Mary. searched in the prison, of his keeper: but yet so happily these his A.D. writings were conveyed and hid in places about him, or else his 1555. keeper's eyes so blinded, that, notwithstanding all this malicious purpose of the bishops, they are yet remaining, and come to light. A godly prayer to the time of mar be said at tyrdom. A Prayer to be said at the Stake, of all them that God shall account worthy to suffer for his sake. Merciful God and Father, to whom our Saviour Christ approached in his fear and need by reason of death, and found comfort; gracious God and most bounteous Christ, on whom Stephen called in his extreme need, and received strength; most benign Holy Spirit! which in the midst of all crosses and death didst comfort the apostle St. Paul with more consolations in Christ, than he felt sorrows and terrors, have mercy upon me miserable, vile, and wretched sinner, which now draw near the gates of death, deserved both in soul and body eternally, by reason of manifold, horrible, old and new transgressions, which to thine eyes, O Lord, are open and known. O be merciful unto me, for the bitter death and blood-shedding of thine own only Son Jesus Christ. And though thy justice doth require (in respect of my sins), that now thou shouldst not hear me, measuring me in the same measure with which I have measured thy Majesty, contemning thy daily calls-yet let thy mercy which is above all thy works, and wherewith the earth is filled, let thy mercy (I say) prevail towards me, through and for the mediation of Christ our Saviour. And for whose sake, in that it hath pleased thee to bring me forth now as one of his witnesses, and a record-bearer of thy verity and truth taught by him, to give my life there-for (to which dignity I do acknowledge, dear God, that there was never any so unworthy and so unmeet, no not the thief that hanged with him on the cross): I most humbly therefore pray thee that thou wouldst accordingly aid, help, and assist me with thy strength and heavenly grace, that with Christ thy Son I may find comfort, with Stephen I may see thy presence and gracious power, with Paul, and all others, which for thy Name's sake have suffered affliction and death, I may find so present with me thy gracious consolations, that I may by my death glorify thy holy Name, propagate and ratify thy verity, comfort the hearts of the heavy, confirm thy church in thy verity, convert some that are to be converted; and so depart forth of this miserable world, where I do nothing but daily heap sin upon sin, and so enter into the fruition of thy blessed mercy; whereof now give and increase in me a lively trust, sense, and feeling, wherethrough the terrors of death, the torments of fire, the pangs of sin, the darts of Satan, and the dolours of hell, may never depress me, but may be driven away through the working of that most gracious Spirit; which now plenteously endue me withal, that through the same Spirit I may offer (as I now desire to do in Christ by him) myself wholly, soul and body, to be a lively sacrifice, holy and acceptable in thy sight, dear Father! whose I am, and always have been, even from my mother's womb, yea even before the world was made; to whom I commend myself, soul and body, family and friends, country and all the He pray- whole church, yea even my very enemies, according to thy good pleasure; eth for re- beseeching thee entirely to give once more to this realm of England the blessing the gospel of thy word again, with godly peace, to the teaching and setting forth of the O dear Father! now give me grace to come unto thee. Purge and so purify me by this fire in Christ's death and passion through thy Spirit, that I may be a burnt-offering of a sweet smell in thy sight, which livest and reignest with the Son and the Holy Ghost, now and for evermore world without end, Amen. storing of and peace same. in Eng land. LETTERS OF MASTER PHILPOT. A Letter which he sent to the Christian Congregation, exhorting them to refrain from the idolatrous Service of the Papists, and to serve God after his Word. It is a lamentable thing to behold at this present in England the faithless departing both of men and women, from the true knowledge and use of Christ's sincere religion, which so plentifully they have been taught, and do know, their own consciences bearing witness to the verity thereof. If that earth be cursed of God, which, eftsoons, receiving moisture and pleasant dews from heaven, doth not bring forth fruit accordingly; how much more grievous judgment shall such persons receive, which, having received from the Father of Heaven the perfect knowledge of his word by the ministry thereof, do not show forth God's worship after the same? If the Lord will require in the day of judgment a godly usury of all manner of talents which he lendeth unto men and women, how much more will he require the same of his pure religion revealed unto us (which is of all other talents the chiefest and most pertaining to our exercise in this life), if we hide the same in a napkin, and set it not forth to the usury of God's glory, and edifying of his church by true confession? God hath kindled the bright light of his gospel, which in times past was suppressed, and hid under the vile ashes of man's traditions, and hath caused the brightness thereof to shine in our hearts, to the end that the same might shine before men to the honour of his name.3 It is not only given us to believe, but also to confess and declare, what we believe in our outward conversation. For as St. Paul writeth to the Romans,* "The belief of the heart justifieth, and to acknowledge with the mouth maketh a man safe." It is all one before God, not