The en­samples of Uer­tue and vice, gathe­red oute of holye scrip­ture. By Nicolas Hanape patriarch of Ierusalem. Uery necessarye for all christen men and wo­men to loke vpon.

¶ And Englyshed by Thomas Paynell.

Anno. 1561.

To the moste noble, most excellent, and mooste vertuous Lady Eliza­beth. Quene of Englande, Fraunce, and Irelande, defender of the faith. &c. Thomas Paynel wi­sheth all feli­city.

ALthough youre gracious life to all mens iudge­mentes, is so cleane and pure that it neade no maner of incita­tyon or ensample of vertue to vertuous & charitable liuinge: yet when I bethought me how corrupt, how caduke, how bryt­tle, and howe sliding from ver­tue [Page] to vice, mans nature is e­uen from the beginning, & with how diuers and manifold insti­gations the concupiscences and lustes of this deceitfull worlde doth embrace and intangle mā with all, and that our aduersa­ry the deuill is moste vigilante and diligente daily to deuoure the soul of manne, and to alure him to his waies and tradity­ons: [...]. Peter. 5. I estemed it irreprehensi­ble, if I your daily orator shuld at any tyme, I say not quicken youre grace, for tha [...] were but lost labor, but exhort your grace to the continuance of your god­ly and vertuous liuing, and iudged my sel [...] vnblameable, if I in this tempes [...]ious and blustryng time shuld send your grace, as it were an anker, or a staffe to stay you by, and fermely to stablyshe [Page] your grace, least that your gra­ce should (that God forbid) wa­uer or slide from the Catholike and true faith of God, from his true and liuelye worde, or from the trace of your charitable and vertuous liuinge. For who is sure to stand fast, and not to fal? Paule saith. Let him that stan­deth take heede he fall not. Or who can say, I am without syn, or my harte is cleane? What is more surer then to auoide thys fall, than to leane to thinfallible and mighty word of God, than to ensue the life of Christ our sa­uior & and redeamer, and the ensamples and vndoubted hystories, gathered out of holy scripture, & by me your highnes most ha­ble & obedient subiect trāslated for the vtilitye & consolation of the vnlearned into english: this [Page] is doubtlesse a verye profitable colection, and the anker & staffe that I spake of, containing most compendiously the wonderfull miracles, the noble historyes, the worthy actes, the wise say­inges, the politike stratagemes the wicked cōspiracies, the due obedience, faith and fidelitye of a christian, with other innume­rable and meruelous thynges, and y e parables of all scripture. Rede it therfore most gratious Ladye, and take good holde at the godlye ensamples and doc­trines there of, for in so doing, youre grace shall not neade to slide from the faithe of Christe, nor yet from the trace of youre godlye and vertuous life, but shall stand as Christes souldier against sathan, the worlde, and [Page] the flesh to your eternal felicity and comfort most victoriously. For where there is no pain nor battaile, there can be no victory nor no triumphe. For Sayncte Paule saithe, Act. 14. that we throughe muche tribulation and payne, must enter into the kingdom of God. And again he saithe, 2. Cor. 4 that this our tribulation and aduer­sity which is momentanye and light, prepareth an exceadynge and an eternall waight of glory vnto vs: yea and that a crowne of righteousnesse is laide vp for all those that suffer tribulation and aduersity, 1. Timo. 4. and haue fought a good fyghte, and haue kepte their faith, the which our Lord that is a righteous iudge shall geue vnto all theym that loue his comming. And for as much [Page] as this our slidinge life, is as it were but a warfare and a con­tinual battail against our ghostly enemi the deuil, fight ye must yea and that earnestly and con­tinually euen to the latter end, for so your grace shal ouerturne sathan your enemye moste victoriouslye, and be crowned with the crowne of eter­nal ioy and fe­licity.

¶An exhor­tation to the stu­dy of holy scripture.

THou shalt shewe thy sonne in that daye, saying. Deute. 12. Thys is that which our Lord did vnto me, when I came oute of Egipt. And it shall be as a signe vnto thee vpon thine hād, and for a remēbraunce before thine eyes, that our Lordes law may be alwayes in thy mouthe. For in a strong hand our lord brou­ght thee out of Egipt.

Ye shall not do that, that se­meth good in your owne eyes, Deute. 13. but that I commaund you, that do you only vnto our lorde, nor thou shalt put nought thereto, nor take ought there from.

[Page]Thou shalt read thys [...] lawe before al Israell in their eares. Deute. 31 Gather the people together, men, women, and chyldren, and the stranger that is within thy gates, that they may heare and learne, and fear our Lord your God. And kepe and obserue all the wordes of thys law.

Let not the boke of this law depart oute of thy mouthe, but record therin day and nyghte, that thou maist obserue and do according to al that is wrytten therin, for then thou shalt make thy waye prosperous, and then shalte thou doe wiselye. Iosu. 1. Thou shalt not decline from the wor­des of thys law neyther to the ryght hand, nor to the left, that thou maist do al thinge wiselye that thou takest in hand.

[Page]All the wordes of God are pure and clean, for he is a shield vnto all them, Prouer. 30. that putte theyr trust in him. Put thou nothyng vnto hys wordes, leaste he re­proue thee, and thou be found a lier.

Crye nowe as loud as thou canste, leaue not of, lyfte vp thy voyce lyke a trompet, and shew my people theyr offences, Esay. 58 and the house of Iacob their sinnes.

Wo be vnto those folish pro­phets that followe theyr owne spirite, Ezech. 13 and speake where they se nothing.

Searche the scriptures, Iohn. 5. for they are they, whych testifye of me.

What so euer thynges are wrytten, 1. Mat. 15. they are wrytten for our learning, that we thorowe [Page] pacyente and comforte of the scriptures, might haue hope.

2. Timo. 4.Al scripture geuen by inspi­ration of God, is profytable to teache, to improue, to amende, and to instruct in rightwisenes that the man of God maye be perfecte and prepa­red vnto al good workes.

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¶ A Table of the Chapiters.

i.
OF miracles shewed by y e deuine power of God.
ii.
Of Gods prouidence, & secreate iudgementes.
iii.
Of the benignitye of God, to­ward his seruauntes.
iiii.
Of deuine consolation.
v.
Of the benediction and blessing that God geueth vnto manne.
vi.
Of the malediction and curse, wherwyth God curseth man.
vii.
Of the blessing wherwyth man blesseth God.
viii.
Of the benediction and blessing wherwith man doth blesse mā
ix.
Of the malediction and curse, wherwith man doth curse mā
x.
Of the seuerity of God agaynst the wicked.
xi.
Of the anger and fury of God.
xii.
That God dothe more regarde the intent of the doer, then the worke it self.
xiiii.
That God at times doth tempt [Page] and proue man.
xiiii.
That mā should not tēpt god.
xv.
Of vowes.
xvi.
Of prayer.
xvii.
Of wepyng and wayling.
xviii.
Of swearing.
xix.
Of the obseruation & kepynge of the saboth day,
xx.
Of the reuerence that oughte to bee done and exhibyted to Gods temple.
xxi.
Of the adoration and worshippyng of God.
xxii.
Of Idolatry.
xxiii.
Of blasphemy againste God.
xxiiii.
Of Gods preceptes and com­maundementes, and of the obseruation & keping of thē.
xxv.
Of obedience & disobedyence.
xxvi.
Of holy scripture.
xxvii.
Of good exhortation, and pre­dication of the word of God.
xxviii.
Of euel counsels & perswasiōs
xxix.
Of hearing the word of God.
xxx.
Of apparicions and vysyons, shewed in the old time.
xxxi.
Of good angels.
[Page]xxxii.
Of euil sprites.
xxxiii.
Of the immortality of the rea­sonable soule.
xxxiiii.
Of the faith that man shoulde haue vnto God.
xxxv.
Of the fidelity that oughte to be kept to man.
xxxvi.
Of quietnesse and illustration of the mynde.
xxxvii.
Of longanimity.
xxxviii.
Of the feare of God.
xxxix.
Of feare where wyth the euel fear those that be good.
xl.
Of the loue of God.
xli
Of the loue that man ought to haue to hys neighbor.
xlii.
Of enuy.
xliii.
Of brotherly reprehention.
xliiii.
Of the compassyon that man should haue to his neighbor.
xlv.
Of hospitality.
xlvi.
Of amity and loue.
xlvii.
Of enmity and hatred.
xlviii
Of peace and concord.
xlix.
Of vnity and common consēt.
l.
Of discord, strife, and debate.
li.
Of good zeale against sinners.
[Page]lii.
Of vndyscreate zeale.
liii
Of prudency and dyscretion.
liiii
Of deceyt and subtelty.
lv
Of the erudytyon of chyldren.
lvi
That it is a pearillous thyng, not to agre to good counsel.
lvii
Of suspition, and falscredulity
lviii
That holy and good men suf­fer certaine thinges to be done but not gladly.
lix.
Of iustice and equity.
lx.
Of the good and euell iudge­mentes of men.
lxi
Of penaun [...]e.
lxii
Of the honor of parents.
lxiii
Of thankes geuing for the be­nefites of God.
lxiiii
Of gratitude for the benefites of man accepted.
lxv
Of ingratitude.
lxvi
That truth engendreth hatred
lxvii
Of lies and leasyuges.
lxviii
Of treason.
lxix
Of adulatyon and flatery.
lxx.
Of derysyon and contumely­ous reprofe.
lxxi.
Of detractors & euil speakers
[Page]lxxii
Of liberaliti, merci, [...]
lxxiii
Of couetusnes.
lxxiiii
Of pouertye.
lxxv
Of hipocrisie & dissimulatio [...]
lxxvi.
Of the receate of gyftes a [...] rewardes.
lxxvii
Of fortitude and.
lxxviii.
Of cōfidence & magnanimity.
lxxix.
Of pacience and mekenes in Iniuris and tormentes.
lxxx.
Of constancy & continuaunce in purposes.
lxxxi.
Of bodely warre, & victorye most commenly obtayned.
lxxxii.
Of impacience & murmuring
lxxxiii.
Of pusillanimitye.
lxxxiiii
Of fortitude and strengthe to do euyll.
lxxxv.
Of murther.
lxxxvi.
Of diuers slaughters o men.
lxxxvii.
Of abstinens and sobrietye.
lxxxviii
Of gluttonye & dronkennesse.
lxxxix.
Of matrimony.
lxxxx.
Of chastity.
xci.
Of luxuriusnes & incōtinency
xcii.
Of vnwyse lookes.
xciii.
Of silence and clatterynge.
[Page]xciiii.
Of carnall affection.
cxv.
Of the ire and anger of man, thrugh zele and loue.
xcvi.
Of the anger of man through vice.
xcvii.
Of humilitye.
xcviii.
Of pride.
xcix.
Of vayne hosting & crakinge.
C
Of elections.
Ci.
Of good prynces & prelates.
Cii.
Of euyll prynces & prelates.
Ciii.
Of ambitious persons.
Ciiii.
Of the deuels temptation.
Cv.
Of sinne in generall, & of dy­uers paines whiche folow sin
Cvi.
Of confessyon of synnes.
Cvii.
Of the hardnesse, and obstina­cye of the wycked.
Cviii.
Of y e peruersity of certen mē.
Cix.
Of the wyckednes of tirantes
Cx.
Of the oppression of the good by the euyll.
Cxi.
Of tribulation, and vtility. &c
Cxii.
Of the multitude of euyl men
Cxiii
Of good men whych lurked, & wer as vnknown amōg y e euil
Cxiiii.
Of the nobility & inconstancy [Page] of the people.
Cxv.
Of good operations & workes
Cxvi.
Of mans intention, in doyng of hys workes.
Cxvii.
Of slothfulnes and negligēce.
Cxviii
Of the good towardnesse of chyldren.
Cxix.
Of the societye and felowshyp of good men.
Cxx.
Of the societye and felowshyp of euell men.
Cxxi.
Of good prosperity.
Cxxii.
Of worldly curyosyty.
Cxxiii
Of the great faith of wemen.
Cxxiiii
Of the wisedome of wemen.
Cxxv.
Of the pietye & compassion of of wemen.
Cxxvi.
Of the fortitude and strength of wemen.
Cxxvii
Of the auidity & gredynesse of wemen.
cxxviii
Of the deceytfulnes of wemen
Cxxix.
Of the folyshe and vndiscreate communication of wemen.
Cxxx.
Of the superfluous ornaments and rayment of wemen.
[Page]Cxxxi.
Of death in generall.
Cxxxii.
Of sepultures and buryals.
cxxxiii.
Of the horrible death and &c
cxxxiiii
Of the pretious death of. &c.

Imprinted at London by Ihon Tisoale, dwelling in Knyght Riders streat. Cum priuilegio ad imprimen­dum solum.

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Of Miracles shewed by the deuine power of God. ¶The first Chapter.

THe creatyon of thynges was so meruelous, that the knowledge thereof coulde not come to man, but by reuelation. For after the minde of S. Gregory, Greg. super zac. home­li. 1. Moses prophecied of those thinges that wer past, saying. In the beginninge God created heauen and earth. Genesis. 1. Nor that, because he forspoke the thinges that were to come, but because he disclo­sed those thinges that were seacreat.

At the time of Noyes floude, Gene. 6.7. oure Lord saued Noah, his wife, his three sonnes with their wiues: and in the Arke he saued the male & the female of all other beastes.

Our Lord repressed the presump­teousnesse of men, Gene. 11. that would builde [Page] a tower vnto heauen: confoundinge their language.

Genesis. 22Isaac was wonderfully born, and wonderfully deliuered, when that he (the ram being caught by the hornes in a thicket) shoulde haue bene offred vp for a sacrifice.

Exod. 7.8.9. and .10.It is euidente and playne inoughe how many miracles our Lord shew­ed by Moyses, when he broughte the Children of Israel out of Egipt.

Exodus. 13.It was a greate miracle, that the Pyllare of the cloude departed not from the Children of Israell goynge oute of Egipte towardes the land of promesse, neither by daye, nor yet by nighte.

Exodus. 14It was a terrible, and a Myracle worthye to be spoken of, that the red sea was deuided, and so dried vp, that the children of Israel went ouer drye footed, and the Egyptyans ouer­whelmed in the myddest of the sluds.

Exodus. 15By the woode or tree shewed vn­to Moyses, the waters were made sweete.

Numer. 11.Oure Lorde sente quailes to the [Page] murmuring people, Nume. 20. and afterwards it rained Manna for them to eat, and oute of the rocke, he sent them water plenteously to drincke.

Our Lorde sent fleshe to the chyl­dren of Israel, Numer. 20 the whiche in the wil­dernes murmured and desired to eat flesh euen aboundauntly.

Through thoccasion of Chore and his fellowes sedition, Nu. 16.17. many miracles chaunced and was shewed.

The people wer smitten or stinged with fiery serpentes, Numer. 21. and loking vp­on the serpente of brasse, they were cured and healed.

Our Lorde led the children of Is­raell in the wildernesse fortye yeare, Deute. 26. and theyr clothes waxed not old, nor their shoes were not consumed vpon their fete.

Ther was a certain man at Listra the which was a crepel from his mo­thers wombe, Actes. 14. and neuer had walked vnto whome Paul loking vpon him, saide with a loude voyce. Stande vp­right on thy fete, and he start vp and walcked.

[Page] Nume. xxiiBalaam commyng to curse gods people, was reproued of the asse, that he rode vpon.

Iosu. iii.After that the children of Israell were entred into the floud of Iordan, the waters that came downe from a­boue, did swell and rise vp vppon an heape like a mountaine, and the wa­ters that were beneath departed into the dead or salt Sea.

Iosue, vi.After that the children of Israell had compassed the city of Iericho vii. times, the wall fell downe.

Iosu. x.Our Lord obeyed to Io [...]ues vow, sayinge. Sunne stand thou still vpon Gabeon.

Iosu, vii.Our Lord sent the sweard into al the hostes of the Medianites, & they slue one a nother: so that by a fewe, many were ouercommed and discom­fited.

iii. Reg. v.By our Lordes Arke, the whiche the Philistines toke, were many mi­racles shewed.

i. Reg. xiiiiIonathas and his Harnesse bea­rer destroyed so manye of the Phili­stines, that it was taken for a myra­cle, [Page] and al the hostes were troubled.

This likewise was no smal thing that Dauid, 1. regum. 17 beinge but yonge, inex­pert and vnarmed, preuailed against that stronge and armed Philistiane Goliah.

It is red, 3. regum. 17 that Helias did miracles, as when he asked of God such a drou­ght, that it rained not vpon thearth, for the space of thre yeres and a half.

Likewise the rauens brought him bread and flesh twise euery day. 3. regum. 17

Consequentlye he reuiued the wo­mans childe. 3. regum. 17

Afterward through praiers, 3. regum. [...]8 he ob­tained of God fire, that wonderfully consumed the burnt sacrifice, and af­ter hys Prayer there was a greate raine.

After this the angell of oure Lorde shewed him breade and water. 4. regum. 1. And throughe his praiers, the fire burnte vp ii. captains ouer fiftye with theyr fiftyes.

At length he deuided the waters of Iordan with his mantel, 4. regum. 2 and was ta­ken vp in a charet of fire into heauē.

[Page] 4. regu. 4.Many like thinges are wrytten of Helizeus, for the increased the poore widowes oyle, that was indetted.

4 regu. 4.The selfe obtained a childe for the sunamite. And after it was departed he reuiued it againe.

4. regu. 4.He cast meale into the pottage that was firste bitter, and made it sweete. And multiplied the loues for the pro­phets children.

4. regum. 5.He healed Naaman the Sirian of his leprosy.

4. regum. 6He maketh yron to swim vpon the water.

4. regum. 6He knew many thinges being ab­sent, as though he had bene present. And caused his seruaunt to see the fi­ry charets of Aungels. And he smote the hoastes of the Assiryans wyth blindnesse.

4. reg. 7.8Uery often he prognosticated thin­ges that were to come.

4. regu. 13.The carkase of a certain dead man touchinge the bodye of Elizeus reui­ued.

4. regu. 19.Whan king Sennacherib besieged the city of La [...]his, three were slayne [Page] of his men in one night, an hundred, foure score and fiue thousande, in the daies and time of king Ezechiell.

The children of Ammon, 2. Para. 20. of Moab, & of the mount of Seir, gathered thē selues together against kinge Iosa­phat, and what time the Leuites be­gan to laud and praise GOD in the hoast of Iosaphat, their aduersaries tourninge theyr weapons agaynste them selues, and murthered one an other.

Thys thynge was verye maruai­lous, 4. reg. 20 that the Sunne at the peticy­on of Ezechia wente ten lines or de­grees backewarde in the Dyall of Achaz.

Tobias was foure yeares blinde, Tob. 11. but afterwardes by the angels coun­sell, he annoynted his eyes wyth the gall of the Fishe, and receyued hys sighte.

The myracle of Daniels three fellowes, Daniel. 3. and howe magnificentlye they were deliuered from the fornace of burning fire, is worthye to be re­membred.

[Page] Daniell. 6.Likewise how that Daniel remai­ned vii. daies with the Lions vnhur­ted.

Ionas. 1.2.By Ionas occasion, the Sea was sore troubled, but after they had cast him into the Sea, a fishe swallowed him vp, and he liued there thre dais, and afterwardes escaped and came out safe and sounde.

2. Macha. 3Heliodorus proued the mighte and power of God, when he woulde haue spoyled the temple. For he was bea­ten and scourged of two yonge men very greuously.

2. Macha. 8There pearished againste the Ga­lathians in Babilon .6000. menne throughe the aid of 12000. men sente vnto them from heauen.

Luke. 1.The Angell of our Lord appeared vnto Zachary, declaringe vnto hym from God, that Helizabeth his baren and old wife shuld beare him a sonne, the which geuinge no credence to the Aungels wordes, was made domme vntil the childe was circumcised: and then his speache was restored him a­gaine.

[Page]And this was very maruelous that Ihon, Luke. 1. being yet in his mothers wōb reioysed and sprange at the salutati­on of blessed Mary, the whiche hadde newly conceiued oure sauioure. And when blessed Elizabeth knewe it, she reioysed, saying. Blessed arte thou a­mong women.

And also that there came wise men from the East to Ierusalem, Mathe. 2. a starre leading and going before them.

Oure Lorde Iesus beinge called to the marriage, Ihon. 2. at the beginnynge of hys miracles, tourned water into wine.

Nor this was no small miracle of our Lord, Luke. 4. that he whan they of Na­zareth filled with wrathe led him e­uen to the edge of the hill, that they mighte caste him downe headlonge, went hys way euen thorow the mid­dest of them.

And Iesus wente aboute, Math. 4. and they brought vnto him all sicke people, & he healed them.

As for the miracles which oure sa­uioure vouchsaued to do beinge con­uersaunt [Page] amonge the people, are ga­thered out of the Euangelicall histo­rye. For he reuiued thre deade men, that is the Doughter of Ia [...]rus the Archsinagoge, Math. 9. and the widowes sōne that was caried oute of the Citye. Luke. 7. The thyrde was Lazarus. Ihon. 11. After that he healed a leuen leapers. Of the one Math. viii. Luke. v. Of the other ten. Luke. xvii.

Afterwardes he gaue syxe blynde men theyr syght. Of two Math. ix. of other two. Math. xx. Of one other. Mark. viii. Of hym that was borne blinde. Ihon. ix.

He deliuerd vii. specially that wer possessed of Deuils. Of two of them. Mathew. viii. Of the one of them, the whyche was mooste famous, whose name as he saide was called Legio, is touched. Luke. viii. Of one other, the whyche was blinde and dumme. Math. xii. Of a certaine Lunatyke, the whiche coulde not bee delyuered but by Prayer and Fastinge. Math. xvii. Marke. ix. And of an other vn­cleane spirite that was caste oute of [Page] a manne in the Iewes Synnagoge. Marke. i. Luke. iiii. and of the woman of Cananes doughter, that was hea­led at the instaunce and praier of her mother. Math. xv.

Furthermore it is shewed after the sence of the letter. Luke viii. that he caste oute seuen deuils out of Marye. Marke. xvii.

When that Simōs mother in law was taken and vexed wyth a greate Feuer, Luke. 4. he rebuked the Feuer, and immediatlye she arose and ministred vnto them. Math. viii. Mar. i.

He healed a manne (whyche was let downe thorowe the tilinge) of the Palsey. Lu. 5.

Also as he was eating in the Pha­rises house on the Sabboth daye, Luk. 14 he healed hym that had the dropsy.

And he erected and made straighte the woman that bowed together, Lu. 13 and could in no wise loke vpwardes, nor lift vp her heade.

He caused the man that had a wy­thered hande, mar. 3. to stretche forthe hys hande.

[Page] Math. 8.He healed also the Captaines ser­uaunte, that laye sick of the palsy.

Mar. 7.Item he made the dumme to speake and the deafe to heare.

Ihon. 4.He healeth the rulers sonne of Ca­pernaum that was euen at the poynt of death.

Mar. 15.He caused by the only touchinge of the hemme of his garmente, the issue of bloud to cease and to be stopped in the woman.

Mar. 4.Our Lorde being a sleepe, there a­rose a greate tempest or storme in the s [...]a, he rebuked the windes, and eft­sones the winde and the Sea obeyed hym.

math. 14.He walked on the sea, his disciples wondering there at, and he made Pe­ter to walcke on the water, and stret­ching forth his hand, he saued Peter that began to sinke.

Mar. 9.He shewed a faire miracle to those three Discyples in hys Transfygu­ration.

mar. 6.He satisfied with v. loues and two fishes, fiue thousande men, and they toke vp xii. baskets.

[Page]At another time and season he re­freshed with seuen loues and a fewe litle fishes [...]oure thousand men, Math. 15 and they toke vp vii. baskets full.

He cursed the Figge tree hauynge leaues only without frute, Math. 21 and incō ­tinently it withered away.

Gently he restored the princes ser­uaunte his eare that Peter smote of, Math. 26. and checked Peter for the same.

When that oure sauiour was han­ging vpon the Crosse, from the syxte houre to the ninthe houre, Luke. 23. there was darknesse ouer all the earth, the none being on the contrary part of y e skye, so that the Sunne coulde in no wyse suffer any Eclipse by that mone. math. 27. And the vaile of the temple did rente, and the graues did open.

At the resurrection and vprising of our Lord, math. 28. there was a greate earth­quake, for the aungell of oure Lorde descended from heauē, and came and rouled backe the stone. &c. and for fear the kepers were astonied.

After this he appeared to his disci­ples, Ihon. 20. the dores being shut.

[Page] Ihon. 21.Afterward did Iesus shew him self agayn at the Sea of Tiberias, wher at his Commaundemente they caste oute theyr nette, and it was fylde wyth greate Fyshes, a hundred and liii. yet was not the net broken.

And xl. daies after his resurrection, appearinge vnto hys Disciples, and rebukinge and instructynge theym, Actes. 1. while they beheld and maruailed, he was taken vp an hie, and a cloud re­ceiued him vp out of their sight.

These forsaide myracles are spokē of in speciall. Manye other were done (as we read) in general. As it appea­reth in dyuers places of Mathewe. Ihon. 21. Marke and Luke. And Ihon saythe: That there are many other thinges, whiche Iesus did, the whyche if they shuld be wrytten, I suppose y e worlde coulde not containe the bookes that should be wrytten.

Act [...]s. 2.It was no small miracle of the ef­fusion of the holy sprite, vpon the disciples at Pentecost, where with the disciples were fortified, made sted­fast, and illuminated.

[Page]Peter beholdynge a lame man at the gate of the Temple, Actes. 3 whyche was called beautifull, sayde: In the name of Iesus rise vp, and walke, and ta­kinge him by the right hand, he lifte him vp, and his fete and ancle bones recouered strengthe.

The chiefe prieste, Actes. 5 and al they that were wyth hym, layde handes on the Apostles, and putte them in the common Prysonne. But the Aun­gell of oure Lorde by nyghte opened the pryson dores, and brought them forthe.

They broughte the sycke into the streates, Actes. 5 and layed them on Beddes and cowches, that at the least waye, the shadowe of Peter, when he came by, myghte shaddowe some of them. There came also a multytude oute of the cities round about, and they were all healed.

When Phillip preached at Sama­ria, Act. 8. vncleane sprites, crying w t loude voices came out of many, and many taken with Palsies, and manye that halted, were healed.

[Page] Actes. 9.Peter healed one Eneas which had kept his bed of the palsey viii. yeres. He said vnto him, Eneas? our Lorde Iesu shall make thee whole.

Actes. 9.Peter put all other forth, and kne­ling downe, he prayed, and turninge him to the body, he said: Tabitha, a­rise, and she opened her eies, and whē she saw Peter, she sate vp.

Actes. 9.This was a maruelous dede, that as Saule was going to Damasco, to take Christes disciples, there shyned round aboute him a lighte from hea­uen, and he fel to the earth. Inward­ly he was illuminated, and outward­ly he was blineded.

Actes. 12.Peter being in prison, bound with two chaines, and kept most diligent­lye with iiii. quaternions of Souldi­ours, was losed and brought forth by the Angell of God, and the yron gate opened to thē by the owne accord.

Actes. 13.Paule did depriue Elimas the sor­cerer and false prophet of his syghte, because he sought to turne Paule the Proconsul and ruler from the faithe: and resysted agaynste the Apostels,

[Page]A certaine damsell possessed with a spirite that prophecied, broughte her master and mistres muche vauntage with prophecying. The same folow­ed Paul and Luke, Actes. 16. and cryed, saying: These men are the seruauntes of the most hie God. But Paule said to the spirit, I commaund thee in the name of Iesu, that thou come oute of her, and he came out the same hour.

Paule and Silas were in pryson, and prayed, Actes. 16. and lauded God. And so­denly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundation of the prysone was shaken, and immediately all the dores opened, and euerye mannes bandes were losed.

God wrought no smal miracles by the handes of Paule: so that from his bodye were broughte vnto the sycke, Actes. 19. napkins and partlettes, and the dis­eases departed from them, and the e­uel sprites went out of them.

Certaine Iewes toke vpon them to [...]al ouer them, Actes. 19. which had euel sprites [...]he name of our Lord Iesus, saying: we adiure you by Iesu whom Paule [Page] preacheth. And the euell sprite aun­swered and said. Iesus I knowe, and Paule I know, but who are ye? & the man in whom the euil sprite was ran on them, and preuailed against them, so that they fledde awaye naked and wounded.

And vpon one of the sabboth daies Paule preached, and continued the preachinge vnto midnight. Actes. 20. And ther satte in a windowe a certaine yonge manne, beinge fallen into a deade sleepe. And ouercome wyth sleape, he fell downe from the thyrde lofte, and was taken vp dead. But when Paul went downe, he fell on hym, and em­brased him. And they broughte the yonge man a liue, and were not a ly­tle comforted.

And in the Winter when Paule and his fellowes were scaped oute of the broken ship, Actes. 28. and were warminge them at the fire. There came a viper oute of the heate, and caught hym by the hande, he shoke the viper into the [...]ire, and felt no harme. How be it the menne of that countrye loked and be­leued [Page] that he shoulde haue fallen down dead sodenly.

Paule by prayer and by laying his handes on the father of Publius, Actes. 28. de­liuered him of a feuer, and of a blou­dye [...]lixe. So when this was done, o­ther also which had diseases in the ile came and were healed.

¶Of Goddes prouidence and secreat iudgementes. ¶The second Chapter.

OUr Lord knewe that man wold sinne, Genes. 1. & yet he made him inclining there vnto, when that he might haue made him wythoute anye suche inclinatyon or promptnesse to sinne at all. But he knew how great profite and goodnesse should ensue, & begotten by the occasion of his fall.

Iacobs sōnes did decre and purpose to extinguishe Ioseph theyr brother, Genesis. 27 but yet God disposinge the thinge o­therwise, they exaulted him farre a­boue them selues.

[Page]Iacob whē he blessed Iosephs chil­dren (Ioseph wandering and beynge ignoraunt of the cause) laid his right hand on Ephraims hed, Genesis. 48 and hys left hand vpon Manasses.

Exod. [...].3After that Moises had smitten and slaine the Egiptian, and by the way of rebultinge of a Iewe, had offended him, he fled from the face of Phara [...]e and as a banished man, dwelt manye yeares in the countrye of Madian, so that it was thought that he durst ap­peare no more in the land of Egipte, and yet by keping there his father in lawes shepe, he had a more greater occasion to serue God, and sawe that greate vision, and was sente by God to the children of Israell, and to Pha­rao.

Exod. 5.6Our Lord knew ful wel, that Pha­rao would not obey his commaunde­mentes, and yet he caused him to bee required and spoken to by Moyses.

Exod. [...].Our Lord or euer he would bringe the children of Israel out of Egipte, permitted and suffred them a longe time & oftē to be afflicted & punished.

[Page]Pharaos wise menne, and his en­chaunters did throughe Gods suffe­raunce, Exod. 7 as great signes, as touching certaine of them in Egypte, as Moy­ses did.

Our Lord dothe permit and suffer the reproued to be indurate, Exod. 9 and hys elected to be afflicted, thereby to do y t is wonderfull, and to bee the better knowen and praised.

Our Lorde did oftentimes promise the children of Israel, Nume. xii [...] a country that floweth with milke and honye, and yet but two of them, Saleph and Io­sue of twenty yeres of age, came thy­ther: the reast came not thyther, but their children only.

Moses the which did so often times reconcyle the synnefull people vnto oure Lorde, did once sinne at the wa­ter of strife, Nume. 20 nor he obtained not for him selfe, to enter the lande of pro­mission.

In that, that the children of Israell for their iniquity remained more thē xl. yeres in the desert.

Oure Lorde was thereby greatlye [Page] magnified, Deute. 29. the which did feede them there so longe, and kept their raimēt from wearing, and at the last did wō ­derfully bring them into the lande of promesse.

Of the people that did inhabite the lande of promesse, Iosu. xi thys was our Lor­des commaundemente and sentence, that theyr hartes should be hardened and that they shoulde come agaynste Israell in battaile, and vtterlye to be destroyed, and that no mercy shoulde bee shewed them, but that they shuld pearish, and be brought to nought.

After that Gedeon hadde obtay­ned and wonne so maruelous a vyc­torye of hys ennemyes, Iudi. 8. and hadde refused to raigne ouer the people, he made an Ephod, the which dede was the decaye and ruine of him selfe and his housholde.

Oure Lorde was greued with the children of Israell for their iniquitye and wickednesse, Iudi. 10. and said vnto them, I wyll healpe you no more, goe and crye vnto the Goddes which ye haue chosen.

[Page]And they saide vnto oure Lorde: We haue sinned. Then there folow­eth that our Lorde had pi [...]ye on theyr misery.

Sampson, Iudi. 16 the aungell bryngynge the message, was conceiued of his mother the whyche was barren. And af­terwardes he was often times decey­ued by women, and at the laste, hee was destroyed by the ruine and fal of a house.

The children of Israel by the counsaile and will of oure Lorde, Iudi. 20 foughte twise with the children of Beniamin, and were ouercome, but afterwardes they vtterly in a maner destroid them

Our Lord suffred the Arke to be ta­ken of the vncircumcised, 1. regum. 6. where hee shewed many miracles. And when it was reduced & brought home agayne the mē of Bethsames receiued it ioy­fully, and yet our Lord siue 70. of the Princes, & 5000. of the cōmen people.

Among al the people ther was none better then Saule, 1. regum. 15 when oure Lorde chose him, & yet afterwardes he syn­ned, and our Lord refused him.

[Page]Dauid was the least among al his brethren, 1. regum. 16 and as it wer of no reputa­tyon amonge thē. So y t when I sais children were called for, this Dauid was neglected, and contempned, and yet our Lord gouerned all the people by him, and for his cause extolled all his progeny and kindred.

1. regum. 28This is much to be maruailed at, that Samuel the prophet was called vp by a sorcerer. Sainte Augustyne saithe, in his boke de doctrina christiana, that it was the similitude & Image of Samuel, but not the Prophet hym self, nor yet his spirite, for he appea­red by the sacrilegious art and crafte of the deuil.

It is to be noted how expresly oure Lord spake vnto Nathan of the good­nes of Dauid and Salomon his sone, [...]. regum. 7. the which should build the temple, & yet bothe they fell into iniquitye and sinne, most shamefully.

When Dauid should die, he made a maruelous ordinaunce, 3. regum. 2. but for as muche as the scripture dothe so com­mend him, it is to be supposed, not­withstanding [Page] he was partlye cruell, that yet he did it not, without a iust & a reasonable cause.

Our Lord gaue Salomon so great prosperity and peace, 3. regum. 11. that sathā was not against him, and he gaue him wisdome aboue all other kinges, and yet at length our Lord suffered him to be in satuated, depraued, and manye ad­uersaries to bee stirred vp agaynste hym.

Ieroboam by our Lordes comman­demente spoken and declared by the Prophet Esay, 3. regum. 1 [...]. was ordained & made chefe ruler of ten tribes, the whyche afterwardes yet induced the people malitiously to Idolatry.

ALyon slue the manne of God, 3. regum. 13. the whiche foretolde Hieroboam the de­struction of the aultare, nor he did not eate, nor yet touch the carkase of the dead.

Notwithstandyng that Achab was a man mooste wycked, iii. Reg. xxi and had harde say that he should be afflicted and punished for his trespasses, yet he began outwardlye to repent, and our Lorde [Page] deferd his paine and punishment.

4. regum. 1.This was verye terrible and fear­ful, that Helias caused the ii. captains and their l. men to be consumed & de­uoured vp with the Fire that came downe from heauen.

4. regu. 10.Iehu king of Israel with most fer­uent zele did so persecute the worshippers of Baall, that oure Lorde dyd commend his doinges: and yet he de­parted not frō Ieroboams Idolatry.

Kynge Manasses did many terrible and euil deedes in Ierusalem, 2. Para. 33 after­wardes he was bound with chaines, and caried to Babilon, and doing pe­naunce, he called vpon our Lord, and was heard.

After that king Iosias had ledde a most holy life, 1. Par. 35 he went forth to fighte against Necho the king of Egipt, say­inge vnto him, leaue of to meddle a­gainst god which is with me, least he destroy thee, but he harkned not vnto the words of Necho out of the mouth of god, and his chance was but euyl, for he being pearced, and shot thorow with dartes and arrowes, pearished [Page] and died.

Our Lord suffred the holy, elect, & specially beloued city, and his peculi­are people, the which he brought wō derfully by the desert out of Egipte, into the lande of promise, Tob. 13. to be ouer [...]nd and takē by the Chaldeans and Assirians. And it semed that he lyttle estemed thē, for it is wrytten. O geue thankes vnto our Lorde, ye children of Israell. For amonge the heathen which know him not hathe he scatte­red you, to thintente that ye shoulde shew forthe his maruelous workes, and cause them to know that there is none other God but he.

Tobias after such holy and mercy­ful woorkes in whiche he was verye carefull and diligente, Tob. 2 waxed blinde, and his kinsfolkes and frendes offen­ded therwith, and not perceiuing the cause therof, derided, and laughed him to scorne.

It might be reputed & thought very meruailous, Iudi, i.ii. why y e oure Lord suffred that wicked Holofernes to subdue so many realmes and kingdomes.

[Page]Also of Aman, the whiche of all o­ther was mooste proudest and mooste crueltest, Esth. 3. and yet nexte vnto the king he was exalted aboue all other pryn­ces.

Iob. 1. [...].Iobes frendes wondred, and were euen ashamed, that they sawe hym so greuously afflicted and punished.

The deuine iustice doth punishe e­uel mē at somtimes by those that are worse then they them selues, Esay. 10 as he punished the chidlren of Israell and Iuda by Nabuchodonozor, and the Cauldes. As the prophet Osay wry­teth, wo be vnto Assur, whiche is a rod of my wrath.

Romayn. 13.Our Lorde dothe not sette princes and prelates vppon those onlye that are faithfull and good, but vppon all people. For there is no power but of God.

Ionas. [...]Our Lorde commaunded Ionas to preache. There are yet xl. daies, and then shall Nin [...]ue bee ouerthrowen. And yet our Lord knew that the Ni­niuites would do penaunce, and that they shuld not be so punished.

[Page]Our Lorde suffred that Antiochus shuld make that venerable and reue­rent temple prophane: 1. macha. 1. burne the holy citye, and make greate slaughter of Innocentes.

In the daies and time of Antiochus Epiphanius, 1. Macha. 6 the which destroyed the Temple, and made it Prophane, did cruelly handle many of y e Iewes, and slue them. It mighte apeare and seme to manye, that the whole world was in a confusion, and euil ordained and ruled. But for all that our Lorde out of those euils, could bring the pu­nishmente of the wicked, and the cor­ruption of certain other. And againe the vertue and merites of manye of those that were slaine, were diuersly increased.

I pray those that heare this, to con­sider, howe that Iudas Machabeus, Ionathas, 1. Macha. 9. 1. Mach. 10 and Simon hys brethren were men towardes God and menne most valiaunt and most faythful: and yet they died but miserably. For Iu­das was slaine in battayle agaynste Bacchides. Triphon slue Ionathan [Page] & his two sōnes. 1 Macha. 16 Ptolomeus y e sonne of one Sabolde slue proditoriously Simon and his two sonnes which were dronken.

It is to be wondred at, 2. Mac. 6.7 that GOD, when Eleazarus being so old a man, and the vii. brethren, suffred such cru­ell tormentes for the law of God, dyd shew no vengaunce ther, against the tyrauntes.

Math. 2.Our Lorde, beynge yet but a child, would be conueyed from the presence and face of Herode, and suffred the Innocentes to be slaine in hys place. But in that, he prouided well for the infantes, for they shoulde neuer haue had so much profite, if herode had in­deuerd him self to haue honoured thē as they had by that, that he commaū ­ded them to be slaine.

Our Lord when he hard the faith of the Centurion, he maruailed, and saide to them that followed him. math. 8. Ma­ny shal come from the East and west and shall reast with Abraham and I­saac and Iacob in the kyngdome of heauen, but the Chyldren of thys [Page] kingdome shall be caste oute into vt­ter darcknesse.

A certaine Scribe offred hym selfe to followe oure Lorde, math. 8. and was not admitted. Luke. 9. He inuited an nother to followe hym, the whyche semed not to bee willynge. For he sayde. Suf­fer me fyrste to goe and burye my fa­ther.

Our Lord did miracles in Chora­sin and Bethsaida, Math. 11 where they profi­ted but litle. But he did none in Tire or Sidon, where if he had done them, they shuld haue ben profitable & haue done much good.

God suffred Ihon Baptist thexam­ple of all holinesse to be beheaded of Herode the moste vilest aduouterer. mar. 6. But it encreaseth the astonishmente of man, for as much as it was done at the instance of an harlot, nor we read not in the gospel, that there insued a­ny variaunce, neither against the dā ­sel, nor against the aduoutrer, nor yet against Herode the Tetrarche.

In our Lordes passion, God, as cō ­cernynge the redemption of mākind, [Page] fulfilled his most benigne will by the moste celerate and wicked iniquity of men. Actes. 3 For scripture saith God whych before had shewed, by the mouthe of all hys Prophettes how that Christe shoulde suffer, hathe thus wyse ful­filled.

Ihon. 18.Peter the Prince of the Apostles, and heade of the Churche, denied his master thryse, Christe sufferinge the same.

Ihon. 11.Thomas, the whiche saide so con­fedently. Let vs go, that we may dye with him, doubted of our Lordes re­surrection, whereof it came that Pe­ter was the more meke and gentle to sinners, and that the faithfull, and they that stackard in the faithe, were the better stablished there in. And of this it is gathered, that no manne should presume vpon his stedfastnes. And that no man, whether he be fal­len from his faith, or doubteth therin should despair of the mercye, or of the forgeuenesse of God. And by this that Iudas the Apostle and dispensator of God did slide into suche an eanorme [Page] crime, nor rose not againe, al presūp­teous security is deminished and broken: by the whiche no manne for the state & condition that he is in, nor for the dedes that he hath done oughte to be hie mineded, but in fear. For why the Apostles wer the faithful leaders of the people, and yet they were kept in prysonne wythal diligence.

It might seme to such as be weake, that God shuld not haue suffred such thinges to haue bene done in the be­ginning of the faith. Actes. 4 [...] But yet y e faith­ful therby wer maruelously comfor­ted, and the aduersaries of our faithe confuted. Actes. 12. The like thing chaunced in Peter alone when he was taken by Herode, put in prison, and broughte forth and miraculouslye deliuered by the Angell.

It was great iniquity to stone Ste­uen to death, Actes. 7. and yet many good thinges throughe the prouidence of God, came therof. For Steuen was glori­ously crowned in heauen, and aboun­dauntly honoured in earthe, his ora­tion and prayer that he made there, [Page] brought Paule vnto vs, and left vnto al our posterity an example of a mar­uelous pa [...]ience and charitye.

Actes. 8Steuen beynge thus stoned, there followed a greate persecution in the Churche and congregation that was at Ierusalem.

For they were all sparkled abrode through out al the regions of Iewry and Samaria, except the Apostles, so that [...]t semed to be a great detriment or hinderāce to y e honour of the chri­stiane religion. But the Discyples that were scattered abroade dyd so preache and sette forthe the worde of God, that the Churche there by was a greate deale the more enlarged.

Actes. 13.For as much as the Iewes, when Paule and Barnabas preached the woorde of God vnto them, refused it, and put it from them, they tooke an occasyon to preache vnto the Gen­tyles.

There was a dissentyon betwene Paule and Barnabas for Ihō whose sirname was Marke, whome Paule woulde not receyue, because he wente [Page] from thē, but Barnabas toke Marke wyth hym, Actes. 15. and so they departed a sunder one from the other. Where by shoulde haue folowed, as it was thou­ghte, some greate rebuke and shame. But God disposing the matter, there ensued greate frute and profite. For the worde of God was opened & prea­ched to manye.

They committed a verye haynous deede and faute, that putte that ex­cellente doctoure Paule in prison, cō ­pellynge hym to cease from Prea­chinge, the whyche thynge myghte seme to many, a great inconuenience, and that God should not haue suffred it.

And yet it is to bee greatly noted, that the deuine prouidence by suche impedimentes and losses, hath shew­ed and caused greate frute and pro­fyte.

For as the merites of Paul did therby increase, so likewise he left the mo examples of vertue, and taughte mu­che better by his woorkes, then be­fore [Page] time by his wordes. For beynge in prison, he wrote to those that were absent and in farre countries, nether was he so profitable vnto the church by his preachinge, as he was by sen­ding of his Epistles. And therefore if he in any one city or prouince had ben honoured of all men, and gladly hardt he should not yet haue had such occa­sions to haue gone and visited so di­uers and many nations as he visited. Therfore when that the Iewes, or a­ny other did persecute him frō towne to towne, he preached the woorde of God to manye. And when he was in hold, he wrote his Epistles, and when the Iewes resisted him, Actes. 13. he turned him self to the gentiles.

And againe, because that in Syria, he founde Festus and Felix vnright­full Iudges, Actes. 25. hee was enforced to ap­peale to Cesar, and so hee came to Rome, and throughe his predication and doctrine was greatly illu­stred, and luckelye by hys passion made mooste famous.

¶Of the benignitie of God to hys seruauntes. ¶The third Chapter.

ABraham commynge and speaking with our Lord, Genesis [...] 28 desired him to spare the Sodomites, vsed suche a maruelous boldnes, that men might haue iudged him very im­portune. But yet our Lord answered him all wayes gentlye, and graunted him his request.

Our Lord moste gentlye appeared vnto Iacob flying and eschuynge hys brothers anger, Gene. 31. and deliuered hym from his father in lawes insecution, returning again to his brother.

Iacob vsed a greate audacitye and bouldnes in his prayer to our Lorde, Gene. 38. saying. I wyl not let thee go, excepte thou blesse me.

And oure Lorde saide vnto Moses, I haue seene this people, Exodus. 32. and behold, it is a stiffe necked people: suffer me, [Page] that my wrath may wax hot against them. As thoughe he wold saye: thou holdest me, nor I cannot consume these wicked sinners, excepte thou let me go.

And our Lord spake vnto Moses, as a man speaketh to his frende, Exodus. 33. and did defend him from his enemies and de­tractours.

Oure Lorde obeyed vnto Iosuas voyce, Iosue. 10. saying. Sunne stand thou styll vpon Gibeon.

Balack called Balaam for to curse the children of Israell, Iosu. 24. but our Lorde cleane contrarye blessed them by Ba­laam. Nume. 22

Gedeon demaunded twise of oure Lorde a signe in the fiece, Iudi. 6. whether he shoulde obtaine the victorye of his en­emies.

This was to be maruailed at, that oure LORDE, when he hym selfe was abiected and refused, 2. regum. 7. disdayned not there at, but in the contempte of the seruauntes of GOD, he estemed him self to be contemned. As it is manifest and plaine in Samuel. 1. regum. 8.

[Page]They did not reiecte thee but me, saithe oure LORDE. Note also, howe courteouslye oure LORDE spake vnto Nathan, 2. regum. 7 of Dauid, and of his house in time to come.

Notwithstandynge that the poste­ritye of Dauid did sinne greuouslye and manye manner of wyse, 4. regu. 19. yet hys good deedes are oftentymes remem­bred, and because of them, oure Lorde doth verye ofte spare and forgeue the sinnes of the people.

At the Commaundemente of God the rauens broughte breade and flesh to Helias: 3. reg. 17.19 And afterwardes the an­gell of God shewed hym breade and water.

Ezechia the kinge of Iewry sayde. Oure LORDE wyll be mercifull 2. Para. 30 vnto all those that seeke hym withall their hartes, nor shall not impute vn­to them, that they are not sufficiently inough sanctified.

Our LORDE sente his Aun­gell, the whyche ledde for the yonge Tobias, and broughte him agayne, [Page] he draue the deuill from hys wife, he made hys parentes glad and ioyfull, To. 5.8.11. he cured the olde Toby of his blinde­nesse, and replenished his house wyth all goodnesse.

Oure Lorde semed as it were to be afraide to offend Ieremye, when that he did vtterly purpose to destroye the people for theyr sinnes, Iere. 7. for he sayde, I shall thrust you oute of my syghte. Therfore thou shalt not pray for this people, thou shalt nether geue thākes nor prayer for them, nor thou shalt not let me, nor make no intercessyon to me for them. For in no wise wyl I heare thee.

This thing is plain and manifest, that GOD is with his seruauntes in their tribulation. Daniell. 3. For Nabuchodono­sor sawe one in the burnynge fornace with Azaria and his fellowes like the sonne of God.

When Daniell was in the Lyons den at Babilon. Daniel. 5. Daniel. 14. Our Lord sente him his dinner from a far of (that is) from Iewry by the prophet Abacucke.

Daniell. 13.Our Lord hard the voyce of Susan­na, [Page] because she was vniustly condem­ned by thold and vnchast elders: like­wise by the iust iudgement of a conti­nent and a chast childe, she was dely­uered.

Our Lord prepared a great fishe to swallow vp Ionas, Ionas. 2. the which semed yet for his disobedience iustly to haue deserued pain and punishment.

Machabeus and they that wer with him fightinge against Timothe, 2. Mach. 10 had manifestlye healpe from heauen, for there appeared fiue men vpon horse­backes with bridels of golde, &c.

And afterwardes in a nother place, 2. macha. 11 they goynge to battaile against Lyst­as, there appeared before them vpon horsebacke a man in white clothynge wyth harnesse of gold, shakynge hys speare.

There was a greate benignitye in oure Sauioure. Math. 4. For he wente aboute healynge all manner of Sickenesse, and all manner of dyseases. For if he had not so don, many sick persons could not haue come vnto him.

Oure Lord answered the Leaper, [Page] that sayde vnto him, LORDE, if thou wilte, Math. 8. thou mayste and canste make me cleane, verye meekelye and gently, for Iesus puttinge forthe hys handes, touched him, saying. I wyll, be thou cleane. But the Priestes ab­hord all suche men.

Oure Lord incontinent after Ma­thewes vocation dynde in hys house with him. Math. 9.

After that oure LORDE was departed and gone into the desarte, math. 14. he sawe muche people, and was mo­ued wyth mercye towarde them, and he healed of them those that wer sick. And when the euen drew on, his dis­ciples saide vnto him, let the people departe. Iesus as one moste liberall, sayde vnto them. Geue ye theym to eate.

When Peter begā to sincke, he cri­ed saying, Math. 14. Lord saue me. And imme­diatlye Iesus stretchynge forthe hys hand, caughte him.

Oure LORDE did gentlye de­fende Marye Magdalen agaynste the pharisy that thought euil by her: Luke. 7. and [Page] agaynste her owne Sister, complai­ninge of her, Mar. 14. yea and agaynste hys Disciples that for the effusyon of the oyntment, Luke. 10. fumed against her.

The vnspeakeable goodnes of god, is muche declared in the example of the prodigal sonne, where it is writ­ten.

But when he was yet a great way of, Luke. 15. hys father sawe hym, and moued wyth compassion, ranne, and fell on his necke and kissed him. He desyred to be one of hys hired seruauntes, but yet his father interruptinge his com­munication, receyued hym as hys sonne.

This was a meruelous benignity and gentelnesse of Christe, Luke. 19. when that he inuited and badde hym selfe to the Publicans house, the whych was de­sirous to see him, and also he blessed the same.

When our LORDE hadde in­distinctlye spoken these wordes. Ihon. 13. One of you shall betray me.

It followeth, when Ihon leaned on Iesus breaste, he sayde, LORDE [Page] who is it? Lo what a benignitye and familiarity was this?

Actes. 2Our sauioure promised his Disci­ples being heauye that he shoulde de­part from them, that his father shuld sende them a nother comfortoure, the whyche thynge was well fulfilled at Whitsontide, when that the holy spi­rite did so mightely strengthen, com­fort, illuminate and teach them.

Ihon. 18.The bishops ministers commynge to take our Lord, he said vnto them, if ye seke me, let these go theyr waye. For he knew ful wel, that they were not ready to suffer martirdome. And therfore mekely condescēding to their infirmity, he would that they shoulde spare them.

Ihon. 23.The thefe desired our Lorde to re­member him when hee came to hys kingdome: But our LORDE dyd graunt him more then he demanded, saying: To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Luke. 22This was the great mekenesse and gentlenesse of Christe, the which re­fused nor Peter, that denied him thrise [Page] but beningly beheld him, nor he lefte not Thomas in his doutfulnesse, Ihon. 20 but did exhibite him selfe manifestly to be touched.

And he made Paule blinde, Actes. 9 folow­ing the act of his persecution. He cast him to the earth, called him, and con­uerted him.

Steuen when they stoned him, Actes. 7 saw oure Lorde standinge in heauen, as though he had bene ready, strongly to haue defended him.

Our Lord shewed great gentlenes to blessed S. Ihon, Apoca. 1. being banyshed in to the yle of Pathmos, when he ap­peared and sent his angel vnto hym, the which with diuers reuelatiōs did comfort hym.

¶Of deuine conso­lation. ¶The fourth chapter.

AFter that Abraham at the com­maundement of God, Gen. 12.15. went oute [Page] of his country. Oure Lorde dyd com­fort him wyth apparitions and reue­lations.

Genesis. 18Iacob flyinge from the face of hys brother, and sleaping vppon a stone, our Lord appeared, and repleanished him with great consolation.

Exod. 3.Oure Lorde appeared to Moses be­inge exiled, and kepinge sheepe, the whiche thinge, for the time that he was in Pharos house, chaunced not vnto him.

Exodus. 16It rained Manna from heauen in desert to the children of Israell, yea & often he gaue thē miraculously fleshe and water.

Exodus. 34Moses beynge in the mounte. For the space of fortye dayes and fortye nyghtes, dyd nether eat nor dryncke, but was refreshed wyth the deuyne word of God.

Iosu. 1.Our Lorde saide vnto Iosua, be of good chear and strong, for I wyll not faile thee, nor forsake thee.

3. regum. 17Oure Lorde commaunded the ra­ [...]ens twise a day to bear Elias bread and flesh.

[Page]Afterwardes oure Lorde appeared to Elias flying from Iezabell, iii. Reg. xix whose Prophettes he hadde caused to bee slaine.

Our Lorde did comforte kinge He­zechias effectuously, 4. regum 19 both by his pro­phet and by his aungell, the whyche smote and slue in the host of the Assiri ans an 185000.

Euen at the selfe same time Sa­ras and Tobias prayers were hard, To. 3.8.11. and the angell of our Lord was sente to cure and deliuer them both, that is Sara from the Deuyl that had slaine her husbandes, and the elder Tobi­as from pouerty and blindnesse.

Oure Lorde vouchsafed wonder­fullye to comforte his people of Isra­ell by the hande of one woman, Iudi. 14. the whiche were in anguishe and fear of Holofernes hoast.

Our Lorde tourned the Iewes so­rowe into ioye and gladnesse, Esth. 9 when that they by Hesters procuremente slewe theyr ennemyes that were pre­pared to oppresse and to Murther them.

[Page]This thinge is notable, that when the people of Israel in the time of the captiuity of Babilon were in greate affliction that they had euen than mo Prophets, than in Salomons tyme, whan he was in his most prosperity. For Ieremy was in Iewry, Ezechiel and Daniel in Chaldea.

Dani. 3.The Aungell of oure Lorde came downe with Azaria and his fellowes, into the Ouen, and smote the flame of fire out of the Ouen, and made in the middest of the ouen, as it had bene a cold winde blowing, so that the fire neither touched them, greued theym, nor dyd them hurte. Whereby it ap­peareth that the deuine pity is in euery place, and ready at all times to cō ­fort man.

Dani. 6.Our Lord hath twise comforted Daniell that was put into the denne of Lions. Fyrst by sending of his angel, whiche shut vp the Lions mouthes. Secondarily by the prophet Abacuck Dani. 14.the whiche was transported and con­ueyed with meat oute of Iewrye into Calde by Gods angel.

[Page]Our Lord by his seruaunt Daniell did sodenly deliuer Susanna whyche was calumniously and falsely condē ­ned. Daniell. 13.

Iudas Machabeus and they that were with him perceiuinge that aide was sente them from God, 2. macha. 1 [...] blessed the merciful Lord, and toke theyr hartes againe vnto them.

Our Lord did well fulfill his pro­mise made vnto his Apostles, Actes. 2. sayinge vnto them, that he would send them a comforter, when he sent them the ho­ly spirite, that instructed them, com­forted them, and fortified them so a­boundauntly.

Paule was happye and fortunate in this life, 2. Corin. 1. which said withoute anye feare, as the afflictions of Christe are plenteous in vs, euen so is our conso­lation plenteous by Christ.

The churche had reast and peace, Actes. 9 and was edified walking in the feare of oure Lorde and was repleanished with the comfort of the holy ghoste.

Our Lord sent his angel to Peter that was bound in Herodes prisone. Actes. 12. [Page] which deliuered him oute of Herodes and the Iewes handes.

As Paule and Silas were praying and lauding God in prison, Actes. 16. sodenlye ther was a great earthquake. And the dores opened, and euery mans bands were losed.

Our Lorde spake thus to Paule in the nighte by a vision, Actes. 18. preachynge at Corinth. Be not afraide but speake, for I am with thee.

Paule being in Claudius the Tri­bunus hold. Actes. 23. Our Lorde stode by hym in the nighte and saide, be constante Paule for as thou haste testified of me in Ierusalem, so must thou bear wit­nesse also at Rome.

Paule hauinge in will to comforte those that were with him in the shyp: Actes. 27. sayde: There stode by me thys nyghte the aungell of God, sayinge: feare not Paule: Thou must be brought before Cesar. And lo, God hath geuen the al that saile with the.

Ihon the Apostle beinge relegated and exiled into the Isle of Pathmos, Apoca. 1. was manye and diuers tymes com­forted [Page] wyth deuine and Godlye con­solation.

¶Of the benediction and blessing that God geueth vnto man. ¶The .v. chapter.

GOd created man in his own Image and likenesse, Genes. 1. male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and said: Grow and increase, and replea­nish the earth.

And God blessed Noe, Genesis. 9. & hys sonnes and said vnto them: bryng you forthe frute. &c. The feare of you, and the dread shall be vpon euery beast of the earth. &c.

Our Lord said vnto Abram, Genesis. 12. get y e oute of thy countrye, and I will blesse thee, and make thy name greate, that thou maist be euen a blessing.

And as concerning Ismaell, Gene. 17 I haue hearde thee, saithe oure LORDE vnto Abraham. Loe I wyll blesse [Page] him, and make him to encrease, & wil multiply him excedingly.

Gene. 26Oure Lorde blessed Isaac, and the man encreased in richesse and wente forth and grew.

Iacob speaking vnto our Lorde and his vncle, Gene. 30 said: It was but little that thou haddest before I came to the, and thou art enriched, and our Lord hath blessed thee for my sake.

Iacob wrestling with the angell in his oration said: Genesis. 32 I wil not let thee go except thou blesse me. And it follow­eth, & he blessed hym in the selfe same place.

Our Lorde blessed the Egiptyans house for Iosephes sake, Genesis. 39 and the bles­sing of God was vpon al that he had, in the house, and in the field.

2. regum. 6The Arke of our Lorde continued in the house of Obethedom the Ec­thite thre monethes, & our Lord bles­sed Obethedom and all his houshold.

Thou hast blessed the workes of his handes, Iob. 1. and his possession is increa­sed in the land.

Iob. 4.Our Lord blessed and encresed Iob [Page] more at the latter end, then at the be­ginning.

Christ ascendinge vp to heauen, led his disciples to Bethany, Luke. 24 and lifting vp his handes, he blessed them.

That blessing is to be desired, that our Lorde shall geue to his elected in the latter day when he shal say, Math. 2 [...]. come ye blessed of my father.

¶Of the maledictyon and curse, wherwith god doth curse man. ¶The .vi. Chapter.

WE read that the serpente was fyrst cursed of God. Gene. 3 Thou arte cursed aboue all cattell, and aboue e­uery beast of the earthe: vpon thy belly shalt thou go. &c.

And to the trauall and pain of mā it is said. Genes. 3. Cursed is the ground in thy worke, or for thy sake.

And Ieremias lameniynge the de­struction [Page] of Ierusalem, sayde. Oure Lord hath forsaken his owne aultar, and cursed and abhorred hys owne sanctuary.

Daniel in his oration said: the curse is poured vppon vs. Dani. 9. And note, that cursinges are saide to be poured vpon the sinnefull, and blessing to redound vppon the iust. His blessing seeth the wise manne, Eccle. 19. shall runne ouer as the streame.

Our Lord speaking by Malachy the prophet to euel priestes, Mala. 2. saithr I wyll curse your blessinges.

And the figge tree hauing no frute but leaues onlye, mat. 21. was cursed of oure Lord, and incontinent it wythered.

Math. 25.The curse that in the day of iudge­ment shalbe pronounced agaynste the wicked shalbe very terrible and fear­ful. Departe from me ye cursed, into euerlastinge fire.

¶Of the blessing where­with man blesseth God. ¶The .vii. Chapter.

[Page] MElchisedech king of Sa­lem meting with Abra­ham Genesis. 14 returninge from y e slaughter, said: Blessed be the highe GOD, by whose aid and defēce thou haste thine enemies in thy handes.

When Sisera was ouerthrowen, Delbora and Barak sange, Iudi. 5 sayinge: Ye that so willinglye put your liues in pearel & ieopardy for Israell, blesse and praise ye the Lord.

It is saide that Dauid, after the victorye that God gaue hym against Go­liah the Philistian, 1. regum. 17 made this psalm. Blessed be the Lord my God, Psal. 144 whiche teacheth my handes to warre, and my fingers to fight.

When Hyram had hard the words of Saloman, 3. regum. 5. he reioysed greatly and said: Blessed be God which hath geuē vnto Dauid a wise sonne ouer thys people.

The Temple being finished, Sa­lomon in the presence of all the peo­ple, 3. regum. 8. sayd: Blessed be the LORDE GOD of Israell, whyche spake [Page] with his mouthe vnto Dauid my fa­ther.

Dauid did appoynt chefely Asaph and his brethren to thanke our Lord. 1. Par. 26 It foloweth then: blessed be the Lord God of Israel for euer and euer: and let al the people say. Amen.

King Dauid was very pleasaunt and ioyful, 1. Para. 16 and blessed our Lorde be­fore the vniuersall multitude.

Esdras perceiuinge Arthaxerses to be wel minded towards the Iewes said: 1. Esdras. 7 Blessed be the Lord God of oure fathers whiche so hathe inspired the kinges harte, to garnishe the house of our Lord that is at Ierusalem.

When Esdras hadde opened the boke of the lawe, Es. 2. ca. 7. all the people stode vp, and Esdras blessed our Lord god with a loud voyce, and all the people answeared. Amen.

2. Esdras 9After that the wall of the citye of Ierusalem was finyshed vnder Es­dras and Nehemia, the Leuites said. Stand vp, and blesse the Lorde fore­uer and euer.

When Sara the doughter of Ra­guel [Page] had made an end of her prayer, To. 3. she saide: Blessed is thy name o God of our fathers.

Tobias instructinge and teachyng his sonne. Tob. 4. Amonge all other thinges he said vnto him: Blesse thou, and be alway thanckful vnto God, & beseche him, that he will order and direct thy waies.

Raguell and his wife perceiuynge that Sathan had not hurte nor tou­ched yonge Toby, Tob. 8. sayde: Blessed bee thou o Lorde God of Israell, for it is not hapned vnto vs, as we thoughte.

Raphaell dyd diligentlye monyshe Tobye and his sonne, Tob. 12 that they shuld blesse and be thanckefull vnto God, and tell oute al hys wonderous wor­kes.

After that Tobye hadde recouered his sighte, Tob. 13 and had harde Raphaels communication, he opened hys mou­the, and praised our Lord and sayde. Greate arte thou O Lorde for euer­more.

Osias the chefe ruler of the people of Israell, Iudi. 13. seing Iudith with the hed [Page] of Holofernes, sayde. Blessed bee oure Lorde the maker of heauen and earthe.

A mistery was reueled in the night to Danyell by a vision, and he pray­sed our Lorde of heauen saying. The name of God be blessed for euer and e­uer, Dani. [...]. for wisdome and strength ar hys owne, and he chaungeth the tymes and ages.

Ananias and his fellowes beynge cast into the burning ouen, did walke in the myddest of the fyre, Dani. 3. praysyng & blessing our Lorde: And kyng Nabu­chodonoser afterwardes perseuynge and seinge so greate a myracle, sayd, blessed be the God of Sidrach, Misach and Abednago.

After they had obtayned of their e­nemies the victorye, 1. Mach. 4. and had builded an aulter, the children of Israel wor­shypped & gaue thankes to God, that he had prosperd them, and geuē them the victory.

Forasmuche as Heliodorus that woulde haue spoyled the temple of oure Lorde, 2. macha. 3. was through the vertue [Page] of God moste terribly scourged, they praysed our Lord that had magnified his place and temple.

Whan Machabeus and suche as were with hym perceyued that God had sent them ayde, 2. Mach. 11. they blessed and praised our Lorde altogether, whiche had shewed them mercye, and were comforted in their myndes.

When Iohn the baptist was borne, zacharis mouthe was opened. Luke. 1.

And he prophesied saying, Blessed be the Lorde God of Israel.

When Mary & Ioseph had brought the childe Iesus into the temple, Sy­meon toke him vp in hys armes, Lu. 2. and blessed oure Lorde God saying, Now lettest thou thy seruaunte departe in peace.

And after Christes ascention, Lu. 24. there were in the temple, that praysed and lauded God.

And Paule suffering tribulacions, 2. Corin. 1. sayd, blessed be God, the father of our Lorde Iesus Christ. 1. Pet. 1.

And lykewyse. Peter. To blesse god, [Page] is as it were a heauenlye worke and office.

Apoca. 5.And I hearde them all saye, bles­singe, honoure, glorye, and power be vnto him that sitteth vpon the seate, and vnto the lambe for euermore.

¶Of the benediction and blessing wherwith man doth blesse man. ¶The viii. chapter.

MElchisedech kinge of Salē met Abraham and blessed him, Gen. 14 say­ing. Blessed be Abraham vnto the high God.

Genesis. 27Isaac blessed Iacob sayinge. God geue the of the dewe of heauen, and of the fatnesse of the earth, and plenty of corne and wine.

When that Esau cried oute aboue measure. Genesis. 17 Isaac sayde vnto hym. Thy blessinge shall be the fatnesse of the earth, and of the dew of heauen from aboue.

[Page]And with thy swerde shalt thou lyue, and shalt be thy brothers seruaunt.

And Ioseph broughte in Iacob his father to Pharao. Genes. 47. And Iacob blessed him. And Pharo asked him how olde he was.

Iacob blessed his sonne Ioseph and sayde. Genes. 48. God before whom my fathers did walk blesse these laddes. He spake of Manasses and Effraim, whom Io­sephe desired that hys father shoulde blesse. Gene. 49 For after this, Iacob blessed euery one of his children with proper and seuerall benedictions.

Our Lorde spake vnto Moses, say­inge. On this wise ye shall blesse the chyldren of Israell. Numer. 6. Our Lorde blesse thee, and kepe thee. Our Lorde make his face shyne vpon thee.

And Aaron lyftynge vp his hande ouer the people, Leui. 9. blessed them.

Balaam the sonne of Be [...]r sayde vnto Balach. Numer. 23. I am brought and con­ueyde hether to blesse, and it is not in me to alter it.

The poore mannes pledge shal not remayne with thee all the nyght, but [Page] thou shalt deliuer hym the pledge a­gaine, or euer the sunne goe downe, Deuter. 24 that sleping in his owne raiment, he may blesse thee.

Moses the manne of God blessed the children of Israell before hys deathe, Deuter. 33. and said, our Lord came from Sinai, and shewed his beames from Seir vnto them.

Iosua called the Rubenites, & the Gaddites and the halfe tribe of Ma­nasses, Iosue. 22. and saide vnto them. Haue ye kept all that Moses commanded you? so he blessed them, & sent them away.

In the songe and thankes geuynge for the victorye againste Sisara we read. Iudi. 5. Blessed be thou Iahel the wyfe of Haber the Kenite amonge all wo­men, and blessed shall she be in her tēt and tabernacle.

Noemi perceiuinge Ruth his dough­ter in law to be honored of Boom, ruth. 2. said: blessed be he of our Lorde, for the lyke fauor & grace that he shewed to the li­uing, he reserueth for the dead.

Boom did commend Ruth, that fled to the GOD of Israell, ruth. 3. and sayde. [Page] Blessed arte thou in oure Lorde, for thou hast shewed more goodnesse and mercy in the latter end, than at the beginning.

Hely blessed Elkana and his wife, and saide vnto him. 1. regum. 2. Oure Lorde geue the seede of this woman, for that she hath lent our Lord, or for the peticion that she hath made vnto the Lorde.

The Ziphites sēt word vnto Saul, 1. regum. 23 that Dauid lurked in theyr countrey. And Saule said: Blessed are ye in our Lord, for ye haue compassyon on me.

It was told Dauid that they of Ia­bes had buried Saule, 2. regum. 2. and hee sayde vnto them. Blessed are ye vnto oure Lord, that ye haue shewed such kind­nesse vnto your Lord Saul, and haue buried him.

King Salomon turnes his face, 3. regum. 8. and blessed al the congregation of Israel, and all the Congregation of Israell stode still.

When Dauid had made an ende of the burnt offeringes, 1. Para. 16 [...] and peace offe­ringes, he blessed the people in the name of our Lord.

[Page]And he dealte to all Israell bothe man and woman a craknell of bread, and a good peece of fleshe and a flacket of wyne.

Raguel takyng the right hande of hys daughter, Tob. 7. gaue her into the right hand of Tobias, saying. The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Iacob be with you. Ioyne you together, and fulfyll hys blessynge in you. He kyssed Tobye, and wepynge toke hym aboute the necke and sayd, Tob. 9. Gods blessinge haue thou my sonne, for thou arte the sonne of a good ver­tuous man.

Gabelus goyng into y e house, found Tobi, he wepte and sayde, the god of Israel blesse the, for thou art the sonne of a ryghte vertuous and iuste man, and of one that feareth god.

Osias the chefe ruler of the people of Israel, sayd vnto Iudith, blessed art thou of Our lorde the hye god, Iudi. 13. aboue all wemen vpon earth. And after­wardes all the elders began to prayse her wyth one voyce, Iudit. 15 sayinge. Thou worshyp of Ierusalem, thou ioye of [Page] Israell. &c.

And it fortuned that when Eliza­beth heard the salutacion of Mary, LuK. 1. she cryed with a loude voyce, and sayde. Blessed art thou amonge wemen. &c.

¶ Of the malediction and cursse wherwith man dothe cursse man. ca. ix.

IT is red that Noah amonge all other menne was the fyrst that cursed Chanaan his nephew, Gen. 9. because that Cham hys father disclosed the nakednesse of Noah to the reste of his brethren, when that he should ra­ther haue kept it close.

Amonge the wordes of benediction that Isaac gaue to Iacob hys sonne. Gen. 27. He sayd. Cursed be he y t curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.

Iacob sayd vnto Simon and Leuis father, Gen. 49. cursed be their wrathe. For it was shamelesse, & their indignation and fearcenesse, for it was harde and cruell.

Balac sente messengers vnto Ba­laam, Nume. 22. [Page] that he should come & curse the people of Israel, Nume. 22. for he had heard, him to be acursed, vpon whom maledictiō or curse fell or chaunced.

Who so curseth hys father or his mother, Leui. 20 let him dye.

Moyses writeth and setteth for the Deu. 27.manye maledictions & curses agaynst those that transgresse goddes cōmaundementes deliuered vnto them.

The Citie of Hiericho beynge de­stroyde, Iosua sware, Iosu. 6. saying, cursed be the mā before our lord, that riseth vp, and buildeth this cyte Hiericho.

The Sickemites when they were eating and drinckinge and mery, Iudi. 49. dyd curse Abimelech.

Goliah the philistine cursed Dauid in the name of his goddes. 1. reg. 17.

Saule purposinge to ensue and fo­lowe the philistines, 1. regu. 14, charged the peo­ple with an oth, saying. Cursed be the man that eateth anye foode tyl night, vntil I be auenged of mine enemies.

Semei came out cursing, & he caste stones at Dauid, 2. reg. 16. & sayd, come forthe y u bloudsheder, and thou man of Belial.

[Page]Eliseus cursed the chyldren that mocked him, 4. reg. 2. saying, go vp thou balde head, go vp thou bald head. And there were torne in peeces with .ii. beares .xlii. chyldren.

When Machabeus layde sege to a certen holde named Gazer, 2. mach. 10. they that were within, curste and bande exce­dingly. And made great craking with wycked wordes.

The Pharisees berated and cursed him that was borne blynd whom our Lord Iesus dyd illuminate. Iohn. 9. And they sayd. Be thou his disciple.

The Iewes reproued Paule say­ing. Reuilest and cursest thou goddes hye Priest? Actes. 23. But Paule excused hym selfe, and sayd. I wyste not brethren that he was the hie priest and gouer­noure.

¶ Of the seuerite of god against the wicked. ca. x.

GOd punished the sinne of our first parentes greuously, Gen. 23. the whiche, as they beleued, was veniall, & that it shuld not haue ben punished so extre­mely.

[Page]God spared not the original world, but welnye destroyed it wholye with water. Gen. 7.

The .v. cities were consumed with stinkinge fyre be the angels sent from god, Gen. 19. for bogery.

The Egiptians perceyued that the chyldren of Israel were drowned and sanke as leade, Exo. 14.15. god cōmaundinge the same, in the mightie waters.

Because Amalech people did let the children of Israel goinge to the lande of promise. Exo. 17. Oure lorde sayd to Moses I will vtterly put out the remēbraūce of Amalech from vnder heuen.

For the calfe sake that the people worshipped, Exo. 32. there fell in one daye aboute 3000. men.

There went a fyre oute from oure lorde and consumed Nadab and Abi­hu, Leui. 10. the sonnes of Aaron, because they tooke eyther of them his censor, and putte straunge fyre therin, and cens thereupon. And offered it before oure Lorde.

Oure Lorde cōmaunded the cursed Leui. 24.speaker to be broughte wythoute the [Page] hoste, and let all the multitude stone hym.

And while the fleshe, that our lorde sent, Nume. 11. the children of Israell beholding and seing the same, was yet betwene theyr tethe. Our Lord smote the peo­ple with an exceading great plague.

Our Lorde plaged Marye with the Leper, Nume. 12. because she spake against Mo­ses. Of 600. thousand men, the whi­che were nombred, shall none come into the land of promise, and that for their sinnefull dealinge, Nume. 14 saue Caleb and Iosue, as our Lorde did threaten them.

He that was found gatherynge of stickes vpon the Sabboth daye, Nume. 15. was stoned to deathe by Gods commaun­dement.

Our Lord consumed Chorath, Da­than, and Abiram, Nume. 16 wyth a terryble deathe.

Oure Lorde punished Moses gre­uouslye at the water of strife, Nume. 20. because he doubted, and yet vntil then, he had born him self very holily & faithfully as wel vnto God, as to man.

[Page]Our Lord sent fiery serpentes a­monge the people, Nume. 21. because they were fainte and weary of their iourny and laboure. And they said, wherfore hast thou brought vs out of Egipt.

Acham the sonne of Charmi peari­shed with all that euer he had, Iosu. 7. be­cause he tooke of the excommunycate thinges of Iericho.

For the crime committed agaynste the Leuites wife, Iudi. 20. the whole trybe of Beniamin excepte sixe hundreth men pearished by Goddes Commaunde­mente.

Hely corrected hys Children that hadde trespassed but meanelye, 1. regum. 2. and therefore he was punyshed for them and wyth theym. What shal we then saye of those, that do not correct their children, but intice them to euil both by word and dede?

[...]For as muche as Saule dyd offer burnt at sacrifice contrary vnto Samu­els commaundemente, he was repro­ued. And likewise because he reser­ued kynge Agag, [...] Amalech, and hys shepe and oxen.

[Page]For Saules offences they of hys owne house and familye were puny­shed euen after his deathe, 2. regu. 21. and be­cause of them, there fell a great hun­ger in the land.

As Dauid was bringing our Lor­des Arke vppon a carte. 2. regum. 6. Oza put hys hand to the Arke and helde it, 1. para. 13. for the Oxen beinge a litle wilde, stombled, and our Lord smote him for his fault, and ther he died.

For the elation and pride of Dauid causynge hys people to be nombred, 2. regu. 24. there dyed two and seuenty thousand men.

The manne of GOD that came out of Iewrye, 3. reg. 13. and declared vnto Ie­roboas the successe of the office of hys priestes, was slaine with a Lion, be­cause that he, contrary to Gods com­maundemente, did eate breade in the house of a certen prophet.

There were two and forty children deuoured of two beares, 4. reg. 2. because they mocked Elizeus, saying. Go vp thou bald head.

[Page]If Echezis sinne be so greuouslye punished, 4. reg. 45. because he tooke giftes and rewardes of Naaman geuen him w t good will, what shall be said of those, that eract many thynges fradulently or extort them violentlye?

Ozia king of Iewry tooke the cen­sar, and woulde haue burnt insence like as the priestes were wont to do, [...]. para. 20. and by and by the leprosy sprange in his forehead.

For as muche as Ezechias shewed the messengers of the kinge of Babi­lon al his treasures, 4. reg. 20. he lost them, and yet they came out of farre countries, and as it semed, they should haue ben muche made of, & ioyfullye receiued.

Our Lorde deliuered his peculiare and well beloued people into Nabu­ [...]hodonosors handes, 4. reg. [...]0. the whiche dyd capti [...]ate y e people most cruelli burnt the holy city, & destroied the Temple.

Because the daughters of Sion are become proude. &c. In steade of good smell, there shalbe stinke among thē, and thy goodly and mighty men, [...] shal hearith with the sw [...]de in battaile.

[Page]The kinges of Babilon cruelly en­treated the children of Israel, & after­wardes they them selues also w t their noble city wer destroied, Esa. 14. euen as our Lorde threatned. Io. 30.51.

Heliodorus was greuouslye scour­ged, because he was willinge to con­uey away the stuffe and goodes of widowes and peoples committed to the priestes custody. 2. Mach. 3.

King Antiochus was smittē wyth so greuous a plage, that the wormes scrauld oute of his wicked bodye: and his hoa [...]t was greued with the smell 2. Mach. 9. and stinke of him.

Our Lord being wroth deliuered y e vngracious seruant, Mat. 18. the which wold not forgeue his fellow the .C. pence, to the saylers, vntill he had paid all y e was due vnto him.

Our Lord commaunded the vnpro­fitable Mat. 25. seruaunt, that would not stu­dy to multiplye the Talent deliuered vnto him, to be depriued of that he had, & to be caste into vtter darknes.

That fraud and guile that Anani­as cōmitted, act. 5. his wife Saphira know­ing [Page] of the same, was sore punished.

Herode arayed with royall apparel set him in his seate, and made an ora­tiō vnto the people, Actes. 12. the which lifting vp their voices, saide: It is the voyce of a God, and not of a man. And im­mediately the aungell of oure Lorde smote him, because he gaue not God the honoure, and he was eaten wyth wormes, and gaue vp the ghost.

¶Of the anger and fu­ry of God.

NOte and take hede, that y e anger of God, De ciuitate dei. Lib. 15 Capitu. 25. after y e mind of S. Augustine, is not the perturbation or motyon of his minde, but his iudgement, by the whiche, paine is appoynted to synne, his cogytatyon and recogytation of thynges mutable, is hys immutable reason and iudgemente. Nor GOD dothe not so repente hym of hys dede as the yrefull manne dothe, whose sentence of all thinges is as fixed and [Page] stedfast, as his prescience & foreknow­ledge is certaine. But if Scrypture vse no such wordes, yet it doth not in­sinuate it selfe familiarly to all kynde of menne, vnto whome, he woulde it shoulde be knowen, and that to feare the proud, sturre vp the negligente, exercise those that inquire and seeke, and nourishe those that vnderstande, the whiche thinge he woulde not do, if hys wyll were not fyrste to bowe and incline him self, and as it were to descend and come down to those whi­che are weake and feble.

Our Lord was angry with Moses Exo. 4. that so oftentimes he refused to take vpon him the gouernaunce and lea­ding of the people, God commanding the same.

Our Lord was angry with the E­giptians that kepte, Exo. 15. and afflicted hys people, and woulde haue persecuted them goynge theyr wayes. Then it followeth. Thou haste sente thy an­ger.

Moses prayed vnto oure Lord, say­ing: Exo. 32. why doth thy wrath O lord waxe [Page] hote against thy people: For the calfe made of molten metal, to the whyche they offered burnt offeringes.

By the occasion of Corah, sedition and his companions, Nume. 16. Moses and Aa­ron said vnto our Lord. O most mighty God of the sprites, if one man hath sinned, wilt thou be wroth and angri with all the multitude.

The people both sittinge and we­pinge were muche desirous of fleshe. Nume. 11. Then it followeth. The fury of oure Lorde was prouoked vnto wrath ex­ceadinglye.

Al the multitude of the children of Israell murmured against our Lord, Nume. 16. Moses, and Aaron, sayinge: ye haue killed the people of our Lorde. Then there foloweth. There is wrath gone oute from oure Lorde, and the plage waxeth fearce and cruell.

The people beganne to commytte whoredome with the Doughters of Moab. Nume. 25. It followeth. And oure Lorde beynge angry, said vnto Moses. Take al the heads of the people, and hange them.

[Page]Because of Moses vnbelefe & dout­fulnesse at the water of stryfe. Nume. 20. Oure Lorde was wrothe with him, as it is wrytten. Our Lord was angry with me Moses for your sakes, and said vn­to me. Deu. 1. Thou shalt not go in thither, y t is, into the land of promise.

Beware said Moses that your hart be not deceiued, Deu. 11. and that ye turne not aside from God, and serue straunge Gods, and worship them. And then oure Lorde beyng wroth, shut vp the heauen.

The children of Israel haue trans­gressed the couenaunte, Iosu [...] 7. and haue v­surped the excommunicate thynges. There followeth. And the wrathe of our Lord waxed hot against the chil­dren of Israel for the sinne of Achan.

Our Lord was greued and angrye with Osa, and smote hym, 1. para. 13. because he touched the arke.

Our Lord was wroth with Salo­mon, because his minde was tourned from our Lord. 3. reg. 11.

The fury of our Lord was against Israel, 4. reg. 13. and he deliuered them into the [Page] handes of Hazael kinge of Syria, be­cause of their Idolatry, for they wor­shipped the calues y t Ieroboas made.

Our Lord was wroth againste Is­raell, and he moued Dauid agaynste them, 2. reg. 24 in that he saide to Ioab, go and nombre Israel and Iuda.

After Idolatry, witchcraft, enchāt­mentes, and other diuers synnes and wickednesse, 4. reg. 17 the Children of Israell prouoked oure Lorde. And our Lorde was exceading wroth and angri with Israell, and putte them oute of hys syghte.

The Prophet Iehu sayde vnto Io­saphat the kynge of Iuda, 2. Para. 19 that came to battaile with Achab the king of Is­raell. Thou helpest the vngodly, and dost loue those that hate oure Lorde. Therfore yre and wrath come vppon thee from oure Lorde. Neuerthelesse there are some good actes founde in thee.

Ioas the kinge of Iuda & his rulers serued groues and Idols, 2. para. 24. & then came the wrath of God vpon Iuda for this their trespasses sake.

[Page]Amasias kinge of Iuda ouercame in battayle throughe the healpe of GOD, 2. para. 25 the Edomites, and broughte theyr goodes awaye, and bowed hym selfe before them, wherefore oure LORDE was angrye and wrothe with him.

Hezechias did not again vnto God according to the benefites that he had shewed him: 2. para. 32 for hys harte arose, and there came wrath vpon him, and vp­on Ierusalem.

Iosias king of Iuda, when he had hard that was wrytten in the boke of the lawe, 2. para. 34. sayde: great is the fury and anger of our LORDE that is fal­len vppon vs, because your fathers haue not kepte the woordes of oure Lorde.

They did eat, Esd. 2.9 and wer filled, and became fat, and liued in wealth thorow thy great goodnesse: and they prouo­ked the to anger.

And Artaxerzes, the gentle commā ded that all thinges shoulde be done to the mooste highest, 1. Esdras. 7 after the lawe of God. Least his anger arise against [Page] the realme, and against the king, and his children.

Our Lord said to Eliphas the Themanite. I am angrye and displeased with thee, Iob. 42. and thy two frendes, for ye haue not spoken before me the thing that is right.

Thus it is wrytten of Babilone, be Iere. 50.hold she shalbe the least set by among the nations: voyde, wasted, and dried vp, no man shalbe able to dwel there, for the fear and anger of oure Lorde, but she shalbe whole desolate.

When Machabeus had gathered a multitude together, 2. Mach. 8. he was to migh­ty for the heathen: for the wrathe of our Lord was turned into mercy.

And it is written in the parable of the vngratious seruaunt that would not haue compassiō on his fellow, Mat. 18. his Lord was wroth, and deliuered hym to the [...]aylers.

Also it is wryttē against those that excused them selues that they coulde not come to supper. Luc. 14. Then was the good man of the house displeased, and said vnto his seruaunt. &c.

[Page]He that beleueth on the sōne hath euerlastinge life: Iohn. 3. he that beleueth not the sōne, shall not se life, but the wra­the and anger of God abideth on him.

The ire & anger that shalbe shew­ed at the day of iudgement is greatly to be feared. Apoca. 6. Of the which it is wryt­ten in the reuelation of Sainte Ihon. Kinges of thearth, & the great men. &c shall say to the hils and rockes, fal on vs, & hide vs from the presence of him that sitteth on the seate, and from the wrathe of the lambe.

¶ That God dothe more regard the intent of the doer, then the worke it self. ¶ The .xii. Chapter.

CAine brought of the frute of the ground an oblatyon vnto our Lorde. Gen. 4. Abel also broughte of the firstlinges of his shepe. Then folow­ [...]th. Our Lord had respect vnto Abel, [Page] and to hys oblation, but vnto Caine and to his offering, he had no respect.

After that promys was made to Abraham that he should haue a child by Sara, Gen. 8. he laughed, and so did Sara, Whose laughing our Lord reproued, but not Abrahams.

We rede that when Moses & Aa­ron shewed wonders before Pharao, Exo. 6. that Pharaos wise men and enchaun­ters dyd in like maner with their sor­rerye.

Chore and his companye had euen suche censers as Aaron had, Nume. 16. and per­chaunce of as good metall or rather better: and yet god did not equally ac­cept their censing.

The Bethsames lifted vp their ey­es, and spyed the Arke and reioysed, 1. regu. 6. and offered a burnt offering vnto our Lord. And although they semed to do a good worke, yet oure Lorde plaged them with a greate plague, because they had seene the Arke, the whiche they should not haue seene.

1. regu. 19.Whan Saul was amonge the pro­phetes, he strypte of hys clothes, and [Page] began to prophecye, but it auayled him but lyttle.

Oza putte foorthe hys hande to houlde the Arke that it shoulde not faull, 1. para. 13. and oure Lorde smote him in­contynently, and there he dyed.

Notwythstandynge it is a verye good thinge to offre incence vnto our Lorde, 2. para. 16. yet it pertayneth notte to e­uery man to doe the same. For Ozi­as the kynge of Iuda was smytten with y e leper, because he would burne insence vppon the aulter of insence.

Oure LORDE dothe reproue by hys Prophete Esay the oblations Esa. 1. that he hym selfe dyd institute to be offerde, and that, because of the wic­kednesse of those that offerde. Why offer ye so manye sacryfyces vnto me, sayeth our Lord? Then there folow­eth. Your handes are full of bloude.

Oure Lorde preferd the offering of the widdowe which cast two mites in to the treasury, Luke. 21. aboue the offeringes of the riche menne.

Herode desired very greatlye to see Iesus. And when he saw him he was [Page] exceading glad, but yet he gate no profit therby, LuKe. 23. thoccasion and cause where of was nother pitye nor charitye, but curiosity and vanity.

¶That God at times doth tempt and proue man. The .xiii. chapter.

GOD did proue Abraham, and said vnto him. Gen. 22. Take thi sonne. &c.

Our Lord saide vnto Mo­ses: behold, Exo. 16. I will raine breade from heauen to you, and the people shal go out and gather. There foloweth, that I may proue them, whether they wyl walk in my law or no.

And whan oure LORDE spake wyth Moses, Exo. 20. all the people hard their voyces, and the sounde of the trompe, and sawe the Lampes, the Lyghte­ninge and the mountaine smokinge. And beinge afraid they said vnto Mo­ses. [Page] Talk thou with vs. &c. Moses said feare not for GOD is come to proue you, and that his feare may be in you that ye sinne not.

Oure LORDE dyd not put all the people cleane away from the land of promission, Iudi. 2. that through them, Is­rael might proue whether they wold kepe his commaundementes.

Our Lord lefte Ezechias to be pro­ued, that all suche thinges as was in hys heart and minde, 4. reg. 20. at the comming of the king of Babilons messengers, might be knowen.

It is written, that God, after that Toby was made blinde, Tobi. 2. suffered that temptation to happen vnto him, that they whiche came after myghte haue an example of his pacience,

Iudith speakinge of the children of Israell, Iudi. 8. the whyche Holofernes thou­ghte to destroye, sayd, that they shuld call to remembraunce, how theyr fa­thers in times paste were tempted, that they in like māner might be pro­ued, whether they worshypped theyr God a right or no.

[Page]Iob for the great tribulations that he suffred, Iob. 23. said of him selfe. He hathe proued and tride me, as the golde in the fyre.

Dauid desyred of our Lorde, say­inge: Examen me O Lord, psal. 25. psal. 138. and proue me. O Lord thou hast proued me. &c.

Our Lord Iesus walkynge on the sea, commaunded Peter to come vn­to him. Mat 14. But when he saw a myghty winde, he was afraid.

Oure Lorde saide vnto Phillippe, whence shall we by bread, Iohn. 6. that these maye eate. Thys he sayde to proue hym.

Peter said: maruail not that ye are proued as golde by fire, 1. pet. 4. which thyng is to try you.

¶That man should not tempt God. ¶The .xiiii. Chapter.

ABraham going towards Egipt did wiselye that he confessed not that Sara was his wife, Gen. 12 [...] 20. for if [Page] if he had so said, he might haue brou­ght both him self, and her into daun­ger.

And Isaac did in like manner: For if he had done so, Gen. 26. he in a manner, as saithe s. Augustine, had tempted oure Lord.

The children of Israel tēpted oure Lord very often in wildernes. Nume. 14.

When the children of Israell were ouerthrowne in battaile by the Phi­listines, 1. regu. 4. they brought the Arke of our Lord with them into the battail, & it was taken, and they were smitten with a great plage.

Dauid knewe that he was anoyn­ted kinge, 1. reg. 22.23 and that he shoulde raigne after Saul, as Samuel had promised and yet he wold not put him self in a­ny ieopardy, but did to kepe him selfe that he might possible.

When y t an horrible great fishe in­uaded Toby, Tob. 6. he taried not that than­gel shuld deliuer him, y t which thyng he might easely & quickly haue done: but he toke the fishe by the gil, & drue him to the dry land.

[Page]Ozias had promised and appoyn­ted with the people, Iudi. 8. that he, if there came no healpe after fiue daies were paste, would geue vp them selues and the city to Holofernes. Iudith said vn­to the elders of the city, what are ye, that ye do tempt our Lord? Thys de­uice or woordes optaineth no mer­cye.

Our Lorde was tempted by the de­uil, that he shuld cast hym self downe headlyng from the pinacle of the tem­ple. Mat. 4. But he saide to him: Luke. 4. Thou shalt not tempt the LORDE thy God. For he mighte haue descended other waies.

