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.
Philemon. Behold here is the second flour of your Nosegay.1 I am the almighty GOD. Walk before me and be perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply the beyond all measure.
Philemon. BEhold here is the second floure of your Nosegay.1 I am the almighty GOD. VValke before me and be perfecte. And I vvyll make my couenaunte betvvene me and the, and vvyll multiplye the beyonde all measure.
Phil. Eyes verily, & pertaineth now unto us no less than it did at ⟨image 40⟩that time to him.1 For what so ever things are written, are written for our learning. Ye shall receive much pleasure of this your flour, if ye mark the virtue of it well. First ye shall note that God calleth himself the almighty God, whereby we may easily discern him from those gods,2
yea rather Idols and devils, whom the Heathen did worship & call upon. For our God is omnipotent, that is to say, almighty, plenteous in power, abundant, o• sufficient, full of all good, needy of nothing.
The Gods of the Gentiles are of no power, puissance & strength full of all imbecility, weakness & misery. Our God made all things of nothing by the power of his word. The Gods of the Heathen make not,
as call on him in spirit & trueth. The Gods of the Gentiles are not able for to help themselves, neither do they hear any man, that call on them, as we may perceive by the priests of Baal. Our God lasteth for ever & ever even worlds worlds without end.
earth or hell is able to compare with this our God. He alone is good, merciful. gentle, patient, long suffering, almighty, righteous, omnisufficient, plenteous of power, & full of all good. In him all things abound, nothing wanteth. He is the omnisufficient protector & valiant defender for all them, that repose their affiance and trust in him. Who therefore will not have a pleasure to serve this God? Who is so mad to forsake this God, & to follow
⟨image 41⟩
any other? Who being godly minded will not seek the glory of this God? even from the very heart? Who having but a kernel of Christen salt in his breast, will not hang wholly on this God, as alone altogether sufficient for the faithful abundantly in all things whereof they have need, either pertaining to the soul or to the body?
Cursed be that man, that putteth his trust in man, & that taketh flesh for his arm, & he, whose heart depart the from the LORD. For he shall be like the Heath, that groweth in the wilderness.
Phil. Yies verely, & pertaynethe now vnto vs no lesse than it dyd at ⟨image 40⟩yt tyme to hym.1 For what so euer thynges are wrytten, are wrytten for our learnynge. Ye shall receaue moche pleasure of this your floure, yf ye marke the vertue of it well. Fyrst ye shall note that God calleth hymselfe the almyghty God, wherby we maye easely discerne hym frō those gods,2 yea rather Idolles and dyuels, whome the Hethen dyd worshyp & call vpō. For our God is omnipotent, that is to say, almyghty, plenteous in power, aboundant, o• sufficient, ful of all good, nedy of nothynge.3 The Gods of the Gentiles are of no power, puissaūce & strēgth full of all imbecillite, weakenesse & misery. Our God made all thinges of nothing by ye power of his word. The Gods of the Hethē make not,4 but they are made of other and are none other thynge than wood, stonnes, syluer, gold, or wicked spirites.5 Oure God is able to helpe so many ⟨image 40⟩as call on hym in spirite & truethe. The Gods of the Gentiles are not able for to helpe thēselues, neyther do they heare ony man, that cal on them, as we maye perceaue by the prestes of Baal. Oure God lastethe for euer & euer euen worldes worldes withoute ende.6 The Gods of ye Hethen perysh and are more vayne than the smoke. Thus se ye, what a God we haue. None eyther in heauen,7 earth or hel is able to compare wt this our God. He alone is good, mercifull. gentle, pacient, long sufferynge, almyghty, ryghteous, omnisufficient, plenteous of power, & full of all good. In him all thinges abunde, nothinge wanteth. He is ye omnisufficient protectour & valeāt defender for all them, that repose theyr affiaunce and truste in hym. Who therfore wyll not haue a pleasure to serue this God? Who is so madde to forsake this God, & to folowe ⟨image 41⟩ony other? Who beynge godly mynded wyll not seake the glory of this God? euen frō the very harte? Who hauyng but a carnell of Christen salte in his brest, wyl not hāge wholy on thys God, as alone altogyther sufficient for the faythefull abundantly in all thynges wherof they haue nede, eyther pertaynyng to the soule or to the bodye?8 Cursed be that mā, that putteth his truste in man, & that takethe fleshe for his arme, & he, whose herte departe the from the LORDE. For he shal be lyke the Heath, that groweth in the wildernes.
