An Humble Supplication Unto God for Restoring His Holy Word — Thomas Becon

An Humble Supplication Unto God for Restoring His Holy Word · Thomas Becon

❧ An humble ſupplicacion vntounto God / for the reſtoringe of hys holye woorde / vntounto the churche of Englande / mooſte mete to be ſayde in theſe oure dayes / euen with teares of eueryevery true & faythfull Engliſh harte. ❀

Eſa. 59.

☞ Beholde / the Lordes hāde is not ſo ſhortened / that it cā not help / neither is his eare ſo ſtopped / that it maye not heare. (❀)

¶Imprynted at Strasburgh in Elſas / at the ſigne of the goldē Bibell / In the monethmonth of Auguſte. the yeare of our LORD. 1554.

The ſupplicacion.

O Moſte dere / gentle,Gen. 1. Sap. 8. Ioan. 1. Pſal. 95. Prou. 21. louing and merciful father / maker / ruler / conſeruer / and diſpoſer of all thinges / bothe in heauen & in earthe / withoute whoſe will / ordinaunce and commaundemēt nothing is done that is done / in whoſe handes all the coaſtes of the earthe and the hartes of princes and of all other thy humayne creatures are / to be ruled / ordered and bent / as thy godly wiſedome dothe appointe / from whome alſo / as from a moſt righteous iudge / commeth proſperitie andEccleſ. 11. Deut. 28. Pſal. 148 Amos. 8. Math. 9. aduerſitie / health and ſyckeneſſe / wealth & ſ…aſones / peace and trouble / bleſſinges and plagues / the gift of the holy worde / and the takinge awaye of theſame / the ſendinge of faythful workeman into thy harueſt / & the diſplaſinge of them agayn / the apointemētEccle. 10. Iob. 34. of godly magiſtrates / and ſetting vp of hypocrites and tyrauntes for the puniſhment of the diſobedient / vngodly and ſtifnecked people: We fele / we fele / yea / we Engliſhe men fele / (O father of mercies / and God2. Cor. 1 of all conſolacion) ſo greate a dongehiſ… ofIere. 17. ſynne within vsus / ſuch vilenes / ſuch corrupcion / ſuch vnthankefulnes / and ſuche diſobedience againſte the and thy bleſſed wil / that except thou haddeſt geuen vsus a commaundemēt to praye / and alſo ioyned vntountoPrai…r. theſame / a faithful and louing promiſe that thou wilt heare vsus / whan ſoeuer we cal on the / in the name of Ieſus Chriſt thy derely beloued ſonne ouxe Lorde / and oure alone ſauioure / we neuer durſte ſoo muche / as once too lifte vp oure eyes vntounto the / and to approche vntounto the gracious and mercifull throne of thy diuine maieſtie / for a redreſſe of thoſe euils / wherewith at thys preſent (alas for ſorow) we are miſerably / yet worthely plagued / puniſhed and tormented. But o heauenly father / and oure moſte benigne and gentle Lorde / thou graciouſly cō ſidering bothe oure vilenes and weakenes of conſcience / haſte notwithſtanding geuen vsus a commaundement by thy ſeruaūt …auid not to feare / but franckely too fle vntounto the / as vntounto a mooſte ſtronge mightie and inuincible bulwarke / by feruent prayer in all oure troubles / and haſte alſo promiſed / not for anye woorkes of righteouſnes thatTitus. 3. we hauehave done / but for thyne exceding great and vnſpeakable mercies ſake / to heare vsus and to ſatiſfye oure requeſtes / ſayeng: Ca… on me in the daye of thy trouble / and I wilPſal. 50. delyuer the / and thou ſhalte honoure me. Here hauehave we poore wretches vntounto oure greate comforte / bothe a commaundement of the to praye / & alſo a promyſe that thou wilte hear… vsus.

And thy moſte dere and onelyonly begottenMath. 7. Luce. 11. ſonne commaundeth vsus not onelyonly to aſke / too ſeke / and too knocke / but he alſo promyſeth / that whoſoeuer wil axe / theſame ſhal receaue / whoſoeuer will ſeke / theſame ſhal fynde / and to him that knocketh / it ſhall beIoan. 14. opened / yea / his promyſe is / that whatſoeuer we axe of the in hys name / thou wilte gyue it vsus. We beynge encouraged / and as it were vnderpropped with this thy gracious commaundemente to praye / and louinge promyſe too be hearde / are bolde at this preſente / in the name of Chriſte too come vntounto the merciful thron of thy godly maieſtie / and before theſame too poore ou… the ſorowful griefes of oure moſt ſorowful hartes / moſt hūbly beſechīg the for thy mercies ſake / for thy promiſes ſake / for thy names ſake / yea / for thy dere Chriſtes ſake / that thou turnīg away thine eyes frō oure ſinnes / wilt behold thin holy anoīted / whō 1. Tim. 2. 1. Ioan. 2. Math. 17 Marc. 9thou haſt made our media …or & aduocat for whoſe ſake thou haſt opēly declared euē frō the heauēs / that thou art wel pleaſed with and for his dignitie and worthines graciouſlyLuc. 9. 2. Pet. 1. heare the lamentable peticions & hū ble requeſtes of oure brooſed hartes / and troubled conſciences.

Ah moſte dere father / great are our miſeries / but greater are our ſynnes / greuous are oure troubles / but more greuous are the wickedneſſes / whiche we moſte wretched ſynners hauehave committed againſte thy fatherly goodnes / intollerable are the plagues / that be layde vponupon vsus / but thoſe thorow oure vnthankefulnes and wicked lyninge (we frely confeſſed) hauehave we mooſte worthely deſerued / whiche hauehave ſo ofte deſeru…d the very tormentes of hell fyre / alas wretches that we are / and yet are we compelled euen of neceſſitie (for vayne is theIere. 17. helpe that commeth from man / yea / curſed be he / that putteth his truſte in man / & maketh fleſh his arme) to fle for ſoccoure vntounto the / whome we hauehave ſo ofte & ſo greuouſly offended / whoſe righteouſnes notwithſtā ding in puniſ…hinge ſynners whan we beholde / we begynne to deſpayre and too caſte awaye all hope / but whann we beholde thy mercy / ſetforth in the precious bloude of thy moſte dere ſonne Chriſte Ieſu oure Lorde / we take a good harte vntounto vsus / and ſetting before our eyes thy moſte louinge / ſwete and fatherly promiſes / in hearing vsus for Chriſtes ſake / we are encouraged to beleue / that although our ſynnes be neuer ſo great and greuous / neuer ſo abhominable and intollerable / & we were neuer ſo wicked and filthy ſynners / yet for thy mercies ſake / for thy promiſe ſake / for thy names ſake / yea / for thy dere chriſtes ſake thou wilt mercifully heare vsus / and graunte vsus oure earneſt requeſtes / yea / and that ſo muche the more / becauſe the matter is not onelye oures / but thyne alſo / agayne / ſeynge we come not vntounto the to deſyre longe lyfe / gold and ryches with the wicked wordlynges / nor yet to craue at thy hande wealth & pleaſure / biſhoprikes and benefices / Deanries / Prebendes and ſuch other worldly promocions with the ſwiniſhe and beaſtlye Epicures / whoſe God their bellye is / but ourePhil. 3. The Chriſten mās deſyre. humble ſupplicacion / our earneſt requeſt / oure hartye deſyre is / onelyonly that thou wilt conſyder thyne owne glory / the halowinge of thy bleſſed name / the auauncemente off thy glorious kyngdom / the accomplyſhmēt of thy heauēly wil / the honour of thy only begottē ſonne / the ſettingforth of hys holy Goſpel / the purenes of the Chriſten religion / the ſyncere preachinge of thy lyuely worde / the true adminiſtraciō of thy wholſome ſacramentes / & the ſaluacion of ſuche as thy derely beloued ſonne hathe boughte from the tyranny of ſathan / with the pryce of hys moſte precious and dere hart bloud. Theſe thinges / theſe thinges (o heauenly father) do we poore wretches craue and begge at thy merciful hande. Theſe thinges / theſe thinges▪ euen with ſorowfull groninges & lamētable teares do we miſerable captiues deſyre the to conſyder / and not ſo to ſuffer thine aduerſaries to triumphe / as thoughe there were no God at all / no Chriſte / no Goſpell / no faythe / no true religion / but whatſoeuer pleaſeth the hypocrites to cō maunde thy people to beleue. Thou calleſt thy ſelf a ielous God / why than doeſt thouExod. 20 ſuffer thy people / thy congregacion / thy flocke / thyne heritage / to be thus ſeduced & ledde awaye from the vntounto all kynde of ſpiritual fornicacion / and abhominable whordome by that Antichriſte of Rome / …hat greate Baal / that ſtoute Nemroth / thatPeſtilences of the Chriſten cōmon vvealte. fals prophet / that beaſt / that whore of Babylon / that ſonne of perdicion / and by hys abhominable adherentes / Cardinalles / Archebiſchoppes / Biſchoppes / Suffraganes / Archedeacons / Deanes / Prouoſtes / Prebēdaries / Commiſſaries / Parſonnes / Vicares / Purgatorierakers / Prieſtes / Monkes / Friers / Chanons / Nonnes / Anckers / Anckreſſes / Pardonners / Proctors / Scribes / Officialles / Sōners / Lawers / Maſſemongers / Can…niſtes / Papiſ…es / Antichr… ſtes / Māmoniſtes / Epicures / Libert…es / With all the table of beaſ…lye hypocrytes that hauehave receued the beaſtes mar… / which do not hing els than ſeke / how they may eſtabliſhe their Antichriſtian kyngdom / by ſuppreſſinge thy holy worde / and leadinge thy people into all kynde of …lyndenes / errours and lyes? Thou calleſt thy ſelf a Lorde / and thou ſayeſte / that thou wilt gyue thy glory to none other / nor thy prayſe vntounto grauen Imag…s / howe commeth it than to paſſe / that thou ſuffreſt thy glory ſo too decaye in the realme of Englande / ſo many to ſteale awaye thy prayſe and …onoure / by ſayenge their idolatrous and deueliſhe maſſes / byAb…omina… …lons. miniſteringe a ſorte of Heytheniſh and Iewiſhe cerem…nies / by prayenge vntoo …ead ſainctes / by blottinge oute of the temples / thy holy lawe there written / according to thy commaundement / for the edifyenge of thy people / and by ſettinge vp in the ſteade therof Idols and Mawmettes / clea…e contraryDeut. 4. Heb. 12. to thy bleſſed worde? Thou calleſt thy ſelf a Lyō & a cōſumīgfyre / & threateneſ… vtter deſtrucciō vntounto thin aduerſaries / whi ſuffereth thou thā theſe Antichriſtes thus to ryſe / ro…e / & rage / agaīſt the teſtamēt of thy moſt dere ſonne / to beat doune thy trueth / to call thy holy lawe hereſy / to baniſhe the preachinge of the Goſpel / & the true …ſe of the Sacramentes / & to ſeke the deſtrucciō of ſo many as vnfaynedly louelove the and thy bleſſed worde.

Thou promiſeſte / that ſo many as hatePſal. 129. Syo… / that is to ſaye / thy faithfull congregacion / ſhalbe confounded and broughte to noughte / howe cometh it thā to paſſe / that the wicked now floriſh like the grene olyue tree / liuing in all wealth / pompe and pleaſure / and thy people / whome thou haſt ſealed with thy holy ſpirite vntounto euerlaſting lyfe / are moſte miſerablye entreated / ſome banniſ…ed / ſome in pryſon / ſome cruellye murthered / but all in moſte ſorowfull miſeries / and miſerable ſorowes?

Thou promiſeſ…e / that thou wilt deliuerEzec. 34. thy flocke from the hande of the wicked ſhepehardes / and that thou thy ſelfe wilte fede them in moſte pleaſaunt and ſwete / paſtures: ah good God / how cometh it thā to paſſe / that wher as before thy ſhepe were f…dde with the confortable meate of thy glorious goſpel / by the miniſterie of the godly learned preachers / the faithfull ſhepehardes are driuen awaye / and a rable of raueningActo. 20 wolfes are braſ…e into the ſhepefolde / which ſpare not the flocke / but cruelly murder / not ouly their bodies by …mpr…ſonning hanging / heading and brenning them / but their ſoulc… alſo by teaching them wicked and peſtilent doctrine?

