An inward speache, vvherevvith Christ dooth comfort the Soule of the sinner, desiringe to liue better. Gathered out of the works of sun­dry holy Writers.

I Loue them (saith Christe) that seeke mee, and my delight is emonge the children of mē. Sic dilexi Mundum, vt in mortem datem animam meam, vt non peri­at, [Page] sed habeat vitam aeternum qui­cunque in me crediderit: I haue so loued the worlde that I gaue my selfe vnto death, that who so euer beleeued in mee, should not perish, but haue euerlasing life.

O thou Soule, O Daughter, I haue laboured, hungred, thir­sted, I haue bene despised, and suffred persecution for thy sake: I am wounded for thine iniqui­tie: I am weried through thy wickednes: I am dead for thine offences, and risen again for thy iustification: the loue whiche I beare to thee, hath forced mee to doo and suffer all these thinges, and to make choyse of thee for [Page] my childe. Wherefore amende thou, and returne to mee, washe thee in the bloud of my wounds, and deck thee with vertues and merites of my life: All these thinges I willingly geue thee, nay rather as a most louing fa­ther offeringe these thinges, I runne to imbrace thee, and re­ceiue thee with imbracinge and kissing, alluring thee to loue me: againe return Daughter and be cleane. Praebe cor tuum mihi, quia praeter hoc aliud abs te non deside­ro. Be sory that thou hast sinned bicause thou hast offended mee, or at the leaste, sorrowe because thou canst not perceiue thy selfe [Page] pensiue, for oft it cometh to passe that it better pleaseth mee, and is more profitable to man, to haue a wil to be contrite and de­uout, then to perceiue contrition or deuocion: Because this con­trarye desire of willing and vn­willinge engendreth affliction of minde. Therfore be sory and angry with thy selfe, yee iudge thy selfe woorthy to be damned, bicause thou hast sinned and art not sory as thou oughtest.

This contrition although it be not sensible, yet it is such, though thou suffer persecution, as will bring thee to health eternall: for I knowe your miserye, your [Page] weaknesse and necessitie, so that in no wise a willing mind ought to dispaire, what soeuer oldenes or coldenesse of conscience he feele. But you wil say, I haue cōmitted innumerable offences: how shall I perticulerly sorrow euery one of them. O my daugh­ter needest thou comfort? let only truthe comfort thee, if thou hast many sinnes, haue also one ge­nerall contrition, in the whiche thou wilte include all and euery offence, so that there be no sinne, whiche (althoughe it came vnto thy minde) wouldest exempte frō thy penitencie, and whiche thou wouldest not eschewe & forsake.

For this generall contrition ex­tendeth it selfe to all and euery offence, yea vnto those whiche thou haste forgotten and canste not remember, neither doo I re­quire that you should necessarily haue for euery offence seuerall contritions, accordinge to the number & māner of your sinnes: for thus I haue spoken of Mary Magdalaine. I haue forgeuen her many offences for that she loued much. I saide not bicause shee loued oftentimes, neither coulde this Magdalaine in so suddaine a compunction be otherwise sory then for all togeather. Thou likewise so be sory for all, that [Page] there be no sinne which may de­light thee, whether generally or particularly it come into thy minde. Sorrow not out of mea­sure, nor suffer suche imaginaci­ons and fantasies take place, as though I were so angry that I woulde not be pleased, pardon, nor receiue thee againe into fa­uoure, for these are the suggesti­ons of the wicked Serpente, wherwith he indeuoreth to train thee to desperation, whose cus­tome is in the beginninge of his illusions to plucke the remem­braunce of me from their harts, to promisse my mercie to them that sinne, and confirme the secu­rity, [Page] boldnesse, obstinacie, of an vngodly will, but afterwardes finding them declining, and that they wil forsake him (if by other meanes he cannot procure them to euil) he setteth vpon the weak and fearefull mindes with the assault of desperatiō, he perswa­deth to vnbeliefe, he telleth them that euill custome cannot be o­uercom, he feareth them with the greatnes of their sinnes cōmit­ted, and like a liar telleth, that I will not forgeue sinne. But thou, my Daughter, beleeue him not whatsoeuer thou feelest, fall not into desperation. This con­trition sufficeth that it pitieth [Page] thee of mine anger, wishing thou haddest not transgressed: and de­terminest not to sinne any more. But if thou doo erre, yet rise a­gaine, yea againe with harty re­pentaunce, purpose to sinne no more: if thou fall the third time, yet rise againe, if the fourthe or fift time, yea lastly if thou fal se­uenty times seuen times, so oftē returne to mee and I will re­ceiue thee. Is it not better that I should receiue thee, then lose thee, together with all my la­bours and paines which for thy redemption I haue suffered? let nothing O Daughter call thee away, O Daughter let nothinge [Page] keepe thee from mee, which arte redemed with my bloud: though thou haue geuen thy selfe to the Diuell, denied mee an hundreth times, taken my name in vaine, spitte at me, slaundered my holy woorde, onely be sorye from thy harte that thou hast donne this, and I will forgeue thee. Lette no offence be so greate in thine eies, that it pluck away the hope of pardone, no sinne so ponde­rous, that it mai be able to ouer­come my mercie, I make no dif­ference, whether frō fewe or ma­ny sinnes I deliuer thee: all haue neede of my mercie, whiche floweth aboundauntly to euerie [Page] man faithfully askinge it. Thy wickednesse cannot exceede my mercy, the more thou hast sinned y ^e more willingly I forgeue thee being per [...]tent: for the greater the sinner is, on whom I bestow my compassiō, so much the grea­ter is my glory, I am not hard nor sparinge, but liberall and bountifull to thee (my Daugh­ter) if thou only haddest commit­ted all the offences that be, and I forgeue them, my mercie is no whit the lesse. There is perad­uenture some other thinge that feareth thee, yet when thou wert ouerpressed w ^t sin, that whiche y ^u diddest then willingly commit [...]e now against thy wil art compei­led [Page] to beare, whatsoeuer vnwil­lingly thou sufferest, shall not damne thee, nor spoyle thee, of my grace for sin muste be so vo­luntary, that if it be not volun­tary it is no sinne: bridell there­fore thy will from consentinge, and then suffer the Fleashe and the Diuell to rage, and though by thy former life and conuersa­tion, thou hast deserued yll, yet because thou truely repentest therof, and dooste studie to liue better, thou shalte not be guiltie of that thou sufferest, so thy will consent not. And if at any time the diuel suggest thee with blas­phemous or cursed thoughtes a­gainst [Page] me and my Holy ones, be not therfore troubled or fainte harted. For so long as thou hast not voluntarily erred, or perfor­med consente, thou dooest rather suffer then do offence, whē these things bring thee rather heaui­nesse and affliction, thē delights, they are no way to be feared, but I suffer thee to feele them, and they to molest thee, that tho [...] mightest be rather therby de [...] ­led. Therfore truly the Diuel stirreth vp those thinges that whilest thou go aboute to resiste them, thou mightest be hindered and letted from the taste of my loue: and beinge so muche a­stonied, [Page] fearest to come to mee.

