A new postil containing most godly and learned sermons upon all the Sunday Gospels,…A new postil conteinyng most godly and learned sermons vpon all the Sonday Gospelles,…
A new postil containing most godly and learned sermons upon all the Sunday Gospels, that be read in the church throughout the year ...A new postil conteinyng most godly and learned sermons vpon all the Sonday Gospelles, that be redde in the church thorowout the yeare ...
Thomas Becon 1512–1567Imprinted at London : In Fleet-street near to S. Dunstons church, by Thomas Marshe and John Kingston, M.D.LXVI. 1566Imprinted at London : In Flete-strete nere to S. Dunstons church, by Thomas Marshe and John Kingston, M.D.LXVI. 1566
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.
TO HIS FAITHFUL FELLOW Labourers in the Lords harvest▪ the Ministers and Preachers of Gods most holy word, THOMAS BECON wisheth the spirit of knowledge, of strength, and of constancy unto the end, from God the Father, through JESUS CHRIST our Lord.
TO HIS FAITHFVLL FELOVV Labourers in the Lordes haruest▪ the Ministers and Preachers of Gods most holy word, THOMAS BECON wisheth the spirite of knowledge, of strength, and of constancie vnto the end, from God the Father, thorowe IESVS CHRIST our Lorde.
ALBEIT (Most dear Brethren) GOD hath above all other mortal creatures greatly garnished mankind's with divers and manifold benefits:1 yet I know not (his Son CHRIST only excepted) if he hath bestowed upon us Christians,2 a more noble and more excellent gift, then the gift of his most blessed and holy word. For as concerning the gifts of Nature, and the treasures of this world,3 the Turk, the Saracen, the Jew, the Infidel have them common with the Christians, yea for the most part the godless and wicked have them more abundantly, then the godly and faithful,4 as not only examples in all ages both of divine and profane writers do evidently show, but very experience also in these our days proveth it most certain and true. Wisdom, eloquence, strength, beauty, favour, richesse, honour, fame, promotions, dignities, wealth, livings, and what soever besides the mad, doting, foolish, and wicked worldlings have in most high admiration,
are transitory and not long endure, more vain then smoke, more brittle then glass, more inconstant then wind, more flitting then shadow. But the word of God abideth for ever and ever, even from generation to generation, and never leaveth the embracers thereof, until it hath safely brought them unto the heavenly haven of most fortunate felicity, and joyfully placed them in that most joyful and celestial Jerusalem, the city of the living God, where JESUS the mediator of the new Testament, where also an innumerable sight of angels, a great congregation of the first borne sons, and the spirits of just and perfect men,
reign, and triumph in all joy, pleasure, and glory. And in the mean season, while we live in this world, who is able to express, how noble and notable commodities the word of god bringeth unto us? Heaven and earth yield not such multitudes of necessary fruits for the sustentation and safeguard of this our vile, wretched, mortal, and corruptible body, as the word of God bringeth forth for the health and salvation, for the righteous making and glorification of our soul. Is not the word of God the same to the soul,
that meat is to the body? Is not the knowledge of Gods word to the mind, that the sight of the eye is to the outward man? Can the body endure, the life being taken away? No more can the soul continue in safe estate, if the word of God be drawn from it.
