TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL SIR THOMAS HENNEAGE KNIGHT, TREASURER OF HER Majesties privy chamber, VV. GACE wisheth peace and salvation in Christ.TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL SYR THOMAS HENNEAGE KNIGHT, TREASVRER OF HER MAiesties priuie chamber, VV. GACE wisheth peace and saluation in Christ.

TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL SIR THOMAS HENNEAGE KNIGHT, TREASURER OF HER Majesties privy chamber, VV. GACE wisheth peace and salvation in Christ.

TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL SYR THOMAS HENNEAGE KNIGHT, TREASVRER OF HER MAiesties priuie chamber, VV. GACE wisheth peace and saluation in Christ.

Considering (right Worshipful) that saying of David alleged by the Apostle Paul, that there is none that understandeth, none that seeketh after God, that all are gone out of the way and become unprofitable: me thinks it doth lively set forth the blindness of mans understanding, the wickedness of his vvill, and his perverseness and unhabilitie unto that which is good. Whereof if we had not many testimonies of Scripture, yet common experience were able to confirm the same, when we daily see men so careful to live, and so careless to live well. Howbeit this is no marvel: for as a tree whose root is rotten and infected with venomous sap, bringeth forth none but corrupt and naughty fruit: so from mans hart which is corrupt and infected with the venom of sin, can proceed nothing that is good.

COnsydering (right VVorshipfull) that saying of Dauid alleaged by the Apostle Paul, that there is none that vnderstandeth, none that seeketh after God, that all are gone out of the vvay and become vnprofitable: me thinkes it doth liuely set forth the blindnesse of mans vnderstanding, the vvickednesse of his vvill, and his peruersnes and vnhabilitie vnto that vvhich is good. VVhereof if vve had not many testimonies of Scripture, yet common experience vvere able to confirme the same, vvhen vve daily see men so carefull to liue, and so carelesse to liue vvell. Hovvbeit this is no meruell: for as a tree vvhose roote is rotten and infected vvith venimous sappe, bringeth forth none but corrupt and naughty frute: so from mans hart vvhich is corrupt and infected vvith the venim of sinne, can proceede nothing that is good.

Now mans understanding being blind, he is not able of him self to attain to the knowledge of God, and consequently without some other means or help can not be saved: for this, as our Saviour in the Gospel saith, is life everlasting, to know one only true God, and him whom he hath sent Jesus Christ. Again, mans vvill being corrupt, he is not ⟨image 4⟩able to serve God as his duty requireth, as to honour him as his Lord, to obey him as his father, to trust in him as his Protector and preserver, to be thankful to him for his infinite benefits, &c. Wherefore lest man being ignorant of God should be excluded from salvation, or lest through the wickedness of his vvill and inclination to evil, he should dishonour so high a Lord, disobey so good a father, distrust so careful a preserver, and be unthankful to so gracious a giver, who doth not see how requisite and needful it is, that he should by good instructions be brought to the knowledge of the Lord God, and by godly exhortations and admonitions be reclaimed from his wicked ways to the performance of his duty? Now forasmuch as God hath in his word revealed so much of him self as is expedient for man to know, & hath therein also prescribed that manner of serving him whereof be accepteth, man must out of it learn the true knowledge and right service of God, and therefore most necessary it is that this word be preached & taught, that thereby man may learn to know God, and truly to worship & serve him being known. So shall his mind be enlightened with divine knowledge, and his vvill reformed according to Gods vvil, so shall this word be a lantern unto his feet, and a light unto his paths, whereby he may be directed in all his ways. But (alas) this is a thing to be lamented, that the harvest is great, but the labourers are few. For among them which supply the places of labourers in the Lords harvest, some there be who do with diligence discharge their duty, many moe there are, who albeit they be able, yet do either quite neglect it, or very slenderly execute it, but greatest is the number of them, who for lack of skill & knowledge are not able at all to perform it.

