A Cloud of Witnesses, Part H · Section 16 – Section 17

A Cloud of Witnesses · Part H · Section 16 – Section 17

p. 187Hooper.

Mr. Iohn Hooper in his exile writ a Declaration of Christ and his Office, and a Declaration of the holy Commandmants of Almighty God, &c.

In his Epistle (before his Declaration of Christ and his Office) to the Duke of Somerset. See his Declaration of Christ and his Office, Printed at Zurick An 1547.— Because the right of every just and lawful Heir is half lost and more, when his Title and Claim is unknown, I have written this little Book, containing what Christ is, and what his Office is, that every godly man may put to his helping hand to restore him again to his Kingdome, — who hath sustained open and manifest wrong this many years, as it appeareth by his evidence and writing, the Gospel sealed with his precious blood. —

p. 188In his Declaration — ch. 3. — Jesus Christ in all things executed the true Office of a Bishop, to whom it appertained to teach the people, which was the chiefest part of the Bishops Office, and most diligently and straitly commanded by God. As all the Books of Moses and the Prophets teach, and Christ commanded Peter, Iohn 20. and Paul all the Bishops and Priests of his time, Acts 20. — Christ left nothing untaught, but as a good Doctor manifested unto his Audience all things necessary for the health of man, Iohn 4. — He gave also his Apostles and Disciples after his resurrection commandment to preach, and likewise what they should preach, Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature, teaching them to observe what I have commanded, Matt. 28. — As they did most sincerely and plainly without all glosses or additions of their own inventions, and were as testimonies of the Truth, and not the Authors thereof. — Alwayes in their Doctrine they taught the thing that Christ first taught and Gods holy Spirit inspired them, Gal. 1. 2 Cor. 3. Holy Apostles never took upon them to be Christ's Vicar in the Earth, nor to be his Lieutenant; But said, Let a men so account of us, as of the Ministers of Christ, and Stewards of the Mysteries of God, 1 Cor. 4.1. And in the same Epistle the Apostle Paul hiddeth the Corinthians to follow him in nothing, but where he followed Christ, chap. 11. They ministred not in the Church, as though Christ was absent, although his most glorious Body was departed into the Heavens above, but as present, that alwayes governeth his Church with his Spirit of Truth, as he promised, Matth. ult. Behold I will be with you to the end of the world. In the absence of his Body he hath commended the protection and p. 189governance of his Church to the Holy Ghost, one and the same God with the Father and himself. — It was no little pain that Christ suffered in washing away the sins of this Church: therefore he will not commit the defence thereof to man. It is no less glory to defend and keep the thing won by force, then it is by force to obtain the victory. — Therefore he keepeth the defence and governance of the Church onelyonly and solely himself, in whom the Devil hath not a jot of right. Though the Apostles were instructed in all truth, &c. they were but Ministers, Servants, Testimonies, and Preachers of this verity, and not Christ's Vicars on Earth, &c. but onelyonly appointed to approve the thing to be good, that God's Law commanded, and that to be ill, which the Word of God condemned. Seeing that Christ doth govern his Church alwayes by his holy Spirit, and bindeth all the Ministers thereof unto the sole Word of God: what abomination is this, that one Bishop of Rome, &c. should claim to be Christ's Vicar on Earth, and take upon him to make any Laws in the Church of God to bind the conscience beside the Word of God, and by their Superstition and Idolatry put the Word of God out of his place? — All, that are not blinded with the smoke of Rome, know the Bishop of Rome to be the Beast Iohn describeth in the Apocalyps, as well as the Logician knoweth that risibilitate distinguitur homo a caeteris animantibus. Christs supremacy and continual presence in the Church admits no Lieutenant, nor general Vicar: Likewise it admitteth not the Decrees and Laws of men brought into the Church, contrary unto the Word and Scripture of God, which is onelyonly sufficient to teach all verity and truth, for the salvation of man. — ch. 4. — This Law teacheth p. 190man sufficiently as well what he is bound to do unto God, as unto the Princes of the world, Rom. 13. 1 Pet. 2. Nothing necessary for man but in this Law it is prescribed. Of what degree, vocation, or calling soever he be, his duty is shewed unto him in the Scripture. And in this it differeth from mans laws, because it is absolutely perfect, and never to be changed, nothing to be added to it, nor taken from it. And the Church of Christ the more it was, and is burdened with mans laws, the farther it is from the true and sincere verity of Gods Word. — Though Basil, Ambrose, Epiphanius, Augustine, Bernard, and others erred not in any principal Article of the Faith, yet they did not inordinately, and more then enough extol the Doctrine and Tradition of men, and after the death of the Apostles, every Doctors time was subject to such Ceremonies and manners, that were neither profitable nor necessary. —

— Unto the writings of Scripture onelyonly, and not unto the writings of men, God hath bound and obligated his Church. In this passage. I admonish the Christian Reader that I speak not of the Laws of Magistrates or Princes, that daily order new Laws for the preservation of their Commonwealths, as they see the necessity of their Realms or Cities require; but of such Laws, as men have ordained for the Church of Christ, which should be now and for ever governed by the Word of God. — This Law must prevail. We must obey God rather then man. The example hereof we have in Daniel of the Three Children, who chose rather to burn in the fiery Furnace, then to worship the Image that Nebuchadnezzar had made. So did the Apostles, Acts 5. — Cursed be those that make such Laws; and cursed be those that with sophistry defend p. 191them.—ch. 5.—The Authority of Gods word requireth me to pronounce this true Judgement in the case of Images that be not worshipped in the Church, that their presence in the Church is against Gods Word, as well as to say, Sancta Maria ora pro nobis.

