in his doctrine and to make vs againste oure aduersaries wyse politike and puissant And therfore with al our possible strength and endeuour to apply our good myndes to folowe the same that althoughe our flesshe seeketh her owne and couereth with the deuil and the worlde to take parte against god to the destructioÌ„ of our soules yet will he assist vs streÌ„gthen vs with the armour of grace that his holye and diuine wil here in earth may be done by vs and amongst vs Math. â— Luc. 11. as in the presence of his glorious maiestie amonge the angels and saintes in heauen leste we be founde to the contrary very rebels in the latter daie and wilfull disobedient children vainely kickyng against the pricke whiche can neuer be aptely atteyned vnto onles the said corruption and blyndnes bee first taken from vs Ephe. â— Iohn â— Iohn 8. and our soules clean purged of the vnfruitefull workes of darknes wherwith we shuld haue no felowship that we may be light in the Lorde walke as the children of lyght by thexample of Iesus Christe the trewe lyghte of the worlde whome if we folowe we shall not walke in darkenes but shall haue the light of life wherby we may the better the more clerely discern in our profession thynges that are euyll to be refused frome thynges that are good to be accepted so to eschew the stuÌ„bling or the doubtful adueÌ„ture at the electioÌ„ of such thyngs as appertaineth in dede to the very profession tru religion of christen men we shall then fynde thereby to the confirmation of oure promise howe verye needefulle it shall be Mat. 13.16 Marc. 9. Luc. 8. Iohn 2. 1. Ioan. 5. Faithe is a liuely and quicke feling knovvlege of the mercye of our heuenly father agreed made at one and moste graciousely reconciled vnto vs by the bloude of our lord Iesus Act. 5. to haue in our hartes an assured and lyuely faithe in god our creatour and heauenly father as his chyldreÌ„ regenerate and new borne to rule vs to dwel and abide in vs And whollye to dedicate oure selues vnto hym both harte and soule our mynde and wytte and that all is within vs as vnto a god of loue mercy and righteousnes whome we euer fynde to bee oure readye helper in all necessities by whose dyuyne power also we lyue we haue oure beeinge and are moued Of whose greate mercye and goodnes towards vs the prophet wrighteth that he lyke a diligente watcheman attendeth euer more vppon his people whether they wake or sleepe and is these strength and mightye defence not onlye against Sathan that olde and maliciouse enemye of mankinde but also againste all other oure aduersaries so that thorow his great mercy and godlye power we be harmeles preserued and are deliuered frome the power of darknes hath translated vs into the kingedome of his deare sonne whose eyes contynuallye respecteth theym that loue hym for their loue agayne is largely required he is their myghty protection and stronge grounde a defence for the heate and a refuge for the hot noone day a succour for stumvlyng Eccle. 34. and an healpe for fallynge He lyfteth vp the soule he lyghteneth the eies he geueth lyfe health strengthe and blessyng And the cause also why the said prophete who alwaies beholdeth the mercies of God in Christe brefely declareth vnto vs that is for our faithfulnes mekenesse and humblenes of spirite for our hartes contrition Psal 1 9.15.25.33.34 37.40.41.84.91.101.103.107.112.116.119 128.145.147 for our constancy in loue and obedience to his commandementes And sainct Paule also saieth That he hath blessed vs with all maner of spirituall blessynges in heauenlye thynges by Christ accordyng as he had chosen vs in hym before the foundations of the worlde were layde that we should be holy and blamelesse before hym thorowe loue Wherby also he hath ordeined vs to be heires vnto hymselfe accordynge to the good pleasure of his will and to thexaltation of his glorye for his grace wherwith thorowe oure Lord Christ he hath made vs accepted c. For these his abundant mercies innumerable benefites and blessyngs poured vpoÌ„ vs most wretched sinners we owe duely vnto hym by the direction of sound clere consciences euen froÌ„ the very depth of our harts soules Deute 10. Eccle. 2.14 Iohn 14. Roma 8. 1. Iohn 4. Iohn 3 Roma 2. 2. Cor. 5. Collos 1. all thankes geuyng praise and glory and with no lesse efficacie force and vertue to loue hym again in wourd deede to loue him feruently aboue all thynges and to keepe his commandementes Whose greate loue apered vnto vs first in that he sent his only begotteÌ„ sonne into the world that we the children of death might haue life and liue thorowe hym Herein appeared the great loue of god to vs ward not that wee loued hym but bycause he loued vs and gaue his onely sonne to make agrement for our sinnes God is loue and he that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in god and God in hym And hereby knowe we that we divelle in hym and he in vs because he hathe geuen vs of his spirite And we knowe and beleue the loue that God hathe to vs. If god so loued vs thenne oughte we also to loue one an other If we loue one an nother God dwellethe in vs and his loue is perfecte in vs. And the perfecte loue of God seekethe not it selfe but frankelye appeareth for all others necessitye It is alwayes charitable and frendelye paciente 1. Cor. 8. and longe sufferynge If a mannne saye I loue God and yet hate hys brother he is a lyar Leuit. 19. Iohn 13. For howe camme he that loueth not his brother whome he hath sâ—ene loue God whome he hathe not seene And this commandement haue we of hom that he which loueth god shoulde loue hys neighbour also Wherby saieth Christe all men shall knowe that ye are my disciples yf ye loue one an other If my wourdes abyde in you then are ye my right disciples and ye shall knowe the truthe and the truth shall make you free and delyuer you You shal be cleane rydde from all bondage of vnrightuousnes ye shall bee possessed with the good spirite of GOD Iohn â— and where the spirite of God is there is freedome And therefore abyde you in Loue Obeye my preceptes and commandementes And this coÌ„mandement geue I vnto you Iohn 15. that ye loue togyther as I haue loued you As ye haue found me to be vnto you a God of mercy and louyng kyndnes and haue alwaies trained ye vp by example and doctrine to thexcercise of godly coÌ„passion and charitie so I requite you and geue coÌ„maundemente vnto you that ye obedientely walke in my waus inseparably to knitte your hartes in vnitie and â—â—saynedly to loue one an other And howe to continue in loue Christe in fewe wordes signifieth vnto vs that is 〈…〉 the preceptes of god 1. Cor. 14. by
