A comfortable epistle, too God's faithful people in EnglandA comfortable epistle, too Goddes faythfull people in Englande
A comfortable epistle, too God's faithful people in England wherein is declared the cause of taking away the true Christen religion from them, & how it may be recovered and obtained again, newly made by Thomas Becon.A comfortable epistle, too Goddes faythfull people in Englande wherein is declared the cause of takynge awaye the true Christen religion from them, & howe it maye be recouered and obtayned agayne, newly made by Thomas Becon.
Thomas Becon 1512–1567printed by J. Lambrecht?, 1554
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.
TO the faithful Christians / wheresoever they be dispersed throughout the realm of England / Thomas Becon wisheth / grace / mercy and peace from God the father / with perfect knowledge of his dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord / and alone saviour through the hallowing of the holy Ghost / unto the true and unfeigned obedience off Gods most blessed will / with an earnest faith in the merciful promises of God / and assured hope of obtaining the same / unto everlasting life. AMEN.
TO the faythfull Christians / wheresoeuer they be dispersed thorowoute the realme of Englande / Thomas Becon wis•heth / grace / mercy and peace from God the father / with perfect knowlege of hys dearly beloued sonne Iesu Christ our Lorde / and alone sauyour thorow the halowinge of the holy Ghoste / vnto the true and vnfayned obedience off Gods moste blessed will / with an earnest fayth in the merciful promises of God / and assured hope of obtayninge thesame / vnto euerlastinge lyfe. AMEN.
IT greatly rejoiceth me (mos•e dear brethren) to hear of this your constancy and steadfastness in believing & confessing the glorious Gospel of our saviour Jesus Christ (which as the apostle 1saith / is the power of God to save so many as believe) namely in these perilous and troublesome days / wherein we see so many start back and run away from the confession of Gods trueth (which when the ⟨image 3⟩
weather was calm / they seemed constantly to profess) and follow the fond fantasies of men / that speak not Gods word, but their own drowsy dreams and idle imagi nations brought into the church of Christ by subtle satan and his marked marchaū te• / unto the great disturbance of the Christen common wealth / so that / if it were possible / the very elect and chosen people off God / through their •ugsing might be seduced
and led from the way of truth. As ye have godly begun / so manfully go forth unto the end / that ye may receive a full joy and a perfect reward of the Lord your God in that day / when he gloriously shall appear and render to every one according to his deeds / that is to say / praise / honour / and immortality to them / which continue in good doing and seek eternal life. But unto them that are rebellious and disobey the trueth and follow iniquity / shall come indignation / and wrath / tribulation and anguish. But be it known unto you dear brethren / that this thing that hath happened unto us in this realm of England /
I mean the taking away of Gods true religion / and the thrusting in of papistry in the stead thereof / unto the great & unspeakable sorrow of all true Christen hearts / ought not to seem unto you new strange
⟨image 3⟩
and unlooked for / but rather such a thing as hath hitherto many times been declared unto you by the preachers / and ye your selves godly considering the corrupt manners and unlucky chances of this realm / did right well the same aforesee and greatly lament. For divers signs had we long before / besides the godly admonitions of the faithful preachers / which plainly declared unto us an utter subversion of the true Christen religion to be at hand / except it were prevented by hasty and hearty repentance.
IT greatly reioyceth me (mos•e deare brethren) to heare of thys youre constancye and stedfastnes in beleuing & confessing the glorious Gospell of our sauiour Iesus Christe (whiche as the apostle 1sayth / is the power of God to saue so many as beleue) namely in these perillous and troublesome dayes / wherin we se so many sturte backe and runne awaye from the cō fession of Gods trueth (whiche whan the ⟨image 3⟩weather was calme / they semed constantly to professe) and folowe the fonde fantasyes of menne / that speake not Gods worde, but theyr owne drowsy dreames and idle imagi nacions brought into the church of Christ by suttle sathan and hys marked marchaū te• / vnto the great disturbaunce of the Chri sten common wealth / so that / if it were possible / the very electe and chosen people off God / thorow theyr •ugsing might be seduced 2and led from the waye of truthe. As ye haue godly begonne / so manfully go forthe vnto the ende / that ye maye receaue a full ioye and a perfect reward of the Lord your God in that daye / whan he gloriously shal apeare and rendre to euery one accordinge to hys dedes / that is to saye / prayse / honor / and immortalite to them / which continew in good doyng and seke eternall lyfe. But vnto them that are rebellious and disobey the trueth and folowe iniquitie / shal come indignaciō / and wrath / tribulacion and anguishe. But be it knowen vnto you deare brethren / that this thing that hath happened vnto vs in thys realme of Englande / 3I meane the takynge awaye of Gods true religion / and the thrusting in of pa•istrye in the steade therof / vnto the greate & vnspeakable sorowe of all true Christen hartes / ought not to seme vnto you newe straunge ⟨image 3⟩and vnloked for / but rather suche a thynge as hath hytherto many tymes bene declared vnto you by the preachers / and ye your selfs godly cōsydering the corrupt maners and vnluckye chaunces of thys realme / did ryghte well the same aforesee and greately lament. For diuers signes had we longe before / besydes the godly admonicions of the faythfull preachers / whiche playnly declared vnto vs an vtter subuersyon of the true Christen religiō to be at hande / except it were preuented by has•ye and hartye repentaunce.