As for the good thing that is for to come, he shall not see it, but dwell in a dry place of the wilderness, even in a salt & unoccupied land. O but blessed is the man that putteth his trust in the LORD, & whose hope the LORD is himself. For he shall be as a tree that is plan ted by the waters side, which spreadeth ⟨image 41⟩out the root unto moistness whom the heat can not hurt when it cometh,1 but his leaves are green & in the time of drought shall he not be careful, neither shall he cease at any time to bring forth his •ruite.
Secondly ye shall note, that after God hath described him self to be almighty, that is, passing all other in power, it is so great, infinite, & unmeasurable, he expresseth the duty of so many as will serve him, as they ought. Walk before me, 2saith he, and be perfect. Lo here is your flour Pure Innocency. He that observeth this precept of god, can not displease, err or offend, butte work pure innocency before god. Walk before me, saith he, & be perfect.3
As for the good thyng that is for to come, he shall not se it, but dwell in a drye place of the wyldernes, euen in a salte & vnoccupyed londe. O but blyssed is the mā that putteth his truste in the LORDE, & whose hope the LORDE is hymselfe. For he shallbe as a tree that is plā ted by the waters syde, which spreadeth ⟨image 41⟩oute the roote vnto moystnes whom the heate can not hurte whē it cōmeth,1 but his leaues are grene & in the tyme of drowte shall he not be carefull, neyther shall he cease at ony tyme to bring forth his •ruite.
Secondely ye shall note, that after God hath described him selfe to be almyghtye, that is, passynge all other in power, it is so greate, infinite, & vnmeasurable, he expresseth the duety of so many as wyll serue hym, as they ought. VValKe before me, 2saythe he, and be perfecte. Loo here is your flour Pure Innocency. He that obserueth this precepte of god, canne not displease, erre or offende, butte worke pure innnocency before god. WalKe before me, sayth he, & be perfecte.3
Phil. To walk before God is to serve him according to his word, so purely and innocently, as though GOD himself were ⟨image 42⟩ever present before our eyes.
Phil. To walke before God is to serue hym according to his worde, so purely and innocētly, as though GOD hymselfe were ⟨image 42⟩euer present before oure eyes.
Phil. The yoke of Christ is sweet, the burden is light, neither are his precepts heavy.1 For where the spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty. And if the Son hath made you free, than are ye truly free. And if ye be endowed with strength from above, than is nothing hard, but all things easy through the spirit, that worketh in you.
Phil. The yoke of Christ is swete, ye burdē is lyght, neyther are his preceptes heauy.1 For where the spirite of the LORDE is, there is liberte. And if the sonne hath made you free, than are ye truly free. And yf ye be endewed wyth strēgth frō aboue, than is nothyng harde, but all thynges easy thorow the spirite, that worketh in you.
1Math. xi. i. Joan. v. Roma. viii. Joan. viii.Math. xi. i. Ioan. v. Roma. viii. Ioan. viii.
