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.

Letters of George Marshe.

This good mā wrote diuers and sondry letters out of prison besides his examinations, as before ye haue heard. Touching the which hys examinations, this letter first he sendeth to his frendes, the copy wherof here followeth.

¶A letter of George Marsh to the reader, touching the matter of his examination.

HEre haue ye dearely beloued frendes in Christ, the chiefe & principal Articles of Christian doctrine briefly touched,* 1.1 whi∣che heretofore I haue both beleeued, professed, and taught, and as yet do beleue, professe, and teach, and am surely purposed by Gods grace, to continue in the same vntill the last day. I do wāt both time and oportunitie to write out at large the probations, causes, partes, effectes, and contraries or erroures of these Ar∣ticles, which who so desireth to know, let them read ouer the cō∣mon places of the godly learned men: Philippe Melancthon, and Erasmus Sarcerius, whose iudgement in these matters of Religi∣on I do chiefly follow and leane vnto. The Lorde geue vs vnder∣standing in all thinges, and deliuer vs from this present euill world, according to his will and pleasure, and bryng vs agayn out of this hell of affliction, into which it hath pleased the merci∣full Lord to throw vs downe: and deliuer vs out of the mouth of the Lyon and from all euill doing, and keepe vs vnto his heauen∣ly and euerlasting kingdome. Amen.

Though Sathan be suffered, as wheate to sift vs for a tyme, yet fayleth not our fayth through Christes ayde, but that we are at all tymes able and readye to confirme the fayth of our weake brethren,* 1.2 and alwayes ready to geue an aunswere to euerye man that asketh vs a reason of the hope that is in vs, and that wyth meekenes and reuerence, hauing a good conscience, that when as they backbyte vs as euill doers, they may be ashamed, for as∣much as they haue falsely accused our good cōuersatiō in christ. I thought my selfe nowe of late yeares, for the cares of this lyfe well setteled with my louing and faithfull wife and children, and also well quieted in the peaceable possession of that pleasaunt Euphrates, I do confesse it: but the Lord who worketh all thyngs for the best to them that loue him, would not there leaue me, but did take my deare and beloued wife from me: whose death was a paynefull crosse to my flesh.

Also I thought my selfe nowe of late well placed vnder my most louing and most gentle mayster Laurence Saunders in the cure of Langhton.* 1.3 But the Lord of his great mercy woulde not suffer me there long to continue (although for the small tyme I was in his vineyard, I was not all an idle workman) But he hath prouided me (I perceiue it) to taste of a farre other cuppe,* 1.4 for by violence hath he yet once agayne driuen me out of that glorious Babilon, that I should not taste to much of her wanton pleasures but wyth his most dearely beloued Disciples to haue my inward reioysing in the Crosse of his sonne Iesus Christe: the glorye of whose Church I see it well, standeth not in the harmonious soūd of Bells and Organes, nor yet in the glistring of Mitors & Copes neither in the shining of gilte Images and lightes (as the blynde

Papistes do iudge it) but in continuall labours and dayly afflicti∣ons for his names sake.

God at this present here in Englande hath his fanne in hys hand, and after hys great haruest, whereinto these yeares past he hath sent his labourers, is now sifting the corne frō the chaffe and purging his floore, and ready to gather the wheate into hys garnar and to burne the chaffe with vnquenchable fire.

Take heede and beware of the leuen of the scribes and of the Saduces, I meane the erroneous doctrine of the papistes, whiche with their gloses depraue the Scriptures. For as the Apostle S. Peter doth teach vs: There shalbe false teachers amongst vs, whi∣che priuily shall bring in damnable sectes: And sayth that many shall follow theyr damnable wayes, by whom the way of trueth shall be euill spoken of: and that through couetousnes they shall with fayned wordes make marchaundise of vs. And Christ ear∣nestly warneth vs, to beware of false Prophetes, which come to vs in sheepes clothing, but inwardly are rauening Wolues: by their fruites ye shall know them. The fruites of the Prophetes is theyr doctrine, In this place are we Christians taught that wee shuld try the preachers, & other that come vnder colour to set forth true Religion vnto vs, according to the saying of S. Paule: Try all thinges and chose that whiche is good. Also the Euange∣list S. Iohn sayth: Beleue not euery spirite, but proue the spirites whether they be of God or not, for many false Prophetes (sayth he) are gone out into the world. Therefore if thou wilt knowe the true Prophetes frō the false, try theyr doctrine at the true touch∣stone, whiche is the worde of God: and as the godly Thessaloni∣ans did, search ye the scriptures, whether those thinges which be preached vnto you be euē so or not: for els by the outward con∣uersatiō of thē ye may easely be deceiued. Desūt fortassis aliqua.

¶A letter exhortatory of George Marshe to the faythfull professours of Langhton.

GRace be vnto you, and peace be multiplied in y^e know∣ledge of Iesus Christ our Lord.* 1.5 Amen.

I thought it my duety to write vnto you, my beloued in y^e Lord at Langhton, to stirre vp your mindes, & to call to your remēbrance the wordes which haue bene told you before, and to exhort you (as that good man & full of y^e holy Ghost Barnabas did the Antiochians) that with purpose of hart ye continually cleaue vnto the Lord, & that ye stād fast,* 1.6 and be not moued away from the hope of the Gospel, wherof (God be thāked) ye haue had plenteous preaching vnto you by your late pastor M. Saunders, & other faith∣full ministers of Iesus Christ, which now, when persecu∣tion ariseth because of y^e word,* 1.7 do not fall away like shrin∣king children, and forsake the truth, being ashamed of the Gospell wherof they haue bene preachers, but are willing and ready for your sakes (which are Christes misticall bo∣dy) to forsake not onely the chiefe and principall delites of this lyfe (I do meane theyr natiue countryes, frendes, ly∣uinges. &c. but also to fulfill theyr ministery vnto y^e vtmost that is to witte, with their painefull imprisonmentes and bloudsheddinges (if need shall require) to confirme & seale Christes Gospell,* 1.8 wherof they haue bene Ministers: and (as S. Paul sayth) they are ready not onely to be cast into prison, but also to be killed for the name of the Lord Iesu.

Whether these, being that good salt of the earth, that is true ministers of Gods worde,* 1.9 by whose doctrine (beyng receiued through fayth) men are made sauory vnto God, & which themselues lose not theyr saltnes,* 1.10 now when they be prooued with the boysterous stormes of aduersity and persecutiō: or others being that vnsauery salt which hath lost his saltnes, that is to witte, those vngodly ministers, which do fall from the word of God into the dreames and traditions of Antichrist: whether of these, I say, be more to be credited and beleued, let all men iudge.

Wherfore my dearely beloued, receiue y^e word of God with meekenes, y^t is graffed in you, whiche is able to saue your soules:* 1.11 And see that ye be not forgetfull hearers, de∣ceiuing yourselues with sophistry, but doers of the word whom Christ doth liken to a wise mā,* 1.12 which buildeth his house on a rocke, that when the great rayn discendeth, and the flouddes come and beate vpon the house, it fel not, be∣cause it was grounded vpon a rocke: this is to witte, that when Sathan, with all his legion of deuils with all theyr subtill suggestions, and the world with all y^e mighty prin∣ces therof,* 1.13 with their crafty counsels doe furiously rage a∣gainst vs, we faint not, but abide constant in the truth, be∣ing grounded vpon a most sure rock which is Christ, and the doctrine of the Gospell, against which the gates of hel (that is,* 1.14 the power of Sathan) cannot preuayle.

And be ye followers of Christ and the Apostles, and re∣ceaue the word in much affliction (as the godly Thessalo∣nians did):* 1.15 for the true followers of Christ and the Apo∣stles, be they which receiue the word of God. They onely receiue the word of god, which both beleue it, & also frame their liues after it, & be ready to suffer all maner of aduer∣sitie for the name of the Lord, as Christ & all y^e Apostles did and as all that will liue godly in Christ Iesu must doe: for there is none other way into the kingdome of heauen,* 1.16 but through much tribulation. And if we suffer any thing for y^e kingdome of heauens sake, and for righteousnes sake, we haue the Prophetes, Christ, the Apostles and Martyrs for an ensample to comfort vs: for they did all enter into the kingdome of heauē at the strait gate and narow way that leadeth vnto life, which few do find.* 1.17 And vnles we will be content to deny our owne selues, and take vp the crosse of Christ and hys sayntes, it is an euident argument, that we shall neuer raigne with him.

