vnto Righteousnesse and with the mouth confession is made vnto Saluation Moreouer the Apostle Peter in hys seconde Epistle and thirde Chapiter sayth that all those that haue giuen their names vnto Christe or are called Christians oughte so farreforthe to procéede in the study of the holy mysteries that they hauing hearde the truth of their Faith out of the Prophets and Apostles declared in the Scriptures mighte fully and substantiallye comprehended the same and also be able euerye man for himselfe at all times and to euery one that requyreth it to render a reason of his faith and hope But that any man shoulde be able to confesse his faith and to yéelde an accompte thereof that hathe not béene some space conuersante in the sacred Scriptures it is by no meanes probable or likely For it is one thing simply to make a confession of Faith and an other to render an accompte of Faith. As for the one it maye readilye ynoughe after a sorte be performed of euerye manne especiallye when there is no perill of persecution néere at hande and there is no manne in a maner which hath not séene at one time or other many folkes so to haue learned and repeated by hearte the Symbole of the Apostles yea and the Nicene Créede and that now then also in an vnknowen language as Popiniayes are wont to chatter whē they bid men good morrowe or good euen but as touching the other he that will do it must of necessitie declare that his faith is vpholden by the worde of GOD it selfe and as Paule speaketh Rom◠confirmed with the testimony of the lawe and the Prophets For thou arte vtterlye deceiued incase thou thinkest it lawfull for thée to put ouer the office of beléeuing to another and to be sufficient in case thou confessest thy selfe to beléeue as thy Godfather beléeued which vndertooke and gaue his worde for thée at the holye Fonte or as the Churches beléeue or as the Ministers of Churches For vndoubtedly in the matter whyche appertayneth to the euerlasting saluation of the soule euerye manne oughte to be his owne factour to be nearest vnto hymselfe to gage hys owne proper Fayth béefore GOD and the Churche wyth hys owne proper hearte to beléeue vnto Righteousnesse and with his owne proper mouth to confesse vnto Saluation For like as it profiteth not thy bodye in case an other manne taketh meate for thée or in thy steade and thrusteth it into his owne mawe and in the meane tyme leaueth thée hungry and almoste hungersterued for wante of foode euen so arte thou wonderfullye deceyued when thou wéenest that it will be behouefull for thy soule in case thou thy selfe beyng ignoraunte of the thynges that belong vnto Faith whilest I meane thou arte bothe of age and vnderstanding méete to haue learned the worde of GOD and making no confession at all an other man doe declare hys Faith before GOD and his Churche This is not the waye no this is not the way beléeue me to attaine vnto the scope and marke of Saluation Those saide preceptes of beléeuing of confessing of rendring an accompte doe in verye déede binde euerye particular man withoute anye difference Be yee readye sayth Peter to gyue a reason alwayes and to euerye one that asketh But how canste thou hope that thou shalte haue at all tymes and in euerye place eyther thy Godfathers and Godmothers or teachers of the Churche to be present wyth thée whyche wyll doe so muche I meane make answere for thée And for this verye cause is the custome commonlye receiued in the Churche that the confession of Fayth shoulde vpon Sondayes and Holy dayes be recited in suche a forme as albeit there be but one common Faith of all like as there is but one GOD and one Baptisme yet it shoulde not be saide in common we beléeue in one GOD but I beléeue in one GOD to the intent verily euery man might perceiue that he hath for himself both to make confession and also to render a reason of his faith For whiche cause also when Baptisme is ministred it is vsed in all Churches and Prouinces after one and the selfesame manner as for example euery one being asked the question of the minister of the Church seuerally aunswereth for himselfe and sayth I beleeue in GOD the father I beleeue in Iesus Christ hys onelye begotten sonne I beleeue in the holye Ghoste and so foorthe as touchyng whyche order of questioning and aunsweryng there is plaine mention Act. 8. where is touched the regeneration of the Ethiopian Eunuch Neither can it be declared howe great a pestilence that fond opiniō of Faith inuolued as they terme it scattered abroad by certaine vnlearned ideots hath broughte into the minds of menne where by they thinke they do inough when they professe thēselues to beléeue as other men beléeue For doubtlesse here vpon hath risen a moste perillous securitie Yea it hath come to passe by little and little that those which should haue obtayned saluation by faith haue bin so bold as vtterly to neglecte and contemne Faith. But those that haue once neglected cast from them the care of their faith howe is it possible that they should afterward performe the workes of Charitie especially such as are pleasing and acceptable vnto GOD of which sort are those onely and alone that flowe and procéede from Faith And in whom there is neither Faith nor Charitie the same must also of necessitie be destitute of the benefite of hope These things being thus determined it followeth that suche persons are hitherto fallen away from the grace of GOD and oughte not to be made anye better accompte of if we haue regarde to spirituall blessings than Pagans or brute beastes Than whiche estate doubtlesse especiallye of a man that is baptized and glorieth in the name of CHRISTE nothyng can bée sayde or thoughte more wretched or myserable The manne that hathe eyther no Faith in hym at all or suche as is verye slender and vnperfecte neyther vseth to stirre vppe to nourishe to encrease and confirme the same by reading and meditating of the worde of GOD that manne I saye whatsoeuer he bée looketh in vaine to receiue anye spirituall benefites at GODS hande But that Faith do we affirme to be nothing or as slight and slender a thing as maye be whiche onelye is implicita that is to saye inuolued or enwrapped suche I meane as is fast fixed and locked vppe in the breaste of an other manne but hath no maner of place in thine owne Therefore euen as Fayth is looked for at thy handes and muste issue from thine owne selfe so is the reading and knowledge of GODS worde wherein are declared the principles of Fayth and whereby the liuely iustifying faith is kindled and nourished in the mind likewise requyred at thy hands must of necessitie also procéede from thy selfe And to thys end pertaineth that rebukemēt or cōplaint whither it be of Chrisostome in hys sixtéene Homily vpon Iohn Some there be
hys worde but he prouided especially by his wonderfull prouidence that the same shoulde be committed to writing and so commended to euerlasting memorye For GOD him selfe wyth hys owne finger wrote his Lawe in two tables of stone and then commaunded that by Moyses and the reste of the Prophetes hys sayings and doings shoulde be putte in wryting Exodus 17.24.34 Deutronomie 6.31 Iosue 24. Ieremie 36. Psalme 102. By these what thyngs so euer are written they are called by the name of Scripture Whervpon Christ himselfe by the Scripture vnderstandeth the bookes of Moyses of the Prophetes and of the Psalmes Iohn 5. Luke 24. To the same bookes do the Apostles and Euangelistes wyl vs to haue recourse whylest to the confirmation of theyr owne assertions they oftentimes and that desirouslye alleage the Testimonies of Scripture But wée muste knowe that euen the Bookes of these also are accounted wyth the reste in one and the selfe same order of Scriptures whether they beare the name and tittle of Gospels or Actes or Epistles For it is out of all doubte and controuersie that whatsoeuer is comprehended in the whole bodye of the Canonicall bookes is the verye true and healthsome worde of GOD published and putte forthe by his commaundemente All Scripture sayeth the Apostle 2. Timoth. 3. is enspired of GOD. And Peter in his 2. Epistle Chap. 1. Prophesie sayeth hée came not in olde time by the wyll of man but holy men of GOD spake as they were moued by the holy GHOST And like as the writers as well of the Olde as of the Newe Testament receyued a commaundement from one and the selfe same GOD and our and the selfe same spirite enspired theyr myndes gouerned theyr handes and pennes Psalme 68. Actes 2.1 Corinth â—â— Ephes 4. euen so all the whole Scripture is in a manner one Booke reuealing wyth wonderfull consente thyngs moste diuerse and manifolde as Ieremie expounding the 29. Chapter of Esay and Saint Augustine in hys preface to the 150. Psalme doe learnedly gather Whyche things séeing they are so we doe with greate cause vehementlye speake in the commendation of thys Booke not in respecte of the paper or parchmente and of thys or that tongue or of one kinde of letter or other or of the Golde or diuersitie of colour wherwyth it is garnished and sette forthe but euen in respecte that it conteyneth the moste holye and sacred wordes of GOD hymselfe and therefore doe affirme that out of it men ought to learne both by reading and hearing what GOD hathe decréed of vs and of oure saluation For we muste knowe that to this ende especiallye all Bookes are written euen that they shoulde diligentlye be reade and by often reading ouer be fullye vnderstoode that so desyred fruytes myghte redounde to the vnderstanders of them Nowe there be thrée special causes why we shoulde bestowe more diligence in pervsing this latter Booke than the former FIRST Greater is the dignitie of GODS word than of the whole worlde The world in déede was created of the same that the word came from which we so greatly commende and eyther Booke is indifferentely called the Booke of GOD yet neuerthelesse the latter excelleth for so much as wée finde recyted in it the selfe same worde that GOD vsed when he made the worlde of nothing For we reade GOD sayde Let there bee light and the lighte was made Againe God sayde Let there be a firmamente and there was made a firmament and so forth of other things And whereas by the former Booke we perceyue onely that there is a worlde by the latter we maye perceyue what was before the worlde and from whence and by what meanes the same tooke beginning Therefore whether we were neuer able to aspire in searching of causes by the conducte of naturall reason thyther are wée broughte by Faith whyche Faith is intentiuelye fixed on the worde of GOD reuealed read or harde For Faith commeth by hearing of the worde and by Faith wee vnderstande that the worlde was ordayned throughe the worde of GOD so that the thyngs which are seene were made of things that appeared not Rom. 10. Heb. 11. SECONDLY Whatsoeuer thyngs are necessary to be knowen as touching the will of GOD and oure saluation are clearelye and expreslye declared in the written worde of GOD but howe farre shorte should we come to thinke that the same are as apparantly represented in the frame of the worlde Greate is the darkenesse of mennes mindes and oft times euen in those thyngs that are supposed to be moste manifeste by Nature they are more blynde than is the Owle in the noone dayes And then doe we all commonlye moste fouly ouershoote and deceiue our selues when we beginne once to dispute of GOD and of matters appertayning to saluation For proofe whereof are so manye and so absurde fonde and fantasticall I wyll not saye ridiculous opinions whyche the Philosophers deuised as touching GOD and their Summum bonum whereof the number grewe as Marcus Varro recounteth in Augustine in his Booke 19. Chapter 1. Of the Citie of GOD to a hundred fourescore and eighte And Hermias a Christian Philosopher reconed vp some of them and laugheth them well fauouredlye to scorn in his booke entituled A deriding of the prophane Philosophers But vndoubtedly hée shall at length be frée from all error and shall gather to hymselfe substantiall knowledge that neuer at anye tyme departeth from the footesteppes of the Prophetes and Apostles It were a haynous offence to determyne anye thyng of Religion or of the state of a better lyfe onlye by the direction of Nature excepte the censure bée giuen out of the tables of GODS worde and as well the Scripture it selfe as nature bee founde to sumpe togyther in one And therefore wisely the Prophete Psalme 19. After discourse hadde of the glory of GOD to be discerned by the workemanshippe of the Heauens and of the Firmamente addeth immediately a commendation of the Lawe and written worde of god The Lawe of the Lorde sayeth he is vndefyled conuerting the soule the testimonie of the Lorde is sure giuing wisedome to the simple the Statutes of the Lorde are right reioycing the heart the precepts of the Lorde are pure giuing light to the eyes As though he shoulde say we can by no meanes atteyne to the Sanctuarie of the eternall and simple truth without the brighte brands of Scripture burning before vs Which thing no doubte was signifyed by those wise men who comming from the East parts of the worlde although for a space they rightly followed the Starre as the rule of reason yet was it néedefull for them to the intente they myghte fynde out CHRIST the Kyng and worship him to be resolued out of the Oracles of the Prophetes as concerning the place where hée shoulde bée borne Math 2. The holy man Antonius myghte in déede saye wyth a safe conscience that thys huge and vnmeasurable Worlde was to him in stead of a Booke for so muchâ— as
of that commaundemente speaketh thus vnto all Christians We haue sayeth he a most sure worde of the Prophets to the which ye do well that ye take heede as vnto a light that shineth in a darke place vntil the day dawne and the day Starre arise in your hearts And the holye Apostle Paule commaundeth exhorteth and leaueth nothing vnattempted whereby he might allure all men to loue and frequent the wrytings of the Prophetes and Apostles Colossi 3. Let the worde of Christe sayeth he dwel in you plentifully with all wisdome and teach and admonishe one another Last of all what things soeuer do offer themselues in the New Testament to the commendation of the holy Scripture or worde of GOD the same oughte to be taken of vs as preceptes and exhortations inuiting vs to the readyng of the sacred bookes Therefore it behoueth vs patientlye to heare GOD the Father speakyng in the olde Testamente CHRIST hys sonne Peter Paule and so manye as followe theyr steppes speakyng in the Newe and as for all false deceyuers and Sophysters perswading the contrarye lette them departe farre off and for euer from the fellowshippe and societye of the Godlye To followe the aduice of wyse and honeste councellours and according to theyr councels to searche and examyne the lawe of the Lorde that is to saye the holye Scriptures with suche diligence and deuotion as is requisite is a point of very great wisdome Prouerbs 2.4 Ieremie 9. But wyth what alacritie and chearefulnesse of minde all true Christians haue euen from the begynnyng obeyed the Apostles so greatelye vrgyng the studye of the holye Scriptures and wyth what great feruencie all haue endeauoured to reade the Diuine mysteries the Historye of the Apostles Actes doâ—th sufficientlye declare The noble menne of Berea among those that were it Thessalonica when they had receyued the word with all readinesse of minde searched the scriptures dayly coueting to trie whether the things whyche they heard of the Apostles were so or no. Act. 17.11 The example of the men of Berea admonisheth vs that it is not ynough for vs to heare Sermons coÌ„tinually in publike assemblies but also verye necessarye duely to discusse examine priuately with our selues all the things whiche we haue hearde to the intente we may become the more sure and certaine of our religion This tryal and examination of doctrine is accomplished by comparing togither of diuerse places out of the holy Scriptures in which it behoueth vs so long time to be occupyed vntill we may plainely perceyue whether the things that are spoken of the teacher or of any other doe agrée with the places of Scripture or no. The Doctrine that men vse to put forth deserueth not to be accounted for sounde and Catholike excepte it be aunswearable to the rule and squire of the Prophetical and Apostolike writings And this manner of discerning in times paste was common to all hearers and besides there was receyued in euerye Churche well neare a certaine publike forme and patterne thereof For proofe whereof make the words of the Apostle 1 Corin. 14. where he saith As oft as yee come togither euery one of you hath a song hath a doctrine hath a tongue hath a reuelation hath an interpretation let all things be done to edifying And a little after Let two or three of the Prophetes speake and let the residewe determyne Further if anye thing be reuealed to another that sitteth by let the firste holde hys peace For ye maye all seuerally prophecie that all may learne and all receyue comforte and the spirites of the Prophetes are subiect to the Prophetes And againe 1. Thessa. 4. he sayeth Quench not the Spirite despise not prophesiying Trye all things holde that which is good Some therefore doe priuately to theyr owne comforte and instruction determine of prophesies and discerne the true and natiue sense from the false and counterfayte othersome whiche especiallye doe excell others in iudgement and giftes of the spirite are required euen in publike meetings that they woulde louinglye declare theyr minde as touching the doctine put forth And vndoubtedly those only can readily and fruitefullye wyth commendation do any thing in this behalfe the haue exercised theÌ„selues at home with coÌ„tinual reading of the scriptures The Apostle moreouer in the same place to the Corin. addeth another coÌ„maundement as concerning the duety of husbands But if the women will learne any thing Let theÌ„ aske sayth he their husbandes at home To the wife therfore demanding a question it behoueth the husbande to make answere render a reason out of the Scriptures euen in like case as euery Prophet or preacher doth wheÌ„ he is questioned with of manye in open publike place Neyther did the goodmaÌ„ of the house in those days performe this duetie alonlye to his wife but also to all his householde of what age or condition soeuer they were especially when there was good hope the so many as should bée instructed in the word of GOD might be made modest sober vigilant much more faithful diligent in doing of their businesse afterward than they were before It is euident also that parentes did then nouzel and instructe euen their tender little ones in the principles of godlynesse Christian religion Continue thou saith the Apostle in the 3. Chap. of his 2. epist. to Timothy in the things which thou hast learned which are committed vnto thee knowing of whoÌ„ thou hast learned theÌ„ that thou hast known the holy scriptures of a child And in the 1. Chap. of his 1. Epi. he putteth Timothy in remeÌ„braunce that he had receiued examples of Faith and godlynesse of life of his mother Eunica and of his grandmother Lois Neither ought any man to maruayle when we saye that all the beléeuers in that age did bothe often and exactlye reade the holye Scriptures and also greatly profitte by readyng of them For as Peter in hys Sermon Actes 2. truelye interpreteth that whyche was long before spoken of the Prophete Ioel it behoued that the same Prophesie shoulde then be fulfilled and that the holy Ghoste being powred into the heartes of a greate number should by and by so instruct them as that they might loue and imbrace the holye Scriptures try and examine them and finally with wonderfull dexteritie expounde and declare the meaning of them whiche benefite was afterwarde made common to all the Godlye but chiefely to those that feruentlye faithfullye and wythout staggering craued true and perfitte Wisdome of GOD the father of lightes as the Apostle saint Iames saith For it behoueth the promise of of GOD to be firme immutable which is extant in the Prophetes and wonderfully commended of CHRIST They shall all sayth he be taught of GOD. And The godlye are annointed of the holy Ghost Esay 54 Iere. 31. Iohn 6.1 Ioan. 2. Hebr. 8. Wherefore Chrisostome vpon Genesis homelie 35 is bold to say That it cannot bee that he which with greate care and feruent desire
