[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.
We are taught by thy holy Apostle (O most loving1 saviour) that what soever ⟨image 101⟩is not of faith, is sin, and that, it is impossible to please the with out faith,2 and therefore they that come unto thee, must believe, that thou art God, yea and such a God as is both able and also will abundantly reward all them, that with true faith seek thee.3 For thy eyes O Lord, look upon faith and thou doest appear and show thy self unto them,4 that have faith in thee,5 yea through faith thou being the king of glory art married to the souls of the faithful, and makest them partakers of thy divine nature through the wonderful working of thy blessed spirit, Through faith so many as believe are justified,6 made the sons and heirs of God, & have everlasting life. By faith we obtain of god all good things, even whatsoever we axe in thy name. Seeing y• faith is so precious a jewel in the sight, that with out
it nothing is acceptable unto thy divine majesty, and we of our own nature can not have this most singular treasure except thou givest it unto us from above, and doest breath it into our hearts by thy holy spirit (for we of our selves are blind, ignorant, foolish,
& by no means can perceive the things that pertain to the spirit of God) we most heartily beseech the to take away from us all infidelity & unfaithfulness, which we received of old Adam, & to plant in us true faith and undoubted belief that we may be thoroughly persuaded that thou art the son of the living God,
sanctification and redemption, by whom alone and for whose
⟨image 102⟩
sake only thy heavenly father is well pleased with us, our sins are remitted, grace and everlasting life are freely given unto us. O Lord God, suffer us not to lean to our own wisdom, nor to believe, as blind flesh fancieth, nor to seek salvation where superstition dreameth, but let our faith only be grounded on thy word, and give us grace truly to believe in thee, with all our heart to put our trust in thee, to look for all good things of thee,
to call upon thy blessed name in adversity, and with joyful voices and more merry hearts to praise and magnify it in prosperity.
VUe are taughte by thy holye Apostle (O mooste louynge1 sauioure) that what soeuer ⟨image 101⟩is not of faith, is synne, and that, it is impossible to please the with oute fayth,2 and therfore they that come vnto the, must beleue, that thou art God, yea and such a God as is both able and also wil abundauntelye rewarde all them, that with true faieth seke the.3 For thy eyes O Lorde, looke vpon faythe and thou doest appere and shewthi selfvnto them,4 that haue faith in the,5 yea thorowe fayeth thou beinge the kinge of glory art maryed to the souls of the faithful, and makest them partakers of thy deuine nature thorow the wonderful working of thy blessed spirite, Thorow faith so many as beleue ar iustified,6 made the sonnes and heirs of God, & haue euerlasting lyfe. By faith we obtein of god al good thīgs, euen whatsoeuer we axe ī thy name. Seīg y• faith is so precyous a iewel in the sight, yt wt out ⟨p. lxxxvi⟩it nothing is acceptable vnto thy deuyne maiestye, and we of oure owne nature can not haue thys moost synguler treasure excepte thou geuest it vnto vs frō aboue, and doest breath it into our herts by thy holie spirite (for we of oure selfs are blynd, ignorant, folysh,7 & by no meanes can perceiue the thinges yt perteine to the spirit of God) we moost hertely besech the to take awai frō vs al infideliti & vnfaythfulnes, whiche we receyued of old Adam, & to plant in vs true faith and vndoubted belefe yt we may be thorowli perswaded that thou arte the sonne of the lyuynge God,89verye God and verie manne, our alone swete smelling sacryfyce, our alone Medyatour,10 aduocate and intercessoure, oure alone wysdome, ryghteousnesse,11 sanctificacyon and redempcyon, by whome alone and for whose ⟨image 102⟩sake only thy heauenly father is well pleased wyth vs, our sinnes are remytted, grace and euerlastyng lyfe are frely geuen vnto vs. O Lord God, suffer vs not to lene to our own wisdō, nor to beleue, as blynd flesh fansyeth, nor to seke saluaciō wher supersticiō dreameth, but lette our fayth onlye be groūded on thy worde, and geue vs grace trulye to beleue in the, with all our hert to putte our trust in thee, to looke for all good thynges of thee,12 to call vpon thy blessed name in aduersity, and wt ioyfull voyces and more merye hertes to praise and magnify it in prosperity.
