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A pistle to the Christen reader The revelation of Antichrist. Antithesis

Name: A pistle to the Christen reader The revelation of Antichrist. Antithesis
Author: John Frith

A pistle to the Christen reader The revelation of Antichrist. Antithesis, wherein are compared to gather Christs acts and our holy father the Popes.A pistle to the Christen reader The revelation of Antichrist. Antithesis, wherin are compared to geder Christes actes and oure holye father the Popes.

John Frith 1503–1533At Malborow in the land of Hesse i.e. Antwerp : the. xij. day of July, anno. M.CCCCC.xxix. by me Hans luft i.e. Johannes Hoochstraten, 1529At Malborow in the lande of Hesse i.e. Antwerp : the. xij. day of Iulye, anno. M.CCCCC.xxix. by me Hans luft i.e. Johannes Hoochstraten, 1529

cij, [2] leaves · 51k words · STC 11394 · ESTC S102643

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¶ A pistle to the Christen reader

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¶ The Revelation of Antichrist.

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¶Antithesis / wherein […] compared to gather Christs acts and our• holy father the […].

¶Antithesis / wherin 〈…〉 compared to geder Christes act•s and our• holye father the 〈…〉.

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¶Richard Brightwell unto the christen read¹

¶Richarde Brightwell vnto ye christē read¹

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Whole work: 329 passages

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John Frith, A pistle to the Christen reader The revelation of Antichrist. Antithesis (At Malborow in the lande of Hesse i.e. Antwerp, 1529), title page, unnumbered page (image 1). EEBO-TCP A01279.

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Title as printed: A pistle to the Christen reader The revelation of Antichrist. Antithesis, wherein are compared to gather Christs acts and our holy father the Popes.A pistle to the Christen reader The revelation of Antichrist. Antithesis, wherin are compared to geder Christes actes and oure holye father the Popes.
Author: John Frith 1503–1533
Year: 1529
Imprint: [At Malborow in the land of Hesse [i.e. Antwerp] : the. xij. day of July, anno. M.CCCCC.xxix. by me Hans luft [i.e. Johannes Hoochstraten, 1529]][At Malborow in the lande of Hesse [i.e. Antwerp] : the. xij. day of Iulye, anno. M.CCCCC.xxix. by me Hans luft [i.e. Johannes Hoochstraten, 1529]]
Size: cij, [2] leaves
Words: 50,861
Catalogue: STC 11394 · ESTC S102643
Text: EEBO-TCP A01279

Passages: 329
Sections: 18

Title page

The author

John Frith

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Grace / mercy & the peace of god passing all understanding which is the jure confidence of remission of sin in the blood of Christ / and perfect trust of the heritage of everlasting life in the same Christ our lord be with the Christen Reader / and with all that call upon the name of Jesus. All be it there was nothing that Christ spake being present among us in this mortal life but it had a quickness spirit / and comfort:¹ yet chiefly of all this warning precessed (in misjudgement) all other words / where he exhorted us / while we had light to believe in the light / that we might be the children of light. And again / yet a little while / ²is the light with you walk while ye have light lest the darkness come on you: for he ye walketh in the dark wo• teth not whether he goeth / who is this light that we are exhorted to believe in? truly it is Christ as saint Joan doth testify. He was the true light that lighteneth all men / which come in to the world.³ To believe in this light maketh us the children of light / & the sure inheritors with jesu christ. Even now have we cruel adversaries which set up their bristles saying / why then shall we do no good works? To these we answer as Christ did to the people in the .vj. of saint Joan.⁴ Which axed him what they should do that they might work / ⟨image 3⟩the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them. This is the work of god / that ye believe on him / whom he hath sent and after it followeth / verily verily I say unto you / be that believeth on me hath everlasting life. To this also condescendeth saint Joan in his epistle saying.⁵ These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God / that you may surely know / how that you have eternal life / what is the name of the Son of god? Truly his name is Jesus that is to say a saviour / therefore thou must believe that he is a saviour. But what a availeth this?⁶ The devils do thus believe and tremble. They know that he is the Son of god.⁷ And said unto him crying. O Jesus the Son of god / what have we to do with the They know that he hath redeemed mankind by his passion / and laboured to let it / ⁸for when Pilate was set down to give judgement / his wife sent unto him saying / have thou nothing to do with that just man / fore I have suffered many things this day in my sleep about him.

