GOD in tymes paſte,Heb. i. a diuerſlye & many waies ſpake to the fathers by prophetes, but in theſe laſt daies hath he ſpoken vnto vs, as S. Paule ſayeth, by his ſonne, whō he hath made heyre of al thinges, and by him hath he now declared his moſt godlye will vnto vs, that we might obtain life in him: whoſe moſt excellent cleare brightnes hath long time been darkened,Apoc. 6. and as S. Iohn ſaieth, hid as with a ſackeclothe made with heare, yt is to ſay with a fayned ryghtuouſenes grounded vpō naturall wyſdome and carnall reaſon, inuented and ſet fourth by man: So that the bright ſhynyng beames of goddes truth cōteyned in the holy ſcriptures might in no wiſe appere (by reaſon of that dark vaile or cloud) to the eyes or mynde of men, whiche is not yet wyth all men taken awaye. 1. Cor. 3. c Neuertheleſſe, when they tourne to the lorde (ſaith Paul) the vayle ſhalbe taken awaye, for no doute, ſaithe he, ye lord is a ſpirit, and where the ſpirite of the lorde is, there is lybertie. And ſeyng that god which is ryche in mercy, hathe once againe put downe ye great power of the enenemy, broken down his braſen gates, and by vyolence taken the praye (as a ſpoyle) frō out of the mouth of the Lyō, yea victoryouſly hath he delyuered his truth ye longe time hath of his enemies be holdē in bōdage & captiuitie, & we haue herd and ſene theſe thinges, obeyed & do beleue. Therefore am I not aſhamed to teſtyfye the truthe vnto the worlde becauſe it is the poure of God vnto ſaluation,Roma. i. to all them that do deleue. And as Sainct Ihō ſaythe,Ihon. i. i. Ihon. i. the onely trewe lyghte whiche lyghteneth all menne that come into the worlde, our handes haue handeled of the worde of lyfe, for lyfe hath apered, ſaith he, and we haue ſene and beare witnes, & ſhew vnto you lyfe, that is euerlaſtynge whiche was withe the father, & hath now apered alſo vnto vs. And ye tidyngs which we haue heard of him (as Ihon ſaith) declare we vnto you, that ye may haue felowſhip with vs, & oure felowſhyp may be with the father and with his ſonne Ieſus Chriſte &c.

¶For as moche as, it hathe pleaſed the eternall god, which ſeperated me frō my mothers wombe, to lighten the inward eyes of my mynde withe hys grace, and thorowe the knoweledge of his word and working of his holy ſpirite, to worke a perfect repentaunce in me, and amendmente of my formoure lyfe, loue conſtraynethe me too wyl you (good bretheren) to be partakers of this greate benefyte. And for this cauſe, I haue thought it neceſſary, as well to declare vnto you the daungerouſe harmes that ſynne bryngeth to ſuche as delyte and continew therein, as alſo the vnſpeakeable reward of the righteouſe whiche god hath prepared for thoſe that withe their h • le hartes tourne from theyr ſynnes and walke wyth theyr god in the way of rightuouſeneſſe. I wyll not withhold frō you, good brethren, that which god hath wrought in me, to incourage the weake ſtomakes, of them that now waxe faynte herted and ſhrynke backe, that I may ſay wyth the Prophete Dauid.Pſal. 39. Lord I do not hide thy righteouſenes in my herte, but my talkynge is of thy truthe & ſauynge health, all ye day long. Therefore tourn not thou thy mercy from me (o lorde) but let thy louyng kyndnes and truth alwayes preſerue me. &c.

Ezec. 3. ¶For it is writen, whē I ſpeke vnto the, then open thou thy mouthe, ſaith the lord, and ſay who hereth, let hym here, who ſo wyll not, let hym leaue, for it is a frowarde houſholde. &c