Phil. To walk before God is on such sort to institute our life, as he hath appointed in his holy scripture, & not as carnal reason imagineth,1 or good zeal without knowledge deviseth contrary to the prescript of Gods word, as we have seen here to fore in our monstrous Monks, which labouring to establish their own righteousness, were not made obedient to the justice of God. ⟨image 42⟩That ye may walk before god,2 certain things are to be observed, first that ye have a sure, constant, steadfast, true & lyuysh faith, to believe that, which the holy scriptures teach of god, & of his works. Ye herd ye God is omnipotent, almighty, plenteous in power, abundant, o• sufficient, full of all good:3 needy of nothing. This must ye believe undoubtedly, if ye will walk before God. Ye herd also, that as God is able, so will he help so many as call on him in spirit & trueth. This also must ye believe without any hesitation or doubting.4 For without this faith no man can please god, nor come unto him aright. For this faith is the foundation and ground of the christen religion. This faith maketh a christen man.5 This faith maketh us the sons of light. This faith provoketh and calleth unto God. This Faith trusteth not in her own righteousness and good works, ⟨image 43⟩but on the promises of God.6 This faith maketh us to be borne of God. This faith mitigateth y• wrath of God. This faith obtaineth all good things of God,7 as it is written,8 he that believeth on him hath everlasting life. Believe in y• Lord, saith the scripture, & ye shall be safe, & without any danger. Again, Every one that calleth on the name of the lord, shall be safe For there is but one, LORD of all,9 sufficiently rich for so many as call on him. This faith maketh us the sons of God, as the Apostle saith, all ye are the sons of God, because ye have believed in Christ Jesus. Again So many as receive him, he gave them power to be made the sons of God, in as much as they believed in his name.10 This faith marrieth us to God, as he him self testifieth, I will marry the unto me in faith, and thou shalt know that I am the LORD, ⟨image 43⟩11This faith purifieth our hearts. This faith overcometh Satan.12 This faith vanquisheth the world.13 This faith maketh us the Temples of the living God.14 This faith will not suffer us to be confounded.15 This faith bringeth to us the mercy of God in all our adversity.16 This faith is the fulfilling of Gods commandments.17
Phil. To walke before God is on such sort to īstitute our lyfe, as he hath appointed ī his holy scripture, & not as carnal reasō imaginethe,1 or good zeale wtoute knowlege deuiseth cōtrary to ye prescripte of Gods worde, as we haue sene here to fore in our mōstruous Mōckes, which laborīg to establish theyr own ryghteousnes, were not made obedient to ye iustice of God. ⟨image 42⟩That ye may walke before god,2 certayn thīges are to be obserued, first yt ye haue a sure, cōstāt, stedfast, tru & lyuysh fayth, to beleue yt, whiche ye holy scriptures tech of god, & of his workes. Ye herd ye God is oīpotēt, almighty, plenteous in power, abū dāt, o• sufficiēt, full of all good:3 nedy of nothing. This must ye beleue vndoubtedlye, yf ye wyll walke before God. Ye herd also, yt as God is able, so wyll he healpe so many as call on him in spirite & truethe. Thisalso must ye beleue wtoute ony hesitaciō or doutyng.4 For wtoute thys fayth no man can please god, nor come vnto hym aryght. For this fayth is ye foūdacion and grounde of the christen religion. This fayth maketh a christen man.5 Thys fayth makethe vs the sonnes of lyght. This fayth prouoketh and callethe vnto God. This Faythe trustethe not in her owne ryghteousnes and good workes, ⟨image 43⟩but on the promyses of God.6 Thys fayth maketh vs to be borne of God. This fayth mitigatethe y• wrath of God. Thys faythe obtayneth al good thynges of God,7 as it is wryttē,8 he that beleueth on him hath euerlastynge lyfe. Beleue in y• Lord, sayth the scripture, & ye shall be safe, & wtoute ony daunger. Agē, Euery one yt calleth on ye name of ye lord, shalbe safe For ther is but one, LORDE of all,
1This faith maketh us the inheritors of the earth, & possessors of God's holy mountain This faith maketh us to understand the trueth.2 This faith causeth that hell gates can not prevail against us. This faith justifieth us. This Faith bringeth all good things unto us.3 This faith as S. Austen saith, is the beginning of mans health,4 without this no man can reach or come unto the number of the sons of God with out this all the labour of man is frustrate & void. This Faith, as ⟨image 44⟩S. Ambrose saith, is the root of all virtues, and that thou buildest on this foundation, that alone profiteth unto the reward, of thy work fruit & virtue. This faith, saith he, is richer than all treasures, stronger than all corporal power,5 & more healthful than all Physicians. This faith, as Chrysostom saith, is a lamp. For a lamp lighteneth the house,6 so doth faith the soul. This faith of the Catholic religion, is the light of the soul, the door of life the foundation of everlasting health. Thus see ye, what an excellent treasure this christen faith is, without the which by no means ye can walk worthily before the LORD our God.
