A10781:91
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.
Another letter of the same John Careless sent to the same party.
Another letter of the same Iohn Careles sent to the same party.
¶Grace, mercy and peace, from god our eternal and most deer loving father, with quietness of conscience in our sweet lord and only saviour Jesus Christ, with increase of knowledge, health, strength, and spiritual joy in and through the mighty operation of the holy ghost our everlasting comfort, be with you now and ever, my most dear & loving sister K. E. to the good performance of all that he hath so graciously begun in you, in such sort as may be most to his glory, the comfort of his pore afflicted church, and to the increase of your own everlasting joy in him. Amen.
¶Grace, mercy and peace, from god our eternall and most deere louing father, wyth quyetnes of conscience in our swete lorde and only sauiour Iesus Chryst, with increase of knowledge, health, strength, and spiritual ioy in and through the mighty operatiō of the holy ghost our euerlastinge comforte, be wyth you nowe and euer, my moste dere & louing sister K. E. to the good perfourmance of all that he hathe so graciously begon in you, in such sort as may be moste to his glory•, the comforte of hys pore afflicted churche, and to the eucrease of your owne euerlastinge ioy in him. Amen.
AS I am by no means able, (my deer heart in the lord) in the least point to recompense any part of the great love, faithful friendship & manifold kindness, that you have so largely extended unto me: even so am I not able to declare, how much, and how deeply I am continually ⟨image 46⟩bound to give god most humble praise and continual thanks for you, and on your behalf. Before God I speak it, I can not with pen express what joy and comfort my poor afflicted hart hath conceived of you, and that in more respects then I will or can now declare. Ah my dear sister K. whose humble hart and lowly spirit doth to me presently appear in your most godly and loving letter, blessed are you, and all such meek handmaids of the lord. For doubtless you shall be exalted in that day, when the proud persons of the world, and high minded Pharisees shall be cast down. God for evermore be blessed, who hath given you (contrary to nature) such a meek & humble hart. For upon all such (he saith himself) his holy spirit shall rest, which promise is full well verified on you: which holy spirit of his, is the good guide and leader, yea the only teacher and instructor of all the lords dear elect children. And as it hath truly taught you to caste your self down (as it is most convenient)