THOMAS BECON ⧠A confortable Epistle too Goddes faythfull people in Englande wherein is declared the cause of takynge awaye the true Christen religion from them howe it maye be recouered and obtayned agayne newly made by Thomas Becon Abacuk 2. Thoughe the Lorde tarye yet wayte thou for hym for he will vndoubtedly come yea and that oute of hande Imprynted at Strasburgh in Elsas at the signe of the goldeÌ„ Bibel in the moneth of August In the yeare of the LORDE M. D. LIIII The Epistle ¶ The fyrst Chapter TO the faythfull Christians wheresoeuer they be dispersed thorowoute the realme of Englande Thomas Becon wisâ—…heth grace mercy and peace from God the father with perfect knowlege of hys dearly beloued sonne Iesu Christ our Lorde and alone sauyour thorow the halowinge of the holy Ghoste vnto the true and vnfayned obedience off Gods moste blessed will with an earnest fayth in the merciful promises of God and assured hope of obtayninge thesame vnto euerlastinge lyfe AMEN IT greatly reioyceth me mosâ—…e deare brethren to heare of thys youre constancye and stedfastnes in beleuing confessing the glorious Gospell of our sauiour Iesus Christe whiche as the apostle Rom. 1. sayth is the power of God to saue so many as beleue namely in these perillous and troublesome dayes wherin we se so many sturte backe and runne awaye from the coÌ„ fession of Gods trueth whiche whan the weather was calme they semed constantly to professe and folowe the fonde fantasyes of menne that speake not Gods worde but theyr owne drowsy dreames and idle imagi nacions brought into the church of Christ by suttle sathan and hys marked marchauÌ„ teâ—… vnto the great disturbaunce of the Chri sten common wealth so that if it were possible the very electe and chosen people off God thorow theyr â—…ugsing might be seduced Mat. 24. and led from the waye of truthe As ye haue godly begonne so manfully go forthe vnto the ende that ye maye receaue a full ioye and a perfect reward of the Lord your God in that daye whan he gloriously shal apeare and rendre to euery one accordinge to hys dedes that is to saye prayse honor and immortalite to them which continew in good doyng and seke eternall lyfe But vnto them that are rebellious and disobey the trueth and folowe iniquitie shal come indignacioÌ„ and wrath tribulacion and anguishe But be it knowen vnto you deare brethren that this thing that hath happened vnto vs in thys realme of Englande Roma 2. I meane the takynge awaye of Gods true religion and the thrusting in of paâ—…istrye in the steade therof vnto the greate vnspeakable sorowe of all true Christen hartes ought not to seme vnto you newe straunge and vnloked for but rather suche a thynge as hath hytherto many tymes bene declared vnto you by the preachers and ye your selfs godly coÌ„sydering the corrupt maners and vnluckye chaunces of thys realme did ryghte well the same aforesee and greately lament For diuers signes had we longe before besydes the godly admonicions of the faythfull preachers whiche playnly declared vnto vs an vtter subuersyon of the true Christen religioÌ„ to be at hande except it were preuented by hasâ—…ye and hartye repentaunce What shall I speake of that godly and mighty prince Edward duke of Somerset whiche in the tyme of his Pro The 〈◊〉 of Somerset tectorship dyd so banyshe Idolatrye out of this our realme and bring in agayn Gods true religioÌ„ that it was woÌ„der so weyghty a matter to be brought to passe in so 〈◊〉 a tyme Was not the vngentle handlyng of hym and the vnrighteous thrustinge hym out of office and afterward the cruel mur thering of hym a man yea a myrrour off true innocencye and Christen pacience an euident token of Gods anger agaynste vs The sudden takynge awaye of those moâ—…e goodly verteous yonge Impes the duke of Suffolke and hys brother by the sweating The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and his brother syckenesse was it not also a manifesâ—… token of Gods heauy displeasure towarde vs The death of those two most worthy godly learned men I speake of M. Paulus M. Paulus Fagius D Martine Bucer Fagius of D. Martine Bucer was it not a