and frendely one to an nother and to prepare for the nedefull sustentation of the poore membres of Iesus Christe who miserablye perisheth for wante of succor that the blessyng of God the father in his sonne our Lorde and sauior may plentifully descende down amongest vs and vpon vs al The mercy of god tovvards the Quene to the preseruation chieflye of the Quenes most royal maiestie whom god hath hitherto nourisshed blessed and mightily preserued thorowe hys mercye and according to the lyuelye faithe and hope of innumerable her true frendes and obedieÌ„t subiectes and contrarye to the expectation of manye thousandes her maliciouse most cruell enemyes our Lorde for the greatnes of hys mercyes sake wourks in them Repentaunce to the tournyng of their heartes and prepare them to be now appliable and obedient subiectes that we may altogether in vnitie wyth faythfull and true Englishe heartes be thankefull vnto God for her grace to leane to her and with a louelye feare to obeye her to honour her to healpe her and reioyce in her our chief souerayne and onelye high maiestrate nexte vnder god whome he with hys stretched oute arme and almyghtie power and without the effusion of anye christen bloud or occasion minystred to the same hath quietly stablished her and brought her to her imperial throne so greately hath he vanquished the harts of her enemies signifienge thereby vnto vs all her true englishe The pourpose of god tovvardes the Quene and christen subiectes that she is of purpose elected raised vp and preserued by god to this imperial dignity as the appointed seruaunie or high mynyster of God for the supportacion of peace and to take the swourd of auctoritie in her owne hande to the erecting or reedifying agayne of hys glorye in peace and righteousnesse takynge hys wourde of trueth to be her assured good guide aide and strength by the vertu and Inuincible power thereof to supplante and treade vnder foote The verâ—â—e of goddes vvorde all vaine deuised fantasies crastye collusions proude vsurpacions to the reioyeing of Christies faithfull seruauntes his true frendes and ministers and to the reformation or amendement of all other his disobedient and blynde ignorant ennemies if the spirite of grace wyl so work in them for their happy conuersion as the newe borne children of god and by her to be supported preserued and safelye defended by the auctoritie aforesayde grounded vpon god and her gracious mooste godlye lawes Withoute whiche holye conuersion and humble submission leauynge all wycked affectes apertlye or secreatlye repugnynge murmurynge conspiringe subtle dyssemblynge or wyckedlye rebellynge againste god and hys true procedynges reueled and sette soorthe from tyme to tyme by hys appointed and chosen mynisters for hys owne gloryes sake in righteousnesse In vvhat vvise god hath raised vppe the Queene not raysed vp wyth cruell rage by vs mooste maliciouse and wretched creatures wyth speare and shseide or wyth spre and swourde but peaceablye preserueâ— and therein supported by the only vertue of goddes diuine power who wil stire vp whom he suâ—ceth and wil haue his truth to raign and flouryshe maugre our heades that hath had or haue cursed beate hartes to the contrary that are so wifully blindly addicted to our fathers old fossty customes crepte in amongeste vs by the diuelles deuyse and receyued or stablished by menne wyth their consent coÌ„men couÌ„sails and agrement wythout true triall auctoritie by the wourd of god or prefermeÌ„t by the spirite of truth althoughe we call theym suche holye fathers and so many in number gathered togyther at certayn tymes and places who sought to vpholde the swetenesse of their terrestriall kingdome through couetousnes and theyr fayre coloured wourdes and goodly painted shewes makyng marchaÌ„dise of vs whose iudgemente is not farre of and their iuste dampnacion sleepeth not for the breath of God I say wyll confound such doinges and oure stubbourne disobedience shal be visited with the sword I shal not here neede by expresse wordes to make mention of the greeuous and moste terrible destruction speciallye of gods peculiar people the Iewes amonge other nations for their greate dysobedience wilfulnes pryde and vnthankefulnes Consider also that god hath now of late begonne agayne with his owne