ALBEIT (Moste deare Brethren) GOD hath aboue all other mortall creatures greately garnished mankynds with diuers and manifold benefites:1 yet I knowe not (his sonne CHRIST onely excepted) if he hath bestowed vppon vs Christians,2 a more noble and more excellent gyfte, then the gift of his most blessed and holy worde. For as concerning the gyftes of Nature, and the treasures of this worlde,3 the Turke, the Sarazen, the Iewe, the Infidell haue them common with the Christians, yea for the moste parte the godlesse and wicked haue them more abundauntly, then the godly and faythfull,4 as not only examples in all ages both of diuine and prophane writers do euidently shewe, but very experience also in these our dayes proueth it most certain and true. Wisedome, eloquence, strength, beautie, fauour, richesse, honor, fame, promotions, dignities, welth, lyuynges, and what soeuer besydes the madde, dotyng, foolyshe, and wicked worldlynges haue in moste hygh admiration,5 are transitorie and not long endure, more vayne then smoke, more brittle then glasse, more inconstant then wynde, more flittyng then shadow. But the worde of God abydeth for euer and euer, euen from generation to generation, and neuer leaueth the embracers therof, vntil it hath safely brought them vnto the heauenly hauen of most fortunate felicitie, and ioyfully placed them in that most ioyfull and celestiall Hierusalem, the citie of the lyuyng God, where IESVS the mediator of the new Testament, where also an innumerable syght of angels, a great congregation of the fyrst borne sonnes, and the spirites of iuste and perfect men, ⟨image 5⟩rule,6 reigne, and triumph in all ioy, pleasure, and glory. And in the meane season, while we liue in this worlde, who is able to expresse, howe noble and notable cōmodities the word of god bryngeth vnto vs? Heauen and earthe yelde not suche multitudes of necessary fruictes for the sustentātion and safegard of this our vile, wretched, mortall, and corruptible bodye, as the word of God bringeth foorth for the healthe and saluation, for the righteous making and glorification of our soul. Is not the word of God the same to the soule,7 that meat is to the body? Is not the knowledge of Gods word to the mynde, that the syght of the eie is to the outward man? Can the body endure, the life beyng taken away? No more can the soule continue in saulfe estate, if the worde of God be drawen from it.
Where there is no knowledge of Gods word (saith the wise man) there is no goodness for the soul.1 Again: Vain and things of nought are all those men,2 in whom there is no knowledge of GOD. This is everlasting life (saith Christ unto his heavenly Father, even to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou haste sent.3 To know thee (O our God) is perfect righteousness (sayeth the wise man) yea to know thy righteousness and power,4 is the root of immortality. Are not these the words of God by the Prophet Jeremy? Let not the wise man rejoice in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength,5 nor the rich man in his riches: but who soever will rejoice, let him rejoice in this, that he understandeth & knoweth me: for I am the Lord, which do mercy, equity, and righteousness upon the earth. The blessed apostle S. Paul before his conversion unto the Christen faith was a great clerk and excellently learned not only in the law of Moses,6 and in the books of the Prophets,7 but also in all kind of liberal sciences, so that in knowledge he far excelled the residue of the apostles: yet writing to the Corinthians he boasteth not him self of this his universal knowledge, but he only glorieth in this, that he knoweth Christ. This was his delight, his comfort,8 his pleasure, his joy. I brethren (saith he) when I came unto you, came not in gloriousness of words, or of wisdom, showing unto you the testimony of God. Neither showed I ⟨image 5⟩my self, that I knew any thing among you,9 save Jesus Christ even the same that was crucified. And in his epistle to the Philippians, he counteth all things in comparison of the knowledge of Christ, vile, base, and nothing worth.10 Howe oftentimes in his epistles wisheth he, that such as he writeth unto, may be fulfilled with the knowledge of God in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, & that they may increase in the same daily more & more?11 Let the word of Christ (sayeth he) dwell in you plenteously with all wisdom. This knowledge of God, and of his Son Christ Jesus abundantly sufficeth unto the sanctification & salvation of all faithful christians, as God sayeth by the Prophet: By the knowledge of him, which is my righteous servant, he shall justify the multitude.12 And without this knowledge all other knowledges & sciences are nothing worth, & not only not profitable, but also wicked & damnable, as it is written:13
