delite in the death of the vngodly but wouldest rather that he shoulde turne from hys wayes lyue than shuld his synnes whiche he hath commytted neuer be vpbrayed vnto hym Moreouer thou hast sayde by thy Prophetes Turne and repeute for all your synnes and the same your synnes shall not be to your destruccyon Retourne vnto me for I wyll not haue the death of the synner Therfore heare lord in heauen from the seate of thyne habitacioÌ„ our prayer callynge let thyne eares be attentyfe to the prayer of thy seruauntes whyche desyre to feare thy name and be gracyous vnto the people whyche hath synned agaynste the open thyne eyes to oure prayer and heare vs open the same and beholde for the deade whyche are gone to theyr graâ—…es whose soules are out of theyr bodyâ—… geue the o Lorde neyther prayse nor instifyenge but the soule that for the multitude of her synnes is afflicted she walketh beynge troubled and weake whose eyes are weake yea suche a hungry soule laudeth and prayseth thy mercy and righ teousnes Lonuerte vs lorde vnto the we shall be conuerted and yf thou shall conuerte vs than shall we repente and thou shalte haue mercy vpon vs and we shall be as we were before thou dyddest reiecte vs. Graunte vs that we maye come wyth boldenes vnto the seate of thy grace that we maye obtayne mercy and fynde grace in the tyme of nede For thou aâ—…te able to make vs ryche in all grace that we in all thynges hauyng alwaye suffycyent may be plenteous to euerye good worcke For thou art gracyous and mercyfull haste respect to thyne electe Geue vs a true fayeth wythoute the whyche we can not please the by the whych we maye knowe the the onely true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent and maye thorough hym fulfyll thy wyll in heauen in erth Graunt Lorde that we may onely in the kepe stedfast the confydence and reioysyng of hope vnto the ende For thou art onely oure God oure refuge and stronge defence our god in whoÌ„ we put our trust Geue vs aboue all thynges a true christian loue whych is the bande of perfeccyon that we maye moost dylygently endeuoure our selues to loue the oure God aboue all creatures and euermore contynue in the same loue and that we maye through the samevnfaynedly withoute dissymulacyon loue all men froÌ„ the hart and also by mouth not onely frendes but also our enemyes and maye also declare the same towards them by our workes Turne awaye thy wrath and indignacyon from vs for very fewe are there left because of the same Geue vs thys day our daylye breade for thou art onely he that geueth sede vnto the sower also geuest breade to eate whych also hast geuen to oure fathers in the deserte breade from heauen in theyr honger and hast also plenteously powred oute water oute of the rocke whan they where thursty Fede vs also o Lord with thy mooste hossame bread of thy worde whyche is the lanterne of oure fete the true light of our pathes a well of hyghe wysedom and a fyery shyld to them that put theyr truste in the. Refreshe vs wyth the lyuely water of the fountaine y t springeth into euerlasting lyfe y t we maye neuer thyrste That we maye knowe by thy trueth y t a man lyueth not onelye by breade but by euerye word which procedeth from thy mouth But vanities and wordes of vanite let be farre from vs o Lorde A prayer for the kynges mayestye and for peace O Kyng aboue all kynges Lorde aboue all lordes graunt vnto our kynge wyth his people vyctory against the enemies of thy name for thou arte our god and our conquerour for thou arte onely he that geueth victory vnto the people that we with one accorde maye laâ—…de and praise thy victorious hande for we beleue and do also knowe that the victory consisteth not in the mulmultitude of people but that y e strenght is geuen froÌ„ heauen thou geuest the vyctory according to thy pleasur Thou hast also promysed vs that if we will turne from our sinnes vnto the thou wilt bring all our enemies into captiuyte that all they which waste vs shal also be wasted and that all they whyche spoyle vs shall also be spoyled Put away froÌ„ vs the multytude of oure hurtful infirmityes graunte vs perpetual health of body soule For thou arte he y t hath power ouer lyfe death whiche bringest into the gates of death leadest out againe Thou kyllest and quyckenest again heale vs o lord we shal be whole for thou arte our prayse myghty God O mighty god and bountyful father graunte vs these prayers thorough thyne onely sonne our lorde Iesus Christe whoÌ„ thou hast sent into this worlde not to con demne vs. But that we by hym should be saued He came into the worlde that he shuld saue vs myserable synners In him haue we obtayned the redemption namely the forgeuenes of synnes accordyng to the ryches of thy grace whych thorough him thou hast powred vpon vs and thorough the sheding of hys bloud hast washed awaye all oure synnes to thintent that we mighte be thy sonnes and heyres also felow heyres with the same Iesus Christe for euer Amen Imprynted at London for Gwalter Lynne dwellynge on Somers kaye by Byllynges gate In the yeare of our Lord M. D. L. And they by to be sold in Poules churchyard next the great schole at the Signe of the spled Eagle Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum Luk. x. d ☜ ☜ 〈◊〉 cor x. b Rom. ix i. re ij b. deu xxxij Sa. xvi c Tob. xiij Iob. iij mat xxv Exo. xx God punysheth syn with like syn 〈◊〉 Re. xi Gene. iij Dan. ix Iob. iij. Luc. xv IhoÌ„ viij Ro. viij God a father God is takeÌ„ for a mother ☜ God a scholemaister God a physicyon God a shepeherde God a husband man Mat. x. xv maâ—… viiâ—… Luk. ix xiiij Ioh. xij The right kno weledge of God i. Petr. v To lear ne wysdome in aduersy te i. Para xxij c. ☞ ☞ ☞ iiij Reg. xxi a iâ—… Para. xxxiij a Co laud God ☜ Ion. ij c Eccl. vij Eccl. vij math 〈◊〉 Exo. vij viij ix x ij reg xv ij reg xi xiij xiiij xv xvi xvij xviij c. Pro. xi d i. Petr. iiij c. Ieremi xxv d. xlix b. â—…zechiel ix d. Prouer. xi d. i. Petr. iiij c. â—…at xi 〈◊〉 x â–ª â—…xi Loue of God Dan. iij. Dan. iiiâ—… Mekenes and lowlynes â—…iij â—…e xxi a ij Par. xxxiij a Act. ix a Iohan. xiij 〈◊〉 Roma xv a Gal. vâ—… Ecclesi vij a Mathe. xi 〈◊〉 Pacyence The. xvi Chapt. Temperancy measure ij re xiij xiiij xv xvi xvij xviij c. Dylygence feruency Suâ—… 〈◊〉 Ge. xx a
¶ A Spyrytuall and moost precyouse Pearle Teachyng all men to loue and imbrace the crosse as a mooste swete and necessary thyng vnto the sowle and what comfort is to be taken thereof and also where and howe both consolacyon and ayde in all maner of afflyccyâ—ns is to be soughte And agayne how all men should behaue them selues therein accordynge to the word of God Sett forth by the moste honorable Lorde the duke hys grace of Somerset as appeareth by hys Epystle set before the same IESVS Uerely verelye I saye vnto you Whosoeuer beleueth on me hath euerlastyng lyfe The Contentes of thys boke are conteyned in the next leafe The contentes of the most precyous and spiritual pearle The fyrst Chapter ¶ That all trouble afflyccyon comyth from God Fol. iâ—… The seconde Chapter ¶ That trouble afflyccion and aduersyte are sente vnto vs of God euen for the ponyshment of our synnes Fol. iâ—… The thyrde Chapter ¶ All maner of troubles afflyccyons whatsoeuer they be are allweys muchâ—… lesse and lyghter than are oure synnes Fol. v â–ª The fourth Chapter ¶ All maner of afflyccyons are sent and come from God of a louyng and fatherly mynd toward vs. Fol. viij The fyft Chapter ¶ That only God for Christes sake and that of verye mere loue fauor doeth correct and punyshe vs. Fol. x The syâ—…t Chapter ¶ Symylytudes comparysons decâ—…arynge howe and after what maner God doth plage and chasten vs of verye loue mercy and fauor towards vs. Fo. xiiâ—… â–ª The. vij Chapter ¶ Trouble and afflyccyons do serue 〈◊〉 proue and to trye vs wyth all Fol. xxi The. viij Chapter ¶ Trouble and affliccions do help further vs to the knowledge of oure selues and of God also and specyally to wysedome Fol. xxv The. ix Chapter ¶ Trouble afflyccyons doo helpe and further vs to the ryght knowledge of our synnes and to perfyte sorow and repentance for them Fol. xxvi The. x. Chapter ¶ Trouble afflyccyon and aduersyte do helpe and further vs to the exeâ—…synge aâ—…d increasyng of our fayth Fol. xxviâ—… The. xi Chapter ¶ Trouble aduersyte geuyth vs occasyon to pray vnto God and to laude and prayse hym Fol. xxxij The. xij Chapter ¶ Trouble aduersyte doo further vs to vertu and Godlynes Fol. xxxiiij The. xiij Chapter ¶ Sorowe and affliccion do help and further vs towarde the feare and loue of God Fol. xxxviij The. xiiij Chapter ¶ Trouble and afflyccyon is good anâ—… profytable to teache man pacience mekenes and lowlenes Fol. xli The. xv Chapter ¶ Trouble and aduersyte is good to teache men pyty compassyon and pacyence towards other Fol. xlij The. xvi Chapter ¶ Trouble and aduersyte makyth men harde and stronge and teacheth them sobernes and temperancy Fol. xliij The. xvij Chapter ¶ Trouble and aduersyte teachyth men to contemne despyse and defye the world to be dylygent and feruente in all godlynes and vertu Fol. xliiij The. xviiâ—… Chapter ¶ Trouble and aduersyte is also an occa syon and help of much transytory quyetnes and commodyte in thys worlde Fol. xâ—…ij The. xix Chapter ¶ Trouble and aduersyte is a furtherance to eternall lyfe Fol. xlix The. xx Chapter ¶ How and in what respect trouble and aduersite can be so profytable and of such vertue seynge that the vnfayethfull doâ—… waxe more obstynate and peruersâ—…â—…row trouble and afflyccyon Fol. l. The. xxi Chapter ¶ Felowe companyons in trouble and aduersyte Fol. liiij The seconde parte of thys boke The. xxij Chapter ¶ By what naturall meanys or wayes trouble and aduersyte maye be qualyfyed easyd and ouercomme Fol. lvi The. xxiij Chapter ¶ The best and suerest succor and comfort in aduersyte restyth only in the myght power wyll and goodnes of God Fol. lix The. xxiiij Chapter ¶ Examples of the helpe and ayde of God Fol. lxiiij The thyrd and last part of thys boke The. xxv Chapter ¶ We must dyrect our fayth hope confydence towards God Fol. lxvi The. xxvi Chapter ¶ Of prayer in trouble and aduersyte Fol. lxviij The. xxvij Chapter ¶ Repentance and amendemente of lyfe in trouble and aduersyte is necessarye Fol. lxx The. xxviij Chapter ¶ Christen godly persuasyons and examples out of the word of God to moue men vnto pacyence in afflyccyon and aduersyte Fol. lxxi The. xxix Chapter ¶ Examples causes taken out of naturall thynges and of heathen men whereby a man maye be mouyd to pacyence in aduersyte Fol. lxxvi The. xxx Chapter ¶ By what meanys pacyence maâ—…e be obteyned goten And ones had howe it may be kept and increasyd Fol. lxxxiij The. xxxi Chapter ¶ The fruyte profyte and commodyte of pacyence as well corporall as spyrytual Fol. lxxxix ¶ An humble petycyon to the Lord practysed in the commun prayer of the whole famyly at Shene durynge the trouble of theyr Lord and mayster the duke of Somerset hys grace gathered and set furth by Thomas Becon Mynister there Whych trouble began the. vi of October the yeare of oure Lorde M. D. xlix and ended the vi of February than next ensuyng Fol. xcvij. ¶ A thankes geuyng for hys graces delyueraunce Fol. xcviiij ¶ A godly prayer and confessyon of our synnes to God our heauenly father with the rehersall of the punishmentes and plages of the same callyng therein vpon the mercy of God Fol. c. ¶ A prayer for the kynges mayestye and for peace Fol. ciij. Edward by the grace of God Duke of Somerset earle of hertford vycount Beachamp lorde Seimour vncle to the kynges excellent maiestye knyght of the most noble ordre of the garther c. to the Christian reader Gretyng YF they be worthye prayse who for a zeale and desyre that they haue to do theyr neyghbours good do wryghte and put in prynte suche thynges as by experyence they haue proued or by heare saye of graue and trustye men they haue learned or by reading of good and auncyent authores they haue vnderstanded to be a salue or medycyne to a mans body or to a parte or membre of the same how muche more deserue they thank and prayse that teache vs a true comfort salue medycyne of the soule spyrit mynde The whych spyryte and mynde the more precyous it is then the bodye the more daungerous be hys sores and syknes and the more thancke worth the cure thereof For a well quyeted mynde to a troubled bodye yet maketh quyetnes and sycknes of bodye or losse of goodes is not muche paynfull to hym that estemeth it not or â—…aketh it pacyently But an vnquyet mynde yea to a moste hole bodye maketh helth vnpleasaunt death to be wyshed And an vnsacyable mynde and sore wyth desyre of more maketh ryches pouertye and health a syknes strengthe an infyrmyte bewty a deformyte and welth pouertye wken by comparyng hys felycytye wyth a better it leseth the grace and ioye of that it hath and felyth the smart of that it hath not Theâ—… to amende thys in wealthe and
a good will Nowe the maister doeth not correcte and punish his scolar or seruant for anye intent to hurte him or for any malyce and euyll will towards hym but onelye that he shoulde learne better afterwarde be more diligent and take better hede Euen so lykewyse Christ receyueth no scholer or disciple vnto hym but he makyth coÌ„di cions wyth him most necessary for euery Christen man whyche are expressyd in in the. xvi chapter of Mathew The worde of God oughte to be the rule whereby we should be orderyd but we had rather to folow our own heade oure own brayne by the meanes whereof oft tymes we go a wâ—…ye and misse the ryght waye and therfore the heauenly scho lemaister â—…nappeth vs on the fyngers â—…yll we apprehende and learne it perâ—…ytely Lykewyse the physycion or surgen must cut away and burne out the rotten and deade fleshe wyth hys yron and instrument that the whole body be not infectyd and poisonyd and so perysh Euen so doth God sometyme plage our bodyes sharpely and greuously that oure soules maye be preseruyd and healyd And how depe soeuer God thrustyth hys yron into our flesh and bodyes he doth it onelye to remedy and to heale vs. And if it be so that he killyth vs than doth he first gyue vs the ryght lyfe The physycyon in makinge of hys â—…yakle occupyeth serpentes and adders and suche lyke poyson to dryue oute one poyson wyth another Euen so God in afflictinge and correctinge of vs occupyeth and vseth the deuyll and wycked people but yet all to doo vs good wyth all As longe as the physycyon hath anye hope of the recouerye of hys pacyente he assayeth all maner of meanys and medycynys wyth hym 〈◊〉 well sower and â—…harpe as swete But assone as euer he beginâ—…yth to doubt of hys recouerye he sufferyth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 haue and to take all maner oâ—… thynges what so euer the pacyent hym selfe desyâ—…ryth Euen so the heauenlye physycyon as longe as he takyth vs Christians for hys and hath anye hope to recouer or to heale vs he restreyuyth vs from our wyll and wyll not allwayes suffer vs to haue what we moost desyre but as sone as he hath nomore hope of vs and geuyth vs ouer than he suffryth vs for a tyme to haue and enioye all our owne wyll and pleasure Thys symylytude and comparyson is taken out of the fyst chapter of Iob If the Lord God doth wound than doth his hand heale agayne c. Furthermore whan the horsse breaker geueth vnto a lustye freshe younge horsse to muche of the brydle he is wyld and wanton and goyth not well as he shoulde doo and by chaunce in a slyppery and slydynge place he myghte fall headlynges ouer and ouer Euen so if our creator and maker shoulde suffer vs ouer muche and geue vs to large lybertye we should sone waxe wylde and proude thereof and it myghte happen that we should vndoe and destroye oure selues therefore he geuyth vs a sharpe â—…ytt in our mouthes and helpyth vs to â—…rydle and to tame our flesh that the noble and precious soule perysh not Agayn lyke as the carteâ—… or foore man yerketh hys horsse wyth the