¶For as moche as I perceyue that the earth maketh haſte to bringe fourth her children, and the tyme draweth faſt toward the end, and all fleſh ſemeth very deſirouſe and as it were gredy, to accomplyſhe the thynge with moche haſte, whiche it taketh in hande, be it good or euyll, my deſyre is alſo to occupie my talente accordynge to ye wyll of the geuer, wherebye I may pleaſe my lorde, which is my deſire aboue all thynges, & not onely therby to gather treſure for my ſelfe, but alſo to prouoke as wel my bretheren and naturall contrymenne of thys realme of England / as al other nations and named Chriſtians to bryng fourth their frutes redyly accordyng to their nature that they may be rype againſt the day of harueſt,Named criſtians. when ye lord ſhall rewarde euery man accordyng to his deades. Therfore beloued fathers and brethren, ſeyng ye haue taken the name of holynes vpon you, beyng called Chriſtians of Chriſt, and do in word profeſſe the ſame, eſtemynge your ſelues the trewe churche and eſpouſe of God vpon earth, as al that lyue godlye doubtles be, See that ye be dilygente to obey to the word of truth which our heauenly father hath now ſente and ſet abroade by his beloued meſſengers, as wel within this reame of England, as in all other regions on the earth, as it is wryten in the eyghtenth Pſalme.Pſal. 18 Rom. 16 Theyr ſownde is gone owte into all landes: And their wordes into the endes of ye world. If ye accepte the voyce of the ſhepeherde, then wyll he know you for his owne, and lead you in and oute, where ye ſhall all wayes fynde riche paſture. Godde hathe made daye and nyghte,Ihon. 10 lyghte and darkeneſſe, ſommer and wynter, to the intente that all thynges myght-haue as well place and time as ſufficient occaſion to ſhew forth & declare theim ſelues, eyther good or euill. Repent & turne frō your euill waies with your whole hertes, that ye maie beleue, & ſet your faithe on a ſure ground,Pſal. 65 Gala. 6. build it on ye ſure foundacion of gods holy worde and promiſes, and then will it alwaies abide the violence of the ſtormes, but yf ye go by groopyng and woorke at auenture, be ye ſure, ye ſhal not go right, for true fayth is liuely, & no vncertayne thynge, it is ſurelye grounded and ſtabliſhed vpon the ſure rocke of Gods woorde and promiſe, as it is written. Abraham beleued God in hys promiſe,Gene. 13. and none opinion of his own imaginacion, & it was counted to hym for righteouſnes, but yf your faith bee without the word, then is it carnall and fleſhely, beyng builte vpon naturall reaſon, and therefore it is vayne and of no valure,Eccle. i. for trewe faithe is accoumpanyed with godly loue, who hath the wiiſdome of god for her gouernour, ſhe teacheth her chyldren (as a right good nourice) knowledge and nurture, and leadeth them ſafely in the waye of lyfe,i. Ihon. and with doctrine ſhe purgeth their hertes from all filthe and corruption, euē as god himſelfe is pure. She ſhyneth from and out of the boſome of ye higheſt, for her clearenes doth farre excede the brightnes of the ſōne, whiche lighteth the whole erth with her ſhine. Therfore O ye ignoraunte, geue a diligēt eare to the voice of wiſedom, which daily cryeth vnto you in ye high places ſtretes, and wayes, and before the holy citie, and in the gates where mē go out and in. It is you, O ye men, ſaieth ſhe, whom I call, vnto you, (O ye children of men, lyfte I vp my voyce: Take hede vnto knowledge, ſaieth ſhe, O ye ignoraūt, be wyſe in harte. O ye fooles, geue eare, ſayeth ſhe, for I will ſpeake of great matters, and open my lyppes, to tell thynges that be right, for my throte ſhal be talkyng of the truth, my lippes abhorre vngodlines, al the wordes of my mouth are righteouſnes, there is no frowardnes nor falſhode therein. They are all plain, ſayeth ſhe, to ſuche as wyl vnderſtande, and right to them that fynde knowledge receiue my doctrine, ſaith ſhee, and not ſyluer, and knowledge, more then fyne golde,Prou. 3. c for wyſedome is more worth then preciouſe ſtones, yea all the thynges that thou canſt deſyre, are not to be compared vnto it &c.

¶Wherefore if ye wyll ſeeke wiſdome and dwell with her, ſhee will make you the verye frendes of god, for the higheſt hath geuen her a commaundemente, and he that made herre hath apointed her a tabernacle ſaying. Let thy dwellynge be in Iacob, & thyne inheritaunce in Iſrael, rote thy ſelfe among my choſen, for the congregation of the rightuouſe, are the Children of wiſedome, and the lorde dwelleth amonge them in hys holye Sinay. An vtter enemye to wiſdome is the frowarde ſynner, for he hateth to be refourmed, and becauſe he will not refuſe thynges which he knoweth to be euyll; he can come in no good way, brethern conſider this moſt excellent benefite of god, dayly offered vnto you. Refuſe not his worde which teacheth you al wiſdom Come to her brokes, & drinke of her cūduite, for wiſdom hath caſt out floudes, I am,Eccle. 24. ſaith ſhe as a great water broke oute of the ryuer &c.

And as a water cūduite am I come oute of the gardeine of pleaſure, I ſaide, I wyll water the gardeine of my yonge plantes, and fill ye frute of my birth, ſo my water brooke, became exceadinge greate ſaith ſhee, and my Ryuer aprocheth vnto the See, for I make doctrine to be to all men as light as the faire morning and I ſhal make it, ſaith ſhe, euer the clearer, I will perſe thorow all the lower partes of the earth, I will loke vpon ſuch as be a ſlepe, & lighten all theym that putte their truſt in the Lorde, I ſhall yet poure oute doctrine lyke a prophecie, and leane vnto ſuche as ſeke after wiſdome, and their generations ſhall I neuer faile vnto ye holy euerlaſting world.

