A06743:146
[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].
London: printed by John Day, 1550London: printed by Ihon Day, 1550
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.
IN thy last and most sweet sermon, which thou madest a little before thy passion (o Christ thou son of the living God) thou gavest thy peace unto thy disciples,1 and willedst them diligently to keep and maintain the same among them unto the •nd. This peace is the quietness of con science, the rest of the mind, and the perfect consent and whole agreement among the faithful in matters of thy holy religion. In the prayer also made unto thy heavenly father thou desirest,2 that as thou and thy father are one, so thy disciples may be one, that is to say knit together in one mind, in one judgment, in one meaning concerning matters of Christen faith,3 that they may all speak one thing, preach and writ one ⟨image 87⟩thing, and by no means dissent one from another. This peace, this unity, this perfect consent in faith and religion is almost banished from among us in these our days,4 while every man laboureth to establish the inventions and dreams of his own heart, while every man sweateth to imagine a new kind of religion and to maintain the same, while every man seeketh to worship thee, not after the rule of thy blessed word, but after his own fleshly fancy and idle imagination. Thy holy Apostle, O Lord, could not abide, that there should be sects among the Corinthians, nor that one should hold of Apollo,5 another of Paul, the third of Cephas, but that they only should embrace thee, which alone by thy blessed passion broughtest unto them everlasting life, forasmuch ⟨p. lxxii⟩as thou and none other were crucified for them. If that thy blessed Apostle had lived in this our time, oh Lord how heavily would he have taken the sects that are now among the children of men, sprung out of hell and thrust in by Satan, yea and that is most to be lamented, among them that profess thy holy name. Instead of Apollo, Paul, and Cephas, we have Benet, Bernard, Francis, Augustine,6 Anthony, Dominic, Rufus, Honofrius, Jacob, Joseph, Gilbert, Gregory, Brigid, Clare, Helene, Sophie, Pope, Cardinal. &c.
IN thy laste and mooste sweete sermon, whyche thou madest a litle before thy passion (o Christ thou sonne of the lyuynge God) thou gaueste thy peace vnto thy disciples,1 and willedst them diligently to kepe and maintain the same among them vnto the •nd. This peace is the quietnes of cō science, the reast of the mind, and the perfect consent and whole agrement among the faithfull in matters of thy holy religion. In the praier also made vnto thy heuēly father thou desirest,2 that as thou and thy father ar one, so thy disciples mai be one, that is to sai knytte together in one mynde, in one iudgmente, in one meaning concernyng matters of Christen faythe,3 that they maye all speake one thynge, preach and wryt one ⟨image 87⟩thyng, and by no meanes dissent one frome another. Thys peace, thys vnyty, thys perfect consent in faith and religion is almost banyshed from amonge vs in these oure dayes,4 whyle euery manne laboureth to establysh the inuencyons and dreames of hys owne hert, whyle euery man sweateth to imagine a newe kinde of religion and to maintaine the same, whyle euery man seketh to worshyp the, not after the rule of thy blessed worde, but after his own fleshlye fansy and idle imaginacyon. Thy holy Apostle, O Lord, coulde not abyde, that ther shuld be sectes amonge the Corinthyans, nor that one should holde of Apollo,5 another of Paule, the thyrd of Cephas, but that thei only shuld embrace the, which alone by thy blessed passion broughtest vnto theim euerlastinge lyfe, forasmuche ⟨p. lxxii⟩as thou and none other were crucified for them. If yt thy blessed Apostle had liued in thys oure tyme, oh Lorde howe heuelye wolde he haue taken the sects that are now among the chyldrē of menne, spronge out of hel and thrust in by Satan, yea and that is moost to be lamented, among them that professe thi holy name. Insteade of Apollo, Paule, and Cephas, we haue Benette, Barnarde, Fraunces, Augustine,6 Anthonye, Dominycke, Rufus, Honofrius, Iacob, Ioseph, Gylbert, Gregorye, Brygyde, Clare, Helene, Sophye, Pope, Cardynall. &c.