thy mind this taske perform thou to thy Lorde and mayster Neither giue thy members to reste before thou haste filled the hamper of thy breaste with this oufe And not contented with this diligence he willeth widowes oftentimes to reade the commentaries of learned men to aske counsell of learned men After the holy Scriptures sayeth he reade the treatises of learned men of those especiallye whose faythe is known Thou hast neede to seeke gold in clay with many precious stones purchase one pearle Stande vpright as Ieremy sayth in many wayes that thou mayst come to that way that leadeth vnto peace Transferre the loue of collers iewels and silken garments to the knowlege of the holy Scriptures Againe Thou hast Exuperius of an approued age and Fayth which may oftimes enstruct thee with his godly admonitions He commēdeth moreouer Furiaes sister for hir exquisite knowlege in the holy Scriptures O that thou sawest sayth he thy sister mightest but heare face to face the sweete eloquence of hir sacred mouth thou shouldest see in a litle body what wonderfull courage of minde there were Thou shouldest heare the plentifull furniture of the olde and newe Testament to flame out of hir heart What a number of Epistles furthermore doeth the same Ierome wryte to diuerse virgins and matrones and the same stuffed with manifolde doctrine of godlynesse with sundry places of Scripture expounded and declared and with many pretye knottes and questions dissolued and loosed He wryteth to Laeta to Demetriades to Saluina to Furia to Geruntia the widowe to Celantia to Mercella to Principia the virgin to Eustochium to Paula to Theodora to Brisilla to Castorina to Nitia to Asella to Sunia to Fretela to Hedibidia to Algasia to Vrbica What maye be sayde of thys moreouer that he dedicateth certaine of his workes wherein he expoundeth many of the bookes of holy Scripture to Paula to Eustochium and Marcella and rendereth a reason of this his doing in his preface to Sophony the Prophete And in all these to whō he writeth he alwayes for the moste parte either prayseth or accounteth prayse worthy partly their loue and study of the holy Scriptures partlye their knowledge and vnderstandyng or whyche is leaste of all to the intent they myghte endeauour to bring to passe somethyng worthye of commendation in perceyuing the doctrine of religion hée both beséecheth them by commaūdyng and commaundeth them by beséeching In many other places besides when occasion serueth he handleth the selfsame cause In the proeme of his thirde booke of Commentaries vpon the Epistle to the Ephesians and euen incontinentlye in the enarration it selfe againe in the tenth Chapter of Ecclesiastes he saith that al ought to get wisedome by dayly reading of the Scriptures and to meditate without ceassing in the Lawe of the Lorde In his exposition of the firste Chapter of the Epistle to Titus he blameth them whyche doe contemne those that are studious of holye learning as vnprofitable and vaine But that is very worthy the noting and properly to be vnderstanded of our times whyche in the end of his Commentarie vpon Nahum the Prophete he sayth woulde come to passe namely that aboute the comming of Christ to execute iudgement the people euery where shoulde flocke togither to learne the holye Scriptures Now then that the comming of Christ is euen at hand it is forsooth more certaine and sure than that it is lawfull for any man to doubt Furthermore frō Ierome disagréeth not Au. thē who for the defence of sound doctrine against the treacheries of Heretickes no man hath sustayned more paineful labours He therefore writing to volusianus in his Epistle 3 auoucheth that the Scriptures are to be redde not only of the learned but also of the vnlearned and euen of all sortes of men whatsoeuer For why it was prouided by GOD that the holy Oracles should be written in a simple and playne kynde of speache leaste anye manne should pretende that hee vnderstoode nothing in them The very phrase of speaking saith he wherein the holy Scripture is indited albeit it be easie vnto al yet are very fewe able to pierce into it the thinges that are apparant are as a familiar friend speaking without guile to the hearte as well of the learned as vnlearned But those thinges whiche the holy Ghost wrappeth in misteries neyther doeth hee lyfte vp with proude eloquence anye otherwise than euen the drooping and vnlearned soule may be bold to approch as a poore man to a ritche but he inuiteth al men with his lowly maner of speeche whome hee doth not onelye feede with manifest truth but also exercise in secrete veritie being of like nature in things easie as he is in things hidden But least the things that are open plaine should breed contempt the same again are hiddē to the end they should be longed after being longed after should after a sort be renued being renued should sweetely be embraced Hereby are bothe crabbed wits holsomly corrected small wits norished great wits delighted That mind is an enimy to this doctrine that either throgh error knoweth it not to be most holsome or in being sicke hateth to bee healed Thus much in the place It is thoght also the some of the fathers did of a set purpose put forth certaine of their workes in a homely kind of stile to the intent euery one euen among the common sorte and vnlearned artificers vnto whome notwithstanding the Latine tongue was at that time euerye where familiar howbeit somewhat corrupted might the more willingly peruse them ouer and all both learned and vnlearned enioye in common togither the commodities of godly doctrine As touching whych matter D. Erasmus Roterodamus as moste sharpe and seuere Iudge if euer there were anye of an other mans stile in writing hathe discoursed at large in an Epistle whyche hée prefixed before the Commentaries of Arnobius vppon all the Psalmes The same man where hée sheweth his iudgement as touching sundrye bookes of Saint Augustines admonisheth that there is a booke extant of the maners of the Catholike Church compiled and written by Saint Augustine in a wonderfull elegant stile but in that whiche followeth as concerning the maners of the Mainchees that the forme of spéech is debaced to the capacitie and vnderstanding of the vulgare people Thou wouldest suppose that it were not the same Authors but Charitie whereby they acknowledge themselues with the Apostle to be debtors both to the learned and vnlearned Rom. 1. couet indifferently to prouide for all men alike enforceth them to vse diuers and sundrye kindes of speaking But that we may retourne to the iudgement of Saint Augustine as touching the reading of the holye Scriptures he in the seconde booke and. 38. Chapter of his Retractations testifyeth that Laie men studious of the diuine Oracles had sent vnto him certaine writings concerning the doctrine of Religion and that the againe as was méete and conuenient had made aunswere vnto them
simply a Brightnesse or Cléerenesse and Thummim Innocencie Integritie Perfection Besides all thys the Prelates of the Christian Churches not intending to beare with so greate a reproche of ignoraunce and blindnesse haue put forthe dyuers and sundrye Cannons whereby they giue commaundement that such as are chosen to the gouernment of the Church in cace they be founde not sufficiently learned and especiallye ignorante of the holy Scriptures shoulde be remeued from their place and dignitie There are extante ouer and beside the Cannons of generall Councelles sundry prescriptes of Byshoppes sentences also and resolutions of certayne of the fathers as maye appeare Distinction 36.37.38 againe in the Decretalles as touchyng the election and power of the elected as touchyng the age and qualitie of those that are to receyue orders The Histories in like manner and Epistles of the Byshoppes doe testifye that some haue nowe and then bin deposed from the Ecclesiastical Ministery among whome was the Byshoppe of Catina deposed by Honorius the thirde of whome wée maye reade in the Decretals Can. Quamuis multa And vnlesse that euen in these our dayes also that laudable custome of excluding vnfitte and vnable Ministers maye as it were after long banishement be reduced into oure Churches it is not likely that theyr aucthoritie can any long time continue in safety Euery vnlearned ydeot do now offer themselues to the Ministery and are admitted wythoute any difference no lawfull triall beyng had before of theyr profyting in Diuine knowledge and being once admitted they then thinke that they are cocke sure as they saye and euen conclude wyth themselues that they can neuer afterwarde bée remoued By whyche reasons and consideration it is too too euident that they are bothe hardened in slouthfulnesse and in contempte as yée woulde saye of all good studies and exercises and also enboldened to atttempt and committe any euill and disorder whatsoeuer thoughe neuer so shamefull and desperate And certes I do not alittle maruaile oftetimes with my selfe that no Ministers of Churches in a manner can with so manye reasons hitherto aleadged â—ée rouzed vppe and prouoked to the loue and practise of the holy Scriptures They haue the manifest precepts of GOD they haue the exhortations promises threatnings of the Prophetes and Apostles they haue the decrées published in councelles by Byshoppes Moreouer they sée and perceyue that they are contemned and derided of all men for their ignoraunce they sée that they are troubled and ouercrowed of Laye menne and Heretikes whyche doe obiecte for themselues the Scriptures but for the moste parte wickedly wrested they sée a number of Churches vtterlye decayed and to be wythout possibilitie of any repayring or amending excepte sounde Doctrine be restored againe to hir former puritie they sée that they cannot gyue a fitte answere to those that aske a question and requyre anye counsell or comforte at their handes they sée finallye that they can by no meanes performe the thynges that pertayne to theyr office and callyng so long as they are destitute of the knowledge of the Propheticall and Apostolike doctrine I saye nothyng all thys whyle as touchyng the oportunitie of learnyng whyche nowe by the wonderfull goodnesse of GOD is offered euerye where in greate measure For GOD hathe vouchsafed to rayse vppe as a man woulde saye from Hell the studies of good Artes and Disciplines whyche were before euen as good as deade and of long tyme vtterly buryed barbarous Sophistry and vaine iangling subtilties doe no more kéep a quoyle in the Schooles as tofore they haue done againe in manye places the studies and exercises of Diuinitie are méetely well scowred from many corruptions so that men hauing ouersayled the maine Sea of colde questions and doubtes flowing from the sentences of Peter Lombard they are come directly to the cleare and swéete fountaines of the sacred Scripture moreouer in manye Countries and Regions the mindes aswell of the teachers as of the learners are effectually long since stirred vppe by Gods spirite to embrace and sette forth the holy Scriptures yea and the tongues prophecie and other spirituall giftes wherewyth it behoueth Churches to bée enlightned and adorned are séene dayly more and more as it were wyth full streame to breake in into them also to the furtheraunce hereof serue not alittle the godlye desires of a greate number of good menne and theyr incredible expectation as touchyng the reformation of the Churche Certainely they that with these and suche like reasons and argumentes féele not themselues to bée awaked and stirred vppe muste néedes bée verye senselesse and blockishe But if they doe féele the force of them and yet wyll not yéelde vnto them then muste they of necessitie bée verye wicked and insolent I for my parte woulde suppose them to bée intoxicate wyth nightshade or some suche like poyson and in verye déede to bée rightelye madde as Pâ—inie speaketh and to bée vtterlye bereafte of theyr righte minde For why that it is no small or light offence to neglecte the occasion offered to despise so manye and so excellent giftes of the holye Ghoste euerye one of you maye easilye consider thoughe I holde my peace The Ciuilians to the intente they maye gette commendation in their kinde of studies sticke not to spende whole twentye yeares togyther in the huge and intricate Volumes of the Imperiall Lawes It grieueth not the Phisitions to bestowe a good parte of theyr tyme in reading of Hipocrates and the tedious workes of Galen Where if it so were that they had al the rules of theyr profesion comprised in so small a Booke as is the holy Bible I beléeue verilye that they woulde then konne them all and euerye of them perfectlye at theyr fingers endes and wée shoulde sée those I mean the Lawyers to be able out of hand and quickly and as it were wyth one breathe to recite the lawes bothe olde and newe and these namely Phisitions no lesse promptely and readily to repeate Aphorismes and preceptes as touchyng any matter propounded or fallyng into question whatsoeuer Those that woulde gladly be counted Ciceronians doe as wée maye sée apply themselues continually to the Bookes of Cicero and often tymes reade them al ouer not slightly and by startes but wyth so great attention and indeuour as that they obserue not onely the matters but also euerye word and sentence and as well the sense and meaning as also the order and placing of them Whiche trauaile and diligence though it bée very painefull and not greately néedefull to the ordering of the Church or Common weale yet we sée that it is verye well lyked and approued of all learned men If then the case standeth thus why doe not those that oughte to be Doctors and Teachers of Christian Churches vse the lyke diligence in learning the small yea easie and passable worke of the holy Bible by the opening whereof not onelye Churches but also common weales may verye muche be furthered and holpen A foule shame is it for Ministers of
Churches if so be they suffer theÌ„selues to be ouercome in the exercise of reading of Lawyers Phisitions Orators Oh howe truly and grauely is it sayde of Byshoppe Leo the firste in hys Epistle 22. to the Cleargie and people of Constantinople If Ignoraunce seeme intollerable in the Laitie then howe muche more is it vnworthye eyther of excuse or pardon in those that haue the ouersighte of Churches But it is not néedefull that wée shoulde stande longer in handling of thys cause woulde GOD the things that wée haue presentlye touched myghte bée well layde vppe and faste fixed in memorye and then at least-wise some Ministers of Churches woulde wyth these reasons whyche wée haue alleadged bée rouzed vppe and indeuoure to become not onelye readers of the holye Scriptures themselues but also Readers and Expounders of the same vnto others But wée muste not thinke that hereby it is proued that those whyche they call Laie menne are by the like reason discharged and maye passe theyr tyme wythout the pervsing and vnderstandyng of the holye Scriptures For wiselye didde Byshoppe Leo of whome wée hearde euen nowe ioyning the cause of the Laitie wyth the cause of the Ministers of the Churche determine that ignorance of the Scriptures is intollerable euen in Layemenne also Truelye they are verye fonde that doe thus reason The Pastors of Churches oughte continuallye to bée occupyed in reading the word of GOD therefore the Laitie néede not so to doe These men shoulde haue remembred that some dueties are for iuste and wayghtye causes so inioyned to a certaine kynde of menne as thoughe they agréed peculiarlye vnto them alone when as in the meane tyme by reason they are directed vnto Vertue that is to Faith Hope and Charitie they are common to moe yea to all menne vniuersallye wythoute exception and agayne they shoulde haue considered that for iuste causes and considerations certayne vices are in such wise forbidden as thoughe a peculiar sorte of menne onelye oughte to beware of them and yet in verye déede they are forbidden indifferentlye to all But by examples produced wée shall bring to passe that euerye manne maye perceiue it to be true that wée saye The fifte commaundement in the Decalogue séemeth to prescribe onely vnto them of Obedience whose naturall parentes of whome they are begotten bée aliue Honour sayth it thy Faaher and thy Mother But yet no man can deny that in the self same precept it is commaunded that all inferiour persons generallye shoulde yéelde honour and obedience to their superiors For why al muste obey the Magistrates and the Prelates of Churches againe Wardes must obey theyr Gardians Disciples their Tutors Souldiours theyr Capitaine Craftsmen theyr Craftsmayster Marriners theyr Pylot Seruantes and Handmaydens their Maisters and Maistresses and so forth of other degrées But namely and especiallye the example is set downe as touchyng chyldren forasmuche as in them it is conuenient that a greater obedience doe shine forth than in any others In the seauenth commaundement GOD forbiddeth that anye man shoulde breake Wedlocke or commit Adultry Some man perhaps therefore would thinke that it is meante onelye of them that are maried and that Adultry and not Fornication whyche is properly of them that are single and vnmaryed is condemned But we learne partly out of Histories partly oute of the holy sayings of the Scriptures that al carnall company of man and woman out of lawful Wedlocke that is to saye not marryed togyther according to GODS ordinaunce is forbidden and as well Fornication as Adultry howsoeuer they be extinguished are punished of GOD alike 1. Corinth 6 Hebr. 13. But it pleased the holy Ghoste to giue forth this commaunment in suche a forme of wordes for that whereas all men and women oughte to be embracers of Cleanesse and Chastitie yet oughte marryed folkes inespecially to be giuen therevnto Hebr. 13. In like maner Exod. â—8 23 Leuit. 19. It is commaunded that suche Iudges shoulde be ordeyned as feare GOD as are louers of the truth and as are frée from couetousnesse Nowe these things are not so required of Iudges as though it were lawfull for other men to doe the contrarie without controlement but for so muche as when GOD requireth those vertues of all yet he woulde haue them to be séene especially in Iudges Of the same sorte it is that the Apostle 1. Timoth. 3. willeth suche a one to bee chosen Bishop as is vnreproueable the husbande of one wife sober not giuen to ouermuch Wine no fighter Nowe shall a man leaning vpon these wordes cauill and saye that it is lawfull for other whiche are no Bishops to defile themselues with the dregges of all manner of vncleanesse to be caried away wyth wandring lustes to be desguised with drinke and surcharged with Wine not to bridle their furie to flye vppon others with their fistes féete staues kniues and with whatsoeuer else commeth next to hande No but wée must vnderstande that there are required in all men maners vnreproueable chast sober discrete peaceable and that Bishops ought for these vertues to be commended and well spoken of before others After the same manner therefore must we interprete that the Ministers of Churches ought in déede of all other most diligently to searche and ransacke the Bookes of holye Scripture as to whose dutie it belongeth to teache the whole multitude but not so that the Laitie therefore are to be restreyned from the felowship thereof nay rather that the precepte as touching the reading of the Scriptures doe apperteyne to them also and that they ought to labour so far forth in accomplishâ—ng of it 〈◊〉 they may both more easilie vnderstand the publike teachers and also be able after a sort to instruct and 〈◊〉 at the least those of their owne householdes 〈…〉 â—es Wherefore the Apostle whiche willed Tiâ—â—â—â—â— and with him all the Ministers of Churches 1. Tim 4. to applye himselfe busilie to the reading of the Scriptures the same also commaundeth Coloss 3. men of all states and conditions to teach and admonish one another through the word of CHRIST dwelling in them And in the old Testament the only Tribe of Leuie had power and authoritie to deale with the Priesthode with the Sacrifices with the holy rites and to interprete the Lawe of GOD but yet to reade the holye Scriptures and likewise publikely to teach them when oportunitie serued it was left frée to euery mans choice and vnto all the Tribes indifferently to do it For why that there haue come forthe no small number of Prophets euen out of other Tribes also Epiphanius declareth in his Booke De vitis Prophetarum and Christ being descended of the Tribe of Iuda taughte openly in the Temple and in the Sinagogs no man forbidding him Paule in like sorte of the tribe of Beniamin was required oft times very curteously of the chiefe of the Iewes to speake vnto the people So then albeit it be verye requisite and necessarie that in euery felowship societie of men there
