A10781:65
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.
Thinkest thou O thou man of god, that Christ our Saviour had less affection to the first martyr Stephen, because he suffered his enemies even at the first conflict to stone him to death? No surely, nor James Johns ⟨image 35⟩brother, which was one of the three that Paul calleth Primates or Principals amongst the Apostles of Christ. He loved him never a whit the worse then he did the other, although he suffered Herod the tyrants sword to cut of his head, Nay doth not Daniel say speaking of the cruelty of Antichrist his time:1 Et docti in populo docebunt plutimos, & •uent in gladio, & in flamma, & in captivitate, & in rapina dierum &c. Et de cruditis ruent […] conflentur & e••gantur & dealbentu•, &c. That is, and the learned (he meaneth truly learned in gods law) shall teach many, and shall fall upon the sword, and in the flame (that is, shall be burned in the flaming •yer) and in captivity (that is, shall be in prison, and be wo••d and robbed of their goods for along season). And after a little in the same place of Daniel it followeth: and of the learned there be, which shall fall or be overthrown ye they may be known, tried, chosen, & made white: he meaneth, be furnished and scou••d a new, picked and chosen; & made fresh and lustre. If that then was ⟨image 35⟩foreseen for to be done to the godly learned, and for so gracious causes, let every one to whom any such thing by the will of God doeth chance, be merry in God, and rejoice, for it is to Gods glory and to his own everlasting wealth. Wherefore well is he that ever he was borne; for whom thus graciously God hath provided, having grace of God and strength of the holy ghost to stand steadfastly in the height of the storm. Happy is he that ever he was borne, whom God his heavenly father hath vouchsafed to appoint to glorify him, & to edify his church by the effusion of his blood. To die in Christs cause is an high honour, to the which no man certainly shall or can aspire, but to whom god vouchsafeth that dignity: for no man is allowed to presume for to take unto himself any office of honour, but he which is there unto called of god. Therefore John saith well, speaking of them which have obtained the victory by the blood of the lamb and by the word of his testimony,