And agayne, if we can finde in our hartes paciently to suffer persecutions and tribulations, it is a sure token of y^e righteous iudgment of God, that we are counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which we also suffer. It is verily (sayth the Apostle) a righteous thing with God,* 1.18 to recompence tribulation to them that trouble vs, and rest to vs that be trou∣bled. For after this lfe, y^e godly being deliuered from theyr tribulations and paynes shall haue a most quiet and ioy∣full rest, where as the wicked and vngodly, contrariwyse shal be tormented for euermore with intollerable and vn∣speakable paines,* 1.19 as Christ by the parable of the rich glut∣ton & wretched Lazarus, doth playnly declare and teache These ought we to haue before our eyes alwayes, that in time of aduersitie and persecution (whereof al that wil be the children of God, shalbe partakers,* 1.20 and wherewith it hath pleased God to put some of vs in vre all ready) we may stand steadfast in the Lord, and endure euen vnto the end, that we may be saued. For vnlesse we like good war∣riours of Iesus Christ,* 1.21 will endeuour our selues to please him who hath chosen vs to be souldiours, and fight y^e good fight of fayth euen vnto the end, we shall not obtayne that crowne of righteousnes, which the Lorde that is a righte∣ous iudge, shall geue to all them that loue his comming.

Let vs therfore receiue with meeknes the word that is graffed in vs, which is able to saue our soules,* 1.22 and groūd our selues on the sure rocke Christ. For (as the Apostle sayth) other foundation can no man lay,* 1.23 besides that whiche is layd already, which is Iesus Christ. If any man build on this foū∣dation, gold, siluer, precious stones, timber, haye, stubble, euerye mans worke shall appeare, for the day shal declare it, and it shalbe shewed in the fire. And the fire shall try euery mans work what it is. If any mans worke that he hath builded vpon abide, hee shall receiue a reward: if any mans work burne, he shall suffer losse, but he shalbe safe himselfe: neuerthelesse yet as it were through fire.

By fi••e here doth the Apostle vnderstand persecution & trouble,* 1.24 for they which do truely preach & professe y^e word of God, which is called the word of the crosse, shalbe ray∣led vpon, and abhorred, hated, thrust out of the companye, persecuted and tryed in the fornace of aduersitie, as golde and siluer are tryed in the fire.

By gold, siluer, and precious stones, he vnderstandeth them y^t in the mids of persecution abide steadfast in word.* 1.25 By tymber, hay, and stubble, are ment such, as in tyme of persecution do fall away from the truth. And when Christ doth purge his floore with the winde of aduersitie, these scatter away from the face of the earth like light chaffe whi∣che shall be burned with vnquencheable fire. If they then which do beleue,* 1.26 do in time of persecution stand steadfastly in y^e truth the builder (I do meane y^e preacher of the word) shall receaue a reward, and the work shalbe preserued and saued: but if so be that they go back and swarue, when per∣secution ariseth, the builder shall suffer losse, that is to saye shall lose his labour and cost: but yet he shalbe saued, if hee being tryed in the fire of persecutiō, do abide fast in y^e faith.

Wherefore (my beloued) geue dilligent heed,* 1.27 that ye as liuing stones be builded vpon this sure rocke, & be made a spirituall house and a holy Priesthoode for to offer vp spi∣rituall sacrifices, acceptable vnto God by Iesus Christ. For we are the true temple of God,* 1.28 and the spirite of God dwelleth in vs, if so be that we continue in the doctrine of the Gospell. We are also an holy and royall Priesthode, for to offer vp spirituall sacrifices & oblations, for the sacrifi∣ces of the new Testament are spirituall & of three maners.

The first is, the sacrifice of prayse and thankesgeuing, which S. Paule doth call the fruites of those lippes which confesse the name of God.* 1.29

The second is, mercy towardes our neighbours, as y^e Prophet Osee sayth: I will haue mercy and not sacrifice. Read the xxv. chapter of Mathew.

The thyrd is, whē we make our body a quick sacrifice, holy and acceptable vnto God, that is,* 1.30 whē we mortifie & kill our fleshly concupiscences & carnall lustes, & so bryng our flesh thorough the helpe of the spirite, vnder y^e obedēce of Gods holy lawe. This is a sacrifice to God most accep∣table,

whiche the Apostle calleth Our reasonable seruing of God And let vs be sure, that vnlesse we do now at this pre¦sent take better heed to our selues, and vse thankfully the grace of God offered to vs by the Gospell preaching these yeares past, wherby we are induced & brought to y^e know∣ledge of y^e truth:* 1.31 vnles, I say, we keep Christ and his holy word, dwelling by fayth in y^e house & temple of our harts, the same thing that christ threatneth vnto the Iewes, shal happen vnto vs:* 1.32 y^t is to witte, the vncleane spirite of igno∣rance, superstitiō, idolatry, and infidelitie or vnbeliefe, the mother & head of all vices, which by the grace of God was cast out of vs, bringing with him 7. other spirites worse then himself,* 1.33 shall to our vtter destruction, returne again into vs: and so shall we be in worse case thā euer we were before. For if we, after we haue escaped from the filthines of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Sa∣uiour Iesus Christ, be yet tangled therin agayn and ouer∣come, then is the latter ende worse then the beginning: and it had bene better for vs not to haue knowne the way of righteousnes, then after we haue known it, to turne frō the holy commaundement geuen vnto vs.

* 1.34For it is then happened vnto vs according to the true prouerbe: the dogge is turned to his vomit agayn, and the sowe that was washed, to wallowing in the myre. And thus to continue & perseuer in infidelitie, & to kick against the manifest and knowne truth, and so to dye without re∣pentaunce and with a dispayre of the mercy of God in Ie∣sus Christ,* 1.35 is to sinne agaynst the holy Ghost, which shall not be forgeuē, neither in this world, neither the world to come.* 1.36 For it is not possible (sayth s. Paule) that they which were once lighted, and haue tasted of the heauēly gift: and hast tasted of the good word of God, and of the power of y^e world to come: if they fall away, should be renued agayne by repentaunce, for as muche as they haue (as concerning themselues) crucified the some of God agayne, making a mocking of him.* 1.37 S▪ Paules meaning in this place is: that they that beleue truely and vnfaynedly gods word, do cō∣tinue and abide steadfast in the knowne trueth.

If any therfore fall away from Christ and his word, it is a playne token, that they were but dissēbling hipocrites for all theyr fayre faces outwardly,* 1.38 & neuer beleued truely: as Iudas, Symon Magus, Demas, Hymeneus, Phile∣tus, and others were, which all fell away from the knowē veritie, and made a mocke of Christ: which S. Paule doth call here, to crucifie Christ a newe, because that they tur∣ning to their olde vomit agayne,* 1.39 did most blasphemouslye tread y^e benefits of Christs death & passiō vnder their feet. They that are suche, can in no wise be renued by repen∣taunce: for their repentaunce is fleshly, as the repentance of Cain, Saul, & Iudas was, which being without godly comfort, breadeth desperation vnto death. These are not of y^e number of the elect: & as S. Iohn doth say: They went out from vs, but they were not of vs, for if they had bene of vs they woulde haue remayned with vs vnto the end.* 1.40 Also the Apostle saith in an other place If we sinne willingly after wee haue re∣ceaued the knowledge of the truth,* 1.41 there remayneth no more sa∣crifice for sinne, but a fearfull looking for iudgement and violent fire, which shall deuoure the aduersaries.