GRace / mercye & the peace of god passinge all vndstōdige which is the jure cōfidence of remission of sinne in the bloude of Christ / and perfaite truste of the heretage of everlasting liffe in the same Christ oure lorde be with the Christen Reader / and with all that call vpon the name of Iesus. All be it there was nothinge that Christ spake beinge present amōg vs in this mortall liffe but it had a quicknes sprete / and conforte:¹ yet chefly of all this warning precessed (in mi•iudgemēt) all other wordes / where he exhorted vs / while we had light to beleve in the light / that we might be the children of light. And ageyne / yet a litle while / ²is the light with you walke while ye have light lest the darkenes come on you: for he ye walketh in ye darke wo• teth not whether he goeth / who is this light that we are exhorted to beleve in? truly it is Christ as saint Ioā doth testifye. He was ye true light yt lighteneth all mē / which come in to ye world.³ To beleve in this light maketh vs ye childrē of light / & ye sure īheritours with iesu christ. Evē now have we cruell adversaryes which set vp their bristles sainge / why then shall we do no good workes? To these we answer as Christ did to the peeple in the .vj. of saint Ioan.⁴ Which axed him what they shuld do that they might worke / ⟨image 3⟩the workes of God? Iesus answered and sayd vn to them. This is the worke of god / yt ye beleve on him / whom he hath sent and after it foloweth / verely verely I saye vnto you / be that beleveth on me hath everlastinge liffe. To this also cōdessendeth saint Ioan in his epistle sainge.⁵ These thinges have I written vn to you that beleve on the name of the sonne of God / that you may surely know / how that you have eternall liffe / what is the name of the sonne of god? Trvely his name is Iesus that is to saye a saviour / therfore thou must beleve that he is a saviour. But what a vayleth this?⁶ The devils do thus beleve ād tremble. They knowe that he is the sonne of god.⁷

1Joannis. vi•Ioannis. vi•
2Joan. xi•.Ioan. xi•.
3Joan. •Ioan. •
4Joan. v•Ioan. v•
5i, Joannis. v•i, Ioannis. v•
6•ovi. ii.
7•ath. viii.
8•ath. xxvii.

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No doubt she was vexed of the devil to the intent that she should persuade her husband to give no sentence upon him / so that the longer Satan over mankind might have had jurisdiction. They know that he hath suppressed sin and death / as it is written / death is consumed in to victory.¹ Death where is thy sting? ⟨p. iij⟩hell where is thy victory? the sting of death is sin. The strength of sin is the law.² But thanks be unto god which hath given us victory / through our lord Jesus Christ / ³which by sin damned sin in the flesh / for god made him to be sin for us (that is to say a sacrifice for our sin / and so is sin taken in many places of the .ij. testaments) which knew no sin / ⁴that we by his means / should be that righteousness which before god is allowed. It is not therefore sufficient to believe that he is a saviour and redeemer: but that he is a saviour and redeemer unto thee / and this canst thou not confess / except thou knowledge thy self to be a sinner / for he that thinketh him self no sinner / needeth no saviour and redeemer.⁵ And of these Christ saith I came not to call righteous men (that is to say them that think them selves no sinners / ⁶for in very deed there is none righteous / no not one) but sinners to repentance. For they which are strong have no need of a physician / ⁷but they that are seek. There fore knowledge thy self a sinner that thou mayest be justified. Not that the enumberinge of thy sins can make the righteous. But rather a greater sinner / ye and a blasphemer of the holy name of god / as thou mayest see in Cain which said that his sins where greater then that he might receive / ⁸forgiveness of God and so was reprobate. ⟨image 4⟩Thou must keep therefore an order in thy justification / first considering what the law requireth on the / which truly bindeth thee now to as much as though thou were in the state of innocency / and commandeth the to be with out concupiscence which is original sin. Condemning the infants (that are not baptised in his blood) for this original sin (yet could not they do with all) which God of justice would not do / except they had transgressed his law and were bound to be with out this concupiscence / if thou wouldest reason / why God doth thus / take Pauls answer.⁹ O man what art thou which disputest with God?