besides the disordered orders of the Camaldulenses, the Cistertienses, the Basilyenses, the Hieronimites, the Tertiaris, the servants of saint Mary, the Lazarytes, the Magdalenytes, the Whylhelmites, the Ambrosians, ⟨image 88⟩the Specularis, the Chalomerians, the Johannites, the Celestines, the brothers of purgatory, the brothers of the holy cross, the brothers of the vale of Josophat, the Carmelites, the Carthusians, the Hierosolimites, the Indians the Ninevites, the Constantinopolitans with an innumerable rabble of Hypocrites more, papists, Heretics, Schismatics, Anabaptists, Sacramentaries Libertines, & such other dunghills of Satan, which to much wretchedly have divided, rent & torn in pieces the quiet unity and friendly concord of thy holy religion, while they have imagined and taken upon them new sects, and new orders, and by thee trifling observances of them, seek justification, remission of since, and everlasting life, forsaking thee, which art the fountain ⟨p. lxxiii⟩of lively water, & digging them miry and dirty puddles that are able to hold no water.1 O Lord, as this division nourisheth continual discord and enmity among the professors of thy name: so do they that unfeignedly cleave to thy blessed word, sorrowfully lament, that thy glory, thy truth, thy word, thy passion, thy blood, thy death, is through these idolatrous imaginations defaced, obscured, and almost utterly quenched, in so much that if thou haddest not reserved unto the a remnant,2 which have not bowed their knees to Baal, we all had ben as Sodom, and might justly have been likened to Gomorrah. O blessed Lord, let very pity move the to have compassion upon thy poor troubled flock. Let the zeal of thy glory provoke the to tread under thy foot all these ⟨image 89⟩
Destroy therefore, O lord, this work of Satan, even the bringing in of these damnable sects, & diversities of opinions, and restore unto us that most sweet and comfortable unity of thy holy and pure religion, that as we profess one God one baptism,1 so we may maintain one truth, & one religion. Thou callest thy self a jealous ⟨p. lxxiiii⟩God, and a Lord that wilt not give thy glory to another, suffer then thy honour and glory,2 thy praise and worship no longer to be given unto creatures. Thou art that God of peace which haste promised to tread Satan the sower of discord under our feet shortly.3 Fulfil thy promise, O Lord, for it is time, seeing that not only the wily Hypocrites,4 those p•inted sepulchres outwardly appearing beautiful, and full of holiness, but inwardly full of dead bones, and of all filthiness, of ravening and wickedness, of bribri & excess, take part against thy holy word, maintaining false opinions against thy heavenly doctrine, but also many of the temporal rulers & wise worldlings agree unto them, defending with great violence both the beastly hypocrites, & all their devilish traditions, crooked ceremonies, ⟨image 90⟩false religions, although manifestly contrary to the truth of thy blessed law. Notwithstanding remember thy old mercies, and for the glory of thy name, be favourably unto them, give them grace to repent and to know the truth,5 that they may escape out of the snares of the devil, and become the children of liberty and everlasting salvation. Gather together all such as are dispersed, & make of them with us one flock. Call home again them that are run astray after strange gods,6 that they may glorify the alone. Deliver thy people out of Egypt that land of servitude and bondage, and bring them into the land that floweth with milk and honey. Let the babbling Babylonians keep thy servants no longer in captivity but restore them home again unto that Jerusalem,
Take away from us all heresies, and diversities of opinions, & work in our hearts an unfeigned concord in matters of religion, even such a concord as is in all points agreeable to thy blessed word. Grant also most loving saviour, that this godly concord may remain continually in thy church. So shall it come to pass, that all sects and heresies, all divisions & Schisms, being rotted out of thy holy congregation, and a perfect agreement established among us ⟨image 91⟩according to thy blessed word, we shall from the very heart both knowledge thee,1 the worker thereof, which alone art the author of all goodness, and also sing continual praises to the our Lord God, which with God thy father and God the holy ghost livest and reignest true & everlasting God worlds without end. Amen.
