Exhortatio. I.: The first exhortation of H.N. to his children, and to the famelye of loue. by him newlye perused, and more distinctlye declared. Translated out of Base-almayne into English.

The XI. Chap.

A good Exhortation / wherwith H. N. infourmeth his Children / and the Fainelie of Loue / and teacheth them to the good and louelye Life of Peace. Which Ex∣hortation is also verye profitable and conuenient for all Howse-fathers / in the Commialtie of the Loue / for to vse and unpsoy the same to the Seruice and good Docu∣ment of their Children or youagons. [ A]

MY louinge Children / and thou Famlie of Loue:a 1.1 geeue-eare to mee / your Father / and lyue accordinge to my Doctrine / that it may go-well with you. Forb 1.2 the Lorde will haue the Father honoured of the Children: And what the Mother biddeth or comaun∣deth the Children to doo / that will hee haue kept.

2. For-that-cause / encline your Earesc 1.3 to the Woordes of my Mouth / and bowe your Vnder∣standing

to my Information. Geeue alwayes care to your Father.d 1.4 And looke also that yee contemne not your Mothers Counsell and Information. Take-heede to my Doctrine. And all what I {reversed ;}out of Loue; doo setfourth / teach / and exhort you vnto / that print{reversed ;} to a Seale of Life / or a Witnes of the Trueth; in your Heartes. For ite 1.5 is your Life.

3. Feare the Lorde / the almightief 1.6 God / which hath made Heauen and Earth. Pratse his Excel∣lentie:g 1.7 and geeue all Laude / Praise / and Honour / vnto his holie Name. For Hee is a God of all Life / eauen a God which geeueth you the Spirit orh 1.8 Breath.

4. Haue therfore now a Lust {reversed ;}with all your Heart; to serue the same God / and to do his Will. And although yee knowe not his Excellentie / ne∣ther-yeat can confesse Hym {reversed ;}as hee is a God; ac∣cordinge to his Cleernes / yeti 1.9 set your confidence {reversed ;}neuerthelesse; on Hym: and hope alwayes vpon his Goodnes.

5. [ B] O My Children in the Loue / submit your Soules vnder thek 1.10 Counsell of the Wisdom: and be not / in any-case;l 1.11 obstinate / as is the wicked Nature of the corrupt World: but receaue my Doctrine in Lowelynes / To thend that the Wis∣dom / with her verteous Nature of the Lone / may be∣comm 1.12 planted in you with Meekmindednes.

6. And therfore / To thend that yee maye inherit these holie Treasures of the godlie Riches / so geeue∣ouer all your Will and Counsell / in the Will and Counsell of the Priestes ؛your Elders{punctel}. For then Infourme or direct you to the same Life of Righte∣ousnes: and are seruiceable to you {reversed ;}with the godlye

Documentes; therunto.

7. For-that-cause / see that yeen 1.13 loue the Priestes / your Elders / as your owne Soule: and beo 1.14 obe∣dient vnto them / in their Teachinge and Orders. Contend norp 1.15 murmure not against them: nether-yet deale or behaue yourselues towardes them / in any Hipocrisie orq 1.16 Doublenes of heart: but let all your Counsaties / Enterprises / Purposes / Will / and deedes (whether they be then secreator manifest) ap∣peere {reversed ;}at all tymes; naked and baret 1.17 before your El∣ders.

8. After this maner {reversed ;}my beloued Children; let all your Conuersation or Walkinge / bes 1.18 in the Feare of the Lorde: and consent {reversed ;}in no-case; to the Euell / at any tyme.

9. Also / keepe not companye with the Craftie and Wicked / that yee becom not seduced by them / to cōmit anything that is vnlawfull / t 1.19 or to vse any inordinate∣dealinge with them: nor-yet likewise enterprise you by your-selues / the doing of any vncombly thinge: but indeuour you to order your Life and Walking / v 1.20 ac∣cording to the Lawe of the Lorde / like-as it becometh the Children which feare God / for to do.

10. Take alwayes good-heede to yourx 1.21 Thoughtes / that they at no tyme conceaue anyey 1.22 Newes / or ap∣plye them to the studye of any new Inuention: but holde them in the Bridle / accordinge to the Lawe of the Lorde: and keepe-well your Heartes / from thez 1.23 intisinge Sinne.

11. [ C] O Yee Children / younge of yeares / and yee Youngmen of little Vnderstanding / geeue-eare to the Wisdoma 1.24 and Doctrine of your Father: and take his Instruction to heart.

12. Flee from the vaiue or vnprofitable Thinges of theb 1.25 wicked World: and seyerate you from thence / where men deale with falshod and deceit. But haue re∣garde to the Instructions and Intelligence of the godlie Vertues: and growe-vpp eauen so / till vnto thec 1.26 Oldnes of the holye Vnderstandinge.