meanynge howe the diuel the sower of sedition and worker of all mischief hath meruailousely preualled agaynst vs and howe he hathe made diuision amongest vs to the rentyng and tearyng in peces the straight bonde of our peace to God I haue noted also our loue duetie towardes our neighbours and howe greatly therein we haue disobeyd the wyll of God declaryng also certain impediments presently raignyng emongest vs that hindereth muche the true charitie of God c. And wherein soeuer in this woorke of godlynes I haue seemed to swarue frome due order not vsynge and temperynge the matter in suche wyse as wysedom experience and greate learnyng wold require to theedifyeng and godly profytynge of the diligente and faithfull reader A requeste to the reder I humbly beseeche the charitable and louyng frende that arte zelous to vertue and godlynes to beare with my faultes to take in good parte the vertue of my good will and contentedly ioyn thy wyl to the gracious good wyll of god from whom all vertue procedeth who chargeth and strayghtlye commaundeth thee that in whatsoeuer thyng thy conscience shal herein iudge vnto thee to bee good agreable to hys wourde thou do in no wise contemne it hauyng respecte to persones but imbrace it and preferre it for his glorye prayse sake It is the ende of my trauail and thouly straight marke wherevnto tendeth the effecte of my good wyll If it shall please thee of thy goodnesse to ioyne with me in that behalfe seyng that nothynge is more expedient in the the life of a christian man Nothing is more expedieÌ„t in the life of a christen maÌ„ than to be mindful of god agreable to to his profession or the more beautifieth his honest estimation then in al his doynges to be myndfull of God in such wyse to vse them that God therby may bee alwayes contented and his name woorthyly praised and magnified So that suche simplicitie and faithful plainnesse dedicated frome our hart to God and agreablye amonge oure selues to beare one with an other respectynge contynuallye the rewarde of the ende there shall not then bee seene in vs any spotte of reproche or any blemysshe of deformitie whether of scornefulnesse contempte Fruites froÌ„ aÌ„ vvicked hart or disdaynefulnesse one agaynst an other whiche are approued euylles spryngynge from wycked hartes frome whens proceede the defamation rashe iudgemente sclaunder detraction and euyll reporte to the great hynderyng pluckyng backe and discouragyng of faythfull and willyng hartes that are at all tymes aptly bent to bee seruisable for the praise of god to the commoditie or coumforte of his people for whose sakes and godly edifyeng the fruites of righteousnes appereth frome the ryghtuous as god shall plant in theim the plentyfulnesse of his grace the distribution wherof appeareth not vppon all men alyke If God therefore christen reader haue poured vpon thee more abundantly the giftes of his grace that thou seest and knowest to his praise that which I or many others neyther yet haue seene or knowen whether by great wysedome profounde learnynge or holynes of lyuyng with a mortified or subdued body wherby the lyght also of thy lyfe more clerely shineth before the worlde to the commendation of God and man and that thou passest forth thy tyme apointed of God with inward ioy of thy conscience as one that were conuersaunt with god in heauen wholly neglocting the fugitiue pleasures of this lyfe whiche seemeth to be of myghtie force and annexed to ioyes incomparable consider then I humbly beseeche thee wyth thyne accustomed thankfulnes to god the dewe office of these sayde vertues nowe abiding in thee and the heauenly operation of them which at no tyme or in any thynge who soeuer haue them in possession Neyther vvisedome learninge nor holienesse of liuing slepe in priuate idlenes sleepe in priuate ydlenesse or properlye serue for one onelye mannes strength and commoditye to staye hym or wourke force in hym to his contentation and purpose or to the well lykynge onelye of hym selfe in all thinges and scornefully reprouinge others whyche shoulde seeme to bee the fruites of a vaine and vnfrendly spirit and greatelye dissentinge from the spyrite of grace but to beare charitablye with others Ignoraunce basenesse of knowledge or imperfection of holines tenderly taking in good part their present appointed talente whych god hath geuen vnto theun after the measure of his grace The charitie of the vvise and godlie learned for therby truly thy lernyng thy wysedom and thy verruous liuyng shall be the rather approued to thvse of god and for the great comfort and good encouragemente of me and suche other like to be diligent by the helpe of God and to growe to further strengthe and godlye perfection to the prayse of God And in the meane while where this my presente doynge shall in deede seeme vnto thee to be but grosse vnpleasant dull and vnwitty voyde of good order and barrayne of eloquencye whyche are reprochefull impedimentes in the skylful and learned wrighter as I contentedly herein by thy vertue and wisedome beare thy pacyente and learned iudgemeÌ„t thys coÌ„modytie thereby shal redounde towardes thee that thorowe suche vnseemelines disorder and rudenesse of thys my sleightie and sleander doynges the excellencie of thy lyuelye diligence and profounde wysedome in thy learned trauayles shall appeare muche more beautyfull and seemelye and more clearelye to shyne to thy glorye and immortall fame beynge nowe so rychelye possessed adourned and beautified wyth so precious and pearelesse treasures planted in thee from the God aboue Who gentlye at all tymes of hys mooste mylde nature taketh in good parte suche retourned fruites as he beefore hathe bee gonne and sette in oure heartes accordynge to the depth of hys grace by whose heauenlye and diuyne influence hys faste sette roote of ryghteousnesse he mercyfullye preserueth nourisheth watâ—reth and prospereth with his celestiall distillyng moysture or dewe of life that to one or other from the highest to the lawest from the moste perfecte taster to the moste insensible creature choyse shall styll reygne to chose that at the least some swetenes or good repast may ioyfully fal to som This consydered I for my parte am the rather encouraged or by Goddes good motion enforced I am bolde so to terme it for as much as no goodnes procedeth from the harte of man without his assistence and greate strengthe thereby to spende in this behalfe some pâ—rcell of my tyme to shewe forthe the prayse of god in the works of his grace thorough the increace of vertue by the power of his holye spirite that the deuils moste vyolent and damnable dartes woundyng our consciences to euer lastyng death beyng putte by and vanquished the lyfe of righteousnes maye flowe in vs to the knowledge and loue of god and that we may in the feare of God seke his peace and vnitie to loue one an other and not to be in any wyse deuided but to bee charitable pitifull
set man whom he had fourmed to dresse it to keepe it and to enioye all the louely pleasures therof onely one thynge excepted from the which because he wolde ther shuld be signified vnto hym wyth reuerence lowe submission as vnto God his maker and his duetie in obedience he streyghtned the reane of his freely vertie and layed the burdeyne of his greuous commandement vpon his shoulders sayeng vnto him Gene. 5. Eccle. 11. Of al the trees of the gardeyn thou shalt eate and vse at libertie for the accomplisshement of thy full delight and pleasure but of the tree of Knowledge of good and euyll thou shalte not eate and gaue hym further a sharpe and mooste bitter threate saying Take hede and be well ware of this my commandement for the same day thou eatest of that tree thou shalte die the death It is here then to be noted after this straight precept of God what greate daunger through disobedience man stoode in and howe the most subtil and malicious serpent the deuyl and onnemye to mankynde who alwaies and by al meanes possible despightfully seeketh his destruction watched his time and immediatly deuysed to worke his present coÌ„fusion through his sleigh tie sweete sugred tale vnto the weake fraile woman Gene. 3. 