No doute she was vexed of the devil to thentent that she shuld persuade her husband to geve no sentence vpon him / so that the lenger Sathā over mankinde might haue had iurisdiction. They know that he hath supressed sinne and death / as it is written / death is consumed in to victory.¹ Death where is thy stinge? ⟨p. iij⟩hell where is thy victory? the stinge of death is sinne. The strength of sinne is the lawe.² But thankes be vn to god which hath geven vs victorye / thorow oure lorde Iesus Christ / ³which bi sinne damned sinne in the flessh / for god made him to be sinne for vs (that is to saye a sacryfice for oure sinne / ād so is sinne taken in many places of the .ij. testamentes) which knew no sinne / ⁴that we by his meanis / shuld be that rightewesnes which before god is alowed. It is not therfore sufficient to beleve that he is a sauiour and redemer: but that he is a sauiour and redemer vnto the / and this canst thou not confesse / excepte thou knowleg thy self to be a sinner / for he that thinketh him silf no sinner / neadith no sauiour ād redemer.⁵ And of these Christ sayth I came not to call rightewesmen (that is to say them that thinke thē selves no sinners / ⁶for in very dede there is none righteous / no not one) but sinners to repentaunce. For they whiche are stronge have no nead of a phisition / ⁷but they that are secke. There fore knowlege thy silf a sinner yt thou maist be iustifyed. Not that the enumberinge of thy sinnes can make the rightewesse. But rather a greater sinner / yee ād a blasphemer of ye holye name of god / as thou maist se in Cain which said that his sinnes where greater then that he might receave / ⁸forgevenes of God and so was reprobate. ⟨image 4⟩Thou must kepe therfore an order in thy iustification / first cōsideringe what the lawe requireth on the / which truly bindeth ye now to as moch as though thou were in the state of innocencye / and cōmaundeth the to be with out concupiscence which is originall sinne. Condempninge the infantes (that are not baptised in his bloude) for this originall sinne (yet could not they do with all) which God of iustice wold not do / excepte they had transgressed his lawe ād were bound to be with out this cōcupiscēce / if thou woldist reason / why God doth thus / take Paules answer.

1•. xiii. •re. ii. •in. xvi
2i. Joan. v••i. Ioan. v••
3Roma. viii.
4ii. Corinth. v▪
5Mathei. ix.
6Psal. xxxiii. Roma. iii.
7Math. ix.
8Gene. iii•.
9Roma. ix.

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Know this that it is god which giveth the sentence with whom is none iniquity but all justice and mercy. How be it if thou ask me / why he bindeth us also (which are come to perfect understanding) to that which is impossible for us to accomplish? Thou shalt have saint Augustine's answer / which saith in the second book that he wrote to Hierome / that the law was given us / that we might know what to do and what to eschew / to the intent that when we see our selves not able to do that which we are bound to / nor avoid the contrary that then we may know what we shall pray for & of whom we shall ask this strength so that we may say unto our father. Good father command what so ever it pleaseth thee ⟨p. iiij⟩And give us the grace to fulfil that thou commandest. And when we perceive that we cannot fulfil his will / yet let us confess that the law is good and holy / & that we are sinners & carnal sold under sin / ¹but let us not here stick for now are we at hell gates / and truly should fall in to utter desperation except God did bring us again showing us his Gospel and promise / saying fear not little flock for it is your fathers pleasure to give you a kingdom.² If we receive the witness of men / the witness of god is greater / for this is the witness of god / which he testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of god hath the witness in him self.³ He that believeth not god hath made him a liar be cause he believed not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is that record / how that God hath given unto us eternal life / and this life is in his Son / ⁴which was made our best / bearing our sins upon his own back / made obedient unto the death offering up our iniquities (as a sacrifice) unto his father / being our mediator and Atonement betwixt his father and us.⁵ Made of God for us / wisdom / righteousness / holiness / and redemption / fulfilling the law for us. So that sin hath no power over us nether can condemn us / for our satisfaction is made in Christ which died for us that were wicked / ⁶& naturally the children of wrath even ⟨image 5⟩as well as the other.

Know this that it is god which geveth the sentence with whō is none iniquite but all iustice and mercy. How be it if thou aske me / why he bindeth vs also (which are come to perfaite vnderstondinge) to that which is impossible for vs to accomplysch? Thou shalt have saint Augustyns answer / which sayth in the second boke that he wrote to Hierome / that the lawe was gevē vs / that we might know what to do and what to eschewe / to thētent that when we se oure selves not able to do that which we are bound to / nor avoyde the contrary yt then we maye knowe what we shall pray for & of whō we shall aske this strēgthe so yt we maye saye vnto oure father. Good father commaund what so ever it pleaseth ye ⟨p. iiij⟩And geve vs the grace to fulfill that thou cōmaundest. And whē we perceave that we cānot fulfill his will / yet let vs confesse yt the lawe is good and holy / & that we are sinners & carnall sold vnder sinne / ¹but let vs not here sticke for now are we at hell gates / and truly shuld fall in to vtter desperatiō excepte God did bringe vs agayne shewinge vs his Gospell and promisse / saynge feare not litle flocke for it is your fathers pleasure to geve you a kingdome.² Yf we receave the witnes of men / ye witnes of god is greatter / for this is ye witnes of god / which he testified of his sonne. He yt beleveth on the sonne of god hath ye witnes in hī silf.³ He yt beleveth not god hath made hī a lyare be cause he beleved not the record that God gave of his sonne. And this is that recorde / how yt God hath geven vnto vs eternall liffe / and this liffe is in his sonne / ⁴which was made oure best / bearinge oure sinnes vpon his awne backe / made obedient vnto the death offeringe vpp oure iniquites (as a sacrifice) vn to his father / beinge oure mediator and Atonement betwixte his father and vs.⁵ Made of God for vs / wisdome / rithtewesnes / holynes / and redemption / fulfillinge the lawe for vs. So that sinne hath no power over vs nether can condemne vs / for our satisfactiō is made in Christ which died for vs yt were weked / ⁶& naturallye ye childrē of wrath even ⟨image 5⟩