13. COnsider also on the olded 1.27 Wayes of the holie Fathers / and take you their Doctrine to heart: and dispise not their Institutions. but perse∣uer firmelie therin / So shall yee then bide well defend∣ed / from all the Seducingee 1.28 of the false Teachers / and from all New-inuentions of Men (which di∣uide and intangle them selues in so manifolde Secies or Schysmes): and lyue {reversed ;}without Feare; in the vp∣right Righteousnes.

14. If yee then applye your Heartes heer-vnto / yee shall bee well preserued from thef 1.29 Snares of the Wicked / and from the Infelicitie of the Vngodlie.

15. FOr-that-cause / seperate you {reversed ;}with whole Heart; from euery-thinge that hath ang 1.30 apparaunce of Euell: and thinke alwayes vpon that which is right and resonable.

16. Let your Fourth-going be inh 1.31 stillnes / with fewe Wordes: and occupy your Mouthi 1.32 with comd∣lie and fruitfull Talke.

17. Shut without your Heartes / the lightminded Behauiour / k 1.33 with all his Wantonnes and fonde Toyinge: and loue the Constantie.

18. Let your Fearingl 1.34 of the Lord / be inm 1.35 Lowe∣lynes: your Loue toward God / n 1.36 in Humilitie: and your Vnderstanding / o 1.37 in all Singlenes of Heart.

19. Let not the Lyesp 1.38 or Falshod be witnessed or spoken of you: but loue the Trueth and Righteous∣nes

/ with all your Heart.

20. BVt if yee chaunce to offende / in committ∣ing any Misdeede / yet binde not {reversed ;}in any eases your Heart theron:r 1.39 nether-yet feare you or be ashamed / s 1.40 to confesse the same before Godt 1.41 and the Prlestes ؛your Elders{punctel}: but let it all appeere {reversed ;}ap∣parantlie; before Them.

21. Which Discoueringe and Confessinge of your Synnes {reversed ;}with av 1.42 forrowe-bearing and repen∣tant Heart; / shall be a Testymonye on your syde / that yee loue not the Synne / nor-yet destre to stand∣••••••able to her Will.

22. For whosox 1.43 confesseth and leaueth his Miss∣••••ede / hee shall obtayne Mercye:y 1.44 But whoso kec∣••eth-scilence therof / also bindeth his Heart theron / and for-that-cause; couereth or hideth the same / hee is a ••rafty one / and a Deceauer / in his Spirit.

23. IF yee therfore at anytyme fall into the Synne / so sigh vnto God / beseeching hym ••o bez 1.45 mercifull vnto you: [ E] and make-manifest your∣elues to the Wyse ؛a 1.46 your Elders{punctel} vnder the Obe∣dience of the Loue: and bewayle your Transgressing / and Ignoraunce / or Fratltie / So will God then be ••ercifull vnto you.

24. And eauen so {reversed ;}through the Grate of God; ••e Elders in the Communialtie of the Loue / shall receaue or help you vp againe {reversed ;}in the Repentaunce or your Synnes;b 1.47 from your fall of the Sinne / and infourme and teach you / through the Seruice of the ••••••e and gratious Woord / To thend that yee may ••••••ease {reversed ;}with holy Vnderstandinge; in the verteous ••eeinge of the Loue / and so growe-vpp ther-in / to a Strength against the Sinne.

25. Thus doing with singlenes of heart / yee shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 becom chastised / as Disobedientons but much-more commended / as goodwilling Children / which haue a Lust vnto the good Life.

26. For / in the Confessinge of the Misdeede (〈◊〉〈◊〉 such-a-one as {reversed ;}with a sorowfull and repentan•••• Heart; bewayleth and accuseth hymself therof)c 1.48 〈◊〉〈◊〉 becometh Grace founde before God and his Ho••••∣ons.

27. But Such as are euell of will / and houe pleasure in their owne Minde or Goodthinking {reversed ;}which alwayes maketh-vpp itself against the Lord and her vpright Seruice; / and therfored 1.49 hyde the Wickednes / and turne-away themselues from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Communlaltie of the Holyons in the Loue / Then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 well worthy of Chastisement. It shall likewise 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fayle to worke them Woe / when they are founde 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their wicked Woorkes and reprooued or chastised 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the same.

28. Howbeit / not that it shall worke them Wo•••• cause they haue dealt euel or vntustly: but / because 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are reproued or corrected for their Wicked-doinge and that their wicked Heartes become 1.50 made-know•• vnto them. But / whoso humbleth himself 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Correction and Chastisinge-erudition / 〈◊〉〈◊〉 eauen so sheweth Repentauncef 1.51 for his Sinne The same shall obtaine Mercie and Forgeeuence Sinnes.