2. Cor. 11. tellyng her they should be as goddes and know both good and euyll not withstandyng the commandement of god if they wold eate of that fruite wherby without fearyng god forgetfull of his former loue towardes theim of theyr most blyssefull and high estate and of the place of great plesure where he had planted them neither yet remembryng his straight commandement and most terrible threatenyng of death theyr heartes were sore blynded they were vtterly deceyued they receaued the foule spotte of the serpent they were desyled with disobedience pride and hastened to leaue God theyr maker theyr dere and most louyng fronde and folowed the dyuell and his moste cursed suggestions beeyng theyr mortall and deadly ennemie and to tast of that moste bytter and forbydden fruicte of deathe and euerlastynge dampnation whiche by the iustyce of God and accordyng to the doome of theyr own consciences through theyr most wretched disobedience they had duely deserued Gene 2. for their faultes were thenne opened vnto theym they knewe assuredly they had doone amisse and therfore they sled and ran into corners to couer and hide theÌ„selues with leaues and amonge the trees from the face and presence of god as in themselues already condemned moste disobedient to the voyce of god and wretched synners and durste not appeare nor shewe their faces so lothesome and foule was their spotte apparant in their owne eies And God that created theÌ„ not yet forsaking them Esay 40. Iere. 30. but stil bearyng his tender coÌ„passion mercy towardê maÌ„ wold not yet leaue him but sought him out where he had hidde himselfe he called vnto him he gently talked with him herd the grounde of that most hainous great offence And so consequently according to his diuine wille and iustyce rewarded euery of theim the malicious serpente for his part the fraile woman for hir part Gene. 3. and lykewise the vnhappy manne with the malediction of god vpon th earth and for his parte also depriued from his former most blisseful estate cast out of the gardeyne of pleasure and constrained to labour and to tylle the earthe frome whence he was taken and so myserably with great trauayle and sorow and wyth the sweat of his owne browes to get his breade So that vnto man that sorowful reiected creature ther apered then no hope of redresse in that his present distresse and moste wofull misery but rather vtter desperacion and encreace of all forowe continuall tribulation and trauayle paine and anguish in bodye and soule corporall death and eternall damnation tyll God still renuyng his loue whiche is vnspeakable and infinite made promise vnto man that Christ the seconde Adam Rom. 5. Colos 1. Luc. 11. the seede of the woman and sauior of the world shoulde in time be raysed vppe to ouâ—â— come synne and lyke a valyant most puissaunt conqueror to destroye the anuyll deathe hell and damnation 〈◊〉 that also by hym shal be restorâ—◠〈◊〉 through a liuelye faith the graâ—◠〈…〉 heauenly father peace and 〈…〉 conscience Esay 53. Iohn 3. Act. 10. and eternall saluation 〈◊〉 che he vndoubtedly did then 〈…〉 therfore obteined grace whole 〈◊〉 also we are and spotted impes spryngyng out frome that olde crooked and stoupyng tree a stocke vnstable waueryng and alwaies leanynge and ready with euery storme and tempest of tentation to fall suche is the feblenes therof and corrupted nature whose fruictes continually are none other but rotten and vnsauery wourkes as blynde ignoraÌ„ce disobedience pride stoughtnes mistrust contempt of god and godlie thinges feruent lusting after carnal thynges scornefulnes hatred and malice selfe loue with innumerable suche other odible stuffe and stinkynge store and therefore most worthye the banishmente of all pleasure and the presence of god to wander the earth in misery and to susteyn as rotten braunches the stroke of the axe Math. 7. Luke 3. and to be cast for euer into hell fyre For the which and frome the daunger wherof we also know non other remedy yf we desyre the fauoure of God to be his faithfull seruauntes his obedient children and heires of his kyngdome but to seke our pourgation in Iesus Christe whose name we haue professed whome we acknowledge to come frome aboue the sonne of God Esay 7. and verye God and to be incarnate in the wombe of the virgin Esay 7. Luke 20. Iohn â— Rom. 8. Philip. 2. that he here lyned perfecte man amongest vs in the fleshe immaculate and vnspotted and suffred al kind of affliction in the fleshe yea euen very death and that the most cruell and shameful death of the crosse for the redemption and freedome of vs disobediente and wretched synners to pourge vs Esay 54 and with the effusion of his bloud to wash and make cleane our spotted and moste fylthy soules and so to restore vs agayne to the grace of our heauenly father from whom with our synneful father lyke frayle and vnthaÌ„kful creatures we were sled and through our instabilitie and lightnes lyke ruÌ„nagates rebellious and presumptuous chyldren Esay 23. Psal 119 wandrynge a strate lyke loste shepe falne eueÌ„ into the lap or mouth of the roryng and deuouryng lyon the deuyll whose tearyng teethe and insaciable throte is alwaies wyde strained and firmely fixed impituously to rente deforme and deuoure the beautie of goddes creation vnto whom we were in most bytter thraldom his seruile and very bond slaues the children of sinne and deathe and for euer thunquenchable tyrebrandes of hell From the whiche he hath mercifully delyuered vs restored vs vnto strength peace and quietnes of mynde he hath fylled vs full of ioye he hath made vs to
spirite to others decay to iudge of our selues leste we bee in dede iudged of the lorde whose iudgementes are infallible and ryghtuous altogither WheÌ„ our own eies ar opened cleere vnspotted and pure oure hartes cleane purged of all impuritie then it shall beautifully appeare in suche thynges as we shall haue to dooe that we possesse a good spirit by whose power and holynesse all our dooinges shal be comely and well doon euen accordyng to the diuine nature thereof But to the coÌ„trary if our eies be wicked or our owne hartes foule and corrupted we shall shew forth the fruites of an euil and wicked spirite whether it be by hasty iudgemeÌ„t lyeng detraction fals accusation c. which ar notable euils not beloÌ„ging to vs that haue professed Christe who by his wourde hath coÌ„manded vs to seke peace quietnes to loue one another and to kepe our selues froÌ„ murmuring which profiteth nothing to spare our tongs froÌ„ sclaunderouse reportes and backbyghtynges for an ydle worde shal not passe in vayne and the mouthe that speaketh lyes sleeth his own soule Sapi. 1. who art thou saith saint Paul that iudgest another mannes seruaunt Rom. 1â— He standeth or talleth vnto his Lorde yea he maye well stande for god is able to make him staÌ„d There is one lawe geuer iudge Iacob 5. whyche is onely able to saue and to destroy What arte thou then that iudgest another Eccle. 18. Iudge firste thy selfe beefore the iudgement com so shalt thou be sure to fynde grace in the syght of God Ephe. 4. Iudge not therfore I require the that thou be not iudged agayne Walke as it becommeth your callynge wherein ye ar called Ezechi 18 Gal. 