Thy moſte dere ſonne / bothe promiſed & prophecied / that eueryevery plante / whiche thou the heauenly father haſte not planted / …hal be plucked vp by the rootes / but we ſe it otherwiſeMath. 15. come to paſſe in the realm of Englande. For ſuche plantes / as the deuill and hys chaplens had planted / were thorowe the diligence and godly zele of thy ſeruauntes kynge Henry the eyghte / and kyng Edward the ſyxte / moſte bleſſedly plucked vp / and thy holy ordinaunces agayne planted vntounto the greate ioye and vnſpeakeable conforte of all the faithfull. But now / thorow the tyranny and blynde zele of certayne / are thy bleſſed ſtatutes plucked vp by the rootes / and ſet in agayn / are the damnable decrees / and crocked conſtitucions of Antichriſte / vntounto the excedinge greate griefe / ſorow and penſyuenes of all faithfull Chriſtians. Ah Lorde God / ſeme theſe thinges matters of ſ…al importans / before the eyes of thy diu…ne maieſtie? Can theſe outragious thīges be done in earth / & thou wincke at them in heauen? Arte not thou he / that kepeth Iſrael?Pſal. 121. Eſa. 59. But he neither ſleapeth nor ſlombreth / ſayeth the Pſalmographe / that kepeth Iſrael. Aryſe therfore / o Lord / why ſleapeſt thou? Is thy eare ſo ſtopped / that thou canſte no more heare? And is thy hāde ſo ſhortened / that it can nomore healpe? O Lord / ariſe for thy mercies ſake / & helpe vsus. Haſte the to deliuer vsus for thy name ſake / for great are oure troubles / & intollerable are oure miſeries. Ah Lorde / voucheſafe once again to looke dounefrō heauen / & cō ſyder the lamentable ſtate of the realme off England / & of the godly inhabitaūtes therof / which deſyre nothing ſo greatly / as to ſe thy true honour perfectly ſetforth / thy holy worde truly preached / the Chriſten religion hyghly aua…nced / and thy holy name ſanctified / prayſed / magnified & commended for euer.

Ah Lorde God / heretofore in the time ofKinge Hēry the …yght…. thy bleſſinge / thou gaueſt to the realme off Englande a man to reygne ouer it / vnderunder whome the churche was purged of many enormities & great abuſes / & the true religion began to hauehave good ſucceſſe. And whā it was thy godly pleaſure too call hym frō this vale of miſery / vntounto thy heauēly kingdome / thou gaueſt vntounto vsus his ſonne to beKyng Edvvarde the ſixte. oure Kynge / a Prince / althoughe yonge in yeares / & tender in age / yet auncieut in the knowledge of the / of thy ſonne Chriſt / & of thy holy worde / & as another Ioſias / altogether bent vtterly to wedeout al fals religion / ſuperſticiō / hypocriſye / papiſtrie / &c. & after a moſte perfect manner / to ſet vp thy holy religion / & to auaūce the har…y fauourers of theſame / vntounto the great & wōderful exāple of all Chriſten princes. But alas for ſorow / this moſt goodly & godly Impe / this moſte Chriſtē kyng / this noble yōge Ioſias was for oure vnthankefulnes & wicked lyuing taken awaye from vsus / before the tyme vntounto our great ſorow & vnſpeakable hartes diſeaſe. Whoſe death was the beginning / & is now ſtill the cōtinuaūce of all our ſorowes / griefes & miſeries. For in the ſteade of that verteous prince / thou haſte ſet to rule ouer vsus an womā / whom nature hath formed1. Tim. 2. to be in ſubiecciō vntounto mā / & whō thou by thyne holy Apoſtle cōmaundeſt to kepe ſilēce / & not to ſpeake in the cōgregaciō. Ah Lord / to take away the empire frō a mā / & to gyue it vntounto a womā / ſemeth to be an euidēt tokē of thyne āger toward vsus Engliſhmen. Eſa. ….For by the Prophet… / thou beyng diſpleaſed with thy people / threatneſt to ſette womē to rule ouer thē / as people vnworthy to hauehave lawful / natural & mete gouernors to reign ouer thē. And verely though we fynd / that womē ſomtime bare rule amōg thy people / yet do we rede / that ſuche as ruled & were quenes / were for the moſte part wicked / vngodly / ſuperſticious / & geuē to idolatry / & to al filthy abhominaciō / as we may ſe in the hiſtories of quene Ieſabel / 3. Reg. 19. 4. Reg. 11quene Athalla / quene Herodias / & ſuch like. Ah Lorde God / we dare not take vponupon vsusMath. 14 to iudge anye creature / for vntounto the alone are the ſecretes of all hartes knowne / but of this are we ſure / that ſynce ſhe ruled / whyther of her owne diſpoſicton / or of the prouocacion of a certayne wylde bore / ſucceſſorPſal. 80. Acto. 23. too Ananias that whygh…ie daubed waulle / we know not / thy vineyarde is vtterly rooted vp and layde waſte / thy true religion is banniſhed / and popiſhe ſuperſticionThe clo…e of papiſtes, too deceaue the ſimple. hath preuayled / yea / & that vnderunder the coloure of the catholicke churche / and the olde auncient fayth / whan notwithſtanding darkenes is not more contrary to light / nor colde vntounto heate / than their procedinges are cōtrary to the trueth of thy holy worde if the practiſe and doctrine of the true catholicke churche / (we ſpeake of the Patriarches and Prophetes / of Chriſte and hys Apoſtles / and of ſo many godly people / as lyued from Adam vntounto the tyme that Antichriſt / the biſſhop of Rome ſet vp his kyngdome2 Theſ. 2. / and auaūced hym ſelf aboue all that is called God) might be the iudge / & go for payment. For beſydes the geuinge of the kyngdome / vntounto the rule of a woman / O Lorde / we moſ…e humbly beſeche the / to cō ſider that outragious floudes of moſte greuous enormities / hauehave braſte in and ouerflowed the realme of Englād / vntounto the vtter ſubuerſion of theſame / except thy merciful goodnes do the ſhortly helpe.

Ah Lord God / heretofore vnderunder the rulePſal. 50 Rom. 10. of that moſte Chriſten kinge Edwarde the …yxte / we were …aught accordīg to thy word to fle with oure prayers vntounto the alone / in all our troubles and neceſſities / as a Lorde plētefully ryche for ſo many as call on the.God alone is to be called on. But nowe the Antichriſtiane Preachers teache / that we muſte alſo praye to creatures that are dead / that they maye pray for vsus / or els we praye vntounto the invayne / and oure prayers ſhal neuer be hearde.

Heretofore we were taught / that Chriſt1. Tim. 2. 1. Ioan. 8. Roma. 2. Chriſtalene is oure mediator, aduocate and interceſſour God and man is oure alone mediatoure / aduocate and interceſſore. But now the prieſtes of Baal teach / that Mary / Iames Peter / Ihon / Paule / Andrew / & we know not who / are alſo oure mediators / aduocates and Interceſſoures / and that we muſte call vppon them in oure troubles and aduerſities / whan ſoeuer we will hauehave to do with the / namely if we will hauehave our matter go forwarde.

Heretofore we were taughte / that the1. Ioan. 1. Apoc. 1. Chriſtes bloud is the alo…e Purgatory off the faithful. precious bloude of oure ſauioure Chriſte is the alone and ſufficient Purgatory for the ſynnes of all them that repēt & beleue. But now the papiſtes teache / that there is a purging place after this lyfe / where the ſoules of the faithful ſhalbe miſe…ably tormented with fyrye f…ames / tyll eyther they them ſelfes hauehave made ſatiſ…accion for all their ſynnes / by ſuffering dew puniſhment or els other in this world hauehave made amē des for them / by prayeng / by ſynging of trē talles / by goyng on …ylgrimage / by dealeng monye / by …yenge the pepes pardons for their redempcion / and ſuche lyke / whan the holy ſcripture contrariwiſe teacheth / thatSap. 3. Apoc. 14 the faythful ſo ſone as they departe frome this lyfe / go ſtreyghtwayes vntounto glorye / …he vnfaythful vntounto euerlaſtinge payne & damnacion / as we maye ſe in the hiſtorie of the ryche glotton / and of the poore man Lazarus.Luc. 16

Heretofore we were taught / that ChriſtChriſtis one and alone ſacrifice ſufficith foreuer and euer. Eſa. 53. Heb. 7. 9. 10. 1. Pet. 2. Apoc. 1. thy ſonne and oure alone Sauiour / made vponupon the aultare of the croſſe / whan he ſuffered and dyed for vsus / ſo ſufficient / perfect / abſolute and conſummate oblacion / and ſacrifice for the ſynnes of the people / that by that one / and alone ſacrifice / grace / fauour / mercy / forgeuenes of ſynnes & euerlaſtinge lyfe / is for euer and euer plentefully obtayned of the / for ſo many as repent & beleue. But now a dayes / thoſe Baali…e maſſemongers are not aſhamed to reproue that ſwete ſmelling ſacrifice of Chriſte / and too ſaye / that it is not ſo perfect / but that they alſo muſte offer Chriſt vp againe dayly in their maſſes for the ſynnes of the people / & that their oblacion is a propiciatory ſacrifice / and of no les vertue / ſtrength / efficaci… might and power / than the paſhon & death of Chriſt / than the ſacrifice / which Chriſte hym ſelf offered on the altare of the croſſe. Our miſſale ſacrifice / ſaye the maſſing papiſtes / is propiciatory / ſatisfactory / expiatory / and neceſſary. Ad ſalutem, bothe for the quicke and for the dead. The people ſyn dayly / therefore muſt we offer ſacrifice for the ſynnes of the people dayly in our maſſes.O Antichriſtes. What other thinge is this / o heauenly father / thā to defye the death of thy ſonne / to deſpyſe hys moſte healthful ſacrifice / to ſet at nought his wholſome oblacion / too treade vnderfoote the bloude of the euerlaſtingHeb. 10. Teſtament / and vtterly too deface bothe the kyngdome & prieſthode of Chriſt / and to erecte / and ſet vp a new kyngdome and prieſthode of their owne / a new ſacrifice / and a ſtraunge oblacion / inuēted of the deuel / broughte in by Antichriſte / confyrmedApoc. 13. Apoc. 21. by ſuche as hauehave receaued the beaſtes marke / and frequented / vſed and ſoughte of all / that hauehave their porcion in that lake that burneth with fyre and brymſtone / excepte they repent and amēd? Is not Chriſte an euerlaſting prieſt?Pſal. 110. Heb. 7. Heb. 10 Dothe not his prieſthoode continew from generacion to generacion? Hath he not with one oblaciō made per…ecte for euer / them that are ſanc…ifi…? Are we not made holy by the offering vp of the body of Ieſu done once for all? … not Chriſt / after he had offered one ſacrifice for ſynnes / ſyt him doun for euer / on the right hande of God / and from hen…forth tarieth tyll hys foos be made hys footeſtoole? Is not Ieſus Chriſt yeſterday and to day / and theſame continueth foreuer?Heb. 13. What hauehave we than to do with the ſa…rificing maſſemō …ers or with their miſſal ſacrifice? O heauenly father / ſuffer vsus not to be carryed about with diuers and ſtraunge learninge.

