ALl exhortations that a man maye make to vs, of suffe­ring patiently for the name of Iesus Christe, A constant man in reli­gion is knowne by the certenty of the word whereupon he standeth and for the quarrell of the Gospell, they shall haue no place, if we bee not very well assured of the cause, for the which wee doe contend, for when the question is of yeel­ding the life, it is requisit, that we be resol­ued and certaine, wherefore it is. And such [Page] constancie cannot bee in vs, vnlesse it bee grounded on the certeinty of fayth. True it is, that a man shall finde out some that will submit themselues foolishly to death, Stubbornes in opinion besides the word, is frensie. For to mainteine certeine fond opinions, & fantasies, which they shall conceiue in their head, but such an earnestnesse deserueth ra­ther to bee counted for frensie, then for a Christian zeale, like as in deede, there is neither constancy neither approued iudge­ment in such people, who gaue themself, so to stubbornnesse, Sithen this is so, there is nothing but a good cause, which maketh that God accepteth vs for his Martyrs: for death is common to all. A good cause ma­keth a mar­tyr. And the children of God shall be condemned to such shame and torments as though they were theeues. But God putteth a difference betweene them, in so much that he can not deny this verity. the children of God are put to villa­ny in this worlde. Therfore it is requisit y ^t on our part we haue sure vndoubted testimony of the doctrine, which we doe sustaine. For as much as I haue sayd we can not bee moued, nei­ther touched with a good intention, for any exhortations that any body make to vs, to suffer persecution for the Gospel, if ther be not a true certeinty of faith grauen in our [Page 2] hearts, A man can not suffer persecution for the gos­pell vnlesse fayth be grauen in his heart, for to ha­zard our life it is not na­turall but temeritie. for to hazarde our life at all aduen­ture, that is not natural. And when we shal so do, that shall be but temerity, and no Christian vertue at all, at length God will approue nothing at alll that wee shall do vnlesse we be well peesuaded, that it is for his sake, and for his cause, that men doe molest vs, and that the world is our enemy Now when I speake of such a certeinty, I do not meane only that we know to desern betweene true religion, and the abuses or follies of men.

But also that we be well persuaded of the life celestiall, and of the crowne whiche is there promised vs, after that we haue striuen here beneath. In the meane while note that both these two points be requisit, VVe must be persua­ded of the life celestiall and the glo­ry to come. and that no man ought to seperate the one from the other, it is meete therefore for vs to begin at this point, to knowe well what our Christanitye is, what the fayth is which we must mayntein and follow, what is the rule that God hath giuen vs, Too points necessary in religion to be knowen. and that we be defended with such instruction, that we can boldly condemn all false lies, errors and superstitions, whiche the diuell hath brought in for to corrupt the pure simplici­ty [Page] of the doctrine of God: wherefore a man must not be amazed if he see not at this present day, VVhy men commonly refuse the Crosse of that. very many persons y ^t be disposed for the gospell to suffer, & that the greatest part of those which name themselues Christians, knoweth not what it is. For al be in manner negligent, & make no account, nei­her to heare, neither to reade, but it is y­nough for them that they haue had a little taste of the fayth of Christe, beholde then, wherefore there be so few of others, but if they be assaulted, they wil by and by run a­way. This ought to stirre vs vp to enquire more diligently of the trueth of God, be­cause we might be certein therof. But yet this is not al, The want of zeale and loue to the trueth, is the cause why men refuse to suffer per­secutiō ther­fore. God spea­keth to vs in the scrip­tures. that we should be taught wel and haue intelligence, for we may see, such as seeme to be perfect in good doctrine, the which notwithstanding haue neither zeal, neither affection in them, no more then if they had neuer knowen any thing of God, but after some fantasticall will. And wher­fore is that, but in as muche they neuer be­fore comprehended the maiesty of the holy scripture. And in deede, if we all to gether considered well, that it is God which spea­keth to vs, it is most certeine that we shold [Page 3] be more attentiue to hearken to the same, and with a great reuerence, when we in reading the scripture doe think that we are at the schole of Angelles, The scrip­ture is the schole of Angelles. we shal straite haue another care, and desire to exercise vs in that doctrin which is set before vs, now we seeing that it is the meane to prepare vs to suffer for the gospel, that is, that we haue so farre profited in the schole of God, that wee being assured of the true religion and doctrine which we ought to holde, we may auoyd all the craftes and subtelties of the Diuel, and all mans inuentions, Note howe a true mar­tyr is known from the fals as things not onely of no effect, but also accurssed, in as much as they corrupt Christian puritie: and in this point we as true Martyrs of Iesus Christ do differ from these bedlems that suffer for their foolish opinions. Secondarily, that wee being certeine of the good cause, be enkendled, as it is conueniente to followe God whereto soeuer he calleth vs, that his word hath such authority with vs, as it is worthy, and that we being w ^tdrawn frō the worlde, be in maner rauished to seek after the celestiall life. But this is a thing very straunge, that the brightnesse of God shineth at this day so playnly, as it did ne­uer [Page] more, and yet there be very fewe that haue a zeale thereto whiche is lamentable, and if we bee not ashamed hereof, it is so much the worse for vs, for wee must come shortly before the great Iudge, where that euill which we go about to couer, shal be set before vs with such reproch, that there wil be found sufficient cause to cast vs downe altogether to the pit of hell, For if we bee bounde to render testimony to God, alter the mesure of the knowledge