to believe at all, and not to show forth the lively works of our belief. For Christ saith, "Either make the tree good and his fruits good; or else make the tree evil and the fruits evil: because a good tree bringeth forth good fruits, as an evil tree doth evil fruits." So that the person which knoweth his master's will, and doth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes." And "Not all they which say, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of God, but he that doth the will of the Father." And "Whosoever in the time of trial is ashamed of me," saith Christ, "and of my words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed before his Father." After that we have built ourselves into the true church of God, it hath pleased him, by giving us over into the hands of the wicked synagogues, to prove our building, and to have it known as well to the world as to ourselves, that we have been wise builders into the true church of God, upon the rock and not on the sand; and therefore now the tempest is risen, and the storms do mightily blow against us, that we might notwithstanding stand upright, and be firm in the Lord, to his honour and glory, and to our eternal felicity. There is no new thing happened unto us, for with such tempests and dangerous weathers the church of God hath continually been exercised. Now once again, as the prophet Haggai tells us, 10 "The Lord shaketh the earth, that those might abide for ever, which be not overcome." Mary. A. D. 1555. See Appendix. flesh not Therefore, my dearly beloved, be stable and immovable in the word of God, Wisdom and in the faithful observation thereof, and let no man deceive you with vain of the words, saying, that you may keep your faith to yourselves, and dissemble with to be antichrist, and to live at rest and quietness in the world, as most men do, yield- hearkening to necessity. This is the wisdom of the flesh; but the wisdom of the flesh is death and enmity to God, as our Saviour for ensample aptly did declare in Peter, who exhorted Christ not to go to Jerusalem to celebrate the passover, and there to be slain, but counselled him to look better to himself."1 12 ed unto.j Likewise the world would not have us to forsake it, neither to associate ourselves to the true church, which is the body of Christ, whereof we are lively members, and to use the sacraments after God's word with the danger of our lives. But we must learn to answer the world as Christ did Peter, and say, "Go behind me, Satan; thou savourest not the things of God." "Shall I not drink of the cup which the Father giveth me?"13 For it is better to be afflicted and to be slain in the church of God, than to be counted the son of the king, in the synagogue of false religion.1 Death for righteousness is not to be abhorred, Death for but rather to be desired, which assuredly bringeth with it the crown of everlast- righting glory. These bloody executioners do not persecute Christ's martyrs, but bringeth crown them with everlasting felicity: we were born into this world to be wit- felicity. nesses unto the truth, both learned and unlearned. Now since the time is come that we must show our faith, and declare whether we will be God's servants in righteousness and holiness, as we have been taught, eousness A. D. 1555. Godly counsel. Mary. and are bound to follow, or else with hypocrisy to serve unrighteousness: let us take good heed that we be found faithful in the Lord's covenant, and true members of his church, in the which, through knowledge, we are ingrafted; from the which if we fall by transgression with the common sort of people, it will more straitly be required of us, than many yet do make account thereof. We cannot serve two masters; we may not halt on both sides, and think to please God; we must be fervent in God's cause, or else he will cast us out from him.' For by the first commandment we are commanded to love God with all our heart, with all our mind, with all our power and strength. But they are manifest transgressors of this commandment, which with their heart, mind, or bodily power, do communicate with a strange religion, contrary to the word of God, in God will the papistical synagogue, which calleth itself the church, and is not. As greatly do they offend God now which so do, as the Israelites did in times past by forsaking Jerusalem, the true church of God, and by going to Bethel to serve imagina- God in a congregation of their own setting up, and after their own imaginations tion, but and traditions ;3 for the which doing God utterly destroyed all Israel, as all the as himself prophets almost do testify. This happened unto them for our ensample, that eth. we might beware to have any fellowship with any like congregation to our de not be served after man's prescrib Not law ful for a true Christian to come to the mass Not enough to confess struction. : God hath one catholic church dispersed throughout the world, and therefore we are taught in our creed to believe one catholic church, and to have communion therewith which catholic church is grounded upon the foundation of the prophets, and of the apostles, and upon none other, as St. Paul witnesseth to the Ephesians. Therefore wheresoever we perceive any people to worship God truly after his word, there we may be certain the church of Christ to be; unto the which we ought to associate ourselves, and to desire with the prophet David, to praise God in the midst of his church. But if we behold, through the iniquity of the time, segregations to be made with counterfeit religion, otherwise than the word of God doth teach, we ought then, if we be required to be companions thereof, to say again with David, "I