church sharpelye to visite them and diuersely for their greate vnthankfulnes VVilful and christinate rebellions shal be 〈…〉 1. The vvrath of god tovvardes his people in the dayes of hys grace and dydde therfore styrre vp his ministers of vnrighteousnes diuerslye most cruelly and impituouselye to vexe them to tormente them and moste shamefully to destroye them as shepe appointed to the slaughter and in suche wyse their mercyles crueltye did abounde that the fauourers of their religion a great numbre of them in the daies of kynge Edwarde fledde frome them they vtterly forsoke theÌ„ for their hartes dyd abhorre them in their doynges OccasioÌ„ of the peoples conuersion and were thorowly perswaded in their consciences that yf they or their religion had ben of god thei wold haue been muche more pitifull and not with such tyranny destroy the professours of Christ so great was the wrathe of god ouer his people and flock for thabusing of his grace and not wel ordryng them selues in suche holy profession Frome whome he hath now ones more withdrawen his wrathe God hatiâ—â— retourned his mercy thorowe his greate mercy in Iesus Christ and at the humble intercession in hym of his moste greuous afflicted saintes to the cleare shynyng ones agayne of his glorye in truthe amongest them for their further instruction and more reuerente obedience to his lawes If God so bytterlye vexed them whoms he so dearely loued the louers of his gospell for their disobedience sake aad dissimulation or doublenes how much more shall the fire of hys merciles wrath be kindled agaynst vs that haue ben before obstinate The vvrath of God agaynste his obstinate and vvilful enemies wilfull and olde repugners of ryghtuousnes hynderers blasphemers consentours to bloud shedde and moste cruell persecutours to the deathe of his true ministers faithefull prophetes preachers and dearely beloued membres although we spightfully reuiled them mocked them and called them seismatikes and a thousande heretikes with rathe iugement to damnation for euer not takyng heauen nor purgatory charitably in our waie and that notwithstandyng suche thynges are nowe called agayne in peace and wyl yet perseuer in suche wickednesse and wilfully kicke against the pricke Truely truly we are well warned by the significations of god VVhat the mercyes of God 〈…〉 vs doâ— signifie according to his mercy to be better scooled learned and practised in the doctrine and rules of Christe and to feare the swourde of goddes vengeance that hangeth by a feble threde redy to fal vpon vs. God is the god of saluation to all them that wil harken and tourne vnto him to leane vnto his examples of mercy to flie from tyranny or consent to bloudshed with such like accordynge
be of the coÌ„pany of the aungelies Iohn 1. 1. Cor. 6. 1. Cor. 11. and the sonnes of God the heyres of immortalitie the membres of his body and oure bodies the temples of the holy ghost our myndes the ymages and the secrete habitatle of the deitie 1. Cor. 1. And therfore most worthyly we acknowledge hym to be oure only sauiour and redemption our rightuousnes and sanctification our onely iustifier and reconciliation to god the father and haue therefore promysed to reuerence his glorious and most excellent name Pro. 18. Act. 4. whervnto the rightuous flieth as vnto a stronge castell for theyr strength safegard and saluation whiche is moste blessed and prayse worthy for euer Amen Thus I say yf we the spotted chyldren of our synfull father The remeÌ„braunce of the vvourhes of god leadethe vs to the knovvlege and loue of god woulde happyly remembre as we haue professed the meruaylous woorkes of GOD and the order of his dooynges in the begynnynge as haue been here but briefely touched besydes the innumerable exaumples of his omnipotencye mercy and also his Iustice signified vnto vs throughout his holy scriptures and that we also our selues haue bothe felts and seene in our daies to thexaltation of his owne glorye and to the blessyng greate comfort and reioicing of his deare obedient and most louynge freendes and to thutter ouerthrowe rooting out and destruction of his cursed and moste malicious ennemies Roma 1. we shoulde haue good cause not onely to acknowlede hym an omnipotent God and immortall holy rightuous and mercyfull and therefore in a certain