— The Old Testament saith, Exod. 20. Deut. 6. Thou shalt make no Image. The New saith, that Christ came not to destroy the Law, but to fulfill it, Matth. 5. Christ therefore hath left the commandments of the old Law unto the Church, in which he saith, Thou shalt not make any Image. — Of late years Images were in the Temple, and honoured with pater noster, heart and mind, leg and knee: Now they be applyed to another use to teach the people, to be Lay-mens Books, as Damascene, &c. saith. O blasphemous and devillish Doctrine! — The most perfect Churches of the Prophets, Christ, and his Apostles used no such mean: and we ought to follow them and the Word of God, writ by the Prophets and Apostles. — The words of Gregory ad Seren. Episcop. M…ssil. part. 10. Ep. 4. should move no man, though he say, Quod legentibus Scriptura, hoc ideotis pictura praestat cernentibus. This is but Gregory's opinion. Epiphanius was not of his mind, He willed the occasion of ill to be taken out of the Church, as Paul commandeth, 1 Thes. 5. This Doctor was (as all men know) of singular learning and vertue. Again against the Authority of Gregory the Great I set the Authority of Athanasius the Great, who denieth in express words the Images to be the Books of the Lay people. Lactantius Firmianus crieth so out against Images, that he saith there can be no true Religion where they be. Tertullian judgeth the same. — Loved we God we would be content with the p. 192Scripture. — Shall not the Patriarks, Prophets, Christ and his Apostles suffice the Church of God? What although many learned men have approved Images, should their wisdome maintain any contrary to the Word of God? — Such as defend them have nothing but sophistical arguments to blind the people with. The Scripture nor Apostles Church used none. Had all Asia, Africa, and Europe, and Gabriel the Archangel descended from Heaven approved the use of Images, forasmuch as the Apostles never taught nor wrote any such thing, their Authority should have no place; the Word of God solely and onelyonly is to be prefer'd, which forbiddeth Images. — ch. 10. — The Office of Christ to sanctifie us (according to Iohn 17.1 sanctifie my self, that they may be sanctified) doth abrogate all other things that mans constitutions attribute any holiness unto, as bewitched water, &c. for onelyonly Christ sanctifieth, and all holiness we must attribute unto him. — Sacraments must be used holily, yet not have this Office of Christ added to them. — ch. 11. — In the later dayes when Christ, as King, was to be born, the Angel declared the Power and Puissance of his Kingdome. He shall reign over the house of Jacob, and of his Kingdome there shall be no end, Luke 1. Although the Commonwealth of the Church hath no certain place appointed, where it shall remain, as it was appointed in the old Law, yet certain we be that this Kingdome of Christ remaineth upon the Earth, and shall do till the Earth be burned, Matth. 16.28. 1 Cor. 15. Howbeit as Christ wan and obtained this Kingdome in the later dayes without shield or spear, so doth he preserve it with his holy Spirit, and not with carnal weapons. My Kingdome is not of this world, John 18. Meaning he would p. 193not reign in this world, as a Prince of this world in pomp and pride, but defend his people with his holy Spirit, that the Devil and the World should not break their patience, though many afflictions and sorrows should fight against them for the Truth's sake. Christ doth not deny to be King of the world, but he meant not to reign worldlily, to the hinderance and defacing of the Emperours Dignity and Title; as the Jews falsly accused him, as Cyrillus l. 12. c. 10. in Iohannem saith. — This Kingdome shall be ever persecuted till the worlds end. Isaiah the Prophet described the Church of this present life, saying, He will give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, but he will not remove thy teachers, chap. 30.20. Thus the Church shall alwayes remain but in affliction. I know such as favour not the Truth, will interpret my words, that I condemn all Princes and Kings, as enemies of the Gospel, because they peaceably enjoy their Kingdomes, whereas I wish them alwayes so to do to the glory of God: but of the one thing I will assure every Prince of world; The more sincere he is in the Cause of God, the more shall be his Cross. — God indeed preserveth above humane reason his Ministers, as he did Iacob from the hands of Esau, David from Saul, Daniel from the Lions, and Paul in the Ship, when there was no humane hope of salvation. — Likewise he governeth his Church with his onelyonly Laws. — The onelyonly Law whereunto this Congregation is bound is the Gospel, as Christ saith; Iohn 4. The Holy Ghost shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things which I have said unto you. Here Christ bindeth the Apostles and all the Church unto the things that he had taught them. — Such as teach the people to know the Commonwealth p. 194of the true Church by these signs, the traditions of men, and the succession of Bishops, teach wrong. Those two false opinions have given unto the succession of Bishops power to interpret the Scripture, and power to make such Laws in the Church, as it pleased them. — God hath given the Civil Magistrates power and authority to make such Laws for the Commonwealth as shall be agreeable with reason, and not against Gods Law, and likewise power to interpret the same Laws: but this is not to be admitted in the Church, unto whom God hath given the Gospel, and interpreted the same by his onelyonly Son, taught the meaning and contents thereof himself. — The adversaries of the Truth defend many an errour under the name of the holy Church: when the Church therefore is named, diligently consider when the Articles they would defend, were accepted of the Church, by whom, and who was the Author of them. Leave not till the matter be brought unto the first original and most perfect Church of the Apostles. If thou find by their writings, that their Church used the thing that the Preacher would prove, then accept it, or else not. Be not amazed, though they speak of never so many years, nor name never so many Doctors. — If either the Authority of Bishops, or the greater part should have power to interpret the Scripture, the sentence of the Pharisees should have been prefer'd before the sentence of Zachary, Simion, Elizabeth, or the blessed Virgin. Consider the true Church is many time but a small Congregation, as Isaiah saith, Unless God had left us a remnant, we had been as Sodom. Therefore the interpretation of the Scripture is not obligated to ordinary power, nor the most part. — Beware of deceit, when thou hearest the name of the Church. p. 195The verity is then assaulted. They call the Church of the Devil, the holy Church many time. — Remember, Christian Reader, that the gift of interpreting the Scripture is the light of the Holy Ghost given unto the humble and penitent person, that seeketh onelyonly to honour God, and not unto those persons that claim it by title or place, because he is a Bishop, or followed by succession Peter or Paul. — Remember therefore to examine all Doctrine by the Word of God; for such as preach it aright, have their infirmities and ignorance, they may depart from the Truth, or else build some superstition and false Doctrine upon the Gospel of Christ. Superstition is to be avoided, false Doctrine to be abhorred, whosoever be the Author thereof, Prince, Magistrate, or Bishop. As the Apostles made answer, Acts 5. We ought to obey God rather then man. — ch. 13. — The Law is necessary for a justified man to teach him with what works he should exercise his faith, will, and obedience unto God. We may not chuse works of our own wisdome to serve him withal. He would have us to be governed by his Word, as David saith, Thy Word is a light unto my feet: And Christ, In vain do they worship me by the commands of men. —

In the second Declaration.See his Declaration of the ten holy Commandments of Almighty God, Printed A. 1548. pag. 8, 9. — Moses commandeth, Deut. 4 that no man should decline from this Law, neither to the right, nor left hand, i. e. That no man should adde to, or take any thing from it, but simply to observe it, as it is given or written to us. From this right line and true rule of Gods Word man erreth divers wayes: Sometimes by ignorance, because he knoweth not , or will not know, that onelyonly the express Word of God sufficeth. He holdeth with the most part, and condemneth the better, as it is to be seen at this present p. 196day. This reason taketh place, it is allowed of the most part, and established by so many holy and learned Bishops, therefore it is true, &c. Another way that leadeth from the Word of God, is many times the power and authority of this world, as we see by the Bishop of Rome, and all his adherents, who give more credit to one Charter and Gift of Constantine, then to the whole Bible. Another erreth by mistaking of the time, making his superstition far elder then it is, &c. One saith thus, My Father believed, and should I believe the contrary? — Whereas no Law at all should be spoken of conscience,Pag. 11. but the onelyonly Word of God, which never altered, nor can be altered, Matt. 5. Luk. 10. Psal. 18.119. If Heavens and Earth made by word cannot be altered, how much more the Word it self! Unto which Law, the conscience of man in matters of faith is bound onelyonly.Pag. 13. — Such as can interpret nothing, will say, I have an ill opinion of God in Heaven, and of the superiour Powers on Earth, because I damn the Disciples of the false Doctors with the Doctors, and take from all Powers on Earth authority to prescribe unto their Subjects any Law touching Religion of the soul. As concerning those that be seduced by false Teachers, St. Luke c. 6. and Ezekiel 3. and 13. judge as I do. — Both he that leadeth to damnation, and he that is led,Pag. 14. falleth into the pit. — Notwithstanding I believe, that in the midst of darkness, when all the world (as far as man might judge) had sworn unto the Bishop of Rome, Christ had his Elect, that never consented to his false Laws, as it was in the time of Elias, 1 Kings 19. where God saith, He had preserved seven thousand that had not bowed the knee to Baal.Pag. 15. — As many as die before us, seduced by false Teachers without repentance, the Scripture p. 197condemneth: As many as believed them not, but trusted to the Scripture (or else deceived, yet repented before they died) live eternally in joy and solace and are saved, as Iohn saith Rev. 13. in the blood of the Lamb. — As touching the superiour Powers of the Earth, it is not unknown to all men that have read and marked the Scripture, that it pertaineth nothing to their Office to make any Law to govern the Consciences of their Subjects in Religion, but to reign over them in this case, as the Word of God commandeth. Howbeit in their Realms they may make what Laws they will,Pag. 16. and as many as they will; command them to be kept as long as it pleaseth them, and change them at their pleasure, as they shall see occasion for the wealth and commodity of their Realms: — Unto the which superiour Powers we owe all obedience, both of body and goods, and likewise our daily prayer for them to Almighty God, &c. And as many divers Commonwealths as there be, so many divers Laws there may be. Howbeit all Christian Kings and Kingdomes with other Magistrates, should reign by one Law, and govern the Churches of their Realms solely by the Word of God, which is never to be changed.Pag. 17. — Thus Christ commanded his Apostles to teach, and their Audience to hear the things he commanded, Matth. 28. Mark 16. — Moses prescribeth unto his Audience seven Rules,Pag. 26. wherewith he prepareth them to the receiving of the ten Commandments. (1) A right perswasion of Gods Word, that God will undoubtedly give the good promised to the good, and inflict the evil threatned against the evil.Pag. 29. — (2) To have a right opinion of the Magistrates and superiour Powers of the Earth, to give them no more, nor any less honour and reverence then the Word of p. 198God commandeth. — For lack of this preparative the world hath erred from the Truth this many years. Men do not look what Gods Word saith, but extol the authority of mans Laws, preferring the decree of a general or provincial Council before the Word of God.Pag. 30. — (3) Another preparative is obedience both to God and man. It were as good nere read the Law, in case we mind not to be obedient. — (4) To observe jus gentium. Pag. 31.— (5) To esteem the Doctrine of the Commandments,Pag. 32. as it is worthy.Pag. 34. — (6) A true and right understanding of the Law, not to constrain the letter against the mind of the Text, but behold alwayes the consent of the Scripture.Pag. 36. — (7) To adde nothing to this Law, neither to take any thing from it. — If thou judgest that Gods Law containeth one part of such Doctrine as is necessary for mans salvation, and the Bishops Laws another part, thou contemnest and dishonourest the whole Law, and the Giver thereof, and offendest against that command, Deut. 4.12. and Prov. 30.Pag. 64. — Every thing that we do for the honour of God, not comanded by his Word, is as strange, and not accepted by God; as all good intentions, feigned works by man, and all things commanded by general Councils, not expressed in the Word of God, by the Patriarks, Prophets, Christ, and the Apostles, which be and ever were before God the holy and Catholick Church. Whosoever adde any thing to their Laws are the Church of Antichrist, Deut. 4.12. Revel. 22. Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire, i. e. such as he commanded not.Pag. 68. — Read the Commentaries of Thom. Val…s and Nicol. iu Aug. de Civit. Dei, l. 4. and they will tell thee what superstition is, if thou believe not the Scripture. Superstition (say they) is a superfluous Religion, what wayes soever it be superfluous p. 199whether it be of the superfluity of the things honoured, or of the things used for Religion, or of the manner in Religion. This doubtless is understood by the name of Superstition, from whence soever the name hath its rise; whatsoever thou dost to please God Almighty, if it be not commanded in his Word,Pag. 70. it is superfluous superstition.—The purpose, end and will of the second Commandment is, That Gods pleasure is unto us, that we do not profane or dishonour the true Religion or honour of God with superstitious Rites or Ceremonies not commanded by him.Pag. 77. — I am a jealous God, q. d. when we two were married together for the love that I bore unto thee, I gave thee certain Rules and Precepts how in all things thou mayest keep my love and good will towards thee, and thou promisedst me obedience to my Commandments, Ex…d. 19. So honour me therefore, and love me as it standeth written in the Writings and Indentures written between us both, I cannot suffer to be otherwise honoured, then I have taught in my Tables and Testament. —