For he reioyceth whē thou wal­lowest in doubts, and troubles: but thou Daughter, feare no such thinge: looke not towarde them: answeare them not: striue not against them, nor take any heede to them. But rather as one vntroubled, goe forwarde in thy exercise, passing by, and con­temning suche chaunces, as the barking of dogs, and hissinge of geese. For if thou wouldest re­newe, dispute, feare, and descusse them, thou dooste alwaies more printe them in thy minde, and tangle thy selfe in greater trou­ble. The penitent Soule, af­ter [Page] it hathe taken somme know­ledge and taste of my goodnesse, considering that I am so good, and so mercifull: and finally that I am so slow to impute sin, that I do not onely pardō it, but also receiue him into my fauour and freendshippe, as though he had neuer sinned: I comfort him and bestowe on him guiftes.

Thus whilest the afflicted con­science dooth meditate, yea euen of his fall, I say, he getteth to him self a great occasion of fer­uentnesse, and thankfulnesse to­wardes mee: a farre greater oc­casion of hatred and displeasure towards him selfe, whilest he ri­gorously [Page] accuseth his owne fol­lie, for despisinge mee a God so mercifull vnto him, as whome iustly I mighte bothe condemne and destroye, I spare, comforte, and deale bountifully with: so that how much the more he per­ceiueth mi mercy to him, so much the more is he moued with grea­ter zeale of Iustice against him selfe, and in a manner desireth to be reuenged on him felfe, for the contempte of mee: wherby it commeth to passe that he doothe not onely desire pardon and re­concilation for his sinnes, but suffereth the dignity of my Iu­stice: humbleth him self, and pu­nisheth [Page] him self, because he hath wickedly lift vp him self against mee. Whereof proceedeth, that how mutche the more he percei­ueth him selfe comforted of mee, so mutch the more he abhorreth and detesteth his owne vnwoor­thinesse, and with sorrowe dis­deigneth the enormitye of his sinnes, marueiling how he could be so vngratefull to mee. As a droppe of water on the burning fire, so are the sinnes consumed of that Soule which is come to this zeale, that it no lesse loueth my Iustice, then mercy. Ther­fore emongst al kindes of repen­taunce, there is not a better for [Page] man, then continually to consi­der my greate loue and fidelity towardes him, and contrarily his owne infidelity, vngratitude and frowardnesse towardes me.

The Diuell is so enuious to my Seruaunts, that he omit­teth no time in tempting them: and euen when they are aboute to repent, & bewaile their sinnes he chiefly casteth in doubts, cau­singe them againe and againe to confesse their faultes, that ther­by mighte neuer attaine to any quietnesse, but distrust all their confessions, when they finde any circumstāce or offence neglected, whereof they haue not made [Page] mencion. But beware, O my Daughter, thou fall not? I am thy Confessour. It is onely I that can ease thy burden: cure thy wounded conscience: and refreash thy hungrie Spirite.

O how it greeueth me to se thee alwaies conuersaunt in corrup­tion, & be troubled in recoump­ting thy sinnes to him, that can­not forgeue thee. Wherefore cast thy selfe on mee only, and I will deliuer thee: for if a thou­sand yeres thou wouldest search thy self, and be confessed of tenne thousand, thou shalt not be clen­sed. Quando enim exhaures Abis­sum? Therefore commit thy self [Page] to mee onely: I will make thee safe, when so euer with all dili­gence thou shalte goe aboute to confesse thy fault: let mee alone with mercy: to thee acknowledge that thou canst not cleanse thy selfe: say that thou haddest neede of my mercy: confesse that thou canst not answeare one woorde to a thousand things wherewith I might charge thee: but art in euery worke vnsufficiente, and hast neede of my mercie. Wher­fore trust not to thy confessions, but in my mercie, for by it thou shalt be iustified. And whilest thou art to much conuersante in the care of thy sinnes, y ^u mightest [Page] turne vnto mee, and enioy my gratious presence. Doost thou not note the subtiltie of the ene­mie? To this end he suggesteth thee with the number of thy sinnes, and thoughts of thy wic­kednesse, that thou mightest neg­lecte thinges to thee more whol­some. Know thou this therfore chiefly, that my delighte is that thou shouldest think of my good­nesse, and seeke mee in simpls­nesse. Thou shalt finde me, gen­tle, godly, full of compassion, and chief in mercy: trust in me hope in me, seek my fauoure, seeke my freendship, and familiarity: and for y ^e better obteyning of these, [Page] directe thy exercise in Holinesse.