What shall I speak of that godly and mighty prince Edward / duke of Somerset / which in the time of his Pro 1tectorship did so banish Idolatry out of this our realm / and bring in again Gods true religion / that it was wonder so weighty a matter to be brought to pass in so […] a time? Was not the ungentle handling of him / and the unrighteous thrusting him out of office / and afterward the cruel murdering of him / a man / yea / a mirror off true innocency and Christen patience / an evident token of Gods anger against us? The sudden taking away of those mo•e goodly & virtuous young Imps / the duke of Suffolk and his brother / by the sweating 2sickness / was it not also a manifest token of Gods heavy displeasure toward ⟨image 4⟩[…] ⟨image 4⟩[…] ⟨image 5⟩us? The death of those two most worthy & godly learned men / I speak of M. Paulus 3Fagius / & of D. Martin Bucer / was it not a sure Prognostication / some great mishap / concerning Christen religion to be at hand? But as I may pass over many other / & at the last come unto that / which is most lamentable / and can never be remembered of any true English heart / without large tears / I mean the death of our most godly Prince and Christen king Edward the. VI. that true Josiah / that earnest 4destroyer of false religion / that fervent setter up of Gods true honour / that most bounteous Patron of the godly learned / that most worthy maintainer of good let ters and virtue / and that perfect & lively mirror of true nobility and sincere godliness: was not the taking away of hi (alas for sorrow) assure sign and an evident token that some great evil hanged over this realm of England? Who considering these things (as I may speak nothing of the 5wickedness of those men / which made the word of God a cloak of their naughtiness / of their insatiable covetousness / of their intolerable pride, of their voluptuous & wanton living. &c.) perceived not a shipwreck of the Christen religion too be at hand / as it is (alas for pity) come to pass at this day? ⟨image 5⟩All good men feared the decay of God's true honour in this realm / that we feared / that hath chanced / how could it otherwise come to pass? Gods blessing was offered unto us▪ but we through our wicked and unthankful life refused it. Shall not therefore blessing be taken away / & cursing come in the place thereof?
What shall I speake of that godly and mighty prince Edward / duke of Somerset / whiche in the tyme of his Pro 1tectorship dyd so banyshe Idolatrye out of this our realme / and bring in agayn Gods true religiō / that it was wōder so weyghty a matter to be brought to passe in so 〈…〉 a tyme? Was not the vngentle handlyng of hym / and the vnrighteous thrustinge hym out of office / and afterward the cruel mur thering of hym / a man / yea / a myrrour off true innocencye and Christen pacience / an euident token of Gods anger agaynste vs? The sudden takynge awaye of those mo•e goodly & verteous yonge Impes / the duke of Suffolke and hys brother / by the sweating 2syckenesse / was it not also a manifes• token of Gods heauy displeasure towarde ⟨image 4⟩〈…〉⟨image 4⟩〈…〉⟨image 5⟩vs? The death of those two most worthy & godly learned men / I speake of M. Paulus 3Fagius / & of D. Martine Bucer / was it not a sure Prognostication / some greate mishappe / concerning Christen religion to be at hāde? But as I may passe ouer many other / & at the laste come vnto that / whiche is moste lamentable / and can neuer be remembred of any true English harte / without large teares / I meane the death of oure most godly Prince and Christen kyng Edwarde the. VI. that true Iosias / that earnest 4destroyer of false religion / that feruent setter vp of Gods true honor / that mooste bounteous Patrone of the godly learned / that moste worthy mayntayner of good let ters and vertue / and that perfecte & liuelye myrrour of true nobili•e and syncere godlines: was not the takyng away of hi (alace for sorow) asure signe and an euident tokē that some great euel hāged ouer this realm of England? Who considering these thynges (as I may speake nothing of the wicked 5
1The […] of SomersetThe 〈…〉 of Somerset
2The […] of […] and his brother.The 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 and his brother.
