to his lawes and testimonies whiche shall euer rise vp againste vs for our condemnation byeause we haue in theim so greatly disobeyed the will of god obstinately flyenge frome hym in the true faith and conuersation of his soonne Iesus the heade corner stone whiche the buylders refused and moste shamefully contemned and abused whome he onely appoynted to bee the foundation of our reste and perpetuall mansion Against whiche in any one parte therof we may not spurne to breake God handleth al thinges according to hye vvil among the povvers in heauen and among the inhabitours of the â—â—â—the and therâ—â—nonâ— that may resist his had 〈◊〉 say what doest thouâ— Daniel 4 nor seeke by any meanes to spot and deface but thankefully embrace and be ioyfull of goddes disposed wyll consideryng it is his owne doyng euen for his glories sake although it appere neuer so meruailous in our eies he wil haue it knowen that it is the onely power of his right hand that he himself hath don it Psal 10â— His works ar meruailous his right haÌ„d bringeth mighty thinges to passe yea the right hand of the Lord hath the preemineÌ„ce for the helth saluacion of his people he myghtily preuaileth in al his enteÌ„ts Ps 118. Therfore to coÌ„clude without long depeÌ„ding in admiration seing that Goddes determinatioÌ„s in rightousnes as he himself is a God of rightousnes must most certaynly appere in brightnes and of necessitie be accomplished a mongest vs againste whose will in his woorkes no man may without daunger rebel let vs examine wel our selues and trie our saluacion in truthe by the assistence of the spirite of truthe and therby know our assured leanynge staye and which way we shall rightly walke and not stand so fast in assuraunce to our aunciente termed customes and bycause the greate parte of christendome thorow simple or wilfull ignoraunce reeleth blindelye that waies nor remembryng the smalnesse and myld trade of Christes stable flocke howe pacientely they beare the crosse of Christ and suffer rather to bee persecuted then persecute vnto whome god promised strength and to be amongest theim for their coumforte euen in the middest of the tire although we wickedly iudge of them to dye obstinately vayne gloriouselye desperately most beastly VVicked vvourkers iudge vvickedly like a sort of dogs or very helhouÌ„des with such other malicious rashe and most cursed railynge iudgemente contrarye to god and the heartes of all godly men neither regarde we the example and steppes of their conuersacion The coÌ„uersation of the vvicked through shamelesse pride ambition stoughtnes couetousnes outwarde holynes vnclennesse maliciousnes cruel murther with suche lyke wickednesse spronge vp in the churche of Christe whiche are the fruites of the dyuel and thincensementes of a wicked spirit and therfore refused of the perfect and rightuous christians because they bee contrary to thexample of Christ and his holye Apostles who teacheth vs to trye spirites and to knowe the tree by the fruite but to yelde vs wyth all humblenes bothe bodye and soule Hovve to attaine the grace of god into the handes of god and referre wyth reuerence in suche tyme of controuersie theffect of our whole faith and saluacion to the wourkynge of his grace by the power of his holy spirite to the lyghtnyng of our vnderstanding and to put by doubtfulnes all controuersies sectes and diuisions One God that as we haue but one onely God god our heauenly Father Christ our onelye sauiour and the holy spirite our comforter all thre in glory equall all one in substaunce and in vnitie also all one and vndeuided One faith So we the professours of his name may haue but one onely quicke and lyuely faith in one religion the true rule of christ to the knit tyng of oure hartes in christen vnitie and to bee vndeuided The vertue of christen vnitie to the feclyng in our selues the true peace of God and thexercise of goddes heauenly charitie wherby our eyes shall ber opened to see and receyue his very perfecte and louely obedience reuerently to submytie our selues to all his holy and most godly ordinaunces and with a thankefull and mylde christen spirite accordyng to our most bounden duetie to pray for the Queenes moste excellent maiestie that God for the greatnes sake of his mercy wyll hencefoorth blesse hir preserue her and prepare so for her that her reigne maye bee longe and prosperous amongest vs with muche ioy honour wealthe strengthe and victorie ouer her ennemies that she maye the more quietely in the feare of God seke aboue all thynges the glory of God in rightuousnes accordyng to the truthe of his wourde and that his ministers also vnder her may bee endued with the spirite of truthe that his truthe in rightousnesse maye beautyfully and cleerely shyne thoroughout her graces dominions to his euerlastynge prayse and that we beeynge also blessed vnder her higâ—es hande with ready prepared hartes for the grace of God may haue sufficient of all thynges to the sustentation of oure earthely bodyes subduynge alwayes the enemies of the common wealthe that we her humble and louynge subiectes maye reioyce thorowe hir highnesse in the greate mercies of God and be thankefull louyng more perfectly one another and applye oure selues with more pitifull and tender heartes to see oure poore neyghbours and christen brotherne better relieued and prouyded for that God in Iesus Christe maye styll vnto the ende holde his mercyfull hande ouer vs and finishe his good wourke vpon vs newly agayne begunne to the exaltation prayse and glorye of his moste blessed holy name whiche alone is worthy all honour and glory Amen The peace of God the father through our lord Iesus Christ by the workyng of his holy spirite in you abyde in all your harts and kendle in you the fyre of his loue Amen IF we the chyldren of Adam depely wold consyder and ponder diligently from the beginnyng the maiestie of thimmortall God In beholdyng symply and with all humblenes both externely and with our inward senses his omnipotent power and workemanship in heauen and in erth the merueilouse order of his doynges Gene. 1. and his most happy entent towardes mankind in the same what greate appearaunce there was of his moste deere and syngular loue that after the creation first of heauen and earth as also the depe and bottomlesse seas and all thynges innumerable in theym conteyned and by hys blessynge tencreace and multiply for the redy vse seruyce and pleasure of man howe he then in tyme made man a creature amonge all other his louelye creatures moste glorious beautyfull and semely yea and after his owne ymage and symilitude a liuyng soule breathyng into him the breath of life Gene. 2. Eccle. 