Thou shalte vndoubtedly feele a farre more beautifull fruite, if thou diligently care how to loue please, and solowe mee, then by brofinge thy selfe with scruples of thy confessions, for deeminge to search out, and abolish doubts thou dooste rather engender to thee doubtfuller thinges: thou canst not thinke mee too pitifull, or mercifull, so that thou doo not presume vpon my mercies, nei­ther canste thou geue mee ouer much credite. Wherfore accu­stome thy selfe to thincke well of mee, and beleeue that I will not condemne thee: For truly who­so [Page] euer is willing to correcte his life, and dispaireth not, him will I saue. I am well pleased, O Daughter, that thou arte soarie thou hast offended and that thou wilt not sinne heareafter. Now thou art in state of Saluation, why fearest thou? I am ritch in infinite mercies. Thus thinke of mee, for thereby thou doost me more honour, thē if thou diddest imagine mee cruell, and harde, or shouldest so mutche feare, as though I watched onely to in­trap men, if this, or that doubte, or circumstance they had omit­ted: But yet when any great of­fence commeth to thy minde, con­fesse [Page] thy faulte with al humility, and sorrowe of harte, and desire grace to amend, and after rest in peace, and cast all the Diuelishe doubtes vpon me, I desire thee. I am willinge to enioye thy freendshippe, I require to be lo­ued of thee: se therfore that thou answeare my good will. Vn­derstande, knowe, and iudge thy selfe to be a sinner. Say in ma­ny thinges thou haste offended, that thou art most vngratefull, a Rebell, spitefull and blasphe­mous against my Commaunde­ments and will: And heareof so much humble thy selfe, that thou dare not once lifte vp thine eyes [Page] before mee, since thou art full of lothsomnesse, and abominati­ons. Ther be certaine so estee­minge their committed euilles, that they are mooued with them, either to pleasure, and delighte, or contrarywise to desperation, or some such like inconuenience. But thou, when thou wilt think thy self a sinner, and humble thy selfe, shake of the dreames of thy sinnes, and turn vnto mee: con­ferre with mee touchinge thy sinnes, and infirmities: poure out thy complaintes before mee: reason with mee: accuse thy self to mee of thy crimes committed, so shall thy accusation of sinnes [Page] be conuerted into Prayer.

Wherefore when thou hast tur­ned to mee, pleade thy cause in Praier: for by this meanes thy conscience shall be made cleare, and quiet, thy affection also to mee directed, shall be by mee inflamed. But now of Satis­faction for Sinnes: Imbrace this counsell: That what so e­uer thy hande is hable to doo, that instantly woorke: yet not with that minde, or to that ende, as though therewith thou coul­dest make Satisfaction for thy sinnes: for to the accomplishing of this, thou oughtest to thincke all thy woorkes too vnwoorthy, [Page] and farre vnable. But do that thou canste euery way to please mee, whom thou haste offended: desire mee, that with the merites of my passion, and most holy life I wil pullish thine offences, and satisfie my Father for them.

This humility, this sure truste in mee, with which thou debasest thy selfe, and thy woorkes, and extollest mee, and my merites, excelling the woorkes of thy sa­tisfaction, since that one droppe of my bloude is of more valewe to Satisfaction, then al mannes desertes, whiche hathe already made satisfaction for the sinnes of the whole worlde. Such hu­militie [Page] allureth mee to thee, and causeth me to communicate with thee, the treasure of my merites. Wherfore let this chiefly be thy studie, which thou neglect not my good pleasure, continually to thinke on mee, desire mee, loue mee, and what so euer I com­maunde, and will, that diligently perfourme: then if thou haddest infinite heapes of sinnes, I will forgeue them al, as freely as if y ^u haddest but one, neither is it lesse easie for me to forgeue many thē fewe, It is a maruailous thing that I wil say but yet most true and certainely to be beleeued: if the whole worlde weare a fiery [Page] Globe, and in the middeste of it were throwne a bundell of flaxe, this of his natural effecte should not so soone receiue the flame of fire, as I will receiue the repen­tant and sorowful sinner to mer­cie, for in that naturall acte is required some tariance through very litle and peraduenture not to be perceiued, but heare is no tariance at all, betweene the pe­nitente and him that forgeueth, betweene the sorowfull and him that heareth the sighes. Thou therfore Doughter reiecte all inordinate feare, desirous to please mee with thy holy harte, studie to be Holy, for I am holy [Page] willingly offende not, though in neuer so little or lighte a thinge, but shunne the occasion so much as in thee lieth, wisely withdraw thy self from the society of mans superstitious communications, and from vnprofitable and euill occupations: be not Solitarie: be not Idle: spende the time thriftily to my Honour: occupie thy selfe in readinge the Holy Scriptures, where thou shalte finde my life and Passion: plant in thy harte my trouble, Crosse, and persecution, walk before me in Holinesse: with feare and re­uerence perswadinge thy selfe that I am neuer absente from [Page] the Godly, but do instantly hold thē: diligently bridell and kepe thy sences and tongue, if thou loue much babling thou cāst not profite, imbrace sobernesse and reasonable continences, shunne vanitie and the pompe of pride: sensualitie and vnlawfull plea­sures see thou followe not, but diligently endeuoure to keepe thee vndeflied: sighte couragi­ously againste vices: and faith­fully pray to me that thou maist breake and ouercome the wicked passions and inclinations: doo asmuche as y ^u art able, yet truste not to thy endeuour, but to the healpe of my grace, for if thou [Page] trust to thy selfe & to thine owne industery thou shalte easily fall, thy well dooing neuer ascribe to thy selfe, nor vsurpe any thinge vpon my guiftes, for of thy selfe thou canst not but offende, of thy self thou hast nothing but sinne, whiche proper is to thy selfe, de­sire not vainely to please any mortall man, wisshe rather to be knowne of fewe then many, & to be despised rather then praysed, neuer esteeme thy self any thing woorth, nor thinke thy worthi­nesse of any value, but w ^t out fai­ning, accōpt thy selfe vngraceful vnwoorthy, and vilest creature aliue: Humble, and imbase thy [Page] selfe beneathe all menne for my sake, loue all menne with a pure loue, yea those also which perse­cute thee, wishe the prosperity of thy Brother: despise none, dis­paire not at the well dooinge of any, slaunder none, iudge no man, what thou seest and hearest of others, interprete it to the best, with al studie mortifie thine owne apetite, and singulerly im­brace my will gladly, and wil­lingly obeye mee in all thinges: and men, in those which be law­full: leaue thine owne will and denie thy selfe, commit and yeeld thee, wholy to my prouidence, with firme truste in mee, in all [Page] temptation, perill and necessitie, for I haue care of thee, and dili­gently attend thee, as if thou on­ly liuedst. Daughter, learne to receyue euery aduersitie and affliction, no otherwise then as from my hand sent only, and pa­tiently beare it to the end for my sake, for trouble is y ^e cup of bles­sing, whereon I haue made all my chosen drinke: There hathe not ben any of mine, which out­wardly or inwardly hathe nor suffred some trouble. Where­fore reiectinge all weakenesse, what so euer commeth to thee, take it in good part, and beleeue it to be sent to thee for thy health [Page] for the great loue I beare thee. Suffer aduersity, it is the king­ly way which leadeth to heauen­lie Heritage,, walke therfore in it, reioysing, & geue me thankes that I haue so regarded thee, that I woulde geue thee some­what that thou shouldest suffer, when any doo moleste thee, and woorke thee iniury or spighte, thinke him sent by mee to proue thee: Be not agrieued with him, geue him not sharpe and bitter woordes, neither thinke of re­uengement, marke not the man (whiche is my instrumente and scourge) but attende on mee, which suffer suche thinges to be [Page] done by man. O Daughter, in euery trouble and sorow be pa­tient, resigning thy selfe to mee, for I purge thee by afflictions, and make thee apt and woorthy to be maried to mee. But if of thy humaine infirmity, or other defect thou fall to impatience, be not discouraged, neither wauer dispairinge in thy good inde­uoures: but foorthwith arise, turne to mee, and call vpon mee with a sure hope of pardone, I know the generall weaknesse of man, I knowe also thy peculiar frailetie, truste to mee, thy hope and ful trust cannot be too assu­red in me, if thy life be good and [Page] repentante. Wherefore hastily flie vnto mee, I will take thee vp, heale, and defende thee, what doest thou feare yet, O Daugh­ter, why doest thou not euen now desire deathe, for what euill can death bringe thee: Truely after thou haste bequeathed thy Car­kas to the ground, thou shalt no more offende mee. Thou shalte no more be defiled with sinne, if thou loue nothing in this world deathe can take nothinge from thee, if thou loue any worldly thinge, wilte thou stande to the daunger, nay rather thou louest thine owne perilles. Therfore before thou die cease to loue [Page] worldly and transitory thinges, if thou feare not to much to die, yea if thou loue me alone in this life, be gladde thou shalte die, for but by death thou canst not gette what thou louest. But I know what thou fearest, truly nothing in this worlde thou louest, no­thinge thou doost possesse that either thou carest to enioye or wouldest sorowe the losse, but trembling and feare vexeth thee, bicause thou knoweste not whe­ther thou be worthy loue, or ha­tred: Thou knowest not howe thou shalt be receiued of mee, ei­ther to reste, or paine: None of these shalt thou know O daugh­ter, [Page] neither is it expedient truly. Though thou feare, yet abide in hope and sure trust in mee, whe­ther thou liue or die: of thy selfe thou canste neither liue nor die well, both thou haste of mee, if I geue thee to liue well, shall not I also graunt thee wel & happi­lie to die? seeing therof thou hast all of me, seeing thou lookest for all thinges at my hande, how is it thē that thou hopest one thing and dispairest another: Truste then and caste all thy thoughtes and care vpon mee, as liuinge thou art able to resiste no temp­tacion, nor auoyde any sinne, so neither dyinge arte thou able, if [Page] faithfully I preuent temptati­ons, and moderate them in thy life, the same will I doo in thy deathe. Neuer enter battaile with thine own force and armes but leaue it vnto mee, & leaninge to mee, I will fight for thee, and I fightinge for thee, and defen­ding thee, what cause haste thou of feare, neither doubte thou of the condition or kinde of deathe. Nullum est genus mortis, quod nocere potest iusto. No kinde of deathe is able to annoye a iuste man, for y ^e iust with what deathe so euer he be besette, is in safe­garde: Therefore be nothinge carefull whether at home, or a­brode, [Page] in bedde, or in fielde thou shalt die, neither feare whe­ther thy death be naturall or vi­olent: But as the Apostle coun­selleth, study to liue soberly, iust­ly and godly, that thou may well and happily die. An euil death dooth not folow a good and iust life, but the deathe of the iuste is precious in my sight, how so euer they ende this life, whe­ther in the water, in the fire, or in bedde they die.