They sinne willingly, whiche of a set malice & purpose do withhold the truth in vnrighteousnes & lying,* 1.42 kicking agaynst the manifest & opē known truth, which although they do perfectly know that in all the world there is none other sacrifice for sinne,* 1.43 but onely that omnisufficient sacri∣fice of Christes death: yet notwithstanding, they will not commit themselues wholly vnto it: but rather despise it, allowing other sacrifices for sinne, inuented by the imma∣gination of man (as we see by dayly experience) vnto whō if they abide still in their wickednes,* 1.44 & sinne, remayneth a most horrible & dreadful iudgement. This is y^e sinne vnto death for which s. Iohn would not that a man shuld pray.* 1.45

Wherfore my dearly beloued in Christ, let vs, (on whō the endes of the world are come) taking dilligent heed vn∣to ourselues,* 1.46 y^t now in these last and perilous times, in y^e which the deuill is come downe, and hath great wrath be∣cause he knoweth his time is but short,* 1.47 & wherof the Pro∣phetes, Christ & the Apostles haue so much spoken & geuē vs so earnest forewarning: we withold not y^e truth in vn∣righteousnes,* 1.48 beleuing, doyng, or speaking anye thing a∣gaynst our knowledge & conscience, or without fayth. For if we do so,* 1.49 for what soeuer cause it be, it is a wilfull & ob∣stinate infidelitie, & a sinne vnto death: And as our Saui∣our Christ sayth: if ye beleue not: ye shall dye in your own sins. For vnles we hold fast the word of life,* 1.50 both beleuing it & also bringing forth fruite worthy of repentaunce, we shal with the vnprofitable figge tree,* 1.51 which did but cumber the ground, be cut downe, and our talent taken from vs and geuen vnto an other that shall put it to a better vse: & wee through our owne vnthankfulnes put from the mercy of God, shall euer be able to pay our debts: that is to say, we shall altogether de lost & vndone.* 1.52 For the earth that drin∣keth in rayne that commeth o••t vppon it, & bringeth forth herbes meete for them y^t dresse it, receiueth blessing of god. But that ground that beareth thornes & brears, is reproo∣ued and is nigh vnto cursing, whose end is to be burned.

Neuertheles deare frends,* 1.53 we trust to see better of you and thinges whiche accompany saluation, and that ye be∣ing y^t good ground, watred with the moystnes of Gods word plenteously preached amongst you, will with a good hart heare the word of God & keep it,* 1.54 bringing forth fruite with pacience. And be none of those forgetful and hipocri∣tish hearers,* 1.55 which although they heare the worde yet the Deuill commeth,* 1.56 and catcheth away that which was sowē in the hart: either hauing no roote in themselues, endure but a season, and as soone as tribulation or persecution a∣riseth because of the word, by and by they are offended: ey∣ther with the cares of this world & deceitfulnes of riches choke the word, and so are vnfruitful.* 1.57 Read the parable of the sower, & among other thinges note and marke, that y^e most part of the hearers of Gods word are but hipocrites and heare the word without any fruit or profite, yea onely to theyr greater condemnation: for onely the fourth part of y^e seede doth bring forth fruite. Therfore let not vs that be Ministers, or professours, & followers of Gods worde, be discouraged, though that very few do geue credite, & fol∣low the doctrine of the Gospell, and be saued.

Who soeuer therfore hath eares to heare, let him heare:* 1.58 for whosoeuer hath, to him shal be geuen, and he shal haue aboundance: but who soeuer hath not frō him shalbe taken away euen that he hath: that is to say, they that haue a de∣sire of righteousnes and of the truth, shall be more & more illuminated of God, on the contrary part, they that do not couet after righteousnes and truth, are more hardend and blynded, though they seeme vnto them selues most wise. For God doth here follow an example of a louing father,* 1.59 which when he seeth that fatherly loue and correction doth not helpe towardes his children, vseth an other way. He ceaseth to be beneficiall vnto them, & to minister vnto thē fatherly correction: he geueth them ouer vnto them selues, sufferyng them to lyue as they lust them selues.

But we trust to see better of you (my dearely beloued) and that ye lyke very Gadarenites,* 1.60 for feare to lose your wordly substance or other delites of this lif, wil not banish away Christ & his gospell from amongest you:* 1.61 but that ye with al diligence of mind wil receiue y^e word of god, taught you by such ministers, as now when persecution ariseth because of y^e word, are not ashamed of the testimony of our Lorde Iesus, but are content to suffer aduersitie with the Gospel, & therein to suffer trouble as euil doers, euen vn∣to bondes. And if ye refuse thus to do,* 1.62 your owne bloud wil be vpon your owne heades. And as ye haue had plen∣teous preaching of the Gospel, more then other haue had: so shall ye be sure if ye repent not, and bring forth fruites worthy of repentāce, to be sorer plagued, & to receiue grea∣ter vengeaunce at Gods hand, then others, and the kyng∣dome of God shalbe taken from you, and be geuen to an other nation, which will bring forth the fruites thereof.

Wherfore my dearely beloued in Christ, take good heede to your selues, & ponder well in your mindes, how feare∣full and horrible a thing it is to fal into the hādes of the li∣uing God. And see that ye receiue not the worde of God in vaine, but continually labour in fayth, and declare your fayth by your good workes, which are infallible witnesses of y^e true iustifying fayth, which is neuer idle, but worketh by charitie. And see that ye continually geue yourselues vnto all maner of good workes: amongest the which, the chiefest are to be obedient to the Magistrates, sith they are the ordinaunce of God, whether they be good or euil,* 1.63 vnles they commaunde Idolatry and vngodlines, that is to say, thinges contrary vnto true Religion. For then ought we to say with Peter: We ought more to obey God then man. But in any wyse we must beware of tumult, insurrection, rebellion, or resistaunce.

The weapon of a Christian in this matter,* 1.64 ought to be the sword of the spirite, which is Gods word and prayer, coupled with humilitie and due submission,* 1.65 and with rea∣dynes of hart, rather to dye then to do any vngodlynesse. Christ also doth teach vs, that al power is of God, yea euē the power of the wicked, which God causeth often tymes to raigne for our sinnes, & disobedience towards him and his word. Whosoeuer then doth resist any power, doth re∣sist the ordinaunce of God, and so purchase to him selfe vtter destruction and vndoyng.

We must also by al meanes, be promoters of vnity, peace and concorde. We must honour and reuerence Princes,* 1.66 and all that be in authoritie, and pray for them, and be di∣ligent to set forth their profite and commoditie.

Secondly, we must obey our parents, or them that be in their rowmes, & be careful for our housholds, that they be prouided for & fed, not onely w^t bodely foode, but muche rather with spirituall foode, which is the word of God.

Thirdly, we must serue our neighbors by all meanes we can, remembring well the saying of Christ: Whatsoeuer ye woulde that men shoulde doe vnto you,* 1.67 doe ye likewise vnto them, for this is the lawe and the Prophets.

Fourthly, we must diligently exercise the necessarye worke of prayer for all estates:* 1.68 knowing that God there∣fore hath so much commaunded it, and hath made so great promises vnto it, and doeth so well accept it. After these workes we must learne to know the Crosse, & what affec∣tion and minde we must beare towardes our aduersaries and enemies, what so euer they be, to suffer all aduersities and euils paciently, to pray for them that hurt, persecute, and trouble vs: and by thus vsing our selues, we shal ob∣taine an hope & certaintie of our vocation, that we be the elect children of God.

And thus, I commende you brethren vnto God, and to the word of his grace,* 1.69 which is able to builde further, & geue you an inheritaunce among al thē, which are sancti∣fied: beseechyng you to helpe M. Saūders & me your late Pastours, and all them that be in bondes for the Gospels sake, with your praiers to God for vs, that we may be de∣liuered from all them that beleue not, and frō vnreasona∣ble and froward mē, and that this our imprisonment & af∣flictiō may be to the glory and profit of our Christian bre∣thren in the world, & that Christ may be magnified in our bodies, whether it be by death or by lyfe. Amen.

Salute from me all the faythfull brethren: & because I write not seuerall Letters to them, let them either 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or heare these my letters. The grace of our Lord be with you all. Amē. The xxviij. of Iune, by the vnprofitable seruaūt of Iesus Christ, and now also his prisoner. George Marsh.

Saue your selues from this vntoward generation. * 1.70Pray, pray, pray. Neuer more neede.

An other Letter of the sayd George Marsh, to certaine of his dearely beloued frendes at Manchester in Lancashire.

GRace be with you, and peace from God ou•• Father, and from our Lord Iesus Christ. Amen.

