The second tome of homilies of such matters as were promised, and entitled in…The second tome of homilees of such matters as were promised, and intituled in…

Whereby it is given us to understand, that we have here a perpetual rule appointed unto us, which ought to be observed and kept at all times, & that there is none other way whereby the wrath of god may be pacified, and his anger assuaged, that the fierceness of his fury, and the plagues or destruction, which by his righteous judgement he had determined to bring upon us, may depart, be removed and taken away. Where he saith, But now therefore, saith the Lord, return unto me: It is not without great importance, that the prophet speaketh so. For he had afore set forth at large unto them, the horrible vengeance of god, which no man was able to abide, and therefore he doth move them to repentance, to obtain mercy, as if he should say: I will not have these things to be so taken, as though there were no hope of grace left. For although ye do by your sins deserve to be utterly destroyed, and God by his righteous judgements hath determined to bring no small destruction upon you, yet now that ye are in a manner on the very edge of the sword, if ye will speedily return unto him, he will most gently and most mercifully receive you into favour again. Whereby we are admonished, that repentance is never to late, so that it be true and earnest. For sith that God in the scriptures will be called our father, doubtless he doth follow the nature and property of gentle and merciful fathers, which ¹seek nothing so much, as the returning again, and amendment of their children, as Christ ⟨p. 511⟩doth abundantly teach in the parable of the prodigal son. Doth not the Lord him self ²say by the prophet: I will not the death of the wicked, but that he turn from his wicked ways and live? And in another place: If we confess ³our sin, God is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to make us clean from all wickedness. Which most comfortable promises are confirmed by many examples of the scriptures. When the Jews did willingly receive and embrace the wholesome counsel of the prophet Isaiah, God by and by did reach his helping hand unto them, and by his angel, did in ⁴one night slay the most worthy and valiant soldiers of Sennacheribs camp. Whereunto may king Manasseh be added, who after all manner of damnable wickedness, returned unto the