Moreouer / heretofore we were caughteAultar… no… …ollerable among Chriſtians. to beate doune the Idolatrous & Heatheniſh altars / which Antichriſt of Rome entē ding to ſet vp a new prieſthoode & a ſtraūge ſacrifice forſynne / cōmaunded to be buylte vp / as though calfes / goates / ſhepe & ſuche other brute beaſtes ſhould be offered again after the prieſthoode of Aaron / for the ſynnes of the people / and to ſet in their ſteadeChriſte, his Apoſtles & the prima…iue church vſed tables at the miniſtracion off the holy cō munion. in ſome conuenient place a ſemely table / & after the examples of Chriſt / to receaue together at it the holy miſteries of Chriſte… bodye & bloud / in remēbraūce that Chriſtes body was brokē / & his bloud ſhead for our ſynnes. But now the ſacrificinge ſorcerer… ſhame not bothe in their priuate talke / & in their open ſermons ſpitely to call the Lordes table an Oyſterborde / & therefore hauehave they taken out of the tēples thoſe ſemely tables / which we folowing the exāples of thy derely beloued ſonne / and of the primatiue church vſed at the miniſtracion of the holy cōmunion / & they hauehave broughte in agayne their bloudy & bocherly altars / & vpō thoſeO cruel bu… chers. they ſacrifice & offer daily / ſay thei / that is / thei kyl / ſlea & murderthy dere ſonne Chriſt for the ſīnes of the people. For as thy holy apoſtle ſayeth:Heb. 9 Where no ſhedding of bloud is / there is no remiſſiō & forgeuenes of ſynnes. If thorow their maſſing ſinnes be forgeuen / thā muſt the ſacrifice that there is offered be ſ…ayn / & the bloud thereof ſhead. If the maſſemōgers therfore offer Chriſte vp in their maſſes / a ſacrifice vntounto God forO murth… rers. the ſinnes of the people / ſo foloweth it that they murder / kyl / & …lea Chriſte / yea / & ſhed his bloud at their maſſes / & ſo by this meās we muſt nedes cōfeſſe / that bloudy altars are more mete for ſuch bloudy bochers / thā honeſt & pure tables.Rom. 6 But we are taughte in the holy ſchriptures / that Chriſte once rayſed from deathe / dyeth nomore. Death hath nomore power ouer hym. For as touchīg that he dyed / he died cōcernīg ſin once. And as touchinge that he liueth / he lyueth vntounto the god his father. If Chriſt therfore dyeth nomore / thā do the papiſtes ſacrifice hym nomore.Idolatrous If they ſacrifice him nomore than are they …ut iangling iuglars / & their maſſes ſerue for none other purpoſe / but to kepe the people i… blyndnes / to deface the paſ…on and death of Chriſte / and to mayntayne their idle and drafſacked bellies / in al pompe and honour / with the labour of … ther mens handes / and with the ſweate off poore mens browes / ſo farre is it of that / they with their abhominable maſſing and ſtincking ſacrificing / put awaye the ſynnes eyther of the quicke or of the dead / as they make the vnlearned and ſymple people to beleue.Maſſes vvhy thei ſerue. Ah Lord God and heauenly father / if thou were not a God of long ſufferinge and of great pacience / howe couldeſte thou abyd theſe intollerable iniuries / & to much deteſtable blaſphemies / whiche the wicked papiſtes committe againſte the & thy ſonne Chriſt / in their idolatrous maſſes / at their Heatheni…h aultares?

Heretofore we were taughte to receaue the miſreries of the Lordes bodye & bloude together / accordinge too the ordinaunce of Chriſte.The faithefull oughte too receaue the Sacramente together, & not the prieſte alo…e. But now no communion is had / For the popiſh and vncharitable maſſemō ger / vtterly abuſinge the Lordes ſoupper / eateth and drincketh vp̄ all alone at his idolatrous aultare.

Heretofore we were taughte to receaue the Sacrament of the bodye and bloude of Chriſt vnderunder both kyndes / according vntounto Chriſtes inſtitucion / which ſayeth: Drinke of this al ye.The faitheful onght to receaue the Sacramente vnderunder both …yndes. And as the holy apoſtle ſaieth: So ofte as ye ſhall eate of this breade / and drinke of this cuppe / ye ſhall remember the Lordes death tyll he come.Math. 26 1. Cor. 11. Ioan. 15. But nowe the Romiſh ſorcerers / cōtrary to the ordināce and commaundemēt of thy ſonne / the maſter of trueth / yea / thēſelf trueth / and contrary to the practiſe & vſage of the primatiue churche / like theues / robbers & murtherers / cruelly take awaye frō thy people the miſticall cuppe of Chriſtes bloude / for the mayntenaunce of their deueliſh decre / and miniſter after their ſorte the Sacrament of thankesgeuinge to thy Chriſtians onelyonly vnderunder one kynde / yea / and that without the preaching of the Lordes death / repē taunce / fayth / amendement of lyfe / &c. and ſo make they it an idle and dumme ceremonie altogether vuprofitable and withoute frute / whiche beynge rightely miniſtred / is to the faythfull a Sacrament of greate ioye and conforte.

Heretofore we were taughte / that the Lordes ſoupper / or breaking of the bread / asThe Lordes ſupper is a memorial of Chriſtes deathe. the Apoſtles terme it / is a memorial of the body breaking & bloud ſheading of our ſauiou… Chriſt / & that as we outwardly fede of the breade & wyne / ſo we inwardly thorow fayth fede of the bleſſed bodye & precious bloude of Ieſus Chriſt our Lord / vntounto the greate and vnſpeakable conforte bothe of ſoule and bodye. But nowe the diſciples of Antichriſt knowing that the whole glory of their kyngdome lygheth in the ſals opinion & abuſe of this Sacramēt / in all their ſermons & priuate talke / labour / ſwyncke / ſweate and ſeke all meanes poſſible with tothe and nayle / with hande & foote / wyth tunge and pēne / with fyre and faggot / with ſwerde and halter to perſwade the people / that after they hauehave whyſpered a fewe Latin wordes / with one breath ouer the bread and wyne / and hauehave bleſſed / croſſed / coniured and handled them after their ghoſtely manner / there remayneth nomore breadde and wyne / althoughe we botheſe / fele / and taſte ve…y bread and very wyne / yea / & although the holy ſcripture / after the wordes of conſecraciō / called the Sacramēt / bread and wyne / but ſaye they / the bread thorowe the vertue of the wordes / whiche we holye annoynted reherſe / is turned into the naturall ſubſtaunce of Chriſtes bodye / and the wyne is chaunged into the naturall bloudeO …uglers. of Chriſte / onelyonly the accident…s of breadde and wyne remayninge / whan notwithſtā ding the holy ſcriptures teach vsus in diuers places / that thy Chriſt is aſcended into heauen / and ſytteth on thy right hande / & there ſhall remayne / concer…ing hys humanite / tyll he come too iudge the quicke and the dead.Marc. 16. Luc. 24 Act. 1. Rom. 8. Ephe. 4. Coloſ. 3. Philip. 3. Heb. 10. And after theſe Capernaites hauehave … bored to perſwade the people / that the Sacramentall breade is the very true / naturall / corporall / ſubſtanciall / reall / and ſenſible bodye of Chriſte / euen the ſelfſame that was borne of Mary the virgine / lyued vpō the earthe / was hanged vppon the croſſe / & dyed for vsus / than exhorte they the people with all reuerence and humilite to knowledge and beleue it too be their Lorde God / theyr maker and redemer / their Sauiour and defender / and ſo too falle doune before it to honoure and worſhippe it / to prayſe & call vponupon it / to fle vntounto it for ſoccoure / and to looke for all good thinges of it / as of the very true and euerlaſtinge God.O abhom… nacion. By theſe means (o heauenly father) they bring away thy people thorow they… vayne / fleſhly and ſophiſticall reaſons / from the honoringe of the thalone true / Imortal / muiſible & euerlaſting God / vntounto the worſhippig of a pece of b…cad / yea / of a very idol / where as thou alone oughteſt to hauehave al the honor & glory.1. Timo. 1 Pſal. 98. O Lorde aryſe / and lette thyne enemies be ſcattered / let thē alſo that hate the / flee before the / like a… the ſmok vaniſheth / ſo driu… thou them awaye / & lyke as waxe melteth at the fyre / ſo let the vugodly papiſ…es periſh and be confoūded that thy people be no le… ger ſeduced / & ledde frō the way of trueth / by their ſubtile and carnall imaginacions / but that thei beynge truely taughte / may know the too be the alone true God / and whome thou haſt ſent Ieſus Chriſt.Ioan. 17.

Heretofore we had in the temples whan we came together to praye and to geue thā kes vntounto the / all our prayers & thankee geuing in the tūge that we v…derſtode / wherby we receaued great cōforte / & were much edified.Common …raier ought to be in that …ge that all the people vnderſtande. But now the papiſtes (which with thy people to be more rude thā aſſes / more biynde than be…les / more ignorant than daſtardes / that they mighte make them there ryding fooles and lauggyng ſtockes) cōtrary too the vſage and practiſe of the primatiue Churche / yea / contrary to thy commaundemēt geuen by thyne Apoſtle / which willeth all thinges in the congregacion too be vttered in ſuche a ſpeache as all might vnderſtande and be edified / or els ſilence to be kept / hauehave brought the matter to this po…t / that all Engliſh ſeruice dryuen oute of the Churches / thei hauehave ſtabliſhed their popiſh1. Cor. 4. latin ſeruice / which the moſte parte of thy people vnderſtand nothinge at all.O …. A…d yet ſo cruell & malicious are the papiſtes / that they enforce and with violence compel thy people to come vntounto their Romiſh / ſuper…icious / blaſphemous / and idolatrous Latin ſeruice / to heare it / to reuerence & honoure it with their preſence / and too call it Gods ſeruice / whan they vnderſtād no… / whither Baals prieſtes that there bleate & mūble / do bleſſe or curſe / prayſe or blaſpheme. Moſte certeyn is this / that thy people are altogether without edifienge / ſpende theyr time in vayn / & return hom agaī / as vnlearned & ignoraunte / as they came thyther.

Heretofore we had redde in oure temples eueryevery ſonday / and at diuers other tymes a godly and learned homely or ſermō / and certayn chapters oute of the holy Bible in the Engliſhe tunge / that all the people mighte vnderſtande what was done or ſayde / whiche gaue them occaſiō to forſake …ice / and to embrace vertue / to lyue in thy fayre / and diligently to call vpō thy bleſſed name.Homilies in Engliſhe & chapter… of the Bible But now bothe thoſe godly homiles and confortable chapters hauehave thyne enemies the papiſtes bāniſhed out of the tēples vntounto the great diſcomfort of al ſuch as vnfaynedly …oue the / and thy bleſſed worde / & in the ſtead of thē / they hauehave ſet vp blaſphe mous collaciōs / ſynging / rynging / pyping / ſenſynge / holy water caſtinge / holy breade …ealing / palmes and candles bearing / croſſe kneling / bread worſhipping / aſ…hes …odding fyre and rapers halowing / with an infinite number of ſuch lyke Heathen ceremonies / that the people beyng occupied with ſuche chyldiſhe trifles / louſye tradicious and beggarlyPopiſ… bag…ag…. ceremonies / myghte forget the wholſome foode of theyr ſoules / whiche is thy holy and bleſſed worde.Math. 4.

Heretofore / vponupon the Sondayes & certayne other dayes in the weke / we had the Letanye reherſed amonge vsus in oure Engly…hetūg / eueryevery one of vsus kneling deuoutly and … callynge on the for mercy and grace.The Letan… …n Engliſſh…. O heauēly father / this was ſetforth in the tyme of thy ſeruaunte kynge Henry the eygh…e / and continued among vsus / vntyl the death of that moſt godly and verteous prynce …ynge Edwarde the ſyxte / and a littel after vntounto the ſyngulare …o…e and great conforte of all godly and Chriſten harted people. But now the ſubtile and fleſhely pap…ſtes hauehave ſoo bewyiched the Quenes eyes / that whatſoeuer her father and her brother / moſte godly broughte too paſſe for the a…auncement of thy glory / & for the edifyeng of thy people / that is vtterly ſubuerted & taken for hereſye / yea / and ſpitefullye preached agaynſte in open ſermons / ſo that this godly & mooſte wholſome Letanye is not onelyonly taken awaye from vsus / but in the ſtead thereof we are compelled to go on preceſſion / following an Idoll / with ſynginge Ora pro nobis, Salue feſta dies, or ſome other …laſp…emous ſonge vntounto the greate ſorowe and inwarde harte / breakinge of all thy faythfull.

Heretofore / thy Sacramentes were ſo miniſtred vntounto vsus / that we receaued greate conforte by them.Sacrament… trulyſtred. But nowe they are ſo miniſtred of thys ſwyny…he ſpirituall forcerers / that they are become dumme and idle ceremonies altogether withoute edyfyeng or profyt. For beſydes that they are miniſtred in an vnknowentunge / howe be they defyled with mens tradicio… / & beggarly ceremonies? vntounto the Sacrament of Baptiſme / they putte Heateniſh rites and wicked coniuracions.The Sacrament of Baptiſme. For Baals prieſte / before the chylde canne be baptiſed / bewytcheth the water / ſhutteth the church doore / coniureth the deuel out of the poore yoūge Infaunt / beſpueth the chylde with his vile ſpitle and ſtincking ſlaueringe / putteth ſalt in thē chyldes mouth / ſmereth it with greaſye & …ſauer oyle / &c. And withoute theſe apy…h toyes / they make the people beleue / that the baptiſme is nothīg worth. Ah good is this any other thing than a play…e laughing to ſcorne of thy dere ſōnes inſtitutiō? Do theſe papiſtes / by adding their beggarly ceremonies anye other thinge / than ſet thy ſonne Chriſte to ſchole / and auaunce theyr owne fle…hly imaginaciōs aboue the wyſedome of the Lorde Chriſt?

