A Sermon Preached at the Christening of a Jew, Sermon · Translation 6

A Sermon Preached at the Christening of a Jew · Sermon · Translation 6

Vrbane Rhegius differing very litle from the common translation, hath written as ensueth.

Seuentie weeks are shortened (or finished, determined) vponupon thy people and vponupon thy holie citie, that wickednes may bee finished (or transgression shalbe restrayned or driuen away) and sinne may come to an ende (or sinne then shalbe shut vp or couered) and iniquitie wyped away (or purged) & euerlasting righteousnes brought in, and the vision or prophesie may be fulfilled (or ensealed) and the holy of holy ones may bee annointed. Knowe therefore and vnderstand, from the going forth of the commandement (that is to say, from the time wherein the commandement was published) that Ierusalem shalbe builded againe, euen to Christ the prince, are seuen weekes and threescore and two weekes, and the streetes and the wall shall be buylded again in the streightes of times. And after threescore and two weekes Christ shall be slaine, and that shall not bee his people which will denie him (or that will not know him, or will forsake him.) And the people of the prince shall come and shal scatter abroad the citie and the Sanctuarie (destroy) and the end thereof destruction (or the end thereof with a tempest, or with a flood) and after the end of the battell appointed desolation (or after the battel all shall remaine desolate) hee shall confirme a couenant with many in one weeke, and in the halfe of the weeke the offring and sacrifice shall decay, and in the temple shalbe abomination of desolation (or vponupon the wing or wings shall stand the abomination of desolation) And euen vntounto the end & consummation shall desolation continue, (or it is decreed that the desolation shall continue euen vntounto the end.)

Ye men and Hebrewes, you heare in this prophesie many strange & wonderful things, which do conuince your errours very singularly. First, where he saieth that your Messhias shal come whiles your common wealth flori…heth in most prosperous estate. If this be true, what hope induceth you to beleeue that your Messhias shall come now, your cō mon wealth being vtterly defaced and scattered? Then, mention is made of the benefits of your Messhias, wherein is foreshewed that he shall be slaine, yea, the time also wherein he shalbe slaine, is expressely set downe. And after threescore two weekes (saieth he) Messhias shalbe cut of **Veein lo) that is as much to say, in short speache of Hebrue, And his life shal be takē from him.Veëin lo. And first herein the Iewes do agree together with vsus, that these weekes are not to be nombred by limitation of dayes, but of yeres.

Wherefore these threescore two weekes spoken of by the Prophet are by computatiō accompted to amount to 436. yeres. After y^e end of which threescore two weekes, Messhias shall establish his couenant by his doctrine, death, & resurrection in the other weeke next ensuing. In the halfe whereof he shal by his owne only sacrifice and oblation, wherein he shal offer him selfe to God the father in his crosse and passion, dissolue and vtterly abolish all your sacrifices and offrings.

But here arise in the meane space manie scrupules to be resolued: first, to knowe at what time those weekes tooke their beginning, and so also when they ended. For herein the learned expositors seeme to be variable in iudgement. Some are of opinion that the beginning of the weekes entred first, whē as the seuentie yeres of their captiuitie were finished: That is to say, from the second yere of the reigne of Darius Histaspes. And of this minde are Clement of Alexandria,Clemens in libris strom. Theodorete, Eusebius, Ierome and Augustine,Eusebius, … chronicis. Theodoret… in cap. 1. Zachariae. Hieronymus in procemio super Aggaeum cap. 1. Augustinus de ciuitate. lib. 18. grounding as it seemeth vponupon the wordes of Zacharie in the first Chapter of his prophesie.

Againe many do denie this vtterly, supposing that the weekes beganne first at the going forth of the commaundement: That is to say, when proclamation was made by the commaundement of Cyrus in the first yere of his raigne, that the Iewes should be released, and sent home into their countrey againe. In like maner they do vary also, about the end and finishing of the said weekes. For some that reckone the beginning of y^e weeks frō the first of Cyrus reigne, do ascribe y^e end of the same to the time of Christes birth in the reigne of Augustus the Emperour of Rome. Some others do drawe them longer to the Baptisme and passion of Christ. Others also accompting frō Darius, do begin at the seconde yere of his raigne: many at the sixt, some others at the twentieth yere thereof. Some writers also mislyking the former opinions, doe make their reckoning otherwise. Besides this scrupule manie seeme to bee encumbred much about the intricate and confused supputation of the yeres and reignes of the kings which succeeded Cyrus and continued vntill the comming of Alexander, which thing chiefely aboue all the rest entangleth the accompt most by reason of the vncertaine limitatiō of those times. There is also no lesse disagreement in the order and obseruatiō of the yeres, betwixt them which do nomber from the raigne of Cyrus: amongst whome those which applie to the byrth of Christ, do recompt the nomber of yeres to be 540: some reckone 501: some otherwise either more or lesse. Finally, albeit the most approued writers do verifie that foureteene Persian kings, or at the lest thirteene succeeded eche other in the kingdome of Persia vntil the conquest of Alexander, yet the Iewes make accompt of foure only. But these buzzards vnacquainted altogether with forreine gouernements, are to be reiected vtterly as vnmeete arbyters of this controuersie.

Some be of opinion, that Cyrus, after the conquest of Babylon reigned twentie yeres, some others seuen yeres only. Some report that betwixt Cyrus & Darius the Assyrian, only Cambyses reigned, and that by the space of twentie yeres. There be others, that making no mention of Cambyses at all, do enterlace betwixt Cyrus and Darius one named Assuerus, and vntounto him they allowe twentie yeres of holding the kingdome likewise. So great is the varietie of opinion also concerning the continuance of the Persian Empire, yea euen amongst y^e learned: whiles some do attribute to that gouernement vnderunder the Persiā Kings 130. yeres ful: others 200 lacking two: some other there bee which otherwise make their calculation.

But as concerning the succession of the Persian kings,The varietie of writers in counting the weekes of Daniel. many of our writers suppose that the Temple began to be builded at Ierusalem in the reigne of Longimanus, who as they say was y^e fourth after Cyrus in success…on: which fourth place Ierome ascribeth to Darius, and driueth this Longimanus to be the seuēth in nomber after Cyrus. Briefly there is no one thing amōgst y^e Historiographers, that moueth more doutful matter of controuersie, aswel among the Grecians as y^e Latinists. Wherein as it would seeme troublesome to recite the names of al the authors that write of this matter: so would it be ouer tedious to recompt al their seueral opinions and reasons alledged thereunto. Neither wil I take vponupon me to determine any certaintie in this cōfuse varietie of wits, nor do I thinke it necessary: namely sithēce this our later age hath raised vp many learned men, who by exquisite comparing of y^e auncient Chronicles, hauehave left to the posteritie commendable testimonie of their studious industrie: who albeit expresse no small disagreement in some certaine points, yet receiuing much light from the auncient Chronicles, seeme to approche somewhat neere the marke.

Philip Melancthon.Philip Melancthon, as in all liberall sciences singularly studied, so through wonderfull trauaile in the careful conference of histories atchieuing a more ripe and sound iudgemēt, setteth downe a double order of reckoning: in the one whereof he nombreth the weekes to begin in the reigne of Cyrus, and so vntil the birth of Christ: in the other he taketh the original of the weekes in y^e time of Longimanus, & so proceedeth vntounto y^e time of Christes death & resurrection, yeelding herein to the iudgement of y^e learned, to make their choise, whether of them they list to approue. But Io. Caluine seemeth to allow neither of thē,Io. Caluine. induced as it seemeth w^t this reason, that y^e beginning of y^e computation ought not to enter in y^e reigne of Longimanus, nor y^• end therof to be determined at the birth of Christ, as he supposeth: which thing truely is very wel noted by Io. Caluine, according to the singular dexteritie of his learning and capacitie.

For as it behoued these weekes to comprehend the fulnes of time, from the free manumission of the captiues, to y^e last purging and clensing of sinnes, which should come to passe by the only oblation of Mes…hias our sauiour: it is out of al question, that neither the reigne of Cyrus is exempted from this abatement of weekes, namely sith the Prophet Esay in y^• 45. cha. of his prophesie,Esai .45. doth note Cyrus by e…pecial name to be y^e only deliuerer of y^e people frō their captiuitie: neither those weekes could be finisht before y^e whole exploit of our redemptiō were of al parts accōplished. And therfore I. Caluine doth not w^tout some probabilitie dissent frō them, who deriue y^e entrye of y^e said weeks frō the second yere of Darius his reigne onelyonly. So would I likewise contentedly ye…ld to his iudgement herein, if he had made a ful & distinct computatiō of all y^t m…ane processe of time, which passed ouer betw…xt y^• going forth of the cōmandement frō Cyrus, to the passion of Christ according to the true and iust proportion of y^e weekes. But forasmuch as those yeres which were betwixt the going forth of the commaundement and the passion of Christ, being duely accompte… do amount aboue 530 yeres, as appeareth by collation of Chronicles: therefore some dout also may be made here, how Caluines reckoning may be appliable to this accompt. For resolution wherof,Matthewe Beroaldus. Matthew Beroalde in his Chronographicall demonstration will helpe vsus somewhat: who beginning his nomber at the reigne of Cyrus also, proceeding onward vntil y^• ascension of Christ, doeth reduce those yeeres which were accomptable betwixt whiles, to the seuentie weekes mencioned in Daniel, to wit, to 490 yeres, or to tē Iubiles, very wel agreable with Caluines reckoning. The same also doeth Gerardus Mercator… very late writer testifie,Gerardus Mercator. if credite may be giuen to their report.

