A10781:39
A piteous lamentation of the miserable estate of the church of Christ in England…A pituous lamentation of the miserable estate of the churche of Christ in Englande…
A piteous lamentation of the miserable estate of the church of Christ in England in the time of the late revolt from the gospel, wherein is contained a learned comparison between the comfortable doctrine of the gospel, [and] the traditions of the popish religion: with an instruction how the true Christian ought to behave himself in the time of trial. Written by that worthy martyr of god Nicolas Ridley, late Bishop of London. Never before this time imprinted. Whereunto are also annexed certain letters of John Careless, written in the time of his imprisonment. Perused and allowed according to the Queens Majesties injunctions.A pituous lamentation of the miserable estate of the churche of Christ in Englande in the time of the late reuolt from the gospel, wherin is conteyned a learned comparison betwene the comfortable doctrine of the gospell, [and] the traditions of the popish religion: with an instruction how the true Christian ought to behaue himself in the tyme of tryall. Wrytten by that worthy martyr of god Nicolas Rydley, late Bysshoppe of London. Neuer before this tyme imprynted. Wherevnto are also annexed certayne letters of Iohn Careles, written in the tyme of his imprisonment. Perused and allowed according to the Quenes Maiesties iniunctions.
London: printed by William Powell, 1566London: printed by VVillyam Powell, 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.
Now then seeing the doctrine of antichrist is returned again into this realm, and the higher powers (alas) are so deceived and bewitched that they are persuaded it to be truth, and Christs true doctrine to be error and heresy, and the old laws of antichrist are allowed to return with the power of their Father again, what can be hereafter looked for by reason to the man of God and true christian abiding in this realm, but extreme violence of death or else to deny his master. I grant the heart ⟨image 17⟩of princes are in Gods hands, and whether soever he will he can make them to bow, and also that christian princes in old time used a more gentle kind of punishment, even to them which were heretics in deed, as degradation and deposition out of their rooms and offices, exile and banishment out of their dominions & countries, and also (as it is red) the true bishops of christs church were sometimes intercessors for the heretics unto princes that they would not kill them, as is red of S. Augustine. But as yet Antichrists kingdom was not so erected at that time, nor is now accustomed to order them that will not fall down and worship the beast and his image, but (even as all the world knoweth) after the same manner that both John and Daniel hath prophesied before, that is by violence of death, and Daniel declareth further the kind of death accustomably should be by sword, fire, and imprisonment. Therefore if thou O man of God, do purpose to abide in this ⟨image 17⟩realm, prepare and arm thy self to die, for, both by antichrists accustomable laws, and these prophecies, there is no appearance or likelihood of any other thing, except thou wilt deny thy master Christ, which is the loss at the last both of body & soul unto everlasting death. Therefore my good brother or sister in Christ whatsoever thou be, to thee that canst and mayest so do, that counsel that I think is the best safeguard for thee, both for thy body, and most surety for thy souls health, is that which I shall show thee hereafter. But first I warn thee to understand me to speak to him or her which be not in captivity or called already for to confess christ, but is at liberty abroad. My counsel I say therefore is this, to fly from the plague and to get thee hence.
Nowe then seinge the doctrine of antechriste is retourned agayne into this realme, and the higher powers (alas) are so deceaued and bewitched yt they are perswaded it to be truth, and Christes true doctrin to be error and heresie, and the old lawes of antechrist are allowed to returne wyth the power of their Father agayne, what can be hereafter loked for by reason to the man of God and trewe christian abiding in this realme, but extreame violence of deathe or els to deny his master. I graunt the harte