have hated the synagogue of the malignant, and will not sit with the wicked." In the Apocalypse the church of Ephesus is highly commended, because she tried such as said they were apostles, and were not indeed, and therefore would not abide the company of them. Further, God commanded his people that they should not seek Bethel, neither enter into Gilgal where idolatry was used, by the mouth of his prophet Amos. Also we must consider that our bodies be the temple of God, and whosoever (as St. Paul teacheth) doth profane the temple of God, him the Lord will destroy. May we then take the temple of Christ, and make it the member of a harlot? All strange religion and idolatry is counted as whoredom with the prophets, and more detestable in the sight of God, than the adulterous abuse of the body. Therefore the princes of the earth, in the Revelation of St. John, be said to go a whoring, when they are in love with false religion, and follow the same. How then by any means may a christian man think it tolerable to be present at the popish private mass (which is the very profanation of the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ), and at other idolatrous worshippings and rites, which be not after the word of God, but rather to the derogation thereof, in setting man's traditions above God's precepts, since God by his word judgeth all strange religion, which is not according to his institution, for whoredom and advoutry? 9 Some fondly think that the presence of the body is not material, so that the heart do not consent to their wicked doings. But such persons little consider what St. Paul writeth to the Corinthians, commanding them to glorify God as well in body as in soul. Moreover, we can do no greater injury to the true church of Christ, than to seem to have forsaken her, and disallow her by cleavGod in ing to her adversary: whereby it appeareth to others which be weak, that we heart, but allow the same, and so, contrary to the word, do give a great offence to the church of God, and do outwardly slander, as much as men may, the truth of Christ. But woe be unto him by whom any such offence cometh. Better it were for him to have a millstone tied about his neck, and to be cast into the bottom of the sea. Such be traitors to the truth, like unto Judas, who with a kiss betrayed Christ. Our God is a jealous God, and cannot be content that in mouth also. (1) Luke xviii. I Kings xviii. (2) Rev. iii. (3) 2 Kings xxxi. (4) Eph. ii. we should be of any other than of that unspotted church, whereof he is the head Mary. only, and wherein he hath planted us by baptism. This jealousy which God hath towards us, will cry for vengeance in the day of vengeance,' against all A.D. such as now have so large consciences to do that which is contrary to God's 1555. glory, and the sincerity of his word, except they do in time repent, and cleave A lesson unseparably to the Gospel of Christ, how much soever at this present both for large men and women otherwise in their own corrupt judgment, do flatter them- Con selves. God willeth us to judge uprightly, and to allow and follow that which Reasons is holy and acceptable in his sight, and to abstain from all manner of evil, and proving therefore Christ commandeth us in the gospel to beware of the leaven of the that true Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. sciences. Chris tians no wise to St. Paul to the Hebrews saith, If any man withdraw himself from the faith, ought in his soul shall have no pleasure in him: therefore he saith also, "that we are particinone such as do withdraw ourselves unto perdition, but we belong unto faith, pate with for the attainment of life."3 St. John in the Apocalypse, telleth us plainly that Papists. none of those who are written in the book of life, do receive the mark of the beast, which is of the papistical synagogue, either in their foreheads, or else in their hands; that is, apparently or obediently. St. Paul to the Philippians affirmeth, that we may not have any fellowship with the works of darkness, but in the midst of this wicked and froward generation we ought to shine like lights, upholding the word of truth. Further he saith, that we may not touch any unclean thing; which signifieth that our outward conversation in foreign things ought to be pure and undefiled as well as the inward; that with a clean spirit and rectified body, we might serve God justly, in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. Finally in the Apocalypse, God biddeth us plainly to depart from the Babylonical synagogue, and not to be partakers of her trespass. St. Paul to the Thessalonians commandeth us in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw ourselves from every brother that walketh inordinately, and not according to the institution which he hath received of him. So Appendie thew ex Ponder ye therefore well, good brethren and sisters, these scriptures which be written for your erudition and reformation, whereof one jot is not written in vain; which be utterly against all counterfeit illusion to be used of us with the papists in their phantastical religion, and be adversaries to all them that have so light consciences in so doing. And if they do not agree with this adversary The place (I mean the word of God), which is contrary to their attempts, he will (as is of Matsignified in the gospel) deliver them to the judge, which is Christ; and the pounded. judge will deliver them to the executioner, that is to the devil; and the devil shall commit them to the horrible prison of hell-fire (where is the portion of all hypocrites,), with sulphur and brimstone, with wailing and gnashing of teeth, world without end. But yet