Moreover this your faith must be conjoined with a reverent fear toward God.7 For the fear of the LORD, saith the wise man, is the beginning of wisdom, and expelleth ⟨image 44⟩sin.8 Without this fear no man can purely walk before God. For he that feareth God truly, feareth also to displease him, yea he seeketh all means possible to accomplish the will of god, as the Psalmo graph saith, blessed is that man, that feareth the LORD, for all his delight & pleasure shall be in his commandments. Unto this fear of GOD doth David exhort us, saying, fear ye the LORD all ye that are his servants. For they shall never want ye fear him. The Son honoureth the father,9 & the servant his Lord, if I be your father,10 where is my honour? And if I be your LORD, where is my fear, saith the LORD of Hosts? But this fear ought not to be a servile and bond fear, proceeding from an unwilling heart, but a reverent & gentle fear flowing out of love.11 Therefore with this your faith & fear, ⟨image 45⟩must ye also have a sincere & pure love toward God combined, so that ye shall both truly believe in God, reverently fear him, & unfeignedly love him.12
1This fayth makethe vs the enheritours of the earthe, & possessours of Goddes holy mountayne This fayth maketh vs to vnderstonde the truethe.2 This faythe causeth that hell gates can not preuayle agaynst vs. This fayth iustifyeth vs. This Fayth bryngeth all good thynges vnto vs.3 This fayth as S. Austen saythe, is the begynnynge of mans helth,4 without this no man can reach or come vnto the nomber of the sonnes of God wyth out this all the labour of manne is frustrate & voyde. This Faythe, as ⟨image 44⟩S. Ambrose saythe, is the roote of all vertues, and that thou byldeste on this foundacion, that alone profyteth vnto ye reward, of thy worke fruyte & vertue. This fayth, sayth he, is rytcher thā all treasures, strō ger thē all corporall power,5 & more healthful than all Phisicions. This faythe, as Chrisostome saythe, is a lampe. For a lampe lyghteneth the house,6 so doth fayth the soule. This faythe of the Catholyke religion, is the lyght of ye soule, the dore of lyfe the foundaciō of euerlastyng helth. Thus se ye, what an excellent treasure this christen fayth is, without the whyche by no meanes ye canne walke worthely before the LORDE our God.
Moreouer thys your fayth must be conioyned wyth a reuerēt feare towarde God.7 For the feare of the LORDE, saythe the wyse man, is the begynnynge of wisdome, and expelleth ⟨image 44⟩synne.8 Withoute this feare no man can purely walke before God. For he that feareth God truely, feareth also to displease hym, yea he sekethe all meanes possible to accomplysh the wyl of god, as the Psalmo graph sayth, blyssed is that man, yt feareth ye LORDE, for all his delight & pleasure shal be in his cōmaundementes. Unto this feare of GOD dothe Dauid exhorte vs, sayenge, feare ye the LORDE all ye that are his seruauntes. For they shall neuer wante ye feare hym. The sonne honoreth the father,
And this is it, that Moses writeth, and now O Israel, saith he, what doth the LORD thy god require of thee, but that thou shouldest fear the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways, & love him, & serve the LORD thy God in all thy heart & in all thy soul. Now have ye herd partly what it is to walk before God.