Against obeying of Gods Laws,Pag. 209. the first Sophism or carnal Objection is, when men say it is no place nor time to learn or obey Gods Laws, we be not in the Temple, &c. but in the broad world, and must do as other men do, and rather serve the place we be in, & u…ulare cum lupis, bark with the wolf, then speak of the Scripture:Deut. 29, 30.Deut 29:30 besides, it is too dangerous a season, let it pass till the world be no more quiet, &c. — This Objection Moses breaketh, and proveth that the Law should be alwayes received, and in every place. — Those that observed it in the wilderness God fed by miracle from Heaven, and preserved all their apparel,Pag. 210. that it consumed not, nor perished in the wearing for the space of forty years. — A second Objection is, when men put p. 200from themselves the obedience of the Law unto others, saying, Let the Priests, &c. learn and keep the Law, what should a Prince, Magistrate, or Gentleman be so bound? Youth cannot be tied to so strait Canons, it must not be so bridled, &c. This wicked acceptation of persons Moses destroyeth, yea all (saith he) stand this day before the Lord your God,Pag. 211. your Princes, your Tribes, your Elders, your Officers, and all men of Israel, your children, your wives, and thy Guest, &c. No manner of prison is excluded from the League.Pag. 212. — A third is presumption, when men know what is to be done, yet against their knowledge presuming of Gods mercy,Pag. 213. do the thing that is evil, saying, If I walk in the imagination of my heart, and take my pleasure, there is no danger, &c. But (saith Moses) the Lord will not favour such an one, but then be angry, and kindle his ire against him, so that every curse written in this Book, shall rest on him, &c. A fourth is Animosity,Pag. 218. thus reasoning with ones self, who knoweth what his last hour shall be?—But (saith Moses) Secret things belong to God, but the things that God hath revealed to us and our children for ever, Pag. 222.that we do all the precepts of this Law. — A fifth is Desperation, when men think it is in vain for them to observe Gods Laws, there is no hope of their salvation, &c. It is impossible for him to return to God, and do all that God requireth, &c. Moses gives a remedy against this dangerous disease,Pag. 224. sheweth the way to God, declareth, That God is full of mercy, Pag. 229.and ready to forgive, &c. — A sixth is the pretence of Ignorance, saying, The Scripture, the Laws of God have so many mysteries, too hard for our capacities, &c. Besides the Doctors brawl and chide between themselves, and how should the Unlearned understand it aright? p. 201Who can tell (saith another) whether this be the true Law or not? If it were the true Law of God, then it should contain all verities, and have no deed of mans Laws. Now the greatest part of Christians in name say, That this Law is not sufficient, except it be holp and aided by the Law of the Bishops. — Moses answereth and saith,Pag. 230: This Law is sufficient, simple and plain, easie to be understood, a perfect Doctrine, and required of all men; the Commandment that I prescribe unto thee to day is not far above thee, nor put far from thee, &c. By which words it appeareth, that God hath made his will and pleasure simple and plainly open to his people, &c. Yea the Law of God to do well by is written naturally in the heart of every man,Pag. 231. &c. though there were no Law written, &c. mans conscience would tell him when he doth well and when ill.Pag. 234. — Farewell in our onelyonly and sole joy and consolation, Christ Jesus.

This holy Exile parting with Mr. Bullinger and his Friends at Zurick, Fox, Vol. 3. pag. 145.declared that the principal cause of his return to his own Countrey was the matter of Religion, &c. Be sure (said he) neither the nature of the Countrey, nor pleasure of commodities, nor newness of friends shall ever induce me to the oblivion of such friends and Benefactors, and therefore you shall be sure from time to time to hear from me how it goes with me, but the last news of all I shall not be able to write; for there said he, (taking Mr. Bullinger by the hand) where I shall take most pains, there shall you hear of me to be burned to ashes, and that shall be the last news, which I shall not be able to write. —

When he was made Bishop of Worcester and Glocester, the Arms allotted him (probably by his own appointment) were,Pag. 146. a Lamb in a fiery Bush, and p. 202the Sun-beams from Heaven descending down upon the Lamb, rightly denoting as it seemed, the manner of his suffering, which afterward followed.

After his return, in his Sermons he corrected sin, and sharply inveighed against the iniquity of the world, and corrupt abuses of the Church. —

When he was elected Bishop of Worcester and Glocester, he made humble supplication to the King, either to discharge him of the Bishoprick, or to dispense with him as to the wearing of such Garments and Apparel as the Popish Bishops were wont to do. His Petition the King granted, as appears by his Letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, telling him, That the Rites and Ceremonies he would be dispensed in were offensive to his conscience. The Oath also,Pag. 147. used then commonly in the Consecration of Bishops was against his conscience, as appears by the Earl of Warwick's Letter to the Archbishop, writ by the Kings desire.

Pag. 149.In the beginning of Queen Mary's Reign, when notice was given him that he should be sent for to London, and how dangerous it was for him to appear, he gave this Answer: Once I did flee, but now because I am called to this Place and Vocation, I am throughly perswaded to tarry, and to live and die with my sheep.

Pag. 150.When he was imprisoned in the Fleet, he writes thus: I am so hardly used, that I see no remedy (saving Gods help) but I shall be cast away in Prison before I come to Judgement. But I commit my just cause to God, whose will be done, whether it be by life or death.