Suffer us not to doubt neither of God thy heavenly father, nor of the god his son, nor of God the holy ghost, but earnestly to believe, that you being three distinct persons in the de••ye, are not withstanding one very ⟨p. lxxxvii⟩God, besides whom there is no God neither in heaven nor in earth.1 Grant also that we may assuredly believe whatsoever is contained in the holy scriptures, and by no means suffer our selves to be plucked from the verity thereof, but mainly and steadfastly abide in the same •uē unto death, rage world, roar devil. And this faith (O sweet Jesus) increase thou daily in us more and more,2 that at the last through thy goodness we may be made perfect & strong men in thy holy religion, and show our selves both before the & the world truly faithful, by bringing forth plenty of good works unto the glory and honour of thy name, which with God the father and God the holy ghost livest and reignest true God worlds without end. Amen.
Suffer vs not to dout neyther of God thy heauenlye father, nor of the god his sonne, nor of God the holye ghoste, but earnes•elye to beleue, that you being three dys•yncte persons in the de••ye, are not withstanding one verye ⟨p. lxxxvii⟩God, besides whome there is no God neither in heauen nor in earth.1 Graunt also that we may assuredli beleue whatsoeuer is cō tained in the holi scriptures, and by no meanes suffer our selfs to be plucked from the verity thereof, but maynely and stedfastly abyde in the same •uē vnto death, rage worlde, rore deuyl. And this fayth (O sweete Iesu) encrese yu dayly in vs more and more,2 that at ye last thorow thy goodnes we may be made perfect & strōg mē in thi holi religion, and shew our selfs both before the & the world truly faithful, by bringinge forth plenty of good worckes vnto the glory and honoure of thy name, whiche with God the father and God the holye ghoste lyueste and reignest true God worlds wythout ende. Amen.
Thy holy Apostle writeth (O most gentle saviour) that the end of the commandment is love,1 that cometh of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith unfeigned. For he that loveth the his Lord God with all his heart,2 withal his soul, with all his mind, withal his strength, and his neighbour as himself fulfilleth the whole law. For all the law and the prophets require no more of us but love, even to love y• our Lord God above all things. and our neighbour as our self. Without this love all that we do seemeth it never so much praise worthy in the sight of men is abominable before y•. Yea as thy blessed Apostle saith: though I spake with the tongues of men and an gels, and yet had no love, I were even as a sounding bras,3 or as a tinkling cymbal.
THy holye Apostle wryteth (O mooste gentle sauioure) that the ende of the commaundemente is loue,1 that commeth of a pure heart and of a good conscyence and of faithe vnfained. For he that loueth the his Lord God with al hys heart,2 wtal hys soule, wt al his minde, wtal his strēgth, and his neighboure as hymself fulfilleth the whole law. For al ye law and the prophets requyre no more of vs but loue, euē to loue y• our Lord God aboue al thynges. and our neyghbour as our selfe. Without this loue all that we do semeth it neuer so muche prayse worthy in ye sight of men is abhominable before y•. Yea as thi blessed Apostle saith: though I spake wyth the tonges of men and aū gels, and yet had no loue, I were euen as a soundynge bras,3 or as a tynklyng cymbal.
And though I could prophecy and understand all secrets and all knowledge, yea if I had all faith so that I could move mountains out of their places, & yet had no love. I were nothing. And though I bestowed all mi goods to feed the pore, and though I gave my body even that I burned, & yet had no love: it profiteth me nothing. For by love are we known to be thy disciples,1 even as the devils imps are known by hatred & maliciousness. And the love, O lord, that thou requirest of us is no worldly nor fleshly love (for if any man loveth the world,2 the love of the father is not in him. And whosoever will be a friend of the world,3 is made the enemy of God) but godly, spiritual, sincere, true & pure love: even such love, as suffereth long, is courteous, envieth not, doth not frowardly, swelleth not,4 dealeth not ⟨image 104⟩dishonestly, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh not evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity▪ but rejoiceth in the truth, suffereth all things, believeth all things, endureth all things. This godly love, this Christen charity, give thou unto us, o good Lord that we may unfeignedly & with all our heart, love the our Lord God, which so dearly lovest us, that thou gavest thy self for us an offering & a sacrifice of a sweet savour to God.5 Take away from us the love of worldly things, which though they appear never so pleasant and beautiful, are not withstanding mere vanity, and give us grace so to use this world as though we use it not. For the fashion of this world passeth away.