which he hath giuen vs, to what tendeth it I praye you, that we are so colde and fearefull, VVe are bound to confesse our fayth. for to en­ter to this combat, sithen that God is in such sort reuealed to vs at this time, that a man may say that he hath disclosed and o­pened the great treasures, of his secretes, may it not be well sayde that we will not haue any thing to doe with God, for if wee had any regard of his maiestie, we woulde not bee so bolde as to turne the doctrine which proceedeth out of his mouth into a certeine Phylosophy or speculation, I can not tel what. To be short, ther is no excuse but this is to our greate shame, and rather to our horrible condemnation that we haue had so much knowledge of the truth of God [Page 4] & haue so litle corage to stand to the same. Ouer al, when wee consider the martirs in times past, Courage to stand is re­quisit with knowledge. The faith of Martyrs in pime past. we may wel abhorre the vilany which is in vs, for y ^e most part of thē were not much exercised in the holy scripture, for to haue knowledge, to dispute of all things, they know that there was one God alone, whome men ought to worshippe and serue Also that they were redemed by the blood of Iesus Christe to this ende, to put their trust of saluation in him, and in his grace, & that all that which hath bine found out by mē, was not to be esteemed, & were able therby to cōdemn al idollatry & superstitiō, & y ^e summe of their diuinitie was this, ther is one onely God, who hath created all the world, & hath declared vs his wil by Moses by y ^e prophets, & last of all by Iesus Christe & his Apostles, we haue one only redeemer who hath redeemed vs by his bloode, and grace, wherby we trust to be saued. Al y ^e I­dolles of the world be accurssed & execrable hauing nothing but this, they went frankly either to the fier or els to any other kind of deathe. And this was not done by two or three, but in so great multitudes, that the number of those whiche bee dead by the [Page] handes of Tyrantes is in manner infinite, we are of our part so great Clearks, that none can be more, Now a days much knowledge and litle zeale. (at least so we think,) & in deede as concerning the vnderstanding of the scripture, God hath dealt so largely with vs as euer he hath don with any age. Yet not with standing there is scarce one drop of zeal. Now to make much of such a feeblenes, it is to no purpose, vnles we wil willingly prouoke the vengeaunce of God, Note what is to be done to haue a courage to suffer. what shall we then doe, for to take a good courage. First of al we haue to cōsider how this thing is pretious before God, the con­fession of our faith, for we knowe it slender­lye, howe God alloweth the same since our life, which is verye nothing, is more estee­med of vs: In the which we declare a mar­uelous bestialitie, for we can not spare our life in this cause, but wee must confesse that the same is more beloued of vs then the honor of God, and the saluation of our soules. A certaine painime could well saie, that it was a miserable thing for a man to put awaie the causes wherfore he doth liue to saue his life, neuertheles he and such like neuer knew to what ende men were set in the worlde, and for what cause they liue. It [Page 5] is true that they had good knoweledge to say that a man ought to follow vertue, that a man ought to behaue him selfe honestlie, Our life is to glorifie God. The prolōg­ing of our life besides Gods wil is malediction and without reproche: but all their vertues were but colours & smokes, we know much better, to what our life ought to be imploi­ed: that is to glorifie God, to the end hee might be our glory, without this the woe is ouer vs, and we can not prolong our life, as much as one minute more of time on the earth, in the which wee doe bring so muche the more malediction vpon our own heads. Notwithstanding we are not ashamed, to purchase here in this world a certaine few daies, for vs to lament in, renouncing ther­by the euerlasting kingdome, seperating our selues from him, by whose vertue we are maintained in life. If a man demand of the veriest ignorant persons, or els of the most brutest of the world, for what cause is it that they liue, they dare not simply saye that it was, to eate, drinke, and sleepe, The ende of our life is to honor God, and to bee ruled by his word. for al men do knowe that they were created to a more noble and more excelent end, & what end can we finde els but to honor God, and to suffer our selues to be ruled by him, as children of a good father, to the intent that [Page] after we haue ended the viage of this cor­ruptible life, we may be receiued into his e­ternall inheritaunce, beholde this is the principall cause of our life, and the selfe same altogether, when we make account thereof that we are incarnated to a beastly life, the which is worsse then a thousande deathes, what may we allege for our expen­ces, for to liue, and not to knowe, wherfore it is against nature plainly. And to reiect the causes, for the which we liue, vnder the pretence of a foolishe appetite, for to haue a certaine respite of three daies, to the end to dwel in the world being seperate from god, I can not tell how a man shall call suche a frensie and rage. But because persecutions doe not cease, to be grieuous, and bitter vn­to vs, marke how this commeth to passe, & by what meanes Christians might streng­then them selues to patience, euen to yeeld cōstantly their life for Gods verity the text which we haue recited, Heb. 13. when it shal be vnder stood, is sufficient inough for to induce vs to the same, Let vs go out of the country (saith the apostle) after the Lorde Iesus, bearing his reproche, In the first parte, he exhorteth vs, although the swords be not redie drawn [Page 6] vppon vs, nether the fires kindled to burn vs, that we can not truelie be ioyned to the sonne of God, whilest that we be engraffed in this worlde, A person of God must haue his af­fectiō drawn from the world. wherfore it is requisite that a christian person being him selfe at rest, hath alwayes one foote lift vp to go to bat­tayle, and not onely that, but that hee hath his affection withdrawne from the worlde, albeit the body dwelleth here. Although this seemeth