¶Obey vnto the louing voice of God, and accepte this gentle doctrine of wiſedome, ſlumber not to long in thyne owne way (O thou named Chriſtiā) leaſt the lorde be angry, leaſte thou fall a ſlepe againe in ſynne, and ſo periſhe vtterly by thine own folly. How can theye be made hole that wyll not knowe they be ſicke, or howe can ſuche obtaine that refuſe ye right way? Thou thinkeſt thy ſelfe well al redy, becauſe thou haſt a name that thou liueſt. O thou named Chriſtian, therfore thou ſaiſte in thy ſelfe.Apoca. • Tuſhe I am riche and increſed with goodes, and haue nede of nothynge, & knoweſt not how thou art wretched and myſerable, poore, blynde, & naked: thou haſte a name that thou liueſt, but thou art deade, for by ſynne art thou ſubdued, and thruſt downe by thyne enemies euen to the brinke of hell. O named Chriſtianytie, thou waft rolde vp in extreme darknes and myſery, yea ſolde and ſolde again waſt thou for thine offences, to be a bonde ſeruant whereof thou art not yet delyuered, for ignoraunce holdeth the in captiuitie, and bringeth the a ſlepe, that thou neyther ſeeſt nor feleſt thye harme,Eſaye 29. but lyke an hongry man dremyng that he is eatyng, & wakynge hath nothinge, or lyke a thyrſty man yt dreameth that he is drinkyng, but when he waketh he fyndeth nothynge to refreſh hym ſelf, ſo doth ſynne deceiue the, and thou not ware. Awake awake oute of thy heauy ſlepe thou Chriſtianitie, harken to ye loud voice and trompe of god which in theſe laſt daies is now blowen amongeſt you. I mean the preachyng of the gloryouſe goſpell of Chriſt, which is dayly preached vnto you, and yet ſoundeth in youre eares. O folyſh people, why ſtop you youre eares ſo longe from the truth: and as it were, ſtyll geue youre ſelues to vanitie? Why ſeke ye ſuche frendſhyp of the worlde, whiche hath nothyng to recō pence, but extreame myſerye? Why ſekeſte thou reſte, where none is? Treaſure vp ſuch thinges as are godly, then ſhalte yu be recompenſed .vij. folde: but who ſo ſeeketh reſt in worldly thynges, his labour is in vain. Conſider O man, thy lyfe in this worlde, how ſhort, how vncerteine, and daungerouſe it is it is lyke a vapour or breathe, ſaith the Apoſtle S. Iames,Iames. 4 yt appereth for a lytle ſeaſon, and then vaniſſheth away, therfore truſte not to the worlde, for he is diſceitfull, he promyſeth reſt, but payeth trouble, he promyſeth ioye and paieth ſorowe he promyſeth longe lyfe, and payeth ſhort, totally, he promyſeth good and payeth euyll, for nature and fortune be muche variable, & chaunge as the winde and therfore do they ſuffer no thynge here certeine. O folyſh man woldeſt yu then be thought wiſe, and yet delyteſt and ſetteſt thy hole hert and pleaſure in this vaine tranſitory world. what frendſhippe woldeſt thou haue of hym that can do you no good, neither careth he lenger for the then thou maiſt do hym pleaſure, for in ſorow pouertie or payne, will he vtterly diſpiſe the, and laugh the to ſcorne in the anguyſh of thy ſoule. Soo vngodly doth this myſerable worlde recompence his louers that the nighe frende,O beſtes vngodly & very vnnaturall. ſo called of nature, the wife that lyeth in the boſome, or the Chyldren whom with buſy paine and ſtudy ſome bringe vp, intendynge by them to haue their kindnes after recompenced, do nothing at all regarde them, but flateryngly from the teth outward thinkyng euery day three, tyll they be gone, that they myght receiue the worldely goodes which their frendes do poſſes. O myſery of all myſeries, thus the worlde which many ſo inordinately loue, and ſet ſuch ſtore by, for all his greate bragges, and flateryng face of frendſhip (if nature withdraw her ſelfe) wyl not onely think hym moch burdened by them, but alſo diſdainfully abhor & deteſte their preſence. Therefore as Chriſte ſaith,Mat. 6. d ſeke ye firſt ye kingdome of god, & the righteouſenes there of, and all theſe thynges ſhalbe myniſtred vnto you. And alſo Criſt ſaith, geue not ouer your membres to ſerue the fleſh, ſeing the beutie thereof fadethe away, for he that ſoweth in the fleſhe,Gal. 6. ſhall of the fleſh repe corruptiō, ſaith Sainct Paul, but he that ſoweth in the ſpirite, ſhall of the ſpirite reape lyfe euerlaſtinge. Againe the apoſtle Iude ſaith. Hate the filthy veſture of the fleſſhe, for doubtles it is ſubiect to corruption, it is alſo, the very gate and meane whereby Sathan oure greate aduerſary, and mortall enemy corrupteth both bodie & ſoule, and draweth man to vtter diſtruction. Wherfore ſee that ye furniſh the houſe in tyme with an honeſt exerciſe of vertu, that perfecte repentaunce make a ready way, for faith and godly loue with all her noble companions, to dwell with you: for if the enemy finde you vnprepared, he will buſily ſeke to enter with his ſoudears, for as moch as, man is by ye tranſgreſſion of Adam, ſet at lybertie in ye knowledge of good and euyll, the enemy firſt moueth man by conſente, to choſe the euill and refuſe the good, which conſent beyng coupled to the thought of mans knowledge,By the fall of Adam, the inward eye of mā was opened in the knouledge of good and euyll, Iam. 1 c. Mat. 5. c Chriſte ſaith, who ſo loketh on a wyfe luſtynge, hath commytted adultry with her. Exody. 20 Deutro. 5 is ſynne. As witneſſeth S. Iames ſaying. When luſt hath conceyued, ſhee bringeth fourth ſynne, by this meanes winneth the enemy yt gate or fyrſt ward, then procedinge forth in his wicked purpoſe, he tēpteth mā duryng his life in ye tyme of youth, by wātō nes delectatiō, pleaſure & redynes of mynd, to ſpend the tyme of this lyfe, either idely or vainly, that he ſhould laboure in nothing that is good, and when nature hathe ſome what done with theſe, he bringeth in place euery carnal concupiſcēce, riot, naturall wiſdome, and worldly honoure and riches: and in age he bringeth coueteouſenes, vnpacient pouertie, childyſhe dotage, and ſuche lyke. For ſone after xxx. yeares are ſpent,, as age increaſeth, the thinges of nature dimyniſhe, and begin to fade as a flower, but the enemy alway duryng the tyme of this lyfe, ceaſeth not to aſſaulte man by ſynne, which is moſt agreeing to the nature and age of the perſon ſo tempted. And by ſuche vngodly meanes he ſeketh to fyll and kepe the mynd of man ſo buſied, that it cā haue no reſpecte to the word & wyll of god, nor ſeke after thinges yt pleaſe hym. But ſeinge the rewarde of theſe is naught els but playne myſery and diſtruction bothe of bodye and ſoule, what folyſh blyndnes is it, for men to ſet their loue ſo inordinatelye vpon ſuche thynges wherein is neuer reſt nor peace? and to ſeke the ſeruice of ſuche maiſters as be very Aucthors of all trouble and myſery, and the bond ſeruantes of ſynne, and corruption, that ſerue thē. Wherfore, ſtryue daily againſt your luſtes, and mortyfie your affections, compell youre fleſhe to be ruled and ordered, by the rules of Chriſte, preſcrybed in the ſacred worde of god, vnto you. Then doubtles our heauenlye father wyll not onelye loue vs, & take vs for hys dear children, but alſo for Chriſtes ſake (ſo that we yet, continew in faith) beare our imperfection durynge the tyme of this lyfe, clearelye forgeue and forget our ſynnes. And make vs partakers with oure ſauioure Chriſte, of hys eternall kyngedome and glorie. Therfore O ye Chriſtined nations call to remembraunce the longe time of your captiuitie & blyndnes of mynde, which hath very far exceded the tyme of the captyuitie of the Hebrues, the chyldren of Iſrael, or of any other congregations, profeſſyng the truth before you: neuertheles, the mightie lorde of powers, ye onely God of Iſrael, hath now remembred his promyſes, and accordyng to hys oulde wonte hath he loked mercyfully vpon vs, for his names ſake, yea, he hath now herd thy mornyngs O Iſrael, & he is come downe to delyuer Iacob his choſen wt a myghtie hand, & a ſtretched out arme.Rom. • . But as S. Paul ſaith. I ſpeake not theſe thynges 〈1 page missing〉 ceyued not ye loue of the truth, ſaith he, God ſhall ſende them ſtrong deluſion, that they ſhuld beleue lyes, that all they might be dampned (ſaith he) which beleue not the truth but had pleaſure in vnrighteouſenes. &c.

