The speedy passage to heauen. Or A perfect direction for every true Christian, to walke in the right path of true holinesse for the sure attaining of euerlasting happinesse. Containing an explanation of the Tenne commandements, the Creede, and our Lords prayer: with diuers other godly prayers both for morning and euening.

CHAP. God by the Ministrie of the Gospell teacheth men to beleeue indeed: the Diuell by com∣mon custome teacheth men to say only that they beleeue.

THE Lord God in Christ did reconcile the world vn∣to himselfe, not charging men with their sinnes, but offering vnto them his mer∣cies. And Christ by his comming and suffering hath abolished all figures and shadowes of sacrifices and Ce∣remonies, ouercomming in déede sinne, death and damnation, and ascending bold∣ly vp into heauen, hath sent downe the holy Ghost to beare witnesse and worke with the Preachers of his Gospell vpon earth, which as faithfull messengers of the Lord earnest∣ly exhort and humbly beséech men in Christ that they would bee reconciled vnto God. Wherefore now after sufficient experience, and triall of all things, and vtter abolish∣ment of such as now might be euill or vn∣profitable,

God the Father of mercie and pittie, through the merits and meanes of Christ his sonne, by the power and presence of the holy Ghost, euer working and wit∣nessing with the Ministers of the Gospell, doth so moue and dispose, purifie and sanc∣tifie the hearts and mindes of men, as tea∣cheth and causeth them by faith to flie dan∣gers of damnation deserued by their owne déeds, vnto assurance of saluation in Christs merits.

They be taught to beléeue in God, by the Sonne, the Spirit, the Word, and messen∣gers of God.

I doe not meane that they be taught, on∣ly to say, I beléeue as the Church doth, or only to say the summe of a good beléefe in an vnknowne language, but that as God by the Minister of his word and power of his Spirit teacheth so their hearts and mindes conceiue, their mouths confesse, and the fruits of their charitable workes bée agréea∣ble in such wise, as euery one of them most truely and comfortablie doth thinke, and may say with the holy Catholike Church,

I beleue in God the Father Almightie,

maker of Heauen and earth.

I which was by nature a child of wrath, borne and liuing in sinne vnder Sathan, in the Kingdome of darknesse, now of grace through the holy Ghost, by the immortall séede of Gods word, being new begotten, and new borne vnto the Kingdome of God, Doe beleeue as certainely as of most sure ground, and as throughly as of best triall and experience, I doe know and trust in God the Father Almightie, that God which is all goodnesse in himselfe, hath of his Fa∣therly loue, and Almightie power, made me his good creature, and deare childe, so that he will for euer bee a gratious God and lo∣uing Father vnto me, which is the maker of Heauen and Earth, which hath created, and made, and doth rule and order, all things in Heauen and Earth vnto his honour, and glorie, and vnto my comfort and commodi∣tie. For as he being the Lord ouer all, hath declared himselfe to bee a Father vnto mée, by his promise, so I am sure of the inheri∣tance of all, being his childe by faith.

And in Iesus Christ, his only Sonne, our Lord.

I haue good knowledge by sure trust in Iesus the Sauiour of his people from their sinnes, that I shall be saued from my sin, and from all euils through Christ the annoin∣ted King, Priest, and Prophet, that I shall be Christian, that I shall be annointed with grace of Christs Spirit, to be partaker of the kingly Priesthood, and godly wisdome of Christ, that in such holinesse, righteous∣nesse, and godlinesse as is acceptable afore him, I may offer the sacrifice of my selfe, in seruing him all the daies of my life, and haue the crowne of glory, with him in his king∣dome, in the kingdome vnto the which hee hath redéemed vs, that is of nature and sub∣stance vnto God his onely sonne, making vs his brethrē and Gods children by grace and adoption, so that we must take him to be our Lord, obeying the authoritie, learning the doctrine, & following the exāple of him, as of our only gouernour, Schoolemaster & Pastor

Which was conceiued by the holy Ghost, borne of the Virgin Mary.

Which in taking by the holy Ghost (of a pure virgine) our flesh vpon him, hath puri∣fied vs from our sinnes, to be sanctified in his righteousnesse.

Which suffered vnder Pontius Pilate.