Where there is no knowledge of Gods worde (saith the wyse man) there is no goodnesse for the soule.1 Agayn: Uayn and thynges of nought are all those men,2 in whome there is no knowledge of GOD. This is euerlastyng lyfe (sayth Christ vnto his heauenly Father, euen to knowe thee the only true God, and Iesus Christ whom thou haste sent.3 To knowe thee (O our God) is perfect righteousnesse (saieth the wyse man) yea to know thy ryghteousnes and power,4 is the roote of immortalitie. Are not these the wordes of God by the Prophete Ieremye? Lette not the wise man reioyce in his wysedome, nor the strong man in his strength,5 nor the riche man in his ryches: but who soeuer wyl reioyce, lette hym reioyce in this, that he vnderstandeth & knoweth me: for I am the Lorde, whiche doo mercy, equitie, and righteousnes vpon the earth. The blessed apostle S. Paule before his conuersion vnto the Christen fayth was a great clerk and excellently learned not onely in the law of Moses,6 and in the bokes of the Prophetes,7 but also in all kynd of liberall sciences, so that in knowledge he farre excelled the residue of the apostels: yet writyng to the Corinthians he bosteth not hym selfe of this his vniuersall knowledge, but he onely glorieth in this, that he knoweth Christ. Thys was his delyghte, his confort,8 his plesure, his ioy. I brethren (saith he) when I came vnto you, came not in gloriousnes of wordes, or of wysedom, shewing vnto you the testimonie of God. Neither shewed I ⟨image 5⟩my self, that I knew any thyng among you,9 saue Iesus Christ euen the same that was crucified. And in his epistle to the Philippians, he coūteth al things in comparison of the knowledge of Christ, vile, base, and nothyng worth.10
The wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. Again: The wisdom, that descendeth not from above, is earthy, natural, & devilish. For this cause the holy apostle termed the great learned wise Gentiles, which stood much in their own conceit, & thought them selves to know all things, fools and unwise. Their foolish heart (saith he) was blinded,1 in so much that when they counted themselves wise, they became fools. In consideration whereof, if was well said of that great learned philosopher Socrates,2 which notwithstanding by the oracle of Apollo was judged of all men the wisest and best learned. This one thing I know (sayeth he) that I know nothing. Verily although a man know all natural & moral things with the documents thereof, and whatsoever other doctrine, science,3 or knowledge can be reckoned up besides, so that in his one breast, there is contained, whatsoever knowledge hath ben found in the breasts of all natural men from the beginning of the world unto this day, or shall be unto the end of the same: yet if he know not Christ, he knoweth nothing. Notable is this Distichon and worthy for ever to be remembered.
The wisedom of this world is foolishnes before God. Again: The wisdom, that descendeth not from aboue, is earthy, naturall, & deuillish. For this cause the holy apostle termed the great learned wise Gentiles, which stode much in their owne conceite, & thought them selues to knowe all things, fooles and vnwise. Their foolish heart (saith he) was blynded,1 in so much that whē they counted themselues wise, they became fooles. In consideration wherof, if was wel said of that great lerned philosopher Socrates,2 which notwithstanding by the oracle of Apollo was iudged of all men the wisest and best lerned. This one thing I know (saieth he) that I knowe nothynge. Uerily although a man know all natural & morall thynges with the documentes therof, and whatsoeuer other doctrine, science,3 or knowledge can be reckned vp besides, so that in his one brest, there is conteined, whatsoeuer knowledge hath ben found in the breastes of all naturall men from the beginnynge of the worlde vnto this day, or shalbe vnto the end of the same: yet yf he knowe not Christ, he knoweth nothyng. Notable is this Distichon and worthy for euer to be remembred.
This is doubtless, to know nothing at all,
Without Christ, many things to know and see:
If thou know Christ well, as it thee befall,
Thou needest no more, it is enough for thee.
This is doubtlesse, to know nothyng at all,
Without Christ, many thyngs to know and see:
If thou know Christ well, as it thee befall,
Thou nedest no more, it is inough for thee.
1But this knowledge of God and of his Son Christ can we by no means obtain, but by the word of God only, as our Saviour Christ saith: Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think that ye have eternal life: and they are they, which testify of me. And as Abraham said to the rich man being in the torments of hell fire.2 They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them. Again, as the Evangelist S. John writeth. No man hath seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father,3 he hath declared him.
1But this knowledge of God and of his sonne Christ can we by no meanes obteyn, but by the word of God only, as our Sauior Christ saith: Serche the Scriptures, for in them ye think that ye haue eternal life: and they ar they, which testifie of me. And as Abraham sayd to the riche man beyng in the tormentes of hell fyre.2 They haue Moses and the prophets, let them hear them. Agayn, as the Euangelist S. Iohn writeth. No mā hath sene God at any tyme. The only begotten sonne, whiche is in the bosome of the Father,3 he hath declared hym.