Neuertheles, god hath now remembred Iſrael his electe, for he wyll alway haue compaſſion vpon Iacob his choſen: therefore, is he now mynded to ſhew mercy, and to delyuer his people, for our Lordes Ielouſſy is waxen greate, to ſee hys truth dayely thus traiterouſely troden vnder foote of hys enemyes, and cleane defaced vnder a coloure of truthe, and wyth a counterfaicte dyſguiſed holynes and outwarde pretence of vertue, whereby the ſymple ignoraunte ſynners be diſceiued, for bycauſe the pathes of chriſt be ſo troden out, many can find nothyng of the way. Thus the myſterie of iniquitie, as Paul ſaith, workth in his place, wherby the ſynfull man is opened, and the ſonne of perdition, whiche is an aduerſarie, is exalted aboue all that is called God, or of God, for the vaine glorie of man apereth on earth to haue the vpper hande.In earthe worldly wiſedome hath gotten the chayre, or vpper ſeat Is not natural, or carnal reaſon and worldly wyſedome, moſt hyghlieſt eſteemed? Who amongeſte men knoweth anye thynge lyke, or that may be compared vnto it? Where is the wiſdome of God become? Is it not vtterly diſpiſed of the blynde worlde, and ſet at naughte, and not regarded. When ye ſe ye abhomynation,Apoca. 12. Eſay. 14. Daniel. 9 Mat. 24, Mat. 13. The man of ſinne is exalted, he ſitteth in the eſtimation of men. wheare god ought to ſyt for chief. 2. Theſſ. 2 Eſay. 11. Daniel. 8. God fighteth alwai againſt the man of ſynne to ouercōe and to ſubdue hym. 1. Corr. 1, Eſa. 18.37 4. Reg. 5. that betokeneth deſolation, ſpoken of, by Danyel the Prophete (ſaith Chriſt) ſtande in ye holy place, or (as S. Mark ſaith) where it ought not: Let hym that readethe it, vnderſtande it. Thus is fleſſhe and bloude, that is to ſaye, the man of ſynne, exalted, extolled, and prayſed, whiche ſheweth hym ſelfe as god, and as thoughe ther were no power aboue him And ſytteth in the holy temple whom the lorde neuettheleſſe ſhall conſume with the ſpiryte and breath of hys mouth. And wythe the apparaunce of hys comynge, euen hym ſaith Paul whoſe comynge that is exaltynge, or ſettynge vp, is ſaithe he, by the workyng of Sathan withe all lyinge power, ſignes, and wonders, & in all deceiueablenes of vnrighteouſenes &c.