1Roma. vij
2Luce. xij.
3i. Joannis. vi. Ioannis. v
4j. Pet. ij. Esate. liij. Philip. ii.
5i. Joan. j •. Corin. i•.i. Ioan. j •. Corin. i•.
6Roma. ••

:7p. v

But god which is rich in mercy through the great love where with he loved us / even when we were dead through sin / hath quickened us with Christ / and with him hath raised us up / & with him hath made us sit in heavenly things through Jesus Christ / for to show in times to come the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness to us ward through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye made safe through faith / and that not of your selves / for it is the gift of God / and cometh not of works / lest any man should boast him self.¹ But of his fullness we have all received / and favour for favour / that is to say / the father of heaven hath favoured us for his sons sake / and not for our own deservings (as when we see a man favoured and loved for an other mans sake) And hath promised unto us freely the inheritance of heaven.² This promise must we believe with sure trust and waver not / for he that doubteth is like the waves of the see / tossed of the wind and carried with violence. Nether let that man think that he shall receive any thing of god This gospel and promise must we look after with unfeigned hope / ³wherein be cause we should nothing doubt / God hath added an oath unto his promise / to show unto the heirs of promise the stableness of his counsel / that by those two immutable things (in which it was unpossible that god should lye) we might have ⟨p. v⟩perfect consolation which have fled for to hold fast the hope that is set forth before our faces / which hope we have as an anchor of the soul both sure and steadfast. For this promise must we pray daily unto our father desiring to be loosed from this body and to be with Christ / ⁴for we sigh in this body desiring to be clothed with our mansion which is from heaven.⁵ And we know that then we shall be like him / for we shall see him as he is / and shall be the perfect children of light.⁶ Therefore dear brethren we ought with all mind and affection to attend unto tho things which we have hard lest we be spilt / ⁷for if god spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down in to hell / and put them in chains of darkness there to be kept unto judgement. And every transgression and disobedience / ⁸received a just recompense to reward / how shall we escape if we despise so great health?⁹

But god which is rich in mercy thorow the great love where with he loved vs / even when we were dead thorowe sinne / hath quyckened vs with Christ / and with him hath reysed vs vppe / & with him hath made vs sitte in hevenly thinges thorow Iesus Christ / for to shew in times to come ye exceading riches of his grace in kindnes to vs ward thorow Christ Iesus. For by grace are ye made safe thorow faith / ād that not of your selves / for it is the gifte of God / ād cometh not of workes / leste eny mā shuld boste him silf.¹ But of his fulnes we have all receaved / and favour for favour / that is to saye / the father of heuen hath favoured vs for his sonnes sake / and not for oure awne deservinges (as when we se a man favoured ād loved for an other mānes sake) And hath promised vnto vs frely the enheritance of heven.² This promisse must we beleve with sure truste and waver not / for he that douteth is like the waves of the see / toste of ye wind and caried with violence. Nether let that mā thinke that he shall receave eny thīge of god This gospell and promise must we loke after with vnfayned hope / ³wherin be cause we shuld nothinge doute / God hath added an oth vnto his promes / to shew vnto ye heyres of promes ye stablenes of his counsayle / yt by those two īmutable thīges (in which it was vnpossible that god shuld lye) we might have ⟨p. v⟩perfect consolacion which have fled for to hold fast the hope that is set forth before our faces / which hope we have as an ancre of the soule both sure and stedfast. For this promes must we pray dayly vnto our father desyringe to be loosed from this bodye and to be with Christ / ⁴for we sigh in this bodey desyreng to be clothed with our mansion which is from heven.⁵ And we knowe that then we shal be like him / for we shall se him as he is / and shall be the perfecte children of lighe.⁶ Therfore dear brothren we ought with all minde and affection to attend vnto tho thīges which we have harde lest we be spilt / ⁷for yf god spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them downe in to hell / and put them in chaynes of darknes there to be kept vnto iudgement. And every transgression and disobedience /

1Joannis .l.Ioannis .l.
2Jacobi. i.Iacobi. i.
3Hebr. vj.Hebre. vj.
4Philip. i. ii. Corin. v.
5i. Joan. iij. Joan. xij.i. Ioan. iij. Ioan. xij.
6Hebreo .ij.
7ij. Petri .ij.
8Hebro .ij.
9Hebreo .iij.

