that are off a troubled hart and the broken in spirite will he heale and saue ¶ The. v. Chapter SEcondly to this harty repentauÌ„ce muste a true and Christen faythe be annexed Faythe whiche apprehendeth and layeth hande on the mercifull promises of God frelye setforth to all faythefull penitent synners in Christes dere harte bloude For without this fayth and perfect perswasion of Gods fauour toward vs RepeÌ„tauÌ„ce is vayne as RepeÌ„tauÌ„ce and faithe muste go together the histories of Caym Esau Saul Achab Iudas and of suche other do manifestly declare In consideracion whereof our Sauioure Christ whan he beganne to preach sayde not onely to hys hearers Repente but he added And beleue the Gospell teachynge that true repentaunce muste be ioyned Mar. 1. with Christen fayth or els it profiteth nothing An example hereof besydes many other haue we in the history of the synfull womaÌ„ in the Gospel of sainct Luke which Luce. 7. dyd not onely repent earnestly as her bitter teares sorowefull sobbynges and depe syghynges do playnely declare but she also faythfully beleued beynge constantly perswaded that she althoughe a moste wicked syâ—…er shoulde obtayne remission of all her synnes at God the fathers hande for Iesus Christes sake hys derely beloued sonne whose fete at that present she ceased not too kysse whose fete she washed with her teares wyped with her hayre and annoynted with moste precious pleasaunte oyle Our Sauioure Christe therfore beholding her true repentaunce conioyned wyth vndoubted faythe sayde not onely to her Thy synnes are forâ—…euen the but he added Thy saythe hathe saued the departe wyth peace that is too saye with a quiet free ioyefull and merrye conscience Let vs brynge for the thys faythefull repentaunce Note and repentaunte faythe and wyth all humilitie poure oute oure synnes before the gracious throone of Goddes Maiestye and hartelâ—…e craue remyssyon and forgeuenes off all oure synnes in the precious bloude off oure Sauioure Ihâ—…u Christ and without all doubte God wil â—…e fauourable vnto vs haue pytie on vs and lighten hys chereful countenaunce once agayne vpon vs that we on the earthe maye knowe hys wayes and hys sauinge healthe among all nations For the Lord oure God is full of compassion and mercy long suffering and of great goodnes He will not alwaye be chyding neither kepeth he his anger Psal. 103. for euer He wil not deale with vs after oure synnes nor reward vs accordinge too our wickednes For loke how hye the heaueÌ„ is in câ—…parison of the earth so great is hys mercye also toward them that feare hym Loke howe wyde also the Easte is fâ—…om the West so farre will he set our synnes from vs. Yea lyke as a father pitieth hys owne chyldren euen so will the Lord be mercifull Esa. 38. Miche 7 vnto them that feare hym All oure synnes will he cast behynde his backe into the bottome of the sea wil he throw them neuer remember them more yea yf oure synnes as the Prophet sayth be as redde as sâ—…arlet Esa. 1. yet shall they be made whyther then snowe And yf they were lyke purple yet shal they be lyke whyte wolle yf we vnfainedly repente turne vnto the Lorde oure God beleue hys promises and craue mercye of hym for Christes sake ¶ The. vi Chapter THyrdly earnest diligence must be geâ—…en Good vvor â—…es that according to this true repetaunce and vnfayned fayth we bring forth good workes For the nature of harty repentaunce and of Christen faythe is not to be idle but mightely to worke to chauÌ„ge the penitente creature and to transforme hym into a newe man that he maye serue the Lorde hys God in holynes righteousnes all the dayes of his lyfe If there be not an alteracioÌ„ of lyfe if the olde man be not Ephe. 4. put of with all hys workes and the nâ—…we man put on which is made according vnto God thorow righteousnes if those 〈◊〉 Roma 6. which afore were seruauntes to vnclennes and vnrighteousnes do not nowe become seruauntes to cleÌ„nes righteousnes holynes withoute all doubte we haue neyther true repentauÌ„ce nor vnfayned fayth whose nature and propertie is to bring forth newe spirituall and godlye frutes as the Apostle sayth If any man be in Christ he is a new creature Agayne they that are of Christe 2 Cor. 