to vs a rude thing, at the first looking, yet we shoulde bee well contented with this saying of S. Paul, 1. Thes. 3. which is that we are called and appointed to suffer, as who woulde say, that the condition of our Christianity, is in such sorte, that we must passe by this way, if we will follow Iesus Christe, In the meane while for to comfort our infirmitie, and to make sweete the te­diousnesse and sorowfulnesse, Note our comfort in persecution. whiche perse­cutions might bring vs, beholde a good re­compence, which is, that we in suffering for the Gospell doe follow as it were, step after step, the sonne of God, and we haue him for oure guide, if it had beene sayde simplye of vs, that for to bee Christians, wee must passe through the shames of the worlde, and must come courageously [Page] vnto death, as many times, & as often as it shall please God, wee might haue (as it seemeth) some coulers to reply, that this is a thing very straunge to make on stray away. VVe must be like to the image of Christe. But where it is commāded vs to followe the Lord Iesus, his conduct is too good and honorable for vs to refuse. Now to the end that we might be the better mo­ued, it is not only sayde, that Iesus goeth before vs as our captaine, but also that we be made like to his image, as S. Paule speaketh thereof, the eight Chapter to the Romans, Rom. 8. That God hath ordeined all those whom he hath chosen, for his children, for to be made conformable to him, who is the patron and head of vs al, are we so delicate that we will not suffer nothing, it behoueth vs to declare the grace of God, by y ^e which he hath called vs vnto the hope of saluation For these be two things that can not be se­perated, Two things necessary in a Christian, we may not regard the shame of the world in Christes cause. for to be the mēber of Iesus Christ and to be exercised with many afflictions. Certeinly we ought a great deale more e­steeme such a conformitie with the sonne of God, then we otherwise doe, It is true that after the iudgement of the world, it is shame to suffer for the Gospell, but sithen [Page 7] that wee knowe that the faythlesse bee blynde, shoulde wee not haue better eyes then they, Acts. 5. It is ignominy to be affli­cted by thē which occupy the seat of righ­teousnesse, but Saint Paul sheweth vs by his example that wee haue to glory in the woundes of Iesus Christ, as in the marks. by the which God acknowledgeth, and al­loweth vs for his. And we know what S. Luke reherseth of Peter and Iohn, that is, how they reioyced of that they were coun­ted worthy to suffer infamy and reproch for the name of the Lorde Iesus, beholde two contrary things, Ignominy, and dignity: It is a digni­ty for a Christian man to suffer verily for as the world is foolish, it iudgeth against al reason & by this means conuer­teth the glory of God, to dishonour, Then of our part, let vs not refuse to be dispised before the worlde, that we may be honored before God, and his angels, We see what paine ambitious men do take for to obtain the order of a King, and what triumphes, they make therein. The sonne of God offe­reth vs his order, and euerye body refuseth it. I pray you in this doing are we worthie to haue any thing commen with him? our sensualitie can not bite here, but is of suche [Page] balure that the same, be the verye bages of our noblenes, imprisonment, banishment & curssings, do not bring after mans fancies, but all reproche: Looke not in thy trou­ble what the world iud­geth, but what God iudgeth. but what letteth vs to be­holde that which God iudgeth thereof and pronounceth but onely our infidelity, wher­fore is it, that the name of the sonne of god hath such importance with vs, as it is wor­thie to the ende, we should learne to take to honor, that hee printeth in vs his marks, otherwise our vnthankefulnes is not to be borne. If God should punishe vs after our demerits, hath he not daily iust occasion to chastise vs in a thousand sorts. Moreouer then this, a hundred thousand deathes were not suffitient for a little portion of our mis­doings, yet by his infinite goodnes, he put­teth vnder foote al our trespasses, and doth them away, and in steede of punishing vs according to that we haue deserued, he fin­deth a wonderfull meanes for to make the afflictions to be turned to our honor, and into a speciall priuelege, By affliction we are made companions with Christ. in so much that by the same we are associate into the compa­nye of his sonne may it not well bee saied when we disdain so blessed a condicion, that we haue very euill profited in the doctrine [Page 8] of Christ, Beholde why saint Peter, 2. Peter 4. after he had exhorted vs so holily in the feare of God, that we should not suffer as theeues, whoremongers, and murtherers, he addeth howe and in what manner: let vs suffer as Christians that wee might glorifie God for the good which he doth to vs. To defende the veritie is an honor a­boue the Aungels. It is not without cause that he speaketh in this wise for what are we I pray you, to be witnesses to the verity of God, & procurers to mayn­teine his cause, Behold here pore wormes of the earthe, creatures full of vanitye alltogether, and yet God willeth vs, that we defend his verity, which is an honour y ^t perteineth not to the very aungelles of pa­radise? Ought not this consideration alone so much to enflame vs to offer our selues to God, for that which pleaseth him to ap­ply vs to so honourable a thing: not with­standing many can not refrain themselues to encounter against God, or at the least to make their complaintes of this, that God doeth not bear better with their weaknes. An aunswer to the ob­iection of of weaklings 1. Peter. 1. This is meruelous say they, since that God hath chosen vs for his children, how can he abide it that we bee thus defiled and tor­mented with the wicked, I aunsweare, al­though [Page] it doth not appear to vs, wherefore he doth it, yet it should haue this authority with vs to make vs walke after his plea­sure. But when we looke in our patern Iesus Christe, ought not wee to iudge it a great felicity, for to be made like vnto him without any further question, Notwith­standing God sheweth vs causes very eui­dent, for the which he willeth vs to be per­secuted.

