Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.

Here folowe certaine of M. Hoopers letters.

AS you haue hearde the whole storie of the life and mar∣tyrdome of thys good manne declared:* 1.1 so nowe let vs consequently adioyne some parte of hys letters, wrytten in the time of hys imprisonment, moste fruitfull and wor∣thy to be read, especially in these daungerous dayes, of all true Christians, which by true mortification seeke to serue and followe the Lorde, through all tempests and stormes of thys malignaunt worlde, as by the readyng and peru∣sing of the sayde letters, you shall better feele and vnder∣stande.

A letter of M. Hooper to certaine godly professors and louers of the truth, instructing them howe to be∣haue them selues in that wofull alteration and change of Religion.

THe grace, mercye, and peace of God the father through oure Lorde Iesus Christ, be w^t you my deare•• brethren,* 1.2 and withal those that vnfainedly loue and embrace his ho∣ly Gospel. Amen.

It is told me, that the wicked Idol the Masse is stabli∣shed again by a law, & passed in the parlamēt house. Learn the truth of it, I pray you, & what penaltie is appointed in the Acte, to such as speake against it: also whether there be any compulsion to constraine men to be at it. The statute thorowly knowen, such as be abroad & at liberty,* 1.3 may pro∣uide for themselues, & auoid the danger the better. Doubt∣les there hath not bene seene before our time, such a parlia∣ment as this is, y^t as many as were suspected to be fauou∣rers of Gods word, shuld be banished out of both houses. But we must geue God thanks for that truth he hath ope∣ned in the time of his blessed seruant king Edward y^e sixth, and pray vnto him that we deny it not, nor dishonour it w^t Idolatrie, but that we may haue strength and pacience ra∣ther to die ten times, then to denie him once. Blessed shall we be, if euer God make vs worthy of that honor, to shed our bloude for hys names sake: And blessed then shall we thinke y^e parents which brought vs into this worlde, that we shoulde from this mortalitie be caried into immortali∣tie. If we followe the commaundement of S. Paule, that sayth: If ye then be risen againe with Christ,* 1.4 seeke those thynges which are aboue, where Christ sitteth at the right hande of God. We shall neither departe from the vaine transitorie goodes of this world, nor from this wretched and mortal life, with so great paines as other doe.

Let vs pray to our heauenly father, that we may know and loue his blessed will, and the glorious ioy prepared for vs in time to come, and that we maye knowe and hate all things contrary to his blessed will, and also the paine pre∣pared for the wicked in the world to come. Ther is no bet∣ter waye to be vsed in this troublesome time for your con∣solation, then many times to haue assemblies together of such men and women as be of your religion in Christ, and there to talke and renewe among your selues the truthe of your Religion, to see what ye be by the worde of God,* 1.5 and to remember what yee were before yee came to the know∣ledge thereof, to weigh and conferre the dreames and false lies of the Preachers that nowe preache, with the worde of God that retaineth all truth, and by such talke and familiar resorting together, ye shall the better find out all their lies, that nowe goe about to deceiue you, & also both know and loue the truth that God hath opened to vs. It is much re∣quisite, that the members of Christe comfort one an other, make prayers together, conferre one wyth an other,* 1.6 so shal ye be the stronger, and Gods spirite shal not be absent frō you, but in the middest of you, to teach you, to comfort you, to make you wise in all godly things, pacient in aduersitie, and strong in persecution.

Ye see how the congregation of the wicked by helping one an other, make their wicked religion and them selues strong against Gods truth and his people. If ye may haue some learned man that can oute of the Scriptures, speake vnto you of faith and true honouring of God, also that can shewe you the descent of Christes Church from the begin∣ning of it vntill this day, that ye may perceiue by the life of youre forefathers these two things: the one, that Christes worde, which said, that all his must suffer persecution and trouble in the worlde, be true: the other, that none of al his before our time, escaped trouble: then shal yee perceiue that it is but a follie for one that professeth Christ truely, to looke for the loue of the world.

Thus shal ye learne to beare trouble,* 1.7 & to exercise your religion, and feele in dede that Christes wordes be true: In the worlde ye shall suffer persecution. And when ye feele your religion in dede, say, ye be no better then your forefathers, but be glad, that ye may be counted worthy souldiours for this warre: and pray to God when yee come together, that hee will vse and order you and youre doings to these three endes, which ye must take heede of: the first, that ye glorifie God: the next,* 1.8 that yee edifie the Church and Congregati∣on: the thirde, that ye profite your owne soules.

In all your doings beware ye be not deceiued. For al∣though thys time be not yet so bloudye and tyrannous as the time of our forefathers, that coulde not beare the name of Christ, wythout daunger of lyfe and goodes:* 1.9 yet is oure time more perillous both for body and soule. Therefore of vs Christ sayde: Thinke ye when the sonne of manne commeth, hee shall finde faithe vppon the earthe? Hee sayd not, Thinke ye he shal find any man or woman Christened, & in name a

Christian? but he spake of the faith that saueth the Christi∣an man in Christe: and doubtlesse the scarcitie of Faith is nowe more (and will, I feare, encrease) then it was in the time of the greatest tyrannes that euer were: and no mar∣ueil why.* 1.10 Read ye the 6. chap. of s. Iohns Reuelation, and ye shall perceiue amongest other thinges, y^t at the opening of the fourth Seale, came out a pale horse, and hee that sate vpon him was called death, and hell followed hym. This horse is the time wherin hipocrites and dissemblers entred into the Churche vnder the pretence of true Religion,* 1.11 as Monkes, Friers, Nounes, Massing Priestes, wyth suche other, that haue killed moe soules with heresie and super∣stition, then all the tyrannes that euer were, killed bodies w^t fire, sword, or banishment, as it appeareth by hys name that sitteth vpon y^e horse, who is called death: for all soules that leaue Christe, and trust to these hypocrites, liue to the deuill in euerlasting paine, as is declared by him that folo∣weth the pale horse, which is hell.

These pretensed and pale hypocrites, haue stirred the earthquakes,* 1.12 that is to witte, the Princes of the worlde, against Christes church, & haue also darkened the Sunne, and made the Moone bloudy, and haue caused the Starres to fal from heauen, that is to say, haue darkned with mists and daily doe darken (as ye heare by theyr Sermons) the cleare sunne of Gods most pure worde: the Moone, which be Gods true Preachers, whych fetche onely lighte at the Sunne of Gods word, are turned into bloud, prisons, and chaines, that theyr light can not shine vnto the worlde as they woulde: whereuppon it commeth to passe, that the Starres, that is to say, Christian people fall from heauen, that is to wit, from Gods most true woorde, to hypocrisie, most deuilish superstition and Idolatrie. Let some learned man shew you al the articles of your beliefe & monuments of Christian faith, from the time of Christ hitherto, and yee shall perceiue that there was neuer mention of suche arti∣cles as these hypocrites teach. God blesse you, and pray for me, as I do for you.

Out of the Fleete,

by your brother in Christ, Iohn Hooper.

To maister Ferrar Bishop of S. Dauies, D. Tailor, M. Bradford, and M. Philpot, prisonners in the kings benche in Southwarke.

THe grace of God be with you. Amen. I am aduertised by di∣uers,* 1.13 as well such as loue the truthe, as also by suche as yet be not come vnto it, that ye and I shalbe caried shortly to Cābridge, there to dispute in the faith, and for the religion of Christ (which is most true) that we haue and doe professe. I am (as I doubt not ye be) in Christ readie, not only to goe to Cambridge, but also to suffer by Gods helpe,* 1.14 death it selfe in the maintenaunce thereof. Weston and his complices haue obtained foorth the commission already, and spedily (most like) he wil put it in execution. Wher∣fore deare brethren, I doe aduertise you of the thing before for di∣uers causes. The one to comfort you in the Lorde, that the tyme draweth nigh and is at hand, that we shall testifie before Gods e∣nemies, Gods truth. The next, that ye shoulde prepare your selues the better for it. The third, to shew you what wayes I think were best to vse our selues in this matter, and also to hear of euery one of you, your better aduise, if mine be not good. Ye knowe such as shallbe Censors and Iudges ouer vs, breath and thirst our bloud, and whether we by Gods help ouercome after the word of God, or by force and subtiltie of our aduersaries be ouercome, this will be the conclusion, our aduersaries wil say, they ouercome, and ye perceiue howe they reporte of those great learned men and god∣ly personages at Oxforde.