maner for those his moste blessed and singuler graces a farre of with a stipper loue as dyd our father Adam to loue hym agayne but rather wee should haue good occasion to loue hym vnfeynedlye Exod. 2â— Deute 6. as obedient and constant chylderne accordynge to hys mooste holy commaundemente euen wyth all oure heartes wyth all oure soules and with all oure strengthe and power and feare to offende hym because also we know hym to be a iust god and terrible in wourking his reuengement against his enemies for their dissimulation vnthankefulnesse disobedience coldenes and slippernes Then forasmuch as we here see whereby tacknowledge God and his loue and for his loue to loue hym agayn and for his iustice to feare hym I thynke it at this present conuenient some thynge to touche particularly of our loue to God Math. 2â— Eccle. 1. whyche is the fyrste and greattest commaundement as also to ours neighbours and then of the feare of god that shoulde alwaies possesse our heartes whiche is the ryghte and true seruice of god wherby we shal the better knowe our selues oure louely obedience to god and our loue also and duetie towards our neyghbours But before herin I procede any further I make myn huÌ„ble suite vnto you my deere countrey men my neighbours louyng frendes and christen brethern that the ground of your hartes beyng well wrought moilified and softe tempered with the dewe of goddes grace ye wyll nowe paciently heare and aptly receiue this exhortation offered vnto you not from me most wretched synner but rather from hym an by his onely good motion from whom procedeth all vertue and goodnes Philip. 2. whiche also woorke the in vs bothe the wyll and also the deede euen of his good wil and fauour that the lyuely seedes or plantes of his heauenly and diuine spirite beyng fyrmly sette or deepe sowen in your hartes faste roote maye there bee taken that naturally in tyme without delay like forward impes and freshe flourishyng braunches in the gardeyn or vine yard of Christe Eâ—dr 5 Iohn 15. the quicke and liuely buddes blossomes leaues and the louely fruites of hys fatherlye encrease and blessyng may appeare wourthys hys gloriouse contentation beautifulle large and seemelye and to the senses of youre owne soules sweete in taste comfortable delicate and deyntie So that the operacion of loue that moste singuler and acceptable vertu to god shal haue power force in you wherof I wyll nowe procede groundynge myne intention onelye vppon the enemytie and malice of mankynde howe agaynste goddes wyll and the lawe of nature our hartes are cursedly bente Thorough small occasioÌ„ our hartes are â—endeled to mischiefe not onelye vppon good occasion or for great causes as we vse to term them but for euery triflinge lyght matter also we wyll quarell and fall oute one wyth an other one countrey or kyngdome agaynst another natural countreimen one against another by mutanies conspiracies ciuill warres and commotions yea natural brotherne one seeke to destroye another suporiours also and inferiours spirituall menne temporall menne Riche men poore menne familiar companions neere Neighbours and frendes And fynallye euen frome the prynce to the poore plough man or moste wretched wandring begger we are all deuided we are all fledde frome Christ the serpent hath deceiued vs for we haue all rebelled and haue broken the bonde of the peace of god Heauen and earth if we list to knowe it beare manifest witnesse agaynste vs of oure cursednes hardenes of harte and maliciousnes Whose vnnaturall and rare seene signes signyfieth vnto vs the yre of god for our chosen way of iniquitie god by his mercy sendeth them vnto vs and before our eyes to admonyshe vs to putte vs in feare and to remember his iustice and that wythoute spedye repentaunce his swifte vengeance by some terrible meane shall shortly ouerrunne and consume vs. Whereof the true mynysters and preachers of the wourde of God Straunge signes signifieth vnto vs the comminge of goddes vvrath hath and doo frome tyme to tyme before the imminence falle of the wrathe of god thundered in our eares our moste detestable and wycked state of lyfe and the terrour also of his most bytter reuengement duely therafter ensuyng Our consciences condemneth Of the whiche also our owne consciences beareth witnesse agaynst vs they preache