A16580:66
Godly meditations upon the Lords prayer, the belief, and ten commandments with other comfortable…Godlie meditations vpon the Lordes prayer, the beleefe, and ten commaundementes with other comfortable…
Godly meditations upon the Lords prayer, the belief, and ten commandments with other comfortable meditations, prayers and exercises. Whereunto is annexed a defence of the doctrine of gods eternal election and predestination, gathered by the constant martyr of God John Bradford in the time of his imprisonment. The contents whereof appear in the page next following.Godlie meditations vpon the Lordes prayer, the beleefe, and ten commaundementes with other comfortable meditations, praiers and exercises. Whereunto is annexed a defence of the doctrine of gods eternall election and predestination, gathered by the constant martyr of God Iohn Bradford in the tyme of his imprisonment. The contentes wherof appeare in the page nexte folovvyng.
London : Now first printed by Rouland Hall, dwelling in gutter lane at the sign of the half Eagle and key, the .12. of October 1562London : Nowe fyrst prynted by Rouland Hall, dwellyng in gutter lane at the signe of the halfe Egle and key, the .12. of October 1562
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.
So that here I may learn how far I am from that I should be, and I see thy children are come unto. I see my ignorance also, how that as spiritual things do come from thee: so do temporal things: and as they come from thee, so are they conserved and kept of thee. And therefore thy children are thankful and look for them as thy mere gifts, notwithstanding ⟨image 23⟩the means which they use if they have them. How be it they use them but as means, for except thou work therewith, all is in vain.1
So that here I may learne how far I am frō that I should be, and I see thy children are come vnto. I se my ignoraunce also, how that as spirituall thinges do come from thee: so doe temporall thinges: and as they come from thee, so are they conserued and kepte of thee. And therefore thy chyldren are thankefull and looke for theym as thy meare gyftes, notwythestandynge ⟨image 23⟩the meanes whiche they vse if they haue them. How be it they vse them but as meanes, for except yu worke therwith, all is in vaine.1
Again here I am taught to be content with sufficient for the present time, as thy children be which have the shortness of this life always before their eyes, and therefore they ask but for daily sustenance, knowing this life to be compared to a day, yea a watch, a sound, a shadow, &c. Moreover I may learn to see the con passion and brotherly care, thy children have one for an other. Last of all here I may see thy goodness, which as thou wilt give me all things necessary for this life (or else thou wouldest not bid me ask &c) so thou commandest all men to pray and care for me, and that bodily, much more then if they be able, they are commaū dead to help me both in body & soul. By reason whereof I have great cause to lament and rejoice. To lament because I am not so affected, as thy children be, because of my ignorance my ingratitude, my perversity and