A68831:1380
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.
Secondarily, this heaping of so many words together, ask, seek and knock, signify that the prayer must be continual, and so doth the parable of the widow that sued to the wicked 1judge: and y• cause is, that we are ever in continual necessity (as I say) and all our life, but even a war fare and a perpetual battle. In which we prevail 2as long as we pray, and be overcome as soon as we cease praying: as Israel overcame the Amalekites. Exod. xvij. as long as Moses held up his hands in prayer, and as soon as he had let down his hands for weariness, the Amalekites prevailed and had the better. Christ warned his Disciples at his last supper to have peace ⟨p. 239⟩in him, affirming that they should have none in y• world. The false Prophets 3shall ever impugn the faith in Christs blood, and enforce to quench the true understanding of the law, and the right meaning and intent of all the works commanded by God, which fight is a fight above all fights. First they shall be in such number that Christs true disciples shall be but a small flock in respect of them. They shall have works like Christs, so that fasting, prayer, poverty obedience and chastity shall be the names of their profession. For as Paul saith to the Corinthians, the angels or messengers of Satan shall change them selves into angels or messengers of light and truth. They shall come in Christs name, and that 4with signs and miracles, and have the upper hand also, even to deceive the very elect if it were possible. Yea & beyond 5all this, if thou get the victory of the false Prophets, and pluck a multitude out of their hands, there shall immediately rise of the same, and set up a new false sect against thee. And against 6all these Amalekites, the only remedy is to lift up the hands of thy heart to God in continual prayer. Which hands, if thou for weariness once let fall, thou goest to the worse immediately. Then beside the fight and conflict of the subtle sophistry, false miracles, disguised and hypocritish works of these false Prophets, cometh the Dogs & Wolves of their Disciples with the servants of Mammon, and the swine of thine own scholars: against which all thou hast no other shield or defence but prayer.