Suffered vnder a Iudge the iudgement of death due for our sinnes, to purchase for vs of God his father, the reward of his righ∣teousnesse, and to giue vs example and grace to follow his obedience.

He was crucified.

Bearing the curse of the law to get and giue vnto vs the blessing of grace, he

Died, and was buried.

So that now our bodies and minds with him should bee mortified and buried from sinne, and not die and be damned in sinne. For he

Descended into hell.

He suffered all extremitie, that we should suffer no more than wee might bee able to beare, and that no paines nor punishment for sinnes, should be plagues of vengeance to destroy vs, but rather corrections of fa∣therly loue to amend vs.

The third day he rose againe from the dead.

The day and time appointed and afore {pro}hesied with victory ouer hell, death, and damnatiō, he rising from the dead, did make death a readie and spéedie passage for vs vn∣to life, teaching and strengthening vs, to rise forth of sinne, and walke in newnesse of life, after him that

Ascended into heauen, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Al∣mightie.

And like as the Sunne at midday, so he in bodily presence lift vp from the earth in∣to heauen, there in glory of Gods maiestie abiding, doth from thence shine, and shew his vertue and goodnesse by the power of his spirit most presently, and comfortably, vnto all creatures in euery place vpon the earth, as he ascended bodily into heauen to reple∣nish all things, euen so in the whole bodie

From thence he shall come to iudge the quicke and the dead.

From heauen whither as he did ascend, in the sight of his Disciples, so from thence in the sight of all men, shall he come, not onely in spirit and power (as he is at all

times in all places) but also in his bodie glo∣rified with maiestie as he is now in heauen, and shall not come from thence, vntill the last day when as all men both dead afore, and liuing then shalbe changed in the twink∣ling of an eye, from mortalitie vnto such state as shall euer continue, either in hell or in heauen, according to the righteous iudge∣ment of Christ, in the which he shall declare and take all vs that be vnfained Christians to be the blessed children and heires of God, with him in that kingdome which could ne∣uer by any works, or merits of any man haue béen deserued or purchased, but only in Christ vnto Christians, of the only gracious goodnes of God, hath for euer béen prepared.

I beleeue in the holy Ghost.

I have knowledge with sure hope in the holy spirit of God, equal with the father and the Sonne, procéeding from the Father and the son, to sanctifie and beautifie Christs Church, that I shall be sanctified from all sinnes, and indued with all good gifts of grace, as God séeth is most necessarie, and expedient for me, to edifie and not to de∣stroy. Yea I beléeue that by him all good

creatures be sanctified, and made holy vnto all godly men, & that without him there can be no holinesse, nor nothing holy vnto any man. For it is onely the holy Ghost, in the heart and mind of man, that sanctifieth, that maketh, and kéepeth pure and holy.

The holy Catholicke Church.

I know and thinke assuredly, that I and all Christians, be one Church, one congre∣gation, in such vnitie of liuely faith, which worketh by charity, as doth euer kéep vs to∣gether as members of one bodie in Christ, although we be farre a sunder by reason of diuers times and places in the world, & by the holy Spirit, Word, and Sacraments of God in this Church, is such holinesse as doth euer striue and preuaile against vngod∣linesse, such holinesse as is the continuall purging of men from their sinnes, to furnish and garnish them with godly righteousnesse in Christ. This Church or congregation is so Catholicke, so made one of many, so made one misticall body in Christ of many men in all places, as is one mans naturall body of diuers members, euery one seuerally hauing

their owne places and proportions, and all together ioyned accordingly in one bodie of one person.

And so, the communion of Saints.

The vnitie of them that be sanctified, re∣déemed, and deliuered from the seruice of the diuell, the flesh, and the world to glori∣fie God in holinesse, and righteousnesse, is, by Christ, and in Christ a common comfort and commoditie vnto all them, of euerie thing that is good or profitable vnto any of them, which although many times they can not be séene, and perceiued of worldly men, nor well knowne one vnto another, yet be∣ing all of one faith, be euer altogether afore God in one minde as members of one body, to haue communion, comfort and commo∣ditie euery one with all other in Christ their head. And as it was said, they haue Moses and the Prophets, let them heare them: so haue we alwaies in this holy Catholicke Church the foundation of the Prophets, and Apostles, Christ being the head corner stone, albeit not their persons in bodily pre∣sence, yet their examples of liuing, and truth of doctrine in their writings, so that euer

therein we may see and perceiue that face and fashion of the holy Catholicke Church, which God hath ordained, to be so shewed, as most expedient and sufficient vnto all men, at all times, in all places.