〈◊〉 wyth al humblenes of mynd mekenes and longe sufferynge forbearinge one another in loue and be diligente to keepe the vnitie of the spirite thorough the bonde of peace for euery man shall beare his own burthen and receiue his rewarde accordingly Therfore spende your tymes in the conteplacion of beueÌ„ly thinges be frendly loue togyther wyth pacyence and praye one for an other that ye maye all bee saues In loue and peace the good sowle reioyceth Iacob 5. Rom. 16. Ephe. 2. and oure hartes by loue and peace are vnited to the god of peace In whome peace abydethe there the grace of God aboundantly floweth And the possessours thereof purchase vnto theim selfes to be called the sonnes of God Math. 5. Whose godly and diuine myndes are alwaies bent to doo well and not to consente to any euyll they are paciente there is in them no desire of reuengement no murmuryng no rebellion no discorde no discention or variance abydyng Among many vertues that god gyueth vnto menne his faythfull and speciall good frendes in whom through Christe he delighteth are chiefely knowen in this lyfe by hauyng in them these thre principall vertues Thre vertues .. that is loue peace and pacience Whiche comfortablye shyneth frome the hartes of the righteous in greate beautie and clearenesse before the face of god to the reioycyng and comforte of his people and to the greate laude and prayse of his name Wherby also the world for alyght and example vnto it may well see whome they do possesse what good spirite guideth them and to what godly ende they are so guided For by their sayd vertue of loue Loue. they ioyefully passe foorth their tyme and spende their lyues with inwarde trauayle or outewarde payne in the fleshe not proprely in any thyng touchynge them selues or for their owne singular gayne and commoditie but fyrst respectynge the knowen wyll of God they obedientely to his praise in all poyntes easily performe the onely straight named bond of charite They are so lyuely possessed with the good spirite of God that touchyng theyr inwarde man they freely with ioye sette foorthe thacceptable good wourkes of god And as loue in all cases of necessitie is presentely apte to succour and comforte without respect of persons Peace so peace also adioyned to loue bothe deriued from the loue of god sorcibly ioyne them selues togither to preuent dangers that inwardely bredeth in the conscience through thinfirmite of the flesshe or suche also as hyndereth the continuance of our naturall lyues in the fleshe â—acience And touchyng pacience in thapproued man of God 3. Reg. 21. 4. Reg. 14. Esdras 18. Psal 44. Roma 8. what frende or enemy by word or dede can plucke him backe froÌ„ the bond of loue frendeship or amitie What vexation or forment in the flesshe suffereth god to bee layde vppon hym but he will contentedly beare it and that for the loue of God so deepely in suche hath he planted his grace But we coÌ„monly from whem as it semeth god for our greate wickednes sake hath withdrawne his grace are so pufte vp with the poysoned venym of the serpent and our hartes so strained with thanguishe of syn that health is taken frome vs our soules are sicke we ar fled from the helthfull and sweete foode of lise VVe haue refused the grace of god vnto the noisom and most tart tast of death In steds of goddes heuenly loue and charitie our harts are wickedly possessed with willful malice enmite for peace warre discention for pacience in aduersitie murmuringe detraction lyeng spightful reuengemeÌ„t slippyng frome god or in steade of frendly familiaritie vayne contempt strangenes O the subtiltie of the moste sleighty and malicious serpent the great soly frailtye or blindenes in our flesshe Euell are those seedes by appeeraunce and of poysoned nature Esdras 4. that hath ben sowne frome the begynnynge in the hart of man whose estate doubtles ys moste miserable whenne thorowe the wante of vertue and the lighte of gods grace he forsaketh the plesant plaine pathe way of pietie which is that reuereÌ„t seruice honour and obedience Math 7. Luke 13. Psal 10. due vnto god falleth into the daÌ„gerous stonye harde bestubbed way of iniquitye the very bonde slauery and dirtye drudgerye of the dyuell I onsure you louyng brotherne oure ease is to manifeste that onles Sathan the prince of darkenes had thorowly bewitched vs blynded oure eyes darkened oure vnderstaÌ„ding as it were to distaine the stoughtnes couragious estate of christeÌ„ souldiours robbing vs of oure memory and to tourne and winde vs like a sort of effemmate feeble light persons at his pleasure where he lusteth to our vtter derogation shame and dishonor we wold not be so strongly deluded ouerrun blindely seduced in suche snarlyng and impious pathes that leadeth vnto the lake of perpetuall payn and pardition whervnto the very order truely and continuance of our stiffenecked wickednes VVe vvilfully vvalke the vvay of vvickednes declareth playnely what pathes we treade and whose steppes to the deathe we wylle seeme frankely and very wylfully folowe For the auoydyng wherof we cannot saye to excuse our selues of ignoraunce or that we knowe
our consciences thenne we in this thynge thoroughe Faythe oughte to knowe as by a sure and a moost certayn token of comforte that oure trespasses he forgeuen vs of GOD yf we firste forgeue oure Neyghbours their tresspasses wherein so euer they haue offended vs howe greate so euer the trespasse bee and muche moore for tryfelynge cases or as I maye say for womannelye quarellynges I doo speake wythoute offence to he wyse And we in oure daylye prayer require of GOD to bee forgeuen of hym of oure dayelye and contynuall wyckednesse as wee forgeue other their faultes commytted agaynste vs. So that beefore we praye Prayer whyche we are alwayes bounce to doo and of all thynges moste needefull and that not tediouselye stoughtlye faynedlye doubtiullye neyther yet maliciouselye but cheerefully reuerentlye heartylye faythfullye and charitablye wyth a freendelye and louynge hearte oure prayers I saye when we doo praye must either with the charitie of God in suche wyse bee tempered that we can frely forgeue if offence be committed agaynst vs Math. 21. Iohn 15. 1. Iohn 3. Iacob 1. or elles wourthyly secke for our malyce sake and stiffenecked wickednesse not onely to susteyne the losse of our present suite and desyre but also encreace of the vengeaÌ„ce and wrath of god the more abundantly to fal vppon vs. For onelesse we forgeue vnto others theyr offences Math. 6.11.18 god our heauenly father wil not forgyue vs our offences And whe ther we haue offended theym or they haue offended vs we must seeke the vnitie and peace of Christ yea I say agayn we must seeke it except we will seeme wylfully to runne headlonge to the deuill and damnation we may not be deuided we may not breake the boÌ„d of the felowshyp of Christe we are all membres incorporate into the body of Christe we must thruste backe stately courage and thestimation of wealth we muste herein laye our malice and pride aparte we may not bee quoy or nyce in these straighte cases of god nor vaynelys shamefaste wee maye not daly wyth GOD we may not thynke of oure paynted sheathe but all peenyshe fantasies worldlye vanities and flesshely affectes set asyde wee must symplye and wyllynglye wyth at diligence prosecute the good work whiche God describeth vnto vs and oure owne consciences also most plainly directeth Beefore thou prayeâ—â— therfore Ecclesiastic 18. prepare thy soule in anye wyse to contence well god and dalye not with him as one that tempteth hym but simplye or reuerentlye looke to thy charge Humble thy selfe bee obedience to hys voyce imprint or engraue in thine hart his most fruitful and diuyne sentences We are taught to bee of lyke affection Rom. 12. one towardes another and not to bee hygh minded proude and stought but humblye abasinge our selues to bee equall wyth them of the lower sort We may not be wyse in our own opinions neither recoÌ„pence vnto any man euyll for euell we may not by double minded for our loue must be perfecte and sound without dissimulation We must be feruente in the spirite applye to the tyme and lyue peaceably wyth all menne And yf we wyll take Christ for our patrone and exaumple of lyse we must reuerence him and obey hym also in his wourde who saieth vnto vs also in this wyse Beholde I am the lyghte of the worlde c. Take me for youre guyde Learne of me for I am not proude Math. 11. I am not haute mynded disdaynfull nor