MY dearely beloued in the Lord, as in him I wish you well to fare, so I pray God I and you may continue in his true ser∣uice, that perpetually we may enioy the same welfare, as here in hope so in heauen in deed, and eternally.
You know this world is not your home, but a pilgrimage & place wherein God trieth hys children, and therfore as it know∣eth you not, nor can know you: so I trust you know not it, that is, you allow it not, nor in any poynt will seeme so to doe, al∣though by many you be occasioned thereto. For this hote sunne which now shineth, burneth so sore, that the corne which is sow∣en vppon sande and stony ground, beginneth to wither: that is, many which before tymes were taken for harty Gospellers, be∣gin now for the feare of afflictions to relent, yea to turn to their vomite agayne, thereby declaryng that though they goe from a∣mongst vs, yet were they neuer of vs▪ for els they would haue stil taried with vs, and neyther for gayne nor losse, haue left vs either in word or deed As for their hart (which vndoubtedly is double and therfore in danger to Gods curse) we haue as much with vs, as the Papists haue with them, and more too by their own iudge∣ment. For they playing wily beguile thēse••ues, thinke it enough inwardly to fauour the truth, though outwardly they curry fa∣uour▪ What though with my body (say they) I doe this or that▪ God knoweth my hart is whole with hym.
Ah brother, if thy hart be whole with God, why doest not thou confesse & declare thy selfe accordingly by word and fact? Either that which thou sayest thou beleeuest in thy heart is good or no. If it be good, why art thou ashamed of it? If it be euill, why doest thou keepe it in thy hart? Is not God able to defend thee, aduen∣turyng thy selfe for hys cause? Or will hee not defend hys wor∣shippers? Doth not the Scripture say that the eyes of the Lorde are on them that feare hym, and trust in his mercy? And where∣to? Forsooth to deliuer their soules from death, and to feed them in the tyme of hunger.
If this be true (as it is most true) why are we afraid of death, as though God could not comfort or deliuer vs, or would not, contrary to his promise? Why are we afrayd of the losse of our goods, as though God would leaue them that feare hym, desti∣tute of all good thyngs, and so do agaynst his most ample promi∣ses? Ah faith, faith, how few feele thee now a daye? Full tru••ly sayd Christ, that hee should scarsly finde fayth when he came, on earth. For if men beleued the••e promises, they would neuer do a∣ny thyng outwardly, which inwardly they disallow. No example of men, how many soeuer they bee, or how learned soeuer they be, can preuaile in this behalfe: for the paterne which wee must follow, is Christ himselfe, and not the more company or custome. His word is the lanterne to lighten our steppes, and not learned men. Company and custome are to be considered accordyng to the thyng they allow. Learned men are to be listened to and fol∣lowed according to Gods lore and law, for els the more part go∣eth to the deuill. As custome causeth error and blindnes, so lear∣nyng, if it be not accordyng to the light of Gods word, is poison, and learned men most pernicious. The Deuill is called Daemon for his cunnyng, and the children of this world are much wyser then the children of light in their generation: and I knowe the Deuill and his dearlyngs haue alwayes for the most part, more helpes in this lyfe then Christes Church and her children. They (the deuill and his Synagogue I meane) haue custome, multitude vnitie, antiquitie, learnyng, power, riches, honour, dignity & pro∣motions plenty, as alwayes they haue had, and shal haue cōmon∣ly and for the most part, vntill Christes commyng, muche more then the true church hath presently, heretofore hath had, or here∣after shall haue. For her glory, riches, and honour is not here, her triall, crosse, and warrefare is here.
And therefore (my deare hartes in the Lord) consider these thyngs accordingly. Consider what you be, not worldlyngs, but Gods children. Consider where you be, not at home, but in a strange countrey. Consider among whom ye are conuersant, e∣uen in the middest of your enemies, and of a wicked generation, and then I trust you will not much muse at affliction. Which you cannot be without, beyng as you be, Gods children, in a strange country, and in the middest of your enemies, except you would leaue your captaine Christ, and follow Sathan for the mucke of this mould, rest, and quietnes, which he may promise you, & you in deed thinke you shall receiue it by doyng as hee would haue you to do (my sweete hartes) hee is not able to pay that he pro∣miseth. Peace and warre come from God, riches and pouertie, welth & wo. The Deuil hath no power but by Gods permission. If then God permit hym a little on your goods, body or lyfe, I pray you tell me what can much hurt you (as Peter sayth) you beyng followers of godlines? Thinke you that God will not remember you in his tyme, as most shall be to your comfort? Can a woman forget the chyld of her wombe? And if she should, yet will not I forget thee (sayth the Lord.) Looke vpon Abraham in hys exile & misery, looke vpon Iacob, Ioseph, Moses, Dauid, the Prophets, Apostles, and all the godly from the beginning: and my good brethren, is not God the same God? Is he a chaungeling? You haue heard of the pacience of Iob, (sayth S Iames) and you haue seene the end how that God is mercifull, pacient and long suffe∣ring: euen so I say vnto you that you shall find accordingly, if so be you be pacient, that is, if so be you feare hym, set his word be∣fore you, serue him thereafter, and if he lay his crosse on you, you beare it with pacience: the which you shall do when you consi∣der it not according to the present sense, but accordyng to the end. Heb. 12. 2. Cor. 4.
Therfore I hartily besech you, & out of my bonds which I suf∣fer for your sake, pray you (myne owne sweete harts in the Lord) that you would cleaue in hart and humble obedience to the do∣ctrine taught you by me, and many other my brethren. For wee haue taught you no fables nor tales of men, or our owne fanta∣sies, but the very word of GOD, which we are ready with our lyues (God so inhabling vs, as we trust he will) to confirme, and by the sheading of our blouds in all patience and humble obedi∣ence to the superior powers, to testifie and seale vp, as well that you might be more certaine of the doctrine, as that you myght