[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.
AH lord that most puissant god, we in baptism giving over our selves unto thee, and unto thy holy religion, protested openly in the face of thy holy congregation, to forsake Satan with all his pomps and works, to renounce the world and all the vain pleasures thereof, to mortify the flesh and all the lusts of it,1 and from henceforth to dye unto sin, to live unto righteousness,2 and to lead a new life. This our covenant & bargain made with thee, O Lord god, we keep not, but to much ⟨p. cxxx⟩wretchedly we break it & transgress thy holy commandment. In stead of our service due unto the we serve Satan. Leaving the fulfilling of thy commandments we obey our own will. The world and the flesh so rage and reign in us, that we can scarcely breath toward any godliness.3 By mouth we proofs thee, but with our deeds we deny thee. We promise to work in thy vineyard, but we loiter and work not.4 In name we are Christians, but in deed we are Satan's bondmen, the worlds slaves and the fleshes most vile servants and drudges. Ah Lord, to much wretched is our state, and except thou shortly helpest, we are like utterly to perish, so greatly have the raging floods of all kind of sin burst in, prevailed & almost overwhelmed us, o most gentle saviour, we have a will such as it is,5 to ⟨image 146⟩
do good, but we find no power no strength in our selves to perform it. That good thing, which we would, we do not, but the evil do we, which we would not, for we know that in us it is,
AH lord that most puisāt god, we in baptisme geuing ouer our selfs vnto the, and vnto thy holi religion, protested openly in the face of thy holy congregacion, to forsake Satan with al his pompes and worckes, to renoūce the world and all the vayne pleasures therof, to mortyfy the flesh and al the lustes of it,1 and frome hēsforth to dye vnto sinne, to liue vnto righteousnes,2 and to lead a new lyfe. Thys our couenaunt & bargayne made with the, O Lord god, we keepe not, but to muche ⟨p. cxxx⟩wretchedly we breke it & trāsgres thy holye commaundemente. In stead of our seruyce due vnto the we serue Satan. Leuing the fulfyllyng of thi commaundements we obey our own wil. The world and the flesh so rage and raignin vs, that we can scarcely breath toward any godlynes.3 By mouthe we profes the, but with our deds we denithe. We promyse to work in thy vyneyarde, but we loytour and worke not.4 In name we are Christians, but in dede we are satans bondmē, the worlds slaues and the fleshes most vile seruāts and drudges. Ah Lorde, to muche wretched is our state, and excepte thou shortlye helpest, we are lyke vtterly to perysh, so greatly haue the ragyng floudes of al kinde of synne brast in, preuayled & almost ouerwhelmed vs, o most gētle sauior, we haue a wil such as it is,5 to ⟨image 146⟩do good, but we find no power no strēgth in our selfs to perform it. That good thīg, which we wolde, we do not, but ye euil do we, which we wold not, for we know yt in vs yt is,6 in our flesh, dwelleth no god thīg. No maruel. For we ar bi nature ye childrē of wrath,7 we are begottē, cōceiued & borne in sī. Our sēces,8 wits & deuises ar euil, euē frō our yong age vpwarde. Oure hert is vnclene,9 wicked, froward, lewd, & vnserchable. We ar not able to thīk a good thought of our selfs,10 we ar vnprofitable seruantes,11 hipocrites, flesh, & al ye nought is, yea, we ar the very bōd slaues of sin.12 For euery one ye cōmitteth sin, is the seruaūt of syn. O most swete sau•or▪ help vs, for ye glori of thy name.13 Thou cāmest doun, frō ye righthād of thi father into thys vale of misery, to saue that which was lost. Saue vs therfore good ⟨p. cxxxi⟩lord which wander abroade lyke shepe destitute of a shepherd,14 suffer not thi blessed bodi to be brokē & thy precious blud to be shed for vs in vain.15 Thou bi thi deth most valeātly conquerest him that had power of death.16
Deliver us therefore from his raging tyranny, and make us thy faithful & obedient servants.1 Suffer us not to love the world, nether the things that are in the world, seeing that all that is in the world (as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life) is not of the o father, but of the world. And the world vanisheth away, and the lust thereof, but he that fulfilleth the will of god abideth for ever. Suffer us not to be overcome with the boiling concupiscences of the flesh, which ever lusteth against the spirit,2 & is not obedient to the law of god nether can be, but give us grace ⟨image 147⟩to crucify and to kill the flesh with the appetites & lusts thereof,3 that we may live and walk in the spirit, and become new creatures. Let not sin reign in our mortal bodies, that we should there unto obey in the lusts of it. Neither suffer thou us to give our members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin,4 but to give our selves unto God, as they that are a live from death, and to give our members as instruments of righteousness unto god. And as heretofore we gave our members servants to uncleanness, and to iniquity, from iniquity to iniquity: so let us now from henceforth give our members servants unto righteousness, that we may be sanctified. Kill in us the deeds of the flesh which are these:5 adultery, fornication, uncleanness, wantonness Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, •ele, wrath, strife, sedition, ⟨p. cxxxii⟩sects, envying, murder drunkenness, gluttony, and such like, and plant in us the fruits of the spirit, love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness faithfulness, meekness, temperance.6 As concerning the conversation in times past, give us grace to lay away from us that old man, which is corrupt through the deceivable lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of our minds, and to put on that new man, which after the image of god is shapen in righteousness & true holiness. Suffer us not to lye, but speak every man truth unto his neighbour, forasmuch as we are members one of another. Suffer us not so to be angry that we sin. Let not y• sun go down upon our wrath, neither let us give place unto the backbiter. Grant that he which afore hath stolen may ⟨image 148⟩from henceforth steal no more, but rather labour with his hands some good thing: that he may have to give unto him that needeth.