The Pharises wyllynge to tangle Iesus in his wordes, Mat. 22. caused to be de­maunded of him, whether it wer lawful to geue Cesar tribute or no. Iesus perceiuinge their wickednesse, saide? why tempt ye me, ye hipocrites.

When he had caste out the Deuel, the dombe spake, certaine there were that tēpted him, Luke. 11. and requyred of hym a signe from heauen.

[Page]Peter rebuking Saphira Ananias wife verye sharplye, Act. 5. saide, wherefore haue ye conspired together, to lie and to tempt the holy ghoste.

Paule in that thinge, that by hu­maine industrye he could do him self, Act. 9. loked for no miracle or healpe. And therfore whan the Iewes laid watch for him at Damasco, he caused hym selfe to be let downe through the wal in a basket.

And whan they hadde hym bounde with thonges, Act. 22. and that the Tribune would haue punished Paule, he saide that he was a Citezen of Rome. Act. 23. And againe he saide that he was a Phari­sey, and that to make dissention a­monge the Iewes. Act. 25. And whan he had an vnrighteous iudge, he appealed vnto Cesar.

Of vowes. Ca. xv.

Iacob goinge vnto his vncle La­bans house, Gen. 18. after the vision that was shewed him, vowed a vow, saying. If God will be with me. &c.

King Arad the Cananite fought a­gainste Israell, Nume. 21. and hauing the vpper [Page] hand and victory ouer them. He toke some of them prisonners. But Israel vowed a vow vnto our Lord, and af­terwardes ouercame them.

Iepte foughte against the chyldren of Ammon, Iudi. 11. vowed a vowe vnto oure Lord, sayinge. If thou wilte delyuer the chyldren of Amon into my han­des. &c.

Anna praide vnto oure lorde, and sore weping vowed a vow, 1. regu. 1. and saide O lorde of hostes. if thou wylte geue me a man childe, I wyl geue him vn­to our lord.

Absalon willing to rebel agaynst his father king Dauid, 2. regu. 15 said vnto him I wil go nowe to Hebron, and paye my vowe whiche I haue vowed vnto oure lorde. For thy seruaunt vowed a vow, when he was in Gesur, in the lande of Siria, saying: If oure lorde shall brynge me again to Ierusalem, I wil do sacrifice vnto our lord.

Asa the kinge of Iuda offered vp 2. Para. 15.those thinges in the house of our lord that his father had vowed and dedy­cated [Page] vnto our Lord, euen siluer, gold and diuers other vessel.

And the people reioysed when they were so willinge to make theyr vo­wes, 1 para. 19. for wyth all theyr heartes they offered theyr goodes vnto our Lorde. And Dauid the kinge reioysed wyth great gladnesse.

And the children of Israel and Iu­da brought in and offred their tithes, 2. para. 31. which they had vowed and consecra­ted vnto our Lord.

King Artarerzes commaunded Es­d [...]as and the people, 1. Esd. 7. that they shoulde brynge giftes vnto our Lorde God of Israel, the which they had vowed and promised our Lord.

All the people after the victorye, came to Ierusalem to praise and geue thankes vnto our Lord, Iudi. 16. and they all offered burnt offeringes, their vowes and promises.

The men that were in the shyppe where Ionas the Prophet was, Ionas. 1. fea­red exceadingly, doing sacrifices, and making vowes vnto our Lord.

[Page] 2. Mach. 3.Heliodorus purposing to spoile the tresuary, and violently to take awaye such thinges as were laide there to be kepte, was be the diuine power gre­uously scourged, & afterwardes made whole through the prayer of Onyas, he offred vnto god, made great vow­es, and so returned to the kyng again.

After that our Lorde had, smytten Antiochus wyth a greuous plague which no man could heale, 2. Mach. 9. he promi­sed the Iewes to garnysh the temple, with great gyftes.

Luke. 1.It semeth that the blessed virgin made a vowe of her virginite, foras­muche as she sayd. How shall this be, seyng I knowe not a man.

Those Iewes made a cruell and a wycked vowe, Act. 23. that commynge to the hie rulers sayd: we with deuociō haue made a vow, that we wyl nether eate nor drincke, nor tast any thing tyl we haue kylled Paule.

¶ Of Prayer. Ca. xvi.

ABraham most humbly, discrete­lye, Gen. 18. constantly and mekely dyd [Page] praye oure Lorde, to spare the Sodo­mites.

At some tyme we must praye oure Lord for such thinges, Gen. 25. as he hath pur­posed to doe. As Isaac made interces­sion vnto our Lorde for his wife, be­cause she was barren. And yet oure Lorde purposed that she should con­ceaue and bring forth chyldren.

It is greatlye to be thought vpon. How thankeful, Gen. 32. how lowly, and how importune that Iacobbe was in hys prayer, saying, Lord I am not wor­thy of the least of all thy mercies. And afterwardes how he sequestrated him selfe from his wiues and all his fami­lye, and remayned there alone in the nyghte.

Moyses prayde our Lorde oftenty­mes, Exo. 7.8.9.10. that he would remoue the pla­gues from Egipt, and was heard, notwithstāding that the people wer euil.

Moyses in the warre that the chyl­dren of Israel made against Amelech, Exo. 17. dydde more by prayer, than Iosua by fyghtynge.

The onelye prayer of the mynde [Page] doth cry and ascende vnto God, as it well appeareth when our LORD saide vnto Moses that spake nothyng vnto him, Exo. 14. wherefore cryest thou vnto me.

After the adoration made vnto the caulfe. Exo. 32. Oure Lorde as it appeared, would haue vtterly destroied the peo­ple, but Moses by reason of instante prayer abtained theyr pardone. But yet note, the manner of hys praying, ether (quoth he) forgeue them theyr sinne: or wipe me out of thy booke.

After Moses intercession and prai­er, Nume. 11. the fyre that had deuoured the ho­stes of the murmurers, and those that were heauy and sory of theyr labour, quenched.

Our Lorde beinge euen yr [...]full a­gainst the people that demaūded flesh in wyldernesse, Nume. 11. graunted them theyr peticion, whereby it appeareth, that the extudicion and hearinge of mans prayer, is not alwais a sign of deuine and godly dilection.

Mary by the intercession and pray­er Nume. 12of Moses was healed of her leprosy

[Page]The people beynge sore afflycted wyth firy serpentes, said vnto Moses [...] Nume. 21 pray for vs, and he made intercession for the people.

Anna being troubled in her minde prayed vnto oure Lorde, 1. regum. 1. and wepte sore, and vowed a vowe, she spake in her hart, and her voyce was not hard at all.

When the children of Israel should fighte againste the Philistines, 1. regum. 7. they sayde to Samuel. It is necessary that thou pray and cry to our Lord for vs, that he may saue vs out of the hande of the Philistines.

It pleased not God that the childrē of Israell shoulde require a kinge to raigne ouer them. 1. regum. 8. And yet our Lorde saide vnto Samuell, heare the voyce of the people, in all that they say vn­to thee.

Samuell saide vnto the people, GOD forbid, 1. regu. 12 [...] that I should synne a­gainst our Lorde, and cease prayinge for you.

Dauid saide, 2. reg. 7. that he had founde in his hart, to pray to our Lord.

[Page]Dauid prayed and besoughte God for the childe, 2. regu. 12. and fasted, and went in and lay vpon the earth. Thys was a very good māner of praying, but Da­uid was not then worthy to be hard.

Helias praying for raine, saide to his seruaunt, 3. reg. 13. loke toward the seat, for from thence he trusted that some rai­ny cloude woulde arise, but vntill the seuēth time nothing appeared, wher­by the instancye and continuaunce of prayer is commended.

King Iosaphat smitten with feare, gaue him self wholy to pray vnto our Lord. 2. para. 20. For he heard say, that a greate multitude of people was comming a­gaynst him.

Hezechias after he had hard y e king of Assiryans messengers vsed verye good counsel, 4. reg. 19 when that he sent vnto Esay the Prophet, saying: make thy prayer for the remnaunt y t are found and left. And the kinge tourned hym to pray vnto our Lord. And note ther, how faithfully and how prudently he made his prayer.

Hezechias that he mighte praye the [Page] more attentiuely turned hys face to the walle, iiii. reg. xx. and prayde our lorde, say­ing, I beseche thee now O Lorde re­membre howe I haue walked before thee in truth and with a perfyt heart, and haue done that whiche is good in thy sight and Hezechias wepte sore.

Manasse the kyng of Iudas prayer was very humble, ii. Pa [...] xxxi [...]i deuoute, and effec­tuus, as men may se in the later ende of the boke.

Who fasted and praide our Lord to haue a sure and a ryght waye, i. esd. 8. and it chaunsed prosperously. And whan he gaue the kynge drincke, he made hys prayers to God of heauen, Nehe. 1. and whan he should answere to those thynges that were askt hym, he prayde moste humbly.

When Tobi had heard his wiues euyl and naughtye cōmunication, Tob. 2.3 he toke it heuely, and with teares began to make his prayer.

When Sara the doughter of Ra­guell had heard the great reproche & rebuke of her mayden, tobi. 3. she went into an hie chambre of her house, and con­tinuinge [Page] iii. dayes in prayer, she be­sought God with teares, y t she myght be deliuered from that rebuke.

Tob. vi.Raphael the aungel, that the deuyl might haue no power vpon Toby the yonger, warnd him, that when he had taken Sara to his wife, and was come into the chamber, that he should with hold him self from her thre dayes, and geue his diligence vnto nothynge but vnto prayer with her.

Iudi. 4.When the children of Israell heard of the power of Holofernes, they cried vnto our Lord. But Eliachim the hie priest put them in remembrance, how that Moses ouerthrew Amalech that trusted in his mighte and power, not with weapōs, but with holy prayers.

Iudit. 8.Iudith did truste greatlye in other mennes prayers, and therefore she purposing to go to Holofernes, sayde vnto thelders, pray ye vnto god, that he will stablishe, and bring my coun­sel to good ende. And after followeth: Do ye nothing els but pray vnto our Lord for me.

Iudith. 13In like manner [...] when she shoulde [Page] smite of Holofernes heade, she made her prayer with teares standynge be­fore the bed.

And when Esther shuld speake vn­to kinge Ahasuerus, Esth. 4 she saide to Mar­docheus. Gather all the Iewes toge­ther that maye be founde, and faste ye and pray for me: but howe deuoutlye and howe humbly they praid, & howe Mardocheus praied for hym selfe and the people. It is wrytten in the .xiiii. Chapter of Esther.

The praier of Ieremy was of great reputation with God, Ihere. 11. when our Lord said vnto hī, pray not for this people.

Azarias standing in the mydst of the fornace, Dani. 3. praid thus. Blessed art thou o Lord God of our fathers.

Daniel for al king Darius acte and decre, Dani. 6. left not of kneling downe vpon his knyes to pray vnto the Lorde lyke as hys manner was to do afore time, three times a daye. See now how precious and howe profitable a thyng he estemed it to pray vnto our Lord.

Daniel perceiuynge the tyme of the Captiuitye to be compleate, and [Page] at an ende, prayde the more instantly for the people that were in captiuite. And note howe mekely and howe fer­uently he maketh his intercession and prayer. Dani. 9.

When Susanna perceiued that she lacked all humaine ayde and counsel, Dani. 13. she made her recourse to the helpe of prayer, and her prayer was heard.

Ionas prayed vnto our Lorde, out of the fyshes bellye, Ionas. 2. and sayde, in my trouble I called vnto our Lorde, and he heard me.

The congregation were ready ga­thered to fight, 1. Mach. 3. to pray, & to make sup­plication vnto God for mercy & grace.

When that Iudas Machabeus should geue battayle with Gorgias he made his praier and said, i. Mac. iiii. blessed be thou O sauiour of Israel. i. mach. Vi. In other .ii. principal battaylles we rede not that he praied, The one was against king Antiochus, & then he wanne not but departed his wayes. i. Mac. ix. The other was agaynst Bacchides & Alchimus, and then he was slayne in the battaille.

i. mach. xi.Ionathes perceiuing that al his cō ­pany, [Page] except a few, left him fightinge a­gainst straungers, he rent his clothes, and praid, and afterwardes obtayned the victory.

The Iewes beinge in tribulatyon, praied vnto our Lord. The priestes hauing on them their priestly stoles and vestimentes fel downe before the aul­tare and called vpon God, ii. mac. iii. whych had made a law concerning stuffe geuē to kepe that it might be safely preserued for such as deliuerd it to be kepte. And al the wemen held vp their handes toward heauen and praid.

Onias the hie priest praid for Heliodorus that was greuously scourged by God for spoiling of the temple, ii. mac. iii. & oure Lord restored him to life again.

Iudas Machabeus & they that wer w t him, iii. Mac. viii praid and besought our Lorde to deliuer thē from wicked Nicanor: and though he wold not do it for theyr sa­kes, yet for the couenaunte y t he made with their fathers, and because they called vppon his holye and gloryous name.

The wycked Antiochus praid vnto [Page] our Lord, of whome he should haue obtained no mercy. 2. Mach. 9.

Nicanor and they that were wyth him, 2. Mach. 15. drue nie with shaumes & songes: but Iudas and his company with praier and calling vpon God. They buck­led together, with their handes they smote, but with their hartes they praied vnto our Lord, and slue no lesse thē 35. thousand men: for thorow the pre­sent helpe of God, they were glorious­ly comforted.

Mat. 8.The Leper had a short, a profitable, and an humble maner of praying, Luke. 5. the which knelinge before oure Lorde did worship him and saide, Marke. 1. master, if thou wilt thou canst make me cleane.

The Centurion vsed as it wer by a certain insinuation, Mat. 8. the like manner of prayer, Luke. 7. when he saide: Master, my seruaunt lieth sicke of the palsy.

Ihon. 11.And also Martha and Mary for La­zarus that was dead and buried.

Our Lord at times will be prayed for that, Luke. 10. that he purposeth to do, praye ye the Lord of the haruest to send forth labourers into his haruest. Mat. 9. [Page] Then there followeth immediatelye. Calling together. &c.

And when the people were sente a­way, he wēt vp into a mountaine to pray alone. Mat. 14. Wherby we are taughte, that when we intēd to pray, we shuld fie the company of man, lest we shuld be troubled.

Our Lord and sauiour in hys holye Gospels, Mat. 6. hath taughte vs to praye by word of mouth, saying: Thus shall ye pray. Our father. &c.

Men oughte alwaies to praye, Luke. 18. & not be weary.

Also our Lord hath animated vs to praye by his promise. Luke. 11. Ihon. 14. Aske (saithe he) and ye shall haue. Item, what soeuer ye aske in my name, that wil I do.

He hathe lykewise informed and taughte vs to praye by hys example. Mat. 14. For he that might commaund, would pray.

And specially he did the same. Mat. 26. for y e persecution of this Passion beynge at hand, he prayed, and warned other to pray, saying: watch and pray.

When Mary Magdalen obtaind for­geuenes [Page] of her sinnes of oure Lord saying: Luke. 7. Thy sinnes are forgeuen the, we rede not that she vsed anye loude prayer, but that she wept only, where by the efficacye of the inwarde desyre appeareth without any vocall or loud praier.

Our Lord doth induce vs to instant and cōtinual praier by thexample of one y t went to his frend at midnight. Luke. 11.

Luke. 18.And by thexample of a widow, the which desired wyth great importunity of the wicked iudge to auenge her.

And to instruct vs to pray with hu [...]mility & without pride, Luke. 18. or any auāce­ment of our selues. Our Lorde indu­c [...]th thexample of the proud pharisy, and the lowly & humble Publicane.

Act. 1.After our lordes assention into heauen, the Disciples returned vnto Ie­rusalem, and they al continued [...] with one accord in prayer and supplicati­on with the women and Mary.

Thapostles being minded and wil­linge to chuse one of the disciples in Iudas place, Act. 1. apoynted two, Ioseph, and Mathias, and when they praied, [Page] they said: Thou Lord which knowest the hartes of al men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen.

In the primitiue church, al faithful people continued in the Apostles doc­trine and fellowship, Act. 2. and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Peter & Ihon wēt vp together into the temple at the ninth hour of praier. Act. 3.

And assone as the disciples had praied, the place moued, Act. 4. where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the holye ghoste, and they spake the word of God boldly.

The Iewes stoned Steuen, callinge on, Act. 7. & saying: lord Iesu receiue my spi­rite. And he kneled downe, and cryed with a loud voyce, saying: Lorde, laye not this sinne to their charge.

Peter and Ihon prayed for them of Samaria, Act. 8. y t they might receiue y e holy Ghost: then laide they their handes on them, & they receiued the holy Ghost.

Saul being prostrate vpon the thearth, and profitably execated & made blind, Act. 9. stode vp again, and comming into Damasco, and began to praye, and was [Page] thre daies without meat or drinke.

Cornelius the Centurio was a de­uout man, and one that feared GOD w tal his houshold, which gaue muche almose: Act. 10. and praied God alway: wherby he disposed him self to aproche and come to the faithe. And therfore it fol­loweth. Thi praiers & thy almoses are come vp into remēbrance before God.

Peter was kept in Herodes prison, but praier was made without ceasing of the congregation vnto god for him. Act. 12.

When the holy ghost had said: sepe­rate me Barnabas and Saule, Act. 13.14 for the worke wherunto I haue called them. It followeth. And when they had fa­sted and prayed, and laid their handes on them, they let them goe. Agayne ther foloweth. That they did marue­lous much good.

Peter went vp vnto the hiest part of the house to pray, Act. 10. about the vi. hour, that he being far from those that wer beneathe mighte praye the more de­uoutly.

When Paule went to praye, he met a damsell possessed wyth a spryte that [Page] Prophesied, whome Paule deliuered [...] commaundinge the spirit in the name of Iesu Christ to come oute of her. Act. 16.

Paule departing from Achaia and his brethren, Act. 20. after a litle communica­tion, and a few godly wordes, he kne­led down, and praid with them al, and they al wept very sore.

When Paule had praid in the tem­ple, he was in a traunce, Act. 22. and sawe oure Lorde Iesus, sayinge vnto him. Make haste and get the quickly out of Ierusalem.

After that Paule had prayed, and had laide his handes on Publius fa­ther beinge sicke of a feuer, Act. 28. and of a bloudy flixe, he healed him.

Paule the Apostle, monished, These. 5. that we should pray continually the which thing he him self did most diligently. Rom. 1. For to the Romaines he saithe, wyth out ceasing I make mention of you in my prayers.

To praye is to diffycyle and so hearde a thynge, Rom. 8. that Paule saythe, that he is not fufficiente nor hable to do it.

[Page]We know not that we praye as we should pray, 2. thes. 3. and therfore Paule dothe often and mooste humbly desyre other men to pray for him. Brethren (saithe he) pray ye for vs.

Paule caused prayers to be made, to auoid that was euil, and also to obtain those thinges that are good: of y e firste he saith thus, rom. 15. I beseeche you brethren that ye helpe me with your prayers, that I may be deliuered from the vn­faithful. And y t he beleued that he was holpen by other mēs praiers, he saith.

Our Lord hath deliuered vs from so great dangers and pearels. Of the se­cond, that he desired to obtaine good­nesse by other mens prayers, 2. cor. 1. he saith. Praying for vs, that God maye open vnto vs y e dore of vtteraunce, that we may speake the mistery of Christ. And in a nother place he sayeth. Coloss. 4. Brethren pray ye for vs, that the worde of God maye haue passage, 2. thess. 3. and be glorifyed.

Paule praied for other men, & that he might be fruteful vnto them. rom. 1. With out ceasinge I make mention of you, praying alwaies in my prayers, that [Page] by some meane a prosperous iourney by the wil of God, mighte fortune me to come vnto you.

And to Timothe, withoute any cea­sing or intermission, 2. timo. 1. I make mencion of thee in my praiers night and daye, desiring to se thee.

And also he prayeth for the Thessa­lonians, that God would call them to the way of health, 2. thes. 1. sayinge: we pray alwaies for you, that our God wil make you worthy of this calling.

And for the Philippians, that they may profit and encrese from that that is good to better, Philip. 1. sayinge: And thys I pray: that your loue and charity may encrease more and more.

And also that the Collossians might haue y e fulnesse of deuine knowledge, col. 1. sayinge: we cease not to pray for you, and to desire, that ye mighte be fulfyl­led with the knowledge of his wyll.

The Apostle S. Iames, saithe, that the praier which is made for corporall and bodely health, Iaco. 5. auaileth. The prai­er of faith shall saue the sycke. And al­so for eternal saluation, the whyche is [Page] the very true health. Pray one for an other, that ye maye be saued, for the prayer of a ryghteous man auayleth muche.

¶ Of weping & wayling. ca. 17.

AGar going a great way of frō Is­maell wepte, Gen. 21. nor she would not se the death of the chylde.

Gen. 27.Esau cried oute greatly & bitterly, That Iacob had his fathers blessing.

Gen. 23.And Abraham cam to mourn Sara his wife, and to wepe for her.

Gen. 29.After that Iacob knew Rachel his kynswoman, he lyfted vp his voyce and wepte.

Gen. 33.Esau toke his brother Iacob about the necke, kyssed him, and wepte.

Gen. 37.Iacob rent his clothes, and putting on a shyrte of heare, sorowed for hys sonne a longe season.

Gen. 43.Iosephes herte did melte vpon his brother Beniamin, & the reares brust out of his eyes, and he entred into his chambre, and wept.

Gen. 45.49.50.Ioseph lifted vp his voice & wept, saying vnto hys brethren I am Ioseph. And he wept vpō his deed father. And [Page] agayne he wepte, when his brethren praied him to forgeue & forget the tre­space that they haue don against him.

The rascall people that was come out of Egipt, Nume. 11. fel a lusting of flesh, & sit­ting down wept, and said. Who shall geue vs fleshe to eate?

The whole multitude cryed oute, murmured and sayd. Nume. 14. Would god that we had died in the land of Egipt.

When all the multitude sawe that Aaron was dead, Nume. 20. they mourned and wept for him .xxx. daies.

The children of Israell wepte for Moses xxx. daies. Deu. 34.

The aungel of our Lord came vnto the place of those that wept, Iudi. 1. and caste all such benefites as our lord had don vnto y e children of Israel in their teth, & likewise the trespasses y t they had cō ­mited, thē the people cried out & wept

When the children of Israel should fight againste the Beniamytes, Iudi. xx. they wept before our Lord.

And after that they had obtaind the victory, Iudi. 21. they wepte and bewayled the destruction of theyr brethren.

Whē Nohemi & his doughter in law Ruth. i. [Page] should depart, they began to wepe.

Anna prayed vnto oure Lorde, and wept very sore. 1. regum. 1.

After that the people harde y t Iabes should be beseged, 1. regu. 11. they wept euen ve­rye sore.

Samuel mourned Saul, and wept, because our Lorde repented him, 1. regu. 15. that he had made Saule king.

Ionathas and Dauid kissed ether o­ther and wept together. 1. reg. 20.

Saul hering Dauids voyce that had spard him, 1. reg. 24. lifted vp his voyce, & wept.

When Dauid sawe that Sicelag was burnt, 1. reg. 30. and that the men wer takē prisonners, and caried away. He and the people that were with him wept, vntil they coulde wepe no more.

Dauid mourned and wept for Saul and Ionathas, 2. reg. 1. and for the other that were slaine.

Dauid and all the people did mourn and wepe for Abner, 2. reg. 3 whom Ioab murdred.

Dauid would not wepe for his lit­tle sonne that was deade, 2. reg. 12. and yet he wept for him when he was sicke.

[Page]Notwithstāding Absolō shewed him self very naughtes & wicked towards his father, 2. regu. 18. yet his father king Dauid bewayled his death most pyttefully.

Elizeus seing Azael before him, begā to wepe, 4. regu. 8. for y e euyl y t he, being king of Siria, shuld do to the childrē of Israel.

Hezechias wepte very sore, praying our lorde for the death the whiche he verely estemed to be at hande. 4. reg. 20.

When Iosias the king of Iuda herd the thretnyngs for sinne writtē in the boke of the law of god, 4. regu. 22. he rent his clo­thes, & wept, & greatli pleased our lord

When the temple was reedified be those that came frō Babilone, 1. Esd. 3. a man could not know or discerne the ioyful voyce or sound of those y t were mery & glad frō the noyse of weping amonge the people.

When that Esdras prayed & wept for the cōmixtion of the Iewes & the gentiles, 1. Esd. 9. a greate numbre of men and women beinge gathered together re­sorted vnto him, & wept very sore.

When Nehemia heard of the mise­rable estate and condition of the cytie 2. Esd. 1. [Page] of Ierusalem, he wept & mourned cer­taine daies & fasted, and prayed before the face of god of heauen.

Toby did eat his meat with mour­ning & feare: Tobi. 2. for he had the dead coar [...] of hys neyghboure in hys house, the whiche he would bury in the night.

And when Toby had heard the in­turius wordes of his wyfe, Tobi. 3. he sighed and with teares began to make his prayer.

After that Sara Raguels doughter had heard her maydes contemelius & greuous words, Tobi. 3. she prayd & besought god with teares, that he would dely­uer her from that rebuke.

When yonge Tobi was departed & gone frō his parentes: Tob. 5. his mother be­gan to wepe, & sayd: The staffe of our age, haste thou taken and sent awaye from vs.

When Gabelus came into Raguels house, Tobi. 9. and saw yonge Toby sitting at the table. He wept, and blessed him.

Blinde Toby arose, & ran to mete his sonne returning homewards. Tobi. 11. He receaued him, & he and his wife kissed [Page] him, & they began to wepe for ioye.

And whē Achior had plainly decla­red all y e Holofernes had sayd, Iudi. 6. all the people with a cōmen lamētaciō pourd out their praiers together vnto oure Lorde. And afterward the whole con­gregacion with great murning & we­ping made their prayers together all the night longe, saying we haue sinde with our fathers.

Iudith stode before Holofernes bed, making her prayers with teares, Iudi. 13. that god wolde vouchesafe to make perfect the thinge that in her thought she had deuised.

When Mardocheus had herd of the wicked and vniust sentence that was geuen agaynst the Iewes, Esth. 4. he rent his clothes, & besprincled hys head with ashes, and put on sak [...]loth, & with loud and lamentable cryinge declared the bitternes, & sorowfulnes of his mynd. And in al landes & countries, as farre as the kynges cruell worde and com­maūdement extended, ther was great lamentation amonge the Iewes, fast­ynge weping and mourning.

[Page]After that Haman saw that Mar­docheus Esth. 6.was so magnified and hono­red he gat him home in all the haste mournynge and bareheaded.

Holy Iob wept & lamēted his owne miseries, Iob. 30. saying: my harp is turnd to sorow, & my pipe to wepinge, whose vehement weping & sorow dothe ap­pere by his words before spoken. Iob. 16. My face is swoln wich weping, & my eies ar y e shadow of death: he also lamēted & wept for other mēs sorowes, & trou­ble. I wept (sayth Iob) with him that was in trouble, Iob. 30. & my soule had com­passion vpon the poore.

psal. 6.Kinge Dauid the prophete, had a bathe euen of his owne teares. I wyl wash my bed euery night, & water my couche with my teares.

His teares wer vnto Dauid as meat & drinke. psal. 41. psal. 69. psal. 101. My teares haue bē my meat, day & night. Thou shalt geue vs plenteousnes of teares to drincke. And in a nother place. He sayth, I myngled my drincke with weping.

And Dauid remembring his owne lyfe did wepe. psal. 55. O God I haue opened my lyfe vnto the, and thou hast set my [Page] teares in thy sight.

And hauing heauen in remembrāce he saide. psal. 136. By the waters of Babylon, we sate downe and wept.

And in his prayer to our Lorde: psal. 38. he saith. Heare my prayer O [...] Lord, and with thine eares receiue my teares. psal. 94. And in a nother place: let vs wepe be fore the Lord our maker.

Esaias per [...]eiuing the d [...]structyon of his people, Esa. 22. said. Get ye hence from me, for I wil weepe and make bytter lamentation. Nor go not about to cō ­forte me vppon the destructyon of the daughter of my people.

Ieremy said. Be obedient, geue ear take not disdaine at it. Iere. 13. For it is the Lorde him selfe that speaketh. Then there followeth. But if ye wyll not heare me that geue you secreat war­nyng, I wil mourne from my whole hart for your pride and stubbernes. Piteously wil I wepe, and the teares shal gushe oute of mine eies, for the lords flock shalbe caried away captiue

The copyous complain [...]e and be­wailing that is in Ieremy, Iere. 9. are signes [Page] and arguments of many teares: who wil geue my hed water inoughe, and a wel of teares for mine eyes, Iere. 6. that I may wepe night and day for y e slaughter of my people.

And the manifold lamentatiōs, therfore I do wepe, Thre. 1. and mine eyes gushe out of water. Then foloweth, for my sorow is very great, and my harte is heauy.

And the clamerous and loude sob­binges. Mine eies runne and can not cease. Thre. 3. Mine eies breake myne heart, tourne not thy face from my syghing and cryinge.

And for the failing and losse of eies Mine eies, Thre. 2. saith Ieremy begin to fail me, thorowe wepinge: and my bodye and bowels are disquieted.

I Daniel mourned for the space of iii. wekes, Dani. 9. so that I had no lust to eat bread, as for [...]lesh and wine, ther cam none within my mouth.

When that Susannes frendes saw that the prestes should bear witnesse against her, Dani. 13. thei wept [...] and she loking vp toward heauen wept, for her hart [Page] had a sure trust in the Lord.

After that Antiochus had caused a great murther of men in Ierusalem, 1. Mach. 1. there arose a greate heauinesse in all the lande of Israel. The maried men mourned, and the Bride and Bryde­grome lamented.

Israel made great lamentation for the death of Mathathias. 1. Mach. 2.

Al the people of Israel made greate lamentation for the deathe of Iudas Machabeus: 1. Mach. 9. and mourned long, say­ing. Alas how was this worthy slain which deliuered the people of Israel.

After that Ionathas, his ii. sonnes, and a 1000. other men, 1. Mach. 12. the whyche he had of Triphon, were slaine, Israell bewailed Ionathas, and theym that were with him, right sore.

Antiochus was sory in his mind for thuniust death of Onias, 2 Mach. 4. and moued w t pity wept, remembring his sober­nes & manerly behauiour, & modesty.

After that Herode had caused at the children y t wer ii. yere old to be slain, Mat. 2. then was fulfilled that, whiche was spoken by y e prophet Iere. In Rama [Page] was ther a voyce hard, lamentatyon, weping and great mourning. Iere. 31.

The father of the childe that was lunatike cried wyth teares, sayinge: Lorde I beleue, Mar. 9. healpe thou mine vn­belefe.

We read that Mary Magdalē wept thre diuers times. Luke. 7. Fyrst, at our Lor­des fete for her sinnes. Secondarilye, for the death of her brother. And thirdly for the Lordes passion. Ihon. 20.11

We finde that our Sauioure wept thrise. First vpon Lazarus, whom he reuiued againe. Ihon. 11. Secondarily, vppon Ierusalem, the which he knew should be destroied for sinne. Luke. 19. And thirdly vp on the crosse, when he offred him self as a sacryfyce for the synnes of the worlde. Heb. 5. As Paule sayeth. Offerynge vp prayers wyth stronge crying and teares.

After that Peter had denied his master thrise, Luke. 22. he went out and wept bit­terly. But note that Lucas premyt­ted, saying. Oure Lord loked vppon Peter.

A great company of people, & wo­men [Page] folowed him vnto the crosse, whiche bewailed and lamented him Luke. 23.

Paule the Apostle did serue y e lord with teares, Act. 20. for when he [...]ad his bre­thren fare wel, he said. Ye knowe af­ter what manner I haue bene wyth you at all seasons, seruing the Lorde with all humilitye and wyth manye teares.

Also he monished his neyghboures with teares, Act. 20. and prouoked theym to weepe, sayinge. By the space of three yeares I ceased not to warne euerye one of you night and day wyth many teares. Then followeth. They wept very sore.

Also Paul wrote his Epistles with teares. 2. Cor. 2. Out of great affliction and anguish of heart I wrote vnto you with manye teares. And manye walcke, of whome I haue told you often, Philip. 3. & now tel you wepinge.

And to the Romaynes he saith: the spri [...]e maketh intercession for vs with groninges whiche cannot be expres­sed. Rom. 8. Such groninges are not wont to be without weping.

[Page]When Peter was come to Ioppa, al the widowes stode roūd about him weping, Act. 9. and shewing the co [...]tes and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

¶ Of swearing. ca. xviii.

ABimelech spake vnto Abraham, sayinge. Gen. 21. God is with thee in all that thou doste. And therefore sweare vnto me. And Abraham sayd. I wil sweare.

Gen. 31.Iacob and Laban made a couenāt and Iacob sware by the feare of his father Isaac.

Moses was content and sware that he wold dwell with Ietro, Exo. 2. & take hys doughter Zephora to his wife.

1. regu. 20.Ionathas made a couenaunt wyth Dauid in the Lord, & they sware both.

Dauid hearinge of the hardnesse of Nabal, [...]. regu. 25. sayde: So GOD do vnto the ennemyes of Dauid: If I liue of all that pertaineth to him, by the daw­ning of the dai, any thing that pisseth against the wall.

2. regu. 19.Dauid mourning for the deathe of his sonne Salomon, Ioab saide vnto [Page] him: Arise and come out, and speake kindelye vnto thy Seruauntes, for I sweare by the Lord. Except thou com out, ther wil not tarye one man with thee this night.

Dauid sware vnto Bethsabe Salo­mons mother, 3 regu. 1. that Salomon shoulde raigne after him.

After that king Salomon had hard his mothers peticyon for Adonia, 3. regu. 2. he sware by the lord, saying, God do so & so to me, if Adonia hathe not spoken this word against his owne life.

Helias the Thesbite saide vnto A­chab the king of Israell. 3. reg. 17. As truely as the Lord God of Israel liueth, before whome I stand, there shalbe neyther dew nor rain these yeares, but accor­ding to my worde.

Benadab king of Siria disdaining at Achabs aunswer, 3. reg. 20. saide: Thus and thus do the Gods to me, if the duste of Samaria be inough for al the people that folow me.

Wicked Iesabel that slewe Helias the Prophet, 3. reg. 19. made the like oth. Helias said vnto Helizeus, tary here [Page] for our Lord hath sent me to Bethel. He saide. 4. regu. 2. As surelye as the Lorde ly­ueth, and as thy soule liueth, I wyll not leaue thee.

Nabuchodonozor swore by hys throne, Iudi. 1. that he wold be auenged.

King Antiochus the sonne of Anti­ochus, sente vnto the Iewes to make peace. 1. Mach. 6. And made an othe vnto them, and afterwardes brake it againe im­mediately.

Herode the Tetrarch sware vnto Herodias doughter, Mar. 6. whatso euer thou wilt aske, I wil geue it thee, euen vn­to thone half of my kingdome.

Peter to those that said vnto hym, Mat. 26. And surely thou art euen one of them for thy speache bewrayeth the, began to cursse and to sweare, that he knew not the man.

We read that Paule in hys Epy­stles dyd oftentimes sweare: Philip. 1. Thus he saythe. Rom 1. GOD the father of oure LORDE Iesu Christ doth know that I lye not. 2. Cor. 1. And againe: Beholde before God I lie not. God is my wit­nes, whom I serue. I cal God for a record vnto my soule.

¶Of the obseruation and keping of the Sabboth day. Capit. xix.

THe obseruation of the Saboth had his originall beginning of that, Gen. 2. that is saide and wrytten in Genesis. God blesseth the seuenth daye, and sanctified it, because that in it, he reasted from al his worke.

And the children of Israel gathered in the wyldernesse on the .vi. daye a double quantitye of Manna. Exo. 16. Because that on the Sabboth they should reast from all worke.

And amonge all the ten commaun­dementes, Exo. 20. there is only a reason geuen of thobseruay [...]on of the Saboth, because that amonge carnall men, it semed to haue lytle reason. And thys precept is very often times founde in the law, to thintent that man should diligentlye obserue and keepe it, and laboure to get and obtayne the true reast.

And on the Sabboth day ther wer offred two lambes, Nume. 28. and vppon other [Page] daies but one except in solempne fea­stes & kalendes. And that, to declare, y t in festiual daies men shuld honor god more reuerently and aboundauntlye then other daies.

The man that was takē gathering of stickes vpon the Saboth day, Nume. 15. was by Goddes commaundemente stoned with stones of all the people.

Nehemias saw some treading wine presses, 2. Esd. 13. and bringing of burthens to be solde vpon the Saboth day, and he rebuked them as breakers of the Sa­bothe.

The gentiles which held with An­tiochus appoynted to fighte vpon the Sabboth daies against certen Iewes that were fled out of Iewry, 1. mach. 2. but they casted not one stone at thē, nor made faste theyr preuy places: but said, we will die all in oure innocencye. But yet it is to be obserued and noted, that notwythstandynge that in thys thing they shewed a Deuotyon towardes Goddes commaundemente, yet in­as much as they perceiued afterwar­des that therby Gods people myghte [Page] be scattered and loste, they toke bet­ter counsel: sayinge. What soeuer he be that cometh to make battell wyth vs vpon the saboth day, we wil fight against him, for why to fighte for the defēce of mans life, or for the lawe of God, is no seruile worke or labour.

Iudas Machaheus & his companye fought against Nicanor & his hoste, 1. mach. 7. & slue 5000. men, & put the rest to flit [...]. But yet they followed not the chase, because it was y e day before y e saboth.

Nicanor thought withal his power to strike a field vpon a Sabboth day. Neuerthelesse the Iewes that were compelled to go with him, 2. mach. 15. said: O do not so cruelly and vnkindlye, but ha­low the Saboth daye.

The Pharisies saide vnto the Dis­ciples that did plucke and eat y e eares mat. 12. of corne, 1. regu. 21. ye do that which is not law full to do vpon the Sabboth day. But the Lorde saide vnto them, haue ye not read what Dauid did. &c. Then followeth. The sonne of manne is also LORDE euen of the Sabbothe daye.

[Page]We do read that oure sauioure dyd many miracles vppon the Sabbothe day, Mat. 12. as it is manifest thorow oute all the Gospell, and for that, ther may be assigned thre causes. Fyrste, to shewe hym self to be the Lord. Mat. 12. The seconde, to open the true vnderstanding of the precept and commaundement, for mē oughte not to cease from all woorkes vpon the Saboth. Luke. 6. Whether is it lawful on the Sabboth dayes to do good, or to do euel, Luke. 12. to saue ones lyfe, or to destroy it. The thyrde that he myghte edifye and profet all that sawe hym and hard him.

When Christe had healed the wo­man which was bowed together, the ruler of the Sinagoge disdayned, Luc. 13. be­cause that he had healed on the Sab­bothe daye, and saide. There are syxe daies, in which men ought to worke, in them come that ye maye be healed and not on the Sabboth day. But the Lord answered hym, and said. Thou hipocrite, doth not eche one of you on the Sabboth day lose his Oxe or hys Alfe from the stal, and lead him to the [Page] water? And ought not this doughter of Abraham, whome Sathan hathe bound, lo 18. yeares, be loosed frō this bonde on the Sabboth day? And when he thus sayd, all his aduersaries were ashamed, & all the people reioysed on all the excellent deedes that wer done by him.

The holy women which had prepared swete odours, Luke. 23. to anoynt our lords body, kept the sabboth day so strictly, that on that they would not anoynte so precious and holy a bodye. So they rested the Sabboth daye, according to the commaundement.

Oure Lorde laye in the Sepulchre on the Sabboth daye. Ihon. 1 [...].

The Sabboth day was moste apte and conuenient to heare the worde & lawe of God, Act. 13. and the prophetes. The whiche are read euery Sabooth day.

¶ Of the reuerence that ought to be done & exhibited to Gods Temple. ca. xx.

OUR Lorde spake vnto Moyses, saying. Exo. 30. Thou shalt make a lauer [Page] of brasse to washe withall, and putte water therin. Aaron and hys sonnes shall washe their handes, and theyr feete therin euen when they goe into the tabernacle of wytnesse.

Nume. 4.It was lawfull but for a fewe to entre into the tabernacle, or to touch the vessell.

3. regu. 6.7Salomon was muche more dyly­gente and feruente in the edification and buyldynge of Goddes Temple, then in buildynge of hys owne house. For he accomplyshed Goddes house in seauen yeares, and hys owne in thyrtene. Yea he began soner to build the Temple, than his owne house.

3. regu. 8.Salomon made greate solemnite in the buyldyng of the Temple.

4. regu. 11.Ioiada the byshoppe, commaunded that Athalia shoulde be brought oute, and not to be slayne in oure Lordes Temple.

Oure Lorde semed to haue greate cure and care for the Temple when that he commaunded Sirus the kyng of Percia, Esd. 1. ca. 1. Esd. 45. to buylde hym an house at Ierusalem. And it is vnderstanded [Page] of a materyall Temple. As the texte dothe declare. And Esaye declared the same two hundreth yeares be­fore.

After that the Iewes were retur­ned from the captyuite of Babilone, they beganne to buylde the Temple, 1. Esd. 3. or euer they edified or made the wal­les of the Citie, notwythstandynge that they hadde manye ennemyes, whome they feared bothe daye and nyghte.

Tobias is muche coōmended, which wente to Ierusalem vnto the Tem­ple of our Lord, Tobi. 1. and ther worshypped and prayd vnto the Lorde.

After that they had optayned the vyctorye of theyr enemyes the which had defyled the Temple, 1. Mach. 4. Iudas and hys brethren, or euer they made any mention of theyr owne houses sayd, beholde oure ennemyes are dyscom­fyted: Let vs nowe go vp, to clense, and to repayre the Sanctuary.

Kynge Demetrius ordayned, that who soeuer fledde vnto the Temple [Page] at Ierusalem, or within the liberties or coste thereof, 1. Mach. 10 shoulde, as thoughe they wer fallen into the kinges daun­ger for anye maner of busynesse, be pardoned.

The Iewes goynge to make bat­tayle agaynste Nicanors hoste, 2. Mach. 15. hadde pryncipally more solycitude care and feare for the holye Temple, then for theyr wyues, chyldren, brethren and kynsfolkes.

At the fortie dayes ende, Our lorde woulde be broughte and offerd in the Temple. Luke. 2.

And when he was twelue yeares olde, Luke. 2. he was founde disputing in the Temple.

Afterwardes he droue oftentymes the byers and sellers out of the Tem­ple. Ihon. 2.

Luke. 19.And manye times he taughte, and did miracles in the Temple.

Oure Lord doth reproue the Pha­rises, whiche sayde that the golde of the Temple was more holy, Mat. 23. than the Temple.

After that the Apostles had recey­ued [Page] the holye ghoste. Peter and Iohn went vp into the Temple, Act. 3. at the nine houre of prayer. And euen then was the fyrste myracle of healthe shewed, that was done after the assention of oure Lorde.

The aungell of oure Lorde whiche by nyghte opened the pryson doores, Act. 5. and brought the Apostles forth, sayd, goe & stande and preache in the Tem­ple to the people all the woordes of this lyfe.

The Enuke, Quene Candace of the Ethiopians chamberlayn, Act. 8. is com­mended, that he came oute of Ethio­pia to Ierusalem to worshyppe. And note that he sittynge in hys Charet [...] Reade Esaye the Prophette. The whyche thynge maketh verye sore a­gaynste manye goynge to sanctyfy­ed and holye places, the whyche ne­ther read nor yet declare any holy do­cuments or lessons, but multiply vain and trifling wordes only.

Thoughte the Iowes persecuted Paule wyth muche hatred, Act. 21. yet they woulde not murther hym in the tem­ple, [Page] but drue him out of the temple, y e they myght kill him withoute the re­gion of the temple beinge vntouched and vndefiled.

¶Of the adoration and worship­ping of God. Ca.xxi.

IT came to passe, Gen. 4. y e Caine brou­ghte and offered of the frute of the grounde an Oblation vnto the Lord. Abel also offered of the first [...]inges of his shepe, and of the fat ther of: and our Lord had respect vnto hys oblation.

Enoch the sonne of Seth, began to call vpon the name of God. Gen. 4.

Noe builded an aultare vnto oure Lord, Gen. 8. and toke of euery cleane beast, and of euery cleane foule, and offered sacrifices, and oure Lorde smelled a swete sauour.

Oure Lorde appeared vnto Abra­ham in the land of Canaan, Gen. 12. and saide vnto hym. Unto thy seede wil I geue this lande. And there buylded hee an aultare vnto our Lord, that appeared vnto him.

When Abraham had lyfted vp hys [Page] eies, ther appeared iii. men standyng by him. Gen. 18. And whē he saw them, he fel to the grounde and worshipped them saying. Lorde if I haue founde grace and fauour in thy sighte, go not from thy seruaunte.

Abraham being prepared and rea­dy to offer vp in sacrifice vnto GOD his onlye sonne Isaac, Gen. 22. oure Lorde o­therwise prouiding therfore, he offe­red a Ram.

Our lorde appeared vnto Isaac in Bersabe, Gen. 26. and said, feare not, for I am with thee. And he builded an aultare there vnto our Lord.

And God saide vnto Iacob, aryse, and get the vp to Bethell, Gen. 35. and dwell there. And make there an altare vn­to God, that appeared vnto the, when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.

When the children of Israell harde that our Lorde had visited them, Exo. 4. and had loked vppon theyr trybulatyon, they bowed theyr heade, and wor­shypped.

And after that our Lord had spoken [Page] vnto Moses of the religion of Phase, and of the destruction of the first born in the land of Egipt. Exo. 12 Then there fol­loweth. The people bowed them sel­ues, and worshypped.

Ietro sayde to Moses, bee thou vn­to the people to godwarde, Exo. 18 that thou mayste bringe theyr causes to God. And thou shalte teache them the cere­monies and ordinaunces, & the waye to worshyp god.

And oure Lorde sayd vnto Moses, come vp vnto the Lord, Exo. 24 thou and Aa­ron, Nadab and Abihu, and the 70. el­ders of Israel, and ye shal worship far of. And after a few words ther dothe folow. They offred peace offrynges, that is xii. calues, vnto the Lorde.

And our Lord cōmaunded to make him a tabernacle, Exo. 25 with diuers vten­siles, and ministers to be ordayned to minister to his honor and worship, as it is manifest in diuers Chapiters of Exodus.

The firste of the ten Commaunde­ments, is. Exo. 20 Thou shalt haue no strāge gods. Thou shalt make the no grauē [Page] Idoll. Thou shalt not worship them, neyther serue theim. Deut. 6. And in a nother place. Mat. 4. Thou shalt worshyp the Lord thy God, and hym onlye shalte thou serue.

The angell of God sayd vnto Man­ne Samsons father, Iudi. 13. if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou muste offer it vnto the Lord.

Elcana Samuels father, wente vp out of his city at certain appointed or feastful daies, 1. regu. 1. to pray, and to offer vn­to the lord of hostes in Silo.

The sin of Helis children was very great before our lorde, 1. regu. 2. for they wyth­drue mē from the sacrifice of the lord.

And as Samuel offred the burnt of­fring, the Philistines came to fyghte against Israel. 1. regu. 7. But our lord thūdred a great thundre y e same daye amonge the Philistines, and put them in such a feare, that they fel, and were slayne before Israell.

Salomon wente to offre vnto oure lord at Gabaon, 3. regu. 3. & he offred a thousād burnt offringes, and the lord apeared vnto him in a dreme by night.

[Page]Salomon after the temple was edi­fied, stode before thaltare of our Lord, 3. regu. 8. in the sight of al the congregation of Israel, & stretching out his hands, to­ward heauen, kneled vpon bothe his knees, and praid.

King Dauid gaue muche diligēce to amplify & increse the worship & honor of our lord, 1. Para. 15. vnto. 25 in the number of singing men and prestes.

After that the children of Israell were returned from the captiuity of Babilon, 2. Esd. 9. they red in the booke of the law of our lord iiii. times on the day, and iiii. times on the night, and wor­shipped the lord their God.

When all the Children of Israell wente to the golden Calues, Tobi. 1. Thoby fled al theyr companies, and got him to Ierusalem vnto the temple of god, and there worshipped oure Lord god of Israel.

When Iob had hard the wordes of y e messengers declarynge vnto hym the losse of his substance, Iob. 1. he stode vp, and fallinge downe vppon the grounde, worshypped and sayde. Naked came [Page] I oute of my mothers wombe, and naked shall I tourne thither agayne.

Notwithstanding it was prohiby­ted that no manne should desyre any peticyon, Dani. 6. eyther of anye God or man wythin thirtye dayes, but onlye of kynge Darius, yet Danyell kneeled downe vppon hys knees three tymes a daye in hys house, and made hys peticion and prayer, and praysed hys Lord God.

The wyse men went into the house, and founde the Chylde wyth Marye hys mother, Mat. 2. and fell downe flat, and worshypped hym. Beholde the deuo­tyon of a meruelous humility? what shuld we christianes then do to y e lord our god, that now doth raygne, if the gentyles did such reuerence to a child that wept.

When Iesus was come down from the moūtain, Mat 8. ther came a leper & wor­shipped him, saying: Lord, if y u wylte thou canst make me cleane.

The manne that was borne blynd fallynge on hys knees worshypped hym. Iohn. 9.

[Page]The disciples after the Lordes re­surrection worshipped him. Mat. 28.

The priest, and the people of Li­stra, lokynge vppon Paule and Bar­nabas, Act. 14. beleuing them to be Goddes, wold haue done sacrifice vnto them. But they forbode them.

Ihon fel before the angels feete to worship him, Apo. 19 & he said vnto him. Se thou do not, for I am thy fellowe ser­uaunt, worship God.

¶Of Idolatry. Ca. xxii.

ANd when the people saw that it was long or Moses came downe from the mountaine, Exo. 32. they gathered them selues together againste Aaron & said. Make vs Gods to go before vs.

The people of Israell commytted Whoredome with the doughters of Moab, Nume. 23. whiche called them vnto the sacrifice of their gods. And the people did eat, and worshipped theyr gods.

When Iosua the son of Nun was dead, Iudi. 2. the children of Israell dyd wyc­kedly in the sight of oure Lord, & ser­ued Baalim and Astraroth, and for­sake the Lord God of their fathers.

[Page]All Israel went a whoringe in E­phod that Gedeon made, Iudi. 8. which thing became a ruine vnto Gedeon, and to all his house.

Salomon was old, & women depraned and turned his hart to folowe af­ter other Gods, 3. regu. 11. and his hart was not perfect.

After that Ieroboam hadde taken counsel, 3. regu. 12. be made two calues of gold, and saide: Beholde. Israel, these are thy Gods, whiche broughte you oute of Egipt.

It suffised not Achab king of Isra­ell to walcke in the sinnes of Ierobo­am, 3. regu. 16. but furthermore he serued Baal and worshipped him.

Iuda made them altares, Idolles, and groues on euery hie hil, 3. reg. 14 and vn­der euery thicke tree.

Achaz king of Iuda, walked in the way of the kinges of Israell, 1. regu. 16. and Iu­da, yea, and consecrated his sōne, and made him to go thorow the fire after the abhominations of the heathen. whē the children of Israel wer tran­slated and caried amonge the Assiri­ans, [Page] diuers natyons and stronge peo­ple wer brought, and put into the cy­ties of Samaria: 4. r [...]gu. 17. And euerye natyon made them gods of their owne. And when they shuld serue our lord, they serued their goddes also, after the cu­stome of the people.

Sennacherib being confounded and put to rebuke and shame, 4. regu. 19. retourned from the impugnatyon of Esechia kynge of Iuda, to Niniue. And as he was praying and worshippynge hys Nefrach in the temple, Adramelech & Sarasar, his ii. sōnes smote him with the sweard, and escaped.

Manasses king of Iuda rered vp al­tares for Baall, 4. regu. 21. & worshipped all the host of heauen, and serued them.

Iudi. 6.Holofernesse taking great indigna­tion against Achior that setforth and much cōmended the power of the god of the Hebrues. Said, that he woulde shew him, that there was none other God but Nabuchodonozor.

Dani. 3.Nabuchodonozor made a golden I­mage, and commaunded that al peo­ple, kinreds, and tounges should fall [Page] downe and worship it.

Darius king of Pers made and put forth a commaundement, Daui. 6. that no mā within 30. daies, should require anye peticion of God, or man, but onely of king Darius.

There was at Babylon an Idoll called Bell, Dani. 14. hym the kynge dyd wor­ship and honor dailye. But after that Daniel had destroied him, they of Babilon worshipped a dragon.

Antiochus cōmanded idols to be wor­shipped, 1. Mach. 1. & that they should edifye & set vp altares a [...]d temples, and offer vp swines flesh, and that mē shuld leaue their children vncircumcised.

When Paul was abiding at Athēs his sprite, Act. 17. when he saw the city geuē to worshippinge of Idols, was mo­ued in him.

Of blasphemy against God. Ca. 23.

THe Israelitish womans sonne was stoned to deathe by Gods commaundemente, Leui. 24. because he blasphemed the name of our Lord.

Hely saide vnto his sonnes. 1. regu. 2. If one man sin against an nother, our Lord [Page] maye be pacified and pleased: but if a man sinne against the Lord, who shal pray for him?

Nathan the Prophet did agrauate the sinne of Dauid, 2. regu. 12. sayinge: because thou hast geuen the ennemies of the lord a cause to rail, and to blaspheme his name.

The manne of God said vnto Ahab kinge of Israel. 3. reg. 20. Because the Sirians haue said. Our Lorde of hilles is but theyr Lorde, and he is not god of val­leis, therefore will I deliuer all thys greate multitude into thy hand, and ye shal know that I am the Lord.

3. reg. 21.It semeth that wicked Iezabel could not excogitate nor inuent a more gre­uous or a greater synne to cause Na­both shortly to be stoned to death, thē blasphemye, where wyth she falsly accused him.

4. regu. 19.The blasphemies that Sennache­rib king of the Assirians seruauntes, spake and vsed, did greatlye displease God. And therfore the anger of oure Lord smote in the hoste of the Assiry­ans an C.lxxx. and .v. M.

[Page]It is not expedient for symple men to dispute agaynst the blasphemies, 4. regu. 18. of infidels. And for that cause kyng He­zechias forbad, that the vnlearned people should not aunswere the blasphe­mies of Rabsa [...]is the Assiriane.

Holofernes disdayning that Achor had commended the powre of the god of heauen, Iudi. 6. said vnto him, for so muche as thou haste prophecyed, that the people of Israell shalbe defended of their god, I wyll shewe the that their is no god, but Nabuchodosor, ye whē we slay them all as one man.

When Hieremy rebuked the peo­ple, because they dyd sacryfyce vnto straunge goddes, Iere. 44. they answered, we wyll in no wyse heare the worde of God, but we wyll do sacryfyce vnto the quene of heauen, like as we & oure forefathers haue done. For then were we in prosperitie, nor no misfortune came vpon vs.

Nabuchodonosor kyng of Babilon said vnto Daniell and his compani­ons that woulde not worshyppe the golden Image, Dani. 3. what god is ther that [Page] may deliuer you out of my handes:

In the daies and time of Antiochus certen wicked people of Israell gaue counsell sayinge. Let vs go and make a couenaunte wyth the Heathen, 1. Mach. 1. for sence wee departed frome them, wee haue had muche sorowe.

Iudas Machabeus laying siege to a certen stronge holde. 2. Mac. 20. A companye of the Hethen that were within it, cra­ked & spake manye blasphemous and cursed wordes. But within few day­es after, they were burnt and consu­med with fyre.

The Iewes saying vnto Nicanor. There is a mighty Lorde in heauen, 2. Mac. 15. that commaundeth the seuenth daye to be kept. The wicked Nicanor said: And I am myghtye vpon earthe, to commaunde them for to arme them selues, & to performe y e kings busines.

After that our Lord had healed and caste the deuyll oute of the blinde and the dumme man. Mat. 12. LuKe. 11. The people were a mased, but the Pharises blasphemed, saying. This fellowe driueth the de­uyls no otherwise out, but by the help [Page] of Belzebub the cheif of the deuyls.

Our Lord hanging vpō the crosse, Mat. 27. they that passed and went by reuyled and blasphemed him waggyng their heades. &c.

The Iewes spake agaynste those thinges that Paule spake, Act. 13.18. blasphe­ming and rayling against it.

¶ Of Goddes preceptes and com­maundemētes & of the obser­uation and kepinge of them. ca. xxiiii.

OUr Lorde gaue vnto our fyrst parent Adam a lyte and a easy cōmaundement to be fulfilled. Gen. 2. Saying. Thou shalt eat of euery tree of the garden, but as touching the tre of knowledge of good and euyll, thou shalt not eate of it. But he kepte this cōmaundement but euyl, and therfore he fel into a great and greuous paine and punyshement.

Notwithstanding the commaunde­mentes seme at some tymes to bee of lyte & slender maters, Gen. 2. yet they oughte and with no small diligence to be ob­serued in asmuch as the transgressors are greuously punished. [Page] For our Lorde sayde vnto Adam: In what day or houre soeuer thou eatest of the tree of knowledge of good and euel, thou shalt dye the death.

Noe dyd euery thynge, euen as the Lord commaunded him. Gen. 7.

When the people of Israel should receyue the Commaundementes of God, Exo. 19. they were commaunded to bee sanctyfyed. Goe vnto the people and sanctyfy them to day and to morowe. And therfore he commaunded y e chyl­dren of Israell, to make them gardes of yellow sylke in y e quarters of theyr garments, Nume. 15. to haue a contynual remē ­brance of the celestyal cōmandemēts.

Oure Lorde when he made Iosue ruler ouer hys people, Iosu. 1. gaue hym a specyall monytyon, of the medytaty­on and obseruatyon of hys lawe and commaundementes.

Balaam the sorcerer sayde vnto Balach the kyng: Nume. 23. Tolde not I thee, saying. Al y t the Lord commaundeth, that must I do? Beholde nowe, what reuerence thys euyl man had to gods commaundement?

[Page]Iosua omytted nor mynyshed no word of all that our lord cōmaunded. Iosu. 11.

Saule the whych was specyallye chosen, 1. regu. 15. was vtterly reiected and caste away for the trangressyon and brea­kyng of Gods commaundement.

Dauid instructynge and teaching Salomon hys son, 1. Para. 22. the whych shoulde raygne after hym, sayde: Then thou shalt prosper, when thou fulfillest the statutes and lawes, whych our Lord gaue to Moses.

After the ordynaunce of Ioiada the byshoppe, 2. Para. 23. they brought oute the kyn­ges sonne, and put vpon him y e crown and gaue hym in hys hande, the lawe that was to be kepte, and made hym kynge.

Syrus kynge of Persia, and Mo­narch of all the worlde, 1. Esd. 1. was not a­shamed to saye. Oure Lorde God of heauen and earth hath commaunded mee to buylde hym a house at Ieru­salem.

Our Lord euē complaining doth say. The commaundements of Iona­dab the sonne of Recchab, the whych [Page] he commaunded his children to kepe, and that they should drincke no wine preuailed and were better kepte then mine. Iere. 35. For they obeyed theyr fathers commaundement, I haue spokē vnto you, and yet haue ye not bene obedy­ent vnto me.

Susanna putting her life and good name in pearell and daunger, Dani. [...]3. iudged it better to fal into the hands of man, then to forsake and leaue the lawes of God.

Ther were two wemen accused to haue circumcysed theyr sonnes, 2. Mach. 6. whōe when they had led rounde aboute the city (the babes hanging at their bre­stes) they cast them down headlinges ouer the wals.

Eleazar an aged mā sustayned gre­uous pains of the body, 2. Mach. 6. and at length he was put to deathe, because that he against y e law of god wold nother eat swines flesh, nor yet fain or dissemble that he had eaten it.

For the law of god the vii. brethren with their mother suffred greuous & intollerable pains vnder Antiochus. 2. Mach. 7.

[Page]Other creatures that obey the lord do induce vs to obserue his comman­dementes, 2. regu. 24. of good aungels ther is no doubt, the which are his mynysters, doynge hys wyll and hys worde. Of euell angels. 1. Para. 21. He commaunded the e­uell sprite to go oute of the man. Luke. 8. He commaunded the Rauens to fede He­lias, and they did so. 3. regu. 17. And the Psalme doth say generallye. He hathe geuen them a law, which shal not be brokē. Fire and haile, Psal. 148. snow and Ise, winde and storme fulfyll his word. Iob. 9. He com­maundeth the Sunne, and it ryseth not.

The parentes of Ihon the Baptist walcked so in all the lawe, Luke. 1. ordinaun­ces and iustyfications of oure Lorde, that no manne could fynde faut wyth them.

Our Lord answered the yong mā that axst him, Mat. 19. what good he should do to haue euerlastinge life, sayinge. If thou wilte enter into life, keepe the commaundementes.

¶Of obedience and diso­bedience. Ca. xxv.

[Page]GOD willing that man beyng in the state of innocency should liue vnder obedience, Gen. 2.3. bounde him wyth preceptes and lawes, and punished him right sore and greuou­sly, liuing disobedyently.

Noe spedely obeyed our Lord in al­thinges that he, Gen. 7. at the instant time of the floud, commaunded him.

Notwithstanding that Gods com­maundement of the circumcisiō was a greuous and an vnwont thing, Gen. 17. yet Abraham made no procrastinatyon, nor no delay to fulfill and accomplish the same? For euen in y e self same day that god cōmaūded it, he fulfilled it.

Abraham without any stop or delay offred vp his only sōne in a sacrifice. Gen. 22. Beholde and consider his meruelous and wonderfull obedyence.

Ioseph did spedely obey his father y t sent him to his brethren, Gen. 37. although he had accused them, wher vpon he (and not without a cause) might a feared to haue gone vnto them.

Moses obeyed our Lorde that made Exo. 3.4.him the capitayne and guyde of hys [Page] people. But marke yet wyth what difficultye. For he excused hym selfe fiue times.

The children of Israell promysed greate obedience, Exo. 24. saying. Al the wor­des whiche oure LORDE hathe sayde, wyll we doe. But yet after­wardes they did the contrary in their deedes.

The children of Israell walkyng in the wlldernes at Gods commaunde­ment pitched their tentes, Nume. 9. and at hys cōmaundement they toke thē downe.

Also the children of Israell were a­fraid to ascende and to go vp into the land of promise, Nume. 14. when God comman­ded them, but whē God forbad them, they stroue to goe vp, but it was to their paine.

Manye of the chyldren of Israell that went to warre againste the com­maundement of God and Moses, Nume. 14. Nume. 31. wer ouerthrown of a fewe: but whan they foughte by obedience and commaun­dement a few ouerthrew a multitude and wan the victory.

In as much as Achan transgrest y e [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [Page] commaundemente of Iosua, the peo­ple wer ouercome in battaile, Iosu. 7. and all Israell stoned him with stones.

1. regu. 13.Saule offeringe burnte sacrifyce a­gainste the commaundemente of Sa­muel, was reproued. And likewise because he spared Agag the king of the Amalakites, and theyr sheepe, and o­ther pretious & chefest of their goods, which shuld haue bene destroied, 1. regu. 15. and then Samuel saide vnto him. Better is obedience then sacrifice.

Althoughe Dauid was annoynted king by Samuel, 1. regu. 17. yet he obeied hys fa­ther sending him with vitayles vnto his brethrē, notwithstanding he was elected & chosen aboue al his brethrē.

Our lord foretold Salomon, 3. regu. 9. that if he wold do & fulfil al thinges that he had cōmaunded him to do, that thē he wold stablish y e throne of his kingdōe in Ierusalē for euer. But if he turned away, 2. Para. 7. & wold not kepe his preceptes and commaundementes, that than he wold wede Israel out of y e lād for euer

3. regu. 20.Obedience at some times is also cō ­mended in such thinges as seme to be [Page] commaunded withoute any reason, & therfore a Lion slue him, that beynge commaunded, wold not smite one of the Prophets children.

The man of god that foretold Iero­boas the destructiō of his aultar, 3. regu. 13. was killed and slain by a Lion, because y e contrary to Gods commaundemente he did eat bread & drynke water in an other prophets house.

When that Naaman disdaining y e prophet Elizeus commaundemēt, 4. regu. 5. de­parted from him with displesure, hys seruants said vnto him, father, if the prophet had bidden the do som great thing, surely thou shuldst haue don it

Toby the yonger, after he had hard his fathers exhortations, Tobi. 5. answered & said, father, al that thou hast cōmaun­ded me wil I do, and diligently.

Whatsoeuer Mardocheus cōmaun­ded, that did Esther obserue & keepe, Esth. 2. & did all thinges so, euen as she was wont to do, when she was yonge and vnder hys gouernaunce.

The Recabites are much commen­ded of our Lord, because y t they wold [Page] drinke no wine, Iere. 35. obeying & folowyng their fathers commaundemente, say­ing, ye shal drinke no wine.

Ionas. 1.2.3.Ionas did refuse vn wiselye to obey our Lord, commaundinge him to go, and preach at Niniue, but comminge backe againe. He came to the place y t God sent him.

1. Mach. 2.Mathathias saide vnto Antiochus messenger. Though all nations obey the king, yet I and my sonnes wil o­bey the lawes of our fathers.

2. Mach. 7.One of the seuen brethren said: we are ready rather to suffer death, then to offende the lawes of God and the fathers.

And the childe Iesus went downe wyth Mary and Ioseph, LuKe. 2. and came to Nazareth, and was subiect and obedient vnto them.

Mat. 4.Those Apostles did spedelye & per­fectly obey, the which being called of our lord, straight way left the nets, & folowed him. Luke. 5. Likewise Mathew lefte all and followed him.

Mat. 21.Of those that obey in word & not in dede, or in dede more than in worde. [Page] Our lord putteth an example of two sonnes, of the which two, thone said y t he woulde go into hys fathers vyne­yarde and woorke, and wente not. The other sayde I wyll not, and wente.

Our Lord doth commaund vs to o­bey euē those prelates that bear rule. Mat. 23. They shall sit in Moses seate, what so euer they bid you obserue, that ob­serue and do.

Our sauiour and lord of the lawe, Luke. 2. would obey the law in circumcisyon, Mat. 26. and oblatyons made in the Temple, and also in eatynge of the Paschall Lambe.

The Apostle dothe put vs an en­sample of obedyence in our sauyour, Philip. 2. sayinge, hee became obedyente vnto deathe, whome he also declareth the frute of obedyence. Then there fol­loweth. Wherefore God hath exaul­ted him. &c.

The chefest of the priestes threat­ned and commaunded Peter and Act. 4. Ihon that they shoulde speake nor teache no more in the name of Iesu. [Page] They answered and said, whether it bee righte to harken vnto you more then to God, Act. 4. iudge you. For we can not but speake that whiche we haue sene and hard. And afterwards when the Apostles were reproued agayn of the hye prestes, because they had not obserued theyr Commaundemente, Peter and the other Apostles aun­swered, Act. 5. we ought more to obey God, then men.

Saule lyinge prostrate vppon the earthe, Act. 9. and hearynge Iesus of Naza­reths wordes, saide euen promptlye, Lord what wilt thou haue me to do?

Cornelius said vnto Peter. Nowe are we al here in thy presence, Act. 10. readye to here al thinges that are commaunded vnto the of God.

Paule chose Silas to be hys felow, and wente throughe Siria and Cili­cia, Act. 15. stablyshynge the congregatyon, and Commaundynge to keepe the Preceptes of the Apostles and El­ders.

¶Of holy scripture. Ca. xxvi.

[Page]WE oughte to haue greate reue­rence vnto holye scrypture, Exo. 31. the which God hym self did wryte, deliuer and teach.

Moses retourned from the Mounte bearing two tables written with the finger of God. Exo. 31.

Our Lord Iesus doth say, that he was sent to Euangelice and preach, mat. 10. and he sent forthe his disciples to doe the same.

If it may be said then, that the olde law was geuen Moses by god, by the meanes of angelles, as saythe the A­postle, and S. Steuen doth testify the same. Act. 7. Ye haue (saithe he) the lawe of God, by the ministration of aungels. The reast of the old Testament was geuen by the inspiratyon of the holy Ghoste, as saith S. Peter. The scrip­ture came neuer by the wyll of man. 2. Pet. 1. But holy men of God spake, as they were moued by the holy ghoste. The new Testamēt doth contain the wor­des & dedes of the Lord Iesu Christe in the Gospelles, the woordes of the Apostels in the Epystels and in the [Page] Apocalipses, the deades of the Apost­les in the actes. Christ very God and man, spake parte of the Gospell by him selfe, and the holye ghost, and by him other wordes, the whiche the A­postles & the Euangelistes by him in­structed did speake. They wer all fil­led with the holy ghoste, Act. 2. and began to speake with diuers & other tongues.

A wise man seketh out the wisdom of them of the olde tyme, & exercyseth him selfe in the prophetes. Eccle. 39. As though he would saye. A wyse man must ex­quire and seke the wysdome of wyse men, but specially he must giue his di­ligēce to the scriptures of y e prophets.

Notwithstandynge that Ionathas the hie priest & the elders of the Iew­es were occupied in maters of warre, 1. Mach. 2. yet they were vnto the Spartianes, vndre this maner: But as for vs, we reade no such mater, for why we haue the holy boke of scripture in our han­des to our comfort.

And our Lord answering by scrip­ture, defēded his disciples against the Pharises. Haue ye not read (quoth he) [Page] what Dauid did when he was an hō ­gred? Mat. 12.

Oure sauiour being tempted of the deuyll, Mat. 4. answered by scriptures, and by the auctoryte of scripture confoun­ded him: And he sayde that the scrip­ture was fulfylled at his comminge. This daye is this scripture fulfylled in your eares. LuKe. 4.

Oure Lorde gaue greate auctoryte to the olde Testament, when he sayd Tyll heauen and earth passe, Mat. 5. one iote or one tytle of the law shal not escape tyll all be fulfylled. And the scripture cānot be losed or broken. And the new Testamente is of no lesse aucthoryte, Ioan. 10. but rather of more then the olde: Of the whiche oure Lorde sayth [...] Mat. 14. Heauen and earth shall passe, but my wordes shall not passe.

Oure Lorde oftentymes ouercame the hie priestes, mat. 21. Scribes and Phari­sees euen by Scriptures, the whiche reproued him.

Oure Lorde reproued the Saduces of ignoraunce, mat. 22. saying. Ye do erre, not knowyng the scriptures:

[Page]Peter in his firste sermon after the holye sprite was sent, Act. 2. conuerted vnto Christ bi the declaratiō of the prophet Iohels auctorite .3000. men.

The Enuche or chamberlaine, the whiche comming oute of Ethiopia to Ierusalem, Act. 8. red the prophete Esay sit­ting in his charette, is muche cōmen­ded & praised. And Philip by the com­maundement of God, toke an occasion to preache the gospell of Christ vnto him, & that by the auctoryte of Scrip­ture that he found him reding, whom beyng fast in his belefe, he christened.

Act. 17.Paule cōminge vnto Berrheham, entred into the Iewes Sinagoge Certein of them receyued the worde very gredely. Dayly searching the Scrip­tures whether it were so or not. And many honest & good women of Grece beleued, & of the cheife men, not a few.

Apollos an eloquent man, & mighty in the scriptures, Act. 18. helped them muche whiche had beleued throughe grace. For he ouercame the Iewes myghte­ly, and openly, shewing by the scrip­tures, that Iesus was Christ.

Our Lorde sent the lawyer, that in­quired [Page] of him what he should do to obtain life euerlasting, LuKe. 10. to the scrypture, saying what is wrytten in the lawe? how readest thou?

¶Of good exhortation, and predica­tion of the word of god. Cap. xxvii.

CAine being admonyshed by the exterior voyce of God, Gen. 4. lefte not of hys pretenced iniquitye. And by this it is patent and manifest, that the exterior exhortation withoute the interior, is of very litle & smal efficacy

The iust man Lot dyd mekelye ad­monyshe and exhorte the Sodomites, saying. Nay for gods sake my brethrē do not so wickedly. Gen. 19. Do not thys euyll vnto whō they answered, very contu­maciously get the hense. Thus it ap­peareth, that peruers people are hardly cured and corrected.

It happened and chanced wel with Iacob, Gen. 27. for as much as he agreed vnto his mothers exhortation & counsels.

Ruben hearynge the wycked wor­des of his brethren againste Ioseph, Gen. 37. sayde: Lette vs not kyll him, nor shedde hys bloude, and Iudas gaue [Page] counsell not to slaye, but to sell hym, that so the lesse hurte myghte ensue and followe.

Moses sister perswaded Pharaos doughter euen wel, Exo. 2. that an Hebrues womā might be cald to nurse y e child.

Iethro for the vtility of the people, and to alleuiate and lyghten Moses burden gaue him good counsell, Exo. 18. that he shoulde appoynt and orden meane iudges for the people.

Dauid by the good exhortatyon of Abigaile, 1. regu. 25. was tourned, and drawne from his intent and purpose, that is, from shedding of Nabals blud.

Abner gaue good counsell to Asaeli that followed after hym, 2. regu. 2. sayinge, fo­lowe me not, leaste I be compelled to smite thee to the grounde. But be­cause he woulde not heare hym, hee slue him.

The olde menne gaue Roboam Salomons sonne good Counsell, 3. regu. 12. but he, to hys greate hurte and dammage, ensued the counsel of the yōger sortes of men.

[Page]When Naaman the Syrian, be­cause of Eliseus answer, 4. regu. 5. was depar­ting with displesure, his seruauntes counselled and perswaded him, to ac­complish and fulfil the prophets commaundement, and he did so.

As long as Ioiada the bishop liued, whiche instructed and exhorted Ioas the king of Iuda: 4. regu. 12. so long he was good but after that hee was departed, hee waxed very euil.

The postes wente wyth letters by the commaundement of Ezechiell the king, 2. Para. 30. and of hys Lordes and prynces thorowout all Israell and Iuda. And saide. Ye children of Israell tourne a­gaine vnto oure Lorde God of Abra­ham, Isaac, and Israel, and let euery one retourne to the remnaunte that are escaped, oute of the handes of the Assirians.

When the Iewes were buyldyng the temple, 1. Esd. 5. they that were retourned from Babylone were exhorted, and Aggeus and zacharias dyd healpe them.

Nehemia desyring to build a wall [Page] in Ierusalem, sayde to the noble men and rulers. 2. Esd. 2. Let vs get vp, and builde and they strengthened theyr hands to good.

At Nehemias exhortation, they that toke vsury of the people cōsented both to restore it againe, 2. Esd. 5. and also from thence forth to take no more.

Tobias being in captiuitye, wente vnto all them that were in prysone, Tobi. 1.4.14. and gaue them wholesome exhortati­ons. Also he preached verye wel vnto to his sonne.

It chaunced wel with Toby that he obeyed the counsels of Raphaell, Tobi. 6. whome he estemed and toke for a man and specially in drawynge out of the fyshe, in demaundynge and askyng a wife, and whether he shoulde marrye her, or no.

The parentes of Sara yonge To­bies Tobi. 10.wife did monysh and exhorte her to honoure her father and her mother in law, to loue her husbande, to rule well her housholde, to kepe her house in good order, and to shewe her selfe fautlesse.

[Page]Iudith made a good exhortation vnto the people, Iudi. 8. reprouinge that that was vndiscretely ordeined, and teachynge them what oughte to bee doone.

Mardocheus efficacelye perswaded Esther, Esth. 4. to go into the kynge wyth danger and pearel of her life, to pray for the wealth of her people.

After that Esay had sene the won­derfull vision, Esa. 6. he hym selfe saide, wo is me, because I holde my peace, but after that he perceyued that hys lyps were cleansed with the stone or hote coale that was taken from the aultar he said vnto our Lorde that inquyred whome he shuld send vnto the people here am I, send me.

Oure Lorde sayde vnto Esaye. Crye as loude as thou cansie, leaue not of. Esa. 58. Lyft vp thy voyce lyke a trom­pette, and shewe my people their of­fences, and the house of Iacob their synnes.

Ieremy fyrst execused hym selfe frō preachinge, Iere. 1. and after he graunted, & [Page] folowed the wyl of God.

Abimelech the Mortan sayde vnto king Sedechias. Iere. 38. My Lord the kynge. All thy seruauntes that haue cast Ie­remye the Prophet into the dongyon or lake, haue done euel. And the king commaunded that he shuld be drawn out of the lake before he died.

Our Lord spake vnto Ionas, say­ing: Arise, Ionas. 1.2. and get the to Niniue, and preache there vnto them, the predica­tion that I shall speake and declare vnto thee.

Daniell gaue Nabuchodonozor the kynge of Babylon good Counsell. Dani. 4. Sayinge, be contente with my coun­sayle, and redeame thy synnes wyth almesse.

When that Mathathias should die he exhorted his sonnes to do manful­ly for the law of God. 1. Mach. 2.

When Iudas Machabeus shoulde fighte, 1. Mach. 3. he exhorted, and encouraged hys people wyth goodlye woordes. And in a nother place hee weaponed them, 2. Mach. 15 not with the armour of shielde [Page] and speare, but with wholesom wor­des and exhortations.

When the fyrst of the seuen brethrē was tosted and tormented, 2. Mach. 7. the rest of hys brethren with hys mother exhor­ted him to die manfully and strongly, saying. Our Lorde God shal regarde the truth, and comfort vs. But specy­ally theyr mother dyd wonderfully & efficacely exhort her children.

Ihon the Baptist exhorting manye thinges, Mar. 1. preached vnto the people, of the whyche, Luke. 3. certaine are touched in the fyrst of Luke, whose exhortatyon was of suche efficacy, that not onlye many cōfessing their sinnes wer bap­tised, Mar. 6. but also when Herode him selfe heard hym, he dyd many thinges, and heard him gladly.

Our Lord sent forth his discyples saying. Mat. 10 Go and preach, sayinge. The kingdome of heauen is at hand. Mar. 16.

Peter the Apostle preached vppon Whytsonday so effectuouslye, that in one daye there were baptysed. Act. 2. 3000. soules. And at a nother time through hys preachynge ther were christened [Page] fiue thousand.

And when the Prophets and doc­tors that were at Antioche had fasted and praid, Act. 13. the holy ghost saide. Sepe­rate me Bernabas and Saule. Then followeth. They were sente forthe of the holye Ghoste, and preached the worde of God in the sinagoges of the Iewes.

As Peter was preachyng in Cor­nelius house, Act. 10. the holye Ghoste fell on all theym whyche hearde the word of God. And he commaunded them to be baptysed.

Paule and Barnabas returned againe to Listra, Act. 14. and to Iconium, and to Antioche, and strengthed the discy­ples soules again, and exhorted them to continue in the faith.

And it fortuned in Iconium that Paule & Barnabas went into the sy­nagoge of the Iewes, Act. 14. and so spake, y t a great multitude both of the Iewes and also of the Grekes beleued.

When Paul being in bonds should speke and answer for him selfe before king Agrippa and the iudge Festus. Act. 26. [Page] Agrippa saide vnto him. Somewhat thou perswadest, and bringest mee in minde for to become christen.

A vision appeared vnto Paule in y t nyght. There stode a manne of Mace­donia and prayed hym, sayinge: come into Macedonia and healpe vs. Act. 16. Then there followeth. After he hadde seene the vysyon. Immediatelye wee pre­pared to goe into Macedonia, beynge certefyed that oure LORDE had called vs to preache the Gospell vnto them.

And manye of the Corinthyans whan they gaue audience to Paules preachynge beleued, Act. 18. and were bapti­sed. Then spake our lord to Paule in the night by a vision. Be not afraide, but speake and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall in­uade the, that shal hurt the.

And a Iew named Apollos born at Alexandria, Act. 18. was learned in the way of our lord, & spake feruentlye in the spryte, and taughte diligentlye the thinges of our Lord Iesu.

Paul entring into the Iewes sina­goge [Page] at Ephesus, behaued hym self & spake boldly, Act. 19. disputing, and geuynge them exhortations of the kyngdome of God.

And vpon one certen daye, Paule being ready to depart on the morow, continued his preachinge vnto myd­night. A certain yong man oppressed with dead sleepe, Act. 20. fell downe from the window, and was taken vp deade. When Paule was come downe vn­to hym & had reuiued him [...] he wēt vp again, and talked with them euen til the morning, and so departed.

Paule departing from Asia said vnto the elders. Act. 20. By the space of three yeares, I ceased not to warn and mo­nyshe euerye one of you nighte and day wyth teares.

¶Of euil counsels and perswa­sions. Ca. xxviii.

EUa gaue vnto Adam her husbād of the forbidden tree, Gen. 3. and he dyd eat of it. It is to be thought and estemed, that she perswaded hym.

Gen. 39.Iosephes mystres whom he serued, [Page] did wickedlye perswade and sollycite hym to euil.

Moses tarying somwhat long with God in the mountain, Exo. 32. the people said vnto Aaron: make vs straunge Gods to go before vs. Unto whose suggestions, Aaron did folyshlye condescende and obey.

Baalam taught Balaac, how that by wemen he might drawe the chyl­dren of Israell to iniquity and synne, Nume. 31. and so to prouoke our Lorde agaynst hym self.

The chyldren of Amon perswaded their king verye euill, 2. regu. 10. that he shoulde dishonest Dauids messengers.

Ionadab Dauids Nephew gaue ve­rye euyl counsaile to Amon, 2. regu. 13. when he counsailed him to defloure his syster. Of the whych thing chaunced greate inconuenyence & harme afterwards.

Achitophels counsel that he gaue to Absolon was detestable and fylthye. And yet the counsaile that he gaue in those daies, was as a man had asked counsaile of God.

Wemen turned Salomons hart, & [Page] throughe thē it was so depraued, that he followed other Goddes, 3. regu. 11. and wor­shypped them.

Ochozias the kynge of Iuda, wal­ked in the wayes of the house of A­chab the whyche was moste wycked [...] 2. para. 22. for hys mother Athalia by her coun­sayle, entysed, yea and compeld hym to do wickedly.

As the Iewes, after theyr retourne and commyng againe from Babylon wer building theyr temple, 1. Esd. 4. theyr en­nemies wrote vnto king Artaxerses, and perswaded by them, dyd forbyd them to worke any more.

Amans frendes hearynge him complaining of Mardocheus, Esth. 5. that would not knele vnto hym: said. Cōmaund a hyghe payre of galowes to be made, and to morrowe speake thou to the kynge, that Mardocheus may be han­ged theron.

Iobs wyfe gaue him verye folyshe counsel, Iob. 2. but he, as a prudent and a holy man, wold not folow it.

Pharaos wise counsellers, gaue him vnwise and folish counsaile. Esa. 19.

[Page]Because that Ieremy did Prophe­cye that the citye of Ierusalem shuld be taken of the Chaldees. Iere. 38. The pryn­ces and rulers of the people said vn­to kynge Zedechias. Syr, we beseche you let this manne be put to deathe. And he vnwysely agreing vnto them saide: Lo, he is in your handes: for it is not mete that the king should deny you any thing.

Darius the king of Percia through the euyll suggestion of this Princes and noble men, Da [...]i. [...]. made a statute, that whoso desyred any peticion, either of God or man, except of the kinge one­lye. Should be caste into the Lyons Denne.

In the dayes and tyme of Antio­chus, wicked men wente oute of Is­raell, 1, Mach. 1. and persuaded manye, sayinge. Lette vs goe and make a couenaunte with the Heathen.

Menelaus dyd so persuade Andro­nicus, that he slewe Onias the priest, 2. Mach. 4. without anye regarde of righteous­nes.

[Page]When the court was kept against Menelaꝰ before Antiochus Ptolome beynge corrupted w t money by Mene­laus persuaded the kynge, 2. Mach. 4. and brou­ght him to the sentence, the whiche discharged Menelaus, and condēpned to deathe his iuste accusers.

Herodias gaue her doughter wic­ked counsell, Mat. 14. saying. Thou shalt aske nothynge els, but the head of Iohn Baptiste.

Paule the proconsulle desired to heare the woorde of God, Act. 13. that Paule and Barnabas did preache. But Eli­mas the sorcerer withstode them, and sought to turne the ruler away from the fayth.

When Paule and Barnabas were in suche honoure at Listra, that men would haue done sacrifice vnto them as vnto Goddes: Act. 14. Thether came cer­taine Iewes, whiche, when they had persuaded the people, and had stoned Paule, drewe him out of the cyty, sup­posing he had bene dead.

By the occasion of a certaine dam­sell, whome Paule delyuered of an e­uyl

[Page]By the occasion of a certain damsel whome Paule deliuered of an euyll spirite, Act. 16. her master fearing and sorowing the losse of hys auauntage, decla­red so manye thinges to the mage­strates & rulers, that he caused Paule and Silas to be beaten with roddes, and to be cast into prison.

Of hearing the word of God. Ca. xxix.

AAron tolde al the wordes which oure Lorde hadde spoken vnto Moses, Exo. 4. and the people beleued. And when they heard that our Lorde hadde visited the children of Israell, they laye downe prostrate and wor­shypped. And Moses saide before the Lorde. Loe: the chyldren of Israell heare me not, and howe shall Pharo heare me.

Al the people sayd vnto Moses with one voyce. Exo. 24 [...] All the woords whych our Lord hathe saide, wyll we do. And a litle after. And Moses toke the booke [Page] of the appoyntment, and red it in the audience of the people. And they sayd, all that our Lorde hath sayd, we wyll doo, and be obedient.

Eglon the kyng of Moab sat in his somer parler, Iudi. 3. and Aliud sayde vnto hym, I haue a message vnto thee from God, he arose immediatly out of his seate, asthough he would haue doone reuerence vnto the woorde of God.

Hely taughte Samuell ryght well, that he should saye vnto oure Lorde that spake vnto hym: 1. regu. 3. Speake on lord, for thy seruaunt heareth.

Achab the Kynge of Israell would not heare Micheas our Lordes Pro­phete, 3. regu. 22. because he prophecied no good vnto hym but euyll. Yet when Mi­cheas was calde. He sayd vnto hym. Heare the worde of God.

Esdras brought foorthe the booke of the lawe, 2. Esd. 8. and redde in it openlye from the mornynge vntyll the noone day, and the eares of the people were erected vnto the booke. Then folow­eth. [Page] All the people wepte, when they hearde the wordes of the lawe.

Iobbe makynge aunswere vnto oure LORDE sayde: Iob. 42. I haue ge­uen dylygente eare vnto thee, and nowe I see thee with myne eyes. Wherefore I geue myne owne selfe to blame, and take repentaunce in the dust and ashes.

OURE Lorde spake vnto Iere­mye. Iere. 26. Keepe not one woorde of the Lorde backe, yf peraduenture they wyll hearken, and tourne euerye man frome hys wycked waye. That I maye also repente of the euyll, that I haue determined to do vnto theim, because of their wicked inuentions.

OURE Lorde sayd vnto Eze­chiell. Eze. 3. Gette thee vnto the house of Israell, and thou shalte shewe them my woordes and mynde. Then there foloweth. The howse of Israell woulde notte heare nor folowe the, for they woulde not heare nor folowe mee.

[Page]The woordes of Ionas came vnto the king of Niniue, Iona. 3. which rose out of his seate, and did his apparell of, and put on sackcloth, and sate hym down in ashes.

Herode the Tetrache feared Ihon the Baptist, Mar. 6. and kept hym, and when he heard him he did manye thynges, and hard him gladly.

Mary the sister of Martha sate at Iesus fete, LuKe. 10. and hard hys worde. And at the laste, she hard our Lorde say, Ma­rye hath chosen the good parte, which shal not be taken away from her.

Luke. 6.Oure lorde in the later ende of hys sermon in the mount, said: whosoeuer heareth my sayinges, and doothe the same, shall be likened to a wise man, that hathe builte hys house vppon a rocke of stone.

Luke. 5.When the people preased Iesus, to heare the word of God, he sat downe and taught the people out of the ship. Peter and hys fellowes brought the shippes to lande, and they forsoke all and folowed hym.

[Page]To the woman that lyfted vp her voyce and said: Luke. 11 [...] Blessed is the wombe that bare thee. Oure Lorde aunswe­red: yea, blessed or happye are they that heare the worde of GOD, and keepe it.

We do read that our Lorde aboute the time of his passion, Luke. 19 taught dailye in the temple. And after a few words we read that all y t people stode by him and were astonyed when they hearde hym.

As two of the Lordes disciples wer goinge to a towne or castell called E­maus, Lu. 24. and talked together of al those thynges that had hapned and chaun­ced at the time of our Lordes passyon, they deserued to haue hys companye, of whome they spake, and had theyr communication.

The sermon that was made to the people in the feast of Pentecost, Act. 2. beyng ended, and after the commynge of the holy ghost, thus it is sayd and wryttē. When they hard thys, they wer pric­ked in theyr hartes, and said vnto Pe­ter, and vnto thother Apostles. Ye mē [Page] and brethren what shall we doe? And ther wer baptised about a 3000. men.

After that the lame man was hea­led, and Peters sermon ended, Act. 3.4. manye that hard his predication beleued, and the nombre of the menne was aboute fiue thousand.

The twelue Apostles called the multytude of the Disciples together, Act. 6. and said. It is not mete that we shuld leaue the word of God, and serue Ta­bles. And note, that those tables wer the tables of pore wydowes. Where by we may vnderstande, that the pre­dication and setting forth of the word of God, is preferd aboue the corporal workes of mercy.

The Iewes could not resist the wis­dome and the spirite whiche spake by holy Steuen. Act. 6.

Philip went into a city of Samaria and preached christe vnto them: Act. 8. And the people gaue hede vnto those thin­ges whyche Phyllyp spake wyth one accord.

Phillip opened hys mouth, Act. 8. and preched Iesus vnto the chamberlain and [Page] commynge to a certaine water, the chamberlaine sayde that he beleued that Iesus Christe is the son of God, and he baptised hym.

Our lorde said thus vnto Ananias of Paule, Act. 9. whome he blineded corpo­rally, and illumined spiritually: Goe thy way, for he is a chosen vessel vnto me, to beare my name before the gen­tiles, and kynges, and the Chyldren of Israel.

Our lord wold not instruct Cornelius by his aungel, Act. 10. but sent hym worde that he shoulde call Simon, whose syr­name is Peter, & he should tell & teach him, what he ought to do.

While Peter spake, Act. 10. the holy ghost fel on all them, whych hard hys prea­chyng.

The gentils heard that the Iewes put from them the worde of God, Act. 13. and that Paul and Barnabas wold turne to them, & they wer glad, and glorify­ed the word of our lorde, and beleued, euen as many as were ordeined vnto eternal lyfe.

And it fortuned in Iconium, that [Page] Paule and Barnabas wente into the sinagoge, Act. 14. and so spake, that a greate multitude of the Iewes, and also of the Grekes beleued.

A certaine woman named Lidia, a seller of Purple, Act. 16. gaue audyence vnto Paules woordes, whose hearte oure Lord opened, and was baptysed wyth all her housholde.

When the Atheniens hard Paule speake of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, Act. 17. and other said, we wyll heare thee agayne of thys matter. So Paule departed from them. Howbeit certain men claue vnto him and bele­ued, among the which was Dionisius an Ariopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and other with them.

Paule remained at Ephesus by the space df ii. yeares, Act. 19. and disputed dailye in the schole of one called Tirannus, so that al they that dwelt in Asia, hard the word of our Lord.

After that king Agrippa had heard Paule, Act. 26. he said vnto hym. Somewhat thou perswadest me to become Chry­sten.

[Page]When Paule was come to Berrea he entred into the Synagoge of the Iewes: Act. 17. some of them receiued y e word wythal diligence & gredines of minde, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those thynges were euen so, and many of them beleued.

¶Of the apparitions and visions shewed in the olde tyme. Capitu. xxx.

BEfore iniquity and synne, oure Lord spake vnto Adam, Gen. 1.2.3. but af­ter that synne was commytted and done, he spake to Adam, Eue, and to the serpent. Ye he monished Caine or euer he slue his brother, and after­wardes reproued hym.

