The new pollecye of warre wherin is declared not only how y e mooste cruell Tyraunt the great Turke maye be ouercome but also all other enemies of the Christen publique weale lately deuised by Theodore Basille Prouer. 21. ¶ The horse is prepared agaynst the day of battel but the Lorde gyuethe the victory ¶ The prayer of Kinge Asa. ii Parali xiiii O Lord it is all one wyth the whyther thou helpest in few or in many Helpe vs O Lord our God For we hauynge our whole affiaunce truste in the in thy name be come agaynst thys multitude Thou art the Lord our God let no man therfore preuayle agaynst the. ¶ The prayer of Kynge Iosaphat ii Parali xx IN vs oh Lorde there is not so great strengthe that we may be able to resist this great company that commethe agaynst vs. But whâ—Ì„ we know not what to do thaÌ„ haue we none other refuge nor socour but only to lyfte vp our eyes vnto the. ¶ Kynge Iosaphat to his Souldiours BEleue in the Lorde youre God and so shall ye be witheout all ieopardye Beleue his Prophetes and all thynges shalbe prosperous vnto you ¶ To the right worshypfull Syr Thomas Wyet Knyght Theodore Basille wysheth long lyfe coÌ„tinual helth and prosperous felicite I Thynke ther is no man so farre estrasiged from ciuile humanite whiche knowethe not howe moche euery one of vs is endetted to his natiue couÌ„trey For all be it the duty that we owe to oure parentes kynnesfolke frendes c be great eueÌ„ by the very lawe instincte of nature yet the det wher w t we are obliged to oure contre semeth to be greater and of moche more valour than we maye at ony time be able to set our selues francke fre from it Our pareÌ„tes onely gyue vs this grosse rude and moortall body Our countrey doth not only receaue and ioyfully susteÌ„tate it but also opulently adourne garnysh both that and the mynde wyth moost goodly and godly vertues It engraffethe in vs the true knowledge of our selues the fear of God the loue of God and of oure neyghbour the true fayth in Gods promises the vnfayned obedieÌ„ce toward our superious It tylleth our hartes wyth the plough of paynful diligeÌ„ce It eradicateth all vnfruytful wedes It eiecteth all vnprofitable cloddes and maketh the earthe of our hartes so fine pure pregnaÌ„t fertile that it is ready to receaue ony manner of good seed that may be sowne therupon and to produce innumerable encrease It sowethe also in the â—elde of our brestes many precious seedes as modesty grauite gentlenes honest behauour affabilite comite liberalite frugalite pacience long sufferaunce moderacion temperaunce obedience fortitude magnanimite iustice equite continence humilite erudicion prudence learnynge wysdome probite of manners wythe an whole see of good thynges mo All this doth our countrey for vs thorow the diligeÌ„t exercyse of wyse and sage teachers So that it may appeare right wel men be not only moche endetted to theyr natiue couÌ„trey but also allured vnto the loue and desyre of the same euen by a certayne inspiracioÌ„ both of God and nature For howe glad is an Englyshe man beynge in Fraunce Germany or Italy or els where to knowe by the transmissioÌ„ of mutuall letters what is done in EngloÌ„d in what case the publique weale consisteth how it prospereth howe Gods word is set forward after what manner vertue is mayntayned and vice detested c Agen is not the Frenche man Germayn or Italion beyng herein England very desyrous to knowe lykewyse what is done in his natiue contre We reade of some whiche whan they were in straung places where they wanted no kynd of pleasures desyred rather to be at home tÌ„ theyr owne natiue countrey and to eate beanes and drosse with hogges thaÌ„ to be in y â— moost floryshyng Realme in the worlde to syt at the tables of Kynges Prynces and such other terrene potestates and to afflâ—e w t all maner of delicious meates To whom is it vnknoweÌ„ y t whaÌ„ a certen noble maÌ„ called Leo ByzaÌ„tius was greuously accused of certen of the Citie where he was inhabited and lyke to be in daunger of death and therfore councelled of diuers of hys freÌ„des to fly into some straung countrey he came boldely into the assembly which consulted about hys matter and sayde O ye my Cytysenies I am counselled to fly but certes I had rather be slayn of you so to dye among you than once to make my self captiue to ony straung countrey O valeaunt and conrageous harte O noble prince lyke stomacke O vnfayned louer of his natiue countrey He choâ—â—d rather to be flayne although vnrighteously of his contremen and so to dy amonge them than he woulde once departe oute of his natiue contre The victorious ChampyoÌ„ Sertorius also beyng in the warres or els wher was wont to saye that he had rather be at home in his owne countrey and to be the moost base vile Cytysen of Rome than beynge abseÌ„t to be Emperour of al y â— world so swete a thynge is it for a man to in his owne natiue countrey Thus se we how euery nacion is led euen of nature wyth such an vnspeakable louyng affeccion toward his contre as neuer dyethe excepte paraduenture ony be of that pestiferous and poysoned nature wherof one is which beyng an Englyshe man borne dauncethe nowe lyke a Traytoure in a Carnalles wede at Rome as a shameles moÌ„sture abasheth not to write Roma est mihi patria The loue of our countrey muste nedes be great seyng that y â— graue prudeÌ„t sage and wyse gouernours of the publique weale heretofore in all theyr actes soughte nothynge so much as the prosperite and wealth therof What goodly swete sentences dyd they instille into the brestes of theyr yonglynges euen from the cradles to encourage them vnto y â— loue of theyr countre As these are Pugna propatria Mortem oppete propatria Dulce decoruÌ„ estpropatria more Fight for the contre Dye for the couÌ„trey It is a swete semely thyng to dye for the coÌ„trey And as they taught other to do this so dydde they shew goodly vertuous examples moost worthy imitacion of theyr posterite For no kynd of perel did they refuse for the safegard of theyr conntrey No rytches no substance no possessions no not theyr owne lyfe dydde they spare for to profyt theyr countrey And this maye we se done in y â— Histories not only of the baser sorte but also of moost victorious Emperours puissaunte Princes and noble Consulles Kynge Codrus ascertayned by y â— infallible oracle of Apollo that hys contre men the Athenians could by no menes enioy the victory of theyr enemies excepte he hymselfe were slayne in the batayle came forth in to the felde amonge the other warriours wyth a iustye and valeaunt chere fyghtyng wyth his aduersaries couragiously But in as much as
feates of mens braynes auayle where the healpe of God wantethe What shall I speake of that arrogant and proude tyraunte Sennacherib which gloried so much in his martiall valeaunce strong power in matters of warre that he despysed blasphemed the lyuynge God thynkyng hymselfe able ynough to subdu and ouercome so many as he should warre with all though God hymselfe toke parte agaynste hym But to what poynte came all hys proud crakes What dyd al his martiall armours weapons of warre profytte hym Dyd not God in one nyghte send his Aungell and slewe of that tyrauntes company a great sorte of thousandes in so much that that arrogant kynge of the Astyrians returned backe wyth shame ynough shortely after was slayne euen of his owne sonnes Let these two Histories suffice to shewe howe lytle affiasice is to be reposed in humayne streÌ„gthes martiall affaires Uerely except y e Lord bylde y e house he laboureth in vayn that byldeth it Excepte the Lorde kepeth y e citte he watcheth in vayne that kepeth it A kynge shall not be saued sayethe Dauid by his owne great hoost neyther shall a gyaunt be holpen in the abundaunce of his streÌ„gth A horse is but a deceauable thyng to saue a man it is not y e power of his streÌ„gth that can delyuer hym Beholde the eyes of the Lorde are vpon them that feare hym and put theyr trust in his mercye that he maye delyuer theyr soules from death norysh them in the tyme of honger Salomon also saythe The horse is prepared agaynste the daye of battell but the Lorde giueth the victory The Psalmograph saythe agen some put theyr trust in charettes and some in horses but we wyll caull vpon the name of oure God They are broughte downe fallen but we are risen and stonde ryghte vp lyke men Here se we that all the pollecies of warre that the wyttes of men can inuent are but vayne and of them selues not able in ony poynte to get the victory What shal we than say Are the armours of warre to be neglected Are the pollecies for obtaynynge of victory to be despised Is no prouision to be made for the conseruacion of the Christen publique weale but let all thynges ronne at hauocke as careles swyne chaunse what chaunie wyl God forbyd we may not attempt God by ony meanes A Prynce shall imagine those thinges that are worthy a Prynce sayth the Prophet Esaye he shall stonde ouer his captaynes Euery Prynce therfore ought with all diligence pollecy to prouyde all thynges that should conserue kepe his Realme in safe estate and fre from the daunger of suche as woulde inuade theyr dominioÌ„ and euery subiecte ought not only to be conteÌ„ted frely wyllyngly to render vp hys goodes to his Kyng and Prince for the prosperous