And thoughe I coulde prophecye and vnderstand al secrets and al knowledge, yea if I had al fayth so that I coulde moue moūtains oute of theyr places, & yet had no loue. I wer nothīg. And though I bestowed al mi goods to fede ye pore, and thoughe I gaue my bodye euen that I burned, & yet had no loue: it profiteth me nothyng. For by loue are we knowen to be thy dysciples,1 euen as the deuyls impes ar knowē by hatred & maliciousnes. And the loue, O lord, yt thou requirest of vs is no worldli nor fleshly loue (for if any mā loueth ye world,2 ye loue of the father is not in him. And whosoeuer wil be a frēd of the worlde,3 is made ye ennemy of God) but godly, spiritual, sincere, tru & pure loue: euē such loue, as suffreth lōg, is courteous, enuieth not, doth not frowardli, swelleth not,4 dealeth not ⟨image 104⟩disonestlye, seketh not her owne, is not prouoked to anger, thīketh not euyl, reioyseth not in iniquiti▪ but reioiseth in the truth, suffereth al things, beleueth all thynges, endureth all thynges. Thys godly loue, this Christē charytie, gyue thou vnto vs, o good Lord that we maye vnfaynedly & with al our hearte, loue the our Lorde God, whiche so dearlye louest vs, that thou gauest thi self for vs an offering & a sacrifice of a sweete sauour to God.5 Take away from vs the loue of worldely thynges, whych though they appere neuer so plesaunt and beutiful, are not withstanding mere vanitie, and giue vs grace so to vse this world as thoughe we vse it not. For the fas•ō of this world passeth awai.
Make us also to abhor the filthy & beastlike pleasures of the stinking flesh,1 and by no means to ⟨p. lxxxix⟩be entangled with the love of them, the end whereof is dishonour, shame, corruption, destruction, dam nation, and kindle our hearts so fervently with thy love▪ that no thing may delight and please us, but only thou▪ and whatsoever may make unto thy glory, & is agreeable to thy blessed commandment, so that thou only mayest be our love, our delight our joy, our mirth, our solace, and whatsoever is without thee, and estranged from thy love, let it be counted of us more vain then vanity it self, and more fill thy then the very dung, Grant also that from this our love toward thee, there may issue out a vehement and burning love to ward our neighbours, yea toward our very enemies, that we may love them from the very heart, yea, even as our selves, pray for ⟨image 105⟩them▪ give them good counsel, help them, defend them, succour them, provide for their necessities,2 and deal with them in all things, as we wish to be dealt with all. O Lord God, thou art love, and he that dwelleth in love,3 dwelleth in thee, and thou in him. Grant that in this world we may so dwell together through love, thou in us by thy holy spirit, and we in the by faith that after our departure from this vale of miseri, we may be placed with the in thy heavenly mansion, & so continue with the in glory for ever and ever. Amen,
Make vs also to abhor the filthy & beastlyke pleasures of the stinckyng flesh,1 and by no meanes to ⟨p. lxxxix⟩be entāgled with the loue of thē, the ende wherof is dyshonoure, shame, corrupcyō, destrucciō, dā nacyon, and kyndle our herts so feruentlye wyth thy loue▪ that no thynge maye delyght and please vs, but only thou▪ and whatsoeuer maye make vnto thy glorye, & is agreable to thy blessed commaundement, so that thou only mayest be oure loue, our delyght our ioy, oure myrthe, oure solace, and whatsoeuer is without the, and estranged from thy loue, let it be counted of vs more vayne then vanitie it selfe, and more fil thye then the very dōge, Graunt also that from this oure loue towarde the, there may issue oute a vehemēt and brenninge loue to ward our neighburs, yea toward our very enemyes, that we maye loue them from the very hearte, yea, euen as our selues, praye for ⟨image 105⟩them▪ geue thē good coūsel, helpe them, defend them, socour them, prouyde for their necessities,2 and deale with them in al thinges, as we wyshe to be dealte wyth all. O Lord God, thou arte loue, and he that dwelleh in loue,3 dwelleth in the, and thou in him. Graunt yt in this world we may so dwel together thorow loue, yu in vs by thi holy spirit, and we in the by faith that after our departure frō this vale of miseri, we may be placed wt the in thy heauēly mancion, & so continewe wyth the in glorye for euer and euer. Amen,
IT greatly grieveth us (O merciful father and ever lasting God) that we through the grievous & continual assaults of our enemies are not able to pas over our years of this world with such purity of ⟨p. xc⟩life, as we ought, and as thou requirest of us. Verily we are on every part so besieged and compas, sed round about of our adversaries, that scarcely at any time we can be free from their pestiferous and deadly darts, nor yet have so much respite as once to breath toward true godliness. Oh most loving Lord, thou art our father, and we thy children, convenient therefore is it that we thy children represent and openly declare in our conversation the manners of the our father. Thou art good, gentle, loving, charitable, merciful, patient, long suffering, holy, righteous, faithful. &c. It therefore becometh us thy children in our living to practise goodness, gentleness, love, charity, mercy, patience longsuffering, holiness, ryghteousenes, fayeth. et ce.