¶Neuertheles, our god hath taken part againſte fleſſhe and bloud, becauſe it is become his verie enemy, and he hath ſaid. I wyl deſtroy the wiſedome of the wyſe, and caſte awaye the vnderſtandyng of the prudent that no fleſſhe ſhould reioice in hys preſence, for the lorde ſhall ſtep fourth, as he dyd vpon the mounte Pirazim, ſaith Eſaye, and ſhall take on, as he dyd in the dale of Gibion, that he may brynge fourth his deuice, yea, hys ſtronge deuyce, and fulfyll hys worke / therfore make no mockes at it, ſaithe the Prophete, that your captiuytie or blyndenes increaſe not, for I haue hearde the lord of hoſtes ſay, that there ſhall fall a ſoden diſtruction, and plage, vpon the hole earth (ſaith Eſay) therefore, take heade, and heare my voice, ponder and marke mye wordes well,Iere. 13. c for the lorde ſhall fight againſt all them that muſter them ſelues agaynſte the hyll of Sion,The heathen are ſuche as do not beleue. ſaith the prophet. And with his myghtie two edged ſworde, ſhall he ſmyte the Heathen, they ſhall be at theyr wittes ende, they ſhall be abaſſhed, ſtacker and reele to and froo &c.

¶Therefore, thus ſaithe the lorde, againſt all them that call them ſelues of the congregation of god, and yet are not (becauſe they lyue vngodly,Eſai. 29. and are the bond ſeruauntes of ſyn ye ſhalbe dronken, but not with wine, ye ſhal fal, but not thorow dronkennes, for the Lorde ſhal geue you an harde ſlepyng ſpirite / and hold doune your eyes namely of your prophetes and heades which ſhoulde ſee, them ſhall he couer, ſo that al viſions ſhalbe vnto you, as the wordes that ſtand in a ſealed lettre &c.

For, thus ſaith the lorde, for ſo muche as, theſe people drawnie me wyth their mouthes, & praiſe me holly with their lyppes (where as their hartes neuertheles be far from me) and the feare that they owe vnto me,Abdi. 1. that turne they vnto mens lawes and doctrines: therfore, wyll I ſhew vnto this people, a maruelouſe terryble, & great thing (ſaith the lorde) namelye this, I wyll deſtroy: the wiſedome of the wiſe, and the vnder ſtandynge of the learned men ſhal peryſh. Therfore wo be to them that ſeke ſo depe to hyde their ymaginations before the lorde, which reherſe their counſels in the darknes, & ſay, tuſh, who ſeeth vs,The churche of god in name, but not in deade, muſt peryſſhe, or who knoweth vs. Therfore, muſt Ieruſalē & Iuda decay ſaith the lorde, becauſe their words & coūſels are againſt ye lorde, they prouoke ye preſence of his maieſtye vnto anger ye changyng of their coū tenaunce (ſaith ye prophete) bewrateth them,Eſay. 3. yea they declare their owne ſynnes theym ſelues as the Sodomites, and hide them not. Woo be to their ſoules, for they ſhalbe heauely rewarded, ſaieth the lord, then ſhall they ſay, O happie are the godly, for they may enioye the frutes of their ſtudies, but wo be vnto the vngodlye and vnrighteouſe, for they ſhall be rewarded after their workes. O my people, rybauldes oppreſſe thee, and women haue rule ouer thee: O my people thy leaders deceiue thee (ſaith ye lord) and treade out the way of thy fote ſteppes. The lorde is here to common of the matter, ſaith Eſai, and ſtādeth to giue iudgement with the people, for ye lord ſhall come forth to reaſon with the princes & Senatours, and ſhall ſay thus vnto them, ſaieth Eſay. It is ye that haue burned vp my vyneyarde, and the robberye of the poore in youre houſe, wherfore do ye oppreſſe my people, and marre the faces of the innocentes? And thus ſayeth the prophete, ſhal ye lord of hoſtes reuile thē therefore.

Wo be to thoſe proude boaſtyng ſpirites, which liuing wickedlye, teache their flockes by poure and penaltie, and not rather by enſamples of vertue & godly lyuyng.