¶ A sweete and com­fortable Consolation for al weake mindes: to con­firm & strengthen them against Desperation.

WHosoeuer re­fusinge y ^e hope of pardon, rū ­neth headlonge into the goulfe of desperation: doth not only distrust the omni­potencie of God: (perswadinge him self that there is som crime, whiche he is not able to extin­guish) but also maketh him a li­er. By the mouthe of his Pro­phete [Page] he hathe promised free re­mision of sinne so soone as the offender bewaileth: but fro­wardely doothe the posterity of Caine say: Suche is mine iniquitie, as I shall neuer obteine remission.

What sayest thou caitif? If God be not able to pardone bi­cause of the greatnesse of thy sin thou robbest him of his Omni­potencie: If he will not do that which he can doo, he is a Liar, and too lighte, not to perfourme the thing, whiche so oft he hathe promised by the mouthe of his holy Prophetes. It is saide of the Psalmiste, God is gratious, and mercifull, long sufferinge, and of [Page] great goodnesse: The Lorde is lo­uing to all menne, and his mercie is ouer all his woorkes. Is there any thing then more admirable, then the creation of the heauens, with so many shininge bodies: then the makinge of the Earthe with such singuler varietie of li­uing Creatures, Trees, plants Fruites, and all other thinges: then the fabrication of so many pure Celestiall Soules? So that who durste be bolde to af­firme (had not the Prophet ma­nifestly spoken it) that the mer­cies of God doo excell the glorie of his handiwoorkes. Holy Scrip­ture somtime termeth the mercie [Page] of God, greate, somtime to great and sometime it amplifieth the force therof by the name of mul­titude, or number. The Kingly Prophet Dauid in one selfe place comprehendeth both y ^e greatnesse and multitude of heauenly mer­cie, saying: Haue mercie on mee O God, after thy great goodnesse, & accordinge to the multitude of thy mercies doo away mine offences.

