better vnto me ver 14. then thousands of gold syluer Thirdly the pleasurs I haue had as great delight in the way of thy testimonies as mal riches Furthermore in another place ver 174. O Lord thy law is my delight and in the 19 Psalme wheÌ„ he saieth the law of the Lord is perfect coÌ„uerting the soule the testimony of the Lord is sure giueth wisedoÌ„ vnto the simple the statuts of the lord ar right reioyce the hart ver 10. the coÌ„maÌ„demeÌ„t of the iord is pure giueth light to the eyes a litle after more to be desired theÌ„ gold yea theÌ„ much fine gold sweter also then hony and the hony combe and in the 130 Psalme speaking of the grounde of his hope and the meanes which he had to vphold coÌ„fort himselfe in his greatest sorowes euen theÌ„ when by reason of his sinnes he did so feare the rigour and seuerity of the iudgement of God that he was altogether beateÌ„ downe therwithall and ready to fall into despaire he saieth he had no other meanes to releaue himself and to thrust backe these horrible feares whereby he felt him selfe so assaulted but by the onely remembrance and meditation of the worde and promises of God wherein beholding his mercy and readines to take pittye on all miserable sinners who with greife for that they haue offended him desire humbly his mercy began to come to himsellf againe say Psal 130.5 I haue waited on the Lord my soule hath wayted I haue trusted in his worde my soule wayteth on the Lorde more then the morning watche watcheth for the morning Moreouer is not counsaile and wisedome as necessary for men to carie gouerne themselues in all their affaires well and happily as the eye for the members
of the hope of men which doeth depende of it which Iesus Christ our sole onely mediator hath done and suffered for vs. 1. Tim. 2.5 What then can these poore wretches finde there that can serue either to the glory and seruice of God or to their owne saluation I did not stand to prooue that which I said of it because there are whole treatises thereof wherein the impieties horrible blasphemies wherof it is full are touched particularly and so well by the grace of God laid open that there is not this day any childe in our Churches who is not already resolued readily to giue an answer thereof and to satisfie all those who will be content with reason That the Apostates haue no faith Chap. 12. LEt vs passe on further come to the faith which is the chiefest instrument that God doth vse to our saluatioÌ„ Rom. 10. which is waÌ„ting in the Apostats as wel as the other two aboue named for considering the word of the Gospel which is the word of the promise 2. Cor. 4. is called theword of faith becaus it is the seed therof without which it can not be brought forth seing that the spirit of God is called the spirit of faith because he is the author thereof as wel as of other vertues 1. Pet. 1. how can the Apostates be faithfull being destitute of the spirite of God who is the husbandman that watereth the heart as it were a peece of ground to receiue faith of the word which is the seed that is sown to bring it forth if they think that true faith consisteth only in the approbation of the truth of the scriptures they deceiue themselues and haue no more faith then the Deuils or Simon Magus of whome it is written Acts. 8.9 that he beleued and was baptized though in deede he had onely a shew and an appearance of faith For the true faith is in the hart Rom. 10.10 as the Apostle sayth With the hart man beleeueth vnto righteousnes with the mouth man confesseth to saluation And is as well knowen by her effects as by the circumstances which do accompany her whereof the one is a good conscience 1. Tim. 1. and the feare of God without which it can not stand for the mercy and grace of God which faith setteth before it selfe in his promises and wherupon she resteth as vpon her true ground is promised onely to those who walke aright before his face and who feare to offende and disobey him as the Prophet sayth Psal 103. verse 17. The louing kindnes of the Lorde endureth for euer and euer vpon them that feare him and his righteousnes vpon childrens children vnto them that keepe his couenant and thinke vpon his commandements to do them Furthermore in another place he sayth Psal 119.1 Blessed are those that are vpright in their waies and walke in the lawe of the Lord blessed are they that keepe his testimonies Psal 73.1 and seeke him with their whole heart Also in another place Yet God is good to Israell euen to the pure in hart Now I would willingly knowe whether the conscience of the Apostates can be good