The monument of matrones conteining seuen seuerall lamps of virginitie, or distinct treatises; whereof the first fiue concerne praier and meditation: the other two last, precepts and examples, as the woorthie works partlie of men, partlie of women; compiled for the necessarie vse of both sexes out of the sacred Scriptures, and other approoued authors, by Thomas Bentley of Graies Inne student.

The eight Chapter, Of the fruites and rules of true Christianitie for men to followe.

CHaritie suffereth long, and is gentle, enuieth not, vpbraideth no man, casteth frowardlie no faults in mens teeth, but referreth all things to God: being angrie without sinne, reforming others without slanders, carrieng euer a store-house of mild words to pearce the stonie-harted men. I would all Christians, that like as they haue professed Christ, would so endeuour themselues to fo∣lowe him in godlie liuing. For we haue not put on Christ, to liue anie more to our selues, in the vanities, delightes, and pleasures of the world, and the flesh, suf∣fering the concupiscence and carnalitie of the flesh to haue his full swinge. For we must walke after the spi∣rit, and not after the flesh. For the spirit is spirituall, and coueteth spirituall things: and the flesh carnall, and desireth carnall things. The men regenerate by Christ, despise the world, and all the vanities and plea∣sures thereof. They be no louers of themselues. For they feele how euill and infirme they be, not being able to do anie good thing, without the helpe of God, from whome they knowledge all goodnesse to proceede.

They flatter not themselues, with thinking euerie thing which shineth to the world, to be good and holie. For they knowe all externe and outward works, be they neuer so glorious and faire to the world, may be done of the euill, as well as of the good. And therefore they haue in verie little estimation the outward shew of holinesse, because they be all spirituall, casting vp their eies vpon heauenlie things: neither looking nor regarding the earthlie things, for they be to them vile and abiect. They haue also the simplicitie of the doue, and the policie of the serpent. For by simplicitie they

haue a desire to do good to all men, and to hurt no man, no though they haue occasion giuen: and by policie they giue not nor minister anie iust cause to anie man, whereby their doctrine might be reproued. They be not also as a reede shaken with euerie winde: but when they be blasted with the tempests and stormes of the world, then remaine they most firme, stable, and quiet, feeling in spirit, that God (as their best father) doth send and suffer all things for their benefit and commoditie. Christ is to them a rule, a line, an ex∣ample of Christian life. They be neuer offended at a∣nie thing, although occasion be ministred vnto them. For like as Christ, when Peter would haue with∣drawne him from death, answered and said, Go backe from me Sathan, for thou offendest me: that is, As much as lieth in thee, thou giuest me occasion with thy words, to make me withdrawe my selfe from death, al∣though I yeelded not thereto. For this thy procure∣ment can not extinguish the burning desire I haue, to shed my bloud for my chosen. Euen so the perfect men are neuer offended at anie thing. For although the world were full of sinne, they would not withdrawe themselues from doing of good, nor waxe cold in the loue of the Lord. And much lesse they would be moued to do euill: yea rather, they be so much the more moued to do good.

The regenerated by Christ are neuer offended at the works of God, because they knowe by faith, that God doth all things well: and that he can not erre, nei∣ther for want of power, nor by ignorance, nor malice. For they knowe him to be almightie, and that he seeth all things, and is most aboundantlie good. They see and feele in spirit, that of that will most highlie perfect, can not but proceede most perfecte works. Likewise, they be not offended at the works of men. For if they bee good, they are moued by them to take occasion to

folowe them, and to reknowledge the goodnes of God, with giuing of thanks, and praising his name dailie the more. But if they be indifferent, and such as may be done with good and euill intents, they iudge the best part, thinking they may bee done to a good purpose, and so they bee edified. But if they bee so euill, that they can not bee taken in good part by anie meanes; yet they bee not offended, although occasion bee giuen, naie ra∣ther they be edified, in asmuch as they take occasion to be better, though the contrarie bee ministred to them.

Then begin they to thinke and saie thus: If God had not preserued me with his grace, I should haue com∣mitted this sin, and worsse. O how much am I bound to confesse and knowledge the goodnesse of God! They go also thinking and saieng further: He that hath sin∣ned, may be one of Gods elect: peraduenture the Lord hath suffered him to fall, to the intent he may the bet∣ter knowe himselfe. I knowe he is one of them that Christ hath shed his bloud for, and one of my Christian brethren: trulie I will admonish and rebuke him; and in case I find him desperate, I will comfort him, and shewe him the great goodnesse and mercie of God, in Christ: and with godlie consolations I will see if I can lift him vp. And thus ye may see, how the men regene∣rated by Christ, of euerie thing win and receiue fruit.