1The knowledge of god is only gotten by the word. John. 5.The knowledge of god is only goten by the worde. Iohn. 5.
This word therefore is diligently both day and night to be read,1 heard, considered, weighed and pondered. Yea our whole delight and pleasure is to be reposed in it, that we may truly unfeignedly, and from the very bottom of the heart say with the disciples unto our Saviour Christ: Lord, to whom shall we go?2 Thou hast the words of everlasting life. And we believe & are sure, that thou art Christ the son of the living God. And also with the Psalmograph on this manner:3 I have had O Lord, as great delight in the way of thy testimonies, as in all manner of richesse. For thy testimonies are my delight and my counsellors. The law of thy mouth is dearer unto me, then thousands of gold and silver. For I love thy commandments above gold and precious stone. And I am as glad of thy word, as one that findeth great spoils. O how sweet are thy words unto my throat? They are sweeter then honey unto my mouth.4 They are more to be desired then gold, yea then much fine gold: sweeter also then the honey comb. The words of the Lord are pure words,5 even as the silver, which from earth is tried and purified seven times in the fire. &c.
This word therfore is diligently bothe day and nyght to be read,1 heard, considered, weighed and pondered. Yea our whole delight and pleasure is to be reposed in it, that we may truely vnfaynedly, and from the very bottome of the heart say with the disciples vnto our Sauior Christ: Lord, to whom shall we go?2 Thou hast the wordes of euerlastyng lyfe. And we beleue & are sure, yt thou art Christ the son of the liuing God. And also with the Psalmograph on this maner:3 I haue had O Lorde, as great delyght in the waie of thy testimonies, as in all maner of rychesse. For thy testimonies are my delight and my councellers. The lawe of thy mouthe is derer vnto me, then thousandes of golde and siluer. For I loue thy commandementes aboue gold and precious stone. And I am as glad of thy word, as one that fyndeth great spoyles. O how swete are thy wordes vnto my throte? They are sweeter then honye vnto my mouth.4 They are more to be desyred then gold, yea then much fyne golde: sweter also then the hony combe. The woordes of the Lord are pure wordes,5 euen as the syluer, whiche frome earth is tried and purifyed seuen tymes in the fyre. &c.
Moreover this word of God is that hid treasure in the field,1 which when a man hath found, even for very joy thereof, he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and ⟨image 6⟩buyeth the field. Yea it is that precious pearl, which when a merchant man by long seeking hath ones found,2 he selleth all that ever he hath, and byeth it. It is that sword, for buying whereof, Christ commandeth us to sell our very cote: signifying hereby, that above all things the word of God,3 and the knowledge thereof is to be gotten, as he saith in an other place, Seek first of all the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof. And as he said to Martha, which was busily occupied about household businesses, and preparing for meat for the body, her sister Mary sitting at Christs feet,4 hearing his word and doctrine: Martha, Martha, said he, Thou art careful and troubled about many things. Verily one is needful. Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her. It is that meat, which perisheth not,5 but abideth unto everlasting life. Yea it is that heavenly Manna, which that princelike Prophet and most cunning musician David the Psalmograph calleth the bread of Angels, and the wise man termeth it not only the food of Angels, but also such a meat as was very pleasant and of good taste.6 It is that rock and fountain of living water, whereof who soever drinketh, shall never be more a thirst: but the water that he shall drink shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life. It is that pillar of fire,7 which giveth light to them that walk in darkness, and sit in the shadow of death, to guide their feet into the way of peace, as David saith: Thy word, O Lord, is a lantern to my feet, and a light to my pathways. And Solomon saith:8 The commandment is a lantern, and the law a light, yea it is the way of life. Likewise saith S. Peter. We have a right sure word of prophecy,9 whereunto if ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, ye do well▪ until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts. To end:10 it is the power of God unto salvation for so many as believe.