vnto vs the wourme gnaweth in vs it vexeth and tourmenteth vs and describeth playnly vnto vs our most iust damnation to come And as Sathan hath seemed sleightily to compasse vs and by his craftyingins to wouÌ„d and ouerthrowe vs and leade vs captiue from the lyghtesome and lyuely waie of Christe into his moste lothesome hypathes of dackenes daunger and deathe So we thunexperte souldiors in the campe of Christe and vtterly voyde of the fencible armour of god without resistence cowardely suffer our selues to sustayne the deuyls most damnable and deadly darts and to be vsed as his bond slaues and cursed instrumentes Faynte courage in christen souldiours to wourke in all mischieues his moste noysom appointed purposes And for the probation wherof whether is this truly sayd or not VVe feare neyther god not the feuil God and his lawes we esteeme not of our othes promises we passe not of goddes kingdom we thinke not his power we regard not his only glory we seke not whiche ende go foreward we care not
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
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
Fearest thou not in thy selfe that huge heapes of sinne that wil accuse thee or make the more careful and lowely Neither thy barthen of thy conscience that so fore oppresseth thee and wherby the iustice of god hangeth ouer thee Either wyâ—â—e thou shew thine hart to be hardened against him O fadyng floure erthly creature what meanese thou vnreuarently to forget god thy creator or not to fear hym Thinkest thou that the coÌ„tinuaÌ„ce of thy wil to do wickedly shal euer endure Or why art thou so presumptuous ageinst him Art thou able thou wretched and feeble wourmâ—â— to resiste hys omnipotence or almyghtye power Art thou not in hys hande as a piece of clay in the hand of the potter Esaie 49. Iere 18.19 Rom. 9. Or whyche of all the stought or puyssaunte prynces of the earthe shall not stoupe at hym and obeye hym He trulye is almyghtye and terryble yea the earth trembleth and quaketh for feare of hys greate indignacion and wrath and the people shal not he able to abide hys threatnynge The whole power and strength of all the earth ioyned to Iâ—ther is not able to abyde one blaste of the breathe of goddes mouthe And darest thou thou dustye stubble persist or stand at any time in the state of wickednes before the face of so great and terrible a god Consider therfore thy wilfull malice and folishnes and thy carelesse slippyng from god that is so iust and terrible Examin thy self reuerentlye in the feare of god trye well the state of thy coÌ„science whether thou mayest iustlye saye before heauen and earth O lord thou omnipoteÌ„t terrible god Hiere 17. whose throne is most glorious excelleÌ„t and of most antiquitie which dwellest in the heuens euen in the place of mans holy rest of whoÌ„ thou arte of all goddes moste highely to he feared for thou art a rightous and a iuste god in pouryng thy wrath vpon thyne enmies The repentant sinner yea I must also say that thou art a mercyfull and a louyng god the only comforter and refuge of man his immouable pillour and staye of assurance and the lyuely hope of his helth ioy strength and saluation Therfore O Lorde in acknowledgynge thyne omnipotency and great mercy whervnto I appeale I humbly fly vnto thy mercy seate for succour for myne iniquitie O god is manyfest vnto thee which I confesse before thy diuine maiestie I haue O lord offended against thee I haue forsaken thy lawe and coÌ„mitted iniquitie I haue fledde from thy loue I haue falne from thy word I haue broken my fidelite I haue ben rebellious against thee For myn hart hath wickedly possessed pride and maliciousnes wherby I haue greuousely offended and hurte my neyghbour O Lorde greate therfore is myne iniquitie in thy sight Psal 119. My conscience iustly accuseth me my fleshe treÌ„bleth for feare beefore thee my spirites are troubled within me And the remembraunce of thy Iudgement is terrible vnto me O Lorde myne eies therefore gushe oute with water my sight falleth me I am greuouslye vexed myne harte panteth within me my strength is gone from me my knees are weake my flesshe is dryed vp my beautie is consumed I am weary of my gronynge Alas my griefe alas my fal Alas my great wo and myserye for thys my stroke and wofull plage that