:8p. v–vj

Take heed dear brethren / that there be in none of you an evil heart in unbelief / that he should depart from the living God / but exhort one an other daily / left any of you were hard hearted and be deceived with sin. Remember that Christ exhorted us to walk while we have light lest that the darkness come upon us / ¹for he that walketh in the darkness / ²knoweth not whether he goeth. If a man walk in the day he stumbleth not / because he seeth the light ⟨image 6⟩of this world / if a man walk in the night he stumbleth be cause there is no light in him This day & light (as we have said before) is christ which sayeth / I am come a light in to the world / ³that who so ever believe on me should not bide in darkness / who is this darkness? truly the Philosophers say that if a man know on of the contraries he must needs know the other / but the light & the darkness are contrary / and Christ is the light therefore it is necessary that the contrary to Christ (that is to say Antichrist should be the darkness. And there are diverse Antichrists and adversaries to god the father / to christ / & to their sprite / ⁴as the devil / the flesh / & the world. The devil was the first & tempted Eve in paradise which consenting to his temptation persuaded Adam to eat of the fruit which god forbade them / & so was he the author of the condemnation of all Adams posterity / & there god condemning the devil gave a promise of our redemption in christ saying I will put enmity be twē the and the woman between thy seed & her seed. And her seed shall depress & all to break thy head / & thou shall lye watching the sole of his foot. To this agreeth sanct Peter saying / ⁵your adversary the divill as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour / whom resist steadfast in the faith remembering that ye do but fulfil the same afflictions which are appointed to your brethren ye ⟨p. vj⟩are in the world. This confirmeth Christ him self saying unto Peter. Simon Simon / behold satan hath desired you / ⁶to sift you as it were wheat but I have prayed for the that thy faith fail not. Nether is it marvel though he do us thus assail / sith he presumed to t•pte chaste our lord in the wilderness.⁷

Take hede dere brothren / that there be in none of you an evill harte in vnbeleve / yt he suld departe frō the lyvinge God / but exhorte one an other daily / left eny of you were hard harted and be deceaved with sinne. Remēbre yt Christ exhorted vs to walke while we have light lest that the darknes come vpon vs / ¹for he that walketh in the darknes / ²knoweth not whether he goeth. Yf a mā walke in the day he stombleth not / because he seith the light ⟨image 6⟩of this world / yf amā walke in the night he stombleth be cause there is no light in him This daye & light (as we have sayed before) is christ which sayeth / I am come a light in to the world / ³that wo so ever beleve on me shuld not byde in darkenes / who is this darkenes? truely ye Philosophers sey yt yf a man knowe on of ye cōtraryes he must nedes knowe the other / but the light & the darkenes are cōtrary / and Christ is the light therfore it is necessarye that ye cōtrarye to Christ (that is to say Antichrist shuld be the darkenes. And there are diverse Antichristes and adversaryes to god ye father / to christ / & to their sprite / ⁴as ye devill / ye flessh / & the worlde. The devil was ye first & tempted Eve in paradise which cōsentinge to his temptatiō persuaded Adam to eate of the frute which god sorbade thē / & so was he the author of ye cō dēpnation of all Adams posteryte / & there god cōdēpninge the devill gave a promise of oure redēption in christ fayng I will put enmyte be twē the ād the womā betwē thy sede & her sede. And her sede shall depresse & all to breke thy hed / & thou shall lye watchinge the sole of his fote. To this agreeth sanct Peter saynge / ⁵youre adversary the divill as a roringe liō walketh aboute sekinge whō he may devoure / whō resiste stedfast in ye faith remēbringe yt ye do but sulfill ye same affilictiōs which are apoynted to youre brethrē ye ⟨p. vj⟩are in the world. This cōfirmeth Christ him silf saynge vnto Peter. Simō simō / behold sathā hath desyred you / ⁶to sifte you as it were wheate but I have prayed for the yt thy faith fayle not. Nether is it mervell though he do vs thus assayle / sythge presumed to tpte chast oure lord in ye wildernes.

1Joan .xij.Ioan .xij.
2Joan .xi.Ioan .xi.
3Joan. x•.Ioan. x•.
4Gen •.iij.
5•. Petri. v.
6Luce. xx•.
7•ath .iiij.

