[The flour of godly prayers] [most worthy to be used in these our days…[The flour of godly praiers] [most worthy to be vsed in these our daies…
[The flour of godly prayers] [most worthy to be used in these our days for the safeguard, health, and comfort of all degrees, and estates / newly made by Thomas Becon].[The flour of godly praiers] [most worthy to be vsed in these our daies for the sauegard, health, and comforte of all degrees, and estates / newlie made by Thomas Becon].
Thomas Becon 1512–1567London: printed by John Day, 1550London: printed by Ihon Day, 1550
[32], cliiii [i.e. 312], [14] p. · 55k words · STC 1719.5 · ESTC S1782
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
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.
SO often as we consider thy won derfull works (O blessed and heavenly father) which thou workest of thine own good will for so many as in their trouble and adversity flee for refuge unto thy holy name as unto a strong hold, and mighty fortress, we can not but confess and acknowledge thy singular kindness and unspeakable ⟨image 73⟩good will, which thou continually through thy fatherly goodness bearest towards thy servants, and for the same not merited of any man but freely of thy mere mercy given, we render unto the according to our most bounden duty most hearty praises and entire thanks. In consideration whereof the children of Israel being in miserable captivity,1 lamentably lamenting before the their to much sorrowful state by hearty prayers, after that thou hadst delivered them from that land of servitude, burst out into exceeding great praises, glorifying thy most holy and blessed name, for their sweet and comfortable deliverance.2 The citizens of Bethu•a likewise being in great distress called upon thy glorious name,3 & thou most mercifully deliveredst them, and they again with merry voices, and more joyful heart […] ⟨p. lviii⟩song unto the most hearty thanks▪ In like manner thou didst deliver Joseph, Daniel Peter,
and many other thy servants from their sorrows and calamities: Oh, who is able to express with how ready and glad minds they magnified thee and thy holy name? We therefore sinful wretches excited and stirred up with the godly examples of these thy servants, knowing how greatly thou delightest in the sacrifice of praise,
confessing also (such is our beggary) that we have none other thing worthy to offer unto thy divine majesty, are at this present gathered together to celebrate thy great mercies, t• magnify thy blessed name, and […] render unto the most humble ble thanks and immortal praises, that it hath pleased the of thine exceeding goodness the rather at the contemplation of our prayers, to
⟨image 74⟩
show thy favourable mercy in the deliverance of thy servant and our dear brother. N. unto our singular joy, and great comfort.
SO often as we consider thy wō derfull worckes (O blessed and heauenlye father) whyche thou workest of thyne owne good wyll for so many as in their troble and aduersitye fle for refuge vnto thy holy name as vnto a strong hold, and mighty fortres, we cā not but confesse and acknowledge thy singuler kindenes and vnspeakable ⟨image 73⟩good wil, which yu continually thorow thy fatherly goodnes bearest towardes thyseruauntes, and for thesame not merited of any man but frely of thy mere mercy geuē, we render vnto the accordinge to our most bounden dueti most herty praises and entiere thanks. In consideracyon wherof the childrē of Israel being in miserable captiuity,1 lamentably lamenting before the their to muche sorowfull state by heartye praiers, after that thou hadst deliuered them frō that land of seruitud, brast out into exceading great praises, glorifyinge thi most holi and blessed name, for their swete and confortable delyueraunce.2 The citizens of Bethu•a likwise being in great dystres called vppon thy glorious name,3 & thou most mercifullye deliueredst them, and they agayne with mery voyces, and more ioyfull heart 〈…〉⟨p. lviii⟩song vnto the most harty thanks▪ In like maner thou didist deliue• Ioseph, Danyell Peter,4 and many other thy seruaunts from their sorowes and calamities: Oh, who is able to expres with how readye and glad myndes they magnified the and thy holy name? We therfore synfull wretches excyted and stirred vp with the godlye exāples of these thi seruants, knowīg how greatlye thou delightest in the sacryfyc• of prayse,5 confessynge also (suche is oure beggary) that we haue none other thyng worthy to offer vnto thy diuine maiesty, are at this present gathered together to celebrate thy great mercyes, t• magnify thy blessed name, and 〈…〉 render vnto the mooste humble ble thanks and immortal praises, that it hath pleased the of thine excedinge goodnes the rather at the contempl•cion of oure prayers, to ⟨image 74⟩shew thy fauorable mercye in the deliueraunce of thy seruaunt and our dere brother. N. vnto oure singuler ioye, and greate comfort.