32. 1. Cor. 15. how he made him lorde and ruler and to haue dominion ouer all gaue names vnto all maner of cattall fowles of th aire and beastes of the fielde how he planted a gardeyn of pleasure and there
deceyued brotherne God requireth the very hart For it is not the outwarde shew onely and the name or title of Christ that came dyscharge vs and satisfie rightlye a God of ryghtuousenesse who requireth the very harte the whole suÌ„me of faythefull fruites therein conteyned For as the law is boly and our profession of al other most pure so the puritie of oure liues must in suche wise appeare that the law of god and our profession may shyne aboue all other In vayne to the contrary shall we bost of our holynes of god and Chryste and of their moste holy and vndefiled lawes how so euer in accustom we vse to commend them to beare them in oure handes to haÌ„dle theym to carye theym at our gyrdles in our bosomes talke of them here theÌ„ reuerentlye preached of preachers or at any tyme elles read of our selues For the booke or holye table wherein the law of god shoulde be imprinted or depely grauen are the hartes of men and such as he hath chosen to him self which is according to this sayenge of Dauid Psal 36. The law of god is in their hartes From whense procedeth the very perfection and true meaning of the holy law of god to the good exaumple of the heathen or such as know not god for their coÌ„uersion to that praise of god whereunto we are couÌ„sailed of saincte peter to shew forth that truth of our professioÌ„ that is to lead an holy coÌ„uersacioÌ„ amoÌ„g that heathen strauÌ„g natioÌ„s that they which backbighte vs as euell dooers may behold our holy good workes 1 Pet. 2. that the name of god in that day of his visitatioÌ„ amoÌ„gest vs may be lifted vp magnified Roma 2. Iacob 1. Math. 7. And S. Paul saith Not that herers of the law but that fulfillers of the law shal be iustified before god neither shal euery one that saith lord lord enter into the kingdoÌ„ of heueÌ„ but such as do that wil of our father which is iÌ„ heueÌ„ those are they also whome Dauid speaketh of to be vndefiled in the way of the lorde Psal 119. and that they shal be blessed beecause they keepe hys testimonies they committe no wickednesse neyther are they double faced disseÌ„blers but seeke hym right forth simplye wyth their whole hartes whose heartes are sounde and pure and vnto whome in such wise belongeth the blessynge of god that they shall cleerely see the face of god Math 5. The ioyes whereof no eare hathe herde no tongue can speake nor the hart of man at any tyme can thinke which ioy and euerlasting rewarde god the father in Iesus Chryste hath promised vnto the rightuous for their obedient and holy lyues for the cleannes and puritye of their hartes by the power of hys holye spirit and shal be perfourmed trulye vpon theÌ„ at his gracious and most godly appointed time But if we that haue professed the law of god only beare an outwarde face of loue towardes god confessynge hym wyth oure mouthes and denye hym inwardlye in our hartes thorough oure euell and corrupted conuersation wourke we not then rather oure iust dampnation then saluacion or rather to be cursed of god then blessed The true knowledge and lous of GOD amongeste vs effectuallye consisteth herein that is in wourking in folowynge and in good ordre of lyuynge accordyng to his most perfecte exaumple by the rule of hys wourd rather then in vayne talking â—ayned fauouring or in colde or slipper louing 1. Cor 4â— And touchynge the sayde capital vice of pryde amongest others A poisoned 〈◊〉 of perdicion If we woulde happily enter into our selues 〈◊〉 with sincere iudgemente and secrete examination what we bee of oure selues what substaunce wee are made of of what base matter of how fraile and fylthye flesh what lothsome frutes commeth thereof vnto how many miseryes diseases and daungers we be in subiection vnto lyuyng in the fleshe The misery of makind in this life the filthines of our conception the place and manner of our byrth wyth how great daunger we be borne ryther touchynge our selues or our mothers that beareth vs how naked we also are howe neadye how brutishe how sore how wretched and howe myserablye we creepe into thys chaungeable lyghte of lyfe and that oure race then beynge but shorte death in the ende must of necessitye ouercome vs These few thinges I say among other well noted of vs would some thing mortifie in vs I think our corrupted grosse affects they would be a meane the rather to cleanse in vs among the rest that pestilent insectioÌ„ of pryde a vyce moste ougly hatefull and detestable before God and man the originall of all synne whereby also we are fylled wyth the cursynges of God Eccle. 