:9p. vj

Let us not give place in this temptation / but keep faithfully our profession for our high priest (christ Jesus)¹ cannot but have compassion on our infirmities / for he was in all points like tempted / but yet with out sin / let us therefore go boldly unto the seat of grace that we may receive mercy / & find grace to help in time of need / that we be not tangled with his fair flattering & delicious enticements that bring eternal damnation / but that we be strong in faith praising the glorious name of god which delivereth us from all evils. The second is the flesh where of it is written. The flesh lusteth contrary to the spirit / ²& the spirit contrary to the flesh. These are contrary one to the other so that ye can not do that which ye would. The flesh is called not only the desires of the flesh but all things that we do / think or speak / ye our hole body / soul reason / with the chief and highest powers of them / if they be not led and governed with the spirit of God. The spirit is every outward and inward work that a man having faith and charity) which are the fruits and gifts of the spirit)³ ⟨image 7⟩doth work seeking spiritual things. This spirit beareth witness unto our spirit that we are the children of god / ⁴for he that hath not this sprite of Christ / is none of his kingdom. But is the bond servant of sin / under which he is subdued and remaineth captive under the law.⁵ But ye dear brethren are made dead as concerning the law / by the body of Christ / that ye should be coupled to him that is risen again from death / that we should bring forth fruit unto god / for when we were under the law / the lusts of sin which were stirred up by the law reigned in our members / to bring forth fruit unto death. But now are we delivered from the law / and dead from it / where unto ne were in bondage that we should serve in anew conversation of the spirit / and not in the old conversation of the letter. We know that the fleshly mind is enmity against God.⁶ For it is not obedient to the law of God nether can be / so that they which are given to the flesh can not please god. We know that every man is tempted / drawn away / and enticed of his own concupiscence / ⁷and when this concupiscence and lust hath conceived / she bringeth forth sin / And sin when it is fine sched bringeth forth death.

Let vs not geve place in this tēptaciō / but kepe faithfullye oure professiō for oure hyghe preste (christe Iesu)¹ cānot but have cōpassiō on oure infirmites / for he was in all poyntes lyke tēpted / but yet with out sinne / let vs therfore go boldly vnto the seate of grace yt we may receave mercye / & find grace to helpe in tyme of nead / that we be not tangled with his fayre flateringe & delicious entysemētes yt bringe eternall dānaciō / but yt we be strōge in faith prayesinge the glorious name of god which delyvereth vs frō all evils. The second is ye flesshe where of it is writē. The flesshe lusteth cōtrary to ye sprete / ²& the sprete cōtrary to ye flesshe. These are cōtrarye one to ye other so yt ye cā not do yt which ye wolde. The flesshe is called not only ye desyres of the flesshe but all thinges that we do / thinke or speake / yee our hole body / soule reason / with ye cheffe and hyghest powers of them / yf they be not led and gowerned with the sprete of God. The sprete is every outward ād inward worke that a mā havinge faith ād cherite) which are the frutes and gyftes of the sprete)³ ⟨image 7⟩doth worke seakinge spirituall thīges. This sprete beareth witnes vnto oure sprete that we are the children of god / ⁴for he that hath not this sprite of Christ / is none of his kingdome. But is the bōd seruāt of synne / vnder which he is subdewed and remayneth captive vnder the lawe.⁵ But ye deare brothren are made dead as concerninge the lawe / by the bodye of Christ / that ye shuld be coupled to him that is rysen agayn from death / that we shuld bringe forth frute vnto god / for when we were vnder the lawe / the lustes of synne which were sturred vppe by ye lawe raigned in oure membres / to bringe forth frute vnto death. But now are we delivered from the lawe / and dead from it / where vnto ne were in bondage that we shuld serve in anew conversation of the sprete / and not in the old cō uersatiō of the letter. We knowe that the flesshly mind is enmyte against God.⁶ For it is not obedient to the lawe of God nether can be / so that they which are geven to the flessh can not please god. We knowe that every mā is tempted / drawne awaye / and entyesed of his awne concupicence /

1Hebreo. jilt.Hebreo. iil•.
2Gala. v:
3Gala. v.
4Roma. viij.
5ij. Pet. il. Roma. vi. Roma. vij
6Roma. vij.
7Jaco. j.Iaco. j.

:10p. vij

We know that as long as we live in this world we carry about with us the old man of sin / which (with out he be with continual diligence suppressed ⟨p. vij⟩and mortified) besiegeth the new man with his venom and concupiscences (which is original sin) planted as natural yea in him as venom in a serpents tooth / sith then we can not be with out this old man of sin (for the which / no man shall be justified in the sight of god / ¹for which If we say that we have no sin we are liars / and the trueth is not in us. For the which also / if we profit never so high / yet must we ever say forgive us / ²father our trespasses) yet let us do our diligence / calling for the spirit of god / that this concupiscence reign not in our mortal body ever knowleginge with a mild heart our iniquities to our father which is in heaven / ³for he is faithful & just / ⁴to remit us our since / and to purge us from all iniquity / through the blood of Jesus Christ his Son.