saith he more fonde than children that saye Blessed is euerye soule that is simple and hee that walketh in Simplicitie walketh in Faith. This truelye is the cause of all calamities that a great number can no skill to alleadge fitte testimonyes of Scripture for matters in question For the simple in that place is not to be taken for the Foole and for hym that knoweth nothing at all but for hym that is not euill for hym that is not craftye For if it shoulde so bee vnderstoode it hadde beene superfluous to saye Be yee wise as Serpentes and simple as Doues But nowe oughte euerye man very carefully to beware and take héede leaste he erre in anye wise in the Doctrine of Faith or be deceyued and beguiled of others The Angell of darkenesse oft times changeth himselfe into the likenesse of an Angell of lighte In these dayes are to be séene euery where greate swarmes of Hipocrites false teachers and enuious mē whiche doe breake into the Lords field by night and there sow darnell Againe there is no man priuie in his owne conscience that he is on euery side so confirmed in sound doctrine but that he may both be deceyued of others and also deceyue others yea and euen himselfe to Our firste Parentes Adam and Eue whome God had adorned as well with perfite righteousnesse as also with a most plentifull knowledge of all goodnesse and many other spirituall graces were notwithstanding beguiled of the subtil serpent and euen forthwith withoute any great striuing gaue consent to hys treacheries and illusions How and by what meanes therefore may we warrant our selues that we shall in no case be insnared or intangled when as we are both farre more weake than they and the old serpente dothe nowe no lesse craftily than in times past endeuoure by Heretikes and false teachers to intrap and circumuent vs He then may séeme rightly to be out of his wittes and euen to striue with reason it selfe whosoeuer feareth not ne standeth in doubte of suche a daunger And soothly that thou mayest arme thy selfe substancially against all pestilent opinions that thou mayst be able to auoyde to preuente and beate backe the strokes of the aduersaries who séeke on euery side with the enuenomed dartes of wicked arguments to assayle and set vpon thée and mayst stande so fast and perseuer so vnvanquishable in sound doctrine as is most méete and requisite thou hast néede to put on spirituall weapons the shield of faith the helmet of saluation but especially the sword of the spirit which is the word of God as the Apostle teacheth and commaundeth in the sixte of the Ephe. But thus doth he arme and defend himselfe that dayly and duly heareth readeth meditateth learneth the worde of GOD set forth in the bookes of holy Scripture For the Apostle Paul in the second Epistle to Timothy and third Chapter sayth very well that the Scripture is profitable to reproue and confute those that casting abrode the nettes of false opinions goe about to beguyle to maske and destroy the vnwary and weake What doctrine soeuer is first brought in it is necessarye that the same be tried by the touchstone of the holy Scripture as by a most absolute rule And there are to be found euery where in the sacred bookes as wel exhortations which do plainely shewe with what great héedfulnesse the authours of sects are to be auoyded as also counsels and certaine reasons whyche doe no lesse euidently declare how wisely and circumspectlye the same ought to be resisted Whych things do verye plainely proue that it is a most vaine toy that a number to beguile simple people withall do oft times iangle off and haue continually in their mouthes reading of the Scriptures doe by by become Heretickes But this speach is more worthy to be abhorred and abandoned than to be answered For what other thing else is this than to saye that the Phisicke wisely giuen and ministred of GOD himselfe is poyson and that sicknesse death is procured by that thing which is prouided to the furtherance of health and preseruation of life Shall we thinke him that we haue oftentimes spoken off Iohn Chrisostome to haue bene beside himselfe and voyde of reason who following the iudgement of the Apostle by howe muche more he sawe many Heresies to growe vppe in his time and in manner of the disease called the canker to créepe further and further by so muche more thought it necessarie to haue his hearers admonished that they shoulde diligently apply themselues to the reading of the holye Scriptures There were in déede at that time no small number of Heretikes as namely the Manichees the Anomaeans the Arians Aetians Eunomians Valentinians and Marcionites the Marcellians and Sabellians the Acoluthiās there were to be short Gentiles and such as following the Emperoure Iulianus had reuolted from the Tentes of the Christians for with all these it is euident that hée encountred by sharpning his penne againste them and so much the rather for that they vnmeasurably vexed the Churches of Constantinople and else where ouer all Greece and verye manye menne being otherwise not euill were seduced by them This necessitie therefore draue the most vigilant Bishoppe to stirre vp all mens mindes as well by bookes notoriously written as also by publike preachings and Sermons to the continuall reading of the propheticall and Apostolicke wrytings as wée haue more than once or twice here alreadye And in one place hée pronounceth that is we intende to resiste Heresies and to descerne the true Churche from the conuenticles of Heretikes we haue néede especially to the doing of it of the ayde and furtheraunce of the Scriptures Hys words in the exposition of the foure and twentie Cha. of Math. Homilie 49. are these In these dayes since Heresie inuaded the Churches there can no triall bee hadde of true Christianitie neyther is there any other refuge for Christians desirous to knowe the variety of Fayth than the holy Scripture of god Before indeed it was shewed many wayes whych was the Churche of CHRIST and whiche was Gentilitie but nowe it can no waye bee knowen of anye whyche is the true Churche of CHRIST but onely by the Scriptures And why Bycause that all these thyngs whyche are properlye Christes in trueth those Heresies haue also in Schisme they haue Churches alike and the holy Scriptures themselues they haue Bishops alike and other orders of Clearkes they haue Baptisme alike they haue the Eucharist alike and al other things and finally euen Christ himselfe A man therefore desirous to know which is the true Chuche of Christ howe shall he knowe in so great a confusion of likenesse but only and alone by the Scriptures Againe before tyme the Churche of Christ was knowen by hir very maners and conditions when the conuersation of Christians either of al or of the most was holy and blamelesse which was not so among the vngodly But nowe Christians are become as euill or worse than are
the Heretikes or Gentiles For to say the truth there is greater continencie founde among them though in schisme then among the Christians He therefore that will knowe whiche is the true Church of Christ how shal he know but only by the Scriptures The Lord knowing then that so great a confusion of things should happen in the later times therefore commaundeth that the Christians whiche are in the state of Christianitie and desirous to embrace the stedfastnesse of the true faith should haue recourse to no other thing than to the Scriptures Otherwise if they shall haue regard to any other matters they shal be offended and perishe not vnderstanding whiche the true Church is Thus much there Yea moreouer the same Father is bold to say that Heresies doe then chiefelye budde forth when men neglect to reade the holy Scriptures A great defence and bulwarke against sinne saith he in his 3. Homilie of Lazarus is the reading of the Scriptures a great downefall a daungerous pitte is the ignorance of the Scriptures a greate losse of saluation it is to know nothing of Gods lawes this thing hathe ingendred heresies this thing hathe broughte in corrupte life this thing hath turned all things vpside downe For it can not be no it can not be I say that any man should depart without fruite that is delighted with the continuall reading of the Scriptures The counsel therfore that we sée Chrisostome gaue the selfe same no doubte did other of the holye fathers giue also as Origen Hierome Augustine and suche like who then especially exhorted al men to the reading of the Scriptures when as Heresies euery where waxed rife In these sentences then as well of the Apostle Paul and also of Chrisostome and others laying forthe the lawfull vse of the holy Scriptures we wil willingly reste and if any shall be founde hereafter to the high reproche and slaunder of GODS diuine maiestie to crye out that the sacred Scripture doth minister matter and occasion of Heresie those vnlesse they wil be conuicted of high treason against the holye GHOST the author of the holye bookes we will commaunde and charge to hold their peace But if they shal go forward to speake blasphemies againste the holy GHOST then will wée with the martyre Polycarpus for so doth Iustine write of him to Florinus stoppe our eares with our fingers and turning vnto GOD saye O merciful GOD what tymes hast thou brought vs into that we should heare these things If euer at any time then vndoubtedlye at this time which ingendreth sectes not a fewe whereby the ignorant multitude is infected it were to be prouided that out of the most plentifull storehouse of the holy GHOST against the pestilent ayre of wicked opinions all good men would diligentlye procure to themselues in time preseruatiue remedies gathered out of the most excellent rules of the olde and newe Testamente whiche in déede ought to be preferred before all maner of costly and swéet smelling spices whatsoeuer Where if so bée anye malapert merchaunt or craftye cousiner be founde to abuse the Scriptures of themselues moste notable and most holesome to his own and other mens destruction there can nothing here truely be imputed to the Scriptures but what euill or mischiefe so euer bée taken it muste of necessitie be ascribed to the peruerse nature of men as well of the deceiuers as of the deceyued There is nothing at any time so excellent profitable and holesome that Satan and his Disciples dare not subtilly counterfayte and apply to another end than it ought to be but especially to do hurt Euil men make the ayre sunne fire water earth meate drinke to become hurtfull vnto them when they will not vse them aright The like iudgement is to be giuen of the worde of GOD which in the holy Scriptures is called a light a lanterne breade meate foode fire But indéed like as the Apostle saith that he preacheth CHRIST crucified vnto all that are called both of the Iewes Grecians the power of GOD and wisdome of GOD albeit the vngodly either Iewes or Gentiles should neuer so muche be offended and laugh him to scorn euen so is the course of our talke directed to the commendation of GODS worde to the intente the Godlye minded may receyue life thereby though the wicked and vngodly do snatch it and violentlye wrest it how and whithersoeuer they list themselues Againe howe many Christians may we finde whiche doe not now and then diuerse wayes ouershoote thēselues and fowly also fall If we say that we haue no sin we deceiue our selues and ther is no truth in vs as saith S. Iohn in the first Chapter of his first Epistle whervnto it behoueth vs al to subscribe For why it is requisite that euen the saints also do pray dayly as oure Lord and maister CHRIST hath taught and commanded saying Forgiue vs our debtes And the excellent Prophete Dauid Psal. 33. sayeth that all the holy ones shall cal continually vpon GOD to obtayne pardon for their sinnes I wil acknowledge sayth he my sinnes vnto the Lorde and thou hast pardoned my vnrighteousnesse For this cause shall all the godly pray vnto thee Wherefore there is no man liuing that standeth not in néede oft times of a controller or Iudge which may diligently admonish rebuke chasten and bring him into order But if it so fall out that men dare not reproue thée being a sinner or they vouchsafe it not or they doe it not so franckly and courteously as were to be wished and that peraduenture bycause thou art grieued if any doe deale with thée in that order then truely there remayneth this only aduice namely that thou reade with an attentiue minde the preceptes contained in the holye Scriptures the sentences the threatnings vttered of GOD againste sinners likewise the Sermons of the Prophetes and Apostles wherin the sinnes of all men and therefore thine also are openly and seuerely reproued humbly transfer vnto thy self whatsoeuer things thou findest agréeable to thy state By this meanes euen alone thou maist in good earnest be brought to the knowledge of thy sinnes from this knowledge secondly to repentaunce and from repentance finally to faith and amendment of life Adde moreouer that the Scripture doth finde out and condemne those secret sinnes in thée which men know not off and which thou wouldest be ashamed to confesse and so coulde neuer be reproued by the liuely sounding voyce of any man Therfore the holy Scripture when thou readest it speaketh only vnto thée alone it is a faithful kéeper of thy secrets it wil admonish thée of most weyghty affayres it wil not put into thy minde but those things that are excellent and of whiche peraduenture thou shouldst neuer haue heard anye thing of any man liuing For in good sooth this very worde whilest it is reuerently and with a feruent affection read or heard recited of another becōmeth quick and mighty in operation so that it pearceth to the very marow
of the bones and to the innermost entrayles of the heart and euen leaueth behynde it certaine strings sticking fast of long tyme after in the minds of the readers whiche thyng to be true Sainct Augustine in his booke of Confessions and other holy meÌ„ do auouch that they haue tryed by experience And Iohn Chrysostome in his thirde Sermon of Lazarus presumeth to saye That men euen only by the outwarde viewe of the holy bookes are afrayde to commit sinne and that wheresoeuer the spirituall books are from thence is expelled the force of the Diuell and all things become there safe and sound But he that heareth not GOD in the Scriptures by a certaine priuye violence but yet with great absolute authoritie briefely ripping vp sinnes though neuer so secret and hidden how will he heare man when he accuseth controlleth or also by a certain graue kind of speaking condemneth them But if there be any person that neyther admitteth man to be his counseller nor yet hearkeneth vnto GOD continually speaking in the Scriptures that such a one from his hearte shoulde be a Christian no man I am sure but he that is ouer lightly carried away with wordes and willingly suffereth himselfe to be deceyued wil euer graunt or allow Therefore to the intente thou mayst declare that thou arte at the least vnfeynedly sory for that thou remaynest fast fettered in the bandes of sinne and that thou couetest to heare GOD louingly and with a fatherlye affection talking with thée admonishing thée and calling thée backe into the righte waye before thou be vtterly destroyed thou wilt if thou wise be invre thy selfe dayly to reade the holy Scriptures and in them as in a glasse beholde and learne more familiarly to knowe not so muche what GOD is as what thou thy self art But howe large a fielde shoulde be opened incase I mighte speake of consolations whereof in the holye Scripture are expressed innumerable and the same most certayne and sound For albeit Philosophye hathe nowe long since béene commended of hir retayners for many causes but especiallye for that she ministreth in aduersitie a present comforte yet are all Philosophicall reasons found to be very faint barren colde weak if they be compared with those whyche the holy Scriptures do afford Truly I haue oftetimes sorrowed with my self and complayned that as well Tullius Hortensius with which worke Saint Aug. confesseth himselfe to haue bin wonderfully stirred vp in his 3. booke and 4. Chap. of Confessions as also his booke of Comforte likewise the excellent and moste cleare Consolatory workes of other Philosophers beside are vtterly loste But my minde somewhat stayed with thys cogitation I againe confirmed interpreting that this thing came not to passed wythoute the prouidence of GOD namely to the intent that men when they sée themselues depriued of the necessarye ayde of suche writings mighte take occasion to flye more studiously to the holy bookes out of which onely and alone the remedy against euery heauy happe and all lamentable and dolefull euents is to be taken For to this ende especially is the Scripture before all other disciplines put foorth that it mighte supply in the families and asseÌ„blies of wretched creatures the moste néedefull and commendable office of comforting Whervpon to the Romaines 15. the Apostle affirmeth that whatsoeuer thinges are reuealed in the holy Scriptures are reuealed for oure learning to the intent that by the worthye examples of Patience and by the notable Sermons of comfort made euery where by the Prophetes Christe and Apostles wée might be encouraged and supported to the holding faste of oure hope in daungers and to the inuincible goyng forwarde in all godlinesse and vertue And who is he I beséeche you that will not iudge that a man ought rather to gyue credite and to staye hymselfe vppon the comfortable perswasions that are giuen from the holye Ghost that is from GOD himselfe and which by reason of the dignitie power and goodnesse of God must of necessitie by all meanes be effectuall and fruitefull than vpon those that are vttered and put forth of men whiche do themselues wauer and are oft-times deceyued neuer able to perfourme the things that they promise and to be shorte being taken for very tall men of their hands do commonly stande in néede to be comforted and encouraged by others If there be anye thyng sayth Hierome in the Preface of his Commentaries on the Epistle to the Ephesians that holdeth vp a wise man in this life and perswadeth him to abide paciently among the troubles and vexations of the world then is it euen this specially in my iudgement namely the meditation and knowledge of the Scriptures Whyche things séeing they are thus verily I am not afrayd to saye that like as God hathe so appoynted that no man whether he bée in noble or base condition should be vtterly voyde and frée from all dangers so also is it to bée determined that no man in what state or calling soeuer he bée can wante or bée withoute the reading hearing and vnderstanding of the Scriptures Let there come forth amongst vs some odde Christian and tell vs that he was neuer at anye time assayled with the dartes of temptations eyther inward or outwarde that he was neuer héeretofore plunged in anye troubles or perturbations or that he neuer néedeth to feare any héereafter let such a one I saye come forthe and he shall make vs beléeue that hée is one alone that wanteth no comforte and to whome we ought to graunte that hée maye liue and dye in the ignorance of the Scriptures But woulde to God that miserable and tenne tymes wretched men compassed aboute on euerie side with innumerable calamities could sufficiently consider partly their owne weakenesse farre vnfiâ—te to susteyne the burthen of so many miseries continuallye oppressing them partlye the most bountifull helps and comforts which they may receyue out of the holy Scriptures then out of all doubt shuld their sâ—ates be in farre better case than they be and we shoulde not sée so many dayly as we doe to cast themselues headlong into the déepe gulfe of desperation and with theyr endlesse shame and confusion to die not onely in thys worlde but also in the world to come But the tyme would fayle me if I shoulde procéede anye further to discourse of the necessitie vtilitie and efficacie of consolations to be gathered out of the Scriptures wherefore I thinke it requisite euen héere to make an ende Therefore O yée Christians all of what state or condition soeuer ye bée I hartily pray and beséeche you by the precious bloud of our Lord and Sauiour IESVS CHRIST that yée woulde throughly perswade youre selues that the things whiche haue hitherto of me bin treated of do tende first to the sanctifying and celebrating of Gods name héere on earth and next to the stirring vp of euery one of you to the intente you maye become diligente in procuring the businesse of youre owne euerlasting saluation