1â— who hathe promised that greate wretchednes and misery shall come vpoÌ„ vs that in the latter time shal dwel in the worlde for the greatnes sake of that lothsome and cursed vyce And how it aboundeth now in these daâ—es Esdâ—as 8. we maye well note and thinke the appointed tymes of gods vengeaunce to be wourthilye entred amongest vs. And because that in the lyfe and welfare of the proud people of this world dependeth greate and manye mischieues to the griefe and vexation of the poore and rightuous the prophet crieth in this wyse for the hastenynge of Gods vengeance amoÌ„gst theÌ„ Psal 9â— Arise O lord thou iudge of the world recompence in thy fury the great pride of this people euen after their just deseruing O forget not the voice of thyn enemies for the presumption of theÌ„ that be hatefull agaynst thee encreaceth yet stylle more and more Again Let the proude be confouÌ„ded O Lord for they go wickedly about to destroy me And tholde sayenge hathe bene from the begynnyng Pride wyl haue a fall Whiche agreeth to the saying of SalomoÌ„ PresuÌ„ptioÌ„ goth before shame destrucitoÌ„ after a proud stomack ther foloweth a fal May we not no we think it at the highest and neuer so like to fall Pro. 21.29 Was there euer sens god created heuen and earth that like abuse abhomination wtout measure reignyng Can it by any meanes more horribly appere amoÌ„gst vs Can it with possibilitie Excesse in pride froÌ„ any faÌ„tastical head that beareth life be more diuersly deuised chargeably to the painting forth setting out of our rotteÌ„ carrainly carcases Or can it be by other more vainly or foÌ„dly deuised thaÌ„ is of our selfs foÌ„dly coÌ„seÌ„ted to receued Of ther coÌ„sider we as we ought in al such our doinges our poore and hase estate or the sleandernes of our habilitie for the supportation of such a chargeable fantasie In pride vve forget poâ—â—â—tie And dothe it not also by oure wourkes appeare that as we are gloriouse gaye and ryche without our hartes are wretched deformed and full of pouertye wythin yes vndoubtedlye both in the presence of god and all godly men
and frendely one to an nother and to prepare for the nedefull sustentation of the poore membres of Iesus Christe who miserablye perisheth for wante of succor that the blessyng of God the father in his sonne our Lorde and sauior may plentifully descende down amongest vs and vpon vs al The mercy of god tovvards the Quene to the preseruation chieflye of the Quenes most royal maiestie whom god hath hitherto nourisshed blessed and mightily preserued thorowe hys mercye and according to the lyuelye faithe and hope of innumerable her true frendes and obedieÌ„t subiectes and contrarye to the expectation of manye thousandes her maliciouse most cruell enemyes our Lorde for the greatnes of hys mercyes sake wourks in them Repentaunce to the tournyng of their heartes and prepare them to be now appliable and obedient subiectes that we may altogether in vnitie wyth faythfull and true Englishe heartes be thankefull vnto God for her grace to leane to her and with a louelye feare to obeye her to honour her to healpe her and reioyce in her our chief souerayne and onelye high maiestrate nexte vnder god whome he with hys stretched oute arme and almyghtie power and without the effusion of anye christen bloud or occasion minystred to the same hath quietly stablished her and brought her to her imperial throne so greately hath he vanquished the harts of her enemies signifienge thereby vnto vs all her true englishe The pourpose of god tovvardes the Quene and christen subiectes that she is of purpose elected raised vp and preserued by god to this imperial dignity as the appointed seruaunie or high mynyster of God for the supportacion of peace and to take the swourd of auctoritie in her owne hande to the erecting or reedifying agayne of hys glorye in peace and righteousnesse takynge hys wourde of trueth to be her assured good guide aide and strength by the vertu and Inuincible power thereof to supplante and treade vnder foote The verâ—â—e of goddes vvorde all vaine deuised fantasies crastye collusions proude vsurpacions to the reioyeing of Christies faithfull seruauntes his true frendes and ministers and to the reformation or amendement of all other his disobedient and blynde ignorant ennemies if the spirite of grace wyl so work in them for their happy conuersion as the newe borne children of god and by her to be supported preserued and safelye defended by the auctoritie aforesayde grounded vpon god and her gracious mooste godlye lawes Withoute whiche holye conuersion and humble submission leauynge all wycked affectes apertlye or secreatlye repugnynge murmurynge conspiringe subtle dyssemblynge or wyckedlye rebellynge againste god and hys true procedynges reueled and sette soorthe from tyme to tyme by hys appointed and chosen mynisters for hys owne gloryes sake in righteousnesse In vvhat vvise god hath raised vppe the Queene not raysed vp wyth cruell rage by vs mooste maliciouse and wretched creatures wyth speare and shseide or wyth spre and swourde but peaceablye preserueâ— and therein supported by the only vertue of goddes diuine power who wil stire vp whom he suâ—ceth and wil haue his truth to raign and flouryshe maugre our heades that hath had or haue cursed beate hartes to the contrary that are so wifully blindly addicted to our fathers old fossty customes crepte in amongeste vs by the diuelles deuyse and receyued or stablished by menne wyth their consent coÌ„men couÌ„sails and agrement wythout true triall auctoritie by the wourd of god or prefermeÌ„t by the spirite of truth althoughe we call theym suche holye fathers and so many in number gathered togyther at certayn tymes and places who sought to vpholde the swetenesse of their terrestriall kingdome through couetousnes and theyr fayre coloured wourdes and goodly painted shewes makyng marchaÌ„dise of vs whose iudgemente is not farre of and their iuste dampnacion sleepeth not for the breath of God I say wyll confound such doinges and oure stubbourne disobedience shal be visited with the sword I shal not here neede by expresse wordes to make mention of the greeuous and moste terrible destruction speciallye of gods peculiar people the Iewes amonge other nations for their greate dysobedience wilfulnes pryde and vnthankefulnes Consider also that god