scornefull but gentyll lowely and meeke in hearte And yf we that are the folowers of Christe wyll seeke or desyre any thynge at the hande of God the father for Christes sake we must reuerently seeke to content his will we must tast and sauour of hym in goodnes we muste manyfest oure selues to bee the folowers in deede of his glorious and most beautifuile steppes we muste rente frome our hartes and treade with force vnder foote these our moste poisoned ragyng euylles namely the deadly and venomous prickyng priuy lukynge secrete annoyeng inwarde fretrynge outward defacing disteinyng swelliÌ„g disgracyng reÌ„ting tearing choking thornes thistles braÌ„bles burres briers such other shameles endles noisom shrubs of our monstrous beastly pride cancred maliciouines moste vain foolishe stoutnes which are thincensementes of Sathan and his only vehement motioÌ„s in vs to the stirring vp of disobedience and stryfe of which more shall hereafter be somme thinge touched and seeke him simplie that is simple and lowely wyth al simplenes lowlynes and mekenes of harte Prou. 28. For he appeareth and is onelye founde of them that tempteth him not Sapi. 1. but reuerentelye feareth hym and beleueth in hym that reioyceth to please him and loth to offend him And if we think it a great thyng to remit thoffences coÌ„mitted againste vs by others respectings this or that offeÌ„ce or the basenes of the party that offendeth vs thinking therby that our estimatioÌ„ or honesty shuld be greatly diâ—â—eined if we dydde seks to coÌ„ferrs with him If vve consider the darkenes and vvickednes of our ovvne liues other mennes liues shal be fore God seeme vnto vs so much the purer although for concord charities sake how much more ought we rather to coÌ„sider remeÌ„bre our owne notable most vile state of life that heapes of offences which we daily coÌ„mit against god and in the presence of his mooste glorious and excellente maiestie who respecteth no persones but knoweth reproueth thiniquitie and frailtie of all fleshe notyng by his iustyce what is dewe vnto theym and that he not withstandynge of his 〈◊〉 â—lemency and mercye beholdeth 〈…〉 Christe and dooeth forgeue vs 〈…〉 with repentaÌ„ce we praye 〈…〉 vnto hym Let vs therfore in 〈◊〉 callyng examyne well our selues 〈◊〉 men in anctoritie he so vvill the people bee Orce 4. and consider the great mercye of god and his exaumple to charitie and the greater we be of byrth among many others in estimacion of men in anctoritie or welthy that the prayse of god may shyne amongest vs so much the more to consider our estate to god-warde we oughte to submytte our selues to hys wyll and in charitye to apply our selues to the good exaumple of all men that the peace of god and godly amitie maye bountifully flourishe and abounde lyuelye amongest vs. Whose mynde in hys diuyne wourde and manifest exaumples of hys mercy he hath thus as before sygnified vnto vs touchynge oure loue and charitie that we owe to oure neyghbours And there vnto saint Paule counsaileth vs satenge 〈…〉 Bee ye therefore folowers of God as deare children and walke in loue eueÌ„ as Christ loued vs and gaue hymselfe for vs an offerynge and a sacrifice of a swete sauour to god Heâ— â—â— Iacob â—â— Let brotherlye loue and peace continue amongest you for the fruites of rightuousnes are sowen in loue and peace of theim that are the louers and maiâ—â—â—eâ—ers of peace Of which peace brotherly
concorde and vnitie kyng Dauid the seruant and beloued prophâ—â— of God had experience and hath signified vnto vs the excellencye and noblenes of the same vertue to the enoâ— we should euen from the depth of ouâ— hartes be thervnto affected and delite to trade our selues therin ioyfully all the daies of our loued bâ—yng all brotherne and sisierne and haue one father euen our heuenly father by whoÌ„ also we haue Christe our sauioure to be our lorde and brother And by hym we are the sonnes and heyres of god Româ— 8. yea and felowe heyred with hym of eternall glory how requisite therefore is it seing we haue but one father the God of heauen and Christe to be one brother and are all brotherne and sisterne in Iesus Christe to be all of one mynde because there is nothyng that more garnisheth and becommeth better the name of brothern thaÌ„ brotherly loue true peace quietnes mekenes and amiable concorde It must needes picase well God and be an excellente treasure in any coÌ„mon welthe seynge the prophet so hyghly extolleth it and compareth it to a moste precious ointment Psal 〈◊〉 and most pleasant dewe whose swete smelles can not be expressed Beholde saieth he howe good and ioyfull a thynge it is bretherne to dwell togyther in vnite so forsh as in the psalme Thexperience wherof VVhere peace and 〈◊〉 abideth ther 's is the blessinge of God we also our selues ar able som thing to declare by perfect knowledge what benefites innumerable by the blessing of god hath heÌ„ poured vppon those countreyes and commen wealthes where it hath raigned as also amonge faythfull and vnfeyned frendes or honest familiar coÌ„panions And to the contrary where the sayde vertue betwixt theÌ„ hath byn broken and not flouryshed but rather diuision murmuryng maliciousnes warre VVher vvar and discenâ—â—oÌ„ is there is the curse of God and discention there by the curse of god hath appeared amongest theim innumerable other plagues to to their great griefe in conscience to the confusion of their owne bodyes losse of their goodes spoylyng of their frendes defylynge their wyues Euery king dome diuided muste come to desolation rauishyng their daughters and maydens destruction of insantes and fynallye the vtter decaye and subuersion of the whole common wealthe whether by diuision or ciuill warres among them selues or by anye other vyle nation whome aboue all others their hartes doth most abhorte If our hartes therfore be presentely yrefull or poysoned with rancoure and malice and suffer the continuaunce thereof in vs withoute fearynge daunger or seekynge rem dy It is not possible to the contrarye but beeynge wylfulle possessours of wrathe whereby we shewe oure selues to bee the very chylderne of wrathe but also that the iuste anger and wrathe of GOD shall therfore agayn consume and destray vs. By our sedition and wrathe wee deuyse and seke all maner of myscheues Prou. Oree 10. but violente and cruelle messangers shall therfore be sent agaynst vs. Suche fruites as we plante we shall plucke and taste If we sowe iniquitie we shall reape sorow Iob. 1. Gala. 6. But forasmuch as we vs all of Christ and liuely membres also incorporate into the body of Christ and are al one with Christ and in Christ and Christ in no wise may amongest vs bee diuided of whome also VVe mustâ— liue in loue 〈…〉 a 〈◊〉 of Christe we receyued example of loue and vnitie we muste all lyue in the same loue we must stil continue in the same loue we musse seeke the peace of god and as muche as in vs shall lye neuer to breake the bonde of vnitie And yf through frayltie we other whiles slip from it and therby breake the peace of Christe yet bycause he woulde in no wyse haue any continuance therof amongest vs beyng a pestilente malady and an infection of the soule he calleth vnto vs sayeng Let not the son go downe vpon your wrathe Christe vnderstandyng this cursed euyl to be a foule spotte and deforinitie in the soule of man that thervpon also did depende great distruction mischiefe geueth vs this shorte and swete lesson to auoyde the continuaunce thereof that the rather our lyues maye be perfect and holye accordyng to the excellencye of our christen confession Eccle. 