* 1.71After salutations in Christe to you, with thankes for youre frendly remembraunces of mee, desiring and wishing vnto you, not onely in my letters, but also in my daily praiers, such conso∣lation in spirite, and taste of heauenly treasures, that ye may ther∣by continually worke in faith, labour in loue, perseueer in hope, and be pacient in all your tribulations and persecutions, euen vnto the ende and glorious comming of Christ: these shalbe ea••∣nestly to exhort and beseeche you in Christ, as ye haue receyued the Lord Iesus,* 1.72 euen so to walke, rooted in him, and not to be a∣fraid of any terrour of your aduersaries, be they neuer so manye and mighty, and you on the other side neuer so fewe and weake: for the battell is the Lordes. And as in times past, God was with Abraham, Moses, Isaac, Dauid the Machabees and other, & fou∣ght for them, and deliuered all their ennemies into their handes, euen so hath he promised to be with vs also, vnto the worlds end, and so to assist, strengthen, and helpe vs, that no man shalbe able to withstande vs. For as I was with Moses, so will I be with thee (sayth God) and wil neuer leaue thee nor forsake thee. Be strong and bolde: neither feare nor dread: for the Lord thy God is wyth thee, whether soeuer thou goest. Nowe if God be on oure side, who can be against vs?* 1.73

In this our spirituall warfare, is no man ouercome, vnles he traiterously leaue and forsake his captaine,* 1.74 either cowardly cast away his weapons, or willingly yelde himselfe to his ennemies, either fearefully turne his backe and flie. Be strong therefore in the Lord (deare brethren) and in the power of his might, and put on all the armour of God,* 1.75 that ye may be able to stand stedfast a∣gainst the craftie assaults of the deuill.

Now, what weapons ye must fight withall, learne of S. Paul, a champion both much exercised, and also most valiaunt and in∣uincible.* 1.76 For we must thinke none other, but that the life of man is a perpetuall warfare vppon earth, as the examples of all godly men, throughout all ages to declare. The valiant warrior S. Paul, being deliuered from the handes of the vngodly, and that so ma∣ny times, and also from so many extreme pearils and dangers of death (as he his owne selfe doth witnes) is faine to commit him selfe in the ende to the rough waters of the sea:* 1.77 where he was in great pearil and ieoperdie of his owne life: yet was God alwaies (to the great comfort of all that heare of it) most ready to com∣fort and succour him, and gloriously deliuered him out of all his troubles: so that no manne that inuaded him, could doe him any harme, and in the ende he was compelled to saye: I haue finished my course:* 1.78 the time of my departing is at hand: I long to be loo∣sed, and to be with Christ, which is best of all, most heartely desi∣ring death.

These things be written for our learning and comforte, and be to vs a sure obligation,* 1.79 that if we submit our selues to God & his holy word, no man shalbe able to hurt vs, and that he will de∣liuer vs from all troubles, yea from death also, vntil such time as we couet and desire to die. Let vs therefore runne with patience vnto the battaile that is set before vs,* 1.80 and looke vnto Iesus the Captaine and finisher of our faith, and after his example, for the rewardes sake that is set out vnto vs, patiently beare the crosse and despise the shame. For all that will liue godly in Christ Iesu, shall suffer persecution.

Christ was no sooner baptised and declared to the world to be the sonne of God,* 1.81 but Sathan was by and by ready to tempte hym: which thing we must looke for also: yea, the more we shall encrease in faith and vertuous liuing, the more strongly will Sa∣than assault vs: whom we must learne after the example of Christ, to fight againste, and ouercome with the holy and sacred Scrip∣tures and worde of God (which are our heauenly armour) and sword of the spirite. And let the fasting of Christ, while hee was tempted in the wildernes, be vnto vs an example of sober liuing, not for the space of 40. daies (as the Papists doe fondly fansie of their owne braines) but as long as wee are in the wildernesse of this wretched life, assaulted of Sathan,* 1.82 who like a roaring Lyon walketh about, and ceaseth not, seeking our vtter destruction.

Neither can the seruaunts of God at any time come & stand before God, that is, leade a godly life, and walke innocently be∣fore God. But Sathan commeth also among them, that is, he dai∣ly accuseth, finedeth fault, vexeth,* 1.83 persecuteth and troubleth the godly: for it is the nature and propertie of the deuill alwayes to hurt, and do mischiefe, vnlesse he be forbidden of God: for vnlesse God do permit him, he can do nothing at all, not so much as en∣ter into a filthy hogge: but we are more of price then many hogs before God, if we cleaue vnto his sonne by faith.

Let vs therefore knowing Sathans deceits and rancor, walke the more warely, and take vnto vs the shield of faith,* 1.84 wherewith we may be able to quench and ouercome all the fiery and deadly dartes of the wicked. Let vs take to vs the helmet of saluation, & sworde of the spirit, which is the word of God, and learne to vse the same according to the example of oure graunde Captayne Christ. Let vs fast and pray continually. For this frantike kinde of deuils goeth not out otherwise (as Christ doeth teach vs) but by faithfull praier and fasting, whiche is true abstinence and sober∣nesse of liuing,* 1.85 if we vse the same according to the doctrin of the gospell and worde of God. Fasting is acceptable to God, if it be done without hypocrisie, that is to say: ••f we vse it to this entent, that thereby this mortall body and disobedient carcase maye be ••amed and brought vnder the subiection of the spirite:* 1.86 and a∣gaine, if we fast to this intent, that we maye spare wherewyth to helpe and succour our poore needie brethren.

This fast do the true Christians vse all the dayes of their life, although among the common sort of people remaineth yet still that superstitious kinde of fasting, which God so earnestly re∣prooueth by his Prophet Esay. For as for true chastening of the body, and abstaining from vice, with shewing mercye towardes our needy neighbours, we wil neither vnderstand nor heare of, but still thinke with the Iewes, that we doe God a great pleasure when we fast, and that we then fast,* 1.87 when we abstaine from one thing, and fil our bellies with an other. And verely in this poynt doth our superstition much excede the superstitiō of the Iewes: for we neuer reade that they euer tooke it for a fast, to abstaine from flesh, and to eate either fish or white meat, as they call it.

To fasting and praier must be ioyned almes, and mercye to∣wardes the poore and needie: and that our almes may be accep∣table vnto God, three things are chiefly required.

First, that we geue with a chearefull and ioyfull heart: For the Lord loueth a chearefull geuer.

Secondly, that we geue liberally, putting aside al nigardship, knowing that he that soweth little, shall reape little, and hee that soweth plenteouslye, shall reape plenteouslye.* 1.88 Lette euerye manne therefore doe accordinge as hee is able. The poorest cai∣tiffe in the world may geue as great and acceptable an almes in the sight of God, as the richest man in the worlde can doe. The poore widowe that did offer but two mites,* 1.89 whiche make a far∣thing, did highly please Christ: In so much that he affirmed with an othe, That shee of her penurie, had added more to the offrings of God, then all the rich men, which of their superfluitie had cast in very muche. For if there be first a willing minde (as S. Paule sayth) it is accepted, according to that a mā hath,* 1.90 and not accor∣ding that a man hath not.

Thirdly, we must geue wythout hypocrisie and ostentation, not seeking the praise of men, or our own glorie of profite.* 1.91 And althoughe the Scriptures in some places make mention of a rewarde to oure almes and other good woorkes, yet ought we not to thinke that wee doe merite or deserue any thynge:* 1.92 but rather wee oughte to acknowledge, that God of his mere mercy rewardeth in vs hys owne giftes. For what hathe hee that geueth almes, that hee hathe not receiued, hee then that geueth vnto a poore man anye manner of thing, geueth not of his owne, but of those goodes whych he hath receiued of God. What haste thou

(saith the apostle) that thou hast not receiued? If thou hast recei∣ued it, why reioycest thou, as though thou hadst not receiued it?

This sentence ought to be had in remembrance of all men. For if we haue nothing, but that which wee haue receiued, what can we deserue? or what neede we to dispute and reason of our owne merites? It commeth of the free gift of God, that we liue, that we loue God, that we walke in his feare. Where is our de∣seruing then?* 1.93 We must also in this our spiritual warfare arme our selues with continuall praier, a very necessary, strong, and inuin∣cible weapon, and after the example of Christ and al other godly men, crie heartily vnto God in faith, in all our distresses and an∣guishes. Let vs goe boldly to the seate of grace, where we shall be sure to receiue mercie,* 1.94 and finde grace to helpe in time of neede. For now is pride and persecution encreased: nowe is the time of destruction and wrathfull displeasure.