Wo be to thoſe, whoſe hertes are double, whiche with theyr mouthes boaſt proude thinges and flatteryng vertue, theyr wrathe is as the angry Lyon, or as the ſhee beare robbed of her whelpes, whiche euery occaſion kendleth, as fire the drie flaxe.

Wo be to thoſe falſe prophetes whiche vnder the name of gouernours and teachers, doo the deades of falſe deceyuers, ſeruyng their owne luſtes, and yet ſaye, do as we byd you, and all is forgeuen.

Wo be to thoſe Ipocrites, & wanderyng ſtarres, to whome the myſte of darkenes is reſerued for euer, whiche coulourably for the bealy, and for lucres ſake, pray for other, and yet neither forſake ſinne, nor amende their owne lyues.

Woo be to thoſe deceytefull meſſengers of Sathan, whoſe hertes are exercyſed with couetouſnes, hauyng eyes full of adultrye that can not ceaſe to ſynne. And although they goe wrōg them ſelfes, yet they ſay, thei be ſent of god, to teach and leade other the right way.

Wo be to thoſe paynted tō bes and ſtinking ſepulchres ful of all filth and corrupciō, which oftentimes ſpake of faythe, penance and loue, and yet cōſume the tyme of their lyues in vanitie and idlenes, keepyng theyr belyes from hungre, and theyr throtes from thryſt.

Wo be to thoſe murtherers of the ſoules of men, which thorough flatterye ſowe pelows,Ezeche. 13 Eſay. 5. Miche. 3. as the prophete ſayeth, vnder the armeholes of the people, to to the entent they may bryng theim a ſlepe in blindneſſe and ſinne, that they myght ſuſpecte none of their doynges.

Wo be to thoſe blynde guydes, and moſt wicked generacion, by whoſe careleſſe lyuynge, true repentaunce is almoſt banyſhed and thruſt out of place, and amendment of lyfe is laughed to ſkorne and not regarded.

Wo be to thoſe filthye ſpottes / which haue thus forſaken the right way / & count it pleaſure to liue deliciouſly for a ſeaſon, whiche as ragyng waues of the Sea / foome oute theyr filthynes and ſhame.

Woo be to thoſe ſerpentes & adders broodes,Venē and poyſon is falſe doctrine, and enſamples of naughtie liuyng. whiche moſte greuouſly corrupt the inhabyters of the earth with their venem and deadly poyſon, and to mainteyn ambition / pryde / couetouſenes, voluptuous and beaſtly liuyng / peruert al thynges, and prepoſterouſly tourne it out of frame.

Wo be to the vngodlye / the beaſt & all his warriers, which maliciouſly do euyll, and fighte continually againſt the lord of powers and all his true ſouldiers.

Woo be to thoſe biſhops, paſtours / and lawiers / of what name and place ſo euer they bewhiche boaſt of power and auctoritie to rule and gouerne other / and yet haue no reſpecte to their owne ſoules: For heuily and miſerably ſhal thei be rewarded that beare the name of chriſten people, whiche ſeke holynes onely by outward ſacramentes and ſignes, not regardyng what the hert & inwarde conſcience bee / and alſo ſaye in your ſelfes, tuſhe we be well inough for the holy lawes, ceremonies / and Sacramentes of god, are remaining among vs, and thereby we are knowen to be his people. Neuertheles be thou of good cumfort,Eſai. 1. O thou litle worm Iacob, and thou deſpyſed Iſraell, for thy redemer liueth: feare neyther ye proude boaſtyng nor threatenynge of thyne ennemies, for the Lorde ſtandeth by thee to defend and deliuer thee,Eſai. 11. for the mightye god of hoſtes wyll now take in hand to conquere the rēnaunt of his people, whiche are left aliue, from the Aſſirians, Egipcians, Arabians, Morians, Elamites, Caldees, Antiochiās, and Ilandes of the ſea: for the the earth ſhalbe full of ye knowledge of the Lord (ſayth Eſay) Euen as though the water of the ſea flowed ouer the earth:Eſai. 11. Abac. 2.6. And then ſhall the Gentyles whiche are vnbeleuers, knowe that our God hath mercifully heard the lamentable cōplaint of the poore oppreſſed, and remembred his couenaunt made with Abraham,Exody. 2. Iſaac, and Iacob his chooſen. Therefore the Lord commaundeth you to let his people go, ye Heathen nacions and ennemies of righteouſnes, that we may ſacrifice vnto the Lord our god, for the lorde hath now ſeene the heauy burdens, wherewith ye dailye oppreſſe his people, and therefore is he come to deliuer thē with a mightie hand, and a ſtretched out arme,Eſai, 11. Nylus, ſignifieth the See of trobles & aduerſitie ye ye Lord ſhal cleaue the tong of the Egipcians. Se ſaith Eſay, and with a mightie wynde ſhall he lyft vp his hand ouer Nylus, and he ſhall ſmyte his ſeuē ſtreames, & make men go ouer dry ſhod, and thus ſhal he make a way for his people ye remaineth from the Aſſirians lyke as it happened to the Iſraelites, what tyme they departed oute of Egipte &c.

