A pleasant new nosegay full of many godly and sweet flowers, lately gatheredA pleasaunt newe nosegaye full of many godly and swete floures, lately gathered
A pleasant new nosegay full of many godly and sweet flowers, lately gathered by Theodore Basil.A pleasaunt newe nosegaye full of many godly and swete floures, lately gathered by Theodore Basille.
Thomas Becon 1512–1567printed for Joha, 1543printed for Ioha, 1543
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.
Phil. The scripture showeth ye when Adam & Eve had transgressed the commandment of God in Paradise through the subtle persuasion of Satan,1 & perceived them selves naked,2 they ran away from the face of God & hid themselves, that they might not be seen.
Phil. The scripture shewethe ye whan Adam & Eue had transgressed the commaundement of God in Paradyse thorowe the subtyle perswasion of Satan,1 & perceaued thē selues naked,2 they ranne away frō the face of God & hyd themselues, that they myghte not be sene.
He being God & such a LORD, as at y• presence of whom all things both in heaven, earth & hell tremble, shake & do reverence, humbly & lowly came & sought them up, saying, where art thou Adam? And not only this, but when they were ashamed of their nakedness, he made them garments of skins, & put them on them to cover their filthiness. Must not Humility now be a virtue of wonderful excellency, seeing that God himself did first of all practise it?
Who dare boast him self to be the son of this celestial father ▪ & yet not endowed with Humility? GOD might have suffered them to have perished, or else taken vengeance on them straightways according to their deserts but he would not, but rather gently and lowly sought them up, apparelled them, & by this means preserved
⟨image 22⟩
them. O example worthy to be followed of all the faithful.
Moreover what Humility and lowliness was there also in his dearly beloved son our lord & saviour Jesus Christ? Who is able to express his humility, lowliness & meekness? It is not without a cause said of him, learn of me,
became like another man, & was found in his apparel as a man?
Phil. Behold nowe the Humilite of God, conioyned ⟨image 22⟩with vnmesurable mercye.1 He beyng God & such a LORDE, as at y• presence of whome al thynges both in heauen, earth & hell trēble, shake & do reuerence, hūbly & lowly came & sought thē vp, sayeng, where arte thou Adā? And not onlye this, but whan they were ashamed of theyr nakednes, he made them garmentes of skynnes, & put them on them to couer theyr filthynes. Must not Humilite nowe be a vertue of wonderfull excellency, seyng that God hymselfe dyd fyrst of al practyse it?2 Who dare boste hym selfe to be the sonne of this celestiall father ▪ & yet not endewedde withe Humilite? GOD myghte haue suffered them to haue perysshedde, or elles taken vengeaunce on them streyghtwayes accordyng to theyr desertes but he woulde not, but rather gentylly and lowly sought them vp, apparelled them, & by this meanes preserued ⟨image 22⟩them. O example worthy to be followed of all the faythfull.
Moreouer what Humilite and lowlynes was ther also ī his derely beloued sōne our lord & sauiour Iesus Christ? Who is able to expresse his humilite, lowlynes & mekenes? It is not without a cause sayde of hym, learne of me,3 for I am meke & lowly in herte. For what doth hys whole lyfe shew but humilite?4 Was he not borne of a poore mayde, euen that blyssed virgyne Marye?5 Dyd he not suffer his moost precious body to be wrapped ī vyle and simple cloutes?67Dydde he disdayne to be borne in a stable,8 & to lye in a maū ger among brute bestes?9 Was not he subiecte & obedient to Ioseph & Mary his mother?1011Was not he circūcysed and baptized for our sake? Was not he so poore,12 that he hadde not where to reste his heade? Dyd not he kepe company wyth Publicans, ⟨image 23⟩synners and harlottes,13 that he myghte brynge them to grace?14 whome other so greatly dyd abhorre?15 Dyd not he touche the Lepers, whome other would scasely vouchsafe once to looke vpō?1617Dyd not he frequent and vse the companye of al diseased,18 that he might heale thē? Dyd not he go,19 whyther so euer he was desyred?20 Dyd not he graunt ye peticions of the faythful?21 Dyd not he come rydynge mekely into Ierusalem vpon an Asse withoute onye pompe or pryde?2223Dyd not he washe his Disciples feete?24 Dyd not he beyng in the shape of God and equall with God make hym selfe of no reputacion,2526& toke vpon hym ye shape of a seruaunt,27 became lyke another man, & was founde in his apparell as a manne?