And this is it, that Moses wryghteth, and now O Israel, sayth he, what doth the LORDE thy god require of the, but that yu shouldest feare the LORDE thy God, and walke in his wayes, & loue hym, & serue the LORDE thy God in all thy herte & in all thy soule. Nowe haue ye herd partely what it is to walke before God.
Phil. After that ye have conceived in your hearts this faith,1 fear & love toward God through the operation of the holy Ghost, so that ye have entered the path way of our LORD god, now doth convenient time require, that ye walk not only secretly but also openly before God, tha• is, that ye do not only inwardly in ⟨image 45⟩your hearts believe in God, fear& love god, but also that ye outwardly show forth this your faith, fear & love buried within you by external works,2 that men seeing your godly conversation, may then glorify your father, which is in heaven For this is to walk before god,3 even to believe in god, to fear god, to love God, and to lead an innocent life according to his holy word. Without this innocency & purity of life,4 I see not what all faith, fear or love profit. Follow your LORD God, saith Moses, fear him & keep his commandments, & hear his voice,5 ye shall serve him and cleave unto him. The Prophet Micah also saith, I will show thee, O man, what is good, & what the LORD requireth, of thee, even to do judgement and to love mercy, & studiously to walk with thy God. Here see you, that if ye will walk before God, ye must do good ⟨image 46⟩deeds, lead a pure & innocent life, study to accomplish Gods will, & in all points labour to fashion your manners after the rule of God's word. Farewell they that boast so much of faith,6 & yet are wicked in all their works. They profess to know god, as the Apostle saith but with their deeds they deny him, seeing they are abominable, disobedient and unapt to all good works.7 Such boasters of faith do not only slander the true & christen faith, which worketh by Charity, but also they deceive them selves,8 seeing they hope freely & only to be justified by that faith, which is barren, unfruitful & void of all good works.9 Let them crake so much as they list of their faith & love toward God, yet are they wicked gospellers. For the love of god, saith saint Gregory, is never idle. For it worketh great things,10 if it be the ⟨image 46⟩love of god in deed, but if it ceaseth to work, than it is no love.11 Chrysostom also saith. The sons of GOD are not content to sit idle, but the spirit provoketh them to take some great and commendable work in hand.
Phil. After that ye haue conceaued in your hertes this faythe,1 feare & loue toward God thorow the operacion of the holy Ghoste, so that ye haue entred the pathe waye of oure LORDE god, nowe doth conueniēt tyme require, that ye walke not only secretly but also openly before God, tha• is, that ye do not only inwardly in ⟨image 45⟩your hertes beleue in God, feare& loue god, but also that ye outwardly shew forth this your fayth, feare & loue buryed wythin you by externall workes,2 that men seynge your godly conuersacion, maye then glorify your father, which is in heauē For this is to walke before god,3 euē to beleue ī god, to feare god, to loue God, and to lede an innocēt lyfe accordynge to his holy worde. Without thys innocēcy & purite of lyfe,4 I se not what al fayth, fear or loue profyt. Followe your LORDE God, sayth Moses, feare hym & kepe hys cōmaūdementes, & heare his voyce,5 ye shall serue hym and cleaue vnto hī. The Prophet Miche also sayth, I wyll shewe the, O man, what is good, & what the LORDE requireth, of the, euen to do iudgement and to loue mercy, & studiously to walk wt thy God. Here se you, yt yf ye wyll walke before God, ye muste do good ⟨image 46⟩dedes, leade a pure & innocent lyfe, study to accomplyshe Gods wyll, & in all poyntes laboure to fasshyon your manners after the rule of goddes worde. Farewel they that bost so much of faythe,6 & yet are wicked in all theyr workes. They professe to knowe god, as the Apostle sayth but wythe theyr dedes they denye hym, seynge they are abhominable, disobedient and vnapte to all good workes.7 Such bosters of fayth do not only slaunder the true & christē fayth, whiche worketh by Charite, but also they deceaue them selues,8 seynge they hope frely & only to be iustified by thatfayth, which is barren, vnfruytfull & voyd of all good workes.