mayntenaunce of y e kyngdome wherin he is inhabited but also with a glad hart to bestow his very lyfe for the safegard of the same which thynge the very Gentiles neuer disdayned to do but recounted theÌ„ selues than moost happy whan they myghte moost of all both bestow theyr goodes and theyr lyfe also for y â— helth of theyr natiue couÌ„trey as we read in diuers histories And in this poynte I meane for al thynges that should conserue and kepe this Realme of Englonde safe and free from the inuasion and dauÌ„ger of our enemies what kynge dome in the world is to be compared vnto this Englysh Empyre Howe hath oure moost puyssaunte and redoubted Kynge fortressed this hys moost floryshyng Monarchye Empyre and kyngdome wyth all thynges that ony man can inueÌ„t for the prosperous conseruacion of a coÌ„moÌ„weale Neuer was there Prynce y t toke lyke paynes for the safegard of his cominalte Neuer was there father that so greatly watched for y â— healthe of his sonne as he doth for ours To moche ingrate vngentle vnthaÌ„ckefull is he that doth not agnise and knowledge the vnmeasura ble kyndenes of this moost excellent Prynce If thys title Pater patriae might lawfully at ony time be ascribed vnto ony temporall rulare certes to our moste victorious Prynce it is moost of all due conuenient For he is a very ryght true father to this our countrey of Englonde as his moste godly actes and vertuous enterprises do manifestly shew euery day more and more We read that Augustus the Emperour wheÌ„ he had both garnyshed very pleasaÌ„tly and fortressed very strongely the Citie of Rome so y â— so moche as laye in hys power he had made it safe sure agaynst all insultes and inuasions of enemies for many yeares after his time was wonte reioysyng of his acte to say RomaÌ„ lateritiam acceâ—i marmoream relinquo That is to saye I toke Rome made of tyles but I leaue it of marble How moch more iustly maye oure moost bounteous Kyng saye I toke Englonde made of tyles but I leaue it of marble If ony Realme therfore may reioyse repose theyr affiaunce in martial armours all kynd of fortresses that make vnto the safe preseruacioÌ„ therof surely we Englysh meÌ„ haue most iust occasion to gyue God thankes for them seyng that we aboue all other nacions vnto our great consolacion and the vtter consternacion of our enemies are moost opulently enryched with them thorowe y e godly prouision and deuine pollecye of oure moost redoubted Kynge But what shall we flye vnto them as vnto an holye Anchore and inuincible Bulwarke whan the fearce tumulâ—te and cruel noyse of warres begynâ—neth to ryse vp amonge vs and repose oure whole affiaunce in them God forbyd For as weapons apte for warre are not to be neglected as all kynde of pollecies that maye conserue the publique weale are to be proued so is not y e trust of a christen maÌ„ to be put in theÌ„ as though our safegarde or delyueraunce dyd depende on them For the scripture sayth A kyng shall not be saued by his owne great hoost nether shall a gyaunt â—e holpen in the abundauÌ„s of his owne strength c. Notwithstandyng we must prepare all thinges and with a lusty and valeaunt courage go vnto the warres eueÌ„ as though there were no hope of victory but of oure owne strength only yet must all our whole affiaunce be reposed in the myghtye strength of our Lord God and looke for y â— victory at his hand only nothyng doutyng but that he wyll fyght for vs gyue vs the ouerhand of our enemies if we enter bartell for a iust godly cause For it is god only that gyueth ouer theyr enemies into the haÌ„des of his people It is God that fyghteth We all y e euer we bryng are but instrumeÌ„tes means wher by God subdueth oure aduersaries vnto vs euen as bread and meate are but meanes only wherby God fedeth vs. It is God that is the victorious and triumphant champion as Salomon saythe The horse is
bewayle our cause to his diuine maieste Lette vs desyre hym to be our captayne and valeaunt defender in oure warres And that we maye be the more fraÌ„ckely encouraged to go vnto God for helpe let vs set before our eyes the histories of y â— holy scriptures whiche shewe howe greatly y â— true and christen prayer hath holpeÌ„ the people of God in tymes paste to get the victory ouer theyr enemies Moses was assuredly bothe a very good and valeauÌ„t captayne of y â— Israelites and procured nothynge more than ther helth and saluacion yet notwithstandynge whan Amelech came to fyght agaynste Israel he went not forthe streyght wayes wyth them vnto battel but toke w t hym AharoÌ„ and Hur and went vp into the toppe of an hyll and there prayed appoynting Iosua to be captayne of the Israelites in his stead He doubted not but that he should do more good beynge absent wythe hys prayers than he shoulde do beynge present wyth the martiall armours as it came to passe For whaÌ„ Iosua his coÌ„pany began to fighte agenst Amelech who fought best I praye you By whose valeauÌ„s was the victory gotten By the Souldiours that were preseÌ„t in the battel or rather by Moses which was absent from it Let vs heare what the scripture sayth WhaÌ„ Moses lyfted vp his haÌ„des Israel dyd ouercome but if he dyd let hys handes downe neuer so lytyll than had Amelech y â— better Therfore whan Moses handes were wery Aharon Hur toke a stonne and put it vnder hym and he sate downe theron And Aharon and Hur steyed vp hys handes the one on the one syde the other on the other syde And it cam to passe that his handes were steadye vntyll the SoÌ„ne was downe So that Iosua chased awaye Amelech and his people wyth the edge of the sweard Iosua also that moost victorious captayne thorow prayer did not only ouercome his enemies in the battell but also caused the Sonne and the Moone to abyde and stond styll wythout ony remouyng for y â— space of an whole daye vntyll he was reuenged of his enemies WhaÌ„ y â— Philistines came to fight agaynst the Israelites the chyldren of Israel were greatly afrayd of theÌ„ in asmuche that they came to Samuel and sayd Cease not to cry vnto the Lord our God for vs that he maye saue vs out of the handes of y â— Philistines Samuel toke a yonge lambe and offred it all togyther for a burnte offering vnto the Lorde cryed vnto y â— Lorde for Israel And the Lord heard him And it came to passe that whaÌ„ Samuel offered the burnt offeryng vnto the Lorde the Philistines began to fyght agaynst Israel but the Lorde thondered a great thonder that same daye vpon the Philistines and turmoyled theÌ„ that they were slayne of the chyldreÌ„ of Israel so brought vnder that they came no more into the coostes of Israel Agayne by prayer kyng Asa ouer came Zarach the Morian wyth all his army By prayer also hys sonne Iosaphat valeauntly subdued the Moabites and Ammonites Item Ezechias that moost holye Prynce thorowe prayer ouercame y e proud tyraunt Sennacherib wyth all his hoost Dyd not the moost vertuous womaÌ„ Iudith by prayer ouercome Holofernes and his army By prayer Iudas Machabeus gat the victorye ouer hys enemies But in two battels wheÌ„ he shoulde fyght wyth Antiochus and prayed not he fled away And when he dyd fyght wyth Bacchiddes Alcinus he was slayne because he dydde not praye as before By prayer Ionathas when all had forsaken hym excepte a fewe obtayned the victory Of these sewe histories it is euident manifest how greatly y â— true christen prayer that procedeth froÌ„ a faythfull and repentaunt barte profyteth in the tyme of warres to obtayne the victory of our aduersaries Unto prayer therfore as an holy anchore must so many as tary at home flye incessantly desyryng god for his sonne Iesus sake to haue pitie on vs to strengthen our armye to be our captayne to syght for vs to discoÌ„â—yte our enemyes to gyue vs the victory But these our prayers maye not be colde lasye only procedyng from the lyppes but seruent earnest rysynge of the very effecte of the harte For to mumble with our lyppes to bleate with our tonges to rore with our throtes to shake our heades to lyfte vp our haÌ„des c. profyteth nothyng at all excepte the prayer coÌ„meth froÌ„ a â—ayth full repentaunt harte as we may perceaue by dyuers places of y e scripture as I haue abundantly proued in my Pathwaye vnto prayer This people honour me with theyr lyppes sayth Christ but theyr hart is farre from me Uerely they worshyp me in vayne Let vs looke welâ— vpon our owne wayes sayth y e Prophet Hieremy remember our selues and turne agen vnto y â— Lorde Let vs lyfte vp our hartes w t oure haÌ„des vnto the Lord that is in heaueÌ„ Therfore let our prayers be feruent harty that God may se that there is amendment in vs and that we thyrst the glory of his name and the health of our countrey And although it be necessary to pray at all tymes yet at that tyme chefely let vs hartely call vnto God whaÌ„ oure Souldiours shal fyght All y e tyme by no means let vs cease from prayer but incessauntly crye vpon God neuer leaue vntyll he hath gyuen vs the victory whiche thynge vndoubtedly he wyll do if he perceaue that we call feruentely vnto hym For the Lorde is full gentle good saythe the Prophet to them y â— seake hym But as coÌ„cernyng the publique prayers as Processions Masses c â—t were expediente that before ony such thynges were done there were sermons made to the congregacion in the whiche they should be exhorted admonyshed to repent to beâ—eue to take a newe lyfe vpon theÌ„â—nles they pray in vayne and God â—eteste theyr supplicacions For w t â—ut repentaunce â—ayth and renouaâ—ion of lyfe prayers bothe publique and priuate are nothing acceptable â—n y â— syght of god To al such as pray â—o God the father by SalomoÌ„ speaketh on this manner Seynge that I haue called ye refused it I haue stretched out my hand and no man regarded it but all my couÌ„cels haue ye despised set my correccions at nought Therfore shal I also laugh in youre destruccion mocke you whan the thynge that ye feare commeth vpoÌ„ you euen whan y â— thyng 〈◊〉 ye be afrayde of fallethe in sodenly lyke a storme youre misery lyke â— tempest yea whan trouble and heuines commeth vpon you Than shall they caull vpon me but I wyll not heare they shall seake me earelye but they shall not fynde me And y â— because they hate knoweledge receaued not the fear of the Lord â—ut abhorred my councell and despised my correccion Also by the