18. thinkyng alwayes vpon the couenaunt of the rightuouse and most high god and so charitably to shewe our selues freÌ„dlye and to forgeue oure Neighboures their offences and ignoraunces not leauynge in no pointe to stryfe or variaunce wherby god shall be wel contented and our sinnes also diminished For suche as be yrefull busye and vnquiet they are wycked wourkers of mischief kendelers of variaunce and sowers of discorde among theim that be at peace Ecclesiastic 25 to the encrease of iniquitie and heaping vpon them selues the yre of god The more woodds there is the more vehemente is the fyre and the longer that strife endureth the more wyckedlye it dourneth And therefore for thauoydyng of euyl and that good may come vnto vs saint Paule counfaileth vs sayenge Let all bitternes Ephâ— 5. fearcenes wrathe roryng and cursed speakyng be put away from you with all maliciousnes Be curteous one to another be charitable lowly and mercyfull forgeuynge one another euen as god for Chrystes sake Phil. 2. hathe forgeuen you Be ye lyke mynded vnto me hauynge one loue beynge of one accorde and of one mynde that nothing be done through stryfe or of vaine glorye but in mekenes of mynde And let euery man esteme another better theÌ„ hym selfe Phil. 4. Agayne let your softnes be knowne vnto all men For the Lorde is euen at hande remembre therefore these diuyne counsayles of Christ and hys Apostles sleepe not before thine harte be pour god of maliciousnesse of the pride and stoughtnes And thynke that yt cannot be only perfourmed of thee wyth thoughts For soo mayest thou styll keepe the serpente of maliciousnes lurkynge wythin thy breaste but let it in deede be manifeste in the spight of the diuell vnto those against whoÌ„ thou bearest thy malice stoutenes of stomack For in that mean while that this rule is not thus by the obserued truely greate is thy daunger and present peril by the hand of god O what knowst thou thou grosse luÌ„p of erth what soeuer thou be the liuest vpoÌ„ the earth that gloriest so much vpon thy selfe that couchest downe thy selfe at nyght vpon thy soft bedde with a mischeuous and cancred stomacke what shal chaunce vpon thy soule before the daye returne Or after thou risest in the mornynge what state thou shalt be in er nyght He that gaue vnto thee thy life can also take away frome thee thy life and is able to caste both thy body and soule into hell fyre Math. 10. Luc. 12. Why dooth thyn hert then maâ—e thee so proude Why standest thou to greatly in thyn own conceipt Whervnto looketh thy eies that thy mind is so puft vp againste god
from my verye hearte with all my power and strength and loue my neyghbour as my selfe to thy glory O god all the daies of my lyfe and for euer in the world to come Thus I say O thou erthly creature dere christen brother that hasardly by due iustice abidest the hard hande of God let daily sorow fasten vppon thee and continuall sadnes poâ—â—eâ—fe thyne hart Offre vnto God the acceptable sacrifice of a troubled spirite of a brokeÌ„ sore vexed and contrite heart till grace bee planted againe in thee and thy synnes thorowe faithe cleane purged and taken from thee And alwaies remembre if thou loue god bicause of his mercy if thou feare hym for his iustice sake or if thou beare any good hart towardes the counsailes or voice of god harden not thy hart as in the day of temptation keÌ„dle not vpon thy self the wrath of god flee from the vengeaÌ„ce to com for otherwise the iustice of God wylle fall faste vppon thee And yf thou as before wilfully dost desire to be mindfull of wrath reuengement or displeasure either of speking or of doing wickedly vse fyrste thy cogitation in this maner folowyng whiche shall bee rather to a godly entent and purpose accordyng to the counsayle of the preacher which is not to be yreful against thy neyghbour to wourke reuengemente agaynst hym for any matter or to wythhold thy charitie from him but to thinke vpon the moste terrible bitter day when thou among the rest shalt be called vppon by the trompe of god Eccle. 18. to appere before his wrathfull indignacion and to remembre the bitternes of his vengeaÌ„ce wheÌ„ he shal turne his face away from thee yea euen froÌ„ thee thou wrathfull and dampnable reiected creature if thou abyde in thy wrath and yf thou with the rest shalte be partaker of thys terrible and moste bytter sentence Awaye ye wicked to the deuell and to hell fyre for euer Yf thou otherwyse haue pleasure to think vpon wrath and to wourke or deuyse mischiefe thereby to the hurte of thy neighboure be thou certaine hereof well assured that suche a matche shall be ioined vnto thee as wyll cruellye in his wrath vexe thee quickly consume thee and violentlye twyne thee euen lyke a rysshe Psal 49. to the sodaine and shorte confusion Euen God hym selfe it is that shal recompence thee thy wickednesse shal destroy thee in thine owne wycked malyce yea it is the Lorde God hym selfe I say that shall vtterlye destroye thee As hatrede enemitie reuengement with suche other are wyeked euils forbidden thee and thervppon agreed with thyne owne consent and promise to a blessed and most happie ende so if thou contemnynge this prohibition dooest swarue frome thy promyse and fidelitie and cleaue vnto suche iniquitie they wyll kendle the wrathe of God agaynste thee Eccle. â—â— to the increace of affliction to the wour kyng of an euyl death and euerlastyng destruction Thou shalte worthily be compted among the numbre of the cursed and vngodly people Vpon whom god in this lyfe shall rayne snares fyre brymstone storme and tempeste whiche shall be their dewe portion to drynke Psal 1â— And suche as be scornefull despisers withoute a cause they shall bee put to confusion Psal 5. Psal 68. Psal 75. neyther shall suche as be mercylesse and cruell stande in the syghte of God For lyke as ware melteth at the greate heate of the fyreâ— so shal â—hun godly perishe at the preseÌ„ce of god come to a terrible and feareful end Fire haile wind earthquake tempest and whirlewind hungre and thirst pestilence murrayn burninge feuers incurable botches swellyngs madnes and suche straunge diseases sodayn fearefulnes strise vnquietnes rigour oppression sworde bloudsheddyng death sodayn death destruction and punishment the teeth also of wild and noysome beastes the scorpions Eccle. 39. serpentes and all suche poisoned and venomous wourmes are created for vengeaunce to the destruction of suche malicious and wicked people If thou wylt not therfore do obserue the will of God and feare to offende the fearefull name of the Lorde thy God Deut. 28. Psal 39. he will sende vpon thee yea and vpon thy seede after thee these foresaid greuous and moste terrible plagues and curses O chaunge therfore thy copy and tourne in tyme. Leaue of frome wrathe what soeuer thou be and lette go displeasure feare god be charitable kepe peace abyde in loue styppe not from it consider it wel and thinke what theron dependeth so shalte thou knowe it yea thou shalt gladly also exeresse it and enioy for euer the delectable fruites of it And if thou wilte further knowe of loue what it is note saint Paule Loue saith he is pacient and curteous 1. Cor. 4. it enuieth not it dooth not frowardly it is not pufte vp it dealeth not dishonestly it seeketh not her own it is not prouoked to anger it thiÌ„keth none euil it reioiceth not ouer iniquitie but in rightuousnes truthe it beareth al thinges 1. Tim. 1. beleueth al things hopethe all thynges and suffere the all thynges And this loue is the whole summe and ende of the lawe that shineth from a pure harte and good conscience and out of an vnfayned faith Rom. 13. For they that loue one