1. Peter. 1.If ther were none other reason but that S. Peter maketh, we were very co [...] if wee woulde not bee content therewith, that is, since that gold and siluer, which be not but corruptible mettalles bee purged and exa­mined by the fire, It is the will of God vve should suffer persecution. it is good reason that our fayth which surmounteth all the riches of the worlde be proued. God might haue crouned vs as at the firste brunte without making vs to sustain any conflict: but hee willeth that Iesus Christe doth rayn in the middest of his enemies, so hee willeth that we being iugled in the middes of them, should suffer their oppressions and violen­ces, vntill that he deliuer vs from the same. I knowe wel that the flesh reigneth when we goe aboute to bring it to this poynte, [Page 9] but it is requisit, It is naturall for vs to flee the Crosse but vve must subdue that affection. that the will of God haue the vpper hand. If we feele any contradic­tion in vs, we must not be amased thereat, for this is a right naturall thing to flee the crosse, neuerthelesse, we may not goe anye further, knowing that God doth accept our obedience, so that we do subdue and morti­fie our sences and desires for to make them subiect vnto him: for the Apostles and pro­phets went not in such wise to death, that they felt not in themselues, Iohn. 21. a certeine will to go back, another man shal lead thee whe­ther thou wouldest not (sayde Lorde Iesus Christ to Peter, The battell of a cristian man.) Likewise when such fear of death doth pricke vs, it is a gaine for vs to heauenward, or rather God winneth vs thereby, or in the mean time let vs be assu­red, that this is a Sacrifice praysing him: that we doe resist and make force agaynst our affections, for to bee altogether at his commaundement, and this is the principal battell in the which God willeth that his people doe employ themselues, which is, that they endeuour to beate downe all that lifteth it selfe vp in their sences and spirits, for to turne them oute of the way, whiche he sheweth them, and with all this, the con­solations [Page] be so great that it must needs be sayd, that we are more then cowards when we do faint. In old time an infinite number of people, for the desire of a simple crowne of leaues, they refused not any trauell, trouble or payne for the same, they counted it nothing to dye, The crowne of immor­tality is pre­pared for such as do suffer. notwithstanding there was none of them, but did fyght at al aduenturs not knowing whether he should winne the price or not, God hath sette before vs the Crowne of immortality, by the which wee are made partakers of his glory, he inten­deth not that we shoulde fight at all aduen­ture, 2. Tim. 2. but promiseth vs all y ^e price that haue a desire thereof, what occasion haue wee to come to heauen, do we think that it is spokē in vain, Math. 5. that if we dye with Iesus Christ, wee shall liue also with him. The triumph is prepared, and wee flee the Combat as much as lyeth in vs. This is a doctrine re­pugnant to mans iudgement, I do confesse the same, and also when Iesus pronoun­ceth that those which suffer for righteous­nesse be blessed, hee proponeth not a sen­tence whiche is easie to bee receiued of the worlde. Contrariwise hee willeth vs to repute that for felicity which the world and [Page 10] our sences iudgeth vnhappy. VVhom the vvorldlye counteth miserable are most happie. It seemeth vs that we are miserable when God per­mitteth vs to bee destroyed by the Ty­ranny and cruelty of our enemies, but the faulte is, y ^t we haue no regard at all to the promises of God, the which do certefie vs that all shall be turned to our good, we are discouraged to see the wicked to bee stron­ger, and to hold their foote vpon our throte. but such a confusion (as saith Saint Paule) ought rather to lift vs vp on high, Note vvhy the euill do prosper and the good troubled. for in as much we are giuen of our selues too much to muse vpon the thinges present. God in permitting the good folke, to bee euill in­treated, and the wicked to haue there will, he teacheth vs by manifest tokens that one day will come, in the which all that is now confused shalbe reformed. If the time seeme long vnto vs, let vs runne to the remedie, and not flatter our selues in our vice: for it is certeine, that we haue no fayth at all, vnlesse we lift vp the eyes of our soules to the comming of our sauiour Iesus Christ, our eie must be fixed vp­on the com­ming of Christ. Nowe God to the end he mighte leaue no meane vnattempted, which might be fyt to driue vs forward, he setteth before vs the promises on the one side, and his threat­nings [Page] on y ^e other. VVe must haue both the promises and threat­nings of god before our eies in our troubles. Math. 10. Luke 12. Do we think y ^t the promises haue not power enogh in vs? let vs ioin the threatnings for to strengthen them. It is very true, that wee must be so muche the more peruerse and froward, not to adioyne more fayth then we doe to the promises of God, when the Lorde Iesus sayth, that he will auow and acknowledge vs before his father, so that we confesse him before men. and what is there that ought to let vs, that we should not yeld him that confession that he requireth. When men shall haue done their vttermost, they can doe no worse but murther