[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.
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,
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,
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.
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.9 God ye father so derely to loue ye world ⟨p. cxxxvii⟩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.10
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:
to believe that after the words of consecration, as they call them, there remain no more bread nor no more wine in the sacrament of Christs body and blood, but that the bread is changed into the natural flesh of thy dear son Christ Jesus, and the wine into his most precious blood,1 that was shed for our sins upon the altar of the cross when notwithstanding the Papists them selves do many times ⟨p. cxliii⟩keep the bread so long, that it both mouldeth, stinketh and breedeth full of worms, and afterward they burn it according to their own law. Ah Lord, thus were we to much wretchedly mocked and led captive of antichrist and his disciples. The darknesses wherein we walked were so great, that they might be felt.2 But thanks be unto the (o most merciful father) which haste called us out of the darkness of mens traditions into the glorious light of thy gospel. We have now learned, that Antichrist and his members have long deceived us, & taught us their own drowsy dreams in stead of thy blessed word. We now know, that thou requirest not of us, that we should run gadding to stocks and stones,3 but that we should visit such as are sick and in prison and comfort them. We ⟨image 159⟩now know, that thy will is not that we should paint tabernacles and gild images, but rather that we should cloth the pore and help the needy.4 We now know that it is vain to pray to this or to the saint seeing they nether here us nor yet can help us. We have learned of thy blessed word,5 that Christ the son is our alone intercessor mediator and advocate. We now know,6 that no salvation is to be looked for in any ceremonies, but only in thy great mercies set forth freely to all penitent sinners through faith in Christs blood. We now know that, Christs blood is the alone Purgatory of our souls,7 which purgeth & maketh us clean from all sin. We now know, that when soever we repent confess our sins unto thee, and believe to have remission of all our since,8 through Christs blood, ⟨p. cxliiii⟩we shall surely be forgiven. Yet despise we not but rather heartily desire the counsel of godly and learned preachers,9 which with the comfortable words of the gospel may raise up, strengthen and confirm our weak conscience against Satan, sin, death, hell and desperation.
to beleue that after the wordes of cōsecracion, as they cal them, ther remain no more breade nor nomore wine in the sacrament of Christes bodye and bloude, but that the breade is changed into the natural flesh of thy deare sonne Christ Iesu, and the wyne into his moste precious bloude,1 that was shedde for oure sins vpon the aulter of the crosse when notwithstandinge the Papistes them selfs do many tymes ⟨p. cxliii⟩keepe the breade so longe, that it both mouldeth, stynketh and bredeth ful of worms, and afterward they burne it accordynge to theyr owne law. Ah Lord, thus wer we to much wretchedly mocked and led captiue of antichriste and hys disciples. The darknesses wherin we walked wer so gret, that they mighte be felte.2 But thanckes be vnto the (o most merciful father) which haste called vs oute of the darcknes of mennes tradycyons into the glorious light of thy gospell. We haue nowe learned, that Antichriste and his mēbers haue longe deceyued vs, & taughte vs theyr owne drowesye dreames in stede of thi blessed word. We now know, that thou requireste not of vs, that we shuld runne gadding to stocks and stones,3 but that we shuld visit suche as are sicke and in prysonne and comfort thē. We ⟨image 159⟩nowe knowe, that thy wyll is not that we shuld paynt tabernacles and gyld ymages, but rather that we shuld cloth the pore and helpe the nedi.4 We now know that it is vaine to pray to this or to ye saynt seyng they nether here vs nor yet canne helpe vs. We haue lerned of thy blessed word,5 that Christ the son is our alone intercessour mediatour and aduocate. We nowe knowe,6 yt no saluacion is to be loked for in any ceremonys, but only in thy great mercies set forthe frely to al penitente sinners thorow faith in Christs bloude. We now know that, Christes bloude is the alone Purgatorye of oure soules,7 whiche purgeth & maketh vs clene from all sinne. We now know, that whē soeuer we repent confesse our sinnes vnto the, and beleue to haue remission of al our synnes,