Wherfore my deare brethren, be ye feruēt in the law of God, and ieoperd ye your liues if neede shall so require,* 1.95 for the testa∣ment of the fathers, and so shall yee receiue great honour, and an euerlasting name. Remember Abraham: Was not he found faith∣full in temptation,* 1.96 and it was reckened vnto him for righteous∣nes? Ioseph in time of his trouble kept the commaundement, and was made a Lord of Egypt. Phinees was so feruent for the honor of God,* 1.97 that he obtained the couenaunt of an euerlasting Priest∣hode. Iosua for the fulfilling the word of God, was made the cap∣taine of Israel. Caleb bare recorde before the Congregation, and receiued an heritage.* 1.98 Dauid also in his mercifull kindnesse ob∣tained the throne of an euerlasting kingdome. Elias being zea∣lous and feruent in the law, was taken vp into heauen. Ananias, Azarias,* 1.99 and Misael remained stedfast in the faith, and were deli∣uered out of the fire. In like maner Daniel being vnguiltie, was saued from the mouth of the Lions.

And thus ye may cōsider throughout al ages since the world began,* 1.100 that who soeuer putte their trust in God, were not ouer∣come. Feare not ye then the wordes of vngodly men: for their glory is but dong and wormes: to day are they set vp, and to mo∣rowe are they gone: For they are tourned into earth, and theyr memorial commeth to naught. Wherfore let vs take good hearts vnto vs, and quite our selues like men in the lawe: for if we doe the things that are commaunded vs in the law of the Lorde our God, we shall obtaine great honour therein.

Beloued in Christ, let vs not faint because of affliction, wher∣with God trieth all them that are sealed vnto life euerlasting:* 1.101 for the onely way into the kingdome of God, is through muche tri∣bulation. For the kingdome of heauen (as God teacheth by hys Prophet Esdras) is like a Citie builded and set vpon a broad field,* 1.102 and full of all good thinges, but the entraunce is narrowe and sodaine,* 1.103 [full of sorrow and trauaile, pearils and labours] Like as if there were a fire at the right hand, and a deepe water at the les•••• and as it were one straight path betwene them both, so smal, that there could but one man goe there. If this Citie now were geuen to an heire, and he neuer went through the pearillous way, how would he receiue his inheritaunce? Wherefore seeing we are in this narrowe and straight way, which leadeth vnto the most ioy∣full and pleasaunt Citie of euerlasting life: let vs not stagger, ey∣ther turne backe, being afraide of the daungerous and pearillous way, but followe our Captaine Iesus Christ in the narrowe and straight way, and be afraide of nothing, no not euen of death it selfe:* 1.104 for it is he that must lead vs to our iourneys ende, and open vs the doore vnto euerlasting life.

Consider also the course of thys world, howe many there be which for their maisters sake,* 1.105 or for a litle promotions sake, wold aduenture their liues in worldly affaires, as cōmonly in warres, & yet is their reward but light & transitory, & ours is vnspeaka∣ble, great and euerlasting. They suffer paines to be made Lordes on earth for a short season: howe much more ought we to endure like paines (yea peraduenture much lesse) to be made kinges in heauen for euermore? Consider also the wicked of this worlde, which for a litle pleasures sake, or to be auenged on their enne∣mies, will fight with sworde and weapons, and put them selues in daunger of imprisonment and hanging. So much as vertue is better then vice, & God mightier then the deuil, so much ought we to excell them in this our spirituall battaile.

And seeing brethren, it hath pleased God to set me, and that most worthy minister of Christ, Iohn Bradforde, your countrey∣men in the forefront of this battaile, where (for the time) is most daunger, I beseeche you all in the bowels of Christe to helpe vs and all other our felow souldiors standing in like perillous place, with your praiers to God for vs, that we maye quite our selues like men in the Lord, and geue some example of boldnes & con∣stancie, mingled with pacience in the feare of God, that yee and others our brethren, thorough oure example, may be so encou∣raged and strengthned to folow vs, that ye also may leaue exam∣ple to your weake brethren in the world, to followe you. Amen.

Consider what I say: the Lorde geue vs vnderstanding in all things.* 1.106 Brethren the time is short: it remaineth that yee vse thys world as though ye vsed it not: for the fashion of this worlde va∣nisheth away. See that ye loue not the world, neither the things that are in the world: but set your affection on heauenly things, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Be ••eeke, & long suffering, serue and edifie one other,* 1.107 with the gift that God hath geuen you. Beware of strange doctrine: lay aside the old conuer∣sation of greedy lustes, and walke in a new life. Beware of all vn∣cleannes, couetousnes, foolish talking, false doctrine & dronken∣nes: Reioyce & be thankful towardes God, & submit your selues one to an other▪ Cease from sinne, spend no more time in vice, be sober and apt to pray, be pacient in trouble, loue each other, and let the glory of God and profite of your neighbor, be the onely marke ye shoote at in all your doings. Repent ye of the life that is past, and take better heede to your doings hereafter. And aboue all things cleaue yee fast to him, who was deliuered to death for our sins, & rose againe for our iustification. To whome with the father & the holy ghost be al honor & rule for euermore. Amen.

Salute from me in Christe all others, which loue vs in the faith, and at your discretiō make them partakers of these letters: and pray ye all for me and other in bondes for the Gospell, that the same God (which by his grace hathe called vs from wicked papistrie, vnto true Christianitie, and now of loue prooueth out patience by persecution, wil of his mercy and fauour in the end gloriously deliuer vs, either by death, or by life, to his glory, Amē

At Lancaster the 30. of August. 1554.

By me an vnprofitable seruant of Christ, George Marsh.

To his welbeloued in Christ Ienkin Crampton, Iames Leiuer, Elice Fogge▪ Rafe Bradshaw, the wife of Richard Bradshaw, Elice Crampton, and to euery one of them be these deliue∣red from Lancaster. G. Marsh.

THe grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, & the loue of God, & the felowship of the holy Ghost be w^t you al. Amen.* 1.108

After salutations in Christ, and harty thanks for your frendly tokens, and your other remembraunces towards me, beseeching God y^t ye may encrease in faith, feare, loue, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 good gifts, & grow vp into a perfit man in Christe: these be earnestly to exhort you, yea & to beseech you in the ••ender mercy of Christe, that w^t purpose of heart ye conti∣nually cleaue vnto the Lorde, and that ye worship & serue him in spirite, in the gospel of his sonne. For God wil not be worshipped after the commandements & traditions of men, neither yet by any other meanes appoynted, prescri∣bed, and taught vs, but by his holy word. And though all men for the most parte defile them selues with the wicked traditions of men & ordinances after y^e world, and not af∣ter Christ: yet doe ye after the ensample of Tobie,* 1.109 Daniel & his 3. companions, Matharhias and his 5. sonnes, be at a poynt with your selues that ye wil not be defiled wyth y^e vncleane meates of the heathen, I do meane the filthinesse of Idolatrie, and the very Heathenish ceremonyes of the Papistes: but as true worshippers, serue ye God in spi∣rite and verity, according to his sacred Scriptures:* 1.110 which I would wish and will you aboue all things continually and reuerently (as both S. Paule and Christ commaund you) to searche and read, with the wholesome monitions of the same: to teach, exhort, comfort & edifie one an other,* 1.111 and your brethren & neighbours, now in time of thys our miserable captiuitie, and great famishment of soules, for want of the foode of Gods worde. And doubt not,* 1.112 but that the merciful Lord, who hath promised to be with vs euen vnto the worldes end, and that whensoeuer 2. or 3. be ga∣thered together in his name, hee will be in the middest of them, will assist you, and teach you the right meanings of the sacred Scriptures, will keepe you from all errors, and lead you into all truth, as he hath faithfully promised.

And though ye thinke your selues vnable to teach, yet at the cōmaundement of Christ now in time of famine, the hungry people being in wildernes farre frō any townes,* 1.113 which if they be sent away fasting, are sure to faint & pea∣rish by the way, employ and bestow those fiue loaues and two fishes that ye haue, vpon that hungrie multitude, al∣though ye thinke it nothing among so many. And y^t he in∣creased the v. loaues and the ij. fishes to feede v. M. men,* 1.114 besides women and children, shall also augment his gifts in you, not only to the edifying and winning of others in christ, but also to an exceding great increase of your know¦ledge in God & his holy word. And feare not your aduer∣saries: for either according to his accustomed maner God shal blind their eies that they shal not espie you,* 1.115 either get you fauour in their sight, either els graciously deliuer you out of their handes by one meanes or other.