vs. And what shall eternall life be in comparson thereof? I heape not vp here al the promises conteined in the scriptures whiche tende to one and the same end: yet (forasmuch as they are so oftē times repe­ted) wee ought wholy to stay vppon them. But if when the plague hang ouer our heades, if three or foure bee not ynough, one whole hundred will not serue to make vs to ouercome all aduersity and contra­rye temptations. But if God can drawe vs vnto himselfe thorough gentlenesse, muste wee not bee more then beetle block­kish heades, when his seuere threatnings [Page 11] can doe no more therein? Iesus Christe citeth all those before his father, Christ doeth sommon all them that denie his trueth. Math 10. Math. 10. who shall through fear of bodily death deny the truth: and sayth, that both the body and soule, shal be throwne to perdition, And in another place he sayth, that he will deny all those that shal deny him before men, vnlesse that we be to much bereued of al vnderstanding these wordes ought to make our hair stand vpright vpon our heads, Howsoeuer it be, when we shall not be moued therewith as were meet, there remaineth nothing for vs but an horrible confusion: For in that, VVhen nei­ther the promises nor threatnings do moue confusion remaineth. that all the wordes of Iesus Christ doe so little profite vs, we are conuinced of too greate infidelitie. We shal haue alledged too god­ly purpose that there is some pitty in vs, forasmuch as our nature is so brittie: For it sayde contrariwise that Moses loo­king vnto God through fayth, was streng­thened not to bowe vnder any tentation. Heb. 11. An answere to the ob­iection of fraielnes of nature. Wherefore when we are so soft and flexible yea, that ther is no zeal & constancie in vs, it is a signe that we are vtterly ignorannt both of God and his kingdome. When it is shewed vs y ^t we ought to be ioined to our hed, we think that we haue a goodly couler [Page] to exempt ourselues from it, by saying that we are men. But they which haue gone be­fore vs, who were they? It is true that whē we shall not haue the pure doctrine, all the excuses that we can bring forth shalbe vain: but hauing so many examples which ought to serue for the greater approbation, so muche the more are we to bee condemned. But heere we haue two pointes to be con­sidered. The church of Christ is continually subiect to afflictions. Psal. 129. The first is, that all the body of the Church generally, was and shal be always subiect till the ende, to bee afflicted by the wicked: as it is sayd in the Psalme. They haue vexed me from my youth vp, they haue drawne the Plow vpon me from one ende to an other. The holy Ghoste bringeth in the old Church speaking, to the end that we, after we haue knowen the afflictions ther­of, we should not finde it straunge or trou­blesome if the like at this day be done vnto vs. S. Paule also drawing this place from another Psalme where it is sayd, Rom. 8. Psal. 44. We haue bene as Sheepe that are led to the slaughter, sheweth y ^t this was not for one age alone: but that it is and shall be ordinarily and v­suall in the Church. Seeing the Church of God to be at this day troaden vnder, by the [Page 12] pride of worldlinges, that one barketh, The ordi­nance of the Church. another byteth, that men torment it, and al­wayes mischieuously deuise against it, that without ceasing it is assayled of mad dogs and sauadge beastes: let vs remember that this was done vnto it of olde time. It is true that God may well giue it sometimes certeine truces and releasements. And this is it that is sayde in the Psalme before al­leaged, The end of afflictions is blisse. be cutteth asunder the Cords of the wicked. And in another place, that he will breake their stuffe, for feare that the good doth not ouermuch vexe themselues, being too much oppressed. But God woulde al­wayes that his Church should be tossed in this worlde, and be as it were in a conti­nuall conflict, reseruing rest for it aboue in the heauens, Notwithstanding that yet the issue of these afflictions was alwaies bles­sed, and at the least God broughte to passe, that being oppressed with many euilles, it was neuer vtterly oppressed, as it is sayde that the wicked with all their forces neuer attayned to that which they immagined: Psal. 7. S. Paul also reioyceth himselfe of the like to shewe, that this is a continuall grace of God: We (sayth he) endure tribulations, 2. Cor 4. but [Page] we are not therewith distressed, we are pore but we are not destitute: we are persecuted but we are not forsaken: we are cast downe but we perish not, euery where bering about in our bodies the dying of our Lorde Iesus, to the end that his life may be made mani­fest in our mortal bodies, Such issue as wee see that God hath giuen at al times in the persecutions of his Church, ought well to encourage vs, knowing that our fathers, who were brickle men as we are, had al­wayes the victory ouer their enimies: in as much as they remayned stedfast in pati­ence. But I do but touch this point briefly to y ^t ende I may come to y ^e second, Secondarily vvee must looke vpon the particu­ler examples of martirs vvhich haue bene before vs. Heb. 12. y ^t which more agreeth to our purpose: that it is to make our profite of those particular exam­ples of the Martyrs, which haue gone be­fore vs.

