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. 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.
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,
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.
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,9 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.10 This fayth maryeth vs to God, as he hym selfe testifyethe, I wyll marye the vnto me in faythe, and thou shalt knowe that I am the LORDE, ⟨image 43⟩11Thys fayth purifyeth our hartes. This fayth ouercommeth Satan.12 This fayth vanquissheth ye worlde.13 This fayth makethe vs the Tēples of the lyuyng God.14 This fayth wyl not suffer vs to be confounded.15 This fayth bringeth to vs the mercy of God in al our aduersite.16 This fayth is the fulfyllynge of Gods cō maūdemētes.17
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.
Phil. It is not with out a cause: Ye know, he that standeth still, moveth nothing forward nor hasteth not unto the end of his journey. But he that walketh is ever going, & draweth alway nearer and nearer unto his journeys end. In consideration whereof, the holy Scripture useth this word, ⟨image 49⟩Walk, 1to put us in remembrance, that if we have begun well, in our profession, we should not there cease & stand still, but go forth from virtue to virtue, from faith to faith, until at the last we attain unto the perfection of pure innocency.2 For he that continueth unto end, saith christ, shall be saved. Again, be faithful unto the death, and I shall give the the crown of life.3 This word we read in divers places of the holy Scriptures, Christ saith, walk while ye have light,4 that the darkness doth not overwhelm you. For he that walketh in darkness, knoweth not whither he goeth. S. Paul also saith,5 walk as the children of light, proving what is acceptable to the LORD. Again, look that ye walk circumspectly, not as unwise, but as wise,6 redeeming the time, for y• days are evil. Hitherto pertaineth the saying of S. John,7 he that sayeth ⟨image 49⟩leth in Christ, ought to walk even as he hath walked. These places with all other such like declare to us that we ought so to walk in our profession by increasing daily in virtues, that at the last we may be perfect, & as S. Paul saith,8 make every man perfect in Christ Jesus. And this is it, that followeth in the latter end of the sentence. And be perfect. For we ought so to walk,9 that is, increase in all godliness, virtue & honest, that we might be perfect, as Christ saith, be ye perfect,10 as your heavenly father is perfect. Also Saint Paul,11 Rejoice and be perfect.12 It is one degree of virtue to love my neighbour, but it is an higher degree to love mine enemy, but the most excellent degree above all, is so to love our very enemies, that we can be contented not only to do them good, but also even to give our lives to win them unto ⟨image 50⟩Christ. It is a point of mercy• to help my poor neighbour with my superfluous goods, but it is a point of perfection to sell all that ever I have, & to give it to the poor as Christ said to the rich man, If thou wilt be perfect,13 go, and sell all that thou haste, and give it to the poor, & thou shalt have treasure in Heaven, and come on thy way & follow me.
Phil. It is not with out a cause: Ye knowe, he that stondeth styl, moueth nothing forward nor hasteth not vnto the end of his iourney. But he that walketh is euer goynge, & draweth alwaye nerer and nerer vnto hys iourneyes ende. In consideracion wherof, the holy Scripture vsethe this worde, ⟨image 49⟩VValKe, 1to put vs in remembraunce, that if we haue begun well, in oure professiō, we should not there cease & stonde styll, but go forthe frō vertue to vertue, from fayth to fayth, vntyll at the laste we attayne vnto ye perfecciō of pure innocēcy.2 For he yt cōtinueth vnto ende, sayth christ, shalbe saued. Agē, be faythfull vnto the death, and I shall gyue the the crowne of lyfe.3 This word we read in diuers places of the holy Scriptures, Christ sayth, walke whyle ye haue lyght,4 that the darkenes doth not ouerwhelme you. For he that walketh in darkenes, knoweth not whyther he goethe. S. Paule also sayth,5 walke as the childrē of light, prouyng what is acceptable to the LORDE. Agayne, loke that ye walke circumspectly, not as vnwyse, but as wyse,6 redemynge the tyme, for y• dayes are euell. Hytherto pertayneth ye sayenge of S. Iohn,7 he that sayeth ⟨image 49⟩leth in Christ, ought to walke euen as he hath walked. These places wt all other suche lyke declare to vs yt we ought so to walke in our profession by encreasynge dayely in vertues, that at the last we may be perfecte, & as S. Paule sayth,8 make euery man perfecte in Christ Iesus. And this is it, that followeth ī the latter ende of the sentēce. And be perfecte. For we ought so to walk,9 that is, encrease in all godlynes, vertu & honeste, that we might be perfecte, as Christe saythe, be ye perfecte,
It is a point of godliness to bear an honest heart toward the word of God, yet it is much more, openly to confess it boldly before men, but the very perfect point of godliness is, not only to love & confess it,1 but also manly to abide by it, even unto the very death, if need so requireth. Now therefore even unto the most & greatest perfection in all things ought we to contend & labour, that we may walk before God, and be perfect.