1We must-e•presse our faith, fear & love toward God by external good works.We muste-e•presse our fayth, feare & loue towarde God by external good workes.
Verily as impossible as it is for a good tree to be without a good fruit, wham the time of the year cometh,1 so impossible is it for true faith to be without good and christen works. And as the spirit of God can none otherwise but do those things, that are pleasant before God, so in like manner a faithful man, which is the son of god, can not cease from working the will of god. Let these rude railing readers of the Gospel therefore be once ashamed of their faith & spirit, whereof so greatly they crake, seeing they are altogether unfruitful and with out all good works.2 If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. ⟨image 47⟩He that abideth in me,3 & I in him saith Christ, bringeth forth much fruit. And he that believeth in me, as the scripture saith, floods of lyuysh water shall flow out of his belly. Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit. He that hath not a lust & fervent desire to work the will of God, and to fashion his life in all parties according to the holy law of God, undoubtedly he hath not y• christen faith, neither pertaineth he unto Christ, though he babbleth never so much of faith,4 of God, of Christ, & of all the divine mysteries. For the kingdom of God is not in word,5 but in power. Not every one that saith unto me, LORD, LORD saith Christ, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doth y• will of my father, which is in heaven. Many shall say unto me, at y• day, LORD, LORD, have not we prophesied in thy name, & cast out ⟨image 47⟩devils by thy name,6 and wrought miracles by thy name? But than shall I say unto them I know you not. Depart from me ye workers of iniquity. He that hath my commandments & keepeth them, he it is that loveth me. If any man loveth me, he will keep my word, & my father will love him, & we will come unto him, & dwell with him. But he that loveth me not, keepeth not my words. God hath not showed to us his manifold kindness, that we should live dissolutely and with out all good order (for so were we unworthy any kindness at all) but that we should earnestly & with all diligence employ our selves to work his will, to satisfy so much as lieth in our power his godly mind,7 and to walk in all our conversation & living, as his dearly beloved son walked.
Uerely as impossible as it is for a good tre tobe wtout a good fruyte, whā the tyme of the yeare cometh,1 so impossible is it for true fayth to be wythout good and christen workes. And as the spirite of God can none otherwyse but do those thynges, that are pleasaūt before God, so in lyke māner a faythful mā, which is the son of god, can not cease frō workyng ye wyl of god. Let these rude raylynge readers of the Gospell therfore be once ashamed of theyr fayth & spirite, wherof so greatly they crake, seynge they are altogyther vnfruytfull and wt oute all good workes.2 If ony man be in Christe, he is a newe creature. ⟨image 47⟩He that abydeth in me,3 & I in hym sayth Christ, bryngeth forth moche fruyte. And he that beleueth in me, as the scripture sayth, floudes of lyuysh water shall flow out of his bely. Euery good tree bryngeth forth good fruyte. He yt hath not a lust & feruent desyre to worke the wyll of God, and to fasshon his lyfe in all partyes accordyng to the holy law of God, vndoubtedly he hath not y• christen fayth, neyther pertayneth he vnto Christe, though he bablethe neuer so muche of faythe,4 of God, of Christ, & of all the diuine misteries. For the kyngdome of God is not in word,5 but in power. Not euery one that sayth vnto me, LORDE, LORDE sayth Christ, shall enter into ye kingdome of heauen, but he that doth y• wyll of my father, whiche is in heauen. Many shall saye vnto me, at y• daye, LORDE, LORDE, haue not we prophecyed in thy name, & cast out ⟨image 47⟩dyuels by thy name,6 and wrought miracles by thy name? But than shal I saye vnto them I know you not. Departe from me ye workers of iniquite. He that hathe my commaundementes & kepethe them, he it is yt loueth me. If ony mā loueth me, he wyl kepe my worde, & my father wyll loue hym, & we wyl come vnto hym, & dwell with hym. But he that loueth me not, kepethe not my wordes. God hathe not shewed to vs his manifolde kyndnes, that we should lyue dissolutely and with oute all good order (for so were we vnworthy ony kyndenes at all) but that we should earnestly & wyth all diligence ēploy our selues to worke his wyl, to satisfy so much as lyeth in our power his godly mynd,
