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Letters of George Marshe.

This good mā wrote diverse and sundry letters out of prison besides his examinations, as before ye have heard. Touching the which his examinations, this letter first he sendeth to his friends, the copy whereof here followeth.

A letter of George Marsh to the reader, touching the matter of his examination.

HEre have ye dearly beloved friends in Christ, the chief & principal Articles of Christian doctrine briefly touched, which heretofore I have both believed, professed, and taught, and as yet do believe, profess, and teach, and am surely purposed by God's grace, to continue in the same until the last day. I do want both time and opportunity to write out at large the probations, causes, partes, effects, and contraries or errors of these Articles, which who so desireth to know, let them read over the common places of the godly learned men: Philippe Melancthon, and Erasmus Sarcerius, whose judgment in these matters of Religion I do chiefly follow and lean unto. The Lord give us understanding in all things, and deliver us from this present evil world, according to his will and pleasure, and bring us again out of this hell of affliction, into which it hath pleased the merciful Lord to throw us down: and deliver us out of the mouth of the Lyon and from all evil doing, and keep us unto his heavenly and everlasting kingdom. Amen.

Though Satan be suffered, as wheat to sift us for a time, yet faileth not our faith through Christ's aid, but that we are at all times able and ready to confirm the faith of our weak brethren, and always ready to give an answer to every man that asketh us a reason of the hope that is in us, and that with meekness and reverence, having a good conscience, that when as they backbyte us as evil doers, they may be ashamed, for as much as they have falsely accused our good cōuersatiō in christ. I thought myself now of late years, for the cares of this life well setteled with my loving and faithful wife and children, and also well quieted in the peaceable possession of that pleasant Euphrates, I do confess it: but the Lord who worketh all things for the best to them that love him, would not there leave me, but did take my dear and beloved wife from me: whose death was a painful cross to my flesh.

Also I thought myself now of late well placed under my most loving and most gentle master Laurence Saunders in the cure of Langhton. But the Lord of his great mercy would not suffer me there long to continue (although for the small time I was in his vineyard, I was not all an idle workman) But he hath provided me (I perceive it) to taste of a far other cup, for by violence hath he yet once again driven me out of that glorious Babylon, that I should not taste to much of her wanton pleasures but with his most dearly beloved Disciples to have my inward rejoicing in the Cross of his son Jesus Christ: the glory of whose Church I see it well, standeth not in the harmonious sound of Bells and Organes, nor yet in the glistering of Mitors & Copes neither in the shining of gilte Images and lights (as the blind Papists do judge it) but in continual labors and daily afflictions for his names sake.

God at this present here in England hath his fan in his hand, and after his great harvest, whereinto these years past he hath sent his laborers, is now sifting the corn frō the chaff and purging his floor, and ready to gather the wheat into his garnar and to burn the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Take heed and beware of the leaven of the scribes and of the Sadducees, I mean the erroneous doctrine of the papists, which with their glosses deprave the Scriptures. For as the Apostle S. Peter doth teach us: There shall be false teachers amongst us, which privily shall bring in damnable sects: And saith that many shall follow their damnable ways, by whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of: and that through covetousness they shall with feigned words make marchaundise of us. And Christ earnestly warneth us, to beware of false Prophets, which come to us in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening Wolves: by their fruits ye shall know them. The fruits of the Prophets is their doctrine, In this place are we Christians taught that we should try the preachers, & other that come under color to set forth true Religion unto us, according to the saying of S. Paul: Try all things and chose that which is good. Also the Evangelist S. John saith: Beleue not every spirit, but prove the spirits whether they be of God or not, for many false Prophets (saith he) are gone out into the world. Therefore if thou wilt know the true Prophets frō the false, try their doctrine at the true touchstone, which is the word of God: and as the godly Thessalonians did, search ye the scriptures, whether those things which be preached unto you be evē so or not: for else by the outward conuersatiō of thē ye may easily be deceived. Desūt fortassis aliqua.

A letter exhortatory of George Marshe to the faithful professors of Langhton.