so do they nowe Theyr officers of the commoÌ„ weale dyd not behaue them selues vprightly in matters of contrauerly but polde pyld all y â— they might come by eueÌ„ so do they now Theyr prestes were all gyuen to couetousnes euen from the hyghest to the lowest yea they were blynd as â—ome dogges not able to barke eueÌ„ so are they nowe They abused the name of God by vnlawfull othes euen so do they nowe They were dihonourers of y e ciuile magistrates euen so are they now They were disobedieÌ„t to theyr parentes and superiours euen so are they nowe They were mansâ—ears thyrsted innoceÌ„t bloud euen so do they nowe They were abhominable whoremoÌ„gers stynking fornicatours and vncleane adulterers eueÌ„ so are they now They dyd chose rather to liue in abhominable whore huntyng than in the state of christen wedlocke which is honoâ—able among all men and the bed vndefiled euen so do they nowe They were theues and vniust vsurpers of other meÌ„s goodes euen so are they nowe They couytted theyr neyghbours goodes wyfe seruaunt hand mayde c euen so do they nowe All kynde of synne raygned among theÌ„ vnponyshed euen so dothe it nowe The threatenynges of Goddes law were laughed to scorne among theÌ„ euen so are they now What so euer synne raygned than that same florysheth tryumphethe nowe What shall we than say but as the coÌ„mon prouerbe is lyke faulte lyke ponyshmeÌ„t If God that ryghteous Lord dyd not spare the olde worlde in the tyme of Nohe but drowned it If he agayne fauoured not the filthy So domites and vnclene Gomorians but coÌ„sumed theÌ„ with fyre brymestonne from heauen what terrible iudgemeÌ„t and greuous plages shall we than looke for seyng we rowe in the same hauen stycke in the same myer and coÌ„myt the very same abhominacions O Englond Englond myn owne natiue countrey for whose wealth prosperite I do not only shed oute prayers but also salte teares continually to the Lorde our God am redy at euery hour wyllyngly to sustayne ony burden that can be layd on my shoulders for thy safegarde Would God would God thou wast not partaker of those greuous enormities and wicked synnes which I haue nowe rehearsed Woulde God thou dyddest not aduse y â— moost precious benefites where w t thou arte endewed from aboue before al other nacions Woulde God thou dyddest regard the plesures that God hath done the by restorynge vnto the the light of his holy word by sending the so noble and vertuous a Prince to mayntayne y â— same Would God thou wast not lyke to the olde disobedieÌ„t murmuring Iewes which had pleasure rather to be in Egypt wyth the grecy flesh pottes than in the seruyse of God wyth the celestiall meate MaÌ„na Would God thou myghtest not iustly be resembled to Lothes wyfe whiche after she was delyuered from the fylthy Sodomites had a delyght to looke backe agen vnto them Would God y e name of the moost highest were not dishonoured by thy shamefull and abhominable othes whiche thou dayely vsest Wolde God thou wast not disobedient but faythfull true in all poyntes to thy superiours Would God thou wast not polluted wythe fornicacion adultry whoredome in cest and all other vncleÌ„nes Would God thou wast not an vniust taker awaye of other meÌ„s goodes Would God thou dyddest not thyrste after the sheddynge of innocent bloude Would God thou wast not redy to beare false witnes agenst thy neighbours Would God thy men of law were not eaters of gyftes oppressours of the poore people for lucres sake Would God thy pastours and spiritual sheppardes were not so giuen to pleasure ambicion pryde couetousnes delicate fare gorgious apparell idlenes c y t they haue no mynde to fede Christes flocke w t the syncer word of God Yea would god they were not callers backe vtter despisers of y e same neither entryng into the kyngdome of heauen themselues nor yet sufferyng other that would to enter To be shorte would God thou wast not a manifest traÌ„sgressourÌ„ and opeÌ„ offendour of gods moost holy law that thou myghtest be fre from the vengeaunce and plages of God y e are lyke to faull vpon the if thou doste not shortly repent and amend thy synnefull lyuynge O EngloÌ„nd Englond God calleth the vnto repentauÌ„ce diuers wayes as by his worde by the preachynge of the same by sendyng the suche a vertuous mercyful fatherlyke and puyssaunt a Prynce by endewyng the with other innumerable benefites If thou regardest not this goodnes of God surely Englonde great wyll be thy daÌ„nacion greuous wyl be thy plages intollerable wyll be thy ponyshmentes to moche lamen table wyll be thy finall destruccion O Englond with wepyng teares I saye vnto the as Christ sayde vnto Hierusalem If thou dyddest know eueÌ„ at this thy tyme those thynges whiche belong vnto thy peace surely thou wouldest be more diligeÌ„t to looke after them For easyer more tollerable shall it be for Sodome Gomorre for Tyrus Sydon at y â— daye of iudgement than for the excepte thou repentest and embracest with metyng armes as they saye y â— goodnes and great mercy of GOD which is nowe proferred the. Of these thynges aforsayde is it euident that thoccasion of all these cruell warres other plages wherwith we are so miserably oppressed is the despisyng of Gods word and the wicked and dissolute manner of lyuynge that is vsed amonge them that professe Christ by mouthe but lyue Mahumet in dede Nowe lette vs consyther agayne by what meanes the christen publique weale maye be repared broughte agayne vnto the pristine beauty and olde glorye that we hauing the victory of all our enemies maye with one accorde syng perpetual prayses to y e name of our Lord God AMEN To obtayne the victorye of oure enemies what than is to be done Shall we prepare vs innumerable thousandes of stronge and valeasâ—t warryours shall we make vs streÌ„g Castels myghty Bulwarkes inuâ—â—cible fortresses gorgious charettes fears gunnes well castyng bowes swyft arrowes sharpe speres great pollaxes courageous horses wyth other thynges innumerable y â— pertayne vnto martiall affaires How weake vnable theyse thynges are to get the victory of our enemies y â— holy scriptures shewe in diuers places Howe puyssaunt was Holofernes and incomparable in martiall affaires what waÌ„ted he that shuld healpe any thynge at all to get the victory What may be named that he fayled concernyng the pollecy of warre What Prynce in the worlde thought hymselfe of sufficient puissaunce and strong ynough to enter battell wyth hym He had such affiaunce in his martial armours that he thoughte he myghte lyghe vpon his one syde and gette the victory But howe lytle all his valeaunce strength profytted hym the scriptures shewe euidently which teache y â— by one woman he was not only destroyed but also all his army put to flyghte So lytle do all the pollecies and
prepared agaynst the day of battel but the Lorde gyueth the victorye Note that he saythe the Lorde gyueth the victory Howe came it to passe that y â— Israelites gat y e vpper hande of theyr enemies so ofte By theyr owne valeafice Na verely but by y e streÌ„gthe of Gods power The Lord thy God sayth Moses shall go before the. He shall put awaye all these nacions in thy syghte and thou shalte possesse them Go to it therfore manfully take a good harte vnto you Feare ye not nor be not once adrad at the syght of theÌ„ for y e Lorde thy God he is thy captayne and gyde he wyll not leaue nor forsake the Agen how came it to passe y â— one chased a thousand and two put ten thousande to flyght but that theyr God solde theÌ„ the Lorde snarled them For oure God is not as theyr GOD. Also in another place Happy arte thou O Israel who is lyke vnto the A people that arte saued by the Lord. He is thy shylde helper he is y e sweard of thy glory And thyn enemies shal hyde the mselues from the and thou shalte walke vpoÌ„ theyr hygh hylles How chaunsed it that the noble captayne Iosua had so many victorious coÌ„questes ouer hys enemies What sayth y e scripture The Lord God of Israel dyd fyghte for hym But let vs heare what God sayd vnto hym Aryse and go ouer this Iordane thou and all the people wythe the into the Iond which I shall giue to the children of Israel All the plaâ—ces that the soles of your feete shall tread vpoÌ„ wyl I giue you Agen be not afrayd of