thy grace O God should thus be taken frome me wherby I most wretched sinner am forget full of my truthe and obedience of my faythe and promises of thyne infinyte loue and goodnesse towardes me and of thy greate indignation and Iustice for my synne iniquitie Ah who shall geue me water to my head and a fountain of teares to mine eies that I may washe my bedde with teares of sorow and bewayle my sinnes both nighte day wherby thy grace O swete god may yet be returned vnto me and thy iustice agaist me be shortlye preueÌ„ted I make myn huÌ„ble peticion in thy presence with my whole hart the thou wile be merciful vnto me accordyng to the truthe in thy wourde O heauenly father A Prayer lette thy greate mercy in Iesus Christe lyghten vppon me that thy wrathfull indignation preuaile not against me I humbly with repentaÌ„ce acknowledge myne iniquite I coÌ„tesse my sicknes frailtie appeale to thy mercye promysed vnto me in Iesus Christ And if thou O Lorde for his sake wilt assist me Psal 119. order my steppes according to thy wourd my fete shall kepe thy pathes no wickednes shall henseforth haue dominion ouer me O refourme therfore with mercy that is amisse Psal 3â— for thy mercy recheth vnto the heauens and thy faithfulnes vnto the cloudes With the is coÌ„fort the light of life in thy light shal I se light and the workes of darknes shall flie farre from me O turne thee then vnto me Ierem. 1â— so shall I be tourned heale thou me and I shall bee made whole saue thou me and I shall be saued O be not terrible vnto me after thy rightuous iudgemente Psal 143. Enter not into iudgement with thy seruaunt for then shall I not be iustified in thy syghte Yea if thou O lorde shouldest extremely marke what is doone amysse who could then abyde it But thou arte also a God of mercy yea thou delightest in mercy and with thee is plentuous redemption My soule therfore flieth only vnto thee Psal 130. it wayteth humbly for thee trusteth assuredly in thee Out of the depe doo I call vnto thee O Lorde O here myne humble voyce and lette thyne eares consyder welle the voyce of my complaynte Benignely beholde me with thyne eye of mercy that I I say thyne vnwourthy seruaunt maye bee ioyfull of thy couÌ„tenance O let thine holy spirite possesse my harte to create in me a cleane harte to â—enue within my bowelles a ryghte spiryte that I wretched synner may be quiet in thee maye growe in the true knowledge of thee that I may feruentlye desyre thy kyngedome and that I maye knowe thy wyll and reuerently wourke there after For thorow thyne onelye grace O Lorde and by the vehement impulsion of thyne holye spirite shall myne heart and soule be cleane pourged quiesed quickened strengthned sanctified It is thy spirite O GOD that shal conuerte my soule and guyde me forth in the pleasaunte and playn path waye of rightuousnesse Yea Lorde I wyll therfore be bolde and saye Come thou good spirite of god comme I beseche thee and assiste me with the present healthe of thy grace I haue affiaunce in thee O instruete thou me and strengthen mee refresshe comforte and quiete me replenysshe my soule with ioye and gladdenesse and kendle in me the fyre of thy loue Th n O holy spirit whether in body I wake or sleape my soule shall continuallye watche vnto thee thynke of thee delight in thee depende onely vpon thee yea it shal be fully satisfied in thee and euermore reioyce loue please thee euen
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
Gene. ◠the redemed mēbres of Iesus Christe our christen brotherne and naturall countreymen but suffer theim wythout cōpassion in suche lamentable wyse to appeare before oure eyes in euery corner In fieldes in high wayes in churches in stretes in by lanes in commē Iaquesses vnder stalles at rych mens doores and vnder their walles Ah most lamentable wofull case wherby if we do enter into oure owne consciences what shall we there fynde What good matter of reioycinge and perfecte peace shall there before god appeare in vs What remaineth in vs wanting the charitie of god to be quiet in our selues and to liue in the state of goddes grace Remaineth there nothyng vprightly in vs What nothing at all No no verily of any inwarde or heauenly ioy but a terrible out cry VVhere the charitie of god remayneth not there the conscience abideth vn quiet and alvvaies in terroui◠and an open accusation agaynste vs and the iust terrour and vengeance of god vppon vs because we haue not in tyme to our powers accordyng to the order of charitie and perfect compassion preuented these most notable and cursed euils or at the least for not preparyng present comfort in suche tyme of necessitie makynge our frendes of wicked mammon whereby the poore myght be relieued that there myght be also layed vp in store for our selues a good foundation in Iesus Christe against the tyme to come Rom. 12. 