3M. Paulus Fagius. D Martin Bucer.M. Paulus Fagius. D Martine Bucer.
IF the kingdom of God be proffered unto us / and we set not by it / are we not worthy 1to loose it? What realm since the Apostles time was ever so abundantly replenished with the knowledge of Christs Gospel yea / & that in so few years / as this realm of England was? But alas how was it regarded? Who repented? who know ledged his sin from the very hart? Who called on the name of God in spirit and truth? Who framed his life / according to his knowledge? It is therefore come too pass / as our Saviour Christ long before threatened / the kingdom of God shall be taken 2from you & shall be given to a nation / that bringeth forth the fruits thereof. God planted this realm of England / a pleasant & goodly vineyard / dressing and trimming it after 3the best manner / looking continually ⟨image 6⟩to have some worthy fruit thereof / but w• in the stead of natural grapes / it brought forth wild berries / unwholesome and unnatural / was it not worthy too be laid waist / to be trodden under foot / and to be devoured of wild beasts? Were not the people of the old world worthy too be 4overwhelmed with waters / which being of righteous No he so oft afore admonished / would not repent / and make provision for the avoiding of that plague? Were not the filthy Sodomites worthy to be consumed 5with fire and brimstone from heaven / which being afore told of their destruction would not cease through their abominable living to provoke the heavy wrath & fierce vengeance of God against them? Were not the Israelites worthy to be plagued even unto the death / when they despising / loathing & abhorring Manna / which 6came down from heaven / lusted after the vile flesh of the earth? Were not the Jews worthy to be led away miserable captives & wretched prisoners / to serve strange princes in foreign countries / which would 7not serve their Lord God in their own coū try / a land that floweth with milk and honey? Was it not convenient / that the 8people of Judah should be oppressed / yea / destroyed both they and their cy•es of their ⟨image 6⟩enemies the Romans / which refused Jesus Christ / their true liege and sovereign Lord to reign over them / & most cruelty put him to death? Were they not worthy 9to be seduced by a sort of false ra•es / as they are at this day / which would neve• give ear too the true Prophets of God / but miserably killed them?
IF the kingdom of God be proffered vnto vs / and we set not by it / are we not worthy 1to loose it? What realme synce the Apostles tyme was euer so abundantly replenished with the knowledge of Christes Gospel yea / & that in so few years / as this realme of England was? But alace howe was it regarded? Who repēted? who know ledged hys synne from the very hart? Who called on the name of God in spirite and truthe? Who framed hys lyfe / accordynge to hys knowledge? It is therefore come too passe / as our Sauiour Christ longe before threatened / the kyngdō of God shalbe takē 2frō you & shalbe geuē to a natiō / that bringeth forth the frutes thereof. God planted this realme of Englād / a pleasāt & goodly vineyarde / dressing and trymming it after 3the beste manner / lokynge contynuallye ⟨image 6⟩to haue some worthy frut therof / but w• in the stead of naturall grapes / it broughte forthe wylde beryes / vnwholsome and vnnaturall / was it not worthye too be layde wayste / to be troden vnder foote / and to be deuoured of wylde beastes? Were not the people of the olde worlde worthye too be 4ouerwhelmed with waters / which beynge of righteous No he so ofte afore admonisshed / wolde not repent / and make prouisiō for the auoyding of that plague? Were not the filthy Sodomites worthy to be consumed 5with fyre and brymstone from heauē / which being afore tolde of their destructiō wolde not cease thorowe their abhominable liuynge to prouoke the heauy wrathe & fearse vengeaunce of God agaynste theim? Were not the Israelites worthy to be plagued euen vnto the death / whan they despisyng / lothyng & abhorring Manna / which 6came doùne from heauen / lusted after the vile flesh of the earth? Were not the Iewes worthy to be ledde awaye miserable captiues & wretched prysoners / to serue straūge princes in farreyne countryes / which wold 7not serue their Lord God in theyr owne coū trye / a lande that floweth with mylke and hony? Was it not conuenient / that the