Wheare great iniquity is, there needeth muche compassion. If thou but weighe howe heynous the offence of Dauid was, thou wilt acknowledge the greatnesse of Goddes goodnesse: If thou consider how ofte he offended in [Page] that sinne, thou shalt se the mul­titude of his mercies. That God whiche is our Kinge, our Father, our Maister, our spouse prescribeth no determinate nū ­ber of offences, but as oft as throughe true repentaunce wee return to him, he forgetteth, and forgeueth the punishment wh [...]ch he threatneth to vs: he entertei­neth vs emongest his Familie, leadeth vs into the chaumber of his loue, and receiueth not vs onely, but forgetteth our offen­ces: He bringeth the lost sheepe vpō his shoulders to the staules and biddeth the Congregation of the chosen to his reioysinge: [Page] He goeth to meete the Prodigal Sonne, returning frō his longe and lothsom iorney, and putteth a Robe, and a Ringe vpon him, and commaundeth the fatteste Caulfe to be killed for him.

What other thinge doothe this signifie, but the immense or, as I may say, the ouermuch mercie of God? It is no meruaile, though his mercie excede, which loueth vs so exceedingly. Paule feareth not to write thus to the Ephesians, We are (saith he) by na­ture becom the Children of wrath: But God, which is ritche in mercie, for his tender loue, wherewith he loued vs, when wee were deade to [Page] sinne, hath raised and reconciled vs againe to Christe. S. Iohn, in his Gospel more plainely expresseth the maruailous loue of God our Father towardes vs, saying: So God loued the worlde, that he gaue his onely begotten Sonne, that who so beleeueth in him, shoulde not perishe, but haue euerlasting life.

Wherunto Paule aptly agreeth, He that spared not his onely Sonne, but gaue him for vs all: hath he not geuen vs al thinges togeather with him? This so great loue: this so great kindnesse, doth it not wor­thily appeare vnmeasurable, be­cause wee haue nothinge, whiche wee haue not freely receiued of [Page] God. What so euer wee doo, what so euer we possesse, it com­meth by the mercie of God: Yea it is the mercy of god that made the Angelles, and created the worlde. If he had wroughte it to himselfe, his power and poli­cie might haue ben praised: but sith to our vse he hath framed al these thinges, shall wee not ac­knowledge his mercy to be mar­uailous. For whome haue the Celestiall Ayres their course: to whome lendeth the sunne his beames by day: the Moone with the Starres, their brightnesse by nighte, but for Man? For whose vse made he these thinges [Page] of nothing? For whose sake, but for mannes onely, doo the han­ging Cloudes geue their shade, and bedewe the pleasant fieldes?

Why blowe the windes: why flowe the Riuers: why spreade the Springes: why encrese the Seas, but for the vse of manne? Who reapeth the commodities of the fertle earth, which engen­dreth so many liuinge thinges, suche wealthy store, but manne? Ther is nothing that God hath not made subiect to man: onely he woulde that man should be o­bedient vnto him. Many times our mercifull God sendeth ad­uersity, either to cleare vs of our [Page] transgressions, or to deterre vs from sinne, or to minister occa­sion of weldooing. Thus was Abraham tried: so was Iob proo­ued with many miseries: thus is euery one whiche liueth in Iesu Christe tried in this world with sundry afflictions, as the Gould with the fire: where are those that murmure againste God, when either infirmity of health, or deathe, and losse of wife and children, or decay of worldely wealthe happeneth to them: no­thinge knowinge that these are the manifeste signes of a merci­full God. Let vs geue eare to the counsel of Salomon: My sonne [Page] (saith he) despise not the woorde of God, nor forsake his correction: For whome the Lorde loueth, he chasteneth and delighteth in him, as a Father in his sonne. The A­postle Paule hath y ^e like saying to the Hebrewes, Whom the Lord lo­ueth, he correcteth: and rebuketh euery Childe that he receiueth.

Then (by Paules counsell) when any storme of aduersity ariseth, let vs stand fast in the Truthe: knowinge, that he offereth him selfe to vs, as to his children, like a mercifull God. If the loue of God lend vs prosperity, let vs geue him thankes, and be carefull that wee abuse not his [Page] bountie. It miserie oppresse vs let vs neuerthelesse geue thanks to him, and commit our selues to his Iudgemente To obtaine healthe, thou geuest thy selfe vp to the Phisicion: thou yeeldest thy selfe to the Coarde, Sawe, and searing of the Chirurgion: And to enioy euerlasting health feareste thou to trust thy Crea­toure, thy Maister, thy Father, and onely Sauiour? Thou da­rest not say to the phisition, thus and thus cure mee? And wilt thou prescribe to God y ^e meanes of thy sauinge health? Let euery one of vs descend into y ^e deapth [...] of his conscience: let vs consider [Page] how oft, and how greeuously we haue offended God, how his be­nefites are defiled with our ini­quities, and so wee shall see, how much wee are indetted to his in­finite mercy: which hathe borne with our frailty so gently: which by so many meanes calleth vs to repentaunce: whiche so w [...] ­lingly pardoneth the penitente, and conuert. Truly he is great­ly to be lamented, which refuseth the fountain of euerlasting life, and neuer by repentance retur­neth whence he departed. The Prodigall childe straied farre, leaft, and forsooke his Fathers house, and yet returned. Peter [Page] was farre gone, when he denied his Maister thrise: but yet re­membringe the woordes whiche Iesus spake to him, he recāted, and wepte bitterly. How gently dooth the Lorde in Hieremie vn­der the person of y ^e wife (which hauing forsaken her Husbande, gaue her selfe to euery man) call his people to repentance: Return my children, & be conuerted (saith he) because I am your husbande.

But oh wretched is the man, that stoppeth his eares at this voyce of the Lordes. To daie (saith the Psalme) if you heare my voyce hardē not your hartes: This is our daie, as longe as wee liue [Page] (in which the Lorde ceaseth not to call vpon vs to repentaunce, offering vs prepared pardon.