The remission of sinnes.

In this Church of Christ, and company of Saints, I know and receiue freely by faith forgiuenesse of sinnes, which be so great and grieuous debts, as do deserue death & dam∣nation: and as the least of them could neuer haue béene discharged, but only by the pre∣cious passion and oblation of Christ once for all.

The resurrection of the bodie.

I know and looke that our bodies by sinne of man, deseruing death to decay in corrup∣tion, shall by the might and merits of Christ by raised to receiue glory and immortalitie.

And life euerlasting.

And finally that bodies and soules in ioy and glory, shal liue for euer in the kingdome of God, when as we shall receiue our inhe∣ritance with Christ, in whom according vn∣to

Gods promises and our faith, all these things be most sure and certane, that is to say Amen. So be it.

NOw thus beléeuing and comparing the kingdome of heauen with the plea∣sures of Paradise, and the holinesse of rege∣neration with the purenesse of creation, I finde and féele how that I do get more, and better by faith in Christ, than that which I did loose sinne in Adam. Yea I haue a good vnderstanding and comfortable experience, how that God hath concluded all men vn∣der sinne, to be mercifull vnto all, how that the Scripture truly describing and decla∣ring the righteousenesse of God, and the sin∣fulnes of man, hath concluded al men vnder their owne sins, that righteousnesse which commeth of the faith of Christ, mighthe gi∣uen vnto the beléeuers: how that through the righteousnesse of the law, & infirmities of mans flesh God doth make great abundance of sin to appeare in all mans déeds and deser∣uings that more abundance of grace might be granted & giuen by the merits of Christ vnto all that receiue & beleeue the Gospell. O blessed be God for y^e gift of this beliefe, by

the which he maketh the losse of the plea∣sures of Paradise through mans sin to serue vnto the inheritance of the kingdome of hea∣uen by Gods grace. And the sinfull sores in mans conscience to be comfortable signes and tokens of sauing health by Christs Phi∣sicke and medicines. And all daungers, plagues, and vengeance for sin in the world to driue men to assurance of health & wealth by faith in the Lord.

There can nothing be so sure and certain as this faith, which commeth by hearing of Gods word, which is the worke of Gods Spirit, which is confirmed by the life, doc∣trine, and death of all that euer were Pro∣phets, Apostles, Euangelists, and Martyrs to teach and witnesse Gods truth. For this faith is not onely a knowledge of the grace, mercy & goodnesse of God, but also an assu∣rance of y^e same vnto mans selfe by the word and spirit of God. So that it is the ground-worke and stay of all good hope, the argu∣ment and euidence of all such mysteries, as be hid, and couered from worldlings, to be referued and reuealed only vnto Gods chil∣dren. Therefore any man may eastly learne to speak these words, but the goodnes of God

towards man by these words signified, is such, as cannot be known or perceiued of thē which be of bloud, or of the will of the flesh, or of the wil of man, but onely of them which be borne of God, which be priuiledged by Christ to be the children of God. For this beliefe is not of the fréewell of man, but of the holy Spirit of God, not by kéeping cu∣stomes or traditions of men, but by hearing the word of God, by hearing or reading the glad tidings of the Gospell, in such sort as cannot be reuealed, but onely in Christ of the heauenly father, by the holy Ghost, vn∣to Gods children.

The blind eyes of witty worldlings, in séeking for worldly weath, and con∣temning Gods word, can sée, and finde in déede nothing but the wrath and ven∣geance of God in all things, and espe∣cially in sicknesse, plagues, warres, and losse of any lands or goods: but the cleare eyes of faithfull Christians, by the light of the Gospell, séeking the kingdome of God, and the righteousnesse thereof, in all things, and especially in losse of goods, or suffering any paines, do euer sée the mercifull pitie, and tender loue of their heauenly father al∣waies

kéeping them vnder the rod of cor∣rection, and the crosse of persecution as his most deare children.