Wherefore I minde neuer to aunsweare them, except I haue bookes present,* 1.15 because they vse not onely false allegation of the Doctors, but also a peece of the Doctors against the whole course of the Doctors minde. The next, that we may haue sworne Nota∣ries, to take things spoken indifferently: which will be very harde to haue, for the aduersaries will haue the ouersight of all thinges, and then make theirs better then it was, & our worse then it was. Then if we see that two or three, or more will speake together, or with scoffes and tauntes illude and mocke vs: I suppose it were best to appeale, to be hearde before the Queene and the whole Counsaile, and that would much set foorth the glory of God. For many of them knowe already the truthe, many of them erre rather of zeale then malice, and the others that be indurate, shoulde be aunsweared fully to their shame (I doubte not) althoughe to oure smart and bloudshedding. For of this I am assured that the Com∣missioners appoynted to heare vs and iudge vs, meane nothynge lesse then to heare the cause indifferently, for they be ennemies vnto vs & vnto our cause, and be at a poynt already to geue sen∣tēce against vs: so that if it were possible with S. Stephen to speak, so that they could not resist vs, or to vse suche silence & pacience as Christ did, they will proceede to reuenging.

Wherefore my deare brethren, in the mercy of Iesus Christe, I would be glad to knowe your aduise this day or to morowe, for shortly we shall be gone, and I verily suppose that we shall not cō∣panie together, but be kept one abroade from an other. They will denie our appeale: yet let vs chalenge the appeale, and take wit∣nesse thereof of suche as be present, and require for indifferencie of hearing and iudgement to be heard, either before the Queene and the Counsaile, or els before all the Parliament, as they were vsed in king Edwardes dayes. Further, for my part I will require both bookes and time to answere. Wee haue bene prisoners now three quarters of a yeare, and haue lacked oure bookes, and oure memorie by close keeping, and ingratitude of their partes, be not as present and quicke as theirs be. I trust God will be with vs, yea I doubt not but he will, and teache vs to doe all thinges in hys cause godly and cōstantly. If our aduersaries that shalbe our iud∣ges, may haue their purpose, we shall dispute one day, be condem∣ned the next day, and suffer the third day.* 1.16 And yet is there no law to condemne vs (as farre as I knowe) and so one of the Conuoca∣tion house sayde this weeke to Doct. Weston. To whome Weston made this answere: It forceth not, quoth hee, for a lawe, wee haue commission to proceede with them: when they be dispatched, let their frendes sue the lawe.

Nowe, howe soone a man may haue such a commission at my Lord Chancelors hand, you know. It is as hard to be obtained, as an enditement for Christ at Cayphas hande. Besides that, the By∣shoppes hauing the Queene so vpon their sides, may do all things both without the aduise, and also the knowledge of the rest of the Lordes of the temporaltie: who at this present haue found out the marke that the Bishops shote at, and doubtles be not pleased with their doings. I pray you helpe that our brother Sanders and the rest in the Marshalsey may vnderstande these things, and sende me your answere betime. Iudas non dormit: nec scimus diem neque horam. i. Iudas slepeth not: neither know we the day nor the hour. Dominus Iesus Christus suo sancto numine nos omnes console∣tur & adiuuet. Amen. i. The Lord Iesus Christ with his holy spirite comfort and strengthen vs all Amen.

May 6. 1554.

Yours and with you vnto death, in Christ, I Hooper.

An exhortation to pacience, sent to his godly wife Anne Hooper: whereby all the true members of Christ may take comfort and courage, to suffer trouble & affliction for the profession of his holy Gospel.

OUr sauiour Iesus Christ (dearely beloued & my godly wife) in s. Mathewes Gospell said to his disciples,* 1.17 that it was necessary sclaunders shoulde come: and that they coulde not be auoided,* 1.18 he perceiued as wel by the cōdition of those that should pearish & be lost for euer in the world to come, as also by their affliction that should be saued. For he sawe the greatest part of the people would contemne & neglecte, whatsoeuer true doctrine or godly wayes should be shew∣ed vnto them, or els receiue it & vse it as they thought good to serue their pleasures without any profite to their soules at all, not caring whether they liued as they were cōman∣ded by Gods word or not: but would thinke it sufficient to be counted to haue the name of a Christian man, wyth such workes and frutes of his profession and Christianitie, as his fathers and elders after their custome & maner, esteeme and take to be good fruites and faithful works, and wil not try them by the worde of God at all. These men by the iust iudgement of God, be deliuered vnto the crafte and subtil∣tie of the deuill,* 1.19 that they may be kept by one sclaunderous stūbling blocke or other, that they neuer come vnto Christ, who came to saue those that were lost: as yee may see howe God deliuereth wicked menne vp vnto their owne lustes, to do one mischiefe after an other carelesse,* 1.20 vntil they come into a reprobate minde, that forgetteth it selfe and can not knowe what is expedient to be done, or to be least vndone, because they close their eyes, and will not see the lyghte of Gods woorde offered vnto them, and being thus blinded, they preferre their owne vanities before the truth of Gods woorde. Whereas such corrupt mindes be,* 1.21 there is also cor∣rupt election and choyse of Gods honor: so that the minde of man taketh falsehoode for truthe, superstition for true re∣ligion, death for life, damnation for saluation, hell for hea∣uen, and persecution of Christes members, for Gods ser∣uice and honour. And as these men wilfully and volunta∣rily reiect the woorde of God: euen so God most iustly deli∣uereth them into the blindnes of mind & hardnes of heart, that they can not vnderstand,* 1.22 nor yet consent to any thyng that God would haue preached and set foorth to his glory, after his owne will and worde: wherefore they hate it mor∣tally, & of all things most detest Gods holy worde. And as y^e deuill hath entred into their hearts, that they them selues can not, nor will not come to Christ to be instructed by hys holy woord: euen so can they not abide any other man to be a Christian man, and to lead his life after the word of God, but hate him, persecute him, robbe him, imprisone hym, yea and kil him, whether he be man or womā, if God suffer it.

And so much are those wicked men blinded, that they passe of no law, whether it be Gods or mans, but persecute such as neuer offended, yea, do euil to those that daily haue prai∣ed for them, and wish them Gods grace.

In their Pharaonical and blind furie they haue no res∣pect to nature.* 1.23 For the brother persecuteth the brother, the father the sonne: and most deare frends, in diuelish sclaun∣der and offence are become most mortal ennemies. And no marueile, for when they haue chosen sundrye maisters, the one the deuill, the other God, the one shall agree with the other, as God and the deuell agree betweene them selues. For this cause, that the more parte of the worlde doth chuse to serue the deuill vnder cloaked hypocrisie of Gods title, Christ sayd:* 1.24 It is expedient and necessary that sclanders should come, and many meanes be deuised to keepe the litle babes of Christ from the heauenly father. But Christ sayth: Wo be vnto him by whome the offence commeth: Yet is there no re∣medy, man being of such corruption and hatred towardes God, but that the euil shalbe deceiued, & persecute the good: and the good shall vnderstand the truth, and suffer persecu∣tion for it vntill the worlds ende. For as he that was borne af∣ter the flesh, persecuted in times past, him that was born after the spirite:* 1.25 euen so is it now. Therefore, for so much as we liue in this life amongst so many great pearils and daungers, we must be wel assured by gods word how to beare them, and how paciently to take them, as they be sent to vs frō God. We must also assure our selues that there is no other reme∣dy for Christians in the time of trouble, then Christ himself hath appoynted vs.* 1.26 In S. Luke he geueth vs thys com∣mandement: Ye shall possesse your liues in pacience, sayeth he. In the which words, he geueth vs both commaundement what to doe, and also great comfort and consolation in all troubles. Hee sheweth also what is to be done, and what is to be hoped for in troubles:* 1.27 and when troubles happen, he biddeth vs be pacient, and in no case violently nor sedi∣tiously to resist our persecuters, because God hath such care and charge of vs, that he wil keepe in the mids of all trou∣bles the very heares of our heade, so that one of them shall not fall away without the wil and pleasure of our heauen∣ly father. Whether the haire therfore tarie in the head, or fal from the head, it is the wil of the father. And seeing he hath such care for the haires of our head, howe much more doeth he care for our life it selfe? Wherefore let Gods aduersaries do what they lust, whether they take life or take it not, they can do vs no hurt: for their crueltye hath no further power then God permitteth them: and that which commeth vnto vs by the will of our heauenly father, can be no harme, no losse, neither destruction vnto vs, but rather gain, wealth, and felicitie. For all troubles and aduersitie that chaunce to such as be of God, by the wil of the heauenly father, can be none other but gaine and aduantage.