Deliuer vs therfore frō his raging tirranye, and make vs thy faythfull & obedyent seruantes.1 Suffer vs not to loue the world, nether the things that ar in the world, seing that al that is in the worlde (as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eies, the pryde of life) is not of ye o father, but of ye world. And the world vanisheth away, and the lust thereof, but he that fulfilleth the wil of god abydeath for euer. Suffer vs not to be ouercome wyth the boylynge concupiscēcis of the flesh, whych euer lusteth agaynst the spirite,2 & is not obedient to the law of god nether can be, but geue vs grace ⟨image 147⟩to crucifye and to kyll the fleshe wyth the appetites & lustes therof,3 that we may lyue and walk in the spirite, and become new creatures. Let not sinne reign in our mortal bodies, that we shuld ther vnto obey in ye lusts of it. Neither suffer thou vs to geue oure members as instruments of vnrighteousnes vnto syn,4 but to gyue our selues vnto God, as thei that are a liue from death, and to giue our mēbers as instruments of ryghteousnes vnto god. And as heretofore we gaue oure mēbers seruaunts to vnclennes, and to iniquyti, from iniquiti to iniquiti: so let vs now from hensforth gyue our mēbers seruaūts vnto righteousnes, that we may be sātyfyed. Kil in vs the deds of the fleshe whyche are these:5 aduoutrye, fornicacion, vncleannes, wātonnes Idolatrye, wytchcrafte, hatred, varyaunce, •ele, wrathe, stryfe, sesedicion, ⟨p. cxxxii⟩sects, enuying, murther dronkennesse, glottōny, and such lyke, and plante in vs the fruites of the spirit, loue, ioy, peace, longe sufferinge, gentlenes, goodnesse faythfulnes, mekenesse, temperā cye.6 As concerning the conuersacyon in times past, geue vs grace to laye awaye from vs that olde man, which is corrupt thorow the deceiuable lustes, and to be renued in the spirit of our mynds, and to put on that new man, whyche after the image of god is shapen in ryghteousnes & true holynes. Suffer vs not to lye, but speake euery man truth vnto his neighbour, for asmuch as we are members one of another. Suffer vs not so to be angry that we sinne. Let not y sun go doune vpō oure wrathe, neyther let vs giue place vnto the backbiter. Graunte that he which afore hath stollen maye
Let no filthy communication proceed out of our mouths, but that which is good to edify withal, when need is, that it may have favour with the hearers. Let all bitterness, fierceness, and wrath, roaring and cursed speaking be put away from us, with all maliciousness. Make us courteous one to another and merciful, forgiving one another, even as god for thy sake forgave us.1 As for fornication & all uncleanness or covetousness let it not be once named among us, as it be cometh saints nether filthy things neither foolish talking, nether jesting, which are not comely, but rather giving of thanks. Put upon us tender mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness long. ⟨p. cxxxiii⟩suffering, for bearing one another & forgiving one another.2 But above all these things, put upon us love which is the bond of perfection & grant that the peace of god may ever more rule in our hearts, & that we be thankful for all thy benefits. Finally whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things pertain to love, whatsoever things are of honest report, if there be any virtuous thing,3 if there be any laudable thing, grant that we may have those same in our mind, and practise them in our conversation and living, that whatsoever we breath think, speak, or do, all things may be done, unto the honour, glory and praise of thy name, which livest and reignest with God the father, and GOD the ⟨image 149⟩holy ghost, the true, living & everlasting God, worlds without end. Amen.