Obey with reuerence al your superiours, vnlesse they commaund idolatrie or vngodlinesse.* 1.116 Make prouision for your housholds, chiefly that they be instructed and taught in the law of God. Loue your wiues euen as your owne selues, & as Christ loued the congregatiō. Loue your chil∣dren, but rate thē not, lest they be of a desperate mind: and

bring them vp in the nurture & information of the Lorde, and teache them euen as the godly parents of Tobie the younger, and Susanna did teach their children, euen from their infancy to reuerence God according to his lawe, & to abstaine from sin,* 1.117 prouiding y^t in no wise they be brought vp in idlenes & wantonnes, seing y^t ye recken your selues to be the children of God, and looke for the life whych God shall geue to them that neuer tourne their beliefe from him.* 1.118 See that ye euer feare God, and keepe his comman∣dements: and though the plague of God chance vnto you, yet remaine yee stedfast in the faith and feare of God, and thanke him and serue hym in such holines and righteous∣nes as are acceptable before him all the dayes of your life. Comfort your selues in all your aduersities, & stay your selues in him, who hath promised not to leaue you as fa∣therles and motherles children without any comfort, but y^t he wil come to you like a most gentle & merciful Lorde. He will continually stand by you in all your troubles, as∣sisting, helping and succoring you at all times. I wil be with you (sayth he) vnto the ende of the world. And clea••e you fast vnto him, which was incarnate▪ liued, wrought, taught, & died for your sinnes: yea rose againe from death, ascended into heauen for your iustification. Repēt ye of the life that is past, and cease from sinne, and from hence forward liue as much time as remaineth in the flesh, not after the lusts of men, but after the will of God. To do good & distribute, forget not. Fast and pray busily, & as euery man hath re∣ceiued the gift, minister the same one to an other as good ministers of the manifold graces of God, that God in all things may be glorified through Iesus Christ, to whome be praise and dominion for euer, and while the world stan∣deth, Amen.

Yours George Marsh.

An other Letter.

* 1.119THe same grace and peace (dearely beloued in Christe) doe I intirely desire and wish vnto you, which the Apostle S. Paule wisheth to all them, vnto whome he did write and send hys Epi∣stles, then which 2. things no better can be wished and desired of God. Grace is throughout all the Epistles of Paule, taken for the free mercy and fauour of God, wherby he saueth vs freely, with∣out any deseruings or workes of the lawe. In like maner peace is taken for the quietnes and tranquillitie of the conscience, be∣ing throughly perswaded that through the only merits of Chri∣stes death and bloudshedding, there is an attonement and peace made betweene God and vs, so that God will no more impute our sinnes vnto vs,* 1.120 nor yet condemne vs.

Dearely beloued, I wil not be negligent to put you alwaies in remembraunce of things, though that yee knowe them your selues, and be also established in the present truthe: notwithstan∣ding, I thinke it mete (as long as I am in this tabernacle) to stirre you vp, by putting you in remembraunce. Wherefore I beseeche you brethren, and exhort you in the Lord Iesus, that ye encrease more and more, euē as ye haue receiued how ye ought to walke and to please God. And as Barnabas that good man, & full of the holy ghost,* 1.121 exhorted the Antiochiās, with purpose of hart, cleaue ye continually vnto the Lord. And stand fast, & be not moued frō the hope of the Gospell, whereof (God be thanked) ye haue had plenteous preaching vnto you these yeares past, by the faithfull Ministers of Iesus Christ, Leiuer, Pilkenton, Bradford, Saunders, and others like,* 1.122 which now when persecution ariseth because of the worde, doe not fall away like shrinking children and forsake the truthe, but are prest and ready for your sakes, which are hys mysticall body, to forsake the chiefe & principall delites of this life, and some of them in geuing place to the outragious tyran∣nie of the world, to forsake their liuings, frends, natiue land, and other chiefe pleasures of this life, and to commit themselues to painefull exile,* 1.123 that if it please God, Christ may come againe out of Egypt. And other some are ready to fulfil their ministerie vnto the vtmost: that is to witte, with their painfull imprisonmentes and bloudshedding (if neede shall so require) to confirme and seale Christes Gospell, whereof they haue bene ministers: and as S Paul sayth: not onely to be cast into prison, but also to die for the name of the Lord Iesus.

Be ye not therefore ashamed of the testimonie of our Lorde Iesus, neither be yee ashamed of vs which are his prisonners, but suffer ye aduersitie with the gospel, for which worde we suffer as euil doers, euen vnto bonds: but the word of God is not bound with vs. Therefore we suffer all things for the elect sake, that they also may obtaine the saluation which is in Christ Iesu, with eter∣nall glory: wherefore stand ye fast in the faith, and be not moued from the hope of the Gospell,* 1.124 and so shall ye make vs euen wyth ioy to suffer for your sakes, and as the Apostle sayeth. To fulfill that which is behinde of the passions of Christ in our flesh, for his bodies sake, which is the congregation. Saint Paul doth not here meane, that there wanteth any thinge in the passion of Christe, which may be supplied by man, for the passion of Christ (as tou∣ching his owne person) is that most perfecte and omnisufficient sacrifice, wherby we are all made perfect, as many as are sanctifi∣ed in his bloud: but these his words ought to be vnderstande of the elect and chosen, in whome Christ is and shall be persecuted vnto the worldes ende. The passion of Christ then, as touching his mysticall body which is the Church, shall not be perfecte till they haue all suffered, whome God hath appoynted to suffer for his sonnes sake. Wherefore stablish your selues and be of good, comfort, & be not mooued in these afflictions, knowing that we are appoynted therunto. For on your partes nothing cā be grea∣ter consolation & inwarde ioy vnto vs in our aduersitie, then to heare of your faith and loue, and that yee haue a good remem∣brance of vs alwaies, praying for vs as we doe for you, as the A∣postle wryteth of the Thessalonians, saying:* 1.125 Nowe are we aliue if ye stand stedfast in the Lorde: for good shepheardes doe alwayes count the welfare and prosperous estate of Christes flocke to be their owne: for while it goeth well with the congregation, it go∣eth wel with them also in whatsoeuer affliction or aduersity they be: but when they see the churche in any pearill or weakenesse, then be they wearie of their owne liues, then can they haue no rest nor ioy. Who is weake, sayeth S. Paule, and I am not weake? Who is offended and I do not burne? But this affection is not in them that seeke their owne luker and glory.

And for asmuch as the life of man is a perpetual warfare vp∣on earth, let vs run with ioy vnto the battell that is set before vs,* 1.126 & like good warriours of Iesus Christ, please him, who hath cho∣sen vs to be soldiors, & not like shrinking children faint and fall away from the truth nowe in time of aduersitie and tribulation, wherewith all that wil liuely godly in Christ Iesu, must be tried, euen as golde & siluer is prooued in the fire,* 1.127 and whereof all the scriptures haue geuen vs so much forewarning For God is wōt for the most part, to warne his electe and chosen what affliction and trouble shal happen vnto them for his sake, not to the entent to fray them thereby, but rather to prepare their mindes against the boistrous stormes of persecution. As we haue a notable exā∣ple in the Apostle S Paule, vnto whome God sent Agabus, who prophecied vnto him of the imprisonment and bandes, that hee should suffer at Ierusalem: In whom we haue also a good example of constancie & stedfastnes, which regarding nothing the teares of his familiar frēds, nor yet the peril of his own life, did through fire & water go on stil to set forth the glory of God; and he being deliuered frō the hands of his vngodly & bloudthirsty enmies, & that so many times, is in cōclusion fain to commit himself to the rough waters of the sea, where he was a long season in great peril & ieoperdy of his own life. But God was alwais (to the great cō∣fort of all that shal heare of it) most ready to help & succor hym. First he did send him a most frendly and swete cōpanye, I meane Aristarchus and Lucas, so ruling the heart of the vnder captaine Iulius, that he courteously intreated him,* 1.128 & gaue him liberty to go to his frendes, and to refresh him selfe, and he was beneficiall vnto him at all times. In like manner was God with Ioseph, and deliuered him from all his aduersities, and gaue him fauoure and wisedom in the sight of Pharao king of Egypt, in so much that he made him Gouernour ouer all Egypt, and ouer all his houshold. In like manner was hee with Ieremie, and Daniel in theyr great troubles, and appoynted men for them in their most troubles, to relieue, succour, and helpe them to their singular comfort.