Winchester exhorting him to the unity of the Catholick Church, and to acknowledge the Popes Holiness to be Head of the same Church, promising p. 203him the Queens mercy; he answered, That forasmuch as the Pope taught Doctrine altogether contrary to the Doctrine of Christ, he was not worthy to be accounted a Member of Christs Church, much less to be Head thereof; wherefore he would in no wise condescend to any such usurped Jurisdiction, neither esteemed he the Church, whereof they called him Head, to be the Catholick Church of Christ,Pag. 151. for the Church of Christ onelyonly heareth the voice of her Spouse Christ, and flieth the strangers. Howbeit (said he) if in any point to me unknown, I have offended the Queens Majesty, I shall humbly submit my self to her mercy, if mercy may be had with safety of conscience, and without the displeasure of God.

Come Brother (said he to Mr. Rogers, who was sent with him to the Counter in Southwark) must we two take this matter first in hand, and begin to fire these Fagots? Yea Sir (said Mr. Rogers) by Gods grace. Doubt not (said Mr. Hooper) but God will give strength.

The Sheriffe telling Mr. Hooper he wondred that he was so hasty and quick with the Lord Chancellor, he answered Mr. Sheriffe, I was nothing at all impatient, although I was earnest in my Masters Cause, and it standeth me so in hand; for it goeth upon life and death, not the life and death of this world onelyonly, but also of the world to come.

In his Letter for the stopping of certain false rumours spread abroad concerning his Recantation, by the Bishops and their Servants.— The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all them that unfeignedly look for the coming of our Saviour Christ. Amen. Dear Brethren and Sisters in the Lord, and my Fellow-Prisoners for the Cause of p. 204Gods Gospel, I do much rejoyce and give thanks unto God for your constancy and perseverance in affliction, unto whom I wish continuance to the end. And as I do rejoyce in your faith and constancy in afflictions that be in Prison, even so I do mourn and lament to hear of our dear Brethren, that yet have not felt such dangers for Gods Truth,Pag. 152. as we have, and do feel, and be daily like to suffer more, yea the very extream and vile death of the fire; yet such is the report abroad (as I am credibly informed) that I Iohn Hooper, a condemned man for the Cause of Christ, should now after sentence of death (being in Newgate Prisoner, and looking daily for Execution) recant and abju…e that which heretofore I have preached; and this talk ariseth of this, That the Bishop of London and his Chaplains resort unto me. Doubtless if our Brethren were as Godly as I could wish them, they would think that in case I did refuse to talk with them, they might have just occasion to say that I were unlearned, and durst not speak with learned men; or else proud, and disdained to speak with them. — But I fear not their Arguments, neither is death terrible to me. — I am more confirmed in the truth, which I have preached heretofore, by their coming. Therefore ye that may send to the weak Brethren, pray them that they trouble me not with such reports of Recantations as they do, for I have hitherto left all things of the world, and suffered great pains and imprisonment, and I thank God I am as ready to suffer death as a mortal man may be. It were better for them to pray for us, then to credit or report such rumours that be untrue. We have enemies enough of such as know not God truly: but yet the false report of weak Brethren is a p. 205double cross. I wish your eternal salvation in Jesus Christ, and also require your continual Prayers, that he which hath begun in us may continue it to the end. I have taught the truth with my tongue, and with pen heretofore, and hereafter shortly will confirm the same by Gods grace with my blood.

Newgate Feb. 2. 1554. Your Brother in Christ J. H.

When the Keeper told him he should be sent to Glocester to be burned, he rejoyced very much, lifting up his eyes and hands to Heaven, he praised God that he saw it good to send him among the people over whom he was Pastor,Pag. 153. there to confirm with his death the truth which he had before taught them, not doubting but the Lord would give him strength to perform the same to his glory.

Sir Anthony Kingston (formerly his Friend, then a Commissioner to see Execution done upon him) coming to him a little before his death, bid him consider that life was sweet, & death was bitter, &c. It is true (said Mr. Hooper) I am come hither to end this life, and to suffer death here, because I will not gainsay the former truth which I have heretofore taught among you. — True it is that daath is bitter, and life is sweet; but alas! consider that the death to come is more bitter, and the life to come is more sweet; therefore for the desire and love I have to the one, and the terrour and fear of the other, I do not so much regard this death, nor esteem this life, but have settled my self through the strength of Gods holy Spirit, patiently p. 206to pass through the torments and extremities of the fire now prepared for me, rather then to deny the truth of his Word, desiring you and others in the mean time to commend me to Gods mercy in your Prayers.

I thank God (said the Knight) that ever I knew you; for God did appoint you to call me, being a lost child, and by your good instructions, where before I was both an Adulterer and Fornicator, God hath brought me to the forsaking and detesting of the same. If you had the grace so to do (said the Bishop) I do highly praise God for it, and if you have not, I pray God you may have, and that you may continually live in his fear.

The Knight and the Bishop parting with tears, the Bishop told the Knight, that all the troubles he had sustained in Prison, had not caused him to utter so much sorrow.

A Papist telling him he was sorry to see him in that case. Be sorry for thy self man (said he) and lament thine own wickedness; for I am well, I thank God, and death to me for Christs sake is welcome.

Pag. 154.When he was committed to the Sheriffe of Gl… cester, the Mayor and Aldermen at first saluted him, and took him by the hand. Mr. Mayor (said Mr. Hooper) I give most hearty thanks to you and to the rest of your Brethren, that you have vouchsafed to take me a Prisoner and condemned man by the hand, whereby to my rejoycing it is somewhat apparent that your old love and friendship towards me is not altogether extinguished, and I trust also that all the things I have taught you in times past are not utterly forgotten, &c. For the which most true and sincere Doctrine, because I will not now account it falshood and Heresie, as many other p. 207men do, I am sent hither by the Queens command to die, and am come where I taught it to confirm it with my blood. And now Mr. Sheriffs, — My request to you is, That there may be a quick Fire, shortly to make an end, and in the mean time I will be as obedient unto you, as your selves would wish. If you think I do amiss in any thing, hold up your finger and I have done: for I am not come hither as one inforced or compelled to die; for it is well known I might have had my life with worldly gain; but as one willing to offer and give my life for the truth, rather then to consent to the wicked Papistical Religion of the Bishop of Rome, &c. —

When the Sheriffs fetcht him from his Chamber to the place of Execution with Bills, Weapons, &c. Mr. Sheriffs (said he) I am no Traytor, neither needed you to have made such a business to bring me to the place where I must suffer; for if ye had willed me, I would have gone alone to the Stake, and have troubled none of you all.

When he saw the multitude of People that were assembled, he said unto them that were about him, Alas! why be these People assembled and come together? peradventure they think to hear something of me now, as they have in times past; but alas! speech is prohibited me.

Notwithstanding the cause of my death is well known unto them: when I was appointed here to be their Pastor, I preached unto them true and sincere Doctrine, and that out of the Word of God; because I will not account the same to be Heresie and untruth, this kind of death is prepared for me.

When he was come to the place where he was to suffer, after he had begun to pray, a Box was brought and laid before him upon a stool, with his p. 208Pardon (or at leastwise it was feigned so to be) from the Queen, if he would turn; at the sight thereof he cried, If you love my soul away with it, if you love my soul away with it.

In his Prayer he was overheard to say; Lord, I am Hell, but thou art Heaven; I am swill, and a sink of sin, but thou art a gracious God and merciful Redeemer.Pag. 155. — Thou art ascended into Heaven, receive me Hell to be partaker of thy joyes, where thou sittest in equal glory with thy Father; for well knowest thou wherefore I am come hither to suffer, and why the wicked do persecute this thy poor Servant, not for my sins and transgressions against thee, but because I will not allow their wicked doings to the contaminating of thy blood, and to the denial of the knowledge of thy Truth, wherewith it did please thee by thy holy Spirit to instruct me, the which with as much diligence as a poor wretch might (being thereto called) I have set forth to thy glory. And well seest thou, my Lord and God; what terrible pains and cruel torments be prepared for thy Creature; such, Lord, as without thy strength none is able to bear, or patiently to pass. But all things that are impossible with man are possible with thee. Therefore strengthen me of thy goodness, that in the fire I break not the Rules of patience, or else asswage the terrour of the pains as shall seem most to thy glory.