Now there are not onely two or three of them, but a thicke and great cloude, as the Apostle sayth in the epistle to the Hebr. Whereby he signifieth that the number is so great, y ^t it ought as it were euen to stop vp our eyes. And that I be not to tedious, I will take onely the example of the Iewes which were persecuted for true religion, [Page 13] as well vnder the Tyranny of Antiocbus the King, as also a little after his death. We cannot alleage that it was a smal number of people: for there were then as it wer a great army of martyrs. Wee cannot say that it was of Prophets, whome God had seperated from the common people: for the women and yong infants were of this company. We cannot say that they were let go for any pryse: for they were tormented as cruelly as was possible. We hear also that which the Apostle sheweth vs of.

Some (sayth he) were hanged vp like belles and racked, Heb. 11. making no account to be deliue­red, to the ende they might receiue a better resurrection. Others were tried by mockings and scourgings: yea by bondes and prison­ment: others were stoned or hewen asunder: A compari­son be­tweene the faithfull in the olde law and vs. other wandred vp and down hither and thi­ther, in Wildernes by mountains and Caues. Let vs nowe enter to make comparison of them with vs. If they suffered for the truth of God, whiche was yet so darke at that time, what ought wee to doe in this greate lighte that shineth nowe? God hath spoken vnto vs as it were with a full mouth, the great Gate of the kingdome of heauen is [Page] opened, Iesus Christe hath called vs vnto him, beeing come down vnto vs, to the end that we shoulde haue him as it were pre­sent before our eies. And what a shame shal it be vnto vs to haue lesse zeale to suffer for the Gospel then they had, which onely salu­ted and behelde the promises of God, as it were a farre off? Whiche had but a little Wicket open to come to the kingdome of heauen? which had nothing but a certeine remembrance and figure of Iesus Christe? These thinges cannot bee expressed with mouth as they are woorthy: wherefore I leaue them for euery one to meditate vp­pon.

VVe ought to prepare our selues to the Crosse although we be in no daunger thereof.Now this doctrine as it is generall, so ought it to be put in practise of all Christi­ans: But euery one ought to apply it to his owne vse as necessity shall require. I speak this to the ende that they which see them­selues in no apparant daunger, shoulde not thinke that it is superfluous vnto them. They are not at this time in the handes of Tyrantes: but what knowe they how God will deale with them hereafter Wherefore we ought to be so armed afore hand, that if any persecution, which we haue not thoght [Page 14] vpon, shall come vpon vs, we be not taken at vnwares and vnprouided. Howe he ought to be haue him self that is vnder perse­cution. But I feare me that there are a great sort of deafe ears to heare this worde. So farre off is it, that they which are nice and liue at their ease, prepare them selues to suffer death when need shal be, that they haue no care to serue God whiles they liue. And yet neuertheles this ought to be our ordinary and continu­all study, and specially in this time where­in we liue. In the meane time they whome God hath called to suffer for the testimonye of his name, ought to shew in very deede that they were prepared long before, too stande thereto constantly. And then they ought to cal into their remembrance al the exhortations that they haue hard in times past: as if a souldier shoulde take armes when the Trumpet doeth sound. But what there is no question of seeking starting holes to escape: Persecution is the touch­stone wher­by god doth discouer his people. I speake in respect of the greatest parte: For persecution is a true touchstone whereby God discouereth and trieth who are his. So farre of is it, that he shoulde many times finde who is faythfull vnto him, vntill that they franckly offer themselues to death. But this is as it were [Page] an incredible thing, that people whiche boast of some little knowledge of the Gos­pell, Cauilations of the weak­lings. Mar. 8. VVe must confesse Christ is truth before the wicked. VVe must commit our life to the handes of God. dare open their mouth to vse such ca­uilations. For one sort say, what shall wee game to confesse our faith to obstinate peo­ple, and to suche who haue determined to fight agaynst God? Is not this to cast pre­cious stones before swine, As though Ie­sus Christ had not expresly declared that he will y ^t men confesse him amongst the moste peruerse & wickedst men. If they be not therby edefied, yet at y ^e least they remain cō founded: of such a sweet smelling sauour is y ^e confessiō before god, how deadly soeuer it be to y ^e reprobate. Others also may be foūd who say, what shall our death profit? It