hauing left God and broken so villanously the allegiance which they had an hundred and an hundred times openly and solemnly sworne vnto him infringed the holy couenant which they had made with him stamped with their feete the pretious blood of Iesus Christ which had beene spilt to ratifie the same reiecting his word and the admonitions and reproofs that could possibly be made vnto them in his name blaspheming this day the trueth and religion which they haue followed a thousande thousande waies and afterwarde seruing Idoles without any ende and omitting no kinde of superstition whereto they do not adioine themselues making the cruellest war that they can to all good persons only for this cause that they are purposed to be more loial towards God and more constant in his seruice then they haue bene applying them selues vnto those whome they knowe to be weake to seduce them and cause them to stumble like themselues Finally making open profession of all impieties blasphemies sacrileges and abhominations of Antichrist being altogether resolued as they themselues say to â—liue and die in that estate I aske whether these resolutions be not of such persons as are altogether lost impenitent and desperat And who can not looke for any thing els at Gods hands but his wrath and terrible iudgement with a heat of fire which shal deuour them and all his aduersaries And if they yet haue any conscience which is not altogether seared with an hot iron I appeale vnto themselues whether it serue for any thing els theÌ„ in stead of an apparitor or tormentor or Deuill to vexe greeue theÌ„ day night not suffering them to take any rest at all which thing the good conscience doth not but comforteth resolueth the man that hath it in all his affaires and suffreth him not to become pale or wanne in his aduersities yea though it shoulde chaunce that the world were dissipated and the heauen shoulde flye here and there in shiuers and peeces yet woulde it maintaine him constant stable and vnmoueable in all these tumults For as the Apostle sayeth Rom. 2.15 As it is good or euill so it doeth accuse or excuse vs and as he whom it acquitteth can not giue ouer when it is good 〈◊〉 when as it is euill and doth accuse vs none can stande or abide before it The Apostates theâ— hauing an ill conscience can not haue a good faith and so being not good it is not any longer faith 1. Tim. 1. Ephe. 4.5 For there is but one true faith aâ— there is but one true God and one onely true Church And being without faith howe can they liue Seeing the iust liueth only by faith Abac. 2. How can they be in the fauour of God seeing without faith it is impossible to please him Heb. 11.6 How can they be iust seeing without faith no righteousnesse can be approued before God Rom. 3. What place can they haue in the kingdome of God Ioh. 3.3 Seeing none is admitted vnto it that is not borne anew and none can be borne anew but by faith which doeth purifie our heartes Act. 10. and make vs newe creatures Moreouer what good workes or good fruites can they bring foorth without faith Eph. 2. Which doth ingraft vs into Iesus Christ that we may be well able to beare fruite howe can they defende themselues from the Deuill 1. Pet. 5.18 who walketh about as a roaring lyon to espye howe he may ouertake vs without our armor that is to say without faith which is the onely target wherewith we couer â—ur selues that we may auoide the shot of his â—iery dartes What stedfastnes or ioy can they â—aue in temptations when they are assaulted either of prosperitie or aduesitie of the world â—r
Heb. 10.26 If we sinne willingly after we haue receiued the knowledge of the truth there remayneth no more sacrifice for sinnes But a fearefull lookyng for of Iudgement and violent fire whiche shall deuoure the aduersaries To the Reader THere is some space of time expired since that I purposed to write some litle treatise of Apostasie and especially since the slaughter committed on Saint Bartholomewe his day in the which there chaunced a most horrible fearfull reuolting in all our Churches so that of three partes two of them at the least slipped backe of those which in the beginning entered into it with so great readinesse and courage that it seemed they would continually abide in it without a mind euer to departe whatsoeuer temptation shoulde offer it selfe vnto them Neuerthelesse I had hitherto deferred the same hoping that the feare being ouerpassed which as a storme and vehement wind had carried them away from the sheepefold and hauing had leisure to settle themselues and gather their wits