1 Timo. 6 Eccle. 11. and obtayne-thorough hym euerlastynge lyfe Ryches is a good thing for it is the gift of god and so likewise is pouertie and as god hath made somme men riche with an holye and good spirite to despyse worldlye gooddes so hathe he also appointed some to beare the bourden of pouertie that they might happilye receiue his benefites at suche charitable and rich mennes handes O how blessed are those that haue riches the good gyfte of god where by they maye not only make many frendes to the praise of God Pro. 19. and their owne comforte but seeke also the fauour of the poore that are often through pouerty for saken of their frendes whose continuall praier and swete blessinge by the promises of god shall purchase vnto theym the fauour of god healthfulnes ioy prosperitie and plentifull encreace For the charitable acte of the rightuous godly man god alwayes beholdeth and accepteth as an hygh and wourthie sacrifice whiche he at any tyme vaynelye receyue not and without recompence but as his acte is worshyppeful accordynge to Salomon to doe good and to help the poore in their necessity which be calleth lendinge vnto the Lorde or layed out for a season so the Lord god that is all goodnesse and truths that delighteth in well doing and reioiceth in hys people wyll not wythholde hys bountyfull hande but see him largelye requighted agayne Prou. 19. Prou. 29. Prouer. 12 The poore and the lender ofte meete together but it is the Lorde that lightneth both their eyes It is the lord that prepareth pouertie It is the lord that geueth vnto the poore strengthe and consolation thoroughe faith by the power of his spirite to ask in his name and to attaine reliefe It is the lord also that geueth ryches Eccle. 17. and wourketh in the hartes of the rich tender compassion and mercye towardes the poore by the same spirite whereby hys name in theym bothe is hyghlys reuerenced and magnyfied And he that thus geeueth or lendeth vnto the poore in the name of God shal be blessed and not want him self For the mercye that a mercifull man sheweth here vnto his neighbour in these terrestrial vain earthly thynges is as it were a purse wyth hym or a treasure house plentuousely stuffed with thin comparable and endlesse treasures of god the father in and by oure Lorde Iesus Christe thorowe the loue and faith in whom a mans good dedes preserueth hym euen as the apple of an eye So that al vertuous and charitable dedes God louyngely beholdeth in Christe and largely agayn requiteth If grace wer amongst vs to consider the same and practise it But we are I saye to the contrary so blynded and sore infected with earthely and vayne affectes and felse loue so preuayleth our senses to rule that wee forgette god and his wourde we neglecte Christe and his gospelle we haue embraced but a benummed and deade faythe wee haue not reuerentely in price the onely merites of Christes deathe but wee rather heare the name of Christyanitie and holynesse secludynge the true faithe in the waye of rightousnes and are in deede enuironned and cloked in with all kyndes of maliciousnesse and wickednesse we haue professed in Iesus Christ to loue god aboue all thynges and our neighbours as our selues but we contempne God and Christe our creatour and sauioure and the rather neglecte oure poore neighboures and christen brotherne our companions in Christ and felowe heyres with him in his kyngedome bendynge our whole affectes to the onely dead will of the flesh we loue so much the world the diuelles snares hath caught vs The deuell the vvorlde and the flesh preuaileth against vs. Ena hath deceyued vs light fātasies are obeyed excesse beareth rule our callinges are abused our eies must be satisfied our bodyes must go gaye our feding must be fyne our pastymes must be