29. [ F] THerfore {reversed ;}my louinge Children; refuse the chastisinge Erudition: but submit wayes your Heartes / g 1.52 vnder the fatherlie Correct and Discipline / wherwith yee are taught and in••••••∣med / to Ameudment / To thend that yee maye obtake

a pure Heart / in all Loue.

30. And feare not nether-yet be you abashed / to confesse your Sinnes and Transgressions nameite / to the Elders / which are comprehended in the Com∣muntaltie of the Loue / also doo administer the holie Woorde / and infourme and teach you {reversed ;}out of the Seruice of Loue; vnto the good Life.

31. LOue therfore these Elders ؛h 1.53 your Fore∣goers in the Loue{punctel} with all your Heart. And although they setfourth your Sines and Trans∣••••essinge before your Eyes / or make them knowen ••••to you / yet withdrawe not yourselues {reversed ;}for-al-that; ••••om them: but geeue {reversed ;}at all tymes; good eare to ••••it Doctrine and Information. For theyi 1.54 warne ••••ou {reversed ;}out of hartle Loue; of the Waye that leadeth ••••your Destruction.

32. And like-as a Mother is carefull ouer her Children / lest any harme should chaunce vnto them / or ••••y Misfortune com vpon them: Eauen so do then ••••tch and take-eare ouer yourk 1.55 Soules / to your ••reseruation and Saluation.

33. BVt / when-as yee now are holpen-vpp and receaued-to-mercye {reversed ;}to your Amen∣ement; in the Seruice of the Loue / by your Elders brough the Vnderstading of the gratious Woorde; from your Fall of the Sinne:l 1.56 So feare then from that tyme fourth / to synne anye-more: but {reversed ;}at all tymes; inclyne your Heart and Minde / for to be obe∣dient vnto the godly Trueth / in her Seruice of the Loue: and cause not your Elders to sorowe. For an obedient Chyldem 1.57 reioyceth his Father: and is a ••••oye / in the beholdinge of his Mother.

34. [ G] BEholde / this is {reversed ;}assuredlie; a great De∣lectation / to the Elders / and a godlye Peace / for the Youngons and Children.

35. Such a Famelye of Peace / God will blesse / and shyne therin alwayes and for-euer / with hisn 1.58 Light of Loue / as also make hiso 1.59 Dwelling with the same: For It isp 1.60 very-acceptable vnto Hym.

36. Yea to such a godfearing Famelye {reversed ;}vnder the Obedience of the Loue; it is geeuen / toq 1.61 vnderstand Gods secreat Wisedom: and the holye Vnderstand∣inge shall flowe vnto the same.

37. The Fourth-going therof / shall be in all Loue lynes / Felicitie / and Welfare: and God ؛the Most highest{punctel} will alsor 1.62 dwell / lyue / and walke in the same euerlastinglie / according to his Promises.

38. OMy Children / which I loue in the Loue heer-vnto [namelie / vnto all that wher-to I exhort / teach / and instruct you] applye your Heartes / and all your Mindes and Thoughtes 1.63 Exercise you daylye int 1.64 these good Documentes: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 occupye yourselues in the holie Scripture.

39. Glasse your Beeing and Minde / v 1.65 in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Glasse of Righteousnes: and beholde therin / 〈◊〉〈◊〉 manye Spottes and Wrinkels ther are year in 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

40. When yee now hauex 1.66 in seene and perceant your Spottes / and all what is not conformable 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the pure Bryde of Christ: so passe then thorowe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Communialtie of Holyons in the Loue / and haue your communion [or vniforme-societie] with The same and becom eauen so wasshedy 1.67 in her pure Water [namely / in the purez 1.68 Waters of the holy Spirit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Loue] / To thend that yee may becom purified or p••••∣ged / in all your Spirit and Minde.

41. BVt see that yee loue and imbrace the Wisedome / aboue all Treasures and ••••••••able or costliea 1.69 Riches of this World. For ther 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••-maner of Bewtie to be compared vnto her / nor∣••••tauye Treasure orb 1.70 costlie Riches to be valewed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her: Therfore doth Shee {reversed ;}of Worthynes-pare; well it all far-awaye.

42. Seeinge then that the Wisedom ؛the holye Vnderstandinge of the gratious Woorde of the ••orde{punctel} is the bewtifullest / richestc 1.71 / worthyest / and aboue all thinges; the most-pretious / Therfore ap∣proprlate and bind-fast theron / d 1.72 your Heart / Soule / 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Minde / so shall yee then assuredlie finde in expe∣rence / that the Band or the Appropriatinge to the Wisedom / shall becom a great and a true Freedom unto you.