Take away from vs all heresies, and diuersities of opinions, & worke in oure hertes an vnfained concord in matters of religiō, euen such a concord as is in al poynts agreable to thy blessed worde. Graunte also mooste louyng sauyour, that thys godlye concord may remain continuallye in thy churche. So shal it come to passe, that al sects and heresies, al diuisions & Sismes, beinge roted oute of thy holy congregacion, and a perfect agrement established amonge vs ⟨image 91⟩according to thy blessed word, we shal frō the very hert both knowledge the,1 the worker therof, whiche alone art ye author of al goodnes, and also sing continual praises to the our Lorde God, whiche with God thy father and God the holy gost liuest and reignest true & euerlasting God worldes without ende. Amen.
Howe necessary, O Lord peace and quietness is for the conversation of realms and all public weals, the holy scripture declareth in divers places: the psalmograph exhorteth all the faithful Israelites to pray for those things that make unto the quietness of Jerusalem,1 that there may be peace, wealth and abū dance both in it and all the coasts round about.
HOwe necessarye, O Lorde peace and quietnes is for the conuersacion of realms and al publique weales, the holy scripture declareth in diuers places: the psalmograph exhorteth al the faithefull Israelites to praye for those things that make vnto the quietnes of Ierusalem,1 that ther maye be peace, wealthe and abū daunce both in it and all the coastes rounde aboute.
When the Jews for their since and disobedience against thy divine majesty were led away captive, by king Nebuchadnezzar from Jerusalem unto Babylon, and there compelled to live under the ungodly, and uncircumcised gentiles, the prophet Jeremiah wrote an Epistle unto them, wherein among other things he exhorted them to pray for the public weal of Babylon, and for the Magistrates thereof, saying:1 Seek the peace of the city, wherein ye be prisoners, and pray for it unto the Lord. For in the peace thereof, shall your peace be.
When the Iewes for theyr syns and disobedience against thy diuine maiesty were led away captiue, by kīg Nabuchodonozor frō Ierusalem vnto Babylon, and ther cōpelled to lyue vnder ye vngodly, and vncircūcy•ed gentils, the prophet Ieremy wrote an Epistle vnto them, wherin among other things he exhorted them to praye for the publyque weale of Babilō, and for the Magi•trates thereof, sayinge:1 Seeke the peace of the citye, wherein ye bee prisoners, and praye for it vnto the Lorde. For in the peace thereof, shall youre peace be.
Thy servant Baruch also wrote a book unto thy people in their captivity,1 commanding them to pray for the prosperity of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, & for the welfare ⟨image 92⟩of Baltaser his son, that their days may be upon earth as the days of heaven. &c. Again thy holy Apostle warneth, that above all things prayers, supplications intercessions,2 and giving of than kes be had for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may live a quiet & peaceable life with all godliness and honesty. Hereof learn we, O most merciful saviour, how necessary peace, quietness, & concord is for all realms & con mom wealths. For that bearing rule, thy glory is sought, thy holy word is preached, the Magistrates are obeyed, thy preachers are reverenced, good letters flourish, charity resteth in mens hearts, good works are exercised, every man liveth according to his calling, virtue is advanced, vice is expelled, wealth and abundance of all things dwelleth among us, battle with ⟨p. lxxvi⟩all the pestilences thereof is banished, a figure of that heavenly Jerusalem is here found among the children of men, when contrariwise if battle or discord occupieth kingdoms or cities, all goeth to havoc, nothing but cruel barbarie & lionlike fierceness beareth rule. How blessed a thing christen charity, godly peace, friendly quietness, and brotherly concord is in a common weal: thy servant David king and prophet having in his own realm experience there of, declareth in this his Psalm. Beholde, sayth de,3 how good and joyful a thing it is, brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like a precious ointment upon the head that ran down unto the beard even unto Aaron's beard, & went down unto the skirts of his clothing. Like the dew of Hermon, which fell upon the hill of Zion. ⟨image 93⟩For there thou lord promised his blessing & life for ever.