hath now of late begonne agayne with his owne church sharpelye to visite them and diuersely for their greate vnthankfulnes VVilful and christinate rebellions shal be 〈…〉 1. The vvrath of god tovvardes his people in the dayes of hys grace and dydde therfore styrre vp his ministers of vnrighteousnes diuerslye most cruelly and impituouselye to vexe them to tormente them and moste shamefully to destroye them as shepe appointed to the slaughter and in suche wyse their mercyles crueltye did abounde that the fauourers of their religion a great numbre of them in the daies of kynge Edwarde fledde frome them they vtterly forsoke theÌ„ for their hartes dyd abhorre them in their doynges OccasioÌ„ of the peoples conuersion and were thorowly perswaded in their consciences that yf they or their religion had ben of god thei wold haue been muche more pitifull and not with such tyranny destroy the professours of Christ so great was the wrathe of god ouer his people and flock for thabusing of his grace and not wel ordryng them selues in suche holy profession Frome whome he hath now ones more withdrawen his wrathe God hatiâ—â— retourned his mercy thorowe his greate mercy in Iesus Christ and at the humble intercession in hym of his moste greuous afflicted saintes to the cleare shynyng ones agayne of his glorye in truthe amongest them for their further instruction and more reuerente obedience to his lawes If God so bytterlye vexed them whoms he so dearely loued the louers of his gospell for their disobedience sake aad dissimulation or doublenes how much more shall the fire of hys merciles wrath be kindled agaynst vs that haue ben before obstinate The vvrath of God agaynste his obstinate and vvilful enemies wilfull and olde repugners of ryghtuousnes hynderers blasphemers consentours to bloud shedde and moste cruell persecutours to the deathe of his true ministers faithefull prophetes preachers and dearely beloued membres although we spightfully reuiled them mocked them and called them seismatikes and a thousande heretikes with rathe iugement to damnation for euer not takyng heauen nor purgatory charitably in our waie and that notwithstandyng suche thynges are nowe called agayne in peace and wyl yet perseuer in suche wickednesse and wilfully kicke against the pricke Truely truly we are well warned by the significations of god VVhat the mercyes of God 〈…〉 vs doâ— signifie according to his mercy to be better scooled learned and practised in the doctrine and rules of Christe and to feare the swourde of goddes vengeance that hangeth by a feble threde redy to fal vpon vs. God is the god of saluation to all them that wil harken and tourne vnto him to leane vnto his examples of mercy to flie from tyranny or consent to bloudshed with such like accordynge
spirite to others decay to iudge of our selues leste we bee in dede iudged of the lorde whose iudgementes are infallible and ryghtuous altogither WheÌ„ our own eies ar opened cleere vnspotted and pure oure hartes cleane purged of all impuritie then it shall beautifully appeare in suche thynges as we shall haue to dooe that we possesse a good spirit by whose power and holynesse all our dooinges shal be comely and well doon euen accordyng to the diuine nature thereof But to the coÌ„trary if our eies be wicked or our owne hartes foule and corrupted we shall shew forth the fruites of an euil and wicked spirite whether it be by hasty iudgemeÌ„t lyeng detraction fals accusation c. which ar notable euils not beloÌ„ging to vs that haue professed Christe who by his wourde hath coÌ„manded vs to seke peace quietnes to loue one another and to kepe our selues froÌ„ murmuring which profiteth nothing to spare our tongs froÌ„ sclaunderouse reportes and backbyghtynges for an ydle worde shal not passe in vayne and the mouthe that speaketh lyes sleeth his own soule Sapi. 1. who art thou saith saint Paul that iudgest another mannes seruaunt Rom. 1â— He standeth or talleth vnto his Lorde yea he maye well stande for god is able to make him staÌ„d There is one lawe geuer iudge Iacob 5. whyche is onely able to saue and to destroy What arte thou then that iudgest another Eccle. 18. Iudge firste thy selfe beefore the iudgement com so shalt thou be sure to fynde grace in the syght of God Ephe. 4. Iudge not therfore I require the that thou be not iudged agayne Walke as it becommeth your callynge wherein ye ar called Ezechi 18 Gal. 〈◊〉 wyth al humblenes of mynd mekenes and longe sufferynge forbearinge one another in loue and be diligente to keepe the vnitie of the spirite thorough the bonde of peace for euery man shall beare his own burthen and receiue his rewarde accordingly Therfore spende your tymes in the conteplacion of beueÌ„ly thinges be frendly loue togyther wyth pacyence and praye one for an other that ye maye all bee saues In loue and peace the good sowle reioyceth Iacob 5. Rom. 16. Ephe. 2. and oure hartes by loue and peace are vnited to the god of peace In whome peace abydethe there the grace of God aboundantly floweth And the possessours thereof purchase vnto theim selfes to be called the sonnes of God Math. 5. Whose godly and diuine myndes are alwaies bent to doo well and not to consente to any euyll they are paciente there is in them no desire of reuengement no murmuryng no rebellion no discorde no discention or variance abydyng Among many vertues that god gyueth vnto menne his faythfull and speciall good frendes in whom through Christe he delighteth are chiefely knowen in this lyfe by hauyng in them these thre principall vertues Thre vertues .. that is loue peace and pacience Whiche comfortablye shyneth frome the hartes of the righteous in greate beautie and clearenesse before the face of god to the reioycyng and comforte of his people and to the greate laude and prayse of his name Wherby also the world for alyght and example vnto it may well see whome they do possesse what good spirite guideth