•s it not also mete / that they like vagabonds should 1wander throughout the world without priesthood / kingdom or common weal / that would never truly serve him / which before all other nations did chose them […] be his peculiar people / giving them a •e that flowed with the abundance of all thin ges? Are they not worthy to walk in • kenes / 2which willingly despise the light? t• taste •oure things / which abhor the sweet? to wander out of the way / which refuse the plain path? Even so is it come to pass / likewise with us at this day. We abhorred the light of God's word / therefore are we now justly overwhelmed with the darkness of mens trifling […] and […] decrees. We lightly […] the godly prayers and thanks givings […] our Engli• tongue / whereby we […] 3have been greatly […] / therefore are we now fed with Latin service / which •e know not / whether it be blessing or curtsy. ⟨image 7⟩Certain are wen / that it is altogether with out edifying / & clean contrary to the command 4meant of God / & the doctrine of the holy Apostle▪ which would nothing to be spoken in the congregation / but in such a tongue / as all the people understand / that all may be edified. We set nought by the ministration of the holy & bles 5sed communiō / therfore this plague is worthily come upon us / that in the stead of the Lords supper we have most wicked & abominable masses setup / invented by the devil / brought in by Antichrist / practised by his shorne shavelings / maintained by such as have received the beasts mark / full of superstition / Idolatry / blasphemy / spiritual whor dome / and of all that displeaseth God / & is horrible in the judgement and sight of all good men. We regarded not the godly learned and fatherly Bishops / nor the faithful & virtuous ministers of Gods word / which fed us with the pure wheat off Christs gospel / and taught us the holy ordinances of God / Repentance / faith / love / invocation of the name of God / mortification of the old man / brotherly charity / patience / long suffering / obedience / joy in the holy Ghost / the true & Christen good works / & such other f•utes of the spirit / whereby we might learn to serve the Lord our God in 6holiness & righteousness all the days of our life:
•s it not also mete / that they lyke vagabundes shoulde 1wander thorowoute the worlde withoute priesthode / kyngedome or common weale / that wolde neuer truly serue hym / which before all other nacions dyd chose them 〈…〉 be hys peculiare people / geuīg them a •e that flowed wyth the abondaūce of all thin ges? Are they not worthy to walke in • kenes / 2which willingly despise the light? t• taste •oure thinges / whiche abhorre the swete? to wander out of the waye / whiche r•fuse the playne pathe? Euen so is it come to passe / lykewise with vs at this day. We abhorred the light of Goddes worde / therfore are we now iustly ouerwhelmed with the darkenes of mens tryffeling 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 decrees. We lightely 〈…〉 the godly prayers and thankes geuinges 〈…〉 oure Engli• tounge / wherby we 〈…〉3haue bene greatly 〈…〉 / therefore are we now fedde with Latyn seruice / whiche •e know not / whether it be blessing or cursi•. ⟨image 7⟩Certeyn are wē / that it is altogether with out edifyēg / & clean cōtrary to the cōmaūde 4mēt of God / & the doctrine of the holy Apos•le▪ which wolde nothīg to be spokē in the cōgregaciō / but in such a tōge / as al the people vnderstād / that al may be edified. We set nought by the ministraciō of the holy & bles 5
1Acto. 7.
2[…] […] […] the […] •f […] […].〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉 the 〈…〉•f 〈…〉〈…〉.
therefore all those men of God / being put ⟨image 7⟩to silence / some out of office / some in exile / some in prison abiding the good pleasure of God / & even as sheep appointed to be slain: 1we are con •elled daily to hear such Antichristian trompet•lowers / such cankered cormorants / such Cain-like caterpillars / such idle Idols / such loitering lordennes / such lecherous lubbers / & such devel•h destroyers of Christen mens souls / as the ears of a good Christian abhor for too hear / the eyes to behold / the feet to go unto. O misery passing all miseries / that flock which the high bishop Christ purchased with his most 2precious blood to be scattered / rent / torn / & devoured of those cruel lions & ravening well fes / who lamenteth not? those people / whom God hath chosen for his inheritance / to be seduced & led out of the way by such ministers of satan / as clothe them selves outwardly with sheep's apparel / & inwardly are •avenig 3wolfs / full of hypocrisy / ravin / deceit & of all filthiness / whose hart distilleth not drops of blood to consider? O to much lamentable case.
therfore al those mē of God / being put ⟨image 7⟩to silence / somē out of office / some in exile / some in pryson abyding the good pleasur of God / & euen as shepe apoynted to be slayne: 1we are cō •elled dayly to heare suche Antichristiā trōpet•lowers / such cāckred cormoraūtes / such Caymlyke caterpyllers / suche idle Idols / such loytering lordennes / suche lecherous lubbers / & such deuel•h destroiers of Christē mēs soules / as the eares of agood Christian abhorre for too heare / the eyes to beholde / the fete to go vnto. O miserye passing all miseries / that flocke whiche the hye bishop Christ purchased with his most 2precious bloud to be scattered / rēt / torne / & deuoured of those cruel lyōs & rauenīg wol fes / who lamēteth not? those people / whom God hath chosen for his enheritaūce / to be seduced & led out of the way by such• ministers of sathā / as clothe thē selfs outwardly with shepes apparel / & inwardly are •auenig 3wolfs / ful of hipocrisy / rauyn / deceate & of al fylthines / whose hart distilleth not droppes of bloude to consider? O to muche lamentable case.