The Sacrament alſo of thy dere ſonnes body & bloude / howe hauehave the aduerſaries prophanated and defyled?The Sacramēt of Christes bodij & b…de. thy ſonne bothe before and after the miniſtracion of the Sacrament preached vntounto his diſciples. The papiſtes preache nothing at all. Thy ſonne ſpake the wordes of the inſtitucion openly in that tunge / that all the diſciples vnderſtoode. The papiſtes vtter all thinges in a ſtraunge language / yea / and that ſo ſoftely that they ſcace heare thē ſelfes.A compariſō betvven Chriſt & the papiſtes, in the miniſtracion of the Sacrament. Thy ſonne miniſtred the Sacramentes without putting on of any diſguyſed apparel. The papiſtes decke them ſelfes lyke hycke ſcorner in game players garmentes. Thy ſonne miniſtred the Sacrament / ſitting at the table with hys diſciples. The papiſtes ſtande at the aultare / and geue the bread and wyne to the people kneling. Thy ſonne gaue the Sacramētal bread to the diſciples in their handes / ſayeng: Take / eate. The papiſtes thruſt the bread into the people mouthes / as …hough they had not ſo muche witte as to fede them ſelfes. Thy ſonne miniſtred the Sacrament of hys body and bloude vnderunder bothe kyndes to hys diſciples. The papiſtes do miniſter it to the laye people onelyonly vnderunder one kynde / and like theues ſteale the other away… from them / and reſerue it to themſelfes alone. Thy ſonne brake the Sacramentall bread. The papiſtes vſe no breakinge of the bread / as Chriſte and his Apoſtles and all the primatiue churche did for to declare the miſ…erie of Chriſtes bodye / breakinge on the aultare of the croſſe for oure redempcion / but they putte into the peoples mouthes a littell lighte whyghte waffer cake / ſpeaking to them a fewe wordes in Latin / whiche they vnderſtande not. Thy ſonne did appointe the Sacramētall bread to be broken and eaten. The papiſtes kepe it whole / and hange it vp in the pyxe / yea / and carrye it about for a pageaunte in their idolatrous / popiſh / pompous proceſſions. Thy ſonne inſtituted the Sacramēt to be a memortall of hys bodye breakinge and bloude ſhedding. The papiſtes teache / that the bread and wyne is turned into the naturall bodye and bloude of Chriſte God and manne / euen the ſelfeſame bodye that was borne of Marye the vyrgine / fleſhe / bloude / and bone / ſo that there remayueth neither bread nor wyne / although the holy ſcripture affyrmeth playnely / that this is bothe breadBread and vvyne remain in the Sacraments after the vvordes off conſecraciō & wyne remaining / the doctors of the Chriſten primatiue churche teſtefyed the ſame in their writtinges / the Greke church / euē frō the Apoſtles tyme vntounto this daye hauehave ſo receaued & beleued / vtterly deuieng the popiſh art…kle of trāſſubſtātiaci… / reaſon alſo & all the ſenſes of man teſtefye that there remayne both bread and wyne / after the woordes of conſecracion / as they vſe to terme them / yea / and experience teacheth / that if the Sacramentall breadde be longe reſerued / it will corrupte / putrifie moulde / ſtyncke / and bredefull of wormes / and the wyne lykewiſe / will chaunge the colloure and waxe ſoure.Tra…ſſubſtantiacion. O heauenly father / ſuche corrupcion can not chaunce too thy d…e ſonnes body & bloud / which is vncorruptible & …mortal / ſitteth on thy righthand / & raygneth with the in glory for euer & euer. This Antichriſtian doctrine / o bleſſed Lorde / was not knowen in thy holye Churche / v…tyll pope Nicholas / pope Innocent / pope Vrbane / Fryer Thomas / and ſuche other miniſters of Sathan / partely with their tyrannye / and partelye with their ſophiſtrye / as their apyſſhe adherentes doo nowe agayne in thys oure dayes / broughte it in / and compelled the Chriſtians with fyre and ſwearde / to beleue thys theyr monſtruous opinion / for the mayntenaūce of their bellye kyngdom / although it be neuer ſo muche contrarie too the artikles of oure fayth / and too the doctrine of the holy ſcripture / and of all the aunciente writters. Thy ſonne at hys ſupper / willed the Sacramentall bread and wyne too be eaten and droncken for a remembraūce off that one / and alone ſacrifice / whiche he offered on the altare of the croſſe / for the ſynnes of the people. The papiſtes in their ido latrous and abhominable maſſes make of the Sacrament a propiciatorie / expiatory and ſatiſfactory ſacrifice for the ſynnes off the people / neceſſary Ad ſalutē, affirming that their acte in the maſſe is of equal price / dignitie / vertue / myghte / efficacie and power before the eyes of thy diuine maieſtie with the moſte healthfull and ſwete ſmellyng ſacrifice / that thy ſonne offered on the altare of the croſſe / whā he gaue hī ſelf vntounto the death for the ſynnes of the people.O intolle… ble blaſphemie. Thy ſonne ordayned the Sacramente too be a ſigne and token of …ou… / whā the godly come together to eate all of one bread… & to drink… all of one cuppe. The papiſtes make it … Sacramente of diſſencion / diſcorde and debate. For if anye will not agree too theyr fleſ…helye / wycked and dettely… …he …pynyon / confeſſynge theyr erroure off tranſſubſtantiatiō / and affyrming… that the bread and wyne is the very naturall bodye and bloude of Chriſte God and man / and therefore oughte too be …neled vntounto / worſhipped / honored / and called vppon as the onelyonly true / lyuynge and immortall God / they falle oute with them / they calle them heretykes / they perſecute them / they apprehende them / they empreſonne & burne them without mercy? And as the wicked papiſtes prophanate and vnhallowe theſe twoo aforeſayde holy Sacramentes / ſo do they lyke fylthye ſwyne defyle all other miſteries / that thy ſonne Chriſ…e hath ordayned with reuerēce to be vſed in thy church.

An Lorde God and oure heauēly father / therfore we were taught too wor…hip the in ſpirite and truethe / and too praye vntounto the eueryevery where / lyftinge vp pure handes without wrathe or doubtinge.Ioan. 4. 1. Tim. 2. But nowe the papiſtes teache vsus to praye vntounto the and vntounto all the cōpany of heauen with boynge and bleatinge in the quyre / with playeng on the organs / with ſayeng ladies pſalters on beades / with mumblynge ouer certayne prayers / in the tunge that we vnderſtande not.Pra…r.

Heretofore we were taughte / that thou alone forgeueſt vsus all our ſyn…es / whan ſouer we earneſtly repent / and vnfay…edly turne vntounto the,God alone forgeueth ſinne. But nowe the papiſtes teache / that they alſo hauehave power too forgeue ſynnes / and that oure ſynnes can not be forgeuen / excepte we confeſſe them vntounto the prieſte with all circumſtaunces.Eſa. 43. Marc. 2. Luc. 5.

Heretofore we were taught to looke for all ſaluacion of the thorowe faythe in the bloude of Chriſte.Faith onelyonly iuſtefied. But nowe the papiſtes teache vsus to looke for ſaluaciō in our owne good workes / in the interceſſion of ſainctes / in prayers and merites of ſynneful hypocrites and beaſtly belligoddes / in ceremonies / in wil workes / in tradicious of men / in holy bread / holy water / holy candels / holy palmes / holy aſ…hes / latine ſeruice / idolatrous maſſes / ſuperſticious Diriges / trifelinge trentalles / popiſhe faſtinges / belles / beades / &c.Abominacions.

Heretofore we were taught to caſte out of our temples the Idols and Mawmettes wherwith many com…itted ſpiritual whordome and rāne an whoring / and to garniſh the churche with the holy ſcriptures / that the people might learne to know & to feare the.Images not tollerable in the tēples of the Chriſtians. But now the vngodlye papiſtes hauehave brought the matter to this pointe / that the ſentences of thy bleſſed lawe are blotted / & vtterly wyped out of the temples / & Idols are there placed manifeſtlye and directly / agaynſte thy bleſſed commaundemente / which thy enemies call laye mēs CalēdersExod. 20 Leuit. 19. Deut. 5. 7. 12. or bokes / as though o Lorde God / the people might ſoner be brought vntounto the knowledge of the / by looking on deformed ſtock…s & ſtones / than by reading thy holy & bleſſed worde.Ioan. 5 Thy ſonne & our ſauiour Chriſt cō maundeth vsus to ſearche the ſcriptures / and not to beholde Idols and Mawmettes.Ioan. 8. He that is of god / ſaythe he / hearethe the word of god. He ſayethe not / he that is of god rū eth vntounto Images / & ſeeth what goodnes he cāne pycke out of thē. Agayn he ſayeth: My ſhepe heare my voyce.Ioan. 10 He ſayeth not my ſhepe hath a delyghte and pleaſure too beholde vayne Idols and mahounde lyke Mawmettes.Pſal. 119. Thy ſeruaunt Dauid calleth them bleſſed / that ſearche thy teſtimonies and hauehave a pleaſure too ſtudie in thy lawe daye and night.Pſalm. 1. For thy holy worde is only the boke / wherin thy people ought to looke / and not dumme Images & carued Idolles / which are curſed of the in thy holy law / yea & the makers of them alſo.Deut. 27 Ah Lorde God / they that hauehave this procured / that thy holy worde ſhould be wyped and blotted out of the churches / is it not to be thoughte / that their names are blotted and wyped… out of the …oke of lyfe alſo… Yea / is it not too be thought that ſuch Antichriſtes wold gladly hauehave bothe the / & thy holy worde / yea / & thy bleſſed name ſo blotted & wyped out of all mens hartes / that thou mighteſt neuer beThe holy ſcriptures vvyped out of the temples, & idols placed. remembred more / but that they and theyr deueli… decrees might alone raygne / rule / ruffle and triumphe / makyng all men euen from the hygheſt to the loweſt their miſerable captiues & wretched bond ſlaues: It maye right wel be ſayde vntounto them / as our ſauiour Chriſt ſayd vntounto the wicked & ſtyfnecked Iewes: He that is of God / heareth the worde of God.Ioan. 8. Ioan. 10. Ye therfore heare it not / becauſe ye are not of God. Again / ye beleue not / becauſe ye are not of my ſhepe.Iere. 3. Ah Lord theſe chyldren of Bel…all hauehave forſaken the thalone fountayne of lyuely water / & they hauehave dygged to thē ſelfs puddels / yea / dyle & dyrtie puddels / that are able too holde no water. They are ſuch people / as cōtinually prouoke the vntounto anger.Eſa. 30. They are lyēg chyldrē / yea / ſuch chyldrē / as will not heare the law of God. They ſay to the preachers / loke oute of the ſcriptures no good leſſōs for vsus. And to the godly lerned they ſay / tel not vsus thoſe thinges that are right / neither rebuke our wickednes & Idolatry / but ſpeake vntounto vsus pleaſaūt thīges / & ſuch as we delight too heare. Tel not vsus of gods āger / iuſtice & iudgemēt againſte the ſtifnecked idolators / but preach vntounto vsus fals thinges / fables / lyes / er…ors / ſaicts liues out of the goldē legēd / narraciōs out of the feſtiual / exāples out of Vi…as patrū, The doctrine of the papiſtes.authorites out of ſermōs Dormi mens tradicions / laudable ceremonies / cō mendable cuſtomes / holye rites / aunciente vſages / good ente…tes / iuſtificacion of workes / tranſſubſtantiacion / the corporall preſence of Chriſt / in the Sacramente of the aultare / vnderunder the accidentes of bread / &c. The propiciatory ſacrifice of the maſſe / the receauinge of the Sacramente vnderunder one kynde / contrary to Chriſtes inſtitucion / auriculare confeſſion / &c. Treade oute of the waye / go out of the pathe / awaye with the holy one of Iſrael from vsus. We are weary of hym. It greueth vsus to remember hym. We can neyther abyde hys word truly preached / nor yet his lawes writtē in our churches. Oute with the ſcriptures / & in wyth the Idols and Mawmettes.Pſal. 79. O Lord God / are not theſe the Heathen / that hauehave braſte into thyne heritage / that hauehave defyled thy holy temple / and made Ieruſalem an heape of ſtones? hauehave mercy on vsus / o Lorde / hauehave mercy on vsus.