them and to what godly ende they are so guided For by their sayd vertue of loue Loue. they ioyefully passe foorth their tyme and spende their lyues with inwarde trauayle or outewarde payne in the fleshe not proprely in any thyng touchynge them selues or for their owne singular gayne and commoditie but fyrst respectynge the knowen wyll of God they obedientely to his praise in all poyntes easily performe the onely straight named bond of charite They are so lyuely possessed with the good spirite of God that touchyng theyr inwarde man they freely with ioye sette foorthe thacceptable good wourkes of god And as loue in all cases of necessitie is presentely apte to succour and comforte without respect of persons Peace so peace also adioyned to loue bothe deriued from the loue of god sorcibly ioyne them selues togither to preuent dangers that inwardely bredeth in the conscience through thinfirmite of the flesshe or suche also as hyndereth the continuance of our naturall lyues in the fleshe â—acience And touchyng pacience in thapproued man of God 3. Reg. 21. 4. Reg. 14. Esdras 18. Psal 44. Roma 8. what frende or enemy by word or dede can plucke him backe froÌ„ the bond of loue frendeship or amitie What vexation or forment in the flesshe suffereth god to bee layde vppon hym but he will contentedly beare it and that for the loue of God so deepely in suche hath he planted his grace But we coÌ„monly from whem as it semeth god for our greate wickednes sake hath withdrawne his grace are so pufte vp with the poysoned venym of the serpent and our hartes so strained with thanguishe of syn that health is taken frome vs our soules are sicke we ar fled from the helthfull and sweete foode of lise VVe haue refused the grace of god vnto the noisom and most tart tast of death In steds of goddes heuenly loue and charitie our harts are wickedly possessed with willful malice enmite for peace warre discention for pacience in aduersitie murmuringe detraction lyeng spightful reuengemeÌ„t slippyng frome god or in steade of frendly familiaritie vayne contempt strangenes O the subtiltie of the moste sleighty and malicious serpent the great soly frailtye or blindenes in our flesshe Euell are those seedes by appeeraunce and of poysoned nature Esdras 4. that hath ben sowne frome the begynnynge in the hart of man whose estate doubtles ys moste miserable whenne thorowe the wante of vertue and the lighte of gods grace he forsaketh the plesant plaine pathe way of pietie which is that reuereÌ„t seruice honour and obedience Math 7. Luke 13. Psal 10. due vnto god falleth into the daÌ„gerous stonye harde bestubbed way of iniquitye the very bonde slauery and dirtye drudgerye of the dyuell I onsure you louyng brotherne oure ease is to manifeste that onles Sathan the prince of darkenes had thorowly bewitched vs blynded oure eyes darkened oure vnderstaÌ„ding as it were to distaine the stoughtnes couragious estate of christeÌ„ souldiours robbing vs of oure memory and to tourne and winde vs like a sort of effemmate feeble light persons at his pleasure where he lusteth to our vtter derogation shame and dishonor we wold not be so strongly deluded ouerrun blindely seduced in suche snarlyng and impious pathes that leadeth vnto the lake of perpetuall payn and pardition whervnto the very order truely and continuance of our stiffenecked wickednes VVe vvilfully vvalke the vvay of vvickednes declareth playnely what pathes we treade and whose steppes to the deathe we wylle seeme frankely and very wylfully folowe For the auoydyng wherof we cannot saye to excuse our selues of ignoraunce or that we knowe
it is to to plaine and euideÌ„t and that we are presently thereby among other euelles greately entred into the hatred of god Our Lord haue mercye vpon vs for his sonne Iesus Chrystes sake and temper oure heartes wyth the spirit of his feare that we may in al our doynges better consider our christen profession and declare it more holylie in our outward conuersatioÌ„ that the terrible threatnynges of gods vengeaunce do not light vpon vs. Temperance in the lyfe of a christiaÌ„ is a moste precious and bright shynynge vertue to shew forth gods glori and to declare the beautifull lyuely state of the christeÌ„ commen wealth It is a true sayenge that the wourdes countinaunce gesture and the apparell of the outwarde man Gods vengeance amoÌ„gst theÌ„ Arise O lord thou iudge of the world recompence in thy fury the great pride of this people euen after their iust deseruing O forget not the voice of thyn enemies for the presumption of theÌ„ that be hatefull agaynst thee encreaceth yet stylle more and more Again let the proude be confouÌ„ded Psal 〈…〉 O Lord for they go wickedly about to destroy me And the prophete also foreseing iÌ„ hiÌ„selfe by the spirite of god how horrible and lothsome this synne of pryde was in the sight of god and how hurtful and daungerous a thyngâ— it was both touching the poisoned nature thereof either raingning in him self or iÌ„ any other persoÌ„ what power also to mischiefe was therein approued ofteÌ„ he cryed in this maned vnto god sayeng O Lord that art my strength keepe me thy seruaunt I beseche thee from the sinnes of presumption O defende me leaste they get the dominion ouer me then shall I O god be cleane innocent and vndefiled end from the great offence O lette not the foute of pride come against me neither lette the hande of vngodly crosse ouerthrowe me and cast me downe Thus this good man of god for his own safegarde and defence and for the auoyding of goddes vengeaunce declareth his owne weakenes and crieth vpon god for hys assistence and strength against this pestilent vyce and against the possessoures thereof leaste by fastnyng specially vpon hymselfe susteining thereby the violence of hys ennemyes he shoulde bee confounded and throwne downe as experience diuerslye hath taught at all tymes and vpon all estates either vpon the proude