For what other thing do the lying & bloody papists teach at this day / than the very lies / dreams and fantasies of Antichrist the bishop of Rome and his adherents? 1as setting up of altars / tabernacles / Images / and rood lofts / hanging up ⟨image 8⟩of the pyre / setting up of candles before Ido less and mammets / hallowing of bread / salt / water / palms / fire / as•es / oil / cris•e / rings / candles. &c. Ladies psalters / s▪ Katherine's knots / intercessions and merits of saints / Purgatory / praying for the dead / trentals / diriges / commendations / masses of Requiem / masses of Scala celi / masses of Recordare / masses of Si iniquitates / masses for all diseases / masses for all things good or bad / auricular confession / creeping to the cross with candles / eggs / money / &c. Justification of works / free will / popish f•inge / prayers without understanding / faith without knowledge / devotion without the spirit / […] masses / prop•atory sacrifices / done by Sodomitical priests / […] / […] of the Sacramental bread / th• real / corporal / substantial / carnal / natural and sensible presence of Christ in the Sacrament / so that we break him on pieces with our hands / tear him with our teeth / and swallow him into the ma• / and so digest him / and send him / I can not tell whither / with an whole sea of like errors and heresy / which the pilled / peuy• / […] papists teach without the author• of Gods word / even of their own •ayne and fantasy / unto the great ⟨image 8⟩dishonour of God / and the utter damnation of their souls / which hear / believe & follow the doctrine of those Antichrists. And whence cometh it to pass / that we / which before were blessed of God / with so many heavenly benefits / are now mo•e miserably compassed about with all kind of evils / and become the very bond slaves of these Antichrists and spiritual shameless shavelings / & as men wholly estranged from God / and utterly banished from 2the Christen common weal of the true Israelites? •erely our ingratitude / our unthankeful•s / our unkindness / yea / our churlishness toward God and his holy word hath caused all these miseries / worthily to fall upon us.
FOr what other thing do the lyēg & blo dy papistes teache at this day / thā the very lyes / dreames and fantasyes of Antichrist the bishop of Rome and his adherentes? 1as setting vp of aultars / taberna cles / Images / and roode loftes / hanging vp ⟨image 8⟩of the pyre / setting vp of candles before Ido les and •awmettes / halowyng of bread / salte / water / palmes / fyre / as•es / oyle / cris•e / rynges / candles. &c. Ladyes psalters / s▪ katerines knot•es / intercessions and merites of sainctes / Purgatorye / prayenge for the dead / trentalles / diriges / commendacions / masses of Requiē / masses of Scala celi / masses of Recordare / masses of Si iniquitates / masses for all diseas•s / masses for all thinges good or badde / auriculare confession / crepyng to the crosse with candles / egges / money / &c. Iustification of workes / fre will / popysh f•inge / prayers withoute vnderstanding / fayth withoute knowlege / deuocion without the sprete / 〈…〉 masses / prop•atory sacrifices / done by Sodomiticall priest•s / 〈…〉 / 〈…〉 of the Sacramentall breade / th• reall / corporall / substanciall / carnall / naturall and sens•ble presence of Christe in the Sacrament / so that we breake hym on peces with oure handes / teare hym with our tethe / and swallowe hym into the ma• / and so digeste hym / and sende hym / I can not tell whyther / with an whole sea of lyke errou•s and heresys / whiche the pylde / peuy• / 〈…〉 papistes teache without the author• of Gods woorde / euen of theyr owne •ayne and fantasye / vnto the great ⟨image 8⟩
1The doctrine ne of the papists.The doctri• ne of the pa pistes.
2The […] of […] away th• true religion from us.The 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 avvaye th• true religiō from vs.