We knowe that as longe as we lyve in this world we carye aboute with vs the old man of synne / which (with out he be with contynuall diligēce suppressed ⟨p. vij⟩ād mortifyed) beseageth the new mā with his venom and concupicēces (which is original synne) planted as naturall ye in him as venom in a serpēts toth / syth thē we can not be with out this old mā of synne (for the which / no man shalbe iustified in the sight of god / ¹for which Yff we saye that we haue no synne we are lyers / and the trueth is not in vs. For the which also / yf we profite neuer so hygh / yet must we ever saye forgeve vs / ²father oure trespases) yet let vs do oure diligē ce / callinge for the sprete of god / that this cō cupiscence raigne not in oure mortall bodye ever knowleginge with a milde harte oure iniquites to oure father which is in hevē / ³for he is faithfull & iust / ⁴to remitte vs oure synnes / and to purge vs from all iniquite / thorow the bloude of Iesu Christe his sonne.

1i. Joan. ji. Ioan. j
2Math. vj
3Jo. viIo. vi
4i. Joan. ji. Ioan. j

:11p. vij–viij

The third which other alone / or else chiefly is counted Antichrist / because he resisteth the personal coming of Christ in the flesh for our redemption / is the world / of the which it is writhen. If the world hate you / ye know that it hath hated me before you / if you were of the world / the world would love that that is his own because ye are not of the world but i have chosen you out of the world / therefore hateth you the world / and sanct Joan exhortteth his brothers like a faithful minister of Christ saying.¹ See that you love not the world / nether the things that are in the world / ⟨image 8⟩if any / man love the world the love of the father is not in him / for all that is in the world (as the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes / and the pride of this life) is not of the father. but of the world. The world in this place is understood for them that are carnal & carnally minded / for these truly are Antichrists. But how shall we prove that / sith sanct Joan seameth contrary / ²where he sayeth / Dearly beloved believe not every spirit / but prove the spirits whether they are of god or no / for many false prophets are gone out in to the world / hereby shall ye know the spirit of god. Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh / is of god And every spirit which confesseth not / that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of god / & this is that spirit of Antichrist / of whom you have hard how •hat he should come / & even now all ready is he in the world what shall we now say / Doth the world confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh? ye verily / how shall they then be Antichrists?³ Truly by sanct Pauls expounding of this place where he saith / They confess that they know god / but with deeds they deny him / And are abominable / and disobedient / and unto all good works discommendable. Do they say that they know him and deny him in works? ye truly / let us then also note what sancte Joan sayeth / he that ⟨p. viij⟩sayeth I know him / ⁴& keepeth not his commandments / is a liar and the verity is not in him To know the lord is to have perfect faith in him. And perfect faith hath with him sure hope & charity / & of these followeth the fulfilling of the commandments necessarily / Even as the light followeth the fire / how be it here had we n•de to make a division / for the world hath two sorts of Antichrists.

The third which other alone / or els chesly is counted Antichrist / because he resisteth ye personall cōminge of Christ in the fleshe for oure redemption / is the world / of the which it is writhen. Yf the world hate yow / ye knowe that it hath hated me before you / yf you were of the world / the world wold loue that yt is his awne because ye are not of ye world but i have chosen you out of the world / therfore hateth you the world / and sanct Ioan exhortteth his brothers like a faithfull minister of Christ sayinge.¹ Se that you love not the world / nether ye thinges that are in ye world / ⟨image 8⟩if eny / man love the world the love of the father is not in him / for all that is in ye worlde (as the lust of the flesshe the lust of the eyes / and the pride of this lyffe) is not of the father. but of the world. The world in this place is vnderstond for thē that are carnall & carnallie minded / for these trulye are Antichristes. But how shall we prove that / sith sanct Ioan seameth contrarye / ²where he sayeth / Derely beloved beleve not every sprete / but prove ye spretes whether they are of god or no / for many false prophetes are gone out ī to the world / hereby shall ye know the sprete of god. Every sprete that confesseth that Iesus Christ is comē in the flessh / is of god And everie sprete which confesseth not / that Iesu Christ is come in the flesshe is not of god / & this is that sprete of Antichriste / of whom you have harde how •hat he shuld come / & evē now all redye is he in the world what shall we now saye / Doth the world confesse that Iesus Christ is come in the flesshe? yee verely / how shall they thē be Antichristes?³ Truely by sanct Paules expounding of this place where he saith / They confesse yt they know god / but with dedes they denye him / And are abominable / and disobedient / and vnto all good workes discommendable. Do they saye yt they know him and denye him in workes? yee truely / let vs then also note what sancte Ioā sayeth / he yt ⟨p. viij⟩sayeth I know hī / ⁴& kepeth not his cōmaūdmētes / is a lyer and the verite is not in him To know the lord is to have perfect fayth in him. And perfect fayth hath with hī sure hope & cherite / & of these foloweth ye fulfillinge of the cōmaūdmites necessarylye / Evē as the light foloweth the fyre / how be it here had we nde to make a division / for ye world hath two sortes of Antichristes.

