It rather falleth out to an offence, as if God had left to their choice to die when they think good, and when they shall see a fit time. But contrariwise we approve our obedience, leaving the profit into his hand that shall come of our death. Wherefore in the first place, it behoveth that a christian man, in what country soever he be, notwithstanding dangers and threatenings, that he fully determine to walk in simplicity, as God hath commanded, Let him keep him ⟨p. 15⟩self as much as he can from the rage of the Wolves: so that the same be not done thorough the craft of the flesh. Above all let him resign his life into Gods hands. Hath he done this? If it fall out that he fall into the hands of enemies, let him think that God hath brought him into that place,1 & will have him to be one of the witnesses of his son, and therefore that there is no way to draw back, unless it be in denying our faith to him, to whom we have promised all duty: both to live and to dye, and to whom we are and belong, although we had promised nothing unto him. Hereby I do not bind all men of necessity to make a full and entire confession of all that they believe, admit that they were thereto required, S. Paul in this point hath used a good moderation, who was as ready as any other freely to maintain the cause of the gospel, as he ought. And also it was not without cause that our Lord Jesus promised that in such a case he will give us a mouth & Wisdom: as if he should say, that the office of the holy ghost is not only to strengthen us to be bold and valiant: but also to give unto us Wisdom and discretion, to ⟨image 17⟩know how it becometh us to rule and govern our selves in so great and hard a matter.2 The sum is, that they which are in such distress, should ask and receive such Wisdom from above, not following their carnal counsel to seek a way to escape, (as they say) by any cross or bypaths. There are also which reply that our Saviour Jesus Christ himself, answered not to them that asked of him. But I say first of all, that this serveth not to abolish the rule which he hath given us, to make confession of our faith, when we are thereto required Secondly I say, that he never dissē bled to save his life. Thirdly that he never gave answer so doubtful, that it did not import sufficient witness of that which he had spoken:
It rather falleth out to an offence, as if God had left to their choise to die when they thinke good, and when they shall see a fit time. But contrariwise wee approue oure obedience, leauing the profit into his hand that shall come of our death. Wherefore in the first place, it behoueth that a christian man, in what country soeuer he be, notwithstanding daungers and threatninges, that hee fully determine to walke in simplicity, as God hath commaunded, Let him keep him ⟨p. 15⟩selfe asmuch as he can from the rage of the Wolues: so that the same be not done thorough the crafte of the flesh. Aboue all let him resign his life into Gods hands. Hath he done this? If it fall out that hee fall into the handes of enemies, let him thinke that God hath brought him into that place,1 & will haue him to be one of the witnesses of his sonne, and therefore that there is no way to draw backe, vnlesse it be in denying our fayth to him, to whom we haue promised all duety: both to liue and to dye, and to whome wee are and belong, although wee had promised nothing vnto him. Hereby I doe not binde all men of necessitye to make a full and entire confession of all that they beleeue, admit yt they were therto required, S. Paul in this point hath vsed a good moderation, who was as ready as any other freely to mainteine the cause of the gospel, as he ought. And also it was not without cause that our Lorde Iesus promised that in suche a case hee will giue vs a mouth & Wisedome: as if he should say, that the office of the holy ghost is not only to strengthen vs to be bold and valiant: but also to giue vnto vs Wisdome and discretion, to ⟨image 17⟩know howe it becommeth vs to rule and gouerne our selues in so great and harde a matter.2 The summe is, that they which are in such distresse, should ask and receiue such Wisdome from aboue, not following their carnall counsell to seeke a waye to escape, (as they say) by any crosse or bypathes. There are also whiche reply that our Sauiour Iesus Christ himselfe, aunswered not to them that asked of him. But I say firste of all, that this serueth not to abolishe the rule which hee hath giuen vs, to make confession of our fayth, when we are thereto required Secondly I say, that he neuer dissē bled to saue his life. Thirdly that he neuer gaue answer so doubtful, yt it did not import sufficient witnesse of that which he had spoken:
- 1He that is once caught for religion hath no means to go back. It is necessary that we answer to all that the wicked demand of us.He that is once caught for religion hath no means to go backe. It is necessary that we aunswere to all that the wicked demand of vs.
- 2why Christ sometime held his peace. It is the rule of christians to confess his faith being required. Christ never dissembled to save his life. Rosse his examination which he wrote is here answered. The testimony of the verity ought more to be regarded of us then our life. We may not regard what other men do, but what they ought to do. John 21.why Christe sometime helde his peace. It is the rule of christians to confesse his faith being required. Christ neuer dissembled to saue his life. Rosse his examination which he wrote is here answered. The testimony of the verity ought more to bee regarded of vs then our life. VVee maye not regarde what other men do, but what they ought to do. Iohn 21.