That the spirite of manne may feele these consolations, the geuer of them the heauenly father must be prayed vnto for the merites of Christes passion: for it is not the nature of man that can be contented,* 1.28 vntill it be regenerated and possessed with Gods spirit, to beare paciently the troubles of the minde or of the body. When the minde and heart of a man seeth of euery side sorow and heauines, & the worldly eye beholdeth nothing but suche things as be troublous & wholely bent to robbe the poore of that hee hath, and also to take from him hys life: except the man weighe these brittle and vncertaine treasures that be taken from him, with the riches of the life to come, and this life of the body with the life in Christes precious bloud, and so for the loue and cer∣taintie of the heauenly ioyes contemne all thyngs present, doubtles he shall neuer be able to beare the losse of goodes, life, or any other things of this world.

Therefore S. Paule geueth a very godly and necessary lesson to all men in this short and transitorie life, and ther∣in sheweth howe a man may best beare the iniquitie and troubles of this world: If ye be risen againe with Christ (sayth he) seeke the things which are aboue,* 1.29 where Christ sitteth at the right hande of God the father. Wherefore the Christian mans faith must be alwayes vppon the resurrection of Christe, when he is in trouble, and in that glorious resurrection he shall not onely see continuall and perpetuall ioy and con∣solation: but also the victorie and triumph of all persecuti∣on, trouble, sinne, death, hell, the deuil, and al other tyrants and persecuters of Christ and of Christes people, the teares and weepings of the faithfull dryed vppe, theyr woundes healed, their bodies made immortall in ioy, their soules for euer praising the Lord, and coniunction and societie euer∣lasting, wyth the blessed company of Gods electes in per∣petuall ioy. But the woordes of S. Paule in that place, if they be not marked, shall doe little profite to the reader or hearer, and geue him no pacience at all in this impacient and cruell world.

In this first part S. Paule commaundeth vs, to thinke or set our affections on things that are aboue.* 1.30 When he biddeth vs seeke the thyngs that are aboue, hee requireth that oure mindes neuer cease from prayer and studie in Gods word, vntill we see, knowe, and vnderstande the vanities of thys worlde, the shortnesse and miserie of thys life, and the trea∣sures of the worlde to come, the immortalitie thereof, and the ioyes of that life, and so neuer cease seeking, vntill suche time as we know certainly, and be perswaded what a bles∣sed man hee is, that seeketh the one and finedeth it, and ca∣reth not for the other though hee loose it: and in seekynge to haue ryght iudgement betwene the life present and the life to come, wee shall finde howe little the paines, impryson∣ment, sclaunders, lies, and death it selfe is in thys worlde, in respect of the paines euerlasting, the prisonne infernall, and dungeon of hell, the sentence of Gods iust iudgement, and euerlasting death.

When a man hath by seeking the woorde of God, found out what the things aboue be: then must hee (as S. Paule saith) set his affections vpon them. And this commaunde∣ment is more harde then the other. For mans knowledge many times seeth the best, and knoweth that there is a life to come, better then thys life present, as you maye see howe daily men and women can praise and commende, yea, and wishe for heauen, and to be at rest there? yet they sette not their affection vpon it, they do more affect and loue in dede a trifle of nothing in this worlde that pleaseth their affecti∣on, then the treasure of all treasures in heauen, which their owne iudgement sayth is better then all worldly thinges. Wherefore we must set our affections vpon the things that be a∣boue: that is to say, when any thing worse then heauen vp∣pon the earth, offereth it selfe to be ours, if we wil geue our good willes to it, and loue it in our heartes, then ought we to see by the iudgement of Gods woorde, whether we may haue the worlde without offence of God, and suche thyngs as be for this worldly life, wythout his displeasure. If wee can not, S. Paules commaundement must take place: Set your affections on things that are aboue. If the riches of thys world may not be gotten nor kept by Gods lawe, neyther our liues be continued without the deniall of hys honour, we must set our affection vpon the richesse and lyfe that is aboue, and not vpon things that be on the earth. Therfore this second commaundement of S. Paul requireth,* 1.31 that as our minds iudge heauenly things to be better then thyngs vpon the earth, and the life to come better then the life pre∣sent: so we should chuse them before other, & preferre them, and haue such affection to the best, that in no case we set the worst before it, as the most part of the world doth and hath done, for they choose the best and approoue it, and yet follow the worste.

But these thyngs (my godly wife) require rather cogi∣tation, meditation, and praier, then wordes or talke. They be easie to be spoken of, but not so easie to be vsed and prac∣tised. Wherefore, seeing they be Gods gyftes,* 1.32 and none of ours, to haue as our owne when we would, we must seke them at our heauenly fathers hand, who seeth and is priuy how poore and wretched we be, and how naked, how spoi∣led, and destitute of all his blessed giftes we be by reason of sinne. He did commaund therefore his Disciples, when he shewed them that they shoulde take paciently the state of thys present life full of troubles and persecution,* 1.33 to praye that they myghte well escape those troubles that were to come, and be able to stande before the sonne of man. When ye finde your selfe too much oppressed (as euery man shalbe sometime wyth the feare of Gods iudgement) vse the 77. Psalme, that beginneth: I will crie vnto God with my voyce,* 1.34 and he shall hearken vnto me. In which Psalme is both god∣ly doctrine and great consolation vnto the man or woman that is in anguish of minde.

Use also in suche trouble the 88. Psalme, wherein is conteined the praier of a man, that was brought into ex∣treme anguish & misery, and being vexed with aduersaries & persecutions, saw nothing but death & hel. And although hee fealt in hym selfe, that hee had not onely man, but also God angry towards him: yet he by praier humbly resorted vnto God, as the only port of consolation, and in the midst of his desperate state of trouble, put the hope of his saluati∣on in him, whome he fealt his enemie. Howbeit no man of him selfe can doe this,* 1.35 but the spirite of God that stryketh the mans heart with feare, prayeth for the man striken and feared with vnspeakeable gronings. And when you feele your selfe, or know any other oppressed after suche sorte, be glad: for after that God hath made you to know what you be of your selfe, he wil doubtles shew you comfort, and de∣clare vnto you what you be in Christ his onely sonne:* 1.36 and vse praier often, for that is the meanes whereby God will be soughte vnto for hys giftes. These Psalmes be for the purpose, when the minde can take no vnderstandinge, nor the hart any ioy of gods promises: and therfore were these