1i. Joan .ij.i. Ioan .ij.
2i. Joan. iiijji. Ioan. iiijj
3Joan. •.Ioan. •.
4i. Joan. •.i. Ioan. •.

:12p. viij

The one sort are in great power & authority / the other in subjection. The one obdurate & reproved / the other wandering out of the right way until it shall please the father to draw them unto grace.¹ The one resisting for stubbornness knowing the trueth & so sin against the holy ghost / the other only for ignorance transgress the precepts / & these will I not speak of because there come not so great jeopardies & perils of them / committing them only unto the provision of god / desiring him / that his will be fulfilled & to show his glory in them. The first I will touch some what.² Not for to teach them which are chosen of god for they have an ointment of the holy ghost & know all things. And need not that any man teach them. But only to monish them of that which the spirit hath taught them & that christ him self hath sewed them.³ Christ said that there should arise false prophets & false christs (that is to say false anointed) & should deceive many / ⁴& gave his disciples a mark to know them saying he ware of false prophets which come ⟨image 9⟩in sheep's clothing / but inwardly they are ravening wolves / what meaneth he by sheep's clothing / truly nothing else but that they should come in his name / pretending great humility / ⁵but what are they in deed? verily ravening wolves / that is to say bests of the belly for their belie is their god / and why come they to you?⁶ truly to despoil and rob you / of your goods / promising vain pardons / and deliverance from the popes / purgatory / to the intent that they might live idly / and in the lusts of the ••essh by your labours / how shall they be known. Christ sayeth / By their works shall you know them / ⁷lay their works to the scripture / and ye should lament their abominable living. But alas you can not / for they will not suffer you to have it / they keep it meryard from you that you should rule all things with all They burn the gospel of god ye & very Christ him self / for he is nothing but his word as he testifieth him self saying.⁸ I am that which I speak unto you / and again.⁹ In the beginning was the word / and the word was with god and god was the word. And why do they hied this word of light from you?¹⁰

The one sorte are in greate power & authorite / ye other in subiectiō. The one obdurate & reproved / ye other wāderinge out of the right way untill it shall please the father to drawe thē vnto grace.¹ The one resistīge for subbornesse knowing the trueth & so sinne agaynst ye holy goste / the other only for ignorācye transgresse the preceptes / & these will I not speake of because there come not so great ioperdyes & perels of thē / cōmittinge thē only vnto the provision of god / desyringe hī / that his wilbe fulfilled & to shew his glorye in them. The first I will thouch some whate.² Not for to teach them which are chosen of god for they have an oyntemēt of ye holy gost & know all thīges. And nede not yt enyman teach thē. But only to monyssh thē of yt which ye sprete hath taught thē & that christ him silf hath sewed thē.³ Christ said yt there shuld aryse salse prophetes & false christes (yt is to say false anoynted) & shuld deceave many / ⁴& gave his disciples a marke to know thē sainge he ware of false prophetes which come ⟨image 9⟩in shepes clothinge / but in wardly they are raveninge wolves / what meaneth he by shepes clothinge / truly nothinge els but that they shuld come in his name / pretendinge greate humilite / ⁵but what are they in dede? verely raveninge wolves / that is to saye bestes of the belye for their belie is their god / and why come they to you?⁶ truly to dispoyle and robbe you / of your goodes / promisinge vayne pardons / and deliverāce from the popes / purgatorye / to thentēte that they might lyve idelly / and in the lustes of the ••essh by youre labours / how shall they be knowen. Christ sayeth / By theyr workes shall you know them / ⁷laye their workes to the scripture / and ye shuld lamente their abhominable lyvinge. But alas you can not / for they will not suffer you to have it / they kepe yt meryard frō you yt you shuld rule al thinges with all They burne ye gospel of god yee & very Christ him self / for he is nothing but his word as he testifieth him silfe sainge.

1Joan. vi.Ioan. vi.
2i. Joan. ij.i. Ioan. ij.
3Math. xxiiij
4Ma•. vi•
5Math. xxiiij
6Philip. iij
7Mat. vi•
8Joan. vii.Ioan. vii.
9Joan. j.Ioan. j.
10Joan. iijIoan. iij

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

¶Richard Brightwell unto the christen read1

¶Richarde Brightwell vnto ye christē read1

Transcription key

¶Richard Brightwell unto the christen read¹

¶Richarde Brightwell vnto ye christē read¹