whypp and strykyth them sharpelye whan they wyll not drawe nor goo forwarde and yet fauoryth and sparyth them also that he may enioye them the longer Euen so God strykyth and whyppyth vs whan we doo not ryghte as we shoulde do and yet neuerthelesse sparyth vs and wyl not make vtterly an end of vs. Lyke as the poore shepard also whan hys folyshe shepe straye abroade in the wyld wyldernes amonge the wolues he dryuyth them from strang waies into the righte way huntyth theÌ„ into theyr sure shepe fold where they maye be in safegard Euen so we lykewyse for as much as we myxe oure selues oft tymes among the worldlynges and haue felowshyppe wyth those that are ennemyes vnto oure Christen and true relygion therefore god comyth vnto vs and dryuyth vs wyth sorowe and repentaunce from them that we shoulde not be destroyed and perishe together wyth them Thâ—… herd man will suffer such calueâ—… as are appointed shortelye to the slaughter to ronne and spring aboutâ—… in the pasture â—…t pleasure and againe suche as are reseruyd to labor are kepte and vsed vnder the pâ—…cke Euen so allmighty God doeth suffer and permitte vnto those vngodly parsoons whose destruccion is at hand to haue all pleasure and luste vpon earth and to fulfill and accomplish their pleasures and desyres but the Godlye whom he will vse to his honor and glory those kepyth he vnder the pocke and 〈◊〉 them from the pleasante Iustyâ—… of the world A wyse and skylfull husbande mâ—… doth not cast nor so we his seâ—…de in a feldâ—… or grounde that is not broken 〈◊〉 â—…yllyd as it ought to be but he 〈◊〉 hys dren and goeth to the 〈◊〉 â–ª castâ—…â—…p the earth wyth hyâ—… plowe share and so tillyth and 〈◊〉 wyth it and than first of all he so wyth it that if any rayne 〈◊〉 the sede maye be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into the earth and take hold waâ—… therin Euen such an husbandman is God and we are his tyllage i Corin. iij. And he bestowyth not hys spyryte and trueth vpon suche as are wylde and past all feare of god sa i. Moreouer lyke as the gardener hedgyth hys garden round aboute and fensyth it wyth thornys and brerys that no â—…eastys nor noysom catel hâ—…t iâ—… Euen so God defendyth hepyth and preseruyth vs from euyil company and from al ma ner of sinne thorow thornys and brerys thâ—…t is to say thorow the crosse and thorow affliccions as Ose sayeth in the. ij cha I wyll beset theyr wayes wyth thornâ—s theyr foote pathys wyll I hedge If the gardener cut of the knobbys the crokyd bowys from the treys in his garden and loppyth them a lytle yet as long as the rotes remayne the treys are 〈◊〉 the worsse but ware neuer the lesse â—…nd bringe forth fruit also Euen so doeth God lopp and hewe the crabbye olde 〈◊〉 wyth the crosse not to the intente to hurte or harme vs but to kepe vs in 〈◊〉 to teache vs godly maners And 〈◊〉 as longe the rote of fayeâ—…h remayâ—…th wyth 〈◊〉 thoughe we be spoyled â—…nd 〈◊〉 of all ryches and of all maner to serue to proue and to trye vs withall TRouble and affliccions do prâ—…e trye instruct confyrme streâ—…gthen the fayth prouoke and styrâ—… vp prayer dryue foâ—…e vs to amendâ—…t of lyfe to the feare of God to mekenes to pacyence to constancy to gentlenes to sobernes and temperancye and to all mâ—… ner of vertues and are the occasyon of ex â—…dynge moche good as well transitorye as â—…ternall in thys world as in the world to come By affliccyon and trouble wyll God 〈◊〉 and assaye marke and spye howe 〈◊〉 thy harte hath entered wyth God howe muche thy fayth is able to suffer to beare whether thou
the former synnys and hynder and resyste those that are to come hereafter and help to plante exercyse and increase all maner of vertues that the vngodly may be prouokyd furtheryd to repentance amen dement and reformacyon of theyr lyueâ—… and the Godly to further vertue and god â–ª lynes For what afflyccyon soeuer the flesh doth suffer it greuyth it very sorâ—… it wold rather be â—…ery at rest and quyâ—…t Nowe euerye one that hath anye reason knowyth thys ryght well that he thorow hys owne iâ—…ys and behauor bringeth much aduersyte and afflyccyon vpon his owne necke And therfore in consyderacyon of that he begynnyth to bewar and to take hedâ—… afterward of all inordynate dyssolute lyuyng as the cause grounde and occasyon of all myserye and sorowe that besyde thys presente afflyccyon he be not plagyd also eternally Whych I wyl declare and proue fyrste wyth symylytudes secondarylye wyth testymonyes of holy scripture and thyrdly by examples A water that is contynually standing how cleare soeuer it seme yet it is corrupt and naught But that water whych hath hys coÌ„tynuall coursse the more â–ª it russyth strougglith ouer the stonys and sandys the more lyuely fresh and better it is â—…ueÌ„ so a godly man in the absence of the crosse is sluggysh dull and lytherly but thorow the crosse and afflyccyon he is quyckeâ—…yd and exercysyd and increasyd in all goodnes The rusty and cankard yron thorowe the fyle is made bryght and smoth Euen so the old rusty Adam hath nede of 〈◊〉 and aduersyte to â—…yle and pourge him from the cankard rust of synne A 〈◊〉 though it be neuer so smoth if it be not vsed it waâ—…eth rusty and the same ruste frettyth it and marryth it But the more that it is occupyed though it be somewhat worne thereby yet it is the more bryght Euen so although some parson hath a good nature and inclynacyon if he be not occupyed and exercysed wyth trouble and aduersyte he waxeth rusty cankard and rotten but thorow the crosse and trybulacyon thoughe the rust haue wonne somewhat of hym beynge a man and weake yet he shall therby be made more bryght cleare and bewtyfull agayne The seede that is caste into the felde must suffer the wynd rayne snowe frost and all maner of tempestyes and yet it waxeth and bryngeth furth fruyte Euen so the spyrytuall sede whych is the word of God beyng receyuyd of a deuout and a feruent harte is not destroyed thorowe trouble but bryngeth furth ryghte good and profytable fruyte A 〈◊〉 tree the 〈◊〉 it is beaten the better it is and not the worsse Euen so man thorow many strypes and muche aduersyte waxyth good For the thyck and hard shynne of an horsse or an asse is nothynge better than a very sharpe whyp to gyrke hym wyth Euen so for oure stubburne and hawtye fleshe there is nothynge more 〈◊〉 and profytable than muche sorowe and vexacyon whereby it maye be stryppyd and pryckyd forward Cloth must be oft beatyn and brushed wherevpon there is a prouerb Thus muste wollynge cloth be vsed that there breade no mothys in it Euen so shall spi rytuall mothys â–ª and worâ—…ys wyckydnes synne and abhomynacyon haue the lesse power to brede in vs if we be well brushed and beatyn in tyme wyth afflyccyon and aduersyte The fleshe that comyth freshe oute of the shambles vnsaltyd waxyth soone â—…sauerye and wormes brede in it but the salte wyth hys sharpenes kepeth it swete from corrupcyon Euen so doeth God caste and sprynckle salte vpon vs thorowe dyuers temptacyons and affliccioÌ„s that they may byte ceason vs y t we corrupt nor peryshe not in synne That body that is alwayes ydle and neuer mouyth nor hath no exercyse is easyly subiect vnto syckenes and infyrmyties But those bodies that haue theyr exercise and labor are more lusty and sound and can better contynue Euen so that soul that is well exercysyd and occupyed wyth trouble and affliccyon hath occasyon cause to be bewtiful sound cleare It is a verye true saiynge the sharper that the ley is the cleaner takyth it away all maner of fylth Euen so oure corrupte and poysonyd nature had nede of a sharp and a bytynge medycyne The greater and sharper the trouble and aduersyte is the more fylth and inconuenyence it bytyth away For a rawe and weake stomake which is of a naughty dysgestion bytter wormwoode is very good and holsom Euen so for the weake and feble soule is bytter trouble and afflyccyon very holsom and necessarye Remember thys prouerb After the syck man had recoueryd