God him selfe in Ezechiell dooth not onely promise remission to him that forsaketh his euill, but voweth obliuion of all his for­mer offences. For after he had reckened all the erroures which man fell into, he added: If the wicked man will be soary for his sinnes, keep my commaundements, and doo the thing that is right, he shall liue, and not die: and I will not remember ought that he hath donne. Haue I pleasure in the death of a sinner (saith the Lorde God) or rather woulde I not his conuersion [Page] from his euill waies, that he might liue? And againe he saith, Returne and repente you of your faultes, and your iniquitie shall not preuaile against you. Caste awaie euil cogitations, and take you a new Spirite. And why wilte thou die. O House of Israell: I will not the deathe of a sinner, returne and thou shalt liue. O wretche, why des­pairest thou, sithe to this ende God sente his Sonne into the Earthe, that thou mightest haue comforte. This is the loue of God wherof Dauid speaketh sai­yng: Wee haue seene thy louinge kindenesse, euen in the middest of thy Congregation. Be early at [Page] the Chu [...]ch occupied in praier: abide in the Apostolike faithe: beware of Idolatry imbrace the louinge kindenesse of God who crieth vnceassantly: I wil not the death of a Sinner, but rather he con­uert and liue. Harke to this sweet Oracle, shake of the drousinesse of errour: and rise with Christ, that thou maiste liue in him.

Marke how liberally he promi­seth, At what hower so euer a sin­ner shall repente, I will put all his wickednesse oute of my remem­braunce. He hath no respecte to the nature of thy faultes: he for­ceth not the greatnesse, or num­ber of thine offences: repent, but [Page] as thou oughtest, & he wil blotte thy wickednesse out of memorie. That our prayer may be more acceptable to God: the Prophet Osee telleth vs how wee shoulde pray: Returne vnto the Lorde, and say to him: Lorde, take away mine iniquitie: & receiue (if I haue any) my goodnesse, and I will geue thee the batlinges and Sacrifice of my lippes. Let vs reuerte that haue shamefully erred, to him which taketh away the sinnes of the worlde: and let vs say, Take awaie from vs the euill which wee haue donne: and accept this good? what good? Euen the Sacrifice of our lippes: wee geue thee thanks [Page] mighty God, to whom wee owe all that wee haue: Take from vs which is ours, & accept of vs y ^e which is thine owne. Returne (saith Ioell) to your God, because he is louing, and gratious, long suffring, and of much mercy, & ready to pardon mischief. Though the waight of sinne astonne thee: yet let y ^e mightinesse of Gods mercy vpholde thee: which the Prophet doothe many waies exaggerat.

God (saith he) is gentle: whiche he addeth, that wee shoulde not dis­paire of pardon: God (saith he) is gratious, that wee shoulde vn­derstande how he not onely hel­peth vs, but that he pitieth oure [Page] miseries: And thinking not this sufficient, he adioyneth, Long suffering: And yet art thou doubt­full, sinner? Harken then what foloweth: And of great mercie: If thy faultes be many, care not: great is the goodnesse of God.

What remaineth now, but that thou turne and goe to him that inuiteth thee. Thou wilte saie, the horrible threatninges of pu­nishmente feare mee: Geue eare and mark: And he is ready to par­don mischief: that God which is so often stirred to anger, of his owne accorde mooueth thee to repentaunce: calleth thee to for­geuenesse: forgetteth his threats [Page] denieth thee the tormente of hel, in steede of punishmente: geueth thee his blessing: not onely tur­neth to thee that repentest, but wilingly goeth to meet thee, and embraceth thee. This is it which was promised by Zacharie Turne vnto me (saithe the Lorde of Hostes) and I will be conuer­ted vnto you: What meaneth he by Returne vnto mee? that is ac­knowledge thy weakenesse, and aske mercie. And what is meant by this: And I will be conuerted vnto you: That is, of a reuen­ger I will become a healper: I will assist your indeuours: and looke what throughe your owne [Page] strengthe you can not bringe to passe, thou shalt attaine to by my fauoure. No man can freely hate his owne sin: vnlesse God mollifie his stoany harte, & geue him a fleashly hart: vnlesse for a defiled conscience, he make a cleane hart: vnles for a corrupt soule, he renewe a right spirite in him. Peruse, Reade, vnreade the conuersation & life of Christ there thou shalte finde nothinge, but of his euerlasting mercy to­wardes all men. He freely hea­led the sicke: fedde the hungrie: deliuered them y ^t were in daun­ger: cleansed the Leapers: gaue sight to the Blinde: restored the [Page] Lame: cast out Diuels: raised the deade to life, and pardoned the wicked. Search again the vniuersall discipline of God, what other thinge conteineth it, then the maruailous compassion of the Almightie? Doth he not inculcate into our mindes by Parables, to the intente wee shoulde not fall by any meanes? To that ende serueth the para­ble of the lost sheepe, which was brought againe on the Sheepe­heardes shoulders: the Para­ble of the lost, and found groate: of the hole men that wanted not a Phisition: of the seruaunt to whom his debts were forgeuen: [Page] of the Publicane, and the Pharisey: of y ^e broken man whom y ^e Samari­tane cured: of the good stewarde towards his dettours, and of the crafty Stewarde towardes his Maister: of the Prodigall Childe taken againe into fa­uoure. As touchinge the bare name of the Gospell, doth it not promise mercie? Yes it geueth lighte to the Blinde, libertie to the Captiue, Health to the bro­ken, and laste of all a gratefull gaine to the Lorde, who thir­steth nothing, but the Saluati­on of sinners. Likewise the name of Iesus, that is (of a sa­uiour) what els doth it promise [Page] to the sinner, but mercie, and blisfulnesse? If he had come re­presentinge the Maiestie of a Iudge, there had ben som cause why euery one mighte haue fea­red: but knowinge him to come as a Sauioure, dooste thou dis­paire Saluation? for the surer hope of Saluation, the Sonne of God suffered death, and offe­red vp him self a valiaunt Sa­crifice for the sinnes of manne.