IT greatly greueth vs (O merciful father and euer lastynge God) that wee thorowe the greuous & continual assaultes of our ennemies are not able to pas ouer our yeres of thys world wyth such purytye of ⟨p. xc⟩lyfe, as we ought, and as thou requirest of vs. Uerely we are on euery part so beseged and compas, sed round about of our aduersaries, that scarcely at any time we can be fre from their pestiferous and deadly darts, nor yet haue so muche respyte as once to breath towarde true godlynesse. Oh mooste louinge Lorde, thou arte oure father, and we thy chyldren, conuenient therfore is it that we thy children represent and openli declare in our conuersacyon the māners of the our father. Thou arte good, gentel, louynge, charitable, mercyfull, pacyente, longe sufferyng, holy, righteous, faithfull. &c. It therefore becommeth vs thy chyldren in oure lyuing to practyse goodnesse, gentlenesse, loue, charytye, mercye, pacyence longesufferyng, holynes, ryghteousenes, fayeth. et ce.
Thou hast given us an example that even as thou hast done,1 so we like wise should do. If we say we dwell in thee, we ought to walk, as thou haste walked.2 For thou hast called us▪ not to uncleanness, but unto holiness.3 Thou haste delivered us from thee power of our enemies,4 that we being without fear, should serve the in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. The blood of thy son Jesus Christ hathe clē sed us from all sin, not that we should continue in darkness,5 but rather walk in the light as thou art in the light. Thy loving kindness hath appeared unto all men,6 not that we should follow ungodliness, and worldly lusts but that we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Thou diddest chose us in Christ,7 before the foundations ⟨p. xci⟩of the world were laid, that we should be holy and without blame before the through him.8 We are thy workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which thou ordainest afore, that we should walk in them, Foras much then as all the benefits which y• hast bestowed upon us, are given us unto this end, that we should walk worthy of thy kindness, represent thy manners in our conversation, mortify the flesh, & the lusts thereof, have nothing to do with satan, nor the world, but lead a good life, garnished full of good works, and in all points fashioned after the rule of thy blessed word, we most heartily pray y• to indue us with thy holy spirit,9 which may take away our stony heart, & give us a new fleshy, and soft heart,10 kill that old man in us which is corrupt through deceivable ⟨image 107⟩lusts, & fashion in us the new man, which is made after thy Image & likeness in righteousness & true holiness Suffer us not to give over our selves again unto our old lusts and concupiscences, wherewith we were led when we knew not the nor thy son Christ,11 but even as thou which hast called us art holy, so likewise grant that we may be holy in all our conversation. O merciful God, not the hearers of thy law but the fulfillers of it shall be justified before thee.12 Neither shall every one that saith unto thee:13 Lord lord: enter into the kingdom of heaven, but they that do the will of thee our father,14 which art in heaven. To confess thee with our mouth, and to deny the with our deeds, worketh rather our damnation then salvation.