We now know that the Mass mongers have without all shame lied unto us, when they taught us to believe, that the Mas, which they mumbled, was a propitiatory sacrifice, & of as great virtue, strength & power, as the glorious passion of our saviour Jesus Christ, and that it was necessary both for the quick and dead. Ad salutem. We now know also, that the sacrament of Christs body and blood is not the very self real and natural body and blood of Christ, but an holy sign,1 figure and token of his blessed ⟨image 160⟩body and precious blood. For this word sacrament is as much to say as a sign of an holy thing. Now that which is the sign of a thing, cannot be the thing it self. And though thy son called the bread his body, and the wine his blood, because the disciples should the better remember the breaking of his body and the shedding of his blood (as he likewise called him self a vine a door,2 a rock, when not with standing he was nether natural vine,34material door or stony rock, but only likened unto them for certain properties, which he hath with the vine, door▪ and rock) yet is neither the bread his natural body, nor the wine his natural blood, as divers of the ancient Doctors do declare and prove but only a figure of his body and blood.5 The bread is called ⟨p. cxlv⟩Christs body, because it visibly preacheth & bringeth to our remembrance the breaking of Christs body. The wine also is called Christs blood, because it putteth us in remembrance of the shedding of Christs blood. Of such phrases and manners of speaking thy holy scriptures are full. But as in many other things so likewise in this blessed sacrament have the Papists for the maintenance of their Idle and beastly life most foully deceived us, making us to worship a wafer cake and a spoonful of wine mingled with water, in stead of our saviour Jesus Christ God and man. And this Idolatrous error is yet so rustered and cankered in the hearts of many both learned & unlearned (whose minds,6 judgements senses and wits the God of this world, even the devil, hath blinded) ⟨image 161⟩that the light of the glorious gospel of christ should not shine unto them, that they cast away this doctrine as heresy, & go forth still of an obstinate and froward mind to worship the bread & wine as god, & condemn all other for heretics, which hold the contrary.
We now knowe that ye Masse mongers haue without al shame lyed vnto vs, when they taught vs to beleue, that ye Mas, which they mumbled, was a propiciatorye sacrifice, & of as greate vertue, strengthe & power, as the gloryous passion of our sauioure Iesu Christe, and that it was necessarye bothe for the quycke and dead. Ad salutem. We nowe knowe also, that ye sacrament of Christs bodye and bloude is not the very selfe real and naturall bodye and bloude of Christe, but an holye signe,1 figure and tokē of his blessed ⟨image 160⟩bodye and precyouse bloude. For thys worde sacramente is as muche to say as a signe of an holye thynge. Nowe that whyche is the signe of a thyng, cānot be the thynge it selfe. And thoughe thy sonne called the bread hys bodie, and the wine his bloude, because the disciples should the better remēber the breaking of hys bodye and the sheddynge of hys bloude (as he likewise called him selfe a vine a dore,2 a rock, whē not with standing he was nether naturall vine,34material dore or stony rock, but onlye lykened vnto them for certain properties, which he hath with the vine, dore▪ and rocke) yet is neyther the bread hys naturall bodye, nor the wyne hys naturall bloud, as diuers of the aunciente Doctours doe declare and proue but onelye a fygure of hys bodye and bloude.5 The breade is called ⟨p. cxlv⟩Christes body, because it visibly• preacheth & bryngeth to oure remēbrance the brekīg of Christes bodye. The wyne also is called Christes bloud, because it putteth vs in remēbrance of the sheddīg of Christes bloude. Of such phrases and manners of speakynge thy holye scriptures are full. But as in many other thyngs so lykewise ī this blessed sacramēt haue the Papistes for the mayntenāce of their Idle and beastli life most foulye deceyued vs, makynge vs to worshyppe a wafer cake and a sponeful of wyne myngled wyth water, in stead of our sauiour Iesu Christe God and manne. And thys Idolatrus erroure is yet so rustered and cākered in ye hertes of many bothe learned & vnlearned (whose myndes,