Novv mans vnderstanding being blinde, he is not able of him selfe to attaine to the knovvledge of God, and consequently vvithout some other meanes or helpe can not be saued: for this, as our Sauiour in the Gospell sayth, is life euerlasting, to knovv one onely true God, and him vvhom he hath sent Iesus Christ. Againe, mans vvill being corrupt, he is not ⟨image 4⟩

Wherefore there is great need to pray the Lord of the harvest, that he vvill send forth labourers into his harvest, whereby many moe then do may receive the Gospel of Christ Jesus even to the salvation of ⟨image 4⟩their souls.

VVherefore there is great neede to pray the Lord of the haruest, that he vvill send forth labourers into his haruest, vvhereby many moe then doe may receiue the Gospell of Christ Iesus euen to the saluation of ⟨image 4⟩their soules.

The premisses well weighed, I think (right Worshipful) there may a sufficient reason be gathered, why I did purpose the publishing of these Sermons of D. Martin Luther in our vulgar tongue, and why at the last I have by some labour and pains brought the said purposed publishing to pass. I was in deed at the first procured thereunto by a learned Father of this land, whose words and judgement I make no small account of, but afterward entering into deeper consideration of the matter, and weighing on the one side the great ignorance of many even in matters of salvation, together with the daily dishonouring of God by ungodly life: and on the other side the divine doctrine and most wholesome exhortations which these Sermons contain, I was more forcibly stirred up thereunto, and thought that the painful perusing of them, and fruitful following of that whereof they entreat, would be a sovereign salve to help to cure such dangerous diseases. For by them may they learn to know one only true God, and whom he hath sent Jesus Christ, and the infinite riches which are comprised in him, and offered unto us through him of God his Father: that he humbled him self to exalt us, that he became a servant to set us at liberty, that he was impoverished to make us rich, that he dyed for our sins, & rose again for our justification, that through his means mercy hath swallowed up misery, and bounty hath overcome all evil, finally that without him there is no joy nor consolation, no peace nor quietness, no felicity nor salvation, but that he is the only means by which all good things are attained: so that they which enjoy him receive not one gift alone, as with Solomon wisdom, with Samson strength, with Job patience, with Paul zeal, &c: but for poverty they receive riches, for weakness strength, for folly wisdom, for servitude freedom, for grief joy, for sin righteousness, for death life, yea all good things whatsoever.

The premisses vvell vveyed, I thinke (right VVorshipfull) there may a sufficient reason be gathered, vvhy I did purpose the publishing of these Sermons of D. Martin Luther in our vulgar tongue, and vvhy at the last I haue by some labour and paynes brought the sayd purposed publishing to passe. I vvas in deede at the first procured thereunto by a learned Father of this lande, vvhose vvordes and iudgement I make no small account of, but aftervvard entring into deeper consideration of the matter, and vveying on the one side the great ignorance of many euen in matters of saluation, togither vvith the dayly dishonouring of God by vngodly life: and on the other side the diuine doctrine and most vvholsom exhortations vvhich these Sermons conteine, I vvas more forcibly stirred vp thereunto, and thought that the painefull perusing of them, and frutefull follovving of that vvhereof they entreat, vvould be a souereigne salue to help to cure such daungerous diseases. For by them may they learne to knovv one onely true God, and vvhom he hath sent Iesus Christ, and the infinit riches vvhich are comprised in him, and offered vnto vs through him of God his Father: that he humbled him selfe to exalt vs, that he became a seruaunt to set vs at libertie, that he vvas empouerished to make vs rich, that he dyed for our sinnes, & rose again for our iustification, that through his meanes mercie hath svvallovved vp miserie, and bounty hath ouercome all euill, finally that vvithout him there is no ioy nor consolation, no peace nor quietnes, no felicitie nor saluation, but that he is the onely meanes by vvhich all good thinges are attained: so that they vvhich enioy him receiue not one gift alone, as vvith Salomon vvisedom, vvith Samson strength, vvith Iob patience, vvith Paule zeale, &c: but for pouertie they receiue riches, for vveakenes strength, for folly vvisedom, for seruitude freedom, for griefe ioy, for sinne righteousnes, for death life, yea all good thinges vvhatsoeuer.