hys sore he lyued worsse than euer he dyd before And therfore sycknes is more necessarye for him y t he waxe not worsse and liue not more wic kedlye Nowe wyll I alledge scrypture Leui. xxvi God threateneth to sende a plage seuenfold greater yf a man wyl not amend at the lyghter and easyer ponishment that he sente fyrste Whereby the Lorde hym selfe declareth thorowe Moyses that trouble and aduersyte shuld teache vs an alteracyon and amendement of oure lyues In the. xx of the Prouerb strokes and woundes do pourge and clense oute euyll and corrupcyon and strypes puryfye the inwarde partes of man Hebre. xij No maner of chastenyng for the presente tyme semeth to be ioyous but heauye and greuous but afterwarde it bryngeth a quyete frute of ryghtuousnes vnto those that are exercysed therein i. Petr. iiij He that suffereth in the flesh ceaseth from synne that from henceforth the tyme that is remnaunt in the fleshe he maye lyue not after the lustes of men but after the will of God And thys shall examples make more manyfeste Vnder Iosue had the chyldreÌ„ of Israell manye battels and were dryueÌ„ to fyght agayust theyr enemyes and they dyd neuer fall nor swarue from y t Lord vntyll afterwarde that they came vnto reste and had all thynges plenty Iosu. i. Iudg. ij Thys is an example of an whole multytude Nowe take examples of specy all parsons The Prophete Ionas beyng in the whalles belly remembred hys synnes altered hym selfe turned and was obedient vnto God The loste and desperate sonne did then fyrst of all râ—…ne home agayne vnto hys father when he sawe felt hys myserye pouertye Luk. xv Marke the dayly experience We ymagyne oft tymes thus with oure selues Oh yf I were ones whole restored agayne I wolde surely behaue order my selfe well as I oughte to do and wolde helpe and serue euerye man Oh yf I were ryche I wolde gladly distribute vnto the poore people faythfully But assone as we come oute of the daunger in dede we haue cleane forgotteÌ„ altogether As long as we haue no maner of nede no man can hinder nor restrayne onre wickednes For an example ymagyne ij sondry hou ses whereof in the one is celebrate kept a maryage where there is myrthe ioye good chere And in the other is one sycke on his dead bed In the bryde house wher there
father and murmur agaynste hym ¶ The. xiiij Chapter Trouble and affliccion is good and profytable to teache men pacyence mekenes and lowlynes PRyde is a dangerous thynge whereof commeth no maner of good Nowe felycyte and prospe â—…rte al at pleasure ingendreth pryde and contempte of other people But the crosse and affliccyon ingendreth mekenes lon lynes that a man is not to proude in hys owne conceyte but is contente that other be estemed as well as he confessynge him selfe to haue nede of theyr helpe couÌ„cel Lyke as men vse to clyppe and cut shorter the fethers of byrdes or other foules wheÌ„ they begyn to flye to hygh or to farre froÌ„ them Euen so doth God â—…ynishe oure ryches possessyons estimacion honor 〈◊〉 torytâ—… and power that we shulde not passe oure boundes glorye to muche of suche gyftes Lyke as the body when it is weryed and consumed with labor trauell desyereth ease and rest that it maye lye styll Euen so the soul beyng ladyn oppressed wyth trouble and affliccyon is broughte to a narowe â—…ssewe then it hasteth after reste and quyetnes and nothynge â—…exeth it lesse then pryde Nabuchodouosor dyd glorye of hys power victoryous actes and costly buyl dynges and was wonderfully proude of them but after hys fall and aduersite he learned to ascrybe all laude honor glorye vnto God Paule ij Chor. xij confesseth that a buffet was geuen hym of the messenger of Sathan that he shulde not glorye oute of measure in theabundaunce of reuelaciâ—…s Experiens it selfe teacheth that wheÌ„ ryche famous notable and proude men are robbed and spoyled of theyr goodes they are afterwarde more humble meke gentyll For than they perceyue the â—…ncer tentye and vnstablenes of temporall and transytorye thynges And so learne the loÌ„ ger they liue the lesse to trust them selues Therfor trouble an affliccion is oft times as necessary vnto men as meat drinâ—…ke The crosse aduersyte and affliccyon maketh a man soft buxom tame paâ—…ient sober louynge and frindly both towardes hym selfe towardes all other also A pece of yron or of syluer stryken or beaten with an hammer waxeth broader thynner smother and soffter Euen so the stony harde hartes of men thorow hea uynes and aduersyte are made more buxom and pâ—…yant that a man maye wynd them as a man myght saye euen rounde aboute hys fynger A curst wylde colt hath a suaffel put in hys mouthe that he byte not him that handleth him Euen so the suaffell of the crosse and aduersite doth let hynderâ—…s beyng frowarde furyous and full of spyte malyce reuengeaunce that we coÌ„ mit the lesse wickednesse abhomynacyon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in oure lyues For an example the furyous raginâ—… kynge manasses was meke styll tame ynough after that he was onys bounde taken prysoner and led awaye captyue Paule before Damascus was stryken doune as a ragynge and rauynge wolfe but he rose vp agayne a meke lambe ¶ The. xv Chapter Trouble and aduersite is good to teache men pytye compassyon pacyence towardes other TO haue pytye and compassyon of people that are in myserye and dystresse is a Christen and a neces saryeveâ—…tu But he that neuer felt no teÌ„ptacyon aduersyte nor affliccyon hym self can haue but lytle pyty coÌ„passyon of other One sycke man can tell the lacke necessyte of another one poore man lykewyse another and also one that is in myserye and affliccyon hym selfe knoweth the better the grefe of another that is iâ—… lyke case As for an example why and for what cause can oure hye pryeste Christe hauâ—… suche pytye and compassyon vpon vs my serable wretches that we dare be bolde tâ—… come vnto him chearfully withoute fearâ—… to loke for succour helpe comforte at hys handes Forsoth euen for this cause by this meanes as saith s. Paule Hebr. ij v. that he was also tempted suffered moost bytter payne grefe hym selfe And very experience doth teach euen the selfe same thing also For whosoeuer hath ones lyen sycke in a spyttell house hym selfe can hauâ—… the more compassyon of other that are in lyke case afterwarde and is euer after the more readye proÌ„pt to helpe those that be in suche case The noble and precyous vertu called pacyence hath no place to put her heade in in the tyme of prosperyte Whan a man hath bene a longe ceason helthfull with oute any maner of sycknes he caÌ„not take sycknes by by so pacientlye as he ought to do And likewyse he that neuer felt any affliccyon or aduersyte whensoeuer anye happen vnto hym he is sore vexed with impacientnes But aduersyte teacheth meÌ„ pacyence and practyseth therein Fyrste when a man seyth y t all goeth backward agaynst him that it will be no better but rather worsse worsse What doth he but of this â—…ecessyte maketh a vertu and so is content and at a point howsoeuer it goeth w t him SecoÌ„darely when a man is coÌ„tinually vsed to trouble affliccioÌ„ this same vse custome maketh it lyght easy vnto hym specyally consyderyng y t God wyll also helpe ayde and comfort hym Paule sayth Roman v. Trouble or affliccyon bryngeth pacience pacyence bryngeth experyence c. The desperate lost sonne Luke xv learned suche pacience in his miserye and affliccyon that he sayde to hys father Take nor vse me not from henceforth as a sonne but as an hyred seruauÌ„t I desyre no more but that I maye remayne in thy house Euen so ought we also to suffer all thynges wyllingly and pacientlye what soeuer they be so that God wil not banish and put vs oute of hys house Vnto that noble Hethen man Socra tes dyd his curst shreâ—…de wyfe serue for this vse and purpose that he learnyng pa ciens at home might the better suffer and the more pacientlye beare the people that he had to do with abroade Trouble aduersyte maketh men hard stroÌ„g teacheth theÌ„ sobernes teÌ„peraÌ„cy ANnxe getteth him selfe harder hoofys vpon rough stubble crabbed grounde and is able to drawe and to labor better then yf he were fedde in rancke pasture Those children that are nursed by freÌ„â—…d mennes fyres are for the moost part more harde and stronge then they whiche are dayâ—…tyly brought vp in all excesse wan tonnes and superfluyte in their owne fathers houses Euen so the wyttes myndes of men thorowe pleasure and aboundaunce waxe tender weake effeminate and wylde but beyng restrayned thorow some payneful necessyte affliccion they waxe harder stronger and more manly sober For an examyle The deare holye Apostles the more persecucyon affliccioÌ„ they had the more bolde stronge constant were they as the actes of the Apostles do testifye thorowout Paul ij Chor. xiâ—… sayeth I am content thincke my selfe wel in infirmities in rebukes in persecucyons in anguyshes for Christes sake For whan I am in such