When he was at the Stake, three irons made to bind him to the Stake, were brought; one for his Neck, another for his Middle, and the third for his Legs. He refusing them, said, Ye have no need thus to trouble your selves, for I doubt not but God will give strength sufficient to abide the extremity of the fire without bands: notwithstanding, suspecting the frailty and weakness of the flesh, but having p. 209assured confidence in Gods strength, I am content ye do as ye shall think good.

When he was first scorch'd with the fire,Pag. 156. he pray'd, saying mildly, and not very loud (but as one without pains) O Jesus the Son of David have mercy upon me, and receive my soul.

When the second fire was spent, and onelyonly burnt his lower parts, he said, for Gods love (good people) let me have more fire. In the third fire he prayed with somewhat a loud voice, Lord Jesus have mercy on me, Lord Jesus have mercy on me, Lord Jesus receive my Spirit.

The Reasons of Mr. Hooper's refusing the Episcopal Habits, &c. I find thus.

C. Why do not you my Lord use these innocent and harmless weeds?See Cabal. p. 13, 14.

H. I put my self upon the tryal of the Searcher of Hearts, that no obstinacy, but meer Conscience makes me refuse these Ornaments.

C. These Ornaments are indifferent of themselves, and of ancient use in the Church.

H. They are useless being ridiculous and superstitious.

C. Nay, my Lord, being enjoyned by lawful Authority, they become necessary, not to salvation, but to Church-unity.

H. Being left indifferent by God, it is presumption in man to make them necessary.

C. By a moderate use of these Ceremonies we may gain Papists into the Church.

H. While you hope to gain Papists into the Church, you lose many Protestants out of it.

C. You discredit other Bishops, who have used this Habit.

p. 210H. I had rather discredit them then destroy mine own conscience.

C. How think you, being a private person, to be indulged with, to the disturbance of the publick Uniformity of the Church?

H. If it please your Grace but to read these Letters, I hope you will be satisfied (and then he produced the Letters from the Earl of Warwick, an… King Edward.)

C. These are to desire, that in such reasonable things, wherein my Lord Elect of Glocester craveth to be born withall at your hands, you would vouchsafe your Graces favour; the principal cause is, that you would not charge him with any thing burdenous to his Conscience.

I. Warwick.

WE do understand you stay from Consecrating our well beloved Mr. J. Hooper, because h… would have you omit and let p…ss c…rtain Rites and Ceremonies …ffensive to his Conscience, whereby you thi… you shall fall in premunire of Laws; We have though… good by advice of Our Council to discharge you … manner of Dangers, Penalties, and Forfeitur… … should run into, by omitting any of the s…me, and … Our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and Dis…charge.

Edward Rex.

Fox, Vol. 3. pag. 116.In his Letter writ in Answer to one sent hi… concerning certain taken in Bow Church-yard whilst they were praying. — I do rejoyce in th… men can be so well occupied in this perillous time and flee for remedy to God by Prayer, as well fo… p. 211their own lacks and necessities, as also charitably to pray for them that persecute them. So doth the Word of God command all men to pray charitably for them that hate them, and not to revile any Magistrate with words, or to mean him evil by force and violence. They also may rejoyce that in well doing they were taken to Prison. — Thus fare you well, and pray God to send his true Word into this Realm again amongst us, which the ungodly Bishops have now banished.

In his Letter to those Christians so taken Prisoners. — The grace,Pag. 117. favour, consolation, and …d of the Holy Ghost be with you now and ever. So be it. Dearly Beloved in the Lord, ever since I …eard of your imprisonment I have been marvellously moved with great affections and passions, as well of mirth and gladness, as of heaviness and sorrow. Of gladness in this, that I perceived how ye be bent and given to prayer and invocation of Gods help in these dark and wicked proceedings of men against Gods glory. I have been sorry to perceive the malice and wickedness of men to be so … devillish, and tyrannical to persecute the … of God for serving of God, &c. These … doings do declate, that the Papists Church is … bloody and tyrannical, then ever was the … of the Ethnicks and Gentiles. — Trajan the Emperour commanded, That no man should be persecuted for serving of God: but the Pope and his Church have cast you into Prison, being taken doing the Work of God, and one of the excellentest Works, that is required of Christians, viz. whilest ye were in Prayer. — O glad may ye be that ever ye were born to be apprehended, whilest ye were so vertuously occupied. Blessed be they that suffer for righeeousness sake. If God had p. 212suffered them that took your bodies, then to have taken your life also, now had you been following the Lamb in pertual joyes, away from the company and assembly of wicked men. But the Lord would not have you suddenly so to depart, but reserveth you gloriously to speak and maintain his Truth to the world. Be ye not careful what ye shall say; for God will go out and in with you, and will be present in your hearts and in your mouths to speak his wisdome, though it seems foolishness to the world. He that hath begun this good work in you, continue in the same unto the end. Pray unto him,Mat. 10.Matt 10 that ye may fear him only, that hath power to kill both body and soul, and to cast them into hell fire.Luke 12.Luke 12 Be of good comfort, all the hairs of your head are numbred, and there is not one of them can perish, except your heavenly Father suffer it to perish. Now you be in the field, and placed in the fore-front of Christs battel. Doubtless it is a singular favour of God, and a special love of him towards you, to give him this preheminence, as a sign that he trusteth you before others of his people. Wherefore (dear Brethren and Sisters) continually fight this Fight of the … Your Cause is most just and godly, ye stan… … the true Christ (who is after the flesh in He…) and for his true Religion and Honour, …amply, fully, sufficiently, and abundantly contained in the holy Testament, sealed with Christs own blood. How much be ye bound to God, who put… you in trust with so holy and just a Cause? Remember what lookers on you have to see and behold you in your fight, God and all his holy Angels, who be ready alwayes to take you up into Heaven, if ye be slain in his Fight. Also you have standing a… your backs all the multitude of the Faithful, who p. 213shall take courage, strength, and desire to follow such noble and valiant Christians, as you be. Be not afraid of your Adversaries;1 Iohn 4.1 John 4 for he that is in you, is stronger then he that is in them. Shrink not although it be pain to you: your pains be not now so great, as hereafter your joyes shall be. Read the comfortable Chapters to the Romanes, 8.10, 15. Hebrews 11.12. And upon your knees thank God that ever ye were accounted worthy to suffer any thing for his Names sake. Read the second Chapter of Luke, and there you shall see how the Shepherds, that watched their Sheep all night, as soon as they heard that Christ was born at Bethlehem, by and by went to see him. They did not reason nor debate with themselves, who should keep the Wolf from the Sheep in the mean time, but did as they were commanded, and committed their Sheep unto him, whose pleasure they obeyed. So let us do now we be called, commit all other things to him that calleth us. He will take heed that all things shall be well. He will help the Husband: he will comfort the Wife: he will guide the Servants: he will keep the House: he will preserve the Goods; yea rather then it should be undone, he will wash the Dishes, and rock the Cradle. Cast therefore all your care upon God; for he careth for you. Besides this, you may perceive by your imprisonment, that your Adversaries weapons against you be nothing but flesh, and blood, and tyranny, for if they were able, they would maintain their Religion by Gods Word; but for lack of that, they would violently compel, such as they cannot by holy Scripture perswade; because the holy Word of God, and all Christs doings be contrary unto them. I pray you pray for me, and I will pray for you.