importance It is sayth he quicke or liuely and mighty in working and operation for it pierceth and entreth throughe euen to the diuiding of the soule and the spirite in as muche as it moueth the whole manne after an incredible manner againe it discerneth the thoughtes and intentes of the hearte in asmuche as it findeth faulte with and iudgeth a man and bringeth hym to the knowlege of hymselfe and of God and compelleth him to humble hymselfe to confesse that he is a sinner and to flye vnfaynedly to Gods mercy The other howe that from the worde we maye passe sodainely to GOD hymselfe vnto whome all thinges thoughe neuer so secreate are wyde open and bare Therefore by the former pointe we must be moued to thinke and perswade oure selues that in the worde of GOD yea euen when it is read onelye or hearde there is a certaine maiestie and excellencie by reason whereof it deserueth to be imbraced of vs with all reuerence and lowlynesse of hearte And by this later it commeth to passe that wée belieue that God is not farre absent from his worde but when and so long as it pleaseth him worketh mightily by it as by a fit instrument accomplisheth most wonderfull things Not that the word as it consisteth of bare letters and sillables as it is written read pronoūced or heard is in it selfe of so great efficacie no verily our meaning is not so to perswade but we hold for truth that whilest the authour of the same word written read pronounced or heard is considered and whilest the things signifyed therein are diligently examined the diuine power in the meane season after a certaine imperceyueable manner approcheth wherewyth estsoones the mindes of readers or hearers are so moued pierced inflamed and enlightned that repētāce faith and other such like vertues do folow in them For we vnderstand that euen the very same consideration is to be had of the outward worde that all men do confesse to be had of the outward elementes in the Sacraments of CHRISTES Church The water if it be considered in it selfe is of no great force neyther can it in very déed wash away the filthinesse of the soule but as sone as the worde is added to the element according as CHRIST gaue in commaundemente it becommeth a Sacrament Howe be it in this word of the Sacrament we haue not so muche to marke the sillables and sounde of the letters as we haue to obserue the dignitie of him that first instituted that holy action the things signified by it especially the inuocation and calling vpon of the three persons in one diuine essence or substance of the Deitie And then forsooth so great is the power of the water through the working of the worde that it toucheth indéed the body but it washeth also the heart I vse the worde of S. Augustine in his treatise 80. vppon Iohn not bicause the word is spoke but bicause it is beleued for whereas GOD is thus called vpō by faith there he doth not disdaine by his power to worke heauenlie spirituall effectes in the heartes of those that are baptised We say then that euen in like case when the minde is wholly set vpon the word which is read heard or vnderstoode and hath regard vnto God the Author of the worde and besides weigheth in a iuste ballaunce the things signified in it that then the diuine power doeth wonderfully shewe forth it selfe and repentance faith hatred of sinnes endeuoure of true holinesse of life are stirred vp and euen the whole man both in body and in soule is chaunged and renued Of whych diuine workemanshippe there are proofes sette foorthe in the Sacred Scriptures verye playne and apparant to all men For Ezra read in the booke of the Lawe Nehemia 8. in the open streete that was before the watergate frō morning vntil midday in the presence of men and women that gaue heede vnto it and the eares of all the people hearkned vnto the Booke of the Law It foloweth a little after And al the people when they heard the words of the lawe The Apostle Peter Actes 2. rehearseth the Scriptures to the Iews and interpreteth them as touching Christ which being heard so many as were present were pricked in hearte and said vnto Peter and the rest of the Apostles Men and brethren what shal we do And vnto the Rom 10. But what sayth it The worde is neare thee euen in thy mouth and in thine hart This is the word of Faith which we preach to wit if thou shalt confesse with thy mouth the Lord Iesus shalt beleeue in thine hearte that God raysed him vp from the dead thou shalte bee saued For with the hearte man beleeueth vnto righteousnesse and wyth the mouth manne confesseth to saluation Againe in the same place Fayth commeth by hearing and hearing by the worde of GOD. Moreouer Peter Act. 10. making a plaine declaration of the summe of Christian doctrine oute of the holy Scriptures in the house of Cornelius the Centurion To this CHRIST sayth he beare all the Prophets witnesse that throughe his name whosoeuer beleeue in him shall receiue remission of sinnes While Peter yet spake these wordes the holy Ghoste fell on al them that hearde the worde Wée may therefore out of al question confirme this assertion namely that by the diligent and attentiue reading hearing and meditation of the worde of GOD a man is induced to the knowledge of GOD and of hymselfe to the detestation of his sinnes and to vnfayned repentaunce to Faith in Iesus Christe to the amendment of hys life and conuersation and to bée shorte receiueth the holy Ghoste and wyth hym most large and bountifull giftes That whyche wée knowe in tymes paste vsually befell to the readers or hearers of GODS word that the same also may happen nowe in these dayes wee flatly auouche wythout controlment For why if hée that beyng incensed with desire of profiting taketh in hand the holy Bookes do before al things craue the ayde of the holy Ghost thē next deuoutly reade or heare the word of GOD by which as by an instrument it pleaseth GOD to talke familiarly with vs after this also lifte vp his mind vnto GOD speaking by the Prophets or Apostles and duly discusse the things specified in thē there is no doubt but that God after his acustomed clemency putting to his hande will stirre vp purge teach and sanctifie the heart as well of the reader as the the hearer and graciously grante vnto him Repentance Faith the holy Ghost and other giftes and graces of hys spirite Furthermore to the intent that euery one furnished and affected in that sorte that we speake of maye in reading envre himselfe wisely and discretlye to note picke out and as by a certaine methode to distinguishe those things that may be profitable to all intentes and purposes and applyed to the attaynement of perfection and soule health we adde last of all that the very edge of
One man is become a VVolfe to an other Further as the Desart is waste and barren and besides ouergrowen with Bushes Bryars and Thornes so is thys World manured with no knowledge of God at all but is altogither barren and vnapte to yeelde foorth anye good fruite nay contrariwise scrawleth euerye where ful of the briars of Sinnes and Vices whereby we are so grieuously mangled and torne that commonlye and for the most parte we keepe the scarres of them to oure dying daye I might stande here to shewe howe some of vs nay all in a maner are choaked with the cares of this world and with the deceitfulnesse of riches some caughte in the pitfall of Pride and Ambition some snared wyth the Thornes of Couetousnesse some ouer heade and eares in the Bryars of Voluptuousnesse some saped in the suddes of Sensualitie some smouldered wyth the smoake of Vanitie some drenched in the dregges of Drunkennesse some be-smeared wyth the mudde of Maliciousnesse some imbrued with the bloude not of Beastes but of Men and in a worde not some but a great summe stifled in the stench of all Sinne and Wickednesse I mighte shewe in like maner howe there is nothing vnder the Sunne so excellent no worke of God so wonderfull no blessing so bountifull no creature so beneficiall holesome and good but that through the malice of Sathan and our owne miserable corruption it is tourned cleane contrarye vnto oure greate harme and discommoditie yea euen into a present poyson to infecte vs wythall and into a Scorpion as it were to sting vs to death As much might be said of our own selues in whom there is no parte nor power either of soule or bodye but that through sin they are become euen so manye deadly enimies to hale vs to destruction And herein forsooth appeareth by the way the strangenesse or rather vnnaturalnesse as I may so say of our warfare cleane contrary to the warfare of the worlde For whereas worldly Souldiours take weapon in hand chiefly against forrainers and strangers but neuer againste their owne persons wee on the other side muste not looke so muche what oure enimies do abroade as we muste haue an eye what traytours are at home I meane in our own bosoms that so letting others goe in peace by vs wee maye bende all oure whole force and artillery to the battery of oure owne selues Not as though it were lawfull for anye man to cutte himselfe shorte by vntimely death as manye diuellishe and desperate persons doe but to the intent to gette the mastery ouer our affections to bridle oure lustes to mortify oure olde man to kill oure concupiscence to subdue oure nature and finally to submit all our wil wisedome reason vnderstanding and all that euer we haue either within vs or without vs to the rule and obedience of Gods holy Worde and to the gouernment and direction of his holy Spirite But I feare leaste I haue exceeded alreadye the compasse of an Epistle I will therefore bee as briefe as is possible We haue seene then if I be not deceyued how wofull our originall state and condition is what infinite perils and calamities wee are subiecte vnto what mightye and vnrestfull enimies wee are continuallye matchte wythall and howe little refuge or succoure wee haue to looke for in this worlde or in any thing belonging to the Worlde For the VVorlde passeth awaye and the luste thereof but hee that doeth the will of God abideth for euer The vse of all whyche thynges is to teache euery one of vs howe earnestly we oughte to laboure and contend euery man according to his present necessitie to learne well the lesson taughte vnto Nicodemus namely to be borne againe and to be renued in the spirite of our minde so as we may couet the sincere milke of the word to the intent to grow thereby to be remoued I say from the loue of these earthly things here belowe and to stye vp by the wings Fayth into Heauen where Iesus Christe sitteth on the right hande of God the father finally to purchase the certaintie of a better inheritāce and the assuraunce of a better Country by cause as the Apostle saith VVee haue here no continuing Citie but wee seeke for one to come To the obtayning of all whiche graces as Faith alone in the word and promises of God is sufficient so attaine wee to Faith by no other meanes than by conceyuing the free mercy of God in Christe through the reading hearing and meditation of the holy Scriptures The reason is bycause that Iesus Christe beeing the onelye obiect of oure faith and substance of the whole Scripture we apprehend in him all the treasures of knowledge and wisedome and what soeuer else is necessary to eternall saluation For Hee is of God made vnto vs wisedome and righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption and euen all in all as the Apostle speaketh Who seeth not then what incomparable treasures in comparison whereof all the pompe and glory of the Worlde is nothyng but dung and drosse are comprised in the sacred Scriptures But I maye not stand to amplify this point as by occasion otherwise iustly I mighte considering in very deede a Preface will not beare it I must therefore of necessity referre all this whole matter to the consideration of the godly Reader who may finde euery where in reading plentifull furniture tending to this purpose Only thys I wil adde by way of conclusion that forsomuch as al the holy Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God and is profitable as Paule saith to teach to conuince to correct and to instructe in righteousnesse that the man of God may be absolute and made perfite to al good workes and againe that whatsoeuer things are written aforetime are written for oure learning that we throughe patience and comforte of the Scriptures mighte haue hope that therefore I say it behoueth al sortes and degrees of men and women whatsoeuer if at leastwise they stand in neede to be taught and informed in the wayes of the Lorde if they haue neede of dayly correction and amendment of life if they be desirous of continuall comforte and consolation and finally of eternall happinesse and saluation to be in loue with the holy Scriptures to embrace them to reuerence them to reade them to heare them to meditate in them and aboue all to liue after thē and euē to expresse them in their whole lyfe and conuersation Whiche godly diligence and indeuour as I wishe vnfainedly from my very hearte to be wrought effectually in mine owne selfe so make I mine humble prayers vnto the Lord that he would vouchsafe in his great mercy to kindle and stirre vppe the same in the heartes of all people to awaken them out of the sleepe of sinne and securitie to drawe them out of the dirty dregges of Popery and superstition wherein Sathan hath of long tyme and yet still keepeth a great number to scatter the cloudes and mistes
enclosed in this small but yet very noble case of his bodye whyche wythout ceasing do prouoke hym to procure a more plentifull knowledge of GOD and of hys wyll and whiche declare that hée is altogyther vnworthye the name of a manne that doeth not endeauoure him selfe wyth newe succoures and the same reuealed by GOD hym selfe to illustrate establishe and adorne those common lights of knowlege concerning GOD by nature engrauen in hym But to the intente that menne might of all times aspire to the knowledge and vnderstandyng of the power and will of God God himselfe hathe set forth openly in the sight of all men two large and ample bookes stuffed and replenished with manifolde doctrine whereout all things pertayning to the same his diuine power and will are fully and sufficiently to be learned The one of them is all this vniuersall worlde whiche of vs is inhabited and lyeth open on euerye side to the surueyall of oure senses the other is the worde of God comprised in the bookes and writings of the Prophets and Apostles Of whiche twoo bookes the dignitie and aucthoritie is wonderfull greate as in whyche are founde the Oracles and monumentes that doe not onely teache and instructe vs but also after a certaine secreate manner pricke vs forwarde to the performaunce and accomplishment of all and euery duty whatsoeuer And as touching the former booke that I may here enterlace somewhat who is he I beséeche you that in beholdyng as well by the eye sighte as in the insighte of the mynde thys moste noble and glorious frame of the worlde wyth all the partes thereof beginneth not by and by to thinke wyth hymselfe that hée of necessitie is moste myghtye moste wyse most excellente that hathe so wonderfullye from the begynning created all these thinges and that farre more wonderfullye and wiselye preserueth them and kéepeth them in order The heauens sayeth the Hebrewe king and Prophete Psalme 19. for why shoulde wée not rather borrowe fitte matter of proofe out of the holy Prophetes than out of Cleanthes of whome Tully speaketh or out of anye other Phylosopher besyde declare the glorie of GOD and the firmament sheweth his handy worke Againe the thyngs that are vnderneath these as namelye the Cloudes Windes Raines the Sea the Floudes the Mountaines Valleyes trées fishes stickering in the waters beastes both wilde and tame doe vncessauntlye as in the Psalme 104. prayse and magnifye god Nowe all these thynges togyther doe signifye vnto men that there is one certayne GOD whome for hys vnsearcheable Wisdome for hys righteousnesse and power for hys goodnesse for the benefites whyche wée daylye receyue of hym we oughte continuallye to reuerence to feare to loue to giue thankes vnto and finally for hys maiestie than the whych none can bée greater to worshippe hym to call vppon hym to glorifye hym and to pursue him with all manner of diuine honours and dueties whatsoeuer Which thing also the Apostle Rom. 1. concealed not For as much sayth he as that which maye be knowen of GOD is manifest to them for GOD hath shewed it vnto them For the inuisible things of hym that is his eternall power and godheade are seene by the creation of the world being considered in his works to the intente that they shoulde be without excuse And how many and wayghtie points and principles of religion are expressed in the holye Scriptures by similitudes comparisions and other suche like proues verye fitlye deriued from the nature and propertie of thyngs Truelye the whole Booke of Iob a good parte of the Psalmes and very manye of the Sermons of the Prophetes of Christe and the Apostles are full of examples Therefore Antonius an Hermite of the wildernesse in Egypt as we read in the Tripartite Historie booke 8. chap. 1. when on a time a certaine Philosopher demaunded of him howe he coulde attaine to contemplation of heauenlye thinges séeing he was destitute of all furniture of written bookes wisely aunsweared That all this world was to him in stead of a Librarie furnished with all maner of bookes and that this Library was at al times and in all places at hand and in a readinesse wherin he might reade so often as he woulde things heauenly and diuine Long before this Antony Clemens Alexandrnus lib. 6. Stromat defined that the creation of the worlde was the Scripture of GOD and that the preceptes of the Decalogue was promulgate and might be reade euen in the workes of nature With these agréeth Sainct Chrisostome in his 7. homily vppon the former Epistle to the Corinthians again in two other Homilies wherof the one is entituled Of fasting and of the reading of Genesis the other is accounted the 9. To the people of Antioche But it pertayneth not to our purpose at thys presente to vse anye further entreatye as touching this booke it is ynough to haue shewed in this order that al men at all times when so euer they beholde this world and the most beautiful partes thereof ought religiously to meditate of GOD and of things belongyng vnto GOD and so to take occasion both of well thinking and of well doing As for those in the meane time in whome appeareth a greater force sharpnesse of witte than in others we both exhorte and also louinglye beséeche them to bestowe a further diligence in searching the natures of thyngs And that not onlye bycause thys kynde of Phylosophye procureth a certaine honeste pleasure and delectation but much more for that when they haue once founde out the wonderfull force and operation of anye thyng they maye adore and extoll wyth prayse the greate power and Wisdome of GOD of whome such thyngs are created moreouer they maye quicken theyr Fayth and hope in GOD considering that all things are created for our behoofe and that all things necessarye for the sustentation of our weakenesse shall neuer at any time be wanting vnto vs Last of al they may discretely vse the things that are lawfull and giue thankes vnto GOD for them Vnto these thrée endes as vnto a scope or marke to ayme at shall the studious of naturall Phylosophye alwayes haue regarde vsing in the meane season euerye where thys caution or foresight namely that the Creatures be in no wise preferred before the Creator In whyche one poynte GOD the Creator as witnesseth the Apostle Paule Rom. 1. shoulde be dishonoured with a moste shamefull despight Wyth thys iudgemente who so euer shall haue studiouslye ensearched the natures and propertyes of thynges hée vndoubtedlye may bée estéemed to haue and that not a little profited in the Booke of Nature and to haue well deserued the prayse and worthye commendation of a diligente Scholler As touching the other Booke that is to saye the worde of GOD or the holye Scripture wée haue especiallye at thys tyme to entreate And that it is rightelye tearmed a Booke it maye appeare by this that GOD thoughte it not ynoughe by anye kynde of waye howsoeuer it were to publishe and proclayme
hée without anye knowledge of good letters hadde both perfitely learned withoute Booke the holy Scriptures by hearing them redde I vse the wards of Sainct Augustine in the beginning of his worke of Christian Doctrine and also wisely vnderstoode them by pondering and considering of them but it were no wisedome for others that are vtterly voyde of the knowledge of the Scriptures so to speake The summe therefore of the matter is this that in Nature are séene onely certayne pictures and as a man would say counterfettes of things in Scripture the thing and truth it selfe and therefore that all opinions as touching Religion whiche are to be accompted firme and stable ought to be ratifyed by the warrante and defence of the holye Scriptures THIRDELY Séeing men are to be taught and enstructed all must néedes graunte that the written Booke of GODS WORDE is most fitte for oure vnderstanding and capacitie For truly to marke the things that happen in thys visible worlde to ensearche the causes thereof Further to examine what signification they haue as touching the power the righteousenesse and goodnesse of god Agayne what thyngs ought to bée followed and imbraced in vndertaking of duties of functions is a thing very difficulte and gyuen to verye fewe men but sith these and suche lyke things are appararantly discussed in the monumentes of wryters and that in a simple and knowen phrase of speaking it can not bée but that euen the rude and playne readers or hearers maye spéedily atteyne vnto them And for this cause verily it is why the custome is commonlye receyued that the rules of euerie Arte and discipline are of Authoures penned and written in certayne Bookes Yea and Sainct Hierome in hys Preface to the waylings of Ieremy is bolde to saye That the doctrine of Bookes shall no sooner ceasse and haue an ende than wee in a better state of lyfe shall bee wyth Chryste and become lyke vnto the Angels Wherefore if so bée wée wyll vprightlye weygh and consider these thrée causes truelie they maye worthylie moue vs to loue and embrace the Booke of holy Scripture before all other Bookes and euen wyth earnest desyre to be occupyed in it daye and nighte Admitte if you wyll that the Booke of the nature of things is wonderfull and in manye respectes hyghly to bée estéemed yet no man is ignorante of thys that among dyuers Bookes offered that especiallye is to bée preferred before the reste whyche wée sée to excell both in weyghtynesse of the contentes in the methode and playnenesse of teachyng and for manye causes to bée most expediente for vs Good Scholemaysters are accustomed to propounde and commende to theyr hearers suche Bookes as they suppose to bée moste profitable for them and hée that is a thriftie Scholer despiseth not the iudgemente of hys Mayster but prouideth them desirously exerciseth hymselfe in them and maketh greate accompte of them considering that vnlesse hée so doe it wyll come to passe that hée shall with shame bée thrust out of the Schole and shall haue hys name vtterlye razed oute of the register of the learned Tell mée therefore séeyng GOD oure Scholemayster both most wyse and also most desirous of oure profiting dothe commende vnto vs more than canne bée vttered in wordes the Booke of holy Scripture and wée oure selues maye iudge the same farre to surmounte all other Bookes shall not gréeuous punishmente worthely bée alotted vnto vs if wée neyther prouide nor endeauour to reade the holye and sacred Bible Wherefore to the ende I maye stirre vppe as wyth a watchworde and an alarum gyuen all the professors of Christian Religion to the diligente reading of thys Booke wherein are written the verye wordes of GOD I wyll assay to sette downe in order certayne reasons as they shall come to hande hauyng this especiallye in my prayers that so manye as is possible whylest they shall giue themselues to the reading and meditation of the holye Scriptures maye both become greater fauourers of sincere Religion and also better giuen in their liues and conuersation For I am fully persuaded of this and I couet to haue all men persuaded of the lyke that it can not be that anye man shoulde oftentimes and attentiuely reade or heare redde the holye Scripture but that he shall féele himselfe dayly to goe forwarde and to profyte somewhat in amendmente of lyfe and in the exercises of goolinesse For why it is not for nothing that GOD himselfe in the Prophete Esay Chap. 55. sayth Like as the rayne and the Snow cōmeth downe from Heauen and returneth not thither agayne but watereth the earth and maketh it to bring foorthe and budde that it may giue seede to the sower and bread vnto him that eateth euen so shall my word be that goeth out of my mouth it shall not returne vnto me voyd but it shall accomplish that which I will and it shal prosper in the thyng whereto I sende it And truely experience teacheth vs that the matter is euen so as the Prophete sayeth For as muche as wée alwayes sée for the moste parte that oute of the heartes of those that vse reuerentlye to reade or heare the worde of GOD wonderfull not onely floures but fruites also of Faith and loue doe procéede As therefore wée shewed at the beginning that all the sorte of vs ought to learne matters of Diuinitie and the will of GOD for that we are men created of GOD so for bycause it is euidente that all that knowledge is to bée gotten out of that Booke wherein the wordes or Sermons of GOD are described and conteyned it is worthilie required of manne to whome alone it is gyuen to vtter distinctlye wordes of signification to write the same wordes to reade the same being written to heare and vnderstand to learne any thing by words sentences againe to teache it is worthily required I say of man that he shoulde with all possible diligence be occupied and conuersant in the saide Booke For truly by the power of speaking and vnderstāding of wordes man excelleth all other creatures Whiche benefite it is requisite that we acknowlege to be so much the more notable by howe muche more wee are all moued by nature to griefe so ofte as we looke vpon anye that are endued with the shape of men yet voyde of the vse of communication and reason For we make accounte of them to be in no better case than bruite beastes than stockes stones or dumbe images Therefore GOD who hathe created all things by his word would haue man whom he made ruler ouer all creatures in conceiuing of godlinesse to be exercised with a moste noble gifte that is to saye speache or vtteraunce of wordes and he himselfe woulde teach and enstruct him by words For this cause GOD the father suche is the greate loue he beareth to man is recorded oftentimes to haue talked very louingly with his electe the Patriarches and Prophetes And GOD the sonne who hathe greate delighte to be conuersant with