Heretofore,The confirmation of chyldren. we were taughte ſo to bring vp oure chyldren in the principles of Chriſten religion / that whan they ſhould come to be confirmed of the biſ…hop / they mighte be able to ſaye the articles of the fayth / the Lordes prayer / and the ten commaundemē tes / and to aunſwere to ſuch queſtions / as are contayned in that ſhorte Catechiſme / which was apointed to be learned of eueryevery chylde / before he were brought to be cōfyrmed. But now the papiſtes ſaye to ſuch as are witneſſes of the chyldes baptiſme: Ye are bounde by the order of our mother the holy church to ſe / that this chylde be cōfyrmed ſoo ſone as is poſſible / or aſſone as ye heare that the biſſhop cometh within ſeuē myles of this towne / without any furder delaye. Of the thinges contayned in the godly Catechiſme / for the righte inſtituciō of the chylde / they make no mencion. And what is the confyrmacion of the chyldren / that is vſed at thys preſent / but playn ſorce rye / deuelerye / wytchcrafte / iuglinge / leger demayne / and all that nought is? The Biſſhop mumbleth a fewe latin woordes ouer the chylde / charmeth hym / croſſeth hym / ſmeareth hym with ſtinckinge popiſh oyle / and tyeth a lynnen bonde about the chyldes necke / and ſendeth hym home. O Lord God / what a confirmacion of the chyldes fayth is this? Yea / rather what a deluſion ann mocking is this of the godly auncient cuſtome / in confirming chyldren?

Heretofore / we were taughte too bringe vp oure chyldren in the knowledge of the & thy ſonne Chriſt / that euen from the very cradles they might be enſtructed in thy holye miſteries / & learn to feare the / to beleueThe Ca…echiſme both in Latin & in Engliſh. duplicate page duplicate page in the / to love the / to pray vntounto the / to be thanckfull vntounto the / & to frame theyr whol lyffe accordyng to thy bleſſed law… / that they myght ſerue the theyr lorde god in holynes & ryghteouſnes all the dayes of theyr lyfe. And for thys purpoſe had we ſetforthe a godly & learned catechiſme bothe in latin & in Englyſſe / wherin owr longe ones wer moſte vertuouſly brought vp vntounto the greate ioy of theyr parentes / the ſingulare confort of al godly Chriſtianes / & the wonderful encreaſe bothe of thy glory & of all godlynes & vertue. But now the wicked Papiſtes / wyche alway deale extremly wythe the ryghteous and take away theyr labouresSap. 5. / hauehave condemned that Chriſten Chatechiſme as hereſye / & hauehave procured certayuCatechiſme condemned for hereſi. Articles frō the Quene Antichriſtiane articles from the Quene / wherin among to many other / a ſtreyght cōmandement is geten / that children ſhuld ſo be brought vp / that they myghte learne to healpe the Prieſte ſay maſſe wych maſſ is the very fonntayne and heade ſprynge off all īdolatrye and ſpirituall whordome. Ah lorde God / ſhy ſervannts bothe in the olde and newe teſtament broughte vp theyr chyldren farre other wyſe / as the heſtoriesExēples of bringing vp children. of Abraham / Iſaac / Jacob / Daniel / Tobie / Mathathiae / the Parentes of Suſanne & of Timothe / Philippe the Euāgeliſte / and ſuche other do declare / And thy holy cōmā demēt is not / that Parētes ſhuld bryng vp theyr children in learnynge to healpe and Ilatrous Prieſte to ſay his abhominable & blaſphemous maſſe / but to knowe the their lorde God / to beleue in the / to feare & louelove the / to callvpō thy bleſſed name / to bethāckefull vntounto the / and to faſſon theyr lyffe accordyng to thy holy worde & cōmandemēt.

Heyrtofor we wer taught / that it is lawOf the marage of Prii… tes. full for eueryevery maue / be he Byſhoppe / Priſte / Deacon / Monke / Fryer / Chauon / Here mite / or ani other / that hauehave not the gifte of continencye / to take vntounto hym a ffaythe full yoke fellowe / and with her to marrye in thy feare / and to poſſeſe his owne veſſel1 Theſ. 4 1 Cor. 7. Heb. 13. in holynes & honore / as thyne holy apoſtle ſaythe / to auoyde fornication let every mā hauehave his awne wyffe / & every woman her awne huſbond. Agayn / maryage is honorable amonge all mene and the bedde vnde fyled. But whormongers and adulterers God ſhall iudge. But now the wycked Papiſtes thoſe lecherous lubers / thoſe fyl thy fornicatours / theſe abhominable adulterers / thoſe ſrynckyng Sodemites / thoſePapiſtes. canckred corruptours of maydes / wyffs / & wydowes / thoſe debylyſhe deſpiſers of all ſhamefaſtnes / chaſtite & honeſte / thoſe mō ſtrous maītainers of all licētious lyuyng / whordome & deſhoneſte / C. 4. and and thoſe ſynnefull ſynckes of all fylthy & lotheſome abhominacions hauehave broughte the godly and lawefull marriage of miniſters / and their wyues vntounto thys poynt / that it is now countēd whordome. The faythfull houſbandes are taken for whoremongers / and their honeſt wyues for whores.The tirānij of the cruell papiſtes, in deuorcinge prieſtes and their vvijues. Yea / vntounto ſuche an heyghte is their furious madnes and madde furye groune / that they againſte all right and conſcience / againſt all trueth and honeſtie / do not only moſte wickedly deuorce them / but they alſo cruelly compell dyuers of the miniſters / whiche are faynteharted / and where / as it ſemeth / but tymelinges / ſeruing rather the time (as the manner of the worldlinges is) than maryeng in thy feare / to do open penaunce before the people / and to confeſſe (o the to much corrupt manners of this ſynnefull worlde) that their marriage was no marriage / but playn whordome.Repente ye vvic…ed blaſphmers of honorable marriage, & tabelour vvijues againe vntounto iou. And there thoſe fylthye dogges / whiche are returned vntounto their vomite / moſte wretchedly couche and knele doune before the people / and deſyre them to forgeue them / and promiſe that they will neuermore come in their wyfes company / but frō henſforth / lyue like good and catholike men / accordinge to the order of their holy prieſthoode / that is to ſaye / abſtayne from honorable wedlocke / & defyle them ſelfes with all kynde of whordome / vnclennes and diſhoneſtie.Leuit. 21. Eze. 44. Ah Lorde God / thou commaundeſt thy prieſtes in the olde lawe / not onelyonly too marrye / but thou alſo appointeſt them / what wyues they ſhould marrye / whiche thinge thou woldeſt not hauehave done / if the marryage of prieſtes had bene ſoo vile and deteſtable a thinge in thy ſight / as the wicked & fylthy papiſtes make it. In the newe lawe alſo the men / whome thy welbeloued ſonne did choſe in this vale of miſery to be his diſciples and apoſtles / to be the preachers of his glorious Goſpell / and the adminiſtratours of his holy Sacramentes / were not fleſhely votaries / as the papiſtes are / but honeſt and godly married men / lyuinge with their wyues / according to thy holy ordinaunce / ud bringynge vp their chyldren in thy feare / and after the doctrine of thy bleſſed worde. Neyther dyd the apoſtles put awaye their wyues / after they were called vntounto the miniſtery / as the lyenge papiſtes for a colour of their ſynful lyfe do moſte falſhly fayne / but they continued with their wyues louingly & faythefully / tyll death departed them / as we may ſe in auncient hiſtories / and as it may eaſly be gathered of the manifeſt woordes of the holy ſcriptur. HaueHave not we power / ſaieth the apoſtle / to lede about a ſyſter to wyfe / 1. Cor. 9.as wel as other apoſtles / & as the brethren of the lorde and Cephas? Ether only I and Barnabas hauehave not poure this to do: Here is it evident / that thapoſtles of Criſte did not ōly not put away their wyues after the were called vntounto the miniſterre / as the fals Papiſtes fable but they alſo led their wyffes about with them / as theye went abrode? preachyng the goſpell of criſt.Eccl. hiſt. lib. 3. ca. 30. Rede we not that S. peter continued withe his wife vntyl her dyeng day / and that whan ſhe was ledde vntounto the place of execution to ſuffer deathe for cōfeſſyng Chriſte to be God / S. Peter her huſbond folowed her / exhorted her to be ſtronge in the faythe of Chriſte / & ſayde vntounto her: O wyfe / remēber the Lorde? oh wythe whatforheade durſie Peter have exhorted men to dwel in howſe together1. Pet. 3. withe theyr wyffes accordyng to their knoulege / if he contrary to his knowledge had putte awaye his wyffe… Wythe what face coulde thapoſtle.Philip. 4 ſ. Paule hauehave made mēcion of his wyffe / callyng her his faithe full yoke fellowe / & deſyryng her to healpe the wemen / whiche laboured withe hime in the goſpel / if he beyng vnfaythefull had putte awaye his wyffe cōtrary to his promiſe & the lawe of God? If thapoſtles had putte awaye theyr wyffes after they were called vntounto the miniſtery and preachyng of howe durſte Paule hauehave bene ſo bolde / as1. Cor. 9. to wryghte vntounto the Corithians / that thei ledde theyr wyffes aboute wihe theme? Yea / iff thapoſtles had putte awaye theyr wyffes / howe coulde they hauehave exhorted other men accordyng to the lawe of God / to forſake father & mother & to cleue vntountoGen. 2. Mar. 19. Mat. 5. theyr wyffes / & no man to forſake his wife for any cauſe excepte it befor fornication. This their for is but a ſhadowe of the filthye Papiſtes to blynd the eyes of the ſimple and ignorāte. Furthermore all the holy Biſhoppes and miniſters of the primatiue chirche were marryed mene / or at the leaſt were at libertie to marrye / if they wolde.

Agayne / the Prieſtes among the Grekes even from thappoſtles tyme vntounto this day hauehave euer bene at libertie to marrye / neytheyr is theyr miniſterye theffror the les eſtemed of the godly / whiche are perſuaded by the worde of God / that wedlocke is honorableHebr. 13. among all mene & the bedde vndefyled. The maryage of Prieſtes was neuer for bydden in any place. tyll Antichriſte off Rome broughte it to paſſe / partely by the tirāny of the ſeculare power / and partely by flatteryng wordes graūtyng Prieſtes cōcubines & whoresin ſtead off their lawefull wyffes / whō for ā yerely pēſiō they may at their pleaſure etheyr kepe ſtil or putte awaye / & take anewe.

But o heauenly father / as thy faithful ſeruaunt Paule prophecied longe before / ſoo is it come to paſſe.1. Tim. 4 The ſpirite ſpeaketh euidently / ſayeth he / that in the latter dayes / ſome ſhall departe from the faythe / & ſhall geue hede vntounto ſpirites of errour and deue liſh doctrine of them / whiche ſpeake falsPaules prophecie fulfilled. thorowe hypocriſye / and hauehave their conſciē ces marked with an h…te yron / forbiddinge to marrye. This prophecye is fulfylled in that Antichriſte of Rome / and in his whoriſh generacion. For they alone forbid marryage / which thing neyther Jew / nor Turke nor any Iufidel beſydes dothe. Neyther can the papiſtes thyfte of this prophecye / from them vntounto certayn here…ykes / which vtterly condemned marryage. For the holy Apoſtle prophecieth of ſuch as forbidde marryage / and not of them that vtterly caſte away & condemne marryage as a thing altogether vncleane and vnmete for a Chriſten man. They therfore that forbid the marryage of prieſtes are by the iudgement of the mooſte worthy apoſtle / yea / of the holy Ghoſte / departed from the ſaythe / and geue hede too the ſpirites of errour and deueliſh doctrine of them / whiche ſpeake falſe thorow hypocriſye / and hauehave their conſcience marked with an hote yron / be they Popes / Cardinalles / Biſhoppes / Emperours / Kynges / Quenes / Dukes or any other. Swifte dā nacion bring all ſuche vponupon themſelfes / except they ſhortely repent.