〈◊〉 Galat. 5. haue crucifyed the flesh with the affectes lustes therof Therefore the holy preacher Ihon Baptiste that priestes sonne dyd not Math. 3. onely exhorte his hearers vnto repeÌ„tauÌ„ce but also vnto amendemente of lyfe vnto the bringing forth of such frutes as become true and faythfull repentaunce Brynge forthe frutes saythe he worthye of repentaunce Math. 3 c. For nowe is the axe layde at the roote of the trees Euery tree therfore that bringeth not forthe good frute is heweÌ„ vp and caste into the fyre And oure Sauiour Christe sayeth Not euery one that sayethe Math. 7. vnto me Lorde Lorde shall enter into the kyngdome of heauen but he that dothe the will of my father whiche is in heauen Agayne ye are my frendes if ye do those Ioan. 15. Ioan. 14. thynges whiche I commaunde you Item he that hath my commaundementes and kepeth them he it is that loueth me Also in another place Let youre lyghte so shyne Math. 5. before men that they maye se youre good workes and glorifye youre father whyche is in heauen These frutes of faythefull repentaunce whyche are the true good workes that God requireth of vs too be done in the holy scripture and not suche as good entent blyndezele or mannes idle imaginacioÌ„ fantasyeth ought to be brought forth whan tyme requireth of euery true Christen man to declare that hys faythe repentaunce is true and vnfayned We maye not therfore if we tender oure owne saluacion and will recouer the fauoure of God be â—…lacke and sluggyshe in bringynge forthe these weyghty frutes of repentauÌ„ce and faythe but so adourne garnyshe decke Note trymme and setforth oure lyfe with them that it maye appeare too all men yeâ—… too the very aduersaries of God that oure repentaunce is true and oure faythe vnfayned and that we be true Christians not onely in name but also in dede â–ª and not off the number of those of whome the Apostle wryteth on this manner They professe with their mouthe that they know God Titus 1. but with they bebes they denye hym And albeit at all tymes it were conuenient that the true Christians shouldbe brynge forthe the workes of repentaunce and the frutes of faythe and lede a lyfe worthy their profession yet in these oure dayes it is moste requisite For who consydereth not wyth how great a number of enemies I meane the deuill and the papistes the true Christians are enuyroned and be set in these our dayes which do nothinge els but diligently marke what they may fynde in vs â–ª worthy to be rebuked â–ª that by 〈◊〉 means
healthe amonge all nacions Turne vntoo me sayeth the LORDE of hostes and I wyll turne vnto you Zacha. 1. Remember howe fauorably God at all tymes dealte with hys people bothe whan they were captiues in Egipte and also in Babylon yea and at all other tymes whaÌ„soeuer they were in anye distresse For though he worthely plagued them for their wickednes yet so sone as they vnfaynedlye returned vnto hym he deliuered them froÌ„ their enemies and gaue them their hartes desyre For God is neuer so angry with his people but that in the myddes of hys anger he wyll remember hys mercie And though he somtyme punisheth vs yet will he be pleased agayn if he seeth oure vnfayned coÌ„uersion as Tobie sayde in his praier Tobi. 3. After a storme O Lorde thou makest the weather fayre and calme After weping and heauines thou geuest great ioye Thy name O God of Israell be praysed for euer Onely let vs returne vnto the Lorde oure God and become new men and withoute all doubt we shall se out of haÌ„de the myghtye working of God Repent