Thy seruant Baruch also wrot a boke vnto thi people in their captiuite,
Seeing (o almighty & everlasting God) it is a good pleasant & joyful thing, brethren to dwell together in unity, vouchsafe to give unto all realms, specially unto such as the inhabitants whereof proofs thy holy name, this treasure & jewel this pleasure & joy that they may live together in unity quietness & concord o lord so many of us as believe in the, are brethren, & have one father, even thy heavenly father, & by him we have y• also our brother, & by y• we be his sons & heirs yea & fellow heirs with the of eternal glory,1 grant therefore that we all may be of one heart of one mind, seeing that nothing garnisheth & becometh the name of brethren better than brotherly love, true peace, friendly quietness, & amiable concord. This Christen unity and brotherly concord must needs be an excellent treasure in a common ⟨p. lxxvii⟩weal, seeing thy holy Prophet compareth it to a most precious ointment & to the most pleasant dew, the sweat smells where of cannot be expressed. Lord give us this precious ointment of mutual love whatsoever we attempt among that us may have a sweet smelling savour both before the & all good men. Give us also that the most pleasant dew, even the dew of thy heaven lye grace, which may cause us through thy holy spirit to flourish with the abundance of all good works, & provoke every one of us quietly and peaceably to do our own business, & to live according to our calling,2 the magistrate godly to govern, the subject humbly to obey,3 the preachers of thy word diligently to attend upon his office.4 So shall it come to pass, that we as brethren quietly dwelling together in this unity and concord, ⟨image 94⟩shall have that thou haste promised, even thy blessing, that is in this world abundance of all good things pertaining ether to the body or to the soul, and after our departure from this vale of misery everlasting life. Lord let it so cone to pass. Amen.
AH Lord, as thou haste set forth in thy holy scriptures plenty of blessings to them that fear thee,1 and with all diligent obedience & obedient diligence walk in thy holy statutes & ordinances, so likewise in the same haste thou set•orth innumerable curses & plagues to such as live with out all fear of thee, & transgress thy blessed commandments. Among other thy grievous punishments, thou hast threatened the ungodly ⟨p. lxxviii⟩to send the plague and such other mortal diseases upon them, and so to root them out from the face of the earth, because of their disobedience and rebellion against the their Lord God.2 Examples hereof we have many in thy holy word. Ah good Lord, who can be free from these and such other thy plagues,3 if thou shouldest deal with us according to our iniquities? We are all sinful.4 The best of us all are unprofitable servants,5 so that we can find nothing in ourselves wherewith we may worthily either pacify thy wrath stirred up against us for our manifold wickedness, or turn away from us those thy plagues, which we most justly have deserved. Notwithstanding there are, which superstitiously for the appeasing of thy anger, & for the dispatch of corporal punishments ⟨image 95⟩call upon dead creatures and flee unto dumb Idols, as though most present help were to be looked for of them, when in deed they can do nothing at all unto our health, neither concerning the body nor the soul. With such Idolaters. O good Lord have we nothing to do, although never so grievous sinners. For we are taught by thy holy word, nether to trust in Roche nor in Apoline, neither in Agasse, nor in Annes, nether in Erkenwald nor in Grimbald, nor yet in any other creature, either in heaven or in earth, but in thy great mercies set forth in the precious blood of thy most dear son Jesus Christ, for whose sake alone, for whose merits and good deeds alone, thou art well pleased with man, favourest him, & delightest in him as a loving father in his dearly beloved son.