Heretofore / we had ſuche ſhepehardes / Godlij Biſſhops and faithfull preachers.as were tender foſters of thy flocke. They cheryſhed and made much of thy thepe. For ſuche as were weake / they tenderly cheriſſhed / the ſyke they healed / the broken they bounde vp together / the outcaſ…es & ſuche as ranne aſtraye / they louingly broughte home agayne / the loſte they diligently ſoughte / and reſ…ored them too the ſhepefolde. None of thy ſhepe did they willingly ſuffer to periſhe. Euen as a nurſe amōg her chyldren / ſo lyued they amonge thy people. Not with the ſoure leauen of the Phariſeys / but with the heauenly Manna of thy bleſſed worde did they fede thy flocke. Neither did they geue thy thepe drincke of the ſtincking and dyrtie puddels of mens tradiciōs / but of the fountayne of that lyuing water / which ſpringeth vntounto euerlaſting life. But now the ſhepehardes / yea / rather the wolfesIoan. 4. Vv…l…iſh… ſhepehardes. / which are braſte into thy ſhepefolde / & with violence hauehave vniuſtly thruſt out the faythfull and fatherly paſtores out of their tures / are lordely / cruel / bloudthyrſtye / malicious and ſpyteful agaynſte thy ſhepe. They are ſuch wolfs as ſpare n…t the flocke but ſcatter & deſtroye the flocke. They are theues / robbers / murtheras & ſoule ſlears.Act. 20. Ioan. 10. Ezec. 34. thei fede thē ſelues with the fatteſt & clothe thē ſelues wythe the fyneſte wolle / but thy flocke thy noryſhe not the foode / wherwith they paſture thy ſhepe / is the drowſyedreās and idle imaginacions of Antichriſte. In ſteed of the peachyng of thy lyuely worde / the fede thy ſtocke wythe latin munblynges / wythe dume Images wyth Hethnyſhe cerymonies wyth dayne ſyghtes / and ſuche other apyſh toys. In ſted of the miniſtraciō of the holy and bleſſed Cōmunion the fede thy ſhepe wythe vile ſ…ynckyng / abhominable deulyſhe / blaſphemus & Idolatryous Maſſes. And vntounto thes vnwholſome and peſtilent and poyſomfull paſtures the dryue thy ſhepe / wyll they nyl they. & if any of thy floche refuſe to come and taſte of thoſe their peſtilēt poyſōs & poiſō ful peſtilences / him they accite to appere befor that greate wolfe / whoſe face is lyke vntounto the face of a ſhe beare that is robbed of her yonge ones / whoſe eyes cōtinually burne withe the vnquēcheable flames of the deadly cockatrice / whoſe teethe are lyke to the venomous tethesThe deſcriptiō of a certaine heade vvolfe cladde in a Biſhopes rotchete. Pſal. 9. of the rampyng lyon / whoſe month is full of curſed ſpeaking & bitternes / whoſe tō … ſpeakithe extrem blaſphemes agaynſt the & thy holy annoited / whoſe lippes at ful of deadly poiſōne / whoſe throte is an open ſepulchre / whoſe breathe fomethe & bloweth out threatenyng & ſlauther agaynſt the diſciplesPſal. 5. Act. 9. of the Lorde / whoſe harte without ceaſyng imaginethe wickednes / whoſe handes hauehave a delighte to be embrued with the bloode of the Sainctes / whoſe fete are ſwifte to ſhed bloode / whoſe whole manne bothe body & ſoule go alwaies vp & down muſyng of myſchyff.Pſalm. 13. This wolfe / o Lorde / is ſo arrogāte / haultie and prowde / ſeyng the gouernemēt of the whole Realme is cō mitted vntounto hym / that he hathe caſte awaie all feare of the. He makethe boſ…e off hys awne witte learnyng & pollecye. His wayes are alwaye fylthye / thy iudgemētes arePſal. 9. farre out of his ſyghte / he defyethe all hys enemies. For he ſaythe in his hearte: tuſhe / I ſhal never be caſte downe / theyr ſhall no harme happen vntounto me. He ſytte the lurking lyke a lyon in his denne / that he maie prinely murther the innocent & ſucke hys bloode. Whan ſuche / o Lorde God / as will not obeye their popiſh and deuelyſhe proce dyngs / are broughte before that grevous wolffe / they are miſerably taūted / mocked / ſchorned blaſphemed / as thi derely beloued ſone was in Biſhope Caiphas howſe / andMat. 26. Mar. 14. Luc. 22. afterwarde cruely cōmitted to preſō / to the towre / to the flete / to the marſhalſeas / to the Kynges bēche / to the Counters / to Lollardes towre / to Newgate &tc.

Where they are kepte as ſhepe in a pynnefolde appointed to be ſlayne. And as thys cruel & bloudy wolf dealeth with the poore lambes / euen ſo do the reſedue of that let cherous litture. He with all other of that wolfythe kynde / hunger and thyrſte nothing ſo greatly / as the deuouring of the bodies / and the ſucking of the bloude of thy poore and innocent lambes.Pſal. 10. Ah Lorde / whyle the vngodly hauehave the ouerhande / the poore are moſte wretchedly hādled. They are prayes vntounto the wolfes. Ariſe therefore / o Lorde God / lyfte vp thine hande / and forget not the poore / whiche geueth them ſelfe ouer into thy hande / and committeth hym vntounto thy defence. Breake thou the arme of the vngodly and malicious / ſearch out the wickednes / whiche he hath done / that he maye ſhortly periſh from the lande of the liuing. Suffer thy ſhepe nomore to be thus miſerably ſcattered / rente / torne and deuoured of theſe moſ…e cruell / greuous / and inſatiable wolfes. Remember this thy promiſe: Beholde / I my ſelf will vponupon the ſhepeherdesEze. 34. / and requyre my ſhepe from their handes / and make them ceaſe frō feding of my ſhepe / yea / the ſhepehardes ſhall fede them ſelfs nomore. For I will deliuer my ſhepe out of their mouthes / ſo that they ſhal not deuoure them after this / &c. Beholde / I Beholde I wille looke to my ſhepe myſelff and ſeke them. Like as a ſheppherde among the flocke ſeakethe after the ſhepe that areſcattered abrode. Euen ſo wil▪ I ſeke aftere my ſhepe and gathere them together out of all landes. I will brynge theme into theire owne lande / and fede them vponupon the mountaines of Iſrael by the riuers / and in all the places of the contre. I will fede theme … righte good paſturs / & vponupon the hye mountaynes of Iſrael ſhall their foldes be. There ſhall there l…e in a good folde and in a fatte paſtur ſhall they fede / euen vponupon the mountaynes of Iſrael. I will ſede my ſhep my ſelf & bryng them to theyr reſt / ſaythe the Lorde God. Su…he as be loſt / wil I ſeke / ſuche as go aſtraye / will I brynge agayne ſuche a… be wounded / will I bynde vp / ſuche as be weake / will I make ſtronge / ſuche as be fate and well lykynge / thoſſe will I preſerue / & fede them withe the ſhynge that is Lawful / &c. I will helpe my ſhepe / ſo that they ſhall nomore be ſpoyled. I will make a covenant of peace with them / & dryue all euyl beaſtes out of the Lande / ſo that they maye dwelle ſaffely in the wyldernes / & ſleap in the words. Good fortune and p…oſſperite will I gyue them / & …nto all that be rounde aboute my hyll. A proſſperous ſh…wer & ray…e will Iſe…de theme in due ſeaſon that / the trees in duplicate page duplicate page the woode maye bryng forthe theyr frutes / & the ground hir increas. They ſhall be ſaff in the lande and ſhall knowe. That I am the Lorde / whiche hauehave broken their yoke / and delyuered them out of the handes of thoſe / that heylde them in ſubieccione. O Lorde. God & our heuenly father hauehave pitie on thy poor afflicted & ſcattered flocke / & accordyng to theyes thy louy…ge & father lye promyſſes deale with thy people. So ſhall all men vnderſtande / that thoue arte theyre Lord God and ſhepparde / and that they are thy people. and the ſhepe of thy paſtur / and by this meanes be occaſioned to mangnifie and prayſethy holy nam for ener & euer.

Heretofore the preachers of thy holi vorde & the faythfull miniſters of the SacramētsPreachars… and m…eſters hertofor reuerenced. 1. Timo 5 wer had in double honor accordīg to the doctrin of the holy ſcripturs. But nowe of all mene they are moſte miſerable. For beſides the tomoche deſpite full wordes / wherwith the wickid Papiſtes laboure to obſcure and deface / ſomoch as lyghethe in them …he good name of the godly minſters? Howe cruelly & agaynſte all order of Lawe are they thruſt out of theyr lyuynges / and depriued of all / that they had / inſomoche that they & theyrpoore wyffes withe their yonge Childeren are not only brought to the ſtate of pouerte but alſo vntounto extrem beggeri without hous or harbour / without meat / drynk & clothe. Yea māy of them / becaus they wil not be defiled with the Idolatre of Antichriſt / which is now receaneed agayne into E…glande an bowe theyr knee vntounto Baal / are compelled to forſak theyr natyu contrie / their parētes / theyr frendes / theyr lyuynges / and to wander abrode in ſtrange Realmes / ledyng moſte ſorowfull & confortles liues / but that theyhaue the their good Lorde & merciful father / which conforteſt them in all their tribulacyon / and leauyſt non without ſocoure that put their truſt in the.

Thus ſeiſt thowe (O moſte mercifull father) Howe miſerabli the face of the chryſt… comon weale of England is beyond all meaſure defame….The Chriſt… comō vveal of England… miſerabl… … formed. Thns ſeiſt thoue / howe thygodly doctrine and moſt holy ordinances are vtterly abolyſhed / and menes tradicions ſee vp in the place of them. Thus ſeiſte thowe / howe thy glorie & honore that is due to the alone / is attributed and geueue to an Idoleof bread & to their wicked Maumets. Thus feiſt thowe / howe the Saluacion / whiche is thorow faithe to be hoped & looked for ōlye in the glorius paſſion / precius deathe / & triumphant Reſurrecion of thy moſt dere ſo… andour alone Sauiour & Lord Ieſus … / is nowe repoſed in the ſinfull merites of…ipocrites / in the iuterceſſion of Saintes… in ceremonies / in the obſeruances of menes idle imaginacious &c. Thus ſeiſt thow / how thy holy worde is ſet aſide and / mans doctri hathe the vppermoſt hand. Thus ſeiſt thow how thy holy myſteries are tomoch filtheli defiled of the ſwynyſhe Papiſtes. Thusſeiſt thowe / howe all thynges in the temples be done without edifieng. Nothyng is herad in them but boyng / bellowyng and blearing . Thus ſeiſt thowe / howe the fatherli Biſh oppes and faithfull paſtores are vniuſtli put out of their cures / depriued of all that they hauehave / banyſhed and handled like ſhepe appoynted to the ſlaughter / and in the ſteade offthem whyte dawbed walles / paynted Sepulckers full of all filthines & abhominaciō / blynde Phareſeis / ſubtile Hypocrites / vnlea…ned aſſes / Romyſhe foxes / Rawenyngwolues / Lordly Tyrantes / and ſuche Lyke peſtilences / are appoynted to rule ouer thy flocke. Thus ſeiſt thowe / howe thy poore & myſerable thepe are moſt villy & wrechedly handled of thes paſtors / Yea Idolles / theues / Robbers / and murtherars / while they are compelled / wil they / nil they / to taſte of their peſtelent and poyſonfull paſtures / to eate of theyr phatiſaicall leauen / and to drynck oftheir dirtie and myrie puddeles. Thus ſeiſt thowe / how the honorable Maryage of the Godly miniſters is vtterly cōdemnede as A thyng vnlawfull and vnmete for the miniſterie of thy worde and Sacramentes / and a bominable whordome frely ſuffered / bornewithe all / and wincked at.Pſal. 79. Thus ſeiſt thow / howe the heathen are braſt iuto thyne heritage / hauehave defiled thy holy temple / and mad Ieruſalem an heape of ſtones. Ah Lorde. ſence the puttyng downe of thy holy religiō The miſer… of the …ngliſhe Chriſtians.in England / we that profeſſe thy name / and wold gladly ſerue the accordīg to thy bleſſed worde & not after the fāſyes of men / which we know to be abominable in thy ſighte / are become an open ſhame vntounto our enemies avery ſcorne and veriſion vntounto them / that are round about vsus. They that hayte vsus / ſpoile owre goodes.Pſal. 44. We are eaten vp like ſhepe. Yea ſo …tim our dere frendes & neighbours abhore vsus and refuſe oure company ſo fearfull are they of liffe and goodes. A Very by worde are we become among the Papiſtesand the vngodly people ſhake theire heades att vsus. Owre ſoule is broughte lowe euen vntounto the duſte / and oure bely clea…eth to the grownde. For thy ſake are we killed all thedaye longe / & are counted as ſhepe apoynted to be ſtayue. Vp Lorde? why ſleapeſt thow / awake and caſte vsus not of for euer. Whe… fore hideſte …howe thy face? Wilte thowe cleane forget owr miſeri and oppreſſion: Ariſe o Lorde helpe vsus & deliuer vsus for thy merciemercy ſake. Ah Lorde howe / longe wilte thowe be angrye?pſal. 79. ſhall thy ielouſy burne like fire foreuer? Poure out thyne indinguacion vponupon theh eathen whiche knowe the not / & vponupon the kyngdomes that call not vponupon thy name. For they hauehave dewoured Iacobe / and Layde wayſte his dwellyng place. Oh remember not oure olde ſynnes but hauehave mercye vponupon vsus and that ſoune / for we are come to great myſery. Helpe vsus / o God oure Sauioure / for the glorie of thy name. O delyuer vsus & forgyue vsus oure ſynnes for thy names ſake. Wherfor ſhall the heathen (The Papiſtes) ſaye / Where is nowe their God? Whereisnowe theire Goſſpell? Oh / let the vengeāns of thy ſeruautes blood that is ſhedde / be opē lye ſhewed vponupon the heathen in oure ſighte. Oh / let the ſorowſull ſyghiuges of the preſō ners come before the / and accordynge to thepowr of thyne arme preſerue thoſe that are appoynted to dye.Pſal. 80. Steerre vp thy pawre / o Lorde / and come to helpe vsus. Inrne to vsus A gayne and ſhewe vsus the lyghte of thy louyng counteuaūs / that we may be ſaued. O Lord God of hoſtes / howe longe wylte thowe beangrye ouer the prayers of thy people? How longe wil…e thowe fede theme that beleue in the with the bread of teares / and gyue them plentye of ſorowes to drynke? Howe longe…hal they be a laughing ſtock to the Papyſtes? Howe longe ſhall thy viny…rde be rootedvp of the wylde bore / & be dewoured of the / veaſtes of the feilde? Howe longe ſhall …irehedges be brokene / that they whiche go by / may plucke vp hir grapes? Howe long ſhall it be brent withe fire and lye vaiſ…e? O turn the agayne thow God of hoſtes / looke doune frome heauen / behoulde and viſete thy vinyarde. Houlde not thy tonge / o God / kepenot ſilence / refrayn not thy ſelffe o god.pſal. 82. For Lo / thyne enemies make a murmuryng / and they that hate the / lifte vp their heade. They imagine craftely agayuſte thy people / andtake councell agaynſ…e thy holyones. Come ſay they / lete vsus root them out from among the people / that the name of Iſrael maye beput out of remembrance. For they hauehave caſt their heades together withe one conſente / & are confederate agaynſt the & thy holyehword. They ſhame not to ſaye / We will hauehave the howſe of God in poſſeſſiou. We will hauemene to beleue / as we liſte.Pſal. 11. Owre tong ſhal preuaile. We are they that oughte to ſpeake / who is Lorde ower vsus: As for the wordeswhiche the faithful preachars ſpeke vntounto vsus in the name of the Lorde / we will in no wiſe heare theme / but what ſo euer goethe out of oure awne mowihe / that will we do.Iere. 44 Wewill do ſacrifice and offer oblacions to the / quene of heauen / lyk as we & our forfathers / owre kinges and owre heades hauehave done inthe cities of Iuda and in the ſtretes and feldes of Ieruſalem. For the…r had we plentiuſnesof vitailes. Then weare we in proſſperite / & no miſfortune came vponupon vsus. But ſence we leaſt to offer & to do ſacrifice vntounto the Quen of heauen we hauehave hade ſcaccenes of all thinges & pery he with ſwerd and honger. It is but loſte laboure to ſerue God. O Lorde kep & / preſerue vsus frome this generacion for euer.Malach. 3 Pſal. 11. For they are a ſinfull people / which are ouerladen withe blaſpehmies / a froward generacion and wicked childern. They haueforſaken the their Lorde God / they hauehave / prouoked the holy one of Iſrael vntounto anger & are gone backwarde.Eſa. 1. There is no truthe intheir mouthes. Their throte is an open ſepulckere / with their tonges thei diſceaue / thePſal. 5. poyſone of adders is vnderunder their lippes / ther fete are ſwift to h…de īnocent bloode. They eate vp and dewoure thy people as it weare breade. Diſtruccion and vnhappynes is in al theire doynges / but the waye of peace theyknowePſal. 14. not / for ther is no feare of God befor ther eies. O Lord God & our moſte mercyful fath ere looke downe frome thy holy hill and co…ſydere oure miſeries. Saue thy people o Lorde / and bleſſe thine heritage.…ſal. 28. Gouernetheme withe thy holy ſpi…ite / and lifte them vpe aboue theire enimies for euere.