theÌ„ for to morowe about this time wyl I deliuer al thy enemies slayne in the sight of Israel and thou shalte hough theyr horses burne theyr charettes wythe fyre Moreouer after the death of Ioâ—sua the chyldren of Israel asked the Lorde who should go vp fyrst vnto the Cananites to fight agaynst theÌ„ The Lorde auuswered Iuda shall go vp beholde I haue deliuered the londe into his hendes Marke that it is sayd y e Lorde delyuered y e lond into his handes So that it is God that gyueth the victory Who gaue the victory of theyr enemies vnto y â— Israeâ—â—e whan Othoniel Ahod Sangeâ— Delbora Barach Gedeâ—o Iâ—pte Samson c. reygned but y e Lorde only as it appeareth by the histories How woÌ„derful is y e history of GedeoÌ„ as I may let passe y â— other no lesse manifest euideÌ„t to shew that God alone gyueth the victory and not the strength and pollecy of ony man be it neuer so valeauÌ„t and subtile The Madianites whyche came to fyghte agaynst GedeoÌ„ and his company had in theyr army an hondred fyue and thyrty thousaÌ„d valeauÌ„t men which laye along in y â— valey lyke greshoppers iÌ„ multitude and theyr camels were without noÌ„ber euen as the sande by y â— sea syde Gedeon bryngeth only with hym a coÌ„pany of two thyrty thousande and yet of these God commaunded hym to put awaye all excepte thre hoÌ„dred His wordes were these The people that are wyth the are to many for me to gyue the Madianites into theyr handes lest Israel make theyr boast vnto my dishonour and saye our owne hand hath saued vs. And whan there were of Gedeons company xxii M departed so that there abode w t hym only ten thousande God sayde once agayne vnto hym the people are yet to many The conclusion was that all went theyr waye besydes thre hondred by them only thorowe his myghty power dyd God gyue the Madianites into Gedeons haÌ„des so that of them that were slayne of the Madi anites were an hondred and twenty thousand men that drewe swerdes O wonderfull victory O the mighty stretched out hand of god O the valeaunce of this our Lorde God which is almyghty and full of puyssaunce to defende and saue his seruantes Here se we this to be true y â— one shall chase away a thousand that two shall put ten thousand to flyght Hereto pertaynethe the sayeng of kyng Asa which prayâ—ed to God on this manner O Lord it is all one with the whither thou helpest in few or in many Helpe vs o Lorde our God For we hauyuge oure whole affiauÌ„ce and trust in the and in thy name become agaynste this multitude Thou arte y â— Lord oure God let no man therfore preuayle agaynst the. And accordynge to hys prayer God gaue hym y â— victory and made the blacke Mores to flye and so were destroyed Furthermore who gaue Iosaphat the victory ouer the Moabites and Ammonites but God alone Dyd not he in his prayer speake on thys manner vnto God In vs oh Lord there is not so great strength y â— we maye be able to resist this great coÌ„pany that commethe agaynste vs. But whan we knowe not what to do than haue we none other refuge nor succour but only to lyft vp our eyes to the. God therfore streyghtwayes stored vp Iaziâ—l the sonne of Zacharias whiche sayd Herken al Iuda ye that dwell in IerusaleÌ„ and thou kyng Iosaphat also thus saythe the Lorde vnto you Be not afeard nor faynte harted by the reasoÌ„ of this great multitude For the warre is not yours but Gods It shall not be you that shall fyght only steppe ye forth boldly and stonde to it lyke men and ye shal se y â— helpe of the Lorde vpon you O ye of Iuda Ierusalem feare ye not nor let not your hartes fayle you To morow ye shall go forth agaynst them the Lorde shall be wyth you The kyng hym selfe also sayd whan they went forth vnto battell Beleue in the Lorde your God and so shall ye be without al ieopardy Beleue his Prophettes all thynges shall be prosperoê° vnto you And according to all these thynges aforsayde came it to passe so that Iosaphat his coÌ„pany returned home with a glorioê° victory thorowe the meane puyssaunt power of God NotwythstaÌ„dynge when Iosaphat afterwarde ioyned frendshyp wythe Ochozias kyng of Israel which was a wicked doer coupled hym selfe with hym to make shyppes to go into Charlis for golde and semed by this means both to haue his mynde estraunged from God hys affiaunce reposed in mortal amite God deceaued him of his purpose broughte his enterprises vnto none effecte so that hys shyppes were broken on suche sorte that they ware not able to go vnto Charsis What shall I speake of the noble and triumphante victories whiche God gaue to Ezechias Iudith Esdras Iudas Machabeê° Ionathas Symon c Thus se we that it is God y â— fighteth for his people subduethe theyr enemies and giueth them the victory that wythout his ayde helpe socour all is but vayne frustrate what so euer man inuenteth of hys owne carnall brayne seme it neuer so polletyke and wyse Cursed be he sayth
Ieremy that maketh flesh his arme whose harte departeth from the Lorde But blyssed is that man that trusteth in the Lorde whose hope the Lorde hym selfe is For he shall be as a tree that is planted by the water syde whiche spreadethe oute the roote vnto moystenes so that ne neadethe not to feare whan the heate commethe and hys leâ—ues shall be grene c. Wo be vnto theÌ„ sayth the Prophet Esaye that go downe into Egypt for helpe trust in horses coÌ„forte them selues in charettes because they be many and in horse meÌ„ because they be lusty and strong and haue not put theyr confideÌ„ce and trust in the holy one of Israel Agayne what presuÌ„pcioÌ„ is this that y u trustest vnto Or by what couÌ„cel or strength doste thou determyne to go to warre vpon whome doste thou trust seynge y â— castest thy selfe of froÌ„ me Lo thou puttest thy trust in a brokeÌ„ staffe of rede I meane Egipt which he that leaneth vpoÌ„ it goeth into his hande shuâ—teth hym thorow The Lorde is our captayne y e Lorde is our law gyuer the Lorde is our kynge he it is that shall saue vs. For he gyueth strengthe to the wery one power vnto the faynt Chyldren are wery faynte the strongest men â—aull lyke weakelynges but they y e truste in the Lorde shall be endewed with strengthe They shall haue wynges lyke Aegles they shall ronne not â—aull they shall walke not be wery Feare not saythe God for I am w t the. Turne not once backe for I am thy God I haue made the strong I haue holpen the the right hand of my ryghteous one hath takeÌ„ the. Behold all they shall be confounded ashamed that fyght agaynste the. Yea they shalbe as thogh they were not the meÌ„ shall perysh that once speake agaynst the c. I wyll go before the bryng downe the proud arrogant of the earthe The brasen dores wyl I breake burst the yron barres And I wyll gyue the y â— hyd treasures the thynge whiche is secretly kepte that thou mayst know that I am the Lorde The vnryghteous shall perysh at one clappe as Dauid sayth the remnauntes of the vngodly shall vtterly be destroyed but the health of the ryghteous is of the Lord he is theyr defeÌ„der in the tyme of trouble The Lorde shall healpe them delyuer them he shall set them free from the wycked yea he shall saue theÌ„ in dede because they haue putte theyr trust in hym Agen the Lorde is my lyghte my healthe whome then shall I feare The Lord is y e defender of my lyfe for whome than shall I be afrayde WhaÌ„ the wycked came vnto me for to eate my flesh they that wrought me ony wo and were myn enemies stoÌ„bled fell so that now although an hoost of men were layd agaynste me yet shall not my hart be afrayd And though there rose vp warre agaynst me yet wyll I put my trust in hym God hymselfe also sayth by the Psalmographe for asmoche as he hath trusted in me I wyl deliuer hym yea I wyll defend hym seynge he hath knowen my name He cryed vnto me I wyl fauourably heare hym I am wyth hym in tribulacioÌ„ I wyll delyuer hym glorify hym I wyll replenyshe hym withe longe lyfe and at the last I wyll shew him my sauyng health All the scriptures heretofore rehearsed declare euidently that God alone is the myghtye helper that he only it is whiche gyueth the victory of theyr enemies to his people that is to so many as beleue trust in hym and that withoute hym all hymayne industry labour wyt conueyaunce pollecy c. are of none effecte yea rather hurteth than profytteth hyndereth then furdereth destroyeth than sauethe Blyssed is that londe whiche hath God theyr mercyfull Lorde puyssaunt defender For they shall prosper in al thinges and what so euer they shal take in hand shall vndoubtedly come vnto good effecte nether shall ony maÌ„ be he neuer of so greate baleaunce myght streÌ„gth puyssaunce and power be able to do them ony harme If God be on oursyde who is able to preuayle agaynst vs as the holy Apostle Paule sayth But it wyll be demaunded peraduenture how God maye be made so mercyfull that he wyll gyue vs y e victory of our enemies I aunswere by oure vnfayned conuersion from wickednes vnto true godlynes We heard bâ—fore that al the plages that God casteth vpon vs whyther they be battell honger pestilence or ony other chaunse vnto vs for our synfull abhominable lyuyng wher w t God is so greatly prouoked vnto anger Agayne that he wyll not cease thus to plage vs if he loueth vs vntyl we earnestly repent studiously amende our lyfe If he seeth y t none