Moreouer thys worde of God is that hydde treasure in the fielde,1 whyche whenne a manne hathe founde, euen for verye ioye thereof, he goeth and selleth all that he hathe, and ⟨image 6⟩bieth the field. Yea it is that precious pearle, whiche when a merchant man by long sekyng hath ones found,2 he selleth all that euer he hath, and byeth it. It is that swearde, for byenge wherof, Christe commandeth vs to sell our very cote: signifieng hereby, that aboue all thynges the worde of God,3 and the knowledge therof is to be gotten, as he saith in an other place, Seke fyrst of all the kyngdome of God, and the ryghteousnes therof. And as he sayd to Martha, which was busyly occupied about housholde businesses, and preparynge for meate for the body, her sister Mary sittyng at Christes feete,4 hearynge his worde and doctrine: Martha, Martha, sayd he, Thou art carefull and troubled about many thynges. Uerily one is nedeful. Mary hath chosen the good part, whiche shall not be taken away from her. It is that meate, which perisheth not,5 but abydeth vnto euerlastynge lyfe. Yea it is that heauenly Manna, whych that princelike Prophete and moste counnyng musitian Dauid the Psalmograph calleth the bread of Angels, and the wyse man termeth it not only the foode of Angels, but also suche a meate as was very pleasant and of good taste.6 It is that rock and fountayn of liuyng water, wherof who soeuer drinketh, shall neuer be more a thirst: but the water that he shall drinke shalbe in hym a well of water, springyng vp into euerlastynge life. It is that piller of fyre,7 which geueth lighte to them that walke in darknes, and syt in the shadow of death, to guyde theyr fete into the way of peace, as Dauid saithe: Thy worde, O Lorde, is a lanterne to my feete, and a lyght to my pathwaies. And Salomon saith:8 The commandement is a lanterne, and the lawe a light, yea it is the waye of life. Likewise saith S. Peter. We haue a right sure word of prophecie,
Furthermore, who is able to express, what a joyful jewel,1 precious pearl, incomparable ouch, and most noble treasure the word of God shall be found, if we in few words consider the commodities, fruits, and profits that come thereof? ⟨image 7⟩It turneth souls (sayeth David.) It maketh of an unfaithful §Iman, a faithful believer, as the Apostle sayeth: Faith cometh by hearing,2 and hearing cometh by the word of God. It maketh §IIof an Idolater, a true worshipper of God, as the Psalmograph sayeth:3 The people, whom I knew not, hath served me: in the hearing of the ear they have ben obedient unto me. §IIIIt maketh of a sinner a righteous person, as we read of Noah Loth,4 Moses, David, Manasseh, Zachee, Peter, the thief, Mary Magdalene. &c. It converteth sinners, and maketh them §IIIIto be sorry for their former wicked life, and to become new creatures (as God sayeth by the Prophet Jeremiah:5 Look that thou keep not the word back, if peradventure they will hearken, and turn every man from his wicked way. Likewise said the Angel of John Baptist to his father Zechariah the priest, concerning his preaching: He shall turn many of the sons of Israel unto the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, & the unbelievers to the wisdom of the just men, to make ready a perfect people for the Lord. That John turned many by the preaching of Gods word unto the Lord,6 it is manifest in the Evangelical history. What great multitudes of people S. Peter (as I may speak nothing of the other apostles) turned unto Christ by preaching the word, blessed Luke in his Chronicle of the Apostles acts doth partly declare. Was not the hole world in a manner turned unto the faith of Christ through the preaching of the word? As saint Paul saith: Faith cometh by hearing,7 and hearing cometh by the word of God. But I ask: Have they not heard? No doubt their sound went out into all lands, and their words into the ends of the world.8 In matters of controversy concerning religion, it declareth and showeth, who maintaineth truth, and who approveth falsehood. It is the true touchstone, whereby we easily discern the true doctrine of Christ, from the false & corrupt teaching of Antichrist. And therefore it is called of the Psalmograph, §Vthe faithful testimony or witness of the Lord.