the sonnes of men reioyceth to be named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to saye the Word and the same preaching without intermission or ceasing hath declared the wil of his heaueÌ„ly father Prouerb 8. Ioan. 1. Heb. 1. And moreouer amongst the things that are exercised in the Church the Word holdeth the chiefe place yea and euen the very force and dignitie of the mysticall actions or Sacramentes dependeth vppon the worde of god Wherevppon it pleased some of the learned fathers and especiallye Augustine vppon Iohn in his Sermon 80. and against Faustus booke 19. Cap. 16. to tearme the same very Sacramentes visible wordes What néede anye long circumstaunce GOD by his worde openeth bothe himselfe and all his benefites and graces vnto man and by faith in the worde man is ioyned vnto GOD and made partaker of eternall blessednesse Wherefore we maye moste truely auouch that to reade the holy Scripture with a godly affection is euen all one to talke and conferre with GOD and to heare God talking and conferring with vs Certes as often as thou readest of precepts exhortations promises threatnings iudgements rewardes punishmentes and other things of like sorte so ofte doest thou heare God himselfe of a truth speaking vnto thée Againe as ofte as thou readest of any confession of sinnes crauing of pardon prayer giuing of thanks or anye suche like so ofte dost thou thy selfe speake vnto god For in these pointes chiefly do consist the naturall commonings betwixte God and men and in these things resteth the substaunce of all sacred sayings and sentences Wherefore then to goe aboute to forbidde or withholde anye man from the reading hearing and vnderstanding of the holy Scriptures is euen as much in effecte as to commande him to dissemble or deny himselfe to be a man that so he mighte be depriued of the power of speaking and of the fruite and benefite of reason Hierome maruelleth and stomacketh the matter and counteth it intollerable if anye man shoulde so presume Forsomuch saith he in the proheme of his exposition of the Epistle of Saint Paule to the Ephesians as we differ from all other creatures in this point chieflg that we are endued with reason and haue the vse of speaking and al reason and holy speach is contayned in the bookes of God by which we both learne to know God and also to what ende wee be created I maruaile greatly at some who either giuing themselues to slouthfulnesse and slepe wil not learne the things that are excellent or else seeke to reproue others that bend themselues that waye Which men whereas I might more straightly stop their mouths shortly send theÌ„ packing either eased or pleased in vouching that it is much better to reade the Scriptures than to gape so greedily after the encreasing and hourding vp of riches I will content my selfe onelye in saying this whiche I maye obtaine euen before a moste incompetent Iudge namely that my vocation from labor and quiet solitarinesse of mind is more pleasant vnto me than al other solemnities whatsoeuer Hitherto Hierome Where if so be nowe it belongeth to mans duetie to loue and learne the words of God declared at large in the holy Scriptures forasmuche as we haue giuen vnto vs of God the power and vse of speaking howe muche more ought we wholly to be addicted vnto them which professe our selues to be ChristiaÌ„s For truly how honorable the name of Christian is and what thinges it putteth vs in minde of it shoulde be good for vs oftentimes and déepely in minde to consider He that nameth a Christian comprehendeth in one worde whatsoeuer maye be added to the dignity of a man He that nameth a Christian vnderstandeth a man to be of the number of those whome God himselfe hath pronounced to be a chosen generation a kingly Priesthoode a holy Nation a people freely purchased Exod 19.1 Pet. 2. He that nameth a Christian signifieth a man to be choseÌ„ of God the father before the foundations of the worlde were layed to bée deliuered by the son of God Iesus Christ out of most miserable captiuitie and out of the bondage of most cruell Tirants the Diuel Sinne and Death to be regenerate by the holy Ghost into the Churche of CHRISTE to bée adorned wyth newe Righteousnesse wyth Fayth Loue and other vertues and spirituall graces vnto whome lastely is appointetd prayse and immortall glorie and also eternall felicitie bothe of bodye and soule bringing with it more bountifull and large benefites than the eie of anye man can sée the eare heare or the hart be able to conceiue Ephes 1. Rom. 8. Esay 64.1 Corinth 2. Suche and so greate is the excellencie of a Christian man But whence I praye you taketh a Christian this name Thou wilt say I am sure of CHRIST Act. 11. But howe then commeth a Christian man by those incomparable benefites and by euerlasting blessednesse Forsooth euen by the knowlege of GOD the father and of his sonne oure sauiour IESVS CHRIST This is eternall life saith our sauiour Christe Ioan. 17. To knowe thee the onely true GOD and Iesus Christe whome thou haste sente And Peter Act. 4. saith There is no other name giuen vnto men vnder Heauen wherein wee can bee saued but onely the name of Iesus Christe Paule in like maner 1. Corinth 1. saith CHRIST became vnto vs the wisedome of GOD and righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption But there is no maÌ„ that can distinctly and without ambiguitie know GOD the father or his sonne Iesus Christe the authour and beginner of Christianitie oute of that former booke Concerning the nature of things or out of anye inuentions of mans wisedome whatsoeuer but onely and alone by the reading of the holy Scripture reuealed from aboue Whiche thing to be true oure Sauioure Christe himselfe testifyeth Ioan. 5 saying Search the Scriptures for they are they that testifye of mee And to the intents the sonne oure Sauioure might be the better knowen of his Disciples he interpreteth many places of the Scriptures as touching his owne person The like did the Apostles also and Euangelistes with greate diligence Therefore whosoeuer he be that desireth to be saluted by the name of a Christian and to be accounted among those that knowe Christe and that looke for saluation promised in Christe him truely it standeth vppon to acquainte himselfe with the holy Scriptures and to make them as familiar vnto him as is possible As no manne can make the Iewes beléeue that he is of the Iewish secte which holdeth none of the traditions of their Thalmud and as the Turkes will receiue none for a worshipper of Mahomet that cannot alleage at the leaste some of his decrées oute of their Alcoran â—o is it not likely that he in good earnest and from his hearte shoulde be a Christian that cannot in some measure oute of the bookes of the Prophets and Apostles declare who Christe is and what inestimable benefites he hathe purchased to mankinde For in verie
giueth himselfe to the reading of the holy Scriptures should alwayes be neglected or go without fruite for as much as albeit wee are destitute of mans direction yet the Lorde himselfe comming downe into our heartes from aboue doeth illuminate our minde lighteneth our reason reuealeth the things that are hidden and becommeth a teacher of those things that we know not so as we only will bring with vs such things as we haue Cal no mā maister sayth he vpon earth Whensoeuer therefore wee take into our handes the booke of life let vs casting aside all worldly care bridle our affections and restrayning our minde that it wander not hither and thither let vs with great deuotion and attentiuenesse apply our selues to reading that so we may be guyded by the holy ghost to the true vnderstanding of the Scriptures and receyue therby much fruite Thus much Chrisostome But what doe I stande in recompting the Christians of that age A number of the Gentiles who had neyther oute of the Lawe nor oute of the Gospell anye knowledge at all of Christe gaue themselues in those dayes to the reading of the holy bookes All of them in generall were of opinion that this care especiallye became them whosoeuer at leaste were anye thing at all desirous of honesty and their own welfare The Eunuch Lieutenaunte of Caudace Quéene of the Ethiopians hauing as it is verie likely not hearde any thing as yet of CHRIST passed his tyme not onely at home when his leysure serued hym but also when he trauailed abroade and was throwen to and fro with the iotting of his Chariot in reading of the Prophet Esay Act. 8. Whiche diligence and godly disposition was so wel liked of GOD oure heauenly father who euermore beholdeth from aboue all oure studies and actions that he sente forthwith vnto hym in verye good season Philippe the Apostle that hée shoulde open vnto hym the harde places and sette downe a compendious summe of tree Religion of and concerning CHRIST his sonne Neither is it to be doubted but that GOD woulde haue the Bookes of holy Scripture long before translated out of the Hebrewe tongue into the Gréeke to the intente they mighte afterwarde be read not onely of the Iewes whiche vnderstoode the Hebrewe speache alone but also of the Gretians that is of all mortall men whatsoeuer For why that vnder the names of Iewes and Gretians all mankinde is ofte tymes comprehended wée maye learne oute of the Apostle in more than one place or two Romaines 1.2.3.10 1. Corinth 1. Galathians 5. And that the Gréeke tongue was in the Apostles time euerie where knowen and muche sette by the Historiographers doe not obscurely declare All Asia for the moste parte sounded the Greeke hauing long before felte the force of Gréekish conquerours and in the selfe same Country the Iewes loathing as a man woulde saye their Hebrews language wrote and compiled bookes in the Gréeke stile as Iosephus Philo and others In Affrica the cunninger that euerie one was in the Gréeke the excellenter he was compted as bothe the Schoole and Librarie of Alexandria doe testifye in Europe ouer and besides that a number of Gréekes doe inhabite and dwell euen Italy also and Rome it selfe as being verye ambitious and not contented with the furniture of hir owne Countrey speach hath maintained as Strabo reporteth lib. 4. verye manye Gretians and brought foorth suche as haue written whole bookes and Commentaries in Gréeke So farre foorthe that a man might well saye that the Athenienses are frée Denizens at Rome But in very déede howe muche more we maruaile at and as méete it is extoll the diligence and industrie as well of the Christians as of the Gentiles of that age in reading the bookes of holy Scripture which were found written alonely in the Hebrewe and Gréeke tongue so muche the more vehemently ought we openly in the sight of all men to deteste and abandon the greate slouth and negligence of the people of oure dayes For leaste that any man should pretend that by reason of his ignorance in the Gréeke or Hebrewe tongue he is letted front reading the holy Scriptures We haue all the Bookes of holy Scripture extant in the Latine tongue which is vsed and frequented of a greate number no lesse happilye than faithfully expressed and that of diuers and the same moste learned Interpreters which Saint Augustine reporteth also of his time entreating De Doctrina Christiana lib. 2. Cap. 5. And not onely in the Latine tongue but in others also which in times past were accompted not without contempte barbarous and vnciuill yea and there is in a maner no coaste or prouince in the whole worlde in whiche maye not be found the holy Bible turned into the same Countrey language The Italians Germaines Frenchemen Spaniards likewise Britaines Danes Rutters Polonians Swezians Slauoniās to be short all other Christians whatsoeuer haue among them to be solde and may easily come by the olde and newe Testament translated into the selfe same phrase and language that they themselues doe vnderstand Therefore like as the Apostle acknowledgeth and giueth thankes vnto God for his incomparable benefite whereby he spake with many tongs 1. Corinth 14. so is it méete requisite likewise that Christians be thankefull vnto God to euerie of whome it is graunted in their owne proper and peculiar tong to reade the holy and sacred Scriptures This onelye we oughte to be carefull for namely that we bée not founde slacke and slouthful in reading When oure Lorde Iesus Christe shal come at the laste day to iudgement peraduenture some of the Gentiles that liued in the Apostles time will goe aboute to excuse themselues that in those dayes were extant onely the Copies of the Gréekes tongue alone oute of whiche they shoulde haue learned by reading the doctrine of the Law and the Gospell But who will auouche that that excuse shall goe for payment That dare no manne doe as I thinke Then what shall become of the men of oure time that doe beholde the selfe same doctrine expressed in so manye tongues at this daye and yet do not care for it but reiect and abandon it Truely I am afraide that there will be lefte vnto them no manner of pretence at all whereby they maye cleare or defende themselues Where if so be we imagine that it will come to passe by some prerogatiue or straunge priuiledge that wée alone withoute the reading and knowledge of Gods word shal in time to come be memored with the faithful we are far wide as they say do vtterly deceiue our selues without Christ there is no passage for any mā into Heauen forasmuch as he is the dore the waye the truth and the life but the way to Christe the Scripture it selfe pointeth forth as it were with the finger For truly is it said of Hierom in his preface to the first booke of his cōmentaries vpon Esai To be without the knowledge of the Scriptures is to be without the
places it is not obscurely signified firste that the Bookes of holy Scripture were in times paste by Readers from an hyghe Pulpit with a cleare voice whyche all myghte heare and in the common tongue whyche all might vnderstande accustomed to be recited Secondlye that by name were rehearsed Moses the residue of the Prophets the Psalmes the Gospels the Actes of the Apostles the Apostolicall Epistles and that for the moste parte these bookes were read through from the beginning to the ende Lastly that this order was obserued that the reading wente alwaies before and then followed a more large declaration of the thinges that were read by some one that was excellent in the gifte of Prophecie In the meane time the godly Doctors and Teachers neuer ceassed to exhorte their godlye hearers that they woulde daylye also reade ouer the holy Scriptures at home at their owne houses that they woulde priuatelye call to minde the things that they hadde publikely heard and that by the example of those of Berea they would duly weigh and examine them by the ballaunce and touchstone of the Scriptures And of the peoples diligence profiting at that time in reading the holy Scriptures this is no doubtfull argument for that it was not néedfull for the Doctours themselues thoughe some men in these oure dayes doe very weywardly and importunately vrge it to expresse at all times the names of the Authours and Chapters of the holy bookes In as much as the people themselues so soone as they hadde hearde any place alleaged and broughte forth by and by vnderstood in what Author in what booke and in what parte of the booke the same was to be founde as they that were verye well exercised by reason of their daylye and domesticall reading Therefore the thinges that in so many ages and in euerie place were with singular care great commendation and with no lesse fruite accustomed to be done in sacred assemblies or méetings wherevnto all Christians of all estates and degrées whatsoeuer vsually came togither We may iudge also to be verye séeming and sitting for all the professours of Christianitie in these oure dayes neither can we suppose them to bée within the compasse of Christes flocke or folde that shall contemptuouslie refuse eyther to heare the holy Scriptures in the Churche or to reade them oftentymes at home by themselues Wherefore if thou dwellest in suche a place where as the Propheticall and Apostolique writings are not accustomed to bée recited in holy publike assemblies then forsooth is it most requisite and necessarie that thou shouldest prescribe vnto thy selfe a perpetuall and vnchangeable Lawe as touching the dayly reading of them at home at thy house But if thou dwellest where they are publikelie recited in a tong knowen vnto thée it is well and thou hast good cause to reioyce wyth thy selfe as one in farre more happie estate than infinite thousands of men whome a man may finde euery where in Cities Townes Villages and stréetes vtterly voyde and destitute of the knowledge of Heauenly and Spirituall thyngs but thou must prouide neuerthelesse with all possible diligence that thou mayest profite and goe forwarde in the wholesome doctrine of GODS worde not onely in the Lordes house or Temple but also in thine owne priuate house by all occasions and to the vttermost of thy power according to the holye admonitions of godly and learned Pastors For true Christianitie consisteth not in thys that a man doth oftentimes conueygh hymselfe bodilie from hys House to the Churche but in that a man both at home and in the Churche shoulde bende hys whole heart and mynde to the true vnderstanding of the mysteries of GODS holye worde But why doe we not alleadge some of the exhortations that the holy Fathers vsed to make to their hearers when they coueted to stirre them vp to the priuate reading of the sacred Scriptures forsooth I trust they wyll no lesse profite now a great number than it is certayn they profited in times past For they prouided their painefull workes both for vs and our whole posteritie And certes for mâ—ne owne part I confesse I coulde not deuâ—se either more pithy or profitable exhortations than thâ—irs are OrigeÌ„ therfore about the yeare of our Lord 230. being a Doctor of the famous schole and Church of Alexandria from when his voyce sounded into the whole world namely whilest out of his Auditory there came on euerye side innumerable wise gouernours of Churches whom also Mammea mother of AlexaÌ„der Seuerus the Emperor called vnto hir for a time to Antioch whilest hir desire was to be instructed of hym the same OrigeÌ„ I say expounding the booke of Leuiticus in his homilie 9. hath these words For those only doeth the high Priest aduocate propitiator Christ pray that are the Lords inheritaunce that wayte for him before the gates that depart not froÌ„ the teÌ„ple but giue theÌ„selues to fasting and prayer Dost thou thinke that scarcely coÌ„mest to the Church on holy and festiual dayes neyther giuest thy selfe to heare the word of God nor applyest thy diligeÌ„ce to keepe his coÌ„maundements that the Lords inheritance can light vpon thee Neuerthelesse we wish that by the hearing of these things you would bend your selues not only in the Church to hearken to the worde of God but also in your own houses to be exercised and to meditate in the law of the Lord day night for Christ is eueÌ„ there also and euery where present to all those that seeke after him For therfore is it commaunded in the law that wee should thinke vpon it when we go by the way when we sit in the house and when we ly in our bed and when we rise vp and this is in very deed truely to waite before the dores for the high Priest tarying within in the holye place and to become the Lords inheritaunce Againe in the self same homilie not much after he inueigheth sharply against those the when they heare the Scriptures red do not as they ought to do giue diligent héed vnto theÌ„ And at length hauing exhorted theÌ„ to bridle the flesh to stir vp the spirite he addeth immediatelye these wordes as touching the hearing reading of the word of GOD If thou coÌ„mest often to the Church loke thou giue eare to the hearing of the holy scriptures see thou takest hold of the meaning of the heauenly coÌ„maundements For as the flesh is nourished with meat drinke eueÌ„ so is the spirite strengthned with the liuely sense and working of the word of God which being made more stroÌ„g wil enforce the flesh to stoop vnto him to be obedieÌ„t to his laws The nourishments therfore of the spirite are the reading of the Scriptures coÌ„tinual prayers teaching coÌ„ference of the word With these meats it is norished with these it is streÌ„gthned with these it getteth the vpper haÌ„d Which things bycause ye do not loke ye coÌ„plaine not of the infirmitie of your flesh The same