And hanginge on the Crosse, praieth for his persecutoures, and thinkeste thou that he will deny thee the forgeuenesse of thy sinnes, that dooste acknowledge thy wretchednesse, and craue re­mission? [Page] Trust him that is mer­cifull, and thou shalte finde com­passion: A sure hope obtaineth any thinge at Christes hande: who so mistrusteth the Phisi­tion, hindreth his owne health. The wooman of Canaan, cried, and her Daughter was cured: The Centurian beleeued, and his Seruaunte was made whole a­gaine: The Father praied, and his Sonne was cleansed of the foole spirite: The Apostles cried out, Healpe Lorde for wee perishe: and they were deliuered. And wee see, that in diuerse he hathe not respected the Prayers of the mouth, but onely the Faith. He [Page] did but perceiue the faith of the people, and saide to the sicke of the Palsie, Be of good cheere my sonne, thy sinnes are forgeuen thee. The Mother and her compani­ons do but weepe, and her sonne is raised from deathe to life: Martha, and Mary did but mourn, and Lazarus was reuiued: Mary the sinner bewaileth: he annoin­teth her, kisseth her, and saithe: Thy sinnes are forgeuen thee. He sufficiently asketh, that confes­seth his infirmitie: he asketh ef­fectually, that lamenteth, and be­leeueth. The woman troubled with superfluity of bloud, secret­ly touched the vesture of Iesus: [Page] and immediatly she felt the force of his mercie. We Reade also of many others that weare hea­led by touching his garment: so neuer vnprouided is his good­nesse: and at all times he geueth comfort to the weake. If thou be afraide to call vpon Iesus: if thou canst not come vnto him, yet at the least touch the edge of his garment: Read the Scrip­tures: folowe the doctrine of the Apostles: for by them he often sheweth his vertue, and telleth of thy sauing health. O blinde, and vnthankfull, whiche despise the grace of God, so ready to be obtained. But oh thrise wret­ched, [Page] whiche despaire in that whiche is willingly and freely offered, he is easily pacified, that is reuenged against his will.

What other meaning hath this Phrase, but that y ^e Lord leaueth no way vnsoughte for, to bringe vs to Saluation: and wee wit­tingly forsake the hope of Sal­uation? And why wilt thou die O house of Israel? with teares he lamented Hierusalem, which heaped vengeaunce vnto it selfe by their malicious erroures. O Hierusalem (saithe he) howe often would I haue gathered thee togea­ther, as the Hen gathereth her Chic­kins, and thou wouldest not? Our [Page] humble Sauiour weepeth, bi­cause he may not saue vs, mise­rable sinners, and we despare in him, as though he woulde not saue vs. All the House reioysed where the Sonne whiche died, was reuiued, and receiued again that perished. That good Fa­ther calleth the company of the Heauens to reioyce ouer the pe­nitent sinner: and thou wretche despairest, enuiynge bothe thine owne safegard, and the gladnesse of God. Shall we beleeue that he wil not pardon malefactours who lamenteth the deathe of a sinner, and reioyceth at the con­uersion of the penitent? He cal­leth [Page] al men to the marige Feast: he would haue his house filled with straungers: maketh the Blinde, and the lame to com in: And why staiest thou Caitiffe? Why forsakest thou not thi swi­nish Soyle? why striuest thou against the mercy of God? there can be no greater folie, then for vaine and variable thinges to forsake Eternity. There is no greater wisedome, then for a litle sufferaunce, to gaine Im­mortality. Great is their igno­raunce therefore, which perseuer in their naughtinesse: But grea­ter is the wisdome of those, that liue in newnesse of life. O what [Page] coste wee bestowe, what paines wee take in findinge corruptible mettalles, and howe little wee care for the treasure of Goddes mercie, whiche is laide open, and freely offered to vs.

The Lorde is ritche in mercy.

The treasure of worldly wealth may be wasted by profuse ex­pence: But the bounty of Gods goodnesse hath no bottome. God hath assured his Faithe to man, and (as Paule writeth) he can not denie himself. He offereth to be chalenged, and reprooued, if he hath not perfourmed his promi­ses. For thus hee speaketh in Esau to a wicked generation: Lift [Page] vp your selues, and be cleane: take awaie the thoughte of euill: cease from mischiefe: learn to doo good: seeke Iudgement: helpe the oppressed: Iudge the Innocent: defend the Widowe, and com and reproue me (saith the Lorde.) Hearest thou now wretched man? what els re­quireth our gratious God of thee, but amendemente of life? And that the enormity of thy haynous crimes may not exani­mate thee, attend to the ready re­mission. If thy sinnes (saithe he) were as red as Scarlet, I will make them as white as Snowe: and if you will harken to mee, you shall eate the Fruites of the Earthe. O [Page] cursed Progeny of Eue, why dost thou yeeld to the disceiptful pro­misses of the Diuell, that al­lureth thee to destruction? And art deafe at the Sonne of God, which would assoceate thee with euerlasting ioy. Repent (saith he) for the Kingdom of God is at hand. The Sonne of God promiseth: the Father commaundeth thee: the Holy Ghoste inuiteth thee: and yet thou arte Scrupulous to receiue that which is offered. The voyce of the Apostles, is the voyce of God: and they crie Repent, & be baptised in the name of Iesus Christe for the remission of your sinnes: and receiue the guifte [Page] of the Holy Ghoste. Forsake your foule, filthy, and abhominable traditions, and seeke the King­dome of Heauen. There runne vnto Christe, Souldiers, Pub­licanes, Harlottes, Idolaters, Mansleares, sorcerers, bawdes, Incestuous persons, none are exempted, all haue free course to the mercie of God: their former life is not imputed to them, if they repente and amende their liues. Like as the grounde of­ten moystened with Heauenly dewe, and yet yeeldeth to his til­ler, nothinge but thornes, and brambles, is worthy to be had in contempt, and to be geuen to the [Page] fire. So God many times, for the contempte of his goodnesse, geueth sinners vp to their re­probate sense. Wherefore it is beste to leaue of procrastination of amendment of life: and when the Lord calleth vs to cast of the Olde man, with his deedes, and concupiscences: least God, which hath bene denied to be harde, at the least refuse to heare our com­plaintes. Horrible is the voyce wherewith he threateneth those which will not heare him that so graciously calleth. Because (saith he) I haue called, and you haue re­fused: I haue stretched out my hand and there was no man, that woulde [Page] looke: because you haue despised my counsell, and set at naughte my admonitions, I will laughe at your destruction, vvhen that shall com to passe, whiche you feared: when a­bortiue misery shal com vpon you, and the stormes of destruction shal preuente you: when sorowe, and anger shall possesse, and oppresse you: then will you call vpon mee, and I will not heare: They wil rise betime in the morninge, but they shal not find me: because they haue hated my Discipline, and haue bene voide of the feare of God: haue not harkened vnto my counsell: and haue defied my correction. In this life there is hope of mercie.