Ryſe vpe o Lorde / and hauehave pitie on Sion / for it is tyme / yea it is hye tyme for the tohaue pitie on hire.pſal. 102. O Lord lete it be thy plea ſure to deale fawarably with Sion / that the walles of Ieruſalem may be duylte.Pſal. 51. Builde vpe o Lorde / that ſpirituall howſe with lyuynge ſtones / wherof thy Sonne Chriſt is the foundaycion & heade cornere ſtone.1. Pete. 2. Be that ſame good Lorde and mercifull God to thycongregacion / that thowe haiſte euere promiſed to be.Eſa. 66. Comforte hire / as the louyng mothere cheri…hethe hire tender babes. As a naturall mother can not forgett hire yonge one / but that ſhe muſte nede…e hauehave pitie on thechilde of hire wombe:Eſa. 49. Euen ſo / o Lord / petie thowe the congregacion of England / and by no meanes ſ…ffer the godly people therof to fall out of thy rem…brancs. And although oure liffe be ſuche / that it rather deſeruethe puniſhment than reconcilement / anger than fawour / deſtruckcio…h an preſeruacion / yet o Lorde God / we moſte humbly beſeche theto forgyue vsus dw…ſ…es / and for thy names ſak yea for thy dere Chriſtis ſa… ha…e mercy on vsus and deale with vsus accordynge to t…y… olde accuſtomed goodnes. We hauehave nothing to offer vntounto th… fatherly gentel…es / but ōly owre Repentan̄s / oure broken heartes andtrowbledThe Chriſt… Sacrifice. ſprites / oure …eares / oure …igh … / & oure moſt ſorowfull ſupplycacion…. ThesPſal. 51. we poure out before the mercifull throne of thy deuine maieſtie / in the name of IeſusChriſte oure alone mediature and aduocate / moſte humbly beſechyng the for his ſake / for his dignite and innocencie to hauehave merciemercy on the Godly Inhabitauntes of England / and on ſo many as vnfaynedly reuerēce thy holy name / and withe true hearte louelove the coming of oure Lorde Ieſus. Let it ſuffice / o Lordethat ſence the deathe of owre moſt ChriſtenKinge Edwarde the ſixte / thy faythfull ſeru ante vntounto thys daye / thow haiſte for oure vn thankfulnes and wicked lyffe taken awayefrome vsus the holy and glorius goſſpel of thy dere ſonne Chriſte / and ſuffered hypocritesto fede vsus / yea rather to choke & ſtrangle vsus / withe the peſtilent doctryne of menes tradicions. Looke vponupon thyn holy annoyted / and for his ſake hauehave mercye on vsus / bleſſe vsus / and lighten thy cherful countēance vponupon vsus / that we Englythe men here on the earthe mayeones againe knowe thy bleſſed wayes & thy / ſauyng healthe among all nacions.Pſal. 67. Let therealm of Englād be ful of the knowleg of the Lord Ieſus / euen as though the water of the ſea ouerflowed the earth.Eſa. 11. Let thy word rune ſwyftly thorowe out all the borders of England.Pſa. 148 Iere. 3. Eſa. 12. Let the people therof drinke nomore of / the dirtie and myrie puddels of the ſwynyſhe Papiſtes & filthye Hypocrites / but let theme withe ioye drawe water out of the wellesof that alone Sauioure / whiche ſaithe:Iona. 7. Apoc. 21 Ioan. 4. Iff any man thirſt / let hyme come vntounto me and drinke. I will gyue to hyme that is athirſt of the well of water of lyffe frely. And whoſo euer ſhall drinke of the water that I ſhal giuegive hyme / ſhall neuer be more a thirſt / but thewater that I ſhall gyue / ſhall be in hyme a / well of water / ſpringyng vp vntounto euerlaſting lyffe. And that thy bleſſed worde maye hauehave the more fre paſſag / take away from vsus thoſe Idolatrus Maſſmongers / thoſe idle latynePreacharsHumblers / thoſe ſhauen Madianites / thoſe Lordly loyterers / thoſe Wolues / thoſe Theues / Robbers / and Murtherars / whiche do nothyng elles than poyſon thy flocke / whome thy moſte dere Sonne purchaſed withe hys moſte Precious dere hearte bloode / and mak hawocke of thy ſely ſimple ſhepe by leadyngthem awaye frome the thorowe their vayne ſophiſtrie vntounto the Dewill & the pope / from thy holy worde and bleſſed ordenances vntothe trifeling tradicions & croked yea cankred conſtitucious of Hipocrites: And in the ſteadof them place thow godly Byſhopes / learned Preachers / Chriſtē miniſters / Faithful teachers / True ſpirituall Fathers / Louyng paſtors / euen ſuche as will diligently ſeke vpe theEzech. 3. Ioan. 10. Act. 20. loſte ſhepe / whom the woulyſhe Papiſtes in the tyme of their tirāny hauehave moſt wrechedli ſcattered abrode louyngly laye theme on his ſhoulders / and faithfully brynge them homeLuc. 15. Math. 24 Ti…us. 1. agayne vntounto the …epe foulde / gyue thy howſhoulde meate in due ſeaſon / be able to erhorte withe wholſome doctryne / & alſo to cōuince and ouercome them that ſpeake age…nſte it / & brēn with aferuēt & ūfaied zele toward the ſettyng forthe thy glorye and the healthe ofthy people.Sacramētes.

Send vsus ageyn to the true miniſtracion off thy bleſſed Sacramēts / that we maye know what they are what they ſignifi & preach vntounto vsus / yea & that without the corupciō of mēes tradiciōs / wherwith at this preſent they are moſt ūwortheli defiled of thes ſuiniſh & filthi…atin ſeruic papiſtes. Take away from vsus the Romiſh latin ſeruis / which the ſine…ed ſhaulīges mūble in the tēples befor thy people with out all Edifiēg…. Cor. 14 …oan. 4. & reſtorūto vsus our acuſtōed cōon praiers in the Engliſh …ong that we may know what we pray / & by this meāes worſhyp the in ſpryt & truth.Maſſe Banyshe out of the cōgergaciō that moſt vile & ſtinking Idoll the Maſſe / & reſtore vntounto vsus the holy & bleſed Cōmūiō / that we eating…. Cor. 10. together of one bread & drīaing of one cupe may remēber the Lordes death & bethākfull / to the.

Pourge oure temples of all popyſhe abhomynacionsecremonies / of Cerimōies / of Images / of allters / of copes / of veſtmētes / of pixes / of croſes of ſenſers / of holi vater bucketes / of holi bread baſketes / of Chriſmator… / & aboue all of Idolatrus prieſtes & vngodly ignorāte curates.

The propiciatori ſacrifis of the popiſh MaſſeAkomina… ons. / the wicked opiy…n of the corporal preſence of Chriſt in the Sacramētal bread / the receauīg of the Sacramēt vnderunder on kind / the īterceſiō of Sayntes / the doctrīe of the Iuſtificaciō ofworkes / the popyſh purgatory / the wicked tradiciōs of the Elders / with all vngodly cuſtōes & ſtrange doctrīes take thoue / o good Lorde / awaye from vsus / & teache vsus vy thy holy SpriteDeut. 4. 6. 12. Proue. 30▪ Eſa. 30. Luc. 1. to walke ōly in that waye / that thow haſte apoīted / & by no meāes to turne neyther on the righte hāde nor on the lefte / but all blynd zeles and good ētentes layde aſide / gyue vsus grace toſerue the oure Lorde God in ſuche holynes & Ryghtouſnes as is accepted before the / all thedayes of owre lyffe.

O heauēly father & moſte mercifull Lordepreſerue and ſāct…fye with thy holy ſpirite thy vniuerſall cōg…ega…iō / …āly the faythful cōgregaciō of Englād / that as in their baptime they hauehave giuen them ſelues ouer wholy vntounto the / Gods cōgr…gacione.forſakyng the dewill / the worlde and the fleſhe withe all their workes / pōpes / luſtes & vāities / & hauehave ſworne to ſerue the with all that they ar able to mak / euen ſo they thorow thy grace maye āſwere to their profeſſiō & liue according to their promyſe made in their baptime / e…tāg them ſelues withe no new / coūterfaīcte and ſtrange religiō / nor yet defilyng them ſelues withe any vnrighteouſnes / but walkyng inthat only waye that thowe hayſt apoynted.