Psalmes also made .6.22.30.31.38.69. from the whiche you shall learne buthe pacience and consolation. Remember, that although your life (as all Christian mens be) be hid and appeareth not what it is, yet it is safe (as S. Paule sayth) with God in Christ:* 1.37 and when Christ shall appeare, then shall our liues be made open with him in glorie. But in the meane time wyth seeking and setting our affections vpon the things that be aboue, we must paciently suffer whatsoeuer God shal send vnto vs in this mortal life. Notwithstanding it might for∣tune some woulde say. Who is so perfect, that can lette all things passe as they come, & haue no care of thē: suffer all things, and feele nothing: be attempted of the Deuill, the worlde, and the flesh, and be not troubled? Uerely no man liuing. But this I say, that in the strength of Iesus Christ things that come,* 1.38 maye passe with care, for we be worldly, and yet are we not caried with them from Christ, for we be in him godly. We may suffer things and fele them as mor∣tall men, yet beare them and ouercome them as Christian men. We may be attempted of the deuill, the flesh, and the worlde: but yet although those things pinche, they doe not pierce, and although they worke sinne in vs, yet in Christe no damnation to those that be grafted in him.* 1.39 Hereof may the christian man learne both consolation & patience. Con∣solation, in that he is compelled both in his body & goodes to feele paine and losse, and in the soule heauinesse and an∣guish of minde: howebeit none of them both shall separate him from the loue that God beareth him in Christ.* 1.40 He may learne patience, for as much as his enemies both of the bo∣dy and soule, and the paines also they vexe vs wythall for the time,* 1.41 if they tarie with vs as long as we liue, yet when death commeth, they shall auoide, and geue place to suche ioyes as be prepared for vs in Christ: for no paines of the world be perpetuall, and whether they shall afflicte vs for all the time of our mortal life, we know not, for they be the seruauntes of God to goe and to come, as he commandeth them.* 1.42 But we must take heede we meddle not forceablye nor seditiously, to put away the persecution appoynted vn∣to vs by God, but remember Christes saying: Possesse you your liues by your patience. And in thys commādement God requireth in euery man and woman this pacient obediēce.* 1.43 Hee sayeth not, it is sufficient that other holy Patriarkes, Prophetes, Apostles, Euangelists, and Martyrs continu∣ed their liues in pacience, and pacient suffering the trou∣bles of this world: but Christ saith to euery one of his peo∣ple: By your owne pacience ye shall continue your life: not that man hath pacience of him selfe,* 1.44 but that he must haue it for him selfe of God, the onely geuer of it, if he purpose to be a godly man. Nowe therefore, as our profession and religi∣on requireth pacience outwardly wythout resistaunce and force: so requireth it pacience of the mind, and not to be an∣gry with God, althoughe he vse vs that be as hys owne creatures, as him listeth.

We may not also murmure against God, but say alwaies his iudgements be right & iust, and reioyce that it pleaseth him by troubles to vse vs, as he vsed heeretofore such as he most loued in this worlde, and haue a singular care to this commandemēt: Gaudete, & exultate, Be glad & reioyce, for he sheweth great cause why: Your rewarde (sayth he) is great in heauen.* 1.45 These promises of him that is y^e truth it selfe, shal by Gods grace) worke both cōsolation and pacience in the afflicted christian person. And when our sauior Christ hath willed menne in trouble to be content and pacient, because God in the ende of trouble in Christ hath ordained eternall consolation: he vseth also to take from vs all shame and re∣buke, as though it were not an honor to suffer for christ, be∣cause y^e wicked world doth cursse & abhorre such poore trou∣bled Christians.* 1.46 Wherfore Christe placeth all his honou∣rably, and sayeth: Euen so persecuted they the Prophetes that were before you. Wee may also see with whome the afflicted for Christes sake, be esteemed by S. Paul to the Hebrews, where as the number of the blessed and glorious company of Saintes appeare nowe to our faith in heauen in ioy: yet in the letter, for the time of this life, in such paines and con∣tempt, as was neuer more. Let vs therefore consider both them and all other thinges of the worlde sithens the fall of man, and we shall perceiue nothing to come to perfection, but wyth such confusion and disorder to the eye of y^e world, as though things wer rather lost for euer, then like to come to any perfection at all. For of godly men, who euer came to heauen (no not Christ him selfe) vntill suche time as the world had thought verely y^t both he & al his had ben cleane destroyed and cast away? as the wise man sayth of the wic∣ked people: We thought them to be foles, but they be in peace.

* 1.47Wee may learne by things that nourish and maintaine vs, both meat and drinke, to what lothsomnes and (in ma∣ner) abhorring they come vnto, before they woorke theyr perfection in vs. From life they be brought to the fire, and cleane altered from that they were when they were aliue: from the fire to the trencher and knife, and all to hacked: from the trencher to the mouth, and as small ground as the teethe can grinde them: and from the mouth into the sto∣mack, and there so boyled and digested before they nourish, that who soeuer saw the same, would loth and abhorre hys owne nourishment, before it come to hys perfection.

Is it then any marueile if suche Christians as GOD delighteth in, be so mangled and defaced in thys worlde, whych is the kitchin and mill to boyle and grinde the flesh of Gods people in, till they atchieue their perfection in the worlde to come? And as a man looketh for the nutriment of his meate when it is ful digested, and not before: so must hee looke for hys saluation when hee hath passed thys trou∣blous worlde, and not before.* 1.48 Rawe fleshe is not meate wholesome for man: and vnmortified men and women, be not creatures meete for God. Therefore Christ sayeth, that his people must be broken, and all too torne in the mill of thys worlde, and so shall they be moste fine meale vnto the heauenly father. And it shall be a Christian mannes parte, and the duetie of a mynde repleanished wyth the spirite of God, to marke the order of God in all his things, howe he dealeth wyth them, and howe they suffer and be content to lette God do his will vpon them, as S. Paule sayeth: They waite vntill the number of the electes be fulfilled, and neuer be at rest,* 1.49 but looke for the time when Gods people shall appeare in glorie.

We must therfore paciently suffer, and willingly attend vppon Gods doings, althoughe they seeme cleane contra∣ry after our iudgement, to our wealth and saluation: as A∣braham did, when hee was bid to offer his sonne Isaac,* 1.50 in whom God promised the blessing and multiplying of hys seede. Ioseph at the last came to that which God promised him, although in the meane time, after the iudgemēt of the worlde, he was neuer like to be (as God said he should be) Lorde ouer hys brethren. When Christe woulde make the blinde man to see, he put clay vppon hys eyes, whych after the iudgement of man,* 1.51 was meanes rather to make hym double blind, then to geue him his sight: but he obeied, and knew that God could worke his desire, what meanes soe∣uer he vsed contrary to mans reason: and as touching this world, he vseth all hys after the same sort. If any smart,* 1.52 his people be the first: if any suffer shame, they begin: if any be subiecte to sclaunder, it is those that hee loueth: so that hee sheweth no face or fauour, nor loue almost in thys worlde outwardly to them, but laith clay vpon their sore eyes, that be sorowfull: yet the pacient man seeth (as S. Paul sayeth) life hid vnder these miseries and aduersities, and sight vn∣der soule clay, and in the meane time he hath the testimony of a good conscience, and beleueth Gods promises to be his consolation in the worlde to come, whych is more woorthe vnto him, then all the worlde is woorth besides: and blessed is that man in whom Gods spirite beareth recorde that he is the sonne of God, what soeuer troubles he suffer in thys troublesome worlde.* 1.53

And to iudge things indifferently (my godly wife) the troubles be not yet generally, as they were in our good fa∣thers time, soone after the deathe and resurrection of oure Sauiour Christ Iesu, whereof hee spake in S. Mathewe.* 1.54 Of the whych place you and I haue taken manye tymes greate consolation, and especially of the latter parte of the Chapter, wherein is contained the last daye and ende of all troubles (I doubt not) both for you and me, and for suche as loue the comming of our sauiour Christe to iudgement. Remember therefore that place, and marke it againe, and yee shall in thys time see great consolation, and also learne muche pacience. Was there euer suche troubles, as Christe threatned vppon Ierusalem? was there sithens the begin∣ning of the worlde, suche affliction? who was then best at ease? The Apostles that suffered in body persecution, and gathered of it ease and quietnesse in the promises of God. And no marueile, for Christ sayeth: Lifte vp your heades, for your redemption is at hande, that is to saye, your eternall rest approcheth and draweth neare. The world is starke blind,* 1.55 and more foolish then foolishnesse it selfe, and so be the peo∣ple of the worlde. For when God sayth, trouble shal come, they will haue ease. And when God sayeth, be merrye and reioyce in trouble, we lament and mourne, as thought we were castawayes. But this our flesh (which is neuer mer∣ry with vertue, nor sorrie with vice,* 1.56 neuer laugheth wyth grace, nor euer weepeth wyth sinne (holdeth fast wyth the worlde, and letteth God slippe. But (my dearely beloued wife) you knowe howe to perceiue and to beware of the vanitie and craftes of the deuill wel enough in Christ. And that yee may the better haue pacience in the spirite of God, reade againe the 24. chap. of S. Mathew, and marke what difference is betwene the destruction of Ierusalem,* 1.57 and the destruction of the whole world, and you shall see, that then here were left aliue many offenders to repent: but at the

latter day there shall be absolute iudgement and sentence (neuer to be reuoked) of eternall life and eternal death vp∣pon all mē,* 1.58 and yet towards the end of the world, we haue nothing so much extremitie, as they had then, but euen as we be able to beare. So doth the mercifull father lay vpon vs now imprisonment (and I suppose for my part, shortly death,) now spoile of goodes, losse of frends, and the grea∣test losse of all, the knowledge of Gods word.* 1.59 Gods wyll be done. I wish in Christ Iesu our onely mediatour and Sauiour, your constancie and consolation, that you may liue for euer and euer, whereof in Christ I doubt not: to whome for his blessed and most paynefull passion I com∣mit you. Amen. 13. October. 1553.