1The goodness of God toward man.The goodnes of God toward mā.
Did not he so humble himself, that he became obedient unto the death, even the death of the Cross? Did not he suffer his ⟨image 23⟩most spiteful enemies to run & tear his most blessed body so cruelly,1 so unmercifully, so without all pity, that they also did shed the most precious blood of his heart? O unspeakable humility. O lowliness rather to be wondered at, than able of any man to be followed. Neither wanteth this humility in him at this present.2 Is he not even now also content, although glorified, & received into the most blessed throne of his celestial father, to become our intercessor, mediator & advocate?3 At the day of judgement also is not he content to come and fetch unto glory both the bodies & souls of so many as in this world have unfeignedly believed in him, & studiously wrought his divine will?
Dyd not he so humble hymselfe, that he became obediente vnto the deathe, euen the deathe of the Crosse? Dyd not he suffer hys ⟨image 23⟩moost spytefull enemies to renne & teare his moost blyssed body so cruelly,1 so vnmercyfully, so without al pytie, that they also dyd shedde the moost precious bloud of his herte? O vnspeakable humilite. O lowlynes rather to be wondred at, than able of ony man to be followed. Neither wanteth this humilite in hym at this present.2 Is he not euē nowe also content, althoughe glorified, & receaued īto ye moost blyssed throne of hys celestiall father, to becomme our intercessoure, mediatour & aduocate?3 At the daye of iudgemente also is not he contente to come and featche vnto glory both the bodyes & soules of so many as ī this world haue vnfaynedly beleued in hym, & studiously wroght his diuine wyl?
Phil. Were it not than a thing of much absurdity & very unsyttynge for us, which profess ⟨image 24⟩this our LORD Christ to be most alienated & estranged from that virtue, which he in his quotidian conversation most principally exercised?
Phil. Were it not thā a thynge of much absurdite & very vnsyttynge for vs, whiche professe ⟨image 24⟩this our LORDE Christ to be moost alienated & estraunged from that vertue, which he in his quotidiane conuersacion moost principally exercised?
Phil. Right well neighbours. Look ye do now therefore according to your knowledge.
1Furthermore what Humility was this in y• holy Ghost, to come down so manifestly upon the Apostles of Christ at the feast of Pentecost? to replenish them with all gifts of grace & to inspire into them the knowledge of so many tongues? was not this a wonderful token of Humility? Doth not that most holy spirit, even at this day vouchsafe ⟨image 24⟩also to dwell in the hearts of the faithful,2 as S. Paul witnesseth Do not ye know, saith he, that ye are the Temple of God, & the spirit of God dwelleth in you? Again do ye not know that your members are the Temple of the holy Ghost, which is in you, whom ye have of god, and ye are not of your selves? Seeing than that this virtue Humility was first used & practised of God, & so still remaineth, how can it otherwise than be a thing of great excellency?
Phil. Ryght well neyghbours. Looke ye do nowe therfore accordynge to your knoweledge.
1Furthermore what Humilite was this in y• holy Ghoste, to come downe so manifestly vpon the Apostles of Christ at the feast of Pentechoste? to replenyshe them with all gyftes of grace & to enspire īto thē the knowledge of so many tonges? was not this a wonderful token of Humilite? Doth not that moost holy spirite, euen at this daye vouchesafe ⟨image 24⟩also to dwell in the hertes of ye faythfull,2 as S. Paule witnesseth Do not ye knowe, sayth he, that ye are the Tēple of God, & the spiryte of God dwelleth in you? Agayne do ye not knowe that youre members are the Temple of the holy Ghoste, whiche is in you, whome ye haue of god, and ye are not of your selues? Seynge than that this vertue Humilite was fyrst vsed & practised of God, & so styl remayneth, howe can it otherwise thā be a thīge of great excellency?