But what answere wil those men make on the other side, to y^e other Historiographers? to Constantine Phrygio,Constantinus Phrygio. who nombreth y^e yeres from the reigne of Cyrus vntounto the passion of Christ 544? to Io. Lucidus & Io. Functius?Ioan Lucidus Ioan Fūctius whereof the one farre otherwise measuring y^• weekes after the death of Cyrus from the xx. yere of Darius, the other from the vii. yere of his reigne, do recompt y^e same to be 490. And to p…sse ouer infinite of the like disagremēts, Theodorus Bibliander also seemeth to be of like opinion to them,Theodorus Bibliander. that make accompt of more yeres betwixt the reigne of Cyrus and the blessed passion of Christ, then are recorded by Beroalde & others. But whether this computation be right, yea or nay, I am not to determine at this present.

Wel thē may some man say, what certainty can be agreed vpō in this so great cōtrarietie & disagreement of opinions? For y^e discharge of which subtil question, I do answere in few words. First the infallible testimonie of gods truth doth not depend vponupon mans determination: howsoeuer men be caried hither & thither in conceipt, & their opinions like clockes whirled about vpō wheeles, that neuer sound in one minute of time, yet doeth not the daye alter his appointed course: no more will the certaintie of Gods promise be any time vnstedfast or deceiueable. And albeit auncient Chroniclers do somtimes wander in precise, and exact obseruation of minutes, and small moments of dayes, or yeres, or vtter their seuerall iudgements therein, according to their seuerall capacities: yet this contrarietie withstandeth not so much, but there may be a generall consent in the substaunce of the matter debated: nor is this to be marueiled at, considering the great antiquitie of foreworne yeres, and the vnmeasurable blindnes, and ignorance in the same: so also how variable …oeuer the opinions of manie seeme discrepant eche frō other, yet this contrarietie, as it is not altogether voyde of truth, so doth it not much preiudice the cause, which is here in controuersie. For whether the accompt of seuentie weekes bee deriued from the reigne of Cyrus, as some will hauehave it, or from Darius, as others doe thinke, to continue eyther vntyll the natiuitie of Christ, or to his death and passion: or wh…ther the same were the Assyrian Darius, or Longimanus, in the sixte yere of whose gouernement, the buylding of the Temple was resumed, and finished: yet in this one poynt, all and euerie the Historiographers, aswell aunci…nt, as late writers, with one generall consent doe conclude, and agree togethers, that these seuentie weekes can not by anie application bee ascribed to anie other person, then to Christ Iesu, the true Messhias, euen the same Messhias, (I saye) which was borne of the virgine, …n the time of Augustus the Emperour, and was afterwardes crucified vnderunder Pontius Pi…ate, and which was restored againe to life, the third daye after his death.

And thus much touching the diuersitie of iudgement in the computation of the learned: who notwithstandinge differ not so much in the state, and grounde of the question. OnelyOnly the controuersie aryseth vponupon the application of the tyme: as whether the accompt of the weekes ought to bee referred to the birth of Christ, or to his passion. But what is this to the purpose: This groundwoorke remayneth yet vnshaken, and ratyfyed by most approued testimonie of generall consent, which apperteyneth chiefely to the sentence of the Prophet, and the materiall parte of his prophesie: to wit, that no one sentence throughout the whole Scriptures, doeth more manifestly conuince your errour touching your Messhias, and more substauncially establish our fayth, then this one testimonie of the Prophet Daniel, wherein the mysterie of the seuentie weekes most manifestly is here determined vponupon that nation, and people of yours. The which same weekes the Angel gathering again together, deuideth into three seuerall distinct orders. The first order comprehendeth seuen weekes: the second, three score two weekes: the third, one weeke only, which was the last, and the seuentieth in nomber. In which last weeke, he signifieth that it should come to passe, that the holie of holie ones should be anoynted, slayne, and make an ende of sinne, and sinne offrings appointed in the lawe of Moyses: which things beeing accomplished, and the full nomber of yeeres completed and finished, the citie afterwardes should come to vtter ruine and destruction. And because the Prophet shoulde the better conceiue the verie disposition, and distinct proportion of tymes, in which those things should be brought to passe, the Angel doeth, as it were leading by the hande, instruct him by this deuided partition of weekes: as if this were the purport of the prophesie.

The ex…osition of the place of Daniel in his 9. Chapter.For so much (O Daniel greatly beloued of God) as thou art so carefull, and zealous for the estate and safetie of thy people; it pleased Almighty God to heare thee, euen in the beginning of thy prayers, and withall to empart his heauenly will vntounto thee, by mee his messenger, sent to this effect, to make thee vnderstand the things that apperteine to thy nation, and the whole estate of that kingdom. For the Lorde hath so decreed by his secrete determination, that this people beyng nowe in captiuitie, shall returne agayne into their natiue country, and the citie and Sanctuarie shalbe restored, and aduaunced to his ancient dignitie and estimation. And if after the restitution and establishment thereof, thou wylt further enquire of the continuaunce and durance of the same: and withall what great enterprises, and manifold successes shal happen therein, vnderstande thou: That seuentie weekes are concluded, and determined vponupon this people, which beyng recompted by the Sabbathes of yeeres, or reduced into tenne Iubiles, wil make the nōber of seuen times seuentie, to witte, 490. yeeres: for so many yeeres fully shall that common wealth prosper, vntill wickednes be finished, all curse of sinne be remoued, al sinne offrings abolished, and euerlasting righteousnes be brought in, and all things be accomplished, whatsoeuer were foretold by y^e prophets & visions: finally vntil the holy of holy ones be annoynted.

For as the administration of that common wealth was erected at the first for the Messhias his sake, it could not be, that kingdome vtterly to be abolished, before the same Messhias was manifested in the fleshe.

The weekes must be distinguished.I hauehave somewhat declared vntounto you concerning the seuentie weekes. For the better perceiuerāce of the orderly proceedings and enterchaunged successes whereof, a threefold distinction of tymes ought seuerally to bee considered. Namely: Seuen weekes, then three score two weekes, and one weeke. In the first seuen weekes,The seuen weekes. all that entercourse of time is comprehended, that must grow betwixt the laying the fundation of the seconde temple & building therof, vntil y^e ful finishing of the same: for so many yeres are accompted from the first yere of Cyrus reigne, vntounto the vii. or viii. yere of Darius, before y^e buylding of the Temple was throughly perfourmed: which will amount to 49. yeres.The lxii. weekes. Agayne the three score two weekes doe note vntounto vsus, the remnant of the time, wherein Messhias the Lorde shoulde be borne in the citie of Dauid, after that y^e citie & Temple were repayred & buylt againe: which building was cōpleted in the 32. yere of y^e reigne of Darius the Assyrian, or Artaxerxes. Now that other one week which remained,The one weeke. doth signifie vntounto vsus the annoynting, preaching, reuealing & suffering of the same Meschias: & of those other things, which were to ensue after his death. In the middle part of which week,The halfe of the weeke. shal Meschias be slayne: to wit, three yeres & an halfe, after his baptisme and annointing. By which death he shall accomplishe the mysterie of mans redemption, wherof the prophets did so oft prophecie and prognosticate, long time before.

The residue of the weeke doth appertayne to the preaching of the Apostles, to y^e calling of the Gētiles, to the establishing of the couenant w^t many, to the abolishing of the old circūcision, & external sacrifices of y^e ceremonial Law, to y^e confirmatiō of free remissiō of sins, & to the performāce of y^e promise of rising againe, & life euerlasting. All which were of al parts cōpleted, & ended in y^• last weeke: that is to say, in those 7. latter yeres, wherein the Meschias shalbe annoynted, slayne, ryse from death to lyfe, ascende vp into heauen, endue his Churche with the inestimable benefites of the holie Ghost, and allure the Gentiles to the free mercy pronounced by his Gospel: which weeke being added to the former, will make the iust nomber of 70. weekes, to wit, 490. yeres.

For so many yeres did the mercifull God of Israel, of his vnspeakeable bountie preserue that nation in peaceable tranquillitie, not for any their deseruings, but for his deare sonnes sake onelyonly, which was to yssue out of that seede & generation. It remaineth now, that we make a proportionable comparison of the nomber of those yeres, with the records of the continuall proceedinges and successes therof. First, this is a matter confessed: That the deliuerie of the Iewes from their captiuitie, was by the Proclamation of Cyrus, the first yere of his reigne, at what time the fundation of the Temple was layd,The building of the Tēple. which being hindered with sundry interruptions, was yet at the last brought to full perfection, in the sixt or seuenth yere of Darius reygne. The Temple beeyng thus perfited in all fourniture,… Esdr. 1.2. commission was giuen at length to Nehemias, in the xx. yeere of the reygne of the same Darius, with absolute authoritie to repaire their citie againe. The same yere in the 25. daye of the monethmonth Elul, the wall was erected and finished: the whole doing whereof lasted 52. dayes only, as Esdras reporteth in his sixt chapter.2. Esdr. 6.7. But houses were not builded as yet, as appeareth in the seuenth chapter: for accomplishment whereof were allowed xii. yeres more, as appeareth playnely in the fift chapter of the same, where you may heare what Nehemias him selfe speaketh after this maner:2. Esdr. …. From the twentieth yere (sayth he) euen to the xxxii. yere of king Artaxerxes, that is xii. yere, I and my brethren hauehave not eaten the bread of the gouernour, &c. So that it is euident, that whiles the citie was buylding, so many yeeres passed ouer.2. Esd. …. For so we reade, the Nehemias gaue his promise to returne to the king and queene, as soone as the work was finished.

Thus much touching the ix. chapter of Daniel: neither is this al that Daniel reporteth of the Messhias, for besides this, many other his prophecies doe foreshewe, and as it were directly leade vsus by the hande, to the kingdom of Messhias, yea to the very distinct time thereof:Daniel. … as is that of the Stone, which being hewen out of a great hill without mās hande, smote the image that represented the foure Monarchies of the worlde, and brake his head, his breast, his legges, & his feete in pieces, that no place was founde for them, but the stone it selfe became a great mountaine, and filled the whole earth.