All Iewish persons will haue such a Mes∣sias, as shall make them Princes and Pre∣lates in a worldly kingdome: faithfull Chri∣stians haue the Sonne of God their Lord and Sauiour, which hath bought & brought them from this world, to be a holy people and kingly Priesthood, vnto God in his hea∣uenly Hierusalem.

The crosse, the passion and death of Christ is an offence vnto all such, as be delighted and drowned in Iewish ceremonies and su∣perstition, and a foolishnesse vnto such as glory in gréekish learning and wisedome: but for all faithful Christians which beléeue the Gospell of the same crosse, death, & pas∣sion, it is the power of God vnto their euer∣lasting rest and saluation.

Grosse idolaters doe boldly and blindly imagine a presence of God in imagerie, or vnder the forme of some manner of bodie, to be kept and honoured of them, according vnto their phantasie: but the cleare light of y^e Gospel, doth euidently vnto the faithful shew Emanuel, him which is God with vs, so that

they most comfortably sée by faith, Christ God and man, so in his naturall bodie glori∣fied in heauen, that in power of his spirit, with the ministers of his word, and mem∣bers of his misticall bodie vpon earth, he is alwaies present amongst men, bestowing such gifts of his grace vpon them, and recei∣uing such honor, thanks, and seruice of them as may be most for his honour and glory, and their comfort and commoditie.

Voluptuous Epicures be alwaies weary of the time present, and void of all good hope of that which is to come: but faithfull Chri∣stians chéerfully bestow their time in ho∣nest godly studie, labours, and exer∣cise, with most comfortable hope and de∣sire of Christ to come in maiestie, to receiue them into his eternall ioy and glorie.

Coniurers and charmers doe imagine such a vertue to be in their words and wa∣ters, circles, and crosses, breathings and blessings, as should powre abundance of ho∣linesse, into any thing which pleaseth them, yea as could force the diuell from hell, and God from heauen, to appeare vnder some likenesse presently vnto them: faithfull Christians by Gods word do learne & know

how that the holy Ghost by faith in Christ, doth purge mens harts from all vngodlines, and replenish them with such gracious good∣nesse as sanctifieth them and all things, as causeth them with all manner of Gods good creatures, euer to serue God in holinesse and righteousnesse, without any presump∣tion or desire to coniure eyther God or the Diuell.

Superstitious hypocrites, can sée no face of that Church which they wil cleaue vnto, but in solemne shew of ceremonies, and pompe of Prelates; faithfull Christians do euident∣ly see in the holy Scriptures, such a founda∣tion of Prophets and Apostles ioyned vnto Christ the head corner stone, as is most ne∣cessary, commodious, and sufficient for them, in faith, doctrine, and conuersation, to be framed, ioyned and made members and partes agréeable vnto that head and foundation. They see by faith that face of Christs Church, which God by his word hath shewed to the faithfull.

Desperate persons can neuer trust, nor desire of God forgiuenesse of sinnes, resur∣rection of their bodies, nor life euerlasting. But faithfull Christians, by glad tidings

of the Gospell, he taught and encouraged, to desire and beléeue that their sinnes shall be vtterly abolished, their bodies from corruption and death changed and raised, that they themselues vnto the Image of God in Christ reformed, may in life euerla∣sting with Christ be glorifyed.

For in the light of the Gospel of Christ, is the vncouered face of Christ, the euident ex∣ample and doctrine of Christ, so shewed to be séene, as doth transforme the faithfull be∣léeuers into the same Image of godlinesse, which is in Christs doctrine and conuersa∣tion, as doth moue and make men to put of old Adam, that they may become new crea∣tures in Christ. So they be taught of the fa∣ther to know the sonne, they be drawen of the father to come vnto the sonne, they be transformed from the custome and trade of this world, to be framed and fashioned like vnto the sonne of God, as vnto the head cor∣ner stone of a spirituall house, of a holy tem∣ple, to offer spirituall sacrifices acceptable vnto God, to offer as Paul teacheth the Ro∣mans, their owne bodies a sacrifice holy, liuely, and acceptable vnto God, and as Paul calleth the charitable bestowing of the

Philippians goods, odors of swéet sauour acceptable Sacrifices pleasant vnto God. So that faith which commeth by the Gospel maketh mens bodies and minds, lands and goods, and all that they haue to be sanc∣tified, sacrificed, and offered vnto God. For the Gospell teacheth how that God ordai∣neth and giueth all things vnto mans com∣fort & commoditie, & how that men should do all thinges vnto Gods honour and glory.