amendment wyll followe his correccion yet wyll he go forth styll to ponyshe vs and neuer cease vntyll he hath rooted vs our memory oute of the earth because his holy name may be no more blasphemed among the Hethen thorow our wyckednes and abhominacion Your misdedes sayth Esay haue seperated you froÌ„ your God your synnes haue hyddeÌ„ his face from you that he should not heare you For your handes are defyled wyth bloud â–ª your fyngers with vnrighteousnes Your lyppes speake leasynges your tonge setteth out wickednes No man regardeth ryghteousnes no man iudgeth truely Euery man hopeth in vayne thynges imaginethe deceate conceaueth werynes bryngeth forthe euell They brede cockatrice egges weaâ—e the spyders webbe who so euer eteth of theyr egges dyeth but if one treadeth vpon them there coÌ„meth out a serpeÌ„t Theyr webbe maketh no cloth nether can they couer theÌ„ wyth theyr labours Theyr dedes are the dedes of wickednes and the worke of robhery is in theyr haÌ„des Theyr feete runne vnto euell they make haste to shed innocent bloude Theyr councels are wycked councelles harme destruccion are in theyr wayes but y e way of peace they know not c And a lytle after our offenses are many before the O Lord our synnes testify agaynst vs yea we must nedes confesse that we offende and knowledge that we do amysse namely transgresse dissemble agaynst the Lorde and faull awaye from our God vsyng presuÌ„ptuous traytorous imaginacions castyng false matters in our hartes For equite is gone asyde and ryghteousnes stondethe a farre of Trueth is fallen downe in y â— strete that thyng that is playne open maye not be shewed Yea truethe is layde in presonne he that refraynethe hym selfe from euell must be spoyled When the Lorde sawe this it displeased hym sore y â— there was no where ony equite He saw also y â— there was no man whiche had pitie therof or was greued at it And he helde hym vp by hys owne power cleued to his owne ryghteousnes He putrighteousnes on hiÌ„ for
euen by the commauÌ„dement of God and the lawe of nature they are bounde to gyue theyr lyues woulde by no meanes breake the bonde of Christen amite wythe no man but rather suffer moche in iury than they would be once at displeasure wyth ony man But in as moch as they are fyrst prouoked yee and that vnworthely seynge also it is no priuate iniury but a common wrong to inuade ony Realme and to disturbe the inhabitauntes therof therfore they come nowe in the name of God vnto battell not for theyr owne cause but for the coÌ„seruacion of the publique weale that they enioyenge peace tranquilite for euer after maye the more freely prayse God and lyue accordynge to his moost holy worde Moreouer all the tyme of y â— warres it shall be necessary y t they kepe theÌ„ selues so pure as they can and by no means haue ony felloweshyp w t the vnfrutefull workes of darkenes but apply them selues vnto the frutes of the spâ—rite that they may remayne in the fauour of God and haue hym theyr myghty captayne Let theÌ„ that can read whaÌ„ they haue coÌ„uenâ—â—t leasure rede the hoâ—y Scriptures chefely suche histories as declare the omnipotency and almyghtye power of God whiche he hath shewed to his seruauntes in tymes past by gyuyng them the victo ry ouer theyr enemies let theÌ„ conceaue a sure faythe in theyr hartes therof nothyng doubte but that he wyl be that same puyssauÌ„t Lord to them if they walke accordyng to hys word that he in times past was to the other For he is styll a Lorde of that same puyssaunce strength Let them that can not rede herken to them that do rede and gyue vndoubted earnest faythe thervnto It would helpe moch vnto true godlines for to haue faythfull preachers also amonge y â— souldiours in y â— tyme of warres whiche myght declare vnto them the feare of God exhorte them vnto vertue moue theÌ„ vnto the true coÌ„fidence in Goddes helpe encourage them manfully to fyght when tyme requireth shew them howe honest godly a thynge it is to ieoparde theyr lyfe for y â— welthe of theyr countrey whyche of all deathes y â— very Ethnyckes recouÌ„ted moost glorioê° of highest renowne It is also very necessary that the Souldiours gyue them selues vnto feruent prayer desyre y â— healpe of God wyth moost humble supplicacions that he wyll be theyr mighty shelde defence but chefely whaÌ„ the tyme coÌ„meth that they must enter battell with theyr enemies Let them than wythe one mynde caull vpon God desyre his helpe praye that for hys mercyes sake he wyll strengthen them yea fyght for theÌ„ be theyr captayne gyue them the victory of theyr aduersaries y t they returnyng home agayne lyke valeaunt conquerours maye syng perpetuall prayses to his moost blyssed and holy name This done let them go to fyghte valeauntly hauyng theyr whole affiaunce reposed in God alone and in hys myghtye helpe Yet let them so fyght as though the victory dyd only depeÌ„d of theyr owne streÌ„gthes wyttes and pollecies Let them not dispayre but take a good harte vnto them beynge perfectely persuaded that God is on theyr syde and wyll surely helpe them But if they shoulde dye seyng that theyr cause is lawfull iuste and ryghteous seynge also they fyghte not for theyr owne priuate coÌ„modite but for the wealth of an whole Realme let theÌ„ not doubte but that theyr death is precioâ—s in the syght of God therfore they maye be sure for this mortall lyfe to receaue a lyfe of immortalite full of eternall ioye glory Therfore lette them not once feare but steppe vnto it with a lusty valeaunt courage come theyr lyfe or come theyr death Thus moche haue I spoken concernyng the Souldiours and them that shall fyght for the safegarde of the countrey that they maye know howe to behaue them selues y t God maye be on theyr syde and returne home agayne wythe a glorious and triumphant victory Nowe it remayneth to shew how they shal behaue theÌ„selues y â— remayne tary at home vnlesse the valeaunce godly behauour of y e Souldiours do not profytte so moche as our wicked dissolute manner of lyuynge shoulde hynder hurte For howe canne GOD be in oure army and fyght for vs if we be wicked vngodly If we therfore wyl haue prosperous successe in our warres we must fyrst so lay asyde all vngod lynes that there maye appeare nothynge in vs wherby God maye be displeased For God wyll only fight for them that are pure clene faythfull charitable modeste mercifull benigne honest louers of theyr couÌ„trey haters of discorde seakers of peace maynteners of amite c. The other he refuse the knowledgethe theÌ„ not for his people nether wyll he fight for them We must therfore repent vs of oure olde wicked manners take vpon vs a new lyfe if we wyll haue God on our syde in y â— battell Lette euery man consyder hys faulte wherin he knoweth himselfe gylty and quickely put it away froÌ„ hym Let no man be quycke sighted in other mennes faultes and stoÌ„ne blynde in his owne Let al meÌ„ seake howe they maye best please God For the stroÌ„gest Bulwarke moost inuincible fortresse that caÌ„ be made for the safegarde of the countrey is to lyue well If ony domage chauÌ„ceth to the couÌ„trey our wyckednes is cause therof And as I may speke my mynd frely certes it doth moch greue me to beholde the iniquite of the worlde to se how vertue is set asyde I hadde almoost sayd set at nought What shall I speke of the familiare coÌ„municacion dayely talke y â— is vsed among y â— Christians What other thyng do we heare in theÌ„ thaÌ„ cursynges bannynges backebytynges blasphemies euel reportes waÌ„ton wordes idle tales vnclene communicacioÌ„ c Of theyr thoughtes God shal iudge but theyr dedes are so manifeste that euery man maye easly iudge the tree by the fruyte the lyon by his pawes Howe lytle do many ciuile magistrates regarde the publique affaires of the cominalte so that theyr cofers maye be enryched they lyue in all wealth and pleasure Nowe lytle do many lawers tender the pytiefull complaynt ryghteous cause of the poore oppressed Howe lyke gaping wolfes do many of theÌ„ inhiate gape after wycked mammon so that whosoeuer bryngeth moost mony is moost allowed hathe the lawe moost on his syde in what so euer case the matter stoÌ„dethe be it ryght or wronge Howe long also do they suffer the cause coÌ„mytted vnto them to hange in the lawe before ony iudgement can be gyuen or finall determinacion had all to poll and pyll the poore men and vtterly to empouerysh them so that thorow theyr deceatfull crafte couetous mynde the symple people are beggered theyr wyues and chyldren brought vnto extreme misery and set in suche case that they are neuer