Let no fylthy cōmunycacyon procede out of our mouths, but that whyche is good to edifye withal, whē nede is, that it may haue fauoure with the hearers. Let all bytternes, fearsnes, and wrath, roryng and cursed speking be put awaye from vs, wyth al maliciousnesse. Make vs courteous one to another and merciful, forgeuing one another, euen as god for thy sake forgaue vs.1 As for fornicaciō & al vnclēnes or couetusnes let it not be once named amōg vs, as it be cōmeth saints nether filthi thīgs neither folish talking, nether iesting, which are not comly, but rather geuing of thākes. Put vpon vs tender mercy, kindnes, humblenes of mynd, mekenes longe. ⟨p. cxxxiii⟩sufferīg, for bearing one another & forgeuing one another.2 But aboue al these things, put vpō vs loue which is the bond of perfeccion & graūt that the peace of god may euer more rule in our herts, & that we be thākful for al thy benefits. Finalli whatsoeuer thīgs are true whatsoeuer thinges are honeste, whatsoeuer thinges are iust, whatsoeuer things are pure whatsoeuer thynges pertayne to loue, whatsoeuer thinges are of honest reporte, if ther be any vertuous thing,3 if ther be any laudable thing, grāt that we may haue those same in our mind, and practise thē in our conuersacion and liuing, that whatsoeuer we breth thyncke, speake, or do, all thyngs may be done, vnto ye honour, glorie and prayse of thy name, whyche lyueste and raygneste wyth God the father, and GOD the ⟨image 149⟩holy gost, the true, liuinge & euerlastynge God, worldes wythoute ende. Amen.
1We are taught in thy holy word (O most merciful father) that every good & perfect gift cometh from above, even from thee, the father of light, & that we have nothing in this world pertaining either unto the body or unto the soul,2 that is praise worthy, but we have it altogether of thee: forasmuch therefore as it hath pleased the to open thy liberal hand and plenteously to bless me a wretched sinner,3 above many other the creatures with large and divers benefits both bodily and ghostly. I most humbly beseech thee, give me grace not to be proud of these thy gifts nor licentiously to abuse them, but always meekly to acknowledge ⟨p. cxxxiiii⟩the the alone giver of them, continually to be thankful unto thee for them, and so to use them all the days of my life unto the glory of thy holy name and the profit of the Christen congregation, that when so ever I shall depart from this vale of misery, & come before the glorious throne of thy divine Majesty, I may be found a faithful steward, and hear these sweet and comfortable words of thee, well, thou good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over few things, I will make the Ruler over many things.4 Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Grant this (o most loving father) for thy dear sons sake Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour. Amen.
1VUe are taughte in thy holye worde (O moste merciful father) that euerye good & perfecte gifte commeth from aboue, euē from the, ye father of lyght, & that wee haue nothynge in thys worlde pertayninge eyther vnto the body or vnto the soule,2 that is prayse worthy, but we haue it altogether of the: forasmuch therefore as it hathe pleased the to opē thy lyberal hande and plenteously to blesse me a wretched sinner,3 aboue many other the creatures wyth large and diuers benefites bothe bodely and ghostly. I most hūbly beseche the, geue me grace not to be proude of these thi gifts nor licenciouslye to abuse them, but alwayes mekely to acknoweledge ⟨p. cxxxiiii⟩the thalone geuer of them, continually to be thanckeful vnto the for them, and so to vse thē all the dayes of my lyfe vnto the glorye of thy holye name and the profyt of the Christen congregacyon, that when so euer I shal departe from thys vale of miserye, & come before the glorious throne of thy diuine Maiesty, I maye be founde a faythfull stewarde, and heare these swete and comfortable wordes of the, well, thou good and faythful seruaunt, thou hast bene faythful ouer fewe thyngs, I wyll make the Ruler ouer manye thynges.4 Enter thou into the ioye of thy Lorde. Graunt thys (o mooste louing father) for thi dere sonnes sake Iesus Christe oure Lorde and sauyoure. Amen.
