A68831:1145
The whole works of W. Tyndall, John Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs,…The vvhole workes of W. Tyndall, Iohn Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs,…
The whole works of W. Tyndall, John Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs, and principal teachers of this Church of England collected and compiled in one tome together, being before scattered, [and] now in print here exhibited to the Church. To the praise of God, and profit of all good Christian readers.The vvhole workes of W. Tyndall, Iohn Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs, and principall teachers of this Churche of England collected and compiled in one tome togither, beyng before scattered, [and] now in print here exhibited to the Church. To the prayse of God, and profite of all good Christian readers.
London: printed by John Daye, 1573London: printed by Iohn Daye, 1573
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.
Well, though iniquity so highly prevail, and the truth, for which thou diest, be so low kept under and be not once known before the world, in so much that it seemeth rather to be hindered by thy death, then furthered (which is of all griefs the greatest) yet let not thine hart fail thee, neither despair, as though God had forsaken thee, or loved thee not. But comfort thy self with old ensamples, how God hath suffered all his old friends to be so entreated, and also his only & dear Son Jesus. Whose ensample 1above all other set before thine eyes, because thou art sure he was beloved above all other, that thou doubt not, but thou art beloved also, and so much the more beloved, the more thou art like to the image of his ensample in suffering.
Well, though iniquitie so highly preuayle, and the truth, for which thou diest, be so low kept vnder and be not once knowen before the worlde, in so much that it semeth rather to be hindered by thy death, then furthered (which is of all griefes the greatest) yet let not thyne hart fayle thee, neither dispaire, as though God had forsaken thee, or loued thee not. But comfort thy selfe with olde ensamples, how God hath suffred all his olde frendes to be so entreated, and also his onely & deare sonne Iesus. Whose ensample 1aboue all other set before thine eyes, because thou art sure he was beloued aboue all other, that thou doubt not, but thou art beloued also, and so much the more beloued, the more thou art like to the image of his ensample in suffering.
- 1Set the example of Christ before thee.
Did not the hypocrites watch him in all his sermons, to trap him in his own words? was he not subtly apposed, whether it were lawful to pay tribute to Cesar? were not all his words wrong reported? were not his miracles ascribed to Beelzebub? said they not, he was a Samaritan & had a devil in him? was he not called a breaker of the Sabbath, a wine drinker, a friend of Publicans and sinners? did he ought wherewith no fault was found, and that was not interpreted to be done for an evil purpose? was not the pretence of his death the destroying of the temple, to bring him into the hate of all men? was he not thereto accused of treason, that he forbade to pay tribute to Cesar: and that he moved the people to insurrection? Railed they not on him in the bitterest of all his passion, as he hanged on the cross, saying: save thy self thou that savest other: come down from the cross and we will believe in thee: fie wretch that destroyest yt temple of God.