after able to helpe theÌ„ selues nor theyr neyghbours nor yet to profyt y e publique weale of theyr countrey O gapyng wolfes O raÌ„pynge lyons O insatiable dogges O crafty foxes What crafte deceate subtilite falshode vse marchauntes in byyng sellyng Howe reioyse they whan they haue begyled theyr christeÌ„ brother What a sporte haue they to deceaue a simple hobbe and playne fellowe of the countrey How fayre do they speake to hys face lowte hym behynde his backe How false sleyghtye wares do they vtter for true and good The other men of al occupacioÌ„s vse lyke crafte and subtilite Fewe walke vpryghtely All gyue theyr mynde to couetousnes No man studieth to serue the publique weale w t theyr science as they are bounde to do All seake theyr owne profyt and not that whyche is Iesus Christes Where is y â— christen charite become whiche seakethe not her owne Let no man seake his owne sayth saynt Paule but the profyt of other Howe do many Gentyll meÌ„ not only get into theyr haÌ„des other meÌ„nes landes and tenementes y t they maye lyue lyke Lordes alone in a towne and yet kepyng slender houses and hongry hospitalite but also after suche sorte let out theyr loÌ„des to other yea and that for so hygh a pryce as they were neuer wonte to be iÌ„ tymes past iÌ„ so moch y â— they whiche hyre theÌ„ are vtterly beggered redact to extreme pouerte By this means is the galant pompe lasciuious pleasures of Gentyll menne mayntened but the poore fermers are greatly empouerished hospitalite is decayed releuynge of the poore people is vtterly layd asyde the coÌ„mon wealth is miserably oppressed penury scarsenes dearth of all thiÌ„ges is brought into y â— Realme Few are able to helpe theyr Prynce whaÌ„ nede requirethe No man is able to set forth hys chylde vnto learnyng wherby it is come to passe that such blynde ignorancy and rude Chaos of baâ—barous and rusticall maÌ„ners reynge nowe in the world vniuersally These thynges desyre are dresse God graunte it maye come to passe shortely What shal I speake of certeÌ„ ritch and gredy cormorauntes those locustus and caterpyllers of the common weale whiche whan they haue plenty of grayne and se abundans therof reygne amonge the people are greately greued therat and do not only not sel theyr owne corne to mayntayne the coÌ„modide of y e poore but also by other mennes grayne hoorde it vp vntyll they haue made a great dearth and than scarsenes of corne beyng in euery place bring they forth theyr grayne sell it vnto the vtter empoueryshment extreme vndoynge of the poore cominalte O cruell murtherers and vn mercifull bloudsoupers The wysâ— man sayth the bread of the nedy is the lyfe of the poore he that defraudeth hym of it is a mansleare Salomon also sayth Who so hooredeth vp his corne shall be cursed amonge the people but blyssynge shall lyghten vpon theyr heades that sell it How can these deuouring caterpyllers than escape the vengeaunce of God that hangeth ouer theyr heades seynge they esteme more theyr owne priuate fylthy lucre than the welth of so great a multitude God mought once quenche theyr outrageous insatiable thyrst of couetousnes gyue theÌ„ grace to vse his giftes vnto the profyt of the Christen people As touchyng the common byers sellers barga yne makers what falfe swerynge crafty iâ—glynge and deceatfull gyle do they vse amonge them that they maye begâ—le theyr christen brothers How lytle is this cammaundement of S. Paule obserued among them Let no maÌ„ go to farre and defraud his brother in bargaynyng for the Lorde is a venger of all suche thynges Dothe not he thyncke hym selfe moost wyse y â— can moost deceaue his neyghbour Here is a wonderful charite and an harty neyghbourhoode As I may come to y e grosser synnes what whoredom reygneth ther nowe a dayes Howe lytle is honorable wedlocke estemed Howe many wyncke I wyll not saye laughe at y â— abhominable vnclennes which not a fewe commytte at this tyme Who careth though it be knowne y â— he hath lyghen wythe an whore all nyght and so defyled hymselfe men haue so rubbed theyr forhedes now a dayes and become past all shame so lytle ponyshment also is there ap poynted for this fylthy abhominacion I would whoredome were not growne vp into suche boldnes that it dare compare wythe holy matrimony for pleasaunt easy lyuyng I would stynckyng fornicacioÌ„ were not so had in price that it were preferred aboue honorable wedlocke I woulde there were not which whaÌ„ they haue wrought wickednes glorye rejoyse and boste of it vnto the euell example of other What shall I speake of false wytnes bearers which for a lytle mony or for hatred borne towarde the parsoÌ„ are redy streyghtwayes to gyue false euidence yea and to be sworne also that it is true whan nothynge is more false So that by theyr vniust and false wytnes bearynge the innocent is wrongefully condeÌ„ned the wycked hathe the vppermoost hande Thorowe such is muche innocent bloud also oftentymes shedde O pitefull case O lameÌ„table chauÌ„se Would God al false witnes bearers were handled according to the commaundemeÌ„t of God Deutronomy the .xix. SalomoÌ„ sayth A false witnes shal not escape vnponyshed and he that speaketh lyes shall peryshe I let passe manslaughter thefte glotony surfetyng dronckeshyp dysyng cardyng quarellyng with an whole see of euels mo which at this daye reygne in the worlde Do not all these thynges prouoke God vnto anger and make hym displeased wyth vs Howe can God be in oure army and make the warres to prosper seynge that they for whome the battell is are wicked and replete w t all synne and abhominacioÌ„ Certes this our iniquite must he redressed it we wyll haue God mercifull vnto vs blysse our endeuours in martiall affaires But as I may leaue of to speake of grosse and corporal vices turne my communicacion vnto spirituall matters what shall we saye vnto y â— Idolatry supersticioÌ„ false worshypipyng of God confidence in ceremonies trust in popysh pardons gaddyng on pylgrymage gyldyng of ymages settyng vp of candelles c whiche reygne yet in diuers places of the worlde What a sorte of ydle moÌ„struous sectes also are there yet noryshed in many Realmes vnder the pretexte of holynes which do nothyng but lyke gredy cormorauÌ„tes deuour the paynfull laboures of other mennes handes Moreouer howe slacke almooste vniuersally are the curates spirituall sheppardes to do theyr office Howe negligeÌ„t are they to fede chri stes flocke wyth the sincerite of goddes word How lytle do they esteme the soules of theyr parysheners for whose saluacion oure Lorde Iesus Christe disdayned not to haue hys blyssed body brokeÌ„ and his precious bloud shed so y t they maye deuoure the sat of the shepe gorgiously be clad with theyr wolle Howe many
of them dayly hunte hawke fyshe what not after spirituall promocions and whan they haue them neglecte theyr office be absent frō theyr benefices cōmit theyr cure to suche vnlearned prestes as canne scasely iudge betwene A and B what a nōber also of them come vnto theyr benefices non per ostium sed aliūde that is to saye not by the doore Christ nor for ony mynde or loue y t they haue to the glory of God and the saluacion of christen mēnes soules but for the desyre of fylthy lucre for an easy lyuyng for to be called master Parsonne M. Uicare M. Curate M. Chaplen c Howe lytyll liberalite do they shewe to paryshners Howe longe is theyr hande in receauyng shorte in gyuynge Howe wycked and abhominable is theyr lyuyng Howe colde litle feruent are theyr prayers Howe rare seldome are theyr studies in the holy scriptures wherin they are bounde to be occupyed both day and nyght Are these fytte prestes to stonde betwene the people God to pacifye his wrath Are these fyt prestes to make intercession for the synnes of the people Are these fytte prestes to whom the flocke of oure Lorde Iesus Christe should be commytted Our Lord be mercifull vnto vs. Undoubtedly there is greate scasenes of sheppardes whan it is come to this poynte that wolues muste haue the cure charge of shepe I feare moche that if this great absurdite be not redressed shortely the flocke of Christ shall be miserably spoyled rēt torne and deuoured God sende vs once suche sheppardes as maye fede his flocke wyth godly doctrine and vertuous lyuynge Agayne to whom is it vnknowē what dissension reygneth among y ◠Spiritualte Temporalte as they are called now a dayes in many places Seldome doth the one reporte well of the other The laye man hateth the preste the prest agayne bur nethe not in charite The laye man thyncketh all y t euer the preste hath is to moche seyng he taketh so lytle payne in settyng forth Gods word and in doynge hys duty The preste agen thyncketh all to lytyl though he maye dispende hondreds yearely and do nought for it Wyll this commaundement of GOD by his holy Apostle neuer be looked vpon earnestly put in execucion Qui non laborat non manducet He that labourethe not oughte not for to eate Certes vntyll the prestes be more seriously bent to loue God and his worde to preache the Gospell of Christe to lyue accordyng to theyr office they shall neuer be estemed nor regarded among the people but hated contēned and detested Let the prestes remember the sayenge of God the father by his Prophet take hede betymes Seynge therfore thou haste refused knowlege I wyl refuse the so y e thou shalt no more be my prest Agayne by the Prophet Malachy The lippes of a prest shal kepe knowledge and at his mouth shal men require the lawe for he is a messanger of the Lorde of hoostes But as for you O ye prestes ye are gone clene out of the way and haue caused ma ny to be offended at the lawe Ye haue broken the couenaūt of Leuy sayth the Lord of hoostes Therfore haue I made you to be despysed to be of no reputaciō among all the people because ye haue not kept my wayes but bene parcial in the law Here may all men se why prestes are so lytle regarded at thys daye verely because they hate knowledge kepe not y e wayes of our Lord God nor endeuoure them