Furthermore, who is able to expresse, what a ioyfull iewell,1 precious pearle, incomparable ouche, and moste noble tresure the worde of God shall be founde, if we in fewe wordes consider the commodities, fruictes, and profites that come thereof? ⟨image 7⟩It turneth soules (saieth Dauid.) It maketh of an vnfaithfull §Iman, a faithfull beleuer, as the Apostle saieth: Faith cōmeth by hearyng,2 and hearing commeth by the word of God. It maketh §IIof an Idolater, a true worshipper of God, as the Psalmograph saieth:3 The people, whome I knewe not, hathe serued me: in the hering of the eare they haue ben obedient vnto me. §IIIIt maketh of a sinner a righteous person, as we reade of Noha Loth,4 Moyses, Dauid, Manasses, Zachee, Peter, the thiefe, Mary Magdalene. &c. It conuerteth synners, and maketh them §IIIIto be sory for theyr former wycked lyfe, and to become newe creatures (as God saieth by the Prophete Ieremie:5 Loke that thou kepe not the worde backe, if peraduenture they will herken, and turne euery man from his wicked way. Likewise said the Angell of Iohn Baptist to his father Zacharie the priest, concernyng his preachyng: He shall turne many of the sonnes of Israell vnto the Lorde their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Helias, to turne the herts of the fathers to the children, & the vnbeleuers to the wisdome of the iust mē, to make redy a perfect people for the Lord. That Iohn turned many by the preachyng of Gods word vnto the Lord,6 it is manifest in the Euāgelical history. What great multitudes of people S. Peter (as I may speake nothing of the other apostels) turned vnto Christ by preaching the word, blessed Luke in his Chronicle of the Apostles acts doth partly declare. Was not the holle world in a maner turned vnto the faith of Christ thorow the preaching of the word? As sainct Paul saith: Faith cōmeth by hearing,
1The fruits of the word of god.The frutes of the worde of god.
And in all matters of doubt the Prophet exhorteth us to flee unto this word,1 & of that to learn the certainty of all matters concerning ⟨image 7⟩Faith and Doctrine. If any man (sayeth he) want light,2 let him look upon the law & the testimony, whether they speak not after this meaning. If he do not this, he stumbleth and suffereth hunger. And if he suffer hunger, he is out of patience and blasphemeth his king & his God. So read we of the noble men of Thessalonica,3 which when they herd Paul and Silas preach, that Christ must needs suffer and rise again from death for the salvation of the world, received the word with all diligence of mind, and yet notwithstanding searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were even so, as Paul and Silas preached. And therefore S. Paul afterward writing unto them, as one greatly allowing this their act, saith in his epistle: Quench not the spirit: despise not prophesyings: Examine all things: keep that which is good. And.4 S. John in his canonical Epistle sayeth: Dearly beloved, believe not every spirit: but prove the spirits, whether they are of God or not. &c.5 It giveth wisdom to the simple, to the poor in spirit, to the humble to the meek, to the little ones, to the babes. This wisdom is the §VItrue knowledge of god & of his blessed will. This wisdom can we not have, but by the word, as God himself saith by the prophet:6 Unto whom shall I have respect, but unto him that is poor, & of a lowly troubled spirit, and standeth in awe of my words? The fine Pharisees, the saucy Sadducees, the subtle Scribes, the lusty Lawyers, the bite•hepe Bishops, the pattering Priests, (as I may speak nothing of the eloquent Orators, noble historiographers, learned Poets, quick-witted Logicians, far sighted Astronomers. &c.) were before the world great wise learned men, and yet understood they nothing of God aright. The simple idiots and unlearned men had more true knowledge of God, then all they, as our saviour Christ said unto his heavenly Father, I thank thee,7 O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, & hast showed them unto babes. Verily Father, even so was it thy good pleasure. Likewise saith S. Paul: Not many wise men after the flesh,8 not many mighty, not many of high degree, are called.