together they might either of themselues returne or else be easily called backe againe by the voice of their pastors But perceiuiÌ„g that the most part of the Apostates do not only slumber harden themselues in their sins but also become contemners of God and blaspeme without shame his word and the true religion and not content with this striue by all meanes to withdrawe those from the house of God which continued stedfast in his seruice and to hinder those that desire to enter into it againe I deemed it not meete to dissemble any longer but to be necessary to put in execution the charge which God hath giuen his seruants whom he hath placed in the Church not onely to pronounce remission of sinnes to all those who by a liuely faith vvill lay hold of it through the preaching of the Ghospell but also the vvithholding of the same from all those vvho vvith an hard and obstinate heart do stillreâ—ect the vvordes and promises of saluation Which must not seeme strange seeing the Ministers of the Ghospell be not onely ordained to vnloose absolue those that beleeue but also to binde and condemne those that remaine obstinate in their infidelitie For vvhich cause God seeing the stubbornnes and hardnes of the Ievves doth send vnto them his Prophet Esay to blind and harden them yet more Esay 6.9 Go saith he and say vnto this people ye shall heare in deede but ye shall not vnderstand ye shall plainely see and not perceiue Make the heart of this people fat make their eares heauy and shut their eyes least they see with eyes and heare with eares and vnderstand with their hearts and conuert and he heale them Which afterward was oftentimes alledged against the Iewes by Iesus Christ Matth. 13. Mark 14. Luk. 8. Acts. 28. Rom. 11. his Apostles to condemne their obstinacy And as Moses publishing the law said to the people that in it he set before their eies life death according to their obedience or disobedience towardes the same so S. Paule writeth that the one the other are represented in the Gospell according as the men to whom it is preached are faithfull or vnfaithful We are 2. Cor. 2.15 saith he vnto God the sweete sauour of Christ in them that are saued and in them that perish that is to say to the one the sauour of death vnto death to the other the sauour of life vnto life And Iesus Christ also as Simeon said to the Virgin is not he as well appointed for the fall as for the rising againe of many in Israell Luk. 2.34 And as he is to some sanctification and saluation is he not likewise to others a blocke of stumbling and of offence a snare and a net vnto all those which abide in vnbeleefe If then it chance that any Apostates or delayers of time vvill spare so much leisure as to reade this treatise I desire them that it may be with great attention and that vvithout any passionate or preiudicate minde they vveigh all the reasons and argumentes of the same setting alvvayes that before their eyes vvhich Iesus Christ spake to his Apostles that vvhatsoeuer they shoulde binde on earth by his vvorde shoulde be ratified firmly bound in heaueÌ„ To the end they may not deceiue themselues in their discourses vaine imaginations esteeming the thoughtes of God to be as their thoughts his waies as their wayes coÌ„trarie vnto that which the Prophet sayth Let all of vs therefore giue place vnto the worde of God and let vs beleeue that it shall be sure for euer endure eternally And considering that by the decree and irreuocable ordinance of God it is necessary that all knees should bende to do homage vnto Iesus Christ let vs rather choose to acknowledge and embrace him nowe for a Sauiour and welspring of life then in the ende be constrained to auouche him and finde him as the Deuils a iudge that will not be intreated and a consuming fire A TREATISE OF APOSTASIE MADE BY M. I. DE L'ESPINE MInister of the word of God in the Churche of Anger 's The Preface Chap. 1. THE inconstaÌ„cie of men is a thing which cannot be but most wonderfull vnto those who will coÌ„sider it well which may be perceâ—ued diuers wayes but especially in the varietie and alteration of their purposes affections and in that they can not find any state of life in this world whiche may either wholly satisfie their humor or in which they an abide and rest any long time for being by â—and by glutted with the thing whiche they â—resently enioye they do either with grief deâ—re that which is not any more in their power â—r els long for those thinges which they could â—ot as yet obtaine and when they haue obtaiâ—ed them they will loath them aswell as those which earst