Author vpon Cro in his 12. Homily chydeth thē that when the Scriptures are red expounded in the Church haue not their mindes prepared to heare thē much lesse to examine thē or conferre them with others What is it sayth he to be conuerted If we vtterly renounce al the things of the world of the fleshe with our whole study care practise apply our selues to the word of GOD meditate in his law day and night if forsaking al other things we depend onely vpon GOD and be exercised in his testimones this is truely to be conuerted to the lord Thou therfore wouldest haue thy son to learn the liberal Sciences as they cal thē to be acquainted with the Art of Grammer or Rhetorick dost thou not rid him set him free frō all things Dost thou not cause him to omit al other things applye himselfe only to this study Thou prouidest him tutors Schole-maisters Bookes expenses yea thou sufferest hym to wante nothyng vntill hee beare awaye the perfitte price of his purposed studye Whyche of vs doeth so conuert himselfe to the study of GODS law which of vs doth so apply our diligence Which of vs doth with so great care and industrie seke after heauenly things as we haue sought after earthly And why then do we complayne if we be ignorāt of the things which we haue not learned Some of you so soone as ye haue heard recited the things that are redded by by depart your way making no maner of enquirie one of another of the things that are spoken no conferēce at al no remēbrance of that cōmandemēt wherin Gods Law doth admonish thee Aske thy fathers and they shal tel thee aske thine elders and they shal shew thee Other some wil not tarie by their good wils no not til the lessons be redde in the Church Some againe there be that know not whether there were any red or no but in the outleetes of the Church are occupied about fables or otherwise entangled about worldly and vnprofitable matters Of whom I dare be bold to say that whē Moses is red they haue not now a couer only but euen a certain wall bulwarke also placed ouer their hearts For if he which is present which heareth intentiuely marketh which canuasseth and examineth the things that he doth heare that which he can not atteyne vnto diligently fearcheth out learneth can hardly come to the libertie of knowledge how can he which of purpose stoppeth his eares least he shuld heare turneth his back to the face of the Reader be sayd to haue a couer ouer his hearte to whom not so much as the couer it self of the letter wherin the sense is wrapped which is the sound of the voyce hath as yet come All this hath he in that place Manye things mo beside mayst thou find in his Commentaries spoken to the selfesame effect Vpon Leuiticus Homi. 4. he auoucheth thē to offer a thankeful sacrifice and memoriall vnto GOD that do day night meditate in the Law of the Lord and keepe in mind all the Scriptures or if they can not do that yet at least cōmit to memorie the things that are taught or recited in the Church and after they are gone out of the Church like vnto good sounde Beasts chewing their cud call back the same things to remēbrance so study finally to fulfil the cōmandemēts of GOD. In his exposition of the. 12. Chap. of the Epistle to the Romanes he affirmeth flatly that our senses can not possibly be renued but by the exercises of wisedome the meditation of GODS worde and the spiritual vnderstanding of his Law and that by how much a man dayly profiteth by reading of the Scriptures and his vnderstanding pierceth more déepely into them by so much alwayes is he more and more renewed By and by hée addeth I know not whether the sense or feeling of hym that is slouthfull towarde the reading and hearing of the holy Scriptures and towarde the exercises of spirituall vnderstanding whereby he might not only vnderstande those things that are written but also applye them more diligently and sette them foorthe can be renewed or no. Vpon Iosue in his twentith Homilie he declareth in many words That the reading of the Scriptures is both allowed of GOD and his Angels and also very profitable vnto vs albeit we doe not perfitely vnderstande them In his Prologue ad Canticum Salomonis whiche worke notwithstanding it pleaseth the learned to remoue out of Origens Librarie he telleth that there was a fashion among the Iewes that All the Scriptures except the beginning of Genesis certayne places in the beginning and ending of the Prophete Ezechiell and the canticle of Salomon shoulde be taughte vnto their chyldren by teachers and wise men appoynted for that purpose But how and after what sorte Christian children also were accustomed to learne of their Parents out of the holy Scriptures the principles of Religion and agayne generally what the householde studie was in old time in reading and repeating of the Scriptures wée maye in the life of Origen himselfe as it is described by Eusebius in the sixth Booke and second Chapter of hys Ecclesiasticall Historie as in a paynted Table behold Origen sayth he began immediately to be instructed of his father in the holy Bookes who by dropmeale as it were betweene whiles gaue vnto him among the secular studies wherem he was trayned in his tender age some things also out of our Scriptures to be red Thē afterward by little little he taught him likewise to preferre these before his sholasticall exercises And euen incōtinent he envred the child in like maner being of himselfe not vnwilling but very prompt readie to learne whatsoeuer was taught him to take forth euery day certain lessons in the holy Scriptures to cōmend thē to memory Now he truly the child conceruing a wonderfull delectatiō in reading of these things semed not to be cōtent only with a bare vnderstading of thē but would busie his father oft times about questions touching the sense meaning of the Scriptures enquiring of him diligently what such such a thing meant amongst other what the meaning of that was where it is said that The Scripture is enspired by the holy Ghost or what diuine misterie this simplicitie of words might cōteyne But he the father feined himselfe for the time gētly to rebuke him to forbid him to aske any questiō beyond the cōpasse of his age but with himself notwithstāding he reioyced excedingly giuing harty thankes to almighty GOD who had graunted him to be the father of suche a childe This out of Eusebius But with what words I pray you maye this spectacle of so godly a Father conferring with his most déere child as touching holy heauēly matters be I say not only adorned set forth but plainely and distinctly also declared Who cā expresse sufficiently the chéerefulnesse feruencie of the sonne
and especially in the exercises of holye Scripture or take anye long and greate paines in the Schooles of Learning when he smelleth that there will be no publike vse thereof and foreséeth that no manner of rewardes shall bée allotted to his laboures in Churches I appeale to the testimonies of a great number of good menne whyche can remember that in Churches verye greate and notable there haue not béene scarce foure Sermons throughoute the whole yeare made vnto the people and yet if there happened to be anye it was spente for the moste parte eyther in a fruitelesse narration of Myracles and those commonlye false or else in some subtill disputation sauoring more of Aristotle than of the Prophetes and Apostles Verily I remember that I hearde ouce in Fraunce one beyng old and hoareheaded and a man of singular modestie tel and reporte that he was declared Doctor of Diuinitie in the Sorbon Schoole at Paru when as hée had neuer in all his life read ouer so muche as thrée Chapiters of the holy Bible and further that he was afterwarde the Pastor of no obscure Churche and althoughe he dayly descanted vppon the hundreth and ninetéenth Psalme wherein is wonderfully commended the study efficacie and vse of Gods worde and here and there also be repeated these wordes In the lawe of the Lorde wil I meditate day and night yet notwithstanding that it neuer came into his minde one whit to peruse the Bookes of holy Scripture with a desire of vnderstaÌ„ding the truth nor neuer made also any Sermon oute of the Scriptures to the people Whyche thinges he not wythout an honest kinde of shame callyng to remembraunce bothe bewayled the vnhappinesse of the tyme past and also complayned of the shamefull ignorance of the men of his coate and calling Yea and moreouer in dyuers Countries where I haue trauailed I haue séene many Priestes as my manner is in euery place to enquyre diligently of the state of Churches whyche when they were vtterly voyde of learning and very Drones had no Churche wherein they mighte lawfully minister But out of their Masses as they call them whych they beyng hyred daylye sayde they sucked out no small gaine and aduantage sustained themselues in their filthy ydlenesse Furthermore we sée it euerye where commonly receiued not by custome but as yée woulde saye by a lawe established that Priestes are made wythoute choyce no more as they were in times past to teache but onelye to say Masse As who should say forsooth this way do the holy Byshops followe the holy Cannons whyche forbidde that without a title for so they speake any man shoulde be ordered Distinction 70. C. Neminem Sanctorum Canonum c. Therefore as touching the Doctrine of Religion there is among them no further question but it maye be sayde as Ierome speaketh expounding the thirtéenth Chapiter of Ezechiel that for the sinnes of men the word of GOD is vtterly loste and that grieuous calamitie sent downe into the worlde that GOD by the Prophet Amos Cap. 8 threatneth namely a cruell hunger thirste and scarcitie of hearing the worde of GOD. The other inconueniences whyche haue flowed oute of that fountayne to witte the false perswasion of the Ministery to consiste in bare Songs and Ceremonies I ceasse to make any further reckening of But to procéede where Bishops do not prouide that the Scriptures be continually readde and expounded in Churches and yet giue orders to a greate number of suche as they knowe haue neyther bestowed any time before in studying the holy Scriptures neyther can or will do hereafter I leaue it to be considered of euerye man whether suche either Byshops or Priestes can rightly chalenge to themselues the power Ecclesiasticall and kayes of the kingdome of Heauen as granted vnto them of God or no. We haue learned forsooth out of the Sermons of Christ and the Apostles that there is a double power of the Churches or that there be two kayes the one of Doctrine whyche consisteth in teachyng that is to saye in interpreting the Scriptures and administration of the Sacramentes whiche are annexed to the worde and euen a certaine portion of the worde like as in very déede they are acomplished by the worde the other is prepared to giue iudgement and to binde and loose But nowe howe shall he â—â—â—â—ly teache in the Churche all the chiefe poyntes of Christian Doctrine oute of the Law and the Gospell How agayne shall be wisely giue sentence as well of sinnes for whiche the obstinate must be bounde as also of faith and repentance for the witnessing whereof it behoueth them to be loosed that were bounde which neuer exercised himselfe in the monumentes of the Prophets and Apostles neither intendeth at any time to beginne Certesse that no keyes of Christes Church are committed to vnlearned Priestes it is well proued by the iudgement of those Prelates that ouer and besides that they haue deputed a good parte of the rabblement of Priestes only as I sayde to the execution of Masserites and Ceremonies haue moreouer deuised certaine cases which they name Reserued whereof some they wil haue referred to the Bishops only of euery Church othersome only and alone to the Bishop of Rome Now there shoulde be no néede to trudge for counsell to the higher Prelates if so be they déemed the Priests which themselues had made fitte to giue iudgement of matters incident and sufficiently furnished to bind and lose But that which the authours of reserued cases haue openly protested touching certayne Priestes the same may we interprete worthily to be vnderstoode of all in generall whether they be Bishops or Priestes that are founde voyde and destitute of all furniture of learning Héereby then we shall be inforced to suspect that many Churches haue of long time wanted and bin altogither withoute keyes For the vnderstanding and interpretation of the Scriptures being once loste it coulde not be chosen but that the keyes must néedes haue bin lost also And in what state the house is that is neyther opened nor shutte at any tyme with keyes but hauing as yée woulde saye the lockes and dores broken all to fitters standeth on euery side and alwayes and to euery one that commeth wide open in the very same state we suppose the Churches to haue bin and to be in whiche is had no consideration at all of the handling of the holy Scriptures But we shall haue lesse cause to maruayle that Priestes haue not hitherto bin carefull of receyuing the true keyes if in case we consider that a number of them haue not bene accustomed to go in and out by the dore but by some other way and that there haue appeared in them more liuely markes of hirelings than of anye true Shepheardes It remayneth therefore that whosoeuer hauing gotten any dignitie in the Churche of God wyll also purchase to himselfe credite and authoritie and be acknowledged in very déede for a true Shepheard hauing interest in the keyes and skill to vse
they woulde signifye and proteste the inuincible fortitude of theyr mindes euen so nowe lette oure men of warre in these dayes worthilye estéeme it as a principall pointe of prayse and commendation if it fortune them béeyng beset on euerye side wyth so many and greate perilles to dye not as the common sorte of souldiours vse to do but as true Christian warriours in déede But no such menne can dye valiauntely eyther for the glorye of GOD or for their Countrey or else returne home wyth tryumphant victorye saue those onelye that when they are quiet at home in their houses doe so exercise themselues in reading the Scriptures that afterwarde when they muste watche abroade in the wilde fieldes and abide all bruâ—ts that shall fall vppon them they maye comforte themselues mutuallye out of the worde of GOD inflame their mindes wyth courage call rightelye vppon GOD committe the safetie as well of theyr soule as bodye to hys tuition and make confession of their Christian Faith. And surely it behoueth as well all other Christians if at least wise we wil hearken to Saint Paules counsell as also those vndoubtedly that followe the Campes of Christian Princes to be euermore throughlye furnished with the whole armoure of GOD and to haue their loynes girded about wyth Trueth their breast fenced wyth the breastplate of Righteousnesse their feete shodde with the preparation of the Gospell of Peace and aboue all to take the shielde of Fayth and to put on the helmet of Saluation lastly to beare alwaies in their hands the sword of the spirite whiche is the worde of GOD of whych inward and spirituall weapons a type and resemblaunce wée maye daylye in oure minde beholde in the outwarde weapons of the bodye whereby they may bee able to stande faste againste all the assaultes of the diuell the common enimye of mankinde and to repulse the firy darts that hee neuer ceasseth to hurle at them Further sayth an other I am a Lawyer what haue I to doe with the Scripture Shall I tell thée Very muche For it is to be wished by all meanes bothe of thy selfe and of all that craue thine ayde in the Courte that thou werte in déede wyth a certaine addition suche a one that is to saye A Christian Lawyer Thou makest thy vaunte I am sure that thou wilte do all thyngs according to righte and equitie and challengest to thy selfe both the power and will so to doe But verye hardlye shalte thou make anye man beléeue that thou arte of this minde vnlesse thou imbracest also the pure Doctrine of Religion and by the direction thereof envre thy selfe to deale faithfully and truelye in all thy procéedyngs and to prosecute the things that are lawfull and iuste In some Countries the Lawyers are euill spoken off and noted to be scante good Christians Thys blotte shall hée wype cleane awaye whom the people shall perceiue earnestly and wyth an vnfained disire as well of profiting in godlynesse of lyfe as also of finding out and obseruing of equity to pervse the holye Scriptures Lactantius Firmianus and after hym Saint Hierome doe wonderfully commend one Minutrus Felix a notable Lawyer of Rome for hys excellent knowledge of holye Doctrine what let is there then why the Lawyers of oure tyme shoulde not imitate thys manne in the studye of Heauenlye thyngs Moreouer by the selfesame Law and condition must Phisitions knowe themselues to be bounde also especially forbicause they haue a singuler commendation of theyr Arte and full of aucthoritie taken out of the holye Scriptures themselues For they bragge very muche that by the mouth of the moste wise Hebrue Iesus the sonne of Syrach Chap. 58. Phisicke is commended as a thing giuen of GOD for the necessitie of mans lyfe and that moste holye menne as the Prophete Esaye â— King. 10. Esa. 38. the Euaungeliste Luke Coloss 4. and others moe haue exercised the same Arte to their singular prayse Certes Hipocrates the Prince of Phisitions béeyng but a Heathen man in hys booke De decenti ornatu sayth that the knowledge of GOD oughte inespecially to bee rooted in the hearte of the Phisition and that in disseases and maladies hapning Phisicke should verye reuerently behaue it selfe towardes GOD. From whome disagréeth not Galen in his ninth Booke and fiftéenth Chapiter De Hipocratis Platonis degmatibus and in hys worke De animi moribus corporis temperaturâ—â— sequentibus that is Touching the maners of the minde followyng the qualities or temperatures of the bodye the eleauenth Chapter And all men doe greatelye couet and desire to attaine vnto a certaine happinesse in making and ministring of medicines But thys dexteritie can they by no meanes looke to come by vnlesse they call vppon GOD wyth a true and liuely faith and prouoke their patients likewise to doe the same Whiche that they mighte diligently doe in déede we reade that it was well prouided in the councell of Lateran Cannon 22. whyche is referred also among the Decretals De Penitentâ—s Remissionibus C. Cum infirmitas And Hostiensis expounding the same sayth that those Phisitions doe grieuously sin which obey not that most wholsome law And I know not truly how it commeth to passe that all sicke folkes for the most part do more willingly call for him and commit their life vnto him and trust assuredlye that they shall be holpen of him whome they perceyue and vnderstande to be a louer of Gods holy word and a follower of true Christian pietie and godlynesse in like cace as if they were persuaded that what Arte is not able many times to do that might he supplyed by sanctimonie of life and Prayers After which sort verily we haue knoweÌ„ many in times past restored to health by most holy meÌ„ more no doubt through feruent Prayer vnto God than by any medicine though neuer so artificially made So also dothe Sainct Iames Chap. 5. commaund that to the anoynting with oyle holy Prayer should be adioyned It followâ—th therefore that the Phisition if he diligentlye pervse the Bookes of holye Scripture shall very well prouide both for the saluation of his soule with God and also for his credite and estimation amongst men yea and besides all this he shall obteyne of God happy successe in his Science and in all his procéedings But now he that is a Merchante and compassed about continually with innumerable affayres and dealings belonging to his trade and Merchandise tossed and turmoyled too and fro now hither now thither and neuer at anye certayne stay ought euer and anone to bestow some time in sifting and examining of his owne conscience and in commending the safetie of his bodye and soule into the hands of God and that so muche the more often by howe many more and gréeuouser perils both by Sea and by Lande he séeth himselfe to be cast into euery minute of an houre He ought moreouer to labour by all meanes possible that credite and trustinesse whiche is a certayne constancie and