We were weary of the heavenly Mana / and had a pleasure to return unto Egypt / where we might sit among the greasy flesh pots / eating beef and brews knuckle deep / and have our dainty fishes / our melo•s / our cucumbers / our onions / our garlic / our leeks. &c. therefore according to the filthy lusts of our wicked hearts hath God dealt with us / & sent us again into the popish Egypt / to fe•e upon the pestilent leaven of the papistical Pharisees / even the beggarly ceremonies / feeling traditions and dirty decrees of men / in stead of Gods holy word ⟨image 9⟩unto the horrible and dreadful damnation of our souls / as he saith by the Psalmographe: My people would not hear my voice / & Israel would not obey me / therefore gave 1I them up unto their own hearts lust / & let them follow their own imaginations. Here unto agreeth the saying of s. Paul: Because 2they received not the love of the truth / that they might be saved / therefore will God send them a s•rong illusion to believe lies. Is not this the saying of our saviour Christ? this is condemnation / that light is come into 3the world / & men have loved darkness more than light / for their works were evil. The thing therefore that brought this condemnation this darkness / this blindness upon •s / is the hating of the light of Gods word / our unthankfulness for the benefits of Christs Gospel / & our sinful life replenished with all kind of wickedness. These things / these things made God to withdraw the most pleasant & comfortable light of his loving countenance from us / & to suffer the prince of darkness to shadow us with his wings of hellish ignorance & devilish blindness unto our great disconfort & continual sorrow. God have mercy on us / & bless us / & show us the light of his countenance / & be merciful unto us / that 4we may know his way upon the earth / & his saving health among all nations.
We were weary of the heauenly Mauna / and had a pleasure to returne vnto Egipt / where we myghte syt among the greasy flesh pottes / eatynge beffe and brewes knucle depe / and haue our deyntye fyshes / our melo•s / our cucūbers / oure onyons / oure garleke / oure lekes. &c. therfore accordinge to the fylthye lustes of oure wicked hartes hath God dealte with vs / & sent vs agayn into the popishe Egipte / to fe•e vpon the pestilente leauen of the papisticall Phariseis / euen the beggarly ceremonies / •feling tradicions and dyrtye decrees of men / in steade of Gods holy worde ⟨image 9⟩vnto the horrible and dredeful damnaciō of our soules / as he sayth by the Psalmographe: My people wold not hear my voyce / & Israel wolde not obeye me / therefore gaue 1I them vp vnto their owne hartes luste / & let thē folow their own imaginatiōs. Here vnto agreeth the sayinge of s. Paule: Because 2they receaued not the loue of the truthe / that they might be saued / therfore wyll God send thē a s•rōg illusiō to beleue lyes. Is not this the sayng of our sauior Christ? this is condēnacion / that light is come into 3the worlde / & mē haue loued darkenes more thā light / for their workes were euell. The thing therfore that brought this cōdēnaciō this darkenes / this blyndnes vpō •s / is the hating of the light of Gods worde / our vnthankefulnes for the benefites of Christes Gospel / & our sinful lyfe replenished with all kynd of wickednes. These thinges / these thinges made God to withdraw the moste pleasaūt & cōfortable light of his louing cō tenaūce frō vs / & to suffer the prince of dar kenes to shadow vs with his winges of hellish ignoraūcy & deuelish blindnes vnto our great discōfort & cōtinual sorow. God haue mercy on vs / & blesse vs / & shew vs the light of his cōtenācē / & be merciful vnto vs / that 4we may know his way vpō the earth / & his sauing health amōg all natious.
But / what is now to be done? shall we 1caste away all hope? Shall we yield our self to the pri•e of darkness? Shall we suffer our selves continually to be wrapped & covered in with the dreadful clouds of popish blindness? God forbid. Yea / rather let us with a lusty courage & bold spirit hunt out & seek some means / whereby we may be dispatched of this most miserable plague / wherewith we are at this present justly stricken for our unthankfulness & wicked life / & so recover the favour of God / that we may once again walk in the heavenly light of his most glorious countenance. Sin / as we heard afore / drove away 2from us the benefit of God's most blessed word / & of his true religion / as the prophet saith: Your wickednesses have made a wall 3between you & your God / & your sins hide his face from you. Now must we therefore seek how to appease the wrath of God kindled against us. Verily the mean / how to make God merciful unto us / is from henceforth to 4avoid that / which was the cause of Gods displeasure against us / & of the taking away of his blessed word from us / I mean sin. Sin must be taken away from among us / or else c•we never be reconciled unto God / nor obtain his favour / so far is it of / that we shall recover the heavenly