So by the Gospell all holinesse and godli∣nesse, all gracious goodnesse, all true trea∣sures and riches, be giuen abundantly vnto man, and all honour and seruice, all thanks and praise be rendred duly vnto God. But vnto all manner of men lacking the light of the Gospell, all manner of things bee vn∣profitable, yea all their owne doings be abhominable afore God, and damnable vnto themselues. For nothing can be good or profitable vnto man which doth offend and displease God. Nothing can please God without faith in Christ, and it is vn∣possible to haue faith in Christ, and not to haue the Gospell of Christ.

Therefore it was very necessarie and ex∣pedient, that afore the cleare light of the Gos∣pell

did fully shine vnto the world, that the experience of other things should bee well tried and knowne in the world.

For such is the good ordinance of God, to vse all manner of meanes, to bring men from vaine hope in any other thing vnto sure faith in Christ onely, which commeth by hearing of Gods word according vnto Christs Gospell.

For of all the good creatures of GOD, and of the habilitie of fréewill, man had sufficient experience in Paradise, afore there was any infirmitie, and corruption of na∣ture by reason of sinne. And afterwardes the promises made vnto the Fathers, the Law giuen by Moses, with all Sacrifices and Ceremonies in the Tabernacle, and in the Temple, did serue for a season to make men mindfull and desirous of the comming and Kingdome of Christ, which should per∣forme the promise and satisfie the Law, beautifying his Church with such cleare light of the Gospell as should vtterly abol∣lish all shadowes, and figures of sacrifices and Ceremonies, with the Tabernacle and the Temple. And Christ himselfe did in body depart from the Earth to bée glorified

in Heauen: so as by sending from thence the holy Ghost was most expedient for men, to haue Christ in Spirit alwayes present with them vpon earth. So therefore after all other good things as the last, and the best, God hath thus, in the end of the world, set vp the Kingdome of Christ with the cleare light of his Gospell, and comfortable pre∣sence of his Spirit.

Séeing therefore that man in Paradise a∣mongst all Gods creatures, hauing a pure nature. did not then by the hability of his frée will, nor by the goodnesse of other crea∣tures continue and stand in vprightnesse: he should not imagine that now in the vani∣ties of this world, and infirmities of his flesh being drowned in sinne, hee can find any thing able to raise him vp vnto righteous∣nesse. Also it is a cruell thing, by the heauie yoke of the Law, to force men through feare to fall into desperation, which should by the libertie of the Gospell bée allured of loue to walke in the way of saluation. And it is a perilous presumption of man, with grie∣uous offence against God, and a great ble∣mishing of the Gospell, to renew the same, or deuise any other such like Sacrifices or

Ceremonies as God hath now once aboli∣shed by the light of the Gospell. And final∣ly there can be nothing more contrarie vnto the truth of God, and the comfort of man, then to imagine any bodily presence of Christ vpon earth with men, vnto whome hee said it was expedient, that hee should depart from them, for else the holy Ghost the com∣forter should not come vnto them. But if I depart, saith Christ, I will send him, and he when hee commeth shall reproue the world of sinne, of righteousnesse, and of iudge∣ment: but hée shall comfort you, and hee shall remaine with you. For behold through his power, and presence, you preaching the Gospell haue mée alwaies with you, in all times and places euen vnto the end of the world.

Thus therefore it is euident, how that al other thinges did serue in other times and places, so that now remaineth vnto vs on∣ly the Gospell of Christ, with such spiritual presence of Christ, as is the power of God vnto the saluation of all that doe beléeue. For all that doe beléeue the Gospell, bee made children of God to inherite his hea∣uenly Kingdome, members of Christs my∣sticall

body, to bee liuely stones of an holy Church and Temple garnished not with Gold, Siluer, Copper, or Colour, in Car∣uings or Payntings to please the eyes of men: but with holinesse and righteousnesse acceptable afore God. The goodly costly or∣naments and deckings of the Tabernacle of Moses, of the Temple of Salomon, curiously wrought by the handes of cunning worke∣men, serued but for a season, and could no longer continue either to please God, or pro∣fit man. But faith which worketh by chari∣ty, and is in hearing of the Gospell wrought in the heartes and mindes of men by the in∣spiration of the holy Ghost, with beautifull fruites of charitable workes, shall alwaies shine and set forth the glorie of God in the Church of Christ: for Christs Church is the elect kindred, the Kingly Priesthood, the holy assembly, & the peculiar people, which God hath called out of darknesse, vnto his merueilous light, for to shew and set forth his vertues.