ra­ther falleth out to an offence, as if God had left to their choise to die when they thinke good, and when they shall see a fit time. But contrariwise wee approue oure obe­dience, leauing the profit into his hand that shall come of our death. Wherefore in the first place, it behoueth that a christian man, in what country soeuer he be, notwithstan­ding daungers and threatninges, that hee fully determine to walke in simplicity, as God hath commaunded, Let him keep him [Page 15] selfe asmuch as he can from the rage of the Wolues: so that the same be not done tho­rough the crafte of the flesh. Aboue all let him resign his life into Gods hands. Hath he done this? If it fall out that hee fall into the handes of enemies, let him thinke that God hath brought him into that place, He that is once caught for religion hath no means to go backe. It is necessa­ry that we aunswere to all that the wicked de­mand of vs. & will haue him to be one of the witnesses of his sonne, and therefore that there is no way to draw backe, vnlesse it be in denying our fayth to him, to whom we haue promi­sed all duety: both to liue and to dye, and to whome wee are and belong, although wee had promised nothing vnto him. Hereby I doe not binde all men of necessitye to make a full and entire confession of all that they beleeue, admit y ^t they were therto required, S. Paul in this point hath vsed a good mo­deration, who was as ready as any other freely to mainteine the cause of the gospel, as he ought. And also it was not without cause that our Lorde Iesus promised that in suche a case hee will giue vs a mouth & Wisedome: as if he should say, that the of­fice of the holy ghost is not only to streng­then vs to be bold and valiant: but also to giue vnto vs Wisdome and discretion, to [Page] know howe it becommeth vs to rule and gouerne our selues in so great and harde a matter. why Christe sometime helde his peace. It is the rule of christians to confesse his faith be­ing required. Christ neuer dissembled to saue his life. Rosse his examinati­on which he wrote is here answe­red. The testi­mony of the verity ought more to bee regarded of vs then our life. VVee maye not regarde what other men do, but what they ought to do. Iohn 21. The summe is, that they which are in such distresse, should ask and receiue such Wisdome from aboue, not following their carnall counsell to seeke a waye to escape, (as they say) by any crosse or bypathes. There are also whiche reply that our Sa­uiour Iesus Christ himselfe, aunswered not to them that asked of him. But I say firste of all, that this serueth not to abolishe the rule which hee hath giuen vs, to make con­fession of our fayth, when we are thereto required Secondly I say, that he neuer dissē ­bled to saue his life. Thirdly that he neuer gaue answer so doubtful, y ^t it did not import sufficient witnesse of that which he had spoken: or rather, that hee had not satisfied them already which came to aske him fur­ther, as it were laying nettes to catch him. Wherefore let this point remaine resolute amongst all Christians: that is, that they ought not to account their liues more dear then the testimony of the trueth, inasmuche as God will be glorified in it. Is it in vain that hee calleth all those witnesses (for the word Martyrs signifith the same) that [Page 16] haue answered to the enemies of the fayth? Is it not because he would haue them serue to such purpose? And here euery one must not looke to his fellow and companion: for God doth not shew this honour to al to cal them thereto. And forasmuch as we are gi­uen to marke others, VVe must arme our selues with the promises of God in our afflicti­ons. the more we ought to take heed thereof. Peter hauing hard at the mouth of our Lord Iesus Christe, that hee shold be led in his old age whither he wold not, asketh what should become of Iohn his companion. There is none of vs but hee would willingly make such a reply. For this we imagine by and by: Why do I ra­ther suffer then others? But contrariwise Iesus Christe exhorteth all in generall, and euery one in particular, alwayes to be rea­dy, to the end that as he shal call hither one or other, euery man may march forth in his ranke and order. I haue shewed before that we shall be ill appointed to suffer Martyr­dome, vnlesse that we be armed with Gods promises. It remayneth now that we laye out a little more fully wherto they tend, not to specifie al by piecemeale & exactly, but to shew the principal things, that God would haue vs to hope for, to the end to cōfort vs [Page] in oure afflictions. Nowe these are briefly three thinges. three things specially to be conside­red of a per­son vnder the crosse. The first is, that forasmuche as our life and death are in his hande, that he will in such fort preserue vs by his pow­er that not one hayre of our heads shall fal but by his licence.

