Four godly sermons against the pollution of idolatries comforting men in persecutions, and teaching…Foure godlye sermons agaynst the pollution of idolatries comforting men in persecutions, and teachyng…

I mean this by the most part of men. For this same persecution is as it were a touch stone, wherewith god doth try and prove who be his: but there are few found of that faith, courage and godliness towards god, that they will offer them selves frankly and freely unto death for his names sake. This is a thing almost incredible, that they which do glory, that they have some knowledge in the gospel, are so impudent and unshamfast, they will use such cavillations. Some will say, what shall it avail to confess our faith before those stubborn stifnecked men, which are purposed to war against god himself? Is not this to cast pearls before swine? As who would say, Jesus Christ doth not most plainly declare, that he doth require of us the confession of his name yea among most perverse & wicked men? ⟨image 43⟩But if this our testimony do nothing profit to their edifying, yet shall it profit to their confusion. Always the confession of our faith doth savour sweetly before god although it bring death and destruction to wicked men. There be other also which will say this, what shall our death profit when it shall seem to give more offence then utility? As though god hath left to them selves free choice to dye when they will or when they shall think it the most apt time of death? But we contrary wise do obey him but as for the fruit that must come by our death, we leave to the hand & providence of god. Wherefore the christian man must most chiefly in what place so ever he be, diligently see that he live in that simplicity and integrity that god requireth, and that he be not brought from that mind & manner of godly and holy life at any time with any dangers or threatenings. Let him eschew so much as is possible the raging madness of the wolves, so that the same warns be not joined with the prudence and craftiness of the flesh.

I meane this by ye most part of men. For this same persecution is as it were a touche stone, wherwith god doth trye and proue who be his: but ther are fewe found of that faith, cowrage and godlines towardes god, that they will offer them selues frankely and freely vnto death for his names sake. This is a thing almost incredible, that they which do glory, that they haue some knowlege in the gospell, are so impudent and vnshamfast, they wil vse such cauillatiōs. Some wil say, what shal it auail to cōfess our faith before those stubborne stifnecked men, whiche are purposed to warre agaīst god himselfe? Is not this to cast pearles before swine? As who wolde say, Iesus Christ doth not most plainly declare, yt he doth requier of vs ye cōfessiō of his name yea amōg most perverse & wicked men?