betymes therfore repent humble your selfs in the sight of God beleue hys promyses call on hys holy name abyde paciently hys godly pleasure become new men in lyfe and conuersacion walke worthy your profession and so behaue youre selfes in all thinges that God maye be glorified by you Fare ye well dere Brethren and accordynge too the admonicion of the holy Apostle watche ye 1. Cor. 16 stande faste in the faythe quyte you lyke menne and be stronge The Grace of the Lorde Iesus Christe be wyth you all Amen ¶ Gyue the glorie to GOD alone ¶ Manne Howe longe o Lord Psal. 13. Christe I come quickely Apoc. 22 Manne Oh come Lord Iesu. Apo. 22. Prophet He will come and not tarye Abac. 2. ☞ The C. iij. Psalme made in Englishe meter by Thomas Becon for a thankesgeuing vnto God immediatly after hys deliueraunce out of pryson whose emprysonmente began the. 16. daye of August the yeare of oure Lorde 15 53. and ended the 22. of Marche then nexte ensuynge ¶ Psalm 103. BE thanckefull o my soule vnto the LORDE And all that within me haue theyr beynge Laude prayse magnifye with one accorde Hys holy blessed name aboue all thynge O my soule once agayn to the I saye Be thankeful vnto the Lord euer more And looke thou forget not night nor daye All hys benefites that thou haste in store For he it is yea he it is alone Which pardoneth al thy synnes both more and les He deliuereth the from all griefe mone And sendeth the health in tyme of sykenes He saueth thy lyfe from destruccion Which otherwyse should perish withoute doubte He of mere ' grace ' and tender compassion Crouneth the with louing kyndnes round aboute He with good thinges thy mouth doth satisfye To eate drinke gyuing the abundance He maketh the ioyful yonge and lustye Euen as an Egle that is ful of pleasaunce The LORD dothe minister iustice and iudgement To suche as are oppreste with violence He defendeth the good and innocent But the wicked he casteth froÌ„ his presence He shewed hys wayes vnto faythfull Moses And his workes to the sonnes of Israel That all hys people myghte knowe bothe more and les In all kynde of vertue for to excel O the Lord God eueÌ„ of his own nature Is bent vnto gentilnes and mercye Yea frendly is he aboue all measure Longe suffering eke of great petye For though oure synnes be bothe greate and many Yet wil not the Lord be alway chyding Neither will he for euer be angry But shew him self toe vs bothe gentle and louyng After our synnes he dealeth not with vs Neither according to our wickednes But lyke a father bothe gentle gracious He forgeueth al our sinnes both more les For loke how hye is the heauen supernal In comparison of the earth full lowe So great is hys mercy toward them all That feare hiÌ„ wickednes away throwe And loke howe wyde the Easte is frome the West So farre hath he set all our synnes froÌ„ vs Because oure conscience should be at rest And nomore trobled with workes odious Yea lyke as a father gentle and tender Pittieth hys owne chyldren natural Euen so is the Lorde merciful euer Unto theÌ„ that feare him both great smal For he beyng our maker knoweth cerâ—…es Of what mater we be made and formed He remembreth we are but dust and ashes All of vyle and slymye earth created A man in his lyfe is like vnto grasse Hys dayes are few but a whyle endure Lyke the floure of the felde awaye he passe Floriâ—…ing for a tyme but nothing sure For as a flour with fears wâ—…d assayled Fadeth shortly away cometh to nought So dothe man of cruel death oppressed Departe heÌ„ce vnto nothing is brought But the mercifull goodnes of the Lorde Dothe continew for euer and euer Upon theÌ„ that feare him with one accorde And hys iustice vpoÌ„ their chylders chylder I meane vpon such as kepe his coucnauÌ„t And do them selfs diligently applye To kepe hys preceptes likewise do grauÌ„te To frame their whole lyfe accordingly In heaueÌ„ hath the Lorde