Thou alone (O blessed Lord) by thy godly wisdom and heavenly providence governest all things,1 and sendest unto us thy creatures as seemeth good to thy godly majesty,2 sometime wealth, sometime poverty, sometime health sometime sickness, sometime prospe•••ie, sometime adversity, as thou dost appoint, so doth it chance unto us. It hath pleased the at this present for my deserts worthily to lay the cross of adversity upon my shoulders, which, I freely confess, I have most justly deserved, and yet not withstanding I am perfectly persuaded, that it is thy most gentle and loving visitation,3 yea and an evident token not of thine anger and heavy displeasure,45but of thy fatherly love and hearty good will toward me,6 while on this manner thou correctest me in this world, that ⟨p. cxxxv⟩I may not be condemned with this wicked world. My since I grant, O heavenly father, have deserved a more grievous & bitter cross, which in deed have full oft deserved very hell, but thou considering my frail and weak nature dealest not with me after my deservings, but according unto thy greatest mercies: Vouchsafe therefore (o most loving saviour) to give me thy holy spirit, which may work in mi hart such thankful patience and patient thankfulness, that ever I grudge nor murmur against thy blessed will,7 but continually call on thy holy name with hearty prayers, and even from the very bottom of the heart praise and magnify the my heavenly father,8 being well con tented to suffer what so ever thy good pleasure shall be to lay upon me, nothing doubting but that ⟨image 151⟩thou wilt here after mercifully look upon me, and restore unto me the fruition and enjoying of thy former benefits, that I seeing again good and prosperous days on the earth, may live and sing unto thy godly Majesty continual praises and most hearty thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all glory and honour for ever and ever. Amen.
THou alone (O blessed Lorde) by thi godly wisdome and heuenlye prouidence gouernest all thynges,1 and sendest vnto vs thy creatures as semeth good to thi godli maiesti,2 somtime welth, somtime pouerti, somtime health sometime sicknes, somtyme prospe•••ie, sometime aduersitie, as thou dost appoint, so doth it chās vnto vs. It hathe pleased the at thys present for my deserts worthely to lay the crosse of aduersity vpon my shulders, whych, I freli confesse, I haue moste iustlye deserued, and yet not withstanding I am perfectly perswaded, that it is thy mooste gentle and louinge visitacion,3 yea and an euident token not of thyne anger and heauy displeasure,45but of thy fatherly loue and harty good wyll toward me,6 whyle on this manner thou correctest me in thys worlde, that ⟨p. cxxxv⟩I maye not bee condemned wyth thys wycked worlde. My synnes I graunte, O heauenlye father, haue deserued a more greuous & bytter crosse, whych in dede haue ful oft deserued veri hel, but thou consyderyng my frayle and weke nature dealest not wyth me after my deseruynges, but accordynge vnto thy greatst mercyes: Uouchsafe therefore (o moste louing sauyour) to geue me thy holy spirit, which may worke in mi hart such thankefull pacyence and pacyent thākefulnes, that euer I grudge nor murmure agaynst thy blessed wyll,7 but continuallye call on thy holye name wyth hartye prayers, and euen from the very botom of the heart prayse and magnify the my heuenly father,8 beyng wel cō tented to suffer what so euer thy good pleasure shall be to laye vpō me, nothyng doubtynge but that ⟨image 151⟩thou wylt here after mercifullye looke vpon me, and restore vnto me the fruic•on and enioyinge of thy former benefites, that I seyng again good and prosperous dayes on the earth, may lyue and synge vnto thy godlye Maiestye contynuall praises and most harty thanckes thorow Iesus Christ oure Lorde, to whome wyth the and the holye Ghoste be all glory and honoure for euer and euer. Amen.