*To a certayne godly woman, instructing her how she should behaue her selfe in the time of her wydowhoode.

THe grace of God, and the comfort of his holy spirite, be with you and all them that vnfaynedly loue hys holy Gospell.* 1.60 Amen.

I thanke you (deare sister) for your most louing re∣membrance, and although I can not recompence the same, yet do I wish with all my hart, that God would do it, re∣quiring you not to forget your duty towards God in these perilous dayes, in the whiche the Lorde will trie vs. I trust you do encrease by reading of y^e scriptures, the know∣ledge you haue of God, and that you diligently apply your selfe to folow the same: for the knowledge helpeth not, ex∣cept the life be according thereunto. Further, I do hartily pray you, to consider the state of your wydowhoode, and if God shall put in your minde to change it, remember the saying of Saint Paule 1. Corinth. 7.* 1.61 It is lawfull for the wy∣dow or mayden to marry to whome they list, so it be in the Lord: that is to saye,* 1.62 to suche a one as is of Christes Religion. Dearely beloued in Christ, remember these words, for you shall fynde thereby great ioy and comfort, if you chaunge your state. Whereof I wyll when I haue better leysure (as now I haue none at all) further aduertise you. In the meane time, I commend you to God, and the guiding of his good spirit, who stablish and confirme you in all well doing, and keepe you blamelesse to the day of the Lorde. watch and pray, for this day is at hand.

Yours assured in Christ, Iohn Hooper.

¶To all my deare breethren, my relieuers and helpers in the Citie of London.

THe grace of God be with you. Amen. I haue receaued frō you (dearely beloued in our Sauiour Iesus Christ) by the hands of my seruaunt William Downton,* 1.63 your li∣beralitie, for the which I do most hartely thanke you, and I prayse God hyghly in you for you, who hath mooued your hartes to shewe this kyndnes towardes me, praying him to preserue you from all famine, scarcitie, and lacke of the truth of his worde, whiche is the liuely foode of youre soules, as you preserue my body from hunger & other ne∣cessities, which should happen vnto me, were it not cared for by y^e beneuolence and charitie of godly people. Such as haue taken all worldly goodes and lands from me, & spoi∣led me of all that I had, haue imprisoned my body and ap∣pointed no one halfe peny to feede or relieue me withal: but I do forgeue them, and pray for them dayly in my poore prayer vnto God,* 1.64 and from my hart I wishe their salua∣tion, and quietly & patiently beare their iniuries, wishing no farther extremitie to be vsed towards vs. Yet if it seeme contrary best vnto our heauenly father, I haue made my reckening, & fully resolued my selfe to suffer the vttermost that they are able to do against me,* 1.65 yea death it selfe, by the aide of Christ Iesu, who died the most vile death of y^e crosse for vs wretches & miserable sinners. But of this I am as∣sured, y^t the wicked world w^t all his force & power, shal not touch one of y^e heares of your heads without leaue & licēce of our heauenly father, whose wil be done in all things. If he will life, life be it: if he will death, death be it. Onely we pray, that our willes may be subiect vnto his will, & then although both we & all the world see none other thing but death, yet if he thinke life best, we shal not die, no, although the sword be drawen out ouer our heades: as Abraham thought to kill his sonne Isaac, yet when God perceaued that Abraham had surrendred his will to Gods will, and was content to kill his sonne, God then saued his sonne.

Dearely beloued, if we be contented to obey Gods will, and for his commandements sake, to surrender our goods and our selues to be at his pleasure,* 1.66 it maketh no matter whether we keepe goodes and lyfe, or lose them. Nothyng can hurt vs that is taken from vs for Gods cause, nor no∣thing can at length do ••s good, that is preserued contrary vnto Gods commaundement. Let vs wholy suffer God to vse vs and ours after his holy wisedome, and beware we neither vse nor gouern our selues contrary to his will by our own wisedome, for if we do, our wisedome will at length proue foolishnes. It is kept to no good purpose y^t we keepe contrary vnto his commandements. It can by no meanes be taken from vs that he would should tary w^t vs. He is no good Christian that ruleth himselfe & his, as worldly meanes serueth: for he y^t so doth shall haue as ma∣ny changes as chāceth in the world. To day with y^e world he shall like and prayse the truth of God,* 1.67 to morow as the world will, so will he like and prayse the falshood of man: to day with Christ, and to morow with Antichrist. Where∣fore deare brethren, as touching your behauiour towards God, vse both your inward spirites and your outward bodyes, your inward and your outward man (I say) not after the meanes of men, but after y^e infallible word of god.

Refraine from euill in both, and glorifie your heauen∣ly father in both. For if ye thinke ye can inwardly in the hart serue him,* 1.68 and yet outwardly serue with the world in externall seruice, y^e thing that is not God, ye deceaue your selues, for both the body and the soule must together con∣curre in the honour of God, as S. Paule plainly teacheth. 1. Cor. 6. For if an honest wife be bound to geue both hart and body to fayth and seruice in mariage, and if an honest wiues fayth in the hart cannot stand with an whorishe or defiled body outwardly: muche lesse can the true fayth of a Christian in the true seruice of Christianitie, stand with the bodely seruice of externall Idolatry: for the mistery of ma∣riage is not so honorable betweene man and wife, as it is betweene Christ & euery christian man, as S. Paule saith.

Therefore deare brethren, pray to the heauenly father, that as he spared not the soule nor the body of his dearely beloued sonne, but applyed both of them with extreame payne, to work our saluation both of body and soule: so he will geue vs al grace to apply our bodyes and soules to be seruauntes vnto him: for doubtles he requireth as wel the one as the other, and cannot be miscontented with the one and well pleased with the other. Either he hateth both, or loueth both: he deuideth not his loue to one and his hatred to the other. Let not vs therfore good brethren, deuide our selues, and say our soules serue him whatsoeuer our bo∣doyes doe the contrary, for ciuill order and pollicy.

But (alas) I know by my selfe, what troubleth you, that is, the great daunger of the worlde, that will reuenge (ye thinke) your seruice to God, with sword and fire, with losse of goodes and landes. But (deare brethren,) way of the other side, that your enemies, and Gods enemies, shal not do so much as they would, but as much as God shall suffer them, who can trap them in their own counsels,* 1.69 and destroy them in the midst of their furies. Remember ye be the workemen of the Lord, and called into his Uineyard, there to labour till euening tide, that ye may receaue your peny, which is more worth then al the kinges of the earth. But he that calleth vs into hys vineyard, hath not told vs how sore and how feruently the sunne shall trouble vs in our labour: But hath bid vs labour and committe the bit∣ternes thereof vnto him: who can and will so moderate al afflictions, that no man shall haue more layd vppon him, then in Christ hee shall be able to beare: Unto whose mer∣cifull tuition and defence I commend both your soules and bodyes.

2. September. 1554.

Yours with my poore prayer, Iohn Hooper.

To a Marchant of London, by whose meanes he had receaued much comfort in his great necessitie in the Fleete.