a seat prepared For him self both glorious and royall And his prince like power is so outstretched That it raygneth ruleth ouer all O prayse the Lorde all ye aungels of hys Ye that excel bothe in strengthe and vertue Ye that do hys will without any mys Ye that harken to hys voyce that ensue O prayse the Lorde our God omnipoteÌ„t All ye hys hostes and armies supernall Ye seruauntes of hys whiche alwayes are bent To do hys wil o prayse the Lord aboue all Yea all thinges that euer God created Prayse ye the Lorde that God of myghte and poure But thou o my soule with hart vnfayned Looke that thou prayse the LORDE at euery houre ¶ Geue the glory to God alone ¶ Psal. 112. O Blessed is the man at eche season That feareth the LORDE God omnipotent For suche one hath all his delectation To accomplysh the Lordes commauÌ„demeÌ„t Hys sede vpon the earth shall be mighty Florishing aye lyke the grene olyue tree The generacion of the godly Shall be blessed in euery degree Suche a man in hys house shall haue alwaye Of honour and ryches great abundaunce And hys righteousnes shall neuer decaye But in all ages haue continuaunce Whan that other in darkenes do remain Unto the godly pleasaunt light shal spyne For such one dothe loue mercy to mayntain To kyndnes iustice his hart he enclyne A good man is bent all vnto mercy And gladly lendeth to such as haue nede As for his talke he ordreth discretly So that his wordes vnto vertue do lede From hys place shal he neuer be moued But alway abyde both constante sure The remeÌ„braunce of the iuste true harted Shall for euer and euer styll endure The righteous shal be nothinge afrayde Of any euel tidinges whaÌ„ they be brought For hys hart on the Lord is wholy stayde Thorow stronge faythe that God therein hath wrought Yea his hart is so throughly stablished That he wil not thrynke in no condicion Untyl he seeth hys desyre satisfyed On hys enemies and their destruccion He disperseth abrode plenteously And geueth to the pore their nede to sustain Remembred therfore continually Shal he be his prayse euer remayn The vngodlye seynge these thinges shall ware woode Gnathe with hys teeth consume away Yet shal the vngodly with all his moode Shortely come to nought perish decay ¶ Geue the glorie to GOD alone
vs. the Christen common weale of the true Israelites â—…erely oure ingratitude our vnthankefulâ—…s oure vnkyndnes yea oure churlyshenes towarde God and hys holye worde hath caused all these miseries worthely to fall vpon vs. We were weary of the heauenly Mauna and had a pleasure to returne vnto Egipt where we myghte syt among the greasy flesh pottes eatynge beffe and brewes knucle depe and haue our deyntye fyshes our meloâ—…s our cucuÌ„bers oure onyons oure garleke oure lekes c. therfore accordinge to the fylthye lustes of oure wicked hartes hath God dealte with vs sent vs agayn into the popishe Egipte to feâ—…e vpon the pestilente leauen of the papisticall Phariseis euen the beggarly ceremonies â—…feling tradicions and dyrtye decrees of men in steade of Gods holy worde vnto the horrible and dredeful damnacioÌ„ of our soules as he sayth by the Psalmographe My people wold not hear my voyce Israel wolde not obeye me therefore gaue Psal. â—…1 I them vp vnto their owne hartes luste let theÌ„ folow their own imaginatioÌ„s Here vnto agreeth the sayinge of s. Paule Because 〈◊〉 thes 2. they receaued not the loue of the truthe that they might be saued therfore wyll God send theÌ„ a sâ—…roÌ„g illusioÌ„ to beleue lyes Is not this the sayng of our sauior Christ this is condeÌ„nacion that light is come into Ioan. 3. the worlde meÌ„ haue loued darkenes more thaÌ„ light for their workes were euell The thing therfore that brought this coÌ„deÌ„nacioÌ„ this darkenes this blyndnes vpoÌ„â—…s is the hating of the light of Gods worde our vnthankefulnes for the benefites of Christes Gospel our sinful