Oure Lorde commaunded Noe to make an arke, Gen. 6.7.8.9. and to goe into it, and after the exercitation or destruction of the earthe he had hym come forthe of the arke: then he blessed Noe and hys children, and said vnto them, bring ye forth frute, and multiply and replea­nysh the earth.

[Page]Our lord saide vnto Abraham: Get thee oute of thy countrye, Gen. 12. and oute of thy nation. And again our lord apea­red to Abraham, and saide vnto hym, vnto thy sede wil I geue thys land.

After that Abraham and Lot wer departed one from the other. Gen. 13.15.17. Then followeth. The worde of oure Lorde came vnto Abraham in a vision. And after that oure Lorde appeared vnto hym, and gaue hym the commaunde­ment of the circumcision.

And there appeared vnto Abraham three men. Gen. 18. &c. And euen then he hard what time his sonne should be borne.

And ther came ii. angels Lot sitting at the gate of Sodome: Gen. 19. And Lot seyng them, rose vp to mete them, and wor­shypped them.

God came to Abimelech in a dreme and sayde vnto hym: Gen. 20. See thou shalte die for the womans sake whiche thou haste taken awaye, for she is a mans wyfe.

Gen. 21.When that Abraham had taken Saras wordes greuouslye complainyng of her maide Agar and her Sonne, [Page] our Lord said vnto hym, let it not bee sharpe and greuous in thy syghte, be­cause [...] of the ladde, and of thy bond­maide.

An angell appeared in the wilder­nes to Agar the maid, Gen. 26. & to her sonne.

God proued Abraham, Gen. 22. and sayd vn­to him, take thy sonne. &c. And when he held forth the sweard. Beholde the angel of our Lord. &c.

Our Lord appeared vnto Isaac in Bersabe, Gen. 26. saying, I am the God of A­braham thy father. &c.

God appeared verye often to Iacob going to Laban, Gen. 28.31. and comming again from thence. And our Lord saide vnto Laban in a dreame: Take heede that thou speake not to Iacob oughte saue good. And after thys our Lorde spake many tymes to Iacob.

It were to longe to rehearse howe oftentymes our Lord spake vnto Mo­ses. Looke in the booke of Exodus the thyrde Chapter wyth other moe that follow.

We rede also that oure Lord spake vnto Balaam by night, and when he [Page] rode vpon hys Asse, the whyche sawe the Aungell, Nume. 22. whome Balaam sawe not.

Iosu. 1.4.5, 7.13.Our Lord in like maner spake ve­ry often to Iosua.

After the death of Iosua the childrē of Israell counsailed with the Lorde and asked saying: Iudi. 1. who shall go vp be­fore vs? And our Lord said, Iuda shal go vp.

The angel of our Lord ascended vnto the place of those that did weepe, Iudi. 2. and sayde, I broughte you oute of E­gipt.

The angel of oure Lorde appeared vnto Gedeon, Iudi. 6. and said. The Lorde is wyth thee.

The angell of oure Lorde appeared vnto Mannes wyfe. Iudi. 13. And at a nother seasō he appeared both to Manne and his wife.

The children of Israel being gathe­red to fight against the Beniamites, Iudi. 20. counsailed wyth oure Lorde. Unto whome he said, that Iudas shoulde be captaine of the hoste, and begyn. And notwithstanding that they wer twise [Page] ouerthrowne, yet our Lord commaunded them to fight.

Our Lorde called vppon Samuell foure times, 1. regu. 3. and at the laste he sayde, speake on Lord, for thy seruaunt he a­reth, and that by Helis counsaile. And than there foloweth, that oure Lorde appeared again in Silo.

When Dauid should geue battaile, 2. regu. 2. he did oftentimes consulte wyth oure Lorde. And we reade that he alwayes answeared hym, as it appeareth in many places, but speciallye in the se­cond booke of the kynges the seconde Chapiter.

Our Lord appeared to Salomon, 3. regu. 3. and said. Aske what thou wilt.

When Salomon had finyshed the building of the house of our Lord, 3. regu. 9. and the kinges palace. Our Lorde appea­red vnto him, and said, I haue hearde thy prayer.

And he spake again vnto Salomon 3. regu. 11. rebuking and checking of hym verye sharply, for his fautes committed.

The angell of oure Lord appeared 3. regu. 19. vnto Helias flyinge from the face of [Page] Iesabel, the which shewed hym bread and water. And also in a small styll voyce, or ayre.

When Elizeus was compassed a­bout with the Assirians hoste, 4. regu. 6. manys aungels that defended hym appeared, the whyche hys seruaunt sawe in the similitude and likenesse of firy horses and charets.

The appearinge of the angell Ra­phael continued leng, Tobi. 9. whom our lord sent to cure and heale Sara.

Diuers of the Prophets sawe many meruelous visions, Esa. 6. as of the wakyng rod, Iere. 1.24. and a sethinge potte, and of two maundes of figges. But specially Ezechiel, Daniel, Amos, and zacharias arful of imaginarious visions, the whi­che to expresse woulde require a long time.

Ther apeared vnto Heliodorus the which wold haue spoyld the temple, 2. Mach. 3. and haue conueid away such thynges as wer deposed & laid ther to be kept, an horse with a terrible and a fearful man sitting vpon him.

When ther should haue bene a ve­hemente [Page] bataile betwene Tymothe and Iudas Machabeus, 2. Mach. 1 [...] there appeared v. men vpon horsbacks garnished wyth brydles of golde, leadynge the Iewes, and two of them hauing Ma­chabeus betwixt them that kepte him safe on euery side with their weapōs.

The Iewes goynge to battaile a­gainste 2. Mach. 1 [...] the greate and myghtye hoste of Lisias, Machabeus beyng theyr ca­pitaine, there appeared before theym vppon horsbacke a man in white clo­thynge wyth harnesse of golde, sha­king his speare.

We do read that the angel of God appeared thrise vnto Ioseph: Mat. 1.2. first, our lord being in his mothers womb. Se­condarely, when he was come forthe of his mothers wombe. And thyrdlye when he was in Egipt.

When Iesus was baptised the spirit of god was sene vpon him in a bo­dely shape like a doue, Mat. 3. Luke. 4. and the fathers voyce was hard sayinge: Thys is my well be loued sonne.

Also in our lordes transfyguratyon ther apeared Moses and Helias spea­king Mat. 17. [Page] wyth our Lord. And there came a voyce from heauen. Luke. 9.

When our Lord Iesus arose from death to life, Mat. 27. manye bodies of sainctes which slept, arose, and comming oute of the graues came into the holy city, and appeared vnto manye.

When Iesus was rysen earlye the fyrst day after the saboth, Mar. 16. he appeared first to Mary Magdalen.

After this he appeared to two dys­ciples goyng by the way, Luke. 24. and laste of all, he appeared vnto the eleuen as they sate at meate, Mar. 16. and caste in theyr teethe theyr vnbelefe, and hardnesse of heart.

Our Lord Iesus shewed hym selfe alyue after hys passyon, Act. 1. and that by manye argumentes and tokens, ap­pearing vnto them xl. daies, and speakinge of the kingdome of God. Then ther followeth. And while they loked stedfastly vp toward heauen, behold, two men stode by them in whyte ap­parell.

When the fiftye dayes were come to an end. Act. 2. they wer al with one accord [Page] together in one place: And ther apea­red vnto them clouen tongues, like as they had bene of fyre.

Stephen beynge full of the holye ghoste, Act. 7. loked vp into heauen he sawe the glory of God, and sayd. Beholde, I se the heauens open, and the sonne of man standynge on the right hande of God.

And the Aungell of God was there presente, and a lyghte shyned in the habitacion of the prysonne. Actes. 12. And he smote Peter whyche was bound with chaynes, on the syde, and stered hym vp, saying, aryse vp quickely.

And when Paule was come nye to Damasco to take those that were christened, Act. 10. sodenly there shined round aboute hym a lyghte frome heauen, And he hearde oure Lorde Iesus of Nazareth, sayinge vnto hym, Saull, why persecutest thou me? And after­wardes he appeared to Ananias.

Cornelius the capitayne, a deuout man, Act. 9. and one that feared God, sawe euydentelye, aboute the nynth houre of the daye, an angell of God sayinge [Page] vnto him, Corneli, send men to Iop­pa, and call for one Simon whose syrname is Peter, he shal tell thee, what thou oughtest to dooe.

Peter beynge in hys prayers, and a hungerd, fell into a traunce, & sawe. Heauen opened, Act. 10. and a certaine vessell came downe to hym as it had bene a greate shete knytte at the foure cor­ners and was let downe to the earth, wherin were all maner of fourefoted beastes of the earth, and vermen and wormes, and foules of the ayre.

When Paule and Barnabas had gone throughe Misia, they came to Troada. Act. 16. And a vision appeared too Paule in the nyghte. There stode a man of Macedonia and prayed him, sayinge. Act. 17. Come into Macedonia and helpe vs, our Lorde sayd vnto Paule by a vision in the nyghte, feare not, speake, and holde not thy peace.

On a certain night god standing by Paule, said vnto him be constant and of good chere Paule, Act. 23. for as thou haste testified of me in Ierusalem, so muste thou beare witnes also at Rome.

[Page]Paule purposing to comforte and cheere his fellowes in the time of the tempest, Act. 27. persuaded them to be of good cheere, saying. There stode by me this night thangel of God, & said, fear not Paule, thou muste be brought before Ceaser and lo, God hath geuen the al them that sayle with the.

Blessed Iohan the Apostle & Euan­gelist exiled into the Ile of Pathmos, Apoca. 1. sawe Christe in the myddes of seuen golden candelstyckes. Ye all the boke is full of such visions.

¶Of good angelles. Capi. xxxi.

ANgelles appeared vnto Abrahā, & wer very familier with him. Gen. 18. Angels wer loged with Loth, & folowing in a maner his gētle violēce, deliuered him frō all perel & danger. Gen. 19.

The angel of god called vnto Abra­ham, & forbode him to sacrifice or to offre vp his sonne, Gen. 22. and promised him great thinges for his obedience.

Iacob fleyng frō his brother Esau, Gen. 28. sawe the Angelles ascendynge and [Page] descending vpon the ladder.

Iacob returned from Labans ser­uyce to Isaac his father. Gen. 31. The angels came to mete him, and to defend him.

And the angell of God which went before the hooste of Israell when the people came oute of Egypte, Exo. 14. stode be­twyxte the hooste of the Egypcians, and the hooste of Israell. For it is wrytten, Exo. 23. beholde I sende my angell before thee, to keepe thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I haue prepared.

Nume. 22.The angell of god stode in the way against Balaam riding vpō his Asse.

The angell of oure Lorde rebuked the chyldren of Israell, Iudi. 2. because they hadde sworne and made a peace with the Cananites, puttynge them in re­membraunce of Gods benefites done and shewde vnto them.

The angell of oure Lorde appea­rynge vnto Gedeon dyd comfort him, Iudi. 6. and holded him to deliuer the people.

The Angell appeared to Manues wyfe that was barren, Iudi. 13. declarynge vnto her, that she shoulde conceaue, [Page] and that she should kepe abstinence.

After that the people at Daudis cō ­maundement wer nombred, our lorde sent a pestilence into Israel. 2. regu. 24. And whē the angel stretched out his hand vpon Ierusalem to destroy it, Dauid seyng the angell that smote the people, said. Lo, it is I that haue done wyckedly.

Our Lordes aungell dyd comforte Helias [...]eynge the tiranny of Iezabel and refreshed hym wyth sober meat. 3. regu. 19.

And the angel opened vnto Helias, 4. regu. 1. what he should answer vnto Ochozi­as messengers.

There were mo good angels with Elizeus to defend hym, 4. regu. 6. then ther wer euil menne wyth hys aduersaryes to hurt hym.

The aungell of oure Lorde came, 4. regu. 19. and smote in one nyght of the Assiry­ans an hundred foure score and fyue thousand.

The aungell Raphaell that was Tobias guid, Tobi. 5.6. deliuered him from the daunger of the fysh, and his wise from the deuil, he restored old Toby to hys sight, and throughe him, as well hys [Page] parentes, as his companions and fe­lowes were repleanished wyth dy­uers consolations.

As truly as our Lord lyueth, sayth Iudith, Iudi. 13. hys aungell hathe kepte me going thither, remaining there, and comming hither again frō thence.

One of the Seraphins flewe vnto Esay, Esa. 6. and cleansed him with a stone, whyche he toke from the altare wyth the tonges.

The angell of God descended with Azaria and his felowes into the ouen or fornace of fyre. Dani. 3.

Daniel beynge wythin the den of Lions, Dani. 6. sayde vnto king Darius com­myng vnto him. My God hathe sente hys aungell whyche hathe shutte the Lyons mouthes, so that they myghte not hurt me.

Afterwardes the angell of our lord brought the prophet Habacucke oute of Iewry into Chalde, Dani. 14. to beare Da­niel his dinner.

There were diuers and great mi­steries shewed vnto Danyell by the ministery of angels. Dani. 9.10.11.

[Page]Machabeus and they that wer with him praid our Lord, 2. Mach. 11. that he woulde send a good aungel to deliuer Israel. Then there followeth. Ther appea­red before them an aungell in white clothyng.

The angel Gabriel to auaunce and [...]pon the conception of Iohn y e Bap­tist, Luke. 1. appeared vnto zachary.

And to denounce the conception of our sauiour, Luke. 1. the self angell Gabryell was sent of God vnto a city of Gali­le, named Dauid or Nazareth.

And againe, when oure Lord was borne the aungell of our Lorde slode harde by the Shepheardes, Luke. 2. and there was wyth the angel a multytude of heauenly souldyors praysing God. &c

We rede also, that thangell of our Lord appeared, & spake vnto Ioseph, Mat. 1. fyrst before his natiuity, saying, fear not to take vnto the Mary thy wyfe. Secondly, after the adoration & wor­shipping of the wise men. Mat. 2. Mat. 2. Aryse and take the child and his mother, & goe into Egipt. Thyrdly, after Herodes death. Take the child and his mother and go into the land of Israel.

[Page]After the departure of the deuil that tempted hym, Mat. 4. the angels came and ministred vnto him.

And after hys supper, and in hys prayer made in the garden, Luke. 22. there ap­peared an angel vnto hym from hea­uen, comforting him.

Mat. 28.At the tyme of hys resurrection, the angel of our Lorde came downe from heauen. Iohn. 20. Mar. xvi. Lu. xxiiii.

At our Lords assencion, behold two men stode by them in white apparell. Act. 1.

The chefe prestes rose vp, and all they that were wyth hym, laid handes on the Apostles, Act. 5. and put them in common pryson. But the aungell of oure lord by night opened the prison dores, and broughte them forthe, and fayde, go, and preache in the Temple to the people.

The angel of our Lord spake vnto Philip, Act. 8. saying: Arise and go toward the South. &c.

Cornelius saw euidently, about the ninth hour of the day, Act. 10. an angel of god comming into hym, and saying. Cor­nelius. &c.

[Page]And Peter being a slepe in Herodes pryson, Act. 12. the aungel of oure Lorde was then present. &c.

Kyng Herode arayed hym in royall apparel, Act. 12. and set hym in hys seat, and made an oration vnto theym, and the people gaue a shoute, saying: It is the voyce of a God, and not of a manne. And immedyatelye the aungel of the lorde smote hym because he gaue not the honoure to God, and he was con­sumed and eaten of worms, and gaue vp the ghost.

There stode an aungell of God by Paule in the ship, Act. 27. counsellyng him to be of good cheare, sayinge, feare not Paule.

Our Lord signifyed thinges which must shortly come to passe. Apoca. 1. And after that he spake by hys angell vnto hys seruaunte Ihon, whyche bare recorde of the woorde of GOD. &c. And that booke is full of angelycall reuelaty­ons.

¶Of euill Spirites. Ca. xxxii.

[Page]EUil spirites are sayd to be oure Lords, 1. regu. 16. because they are in gods power, and what so euer they do, they do it by God. The euil spirit of God vexed Saule.

The deuyll killed Saras Raguels daughter vii. husbandes, Tobi. 3.8. but yet by the comming of Raphael the good angel was eiected.

Sathan had euen so muche power vpon Iobs cattell his house wherein his children did eat, Iob. 1.2. and vpon his bo­dy, how much the deuine prouydence did suffer him to haue.

The euil sprite made the mā fearce and cruel. Mat. 8. And also he maketh a man vncleane, for those ii. demoniakes, or possessed with deuils wer out of mea­sure fearce, Luke. 8. & dwelt & laye in graues. And the deuils desired to goe into the swine, not into Lambs. One of those ii. was more famous then thother, he ware no clothes: he abode in no hous but in graues, he was bounde wyth chaines, & kepte wyth fetters, and he brake the bandes, and was caryed of the fende into wildernesse.

[Page]This euel sprite maketh a manne bothe deafe and domme, Mar. 7. and when the spirite taketh hym, he knocketh and teareth him and he fometh and gna­sheth with his tethe & pineth away, LuKe. 9. Mar. 9. & often times he casteth him into fire & water, to destroy and lose him.

Oure Lorde refused the laude and praise of maligne spirites. LuKe. 8. Holde thy peace (quod he) & come out of the mā. Mar. 1.

Our Lord dyd forbid his discyples to reioyce that the euill spirites were vnder them, Luke. 10. and subdued vnto them, as though they shuld not esteme that thing very greatly.

A certaine damsel possessed wyth a sprite y e prophesied, Act. 19. cryed out many a day after Paule & hys fellowes. But Paule being heuy therfore, turned a­bout and said to the sprite, I commād the in the name & vertue of Iesu christ y t thou come oute of her, and he came out the same hour. And note y t Paule would not that the doctrine of truthe shuld be confirmed by the spirit of de­ceitfulnesse and falshode.

Certain of the Iewes toke vpon thē to cal ouer thē, which had euil sprites [Page] the name of our Lord Iesus, sayinge, Act. 19.we adiure you by Iesu whome Paule preacheth. And the euyl spryte answered and said, Iesus I know, and Paul I know: but who are ye? and the man in whome the euyll spryte was, ran on them, and ouercame them, and preuailed againste them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded

¶Of the immortality of the resonable soule. Ca. xxxiii.

FOr as much as it is saide of A­braham, that he was put to his people, Gen. 25. it is supposed that he had people in a nother world, that is, men, which liued wel as he dyd.

We haue the lyke saying of Isaac. He was put vnto hys people. Gen. 35.49. And of Iacob.

And when Iacob beleued that hys sonne Ioseph was deade, Gen. 37. he sayde, I wil go downe into hel vnto my sonne mourninge. So then, he beleued that he was there in spryte.

Iosephes brethren hauynge in wil and mynde to saye, that one of theyr [Page] brethren was deade, said. We are xii. brethren, Gen. 42. the sonnes of one man, the yongest is with oure father, and one no man wotteth wher he is.

Our lord appearing vnto Moses in a bush, Exo. 3. sayd, I am the God of Abrahā Isaac, and Iacob. &c. by thys our saui­our proueth the resurrectyon of the dead. Mat. 22. He is not a God of the dead saith he, but of the liuyng.

It is sayd of Chore and hys compa­nye, that they wente down alyue into hell, Nume. 16. and the earth closed vpon them, and they pearyshed from amonge the congregation. By thys it appeareth that the euil, as touchyng theyr soules do lyue in hel.

If Saule had surelye beleued that Samuel had bene extincte and deade as touchyng hys soule, 1. regu. 28. he woulde not haue desyred hym to haue bene reuy­ued and called againe.

When that Dauids seruauntes, maruailed why he wepte not for hys yonge sonne that was dead, he said, I shal go to him rather thē he shal come again to me.

[Page]When that Dauids seruaunts, meruailed why he wept not for his yong sonne that was dead, 2. regu. 12. he said, I shall go to him, rather then he shall come againe to me.

When Absolon was hanged, and thrust thorowe with iii. speares, 2. regu. 18 Da­uid be wailed & lamented him mournfully. And s. Augustine in his boke de doc. chri. sayth. That Dauid bewaild not the lack and deathe of hys sonne. But because he knew to what pains that adoulterous and Paracide soule shoulde be drawen vnto. But for his other sonne that died an Innocente, and for whose sicknesse hee was sore afflicted, 2. regu. 12. he reioysed.

3. regu. 17.Helias praid for the reuiuification of hys hostes chylde, saying. O Lord my God, let thys childes soule come into hym againe.

Oftentimes we read in the bookes of the kynges, 3. regu. 14. he was layde a sleape wyth hys fathers. The whiche thing by no meanes maye be vnderstanded or spoken of brute beastes: 4. regu. 13. and there­fore ther by it is proued that they liue [Page] after theyr death, and that here after they shal arise again, as it appeareth in those that slepe.

It is manifest and open by Thobi­as wordes which he spake rebuking the folishnesse of his kinsfolkes, that the soule liueth after that it is sepe­rated from the body. Tobi. 2. We are, saythe Toby, the children of holy men, and loke for the life, which God shal geue vnto them that neuer tourne their be lefe from him. And afterwardes in his oration and prayer he saithe. Tobi. 3. O Lord, deale not wyth me accordynge to thy wil, and commaund my sprite to be receiued in peace.

Our Lord gaue Iob double of al y e euer was his. Tobi. 42. And at length he gaue him vii. sonnes, and iii. doughters.

The preacher (after the mynd of s. Eccle. 11. Gregory in the laste of his Morales) spake expresly and plainly, sayinge. Let the dust be tourned agayne vnto earthe, from whence it came, and the spryte shall retourne vnto God, whi­che gaue it.

By those woordes that the damp­ned do saye in hell, they declare and [Page] shew, Sapi. 5. that the good as wel as the euil do liue in a nother world.

Thus it is wrytten euen literallye of Nabuchodonozor king of Babylon Now that thou art laid down to slepe that is in death, Esai. 14. there come no mo vp to hewe vs downe. Hel also beneathe trembleth to meete thee at thy com­ming. And after there foloweth. Thy pryde is brought downe into the depe of hel. And many mo thinges ar wrytten there, by the whyche it is euidente that he pearished not vtterly, but that his soule went downe into hel.

When that they counseld Eleaza­rus to faine and dyssemble hym self to haue eaten of the flesh of the sacrifice: 2. Mach. 6. he said. Though I were now delyue­red from the tormentes of menne, yet shuld not I escape the hand of almighty God, nether aliue nor dead.

One of those seuen brethren, saide. 2. Mach. 7.Those thynges I possesse and haue from heauen, but now for the lawe of God, I despyse them, for my truste is that I shall receyue them. Of hym a­gayne. Lykewise it is cleare and ma­nyfest [Page] by the mothers wordes and o­ther, that they, as touchyng the soule beleued not that they should pearish.

Razias takyng hys owne bowels, threw them vpon the people, 2. Mach. 14 callyng vpon our Lord and ruler of the earth, and spirit to reward and restore him this again, and so he dyed.

Our sauiour warninge his Dysci­ples, the whych he sent abrode, Mat. 10. sayde vnto them. Feare ye not them which kyl the body, but are not able to kyll the soule. But rather fear him, which is hable to destroy both soule and bo­dy into hel.

That thing which our Lord dothe shew of the rych man and Lazarus semeth to be no parable or symilitude, Luke. 16. but a manifest hystorye. And so it ap­peareth that the soules bothe of the good and euyll be immortall, and re­ceyue after the separatyon from the bodye, euen as they deserued beynge in the body.

Our Lorde by the ensample of the vniust steward that made hym fren­des wyth hys masters goodes, Luc. 16. dothe [Page] conclude: sayinge: make you frendes of the vnrighteous Mammon, that when ye shall haue neade, they may receiue you into euerlastinge habita­tiōs. The which saying was of none effect, if the soule after the seperation from the body, or after the death of y e body, had no receptacle or place to be receiued vnto.

Blessed saint Steuen had a deuout and a right opinion and faithe of the soule, Act. 7. the whyche when they stoned him, saide, Lorde Iesu, receyue my spryte.

It appeareth manifestlye by the wordes of that excellent doctor Paul tha [...] the soule doth liue after it be se­perated from the bodye. 2. Cor. 5. We knowe (saith he) that if our earthy mancyon of thys dwellynge wer destroyed, we haue a building of God, an habitati­on not made wyth handes, but eter­nal in heauen.

Philip. 1.And he saith, I desyre to be losed, & to be with Christ.

And the selfe same man saythe. O wretched man that I am, who shall [Page] deliuer me from this bodye subdued vnto death? roma. 7. Truely he wold not say such thinges, but that he was sure of a nother life.

¶Of the faith that man shuld haue vnto God. Cap. xxxiiii.

ABraham beleued our lorde, Gen. 15. and that counted he to him for righ­teousnesse: and note that he beleued God, whiche promised hym a thynge most difficult and hard.

After that the children wer past o­uer the red sea: Exo. 14. and Pharaos host o­uerthrowne and drowned, the people feared oure Lorde, and beleued the Lord and his seruaunte Moses.

Moses vntyll he came to the wa­ters of strife, Nume. 20. faithfully beleued al the sayinges and words of our Lord, but somewhat he stackard there.

Ionatha [...] saide vnto his harnesse bearer. It is no hardnesse wyth oure Lorde, 1. regu. 14. to saue either in manye, or in fewe.

[Page]This was a woorde of a great and a mightye fayth. 1. regu. 17. That Dauid sayed when he should fight against Goliath the geyaunt. Thou comest to me with a swerde, a speare, and a shylde: But I come too thee in the name of oure Lorde.

Iosaphat saied vnto hys hoost ge­thered together to fight. 2. Para. 20. Put youre trust in the Lorde youre God, and ye shalbe sure and in sauegarde. Geue credence to his Prophetes, and so shal ye prospere.

Aza spake a woord of a great faith, saying. 2. Para. 14. Lorde it is no distance or mat­ter to the, whether thou helpe in few, or in many.

Esdras commynge to Ierusalem, 1. Esdra. 8. requyred not of the kynges gydes to conducte hym on his waye because it was a perylouse & a ieoperdous way, but turnde hym selfe to prayer, and to faste.

When Nehemias perceiued & sawe so many dangers & labours hang ouer theim, 2. Esdra. 4 he said. God shal fight for vs, & we wyl be laboring in the worke.

[Page]Daniels felowes spake a worde of a great and a feruent faythe to kyng Nabuchodonosor. Dani. 3. Oure God whome we serue is able to keepe vs from the hoote burning Ouen, and can ryghte well delyuer vs oute of thy handes.

Iudas Machabrus sayde vnto hys felowes that wer afraide. 1. Mach. 3. It is a smal matter for many to be ouercome with a fewe. Yee, there is no difference to the God of heauen, to delyuer by a greate multytude, or by a small com­pany. For the victory of the battayle standeth not in the multytude of the hoost. But the strength cometh frome heauen.

Eleazar sayde vnto those whiche would that be, 2. Mach. 6. fayninge hym selfe to haue eaten of the flesh of the sacrifice, shoulde haue scaped death, I cannot escape the handes of God almightye nether alyue nor dead.

The woordes of those seuen bre­therne and theyr mother proceaded and came of the aboundant faythe of the mynde. 2. Mach. 7.

[Page] Luc. 1.Thangel saide vnto zachary Ihon the Baptiste father. Beholde it shall come to passe, that thou shalt be dom and not be able to speake, vntyll the daye that theese thinges be perfour­med, because thou beleuedst not my wordes.

And Elizabeth filled with the holy ghost, Luc. 1. dyd speciallye laude Marye the virgin, sayinge: blessed arte thou that hast beleued. &c.

It is proued that ther was a mer­uelous faith in those three wisemen: Mat. 2. the which comming oute of the East to Bethelem, and fineding the childe with hys pore mother, most humblye did worship hym, and offred mistical giftes vnto him.

Our Lord euen meritoriously com­mended the faythe of the Centuryon, Mat. 8. the whiche sayde. Syr I am not wor­thye. &c. Then ther followeth, I haue not founde so greate faythe in Isra­ell.

Euery mannes proper faith maye be verye profytable vnto hym, Mat. 9. yf the faith of other menne was so commo­dious [Page] and profitable vnto the sicke of the palsy. And whan Iesus sawe the faith of them, Luc. 5. he said. Son be of good cheare, thy synnes bee forgeuen the, and oute of hande he wholye healed him.

A womā whych was diseased with an issue of bloud, Mat. 9. said within her self: if I may touche but euen hys vesture only, I shalbe safe. Then ther foloweth, doughter be of good comfort, thy faith hath made the safe.

Our Lord did not many miracles in his owne country, Mat. 13. because of their vnbelefe.

When Peter walkinge on the wa­ter began to sinke, mat. 14. oure Lorde repro­ued him for lacke of faith, sayinge: O thou or little faith, wherefore diddest thou doubte?

The woman of Canane is greatly praised of our Lord, mat. 15. to whom he said. O woman, greate is thy [...]ai [...]he, be it vnto the, euen as thou wilt.

Peter spake a faithfull worde vn­to our LORDE that asked hym, mat. 17. [Page] what men saide that he was. Thou art, said Peter, the sonne of the liuing God.

The faith of Magdalen was mar­uelous, and therfore she iustly deser­ued to heare of our LORDE. Luc. 7. Thy faithe hathe made thee safe, or saued thee.

Now when the father of the child that was lunatike beleued. He moste hūbly required that his faith mighte be encreased, mar. 9 [...] and wepinge hee sayde. Lorde I beleue, healpe thou mine vnbelefe.

Oure Lorde sayde vnto Thomas. Bringe thy finger hither. Iohn. 20. &c. and bee not faithlesse, but beleuing. Because thou hast se [...]e me, thou hast beleued, blessed are they that haue not sene, & yet haue beleued.

Upon Whitson sondaye after Pe­ters first predication, & the receiuing of the holy ghost, Act. 2. ther beleued about thre thousand men.

When the halting man was made whole, Act. 3.4. he spake vnto the people that wondred, and were sore astonyed. [Page] And many of them whiche hearde the wordes, beleued. And the numbre of them was aboute v. thousande.

The Apostles chose Steuen a man full of faythe, Act. 6. and full of the holye ghoste.

The Enuche sayde vnto Philippe, See, here is water, what doothe lette me to be baptised. Act. 8. Philip sayde vnto hym, yf thou beleue with all thyne hearte thou mayest. And the Enuche answered and sayd, I beleue that Ie­sus Christ is the sonne of God. And then Philip baptysed hym.

Saule and Cornelius were diuersty broughte vnto the faythe of Christe, Act. 10.9. but yet they were broughte edifica­tyuely and fruitfully.

Some of Sipers and Ciren whiche when they were come to Antioche, Act. 11. spake vnto the Grekes, and preached oure Lorde Iesus. And a great nom­bre beleaued and tourned vnto oure Lorde.

Paulus the Proconsull and ruler Act 13. seyng howe that Elimas the sorcerer [Page] that resisted Paule the Apostle, was made blinde by the word of God, be­leued, and wondred at the doctrine of our Lord.

Paule and Barnabas saide vnto the Iewes. Act. 13. It was meete that the woorde of God should fyrst haue bene preached to you. But seinge ye put i [...] from you, lo, we turne to the Gen­tyles. When they hearde this, they were glad and gloryfied the name of God, and beleued, euen as many as were ordained vnto eternall lyfe.

A certaine man at Listra, a crepell whiche neuer hadde walked [...] Hearde Paule preache, Act. 14. whiche beholdinge him, and perceiuing that he had faith to be whole, sayde vnto hym, stande vpright on thy feete, and he wente forthe and walked.

It fortuned in Iconium that Paul and Barnabas wente into the sina­goge of the Iewes, Act. 14. and so spake, that a greate multytude bothe of Iewes and also of the Grekes beleued.

As Paule and Barnabas wente through diuerse townes and cyties, Act. 16. [Page] the congregations were stablished in the faithe, and encreased in nombre daily.

When the keper of the prysone, in the which Paule and Silas were de­tained, Act. 16. saw the earthquake, and the prison open, beyng sore troubled and afraid, fel down at their fete, saying: what must I do to be saued? and they said, beleue in oure Lorde Iesus, and thou shalt be saued.

When Paul had disputed at Athēs against Idolatry, Act. 17. certaine men clea­uing vnto him, beleued, amonge the which was Dionisius. &c.

¶Of the fidelitye that ought to be kept to man. Capi. xxxv.

ELiezer Abrahams seruaunt dyd the message cōmitted vnto hym, Gen. 24. by his master verye faithfullye, when he went for Rebecca to Bath­nals house.

Iacob serued his vncle Laban faithfully, when that he keping his shepe by day was consumed with heat, Gen. 29.31. and by night with frost.

[Page]Ioseph shewed him self faithful vnto his maister, Gen. 39. in that he woulde not touche hys wyfe. And in his counsail that he gaue vnto Pharao: Gen. 41. and in suche seruice as he exhibited and dyd for hym.

Rachab the harlot did faithfullye with the spies which Iosue sent: Iosu. 2.6. and likewise Iosue afterwardes vsed her faithfully again.

Althoughe the Gabaonites had de­ceiued Iosue and the children of Isra­el, Iosu. 9.10. yet they kepte their othe and pro­mise wyth them, and after that faithfully defended them against theyr e­nemyes.

Ionathas did faithfully disclose his fathers yre and wrathe vnto Dauid, 1. regu. 20. and as much as laye in hym, excused hym, and afterwardes cōforted hym.

Abiathars father beynge slaine by the occasion of Dauid, 1. regu. 22. I am, saythe Dauid, the cause of the deathe of all the soules of thy fathers house. Abide with me, and feare not. For if anye seke my soule, he shal seke thine also, with me thou shalt be in sauegarde.

[Page]Dauid would not smyte, nor laye his handes vpon Saul hys Lord and king. 1. regu. 24. Notwithstanding he was euel, and did persecu [...]e him, and yet if hee had woulde, hee myghte twyse haue slaine hym.

The harnesse bearer of Saule was a greate signe and token of fidelitye, 1. regu. 31. and yet he did but vndiscretely, when that he, seing his master was deade, woulde liue no longer, but fel vppon his sweard, and died with him: what oughte we then to do for oure Lorde that was crucified for vs?

The men and inhabitours of Iabes in Galaad, 1. regu. 31. shewed them selues faith­full to Saule theyr Lorde, notwyth­standinge he was euell and wicked, when they reuerently buried hym.

Urias the Hethite would not liue in delite and pleasure, 2. regu. 11. as long as hys Lord Ioab labourd and was in war­fare.

When the city of Rabbath was in ieopardy to be loste and taken, 2. regu. 12. Ioab as long as he beseged it, sent for Da­uid to come thither to take the citye, [Page] that the honor of the victory might be geuen to his master, & not to him self.

When Dauyd fled from Absolon, Ethai sayde vnto him. As trulye as God lyueth, 2. regu. 15. in what place my Lorde the kynge shalbe, whether in death or lyfe, euen there also wyll thy ser­uaunt be.

Dauids menne woulde not that he should goe forthe with theim to bat­tayle. 2. regu. 18. Saying. Thou art compted to be worth ten thousand of vs. Wherby it appeareth that faythfully they lo­ued hym. And in another place. Thou shalte notte goo oute with vs to bat­tayle, 2. regu. 21. that thou quenche not the light of Israell.

All Israell separated them selues from Dauid, 2. regu. 20. and folowed Selon the sonne of Bochri. But the Iewes clea­ued vnto their kynge bothe faythfully and constantly.

Thre robust and stronge menne, moste faithfully defended Dauid fightygne agaynste the Philistians, 1. Para. 11. and brought him water out of the well of Bethelem, the whyche he greatlye [Page] desyred.

Ioiada the hye priest, dyd exceding faythfully with Ioas the sonne of Io­ram kynge of Iuda. 4. regu. 11. Notwithstan­ding that he afterwardes regarded it but slenderly.

Onias the byshop, and other priestes did faythfully trauell and labour, 2. Mach. 3. to kepe such thinges as widowes and pepylles had deposed and geuen them to kepe.

Oure Lorde dothe commende the Mat. 25. fidelite of those seruauntes that en­creased the thynges delyuered vnto them.

Paule wyth great faithfulnes pro­cured 2. Cor. 9. the gatherynge of mennes al­mes to be done for the necessite of the poore in Iewry.

Paule sent faythfull and effectuous letters to Philemon for his fugitiue seruaunte Onesimus. Philip. 1.

Certain of the chefe of Asia, gaue Paule discrete and faythfull Coun­sayle, Act. 19. desirynge hym, that he would not prease nor come into the common hall.

¶Of quietnesse and illu­stration of the minde. Cap. xxvi.

AFter that Abraham went from Hur of the Chaldees. Gen. 12.13.15.18. Our lord ap [...]eared sondrye tymes vnto hym, and visyted hym wyth dyuers reue­lations.

Gen. 18.Our Lorde appeared vnto Abrahā in the plaine of Mambre, as he sat in his tent dore in the heat of the daye. The whiche maye he expounded of a contemplatiue man.

Gen. 24.Isaac dwelt in the south countrey, and was gone out in his meditations or to pray in the field.

Gen. 25.Esau became a cunning hunter, & a tiller of the earth, but Iacob was a quiet and a symple man, and dwelled in the tentes.

Gen. 28.Iacob departed from Bersabe to come to Haram, and purposynge to reast there in a certaine place, because the sonne was downe, he tooke of the stones that were in that place, and put them vnder his heade, and layde [Page] hym downe and slept in that same place, and he sawe in a dreame a ladder standinge vpon the earth. &c

Moses kept the shepe of Ietro his father in lawe, Exo. 3. and he droue the flocke to the back side of the desert, and came to the mountaine of god, Horeb. And Oure lorde appeared vnto hym in a flame of fire.

Iethro Moses father in lawe seinge hym occupied from morninge vnto e­uen in geuinge of iudgement to the people he sayde vnto him, Exo. 18. Thou con­sumest and weriest thy selfe, and those that are with the with vayne and vn­discrete labour. Be thou vnto the peo­ple in those thinges that pertayne vn­to god.

Our lord came doune to the mount Sinay, Exo. 19. and called Moses vp to the top of the mountaine, and there he reueled vnto hym the iudgementes, the com­maundemētes, and the ceremonies the which he should teache the people.

Our lorde spake vnto Moses face to face, as a mā speaketh vnto his frende. And Moses was with oure lorde .40. [Page] dayes, and fortie nightes, and did neither eate bread, nor drinke water.

Oure Lorde spake vnto Moses, say­ing, get the vp into this mountayne, Deu. 32. and frome thence beholde the lande, whiche I geue vnto the chyldren of Israell.

Samuel did slepe in the temple, and oure Lorde calde Samuell. 1. regu. 3.

When kynge Dauid satte in his house, after that our Lorde had giuen him rest rounde abou [...]e from all hys enemyes, 2. regu. 7. he sayde vnto Nathan the Prophete. Thou seyste, that I dwell nowe in an howse of Cedarre trees, but the Arke of God, dwelleth within the curtaine.

It was shewed vnto Helias that fled from the face of Iezabel, 3. regu. 19. that our lorde was not in a greate spirite, nor in no cōmotion, nor winde, nor earthquake, but in a small styll voyce.

The mynde of man muste take his iudgement by the sumilitude and like­nes of corporall thinges, or els it must be lifted vp to god, in whō, what soeuer is sene or thought delectable in anye [Page] creature, is inseperable sounde muche better. 4. regu. 3. So that when the mynstrell played before Eliseus, the hande of Oure lorde came vpon him.

When Eliseus woulde praye deli­gentely for the Sunamites child that was departed, 4. regu. 4. he dyd it not openly be­fore al men, but shutte the dore to the lad and him, and prayed vnto Oure lorde.

Sara Raguels doughter beynge re­buked and slaundred of on of her may­dens, Tob. 3. went into the innermost cham­ber of her house, and thre dayes and thre nightes she nether eat nor drank, but continued in prayer, and besought god with teares that he woulde deli­uer her frome that rebuke.

Iudith perceyuing her people to be streyted and in daunger went into her closet, Iudi. 9. put on an heary smocke, straw­ed ashes vpon her head, and fallynge downe before oure Lorde cryed vnto hym.

Quene Esther fearing the daunger that was at hande, Esth. 14. fledde vnto oure [Page] lorde. And when she had laide a waye her glorius apparel, she put on gar­mentes that serued for syghinge and mourninge, and prayd thus vnto our Lorde, helpe me desolate woman.

After the tribulations and pertur­bations which Dauid sustained & suf­fred, Psal 54. he sayd. Who shal geue me win­ges lyke a doue? For then would I flie away, and be at reste. Then he shew­eth the maner howe to come to these wynges, & rest saying. Lo, then would I get me away farre of, and remayne in the wyldernesse.

When Ezechiell was amonge, or in the myddes of the prisoners, Eze. 1. the hande of our Lorde came vpon hym, and he sawe a stormy wynde come out of the north.

When Daniell hearde of the cruell sentence that was pronounced against the wise men of Babilon, Dani. 2. he wente home, and the mysterye was shewed vnto hym by a vision by night.

Dani. 9.The Angell Gabriell sayde vnto Daniell that prayde feruently. I am nowe come to teache thee, and to make [Page] thee vnderstand, that thou art a man greatly beloued.

I wyll stande vppon my watche sayth habacuc, Haba. 2. and shall fasten my ioy vpon my bulworke, to looke and se, what shalbe sayd vnto me, and what answere I should make hym that re­proued me.

And when the people were sent a­waye, he wente vp into a mountaine to praye alone. Math. 14. And when night was come, he was there hym selfe alone. By the whiche thynge he geueth the people an ensample to flee, and to seke for solitariousnes.

And zacharias wente into the tem­ple of our Lorde, LuKe. 1. and the whole mul­titude of the people were wyth oute in prayer, while the incense was a burnynge. And then there appeared vnto hym an Angell of oure Lorde.

Martha was troubled and combred about muche seruinge, Luke. 10. but Mary syt­tyng at Gods feete, hearde the woorde of God. And it is greatly to be noted. that quyetnes, and the hearing of gods word should be preferde aboue al reli­gyons [Page] and deuoute ministery & seruice

Iohn. 11.When Iesus sawe mary wepe, and the Iewes also wepinge whiche came wyth her, he groned in the spirite, and wepte, the whyche thinge he dyd not, when Martha spake vnto him.

Our lordes disciples wer wonder­fullye illuminated and taughte at the cōminge of the holy ghost. Act. 2.

After the light from heauen shyned rounde a boute Saule, Act. 9. he fell to the earthe, and was made blind, the fasted and prayed by the space of thre dayes, and hadde many exellente reuelations from Christ.

When Peter was lodged in Simōs the Tanners house, Act. 10. at a certain time he wente into the hyest place of the house to praye, to the entent, that he, beynge farre from the troublous peo­ple that were beneathe, myghte geue hym selfe the more quyetlye to hys prayers. Oure Lorde, Peter beynge in a traunce, shewed vnto hym, that the heathen oughte not to be repelled from the predication of the gospel.

[Page]Paule was taken vppe into the thyrd heauen, 2. Cor. 12. and hard secreate wor­des, which no man can vtter. rom. 1.9.10.11. His ex­ceading great wisdome appeareth in hys Epistles, Ephe. 1.2. and principallye to the Romaynes. Col. 1.2. To the Ephesyans. To the Collossyans. And also to the He­brues, Heb. 1.

Oure Lorde disclosed vnto blessed Sainte Ihon, beyng sequestred from the tumulte and consolatyon of the worlde, and banyshed into the Ile of Pathmos, the celestial and heauenly workes and dedes, as it appeareth in his reuelations.

¶Of longanimi­ty. ¶Capit. xxxvii.

ABraham taried many yeares, or euer he hadde any chylde by Sara, Gen. 21. for hee was an hundred yere old, when his sonne Isaac was borne vnto him.

[Page]From the fyrst promise made vnto Abraham, vntyl he hadde sede were yeres 440.

Oure Lorde suffered Israell to bee scourged and afflicted in Egipt a lōg time and season. And afterwardes to be tempted and proued in wildernes the space of 40. yeares, or euer they came to the land of promise, as it ap­peareth thorowe oute all the boke of Exodus and Numery.

Iudi. 20The children of Israel fightyng a­gainst the tribe of Beniamin, many against a few, wer twise ouerthrown and yet at the last they preuailed.

Iob. 13.Iob beyng punyshed in bodye, de­priued of al hys chyldren, laughed to scorne of hys frendes, and spoyled of all hys goodes, dyd say. Lo, though he slaye mee, yet wyl I put my truste in hym.

Tobyas elders & kinsfolkes laughed hym to scorne, whyche sayde vnto hym, Tob. 2. where is thy hope, for the why­che thou haste done almesse, and bu­ryed the deade?

But Tobias rebuked them, & spake. [Page] Say not so, for we are the chyldren of holy men, and looke for the lyfe which God shall geue vnto them that neuer turne their belefe from him.

When Susanna was condempned by the false testimony and wytnesse of two iudges, Dani. 13. it is thus wrytten of her, That her heart hadde a sure truste in the Lorde.

When one of those seuen brethren was requyred of the tyrande, 2 Mach. 7. quyckely he put oute his tounge, and constantly helde forth his handes, and spake with a steadfaste fayeth. These haue I of heauen.

Iudas Machabeus sente vnto Ieru­salem two thousande dragmas of syl­uer to bee offred there for the offences and synnes of the dead, 2. Mach. 12. iustelye thyn­kynge and relygyouslye of the resur­rection.

There was a manne in Ierusalem whose name was Simeon, Luke. 2. And the same manne was iuste and godly, and loked for the consolation of Israell.

Oure Lorde goynge and ascending vp into heauen commaunded his dis­ciples [Page] that they should not depart frō Ierusalem, Act. 1. but to waite for the pro­mise of the father.

When Paule perceiued that the one parte were Saduces, Act. 23. and the o­ther Pharisies, he cryed oute in the counsell: Men and brethren, I am a Pharisy, the sonne of a Pharisye: Of the hope and resurrectiō from death, I am iudged.

The Apostle doth monishe Timo­the, to charge them which are ryche, 1. Timo. 6. that they be not vse minded, nor trust in vncertaine richesse, but in the ly­uing God.

¶Of the feare of God. Capi. xxxviii.

Gen. 3.UNtill the time that our beati­tude and saluation be confir­med and stablished, there can be no security nor sauegarde: for the angels in heauen, & our first parents in paradise did trespasse.

[Page]Lot euen amonge those that were moste wycked, Gen. 19. was good: and yet de­partynge from Sodom with his two doughters, vpon the mountaigne he sinned.

The want and lack of the feare of God, Gen. 20. is the cause of synne, and ther­fore Abraham sayd vnto Abimelech, I thoughte wyth my selfe, sayinge. Parauenture the feare of God is not in thys place, and they shal slaye me.

The midwiues feared God, and he made them houses. Exo. 1.

Our Lordes wil was to make the children of Israell sore afrayde, and therfore he gaue them his law wyth thunder, Exo. 20. fire, lightnyng, noyse of the trumpe, smoking mountaine, and o­ther signes most terrible.

A man oughte not to truste in the honesty of hys parents, 1. regu. 8. for Abraham hadde manye euyll chyldren, and but one good. Samuell hadde two, and both naughts, Dauid had many that wer euil. Salomon had one euil sōne and folish, and there are found many examples of other.

[Page]After the children of Israell were gone ouer the red sea, Exo. 14 and that Pha­raos hoste was drowned, the people feared the Lord, and beleued our lord and his seruaunt Moses.

Abdias which was the gouernour of Achabs house, 3. regu. 8 feared greatlye the God of Israel. For when Iezabel destroyed the prophets of our Lorde, he toke an hundred prophetes, and hyd them, fifty men in one caue, and fifty in an other, and prouided breade and water for them.

The men which the kinge of Ba­bilon sent to inhabite Samaria fea­red not God, 4. reg. 17 and therfore our Lorde sent Lions among them, the whyche destroyed and slue them.

Iosaphat set iudges thorowout al the cities of Iuda, 2. Para. 19 commaunding thē aboue al other thinges, that the fear of God shoulde be wyth them, and to do al thyng wyth diligence. For ther is no vnrighteousnes with the Lord our God.

Tob. 1.2.The elder Tobias taught his sōne from hys youth vp, to fear God, and [Page] to refraine from all sinne, and caused those that feared God to be caulde to dine and to be meary with hym. And he fearing God more then the kyng, toke the bodyes of the slaine, and bu­ryed them.

And Sara Raguels daughter, in her oration and prayer to our Lord, Tob. 3. confessed, saying. An husbande haue I consented to take, not for my plea­sure, but in thy feare,

The yonger Tobias & hys frendes with the fear of our Lorde, Tob. 9. helde the feast of the maryage.

Iudith was a widowe of a verye good report wyth euerye one, Iudith. 8. for she feared oure Lord greatlye, and there was no body that spake an euil word of her.

Amonge al other thinges that Iob is commended for, Iob. 1.2. the fear of God is most specially touched. And therfore he saide, I haue euer feared God, as the swelling waues and floudes.

Thys is specially spoken of a strōg woman, Iob. 31. a woman that feareth oure lord, is worthy to be praised.

[Page]When Eleazarus was tormented and pressed with plages, 2. Mach. 6. & sore mar­tirdome, he said: Thou o Lord knowest that wheras I might be delyuered from death, I suffer these sore paines of my bodye: but in my mynde I am wel content to suffer them because I feare thee.

A greate tempest beinge moued in the sea, Ionas. 1. the shypmen, in whose com­panye was Ionas, caste hym into the sea, and the sea lefte ragyng, and the men feared our Lorde exceadynglye, doyng sacrifices and making vowes vnto our lord,

If any lord ought to be feared, be­cause he maye geue vnto man muche good, a great deale more should God be feared because he can geue the hi­est and greatest goodnesse of all. For Thobias saithe. Tobi. 4. My sonne, hee not afraid: we shal haue great good, if we feare God. And because that god can geue that, Mat. 10. that is euyil also, Chryste doth say, feare hym, whych is able to destroye bothe soule and bodye into hell.

[Page]If the seruaunt vnto whome a ta­lent was committed, Luke. 19. was greuouslye punished because he dyd not multipli and encrease the same, but kepte it and brought it again bound in a napkin: what shall become of him, that doth wast and spende all that euer he hath luxuriously, and as much as ly­eth in hym, doth cōtrary and against our Lord?

They shallbe greuouslye punyshed that haue done wickedly: And so it a­peareth that they shallbe confounded that haue not done the works of mercy. Mat. 25. For it shalbe thus said vnto them departe from hence ye cursed, into e­uerlasting fire.

Simeon was a iuste man & a fear­ful, and loked for the redemptiō and consolation of Israell. Luke. 2.

And the fearfull and deuoute men dressed Steuen that was stoned to death by the Iewes, Act. 8. and made great lamentacion ouer him.

It is wrytten that the churche or congregations after Paules conuer­syon, was edyfied, and walked in the [Page] feare of our Lorde, and was replea­nished by the comforte of the holye ghoste.

By the occasion of Cornelius that feared God, Act. 10. Peter sayde. In all peo­ple, he that feareth god, and worketh rightousnesse, is accepted with him.

¶Of the fear, wher with the euill feare those that be good. ¶Capi. xxxix.

ABimelech said vnto Abraham. God is with the in al that thou dost. Gen. 21 And therfore sweare vnto me euen here by God, that thou wilt uot hurt me.

The Egiptians that followed the children of Israel passyng by the middest of the sea, Exo. 14 saide. Let vs flye from the face of Israell, for the Lord fygh­teth for them againste the Egypty­ans.

Saule consideryng that our Lorde was with Dauid, 1. reg. 18 began to fear him.

The captaine ouer fifty that came the thirde tyme to Hely, 4. reg. 1. spake reue­rentlye [Page] vnto him, and because the o­ther two dyd not so, they were consu­med with fire that came downe from heauen.

It happened that when the wall of Ierusalem was finyshed, 2. Esd. 6. that all the hethen which were there about were afrayde.

All the heathen on euery side were afrayde of Iudas and his brethren: 1. Mach. 3. so that the rumoure of hys name came vnto the kinge.

Theire aduersaries heard that Io­nathas was ready with his menne to the battayle, 1. Mach. 10. they feared, and were afrayde in theyre hartes.

After that Lisias was ouerthrone be Iudas Machabeus, 2. Mach. 11. he was wyl­linge to make peace with him, and promised, that he woulde consent to all thinges whiche were reasonable, euen as Iudas woulde.

Herode feared Iohn, knowing that he was a iust manne, Mar. 6. and an holy: and he kept hym.

After the terrible death of Ananias and Saphira, the disciples wer all to­gether [Page] in Salamons porche. And no man durst ioyn him selfe to them, Act. 5. but yet the people magnified them.

When Paule and Silas were both in prisone together, Act. 16. and their feete made fast in the stockes: sodenly there was a greate earthquake. The keper of the prison beinge afraide, fel doune at the fete of Paule and Silas, & saide Sirs what muste I do to be saued?

¶Of the loue of god. Capi. xl.

WHen God shoulde geue the law vnto Moses, he said vn­to hym, Exo. 20. I am thy lorde god, shewynge mercy vnto those that loue me, and keepe my commaundemen­tes.

The chefest of al the cōmaundemē ­tes is the loue of god. Deu. 6. For Moses said after he had repeated the commaūde­mentes vnto the people. Thou shalt loue the lorde thy god, with all thine harte. &c.

Moses willinge specially to printe [Page] in the peoples mynde the feare and loue of god: Deu. 10. saide, and nowe Israell, what dothe the lorde thy god require of thee, but to feare the Lorde thy god, and to walke in all his wayes, to loue him, and to serue the lorde thy god, with all thine harte. &c.

Iosua beinge olde, and stryken in yeres, calde all the people of Ierusa­lem vnto him, Iosua. 13.13 and wareninge them of many thinges, amonge all other he sayde. Take hede most deligentlye of this that ye loue your lorde god.

It is wrytten of Dauid, that with his whole hert he did prayse our lord, and loued god that made him: Eccle. 47. ye and be hym selfe sayde, a lorde that arte my fortitude and strengthe, I wyll loue the.

The Apostle Paule hathe geuen this sentence. Psal. 17. If any manne loue not our lorde Iesus Christ, the same bee cursed. For oure lorde that shall re­uenge thinges shall come.

In asmuch as loue is a vertue that moueth a man to christ wards. 1. Cor. 16, Paule [...]adde greate Loue, the whiche was [Page] crucified vnto Christ. And it may be noted, that Christ was his wisdome. Nether shewed I my self that I knew any thinge amonge you, 1. Cor. 2. saue Iesus Christe, euen the same that was cru­cified.

And his substaunce. I haue counted (sayth Paule) all thinges losse, Philip. 3. and do iudge them but vyle, that I maye winne Christ.

And hys iustice. He is made vnto vs our wisdome, 1. Cor. 1. our Iustice, our sanc­tification, and our redemption.

It may be sayd that Christ spake in Paule. 2. Cor. 13. Seke ye experience of Christ whiche speaketh in me?

Also Christ did worke by Paule, I dare not speak of any of those things, Rom. 15. which christ hath not wrought by me.

Againe Christ did lyue in Paule. I liue, yet now not I, but Christ ly­ueth in me. Gala. 2. And agayne he saythe, Christ is to me lyfe. Philip. 1.

Item Christ doth triumphe in him. Thankes be to god, whiche alwaies geueth vs the victory in Christ 2. Cor. 2.

He may also be called Christes ser­uant. [Page] Paule the seruāt of Iesꝰ Christ.

And the Apostle of Christ. rom [...]. 1. Paule the Apostle of Iesu Christ.

And the legate or messenger of god Now then are we messengers in the roume of Christ, 2. Cor. 1. 2. Cor. 5. euen as though God did exhorte you throughe vs, so praye we you in Christes stede, that ye be reconciled vnto God.

And he was Gods helper. We are goddes helpers or labourers.

And Gods champiō. 1. Cor. 3. I haue fought a good fight. And againe. So fight I, not as one that beateth the ayre. 2 tim. 4. And againe. 1. Cor. 9. If I haue foughten with bea­stes after the maner of men. 1. Cor. 15.

Item a runner. I so runne, not as at an vncertaine thinge. 1. Cor. 9.

And a speciall folower. Be ye folo­wers of me, 1 Cor. 1 [...]. as I am the folower of Christ.

Saint. Iohn sayth. Let vs therfore loue god, for he loued vs first. 1. Iohn 4.

¶Of the loue that man ought to haue to his neigh­boure. Cap. xli.

[Page]CAyne was greuously reprehen­ded of oure Lord, Gen. 4. and punished because he did wickedly against his brother, and sayde that he was not hys brothers keper.

Note how diligently and carefully Abraham prayde oure lorde, Gen. 18. that he would spare the Sodomites, the whi­che thinge was a great signe and to­ken of loue.

Moses had so greate dilection and loue to his neighbours, exodi. 32. whyche were hys subiectes, that in hys prayer to God, he sayde, eyther forgeue them their sinne, or wype me oute of thy booke.

Moyses did wyshe in hys prayer, that oure Lordes people coulde pro­phecy, Nume. 11. notwithstāding that his honor should seme to be deminished therby.

Moses would haue no greater do­minion then he had, Nume. 14. and yet our lorde promysed him it. Suche was his loue towardes his neyghbours whome he ruled.

Iudi. 21.The chyldren of Israell, after the occision and death of the chyldren of [Page] Beniamin, wept very sore, and sayd. O lorde wherfore is this euyl chaun­sed in Israell?

The soule of Ionathas was knyt with the soule of Dauid, 1. regu. 18. and Iona­thas loued him, as his owne soule.

Dauid shewed that he loued his e­nemye, 2. reg. 1.3. when he mourned for Saul, and his frende, when he wept for Io­nathas and Abner.

Dauid likewise bewailed the death of Absolon his sonne, 2. regu. 18 althoughe he was euyl, and his aduersary.

Nehemias dothe shewe his greate loue towardes the children of trans­migratiō, esdra. 2. per totum. as it appeareth by the thin­ges that he did for them.

Because Tobias hadde shewed the works of charity to many, Tobi. 1. many did loue him, and therfore when he was commaunded by the king to be slain, he was hiden and not found.

Oure LORDE wolde that we should haue suche loue to our neigh­bors, Mat. 18. that he said vnto Peter, that he shoulde not forgeue his brother that [Page] sinneth against him, till seuen times but seuenty times seuen times.

The Samaritane is much extolde and lauded for the great loue and charitye that he had to his neighboure. Lu. 10. For comming vnto him being halfe deade, he was moued with pytye and compassion, he bound vp his woūdes and poured in oyle, and wine.

It is declared that S. Steuen had a meruelous great loue to his neigh­bours, the which praid more deuout­ly for those that stoned hym to death, Act. 7. than for hym selfe. For them he kne­led downe, and cryed wyth a loude voyce. But for him self he spake thus simplye, Lorde Iesu, receiue my spi­rite.

Paule did loue his neighbours in­estimablye, for he was to them as a mother that is in trauel. Gala. 4. For he sayd vnto the Galathians. My lyttle chyl­dren, of whome I trauel in byrthe a­gaine.

Item Paule is to his neighbour as a father that correcteth. 1. Cor. 4. In Christ Iesu I haue begotten you thorowe the [Page] Gospel And a litle after. Shal I com vnto you wyth a rod?

And to the Thessalonians. Ye are wytnesses how that we haue prayed 1. Thes. 2 you & comforted you as a father doth vnto his children. And as a nourse y e chearysheth, and flattereth her chyl­dren. And in a nother place. Euen as to babes in Christ, 1. Corin. 3 I gaue you milke to drynke.

And as a master and a Doctor in­structing. I am apoynted a preacher, 2. Timo. 1 and Apostle, and a teacher of the gentiles in faith and veri [...]y.

And as a labouring and a helpyng brother. Phil. 4.1. My brethren dearly beloued and longed for, I beseche Germaine my yoke felow. And in a nother place I haue you the companyons of my ioye, in the defendinge and stably­shyng of the Gospel. And againe, we be not Lords ouer your faith, 2. Corin. 1. but are helpers of your ioy.

And as it were a Legate to those y t be reconciled. 2. Cor [...]n. 5. Now are we messēgers in the roume of Chris [...].

And Apostle bringing good tidin­ges, [Page] ye know that I wold kepe backe nothinge y t was profitable vnto you, Act. 20. but to shew you & teach you openly, & throughout euery house. And in a nother place, Act. 17. whome ye ignorauntlye worshyp, him shew I vnto you.

1. Corin. 3And as a builder buyldynge. As a wise builder haue I laid the founda­tyon.

And yet neuerthelesse it maye be said that Paule by other wayes and meanes shewed him self to be a most feruent louer of his neighbours. Be­cause he did many thinges for them. For he ether sustained them, or e [...]sse he gaue them, and procured for the power that he had not to geue them, of those that had it, & Paule him selfe doth testify that he counselled and did for the vtility & profit of hys neygh­bors, saying. Act. 20. These handes haue mi­nistred vnto my necessities, & to them that were wyth me. For it is more blessed to geue, then to receiue: and al though it was a worke of superero­gation, considring he might haue re­ceiued somwhat of them, yet he did it [Page] to spare those he preached vnto. I am ready saith he, 2. Corin. 12 to come vnto you, and yet wil I not be chargeable vnto you for I seke not yours, but you. Secon­darely he toke nothynge, that he my­ght cut of from the Pseudapostles the occasion of gloryfying. In all things I kept my self so that I should not be chargeable to any man, 2. Cor. 11. and so wyl I kepe my self. What I do, that wyll I do, to cut away occasyon from them, which desire occasiō, that they might be found lyke vnto vs, in that wher­in they reioyse. And again he procu­red that thereby he shoulde haue the greater rewarde. We haue not vsed thys power to receiue any reward of you. 1. Cor. 9. What is my reward then. Uerely that when I preach the Gospell, I make the Gospel of Christ fre. Paule procured also of the congregatyon of Achaia, to dystrybute & geue to the pore that were in Iewry, and there­fore he caused collectyons, 1. Cor. 16. 2. Cor. 9. to be ga­thered, and induced the faythful effectuously to the same. Item he that so­weth lytle [...] shal reape lytle.

[Page]And he distributed vnto his neigh­bours the word of God, wherwith he plentifullye abounded. Ye and gaue him self to be profitable vnto his, we woulde haue dealte vnto you not the gospel only, but also our own soules because ye were dear vnto vs. ii. Thes. ii And again he saith, ii. Cor. xii. I will very gladlye be­stowe, and wyl be bestowed for your soules.

Furthermore Paule euen wyth hys owne body did meruelous thyn­ges to conuert hys neighbours to the faith and to spiritual health by prea­ching, disputing, and iournyinge frō Damasco to Arabia and Ierusalem, and to Antioche. And then by the cō ­maundement of the holy ghost, wyth Barnabas he wente from Antioche to Cipers, and from thence they say­led by Cicill, and came to Persida. I­conium, Lycaoniam, and ordeyned prestes and elders in euerye congre­gation. And after that they had done muche good, they retourned to Anti­oche. Afterwardes Paule purposing to visite his brethren vnto whom he [Page] had preached the word of god, he toke Sila with him, and went to Siria & Cilicia, and from thence to Phrygia and Galatia, and came to Mysia, and after that beinge called, he sailed into Macedonia. And when he had done muche good at Thessalonia, and in many other cities of that regyon, he went to Athens, and ther he disputed with certayn curious Philosophers. And from thence he wente to Corin­thum, and there he conuerted muche people to our Lord. And then he toke his iourny to Ephesus, and entred in to the sinagoge and dysputed wyth the Iewes. And from thence he went to Cesaria, Act. xvii. and from Cesaria he cam to Antioche, and after hee had taryed there a certaine time, he tooke hys iourny towardes the country of Ga­latia and Phrigia, and confirmed & stablished al the disciples. And when he had wandred ouer all the hye par­tes of the country, he came agayne to Ephesus, and taried there two yere, disputing of the kingdome of God, & did so much, that all they that dwelte [Page] in Asia both heathen and Iewes dyd heare the worde of God. From thēce he returned by Macedonia, Troyade and Miletum, & passing by manye o­ther cities and Iles, he came to Tire and from Tire he toke his iorney by Ptolomaidem, and Cesaria, & came from thence to Ierusalem. And there the Iewes toke hym, drew hym, bet him, and falsly accused him, before di­uers iudges, and manifestlye greued, was constraind to appele vnto Cesar He was deliuered vnto the captain, & after the shyppe was broken, & many other pearyls, he being boūd w t chai­nes, came to Rome, & ther beyng ge­uen to preaching and teachynge, purposed to go into Spain. Behold now how he loued those, for whose sakes he suffred such and so manye paynes and pearils. And Paule sayth, we do all thynges dearly beloued for your edifying. ii. Cor. xii.

Also the sygnes of loue appeare, when a man wil sustaine and suffer that is greuous for his frendes sake. For it is wrytten. Thou shalt not be [Page] ashamed to salute or defend thy frēd: and if any euill or hurt chaunce vnto the through hym, Eccle. 12 sustain and bear it.

Out of these forsaide wordes, it is open, that Paule suffred wonderfull thinges for his neyghboures profits. 2. Timo. 2. I suffer (saith Paule) all thynges for the electes sakes, that they mighte also obtayne saluatyon. Of thys loke in the title of tribulation, for there thou shalt fynde manye thynges as touchyng thys matter.

It appeareth by S. Ihons wordes, that he had greate loue to his neygh­boures. For his mouthe spake, of the haboundance of hys hart, when that he so often repeated charitye, as it a­peareth in hys fyrst Epystle. Capit. iii.iiii.

¶Of Enuy. ¶Capitu. xlii.

THorow enuy of the deuil, Sapi. 2. came death into the world, for when he saw that man was in a hap­py [Page] & good estate, and that he myghte ascend to that he fel from, he tempted man, and ouercame hym.

Cain moued wyth enuye, slue hys brother Abell, Gen. 4. because he sawe that God accepted hys brothers gyftes, & not hys.

It is wrytten of Isaac, that GOD blessed hym, Gen. 26 and that he waxed rych. And therfore the Palestines enuyed hym. And so it appeareth, that pros­perity occasyonally doth cause the e­uyl to hate and to enuy many.

Rachel that was baren, enuied her syster whyche was full of chyldren. Gen. 30. Behold howe that enuy spareth not euen those that are nigh of kin.

Iosephes brethren did most cruel­ly hate hym, Gen. 37. because they sawe that theyr father loued hym more then all his brethren, & because of his dremes that he rehersed vnto them, and note what mischefe came of it.

When that two men prophecied in the host, Nume. 11. Iosue as thoughe he enuyed the thing, saide: master Moses forbyd them. And he saide, enuyest thou for [Page] my sake? wold God that all our Lor­des people could prophecye, Nume. 11. and that our Lord would put his spirite vpon them.

Mary Moses sister, & Aaron spake agaynste Moses, Nume. 12 [...] sayinge, oure Lorde hathe not onelye spoken by Moses. Hath he not spoken also by vs? wherby it appeareth that the enuious spa­reth nother frend, nor kinsman. For Moses was theyr brother, & through hym they hadde receyued greate ho­noure.

After that the Philistian was slain the women sange. Saule hathe slain hys thousand, 1. regu. 18. and Dauid hys tenne thousande. And Saul was exceading wrothe, and the sayinge dyspleased hym.

And when Achitophell sawe that they did not after hys counsayle, but after the counsail of Chusai, 2. regu. 17. he went home to hys own house, and hanged hym self.

As the children of Iuda after their retourne from Babilon, 1. Esd. 4. were buyl­dynge of our Lordes temple, the peo­ple [Page] that dwelt about them wer very sory therfore, and dyuers and manye waies dyd let them.

Samasbalath and Tobias hearde saye, 2. esd. 2 that there was come a manne whyche sought the wealth of the children of Israel, and it greued them very sore.

Daniel did excel al the princes and great estates of the realme. Dani. 6. And therfore they sought an occasion to draw him oute of the kynges fauoure and presence.

Alchinus perceyuynge the loue that was betwixte Iudas & Nicanor: 2. Mach. 14 came to Demetrius, and tolde hym that Nicanor had takē straunge mat­ters in hand, and had ordeined Iudas the kynges enemye, to be the kynges successour.

When the chefe priestes and Scri­bes sawe the wonders that our Lorde did, Mat. 21. and the children cryinge hosanna to the son of Dauid, they dysdained.

The brother of the prodigal sonne, Luke. 15. hearinge of the feaste that hys father made for hys youngest brother that [Page] was returned home, disdained, and woulde not go in.

Enuye was verye farre from Iohn the Baptist. Iohn. 3. For when his disciples came vnto him saying, that Christ did baptise, and all men come to him. He answered. The frende of the bride­grome. Which standeth and heareth him, reioyseth greatlye because of the brydegromes voyce. Thys my ioye therfore is fulfylled. He must increase But I must decrease.

Some of the Iewes that had seene oure Lorde reuiue Lazarus, Iohn. 11. wente their wayes to the Pharisees, and sayde. What do ye? wherevpon the hie preastes and the pharises gathe­red a counsell.

The hye preastes and pharises e­uen throughe enuy cōmitted so cruel a deede, Mat. 27. as to crucifie oure lorde, for Pilate said that he knewe that for enuy the hie priestes had deliuered him, that is the sonne of God, oure Lorde Iesus Christ.

As Peter and Ihon spake vnto the people, Act. 4. the priestes and the ru­lers, [Page] and the Saduces came vppon them, takyng it greuouslye that they taught the people.

Then the chefe priest rose vp, and all they that were wyth him, Act. 5. seinge the signes that Peter did, they were ful of indignation and enuy, and laid hands on the Apostles, and put them in the common prison.

When the Iewes hearde Steuen speake, Act. 6.7. theyr hartes claue a sunder, & they gnashed with their tethe, beyng right heauy and sad, that they coulde not resist the wisdome, and the sprite which spake in him.

The whole city almost came together, to heare the worde of God, Act. 13. that Paule and Barnabas preached. But when the Iewes saw the people, thei were full of indignation and enuye. Many of the Thessalonians, Iewes, and Grekes, and not a few of the no­ble and worshipfull women beleued but the disdainfull & enuious Iewes, Act. 17. [...]oued and stirred vp the city against them.

¶Of brotherly reprehention. Capi. xliii.

TO reprehēd or rebuke a neighbour, is a work of mercy. Gen. 11. And therfore Abraham after he had sworne to Abimelech that he woulde be merciful vnto him, by and by there followeth, that hee rebuked Abyme­lech,

Abraham did charitably & gentlye quench & a pese the strife that was be­twixt his herdmen, Gen. 13. and the herdmen of his nephew Lot.

Lot did swetelye and gentlelye re­prehend the Sodomites, Gen. 19. notwithstā ­ding they listned not vnto him.

Ruben and Iuda did so temper the fury of theyr brethren, Gen. 37. that they slue not Ioseph.

Moses rebuked him that did wrōge to the Hebrue very charitably, Exo. 2. but he toke it il, and spake iniuriouslye [...] say­ing. Wilt thou kil me, as thou kildst the Egiptian?

Iethro perceiuing that the people taried to be iudged by Moyses, sayde. [Page] It is not well that thou doste, Exod. 18. thou shalt vainly and folishly consume thy selfe. And note, how so notable a man dyd herken, ye and folowe the admo­nition of a Heathen.

Phinehes the sonne of Eleazar, & the other messengers, Iosu. 32. dyd discretely reproue theyr brethren that buylded an aultare to the shame and rebuke of the chyldren of Israel, and they were very glad to doo satisfaction.

The children of Israell sente mes­sengers thorowe oute all the tribe of Beniamin, Iudi. 20. sayinge. What wicked­nesse is this that is happened among you? Nowe therfore delyuer vs those men that hath done that wicked dede.

Ionathas reprehended his father Saule because that he wrongfullye persecuted Dauid, 1. regu. 19. and at the begin­ning he somwhat did temper and de­bate his malyce.

Abigaill purposing to reproue her husband for his churlyshnesse that he shewed vnto Dauiddes messengers, [...]. regu. 25. would not by and by after dynner tel [Page] him, but taried the aportunite of tyme vntyll the morowe day, and then in the mornynge when he had digested the wyne that was within hym, she tolde hym.

Abner tooke Asahel vp right well, because he persecuted hym so neere. 2. regu. 2. But he distained to heare him, and therfore he was slaine.

Note how discretly Nathan the prophete rebuked dauid after he had cō ­mitted aduoutrye and murder. 2. regu. 11. He sayde not angerlie thou haste doone wickedlye, but wythe an apte and a mete similitude, he intraped him by the wordes of his owne mouthe.

Helias rebuked the people most lo­uyngly, sayinge. 3. regu. 18. How longe halt ye betwene two opinions? if our lord be god, folowe him.

There was a certaine man of the children of the prophetes, 3. regu. 20. that wente about to reprehende Achab the kyng of Israel, and put a parable vnto him, by the whiche he knew his fawte.

[Page] 4. regu. 3.Elizeus said frely to Ioram kyng of I [...]rael, being enuironed wyth hys host, if it were not, that I regard the presence of Iosaphat, I woulde not loke toward the, nor yet se the.

The priestes withstode Ozias the king of Iuda that would haue burnt incense, 2. Para. 26. and saide. It is not thy office to burne incense vnto our Lord, but to the priestes the children of Aaron, that are consecrated for to offer in­cense.

Esdras with a loude voyce rebu­ked the children of transmigratyon, 1. Esd. 9.10 that contrarye to the lawe marryed straungers.

Nehemias hearing the clamoures of the people that were ouercharged by the riche, 2. Esdra. 5. rebuked the counsellers and rulers, and saide vnto them. Euerye one of you is to chargeable vnto his brother. He doth the like because that many of them bearing of burdēs did prophane and breake the Saboth day.

Tobi. 2.Tobias elders & kinsfolkes laugh­ed him to scorne, but he rebuked thē, [Page] sayinge. Saye not so, for we are the children of holy men, and loke for the life, which God shal geue vnto them that neuer tourne their belefe from him.

When Iudith hearde the mynde and purpose of her citizens, Iudi. 8. that they after the fifte day would geue vp the city vnto the Assirians: she reprehen­ded and reproued them with faithful and discreate Communicatyon and wordes.

Daniel did very discretely reproue king Balthazar by the example of his father. Dani. 5. And note how pacientlye the king harde him, notwithstandynge, He spake against him, and howe that he afterwardes dyd magnify and ho­nour him.

And Ihon the Baptist spake with a meruelous feruentnes, Mat. 3. to the Pha­rises and Saduces. O [...] generation of vipers, who hath taughte you to flee from the vengaunce to come.

Ihon said to Herode that commit­ted aduoutrye with Herodiada hys bro­thers Mat. 14. [Page] wyfe. It is not lawefull for the to haue her.

Peter vndiscretely, although [...] yet louyngelye, Mat. 16. dyd rebuke [...]ure lorde, sayinge, that he shoulde suffer many thinges of the elders, and hye prea­stes, but oure lorde answeared hym hardely agayne, sayinge. Go after me Satan.

Our lorde gaue Peter a true and a certaine rule of brotherely reprehen­tion. Mat. 18. If thy brother trespase against thee, goe and tell him his faute be­twene him and thee alone,

One of the theues which were han­ged rayled and blasphemed our lorde Iesus. Luke. 23. But the other answered, and rebuked him sayinge. Feareste thou not god, &c. we receyue accordinge to oure deedes.

The man that was borne blinde, and illuminated of god, Iohn. 9. did reproue and ouercome the pharises Euen ve­ry well, sayinge. This is a marue­lus thinge, that ye wotte not from whence he is, and yet he hathe ope­ned myne eyes. Sence the woorlde [Page] began was it not hearde, that any mā opened the eyes of on that was borne blinde. If this man were not of god, he coulde haue done nothinge.

Peter perceiuing certaine Iewes to maruell, Act. 2. and to laughe the Dysci­ples to scorne, dyd boldly and discretelye rebuke them, and instructe them, and conuerted them to the faith. The like did chaunce, after that Peter had healed the haulte. Act. 3. For he shewed thē their fautes, and somwhat he excused them, and spake many swete wordes vnto them, so that 5000. menne were conuerted.

Peter rebuked Ananias & Saphi­ra his wife very sore, Act. 5. because they de­frauded and kepte awaye part of the pryce of a field or possession that they hadde solde, and broughte a certayne parte, and layde it at the Apostles feete.

Steuen beynge wyth the Iewes in counsell, Act. 7. dyd boldly reprehend them, sayinge amonge other thynges.

O ye stiffe necked, and of vncyr­cumcised [Page] heartes and eares, ye haue alwaies resisted the holye Ghoste: as your fathers did, so do ye. Whiche of the Prophets haue not your fathers persecuted:

Paule setting his [...]ies on Elimas the sorcerer, Act. 13. that sought to turne the ruler away from the fayth, saide vn­to him. O full of all subtelty and dis­ceitfulnesse the childe of the Deuyll, thou ennemye of all righteousnesse, wilte thou not cease to peruerte the straight waies of the Lord?

Peter terriblye reprehended and rebuked Simon Magus that offered mony for y e gift of God, Act. 8. saying. Thy mony pearish with thee.

Paule dothe reproue wyth a mer­uelous discretion the Romains whi­che were conuerted of the Gentiles and Iewes, and with a proude com­motion woulde haue preferde theym selues aboue other. Hee declareth that they haue bothe sinned, and that they haue n [...]ade of the glorious mercye of GOD. For the Gentyles [Page] were transgressors of the lawe of na­ture, and the Iewes of Moses lawe. Roma. 2. For we haue alredy proued saith he, how that bothe Iewes and Gentiles are vnder sinne.

Paule dothe rebuke the Corinthi­ans speciallye of this, because they se­med to be diuided among them selues for one sayth, 1. Cor. 3.5.6.11.15. I am of Appollo, and another of Cepha. And again, because they diss [...]mbled, and winked at the fornicator that being amonge them kept his mother in lawe. And because they wente to lawe for seculer busynesses before the Hethen. And he reproueth them, as touching the receite of the holye Communion. And rebuketh them as concerning their erroure of the resurrection of the deed. And che­fely he reproueth them because they sustained and suffred many greuous thinges of the false prophets, nor had not hym in suche reuerence as they should haue had, 2. Cor. 11. ye suffer, saith he, if a man bringe you into bondage, yf a man deuoure you, if a man take, yf a man exalte him selfe, if a man smite [Page] you on the face. And again he saith, I ought to haue bene cōmended of you. 2. Cor. 12. For in nothing was I inferior to the chefe Apostles.

Paul rebuked the Galathiās sharply and feruentlye, Gala. 3. because that they, after they had receiued the truth and verity of the gospel, would return to circumcision, and to the obseruations of the law. O ye folishe Galathyans, saith he, who hathe bewitched you, y t ye shuld not beleue the truth?

Paule hard say that certain of the Thessalonians walked vnquietlye & inordinatly, 2. Thess. 3. workinge not at all, but beinge curious, and busybodyes. And therfore he commaunded them to bee rebuked.

¶Of the compassiō that man shuld haue to his neighbor. ¶Ca. xliiii.

WHen Abraham hearde that Lot his brothers sonne was taken, Gen. 14. he spedely and manly succourd and recouered him.

Ruben and Iudas wythstode their [Page] brethren that woulde haue slaine Io­seph. And althoughe they broughte hym not to his father: Gen. 37. yet by that me­nes he was the more gentlelye hand­led.

Gedeon hauing pity and compassion vpon those that folowed hym, [...]udi. 8. as­ked and prepared bread for them.

Although the childrē of Beniamin Iudi. 21. had most greuously offended the chil­dren of Israell, yet because they were destroyed, they liftinge vp theyr voy­ces, wept very sore.

Samuri mourned for Saule, not­withstanding he knew that God had reiected and forsakened him. 1. regu. 15.

Dauid hauing compassyō on those that wer weary to folow and fyghte, 1. regu. 30. appoynted, that as hys parte is that goeth downe and fyghteth, so should hys parte be that tarieth by the stuffe that it might be parted a like.

Dauid was heauy for the death of Absolon, 2. regu. 18. although he had greatly of­fended him. But Dauid knewe that in soule he was damned.

[Page]Helias tooke the womans sharpe wordes very gentely, 3. regu. 17. and hauinge cō passion for the the sorow she tooke for the deathe of her sonne, he prayede effectuously.

When Iezabell had slaine and de­stroyed the Prophetes of oure Lorde. 3. regu. 18. Abdias hyd a hundred of them, and fed them for a longe season.

Eliseus had compassion and pittie on the wydow that was bedetted, 4. regu. 4. and encreased the lytle oyle that she had.

We should not alonely haue com­passion on oure neighbours for the e­uylles that are presente, 4. regu. 8. but also for those that are to come. And therfore Eliseus lookynge vpon Azael, that should do euyl thinges to the children of Israel, dyd wepe.

After that the chyldren of Israell had taken of the people of Iuda two thousande women and chyldren, 2. Para. [...]8. they spared them, and sent them home a­gayne wel clothed and refresshed.

Nehemias hearing of the misera­ble estate of the cytie of Ierusalem, 2. Esd. 1.2. wep [...]e many a daye, and at the last he [Page] founde both counsell, and good helpe.

When Sennacherib reygned, whi­che hated the children of Israel. Tob. 1. To­bias wente dailye throweoute all his kinred, and comforted them, he fedde the hungry, clothed the naked, and buried the deade and that deligently.

Iob had greate compassion vpon hys neyghbours. Iob. 19. The whiche sayde. The Eare that heareth me shal blesse me, for I deliuered the poore when he cried, and so did I the fatherles, and hym that hadde none to healpe him, the blessinge of the pupyl came vppon me, and I comforted the wy­dowes hart.

When quene Esther hearde of the cruell sentence that was geuen a­gainst her people, Esth. 7. she tooke the mat­ter no other wise, but although she had bene one of them, notwithstan­ding that she, being the kinges moste welbeloued spowse, was in securite & safegard for all that sentence.

When Iobs three frendes hearde of all the trouble that happened vnto hym, Iob. 2. they came to comforte hym, but [Page] in asmuche as they coulde not vnder­stande the cause of his affliction, they were afterwardes a burden vnto him.

Esd. 21.We shoulde not onely haue com­passion on the iuste being in affliction and trouble, but also vpon the synful and vniuste. And therfore Esay saith, My loynes for the destruction of Ba­bilon are fylled with sorowe:. Heuy­nesse hathe taken holde vppon me, as the panges of a woman that is trauaylinge.

Esaye seinge in sprite the calamite that shoulde come or chaunce vnto his people, Esd. 22. sayde. Gette ye hence. I will wepe and make bitter lamenta­tion. Labur not, for ye shall not be hable to comforte me because of the destrucction of the doughter of my people.

A bemelech the morian beinge sory that Ieremye the prophet was caste into the lake or dongyonne where theire was no water butte myre, Iere. 38. procured the matter soo wyth the [Page] kynge, that he was drawene oute.

After that Baruche hadde wrytten the thretning woordes at the mouth of Ieremy, Iere. 45.43 he sayde, wo is me for our lorde hathe geuen me sorowe vppon sorowe. And yet the people sayde, that Baruch had prouoked Ieremye agaynste theym, that they myghte be deliuered into the handes of the Caldees.

When oure lorde had disclosed vn­to Ezechiel the synnes that the peo­ple had committed, Eze. 3.9. and the paynes that they should suffer. He was heuy, and full of sorowe.

Kinge Darius knowinge that Da­niel was cast into the lake of Lions, Dani. 6. euen for very heuynes wente to bed supperlesse, neyther was there any meate brought before hym. And fur­theremoore hys sleape faylded him.

Onias the preaste was in greate, heuynes when he sawe that the tem­ple should be spoyled by Heliodorus, 2. Mach. 3. and that suche thinges as was layde there be widowes & pupilles shuld be [Page] be taken and caried away.

The noble king Antiochus, though he was euen specially euyl, 2. mach. 4. yet when he hearde that Onias the hye priest was wrongfully put to death, beyng moued with mercy, it pitied him, and he wepte, remembring his sobernes, and manerly behaueour.

Oure Lordes disciples came vnto hym, Mat. 15. and besought him for the womā of Chanane, saying. Lord send her a­waye, for she crieth after vs.

Oure Lorde, against those that wil not haue pyttie of theyr neyghboure, mat. 18. and forgeue hym from the harte, doth induce the parable of the vngratious seruaunte, to whome he forgaue a thousande talentes, and yet woulde not forgeue hys fellowe an hundred pence. And that no man dothe gladly beare with his neyghboure, nor hath mercye or compassyon on them, is well proued, mat. 25. because that at the latter iudgement, there shalbe a speciall di­sputacion of the workes of mercy.

And when our Lorde sawe that the wydowe wepte, whose sonne was ca­ryed [Page] out dead. He had compassyon on her, Lu. 7. and sayd vnto her, wepe not, and he reuiued her sonne that was dead.

Our Lorde was moued with mer­cye towarde the indigent and nedye people. mat. 14 For they folowed him on fote in the deserte.

The Samaritane was moued and had compassion on the wounded. Lu. 10 He bounde vp his woundes, and poured in oyle and wyne, and made prouisi­on for hym, and caused hym to haue meate.

Oure Lorde beholding the cytie of Ierusalem, Lu. 19. and considering the euyls that should afterwardes chaunce vn­to it wept on it, saying. Yf thou had­dest knowen. &c.

When Iesus sawe Marye wepe, and the Iewes also wepyng whiche came wyth her, Iho. 11. he groned in the spi­rite, and was troubled in him selfe, and wepte.

Oure Sauiour euen hangyng vp­on the crosse, was carefull for his mo­ther, whome he knewe to be crucified and tormented in soule. Woman said [Page] he, behold thy sonne, poynting vnto Iohn.

When Peter was come to Ioppa, and sawe the wydowes wepyng for the death of Tabitha, Act. 9. whichie made them cootes and garmentes, he kne­led downe and prayde, and when he had called her, he shewed her alyue to the saynctes and wydowes.

When Paule was at Athens, his sprete was moued in him, Act. 17. when he sawe the cytie geuen to worshipping of Idolles.

The barbarous and straunge peo­ple shewed Paule and hys felowes no litle kyndnes: Act. 27. for they kyndled a fyre, and refreshed them euerye one, because of the present raine and colde And they that in the tyme of wynter scaped oute of the broken shyppe had good nede of it for some dyd swymme to lande, and some were caried on boordes, and on broken peeces, of the shyppe.

Paule sorowed hys brethren and kynsmen that perished with so great anxiete of sprite, Roma. 9. that he sayd, I haue [Page] greate heuines, and contynuall so­rowe in my heart: for I haue wyshed my selfe to be cursed from Christ, for my brethren my kinsmen as pertay­ning to the fleshe.

And to the Galathians. My lytle children, of whome I trauell in byrth agayne. Gala. 4.

Of hospitalyte. Capi. xlv.

NOte. Howe spedely, and how Ioyfullye Abraham receyued Angelles into his house. Gen. 18. And howe he caused all thinges necessary to be prepared for pylgrimes.

Marke also: howe Lot honored the Angels that past by. Gen. 19. Whiche he toke to be men. He praide them instantly, and offering them most gently all ne­cessarye thinges, defended his house, as he coulde, against those that vio­lently would haue entred into it.

Rebecca semed to be prest and re­dye to hospytalyte, Gen. 24. the whiche sayd vnto Abrahams seruaunte. We haue [Page] litter, hay and prouinder inough, and also fair roume to lodge in. And anon after Laban saide vnto hym, I haue dressed the house, and made roum for thy camels.

Iethro without any great praier receiued Moses being a straunger into his lodging. Exo. 2. Afterwardes he honou­red his daughter and his Nephewes magnificently.

Moses saith. Our Lord god loueth the straunger, Deut. 10. and geueth hym fode & raiment. Loue ye therfore the stran­ger, for ye wer strangers your selues in the land of Egipt.

Rachab the harlot lodged the spies sent by Iosua most liberally, Iosu. 2. and she was holpen and deliuered most faith­fully.

The Leuite found no man in al Gabaa Beniamin, Iudi. 19. that would take hym to lodging, but one old man that cam from his worke.

Helias reuiued the womans sonne that sustained and lodged him. 3. regu. 17.

The Sunamite receiued Elizeus going by, 4. reug. 4. into her house, and lodged him [Page] the which obtained her a childe, and reuiued the same.

Iob a good receiuer of gestes and strangers, Iob. 31. said. The straunger taried not without, and my dores wer open vnto him, that went by the way.

When our sauiour sent his dysci­ples to preach, Mat. 10. he said that he was re­ceiued and hard in them. He that re­ceiueth you, receiueth me, he that hea­reth you, Luke. 10. heareth me, and he that des­piseth you, despiseth me.

Iesus walking here in the world, had not where to lay his hed, Luke. 9. Luke 10. and yet we reade that Martha was his speci­all hostes.

zacheus receiued our Lord ioyfully into his house. Luke. 19. And oure Lorde made him more ioyful, when he said. Thys daye is healthe happened vnto thys house.

By the example of those two discy­ples that constrained our Lord being LuKe. 24. in the likenesse of a pilgrime to tarye with them, it appeareth, that straun­gers should not only be called in vnto vs, but also compelled to tary w t vs.

[Page]The Apostles most commonly wer lodged in the houses of artificers, Act. 10. and and of mene men. As we do reade of Peter, who was lodged with one Si­mon a tanner, whose house was by the sea side.

And Paule lodged with Aquila & Priscilla, Act. 18. because they wer of y e same craft, and occupation.

Lida a seller of Purple, besoughte Paule and his company to tary with her in her house, Ac. 16. and she constrayned them.

When Paul and his felowes wer escaped out of the broken ship, Act. 28. Pub­lius the chefe of the Ile, receiued and lodged them thre dayes curteouslye. And Paule by prayer, and by laying his handes vppon his father, whyche laye sicke of a feuer and of a bloudye flixe, healed him.

Paul wryting vnto Philemon, v­sed an vrbane and a ciuill hope and confidence, Ad. phi. 1 when he said, prepare me lodging, for I trust that through the helpe of your prayers, I shalbe geuen vnto you.

[Page]Amonge all other things, vnto the whiche Paule dothe specially induce the hebrews, Heb. 13. is hospitalitie. Be not forgetful to lodge strangers, for ther­by haue dyuers men lodged Angels vnwares.

Saynt. Iohn in his thyrde Epistle dothe cōmende Gaynus, Capi. 1. sayinge. Be­loued thou dooest faythfully, what so euer thou dooest to the brethren, and to strangers, whiche beare wytnesse of thy loue before the congregation.

¶Of amitie and loue. Capi. 46

LAban called to gether a greate company to the feaste, Gen. 29. and mar­ryage. And gaue hys daughter Rachel to Iacob hys nephewe.

Our lorde spake vnto Moses face to face, Exo. 33. as a manne speaketh vnto hys frende.

Ruth abode styl by Naomy her mo­ther in law. Ruth. 1. And sayde vnto her whe­ther soeuer thou goest. I will go also. And wheresoeuer thou shalte dwell, there wyll I dwell.

[Page]The soule of Ionathas was knytte with the soule of Dauid, 1. regu. 18. & Ionathas loued him, as his owne soul. And Io­nathas put of his own cote that was vpon hym, and gaue it to Dauid, and therto his cloke, his sweard, his bow, and his girdle.

It was a token of faithful amity, although it was vndiscrete, 1. regu. 31. that Sauls harnesbearer, seing that his Lorde & maister was deade, woulde dye wyth hym.

Abner sente his messengers to Da­uid, sayinge. 2. regu. 3. Make a bonde of amitye with me, and my hād shalbe with the to bring al Israel vnto the.

Chusai the Arachite Dauids frend, came to Absalon, 2. regu. 17. and destroyed Achi­tophels counsail.

The prophet Iehu said vnto Iosa­phat king of Iuda, the whiche hadde made peace, 2. para. 19. and was come to helpe & to fight with Achab the king of Isra­el. Wilt thou helpe the vngodly, and loue them that hate our Lord? there­fore thou haste deserued the wrathe & anger of our Lord.