If he did not spare his only begotten Son, but gave him ⟨image 48⟩for us all even unto the death, how unkind creatures might we righteously be recounted, if we should not study with hearty minds to accomplish his holy precepts? Are they worthy to be called children,1 which neglect their fathers will, & so greatly dissent from their Fathers manners?2 Our celestial father is holy, & shall we his children be profane and unholy? Our celestial father is good, godly, merciful, patient, & all spirit, & shall we his children be evil, wicked, rigorous, impatient, & all flesh? Be ye holy, saith he, for I am holy. Certes god hath not called us unto uncleanness,3 but unto sanctification. Nether hath he delivered us from Satan & his army, that we should live wickedly, but practise pure ī nocency & true godliness in all our life, as Zechariah the Priest father to S. John Baptist saith:4 He hath ⟨image 48⟩performed the oath, which he sware to our father Abraham, for to give that we delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear all the days of our life in such holiness & righteousness as are acceptable before him.
Thus see ye that if we will walk before God,5 we may not only believe in God, fear & love God, but also lead a pure & innocent life, be plenteous in good works, & altogether studious of true godliness.
If he dyd not spare his only begotten Sonne, but gaue hym ⟨image 48⟩for vs all euen vnto the death, how vnkynde creatures myght we righteously be recounted, if we shoulde not study with herty myndes to accomplysshe his holy preceptes? Are they worthye to be called chyldren,1 which neglecte theyr fathers wyll, & so greatly dissent from theyr Fathers manners?2 Oure celestiall father is holy, & shall we his chyldren be prophane and vnholy? Our celestiall father is good, godlye, mercyfull, pacient, & all spirite, & shall we his chyldren be euell, wycked, rygorous, impacient, & all flesshe? Be ye holy, saythe he, for I am holy. Certes god hath not called vs vnto vncleannes,3 but vnto sanctificacion. Nether hath he delyuered vs from Satan & his army, that we should lyue wyckedly, but practyse pure ī nocency & true godlynes in all oure lyfe, as Zachary the Preste father to S. Iohn̄ Baptist sayth:4 He hath ⟨image 48⟩performed the othe, which he sware to our father Abraham, for to giue that we delyuered oute of the handes of our enemies, myght serue hī without feare all the dayes of oure lyfe in such holines & righteousnes as are acceptable before hym.
Thus se ye that if we wyl walke before God,5 we maye not onlye beleue in God, feare & loue God, but also lead a pure & innocent lyfe, be plēteous in good workes, & altogither studious of tru godlines.
1Joan. iii.Ioan. iii.
2Children ought to follow ye man ners of there father.Chyldren oughte to follow ye mā ners of ther father.
sufficiently rytche for so many as call on him. This fayth maketh vs the sonnes of God, as ye Apostle sayth, all ye are the sonnes of God, bycause ye haue beleued in Christ Iesus. Agayne So many as receaue hym, he gaue them power to be made the sonnes of God, in as much as they beleued in his name.
wher is my honoure? And yf I be youre LORDE, where is my feare, saythe ye LORDE of Hoostes? But this feare ought not to be a seruile and bonde feare, procedynge from an vnwyllynge harte, but a reuerent & gētle feare flowynge oute of loue.
Let them crake so muche as they lyste of theyr faythe & loue towarde God, yet are they wicked gosp•llers. For ye loue of god, sayth saynt Gregory, is neuer ydle. For it worketh great thynges,
Chrysostome also saythe. The sonnes of GOD are not content to syt ydle, but the spirite prouokethe them to take some great and commendable worke in hand.