GRace be unto you, and peace be multiplied in y ^e knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I thought it my duty to write unto you, my beloved in y ^e Lord at Langhton, to stir up your minds, & to call to your remembrance the words which have been told you before, and to exhort you (as that good man & full of y ^e holy Ghost Barnabas did the Antiochians) that with purpose of heart ye continually cleave unto the Lord, & that ye stand fast, and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, whereof (God be thanked) ye have had plenteous preaching unto you by your late pastor M. Saunders, & other faithful ministers of Jesus Christ, which now, when persecution ariseth because of y ^e word, do not fall away like shrinking children, and forsake the truth, being ashamed of the Gospel whereof they have been preachers, but are willing and ready for your sakes (which are Christ's mystical body) to forsake not only the chief and principal delites of this life (I do mean their native countries, friends, lyuinges. &c. but also to fulfill their ministry unto y ^e utmost that is to wit, with their painful imprisonmentes and bloudsheddinges (if need shall require) to confirm & seal Christ's Gospel, whereof they have been Ministers: and (as S. Paul saith) they are ready not only to be cast into prison, but also to be killed for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Whether these, being that good salt of the earth, that is true ministers of God's word, by whose doctrine (being received through faith) men are made sauory unto God, & which themselves lose not their saltnes, now when they be proved with the boisterous storms of adversity and persecutiō: or others being that unsavory salt which hath lost his saltnes, that is to wit, those ungodly ministers, which do fall from the word of God into the dreams and traditions of Antichrist: whether of these, I say, be more to be credited and believed, let all men judge.

Wherefore my dearly beloved, receive y ^e word of God with meekness, y ^t is graffed in you, which is able to save your souls: And see that ye be not forgetful hearers, deceiving yourselves with sophistry, but doers of the word whom Christ doth liken to a wise mā, which buildeth his house on a rock, that when the great rayn discendeth, and the flouddes come and beat upon the house, it fell not, because it was grounded upon a rock: this is to wit, that when Satan, with all his legion of devils with all their subtle suggestions, and the world with all y ^e mighty princes thereof, with their crafty counsels do furiously rage against us, we faint not, but abide constant in the truth, being grounded upon a most sure rock which is Christ, and the doctrine of the Gospel, against which the gates of hell (that is, the power of Satan) cannot prevail.

And be ye followers of Christ and the Apostles, and receive the word in much affliction (as the godly Thessalonians did): for the true followers of Christ and the Apostles, be they which receive the word of God. They only receive the word of god, which both believe it, & also frame their lives after it, & be ready to suffer all manner of adversity for the name of the Lord, as Christ & all y ^e Apostles did and as all that will live godly in Christ Jesus must do: for there is none other way into the kingdom of heaven, but through much tribulation. And if we suffer anything for y ^e kingdom of heavens sake, and for righteousness sake, we have the Prophets, Christ, the Apostles and Martyrs for an ensample to comfort us: for they did all enter into the kingdom of heavē at the strait gate and narrow way that leadeth unto life, which few do find. And unless we will be content to deny our own selves, and take up the cross of Christ and his saints, it is an evident argument, that we shall never reign with him.

And again, if we can find in our hearts patiently to suffer persecutions and tribulations, it is a sure token of y ^e righteous judgment of God, that we are counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which we also suffer. It is verily (saith the Apostle) a righteous thing with God, to recompense tribulation to them that trouble us, and rest to us that be troubled. For after this lfe, y ^e godly being delivered from their tribulations and pains shall have a most quiet and joyful rest, where as the wicked and ungodly, contrariwyse shall be tormented for evermore with intolerable and unspeakable pains, as Christ by the parable of the rich glutton & wretched Lazarus, doth plainly declare and teache These ought we to have before our eyes always, that in time of adversity and persecution (whereof all that will be the children of God, shall be partakers, and wherewith it hath pleased God to put some of us in ure all ready) we may stand steadfast in the Lord, and endure even unto the end, that we may be saved. For unless we like good warriors of Jesus Christ, will endeavor our selves to please him who hath chosen us to be soldiers, and fight y ^e good fight of faith even unto the end, we shall not obtain that crown of righteousness, which the Lord that is a righteous judge, shall give to all them that love his coming.

Let us therefore receive with meekness the word that is graffed in us, which is able to save our souls, and ground our selves on the sure rock Christ. For (as the Apostle saith) other foundation can no man lay, besides that which is laid already, which is Jesus Christ. If any man build on this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, timber, haye, stubble, every man's work shall appear, for the day shall declare it, and it shall be shown in the fire. And the fire shall try every man's work what it is. If any man's work that he hath built upon abide, he shall receive a reward: if any man's work burn, he shall suffer loss, but he shall be safe himself: nevertheless yet as it were through fire.

By fi • e here doth the Apostle understand persecution & trouble, for they which do truly preach & profess y ^e word of God, which is called the word of the cross, shall be railed upon, and abhorred, hated, thrust out of the company, persecuted and tried in the furnace of adversity, as gold and silver are tried in the fire.