[Page]Proud Aman cald his frendes vn­to him, Esth. 5. and told them of the glorye of his richesse, and of the multitude of his children, and with what glory, y e king had exalted him aboue all other his princes and seruauntes.

When Iobs thre frendes hard of al the trouble, Iob. 2.6. that had happened vnto him, they came euerye one from hys own place, to viset, and to cōfort him. Yet afterwardes he saide of these, ye go about to subuert your frend.

The wicked traytor Alchimus stirred vp king Demetrius against Iu­das Machabeus, 1. Mach. 7. of whome he said vnto the king. Iudas and hys brethren haue slain thy frendes.

King Alexander sent a letter to Io­nathas, with these woordes, 1. Mach. 10 we haue hard of thee, that thou art a myghtye and a valiaunt man, and meete to be our frend.

Ionathas toke gold and syluer and dyuers presentes, and gaue it to the king, 1. Mach. 11. and found him gratious, and he made him the head and prynce of all hys frendes.

[Page]Ionathas seing that the time was mete for him, [...]. Mach. 12. chose certayne men and sent them vnto Rome, for to stablisse and renue amite and frendeship wyth them.

After that Alexander hadde slayne Demetrius, 1. Mach. 10. he sente Ambasadors to Ptolome the kynge of Egypte, that they might haue amite and frendship to gether, and he woulde geue hym hys daughter to wife.

For the olde amite that certen men whiche stode by hadde to Eleazarus, they brought such fleshe as might be lawefully eaten, 2. Mach. 6. and willed hym to make a coūtenaunce as thoughe he had eaten of the fleshe of the sacrifice, for so he might haue bene delyuered from deathe.

Lisias perceuinge that the Iewes beinge defended by the healpe of Al­mightie god, 2. Mach. 11. were inuincible, sente them woorde, and promysed that he woulde make the king their frende.

Our lorde cōmended the vniust ste­ward, Luke. 16. because he had done wisely in gettinge of frendes with his masters [Page] monye, concludinge thereby, that we shuld make those men oure frendes, that may at y e time and hour of death, receiue vs into the euerlastinge habi­tations.

Our Lorde putteth an example by him, that goeth to his frende at mid­night, Luke. 11. to aske somwhat of him.

At the time of our Lordes passion, Luke. 23. Herode & Pilate wer made frendes.

The cytie of Ephesus beynge mo­ued and troubled, Act. 19. certaine of the chefe of Asia whiche were Paules frendes, sent vnto him, desiring him, that he woulde not prease into the commen hall.

Of enmite and hatred. Capi. xlvii.

AFter the trespasse & synne of our first parentes, Gen. 3. by and by god put enmite betwene the serpent & the wo­man, & betwene bothe their seedes.

The hearde men Gerare did striue with Isaacs heardmen for a well, Gen. 26. that they digged. And therfore Isaac calde it the well of enemies.

[Page]And Esau hated Iacob continual­ly, because of the blessing that his fa­ther blessed him withal. Gen. 27 And he saide in his harte. The daies of my fathers sorow are at hand, and I wil slay my brother Iacob.

Iacob said to Simeon and Leui, ye haue troubled me, Gen. 34. and haue made me odious to the Cananite, and the Phe­resite, thinhabitors of the land.

When Iosephes brethren sawe, that theyr father loued him more thā al his brethren, Gen. 27. they hated hym, nor coulde not speake peaceablye vnto hym.

The Egiptians hated the children of Israel, Exo. 1. and did so mock them, and punished them, that their lyfe was bitter vnto them.

And our Lorde spake vnto Moses, saying. Num. 25. Let the Medianites feele that ye be their enemies, and smite them, for they haue done againste you lyke enemies, and haue deceitfulli begiled you by the Idoll Pheor.

Adonizedech kinge of Ierusalem, & other iiii. kinges, Iosu. 10. besieged Gabaon, [Page] because that the Gabanites fled and were gone to Iosua and to the chyl­dren of Israell, and had made peace with them.

The Elders of Gaba wente to fet Iephthe, Iudi. 11. and said vnto him, come and be our captaine, to whome he answe­red, dyd not ye hate me and expell me out of my fathers house? How happe­neth it then, that you come vnto me nowe in tyme of necessitie and tribu­lation?

Dalida wept before Sampson, and complained saying, Iudi. 14. thou hatest me, and louest me not, and therfore thou wylt not declare and tell me the ryd­dle.

Saule perceyuing that the people set muche by Dauid, 1. regu. 18. and that he she­wed him selfe wyse and bolde in all thynges became alwaye Dauyds e­nemy.

The two theues that slewe Isbo­seth sayed vnto Dauid, 2. regu. 4. lo, here is the head of Sauls sonne thy enemy. But yet they were but euyll rewarded for their laboure.

[Page]When Thoi king of Hemath hard that Dauid hadde smitten and ouere­throwen Adadezer his enemy, 2. regu. 8. he sent Ioram his sonne to thanke him, and to intreate him for peace.

After that Ammon Dauids sonne had forced Thamar Absolons sister, 2. regu. 13. he hated her exceadingly, so that the hate wherewyth he hated her, was greater then the loue wherewyth he before loued her.

After that Salomon was gon from god throughe synne, 3. regu. 11. oure lorde styr­red vp three aduersaries vnto Salo­mon, that is hadde ad the Edomite, Rason the sonne of Heliada, and Ie­roboam his seruaunt.

3. reg. 18.18Wycked Iezabel persecuted Heli­as the prophete for the deathe of Ba­als prophetes the whiche he caused to be slayne.

When that Helias reproued A­chab for the vniust deathe of Naboth: 3. regu. 21. Achab sayed vnto Helias, hast thou founde me thyne enemye? He answe­red. I haue founde the.

Achab sayed vnto Iosaphat kinge [Page] of Iuda. There is yet one man of our lordes prophetes Micheas the sonne of Ierala, 3. regu. 22 by whō we maye ask coū ­sel of y e lord, but I hate hī for he doth not prophecie good vnto me but euil.

The aduersaries of Iuda and Ben­iamin hard that the children of capti­uitie buylded the temple vnto our [...] lorde god of Israel. 1. Esd. 4. And they woulde not buylde with them.

Then Raguel and Anna his wife praysed oure lorde, Tobi. 8. because he hadde delte mercifully wythe them and had put away from them the enemy that persecuted them.

After that Holofernes headde was smitten of, Iudi. 13. and that euery man now helde his peace. Iudith sayd. O praise ye the lorde our god, for he hathe not dispised nor forsaken theim, that put their trust in him, and in my hande he hath slaine the enemy of his people, & with that she toke forth the heade of Holofernes, and shewed it them.

Esther complayninge of proude Aman, sayd vnto Ahasnerus. Esth. 7. Our ene­my & aduersary is this wicked Aman.

[Page]It is thus written of Iudas machabeus. His enemies fled for feare, 1. Mach. 3. and all the workers of vngodlynes were put to trouble, suche lucke and pro­sperite was in his hande.

Ptolomy the king of Aegipt would haue obtained Alexāders kingdome bee fraude and gyle: 1. Mach. 11. but his enmite and malice was openly knowne.

Simon knewe that Triphon dis­sembled in his wordes, 1. Mach. 13. when he de­maunded Ionathas two sonnes, and a hundred talentes of syluer, yet cō ­maunded he the money and the chyl­dren to be sente vnto hym, leeste hee shoulde be the greater enemy against the people of Israell, and saye, be­cause hee sente hym not the money and the chyldren, therefore is Iona­thas dead.

¶Of peace and con­corde. Cap. xlviii.

Gen. 1.IN the begynning god made all other beastes double, that is male and female. But he crea­ted [Page] man sole, and of him are all other procreated and made, and that to cō ­mende the vnite of peace and concord in man.

Riches and abundaunce of tempo­rall thinges, Gen. 13.26. are oftentimes the mat­ter and occasion of strife and debate, as it appereth in Abrahams and Lots herdsmen, and Isaac and the shepher­des of Gerare.

Menne doo gladly make peace and frendshyppe with suche as be of great mighte and powre. Gen. 16. And therefore A­bimelech came to Isaac, because he sawe him prosper.

Sumtimes a man must geue place, and avoide the fury or hastines of his better. Gen. 17.18. As Iacob did departing from his brother Esau, vntill his fearsnes and wrath was swaged.

The Gabaonites hearinge what Iosua hadde done at Ierico and Hai, Iosu. 9. came vnto hym, and made a good peace and agrement with them.

Whan Phinees and the other lega­tes that wer sent vnto the children of Iosu. 22. [Page] Ruben, had heard theyr excuse, they were appeased, and gladly receaued theyr answere.

Althoughe Absolon hadde doone to 2. regu. 18.wickedly againste his father yet Da­uid more desyred peace then the death of his sonne, for he sayd. Is the yong man Absolon safe.

Notwithstanding that Dauid was holy, 2. regu. 7. and suche a one as pleased god, yet our lord would not that he should buylde hym a house, but that Salo­mon his peasible sonne should enioye and be honored, and haue that pri­uiledge.

Our lord is much to be lawded and praysed, when he geueth his people a peasable and a quiete estate, 3. regu. 5 as was in Salomons time, the whiche sayd. The lorde my god hathe geuen mee rest on euerye syde, so that there is neyther aduersarye, nor anye euyll plage. Then there foloweth, blessed be oure lorde.

Good and blessed menne haue loue and amite one to a nother. 3. regu. 14. But, the euyll fyghte agaynst the good, and o­ther [Page] that are euyll. As there was war contynually betweene. Roboam and Ieroboam.

It was declared and shewde vnto Helias that oure lorde was not in the mighti strong winde, 3. regu. 19. nor in the earth quake nor in the fyre. But in a small styll voyce, that is in tranquilite and peace.

And the people blessed and thanked all those, 2. Esd. 11. that wer wyllinge to dwell at Ierusalem.

Ionathas sente ambasidoures vn­to Bachides for to make peace wyth him, 1. Mach. 9. and yet the selfe Bachides was capytane of the hooste, in the whyche Iudas Machabeus Ionathas brother was slayne.

King Demetrius sent letters vnto Ionathas with louynge wordes and praised him greatly: for he sayde we wyll firste make peace with him, 1. Mach. 10. be­fore he bynde him selfe with Alexan­der against vs: elles he shall remem­ber the euyll that we haue doone a­gaynst him, his brother and his peo­ple.

[Page]The cause of the peace that was in Onias time, 2. Mach. 3. was his wisdome and goodnes, and the goodnes of his sub­iectes.

After that Iudas Machabeus had ouerthrowen Lisias, 2. Mach. 11. he wyllinglye and gladlye made peace with hym. For he perceyued that the Hebrues beinge defended by the healpe of al­mightie God, could not be ouercome. Wherfore he sente them worde, and promised that he would consent to all thinges, whiche were iuste and reso­nable, and to make the kinge their frende.

Oure Lorde woulde vs to haue so muche peace and concorde with oure neighbours, Mat. 18. that he said vnto Peter, that we should not forgeue our bro­ther, yf he sinne against vs, tyll seuen tymes, but seuentye tymes seuen tymes.

The Angelles in oure Lordes na­tiuitie brought tidinges of peace and commaunded them to haue peace a­monge them selues, Luke. 2. Luke. 10. Iohn. 14. & that they should shew it forthe. Luke. 24. Forther more he leaft [Page] them peace, and after his resurrection he offered them peace.

He that desireth to kepe peace, and to haue the quietnes of minde, muste abstayne from discursions and trou­bles of the minde, Iohn. 11. and at sometymes cease from that, that is honest and laufull. For when Martha hearde that Iesus was come, she wente and met him. Mary sat styll at home, nor mo­ued not thence vntyll she was called of oure Lorde by her sister, althoughe that Mary parauenture was not ig­noraunt of oure Lordes commynge when that Martha knewe it before.

Howe greate that the goodnes of peace is, it may be pondred by Paule that discrete iudge: the whiche moste diligentlye in all hys Epistles dothe wyshe it to all those that he writeth vnto: excepte in hys Epystle to the Hebrewes, in the whyche for cer­tayne causes he nether setteth to his name, nor premytteth anye saluta­tion. Note yet, that when he sayeth peace be vnto you, he premytteth [Page] grace. Sayinge. Grace bee with you and peace. Roma. 1. Wher by it is manifestely vnderstanded, that true peace can­not be hadde, wythoute the grace of god. Esa. 48. And therefore Esaye saythe.

As for the vngodlye they haue no peace.

¶Of vnite and com­mon consent. Capi. xlix

De. Ci li. 12. Capi. 22.GOD made mākynde of one mā, to cōmende & declare vnto men, how pleasant a thing the vnite of many is vnto hym. Wherevppon Saint Augustine doth say. Man was made one, but not lefte alone. There was neuer thinge that humayne na­ture spake of, so commodius for man­kynde so full of discorde through vice, so geuen to feloshippe, so naturall, agaynst the vice of discorde, other to be taken hede of, if it be not, or to be holpen and healed if it apeare, as the remembraunce of oure fyrste parent, whome god would creat alone that of [Page] him many other shuld spring, & that by thys admonition, a concordiall vnitye myght be obserued and kepte in many.

The people of Israell was of one consent and minde in the desarte, Exo. 19. and willing to receiue the law. For after they had hard of Moses the wordes of the law, they answered all wyth one voyce, all that our Lord hath said, we wil do.

The people, to make and performe the worke of the tabernacle of oure Lord, Exo. 35. and the holy uestmentes of the ministers, did bringe in & offer with most readiest & deuout minds all that was necessary to performe the same.

All the children of Israell wer ga­thered and knit together as it hadde bene but one manne, Iudi. 20. so reuenge and punishe the flagitious dede [...] commit­ted against the Leuites wife in Gaba Beniamin.

The vniuersal tribes of Israel cam to Dauid vnto Hebron, 2. regu. 5. and anoynted him king ouer them.

The feare of our LORD fell on [Page] the people, and they came oute as it 1. regu. 11.had bene but one man to ayde theyr brethren which were besieged in Ia­bes Galaad.

All Israell came to kynge Salo­mon, and then the Arcke, 3. regu. 8. and all the holy vessels were borne into the tem­ple, and the temple was solemly bles­sed and dedicated.

All the people were gathered and 1. Esd. 3.came together euen as one man vnto Ierusalem to edify and to builde the temple, the whiche was destroyed by the king of Babilon.

And all the people gathred them selues to gether, 2. Esd. 8. as one manne in the streat, and they said vnto Esdras, that he should bryng the boke of the lawe of God.

When Achior hadde disclosed all thinges that Holofernes had said, Iudi. 7. all the people with a common lamenta­tion and weping, and with one con­sent, prayed vnto God.

After the death of Iudas Macha­beus, al his frendes came together, 1. Mach. 9. & saide vnto Ionathas hys brother: for [Page] so much as thy brother Iudas is dead &c. We chose the this day for him, to be our prince and captain to order, & to fight our battail.

After that the people had hearde Simons wordes, 1. Mach. 13. the heartes of the people weer kindled together, so that they cryed wyth a loud voyce. Thou art our captain in stead of Iudas and Ionathas thy brethrē, order thou our battail, and whatsoeuer thou cōman­dest vs, we shal do it.

After the assention of our Lorde, Act. 1. all the disciples continued with one accord in prayer and supplicatiō with the wemen, and Mary the mother of Iesu, and with his brethren. And so the holy ghost found them.

All that beleued kept them selues together after they had receyued the holye sprite, Act. 2. and had all thinges com­men, and continued dailye wyth one accord in the temple, and brake bread from house to house.

When the disciples had heard that the creple was healed, and of Peters [Page] and Ihons answer to y e magestrates, they lift vp their voyces to God with one accord, Act. 4. and said, Lord which hast made heauen and earth. &c.

After that Ananias and Saphyra his wife were terriblye punyshed at Peters word, Act. 5. great fear was thorow out all the country. And they were al together with one consente in Salo­mons porch.

And the multytude that beleued were of one hart, Act. 4. and of one soul. Ne­ther said any of them, that oughte of the thinges whiche he possessed was his owne, but they had all thynges common.

¶Of discorde, strife and debate. Ca. l.

ENuy moued the firste discorde a­mong men, Gen. 4. as betwixt Cain and Abell, because that Caines wor­kes were maligne and euell, and hys brothers good and iust.

The substaunce of Abraham & Lot was great, Gen. 13. and they coulde not dwell [Page] together, and so there fell a strife be­twene y e herdmē of Abraham & Lot.

The fiue kinges of the Sodomites serued and were subiect vnto Chodo­riamor xii. yere, Gen. 14. and in the xiii. yeare they rebelled, and departed from him. And so there was war betwene foure kinges againste fiue. In the whyche warre Lot was taken, and recouered by Abraham.

The inhabitours and men of So­dome dyd compas the house aboute, Gen. 19. in the which, two aungels in the like­nes of mē war lodged, for they would haue knowen them, and they preased sore vpon Lot because that faithfully he defended his gestes.

There was stryfe and debate be­twene the heardmen of Gerar and I­saacs, Gen. 26. for the possession of sheape, of Oxen, and a mighty houshold.

Iacob fletinge away was wroth, Gen. 31. and saide to Laban. for what trespace or offence art thou thus angrye with me and hast searched all my stuffe.

By the occasion of Dina Iacobs daughter whom Sichem Emors son Iere. 34. [Page] dyd rauyshe, and forced, a greate dys­corde arose betwene Iacobs sonnes, and the inhabitoures of that Coun­trey.

Moses vpon a certain day, saw two Hebrues that stroue together. Exo. 2. And he saide vnto him that did the wronge? Wherfore smitest thou thy fellow?

After that the Children of Israell were gone oute of Egipte, Exo. 17. and were paste the red sea. Amalech came and fought with them in Raphidim.

Oftentimes the children of Israell did striue againste Moses in the wyl­dernesse. Gen. 16.17. Fyrste for lacke of dryncke. And againe when they had one kind of meate, Nume. 21. they desyred a nother. And when they lothed Manna, they calde for fleshe. Also they came together a­gaynste Moses and Aaron at the wa­ters of contradiction and strife, Nume. 20. wher they did chide and murmur agaynste our Lord and Moses.

Betwene Abimelech Gedeons son, and the men of Sichem, the whyche hadde made hym kynge wrongfully, Iudi. 9. was greate dyscorde, so that they be­ganne [Page] to detest him, and to rebell a­gainst him, and he ouercomde them.

There arose astrife betwene those of Ephraim and Iephthe, Iudi. 12. for asmuch as Iephthe goynge to fighte aginste the children of Ammon woulde not, as they sayd call them.

There was so vehement a discorde and battayl in Gabaa Beniamin and iudi. 20. the Tribes of Israell for the Leuites wife that they of the Tribe of Ben­iamin were vtterly all slayne, except. 5. hundred.

After that Dauid hadde slayne the Philistine. 1. regu. 18. Saul was wroth and an­gry with, Dauid, because he was most commonly praysed. Wherfore Saule loked a side on Dauid from that daye forewarde. Nor no man coulde from that time mollifie his hart, but nedes he must persecute hym.

There was longe debate and strife betwene the house of Saule, 2. regu. 3. and the house of Dauid. But Dauid. Waxed stronger and stronger, and Saul con­tinually weaker and weaker.

There was to greate and to disho­nest [Page] a dissention and discord betwene Absolon couetinge the kingdome and Dauid his father. 2. regu. 18. At the last yet Absolon that moued the same, was hangd.

When Dauid retourned to Ieru­salem, the children of Israell were troubled and vexed because that the Iewes, 2. regu. 19. they being not calde there vn­to, brought hym againe.

Two wemen did striue be [...]ore king Salomon for a childe, 2. regu. 3. the which they bothe woulde haue had.

After the deathe of Salomon, the people desired his sōne Roboā to vse and to handle them more courteous­ly. 3. regu. 12. But because he answered thē churlishly and hardly, ten of the Tribes left [...] him & made Ieroboā their king by y e occasiō wherof, ther was sore wars betwene the kyngs of Israel & Iuda.

There was a strife amonge the dis­ciples, whiche of theim shoulde seme to be the greatest, Luke. 22. but it appeareth by that, that foloweth that such conten­tion and strife pleased not our lorde.

Iohn. 6.The Iewes stroue amōg thē selues sayinge, how can this felowe geue vs [Page] that fleshe of his to eate.

And much murmuring was there of oure lorde Iesus amonge the peo­ple, Iohn. 7. for some sayed, he is good, other sayd nay, but he deceiueth the people. There foloweth. There was dissen­tion amonge the people.

After that Cornelius was christe­ned with all his house, Ac 1.11. the Apostles and brethren that wer in Iewry hard that the heathen had also receiued the worde of god. And when Peter was come vp to Ierusalem, thei that were of the circumcision contended against him sayinge wherefore wentest thou into men vncircumcised.

When Paule and Barnabas prea­ched, and did many miracles in the ci­ty of Iconium, Act. 14. the multitude of the city was deuided, and parte helde with the Iewes, & parte with the Apostles.

Certain menne which came downe from Iewry, Act. 15. taught the brethren, say­inge, excepte ye be circumcised after the maner of Moses, ye cannot be sa­ued. So when ther was risen discen­ciō not a litle vnto Paul & Barnabas [Page] against theim, they determined that Paule and barnabas, and certaine o­ther of theim should goo vp to Ieru­salem vnto the Apostles and Elders aboute this question.

Act. 15.By the occasion of Iohn, whose sir name was Marke, whome Paule woulde not take to the woorke of the gospell, there arose a dissention be­twene Paule and Barnabas, so that they departed asonder one from the other yet al was for the fortheraunce of the gospell.

Paule preaching and doinge many miracles at Ephesus, Act. 19. there arose no litle a do aboute the way of our lorde for a certain man named Demetrius a siluer Smyth which made Siluer shrines for Diana, was not a litle be­neficial vnto crafts men. &c. And al the citie was in a rore, and in greate confusion.

When certayne of the Iewes sawe Paule in the temple, Act. 21. they moued all the people, and layed handes on him, criynge. Menne of Israell helpe. And al the city was moued, and the people [Page] swarmed to gether.

When Paule had cried oute in the counsell. Act. 23. Men and brethren, I am a pharasei, the sonne of a pharasei. Of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am iudged. And when he hadde so saied, there arose a debate and a dis­sention betwene the Phariseis and the Saduces, and the multitude was deuided.

¶Of good zele against synners. Capi. li.

THe children of Iacob were ve­ry cruell for the deflouringe of Dina their sister oppressed and forced by Sichem. Gen. 34.

Moses hearinge the voyces of those that songe, Exo. 32. and seynge the calfe and the daunsinge, his wrath waxed hote, and castinge the tables oute of hys handes, he brake theym. And note, how greuously he punished the peo­ple. For whome he so faythfully and instantly prayed vnto oure lorde.

[Page]The zele of Phinches the sonne of Eleazar, Nume. 25. when he thrust the man and the medianityshe woman throughe, although thei wer mighty and noble, pleased oure lord very well.

Iosue cōmaunded Acham to be sto­ned with stones, Iosu. 7. and all his stuffe to be burned, because he toke of the excō municate thinges of Ierico.

When the children of Israell hard saye that the chyldren of Ruben and Gad, Iosu. 22. had buylded theym an aultor, thei came together, and woulde haue foughten against them.

Iudi. 19.12.All the children of Israell gathered to gether as it had bene but one man, to reuenge the horrible and greuous crime, that the men of Gabaa Ben­iamin hadde committed againste the Leuites wife.

Helias dyd bouldelye reproue the people that did erre, 3. regu. 18. & caused the preastes of Baal to be slayne.

Achab was rebuked because he let kynge Benadab, 3, regu. 19. a man woorthye of death, to skape away a liue.

Although Iehu the kinge of Israell [Page] was specially euyl, yet he is greatlye commended because he destroyed the sede of the house of Achab, 4. regu. 10. and caused Baals prophets to be slaine, and hys house to be broken.

The spirite of God came vpon za­charia the sonne of Ioade the priest, whyche stode in the syghte of the peo­ple that honoured and serued Idols. 2. Para. 24. And sayd vnto them, why transgresse ye the commaundements of our lord, that ye cannot prosper? for because ye haue forsaken our Lorde, he also hath forsaken you.

When Esdras the priest hard saye that the Iewes wer maried with the gentiles, 1. Esd. 9. he was exceading sory, and by great syghing and sorowynge, he shewed tokens of heauinesse.

Nehemias perceiuing that the Ie­wes maryed outlandysh women, dyd reproue them, 2. Esd. 13. and cursed them, and smote certaine of theym, and made them bare.

Mathathias stode vp and said. Wo is me. Alasse that euer I was: borne, to see thys myserye of my people. [Page] After followeth, 1. Mach. 2. of hys moste seruent zele, and maruelous honesty, when he slew the Iewe besides the altar, whi­che openly in the sight of all, did sacrifice vnto Idols.

Onias the hie priest did manfullye resist Simon, 2. Mach. 3. the which went aboute to do a certain wicked thing in y e city.

Mat. 3.14.Ihon the Baptist was in a wonderful feruent zeale, when he said, O ge­neration of vipers, who hath taughte you to flee from the vengāce to come? And lykewyse when he reproued He­rode.

Mat. 23.Our Lord did sharplye rebuke the Pharisies, Scribes and Hipocrites, but specially in the thre and twentye of Mathewe, where that seuen times he sayde vnto theym. Woe bee vnto you.

Oure LORDE perceiuing that the Phariseis did malitiously watche for him, Mar. 3. loking angerly aboute hym, was heauy that they were so blind in hart, Iohn. 8. and said, you are of your father the deuill.

[Page]Our Lord did oftentimes caste thē out of the temple, Luke. 19. that bought & sold, and at sometimes with verye sharpe wordes, Iohn. 2. sayinge. My house is y e house of prayer, but ye haue made it a den of theues.

Peter was kindled with a feruent zeale, Act. 5. against Ananias and Saphyra his wife, when he saw that they kept away part of the pryce of the land.

And the wordes that Steuen spake to the Iewes, Act. 7. came of a burning zele, sayinge. O ye stiffenecked and of vn­circumcised harts and eares, ye haue alwaies resisted the holy ghost.

Paule and Barnabas, wythstan­dinge Berieser the false Prophette, Act. 13. Paul sayde. O full of all subtlety and disceitfulnesse, thou ennemye of all righteousnesse, wilt thou not cease [...]o peruerte the straight wayes of oure Lord?

When Paule preached at Athens, Act, 17. his sprite was moued in hym, when he saw the city geuen to Idolatry.

The feruente zeale of Paule, dyd most speciallye appeare, when he re­proued, [Page] rebuked and prayed the Ga­lathians, Gala. 5. and likewise the Romains, Roma. 9. the Corinthians and the Hebrues. 2. Cor. 11. Heb. 1.

¶Of vndiscrete zele. Capit. lii.

WHen Iosue Moses seruant saw two menne in the hooste, that Prophesyed, Nume. 11. he sayde, mayster Moses forbyd them. And Moses saide vnto hym? what, enuyest thou for my sake?

Abisai the sonne of Seruia was willing to haue cut of Semeis head, 2. regu. 19. because he cursed Dauid, that suffred Absolons persecutiō, but Dauid wold not suffer that he shoulde haue anye harme, or dammage.

The children of the Prophets con­strayned Elizeus to sende menne to seeke hys mayster, 4. regu. 2 leaste happely the spirit of our Lord had taken him vp, and cast him vpon some mountain, or into some valey.

Ionas fled from the face and sight [Page] of God, when hee commaunded him to preach to the Niniuites. And after­wardes he was sorye and discontent, Ionas. 1.4. that the city pearyshed not, as he had preached.

When oure LORD had shewed hys Disciples howe that he shoulde suffer manye thinges of the hye prie­stes and elders of the Iewes, Mat. 16. and bee killed. Peter began to rebuke hym, sayinge. Mayster fauor thy selfe, this shal not happen vnto the.

The Pharises did greatly contend for the obseruation of the Sabbothe, Mar. 2. when they saw oure Lorde heale the sycke, LuKe. 6. and hys disciples pluck y e cares of the corne, and rubbe them in theyr handes, on that day.

The Pharises contended more for the traditions of man, Mat. 15. than for the cō ­maundementes of God.

And the people contēded more for the gould of the Temple, Mat. 23. then for the temple, and for the giftes of the aul­tare, then for the aultare.

They brought children to our Lord, [Page] that he should laye his handes vppon them, Mar. 10. and pray. And his disciples re­buked those that brought them. But Iesus said: suffer the children to come vnto me, for bid them not: for of suche is the kingdome of God.

When Mary had poured the preti­ous oyntment vpon the Lordes hed, some of the disciples disdained, Mar. 14. & wer not content with her for the wast and losse of the oyntment.

Ihon forbade a certain mā y t casted out deuils in our Lorde Iesus name, Luke. 9. because he folowed not them with o­ther Disciples. And Iesus saide vnto him, forbid him not, for he that is not against vs, is with vs.

LuKe. 9.When Iames and Ihon hard that the Samaritans wold not receiue the messengers of our Lorde, they sayde. Lord wilt thou that we commaunde fire to come downe from heauen, and consume them? Iesus turned about, & rebuked them, sayinge: ye wotte not what manner sprite ye are of.

Luke. 22.Our Lord reproued Peter, because he had stroken of the eare of the high [Page] prestes seruaunt. For it was not christes time then to shew his power, but his patience.

It appeareth that Ihon the Baptist Disciples bare no great good zeale towardes oure Lorde, Iohn. 3. when they sayde vnto Ihon their master, Rabby, he y t was wyth thee beyonde Iordan, the same baptiseth, and all men come to him, Ihon answered them rightwel, and said, a man can receiue nothyng, except it be geuen him from heauen.

When that many sick folkes were brought out of the city, Act. 5. and wer hea­led of Peter, the chefe priest rose vp, and all they that were with him, wer ful of indignation.

Paule was a great folower of hys fathers traditions, againste manye of his owne felowes, when he made ha­uocke of the congregation, Act. 8.9. entrynge into euery house, and drawynge oute both men and women, and thrustyng them into prison. Likewise he obtay­ned letters of the hie Priest, to the si­nagog [...] that was at Damasco, that he, if he found any ther that cald vpō [Page] the name of Christ, might bringe thē bound vnto Ierusalem.

Act. 13.The Iewes perceiuing that almost the whole city came together to hear the worde of GOD that Paule and Barnabas dyd preache, they wer ful of zeale and indignation, and spake rayling wordes against those things which were spoken of Paule.

When Paule was come to Ieru­salem, the brethren saide vnto hym, Act. 21. how manye thousandes of Iewes be there that beleue, and are earnest fo­lowers of the law? And of such spea­keth Paule, Roma. 10. sayinge: I bare them re­cord, that they haue a zeale and a fer­uent minde to Godwarde, but not ac­cording to knowledge.

¶ Of prudency and dis­cretion. Capitulo .liii.

ABraham comming into Egipt, dyd wysely and warely, Gen. 12.20. as tou­chynge hys wyfe, for he cloked [Page] the truthe, and yet affirmed no fals­hode, saying. She is my sister. He did the like, when he came to Abimelech.

And Abraham did prudently sepe­rate hym self from Lot, Gen. 13. because theyr herd menne shoulde not stryue toge­ther.

Abraham discretelye while he yet liued, Gen. 25. did deuide and geue euery child hys portion, least that they, after hys deathe shoulde stryue and hee at de­bate.

Rebecca did wiselye enstructe her sonne Iacob, Gen. 27. how he should obtayne and come by his fathers blessing, and prudently she caused hym to departe from those partyes, vntyll hys bro­thers fearsnesse wer swaged.

Iacob by crafte dyd euen very wel begyle Labans craftinesse, Gen. 30. when La­ban denyed to geue hym competente wages for hys seruyce.

Iacob dyd prudently, that he, whē he shoulde meete wyth hys brother, Gen. 32. sente hym Presentes, and when hee deuyded hys Substaunce, leaste that hee, euen at one brounte shoulde [Page] lose al, and put such thinges as he lo­ued best in daunger.

Gen. 41.Ioseph spake prudētly before Pha­rao expounding the dreame vnto him and geuing him counsell againste the famine that was to come.

Gen. 44.Ioseph did warely and wiselye de­prehend and accuse his brethren, and put them in feare.

Iethro gaue Moses good counsaile, saying: Exo. 18. prouide thy selfe men of pow­er, and such as feare God, true men, & such as hate couetousnesse.

Or euer Moses inuaded the land of promise, Nume. 13. he sent spies thither to consi­der the state and condition therof.

The spies that Iosue sente, lurked and wisely kept them selues close, Iosu. 1. vntil they that sought for them were re­turned to theyr owne agayn.

Iosue vsed greate policye and wis­dome, when he laide awaite vnto the towne of Hai, Iosu. 8. and afterwards made as though he had fled his way.

The Gabaonites thinking by craft and subtlety to beguile Iosue, by hys discretion were broughte into seruy­tude [Page] and bondage. Iosu. 9.

Phinees and other messengers that were sent to the children of Ruben, Iosu. 22. spake discreately vnto theym, and wyth wyse communication appea­sed them.

Ahud bringinge a present vnto Eg­lon kyng of Moab, Iudi. 3. craftely deceyued hym.

Gedeon did smite and destroye the hoost of his enemies, Iudi. 8. the whiche be­inge wythoute care, dyd cast no pe­ryls.

Iephthe like a wyse man dyd signi­fye Iudi. 11. by messengers vnto the kynge of the chyldren of Ammon, that he dyd wrong to warre agaynst him, but yet afterwardes he made an vndyscreate vowe.

Iepthe dyd wyttely perceyue who were Ephraites, Iudi. 12. and who were Ga­laadytes, by the pronoūsyng of thys word Schibbolech, that is an eare of Corne, when they sayde Schybbo­lech. For they coulde not so pronoūce it.

The chyldren of Israel fyghtynge [Page] agaynste the Beniamites by policie & craft fayned them selues to flye, Iudi. 20. and by that meanes drewe theym oute of the City, and vtterly destroyed them.

Saule when certayne menne dispi­sed him, 1. regu. 10. and sayed, how canne thys manne healpe vs, dissembled the ma­ter, and made as thoughe he had not hearde them.

It was a poynte of greate wyse­dome when Dauyd beynge armed wyth Saules armour, 1. regu. 17. proued whether he coulde so go agaynst Goliath, or no.

Dauid went oute to all thynges, whythersoeuer Saule sent hym, 1. regu. 18. and behaued him selfe wisely.

Dauid in the presence of Achis fai­ned hym selfe madde, 1. regu 21. and as though he hadde bene in a furye, so to scape from him.

Abigail dyd wiselye pacifie Dauyd beinge angery wyth Nabal her hus­bande. 1. regu. 25.

2. regu. 12.Nathan goinge aboute to reproue the Prophete Dauyd of hys excesse and fautes doone to Urias and hys [Page] wyfe, toke and vsed wysely the ma­nifest parable of the rich manne, that tooke a shepe from a pore man.

Ioab vsed a wise cautel, 2. regu. 17 when that by a wise woman he caused Absolon to be reuoked.

A wise woman of Abel, 2. regu. 20. retourned Ioab from the obsidion and seige of the citye.

Bersaba, hearinge that Abdonias woulde raygne for his father, 3. regu. 1. spake wisely vnto Dauid for her selfe, and her sonne Salomon.

Salomom desired of [...] god discreati­on and wisedome, 3. regu. 3 [...] the whiche thinge pleased god exceadyngly, and wyth wisedome, he graunted him many o­ther thinges.

Salomon iudged wysely betwene two w [...]men that contēded and stroue for one childe. 3. regu. 3.

Kinge Roboam answered his peo­ple very hardely, 3. regu. 12. and forsakinge the good and discreate counsell that hys sadde and olde Senators gaue him, he spake after the counsel of yong mē [Page] and did vnwisely.

When Achab king of Israel should be rebuked, 3. regu. 20. a certayn man of the chil­dren of the prophetes discretely pro­poned a parable of a man that was comended, and euil kepte, and saued. By the whiche the king might easely perceiue his synne and wickednesse.

Iehu did studiuslye and prudentlye when he fayned that he would do re­uerence and honoure vnto the pro­phetes and preastes of Baall. 4. regu. 10. And yet afterwardes he slewe them, and destroied Baals aulter.

Ezechias kinge of Iuda, 4. regu. 18. did studi­ously and discreately forbyd that hys people shoulde make no answer vnto blasphemus messengers of the kinge of the Assirians. For it is not expedi­ent for faythfull people to haue vn­faythfull disputations wyth and a­gainst litigious persons.

Ioiada the hye preast purposing to make Ioas the sonne of Ioram kinge of Ierusalem, 2. Para. 23. vsed hym selfe bothe warely and wisely.

[Page]Ezechias vnderstandinge that the kinge of the Assirians would come a­gainste Ierusalem, 2. Para. 32. did s [...]oppe all the well headdes without the citye, and reparde the walles of the citye, and couraged his menne wyth conforta­ble wordes, and at length turned him selfe to praise oure lorde.

Nehemias with greate discreation, dyligence, 2. Esd 2.3.4. solicitude and care, dyd buylde a wall aboute Ierusalem.

The worde that zorobabel spake, was a woorde of greate wisedome, 3. Esd. 3. and woorthelye approued, that is, women haue yet more strength. But aboue all thinges the truthe beareth a waye the victorye.

Tobias beleuinge that he shoulde dye shortelye, Tob. 4. he gaue his sonne, do­cumentes and Preaceptes of greate wysedome. And amonge all other he sayde. Aske euer counsell of the wyse.

Iudith shewed greate wysedome in her woordes. Iudith. 11 And all Holofernes seruaunts marueled at her wisedome [Page] and sayed one to another. There is not suche a woman vppon earth, in bewtye contenaunce, and discreation of wordes.

Mardocheus required Esther with greate wisedome to helpe the Iewes. Esth. 4. Sayinge, yf thou holdest thy peace at this time, the Iewes shalbe otherwise deliuered, and thou and thy fathers house destroyed. And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kynge­dome for this causes sake.

God gaue vnto Daniel and his fe­lowes connyng and learnyng in all scripture and wisedome: Dani. 1. but to Dani­ell speciallye he gaue the vnderstan­dinge of visions and dreames.

Daniell did expounde Nabuchodo­nosors dreames most wisely. Dani. 2.4.13. And af­terwardes we do reade, although it chaunced before, of two olde preastes the whiche hadde geuen, as he moste wyselye perceyued, false testimonye and wytnes agaynste the Innocent Susanna.

It was tolde Iudas, that Nicanor came vnto him but vnder deceyt, 1. Mach. 7 and [Page] that he would take him, wherfore he gate him wisely away from him, and would se his face no more.

Simon knew that Tryphon dissē ­bled in his wordes, 1. Mach. 13 yet commaunded he a hundred talentes of syluer, and Ionathas two sonnes to be deliuered vnto hym, least he should be the greater enemy against the people of Isra­el, and say, because he sent him not y e monye and the children, therefore is Ionathas dead.

The vii. brethren with their good mother, 2. Mac. 7 by theyr words, whych they had one to another, and to the tirant: declared that they had great wisdom.

There was a certain day appoyn­ted when Iudas shoulde speake se­creatlye alone wyth Nicanor. 2. Mach. 14 Neuerthelesse Iudas commaunded certaine menne of armes to be set, and to wait in conuenient places, least ther shuld sodenly arise any euil thorowe the e­nemyes.

It appeareth by the cōmunication that the blessed vyrgin had wyth the [Page] aungel, that she had great discresyon and wisdome. Luke. 1. For she casting in her minde, what maner of salutatiō that shuld be, said, how shal this be, seyng I know not a man?

And when the childe Iesus of xii. yeare old taried at Ierusalem, & was founde in the temple sit [...]ynge in the middest of the doctors, LuKe. 2. hearinge them and posing them, al that hearde hym were astonied at his wisdom, vnder­standing, and answers.

Our Lord commended the vniust steward, Luke. 16. because he had done wisely.

Our Lord verye well deluded the curious interrogacion of the priestes and elders askinge him, Luke. 20. by what au­thority he did those miracles, he said. I also wil aske you one thing. From whence is the baptime of Iohn?

When Paul and Sylas wer put in prison, the Magestrates sente the next day after, Act. 16. and commaunded that they should be losed, Paule said wise­ly. They haue beaten vs openlye vn­condempned. Notwithstandyng that we are Romaines, and haue caste vs [Page] into prison, and now wold they send vs away priuely?

When the citye of Ephesus was sore moued and in a confusion, Act. 19. Paul did wisely and humblye agree to the counsaile of his frendes, that he shuld not prease into the commō hal. Wher also appeareth the wysdome of the Scribe that pacified the people being so moued, and how he sent euery mā to his owne house.

And when the Tribune had com­maunded that Paule shuld be bea [...]en and scourged, Act. 22. Paule saide vnto the Centurion that stode by hym. Is it lawful for you to scourge a Romain and vncondempned? Then they whi­che should haue punished and examy­ned him, departed from him.

When Paul purposed to sayl out of Greece into Syria, Act. 20. and hearde saye that the Iewes laid wait for hym [...] he wisely returned through Macedonia, nor refused not the companye of hys brethren which wer of diuers cities.

Paule vnderstanding that thone part was Pharises. He cryed oute, I [Page] am a Pharisey. And certayne of the Phariseis stode vp, and foughte for hym. Act. 23. And after when hee harde saye that some of the Iewes had made a vowe, not to taste nor eate nothynge vntil they had slaine him, he caused y e to be shewed to the Tribune, y t which sent him with armed men to Felix y e ruler of Syria.

When Festus the president would haue sente Paule, at the instaunce of the Iewes, to Ierusalem. He wiselye perceiuing their malice, Act. 25. appealed to Cesar.

¶Of deceit and sub­tlety. Capi. liiii.

Gen. 3.IT is manifest that the deuel in the forme of a Serpent was the fyrst master of al craftines, lies, and deceitfulnesse, the which beynge more subtyll, then all other beastes, deceyued the fyrst woman, he would not borde the fyrste man, because he knewe that he had more discreatyon then the woman.

[Page]Laban Iacobs father in law, went very oftētimes about to deceiue him, Gen. 29.30 now in his wife, now in his wages. But our Lord in the fraud and guyle of those that wold haue circumuēted him, was with him and aided hym.

Whē Laban searched Iacobs hous­hold stuffe, Gen. 31. and cam to search Rachels tent, she craftely deluded his carefull searching.

Iacobs sonnes being as it wer in a madnesse & fury for the inforcemente & rape of their syster Dina, Gen. 34. counsaild Sychem, the people, and inhabytors of the Citye to be circumcised, where by they sodenly rushed in vpon them, and easely slue them.

Iacobs Chyldren woulde haue de­ceiued their father, Gen. 37. when they dipped Iosephes coate in the blud of a Gote, and sente that shoulde say vnto him, we haue found this, see whether it be thy sonnes coate or no.

Pharo the king of Egipte bethou­ght him of diuers craftes and subtle­ties, Exo. 1.5. vtterly to extirpate y e children of [Page] Israel, and destroy them in Egypte, and by no meanes suffer them to de­part the country.

Pharaos wise men and enchaun­ters did by their sorcery, Exo. 7. as touchyng the fyrste two signes, euen as Moses dyd.

Chore and his felowes spake ma­liciously when they stode against Mo­ses and Aaron, Nume. 16. saying. Ye make mu­che to do: It is sufficiente for vs, that all the multitude are holy, euery one of them, and our Lord is among thē. Whye heaue ye your selues vp aboue the congregation of our Lord?

Balaach king of the Moabites perceiuinge that he coulde not ouercome the children of Israel by fortitude and strength, Nume. 23. wold haue ouerthrown thē with Balaams cursse.

The Gabaonites hearynge what Iosua had done at Iericho and Hai, Iosu. 9. thought craftely, how they might do, that they shoulde not be vtterlye de­stroyed.

The Philistines toke good hede, y t ther shuld no smith be found thorow [Page] out all the land of Israell least haply the Hebrues shuld make thē swerdes or Speares. 1. regu. 13.

Saule disdaining the prosperity of Dauid, 1. regu. 18. spake of his daughter Michol whome Dauid desired to haue. I wyl geue her vnto him, that it maye be to hys rebuke and shame, and that the hand of the Philistines may be vpon hym. Wherfore Saule said vnto Da­uid, thou shalt this daye be my sonne in law in two thynges.

Dauid by greate subtletye woulde haue cloked his iniquyty, 2. regn. 11. when he sēt for Urias, to the entent he should go, and slepe wyth Bersabe hys wyfe.

Ionadab Semnas sonne taughte Ammon the sonne of Dauid a wicked deceytfulnesse or subteltye, 2. regu. 13 when hee said vnto hym, lay thee downe on thy bed, and make thy selfe sycke. For so thou maiste haue Thamar Absolons syster alone, the which tempted him.

When Absolon was purposed to reuenge the iniurye done to his sister Thamar, 2. regu. 13. whom Ammon her brother had forced, he made a great banket, & [Page] inuited hys brother, and euen when he was meary with wine, and banke­ting, he caused him to be slaine.

Absolon ambitiously couetinge hys fathers kingdome, 2. regu. 15. began malitiously to flatter, and dispraising his fathers factes and dedes, bosted and said that he would do good iustice.

Ieroboam thoughte in hys hearte, 3. regu. 12. nowe shall the kingdome retourne to the house of Dauid, if thys people go vp and do sacrifice in the house of our Lord at Ierusalem, wher vppon the kynge tooke counsell, and made two calues of gold.

3. Re. 20.Achab the kynge of Israell, sayde certayne generall wordes to the mes­sengers of Benadab the kyng of Si­ria, offeringe vnto him mooste lybe­rallye both hys men and hys goodes. By the whych he descending to more specyall thinges would haue burde­ned him very sore.

Sedechias the sonne of Chanaam Baals prophet made him self hornes of Iron, as thoughe he hadde bene a [Page] true Prophet, saying vnto kynge A­chab. Thus saithe oure Lorde, 3. re. 22. with these hornes shalt thou push the Sy­rians. At lengthe he deceiued hym, & caused him to go to battail.

Gehezi runnynge after Naaman did coloure his peticion verye crafte­lye and subtellye, 4. re. 5. sayinge, my master hath sent me, and saithe. Se. there be come to me two younge men, geue them one Talent of syluer, and two chaunge of garmentes.

Iezabel that mischeuous woman v­sed a very cruel deceitfulnes and gile to obtaine Nabothes bineyarde for her husband. 3. re. 21.

Athalia the mother of Echozia king of Iuda saw that her sonne was dead she destroyed al the kinges seede, 4. re. 11. and raigned vi. yeare.

Rapsaces Sennacherib king of As­sirians messenger spake with a loude voyce, 4. re. 18. that the people whyche were vpon the wal might here and feare.

Whilst Abia the kyng of Iuda dyd comforte hys hooste, and rebuked his aduersaryes, Ieroboam the kynge [Page] of Israel went about to lay deceites, and to conuey men priuelye behynde hym. 2. Para. 13. And when his enemies stode e­uen before him, he compased y e Iewes not taking hede therof, bothe behinde and before wyth hys host.

The chyldrē of Israels neighbors, the whiche were retourned from the captiuity of Babilon, 1. Esd. 3.4. inuented many guiles and deceites, 2. Esd. 4.5. to let them from the edification and buyldynge of the temple and wall of Ierusalem.

Esth. 3.When proud Aman saw that Mardocheus, would not worshyp hym, he through that occasion counsailed the kyng by false surmising and lyes, to destroy all the Iewes.

Iob. 1.Because that Sathan could by no meanes deny before our Lord Iobes vertues, he imagyned deceytfullye to depraue hys intentyon, saying. Doth Iob feare God for nought? Note likewyse, how that vpon one day, the de­uyl depryued hym of all that euer he had, and caused messengers to come vnto hym, that throughe manifolde sorowes he myghte weaken & breake [Page] him be impac [...]ence.

The great estates of the realme of Per [...]ia, procured that Darius should put out such a decre or cōmaundemēt the whiche they estemed and thought that Daniell would not obserue nor kepe, Dani. 6. that be suche subteltie and craft, they myghte wynde hym oute of the kinges fauour.

Two olde preastes inuented a de­testable deceyte, Dani. 13. to deceaue Susan, and afterwardes cruelly to be reuen­ged of her.

Alcimus beinge full of malignite, 1. mach. 7 came to Demetrius & accused Iudas Machabeus of many thinges. And af­ter that hee presented hym wyth a crowne of golde and with other gyf­tes, & as that day he helde his tonge, 2. Mach. 14. but afterwardes, he did and spake so muche that the king gaue him the hie preesthode.

Iason sent Menelaus with money vnto king Antiochus, 2. Mach. 4. but Menelaus beinge commended and praised of the kyng, turned the preesthode vnto him selfe, laying vp .300. talentes of syl­uer [Page] for Iason.

When Herode, priuely called the wise men, & enquired diligently and learned of them what time the starre appeared, Math. 2. & sending thē to Bethleem, sayd, Go your way thither, & searche diligently for the childe. But for what intent he dyd so, it appeared by the murthering of the chyldren.

The Pharises wyllyng to tangle oure Lorde in his woordes sent oute vnto hym their discyples, Mat. 22. with He­rodes seruauntes, saying. Master, we knowe that thou art true. Is it law­ful that tribute be geuen vnto Cesar, or not?

The hye preestes and chefest of the Iewes gaue large moneye vnto the keepers of the Sepulchre, Mat. 28. that they should say, how that Iesus was stolen awaye by night.

The Pharyses sought manye cyr­cutes and wayes to cause the blinde man that had receyued his syghte to confesse and say, Iohn. 9. that he receaued not his sight of Christ.

Ananias, his wife Saphira hauing [Page] knowledge thereof, defrauded, & kept away parte of the price of the lande. Act. 5.

The Samaritanes regarded much Simon Magus, because that of longe tyme he with hys sorceryes had be­witched them. Act. 8.

The Iewes, perceiuinge that the worde of God was sowen and publi­shed throughe all the countreye bye Paule and Barnabas, Act. 13. steered vp and moued the deuoute and honeste we­men, and the chefest of the citie of An­tioche, and raised persecution against them, and expelled them oute of their coostes.

When Paule and Barnabas were at Listra, Act. 14. and in so greate fauoure, that men would haue doone sacrifyce vnto them as vnto Goddes. There came certaine Iewes the whiche per­swaded the people so, that Paule was stoned and drawen oute of the cytie, supposing he had bene dead.

Certaine craftes men, with a dam­sell possessed with a spirite that pro­phesied, which were minded and wil­lynge to complayne of Paule, sayed [Page] not, that through him they loste their gaines, Act. 16 but lyingly they sayd. These men trouble oure cytie, and preache ordinaunces, whiche are not lawfull for vs to receiue, neither to obserue, seynge that we are Romaines.

The Iewes malitiouslye did pur­pose to desire the Tribune that Paul might be brought forthe, Act. 23. as thoughe they would haue knowen something more perfectly of him: but many layd waite to kyll him, & had bounde them selues with a vowe, that they would eate nothing, tyl they had slaine him.

¶Of the erudition of Chyldren. Cap. lv.

IAcob seynge and marking Io­sephs dreames, Gen. 37. rebuked hym, least he shoulde stere vp the in­dignation and enuye of his brethren against him.

Iacob hearing that ther was corne and sustinaunce to be solde in Egipt, Gen. 42. reproued the negligence of his chil­dren.

[Page]The blasphemer and cursed speaker was stoned to deathe in the wylder­nesse, his father was a manne of E­gipie, Leui. 24. and his mother an Israelitishe woman. Suche chyldren are often­times euyll instructed.

Our lorde commaunded by Moses, that the children of Israel shuld teach Deu. 4. theyr chyldren suche thinges as they hadde sene.

A contumacius & a stubburne child that will not obeye the commaunde­ment of his parentes, Deu. 21. but contemne them, is cōmaunded by Moses to be stoned to deathe.

Holy the preaste corrected hys chil­dren but slenderlye, 1. re. 4. and therefore as­well he as they, wer punished of our lorde.

A [...]onias was but meanelye correc­ted of his father Dauid. 3. Re. 1.2. And therfore he beynge pufte vp in pryde exalted hym selfe, sayinge. I wyll raygne and be kynge. But at length kynge Salomon hys brother, caused him to be slayne.

Dauid approchinge and drawinge [Page] nye vnto hys deathe, did diligentely instruct Salomon his son, the which shoulde raygne after him. 1. Para. 28

Tobias the elder taught his sonne from his infancye and tender age, to feare oure lorde, Tobi. 4.13 to abstayne from all synne, and when he beleued that he shoulde dye, he holsomely instructed him. And likewyse when he shoulde departe and dye.

The parentes of Sara yonge To­bias wyfe, did suffer theyr daughter to departe and to goo wyth her hus­bande. Tobi. 10. Exhortinge her to honoure her father and mother in lawe, to loue her husbande, to rule well her hous­holde, to gouerne and kepe her house in good order, and to shewe her selfe fawtlesse.

Iob had greate solicitude and care for his children, for when they hadde eaten and banketed to gether, Iob. 1. dailye he offered for euery one a burnt offe­rynge leste peraduenture they hadde done some offence.

The parentes of Susanna beynge [Page] iust and godlye people taughte theyr Dani. 13. doughter accordynge to the lawe of Moses.

When the time drew faste on that Matha [...]hias should die, 1. Mach. 2. he healthsomly instructed his sonnes, and anima­ted and encouraged them against the wicked.

That mother more thē meruelous the which saw her 7. sōnes suffer and dye in one day, 2. Mach. 7. exhorted euery one of them with godly wordes, and said. I canne not tell howe ye came into my wombe. &c.

¶ That it is a pearillous thing not to agre to good coun­sell. Ca. lvi.

THe aungels that appeared vnto Lot, gaue hym thys good counsel, that he shoulde depart from Sodome, and take his sonnes in law wyth hym, and that they should not loke behynde them, but saue thē selues in the hyll.

[Page]The which Lot said vnto hys sonnes in lawe that they shoulde bee goyng, but hee seemed to them as though he hadde mocked. Gen. 19. And therefore Lotte sonnes in lawe, that woulde not de­parte from that wycked people, dyd pearyshe wyth theym. And hys wyfe that looked behynde her, was tour­ned into a pyllare of Salte. And Lot hym selfe that woulde not, after the Aungels counsell by and by ascende vp to the mounte, dyd trespasse and synne wyth hys owne doughters.

Ruben counsayled hys brethren to restore Ioseph to hys father agayne. Gen. 37.42 But in as muche as they would not, it hapned afterwardes that they wer put to trouble.

When the chyldren of Israell wold ascende or euer it was tyme, vnto the place, that oure LORDE hadde spoken of. Nume. 14. Moses sayd. Our LORD is not among you. The Amalechites and the Cananytes are there before you. And ye shall fall vppon theyr sweardes, because ye are tourned a­waye [Page] from our LORD, and wil not heare hym.

After that horryble deede commyt­ted agaynste the Leuites wyfe, the Chyldren of Israell gathered toge­ther, Iudi. 20. and sente messengers to the children of Beniamyn, the whych shulde saye thus vnto them, what wycked­nesse is thys that is hapned amonge you? Delyuer vs those that haue commytted that haynous dede. But they wold not here them, and afterwards therefore they were in a manner all slayne, a few excepted.

Abner said to Asael, leaue of to fol­lowe me, 2. regu. 2. but he despysed hys wordes And Abner smote hym thorow wyth the hynder end of hys speare.

Roboam Salomons sonne, would not heare the olde mennes Counsell, 3. regn. 12. but harkened to the counsel of yonge men, wherfore he lost a great part of hys people.

Achior gaue Holofernes good and faythfull Counsell, the whyche hee proudlye and dysdaynfullye despysed [Page] and wythin a while after was slain, and his host put to flighte wyth losse and confusion. Iudi. 6.

Godolia, whom the king of Babilō had made gouernoure of the lande of Iuda, Iere. 40.41. sent Iohanan the sonne of Ca­reah faithful word, that Ismaell the sonne of Nathania woulde kill hym. And he answeared him: Thou spea­kest falsly of Ismael, but in the seuēth month Ismael came, and after he had eaten with Godolia, he slue him.

Daniel said vnto Nabuchodonozor, o king, Dani. 4. accept my counsel, & redeame thy sinnes with almes, but he would not agre there vnto, and so was tur­ned into a beast.

Iudas Machabeus taking hys ior­ney towardes Galaad, 1. Mach. 5. left Iosephus and Azarias to be captaines ouer the people, and commaunded them, say­ing. Se that ye make no war against the heathen, vntill the time we come againe. But they couetyng to get thē a name and fame, lost both the thyng they wente aboute, and theyr name also.

[Page]Iudas Machabeus had but viii. C. men, 1. Mach. 9. his aduersaries were two and twenty thousande, his companyons warned hym not to fyghte wythoute an host of men, but he would not fol­low their counsell, he hym selfe was killed in that battaile, and the rem­naunt fled.

Pilates wife gaue her husbād good counsell, Mat. 27. but he refused to followe it. Fearing more to offend Cesar, then to condēpne the iust & innocent blud.

¶Of suspition and false credulity. Ca. lvii.

ABraham suspected y t the fear of God was not in Geraris, Gen. 20.26 and that the men of y e country wold kyl him for his wiues sake. The like chaunced to Isaac.

Laban suspected that Iacob hadde stolen his goods, Gen. 31. and for that cause he searched all his houshold stuffe.

Iacob perceyuyng Iosephes coate to be bloudy, Gen. 37. suspected that he hadde bene dead, and of some wycked beast deuoured.

[Page]Ioseph commaunded his stewarde to bringe his brethren into his house to dine with him, Gen. 43. but they being sore afraid, suspected and beleued that he would haue broughte them into ser­uitude and bondage.

The Rubenites and the Gaadites going to their possessions, Iosu. 22. did build & set vp an aultar beyond Iordan. The children of Israell hearinge there of, were sore troubled, not knowing for what purpose they had done it, and beleued that they woulde goe from theyr law.

When Sampson was gone to hys fathers house, Iudi. 15. his father in law thou­ght, and beleued that he had hated, & refused his wife, and therfore he ma­ried her to a nother.

Hely seinge Annes lips moue, and that she spake neuer a word, 1. regu. 1. beleued she had bene dronken.

Because Saule did persecute Da­uid, he laid to Dauids charge that he persecuted him. 1. regu. 22. And said y t hys sonne Ionathas had stirred vp his seruaunt to lie await against him, the whyche [Page] thing was most vntrue and false.

When Dauid was with Achis the king of Geth as the keper of hys life. 1. regu. 26 The Lordes spake vnto Achis to let Dauid go, least he shuld flie & returne again vnto Saule.

Dauid sent messengers to king Amnon, to comfort him ouer the death of his father. [...]. regu. 10. But his Lordes suspected that they came rather to spy oute the city, then to comfort hym.

After that kinge Ahasuerus was moued against Aman, & that he was laide downe vpon Esthers bed, Esth. 7. to in­treat her for his lyfe: The kinge laid vnto him, that he in his presēce wold haue opprest and forced the Quene.

When Ieremy was going toward the land of Beniamin, Iere. 37. the porter of the gate toke hym, and layd falslye to hys charge, that his minde was to run to the Caldees.

Ieremye the Prophet declared the wyl of our Lord to the people y t was left and remained after the destructi­on of Ierusalem, Iere. 42.43. they said vnto him: Thou lyest. Our Lord hath not sent [Page] the, but Baruch the sonne of Neria hath prouoked the against vs, that he might bring vs into the captiuitye of the Chaldees.

The tormentors y t led Eleazar to his torment & paine, 2. Mach. 6. toke displeasure and wer angry with him, because of the wordes y t he said, for they coniec­tured & suspected, that he had spoken them of an arrogancy, and hie mind.

When the disciples saw our Lord walking on the sea, Mat. 14. they suspected y t it had bene some sprite, and cried out for feare.

When Simon the Pharisy saw a woman which was a sinner wepyng at our Lordes fete, LuKe. 7. he spake w tin him self saying. If this mā wer a prophet, he would surely knowe, who, & what manner of woman this is that tou­cheth him, for she is a sinner.

For a man nother to set muche by him self, Luke. 18. nor yet to iudge euil of a no­ther, the example y t the Lord our sauiour doth bring in of the Pharisy that bosted him self, and of the meeke and hūble Publicane, is much profitable.

[Page]When the Iewes, after the effusy­on of the holy spirite, sawe that oure Lordes disciples spake wyth dyuers tongs and languages, Act. 2. Some of them saide. These menne are full of newe wyne.

All the christē disciples wer afraid of Paule after hys conuersion, Act. 9. & beleued not that he was a Disciple, vntil that Barnabas broughte hym to the Apostles, and declared to them, howe y t he had sene our Lord in the waye, and how he had done boldlye at Da­masco in the name of Iesu.

When Lysias the Tribune saw y t the Iewes intreated Paule so cruel­lye, he asked of hym. Act. 21. Arte not thou that Egiptian, whyche before those dayes madest an vprore, and leddest oute into the wyldernesse 4000. men that were murtherers?

When the barbarous people and straungers saw the Uyper hange on Paules hande, Act. 28. they sayde: No doubte thys man is a murtherer, & thoughte that he should haue swolne, or fallen downe dead sodenly.

¶That holye and good men suffer certaine thinges to be done, but not gladlye. ¶Capi. lviii.

IAcob at the instance of his chil­dren, Gen. 43. dyd permit and suffer hys well be loued sonne Beniamin to be led away and kept agaynste his wil for the necessitye and lacke of vi­taile.

Moses suffred the Iewes that wer odious and spiteful to their wiues, Deu. 24. to geue them a bill of deuorcement, be­cause he feared the murtherynge of theyr wiues.

Dauid considering his people, set captains ouer them. 2. re. 18. And said vnto y e people, I wil goe with you also. And the people aunsweared. Thou shalt not go forth: for thou shalt be coūted worth ten thousand of vs. Wherfore it is better that thou succour vs with in the City. And he sayde vnto them, what semeth you best, that I wil do.

Symon knewe that Tryphon dys­sembled and vsed gile and deceyte in [Page] his wordes, desiring Ionathas two sonnes, and a hundred talentes of sil­uer: yet commaunded he the money and the children to be deliuered, i. mach. xi. least parauenture he shoulde prouoke the enmite and euyll wyll of the people against him selfe.

Of Iustice and equitie. Capitu. lix.

ABraham being minded and wel wyllyng to be seperated and di­uided from Lot his brothers sonne, Gen. 13. gaue him the option, to chuse and to take what parte he would. And thus maye a perticion be well made, the elder to deuide, & the yonger to chuse.

Iacob sayd vnto Laban, my iustice and my righteousnesse shall answere for me to morowe. Gen. 30

Elizeus suffred the chyldren of the prophetes to seke Helias, 4. re. 2. leest haply the spirite of our Lorde had caste him some wheres, And yet he knewe that they should labour in vaine.

Salphaads doughters peticion was iust euen by gods testimony & witnes, Num. 27 [Page] the which desired of Moses, that they myght in herite theyr fathers inheri­taunce and landes.

Kynge Adonibeseth was taken by the chyldren of Israell, Iudi. 1. the whiche cut of his thombs and his great toes. Then saied the king, Thre score & ten kinges hauing their thombes & their greate toes cut of, gathered the frag­mentes vnder my table. As I haue done, so god hath doone to me againe.

After y t Agag the king of the Ama­lakites was brought before Samuel, 1. reg. 15 Samuel sayd vnto him. Thy swerde hath made women childlesse, so shall thy mother be childlesse aboue other women.

Dauid saied vnto Saul that vniust­ly persecuted him. 1. re. 26 Our lorde reward euery man accordinge to his righte­ousnesse and fayth.

Dauid ordened, & in a maner it was taken for a lawe, 1. re. 30. that as his parte is that goeth downe & fighteth, so shall his parte be that tarieth at the stuffe.

Dauid would not accept the thres­singe floure of Arama for naughtes, [Page] the whiche he myght haue hadde so, 2. reg. 24 but he bought it at a iust price.

When Tobias harde the kyd cry. Tob. 2 He sayed. Looke that it be not stolen, restore it againe to the owners, for it is not lawful for vs to eat or to touch any thinge of thefte.

Proude and vniuste Aman by the commaundemente of kynge Abasue­rus, Esth. 7.9 was hanged on the selfe same galous, that he hadde made for Mar­docheus. And on the same daye, the Iewes enemies wer slaine by the Ie­wes, the whiche they hadde thought to haue slayne.

Ieremy prophesiynge against Ba­bilon sayeth. Iere. 50 Recompence her as she hath deserued, and accordinge as she hath done so deale with her againe.

Kinge Darius commaunded those menne whiche hadde accused Dani­ell to be caste into the Lyons denne, Dani. 6 and the Lyons or euer they came at the grounde tooke them, and brake al theyr bones a sonder.

The people dydde to those oulde Preastes whiche accused Susanna, Dani. 13 [Page] as they hadde doone agaynste their neighboures, for they put theym to death and slewe them.

Antiochus caused Andronichus to be striped out of his purple clothing, 2. Mac. 4 and to bee slayne in the same place. Wher he vniustly put Onias the hye preaste to death.

The cruell and wicked Iason that hadde caste many one out vnburyed, 2. Mach. 5 was throwne out him selfe, no man mourning for him, so that he neither enioyed the buriall of a straunger, ne­ther was partaker of hys fathers se­pulcher.

Antiochus the homicide and blas­phemer, was sore plaged euen as he hadde intreated and plaged other, 2. Mach. 9 so he died a miserable death in a straūge countrey vpon a mountaine.

Oure lorde dyd merytoriouslye re­uoke the whole debte, Math. 18 that he libe­rally forgaue the wicked and vngra­tiue seruaunte, because he would not forgeue his felowe an hundred pence that he oughte him.

¶Of the good and euill iudgemētes of men. Capi. lx.

A Iudge oughte most diligentely to search oute the cause that he is ignorante in, Gen. 11.18 for it is sayed, that god from whome nothinge can be hid, came downe to se y e city which the children of Adam buylded, and likewise he sayeth. I wyll go downe and see whethere they haue done in dede accordinge to that crye which is come vnto me, or not.

Iudas vniustly cōmaūded Thamar his doughter in lawe to be burned. Gen. 38.

Iosephs master geuinge to muche credit to the wordes of his wife, Gen. 39. put him in prison.

Causes of smale importaūce, as Ie­thro counseled Moses ought to be de­termined by the lower iudges, Exo. 18 & cau­ses of greate importaunce by the hi­er magistrates and rulers.

Moses gaue none of the .xii. oxen and .vi. charettes to the chyldren of Caath, Num. 7. although thei wer nie akinne vnto him. But he gaue al to the other [Page] Leuits, because that they, being bur­dened with heuier thinges had more nede of them, thē the other.

Moses counseled with our lorde for the doughters of Salphaad. Nume. 27. And oure lorde made him this answer, if a man dye and haue no sonne, hys enheri­taunce shall turne to his doughter.

It was Moses minde and will, Nume. 32 that the chyldren of Ruben and other that desyred to inhabite the land that was now required and gotten, shoulde go armed to battayle before the chil­dren of Israell, vntil the other coun­tres were subdued and gotten.

Of Samuels children it is written, that they turned a syde after Lucre, 1. reg. 8. & toke rewards, & peruerted the right.

Dauid at the woorde and reporte of Siba, that gaue him gyftes, gaue an vniust sentence against Mephibo­seth beynge absent. 2. re. 16.19. But yet after he knew the truth of the matter, he was wyllynge to reuoke the vntrue sen­tence agayne.

Salomon gaue iust iudgemēt of the two women, 3. re. 3 the whiche contended to [Page] be the mother of one childe.

Iosaphat the king of Iuda set iud­ges in the lande, and commaunded them saying. 2. Para. 19. Take hede what ye do. For ye execute not the iudgementes of manne, but of God. For al that ye shall iudge, shall redounde vnto you againe. Let the feare of oure Lorde be vpon you, and do all thinges wyth diligence.

At Amans suggestion kinge Aha­suerus spake vniustly of the people, Esther. 3. saying vnto Aman, do with that peo­ple as it pleaseth thee.

Esay said thus by the iudges of Is­rael. Thy princes are wicked & com­panions of theues. Esa. 1 They loue gistes altogether, and gape for rewardes. They help not the fatherlesse to hys right, nether wil they let y e widowes causes come before them.

In as much as Ieremy prophecy­ed from our LORD that Babilon, Iere. 38 shuld be taken of the Chald [...]es. The princes and rulers of the people, said vnto Kynge Sedechias. Syr wee beseeche you, lette thys manne bee [Page] put to death. He answered then, say­ing. Lo, he is in your handes, for the kyng may deny you nothing.

Nabuchodonozor the king of Babi­lon commaunded that all the wyse men of Babilon should be destroyed, Dani. 2. because they coulde not declare the dreame he had sene.

Although Darius the king of Per­sia knew right wel that Daniel was an innocente, Dani. 14 yet at the instaunce of his lordes and princes, he caused him to be caste into the lake and denne of Lyons.

Daniel did discreatly examin those two olde iudges, Dani. 13 that bare false wyt­nesse against Susanna.

When Menclaus was accused in the iudgement hall before Antiochus for mony, 2. mach. 4. which he promised was discharged, and his accusers wrongful­ly put to death.

The Iewes made theyr complaint before king Antiochus of the vniuste deathe of Onias, 2. Mach. 4. the whyche Antio­chus, althoughe he was wicked, was sory therfore, and commaunded that [Page] Andronicus should be stripped out of hys purple clothing, and slain, wher he slue Onias.

Herodes iudgement was to vniust when he sent forthe men of war, math. ii. and slue all the children that wer in Beth leem.

At the peticion of a damsel that daū sed, Herode the Tetrarch caused Ihō the Baptist to be beheaded in prison, mar. vi. and yet he knewe that he was a iuste man and a holy.

Nicodemus said vnto the pharises. Doth your law iudge anye man: Ihon. vii be­fore it, heare him, and know what he hath done?

This iudgement was most vniust, when Pilate losed Barrabas the ho­micide, math. xxvii thefe, and seditious persone, & delyuered vnto the wil of the Iewes, our Lord Iesus.

The Apostles answered the prestes and magestrates of the temple, Act. 4. com­maundinge Peter and Ihon not to teach any thing in the name of Iesus. saying, whether is it right in y e syght of God, to harken vnto you, more thē [Page] to God iudge ye.

When Paul had cast y e deuel out of the maid which had a sprite that pro­phesyed, Act. 16 her masters vnto whome by Prophesying she brought muche lu­ker and vauntage, accused hym, the magestrates caused Paule and Silas to be beaten with rods, and to be cast into prison.

When the Iewes accused Paule. Gallie the proconsul and ruler of the countrye saide. Act. 18 If it were a matter of wrong or an euil dede. O ye Iewes, reason would that I should hear you. But if it be a question of woordes, or of names, or of your law, looke ye to it your selues, for I will be no iudge of such matters.

The hie priest commaunded them that stoode by, Act. 23 to smyte Paule on the mouth. Then said Paule vnto hym. God shal smite the thou painted wal, syttest thou and iudgest me after the law: and cōmaundest me to be smittē contrary to the law?

Act. 24.Althoughe Paule had reasonablye wel excused him self before Felix the [Page] ruler, yet Felix hauinge in mynde to please the Iewes, left Paul to Festus his successor, bound in pryson.

Festus the president said. It is not the manner of the Romaines to con­dēpne any man, Act. 25. before that he which is accused, haue the accusers before hym, and haue lycence and place to answer for him selfe, concerning the crime laid against him.

Festus not agreinge to the Iewes which desired that Paul might be sēt to Ierusalem, said vnto Paule, wylt thou go to Ierusalem, and there bee iudged of these matters?

Then said Paul, I stand at Cesars iudgement seat, Act. 25 wher I oughte to be iudged, I appeale vnto Cesar. Then spake Festus with deliberatyon, and answeared: Thou hast apealed vnto Cesar, vnto Cesar shalt thou go.

When they had heard Paules rea­sons, kinge Agrippa & Festus spake together, Act. 26. saying: This man hath don nothing worthy of death: Then said Agrippa vnto Festus. Thys manne might haue bene let lose, if he had not appealed to Cesar.

¶Of penaunce. Ca. lxi.

SO long as Marie taried with out the host, Num. xii. the children of Israell remoued not. For it is nether good nor profytable to go, or to pason by the deseart and wylder­nesse of this life, withoute the bitter­nesse of penaunce.

Nu. xiiiiThe people of Israell, hearynge that our Lorde was angrye for theyr murmuring, toke great sorowe. And in the mornyng, they wold haue don more then our Lorde had commaun­ded them.

Iudi. iiAt the voyce of the aungel layinge the benefites of God vnto the synfull people, they cried out, and wept.

The children of Israell saide vnto our Lorde. Iudi. 10. We haue sinned: do vnto vs whatsoeuer please thee. And they put away the straunge. Goddes from them. Then there doth folow, he had pity on the misery of Israel.

Dauid did sone repente, when Na­than did reprehend and rebuke hym of his faut. 2. regu. 12.

[Page]Achab the most wicked kyng of Is­rael, rente his clothes, put on a cilice about hys flesh, 3. regu. 21. and fasted, and lay in sackclothe, went barefote, and helde downe hys heade, and the payne and punyshment that he for hys offences had worthely deserued, was delaied.

Manasses the kyng. of Iuda, beyng bounde wyth chaynes, ii. Pa. xxxii was caryed to Babilon he did great penaunce, and humbled hym self exceadingly before God, and he broughte him agayne to Ierusalem into his kingdome.

It was said vnto Esdras lamēting the synnes of the people. i. Esd. x If there bee penaunce in Israel for thys thyng, I wyll make a couenaunte wyth oure God.

The people hearyng of the fearful and terrible power of Holofernesse, cryed earnestlye, Iudith. iiii and humbled theyr soules with fastinges and Prayers, they and theyr wiues, the Priestes put on heary clothes, & withall theyr hartes cried vnto oure Lorde, that he would viset hys people.

And in the prayse of Iudyth it is [Page] wryttē, that she ware a smock of heer and fasted all the dayes of her life, ex­cept the Sabothes, Iudith. 8. and new mones, and the solempne dayes of the house of Israell.

Notwithstanding that Iob was a simple, Iob. 1.42 a true, and a iust man, & such one as feared God, and eschued euyll, yet he sayeth, I do penaunce in duste and ashes.

The captiuity of Ierusalem beyng at hand, Esaias said. Esa. 22 Our Lord God cald men in that day to wepynge and mourning, to bauldnesse and gyrding about wyth sackcloth.

The Niniuites at Ionas preching beleued GOD, Ionas. 3 and Proclaimed fa­stynge, and arayd them selues in sack cloth, as well the greate as the small of them.

Timotheus host drawynge neare, Machabeus and they that were wyth hym, 2. mach. 10. prayed vnto our Lord, sprinkled ashes vpon their heds, beinge gyrded with heary cloth about theyr loynes, fel downe before the aultare, and be­sought our Lord that he woulde bee [Page] mercifull to them, and an ennemye to theyr ennemyes.

Ihon the Baptist was sanctified or euer he came out of his mothers wōb math. 11. and nourished with his holy parents and fled into the desart, wh [...]re he led so austere and so hard a life, that as it is sayd, he nother dyd eat nor drinke: ye and adde thys to, that he was not clothed, for Camels heere is no mete garment for man.

How gladly our Lord receiued the sinneful to penaunce, math. 4. it appeareth by this, Lu. 5. Lu. 7 that he began hys preaching w t penaunce. Also he saith that he came for that. math. 9. math. 26 And declared y e same by hys workes, and by the example of Mary And of zacheus. Lu. 15 Luk. xix. And by the example of Peter. And by diuers sy­mylytudes, the whyche hee wrote of the Sheape that was loste in the de­sarte. And of the groate that the wo­man loste in her house. And of the Prodygall chylde, whome the Fa­ther thoughte was deade, and after reuyued.

Mary Magdalen the example & pa­trone [Page] of penance, came vnto our lord vncommaunded, Lu. vii nor was not asha­med of those that were at table wyth hym, she stode at hys fete behind him weping. And to brynge menne to pe­naunce, he put an example of certain, vppon whome fel the tour in Siloe, and slue them. Lu. xiii. And then he saith, Ex­cept ye repent y ee shall al likewise pe­rysh. And as touchynge the example of the sheape that pearyshed, and the grote that the woman lost, and after­wardes was found. Our Lord dothe say, Lu. xv that there is in heauen more ioye ouer one synner that repenteth and doth penaunce, then ouer ninety and nyne iust persones, whyche neade no penaunce.

Oure lorde gaue vnto the woman that was taken in aduoutry, Ihon. viii a lyttle and a short penaunce, saying: Go and synne no more.

Iudas seynge that oure lorde was condempned, Math. xxvii repented hym self, and brought againe the xxx. plates of syl­uer. saying: I haue synned, betraying the innocent bloud. Truely he sayde [Page] the truth, but inasmuch as he dispea­red, he deserued no forgeuenesse.

Peter denying his master in the hie preastes courte dyd synne, Math. 26. but when hee was willynge to wepe and to do penaunce, Luke. 22. he went oute. And note, that. Luke dothe ad to this, that our lorde turned backe, and loked vppon Peter.

Certaine Iewes, which were com­puncte and prycked in theire hartes, Act. 2. sayed, ye menne and brethren, what shall we do? Peter sayed vnto them. Do penaunce, and be baptised euery one of you.

When they hearde Peters reasons wherefore he came to Cornelius, Act. 11. and that he hadde baptised hym, the bre­thren helde theyre peace, and glory­fied god sayinge. Then hath God al­so to the gentyles graūted repentaūce and penaunce to life

¶Of the honoure due vnto our parentes. Capitu. lxii.

[Page]Sem and Iaphet deserued theyr fathers blessinge, Gen. 9. in asmuche as they dyd theyr dewtye vnto hym beynge bare. But his sonne Cain was cursed because he deryded the nakednesse of his father.

The fathers blessinge was a thing of greate estimation amonge oure el­ders. Gen. 27. As it appeareth in Iacob and Esau, for they carefully soughte for the same.

Although Esau was a wicked man reproued of god, and hatinge his bro­ther Iacob, Gen. 27. yet hee woulde not kyll him, duringe the lyfe of his father I­saac. For he sayed. The dayes of my fathers sorowe will come. In that, he honoured his father, beinge a frayde to offende him.

Iudas bounde him selfe to a greate paine. Gen. 42.43 When he saied to his father. If I bringe not Beniamin againe, and deliuer him vnto the. Then lette me beare the blame for euer. And yt is to be noted, that whē Ruben said, slaye my two sōnes if I bring him not to y e again, y t he agreed not vnto him. But [Page] yet he agreed vnto Iudas, sayinge the other forsayde wordes.

The selfe same Iudas desiring Io­seph to sende Beniamin again to his father, amonge other things he repe­ted the forsaide wordes by the whiche he bounde him selfe to his father. Gen. 44. And saied more ouer. I cānot go vp to my father if the childe be absent, onelesse I would se and be a witnes of the ca­lamite & wretchednes that shall come on, and oppresse my father.

Iacob blessinge his chyldren, spake thus against Ruben. Gen. 4 [...] Thou art caste out & vnstable as water. Thou shalt not growe and be cheafeste, because thou wentest vp to thy fathers bedde, and dydest defile it.

Our lorde commaunded by Moses, y t if a man haue a son that is stubburn and disobedient, Deut. 21. that the people of the citye shoulde stone him to death.

Our lord recompenst the euell that Abimilech did vnto his father in sle­ynge his .lxx. brethren. Iudi. 9.

The childrē of Hely wold not heare theyr father rebukinge & corr [...]tynge [Page] them, 1. Reg. 2.4. and therefore they felt the Ue­geaunce and punishment of god

Because that Ionathas tasted a li­tle honye against his fathers inhibi­tion, 1. Regu. 14 his father iudged him to death, but yet the people deliuered him, that he dyed not.

Dauid fl [...]ing from the presence and face of Saule, beinge in great neces­site, remembred his parentes, 1 Regu. 22. and diligentlye commended them to king Moab.

Absolon labored to expel his father Dauid oute of his kingdome, 2. regu. 15 but yet his chaunce was not good.

Salomon rose to mete hys mother comming vnto him, and bowed him selfe vnto her. 3. regum. 2. And there was a seate set for the kinges mother.

Two of Sennacheribs sonnes slew hym, 4. regu. 19. and yet nether of them raigned after him.

Olde Tobias instructing his sōne, amonge other things he saied. Tobi. 4. When God taketh awaye my soule, burye thou my bodye, and holde thy mother in honoure all the dayes of her lyfe.

[Page]Oure Lorde castyng those oute of the temple with a scourge that solde and bought Oxen, Iohn. 2. shepe, and doues, and the chaungers of money, sayed, make not my fathers house, an house of marchaundise, sekynge very often tymes in this and other thinges his fathers honoure.

It is written of the chylde Iesu, that he wente downe with them, Luke. 2. that is, with Mary and Ioseph, and came to Nazareth, and was subiecte and o­bedient vnto them.

Also in a nother place he sayeth. Iohn. 8. I honour my father.

And hangynge vppon the crosse, he commended his mother to his wel­beloued disciple. Iohn. 19. Whereby it appea­reth, what carefulnesse he hadde for hys mother, that forgat her not at the poynte or laste Artycle of death.

¶Of thankes geuing for the benefites of God. Capi. lxiii.

[Page]IAcob gaue thāks vnto god most diligētly, Gen. 31. saiyng. Lord I am not worthy of y e least of all the mer­cies and truthe, whiche thou hast she­wed vnto thy seruant.

Exo. 13.Our lorde woulde that the childrē of Israell shoulde neuer forget theyr deliueraunce oute of Aegipte. And it shall be. Sayth he, a signe vnto thee vpon thyne hande, & for a remēbraūce betwene thyne eyes, that the lordes lawe may be in thy mouth.

Moses and the chyldren of Israell sange this songe vnto our lord, Exo. 15. & said. Let vs singe vnto our lord, This was after they had so wonderfully passed ouer the red see.

After thei hadde obtained and got­ten a wonderfull greate victorye of theyr enemyes, Nume. 31. the prynces of the hoste of Israel came to Moses, saiyng that there was not one of the children of Israell slayne in the battayle. And yet they hadde taken of men and cat­tayle a greate number. And for that cause they offerde vppe great gyftes vnto our Lorde.

[Page]Our Lord commaunded that after the myraculus goyng ouer Iordan, they should pitche, Iosu. 3. and set vp twelue stones, in and for a perpetual monu­ment and memory of the same.

After the victory obtained by Ba­rath & Tebora of Sysara they sāge & gaue [...]hankes to our Lord. Iudi. 5.

Anna praid and praised our Lorde for her sonne Samuel the which our Lord had geuen her. 1. reg. 2.

Although the children of Israel in suche battailes as they wanne dyd fyghte stoutlye and stronglye. Iudi. 20. Yet they said that it was oure Lorde that smote theyr ennemyes, that the laud and praise myght be geuen vnto oure Lorde.

When Dauid heard of the reuelation that God made by the Prophet Nathan, 2. reg. 7 of the continuaunce of hys kyngdom, he gaue God thankes most humbly and deuoutly.

Oure Lorde is muche to be lauded and praysed that geueth hys people a good prince and prelate. 3. regu. 5. Blessed be our Lord, saith scripture, which hath [Page] geuen vnto Dauid a wyse sonne ouer this mighty people.

1. Esd. 1.Cyrus the kynge of Persia pro­claymed thorowe oute all hys Em­pyre. Oure LORDE God of hea­uen hathe geuen me al the kingdoms of the earth, and hathe commaunded me to buylde hym a house at Ierusa­lem. Whosoeuer now among you is of hys people, oure Lord hys God be with him, and let hym go vp to Ieru­salem, and build the house of our lord God of Israel.

Tobi. 11.When Tobias had recouered hys sighte, he and his wife, and all that knew him before that he was blinde, praised and glorified God.

Iudi. 16.After the victorye of Holofernes host was obtained, all the people re­sorted and came to Ierusalē to prayse and pray vnto our Lord.

Dani. 2.After that the vision of Nabuchodo­nozor king of Babilon was reueled & opened vnto Daniel. He blessed oure Lord God of heauen and sayde. The name of our Lord be blessed, for wis­dome and strength are his.

[Page]The iii. childrē being deliuered frō the burning fire and flame of the for­nace, Dani. 3. praysed our lorde well and de­uoutly. And not they only gaue thā ­kes vnto god for y t thing, but Nabu­chodonozor did also cause the wonderful thinges of our lord to be proclay­med thorow out al his kingdome.

After that the temple vnder Iudas Machabeus was erected and purify­ed, 1. Mach. 4. they worshypped and gaue than­kes to the GOD of heauen, that hadde prospered and geuen them the victorye.

Iudas Machabeus, and the people of Ierusalē wrote vnto Aristobolus, 2. Mach. 1 saying, we being deliuered by god frō great daungers and pearils, magni­fycētly do geue thankes vnto hym.

When the blessed virgin had herd the laude and praise that Elizabeth gaue her, LuKe. 1. saying. Blessed art thou a­monge women, she praysed and lau­ded God for the benefytes geuen to her and to all the worlde, wyth these wordes. My soul magnyfyeth y e lord.

We reade in the gospel, that when [Page] our Lord purposed to do some greate miracle, Iohn. 6.11. that oftentimes he loked vp to heauen & gaue thankes, Mat. 26. as it manifestly appeareth in the multiplicatiō of the loues. In the resuscitation of Lazarus, and in the institucion of the blessed and holy sacrament.

After Ihon the Baptist was born, LuKe. 1. and that zacharias had recouered his speache, he prophesying praysed our Lord, saying: Blessed be oure Lorde God of Israel.

Simeon toke the child Iesus vp in hys armes, Luke. 2. and blessed our Lord.

When the people saw y t our Lorde had healed the man of the palsy, Mat. 9. they meruailed and glorified god, whyche had geuen such power to men.

And likewise when y e widowes son was reuiued, Luke. 7. ther came a fear on thē al, and they magnified god, and gaue vnto him the glory, saying. A greate prophet is rysen vp among vs.

One of those x. lepers y t which wer clensed at Goddes commaundement, turned backe againe, Luke. 17. and fell downe on hys face at hys feete, and gaue [Page] hym thankes.

After that our Lord had supt with his disciyles, Mat. 26. and had said grace, they went out vnto mount Oliuer.

The halt that was healed by Pe­ter, Act. 3.4. entred with the Apostles into the temple, walkinge and leapinge, and praisyng God. Then ther followeth. All men praised God because of that which was done, for the man was a­boue xl. yere old, on whom the miracle of healing was shewed.

Paule gaue thankes for y e benefits to him and other exhibited. 1. Timo. 1. To hym self in his conuersyon. I thancke my Lord god that cōforted me in Christ, wheras before I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, & contumelious, but yet I obtained merrye, because I did it ig­norauntly through vnbelefe.

And in his cōuersation, thankes be vnto god, 2. Cor. 2. which alwais geueth vs y e triumph and victory in Christ Iesu.

And deuoutly he geueth thākes for the benefites exhibited to his brethrē. First verely I geue God thankes for you all, Roma. 1. that youre Faythe is spoken [Page] of in all the world.

1. Thes. 2.And to the Thessalonians. What thanckes can we recompence to God again for you ouer al the ioy that we ioy for your sakes before God.

1. Thes. 5.And he exhorteth them to geue thā ­kes for all things. Reioyce euer, pray continuallye. In all thinges geue thankes.

¶Of gratitude for the benefites of man accepted. ca. lxiiii.

AFter that Abraham had smitten and ouercome the foure kinges, Gen. 14. and had brought againe and re­couered all such substaunce & goodes as they had stolne and gotten. The king of Sodome came forthe to mete him, and offred him al those goodes & substaunce, the only beastes excepted. Where is to be noted, that notwyth­ding Abraham refused that was pro­ferd him yet it was his mind that his company should haue part of y e praye that was taken, not beynge ingrate or vnmyndefull of theyr aid & paines taken.

[Page]Laban seyng the Iewels, that is, the earinges, and the bracelets that Abrahams seruaunte had geuen hys syster Rebecca, Gen. 24. went oute vnto hym and said: come in thou blessed of oure Lord, and so he receued hym into hys house wyth great humanity and gentlenesse.

After that Iacob had serued his vncle Laban many yeares, Gen. 29. Laban sayd vnto him. Thoughe thou be my bro­ther, shuldst y u serue me for nought?

Pharao y e king of Egipt was very kind and thankful vnto Ioseph for y e exposition of his dreame, Gen. 41. and magni­ficently he did exalt him.

Iethro the Priest of Madian was thankfull and kinde vnto Moses, Exo. 2. be­cause that he, when his Doughters came to water their sheepe, defended them: he caused hym to be called into dinner, and gaue hym hys doughter in marriage.

Iosue was verye carefull that Ra­hab the harlot, Iosu. 6. whyche hid and saued his messengers, should not pearish in Ierico that was destroyed.

[Page]When Gedeon had deliuered Is­rael from theyr ennemies, Iudi. 8. they sayd vnto him. Reigne thou ouer vs, both thou, thy sonne and thy sonnes sonne, for thou hast deliuered vs oute of the hand of Madian.

Ruth. 2.And Naomy said, cōmending Boom y t loked most beningly vppon Ruth: blessed be he of our Lord, for that fa­uor & grace that he shewed to the ly­uing, he hath reserued for the dead.

Because Cineus was good and fa­uourable vnto the children of Israel, 1. regu. 15. Saule when he destroyed Amalech, dyd spare him.

Dauid saide to Abiather, whose fa­ther loued Dauid. Abide thou wyth me, 1. regu. 22. and fear not, for if any man seke thy soul, he shal seke mine also.

Dauid sent to the men of Iabes in Galaad, 2 regu. [...]. that buried Saule & his chil­dren, and gaue them thankes.

For the loue that Dauid had to Io­nathas Sauls son, 1. [...]egu. 9. he made an inqui­sition whether there wer any mā left of the house or kindred of Saule. And ordained that Mephiboseth the sonne [Page] of Ionathas shuld be a continual gest at his owne table.

The Quene of Saba brought king Salomon many gyftes. 3. regu. 10. And he gaue her according to all her desire, what soeuer she asked, besides that he gaue her of a free wyll wyth hys owne hande.

Helias had compassyon vppon the widowe that sustained hym, 3. regu. 17. and so effectuously prayed for her sonne that was departed, that hee reuyued hym again.

Abdias alledged the pleasures and benefites that he hadde done for oure Lordes prophets, 3. regu. 18. the which he hydde when they were sought for to be put to death. And al was for thys intent, that he should not send hym wyth no ieoperdous message.

When Helias shuld ascend into heauen, 4. regu. 2. he wel and munificently rewar­ded his disciple Elizeus.

Elizeus offred most gently the Su­namite his hostesse, 4. regu. 4. to speake to the kynge for her, if she hadde anye busi­nesse wyth hym. Agayn he obtaind & [Page] gat her a chylde, and afterwardes being dead reuiued the same.

Naaman the Syrian being clensed of his leprosy at Elizeus woorde and peticion, 4. regu. 5. did offer hym giftes, saying I pray the take a blessyng of thy ser­uaunt.

The Iewes accusers sent an Epy­stle to kinge Arthaxers [...]s amonge all other thinges containing this. 1. Esd. 4. We remēber the salt that we did eate in the palace. And in as muche as we thou­ght it against all right to see thy losse and hurtes, we haue sent. &c.

Yong Tobias rehearsed vnto hys father wyth great gratitude & thākes the benefites & good tournes that he had receiued of Raphael the aungel. Tobi. 12.

Quene Esther was not vnkynde to Mardocheus her nourisher. Esth. 4.

Nabuchodonozor the kinge of Ba­bilon hearinge the interpretatyon of hys dreame, Dani. 4.5. extold Daniel, and gaue hym great giftes. Likewise Baltha­sar honoured hym for the declaration of the scrypture that was wrytten in the wall.

