A01980:202
A recovery from apostasy Set out in a sermon preached in Stepney Church near London at the receiving of a penitent renegado into the Church, Octob. 21. 1638. By William Gouge D.D. and min. in Black-Friars London Herein is the history of the surprisal and admirable escape of the said penitent.A recovery from apostacy Set out in a sermon preached in Stepny Church neere London at the receiving of a penitent renegado into the Church, Octob. 21. 1638. By William Gouge D.D. and min. in Black-Friers London Herein is the history of the surprizall and admirable escape of the said penitent.
London: printed by George Miller for Joshua Kirton, 1639London: printed by George Miller for Ioshua Kirton, 1639
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
John Hooper Lord Bishop of Gloucester, upon the sight of a pardon cried out, If ye love my soul away with it; if ye love my soul away with it.
Iohn Hooper Lord Bishop of Glocester, upon the sight of a pardon cried out, If yee love my soule away with it; if yee love my soule away with it.
Thomas Hawks a Gentleman in Essex, on a like occasion gave this resolute answer, If I had an hundred bodies I would suffer them all to be torn in pieces rather then abjure or recant.
Thomas Hawks a Gentleman in Essex, on a like occasion gave this resolute answer, If I had an hundred bodies I would suffer them all to be torne in peeces rather then abjure or recant.
Bishop Ridley to like purpose thus, So long as the breath is in my body, I will never deny my Lord Christ and his known truth.
Bishop Ridly to like purpose thus, So long as the breath is in my body, I will never denie my Lord Christ and his knowne truth.
Old Father Latimer used such a speech to one that advised him to spare himself, as Christ did to Peter on a like occasion, which was this, Get thee behind me Satan.
Old Father Latimer used such a speech to one that advised him to spare himselfe, as Christ did to Peter on a like occasion, which was this, Get thee behind mee Satan.
In like manner all the holy, constant Martyrs refused to accept deliverance: some after a more zealous, others after a more mild manner.
In like manner all the holy, constant Martyrs refused to accept deliverance: some after a more zealous, others after a more milde manner.
Many were the motives whereby Martyrs in all ages have been induced to be not only careless, but even prodigal also of their lives.1 Therein they had respect to Christ, to the Church, to the Faith, to their Brethren, to Themselves, to Persecutors, to Satan.
Many were the motives whereby Martyrs in all ages have beene enduced to be not onely carelesse, but even prodigall also of their lives.1 Therein they had respect to Christ, to the Church, to the Faith, to their Bretheren, to Themselves, to Persecutors, to Satan.
11 Christ much rejoiceth in such servants. For constancy of Martyrs unto death (of such Martyrs as profess the name of Christ and suffer for his Truth) is a great honour unto Christ. Is it not an high honour to a King to have such Captains and Champions as will not yield to their Sovereigns enemies, but stand it out to the uttermost till they get the victory, though it cost them their life to get it? Yet no mortal King can (as Christ doth) put spirit, courage, or strength into a subject: only it is conceived that such valorous soldiers as are ready to hazard their lives for their Sovereign, serve a good Master. Thus do Martyrs give persecutors to understand that they serve a good Master:2 and that they believe in him who hath done more for them then their dearest blood is worth, who enables them with courage, and comfort to endure whatsoever for his names ⟨p. 52⟩sake can be inflicted on them, and therein [Greek or Hebrew] to be more then conquerors: and after all give such recompense as their sufferings are not worthy to be compared with, Rom. 8.18, 37. Is not this an honour to Christ?
11 Christ much rejoyceth in such servants. For constancy of Martyrs unto death (of such Martyrs as professe the name of Christ and suffer for his Truth) is a great honour unto Christ. Is it not an high honour to a King to have such Captaines and Champions as will not yeeld to their Soveraignes enemies, but stand it out to the uttermost till they get the victory, though it cost them their life to get it? Yet no mortall King can (as Christ doth) put spirit, courage, or strength into a subject: onely it is conceived that such valourous souldiers as are ready to hazard their lives for their Soveraigne, serve a good Master. Thus doe Martyrs give persecutors to understand that they serve a good Master:2 and that they beleeve in him who hath done more for them then their dearest bloud is worth, who enables them with courage, and comfort to endure whatsoever for his names ⟨p. 52⟩
12. The Church which breedeth, and sendeth forth such courageous and resolute children as are ready to spend their blood in their mothers cause, is much honoured. Never did any Church bring up such children as the Church of Christ. She hath the glory of invincible Martyrs. Of it, it may truly be said, O blessed Church, which is honoured with so divine renown: which the glorious blood of Martyrs doth beautify.
12. The Church which breedeth, and sendeth foorth such couragious and resolute children as are ready to spend their blood in their mothers cause, is much honoured. Never did any Church bring up such children as the Church of Christ. She hath the glory of invincible Martyrs. Of it, it may truely be said, O blessed Church, which is honoured with so divine renowne: which the glorious blood of Martyrs doth beautifie.