sure Prognostication some greate mishappe concerning Christen religion to be at haÌ„de But as I may passe ouer many other at the laste come vnto that whiche is moste lamentable and can neuer be remembred of any true English harte without large teares I meane the death of oure most godly Prince and Christen kyng Edwarde the. VI. that true Iosias that earnest Rynge Edvvarde the 〈◊〉 destroyer of false religion that feruent setter vp of Gods true honor that mooste bounteous Patrone of the godly learned that moste worthy mayntayner of good let ters and vertue and that perfecte liuelye myrrour of true nobiliâ—…e and syncere godlines was not the takyng away of hi alace for sorow asure signe and an euident tokeÌ„ that some great euel haÌ„ged ouer this realm of England Who considering these thynges as I may speake nothing of the wicked Grosse gospelers nes of those meÌ„ which made the worde of God a cloke of their naughtines of their insatiable couetousnes of their intollerable pryde of their volupteous wanton lyuing c. perceaued not a shepwracke of the Christen religion too be at hande as it is alace for pytie come to passe at thys daye All good men feared the decaye of Goddes true honoure in thys realme that we feared that hathe chaunced howe coulde it otherwise come to passe Gods blessing was offered vnto vs â–ª but we thorow our wicked and vnthankefull lyfe refused it Shal not therfore blessing be taken away cursinge come in the place therof as it is written he wolde not haue the blessing it shal therfore Psal. 109. be farre from hym ¶ The. ii Chapter IF the kingdom of God be proffered vnto vs and we set not by it are we not worthy Englande blessed â–ª 〈◊〉 to loose it What realme synce the Apostles tyme was euer so abundantly replenished with the knowledge of Christes Gospel yea that in so few years as this realme of England was But alace howe was it regarded Who repeÌ„ted who know ledged hys synne from the very hart Who called on the name of God in spirite and truthe Who framed hys lyfe accordynge to hys knowledge It is therefore come too passe as our Sauiour Christ longe before threatened the kyngdoÌ„ of God shal be takeÌ„ Math. 21. froÌ„ you shal be geueÌ„ to a natioÌ„ that bringeth forth the frutes thereof God planted this realme of EnglaÌ„d a pleasaÌ„t goodly vineyarde dressing and trymming it after Esa. 〈◊〉 the beste manner lokynge contynuallye to haue some worthy frut therof but wâ—… in the stead of naturall grapes it broughte forthe wylde beryes vnwholsome and vnnaturall was it not worthye too be layde wayste to be troden vnder foote and to be
thei mai slaunder the good doctrine that we professe and bringe vs â—…ute of credite with all men that they maye go forthe the more frelye to lye as they haue begunne largely all redye and tosowe theyr abhominable 〈◊〉 wicked Popyshe supersticious and Antichristiane doctrine the more franc kely in the hartes of the simple vnlearned people to the great derogation of thâ—… 〈◊〉 of Christes Gospel and to the Luâ—… 〈◊〉 auauncement of their beastly and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It were mete therfore that the true 〈◊〉 of God and of hys blessed worde 〈◊〉 in these our dayes seke all meanes possible so to garnish their lyfe with good workes that in all thinges they maye do honour to the doctrine of Christe oure sauioure and Titus 2 stoppe the mouthes of the wicked vngodlye aduersaries by well doynge as 〈◊〉 Peter 1. Pet. 2. admonisheth saying this is the wil ofGod that by wel doynge ye shoulde stoppe the mouthes of folish and ignoraunte people as fre and not as hauinge a libertie to be a cloke of noughtynes but as the seruauntes of God Agayne â—…erely beloued I beseche you as straungers and pylgrimes abstayne from fleshly lustes which fight agaynst the soule and haue an honest conuersacion among the â—…eathen that in that they do bacbyte you as euel doers they iudging you of your good workes may glorifie God in the day of visitacioÌ„ Hereto agreeth the saying Phil. 2. of s. Paule Do al thing without murmu ring and disputing that ye maye be fautles and pure and the sonnes of God without