But if you wyll not let hys people goo (O yee enemyes of righteouſenes) yt they maye ſerue hym, after his wyll, then wyll he poure hys plages vpon you, as he did vpon Egipte, and vpō other nations, among whom he ſcatered hys people for their offences: to the intent they myght teache you righteouſenes, that ye myght repent and turne from your euyll waies, and lerne to know the name of the lorde, which is greate in Iſrael, and myghtie in Sion: for as touchyng Iſrael and Iuda (thus ſaith the Lorde) they ſhall not be forſaken of their God, Ier. 51.50 of the Lorde of hooſtes, of the holy one of Iſrael, noo thoughe theye haue fylled all their lande full of ſynne &c. For I wyl not conſume the, but chaſteine ye, and correcte the, and yt with deſcretion, ſaith the lord neither wyl I ſpare the as one that were faultleſſe, for thus ſaith the lorde: O Iacob and Iſrael,Iere. 46. and 30. Eſai. 44. & 43. d thou art my ſeruaunte, I haue made the, yt thou mighteſt ſerue me. O Iſrael forgete me not (ſaith the Lorde) as for thyne offences, I driue them a waye lyke the cloudes, and thy ſynnes as the myſte: tourne yt againe vnto me, and I wyl delyuer the, ſaith the lorde. Therfore, tourne againe O thou diſpyſed people vnto the lorde, forſake thy ſyns, leaue thyne own wylful waies, thē ſhalte yu be deliuered in the landes of thy captyuitie, and be taken as a ſpoile from, and oute of the mouthe of the deuourer, whiche ſeketh to fyll hym alwaye of the. Cry to god from the very herte, to delyuer the from the violente hande of thyne oppreſſer, pour downe thy teares daily before hym, and ſay,A prayer O euerlaſtynge god and my father, I beſeche ye remembre the poore oppreſſed, deale fauourablye with vs, for thyne owne ſake, for thou arte our onely ſurgion. Shew mercy vpon vs O father, for Chryſtes ſake, ſhew mercy vpon vs, the worke of thyne owne handes. Haue compaſſion vpon thy people, O lorde, that greuouſely haue ſynned againſt the, for by reaſon of our ſynnes, haue we longe tyme bene thus exyled and kepte from the: and the enemye hath ſore preuayled againſt vs. O be thou mercyfull and take awaye our ſynnes, & let our iniquities no more diſpleaſe the. O Lorde forget not thyne owne accuſtomed mercyes. Is our hurt ſo great that it may no more be heled? Turn our hertes vnto the, that wee maye ſeke thy wyll, praiſe thy name, and walke in thy waies. O lorde, wee knowe that thou only art our god, whoſe nature and propertie is, to ſhewe mercy, yea, and that thou art alwai readye (O lorde) but oure ſyn lyeth heauye vpō vs, & preſſeth vs ſore down, quicken vs with thy holy ſpirite (O lorde) and lyft vs vp, we beſeche the with thy holy hande, and ſtrengthē vs dayly with thine arme, that we may praiſe the with ioyfull lyppes, and magnifie the, O eternall God, oure onely ſauyour, father, Sonne and holye ghoſte. &c.

Refuſe not thou thy helth, O thou Englyſſhe nation, ſeeyng god hath loued the aboue many other, and hath ſent hys worde, the ſonne of god, the very true patrone and ymage of hys moſte godly ſubſtaunce, vnto the too call the frome thyne own waies that thou mighteſt be made his owne people, too ſerue hym accordynge to his wyll, with reuerence and godly feare.Apoca. 3. Say not in thyne hert I am ryche and encreaſed with goodes, and haue neade of nothinge, leaſt thou be reproued: but anointe thyne eyes with eye ſalue (ſaithe the veritie of God) that thou maiſte ſee, and know how thou art wretched, poore, blynd, and naked. I coū ſell the, ſaith Chriſte, bie of me golde tryed in the fyre, that yu maiſt be ryche, and white raymente, that thou maiſt be cloothed, that thy filthy nakednes do not apeare &c.