Whither soever we turn our eyes (O most loving and heavenly father) the bottom less seas of thine unspeakable goodness toward mankind, plenteously stow in, and lively offer them selves unto us to behold and to wonder at.1 After thee fall of the sinful angels, what an ⟨p. cxxxvi⟩exceeding great kindness was this,2 to make man after thy similitude, image & likeness,3 that he and his posterity might furnish and occupy those places in thy glorious kingdom,4 which the proud and disobedient angels lost for their proud disobedience & disobedient pride. Not only to place man in earth, but also to provide aforehand all things necessary for him yea to make him Lord and ruler of all things contained in the earth under y•, his Lord GOD?5 O what a wonderful loving kindness was this Again to preserve, keep & defend man, to watch continually upon him whether he wake or sleep, as the diligent and careful shepherd watcheth over his flock, that no evil chance to man, & to direct his thoughts, counsels & devises unto the best, never leaving ⟨image 152⟩him, till thou haste brought him into thy heavenly kingdom. O who is able with tong to express or with heart to think this thy hearty good will toward man. These benefits (O most merciful father) are exceeding great tokens of thy dear love toward mankind, but the gift of thy only begotten son Jesus Christ our Lord,6 whom thou gavest unto us to be our saviour, our redeemer,7 our peacemaker, our wisdom, our sanctification, and our righteousness, is the most excellent gift & most precious treasure? A child to be born for our sakes The son of the most hiest God to be given us for a new years gift,8 to be our own for ever? O love passing all love. O kindness rather to be marvelled at, than able by mouth to be uttered.9 God the father so dearly to love the world ⟨p. cxxxvii⟩that he would give his only begotten son, that every one that believeth in him, may not perish, but have everlasting life? God the father to send his son into the world, not to condemn the world but that the world through him should be saved? God the father not to spare his own son, but to deliver him even unto death for us all, yea & with him even to give us all things? O most gentle kindness excelling all love & kindness.10
VUither soeuer we tourn our eyes (O mooste louynge and heauenlye father) the bottō lesse seas of thyne vnspeakeable goodnesse towarde mankynde, plenteouslye stowe in, and lyuely offer thē selfs vnto vs to beholde and to wonder at.1 After thee fall of the sinnefull angels, what an ⟨p. cxxxvi⟩exceadynge greate kyndenesse was thys,2 to make man after thy similitude, image & liknesse,3 that he and hys posteritye myght furnyshe and occupy those places in thy gloryous kyngedome,4 whych the proude and dysobedient aungels loste for theyr proude dysobedyēce & disobediēt pride. Not only to place man in earthe, but also to prouyde aforehande all things necessary for hym yea to make hī Lorde and ruler of al thyngs contayned in the earth vnder y•, hys Lorde GOD?5 O what a wōderfull louynge kyndenes was thys Again to preserue, kepe & defend man, to watch continually vppon hym whether he wake or slepe, as the deligēt and carefull shepherd watcheth ouer his flock, that no euyl chance to man, & to dyrrecte hys thoughtes, counsells & deuyses vnto the best, neuer leauinge ⟨image 152⟩hym, til thou haste broughte hym into thy heuenly kyngedome. O who is able with tong to expresse or wyth herte to thyncke thys thy hertye good wil towarde manne. These benefites (O most merciful father) are exceadynge greate tokens of thy deare loue toward mankind, but the gyft of thi onelye begotten sonne Iesu Christe our Lorde,6 whom thou gauest vnto vs to be our sauyoure, oure redemer,7 our peacemaker, our wysdome, our santificacion, and our ryghteousnesse, is the most excellent gift & most precius treasure? A chylde to be born for our sakes The sonne of the most hiest God to be geuen vs for a newe yeares gifte,8 to be our owne for euer? O loue passynge all loue. O kyndenes rather to be merueled at, thē able by mouth to be vttered.
Won derfully (O most loving father) doth this thing set forth thy hearty love toward us that when we were yet ungodly & wicked sinners thou gavest thy son to dye for our sins.1 He was wounded for our offences, and smitten for our wickedness. The pain of our punishment laidst thou upon him, & with his stripes were we healed. Through him, O lord, diddest thou pardon ⟨image 153⟩all our sins. It was thy good pleasure to smite him with infirmity,2 that when he had made his soul an offering for sin, he might see long lasting seed. For he is that thy righteous servant, which with his wisdom doth justify and deliver the multitude, for he hath born away our sins. In his name & in none other under he avē doth our salvation consist.3 By him are we at peace with the our Lord God.4 By him have we redemption through his blood, even remission of our sins.5 By him are we delivered from the power of darken•s and translated into thy heavenly kingdom.6 By him hast thou reconciled all things unto thy self. By him haste thou set at peace through the blood of his cross, both things in heaven and things on earth. By him haste thou quickened us, and forgiven us all ⟨p. cxxxviii⟩our trespasses. He hath put out the hand writing that was against us contained in the law written.7 Yea he heath taken that hand writing out of the way and hath fastened it to his cross and hath spoiled rule and power and hath made a show of them openly,8 and hath triumphed over them in his own parson.9 He is that seed of the woman, that treadeth down Satan's head.10 He is that seed, in whom all nations of the world shall be blessed.11 He is that Lord, which alone hath trodden down the winepress, nether was there any at all that helped him.12 He is that saviour, which saveth his people from their sins,13 He is that they well-beloved son, for whose sake thou art well pleased with man He is that bread of life, which came down from heaven.14 If any eat of that bread he shall live for ever. ⟨image 154⟩He is that good shepherd, which gave his life for his sheep.15 He is the resurrection & life. Who so believeth on him,16 although he were dead, shall live, & every one that liveth & believeth in him, shall never die.17 He is that mighty Prince that hath overcome the world. He is the perfect fulfilling of the law to justify all that believe.1819He hath delivered us from the curse of the law, when he was made accursed for us.