O most merciful God, we finding in our selves a just desert of all those thy plagues, which thou art wont to caste upon the children of men for their wickedness (so great and manifold is the nun ber of our since) and nothing at all, wherewith we may in any part be able to turn aw•y thy heavy displeasure fro• us, are co•e at this present unto the throne of thy mercy, most humbly beseeching the in the name of Jesus Christ thy son and our alone Mediator and advocate not to weigh our sins, & wickednesses▪ but to consider thy great mercies and loving promises, and for Christs sake to put away from us all such plagues,1 as we most justly have deserved and to preserve us in such state of bodily health, that we may live and glorify thy blessed name. ⟨image 96⟩Ah Lord,2 may dust give thanks unto thee? or shall that declare thy faithfulness? The grave praiseth not thee, death doth not magnify thee. They that go down into the grave praise not thy truth, but the living, yea the the living knowledge praise, and magnify thee. Defend us therefore, O Lord, from the terrible plagues of thy fearful displeasure, but above all things remove from us y• diseases of our mind, that we being whole in soul, may behold the with a pure faith, and serve the with a clean heart. Give us also the health of our body unto our last days, that we enjoying the health both of body and soul, through thy singular benefit, may lead a quiet and healthful life unto thy honour and glory. Amen.
O mooste merciful God, we fyndynge in our selfes a iust deserte of al those thy plages, which thou art wonte to caste vpon the chyldren of men for theyr wyckednes (so great and manifold is the nū ber of our synnes) and nothynge at all, wherew•th we may in any parte be able to tourne aw•y thy heauye dyspleasure fro• vs, are co•e at thys presente vnto the throne of thy mercie, moost humblie beseching the in the name of Iesu Christe thy sonne and oure alone Mediatour and aduocate not to weyghe our sinnes, & wyckednesses but to cōsider thy gret mercyes and louynge promyses, and for Christes sake to putte away frome vs al such plages,
AT the beginning thou commandest the earth. O Lord to bring forth green grass, herbs,1 and trees with their seeds and fruits▪ that they might be meat to thy creatures living on the earth both to man and beast. After that deep and great flood, wherein all living creatures perished except Nohe and such as were with him in the ark▪ 2not only herbs, seeds and fruits gavest thou unto man for to eat,3 but also all other thy creatures that move or live on the earth, whether it be fish or foul,4 so that all things are pure to them that are pure, nether can any thing be common or unclean, that thou hast made pure and clean. For all thy creatures, O Lord god, are good and none of them are to be refused, if they be taken with thanks giving.
AT the beginning thou commaundest the earth. O Lord to bringe forthe grene gras, herbs,1 and trees with their sedes and frutes▪ that they myghte be meate to thy creatures lyuynge on the earthe both to manne and beaste. After that depe and great floud, wherin all liuing creaturs perished excepte Nohe and suche as were with him in the arck▪ 2not onelye herbes, sedes and fruites gauest thou vnto man for to eat,3 but also all other thy creatures that moue or lyue on the earthe, whether it be fysh or foul,4 so that al thynges are pure to them that are pure, nether can ani thing be comon or vnclene, that thou hast made pure and cleane. For al thy creatures, O Lord god, are good and none of them are to be refused, if they be taken wyth thanckes geuynge.