lyfe replenished with all kynd of wickednes These thinges these thinges made God to withdraw the moste pleasauÌ„t coÌ„fortable light of his louing coÌ„tenauÌ„ce froÌ„ vs to suffer the prince of dar kenes to shadow vs with his winges of hellish ignorauÌ„cy deuelish blindnes vnto our great discoÌ„fort coÌ„tinual sorow God haue mercy on vs blesse vs shew vs the light of his coÌ„tenaÌ„ceÌ„ be merciful vnto vs that Psal. 67. we may know his way vpoÌ„ the earth his sauing health amoÌ„g all natious Amen ¶ The. iiij Chapter BUt what is now to be done shall we Hovvâ—… the Christen 〈◊〉 ligion 〈◊〉 be recoâ—… red caste away all hope Shal we yelde our self to the priâ—…e of darknes Shal we suffer our selfs coÌ„tinually to be wrapped couered in with the dredefull cloudes of popysh blyndenes God forbid Yea rather let vs with a lusty courage bold spirite hunte out seke some meanes wherby we may be dispatched of this moste miserable plague wherewith we are at this present iustly stryken for our vnthaÌ„kefulnes wicked lyfe so recouer the fauor of God that we may once agayn walke in the heaueÌ„ly light of his moste glorious coÌ„tenauÌ„ce Synne as we hearde afore drowe awaye Sinâ—… froÌ„ vs the benefite of Goddes moste blessed worde of hys true religioÌ„ as the prophet sayth Your wickednesses haue made a wal Esa. 59. betwen you your God your sines hyde his face froÌ„ you Now must we therfor seke how to apease the wrathe of God kyndled agaiÌ„st vs. Uerely the meane how to make God merciful vnto vs is froÌ„hensforth to Remedies againste the vvrathe oâ—… God auoide that which was the cause of Gods displeasur agaiÌ„st vs of the takiÌ„g away of his blessed worde froÌ„ vs I meane syn Syn must be takeÌ„ awai froÌ„ amoÌ„g vs or els câ—…we neuer be recoÌ„ciled vnto God nor obtaiÌ„ his fauour so far is it of that we shall recouer the heaueÌ„ly benefite of his glorious gospel For the Lorde our God is suche a God as 〈◊〉 wickednes The euell can not Psalm 5. dwell by hym nor the vnrighteous abyde in hys sight Syâ—…e therfore which droue God out of oure hostâ—… and with hym the â—…ght of hys blessed worde muste be weded oâ—… bothe of oure haâ—…e and lyfe that we maye be pure before the Lorde oure God 1. Cor. 6. 〈◊〉 hym in spirite and bodye So shall we 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…emples for his godly 〈◊〉 to dwel in whom yf we once receyue iâ—…to oure hartes with hym we maye be sure to enioye all good thynges Nowe to put awaye synne the fyrste remedye is earâ—… and vnfayned repentaunce Let vs all RepeÌ„tauÌ„ce euen from the very hart be inwardly sorye for oure vnthaÌ„kefulnes and disobedience agaynst Gods moste blessed will Let vs eueÌ„ with teares as Peter and Magdalene dyd Matt. 26. Luc. 7. lament and bewayle oure wretchednesses beyng moste hartely sory that we euer offended so louyng a father and so mercifull a Lorde For this vnfayned repentaunce harty â—…ewayling of our synnes is an accep table sacrifice vnto God as Dauid sayth A sacrifice vnto God is a troubled spirite a Psal. 51. broken and humble hart God will not despysâ—… Yea God him selfe sayth by the Prophet Unto whome â—…hall I loke but vnto hyâ—… that is â—…owe brought and of a broken Esa. 66. spirite â—…nd standeth in awe of my wordes this way of obtayning Gods fauor taught Esa. 55. Iere. 3. Eze. 18. Math. 〈◊〉 Mar. 1. Moses and all the Prophetes Ihon Baptiste Christ and al his disciples as the holy scriptures testefie For with out repentauÌ„ce nothing is to be had of God but wrath dis pleasure and euerlasting damnatioÌ„ as our sauiour Christ sayth Except ye repent all sorte of you shall perysh But where true repentaunce cometh an earnest hate off Luc. 1â—… synne with a feruent studye of innocency amendement of lyfe there lyghe the grace mercy fauour and good wil of God bent out for the penitent synner as God hym self sayth by the Prophet If the vngodlye turne awaye frome all hys synnes that he Ezec. 18. hath done and shall kepe all my statutes do iudgement and righteonsnes he shal suâ—…ely lyue and not dye All hys offences shal nomore be layde before hym but in hys righteousnes that he hath done shal he lyue For I haue no pleasure in the deathe of a synner sayth the Lord God but rather that he turne from hys wicked wayes and lyue Agayn as surely as I lyue sayth the Lorde Ezech. 