people them selues by goddes only hand for the proude to be plaged and subuerted by the proude or also vpon anye other that haue sustayned in innocencie the violente crueltie of the proude And because as he him self was a fearer and feruents louer of god and had experience as before meÌ„tioned of this infectuous vyce and woulde haue all men in lyke maner to reuerence God to loue hym and to eschewe the daungers of this vice what the nature therof is what it wourketh in theym that possesseth it and what they coÌ„menlye are that sustayne the violence thereof and what the rewarde also shal be vnto theym that embraceth this euell he him self besides other wrighteth thereof in this maner Pride saith he engendreth forgetfulnes of god Pride wourketh in the hartes of the wicked coÌ„teÌ„pt of god Neither is God in the thoughtes of the proude Their waâ—es are continually greuouse Their mouthes are full of cursing spight bitternes scornefulnes wilines lyeng deceipte fraud vnder their tonges is vngodlines and vanitie they are lurkers they are dyggers of pyttes setters of trappes and layers of snares to catche the rightuous and lowlye they are priuye murtherers of the innocent and they haue their eyes fyxed and full bente to the destruction of the poore Psal 〈…〉 c. What euelles are there that bee noysom vpon the earthe to the hurte of man the springeth not froÌ„ the hart of the wicked proude maÌ„ For pride is the original of al sin wickednes the begynnynge whereof is wickedly to slippe and fall from God his creatoure and maker for his hart is wythdrawne from dym Ecclesi â—â— There is no feare of God before his eyes The proude flatter theimselues in their owne syght euen tyll their abhominable synnes be found out Tush say they in the pride of their heartes we shall neuer bee caste downe there shall no harme happen vnto vs God hath forgotten he hydeth awaye his face and he shall neuer see it Psal 10. But contrarywyse the holy ghost men cloneth of the proude respectyng the affectes of their corrupted hartes that the myghtye hande of God scattereth theim in the imagination of their hartes Luke i. The Lorde shall roote out all wycked and deceiptful lyppes and the tungues also that speakethe suche prowde thynges Psalm 12. Agayne as God beyng moste hygh respecteth gently the humble and lowely so beholdethe he the wyckednesse of the prowde people afarre of Psal 138. And agayne who so hathe a prowde â—oke and an hyghe stomacke hym wyll I not suffer sayeth the Lorde Psal 101. And in an other place The glorye of the Lordes maiestie casteth downe the â—aute and hygh lookes of the presumptuous and bryngeth full lowe the vayne pride of man Esay 2. And this also in an other place All people that are forgetfull of God and of their duetie in humilitie and obedience vnto hym shall bee tourned into hell Note also touchynge pride Psal 9. amonge other places of the scriptures what the prophete Esaye saieth and what the terriblenes of gods wrathe is there mencioned agaynst the same And here also I thynke it not oute of the way Esay 3. that we coÌ„syder and note wel the blyssefull state sometyme of the mosse glorious cleare and beautyfull creature Lucyfer that gloried so muche in hym self and sought in his pride beyng but a creature to aduance and to exalte hym selfe vp into heauen and to sette his throne besydes the starres of God his Creator and maker He desired in his proud hart to clyme aboue the cloudes and to bee in comparison lyke vnto the mooste hyghe God But what happened therby vnto hym Receiued he not his reward accordingly wheÌ„ he was wourthily thrown down euen to the verye deapthe of helle where he remayneth in steade of a fair bryghte aungell of heauen an horrible fowle deuell of hell abyding in dampnacion and darkenes wyth hys companions for euer the ryghte father of pride and of al wycked presumptuous persons and the onelye rynge leader high capitaine prince and ruler of all abhomination and iniquitie Esay 14 Seynge then that the apparaunte and iust vengeaunce of god hath bene felt from the begynnynge for such disobedience and pryde and that he hath promised by hys wourd to perfourme truly hys wrathe for suche wycked offences O why woulde pride spring by anye meanes from the harte of man ouer whome hangeth the yrefull power of so terrible a god man beyng of hym selfe most feeble and a frayle creature very corruption earth and asshes Eccle. 10. O blessed therfore is the maÌ„ that is lowly meeks spirited the hathe only with
Fearest thou not in thy selfe that huge heapes of sinne that wil accuse thee or make the more careful and lowely Neither thy barthen of thy conscience that so fore oppresseth thee and wherby the iustice of god hangeth ouer thee Either wyâ—â—e thou shew thine hart to be hardened against him O fadyng floure erthly creature what meanese thou vnreuarently to forget god thy creator or not to fear hym Thinkest thou that the coÌ„tinuaÌ„ce of thy wil to do wickedly shal euer endure Or why art thou so presumptuous ageinst him Art thou able thou wretched and feeble wourmâ—â— to resiste hys omnipotence or almyghtye power Art thou not in hys hande as a piece of clay in the hand of the potter Esaie 49. Iere 18.19 Rom. 9. Or whyche of all the stought or puyssaunte prynces of the earthe shall not stoupe at hym and obeye hym He trulye is almyghtye and terryble yea the earth trembleth and quaketh for feare of hys greate indignacion and wrath and the people shal not he able to abide hys threatnynge The whole power and strength of all the earth ioyned to Iâ—ther is not able to abyde one blaste of the breathe of goddes mouthe And darest thou thou dustye stubble persist or stand at any time in the state of wickednes before the face of so great and terrible a god Consider therfore thy wilfull malice and folishnes and thy carelesse slippyng from god that is so iust and terrible Examin thy self reuerentlye in the feare of god