kepte and what so euer earthly vanitie the deuill motioneth the worlde proeureth or the fleshe coneteth therevnto our corrupted hartes immediatlye consenteth Trulye Sathan that cursed enemy and prynce of impietie syns his firste fall from the kingdome of god into vtter darkenes neuer better bestirred hī to the nereace of his helly kingdom thē now in these our pitiles and most vnhappy daies And how he preuaileth and in victory triūpheth god to oure plage suffereth his grace he withdraweth which our wickednes serueth and that the godlye most greuously feeleth and with teares also lamenteth And if herein we now consider mennes ingratitude amongeste whome in their degrees they greatlye differ as some are muche more to bee noted then some namelye of such thinges as shal immediatly folowe considering how merueilously we be mixed with what diuersitie of spirites we bee guided and how variable in al our doynges we are alwais affected for we haue not amōgest vs one only faith we leane not zelously to one only true god neyther doo we seeke one onelye eternall and heauenlye father whose wyll of all men shoulde onely be receyued folowed if our hartes in dede were onlye to him vnited But as we bee apparauntly and to euel deuided and some to one way and some to another addicted so the powers of darkenesse hathe mightilie preuailed and wroughte open contempte to our iust reproche Therfore respectinge these two natures thus deuided I wyll humbly now wyth reuerence leaue here wourthylye vntouched all vertuous ryghte prudente honourable and godlye gouernours whose harts I acknowlege in their doinges to be alwayes moste aptly tempered with the reuerēd feare of God from whome
it repeÌ„t you and be conuerted sayeth Christ that your sinne and iniquities may be done avvay Math. 4. Act. 3. tourned oure faces and fledde backe from the voice of our most holy and rightuouse God in the lare dayes specially of hys mercyfull visitation yet lette vs repentauntely tourne in tyme and embrace hym moste louely with our readye spreadde armes of faith charitie and constancye And as we haue ouer longe wyth corrupted and vaine hartes bene vaynely addicted to vaine thynges and our wylles greatly dissenting from the wil of god so let vs now make haste that wyth all puritie and cleannes of harte suche fondnesse and impuritie may be refected and goddes most diuine wyll obediently retayned Yea and though God in deede by his iustice hathe some thing of late dayes and preseÌ„tly also touched vs Gods heauye and bitter vvrathe vpon Englande and hath seemed to laye vpon vs cruell strokes and rough chastisementes whether by our late kynges death that most godly and christeÌ„ prince either by the breach of vertuous and good lawes by the alteration of Chrystes holy religion by takinge awaye the lyght of the gospel by cruell persecution and destruction of the pastoures and flocke of Christe And in stead of mercy and pitie bitter tyrannye and most shamefull effusion of innocente and christen bloude by bournynge famishinge in prysons buryenge in dungehylles rackynge headinge drawynge hangynge and quartering as in the dayes of goddes slaughter by his greate and most heauie indignacion besides strange diseases sodein deathes dishonorable warres greuouse exactions meynteinyng of straungers vniuersal famyne losse of goods losse of frends or otherwise yet for the auoidynge of further daungers that by the bytternes of his wrath maye yet fall vpon our fleshe and specially escapynge the second death secludinge wilfull ignoraunce obstinatie Good couÌ„sayle and stiffeneckednes let vs humbly geue thankes vnto gods diuine maiestie for all thinges and namely for the present shewe and ioiefull lyght of his countynaunce now shynynge agayne vpon vs dailye besechinge him to contynue his goodnesse to assiste vs wyth his grace and to prepare vs lyuelye and apte folowers of his holye and diuine wylle wythout murmurynge vnreuerente talkynge secrete conspirynge or cursed rebellynge for they are euelles greately dyspleasing god and wourkes of the deuell and of hysedicious membres vpon whome he wyl assuredly poure downe his determinate plages to their swyfte confusion of bodye and soule Lette vs feare therefore to offende the maiestie of so mighty a God VVe maye not vvith stande the vvil of god who