rebuke in the middes of a croked and a peruerse nation among which se that ye shyne as lightes in the worlde holdinge faste the worde of lyfe For there is nothinge that so greatly abasheth the aduersaries of Gods worde and kylleth their courage strikynge The papâ—… stes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 them euen doune too the grounde as the godly and verteous lyfe of the Christians 〈◊〉 contrariwyse nothinge gladdeth them 〈◊〉 thaâ—… to se our lyfe dissolute and swar â—…ng from our professioÌ„ For than lyke hell houndes yell they out and saye Beholde your Protestantes Se your new Gospelers Consider their lyfe Note their manners Marke their conuersacion Where is founde the lyke pryde couetousnes fals bargayning crafty byeng sellinge oppressing of the poore raysing of rentes taking of incomes idle wordes vayn othes super fluous bancketting contâ—…pte of the poore vnmercifulnes breakinge of promise vntrueth with all that euer setforth a wicked and vngodly lyfe O what a stoÌ„bling blocke is this to weake consciences What a 〈◊〉 o nour to the worde of God What a slaunder to the Christen profession What a decaye to godly religion What auauncement of Papistrie and Idolatrie What encouragement to the blynd to perseuer in their blyndnes What a glorie to the wicked Pa pistes and a confirmacion to their abhoâ—… nable and deuelish doctrine Therefore yf we tender the glory of God the auauÌ„cemâ—…t of hys true religion and the saluacion off oure owne soules let vs brynge forthe the worthy frutes of true repentaunce and vnfayâ—…ed fayth that God maye haue a pleasure in vs reioyce to do vs good delighte to bring our enemies and their sathaâ—…call superstâ—…cion vnder fooâ—…e that hys name maye be glorified and hys true religion once agayne florishe amonge vs vnto oure singulare â—…oye and vnspâ—…akable comforte AMEN ¶ The. vii Chapter MOreâ—…er forasmuch as we are coÌ„passed Prayer abouâ—…e with dayly troubles and stande in continuall daunger bothe of the deuell and of hys tymmes the papistâ—…s â–ª not beynge able of oure selfes too withstande their tyrâ—…y and to 〈◊〉 our selfes out of their handes it shall be 〈◊〉 â–ª that we withoute ceâ—…synge flee vnto God with moâ—…e harty prayers pourynge out with teares before the throne of hys diuine 〈◊〉 â–ª our 〈◊〉 â–ª soâ—…owes miseries 〈◊〉 and troubles moste humblye 〈◊〉 hys 〈◊〉 goodnes too haue 〈◊〉 on vs to kepe vs from all euell tâ—… 〈◊〉 vs from oure enemies both bodely and ghostâ—…ly to preserue vs from idolatrye 〈◊〉 supersticion hypocrisye and from all false religion and too kepâ—… vs in hys feare faythe loue and perfecte obedience of hys moste holye lawe and blessed ordinaunces to geue vs hys heaueÌ„ly sprete for too renew oure hartes and to sende his holy Aungels to pyâ—…che their tentes aboute vs and to defende vs from all euel and wic kednes as it is written The Aungell of the Psal. 34. Lorde pyâ—…cheth hys tente aboute them that feare hym and deliuereth theym Thys kynde of prayer is a swete smellynge sacryfice vnto God moste hyly pleaseth hym Therefore was it the dayly exercise off all godly people in all ages yea their whole delyghte and pleasure With whatsoeuer trouble they were accombered faythefull prayer was their onely refuge solace comforte and socoure Beynge greued with anye kynde of adueâ—…sitie they hasted not vnto saiâ—…es with Ora pro nobis as the dissemblynge Hypâ—…crytes Papistes and wycked â—…apystes do in theyr pompous and Idolatrous Processions but vnto GOD from whome alone commeth Iaco. 1. Rom. 10. euery good and perfecte gyfte which also is ryche ynoughe for all them that call on hym and they deâ—…yred too haue their prayers accepted not for the intercessions and merites of anye sainctes nor yet for their owne dignitie and worthynes â–ª Ioâ—… 15. 