trye well the state of thy coÌ„science whether thou mayest iustlye saye before heauen and earth O lord thou omnipoteÌ„t terrible god Hiere 17. whose throne is most glorious excelleÌ„t and of most antiquitie which dwellest in the heuens euen in the place of mans holy rest of whoÌ„ thou arte of all goddes moste highely to he feared for thou art a rightous and a iuste god in pouryng thy wrath vpon thyne enmies The repentant sinner yea I must also say that thou art a mercyfull and a louyng god the only comforter and refuge of man his immouable pillour and staye of assurance and the lyuely hope of his helth ioy strength and saluation Therfore O Lorde in acknowledgynge thyne omnipotency and great mercy whervnto I appeale I humbly fly vnto thy mercy seate for succour for myne iniquitie O god is manyfest vnto thee which I confesse before thy diuine maiestie I haue O lord offended against thee I haue forsaken thy lawe and coÌ„mitted iniquitie I haue fledde from thy loue I haue falne from thy word I haue broken my fidelite I haue ben rebellious against thee For myn hart hath wickedly possessed pride and maliciousnes wherby I haue greuousely offended and hurte my neyghbour O Lorde greate therfore is myne iniquitie in thy sight Psal 119. My conscience iustly accuseth me my fleshe treÌ„bleth for feare beefore thee my spirites are troubled within me And the remembraunce of thy Iudgement is terrible vnto me O Lorde myne eies therefore gushe oute with water my sight falleth me I am greuouslye vexed myne harte panteth within me my strength is gone from me my knees are weake my flesshe is dryed vp my beautie is consumed I am weary of my gronynge Alas my griefe alas my fal Alas my great wo and myserye for thys my stroke and wofull plage that thy grace O God should thus be taken frome me wherby I most wretched sinner am forget full of my truthe and obedience of my faythe and promises of thyne infinyte loue and goodnesse towardes me and of thy greate indignation and Iustice for my synne iniquitie Ah who shall geue me water to my head and a fountain of teares to mine eies that I may washe my bedde with teares of sorow and bewayle my sinnes both nighte day wherby thy grace O swete god may yet be returned vnto me and thy iustice agaist me be shortlye preueÌ„ted I make myn huÌ„ble peticion in thy presence with my whole hart the thou wile be merciful vnto me accordyng to the truthe in thy wourde O heauenly father A Prayer lette thy greate mercy in Iesus Christe lyghten vppon me that thy wrathfull indignation preuaile not against me I humbly with repentaÌ„ce acknowledge myne iniquite I coÌ„tesse my sicknes frailtie appeale to thy mercye promysed vnto me in Iesus Christ And if thou O Lorde for his sake wilt assist me Psal 119. order my steppes according to thy wourd my fete shall kepe thy pathes no wickednes shall henseforth haue dominion ouer me O refourme therfore with mercy that is amisse Psal 3â— for thy mercy recheth vnto the heauens and thy faithfulnes vnto the cloudes With the is coÌ„fort the light of life in thy light shal I se light and the workes of darknes shall flie farre from me O turne thee then vnto me Ierem. 1â— so shall I be tourned heale thou me and I shall bee made whole saue thou me and I shall be saued O be not terrible vnto me after thy rightuous iudgemente Psal 143. Enter not into iudgement with thy seruaunt for then shall I not be iustified in thy syghte Yea if thou O lorde shouldest extremely marke what is doone amysse who could then abyde it But thou arte also a God of mercy yea thou delightest in mercy and with thee is plentuous redemption My soule therfore flieth only vnto thee Psal 130. it wayteth humbly for thee trusteth assuredly in thee Out of the depe doo I call vnto thee O Lorde O here myne humble voyce and lette thyne eares consyder welle the voyce of my complaynte Benignely beholde me with thyne eye of mercy that I I say thyne vnwourthy seruaunt maye bee ioyfull of thy couÌ„tenance O let thine holy spirite possesse my harte to create in me a cleane harte to â—enue within my bowelles a ryghte spiryte that I wretched synner may be quiet in thee maye growe in the true knowledge of thee that I may feruentlye desyre thy kyngedome and that I maye knowe thy wyll and reuerently wourke there after For thorow thyne onelye grace O Lorde and by the vehement impulsion of thyne holye spirite shall myne heart and soule be cleane pourged quiesed quickened strengthned sanctified It is thy spirite O GOD that shal conuerte my soule and guyde me forth in the pleasaunte and playn path waye of rightuousnesse Yea Lorde I wyll therfore be bolde and saye Come thou good spirite of god comme I beseche thee and assiste me with the present healthe of thy grace I haue affiaunce in thee O instruete thou me and strengthen mee refresshe comforte and quiete me replenysshe my soule with ioye and gladdenesse and kendle in me the fyre of thy loue Th n O holy spirit whether in body I wake or sleape my soule shall continuallye watche vnto thee thynke of thee delight in thee depende onely vpon thee yea it shal be fully satisfied in thee and euermore reioyce loue please thee euen