selues to fede Christes flocke wyth Goddes moost blyssed worde If they wyll therfore be had agē in price reuerēt estimacion as it is conuenient let thē cast away theyr olde manners shyne as the lyght of the worlde sauour as y ◠salte of the earth loue God and his word preach Christes Gospell purely meditate in the lawe of the Lord both day and nyght dissuade no mā from readyng the holy scriptures exhorte all men vnto pure innocency and a christen state of lyuynge aboue all thynges be the very same vnto the people in dede that they professe in worde So shall they recouer theyr olde dignite and be had in honour of al mē Yea so shal y ◠lay men haue them in reuerēce as true spiritual fathers giue them double honoure minister vnto them abundauns of all thynges receaue them as an Aungel of God yea as Christ Iesus himselfe and be redy at all tymes euē to dygge out theyr eyes to do them pleasure as Saynt Paule wryteth Furthermore nowe that y ◠lyght of Gods word is come abroad amog diuers nacions how vnthanckefully is it receued How many wynke and speare theyr eyes because they wyll not se it Howe many are obstinately blynde What a nomber is there that had rather walke styl in y e darkenes of mens tradicious thā in y ◠glorious lyght of gods trueth Yea I wolde there were not y ◠perse cute this open verite of Gods word theyr conscience bearyng wytnes y ◠they do euell and condemnyng thē for so doyng This is the condemnaciō sayth Christ that lyght is come into the world and men haue loked darckenes rather than lyghte For theyr workes were euel Euery one that doth euell hateth the lyght nether comethe he vnto the lyght because his workes shoulde not be reproued But he that workethe the trueth cometh vnto the lyght that his workes maye be perceyued that they are done by God Another sorte of people there are whyche receaue Gods worde at the fyrste entraunce very ioyfully and make moche of it shewyng them selues so feruent that they wyll seme to be ready for to gyue theyr lyues for it But full soone is theyr whot loue colde For whā they se that the worde of God fyghteth so manifestly wyth theyr wycked lyuynge and condemneth theyr ambicion pryde couetousnes effeminate māners c than are they wery of it despyse it caste it awaye being lothe that any man shoulde meddle wythe all Thā do they contemne the celestial Māna chose rather to be fed wyth the greasy fleshe pottes of Egipte Thā fall they agen vnto theyr olde blyndnes so that this cōmon sayeng may wel be verefyed of them The dogge is turned to his vomet agayne and the sowe that was was wasshed to her wallowyng in the myre Better had it bene for thē not to haue knowen the waye of ryghteousnes thā after they haue knowne it to turne frō y ◠holy cōmaūdemēt gyuē to thē There be yet another sorte of people which desyre to be called gospellers and earnest fauourers of Goddes worde promisynge many thynges for the glorye therof and yet in theyr conuersacion are they no lesse wycked than the other be They cōfesse that they know God but wyth theyr dedes they deny hym and are abhominable and disobedient vnto all good workes discommēdable Thorow theyr iniquite the name of God is
not glorifyed but blasphemed and euell spoken of amonge the Hethen Suche maye be compared to that sonne whiche promysed hys father that he woulde worke in his vyneyearde and yet dyd not But what do I If I shulde go forth to declare the abhominable wickednesses that raygne nowe in the worlde vniuersally I shoulde neuer make an ende thoughe I had an hondred tonges and an hoÌ„dred mouthes as the Poet sayth All are fallen out of the ryght way they are all togither become vnprofitable ther is none y t doth good no not one Where such a wycked sorte is at home thoughe the Souldiours be neuer so good and vertuous howe can God fyght for theÌ„ If God had pleasure in wyckednes if God dyd loue them y t worke iniquite I wolde than thyncke in dede y t God wolde be in oure armye and fyght for vs. But seyng that he hateth all them that worke iniquite and destroyeth them that speake lyes abhorrethe suche as be deceatfull and desyrous of bloudsheddynge we maye knowe right well that excepte we amende oure wycked manners and repente vs of our synfull lyuyng we shal neuer obtayne the victorye ouer oure enemies at the hande of God wyth out whose helpe what caÌ„ preuayle If we do surely it is gyueÌ„ vs for the greater plage and destruccion that shall fall vpon vs hereafter as many thynges are oftentymes gyuen graunted to the wycked for theyr greater damnacion Therfore if we wyll go the ryght waye to worke haue our Souldiours to prosper in the warres let so many as tary at home repent them of theyr wycked lyuyng be sory for theyr offenses be wayle theyr mysery take a newe lyfe vpon them Bryng forth frutes sayth the Baptist worthy of repentaunce For euery tree y t bryngethe not forth good fruyte shall be cutte downe and cast into the fyre Let the ciuile Magistrates procure aboue all thynges the wealthe of the poore cominalte Let the lawers do all thynges vpryghtely and not the deuour the poore oppressed Let the marchauntes seake to lyue truely by theyr occupyeng not to be to great gayners Let theÌ„ know that a christen man maye not onlye serue his owne but also his neyghbours necessite Let the Gentyl meÌ„ be as fathers to y e poore people that dwell in y c contrey by theÌ„ and so let out theyr londes that men maye be able to lyue therby to mayntayne hospitalite to set forthe theyr chyldren to learnynge and to healpe to beare the charges of the comoÌ„ weale whan tyme requireth Let theÌ„ that be rytche men and haue plentye of corne not hoord it vp but gladly sel it to the other that the nedy maye haue wherof to lyue Let suche as be common byers and sellers bargayne makers deale iustly w t theyr christen brothers and by no menes deceaue them Let them that haue hytherto ben adulterers or vnclene persoÌ„s forsake theyr wycked liuing and learne to possesse euery maÌ„ his owne vessel in holines and honour Let them that haue bene false witnesses in times past testify y â— trueth euer after this Let them that haue vsed maÌ„slaughter theafte glotony surfettynge dronckeshyp dysynge cardynge quarellynge or ony other vice vtterly forsake it and become newe men Let the Idolaters leaue theyr Idolatrye and learne to put theyr trust in the lyuynge and true God alone Let them that be spirituall ministers and Curates take hede vnto them selues and to al the flocke wherof the holy ghoste hathe made them ouersears to rule the coÌ„gregacion of God whiche he hathe purchased with his bloud Let theÌ„ be diligent to preach Gods word to theyr pary shners euer settynge before theyr eyes this commauÌ„demeÌ„t of christ pasce pasce pasce fede fede fede S. Paule also sayth preach y â— worde be feruent be it in season or out of season Improue rebuke exhorte with all longe sufferynge and doctrine If they be not able to preach them selues let them get them coadiutors fellowhelpers or elles can not they stond before God with honest and clere consciences Wo be vnto me sayth s. Paule if I preach not the gospell Agayne Christ sent not me only to baptise y t is to saye to minister the sacramentes but al so to preache the gospell Let them also lead a godly lyfe correspondent to theyr techyng Let them be glad distributors of theyr goodes to ther poore paryshners So shall it come to passe that they shall be dere and welbeloued both of God and man Lette the laye men by no means hate the prestes nor the prestes the laye men but beyng of one mynde loue one another feruently Let the lay man reuerence the preste as his father let the preste agayne receaue and ioyfully take vnto hym the lay man as hys sonne By this means shall muche godly mutuall loue encrease of both parties Let theÌ„ that haue hytherto spered theyr eyes at the lyght of Gods word open theyr eies cast awaye theyr blyndenes be glad to receaue the light of Christes moost blyssed gospell beyng assuredly persuaded that otherwyse they can not be the chyldren of saluacioÌ„ Let them that in tymes past receaued Goddes worde and dyd caste it awaye afterwarde laye hande on it once agayn as Peter dyd and be so earnest followers of it that they neuermore slyde awaye Lette them that wyll be counted Gospellers seriouse mayntayners of Goddes trueth prouide that theyr lyuynge maye aunswere to theyr loue and that they maye be the very same in worcke and truethe that they professe in worde tonge So shal they adde moche glorye to the Gospell of Christ and cause it the more ferueÌ„tly to be embrased of all men If euery manne of euery degre wyll on this wyse redresse hymselfe his lyfe and conuersacioÌ„ become a newe man bothe in worde dede howe can ony tyraunt be he Iewe Turke SaraceÌ„ or ony other ouercome vs God is on oure syde who can be agaynste vs God fyghte the for vs who can than preuayle The battell is Gods howe can it than be lost Nowe after that we haue chaunged our olde manners and put on a new lyfe we must fall in hand wyth the other frutes of the spirite chefely prayer and callynge on the name of God For thorow prayer we rede in the diuine Histories that many haue preuayled agaynste theyr enemies and gotten the victory The wyse manne sayth the name of the Lord is the moost myghty strong Bulwarke vnto that doth y e ryghteous man flye and is holpen Call vpon me saythe God in the daye of thy trouble and I wyll delyuer the thou shalte honour me The scripture also sayth who so euer callethe on the name of the Lorde he shalbe saâ—e Unto this name of oure Lorde God let vs flye wyth coÌ„tinuall and seruent prayers Let vs lameÌ„t and