Wherefore if the faithful man be pressed with poverty, he may here learn that by Christ he is adopted to be the Son of God, and so may be comforted, saying to him self: How can he be poor which hath God to his Father? who both is able to give all things necessary, for his is the earth and all that therein is, and also vvill give the same, because he is most loving and gracious to his children. Again, if he feel in him self weakness, he may learn here that he is not able of him self to attain unto strength, but that it is the gift of Christ, who strengtheneth such as believe in him, & so may be stirred up by hearty prayer to ask the same of him, that he vvill vouchsafe by his holy spirit to strengthen and confirm him, that he may be able to perform that by grace, which by nature and of him self he shall never be able to do: as mightily to subdue the rebellious flesh, strongly to resist, and at the last valiantly to overcome the tentations of Satan, patiently to bear the troubles of the world, and constantly to contemn the allurements of the same. Moreover, if he thirst after divine and heavenly wisdom, (which is to know God aright, and those things that are necessary to be known to the attaining of salvation) he may find here largely and lively set forth, that Christ came his Fathers Ambassador and Messenger to men, that by him they might be brought to the right knowledge of God, and into all truth, so that by him we are enlightened with the knowledge of God, by him we are instructed in all truth, and consequently by him we obtain divine and heavenly wisdom. Here also shall he learn that Christ was made under the law, that he might redeem them which were in bondage under the law, & of servile bondmen make them free sons, even the children of God.

VVherefore if the faithfull man be pressed vvith pouertie, he may here learne that by Christ he is adopted to be the Sonne of God, and so may be comforted, saying to him selfe: Hovv can he be poore vvhich hath God to his Father? vvho both is able to giue all thinges necessary, for his is the earth and all that therein is, and also vvill giue the same, because he is most louing and gracious to his children. Againe, if he feele in him selfe vveaknes, he may learne here that he is not able of him selfe to attaine vnto strength, but that it is the gift of Christ, vvho strengtheneth such as beleeue in him, & so may be stirred vp by harty prayer to aske the same of him, that he vvill vouchsafe by his holy spirit to strengthen and confirme him, that he may be able to performe that by grace, vvhich by nature and of him selfe he shall neuer be able to doe: as mightely to subdue the rebellious flesh, strongly to resist, and at the last valiauntly to ouercome the tentations of Satan, patiently to beare the troubles of the vvorld, and constantly to contemne the allurements of the same. Moreouer, if he thirst after diuine and heauenly vvisedom, (vvhich is to knovv God aright, and those thinges that are necessary to be knovvne to the attaining of saluation) he may finde here largely and liuely set forth, that Christ came his Fathers Embassadour and Messenger to men, that by him they might be brought to the right knovvledge of God, and into all truth, so that by him vve are enlightened vvith the knovvledge of God, by him vve are instructed in all truth, and consequently by him vve obtaine diuine and heauenly vvisedom. Here also shall he learne that Christ vvas made vnder the lavve, that he might redeeme them vvhich vvere in bondage vnder the lavve, & of seruile bondmen make them free sonnes, euen the children of God.

Furthermore, if grief and heaviness come upon him, he is here taught where true joy may be had, even in Christ ⟨image 5⟩Jesus alone, that in him only he may find sure comfort, sovereign medicines, present remedy, true joy of heart and quietness of conscience. Finally, whereas we are sinful, and have by our since justly deserved Gods eternal wrath and most heavy vengeance, he shall here learn that Christ hath payed the ransom for our since, and pacified Gods most grievous wrath and displeasure justly conceived against us. And because it is not sufficient that due satisfaction be made for since, and Gods wrath appeased, but we must also appear righteous before God, it is here showed, that as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one, namely of Jesus Christ, as many as believe in him shall be made righteous, inasmuch as his righteousness is imputed to them as their own, whereby they appear perfectly righteous before God, and are accepted of him: so that whereas they had of themselves deserved eternal death, they are through Christ accounted worthy of everlasting life. But what do I go about to rehearse the infinite treasures which the faithful enjoy through Christ? it shall be sufficient to conclude with the Apostle Paul, and say: If God spared not his own Son, but gave him for us all to death, how shall he not with him give us all things also?