many will say, for their vain excuse, "God is merciful, and his mercy is over all." But the Scripture teacheth us, that cursed A cursed is he that sinneth upon hope of forgiveness. Truth it is, that the mercy of thing to God is above all his works, and yet but upon such as fear him: for it is written hope of in the Psalms, "The mercy of God is on them that fear him, and on such as forgiveput their trust in him."10 Where we may learn, that they only put their trust in God that serve him; and to fear God is to turn from evil and do that is good. So that such as do look to be partakers in God's mercy, may not abide in that which is known to be manifest evil, and detestable in the sight of God. sin upon ness. Another sort of persons do make them a cloak for the rain, under the pretence of obedience to the magistrates, whom we ought to obey although they be wicked. But such must learn of Christ to give to Cæsar that is Cæsar's, and to God that is due to God," and with St. Peter to obey the higher powers in the Lord, albeit they be evil, if they command nothing contrary to God's word;12 Obediotherwise we ought not to obey their commandments, although we should suffer ence to death there-for, as we have the apostles for our example herein to follow, who magisanswered the magistrates, as we ought to do in this case, not obeying their what and wicked precepts, saying, "Judge you whether it be more righteous that we how far. should obey man rather than God." 13 Also Daniel chose rather to be cast into the den of lions to be devoured, trates Mary. than to obey the king's wicked commandments. If the blind lead the blind, both fall into the ditch.2 There is no excuse for the transgression of God's A.D. word, whether a man doth it voluntarily or at commandment; although great 1555. damnation is to them, by whom the offence cometh. Some others there be of elec tion. that, for an extreme refuge in their evil doings, do run to God's predestination and election, saying, that if I be elected of God to salvation, I shall be saved, Against whatsoever I do. But such be great tempters of God, and abominable blassuch as phemers of God's holy election, and cast themselves down from the pinnacle of lingly up- the temple in presumption, that God may preserve them by his angels through on hope predestination. Such verily may reckon themselves to be none of God's elect children, that will do evil that good may ensue; whose damnation is just, as St. Paul saith. God's predestination and election ought to be with a simple eye considered, to make us more warily to walk in good and godly conversaAppendix. tion, according to God's word, and not set cock in the hoop, and put all on God's back, to do wickedly at large. For the elect children of God must walk in righteousness and holiness after that they be once called to true knowledge for so saith St. Paul to the Ephesians, "that God hath chosen us before the foundations of the world were laid, that we should be holy and blameless in his sight." See Large conscience. Pure Faith un Therefore St. Peter willeth us, through good works, to make our vocation and election certain to ourselves," which we know not but by the good working of God's Spirit in us, according to the rule of the gospel: and he that conformeth not himself to the same in godly conversation, may justly tremble, and doubt that he is none of the elect children of God, but of the viperous generation, and a child of darkness. For the children of light will walk in the works of light and not of darkness; though they fall, they do not lie still." Let all vain excusations be set apart, and while ye have light, as Christ commandeth, believe the light and abide in the same, lest eternal darkness overtake you unawares. The light is come into the world, but, alas! men love darkness more than light. God give us his pure eye-salve to heal our blindness in this behalf. Oh! that men and women would be healed, and not seek to be wilfully blinded. The Lord open their eyes, that they may see how dangerous a thing it is to decline from the knowledge of truth, contrary to their conscience.9 But what! said I 'conscience'? Many affirm their conscience will bear them well enough to do all that they do, and to go to the idolatrous church to service; whose conscience is very large to satisfy man more than God. And although their conscience can bear them so to do, yet I am sure that a good conscience will not permit them so to do; which cannot be good, unless it be directed after the knowledge of God's word: and therefore in Latin this feeling of mind is called "conscientia," which soundeth by interpretation, as much as, with knowledge. And therefore, if our conscience be led of herself, and not after true knowledge, yet we are not so to be excused, as St. Paul beareth witness saying, "Although my conscience accuseth me not, yet in this I am not justified." Charity. And he joineth a good conscience with these three sisters, charity, a pure heart, and unfeigned faith. Charity keepeth God's commandments: a pure heart heart. loveth and feareth God above all; and unfeigned faith is never ashamed of the feigned. profession of the gospel, whatsoever damage he shall suffer in body thereby.1o Good con- The Lord, which hath revealed his holy will unto us by his word, grant us never to be ashamed of it, and give us grace so earnestly to cleave to his holy word and the true church, that for no manner of worldly respect we become partakers of the works of hypocrisy, which God doth abhor; so that we may be found faithful in the Lord's testament to the end, both in heart, word, and deed, to the glory of God and our everlasting salvation, Amen. science. |