heades and rulars being alway obedieÌ„t euen from the very harte without ony ether preuy dissimulacioÌ„ or open resistaunce Let them that be byshoppes and other spirituall ministers lay asyde all tyraÌ„ny and hawtynes of mynde and walke wyth all gentle softenes tender compassion toward y â— shepe of Christ committed to theyr cure charge Let theÌ„ be as moost louyng fathers to Christes â—â—ocke and if ony of the shepe chaunse to runne astray and to go oute of the waye let them not therfore vngentylly entreate y â— shepe but as it is the office of a good sheppard by fayre meaÌ„s call it home agayne vnto the folde loue it new agayne Let them remember thistory of the lost shepe and coÌ„syder how tenderly the head sheppard our master Christe fetched it home agayne euen vpoÌ„ his shulders The seruauÌ„t of the Lorde maye not fyght saythe S. Paule but be peasable gentle toward all men redy to teache sufferyng the euell with mekenes enformyng theÌ„ that resiste if that at ony tyme God maye gyue them repentaunce to know the trueth Let theÌ„ that be paryshners and laye people reuerence the Bishoppes and other spirituall ministers gyuynge them no lesse honour than the chylde gyâ—eth the father remembrynge that they be the aungels of God the messangers of Christe the lyghte of the worlde the salte of the earth the dispensatours of the misteries of God the feders of theyr soules the confortours of the weake the Phisicions of the sycke y â— vpholders of y e whole the exhorters vnto vertue the frayers awaye froÌ„ vice c. which watch continually for the healthe of theyr soules Let all other parsons publique or priuate so lyue that there be no dissencion among them nor grudge one toward an other euer settynge before theyr eyes this sayeng of the Psalmographe seake after peace mayntayne the same Nether shal it be vnsyttynge to haue in memory this verse of the Poet. Candida pax homines trux decet ira feras If ony discorde chaunse to aryse at ony tyme among vs let it not long remayne but let all means possible be sought that frendly concord and vnfayned amite may euermore reygne among vs. Lette vs charitably heare and monysh one another Lee vs reporte well one of another Let vs enterpret all thynges vnto the best To conclude let christen charite so beare rule amonge vs that we may be al of one mynde euen as we be all one body and haue one heade which is Christ. If we wyl on this manner gyue diligence that we maye be at peace both wyth God and man we maye be sure not onlye to exchewe all the assaultes of our enemies and to be free from those plages where withe y â— disobedient be turmoyled thorow the myghty hande of God but also to enioy perpetual traÌ„quilite peace â—este quietnes and to haue our Realmes abunde with all kynde of coÌ„modities that pertayne vnto y â— properous conseruacion of a publique weale And if it shuld so chaunse at ony tyme y â— ony forreÌ„ Prynce ether Christen or Hethen shuld be moued of some euell spirite to assayle oure contry God wyll so watche the borders coastes of our Realmes that no Tyraunte shoulde preuayle nor once be able to twytche agaynst vs So myghty a Bulwarke stronge Castell is the hand of God for them that worshyp hym accordyng to his worde put theyr truste in hym call vpon his moost blyssed name lede a pure and innocent lyfe Wherfore I exhorte all Christen meÌ„ chefely my contrey men of Englonde for whose wealth and prosperite I haue coÌ„pyled thys lytle treatyse beyng moued vnto it thorow y â— loue that I beare towarde my contrey that they wyll from hensforth all supersticion layde asyde feare loue honoure and worshyp God accordyng to his word and lead a lyfe so pure and innoceÌ„t that they maye be knowne by theyr coÌ„uersacion to pertayne to Christ. So shall it assuredly come to passe y t God shall not only gyue vs in this worlde a glorious victorye ouer all oure enemies both corporall and spiritual but also after this lyfe bryng vs vnto that celestial coÌ„trey wher all ioye peace plesure and felicite is AMEM. ¶ Gyue the glory to God alone ¶ Imprynted at London in Botulphe lane at the sygne of the whyte Beare by IohnÌ„ Maylerre for IohnÌ„ Gough Anno DnÌ„i 1542. Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum Per Septennium Howe greatly we are bounde to our countrey Our countrey is to be more regarded theÌ„ oure parentes What great commodities we receue of our countrey The ferueÌ„t affeccioÌ„ that some haue had to theyr countrey Leo Byzantius Sertorius Codrus Publius Decius Gyrtias A womaÌ„ of Lacedemony Damatria Otho Syluius we ar no les bouÌ„de to our couÌ„trey now than our auÌ„cetours were iÌ„ times past The hartye affeccion of English meÌ„ toward ther countrey Ephe. vi The GeÌ„tle meÌ„ of Kent The 〈◊〉 of Kent The good mynd feruent affeccioÌ„ of y â— Author towarde his countrey Luke xxi Kyng Artozerzes The contâ—â—tes of thys boke Si quis loquitur ut sermones Deiloquatur The cause of warres Note well Num. xiii xiiii Iosue xxiii iiiâ— Re. xâ—iii 〈◊〉 xxâ—vi The Assyrians and Grekes The Rhodes Behold and marke Esaie i. Esaie v. Esaie xvii Esaie xxx Dic nobis placentia Esaie xâ—ii Iere. ix Iere. xxvi The despysynge of goddes worde wycked lyuynge cause all these plages A comparison betwene y â— olde world and ours Hebre. xiii ii Pet. ii Of EngloÌ„d Exod. xvi Gene xix Math. xxiii God calleth EngloÌ„d vnto repentaÌ„ce diuers wayes Luke xix Of gettyng the victorye ouer oure enemies Holofernes Iudith xiii xiiii Sennacherib â—iii Re. xviii ii Par. xxix Esaie xxxvi Psal. cxxvi Psal. xxxii Proâ—â—â— xii Psal. xix Whither armoures of warre are to be neglectedÌ„ Esaie xxxii The dutye of Prynces in martiall affaires The dutyl of subiectes in y e tyme of warres EngloÌ„d fortressed thorow the liberal and wise proussion of our Kynge Augustus Caesar. Note of marâ—tial armourtes Psal. xxxii Marke wel Prouer. xil Deut. xxxi Deut. xxxii Deut. xxxiiâ— Iosue x. Iosue â— Iosue x◠〈◊〉 i. 〈…〉 〈◊〉 Madianites 〈◊〉 xxxill Asa. 〈◊〉 Iosaphat The 〈◊〉 of Iosaphat ii Para. xx Iere. xvii Psal. â— Esa. xxxi Esa. xxxvâ— Esa. xxxiii Esaye xâ— Esaye xli Esaye xlv Psal. xxxvâ— Psal. xxvi Psal. xC. By what means God maye gyue vs the victory Esaye lix The Prophet describeth the maÌ„ner of this worlde Ephe. vi v. Chess â— Esaye â— Iere. iii. Esaye â—ix Leuâ—ti xxvi Nume xiiii Deut. i. Iosue vii Nota. A good lessoÌ„ ☜ Howe we oughte to sanctifye our selues Deut. xxiii 〈…〉 Howe the Hâ—thâ—n prepare theÌ„â—â—lues â—nto battell How christeÌ„ men prepare them selues vnto battell The wicked nes of Soul diours in y â— warres Howe the Souldiours ought to prepare theÌ„ selues vnto battell Clennes of lyfe Readyng of the holy scriptuâ—es Preachers amonge the Souldiours 〈◊〉 prayer ☜ Psal. â—xv Howe they ought to behaue theÌ„selues that tary at home For whome god fighteth ☜ Familiare coÌ„muniâ—â—â—â— Ciuile magistrates Lawers Merâ—hâ—â—tes Men of occupacion 〈…〉 Gentyll meÌ„ Hoorders vp of corne 〈◊〉 Prouerb xi The coÌ„mon byers aâ—d sellers â— Thess. iiii Whore mâ—ngers Preuer ii False wytnes bearers Prouer .xix. Malorum mare Spirituall vices Idolatry MoÌ„struous sectes Spirituall sheppardes Aâ—umâ—â— xx Ioau .x. Psal. â— Dissencion betwene the spiritualte temporalte ii Thess. iii. Oze iiii Maâ—a ii Why prestes are so lytle regarded nowe a dayes ☞ Math. v. Psal. i. i. Tâ—â— v. Gala. v. Despisers of Gods word Ioan. iii. Sliders backe from the trueth of goddes worde Prouer. xii ii Pet. ii Gospellers Titâ—â—â— i. Roma ii Math. xxi Psal. xiii Psal. v. Marke wel Howe they ought to behaue theÌ„ selues that taty at home Math. iii. magistrates la. vers Marchauntes Gentyl meÌ„ Rytch men Byers selers Adulterers i. Thes. iiii Fals wytnesses wicked parsons Idolaters Spirituall ministers Act. xx Ioan. xxi ii Tinâ— iiii i. Cor. ix i. Cor. i. The lay meÌ„ Despysers of Gods worde Slyders backe from the truth of gods worde Gospellers Let euery maÌ„ amende one Româ— viii Of prayer â— callyng on y â— name of goâ—d Prou. xviii Psal. xlix Ioel. ii Actum ii Rome x. Moses Exo. xvii Iosua Iosua x. Samuel i. Reg. vii Asa. ii Par. â—iiii Iosaphat ii Para. xx Ezechias iiii Reg. xx Iudith xii Iudas Machabeus i. maâ— iiii ix Ionathâ—s i. Macha ii ☜ Searche the Pathwaye vnto prayer Esa. xâ—iâ— Math. xv Lament iii. Markewell Lament iii. Publique prayers Sermons 〈…〉 Esa. i. Note After what â—orte y â— souldiours shall returne hoÌ„e after they haue gotten the victorye A sermon after the victory wyth thankes praises Pytho Exo. xv Iâ—â—ic v. Iudith xvi How we shall be haue our selues y â— we maye enioye peace euer after Learned curates Wyse and godly scolemasters Fathers mothers Masters Mastresses Purite of lyfe Ioan. xv Temporall rulars Subiectes Byshoppes Luke xv ii Tim. ii Laye people Malach. ii i. Cor. i. Math. v. i. Cor. iiii Ioan. xxi Heb. xiii Parsonnes of euery degre Psal. xxxiii Ouidius Lib. iii de arte amaÌ„di Godly admonicions 〈…〉 The conclusion of the boke