〈◊〉 God I haue no delighte in the deathe of a synner but rather that he should turne froÌ„ hys waies and lyue Turne ye turne ye froÌ„ your euell wayes and why will ye dye O ye house of Israel Diuers examples haue we hereof in the holy scripture as the Examples of repeÌ„taÌ„ce chyldren of Israel the Niniuites Dauid â—…anasses Peter Magdalene the thefe and suche other â–ª which after they repeÌ„ted fouÌ„d fauoure at the mercifull hande of God As we haue folowed them in synning doyng euel so let vs folow them in repenting and doyng wel Than maye we be sure to fynde lyke fauour with them For it is written Psal. â—…4 the Lorde is at hande for them
to escape came vnto Chryste awoke hym and sayde Master saue vs we peryshe Christe aunswered Why are ye afrayde O ye of littell faythe Then he arose and rebuked the wyndes and the sea there folowed a great calme O the tender mercye of the Lorde oure God towarde all suche as in the time of theyr trouble fie vnto his name as vnto a stronge bulwarke Thys historye teacheth vs that thoughe the seas and the wyndes yea though the deuel the worlde ryse rore rage ruffle against vs neuer so much yet if we fie vnto God with harty faythfull praier he wil surely helpe vs so that nothinge shal hurte vs seme oure case neuer so miserable our daunger neuer so perillous The waues of the sea are mightye sayeth the Psalmographe rage horri Psalm 93 bly yet the Lorde that dwelleth on hye iâ—… mightier The lyke historye rede we of Peter whiche whan he saw Christe walkinge on Math. 14 the sea sayde Lorde bid me come vnto the on the water Christ sayde come And whâ—… Peter was come doune out of the shippe he walked on the water to go to Iesus But whan he sawe a mighty wynde he was afraide And whan he beganne to syncke he cryed sayeng Lord saue me And immediat lye Iesus stretching forth his haÌ„de caught hym and sayde vnto hym O thou of litle fayth wherefore dedist thou doubte O the merciful fauour of the Lorde oure God towarde his weake feble creatures Here fynde we the sayeng of the Prophete true A broosed rede shall he not breake smoking Esay 42. flaxe shal he not quenche But as I maye at the laste come too the history of our Sauiour Christ Who seeth not â—…he mightie power of God in raisinge vp Christe crucifyde dead whan all reason and wisedom of men thought it a thing Mat. 27. impossible The Iewes now promised theÌ„ selfs many fayre holy daies great safegard muche quietnes and continuall rest seynge they had brought Christ their head enemye to his long home as they vse to say Euen as oure Papistes at this present daye promise them self many good morowes greate Papistes assuraunce of their wealthy liuinges long rest perfect establishement of their kyngedome and sure saffetie for euer forasmuche as they haue now gotteÌ„ agayn their deuelishe and abhominable Masse their vnfruteful Latin seruice their beggarly ceremonies c. haue so handled the matter that the true preachers beyng put to silence thei alone both at Paules crosse and els where are the trompet blowers not of Christes Gospell but of that Romishe Antichrâ—…es dyrtie deuelish decrees as their sermons if thei be worthy that name now of late haue manifestly declared vnto the great derogation of Gods glorie the dishonoure of hys holy Gospell and the vnspekeable sorowe of all faithful and Christe hartes The Iewes but specially the Bishops the Priestes Mat. 26. 