Wō derfully (O moost louing father) doth this thing set forth thy herti loue toward vs yt whē we wer yet vngodly & wycked sinners yu gauest thi sonne to dye for our sins.1 He was wounded for oure offences, and smitten for our wyckednes. The paine of our punishmēt laiedst thou vpon him, & with hys stripes were we healed. Thorow him, O lord, dyddest thou pardon ⟨image 153⟩all our sins. It was thy good plesure to smyte hym with infyrmity,2 yt when he had made hys soule an offering for synne, he myghte se longe lasting seede. For he is yt thy righteous seruāt, which with his wisdome doth iustify and deliuer the multytude, for he hathe born awai our sins. In his name & in none other vnder he auē doth our saluacion consist.3 By him are we at peace wt the our Lord God.4 Bi him haue we redempc•on thorow hys bloud, euen remission of our sinnes.5 By him are we deliuered frō the power of darken•s and translated into thy heauenlye kingdome.6 By hym hast thou recōciled all things vnto thi self. By hym haste thou sette at peace thorowe the bloude of hys crosse, both thyngs in heauen and thinges on earthe. By him haste thou quickned vs, and forgenen vs al ⟨p. cxxxviii⟩oure trespasses. He hath put oute the hande wryghtyng that was agaynste vs contayned in the law written.7 Yea he heath taken that hande wryghtyng out of the way and hath fastened it to hys crosse and hath spoyled rule and power and hath made a shewe of them openlye,8 and hath triumphed ouer theym in his owne parson.9 He is that seede of the woman, that tredeth downe Satans head.
He in his own person hath purged our since.1 He through death hath put down him that had rule over death, that is to say the devil, and hath made us free from the danger of bondage. He with one offering of his blessed body hath made perfect for ever them that are sanctified.2 He now in the end of the world hath appeared once for all to put sin to flight, by the offering up of ⟨p. cxxxix⟩him self. He hath loved us, and washed us from our since in his own blood,3 and made us kings and priests unto the God his father. Inestimable are the treasures & infinite are the pleasures which we receive of the through this thy son Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour.4 And this thy well-beloved & only begotten son with all his, hast thou given unto us, so that booth he and all that he hath is ours, and we may through thy gift justly, challenge it to be our own. For this thy fatherly love and unspeakable kindness in giving thy son unto the death for our sake, and for all thy other benefits, which we have received at thy merciful hand through him, we give the most hearty thanks, desiring thee, that we never commit any thing in thought, word, or deed, that may offend thy divine ⟨image 155⟩Majesty: but calling to remembrance that we are not redeemed with corruptible silver and gold from our vain conversation,5 but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb undefiled and without spot, we may live worthy of this thy kindness, & show our selves obedient children to thee, our heavenly father, not fashioning our selves any more after this unto our old lusts of ignorance, but as thou, which hast called us art holy, even so in like manner we may be holy in all our conversation and living unto the glory of thy blessed name. Amen.
He in his own person hath purged oure synnes.1 He thorowe death hath putte down hym that had rule ouer death, that is to sai the deuyll, and hath made vs free from the daunger of bondage. He with one offering of his blessed bodye hath made perfecte for euer them that are sanctified.2 He now in the end of the world hath app•ared once for all to put synne to flyghte, by the offerynge vp of ⟨p. cxxxix⟩hym selfe. He hath loued vs, and washed vs from our syns in hys owne bloud,3 and made vs kyngs and priestes vnto the God his father. Inestimable ar the tresurs & infinite are ye pleasures whych we receiue of the thorow this thy sonne Iesu Christ our Lord and sauyoure.4 And thys thy welbeloued & onli begotten son wt al hys, hast thou geuen vnto vs, so that booth he and all that he hathe is oures, and we maye thorowe thy gyft iustly, chalenge it to be oure owne. For thys thy fatherlie loue and vnspekable kyndenes in geuynge thy sonne vnto the deathe for oure sake, and for al thy other benefits, which we haue receued at thy merciful hand thorow him, we geue the most herty thankes, desyryng the, that we neuer commit any thinge in thought, word, or dede, that maye offende thy deuyne ⟨image 155⟩Maiestie: but callyng to remembrance that we are not redemed with corruptyble syluer and golde from our vayne conuersacion,5 but with the precyous bloud of Christ as of a lambe vndefiled and wythoute spot, we may lyue worthi of this thy kidnes, & shew oure selfs obedyente chyldr•n to the, oure heauenly father, not fashyonynge oure selfes any more after this vnto our olde lustes of ignorancye, but as thou, whyche hast called vs arte holye, euen so in lyke manner we maye be holie in all oure conuersacyon and lyuyng vnto the glori of thy blessed name. Amen.