O lord, these bread christians may well be resē bled to the men of Babylon, which would not be persuaded by any means but that Bell & the great Dragon, whom they daily worshipped and offered unto,1 were living gods, and therefore sought they all means possible to destroy both Daniel and the king, because they taught the contrary, and burst tho•e Idols, giving commandment that the living God alone, which thou art, should be honoured & worshipped of all nations in the world. But we, O Lord, to whom thou haste revealed the mysteries of ⟨p. cxlvi⟩thy godly truth; and delivered out of the kingdom of darkness, confess our selves to be great lye bounden unto thee for thy merciful benefit. We therefore beseech the to give us grace, so to walk in this glorious light of thy holy Gospel, as it becometh the children of light in all goodness,2 righteousness and truth. Thou haste delivered us from stinking Sodom, suffer us no more to look back toward it.3 Thou hast brought us home again from Babylon, y• land of bondage, unto the new Jerusalem. Grant that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies may serve the in holiness & righteousness all the dais of our life.45We have seen Christ thy son and our king, suffer us no more to return unto wicked King Herod.6 We have put our hand to the plough, grant that ⟨image 162⟩we never look back again, but persevere continue & go forward unto the end. Let it be never said to us, as thy son said unto the Jews:7 the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, & shall be given to a people, which shall bring forth the fruits of it. Make us fruitful fig trees. Give us grace, to be rich and plenteous in all good works, As we confess the with our words: so let us express the with our works. As we favour and love thy Gospel, so let us follow and love thy gospel. For that servant which knoweth his masters will and doeth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes. If after we have escaped from the filthiness of the world through the knowledge of thee,8 and of our saviour Jesus Christ, we are tangled again therein and overcome,9 then is the latter end worse with ⟨p. cxlvii⟩us then the beginning. For it had ben better for us not to have known the way of righteousness, than after we have known it, to turn from the holy commandment given unto us. So might it be said of us according to the true proverb.10
O lord, these bread christians may wel be resē bled to the men of Babilō, which would not be perswaded by anye meanes but that Bell & the great Dragon, whō they dayly worshipped and offred vnto,1 were liuyng godds, and therefore sought they al meanes possible to destroy both Daniel and the king, because thei taughte the contrarye, and braste tho•e Idols, geuing commandement that the liuyng God alone, which thou art, shuld be honored & worshipped of al nacions in the worlde. But we, O Lord, to whō thou haste reueled the misteris of ⟨p. cxlvi⟩thy godlye truthe; and delyuered out of the kyngedome of darckenesse, confes our selfs to be great lye bounden vnto the for thy mercyful benefyte. We therefore beseche the to gyue vs grace, so to walk in this glorious light of thy holye Gospel, as it becommeth ye chyldren of light in al goodnesse,2 ryghteousnesse and truth. Thou haste deliuered vs from stinking Sodome, suffer vs no more to loke backe toward it.3 Thou hast brought vs home againe frō Babylō, y• land of bondage, vnto the newe Ierusalē. Grant yt we beīg delyuered oute of the handes of our enemis may serue the in holines & righteousnes al the dais of our lyfe.45We haue sene Christ thy sonne and oure kynge, suffer vs no more to returne vnto wycked Kyng Herode.6 We haue put oure hande to the ploughe, grante that ⟨image 162⟩we neuer loke backe agayne, but perseuer contynew & go forward vnto the end. Let it be neuer sayed to vs, as thy sonne sayde vnto the Iewes:7 the kyngdom of God shal be taken frō you, & shalbe geuen to a people, which shal bringe forthe the fruites of it. Make vs fruteful fig trees. Giue vs grace, to be ryche and plenteouse in all good workes, As we confesse the with oure words: so let vs expres the wt our workes. As we fauour and loue thy Gospell, so lette vs folowe and loue thy gospel. For that seruant whiche knoweeth hys masters wyll and doeth it not, shalbe beatē wt mani stripes. If after we haue escaped frō the filthynesse of the worlde thorowe the knowledge of the,
The dog is turned to his •omit again,1 and the sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire. Grant therefore we most humbly pray thee, that according to our knowledge we may lead an honest conversation among all men,2 that they which backbite us as evil doers, may see our good works, and glorify the our heavenly father in the day of visitation. Amen.
The dog is turned to hys •omit agayne,1 and the sowe that was washed, to her walowīg in ye myre. Graunte therfore we moste humbly pray the, that accordynge to oure knowledge we may leade an honest conuersaciō among all menne,2 that they which backbyte vs as euyll doers, maye see oure good worckes, and glorifie the our heauenly father in the day of visitacion. Amen.