It is a poynt of godlynes to beare an honeste herte towarde the worde of God, yet it is much more, openly to cōfesse it boldly before men, but the very perfecte poynte of godlynes is, not only to loue & confesse it,1 but also manly to abyde by it, euē vnto ye very death, if nede so requireth. Nowe therfore euē vnto ye moost & greatest perfeccion in all thynges ought we to contend & labour, that we maye walke before God, and be perfecte.
Phil. This your flour is in deed to the carnal man of a bitter and unpleasant savour,1 but to the spiritual & truly regenerate, it smelleth sweeter than any rose.
Phil. This youre floure is in dede to the carnall man of a bytter and vnpleasaunt sauour,1 but to the spirituall & truly regenerate, it smelleth sweter thā ony rose.
Phile. Labour & God will help. Enter in at the straight gate. For wide is the gate,1 & broad is the way, that leadeth unto destruction, and many there be, which go in thereat. But straight is the gate, & narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, & few there be, that find it.2 If ye will live and reign in glory with christ, ye must suffer with Christ, ye must take y• Cross of Christ & follow him. Ye must cast away all the vain pleasures and pomps of the world, the concupiscences & lusts of the flesh ye must mortify, Satan & all his subtle suggestions ye must manfully ⟨image 51⟩resist.3 Ye must dye unto sin, and live unto righteousness. For christ did not enter into glory, before he had suffered, & think ye the gates of heaven to be opened for you, if ye live in this world in joy, pleasure & after the flesh? Na verily ye may be sure. For the Apostle saith if ye live after the flesh,4 ye shall die. But if ye mortify the deeds of the body in the spirit ye shall live. And this is it, that remaineth of your flour.5 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply the beyond all measure. God commanding Abraham to walk before him, and to be perfect addeth this promise aforesaid, & hath undoubtedly accomplished it. Let us also work before God & be perfect, and the promise also shall be fulfilled in us. God will multiply us beyond all measure both in this world, and in the world to come, as Christ saith, there is no man y• hath ⟨image 51⟩forsaken house, or father & mother,6 or brothers, or wife, or children for the kingdom of heaven, but y• shall receive much more in this time, and in the world to come everlasting life.
Phile. Labour & God wyl helpe. Enter in at the streyght gate. For wyde is the gate,1 & broad is the waye, that leadethe vnto destrucion, and many there be, which go in therat. But streyghte is the gate, & narowe is the waye, whiche leadethe vnto lyfe, & fewe there be, that fynde it.2 If ye wyll lyue and reygne in glory with christ, ye must suffer with Christe, ye muste take y• Crosse of Christ & followe hym. Ye must cast awaye all the vayne pleasures and pompes of the world, the concupiscences & lustes of the fleshe ye must mortifye, Satan & all hys subtile suggestiōs ye must māfully ⟨image 51⟩resist.3 Ye must dye vnto synne, and lyue vnto ryghteousnes. For christ dyd not enter into glory, before he had suffered, & thyncke ye the gates of heauen to be opēned for you, if ye lyue in this world in ioy, pleasure & after ye flesh? Na verely ye maye be sure. For ye Apostle sayth yf ye lyue after the flesh,4 ye shal dy. But if ye mortify the dedes of ye body in ye spirite ye shal liue. And this is it, that remayneth of your flour.5 And I vvyll make my couenaunte betvvene me and the, and vvyll multiplye the beyonde all measure. God commaundynge Abraham to walke before hym, and to be perfect addeth this promyse aforefayde, & hath vndoutedly accōplyshed it. Let vs also work before God & be perfecte, and ye promyse also shalbe fulfylled in vs. God wyll multiply vs beyond all measure both in this worlde, and in ye worlde to come, as Christ sayth, ther is no man y• hath ⟨image 51⟩forsaken house, or father & mother,6 or brothers, or wyfe, or children for the kyngdome of heauē, but y• shall receaue moche more in thys tyme, and in ye world to come euerlastyng lyfe.
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.
It is one degre of vertu to loue my neyghbour, but it is an higher degre to loue myne enemy, but the moost excellēt degre aboue all, is so to loue oure verye enemyes, that we can be contented not only to do them good, but also euē to gyue our lyues to wynne them vnto
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Christ. It is a poynte of mercy• to helpe my poore neyghbour with my superfluous goodes, but it is a poynte of perfeccion to sel all that euer I haue, & to gyue it to ye poore as Christe sayde to the rytche man, If thou wylte be perfecte,