is rightuous and a ieolous god ouer rightuousnes let vs not repugne his wyll or stryue against the streame preparyng newly vnto our selfs the cup of gods wrath and to drynke double the dregges of his vengeaunce but spedyly with a lyuely faythe to retourne and leane towardes hym and not be doubtefull of his mercy for he hath promised in Iesus Christe that our synnes shall be consumed oure transgressions couered and oure iniquities pourged He is mercyfull Daniel 9. he beholdeth vs in Christe and reioyceth in the conuersion of synners he wyll haue mercye vppon vs after the multitude of his mercyes whyche wyll not the death of synners Math. 3. Eze. 18.33 1 Timo. 〈◊〉 1. Peter 3. The tyme and houre vvhen god vvill vifite vs and take accomptes of vs vvee knovv not but rather that they repentantly tourne and lyue and aptly receyuynge the grace of god readily to prepare theim selues that in what so euer tyme and place deathe by the hande of God shall assaild them they bee not founde vnprepared in that so shorte and sodayne warnyng And not withstandinge this moste apte preparacion touchyng lyfe and death or tymes appointed for them let vs referre all with a liuely hope to the good disposition and wyll of god and say with saint Pauie whether welyue or whether we die to god and to goddes good pleasure wee lyue or dye For herein shall consist greate perfection in oure spirituall profession if in our redines and moste apte preparacion we humblye embrace rightuousnes shewyng our selues always well pleased and reioycing in god and desire accordynge to the wyll of god to be dissolued from this frail and corruptible body and to lyue vncorruptible wyth Chryst for euer And we may be sure yf god see in vs such apt towardnes that we hunger thirst for the waye of ryghtuousnesse and that we earnestly seeke the mortification of our olde grosse affectes and shake frome oure shoulders that greuous packe and reprocheful bourthen of malice Collos 3. fearcenes wrath bloudshed cursed speaking coÌ„spiring rebelling lieng octractioÌ„ false accusation pride couetousnes druÌ„kennes vncleannes selfe loue vayne affection and suche lewde fondnes and in respect of gods he auenly felicite and endles treasure to neglect the fugitiue and shorte pleasures of this life he will not deferre to help vs to assist vs and streÌ„gthen vs such is the accustomed goodnes of his deuine nature towardes vs but wyll be myndefull of hys promyse to haue mercy vpon vs as he in thys wise sayeth of hym selfe by the prophet Esaye I haue forsaken you sayeth hee for a small season Esay 〈◊〉 I haue tourned my face from you I haue sharply with plages visited you haue stretched out myne arme agaynste you to stryke you and make you stoupe for the greatnesse of your pryde and iniquity ye haue bene agaynste me so stoughte so stonye harted and sturdye but now I see you agayne relented repentaunse for your synnes and tourned agayn vnto me I wyl with great mercyfulnes tourne me vnto you embrace you receyue you take ye vppe agayne vnto me and for euer holde ye vp and preserue you And where in my wrathe as it were the twyncklynge of an eye I hydde my selfe frome you I haue nowe thoroughe myne euerlastynge goodnesse tourned me agayne vnto you and pardoned you sayeth the LORDE GOD youre auenger I am he Psal 102. I am he sayeth the Lorde whych taketh awaye your iniquities for mine owne sake and will no more remember youre synnes Thus we vnderstande the greate mercye and goodnesse of God towarde vs dysobediente and wretched synners who wylle not onelye here vs and tourne hym mercyfullye agayne vnto vs by oure humble sute and peticion or by oure happye amendmente of lyfe thoroughe the true faythe and loue in Iesus Chryste and staye his presente indignacion now raygnynge vppon vs and the greate terroure of hys vengeaunce to comme eyther in cases generall touchynge thys our already afflicted realme or countrey our lord blesse it and defende it or properly touchâ—â—â—â— our owne personnes for euerye of vs see in our selues our due dosertes but wyll henseforthe blesse vs he wyll renewe styll hys ioyfull countynance vpon vs he wyll wythdraw the power of the diuell from vs that he preuayle not agaynst vs in no kynde of temptacion he wyll not suffre vs to be tempted aboue our strength but wyl in the myddeste