13. The Faith which such Martyrs profess by their standing steadfast therein unto death, is sealed and confirmed. The blood of Martyrs is a seal of that Faith for which they shed their blood. By this kind of ratifying the Christian Faith many have been brought to embrace the Christian Faith: As of old *many were induced to believe in Christ by the miracles which he himself did, and which his Apostles did in his Name. If the tortures whereby sundry Martyrs were put to death, and their manful, cheerful, and joyful enduring of them (whereof before) be duly weighed, we shall find their enduring to be so miraculous, as their sufferings may well be accounted miracles.
13. The Faith which such Martyrs professe by their standing stedfast therein unto dea•h, is sealed and confirmed. The blood of Martyrs is a seale of that Faith for which they shed their blood. By this kinde of ratifying the Christian Faith many have beene brought to embrace the Christian Faith: As of old *many were enduced to beleeve in Christ by the miracles which he himselfe did, and which his Apostles did in his Name. If the tortures whereby sundry Martyrs were put to death, and their manfull, cheerefull, and joyfull enduring of them (wherof before) be duly weighed, we shal find their induring to bee so miraculous, as their sufferings may well be accounted miracles.
14. The Brethren which believe and profess the same Faith, are by the constancy of Martyrs much strengthened. For the invincible courage ⟨p. 53⟩of some putts life and spirit into others. In an army valorous Leaders much animate the rest of the soldiers,2 and embolden them to follow their leaders. Now the Church is as an army with banners (Cant. 6.4.) Martyrs are as Leaders: they courageously and victoriously make the on-set: Other Christians by their example are pricked on as occasion serveth to follow them. Read Phil. 1.13.
14. The Bretheren which beleeve and professe the same Faith, are by the constancy of Martyrs much streng•hened. For the invincible courage ⟨p. 53⟩of some putts life and spirit into others. In an army valourous Leaders much animate the rest of the souldiers,2 and embolden them to follow their leaders. Now the Church is as an army with banners (Cant. 6.4.) Martyrs are as Leaders: they couragiously and victoriously make the on-set: Other Christians by their example are pricked on as occasion serveth to follow them. Reade Phil. 1.13.
15. They procure to themselves even for the present in their souls much peace, comfort and joy. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in them, so their consolation also aboundeth by Christ. (2 Cor. 1.5.) Then especially are the comforts of the Holy Ghost even poured upon a Christian soul. For athey could never endure such torments in the flesh, unless they had much peace in their soul. For the future, on earth they leave a most sweet savour of a renowned name: When their bodies are consumed their name is as an ointment poured out, and bthey thereby do light a torch of Fame to posterity. cForth Church was wont to celebrate the memory of Martyrs: For which end they had set days in the year, whereon Christians in full assemblies met together, rehearsed catalogues of Martyrs, and gave solemn praise to God for the power of his Spirit, manifested in their admirable patience and perseverance. And in Heaven they have the highest degree of glory. For though God do not reward men simply for their works, namely for the merit of them, yet he rewards according to ⟨p. 54⟩their works (Rom. 2.6.) and proportions the degree or measure thereof, according to the kind of work which on earth is done, and according to the measure of grace whereby he enables men to do it.
15. They procure to themselves even for the present in their soules much peace, comfort and joy. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in them, so their consolation also aboundeth by Christ. (2 Cor. 1.5.) Then especially are the comforts of the Holy Ghost even poured upon a Christian soul. For a
But Martyrdom is the most difficult, the most acceptable and honourable work that on earth can be done: Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, (saith the Apostle Phil. 1.29.) not only to believe in him, BUT ALSO to suffer for his sake. Martyrdom therefore is in Heaven crowned with the highest degree of Glory. GREAT is their reward in Heaven, Math. 5.12. On this ground they who set down the different degrees of celestial glory by the different fruits which the good ground brought forth, Some thirty, some sixty, some an hundred, apply thed hundred fold, which is the highest and greatest degree of glory, to Martyrdom.
But Martyrdome is the most difficult, the most acceptable and honourable worke that on earth can be done: Vnto you it is given in the behalfe of Christ, (saith the Apostle Phil. 1.29.) not only to beleeve in him, BVT ALSO to suffer for his sake. Martyrdome therefore is in Heaven crowned with the highest degree of Glory. GREAT is their reward in Heaven, Math. 5.12. On this ground they who set down the different degrees of celestiall glory by the different fruites which the good ground brought forth, Some thirty, some sixty, some an hundred, apply thed hundred fold, which is the highest and greatest degree of glory, to Martyrdome.
16. ePersecutors and torturers of Martyrs have by their admirable constancy unto death bin exceedingly astonished and even confounded. They have so long continued even from morning to evening and that by course to torture Christians (among others, a woman, Blandina by name) as they were weary, and acknowledged themselves to be overcome. And fthe Governors themselves who commanded them to be tortured, and stood by to see execution done, were confounded that their tortures nothing prevailed, and that they were overcome by women: and gthey who sate as ⟨p. 55⟩assistants by the Governors were affrighted thereat. So as Christians condemned were enabled to endure whatsoever was inflicted on them, and their Judges much affrighted. Yea hby the undaunted and invincible courage of Martyrs, some of their executioners and tormenters have been converted, have professed them selves to be Christians, and suffered with the Martyrs, and received the crown of Martyrdom. These are the victories, triumphs and trophies of constant Martyrs. Thus they lead captivity captive.