an other fulfilleth the law So that the dedes theÌ„ of that fleshe beynge mortitied Gala. 2. we shall haue our conuersation in the spirit and not lyue vnder the lawe These are the fruites of the spirite Gala. 5. loue ioy peace longe sufferynge gentylnesse goodnesse faithefulnesse meekenesse and temperaunce These I saye bee the fruictes of the spirite And those that possesseth them are free and lyue not vnder the law wherby our soules are in rest at peace with god we coÌ„tent well god we reioyce to worke his will to the helpynge and edifyenge of oure neyghboure and to compte of our selues to be as before al membres of one bodye to thinke that we be all but one in Christ Charitie to reioice in our neighbours helth welth coÌ„fort eueÌ„ as we would do of our own to remedy his incoÌ„modities to lameÌ„t hys distresse mysery to aide him and comforte hym or if he erre or go oute of the right way to bewayle frome oure hartes hys greate blyndnes errour to geue him frendlye counsayle and warnynge to admonish him gently to tel him of his faultes soberlye and courteousely to geue hym instructions for his learning according to the veritie of goddes worde wherby oure hartes are illumined yâ— will of the flesh confouÌ„ded finally as the redemed iewel of Christ decely beloued of him to succour him in al necessities Thus if we hereby wel regard the mynde of god hys great loue and mercy towardes vs our obediece vnto hym and oure dueties towardes our neighbours we shal perceiue and easely finde out what heaueÌ„ly doctrin and counsailes among many others these are to be attayned vnto to be beloued embraced
thenne mooue and shake the earth God diuer sly and oftentymes speaketh vnto vs esther by his faithful ministers accordinge to the scriptures or one godlye man in tymes of necessitie to wright vnto another or conferring and reuerently counsallyng one wyth another eyther as we in readyng to our selues with huÌ„blenes of hart desire to know god to loue and feare hym and obediently to keepe his commaundementes All that is conteyned in the booke of lyfe Psal 116. is written for our learnynge it is the wourde of truthe and the lanterne vnto our feete It lightneth our vnderstandinge It cleanseth vs of al darkenes filth and corruption and guideth vs vnto the lyghte of lyfe healthe strength ioye and euerlastinge saluacion whyche ought to be amongest vs most gladlye retayned reuerently embraced obedientlye folowed and in no wyse to bee in anye thynge contempned Prou. 1â— for he that is an abuser or coÌ„tempner of the wourde of GOD or settethe lyghte by the counsayles of GOD he slippeth frome hys welfare he wandreth astraye and seketh the bye pathes of deathe and destruccion And Chryste our good shepherde and pastoure because he woulde haue vs harken vnto hys voyce and bee obediente to hys call and folowe him he sayeth vnto vs of hym selfe Iohn 10. I am the good sheppeharde and know well my sheepe and they also knowe me and wyll heare my voyce and folowe me And I wyll geeue vnto theym eternall lyfe and they shall neuer perysâ—he I am the waye the truthe Iohn 14. Iohn 8. and the lyfe I am the lyghte of the worlde and he that foloweth me doth not walke in darkenesse but shall haue the lyghte of lyfe c. In consideration of whyche heauenlye and comfortable sayenges and that they maye the rather take good effecte in vs to a good ende lette vs fyxe oure selues to bee reuerentelye constante in the doctrine and waye of Chryst and not be doubtfull of oure preseruation healthe ioye strengthe and saluation by him and so contemptuously thinke Christe and his wourd to be vnto vs onelye a voice or vain sound without significatioÌ„ or good effecte but to be vnto vs in dede al rightuousnes truth and mercy and that be also in his owne person for our liuelye exaumple to be approued charity simplicitie innocency pacience cleannes and finallye what soeuer thing he him selfe vsed most holilye to teache vnto others But as the Iewes which were the peculiar picked out people of god among all nacions of the world Roma 9. the naturall and true Olyue braunches to whom perteined the adoption the glory the couenauntes the law that was geueÌ„ the seruice of god the promises whose also were that auncient holy fathers of whoÌ„ also as concernynge the fleshe Christe came were not spared but sustayned the wrath and heauy hande of god for their incredulitie vnthankefulnesse and dysobedience howe muche more shall wee the vnnaturall and wylte olyue braunches althoughe for a season thorough theyr vnbeleeue we bee grafted into the true perfecte flocke bee torne forthe agayne Iohn 15. Roma 1â— yf wee abyte not greeâ—e and fruitefull braunches in oure callynge but vaynelye bosâ—e oure selues wyth wycked lyues in so holye and most pure profession Verilye strayghte and of greate charge is our bonde to that oure magnificente moste glorious and gelous god before whoms our wayes muste be straighte and right foorth we maye vse no tournyng daliaunce we may not be nowe goyng and sodenly turne backe again we may not stande to day of good assuraunce and fall to morow of very wilfulnes But must leane strongly at all times to our assured and ready stases And all flatterynge fantasies putte a parte to loue and followe oure good guyde Chryste by whose most vertuous and wyse gouernemente we shall haue preste wylles and good encouragement at all tymes to resyste oure enemies and to preuail against them by whome we haue bene dysceyded â—nercome with vanities or blindlye seduced Let vs not to the contrarye so vaynelye bost our selues in name and title of Christ only when in deede our conuersacion appeare cleane contrary Shal we onely glory in our selues and say Are we not called christiaÌ„s Question Beare we not vpoÌ„ vs that name of Christe haue not we the liuinge god to be our God Do we not call him our lord To be called a christian preuaileth nothinge except vve so lovve the steppes of Christ our maister father Are not hys holy lawes and the truth of his wourd more liuelye flourishynge amongeste vs called christians then among other the bar batouse nations of the worlde And is not this our priuslege and profession of all others called moste acceptable most rightuous and holye Yes verilye al this is true Ansvvere there is no religion nor no profession of holynes vnder the sonne what so euer name or vain shew it beare to the face of the world that is like it or to be compared vnto it because it is most straighte moste holye ryghtuous and pure And muste it also be of necessitie that as we haue professed and beare the name of Chryste wee muste take hym for oure patrone embrace hys wourde and follow him in strayghtnesse of lyfe Ye truly onlesse wee shewe oure selues but fained and dyssemblynge christians we must counterfeyte him in conuersacion and followe hys sleppes we muste be obediente to hys voyce and that wyth all synglenesse of harte yf we wyll seeke the fauour of god and his eternall salvacion by the benefittes of his deare sonnes death and passion The true christian obeyeth the voice of Christ and obtaineth by 〈…〉 For what auaileth this title and al thys glorye amongest vs onely in conceipte when in stead of humility loue pacieÌ„ce chastitie godly liberalitie and modestie our hartes are inwardly enforced and rankeled wyth pryde enuye wrathe murther couetousenesse leachery self loue vayne sloughtnes and such like What lothsom spottes are these in the most holy church of Christ and greatlye discentyng from christianitie Shoulde not our lyues so shine in holines Math. â—5 that by the light of good conuersacioÌ„ others might be conuerted vnto christ Do not the chaunge of their incredulitie and corrupted state of lyfe greatelye depende in the puritie and good behauour of our liues Beare we in sufficientlye and onelye the good name of Chryste wythoute regarde of hys heauenly exaumples and doctryne to oure owne greate reproche and to others decaye and fallynge whereby the name of GOD is vnreuerentlye spoken of 1. Peter â— Rom. 2. Esay 42. Lette vs herein iudge truelye of oure selues and examyne rightlye oure vntruth and doublenes what folowshyppe amongest vs hath light wyth darkenes Christe wyth beliall or GOD wyth the deuell Are they at vnitie maye we thinke No no they haue bene deuided froÌ„ the begynninge neither will they euer be at vnitie for the one guydeth vnto lyfe and the other vnto deathe let vs not therefore be