Fleet, Ian. 14. 1555.

p. 214Pag. 156.In a Letter to certain of his Friends. — Now is the time of trial, to see whether we fear more, God or man. It was an easie thing to hold with Christ, whilst the Prince and world held with him; but now the world hateth him, it is the true trial who be his. Wherefore in the Name, and in the Vertue, Strength, and Power of his holy Spirit, prepare your selves in any case to adversity and constancy. Let us not run away, when it is most time to fight. Remember none shall be crowned, but such as fight manfully; and he that endureth to the end shall be saved. Ye must now turn all your cogitations from the peril you see, and mark the felicity that followeth the peril, either victory in this world of your enemies, or else a surrender of this life to inherit the everlasting Kingdome▪ Beware of beholding too much the felicity, or misery of this world; for the consideration and too earnest love or fear of either of them draweth from God. Wherefore think with your selves, as touching the felicity of the world, it is good; but yet none otherwise then it standeth with the favour of God. It is to be kept; but yet so far forth, as by keeping of it we lose not God. It is good abiding and tarrying still among our friends here; but yet so, that we tarry not therewithal in Gods displeasure, and hereafter dwell with the Devils in fire everlasting. There is nothing under God, but may be kept, so that God, being above all things we have be not lost. Of adversity judge the same. Imprisonment is painful, but yet liberty upon evil conditions is more painful. The Prisons stink; but yet not so much as sweet Houses, where the fear and true honour of God is lacking. I must be alone and solitary: It is better to be so, and have God with me, then to be in company with p. 215the wicked. Loss of Goods is great; but loss of Gods grace and favour is greater. I am a poor simple creature, and cannot tell how to answer before such a great sort of noble, learned, and wise men: It is better to make answer before the pomp and pride of wicked men, then to stand naked in the light of all Heaven and Earth before the just God at the later day. I shall die then by the hands of the cruel man: He is blessed, that loseth his life full of miseries, and findeth the life of eternal joyes. It is pain and grief to depart from Goods and Friends; but yet not so much as to depart from grace and Heaven it self.Pag. 157. Wherefore there is neither felicity, nor adversity of this world, that can appear to be great, if it be weighed with the joyes or pains in the world to come. I can do no more, but pray for you; do the same for me, for Gods sake. For my part (I thank the heavenly Father) I have made mine accounts, and appointed my self unto the will of the heavenly Father: as he will, so I will by his grace. — I am a precious jewel now, and daintily kept, never so daintily; for neither mine own man, nor any of the Servants of the House may come to me, but my Keeper alone.

Ian. 21. 1555.

In another Letter. — The grace, mercy,Pag. 158. and peace of God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, be with you my dear Brethren, and with all those that unfeignedly love and embrace his holy Gospel. Amen. We must give God thanks for the Truth he hath opened, &c. and pray unto him, that we deny it not, nor dishonour it with idolatry; but that we may have strength and patience, rather to die ten times, then to deny him once. Blessed shall we be, if ever God make us p. 216worthy of that honour to shed our blood for his Names sake: and blessed then shall we think those Parents, which brought us into this world, that we should be carried from this mortality into immortality. If we follow the command of Paul, that saith,Col. 3.Col 3 If ye be risen with Christ, s…ek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God; we shall neither depart from the vain transi…ory goods of this world, nor from this wretched and mortal life, with so great pains, as others do. — There is no better way to be used in this troublesome time for your consolation, then many times to have Assemblies together of such men and women, as be of your Religion in Christ, and there to take and renew among your selves the truth of your Religion, to see what ye be by the Word of God, and to remember what ye were before ye came to the knowledge thereof; to weigh and confer the dreams and false lyes of the Preachers, that now preach, with the Word of God, that retaineth all truth: and by such talk, and familiar resorting together, ye shall the better find out all their lyes, that now go about to deceive you, and also both know and love the Truth that God hath opened to us. It is much requisite that the Members of Christ comfort one another, make prayers together, confer one with another; so shall ye be stronger, and Gods Spirit shall not be absent from you, but in the midst of you, to teach you, to comfort you, to make you wise in all godly things, patient in adversity, and strong in persecution. Ye see how the Congregation of the wicked, by helping one another, make their wicked Religion and themselves strong against Gods Truth and his people. — Ye may perceive b… the life of our fore-fathers, that Christs words, In the world ye shall have trouble: H… p. 217that will live godly in Christ must suffer persecution, be true; for none of all his before our time escaped trouble: then shall ye perceive that it is but a folly for one that professeth Christ truly, to look for the love of the world. Ye be no better then your fore-fathers. Be glad that ye may be counted worthy Souldiers for this War: and pray to God when ye come together, that he will use and order you and your doings. (1) That ye glorifie God. (2) That ye edifie the Church and Congregation. (3) That ye profit your own souls. In all your doings beware ye be not deceived; for although this time be not yet so bloody and tyrannous, as the time of our fore-fathers, that could not bear the Name of Christ, without danger of life and goods; yet is our time more perillous for soul and body. Therefore of us Christ said,Luke 18.Luke 18 Think ye when the Son of man cometh, he shall find faith upon the earth? He speaks not of being christened and in name a Christian, but of saving Faith: and doubtless the scarcity of Faith is now more (and will, I fear, increase) then it was in the time of the greatest Tyrants, that ever were. In Rev. 6. ye may perceive that at the opening of the fourth Seal came out a pale Horse, and he that sate upon him was called Death, and Hell followed him. This Horse is the time, when Hypocrites and Dissemblers entred into the Church, under pretence of the true Religion, &c. that have killed more souls with heresie and superstition, then all the Tyrants that ever killed bodies by fire, sword, or banishment, &c. and all souls, that trust to these Hypocrites, live to the Devil in everlasting pain, as is declared by Hells following the pale Horse. These pale Hypocrites have stirred up Earthquakes, i. e. the Princes of the world against Christs Church. They have p. 218darkned the Sun, and made the Moon bloody, and have caused the Stars to fall from Heaven, i. e. they have darkned with mists, and daily darken the Sun of Gods Word, imprisoned, and chained, and butchered Gods true Preachers,Pag. 159. which fetch only light at the Sun of Gods Word, that their light cannot shine unto the world, as they would: Whereupon it comes to pass, that many Christians fall from Gods true Word to hypocrisie, most devillish superstition and idolatry. —

In his Letter to Bishop Farrar, Doctor Tailor, Mr. Bradford, and Mr. Philpot, Prisoners in the Kings Bench in Southwark. — I am advertised, that we shall be carried shortly to Cambride, there to dispute for the Faith and for the Religion of Christ (which is most true) that we have and do profess. I am (as I doubt not ye be) in Christ ready) not onelyonly to go to Cam…ridge, but also to suffer, by Gods help, death it self in the maintenance thereof. — I write this to comfort you in the Lord, that the time draweth near, and is at hand, that we shall testifie before Gods enemies Gods Truth. —

May 6. 1554. Yours, and with you unto death in Christ, J. H.