16. ePersecutors and torturers of Martyrs have by their admirable constancy unto death bin exceedingly astonished and even confounded. They have so long continued even from morning to evening and that by course to torture Christians (among others, a woeman, Blandina by name) as they were weary, and acknowledged themselves to be overcome. And fthe Governours themselves who commanded them to be tortured, and stood by to see execution done, were confounded that their tortures nothing prevailed, and that they were overcome by woemen: and
17. The Devil himself is by Martyrs constancy exceedingly disappointed. For he sets his instruments on work to deal with Christians, as Haman intended to deal with the Jews (Hest. 3.23.) namely, to destroy, to kill, iand cause to perish all Jews both young and old, little children and women. But with like success did the Devil plot against Christians. For, as by the disappointment of Hamans device, many of the people of the Land became Jews. (Hest. 8.17.) So while Satan's instruments sought to make an end of Christians, they increased the more. For,k the blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church. We read (Reve. 13.3.) of a Beast whose head was wounded to death. Surely the Devil with his fiends were wounded even unto death by Martyrs resisting unto blood. The time of the ten fierce persecutions, and of the purity and power of Religion that followed thereupon contain those thousand years wherein Satan was bound. Rev. 20.2.
17. The Divell himselfe is by Martyrs constancy exceedingly disappointed. For hee sets his instruments on work to deale with Christians, as Haman intended to deale with the Jewes (Hest. 3.23.) namely, to destroy, to kill, iand cause to perish all Iewes both young and old, little children and woemen. But with like successe did the Divell plot against Christians. For, as by the disappointment of Hamans device, many of the people of the Land became Iewes. (Hest. 8.17.) So while Satans instruments sought to make an end of Christians, they increased the more. For,k the blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church. Wee reade (Reve. 13.3.) of a Beast whose head was wounded to death. Surely the Divell with his feends were wounded even unto death by Martyrs resisting unto blood. The time of the ten fierce persecutions, and of the purity and power of Religion that followed thereupon containe those thousand yeares wherein Satan was bound.
They who on the fore-mentioned grounds accounted not their life dear unto them, but preferred their Faith in the Lord Jesus, and a steadfast profession thereof before wealth, honour, liberty and life it self, and chose rather to be faithful Martyrs then desperate Apostates, had good ground to be so minded.
They who on the fore-mentioned grounds accounted not their life deare unto them, but prefer'd their Faith in the Lord Jesus, and a stedfast profession thereof before wealth, honour, liberty and life it selfe, and chose rather to be faithfull Martyrs then desperate Apostates, had good ground to be so minded.
1O that all who profess the Faith of Christ were like minded! It well becomes us all to be so minded. And if indeed we be so minded, God who knows the mind, heart, and spirit of a man will answerably account of him, and accept him, though he never be brought to the fiery trial, as if he had been brought to it, and endured it to the very uttermost: nThe virtues and graces of the mind sometimes are manifested in their deed or work: and sometimes lie hid in their habit, as the virtue of Martyrdom. Many may have the same prowess that Martyrs have, who are not brought to the same proof thereof. By trials, that which is in a man before God is brought forth before men: Not that it is then first begun, but that it is then first manifested. Before the Devil went about to sift Job, his soul was possessed with patience, which the Lord well knew, and whereunto he gave witness: But to men it was made known by the trial of tentation. Thus we see how we may be Martyrs in the most halcyon times that can be, even such as ours are: So as the ground and glory of Martyrdom is meet to be made known, and to ⟨p. 57⟩be meditated on in these our days; and the rather, because we cannot be sure of an everlasting continuance of our peace, or of the Gospel of peace among us. As it is therefore needful and useful in the prime and strength of our age, when we have best health to meditate on the sundry kinds of diseases, and manifold casualties whereunto we are subject, and on death, the end of all: so in the most flourishing times of the Church, meditation on the uttermost that may be endured even to the shedding of blood for fast-holding our profession of Christ, is a most meet meditation.
1O that all who professe the Faith of Christ were like minded! It well becomes us all to bee so minded. And if indeed wee be so minded, God who knowes the mind, heart, and spirit of a man will answerably account of him, and accept him, though he never bee brought to the fiery triall, as if he had beene brought to it, and indur'd it to the very uttermost: nThe virtues and graces of the mind sometimes are manifested in their deed or work: and sometimes lie hid in their habit, as the virtue of Martyrdome. Many may have the same prowesse that Martyrs have, who are not brought to the same proofe thereof. By trialls, that which is in a man before God is brought foorth before men: Not that it is then first begun, but that it is then first manifested. Before the Divell went about to sift Iob, his soule was possessed with patience, which the Lord well knew, and whereunto he gave witnesse: But to men it was made knowne by the tryall of tentation. Thus we see how we may bee Martyrs in the most halcyon times that can be, even such as ours are: So as the ground and glory of Martyrdome is meet to be made knowne, and to