And in all matters of doubt the Prophet exhorteth vs to flee vnto this word,1 & of that to learne the certaintie of al matters cōcerning ⟨image 7⟩Faith and Doctrine. If any man (saieth he) want lyght,2 lette hym looke vpon the law & the testimonie, whether they speake not after this meanyng. If he doo not this, he stumbleth and suffreth hunger. And if he suffer hunger, he is out of pacience and blasphemeth his king & his God. So reade we of the noble men of Thessalonica,3 whiche when they herd Paul and Sylas preache, that Christ muste nedes suffer and rise agayn frome death for the saluation of the worlde, receaued the word wyth all diligence of mynde, and yet notwithstandyng searched the scriptures dayly, whether those things were euen so, as Paul and Sylas preached. And therfore S. Paul afterward writing vnto thē, as one greatly alowing this their act, saith in his epistle: Quench not the spirite: despise not prophecyings: Examyn al things: kepe that which is good. And.4 S. Iohn in his canonicall Epistle saieth: Derely beloued, beleue not euery spirite: but proue the spirites, whether they are of God or not. &c.5 It geueth wisedom to the simple, to the poore in spirit, to ye hūble to the meke, to the litle ones, to the babes. This wisdom is the §VItrue knowlege of god & of his blessed wil. This wisedom cā we not haue, but by the word, as God himself saith by the prophet:6 Unto whom shall I haue respect, but vnto him that is poore, & of a lowly troubled spirit, and standeth in awe of my wordes? The fyne Phariseys, the sawcie Saduceis, the subtil Scribes, the lustye Lawyers, the bite•hepe Byshoppes, the patteryng Priestes, (as I maye speake nothyng of the eloquente Oratours, noble hystoriographers, learned Poetes, quickewitted Logitians, farre syghted Astronomers. &c.) were before the worlde great wyse learned men, and yet vnderstode they nothyng of God aryght. The symple ideots and vnlearned men had more true knowledge of God, then all they, as oure sauiour Christ sayd vnto his heauenly Father, I thanke thee,
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. ⟨image 8⟩And God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound things, which are mighty: and vile things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen: yea and things of no reputation, for to bring to naught things of reputation, that no flesh should rejoice in his presence. S. James also saith: Hath not God chosen the poor of this world, such as are rich in Faith,1 and heirs of the kingdom, which he promised to them that love him?
But God hathe chosen the foolish thynges of the worlde to confound the wise. ⟨image 8⟩And God hath chosen the weake thynges of the worlde to confounde thynges, whiche are mightie: and vile thinges of the world, and thynges whiche are despised, hath God chosen: yea and thinges of no reputation, for to bring to naught things of reputation, that no flesh should reioyce in his presence. S. Iames also saith: Hath not God chosen the poore of this worlde, suche as are riche in Faith,1 and heyres of the kyngdom, which he promised to them that loue hym?
It rejoiceth and maketh the heart merry, as the Prophet Jeremiah sayeth:1 When I had found thy words, I did eat them up greedily. They have made my heart joyful & glad. For thy name was called upon me, O Lord God of Hosts. The Prophet Ezekiel saith also:2 I did eat the book, and it was in my mouth sweeter then honey. Were not these the words of the two disciples, that went unto Emmaus, after that Christ had interpreted unto them the scriptures,3 which were written of him? Did not our hearts (say they) burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and opened to us the scriptures? Who is able to express, what joy, what mirth, what solace, what comfort, Adam and Heva received after their transgression, when they heard out of the mouth of God,4 that the seed of the woman should tread down the serpents head? Who can sufficiently declare, how greatly king David being rebuked of the prophet Nathan for his whoredom and manslaughter, was comforted and replenished with all true & perfect gladness,5 when he heard out of the prophets mouth these most sweet and comfortable words: The Lord hath put away thy sin, thou shalt not dye. What joy and comfort the sinful woman conceived in her heart, which before was almost swallowed up of sorrow for her wicked and sinful life past,6 as her tears and outward behaviour do manifestly declare, when she heard these words out of the mouth of Christ: Thy since are forgiven thee: Go in peace: no man is able to express. The these likewise hanging on the cross,7 and hearing these words spoken unto him of Christ: Verily, verily I say unto thee, This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise: conceived in his heart an unoutspeakable joy. Many such examples find we in the Scriptures ⟨image 8⟩both of the old and new Testament. The word of God (I mean the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus) apprehended and laid hand on with a sure and strong faith, bringeth to the heart and conscience of man, peace, rest, joy, solace comfort. &c. For this cause it is called the word of reconciliation or atonement, of joy, of peace, of comfort, of health,8 of spirit, of life. &c. It lighteneth the eyes. It showeth unto men the right way, how they ought to walk to please God, and to do those things which are acceptable unto him.
It reioyceth and maketh the heart mery, as the Prophet Ieremie saieth:1 When I had found thy wordes, I dyd eate them vp gredily. They haue made my heart ioyfull & glad. For thy name was called vpon me, O Lord God of Hostes. The Prophete Ezechiel saith also:2 I dyd eate the boke, and it was in my mouth sweter then hony. Were not these the woordes of the two disciples, that went vnto Emaus, after that Christ had interpreted vnto them the scriptures,3 which wer writen of him? Did not our heartes (say they) burne within vs, while he talked with vs by the way, and opened to vs the scriptures? Who is able to expresse, what ioy, what mirth, what solace, what confort, Adam and Heua receaued after their transgression, when they heard out of the mouth of God,4 that the sede of the womā should treade downe the serpentes head? Who can sufficiently declare, how greatly king Dauid being rebuked of the prophet Nathan for his whoredome and manslaughter, was conforted and replenished with all true & perfect gladnes,5 when he heard out of the prophetes mouthe these most swete and confortable wordes: The Lorde hath put away thy synne, thou shalte not dye. What ioye and confort the synfull woman conceaued in her heart, which before was almost swalowed vp of sorowe for her wicked and synfull life past,6 as her teares and outward behauiour do manifestly declare, when she hearde these wordes out of the mouthe of Christ: Thy synnes are forgeuen thee: Go in peace: no man is able to expresse. The thefe likewise hanging on the crosse,7 and hearyng these wordes spoken vnto him of Christ: Uerily, verily I say vnto thee, This day shalte thou be with me in Paradise: conceaued in his heart an vnoutspeakable ioye. Many suche examples fynde we in the Scriptures ⟨image 8⟩bothe of the olde and newe Testament. The worde of God (I meane the Gospel of our Lord and Sauior Christ Iesu) apprehended and layde hande on with a sure and strong faith, bryngeth to the heart and conscience of man, peace, rest, ioy, solace confort. &c. For thys cause it is called the worde of reconciliation or attonement, of ioy, of peace, of confort, of helth,
Howe oftentymes in his epistles wysheth he, that suche as he writeth vnto, may be fulfylled with the knowledge of God in all wysedome and spiritual vnderstanding, & that they may increase in the same daily more & more?
Let the word of Christ (saieth he) dwell in you plenteously with al wisedom. This knowledge of God, and of his sonne Christ Iesu abundātly suffiseth vnto the sanctification & saluation of all faithfull christians, as God saieth by the Prophet: By the knowledge of him, which is my rightous seruāt, he shal iustify the multitude.
whervnto if ye take heede, as vnto a lighte that shyneth in a darke place, ye do well▪ vntill the day dawne, and the day starre aryse in your heartes. To ende:
and hearing cōmeth by the worde of God. But I aske: Haue they not heard? No doubt their sound went oute into all landes, and their woordes into the endes of the worlde.
In matters of controuersie concernyng religion, it declareth and sheweth, who maintaineth truthe, and who approueth falshode. It is the true touchestone, wherby we easily discerne the true doctrine of Christ, frō the fals & corrupte teachyng of Antichrist. And therefore it is called of the Psalmograph,
§V
the faithfull testimonie or wytnes of the Lorde.
In matters of controversy we must have recourse unto the word of god.
In matters of cōtrouersye we must haue recourse vnto the worde of god.
O Father, Lord of heauen and earth, because thou hast hid these thynges from the wyse and prudent, & hast shewed them vnto babes. Uerily Father, euē so was it thy good plesure. Likewise sayth S. Paule: Not many wise men after the flesh,
of spirite, of lyfe. &c. It lyghtneth the eyes. It sheweth vnto men the ryght waie, howe they ought to walke to please God, and to doo those thynges which are acceptable vnto him.