They bee surely built vpon the foundati∣on of the Prophets and the Apostles, fast framed vnto the head corner stone, Christ, in faith euer working and fashioning them

by charitie, so conformable vnto the exam∣ple & doctrine of Christ set forth by the Pro∣phets, Apostles, and Euangelists, that all diuellish deceitfulnesse in the world can nei∣ther blinde, nor bring them to mistake, and forsake their Lord and Sauiour Christ, and his holy Catholike Church: for they in faith doe euer sée the face of Christ, and the forme and fashion of Christs Church in holy scrip∣tures, euen so as God by his word doth suf∣ficiently shew to bée séene, knowne and re∣uerenced of all men at all times, and in all places.

But such men as care not for the Scrip∣tures cannot clearely sée or know any thing that is good and godly, but boldly and blind∣ly in all things misiudge, mistake, and mis∣like Christ, and his holy Church, according vnto the common custome, and mans fonde imagination. For when as they will not learne to vnderstand and know the truth, by the word of God, then they doe deserue to be deceiued with lies, by the craft of the Diuell, in learning such sayings, as lacketh all knowledge and vnderstanding. What knowledge or vnderstanding get they which learne to say, that they doe beléeue as the

Church teacheth? and bée taught to say and confesse their beléefe in a strange language? when as they say, I doe. beléeue as the Church teacheth; and the Church teacheth, them that vnderstand no Latine to say, Cre∣do in Deum, Patrem omnipotentem &c. Surely in such sayings they learne to vn∣derstand and perceiue nothing, but take whatsoeuer commeth by the craft of the Di∣uell into their imagination so highly, that they will neuer humble themselues to bée taught of Gods Spirit, by Gods word tru∣ly. For there is no lesson that liketh and pleaseth them so well, as the lesson of that Doctor which saith, Say that thou beléeuest as the Church doth, and my soule for thine. Oh what it auaileth a man to say wordes, the which he doth nothing perceiue in mind, nor declare in déedes, or who is able in hea∣uen or Earth to pay the price, or gage the pledge of mans soule, but onely Christ the sonne of God. Take heed: for the falling of their Doctor or Teacher into the dungeon of damnation is no excuse for them that wil∣fully follow a blinde guide. They are wil∣full and blinde, which refuse the Gospell of God and follow the doctrine of men. They

deserue to bée damned for follwing a blinde guide, whch will not bee taught the Chri∣stian beléeue but in such a tongue as they can vnderstand neuer a word: which will not bée perswaded to beléeue the holy Ca∣tholike Church, but in such sort as they shall neither beléeue nor know the Gospell of Christ. For they which learne by the Gospell to know Christ and beléeue in him. haue a liuely faith working by charitie, not of selfe-loue séeking by their owne merits to saue themselues, or to haue vaine glorie, but knowing and beléeuing that they bee sa∣ued wholy by Christs merits only, of a pure loue towardes God and their neighbour, without any trust or looking vnto the wor∣thinesse of their owne déedes, they bee ear∣nestly bent vnto good workes to the glorie of God, and the profit of all men.

Thou that lackest the light of the Gos∣pell, maist say, that thou beléeuest as the Church doth, and yet thinke in thy heart that thou by thy good déedes maist be saued: yea that thou wouldst not doe good déedes, but that thou beléeuest by them to winne heauen, and so trusting to win heauen by thy good workes, which the truth of the Gospell

teacheth cannot be purchased but by Christs bloud, and doing all thy workes for loue of thy selfe, without pure loue of God and thy neighbor, albeit thou say vnto men, that thou beléeuest as the Church doth, yet afore God thy heart and mind is void of Christian faith and godlycharitie, and farre from any true loue of Christ and his Gospell.