[Page]When Iudas Machabeus hearde that the Scithopolites wer fauorable vnto the Iewes in the time of theyr tribulation, 2. mach. 12. he thanked them.

The elders of the Iewes saied vnto our lord Iesus, Lu. 7 of the Centurion that prayed him for hys seruaunte. He is worthye that thou shuldest do this for hym, for hee loueth oure nation, and hath built vs a sinagoge.

Paule did fully recognise the bene­fites that were done vnto hym. Gala. 4 For he sayeth to the Galathians, ye recei­ued me as an Aungel of god, & would haue plucked oute youre owne eyes, and haue geuen them to me.

I was euen fylled after that I rece­ued of Epaphroditus the thynges which wer sent frō you w t an odure of a swete smel, Phil. 4 a sacrifice accepted and pleasant to god.

Our lord geue mercy vnto the hous­holde of Onesiforus, 2. Timo. 8 for he ofte re [...]re­shed me, and was not ashamed of my chayne.

And also for Onesimus philemons seruaunt, the which did minister vnto [Page] him in prison, he writeth to Philemō affectuous letters.

¶Of ingratitude. Capitu. lxv.

Gene. 40THe chefe butler in the tyme of his prosperite had clene forgot­ten Ioseph his interpreter.

Gene. 31Iacob dyd serue his vncle Laban profytablye and faythfully, and he woulde ofte haue deceiued him.

When the people sawe, that it was longe or Moses came downe oute of the mountayne, Gene. 32 they sayed vnto A­aron, vp make vs goddes to go before vs. Beholde now howe soone they hadde forgotten the benefites recey­ued of the true and liuinge god.

The children of Israel lothed in the desert that good meate geuen them, Nume. 11 from heauen wythoute theyr payne or laboure, they wept, sayinge, who shall geue vs fleshe to eate.

The Aungel of god did impropri­ate and cast in the chyldren of Israels teethe the benefites of god exhibited vnto thē, Iudi. 2. because they had broken the [Page] couenante and appoyntment, and had transgressed the cōmaundemen­tes of god.

Saul receyued many benefites and good turnes of Dauid: 1. re. 17. and yet he did his best to kyll him.

Dauid saued the inhabitours of the lande, 1. re. 23 and yet they woulde haue be­traied and deliuered hym into Sauls handes that persecuted him.

The chyldren of Ammon recom­pensed honour, 2. re. 10 and good dedes with iniury, when they vituperated and put Dauids messēgers to rebuke and shame, whiche he sent to comfort the kinge ouer the death of his father.

Dauid and Ioab were ingrate and vnkynde to faythfull vrias, 2. regu. 18 of the whyche two, the fyrste sente letters. And the other dyd Cruellye execute them.

After that Dauid had reuoked Ab­solon his sonne, 2. reg. 15 and hadde forgeuen him the murther cōmitted against his brother Ammon, he made insurrectiō against his father.

[Page] 2. re. 16Dauyd in disheretinge so sone Mi­phiboseth Ionathas sonne remem­bred not the amite and loue that was betwene his father and him.

3. reg. 12Oure lorde exalted and set Ierobo­as ouer ten tribes. And by and by e­lated wyth pride and a wyll to rule, hee peruerted the people from the true honouringe and worshipping of god.

Eliseus hadde done much good for the kinge of Israel. 4. re. 6. And all his peo­ple. And yet for the dearth that was in the countrey, he commaunded his head to be smitten of. But god dispo­sed it other wise.

2. Para. 24.Ioas the kinge of Iuda remembred not the mercy and kyndnesse that Io­iada the hye preast had done vnto him but slue zacharia his sonne reprouing and rebukinge him, that he had le [...]e oure lorde, and transgressed his com­maundementes.

Amasias trustynge to the succoure and healpe of god, ouercame the E­domites, and the chyldren of Seir. 2. Para. 25 And yet brynginge theyr gooddes a [Page] waye, he bowed hym selfe and wor­shipped before them. And the prophet that was sent vnto him, sayed, why haste thou sought and honoured the goddes of the people, which were not able to deliuer their owne people out of thy hande.

Ezechias dyd not vnto god accor­dinge to it that he hadde shewed him, 2. para. 32 for his hart arose.

Many haue abused and tourned the goodnes and honoure of princes she­wed vnto them, Esth. 1 into pride. Nor they are not contente to geue thankes for benefites, and to violate the lawe of humanite in thē selues, but also they hope and th [...]nk to escape the sentence and iudgemēte of god, that seeth all.

Our lorde complayning of the peo­ple of Iewry, sayeth. I haue norished and brought vp chyldren, but they despysed me. Esa. 1 And hee proueth that they are least thankeful then beastes. There foloweth. The oxe hath kno­wen his owner, aud the asse hys ma­sters crib. But Israell hath receyued [Page] no knowledge, my people hathe no vnderstandynge.

Oure LORDE woulde haue done and shewed manye and greate benefytes to Achab the kynge of Iu­da, Esa. 7 as hee sente hym woorde by E­saye, but hee despysed too receyue theym.

Ionathas sente stronge armed menne, 2. mach. 10 the whyche delyuered De­metrius from the handes of the An­tiochians.

And yet afterwardes D [...]metri­us dyd alienate hym selfe clean from Ionathas, nor rewarded him not ac­cording to the benefytes that hee had shewed hym, but troubled hym verye sore.

Of the tenne Leapers that our Sauioure cleansed, Lu. 17 there came but one agayne to magnify God, and to geue hym thanckes.

The damsels maisters or Pa­rentes, oute of whome Paule dyd caste the spirite of Prophesye, Act. 16 were very ingrate and vnkind vnto Paul. [Page] For whye they sorowed more the losse of theyr gayn and vaun­tage, then they reioy­sed in the expulsy­on of the de­uil.

That truthe engendreth hatred. Ca. lxvi.

BAlaac the kinge of Moab was very dolourous and sory, when that Balaam spake anye good of the children of Israell. Notwythstandynge it was true that he spake. Nor he dyd not honor hym, as hee woulde haue honoured, Nume. 24. if hee hadde spoken pleasauntlye and after hys mynde. I thoughte saythe Bala­ac, to promote thee vnto honour, but our Lorde hath kepte the backe from worshyp.

Ionathas Gedeons sonne, that told the truthe of Abimelech and his, Iudi. 9 whi­che had vnryghtfully made him king was fain to flye from the face and presence of Abimelech.

Saule was angry with hys sonne Ionathas, 1. reg. 20 because he excused Dauid, the which was an innocent & blame­lesse towardes Saule.

Achab dyd hate Micheas the Pro­phet for tellyng him the truth, 3. reg. 22 I hate [Page] hym, saith he, for he doth not prophecy good vnto me but euel

When Ananias the Prophet had reproued Aza the kynge of Iuda, 2. para. 16 be­cause he put his truste in Bennadab the Kynge of Syria, Aza was wro­the, and sent the seer into prison.

zacharias the sonne of Ioiade at y e commaundement of king Ioas was stoned, 2. Para. 24 because he rebuked the kynge and hys Lordes, that they had lefte & forsaken our Lord.

When Achior hadde rehearsed the greate and noble thynges that oure Lorde hadde done for the children of Israell, Iudith. 5.6 and that hys power was greate, Holofernes princes & Lordes were angry, and thought to slay him, and Holofernes him selfe disdained the thing vehemently.

Sedechias the kinge of Iuda, layde Ieremy the Prophet in pryson, Iere. 31 say­ing, why doste thou prophecye thus? Thus saith the Lord &c.

When Baruch had red the words Iere. 36 that he had wrytten out of y e mouthe [Page] of Ieremy, before Ioachim the kyng of Iuda, he caused the boke to be caste into the fyre, because it declared the truth of the captiuity of Ierusalem, & the king cōmaunded Baruch & Iere­my to be takē, but they wer not foūd then as god would.

When that Ieremy prophecied the captiuity of the city, he was cast into a lake, Iere. 38 wher there was no water, but mire, and so he descended and stacke fast in the myre.

Because Daniel proued Bel, and the dragon to be no Goddes, Dani. 14 they of Babilon gathered them selues toge­ther to come vnto the king, and pro­cured that Daniel should be cast into the Lions den.

Because of Eliazarus good & true woordes, they that drue hym to tor­ment, & that a litle before wer mild & gentle, 2. mach. 6 waxed wroth and angry.

Because Ihon the Baptist said vnto Herode. math. 14 It is not lawful for the to haue thy brothers wife, mar. 6 he imprisond him, and afterwards behedded him.

When our lorde had reproued the [Page] hipocrites & pharises of many thinges they beganne greuously to waxe busy aboute hym, Lu. xi to stoppe hys mouthe, laiyng wayte for hym, and seking to catche some thing out of his mouthe, whereby they might accuse him.

The pharises cursed him that was borne blynde, Iohn. 9 and healed of oure lorde, and caste him out of the Sina­goge, because he confessed the truthe most constantlye.

The hye preastes hearing the wor­des of the Apostles as concernynge Christes doctryne, Act. 5 claue a sonder, and sought meanes to slee them, and beynge beaten warned them, that they should not speake in the name of Iesu, And they departed from the counsell, reioysing, that they were counted worthy, to suffre rebuke for his name.

When the Iewes hearde Saynte Steuens wordes, Act. 7 theyr hartes claue a sunder, and they gnashed on him with theyr tethe, and caste hym out of the cytie, and stoned hym.

[Page]Am I therfore become your enemy because I tel you the truthe. Gala. 4

¶Of lies and lesinges. ¶Capitu. lxvii.

THe firste lie was spoken by the serpent, Gene. 3 which said to the wo­man, ye shall not die.

Gene. 18Sara being afraid, with a lie excu­sed her self that she laughed not.

Gene. 38And fornicators disdaine to make lies, as Iudas, whiche said: She can­not accuse vs of anye lesinge, that is Thamar, to whōe he promised a kid.

Exo. 1The lesinge or lie that y e mid wiues made to Pharao, vnwilling to slea y e children of the Hebrues, was tempo­rally rewarded, but not eternally, although it was a lie full of pitye and compassyon.

Exo. 9.10Pharao would ofte haue deceyued Moses through lies but yet it auaild him nothing.

The people w [...]ping and sitting in the wildernesse, Nume. 11 saide, we remember the fyshe wee did eate in Egypte for naught.

[Page]The Gabaonites being crafty and deceitful of thought, Iosu. 9 would lyinglye haue deceiued Iosua. But hee vsed good and wise counsel, and bringing them into seruitude and bondage, did not breake the couenaunt and leage made betwene them.

It is neuer lawful to lye, to tel the truthe is alwaies lawfull. 1. re. 16. And it is expedient at some times for a man to holde his peace, as Samuell did, say­inge, I came to offer and to do sacry­fice vnto our Lorde, and yet he came principally to do a nother thing: Not withstanding he said that he came to do that.

Saule said that his seruaunts had conspired againste him, because they toke not Dauid. 1. re. 22 And he sayd that Dauid his seruaunt laid waite for hym, when that he laid wait for Dauid.

One of Dauids sonnes being slain tidinges came to Dauid, 2. regu. 13 that Absolō had killed all the kynges sonnes. So do men oftentimes that bring tales & rumours.

Chusai officiously did lie vnto Ab­solon, [Page] sayinge. As I haue obeyed thy father, so wyll I obey thee.

The man of God foretold Ierobo­as the destruction of thys aultare, [...]. reg. 13 the which through the lie of a false Pro­phet was deceyued, & brake Goddes commaundement.

The two false wytnesses that wer brought forth againste Naboth, 3. reg. 21 was the cause that he was stoned.

The false Spirite beynge in the mouthe of the Prophets, 3. re. 22. deceiued A­chab, perswading him to go vnto the battaile. For there he was wounded to death.

Iudith by the words that she spake to Holofernes, Iudith. 10 deceyued hym: al­thoughe shee be excused, because of her godly intent and purpose.

Aman inuented a mischeuous lye, to destroye Mardocheus, because hee woulde not bowe hys knee, Esth. 3 nor wor­ship hym.

The princes and commen people that were lefte after the destructyon of Ierusalem, Iere 42 came to Ieremye, and [Page] sayde that they would do, what so e­uer he would commaund them whe­ther it were good or badde, but yet they kepte theyr large promyse but slenderly.

The two olde priestes made a very detestable and a pernitius lie against Susanna, Dani. 13 whome they shoulde haue commended for her mooste constante chastity.

Antiochus sent his chefe treasurers into the cities of Iuda, whyche came to Ierusalem, 1. mach. 1. speakynge peaceable wordes vnto them, but all was dys­ceate, for when they had geuen him credence, he fel sodenly vpon the city, and smote it sore, and destroied much people.

When Antiochus Eupator besie­ged Ierusalem he sēt vnto those that wer wythin it, i. Mach. 6. to make peace, & they receiued it, and the king and Princes made an oth vnto them, but he brake hys othe, and commaunded the wall to be destroied.

Alchimus that desyred to bee the hye priest said vnto kyng Demetri [...]: [Page] Iudas and hys brethren haue loste [...] slaine thy frendes. And afterwardes he came into the lande of Iuda, & sent 1. mach. 7messengers to Iudas and his brethrē and spake vnto them wyth peaceable wordes, but vnder craft and disceyt. And at lengthe it was proued, that there was neyther iudgemente, nor truthe in them.

Demetrius promised Ionathas to restore the castel vnto him, but when the Iewes, 1. mach. 11 which Ionathas sent, had wonne it, Demetrius lied and dissembled al that euer he spake, and wyth­drew him selfe from Ionathas.

Simon sent vnto Triphon a hun­dred talents of syluer, i. mach. 13 and Ionathas two sonnes, to discharge hym. For Triphon promised to send Ionathas if they wold do so. But he did but fa­ble and lye. For he kepte the monye, and slue bothe Ionathas and his chil­dren.

The Iewes, and pryncipallye the Scribes and Pharises, math. 11.22 the which en­uied him, made lies againste our lord Iesus, saying: that he was a drynker [Page] of wine, a lyer, a glutton, and one that forbad men to paye tribute vnto Ce­sar, a subuerter of the people, and one that seduced them, a blasphemer, and possessed with the deuyll.

The Iewes inuented a verye false and a wicked lye, Mat. 28. when they corrup­ted the kepers of oure Lordes sepul­chre, saying, saye ye that his disciples came by night, and stole his bodye a­way whyle ye slepte.

Ananias and Saphyra his wyfe, made a lye vnto Peter concernynge the price of the lande, Act. 5. the whiche lye was afterwardes by Peter most gre­uously reuenged.

The Iewes ordayned two false witnesses agaynst Steuen, Act. 6. sayinge. This man ceaseth not to speake blas­phemous woordes against the lawe and this holy place.

There were manye lesinges and lyes inuented & found against Paule. Act. 16. For the master of Phitonissa dwel­lyng amonge the Philippians, out of whome Paule had caste the spirite of prophecie, saied vnto the magestrates [Page] and rulers of the cytye: These menne trouble our cytye, beinge Iewes, and preache ordinaunces, whiche are not lawefull for vs to receaue.

And some there wer at Athens that saied, what will this babler saie? O­ther sayed: Act. 17. He semeth to be a tydinges bringer of new deuels.

Agayne. There wer certain Iewes at Ierusalē that layed hand on Paul, cryinge. Act. 21. Menne of Israell healpe. This is the manne that teacheth all menne euery where against the peo­ple, and the lawe, and this place, fur­thermore he hathe brought Gentyles into the temple, and hathe polluted this holy place.

And afterwardes Tertulius the Iewes Orator sayed before Felir the ruler. Act. 24. This Paul is a pestilent felow & a mouer of debate vnto al the Iewes in the whole worlde.

And furthermore when the barba­rus Act. 28.aud straunge people sawe in the Isle of Mitelene the viper hange on Paules hande, they sayed amonge [Page] them selues: No doubte this manne is a murtherer, whome, thoughe he haue escaped the see, yet vengeaunce suffereth not to liue.

Paul beareth witnesse of him selfe Some menne affirme that we say, Roma. 3. as men spake falsly of vs. Let vs do euel, that good may come thereof.

And to the Corinthians. Some saye that our epistles are greuous, but our bodely presence weake, and our spech and communication rude.

¶Of Treason. Capitu. lxviii.

SAule beynge vered wyth the deuel, Dauid sung and plaied before him, 2. Cor. 10. and Saule wente aboute to nayle him to the wall with the iauelynge that hee helde in hys hande.

Saul promised to geue Dauid his daughter in mariage, 1. Re. 18.19 that throughe occasion the Philistians myghte kyll hym.

Dauid saued and defended the in­habitours of Seely frō the philistines 1. regu. 18. [Page] hooste that besieged them, And yet they would haue betrayed and dely­uered him vnto Saul his enemy, 1. regu. 23. that euen to death did persecute him.

After that Saule had lamented the persecution of Dauid, 1. regu. 24. and that Da­uid was sworne vnto him: he perse­cuted and folowed Dauid as wrong­fully and as sharpely as euer he dyd before.

Urias caried from Dauid to Ioab, letters of hys owne death. Amnon Dauids sonne, caulde vnto hym his syster Thamar as thoughe he would haue eaten meate at her hand, 2. regu. 11. 2. regu. 13. and af­terwardes defiled her.

Absolon called his brother Amnon to a banket, 2. regu. 13. and slewe him.

When Ioab had saluted Amasam, and hadde taken hym by the chyn as thoughe he woulde haue kyst him, 2. regu. 20. he smote him in the side, and he shed out his bowels to the grounde.

zambry the capitayne of halfe the horsmen, 3. Re. 16. slewe Hela his Lorde and mayster, and did raigne after him se­uen dayes onely. He was besieged, [Page] and he burnt him selfe, and the kings palace.

Selum Iabes sonne, conspired a­gainst zacharias the kinge of Israell his lorde and master, 4. regu. 15. and slewe him, and after hym he raigned in his slede one moneth onely.

As Sennacherib was praiyng and woorshippinge his god in the temple 4. regu. 19. hys two sonnes smote hym wyth the sweard But yet neither of his sonnes raigned after hym.

Certayne of Nehemias ennemyes would maliciusly haue made a confe­deration wih him, 2. Esd. 6. & thought to haue done him a displeasure, & gaue money that he might be brought to synne.

Two of kyng Ahaswerus porters or chamberlaines, that sate at the co­mynge in of the Palace, Esth. 2. would haue layed handes on the kynge, and haue slaine him.

Ismael the sonne of Nathania came and many moe with him to dine with Godolia, 4. regu. 2 [...]. whome the kyng had made capitayne ouer the men of Babilon whiche were in Iewry, And after di­ner [Page] they rose and slew him, that wold not haue thought nor beleued no such euel in them.

King Antiochus sent his chefe treasurer into the cities of Iuda, 1. Mach. 1 whyche came to Ierusalem, and spake peace­ably but yet deceitfull woordes vnto those that were wythin. For when they had geuen him credence, hee fell sodenly vppon the citye, and smote it sore, and destroyed muche people of Israell.

When kynge Antiochus Eupator besieged Ierusalem, and coulde not take it. 1. Mach. 6. He sent vnto those that were wythin to be at peace with them, and they receyued it. He sware vnto thē, and sone after brake his othe that he had made.

Ptolomeus the king of Egipt wēt about through disceit to obtain Alex­anders his Nephews kingdom. 1. Mach. 11. And entring into the cities of Alexandria with a great host of men, and recey­ued by the kings commaundement in to them very honourably, he left mē of war to kepe them.

[Page]When Triphon saw y t Ionathas came with so great an hoste, he com­maunded him to kepe but a few with him, 1. Mach. 12. and to send away the reast, and when he had done so, he was taken, and a thousand that were with hym, and the other returned home again.

As Triphon went forthe to walke wyth the yonge kyng Antiochus hys Lord and master, 1. Mach. 13. he slue him trayte­rously, and raigned in his stede,

Ptolomy the sonne of Abobus, the hie priestes sonne in lawe, 1. Mach. 16 made a banket for Simon and his ii. sonnes. And when they had dronken well, he slue them.

When Apollinus was come to Ie­rusalem, fainingly he kept hym selfe quiet and stil vntyl the Saboth daye. 2. Mach. 5. And then when the Iewes kept holy day, he slue a great multitude of thē.

Iudas Machabeus hearing y t they, which besieged the towers, where in theyr ennemies the Gentiles were, 2. Mach. 10 had taken mony, and let part of their ennemies goe, he slewe them as tray­toures and sellers of theyr brethren. [Page] And went in hand and toke the tours

The treason that the most wycked Iudas vsed against his Lorde, Mat. 26. passed al other treasons in iniquity and peruersity, LuKe. 22. the which sold his Lorde and master for a litle mony, Iohn. 18. and deliuered him with a kisse into the handes of his ennemies.

Certaine of the Iewes came to the chefest of the priestes and elders, Act. 13. desi­ring them to do so muche, as to cause Lysias the Tribune, that had Paule in hold, to bring him forth amōg thē, as though they would haue known [...] somthing more perfectly of him. And they were euen readye by and by to kill him.

¶Of adulation anf fla­tery. Cap. lxix.

WHen Chore and his companiōs s [...]ode vp against Moses & Aarō, they said, Num. 16 it is sufficient inough for vs, that all the multytude are holye, and that oure LORDE is a­monge theym. In the whych wordes [Page] if appeareth that they flattered and sought for the beneuolence and fauor of the people.

The yong man y t brought Dauid ti­dinges of Sauls death and his sōnes was slain by Dauids commaundemēt yet he thought that he hadde brought prosperous and good tidinges. 2. regu [...] 1.

The two theues that slew Isboseth Sauls sonne, 2. regu. 4. and brought hys heade vnto Dauid, thought to please hym. But he declared wel vnto them, that it displeased him, for he commaunded them to be slain, and theyr hands and fete to be cut of, and hanged ouer the poole in Hebron.

Absolon said vnto the mā that had matters before kinge Dauid, 2. regu. 15. thy wordes and communication seme to me good and iust. But there is no mā deputed to heare thee.

The euell and false Prophets told Achab the kynge of Israell that hee should prosper in hys wars: 3. regu. 22. for they knew that he would be glad to heare such tidinges.

After the death of Ioiada y e priest, [Page] the lordes of Iuda came and made o­beisaunce to the king, 2. Para. 24. the whiche be­inge pleased with their adulation, harkned vnto them. And so they lefte the house of our Lorde, & serued gro­ues and Idols.

The Iewes ennemies that edifyed the temple after theyr returne out of captiuity, 1. Esd. 4 wrote thus vnto the king. We remembring the salt y t we haue eaten in thy palace, thoughte that it was against reason to se thy damage and losses. &c.

Iudith. 2Nabuchodonozor saied vnto the el­ders, and captaines of his wars, that this was his thought and purpose, to bring the hole earth vnder his domi­nion. Nowe when that thynge plea­sed them all. &c.

Kinge Ahasuerus beinge wrothe with Quene Uasthi, questioned w t his wise counsellers, Esth. 1. what sentēce or law shuld be executed vppon the Quene. The which counsellers did not coole the kinges furye, nor excuse her that was absent, but one answered wyth indignation, saying. The kinges in­dignation [Page] is iust.

Amans frends, Esth. 5 & his wife, not perceiuyng the cankerd and euel minde that he had towardes Mardocheus, did not reproue nor rebuke hym, but said. Commaund thou a hye payre of galowes to be framed and made.

The princes and hie estates of Da­rius the king of Perse, Dani. 6 hauing a de­sire y t the king shuld make an vniust decree, dyd purpose a thinge, that se­med to pertain to his honor.

Alchinus that wicked traytor, wil­ling to be made the hie priest, i. mach. 7 said vnto kinge Demetrius: Iudas and hys brethren haue destroyed thy frendes, after ther foloweth, y e the king made Alchinus the hie priest, & commaun­ded him to be reuenged, & to punyshe the children of Israel.

After that Ihons disciples wer de­parted and gone, Mat. xi oure Lorde began wonderfully to praise him, the which thynge maketh agaynste those, that doe openlye prayse menne, and sea­creatly detract and backbite them.

[Page]The Pharises going about to take Christ in his wordes, Mat. 22 began to praise and to flatter him, saying. Master we know that art y u true, and teachest the way of God truely.

Herode Agrippa that greate kyng perceiuing that he pleased the Iewes because he had taken certaine of the congregation, Act. 12. and had killed Iames the brother of Ihon, proceaded fur­ther to haue taken Peter.

Act. 12The people gaue a shout to Herod that wicked king, the which had slain Iames, and incarcerated Peter, say­ing. It is the voyce of a God, and not of a man.

Act. 24.Tertullius the orator whyche was brought in against Paul by the president Felix, did at the beginnynge of his oration flatter Felix.

¶Of derision, and con­tumelious reprofe. Ca. lxx.

THe men of Sadoch and Pha­nuel derided Gedeon persecu­ting Zebee and Salmana, Iudi. 8. but [Page] of that folowed mischaunces. For af­terwardes he intreated them very ri­gorously and euel.

Nabal contemned contumeliously the woordes of Dauids messengers, saying, 1. regu. 25. what is Dauid? And what is the sonne of Isai? Ther is plentye of seruauntes now a dayes, that breake away from their masters.

Michol seing king Dauid dansinge before the Arke of the Lord, 2. regu. 6. despysed him, because she sawe him bare. And afterwardes deriding & mocking him she said. O how glorious was y e king this day?

Wicked Iezabell spake scornfull & mocking wordes vnto Achab. 3. regu. 21. Thou art a man of great authority, and dost gouern thy kingdom well.

For as muche as the children dery­ded and mocked Elizeus the prophet, 4. regu. 2. saying. Go vp thou bald head. Two beares tare and deuoured xlii. of thē.

King Hezechias postes went swift­ly from city to city, 2. Para. 30. warnyng y e chyl­dren of Israell to retourne vnto oure Lord. But they laughed thē to scorn, [Page] and mocked them.

2. Para. 36Our Lord sent his prophets daily vnto them, & warned them to spare his people, and his dwellinge place. But they mocked the messengers of god, and litle regarded hys wordes, & misused his prophets.

When Sanabalat & Tobias hard say that the walles of Ierusalem wer a buildinge, 2. Esd. 4 they mocked the buyl­ders.

When Tobias was blynde, hys frendes & kinsfolk laughed his liuing to scorn, Tob. 2. sayinge: where is nowe thy hope, for the which thou hast done al­mes, and buried the dead?

Nicanor seing the burnt sacrifices that wer offred, for the king laughed them to scorn with comtempt, 1. mach. 7 & spake proudly and disdainfullye, ye & swore in his wrath.

Antiochus that cruell tiraunte, be­inge kindled in anger by the wordes of the seuenth brother, 2. Mach. 7. was more cruell vpon him, then vpon all thother, and toke indignation that he was so lightly regarded.

[Page]Oure lorde was dyuers maner of wayes derided, as it shall afterwards apeare in the chapiter of pacience.

Certayne Iewes, Act. 2. when they sawe that our lordes disciples after the in­fusion of the holy goost, spake diuers languages and tongues, sayed moc­kingly These menne are full of new wyne.

When the Athenienses had hearde Act. 17 of the resurrection of the deade that Paule preached. Some mocked. And other sayed, let vs heare the agayne of this matter.

¶Of Detractors and euel speakers. Capi. lxxi.

IOsephs lady and mestres spake wickedly to her husband of him beinge Innocent and chaste. Gen. 39

Pharo sayed, who doubteth, but that ye haue some mischefe in hande Exo. 10 wherby it appeareth that euell men doo affirme, and at sometymes doo laye to good mennes charges wyth vniust boldenes the thinge whiche is vniust and false.

[Page]Mary and Aaron vpon a light occa­sion spake against Moses, Nume. 12. but quickly after ther folowed a pain and punishment that reuenged the matter.

Nume. 14.The children of Israell dispraysed the lande of promise to theyr greate pain and punishment.

Nume. 16.By the occasion of Chores and his felowes sedition, many were mooste fearfully slain. And yet after that, the multitude murmured against Moses and Aaron, saying: ye haue kylled the people of our Lord.

Although Balaam was euell, yet he said, Num. 23. that he in no wise wold curse the p [...]ople which our Lorde had bles­sed And as touchinge that, there are many worse found then be, the which do gladly and more oftentimes curse and backbite the good, then the per­uerse and euel.

Saul at the beginning was excea­ding goo [...]: 1. regu. 10. but yet the children of Be­liall said: how can he saue vs?

By the occasion of Doeg the Idu­mite declaring vnto Saule that Abi­melech [...]he priest had comforted and [Page] refreshed Dauid, 1. re. 22. he slue .lxxxv. men that did weare a linnen Ephod. And many mo wemen and children.

The lords of the Philistines caused Achis the kynge of Seth, 1. reg. 19 to remoue Dauid (the which by his iudgemente was good) from his honest office and place, that he had preferd him vnto.

Dauid commaūded the yonge man that shewed of kinge Saule and his sonnes death, 2. reg. 1 to be slayne. And yet he thoughte that he hadde brought him prosperus and glad tydinges.

The chefest of the children of Am­mon saied vnto theyr lorde. 2. re. 10 T [...]inkest thou that Dauid for the honour of thy father hath sent comfortours to the? And so they peruerted the simple and pure intention of Dauid.

Absolon ambitiusly desyringe the kingdome, 2. regu. 15 saied vnto one that hadde busynesses before hym: There is no man deputed of the king to heare the.

Siba Mephiboseth seruant did wic­kedly bacbyte his lorde vnto Dauid: 2. re. 16 & his euell wordes wer sone beleued.

As the chyldren of Israell, whiche [Page] were retourned from Babilon were buyldinge of the temple: i. Esd 4 their ene­mies sente a wicked and an vntrue e­pistle to king Artaxarses, to cause him to let and to hynder the buyldinge.

When that Sara Raguels daugh­ter reproued one of her maydens for her faute: Tob. 3 she answered her sayinge. God let vs neuer se son nor daughter of the more vpon earth, then kyller of thy husbandes.

By the onely occasion of Mardoche­us that would not worship nor bowe to proude Aman, he informed y e kinge Ahasuerus, that the Iewes condem­ned his cōmaundemēt, Esth. 2 and that they sowed discorde and debate throwoute all his kingdome. And vpō reporte y e wer condemned all to dye, but yet the diuine mercy prouided for theyr deli­ueraunce.

Because that Ieremy preached that the Caldes should take the city of Ie­rusalem. Iere. 38. The princes and rulers of the people saied vnto kinge Sedechi­as, This mā laboureth nor seketh not for peace of y e people, but for mischefe

[Page]The Caldes came and accused the Dani. 3 Iewes saiyng vnto Nabuchodonosor y e king, that Daniels felowes did not worship his gods and that they were transgressors & breakers of the kings decrees and lawes.

The princes and lordes of Darius the king of Persia, Dani. 6 enuyinge and be­ringe hatred to Daniel, accused him to the king, that he prayed and wor­shipped another god thē king Darius

These two olde prestes went about filthely to defame Susan, Dani. 13 but yet god by an abstinent and a chast childe did wonderfully deliuer her.

Alchimus, which would haue bene the hie preast, and certayne other, sai­ed vnto kinge Demetrius, i. mach. 7 Iudas and his brethrē haue destroyed thy frends & haue scatered vs out of our coūtrey.

There came together against Io­nathas certaine pestilent and wicked men of Israel, i. mach. 10 to prouoke king Alex­ander against him. But the kinge re­garded them not.

Simon of the tribe of Beniamin, a ruler of y e tēple, 2. mach. 3 came to Appolonius, [Page] and tolde him that the treasury was full of innumerable money.

This Symon of whome we spake before, 2. mach. 4 reported and spake the worste of Onias the prouisor of y e citye. And was bolde & nothyng ashamed to call hym an enemy of the realme, whi [...]he was so faithfull a defender of his peo­ple, and so feruent in the lawe of god.

2. Mach. 24Alchimus comminge to kinge De­metrius, amōge al other things saied As longe as Iudas lyueth, it is not posible for men to be in quiet.

mat. 9.When the pharises sawe that oure lorde sat at meate in Mathews house, y e saied vnto his disciples, why eateth your master w t Pubblicās & sinners.

Lu. 19The like chaunced be zacheus. For thei murmurd, that he was gone in to tarye with a man that is a synner.

math. 11.And of Iohn the baptist that was a greate faster, they saied. He hath the deuell. And of our lorde Iesu that did eate with sinners, they sayed. Behold a glutton, & an vnmeasurable drinc­ker of wyne, & a frende vnto Pubbli­cans and sinners.

[Page]After that the pharises had sene the miracle of him that was borne blind, Iohn. 9 and how that he was restored to hys sight by our lorde Iesus, thei bacbited oure lorde, saiynge, we knowe that this man is a sinner, and they curssed the man, & saied. Be thou his disciple.

The Scribes and pharises bacbited oure lorde, callinge hym a Samari­tane, a demoniach. A blasphemer, a sinner, a glutton, a drunckard, a liar, and one that forbad to paye tribute to Cesar a subuerter of the people. A se­ductor, the which all may be had and found in diuers places of the gospell.

The Iewes beinge-vnable to resist the wisedome of Steuen, Act. 6 and the spi­rite that spake by him, brought into the counsel two false witnesses sai­yng. This man ceaseth not to speake blasphemus words against this holy place and lawes.

Certain men beinge in sorow that they hadde loste theyr gayne, Act. 16 because that Paule had caste oute of a mayde of theyrs a sprete that prophesyed, sayed vnto the magistrates. These mē [Page] trouble our city, & through their euel wordes, the people ran against them and theyr clothes beinge rent, they wer commaunded to be beaten wyth rods, and to be cast into prison.

When Gallio the proconsull was ruler of the coūtry of Acaia, y e Iewes made an insurrectiō with one accord againste Paule, Act. 18 and broughte him to the iudgement seat, saying. This fel­low doth counsel men to worship god contrary to the law.

At Ephesus when diuers waxed hard hearted, Act. 19 & beleued not, but spake euel of the way of oure Lorde, & that before the multitude, Paule depar­ting frō thence, separated y e disciples.

When certain Iewes which were of Asia, Act. 21 saw Paul in the temple, they cried, o ye men of Israel helpe. This is the man y t teacheth all men euerye wher against the people and the law. Furthermore he hathe broughte the gentiles into the temple, and hathe polluted this holy place.

Act. 24The orator Tertullius propunded for the Iewes before Felix the deb [...]ty [Page] agaynste Paule, saiynge. We haue founde this pestilent felow mouinge sedition & debate vnto all the Iewes in the whole worlde, and a maintay­ner of sedition of the secte of the Na­zarites, whiche hath also enforced to pollute the temple.

Paule disputinge at Athens, Act. 17 cer­tayue philosophers of the Epicures and of the Stoyckes saied, what will this babler saye? Other sayed, he se­meth to be a tydinges bringer of new deuels.

When the straungers sawe the vi­per hange on Pauls hand, Act. 28 thei saied no doubte this man is a murtherer. Whome thought he haue escayed the see. &c. But shortely after the chaun­ged their opinion.

¶Of Liberalite mer­cye and largenes. Capi. lxxii.

REbecca Batuels daughter did most liberally answer Abra­hams seruant, Gen. 24 saying. Drinck my lorde.

[Page] Exo. 2.Moses did very liberallye when he defended Iethroes daughters frō the shepheardes, that woulde not suffer them to water theyr shepe.

When Moses hard that Iethro his father in law was comming to hym, Exo. 18 he went out to mete him, and did di­uersly honor him.

The children of Israel wyth moste prompe and deuout minds, did geue to the worke of the tabernacle, Exo. 36 & the holy vestments, al thing y t was necessary. And y e artificers wer enforced to say vnto Moses. The people bring to much, and more then inough.

Moses desired of kinge Edom, say­ing we pray thee y t it may be lawfull for vs to go thorow thy land, Nume. 21 we will not tourne in to the fieldes, nor vine­yardes, neyther drinke of the waters of the wels. &c.

Gedeō desired bread of the lords of Sochot & Phanuel for his cōpanions an men y t wer weary, Iudi. 8. but they wold geue him none, the which thing was afterwardes to their pain.

Nabal vsed hī self vnliberally towardes [Page] Dauid y t desired him to geue hym somwhat. 1. re. 15.

After that Dauid had obtained the victorye of the Amelechites, 1. reg. 30 he sente giftes and part of the praye vnto the elders of Iuda, and to hys frendes & neighbors, sayinge: see here is a bles­syng for you.

Dauid commaunded that Mephibo seth should eat bread alway vpon his table. 2. re. 9. And he gaue him all that per­tained to Saule.

Soby, Machir, and Berzillai dyd profer vnto Dauid flyinge from the face and presence of Absolon, 2. re. 17 manye necessarye thinges for his hoaste, as wheat, barly, and flour.

This Berzillai, did aid Dauid whē he fled from his sonne Absolon. 2. re. 19 And after that Dauid hadde obtained and won the victory, he retained Chyme­am his sonne as one of his family.

The Quene of Saba gaue Salomō manye thinges. 3. re. 10 And Salomon gaue her according to her desire what so e­uer she asked, besides y t he gaue her of a fre wil with his owne hand.

[Page]Certaine good men of Israell clo­thed the naked prisonners, 2. Para. 28 and set all that were feble vpon horses, & brou­ght them to their brethren.

King Cyrus brought forth the ves­sel of the temple of our Lord, 1. Esd. 1. whych Nabuchodonozor had taken, and sent them again to Ierusalem, al the vessels of gold & siluer were 5000. and 400.

The children of Iuda returnynge from Babilon, 1. Esd. 2 offred willingly to the building of the house of God, & gaue gold after their hability.

King Darius commaunded, that y e house of God should be builded in Ie­rusalem, 1. Esd [...] 6 & that the charges should be taken oute of the kinges cofers. Al­though ther were some enuious per­sons that by theyr letters laboured to let and hinder the worke.

1. Esd. 7 King Artaxerzes gaue a glorious & a liberal epistle to Esdras the priest y t came to Ierusalem to cōfort y e Iewes

2. esd. 2. King Artaxerzes vsed him self libe­rallye to Nehemias comminge into Iewry, and gaue him euen suche let­ters as he required.

[Page]Nehemias was a very liberall Le­gate, the which did not greue the peo­ple with vitall & exactions, 2. esd. 5. & he dyd much good to those y t he was sēt vnto

Tobias did study how to deuide all that euer he had among his brethren that wer prisoners, Tob. i. and of his kin, he fed the hungry, and clothed y e naked.

Raguel deliuered to yong Tobias with his daughter the half of all hys substaunce. Tob. 10

Tobias the yonger, was very kind vnto Raphael, Tob. 12 whom he toke to be a man, and well acknowledged the be­nifites that he had done vnto hym, where vpon bothe he and hys father did offer him most liberally the moi­ty of al theyr goodes.

Kinge Ahaswerus commaunded a greate feast to bee made for Esthers mariage, Est. 2. & caused the landes to be in quietnesse, and gaue giftes, as it be­came the royalty of a king.

Whē king Ahasuerus saw Quene Esther, Esth. 5 he safd vnto her, what wilt y u Esther, what is thy pe [...]icion? if it bee euen the halfe of my kingdome, thou shalt haue it.

[Page] Esth. 6King Ahasuerus enquired, what honour or rewarde Mardocheus had gotten for the fidelity y t he had shewd vnto him. And when he vnderstode y t he was vnrewarded, hee caused hym magnificently to be honoured.

Iobs sonnes made bankets, & eche of them on the daye that he made hys feast, Iob. 2 sent for theyr sisters to eate and to drinke with them.

Blessed Iob doth declare y t he was merciful to the poore, Iob. 29.31 saying, I com­forted the widowes harte, and I was a father vnto y e pore. Again he saithe If I haue eaten my meat alone. For mercye hathe growne wyth me euen from my childhode.

The chefe captain of Babilon gaue Ieremy meat, Iere 40 and rewardes, and let him go whether so euer he wold, pro­mising him great humanity & kinde­nesse, if he wold go with him to Ba­bilon, and yet he gaue him free leaue and licence to cary.

Seleucus the kinge of Asia in the time of Onias the hie priest, [...]. mach. 2 payed al the charges pertaininge to the miny­sterye [Page] of the Sacrifices, of his owne rentes and heritage.

The wise men opening their treasures, not their litle purses with half pence, Math. 2 offred vnto a pore Lord, gold, frankensence and mirrhe.

Our Lord is a liberall and a large rewarder, math. 19 the which, to those y t leaue these temporal goodes for hys cause, dothe geue an hunderfolde in thys worlde, and life euerlastynge in the world that is to come.

It came of a benigne and a gentle liberality that our Lord defended the disciples, math. 12 whiche vppon the Saboth day did plucke the eares of corne, Lu. 6 and chafed them with theyr hands to eat, against those wicked Pharises.

And also of the Publicanes & syn­ners that came to heare him. Lu. 15.19 And of zacheus. math. 26 And there is an ensample of Mary, Mar. 14 that kissed oure Lordes feete. And of Iudas, for the which signe of gentlenesse, the vnhappye and wyc­ked manne, oughte to haue the soner repented.

The people folowed our Lord on [Page] fote into the desert, and left the cities and when the euen drue on, Mat. 14 his disci­ples said vnto him Let the people de­part, that they may go and bye them vitailes. But hee as a liberall Lorde & master answered, geue ye thē to eat.

Zacheus in distrybuty [...]ge of hys goodes, Lu. 19 and makynge of restitucyon was verye large and liberall. Thus hee sayde vnto oure Lorde: Beholde Lorde, the halfe of my goodes I geue to the poore, and if I haue done anye mā wrong, I restore hym four fold.

The gift of the pore wydow which cast two mi [...]es into the treasurye, Lu. 21 is preferd of our Lord, aboue the giftes of the rich.

Our Lord was very bountiful and liberal to the thefe y t hanged & asked, sayinge: Lu. 23 Lorde remember me, when thou commest into thy kingdome. And Iesus saite vnto him, verelye I saye vnto thee, to daye shalt thou bee wyth me in paradise.

Our lord vouchsaued to shewe hys benignitye and liberalitye, Iohn. 2 when that he, beyng called to y e pore mary­age [Page] went thether, and ther turned water into wyne, to chere the poore that were there at dyner.

The great liberality of God apea­reth in the parable of the vngratious seruant, math. 18. vnto whom our lord saide: I forgaue the all the debt, because thou desyredst me.

Ioses, whose syr name was Bar­nabas had land & sold it, Act. 4 & broughte the price, and laid it downe at the A­postles fete.

When the disciples y t wer at Antioch hard say, y t ther shuld be great dearth throughout al y e world, Act. 11 thei purposed to send socour vnto the brethrē which wer in Iewry. The which thing thei also did, and sent it to the elders by y e hands of Barnabas and Saul.

A certain woman named Lidia, a seller of purple, Act. xvi beinge baptised by Paules predication, prayed Paul ve­ry deuoutly and liberallye, and com­peld him and his felowes to remaine and abide in her house.

When Paul and his companions were scaped in the wynter out of the [Page] brokē ship, the barbarous & straunge people shewed them no litle kindnes for they kindled a fire, Act. 28 and refreshed euery one of them, because of the present rain, and cold.

Publius the prince of the Islande called Mytilene, Act. 28 vnto y e which Paul and his felowes after the tempest ar­riued, receiued vs, and lodged vs thre daies curteously, whose father Paule dyd heale of a feuer, and of a bloudye flixe.

It appeareth that Paule was very liberall to the pore, whose busynesses he so diligently procured, 1. Corin. 16 as it is manifest in the gathering for the poore, 2. Corin. 9, the which he caused to be done moste carefully. And he saithe, if it be mete that I go also, they shal go with me. And he which soweth litle, shall repe litle. And he that soweth largely and frely, shal reape plenteously.

There was in Paule an ensample of a wonderfull liberality and grati­tude, the whyche wrote so affectuous letters for one Onesimus a fugitiue seruaunt of Philemons, as it is eui­dent [Page] in his epistle to philemō. If thou counte me a felowe, saithe Paul, re­ceiue him as my selfe. Capi. 1. If he haue done the any hurte or oweth the o [...]ghte, that laye to my charge.

¶Of Couetiousnes. Capitu. lxxiii.

IN that, that Cain slewe his bro­ther, Gen. 4. because he sawe his bro­thers goodes increase, may be noted greate auarice, and a greate de­syre of money.

We reade that Cain was the fyrste that builte any citye, Gen. 4. and not Abel. For good holy menne haue heare no contynuynge citye, Heb. 13. but they seke one to come.

Because of the greate substaunce that Abraham and Lot had, thei could not inhabite and dwell together: Gen. 13 [...] And theyr herdsmen began to striue one with a nother.

The abundaunce of tēporal goods, Gen. 13. is oftentymes the occasion of greate sinne, as it is enident by the Sodo­mites whyche were of all other syn­ners [Page] the wurst.

After that Isaac grew to be ryche, his shepeherdes and his neghboures began to braule and chyde. Gen. 26.

Iudges and prelates ought to hate auaryce more then any other vice. Exo. 18. And therefore Iethro spake notablye of Iudges. Thou shalt seke out those that hate couetousnes.

There are fewe preastes in these daies that forbid or let the superfluite of oblations, Exo. 36. as thei did that were ru­lers ouer the workes of the taberna­cle.

Balaacs messengers wente vnto Balaam hauinge money and rewar­des in their handes, Nume. 22. and so he was corrupted with couetousnes.

The tribe of Ruben and Ead. And halfe the tribe of Menasses, Nume. 32. because thei hadde greate substance of cattail, woulde not goo ouer Iordane. But were contente for their portion to in­habite and dwell in the countrei apte and meate to f [...]de and bring vp their cattayle.

Achior seduced by couetousnes, toke [Page] of the excomunicate thinges of I [...]ri­cho. But for that lucre and gayne, Iosu. 7. he had and sufferd greate losse and dam­mage.

Dalida for money that was promi­sed her of the philistians, Iudi. 16. delyuered Samson her husband vnto them.

It is written of Samuels sonnes, that they tourned a syde after lucre, 1. regu. 8. and toke rewardes, and peruerted the righte.

Couetousnes semeth to be the che­fest cause or occasion that Saule was reproued for, 1. regu. 15. I mene the cupidite that he hadde to Amalechs pray. For Sa­muel sayed vnto him, wherfore haste thou not harkened vnto the voyce of our lorde, but hast turned to the pray, and haste done that is wicked, In the sight of oure lorde.

Nabel was to strayte laced against Dauid demaunding somwhat of him Whervpon, 1. regu. 25. but for Abigail his wifes sake, he had welnye lost both his sub­stance, and him selfe to.

Semei against the kinges prohibi­tion and commaundement went oute [Page] of Ierusalem to seeke his seruauntes that were runne their wayes. 3 [...] regu. 2. And for that Salomon caused hym to be slayne.

Nabothes vyneyarde, the whiche Achab desyred, 3, regu 21. was the occasion that two false wytnesses were broughte forthe against him, and that he was commaunded to be stoned.

Forasmuche as Gihezi tooke that thing of Naaman that Eliseus refu­sed, 4. regu. 5. he was striken with Leprosy.

In Nehemias time there were cer­tayne of the noble men and rulers so oppressed with v [...]ury, 2. Esd. 5. that the were wyllyng to sell their sonnes & daugh­ters vnto bondage, but Nehemias did muche rebuke them.

After that Nabuchodonozor had gotten the victory of Arpharat the kyng of Medes, Iudi. 1. by and by he occupied and subdued, all other kyngdomes.

Iudas Machabeus saied vnto hys people & companions, 1. Mach. 4. be not gredy of the spoyles, we haue yet a battaile to fight for Gorgias & his hoste is heare by vs in the mountaynes.

[Page]Ptolomi the kyng of Aegipt slaun­dren Alexander his sonne in lawe, 1. Mach. 11. be­cause he would haue had his realme. And yet Alexander had honorably re­ceiued him.

Simon of the tribe of Beniamin styrde Appolonius and kyng Antio­chus against Onias & the holye cytie, 2. Mach. 3. sayinge, that the treasury was full of innumerable money.

Menelaus through the money that he promised Antiochus obtayned the hie prichode. 2. Mach. 4. And at length by menes of the golden vessell that he stale oute of the Temple, the whiche he gaue Andronicus, he caused Onias to bee slayne. And beynge acoused to Ptolo­mi, he corrupted hym with money, and caused hym to geue sentence of death agaynst his accusers. And the selfe Menelaus throughe the coue­tousnes of them that were in powre, remayned styll in aucthoritie, increa­synge in malyce, to the greate hurte of the cytezins.

When that certaine Iewes at Ma­chabeus [...]. Mach. 10. commaundement had besie­ged [Page] two towers in the whyche theyr enemies were, 2. Mach. 10 certayne straungers intreated for money let some of them escape, the whiche, Machabeus cau­sed to be slayne as traitours, and sel­lers of theyr brethren.

After that the warre against Gor­gias was ended, Iudas Machabeus and his company came, 2. Mach. 12 to burye the bodies of them that were slayne. Un­der the cotes of certayne Iewes that were slayne, they founde money and Iewels of ydols, whiche thinge was forbidden the Iewes by the law. And therefore menne beleued it to be the cause that they were slayne.

The yonge manne that inquired of oure lorde how he myghte haue eter­nall life, Mar. 19. hadde greate and ryche pos­sessions, and therefore when he harde the counsell of perfection, he went a waye so [...]ye.

The preastes wyllinge and desy­rynge that the people shoulde often­times offer, mat. 21.23. did suffer that suche thin­ges as mighte be offred, shoulde bee [Page] sold in the temple. And for this cause the goulde of the Temple was calde more holye then the temple, and the gifte that was vppon the aultare, to be of more reuerence then the altare it selfe.

The couetousnesse and cupiditye of gaine semeth to be the Pryncipall motion, mat. 26. whye that Iudas betrayed oure Lorde. For hee sayth what wyl ye geue me, and I wyll delyuer hym vnto you.

By mony the kepers of our lordes sepulchre were corrupted, mat. 28. and sayde falsly, that our Lorde by nighte was stoln away by his disciples.

Our Lord Iesus the true lawyer, Luc. 12. would not meddle with the diuisyon of the worldly heritage, notwythstā ­ding that he was required, but saide, who made me a iudge or a deuider o­uer you?

Our Lord against those that heape vp temporall goodes, Luc. 12. and thyncke that they shall manye yeares delyte and haue pleasure in theym, dothe propounde the Symylytude of the [Page] riche man, whose grounde broughte forth plentiful frutes.

Luke. 16.Our Lord againste these rich glot­tons, that vse these precious and de­licate garments, which are straighte and neady to releaue and healpe the pouertye of theyr neighboure, dothe put forth the parable of the rich glot­ton. And note, that it semeth not to be a parable, but an history. Again note that if hee bee so punished that gaue not hys owne proper goodes, what shal become of them, that steale other mennes?

Luke. 14.The biers of Oxen and Farmes, that is the biers of things moueable and vnmoueable excused thē selues, that they coulde not come to y e greate supper vnto the which they were in­uited and cald. For by suche thynges men are oftentimes withdrawne frō the celestial glory.

The couetous Pharises, hearynge our Lordes monitions, Luke. 16. and that they should make them frendes of the vn­righteous Mammon, laughed hym to scorne.

[Page]The auarice of Ananias and Sa­phira, the which kept away parse of the price of the land, Act. 5. was most terri­bly punished.

Certaine craftes men, which had a damsell possessed wyth a spirite that prophesyed, Act. 16. whome Paule deliuered of the Deuell, perceiuinge that they had lost theyr gain and lucre, caught Paule and Silas hys fellowe, and brought them to the rulers and offi­cers, saying, and accusyng them, that they troubled the city, and preached vnlawfull obseruaunces & customes. The magestrates rentinge their clo­thes, commaunded them to be beaten and to be cast into prison, & to be kept wyth all diligence.

Paule beyng at Ephesus, and do­ing there many miracles, Act. 19. a certayne manne named Demetrius, a Syluer smith whiche made siluer shrines for Dyana, was not a litle beneficial vn­to the craftes menne, whome hee cal­led together, and sayde, that Paule hadde perswaded and tourned away much people, sayinge, that they be no [Page] Goddes which are made wyth hands but deuels, and hathe so trouled the City, that it is al in a rore and ful of confusion. And they rushed into the common hall, wyth one assente, and caught Gaius and Aristarcus Pauls companions.

When Paule was wyth Felix the presidēt, Act. 24. being bound & of the Iewes accused as a seditious and a pestife­rous person, Felix hoped mony shuld haue bene geuen him of Paul. Wherfore he called him the oftner and commoned with him. But in as much as it came not so to pas, he did not quite him, but left him bound to Fest us his successor.

¶Of Pouerty. Ca. lxxiiii.

Gen. 32.WE reade not that Iacob had ey­ther beast or man when he de­parted from his parentes, and went to his brother Laban, but that he went ouer Iordan with his staffe. [Page] And at a certaine time beinge dispo­sed after the Sunne was downe to reast him self, 28 he toke a stone & put it vnder his head, and laide him downe in the same place to slepe.

Moses k [...]pt the shepe of Iethro hys father in law, Exo. 3. priest of Madian, wher by it appeareth that he had no shepe of hys owne, that kept other mens.

Ruth the Moabite hadde no great store of richesse, Ruth. 2. when she went a gle­ning the eares that the reapers lefte behinde them, the whiche pertayned vnto the pore.

Saule beynge contente wyth one ladde, 1. regu. 9. wente for to se [...]ke his fathers asses. And Saule not long after said vnto Samuell, that his kinred was the least of al the kynreds of the tribe of Beniamin.

Dauid was the least of all hys bre­thren, so that when Samuel came to annoynt one of Isais children Dauid was in the pastors, 1. regu. 16.17. nor he was not cald at y e beginning, as though he had bene of no reputation, & afterwardes [Page] his brethren beinge in the hoste, hys father sent him loden wyth vitayles vnto them.

Helias suffred great penury when he prayed the widowe of Sarept to geue him a morsel of bread, 3. regu. 17. and a ly­tle water.

The children of the Prophets dyd liue vnder Elizeus in great pouerty, 4. regu. 4. the which had but a litle breade, and vnsauery pottage.

Anna Tobias wi [...]e went dailye to the weauing work, Tobi. 2.4. wherby it appeareth that they were but pore, whyche could not haue their loum ī their own house. And Tobias said vnto his son, my sonne be not afraide, truthe it is, we leade heare a pore lyfe, but great good shall we haue, if we feare God, and depart from all syn, and do well.

The children of the Rechabytes build no houses, Iere. 35. sow no seede, plante no vine, haue no vineyardes, dryncke no wine, but did dwel in tents.

Nabuharadan left the rascall peo­ple, and those that hadde nothynge to dwel s [...]il in the land of Iuda. Iere. 39. He spa­red [Page] the pore, but he slue the mighty & rich, or els he led them as prisonners and captiues vnto Babilon.

We haue an ensample of pouerty in the Lord our sauioure, Luke. [...]. the whych was born of a pore mother, and nou­rished of a poore carpenter, semelye fed, wrapped in cloutes and not in furres, laid in a maunger, and after­wardes when his glorious mother was churched, his parents offered in the temple, the offringe of the poore. And anon after Ioseph fled wyth the child and his mother into Egipt. Mat. 2. And when the child was xii. yeare old, he abode stil in Ierusalem vnknowyng to his father and mother: Luc. 2. And so it appeareth that they had no great fa­mily to associate and serue the child.

Iesus going aboute from towne to towne, Mat. 8. had not wher vpon to lay his hed [...] and therfore he saith. The foxes haue holes, and the byrdes of the air haue neastes, but the sonne of manne hath not wher to reast his head. Iohn. 19. And for this it maketh [...] that he hunge bare vpon the crosse.

[Page]The disciples, for the moste parte, wer chosen out of the porest sort, Mat. 4. Ihō and Iames did mend theyr nets, Mar. 1. and did wash them. Luc. 5.

In our lordes sermon that he made in the mount, the commendatiō of pouerty, as though it wer the foundati­on of the spiritual building, Luc. 6. Mat. 5. is fyrste placed and spoken of.

Among al other Christes miracles, this is wrytten that the pore receyue the glad t [...]dinges of the Gospel. Mat. 11. For before the comming of Christ, it was not wont to be so.

Our Lord sayd vnto the yong man that asked hym how he mighte come to euerlastinge life. mat. 19 If thou wylt be be perfect, goe and sell all that thou hast, and geue to the pore. And oure lord doth promise a meruelous remuneration aud rewarde to those that leaue and forsake any thinge for hys names sake.

Of that famous and notable Laza­rus, whyche was caryed by the aun­gelles into Abrahams bosome, Luc. 16. the [Page] Scripture alledgeth no other worke of righteousnes or cause of his glory, but because he receyued paine in this mortall lyfe, and therfore God in an­other life would comfort him.

The poore and feble were brought into the great supper of oure Lorde, Luc. 14. yea, and certayne, as it is r [...]d there, were compelled to come from the hie wayes and hedges.

In the primatiue churche all that beleued were together, Act. [...]. and had all thinges commen, they solde their pos­sessions and goodes, and parted them to all men, as euery man had nede.

Peter sayde vnto the crepell that asked hys almes, Act. 3. syluer and golde haue I none. &c.

Paule taking his leue of the fayth­full of Achaia, Act. 20. sayed amonge other thynges, I haue desyred no mans golde, syluer, or vesture, as ye knowe youre selues: for these handes haue ministred, 1. Cor. 4. vnto my necessities, and to them that were with me, we hon­ger and thyrste, and are naked. &c.

¶Of hipocrisy and dis­simulation. Ca. lxxv.

AMon Dauids sonne dissembled and fained him self sick and dis­ [...]ased, to deceiue Thamar whōe he luxuriously loued. 2. reg [...]. 13.

Ieroboams wife did chaunge her habite and disguising of her self came to Abdias the prophet, 1. regu 14. vnto whome he said, why doste thou dissemble and fain thy self to be an other?

4. regu. 5.Gehezi Elizeus [...]eruaunt fayned y t his master had nead of two chaunge of garments for two yong men of the children of the Prophets.

When Apollonius was come to Ierusalem sente from Antyoche, Act. 5. hee fained peace, and kept him stil vntill the Saboth daye. And then hee com­maunded his men to take thē to their weapons, for the Iewes kepte holye day, and so he slue all those that were gone forth to the open play.

rouer. 8.Although the deuine sapience doth generally detest the wicked, yet most [Page] specially he threateneth hipocrites, Mat. 23 sayinge very ofte in the gospell. Wo be to you ye pharises, ye ypocrites.

The pharises goyng about to tan­gle Iesus in his worde he answered rebukinge them, math. 22 why tempte ye me ye ypocrites?

Some there be that commit greate fautes, and exchue those synnes that are lesse, Math. 23 straynynge oute a gnat, and swaloynge a Camel. As the hie prea­stes did, that feared more to enter in­to the iudgement hall of Pilate, Iohn. 18. then to committe or procure that haynus crime of murther.

The ruler of the sinagoge disday­nynge that oure lorde shoulde heale the sycke on the Sabboth daye, Luc. 13 sayed vnto the people, There are .vi. daies, in which men ought to worke, in thē come that ye may be healed, and not on the Sabbote day. But our lord re­proued him, callinge him ypocrite.

Ananias and Saphira his wife cō ­mitted greate hypocrisie, Act. 5. when they dyssembled that they hadde broughte the hole price of the lande, and hadde [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [Page] laied yt before the Apostles fete.

Notwihstanding that Simom Ma­gus gaue credence to Philippes prea­chinge. Act. Yet Peter sayed vnto hym, Thou hast no parte in this sermon, for thy hart is not right in y e sight of god. Do penaunce therfore. &c. Then answered Simon and sayed. Pray ye to oure lorde for me.

Paule did greuouslye note Elimas the sorcerer of falshode and ypocrisy. Sayinge. Act. 13 O full of all subtlety and disceptfulnes, thou chylde of the de­uell, thou enemy of all righteousnes, wylt thou not cease to peruerte the strayght waies of our lorde?

¶Of the receayte of gyftes and rewar­des. Capitu. lxxvi.

ABraham woulde not receaue the gyftes that the kinge of the Sodomites proferd him, Gen. 14. when he retourned from the slaugh­ter of the foure kinges, althoughe he [Page] hadde well deserued them.

Iacob sente presentes to hys bro­ther Esau, Gen. 32 to aswage and mitigate his anger.

The people offerd and gaue giftes in so greate a quantite to the woorke of our lordes tabernacle: Exo. 36 that Moses caused it to be proclamed, that they shoulde offer no more.

Balaam loued the rewarde of ini­quite, and went with balacs messen­gers, Nu. 22. that had the reward of y e south sainge in their handes.

Ahiud offerd giftes vnto Eglon the king of Moab, Iudi. 3 and afterwardes spea­kyng in secret with him, he greuously smote him, and slew him.

Sampsons enemyes promised Da­lida money and induced her to begile and deceyue him. Iudi. 16

It is sayed by Samuels chyldren, that they tourned a syde after lucre, 1. regu. 8. toke rewardes, and peruerted the righte.

It was not laid to Samuels charge, that hee, 1. regu 17. whyche hadde iudged the people twentye yeares, at any tyme [Page] had taken of any man any gift or re­warde.

The giftes that Siba Mephiboseth seruaunt presented vnto Dauid fly­inge from the face of Absolon, 2. reg. 16 seme so to haue inclined Dauids minde, that he gaue an vnryghte iudgemente a­gainst him that was absent.

The quene of Saba gaue kynge Salomon .120. talentes of golde: 3. regu. 10. and of swete odours exceding muche, and precious stones. And kyng Salomon gaue her accordinge to all her desyre what so euer she asked, besydes that he gaue her of a free wyll with hys owne handes.

Aranna would haue geuen Dauid the threshyng floore & all thynges ne­cessary to do sacrifice with all, 2. reg. 24 but he wold not take it but at a price, nor of­fer vp no sacrifice of other mēs goods.

Benedad y e king of Siria had peace with Basaa the king of Israell: but yet the giftes that Aza the king of Iu­da sent him, 3. reg. 15 caused him to breake his consideration with Basaa, and grea­uously to intreate him.

[Page]Naaman the Sirian was frely hea­led of Eliseus, 4. reg. 5 and yet Cihezi because he toke giftes of Naaman, was gre­uously plaged.

The king of Babilon sent letters & presentes vnto king Hezechias. 4. re. 20 Then foloweth, Hezechias was glad of thē & of their cōming. But note ther, how greatly he displeased our Lorde.

After that Achaz kyng of Iuda had spoyled our lordes house, 2. Para. [...]8. the kynges and the princes houses, he gaue gif­tes vnto the kynge of the Assirians, And yet it helped him not.

The Iewes in a remembraunce of their gladnesse, Hest. 9 whiche they cōceaued and had by the death of Aman their enemy, dyd order, that gyftes should be distributed & geuen vnto the poore.

Our Lorde speaketh by the Pro­phete Esay complayningly, Esay. 1. sayinge. Thy princes are wicked, and compa­nions of theues, they loue gyftes al­together, and gape for rewardes.

The maister of the kyng of Babi­lons hooste, Iere. 40 gaue Hieremy vytayles, and rewardes, and let him go.

[Page]After that Daniell had expounded the vision vnto Nabuchodonosor the kynge, Dani. 2 he made hym a greate man, and gaue hym many and greate gyf­tes.

Balthasar the kynge of Babilon dyd promyse Daniell greate gyftes, Dani. 5 But he answered, sayinge, kepe thy gyftes thy selfe, and gyue thy ryche gyftes to another.

Ionathas wente to Ptolomeis and gaue Ptolomi and Alexander greate presentes of golde and syluer, 1. mach. 10 & found fauoure in their sight.

When Triphon saw that Ionathas came vnto him with so great anhoost, 1. macha. 12 he was afrayde, and receiued him ho­norablye, and gaue hym rewardes. And by this occasion he deceiued him, for after he had sent away his hoost, Triphon kept him there with a few, and kylde hym.

For the giftes which the ambitius Iason did geue and promise to kynge Antiochus, 2. mach. 4 hee obtayned the hye Priesthode and when he hadde sente the mony to the kyng by Menelaus, [Page] he beguiled him, and gotte the dominion For Iasō had paid thre hundred talentes of siluer.

Menelaus Lysimachus brother did obtain with the mony that he promi­sed Antiochus, 2. mach. 4 the hye priesthode. And afterwardes he gaue to Andro­nicus certaine vessel of golde, that he had secreatly stolne out of the temple and caused Onias to bee slayne. Af­ter all thys, when that hee was ac­cused before kynge Ptolome, he pro­cured wyth monye that he promysed to geue him, that his accusers were condemned to death.

The wycked traytor and detractor Alchimus desiring to obtayne the hie Priesthode, 2. mach. 14 offered Demetrius a crowne of golde, and certayne other thynges.

The wise menne offered vnto the poore Lorde, Mat. 2. golde, Frankensence, and mirrhe.

When the souldiours that shoulde haue kept the sepulchre of our Lord, math. 28 hadde receiued good store of monye, [Page] they sayd that hys Disciples, Mat. 28 they be­inge a sleape, had stolen hym away.

LuKe. 21The gift of the pore widow, which cast into the treasurye two mytes, is preferd of our Lorde farre aboue the rich mens giftes.

When Simon saw that throughe laying on of the Apostles handes the holy ghoste was geuen. Act. 8. He offred thē money sayinge. Geue mee also thys power.

The presidente Felix that kepte Paule bounde falslye accused by the Iewes: Act. 24 did hope that Paule woulde geue some mony, wherfore he called him the oftner and communed wyth him. And because that he, as it is veri like, came not to his intent, he lefte Paule in pryson bound.

¶Of Fortitude. ¶Cap. lxxvii.

WHen Abraham sawe that Lot his brothers sonne was taken, Gen. 14. he toke his seruauntes born in hys owne house with other, and sette vpon the foure kings by nighte, that [Page] had taken him. And after he had pursued, and smitten them, he broughte Lot again withall his substance, and all the people of Sodome.

The purenesse of the consciēce maketh a man both sure and bolde, Gen. 31. and therfore Iacob beinge wrothe, chode wyth Laban, saying. For what cause or for what offence followest thou so after mee, and haste searched all my stuffe?

The aungell saide vnto Iacob, if thou hast bene strong againste God, Gen. 32 how much more shalt thou preuayle against man?

Moses stode boldly and constantly against Pharao, Exo. 5. reprouing hym, be­cause he wold not let our Lordes people go.

The children of Israell came har­nessed out of the land of Egipt. Exo. 13

Caleph and Iosue dyd manfullye comfort the people, Nu. 13.14 saying. Let vs go vp, and possesse the land, for we be a­ble to ouercome it. And again. Feare not the people of the land, for they ar but bread for vs.

[Page]Phinees with xii. M. fighting men ouerthrew the Madianites of y t whi­che, besides menne and wemen that were slaine, Nume. 31 there wer xxxii. thousand virgins taken. And of cattell an infy­nite multitude, and yet ther perished not one of the children of Israell.

Deute. 31Moses said vnto Iosue that shoulde succede him. Be stronge and bold, for thou must go and lead this people in­to the land.

When Iosue went against thinha­bitors Iosu. 8of Hai he was in the fronte of the hoaste compassed wyth the ayde and strengthe of stronge and valyant menne.

After that the v. kinges wer taken, Iosue saide vnto the chefe of the men of warre that were with him, Iosu. [...]0 go on and put your feete vpon the neckes of these kinges, be not afraid, nor faint harted.

Caleph said vnto Iosue, I am thys day 85. yere old, Iosu. 14 and yet I am as vali­ant and as stronge at this time, as I was when I sent to search & spye the country, euen the same fortitude and [Page] strength doth continue in me stil.

Ahud the iudge & chefe captaine of the host of Israel going in the fronte of the battayle, Iudi. 3 sayde vnto the peo­ple. Followe me, for the Lord hathe delyuered your ennemyes into youre handes.

The aungel said vnto Gedeon, our Lorde is wyth thee, Iudi. 6 thou mighty mā of warre. Go hence in this, thy might thou shalt deliuer Israell oute of the handes of the Madianites. And when he most humbly excused him selfe, he heard. I wyll be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Madianites, as they were but one man.

Gedeon by the commaundemente of oure LORDE, Iudi. 7 sayde vnto hys hoste, if any man dread or be afrayde. Let hym returne, and wyth thre. C. men, and a proper stratageme or sub­tle poynt of warre, he ouerthrew the Madionites.

Samson tare a Lion in peces with his vnarmed handes, Iudi. 14.15 and .16. as hee woulde haue rent a Kid, and after did manye stronge feates.

[Page] 1. regu. 11.Saule hearing that the men and inhabiters of Iabes Galaad wer besie­ged, he boldly, efficacely, and quicklye did succor and helpe them.

1. regu 17.Dauid in his childehode did strongly ouercome a Lion, a Beare, and Goliath the Philistine.

Dauid with one souldiare came to Saules hoste, 1. regu. 26 and entringe into hys tent, toke away his spear, his shield, and the cruse of water.

2. regu. 2.Twelue of Isboseths seruauntes, and xii. of Dauids caughte eche other by the head, and thrust theyr swordes in eache other sydes, and they fell downe together.

2. regu. 23.Dauid longed and saide, oh that I had of the water that is in the cestern by the gate of Bethelem for to drink. And thre mighty men brake thorow the host of the Philistines, & brought him of that water.

4. regu. 9.10Iehu did manfullye when he slew two kinges, and Ochozias brethren, the children of Achab, and when hee kylde a greate multitude of Baals Prophets.

[Page]Ioiada with great strennuitye and force pluckt the kingdom of Iuda out of the handes of Athalia, 4. regu. 11. and crow­ned the kinges litle sonne of the kyn­red of Dauid.

Ioab the sonne of Seruia was the prince and head captain of the hoste, 1. Para. 11 because that he before all other smote the Iebusites that dwelt in the citye of Ierusalem, and so dyd Dauid ap­poynt it.

Nehemias said vnto the noble men and iudges. Let vs aryse and buyld, and theyr handes were strengthed to good. 2. Esd. 2.

The children of transmigratiō dyd build the wall of Ierusalem round a­bout, 2. Esd. 4 and wyth one hand dyd euerye one worke, and wyth the other helde his weapon.

The ennemies of the chyldren of transmigration did diuers maner of waies put them in feare, 2. Esd. 6 thinckynge that there by they woulde cease from theyr woorke. But Nehemias sayde: That therfore he strengthed his handes the more.

[Page]When the chyldren of Israel hearde of Holofernes myghte and power, Iudith. 4 they prepared most diligentlye to re­sist him: for they tooke in and occu­pied all the toppes of the mountains and walde theyr Townes, and pre­pared Corne for them agaynste the battayle.

Iudith. 13Iudith had in her self a meruelous strenuity & corage, when she went to Holofernes, and slue him in his tent.

Daniels companions saide to Na­buchodonozor the kinge of Babylon, Dani. 3 our God is able to keepe vs from the hote burninge ouen. And if he wyll not, yet shalt thou knowe (O kynge) that we wyll not serue nor worshyp thy Gods.

Dani. 6Daniel left not of for all the kings decre, to pray vnto his God.

1. mach. 2Mathathias and his children had a wonderful fortitude and strēgth that so withstode kyng Antiochus, & so oft preuailed against him.

Iudas Machabeus with good hope and very manfully and boldly passed ouer the riuer to his ennemyes, 1. macha. 5 the [Page] which had pitched their tents beyond the water.

Eleazar the sonne of Saura, ranne boldly and with a courage to an Ele­phant, 1. mach. 6 and gat vnder him, and slue him, then fel the Elephant down vp­on him, and there he died.

Eleazarus saide vnto the tormen­tors. If I die manfully, and as it be­commeth mine age, 1. mach. [...] I may parauen­ture leaue an example of stedfastnes, for such as be yonge, if I with a rea­dy minde, and manfullye die an ho­nest death, for the moste worthye and holy lawes [...]

Machabeus and thei that wer with him went promptly and willingly to battaile againste Lysias hauinge an helping from heauen, 2. mach. 11. and our Lorde was mercifull vnto them. They fell mightely vpō their enemies like Ly­ons, they brought down xi. M. fotemē xvi. C. horsmen, and put all other to flight, many of them being wounded and some got away naked.

And wyth greate power gaue the Act. 4. Apostles wytnesse of the resurrection [Page] of our Lord Iesu Christe, and greate grace was in them all.

Steuen ful of grace and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Act. 6 His fortitude dyd mooste appeare in that, that moste constant­ly he resisted the Iewes, and toke hys most cruel death most pacientlye.

Fortitude (as Cicero doth say) is a preconsiderate susception and taking vpon of pearils and daungers. And a sufferaunce or bearinge of laboures. And in that it is verye euydent that Paule was Christes moste strongest Apostle and souldioure, the whyche for Christes sake sustained so greate pearils and dangers, Capi. 11 as it appeareth in th [...] Actes of the Apostles, Capi. 11 & he doth recite and nomber them in the secōde to the Corinthians.

¶Of Confydence and magnanimity. Ca. lxxviii.

Exo. 5MOses stode often before Pha­rao, and constantly reproued hym.

Nathan the Prophet constantlye, [Page] and yet reuerentely dyd reproue Da­uid after he hadde committed aduou­trye and murther. 2. regu. 11.

Helias sayde to Achab. It is not I that haue troubled the house of Isra­el, 3. regu. 18. but thou, and thy fathers house, in that ye haue forsaken the commaū dementes of our lorde. And after that he caused .CCCC. prophetes to be slayne.

Item he sayde to Ochozias the kynge of Israel. 4. regu. 1. Thou shalt not come down of the bed, on which thou art gone vp but shalt dye the death.

Achab the kinge of Israel sayd vn­to Helias, 3. regu. 21. hast thou founde me thine enemye? he answered: I haue founde the, for thou art euen solde to worke wickednesse in the sight of oure lord.

Eliseus spake maruelus frely and boldlye to Ioam the kinge of Israell his host standinge about him. 4. regu. 3. What haue I to doo wyth the? Gat the to thy fathers prophetes, and to thy mo­thers.

Our lorde was w t Iosaphat, 2. Para. 7. because he walked in the wayes of his father [Page] Dauid. Then foloweth. When hys hart had taken bold [...]es by the wayes of oure lorde. &c.

The spirite of our lorde came vpon zacharia the son of Ioiada the preast, 2. para. 24. whiche stode in the syghte of the peo­ple, sayinge why transgresse ye the commaundementes of oure lorde, the whyche thynge shall not be for your profite.

Hezechias comforted his menne of warre sayinge. 2. Para. 32. Plucke vp your har­tes and be strong. Be not afraied nor discouraged for the kinge of the Assi­rians, nor for al the multitude that he hath with him, for there be mo with vs then wyth hym. wyth hym is an arme of flesh. But with vs is the lord oure god, for to helpe vs, and to fight oure battayls.

Sanabalat and other enemyes, be­ynge sory that the walles of Ierusa­lem were a buylding, 2. Esdras. 4 endeuerd them selues to resiste and diuers waies to feare Nehemias, but they could not.

Iudit. 10.13Iudith was a womā of a maruelus great magnanimity, the which vnar­med [Page] went to Holofernes tent, & slue him.

Mardocheus dyd boldely refuse to worshippe proude Aman, althoughe he knew that the king had commaun­ded it. And also he spake vnto the Quene seuerely and frelye, Esther. 3.4 sayinge. Thinke not to saue thine owne lyfe, while thou a [...]te in the kynges house, for yf thou holdest thy peace at this tyme, then shal the Iewes haue helpe and delyueraunce oute of an other place: and thou and thy fathers house shalbe destroyed.

Ananias & his felowes said stoutly to kyng Nabuchodonosor, Daniell. 3. oure God whom we serue and worshyp, is able to delyuer vs out of thy handes.

Daniell lytle regarding kyng Da­ [...]ius decree, Daniell. 6. or cōmaundemente, dyd worshyp and pray vnto his lord God, [...]s he was wont & accustomed to doo.

Matathias & his sonnes dyd strong­ye and boldly rebell and resist kynge Antiochus. 1. Macha. 2

Eleazar Saures sonne ran boldlye 1. macha. 6 [...]o the Elephant wher he coniectured [Page] that the kyng was, and gat hym vn­der him and slewe him.

Timothe gaue his host a great sign and token of magnanimite, 1. Mach. 5. yf they woulde passe ouer the water. And so did Iudas, and obtayned a great and a noble victory.

When Iudas men sayd vnto him, that they might saue their lyues, for our enemies are manye, 1. Mach. 9. and we are but fewe Iudas answered, God for­bid that wee shoulde flee from them. Wherfore yf oure tyme be come, let vs dye manfully, and let vs not staine our honour.

When Iudas Machabeus menne sawe the hooste comming, they saied. Howe are we able, beyng so fewe, to fight agaynst so greate a multitude, and so stronge? And Iudas sayd, it is a small matter for manye to be ouer­come with fewe, 1. Mach. 3. yea, there is no dif­ference to the God of heauen, to deli­uer by a great multitude or by a smal company, for the victorye of the bat­tayle standeth not in the multitude of the hooste, but the strength commeth [Page] from heauen.

Ionathas did encourage his com­pany to the battaile, 1. Mach. 9. because their e­nemies were in their waye, and the water of Iordan on bothe sydes, with banckes, fennes, & woodes, so y t ther is no place for vs to departe vnto.

When that Ionathas was in bat­taile against the Heathen, 1. Mach. 11. all his men left him except .ii. or iii: But whē thei y t fled saw y t their capten fought man fully, they turned againe vnto hym, & helped hym, and there were slayne of the Heathen thre thousand men.

That excellente Captaine Iudas Machabeus, 2. Mach. 10 went & turned him selfe to fyght when moste neade was.

Machabeus and they that were in hys companye, 2. Mach. 10 perceauyng that they had helpe from heauen: were comfor­ted in their mindes, not only to fyght with men, but with the moste stron­gest and cruell beastes, yea, and to run thorowe the walles of yron.

After our Lorde was crucified, Mat. 27. Io­seph of Arimathia wente boldly into Pylate, & begged the body of Iesus.

[Page] Iohn. 9.The man that was borne blynde, and that was restored to his syght by oure Lord, did frely conf [...]sse & speake the truth by Christ our Lorde.

Thomas sayde vnto the disciples, lette vs also goo, Iohn. 11. that wee maye dye with him.

Peter the which at the onely voice of a mayde, Act. 2.3.4.5. was made afearde, denied Christ, but after he had receaued the holy spirite, was so indued with ver­tue and strengthe, that he in the pre­sence of the Pharises and Magestra­tes, dyd preache Christe moste con­stantly.

Steuen beynge full of grace and strength, Act. 7. dyd frely preache Christ our Lorde, and rebukynge the Iewes did confounde them seyng amonge other thynges: ye stiffe necked and vncir­cumcised hartes & eares, ye haue al­waies resisted the holy ghost, as your fathers did, so do ye.

The Magestrates and Ministers rebuked and commaunded the Apost­les sayinge, Act. 5. We commaunde you, that ye teache notte in this name. [Page] And behold you fill and repleanyshe Ierusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this mans bloud vp­on you. Peter and the other Apostles answered and said: we ought more to obey God, then men.

Paule the Apostle, Actes. 13. Paule the pro­consul being presente, rebuked Ely­mas the sorcerer most sharplye, & for a season made him blinde.

When the magestrates hadde com­maunded that Paul and Sylas shuld be deliuered out of prison, Actes. 16. Paul said vnto them. They haue beaten vs o­penly vncondempned, for all that we are Romaines, and haue cast vs into prison, and now they would send vs away priuelye. And he spake so, that they beinge afraid, came and desyred them to depart out of the city.

The city of Ephesus beyng moued and in a rore, Actes. 19. the citizens rushed into the common hall wyth one assen [...]e, and toke violently with them two of Paules companions. Paule woulde haue entred in vnto the hall, but hys disciples would not suffer him.

[Page]Paule takinge his leaue of his bre­thren that were in Asia said. Act. 20. The ho­ly ghost witnesseth in euery city, that [...]andes and trouble abide me in Ierusalem. But none of theese thynges moue nor feare me, neyther is my life deare vnto my self. &c.

Paul shewed great magnanimity before his iudges that is before Anani­as the hie priest, Act. 24.25 before Felix and Festus from whom, because he did hym manifest wronge, he appealed to Ce­sar.

Paule, beinge in all theese pearyls and dangers, Act. 27. was continually with out feare, and that did principally appeare in the tempest and shypwracke that he suffred.

Sainte Augustine saythe thus of Paule. Aug. libro. de. ci [...]i. dei. 14. Ca. 9. That behoueable saith he, & stronge man, that laboured more thē all the other disciples, that did glorye and reioyce in his infirmities, that blessed man Paule (I saye) Christes Champion, whome he taughte, for whome he was in bondes, with whō he was crucified, in whome hee was [Page] glorious in the sighte of this world, to whose honoure hee was a specta­kle, bothe to Aungels and manne that gladlye behelde him striuynge in greate agonye wyth the eye of faith, and to reioyce with those that reioyced, wepe with those that wepe, outwardly hauing strife, and fear in­wardly, desiringe to be dissolued and to be with Christ.

¶Of pacience and meke­nesse in iniuries and torments. Capi. lxxix.

ISaac toke it mekely, when his father would haue offered hym vp for a sacrifice. Gen. 21.

Ioseph toke that mischeuous dede that hys brethren did againste hym patiently, Gen. 37.4 and forgaue them bening­lye.

Ioseph gaue hys brethren a special commaundement, Gen. 45. saying: Se that ye fall not out by the way.

Moses did estsones pray for Mary, [Page] that spake so wyckedly agaynst hym and through hys prayer she was healed. Nume. 12. The people murmurd agaynste Moses and Aaron, sayinge ye haue kylled y e people of our lord. And whē our lord waxed wroth, and woulde haue punyshed the people. Nume. 16. Moses sayed vnto Aarō. Go thou spedely to the people and praye for them, and the plage ceased.

The chyldren of Ephraim that [...]hode myghtelye wyth Gedeon were pacified by his meke answer, Iudi. 8. saying what deede coulde I haue done lyke vnto yours?

1. regu. 11.Saul woulde not suffer those men to be slayne, that backbyted hym.

1. regu. 34.Dauyd myghte often haue slayne Saule, that sharply persecuted hym, and would not, as when he cut of the lappe of his garmente, and when he found him a slepe.

2. regu. 15.16.Dauid flying from the face and presence of Absolon, saide pacientlye to Sadocke. If I shall finde fauoure in the eies of our LORDE, he wyll [...]rynge me agayne. And wyth lyke [Page] pacience he aunswered Semeus that cursed him.

Mephiboseth tooke the vniust sen­tence geuen against him verye paty­ently. 2. regu. 19.

The elders geuing Roboam coun­sail, said. 2. Para. 10. If thou wilt please this people, and speak mekely vnto thē, they wil be thy seruauntes for euer.

Elizeus did not suffer those y e came to take him, 4. regu. 6. to haue [...] anye hurte, but caused meate to be sette before them, and when they had eaten, he sent thē away.

Tobias beynge blind, shewed wonderful great patience, Tobi. 23. as wel against the deuine scourge & plage of blinde­nes, as againste the derisions of hys wife and his frendes.

Iob when he lost hys goodes, hys chyldren, Iob. 1.2. and almoste hym selfe [...]o was pacient. And it is to be noted, y t at once he lost his goodes & hys chyl­dren, and the Temptation was the more vehement. But yet such fren­des as were lefte, were rather [Page] a desolation then a comfort vnto him as it is euidente in those his frendes, the which were ouerous and heauye comforters vnto him.

Daniels companions that wer cast into the burning fornace, did exhibit a mearye and a ioyfull pacience, Dani. 3. and our Lord was more praysed by theyr pacience, then by the sapience or wis­dome of Daniel.

Sara Raguels daughter, toke pa­ciently the greuous rebuke and slan­der of one of her fathers handmaidēs not answering her again, Tobi. 3. but incon­tinently turning her self to prayer.

When Eleazarus was sore plaged and punished, 2. Mach. 6 he saide O Lorde thou knowest that wher as I might be de­liuered from death, I suffer these sore paines of my bodye: but in my minde I am well content to suffer them be­cause I fear thee.

The seuen brethren and their mo­ther did ioyfully suffer sore torments and punishments. 2. mach. 7.

When Peter hadde demaunded of our Lord, how oft shal I forgeue my [Page] brother if he synne againste me, tyll seuen times? Mat. 28. He hard our Lord saye. I say not vntil seuen times, but seuē ­tye times, seuen times. And that we shoulde remit and forgeue oure bre­thren euen from the hart, oure Lorde brought forth the Parable of the vn­gratious seruaunte, whome he moste liberallye forgaue a thousande Ta­lentes.

When Iames and Ihon had harde that the Samaritanes had not recey­ued our Lords messengers, they said, wylt thou that we commaund fyre to come downe from heauen, Luc. 9. and con­sume them, euen as Helias dyd? And our Lorde rebuked them, sayinge, ye wot not what māner sprite ye are of.

The woman that was taken in aduoutry, and accused before our Lord, answered nothinge to her accusers, Iohn. 8. but our Lord toke the matter in hād, and mercifully absolued her.

Nowe and than a man muste geue place and auoid the fury of those that persecute him. Luke. 4. For oure Lorde that came to suffer and to die, dyd, not as [Page] fearful, but as wise, and lokynge for a competent houre of hys passion, a­uoid and eschue oftentimes the fierce rage of the Iewes. Iohn. 8. Iesus hydde hym selfe, LuKe. 4. and went oute of the Temple. And he departed, and went hys waye euen thorow the mids of them.

Mat. 11.Our LORD saythe of hym selfe, learne of me, for I am meke and lowly of heart.

Our Lord toke paciently the iniu­ries that wer done vnto him by word and deede. By backbitigne woordes, contradictorius, tauntinge and con­tumelious woordes. They slaundred hym bothe priuelye and openly, pry­uelye within them selues, and iud­gynge hym temerariously and falsly, if thys manne were a Prophet, hee woulde knowe what manner of wo­man this is. Againe: Thys manne blasphemeth. Luc. [...]. Openlye, whan the Pharises saide to his Disciples, L [...]c. 5. why doth your master eat and drynk with Publicans and sinners. Mar. 2.

Also when they depraued his miracles, [Page] saying. Mat. 12. He dryueth oute deuels by the helpe of Belzebub the chefe of the deuels. Iohn. 9. We know that this man is a sinner. And again they saide that he was possest with the deuil.

He suffred contradictorius words, Iohn. 8. as when they said. Thou bearest re­cord of thy self, thy record is not true. And againe. Thou art not yet l. yere old, Mat. 9. and hast thou sene Abraham: and scornfull wordes he suffred, when he said. The maid is not deade, but sle­peth. And contumelious wordes. As Say we not wel, that thou art a Sa­maritane, and haste the deuell? Iohn. 8. And, who is this y t speaketh blasphemies? Luc. 5. But specially he heard these wordes in the time of his passyon, or euer he came to the crosse in Annas and Cai­phas house, and before Pilate and Herode. And at the last euen hāgyng vpon the crosse. he hard suche wordes spoken against him.

Likewise in dedes he hathe suffred greuous iniuries, for as he was pre­ching, all they in the Sinagoge were [Page] filled with wrath, and thrusting him out of the city, Luke. 4. they would haue caste him downe headling from the toppe of the mountaine. Ihon. 8 And againe they toke stones to stone him.

And when he went out of Ierusa­lem, minedynge to goe by Samaria, LuKe. 9. but the Samaritans woulde not re­ceiue his messengers, the whyche he sent before him.

And when he preached, and rebu­ked the Iewes of theyr malice & sinne they gathered vp stones to haue sto­ned him. Ihon. 8. But all this was in a man­ner nothing in respect of those thyn­ges which he sustained in his passion, wher vpon thou maiste note that he, euen as he foretolde it, was mocked, scourged, and crucified, mocked, in Caiphas house. For it is wrytten y t the men that held him, Mar. 15. did scorn him saying. All haile king of the Iewes. And likewise in Pilates iudgements house, mat. 27. they mocked hym, bowynge their kne. And in Herodes house. He­rode wyth hys men of war despysed hym, Lu. 23 and mocked hym. Item oure [Page] lorde Iesus was illuded hanging vp­on the crosse, Luc. 23. and mocked of the soul­diars, preastes, and commenly of those that passed by, and of the theues. Of the souldiours it is writtē. Luc. 13. The soul­diours dyd mocke hym, and proferd him vineger. Mat. 27. And of the preastes. Al­so the hie preastes mocking him with the Scribes and the elders, sayed, he saued other, Mar. 15. him selfe can he not saue. They that passed by blasphemed him shaking their heddes. Luc. 23. And the theues whiche were crucified with him, ray­led on him. Furthermore note, that he was scorned with be [...]kys & signes, whan thei wagged their headdes, and bowed theyr knees. And wyth woor­des. As whan thei that did salute him sayde. ma. 15. All hayle kynge of Iewes. And with dede, when they crownde hym wyth thorne, and in place of a cepter put a rede in hys hande and defyled with spittle, and now clothed with a purple vesture, now with a white.

Oure sauioure shewed mekenes in his passion to Iudas the traytoure, Mat. 26. whom he called frend, and to Malcas [Page] the sergeant, whose eare he restored and healed. Iohn. 18.19 And to Annas, Caiphas and Pilate before whome he was ac­cused, he answered very gentely and mekely. And to those that crucifyed him, for the whiche he prayed, and to the theefe, Luc. 23. vnto whome hee aunswe­red so courteously.

We must thinke and [...]ounder the di­uers s [...]ourginges of oure lorde. Mar. 15. For first he was scourged vpon the heade, he was smitten vpon the heade wyth a rede. Iohn. 18. And vpon the face. One of the ministers whiche slode by the bishop, smote hym on the face. Mat. 27. Aud they dyd smy [...]e hym in the necke and ouer all his body. And Pilate delyuerd Iesus that was scourged, to be crucifyed. And in this thynge it is to be noted, that all such as do learne are wont to be scourged and bea [...]ē vpon the heade seruantes vpon the necke, the whiche men thrust out of the house, gilty per­sons vpon the face, and scelera [...]e per­sons thorowout all the body.

Also a faythfull soule muste consi­der, that hee was scourged wyth the [Page] tonges of blasphemers, dispisers, and of those that cried oute and sayde, Mat. 26. cru­cifie him, and that smote hym wyth their handes, as it is wrytten. They smote hym on his face wyth y e palme of their handes. And with a rede, and scourges. As Mathew and Marke do testifie.

And to the heape of all iniuryes, it maketh, that the lorde of all lordes and rulers, the whiche doth lose that be fetered, and dothe illuminate the blynde, was taken and bounde lyke a thefe. Iohn. 18. The Iewes ministers, sayth Iohn, toke Iesus, and bounde him.

Also he was lesse estemed thē a thefe for the Iewes demaunded y t Barra­bas Luc. 23. should be loosed & oure lorde to be crucified, Mat. 27. & yet Barrabas was a thefe and in seditiō had cōmitted murther. So that Barrabas was a murtherer a sedi [...]ius person, a famous thefe, and in malyce sore diffamed forther more he was hanged and set betwene two theues, as thoughe he had bene their maister, and worste of all other. For [Page] Iohn saith, Iohn. 19. And Iesus in the middes.

Forthermore we must way & pon­der, that he was afflicted and puny­shed in all the members and sences of his body. His eies behelde and sawe those cruell tormentors. And also his mooste mekest mother the whiche in soule was crucified, & his derely belo­ued disciple, and the deuoute wemen that in minde suffered with him. His eares did heare blasphemouse, mock­ing, iniurious, and dispising wordes. Likewyse hys nose, by reason of the place in the whiche he was crucified, where the misdoers were beheaded, might with filthy slenche be offēded. His tast was noied because they gaue him wine mingled with myrre, or vi­neger with gall to quenche his thurst withall, wherby we may well vnder­stand, that the drinke which thei gaue him was very bitter. His sense of fee­ling or touching sprede thorowout all his body, felte paine in his members which wer scourged, & in his handes and feete. Which were borde thorow with nayles.