But what is the purport of al these things? And first, what is meant by the stone hewen downe without hands, & falling from a great hill? what by that striking and breaking the image in pieces? by that huge mountaine? by that exceeding increase of the stone into an vnmeasurable quātitie: the incredible greatnesse whereof ouerthrowing all other kingdomes of the earth, should possesse the whole world besides? Wherūto tend al these? what do they import? what do they represent vntounto vsus els, thē the same which we perceiue most plainly was accōplished in the sonne of God? who descēding from the highest heauēs into the wō …e of a base virgine, & borne of his mother without al carnal knowledge, who alone comming into the world, without all ayde of naturall generation, did vanquishe all power and pompe of the world and the deuill, by holding his peace onelyonly: brake the gates of hell in sunder with suffering onelyonly: ouercame death with dying onelyonly, and purchased thereby an euerlasting kingdome of perpetuall felicitie for his chosen and elect, which kingdome shall endure in vnmoueable eternitie, aboue, and beyonde all other kingdomes and empires of the worlde. For all other empires standing in most fickle estate, by enterchaunge of elder yeeres waxe transitorie and vanishe awaye, and with mutuall emnitie do pursue eche other to vtter destruction.The onelyonly kingdome of Christ aboue all other is euerlasting. This onelyonly kingdome raysed vp without handes by the eternall God, can not be shyuered with any vyolence, or waxe olde with any processe of tyme, nor be subdued by any force or polycie of man, but with his vnperysheable perpetuitie shall crushe in pieces and weare out all other kingdomes, and it selfe persiste neuerthelesse vnuanquisheable, for euer and euer. And this so incomprehensible Maiestis of this kingdome, the Prophete doeth not in one place alone prophecie shoulde come, nor doeth he promyse it onelyonly, but discouereth also the very mynute and instant of tyme, wherein this kingdome shoulde flouryshe: so that the commendation, wherewith your Ioseph doeth so hyghly aduaunce this Prophete,Ioseph in his 10 booke of Antiquities cap 14. is not vnaptly applyed: To wytte, that he doeth not onelyonly foreshewe the euents and successes to tymes, (as other prophets doe) but with a most playne viewe, as it were, doth poynt with the finger to the time it selfe, in which all these things should come, that should ensue. &c.

I coulde vouche out of the same Daniel sundry sentences, many also out of other prophets, to the like effect: for what els doth the whole propheticall history of the Bible, euen from the beginning to the ende thereof describe vntounto vsus, then Christ Iesu, & his kingdome, very base & simple in the eye & iudgement of carnall capacitie, but to the spiritual beholders, most beautiful & glorious? What doth the deliuery of Ionas out of the whales belly the thirde day, prefigure vntounto vsus other, then the resurrection of Christ? What doeth the translating of Elias into heauen in a firy charriot, signifie other, then the ascension of Christ? What doeth that brasen serpent foreshewe other, then Christ crucified vponupon the crosse? What doe the manifold afflictions of king Dauid represent, but the continual persecution of Christ in this world? What doth Moyses signifie, but a deliuerer? Iosuah, but the victorious conquest of Christ ouer all his enemies? What doth the rule & gouernmēt of Ioseph, with a certaine royall maiestie ouer the Egyptians emply, but the kingdome of Messhias, at whose b…ks all thinges in earth and heauen should be obedient and subiect? It would require a long discourse, t… ouerrunne all the mystical s…yings of the prophets. I wil adde hereunto one or two places out of the prophet Malachie.

Malachie beyng of one minde & iudgemēt that Daniel and our Paul were of,Malachie. dot… not onelyonly foretell the casting away of your …ion, but rendreth also the reason, that procured Gods wrath agaynst your people. For Malachie and Daniel doe both agree in this poynt:The cause why it was necessary to dissolue the Iewish common wealth. that the vtt…r destruction of that nation was decreed vponupon by the secrete counsell of God, to the ende they shoulde beco…e a president; whereby the wicked myght be forewar…ed of the seuere Iustice of God: as also for this cause chiefely, by reason that els the vaine …ersuasion, that hath taken roote so long in the hearts of the people, touching the righteousnes of the Law, touching …rcumcision, … to offrings, & sacrifices, could not be rased out of their mindes, if the ceremoniall Law should cōtinue in her former authoritie. And therefore it pleased Almightie God, to make manifest to all men, that th…se e…t… nall rytes, shadowes, and Cerem…ie…, were not auaylable to procure true ryghto…nesse: and that the rygh…eousnesse of the Lawe was not that pure ryghte…u…snes, wher…unto the promyses dyd direct th…m. But lette us heare: …he woordes of Malachie:Malachi .1. I hauehave no pleasure in you, (…ayeth the Lorde of hostes) n…yther wyll I accept of…ring at your hande… …or from the rysing of the Sunne, vntounto … goyng downe of the same, my name is great among the Gentiles. And in eueryevery … offered vntounto my name, for my name is great among the Gent…les, sayeth the Lorde of hostes … Amongst m… thynges w…thie … be noted in th… saying of the P…rophete, there are …hre… spec…all … to …ee con…ered:Three thīgs to be noted in the words of Malachy. 1. The people. 2. the sacrifices. 3. the place.Mal 1 Namely… th… one co…cernyng you that are Iew…s: secondly, concer… your Sacrifices: lastly, the pl…c… it selfe, where offryng shalb… made. For the … had promysed, …hat he woulde alter … …enew… eu…ry of these; to the ende … thereby despoyle you of all matter to glory vpo…: as vponupon yo…r parentage, … …o… shippings, yea your temple it selfe, your offrings and Sacrifices. And why…s because he had determined to make an innouation of them (as ye doe heare) and to translate them from you to others: which thing the same holie Ghost doeth manifestly set downe in an other place in like woordes, by his Prophete Esay:Esay .65. Beholde (sayeth he) I wyl create newe heauens, and a newe earth, and the former shall not be remembred, nor come into minde. And agayne in an other place: And the Lorde shall kyll thee, and shall call his seruauntes by an other name, &c. The woordes are somewhat vnlike, but the sense is all one, nothing differyng from the saying of Malachie,The place of Malachie expounded. I hauehave no pleasure in you, &c. Doest thou not perceyue in these woordes, howe thou shalt …e cast away, thou proude generation… And because you shal know… that God wil neuerthelesse not be destitute of a people, that shall glorifie his name though you be cleane …ewen of from the Oliue tree, My name (sayeth he) is great among the Gentiles.

I hauehave declared vntounto you, what shall become of your nation and people. Now wil I proceede to explane vntounto you of your Temple, and place of prayer, whereupon you vaunt your selues so much. The Prophete therefore goeth forwarde: In all places shall pure offrings be offered vntounto my name, from the rysing of the Sunne, euen to the goyng downe of the same. As if God woulde saye, You Iewes are so addicted to that onelyonly Sanctuarie and Temple of the Lord, which he did erect amongest you long agoe, as though he ought not be woorshipped in any place els, and as though no nation in the whole earth myght offer sacrifice vntounto the Lorde, except you alone. And vnderunder colour of this prerogatiue, beeyng pufte vp with pride, you swell with immeasurable vayne glorious persuasion of fleshly courage, and sette all other nations at naught, as though you alone were the onelyonly inheritaunce of the Lorde, and as though you helde him fa… tyed to your generation, with an inseparable chaine of priuiledged bountie and fauour, and so faste lockt within the walles of your Temple, that he coulde not be of power to departe from you, nor woulde not for any cause sequester him selfe from your Temple. But to the ende your blundered senses may no longer lumper in darkenesse, stroaking your selues with vayne and counterfayte confidence of falsely conceyued opinion, I wyll by way of friendly aduertisement pronounce, and euen nowe do denounce and forewarne you, That the calling vponupon the name of the Lorde, is not vnseparably bound to place, tyme or persones: but that the largesse of his merciemercy is extended also vponupon all people, nations and tongues, whether they be Iewes, or Gentiles, Scythians or Indians:God is not boun…, neyther to the pl…ce nor person of natiōs. and that this his louing kindnes, wherewith he embraceth all mankinde, wyll reiect no person from his fatherly protectiō: whersoeuer his name is feared, and his Maiestie worshipped, there he doth indifferently distribute the gyftes of his grace towards al persons, without parcialitie. Yea and because you shal vnderstande my saying more playnly, beholde, I do protest vntounto you in the word of the Lorde, that it shall come to passe, that you your selues being Iewes, & your whole race for the most parte beyng cast away, and this your Sanctuarie (whereupon you boast so much) being vtterly reiected, the Lord wil transpose his louing countenaunce, not into one angle of the worlde among the Iewes onelyonly, but wil be magnified, & hauehave y^e glory of his name called vpō, in eueryevery place throughout all nations & tongues, wheresoeuer s…tered ouer the face of the earth, from the r… sing of the sunne, to the goyng downe of th… …ame. For my name is great among the Gē tiles, sayth the Lorde of hostes. Hitherto yo… hauehave heard the wordes of Malachie vsed towards your people.