besydes the dysordered orders of the Camaldulenses, the Cistertienses, the Basilyenses, ye Hieronimites, the Tertiaris, the seruauntes of sayncte Mary, the Lazarytes, the Magdalenytes, the Whylhelmites, the Ambrosians, ⟨image 88⟩the Specularis, the Chalomerians, the Iohannites, ye Scelistines, the brothers of purgatorye, the brothers of the holy cros, the brothers of the vale of Iosophat, the Carmelites, the Chartusians, the Hierosolimites, the Indians the Niniu•ts, the Constātinopolitans with an innumerable rable of Hypocrites mo, papistes, Heretikes, Scismatikes, Anabaptistes, Sacramentaries Libertines, & such other dongehylles of Satan, whych to much wretchedly haue deuided, rent & torne in peces the quiet vniti and frendelye concorde of thi holy religion, while thei haue imagined and taken vpon them new sects, and newe orders, and by thee tryfelinge obseruances of them, seeke iustificacion, remission of synnes, and euerlastynge lyfe, forsaking the, which art the foū taine ⟨p. lxxiii⟩of liuely water, & digginge them myrye and durtye puddles that are able to hold no water.1 O Lord, as thys deuysion norisheth continuall discorde and enmity a mōg the professours of thi name: so do they that vnfaynedly cleue to thy blessed word, sorowfully lament, that thy glorye, thy truthe, thy worde, thy passion, thy bloud, thy deathe, is thorow these idolatrous imaginacions defaced, obscured, and almoost vtterly quenched, in so much that if thou haddest not reserued vnto the a remnaunte,2 whyche haue not bowed their knees to Baal, we al hadde ben as Sodom, and might iustly haue bene lykened to Gomorre. O blessed Lorde, lette very pytye moue the to haue compassion vpon thy poore troubled flocke. Let the zeale of thy glory prouoke the to treade vnder thy foote al these ⟨image 89⟩Sectaries, and Antichrists, that thou alone mayest be knowen amonge all nacions to be the onlie true and lyuynge God. Ah moste gentle sauioure,3 there is but one lord one faith one baptisme, one God, one father▪ one maister, one bodye, one spirit•, one hope, one truth, one gospel▪ how vnsemelie thē is it for vs yt professe this vnitye to be deuid•d in religion▪ one to be of thys order, another to be of yt, one to mainetayne thys doctrine, another the contrarie.
Destroy therfore, O lord, this worke of Satan, euen the bryngyng in of these damnable sects, & diuersities of opinions, and restore vnto vs that moost sweete and comfortable vnytye of thy holye and pure religion, that as we professe one God one baptysme,1 so wee may maintain one truth, & one religion. Thou callest thy selfe a gelous ⟨p. lxxiiii⟩God, and a Lord that wylte not geue thi glory to another, suffer then thy honoure and glorie,2 thy praise and worship no longer to be geuē vnto creatures. Thou art that God of peace which haste promysed to treade Sathan the sower of discorde vnder our fete shortelye.3 Fulfill thy promise, O Lord, for it is time, seing that not onlye the wilie Hipocrites,4 those p•inted sepulchres outwardli appearing beutifull, and ful of holynes, but inwardlie ful of dead bones, and of al filthinesse, of rauening and wickednesse, of bribri & excesse, take part against thi holye word, maintaining false opiniōs agaynst thy heauēly doctrin, but also many of the tēporal rulers & wise worldlīgs agre vnto thē, defending wt great violēce both the beastly hipocrites, & al their deuelish tradiciōs, croked ceremonis, ⟨image 90⟩false religiōs, although manifestlye contrarye to the truthe of thy blessed lawe. Notwythstandinge remember thy olde mercyes, and for the glorye of thy name, be fauourablye vnto them, gyue them grace to repent and to know the truth,5 that they maye escape out of the snares of the deuill, and become the children of libertye and euerlasting saluacion. Gather together al such as are dispersed, & make of them with vs one flock. Cal home agayne theym that are runne astray after strang gods,6 that they may gloryfye the alone. Deliuer thy people out of Egypte that lande of seruitude and bondage, and bring thē into the land that floweth wyth mylke and honye. Lette the babling Babilonians kepe thy seruauntes no longer in captiuity but restore theim home agayne vnto that Ierusalem, ⟨p. lxxv⟩wher thy holy name is called vpon, thanked and praysed, wher thy heauenly doctrine is purelye taughte, where thy blessed sacramentes are truelye and faithfully ministred, where the works of Christen charitie are continually exercysed, that wyth one mouthe and one herte we may praise and glorify thy blessed name.