O Lord GOD and our heavenly father,1 thou by thy holy Prophet declarest that ⟨p. cxl⟩thy people were led captive because they had no knowledge nor understanding in thy blessed word. No marvel, for as thy dearly beloved son sayeth, he that walketh in the darkness,2 knoweth not whither he goeth. Yea,3 vain are all they in whom the knowledge of that our lord god is not.4 For this is everlasting life, even to know the to be the true God, and whom thou hast sent, Jesus Christ.5 When y• preaching of thy word faileth, the people perish and go to havoc. For man liveth not with bread alone,6 but with every word that cometh out of thy mouth,7 where no knowledge of the & of thy blessed word is, there is no goodness for the soul. Yea there doth the soul pine away, as the body for want of corporal food,8 and is moved and led away with every wind of doctrine, be it true or false.9 Nether ⟨image 156⟩is it to be wondered at. For the ignorant and untaught build not their faith upon the rock, that is, upon thy son Christ, and upon his holy Gospel, against the which the very gates of hell can not prevail,10 nether can the raging floods,11 nor the boisterous winds move them that so build, but upon the sands, therefore are they thrown down with every blast, and miserably led which way their teachers lust. This was evidently perceived in us (o blessed father) which so many years for want of knowledge of thy blessed word were to much wretchedly led captive of Satan and of his ministers, which changed them selves into angels of light, when in deed they were the bond slaves of Antichrist, & believed & did whatsoever they commanded us to believe or to do.12 The man of ⟨p. cxli⟩sin that son of perdition, so sat in our consciences, that we feared him more then the our Lord god. His trifling traditions, his crooked constitutions, & devilish decrees,13 were more earnestly regarded believed & obeyed than thy blessed word whereof we were altogether ignorant. His ceremonies, we thought to be thy service. His dreams we esteemed true godliness. We worshipped thee not after thy word, but after Antichrists traditions. As for thy holy Gospel, we knew no part of it a right. Yea Antichrist and his imps condemned thy holy Bible for heresy, & burnt it as most abominable doctrine unto the great grief of all godly persons.
O Lorde GOD and oure heauenlie father,1 thou by thy holye Prophete declareste that ⟨p. cxl⟩thy people were ledde captyue because thei had no knowledge nor vnderstandynge in thy blessed word. No maruel, for as thy dearly beloued sonne sayethe, he that walketh in ye darcknes,2 knoweth not whither he goeth. Yea,3 vaine ar al they in whom the knowlege of yt oure lord god is not.4 For this is euerlasting life, euen to knowe the to be the true God, and whō thou hast sent, Iesu Christ.5 Whē y• preaching of thy word faileth, ye people perysh and go to hauocke. For man liueth not with bread alone,6 but wyth euerye worde that commeth out of thy mouth,7 wher no knowlege of ye & of thi blessed worde is, there is no goodnes for the soule. Yea there doth ye soule pine awaye, as the body for wāte of corporall foode,8 and is moued and led away wyth euerye winde of doctrine, be it true or false.9 Nether ⟨image 156⟩is it to be wōdred at. For the ignoraunt and vntaughte bylde not theyr faythe vppon the rocke, that is, vpon thy sōne Christ, and vpon hys holye Gospel, agaynste the whych the verye gates of hell canne not preuail,10 nether can the raging flouds,11 nor the boistrous windes moue them that so bilde, but vppon the sands, therfore are they throwne downe wyth euery blast, and myserably ledde whych waye their teachers luste. Thys was euidently perceiued in vs (o blessed father) whyche so manye yeares for want of knowledge of thi blessed word wer to much wrechedlyled captyue of Satan and of his ministers, whiche chaūged them selfes into angels of lyght, when in dede they wer the bond slaues of Antichriste, & beleued & did whatsoeuer thei commanded vs to beleue or to do.