they had enioyed And are like vnto those who hauing a queasie stomake finde nothing wel seasoned for their tooth or as sick bodies whiche are not able to finde any good resting place in bed wheresoeuer they be layd And although God by an especiall fauor doth call some of them into his house Heb. 6.4 and bringing them into his church doth adopte theÌ„ into his familie to lighten theÌ„ and to make them taste of the heauenly gift and of the good word of God to make theÌ„ partakers of the holy ghost of the powers of the world to come which is a coÌ„dicion the best that can be chosen or desired in the world and the which alone is able to bring contentement and a perfect felicitie to all those that can obtaine it Neuerthelesse there are some so crooked froward that hauing tasted of it do in the ende loath and disdaine it aswell as the other Though in deed the dwelling in the house of God be so happy a thing Psal 84. that the silly doorekeepers of the same ought to account themselues more happy for hauing a
of the minde as the ripenes of witte vertue and learning if all these be not blessed of God and accompanied with his grace they can neither profite nor benefite anie way him who possesseth them but contrarily without the blessing of God all will turne to his misery Esay 5 1 Tim 6.9 his riches shall serue to no other end but to set on fire and continue his desires to puffe vp his hearte with pride to cause him nether to regard nor make acoumpt of his poore neighboures to put his trust in vaine corrupt and vncertaine thinges to be at superfluous prodigall expences and which is a great deale worse and most dangerous Luk. 3. to withdrawe him from the kingdome of god to let as thornes weedes to hinder the good seed of the word of god from growing and fructifying in him His frendes in stead of good counsaile wil flatâ—er him Mat. 13.22 will seeke by him their owne profite â—ot his They will withdraw him froÌ„ the feare â—k seruice of God to entice him to follow the â—anities of this world In prosperity they will â—ugh with him sooth him vp but in aduerâ—ty they wil flitte forsake him Concerning â—he bodily goodes as health they wil abuse it to â—ugh sport leap dance play to hauÌ„t company 〈◊〉 feasts to quaffe to coÌ„mit folly excessewith â—ut al measure their strength they wil employ to beate strike maime rauishe steale spoile and oppresse in euery respect al those whome they suppose to be weaker then themselues lesse able to make resistaunce They will vse their beautie and good fauour if they haue anie be it either in their speach or in their countenance in steade of a baude to seduce and circumuent all those with whom they can acquaint themselues into whose fauour they can insinuate As for the goodes of their minde as it might be quicknes and dexteritie of witte they will employ them to inuent craftes and subtities to cosen and deceiue those with whome they haue to deale and to boaste when by some subtill slight they shall haue gotteÌ„ allured some one to intrappe him in their net if they haue learning it will serue but to pusse theÌ„ vp to vaunte of and by a vaine ostentation to cause themselues to be esteemed among men to conclude it is not possible for a man without God who is the chiefest good to vse or acquaint him self with any other good thing For al creatures be good god by his owne testimony after be had created all thinges in sixe dayes 1. Tim. 4 4. approued that which he had done without any exception spake of his workes that all in generall euery one in particular were good Gen. 1.31 that is to sayâ— commodious necessarie pleasant profitable wholesome But in that consideration that he do by his grace blesse the vse of them For as the Apostle saith 1. Tim. 4.5 They be all sanctified by the worde of God and thankes geuing vnto the faithfull only and to those which haue knowen the trueth For as he sayeth in another place Tit. 1.15 vnto the pure are all things pure but vnto them that are defiled vnbeleeuing is nothing pure but euen their minds consciences are defiled Is not then the condicion of the Apostates wretched that being without God without his grace they are also miserable in all things that is to say that the bread which they eate the bed whereon they lie the verie coate and shirte which they put on the light which doth lighten them the woode and fire which warmeth theÌ„ the aire which they breath in the water wherewith they wash themselues the earth which doth beare and nourish them and al thinges generally which they vse are vncleane vnto them Leuit. 