16 but for Iesus Christes sake for hys merites worthines and excellency they were moste graciously hearde as Dauid saythe Whan I was in trouble I cryed vnto the Psal. 120. Psal. 22. Lorde he mercifully hearde me Agayne Our father 's hoped in the o God they tru sted in the and thou diddest deliuer them They called vpon the were holpen they put their trust in the and were not confouÌ„ ded Was not Iacob deliuered from the tyranny Gene. 33. of his brother Esau by prayer Were not the chyldren of â—…srael made noble conquerours of the Amelechites whan Moyses Exod. 17 4. Re. 19. prayde for them What a wonderfull victory had kyng Ezechâ—…as ouer that proud prince 〈◊〉 after that he had praide vnto the Lorde his God although neither he nor any of hys fought one stroke Was not Peter deliuered out of pryson thorowe Acto 12. the prayers of the faythfull congregacion Had not the Gospel of our sauiour Christ Act. 2. 4. good successe at the beginning thorowe the feruente prayers of the holye Apostles I shoulde wante both tyme paper yncke if I should go forth to reherce vnto you all the hâ—…ories of suche as haue receaued singulare benefites at the hâ—…de of God thorow prayer Praye therfore continually and be thankefull to God for all thynges in the 〈◊〉 Thes 〈◊〉 nameÌ„ of Christe and ye shall shortly se the wonderfull workes of God in banishynge agayne Idolatrie papistrie and all fals religion in 〈◊〉 vnto vs the glorious Gospel of Iesus Christ hys dearly beloued sonne and oure alone sauioure vnto oure great ioye and
deuoured of wylde beastes Were not the people of the olde worlde worthye too be Gen. 7. 2. Pet. 2. ouerwhelmed with waters which beynge of righteous No he so ofte afore admonisshed wolde not repent and make prouisioÌ„ for the auoyding of that plague Were not the filthy Sodomites worthy to be consumed Gen. 19. 2. Pet. 2. with fyre and brymstone from heaueÌ„ which being afore tolde of their destructioÌ„ wolde not cease thorowe their abhominable liuynge to prouoke the heauy wrathe fearse vengeaunce of God agaynste theim Were not the Israelites worthy to be plagued euen vnto the death whan they despisyng lothyng abhorring Manna which Exod. 17 came doùne from heauen lusted after the vile flesh of the earth Were not the Iewes worthy to be ledde awaye miserable captiues wretched prysoners to serue strauÌ„ge princes in farreyne countryes which wold 4. Re. 25 not serue their Lord God in theyr owne couÌ„ trye a lande that floweth with mylke and hony Was it not conuenient that the Matt. 21. Marc. 12. Luc. 20. people of Iuda shoulde be oppressed yea destroyed bothe they and their cyâ—…es of theyr enemyes the Romaynes which refused Ie sus Christ their trueliege and soueraygâ—…e Lorde to reygne ouer them most cruelty put hym to death Were they not worthye Mat. 〈◊〉 to be seduced by a sorte of fals raâ—…es as they are at thys daye whâ—…che wolde neueâ—… geue eare too the true Prophetes of God but miserably kylled them â—…s it not also mete that they lyke vagabundes shoulde Acto 7. wander thorowoute the worlde withoute priesthode kyngedome or common weale that wolde neuer truly serue hym which before all other nacions dyd chose them 〈◊〉 be hys peculiare people geuiÌ„g them a â—…e that flowed wyth the abondauÌ„ce of all thin ges Are they not worthy to walke in â—…kenes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 â—…f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which willingly despise the light tâ—… taste â—…oure thinges whiche abhorre the swete to wander out of the waye whiche râ—…fuse the playne pathe Euen so is it come to passe lykewise with vs at this day We abhorred the light of Goddes worde therfore are we now iustly ouerwhelmed with the darkenes of mens tryffeling 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 decrees We lightely 〈◊〉 the godly prayers and thankes geuinges 〈◊〉 oure Engliâ—… tounge wherby we 〈◊〉 Latin seâ—… 〈◊〉 haue bene greatly 〈◊〉 therefore are we now fedde with Latyn seruice whiche â—…e know not whether it be blessing or cursiâ—… Certeyn are weÌ„ that it is altogether with out edifyeÌ„g clean coÌ„trary to the coÌ„mauÌ„de 1. Cor. 14 meÌ„t of God the doctrine of the holy Aposâ—…le â–ª which wolde nothiÌ„g to be spokeÌ„ in the coÌ„gregacioÌ„ but in such a toÌ„ge as al the people vnderstaÌ„d that al may be edified We set nought by the ministracioÌ„ of the holy bles Maâ—… â–ª 〈◊〉 sed coÌ„munioÌ„ therfore this plage is worthe ly come vpoÌ„ vs that in