Also when Peter was in Herodes prison,* 1.129 sleeping betwene 2. soldiours, bound with 2 chaines, and the kepers before the dore keeping the prisone, the same night that Herode had intended to haue brought him out vnto the people the day following, and to haue put him vnto death to please the Iewes withal, as a litle be∣fore he had killed Iames the brother of Iohn with the sword: god sent his angel, and the chaines fell off from Peters hands, and the yron gate opened vnto him by his owne accorde, and so was Pe∣ter wonderfully deliuered by God. For it is the true liuing God that looseth al bandes, and deliuereth out of prison, and not that fained God S. Leonard. On that true God did S. Peter call: vnto him did he ascribe the glory of his deliuerance, saying: Nowe I know of a truth that God hath sent his Angel. &c.

These things are written for our learning, that we through patience and comforte of the scriptures might haue hope. The God of patience and comfort, graūt that we be like minded one towardes an other, after the ensample of Christe Iesu, that we all agreeing together, may with one mouth glorifie God the father of our Lord Iesus Christ.

A poore prisoner for Christ, George Marsh.

An other letter of George Marshe to Robert Langley.

THe grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, & the loue of God, and the fellowship of the holy Ghost be with you good brother in Christe, Robert Langley,* 1.130 & with all them that loue the Lord Iesus vnfainedly. Amen.

After harty commendations to you, w^t thanks for that ye did visite me a prisoner in Christ, & vnacquainted with you, to your costes, this shal be to let you knowe, that yee shall receiue from me mine examination and handling at

Lathum, and the cause of mine imprisonmēt, according as I did promise you: and this ye shal receiue by my brother or some one of the Bradshawes of Bolton w^tin this seuen night, willing you to shew the same to such faithfull mē a∣bout Manchester or els where, as you do take to be fauo∣rers of true religion, and Christes holy word, and then to deliuer it againe. And wheras you did put me in comfort, that if I did want any thing necessary vnto thys life, you with some others, would be bearers with me in this my costly and paineful affliction. I geue you most hearty thankes, and reioyce greatly in the Lord, who stirreth vp the hearts of others to be carefull for me in this my great necessitie. I thanke God, as yet I doe want nothing, and intende to be as little chargeable vnto others (sauing my mother) as I can. If I do want, I wil be bolde wyth you and others, to send for your reliefe and helpe in my neces∣sitie: desiring you in the meane while to pray for mee, and all others in the bondes of Christ: that God woulde per∣forme the thing which he hath begon in vs, that we maye with boldnesse confesse Iesus Christe, and fighte the good fight of faith.

Yours George Marsh.

A letter of George Marshe to a certaine godly frende.

GRace be with you, and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and Iesus the Lord.

After hearty commendations and thankes to you, not only for your large token,* 1.131 but much more for your louing letters, ful of consolation to me as touching my person to you vnknowen: these shall be to certifie you that I reioyce greatly in the Lorde, when I do perceiue how my sweete sauiour Christ doth stirre vp the mindes, not only of my familiar frends in times past, but also of sondry and diuers heeretofore vnto me vnknowne and vnac∣quainted, to beare part with me in this my painfull & costly im∣prisonment, sending me things not onely necessary for thys pre∣sent life, but also comfortable letters, incouraging & exhorting me to continue grounded and stablished in the faith, and not to be moued away from the hope of the Gospell, wherof, according to my small talent I haue bene a minister: and daily I call and crie vnto the Lord, in whom is al my trust, and wythout whom I can do nothing, that he which hath begon a good worke in me, wold vouchsafe to go forth with it vntill the day of Iesus Christ, being surely certified in my conscience of this, that he will so doe, for as much as he hath geuen me, that not only I shoulde beleeue on him, but also suffer for his sake. The Lord strengthen me with hys holy spirite, that I maye be one of the number of those blessed, which enduring to the ende, shalbe saued.

And whereas you say that my suffering of persecution wyth Christ, is a thing to you most comfortable, I make answere that in all mine aduersitye and necessitye, nothing on your behalfe is greater consolation vnto me, then to heare of the faith and loue of others, and how they haue good remembrance of vs alwayes, euen as the Apostle reporteth by the Thessalonians, saying: Now are ye aliue if ye stande stedfast in the Lorde. For my trust in the Lord is, that this my businesse shall happen to the furtherance of the gospel, and that you will be none of those forgetfull and hy∣pocritish hearers,* 1.132 whereof some being but wayside hearers, the deuil commeth and taketh away the woord out of their heartes, least they shoulde beleeue and be saued (but lette praier be made without ceassing by the congregation vnto God for them) and (no doubt) God will to your consolation, gloriously deliuer by one mean••s or other his oppressed. Onely tary ye the Lords lei∣sure: be strong, let your heart be of good comfort, and waite yee still for the Lorde. He tarieth not, that will come, looke for hym therefore and faint not, and he will neuer faile you.

Yours George Marsh.

A letter of a godly brother one Iames Bradshaw, sent to George Marsh in prisone.

GRace and peace from God the father, and the Lord Ie∣su Christ be with you alway.* 1.133 Amen.

We had a letter from you, which is a great cōfort vn∣to vs, to see you take the crosse so thankefully. Trouble & affliction doth prooue, try, instructe, confirme & strengthen the faith, prouoke and stirre vp prayer, driue and force vs to amendement of life,* 1.134 to the feare of God, to mekenes, to patience, to constancie, to gentlenesse, to sobernesse, tempe∣rancie, and to all maner of vertues, and are the occasion of exceeding much good, as wel transitorie as eternal, in this world as in the world to come. There is neither good nor bad, godly nor vngodly, but hee hathe one crosse or other. And although some there be that can shift for a while, and make prouision for thēselues for a time, by craft or subtilty and dissimulatiō, or by some fashion in fellowship (as they call it) yet they bring them selues at length into the highest danger, confusion and shame, both in this world, & in the world to come. And seing that all the troubles and aduer∣sity in this world, are a thousand times more light & easy, yea nothing in cōparison of the eternal fire, which is pre∣pared and already kindled for the vnfaithfull and wicked enemies of God: all faithfull and godly persons ought to beare and suffer their transitorye affliction and aduersitie the more patiently, willingly, and thankfully: considering and remembring all the dearely beloued frendes of God, which were wonderfully vexed & plaged of their enemies Abraham of the Caldeis, Lot, of the Sodomites, Isaac, of Ismael, Iacob of Esau, Moses of his people, Dauid of Saule and of his owne sonnes. As for Iob,* 1.135 he had not a drop of bloud in hys body. Iohn Baptist the holyest that euer was borne of a woman, was without any law, right or reason, beheaded in prison, as thoughe God had kno∣wen nothing at all of hym.

We haue many thousand fellow martyrs and compa∣nions of our miserie and aduersitie, in respecte of whose imprisonment, racking, chaines, fire, wilde beastes, and other meanes, wherwith they were tormented, al that we suffer is but a blast of winde. Therefore nowe who soeuer is ashamed of the crosse of Christ, and agreued therewith, the same is ashamed to haue Christ for his fellow & com∣panion, and therefore shal the Lord Iesus Christ be asha∣med of him againe at the latter day.

Thus I leaue for this time, beseeching you to lette me haue your aduise, because I do not outwardly speake that with my tong, that I do thinke w^t my heart. Pray for me, as I for you. I beseeche the holy Ghost haue you in hys keeping alway. Amen.