GRace, mercy, and peace in Christ Iesus our Lorde. I thanke God and you for the great helpe and consolation I haue re∣ceaued in the time of aduersity by your charitable meanes but most reioice that you be not altered from trueth,* 1.70 although fal∣shoode cruelly seeketh to distayne her. Iudge not (my brother) truth by outward appearaunee, for truth now worse appeareth and more vilely is reiected then falshoode. Leaue the outwarde shewe, and see by the worde of God what truth is,* 1.71 and accept truth, and dislike her not though man call her falshoode. As it is now, so hath it bene heretofore, the truth reiected and falshode receaued. Such as haue professed truth, for truth haue smarted, and the frendes of falshode laughed them to scorne. The tryall of both hath bene by contrary successe: the one hauing the cō∣mendation of truth by man, but the condemnation of falshode by God, flourishing for a tyme with endles destruction, the o∣ther afflicted a little season, but ending with immortall ioyes. Wherfore deare brother aske and demaund of your book, the Testament of Iesus Christ in these woefull and wretched dayes, what you should thinke, and what you should stay vpon for a certayne truth, and whatsoeuer you heare taught try it by your

booke, whether it be true or false. The dayes be dangerous and full of perill, not only for the world and worldly things, but for heauen and heauenly things. It is a trouble to lose the treasures of this life, but yet a very payne if they be kept with the offence of God. Cry, call, pray, and in Christ dayly require helpe, succour, mercy, wisedome, grace, and defence, that the wickednes of thys world preuayle not against vs. We began well, God preserue vs vntill the end. I would write more often vnto you, but I do per∣ceaue you be at so much charges with me, that I feare you would thinke when I write I craue. Send me nothing till I send to you for it, and so tell the good men your partners, and when I neede, I will be bold of you.

3. December 1554.

Yours with my prayer, Iohn Hooper.

¶To Maistres Wilkinson, a woman harty in Gods cause, and comfortable to his afflicted members.

THe grace of God, and the comforte of his holy spirit be with you, Amen.

* 1.72I am very glad to heare of your health, and do thanke you for your louing tokens. But I am a great deale more glad to heare how Christianly you auoyd Idolatry, & pre∣pare your selfe to suffer y^e extremity of the world, rather thē to endaunger your selfe to God. You doe as you ought to do in this behalfe, and in suffering of trāsitory paynes, you shall auoyd permanent tormēts in the world to come. Use your life,* 1.73 and keepe it with as much quietnes as you can, so that you offende not God. The ease that commeth wyth his displeasure, turneth at length to vnspeakeable paynes, and the gaynes of the world, with the losse of his fauour, is beggery and wretchednes. Reason is to be amended in this cause of Religion: For it will choose and follow an er∣rour with the multitude if it may be allowed, rather then turne to faith and folow the truth with the people of God. Moyses found the same fault in himselfe, and did amende it, choosing rather to be afflicted with the people of God, then to vse the libertie of the kings daughter, that accoun∣ted him as her sonne.* 1.74 Pray for contentation and peace of the spirit, and reioyce in such troubles as shall happen vn∣to you for the truthes sake, for in that part Christ saith you be happy. Pray also for me I pray you, that I may do in all things the will of our heauenly father: to whose tuition and defence I commend you.

*To my deere frendes in God Mayster Iohn Hall and his wyfe.

THe grace of God be with you, Amen. I thanke you for your louing and gentle frendship at all times,* 1.75 praying God to shew vnto you such fauour, that whatsoeuer trouble and aduersitie happen, y•• go not backe from him. These dayes be daungerous and full of perill, but yet let vs comfort our selues in calling to remembrance the dayes of our forefathers, vpon whom the Lord sent such troubles, that many hundrethes, yea many thousandes dyed for the testimonie of Iesus Christ, both men and women, suf∣fering with patience and constancie as much cruelty as Tyrants could deuise, and so departed out of this miserable world, to the blisse euerlasting, where as now they remaine for euer, lookyng alwayes for the end of this sinfull world, when they shall receiue their bodies againe in immortalitie, and see the number of the e∣lects associated with them in full and consummate ioyes.* 1.76 And as vertuous men suffering Martyrdome, and tarying a little whyle in this world with paynes, by and by rested in ioyes euerlastyng, and as their paynes ended their sorowes and began ease,* 1.77 so dyd their constancie and stedfastnes animate and confirme all good people in the truth, and gaue them encouragement and lust to suffer the like, rather then to fall with the world to consent vnto wickednes and Idolatry. Wherefore my deare frends, seeing God of his part, hath illuminated you with the same gift and know∣ledge of true fayth, wherein the Apostles, the Euangelistes, and all Martyrs suffered most cruell death, thanke him for his grace in knowledge, and pray vnto him for strength and perseuerance, that through your owne fault, you be not ashamed nor afeard to confesse it. Ye be in the truth, and the gates of hell shall neuer preuaile against it, nor Antichrist with all his impes proue it to be false. They may kill and persecute, but neuer ouercome. Be of good comfort, and feare more God then man. This life is short and miserable: happy be they that can spende it to the glory of God. Pray for me as I do for you, and commende me to all good men and women.

22. December 1554.

Your brother in Christ, Iohn Hooper.

¶To my dearely beloued sister in the Lord Maistres Anne Warcop.* 1.78

THe grace of God be with you. Amen. I thanke you for your louing token. I pray you burden not your selfe too much. It were meete for me rather to beare a payne, then to be a hinderaunce to many. I did reioice at the com∣ming of this bearer, to vnderstand of your constancie, and how y^t you be fully resolued by Gods grace, rather to suf∣fer extremitie, then to go frō that truth in God which you haue professed. He that gaue you grace to begin in so infal∣lible a truth, will folow you in the same vnto the end. But my louing Sister, as you be traueling this perilous iour∣ney, take this lesson with you, practised by wise mē: wher∣of ye may reade in the second of S. Mathewes Gospell. Such as traueled to finde Christ, followed only the starre, and as long as they saw it, they were assured they were in the right way, and had great mirth in their iourney. But when they entred into Ierusalem, where as the starre led them not thether but vnto Bethelem, and there asked the Citizens the thing that the starre shewed before: as lōg as they taried in Hierusalem and would be instructed where Christ was borne,* 2.1 they were not only ignorant of Bethe∣lem, but also lost the sight of the starre that led them before. Whereof we learne, in any case whiles we be going in this life, to seeke Christ that is aboue, to beware we loose not the starre of Gods word, that onely is y^e marke that shew∣eth vs where Christ is, and which way we may come vn∣to him. But as Ierusalem stood in y^e way,* 2.2 and was an im∣pediment to these wise men: so doth the sinagogue of Anti∣christ, that beareth the name of Ierusalem, which by inter∣pretation is called the vision of peace, and amōgst the peo∣ple now is called the Catholicke Church, stand in the way that pilgrimes must go by thorough this world to Bethe∣lem the house of saturitie and plentifulnes,* 2.3 and is an impe∣diment to all Christian trauellers: yea and except the more grace of God be, will keepe the pilgrimes still in her that they shal not come where Christ is at all. And to stay them in deede, they take away y^e starre of light which is Gods word that it can not be sene: as ye may see how the celestial star was hid frō the wise men, whē they asked of the Pha∣riseis at Hierusalem where Christ was borne. Ye may see what great dangers hapned vnto these wise men, whiles they were a learning of liers where Christ was. First they were out of their way, and next they lost their guide & con∣ductour, the heauenly starre. Christ is mounted frō vs into heauen, & there we seeke him (as we say:) let vs therfore go thetherward by the star of his word, & beware we happen not to come into Hierusalem the Church of men and aske for him. If we do,* 2.4 we go out of the way & lose also our cō∣ductour and guide that only leadeth vs straight thether.