Euse it is trueth. GOD grant us to remember these things, that we may not only profess God by mouth, but also lively express him in our acts & daily conversation.
Euse it is trueth. GOD graunt vs to remember these thinges, that we maye not only professe God by mouthe, but also lyuely expresse hym in our actes & dayly conuersacion.
Phil. Well as concerning the virtue & strength of this your flour, called, Unfeigned humility, it shall appear evidently unto you by declaring what great profit ensueth thereof.
Phil. Well as concernyng the vertue & strength of this youre floure, called, Vnfayned humilite, it shal appeare euidently vnto you by declaring what great profyt ensueth therof.
Phil. Humility maketh us to be humble and lowly both in heart & body. It expelleth the foul vice of pride, & causeth that Philantia, that is to say, the love of our selves or the standing in our own conceit, reigneth not in us. It maketh us to abstain from dissolute laughing. It causeth that we speak nothing unadvisedly. It provoketh us to grant that we are more vile than any other, & unworthy or unprofitable unto any good thing. It maketh us little to esteem our selves, & all our enterprises, & highly to advance & set forth other. It maketh us not to have any delectation to fulfil our own will. It giveth us an occasion to fear God, and to endeavour our selves to do that, which he requireth of us. It causeth us to be obedient to our superiors, & to give them ⟨image 25⟩all reverence & honour. It maketh us patiently to sustain all injuries & wrongs, that are done unto us. It engrafteth in us all kind of virtues. So that it may right well be named, the mother & nurse of all goodness & honest. Moreover Humility bringeth the grace & favour of God to us, as ye heard before of S. Peter, which saith,1 God resisteth the proud, but to the hum ble he giveth grace. It causeth ye God hath a respect unto us, as he saith by the Prophet,2 unto whom shall I look, but to the humble & broken in spirit, & unto him that feareth my words? It maketh that GOD heareth our prayers, as the Psalmograph saith,3 God doth behold the supplications of the humble, and he hath not despised their prayers. Also the wise man,4 the prayer of him that humbleth himself, shall pierce the clouds. It causeth ⟨image 26⟩us to be exalted,5 as the most blessed virgin singeth, He hath put down the mighty from their seat, & exalted the humble. And Christ saith:6 every one that exalteth himself, shall be made low. And he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted S▪ Peter also saith, humble your selves before God,7 that he may exalt you.8 To be short, it bringeth us unto the kingdom of heaven. For Christ saith:9 Except ye turn & become as little children ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven, Who so ever therefore shall humble himself, as this little child, he is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Phil. Humilite maketh vs to be humble and lowly both ī herte & body. It expellethe the fowle vice of pryde, & causeth that Philantia, that is to say, the loue of our selues or the stōding in our owne conceate, reygneth not in vs. It maketh vs to abstaine frō dissolute laughing. It causeth that we speke nothyng vnaduisedly. It prouoketh vs to graūt that we are more vile than ony other, & vnworthy or vnprofitable vnto ony good thynge. It makethe vs lytyll to esteme our selues, & all our enterprises, & hyghly to auaunce & set forth other. It makethe vs not to haue ony delectacion to fulfyll our owne wyll. It gyuethe vs an occasion to feare God, and to endeuour our selues to do that, which he requirethe of vs. It causeth vs to be obedient to our superiours, & to gyue them ⟨image 25⟩all reuerence & honour. It maketh vs paciently to sustayne all iniuries & wronges, that are done vnto vs. It engraffeth in vs all kynde of vertues. So that it maye ryghte well be named, the mother & nurse of al goodnes & honeste. Moreouer Humilite bringethe the grace & fauour of God to vs, as ye hearde before of S. Peter, which sayth,1 God resistethe the proude, but to the hū ble he gyuethe grace. It causethe ye God hath a respecte vnto vs, as he sayth by the Prophet,2 vnto whome shall I looke, but to the hūble & broken in spirite, & vnto hym that feareth my wordes? It makethe that GOD heareth our prayers, as the Psalmograph sayth,3 God doth beholde the supplicacions of the humble, and he hathe not despised theyr prayers. Also the wise mā,4 the prayer of hym that humbleth himselfe, shall pearse the cloudes. It causeth ⟨image 26⟩vs to be exalted,5 as the moost blyssed virgin syngeth, He hathe putte downe the mighty frō theyr seate, & exalted the humble. And Christe sayth:6 euery one that exalteth himselfe, shall be made low. And he that humbleth hymselfe, shall be exalted S▪ Peter also sayth, humble youre selues before God,7