Furthermore, if griefe and heauines come vpon him, he is here taught vvhere true ioy may be had, euen in Christ ⟨image 5⟩Iesus alone, that in him onely he may fynde sure comfort, souereigne medicines, present remedie, true ioy of heart and quietnes of conscience. Finally, vvhereas vve are synnefull, and haue by our synnes iustly deserued Gods eternall vvrath and most heauie vengeance, he shall here learne that Christ hath payed the ransome for our synnes, and pacified Gods most grieuous vvrath and displeasure iustly conceiued against vs. And because it is not sufficient that due satisfaction be made for synnes, and Gods vvrath appeased, but vve must also appeare righteous before God, it is here shevved, that as by one mans disobedience many vvere made synners, so by the obedience of one, namely of Iesus Christ, as many as beleeue in him shalbe made righteous, inasmuch as his righteousnes is imputed to them as their ovvne, vvhereby they appeare perfectly righteous before God, and are accepted of him: so that vvhereas they had of themselues deserued eternall death, they are through Christ accounted vvorthie of euerlasting life. But vvhat doe I goe about to rehearse the infinite treasures vvhich the faithfull enioy through Christ? it shall be sufficient to conclude vvith the Apostle Paule, and say: If God spared not his ovvne Sonne, but gaue him for vs all to death, hovv shall he not vvith him giue vs all thinges also?

Now forasmuch as these things, and the right means to attain unto them, are in these Sermons of that most learned Divine Martin Luther most learnedly, yea even divinely set forth, they may undoubtedly be a singular mean, not only to instruct them which be ignorant in matters of salvation, but also to increase and confirm the knowledge of such, as have already well profited in Christian religion. Howbeit there is annexed hereunto sound and absolute doctrine concerning good works and godly conversation, as being most necessary to be of all Christians perfectly known, and effectually followed. For Christians through Christ being become the Sons of God, how unmeet, yea how ⟨image 6⟩abominable a thing is it that they should resemble Satan in their doings? being now made the members of Christ, how detestable a thing is it that they should be instruments of iniquity? being now the temple of the holy Ghost, how beastly a thing were it to defile the same with the filthiness of sin? Finally having received so many and so great benefits of God through Christ, how wicked and shameful a thing should it be, to be unthankful to so gracious a God, to be disobedient to so loving a Father, in any wise to displease so merciful a Saviour? But it shall be needless much to stand upon this point, seeing it is not unknown to the faithful with how great endeavour they ought to avoid that which is evil, and embrace that which is good, and therefore shall sincere & perfect doctrine concerning good works be unto them no less commodious and profitable, then needful and necessary.

Novv forasmuch as these thinges, and the right meanes to attaine vnto them, are in these Sermons of that most learned Diuine Martin Luther most learnedly, yea euen diuinely set forth, they may vndoutedly be a singular meane, not onely to instruct them vvhich be ignorant in matters of saluation, but also to increase and confirme the knovvledge of such, as haue already vvell profited in Christian religion. Hovvbeit there is annexed hereunto sound and absolute doctrine concerning good vvorkes and godly conuersation, as being most necessary to be of all Christiās perfectly knovvne, and effectually follovved. For Christians through Christ being become the Sonnes of God, hovv vnmeete, yea hovv ⟨image 6⟩abhominable a thinge is it that they should resemble Satan in their doinges? being novv made the members of Christ, hovv detestable a thing is it that they should be instruments of iniquitie? being novv the temple of the holy Ghost, hovv beastly a thinge vvere it to defyle the same vvith the filthines of synne? Finally hauing receiued so many and so great benefites of God through Christ, hovv vvicked and shamefull a thinge should it be, to be vnthankefull to so gracious a God, to be disobedient to so louing a Father, in any vvise to displease so mercifull a Sauiour? But it shalbe needelesse much to stand vpon this point, seeing it is not vnknovvne to the faithfull vvith hovv great endeuour they ought to auoyde that vvhich is euill, and embrace that vvhich is good, and therefore shall syncere & perfect doctrine concerning good vvorkes be vnto them no lesse commodious and profitable, then needefull and necessarie.