Pag. 160.In his Letter to his Wife. — As the Devil hath entred into their hearts, that they themselves cannot, or will not come to Christ to be instructed by his holy Word; so can they not abide any others to become Christians, and lead their lives after the Word of God, but hate, persecute, rob, imprison, and kill them, whether male or female; though p. 219they have never offended Gods or Mans Law, yea though they daily pray for them, and wish them Gods grace; having no respect to nature. The Brother persecuteth the Brother, the Father the Son, and most dear Friends are become most mortal Enemies. And no marvel; for they have chosen sundry Masters, the one the Devil, the other God. The one agree with the other, as God and the Devil agree between themselves.Gen. 21. Gal. 4.Gen 21Gal 4 — As he that was born after the flesh persecuted in times p…st him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Therefore forasmuch as we live in this life amongst so many great perils and dangers, the onelyonly remedy is what Christ hath appointed,Luke 21.Luke 21 Ye shall possess your selves in patience. — When troubles come we must be patient, and in no case violently, nor seditiously to resist our persecutors; because God hath such care of us, that he will keep in the midst of all troubles the very hairs of our heads, &c. And seeing he hath such care of the hairs of our heads, how much more doth he care for our life it self? Their cruelty hath no farther power then God permitteth, and that which cometh unto us by the will of our heavenly Father, can be no harm, loss, destruction to us, but rather gain, wealth, and felicity. That the spirit of man may feel these consolations, the giver of them, the heavenly Father, must be prayed unto for the merits of Christs Passion; for it is not the nature of man that can be contented, until it be regenerated and possessed with Gods Spirit, to bear patiently the troubles of mind or body. When the mind of man sees troubles on every side, threatning poverty, yea death, except the man weigh these brittle and uncertain treasures, that be taken from him, with the riches of the life to come, and this life of the body with the life in p. 220Christs blood, and so for the love and certainty of the heavenly joyes contemn all things present, doubtless he shall never be able to bear the loss of goods and life. — The Christian mans faith must be alwayes upon the resurrection of Christ, when he is in trouble, and in that glorious resurrection he shall see continual joy, yea victory and triumph over all persecution, trouble, sin, death, hell, the Devil, and all other persecutors; the tears and weepings of the faithful dried up, their wounds healed, their bodies made immortal in joy, their souls for ever praising the Lord, in conjuction and society everlasting with the blessed company of Gods Elect in perpetual joy. If ye le risen with Christ, Col. 3.Col 3seek the things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God the Father. When he biddeth us seek the things that are above, he requireth that our minds never cease from prayer and study in Gods Word, until we see, know, and understand the vanities of this world, the shortness and misery of this life, and the treasures of the world to come, the immortality thereof, the joyes of that life, and so never cease seeking, until such time as we know certainly and be perswaded what a blessed man he is, that seeketh the one and findeth it, and careth not for the other though he lose it; and in seeking,Pag. 161. to have right judgement between the life present and the life to come, we shall find how little the pains, imprisonment, slanders, lies, and death it self is in the world, in respect of pains everlasting, the Prison infernal, and Dungeon of Hell, the Sentence of Gods Judgement, and everlasting Death. When a man hath by seeking the Word of God found out what the things above be, then must he set his affections upon them. And this Command is more hard then the other; for p. 221for mans knowledge many times sees the best: men know that there is a life to come, better then this present, &c. Yet they set not their affection upon it, they do more affect and love indeed a trifle of nothing in this world, that pleaseth their affection, then the treasure of all treasures in Heaven. We must set our affections on things above, i. e. when any thing worse then Heaven, offereth it self to be ours, if we will give our good wills to it, and love it in our hearts, then ought we to see by the judgement of Gods Word, whether we may have it without Gods displeasure; if we cannot, if the riches of this world may not be gotten nor kept by Gods Law, neither our lives continued without the denial of his honour, we must set our affections upon the riches and life that is above, and not upon things that be upon the earth. This second Command requires, that as our mind judgeth Heavenly things to be better then Earthly, and the life to come better then the present life; so we should chuse them before other, and prefer them, &c. These things be easie to be spoken of, but not so easie to be used and practised. — Read Psa. 88. wherein is contained the prayer of a man, that being vexed with Adversaries and persecutions, saw nothing but death and hell, apprehending not onelyonly man, but God angry with him; yet he by Prayer humbly resorted unto God, and put the hope of his salvation in him, whom he felt his enemy.— In this Command (possess your lives by your patience) God requires every one to be patient, he saith not, It is sufficient that other holy Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Evangelists, and Martyrs continued their lives in patient suffering the troubles of this world; but Christ saith it to every one of his people. By your patience continue you your life, not that man p. 222hath patience in himself, but that he must have it for himself of God, the onelyonly Giver of it, if he purpose to be a godly man. Besides, as our Profession and Religion requireth patience outwardly, without resistance and force, so requireth it patience of the mind, and not to be angry with God, although he use us, that be his own creatures, as him listeth. We may not murmure against God,Pag. 162. but say alwayes his Judgements be right and just, and rejoyce that it pleaseth him to use us, as he used heretofore such as he most loved in this world. Have a singular care to this command, be glad and rejoyce, &c. he sheweth great cause why, because your reward is great in Heaven. Christ also takes from us all shame and rebuke,Mat. 5.Matt 5 as though it were not an honour to suffer for him, because the wicked world doth curse and abhor such poor troubled Christians. He placeth all his honourably, saying, Even so persecuted they the Prophets that were before you. — We may learn by things that nourish and maintain us, both meat and drink, what loathsomness, and (in a manner) abhorring they come to before they work their perfection in us, &c. that whosoever saw the same would loath and abhor his own nourishment, before it come to its perfection. Is it then any marvel if such Christians, as God delighteth in, be so mangled and defaced in this world, which is the Kitchin and Mill, to boil and grind the flesh of Gods people in, till they atchieve their perfection in the world to come? — Raw flesh is not meat wholesome for man, and unmortified men and women be not creatures meet for God. Christs people must be broken and all to torn in the Mill of this world, and so shall they be most fine meat to their Heavenly Father. — We must therefore patiently suffer, and willingly attend upon p. 223Gods doings, although they seem clean contrary, after our judgement, to our wealth and salvation, as Abraham did, when he was bid to offer his Son Isaac, in whom God promised the Blessing and multiplying of his seed. Ioseph at the last came to that which God promised him, although in the mean time, after the Judgement of the world, he was never like to be, as God said he should be Lord over his Brethren. When Christ would make the blind man to see, he put clay upon his eyes, which after the judgement of man was a means rather to make his double blind, then to give him his sight, but he obeyed and knew that God could work his desire, what means soever he used contrary to mans reasons. — To judge things indifferently, the trouble be not yet generally, as they were in our good Fathers time, soon after the death and resurrection of our Saviour Christ. — Was there ever such trouble as Christ threatned upon Ierusalem? Mat. 24.Matt 24Towards the end of the world we have nothing so much extremity as they had then, but even as we be able to bear. —

In another Letter. — I require you not to forget your duty towards God in these perillous dayes, in the which the Lord will try us. I trust you do increase by the reading of the Scriptures, the knowledge you have of God, and that you diligently apply your self to follow the same; for the knowledge helpeth not, except the life be according thereto.

— I commend you to God, and the guiding of his goost Spirit, to stablish and confirm you in all well doing, and keep you blameless to the day of the Lord, watch and pray, for this day is at hand.

In his Letter to his charitable Friends in London. p. 224— For your liberality I most heartily thank you, and praise God highly in you for you, &c. praying him to preserve you from all famine, scarcity, and lack of the truth of his Word, which is the lively food of your souls, as you preserve my body from hunger, and other necessities that would happen unto me, were it not cared for by the charity of godly people. Such as have spoiled me of all that I had, have imprisoned me, and appointed not one half-penny to feed or relieve me withall; but I do forgive them, and pray for them daily in my poor Prayer to God, and from my heart I wish their salvation, and quietly and patiently bear their injuries, wishing no farther extremity to be used towards us: yet if the contrary seem best to our heavenly Father, I have made my reckoning, and fully resolved to suffer the uttermost that they are able to do against me; yea death it self by the aid of Christ Jesus, who died the most vile death of the Cross for us, wretched and miserable sinners. But of this I am assured, that the wicked world with all his force and power shall not touch one of the hairs of our heads without leave and license of our heavenly Father, whose will be done in all things. If he will life, life be it; if he will death, death be it; onelyonly we pray that our wills may be subject to his will. — If we be contented to obey Gods will, and for his Commands sake to surrender our goods and our lives to be at his pleasure, it maketh no matter whether we keep goods and life, or lose them. Nothing can hurt us that is taken from us for Gods Cause, nor can any thing at length do us good that is preserved contrary to Gods command. Let us wholly suffer God to use us and ours after his holy wisdome, and beware we neither use nor govern our selves contrary to his will by p. 225our own wisdome; for if we do, our wisdome will at length prove foolishness. It is kept to no good purpose, that we keep contrary to his Commandments. It can by no means be taken from us, that he would should tarry with us. He is no good Christian that ruleth himself and his, as worldly means serve; for he that so doth, shall have as many changes as chances in the world. To day with the world he shall like and praise the truth of God, to morrow, as the world will, so will he like and praise the falshood of man; to day with Christ, to morrow with Antichrist. — Glorifie your heavenly Father both with your inward and outward man. If ye think ye can inwardly in the heart serve him, and yet outwardly serve with the world in external service the thing that is not of God, ye deceive your selves; for both the body and soul must concurre together in the honour of God;1 Cor. 6.1 Cor 6 for if an honest wife be bound to give both heart and body to faith and service in marriage, and if an honest wives faith in the heart cannot stand with a whorish or defiled body, much less can the true faith of a Christian in the service of Christianity stand with the bodily service of external idolatry; for the mystery of Marriage is not so honourable between man and wife, as it is between Christ and every Christian. Therefore (dear Brethren) pray to the heavenly Father, that as he spared not the soul nor the body of his dearly beloved Son, but applied both of them with extream pain, to work our salvation both of soul and body: so he will give us all grace to apply our souls and bodies to be Servants to him. — Let us not deride our selves, and say our souls serve him, whatsoever our bodies do to the contrary for civil order and policy. But alas! I know by my self what troubleth you,Pag. 164. viz. the p. 226great danger of the world, that will revenge (ye think) your service to God with sword and fire, with loss of goods and lands: but (dear Brethren) weigh on the other side, that your enemies and Gods enemies shall not do as much as they would, but as much as God shall suffer them, who can trap them in their own counsels, and destroy them in the midst of their furies. Remember ye be the Work-men of the Lord, and called into his Vineyard, there to labour till Evening-Tide, that you may receive your penny, which is more worth then all the Kingdomes of the Earth; but he that called us into his Vineyard, hath not told us how sore and how fervently the Sun shall trouble us in our labour, but hath bid us labour, and commit the bitterness thereof to him, who can and will so moderate all afflictions, that no man shall have more laid upon him, then in Christ he shall be able to bear, unto whose merciful tuition and defence I commend both your souls and bodies.