benefit of his glorious gospel. ⟨image 10⟩For the Lord our God is such a God / as […] wickedness. The evil can not 5dwell by him / nor the unrighteous abide in his sight. Sy•e therefore which drove God out of our host• / and with him the ought of his blessed word / must be weeded o• both of our ha•e and life / that we may be pure before the Lord our God / & 6[…] him in spirit and body. So shall we […] […] […] temples for his godly […] to dwell in / whom if we once receive into our hearts / with him we may be sure to enjoy all good things. Now to put away sin / the first remedy is ear• and unfeigned repentance. Let us all 7even from the very hart be inwardly sorry for our unthankfulness and disobedience against Gods most blessed will. Let us even with tears / as Peter and Magdalene did 8lament and bewail our wretchednesses / being most heartily sorry / that we ever offended so loving a father / and so merciful a Lord. For this unfeigned repentance & hearty bewailing of our since / is an accep table sacrifice unto God / as David saith:
BUt / what is now to be done? shall we 1caste away all hope? Shal we yelde our self to the pri•e of darknes? Shal we suffer our selfs cōtinually to be wrapped & couered in with the dredefull cloudes of popysh blyndenes? God forbid. Yea / rather let vs with a lusty courage & bold spirite hunte out & seke some meanes / wherby we may be dispatched of this moste miserable plague / wherewith we are at this present iustly stryken for our vnthākefulnes & wicked lyfe / & so recouer the fauor of God / that we may once agayn walke in the heauēly light of his moste glorious cōtenaūce. Synne / as we hearde afore / drowe awaye 2frō vs the benefite of Goddes moste blessed worde / & of hys true religiō / as the prophet sayth: Your wickednesses haue made a wal 3betwen you & your God / & your sines hyde his face frō you. Now must we therfor seke how to apease the wrathe of God kyndled agaīst vs. Uerely the meane / how to make God merciful vnto vs / is frōhensforth to 4auoide that / which was the cause of Gods displeasur agaīst vs / & of the takīg away of his blessed worde frō vs / I meane syn. Syn must be takē awai frō amōg vs / or els c•we neuer be recōciled vnto God / nor obtaī his fauour / so far is it of / that we shall recouer the heauēly benefite of his glorious gospel. ⟨image 10⟩For the Lorde our God is suche a God / as 〈…〉 wickednes. The euell can not 5dwell by hym / nor the vnrighteous abyde in hys sight. Sy•e therfore which droue God out of oure host• / and with hym the •ght of hys blessed worde / muste be weded o• bothe of oure ha•e and lyfe / that we maye be pure before the Lorde oure God / & 6〈…〉 hym in spirite and bodye. So shall we emples for his godly to dwel in / whom yf we once receyue ito oure hartes / with hym we maye be sure to enioye all good thynges. Nowe to put awaye synne / the fyrste remedye is ear and vnfayned repentaunce. Let vs all
1How• the Christen […] ligion […] be reco• red.Hovv• the Christen 〈…〉 ligion 〈…〉 be reco• red.
A sacrifice unto God is a troubled spirit / a 1broken and humble hart God will not despise. Yea / God him self saith by the Prophet: Unto whom •hall I look / but unto hy• that is •owe brought / and of a broken ⟨image 10⟩2spirit / •nd standeth in awe of my words? this way of obtaining Gods favour taught 3Moses and all the Prophets / John Baptiste / Christ and all his disciples / as the holy scriptures testify. For with out repentance nothing is to be had of God but wrath / dis pleasure and everlasting damnation / as our saviour Christ saith: Except ye repent / all sort of you shall perish. But where true repentance cometh / & an earnest hate off 4sin / with a fervent study of innocency & amendment of life / there lie the grace / mercy / favour and good will of God / bent out for the penitent sinner / as God him self saith by the Prophet: If the ungodly turn away from all his since that he 5hath done / and shall keep all my statutes / & do judgement and righteousness / he shall su•ely live and not dye. All his offences shall no more be laid before him / but in his righteousness that he hath done / shall he live For I have no pleasure in the death of a sinner / saith the Lord God / but rather that he turn from his wicked ways and live. Again / as surely as I live / saith the Lord 6God / I have no delight in the death of a sinner / but rather that he should turn from his ways and live. Turn ye / turn ye from your evil ways / and why will ye dye O ye house of Israel? Divers examples have ⟨image 11⟩we hereof in the holy scripture / as the 7children of Israel / the Ninevites / David / •anasses / Peter / Magdalene / the these / and such other▪ which after they repented / found favour at the merciful hand of God. As we have followed them in sinning & doing evil / so let us follow them in repenting and doing well. Than may we be sure to find like favour with them. For it is written: 8the Lord is at hand for them / that are off a troubled hart / and the broken in spirit will he heal and save.