For this thy benefit, most beneficial father, we so heartily thank thee, as heart can think, most entirely beseeching the that thou wilt give us all grace, even so many as love thy blessed word▪ never to be unmindful of this thy benefit, nor to commit any thing hereafter y• should offend thy fatherly goodness, or provoke thy wrath against us,1 lest through our disobedience we after this, feel more bitter tokens of thy heavy displeasure, then hitherto we have done, but in all our enterprises so too behave our selves according to thy blessed will, that thou mayst delight in us as a father in his children, and vouchsafe to bless us with ⟨p. lix⟩all spiritual blessing, to enrich us with the knowledge of thy heavenly word,2 and to work in us a life conformable to the same, that other seeing our Godly manners, and christian conversation, may be encouraged to embrace thy blessed word, to magnify thy holy name, and in all points to frame their life according to y• rule of thy holy commandments, through the inspiration of thy blessed spirit to whom with thee, and thy dearly beloved son Jesus Christ be all honour, praise and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
For this thy benefite, most beneficiall father, we so hertely thancke the, as herte can thyncke, most entirely beseching the that thou wilt geue vs al grace, euen so many as loue thy blessed worde▪ neuer to be vnmyndefull of this thy benefyte, nor to cōmit any thinge hereafter y• should offend thy fatherly goodnesse, or prouoke thi wrath against vs,1 leaste thorowe oure disobedyence we after this, feele more bitter tokēs of thy heaui displeasure, then hitherto we haue done, but in all oure enterprises so too behaue oure selues accordyng to thy blessed wyl, that thou mayst delyghte in vs as a father in hys chyldren, and vouchesafe to blesse vs wyth ⟨p. lix⟩all spirituall blessynge, to enryche vs wyth the knowledge of thy heauenly worde,2 and to worke in vs a life conformable to the same, that other seinge oure Godly maners, and christian conuersacyon, maye be encouraged to imbrace thi blessed worde, to magnyfye thy holye name, and in all poyntes to frame theyr life according to y• rule of thi holy commaundementes, thorow the inspiraciō of thy blessed spirite to whom wyth the, and thy dearelye beloued sonne Iesu Christe be all honoure, prayse and glorye for euer and euer. Amen.
Forasmuch, O heavenly father, as both thy honour and dishonour after a certain manner dependeth in this world,1 either of our godly or wicked life (if we live well, thy very adversaries ⟨image 75⟩shall be compelled to glorify thee, but if our• life be ungodly,2 so shalt thou be dishonoured among the wicked & evil spoken of through our sinful living) and because we should not walk inordinately & so provoke the enemies of thy truth to rail on thee, and to blaspheme thy holy name, thou hast appointed in thy blessed law certain honest & godly states and degrees, wherein thy people should live, and haste straitly commanded that so many as profess thee and thy holy word, should continue in the same,3 every one according to his vocation and calling, and by no means lead a dissolute life after the manner of the heathen, which know not God, that by well doing• the professors of thy holy religion may not only stop the mouths of foolish,4 and ignorant people but also provoke them to glorify thee, our Lord in the day of visitation: ⟨p. lx⟩we knowing our infirmity & weakness, which is so great and unable to be remedied of our natural strengths and freewill,5 that we are not able to think a good thought,6 much less to fulfil thy commandments which thou haste straitly commanded to be kept and wishing y• glory of thy most glorious name and the accomplishment of thy heavenly will most humbly and from the very heart beseech thee for Jesus Christs sake to endue us, with thy holy spirit, which may fulfil that lacketh in us, make us new creatures, trade us in the paths of thy holy law, and give us grace to walk according to our vocation in thy fear, & in the obedience of thy godly will, that we attempt nothing that in any point may hinder thy glory, obscure thy honour, deface thy name & cause y• to be evil spoken of among the ungodly. ⟨image 76⟩And that this may come to pass, grant O most merciful father that every one of us even from the highest to the lowest, may unfeignedly answer to our calling, & train our life according to thy blessed will, unto the glory of thy name▪ that whatsoever we do in word,7 or deed, we may do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the God the father through him.