Thou hast geuen vs an example that euē as thou hast done,1 so we lyke wyse shuld do. If we say we dwel in the, we ought to walke, as thou haste walcked.2 For thou hast called vs▪ not to vnclennes, but vnto holynesse.3 Thou haste deliuered vs from thee power of our ennemyes,4 that wee beynge wythout feare, shuld serue the in holynes and ryghteousnesse al ye dayes of oure life. The bloude of thy sonne Iesus Christ hathe clē sed vs from al sinne, not that we shuld continue in darcknes,5 but rather walke in the light as thou art in the light. Thy louing kindnes hath appeared vnto al men,6 not that wee shoulde folowe vngodlines, and worldly lustes but that we shulde lyue soberly, righteouslye, and godlye in thys presente world. Thou dyddest chose vs in Christe,7 before the foūdacions ⟨p. xci⟩of the worlde were layd, that we shulde be holye and wythout blame before ye thorow hym.8 We are thy workmanship created in Christ Iesu vnto good workes, whych thou ordeynest afore, that we shoulde walke in them, Foras much thē as al the benefits whiche y• hast bestowed vpon vs, are geuen vs vnto thys end, that we shuld walk worthy of thy kyndenes, represēt thy maners in our conuersacion, mortifi the flesh, & the lustes therof, haue nothīg to do with sathā, nor the world, but lead a good lyfe, garnished ful of good workes, and in al poyntes fashioned after ye rule of thi blessed word, we most hertely pray y• to indue vs wyth thy holy spirit,9 which may take away our stonye hert, & geue vs a new fleshy, and soft herte,10
For the true knowledge of the consisteth not in talking,1 but in working, not in ⟨p. xcii⟩favouring, but in following, not in loving, but in living.2 To promise the by mouth, that we will work in thy vineyard, & yet work nothing at all, declare not us to be thy sons, but rather bastards▪ to brag of the justification of faith, & not to bring forth the fruits thereof, to glory in the merits of thy son Christ, in his blood, death & passion, & not to live worthy of his kindness,3 to proofs thy holy gospel, & not to walk according to the doctrine thereof, to be baptised in thy name & not to mortify our members which are of the earth nor to walk in a new life to be per takers of thy divine mysteries,4 & not to be made one spirit with thee, what availeth it? we are thy friends if we do those thing that thou command didst us. We are thy servants,5 if we be obedient to thy will. We are thy sons, if we honour and reverence the according to thy word. ⟨image 108⟩We seek thy glory if we attempt nothing, whereof thou shouldest be dishonoured.6 Leading a life conformable to thy blessed will we shall provoke the very enemies or thy truth to praise thee, but contrary wise, thou shalt be evil spoken of. Grant therefore we beseech thee, that our life may answer to our profession,7 and that the light of our good works may so shine be fore men, that they seeing our godly conversation may glorify the our heavenly father. Amen.
For ye true knowledg of ye cōsisteth not in talking,1 but in working, not in ⟨p. xcii⟩fauoring, but in folowing, not in louing, but in liuing.2 To promise the bi mouth, yt we wil work in thi vineyard, & yet work nothing at al, declare not vs to be thy sōnes, but rather bastards▪ to brag of ye iustificatiō of faith, & not to bring forth ye fruts therof, to glory in ye merits of thi sonne Christ, in his blud, death & passion, & not to liue worthy of his kindnes,3 to profes thy holy gospel, & not to walk accordīg to the doctrin therof, to be baptised in thi name & not to mortifi our mēbers which ar of ye erth nor to walk in a new life to be per takers of thy deuine misteries,4 & not to be made one spirit wt the, what auaileth it? we ar thy frēds if we do those thing that yu cōmā dest vs. We ar thi seruaūts,5 if we be obediente to thy wyll. We are thy sonnes, if we honoure and reuerēce the according to thi word. ⟨image 108⟩We seke thy glory if we attempt nothīg, wherof thou shouldest be dishonored.6 Leding alife conformable to thy blessed wil we shall prouoke the very enemies or thy truth to praise the, but contrarye wyse, thou shalt be euyl spokē of. Graunt therfore we beseche the, that our lyfe may answer to our profession,7 and that the lyghte of our good works may so shine be fore menne, that they seing oure godly conuersacion may glorifie the oure heauenly father. Amen.