The Poets write in fables, that Iason when he fought with the Dragon in the Ile of Colchis, was preserued by the medicines of Medea, and so wan the golden fleese. And they write also that Titan, whome they faine to be sonne and heyre of the high God Iupiter, would needes vpon a day haue the conduction of y^e sunne round about y^e world, but as they faine, he missed of the accustomed course: wher∣upon whē he went too high, he burned heauē,* 2.5 and when he went too low, he burned the earth & the water. These pro∣phane histories do shame vs that be Christian men, Iason against the poyson of the dragon, vsed only the medicine of Medea. What a shame is it for a Christian man against the poyson of the deuill, heresie, & sinne, to vse any other reme∣dy, then Christ & his word? Titan for lacke of knowledge, was afeard of euery signe of the Zodiacke that the Sunne passeth by: wherfore he now went too low, & now to high, and at length fell downe and drowned himselfe in the sea. Christian men for lacke of knowledge, and for feare of such daungers as christian men must needes passe by, go cleane out of order, and at length fall into the pit of hell.

Sister take heede, you shall in your iourney towardes heauen, meete with many a monstrous beast:* 2.6 haue salue of Gods word therfore ready. You shal meete husbād, chil∣dren, louers and frends, that shall if God be not with them (as God be praysed he is, I would it were with all other alike) be very lettes and impedimentes to your purpose. You shall meete with sclaunder and cōtempt of the world, and be accoumpted vngracious & vngodly: you shal heare & meete with cruell tiranny to do you all extremities: you shall now and then see the troubles of your own cōscience, and feele your owne weakenes: you shall heare that you be cursed by the sentence of the Catholicke Church, wyth such like terrours: but pray to God, and follow the starre of his word, and you shall ariue at the port of eternall sal∣uation, by the merites only of Iesus Christ: to whome I commend you and all yours most hartily.

Yours in Christ Iohn Hooper.

¶Unto these letters of Maister Hooper heeretofore re∣cited, we thought not inconuenient, to annexe also another certaine Epistle, not of Maister Hoper, but writtē to hym by a famous learned man Henry Bullinger, chiefe super∣intendent

in the Citie of Zuricke. Of whose singulare loue and tender affection toward Maister Hooper, ye heard be∣fore in the beginning of Maister Hoopers life discoursed. Now how louingly he writeth vnto him, ye shall heare by this present letter, as followeth.

¶To the most reuerend father M. Iohn Hooper Byshop of Worcester and Glocester, and now prisoner for the Gospell of Iesus Christ, my fellow Elder and most deare brother, in England.

THe heauenly father graunt vnto you, and to all those which are in bands and captiuitie for his name sake, grace and peace through Iesus Christ our Lord,* 2.7 with wisedome, patience and for∣titude of the holy Ghost.

I haue receiued from you two letters (my most deare brother:) the former in the moneth of September of the yeare past, the lat∣ter in the moneth of May of this present yeare, both written out of prison. But I doubting least I should make aunswere to you in vayne, whilest I feared that my letters should neuer come vnto your handes, or else increase and double your sorrow: did re∣frayne from the duety of writing. In the which thing I doubt not, but you will haue me excused, especially seeing you did not vouchsafe, no not once in a whole yeare, to aunswere to my whole libels rather then letters, whereas I continued still not∣withstanding in writing vnto you: as also at this present, after I heard that you were cast in prison, I did not refraine from conti∣nuall prayer, beseeching our heauenly Father through our onely mediatour Iesus Christ, to graunt vnto you and to your fellowe prisoners, faith and constancie vnto the ende. Now is that thyng happened vnto you (my brother) the which we did oftentimes prophecie vnto our selues at your being with vs, should come to passe, especially when we did talke of the power of Antichrist and of his felicitie and victories. For you know the saying of Da∣niell:* 2.8 His power shall be mighty, but not in his strength, and he shall wonderfully destroy and make hauocke of all things, and shall prosper and practise, and he shall destroy the mighty and the holy people after his owne will. You knowe what the Lord war∣ned vs of before hand by Mathew, in the tenth chapter, by Iohn in the 15. chapter, and the 16. and also what that chosen vessell Saint Paule hath written in the second to Timothy and the third chapter. Wherefore I do nothing doubt (by Gods grace) of your faith and patience, whilest you knowe that those things which you suffer are not looked for or come by chaunce,* 2.9 but that you suffer them in the best, truest, and most holy quarell▪ for what can be more true and holy, then our doctrine, which the Pa∣pistes, those worshippers of Antichrist do persecute? All things touching saluation, we attribute vnto Christ alone, and to his ho∣ly institutions, as we haue bene taught of him and of his disciples, but they would haue euen the same things to be communicated as well to their Antichrist and to his institutions.* 2.10 Such we ought no lesse to withstand, then we reade that Helias withstoode the Baalites. For if Iesus be Christ, then let them knowe that he is the fulnes of his Church, and that perfectly: but and if Antichrist be King and Priest, then let them exhibite vnto him that honor. How long do they halt on both sides?* 2.11 Can they geue vnto vs any one that is better then Christ? Or who shall be equall with Christ, that may be compared with him, except it be he whome the Apostle calleth the Aduersarie? But if Christ be sufficient for his Church, what needeth this patching and peecing? But I know well enough, I neede not to vse these disputations with you which are sincerely taught, and haue taken roote in Christ, being perswaded that you haue all things in him, and that we in hym are made perfect.

Go forwardes therefore constauntly to confesse Christ, and to defye Antichrist,* 2.12 being mindfull of this most holy and most true saying of our Lorde Iesus Christ: He that ouercommeth, shall possesse all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my sonne: but the fearefull, and the vnbeleeuing, and the abhominable, and the murtherers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and Idola∣ters, and all lyers, shall haue theyr part in the lake which burneth with fyre and brimstone, whych is the second death. The fyrst death is soone ouercome, although a man must burne for the Lordes sake: for they say well that do affyrme thys our fyre to be scarcely a shadowe of that which is prepared for the vnbelee∣uers, and them that fall from the trueth. Moreouer, the Lorde graunteth vnto vs, that wee may easily ouercome by his power the fyrst death, the which he hymselfe dyd taste and ouercome, promising withall such ioyes as neuer shall haue ende, vnspeake∣able, and passing all vnderstanding, the which we shall possesse so soone as euer we departe hence. For so agayne sayeth the Angell of the Lord: If any man woorship the beast and his Image, and receyue hys marke in hys forehead, or on his hande, the same shall drinke of the wrath of God,* 2.13 yea of the wyne which is poured into the cup of his wrath, and he shall be tormented in fire and brimstone before the holy Angels, and before the Lamb: and the smoke of their tormēts shal ascend euermore, and they shall haue no rest day nor night, which worship the beast & his Image, and whosoeuer receiueth the print of his name. Here is the patiēce of Saintes: here are they that keep the commandements of God,* 2.14 and the fayth of Iesus. To this he addeth by and by: I heard a voyce saying to me, write: blessed be the dead that dye in the Lord, frō henceforth (or speedely they be blessed. Io. 5) euen so sayth the spirite, for they rest frō their labours, but their works follow thē: for our labour shall not be frustrate or in vayne.

Therefore seeing you haue such a large promise, be strong in the Lorde, fight a good fight, be faythfull to the Lorde vnto the ende: consider that Christ the sonne of God is your Cap∣taine, and fighteth for you, and for that all the Prophets, Apo∣stles and Martyrs, are your fellow souldiours. They that perse∣cute and trouble vs, are men, sinfull, and mortall, whose fauour a wise man would not buy with the value of a farthing: & be∣sides that, our life is frayle, short, brickle, and transitory. Happy are we, if we depart in the Lorde, who graunt vnto you, and to all your fellow prisoners fayth and constancy. Commend me to the most reuerend fathers and holy Confessours of Christ, Doctor Cranmer Bishop of Canterbury, D. Ridley Bishop of London, and the good old father D. Latimer. Them and all the rest of the prisoners with you for the Lordes cause, salute in my name, and in the name of all my fellow Ministers, the whiche do wish vnto you the grace of God, and constancy in the truth.

Concerning the state of our Church, it remayneth euen as it was when you departed from vs into your countrey. God graunt we may be thankfull to him, and that we doe not one∣ly professe the faith with wordes, but also expresse the same ef∣fectually with good workes to the praise of our Lord. The word of God increaseth dayly in that part of Italy that is neare vnto vs, and in Fraunce.