FOrasmuche, O heauenlye father, as bothe thy honoure and dishonoure after a certein maner dependeth in thys worlde,1 eyther of oure godlye or wycked lyfe (if we lyue well, thy very aduersasaries ⟨image 75⟩shal be cōpelled to gloryfye the, but if our• life be vngodlye,2 so shalt yu be dishonored amonge the wicked & euell spoken of thorowe our sinful liuing) and because we shuld not walke inordinatlye & so prouoke the enemies of thy truthe to rayle on the, and to blas•heme thy holye name, thou hast appoynted in thy blessed law certayne honest & godly states and d•grees, wherein thy people shoulde lyue, and haste streyghtelye commaunded that so manye as professe the and thy holye worde, shoulde continue in the same,3 eueri one accordyng to hys vocacion and calling, and by no means leade a dis•olute life after the maner of the heathē, which know not God, that by well doing• the professours of thy holie religiō may not only stop the mouthes of folish,4 and ignorant people but also prouoke them to glorify ye, our Lord in the day of visitacion: ⟨p. lx⟩we knowing our infirmiti & weaknes, whych is so great and vnable to be remedied of our natural strē gthes and frewill,5 that we are not able to thīk a good thought,6 much lesse to fulfil thy cōmaundements which thou haste straightlye commaunded to be kept and wyshing y• glory of thy most glorious name and the accomplishmēt of thy heauenly will most humbly and from the very heart besech the for Iesu Christes sake to endue vs, wyth thy holy spirit, which maye fulfyll that lacketh in vs, make vs newe creatures, trade vs in ye pathes of thy holye lawe, and geue vs grace to walke accordinge to our vocacion in thy feare, & in the obedience of thy godly wyll, that we attempt nothynge that in anye poynt may hīder thi glory, obscure thi honour, deface thy name & cause y to be euil spoken of among the vngodly.
Grant that all temporal rulers may use their office justly and godly, seek not only to be feared but also to beloved,1 maintain the good, punish the evil, accept no person in judgement, allow no false accusation,2 shed no innocent blood, hear the small so well as the great, receive no bribes, set forth thy glory advance thy holy word, promote thy faithful preachers, and in all their doings seek the profit of the comm•n weal, and ⟨p. lxi⟩so behave them selves that they may be found worthy officers in thy sight.3 Grant that the subjects may show all reverent submission to their rulers, obey them in all things, be faithful and true to them, yea and that not only for fear of punishment but also for conscience sake.4 Grant that the Bishops, the preachers of thy word & all other spiritual ministers may take heed to them selves and to all the flock,5 in the which the holy ghost hath appointed them overseers to feed thy holy congregation which thy dearly beloved son purchased with his blood,6 and take the oversight of them, not as though they were compelled, but willingly, not for the desire of filthy lucre, but of a good mind, not as lords, over the Parishes, but that they be an example unto the flock. Grant that they may lay aside ⟨image 77⟩all tyranny and haughtiness of mind▪ and walk with all gentle softness and tender compassion toward the sheep of Christ committed to thei• cure and charge. Let them be as most loving fathers to Christs flock, & if any of the sheep chance to run astray & to go out of the way let them not therefore ungently entreat them, but as it is the office of a good shepherd, by fair means call them home again unto y• sheep folde•, seeking rather their salvation then destruction.7 Let them remember the history of y• lost sheep, & consider how tenderly the head shepherd Christ thy son and our Lord fetched it home again even upon his shoulders.8 For the servant of the Lord may not fight, but be peaceable & gentle toward all, and ready to teach, suffering the evil with meekness, informing them that resist if at any time thou, O God mayest ⟨p. lxii⟩give them repentance to know the truth.9 Let them cast away ungodly old wivish fables, teaching thy heavenly word purely & truly, & be unto them that believe an example in the word, in conversation, in love, in spirit, in faith, in pureness.