For the causes above specified especially among other, I have (right Worshipful) though not finely, yet faithfully translated these Sermons into our vulgar tongue, and have done mine endeavour for the publishing of the same, which I do humbly dedicate to your Worships protection, by your zealous godliness and godly zeal chiefly moved thereunto, whereby I am induced to think that you vvill well accept of them. For as the godly do with David delight in the Ark of the Covenant, in the Tabernacle of the Lord, in the holy Mount Zion, that is, in the Church of God: so do they with the same David desire the building of this house of God, the flourishing of this vine, the peace and prosperity of this heavenly Jerusalem, and therefore that which is a mean and furtherance hereunto they do not only love and like, but also highly esteem, and heartily pray for. Wherefore (right Worshipful) I think it altogether superfluous to go about with words to procure your well liking and accepting of these Sermons, forasmuch as they tend only to ⟨image 6⟩this end, that the Church of God may by them be edified, as in the premisses is of me declared. Whereas in translating them I have used a plain kind of stile (yet such as sufficiently expresseth the meaning of the author) and not studied for curious words & eloquent phrases, the cause thereof is, for that I prefer plainness with profit, before much curiosity with smaller commodity, so that I nothing at all fear that in this respect they shall be misliked of the godly, whose misliking only I endeavour to avoid.

For the causes aboue specified especially among other, I haue (right VVorshipfull) though not finely, yet faithfully translated these Sermons into our vulgar tounge, and haue done myne endeuour for the publishing of the same, vvhich I doe humbly dedicate to your VVorships protection, by your zealous godlines and godly zeale chiefly moued thereunto, vvhereby I am induced to thinke that you vvill vvell accept of them. For as the godly do vvith Dauid delight in the Arke of the Couenant, in the Tabernacle of the Lord, in the holy Mount Sion, that is, in the Church of God: so doe they vvith the same Dauid desyre the building of this house of God, the florishing of this vine, the peace and prosperitie of this heauenly Ierusalem, and therefore that vvhich is a meane and furtherance hereunto they doe not onely loue and like, but also hiely esteeme, and hartily praye for. VVherefore (right VVorshipfull) I thinke it altogether superfluous to goe about vvith vvordes to procure your vvell liking and accepting of these Sermons, forasmuch as they tend onely to

Thus (as it seems unto me) having entreated sufficiently of those things which I thought pertinent to my present purpose, I do here conclude, desiring the Lord God, that he vvill by his holy Spirit always govern and direct you in the true obedience of his blessed word, to the glory of his divine Name, to the profit of your neighbours, and comfort of your conscience, so shall you assuredly have prosperous success in all your affairs, and at the last obtain everlasting joys and endless felicity, by the only means of Christ Jesus our Saviour.

Thus (as it seemes vnto me) hauing intreated sufficiently of those thinges vvhich I thought pertinent to my present purpose, I doe here conclude, desyring the Lord God, that he vvill by his holy Spirit alvvayes gouerne and direct you in the true obedience of his blessed vvorde, to the glorie of his diuine Name, to the profit of your neighbours, and comfort of your conscience, so shall you assuredly haue prosperous successe in all your affayres, and at the last obtaine euerlasting ioyes and endlesse felicitie, by the onely meanes of Christ Iesus our Sauiour.

Your Worships humbly at commandment W. GACE.

Your Worships humbly at commaundement W. GACE.