Many other notable works also compiled by thy faithful servants for the advancement of thy glory and for bringing of the simple people unto the ⟨image 157⟩knowledge of thy truth, they cruelly burnt and destroyed after the examples of the wicked kings, Joachim and Antiochus.1 And as for the authors of them, some those bloody Edomites burnt,2 some they murdered privily some they imprisoned, flocked, chained & put to shame, all, even so many as they could get, they cruelly and most tirantlike entreated after the exam ple of their predecessors the high priests of Jewry,3 which sought all means possible both with tyranny and bribes, to keep down thy son Christ and his glorious gospel, that they alone might reign: O most gentle god, when these bellied hypocrites & chaplains of Baal, had burnt thy holy Bible, so that we the simple people might not read the word of our soul health, in our own mother tongue, again when these false anointed shavelings ⟨p. cxlii⟩had killed & put to flight thy true ministers and godly preachers,4 then made they us to believe as they would, to walk, to do, to speak as they lusted, to honour & worship thee,5 not after thy holy law, but after the traditions and doctrines of men, to do works not commanded of thee, but such as their idle brains fancied without authority of thy word. O Lord thou long suffering God, with how great blindness were we overwhelmed of these antichristian monsters when they taught to run a Pilgrimage to this and that Idol, to paint this tabernacle, and to gild that Mamet, to pray to this he Saint and to that she Saint, to buy other mens merits, and to seek salvation in them, to put our trust in water, salt, bread, palms, ashes, wax, oil, cream, bells, pardons, rotten ⟨image 158⟩relics & such other pelting pedlary, to believe that our souls after this present life should be boiled & parboiled in antichrists furnace, there to lie piteously yelling, puling & crying till they were redeemed with Diriges, Masses, trentals, ladies Psalters▪ &c. to believe that our sins could not be forgiven till we had whispered our since into the Priests ear, and to receive absolution at his hand:
Many other notable workes also cōpiled by thy faythfull seruauntes for the auauncement of thy glorye and for bryngyng of the simple people vnto the ⟨image 157⟩knowledge of thy truth, they cru•llye burnte and destroyed after the exāples of the wycked kyngs, Ioachim and Antiochus.1 And as for the authors of thē, some those bloudy Edomits brent,2 some thei murthered preuely some thei emprisoned, flocked, cheyned & putte to shame, al, euen so mani as thei could get, they cruelly and moost tirantlike entreated after the exā ple of their predecessors the high priests of Iewry,3 which sought al meanes possible both wyth tyrany and brybes, to kepe downe thy sonne Christe and hys gloryous gospel, yt thei alone might reygn: O most gētle god, whē these belly•d hipocrites & chaplens of Baal, had brent thy holye Bible, so yt we the simple people might not read the word of oure soule healthe, in our owne mother tonge, agayne whē these false annointed shauelinges ⟨p. cxlii⟩had killed & put to flyghte thy true ministers and godly prechers,4 thē made they vs to beleue as they woulde, to walke, to do, to speke as they lusted, to honoure & worshippe the,5 not after thy holye law, but after the tradycions and doctrins of men, to do works not commaunded of the, but suche as their idle braines fāsied wythout authority of thy worde. O Lorde thou longe sufferynge God, with how greate blyndenesse were we ouerwhelmed of these antichristian monstures when they taught to run a Pilgrimage to thys and that Idol, to paynt thys tabernacle, and to gyld that Maumet, to pray to this he Saint and to that she Sainte, to bie other mennes merites, and to seke saluacion in them, to put our truste in water, salte, breade, palmes, ashes, wax, oile, creme, bels, pardons, rotten ⟨image 158⟩reliques & such other peltīg pedlarye, to beleue that our souls after this present life shuld be boiled & perboiled in antichristes fornace, ther to lie piteously yellīg, puling & crying til they were redemed wt Diriges, Masses, trētals, ladyes Psalters &c. to beleue yt our sins could not be forgeuen tyl we had whyspered oure synnes into the Priests eare, and to receiue absolucion at his hand:
that he wold geue his only begotten sonne, that euery one that beleueth in him, maye not pearishe, but haue euerlastyng life? God ye father to sende hys sōne into the worlde, not to condēne the world but that the worlde thorowe hym shuld be saued? God ye father not to spare his own sonne, but to delyuer hym euē vnto death for vs al, yea & wt him euē to geue vs al thinges? O most gentle kīdnesse excellyng al loue & kindnes.
synne that son of perdicion, so sat in our consciences, that we fered him more then the our Lord god. His trifling tradiciōs, his croked cōstitucions, & diuelishe decrees,
wer more earnestli regarded beleued & obeyed thē thy blessed word wherof we wer altogether ignorāt. His ceremonies, we thought to be thi seruice. His dreames we estemed true godlines. We worshypped the not after thy worde, but after Antichristes tradyciōs. As for thy holy Gospell, we knew no parte of it a ryghte. Yea Antichrist and hys impes condemned thy holy Byble for heresy, & brent it as most abhomynable doctrine vnto the greate grife of al godly personnes.