Chri. This undoubtedly is an excellent virtue, and a flour of much strength, & bringeth to them that have it, many goodly pleasures & godly commodities.1
Chri. This vndoubtedly is an excellent vertue, and a floure of muche strength, & bryngethe to them that haue it, manye goodly pleasures & godly cōmodities.1
Phil. Again mark I pray you, what made the oblation of Abel to be so acceptable in the ⟨image 26⟩sight of God, but Humility? Again, what was the cause, that the Sacrifice of Cain was abhorred of God, but his arrogant & proud heart, stuffed full of rancour & malice toward his brother? What was the occasion that Nohe with few other were saved from drowning,1 but that they were humble in heart and feared god? Again, what was the cause,2 that all the whole world besides them were drowned, but their pride & voluptuous manner of living?3 what provoked God so oft to walk with Abraham, but his Humility & lowliness of mind? What moved God to save Loth and certain other for his sake from that most grievous & terrible plague,4 that fell on Sodom & Gomorrah, but the Humility of him, conjoined with a reverent fear toward god? Again, what caused God to take vengeance ⟨image 27⟩on the Sodomites and to consume them with fire & brimstone from heaven, but only their pride coupled with all kind of voluptuous, beast like, yea unnatural pleasure? What preserved Abraham from slaying his Son Isaac,5 but his humble & obedient heart, ready to accomplish the will of God in all things? What made Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, with all the holy Patriarchs to be so gently dealt with all & favoured both of god & man, but their Humility? What was the cause that David was made of a Sheppard a king▪6but Humility. Again, what abjected Saul from his kingdom,7 empire & dominion, but his arrogant & proud heart, conjoined with disobedience toward the commandment of God? What caused king Asa,8 Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, Josiah to work that which was good in the sight of God, but their humility, because ⟨image 27⟩they preferred the will of God before their own carnal judgment tes? Again,9 what was the cause that many kings, as Rehoboam, Jeroboam, Abia, Nadab,10 Ahab Ochozias Achas, Manasseh, Amon, Joiachim, Sedechias, Nebuchadnezzar. &c. did that which was evil before God, but their puffed up hearts & proud minds, casting away all fear of God from their eyes? What exalted the most glorious virgin Mary so high, that she became the mother of Christ, & was alone found worthy to bear the Son of God, but her humility, as she herself witnesseth: My soul magnifieth the LORD, saith she. And my spirit, hath rejoiced in GOD my Saviour.
Phil. Agen marke I praye you, what made the oblacion of Abel to be so acceptable in the ⟨image 26⟩syght of God, but Humilite? Agen, what was the cause, that ye Sacrifice of Caim was abhorred of God, but his arrogante & proude herte, stuffed full of rancour & malice towarde his brother? What was the occasiō that Nohe wyth fewe other were saued from drowenynge,1 but that they were humble in herte and feared god? Agayne, what was the cause,2 that all the whole worlde besydes thē were drowned, but theyr pryde & volupteous manner of lyuynge?3 what prouoked God so ofte to walke with Abrahā, but his Humilite & lowlynes of mynde? What moued God to saue Lothe and certayne other for hys sake from that most greuous & terrible plage,4 that fell on Sodome & Gomorre, but ye Humilite of him, conioyned with a reuerent feare toward god? Agen, what caused God to take vengeāce ⟨image 27⟩on the Sodomites and to consume them with fyre & brymstone frō heauen, but only theyr pryde coupled wyth all kynd of volupteous, beast lyke, yea vnnaturall pleasure? What preserued Abraham fromme sleaynge his Sonne Isaac,5 but his humble & obedient herte, redy to accomplysh the wyll of God in al thinges? What made Abraham, Isaac, Iacob, Ioseph, with al the holy Patriarches to be so gētylly dealte wt al & fauoured both of god & mā, but theyr Humilite? What was ye cause that Dauid was made of a Sheppard a kynge▪6but Humilite. Agen, what abiected Saul frō his kingedome,7 empire & dominiō, but his arrogant & proude herte, cōioyned wt disobedience towarde the commaū dement of God? What caused kinge Asa,8 Iosaphat, Ezechias, Iosias to worke that which was good in the sight of God, but theyr humilite, bicause ⟨image 27⟩