Wherfore while thou liuest, call for the grace of God, and amend thy life. The carefull God of our Saluation, hathe suffered mighty, and meruailous menne to erre, that wee by their exam­ple might haue comfort, and no [...] dispaire in hope of pardon. In Holy Scripture who is more commended, then Kinge Dauid: who was bothe a Kinge and a Prophet: a chosen man after the hartes delighte of God: out of whose stocke came the Sauiour Christe: But into howe many, & greeuous crimes fel so mighty a man: Yet hearing Nathan pro­nounce the greeuous threate­nings [Page] of God, cried out: Lorde, I haue sinned. And Nathan saide, But the Lorde hath taken awaie thy sinnes: thou shalt not die. God suf­fered Peter to offende greeuously and yet when he had lamented, he obteined mercie. When he gaue him charge ouer the sheepe (for which he shead his pretious bloud) was it likely y ^t he meant to remember the deniyng of him thrise? No no, he had so freely forgotten it, that there remained no iote imprinted in the memory of our louing God. Wee haue many examples of sinners: and not a few of the penitent: the ex­ample of none oughte to mooue [Page] vs to sinne: let vs not to muche trie God: if any man be encum­bred with iniquity, he hathe ex­amples of repentance: let him not dispaire. They doo euill which will not repent with them whome they haue transgressed withall. After Dauid had wil­lingly confessed his fault, and acknowledged the iuste iudge­ment of God: behold what great hope he conceiued of the mercie of God: Sprinkle mee (O Lorde saith he) with Isope, and I shall be cleane: washe mee and I shall be whiter then Snowe. By the sprin­kling of the bloude of the imma­culate Lambe he promiseth to [Page] himselfe clearenesse too, though he acknowledge his conception to be sinfull, yet by this washing he hopeth after the whitenesse of innocencie, whiche passeth the white of the Snowe. And he trusteth not onely in the Inno­cencie, but looketh to see his doubtfull penitencie turned into Heauenly ioy. Thou shalt make me heare ioye and gladnesse (saith Dauid) that the boanes which thou hast broken maie reioyce. Geue me the comforte of thy healpe, and sta­blish mee with thy free Spirite.

O singuler Faithe of a sinner: what man hath at any time cried Iesu haue mercie on me: but forth­with [Page] he hathe obteined grace. Take pittie Lorde (saithe the wo­man of Canaan) and her Daugh­ter was healed. The blinde pore man cried out, O Sonne of Dauid haue mercy on me, and he receiued sight. Let vs hartely, zealously, cōstantly cal on him, & in the mid­dest of our miseries, say: Iesu thou Sonne of Dauid haue compassion vpon vs: And of poore impotent beggers, he will make vs felow heyres with him of the kingdom of heauen. He hath opened the Sanctuary of his holinesse, and thou runnest i [...]to the Dungeon of despaire: he hathe stretched out his hande to thee, and thou [Page] turneste away thy face: he ope­neth the gates of Heauen, and thou hastest to destruction: beholde the bosome of his good­nesse, and thou creepest into the Lake of vnhappinesse. The Theefe that hunge on the crosse heard him, saying: This daie thou shalt be with mee in Paradise: and thou offerest thy selfe to the Di­uell. The mercie of God came vnto vs, when he sente his sonne into the Earth: let vs therfore go to it: Let vs incline to him, as he did to vs: The waie is first to leaue our life. For firste the Phisitions vse to purge the bodie, that they may minister [Page] holsomer Medecines. Forsake O thou sinner, thy wicked ima­ginations, which fight againste God: leaue to lust, be not coue­tous, refraine riot, flie arrogan­cie, that God may powre his blessinges vpon thee. He that persisteth in his wickednes and calleth for grace, is like to an e­nemie which being ready armed asketh peace of his Maister, he that asketh, receiueth: he that seketh, findeth: and he that knoc­keth, hathe it opened to him, if thou wilt desire mercie, craue it truly: if thou seeke it, seeke it in dede, if thou knock at the gate of forgeuenesse, knocke earnestly [Page] If thou require an example of one that faithfully craued the fauour of God: Mark the pro­digall Childe, who leauinge his swine, returned to his Father, and saide: Father, I haue sinned a­gainste Heauen, and againste thee: make mee as one of thy hired Ser­uauntes. Marke the Publicane which for y ^e giltines of his cons­cience dare not lifte vp his eyes to heauen: dare not come to his redeemer, but standinge a farre of knocketh his brest and saith: Lorde be mercifull vnto mee a sin­ner. S. Hierome affirmeth the of­fence of Iudas to be greater in despayringe the mercie of God, [Page] then in betrayinge Christe, as Cain stirred God to anger, more through desperation of pardon, then by the slaughter of his bro­ther Abel. Many whiche haue persecuted Christ, being conuer­ted, and beleeuinge in him haue obtained pardon: and are made examples to man, that he ought not to distrust the remission of his wickednesse, seeing the death of our Sauiour is forgeuen to the penitente: Wilte thou heare saithe Augustine, the mercy of God, leaue thy abomination and he will forgeue thee? Wilt thou see the truth of God: doo good and thou shalt be crowned [Page] with Iustice. God is not so mercifull to vse vniustice, nor so iust to be vnmercifull. But som man will say, men encrease their offences by to muche hope: but how much do they enlarge their giltinesse by distrust of Remissi­on? If there were no forgeue­nesse, then thou wouldest rage, and say: I am wretched: I am condemned: why is not my luste lawe: why shall I not fill my selfe with facietie: if after this there be naughte but tormente: this woulde be thy sayinge, O woorse then despayre it selfe: He dooth better therfore that corre­cteth thee with promise of for­getfulnesse, [Page] and saithe: I wil not the deathe of a Sinner, but that he conuert and liue. God by his pro­mise woulde not haue sinners to presume: but his will is they should not in any wise distrust: and therfore he hath made them ignorant of the day of theire death: if thou repent, present par­don is prouided: no day is pre­fixed Wherfore to conclude, if thou haue liued wel till this day and still abidest in this life, liue well: amend thy life: and beholde forgeuenesse: and be sure that what he hath pardoned, shall not be imputed to thee again, which for his mercy he graunte: that [Page] taketh away the sinnes of the worlde. Amen.