Wherefore the faythfull ought to holde themselues assured into whose handes soe­uer they shall come, that God hath not cast of the safegarde whiche hee hath of their personnes, If such a perswasion were well imprinted in our hearts, we should be deli­uered from the most part of doubts and perplexities that torment and hinder vs from doing our duety. We see that Tyrants are let lose: and hereupon it seemeth to vs that God hath no further meane to saue vs: For this cause wee are tempted to prouide for our selues, as though there were no more wayting vpon him. But contrariwise his prouidence which he hath declared vnto vs is such, as ought to be vnto vs an inuinsible fortresse. Our bo­dies be in the handes of him who hath created them. Let vs therefore labour to learne this shorte sentence, that our bodies are in his hands who hath created them. For this cause hee hath sometimes deliuered his owne after a miraculous manner, [Page 17] and beyonde all hope of men, as Sidrach-Misach and Abednago, from the fiery fur­nace, Daniel from the Lyons denne, Peter from Herods prison, where he was enchai­ned, fettered & kept so straightly. By these examples he would testifie vnto vs, God giueth our enemies power ouer vs. that he holdeth our enimies bridled, though it seem not so, and hath power to drawe vs out, e­uen from the mouth and middest of death when he will. Not because he always doth it: but by keeping vnto himselfe the aucthority of disposing of vs both in life & death, he wold haue vs fully resolued that he hath vs in his keeping: in suche sort that whi­ther soeuer Tyrantes looke, or with what fury soeuer they rush vppon vs, that it is from him onely who is the orderer of oure life. If he suffer Tyrants to kil vs, Our life i [...] deare in the sight of God it is not because our liues are not deare vnto him, and in greater recommendation an hun­dred folde then it is worthy, seeing it is so, that hee hath pronounced by the mouth of Dauid, Psal. 116. Esai. 16. our enemie shall render accompt of our blood. That the death of his saints is pre­cious before him, and sayth hee also by the mouth of Esay: That the earth shal disclose the blood which seemed to be bidden. Let the enemies therefore of the Gospel, be as [Page] prodigal in shedding the blood of his mar­tyrs, as they will, yet shall they render a terrible account euen to the last and vt­termost drop. They doe scornfully mock at this day when they burne the faythful, The power of Gods spi­rite is stron­ger then mā. and after they haue bathed them selues in their bloode, they are so drunken therewith, that they care nothing at al what murders they commit. But if we haue patience to wait, God will shew in the ende that it is not in vayne that he hath set suche an high price vpon our life, The constancy of martirs is the worke of God. In the mean time, if he doth vs no euil, y ^t it serueth to ratifie his gospel, which in worthinesse surmounteth heauen and earth. And the better to assure vs that God leaueth vs not in the handes of Ty­rants, as hauing forsaken vs, let vs call to minde the sentence of Iesus Christe, where he sayth, that it is he whome they persecute in his members.

God had well sayde before by Zacharie, He that toucheth you, toucheth the ayple of mine eye. A notable example. But this is yet more plaine, that if we suffer for the Gospell, it is as if the Sonne of God were there in his own per­son. Wherefore let vs knowe that Iesus Christ must forget himselfe, if he should not [Page 18] thinke of vs when wee are in prison, or in danger of death for his cause: And let vs knowe that God taketh to his owne heart all the outrages that Tyrantes doe vnto vs, as if they were fastened to his owne sonne.

Let vs come to the second pointe that God in his promises hath set forth vnto vs for our consolation: that is, that he will so susteine vs by the power of his holy spirite that our enemies whatsoeuer they doe, or Satan their head, yet shal they not get the vpper hand ouer vs. And in deede we see howe hee displaieth his graces in suche a neede. For such inuincible constancie as is in y ^e true martyrs, is a sufficient shew that God worketh mightily in them. There are two grieuous things to the flesh in perse­cutions: too wit, the one the rebukes and shame of men, and the other the tormentes that the body endureth. But God promi­seth vs, suche assistannce that through patience wee shall ouercome both the one and the other. And hee perfourmeth in deede that which hee hath promised vn­to vs. Let vs therefore take this buckler too repulse and put backe all feares, wher­with [Page] we are assailed, and let vs not restrain the power of Gods spirite to so narrowe a scantling, that wee thinke not, but that hee will easily ouercome all mens cruelties. And hereof amongst others we had an no­table example in our time not to be forgot­ten.

A certeine yong man who dwelt heere with vs being taken in the citie of Tournay was condemned to bee but beheaded if hee recanted: and to be burned aliue, if he con­tinued in his opinion. When he was asked what he woulde doe, he aunswered simply: He that shal giue me grace to dye patient­ly for his name, he will giue mee grace to endure the fire. We ought to esteeme this sentence not as the sentence of a mortall man: but as a sentence of the holy ghoste, to the end to assure our selues that God is as able to strengthen vs, and to make vs to ouercome all torments, as to mooue vs to take any other kinde of meeker death in good part. Which is more, wee see often times, what constancy hee giueth to poore malefactors who suffer for theire offen­ces. I speake not of the obstinate: but of those which comfort themselues in y ^e grace [Page 19] of Iesus Christ, and by this mean receiue with peaceable hearte the moste grieuous punishment that can bee done vnto them: As we may see a notable example thereof in the theefe who was conuerted at the death of Christ. God who so mightely assis­teth poore offenders, being worthily puni­shed for their misdeedes, will hee faile his who fighte for his cause, that hee will not giue them an inuincible power? The thirde poynt concerning the promises that God hath made to his martirs, is of the fruite that they ought to hope for of their suffe­rings: and in the end if neede be of death it selfe. Now this fruite is after that he hath glorified his name, and edified his Church through their constancie, The fruite of our death when they shalbe gathered with the Lorde Iesus Christe in­to his immortall glory. But because wee haue spoken more fully of it before, it is ynough nowe to bring it in our remem­braunce.

Wherefore let the faythfull learne too lifte vp their heades on highe to this Crowne of Immortalitye and Glorye, whereunto GOD doth call them: to the ende that he doe them no hurte in ma­king [Page] them to forsake their present life for such a reward: and to be assured of this ine­stimable benefite, let them alwayes haue before their eyes the cōformity which they haue with our Lorde Iesus, to beholde life in the middest of death, as he by the oppro­brye and shame of the Crosse, came to that glorious resurrection in which consisteth all our felicity, ioy, and Tri­umph.