eyther to forsake and denye â—…ure faythe or elâ—… to 〈◊〉 anye maner of thynge agaynst the wyll of God And it is very expedyent for vs to pray with the loste desperate sonne Luk. xâ—… I am no moreworthy from henceforth to be called thy sonne make me as one of thy hyered seruauntes I wyll gladlye with all my harte haue sorowe and trouble vpoÌ„ earth euen as an laborynge seruaunte that goth for hys hyre so that thou wylte but suffer me to dwell and remayne in thy house for euer But nowe how shulde we â—…ray Z. Iameâ—… in his fyrst chap. teacheth vs that we shulde praye in faith without waueryng nothinge doute but y t God doeth mercifully heare vs. We must coÌ„tinually loke vpon the promes of god haue that alwayes beforâ—… our eyeâ—… that we do not only â—…ke helpe remedye at hys handes but also hope loke surely for it committynge both body soule with a good wil vnto him Psa. l. call vpon me in thy â—…ede I will helpe and delyuer the so shalte thou prayse me Psal. xci Let him call vpon the sh wyll I heaâ—… hym I am by hym in his trouble I wyll delyuer hym oute and brynge hym to honor Iohn xvi Veryly veryly I saye vnto you whatsoeuer you shall praye for vnto the father in my name that is to saye in y e trust confidence vpon my merytes he shal geue it vnto you For example WheÌ„ Moyses helde vp hys handes vnto God prayed hys enemyes the Amalechytes were ouercome Exod. xâ—…ij The. ij blynd men which dyd crye after the Lorde Oh sonne of Dauid haue mercye vpon vs were hearde Math. ix Of such lyke exaÌ„ples are the Gospels full Item in trouble aduersyte we oughte to prayse God to geue him thanckes y t he hath not forgotten vs but thorow hys fatherly vysitacyon calleth draweth vs vnto him graciously helpeth vs to bear all maner of burdens Euen so dyd Paul in hys aduersyte prayse God ij Chor. i. praysed be God the father of oure Forde Iesus Christ the father of mercye God of all consolacyon whiche comforteth vs in all oure troubles and affliceyons The. xxvij Chapter Repentaunce and amendement of lyfe in trouble and aduersyte is necessary NOwe there must go wyth al this repentaunce heauynes sorowe for the synnes whiche we haue coÌ„mitted in time past amendemeÌ„t of life the loue of God y t fear of God al vertu godâ—…yues Manasses was sory penitent for hys wicked lyfe cruell tyrannye therfore dyd God delyuer hym out of the bandes and captyuyte of the kinge of Ba bylon and restored hym agayne to hys kyngedome in Israel By Ionas was it preached and proclaymed vnto the greate cytye of Nyniue that God shuld destroy and ouerthrowe it within râ—… dayes The Niniuites beleued this proclamacion and preachynge and began to repente and amende theyr lyues wyth a greate and a syngular humblenes and submyssyon And so God of his mercye spared them Nowe is Gods mercifull harte nothyng diminished yf we do as the Nynyuytes dyd he both can and wyll pardon spare vs as he dyd them The. xxviij Chapter Christen and godlye persuasions and examples out of the word of god to moue men vnto pacience in affliccyon and aduersyte AMonge all other vertues in aduersyte pacyence is mooste necessarye Not suche a pacyence as to suffer all thinges to passe whether they be good or bad ryght or wrong settinge all on sixe and seuen but when we are in troble and aduersyte and can auoyde it by no lauful meane where as after the desyre and lust of oure fleshe we wolde murâ—…ur forsake and geue ouer both God and al maner of ryghtuousnes then to resiste and stryue agaynst oure ryghtuousnes and affeccyons and sorowful thoughtes and as a maÌ„ wolde saye to speare vp and to captyuate and subdewe oure naturall eyes wytte reason vnder vnto the obedience of god yeldinge and submitting our selues vnto him sufferinge whatsoeuer it be wyth a good and redye wyll euen though it were most bytter and cruell deathe rather then we wold sware ufrom the word of God yea and moreouer to prayse God and to geue him thaÌ„ckes that he wyl vouchsaue so fatherlye to vysyte vs and that he hath not forgotten vs Thys is called a ryghte Christen pacieÌ„ce For it is Gods precept and coÌ„maundement that we shulde not murmur or grudge agaynst him when he chasteneth vs but that we shulde submit oure selues most humbly vnto hys holye wyl and after a certen maner to wyshe y t is to saye willingly to suffer beare such ponyshment correccyon whereby we re mayne and continue obedyente vnto hys godly ryghtuousnes i. Chor. x. murmur not as certen murmured were destroyed of the destroyer Num. xxi Wherfore we ought to shewe pacience in all thinges as a poyut of oure deuty And it is a grenous synne to murmur grudge against the iudgement of God and to resiste and stryue agaynst Gods wyll And God doth not onlye commaunde pacience but also is hym selfe paciente longe sufferyng whiche destroyeth not at â—…s the horeâ—…ouger the extorcyouer and other suche lyke wicked and damnable people wyth a lyghtnyng or thonderbolt althoughe hys holy and strayght ryghtu ousnes requyreth no lesse He geueth tyme and space suffycyent for the man to re pente and to returne to grace agayne Roman xij Dost thou despyse the aboundaunt ryches of hys goodnes hys pacyence and longe sufferynge knowest thou not that the goodnes and geutylnes of God calleth the to repentaunce Accordynge vnto thys Godly example though it be so that we muste suffer somewhat agaynst oure wyll and contrarye to oure myndes and affeccyons yet shuld we not murmur and grudge but amende oure ly ues and paciently loke and wayte for bet ter And specyallye the vnspeakeable fydelyte and loue of God towardes vs oughte laufully to moue and perswade vs to suffer God to worke wyth vs euen accordynge to hys wyll and pleasure For by thys meanys we geue God thys honor that he doth vs no wronge nor iniury but dysposeth all thynges moste wyse ly and wyll dyrecte them to a good ende On the contrarye parte the vnpacyente man murmureth and grudgeth agaynste God and is angrye with hym as though hys iudgementes and workes were not iuste and ryghte for as muche as the wic ked vngodlye lyue in pompe pleasure and all dissolutenes and the vertuous Godly in pouertye sorowe and myserye He may parauenture fansy and ymagine wyth him self that God ouercharged his faythful chyldreÌ„ to hard will suffer theÌ„ to remayne in perell necessite danÌ„ger wil not heare theÌ„ And thus he is so poyso ned w t bitternes and obstinacy that he begynneth to hate and to blaspheme God in heauen and seketh vnlaufull meanes to helpe and remedye hym self lyke as Saul dyd runnynge after wytches and