26. Deut. 28. and bringe a wretchednes vpon them For ther is nothing but the word of God which we beleue and obserue the obedience which we performe vnto him and the feare of his name wherein we walke that doth make vs holie and happie in all thinges As the Prophet saieth Psal 1.2 that he which delighteth in the Lawe of the Lord and in his Lawe doth meditate daye and night shall be like a tree planted by the riuers of waters that will bringe forth her fruite in due season whose leafe shall neuer fade so whatsoeuer he shaldo shal prosper And in an other place Psal 119 165 They that loue thy law shal haue great prosperity they shall haue no hurt And as they who loue God serue him doe prosper in all their affairs vnder his fauour blessing so the wicked who go astray from him blaspheme him thoughe that for a time they haue the winde at will though it seeme to them to the whole world that all things do fall out vnto them according to their minde neuertheles al their felicitie in the ende being accursed and not fauored of god doth finish in great misery As Dauid also saith Psal 1.6 The way of the wicked shall perish But as the wicked caÌ„ not be happy without god being the author of all felicity so they can be no lesse being seperated froÌ„ Iesus Christ who is the only means therof He is the blessed seede which at his coÌ„ming by his obedience first hath takeÌ„ away all the malediction which had bene brought into the worlde by the disobedience and rebellion of our first parentes against the commandementes of God And then secondly hath brought afterward againe the blessing which God had promised to Abraham for him Gal. 3. and his seede That is to saye for those that should beleue in the promise to him made This is also the reason why among other names which are giuen vnto him by Esay this is one amongst the rest namely the name of Prince of peace Esay 9.6 Peace in the Hebrue tongue signifieth prosperity and happy successe it seemeth theÌ„ since the spirit of god hath so named Iesus Christ that he woulde teach vs by the name which he giueth him that he onely at this present is the spring of happines of all good whatsoeuer in the world So the Angels bringing tidinges of his birth into the world Luk. 2.11 told the shepheards of Iudea to whom they disclosed it first Vnto you is borne this day in the city of Dauid a Sauiour vers 14. which is Christ the Lord. Glory be to God in the high heauens peace in earth and towardes men good will And the Prophet speaking of his kingdome sayd Psal 27.3 The mountaines and the hilles shall bring peace to the people by iustice vers 6. And a litle after in the same Psalme He shall come downe like the raine vpon the mowen grasse and as the showers that water the earth Also we see that the Apostle in all his Epistles doeth wish euen in the beginning vnto those to whome he writeth the
of mans bodie to direct them in all their actions Furthermore is it possible that in the day without the light of the Sunne or in the night without a lanterne to make good choise of the pathes wherin we must walke or walke in them any longe tyme without stumbling Euē so our vnderstādings which be not onely blinde by nature but are euen darkenes it selfe can they any more thinke that which is good right if they be not guided by a light from aboue Psal 119.105 but now there is no other but the word of god as Dauid sayth Thy worde is a lanterne vnto my feete and a light vnto my path I haue sworne and I will performe it that I will kepe thy righteous iudgemēts And in an other place in the same Psalme vers 24. Thy testimonies are my delight and my consellers And in another place Open myne eyes vers 18. that I may see the wonders of thy Law It may be gathered by all these places going before many other like vnto thē that without the worde of God men are altogether miserable and that the life honour riches pleasures and all true felicity doe depend thereon and where it doth want there wanteth also with it all goodnes and all good hope and that is the reason why the Prophet doth so cōmend the reading meditatiō therof vnto the whole world Psal 1.2 Deut. 6.9 And that Moses exhorteth euery one to write and ingraue it in all the corners of their houses to the end it might continually be set before their eyes that they might euer haue a present memory therof feed their spirites therewith day night for the water the fire so necessary for the life of the bodye to maintaine and keepe it as is the worde of God for the spirituall life of our soules to preserue it Whosoeuer doth loue and follow it he is sure that God wil blesse him that