Graūt that al tēporal rulers maye vse theyr offyce iustelye and godly, seke not only to be feared but also to beloued,1 maintaine the good, punysh the euill, accepte no person in iudgement, allow no fals accusacion,2 sheede no innocēt bloud, heare the smal so wel as the greate, receyue no bribes, set forth thy glory auaunce thy holy worde, promote thy faythfull preachers, and in all theyr doynges seeke the profyte of the comm•n weale, and ⟨p. lxi⟩so behaue them selfs that thei mai be founde worthy offycers in thy syght.3 Graunte that the subiectes may shewe all reuerent submission to theyr rulers, obey theym in all thynges, bee faythful and true to them, yea and that not onlye for feare of punyshmente but also for conscyence sake.4 Graunt that the Byshoppes, the preachers of thy word & al other spiritual ministers may take hede to them selfes and to al the flock,5 in the which the holy gost hath appointed them ouerseers to fede thy holy congregaciō which thy dereli beloued sōne purchased with hys bloude,6 and take the ouersight of thē, not as though they were compelled, but wyllinglye, not for the desyre of fylthy lucre, but of a good mind, not as lordes, ouer the Paryshes, but that they be an example vnto the flock. Graunte that they maye lay asyde ⟨image 77⟩al tiranny and hautines of mind▪ and walke with al gentel softnes and tēder compassion toward the shepe of Christ committed to thei• cure and charge. Let theim be as moost louinge fathers to Christes flocke, & if any of the shepe chance to run astrai & to go out of the wai let them not therfore vngētly entreate them, but as it is the offyce of a good shepherd, by fayr means cal thē home againe vnto y• shepe folde•, sekyng rather theyr saluacion then destrucciō.
Let them give attendance unto reading, to exhortation, to doctrine, let them study to show them selves in thy sight workmen worthy of praise even such as need not to be ashamed. As in preaching thy holy word,1 so likewise in maintaining hospitality in distributing to the necessity of the saints, in feeding the hungry, in clothing the naked, in lodging the harbourless, in nourishing godly & learned men, make them diligent herdmen, that they may be pastors and feeders both in word & deed. Grant again, that the parishioners may reverence the bishops & other spiritual ministers,2⟨image 78⟩giving them no less honour then the child giveth the father,3 remē bring that they be the angels of God, the messengers of Christ the light of the world, the salt of the earth, the dispensators of the mysteries of God, the feeders of their souls, the comforters of the weak the Physicians of the sick, the upholders of the whole, the exhorters unto virtue, the fraiers away from vice. &c. which watch continually for the health of their souls. Work in the hearts of all them that are instructed with the word, such a tender love and good will toward the Ministers that teach them,4 that they may give unto them abundantly all good things whereby the preachers may be the more able not only to nourish their family but also maintain hospitality for the relief & comfort of the pore. For who goeth a warfare any time at his own cost?5 who planteth ⟨p. lxiii⟩a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit? who fedeth a ••ocke, and eateth not of the milk. If the preachers sow unto their parishioners spiritual things, is it a great thing if they reap their carnal things?6 Thy ordinance is, o lord, that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. Moreover grant that the husbands may love there wives as their own bodies,7 & not be bitter,8 churlish or unkind unto them but give honour unto them, as unto the weaker vessels, and as unto them that are fellow heirs with them of the grace of life. Likewise grant that the wives be in subjection to their own husbands as unto the Lord in all things,9 and so behave them selves as becometh women of an honest and godly conversation. Give them grace to array them selves in comely apparel, with shamefastness and ⟨image 79⟩discrete behaviour, not with braided here, or gold, or pearl, or costly array▪ but with such as it becometh women that proofs godliness through good works.