Albeit (O most mighty captain, most valiant warrior and most triumphant Lord Christ Jesus) thou by thy death hast put down him,1 that had Lordship over death, that is to saith devil, that thou mightest deliver them, which ⟨p. xciii⟩through fear of death, were all their life time in danger of bondage, and albeit thou haste spoiled rule and power, and made a show of them openly, and hast triumphed over them in thine own parson, & by this means delivered us from the hands of our enemies,2 that we might serve the all the days of our life in such holiness and righteousness, as are accept before thee, yet the devil for the old malice, which he hath borne against man from his first creation (for through envy of the devil death entered into the world) goeth forth still to rage against us,34and walketh about like a roaring Lyon, seeking whom he may devour. And if he were not restrained by thy godly puissance he would surely swallow us up,5 so great is his tyranny, so mighty is his power. He prevailed against our ⟨image 109⟩first parents, yea and that in the state of their innocency and immortality. He afterward attempted other & prevailed, whereof sone notwithstanding were the chosen vessels of mercy.6 Here of getting a courage unto him self, he feared not to assail it with his subtle temptations. Oh is it then to be thought, that he willer us alone so feeble, so weak & ready at every moment to be over thrown. Thou thy self callest him the prince of this world,7 and thy holy Apostle nameth him the god of this world. Strong must he needs be, & of no small might whom thy holy word so termeth, strong in deed in comparison of us, but weak and of no force being compared with thee. This Prince, this god of the world doest thou suffer continually to war against thine elect and chosen people (as for the reprobate and wicked,8 he hath them all ready in his court at commandment, ⟨p. xciiii⟩not to destroy them which he most of all wisheth, but to exercise & try their faith, to prove their constancy & in this their conflict to occasion them by hearty prayers to […] unto thy holy name,9 which is a strong tower, & mighty fortress, for so many as repair unto it, ye they getting aid at thy hand, may not only enter battle with this their great & immortal enemy, but also by the power of thy might over come hi• and put him to flight.
ALbeit (O most myghtye captayne, moste valeant warryour and most tryumphante Lorde Christe Iesu) thou by thy death hast put doune him,1 that hadde Lordshippe ouer death, that is to saithe deuil, that thou mightest deliuer thē, whych ⟨p. xciii⟩thorow fere of death, wer al their lyfe tyme in danger of bondage, and albeit thou haste spoiled rule and power, and made a shewe of them openly, and hast triumphed ouer them in thine own parson, & by thys meanes delyuered vs from the hands of our enemyes,2 that we myghte serue the all the dayes of oure lyfe in suche holynesse and ryghteousnesse, as are accept before the, yet the deuil for the olde malyce, whyche he hathe borne against mā from his firste creaciō (for thorowe enuye of the deuil deth entred into ye worlde) gothe forthe styll to rage against vs,34and walketh aboute like a rorynge Lyon, seking whō he may deuour. And if he wer not restrained bi thy godli puissāce he wold surely swalowe vs vp,5 so greate is his tiranye, so myghty is hys power. He preuailed against our ⟨image 109⟩fyrste parentes, yea and that in ye state of theyr innocency and immortality. He afterward attempted other & preuailed, wherof sōe notwithstandyng wer the chosē vessels of mercy.6 Here of getting a courag vnto hym self, he feared not to assail yt wt his suttel tēptaciōs. Oh is it thē to be thought, yt he willer vs alone so feble, so weke & redy at euery momēt to be ouer throwē. Thou thy self callest him the prince of this world,7 and thy holy Apostle nameth hym the god of this world. Strong must he nedes be, & of no smal myght whom thy holy word so termeth, stronge in dede in comparison of vs, but weake and of no forse beinge compared wyth the. Thys Prince, this god of ye world doest yu suffer cōtinually to war agaīst thine elect and chosen people (as for the reprobate and wycked,8
And as thou hast given satan this liberty to tempt, to exercise,1 prove and try us, whether we be constant in thy faith and word, or not, so doth he take thy proffer. And although thou sufferest him thus to do for our great profit & singular commodity, for we know that all things work for the best unto them that love God,2 even that we of our selves being weak ⟨image 110⟩should have a glorious triumph and noble victory over him through the mighty puissance of the our grand captain, yet hereof taketh he an occasion, to seek our destruction. And that he may bring this to pass, besides the innumerable company of hellish spirits he taketh unto him .ii. other our most cruel enemies,34the world & the flesh. The one with his vain pleasures, the other with her carnal, lusts so compass us round about, that if thy present help were not, we must needs perish. O loving Lord and most gentle saviour, thou seest our weakness, misery,5 and no strength. Thou knowest again the valiant, might and power of our adversaries. Our strength is no more to be compared with their might, then the strength of little David with the mighty power of great ⟨p. xcv⟩Goliath: our spear, our sword, our shield will do nothing in this behalf. Notwithstanding Lord, we do not despair. For all though there be not so great strength in us,6 that we may be able to resist this great company that cometh against us, yet have we this one refuge and succour even to lift up our eyes,7 unto the & to say, our help cometh from the lord our god which made heaven and earth. If God be on our side, who can be against us?8 The battle, O lord God is thine, our faith therefore is, that thou wilt give our enemies into our hands.9 Thou taughtest us to pray that we may not be led into temptation, and hast promised us, that thou wilt not suffer us too be tempted above our strength,10 but wilt in the midst of the temptation make a way ⟨image 111⟩for us to escape. Thou art faithful:11 fulfil therefore thy promise. And forasmuch as thy good pleasure is: that we shall manfully fight with these our enemies (for what is the life of man in this world▪ but a continual warfare?)