not God by the doctrine of his wourde to be a god of loue of vnitie peace and concorde or that we haue not abundantly in Christe Iesus both tasted and felt of the liuely and faste flowynge fountaines of his grace â— Cor. 13 to the greate blessyng sustentation and comfort of body and soule whose coÌ„mandementes also we haue professed and promised to obeye and whose steppes of rightousnesse we ought to embrace and folow In consideration whereof and for the perfourmaunce of ryghtuousnes haue not wee Christians the rather good occasyon well to remembre that when we were professed consecrated wyth the holye mysteries of the founâ—aine of lyfe howe we thenne boundo our selues vnto the good wyll of god Rom. 6. and Christ in all puritie and holynes and to forsake the deuil and al his daÌ„pnable wourkes of darkenes and lyke dilygence and faythfull souldiours of Christ to be alwaies prepared and redie armed wyth the armoure of lighte and rightuousnes to wythstande the cruell assaultes and craftye ingins of Sathan that our most aunciente and mortall enemye And valyauntlye to aduenture our lyues throughout the whole rase and dangerous passage of this shorte lyfe vnder oure victoriouse prince most puissant captain christ to whome oure lyues are double due first because he ons gaue lyfe vnto vs and thaÌ„ being lost to restore it vnto vs agayne Eyther are we forgetfulle agaynste whome wee stryue For we wrastle not agaynste fleshe and bloud but agaynste rule agaynste power againste worldlye rulers euen gouernours of the darkenes of thys worlde and agaynste spirituall craftynesse in heauenlye thinges Wherefore take vnto you the whole armoure of god sayeth saint Paule that ye may be able to resist in the euyll daye Ephe. 6. Luke 18. Thes 5. and stande perfect in al things Stande therfore and your loynes gird with the truth hauing on the breast plate of rightuousnes hauing shoes on your fete that ye may be prepared for the gospel of peace Aboue al things take to you the sheld of faith wher with ye may quench all the fyry dartes of the wicked And take the helmet of saluation the sword of the spirite which is the word of god And Iob saith â—oh 〈◊〉 That the life of manne here vpon th earth is but a continuall warfare or tyme of resistence mightily touer come the stoughtnes of our enemies that no maÌ„ attaineth the croun of victory except in Christ be striue laufully And that we prepare our selues by coÌ„tinuall praier to preuaile against our ennemies as the Israelitê therby preuailed againste the wicked Amalachitê Exod. 17. or other their deadly enmies meÌ„ cioned in the scriptures Wherfore for the more strait loking to of our charge and the more spedye fulfyllyng of our professioÌ„ bond as we wold shew our selfs faithful valiaÌ„t wise souldiors thobedieÌ„t seruantê of god as we wold declare our selfes to be the zelous childreÌ„ of the vprighte and moste pure honourynge of god and as we woulde haue any regarde to the state of our soules and to the lyfe to come whose euerlastyng ioyes no tungue can expresse let vs haue in remembraunce oure sayde promyse 〈◊〉 made to anye earthelye kynge or other vayne creature vnder the sonne nor to any angel in heauen but to the Lord of heauen him self that liueth for euer a god aboue al goddes a righteous god omnipotent and immortall vnto whome let vs acknowledge our owne weakenes and applye our selues chieflye and aboue al thinges humbly to abase our selues to prepare our strength in Christ to seke the mortification of thold man the whole body of synne to seeke newnes of life and to hungre and thirst for the waye of rightuousnes Prayer is the eleuation of the minde to god vvaâ—do vvhereby is secluded al worldly do sires and all carnall and vayne fantasies And vnto the said prayer must be ioyned fastynge and almose dedes Toby 12. lette vs trauell wyth our ful force and strength and with al feruent prayer and bourning desire to god to attayne at his gracious most mercyfull hande to bee partakers of the depthe of hys grace whereby we maye the rather attayne into our hartes the wisedome of his sonne Christ whiche by vs must be reuerently searched for and digged out of the hydde treasures and plentyfulle vaynes of diuine scriptures or wourde of god which is the word of truth the touche-stone of trial the lanterne of light the heauenly foode health strengthe and life to our soules wrought in vs by the spirite of God or mynistred vnto vs by his diuine and faithfull mynisters And by whose clearenes and beautyfull bryght shynyng beames our soules may be pourged frome all impuritie frome the vayne wisedome of the worlde from darkenes and from the fowle stynkynge and blynde thycke myste of ignorance whiche dymmeth in vs the perfect senses and iudgemeÌ„t of reason whiche is wonderfully corrupted against whom sensualitie preuaileth who also of it selfe is not able to healpe and rule it selfe but feebly yealdeth to confusion and therefore muste haue for his assured and perfect guyde a more excellent and wourthy gouernoure For not withstandynge that Baptisme the outewarde signe and lauachre of Regeneration hathe wiped away in vs the greate and foule spotte yet the synne VVee styll possesse the spot of our father AdaÌ„ partlye there remayneth styll of oure progenitoures and first parentes which hath not a litle darkened that soo pure and cleere light of the couÌ„tenance resemblauÌ„ce or similitude of god whyche he hathe wonderfullye shewed and layed vpon vs whereby our courage is greatly enfeabled oure streÌ„gth diminished or the vertue of our wysedome fowlye dysteyned and spotted For the reformacion wherof through the liuely courage omnipotencye and greate wysedome of oure Capitayne Christe and by the vertue heauenlye operacion thereof in vs our hartes by hym shal be cleane pourged and lyghtned to possesse and enioye the spirite of humilitye mekenes Through whyche vertue also we shall bee the rather in Iesus Chryste made more apt vesselles prepared and sanctified to honoure and meete for the vse and seruice of our lord god and to the receyuinge also of hys most holye spyrite Math. 5. Iohn 4. who alwayes reioyceth to reste in the humble and meke harted personne vnto whom Christ hath promised the blessyng of god and to enâ—Ì„erite and possesse the earth Iohn 14. Math. 5. And when our mynds are therby replenished we shall be thaÌ„ the more enforced with all singlenes of hert to marke dilygently by hearyng or readyng the wourde of god what his good wyll and pleasure is should here in this lyfe be done by vs and amongest vs who hath promised vs for our christen obedience humilitie mekenes in acknowlegyng as before oure owne inhabilitie and weakenes trustyng and only leauyng to the power and merites of Christe that he wyl mercifully heare vs when we call vnto hym Iohn 7.9 and teustruct vs