Let them geue attendaunce vnto reading, to exhortaciō, to doctrine, let thē studi to shew thē selfs in thi sight workmē worthi of praise euē suche as nede not to be ashamed. As in prechinge thy holy worde,1 so likewise in mainteining hospitaliti in distributing to the necessiti of the saints, in feding the hungri, in clothing the naked, in lodging the harbourles, in nourishing godly & learned men, make them diligent heardemen, that they maye be pastores and feders bothe in worde & deede. Graunte agayne, that the parishners may reuerence the byshops & other spirituall ministers,2⟨image 78⟩geuing them no lesse honour then the childe geueth the father,3 remē bring that they be the aungels of God, the messengers of Christ the lyghte of the world, the salt of the earth, the dispēsatours of ye misteryes of God, the feaders of theyr soules, the cōfortours of the weke the Phisicions of the sicke, the vpholders of the whole, ye exhorters vnto vertue, the fraiers away frō vice. &c. which watch continuallye for ye health of their soules. Worke in the hertes of al them that ar instructed with the word, such a tender loue and good wil toward the Ministers yt teche thē,4 yt they may giue vnto them abūdantly al good things wherby the preachers may be the more able not onli to norish their familibut also maintain hospitality for the reliefe & comfort of the pore. For who goth a warfar any time at his own cost?5 who planteth ⟨p. lxiii⟩a vineyarde and eateth not of the fruit? who fedeth a ••ocke, and eateth not of the milke. Yf ye preachers sowe vnto their parishners spiritual thīgs, is it a great thyng if thei reape their carnal thinges?6 Thy ordynance is, o lord, that thei which preach the gospel shuld liue of ye gospel. Moreouer grant that the husbāds mai loue there wiues as their owne bodies,7 & not be bitter,
Let the inward man of the heart be uncorrupt with a meek and quiet spirit, which before the (O God) is much feet by. For after this manner in the old time did the holy women which trusted in God tyre them selves▪ that were obedient to their own husbands, even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, and called him Lord,1 whose daughters ye married women are, so long as they do well. Grant that fathers may not rate their children,2 lest they be of a desperate mind, but bring them up in the nurture & information of our Lord god.3 Grant also that the children obey their parents in all things, and honour them.4 Grant that all masters may do unto their servants that which is just & equal ⟨p. lxiiii⟩putty nge away threatenings, and know that they have also a master in heaven,5 with whom there is▪ no respect of persons. Grant again, that the servants be obedient unto their bodily masters in all things, with fear and trembling,6 in singleness of heart as unto Christ, not with eye service only in y• eyesight as men pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing thy will, O god, even from the hext with good will. Give them grace also to consider that they serve the Lord & not men and therefore they may be sure, that whatsoever good a man doth, he shall receive it again of the Lord whether he be bond or free. Further more grant,7 O most merciful father, that the elder men may be sober, honest, discrete, sound in faith, in love, and in patience.
Let the inward mā of the hert be vncorrupte wyth a meke and quiet spirit, whych before the (O God) is much fette by. For after this maner in ye old time did the holy women which trusted in God tyre thē selfes▪ yt wer obedient to their own husbāds, euen as Sara obeied Abrahā, and called him Lorde,1 whose doughters ye maried women are, so longe as thei do wel. Grant yt fathers maye not rate their children,2 lest they be of a desperat minde, but bryng thē vp in the nurture & informaciō of our Lord god.3 Graūt also that the childrē obei their parēts in al thinges, and honour thē.4 Graunt that al masters may do vnto their seruauntes that which is iust & equal ⟨p. lxiiii⟩putty nge away threatnings, and know yt thei haue also a master in heauen,5 wyth whom ther is▪ no respect of persons. Graunt againe, that the seruants be obedient vnto theyr bodely masters in al thinges, with feare and tremblyng,6 in singlenes of hert as vnto Christ, not with eie seruice only in y• eyesight as mē plesers, but as the seruaūts of Christ, doyng thy wyll, O god, euē frō ye hext with good wyl. Gyue them grace also to consider that they serue the Lord & not mē and therfore thei mai be sure, that whatsoeuer good a man dothe, he shal receyue it agayne of the Lord whether he be bōd or fre. Further more graunt,7 O most mercyful father, that the elder men mai be sober, honest, discrete, soūd in faith, in loue, and in pacyence.