the stead of the Lordes supper we haue moste wicked abhomi nable masses setvp inueÌ„ted by the deuel bro ught in by Antichrist practised by his shorne shaueâ—…iÌ„ges maintained by such as haue receaued the beastes marke full of supersticion Idolatrie blasphemie spiritual whor dome and of all that displeaseth God is horrible in the iudgement and sighte of all good men We regarded not the godly learned and fatherly Bisshops nor the faythfull verteous ministers of Gods worde whiche fedde vs with the pure wheate off Christes gospel and taught vs the holy ordinaunces of God RepeÌ„tauÌ„ce fayth loue inuocation of the name of God mortification of the olde man brotherly charitie pa cieÌ„ce loÌ„g suffering obedieÌ„ce ioy in the holy Ghost the true Christen good workes such other fâ—…utes of the spirite wherby we might learne to serue the Lord our God in Luc. 1. holynes righteousnes all the daies of our lyfe therfore al those meÌ„ of God being put to silence someÌ„ out of office some in exile some in pryson abyding the good pleasur of God euen as shepe apoynted to be slayne Psal. 44. Rom. 8. we are coÌ„â—…elled dayly to heare suche AntichristiaÌ„ troÌ„petâ—…lowers such caÌ„ckred cormorauÌ„tes such Caymlyke caterpyllers suche idle Idols such loytering lordennes suche lecherous lubbers such deuelâ—…h destroiers of ChristeÌ„ meÌ„s soules as the eares of agood Christian abhorre for too heare the eyes to beholde the fete to go vnto O miserye passing all miseries that flocke whiche the hye bishop Christ purchased with his most Acto 20 precious bloud to be scattered reÌ„t torne deuoured of those cruel lyoÌ„s raueniÌ„g wol fes who lameÌ„teth not those people whom God hath chosen for his enheritauÌ„ce to be seduced led out of the way by suchâ—… ministers of sathaÌ„ as clothe theÌ„ selfs outwardly with shepes apparel inwardly are â—…auenig Math. 7. Math. 2â—… wolfs ful of hipocrisy rauyn deceate of al fylthines whose hart distilleth not droppes of bloude to consider O to muche lamentable case The. iij. Chapter FOr what other thing do the lyeÌ„g blo dy papistes teache at this day thaÌ„ the very lyes dreames and fantasyes of Antichrist the bishop of Rome and his adherentes The doctriâ—… ne of the pa pistes as setting vp of aultars taberna cles Images and roode loftes hanging vp of the pyre setting vp of candles before Ido les and â—…awmettes halowyng of bread salte water palmes fyre asâ—…es oyle crisâ—…e rynges candles c. Ladyes psalters s â–ª katerines knotâ—…es intercessions and merites of sainctes Purgatorye prayenge for the dead trentalles diriges commendacions masses of RequieÌ„ masses of Scala celi masses of Recordare masses of Si iniquitates masses for all diseasâ—…s masses for all thinges good or badde auriculare confession crepyng to the crosse with candles egges money c. Iustification of workes fre will popysh fâ—…inge prayers withoute vnderstanding fayth withoute knowlege deuocion without the sprete 〈◊〉 masses propâ—…atory sacrifices done by Sodomiticall priestâ—…s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Sacramentall breade thâ—… reall corporall substanciall carnall naturall and sensâ—…ble presence of Christe in the Sacrament so that we breake hym on peces with oure handes teare hym with our tethe and swallowe hym into the maâ—… and so digeste hym and sende hym I can not tell whyther with an whole sea of lyke errouâ—…s and heresys whiche the pylde peuyâ—… 〈◊〉 papistes teache without the authorâ—… of Gods woorde euen of theyr owne â—…ayne and fantasye vnto the great dishonour of God and the vtter damnacion of their soules whichâ—… heare beleue folowe the doctrine of those Antichristes And whence commeth it to passe that we which before were blessed of God with so many heauenly benefites are nowe moâ—…e miserably compassed about with all kynde of euilles and become the very bonde slaues of these Antichristes and spiritual shameles shauelynges as men wholy estrauÌ„ ged from God and vtterly banished frome The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 avvaye thâ—… true religioÌ„ from
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