It remayneth lastly, that we speake of y^• sacrifices. For the Prophet doeth euidently … clare, that innouation shall ensue of the Sacrifices also, speaking in this wise: Among the Gentiles, and in eueryevery place, incense and a pure offring shalbe offered vntounto my name. Well now: what maner of offrings be these of the Gentiles, which the Prophete doeth commende so hyghly? Be they sacrifices of goat…, or calues? They be sacrifices of calues truely, but such as the Prophete Osee me… tioneth in his prophecie. And we will render (sayeth he) the Calues of our lippes. Osee .14.Ueri… these be the calues… where with the Lorde is nowe well delyghted. These calues doe we off…r, when reknowledging our v…rygh… ousnesse, we yeelde humble thanke… to the gracious goodnes of God, who cleansing our wickednes with the fountaine of the blood, & death of his dearely beloued sonne Christ I… su, doth endue vsus with the inheritāce of euerlasting life. These be the spiritual offrings of the Gentiles, differing very much from the sa…rifices of the Iewes: for these are the pure offringes of the Spirite, that consist not in bloody broyling of brute beastes, nor in smelling of flesh, nor are offred with the hands of Priestes embrewed with goare. And for that cause, the Prophete doeth call them cleane.What Sacrifices are cleane, and what are vncleane. Wel then: and why are these offrings called cleane, rather then the Iewishe Sacrifices? What? shal we say, that their blood offrings are vncleane, and their sacrifices defiled then? Uerily, albeit the Prophete doeth not in expresse woordes verifie the same, yet who so shall duely ponder the substaunce, and pyth of his talke, shal easily discerne, that the Prophete by secrete implication, doth condemne the Iewishe sacrifices, as polluted, and prophane in the respect of offringes of the heathen.

But heere wyll one of your secte vrge agayne,An obiection and demaunde, whether these Sacrifices were not instituted by God at the first, and the ordinaunces of the same prescribed vntounto vsus by Moyses? whether in them also were not conteyned the calues of thankesgyuing, and purging of sinnes? whether God coulde be the author of any o…seruaunces and ceremonies, tha… were not of all pa…tes syncere, pure and without blemyshe?The answere For answere whereof, we d… not denye, that those Sacrifices were instituted for your behoofe, by speciall commaundement and sufferaunce of the hyghe… and most excellent Lawemaker Almyghtie God. But consideration must be had of the meaning, purpose, ende & tyme, wherein they were to be frequented. No… that they were of valew of their owne nature, to purchase true righteousnes, but to direct & leade vsus to the righteousnes, that was to come: not that you should accompt them as infallible ple…ges of perfect pietie, but that almighty God might trayne & instruct you with these, as with certein principles meanwhiles, vntil you might be made apte to receiue hygher mysteri…s. Not because that great Lorde and father of Spirites was delyghted with the slaughter of brute beastes, of bloody go…re of his creatures: but his good pleasure was vnderunder these shadowes, types, and figures, to prefigure the death of his onelyonly sonne:The death of Christ prefigured by the Legall Sacrifices. who by his bloodsheadding shoulde be of power to wash mens consciences cleane frō all filth & corruption of sinne: not because you should alway lye no…zeling in these, and proceede n… further, but to nourture your childhode, for a time were they deliuered, least by pursuing the error of the Gentiles, ye shoulde either rush headlong into the idolatrous abominations of the heathen, or at the least restrayne you in steade of a scholemaster, in some orderly comelines for a time, vntil the cleare day should appeare, wherein better things should be reueiled, and the trueth it selfe should shut vp, and abolish those shadowes and sacrifices.

Briefly to satisfie this matter in two words, two notes are chiefely to be obserued in these kinds of sacrifices:Two things to be noted in the Iewish sacrifices. The vse. 1. The tyme. 2. namely, the vse, and the time. As concerning the vse: Truly the due obseruation of those sacrifices was not of force by their owne nature, to make a chosen and beloued people of God: but to be rules and principles, for that people whom Moyses had gathered to minister in his synagogue: not because they were able of them selues to giuegive eternall saluation:The vse of … old sacrifices but that they shoulde foreshewe the comming of him, in whome rested true safetie, and withall should represent an outward shadowe of inwarde holines and cleannes of minde. And for that cause prouision was made for such beastes onelyonly, t…at were cleane, vnspotted & vndefiled: hereby enducing the people of y^• old Sinagogue to learn, how they ought to be hauehave thē selues in their dayly conuersation vnblameable. As to that which apperteineth to the consideration of the time,The time wherein sacrifices were exercised must be con…dered. this ought to be holdē for certaine, that those blood offrings of the Ceremoniall lawe, were not deliuered, because they should neuer cease, euen as neither the Temple was builded, to the end it should neuer be rased, and destroyed: or as though the ouerthrowe thereof, shoulde forthwith extinguish al worshipping of god withal, but were giuen for a time onelyonly, not to continue for euer, but transitorie rather, and remoueable, remayn…ng in vse as certaine exercises and introductions of outwarde discipline, vntill the blessed seede shoulde come, in whome the promise tooke effect. And therefore almightie God did with great care, long time as it were allowe the Sacrifices, to nourtour the weake capacitie of the people of …hat rude age: by meanes whereof the said sacrifices had th…n their certaine vse & estimation, nor were adiudged vnclean, during that season. But as now, the estate of the time being altered, sithence the truth it selfe doeth ouerspread the worlde with wonderfull lightsomnesse, and the Sunne of righteousnesse displayeth his cleare and palpable brightnes: these carnall… Sacrifices and blood offerings do vtterly cease, and are altogether discharged from further vse.

For what auaileth to gaze after shadowes, where y^e bodie is present to be beholden plainly? What senselesse man will burne candle, or light a torche, in sunneshine at midday? who will groape for darkenes in open light? or seeke for night in clearest day? The cause why that butcherie of siely beastes was permitted you for a time, was to enfourme your grossenesse, and tame the hardenesse of your heartes: that so, by viewe of visible signes, and representations of spectable shadowes, the Lorde might traine you along, to the true and pure clensing of sinnes, which was then to come. But nowe, sithence wee are come to the truth it self (wherof y^e other were but shadowes) it is a necessarie consequent, y^t those things which were sometime esteemed for clean, y^e very same again through alteratiō of time, may be accounted not only vncleane, and defiled, but filthie also, and abominable.

Iewish sacrifices abolish…d.Which things being vndoubted true (ye men of Israel) as may most manifestly appeare vntounto you by the testimoni…, & discourse of Malachie and other Prophets, what e… treme madnes is this in you, to perseuer still in so deepe a slumber, dreaming yet about your olde rotten tabernacles, your forlorne Temple, your carnall worshippings, and motheaten sacrifices? But let vsus imagine and graunt by way of a case put, that you may recouer your Ierusalem againe: which notwi…hstanding will neuer come to passe, (vnlesse God himselfe and all his Prophets doe lie) I would fayne learne of you then what you would do there. First you will procure your Temple to be built vp againe. And why so? because ye may offer incense and sacrifice to God after your accustomed maner? As though that generall Lord of all nations can not be worshipped els where, then in a blinde angle of the world, at Ierusalem perdy? And how then will the saying of the Prophet Malachie be verifi…d?The true worshipping of God not bound to place or per…ons. who saieth that the time should come, when the Lord of hosts sho…ld be worshipped in all places, and incense offred vntounto him throughout al the world, from the rising of the sunne, to the going downe thereof. If you wil so streight and restrain… all worship due vntounto God, within the walles of your Temple only, as it were, lockt fast in some closet, then I demaund of you further, with what kinde of sacrifice you will pacifie your God, within that Temple? forsooth with blood and butcherie of beastes. But where is then that pure and vndefiled offring mencioned by Malachie, which is not embrued with sl…ughter, I suppose, but perfourmed by spiritual sacrifices?

Finally, with what argument can you pers…ade that the liuing God ought to bee worshipped more properly and peculiarly of you Iewes, then of all other nations, namely sith you are so plainely conuinced with the expresse testimonie of Malachie… who making no mētion of the Iewes, doth prophesie, that the name of God shal be had in great admiration amongst the Gen…iles. What answer… will you make also to that promise of y^e same Malachie, in the Chapter following: where foretelling the signes and tokens that should go before the comming of the Messhias: to wit,Malach. 3.Mal 3 That his forerunner should come first and prepare the way before the face of the Lord? And immediately sayeth…. And … Lorde whome yee seeke, shall speedily come to his holy Temple, euen the Angell of the …ouenāt whom you desire &… What… came not that same forerunner… that was promised? Was not his voyce heard also in the desert according to the prophecie of Esay… Esai .46.crying out as loude as he could, to the ende you should prepare the way of the Lorde, and should make straight in the desert … path for your God. Why did you no… … preparation then? Why did you not receyue the Angell of the Couenant, whom ye desired, comming into his holy Temple? Nay rather, why did you banish him from out your Synagogue? why did you dayly exclude him frō thence, rayling cōtinually vpō the Lord with outragious reproches, and taunting blasphemies? What punishment or torture may …e imagined horrible inough to counteruaile so execrable outragies?

Malac. 4.Mal 4Also by the way here is not to be passed ouer in silence, the saying of the same prophet, annexed in the end of the same chap. cōcerning y^e dreadful & terrible day of the Lord, wherwith he wil ouerwhelm the proud & wicked doers, whom that hote scorching day, euē as an hote burning ouen should deuoure, as flame consumeth the stubble, leauing neither branche nor roote of them.

But you wil say, that this threatning doth concerne others, and apperteineth nothing at al to you. Yes truly, the very order, proceding and euent of the matter, doe most manifestly conuince, that this diref…l threatning was denoūced against you chiefly: whose words that ensue hereupon immediatly, are these: Behold (saith he) I wil send you Elias the prophet, before the cōming of the great and fearful day of the Lord, and he shall turne the heartes of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the childrē to the fathers, lest happly I come and smite the earth with cursing. And to whom … this Elias be sent, but vntounto you? and therefore, what land shalbe accursed but you? Finally, what signifyeth the worde anathema, but a certaine finall destruction of all mankinde; except those persons only who… Elias should reduce to amendment of cōuersation? For God hath not so vtterly reiected his people, y^• no remnant therof shalbe saued, as I declared before vntounto you out of s. Paul.