And ſuche as thorowe the ſtrenghe of thy Spirite abide full conſtāte & ſtedfaſte in theStronge inChriſte. cōfeſiō of thi truth befor the worldli tirātes and bel…de hipocrites / o Lorde cōfirm them in thy truthe thorowe the holy Gooſte / and giuegive theme grace to perſiſte and cōtinwe in it vntounto the ende / that thowe mayſte be glorifyed by them / and that the truthe of thy holyPſal. 17. worde maye the more earneſtly be receauyd / embraced and beleued of the Chriſtē weaklynges. O howld thow vp their goynges in thy pathes / that their foote ſteppes ſlipe not. Thow haſte deliuered them from ſtinkyng Sodome / ſuffer them no more to look backe towarde it. Thow by the mightie powre &out ſtreached arme haſt brought them out of ſinfull Egepte / & haſte fedde them withe the Heuēly mana / ſuffer them nomore ſomoche as ones to hauehave a luſte to returne vntounto thatlande of bōdage / nor to hauehave a deſire to ſitte amōge the greaſy fleſhe pottes of Egepte / &to eate of the fiſhes / melons / cowcūbers / garleke / ōyones / lekes / &c / wherwith the filthe Egepciās are fedde. They hauehave viſited & ſene Chriſt thy Sōne & oure Kinge,Math. 2. ſuffer them nomor to return vntounto wicked Kinge Herode. They hauehave put theyr hande to the ploughe / graunt that they neuer looke backe agayneLuc. 9. / but preſerue cōtine we & go forwarde vntothe ende. They hauehave eſcaped from the filthenes of the world thorow the knowleg of the & of our Sawyour Ieſu Chriſt / ſuffer them nomor to be entāgled therin & owercoōe / leſt the latter ende be worſe thē the begynnyng. For it had bene better not to hauehave knowuethe2. Pete. 2. waye of rightouſnes / thā after they hauehave knowē it to turne frōe the holy cōmāndemēt that is geuen them. So myght it be ſaide ofthem accordinge to the true prouerbe: Thedogge is tuked to his vomite agayne and the ſowe that was waſhede to hire walowingeinProuerb. 26. the myre.

The weakelīges and ſuche as are not yetvveaklīges Ruges perfectly ſtablyſhed in thy true relygeō / butlike redes wauer with eueryevery wind of doctrī / o Lord cōfirm thow & mak them thorowly ſtrōg in the knowledg of thy truth that they withe a cōſtāte faythe & luſtie courage maye both beleue & cōfeſſe the befor the tyrātes of the world / that thow alou art the Lorde and that ther is no truth neceſſari vntounto ſaluaciō / but that only / whiche is contayned in thyholy Scriptures.Gods profō ners.

To them that are in bondes for the cōfeſſiou of thy truthe gyue thowe grace / o moſte louyng Lorde / to reioyſe / that they be coūted worthy of thy fatherly goodnes to ſuffer Rebuke / iufamy / epreſōmēt / loſſe of goodes &cActo. 5. / for the name of the Lorde Ieſu / & to be perſuaded that the afflicciōs of this liffe are not wo…thi of the glori / which ſhal be ſhewed vponuponRoma. 8. the Sōnes of God in tyme to come / notwithſtādyng that their trouble / whiche is / ſhorte & lighte preparethe an excedyng andeternall2. Cor. 4 waighte of glory vntounto them / whiche looke not on the thynges which are ſe…e / but on the thynges whiche are not ſene: Agene / that if they dye withe Chriſt / they ſhall allſo lyue withe.2. Timo 2 Chriſt / and if they ſuffer witheChriſt / they ſhall alſo reigne withe Chriſt. And as for them that for fear of liff or loſſ of goodes / or els for pleaſyng the hy… powresareBack ſliders for …are. outwardly gone frome thy true relygiō / and withe their bodyes ſerue Baal / yea and that agenſt their owne cōſciēce / whā in their heartes they wiſhe all Idolatrous & ſtrange worſhippinges vtterly to be abolyſhed / thatthowe alone mighteſt be glorified & honored: we moſte humbly beſeche the to pardō their imperfecciōs / and to forgiue their īfirmetes / which by the prophet ſpeaketh of thi Sōne cōcer̄ynge the weake & feareful on thys mā ner:Eſa. 42. A br…oſed Reed ſhall he not breake / and flaxe that begynnthe to burne / he ſhall not / quenche.Math. 12. Marc. 9. O Lorde healpe their vnbeleffe. Encreaſe their faythe. Make them ſtrōge with thy holy / Spirite / that that whiche they in wardly beleue theim ay outwardli confeſſe & worke accordyngly / thoughe loſſe bothe off goodes and lyffe do enſeue. Syue theme grace allwayes to hauehave before theire Eyes theis ſayenges of thy dere Sonne and oure louyng Sauyoure Chriſte Ieſu:Math. 16. If any man will folowe me / lete hime forſake hime ſelffe and take vp his croſſe and followe me. For whoſo euere will ſaue hys lyffe / ſhall loſſe it. And who ſo euere ſhal looſe hys lyffe for my ſake / ſhall fynde it. What ſhall it proffyt a man thoughe he ſhuld winne all the whole world / yf he leſe hys oun ſoul? or what ſhall a man giuegive to redeme / hys ſoule agayne with all?Marc. 10 Item / uerely I ſaye vntounto youe / there is no man that forſake the howſe / or brethern or ſiſters / or father or mother / or wiffe or children / or landes / for my ſake and the Goſſpeles / whiche ſhall not receaue an hondered foulde / nowe in this lyffe / howſes and bretherne / and ſiſters / and mothers and childrē and landes / withe perſecucions / and in theworlde to come euerlaſtyng lyffe. Ageyn / who ſo euer ſhall confeſſe me befor menne hyme will I confeſſe allſo before my fathere whiche is in heauen.Math. 10 But who ſo euere ſhal be aſhamed of me and of my wordes amongMarc. 8. thys aduouterous and ſynnfull genaracion of hyme ſhall the Sonne of man be aſhamed whan he comethe in the glory of hys father withe the holy Angeles.

Nowe as touchyng the enemies of thy worde / wherof ſome ſynne of ignorance andEnemies to the Goſp…ll for lacke of Knovule…g for lacke of knowleg / ſome agayn of obſtynat malyce and pretenſed hate and make warre agaynſte thy true relygeon / we moſte humbly beſeche the for Chriſtis ſake fauorably to beholde theme that ignorantly and of a blind zeale toward the tradicions of their Elders and not of a malicious hearte hate the Goſpell of thy dere Sonne and perſecut the Preachers of the ſaine. Bryng theme / O Lorde / into the knowlege of their erroures and blyndnes / that they maye repent / beleue and amende / which madeſt Saul of a wolff a lambe / of a perſecutore a Preacher / and of a Tyrante an Apoſtele.Act. 9. Make theme of the enemyes of thy truthe / erneſte louers and feruent embraſers of thy truthe.Eſechi. Turne their harde and ſtony hearte in to a fleſhlye ſofte and gentle hearte.Matsh. 9 Make theme uwe bottles apte to receaue then we / ſwete / and pleaſaunte wine of the Goſpel. Make them as zelous in ſettyng forthe the truthe of thy worde / as they hauehave hertofore bene in the a vauncement of the blynde and vnfrutefull tradicions of mene. Be merciful vntounto them bleſſe theme / and lyghten thy countenauns vponupon theme / that they may know thy waiesPſal. 67. and thy ſauyng healthe. Replynyſhe theme / withe thy holy ſpirite and withe the graces of the ſame / that as they are thy creatures withe vsus / ſo they maye be ſaued withe vsus.

But thoſe / O Lorde / whiche are thy ſworne enemyes and of a ſett purpoſe euenEnemies to the Goſpell of ſet malic… ageynſte their owne conſcience and contrary to their knowlege perſecute the gloryus Goſſpell of thy derely beloued ſonne and the tru fauourers of the ſame / and will by no meāes be reconciled / nor leane vntounto the truthe / but go for the dayly more and more to hinder the fre and ioyefull paſſage of thy holy wored / & to withdrawe ſo many as they can frome beleuyng / receauyng and embraſyng the ſamei, Ioan. 5. ſeyng they ſynne the ſynne vntounto deathe and are not to be conuerted) O Lorde / haiſte the to root theme vp from the face of the Earthe that they be nomore ſtomblyng blockes to the weake Chriſtians. Deſtroie thow them

O God / let them peryſhe thoroughe theyr owne imaginacions.Pſal. 5. Caſte them out in the multitud of thier vngodlynes / for they hauehave rebelled ageynſte the. Rayne thowe ſnares fyre / brimſton / ſtorme and tempeſte / vponupon them / let this be their porcion to drincke.Pſal. 11. Let them be confounded and put to ſhame / that ſeke after the lyues of the faithfull. O let them be turned backe and broughte to confuſionPſal. 37. / that imagine miſchefe ageynſte theme Let them be as duſte befor the wynd / and the Angel of the Lord ſcatterīg them. Let their way be dark and ſlippery / and let thy Angel o Lord / perſecut them. Yea let ſoden diſtruccion com vponupon them vnwares / and the netes that they hauehave layde preuely / cathe them ſelues / that they maye faull into theye own myſcheff. Let the ſw…rdes that they drawe / out go thorowe their owne heartes / and the howes that they hauehave bēded ſlea them ſelues

Let the armes of the vngodly be broken / & let the wicked peryſhe and conſume as the / fatte of lambes / yea as ſmoke let them conſume awaye.pſal. 52 Deſtroye them for euer / and / plucke the out of their dwelīg and root them out of the lande of the liuyng.pſal. 59 Breake their teethe (O God) in their mouthes / ſmyte the chawe bones of the Lions / o Lorde / let them faullawaye lyke water that rune the apace / and whane they ſhout arowes / let them be rooted out / let them conſume awaye lyke a ſnayle / and be lyke the vntymly frute of a / womane / and let them not ſe the Sunne.

Stande vp o Lorde God of hoſtes / thowe / God of Iſrael / to viſite all heathen / and be / Pſal. 59.not mercifull vntounto them / that offend of malicious wickednes.pſal. 69. Poure out thyne indingnacion vponupon them / and let thy wrathfull diſpleaſure take houlde of them. Let them be / combred with ſhame and diſhonore that ſekepſal. 71. to do thy people euill. Do thowe to them as vntounto the Madianets / vntounto Siſeraand vntountopſal. 33. Iabin at the broke of Kiſon / which periſhed at Endor / & became as the dong of the earthe

In fin.Pſal. 129. Let them be confounded and turnned backwarde / as many as hauehave euill will at Siō. Let them be euen as the graſe growyng vponupon the howſe toppes / whiche withe rethe afore it be plucked vp. But let al thoſe that louelove the and thy bleſſed worde / be ioyfull / mery and glade. Let them continwe / proſſper / floryſhe and tryumphe in the their Lorde God for euere. Let their ioy & mirthe be founde and euerlaſtyng / euen ſuche ioye & mirthe as no man ſhall be able to take away from them. Let ſtinkyng Babilon faull downe / and let the newe and heuenly Ieruſalem be buylte vp ageyn.Apoc. 18. Let the venomus dragon / that filthy beaſie / that fals Prophet and that purpled whore of Babilon ſhortly come to confuſion / that all the glory may be gyuen to the Lambe that ſittehe with the in the throne.Apoc. 12 13. 19. 21. Kill Antichriſte that Sonne off perdicion withe the breathe of thy mouthe / that thow alone mayſt be knowen to be the Lorde.Apoc. 7. O moſte louyng Lorde and owre heuenly father / whan thow ſhalte deliuerepſal. 53. thy people out of captiuitie / then ſhall Iacob reioyſe and Iſraell be ryghte glade.2. theſſ. 2 Yea then ſhall the mowthe of the faythfull be …illed / withe laughter / and their tonge withe ioye. we therfor moſt humbly beſeche the (o Lord)pſal. 126. to turne oure captiuitie as the riuers in the Southe / that they whiche ſowe in teares / may reape in ioye. Turne the agen / o Lorde at the laſte / & be gracious vntounto thy ſeruātes.Pſal. 90. O ſatiſfye vsus withe thy mercye & that ſone ſo ſhall we reioyſe & be gladde all the dayes of oure lyffe. Comforte vsus agen nowe after the tyme that thow haſte plaged vsus / and for the yeres wherin we hauehave ſuffred aduerſite

So ſhall we withe ioyfull heartes & mery voices ſyng cōtinuall prayſes to thy glorious & bliſſed name / which with thy only begottē Sōne Ieſu Chriſt oure alone Sauioure and withe the holy Ghoſte that moſte ſwete Cōfortour lyueſt & reigneſt one / alone / true / lyuyng / imortall and Euerlaſtyng God worlde withe oute ende AMEN.

Pſal. 70.

Let all ſuche / o Lorde / as delyghte in thy ſaluaciō / ſaye allwaye.

THE LORD BE PRAYSED. (?)

End of the text · Thomas Becon, An Humble Supplication Unto God for Restoring His Holy Word (1554)

An Humble Supplication Unto God for Restoring His Holy Word, Text

The ſupplicacion.