By your frend Iames Bradshaw.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A letter of G. Marsh•• to the rea∣der.
• * 1.2

  1. Pet. 3.
• * 1.3

  G. Marsh Curate to Laurence Saunders.
• * 1.4

  The glory of the Church standeth not in out∣ward shewes.
• * 1.5

  A letter of G. Marsh ••o men of Langhton.
• * 1.6

  Actes▪ 11.
• * 1.7

  Luke. 3. Rom. 1.
• * 1.8

  Acte••. 12.
• * 1.9

  Math. 5.
• * 1.10

  True salte 〈…〉〈…〉 the ••••••rupt and ••••sauory ••••lt.
• * 1.11

  Iames. 2.
• * 1.12

  Math. 7.
• * 1.13

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 2.
• * 1.14

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 16.
• * 1.15

  Thes 1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 recea∣•••••• of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be.
• * 1.16

  2. Tim. ••. Actes. 14. Math. 5. Math. 7. Ma••k. 8.
• * 1.17

  Mortification & bearing of the Crosse, ne••ess••∣ry for all them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 will raygne with Christ.
• * 1.18

  2. Thes. 1.
• * 1.19

  Luke. 16.
• * 1.20

  Heb. 12.
• * 1.21

  1. Tim. 2.
• * 1.22

  Iohn. 2.
• * 1.23

  1. Cor 3.
• * 1.24

  Fier in script••••••, what it signifi∣eth.
• * 1.25

  1. Cor. 3. Math. 5. Luke. 6. Math. 3. Psalme. 1.
• * 1.26

  The place of S. Paule. 1. Cor. 3. expounded.
• * 1.27

  1. Pet. 2. 1. Cor. 3.
• * 1.28

  1. Pet ••.
• * 1.29

  Three sortes of Sacrifices of the new testament. Heb. 13. Osee. 6.
• * 1.30

  Rom. 12.
• * 1.31

  Ephes. 3.
• * 1.32

  Math. 14.
• * 1.33

  Exhortation to persist in the word of God, & not to abuse it. 2. Pet. 2.
• * 1.34

  Pro. 26.
• * 1.35

  Math. 13.
• * 1.36

  Heb. 6.
• * 1.37

  The place of the Heb 6. ex∣pounded.
• * 1.38

  Math. 26. Falling from Christ.
• * 1.39

  To crucifie Christ a new what it is.
• * 1.40

  Iohn. 2.
• * 1.41

  Heb. 10.
• * 1.42

  Rom. 1.
• * 1.43

  Wilfull kicking agaynst the opē knowen truth.
• * 1.44

  Sinne vnto death.
• * 1.45

  1. Iohn 5.
• * 1.46

  1. Cor. 10.
• * 1.47

  Apoca. ••2. Math. 24.
• * 1.48

  Rom. 1.
• * 1.49

  Iohn. 8. Phil. 2.
• * 1.50

  Math. 3.
• * 1.51

  The fruiteles figtree. Luke. 13. Math. 1••.
• * 1.52

  Heb. 6.
• * 1.53

  The goo•• ground.
• * 1.54

  Luke. 8.
• * 1.55

  Iames. 1.
• * 1.56

  Math. 13▪
• * 1.57

  The mo•••• part of th•• hearers o•• Gods word are but hipo∣crites.
• * 1.58

  To him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 geuen, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 how••.
• * 1.59

  Example Gods de••••ling with stubbur•• children
• * 1.60

  Heb. 6. Math. 8.
• * 1.61

  Actes. 1••. 2. Tim. ••. 2. Tim. ••.
• * 1.62

  Actes. 1••. The mo•••• preachi•••• with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 followi•••• draweth greater 〈…〉〈…〉 Gods 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.63

  Iames ••••▪ Gala. 5. Tit. 2. Rom. 13 Actes. 5••
• * 1.64

  Ephe. 6▪
• * 1.65

  Iohn. 1••. Iob. 35. Rom. 1••
• * 1.66

  1. Pet •••• Ephe. •••• 1. Tim. ••
• * 1.67

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.68

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 for Sspan•• Math. 5. ••••••bea••ing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 aduersa∣ries.

  ••••tience in 〈…〉〈…〉 & 〈…〉〈…〉 Pet. 1. Actes. 20.
• * 1.69

  This letter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 written 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yeare 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the moneth 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.70

  Actes. 2.
• * 1.71

  An other godly letter of G. Marsh to them of Manchester.
• * 1.72

  Coloss. 2. Phil. 2. 1. Pet. 3. Math. 10. Luke. 11. Aduersaries not to be feared. Gods helpe alwayes rea∣dy with his S••rs••antes.
• * 1.73

  Iosua. 2. Rom. 8.
• * 1.74

  Spirituall cowardly∣nes.
• * 1.75

  Ephe. 6. 2. Cor. 11.12. Actes. 21.
• * 1.76

  A Christian mans lyfe is a perpetuall warfare.
• * 1.77

  The mani∣f••••••e deli∣uerances of S. Paule, be examples ••or our com∣fort.
• * 1.78

  Actes. 18. ••. Tim. 4. Phil. 1.
• * 1.79

  Rom. 15.
• * 1.80

  Heb. 12. Persecution fo∣loweth Christi∣an godlines. 2. Tim. 3.
• * 1.81

  Math. 3.4. Where Christ is Sathan there is alwayes ready. Ephe. 6.
• * 1.82

  Math. 4. The fast of Christ is to vs Example of so∣ber liuing. 1. Pet. 5.
• * 1.83

  Iob. 1.2. When the ser∣uantes of God stand before him Sathan com∣meth also. Math. 8.
• * 1.84

  Ephe. 6. The shield of fayth.

  The helmet of saluation.

  The sword of the spirite.
• * 1.85

  Math. 4. Math. 17.
• * 1.86

  Prayer and fasting.

  True fast what it is.

  How to fast without hipo∣crisie.

  Abuse of fasting among Christi∣ans. Esay. 58.
• * 1.87

  The Iewish ma∣ner of fasting reproued.

  The Christians in superstitious fasting exceede the Iewes. Mercy to the poore.
• * 1.88

  2. Cor. 9. In almes three things required.
• * 1.89

  Marke. 18.
• * 1.90

  2. Cor. 8.
• * 1.91

  Almes without ostentation.
• * 1.92

  Workes of mer∣cy doe not me∣rite with God touching our saluation, any thing. 1. Cor. 4.
• * 1.93

  Math. 26. 〈…〉〈…〉 1. Mach. 4.
• * 1.94

  Continuall prayer.
• * 1.95

  To be faythfull 〈◊〉〈◊〉 temptation.
• * 1.96

  Gene. 22. Gene. 41. Num 25.
• * 1.97

  Iosua· 1. Num. 14.
• * 1.98

  1. Reg. 24. 4. Reg 2.
• * 1.99

  Dan. 3. Dan. 6.
• * 1.100

  Psal. 38. He exhorteth to zeale and courage.
• * 1.101

  Actes 14.
• * 1.102

  4. Esdras. 7.
• * 1.103

  Straite is the way which the elect must walke in.
• * 1.104

  Death is a dore to lyfe.
• * 1.105

  If worldly men ieopard so much for earthly thinges, how much more ought we to ieopard for e∣uerlasting thinges?
• * 1.106

  2. Tim. 2. 1. Cor. 7. 1 Iohn •• Coloss. 3.
• * 1.107

  Doctrine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 good workes.
• * 1.108

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.109

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 1. Da••••ell. 1. ••. Math. 1.
• * 1.110

  Iohn. 4. Iohn 5 1. Tym••. 5.
• * 1.111

  Math. 24.
• * 1.112

  Math. 28.
• * 1.113

  Iohn. 1••••
• * 1.114

  Math. ••▪
• * 1.115

  Phil. 1.
• * 1.116

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.117

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.118

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.119

  An other ••etter of G. Marsh to ••ertayne 〈…〉〈…〉 in the congre¦gation.
• * 1.120

  Grace. Peace, what it is.
• * 1.121

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 exhor∣••eth to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fastnes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Gos∣pell.
• * 1.122

  Leyuer. Pilkenton. ••radford. ••aunders.
• * 1.123

  〈…〉〈…〉 for the ••ospell in ••. ••••ryes 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.124

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.125

  The condition of a true Pastor.
• * 1.126

  A christian mans lyfe is a warfare vpon earth.
• * 1.127

  The Church is' euer forewarned before afflicti∣ons.
• * 1.128

  Actes. 17.
• * 1.129

  Peter deliuered out of prison.
• * 1.130

  An other letter of G. Marsh to Robert Langely, and others.
• * 1.131

  An other letter of G Marsh to to his frend.
• * 1.132

  Wayside he∣re•••• of the worde.
• * 1.133

  A letter of Iames Brad∣shaw to George Marsh.
• * 1.134

  What good af∣fliction worketh in the godly.
• * 1.135

  Exampl•• of holy suffering ••••••fliction.