But I wil surcease to surcharge you with more testimonies, adding onelyonly one or two places: first out of the booke of Genesis, an… then out of the Prophet Osee: wherein it shal not be needeful to vse long discourse. For who is so ignorant in the holie scriptures, that vnderstandeth not, what is ment by that scepter which the Patriarche Iacob enspired by diuine oracle, did boldly pronounce, should neuer be remoued from the tribe of Iudah? Gene. 49.Gen 49And who is he at the length, but euen y^e same whome the Prophet Esay describeth, saying, I hauehave giuen him for a gouernour, and teacher of the Gentiles? Which sentence y^e holy Patriarche inspired with the same holy ghost, did long before, in the same sense professe, though in other wordes: And the Gentiles shalbe gathered vntounto him. But as then was not the scepter yet of power in Israel. But y^e godly grayheaded father foreseing lōg before, the euents of things to come, did prophesie of Iudah in this wise: The Scepter or Mace of the empire shall not departe from Iudah, nor a Lawgiuer from betweene his feete, vntill Silo come, and the gathering of the Gentiles shalbe vntounto him. Howsoeuer some rascal Thalmudistes do practise to peruert this place w^t most friuolous cauillatiōs: yea though all the start vp Rabbines woulde burst in sunder, yet can this sentence by no violent wrest be framed appliable otherwise, but that two speciall matters must necessarily be grounded thereupon. First, that Iudah and his tribe should be inuested in the title, and the interest of the kingdome. Next, that this prerogatiue should endure vnmoueable, vntil Mes…hias did come, vntounto whome the Gentiles should gather them selues. And to the same effect tendeth the interpretation of Ionathas and others,Thargum Hierosolymī tanum, written by Ionathas… vpō the 49 chap of Genesis. who liued long before the age of Christ, whose wordes, who listeth to heare, are these: The kings seat shall not be taken or depart from the house of Iudah: neither shall Lawgiuers want of their childrens children vntil the time that Messhias shal come, to whom the kingdome doeth belong. And all the kings of the earth shall become his vassalles. How beautifull is this Messhias, that shall come to continue in the house of Iudah? he shal girde vp his loynes & go forth to battel against his enemies, and the kings and their princes shalbe slaine. He shall die the ri…ers red with the blood of the slaine: his teeth shalbe ordered with knowledge, lest he partake the fruites of their spoyles, and wrong doings. The hilles shall looke redde with their vines, and their winepresses with the wine: the fieldes shalbe adorned with beautifull blossome by reason of the aboundance of fruites of beasts & sheepe &c. Thus much thought I good to rehearse out of Ionathas: yet hauehave we no neede (praysed bee God) to vouche any commentaries of the Iewes, to manifest the mysteries of the holy Scripture, namely sith there can bee no better interpreter of the propheticall scriptures then time, and approued experience of the successes thereof.

The testimonie that I thought good to borow out of Osee;Osee against Israel. most worthy to be noted of you that are Iewes, is that, which he setteth downe in the first Chapter of his prophesie: where the Prophet inueighing against Israel vseth this speach: Call his name (…aieth he) not my people, because you are not my people, therefore will I not be yours. &c. Whereby you may plainely perceiue the saying of S. Paul confirmed by the Prophet, to wit: The same which he teacheth concerning the naturall branches, which he sayde were hewen of from the Oliue tree. And now (ye men of Israel) where is that your arrogant vaine glorious vaint of the ofspring of your kindred? If to be issued of the race of Abraham be prised so highly in the sight of God, what meaneth then this casting away of the Israelites, mencioned by the Prophet? what signifieth that speciall choyse, and calling of the Gentiles, and the wilde Oliue tree to be planted in their place? for so wee reade the promise set downe by the Prophet:Osee .1. And the nomber of the children of Israel (sayeth hee) shalbe as the sande of the sea, which can not be measured and tolde. And in the place where it was saide, yee are not my people, it shalbe sayd vntounto them, you are the sonnes of the liuing God It was a singular prerogatiue for them not being Israelites borne, to be named and nombred amongst the true children of Israel. But that other did farre surmount, that being before the broode of the deuil, they should now be called the sonnes of y^e liuing God.The calling of the Gentiles, according to Osee the Prophet. And to whom (I beseech you) is this vnspeakable benefite promised? forsooth neither to the Israelites nor to y^e Iewes, nor to thē which seemed to apperteine vntounto God, but vntounto thē which were altogether seuered, & estranged from God: y^e very abiect, & rascall Gentiles, barbarous & vncircumcised heathē perdie, whome the incomprehensible merciemercy of God will ioyne neere vntounto him selfe, and wil engraffe them into the roote of his owne naturall Oliue tree, hauing first sawed of the naturall branches, in whose steade he shal gather the Gentiles together, from out a wylde Oliue tree, in such plentifull aboundance and infinite heapes, as will not be comprehended within the territorie of Palestine onelyonly, but like vntounto the sandes of the sea,The multitude of the cōuerts Gentiles, after y^e testimonie of y^e Prophets. will replenish the whole worlde, farre and wide from the rising of the sunne, to the going downe of the same.

Ye hauehave heard the minde and purport of the Prophet, which if ye suppose to be as yet not accomplished for your behoofe, through the Gospel of Messhias, our Lord and Sauiour, open your eyeliddes, (if you bee not blinde) and beholde the innumerable multitude of people, and tongues, which euerie where throughout all the worlde, doe professe the true worshipping of God: nomber them, if you be able: but if the quantitie be so infinite, as the sande of the sea, exceeding all reache & compasse of nomber, you may easily coniecture thereby (ye men of Israel) into what streightes your wilf…ll ignorance forceth you, and how perillous that frowarde blindnes of yours is, and withall…bethinke your selues in time, what were best for you to embrace from henceforth: nay rather, how foolishly you hauehave behaued your selues heretofore. God did send his onelyonly begotten sonne into the worlde, the seede of a woman, and borne of a virgine, whose parentage & kindred, from whence he issued, because you dyd not knowe, and neuerthelesse were amazed to beholde his heauenly power in doing miracles, his wonderfull clemencie employed to the cure of all maner diseases, and casting out of deuils, yet being swallowed vp of extreame madnes, & ouerwhelmed with blinde rancour, & cāckred malice, you did most cruelly despoyle him of life, and spilt his guiltlesse blood, without all cause of offence. For why may I not iustly accuse you, as partetakers of the same crime, sithence yee doe with whole bent affection of hatefull despite, pursue the embrued steppes of your bloodie sires, and gladly allow of that execrable murther?

And therefore (thou cursed Iewe) thou art duly charged with y^e guilt of innocent blood: englut therfore thy greedie guts with goare. Thou didst receiue Cesar to be thy king, refusing Christ: continue his bondslaue sti…. Yet this worketh no grace in thee, nor allur…t… thee to abandone thy doting error: for thou doest as yet breathe out villanie against the king of the Iewes, whose name we hauehave in greatest estimation. But what thinkest thou to gaine by kicking against the pricke? Doest thou not perceiue, how God hath made frustrate all thy deuises contrary to thine expectation? Doest thou not see, how thy mischieuous practises recoyle backe vponupon thine owne head? Doest thou not feele thy downfall into the pit which thy selfe hast digged… Thou seest the Temple so razed and ouerthrowen to the ground, that no stone thereof can be found: thou doest see thy religion vtterly abolished, the priesthode, the Lawe, the kingdom, your cities, your nation, your race and, kindred wholy extinguished: brie…ely thou canst recompt no one thing remaining, but a fewe wretched roages, and contemptuous runnagates, true monuments of the outragious insolencie, and miserable calamitie of their forlorne forefathers: yea, that seely small porcion also, enduring through none other priuilege, then by this commendation of Paul, and the gentle suffer…ce of the Christians. And beeing thus continually… turmoyled wyth sundrie miseries, notwithstanding Gods iust iudgement doeth daylie execute newe encreases of his seuere wrath against you: yet are your myndes so intoxicate with the poysoned do…oreanche of bewitched ignoraunce, that these woonderfull scourges can plie your heartes to no better grace, persisting still in peruerse frowardnes, as y^t these pinching plagues (y^• horrour whereof might hauehave preuayled to procure amendement) seeme rather to stirre and prouoke you to further crueltie. For albeit… you do plainely perceiue, and can not denye, but that all whatsoeuer your owne Prophets hauehave foretolde of the Messhias, is absolutely accomplished in the person of Christ Iesu: albeit you may easily learne out of the holie Scriptures, & by continual experience and successes of tymes, that there is none other Christ, but euen the same whome the whole worlde doeth worshippe at this present: albeit you sensibly feele that you are become a mockerie, not to almightie God onelyonly, but accompted also no better then rascalles & runnagates of al nations of y^• world:Th ho…ribl… ca…a…i… o… the Iewes. yet do yee curse Christ in your synagogues dayly, and expect yet an other Messhias (I know not whome) which you shal neuer see, but in that terrible & dreadfull day of wrath,Zach 12.Zech 12 at what time maugte your teeth, you shal beholde him whome you hauehave cruelly crucified. What monstruous hardnes of heart is this (yee men and Hebrewes) that so many… heauenly oracles of so many your owne Prophets, so many manifest testimonies of sacred scriptures, so many horrible punishments, so many vnmercifull plagues wherewith your nation is, and hath bene continually tormented, can not enduce you to conceiue some sparkle, of true repentance? The Romanes did …ansacke you with such outrage in their conquest, that they spared neither yong nor olde, men, women, nor infants, neither left one stone standing vponupon an other of your whole citie. Finally, your habitations are become waste and desolate, ye hauehave now neither citie nor temple, kingdome nor priesthode, people nor Prophete, and (which of all other is most lamentable) you hauehave eyes that can not see, eares that can not heare, nor hearts that can vnderstand, whereby you may repent, and be conuerted to your liege Lord and …u…reigne king.

Bu… go ye to: let all that which is past,An exhortation to the Iewes. be imputed either to your ignoraunce, or to the wrathful vengeāce of God for your vnbeliefe sake, because ye knewe not the tyme of your visitation. And beyng allured & stirred vp to better remembrance, by so manifold exāples, learne now at the length by the preaching of the Gospel, to acknowledge our Christ…Iesu y^e Lord of peace, of meekenes, & of humilitie, to be the onelyonly Messhias, sent from God the father: in whose name all nations of the earth shalbe saued, & to whome all knees in heauen and earth ought to bow downe, and prostrate them selues. There was sometimes an vnsa…orie season of darkened ignorance, when as our Temples also were polluted with filthy Idolatrie: but nowe sithence all cloudes of foggy superstitiō are for the more part scattered and vanished out of sight, & the cleare dawning of the lightsome trueth of Christs Gospel displayeth his orient beames, treade no longer the dyrty tracke of superstitiouse mismases: but returne with vsus, and be made partakers of the liuely welspring of syncere and pure doctrine. The same Christ, whome you do persecute, must be worshipped: whose doctrine you do practize to roote out, euen he doth offer you saluation freely and fr…nkely. The same whome you contemptuously entreated as a man, is woorshipped in all the worlde both God and man, howsoeuer ye despised him (as Ioseph was sometyme reiected of his brethren) yet reygneth he in the glorie of his father: whome you mortall men belee…ed to dye the naturall death, the same reuiued agayne immortall, and shall lyue in immortalitie for euer. Whome your forefathers embased vnderunder the raskall rabble of the people, and accompted for an abiect, and outcast of all men, euen to his Maiestie doe all the loftie estates, and stately powers of heauen and earth prostrate and humble them selues: that the saying of Esay may aptly be verified in this place,Esay .62. The kings of the earth shal stoppe their mouthes before him. Whom you reproched with the most shamefull death of the crosse, the very same crosse is turned into his glorie, to our saluation, to the iudgement of the world, to the destruction of his enemies, and euerlasting consolation of them that be redeemed. So that here agayne the prophecie of Esay may seeme to take effect… Esay .35.And euerlasting ioye shalbe vponupon their heads, and sorow and mourning shall flee away. Finally, whose name your forefathers hoped to hauehave bene razed out of all mens memory, the very same name hath God magnified aboue all the glorie of Angels and men: at the calling vponupon whose name, the dead aryse againe, maladies are cured, deuils doe tremble and quake for feare, vncleane spirites are tormented, and flee awaye: yea the whole Ierarchie of Angels doe bowe downe and worshippe. Nowe for as much as these thinges are so manifest, that no man can be ignoraunt of them, I doe woonder much what reason you can alleadge, to colour your obstinate contumacie, who being taught by so many examples, can content your selues neuerthelesse to lye still snorting and slumbring in vanishing shadowes: & neglecting the very naturall sonne of God, can gro…e like buzzards, after asēselesse imaginatiue shape, of I know not what Meschias: when as your true Meschias is already come… or besides him els shal neuer any one come: vnlesse al your own prophets were lyars, who hauehave described vntounto you none other Meschias, but this one onelyonly person.

But this matter happely may offēd you,A stombling blocke to the Iewes. (to repete againe somewhat of y^t I hauehave spokē) because his comming was contemptible, base & of no reputation, because he was condemned to death, because he was crueified on the crosse, because he dyed and was buryed. But if eueryevery of these had not mette, & bene concurrāt together in this one persō, he could neuer hauehave bene the true Messhias: neither would my selfe hauehave acknowledged him. But you tarry gaping still after some gaye glorious king. Well: and what wanted in this person (I beseeche you) to the absolute measure of hyghest royaltie? whome the Lord did so aduaunce to the ryght hande of his omnipotent power: at y^t bryghtnes of whole maiestie you saw the sunne lose his light, the earth quake: you sawe graues opened, you sawe stones cracke in sunder, you saw al…o the veile of the Temple rent in pieces. Or if you did not see it with your owne eyes, your forefathers beheld them all, whereof they could neuer deny any one tytle. So did they see him poore and base, you will say: I confesse no lesse, what then? Yet they conceyued not the power and force of that his basenes, nor how honourable that reproche was. In like maner they sawe him dead, yet they co…aued not the mystery of his death: they conceiue… …ot (I say) how it pleased the Lord by the death of this one man, to open a waye for saluation to all people. They conceyued not that the tyrannie of the deuil was vanquished by the ignominy of the crosse, and that all sacrifices & shadowes were finished by this onelyonly sacrifice. But so it pleased God the father to giuegive his sonne vntounto vsus, for a patterne of perfect humilitie, & by this meanes to glorifie his onelyonly begotten. The brightnes of whose glorie, if you do acknowledge, there remayneth matter ynough to saue you: but if you wyll not acknowledge him, this is also matter ynough to condemne you. And will ye, or nill ye, you shalbe forced to confesse, that no counsell, policie, or deuice of man, is able to counteruayle the counsel of God, neither any force and power of men, is able to withstand the power of CHRIST.

But I hope well of your amendement: for why should I not hope, when as I finde S. Paul to conceiue so well of your returne againe? Wherfore ye men and Iewes, seeyng …eare the name of Iewes, (which by interpretation is called Confessours) plucke vp your hearts, rayse vp your mindes, perseuere no l…nger in your woont…d obstinacie against your owne Prophetes: withstande not from henceforth the manifest lyght of the Gospel. Lette the profession of your fayth be sounde, syncere, and pure at the length, learne to vnderstande the Lawe of God after the spirituall meaning, and sense of the holy Ghost: so shal ye beginne to be accompted, according to the nature of your names, pure professors of the trueth. Be not dismayed with despaire to attayne euerlasting life, because you crucified the sonne of God: your errour only procured this mischiefe. God wyll not the death of a sinner, but that he may be conuerted, li…e & be saued. The most horrible cryme that may be imagined, can be no estoppell to saluation against him that wil beleeue. Only acknow…ledge your wickednes, & repose your trust in the free promises of the Gospel, and ye shall freely receiue the reward of eternal felicitie, freely offered vntounto you. It is an haynous reproche against the glory of God, to be disobedient to y^e prophets: it is much more haynous to persecute, & murther them. But to racke the sauiour of the world vponupon the crosse, is …f all other most execrable. Yet hath the Lorde promised to forget all these iniuries, if ye wil but repent you of them: neither requireth he the blood of beastes at your handes, to purge those offences. Christ is the perfect Sacrifi…e offered for the sinnes of all people. OnelyOnly acknowledge your sinnes, bragge no more of your owne righteousnes from henceforth, beleeue only in the sonne of the lyuing God. If he were not the sonne of God, declare thē vntounto vsus, who was his father in earth, if you can. If he were not a Prophete,The nature of Christ. howe could he, not onelyonly conceaue in minde, but in words also foretell & expresse the destruction of your na…ion, the dismēbring of your cōmō wealth, the abomination stāding in the holie place: yea, eueryevery of them orderly as they en…ued? Howe coulde he prophecie of his owne rising againe the thirde day,The prophecies of Christ & of the sending of the holy Ghost? Howe could he know the ce…aintie of the calling of the Gentiles, the denying of Peter, and of many other things, partly come to passe already, partly to be accomplished hereafter? And if he vttered any one vntruth in any of al these, condemne him for a lyar: But if experience & approued e…idence of the orderly successes & euents thereof, hauehave openly denounced his woordes to be true, what should staye and hinder you from the trueth? For to speake nothing of his miraculous workes, tell vsus yet, if you did euer heare of the like,Christs miracles. or if any skill, policie, or industrie of man myght possibly reache vntounto the like. But if this so great and incredible power did so farre surmounte all abilitie of mans strength and capacitie: hereof may you suff…ciently gather, how you ought to iudge of the inestimable power of his Diuine nature.

But for as much as the excellencie of heauenly thinges are of their owne nature vnsearchable, nor can be attayned vntounto by mans policie, or worldly wisedome, but must be discouered by the onelyonly operation of Almightie God:A prayer for the Iewes. I doe most humbly praye and beseec…e the same God the father of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ, for his deare sōnes sake, that as he hath long sithence, according to his iust iudgement, executed his wrath agaynst your vnbeliefe, by cutting you off from your naturall roote, so it may please him of his i… finite mercy (whereby he is of power to pl…t you into your former dignitie agayne) that your hearts beyng deliuered from the thicke cloudes of obstinate infidelitie, our Lorde & sauiour Christ Iesu, the only & vndoubted Messhias, may enlighten your soules, & gather you home againe to your natural roote: That is to say, that he wil vouchsafe to reduce you againe into his owne familie, with his elect Saints, and make you partakers of his gladsome Gospell, and euerlasting felicitie: That as the roote is holy, so the braunches also recouering the naturall verdure of their honorable stocke, may be engraffed againe by faith, from whence they reuolted through vnbelie…e. For performance whereof, to remoue away all mistrust of wel conceauing hope, as also to be of assured confidence, that the time of your recouery is euē at hand, S. Paul doth minister speciall matter of comfort, who in the selfe same sermon which he preached concerning the falling away of the Iewes, doth not onelyonly sette downe his owne iudgement therof, but also very plainly disclose that high mystery touching that blessed and ioyfull returne of the Iewes, reuealed as it were vntounto him, by the secret counsel, and determination of almighty God.

Of the which I wyll speake more hereafter by the help of Christ,An exhortation to the Gentiles and Christians. after that I hauehave debated somewhat with the Gentiles (whom the Lorde hath called) and hauehave in fewe words exhorted my dearely beloued brethren in Christ, to be myndeful of those things, according to my simple vnderstāding. And yet I see no cause, why I should spend any long time herein: for I doe firmely trust, that all those sayings are already noted by you, yea & deepely imprinted in your mindes, which the Apostle doth teach here, touching the due obseruation of our calling, so that mine exhortatiō shal not be much needeful in this place. First, I suppose that you are not ignorant of the great rigor that God executed vponupon his people, wherwith if he would hauehave punished you, what might hauehave letted him I pray you? Yea rather what was the cause, why he did not punish you? Do ye thinke that any of you were endued with any such excellencie, as ye myght thereby challenge any preeminence aboue the Iewishe nation? Were not wee sometimes euen in the same plyght, that many Iewes remayne in at this day: to witte, vnfaithfull vnbeleeuers in the sight of God? Then if God excluded the Iewes for their vnbeleefe (as he dyd) what argument myght enduce him to hauehave more compassion vpō the Gentiles, who were sometymes as voyde of fayth, as they are nowe? Whereby you may perceyue (my deare brethren) howe the inestimable merciemercy of God doeth miraculously woorke in mans election, beyonde all hope and capacitie of man, who hath compassion on whome it pleaseth him, and hardeneth the hearts of whome him lysteth. That it may ryghtly be sayde, That it consisteth neyther in the power of the wylling, nor of the running to obtayne merciemercy, but in the mercyfull God. If this be not yet apparaunt vntounto you, looke vponupon those Israelites, that are yet forsaken of God: who were sometymes in his fauour, and you admitted in their steade. What was the cause thereof, I praye you? Thou wyle saye, that the Naturall braunches were broken off, that I myght be engraffed in. It is true in deede, they were broken off, as thou sayest. But good sir, this was not done for thy sake, but for their owne vnbeleefe sake. And yet it followed hereupon, that we were planted in: neither is this false, that thou speakest. But this is not y^e point I seke for: there is yet an other thing, to witte, not whether the Iewes were broken off: But I woulde fayne knowe, what vertue was in thee, that myght procure thee to be engraffed in their place. And wherfore should they, beyng natural branches, be hewen off? If you compare with them in auncienty of race, they did farre excell you in auncientie of byrth, and dignitie of parentage. For they were your elders farre, by which tytle they myght lawfully challenge the preeminence of the birthright. If you stande with them vponupon deseruinges, howe precisely dyd they pursue the prescript rule of ryghteousnesse? whereof thou dydst take no regarde at all, although in trueth they were neuer able to attayne the perfection they sought for. If thou contende with them in excellencie of zeale, they wanted not very feruent and entier zeale, albeit their earnest bent affection wāted true vnderstāding. If thou boast vponupon thy vpryghtnesse of lyfe, surely we Gentiles were in no respect comparable vntounto them in conuersation of life. If thou hauehave regarde to the paynefulnes of the toyle, or estate of the calling, they did beare the brunt and heate of the sunne, and were then first, when as thou camest into the vineyarde skarsely amongst the last, euen at the last caste. All which notwithstanding thou doest playnely perceyue, that they are rent off from the naturall stocke, whereupon they grewe, and thy selfe beyng otherwise a starueling boughe of a wylde Oliue tree, and of an vnfruitefull stocke, art adopted into the inheritaunce of the sonnes of God.

What shall we saye then? Is God to be accused of ingratitude, because he departed from his owne? or of inconstancie, for makyng innouation of his auncient coue…aunt? God forbydde. For he dyd neuer constrayne the perfourmaunce of his promyse to any place or people.The promises of God are not boūd to place, nor persons. He made a promyse to Abraham onelyonly, that out of his seede a sprought shoulde yssue, in whome all nations and kynredes of the earth should be blessed. For he doeth not saye, In thee all nations shall be blessed: but in thy seede: in whome all men truely shoulde be rewarded with lyfe euerlasting, as many as would receyue him: as on the other side, he that dyd refuse him, shoulde obtayne no merciemercy nor fauour at Gods handes. And it is not to be doubted, that this seede is the very Sonne of God, whome if the Iewes woulde once at the last louingly embrace, they shoulde no more be excluded from the benefite of the promyse. But for as much as they doe yet not onelyonly refuse him, but continue also their cancred outrage against him with execrable cursings, and cruel spoyling this seede in his members so horribly: there is no cause, why they shoulde presume to challenge any prerogatyue of the promyse, sith the person could not prescribe vpō the promyse as made vntounto him, but in respecte of the seede. But why was not this bene…ite of fayth and beliefe in Christ impartened to the Iewes, as well as to the Gentiles indifferently? Some question in deede myght be mooued herein, if the same had not alreadie bene discussed by his Prophetes sufficiently: to wytte, That the Iewes them selues shoulde loathe, reiect, yea and procure the death of their owne Messhias. And if yet any person wyll seeme so captious, to be further inquisitiue to learne why the Iewes are not able to comprehende that, which is layde open to the Gentiles, the same may be satisfyed with this …itte and reasonable answere: Whereas the Iewes were throughly perswaded in minde, and confirmed in conscience, by custome of long continuaunce,A necessary cause, why the …ewishe common wealth shuld be abolished. that no ryghteousnesse was acceptable in the syght of God, but that which consisted in perfourming the workes of the Lawe, and celebrating the Sacrifices, and ceremonies of the same, and that this false conceaued opinion, so deeply rooted in the heartes of men, coulde by no meanes els be extirped and plucked out, but by the vndermyning, and vtter ouerthrowe of the name of that nation, the whole common wealth thereof, together with all the Sacrifices and ceremonies appertayning thereunto. Heereof sprang all that blyndenesse, and subuersion of the Iewes, albeit the same blyndnes infected not all in generall, nor the same destruction was allotted vntounto them, to endure for euer.

But by this example it may happely bee thought, that God did execute too much crueltie and rigour agaynst those seely wretches the Iewes. Admitte in deede, that it was so. This was therefore a good lesson to forewarne vsus, accordyng to Saint Paules aduertisement, that wee shoulde duely, and with carefull consideration, exactly examine the seueritie of God:The se…eritie of God and not his seueritie onelyonly, but his bountyfull goodnesse withall: That so through the often remembrance of the one, wee myght bee restrayned in a couenable feare, and through the dayly recordyng of the other, wee myght be raysed to thankefulnesse and duetyfull louelove towardes God. A very lyuely example truely of Gods seueritie is heere expressed in the Iewes, who beeyng fallen from their auncient dignitie, were ouerwhelmed with such blyndenes, that notwithstanding Christ (whose comming they looked for many hundred yeeres) was come already, and conuersaunt amongst them, they shoulde yet pursue him with contumelious reproches, rayle vponupon him,The lenitie of God. and persecute him. The like president of Gods lenitie and gentlenes, appeared in vsus that are Gentiles, manifestly: whome of his free merciemercy, he freely vouchsafed to associate into the felowship of such inestimable blessednesse, which was neyther due to our parentage, nor coulde be purchased by any our deseruinges. Sythence this is most true, what remayneth, (ye men and brethren beloued in our Lorde and sauiour Iesu Christ) but that according to the counsell of the Apostle,An exhorta…ion to the Gentiles. premeditatyng and continually recording the example of the Iewes, wee become more circumspecte, and learne by their ruyne, what we ought to feare, and what wee ought to eschewe? First, That beeyng taught by the Iewes vnbeliefe, we endeuour by all meanes possible with earnest and heartie supplications and prayers, to escape that daungerous gulfe of incredulous vnbeliefe. But ye will demaunde what kinde of vnbeliefe that was wherewith they were blynded. Doe they not beleue in one God maker of heauen and earth?An obiection do they not confesse as well as we, that the same God is most mightie, most mercifull, yea a most righteous iudge, and rewarder of deedes? The answere is readie.The solucio… If we were Angels or such kinde of men, as could not possibly decline out of the way, or had neuer fallen into errour, then would this faith hauehave bene a sufficient couer to shroude vsus, in that we might neede no further mediatour. But now being altogether sinful, borne of sinfull parents, enuironed with the whole bodie of sinne, what do we els when we call vponupon God without regarde of the mediator,A perillous thing to seek God without the mediator. then rayse his wrath, sharpen his vengeance, and prouoke him to aggrauate the iudgement of our damnation, and (to speake the words of Esay) procure our dwelling with deuouring fire,Esay .33. and make our habitations in euerlasting flames? For what can be more dreadfull for mans weake nature, then to debate with God without Christ? From y^t which I beseech our sauiour Christ to preserue vsus al.

The other is, left we should foolishly flatter our selues at other mens harmes. Faith is the gift of God, and consisteth not in anie demonstration of mans imagination: wherevnto if it were possible to attaine by force of nature, by workes, by dewe deseruings of the Lawe, by ceremonies, by parentage, or nobilitie of race: surely the Iewes as they were our auncients in yeres, so approched neerer the election then we.No man ought to bee proude of his faith. But considering this faith dependeth vponupon the free mercy of God onelyonly, and the free distribution of his especial election: and thou through the onelyonly kindnes of the Lord, art endued with that blessing, that is denied to others, thou mayest worthily reioyce in this thy felicitie. But beware that this singular felicitie suggest not matter of pride, as may make thee treade downe, and scorne the calamities of the afflicted: but learne rather by their example, what thou mayest feare thy selfe. Wherein no man can enstruct thee more piththily, then saint Paul: Be not proude in minde (saieth he) but feare: for if God spared not the natural bran…hes, take heede least he spare not thee. For thou, whosoeuer thou be, that stādest in faith, doest not stand so assured, that thou maist not fall: neither is their vnbelief such, as is ouerspread ouer them all, or such as shall endure for euer, and is vnrecouerable. For as there are very many Iewes (as I saide before) which do confesse and professe Christ (as is this one Iewe whome ye see here present at this time) so is the Lord mightie, and of power to hauehave compassion vponupon the remnant, and rayse them vp, which are yet forsaken, and troden vnderunder foote.

And that yee may the better vnderstand, that God is of power able to do the same, as also his determined purpose herein, and what he willeth vsus to conceiue thereof, I will declare vntounto you the iudgement, and hope of S. Paul touching the same, where of he doeth also vnderunder a certaine secret mysterie make vsus partakers. And to this purpose it semed good to s. Paul to aduertise vsus that are Gentiles, that we shoulde bee well aduised, least being puft vp with pride, and swelling with a vaine arrogant persuasion of our owne strength, wee conceiue better of our selues then is requisite, because wee seeme to stand in better estimation then the Iewes: therefore he would not hauehave vsus ignorant of this great blindnes of the Iewes, as the which neither happened to all the Nation in general, but in part, vponupon Israel: nor that the same was past recouery, but should endure only so long, vntill the full nomber of the Gentiles were accomplished. And then (saith he) it shal come to passe, that all the people of Israel shalbe saued: which testimonie of the Apostle is a sufficient argument to declare, that the Iewes shalbe restored againe, if I be not deceiued. But when that returne of the Iewes shalbe, the diuines are not fully agreed vponupon.The prophesie of S. Paul concerning y^e …eturne of …he Iewes. When the fulnes of the Gentiles shall come (sayeth S. Paul.) But when that fulnes shal come, is knowen onelyonly vntounto him, whose wordes in the gospel are these.Act .1. It is not for you to know the signes and the seasons, which the father hath put in his owne power. Unlesse peraduenture we will interprete this fulnes in this wise: that the Iewes shal continue so long in blindenes, as the Gentiles did in vnbeliefe, whiles the Iewes remayned in beliefe: and that the fulnes of the Gentiles shall seeme to be accomplished,The fulnes of the Gen…iles. when as the Gentiles may prescribe as long continuance in the possession of Gods Church w^tout the Iewes, as the Iewes did first enioy their synagogue w^tout y^e Gentiles. The nomber of which yeres will not vary much, if y^e computation be proportionably made. For, if according to this rule, ye deriue your nomber frō the first institutiō of the Iewes common wealth, vntounto the vtter subuersion of the same, ye shall finde 1564. the course of which yeres if ye compare with the calling of the Gentiles, that is to say, from the time that the holie ghost was sent, vntil this present time, the nomber of yeres wil not be farre vnequal. And yet in my iudgment it shall not be amisse, if a man make his calculation, hauing relation to those times whereof the Lord him selfe made mencion in the Euangelist Luke.Luke. 21.Luke 21 And Ierusalem (saieth he) shal be troden vnderunder foote of the Gentiles, vntil the tyme of the Gentiles bee fulfilled.

But the knowledge of the certaine moments and appointed minutes of that time, we commit vntounto the Lord. This onelyonly wee learne most assured out of S. Paul, that God hath decreed vponupon an infallible certaintie of time, wherein the Gentiles shall mount to their fulnes, and the Iewes also after that fulnes of time shall returne vntounto the fayth. For speedy & good successe whereof, this one thing doth minister plentiful matter of good hope, y^t our Lord Iesu Christ hath vouchsafed to cleanse his Churches eueryevery where almost so happily in these our daies, & purged them frō al offences & stumbling blocks, which occasioned y^e Iewes to withdraw themselues so long from the participation of our faith.

A complaint against idolatrie vsed in Christian Churches.And here I might vse offred opportunitie, to exclame against the presumptuous boldenesse of those persons whatsoeuer they were, which presumed to thrust into Temples and Churches of Christians, images, and counterfaites of hee saintes and shee saintes at the first, and to conueye the pure worshipping of y^e inuisible God, to the representations of visible things, contrary to the prescript ordinance of y^e Law of God, cōtrary to reason & nature, contrary to y^e approued custome of y^e elders, & cōtrary to al example of y^e Patriarches, Prophets & Apostles: out of which puddle as issued wonderful stench, so amongst al other, nothing more noysome thē those pestilent Botches of imageworship, breadworship, wineworship, crosseworship, signes & pourtraictes of visible creatures, y^e view wherof caused the true and sincere professiō of y^e christians to be lothsome to y^e Iewes, to their great hinderāce and preiudice. For what maruel was it if the Iewes (y^t were taught by y^e prescript rule of gods law to abhorre worshipping of images) entring into y^e churches of christiās, & beholding y^e walles, pillers, & al y^e corners …hereof, bedawbed w^t painted, & carued idoles, besides innumerable other bables of imagery, perceiuing also opē market to be made, not only of y^e picture of y^e crosse, but of the sacrament of bread & wyne also, displayed & blazed abroad not after y^e maner of cōmunicating, but gloriously vaunted w^t singular magnificence to be honoured and kneeled vntounto: what maruel was it (I say) if they being offended with this open idolatrie, did so long refraine from vsus, and from the discipline of our faith?

But it is wel now, thāked be Christ,A good beginning of a reformed Church amongst Christians. y^t these offensiue baggage & image worshippings are for y^t more part defaced & scraped out of christian churches, & the ancient puritie of christiā profession, is begun to take so good footing, y^t now amongst vsus remaine no dregges in our temples, in our religion, nor in our doctrine, that may minister iust occasion of offence to the Iewes, or any other enemies, though thei inueigh our religion neuer so much. And I would to God, al other that professe y^e name of christians, would yeeld their like endeuour to the abolishment of al corruptions of religion, and inciuilitie of liuing out of their cō gregations, which may breede any further lothsomnes to y^e Iewes. Truly this is much to be lamented, that our aduersaries can find no blemish of iust quarell in the person of Christ Iesu, whose name we would seeme to professe: and on the other side, to wit, in vsus nothing consonant, and agreeable to the true touchstone of Gods holy word, and Christes religion, whereof we beare the name, but all things repugnant and vnlike the pure & first patterne thereof.

But I wil not aduenture further vpō this quauemire: the sincke is deeper thē can be in this place, or at this time scowred or lanched. But sithence our present purpose is now to treate only of the conuersion of the Iewes: of the good successe whereof, as there is no hope at all els then by purging and cleansing the filthie puddles of our superstitions, the vnsauerie stenche whereof the Iewes can by no meanes disgest: what remayneth for vsus to do (my deare brethren and honourable fathers in the Lord) but that eueryevery of vsus in our vocation, employe all our endeuour, facultie and power, that nothing may be committed amongst vsus, in our default from henceforth, whereby the true religion of Christ (which he gaue most pure without spot or blemish) may be defiled, and brought into hatred and obloquie, and blasphemed amongst the Iewes, Turkes, Pagans, and vnbeleeuing infidels. My meaning here tendeth not to y^e determining of controuersies in sects, nor of doutful controuersies debated in schooles: the censure wherof, I commit to the great masters, and doctors in diuinitie: OnelyOnly my request at this time is, that those grosse monuments of manifest idolatrie, those fantasticall deuises and friuolous forgeries of signes and Images, and those stagelike gestures and pelting trumperies, frequented in Churches, as are the praying for the dead, worshipping of creatures & signes, forbidding priests marriages, & such like pieuish absurdities (wherwith the Iewes were neuer acqua…n…ed) which are manifestly repugnant to y^e … word of God, yea and contrary to common reason almost, may be rooted out and vanished from Christian Churches and congregat…ons: that so wee may open an entry to the Iewes and Turkes, to conceiue an inward desire to be ioyned to the sonne of God: or if we will not do this for the Iewes sake, let vsus yet at the least hauehave due regard to our owne estate. We hauehave bene plagued sufficiently enough by the Turkes and Saracenes for our idolatrie, if we respect the sundrie ouerthrowes, famines, slaughters, and alterations of kingdomes, wherewith the Christians hauehave bene miserably tormented manie hundred yeres, to the great delight of the Iewes: neither is any hope almost of redresse from great calamities, like to ensue, vnlesse we cast away this worshipping of idoles out of Christian congregations and Temples, (as I said before) and by this meanes enter vponupon a new course of better conuersation and purer worshipping of God.

But forasmuch as this notable enterprise of reformatiō of life, and purer discipline, hath ouer many aduersaries at this daye, such as will by no persuasion suffer themselues to be allured frō their accustomed impietie: & that this wicked age ministreth no hope of recouerie by exhortation, and that nothing can auaile now to bring this to passe, but supplications and praiers: Let eueryevery of vsus most humbly ioyne together in earnest & heartie praier, to the eternall God, father of our Lord Iesu Christ: beseeching him for his dearely beloued sonnes sake, that as he hath shut vp all vnderunder vnbeliefe, because he will hauehave compassion on all, so he will vouchsafe to deliuer the Iewes from their infidelitie, all Christians from superstition and idolatrie, and withall gouerne and sanctifie his Church in the same pure synceritie, wherewith he did beautifie it at the beginning. For which cause we humbly beseech thee also, most mylde Sauiour,Esay .59. which art appointed King ouer thy holy hill Sion to manifest thy selfe a redeemer vntounto thy people out of that thy holy hil Sion,Rom. 11.Rom 11 and to turne away vngodlines frō Iacob. Then shal that come to passe which thou didest promise long ago by the mouth of the Prophet, that the children of Iudah, and the children of Israel being gathered together vnderunder one head,Ose… .1. shal al together with vsus, with one soule, one voyce, and one mouth, acknowledge thee to be the true sonne of the liuing God, shall magnifie thee our redeemer, and attaine eternall saluation of bodie and soule, together with vsus, in thy euerlasting kingdom, through thee, our Lord and Sauiour, Amen.

FINIS.

Imprinted at London, by Christopher Barker, Printer to the Queenes Maiestie.

ANNO. 1578.