God is oure hope and strengthe a verye presente helpe in all the sorowes and necessytes that haue assaulted vs Therfore wyll we not feare thoughe the worlde shulde syncke and thoughe the hylles shulde be caryed awaye in the myddeste of the sea c. Yea euerye Christen man ◅f it were possyble shulde be contente to lose a thousande bodyes and lyues yf it were for no nother thynge but that he hath hard tasted and beleued the holye Gospell But for anye man to be impaci ◅nt and so to remayne It is an euydente token that the same parson neuer had any true faythe or els yf he had that it is quē ched and gone agayne For impacyencye falleth vnto murmurynge and disobedy ence agaynste God and begynneth to hate God and to blaspheme hym Also Christen prayer is a greate helpe furtheraunce to pacyence For in prayer we desyre the sanctyfycacyon of the name of God Nowe is the name of God most praysed and sanctyfyed when we being in the highest danger necessite do depende and hang vpon God thorow fayth and pacience as vpon one that wyl dyspose all thynge well to a good ende Agayne in prayer we desyre that the king dome of God maye come vnto vs. Nowe yf God will confounde and destroy in vs the kyngedome of the deuyll and of the flesh◅ or els wolde vtterlye leade drawe vs into hys godlye and heauenly kingdō thorowe the crosse were it not as muche as to pray against or use Iues yf we shuld be impacient vnder the same We pray ly kewyse that Gods will be done Now yf it be Gods will that we shulde haue sorowe trouble and aduersite vpon earthe howe dare or can we resyst or grudge against hys will The. xxix Chapter Examples and causes takē oute of naturall thynges and of Heathen men whereby a man may be moued to pa cience in adversyte IF there were no holye Scripture at all yet might a man of his owne reason take example of brute beastes of naturall thynges as of the body soule the naturall partes vnto them belonging Also of hethen men Iewes and handycraftes men of all maner of states and degrees of men lykewyse of the angels and of the deuyll whereby they myght conclude learne that they ought to be haue them selues pacientlye boldlye manfullye in aduersite mysfortune A lambe or a shepe is ledde vnto the slaughter and neuer crye nor open the mouth but suffer and abyde it pacyentlye and mekely Euen so ought the holy elect of God whan they are cursyd and reuyled not to curse or reuyle agayne whan they are smytten not to smyte agayn but to suffer all maner of smart and payne not ones to blere or to open their mouthes agaynst it Our body is but very wormes meate And if we coulde bestowe the same to the honor of our redemer and sauyor Christe ought we not to be glad and to reioyse if we myght so doo Lyke as they that are syck and dyseased can be content to suffer and abide any of their members of theyr body to be cut of and to be burnte so that they maye be anye thyng releuyd and easyd thereby of their great smart and contynuall payne whych is yet but transytorye be made whole and sownd agayn Euen so ought we gladlye and wyllyngly to suffer oure Lord god and to be styl and quyet whan he sendeth vs aduersyte wherby we may be releuyd discharged of eternall payne and obteyne helth blesse and saluacyon for our soules If thou canst consyder the order and course of nature that is naturallye wrytten in thy harte thou shalt thereby lerne and conclude that a man oughte to be so strong and stedfast that he oughte not to be moued by anye smart payne or other temptacyon to doo any thyng that is vnsemyng or agaynst honesty And out of thys honestye wronghte planted in nature spronge the learnynge and examples of the wyse and notable heathen men whych we cal Philosophers Amonge whom thys was a comon prouerb and sentence Beare and forbeare The fy◅ste worde where of teacheth that we shuld suffer the crosse pacyently and to be styll and meake whan we are vysyted therewyth And the seconde sygny◅yeth that we shuld hate flee and auoyde all maner of examples wordes or deedes that myghte geue anye maner of occasyon to anye euyll Aristotle in hys boke of maners teatheth that felycyte and blessednes consysteth not specyally in helth of bodye in aboundance of goodes or in worldlye honor dignyte and estymacyon but rather in the exercyse and practyse of vertue Oute of the whyche it folowyth that a man that is vertuous maye be blessed though he haue neuer so much trouble or aduersyte And he reckenyth and takyth troble and aduersyte for the verye mater and occasyon whereby vertue is moste styrryd vp and exercysed and wherein it doth moste shyne and appeare And thesame Arystotle also comparyth an honest and vertuous man vnto a good capten For lyke as a good capten leadyth and orderyth hys host accordyng as the occa syon requyryth Euen so a vertuous man behaueth hym selfe pacyentlye and well in aduersyte and maketh the beste of it The Stoykes dyd teach playnelye that it was not to be rekenyd for an euyll thynge to lyue in pouertye syckenes and myserye but thys only to be euyll to forsake vertue and shewe any poynt of dishonestye Lycero one of the moste notable and excellent Romanes wryteth thus Remember and persuade thys wyth thy selfe that besydes synne and dyshonestye nothynge can happen to a man where at he oughte to be astoynyd or abashed And accordinge to thys example dyd one heathen man oft comforte another by all maner of circu◅stances of thyngs as these folowynge and other It besemyth not a man to wepe and wayle like a child or a woman And Seneca wryteth thus It is easyer to subdewe and ouercome an whole ◅acyon than one onely man Item Thou arte nomore a chylde of a yeare but thou hast age and yeares And therfore more is requyred of the than of a chyld Thou haste bene broughte vp and instruct from thy youth in godly wysdome and knowlege the same must thou nowe practyse and shewe furth Before thys tyme thou couldeste comfort and geue good councell vnto other Doo not therfore now lyke the euyll phy sy◅yons Whych boost and pretende that they can help other men and can not help them selues Before thys tyme hetherto thou haste shewed and behauyd thy self manfullye therfore be now lyke vnto thy selfe and goo not backward It were an vnsemyng thyng to wa◅e from daye to daye worsse and weaker and such lyke Although thys doctrine of the heathen men in this and such other poyntes is to be commendyd yet the storyes doo make mencyon of manye vnsemely actes that they did As this y t Coriolianus for desyre of reuengeaunce dyd warre agaynst hys own
wicked comuantys agrementes and promyses agaynst God Some for feare doo forsake and deuye the Chrysten faith and receyue the wycked popysh relygyon consentynge to manyfeste Idolatrye and make God a lyar as though he could or woulde not helpe anye more in thys or that thyng accyrdyng to hys manyfolde promyses in the old and newe testament Furthermore impacyencye is augmen ted and increased thorow impacyency so that a man that is vnpocient is euery day more sorowfull and desperate then other fleyth and showeth where he shulde stedfastlye continue and fyndeth neyther rest case nor quyetnes in hys harte And manye one because he wyll not suffer and abyde pouerte and other lyke extreme necessyte he falleth to naughtynes murther whoredome lyenge stealynge extor cyon ryot cuttynge of pursys to suche other detestable abhomynacyon Item they that be vnpacyent do enuye and dysdayne at others mēnes welth and prosperyte for they ymagyne that to be the cause of theyr crosse and sorowe and they frette agaynste it enuyenge dysdaynynge and hatynge oftymes the inno cente wythoute anye cause yea they rage and raue runnynge headelonge to reuenge them selues By the reason whereof oftetymes as manye storyes do testyfye contencyon hatred warre vproure sheddynge of bloude decaye and destruc cyon of the churche of relygyon and of the comon welthe haue rysen As Coriolianus to reuenge hym selfe as an enmy dyd procure warre agaynst hys own naturall contry Besydes thys it is an hygh honor and commendacyon before men before the angels before the holy sayntes and also before god hym self whan a man shewyth pacyence boldnes and strength in aduersyte And agayne whan a man behauyth hym self vnsemely vnpacyentlye and desperatly it is a shame and a dyshonor for hym both before all creatures and also before the creator hym selfe For it is no hygh nor hard thyng for a man to shewe a bold and a strong hart and to be cōtent wyth Gods workyng