A10781:52
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.
The carnal Jews knew there was a promise made that Elijah should ⟨image 27⟩come before christ Messiah the anointed of god, to prepare his ways: they knew also there was a promise of Messiah, that he should come and be a king & reign in the house of David for evermore, but they understood all so grossly & so carnally, that they neither knew Elijah nor Messiah when they came, for they looked for Elijah to come down from heaven in his own person, & for Messiah to come & reign in worldly pomp, power, riches & glory, when as the prophecies of both were spiritually to have been understanded: of Elijah that he should come not in person but in spirit, that is, one which should be endued with the spirit and gifts of grace of Elijah, which was in deed John Baptist, as christ himself did declare to his apostles: & of Messiah reign, all the prophets were to be understā dead of the reign of his spiritual kingdom over the house of Jacob, & the true Israelites for evermore. And so by that their gross and carnal understanding they mistake both Elijah ⟨image 27⟩and the true Messiah, and when they came, knew neither of them both. So likewise I fear me (nay it is certain) the world that wanteth the light of the spirit of god, (for the world is not able to receive him, sayeth John) neither doth, nor shall know the beast nor his marks, though he rage cruelly & live never so beastly, & though his marked men be in number like the sand of the sea. The lord therefore vouchsafe to open the eyes of the blind with the light of grace, that they may see & perceive, and understand the words of god after the mind of his spirit. Amen.
The carnal Iewes knewe ther was a promise made that Helias shoulde ⟨image 27⟩come before christ Messias the anointed of god, to prepare his waies: thei knewe also there was a promyse of Messias, that he shoulde come and be a kinge & raigne in the house of Dauid for euermore, but thei vnderstode all so grosely & so carnally, that they neyther knewe Helias nor Messias whē they came, for they loked for Helias to come downe from heauen in his own persō, & for Messias to come & raygne in worldly pompe, power, riches & glorye, when as the prophecies of both were spiritually to haue bene vnderstanded: of Helias that he should come not in person but in spirit, that is, one which should be indued with the spirit and giftes of grace of Helias, which was in deede Iohn Baptist, as christ himself dyd declare to his apostles: & of Messias raygne, all the prophets were to be vnderstā ded of ye raigne of his spiritual kingdome ouer the house of Iacob, & the true Israelites for euermore. And so by that theyr grosse and carnall vnderstandinge they mystake both Helias