And as thou hast geuē satā thys liberti to tempt, to exercise,1 proue and try vs, whether we be costāt in thy faythe and word, or not, so dooth he take thy profer. And althoughe yu sufferest hym thus to do for our great profit & singuler commodity, for we know that all thyngs worke for the beste vnto theym that loue God,2 euen that we of oure selfes beynge weake ⟨image 110⟩shuld haue a gloryous triumphe and noble vyctory ouer hym thorowe the myghty puissaunce of ye our grande captain, yet herof taketh he an occasiō, to seke our destruccion. And that he may bring this to passe, besides ye innumerable companye of hellishe spyrites he taketh vnto hym .ii. other our moost cruel ennemies,34the world & ye flesh. The one with his vain pleasures, the other with her carnal, lustes so compasse vs round about, that if thy presēt help wer not, we must nedes perish. O louyng Lorde and most gentle sauyoure, thou seest our weaknes, myserye,5 and no strength. Thou knoweste againe the valeaunte, myght and power of oure aduersaries. Our strēgth is no more to be compared wyth theyr mighte, then the strength of lytle Dauid with the mightye power of great ⟨p. xcv⟩Goliah: oure speare, oure swerd, oure shielde wyll do nothynge in thys behalfe. Notwythstandyng Lord, we do not despayre. For al thoughe there bee not so greate strengthe in vs,6 that we may be able to resyst this greate company yt cōmeth against vs, yet haue we this one refuge and succour euen to lift vp our eyes,7 vnto the & to saye, our help commeth frō the lord our god whych made heuen and earth. If God be on our syde, who canne be againste vs?8 The battel, O lord God is thine, oure faythe therfore is, that thou wylte geue oure ennemyes into our handes.9
11Psal. ••lv. Ti•• i▪ […] •ii. ••. Tim. ii,Psal. ••lv. Ti•• i ii. . Tim. ii,
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kyl that old man in vs which is corrupt thorow deceyuable
⟨image 107⟩
lustes, & fassion in vs ye newe man, whiche is made after thy Image & likenes in righteousnes & true holines Suffer vs not to giue ouer our selfes agayn vnto our old lusts and cōcupiscences, wherwt we wer led whē we knew not the nor thy sō Christ,
but euē as thou which hast called vs arte holy, so likewise graunt that we may be holy in al oure conuersacion. O merciful God, not the herers of thi law but ye fulfillers of it shalbe iustified before the.
which art in heauen. To confes thee wyth our mouth, and to deny the with oure dedes, worketh rather oure damnacion then saluaciō.
he hath thē al redy in his court at cō mādemēt,
⟨p. xciiii⟩
not to destroi thē whiche he moste of al wisheth, but to exercise & try their faith, to proue their cōstaci & in this their cōstict to occasion thē bi herti praiers to 〈…〉 vnto thi holi name,
which is a strōg tower, & mighty fortres, for so many as repayre vnto it, ye thei getting ayde at thy hande, maye not onli enter battel wt this their great & immortal enemy, but also by the power of thy myghte ouer come hi• and put him to flyght.
Thou taughtest vs to pray that we maie not be ledde into temptacion, and hast promised vs, that thou wilte not suffer vs too bee tempted aboue oure strengthe,
fulfyl therefore thy promise. And forasmuch as thi good pleasu•e is: that we shal manfully fyght with these our enemies (for what is the lyfe of manne in this world▪ but a continual warfarre?)