thee to sende thy children to learning and to prouide them Scholemaysters and to see that nothing bee wanting for their instruction and in the meane time not to bring them vp in the nourture and chastisement of the Lorde Therefore do euen we first of all reape the fruite of this thing that is to say through our owne defaulte we haue harebraynd vngracious disobediente and vnmanerly children Let vs not then thus do but let vs obey this blessed Apostle who giueth vs good councell let vs bring them vp in the instructiō and information of the lord Let vs set before them an example causing them from their tender youth diligently to apply the reading of the Scriptures Wo is me whilest I am thus continuallye speaking I seeme to do nothing else but trifle howbeit I will not ceasse for all that to do that which mine office bindeth me to do These things hath he All that Sermon of his is very worthye to be read as in whiche hée sheweth with manye reasons that those when all is said do best prouide for their children and lay open vnto them the way to riches peace and tranquilitie of life happie estate and to preferment in Princes courts whiche haue a care ouer them that they be instructed euen from their infancie in the holy Scriptures To bée short the husbande and the wife the parentes and children the maisters and seruantes the mistresses and maydes may find in the holy Bookes infinite as well preceptes as examples whiche it is not néedefull to rehearse as touching all those things that it behoueth euery one of them to doe in their seuerall state and calling The same must thou thinke to be spoken both vnto widowes and virgins of whose care and diligence like as also of the instruction of children in the holye Scriptures we haue aboue somewhat discoursed So far-forth therefore is that true which Saint Augustine sayth De verbis Domini Sermone 19. namely that vnto all estates of mē there is prescribed in the sacred bookes a rule to liue by and that all and euery sexe age and degree is prouoked to leade an vprighte and godly life Therefore as we began to saye before not onely those that are appoynted to the Ecclesiasticall ministerie but also generally all Christians of what estate or condition soeuer they be ought dayly to bestow sometime at the least in reading and pervsing the Bookes of the Prophets and Apostles The continuall meditation of the Scriptures is not the priuate and peculiar office of some fewe persons but the common and publike dutie of all Christians I graunt in déede that the godly and learned Pastors of Churches shoulde goe before but yet muste all other states and degrées followe after There is none neyther one nor other that can bée debarred from this daunce There is no man in this life in all respectes so perfite vnto whome remayneth not some thing more to be learned no man so exactly accomplisheth his dutie but that some good man for I speake not of anye slaunderous and enuious cauiller may say vnto him this would be amended Wherefore I beléeue there is not any man liuing whiche by the rules and exhortations of the holy Scriptures may not onely become better learned but also better qualified and which by reading of the word of God may not bée made more strong and couragious to all good actions of life whatsoeuer A greate offence it were doubtlesse to surmise that the Philosophers or anye other persons besides shoulde be able better to prescribe what euerie one ought to do or to leaue vndone than God himselfe Certes the Philosophers Lawmakers and other worldly wise men when they dispute of duties doe oftentimes erre Euidente proofes héereof we haue in Plato Aristotle Panaetius Cicero and such like whyche doe commonly one carp and controll another Neyther doe they commend any thing as comely and honest but so far-forth as it is déemed to be suche by the opinion of men But the Prophetes and Apostles coulde not erre bicause they were taught by the holy Ghost who is the spirit of truth and voyd of all error yea they so vrged commanded all things as they knew the same to be allowed of god But to frame the life and maners in suche wise as God maye be pleased with them is no doubte a most soueraigne thing highly to be desired of all men And in déede the Philosophers cā after a sort tell vs what one man oweth vnto another but what mā oweth vnto god how God shuld rightly be worshipped of true faith in God remissiō of sins of the inward spirituall righteousnesse of the heart of other things like vnto these they do not so much as make any mētion at al much lesse cā they perfitly declare thē As oft as in the writings of the Philosophers ther happen any place as touching God or as touching the duty of man towards God we sée how coldly slenderlye and obscurelye they runne ouer it Which truely that it shoulde so come to passe God vndoubtedly had ordeyned that eyther for bycause they were conuicted in their owne cōsciences and stayed not vpō any sure foundation in these their disputations or else for that it was not their proper charge but was reserued for others the Prophets I meane Apostles their Disciples and finally for so much as God would haue all men to be admonished by this meanes that the perfite knowledge of God and of his will is to be learned not out of the Bookes of the Philosophers but only and alone out of the holy Scriptures And this is that in effect whiche the Apostle meaneth 2. Timoth. 3. when he saith That the holy Scripture inspired of God is profitable to instruct in righteousnesse that the man of God may be perfect and prepared to all good works Wherevnto Sainct Augustine hauing respecte in hys 2. Sermon vpon the 90. Psalme very wittily said That the holy Scriptures are letters patents sent downe from the heauenly Citie to vs which do exhort vs all to lyue well Wherfore whosoeuer coueting to reade the holy Bible wherein is most absolutely cōprised all the discipline cōcerning the duties of all and euery Christian as wel towards God as towards men and to reforme his maners accordingly requireth the same Bible to bée reached vnto him he shal more truely a great deale say of it Giue me my Maister then long ago Cyprian vsurped the like saying as oft as he meant or spake of the most famous writer Tertullian if we may credit Hierome But I will procéede somewhat further to speake of certayne dueties which are common to all Christians and yet in the meane time can not rightly be performed of any man without the reading and knowledge of the Scriptures Howbeit I will speake only of the chiefe principall wherevpon depend other almost infinite In the explication whereof we will gather togither those reasons wherewith the consciences I hope of
by what meanes a man may pick out leysure and oportunitie to reade the holy Scriptures Verily I dare auouch that there is no kind of calling so vnwrapped or intangled in businesses wherein may not be had a conuenient respite to think vpon and accomplish somthing for the safetie and preseruation of the soule Among the offices that are full of difficulties and daungers maye be reckoned the kingdome the state of Consuls Lieutenauntes Iudges the gouernement of armies and if there bée anye honourable function besides in a great and mightie Commonwealth And it is euident that a greate number of men béeing in the sayde seuerall authorities verye famous and renoumed euen in the troublesome state of things and in the greatest flouds of cares and perplexities gaue notwithstanding a certaine portion of time to reading writing meditation consultatioÌ„ of coÌ„cerning difficult weighty affaires Examples of the Gentiles if any be delighted to heare he shall not néede to séeke farre for them It is reported that Alexander the Greate euen whilest he was busie in leadyng aboute his royall army of souldiours vsed to reade and write diuers and sundrye things and that if at anye tyme he was to ioyne battell with his enimy he woulde snatche vp some one booke or other for his purpose and reade whereby as by a counsailer and encourager he might be made both more apt and also more couragious to fight Octauius the Emperour if we maye credite Suetonius in a moste cruell battaile holden at Mutina a Citie of Gallia read wrote and declaymed dayly in the night time being awaked oute of sléepe he vsed a reader of Commentaries and when he was at home he would recite certaine writings of his owne to his familiar friends as vnto hearers in the Schooles Iulius Caesar as he happily fought sundry battells so put he the same himselfe as elegantly in writing and that euen in his Tentes in the noise of Trumpettes and in the confused clattering of armour and weapons so farre foorthe that a man maye doubte by whether of the two things he attained greater commendation And before thys man Cato Censorius famous for his skil both of warre and peace read very much year learned the Gréeke tong perfectlye when he was an olde man as afterwarde his graundchilde whome they called Vticensis wayting in the Courte till the Senate shoulde come togyther hadde his Bookes with him leaste any parte of the hour-glasse shoulde come forth without fruite Plinius Veronensis albeit hée was intangled with the affaires of the Courte of the lawe and of warfare yet didde hée neuer refraine hymselfe from Philosophie and from the insearching of hidden thyngs but whither he were taking his meate or iorneying or doing of some other thing he eyther read or hearde one reading wrote or indighted to one writing for him But omitting these Gentiles in whom no doubt shineth forth a wonderful industrie and care of good learning I thinke it muche better for godly and Christian people to haue the examples of godly men expounded that euen for the likenesse of religion and doctrine which they follow the mindes of all may become the more prompt and readie to imitate and imbrace the same Set before your eyes therefore the noble king Dauid a man strong and valiaunte both in war and in peace and right notable in battels and conquestes For hée whether it were so that flying the tyraunt Saule he one while wandered in obscure and forborne places another while susteyned woful banishment with the king of Geth or whither that he feared himselfe by reason of his sonne Absolon kindling the coaâ—s of ciuill warre against him or whither he should stande to the triall of battell abroade with his enimies or whither he ruled at home the raines of his kingdom was not only bent and inclined continually to the law which he had always about with him by gods coÌ„mÌ„adement but also in those most dolefull troublesome turmoyles he wrote and sang manifolde Psalmes Hys sonne and successour Salomon so administred his kingdome that he brought the same to a peaceable and most flourishing estate he was in his owne person the chiefe dealer in matter of iustice and equity the ambassadors whych kings and Princes sent vnto him as desirous to heare his wisdome and Councels he most wisely aunswered he builded moreouer most gorgiously and sumptuouslye but in al these things he omitted nothing as touching his manner of reading and pervsing the holy lawe yea he put forth parables and verses or sentences in great number he disputed most sharpely as touching summum bonum or the chiefe ende of man as is to be séene in Ecclesiastes as touching trées and plantes of beastes of birdes of wormes of fishes 1. King. 4. And what thinke yée did Ezechias and Iosias during the time of their seuerall gouernements in the studye and meditation of the holye Scriptures who to the reforming and preseruing as well of the Churche as of the common wealth vsing the counsell and aduice of the wisest of the Priestes and Prophets that age was ennobled by the excellent Prophetes Esaias Hoseas Micheas Ieremias lefte no way vnsoughte nor no stone vnturned But yet before a greate number of other that honourable Eunuch for his wonderfull diligence deserueth commendation who was the chiefe treasourer to a Quéene and alwayes occupyed in giuing and taking in casting and recasting of accomptes whyche is a moste troublesome office especiallye in a womans Courte and yet not so muche as euen then whâ—â— hée iourneyed by the waye and rode in a Chariot suffered hée the time to passe awaye withoute the reading of the Scriptures Of whome forbycause we haue spoken before nowe it shall be sufficient briefly to haue repeated thus much Notable is the praise of Cornelius the Centurion Captaine of the Italian band whom Luke Acts 10. setteth forth to haue béen a louer of sincere religion to haue feared and worshipped GOD wyth al his house which himselfe no doubt had so taught enformed to haue giueÌ„ willingly almes to the poore and finally wyth feruent prayers to haue called vpon God withoute ceassing But that he was suche a one withoute the reading and vnderstanding of the Scriptures wée canne by no means suspect séeing that euen Peter in his oration whiche he made to those that were assembled in the house of Cornelius saith playnely that the word which the Lord sent to the children of Israel preaching Peace by Iesus Christe the Lorde of all men was knowen vnto them Thou sést therfore that Kings and Princes Courtiers Lieutenaunts Capitaines whome no man can deny to be euermore distracted into manye and diuers affayres euen at what time they were in a maner oppressed with the waighte and burthen of businesses coulde finde some oportunitie to the readyng and meditation of Gods word how can then the colde and far fetched reasons take place that a number doe alleadge in greate plenty and I wote not withoute what coloured pretences to excuse
and defende their own slouthfulnesse withall To be shorte there is no state or condition no function or office no laboures no causes incident either to publike or priuate dealings that can minister anye excuse sufficiently lawfull to discharge anye Christian from the reading and pervsing of the Sacred Bookes Nowe sith it is euident that no excuse or allegation whatsoeuer wyll goe for payment it is méete and requisite that euery man doe so distribute the times houres of hys actions as of them he may giue some daylye to the searching of the writings of the Prophets and Apostles And in good sooth it is not likely that the thinges shoulde otherwise be well done that are not accomplished in order and in a tyme appointed Some things are fit to be done in the nighte othersome in the dawning othersome in the morning othersome at noonetide othersome in the euening And looke howe muche more laborious the businesses are or labours busie whych it behoueth to deale withall so muche more duly shalte thou seuer and diuide them and indeuoure to execute euerye thing in certaine houres and peculiar distances of times and seasons We reade in Ammianus Marcellinus that Alexander the greate Iulius Caesar and the Emperour Iulianus who laboured to immitate those former in manye thinges diuided the nightes while they laye in their campes into thrée partes wherof the first parte they gaue vnto rest and to the satisfaction of nature the seconde to the doing of things néedefull the thirde to the studye of good artes and sciences But why doe we not rather turne our consideration vnto Christian princes Therefore to speake of Alfred king of Britain who first of all founded the famous schole at Oxforde we finde it recorded that he in like manner disseuered all the time into thrée portions and gaue eight houres dayly to the minde to read pray and meditate in other eight to the administration of his kingdome and the residue to bodily exercises Not muche vnlike vnto this man was Charles the great who vsed to féed his minde with good studies and meditatiōs but especially with the reading of the holy Scriptures and which not a fewe haue reported of him in the time of dinner and supper he wold alwayes haue some things recyted as well out of the sacred Bible as also out of the workes of Saint Augustine It is plain and euident that many other princes mo besides haue in learning the duties of godlynes out of the holy Scriptures troden the salfe same pathe Why do not euery one of vs therefore after the example of so worthy men especially of Alfred and Charles kings that deserued excéedinglye wel of Christian religion take counsel by by as touching ordinary houres to be appointed to the reading of the holy Bible I doe very willingly and euen purposely rehearse the factes of kings and princes in this cause partly to the intent the kings princes and noble men of our days may perceiue that they also are prouoked by the authoritie princely presidents of their auncestours to the like diligence in learning the doctrine of religion and partly to the ende that inferioure persons who are by no meanes like princes surcharged and in a maner ouerwhelmed with the waues of manifolde and difficult affayres may vnderstand and wil they nil they confesse that they haue no manner of excuse left vnto them wherby they might pretend that they want fit time and oportuniti to reade the holy Scriptures Be it therefore concluded and determined that it is no harde matter for any Christian to finde fit places times and houres to pervse ouer the bookes of the heauenly Philosophy that at leastwise considering what other excellent men haue done in the same matter will not sticke valiantlye to pricke forwarde himselfe to the doing of the like Therefore now as one letting his sute fall and acknowledging himselfe to be vanquished and ouercome some man demaundeth and would gladly learne of vs what time or what houres we déeme conuenient to be chozen to the reading of the sacred bookes I wil in few wordes declare what I thinke to be moste expediente The choyse ought especially to be in thy selfe to determine of the houres according to the manner of the fūction whiche thine office or kinde of life doeth require Doubtlesse GOD himselfe séemeth greatly to commend the time of the morning and euening when a Deut. 6. and 11. he sayth ye shall lay vp my words in your heart and in your soule And ye shall teache them your children speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house when thou walkest by the way when thou liest down and whē thou risest vp Thou séest the times to be pointed out which euery man euen without any informer shoulde effectuallye in déede consecrate vnto prayers thankesgiuing and meditation of things spirituall and heauenly Albeit where the Lorde addeth that when a man sitteth at home in his house and when he trauelleth by the way he oughte to talke of his word he doth not obscurely signify that not only in the morning and euening but also at all other times and houres whatsoeuer men may profitably be excused in learning the lawe of God and therefore that it muste be leafte frée to euerye manne to appoint certaine houres accordyng to the trade of hys lyfe and varietie of businesses whyche happen therein That whyche is of it selfe holesome and fruitefull at what time soeuer it be done is well done Let thy chiefe studye and care be this that what houres thou haste once appointed thou mayste without interruption and manger all lettes and impedimentes perpetually obserue For why all things that shall once in this behalfe reuerently be decréede are as by an inuiolable lawe and yet withoute superstition to be reteyned and kepte And if at any time peraduenture some odde businesse and vnlooked for doe fall out to the contrary then it behoueth theé very carefully to prouide that at some other tyme the want be supplied But againe thou askest howe muche shall I reade euerye daye in what space shall I once peruse ouer all the whole Bible I aunswere that as I vnderstand it was an ordinary matter with oure auncestours once in a yeares space to haue the Bible from the beginning to the ende publikely recited in holy assemblies to the common instruction of all that were present For to the intēt that thing might the more commodiously be done they admitted in those daies no other Psalmes or Books of Scripture in the sayde assemblies but suche as were Canonicall as wée haue shewed in the former Booke And that the same moste commendable vsage was kepte and continued manye ages following it is not to bée doubted For euen Gratian himselfe distinct 15. declaring what Bookes of holy Scripture were wonte to be read in hys tyme that is to say about the yeare after Christes byrth .1160 signifyeth that there was made onelye a verye small chaunge From Septuagesima sayth he