43. For I saye vnto you verely / that thee 1.73 Trueth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ / maketh none other free / but Such as haue ••••powsed or bound-fast their Heartes to the Wisdom the which is the Trueth or Christ hymself]: and that abide eauen so {reversed ;}in the Seruice of the Loue;f 1.74 in her Doctrine. For her Children or Disciples {reversed ;}which per∣••••ere-constant in the Woord of her Doctrine; re∣••••ue and inherit the holyeg 1.75 Spirit of the most-high God. Therfore is also theh 1.76 Spirit of the holy Vnder∣standinge / comprehended in the Wisedom.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Eccli. 3. a
• b 1.2

  Eccli. 3. a EXo. 20. b Ephe. 6. a
• c 1.3

  Pro. 2. a 4.
• d 1.4

  Pro. 1. a 4. a
• e 1.5

  Pro. 4. b
• f 1.6

  Esa. 48. b 51 b
• g 1.7

  Psal. 105.145 Apo. 15. a 19 a
• h 1.8

  Psal. 104. c Esa. 42. a
• i 1.9

  Psal. 37. a
• k 1.10

  Pro. 1. a 3. a Eccli. 6. c
• l 1.11

  EXod. 17. Psal. 59. b
• m 1.12

  Iam. 1. c
• n 1.13

  1. Tes. 5. b 1. Tim. 5. b
• o 1.14

  Heb. 13. c
• p 1.15

  Exo. 16. a Num. 12. a 16. a
• q 1.16

  Eccli. 1. d 2.5
• t 1.17

  Eccli. 4. c
• s 1.18

  Tob. 4. b
• t 1.19

  Pro. 1. a 7. b Sap. 2. a 14. c
• v 1.20

  Psal. 1. a
• x 1.21

  Pro. 4. c. Sap. 1. a
• y 1.22

  Ier. 4. a
• z 1.23

  Heb. 12. a
• a 1.24

  Pro. 2. a
• b 1.25

  4. Esd. 2. d 2. Pet. 1. a.
• c 1.26

  Ephe. 4. b
• d 1.27

  Ier. 6. b
• e 1.28

  Ier. 33. c d Ezech. 13. b
• f 1.29

  Psal. 35. a 57
• g 1.30

  1. Tes. 5. b 2. Timo. 3. a
• h 1.31

  Psal. 37. a Esa. 30. a b
• i 1.32

  Mat. ••a. d Ephe. 4. c
• k 1.33

  Ephe. 5. a
• l 1.34

  Sap. 1. a
• m 1.35

  Mat. 11. c
• n 1.36

  Ecch. 7. b 1. Pet. 5. a
• o 1.37

  Sap. 1. a Mat. 10. b
• p 1.38

  Ephe. 4. c
• r 1.39

  Eccli. 5. a
• s 1.40

  Eccli. 4. c d 17
• t 1.41

  Pro. 28. b Esa. 2.9. b Ier. 23. c 4. Esd. 16. g
• v 1.42

  Ezec. 18. d 33
• x 1.43

  Psal. 32. a
• y 1.44

  Pro. 38. b
• z 1.45

  Luk. 18. a
• a 1.46

  Leui. 13.14. a Mat. 8. a Luk. 5. b 14. a 17 Iam. 5. b
• b 1.47

  Gal. 6. a
• c 1.48

  2. Reg. 12. b Esa. 55. a Ioel. 2. b Ion••e. 2. 3 Mat. 8. b
• d 1.49

  Pro. 1. a 28. b Esa. 29. b 4. Esd. 16. b
• e 1.50

  Act. 7. f
• f 1.51

  2. Reg. 12. b Mat. 3. a Act. 1 d 3 e
• g 1.52

  Pro. 1. e 3. b Heb. 12. b
• h 1.53

  1. Tes. 5. b 1. Tim. 5. b. Heb. 13. b
• i 1.54

  Ezech. 3.33. a
• k 1.55

  Heb. 13. c
• l 1.56

  Eccli. 5. a 21.
• m 1.57

  Pro. 10. a 15
• n 1.58

  Esa. 60. c Apo. 21. a 22 a
• o 1.59

  Iohn. 14. b 2. Cor. 6. b
• p 1.60

  Pro. 8. d
• q 1.61

  Pro. 1. a 2 a Sap. 1. a
• r 1.62

  Lem. 26. b 2. Cor. 6. b Apo. 21. a
• s 1.63

  Pro. 1. a 4. a
• t 1.64

  1. Tim. 4. a
• v 1.65

  Iam. 1. c
• x 1.66

  Iam. 1. c
• y 1.67

  Esa. 55. a Ezech. 36. c
• z 1.68

  Iohn. 4. b 7 d
• a 1.69

  Pro. 3. b
• b 1.70

  Pro. 3. b 8. b Sap. 7. a Mat. 13.
• c 1.71

  Pro. 8. b Sap. 7. a
• d 1.72

  Pro. 4. a
• e 1.73

  Iohn. 8. d
• f 1.74

  Iohn. 14. b 1. a Iam. 1. c
• g 1.75

  Act. 2. a
• h 1.76

  Sap. 7. c