The plain mans path-way to heaven

for […] i• ••••ed away from thee. I will be as the dew unto ⟨p. 246⟩Israel: he shall grow as the Lilly, and fasten his root as the trees of Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the Olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. The Prophet Micah telleth us what is good for us, and what is our best course, and what the Lord requireth at our hands; namely, these four things,¹ To do justly, to love mercy, to humble our selves, and to walk with our God. The Prophet Amos giveth the same counsel, saying, Seek the Lord, ²and ye shall live. Seek good, and not evil. Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgement in the gate. It may be that the Lord of Hosts will be merciful unto the remnant of Joseph. And the Lord himself saith,³ If this Nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their wickedness, I will repent of the plague I thought to bring upon them. Thus we do plainly see what advice and counsel the Prophets and holy men of God do give unto us. The sum of all is this, that if we do truly repent, and turn unto him with all our hearts (studying to obey him, and walk in his ways) then he will grant us any favour that we will require at his hands. For even as a wool-pack, or other soft matter, beateth back, and dampeth the force ⟨p. 247⟩of all shot; so penitent, melting, and soft hearts do beat back the shot of Gods wrath, and turn away his vengeance from us. Moreover, we may observe, in all experience, that when Potentates are offended, or any great man hath conceived a displeasure against some poor man, then he must run and ride, send presents, use his friends, break his sleep, and never be quiet until he have pacified him: Even so must we deal with our God, seeing he hath taken a displeasure against us. O therefore that we would speedily use all possible means to pacify his wrath! Oh that we would with one heart and voice, every one of us (from the highest to the lowest) humble our selves before our God, forsake our former evil ways, be grieved for that we have done, and purpose never to do the like again! Oh that it might go to the hearts of us, that we have so often and so grievously offended so loving a God, and so merciful a Father!