27. the Scribes the Lawers the Phari seis the Saduceis founde the meanes to laye hande on Christ to bynde him to cary him vnto the hye powers to accuse hym to condemne him to crucifie him to kyll Note him Yea beynge buried and a greate stone rolled to the bodre of the sepulche they sealed the stone and sette watch men with bylles halbardes gleyues sâ—…aues speares pyâ—… kes all manner of weapon to kepe Christ doune that he shoulde ryse nomore and trouble the holy religious and spirituall fathers with hys doctrine as he dyd afore But what is the power of this worlde before God very weakenes and the wysedome 1. Cor. 3. playne folishenes For whan they thought them selfes sure ynough of Christ for euer rysing agayne and them selfes set in suche a goodly staye as no misfortuyne coulde chaunce to them and to their kyngedome Christe by the power of hys Godhead Math. 28 rose agayne a tryumphante and victorious conquerour of all his enemies and raygneth nowe in the glorye of hys father for euer and euer And shortlye after the doctrine of Chryste whyche they soughte by all meanes possible too destroye and for the whyche they so hated Christe that they thoughte hym vnworthye too lyue dyd so aryse spryng growe encreace prosper and floryshe that it was not onelye taughte in Iewrye and Samaria but also in all the partes of the worlde and the Iewes for theyr vnthankefulnes and disobedieÌ„ce after certayne yeares with theyr countrye vtterly peryshed and came to noughte After Bevvare ye papistes thys sorte without all doubte shall it come to passe with oure papistes For where as they thynke prosperously longe too raygne by suppressynge the worde of God and hol dynge doune yea quenchyng the glorious light of Christes Gospell the Gospell off Rom. 1 Christe whiche is the power of God shall moste triumphantly ryse agayne maugre the enemies florysh and prosper and they with all theyr pompe pryde vanitie super sticion papistrye hypocrisye Idolatrye ceremonies masses decrees constitucions counsayles customes c. shall perishe and come to nought For God hymself sayeth I will honour them that honour me and I wyll brynge them to shame that do dishonoure 1. Reg. 2. me And oure Sauioure Christe sayeth He that falleth vppon thys stone shall be broken Math. 21. on peces but vppon whomesoeuer it fall it shall crushe hym all to pouder Here to pertayneth the sayenge of sainct Paule 2. Tim. 3. They resiste the trueth beynge men of a corrupte iudgement and lewde as concerning the fayth but they shall preuayle no lenger For their madnes shall be knowen too all men Agayne the God of peace shal treade Rom. 16. sathan vnder your fete â—…hortly ¶ The. xi Chapter MOreouer in the Actes of the Apâ—…stles Acto 12. we rede that after king Herode had kylled Iames the brother off Ihon with the swearde he layde hande on Peter and put him in pryson committing him to foure quaternions of souldiours to be kept entendinge after Easter to bringe him forth to the people and so to kyll him But prayer was made without ceasing of the congregacion to God for him Here Peter was apprehended caste into pryson bounde with chaynes warders appointed to kepe him all thinges so handled that he should by no meanes escape but all tymes be redy at the firste call to be broughte forth vnto death Peter loked continually for present deathe Herode and the Iewes perswaded them selfs to be sure of Peter to kyll him at their pleasur as though thei had slaine him all redy But beholde the mightye power of God whiche fyndeth a meanes to deliuer his seruauÌ„tes whan reason seeth no way to escape The night before that Peter should be brought forth to death there was a very diligente watche because they wolde be sure of him Peter him self was bounde with twoo chaynes Two souldiours also kepte him in the pryson one on the one side of him and another on the other syde Besydes this there were