VE most heartily thank the (O LORD God our heavenly father) for thy manifold ⟨image 163⟩and inestimable benefits, which thou haste given unto us both for our body and soul, yea and freely even of thine own goodness without our desert. We thank the that it hath pleased thee of thy great mercy first to create & make us according to thine own image and likeness,1 & to place us in joyful paradise,2 where we should continually have remained in a blessed & quiet state, if through the subtle and deceitful suggestions of of Satan our old enemy,3 we had not transgressed thy holy commandment. We thank the also (O most gentle father) for thy loving kindness, which thou showedst unto us, when we all were perished & lost through the sin of our first father Adam. For when thou mightest justly have condemned us and cast us into perpetual dā nation, ⟨p. cxlviii⟩thou like a father of singular great love haddest pity on us, and savedst us by the death and passion of thy well-beloved son our Lord & saviour Jesus Christ,4 which gave him self a ransom for all our since, and payed a sufficient price by his precious blood, for all the wickedness that we at any time heretofore have committed,5 or hereafter shall commit through our frailty & weakness, so that we repent, believe & amend. Neither wast thou thus contented, that he only should dye for our sins, but thou also didst raise him up again for our justification,6 and to make us righteous in thy sight. Moreover after that he had showed him self unfeigned lye alive to his Apostles by manifest and evident tokens, certain days after his resurrection,7 through the power of his godhead, he ⟨image 164⟩ascended up into heaven, perfect God and perfect man,8 where he now sitteth on the right hand and maketh intercession for us,9 being our alone mediator and advocate.10 From thence we look for him to come again at the day of judgement,1112not as a cruel judge to condemn and caste us away, but as a most loving Lord and gentle saviour,13 to carry us with him unto everlasting glory,14 there worlds without end to remain in such joys as eye have not seen nor ear hath heard,1516nor yet is any heart able to think.
VE mooste heartelye thancke the (O LORDE God oure heauenly father) for thy mamanyfolde ⟨image 163⟩and inestimable benefites, whiche thou haste geuen vnto vs bothe for oure body and soule, yea and freely euē of thine owne goodnesse wythoute oure desearte. We thancke the that it hathe pleased thee of thy greate mercie fyrste to create & make vs accordynge to thyne own image and lykenes,1 & to place vs in ioyful paradyse,2 wher we shuld continually haue remained in a blessed & quiet state, if thorow ye subtil and deceitefull suggestions of of Satan our old enemy,3 we had not transgressed thy holy cōmandement. We thancke the also (O most gentle father) for thy louing kindnes, whiche thou shewedst vnto vs, when we all were perished & lost thorow the sinne of oure firste father Adam. For whē thou mightest iustly haue condemned vs and cast vs into perpetuall dā naciō, ⟨p. cxlviii⟩thou like a father of singuler great loue haddest pity on vs, and sauedst vs by the deathe and passyon of thy welbeloued sonne our Lord & sauiour Iesu Christe,4 which gaue him self a raunsome for all oure synnes, and payed a sufficiente price by hys precious bloud, for all the wyckednes that we at anye tyme heretofore haue commytted,5 or hereafter shall cō mit thorow our frailtye & weakenesse, so that we repente, beleue & amende. Neither wast thou thus contented, that he only shuld dye for our sinnes, but thou also didst raise him vp again for our iustificacion,6 and to make vs ryghtous in thy sight. Moreouer after that he had shewed him self vnfained lye alyue to hys Apostles by manifest and euident tokēs, certain dayes after his resurreccion,7 thorow the power of his godhead, he ⟨image 164⟩ascended vp into heauē, perfecte God and perfecte man,
For those thy most bounteous gifts and for all other thy benefits, which thou daily givest unto us of thy great mercy both for our body and soul, we most humbly thank thee, most gentle and merciful father, beseeching the that thou wilt give us grace through thy holy ⟨p. cxlix⟩spirit not to be unthankful, but to walk worthy of this thy kindness and so to behave ourselves all our life time in this wretched world according to thy holy will, that at the last day we may be found in the number of them, to whom thy only begotten son, shall say:1 come ye blessed of my father, po•ses the kingdom, which was prepared for you from the beginning of the world. Lord let it so come to pass
For those thy moost bounteous gyftes and for al other thy benefites, whiche thou dayly geuest vnto vs of thy great mercy both for oure bodye and soule, we most hūbly thanke the, mooste gentle and mercyfull father, besechynge the that thou wilt giue vs grace thorow thi holie ⟨p. cxlix⟩spyrit not to be vnthākful, but to walke worthy of this thi kindnes and so to behaue ourselfs all our life time in this wretched worlde according to thy holye wyll, that at the last day we may be foūd in ye number of them, to whō thy only begotten sonne, shal say:1 come ye blessed of my father, po•ses the kyngdome, whiche was prepared for you from the beginninge of ye world. Lord let it so come to passe
O Jesus the alone saviour of the world, and the only true Physician both of body and soul, we are come together at this present before the thorn of thy godly Majesty to offer our humble prayers unto thee for our sick and weak brother whom thou haste visited with thy loving rod of correction, whereby thou offerest ⟨image 165⟩thyself unto him as a most gentle father to his dear son, and by temporal punishment •uttest away eternal pains, which both he and all we through our sinful living have most righteously deserved and by making the outward man weak, thou comfortest and makest strong the inward man, which is made like to thy glorious image. We most entirely beseech thee, mercifully to behold this our weak brother, and as that pitiful Samaritan to pour wine and oil into his wounds & to bind them up, that is, to relieve him, & to comfort him, and to cherish him with thy holy spirit, to make him strong in his inward man that in the midst of his sickness, he may not only •ere the cross, that thou haste laid on him patiently, and so show him self conformable to thy blessed will, but also ⟨p. cl⟩thankfully praise thy holy name for thy fatherly correction, & with unfeigned and strong faith, say: The lord gave me my health, the Lord hath taken it away again. As it hath pleased the lord, so it is come to pass, now blessed be the the name of the Lord. Oh it is for my great profit, that the lord hath thus visited me, even that I should learn to forsake mine own will, and to walk in his holy ordinances. I am his creature, & a sheep of his pasture, let him deal with me, as seemeth good in his godly sight. For whither I live or dye, I am the Lords. His will therefore be done and not mine. Give him grace (O sweet Jesus) thus to be persuaded of thy good will toward him even in the midst of his most bitter agonies, that he faint not under the cross, but patiently and thankfully ⟨image 166⟩abide thy good pleasure, and with earnest faith call on thy blessed name, which is a strong tower for all them that flee unto it.
O Iesu the alone sauyoure of the world, and the onely true Phisicion bothe of body and soul, we ar come together at this presente before the thorne of thy godly Maiestie to offer our humble prayers vnto the for our sicke and weake brother whome thou haste visited wyth thy louing rod of correcciō, wherby thou offerest ⟨image 165⟩thyself vnto hym as a most gētle father to his deare sonne, and by temporall punyshment •uttest away eternall paynes, whych both he and all we thorow our synfull liuing haue most ryghtouslye deserued and by makyng the outeward man weke, thou comfortest and makest strōg the inward mā, which is made like to thi glorious image. We most entirely besech the, mercifully to behold this our weke brother, and as that piteful Samaritane to poure wine and oyle into his woundes & to bynde them vp, that is, to relieue hym, & to cōfort hym, and to cherysh him wyth thy holy spirit, to make him stronge in his inwarde man that in the middes of his syckenes, he may not only •ere the crosse, that thou haste layed on hym pacyently, and so shewe hym self conformable to thy blessed wyll, but also ⟨p. cl⟩thanckfully praise thy holy name for thy fatherly correccion, & with vnfayned and stronge fayth, say: The lord gaue me my health, the Lord hath taken it away agayne. As it hath pleased the lord, so it is come to passe, now blessed be the the name of the Lord. Oh it is for my great profyt, that the lord hath thus visited me, euen yt I shulde learne to forsake myne own wyl, and to walcke in hys holye ordynaunces. I am his creature, & a shepe of his pasture, let him deale wyth me, as semeth good in hys godly syghte. For whyther I liue or dye, I am the Lordes. Hys wil therfore be done and not myne. Gyue hym grace (O swete Iesu) thus to be perswaded of thy good wyll towarde hym euen in the myddes of hys moost bytter agonyes, that he faynt not vnder the crosse, but paciently and thanckefully ⟨image 166⟩abyde thy good plesure, and wyth earnest fayth cal on thy blessed name, which is a strong tower for all them that fle vnto it.
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.
whiche with ye comfortable words of the gospel may raise vp, strengthen and confirme our weke cōscience against Satan, sinne, death, hel and desperacion.
iudgements senses and wyts the God of thys world, euē the deuil, hath blinded)
⟨image 161⟩
that the light of ye glorius gospell of christ shuld not shine vnto thē, yt they cast away thys doctryne as heresye, & go forth stil of an obstynate and froward minde to worshyp ye bread & wine as god, & condēne al other for heretikes, whyche hold ye contrarie.
vs then the beginning. For it had ben better for vs not to haue knowen the wai of righteousnes, thē after we haue knowē it, to turne from the holy cōmaundement geuē vnto vs. So might it be sayde of vs accordynge to the true prouerbe.