Yours with my poor Prayer. J. H.

In a Letter to a Merchant of London. — I thank God and you for the great help and consolation I have received in time of adversity by your charity, but most rejoyce that you be not altered from truth, although falshood cruelly seeketh to disdain her. Judge not my Brother truth by outward appearance, for truth now worse appeareth, and is more vilely rejected then falshood. Leave the outward shew, and see by the Word of God what is truth, and accept truth, and dislike her not, though man call her falshood. As it is now, so it hath been p. 227heretofore: truth hath been rejected, and falshood received. Such as have professed truth, have smarted, and the friends of falshood laughed them to scorn. The one having the commendation of truth by man, but the condemnation of falshood by God, flourishing for a time with endless destruction; the other afflicted a little season, but ending with immortal joyes. Wherefore, dear Brother, ask and demand of your Book, the Testament of Jesus Christ, in these woful and wretched dayes, what you should think, and what you should stay your selves upon for a certain truth, and whatsoever you hear taught, try it by your Book, whether it be true or false. The dayes be dangerous and full of peril, not onelyonly for the world, and worldly things, but for Heaven and heavenly things. It is a trouble to lose the treasure of this life, but yet a very pain if it be kept with the offence of God. Cry, call, pray, and in Christ daily require help, succour, mercy, wisdome, grace, and defence, that the wickedness of this world prevail not against us.—

In his Letter to Mrs. Wilkinson. — I am very glad to hear of your health, and do thank you for your loving tokens; but I am a great deal more glad to hear how Christianly you avoid idolatry, and prepare your self to suffer the extremity of the world, rather then to endanger your self to God. You do as you ought to do in this behalf, and in suffering of transitory pains, you shall avoid permanent torments in the world to come. Use your life and keep it with as much quietness as you can, so that you offend not God. The ease that cometh with his displeasure turneth at length to unspeakable pains; and the gains of the world, with p. 228the loss of his favours is beggary and wretchedness. —

In his Letter to Mr. Hall and his Wife. — The dayes be dangerous and full of peril; but let us comfort our selves in calling to remembrance the dayes of our Fore-fathers, upon whom the Lord sent such troubles, that many hundreds, yea thousands died for the testimony of Jesus Christ, both men and women, suffering with patience and constancy as much cruelty as Tyrants could devise, and so departed out of this miserable world to the bliss everlasting, where now they remain for ever, looking alwayes for the end of this sinful world, when they shall receive their bodies again in immortality, and see the number of the Elect associated with them in full and consummate joyes; and as vertuous men suffering Martyrdome now rest in joyes everlasting, their pains ending their sorrows, and beginning their ease: so did their constancy and stedfastness animate and confirm all good people in the truth, and gave them encouragement to suffer the like, rather then to fall with the world to consent unto wickedness and idolatry. Wherefore, my dear Friends, seeing God hath illuminated you in the same true faith, wherein the Apostles, and Evangelists, and all Martyrs suffered most cruel death, thank him for his grace in knowledge, and pray to him for strength and perseverance, that ye be not ashamed nor afraid to confess it. Ye be in the truth, and the gates of Hell shall never prevail against it, nor Antichrist with all his Imps prove it false; they may persecute and kill, but never overcome. Be of good comfort, and fear God more then man. This life is short and miserable; happy be they that can spend it to the glory of God.

p. 229In his Letter to Mrs. Warcop. Pag. 165.— I did rejoyce to understand, that you be fully resolved by Gods grace to suffer extremity, rather then to go from the truth which you have professed. — As you be travelling this perillous journey, take this Lesson with you, practised by the Wise men, Matth. 2. Such as travelled to find Christ, followed onelyonly the Star, and as long as they saw it, they were assured they were in the right way, and had great mirth in their journey; but when they entred into Ierusalem, whereas the Star led them not thither, but to Bethlem, and there asked the Citizens the thing that the Star shewed before, they were not onelyonly ignorant of Bethlem, but lost the sight of the Star, &c. — The Word is the onelyonly Star that sheweth us where Christ is, and which way we may come unto him; But as Ierusalem stood in the way, and was an impediment to the Wise men, so doth the Synagogue of Antichrist, that beareth the Name of Ierusalem, i. e. the Vision of Peace, and among the people now is called the Catholick Church, standeth in the way that Pilgrims must go by through this world to Bethlem, i. e. the house of bread or plentifulness, and is an impediment to all Christian Travellers; yea, and except the more grace of God be, will keep the Pilgrims still in her, that they shall not come where Christ is at all; and to stay them indeed, they take away the Star of Light, which is Gods Word, that it cannot be seen. — Ye may see what great dangers hapned unto these Wise men, whilst they were learning of Lyars; where Christ was. (1) They were out of their way. And (2) They lost their Guide and Conductor. — If we come into the Church of men, and ask for Christ, we go out of the way, and lose also our Conductor and Guide, that onelyonly leadeth us streight p. 230thither. — Sister, take heed, you shall in your journey towards Heaven meet with many a monstrous beast: have salve therefore of Gods Word; therefore ready you shall meet husbands, children, lovers and friends, that shall, if God be not with them, be very le…s and impediments to your purpose. You shall meet with slander and contempt of the world, and be accounted ungracious and ungodly, you shall hear and meet with cruel tyranny to do you all extremities; you shall now and then see the troubles of your own conscience, and feel your own weakness; you shall hear that you be cursed by the sentence of the Catholick Church, with such like terrours, that pray to God, and follow the Star of his Word, and you shall arrive at the Port of Eternal Salvation, by the merits onelyonly of Jesus Christ. —

Hudson.

Fox, Vol. 3. pag. 869.When Thomas Hudson of Ailesham in Norfolk saw the Constables come to his house to apprehend him, he said; Now mine hour is welcome, friends, welcome, you be they that shall lead me to life in Christ. I thank God therefore, and the Lord enable me thereto for his mercies sake; for his desire was, and he ever prayed (if it were the Lords will) that he might suffer for the Gospel of Christ.

When Berry threatned him, saying, I will write to the Bishop my good Lord, &c. O Sir (said he) there is no Lord but God, though there be many lords and many gods.

Wilt thou recant (said Berry the Priest) or no? The Lord forbid (said Hudson) I had rather die many deaths then to do so.

Pag. 870.When he came first to the Stake, he was very sad, not for his death, but for lack of feeling his p. 231Christ; and therefore came from his Fellow-sufferers under the Chain, and fell down upon his knees, and prayed; and at last he rose with great joy, as a man new changed, even from death to life, and▪ said, Now I thank God I am strong, and pass not what man can do unto me.