The elder women likewise grant that they be in such raiment as ⟨image 80⟩becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much drinking, but teachers of honest things, to make the young women sober minded, to love their husbands to love their children, to be discrete, chaste, housewifely, good and obedient unto their own husbands that the word of God be not evil spoken of.1 Grant also, that the young men be sober minded and of honest conversation. To conclude grant that every one that profess thy glorious name, may so live and behave him self both in thought, word and deed, that nothing may proceed & come from them that should offend thy divine and most excellent Majesty. Grant also (O most gentle and tender father) that our light may so shine before men, that they seeing our good works,2 may glorify the our heavenly father, ⟨p. lxv⟩with thy well-beloved son Jesus Christ our saviour, and the holy ghost that most sweet comforter, to whom be all honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The elder wemen likewise grant that they be in suche raymente as ⟨image 80⟩becommeth holynes, not false accusers, not geuen to much drynckyng, but teachers of honest thinges, to make the yong women sobre minded, to loue their husbāds to loue their childrē, to be discrete, chaste, housewifely, good and obediente vnto theyr owne husbands that the worde of God be not euyl spoken of.1 Graunte also, that the yonge men be sobre minded and of honeste conuersacyon. To conclude graunte that euery one that professe thy gloryous name, maye so lyue and behaue him selfe both in thoughte, worde and dede, that nothing mai procede & come from them that shoulde offende thy deuyne and mooste excellent Maiesty. Graunt also (O mooste gentle and tender father) that our lyghte may so shine before men, that they seing our good workes,2 maye gloryfye the oure heauenlye father, ⟨p. lxv⟩with thi welbeloued sonne Iesu Christ our sauiour, and the holye gost that most swete comfortour, to whom be al honour and glory for euer and euer. Amen.
The poisonful corruption of our nature, which we have sucked out of our first parents Adam and Eve, worketh so strongly in us, O Lord and so mightily striveth against the motions of thy holy spirit,1 that we can not do that we would, nor accomplish that y• requirest of us. Thou hast commanded us to love, not only our friends, but also our very enemies to forgive them y• offend us to bless them that curse us,2 to do good to them that hate us, to pray for them that do us wrong and persecute us, if our enemy hunger to feed him▪ if he thirst,3 to give him drink, but our corrupt ⟨image 81⟩nature,4 which ever striveth against thy blessed will, seeketh all means possible to be revenged, to requite tooth for tooth, and eye for eye, to render evil for evil, when vengeance is thine,5 and thou wilt reward and by this means we grievously offend thee and break the order of charity, & the bond of peace, which seeketh not to be revenged,6 but to forgive one another, even as Christ forgave us. It may p•ese the therefore (O most merciful Lord) of thy bountiful goodness to forgive our enemies, and not to lay to their charge those things, that they have unjustly committed against us, & so to slay in us our old corrupt and cankered nature, by taking away from us our stony heart, and by giving us a fleshy heart,7 that we through the operation of thy holy spirit may be content according ⟨p. lxvi⟩to thy blessed will & commandment,8 and after the example of thy son Jesus Christ our Lord, & of that blessed martyr. S. Stephan, freely, and even from the very heart to forgive our enemies, to speak well of them, to love them, and to do for them what so ever lieth in our power, & by this means unfeignedly show our selves to be thy sons,9 which causest the sun to arise on the evil, & on the good, and sendest the rain on the righteous & on the unrighteous, giving us example, that we, if we will be thy true sons, should do likewise & show our selves beneficial, not only to the good and godly, but also to the wicked and ungodly, that by this means we may allure even the very adversaries of thy truth to speak well of the professors of thy blessed name, and to glorify the our heavenly father, ⟨image 82⟩which fashionest us according to thy manners through the mighty working of thy holy spirit, to whom with thee, and thy only begotten son, be all glory and honour AMEN.