whan all thynges happen prosperouslye and accordynge to hys mynd But this is a vertu a poynt of connynge whan a mans mynde is not mouyd nor broken in aduersyte and mysfortune Iob. i. Lyke as in a schole or a place of fence he that hath shewed the most manly tow che and hath wonne the victorye hath greate commenda◅yon and hyghe honor Euen so is it much more commendable a greater honor to ouercome and to subdue oure spyrytuall enemyes and to haue the vyctorye agaynste the assaultys of the fleth and the deuyll Be that forsaketh his bodyly maister wythoute a iuste cause is taken before the world for a man that lacketh fayth trueth and honesty And shuld it not than be a greater poynte of dyshonestye and of vnfaythfulnes in the tyme of afflyccyon vnder the crosse to forsake Christ and his word and thorow impacy ency to worke and to do against thesame Prouer. xij Be that subdewyth the tēptacions of the mynde is to be preferred more to be commendyd than he that hath beseged ouercome a strong cytye For the which cause as well among the Christians as amonge the heathen dyuers notable parsons haue goten hygh commendacyon and prayse for their trustines fydelyte excellent constancy whiche they haue shewed at an hassarde at the tyme of nede And specyally the example of oure sauyor Iesus Christe is to be consyderyd wherof Paul makyth mencyon Ro. viij to thys end sayinge If Christe after hys afflyccion and obedience euen vnto death was exalted to hygh honor and glorye It shall be a furtherance lykewyse vnto vs to great honor if we take our crosse dayly vpon vs and folow hym boldly manly Experyence teacheth also whan a man wyll shyft a way the crosse from hym by vnlawfull meanys and wyll not wyth honesty and to hys commendacyon suffer it for gods sake oft tymes he is compellyd and dryuen by force to suffer as much or more wyth shame and dyshonestye for the deuyls sake and to haue great dyshonor and confusyon thereby Moreouer vnpacyente people do shortē theyr own lyues Iudyth in the. viij chapter declaryth the storyes of the. xi xxi of the boke of nombers and sayeth They that haue not taken their crosse and temptacyon in the feare of god But thorowe murmuryng and grudgyng agaynst god haue shewed themselues vnpacyent they were destroied of the destroyer and were murtheryd of serpentes And some thorow vnmeasurable sorow haue fallen into greuous dyseasys and deadly sycknesses And gnawe and frett them selues to death or els murther them seluys as king Saul dyd Item whether a man doo suffer worthly or innocentlye if he contynewe in murmuryng and vnpacyent it seruyth to hys eternall dampnacyon And agayne whether a man suffer worthyly or innocently if he take it pacyently as he ought to doo it is merytorios vnto hym and a furtherance to euerlastynge lyfe And all the sorowes and paynes vpon earth in respecte of the blesse and saluacion that is to come are but as the bytynge of a gnat or a flea whych is easy to ouercome Whan men in warrfare lyeng in camp wyl play y e sluggards be slouthful and not resyst the ennemyes stowtly and manfully their feldes are destroyed theyr houses spoyled their vyllages sett on fyre theyr mannes parsonnes murtheryd and stayne and theyr wyues and doughters defyled and rauyshed and all goyth to hauock and is full of mysery Euen so in the spyrytuall warrfare and feld if we yeld vnto the flesh and the deuyll and resyste them not manfullye and constantlye we cast our selues into perpetual danger mysery and vnquyetnes But if we fyght agaynst the ghostly enemies stowtely and pacyently we may atteyne to perpetuall rest and quyetnes He that is syck if he wyll not receyue the medycyne because it is bytter sowr or if he haue a sore or a wounde and wyll not suffer it to be searchyd and cutt the corrupt flesh to be cut away because it is very paynefull It is no meruell nor won der if the same man perysh in his sycknes and dysease But if he woulde suffer hym selfe to be handled after the mynd coun cell of the physycyon or surgen he myght ouercome the smart and payne and haue good hope to be curyd and remedyed and to be restored to hys helth agayn Euen so all ryght and faythful Christyans that are pacyent in aduersyte may conceyue a muche more stedfaste sure hope y t they shall atteyne to euerlastyng restitucion helth of body soule Where as cōtrary wyse they which remayne contynue in their frowardnes impacyencye against god the heauenly physycyon must smart for it euerlastyngly both in body sowl Scrypture to confyrme and proue this houe we Iac. i. Happy is that mā whych sufferyth temptacyon For after that he is prouyd he shall receyue the crowne of lyfe But no man may gather or conclude vpon thys that we meryte or deserue eter nall saluacyon for our
xxvi xiâ—… Exod. v. Exo. xiiiâ—… Ioye Mathe. xviâ—… 〈◊〉 Lu. xv 〈◊〉 welfare and â—…ely cyte Deute â—…xxij f 〈◊〉 re ij v Psalm cxij. a Sa. xvi Co. xiij â—…eue xâ—…xvij xxxix xli Ps. xliiij Ro. viij ij cor iiij The crosse of the vnfaythful Lack of fayth is the mother of all blasphemyes abhomina cyon Lu. xxiâ—… i. Reg. xxviij i. Reg. xxâ—…i ij Reg. xvij ge iiij b Matth. xxvij 〈◊〉 Psalm c. iij. b. lxxvâ—…ij d xc a Esa. xl a Ecclesi xiiij b. i. pet i. d â—…ac i. v. Iob. vij Marke well Ro. viij c iâ—… Cor. iiij b. i Iohan. iij. a Matth. xxv d esa xxx f Dan. vij b. ij Cor. v 〈◊〉 Gen. xij xx Gen. xix Ge. xxxij xxxiij Numer xx c. i. Re. xv Iob. ij b Esa. liij Matth. xxvij Mar. xv Math. x Ioh. i. ro viij v i. Cor. i c v. a Galiiij a Eph. i. b Math. xvi c xvij d xx b. Marke viij d. ix d. x. d. Luc. ix c xviij d. i. Pet. v. Ac xxvij Ge. iii. d â—…at ix 〈◊〉 ij Reg. x i. Mach iij. iiij v. vi viâ—… viij ix c. Ro. viij Psalm xxxiiiâ—… xxxvij cxâ—…v 〈◊〉 Proueâ—… xxiiij c The promes of God to ayd and help vs. Psalm cxlvij. a. Whan god will helpe ij Para. xxxvi d. Ierem. xxv 〈◊〉 Ps. 〈◊〉 Math. 〈◊〉 c. Ioh. xiiij Howe God hel pyth Acto iiij v. etc. God helpeth and comfortyth thorow hys worde spyryte Matth. xxviij Ro. viij Mathe. xxiiij Psalm ciiij. Heb. i. b ps xxxiiij iiij Reg. vi xix Iosue 〈◊〉 Ex. xiiij Iosu. iij. Iosu. x iij. Reg. xvij Hest vi vij viij â—…c Esa. lviij eze xviij Gal. vi Psalm xxxvij d ge xxxij xxxi Genes xxxvij ge xxxiâ—… Ex. xiiij xvi xvij Nu. xx Exo. xvi xviâ—… Num. xx i. Re. xix xxiiij xxvi xxviij ij Para. xxxij d Dan. vi i. Mac. ij Act. xxiij Rom. xv Psalm cxxvij. Ps. iv 〈◊〉 Mat. vi Lu. xij 〈◊〉 i. Pet. 〈◊〉 â—…u xii c Math. x 〈◊〉 Pet. v Mat. xâ—… Hope Ro. viij 〈◊〉 xxi c. 〈◊〉 xi c Ioh. xiiiâ—… b. xv 〈◊〉 Prayse or thâ—… kes geuyng to God iiii Reg xxi ij Para. xxxiij Ion. iij. Nu. xi e Esa. l. a lix a Luke ix Deuter. xxxij e Psalm xxxvij i. Reg. xxviij An exaÌ„ple of Christe Mâ—…th â—…xb mar xiiij Luk xxii Iohn vi xviâ—… Esai liij Ps. xcâ—… ciiij. a Hebr. i. 〈◊〉 Examples of the holy fathers sayntes Genes xxxvij Gene. xlv c. Exod. â—…ij Ro. ix 〈◊〉 i. Reg. xviij xix xx xxi xxij xxiij xxvi xxvij c ij re xv xvi xvij xviij Iob. i. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mac. ij Ro. viij Fayth helpeth to pacyence Ro. iiij v. vi viij Gal. iiij Ephe. ij Prayer helpeth to pacyence Mat. vi Luk. xi Mat. vi Luk. xi Examples of brute cre atures natural thinges Mat. v. Examples of the heathen Beare â—…orbeare ij Reg. xxiiij 〈◊〉 pa. xxij iâ—… Reg. xxiiij Psal. 〈◊〉 Gen. iij. Heb. xiij Phi. iij c i. Pe. i. iâ—… ☞ Iam. v. ☞ Ecâ—… The angels The deuyll i. Pet. v. Luc. xxij Ps. xxij a Mathe. xxvii e. Fayth workyth pacyeÌ„ce ☜ Iam. i. Mar. ix Ac. iiiâ—… 〈◊〉 Hope makyth men 〈◊〉 cyeâ—…e ☞ Prayer 〈◊〉 to pacyâ—… Math. xxiiij To hear y e worde of God helpeth to pacyence Ioh. xvi Ps. xxvâ—… xxxi a Esay xxviij Ro. ix d ☞ Loue inwarde God worketh pacieÌ„ce ☜ The exercyse of vertu worketh pacyeÌ„ce Ecclesi xxxv Matth. xxv By paci ence god is gloryfyed pacyeÌ„ce is profitable for y e body goodys Iob. xlij paciâ—…ce is profytable for y e sowle mynd a furtherans to al ver tues 〈◊〉 pacieÌ„cy is a comendacyon honor before men pacieÌ„ce is profytable for the lengthning of a mans lyfe i. re xxxi PacieÌ„ce may further a man to euerlastynge lyfe ☞ eph via Iob. v. 