within with out his house al things wil succeed happily vnto him Psal 119.165 as Dauid saith They that loue thy law shal haue great prosperity And in another place They shall walke in the light of thy countenance Psal 89.15 and in thy righteousnes shall they exalt themselues Cōsidering these things we should pray vnto God without ceasing for his grace that he would continue vnto vs so great a benefite say vnto him that which is written in Moses songe Psal 90.12 Teache vs to number our dayes that we may apply our hartes vnto wisedome returne O Lord how long be pacified toward thy seruants and bewaile the condition of the Apostates who hauing forsaken the Gospell the Churches Rom. 1.16 where it is preached that is to say the power of God which he hath ordained to saluation to euery one that beleeueth be without al doubt in the way of damnation in dāger of eternal death Psal 119.155 as Dauid saith Saluation is far from the wicked because they seeke not thy statutes For they decaue themselues if they thinke that they can obtaine it any where els but only in the church of god where it is purely preached Esa 2.2 Wherfore the Prophet Esay doth allure euery one to heare vnderstand Esa 2.2 It shall be in the last daies that the mountain of the house of the Lord shal be prepared in the tops of the moūtaines shal be exalted aboue the hils al nations shal flow vnto it many people shall go and say come let vs go vp to the mountaine of the Lord to the house of the God of Iacob and he will teach vs his waies and we will walke in his paths for the law shal go out of Sion the word of the Lorde from Ierusalem To be informed aright in the wil of God must be done in his church where he is worshiped in spirit truth called vpō purely And it must be by the mouth of his Prophets ministers which are ordained established in the same by him Mal. 2.7 to preach expound it As Malachy writeth That the Priests lips should keepe know ledge they should seeke the law at his mouth for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts Moreouer Eph. 4. Rom. 12. 1. Cor. 12. 1. Tim. 3. to whom are the true Prophets preachers sent Is it not to the Church of Iesus Christ the spirit of prophesie and interpretation Is it not vnto it which is the piller stay of the truth The Church is our mother the mouths of the good shepheards which are ordained therein to gouerne it be the pappes wherby she giueth sucke vnto her children who by faith take the brest draw and sucke the milke wherewith they do nourish and fat themselues so much especially if it be good milke and in great abundance that they become faire goodly maruelous beautifull But when the breastes come to be staied and dried vp as it chanceth in time of papistry where al their Pastors are at this present blind watchmen Esa 56.10 that haue no knowledge and dum dogs despitefull in mind which can not bark who desire and haue no other care but to liue and become fat and sleepe softly in this world and moreouer where the milke that is giuen to the children is all waterish and corrupt is it not necessarye that being so nourished they should become dry withered that in the ende they die with languishing for want of good toode The Apostates then that are gone out of the Church where they might if they would Psal 81.16 haue bene fed with fine wheate flower God would haue fed them with the fat of wheate and with the hony of the rocke would I haue sufficed thee to return to papistry as to an Egypt to be there fed with stinking garlicke and onions which are giuen there vnto them What can they looke for of such nourishment but in short space to die with languishing for they haue not any whit of the worde of God pure in the synagogues and conuenticles of Antichrist but onely some litle peeces or shreds which are drawen out here and there out of the foure Gospels the Epistles of the Apostles and most commonly il fitted to that purpose whereto they woulde haue them serue whereof neither the Pastors nor the sheepe can receaue any instruction or edification because the one and the other being equally ignorant neither vnderstande the tongue which is spoken nor the sence and mysteries which are conteined therin Considering that the secrets of the Lord are reuealed vnto those who haue them in honor and reuerence who by feare and humilitie are prepared to the vnderstanding of the same and not vnto those proud and arrogant Apostates which are at this present blasphemers of God contemners mockers of his worde and deadlye enemies of his Church which they would wish vtterly banished Psa 25.14 The secret