the minde oughte alwayes to be intentiuely fixed and set vppon those fiue fountaines or Chapiters to the whyche the Apostle hymselfe auoucheth that al things contained in the holy Scriptures are to be referred For thus wée reade 2. Timoth. 3. The holye Scriptures are able to make thee wise vnto saluation through the faith whiche is in Christ Iesu For the whole Scripture is inspired of God and is profitable to teache to improue to correct and to instructe in righteousnesse that the maÌ„ of God may be made absolute perfect to al good works Likewise 1. Corinth 10. They are written to admonish vs vppon whome the endes of the worlde are come Againe to the Rom. 15. Whatsoeuer things are written aforetyme they are written for oure learning that wee through patience and comforte of the Scriptures might haue hope Of these fiue fountaines therfore I meane Teaching Reprouing Instructing Correcting Comfortyng al persons when they reade the Scriptures or heare them read shal very carefully consider Neither in sooth will it be a harde matter in passing throughe these fountaines as by steppes and in meditating deuoutlye vppon them to find out and gather those things that are agréeyng and answerable to euery one of them And in very déede they may rightly be taken for places as yée woulde saye of Diuine inuention For the fountaine as touching Doctrine or Teaching doeth admonishe that thou shouldest intentiuely looke about thée whither any thing out of the place of Scripture which thou hast gone through in reading may be drawen forth as pertayning to the chiefe principles and common places of the doctrine of our Religion He that knoweth and can saye by hearte the preceptes of the Decalogue the articles of the Faith as they call them the effect and meaning of the Sacraments and other pointes vsually taughte vnto yong beginners and learners in religion this man shal easily in a manner at the first sight be able to discerne the principall parts of Doctrine what they are For vpon those fountaines or welheads séeing they are to be accounted for the ground-worke and foundation are built al the rules of Christian religion whatsoeuer Going forwardr to the seconde fountaine as concerning Reprouing thou shalte wyth all diligence and indeuour weigh and consider whether in the place or sentence by thée read anye thyng bée reposed as auaileable to impugne heresies and any false doctrine whatsoeuer either olde or newe for euen at this daye the more is the pitie are hearde ouer many thynges euen among the common sorte contrary and repugnant to the trueth Whatsoeuer shall betide proper to thys kinde sée thou bestowe and laye vp in thy minde from thence when occasion shal be offered to bring it forth as a preseruatiue againste the pestilent poyson of Heretikes Next in the thirde fountayne whych is as touching Instruction we are willed out of the words and sentences of Scripture wisely to gather those things aparte whyche tende to the passing of the life in righteousnesse and true holinesse and generally which are any thing auaileable to the good administration of Churches of pollitike or housholde affayres For why that knowledge is barren and vnfruiteful that bringeth not a man to such dealings in the common trade of hys life as are both holesome and commendable To Correction whyche obtayneth the fourth place and is after a sorte contrarye to Instruction hée that is desirous to finde fit matter muste first looke about hym and consider with what faultes either priuie or apparant he hymselfe is infected then nexte wyth what corruptions and defilementes the Churches euerye where are blemisted and impaired also the common wealth and priuate houses or families howe in these on euerye side discipline is lette loose and to be shorte howe lewde and corrupte the maners and conditions of al sortes of menne are If therefore the place of Scripture whyche thou haste in hâ—nâ—e doeth minister anye thing to the controlling eyther of thine owne faultes or other mens and to the reprouing and amending as well of publike as priuate enormities then shalte thou with verye good right accompte all that among Corrections Whosoeuer furthered by Gods greate goodnesse intendeth earnestlye to leade a godlye life and with all inforcement to detefie and abandon sinne hée shall bée able wyth iudgement to gather oute of the diuine Oracles bothe Instructions and also corrections Last of al to heape vp matter of Comfort or Consolation it is not so busie a labour Hee that is grieued wyth a sore or vexed wyth anye other maladie whatsoeuer that manne diligentlye séeketh and serapeth togither medicines wheresoeuer he can come by them so likewise hée that is touched wyth anye sense or féeling of publike or priuate calamities whereof vndoubtedly euerye one of vs haue dailye experience and do taste of many in some measure and that not of one sorte or kind wil studiously note and gather euery where in reading plentiful matter comfort against all perils and daungers whatsoeuer But those men that by their dayly dealings and experience of many thynges haue gotten to themselues anye wisedome they can muche better than a number of others gyue sentence as touching all these pointes For Wisedome as wel in al other affayres as also in the consideration of diuine matters maketh men attenâ—â—â—e and circumâ—pect and helpeth them greatelye to the finding out of the vse of those thinges as that whyche hâ—â—deth vp a Torche in the darke and goeth commâ—â—lye before them That man in like care shall not a little profite in this exercise and shal get the Garland from a greate many that hathe been some space conuersant in â—eating the holy Scriptures Yea and he also shall be able to performe something worthy of commendation in this behalfe that hathe bin happily furthered wyth the acquaintance and familiar conferences touchyng Religion of learned and Godlye menne But the readyest and moste certayne waye of all is to obserue with great care and industrye in Sermons made by faythfull Teachers to the people in Sacred assemblies howe and by what meanes in the discourse of euerye parte of the Propheticall and Apostolike writings whyche are there declared one while a manifolde Doctrine as touching true opinions an other whyle Controlementes of false opinions an other while Instructions or Exhortations vnto Vertue an other while reprehensions of Faultes an other whyle Consolations all them applyed to the presente state of thyngs and so farre foorthe as may be to the times places and persons are vttered and produced and wyth no small cunning Clearklinesse and indeuoure inculked and repeated Lyke as those children doe putte vs in good hope and expectation of theyr towardnesse whyche wée sée willinglye and vncompelled to goe to the Schooles wherein the fyrste poyntes of Learning are taughte so we dare be bolde to saye that those shall easily vnderstand al the whole vse of Christian ReligioÌ„ that do chéerefully laying all other matters aparte resorte to the Churche
thrusteth forthe one while verily suche as are approued in opinion for their notable wisedome another while swinishe haters and contemners of all holy things an other while Hypocrites puffed vp with a vaine shew of holynesse and therefore maruellous fit instrumentes to beguile the simple by whose painted and smooth persuasions and by other crafty conueyances the vnwarie sort maye be broughte to the neglecting and open hatred of the Scriptures but it is your partes with these reasoÌ„s and instructions whereof you haue hitherto heard many and sundry as well out of the sacred Scriptures theÌ„selues as also out of the moste godly and learned fathers to shoare vp and fortify your minds and euen in spight of all the rablement of the wicked whome Sathan subborneth and armeth dayly against vs to stirre them vp to the loue and study of Gods word Let vs coÌ„sider that CHRIST doth euen now also without ceasing preache vnto vs which in very déede he doth not after one waye or manner and that there is no precepte of him oftner vrged and repeated than this wherein he sayeth to all Christians Searche the Scriptures for they are they that testifye of me This voyce of CHRIST for so much as his heauenly father hath so coÌ„maunded let vs heare with patient and stayed mindes and with al reuerence and submission obey it finally in comparison of that let vs refuse and abandon all mens pesuasions preceptes counsels flatteries threatnings curses and tormentes whatsoeuer For he that maketh none accompt of thys voyce of CHRIST there is no doubt but that his name shall oneday be vtterly scraped and raced out of the register of Christians that is to saye out of the booke of life whiche GOD himselfe hath written and that at the laste iudgement of the great day he shal heare froÌ„ the mouth of the same CHRIST a far other manner of voyce namely a heauye and a horrible voyce as touching the suffering and enduring of euerlasting fire THE ENDE Ps. 14.2.3.4 Psâ—l 53.4 Ps. 5.10 and 140.2 and 10.7 Prou. 1.16 Iam. 4.8 1. Cor. 1.20 2.14 Iere. 9.26 Deut. 10.16 Eccles 11.33 Genes 6.5.11.12 and 8.21 Psal. 36.1 Esa. 59.3.7 Rom. 3.10.11.12.13.14.15.16.17.18 Psalm 51.5 Eph. 2.1.3.5 Rom. 3.9 Galath 3 22 Rom. 2.22 Psalm 116.11 Rom. 3.4 Esa. 59.5 Deut. 27 Galath 3.10 Coloss 2.13 Ephes 2.12 Rom. 6.23 1 Pet. 5.8 Ephes 6.12 Ephes 2.2 Genes 3.1 1. Pet. 5.8 Apocal. 12 3 Ioan. 3.3 Ephes 4.23 1. Pet. 2.2 Hebr. 13.14 â— Corinth 1.10 11. Time. 3.16 Rom. 15.4 Man is created to the knowledge of GOD and of his will. Ouid. Metamorph Lib. 1. Of the former booke which is the whole world Of the later booke to wit the holy Scripture VVe must giue more attendaunce to the latter booke of the holy Scripture than to the former and that for three causes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 III. It behoueth all men to reade the word of GOD in that it is graunted to them only to speake and vnderstand They must especiallye read the holye Scriptures which professe themselues to be Christians It is a shame for a Christian to be ignorant of the things that Christe commaundeth The Iewes reade the Scriptures painefully God commandeth in the Lawe the bookes of holy Scripture to be read and perused of all people For what cause and coÌ„sideratioÌ„ God woulde haue his doyngs and sayings committed to writing The Fathers albeit they were without Bookes yet taught they most diligently the doctrine of religion then what ought not wee to do that haue Bookes graunted vnto vs. The commandement of God as touching the reading of the Scriptures belongeth not only to Iewes Christ also commaundeth vs to reade the Scriptures In the Apostles time all the Godly read the Scriptures most diligently The holy Ghost is giueÌ„ to the beleuers to the intent they may learne and vnderstande the Scriptures â–ª Euen the Gentiles also in these dayes vsed to reade the Scriptures albeit they were extance onely in the Greeke tong In these dayes wee haue the holy Scripturs extant in all tongues And after the Apostles time all the godly serched continualy the Scriptures Exhortations of the holy Fathers as touching the reading of the holy Scriptures priuatly in houses Origen Eusebius â—â—misenus Iohn Chrisostome Augustine Ambrose Now a dayes some Bishops there be that forbid the holy Scriptures to be read The neglecting of the Scriptures of this time if it be compared with the diligence of the auntient people is verie shamefull and ignominious The Lâ—â—ie is profited 〈◊〉 dâ—â—g of the Scriptures that they were able also to teache others Laie men skilful of the holy Scriptures in times paste taughte in Churches and were chosen to thâ— goueâ—â—emet of the same The barbarus enimies of Christian religion oughte sooner by orderly teching of sounde doctrine than by force of armes be won and vnited vnto vs. The very consideration of the times present doth require that all should applye themselues to the studie of the holye Scriptures The answere It behoueth the Ministers of the Church to bee exercised in the holy Scriptures aboue all other The Ecclesiasticall Ministery consisteth not in songs or colde ceremonies The Minister ignorant of the holye Scriptures can not conuince false opinions The Minister that is without the knowledge of the Scriptures can not wisely reproue sinne The Minister that is ignorant of the Scriptures can not confer with others of godlynesse and pietie The Minister can giue no counsell to carefull consciences that is not conuersant in the Scriptures The Minister that he may be able to coÌ„fort the afflicted must of necessitie haue experience in the Scriptures To haue the name of the Ministerie without the substance of it is an absurde thing They that can not perfourme the office of the Ministerie must not reape the fruites of it The Ministers that are vnskilfull of the Scriptures oughte to bee remoued from their places They do moste grieuoâ—sly offende whiche beeing placed in the Ecclesiasticall Ministery doe still neglect the holy Scripture Albeit the studye of the holy Scripeurs doe especiallye become the Ministers of the worde yet maye not the Laitie therefore reiect it There is no degree of men among Christians to whome it perteyneth not exactly to learne the holy Scriptures Kings and Princes must reade also the holy Scriptures All Câ—urtiers and noble men must diligently reade the holy Scriptures Iudges Consuls Pretors must exercise themselues in reading the holy Bible Neither must souldiors neglecte to reade the holy Scriptures Lâ—wiâ—rs ougâ—â— to be familiarly acquainted with the holi Scripturs Phisitions also muste deuoutly trauâ—ile in the Scriptures It is expedient that Merchant men also and Artificers should profit in the Scriptures To husbandmen also is commended the reading and hearing of the Scriptures It is expedient that Boyes and Mothers also be instructed in the holy Scriptures There be certayne duties common to all Christians whiche it is needefull for theÌ„ to learne out of the holy Scriptures All Christians muste endeuor to shewe themselues to be true members of the Churche Euerye Christian ought to bee readye to render a reason of hys Fayth to euerye one that asketh it Euery Christian ought to foresee prouide that hee erre not or be not deceiued in the doctrine of Religion There is no ChristiaÌ„ that standeth not in neede to be reproued for his sinnes and oft times to be admonished No Christian caÌ„ be without comfortes The Conclusion The willing mind easilie findeth oportunitie to do well It is false to saye that in reading there is labour and griefe How we maye get leysure oportunitie to read the holie Scriptures That a time certain ought to be giuen to the reading of the Scriptures VVhat time most apt to the reading of the Scriptures How much euery day to be read The Canonical bookes of the olde Testament Let a man read dayly certaine chapters but vvithout superstition The depth and maiestie of the holy Scriptures ought not to fray vs froÌ„ the reading of theÌ„ No maÌ„ ought to complayne that he cannot vnderstaÌ„d the Scripturs howe we maye attayne to the vnderstaÌ„ding of them Some thinges we are ignoraÌ„t of to cure benefite Howe thou mayste gather spirituall profite by the thyngs that thou readest The power of the spirite worketh priuiely through the worde is the heartes of the readers and hearers Certain Chapters or fountains to which all things in the holy Scriptures ought to be referred Teaching Reprouing Instructing Correcting Comforting Conclusion Jmprinted at London by Henry Bynneman 1579.
déede to goe aboute to procure the knowledge of GOD the father and of his sonne IESVS CHRIST otherwise than by reading and hearing of the holy Scriptures is no lesse fonde and absurde than if a man shoulde vndertake in the darke nighte to hale a shippe tossed in the middest of a greate and tempestuous Sea altogither withoute sterne withoute sayles and oares without consideration of Starres or Windes withoute direction of Néedle or anye suche helpe safe and sounde to a certaine and sure Hauen lying aloofe and a greate waye off from him But vndoubtedly very straunge and wonderfull are the peruerse and preposterous iudgementes of a greate number of Christians in this behalfe In euerie profession we sée it carefully looked vnto euerye man maye bée skilfull and that also to some purpose in the things that are agréeable to his profession The Lawiers forsooth they muste haue good sight in the ciuil lawes in the ordinaunces of their elders in customes in constitutions and in the whole practise of Courtlike matters The Phisition that will practise Phisicke in anye place muste of necessitie be skilfull in the rules of hys Science that is to saye of suche as haue written and giuen forthe precepts in that arte Among those that boaste themselues to bée Philosophers whether they be of the secte of the Stoicks or of the Peripatetickes or of the Academickes looke what maister euerie one hathe sworne and addicted himselfe vnto his decrées and assertions he can declare verye wel and wil defend to the vttermost of his power As touching the artes aswel Liberal as Mechanical otherwise called handy craftes no man is permitted to vaunt himselfe in the name and title either of the one or of the other vnlesse he hathe firste giuen forth some triall of his cunning and that before suche as can iudge of the same What corruption then and preposterousnesse of iudgementes is this that is amongest vs detestable before God and man when we suppose him to be a trim Christian that neuer knew what Christianitie meant nor euer learned oute of the holy Bible anye one iote of those thinges that CHRISTE taughte and commanded to be obserued of his Disciples Phormio was in his time a notable Philosopher who in reading diuers and sundry bookes had noted no doubt manye things as touching the feates of warre and martiall discipline yet in the meane while as concerning the office of a good Capitaine he coulde saye little or nothing to anye purpose insomuche that when on a time he assayed to saye somewhat that waye he was checked of Annibal a famous and experte Capitaine and so shaken off as a fonde and doting olde man If the case stoode thus with Phormio who hadde read manye things then I praye you howe shal we beléeue that anye man can either truely iudge or fitly speake of Christian religion that hathe neuer so muche as looked vpon the outwarde couers of those bookes in whiche the foundations of that doctrine are layed Howe muche more wise and vprighte in this behalfe than a number of Chrstians are the wicked and vngodly Iewes whom we so greately detest and abhorre as those that are excluded from the felowshippe of Gods children They will not suffer any house amongest them to be withoute the bookes of holy Scripture especially of Moses lawe to the intent that at certaine times appointed their families maye reade and peruse priuately some things in them that maye serue to their edifying and instruction Neyther will they haue suche as are men growen onely but their children also to be diligentlye occupyed in learning the Lawe supposing as who shoulde saye that it maketh greatelye for their behoofe that so manye as haue receiued the marke of Circumcision should euen foorthwith bée nouzeled in the principles of theyr Iewishe religion But I praye you what doe wée in the meane time forsooth euen sléepe vntill wée snorte agayne and casting from vs all shame commende those for wonderfull good Christians that neyther in their yong yeares neither in their olde age haue euer vouchsafed to taste oute of the holy Scriptures any smacke at all of those things whiche it behoued euerie good Christian to knowe as perfectly as hys fingers endes Neither is there cause why anye shoulde suspecte that the Iewes were by error curiositie or superstition accustomed thus to doe as in déede it is well knowen that they do manye things very disorderedly and wythout any consideration For there is extante in Deuteronomie Cap. 6. as touching this point a most graue and waightie commaundement giuen by God hymselfe where he speaketh in this wise And these words which I commaund thee this day shal be in thine hearte and thou shalte rehearse them continually vnto thy children shalt talke of thē when thou tarriest in thine house as thou walkest by the way whē thou liest down whē thou risest vp And thou shalt binde them for a signe vpon thine hand and they shal be as frontlets betweene thine eies And thou shalte write them vppon the postes of thine house ▪ and vppon thy gates In like number of wordes is the selfe same precept repeated afresh Deut. 11. Now for this cause did GOD giue a law as touching the bookes of his holy Oracles to be had in euery house to the intent that all fathers of families might daily out of them propound somewhat to their wiues children seruaunts and handmaides and that by this meanes the heauenly doctrine might bothe be preserued throughout all ages withoute corruption and also moste commodiously spread abroad by perpetuall succession from time to time Long agone verily before Moses time the Churche was prouided for by the labour and industrie of the holy fathers who dwelling here and there scattered among the Infidels neuer ceassed with all faithfull diligence by a liuely sounding voice and by repetitions of one and the selfe same forme to inculke and beate into the heades of housholdes families sounde holsome doctrine But when GOD oute of a huge and numberlesse people had once fully purposed in his mind by the ministery of Moses to erect and establishe a noble and renowmed Church and common weale he foresawe that it mighte easilye come to passe partly by reason of long iourneys partely by reason of continuall warres desolations banishements and other grieuous misfortunes and cōmon calamities that not onely true doctrine might be corrupted but also the vsuall repetitions thereof faile and decaye and so in processe of time the auntient and pure religion be vtterly abolished out of the memories of men Nowe God intending to turne awaye and in time to preuent so greate a mischiefe ordeined that the whole vniuersall doctrine of the Churche shoulde be committed to written bookes whiche mighte faithfully conserue all his sayings and doings which euery man so long as hée would might kéepe at home in hys house safe and sound from all iniurie and oftentimes write them out to the vse and