[Page]It may be likewise cōsidered, Iohn. 19. that he sustained losse in things longing and pertayning to his bodye. For he was spoyled of hys raiment: & his frendes went from him. Mar. 14. For his disciples for soke him, & ran awaye. Thus he was afflicted, as it is sayed in all partes of his body, by his most bytter passion:

Also in hart and minde he suffered, for he was sorye for his frendes that stode by: and for his enemies that ig­norauntly did crucify him.

And againe in a maner he sufferd & was hurte in his good name & fame. Mat. 27. For they called him a seductor of the people. Sir sayd the chefe of y e priestes to Pilate, we remēber y t this deceiuer said while he was yet a liue. &c.

And yet we muste marke as tou­ching the helthfull passiō of our Lord Iesu Christ, that it was most fylthy & most ignominius & shameful, be reasō of y e place, because it was done in Ie­rusalem. Wher he was knowen and honored, and wher he had done many miracles. Item because of the time & day, for it was done in the solempne [Page] feast of Ester, when a greate multi­tude came together vnto the feast, and he was led vnto his crosse and passion at nyne of the clocke, to then [...]ent he myghte bee sene and knowen of all menne. And agayne it was most fyl­thy cōsidering the kinde of death. For it was the deathe of the crosse, a death dewe vnto yll spoken menne, yll do­ers, and vniuste menne. And the ma­ner of goynge to his deathe. Iesus wente forth bearynge his crosse the whiche thinge is not red of other two wicked persones which wer led with him. Iohn. 19. And again bi reason of his cōpa­nions. For he was crucyfied betwixt ii. theues, asthough he had ben one of thē, or the greatest or maister of them.

Forthermore the bitternes of hys blessed passyō was increased by y e na­turall complection of our lords body. For manifest it is y t his holi bodi was of y e best & most purest cōplectiō: made & fashioned by the worke of the holye goost, without any faute or errour of nature, and so his holye fleshe had no rebellion or fyght against the spirite: [Page] And therfore the spirit did loue, & not without a good cause, his body, more then any other mans spirite or soule shuld loue his body. Item the bitter­nes of his passion was agrauate by y e continuaunce of the same. For many mar [...]irs that wer burnt, or drowned, or beheaded, did accomplish and ende their martirdome very shortly. But oure Lordes passion endured euen in a manner from thinstance of his con­ception, vntil the houre of his death. For he foreknewe mooste certenlye, what his humanity shulde suffer: but specially it continued from the tyme of his laste supper, vntill the nynthe hour of the syxte daye folowyng, And also it was aggrauate by the quality of the members, in the which he suf­fred, that is, in his fete and handes, y e whiche are members full of neaues & sinewes, & most ready to receiue dolor and pain. And that our lordes passyō was most bitter, and very greuous, it may be most chefely gathered by this y t Luke sheweth, for in his oration & prayer had after supper, hys sweate [Page] throughe the vehement imaginacion of the anguishe and paines that were to come, Luc. 22. wer like droppes of bloude, trickeling downe to the ground.

But that our Lord went frely and willingli vnto his passion, that made it most gratious: Mat. 26. R [...]e, saith he, let vs be going. Behold, he is at hande that shal betray me. And Ihon saithe, he went forth to mete the ministers that sought Iesus of Nazareth, Iohn. 18. and when they hard our Lord say, I am he, they wente backewardes, and fell to the ground.

And when he was taken, bounde, ignominious [...]y led away, falsly accu­sed, buffeted, be spued, scourged, moc­kingly crowned with thorne, yet hee neuer shewed anye word or signe of impacience or trouble: but shewed them manifolde benefites that so dyd handle him. For hee healed the ser­uaunts eare that was cut of, he spake many deuout and profitable wordes vnto thē, and praid meekely for those that crucified him, calliuge mooste swetely vppon his father, beninglye [Page] excusinge them, Luc. 23. sayinge father. For­geue them, for they wotte not what they do.

And all this he suffred not for hym self, but for vs. For he prayd that the sinnes might be taken away, whych he neuer committed. And so hee dyed for our necessity and vtilitye, and not for hys owne, but for all hys frendes. For why, to deliuer vs, he would be taken, to redeme vs, he wold be sold, that we might be honored, he would be confounded and crucified. He was bound, that we might be losed, scour­ged, that we shoulde not be scourged, he died, that we shoulde not die eter­nally. And Paule saith, I lyue by the faithe of the sonne of God, whiche lo­ued me, and gaue hym selfe for me. And in a nother place. Christ died for our sinnes. Gala. 2. And Peter saithe, Christe suffred for vs, 1. Cor. 15. leaninge vs an ensam­ple that we should folow his steppes. 1. Pet. 2. And Esay, Esai. 33. he was wounded for oure offences, and was smitten for oure wickednesse, and with his stripes, we are healed. And it is wrytten, I geue [Page] my life for my shepe.

And it is wrytten of the Apostles whiche were beaten. Act. 5. They departed from the counsel reioysing, that they wer counted worthy, to suffer rebuke for his name.

Steuen was so pacient and benign to those that stoned him, that he made more diligent intercession for them, Act. 7. then for him self, for he kneled down, and cried with a loud voyce, Lord lay not this sinne to theyr charge, when he prayed for him self, we reade not, that he kneled, or cried.

Paule and Silas being in a harde prison, Act. 16. prayed at mydnight, and lau­ded God.

¶Of constancy and con­tinuaunce in purposes. Cap. lxxx.

AFter that we bee once departed from the society and felowshyp of those that be euill, Gen. 19. we shoulde not loke behinde vs, as Lots wife did, the which was turned into a piler of salt.

[Page]Iosephes mistresse was daily mo­les [...]ius and greuous vnto him, Gen. 39. but yet continually he resisted that nephari­us and wicked dede.

Moses could by no meanes be cha­sed or ouercomd, other to remain and to sacrifice to our Lorde in Egipt: Exo. 8.9.10. or to leaue vnto Pharao y e peoples chil­dren or cattell.

Dauid was sore reproued of hys eldest brother, and also disswaded by Saule, 1. regu. 17. and yet he left not of his pur­pose, but fought manfully, and ouer­came Golyath.

Ioa [...] continued in the siege of Rab­bath vntil the city was taken: and in the battaile againste Absolon, 2. regu. 11.18.20. and in the siege of the citye, Abela agaynste Seba the sonne of Bochius.

Although Nehemias in buyldinge of the wall of Ierusalem, 2. Esd. 4.6 suffered manye lettes and impedyments: yet he neuer lefte of, nor ceased not from hys woorke, vntyl the wal was who­ly ended.

In so much as Tobias [...]uer feared God from hys youthe vp, Tobi. 2. he grudged [Page] not againste God, that the plague of blindnesse chaunced vnto hym, but remained stedfast in the feare of God, & thanked God all the daies of his life.

Eliachim the hie priest spake vnto al Israel, sayinge, be ye sure that our Lord wil hear your prayers and peticions, Iudi. 4. if ye continue stedfaste in Fa­stinges and prayers in the syghte of our Lord.

King Ahaswerus seruauntes desy­red to knowe, whether Mardocheus cōtinued in his purpose that he wold not honoure and worship Aman, Esth. 3. the whiche Mardocheus did so contynue in his purpose, that he would not on­ly worship him, nor yet arise or when he came by, bow his kne vnto hym.

Daniels fellowes said constantlye vnto the king of Babilon, know thou O kinge, Dani. 3. that we will not serue thy Gods, nor do reuerence or pray vnto thy Image.

Daniell lefte not of for all Darius wicked and cruel de [...]re, Dani. 6. to pray in the day time vnto our Lord, as his man­ner was to do.

[Page]Susanna did constantly resist those two old priestes, Dani. 13. that tempted her so vehemently.

There were many of the people of Israell which determined with them selues, 1. math. 1. that they woulde not eate vn­cleane thynges, but chose rather to suffer deathe, then to be defyled wyth vncleane meates.

Eleazarus had a wonderfull con­stancy and perseuerance in his pains and tormentes, 2. mach. 6. for he chose rather to die with a moste greuous death, then against the law to eat swines flesh, or to dissemble to haue eaten it.

Those same seuen brethren, wyth theyr good and deuoute mother, 2. Mach. 7. dyd wel contynue vnto the latter end: nor they coulde not be induced to the pre­uarication and breche of the law, no­ther by fair meanes, nor yet by foul.

The blessed virgin Marye hadde a mooste ferme and stedfast purpose to kepe her virginity: Luc. 1. the whych would not consente to the conception of her chylde, vntyll she vnderstode, that it shuld not be done by man, but by the [Page] vertue of the holy ghost.

Our Lord doth put an ensample of him that beginneth to build a tour, Luc. 14. & was not able to make an end.

The man that was borne blynde, and restored to his sight by our Lord, Iohn. 9. did constantly continue againste the Pharises, confessing and defendynge the truthe.

Act. 1.And al our Lordes disciples conti­nued wyth one accorde in prayer and supplication with the wemen, & Ma­ry the mother of Iesu.

When the Princes of the Iewes, saw the constancye of Peter & Ihon, Act. 4. and vnderstode that they wer vnlear­ned and idiots or laye menne, they meruailed.

Barnabas perceiuing that manye of the Antiochens were turned vnto the faith, Act. 11. exhorted them al, that with purpose of hart they wold continual­ly cleaue vnto our Lord.

Paul & Barnabas exhorted the brethren, to cōtinue in the grace of god. Act. 13.

The holy ghost witnesseth in eue­ry city vnto Paule, Act. 20. that bandes and trou­ble [Page] abide him in Ierusalem, but I feare (saith he) none of these thynges, neither do I make my life dearer vn­to me, then my selfe.

¶Of bodelye warre and victory most commenly obtained. Capi. lxxxi.

ABraham with a fewe of his fe­lowes ouerthrew four kings, Gen. 14. the which wer so mighty, that they wasted and destroyed great coū ­tries, and at length they ouercame y e kinges of the v. cities, and spoiled the men of Sodome and Gomor. But A­braham recouered the spoyle, and de­liuered Lot his nephew.

And it is to be noted, that in iuste warre a man is not bounde to Pro­claim warre vnto his enemyes, Ca. 8.10. or to foretell them, yea it is lawfull to de­ceiue them, as it appeareth by Abra­ham, Iosue and Gedeon.

Moses sent Iosue to fight agaynste Amalech that went aboute to let and hynder the chyldren of Israel. Exodi. 17. Moses went not in hys own parson, but cō ­tinued [Page] in Prayer, and dyd more by prayer, then he with hys hands fygh­tynge.

The children of Israell beinge mo­ued, went couragiously to fight. Nume. 14. Mo­ses forbiddinge them, againste the A­malechites and the Cananites, whi­che smote them, and hewed them, euē vnto Horma.

King Arad fought against the chil­dren of Israel, and toke some of them prisoners. Nume. 21. But Israel vowed a vowe vnto our Lord, and ouercame them, and destroyed the cityes of theyr ene­mies.

The children of Israel fighting by Moses commaundement against the Madianites, Nume. 21. hadde and obtained so great a victory, y t they toke for a pray 3200. virgines, and yet of the Israeli­tes there was but 1200. fighting men of the whyche ther was not one man slaine.

When the people shouted, & blewe wyth trompets, Iosu. 6. as Iosue cōmaunded them, the walles of Iericho fel down and so was the city taken.

[Page]By the accasion of Achams preua­rication, the chyldren of Isrell were dryuen from the citye of Hai. Iosu. 7.8. But af­ter the synne was pourged at goddes cōmaundement, the citye was taken, and ouerthroen.

When Iosue fought against the .v kinges, which came to destroi the Ga­baonites: Iosu. 10 Our lorde cast downe from heauen great stones vpon them. And there were mo dead wyth the hayle stones, then they were, whome the childrē of Israel slew with the swerd, Then the sunne and the moone stode styll at Iosues worde and commaun­dement for the space of a daye, that he might vtterly destroye his enemyes. And it is to be noted, that notwyth­standinge it be written, that Iosue in the conquering of y e lande of promise, did smite and destroy al the land with the kinges therof: and y e fightinge he toke thē all, except Gabaon. Yet it is red there. Iosu. 10 That our lorde fought for Israel. Notwithstāding therfore that the childrē of Israel did fight strongly wyth theyr handes, yet the victorye [Page] was ascriued to god.

Iudi. 1.We reade not that the chyldren of Israell after the death of Iosua went to fight, except that they fyrst coun­seled with oure lorde. And oure lorde deluered the Cananites and the pha­resites into theyr handes.

Iudi. 3.Oure lorde lefte many nations a­monge the childrē of Israel to instruct Israel. And all that knew not y e war­res of the Cananites, & that their children myght learne to fight with their enemies, & haue y e custome of fightīg.

Iudi. 3.Oure lorde styrde vp a sauioure vnto Israell named Ahud the whiche slew Eglon the kynge of Moab. And the chyldren of Israell wente downe wyth hym goynge before them. The whyche sayed vnto them, folowe me, for oure lorde hathe deliuered youre enemyes into oure handes. And they slew of the Moabites vppon a ten .M. menne.

Delbora sayed vnto Barach, vp, for this is the day, Iudi. 4. in which our lorde hath delyuered Sisara into thy han­des: [Page] oure lorde feared and destroyed Sysara, all hys charettes, and all his hoost with the edge of the sweard.

With .300. menne that with theyr handes did cast water into their mou­thes, Iudi. 7. oure lorde deliuered Israel from the hande of Madian and Amalech, the which in Gedeons tyme wer ma­ny in numbre.

Abimelech Gedeons sonne through his concubine, slew .70. of his bre­thren vpon one stone, Iudi. 9. to thentent he might raygne alone. After that a cer­tayne woman, whilste he beseiged the tours of Sichem, cast a pece of a myl­stone vpon his head and all to breake his brayne panne.

I [...]phethe went to fight agaynst the chyldren of Amnon, Iudi. 12. whome our lord delyuered into his hands. And he des­troyed with a very great plage .xx. of the chyldren of Amons cyties.

Samson through the great strength that oure Lorde gaue hym, Iudi. 15. obtay­ned against the Philistiās many vic­toryes, the which did oppresse & kepe [Page] the children of Israel in greate serui­tute and bondage.

600. men of the tribe of Dan, came to Lais, Iudi. 18 euen to a people that were at rest, and without mistrust, and smote them with the edge of the swearde, and burnt the city with fire. And ther was no manne to healpe, because Lais was farre from Sidon. And they hadde no medlynge with any o­ther manne.

Althoughe the chyldren of Israell were iustely moued agaynst the chyl­dren of Beniamin, Iudic. 20. and were .vii. ty­mes as many mo as they were: yet thei trusting to their fortitude & numbre, were of them ouercomed. After­wardes they wepte and fasted before oure lorde [...] and oure lorde sayed vnto them. To morowe I wyll delyuer them into youre handes. And then they hadde a full vyctory ouer them.

In the tyme of Eli the preaste, the philistians ouercame the chyldren of Israell, 1. regu. 4. the whyche afterwardes as thouge they woulde tempte GOD, [Page] brought the Arke of oure lorde wyth them, presumptuously trustinge that by it, they shoulde obtayne the victo­rye. But the philistines comfortinge one an other, ouercame them againe. And tooke the Arke of god in the bat­tayle.

Samuel dyd crye vnto oure lorde for the chyldren of Israell, 1. regu. 7. and offerd vp sacrifice for them: And oure lorde thundred a greate thunder amonge the philistines, and they were put to flyte and slayne.

When the townes of Iabes Galaad were besieged by Nahaz the king of y e Ammonites Saul did sone succur thē, 1. regum. 11. for he with a great multitude of men of war came in vpon the hoost in the mornyng watch, & scattred their ene­mies so, that two of thē were not left together.

Ionathas Sauls sonne seynge the station and watche of the philistines, sayd vnto his harnes bearer, 1. regum. 14 it is no hardnes with our lord, to saue ether in many or in fewe. And there chaun­sed [Page] as it were a myracle of god, for the multitude was slayne by them, 1. regu. 14. and fleynge hether and thether were scattered in euery place.

At Samuels commaundemēt Saul slew Amalech, 1. regu. 15. and tooke Agag the kynge of the Amalekytes alyue. And vtterly destroyed al the people.

There was a maruelous fyght be­twene Dauid & Goliath of Grath the gyante. 1. regu. 17. Dauid was a chylde vnmete and vnapte for suche a purpose, with­out armure, & yet he trustinge in our Lorde, preuayled agaynst the armed gyante, that was stronge and experte in s [...]ynge and stone.

When Dauid hearde saye that the Amalechites had burnt Sicelag, 1. regu. 30. and had led their wyues awaye captiues, he toke counsell with our lorde, whe­ther he should folowe those theues or no. Our lorde sayd vnto him, folowe, and with foure hundred men he van­quished them, and brought the whole praye agayne.

After many wrong and vniust persecutions moued by Saule agaynste [Page] Dauid, y e Philistines foughte against him, 1. regu. 31. & the wait of the battail was turned against Saul Then toke he hys sweard, and through desperation fell vpon it. And so Saule dyed, and hys thre sonnes, and al his men.

There was cruell warre betwene Dauids xii. seruaunts, 2. regu. 2. and Isboseths xii. seruauntes, when they slewe eche other.

When the Philistines hard y t they had anoynted Dauid king ouer Isra­el, 2. regu. 5.8. they came al vp to seke Dauid, and Dauid asked counsail of oure Lorde, and smote thē. Afterwardes he smote the Philistines again, and tooke the bridle of bondage out of theyr hands. Hesmote Moab, the whiche was tri­butary vnto him. Also he smote kyng Soba, and xii. M. of the Sirians. And our Lord kept Dauid what so euer he toke in hande.

When Ioab saw that the fronte of the batta [...]l was againste him, before and after, hee saide vnto hys brother Abisai. If the Sirians preuayle a­gaynste mee, thou shalt healpe mee, [Page] if the children of Amnon preuaile a­gainst thee, 2. reg. 10 I will come and succoure thee. Therfore quite the like a man, and let vs fighte for oure people, and for the city of our God, and our lorde shall do that, whiche is good in hys owne eies. And when the battayle was begun, all his aduersaryes fled from him.

Absolon made vnhonest warre a­gainst his father Dauid, 2. regu. 18. and therfore he and his people that held with him sped there after, to the entent y u maist knowe and learne, that they whyche vniustly consent to an euill Prynce, can neuer prosper?

Benadab the kinge of Syria wyth xxxii. kinges besieged Samaria, and at our Lordes commaundemente hee was ouerthrowen, and put to flight, the onlye seruauntes of the gouer­nours of the shyres, 3. regum 20 whyche were in nomber euen CC.xxx. and two figh­ting againste them. The nexte yeare after Bennadab came againe with a greate hoste, and there were slaine of the Sirians an hundred thousande [Page] fotemē in one day, because they said. The Lorde is but God of the hylles, and not God of the valleis.

When the king of Iuda, the kynge of Israel, 4. regum. 3. and the king of Edom were gathered to fight against Moab: and had great scarsity of water: the Pro­phet Elizeus said. This broke shalbe filled with water. And furthermore our Lord shal deliuer Moab into your handes.

Samaria was so long besieged by the king of Syria, 4. reg. 6.7 that an Asses head was solde for lxxx. siluer pence: And the fourthe parte of a Cab of Doues donge, for v. sicles. And at the worde of Elizeus the Syrians were put to flight, and by that they had greate a­boundaunce of all thinges.

After y e Amasias king of Iuda had obtaynd the victory against Edō, he sēt vnto the king of Israell, prouokynge him to battaile, 4. regu. 14. but yet he put hym to the worse. And through Amasias ela­tion and pride, a great part of y e wall of Ierusalem was destroyed.

Althoughe Ieroboam the sonne of [Page] Ioas kynge of Israel and hys people were euell, 4. regu. 14. yet he healped them, and dyd them muche good, by the hand of Ieroboam.

Our Lord fought wel and merue­lously for Hezechias the kinge of Iu­da 4. regu. 19.against Sennacherib the kinge of Assyria When that the angell of our Lord slue in one night of Sennache­ribs hoaste .185000. And he him selfe was slaine afterwardes of hys owne children.

When Abia the king of Iuda and his host saw y t the battail was before and behind. He cryed vnto our Lord: and the priestes blew the trompets, 2. Para. 13. & our lord made Ieroboam and al Israel afraid [...] and ther fel down wounded of Israel 50000. stronge men, & so the childrē of Israel wer brought vnder, and the children of Iuda comforted, because they trusted vnto our Lorde.

Zara the Moryan came out against Asa the kynge of Iuda, with an hoste often hundred thousande, Asa cryed vnto our Lord, saying. Lorde it is no 2. Para. 14.difference wyth thee whether thou [Page] healpe in many or in fewe. Then fo­loweth. Our [...] Lorde made the blacke Mores afrayde, and they fell downe dead. For they were consumed of our Lord.

The children of Moab and Ammō were gathered together to fyghte a­gainst Iosaphat, 2. Para. 20. but he wholye gaue him self to pray vnto our Lord. And what time as the singing men began to laud and praise our lord, he turnd the deceites of theyr aduersaryes a­mong them selues, for euery one w t mutuall woundes destroyed an other.

Phacee Romelius son kinge of Is­rael, slue in one day in Iuda, 2. Para. 17. an hun­dred and twenty thousand fyghtinge men, and that because they had forsa­ken our Lord.

The victory which our Lord gaue vnto the chyldren of Israell, Iudi. 16. by the handes of Iudith is famous and no­torius, wherfore she said after y e death of Holofernes, our lord almighty hindred him, and deliuered him into the handes of a woman.

Iudas Machabeus perceiuing y e Se­rons 1. Mach. 3. [Page] host was great, his felowes be­yng fearful, 1. Macha. 3 sayd: It is a smal matter for many to be ouercome with a few: yea, there is no difference in the sight of God of heauē, to delyuer by a great multitude, or by a smal company, and Seron and his hoste was destroyed. And the selfe Machab [...]us wyth three thousand men, 1. macha. 4. whych hadde neyther harnesse, nor sweardes to theyr min­des, ouerthrewe Gorgias and hys great [...]ost.

Bachides came with a great pow­er to fight against Ionathas, and Io­nathas saide vnto his menne. 1. macha. 9 Let vs fight and cry now vnto heauen, that we may be deliuered from the hands and power of oure ennemies, and so they were.

It is worthye to be noted of Iudas Machabeus, that he which fought so often times, and did so manye honest and worthy actes, did so oft wynne, as oft as he, whan he shuld fyght, did pray and call to God for healpe. 1. mach. 6.9 But yet we read not that he prayd in two of his most notable battailes. Thone [Page] was againste Antiochus Eupator. The second againste Bacchides and Alchimus, and then he was slain in the battel.

¶Of Impacience and murmuring. Cap. lxxxii.

AGar Saras maide that coulde not suffer the correction of her mistresse, the which fared [...]oule wyth her, Gen. 16 because of her pryde, fledde her wayes: but at the aungels com­maundemente she retourned agayne vnto her.

The officers of the children of Isra­ell said vnto Aaron, Exo. 5. and Moses oure Lord loke vpon you, and iudge you, which hathe made the sauoure of vs, stincke before Pharao.

The children of Israell beholding the Egiptians, said vnto Moses, perauenture because ther be no graues in Egypte, Exo. 14 haste thou therfore brought vs awaye, for to dye in the wylder­nesse?

The fyrst murmurynge of the chil­dren [Page] of Israell in the desarte was for lacke of dryncke. Exo. 15. And the people murmured against Moses, sayinge, what shall we drincke?

After that, the hole multitude of y e congregation of Israell dyd murmur for meate, sayinge. Whye haue ye broughte vs into his wildernesse, to kil this hole multitude with honger? Exo. 16. Againe they murmured for lacke of drink after that our lord had sent thē quailes and Manna. And when they suffred hōger in the desart, with mur­mur and impacience, thei remembred the flesh which they did eat in Egipt, but of the hard bondage and seruitute wherwith they were oppressed, they made no mention.

And when the people [...]awe, that it was long or Moses came down out of the mountaine, Exo. 32. they gathered them selues together against Aaron, & said vnto him. Up, and make vs Gods to go before vs.

The people, as though they hadde ben heauy and wearied with much labor, Nume. 11. began to murmur agaynste oure [Page] Lord, and the fire of our Lord burnt among them, and deuourd the vtter­moste part of the hoste. And note the peruersity of them that said. We re­member the fish we did eat in Egipt for noughte. And yet they boughte it ful dearly.

After the terrible death of Chore & his fellowes, Nume. 16. the multitude murmu­red agaynste Moses and Aaron, say­ing, ye haue kylled the people of our Lorde.

Againe they murmured and chode wyth Moses at the waters of stryfe, Nume. 20. for faut of drinke and frute.

Achitophell perceiuinge that they did not after his Counsaile, 2. regu. 27. was so moued and so impacyent, that he de­parted from Absolon, and wente home and hanged hym self.

Because that the Chyldren spake roughlye wyth those of the tenne tri­bes, 2. regu. 20. Israell wente from Dauyd, and followed Seba the sonne of Bi­chri.

When Tobias spake of the kydde, whyche he heard cry, Tobi. 2. sayinge: Looke [Page] that it be not stolne, his wife dyd an­swer him impaciently.

When Sara Raguels daughter, rebuked one of her maydens for her faut: Tobi. 3. she answered her again to iniu­riously, saying. God let vs neuer see sonne or daughter of thee more vp­pon earthe, thou kyller of thy hus­bandes.

When worde came to Holofernes that the children of Israell prepared them selues to make resistaunce, Iudith. 5 hee was exceading wroth.

Iudith. 6When Achtor had left of speaking Holofernes toke sore indignation.

Because Mardocheus woulde not worship Aman, Esther. 3. he toke suche indig­nation, and was so impaciente, that he seemed to procure not his deathe onlye, but the death of al the Iewes.

Elihu the sonne o [...] Barachel, per­ceiuing that Iobs frendes, Iob. 32. the which disputed with him, coulde not ouer­come him, shewed by his wordes ma­ny tokens of impaciency.

Daniell. 3.Nabuchodonozor hearynge that Daniels felowes would not worship [Page] the golden Image whyche he made [...] In anger and furiousnes, caused thē to be brought before him.

When Herode hearde, that there was borne a kinge of Iewes, Mat. 2. he was troubled, and all the citye of Ierusa­lem with him.

Our lorde syttinge at meat in Ma­thews house, Luc. 5.15. the scribes and pharises murmured sayinge vnto his disciples Why do ye eate with publicanes and synners?

And at zacheus thei murmurd, say­inge. He is gone in to tary with a mā that is a synner. Luc. 19.

And the elder brother of the prodi­gall sonne, Luc. 15. hearinge of the feast that his father made for hys yongest bro­thers cominge home, disdained at it, and woulde not go in.

When the chefe preastes and Scri­bes sawe the wonderfull myracles y t he did, Mat. 21. and the children cryinge in the temple. Hosanna to the sonne of Da­uid: they disdayned.

When y e pharises saw that thei wer with effectuous wordes confuted by Iohn. 9. [Page] him that was borne blinde, and resto­red by oure lorde to his sight againe, they cursed him, and sayed. Be thou hys discyple: Thou art all together borne in synne, & dost thou teache vs?

Ther arose a murmur and a grudge among the Grekes and the Hebrues, Act. 6. because their wydowes were dispised in the dayly ministration.

¶Of Pusillanimity. Capitu. lxxxiii.

WHen y e Angels had saied vn­to Lot. Gen. 19. Saue thy selfe in the mountaine, he answered. I cānot be saued in y e moūtain, lest some misfortune fal vpon me, & yet a worse chaunce chaūced euen then vnto him.

When the children of Israell saw the Egiptians behynde thē, Exo. 14. they wer sore afrayde, although thei had sene so many miracles done for them by the diuine power of god.

As Moses was speakynge wyth oure lorde in the mounte, Exo. 20. the people hearde the thunder, and the noyse of the trumpe, and saw the lyghtninge, [Page] and the mountayne smokinge. And beynge very feareful, they stode a far of, and saied vnto Moses. Talke thou with vs, and we wil heare, but let not god talke with vs, least we dye.

After that the conditions and estate of the lande of promise was reueled & opened, Nu. 13.14. the which hadde mighty and stronge inhabitours, whose cities wer walled & exceading great. Deu. 1. The whole congregation saied: woulde God that we hadde dyed in the lande of Egipt. And they sayed agayn. The messen­gers haue feared and discouraged vs.

Balaac seynge al that y e children of Israel had done vnto y e Amorites, Nume. 22. and that his people were sore a frayde, he trustinge more in wordes then in ar­mes, sent vnto Balaam to come and cursse the children of Israell.

Rachab sayed vnto the spies y t came from Iosue. Iosu. 2. I know y t our lorde hath geuen you y e land, for y e feare of you is fallen vpon vs: and the inhabitoures of y e lande faynt at y e presence of you.

After that Achior had taken of the excōmunicate thynges of Ierico: the [Page] menne of Hay put the chyldren of Is­raell to flyght, Iosu. 7. and slew .36. menne. The hartes of the people wer a fraid, and melted a waye lyke water. And Iosue rent his clothes.

When the Gabaonites heard what Iosue hadde done vnto Ierico, Iosu. 9. and Hai, they feared, and comminge to Iosue, they euen as he woulde, made a grement with him.

Gedeon hauing .3200. menne in his hoost, Iudi. 7. made a proclamation, that if any dyd dreade, or were afrayde, he shoulde returne. And there departed and retourned of the people .2200. menne.

When Saul and all Israell hearde the wordes of Goliath the philistine askinge a man to fight with him, 1. regu. 17. thei were euen a stoned, and discouraged.

Saule gathered all Israell toge­ther, and came to Gelboe. 1. regu. 28. And when Saul sawe the host of the philistines, he was a frayed, and hys hart was sore astonyed.

2. Para. 3.Roboam beynge rude and fearfull of hart, coulde not resyste the hooste [Page] that Ieroboas had gathered against him.

When all the hoost of the Assirians hearde that Holofernes was headed, Iudi. 15 theyr mynde and counsell fell from them, and beynge moued and styrde with feare, defended thē selues, with their feet.

It was declared vnto the house of Dauid, that the kinge of Israel, & the king of Siria wer cōfederated to fight agaynst Ierusalem. Esa. 7. Dauid and hys people hartes were moued, as y e trees of y e wode before y e face of the winde.

And Esay descriuinge the burden of Tyre, sayed, fearfulnesse, the pit, and the snare vpon the. Esa. 24. O thou that dwellest on the earth.

When that Ieremy by goddes com­maundemente dyd prophesie that Ie­rusalem shoulde be taken. Iere. 38. The prin­ces and rulers of the people sayed vn­to the kinge: Sir we beseache you let this mā be put to death. The kinge y t was weke harted & fearfull, answered thē. Lo, he is in your handes. For the kinge may denye you nothinge.

[Page]Darius the king of Persia ordained by the counsell of his great estates, a certain cruel decre and law, Dani. 6. the which Daniell obserued not, and therefore he was put into the Lions denne, and it dyspleased the kynge, yet he durst not manfully resyste hys estates and lordes.

When Iudas Machabeus saw that his hoost fayled him, and that he must nedes fight, 1. Mach. 9. it brake his hart, and he was slaine in y e battaile. And yet we reade not y t Iudas was ether in war, or any other where a frayde before.

Nicanor made peace & amity with Iudas Machabeus, the which thinge displeased kinge Antiochus. 2. mach. 24 And he sent vnto Nicanor, to sēd him Iudas. And although he did it muche against his wyll, yet he coulde nor durst not withstande the kinges wyll and com­maundement so that if he had coulde, he hadde fulfilled the kinges euell in­tent and minde.

Peter walkinge vpon the sea, came vnto oure lorde. mat. 14. But when he sawe a mighty winde, he was a frayde.

[Page]Nicodemꝰ semed to be a weak sprited man, Iohn. 3. y t he came to Iesus by night as though that by daye he durste not come vnto him.

When the disciples saw that oure Lord was taken and bound, they forsoke him and fled. mat. 26. But Peter folow­ed him a farre of, because he durst not approche neare.

Our Lorde reproued the weaknes of mind of his disciples, because they feared the commotiō of the sea, mat. 8. he be­ing present, saying vnto thē, why are ye fearful. O ye of litle faith?

Peter was to feble sprited, when y t he after so bold wordes, mat. 26. at the onlye voyce of a wenche, denied hys Lorde and master.

Likewise that yong man clothed w t linnen, mar. 14. when the ministers caughte him, he chose rather to leaue his lyn­nen garment, and flye awaye naked, then to tary there any longer.

The parents of him that was born blind, Iohn. 9. & again res [...]ored to his sight by our Lorde, did fearfully answere the Phariseis, because they feared to be excōmunicate out of y e sinagoge.

¶Of Fortitude and strength to do euel. ¶Ca. lxxxiiii.

CAine was stronger then Abell, when he rose vp against hym, and slue him. Gen. 4.

The foure kinges did trauel and labour very sore, which after so greate a slaughter of men ouercam the kyng of Sodome with many other, Gen. 14. and led a waye Lot Abrahams nephewe as a prisoner.

Abimelech Gedeons sōne sustained great fatigation and labor, when he slue lxx. of his brethren, Iudi. 9. & afterwards by stronge hande tooke Sychem, the which euen sone after was slain most miserably.

Saule put him self to many greate pearels and trauail, 1. reg. 18.19. to persecute Da­uid, and coulde neuer obtain his pur­pose.

2. regu. 15.Absolon being mineded to expell & driue his father out of his kingdom, toke a great businesse vpon hym: but yet his chaunce was but euil.

[Page]Ieroboam both by thought & dede, 3. regu. 12. trauailed very sore to auert and turn the people of Israell from the house of Dauid, & once turned, so to retaine and kepe them.

Holofernes paste ouer and wasted many countries to bring them vnder the yoke of his dominion. Iudi. 1.16. But yet at the last one woman or euer he coulde accomplyshe hys purpose, behedded hym.

Antiochus Epiphanes tooke and sustained great laboures, to destroye the worship and honor of god in Iewry, 2. Mach. 9. and yet at lēgth brought to pouer­ty and confusion, he died a most mise­rable and wretched death in a strange and a foren country.

The children of this world in their generation are oftentimes not onlye more prudent and wise then the chil­dren of light, Luc. 16. but also of greater power: for when the disciples tooke theyr reast and slept, Iudas procuring hys prodition and treason, watched moste diligently.

The chefe priestes did weary them [Page] selues with great [...]are and labour to extinguish and bringe to naughte the name of Christ, Mat. 28. for they corrupted the kepers of the Lordes sepulchre with great summes of mony, to saye, that his disciples toke him away. Againe, they did cast and bind his disciples in prison, Act. 3.4. and now and then they moni­shed them with wordes, nowe wyth stripes, and did them great iniuryes, to the entent they should not speake, nor teache in the name of oure Lorde Iesu.

When Lysias the Tribune hadde Paule in bondes, there were aboue forty Iewes which had made a vowe that they would eat nor tast nothing, Act. 23. till they had killed Paule. And there­fore they desired that he myghte bee broughte forthe, that sodenlye they myght inuade him and kil him.

¶Of Murther. Capi. lxxxv.

[Page]OUr Lord did greuously punyshe the murther that Cain commyt­ted, Gen. 4. and yet there was no law wryttē that did forbid it. Exo. 1. 1. regu. 17. Caine slue his bro­ther Abell. 2. regu. 20. Moses the Egiptian. Da­uid Goliath. 3. regu. 2. Ioab Abner and Ama­sam. Salomon Abdomam, Ma [...]. 6. Ioab, and Semet. Act. 5. Herod Ihon the Baptist. Pe­ter Ananias & Saphira, Gen. 9. but in theese consider the variety of intentiōs and causes, God would that man should vehemently & much abhor murther, & therfore he said, flesh in y e life therof, and in the blud therof shal ye not eat.

A murtherer shuld be reputed and estemed as dead. And therfore Rebec­ca saide, Gen. 27. why should I be depriued or desolate of both my sōnes in one day. For if Esau had slain Iacob, she iud­ged that she had lost both.

If zebee and Salmana had not slain Gedeons brethren, Iudi. 8. Gedeon had not afterwardes slain them.

Abimelech the sonne of Ieroboam slue thre score and ten of his brethrē, to the entent he might raigne alone, Iudi. 9. and yet he ruled not longe there, but [Page] sustained great misfortune, and made an euill end.

For because y e Abimelech the priest comforted Dauid flying from Saule, 1. regu. 22. Saule the persecutor of Dauid slewe him with many other priestes, wemē and children.

Dauid caused the yong man which confest that he murthered Saul, 2. regu. 1. to be slain. 2. Re. 11. And procured Urias deathe by the hand of Ioab.

Absolon slue his brother Amnon, whome he inuited to the banket, 2. R [...]. 13. euē as he was eatinge and mearye wyth wyne.

The effusion and shedding of mans bloude is so horrible, 3. Re. 7. that althoughe Dauid was other waies a very good manne, yet our Lord would not that hee, but that Salomon hys Sonne, should build him his temple.

Notwithstanding that Ioab was a worthy man of armes, & verye faithful to the Lorde hys master: 3. Re. 2. yet in as much as he deceitfully slue two men, all that euer he had done before, was coumpted as nothinge. And so Salo­mon [Page] caused hym to bee slaine. Not­withstandinge he helde the corner of the aultare.

Naboth by the procurement of wicked Iezabell was cruellye stoned to death. 3. Re. 21.

Ioas the kinge of Iuda commaun­ded zacharias the sonne of Ioiade the priest to be stoned to deathe, 2. Para. 24. and yet his father restored him the kingdom, and slue Athalia.

The ii. old priestes, Dani. 13. which thought to put Susanna most wrongfully to deathe, conuicted by Danyell, were slain by the people.

Tryphon slue Ionathas and hys two sonnes, 1. Mach. 13. and yet he had receyued of Symon for Ionathas raunsome, & deliueraunce a C. talentes of syluer, and his two sonnes for ostages and pledges.

Ptolomy the sōne of Abobus made the hie priest and hys two sonnes a banket: 1. Mach. 16. and when they were me­ry, and had dronken well, traiterously he slue them.

Of diuers slaughters of men. Capi. lxxxvi.

THere was a maruelous greate slaughter of men & other beastes when that all men, Gen. 7. except viii. perished in the flud, called Noes flud.

The four kinges, which ouer thrue fyue kinges, made comminge thither and fyghting againste them a greate murther of men, Gen. 14. althoughe the nom­ber of them be not wrytten.

It cannot be wel known by scryp­ture, how many mē by diuers plages dyd pearysh in Egipt, or howe many were drowned in the red sea, but yet it is to be thoughte, that the nombre was very great.

Of vi. hundred and 3000. fyghting menne whyche were nombred from twentye yeares vpwards, Nume. 1.26 there came not one into the land of promyse, ex­cept Caleph, and Iosue, but peary­shed and dyed by diuers calamytyes in the desert.

The children of Israell by Moses [Page] commaundement slue a greate nom­bre of the Medianits, the which thing may be proued by the pray that they toke. Nume. 31. For of virgins ther was found 320000. Al theyr wemen wer corrupted, and theyr men slain.

In Iosues time, at the entring and going into the land of promyse, Iudi. 7.8. there was founde as well in the Cities as in the fieldes a great nombre of dead persones.

In the time of Debora, Gedeon, & Iephtha iudges of Israel, wer many men slain, althoughe they cannot be certainly numbred.

By thoccasion of the Leuites wyfe. whiche was slaine, Iudi. 20. there was kylled 7000. fighting men, besydes wemen and children, the which all wer of the tribe of Beniamin.

In the daies of Heli when the arke of our lord was taken, 1. regu. 4. ther was slain of the Israelites iii. M. fotemen.

Saule whych destroyed Amalech, slew manye of theym. 1. Re. 14.17 And afterwar­des whan Goliath the Phylystyan was slayne, there were manye of the [Page] Philistians destroyed.

When Saule and his childrē wer slain, 1. Re. 31. ther fel many, and a great nomber of the Israelites wer destroyed.

Dauid slue many of his owne, and of Amnons children, 2. regum. per totum. and manye of the Philistians, as it appeareth in di­uers places.

For Dauids elation and pryde in y e nombringe of his people, 2. Re. 24. there dyed 70000. of hys men.

When the xxxii. kings wyth an ex­ceading nombre of men were gathe­red together, 3. Re. 24. Benadab the kynge of Siria were twise put to flight by A­chab the kyng of Israell, and at theyr next metinge, there was slaine of the Assirians a hundred thousand foote­men in one day.

Abia the kynge of Iuda, and hys host, 2. Para. 13. slue 50000. of Ieroboams strong and mighty men.

Asa the kyng of Iuda hadde in hys host fiue hundred, and lxxx. thousande men. 2. Para. 14. The blacke Mores were tenne hundred thousande, the whyche were vtterly destroyed, for oure LORD [Page] fought agaynst them.

Phacee the kinge of Israell Rame­lias sonne, 2. Para. 28 slew in Iuda an hundred and twentye thousande in one daye, which were all fyghtinge men, & that because they had forsaken oure lorde.

When Salmanassar, tooke Sama­ria, and brought the children of Isra­ell amonge the Assirians. Ieremy. 39. And when Nabuchodonozor toke Ierusalem and the kinge of Iuda, it is very lyke that there dyed many a man, although the numbre be not certayne.

By the occasion of proude and cru­el Aman, the whiche for Mardocheus sake onely woulde haue destroyed all the Iewes. Esther. 9. The Iewes slew in Ahas­uerus kingdome .75000. men, y t which they estemed to be their ennemies.

Ionathas sent Demetrius to Anti­oche .3000. mē to ayd hym against the citizens, 1. Mach. 11. the which woulde haue slain Demetrius. And there was killed vp­on one day, a hundred thousand men.

There was so greate a slaughter of men in Ierusalem, 2. Macha. 5 that when Antio­chus Epiphanes tooke the citye, in [Page] thre dayes there were slayne .8000.4000. put in prison, and no lesse solde.

Against the Galathiās .6000. only slew a .C. and .xx. M. throughe y e helpe that was geuen them from heauen. 2. Mach. 8.

Besides the battailes that Iudas Machabeus made against Apolonius and Seron y e chefe capitaine of y e Assi­riās host, of y e which it is written in y e. 3. Ca. of the first booke of the Macha­bees, we reade that he specially hadde other .xii. battels, as it appeareth frō the .viii. Ca. of the .ii. boke, vnto the ende. In y e whiche were slaine .9000. men, of those that wer with Nicanor. And .20000. with Timothe and Bac­chides .25000. of the Idumites, and again .24000. of y e same people y e which were in two towers. Furthermore .2000. y t wer with Timothe, & .2000. w t Lisia. And also .10000. in a certayne ground or felde of Timothese. And again .30000. of his mē, & afterwards .250000. in y e stronge city of Carmon. And in y e city calde Ephrō [...] 25000. And in Antoichus Cupators host he slew .14000 mē, at y e last Nicanor was slain [Page] with 25000. fightinge men. The sum of al is two hundred & 56000 men: be­sydes those that were slaine of Iudas host: & those that perished in fortresses and battailes, of y e whiche there is no certain number. Nor they are not cō ­pted here, y e fell in Iudas last battayle againste Bacchides and Alchimus, where they fought from mourninge tyll euenynge in the whyche Iudas perished, & the other fled their wayes.

¶Of abstinence and sobriety. Capi. lxxxvii.

OUr lorde commaunded Adam sayinge. Gen. 2. Eate thou of all the trees of paradyse, but as tou­chinge the tree of knowledge of good and euell y u shalt not eate of it. In the which prohibition abstinence is com­mēded, in y t he would not y e mā in pa­radise shuld eat of all māner of meat.

Moses was in y e mounte wyth oure lorde .40. daies & 40 nightes, Exo. 24. & he ne­ther did eat nor drincke. Abstinence is a ryghte good dysposition to receaue diuine reuelations: And manne re­freshed wyth diuine reuelations, is [Page] wont to abhorre bodely delyte & pleasure. Yea, Leuiti. 15 and our Lorde cōmaunded the chyldren of Israel to abstain from dyuers meates.

Whē either man or womā did vow a vow to be sāctified, Nume. 6. or did consecrate or appoint thē selues vnto oure lorde, they abstained from all suche kyndes of dryncke, as myght caste them into dronckennesse.

The Aungel appearinge vnto mā ­nas wife which should conceaue him, Iudi. 13. that shoulde deliuer the people, com­maunded her to abstayne.

This maketh muche to the cōmen­dation of sobriety, y e which doth stande in the vse of fishe, and in y e abstinence from flesh: that our lord in his gospel doth euen often times multiply fishe, Luke. 5. and not flesh. And at oure lordes com­maundement the disciples in closed a great multitude of fishes, Marke. 6. furthermore we reade y t he twyse multiplied bread & fishes. Luke. 9. And of .v. loues, Ihon. 6. & ii. fishes in Marcke. Math. 15. Luke, & Iohn And of .7. loues & a few fishes y e which our lord multi­plied, Marke. 8. mentiō is made ī Mat & Marke.

[Page]Peter purposinge to shew that the disciples, Actes. [...]. which wer replenished with the holy ghost, wer not drunken, saied that it was not yet the thyrd houre of the daye. Geuynge vs to wyt, that it was not conuenient to drincke before the thyrd houre.

The people of Israell were a hun­gerd, & there was hony in the fyeld, 1. regu. 14. but no man eat thereof, but Ionathas the sonne of Saul.

When Dauid desyred water of the well or cesterne of Bethelem, it was broughte hym, 2. regu. 23. but yet he woulde not dryncke thereof, because he longed to greadely after it.

A small and a slender sustenaunce contented Elias, 3. regu. 17. the which asked on­ly of the wyddow Sereptane a lytle water, and a morsell of bread.

Ieroboās wyfe goynge to Helias the prophet, 3. regu. 14. toke with her .10. loues, and a cruse of hony. There is no mē ­tion made of any flesh. For he suppo­sed that the prophet dyd eate no suche meate.

And it is notable, that the rauens [Page] fed Helias wyth fleshe twyse in one daye. 3. regu. 17. 3. regu. 19. And how that the Aungell of oure Lorde, shewed him bread, and a vessell of water onely.

Achab hearinge, after he had put Naboth to death, 3. regu. 21. our Lordes cōmina­tiō and threatning declared vnto him by Helias y e prophet: put a shyrt of here vppon his fleshe, and fasted, and laye in sackcloth, and went barefote, and helde downe hys head. And ther­fore oure Lorde did temper the payne and punyshmente, the whyche hee threatned.

Esdras proclaimed a fast, and cau­sed all men to afflicte and humble thē selues, 1. Esd. 8. for they desyred of oure Lorde that hee woulde geue them a ryghte waye. Then there foloweth. So we fasted, and besought our lord for this, and he hearde vs.

The children of Hely, of Amnon, wyth certayn of the Amonites gathe­red them selues together, 2. Para. 20. to fyghte against Iosaphat y e king of Iuda. And when he hearde it, he set hym selfe to seke and to praye our LORDE [Page] and proclaimed a fasting throughout all Iuda. And there foloweth that he obtayned the victorye.

When Paule and Barnabas had ordained elders and priestes in diuers cities, Act. 14. and in euery cōgregation, & had prayed and fasted, they cōmended thē to our Lorde, on whom they beleued.

When Nehemias shuld praye Ar­thaxarses for the holy citie, 2. Esd. 1. and y t the walles thereof might be repaired: He sayeth of hym selfe. I fasted and pray­ed before the God of heauen.

It is sayed of yonge Tobias and of his father in lawe, ToBi. 8.12. & other his frends, that wyth the feare of God they helde the feaste of the marriage. And the Aungel sayed afterwarde to both the Tobias, prayer is good with fastinge and almes.

When the chyldren of Ierusalem hearde of the terryble and fearefull power of Holofernes, Iudith. 4. they hum­bled theyr soules wyth fastinge and prayers.

Also it is sayed of Iudyth, that she ware a smocke of heere, and fasted [Page] all the daies of her lyfe, Iudith. 8. excepte the Sabothes, and newe mones, and the solempne dayes of the house of Is­raell.

When Esther shoulde speake vnto king Ahaswerus, she saide to Mardo­cheus. Go and gether all the Iewes together that are founde at Susan, Esther. 4. and pray ye for me. Loke ye eate not nor drinck not in thre dayes, neyther day nor night. I and my maids wyll fast likewise.

Our Lorde commendeth the absty­nence of the Rachabites, Ieremy. 35. because they would drink no wine, as their father had commaunded them.

Our Lord caused Ezechiel the pro­phet to keepe an harde diet, Ezechiel. 4 sayinge. Take vnto the wheat, barly, beanes, gromel sede, Millium and fitches.

Daniel was at a poynt wyth hym self, that he would not be defiled tho­row the kinges meat. Daniell. 1. There follow­eth. God gaue those springaldes con­ninge and learninge in all scripture and wisdome.

Daniell for the space of iii. wekes [Page] eate no bread, as for fleshe and wyne there came none within his mouthe. Daniel. 10. And our Lorde shewed him a marue­lous vision. Sainte Gregorye in hys Homely of Pentecost saithe, that the holy ghost did fil the abstinent childe, and made the Prophet iudge of the old men.

Our Lord sente to Daniell by the prophet Abacucke, Daniell. 14. bread and potage beinge in the denne of Lyons, but he sent hym no fleshe, nor no other dely­cate meates.

Eleazar an aged man, had rather die a cruell death, 2. Mach. 6. thē contrary to the lawe, to eate, or to faine to eate anye swines flesh.

It chaunced the vii. brethren wyth theyr mother to be compelled by the king against the law, 2. Mach. 7. to eate swines flesh: but they chose rather to sustaine and suffer most cruel torment.

It is wrytten of Ihon the Baptist, that his meat was Locustes & wylde hony, Math. 2.11. and liued so, as though he ney­ther eat nor dranke.

Anna the prophetisse, the doughter [Page] of Phanuell, is among other thinges commended, Luc. 2. that she departed not frō the temple, but serued GOD wyth Fastynges and prayers nyghte and day.

Our sauioure after he was bapty­sed, by and by was led into the wyl­dernesse, and there he fasted tyll hee hōgred, Luc. 4. which thing maketh against those that faste with a filthye consci­ence, nor will not for the tyme of fa­sting, suffer nor sustain no honger.

The children of Israel which were of the xii. Tribes, Iudi. 20. were twyse ouer­thrown by the children of Beniamin afterward they wept before our lord and fasted the same day, and so ouer­came theym, and preuayled agaynste theym.

In the tyme and daies of Hely, the Philistines [...] 1. regu. 4.7 preuayled agaynste the children of Israell once or twise, and the Arke of oure Lorde was taken: Thirdly the Philistines gathered to­gether in Samuels daies, but y e chyl­dren of Israell fasted the same day, & saide, we haue synned agaynste oure [Page] Lord. And it foloweth, that the chyl­dren of Israell destroyed them.

After oure Lordes resurrection, he manyfestlye shewed hym selfe to the .vii. disciples that wer a fyshinge and coulde take nothynge, Iohn. 21. sayinge. Luc. 6. Cast out the nette on the ryghte syde of the shyp, and ye shall fynde. Then foloweth, that they drewe out the net full of greate fyshes. And oure Lorde gaue hys dysciples of those fyshes. But vnto the Iewes as carnall men and carynge for carnall thynges, He gaue fleshe to eate, to theyr euill mischaunce and hinderaunce.

Abstinence doth easely cause a man to watche and praye. Mar. 26. For oure Lorde after his last supper, rebuked his dis­ciples, sayinge. What, coulde ye not watche with me one houre?

We reade not that oure Sauiour, whose actions are oure instruction, Iohn. 21. dyd at any tyme eate fleshe, but when he eate the pascall lambe. But of the fyshe whyche was brought vnto him he dyd eate.

[Page]When our Lord sent his disciples to preach, Luke. 10. he said. Into what so euer city or house ye enter, eat such things as they haue, or suche as is set before you. That is, that they shuld be con­tent with such as they had, not cury­ously seking for other.

Peter being a hongred in Symon tanners house, fel into a traunce, and saw heauen opened. Actes. 10. &c. In the which vision wer offred and presented vnto him such beastes as were prohibited by the law. But he refused to eate of them, although, as it is said, he hon­gred.

There were in the congregation y t was at Antioche prophets and Doc­tors. &c. Actes. 13. As they ministred to our lord and fasted, the holy ghoste said, sepa­rate me Barnabas and Paule.

The children of Israell came toge­ther with fastinge, 2. Esdras. 9 sackclothes, and earthe vpon them. &c. And they stode and knowledged their sinnes, and red in the boke of the law.

When there was a good dinner or feast in Tobias house, Toby. 2. he hearde that [Page] one of the children of Israell lay slain vpon the streat. Immediatly he lepte from the table, and leauing the feast, and fasting, went to the dead coarse, and buried it.

Daniell speaking of him self dothe saye. Daniell. 9. I turned me vnto my God oure Lord, praying and making interces­sion with fastinge, sackclothe, and a­shes, and then he perceiued a speciall reuelation of the incarnation, passiō, and death of Christ.

Baruch did read the wordes of the boke, Baruch. 1. in the audiēce of Iechonia Ioa­chim the king of Iuda sonne, and in the presence and audyence of all the people, whyche when they hearde it wepte, fasted, and prayed before oure Lorde.

¶Of glotony and dron­kennesse. Cap. lxxxviii.

THe fyrst faut and sinne of man was finished and ended by the vice of gluttony. Genesis. 3.

Noe by drinking of wine, Genesis. 9. was drō ­ken, [Page] and vncouered within his tent.

Lot beinge dronken cōmitted incest with his owne doughters. Gen. 19.25. And Esau sold his birthright for a messe of pot­tage. Exo. 32. And the people sat them downe to eat and drinke, and began to play.

Our Lord said vnto Aaron. Thou shalt not drinke wine nor strōg drink that maye cause thee to be dronken, Leui. 10. thou nor thy sonnes that are wyth thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of wytnesse least ye dye.

Whosoeuer maketh a vowe in the law, Nume. 6. and wil consecrate and appoynt hym self vnto God, must abstain from wine, and frō all that thing that may make him dronken.

Nume. 11.The people lusted after flesh, & sate downe and wept, saying. Who shall geue vs flesh to eat.

The first tēptation and grudginge of the childrē of Israel was for drink, Nu. 15.16. the second for bread: and after y t vpon like occasion they sinned oftentimes.

With these iii. C. men that lapped water wyth theyr handes, and dyd drinke moderately, Iudi. 7. our Lord delyue­red [Page] Israel from the hand of Madian.

Men beinge at meate, waxe more bolder and fuller of words beinge at meat & drink, Iudi. 9. they cursed Abimelech.

The Philistines being at meat and meary, Iudi. 16. the house fel vpon them.

The children of Israel woulde re­ceiue no sodden fleshe of those that of­fred but raw, 1. regu. 2. to thentent they myght prepare it the more delicately.

Ionathas did eate againste hys fa­thers commaundement a little hony, 1. regu. 14. & his father therfore would haue put hym to death, but that y e people helpt hym, and intreated for him.

Amnon Dauids sonne being mery with wine and dronken, 2. regu. 13. was slain in Absolons house at a banket.

Benadab the kinge of Syria was dronken and hadde in his pauilion a great multitude of fighting men, 3. regu. 20. and yet he was ouerthrowen, and put to flight by the seruants of y e gouernors of the prouinces and shires.

They did eat, and were filled, and became fat, 2. Esd. 9. & lyued in welth thorow thy greate goodnesse. And yet they [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [Page] prouoked thee to anger.

Wine ouercommeth all those that dryncke it: 3. Esdras. 3 it seduceth and deceaueth the mynde, and bryngeth bothe the poore man, and the kynge to dotage and vanity.

Holofernes dranke more wine, thē euer he did in one day afore in al hys life. Iudit. 12.13 And Iudith was alone in the chambre: as for Holofernes lay vpon the bed al dronken, and of very dron­kennes fel a slepe, and so Iudith had good oportunity to kil him.

Aman came ioyfully and merilye, from the Quenes feast and bancket. Esther. 5.7 But the nexte day after bothe he and hys ten sonnes were confounded and heauy. for he was hangde vppon the Galowes.

Iob knew that many things went amisse in feastes and bankets: Iob. 1. & ther­fore after that his children had ban­ketted and feasted one an other, hee gat vp early, and offred for euery one a burnt offring.

At the time that Ierusalem should be destroyed, it is wrytten that oure [Page] Lord cald men vnto weping & mour­ning. And beholde, they haue ioy and gladnesse, Esa. 22. slaying oxen, and killynge shepe, eating flesh, & drinking wyne. Let [...]eat and drinke, for to morowe we shall die.

The priest and the prophet kn [...]we nothing through dronkennesse, Esa. 28. they are dronken with wine, they goe a­misse thorow strong drinke: for theyr tables are so ful of vomite and filthi­nesse, that no place is cleane.

Ptolomy Abobus sōne made a banket for Simon the hie priest and hys two sonnes. 1. Mach. 16. And when they wer me­ry, and had dronken well, he slue thē.

In our lordes temptation after the mind of Mathew & Luke we read. Mat. 4. If thou be the sonne of God, Luc. 4. commaund that these stones be made bread.

Herode made hys byrth daye sup­per, and the Doughter of Herodias daunsed there, Mat. 14. Mar. 6. and pleased Herode and those that sate with him, and by this occasion, at the peticyon of the damsell that daunsed, Ihon the Bap­tist was beheaded.

[Page]Uncleane spyrites loue vncleane places. Luc. 8. So that the Demoniake that had a legion of Deuels in hys body, dwelt and abode in graues. And the deuels desired & praied our Lorde Ie­su, y t they goyng out of y e man, might enter into y e swine. Not into y e oxen & lambes, the which are cleane beastes.

The ensample of the rych glutton, the whyche complayneth that he is specially tormented in his tonge, Luc. 16. ma­keth very sore agaynste these greate eaters and haunters of feastes and bankettes.

¶Of matrimony. Capitu. lxxxix.

IT is euident that a wyfe ought to be in many thinges vnto her husbande a felowe and equale, Gen. 2. but not a mistresse nor a maid, because that our lord made her of Adams ryb, and not of his heade, nor of his foote. Againe it is manyfest, that manne is the heade of the woman, for asmuche as he is in a maner the begynnynge of her beynge: and the woman was [Page] made of the man, not the man of the woman. And therfore the man muste be the master and the instructer: And the cōmmaundement was geuen vn­to Adam by God, & by Adam to Eue.

Because y e one man oughte to haue but one wife, Gen. 2. therfore our lord saieth: They shall become one fleshe.

It is red, Gen. 4. that onely Lamech before the flud had two wyues.

Our Lord cōmaunded that in Noes Arke shoulde bee reserued so many males as females: Gen. 7. that there myghte be one for one.

The Egiptians in Abrahams time semed more to abhor aduoutery than murther. Gen. 12. And therfore Abraham fea­red least they woulde fyrst slaye hym, and then present hys wife vnto Pha­rao. Asthoughe he woulde not haue knowen her, so longe as he beleued that she had an husband.

Sara Abrahās wyfe was obediēt vnto her husbande, Gen. 21. and calde hym Lorde. And Abraham in like manner condescended vnto her wil and minde in some thinges.

[Page]Oure Lorde punyshed Abimelech wyth greauous plages for Sara A­brahams wyfe. Gen. 20.

The consent of the partie is requy­red in mariage. Gen. [...]4. We will cal the dam­sell, and know her wyll and minde.

The blasphemer that was stoned to death in the desert, was the sonne of an Israelytishe woman, Leui. 24. and got­ten of a man of Egypte. Where out a man maye gether, that it is not ex­pedient to make mariages of diuers and contrary tribes, for the chyldren begotten of suche persons, are euell brought vp and nurtred.

That secreat, the which Sampson woulde not shewe nor declare vnto his parentes, Iudi. 14. hys wyfe, to hys great losse, wryngde it out of hym.

Helcana sayed vnto Anne his wife. Am not I better to the thē ten sonnes? 1. regu. 1.

Nabal was hard, euell, and folysh. He had Abigail to his wife, 1. regu. 25. the which was very wyse and beutifull.

All be it Dauyd hadde ma [...]y wy­ues, yet he committed aduoutry with Bersabe. 2. regu. 11.

[Page]Ioram the kynge of Iuda did euell in y e syght of oure Lorde and walked in the wayes of Achab, 4. regu. 8. y e cause is this, for y e doughter of Achab was his wife.

The chyldrē of transmigration and captiuity that had taken straunge wi­ues, 1. Esd. 10. refused and put them a waye at Esdras commaundement.

Nehemias perceyuing that the Ie­wes dyd mary straunge wyues, 2. Esd. 13. dyd chyde and cursse them, and did chasten and beate parte of them.

Sara Raguels doughter sayed in her prayer. Tobi. 3. O lorde I haue consented to take an husbande, not for my plea­sure, but in thy feare.

The Aungell sayed vnto Tobias. They that receaue mariage of such a fashion, Tobi. 6. that they shut god oute from them, & from their hart, and geue thē selues to theyr owne lust, euen as it were horse and mule whiche haue no vnderstandinge: vpon suche hath the deuyll power.

The fyrste nyghte when Tobias was broughte into Sara his wife, he exhorted the virgyn, saying vnto her. [Page] Up Sara, let vs make our prayer vn­to God to day, Tobi. 8. to morow, and ouer­morow: For these thre nightes wyll we ioyne and reconcile oure selues wyth God, and when the thyrd night is paste, we shall ioyne together in the dewty of mariage.

The Angell declared vnto Tobias an honest cause and fashion of taking a wyfe. Tobi. 6. Thou shalt take the mayden in the feare of God saith he, and more for the desire of children, then for any fleshly lust.

Saras elders dyd monyshe her, to honoure her father & mother in lawe, Tobi. x. to loue her husbande, to rule well her housholde, to kepe her house in good order, and to shewe her selfe faut­lesse.

The wemen that were caryed out of Iewrye into Egypte, Iere. 44. the whyche did sacryfice vnto the quene of heuen, excused them selues by theyr husban­des, the whyche dyd the like thinge.

Susan to kepe the faythe and pro­mise of matrimony was content, Dani. 13. and [Page] offred her self to infamy and deathe, but that the iuste Lorde by Danyell, made other prouision for her.

Our Lord disdained not to be pre­sent at the mariage and at the feast in Cana a city of Galile. Iohn. 2.

Ihon the Baptist was beheaded, because hee reproued Herode of ad­uoutry. Mat. 14.

When the Phariseys asked whe­ther it were lawful for a mā to make a deuorcement with his wife for any māner of cause. Mat. 19. Our lord answered, let no man put a sonder that, whyche God hath coupled together.

They that were calde to the greate supper went not, and he that had ta­ken and maried a wife, Iu [...]. 14. desired not to be excused: for y e state of mariage doth vehementlye prouoke, and drawe a man back from that that is godly.

As touching the act of matrimony, the apostle iudgeth the man and the wife alike. 1. Cor. 7 The wife hath not power of her own bodye, but the husbande. And likewise the husbande hathe not power of his own body, but y e wyfe.

[Page]Ananias, his wife Saphira hauing knowledge therof, deceitfully kept a­way part of the price of the land that was sold, Act 5. but they wer both greuou­sly punished.

¶Of Chastity. Cap. lxxxx.

AS long as our first parents wer in Paradise, so longe they were virgins, Gen. 4. but after that they wer caste oute, it is wrytten. That Adam knew Eue his wife.

When Sichem hadde defiled Dina Iacobs daughter, her brethren were very angry, because he had wrought folly in Israell, Gen. 34. in that he hadde lyen wyth Iacobs doughter, whych thyng ought not to be done. At length they slue hym that had defyled her, and his father, and all the people. And note, that that thynge was done vnder the lawe of nature, and before the lawe wrytten. How muche more then ou­ghte virginitye to be honoured vnder the lawe of grace, and fornicatyon punished?

[Page]Althoughe Ioseph was a seruaunt that was bought, Gen. 39. & a beutifull yonge man, without a wyfe, and prouoked by his mistres, yet he refused aduou­tery, and hadde rather to offende her, and to be cast into prison, then to lese his chastity.

Iudas beynge vnchast, Gen. 38. detested and abhorde the fornication of Thamar.

After the ouerthrow of the Media­nites by Phinees and other warriers, Nume. 3 [...] Moses commaunded the corrupt and defyled womenne to be slayne, and the vyrgyns to be reserued and sa­ued.

They oughte to be pure and cleane and specially from wemen, 1. regu. 21. that eate halowed bread.

When the Sunamite Helyzeus hostesse woulde speake wyth hym, 4. regu. 4. Eliseus sente his seruaunt vnto her, as wyllinge to auoyde the speache of wemen.

Sara in her prayer sayed. Thou knowest Lorde, Tobi. 3. that I neuer had de­syre vnto man, and that I haue kept my soule cleane from all vncleanely luste.

[Page]Iudith after the deathe of her hus­band knew no nother, and continual­ly she loued chastitye, Iudi. 8. but yet marke what she did, she dwelt closelye wyth her maidens, and wearing a smocke of heere fasted al the daies of her life, except the sabothes and new mones, and the solempne daies that the peo­ple of Israel kept.

Dani. 13.Susan was greuously afflycted by those ii. olde iudges, but she supposed nothing to be preferd aboue chastity, and her good name and fame.

Furthermore let no man truste to chastity only, mat. 25. for of the Euangelicall virgins, there were as many folyshe as wise.

The blessed virgin beinge most re­uerently saluted by the aungell, Luc. i. for­gat not her purpose and vow of cha­stity, althoughe the aungell did pro­mise her, that she shoulde beare the sonne of the most hiest.

By that, y t our sauiour saide, in that world they nether mary nor are ma­ried, mat. 22. is signified, that virgins aproch most niest the eternal life.

[Page]There was an argument of chasti­ty in Steuen. Act. 6. In as much as he was deputed by the Apostles to the mini­stery and custody of wemen.

¶Of luxuriousnesse, and incontinency. Capit. xci.

THe sinne of the flesh semeth to be the chefe cause, Gen. 6. whye oure Lord drowned the hole world. For it is wrytten, that all fleshe had corrupt his way vpon [...]arth.

Note how many and howe greate mischefe and euil that chanced by the ardent and burning loue of Sychem, Gen. 34. Emors sonne, that violently oppres­sed and forced Dina.

Whan so euer luxurious persōs do vse lechery, in other, yet they detest it. Gen. 38. As it appeareth by Iuda, the whyche said by Thamar, brynge her forthe, that she may be brent.

By the occasion of y e Leuites wyfe, there were slain of the men of Belial in Gabaa Beniamin, [...]udi. 20. an increadible libidinous furye, vexing them aboue [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [Page] vi. M. persons.

Isboseth Sauls sonne rebuked Abnor, the which went into hys fathers concubine: 2. Re. 3.4. But Abner being angrye there wyth, procured the matter so, that he toke his land from hym: And sone after they both loste theyr lyues and theyr landes.

Dauid being in amours with Ber­saba Urias wife: 2. regu. 11. abused her, and proditoriously commutted murther.

Iudith. 12.Iudith stode before Holofernes, & his hart was whole moued, so that he brent in the desire toward her.

The aungell sayde vnto yong To­bias against those, Tobi. 6. that receiue mari­age of suche a fashion, that they shut God out from them, and from theyr hart, & geue thē selues to their owne lust, euen as it were an horse & mule, vppon suche hath the deuyll power. What shal become thē of fornicators & luxurious persons, that mind no o­ther thing, but to fulfill theyr filthy & stinking pleasure.

The two old priestes, wer so decei­ued and set in the loue of Susanna, Dani. 13. y t [Page] they, when she refused to accomplish and fulfill theyr will, went aboute to procure her death.

By the occasion of Herodian, whō Herode had maried contrarye and a­gainst the lawe. Mat. 14. Ihon the Baptyst at the peticion and instance of a synfull woman was beheaded.

Uncleane Spirites loue vncleane places, Mat. 8. and therfore they desired our Lorde Iesus that he woulde suffer them to enter into the swine, not in­to the Oxen and lambes, the whyche are cleane beastes.

Among those that were cald to the great supper, Luc. 14. & went not, he that was married, desyred not to be excused. Where by it appeareth, howe far of the luxurious and vncleane liuers be from our lordes supper, if to marry a wife dothe so inuolue and intangle a man, that in a manner it suffreth him to thinke vpon no other thing.

It appeareth by the ensample of y e prodigall childe that had wasted hys goodes with luxurious and ryotous liuing, that the sinne of lechery doth impouerish [Page] man, & therfore it is wryttē, that he began to lack. Luc. 15. Item it maketh that nature of man vile. For there fo­loweth, y t he kept swine. And againe it extinguishith not the burninge fla­me and fyre of lecheary and lust, but doth kindle it. For it is wrytten ther he woulde fayne haue filled hys [...]ea­lye wyth the coddes that the Swyne did eat.

¶Of vnwise lokes. Capit. xcii.

THe first woman loking vpon, Gen. 3. and beholding the fair and lu­stye frute of the tree that was forbidden them, toke of the frute ther of, and did eat.

The beautifulnes of wemen sene, was y e occasion of much harme. Gen. 6. The sonnes of God beholding the dough­ters of men that they wer fayre. &c.

Because that Cham saw the naked priuities of his father Noah, Gene. 9. and told his two brethren that he was naked, his father did curse hym.

Abraham said vnto Sara his wife. [Page] I know that thou art a fayre woman to loke vpon, and therfore when the Egiptians shal se thee, Gen. xii. they will kill me, and saue thee aliue.

Dina hauynge a mynde to see the wemen of the lād, Gen. 34. was sene & defiled.

Iudas seing Thamar in the cōmon way, Gene. 38 lay and sinned with her.

Iosephes masters wife, whome he serued, cast her eyes vppon hym and said, Gen. 39. come lie with me.

Our lord said vnto Moses. Charge the people, Exo. 19. leaste perauenture they woulde passe ouer the markes, to see our Lord.

Dauid from the rofe of hys palace, saw a woman washing her self ouer against him, 2. regu. 11. he tooke her, and after­wardes caused her husbande deceyt­fully to be slaine.

When Iudith came in before Holo­fernesse, immediatly he was taken w t her beautye. Iudi. 10.16 And after it is wrytten, her slippers rauished his eyes, her beauty captiuated his minde.

The ii. old men saw Susan dailye going forthe and walkynge, Dau. 13. and they [Page] burned for lust to her.

Because that Herodias doughter daunsing before Herode pleased him, Mar. 6. he promised her folishly, that cruelly he fulfilled.

¶Of silence and clatte­ring. Capi. xciii.

GOd gaue the commaundemente to Adam, Gen. 2. & not to Eue, because y e the woman shuld haue the lesse occasion to speake, but an occasiō rather to aske thinges, and to learne of man.

We read y t Eue spake firste wyth the serpent, Gen. 2. or euer she had any talke with man, the which thing was both hurtful to her, & to her posterity: And note there, how euill she repeted oure lordes cōmaundement geuē vnto mā.

Cham Noes sonne had sene hys fa­thers priuities, Gen. 9. he shewed his brethrē and so he incurde hys fathers cursse and malediction.

After that our Lord had spoken to Moses, Exodi. 4. he was slow mouthed & slowe tunged. Whereby he declareth, that spirituall and deuout men, the which [Page] doo oft cōmen and speake with God, should be tardius and slow to speake.

Ara Calebs doughter syttinge vp­on her asse did fyght, but when her husbande hadde perswaded her, Iosu. 15. he moued her father to aske what she ai­led, and afterwardes she obtayned of her father sprynges of water bothe aboue and beneath.

Sampson dysclosed that secreat to his wyfe, Iudi. 14. the whyche he woulde not open and dysclose to hys parentes. And she eftsones publyshed the same, to hys great losse and dammage.

And the selfe same Sampson de­clared vnto Dalida, Iudi. 16. how he myghte lese his fortitude and strength. And she without any stop or let, disclosed it vnto his enemyes.

Anna Samuels mother cōminge to the tabernacle of our Lorde, 1. regu. 1. spake in her hart, and her lippes did moue on­ly, but her voyce was not hearde.

Samuel beinge a slepe in the taber­nacle, did not open the vision vnto E­ly, 1. regu. 3. that was shewed him, vntill he as­ked and adiured hym to dysclose it.

[Page]When the men of Belial saide thus of Saule theyr new kinge. 1. regu. 10. Can thys man saue vs? He dissimbled to heare them wherby we vnderstande, that he helde his tonge wisely.

Dauid beinge sore troubled against Nabal, was afterwards through the wise cōmunication & wordes of Abi­gail pacified again. 1. regu. 25. Nor she told Na­bal nother lesse nor more, vntil y e mo­rowe daye, that he had well dysges­ted the wyne that he had dronken.

Whē Saras maid had spoken to her mastres shamefully & curssedly, Sara wyth silence gaue place to y e strife, Tobi. 3. & going vp into a chamber of her house, began to praye deuoutely.

Esther kept long silence, nor would not iudge her people nor her country as Mardocheus comaunded her, Esth. 2.3. and that least the kinge shoulde hate her.

Iobes wife; he beynge punished of God, Iob. 1. spake folyshlye vnto hym.

Iob semeth to reprehende & rebuke him selfe more for speakinge, Iob. 40. then for any other thing. For he saieth, I that haue lytely spoken vnto the, cannot [Page] answer, one thynge haue I spoken, y e which I would I had not spoken. Iob. 42. And agayne. I haue spoken vnwysely, and those thynges that passe my vn­derstandinge.

When Rasin king of Siria, Esa. 7. & Pha­cee y e kinge of Israell had purposed to fight against Iuda: y e prophet Esaye saide to Acham y e king of Iuda. Take hede to thy selfe, and be stil, but feare not, neyther be faynte harted.

Hezechias y e king of Iuda sent word, Esa. 36. that the people shoulde not answer Rabsaketh. And they helde theyr ton­ges, and answered not one worde.

Ieremy which was sanctified in his mothers wōb, Iere. 1. & ordeined to be a pro­phet, excused him self saying. Oh, oh Lord God. Lo. I cannot speake, for I am yet but yong.

When Susan was brought, Dani. 13. she, least those two wycked olde priestes shuld beare false witnesse against her, wept and loked vp toward heauen, and cri­ed to God, for her hart had a sure trust in our lord: but yet it is not red, y t she did directly answer to her accusers.

[Page]The Iewes gaue them selues to husbandry, 2. Mach. 12. but Nicanor, and certaine other woulde not let them lyue in sy­lence, rest and peace.

We reade in the gospell, that the blessed virgyn Marie spake to the An­gell, Luc. 12. and to her sonne. Why hast thou thus dealte wyth vs? And they haue no wine. Iohn. 2. And when she instructed the mynisters of the maryage. What so euer he sayeth to you, doo it. And al­thoughe Helizabeth dyd magnificen­tely commende her, Luc. 1. yet she made no answere but turnde her selfe to laude and prayse God.

And Mary whych was a synner cō ­minge to the fete of our Lorde in Si­mons house spake nothinge, Luc. 7. as men say: but began to washe his fete with teares, and did wype them wyth the heres of her head, and kyssed his fete, and anoynted thē wyth y e oyntment. Nor she answered not her sister Mar­tha complayninge of her, Luc. 10. nor yet the dysciples that dysdayned and wer not contente wythin them selues for the effusion and waste of the oyntmente. Mar. 14.. [Page] And inasmuche as she kept sylence. Oure Lorde dyd answer, and euery where defended her.

The woman that was taken in ad­uoutry, and accused before our Lorde, Iohn. 8. spake but fewe wordes: but our lorde answered for her, and at lengthe did mercyfully absolue her.

When Paule should speake in the synagoge, Act. 13. he stode vp, and beckened wyth y e hand for silence. For he knew that there was no speakinge, where there is no audience, the which thing is oftentymes proued in scripture.

The chyldren of Israell flyinge out of Egypt sawe Pharoos hooste, Exo. 14. and were greately a frayed, vnto whome Moses sayed, oure Lorde shall fyghte for vs, and ye shall holde your peace.

¶Of carnall effecti­on. Capitu. xciiii.

MOses gaue vnto the Leuites .xii. oxen, Nume. 7. and vi. charettes, the which the Lordes of the tribes and children of Israel dyd offer: But vnto y e children of Caat he gaue none [Page] although they wer nyer of kynne vn­to hym.

Nor it is not red, that Moses gaue to any of his children any greate of­fice, althoughe the people had him in greate reuerence.

When Moses shuld dye, he diligent­lye besought our Lord, Nume. 27. to prouide for the people a mete and a good capi­tayne. And yet he woulde name none of his owne generation

When Iosue distributed the land a­monge the children of Israel, he gaue so small a portion vnto hys owne tribe, Iosu. 17. that they made a speciall com­plainte there of. But marke what an answer he made them.

Eli heringe of y e death & fall of hys two sōnes in battail, semed not great­ly to care therfore: 1. regu. 4. but whē y e messen­ger tolde him y e the arke of God was taken, he fel from of hys stole & dyed.

When Ioab sawe y t Dauid be way­led but to muche y e death of his sonne Absolon, 2. regu. 19. he layed to Dauids charge, that he woulde haue bene nothynge sorye, if he had lost all hys hoost.

[Page]That wonderful mother, and wor­thy to be remembred of al good men, 2. mach. 7. seing al her vii. children pearishe vp­on one day, toke theyr death willing­ly and gladly.

The Iewes care goinge to battaile against Nicanor, 2. Mach, 15. was but meane for theyr wiues, and children, or for their brethren or kinsfolke: but their great and fyrste care and feare was for the holy temple.

Our Lord speaking vnto the peo­ple, one saide vnto him, Mat. 12. beholde, thy mother and thy brethren stand wyth­out, seking thee. But he aunswered, who is my mother? or who are my brethren? whosoeuer doth the will of my father which is in heauen, y e same is my brother, sister, and mother.

Our Lorde dyd aunswer hys aunt after the fleshe, Mat. 20. desyringe that her two sonnes myghte sytte by hym in hys kyngdome so rigorouslye and hardlye, as thoughe she hadde beene a straunger: And so he is as readye to sell heauen as good cheape to thee, as to them.

[Page]Although blessed Saint Ihon, and the two Iames were menne of great holinesse and imperfection [...] Yet hee Ihon. 21.commytted not the generall cure of the Churche to anye of them [...] but dyd ordaine Peter, the whiche was no­thing kin vnto hym, to be the heade, the Prince, and the pastoure of hys Church.

Our sauioure approuynge and a­lowing Peters confession whyche he made of hym, when he saide. Thou arte Christe the sonne of the liuynge God, Math. 16 did consequently say, fleshe and bloude hathe not opened that vnto thee. Meanynge there by, that fleshe is wonte to make but euill reuelaty­ons.

The Apostle Paule commendinge his Gospel doth saye. It pleased hym which seperated me frō my mothers wombe, Galat. 1. and called me here vnto by hys grace. &c. I by and by communed not of the matter wyth flesh and bloud.

¶ Of the Ire and an­ger of man throughe zeale and loue. Capi. xcv.

WHen Moses spake vnto Pharao, Exo. 11. & that Pharao woulde not hear him, he went oute from Pharao very angry.

Moses commaunded the children of Israel, Exo. 16. that no man shuld leue ought remain of Manna tyll the mornyng, that notwithstanding, they harkened not vnto Moses, but some of them left of vntyll the mornynge, and it wax­ed and craulde full of Wormes, and stanke, and Moses was angrye wyth them.

Moses returning, and cōming nye vnto the [...]oste, Exo. 32. sawe the calfe and the daunsing, and being angrye, he caste the tables out of his handes, & brake them beneath the hill.

When Moses sought for the Goate that was offred for sinne, Leui. 10. he founde y t it was burnt, & being angrye wyth Eleazar and Ithamar the sonnes of Aaron he saide. Wherefore haue ye [Page] not eaten the sinne offering. &c.

Nume. 16.Moses beholdinge the rebellyon of Chore & his company, and being ve­ry angry, said vnto our lord. Turne not thou vnto their offering.

1. Re. 20.Ionathas Sauls sōne considring y e iniquity of his father against Dauid, arose from the table in great anger, and did eat no meat that day.

2. regu. 13.When Dauid had hard y e parable of Nathan the Prophet, he was dys­dainful and exceding wroth with the man, and said: As surely as our Lord liueth, the man that hathe done thys thing, is the child of death.

Elizeus was angry with Ioas the kinge of Israel, 4. regu. 13. because he hadde not smitten the ground with the arrowe v. or vi. times, that he myghte haue destroyed all Siria.

Nehemias hearynge the peoples clamor and complaint for the vsury y t the rulers & nobles exacted, 2. Esd. 5. was sore dyspleased and angry.

Esth. 7.After that king Ahaswerus hadde hard Quene Esthers cōplaint against Aman, the which sought the death of [Page] all the Iewes, he arose from the com­mon seat in displeasure, and anger.

Our Lord loked roūd about him on the Iewes with anger, mar. 3. and mourned on the blindnesse of theyr hartes.

¶Of the anger of man through vice. Ca. xcvi.

OUr Lord had respecte vnto A­bell and to his oblation. Gen. 4. And Cain was exceading wroth, & hys countenaunce abated.

Balaac being angry & wroth wyth Balaam, Nume. 24. smote his handes together and said, I sent for the to cursse mine enemies, and thou hast blessed them.

Saule hearynge that Dauid after the victory was commended, 1. regu. 18. was ex­ceading wrothe, and the sayinge dys­pleased hym. &c.

When Ionathas had excused Da­uid vnto his father: 1. regu. 20. Saule being an­gry with Ionathas, said. Thou rebel, do not I know, that thou dost loue the sonne of Isai vnto thyne owne re­buke and confusyon?

Achab the king of Israel came home [Page] to his house heauy and euil apaid, because of the word which Naboth the Israelite had spoken vnto him. 3. regu. 21.

After Elizeus easy and holsom coū ­sel, Naaman was wrothe, 4. regu. 5. and went away, and said, I thoughte wyth my self, he wold surely come out to me, & call on the name of his God.

Hanai the prophet came to Asa, and reproued him, 2. Para. 16. that he had putte hys trust in Benadab the kinge of Siria. And Asa was wroth with the seer, & commaunded him to be tied, and put into a prison.

Amazias seuered the host, whyche came out of Ephraim to aid and help him. 2. Para. 25. But they wer exceading wroth with Iuda, and retourned home into their country in great anger.

The priestes reproued Ozias the king of Iuda, 2. Para, 26. whych went aboute to burne insence, and beinge angrye, he held the censare, and threatned them.

When Sanallat hard that the wal of Ierusalem was a building, 2. Esd. 4. he was very wroth, and beynge sore moued, mocked the Iewes.

[Page]When Sennacherib retourned a­gaine, and fled out of Iewry, Tobi. 1. because of the plage and punishmente of God for his blasphemy in his wrathe and anger he slue many Iewes.

When Tobias spake of the kid that cried, Tobi. 2. loke that it be not stoln. &c. Hys wife was angry and said. Now is thy hope become vaine openly.

It was shewed Holofernes, that y e children of Israel prepared them sel­ues to make resistance againste hym, Iudith. 5. then was he exceading wroth.

When Achior had shewed them y t the power of the God of Israell was great and mightye, Iudith. 5. the greate men of Holofernes were wroth, and thought to slay him.

When Aman hard say, and had proued by experience, that Mardocheus wold not bow his kne vnto hym, Esth. 3. nor worship him, he was exceadinge an­grye.

Elihu the bussite disdained, & was angrye at Iob, Iob. 32. because he called hym self iust before God.

The princes of Iuda thinckinge y t Ier. 37. [Page] Ieremy wold haue rund to the Cal­dees, were angry with him, bet him, and cast him in prison.

Nabuchodonozor in his great fury and anger, Daui. 2.3. commaunded to destroye all the wise men of Babilon, because they coulde not declare and open hys dreame vnto him, and in hys anger he commaunded the three men to bee brought before him.

Ionas. 4.Our Lord reproued Ionas, because he was angry for the wilde vine.

1. Mac. 3When king Antiochus hard of Iu­das battailes and victories, he was angry in his minde, and gathered an hoaste.

2. Mach. 6.The tormentors of Eleazar hea­ring his constant wordes, were now in dyspleasure and anger, althoughe that a little before, they were mylde and gentle.

After the oration and words of the seuenth brother, 2. Mach. 7. king Antiochus be­ing kindled in anger, was more cru­el vpon him, then vpon all the other.

2. mach. 9.Antiochus perceiuing nowe that it lay not in his power to spoil the city [Page] of Persepolis, hee auauncynge hym self in his wrath, thought he was a­ble to aduenge the iniury y t was done to those that fled vpon the Iewes.

It happened that when the heathē hard, 1. mach. 5. how that the altare was set vp in the sanctuary in the old estate, thei were very angry.

When Herode sawe that he was mocked of the wise men, he was ex­ceading wroth, mat. 2. and sendynge forthe men of warre, he slue all the children that were in Bethleem.

When they of Nazareth had heard our Lord say: Luc. 4. No prophet is accepted in hys owne country. All they in the sinagoge, wer fylled with anger and wrath.

A certain mā named Demetrius a siluer smith, Act. 19. which made siluer shry­ [...]es for Diana: cald together y e work­men of like occupation, and said, that Paul had turned away much people, saying that they be no Gods whyche are made with hands. When they hard these sayinges, they were full of wrathe.

¶Of Humility. Capi. xcvii.

THe angel said vnto Agar, turne againe to thy mastresse, Gen. 16. & sub­mit and humble thy selfe vnder her handes.

Abraham spake most humbly vn­to our lord, Gen. 18. saying, I wil speake vnto my Lord, which am but dust & ashes.

Iacob did humiliate & humble hym self very much before Esau, Gen. 33. and so he abated his anger.

Moses excused him selfe vii. times, or euer he would take vpon hym the leading and gouernaunce of the peo­ple, Gen. 3.4. the which our Lorde put and ap­poynted vnto him, nor wold not agre vnto it, vntil he vnderstode that oure Lord was angry. For in the text it is wrytten. And our Lord was angrye wyth Moses.

Moses despised not the profytable counsel of a heathen, Exo. 18. but most hūbly graunted and agreed vnto it.

Moses perceyued and sawe that he had of our Lord the special gouernāce [Page] and leadinge of the people: and yet he dysdained not to desire and praye O­ [...]ab the sonne of Raguell to go wyth him, Nume. 10. and that he shoulde be the guide and leader of the people.

Gedeon answered the Aungel say­ing thus vnto him, Go hence, in this thy might thou shalt deliuer Israell. Iudi. 5. And he answered. Be [...]olde my kynd­red is poore in Mana [...]ses, and I am lytle in my fathers house.

The men of Ephraim chode a good & proudly with Gedeon, Iudi. 8. yet through his meke and lowly answer they wer quieted.

The men of Isael saied vnto Gede­on. Raigne thou ouer vs, Iudi. 8. both thou & thy sōne: And Gedeon saied vnto thē. I wyll not raigne ouer you, neyther shall my chylde raygne ouer you, but our Lorde shall raygne ouer you.

Saule or euer hee was anoynted kinge, 1 [...] regu. 9.15 when he sought his fathers as­ses, and excused him selfe to Samuel, pretended humility in dede & in word. And afterwardes it was sayed vnto hym. When thou wast lytle in thine [Page] owne sight, wast thou not made the heade of the tribes of Israell?

Althoughe Samuell had anoynted Dauid kinge, 1. regu. 17. yet at his fathers com­maundement hee bare vitayles vnto hys brethren before whome he was preelected, and chosen.

Dauyd dyd humble hym before Saule, 1. regu. 18. when he shoulde marye hys doughter. And agayne before Semei the seruaunt. When he hearde that he cursed him. Forthermore he humi­liated hym selfe vnto God, 2. regu. 16. when he daunste before the arke. And when Nathan came vnto hym, 2. Re. 6.7 shewynge him the wil of our Lord as touchinge the perpetuitye and continuance of his kingedome.

Meph [...]boseth beyng falsely accused of his seruaunt, 2. regu. 19. and vniustly put frō his enheritaunce, made a meke and a gentle answer.

Achab that moste wycked kynge of Israel, 3. regu. 21. hearinge how he shoulde be punished for his trespaces: humbled hym selfe before our Lorde, and ther­fore he diminished sumwhat his pain [Page] and punishement.

The fire touched nor consumed not the capitayne that spake mekely vn­to Helias, 4. regu. 1. as it touched the other o­ther two wyth theyr fyftyes, whiche came before hym.

Helizeus commynge to Iordayne, smote fyrste the waters sayinge no­thinge, and they departed not a son­der. 4. regu. 2. But afterwardes he calde vpon the name of his master, then they de­parted this waye and that waye.

Semeas the prophet sayed to Ro­boam and his Lordes. 2. Para. 12. Thus sayeth our Lord, ye haue lefte me, & therefore haue I lefte you. Then they beynge astoned, sayed, our Lorde is ryghte­ous, and when our Lord sawe y t they submitted thē selues. The worde of our Lord came to Semeas, sayinge. They submit and hūble them selues, therfore I wyll not destroye them.

Hezechias submitted him selfe, after that his hart was rysen vp at the cō ­minge of the messengers of Babilon: 2. Para. 22. and therefore the wrath of our Lorde came not vpon them in hys dayes.

[Page]When the chyldren of Israel harde of the mighty and terrible power of Holofernes: Iudith. 4. they cried earnestly vnto God, and humbled theyr soules with fastinges and prayers.

Quene Ester fled vnto oure Lord, and humbled her body with fastings. Esth. 14. And praying, amonge other thinges she saied. Thou knowest lord, y t I ab­hor y e signe of pride & preheminēce. &c

Whē our Lord sayd y t Ieremy was a prophet, Iere. 1. he verye humbly excused him selfe, and sayed. Oh, Oh Lorde God. I can not speake. &c.

Nabuchodonozor walkinge in the palace of Babilon, spake arrogantly and proudlye, Dani. 4. but after that he was cast oute of mennes companye, and had recouered his vnderstandinge, he knew that al they that dwel vpon the earth in comparison of God. Were to be reputed as nothinge.

When our Lorde had smitten An­tiochus with an incurable plage and dysease, 2. Mach. 9. so that he myght not abide hys owne stinche. He sayed. It is reason to bee obedyente vnto God, [Page] and that manne desyre not to be lyke vnto hym.

Ioseph humbly thinking him selfe vnworthy to be ioyned with the bles­sed Mary, Mat. 1. whome he sawe was con­ceyued. Beleuinge that thinge to be wrought by God, & not by the worke of man, was minded, priuely to de­parte from her.

In those daies, great humility ap­peared in the wyse menne that they, Mat. 2. when they founde the chylde wyth Mary his mother, fell downe flat, and worshiped him.

When Iohn the baptist was of so Mat. 3. greate reputation that the people be­leued that he was Christ: he sayed. There shall come a myghtyer after me, whose shoes I am not worthy to vnlachet.

Oure Lord Christ the vertue and wisedome of God, mat. 3.4. was not ashamed to begynne his predication with the same selfe theame, that Iohn the bap­tyste beganne wyth all. Do pen­naunce. For the kyngedome of hea­uen is at hande.

[Page]The blessed virgin Mary, whyche was so reuerentlye saluted of the An­gel, and calde the mother of the hyest, Luc. 2. waxed not proude there with, nor she cald not her self y e mother of God, but the hande maide of God. Nor she sent not for Elizabeth her kinswomā, but mekely went vnto her. And when y e Elisabeth replenyshed wyth the holy ghost, knew what was done, thē Ma­ry commended the dyuine mercy and power, sayinge. My soule magnyf [...] ­eth the Lord, Luc. 1. for he hath loked on the humility of hys hande mayden.