THe poisōful corrupciō of our nature, whiche we haue sucked out of our fyrst parentes Adam and Eue, worketh so strōgly in vs, O Lord and so myghtely striueth againste the mocyons of thy holy spirit,1 that we can not do that we wold, nor accomplysh that y• requirest of vs. Thou hast cōmaunded vs to loue, not onlye our frends, but also our very enemyes to forgeue them y• offēd vs to blesse thē that cursse vs,2 to do good to them that hate vs, to prai for theim that do vs wronge and persecute vs, if oure enemy honger to feede him▪ if he thyrste,3 to geue him drinke, but our corrupt ⟨image 81⟩nature,4 which euer striueth agaīst thy blessed wyl, seketh al meanes possible to be reuēged, to requite toothe for toothe, and eye for eye, to render euyl for euyl, when vē gaunce is thyne,5 and thou wylte reward and by thys meanes we greuously offende the and breke the order of charity, & the bond of peace, which seketh not to be reuē ged,6 but to forgeue one another, euen as Christ forgaue vs. It mai p•ese the therfore (O most merciful Lord) of thy bountyful goodnes to forgiue our enemyes, and not to laye to their charge those thynges, that they haue vniustly committed against vs, & so to sle in vs oure old corrupte and cankard nature, by takyng away frō vs oure stonye hearte, and by geuynge vs a fleshye heart,7 that we thorow the opperacyon of thy holye spirite maye bee contente according ⟨p. lxvi⟩to thy blessed wyl & commaūdement,8 and after the exāple of thy son Iesu Christ our Lord, & of that blessed martyr. S. Stephan, frely, and euen frō the veri hert to forgeue our ennemyes, to speake wel of them, to loue them, and to do for thē what so euer lyeth in oure power, & by this meanes vnfainedli shew our selfs to be thy sōnes,
IT is truly said of thine holy Apostle. O most merciful saviour, that the natural man perceiveth not the things that pertain unto the spirit of God.1 For they are but foolishness unto him, neither can he perceive them, because they are spiritually examined. Thus to be true in the most part of men, specially in the wise and prudent of this world (from whom the heavenly father is wont too hide his heavenly mysteries,2 and to show them to the humble, and lowly) daily experience ⟨p. lxvii⟩teacheth us. For while the wise worldlings seek praise one of another,3 they can not love the glory of god. While they cleave to their own fleshly wisdom they can not abide the wisdom of God, which is counted foolishness in their sight. While they go about to maintain old crooked costumes, superstitious ceremonies the trifling traditions of men, they cannot away with the light of thine heavenly truth. While they magnify them selves, shame to be taught, and by no means will confess their ignorance, and error but persuade them selves, that they are in the truth,4 when in deed they are under the father of lies, and that they walk in the light, when they are most of all wrapped about, yea & overwhelmed with the misty clouds of mens inventions, while also they abhor ⟨image 83⟩to hear the preachers of thy word, and judge whatsoever they speak, new, erroneous & false doctrine, it cometh to pas y• they hate, persecute, banish and condemn both thy blessed word and all the favourers thereof▪ thinking them selves to do the high service,5 when they •lea such as unfeignedly profess thy Gospel. And forasmuch as this hath conceived against thy holy word, and this cruelty against thy servants cometh from the wise of this world, the simple and ignorant people also for lack of knowledge yieldeth them selves unto the fancies of the wily worldlings and the dreams of the bellied Hypocrites, approving what they approve, condemning what they condemn, and believing what they believe. By this means is it come to pass, that the adversaries of thy blessed ⟨p. lxviii⟩word are wonderful many in nun ber, and very few are they which sincerely, purely, and even with the heart embrace and follow thy heavenly doctrine. No marvel:6 For little is thy flock. O Lord, to whom it hath pleased thy father to give the kingdom of heaven, and although many be made, yet few shall be saved.
