Let us therefore look diligently whereunto 1we are called, that we deceive not our selves. We are called, not to dispute as the popes disciples do: but to dye with Christ, that we may live with him, and to suffer with him, that we may reign with him. We be called unto a kingdom, that must be won with suffering only, as a sick man winneth health. 2God is he that doth all thing for us, and fighteth for us, & we do but suffer only. Christ saith, John xx. As my Father sent me, so send I you. and John xv. If they persecute me, then shall they persecute you. and Christ saith Math. x. I send you forth, as sheep among ⟨p. 99⟩wolves. The sheep fight not: but the shepherd fighteth for them, and careth for them. Be harmless as Doves therefore, saith Christ, and wise as serpents. The doves imagine no defence, nor seek to avenge themselves. 3The serpents wisdom is, to keep his head, and those parts wherein his life resteth. Christ is our head, and Gods word is that wherein our life resteth. To cleave therefore fast unto Christ, and unto those promises which God hath made us for his sake, is our wisdom. Beware of men (saith he) for they shall deliver you up unto their counsels, and shall scourge you, and ye shall be brought before rulers, and kings for my sake: the brother shall betray, or deliver the brother to death, and the father, the son: and the children shall rise against father and mother, and put them to death. Hear what Christ saith more, The disciple is not greater than his master, neither the servant greater or better then his Lord: if they have called the goodman of the house Beelzebub, how much rather shall they call his household servants so? And Luke xiiij. saith Christ, Which of you disposed to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to perform it? lest when he hath laid the foundation, and then not able to perform it, all that behold it, begin to mock him, 4saying: this man began to build, and was not able to make an end: so likewise none of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, can be my disciple. Whosoever therefore casteth not this aforehand, I must jeopard life, goods, honour, worship, and all that there is, for Christs sake.) deceiveth him self, and maketh a mock of himself, unto the godless hypocrites & infidels.
Let vs therefore looke diligently whereunto 1we are called, that we deceaue not our selues. We are called, not to dispute as the popes disciples do: but to dye with Christ, that we may liue with him, and to suffer with him, that we may raigne with him. We be called vnto a kingdome, that must be wonne wt suffring only, as a sicke man winneth health. 2God is he that doth all thing for vs, and fighteth for vs, & we do but suffer onely. Christ sayth, Iohn xx. As my Father sent me, so sende I you. and Iohn xv. If they persecute me, then shall they persecute you. and Christ sayth Math. x. I send you forth, as sheepe among ⟨p. 99⟩wolues. The sheepe fight not: but the shepheard fighteth for them, and careth for them. Be harmeles as Doues therfore, saith Christ, and wise as serpentes. The doues imagine no defence, nor seeke to auenge themselues. 3The serpentes wisedome is, to keepe his head, and those partes wherein his life resteth. Christ is our head, and Gods word is that wherin our life resteth. To cleaue therfore fast vnto Christ, and vnto those promises which God hath made vs for his sake, is our wisedome. Beware of men (sayth he) for they shall deliuer you vp vnto theyr counsels, and shall scourge you, and ye shall be brought before rulers, and kinges for my sake: the brother shall betray, or deliuer the brother to death, and the father, the sonne: and the children shall rise against father and mother, and put them to death. Heare what Christ sayth more, The disciple is not greater thē his master, neyther the seruaunte greater or better then his Lorde: if they haue called the goodman of the house Beelzebub, how much rather shall they call his household seruants so? And Luke xiiij. sayth Christ, Which of you disposed to builde a tower, sitteth not downe fyrst, and counteth the cost, whether he haue sufficient to performe it? lest when he hath layd the foundation, and then not able to performe it, al that behold it, begin to mocke him, 4saying: this man beganne to builde, and was not able to make an ende: so likewise none of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, can be my disciple. Whosoeuer therefore casteth not this aforehand, I must ieoberd life, goods, honor, worship, and al that there is, for Christes sake.) deceaueth him selfe, and maketh a mocke of himselfe, vnto the godles hipocrites & infidels.
- 1Whereunto a christian is called.Wherunto a christian is called.
- 2Our fighting is to suffer while God fighteth for us.Our fighting is to suffer while God fighteth for vs.
- 3The wisdom of the Serpent.The wisedome of the Serpent.
- 4He maketh a mock of him self, that casteth not the end •re he beginHe maketh a mocke of him selfe, that casteth not the ende •re he begin