For he hath looked upon the Humility of his hand maid, behold, because of this all generations shall call me blessed. Again,1 what did caste down Lucifer from Heaven ⟨image 28⟩into hell,2 from joy into pain, but pride? What provoked Christ to chose poor fisher men & the vile people of this world to set forth the glory of his father, but their humility? How came it to pass, that those simple men, yea & even the fools of the world were replete with godly knowledge, & the proud Pharisees the gallant Bishops, the huff nosed priests, the lusty lawyers, the saucy Scribes, with all the glistering sort of Hypocrites, which lived at that time, could not attain unto this science of the divine mysteries, when not withstanding they challenged to them selves alone the knowledge of Gods law, and the true understanding of the same? Was not their pride & arrogancy the cause of this their blindness? What is the cause in these our days,3 that the proud papistical Romanists can not perceive the verity ⟨image 28⟩of Gods word, & here in England & such other like places even the very poor & base sort of people are godly learned & espy the trueth of Gods will? Is not pride cause of the one, & Humility occasion of the other? As I may return unto the holy Scriptures & make an end,4 what was the cause, that the Publican went home more justified than the Pharisee, but that the one was hum ble, & the other proud? If we mark diligently, we shall easily perceive that all good things have ever come to pass through Humility, & that pride hath alway ben the original beginning of all wickedness & mischief.
For he hath looked vpon ye Humilite of his hande mayd, beholde, bycause of this all generations shal call me blessed. Agayne,1 what dyd caste downe Lucifer from Heauen ⟨image 28⟩into hell,2 from ioye into payne, but pryde? What prouoked Christe to chose poore fyssher mē & the vile people of this world to set forth the glory of his father, but theyr humilite? How came it to passe, that those simple men, yea & euen the fooles of the worlde were replete with godly knowlege, & the proud Pharises the galant Bysshops, the huffe nosed prestes, the lusty lawers, ye sawsy Scribes, with all the glisteryng sorte of Hypocrites, whiche lyued at that tyme, coulde not attayne vnto this science of the diuine misteries, whan not withestandynge they chalēged to them selues alone the knowlege of Gods lawe, and ye true vnderstandynge of the same? Was not theyr pryde & arrogancy the cause of this theyr blyndenes? What is the cause in these our dayes,3 that the proude papisticall Romanistes can not perceyue ye verite ⟨image 28⟩of Gods worde, & here in Englond & suche other lyke places euen ye verye poore & base sorte of people are godly learned & espy the truethe of Gods wyl? Is not pryde cause of ye one, & Humilite occasiō of ye other? As I maye returne vnto the holye Scriptures & make an ende,4 what was the cause, that the Publicane went home more iustified than the Pharise, but that the one was hū ble, & the other proud? Ifwe marke diligently, we shall easely perceaue yt all good thynges haue euer come to passe thorowe Humilite, & that pryde hath alway ben ye original begynnynge of all wickednes & myschefe.
Excepte ye turne & become as litle chyldrē ye shal not enter into the kyngedom of heauē, Who so euer therfore shall humble hymselfe, as this lytyl chylde, he is greatest in the kyngdome of heauē.
they preferred ye wyll of God before theyr owne carnall iudgemē tes? Agayne,
Achab Ochozias Achas, Manasses, Amō, Ioiachim, Sedechias, Nabuchodonosor. &c. dyd yt which was euell before God, but theyr puffed vp hertes & proud myndes, castyng awaye all feare of God from theyr eyes? What exalted the moost glorious virgin Mary so hygh, that she became the mother of Christe, & was alone founde worthy to beare the sonne of God, but her humilite, as she herselfe witnesseth: My soule magnifiethe the LORDE, sayth she. And my spirite, hath reioysed in GOD my Sauiour.