Seinge (o almighty & euerlasting God) it is a good plesāt & ioiful thing, brethrē to dwel together in vnity, vouchsafe to geue vnto al relmes, specially vnto such as ye inhabitaunts wherof profes thi holi name, this tresure & iewel this plesure & ioy yt they may liue together in vnity quietnes & cōcord o lord so many of vs as beleue in ye, are brethrē, & haue one father, euē thy heauēly father, & by hym wee haue y• also our brother, & bi y• we be his sons & heires yea & fellow heirs wt the of eternal glory,1 grant therfore yt we al may be of one heart of one mind, seing that nothing garnisheth & becometh the name of brethrē better thē brotherli loue, tru peace, frēdly quietnes, & amiable co•cord. This Christē vnity and brotherly concorde muste nedes be an excellent tresure in a common ⟨p. lxxvii⟩weale, seinge thy holy Prophet compareth it to a moost preous ointment & to ye most plesaūt dew, ye swet smels wher of cānot be expressed. Lorde geue vs thys precious ointmēt of mutual loue whatsoeuer we attempt amonge yt vs may haue a swete smellyng sauour both before the & all good men. Giue vs also yt the most plesaunt dew, euē ye dew of thy heuē lye grace, which may cause vs thorow thi holi spirit to florish wt the abundaunce of al good works, & prouoke euery one of vs quietlye and peaceably to do our own besines, & to liue according to oure calling,2 ye magistrate godly to gouern, the subiect humbly to obey,3 the preachers of thy word diligētly to attend vpon hys offyce.4 So shall it come to passe, that wee as brethren quietly dwellyng together in this vnitie and concorde, ⟨image 94⟩shal haue that thou haste promysed, euen thy blessinge, that is in this world abūdaunce of all good things pertaining ether to the body or to the soul, and after our departure from thys vale of misery euerlasting life. Lord let it so cōe to passe. Amen.
AH Lorde, as thou haste sette forthe in thy holy scriptures plenty of blessinges to them that feare the,1 and wyth al diligēt obedience & obediente dylygence walke in thy holy statutes & ordynaunces, so lykewise in the same haste thou set•orth innumerable curses & plages to such as liue wt oute all feare of the, & transgres thy blessed commandements. Among other thy greuous punishmēts, yu hast thretned ye vngodlye ⟨p. lxxviii⟩to sende the plage and such other mortal diseases vpō them, and so to roote them oute from the face of the earth, because of theyr disobedyence and rebellyon agaynst the theyr Lorde God.2 Examples herof we haue manye in thy holy worde. Ah good Lorde, who can be fre from these and such other thy plagues,3 if thou shouldeste dele with vs according to oure iniquites? We are al synnefull.4 The best of vs all are vnprofitable seruantes,5 so that we cā fynd nothynge in ourselfs wherwith we maye worthelye eyther pacify thy wrathe styrred vp agaynst vs for our manifold wickednesse, or turne awaye from vs those thy plages, whyche we most iustelye haue deserued. Notwythstāding there are, whyche supersticiously for the appeasyng of thy anger, & for ye dipsatch of corporal puni•hmentes ⟨image 95⟩cal vpon dead creatures and flee vnto domme Idolls, as thoughe most present helpe wer to bee looked for of theym, when in dede they canne do nothyng at all vnto our health, neither concerning the bodi nor ye soul. With suche Idolatours. O good Lord haue we nothing to do, although neuer so greuous synners. For we are taughte by thy holy word, nether to truste in Roche nor in Apoline, neither in Agasse, nor in Annes, nether in Erkēwald nor in Grimbald, nor yet in ani other creature, eyther in heauen or in earth, but in thy greate mercyes set forth in the precyous bloud of thy most dear sonne Iesu Christ, for whose sake alone, for whose merytes and good deedes alone, yu art wel pleased wt mā, fauorest him, & delighteste in hym as a louing father in his dereli beloued sonne.