from my verye hearte with all my power and strength and loue my neyghbour as my selfe to thy glory O god all the daies of my lyfe and for euer in the world to come Thus I say O thou erthly creature dere christen brother that hasardly by due iustice abidest the hard hande of God let daily sorow fasten vppon thee and continuall sadnes poâ—â—eâ—fe thyne hart Offre vnto God the acceptable sacrifice of a troubled spirite of a brokeÌ„ sore vexed and contrite heart till grace bee planted againe in thee and thy synnes thorowe faithe cleane purged and taken from thee And alwaies remembre if thou loue god bicause of his mercy if thou feare hym for his iustice sake or if thou beare any good hart towardes the counsailes or voice of god harden not thy hart as in the day of temptation keÌ„dle not vpon thy self the wrath of god flee from the vengeaÌ„ce to com for otherwise the iustice of God wylle fall faste vppon thee And yf thou as before wilfully dost desire to be mindfull of wrath reuengement or displeasure either of speking or of doing wickedly vse fyrste thy cogitation in this maner folowyng whiche shall bee rather to a godly entent and purpose accordyng to the counsayle of the preacher which is not to be yreful against thy neyghbour to wourke reuengemente agaynst hym for any matter or to wythhold thy charitie from him but to thinke vpon the moste terrible bitter day when thou among the rest shalt be called vppon by the trompe of god Eccle. 18. to appere before his wrathfull indignacion and to remembre the bitternes of his vengeaÌ„ce wheÌ„ he shal turne his face away from thee yea euen froÌ„ thee thou wrathfull and dampnable reiected creature if thou abyde in thy wrath and yf thou with the rest shalte be partaker of thys terrible and moste bytter sentence Awaye ye wicked to the deuell and to hell fyre for euer Yf thou otherwyse haue pleasure to think vpon wrath and to wourke or deuyse mischiefe thereby to the hurte of thy neighboure be thou certaine hereof well assured that suche a matche shall be ioined vnto thee as wyll cruellye in his wrath vexe thee quickly consume thee and violentlye twyne thee euen lyke a rysshe Psal 49. to the sodaine and shorte confusion Euen God hym selfe it is that shal recompence thee thy wickednesse shal destroy thee in thine owne wycked malyce yea it is the Lorde God hym selfe I say that shall vtterlye destroye thee As hatrede enemitie reuengement with suche other are wyeked euils forbidden thee and thervppon agreed with thyne owne consent and promise to a blessed and most happie ende so if thou contemnynge this prohibition dooest swarue frome thy promyse and fidelitie and cleaue vnto suche iniquitie they wyll kendle the wrathe of God agaynste thee Eccle. â—â— to the increace of affliction to the wour kyng of an euyl death and euerlastyng destruction Thou shalte worthily be compted among the numbre of the cursed and vngodly people Vpon whom god in this lyfe shall rayne snares fyre brymstone storme and tempeste whiche shall be their dewe portion to drynke Psal 1â— And suche as be scornefull despisers withoute a cause they shall bee put to confusion Psal 5. Psal 68. Psal 75. neyther shall suche as be mercylesse and cruell stande in the syghte of God For lyke as ware melteth at the greate heate of the fyreâ— so shal â—hun godly perishe at the preseÌ„ce of god come to a terrible and feareful end Fire haile wind earthquake tempest and whirlewind hungre and thirst pestilence murrayn burninge feuers incurable botches swellyngs madnes and suche straunge diseases sodayn fearefulnes strise vnquietnes rigour oppression sworde bloudsheddyng death sodayn death destruction and punishment the teeth also of wild and noysome beastes the scorpions Eccle. 39. serpentes and all suche poisoned and venomous wourmes are created for vengeaunce to the destruction of suche malicious and wicked people If thou wylt not therfore do obserue the will of God and feare to offende the fearefull name of the Lorde thy God Deut. 28. Psal 39. he will sende vpon thee yea and vpon thy seede after thee these foresaid greuous and moste terrible plagues and curses O chaunge therfore thy copy and tourne in tyme. Leaue of frome wrathe what soeuer thou be and lette go displeasure feare god be charitable kepe peace abyde in loue styppe not from it consider it wel and thinke what theron dependeth so shalte thou knowe it yea thou shalt gladly also exeresse it and enioy for euer the delectable fruites of it And if thou wilte further knowe of loue what it is note saint Paule Loue saith he is pacient and curteous 1. Cor. 4. it enuieth not it dooth not frowardly it is not pufte vp it dealeth not dishonestly it seeketh not her own it is not prouoked to anger it thiÌ„keth none euil it reioiceth not ouer iniquitie but in rightuousnes truthe it beareth al thinges 1. Tim. 1. beleueth al things hopethe all thynges and suffere the all thynges And this loue is the whole summe and ende of the lawe that shineth from a pure harte and good conscience and out of an vnfayned faith Rom. 13. For they that loue one an other fulfilleth the law So that the dedes theÌ„ of that fleshe beynge mortitied Gala. 2. we shall haue our conuersation in the spirit and not lyue vnder the lawe These are the fruites of the spirite Gala. 5. loue ioy peace longe sufferynge gentylnesse goodnesse faithefulnesse meekenesse and temperaunce These I saye bee the fruictes of the spirite And those that possesseth them are free and lyue not vnder the law wherby our soules are in rest at peace with god we coÌ„tent well god we reioyce to worke his will to the helpynge and edifyenge of oure neyghboure and to compte of our selues to be as before al membres of one bodye to thinke that we be all but one in Christ Charitie to reioice in our neighbours helth welth coÌ„fort eueÌ„ as we would do of our own to remedy his incoÌ„modities to lameÌ„t hys distresse mysery to aide him and comforte hym or if he erre or go oute of the right way to bewayle frome oure hartes hys greate blyndnes errour to geue him frendlye counsayle and warnynge to admonish him gently to tel him of his faultes soberlye and courteousely to geue hym instructions for his learning according to the veritie of goddes worde wherby oure hartes are illumined yâ— will of the flesh confouÌ„ded finally as the redemed iewel of Christ decely beloued of him to succour him in al necessities Thus if we hereby wel regard the mynde of god hys great loue and mercy towardes vs our obediece vnto hym and oure dueties towardes our neighbours we shal perceiue and easely finde out what heaueÌ„ly doctrin and counsailes among many others these are to be attayned vnto to be beloued embraced