The Cēturion answered mekely & faythfully, sayinge vnto oure Lorde being minded to go and heale his ser­uaunte. mat. 8. Lorde I am not worthy that thou shouldest come vnder my roofe.

When Peter sawe, that he at oure lordes cōmaundement had inclosed a greate multytude of fyshes, Luc. 5. hee fell downe at his knees, sayinge, lorde go from me, for I am a synfull man.

Oure Sauioure did forbyd them to publishe his miracles, Mat. 8. to learne vs to flie & a voide the vice of pride & vanity [Page] and to grue vs an ensample of humi­litye. As it appeareth in the leaper, which was cleansed. And in the two blind mē, that wer restored vnto their sight. And again in the deft and dum which were healed. And in his trans­figuration he said, Math. 17. shew the vision to no man.

When our Lord had said to the womā of Canane: It is not mete, to take the childrēs bread, mat. 15. & to cast it to dogs. She answered. Truth Lorde, for the dogges eat of the crummes, whyche fal from their masters table.

The disciples askinge Christe who is the greatest in heauen, Mat. 18. he answered whosoeuer humbleth him self as this childe, the same is the greatest in the kingdome of heauen.

Our Lord induced an ensample, or a parable of humble and meke ciuili­ty, Luc. 14. saying. When thou art bydden to a wedding, syt not downe in the hiest roume.

Then sample which our Lord bringeth in of the proude [...] Pharisey, Luc. 18. & the hūble Publican, is very good to auoid [Page] pride, and to follow and ensue humi­lity.

The humility of Ihon the Baptist doth diuersly apear. Iohn. 2. For he did iudge but meanely of him self, when that y e people perchaunce estemed him to be Christe. I am not Christe. Also hee spake lowly. Iohn. 1. I am a voyce crying in the desarte. He denied hym selfe to be Christ or a prophet. And he was but meanely araide with Camels heere [...] And he chose but a simple & a meane habitation. Iohn. 1. He was in the desart.

We read that Mary Magdalen did sit most humbly and very oftentimes at Iesus fete, Luc. 7.10. and harde the worde of God.

Peter answered our Lorde mooste humbly, Iohn. 21. askinge him whether he lo­ued hym more then the other dyscy­ples, and said, ye Lord, thou knowest that I loue thee.

We may, and ought to take y e most notable examples of humility of our sauiour. Iohn. 7. For he would be conceyued in a despised country, that is in Gali­le. Of the which it is wryttē. Search [Page] and looke, for oute of Galile aryseth no prophet. And Nathanaell wonde­ring said. Can there come anye good thing out of Nazareth? Iohn. 1. Item he was borne, of an humble and a meke mo­ther, the which said, Luc. 1. Luc. 2. he beheld the hu­mility of hys hand mayden. And in a small cotage, and a low place, for she laide him in a maunger. And for the space of xxx. yere, he was in the world in a manner as vnknowne, so that there is nothing red of hys doynges, but that he, when he was xii. yere of age, Luc. 2. remained at Ierusalem, & was found in the temple hearynge, & que­stionyng, & determinyng. The which thing maketh against those presumptuous persons, Luc. ii. that take vpon them to hastely the office of a teacher. And then he went downe with Mary and Ioseph, and was obediente and sub­iect vnto them. Then beyng about a xxx. yere of age, he came to Ihon Baptist, to be baptised of him. But he sēt not for him. The which thynge ma­keth sore against those, mat. 3. that disdayne to go to theyr inferiors. Likewyse he [Page] chose him lowly and pore disciples, & w tal humility was conuersāt among them, and taughte them to be meeke humble, mat. 11. saying: learn of me, for I am & mecke & lowly. And he cald him self more often the son of man, than y e son of god, although they wer bothe two after the two natures which were in him. Yet moste commenly he woulde name hym self after thinferiour and lowest nature. He was conuersant w t men, Ihon. 2. and wold be present at pore mariages where they lacked wyne. He went to no costly and riche mariges, in the whyche there is mooste com­monlye enorme and great excesse. And when he knew, that they would come and take him vp to make him a king, Iohn. 6. he fled vp into a mountain: Mat. 17. and he paid as a seruaunt or as an aliene the tribute monye. Luc. 9. Nor he hadde not wheron to lay his head. And going about to castels and villages, he went continually a fote, so that he beynge weary of his iourny, Iohn. 4. set on the well, and desyred the woman of Canane to geue him drinke. And when he came [Page] to Ierusalem, he had no horse to ride vpon, but an asse. And departing frō this world vnto his father, mat. 21. he lefte a speciall example of humilitye, when he washed his disciples fete, and wy­ped them with the towel, Ihon. 13. wherwyth he was girded. But in hys passyon, he most chefely humbled hym selfe, e­uen to death, Philip. 2. and not to all kyndes of death, but to the death of the Crosse, the which kinde of death was mooste shamefulst, as it appeareth in all the Gospelles. Of this it maye be noted, that proud men, and such as loue the world, are wont to be occupied about vii. thinges, and to desire the same, or specially to glory in thinges obtai­ned: the whiche thinges Christe han­ginge on the crosse lacked, and hadde the contrarye. They maye be called these earthly aboundaunce. Worldly wisdome. Carnal plesure. The fame and praise of the people. A rought of seruauntes. The fall of theyr enne­myes. A nomber of frendes. But our Lord Christ Iesus vppon the Crosse was most poorest, Ihon. 19. for he was spoyled of his garmentes.

[Page]He was taken for a fole and vnwise. For the preachinge of the crosse, is to them that pearish folishnesse. 1. Cor. 1. Item he was di [...]famed, and called a deceauer of the people. For the hye Pryestes sayd by hym, we remember, that this deceiuer said, &c. And beyng vpon the crosse he was wel nie ouercummed, & inclinynge of hys heade gaue vp the ghost. And ther he had no frendes. I haue troden the presse my self alone, Esa. 63. and of al people ther is not one with me. My louers and frendes hast thou put awaye fro me. Psal. 87. And on the crosse, he lacked seruauntes, his Dyscyples left hym, Psal. 87. and went from hym. And I am made as a man wythout helpe.

Act. 10.When Peter came into Cesaria, Cornelius met hym, and fel downe, and worshypped hym. But Peter ta­king him vp, said I my self also am a man.

Paule and Barnabas hearing that they of the city of Listra said that they wer Gods, Act. 14. and wold haue done sacri­fyce vnto them: rent theyr clothes, & ran amonge the people, saying: Syrs [Page] why do ye thys? we are mortall men lyke vnto you &c. And yet scarse re­frained they the people, that they had not done sacrifyce vnto them.

Paule the Apostle labourde wyth hys owne handes to get that was ne­cessary for hym self and hys felowes: Act. 18. and therefore he drue to Aquila and Priscilla, the whyche were tent ma­kers, as he hym selfe was.

And in an nother place hee saithe. These handes haue mynystred vnto my necessityes, Act. 20. and to them that wer wyth me.

And Paule dyd iudge and think of hym self, 2 Cor. 1. but meanely and lowly, the whiche trusted to the prayers of hys brethren, saying by the helpe of your prayer for vs.

He desired very diligently the praiers of other men, Roma. 15. sayinge: I beseeche you brethren for oure Lorde Iesus Christes sake, and for the loue of the holye sprite, that ye healpe me wyth your prayers.

And Paule dothe inwardlye wyth hys owne wordes declare true humilitye, [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [Page] when he saith, I am the leaste of the Apostles, 1. Cor. 14 which am not worthye to be called an Apostle. Thes. 3. And agayne he saithe: 1. Cor. 15. Iesus came into the worlde to saue sinners, 1. Timo. 1. of whom I am chefe. Yea, he exhorteth men most diligent­lye to humilitye, sayinge. Be not hye mineded: Roma. 12. but make your selues equal to them of the lower sort. And again, in mekenesse of minde, Philip. 2. let euery man esteme another better then him selfe.

¶Of Pryde. Cap. xcviii.

EUe for the appetite and desyre y t she had to excell, Gen. 3. after she hadde hard, ye shalbe euen as Gods, did eat of the tree, which she was forbid­den to eat of.

It was geuen & graunted to man, to eat fish, Gen. i. foule, and other beastes, ye shall haue rule of the fish of the sea, & foule of the aire, and cattell. &c. And the fear and dread of you shalbe vpon al the beastes of the earth. Gene. 9.

Theyr pride which wolde buylde a tower vnto heauen, Gen. 11. was condemned [Page] by the confusion of languages.

When Agar saw that she had con­ceyued, Gen. 16. she despised her mastresse.

Againste those that glorifye them selues that they are first born, Gen. 4.15. is, that Cain was borne before Abell. Esau before Iacob. Gen. 29. And Iudas was y t forth amonge the children of Israell. And Manasses Iosephes sonne was borne before Ephraim, Gen. 48. and yet he obtained the benediction and blessynge of the right hand. 1. Re. 16. And Dauid was the least and yongest of all his brethren. 2. Re. 3. And Adonias was born before Salomon. And so forth of many other.

Pharao answered to proudly, Exodi. 5. whē he said, I know not the Lord, nether wil I let Israel go.

The rebellion that Chore & other made against Moses came of pride, Nume. 16. for Moses said vnto thē, ye are very haut & make much to do, ye childrē of Leui.

Abimel [...]ch beyng smytten of a wo­man, called vnto hys harnesse bearer and sayed vnto hym. Iudi. 9. Slaye me, that menne saye not of me, a woman slue him.

[Page]Saule desired Samuel to honoure hym before the elders of the people, 1. regu. 15 & before Israell.

The sinne of elatiō and pryde was greuouslye punyshed, 2. regu. 24. when Dauyd caused hys subiectes and people to be numbred.

The pleasure and luste that kynge Ieroboam had to beare a rule, 3. regu. 12. fea­ring that the people wold reuert and tourne to the house of Dauyd, caused him to inuente golden calues, and to make the people to worship them, for he desired that they should rather de­part and go from theyr God, then frō theyr Lord.

After that the victorye was obtay­ned agaynste Arphaxat the kynge of Iewes, Iudith. 1. then was the kyngdome of Nabuchodonozor the kynge of the Assirians exalted, and hys harte was lyft vp.

Nabuchodonozor commaunded Holofernesse that he should rote oute all the Gods of the land: Iudith. 3. to thintent that he onlye myghte bee called and taken for the God of the nations, whyche [Page] Holofernes wyth his power brought vnder hym.

When proude Aman sawe y t Mar­docheus woulde not worship him, Esther. 3. he counsayled the kynge to destroye all the Iewes.

That most proudest Aman woulde that men should bow their knees vn­to him, Esth. 3. and of men he would be worshipped. But it is to be noted, that y e selfe same pride was the cause of so much euil in it self: y t he beyng angry & disdaynful, estemed al other thinges which he possessed as nothinge.

Oure Lorde by the prophet Esaye doth detest the signes and tokens of pride, Esa. 3. saying. Because the daughters of Sion are become so proude, and haue waulked with stretched out nec­kes, and with vayne wanton eies. &c.

That sayinge of Esay, Esa. 14. I wil clime vp into heauen. &c. and wyll be like y e highest of all. Is vnderstanded litera­ly of Nabuchodonozor.

Of Moab it is thus written. We haue hard of the pride of Moab, Esa. 16. he is very proude, his pride, his arrogancy, [Page] and hys indignation, is muche more then is his strength.

Because Nabuchodonozor kinge of Babilōs hart was proude & his sprite or stomake set so fast to wilfulnes, Dani. 5. he was desposed from his trone, and his glory & maiesty was taken from him.

Balthazar Nabuchodonozor y e king of Babilons sonne, Dani. 5. did not submit his hart, but was eleuated againste oure Lord of heauen. And therfore he was slayne: and Darius the Mede succeded him in his kyngdome.

Antiochus came vp to Ierusalem wyth a mightye people, 1. mach. 1. and enterd proudely into the Sanctuarye, and tooke awaye the golden aulter, the candelsticke, and all the ornamentes thereof. &c.

They that Iudas Machabeus sente to kepe and defende the lande sayed when they shoulde go to fyghte. i. Mach. v. Let vs get vs a name, & go fyght against y e heathen that are rounde aboute vs.

Alchimus that woulde haue bene made the hye priest, 1. Mac. 7 and certain other wicked men went to kinge Demetri­us [Page] and accused Iudas and the people of Israell.

When Nicanor harde of the burnte sacrifices that were offerd of the Ie­wes for the king: i. macha vii he laughinge them to scorne, mocked them, and spake proudly and disdainfully.

Antiochus estemed and thought in his pride, 2. Mach, 5. that he mighte make men saile vpon the drye land, & to go vpon the sea, suche an hye mynde had he.

Nicanor cōminge to fyghte agaynst Iudas & his fellowes thought him so sure of the victorye, 2. Mach. 8. that he solde the Iewes or euer he saw thē in y e fielde.

Antiochus beynge put to flyghte most shamefully and wyth dyshonour by Por [...]is spake proudly saying, 2. mach. 9. that he woulde come to Ierusalem, and make it a graue for the Iewes. But our Lorde smote hym wyth an vncu­rable dysease and plage.

When the Iewes sayed. There is a mighty Lord in heauen, y t which hath cōmaunded y e seuenth day to be kept: Thē sayed Nicanor. And I am migh­ [...]y vpon earth, to commaunde theym [Page] for to arme them selues, 2. Mach, 15. and to per­forme the kinges busines. And eleua­ted wyth greate pride, he deuysed to ouercome Iudas, and to brynge a waye the victorye.

Luc. 10,When the disciples had saied, Lord, euen the verye deuels are subdued to vs through thy name. Our lord refrained thē saying. I saw Satan as it had bene lightning, falling down frō hea­uē, neuerthelesse in this reioyce not.

Luc. 18.The pride of y e Pharisey, the which bosted him selfe, and condempned his neighbour, is dysalowed.

Herode vpō a day appoynted, arai­ed him in royall apparell, and set him in his seate, and made an oration vn­to the people. Act. 12. And the people gaue a shoute, sayinge. It is the voyce o [...] a god, and not of manne. And imme­dyately the Aungell of oure Lord [...] smote hym, because hee gaue not God the honoure. And he was eaten of wor­mes, and gaue vppe the ghost.

¶Of vayne bostinge. and crakinge. Ca. xcix.

GAall Odebs sonne sayed vnto hys felowes: what is Abime­lech? and what is Sichem that we shoulde serue hym? Iudi. 9. Woulde God thys people were vnder my hande, that I myghte take Abimelech oute of the waye.

Sampson wyth hys bare handes tare a Lion, Iud. 14. neyther tolde his father nor his mother what he had done.

Goliath the Philistine defyed the hooste of the Israelytes, 1. regu. 17. and demaun­ded that one shuld come to fight with hym hande to hande.

Adonias the sonne of Hagith ex­alted hym selfe, sayinge, I wyll be kynge. 3. reg. 1. But hys kyngedome dured not longe.

Benadab the kynge of Siria sente messengers vnto the king of Israel, 3. regu. 20. & saied. Thus & thus doo the goddes to me. If the duste of Samaria be yn­noughe for all the people that folow [Page] me. To take euery man an handfull. But he was well answered, that he whych putteth on hys harnesse shuld not boast hym selfe, as he dothe that putteth it of.

4. regu. 18Rapsaces spake hye & proude wor­des in y e kinge of Assirians name, say­inge, haue they delyuered them oute of y e lande of the king of Assirians. &c.

Iudi. 6.Holofernes sayed to Achior, when we slaye them all as one man, then shalte thou also peryshe wyth them, through y e swearde of the Assirians, & al Israel shalbe destroyed wyth the.

Aman beynge immitted and calde to Esthers banket, sent for his frends and hys wyfe, Esther. 5. and tolde them of the glory of his rychesse, and of the mul­titude of hys children, & that he & the king onely shuld dine with y e Quene. And yet note, y t he the next daye after, was hangde vpon y e galous, y t which he had prepared for Mardocheus.

Esay hath dysclosed the wordes of the king of y e Assirians: Esa. 10. Thus haue I done through y e power of mine owne hand, & through my wisedome I vn­derstode [Page] it. And there was no man y t durst moue a feather, or opē his mou­the, or once whysper.

This saying of the prophet, Esa. 14. I wyl clyme vp into heauen, & set my seat a­boue the starres of God, and will be lyke the hyghest of al, is literally vn­derstanded & ment by Nabucho. &c.

Ieremy saith of Moab. I know her stoutnesse, Iere. 48. her boasting, her arrogancy, and the pride of her stomacke, and that vertue is not by her.

Nabuchodonozor said vnto Dany­els thre fellowes, Dani. 3. that wold not wor­shyp hys golden Image. What God is there, that may deliuer you out of my handes?

Nabuchodonozor walkyng in hys haule, Dani. 4. sayd: Is not this the great city of Babilon, whyche I my selfe haue made a kynges court, wyth my pow­er and strength for the honour of my maiesty? whyle these wordes wer yet in hys mouth, there fell a voyce from heauen. &c.

When Sereon hard say, y t Iudas had gathered vnto him y e congregatiō [Page] of the faithful, he said. I wyl get me a name, 1. Mac. 3 and ouercome Iudas, the whi­che contrariwise, did ouercome hym sone after.

Demetrius the sonne of Demetri­us sent vnto Ionathas, saying: come downe to vs into the plain field, [...]. Mach. x. and there let vs proue our strength toge­ther, thou shalt find that I haue vali­ant men of warre with me, aske and know whom I am. And yet his chāce was but euill.

Nicanor purposing to fight against the Iewes, 2. Mach. 8. cald marchaunt men vnto hym, promising that he would geue them lxx. Iewes for one talent.

The multitude of armed men com­minge together, 2. mach. 9. Antiochus was put to flighte from Persepolis a citye of Persia with shame and dyshonoure. And yet he spake proudly, saying, y t he wold come to Ierusalem, and make it a graue for the Iewes.

Nicanor did ask of the Iewes, whe­ther there were a mighty one in hea­uen, 2. mach. 15 that commaunded the Sabothe day to be kept. And when they said, [Page] the mighty Lord in heauen cōmaun­ded the seuēth day to be kept, he said. And I am mighty vpon earthe.

Peter said verye boldlye vnto oure Lorde. mat. 26. Thoughe all men be offended because of thee, yet wil not I be offended. And yet afterwardes it chaunced farre otherwise.

They that boast and crake moste of them selues, Mat. 4. do chaunce to lye, they follow specially the deuyll, the which when he had shewed our Lord all the kingdomes of the world, said: al these thinges are deliuered vnto me, Luc. 4 and I geue them to whome I wil.

Our Lord against those that be bo­sters and arrogante, Luc. xviii dothe brynge in the example of that Pharisey, saying. I am not as other men are, or as this Publicane.

The Phariseis spake woordes of greate arrogancye to him that was borne blynde, Iohn. 9 and restored agayne to his sight by oure Lorde, and he wyth good reason confounded them. Thou art all together borne in synne, and dost thou teach vs?

[Page]Pilate but to arrogantly said vnto oure Lorde: Iohn. 19 knowest thou not that I haue power to crucify thee, and haue power to lose thee?

¶Of elections. Capitu. C.

MOses vsing Ietros the priest of Madians counsel, Exo. 18. did elect and chuse vnder iudges or prelates men of actiuity and power, and suche as feared God, true men, and hatyng couetousnesse.

Our Lord commaunded Moses to take xii. rods after the nomber of the tribes of Israel, Nume. 17. & the name of Aaron was in the tribe of Leui. And when he had put thē in the tabernacle, on y e morow he found Aarons rod budded.

Moses purposing to reuenge Isra­el of the Madianites, Nume. 31. said. Let ther be chosen a M. out of euerye tribe of Is­rael, to the warres.

When Moses which had disobeied the wil of God, Nume. 27. shuld die, he praid our Lord deuoutly, saying. Let the Lord of the sprites of all flesh, set a man o­uer [Page] the congregation, and our Lorde ordained that Iosue the sōne of Nun should be his successor, and guyde of the people in his steade.

After the death of Iosue, the childrē of Israel asked counsel of our Lorde, saying: Iudith. 1. who shal go vp before vs, and be the captain of the warre? And our Lord said, Iudas shal go vp.

When the men of Israel saw that Gedeon had fought strongly and mā ­fully for them: Iudi. 8. they said al vnto him, raign thou ouer vs.

The elders of Galaad wente vnto Iepthe, Iud. 11. & sayd vnto him, come and be our prince and captaine, and fight a­gainst the children of Amnon.

Ther was a man of Beniamin named Eis, 1. regu. 9.10 the same had a sonne called Saule; a chosen and a good man, nor there was not a better in all Israell. Oure Lorde disclosed vnto Samuell that he shuld be chosen, and anoynted vpon the people of Israel.

Samuel at the special commaundement of our Lord went to Bethleem, 1. regu. 16. and anoynted Dauid the son of Isai [Page] king vpon Ierusalem and Israell.

Saule being dead, the menne of the tribe of Iuda came and anoynted Dauid king ouer the house of Iuda: 2. regu. 2. after that, 2. regu. 5. al the tribes of Israell came vn­to him, and anoynted him king ouer all the people of Israel. And therfore he saith in his Psalmes, he hathe cho­sen his seruaunt Dauid. And in a no­ther place. 1. Para. 28. It hath pleased our Lord, to chuse me kynge ouer all the people of Israel.

And Dauid drawynge towardes hys deathe, 1. Para. 28. saide vnto the elders of Israel. Of all my sonnes, our Lorde hath chosen Salomon my sonne to sit vpon the seat of the kingdome of our Lord in Israel.

Ieroboam by the terrible iudge­ment of God was chosen and taken to be king ouer ten tribes of Israell. 3. regu. 12. And yet he was the occasion that the people departed and went from god.

Iehu wrote letters, and sent to Sa­maria vnto the rulers and best of the city. 4. regu. 10. Of all our masters sonnes chuse the best, and him that shal please you, [Page] and set him on his fathers seate, and fight for your Lordes house.

All Iudas frendes came together, and said vnto Ionathas, 1. mach. 9. for so muche as thy brother Iudas is dead, ther is none like him to go forth against our ennemyes. Wherefore we thys daye chose thee for him, to be oure Prynce and captaine to order and to fyghte our battaile.

Our Lorde called his disciples, and of them he chose twelue, Luc. 6. whom he called apostles.

After the assention of our Lord, the disciples appoynted two, Ioseph and Mathias: Act. 1. and when they praied, they said. Thou Lord whiche knowest the hartes of all men, shewe whether of those two thou hast chosen to take the ministration of thys apostleshyp vpō hym.

The sayinges of the apostles plea­sed the whole multitude. Act. 6. And they chose Steuen a manne full of fayth, and full of the holye ghost, and Phi­lippe &c.

As the Discyples minystred to our [Page] Lord and fasted, the holy ghost saide. Seperate me Barnabas and Saule, Act. 13. for the worke where vnto I haue cal­led them.

¶Of good Princes and Prelates. Ca. Ci.

MOses the good prelate wente in oftentimes to Pharao, to deliuer the people from the Egipeiacal seruitude and bondage. Ex. 67.8.9

Moses did comfort the people that wer afraid, saying. Fear ye not, stād stil, Exo. 14. our Lord shall fight for vs, and ye shal holde your peace. He spake wyth his mouth, but praid our Lorde with hys hart, as it appeareth there.

Exo. 15Moses cried for the people vnto our lord, whē they murmured agaīst him.

A good prelate must refer all thin­ges to our Lord. Exo. 16 And so Moses sayde, your murmuringes is not agaynste vs, but against our lord.

Moses when Israel fought against Amelech, went not to the battail, but sent his seruaunt Iosue only, and yet [Page] as touching his part, the warre was iust. Exo. 17. But he standinge in the toppe of the hil, applied and turnd him to prai vnto our lord.

When Moses should depart from the people, Exo. 23 and ascend vp to the moū ­taine, he left them two good vicares and gouernoures, that is Aaron and Hur.

Our lorde semed to be willynge to confound and destroy the synfull peo­ple, Exo. 32 and promised vnto Moses greate dignity and honoure. And yet Moses did pray instantly for the people, And note, with what seueritye he puny­shed the people, for whome he prayed our Lord so instantly.

Moses gaue vnto the Leuites xii. oxen, and vii. charettes, Numer. 7. the whyche the lordes of the tribes of Israell had of­fred. But he gaue nothing to the children of Caath, althoughe they were nearer of kin vnto hym, because their office was to heare all thynges vpon their shoulders.

Moses wished and desired that all the Lordes people could Prophecye. [Page] Notwithstanding that his honor, as it semed, Nume. 11. should therby haue bene de­minished.

After that the spies were retorned, our Lord said to Moses, Nume. 14 how long do thys people prouoke me, & how long will it bee or they beleue me? I wyll smite them therefore with the pesty­lence, and wyl make of the a prince of a greater nacion, and mightyer then this is. But Moses wold be preserde no hier.

The people pearishing for the tu­mult & murmuringe that they made againste Moses and Aaron, Nume. 16. Moses saide to Aaron. Take a censare, and put fire therin out of the aultare, and pour on cense. and goe quicklye vnto the congregacion, that thou mayste praye and obtayne the forgeneuesse for them.

When Moses shuld dye, Nume. 27. he prayed our Lorde mooste diligentlye that he woulde prouide the people of a meete and a good captain. But yet in speci­all he would name none.

Israell serued oure Lorde all the [Page] dayes of Iosue. &c. Iosu. 24. For why a good prelate is very mete to direct the peo­ple in the waye of our Lorde.

Samuel iudged al Israel and went about Bethel. Calgala, 1. regu. 7. and Masphat, that they whiche hadde nede of hym, might the easlyer come vnto hym.

Samuel saied vnto the people. God kepe me from this synne, 1. regu. 12. y t I shoulde cease to pray for you, and I wil teach you a ryght waye and a good.

When Dauid sawe the Aungell y t smote the people, 2. regu. 24. he offerd him selfe to be beate for them, let thyne hād (I praye the) tourne agaynst me.

Al they of Israel hard of the iudge­ment, whyche the kynge had iudged betwene the two wemen, 3. regu. 3. and they feared the kynge, for they saw that the wysedome of God was in him to do iustice.

It is a signe and a token that oure Lorde dothe loue the people when he geueth them a good prelate. 3. regu. 9. For the Quene of Saba saied, our Lord loued Israell, and therefore he made y e king ouer it, to do equity & righteousnes.

[Page] 3. regu. 20.Oure Lorde beynge purposed and wyllinge to deliuer the king of Siria into the kinge of Israels handes, sent him worde by his prophet, that the kinge shoulde beginne to fighte and geue battaile.

As longe as Ioiada the byshoppe lyued, 4. regu. 12. Ioas the kynge of Iuda was good, and did that whyche was good in the sighte of oure Lorde. But the byshoppe beynge dead, he did muche harme.

Iosaphat the kinge of Iuda, set iud­ges in the lande ouer the people, and dyd faithfullye, 2. Para. 19. and wysely instruct them. Take hede, sayeth he, what ye do, for ye execute not the iudgemēt of man, but of God, whiche is wyth you in the iudgemente. Wherefore nowe, let the feare of God bee vpon you, and take hede, and be doynge the thinge that pleaseth hym, for there is no vnrighteousnesse with the Lord oure GOD, that he shoulde haue any respecte of persons, or take re­wardes.

Hezechias kinge of Iuda caused th [...] [Page] brasen serpent to be broken in peces: 4. regu. 18. because it was vnto the people an oc­casion of committinge ydolatry.

The postes wente with letters tho­rowoute all Israell and Iuda at the kynges commaundemente and hys Lordes, 2. Para. 30. sayinge. Turne againe vnto oure Lorde. &c.

As Esdras was prayinge and we­pyng for the transgression of the peo­ple, 1. Esd. 9. there resorted vnto him a greate company of men and women, and the people folowinge his ensample wept and lamented very sore.

Eliachim the hye preast hearinge of the power of Holofernes, Iudith. 4. wente rounde aboute all Israell: and spake vnto them sayinge. Be ye sure, that oure Lorde wyll heare youre petiti­ons, if ye contynue stedfaste in fas­stinges and prayers in the syghte of oure LORDE. And thus he com­forted the people wyth good exhorta­tions.

A good prelate must be as a good fa­ther vnto y e people cōmitted vnto him For it is writtē by Esai of Eliachim, [Page] whome oure lorde set and dyd consti­tute in Sobnas the rulers place: Esa. 22. he shall be as a father of such as dwel in Ierusalem.

After that Iudas Machabeus was dead, 1. mach. 9. ther spronge vp wicked persons throughout all costes of Israell, and exhorted all such as did euyll, to wic­kednes. And in those daies there was greate hunger. &c.

When men thought that Ionathas was slayne by Tryphon. 1. Mach. 12. Then all the heathen that were rounde aboute them, soughte to destroye them. For they saied, now haue they no captain, nor any man to helpe them. Therfore now let vs ouercome them, and rote out their name from amonge men.

It is well sayed, that the prudencye and pitye of Onias the hye preaste, 1. Mach. 3. and the goodnesse of other godly sub­iectes, was the cause of peace, and good estate of the holy citye.

Onias did wel resyste Heliodorus, goynge aboute to spoyle the temple, 2. mac. 3. and to take awaye suche thynges as was layed vp for wyddowes and fa­therlesse [Page] chyldren.

Our sauiour and lord Iesus, where he calleth him selfe a good shepherde, Iohn. 10. by and by he submitteth the cause, sayinge, a good shepharde geueth his lyfe for the shepe. And agayne I geue my lyfe for the shepe. Whereby he dothe vs to vnderstande, what thinge is required, that a mā may be called a good shephearde.

When our Sauiour, after his re­surrection, was mynded to committe the cōgregation of the church to Pe­ter: first he proued him, Iohn. 22. saying, Simō, louest thou me more then these? And note, that he examined him of dilec­tion, & not of knowledge, not of prac­tice, or contemplation, but of the dede, not of the lawe. Nor he asked hym not once, but thryee. If thou loue me, fede my shepe, clyppe them not, nor slaye them. For whye a good prelate muste feede hys shepe, wyth worde, example, and bodely foode.

Peter perceyuinge that the Iewes marueled, and iudged euyll of the dis­cyples, [Page] lifted vp his voyce, and sayde vnto them. Act. 1. Ye menne of Iewrye. &c. where he defendeth his flocke mooste constantly, and most holsomlye ouer­commeth his aduersaries.

We maye consider here by Paule, the prelate of all excellent goodnesse, that dilection dothe mooste specyallye pertaine to a good prelate. Iohn. 10. For the prince and chefest of all pastoures did so loue his sheape, that hee gaue hys life for hys sheape. The whych loued theym euen to the latter ende. And Paule was meruelous feruente in that kynde of dilectyon and loue. And therefore he saide. I wyll verye gladlye bestowe, and wyll be bestow­ed for your soules, 2. Cor. 12. thoughe the more I loue you, the lesse I am loued a­gayne.

Item there oughte to bee in a pre­late the science & knowledge of scrip­ture. Chuse and loue the lyghte of wisedome, Sapi. 6. the which doth profyt the people. Or elsse howe can he dyscerne Leprosy, 1. Cor. [...].3. from no Leprosye, or iudge the people cōmitted vnto him. Paule [Page] had an excellent knowledge bothe in deuine & humain matters, he gaue vnto babes in Christ milke to dryncke, & spake wisdome among those that are perfect. And he was takē vp into the third heauen, 2 Cor. 12. & harde secreat wordes which no man can vtter.

The loue of subiectes, and know­ledge of scriptures, causeth a presy­dent or a prelate to be dilygent. Roma. 12. Lette him, saithe Paule that ruleth, doe it with diligence. The which solicitude and diligence Paule vsed mooste fer­uently towardes his neighbors. And therfore he saithe, beside the thynges whych outwardlye happen vnto me, I am combred dailye, and do care for all Congregatyons. 2. Cor. 11. And in a nother place. I woulde ye knewe how great solicitude & care that I haue for you. Collo. 2. Of and by these three foresayd thyn­ges thinstruction of the learned doth follow, and therfore our Lorde dothe promyse by Ieremy: sayinge, I wyll geue you herdmen after mine owne minde, whiche shall [...]eade you wyth learning and wisdome.

[Page]As Artaxerzes said to Esdras, and to the iudges of the people. 1. Esd. 7. Teache the vnlearned frelye, the whiche thynge Paule the doctor of the heathen hath done euidently, teaching the vniuer­sall world other by word or wryting a teacher of the gentiles wyth faythe & verity and openeth the sauor of hys knowledge by vs in euery place. i. Timo. 2. 2 Cor. 2.

Also a good prelate ought to dispose and orden his offices among his sub­iectes, Exo. 18. as Moses did, the which by the counsell of Iethro made amonge the people rulers ouer hundreds, ouer fifty, and ouer ten. Paul dyd the lyke in y e church. i. Cor. 11 Other thinges wyl I set in order when I come. And for y t thyng he said vnto Tite. For thys cause left I thee in Creta, that thou shouldest reforme the thinges that are vnper­fect, Tite. i. and shouldest ordayne elders and priestes in euery city, as I had apoynted thee.

Item a good Prelate must animate and comfort the weaklings and fear­ful, exo. 14. as Moses did, when he saide vnto the fearful people, feare not, our lord [Page] shal fyght for you. And Paul did that thing very wel, sayinge. Be stronge and of good comfort in our Lord, Ephe. 6. and through the vertue and power of hys might, put on al the armor of god. &c. And again. Consider how that he en­dured such speaking against hym of synners, Heb. 12. least ye should be wearyed & faint in your mindes.

A good Prelate should defende the oppressed: as Onias the hie priest did, the which did constantly resist Helio­dorus going about to spoyle the tem­ple, 2. mach. 3 and how valiantly Paule wyth­stode the false Prophets, 2. Cor. 11. it is many­fest in the Actes. And he saith, wher in so euer any man dare be hold, I dare be bold also. And therefore he sayde y t he fought. So fight I. not as one that beateth the ayre. And I haue fought a good fyghte. 2. Timo. 4. I haue fulfylled my course.

A good Prelate shoulde be a com­forter of thafflicted, as Eliachim did, when Holofernes besieged Bethelia. And Paule was equal wyth hym in this part, and saithe. Blessed be God [Page] the father of our Lord Iesus Christe, which is the father of mercy, and the God of all comfort, 2. Cor. 1. which comforteth vs in all our tribulation, in so muche that wee are able to comforte them, whiche are in any maner of trouble. And againe. I beseche you brethren, suffer the worde of consolation or ex­hortation. Heb. 13. And such wordes of conso­lation he vsed specially to the Philip­pians and Thessaloniās, as it is ma­nifest to those that wyl searche & loke for it.

It good prelate must stirre vp those that be flouthful and colde. Gen. 42 As Iacob the Patriarch did, the which hearing that there was vitailes and corne to be sold in Egypt, said to his children. Whye do you neglecte it? And that thyng could that noble Paule do full well. It is nowe time (sayeth Paule) that we should awake oute of sleape. And he saythe: Awake thou that slea­pest, and stande vp from deathe, Roma. 13. and Christe shall geue thee lyghte. And againe. Ephe. 5. I warne thee that thou stirre vppe the gyfte of GOD whiche is [Page] in thee, by the puttynge on of my handes.

A good prelate in as muche as hee maye, 2. Timo. 1. muste helpe the neady to haue that that is necessarye for them. We haue an ensample of that in Elizeus, the whyche dyd distribute to the chil­dren of the prophets twentye loues. 4. regu. 4 The whyche thynge Paule dyd ful­fyll moost diligentlye, hauyng in re­membraunce these words. It is more blessed to geue, Act. 20. then to receyue, as he saithe. And when he had not what to geue, he procured it of other mē, as it doth wel apeare to the Corinthians. 1. Cor. 16. Concerning the gathering. &c. and a­gaine. He whiche soweth lyttle, 2. Cor. 9. shall reape little.

It pertaineth to a good prelate to brynge those lowe that are proude. And Moses purposing to do the same sayed rebukyngly. Nume. 16. Ye make much to doe, ye children of Leuy. And Samu­ell sayde vnto Saule. Wherfore hast thou not harkened vnto the voyce of our Lord.

[Page]And Paule was very well learned in this art, saying. Some swel as thou­ghe I wold come no more to you, i. regu. 15. but I wil come to you shortly, if God wil, and wil know not the words of them which swell, 1. Cor. 4. but the power. And in another place. Charge them whyche are riche in this worlde, that they be not proud and hie mineded. 1. Timo. 6.

Againe a good Prelate ought per­sonally to viset those which are farre of, i. regum. 7 and are not able to come vnto him the which thing Samuel dyd fulfyll. For he went about Bethel, Calgala, and Masphat, and iudged the people. And who at anye time exercysed that thing as Paule did? the whyche from Ierusalem to the latter sea, Roma. 15. fylled all places wyth the Gospel of Christ, and so, that he named hys lyfe a certayne course. i. Cor. 9. I therfore so run, not as at an vncertaine thing. 2. Timo. 4. And I haue fulfyl­led my course.

Also a good Prelate oughte to pu­nish transgressors, exo. 31. as Moses did, whē they worshipped and prayed vnto the molten calfe. Nor Paul was not neg­lygente [Page] in this parte, but sayde. The weapons of oure warfare are not carnall thinges, 2. Cor. 10. but thinges myghty in God. Then there foloweth. And are ready to take vengaunce on all dyso­bedyence. And also. i. Cor. 4. Shal I come vn­to you with a rod, or elsse in loue, and in the spryte of softnesse?

A good Prelate oughte to extirpe & wede oute the stubburne and pestyfe­rous from amonge the people: as Moses did with Chore and hys, whyche claue vnto hym. Nume. 16. Seperate sayeth he, and stand thou and all the congrega­tion alofe. And then vnto thother he sayd. Depart from the tentes of these wycked men. And Paule saith of him that kept hys mother in lawe. I haue determined to deliuer him vnto Sa­than for the destruction of the fleshe. 1. Cor. 5. And afterwardes. Pourge ye the old leuen. And he deliuered vnto Sathan Hymeneus and Alexander, 1. Timo. 1. to learne not to blaspheme.

And to make an end, this good prelate must pray for all men, Exodi. 32. as Moses dyd, the whych prayed vnto our lord. [Page] And as Samuel did. God forbid that I should synne againste oure Lorde, 1. regu. 12. and cease praying for you. And Paul did fulfil this thyng most diligently, Roma. 1. wythout ceasing I make mention of you in my prayers. And againe. We praye alwaies for you that oure God wyl make you worthy of his calling, 2. Thes. 1. &c. And he exhorted that it mighte be done. I pray you that aboue all thyn­ges, prayers may be had for all men, i. Timo. 2. and kynges.

¶Of euil princes and prelates. Capi. Cii.

OUr Lord commaunded Moses saying: Nume. 15 Take all the heades of the people, and hange them vp before the Lord against the sonne:

Moses said vnto Aaron, what dyd this people vnto thee, Exodi. 32. that thou haste brought so great a sin vpon them? as though he wold say, y e prelate should sin greatly against his subiects, that would incline to theyr euil wyll and purposes.

[Page]Elye corrected hys sonnes but slen­derlye, the whyche thynge dysplea­sed oure Lorde verye sore, 1. regu. 2. and yet wyth wordes he corrected and repre­hended them, but he did it but softely. and not profitably nor sharply, what shall we then say of those that fauour men in mischefe, or of those that geue men an occasion of euyll?

The whole wayt of the battayle tourned vppon Saule, and so he fell and was slayne. i. regu. 31.

For Dauids synne that he comitted whē he nūbred his people, 2. reg. 24. there dyed of the people seuenty thousande men.

Because Roboam wold ouerpresse and charge his people, 3. regu. 12. he lost y e grea­test parte of them.

Ieroboam gaue an occasion to the people to departe & leaue God, 3. regum. 12. when he made calues of golde, and cōmaun­ded y e people to adore & worship them.

Subiectes by the occasion of euyll prelates and rulers are at some times temporallye punished. 3. regu. 18. Wherevpon Helias saied to Achab. Thou trou­blest al Israel, and thy fathers house.

[Page]The kinge of Siria commaunded the captaines of his Charettes, 3. reg. 22. thus. Fight neyther with small nor great, saue only against the kyng of Israel. And that was only against that most wicked Achab.

Manasses made Iuda and the inha­biters of Ierusalem to erre, 2. Para. 33. and to do worse then the Heathen, whome our Lord destroyed before the chyldren of Israel.

Esay hathe exprest the synnes and fautes of the euel rulers and prelates that dwelt in Ierusalem, esa. i. saying: Thy princes are wicked and companyons of theues. They loue gyftes all toge­ther, and gape for rewardes.

And of Nabuchodonozor a verye e­uel prynce and gouernour, esa. 14. it is sayd. Thou hast wasted thy lande, and de­stroyed thy people.

Sobna the ruler of the temple beleued that he should lyue long in Ieru­salem, and when he shoulde dye, to be honourably buried. But oure Lorde sayde thus vnto hym. What hast y u to do here, and whome hast thou here? [Page] And a non after there foloweth. I wil dryue the from thy station and dwel­lynge place. Esa. 22. And hee semeth to be of those, the whiche sayed a lytle before. Let vs eate and drynke, for to morow we shal dye.

Sedechias sayed vnto hys estates that desyred the death of Ieremy. Iere. 38. Lo, he is in youre handes, for the kynge maye denye you nothinge.

Our Lorde by his prophet Ezechi­el speaketh agaynst euyll prophetes and prelates. Ezechi. 13. Ye ascended not against them, neyther made you a wall for the house of Israell, that ye maye a­byde y e better in the daye of our Lord.

Our lord most terribly doth threa­ten euil and naughty prelates by his prophet Ezechiell, sayinge, Wo be vnto you shepheardes of Israell that fede your selues, shoulde not the she­pheardes fede the flockes? By and by he discryueth the dedes of yll pastors, Ye haue eaten vp the mylke, Ezech. 34. ye haue clothed you with the woll, the best fed haue ye slayne. The sicke haue ye not healed, the broken haue ye not bound [...]

[Page]When the head preaste sawe that the Apostles dyd many sygnes and wonders, Act. 5. he rose vp, and al they that were with him, and layed handes on the Apostles and put them into the common prison. But the Aungel of oure lorde by nyghte, broughte them forthe. Then wente the Magistrates with ministers and broughte them agayne. And after manye and longe counsailes thei calde the Apostles vn­to them, beate them, and cōmaunded that they shoulde not speake in the name of Iesu.

The Iewes caughte Steuen, and brought him to the counsell, and whē the chefe preastes hadde obiected and layed many thynges vnto hym, Act. 6.7. then sayed they, is it euen so? When he hadde truly & faithfully defended him selfe, and sharply reproued them, they stoned him to death.

Certaine menne hauinge a damsel, whome Paule delyuered of a spryte whyche Prophesied, Act. 16. accused hym in suche wyse and Silas hys compani­on, that they troubled all the cytye. [Page] The Magistrates and Iudges with out any probation there of, cōmaun­ded thē to be beaten, and to be thruste into the hard and inner prison.

When Paule was broughte into the counsell he beganne to speake re­sonablye, but euen at the fyrst worde that Paule spake, Act. 23. the hye preaste cō ­maunded hym to be smytten. Then sayed Paul. God shall smyte the thou paynted wall. Syttest thou and iud­gest mee after the lawe, and com­maundest me to be smitten contrarye to the lawe?

Paule had euyll and wycked Iud­ges, Felyx and Festus, Act. 25. the whyche would please and gratify the Iewes, and therefore Paule was constray­ned to appeale.

¶Of ambitious persons. Capitu. Ciii.

MAry and Aaron spake against Moses, Nume. 12. and sayed, hathe not our Lorde spoken also by vs? [Page] But these wordes semed ambitiously to desyre the leadinge of the people.

Chore and his company desyringe to come to y e gouernaunce of the peo­ple, condemned Moses and Aaron, and accused them sayinge. It is suffi­cient for vs, Nume. 16. seynge all the multitude is holy, and that our lorde is amonge them. Why heue ye youre selues vp aboue the congregation and people of oure Lorde.

Abimelech Gedeons sonne did craf­tely procure by his mothers frendes that he was chosen kinge, Iudi. 9. but yet af­terwards it chaunced very vnluckely vnto them bothe.

The parable that Ionathas pro­pounded, how that y e olyue, vyne, and figge tre wold not take y e superiority and kingdome vpon them, Iudi. 9. and that the fyrre bushe a small and a vile tree presumed to vsurpe the rule there of, maye be aptlye ascryued vnto those whiche are ambitious.

Gad y e son of Obed, saied, wold God this people were vnder my hand, Iudi. 9. y e I myght take Abimelech out of y e way.

[Page]Absolon when mē came to the king for iudgement, 2. regu. 15 flatteringlye, backby­tingly, and ambitiouslye sayde. Thy wordes and matter seme to me to be good and iust: but there is no man de­puted of the king to hear the. Oh y t I were made iudge in y e land. 2. re. 17.18. But note what chanced vnto him afterwards.

Adonias the sonne of Hagith, exal­ted him self, 3. regum. 1. saying. I wyl raygne, I wyl be king.

Achias the Selonite saide vnto Ie­roboam. Raigne according to al that thy soule desireth. 3. regu. 11. But after y t he had obtained the kingdom vpon x. tribes, he vsed hym self most wyckedly.

Zambry perceiuinge that Hela the kyng of Israel hys Lorde was dron­ken, 3. reg. 16. smote hym, and kylled him. And he raign vii. daies only after him.

Athalia the mother of kinge Ocho­zias saw that her sonne was dead: she had such an ambitious and burnyng [...]ust to rule, 4. reg. 11. that she destroyed all the kinges seede, Ioas excepted, the whi­ [...]he by Ochozias syster was taken a­way by stealth.

[Page]Sellum the sonne of Iabes conspi­red against Zacharias the king of Is­rael his master, 4. regu. 15 and slue him, and he raigned a month in Samaria.

Nabuchodonozor the kynge of the Assirians, Iudith. 3. called vnto him hys Cap­tains and men of war, and told them hys thoughte, and that hys purpose was, to bryng the hole earthe vnder his dominion.

Ambitious and proud menne, are more troubled with a few that excell them, Esther. 5. or that wil not obey them: then they reioyce of many that followe thē and obey them. For proud Aman the which was next vnto the kyng, & had many children and greate richesse, e­stemed hym self to haue nothynge, as longe as he sawe Mardocheus before the kinges gate.

When Seron hard say that Iudas had gathered the congregatyon and church of the faythful, 1. macha. 3. he sayd, I wyl get me a name and a prayse thorowe out all the realme: And I will fyghte and ouercome Iudas. And yet Iudas sone ouercame him.

[Page]Alchinus that wold haue bene hye priest, 1. Mac. 7 and other wicked and vngodly men of Israel came to king Demetri­us, saying vnto him. Iudas and hys brethren haue slain and destroied thy frendes, and hathe dryuen vs oute of our owne land.

Ptolomeus the king of Egipt wēt about through disceit to obtaine and destroy Alexanders kingdom. 1. macha. 11 And at lēgth Alexander being ouerthrowne, and chased into Araby, he obtaind it. And zabdiel the Arabian smote of A­lexanders head. And sent it vnto Ptolomy, the which had but litle ioy ther of: For the third day after, dyed kyng Ptolomy him self.

Ptolomy the sonne of Abobus had aboundaunce of siluer and gold, 1. Mach. 16. and waxed proud and stately in his mind, and thoughte to conquere the lande. And by that occasyon, traiterously he slue Simon the hie Priest, and hys two sonnes.

Iason aboue all other coueted most ambitiouslye to be the hie priest. And for that he came to kinge Antiochus [Page] the noble, and promised him 360. ta­lentes of Syluer. And manye other thinges, 2. macha. 4 whych when the kynge had graunted him, he had the vse therof, but for a small time. For Menelaus whome he sent to Antiochus gat the priesthode, and was sone discharged therof, and his brother Lysimachus came and was placed in hys stead.

When Simon saw that throughe laying on of the Apostles handes, Act. 8. the holy ghost was geuen, he offred them mony, saying. Geue me also thys po­wer, that on whom so euer I put my hādes, he may receiue that holy gost. But Peter said vnto him. Thy mony pearish with thee.

¶Of the deuels temp­tation. Ca. Ciiii.

THe serpent being crafty to tēpt ye the deuel in the serpent, ap­proched the feblest part of mā ­kinde, and the most prompest to sinne for hee tempted not Adam firste, Gene. 3. but Eue. And began searchynge a far of, [Page] for he counseld them not euen soden­ly to eate of the forbidden frute. And he denyed that there should follow a­ny paine for the transgressyon of the commaundemente. Yea he affyrmde that great goodnesse shoulde followe that only eating of the apple.

The lying spirite doth oftentimes lie in his temptation, Gene. 3. for he sayd vn­to Eue, ye shall not dye the deathe. And he sayde vnto our Sauior, when he shewed hym all the kyngdomes of the worlde. Luc. 4. They are deliuered vnto me, and to whome I wil, I geue thē. And furthermore he alledgeth holye scripture peruersly and falsly: saying vnto the LORDE of aungelles. He hathe geuen hys aungels charge ouer thee. Math. 4.

And Sathan stode vp agaynste Is­rael, and prouoked Dauid to nombre Israel. 1. Para. 21.

Sathan required of our Lord, that Iob might be touched in hys goodes, Iob. 1.2. children, and body. Wherin maye be noted, the subtelty, malignity, & infirmity [Page] of our ennemy.

It is not expedient to dysclose our temptations to any such man, whom we beleue to haue bene tempted with like sinne. But rather to some dys­creat and holy man, that would com­fort vs in goodnesse. Wherfore whē the two old men, did reuele and open their concupiscence one to a nother, Dani. 23. they were prouoked to that, that was worse.

The Lordes temptation doth teach vs to ouercome al kyndes of tempta­tion. Luc. 4. He was tempted in thre things, vnto the which, all other temptatiōs may be reduced. And note, that he o­uercame not temptation by power, but by scripture.

Our Lord, his passion beyng euen at hand, Luc. 22. said to Simon Peter. Sathā hathe desired to sifte you, as it were wheat: But I haue prayed for thee, that thy Faithe faile not. And when thou art conuerted, strength thy bre­thren.

Luc. 13.The deuil put into y e hart of Iudas to betray our Lord Iesus Christ.

[Page]Peter said to Ananias, Act. 5. howe is it, y e Sathan hathe filled thine harte that thou shouldest lie vnto the holy ghost and keepe away parte of the pryce of the land.

¶ Of synne in generall, and of diuers paines which fol­low sinne. Ca. Cv.

THat sinne doth cause shamfast­nesse in man, it is euident, for when our first parentes in the state of innocencye were bare, Gene. 3. they were not ashamed: but after they had trespassed, by and by they made them selues aprons.

Sinne dothe defame a sinner. And therfore Adam after that he had tres­passed, Gene. 3. thought to haue hid him selfe from the presence of our Lord. Sin likewise maketh a man fearful, for after y e Adam had sinned, Gene. 3. he sayd, I was afraide, because I was naked, and hid my self.

The enormity of sinne dothe crye to the eares of our Lord for vēgance, Gene. 4. [Page] As the voyce of thy brothers bloude. And in a nother place. The cry of the Sodomites. At some tymes our Lord dothe punyshe synne wyth temporal payne and punyshmente. As it is e­uydent in Adam and Eue. Ge. 3.4.19 In Cain. In the Sodomytes. And often in the chyldren of Israell. And Christ sayd. Synne no more, Ihon. 5. least a worse thynge happen vnto thee.

Pharao knowledged and confest y t he was scourged and punished of our Lord for synne, Exo. 10. saying. I haue sinned against our Lord and agaynst you.

The children of Israel did euyll in the syght of our Lord. And oure Lord was angry, Iudith. 2. & deliuered them into the handes of raueners, that toke & spoy­led them, and sold them into the hāds of theyr enemyes.

Synne doth not suffer the sinner to be in quiet. 2. reg. 24. For Dauids harte smote hym, after that he hadde nombred the people.

Eccle. 47.Synne did infatuate Salomon the wyse, and stayned hys honoure and worshyp.

[Page]After that Ioram the kinge of Iu­da began to walk in the wicked wais and steps of the kinges of Israell, 4. reg. 8. E­dom went from him, & wold not pay hym the accustomed tribute.

The chyldren of Israell left the cō ­maundements of God, 4. reg. 17. and made thē Gods of metal, & serued Baal. There foloweth. Israel was translated & ca­ried away out of theyr owne land.

The word of God was against Iu­da, to put him out of hys sight, 4. reg. 24. for the sinnes of Manasses [...] the which he had commytted, and for the innocent blud that he shed.

Ierusalem and all the cityes of Iu­da are desolate, Iere. 44. and no man dwelling in thē, because of theyr greate malice and sinne, which they commytted, to prouoke me to anger. No, y t they had any cause to do so, but vpon a custom.

The burden and grefe of sinne is so great, that Ieremy dothe saye. That our Lord might no longer suffer, Iere. 44. be­cause of the malitiousnesse and inuē ­tions of your studyes.

Mā through sin is febleshed: Ierusalē [Page] sinned, and therfore it was made vn­stable, 3. regu. 11. yea and Salomous seruaunte was so bolde as to rise agaynste hys Lord, after he had trespassed.

After that our Lord had healed the manne that lay sicke in his bedde, Ihon. 5. he founde hym in the temple, and sayde vnto hym. Beholde, thou arte made whole. Sinne no more, least a worse thing happen vnto thee.

Our lord said vnto the womā that was apprehended in aduoutrye, Iohn. 8. and accused of the Iewes before him: Go and synne no more.

¶Of confession of sinnes Capi. Cvi.

OUr lord monished Adam after he had sinned, to knowledge & to confesse his faut: but he in a manner reiected and laide his faut to God and to the woman, Gene. 3. & the woman to the serpent. And said: The woman whom thou gauest to be my felow. &c. And the woman said, yonder serpent begiled me, and I did eat.

[Page]Cain did knowledge his faute, Gen. 4 say­inge. My iniquitye is more, then that it maye be forgeuen.

Pharao saied I haue synned against God and you. Exodi. 9. And again. I haue now synned, oure Lorde is righteous, and I and my people are vngodly.

Saule sayed, 1. regu. 26. I haue synned, I haue playde the foole, and haue erred ex­cedynglye.

And Iudas sayed, Mat. 27. I haue synned, betrayinge the innocent bloud.

And yet none of all these obtayned forgeuenesse, because thei spake it not with a true harte.

Dauid spake the lyke wordes with an humble & lowlye harte, 2. regu. 12. and deser­ued to heare, our Lord hath put away thy synne.

The people beyng afflycted and stonge wyth fyerye serpentes, Nume. 21. came to Moses, and sayed, we haue synned, for we haue spoken agaynst our lord, and agaynst the.

The children of Israell were vehe­mently and sore oppressed by y e Phi­listines, and the children of Amnon, [Page] And they sayed vnto oure Lorde: we haue sinned, Iudi. 10. do y u vnto vs what soeuer please thee, deliuer vs only this day.

Dauid beynge reprehended of Na­than the prophet for hys excesse and synne committed agaynst Urias and his wyfe: 2. regu. 12. did humblye recognise and confesse his faute.

Dauid when he had nombred hys people, 2. reg. 24. did so humblye and mekely recognise his faute, that he offerd him selfe to be punished in stede and place of the innocent people.

2. Esd. 1.Nehemias saied, I knowledge and confesse for the synnes of y e children of Israel, which we haue sinned against the: And I & my fathers house haue synned, & haue bene vaynly seduced.

Tobi. 3.Although Tobias feared God euen from his infancye, and obserued his preceptes and cōmaundementes, yet he most humbly confessinge, saied: we haue not done accordinge to thy com­maundements, neyther haue we wal­ked innocently before thee.

Daniels three felowes which lyued so holyly among the Chaldes, Dani. 3. and fo [...] [Page] whose sake our Lord shewed so great a miracle in the fornace, neuer mur­murd against our Lorde, asthoughe they had sufferd suche thinges iustly. But Azarias sayed, we haue syn­ned, we haue offended and done wic­kedlye.

And Daniel in his prayer to God, confessed his synnes, Dani. 9. and the peoples, sayinge. We haue synned, we haue offended, we haue done wyckedly.

The syxte of those seuen brethren, whyche beganne to dye, 2. Mach. 7. sayed. We suffer these thynges for oure owne sakes, for we haue synned against our Lorde God.

There came to Iohn Baptyst all Iewrye, Mat. 5. and all the regyon rounde aboute Iordane, confessynge theyr synnes.

As Paule was preachinge in Asia, Act. 19. many that beleued came and confes­sed and she­wed theyr woor­kes.

¶Of the hardnesse and obstinacye of the wic­ked. Capitu. Cvii.

CAin after that our Lorde hadde reproued him was worsse, Gen. 4. and slew his brother.

The harte of Pharao neyther by fayre wordes, Exo. 5.6.7 8.9. which Moses spake frō our lorde, nor yet by dure and sharpe punishemente coulde be mollified.

Oure Lorde dothe call the chyldren of Israel, Exo. 32. a styfnecked people as it ap­peareth in diuers places in Leuitici.

1. regu. 2.Hely corrected his chyldren wyth woordes, but it profyted theym but a little.

Samuell foretoulde the people the sore and greuous conditions of their kynge, i. regu. 8. and that it dyspleased oure Lorde. And yet they would not leaue of theyr purpose.

Saule neyther by Ionathas wor­des, nor yet by the benefytes whyche he receyued of Dauid, 1. regu. 18. coulde be pro­uoked or induced to loue Dauid.

1. regu. 25.It is sayed of Nabal, that he was [Page] harde, very euyll and malitious.

[...]saell persecuted Abner but to ob­stinatlye. 2. reg. 2.

Oure Lorde sente prophets to the men of Iuda, 2. Para. 24. that thei should returne vnto him. But they would not heare of it. Ye, they kilde, zacharia the sonne of Ioiada most cruelly, because he re­buked them.

Hezechias the kinge of Iuda sente messengers through oute all Israel, 2. Para. 30. sayinge. But ye not styfnecked, like as wer your fathers, thē foloweth, y t they laughed thē to scorne, & mocked them.

Their hartes were very hard that came to take our lorde, Luc. 22. y t which when y t he with a worde had smitten them prostrate to y e earth, Iohn. 18. & had healed the seruaūtes eare y t was smittē & cut of, wer not moued to mercy, neither by y e manifestatiō of y e miracle, nor yet bi y e mekenesse or gentlenes of y e benefite.

Saint Steuen rebuking the Iewes vehementlye and sharpely, Act. 7. sayed. O ye styfnecked & of vncircūcised hartes & eares, ye haue alwaies resisted y e ho­ly ghost, as your fathers did, so do ye.

¶Of the peruersity of certayne menne. Capitu. Cviii.

THe fyrst woman peruerted the ordre of nature, Gen. 3. when she gaue her husbande of the frute that was forbiden, and he eate it: when y t the man ought rather to haue taught y e woman, what she shuld haue eaten, or what she shoulde haue a voyded.

The lord enrychd the Hebrues with the spoyles of the Egyptians: al­thoughe there bee many nowe as v­surers and such lyke, Exo. 12. the whyche en­ryche the Egiptians wyth the spoyle of the Hebrues.

The children of Israell sufferynge penurye and scarsnes in the deseart, Exo. 16. sayed, that in Egypt they sat by the fleshe pottes, but they made no men­tion of the greauous and cruell bon­dage that they wer troubled and vex­ed with all.

The people in the deseart sayed, we remembre the fyshe whyche we dyd eate in Egypte for naughte? [Page] And yet they wer ouerprest with gre­uous seruitude and bōdage. And now beyng at liberty and in fredome they were norished wyth angels fode, Nume. 11. that is, with most sauery meats geuen thē from heauen wythout any labor.

When the spies and searchers did declare and open the condityons and goodnesse of the lande of promise, Nu. 13.14. the people contrary to Gods wyll would haue retourned into Egipte, and by no meanes go no further. And euen shortly after, againste the wil of oure Lord, they woulde haue made but to great hast.

When Moses had called Dathan & Abiron, Nume. 16. they saide, we will not come vp. Is it a small thyng that thou hast brought vs out of a land y t floweth w t milk and hony to kil vs in the wilder­nes, and to raign ouer vs also?

Moses desyred of kinge Edom, say­ing. We pray thee that we maye goe now thorow thy country, Nume. 20. we wil not goe by the Fieldes nor Uyneyardes, neyther wyll wee dryncke of the wa­ter of the Fountaines, we wyll goe [Page] by the kinges hie way. Edom answe­red him. Thou shalt not goe by mee, least I come out against thee with the sweard.

The like thing chaunced of Seon the kyng of the Amorytes. But in as much as he woulde not graunte that was litle, Nume. 21. he lost that was much.

Balaam would not curse the peo­ple, whome he beleued to haue Gods benediction. But there are manye which speake more euill of the good, then of the naughtye: Nume. 24. And maruell it was, that he which would not cursse them, woulde harme them. For not­wythstandynge that oure Lorde had shewed hym, that the people of Isra­el were blessed, yet finally he gaue e­uyll counsaile, by the whiche women deceiued him.

The children of Israel hearing our Lordes commaundementes, Iudi. 2. dyd all thinges cleane contrary.

Iephthe desired the men of Ephra­im to goe to battaile with him. And they wold not. But after that he had wonne the victory, Iudi. 12. and was come a­gayne, [Page] they, as thoughe he hadde not cald vpon them, began to quarel, and to chide with him.

Dauid plaide before Saule beinge vexed with the deuel, 1. reg. 18.19 and serued him profytably, and yet Saule wold haue naild Dauid to the wal wyth a iaue­lyng, the which he held in his hande.

Saule would haue slayn hys sonne Ionathas, 1. regu. 10. because he excused Dauyd the innocent.

Saule sayd, that hys seruants had conspired againste him, 1. regu. 22. and that Da­uid lay await for him. Whose death he soughte for, but he coulde neyther fynde hym, nor take hym.

The king of the children of Amnō perceiuing that he had done iniurye vnto Dauid, 2. reg. 10. would fyght wyth hym, when that he should rather haue gon about to haue pleased hym.

Amnon Dauids sonne, caused Thamar his sister, 2. regu. 13. whome he had forced, to be expeld and put from him.

Absolon Dauids sonne moued him self malitiouslye againste his father, and went in vnto his fathers concu­bines [Page] in the sighte of all Israell. 2. reg. 15.16 And would haue depryued his father both of hys lyfe, and of his kingdome.

When our Lord had exalted Iero­boam vpon ten tribes of Israell, by & by he cōuerted and turned the people from worshipping of God, 3. reg. 12.13 and moni­shed by the Prophet, he commaunded hym to be taken.

Achab king of Iuda toke away our Lordes aultare, and caused a nother to be made lyke vnto that, whyche he had sene in Damasco, and commaun­ded burnt offerynges to bee offred vp vpon it.

The Idolatry, sorcery, murther, & other diuers crimes cōmytted by Ma­nasses, are sufficientlye declared .iiii. Reg. xxi. 2. Para. 33.

After that Amasias had ouercomde and slain the Edomites, and the men of Seir, 2. Para. 25. and had brought away theyr Gods, he worshypped them, and bur­ned incense vnto them. Wherfore our Lord was wroth and rebuked him by his prophet, sayinge vnto him: whye hast thou worshipped those Goddes, [Page] which were not able to deliuer theyr owne people out of thy hand?

Achaz king of Iuda offred sacrifices vnto the Gods of them of Damasco, which bet hym, and sayd. The Gods of the kynges of Siria helpte them, 2. Para. 28. therefore wyll I appease them wyth Sacrifices, for then wyll they healpe me also. But contrariously they were his destruction, and the destruction of al Israel.

Because that Mardocheus only dyd not worshippe proud Aman, Esth. 3. he pro­cured with the king of the Assirians, that all the Iewes should be putte to death.

When Ieremy rebuked the people because thei did sacrifice vnto straūge Gods, Iere. 44. they answered, sence we lefte of to do sacrifyce vnto the Quene of heauen, we haue had scarcenesse of al thynges, and pearysh wyth sweard & hunger.

The lordes & great estates of Dari­us the king of Persia did accuse Da­niel, Dani. 6. because that thre times a day, he made hys prayers vnto hys God.

[Page]The two old priestes, that saw Susan to be of a constant chastity should haue loued her, Dani. 13. & greatlye haue prai­sed her. But contrarilye they slaun­dred her, and went about to condemn her to death: but our Lorde dyd moste wonderfully deliuer her, by an absti­nent, and a chast childe.

The wycked Alchinus, whiche ou­ghte to haue loued Iudas and his brethren, 1. Mach. 7. with other vngodly men, went to king Demetrius: sayinge. Iudas & hys brethren haue slaine thy frendes, and dryuen vs oute of oure owne lande.

[...]. Mach. 9.When Antiochus was mineded to robbe the city of Pentapolis, he whē the people ranne together to theyr weapons, was faine to flie, the which iniury he thoughte to aduenge vpon the Iewes.

They of Ioppa committed a verye cruell and a shamefull deede: 2. Mach. 12. for they prayed CC. Iewes to enter and go in to the shyppes with them, but when they were gone forth into the deape, they drowned them.

[Page]Nether the austere and sharpe lyfe of Ihon: Mat. 11. nor yet the temperate & com­ly eating of our sauior coulde please the Iewes.

When the Pharises saw that our Lorde caste oute deuels, Mat. 12. and that the people were amased, they blasphe­med saying. Thys felow dryueth the deuels no otherwyse oute, but by the healpe of Belzebub the chief of the deuils.

There was to much peruersitye in Iudas, Mat. 26. that solde hys master for xxx. syluer pence.

¶Of the wickednesse of tirauntes. Ca. Cix.

PHarao inuented dyuers wyc­kednesses to extinguyshe, Exo. 1. or to reduce the chyldren of Israell to a smaller nomber. Fyrste of all, he commaunded to punysh theym wyth harde laboure. Secondarelye he commaunded the male children to be kyl­led, but afterwardes he commaunded that they should be cast into the riuer [Page] and that the wemen children shoulde be saued. First Pharao said euen sim­ply, I know not the Lord, nether wil I let Israel go. Exo. 5. And again he graun­ted it vnto them saying, go ye, and do sacrifyce vnto the Lord in this lande. And yet afterwards he would let thē go to do sacrifice vnto our Lord in the wildernesse, so that they went not far of. Exo. 10. And after that he was contēt that the men should goe, so that they lefte their shepe [...] theyr cattel behinde thē.

Exo. 5.After that Pharao vnderstode that the children of Israel would do sacri­fice vnto our Lord: he afflicted and v­sed them more hardly.

Iudi. 1.Thre score and ten kinges hauing theyr thombes and great toes cut of, gathered the fragmentes vnder Ado­nibezechs table.

Abimelech Gedeōs sonne, vsurping the superiority and dominiō, Iudi. 9. ouer the people, slue seuenty men his brethren vpon one stone.

Saule, after that he hadde receyued many benefites by Dauid, 1. regu. 22. sought his death, and slue 85. men that dyd wear [Page] a lynnen Ephod.

Ieroboam commaūded the man of God to be taken, 3. regu. 13. the whiche rebuked hym for the sacrilegious altare that he set vp. and builded.

Iesabell sought Helias death, in as muche as he had caused Baals Pro­phets to be slayne. 3. regu. 19.

Naboth the Israelite by y e procure­ment of Iezabel, 3. regu. 21. was stoned to death: for she caused false witnes to be brou­ght out against hym.

Achab king of Israel caused Miche­as the prophet to be cast into pryson: 3. reg. 22. and to be sustaynd and fed with bread of affliction, and wyth water of trou­ble.

When the word of our Lord came against Baasa y t kyng of Israel, 3. regu. 16. & his house by the hād of Iehu the prophet, he slue the foresaid prophet.

Manasses the king of Iuda, 4. regu. 21. shed in­nocent bloud, and replenyshed Ieru­salem wyth the bloud of innocents.

When Sennacherib came agayn, & fled out of Iewry what tyme as God punyshed hym for hys blasphemy. Tobi. 1. [Page] In his wrath he slue many of the children of Israel.

Nabuchodonozor saide vnto Holo­fernes. Thou shalt spare no realme. Iudith. 2.

Afterwardes we reade of Holofer­nes, that there came such a fear vpon the countryes, Iudith. 3. that the indwellers of all the cities, went forth to mete hym as he came, and receaued hym wyth garlandes, and torches, wyth dances, tabrets & pipes. Neuertheles, though thei did this, yet could thei not swage hys rigorous stomacke.

Because that Mardocheus woulde not bowe hys knee to proude Aman, Esth. 3. he chose rather to procure the deathe of all the Iewes, then to forgeue hym alone.

Sedechias kyng of Iuda, commaū ­ded at the peticion of the rulers of the people, Iere. 38. that Ieremye the prophette should be caste into the lake or dongi­on, where there was neyther water nor light.

The kinge of Babilon slue Sede­chias the kinge of Iuda children be­fore hys face at Reblatha, Iere. 19. and made [Page] his eyes to be put oute, and bounde hym wyth fetters, and sente hym to Babilon.

Nabuchodonozor kinge of Babilon in a furye cōmaunded to destroye all the wise menne at Babilon, Dani. 2. because they could not interpretate y e dreame [...] whiche he dreamed and sawe.

It was an exeadinge and a marue­lous greate cruelnes of Nabuchodo­nozor the kynge of Babilon, Dani. 3. when he caused Daniels felowes to be cast in­to the burninge fornace.

Antiochus wente vppe to Ierusa­lem, and made a greate slaughter of menne, 1. macha. [...]. and shedde innocente bloude on euery syde of the Sanctuarye at Ierusalem.

Demetrius toke Antiochus the son of Antiochus and Lisias, 1. Mac. 7 and brought them to Demetrius, the which wold not see them, so the hoost put them to death.

Tryphon tooke Ionathas trayto­rousllye. And when he had him, he as­ked for his deliueraunce .200. talents of siluer, 1. Mach. 13. and his two sonnes for osta­gees. [Page] And when he had them, he most wickedlye slew y e father & his sonnes.

Andronicus beynge desired of Me­nelaus, and by hym throughe gyftes corrupted, 2. macha. 4 slew Onias the hye priest.

Kinge Antiochus absolued that sa­crilegious manne Menelaus accused of many crymes, 2. Mach. 4. and condempnde his accusers to deathe.

The tirauntes sente by Antioche did excercise and vse to muche cruel­nes agaynst Eleazarus, 2. mac. 6.7 and likewise agaynst those .vii. brethren and theyr mother.

When Herode sawe that hee was mocked of the wyse men, he was ex­ceadinge wroth, Math. 2. and sente forth men of warre, and slewe all the chyldren that were in Bethelem, and in al the coastes, as many as were two yeare olde and vnder.

Herode the Tetrarche knew that Iohn the Baptist was a iust and a ho­lye manne: Math. 14. mar. 6. and yet at the peticion of an harlot hee caused him to be behea­ded in prson.

Pilate knew that the Iewes for en­uye [Page] hadde deliuered oure Lorde, and coulde fynde no cause whye, and yet at theyr clamoures, Math. 27 and fearynge least he shoulde lese the fauour of Ce­sar: he delyuerd him scourged to their wyll and pleasure.

There came vnto our Lord certain Pharises, Luc. 13. and sayed vnto hym. Get thee out of the waye & departe hence, for Herode wyll kyll thee.

Herode the Tetrarch was desirous to see Iesus of a longe season: & when he saw him he was exceadinge glad. Luc. 23. And yet he with his men of war des:+pised him, and when he had mocked him, he arayed him in white clothing, and sent him agayne to Pilate.

Herode the kinge, sent a company to vexe certayne of the congregation: Act. 12. And he kylled Iames the brother of Iohn. [...]nd because hee sawe that it pleased the Iewes, he wente aboute to take Peter also.

Paule was of certaine men falsely accused, Act. 16. because that he had cast oute of a certayn mayde a spirite that pro­phesied. The magestrates sente him [Page] and Sylas hys felowe to be beaten with roddes, and to be cast in prison, and to make theyr feete faste in the stockes.

Felyx the president hoped that mo­ney shoulde haue bene geuen him of Paule, Ac. 24.25 whome he helde bounde in prison: Wherefore he called him the oftner, & cōmoned with him. Festus succeded him. And Felix wyllinge to shewe the Iewes a pleasure, & to hurt Paule, lefte him in pryson bounde, and Paule appealed to Cesar.

¶Of the oppression of the good, by the euil. Capi. Cx.

THe wicked and enuious Cain, preuaylde agaynste Abell the iust, Gene. 4. and slew him.

The Sodomites did diuersllye and manifolde maner of waies afflict and torment the lyfe and soule of Lot. Gene. 19.

Esau hated Iacob continuallye, and sayed in his hart. Gen. 27.28 The dayes of my fathers sorowe are at hande, and I wil slay my brother Iacob. So y t he [Page] was cōpelde to flie to his vncle Labā.

The Egiptians hated the chyldren of Israel, Exo. 1. and deludinge them did so afflicte them, that theyr life was byt­ter vnto them.

Abimelech ambitiouslye couetinge y e kingdome, Iudi. 9. slew .70. of his brethren.

Dauid serued Saul both faithfully and profitablye, 1. reg. 17. and yet he soughte longe after his death.

Absolon did so moue the people a gainst Dauid, 2. regu. 15 that he was enforced to auoyde Ierusalem, althoughe he was eftsones reuoked and calde a­gayne.

Wicked Iezabel did so threaten and go aboute to slaye Helyas, 3. reg. 19. that he, beynge in feare of hys lyfe, fledde whether so euer his mynde dyd leade hym.

When that wicked kinge of Israel Ioram hearde saye that there was greate famyne and hunger in the cy­tye, 4. reg. 6. he sent one of his men, to smite of Helizeus heade.

Azarias Ioas sonne, 2. Para. 14 at Ioas the kinge of Iuda commaundement was [Page] stoned to deathe, because he reproued the kynge and his people that serued and honoured ydoles.

Nabuchodonozor commanded Ho­lofernes that he shoulde roo [...]e out all the goddes of the lande, Iudith. 2.3. to the intent that he only might be called and takē for God. And therefore he destroyed many regions, and y e people of God, which was returned from y e captiui­tye of Babilon, he afflicted and puny­shed very sore.

The proude, cruell, and wicked A­man, was so mighty, Esth 34. that he little e­stemed it to procure the deathe of all the Iewes, but yet the deuine proui­dence withstode his attemptinges. Iere. 20.

Phashur the priest smote Ieremye the prophet, & put him in the stockes.

Iere. 29.Ananias did prophesye cleane con­trary to that, that Ieremy sayd, and toke the chayne of wodde from Iere­myce necke and brake it. And Iere­my wēt whome to his house, as a mā confused of the liyng & false prophet.

Da. 3, 13.14Nabuchodonozor the king of Babi­lon, commaunded Azarias and his [Page] cōpanions to be cast into the fornace, because they woulde not worshippe the golden ydol, y e which that wicked Idolater hadde erected. And Daniell was twice cast into the lake of Lions, by the laboure and procurement of wycked menne.

Antiochus ascended proudly to Ie­rusalem with a greate multitude, 1. macha. 1. and made there a terrible slaughter of mē.

Bacchides and Alchimus the tray­toure, sente by kynge Demetrius, 1. macha. 9. brought forth so great an host against Iudas Machabeus, y t Iudas was slain in battail, & the reast of his men fled.

Triphon that traytour and full of all guyle, Act. 13. which by deceite slew kinge Antiochus his Lord and master, slew also Ionathas and his two sonnes.

Herode that most vyle aduouterer beheadded at the peticion of one har­lot Iohn the Baptist, math. 14. the patrone and ensample of all holynesse.

Oure Lorde Iesus sauioure of the world was smytten, math. 28. & deluded of An­na, Caipha, Iohn. 19. & of Herode y e Tetrarch, & at y e last iudged & crucified by Pilate [Page] the presidēt, yea, and of y e theues bla [...] ­phemed.

The chefe priest, and all they that were with him, Act 5. laid handes on the A­postles, and put them in the common pryson: and afterwards they wer beaten, and commaunded that they shuld not speake in the name of Iesu.

Certaine Iewes moued the people and the elders, Act. 6.7. and the scribes, & they caught Steuen, and brought forth ii. false wytnesses againste him, and so stoned him.

Herode Agrippa sent forthe a com­pany to afflict and vexe certain of the congregation: Act. 12. And he kylled Iames, Ihons brother with the sweard. And furthermore he imprisoned Peter.

The Iewes moued the deuout we­men, and chefe men of the city, Act. 13. and raised persecution against Paule & Bar­nabas, and expelled them out of their coastes.

When that Paule and Barnabas were so honoured at Listris that they would haue done sacrifyce vnto them as vnto Goddes, Act. 14. there came certayne [Page] Iewes which, when they had perswaded the people, and had stoned Paul, drue him out of the city, supposing he had bene dead.

Certain men leading about a wo­man possessed with a spirite that pro­phesied, Act. 16. did so stirre vp the rulers and Magistrates of the city of Philippes: that Paule and Silas his company­on were commaunded to be beaten, caste in pryson, and sette faste in the stockes.

¶Of tribulation, and the vtilitye there of. Capi. Cxi.

IOseph beinge exiled, increased more in the land and country of hys pouerty: Gen. 41. then he shuld haue increased with his brethren, in the country of his natiuity.

Iosephes brethren said one to an o­ther. We haue wel deserued thys: for we haue synned against our brother, Gen. 42. and therfore is this trouble come vp­on vs.

[Page] Exo. 1.The chyldren of Israell throughe Pharaos oppressiōs and tribulation encreased: for the more he vexed them the more they multiplyed, and grew.

The chyldren of Israell beynge af­f [...]ycted and stinged wyth the fyerye Serpentes: Nume. 21. said vnto Moses, we haue synned, for we haue spoken agayns [...]e our Lord, and agayns [...]e thee. But or euer our Lord sent the serpents, they nether knew theyr faut, nor yet calde to God for healpe.

We reade not that the chyldren of Israell, Iudi. 2. as longe as Iosue ruled, and that they were occupyed in warfare and battayle, dyd euer depart, or left GOD: But after that they were at quyet, and in wealthe they sone for­soke hym.

The chyldren of Israell harde that the Philistynes wer gathered to com vppe agaynste theym. 1. Reg. 7. And beynge a­frayde they sayde vnto Samuell. Cease not to cry vnto the LORDE oure GOD for vs, that hee maye saue vs oute of the hand of the Phy­listines.

[Page]When Dauid fledde from the face and presence of Absalon: 2. re. 15.16 18.24. and when S [...]mei hys seruaunt cursed hym, hee was verye pacient. But after he had obtained the victory, he waxed proud and commaunded hys people to bee nombred.

Dauid perceiuing our Lorde to be wroth and angry because of hys ela­tion and pryde: 2. Reg. 24. dyd mooste humblye knowledge hys faut: and desyred that he might be punished, and the people spared.

The aungell of oure LORD dyd comfort Helias flying from Iezabell the Quene that persecuted hym, 3. regum. 10 and he shewed hym bothe breade and wa­ter.

Micheas the prophet was cōmaun­ded to be fed, 4. reg. 22. in prysō wyth the bread of affliction, and water of trouble, because hee woulde not aunswer Achab after hys owne wyl and pleasure.

It was oure Lordes wyll, that the Iewes should be afflycted & punyshed [Page] by the king of Egipt: and so to learne and know, 2. para. 12. what difference ther is betwene the seruice of God, and the seruice of the kingdomes of the world.

After that Manasses was in tribu­lation, and bound with chains in Babilon: he humbled hym self exceding­ly before our Lord, 2. Para. 33. and God hard his prayer.

In the time of trouble, they cryed vnto thee: and thou hardest them frō heauen. 2. Esdra. 9. And thorowe thy great mer­cye thou gauest them sauiours whych healped them out of the hand of theyr enemyes.

Tobias after many good dedes, god suffring the same, Tob. 2. waxed blynde, and afterwardes was laughed to scorn of those that shuld haue comforted him. But our Lord after that dyd dyuers maner a waies recreate and comfort him againe.

Iudith speaking of her owne peo­ple, said. Iudi. 8. Ye ought to remembre, that whan your father Abraham was tēp­ted, and tried thorow manye tribula­tions that he was made, and found a [Page] louer and a frend of God.

Iob sustained tribulatyon by hys wyfe: and by the reproches and contumelious woordes of his frendes: the which thing ought to haue prouoked him to heauines. Iob. 1.2.30 And in body he was diseased with a meruailous sore infirmity, euen from the sole of hys foote, to the crowne of his heade. And in the losse of his substaunce and chyldren. In the taking away of hys solace and comfort, for hys wife abhord him and could not abide his breath. Other yōg and vile persons derided him, & staind his face with spittle.

Ieremy which was sāctifyed in his mothers wombe, Iere. 15. and ful of the spirit of prophecye, said thus of hym selfe, that he was a brauler, a man of dys­cord and dissention, and a rebuker of the whole land, and that all men cur­sed and spake euil vpon him.

Ieremy for preaching the truth vn­to the people, Iere. 16.18 was now and then pu­nyshed, and ofte imprysonned, and at lengthe the people stoaned hym to deathe.

[Page]Ezechiel being in Caldea as a ba­nyshed man, Ezech. 1.5. saw in the middes of the Captiues the wonderfull visions of God. Wherby it appeareth, that god doth oftentimes comfort those whych are in tribulation.

It appeareth wel by Daniels cōpa­nions that our Lord is with him that is in tribulation: Dani. 3. for Nabuchodono­zor saw wyth theym a fourth lyke the sonne of God.

Nabuchodonozor in hys prosperity was arrogant and proud, Dani. 4. and there­fore he was cast out of mens compa­nye, and chaunged into a beast. But after that he recouered hys vnderstā ­ding, the which he, being in dignity & honour, lost by elation and pryde, he praysed the hyest, whome before hee blasphemed.

Our Lord was as highlye, or more praysed throughe the pacience of the iii. children, Dani. 2. the which they toke in y e tribulation of the fornace: as he was with the sapience and wisdom of Da­niel, the which he had in the expositiō and interpretation of dreames.

[Page]Susanna being condēned to death, Dani. 13. hauing no recourse to any humayne aid or healpe, weping loked vp vnto heauen, as doth the bird which cōpa­sed on earthe with men and dogges hath no refuge, except it eleuate it self into the ayre.

After the death of Iudas Machabe­us, wicked men came vp, & ther was a great dearth in the land. 1. mach. 9. And wyc­ked Bachides toke away the Lordes & rulers of the country. And there be came great trouble in Israel.

There went forth a very vniust decre and commaundement against the Iewes, 2. mach. 6. that who so would not do sa­crifice, after the lawes of the gentils, shuld be put to death. And there was great tribulation in Israel.

Antiochus being in good healthe, was a cruell and a proude homicide, 2. mach. 9. but afterwards smytten by god with a greuous and vncurable plague: he chaunged bothe hys wordes, and his purposes.

After that our Lord was borne, he sone after felt and suffred y e pressures [Page] and torments of the world: so that Ioseph tooke him and his mother, math. ii. & fled into Egipt. Of diuers and many af­flictions and iniuries whych our lord hath suffred, read in the titles of mer­cy, and pacience.

The Apostles beyng scourged by y e precepte and commaundement of the Magestrates: Act. 5. departed from the coū ­sel, reioysing, that they were counted worthy, to suffer rebuke for the name of Iesu.

And although Paul was not euen thē wyth the Apostles, ii. Corin. xii yet he sayde after­wardes of him self: we reioyce in our tribulations. And again. Uery glad­ly wyl I reioyce of my weaknes, that the strength of Christe may dwell in me.

Act. 8.After that Steuen was stoned too death: there was a great persecutyon agaynste the Congregatyon whiche was at Ierusalem: and they were all scattred abrode thorow out the regy­ons of Iewry and Samaria, excepte the Apostles. But yet note. That it was muche profytable for the dinul­gation [Page] of the gospell.

It may be well knowen by the ac­tes of the Apostles, that Paule after his conuersion suffered tribulations and persecutions. Act. 9. For y e Iewes toke counsell together, 2. Corin. 11. to kyll hym by nighte. And when they went aboute their deceitfulnesse, he was let downe thorowe the wall in a basket.

When Paule and Barnabas wer in Antioche Pisidia, Act. 13. they sowed and preached the word of God, thorowout al the country. But the Iewes raysed persecusion agaynst them, and were expelled oute of theyr coastes. But they shoke of the dust of their feete against them, and came to Iconium.

In the citye of Li [...]tris they wer had in such honoure, Act. 14. because of y e creapel, whome Paule healed, that they wold haue done sacrifice vnto thē. But thy­ther came certain Iewes, which whē they had obtained y e peoples consent, & had stoned Paul, thei drewe him out of y e city, supposing he had bene dead.

And in Macedonia, by the occasion of a damsell, oute of whome Paule [Page] cast forth a sprite that prophesied, her master beynge heauye for the gayne that they lost thereby: Act. 16. they apprehen­ded and toke Paul, and his felow Si­las, and saied y t thei wer disturber [...] of y e citye. The rulers cōmaunded thē [...]o be chastened with rods, & to be cast in prison, & to set their feete in y e stockes.

Afterwards at Thessalonica, when many of them beleued, the disdainfull Iewes, by certaine euell men, slyrde vp, Act. 17. and set all the citye in a roar. But the brethren immediatly sent awaye Paule and Silas vnto Berrea. But when the Iewes perceyued that they had receyued also the word of God at Berrea: they came and moued & trou­bled the people there. And thē imme­diately the brethren sent away Paul, and by sea brought him to Athens.

Paule in lyke manner preached at Corinthe, and testified to the Iewes that Iesus was very Christ. And whē they saide contrary & blasphemed, Act. 18. he shoke hys raymente, and sayed vnto them: youre bloude bee vpon youre owne headdes.

[Page]When Callio was a ruler of the countrey of Acaia, the Iewes made insurrection with one accorde against Paule, Act. 18. and brought him to the iud­gement seate, sayinge. This felowe counceleth men to worship God con­trary to the lawe.

Paule departinge from Ephesus, and preachinge boldely the worde of God, and doynge there many myra­cles: Act. 19. A certain manne named Deme­trius a siluer smyth, which made syl­uer shrynes for Diana, called toge­ther the workmen of like occupation, and styrde vp a great number of peo­ple agaynst Paule, whome he sayed dyd tourne muche people from the worshippinge of the goddes. When they hearde these sayinges, they wer full of wrathe, and cryed oute say­inge: Greate is Dyana of the Ephe­sians.

As Paule was saylynge oute of Grece into Siria, the Iewes layed wayte for him: Act. 20. and he was counseled to retourne thorowe Macedonia. [Page] And there accompanyed hym many brethren of dyuers and sondrye pla­ces.

When certayne Iewes of Assyria hadde seene Paule in the Temple, they moued all the people, and layed handes on hym, cryinge. Menne of Israel, help. And they toke Paul and drewe him out of the temple. Act. 21. And as they went about to kil hym, tydinges came vnto the hye capitayne, that all Ierusalem was moued: the whyche toke soudiers, and ranne vnto them. When they sawe hym and the soudy­ers, they lefte smytynge of Paule. Then the captayne toke Paule, and commaunded him to be bounde with two chaynes.

As the Iewes cryed against Paul, and caste of theyr clothes and threw duste into the ayer: Act. 22. the capitayne commaunded hym to be broughte in­to the castell, and bad that he shoulde be scourged, and examyned, that they myght knowe wherefore they cryed so on hym.

[Page]When the hye captaine had Paule in holde: mo then fortye Iewes sayd vnto the hye priest. We haue made a vowe that we wyll taste nor eate no­thinge, vntyll we haue slayne Paule. Cause hym therefore to be broughte forthe. For wee are readye or euer hee come near, Act. 23. to kyll hym. But the Capitayne beynge monyshed of thys by Paules systers sonne, caused him wyth stronge hande and warelye to bee conueyed vnto Felyx the hye de­bitye.

Paule standinge before Felyx the Debity, the Iewes accused him that he was a pestilente felowe and a sedi­tious, Ac. 24.25 and when he had oftentymes harde hym and the Iewes, and that the tyme was sore spente, and that Festus should succede him in Cesa­ria: Act. 27.28 hee wyllynge to shewe the Ie­wes a pleasure, lefte Paule bounde, the whiche perceyuinge that Festus dyd hym wronge, appealed vnto Ce­sar.

After this appeale, he suffered ship­wrack, and at Rome was bound with [Page] chaynes, and sufferd great anguyshe and tribulation.

Act. 14.Paul and Barnabas exhorted them to continue in the faythe, affirminge that we must thorow muche tribula­tion enter into the kingdome of God.

2. Corin. 1.The Apostle wrytinge of him selfe sayeth, Brethren I woulde not haue you ignorant of oure trouble, which happened vnto vs in Asia. Where with we were greued out of mesure, passinge strength, so greatlye that it yrked vs to lyue.

When we were come into Macedo­nia, our fleshe had no rest, 2. Corin. 7. but we wer troubled on euery syde, outward was fightinge, inwarde was feare.

And the Apostle commendinge the Thessaloniās, sayd. Ye became folowers of vs, 1. Thes. 1. and of our Lord, receauinge the worde with much affliction with ioye of the holy ghost.

There was aboute a fytye yeares from the tyme of the cōminge of the holy ghost vnto the disciples, Apo. 1.5. Per totum. and the time that Domitian exyled Iohn the Apostle. And yet we rede not, that [Page] he hadde in all that tyme so many dy­uine consolations, as hee hadde in the lyttle tyme of his tribulation. As it is euident in the fyrste of the Apo­calipse.

¶Of the multitude of euyll menne. Capi. Cxii.

WHen the floude was, ther were saued onely but .viii. persons. For all fleshe had corrupte hys waye vpon earth. Gene. 6.

The children of Israell were mo, then the children of Isaac: Gene. 25. and Abra­ham had mo chyldren by Agar, then by Sara.

In the .v. cytyes of Sodome, were not founde .x. iust persons, Gen. 18.19. so there was a multitude of euyll menne, and fewe good.

Amonge al Iosephs brethren there wer but two, Gene. 37. Ruben and Iudas, that labourd to saue him: but yet the euyll preuailde.

Moses sente spyes to consyder and search the lande of promise, Nume. 13. but there [Page] were but two of them good, Caleph and Iosue.

Sixe hundred thousand fyghtynge men were nombred, Nume. 1. of the which two only, Caleph and Iosue dyd enter in­to the land of promise.

There were mo wyth Absolon go­ing about to vsurpe his fathers king­dome, 2. regu. 15 then wyth Dauid that raigned wel and iustly.

The greater parte of the children of Israel was in the kingdom of Sa­maria, 3. reg. 12. for there were ten tribes, and the worst sort of people: and the least part in the kingdome of Ierusalem, for there were but two tribes.

3. regu. 20.The nomber of the king of Siriās fighting men, that fought against Is­rael, was so great, that the king said. The dust of Samaria is not ynough for all the people that followe me, to take euery man an handful.

There was so greate a nomber of fighting mē in Holofernes host: Iudi. 2. that they couered the ground of the lande like the grashoppers.

All the inhabitours of Egipte, and [Page] the wemen, the which stode in a great multitude, Iere. 44. did sacrifice to straunge Gods.

There abode no moe wyth Iudas Machabeus then 800. men, 1. Mach. 9. but in Bachides and Alchinus the traitors host were 10000. men, and two thousand horsmen.

Ther was at Ierusalem, when our Lorde suffred, a greate multitude of people: Iohn. 19. yet was there not a manne found, that woulde manifestly wyth­stand our Lordes death so falslye and wickedly procured. But euerye man cryed, delyuer not Iesus, but Barra­bas.

Certaine Iewes the whych Paule found at Rome at hys fyrst comming thither, Act. 28. said vnto him. As concer­ning this sect of Christiās, we knowe that euerye wher it is spoken against.