A sacrifice vnto God is a troubled spirite / a 1broken and humble hart God will not despys•. Yea / God him selfe sayth by the Prophet: Unto whome •hall I loke / but vnto hy• that is •owe brought / and of a broken ⟨image 10⟩2spirite / •nd standeth in awe of my wordes? this way of obtayning Gods fauor taught 3Moses and all the Prophetes / Ihon Baptiste / Christ and al his disciples / as the holy scriptures testefie. For with out repentaūce nothing is to be had of God but wrath / dis pleasure and euerlasting damnatiō / as our sauiour Christ sayth: Except ye repent / all sorte of you shall perysh. But where true repentaunce cometh / & an earnest hate off 4synne / with a feruent studye of innocency & amendement of lyfe / there lyghe the grace / mercy / fauour and good wil of God / bent out for the penitent synner / as God hym self sayth by the Prophet: If the vngodlye turne awaye frome all hys synnes that he 5hath done / and shall kepe all my statutes / & do iudgement and righteonsnes / he shal su•ely lyue and not dye. All hys offences shal nomore be layde before hym / but in hys righteousnes that he hath done / shal he lyue For I haue no pleasure in the deathe of a synner / sayth the Lord God / but rather that he turne from hys wicked wayes and lyue. Agayn / as surely as I lyue / sayth the Lorde 6God / I haue no delighte in the deathe of a synner / but rather that he should turne frō hys waies and lyue. Turne ye / turne ye frō your euell wayes / and why will ye dye O ye house of Israel? Diuers examples haue ⟨image 11⟩we hereof in the holy scripture / as the 7chyldren of Israel / the Niniuites / Dauid / anasses / Peter / Magdalene / the thefe / and suche other which after they repēted / foūd fauoure at the mercifull hande of God. As we haue folowed them in synning & doyng euel / so let vs folow them in repenting and doyng wel. Than maye we be sure to fynde lyke fauour with them. For it is written:
nes of those mē / which made the worde of God a cloke of their naughtines / of their insatiable couetousnes / of their intollerable pryde, of their volupteous & wanton lyuing. &c.) perceaued not a shepwracke of the Christen religion too be at hande / as it is (alace for pytie) come to passe at thys daye?
⟨image 5⟩
All good men feared the decaye of Goddes true honoure in thys realme / that we feared / that hathe chaunced / howe coulde it otherwise come to passe? Gods blessing was offered vnto vs▪ but we thorow our wicked and vnthankefull lyfe refused it. Shal not therfore blessing be taken away / & cursinge come in the place therof?
people of Iuda shoulde be oppressed / yea / destroyed bothe they and their cy•es of theyr
⟨image 6⟩
enemyes the Romaynes / which refused Ie sus Christ / their trueliege and souerayg•e Lorde to reygne ouer them / & most cruelty put hym to death? Were they not worthye
to be seduced by a sorte of fals ra•es / as they are at thys daye / wh•che wolde neue• geue eare too the true Prophetes of God / but miserably kylled them?
sed cōmuniō / therfore this plage is worthe ly come vpō vs / that in the stead of the Lordes supper we haue moste wicked & abhomi nable masses setvp / inuēted by the deuel / bro ught in by Antichrist / practised by his shorne shaue•īges / maintained by such as haue receaued the beastes marke / full of supersticion / Idolatrie / blasphemie / spiritual whor dome / and of all that displeaseth God / & is horrible in the iudgement and sighte of all good men. We regarded not the godly learned and fatherly Bisshops / nor the faythfull & verteous ministers of Gods worde / whiche fedde vs with the pure wheate off Christes gospel / and taught vs the holy ordinaunces of God / Repētaūce / fayth / loue / inuocation of the name of God / mortification of the olde man / brotherly charitie / pa ciēce / lōg suffering / obediēce / ioy in the holy Ghost / the true & Christen good workes / & such other f•utes of the spirite / wherby we might learne to serue the Lord our God in
dishonour of God / and the vtter damnacion of their soules / which• heare / beleue & folowe the doctrine of those Antichristes. And whence commeth it to passe / that we / which before were blessed of God / with so many heauenly benefites / are nowe mo•e miserably compassed about with all kynde of euilles / and become the very bonde slaues of these Antichristes and spiritual shameles shauelynges / & as men wholy estraū ged from God / and vtterly banished frome
the Christen common weale of the true Israelites? •erely oure ingratitude / our vnthankeful•s / oure vnkyndnes / yea / oure churlyshenes towarde God and hys holye worde hath caused all these miseries / worthely to fall vpon vs.
euen from the very hart be inwardly sorye for oure vnthākefulnes and disobedience agaynst Gods moste blessed will. Let vs euē with teares / as Peter and Magdalene dyd
lament and bewayle oure wretchednesses / beyng moste hartely sory / that we euer offended so louyng a father / and so mercifull a Lorde. For this vnfayned repentaunce & harty •ewayling of our synnes / is an accep table sacrifice vnto God / as Dauid sayth:
