The Flower of Godly Prayers, Dedication
❧To the most honourale & vertuous Lady Anne, Douches of Somerset her …race. Thomas Becon her most hūble and faythful seruant, wysheth the fauour of god, encrease of honour long lyfe, and prosperous health▪ both of body and soule.
SO ofte as I behoulde the fact of this world▪ namelye of thys realme of England (mou Gracious Ladye) I know not whether ther be offered vntounto me greater occacions of gladnes or of sadnes. For when I consider the horrible blyndnes and monsterous ignoraunce, whyche heretofore reygned among vsus a great number of yeares, yea and that almost vniuersally in al partes of the Christen publique w…ale thorow the subtile deuises of Sara and of his ministers, which to deceiue the folish blinde world, fashyon them selfes lyke vntounto the Apostles of Christ and walke as the Aungels of lyght when notwyths…andynge they are in deede fal…e Apostles and deceatfull worckers hauyng an …warde apperaunce of godlynes,ii. Cor. xi. but vtterly denying the vertue and power therof: and now se the aforesaid pestilē ces banyshed and driuē out of this most florishing real… of England thorow the wonderful working of Gods spirit in the Kynges Mages…y, and in his most honorable Councel, I cannot but hartelye …eioyse and …y…e God most int…re …ha…rkes. For who seeth … e…cept he be wilfully blyn…e and obs…inatly refuse to se… how many …o…able and excelēt benefi…s of ou… saluacion we ha…e re…yued of God vnd… this our kyng a Prince for hys godly dispo…icio… … …er…uous en…erprises worthy to enioy not onelyonly immortal fame, but also the yeares of a…ncient and long liuing M e…husel…h. … in these hys yong yeares, by the aduise of his most honorable Coūsel, hath no les trauailed in putti… …way Idolatry, Papi…y▪ Supers…iciō and Hypocrysy out of this his graces Realme, …nd in re…oryng vntounto vsus hys humble and obedient Subiects, the true religiō and the glorious Gospel of our sauiour Iesu Chri…t, then that most godly yong king Iosias dyd in hys kyngdom of Iuda, whych beyng but a chylde of eyght ye…es ol…e when he began to reygne, dyd not wythstanding both studiously,iiii. reg. xxii▪ and earnestly seke after the God of Dauid his …ather▪ i. Pa. xxxi… ▪& turned neither to the right hand nor to the le…t. An… in the .xii. yeare he began to pu…ge Iuda and Hie…usalem of hyl altars, groues, harued images, and images of mettal, so that they …roke down the altares of Baaleuen in the Kynges presence, and the idols that were vponupon them, he caused to be destroyed. He slew the Idolatrous Priests and the Chaplens of Baall. He destroyed the stewes, and whorysh houses, and put down the bugge…y places. He neuer cesed tyll he had reformed all hys whole realme, and brought in againe the true religion of God. O mos… shyning myrrour and liuely examplar for al godly Princes to behold and folow. Euen thys also hath our most Chrysten kyng done and brought to passe, in hys dominions, yea and that in a yo…ger age, for thys hys graces Relme is al redy deliuered from… Antichristes tyranny. We are made free from hys yorke. We are combred no more wyth hys trifling tradicions and dyrty deceyts. The breakyng of his lawes, disquiet our concience no more. His cerem… nies, are banished. His religious mō …ures hauehave no longer place among vsus. His inuocacion of sain…ts hys gaddyng on Pilgrimages his gilding of Images, his pai…ting of tabernacles, his setting vp of candles before stockes, hys purgotory, his Masses of Scalecely, his Bul…es hys Pardons, hys dispē sacions▪ his Iubilies, his iu…tificaciō of works▪ his selling of merites, his canonising of Sain…s his Diriges, his Trētals, his blasphemous masses, his Idolat…ous altares, his … cōfessiō, his hussel in … kynde for the laye, hys holye breade, hys holy… wate…, hys oyle, hys creame, hys waxe, hys fla…e, his Palmes, hys Ashes, hys Idolatrye, hys Hipocrisy, hys Candel styckes, hys relykes, hys Corporalle▪ hys Portasse, hys shepehooke, hys Maiseboke, hys Crosure, his Mitoure, his sensynge, hys Popyshe …astynge, hys …hauynge, hys greasynge, hys sacrifycynge, hys God makynge, hys transubstanciacion, hys excommunicacyon, hys vnchaste chas…e vowes, hys halowed bowes, hys Beades, hys v…stimentes, hys Idols, hys Romyshe seruise, hys Antichristian orders, his Peterpens, his fra… …ense…e, his primary, and al hys pel…yng pedla…y, is vtterly banished and dryuen oute of thys lande. In steade of these outragyous pestylences of the Christen publique weale, is entred in amonge vsus the gloryous lyghte of Christes Gospell, the true knowledge of God, the ryghte worshyppynge of God, the harty callynge on the name of the Lorde, the …u…tificacion of faythe, the hope of hauynge remyssyon of al our syns in Christes bloud, the godly and christen worckes, the sincere▪ preachynge of gods blessed word, the true ministracion of the holy Sacramentes, the readynge of the sacred Scryptures in oure owne English …oung, the knowledge of our duty towarde the Kynges Magestye and all the hye powers, and howe we shoulde behaue oure selues toward al men, yea and howe we our selues ought to lyue soberly, ryghtuouslye and godlye in this presente worlde, wyth an infinite number of such godly treasures. And yf any thyng be behynde that is not yet broughte vntounto perfeccion (as sores of long continuance are not strayghte wayes healed) I d…ubt not but that the Kynges mooste exc…llent Magesty and hys godly prudent, wyse, & ho…rable coūcel wyl se it reformed, and neuer leaue of …heyr godly purpose after the example of good kynge Iosias tyll they hauehave stablished all thynges in thys Realme a…cordyng to Gods word, & made this church of Englād a worthye spectacle and no…able examplace for al forennacions to behold and followe. The restorynge of the gloryous lyghte of Chri…tes gospel …nto vsus, the driuyng away of Papy…ry out o… this realme, the haui… of so go…ly & noble a Pri…ce to be our kynge and goue…nour assi…e… with so honourable and godly w…e counsellours, are withoute al doubt the incomperable and singu…ar greate benefites of God, and euident tokens o… hys earnest good wyl towarde thys realme of Englande, and t…e inhabytauntes of the same. He hath not dealt …o wyth al naciōs neither hathe he shewed so manifestly his blessed wil vntounto them.Psal. clxviii When I consyder (mooste gracious Ladye) these thynges, I am ioyfull glad and merye, and Iudge my selfe happye and blessed of Go…, that it hathe chaunced me …o lyue in that age wherein the whore of Babylon wyth all her marked Marchauntes, is confounded: and the Lambe, I meane Christe, euen in vsus hys we…ke members hath gotten the vyctory where in also so godlye a Prynce, and so vertuous a Councel ruleth and gouerneth thys our country. But, as of these frēdly bene…yts of God I cōceyue an vnfained gladnes in my hearte, forasmuche as thorowe thē I am fullye perswaded of Gods good wyl toward thys realme of England, so contrary wyse am I manye tymes prouoked vntounto sadnesse, when I consyder our ingratitude▪ our vnthankfulnes▪ yea our beastly churlyshnes toward god. For albeit many amōg vsus bothe of the nobylitye and of the base… sorte (…hankes be to God) do both faythefully and earnestly embrace thys louynge kyndnes of God, and be thankful to hym for hys benefits, ledinge for thei… possible power a lyfe worthye of hys fatherly goodnes, yet the mooste and greatest part are vnthanckfull,ii. Cor. iii… & lytle esteme these syngulare benef…s of God. yea there are (whose iudgementes, wy…s, and sences the God of thys worlde hathe blynded, because the lyghte of the gloryous Gospell of Christe, whyche is the Image of God, shul… not shyne vntounto thē) that wyshe rather to be agayne in Egipt among the greasy fleshepots,Num. xi. deuour…nge Cucumbers▪ Melons, Leekes, Oynions and garlike, then to taste of Mann… that heauenlye meate. Some o… her agayne there bee (woulde God not of them, whiche be called Go…pellers and hauehave the holy sc…iptures swymmyng in theyr lyppes and Gods booke eyther in theyr han…es or hangyng at theyr gyrdles) whych pretend a louelove to the gospelle …nd yet in theyr conue…sacion and lyuing,…rosse gos…ellers. at a… vngodly, vncharytable, vnme…cy…ull, vnryghteous, proude, voluptuouse▪ disdainefull, couetous, malicious, enuyous▪ ydle. & cat. as the Papystes, yea as the Iewes▪ Titus. i.Tu…ckes and Saracens arc. With thei… woords they confesse that they knowe GOD but wyth theyr workes they deny hym. They are pleasaunte fygge trees and blosomes but in truyte nothynge at all. They are …oute Disciples of Christe so long as Christ fedeth them with breade yea they can be cōtent to make Christ a kyng, but whē christ. requireth of thē a care and study for heauenly thinges,Ihon. vi. a constaunte Faythe, a godlye ly…e, a mercyfull hearte towarde the poore, then are they gone. They are no lenger Christes frendes then Christ serueth theyr tourne In raylyng agaynst papistes, …n defying the lawes of the Bishop of Rome in dispising the ceremonies of the chu…che▪ in eating of al kinde meates wit…out dy…ference of daies in the presēce, they care not of whom, in absentyng thē selues frō the Common prayer and frome the receyuynge of the Lordes supper, in breakynge all honest and cyuyle orders in gettynge what maye …ee gotten vnderunder the pretence of the Gospell, in …eadynge a dyssolu…e lyfe, in outewardelye speakynge fayre, yee inwardelye meanynge crafte and deceyt…. & cet. in all theese thynges (if suche thynges may sette forwarde th… Gospell) they are content to …hewe the… selfes fyne Gospellers and sweete bro…hers, but in mortyfying their carnall affectes▪ in dyeing to the worlde, in fy ghtynge agaynste Sathan▪ and in cru…y…yinge the fleshe, in dystrybutyng theyr goodes to the poore, in leadynge a lyfe worthye of the gospell of Christe, they are worse then the greate Tur…ke▪ or anye other infy…ell.
The Gospell of Christe begetteth and bryngeth forthe newe lyfe, and newe maners. yea, and those pure, hone… and godly. If such frutes followe not the Gospellers profession▪ in vayn do they bragg… of the Gospell, of the grac… of God, of the Chrysten lybertye, of the iustificacyon of faythe, of the sacryfyce of Christes death, of the pryce of his pr… cyous bloude, and of oure ryghteous makynge by hys gloryous resurreccyon. If they were the sones of God, they woulde do the woorkes of God. The sonne, saythe God, honoureth hys father▪ and the seruaunte hys Lorde, If I be a father, where is my honoure If I be a Lorde, where is my f…ate, sayeth the Lorde of hoastes? I… we diligentlye martke the manner… of men, berelye the pryde,Walach. i▪ the couetousenes▪ the vnmercyfulnes, the enuye, the malyce▪ the voluptuous liuyn…e, fayened frendshyp and such… other abhomynable synnes whych reygne and tryumphe nowe a dayes in vsus, shall euidentlye declare what good Gospelle…s and perfecte Christyans wee are. It maye shame vsus in thys open lyghte of the Gospell, to brynge forth the workes of darcknesse, and to lyue as though we knew no Gospell, no God, no Chryste, no truthe, God may well saye of vsus, as he sayed of the Iewes,Esay. i. I hauehave nouryshed …nd broughte vp children, and they hauehave dy…pysed …. GOD calleth vsus, and we refuse to goe.Prouerbe, … GOD stretc…eth out his hand, and no manne regardeth it, God commaundeth vsus to walcke in hys vyneyard, and wee loyter abroade ydlelye.Wath. xxi. GOD geueth vsus Talentes to occupye, and we buryed theym in the grounde and dooe no good wyth theym. God calleth vsus vntounto the Maryage of hys Sonne,Wath. xxv. and wee hauehave so muche mynde of oure Fearmes: of our-O…en, and of oure Wyues, that wee hauehave no pleasure to god. God woulde gather vsus to gether,Wath. xxii as the hen doothe her Chyckens, but we wyll none of it.Luke. xiii. God proffereth vsus the lyghte of hys gloryous Gospell but we louelove to walcke in da…ck…nes. God woulde shewe hym selfe vntounto …s, but we care not for the syghte of hym.Wath. xxiii. God woulde vsus to bee saued, but we regard not our saluation, O to much vn…hākeful chuc…yshnes. The Diuell, the worl…e, & the flesh hauehave so …ly ne…ed our eyes, that we ca… not se what is good & profitable co…ts. What shal I speake of the diso…e…yente and …ubbourne Pap…ts,Papystes. which bothe obstinately & malici…u…ly refute the manife…t truth of Gods blessed worde & wil by no meanes cōsent vntounto it, although their own conscience accuseth and condempneth them for so …oyng?Wat. xii. If any commit that moos…e greuous synne agaynst the holy Gost, which shal neuer be forgeuen, certes those Papists, whyche knowe the truthe of Christes Gospel, and yet maliciously and or a sette purpose wythall theyr power resy…e it, are gyltye of that synne.Mark. xiii. Luke. xii. Esay. xxx. These Papists, as the Prophet calleth them, are an obstinate people, vnfa…thfull children▪ yea childrene that wyll not heare the lawe of the Lorde. They cry continually, speake pleasaunt thynges vntounto vsus, & preach vsus false things. Treade out of the waye, go out of the pathe, turne the holye one of Israell from vsus. Departe from vsus, O God, we desyre not the knowledge of thy wayes.Iob. xxi. Wath. viii. Theese Papystes, are lyke the Gergesens, whych for feare of losyng theyr fylthy swyne, were loth that Chr…st should come among them. God turne their heartes What shall I speake of the Anabaptistes, Lybe…t…ines,Anabapti…es▪ Libertines. Epycures. Epicures, and suche other sectaryes, whyche scorne and mocke the misteryes of Goddes worde, and lyue so licenciouslye and voluptuouslye wythout al feare of God, as though there were no God at al▪ nor no life after thys? God hauehave mercy vponupon vsus
When I consyder thys our bothe vntowardenes and vnthankefulnes, it maketh me sorowefull, because we aunsweare not kyndenesse for kyndnes but rather euyll for good. And to encrease my sorowe, thys sentence of oure sauioure Christe dothe manye tymes come into my mynde: The kyngedome of God shall bee taken awaye frome you▪ Wath. xxi.and shal be geuen to a peop…e, that shall brynge forth the fruftes of it. Oure lyfe is so vngodlye and we are so vnfrutefull in good works that with out al doubt except we repent and amend, Goddes word for our vnthankfulnes shal not onelyonly betaken away from v…, but also for these moste sweete and pleasaunte benefytes of God, we maye be sure to feele most bytter and greuous plages. God wyll not be mocked. Thys is the condempnacion, sayeth Christe, that lyght is come into the worlde,Ihon. iii. and men loued darcknes more then light, because theyr dedes we…e euil. He louelove… cursing, saith the Psalmographe and it shall come vponupon hym:Psalm. cix. he woulde none of the blessing, therfore shal it be farre frome hym. The propertye of God, whyche wyll not the death o… a synner, but rather that he turne and lyue is fyrste to sende his Prophetes and Preachers, to exhorte the people vntounto repentaunce and amendemente of lyfe. If they wyllyn…elye heare the Preachers, repente and amende theyr lyfe as the Niniuites dyd at the preachynge of Ionas, then are all the plages whyche theyr synn…s mooste iustlye had deserued, turned away from them,Ionas. iii▪ and the blessyng… of God lyghteth vponupon that people. God fauoureth them. God kepeth and defendeth them. God geueth theym aboundaunce of all thynges. God keepeth theyr realmes quiet and free from commocions. God sendeth theym good Magystrates and godlye preachers. God prospereth all theyr doynges. But if they despyse the preachyng of Gods woorde and wyll not redresse theyr lyfe accordynge to the rule and appoyntment therof, but go forth in the lewdnes of theyr hearte and contynue in all theyr abhominations then dothe Gods curse fal vppon them, penury and scarsnes of al temporal thynges, insurreccions and commocions, erroures and heresyes. battell and pla…e cruell Tyrauntes and false preachers, confusion of thynges and final destruccion as God hym selfe sayth by the Prophet,Iere▪ xxix. I wyl sēd vponupon them swearth, honger and pestylence, because they hauehave not heard my wordes, whyche I sente to them saye…h the Lorde by my seruauntes the Prophetes. Agayne he sayeth, because they hauehave forsaken my lawe, that I gaue them, and hauehave not hearde my voyce▪ nor yet walcked thereafter, but folowed the wickednes o… theyr owne heartes, and runne after straunge goddes as theyr fathers taughte them. Therfore thus saythe the Lorde of hostes, the God of Israell▪ behoulde.Iere. ix. I wyll feede thys pe ople wyth warme wode, and geue them gal… to dryncke. I wyll scatter them amonge the Heathen, whome neyther they nor theyr rathers hauehave knowen. And I wyll sende a swearde among them to persecute them, and I wyll neuer leaue vntyll I hauehave broughte them to no…ghte. The Prophete also saythe, if ye wyll bee louynge and obediente,Esa. i. ye shall enioy the best thynges that growe vponupon the earthe. But if ye wil be obstinate and rebellyous ye shall be deuoured with the swearde. For thus the Lorde hathe promysed with hys owne mouthe. Howe doothe oure sauyoure thonder agaynste Corasin, Bethsaida, and Caper. naum▪ and threate them euerlastynge dampnacyon, because they wolde not receiue the woorde of God, and amende theyr lyuynge? Wo bee to the Corasin wo bee to the Bethsaida saythe Christe.Wat. xi. For if the myracles whyche were shewed in you, hadde bene done in Tyre and Sidon▪ they had repented longe agone in sackecloth and ashes. Neuertheles I saye vntounto you▪ it shall de easier for Tyre and Sidon at the day of iudgemente, then for you. And thou Capernaum which art lift vp vntounto heauen: shalte bee broughte downe to hel. For if the miracles whyche hauehave bene done in the, had bene shewed in Sodome they had remayned vntounto thys day. Neuerthelesse I say vntounto you, it shal be easier for the land of Sodō at the day of iudgment then for you. Again he saith to his Disciples and to all faithefull preachers,Luke. x. he that heareth you heareth me▪ and he that dispyseth you, dispiseth me, and he that dispisethme▪ dispiseth him that sent me. Therefore whosoeuer wyl not receiue you▪ nor heare your sermōs, when ye departe out of that house or that cytye: shake of the dust of your …eete. Verely I say vntounto you, it shall be easier for the land of Sodome and Gomor in the daye of iudgemente, then for that cytye. The dispisinge of Gods worde and the preachers thereof, neuer escapeth vnplaged, as it is eu…dente by the historyes of the holy scripture. Nohe preaceed to the old world and exhorted them to repente and to amende theyr lyfe, or elsse God woulde surely plage them.ii. Petr. … ▪ They laughed Nohe (whome S. Peter calleth the ryghte Preacher of ryghteousnes) to scorne, and hys doctryne. What folowed▪ was not al the world drowned, eyght persons only e…cepted?
Lot seyng the vnnaturall and most abhominable vnclennes of the stynkynge Sodomites,Gene. vii. councelled them to cease so to much licenciouslye to offende theyr Lord God. They would not heare Lot nor hys Sermons, but churlyshe…y entreated hym. What followed?Gene. xi…. ii. Peter. …. Were they not consumed wyth water, fyre and brymstone from heauen? O mooste dreadful plages. The Iewes many tymes fel away from theyr Lorde God, and worshypped straunge Gods, and defyled them selues wyth all the abhominacions of the Heathen. The Lorde God of theyr fathers hauyn… compassion on hys people, sent to thē by his messengers▪ yea betymes sent he to thē …ore to warne thē of the plages that shulde fal vponupon thē if they did not repente & wyth all their herts turne aga…ne …nto the Lorde their God.ii. pa. xxxvi. But they mocke …che messengers of God, and de…pysed theyr wordes, & mis vsed his Prophetes vntyll the wrathe of the Lorde so arose agaynste hys people, that it was past remedye. What folowed: Did not God send in theyr ennem…es among them whyche slewe theyr you▪ men wyth the sweard in their holy tēple & neyther spared yong man nor maydē neither old man neither so muche as h…m …hat s…euped fo… age? Were not al theyr goodes spoyled, & theyr strong cities and …owe…s destroied, & brēt with fire? Wer not theyr kyngs bound in fette…s, & had theyr eyes cruelly thurstou…, & so miserably caryed away lyke bond …laues and prisoners into captiuity? If any menne of warre, or any connyng Artificers remained alyue, were they not all caryed awaye, and cōpelled to muche wretchedly to serue in a straung… countrye, yea and that theyr very ennemyes? Horryble and dreadeful plages woul… these appere to the eyes of oure mynde, and make vsus stande in awe of Gods vengaunce, yf we had anye feare of God in vsus.i. Cor. x. All theese thynges saythe S. P…ule happe…ned vn…o them for examples, and were wrytten to putte vsus in remembraunce, whome the endes of the worlde are come vponupon. Wherfore let him that thinketh he standeth take hede leaste he fall For there is no respect o… persons wyth God, but in all people he that feareth hym and worc…eth ryghteousenesse is accepted wyth hym.Actes. x So lykewyse he that feareth … God nor worketh ryghteousenes, but lyueth wyth out al feare of God in wyckednes and vngodlynes, maye be sure to be plaged, o… what soeuer country nacion, for kynred he be. For there is no respect of persons wyth God.
Moreouer after certayne yeares of theyr captiuity, God remembryng hys promyse, euen of hys owne goodnes delyuered them oute of thraldome-and broughte theym home agayne into theyr owne conuery,Zere xxix where by the space of certayne yeres after theyr retourne euen so longe as the Plagues were who…e, and fresh in theyr memorye as the manner of the worlde is they contynued in the feare of God and walked accordyng to hys worde. But whē they once grewe vntounto a quietnesse, and by that meanes began to ware welthy, they strayghtwayes forgott both God and hys plages, and became the old men agayne▪ Ambicious, Proude, Couetous, Malycious, Dysdaynefull, Or mercifull, Voluptuous and styrred vp sedicion among them selues. They stryued who shoulde bee hyghe…t in authorytye. They bought and sold all offyces and dy…nityes. Not the worthynes of the personne, but the summe of the money was consydered. They gaue theyr myndes wholy to worldlye honoure and ryches. Hee that coulde sette hym selfe in the tygheste place amonge the offycers of the common wealthe, howesoeuer he came by it, was co…nted the mooste worthye and most honourable person. God and hys worde were set at noughte. The Prophetes and Preachers of Gods word were brought vntounto extreame beggary made of no reputacion, and not herkened vntounto. In thys deepe silence of Gods truthe, there arose certayne sectes (as the diuell neuer sle…peth but watcheth hys tym…) the Pha…iseis, the Saduceis, the Esses, whyche in steede of Gods woorde broughte in theyr owne tradicions, and so corrupted the holy law of God. God seyng thys theyr ingratitude and vnthankfulnes vexed them besydes other pl… ges wyth continual warres, and brought them vnderunder the dominion of the Romaynes, so that where …s before they were free, nowe are they in most miserable subieccion to straūgers, yea and those their ennemyes. For God wyll not leaue the con…empte of hys worde and wycked lyuynge vnpunyshed. Notwithstanding God accordyng to hys olde and accustomed gentlenes once agayne hauynge petye on them, and wyllynge to proue, yf yet nowe at the last they wyl repent and amend▪ that they maye bee saued, sendeth not vntounto theym hys seruauntes the Prophets as afore but hys owne dearelye beloued and only begotten sonne, to cal them, by hys moste godly sermons vntounto repentaunce and amendmente of lyfe, and to wo…rke miracles amonge the…m not onelye for the confirmacyon of hys doctryne, but also for theyr comforte. Christe preacheth. Christ… worketh myracles. Christe sendeth hys Dis…iple… and Apostles abrode to preache, Christe turneth eueryevery stone as they saye, to wynne the Iewes vntounto true godlynesse, to brynge them vntounto repen…aunce, vntounto faythe, and vntounto amendemente of lyfe. But how is Christe and hys doctryne receyued? Fewe godly persons excepted, the residue mocke & scorne Christ. They cal hym a tea…her of newe learnynge▪ …ne possessed wyth a Diuel a dece…e… of the …eople, a mad man, a glotten, a w…ne by…ber, a frende-of synne…s …nd whores a Samaritan, and al that …ought is. To be short, they neuer put …f theyr f… ry vntyl they br…ught Christ vntounto deathe, e…ē vn…o the deathe of the crosse.Math. xxvii. This rewarde hadde good Christe of the churlyshe Iewes for hys vnres…full paynes takynge. Notwythstan…ynge Chri… sheweth hym selfe …yll a louynge Sauio…e euen to hys very enemies.Wat. xxviii. War. xvi. Luke. xxiiii. Acts v.vii. Ac…es. …ii. For after his gloryous resurreccion he sent forth his Apostles to preach and to worcke myracles amonge them, to proue if they …oulde yet conuerte and a…ende. But what became of them, Some they priso…ed, some they whipped, some they stoned▪ some they slew with swerde all euen so manye as they cou…de get they most cruel…ye …n…eated▪ so nothynge were they moued vntounto repentaunce eyther by the doctrine or miracles of the Apostles. After they had slayne Christe, God gaue theym .xl. yeares respyte to repente, alwayes sendynge them preachers …o exhorte theim vntounto repentaunce and to a fore warne them of the plages to come excepte they repente and amend. They would not heare but tyrant like handled the faithful preachers of Chris… yea the godly …post…e Seynt Iames, whiche in there chiefe cytye Ierusalem was Byshop and Preacher among them thyr…ye yeares after Christes ascencyon▪ neuer c…ssy…e neyther daye nor nyghte to exhor…e them vntounto …rue godlinesse, and to praye vntounto God to be merciful vntounto theym, and to forgeue th… ̄ theyr synnes▪ they moo…e cruelly entreat…d and vniustly put him to deathe. What folowed? God whyche wyll not alwayes wyncke at the wyckednes of man, styrred vppe the Romaynes agaynste theym, which besieged them so longe▪ that the Iewes were compelled for very… h…nger (O horrible act & dredeful dede) to …ate their owne children, yea & to creepe into the pri…eies (O mooste lothesome thynge) and to s…ratte oute the mooste fyl…ye and stync…ynge doun…ē (whyche eyes abhor to se and nose to smell) and for very famyne to …are it. Whose hearte tremble…h not to heare these thynges? One slewe a nother for mea…e. One plucked anothers meate ou…e of hys mouthe. Some died for honger.
Some slewe theym selues. The houses were full of deade womenne and chyldren. The w…yes laye full of deade carcasses of olde people. The yonge folke went vp and downe in the cytye famished for honger, and as the verye shadowes of deathe readye at euerye steppe to fal downe, In the cytye was nothynge but lamentacion, sygh…nge, ceyinge, Wepynge sorowe, Plage, Pestilence, Murther, Famine, feare, tearynge of heare, wryngynge of handes, cursinge the tyme of theyr byrthe, desperacyon callynge for deathe, lookynge for presente de…truccyon, and what so euer … vnpleasaunte and deadely. The death in the City thorow the plages and famine was so great, that besides, houses …etes and great diches ful of innumerab…e dead carcasses, ther wer cast oute of the gates of the citye, sixe hundred thousand deade bodyes of menne, women and chyldren, O moost lamenta…le ch…ūce. They that were slain, were a leauē hondred .M. They that were led prysonners awaye of the ennemies were in nomber fowrescore and xvii. thousande. They that died for hunger in pryson were .x…i. thousande. The famous temple, the princelye palaces, the hyghe towers, the stronge Castles, the gorgyous buyldynge, the pleasaunte houses, the thycke walles, the myghty Fortresses, and all that euer there was, they threwe downe and brente. All thynges lost theyr old beautye. A dystructyon and verye desolacyon of al thinges was made: what so euer was wythin the cytye it wente to hauocke.psal. cxxvii. There were two thousande of them that fled out of the ci…y…, whyche had theyr belies …ypte and opened in one nyghte, to see if they had swalowed manye goulde into theyr bodyes or not. Ther w…s nothing s…e …ō the ennemy. O truly it is sayde of the Psalmographe▪ excep…e the Lorde keepeth the cytye, he watcheth in …aine that keepeth it. If the Lorde fyghteth, who can resiste his power? If the Lorde wyll destroye, who can sa…e? If the Lord wyl cast downe▪ w…n is able to helpe vp.prouerb. xx… There is no wisedome, no for…a…e, no Councell that ca n… preuayle agayn…e the Lorde, All the towers, Castles. Fortresses, bulwa…ckes and …locke houses, all armoures, Gunnes, and a…tilla…e▪ all st…engthe, valeaunce and pollicye, can preuayle no thynge if the Lorde bee agaynste vsus, whiche is almightye, as he sayeth by the Prophet, ther is none that can take away any thyng out of my hande, and what I wil do, can no man put away nor chaunge. From that distruccyon of Hierusalem vntounto thys daye,Esay. xiiii. the Iewes hauehave euerlyued like moste vile…a… gaboundes and abhominable abiectes, hauyng no certayne country, no common weale, no kingdome, no priesthode. Verely no man, e…cepte he be flynte hearted▪ can rede the historye of the destruccyon of Hierusalem, as Iosephus do the dyscribe it, wythoute moste large teares. Woulde God it were translated into our Englyshe tonge, that all men myght rede it and learne to feare God. For it God spared not the natural olyue tree for theyr vnfaythfulnes & disobedyence,Rom. xi. I in ca…e the Iewes▪ neyther wil he spare the wilde oliue tree, I meane vsus that are gentiles, if we commit the like offences. If god wolde not spare them, to whome pertaineth the adoption, and the glorye, and couenauntes, and the lawe that was geuen, and the seruyce of God, and the promyses, whose also are the fathers▪ and they of whome (as concernynge the fleshe) Chris…e came, whyche is God ouer al thinges blessed for euer, is it too bee thought that he wil spare vsus whych were heathen in tyme past, without Christe, reputed a…iauntes from the common wealth of Israel and straungers from the testaments of the promes▪ Ephe. ii.& had no hope, & wer without God in this world, if we be foūd vnfaythful & dysobedyent?ii. Pete. ii. If God spa…ed not the aungels that synned but cast them downe into hel, & deliuered them into chaines of darcknes, to be kept vntounto the iudgement, let vsus not thincke that he wyl spare vsus mortal & miserable wretches if we without rep… tance go forth to offend his diuine maiesty.hebru. x. He that despiseth Moses lawe, dieth without merci, vnderunder two or three wytnesses, of howe muche more greuous punyshemente suppose ye shall he bee counted worthye, whych treadeth vnderunder foote the sonne of God, and counteth the bloude of the Testamente as an vngodlye thinge, wherewith he was sanctified, and …oth dishonoure to the spirite of grace? Oh, it is a fearful thynge to …all into the handes o… the lyuynge God.Psalme. … ▪ For vponupon the vngodlye wyl he raine snares, fyre, brymstone, and tempest, thys rewarde shall the wycked hauehave to dryncke. God hauehave mercye on vsus & gyue vsus al grace to …eare hym a ryght, to repente and amende …ure lyfe, to embrace hys blessed gospel and to …ryng forthe the frutes thereof.
What shall I speake of the myghtye Monarchies or Empyres of the Assyryans and Greekes,The Assiri… and Greke… whiche florished not only with al kinde of temporall ry…ches, but also wyth moste excellent and learned wyttes? Lyue they not nowe in most myserable captiuity vnderunder that cruell tiraunt the great Turke that mortall ennemye of Christes religion? Howe came it to passe? Verelye they were disobediente to Gods word, vnthanckefull one to another, and led a lyfe more lasciuious and wāton than that effeminate king Sardanapalus. God stirred vp preachers to exhorte them vntounto repentaunce. They laughed theym to scorne. It came to pas, that God for thei… engratytude and churlyshnes gaue them into suche an ennemies hande, as none could be founde more hateful neyther concerning Christ nor Christes religion, whych at that tyme bothe kylled & soulde an infynyte number, and euen at this presente oppresseth them wyth most miserable seruitude, and houldeth them down in most vile slauery, vntounto the great decaye of the christen faythe, & vntounto the vnspeakeable sorow of al godly people.
Howe came it to passe that the Rhodes euen in our tyme is subdued also of that most cruell Tyraunte the Emperoure of Turckye,The …. tourned frome Christ vntounto Mahomet, from the christen religiō vntounto the Turkish profession? Was not superstycyon, I…olotry, fayned holynes colored chastitye, that is to say, fylthy whoredom, stinking fornication, dyssoluteliuing, vsury, & such lyke abhom…nable vyces causes hereof? God hold his holye hād ouer vsus. To spe…e much of Germany, sometime a deare mother … louynge Nurse, and frendelye Patronesse, of all learnynge, and a sure Sanctuarye for godlye learnned men to …lee vntounto from Antichristes tirannye,Germ…nye. a coūtry sometime rychely endued wyth all spiritual ble…synges of god …rom whome also braue… out the comfortable lyghte of Chri…es Gospell, that nowe shineth here among vsus in thys rea…me, ve…y sorowe wi…l not … me. O nowe …: a thynge is it so noble fre and famous a cont…ye to be brought into …lauery, yea and that wor…e is godly and Christe… preache…s to …e banishe…, and wicked papi…tes to enter in, the preachynge of Christes Gospell …oo be dryuen out o… the churches, and the popy…he seruice …o be vsed the supper of the Lord to be taken a way, and that moost Idolatrous, …ynckyng and abhominable masking Masse to be receiued as a God. What christen hearte l…menteth not too consyder the…se thynges. Of the plage that is nowe fallen among them▪ the men of God. I meane the prea…hers told them ful o…r to fore and exhorted them vntounto repentaunce. But all in vayne. For re…ay…e godlye Magis…rates and learened men excepted wyth a few other, the greater parte of Germanye euen as in the Popes kyngedome walcked styll in the woordes of darkenes. They talked muche of Chri…es Gospell, but lyued no parte thereof. They abused the spyrytual… lyber…ye of the Gospell, and tourned it to Carnall …edome, makynge the Gospell, a clooke of theyr wyckednesse. Theese abho…ynacyons …oulde no… God su…fer, seynge that before all othe… nacyons he had …euen them the knoweledge of hys holye word. Notwithstanding I doubt not but that God for hys mercyes sake, and for the louelove of hys electe whome that countrye nourysheth,Psal. lxxxx. wyl shortlye tourne away hys anger from theym▪ and lyghten hys chereful and louynge countenaunce agai…e vponupon them▪ as he sayth by the Psalmographe. If they breake my ordynaunces, & kepe not my commaundements I wyll …iser theyr o…fences …i…h the rod, and theyr sins wyth scourges. Neuertheles my louinge kindnes wil I not vtterly take from him, nor suffer my truthe to f…il. The Lord is full of compassion and me…cye▪ longe su…erynge and of great e goodnes▪ …e wyl not …e…le wyth is after our sins,Psalm. ciii. nor …ewarde …s a…cor…yng to oure wyckednes. For looke howe hye the hea…en is in compary…on o… the earthe so greate is his me…cye also to wa…e theym that feare hym. Loke howe wy…e the … is from the we…t, so far wy… he sette ou… sy…nes …rom vsus. yea, like as father p…teth his owne children euen …o is the Lord mercyful to them that fear him. For he knoweth wherof we be made▪ he remembreth that we are but …ust▪ that a man in hys tyme is out as grasse▪ and florysheth as a …oure o… the feyl…e: For as sone as the wynde goeth ouer it▪ it is gonne, and the place therof knoweth it no more. But the merciful goodnes of the Lorde endureth …or euer and euer vppon them that fea…e him and his ryghteousnesse vppon theyr children, suche as kepe his couenaunte, and thinke vponupon the commaun…ements to do them.
Moreouer, as I maye let passe dyuers other hystoryes, whyc…e be leafte he…e amonge vsus as monumentes of Goddes vengaunce agaynste the churlish …nd vnthanckeful, and as they say come nere home. Rede we not that god stirred vp Gildas to prech vntounto the olde Britannes a…d too exhorte theym vntounto repentaunce and amendemente o… lyfe,Bryttayne. and afore wa…ne theym of the plages to come▪ if they repente not? Wha… … it? Gildas was laughed to scorne and taken for a false Prophete, and a malycyous Preacher. The Bretannes wyth lustye courages, whorishe faces, and vnrepentaunte hea…tes wente forth to synne, and to offende the Lorde theyr God. What folowed? God sente in theyr ennemyes vponupon them on eueryevery syde, and dystroyed them and gaue the lande vntounto other nacions. And sente that ryme God hathe …laged thys real…e full ofte for theyre synne and dys…bedyence. Not manye yeares past, God seinge Idolatry, supe…st…cion, Hipocrisye, and wycked l…uynge vsed in thys realme, raysed vp that godlye lea…ened manne Ihon Wyclyfe to preache vntounto oure fathers rep…ntaunce, and too exh…rte them to amende theyr lyues, to forsake theyr Papistrye and Idolat…ye,Wicleffe with his bokes condempned & brent for an heretike af…er his deth theyr Hyprocrisye supersticion, and to walke in the feare of God. Hys e…hortacions were not regarded. He with his sermons was …espysed. Hys bookes and he him self al…o after hys deathe were bre…te. What folowed? They slewe theyr ryghte kynge, and sette vppe .iii. wrong Kynges arowe, vnderunder whome all the noble bloude was slayne vppe, and halfe the commones therto, what in F…aunce and what with theyr owne …werd …n fyghtynge amonge them selues for the crowne, and the cytyes and tow…es decayed, and the Land… broughte hal…e to a wildernes in respecte o… that it was before. O extreame plages of gods vengaūce. Sence that time euen of late yeres God once again hauynge pytye on this realme o… Englande, raysed vp his Prophets namelye Wyllyam Tindal, Thomas Bilney, Ihon Fry…he, Doctoure Barnes Ierome, Garret, Anthonye …arsone, wyth dyuers other, whyche bothe wyth theyr wryghtynges & sermons earnestlye labored to cal vsus vntounto repen…aūce that by this meanes the fears wrath of God might be tourned awaye from vsus? But how were they entreated? Howe were theyr paineful labours regarded? They them selues were condempned and brēt as heretikes, and theyr bokes condemned and brēt …s heretical. O moste vnworthy act. The tyme shall come saythe Christe, that who so euer kylleth you, wyll thynke that he doothe God hye good seruyce. Whether anye thynge sence that tyme hath chaunced …nto thys realme worthye the name of a plage, lette the godlye wyse Iudge.Ihon. xvi. If God hath dyfferred hys punyshement…, or forgeuen vsus these oure wycked dedes, as I truste, he hathe, lette vsus not therefore be prowde and hye myneded, but mooste humblye thancke hym for hys tender mercies & beware of the lyke vngodlye enterprises heareafter. But howe so euer the matter goeth, of thys am I sure, that God yet once agayne is come on visytacyon to thys churche of England yea and that more louingly and beneficially then euer he dyd afore. …or in this his visitacion he hathe redressed many abuse… and clense… this his church of much vngodlynes and superstycyon, and made it a gloryous churche, if it be compa…ed vntounto the olde forme an… state. He hathe geuen vsus a most worthye Prince t… be oure kynge,iii. re.…. whyche haste not o… bothe …y…es folowinge God and Baal▪ Chr…e and the Pope, neyther toucneth he vntounto the ryghthande nor vntounto the le…t,Deut Esay. xx…. but he wa…eth ve…ye faythefullye in the …ame waye, that the Lorde hys God hathe appoynnted: hauynge alwayes a respecte vntounto goddes lawe, that he maye do all thynges accordynge to the …ame. He hathe geuen the Kynge hys Mage…y also moste wyse and godlye learened councellers to … hys grace,Iosu. …. whyche vntounto the vttermooste of theyr pow…r …tudye to set forth the glorye of God, to maynetayne the true, and Christen religion: and to keepe the common wealthe in a decente & quiet or…er. He hathe geuen vsus hys moste blessed woorde to reade. yea and that in oure owne Englyshe tounge. He… hathe sente vsus faythefull· and godlye preachers t… instructe vsus aboundauntlye in the knowledg of his blessed wil. He hath driuen awaye that Idolatrous Masse, and restored vntounto vsus the ryghte vse of the Lordes supper. He hathe banyshed the Romysh… seruyce and supersticious Ceremonies oute of the temples, & placed in theyr steade godlye Preachers and learned sermons. Certes louynglye and verye mercifully hath god dealt wyth vsus in this his visitacion. And al these hys gyftes are euidente tokens of his louinge kindenesse towarde vsus. We hauehave nowe God our louing father and merciful Sauioure, let vsus take heede, that we make hym not of a frende a… ennemye. He hathe nowe blessed vsus wyth all manner of spirituall blessyng, let vsus take hede, that hys blessing be not turned into curssing. He hath nowe turned awaye oure captiuity, let vsus take hede, that he throwe vsus not agayne into our olde thr…ldome, He hathe enryched vsus nowe wyth manye singule… and noble benefites, let vsus take heede, that they be… n…t taken awaye from vsus for oure vnkindenes and plages caste vppon vsus …n theyre steade? If wee walke worthye o… gods kyndnes and of the…se his inestimable benefits, eue…y man liuing …n his vocacion with all humblenesse of minde and mekenesse, we be diligen…e to keepe the vnitye of the sp…yte in the bond of peace,…he. iiii. i… we be …nth…c…eful to God for hys benefite… and benefi…a… to oure p…ore Christen brethren and sis…e…ne▪ God wyll surely encrease these his …ftes in vsus …nd en…che vsus with mo singular ben…ytes. He wyll surely prese…ue the kynges Ma…es…ye and hys mooste honourable Counsel and geue …em long and prosperous lyfe in thys world vntounto the greate conforte of all …s hys Graces sub…ect …. We wyll defende thys …ealme▪ kepe vsus harmeles from al our ennemy… and send …s a…oun…an…e of al thynges necessarye for this presente lyfe▪ and after our departure from this …a…e of miserye▪ eternal glory. Cōtrariwise, if we wyl not walcke wor…hye of goddes kindnes, but bee …nthanckfull for hys benefytes, and lyue nowe in thys gloryous lyghte of the Gospell as beastelyke in pride▪ enuye, …ouetousnes. Malyce, Voluptuousnes, Unmercifulnes and in all kynde of other sinnes, as we dyd afore …ndoubtedlye God wyll take awaye hys benefytes from vsus and power hys plages vppon vsus. He will bringe in agay… the pope, the popes lawes, the popes masse, the Popes Ceremonies▪ the popes lims, the Monckes, the Friers, e…c Chanones, the Nu…s the A…kers, Anc…esses, the He…emi…es, and …l the table of hipocrites & the deuill & all. And wyl take away our most christē king & his moost …ertuous and honourable co…nsel and in theyr st…e se…e vp some wycked kynge and vngodly tyrauntes. He wil take away oure godly Magi…rates and giuegive vsus C…terpyl…ers of the common wealth. He wyll take away al godly learned preachers and sende in Antichristes chapl…s. He wil take away the p…re flower of hys heauenlye wo…rde, and feede vsus wyth the… sower leaue… of the Pharise…s. Hee wyll Plage vsus wyth Pestylence, …my…e and hunger. …ea hee wyll sty…re vp…e one tyrraunte or other too take vengeaunce on …, …o shedde oure bloude, to oppresse vsus wyth swear…e, to …yll …ure wyues sons and daughters▪ to …on…ume …, eare all that eue…e we hauehave, to ma…e …ure countrye de…olate and the …aste …tterlye to … vsus … …rom the face of the earthe, that hys name thorowe the abhomynable liuynge may… no more …e blasphemed▪ rayle… upon and e…yll spoken o… ▪ as the Prophete te…ty…yeth, sayinge, If ye wyll be … a…d heare me, ye shall eat the good fruites of the earthe. If ye wyll not, but prouoke me vntounto anger, surelye the swearde shal deuour you for the Lorde hathe spoken it wyth hys owne mo…the: What is then to be done:Esaye. i. that we may contynewe in the fauoure of God, hauehave hym styll oure moos…e mercyfull Lorde and en…oye hys benefytes vntounto the ende: Verelye euen that thinge whyche all godlye menne hauehave euer vsed to do boothe in prosperitie and aduersytye. I meane: praye too the Lorde oure God wyth a penytente and faythefull hearte. For prayer if it be ryghtly vsed, is of great… …alure before God… and doeth not onlye make hym oure good and mer…ifull Lorde▪ but also easlye obtayneth of hym, what so euer wee are accordynge to hys wyll. The holye Ghoste, the knoweledge of Goddes blessed woorde,i. Ihon. …. necessaryes for thys presente lyfe▪ peace for realmes, quyetnesse for com… mon wealthes, vy…torye of ennemyes, hauynge of …hyldrene, fort…nate delyueraunce of thee same, healthe, longe lyfe, remissyon of synnes eternall glorye, wyth all other good thynges pertaynynge eyther too the soule or to the body, fa…heful praye… obtayneth of God, as oure Sauyoure Christe sayeth: what so euer ye shall aske in prayer: If ye beleue: ye shall receyue it. For asmuche therefore as nothynge is more necessarye too bee vsed of thee treue Christians for the contynu…unce of goddes fauoure and of hys heauenlye blessynges towarde them, and for the auoydynge of all plages and dyspleasures, than prayer, for asmuche al…o as nothynge dothe so muche adorne, garnyshe and se…te forthe the goodlye and prosperous state of a common wealthe, as euerye manne diligentlye, fayeth fullye, and quyetly to lyue in his vocacion and callynge, I not otherwyse knowinge howe I may be able to doo good to my countrye out by prayinge, preachynge and wryghtynge (for fortune gooeth foorthe frowardelye too trowne vppon me) hauehave these fewe weekes pa…e compiled and made a bo…e … Prayers, comprehendynge not onelyonly necessa…y …nd conuenyen… Prayers for al degrees or menne euen frō the highest to the lowest but also for al other thynges necessary to be prayd for. So that yf wee wyll fol…we the order of charytye, and do the wyl of God, whiche commaundeth vsus to pray one for another, …gayne if we wil praye to obtain vertue and to fl… vyce▪ this booke shall mini…er to the godly, conuenyen…e and mere prayers. And because the prayers shoulde bee the more acceptable vntounto god▪ and soūd the better in hys godly eares, agayne that the godly exercisers of prayer may praye wyth the more fruite, and bee the better editted: I hauehave trauayled to the vttermooste of my power too vse in theese prayers as fewe woordes of my ow…ea… I coulde, and to gle…e oute of the frutieful fyelde of the sacred scryptures, what so euer I founde meete for euerye prayer that I made, that whan it is prayed, not manne but the holy Ghost may seme to speake.
After I hadde finyshed theese prayers mooste vertuous Ladye, youre … came fyrste too my remembrance, as a wor…ye Patrones boothe of the godlye and of godlynesse, boothe of the learned and of learninge, to whom euen of most bounden dutye I oughte to offer thys my laboure. The gyfte I confesse is small and slender, if it be… compared wyth youre graces lyberalytye, whyche your grace hathe mooste bounteouslye shewed vntounto me sence I came fyrste too youre seruyce. Notwythstandynge I am so fullye perswaded of youre g…aces mooste gentle nature and godlye dysposyon toward so many … are godly and well bent and vertuouslye minded, that I feare nothinge to o…er this my …ooke vntounto your grace, as a testimonye of my seruise…le heart and ready bent good wyll towarde your grace. It is a flower, I graunte. Notwithstandynge suche a flower, as if it be ryghtelye vsed, is of synguler vertue and myghtye in operatyon. No euyla…er can hu…te where the …uoue… of thys flower commeth. yea the deuil the world & the flesh cā not abide the ayer of thy… flower, so mighte is the spiritual operacion therof. The flower ge…th a smel in the stre…es to the soule of the faythefull, as Cimamone and Balme▪ that hathe so good … sauoure▪ yea a swete odoure doth it gyue as it wer mirre of the best. I therfore most humblye besech… your grace to take thys my small gyft in good part which comminge as it were from your Grace into the handes of many, shal (I doubt not) doo manye good, and bee the occasion that vyce shal decrese, and vertue abundauntly encrease among vsus. God, whose holye worde your Grace most feruently louelove and moste earnestly practise in your daylye conuersacion mought vouchsafe to …reserue your Grace wyth my Lordes Grace, youre moste louyng husband and al your godly & …e…tuous chyldrē in cō tinual health & dayly ēcrease of honour vntounto the glory of his name, and …he comfort of al vsus your graces moost… humble and faytheful ser…nts.
Amen.