¶Of good men which lurked, and were as vnknown among the euyll. Cap. Cxiii.

ALthoughe it be wrytten that all flesh had corrupt his way vpon earth: Gene. 6.7. yet our lord said vnto Noe, the haue I sene righteous before mee in thys generation.

The iust man Lot, did inhabyte a­mong the Sodomites. Gene. 13.

Ioseph did lead a chast and a faith­ful life in Egipt. Gene. 39.

Our Lord appeared vnto Moses in the lande of Madian, Exod. 3. when he kepte Ietros hys father in lawes sheepe in the desart.

Samuel euen amonge the wycked children of Hely, 1. regu. 2. was holy and inno­cent.

Helias iudged all that were vnder Achab and Iezabell, to be Idolaters, hym self excepted: 3. regu. 19. but our Lord saide vnto hym, I shall leaue me 7000. of whiche neuer man bowed hys knees vnto Baall. Roma. 11.

[Page]Tobias was of the tribe of Nepta­lim, and vnder the kingdome of Sa­maria, Tob. 1. in the whych al were estemed to be Idolaters, and wyth diuers vy­ces infected. And yet being in captiui­ty, he forsoke not the way of truthe.

Wheras al in a māner worshipped proud Aman, Esther. 3. only Mardocheus bow­ed not hys kne vnto hym.

Holy Iob was a gentile, and as it is sayde, hee descended of Esau, and yet it is certaine, Iob. 30. that he was marue­lous noble both in faith and maners. The which saide of him selfe, I was the brother of dragons, and the felow of Estriches.

Ieremy was wyth the people whi­the remayned in Iudea after the de­struction of Ierusalem, Ier. 43. and he pray­ed for theym, and declared the wyll of oure LORDE vnto them. But they sayde vnto hym. Thou liest, our LORDE hathe not sente thee. But Baruche prouoketh the against vs, that hee myghte brynge vs into the handes and captiuitye of the Cal­dees.

[Page] Eze. 2.Our Lord sayd vnto Ezechiel: thou sonne of man, feare them not, for the vnfaythful, and prouokers are wyth the, and thou dost dwel among Scor­pyons.

Daniel, Ananias, Azarias, and Mi­sael, dwelt among the Caldees Ido­laters, Dani. 3.6.14. the which labourd to induce & bring them to Idolatry, and to draw them from the worshipping of the very true God.

Dani. 13.Susanna liued in Babilon mooste chastly, wheras the two olde priestes were vnchaste, and vntrue iudges.

It semed that in Antiochus Epiphanis time, that the Iewes were trans­lated and brought to the rites and cu­stomes of the gentiles. 2. Mac. 6.9. But yet there was found Mathathias and his sones Eleazarus, and manye moe, whyche were stable and stronge in the law of God.

Our Lord commending the faythe and deuotion of the Centurion, Math. 8. sayd, I haue not found so great faith in Is­rael.

Nicodemus a ruler of the Iewes, [Page] cam to Iesus by night & cōfest plainly Rabbi, Iohn. 3.19. we know that thou art a tea­cher come from God. And after that our Lorde was crucifyed, he came to bury him, and brought a C. pound of precious oyntment.

Ioseph of the citye of Aramathia, Mar. 15. a noble counselloure was also the dys­ciple of Iesu, but yet a secreat disciple for feare of the Iewes. But laying al feare a syde, he went in boldlye vnto Pilate, and made a deuoute peticyon, askyng of an vndeuout tyraunte, the body of Iesu.

Gamaliell an honorable doctour of the lawe, Act. 5. was a Pharisey, and gaue good & excellent counsaile to the chefe priestes for the Apostles.

There was a certayne man in Ce­saria called Cornelius, Act. 10. a deuout man, and one that feared God wyth all hys housholde, whiche gaue much almesse to the people, & pray­ed God alway.

¶Of the mobility, and inconstancy of the people. Ca. Cxiiii.

MOses returning out of the lād of Madian into Egipt, told al the wordes of oure Lorde, for the whych he had sent him: Then fo­loweth. And the people beleued. And when they hard that oure Lorde had sanctified the chyldren of Israel, they bowed theyr head, and worshypped. But afterwardes when they wer af­flicted by Pharaos task masters, Exo. 4.5 they said to Moses and Aaron. Our Lorde loke vpon you and iudge, which hath made the sauor of vs stink in the eyes of Pharao, and in the eies of hys ser­uauntes: and haue put a swearde in theyr hand to slea vs.

When that the children of Israel, after mani plages of Egypt, came out of Egipt enriched & armed, our lorde going before them, & shewynge them the way by a cloud and fire, Exo. 14.15. they saw the Egiptians folowyng after them, and were sore afraid.

[Page]And saide vnto Moses: because there were no graues in Egipt, haste thou therfore brought vs awaye for to dye in the wildernesse? After that they were comforted by Moses, when our Lord deuided the sea, that they passed ouer dry foted, and that Pharaos host was drowned, then the people fea­red oure Lorde, and beleued him, and hys seruaunt Moses, saying: we wyl sing vnto the Lord.

And sone after commynge to Ma­rath, the people murmured because the waters were bytter: & when they were made swete by castinge in of a lyttle wodde, Exo. 15.16. they murmured agayn for lacke of meat, and sayde vnto Mo­ses and Aaron, would to God we had dyed in the lande of Egypt, when we sate by the flesh pots, and oure Lorde at the euen tyde sente them quayles, and in the mornynge he sente theym Manna.

After thys when he shuld geue thē the law: Exo. 19. they said. All that our Lord hath said, we wil do.

And whē Moses had shewed them y e [Page] wordes and preceptes, the whych he had receyued of our Lord, Exo. 24. they sayde. All the wordes whych our Lord hath sayd, wyl we do.

But when Moses staid long in the mount with our Lorde about the des­cription of the tabernacle, Exo. 32. the people gathered them selues together vnto Aaron, and said. Make vs Gods to go before vs.

After that the Tabernacle was reared vp, Nume. 11. and that the chefe men, after that the fighting menne and Leuites were nombred, had made theyr obla­tions, and that all thynges were or­dayned howe they should go on their iourney: the people a non after began to murmur, Nume. 21. as greaued by muche la­bour.

After that the people had hard the spies relation, they murmured and wept. Nume. 14. And sayde one to another: Let vs make a captain, and retourn vnto Egipt again.

They hearynge, that theyr mur­muring dyspleased our LORDE ascended vppe into the Mountayne, [Page] and against Moses wyll and pleasure did fight and wer ouercomde by their ennemyes. Nume. 14.

Agayne in the sedition of Chore, there rose many agaynste Moses and Aaron, Nume. 16. and when they were most ter­riblye punished, the multitude of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron, sayinge, ye haue kylled the people of oure Lorde.

And when oure Lorde hadde by the miracle of Aarons rod caused them to ceasse from their grudginge, Nume. 17. they say­ed. Beholde we are wasted away and consumed, we all come to noughte, who so euer cōmeth nye the dwelling of our Lorde, dyeth.

Forthermore they proceded & came to the waters of strife, Nume. 20. where they chode in suche manner wyth Moses and Aaron, that they lykewyse mys­trusted the diuine power. And there­fore oure Lorde punished them.

After that the people beganne to cō ­mit whoredome wyth the doughters of Moab, Nume. 25. whyche called the people vnto the sacryfice of theyr goddes, Is­raell [Page] coupled hym selfe vnto Baall Peor. And oure Lorde commaunded the heads of the people to bee hanged vp agaynst the sonne.

When Gedeon hadde delyuerd the chyldren of Israell from the hande of Madian, and had slain zebee and Sal­mana, the men of Israell sayed vnto him, Iudi. 8. raygne thou ouer vs, both thou thy sonne, and thy sonnes sonne. But after that he was dead hauinge .70. sonnes, they went not aboute to take any of them to be their Lorde & ruler.

Samuel the prophet delyuered the people of Israel from the hand of the Philistines, 1. reg. 7.8. and recouered the cityes whiche they had taken from Israell. Afterwards they gathered thē selues together, & demaunded a king, both a­gainst our Lords will and Samuels.

Although that Dauid ruled and go­uerned y e people wel, 2. regu. 15. and had wonne many victories, yet they sone conspi­red against him. And y e people depar­ting frō him, encreased with Absolon.

It is to be noted, that when Dauid shoulde returne vnto Ierusalem, the [Page] people would haue brought him thy­ther with greate honoure. 2. re. 19.20 But inas­much as the men of Iuda had cōmo­ned and spoken with them of the ten tribes, all Israel went from Dauid, & folowed Siba the sonne of Bochry.

In kinge Salomons time, the chil­dren of Israell had aboundance of all temporall thinges, 3. reg. 10.12 and floryshed in great honour, and yet by the occasion of a rughe worde, all they for the most parte, dyd sone leaue and departe from his sonne Roboam.

When the children of Israel hearde of the terrible power of Holofernes, they occupyed all the toppes of the moūtaines, Iudith. 4.7. and made fast the townes with walles, and prepared corne for them against the battail. Afterwards when they felte them selues streyted of the host, they came al to Osias and sayed. God be iudge betwixte vs and thee, for thou haste dealt euyll wyth vs, because thou speakest not peace­ablye wyth the kinge of Assirians.

When Ieremy hadde ended all the words that our Lord had cōmaunded [Page] hym to speake vnto the people: then the preastes and all the people tooke holde vppon him, I [...]re. 26. and sayed. Thou shalt dye. And afterwardes, the Ru­lers and people saied vnto y e preastes. This man maye not be condempned vnto death.

All the people from the least vnto the most, came to Ieremy the prophet and sayed, we wyll do all that oure Lorde commaundeth vs, Iere. 4 [...].43 whether it be good or euil. But they tenne daies after that Ieremy hadde declared the wyll and pleasure of our Lorde vnto them, saied vnto him. Thou liest our Lord hath not sent thee: But Baruch the sonne of Neria prouoketh against vs. Nor thei wold not heare the voice of oure Lorde.

The multitude dyd sone beleue the two preastes: Dani. 13. and condempned Su­sanna to death. And a non after there foloweth. The people returned with hast, and came vpon the two preastes, and dealte with them, euen as they woulde haue done wyth their neygh­boure.

[Page]Simon knew that Triphon dissem­bled in his woordes, when he asked Ionathas two sonnes, and a .C. ta­lentes of siluer, yet he commaunded that it shoulde be deliuered: 1. Mach. 13. least hee shoulde be the greater enemy against the people of Israel: and say: because he sente not the money and the chyl­dren, therfore is Ionathas dead.

On a certaine daye when that our Lorde was in the citye of Nazareth, the Iewes gently desyred him, to do such miracles there, Luc. 4. as he had done at Capernaum: But after he had a litle rebuked and checked them, they were fylled with wrath, and thrust him out of the citye, and would haue cast him downe hedlyng frō the edge of y e hyll.

When our lord had satisfied .5000. men with .v. loues and two fishes thei would haue caught him to make him king. Iohn. 6. But sone after the vnfaythful bega [...]ne to dispute and aske questi­ons: sayinge. What sygne shewest thou, that we maye beleue thee.

When the Iewes sawe that Laza­rus was reuiued, and that our Lorde [Page] had done many other miracles: they came and met hym wyth greate ho­noure: Iohn. 12. And yet at euen tyde, when he had well behelde them, he founde not one that inuited, or that calde hym whome to his house.

The people .v. dayes before Ester receiued Iesus with great myrth and and honoure, Iohn. 18.19 & all that weke the peo­ple were muche desirous to heare hys woordes, and in the mournynge they came to him into the temple to heare him. But on the .vi. day [...] folowynge, all they dyd crye, crucifye him.

After that the spirite sate vpon ech of the disciples, Act. 2. the mutitude came to­gether, and were astonyed. Other mocked, saying, these men are full of new wyne. But Peter stode slyffe in thys mater and excusynge the dyscy­ples, spake many thinges vnto them, alleging the words of Iohel the pro­phet. When they hearde thys, they were pricked in theyr hartes, askinge what they shoulde do. And the same daye there were Baptyzed aboute .3000. soules.

[Page]Upon a certen Sabothe daye, the whole city came almoste together to heare the worde of God, Act. 13. the whyche Paul and Barnabas preached. The Iewes spake against it blaspheming At length Paule and Barnabas tur­ned them selues to preache vnto the gentiles. Whan the gentiles hearde this, they wer glad. A while after the Iewes moued the deuoute wemen, & the chefe men of the citye, and raysed persecution against Paule and Bar­nabas and expelled them out of theyr coastes. But they shoke of the dust of theyr fete against them, and came to Iconium.

When Paule and Barnabas were at Listris a citye of Lycaonia, & that Paule had cured there a certen crea­pell: Act. 14. the people sayde that they were Gods, and would haue done sacrifice vnto them. But they declaring y t thei wer but mortal mē, pacified y e people y t they did them no sacrifice. Thither came certain Iewes, which whē they had perswaded y e people, stoned Paul, [Page] and drue him out of the citye, suppo­sing he had bene dead.

Certaine men which had a mayde y e prophesied, the which Paul deliue­red of y e deuil, did so moue & stir y e ma­gestrates & rulers of the city, that the people ran so against Paule and Si­las his felow, Act. 16. y t they rēt theyr clothes, &, bet them with rods, cast them into pryson, and made their fete fast in the stockes. And the next after they praid them to departe.

Paule being at Ephesus, and do­inge there many miracles, a certayne manne name Demetrius, a Syluer smith, which made siluer shrynes for Diana, called together workmen of lyke occupa [...]ion, and moued so great trouble in the city, Act. 19. that it was all in a rore and confusyon, and they rushed into the commen hal with one assent, and the most part knewe not where­fore they were come together. Then were Paule and his felowes in great daunger of body, but the town clarke speaking faire, and discreatlye to the people, ceased them, and let the con­gregation [Page] depart euerye man to hys owne house.

On a certen day ther was in Ieru­salē such a cōcourse of people agaynst Paule, that they bet hym, and drewe him so out of the temple, that scarce­ly the hie captayne, the whyche came thither with his Souldioures coulde come by him. Afterwardes when hee had declared what thinges had chan­ced vnto hym, al they of Damasco lift vp their voyces, and said. Away with him, Act. 21.22.23. for it is no reason that he should liue. The next day following, Paule cryed out in the counsel, men and bre­thren, I am a Pharisey, the sonne of a Pharisey, then there arose a debate betwene the Phariseis and the Saduces, and the multitude was deuided. And certaine Phariseis rose vp and fought, saying. We fynde no euell in thys man. Though a spryte or an an­gel hath appeared and spoken to him let vs not striue against God.

When that Paule, after the shyp­wracke that happened in the wynter, was warminge him selfe at the fyre: [Page] ther came a viper out of the heat, and caughte him by the hande, when the straungers saw that, they sayd amōg them selues: Act. 28. No doubte this man is a murtherer: whome though he haue escaped the sea, yet vengaunce suffreth not to lyue. Paule shoke of the viper into the fyre, and felt no harme. But when they sawe no harme come to him, they chaunged their mynds, and said that he was a God.

¶Of good operations and workes. ¶Capitu. Cxv.

OUr Lord put man in the gar­den of pleasure, to dresse and keepe it. Gen. 2.3. In the sweate of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread. And af­ter that, our Lord put hym out of the garden of pleasure, to labor y e groūd, of the whyche he was taken & made. And so note thou, that oure LORD woulde manne to laboure bothe in the state of innocencye, and also after hys fal.

[Page]Dauid when other kynges were wonte to goe forthe to battayle, 1. regu. 11. tar­ryed at home, and in that idlenesse, commytted bothe aduoutry and trea­son.

Salomon did build our lords house and his owne. 3. regu. 6.7 But yet note: that hee builded our Lordes house fyrste. And although the worke was much grea­ter, yet he accomplyshed all in a lesse time.

The workmen wrought industri­ously, 2. Para. 24. and sette vppe the house of our Lorde in as good estate and condyty­on as it was before, and strengthe­ned it.

Hezechias the Kynge of Iuda, wrought it that was good, 2. Para. 31. right, and true before our Lord, and sought hys God, and that did he withal his hart, and prospered.

In the second yere that the children of Iuda wer returned from Babilon, 1. Esd. 3. they began to lay the foundation of y e temple, Iosue the sonne of Iosedech, and his brethren ouer loked the work men that laboured.

[Page] 1. Esd. 6.Kinge Darius commaunded that our Lordes house shuld be buylded in Ierusalem, & that the expences shuld be geuen out of the kinges cofers, for hindring of the worke.

1. Esd. 4.Note that the workes, the whyche the children of transmigration made as concerninge the foundation of the temple, and the wals of the city, had many hinderers.

Iona. 3.God beheld the workes of the Nini­uites, and had mercy on them.

Mat. 20.Idle workmen if they bee called to wages, are reproued.

Our Lord commendeth the seruāt whiche receiued fiue talentes, and v­sing them, Mat. 25. gaind other fiue. And him likewise that receiued two, and gay­ned other two. But he reproued hym which receiued one talent, and encreased it not, but kept and reserued it vn­profitablye.

The two disciples which constrai­ned our Lord to abide with thē, Luc. 24. knew him not by hys woordes as longe as they wer wyth him. But by his work of hospitality and breaking of breade [Page] they knew him.

Our Lord approued the woorke of Mary Magdalen when she anoynted him euen as he sat at meat, Mar. 14. notwith­ding that his disciples grudged with in them selues there at.

Christ dothe declare, that chyldren should ensue and follow the laudable workes of theyr fathers, Iohn. 8. saying. If ye bee the children of Abraham, do the dedes of Abraham.

Paule the Apostle doth cōpare good workes to sede, 2. Cor. 9. of the whyche a man soweth litle inough, and yet reapeth plenteously, for he which soweth lit­tle, shal reape little.

Paule reprehended the Thessalo­nians for theyr idlenesse verye sharp­lye, 2. Thes 3. althoughe in a nother place hee commendeth them. And saythe, that if anye woulde not woorke, the same should not eat.

Tabitha was Christes dysciple: the same was full of good workes & and almes dedes, Act. 9. which she did. And ther­fore when she was dead, many were [Page] moued to praye Peter for her, and he reuiued her againe.

In all people, he that feareth oure Lord, Act. 10. and worketh righteousnesse, is accepted with him.

Paule beinge at Corinthe, abode with Aquila and Priscilla, Act. 18. because he was of the same craft, & wrought. Their craft was to make tentes.

¶Of mans true intention in doing of his workes. Cap. Cxvi.

CAin kild his brother Abel. Da­uid Goliath. Ioab Abner, and Amasia, Herode Antipas, Ihon the Baptist. Agrippa Iames. Peter wyth a word slew Ananias and Sa­phira, but consider their diuers intentions and causes.

Abraham when our Lord promy­sed him a childe, laughed, and Sara laughed within her selfe. Gen. 17.18. But Abra­hams laughing was commēded, and Saras reprehended,

Pharao sayd, I haue sinned. Ex. 9. [Page] Dauid said, I haue trespassed .ii. Re. xii. Manasses said the same .2. Par. 33. Iudas saide also that he had synned. Math. 27. But the affections and in­tentions of theyr heartes were verye diuers.

Moses in a maner spake like words at Raphidi, Exo. 17. when the people asked water to drink. And at the waters of strife. But at the fyrste tyme he was in no doubt, as he was in the second. As it appeareth by the payn that fol­lowed. Nume. 20.

The chyldren of Ruben and Gad, and halfe the trybe of Manasses, Iosu. 22. buil­ded an aultare, but in an nother in­tent, then the children of Israell bele­ued.

Our Lord cōmended the good will 2. regu. 7. of Dauid intending to buylde hym a temple: although he woulde haue no temple of his buildinge.

Dauid sent not for Urias, whyche was in the host, to exalte hym, 2. regu. 11. but to cloke his synne, the which he had committed with Urias wife.

[Page]Iudith decketh her self very cury­ously, but all that deckinge came not of voluptuousnesse, Iudi. 10. but of vertue, to deliuer the people of God oute of the handes, of theyr most enemy.

That Mardocheus wold not wor­shyp Aman, Esth. 3. nor bowe bys knee vnto hym, he did it not vpon any disobedy­ence or contempt, but that he woulde not, as hee saythe, geue the honoure due vnto God, to anye mortall crea­ture.

Herode said vnto the wisemen, that when they had found the childe, Math. 2. they should send hym word, that he might worshyppe hym also. But hee inten­ded one thynge, and pretended an o­ther.

Our Lord charged the two blynde men to whome he restored their sight that no man shoulde know of it: mat. 9. Yet there followeth, that they spreade a­brode hys name in al y e land, wtthout the reproch of any transgression.

Our Lord dothe adde notablye the end and intention, whych euery man ought to haue doyng wel, or suffryng [Page] euill. Blessed are ye, Mat. 5.10.19. when mē reuile you &c. For mee, or for my names sake. And who soeuer shal geue a cup of colde water. &c. Or who so leaueth hys house. &c.

Our Lord commaunded that men should geue almes and faste, Mat. 6. but not for the loue and fauour of men, least perchaunce such good workes, should be corrupted & depraued throughe an euel intention.

Some there were, that ensued and folowed our Lord, Iohn. 6. to take him in hys words: some other to eat of his bread. And other, that he or his frend might be healed of theyr diseases, and some, to be eternally saued.

Herode was desirous of a long sea­son to se Iesus, Luc. 23. not of any deuotyon, but vpō hope to se some myracle done by him. And therfore it profited hym not to se Iesus.

¶Of Slouthfulnesse and negligence. ¶Capitu. Cxvii.

[Page]IAcob hearynge that there was vitayles and corne to be solde in Egypt, Gen. 42. saide vnto hys sones, Whye neglect you this mater? Get you downe, and by vs that, that is nedefull.

The chyldren of Israell in the de­sert hadde Aungels breade, Nume. 11. and yet being blinded, they desyred the metes of Egypte.

Slouthfulnesse and tediousnes is vnto manne the cause of impacience, Nume. 11. and carnall desyre: and the occasion of many lyes as it is euidente in the boke of numbers. We remember the fishe which we did eate in Egipte for naughte.

The chyldren of Israell departed from mount hor, Nume. 21. and began to fainte by the way, and war weary of their loboure and iourney. And they spake against God and Moses, saying. Our soule lotheth this light breade, wher­fore our Lorde sente fyerye serpentes amonge the people.

Abner kept Saule his Lorde verye neglygentlye: 2. regu. 26. for when Dauid came [Page] downe into hys hoste, he founde no­man that watched.

Isboseth Sauls sonne being a slepe was slayne. 2. regu. 4.

When other kinges were wont to go a warfare, 2. regu. 11. Dauid taried at whom, wher y t he, by thys occasion, cōmitted aduoutry and most hainusmurther.

It pleased Ioas the kinge of Iuda, to repayre oure Lordes house, 2. Para. 24. and he commaunded the Leuites, to be dili­gente aboute the same. But yet they did theyr parte but negligentely: and therefore the kinge reprehended Io­iada the hye preaste.

Whylste the men were a slepe, the enuious man came and sowde tares amonge the corne. Mat. 13.

The slothful and idle are reproued, and they that do work rewarded. Mat. 20.

A greate tempest arose in the sea, Ionas ga [...]e hym vnder the hatches, fell a slepe. Ionas. 1. & So the master of the shyp came, and saide vnto him. Why slom­brest thou? Up, and call vpon thy god.

Our lord did reprehend veri sharply [Page] Mat. 25.the slouthful seruaunt which neglec­ted to multiplye and encrease the ta­lent commytted and delyuered vnto hym.

Mat. 25.The sleping virgins, whose lampes were not prepared, wer afterwardes excluded from the mariage.

Mar. 14.The disciples semed to be at y e hour euen very heauy and slouthful, when that they, after our Lord had prayed them to watche, dyd sleape continu­ally.

¶ Of the good toward­nesse of children. ¶Capitu. Cxviii.

IT is not red, that Isaac, when hys father at Gods commaun­demente woulde haue offered hym vp in a sacrifice, Gene. 12. did either mur­mur ther at, or run his waies.

Ioseph accused hys brethrē to hys father of an exceading greate cryme, Gene. 27. the whych accusement in hym, was a signe that he detested sinne. And whē his father said vnto him, come, for I [Page] wyl send thee to thy brethren, he most obediently answered, here am I.

Samuel beinge yet a childe, was a minister in the sighte of God, 1. regu. 2.3 where the arke of God was.

When Dauid should be anoynted king, 1. regu. 16. he was a little one in the fielde and kept sheape, obeyinge hys father humbly and abiectly.

Ioas the sonne of Ioram kynge of Iuda, 2. Para. 24. was but a childe of 7 [...] yere old when he began to raign, he dyd that which was right and good before our Lorde, all the dayes of Iehoiada the priest.

Iosias was viii. yeare olde when he began to raign. He did that which was righte, 4. regu. 22. good, and pleasant in the syght of oure Lorde, and yet he had a very euell father, and graundfather.

Though Tobias wer yonger then all other in the tribe of Nephtaly, yet did not he behaue him selfe childishly in hys woorkes. Tob. 1.4. And afterwardes when hee hadde begotten a sonne, he taught him from his childhode to fear God, and to abstain from all synne.

[Page] Dani. 1.Daniell and his thre companions obseruing the lawe of God, without Prophete, priest, or master, lyued so­berly, iustly, and deuoutlye amonge the gentyles chyldren.

The seuen brethren, yonge men, had a wonderfull wysdome in their aunswers, 2. Mach. 7. and a maruelous pacience in their tribulations.

Iohn the Baptist grew and waxed stronge in spirite, Luc. 1. and was in wyl­dernes, tyll the daye came when he should shewe him selfe vnto the Isra­elytes.

Our sauiour a childe of .xii. yeares of age, Luc. 2. was founde in the temple in the middes of the doctours, hearinge them, & posing them. And after that, he went downe with Mary & Ioseph, and was subiect & obedient vnto the.

¶Of the societie and fe­lowshyp of good men. Ca. 119.

Gen. 18.THis is greatlye to be conside­red, that if ther had bene found ten iuste men, in the v. synfull [Page] Cities, that for their sakes, our Lord would haue spared all the reast.

Iacob said vnto Laban, it was but tittle that thou haddest before I came to thee, Gen. 30. and nowe thou art increased & made rich, and our Lord hathe blessed thee for my sake.

Our lord blessed the house of Egipt for Iosephes sake, Gen. 41 and increased it.

Iacob was well accompanyed that sayd, Gene. 35. let vs make and reare vp an al­tare vnto our Lord, for he hath heard me in the day of mitribulation: & was wyth me in the way which I went.

Israell serued our Lord al the daies of Iosua, Iosu. 24. and the elders that ouer ly­ued Iosna, the whyche knewe all the workes of our Lorde that he had done for Israel.

The children of Dan tooke Lachis, and flue the men, Iudi. 18. whiche dwelt care­lesse, without castinge of pearyls, and hadde no society nor businesse with o­ther men.

Saule sent sergeauntes and messengers to take Dauid that was wyth [Page] Samuel and other prophets, 1. regu. 19. y t which began to prophesy, and Saule came, and prophecied with them.

For the reuerence and honor of Iosaphat king of Iuda which worshyp­ped God, 4. regu. 3. Elizeus the prophet obtay­ned water for the host, in the whych were two euil kinges.

Tobias would haue such gestes to dine with him, Tob. 2.4.5 as feared God, and he saught his sonne the same. Eate not with the sinful. And he most diligently wold know wyth whom his sonne should go wythall.

Yōg Tobias wife said: I haue not kept company wyth those that passe their time in sporte: Tobi. 3. Neyther haue I made my self partaker with thē that walke in light behauour.

When they hearde the cruel com­maundement of king Nabuchodono­zor, that all the wise men at Babilon should be put to deathe: Dani. 2. they calde to theyr felowes, to seke mercy at gods hand. Then was there a vision shewed vnto Daniel by nyght. And so the kyng by the occasyon of hys seruant [Page] Daniel, spared the wyse men of Ba­bylon.

After the death of Iudas Machabe­us, wycked men came vp, 1. mach. 6. and there was a great dearth in the lande, and Bachides made y e vngratious, lordes in the land. And there came great tri­bulation in Israel, the whiche pera­uenture should not haue chaunced, yf they had had Iudas to theyr lord and master.

When the fyrst of those vii. brethrē was fryed in the cauldron, 2. Mach. 7. the other with theyr mother exhorted one ano­ther to die strongly and manfully.

Iudas Marchabeus went to take the city of Chytopolis. 2. Mach. 12. But for y e Iewes sake which were within it, the which they intreated louingly, he dyd them no euil, but gaue them thanckes, ex­horting them to be frendlye vnto hys kindred.

As longe as Peter remained wyth the Apostles, Math. 26. he was stedfast & sure, but when he was in the hye pryestes court warming him selfe by the fyre wyth his seruauntes, he began to de­ny [Page] our Lord.

Iohn. 9.Anon after that our Lorde had ge­uen him his sighte that was blynde from hys byrthe, the Phariseys caste him out of the sinagoge. But the be­ninge Lord Iesus receiued him amōg his faithful.

When all the disciples were wyth one accord together, Act. 2. the holye ghoste came vpon them, and inestimably did teach them and strengthen them.

It is thus wrytten of the faythfull, the which wer in the primitiue chur­che. Al that beleued kept them selues together, Act. 2. and had al things commen. Then followeth. They did eat theyr meate together, wyth gladnesse and singlenesse of hart, praising our lord, and hande fauoure wyth all the peo­ple.

Saule after his conuersyon came to Ierusalem, and assaide to couple him self to the disciples, but they wer al afraid, and fled from hym, and be­leued not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas tooke him, Act. 9. & brought him to the Apostles.

[Page]The men which were wyth Paule in the ship, when the greate tempest raged, Act. 27. were all saued, because Paule was in theyr company. For the aun­gel of our Lord saide vnto hym. Loe, God hathe geuen thee all theym that saile with thee.

¶Of the society and fel­lowshyp of euell men. Capi. Cxx.

ABraham departed wel from the Caldees, Gen. 11.15. where men were infected with Idolatrye, so that oure Lord remembreth that, as a benefite saying. I am the Lord that broughte the out of Hur of the Caldees.

A man shuld forsake and leaue his country not only in body, but also in thought and affection. Gene. 12. Where vpon our lord sayde vnto Abraham, which was gone out of his countrye in bo­dy. Get thee out of thy countrye. &c. And note the promises whiche were made there.

We rede not y t our lord appeared vn­to [Page] Abraham as long as he was in com­panye wyth euill men in Hur of the Caldees, Gen. 13.15.17.18. it is not red y t the lord apeared to him although he was taken for a good man. But after hee departed thence, we reade that he was often­tymes visyted wyth deuine appariti­ons.

Gen. 13.19.Lot by the occasyon of the wycked Sodomites, with whome he inhaby­ted and dwelt, suffred great iniuryes and wronges.

It appeareth by Lot, how harde it is to leaue the accustomed companye of the euel: Gene. 19. the which could euē scarcely be drawen away by the angell frō the Sodomites. Gen. 21.

Ismaels play and pastime with I­saac, dyspleased Sara.

Gen. 28.Our Lord many diuers manner of wayes dyd comfort Iacob, auoidyng the companye of his wicked brother.

Iacob wold not go on wyth his vn­gratious and euell brother, Gene. 33. although he had pacified him with giftes: Not withstanding his brother instantlye desired hym, and hadde shewed hym signes and tokens of dilection & loue.

[Page]Moses said to the congregation of Israel: Nume. 26. depart from the tents of these wycked men, and touch nothynge of theyrs, least ye pearyshe in all theyr synnes.

Our Lord sayd to Moses, cōmaund the children of Israel that they. when they enter into the lande of Canaan, Nume. 33. destroy al the inhabitors of the land: but if ye wyl not destroy them, they y e remayne, shall be as it were prickes in youre eyes, and Dartes in youre sydes.

By the occasyon of Acham whyche toke wyth him of the excommunicate thynges of Iericho, Iosu. 7. the people were ouerthrowne in battayle.

Through certaine chyldren of Be­liall, the whych had commytted a de­testable dede against y e Leuites wife: Iudi. 19.20 al the children of Beniamin, fewe ex­cepted, were slaine.

The chyldren of Israel would not destroy the inhabyters of the land, Iudi. 1.2 as the Lord commaunded them, & there­fore theyr chaunce was vnfortunate and euell.

[Page]The familiaritye and amitye that Amnon Dauids sonne hadde wyth Ionadab, 3. regu. 13. gaue hym an occasion and a waye to enforce Thamar hys sy­ster.

Many simple persons drue vnto Absolon rebellyng agaynste hys father: 2. regu. 15 the whych would neuer haue conspi­red against Dauid, if they had conty­nued with good and peaceable men at Ierusalem.

For certain which were yet alyue of the house and family of Saul, 2. regu. 21. ther fel a great hunger in the land, vntyll that they, at the peticion of the Ga­banites, were hanged.

Iosaphat the king of Iuda was al­most slaine goynge to warfare wyth Achab, 2. Para. 19. and was reproued by y e lordes prophet, saying. Thou helpest the vngodlye, and louest them that hate the lord, and therefore thou deseruest the ire and anger of the lord.

Ochozias king of Iuda, walked in Achabs wayes, 4. reg. 8. and did euill before y e lord. The cause foloweth, for he was Achabs sonne in law.

[Page]Elizeus the prophet said vnto Iosaphat king of Israel, 2. Pat. 20. because thou hast ioyned thy self wyth Ochozia, y e lord hath broken thy workes, and destroid thy shyps.

The man of God came to Amasia king of Iuda, 2. para. 25 and said. O king let not the armye of Israel come wyth thee, for the lord is not with Israel. But if thou thinke that the battayl doth consyst in the strength of the hoast, God shall make thee fall before thy enne­mye.

When the chyldren of Israel aft [...]r theyr comming agayne from Baby­lon, 1. Esd. 3.4. were a buildinge the Temple, their aduersaries wold haue builded with them: but they vsing good counsail, refused them.

When all the other wente to the golden calues, Tob. 1. which Ieroboam [...]ad made, Tobias alone fled al their cōpanies, and went to Ierusalem to wor­shyp the lord God of Israel.

Blessed Iob sayd, I am the brother of Dragons, Iob. 30. and the companyon of Estriches.

[Page] esa. 6.When Esay hadde sayde, I am a man of vncleane lyppes, he sheweth the cause why. For I dwell amonge people that hathe vncleane lyppes also.

It was said vnto Ezechiel, vnfaithfull, and subuerters are wyth thee, eze. 2. and thou dost dwel amonge Scorpy­ons.

The wycked hurt one another, for the two old men toke audacitye and boldnesse of thys to accuse Susanna: Dani. 13. because they both agreed to one mys­chefe.

So longe as Iudas Machabeus fought for hys people, 1. mach. 8.9 trusting to the ayd and healpe of God, al thyng prospered wyth hym, but after y t he made amitye and societye wyth the mooste puissaunt Romaines, sone after hee was ouercumd, and slaine in battail. The like thing chanced to Ionathas Iudas brother. 1. mach. 12.

Peter being with the disciples at the supper of oure Lorde, was verye bolde and sure, mat. 26. but when he came to the hie priestes courte, he at the voyce [Page] of a wenche denyed our Lorde.

The blynde manne that sat by the waye syde begginge, Luc. 18. cryed vnto our Lorde Iesus. And they that went be­fore, rebuked hym, that hee shoulde holde hys peace.

He that was borne blynde, whome oure Lorde restored vnto his syghte agayne, Ihon. 9. was not counted amonge the faythfull of christ, vntyll the Phary­sees, hadde thrust hym oute of the sy­nagoge.

At tymes, many euyll and wicked persons drawe to one euil society and felowshippe, Nume. 22. to hurte those that bee good. So came Balaac and Balaam together to cursse the people of Is­raell.

Adonizedech king of Ierusalem, and other foure kinges came together a­gainst the Gabaonites, Iosu. 10. because they had made peace with Iosue.

Also Iabin the kinge of Asor and other .30. kinges came against Iosue, and the chyldren of Israell. Iosu. 11. And the fyue princes of the Philistines, of Canane, of Sydon, and Euei. Item [Page] Madian & Amal [...]ch, and other natiōs of the East.

And thus is that sayinge of Esay vnderstanded. Siria rested vpon E­phraim, that is the ten tribes, Esa. 7. and the kinge of Siria agreed in one, vtter­lye to extirpate and destroye the king of Iuda.

Luc. 23Agayne at the tyme of oure Lordes passyon. Herode and Pilate were made frendes.

Panle doth commende the Philipi­ans sayinge. In the myddes of a cro­ked and a peruerse natyon, Philip. 2. amonge whome ye shyne as lyghtes in the worlde.

Act. 2.Peter the Apostle sayed vnto cer­tayne Iewes which harde the worde of God: Saue your selues from thys vntowarde generation.

Paulus Sergius the ruler desired to heare the worde of God: But he had with hym one Elimas the sorce­rer, Act. 13. a pseude prophet, a Iewe; the which withstode Paule and Barna­bas, sekinge to turne the ruler away from the faith.

[Page]The men of Listria were of suche simplicity, that they estemed Paule and Barnabas to be gods, and come downe to the earthe in the likenes of menne. And when Paule had euen skarsely apaysed them, and had be­gonne to shewe thē the way of truth: thether came certayne Iewes, the whiche perswaded the people so, that they stoned Paule, and lefte him for dead.

When that our Lordes worde did stronglye encrease and growe in E­phesus, and y e god did many myracles there by Paule: Act. 19. Demetrius whiche made siluer shrynes for Diana, called together workemen of like occupati­on, and moued a greate sedytion a­gainst Paule.

¶Of good prosperity. Capitu. Cxxi.

THe aboundaunce of temporall thinges, is oftentymes the oc­casion of muche synne, as in that regyon and countrey the whiche [Page] was watered, and lyke the garden of our Lord, Gen. 13. and like the land of Egipt as thou cōmest vnto zoar, the whiche the wicked Sodomites dyd inhabite.

When Gedeon was litle and thre­shed wheate, Iudi. 6.8. hee was good, and the Aungell of oure Lorde did visite him. But after he had obtayned the victorye against the Madianites, he mys­behaued hym selfe.

Saule or euer he was made kinge, was good, 1. regu. 15. but after he toke vpon him to rule, he waxed proude, and brake oure Lordes commaundement.

After that Dauid had made greate war and had gotten many victoies of hys ennemies, 2. regu. 11. he remayninge in quietnes at Ierusalem, cōmitted ad­uouterye, and afterwardes ensued murther.

Dauid by the occasion of the mul­titude of his subiectes, 2. regu. 24. waxed proud: and caused his people to be numbred: But yet note, how greuously he was punished.

In Salomons tyme siluer was of no valure: 3. reg. 10.11 For in Ierusalem syluer [Page] was as plenteous as stones. But note, how maruelus and how terrible a thinge it was that his abundaunce of thinges hurte him more, then hys wisedome auayled him,

Or euer Ieroboam had dominion and rule ouer the .x. tribes, 3 regu. 12. we rede not that he was euyl, but that he was a good yong man and a deligent: but sone after he had obtayned the kyng­dome, he made golden calues, and leaste hee shoulde bee tourned oute of hys domynion and rule, hee a­uerted and tourned the people from GOD.

Amasias the kynge of Iuda made warre against Edome. 4. reg. 14 Where vpon hys hart became proud, and intended to fight against Ioas the kinge of Is­ell, but he prosperd not.

When Roboams kingedome was fortified, 2. Para. 11. and comforted, he forsoke the lawe of oure Lorde, and all Isra­ell wyth hym.

When Osias the kinge of Iuda be­came myghtye, 2. Para. 20. hys harte arose to his destruction for hee wente into the [Page] temple to burne incense vppon the aulter of incense.

Manasses kinge of Ierusalem was exceadynge euyll. 2. Para. 33 But afterwardes being bounde in Babilon, and in tri­bulation, he prayde vnto oure Lorde, and dyd exceadinge greate penaunce before our Lord.

They dyd eat and were fylled, and became fat, 2. Esd. 9 and lyued in wealth tho­row thy greate goodnes. And prouo­ked thee to anger.

Wordly prosperity doth somtimes multiplye and muche encrease and bringe carnall frendes together, Tobi. 2.11. the whiche aduersitye dothe auoyde and flye, for Tobias kinsmen and frends, after he had recouered his sight, and was enriched, came vnto him: the whiche thinge is not redde that they dyd as longe as he was blynde, and that hys wyfe went to the weauinge worke.

After that Nabuchodonozor hadde ouercomde Arphaxat the king of Me­des, his kingdome was exalted, Iudith. 1. and his hart was lyfte vp.

[Page]Although Aman was next vnto y e mighty and puissaunt king Ahaswe­rus, Esth. 3.5. and had great richesse, children, and frendes, yet he was troubled and vexed that Mardocheus woulde not bow hys kne vnto him, as though he had had nothyng.

Note the shortnesse of this prosperity. As long as the plage of the lorde was ouer Iob, althoughe certayne frendes came vnto hym, yet they wer onerous and heauye comfortors, nor it is not red that they gaue hym any thing. But after the lorde had geuen Iob twise as much as he had before, then came there vnto hym al his bre­thren, and all that had bene of his ac­quaintance before, Iob. 42. and dyd comforte him: and euery one gaue him a shepe and an earing of gold.

The Image, whyche Nabuchodo­nozor sawe, Dani. 2. was smitten of a stone, hewen oute of a mountaine, and was broken to poulder, doth sufficientlye declare worldly prosperity to be no­thing.

[Page]The Children of Zambry made a great marriage. 1. macha. 9. And y e Iewes wyth Ionathas slue manye of them. Thus the marriage was tourned to mour­ning, and the noyse of their melodye into lamentation.

King Ptolomy of Egipt, after that Alexander the kinge of Siria was o­uercumd, 1. Mach. 11. & dryuen into Araby, was exalted, and his honor increased: Ga­diel the Arabian smote of Alexanders head, and sent it to Ptolomy, but the third daye after, died kinge Ptolomy him self.

The yong manne that inquyred of Christ, mat [...]. 19. how he mighte haue eternall life, had many and great possessions, and therefore when oure Lorde gaue him the counsel of perfection, he wēt his wayes sory.

Peter denyed our Lord in the high priestes palace. math. 26.

The Iewes receiued our Lord into Ierusalem solempnlye: math. 21. but after hee had wel beheld them, towardes euen, he went to Bethany. For he founde not one that woulde receiue him into [Page] hys house, and lodge him.

The example that our Lord dothe vse, Luc. 12. and put by the riche man, whose ground brought forth plētiful frutes, doth greatly serue vs to despise the a­boundance of temporall thinges. For when he most diligently thoughte to breake down and destroy his barnes, and build greater. God said vnto him Thou fole, this night will the deuils fetch away thy soul from thee. Then whose shall those thinges be, whyche thou hast prouided?

The biers of the farme, and Oxen, and he that maried a wife were calde to our Lordes supper, Luc. 14. and they, as being busy about other thinges, excused them selues but the poore, and the fe­ble were brought in.

Our Lorde beholdinge the citye of Ierusalem, Luc. 19. being in temporal peace, and ignoraunte of the miseryes that were to come: wept on it, sayinge. If thou haddest knowne, thou woulde wepe.

When the people gaue a shout, He rode hauinge on his royall apparell, [Page] sitting in his seat, and makyng an o­ration vnto them, Act. 12. they said. It is the voyce of a God, and not of a manne. And immediatly the aungell of oure lord smote hym, because he gaue not GOD the honoure, and he was ea­ten of Wormes, and gaue vppe the Ghoste.

¶ Of worldly curiosity. Capi. Cxxii.

THe occasyon of the fyrst trans­gression semeth to haue hadde hys beginnynge of thys, Gen. 3. that Eue did lysten curiously vnto the ser­pent, and did curiously behold the tre forbode.

Dina the doughter of Lia, wēt out to se wemen of the land. Gen. 34. Ther foloweth, that she was sene, rauyshed, and forced.

Our lorde commaunded Moses to saye vnto the people: Exo. 19. beware ye goe not vp into the mount, or touche the border of it. Who so euer toucheth y e mount, shall surely dye.

[Page]And after a few wordes. Charge the people, that they prease not vp to see our lorde, and so manye of them pea­ryshe.

Our lord sayd vnto Moses, that Aa­ron and hys sonnes only should enter into the holy tabernacle. Nume. 4. And that o­ther by no curiosity shoulde see what thinges were in the sanctuary, vntyl they were folden vp, least they dye.

Ozias the king of Iuda, went into the temple of our Lord, 2. Para. 16. toke the Cen­sar, and woulde haue burnte insence vpon the aultar of insence. The whi­che thing pertaind not to hys office, but to the priestes, and by and by the leprosy sprange in his forehead.

When the Iewes sawe that oure Lord did manifest and profitable mi­racles, Luc. 11. they would not so, but sought for a signe from heauen.

When Herode the Tetrarch sawe Iesus, Luc. 23. he was exceading glad, not of any deuotion, but of a curiosity, for he trusted to se some miracle don by him so that the syght of oure LORDE [Page] did litle profyte hym, but hurte hym rather.

Act. 1.Our Lord refraind the curiosity of his Disciples, whiche woulde haue known the time of his second aduent and comminge, sayinge. It is not for you to know the tymes, or the seasōs, whyche the father hathe putte in hys owne power.

Act. 8.It semeth to haue bene of a curiosi­ty, that Simon Magus woulde haue bene baptised, in as much as he sawe the sygnes and miracles which Phil­lip did.

Act. 17.The Atheniens, and straungers cald Paule for no nother thynge, but to tell, to see, or to heare some newe thyng.

When Paule preached in the city of Ephesus, Act. 19. many of them which v­sed curious craftes, brought their bo­kes, and burned them before all men.

The Apostle Paul doth reprehend and reproue certayne Thessalonians which walcked vnquietly, 2. Thes. 3. and vnor­dinatly, working not at all, but being busy bodies.

[Page]The Apostle monisheth to auoyde yong widowes, and he dothe often reproue those whiche vage abrode, 1. Timo. 5. are idle, and curious, and warneth vs to exchue them, that learne to goe from house to house, that wander aboute, and that shewe and sell them selues, speaking thinges which are not comly, and when they haue liued luxury­ously, they wil marry.

¶Of the greate faithe of wemen. Capi. Cxxiii.

THe Apostle commendeth y e faith of Raab, Hebr. 11. whyche pearished not wyth them that were disobedi­ent, Iosu. 2. when she had receiued the spyes to lodging peaceably.

Ruth remayned wyth her mother in law Noemy, Ruth. 1.2. sayinge. Thy people shall be my people, and thy God, my God. And Booz afterwardes said vn­to her. Our Lorde quite thy woorke, and a ful reward be geuen the of our Lorde, vnto whome thou arte come, and vnder whose wynges thou arte [Page] come to abide.

3. regu. 17.A widow woman of Sarepta, beleued Elias the prophets woordes, al­thoughe he commaunded her to doe a thing very hard to be done.

2. Mach. 7.That wonderfull and maruelous mother the whiche sawe the vii. bre­thren, her sonnes tormented in one day, and did strōgly animate them to die for the law of God, dyd very well confesse the creation of the worlde, & the resurrection of the dead.

As touchinge the misterye of oure Lordes incarnation, Luc. 1. wemen were more prompt and readye to beleue it then men. For Zachry was reproued by the aungel of incredulity: because thou beleuest not my wordes. &c. But we reade that Elizabeth was not re­prehensible, but commendable, the which euen assone as Mary was com cried out, blessed art thou among we­men, and blessed is the frute of thy wombe.

In like manner the blessed virgyn is to be commended, Luc. 1. the which gaue [Page] creadit vnto the angell, sayinge vnto her, that she should conceiue of the holy ghoste.

And Anna the widow & prophetesse spake vnto all men, Luc. 1. that loked for the redempcion of Israel, of a childe that was borne.

Our Lord said vnto Mary Magda­len. Thy faith hath saued thee, Luc. 7. go in peace.

And the woman that had an issue of bloud, Luc. 8. had so greate faythe vnto oure Lord, that it suffised her only to touch the hem of his raiment. And therfore she deserued to heare a swete woorde of oure Lorde. Doughter, bee of good cheare and comfort, thy faythe hathe saued thee.

The woman of Canane nother for longe expectatyon, mat. 15. nor yet for sharpe aunswer, lefte of to crye vnto oure LORDE, and therefore at length she hearde. O woman, greate is thy faythe, be it vnto thee, euen as thou wylt.

The woman of Samaria did fully cō fesse, [Page] saying, Iohn. 4. Messias is come, whych is called Christ And afterwards ma­ny of the Samaritans beleued in our Lord, for the saying of the woman.

Marthas confessyon of faith, which said, I beleue that thou art Christ the sonne of God, Iohn. 11. which should come in­to the world, was verye like the con­fessyon of Peter.

We read of many men that doub­ted of oure Lordes resurrectyon, math. 28. and how that our Lord reproued their in credulity and hardnes of hart. Ther is no such thinge red of wemen. But that when our Lord rose. Fyrst of all he appeared to a woman, that is to Mary Magdalen, and she wyth spede brought the tidinges vnto the Disci­ples, the whiche were in heauinesse.

A certaine woman calde Lydia a seller of purple hard Paule preache, Act. 16. whose hart our Lord opened, and she was baptised, and her houshold.

¶Of the wisdome of we­men. Capi. Cxxiiii.

[Page]SAra did wisely vnderstād and perceiue, Gene. 21. that y e play betwene Isaac & Ismael was not good, and it was the Lordes wil, that Abraham should agre vnto Saras wyll, & to heare her voyce.

Rebecca was verye wilye and subtile to procure, Gen. 27. that Iacob mi­ght obtain his fathers blessynge, the which was due vnto the fyrste borne. And afterwardes she caused hym e­uen wyttely to auoyd his brothers anger.

Raab the harlot did very discreat­ly hide the spies, Iosu. 2. so that there by, she wholy deliuered and saued her selfe, and all her houshold.

Delbora Lapidoths wife a prophe­sesse. Iudged the people of Israel, Iuhi. 4 and laught Barach Abinoams son, what he should do, to deliuer the people of God, from the handes of Sisara.

Noemi was very careful and wise, to inuent howe Ruth an aliane, Ruth. 2. and her doughter in lawe, myghte marry wyth that noble and mightye manne Booz.

[Page]Anna Samuels mother discretlye excused her selfe: 1. regu. 1. as touchinge that, that Hely the preast layed vnto her, when she required a chlde of god.

Abigaile throughe her wisedome, eloquence, 1. [...]egu. 25. and liberality, saued her husbandes Nabals lyfe, and letted Dauyd from commyttynge of mur­ther.

The wisewoman Thecuris, indu­ced Dauid to fetche his sonne Abso­lon home againe. 2. regu. 14.

As Ioab besieged the citye of Abel. A wise woman spake so vnto hym, 2. regu. 21. and afterwardes to the cityzens, that he left y e siege and departed to y e great vtylitye and profyte of all the coun­trey.

Bethsaba Salomons mother spake wysely before kinge Dauid that her son Salomon might raign after him. 3. regu. 1.

That woman, of the two, whyche condented before Salomon answered wisely and mercifully, 3. regu. 3. sayinge [...] I be­seche thee my Lorde, geue her the lyuynge chylde, and in no wise slaye it.

[Page]There was greate prudencye and wysedome in the Quene of Saba, 3. regu. 10. that came to here y e wisedome of Sa­lomon.

The Sunamite Elyzeus hostesse, dyd wyselye abyde wyth hym, 4. regu. 4. nor woulde not leaue hym for all Gie­zyel, vntyll hee hadde reuyued her sonne.

Holda the prophetesse Sellumus wyfe, 4. regu. 22. dyd comforte kynge Iosias, and foretold the people the euils that were to come for their offences.

Sara Raguells doughter prayed oure LORDE dyscreatly and de­uoutely, Tobi. 3. to delyuer her from the re­buke that shee hadde hearde of her mayde.

Iudith speakinge vnto the people, Iudith. 8.13 and in deceauinge of Holofernes so pusant and myghty a prince: shewde greate constantye and wisedome.

Esther after shee hadde inuyted the kynge to dynner, Esth. 7. and that hee was wel heated wyth wyne, made her peticion circumspectly and ware­lye.

[Page] Luc. 1.Elizabeth Ihon the Baptiste mo­ther, knew very discreatly of the comming of blessed Mary, and named her the Lordes mother.

It appeareth that the blessed vyr­gin was wonderfullys prudent and wise, aswel in silence kepinge, as in speaking. In silence, for we find that she spake very few words. She spake with the angel, questioning with him discreatlye, and agreinge vnto hym more discreatly. Howe shall thys be [...] And agayne, Luc. 1. behold the hand maiden of the Lorde. And wyth holy Elyza­beth, when she saluted her. And note, that after Elizabethes greate praises the whych she gaue her, she answered her nothyng directly, but turnde her to geue laude and prayses vnto the Lord, sayinge. My soule magnifyeth the Lord.

Also she spake wyth her sonne, as­kyng hym most swetely. Luc. 2. Sonne, why haste thou thus dealte wyth vs? And prayinge or intreatinge hym for the shamefast pore people, Iohn. 2. saying. They haue no wyne.

[Page]Mary Magdalen did very prudentlye Luc. 7.10. when she sate her downe at the Lordes feete. For there she obtayned forgeuenesse for her selfe, Iohn. 11. lyfe for her brother, hard the wysedome of God, and exhibited vnto Christ deuout re­uerence.

Pilates wife spake so vnto hym, y t if he woulde haue beleued her, Mat. 27. he had done wisely.

¶Of the pitye and com­passion of wemen. Cap. Cxxv.

REbecca seing that Abrahams seruaunt a straunger, Gen. 24. was de­sirous to dryncke, aunswered wythout any delay, drinke my lorde. Ye and I wyl draw water for thy ca­mels also, vntil they haue al dronkē.

The mid wyues feared God, & dyd not as the king commaunded thē, Exo. 1. but saued the men chyldren.

When Pharaos doughter saw the childe wope, Exo. 2. she had compassion on it and said. It is one of the Hebrues children. And causinge it to be nurssed, made it her sonne.

[Page] Iosu. 2.Raab the harlot, hearinge that the spyes were soughte for to bee put to death, hadde compassion ouer them, and hydinge them, deliuered them, and sent them a waye safe.

2. regu. 17.The messengers sente to Dauid, were hydden in a well, and saued by a woman, whiche spred a couerlet ou [...]er the welles mouth, and begiled those that soughte them.

Of those two wemen whiche con­tended before Salomon, 3. regu. 3. her hart was the pityfulste, that woulde haue lefte of her sute, whose bowels yerned vp­on her sonne.

The wyddowe woman of Sarep­ta was Elias the prophetes hostesse, 3. regu. 17. and she sustaynde him.

The Sunamite induced her husbād to make an apte and a mete place with in his house, 4. Re. 4. for Eliseus to lodge in.

Whan Athalia had destroied al the kinges seed: 4. Re. 11. Iosaba the doughter of Ioram, conueied Ioas one of y e kings sonnes, hyd him, and saued him that [Page] he was not slaine.

Esther hauing compassion on those that were addic [...]e and appoynted to dye, Esther. 5. put her selfe in greate pearyll, and yet shee obtayned of Ahaswe­rus the Iewes auauncement and pardon.

The pity of the blessed virgin Ma­ry dyd well appeare, Iohn. 2. in as muche as she went to the marriage of the pore, and when they lacked wine, she vn­desyred of anye manne, and as an ad­uocate of the pore, said vnto her sōne, they haue no wyne. And agayne her greate liberalitye maye euidently be knowen by thys. Math. 2. For when she had receyued of the wise menne, Golde, Frankensence, and mirrhe, within a whyle after at the time of her purifi­cation and churching, she was not a­ble to offer a Lambe. It is therefore to be supposed, that she hadde geuen and distributed all those gyftes to the poore.

We reade that the sauioure of the worlde, walckynge and beynge in [Page] the world, Iohn. 12. had hys specyall lodginge with Martha and Mary her sister.

The woman of Canane estemed y e misery of her doughter to be her own misery, Mat. 15. sayinge, haue mercy on me O lord thou sonne of Dauid, my dough­ter is pytcously vexed wyth a deuel.

And also when he wente throughe out cyties and Townes, Luc. 8. the wemen ministred of their substāce vnto him.

And the wemen stode by him when he suffred, Luc. 23. and followed hym to hys crosse when hys apostles went from hym, and were obsequious and dily­gent about hym, lying in hys graue.

Our lorde preferde the two mytes whyche the poore widowe caste into the treasury, Luc. 21. aboue the gyftes of the ryche. For she of her pe [...]urye caste all the substaunce that shee had. And oure Lorde dothe ponder more the deuotion of the mynde, than the quā ­tity of the gyft. Luc. 11.

Whilest the Scribes and the Pha­rise is blasphemed oure lordes myra­cles, a certayne woman which heard our lordes wordes deuoutly, lyfte vp her voyce, saying. Blessed is the wōb [Page] that bare thee.

Pilates wife laboured more to let oure lordes passyon, mat. 27. and the vniuste affection of Pylate, then anye other manne of whome scrypture dothe te­stifye.

The apostle dothe declare suche thynges vnto the Corinthians, 1. Cor. 9. wherby certayne of the apostles pretended that they myghte, and had power to lead about wyth them a woman a si­ster, to minister necessary thinges vnto them.

For the good workes and almesse dedes, Act. 9. whyche Tabitha dyd vnto the wydowes, they euen weping prayed Peter, that he wold come to y e deade. And Peter moued with their teares, kneled downe, prayed, & reuiued her.

Peter comming out of Herodes prisone, Act. 12. came to the house of Marye the mother of one Ihon, whose syrname was Marke, where manye were ga­thered together in prayer. Where by it appeares that she was a deuoute & a good woman, and the hostesse of our lordes disciples.

[Page] Act. 16.A certaine woman named Lidia, a seller of Purple, throughe Paules predication and wordes beleued, and when she was baptised, and her hou­shoulde, she besoughte vs, sayinge. If ye thincke that I beleue, and be faith­full to my Lorde God, come into my house, and abide there: and she cōstrained vs. Wher s. Luke doth sufficient­ly inough expresse, that wemen prōptly and deuoutly do heare the word of God.

¶Of the fortitude and strength of wemen. ca. cxxvi.

BArach the sonne of Abinoe wold not lead the host against Sisara except Delbora Lapidoths wise went with him. Iudi. 4. She said, I wil sure­ly go with thee. But at this time the victory shal not be ascribed vnto the. For Sisara shalbe deliuered into the hand of a woman.

Booz saide vnto Ruth, the whyche hadde forsaken her country and her goodes. Ruth. 3. The commen people, y t dwelleth [Page] wythin the gates of the city doth knowe, that thou arte a woman of vertue.

Michol saued Dauid her husbande, strongly and manfullye, 1. reg. 19. when Saule his father in law sought to slay him.

When Abigail sawe that her hus­band Nabal had aunswered Dauids seruauntes rughly and churlishly, 1. reg. 25. she hid her, and toke diuers gifts and presents, and pacified Dauid being cha­fed and angry.

Sara Raguels doughter tooke her maidens contumelious rebuke, Tob. 3. moste paciētly, nor she gaue her no answer, but turned her self to prayer.

Quene Esther put her self in daun­ger of deathe to deliuer her people, Esther. 5. when she presumed to goe vnto the king vncald.

That mother about al mesure was most wonderfull, 2. mach. 7. the whyche seynge her seuen sonnes die euen at one time bare it stronglye, and ioyned a mans harte to the weake thought of a wo­man.

The blessed virgin Mary was ve­ry [Page] strong in refraininge of the ioye that she had in her sonnes conception, na­tiuitye, adoration of the wise menne, in hys educatyon, Predication, ope­ration of miracles, and resurrection. And agayne in sustayninge and bea­ringe the grerte heuynesse she sufferd in his passion.

The boldenes and audacity af Ma­ry Magdalen was verye maruelous, the which was present at our lordes passyon, and came often to our lordes sepulchre, nor departed not (although the wel be loued disciples went theyr waies, Iohn. 20.) but continued there weping. Uery loue made her but to bold, whē she said, Lord, if thou haue borne him hence, tell me where thou haste layde hym.

¶Of the auiditye and gredinesse of wemen. Ca. Cxxvii.

THe fyrst woman saw that the tree was faire and de­lectable to the eyes. Gen. 3. Then [Page] immediatlye there followeth. That wythout any deliberation she toke of the frute therof, and did eat.

Al be it that Sara was a good wo­man, yet she was so desirous to haue children, Gen. 16 that she woulde haue one of her maid, sayinge vnto Abraham. Go in vnto my maid.

When Rebecca was asked whether she would go wyth Abrahams seruāt by and by she answered, Gen. 24. I wil go, she saide not I wil goe if it be your plea­sure, or anye like wordes, but I wyll goe.

Lothes doughters had rather haue children by their father, Gen. 19. than to bee wythout children.

When Rachel saw that she was baren and bare no children, Gen. 30. she enuyed her sister, and saide to Iacob her hus­band. Geue me children, or els I am but dead.

Dina being desirous to see the we­men of the land, Sichem saw her, and opprest her. Gene. 34. What shal we saye then of those whiche desire to see men, and to be sene of them? It is no maxnel. &c

[Page]The ladye who me Ioseph serued, faried not to be inticed of him, Gen. [...]9. but she required him to gredely.

Ara Calephs doughter obtaind of her father springes of water, Iosu. 15. for she euen with sythes asked them.

Samsons wife lay so sore vpō him, that he told her the obscure rydle, the whych he woulde not open vnto hys Parentes. Iudi. 14. But she eftsones tolde it vnto her frendes, although it was to the hindraunce of her husband.

Iudi. 16.Dalida by great importunitye ob­tayned, that Sampson tolde wher in his mighty strength did reast.

Anna Samuels mother wepte, and coulde take no sustinaunce, 1. Reg. 1. for the greate desyre she hadde to haue Chyldren.

3. Reg. 3.She was verye greadye to haue a Chylde, that tooke awaye an nother mannes.

Iezabel was so desirous and grea­dye to delyuer vp Nabothes vineyard to her husband, 3. reg. 21. that she brought forth false witnesses, and thrise procured, and caused Naboth to be stoned most [Page] cruelly.

When that the Sunamite woulde go to Elizeus, 4. reg. 4. and that her husbande would not fullye consent there to, she said, I wil go, so immediatly she pre­pared an asse, and sayde vnto her ser­uaunt by the waye, looke thou by no impedimēt or let vnto me, but do that I commaund thee.

Athalia Ochozias mother coneting to raign ouer the land, 4. reg. 11. destroyed al y e kinges sede, except Ioas thinfant, the which was secreatly hidden, and ta­ken away.

Anna Tobias wife, daily loked, & went about the stretes, Tob. 10. where by she thought there shoulde be any hope of his comming, that she might see hym comming a farre of.

Esther was not contente, that the kinge had geuen her Amans house, Esther. 9. & that he had destroyd and slain in Su­san the chefe city 500. men. But also the next day folowing she caused 300. mo to be slain.

The woman of Canane obtayned her doughters healthe throughe im­portune Math. 15. [Page] prayer.

The mother of Zebedes children: taried not that our lord shuld reward her children after thexcellēcy of theyr merits. Mat. 20. But preuenting the time, she desyred that the one mighte be set on his righthand in his kingdome, & the other on his left.

Herodias laid such wait, and so ha­ted Ihon the Baptist, that she chose y t her doughter should rather ask his body, Mat. 14. then the half of Herodes kingdō.

Our lord doth put an ensample of a widow, Luc. 18. the whiche was so molesti­ous and greuous vnto a iudge which feared not God, nether regarded man that at the last he aduenged her of her aduersary.

Act. 12.A maid named Rhoda, perceiuinge that Peter knocked at the doore, dyd not open it but for gladnesse, leauing hym wythout, ran in, and told theim that were wythin.

¶Of the deceitfulnesse of wemen. Ca. Cxxviii.

[Page]ADam by the occasion of Eue, was deceyued, although he was not seduced in that, Gen. 3. y t Eue was: but then onely when he by her per­swasion and counsell, did eate of the tree forbyden.

Sara hearing the promise, that she shoulde conceyue a chylde, Gen. 18. laughed within her selfe. But when she was reproued of her mystrust, with a lye she excused her selfe.

Whilst Lothes ii. doughters desiring to haue childrē by theyr own father, Gen. 19 [...] durst not induce him there vnto with wordes, but with wyne they accom­plished their purpose. They woulde sone haue deceaued an other, when they spared not their owne father.

Rachel with a proper inuention be­guyled her father, Gen. 31. seekynge hys I­doles.

Iosephs lady and mestres to excuse her selfe, Gen. 39. accused him vniustlye to her husbande, and afterwards at her hus­bandes handes reuenged her selfe of Ioseph most wickedly.

[Page]Al be it the Hebrues mydwyues hadde a good and a deuout intente in reseruynge of the chyldren: Exo. 1. yet by the fyndinge oute of a lye, they decei­ [...]ed Pharao the king of Egipte.

The wemen of Moab deceyued the children of Israell, Nume. 25. when that Bala­am the sothesayer wyth all hys ma­gicall crafte, coulde doo nothinge against them.

Rathab the harlot hyd Iosues spy­es, and caused those that inquyred for them, Iosu. 2. to runne and pursue after them, vnto the ferye of Iordan, say­inge, that they wente forthe at the shuttinge of the gate.

Iahel wente forthe to mete Sisara, and sayed vnto him, Iuhi. 4tourne into me my LORDE, and feare not, and yet at length she kylde hym beynge a sleape.

Sampfons wyfe wept before him, and sayed. Surelye thou hatest me, and therefore thou hast not tolde me the ryddle. Iudi. 14. And he reuelde it vnto her [Page] to his owne destruction.

Dalida was continuallye molesti­us vnto Sampson, Iudi. 16. and sufferde him not one daye to be at rest and quyet, so that his soule was faynte and in­combred euen vnto death, thus strong Sampson was ouercomde, and fo­lishlye opened all thynges vnto her.

When Michol vnderstode, that Saule her father soughte Dauid, 1. regu. 19 her husbande to slaye him, she caused him to departe, and layed an Image vp­on his bed.

The men that should haue brought worde vnto Dauid of Absolons estate and condition, 2. Re. 17. were let downe into a well, and a certayne woman sprea­dinge a couerlet ouer it, as thoughe she had bene dryinge furmenty corne thereon, fayned that they were depar­ted and gone.

Iudith al be it she dyd it of a good zele and intente, Iudith. 10. deceyued Holofer­nes, of whome all the earthe stode in awe and feare.

[Page]Herode feared Iohn the Baptist, knowinge that he was a iust manne, Mar. 6. and yet Herodias labourd the mater so, that she causde him to be beheaded in prison.

Saphira and Ananias her hus­bande, dyd lye vnto Peter as con­cerning parte of the price of the land. Act. 5. But Peter punyshed that lye mooste greuouslye.

¶Of the folyshe and vn­discrete cōmunication of we­men Ca. C.xxix.

WE reade that Eue spake fyrste with the serpente, or euer she spake with god how to worship him, Gen. 3. or wyth her husband, to receaue any erudition of him.

Sara when our Lorde did promise that she should haue a childe mistrus­tinge it dyd laughe: Gen. 18. and afterwardes denyde that she laughed.

When Rachel sawe that she was vnfrutfull and baren, Gen. 30. she sayed vnto her husbande. Geue me children: or els I am but deade, asthoughe it had [Page] bene in Iacobs power, to make the baren frutfull.

Assone as Sampsons wyfe knewe her husbandes obscure and darke rid­dle, Iudi. 14. she disclosed it to her cityzens, to the greate hynderaunce of her hus­bande.

Assone as Dalida saw that Samp­son had cōfessed and opened his hole minde vnto her, Iudi. 16. how he mighte be depriued and lose his strengthe, she caulde his ennemyes vnto her, and eftsones dysclosed the thynge vnto them.

Because Dauid vpon greate deuo­tion did daunce before the arke of our Lorde, 2. regu. 6. Michol Saules doughter sayd scornefully vnto hym. O how glory­ous was the kynge of Israell thys daye.

When Tobias spake of the kydde. Sayinge. Take hede and looke that yt be not stolen. Tob. 2 Anna his wife being angrye, answered. Nowe is thy hope become vayne openlye.

When Sara the doughter of Ra­guel [Page] dyd iustlye rebuke her mayden, she answered her impaciently, and verye iniuriouslye, Tobi. 3. sayinge. God let vs neuer see sonne or doughter of the more vpon earth.

Of the two harlottes, whyche con­tended and pleated before Salomon, 3. rgu. 3 shee spake folyshelye and wyckedlye that sayed of the intante. Let it bee neyther myne nor thyne, but denyde it.

When Amans wyfe hard the com­playnt that her husbād made of Mar­docheus, Esth. 5. she answered, and sayed, commaunde a loftye galous to bee made, that he may be hanged there­on.

As Iob was sytting vpon the dung­hyll, and scrapinge of the fylth of his sores with a potshard, Iob. 2. hys wyfe sayde vnto him. Cursse God and dye. But he made her a good and a dys­create answer: sayinge. Thou spea­kest lyke a folyshe woman. Shall we receyue prosperitye at the hande of GOD, and not receyue aduersi­tye.

[Page]Our Lord approued not the chyl­dren of Zebedes mothers peticyon, Mat. 20. when she said. Graunt that these my two sonnes may sytte, the one on the right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

Peter at the voyce of a maid, deni­ed our Lord. mat. 26.

The woman of Samaria spake manye symple wordes vnto our Lorde, Iohn. 4. or euer she stumbled vpon the truth.

¶Of the superfluous ornamentes and raimente of wemen. Capi. cxxx.

THamar Iudas doughter in law, Gene. 38. beinge mineded to intice her father in lawe, that by him she might be conceyued, put her widowes garments from her and couered her self with a cloke.

When the comming of Iehu whi­che slue Ioram the kynge of Israell was hearde of, 4. regu. 9. Iesabell payneted [Page] her eyes, starched her face, and tired her head.

Iudith dothe testify that her orna­mentes and apparell whych she toke deceiued Holofernesse. Iudith. 16. She putte on the apparell of gladnesse, she anoyn­ted her face wyth oyntmentes, shee bounde vp her here in an houe to be­guile him.

We read of Esther, that when she should come into the king, Esth. 2. she requy­red no ornamentes, as other wemen did.

And threatninge it is wrytten. Esay. 3. In that day our Lorde shall take awaye the gorgiousnesse of their apparell, & spanges, chaines, partlets, Colers, Bracelets, Houes, the goodly floured wide and broydred raiment, broches, hedbandes, ringes, garlandes, holye day clothes, vales, kerchers, pinnes, glasses, cipresses, bonets, and taches.

Salomon describeth the reprehen­sible garmentes of an euill woman, Prouer. 7. saying. I spied a yong fole, and there mette hym a woman decked lyke an harlot, prepared to intrap the soul of [Page] man, ful of words, wandering hither and thither and vnquiet.

The wise man not without a cause doth monish vs, Eccle. 9. when he saith. Turn away thy face from a wel decked, and a beautiful woman. For such womē intice and prouoke men to synne.

Wemens apparel shall not be out­ward wyth broydred hear, 1. Peter. 3. & hanging on of gold, ether in putting on of gor­gyous apparell.

¶Of deathe in generall. Cap. Cxxxi.

THe sentence of God wherwith he said vnto man. Gen. 2. In what dai so euer ye shall eate thereof, shalt dye the deathe. It is playne and euident that man assone as sinne is committed doth die. So that the li­uing man, doth die, as it were conti­nuallye. As Sainte Augustine sayth in hys fourtene booke of the Citye of God.

Notwithstanding that men before the floude liued so manye yeares, gen. 9. yet [Page] scripture after the descriptiō of their liues, saith. And he died.

It was no maruaile that oure fore fathers feared to die, and desired to be longe liued. For they as yet coulde not ascende vp into heauen, nor haue the fruition of the deuine vision, vn­tyll the commyng of our sauyour, the which opened the gates of heauen. And therefore holye Lot was mony­shed to saue him self in the moūtaine. Gen. 19. He feard to go thether, least some misfortune should fal vpon him, and that he should die there.

The wycked also do desire to dye wel. Nume. 23. I pray God, that my soule may die the death of the ryghteous, & that my last end may be like his, said Ba­laam.

Althoughe Moses would not obey our Lordes commaundement, Deut [...]. 24 which woulde he shoulde haue passed ouer Iordan. Yet it seemeth that he wold gladly haue lyued longer, if it hadde pleased our Lord. For he sayth. Our LORDE is angry with me. Lo I [Page] must die in this land, and shal not go ouer Iordan.

A great part of the rewarde of Mo­ses lawe, semed to consist and stande in long lyfe. Deute. 32. Set your haries vnto al the woordes whyche I testifye vnto you, for if ye fulfill and do them, ye shal prolong your dayes in the lande whether ye go, to cōquere and to pos­sesse it.

Zebee and Salmana desired rather to be slayne wyth the hand of worthy Gedeon, Iudi. 8. then wyth the hande of Ie­ther his yongest sonne.

Dauyd whych wept for hys childe beynge sycke and dyseased, 2. re. 12. woulde not weepe for hys chylde which was departed.

When Helyas sate vnder the Iu­nyper tree, 3. re. 19. he desyred for hys soule that he myghte dye. And sayde. It is nowe ynoughe o LORDE, take my soule, for I am not better then my fathers.

Hezechias kyng of Iuda did walk before oure Lord in truthe, and was [Page] good. Yet whan Esaye brought hym word that he should die, Esay. 38. he prayd our Lord with sorowful teares, to prolōg his life for a while.

Tobias being much prouoked with his wiues answer, Tobi. 3.4. tooke it heauilye, and with teares began to make hys prayer, sayinge. O Lorde thou arte righteous, comma [...]de my spirite to be receiued in peace, for more expedi­ent were it for me to die, then to liue. So when he thoughte hys prayer to be hearde, hee called vnto hym hys sonne.

After that Sara Raguels doughter was iniuried by her maid, she praied vnto our Lord, Tob. 3. and amonge all other thinges sayde, I beseche the o Lorde, lose me oute of the bondes of thys re­buke, or els take me vtterlye awaye from of the earthe.

Ieremy praied king Sedechia most humbly that he wold not slaye hym, Ie [...]e. 38. nor commaund hym to be led agayne to that pryson where he laye before, least he die there.

After the death of the crosse, which [Page] oure Sauyoure woulde sus [...]ayne and suffre, Math. 27. he apertlye and manifestly de­clared, that a iust man ought not on­ly to dye, but to suffer euen readily a­nye kynde of deathe for to obey oure Lord.

Before the commynge of the holye ghoste, math. 26 the Apostles feared death ex­ceadingly, the which when our Lord was taken, lefte hym and fledde from hym. But after that they were forty­fyed, and had receiued strengthe from aboue, they beynge sette before prin­ces and tyrants, spake faithfully and chearely.

Paule feared but little, yea he fea­red not death, which saide, I am rea­dy, not to be bound onlye, Act. 21. but also to dye for the name of oure LORDE Iesu.

If the Iewes knowe that I haue hurte theym, Act. 25. or commytted anye thynge worthy of death, I refuse not to die.

And this is to be noted, that when Paule at diuers times to auoyde the deceitfulnesse of the Iewes, dyd flye [Page] from Citye to Citye, that he dyd it not for anye feare of deathe: but that he, auoidinge the furiousnesse of the euel, might reserue hym selfe for the profite of many.

Of sepultures and burials. Ca. cxxxii.

Gene. 23.ABraham wyth greate diligence bought a field, wherin he bury­ed hys wyfe Sara.

Iacob woulde not be buried in E­gypt among the euil. Ge. 47.49 But caused Io­seph to sweare, that he shoulde carye hym beynge deade, to the sepulture and graue of hys fore fathers. He re­peated the same at the houre of hys death after he hadde blessed hys chyl­dren. The which thing Ioseph accomplyshed most carefully.

Moses going out of Egipt, toke the bones of Ioseph with him. Exo. 13

Dauid muche commended the men of Iabes Galaad, that so reuerentlye dyd burye the bodyes of Saule and hys chyldren. 1. re. 31. 2. re. 2.

[Page]The punishment of the manne of God, 3. re. 13 the whyche contrary to the commaundement of God dyd eate breade in the house of the euel and false pro­phet, was only thys, that he was not buryed in the sepulchre and graue of hys elders.

Iehu the kyng of Israell, that cau­sed Iezabell to be slayne, 4. re. 9. wylled her to be buryed, because she was a kyn­ges doughter.

Tobias is much commended that he wyth the danger of hys own life, Tob. 2 toke the dead coarses, and moste dily­gently did bury them.

The fyrste of all those holsome ad­monitions wherwith Tobias instructed hys sōne, Tob. 4 was of the diligent buri­yng of him self and hys mother.

The Iewes which accused wycked Menelaus, 2. Mach. 4 were by an vnryghtfull iudge condempned. Wherfore they of Tyrus toke indignation, and bu­ryed them honourably, & wyth great liberality.

After the battayle was foughten a­gainste Gorgias, Iudas Machabeus [Page] came to take vp the bodies of them y t were slaine, 2. Mach. 12 and to bury thē in theyr fathers graues.

Whan Ihon the Baptist disciples hearde that Herod had beheaded him they came, mar. 6. and toke vp his body, and laid it in a graue.

It appeareth that our Lord Iesus had a carefulnesse for hys burial, Iohn. 12. and that by the answer he made vnto Iu­das murmuringe for the oyntment, the whyche after hys mynde shoulde haue bene solde. Let her alone, saythe oure LORDE, agaynste the daye of my burying hath she kept this.

Luc. 23.Ioseph and Nicodemus dyd burye oure Lord, and laid him in a new se­pulchre that was hewen in stoane, where in neuer manne before was layed.

Certayn good and deuout Iewes dressed Steuen which was stoned, Act. 8. and made great lamentation ouer hym.

¶Of the horrible death of wicked and euyll men. Capitu. Cxxxiii.

CAin whiche flew his owne bro­ther, was slayne by Lamech. Gen. 4.

The Lord raigned vpon So­dome and Gomor, brymstone and fire from heauen, Gen. 19. and ouerthrew .v. cy­tyes most stinkinge in sinne and most detestable.

Sichem Emors sonne, whiche for­ced Dyna Iacobs doughter, Gen. 34. was slayne by Iacobs sonnes, and all the people and inhabytoures of the cy­tye.

The waters of the redde sea coue­red the charettes, Exo. 14. and the horsemen, and all the hooste of Pharao, so that there remayned not one of them. And that euen iustelye ynoughe that hys bodye, whose harte coulde not bee mollyfyed, myghte be drowned in water.

Nadab and Abihu the sonnes of A­aron offerynge straunge fyre before the LORDE, Leui. 10. were deuoured and consumed [Page] with the Lordes fire, and they dyed.

The children of Israel by the lords commaundement broughte forth the blasphemer and cursed speaker wyth oute the host, Leui. 24. and stonde him.

Chore, Dathan, and Abiron and theyr companions, Nume. 16 rebelling against Moses, keuered wyth earthe wente downe a lyue vnto hell.

And other lykewise murmuringe, and commyttynge dyuers crymes pe­ryshed with dyuers deathes in the wyldernesse, Nume. 1. so that of syr hundred thousande fyghtynge menne, there enterd but two into the lande of pro­myse.

And because Acham tooke bestelthe of the excommunicate thinges of Ie­rico, Iosu. 7. al Israel stoned him with stones and consumed all that euer he hadde with fyre.

Iahell Abners wyfe tooke a nayle of the tent, and fastened it into Sisa­ras braynes, Iudi. 4. the whyche beynge in a deedlye slombre, and werye, faynted, [Page] and so he dyed.

If zebee and Salmana hadde sa­ued Gedeons brethren, Iudi. 8. he hadde spa­red them. But inasmuche as they kylde them, he in lyke maner slewe them.

The chyldren of Israell tooke A­donibezeche, Iudi. 1. and cuttynge of the vt­ter partes of hys thombes and greate toes (for euen so he hadde serued .70. kinges) brought hym to Ierusalem, and there he dyed.

A certayne woman caste a pece of a mylstone vppon Abimeleches head, Iudi. 9. and all to brake his brayne panne. And hee called hys harnesse bearer, and commaunded hym to slea hym. And so our Lorde quyted him the euil that he hadde don, when he flew .70. of hys brethren.

When Hely hearde saye that the Lordes arke was taken, he fell from hys stole backwarde vppon the thre­shold of the dore, 1. regu. 4. and his necke brake, and he dyed.

[Page]Dauid a chylde, vnarmed, nor ha­uynge the vse of harnesse, 1. Reg. 17. slewe the proud and blasphemus Goliath euen with his owne swerd.

1. regu. 31.Saule moued with a certayne vn­ius [...]e enuye, persecuted and folowed after Dauid. But in processe of time, he toke his swearde, and fell vpon it, and dyed.

Dauids eldest sonne opprest his sys­ter Thamar, 2 regu. 31. and wythin a whyle after hee beynge at dynner with Ab­solon, at Absolons commaundement was slayne.

2. regu. 18.Absolon throughe a lust to rule af­flicted and vexed his father Dauid ve­rye sore: But or euer he came to his purpose and intente, he was hangde betwene heauen and earthe.

2. regu. 17.When Achitophel sawe y t his coun­sell whyche he gaue againste Dauid was not accepted nor folowed, he gat him whome to his owne house, and hanged him selfe, and dyed.

2. regu. 20.Siba the sonne of Bochry moued the people against Dauid and sleyng to Abell, where he thoughte to haue [Page] had refuge and healpe, there he was beheaded.

Dauid cōmaunded the yonge man which saide that he had kylled Saul, 2. regu. 1. to be slain, notwithstāding he thought y t he had brought prosperous tidings.

The like thinge chaunced vnto the two theues, 2. regu. 4. which brought vnto Da­uid Isboseth king Sauls sōnes head.

Albeit that Ioab had bene a fayth­full and a worthy man of warre, 3. reg. 2. yet forasmuche as he slew two men pro­ditoriouslye. Salomon commaunded him to be put to death.

Zambrye rebelled againste Hela that wicked kinge of Israel his Lord, and slew him, 3. regu. 16. But zambry after .7. dayes when he saw that the citye of Thirza must nedes be taken, wente into the kynges Palace, and burnt hym selfe and the kynges house with fyre.

Achab beinge wounded in battayl, dyed at euen, and the dogges licked vp Nabothes bloud, 3. Re. 21.22 the which Achab dissemblinge the thyng that he shuld and myght haue voyded, was stoned, [Page] and he dyed.

4. regu. 1.When Eliseus went vp to Bethel. a sorte of yll taughte chyldren moc­ked hym. And there came oute two beares and tare .42. of them.

One of those two which were pre­sent wyth the kinge of Israell, 4. regu. 7. would not credit Heliseus wordes for spea­kynge of the abundaunce that was to come. The next daye after the people that ranne to the spoyle, trode hym downe, and so he dyed.

Benadab kinge of Siria, whiche dyd the children of Israel much woo, 4. regu. 8. was at the laste strangled of Asahell hys sonne.

Iehu beholdinge wicked Iezabell, the whyche was the cause of muche euyll, 4. regu. 9. commaunded her to be caste down hedlyng the which was so tro­trodē with horses, y t she (albeit she was a kings doughter) was not buried, for there was nothinge left but her skul, her fret, and the palmes of her hands.

Athalia Ochozias mother destroy­ed all the kynge seede, that she might raygne ouer the people, 4. regu. 11. afterwar­des [Page] by Ioiada the preastes cōmaun­dement, she was slayne mooste fyl­thelye.

Ioas that euyll and vnkynde kinge of Iuda, 4. regu. 12. the whiche caused Zachari­as Ioiada the preaste sonne to be sto­ned, was slayn after that, of his own seruants.

Senacheryb that proude kinge of the Assyrians, 4. regu. 19. and blasphemer of God of heauen, auoyded and fledde oute of Iewry wyth shame ynoughe, hys owne sonnes flewe him.

Sedechias kynge of Iuda, beynge euyll to God and man, was taken as he fled and wente hys wayes. 4. regu. 25. The kynge of Babylon flewe hys sonnes before hys eyes. And after that hys owne were put oute, he was caryed to Babilon, and there he dyed wret­chedlye.

Holofernes toke and destroied ma­ny conntreys, Iudith. 13. and at lengthe beynge a sleape and dronken, a woman smote of hys head.

Proude Aman, the whyche caused [Page] men to worshippe him, Esther. 7. was hanged on the galowes, that he had made for Mardocheus.

Balthazar the king of Babilō was nothing amended by the ensample of his father Nabuchodonozor, Dani. 3.5. the whi­che euen before him was changed in­to a beast. And being at his banket, he saw a wryting in the wall. Mane, The­tel, Phares, and the very same night he was slain, and his kingdome transla­ted to the Medes and Perses.

Dani. 6.Danyels accusers by Darius the kinge of Perses commaundemente were cast into the Lions den and de­uoured. The like chaunced in the xiiii. chapter.

It is said that Alexander after that he went vnto hys bed, 1, Mach. 1 knewe that he should die, as though that before that time, he neyther had remembraunce nor knowledge of death.

Alchinus the traytor was to smyt­ten with the palsy, 1. Mach. 9. that he coulde not speake, nor cōmaund any of his house concerning his businesse, and so he di­ed in great misery.

[Page]Antiochus was sorye in his minde that Andronicus had vniustly put O­nias the hie priest to death. 2. mach. 4. And com­maunded that Andronicus should be slayne in the same place, wher he cō ­mitted to great impiety and wycked­nesse.

When Lysimachus had commyt­ted many great sacrilegis in the tem­ple, 2. Mach. 4. the multitude gathered them to­gether againste him, and killed hym beside the treasury.

Wicked Iason, that toke his owne brother prisonner, 2. Mach. 5. and had expelled many out of theyr country, peryshed from home, and was throwne out vnburyed, no man mournyng for hym.

Antiochus whiche had martired o­ther mens bowels, suffred an horry­ble and greuous payne of hys bow­els, 2. Mach. 9. and he died a miserable and a meruelous death vpon the mountaines.

Menelaus y e whiche for a time had gotten the dominion and rule, 2. Mach. 13. was cast headlonge oute of a hie tower a­mong the ashes.

The riche manne, whose grounde [Page] brought forth plentiful frutes, thou­ght to destroy hys barnes, Luc. 12. and builde greater, he trusted to liue longe? But the Lord said vnto him. Thou foole, this night thou shalt die.

The example of the rich glutton is very terrible, Luc. 16. he died, was buried, and brought into hell.

Because that Ananias, and his wife Saphira craftely kept away parte of the price of the land which was sold, Act. 5. they at Peters increpatyon, fearfully gaue vp the ghost.

Herode arayed in royall apparell, fate in hys iudgement seat, Act. 12. and made an oration to the people. And they gaue a shout, sayinge. It is the voyce of a God, and not of a man. And im­mediatly the angell of the LORDE smote hym, because he gaue not God the honoure, and he was eaten of wormes, and gaue vp the ghost.

¶Of the pretious deathe of the iust. Cap. Cxxxiiii.

WHen Caine and Abell were in the field, Gen. 4. Caine rose vp against Abel, and slue hym. Ihon dothe shewe the cause: for hys woorkes and doynges were euel, and hys brothers iust.

Enoche walked wyth God, Gen. 5. and he was no more sene, for God toke hym awaye.

Abraham dyed in a lustye age, Gen. 25. ve­rye olde, and was put [...]e to hys peo­ple.

The dayes of Isaac were an 180. yeares, Gene. 35. he died euen for very age, and was put vnto his people, beyng olde and ful of dayes.

When Iacob hadde commaunded all that he would vnto hys sonnes, Gene. 49. he plucked vppe hys feete vnto the bed, and dyed, and was putte vnto hys people.

After that Ioseph hadde taken an oth of hys brethren, Gene. 50. and hadde sayde, GOD wyll visytte you, carye my [Page] bones hence wyth you, he died.

Nume. 20.Moses and Aaron as the LORD commaunded them, went vppe into mount Hor in the syght of al the multitude. And whan Aaron had put of his clothes, and put them vpon Eleazar his sonne, he died there.

Moses the seruaunt of God dyed at Gods commaundement in the lande of Moab. Deut. 34. The Lord buried hym, but no manne knoweth of hys sepulchre vnto this day,

1. Para. 29.Dauid after he had instructed hys sonne Salomon, and made hys ora­tyon vnto God for him and al the people, he died in a good age, ful of dais, richesse and honor.

4 re. 2.As Helias and Helizeus were wal­king together, a charet of fyre, & hor­ses of fyre departed them a sondre, and Helias went vp thorow y e whirl­winde into heauen.

2. Para. [...]4.The spirit of God came vpon Za­charia Io [...]adas sonne. Whiche sayde vnto the people. Why transgresse ye the commaundementes of the Lord, [Page] that ye can not prosper? And they ga­thered them selues agaynst hym, and stoned him at the commaundemēt of the king, and so he dyed.

Thobias in the hour of his death, Tobi. 14. called hys sonne vnto hym, and seuen spryngaldes hys sonnes Children, and sayde vnto them. My deathe is at hande. And a little after it is sayde of hys sonne, that when he was ninety yeare of age, and had fulfylled them in the feare of the LORDE, wyth ioy and gladnesse, they buried him.

Iob after his afflyctyons lyued an hundred and fortye yeares, Iob. 41. and sawe his childers children into the fourthe generation, and so died, beinge olde, and of a perfect age.

Dauid whyche lamented for hys sonne beyng sicke, 2. re. 12.18. woulde not weepe for hys innocente Chylde that dyed. But hee wepte sore for Absolon the paricide.

Matathias after he had instructed & comforted his Children, 1. mach. 2. gaue them his blessynge, and dyed, and was put vnto hys fathers.

[Page] 1. Mach. 9.When Iudas Machabeus saw the multitude of hys ennemyes, and so fewe of hys owne men, he sayde. If our time be come, let vs die manfully for our brethren.

Eleazarus after manye tormentes dyed, 2. Mach. 6 leauinge to all the people a remembraunce of hys deathe, for an example of vertue and manlinesse.

2. Mach. 7.The seuen brethren wyth their de­uout mother made a wonderfull and a laudable end. And there may be no­ted many examples of vertue.

Mar. 6.Ihon the Baptist for the truthe and honesty of mariage, was beheaded of Herode the Tetrarch.

It is wrytten thus of Lazarus that famous poore man. And it fortuned, that the begger dyed, Luc. 16. and was cary­ed by the aungels into Abrahams bo­some.

Dauid after he had instructed hys sonne Salomon, 1. Para. 29. and made hys ora­tyon vnto God for him and al the people, he died in a good age, ful of dais, richesse and honor.

[Page]How so euer the thefe lyued, vnto whome Christe sayde. Luc. 23. This day shalt thou be wyth me in Paradise. He died happely.

When Sainte Steuen was stoned, hee called on the LORDE saying, Act. 7. LORDE Iesu, receaue my spirit. And hee knealed downe and cryed wyth a loude voyce, and saide. Lorde laye not thys synne to theyr charge. And when he hadde thus spoken, hee fell a sleape. Lette vs geue dylygence that oure deathe maye bee lyke vnto hys.

And oure Sauyoure and LORD IESUS CHRISTE, by hys syngulare deathe, Li. 4. de tri Lib. 14. de ciui. dei. as sayth Saint Augustyne, destroyed oure dowble Deathe and graunted vnto vs, as saythe the selfe Augustyne, so greate grace of faythe, that hee was and be­came the instrumente of deathe, the whyche is, as it manyfestly appeares contrary to lyfe, by the whyche wee should come to lyfe.

The which life the true author of e­ternall healthe, that is the waye, the truthe, and lyfe, and hathe the do­minyon [Page] ouer death and lyfe. Graunt vs. The whyche wyth the fa­ther and the holye ghoste, lyueth and raygneth one God worlde without end. So be it.

FINIS.

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