In the meane while the godly sustaine greeuous persecuti∣ons, and with great constancy and glory, through tormentes they goe vnto the Lord. I and all my houshold, with my sonnes in law and kinsmen, are in good health in the Lord. They doe salute you, and pray for your constancie, being sorrowfull for you and the rest of the prisoners. There came to vs Englishmen Studentes, both godly and learned: They be receaued of oure Magistrate. Tenne of them dwell together, the rest remayne here and there with good men. Amongest the other, Mayster Thomas Leuer is deare vnto me and familiar. If there be anye thing wherein I may doe any pleasure to your wife and childrē,* 2.15 they shall haue me wholly at commaundement: whereof I will write also to your wife, for I vnderstand shee abideth at Franckford. Be strong and mery in Christ, wayting for his deli∣raunce, when, and in what sort it shall seeme good vnto hym. The Lorde Iesus shewe pittie vppon the Realme of Englande, and illuminate the same with his holy Spirite to the glorye of his name, and the saluation of soules. The Lorde Iesus preserue and deliuer you from all euill, with all them that call vpon hys name. Farewell, and farewell eternally.

The 10. of October. 1554. From Zurich.

You know the hand, H.B.

Notes

• * 1.1

  More of his letters ye shall read in the book of Letters of the Mar∣••••••.
• * 1.2

  A letter of •• Hooper.
• * 1.3

  The fauourers o•• Gods word se∣cluded out of the Parliament, both in the hye house and lower agaynst all right and reason.
• * 1.4

  Colos. 3.
• * 1.5

  He exhorteth the brethren to resorte and con∣ferre among thē selues together.
• * 1.6

  Conference a∣mongest bre∣thren comforta∣ble.
• * 1.7

  Iohn. 10.
• * 1.8

  Three thinges to be taken heede of.
• * 1.9

  Luke. 18.
• * 1.10

  Faith more scar∣ser now then in the old time vn∣der Tyrauntes.
• * 1.11

  The pale horse in the Apoca∣lips chap. 6. what it mea∣neth.

  Mo soules slaine by Monkes and Fryers, &c. then bodyes by Ty∣tantes.
• * 1.12

  The 6. chapt. of the Apocalips opened.
• * 1.13

  An other letter of M. Hooper.
• * 1.14

  Commission geuen out for M. Hooper and other, to dispute at Cambridge.
• * 1.15

  The counsell of M. Hooper how and vpon what cautions to dis∣pute with the aduersaries.
• * 1.16

  Note how•• the Papist•• proceed a∣gaynst all order and law.
• * 1.17

  M. 18.
• * 1.18

  An effectu•••• letter of M Hooper sent to hys wife.
• * 1.19

  Math. 14.
• * 1.20

  Rom. 1.1. 1. Thes. 2.
• * 1.21

  Errour ta∣ken for truth and persecution for Gods seruice.
• * 1.22

  Iohn. 8.9.
• * 1.23

  No respect of nature with the persecuting aduersaries.
• * 1.24

  Math. ••8.
• * 1.25

  Ge••e. 4. G••lat. 4.
• * 1.26

  Luke 2.
• * 1.27

  Patience in troubles, onely the christian mans reme∣dy. Rom. 8.
• * 1.28

  Prayer ne∣cessary. Iames 1. 1. Cor. 1.8.
• * 1.29

  Collos. •••• A lesson how to beare trou∣ble.
• * 1.30

  Two thinges commaunded by S. Paule wri∣ting to the Col∣lossians.

  The first is to see and know what thi••ges are aboue and what thinges are beneath and and to discerne rightly betwene them.

  The second is to set our affection vpon them that are aboue and not vpon the o∣ther And this lesson is harder then the othe••.
• * 1.31

  How thinges of this world may be possessed and how not.
• * 1.32

  Scriptures woulde bee mused vpon ra∣ther then talked vpon.
• * 1.33

  Math. 24. Luke. 2.
• * 1.34

  Psal. 27. Read also M. Hoopers expo∣sition vpon thys Psalme, most comfortable for all broken and afflicted hartes.
• * 1.35

  Rom. 8.
• * 1.36

  What Psalmes are to be vsed in distresse and tri∣bulation.
• * 1.37

  Read also the fourth chapter of Eccle. Coloss. 3.
• * 1.38

  Note this well to thy comfort that art affli∣cted.
• * 1.39

  Rom. 8.
• * 1.40

  Consolation.
• * 1.41

  Patience.
• * 1.42

  Afflictions be the messengers and seruauntes of God.
• * 1.43

  Luke. 2.
• * 1.44

  Pacience the gift onely of God.
• * 1.45

  Math. 3.
• * 1.46

  To suffer for Christ, is hono∣rable. Math. 24. Heb. 11.
• * 1.47

  S••p. 5. Example taken of our meate and drinke how thinges neuer come to their perf••••ction before they be vt∣terly wa∣sted.
• * 1.48

  Vnmorte fi••ed men, be no people to God. Math. 10.
• * 1.49

  Rom. 8.
• * 1.50

  Example of Abraham. Example of Ioseph.
• * 1.51

  Iohn. 9.
• * 1.52

  1. Pet. 4. Iudgement 〈◊〉〈◊〉 begin∣neth with the house of God. Colos. 3.
• * 1.53

  Rom. 8.
• * 1.54

  Math. 24.
• * 1.55

  Luke 1.
• * 1.56

  Flesh neuer mery with vertue, not sory with 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.57

  Math. 24.
• * 1.58

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.59

  Ann. 1555. Februa∣ry.
• * 1.60

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.61

  1 Cor. ••.
• * 1.62

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.63

  An other letter of M. Hooper to his frien••es in London.
• * 1.64

  The christi∣an charitie of M. Hoo∣per to his enemies.
• * 1.65

  M. Hooper 〈◊〉〈◊〉 resol∣ued to suf∣fer.
• * 1.66

  Gods will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be obey∣•••• in all ••••inges.
• * 1.67

  Difference be∣tweene the true christian, and the worldling.
• * 1.68

  Both the in∣ward man and outward man must concurre in the honour of God.
• * 1.69

  Gods enemies can do no more then he ge••eth them leaue. Math. 20.
• * 1.70

  An other letter of M. Hooper to a helper of his.
• * 1.71

  Truth is not to be esteemed by outward appea∣raunce.
• * 1.72

  This Misteries Wilkinsō after∣ward ••yed in Exile at Franck∣ford.
• * 1.73

  Gaynes with Gods displea∣sure is beggary.
• * 1.74

  Heb. 11. Math. 5.
• * 1.75

  An other letter exhorting to stand fast in the truth.
• * 1.76

  Heb. 11.
• * 1.77

  Consolation ta∣ken by the ex∣ample of the an∣cient martyrs.
• * 1.78

  An other letter written to one Maisteries War∣cop by Maister Hooper.
• * 2.1

  The surest way is eue•• to follow the Star••e.
• * 2.2

  Ierusalem signifieth the vision of peace.
• * 2.3

  Bethelem signifieth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 much as th•• house of bread, or of saturitie.
• * 2.4

  Christ is not to be sought not asked for but onely by the scrip••tures.
• * 2.5

  Example of Iason and Titon.
• * 2.6

  Letters in the way to the king∣dome of heauen.
• * 2.7

  A letter of M. Bullen∣••er to M. Hooper 〈…〉〈…〉 of latin 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Eng∣••••••h▪
• * 2.8

  The power of Anti∣christ de∣scribed in Daniell chapt. 8. Math. 10. Iohn. 15.16. ••. Tim. 2.3.
• * 2.9

  The do∣ctrine of the Protestants, what it is, wherefore they are per¦secuted.
• * 2.10

  Ephes. 1.
• * 2.11

  2. Thes. 2. Christ is sufficient, and not be patched with the Pope.
• * 2.12

  Apoc. 21▪
• * 2.13

  Apoc. 14. Gods wrath vpon the beast and them that ta••e his 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 2.14

  In this time of Antichrist is the pacience and fayth of Gods children tryed, whereby they shall ouercome all his tyranny read. Math. 24.
• * 2.15

  M. Tho. Leuer.