EUSEBIUS

What is the chiefest cause (tell us) of this your dolorous case? His monstrous incredulity, my very heart does grieve, Ah dear Philologus, I have known by face and visage well, A sort of men, which have be vexed, with Devils and spirits fell, In far worse state then you are yet, brought into desperation. Yet in the end have be reclaimde, by godly exhortation. Such are the mercies of the Lord, he will throw down to hell: And yet call back again from thence, as holy David wrights. What? should then let your trust in God? I pray you to us tell, Sith to forgive, and do us go worser, it chiefly him delights. What would not you, that of your sins, he should you clean acquit? How can he once deny to you, one thing you do request? Which hath already given to you, his best beloved Christ. Lift up your heart in hope therefore, awhile be of good cheer, And make access, unto his seat of grace, by earnest prayer, And God will surely you relieve with grace, stand not in fear: God shall renew your spirit again, pray only as you can, And to assist you in the same, we pray each Christian man. O say not so Philologus, but let your heart be pight, Upon the mercies of the Lord, and I you assertayne, Remission of your former sins, you shall at last obtain: God hath it said (who cannot lie) at whatsoever time A sinner shall from heart repent, I will remit his crime. We have good hope Philologus, of your salvation doubtless. When did this horror first you take, what think you is the cause? We do not altogether Like of this your exhortation, whereas you warn us not to trust, so much unto our faith, But that good works we should prepare, unto our preservation, There are two kinds of righteousness, as Paul to Romans faith: The one dependeth of good works, the other hangs of faith: The former which the world allows, good counts it least of twain, As by good proof, it shall to you, in words be proved plain. For Socrates and Cato both, did purchase great renown, And Aristides surnamed Just, this righteousness fulfilled, Wherefore he was as justest man, erpelde his native town, Yet are their souls with Infidels, in hell for ever spilled, Because they sought not righteousness, that way that God the ̄ willed The other righteousness coms from faith, which God regards alone, And makes us seem immaculate, before his heavenly throne. Wherefore, there is no cause you should, send us to outward act, As to the anchor or refuge, of our preservation. Ah deer Philologus, think not, y to ought can Gods grace outreache, Consider David which did sin in lust, and murder too: Yet was he pardoned of his sins, and so shalt thou also. Phil. King David always, was elect, but I am reprobate, And therefore I can find small ease, by weighing his estate. He also prayed unto God, which I shall never do, His prayer was that God would not, his spirit take away: But it is gone from Me long since, and shall be given no more. But what became of Cain, of Cam, of Saul, I do you pray? Of Judas, and Barehu, these must my Conscience slay. Of Julyan Apostata, with other of that crew, The same torments must I abide, which these men did ensue: I pray you answer me herein, where you by deep despair, Say, you are worse here in this life, then if you were in hell, And for because to have death come, you always make your prayer, As though your foul and body both in torments great did dwell: If that a man should give to you a sword, I pray you tell, would you destroy your self there with? as do the desperate, which hang or kill, or into floods, themselves precipitate. Not so my friend, I only ask, what herein were your will? It is the falls hood of the spirit, which do your health withstand, That teach you this, wherefore in time, reject his filthy band. Yet will we pray continually, that God would you convert. Here may the worldlings have a glass, their states for to behold, And learn in time, for to escape, the judgements of the Lord, Whilst they by flattering of them selves, of faith both dead and cold Do fell their souls to wickedness, of all good men abhorred: But godliness does not depend, in knowing of the word: But in fulfilling of the same, as in this man we see, Who though he did to others preach, his life did not agree. I am content, that after meat, we may resort him to.