IT is trulye sayde of thyne holy Apostle. O mooste mercifull sauiour, that the naturall manne perceyueth not the thynges that parteyne vnto the spirite of God.1 For they are but folishenes vnto hym, neyther canne hee perceyue them, because they are spiritually examined. Thus to be true in the most part of men, specially in the wyse and prudent of thys worlde (from whom the heauenly father is wonte too hyde hys heauenlye mysteries,2 and to shewe them to the humble, and lowely) dayly experience ⟨p. lxvii⟩teacheth vs. For whyle the wyse worldlinges seke praise one of another,3 they can not loue the glory of god. While they cleue to theyr owne fleshelye wisdome they cā not abide the wisdome of God, which is counted folishnes in their sighte. Whyle they go about to mayntain olde croked costumes, supersticious ceremonis the trifling tradiciōs of mē, they cannot away wyth the lyghte of thyne heauēly truth. While thei magnify them selfs, shame to be taught, and bi no menes wil confesse theyr ignorance, and errour but perswade thē selfs, that they are in the truthe,4 whan in deede they are vnder the father of lyes, and that they walke in the lyght, when they are moost of all wrapped about, yea & ouerwhealmed wyth the mystye clouds of mens inuencyons, whyle also they abhorre ⟨image 83⟩to heare the prechers of thy word, and iudge whatsoeuer thei speak, new, erroneous & fals doctrine, it cometh to pas y• thei hate, persecute, banysh and cōdempne both thy blessed worde and al the fauourers therof▪ thynckyng thē selfs to do the high seruice,5 when thei •lea suche as vnfainedly professe thy Gospel. And forasmuch as thys hath conceyued agaynste thy holye word, and thys cruelty againste thy seruantes commeth from the wyse of thys worlde, the symple and ignoraunt people also for lack of knowledge yeldeth them selfs vnto the fancys of the wily worldlings and the dreams of the bellyed Hypocrites, approuing what they approue, condemning what they condempne, and beleuynge what they beleue. By thys meanes is it come to passe, that ye aduersaries of thy blessed
And that thys may come to passe, graunt O moste mercyfull father that euery one of vs euē from the higheste to the lowest, may vnfaynedly answer to our callīg, & train oure life accordynge to thy blessed wyll, vnto the glorye of thy name▪ that whatsoeuer we do in word,
Let them remember the history of y• lost shepe, & cōsider how tēderly the hedshepperd Christ thy sōne and our Lord fetched it home againe euen vpon his shoulders.
For the seruaunt of the Lorde maye not fighte, but be peaceable & gentel toward all, and redy to tech, sufferīg the euil wyth meknes, enforming thē that re•ist if at any time thou, O God maiest
Let them cast away vngodly old wiuish fables, teachinge thy heauenly word purely & truly, & be vnto thē that beleue an example in the word, in conuersaciō, in loue, in spirit, in faith, in purenes.
churlish or vnkynd vnto them but geue honor vnto them, as vnto the weker vessels, and as vnto them that are felowe heyres wyth th•m of the grace of life. Likewise graūt that the wiues be in subiection to theyr owne husbandes as vnto the Lorde in al thinges,
and so behaue them selfs as becōmeth womenne of an honest and godly conuersacyon. Gyue them grace to aray them selfes in comelye apparell, with shamefastenesse and
⟨image 79⟩
discrete behaueour, not with broided here, or gold, or perle, or costlye arai▪ but with such as it becōmeth women that profes godlines thorow good works.
which causest ye sun to aryse on the euyl, & on ye good, and sendest the rain on the rightous & on the vnrightous, geuīg vs example, that we, if we wyl be thy true sonnes, shuld do likwise & shew our selfes beneficial, not only to the good and godlye, but also to the wicked and vngodli, yt by thys meanes we may allure euen the very aduersaryes of thy truth to speake wel of the professours of thy blessed name, and to glorify the oure heauenly father,
⟨image 82⟩
which fashionest vs according to thy maners thorow the myghtye workinge of thy holye spirite, to whō with the, and thy onli begotten sonne, be al glori and honour AMEN.
⟨p. lxviii⟩
word are wonderful mani in nū ber, and very few are they which syncerelye, purelye, and euē with the heart embrace and folow thy heauenlye doctryne. No maruel:
For lytell is thy flocke. O Lorde, to whō it hath pleased thy father to geue the kingdome of heauen, and although many be made, yet fewe shalbe saued.