〈◊〉 Pro. iij 〈◊〉 Ose. vi a i. Pe. iiâ—… Heb. xij 〈◊〉 Deuter. xxxâ—… i. Reg. ij Sap. xvi Iob. xiij Esa. lxvi Iona. iâ—… Dan. vi Aâ—…tu xij i. Re. xix Da. xiij Iud. vij viij ix x. xi xâ—… xiij xiiij xv xvi Genes xxxvij xli Neem i. ij Para. xxxvi Eccl. iiii ij Par. xxxvi iij. Reg. viiâ—… Psalm l Iob. 33. Dan. iij. Deu. iiâ—… Actu xv Ga. iiij Ephe. ij Iere. iij. Esai liij Ioan. iij 〈◊〉 Ioa. i. Mat. iiiâ—… Luc. xiij Rom. ij i. Esd. ix Luce. xv i. Esd. ix ps lxxiij ps lxxviâ—… Le. xxvi Deuter. xxviij Esech v Am. viij Tre. iiij Esec vi Ie. xlviij Iere. xx Deuter. xxâ—…iij Deuter. xxviij Luc. xxi Psa. xlv Sap. xv ij Lor. i. Ephe. ij Esechie xxxiij Esech xviij iij. Reg. viij Baru ij Câ—…eu v Ier. xxxi Sach x. Hebr. iiiâ—… ij Lor. ix Sap. iiij i. Tim. i Hebr. xi Ioh xvij Ps. lxvi Hebr. iij. Psal. xc Colo. iij Ios. xxiij Ioan. xv Rom. xij Mat. v. Gala. v i. Ioh. iij Ba. ij Dan. ix Ioh. xi ij Co. ix Ex. xvij Mat. vi Iohn i. Psalm â—…xviij Ecles i. Pro. xxx Ioh. iiij 〈◊〉 â–ª viij Mat. iiij Pro. xxx i. tim vi Apo. xix Iud. xi Iâ—…d vij iij. es iiij Sap. x i. mac iij ij ma. xv Iere. xxx Sa. xvi i. Reg. ij Deuter. xxxij Tob. xiij Iob. 〈◊〉 Ier. xvij Ioan. iij i. Tim. 〈◊〉 Ephe. i. Hebre. i. Apoc. i. Ro. viij
towarde thy seruauntes And for the same not merited of any man but freely of thy mere mercy ge uen we rendre vnto the according to our moste bounden duetye most hartye prayses and entier thankes In consyderacion wherof the chyldren of Israell bâ—…ynge in miserable captyuytye lamentably lamen tyng before the their to muche sorowfull state by hearty prayers after that thou haddest delyuered them from that lande of seruitude brast out into exceding great prayses glorifyinge thy moste holye and blessed name for their swete and comfortable delyueraunce The cytezens of Bethulia lykewyse beyng in great dystresse called vpon thy glorious name and thou most mercyfullye delyueredst them And they agayne wyth merye voyces more ioyful heartes song vnto the most hearty thankes In lyke maner after thou haddest delyuered Ioseph danyell Peter many other thy seruauntes from their so rowes and calamities ah who is able to expresse with howe ready and glad myndes they magnifyed the thy holy name We therfore synfull wretches excyted styrred vp wyth the godlye examples of these thy seruautes knowyng how greatly thou delightest in the sacrifice of praise confessyng also such is our beggery that we haue no other thyng worthye to offre vnto thy dyuyne maiesty are at thys present gathered together to celebrate thy greate mercyes to magnyfye thy blessed name and to rendre vnto the moste humble thankes and immortal prayses that it hath pleased the of thy excedynge goodnes the rather at the contemplacyon of our prayers to shew thy fauourable mercy in the delyuerance of thy seruaunt our Lord and mayster vnto our syngular ioy and great comfort For thye thy benefyte most benefycyal father we so heartylye thanke the as heart can thynke most entyerly beseching the that thou wylt geue vs all grace neuer to be vumyndfull of thys thy benefyte nor to coÌ„mit any thing hereafter that should offend thy fatherly goodnes or prouoke thy wrath againste vs lest through our disobedience we after this feele more bitter tokens of thy heuye dyspleasure than hetherto we haue done but in all oure enterpryses so to behaue oure selues accordinge to thy blessed wyll that thou mayest delight in vs as a father in hys chyldren and vouchsafe to blesse vs with all spiritual blessyng to enryche vs wyth the knowledge of thy heauenly word and to worke in vs a lyfe con formable to the same that other seyng our godly maners and Christian conuersacion maye be encouraged to embrace thy blessed word to magnyfy thy holy name and in all poyntes to frame their lyfe accordyng to the rule of thy holy commaun dementes through the inspyracyon of thy blessed spirit to whom with the thy derely beloued son Iesu Christ be al honor prayse and glory for euer and euer AmeÌ„ A Godlye prayer and Confessyon of our synnes to god our heauenly father with the rehersall of the punishmentes and plages of the same callynge therein vpon the mercy of God LOrd god of heauen great myghty terryble god fearfull dreadfull is thy name whom all creatures do feare and tremble for the power of thy face for intollerable is the threatenyng of thyne indignacion ouer the synner We are not ashamed to knoweledge and to confesse vnto the our trespasses 〈◊〉 synnes for we haue synned aboue the numbre of the sande whyche is in the sea Yea Lord we haue synned offended and haue ben vngodlye and knowledge oure transgressyons and oure synnes are euer before vs we haue synned in dede and departed from the we haue neither heard nor yet kept thy commaundementes ney ther we haue done as thou hast commanded vs. Lord thou hast knowen our weakenes and infyrmytye that neyther oure fathers nor yet we haue ben able to heare al thy commaundementes lawes and ordynaunces whyche thou haste geuen vs by thy faythfull seruaunt Moses wherfore thou hast had mercy vpon vs and in the fulnesse of thy promysed tyme haste sent vs our sauyoure and redemer thyne onelye sonne whom thou hast put vnder the lawe that he myghte redeme vs from the heauy burthen of the lawe and wythoute oure deseruyng freely geuen vs the ryghteousnes so that onelye we woulde knowledge oure synnes and beleue that the same are forgeuen thoroughe thyne onelye sonne Ielus Christe But we vnthankefull synners do nothynge belongynge to repentaunce and haue also after our stubburne impenitent hartes hoorded vp a treasure of thy wrath in the daye of thy wrath and of the declaryng of thy ryghteous iudgemente for oure synnes reache vnto heauen we haue synned greuouslye vnto thys daye Yea father we haue synned agaynste heauen and before the and are not worthye to be called thy chyldren we be ashamed to lyfte vp oure eyes vnto the Lorde for we knowledge that we haue offended the verye sore For oure synnes sake is thyne indygnacyon descended ouer vs the indygnacyon of thyne vnmercyfulnes whyche thou haâ—…t sente into vs by the wycked Angels Hon ger famyne and dearth hast thou heaped ouer vs and hast destroyed our prouysyon of bread to the expyracyon of our children and bretheren But amonge vs that are a lyue for oure vnthankefulnes sake hast thou sent honger not onely of the bo dely bread but the honger of the spyritual breade and we haue gone and runne hether and thether sekynge the same but haue not founde it and oure yonge chyldren haue also sought the bread but there was none to breake it vnto them Thou hast brought vpoÌ„ vs the sweard of the vn beleuynge and geuen the carcases of our chyldren into destruccioÌ„ before the face of theyr fathers oure townes villages are confâ—…med wyth fyre oure cityes are wasted and few inhabitours left in the same oure frendes are fallen by the swordes of our enemies their bodyes are become meate for the foules of the ayer and for the wylde beastes of the earth alas thys haue oure eyes sene Lord thou hast plaged and striken vs w t more buyles sores and wyth dyseases which haue not ben heard of before that we coulde not be healed more pestylence haue we hadde than euer oure fathers knewe of Al these plages hast thou Lord brought vpon vs our chyldren and our bretheren and they are not yet at an ende for these are the dayes of thy vengeaunce But Lord thou arte oure God our refu ge and strenght oure helpe in the greate afflictions whiche are come vpon vs a meke true longe sufferinge pacient god a God of mercy and all conforte which conforted vs in al our troubles Thou art also riche in mercies in the which thou orderest all thynges for incoÌ„prehensible vnseearcheable is the mercy of thy promyse Thou art the moste hyeste god ouâ—…r all earth thou wylt not the destruccyon of the soule for thou hast according to thy goodnes promysed vs repeÌ„taunce for the remissyon of synnes sayenge That thou hast no