Therfore, althoughe thou haſte gotten a name that thou liueſt, let it not diſceiue the: but obey to the word of god, turne frome youre Ignorance, and knowledge your ſynnes, caſte youre ſelues downe,Luke. 1. that the lord may lyft you vp and ſhew mercy vpon you: for he caſteth downe the proud, and exalteth the lowly. If ye thynke youre ſelues heyres with Chriſt and gods chyldren: where is youre loue and readye obedience, towarde his will? Where is the victorie which ye haue gotten againſt your fleſſhe, ſynne and the deuyll: the extreame enemies of vertue and godlynes, againſt whō at the tyme of your profeſſion and baptiſme, ye promyſed manfully to fighte, durynge the tyme of your lyues: and to renounce and vtterlye forſake Sathan, & all his workes. Boaſt not of the name onely (O ye chriſtened natiōs) but ſhew your deades, for that it is that muſt teſtify with you. Remembre therfore, from whence thou art fallen, O thou blynde and ignoraunte people, tourne to the lorde that thou maiſt be healed, knowledge thye ſynne which is greate, then ſhall it be forgeuen the. How longe write thou mocke with thy god, and beare a double hert, that goeth two waies: ye pretende in face to haue a greate zeale, and too be very feruent in the waye of the lorde, but youre hertes run after your couetouſe lucre, and daily ye walke in youre owne waies & lyue after your owne luſtes, and yet ye ſay, tuſſhe we be well inou •• he. When wilte thou leaue of O thou wilful nation and why wyll ye thus periſhe thorow your owne folly. Truly excepte ye doo repente, and tourn from your euyl waies (what name of holynes ſo euer ye haue) ye cānot be made the ſonnes or Children of god, becauſe ye haue refuſed ye way of life, nor yet receiue any inheritance in his euerlaſting kingdome:Ezec. 44. for this ſaith ye lord our mercifull god, of all the ſtraungers that dwell among ye chyldren of Iſrael. No ſtraunger, whoſe herte and fleſſhe is not circumcyſed, ſhall come with in my ſainctuary. Therfore, dear lye beloued and longed for, at my herte, I pray you, cut away your carnall deſires and fighte againſt your fleſhly luſtes, too ſubdu them: that ye dwel wt in ye holy ſainctuarye and receiue enheritaunce amonge ſonnes, and daughtours.Eſai. 1. Againe, this ſaith the lord, waſhe you, make you cleane, put away your euil thoughts out of my ſight, ceaſe from doyng euill and violence, learne to do right, apply your ſelues to equitie, deliuer the oppreſſed, helpe the fatherles to hys right, let the widowes cō plaint come before you &c. And is it not ſo then ſaith the lorde, though your ſinnes, be as red as ſcarlet, ſhal they not be whiter then ſnowe. And thoughe they were like purple, ſhal they not be like white wol? Is it ſo? If you belouinge and obedyent, ye ſhall enioy the beſt thinges that growe in ye land, but if ye be obſtinate and rebelliouſe ye ſhall be deuoured with the ſwerde,Leuiti. 26 for thus the lorde hath promiſed with his own mouth O ye named chriſtians, cōſider ye tyme paſte, preſent & to come loke your owne waies, & wander no longer aſtray, refuſe not the lighte of the gloriouſe goſpell of God, for it is the lyfe of your ſoules. Remembre ye long time of your captiuitie, whiche doubtles happened for your offences: ſurely it paſſeth far the bondage and captiuitie of ye Hebrues, or children of Iſrael in ye daies of Helyas, Helizeus, & Ieremie, and other prophetes, Ioſias, Ezechias, and many other kinges of Iſrael & Iuda, in whoſe tyme the people with their princes and prieſtes forſoke the law of ye lorde, & went a whoringe after ſtraunge goddes, & becauſe of their ſins, god gaue them vp to their own luſtes, and let them folowe their blynde Imagination, yet was not their fal lyke vnto thine, O Chriſtianitie nor their hurt to be compared wt thine: for thou haſte not onely exceaded in thy fall, but much more in the long tyme of thy myſerable captiuitie: and although thou be dayly called, yet haſt thou no mind to riſe & come to be made hole: ye hold the name of ye people of god (as they did) but few do ye deedes: ye hold ye ſacramentes ſignes,The ſacramentes be kepte, but the vertue is gone. and cerimonies appointed in the churche of God (as they ſaye) but ye haue loſte the ſtrengthe and vertue of them. For not with ſtandynge, youre daily miniſtration, both youre ſelues and the people, to whom ye miniſter, yea,Much labour loſte. bothe ye and they abide ſtyll in youre owne luſtes, which declare playnely that your ſynnes be nother forgeuen, nor taken awaye. Is it not becauſe ye are wicked, that your praiers be not hearde, as perfecte and holye mens haue bene before tyme? For wheare they praied and layde on theyr handes,Actes. 8 god affirmed their doinges, with his holy ſpirite: ſoo that they receyued knowledge and their vnderſtanſtyng was opened, and their mindes were obediente to the wyll of God. If the doinges of the Apoſtles had bene ſo vncerteine that no thynge thereof hadde appered outewardelye, ſaue onely wordes, all remayninge as before euery man in his owne waies: thinke ye they ſhould haue ben ſo well beloued, or if Chriſte at the mariage in Cana of Galile,Ihon. 2. had ſente the gouernoure of the feaſt, water to gyue his geſtes, in the ſteade of wyne (althoughe he had tolde theym it had bene good wine) and that they muſt vnder paine of damp nation ſo haue beleued, thynke ye it wolde haue beene ſo well accepted at hys hande? Where Chriſte, ye Prophetes, or Apoſtles, or any other in his name, and by his power and ſpirite, did anye miracle, wheather it were outwarde or inwarde, in healynge of the body,

The myracles of Chriſt and his apoſtles, were not onely in face and wordes, but were done in veritie: the ſignes be kepte, but the power is gone.

The ſacrifice of vngodly are abhominatiō before the lorde. Gene. 4.