By gold, silver, and precious stones, he understandeth them y ^t in the mids of persecution abide steadfast in word. By timber, hay, and stubble, are meant such, as in time of persecution do fall away from the truth. And when Christ doth purge his floor with the wind of adversity, these scatter away from the face of the earth like light chaff which shall be burned with unquenchable fire. If they then which do believe, do in time of persecution stand steadfastly in y ^e truth the builder (I do mean y ^e preacher of the word) shall receive a reward, and the work shall be preserved and saved: but if so be that they go back and swerve, when persecution ariseth, the builder shall suffer loss, that is to say shall lose his labor and cost: but yet he shall be saved, if he being tried in the fire of persecutiō, do abide fast in y ^e faith.

Wherefore (my beloved) give diligent heed, that ye as living stones be built upon this sure rock, & be made a spiritual house and a holy Priesthoode for to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable unto God by Jesus Christ. For we are the true temple of God, and the spirit of God dwelleth in us, if so be that we continue in the doctrine of the Gospel. We are also an holy and royal Priesthode, for to offer up spiritual sacrifices & oblations, for the sacrifices of the New Testament are spiritual & of three manners.

The first is, the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, which S. Paul doth call the fruits of those lips which confess the name of God.

The second is, mercy towards our neighbors, as y ^e Prophet Osee saith: I will have mercy and not sacrifice. Read the xxv. chapter of Matthew.

The third is, whē we make our body a quick sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, that is, whē we mortify & kill our fleshly concupiscences & carnal lusts, & so bring our flesh thorough the help of the spirit, under y ^e obedēce of God's holy law. This is a sacrifice to God most acceptable, which the Apostle calleth Our reasonable serving of God And let us be sure, that unless we do now at this present take better heed to our selves, and use thankfully the grace of God offered to us by the Gospel preaching these years past, whereby we are induced & brought to y ^e knowledge of y ^e truth: unless, I say, we keep Christ and his holy word, dwelling by faith in y ^e house & temple of our harts, the same thing that christ threateneth unto the Jews, shall happen unto us: y ^t is to wit, the unclean spirit of ignorance, superstitiō, idolatry, and infidelity or unbelief, the mother & head of all vices, which by the grace of God was cast out of us, bringing with him 7. other spirits worse then himself, shall to our utter destruction, return again into us: and so shall we be in worse case thā ever we were before. For if we, after we have escaped from the filthiness of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, be yet tangled therein again and overcome, then is the latter ende worse then the beginning: and it had been better for us not to have known the way of righteousness, then after we have known it, to turn frō the holy commandment given unto us.

For it is then happened unto us according to the true proverb: the dog is turned to his vomit again, and the sow that was washed, to wallowing in the mire. And thus to continue & persevere in infidelity, & to kick against the manifest and known truth, and so to die without repentance and with a despair of the mercy of God in Jesus Christ, is to sin against the holy Ghost, which shall not be forgivē, neither in this world, neither the world to come. For it is not possible (saith s. Paul) that they which were once lighted, and have tasted of the heavenly gift: and hast tasted of the good word of God, and of the power of y ^e world to come: if they fall away, should be renewed again by repentance, for as much as they have (as concerning themselves) crucified the some of God again, making a mocking of him. S▪ Paul's meaning in this place is: that they that believe truly and unfeignedly gods word, do continue and abide steadfast in the known truth.

If any therefore fall away from Christ and his word, it is a plain token, that they were but dissēbling hypocrites for all their fair faces outwardly, & never believed truly: as Judas, Simon Magus, Demas, Hymenaeus, Philetus, and others were, which all fell away from the know̄ verity, and made a mock of Christ: which S. Paul doth call here, to crucify Christ a new, because that they turning to their old vomit again, did most blasphemouslye tread y ^e benefits of Christ's death & passiō under their feet. They that are such, can in no wise be renewed by repentance: for their repentance is fleshly, as the repentance of Cain, Saul, & Judas was, which being without godly comfort, breadeth desperation unto death. These are not of y ^e number of the elect: & as S. John doth say: They went out from us, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us they would have remained with us unto the end. Also the Apostle saith in another place If we sin willingly after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin, but a fearful looking for judgment and violent fire, which shall devour the adversaries.

They sin willingly, which of a set malice & purpose do withhold the truth in unrighteousness & lying, kicking against the manifest & opē known truth, which although they do perfectly know that in all the world there is none other sacrifice for sin, but only that omnisufficient sacrifice of Christ's death: yet notwithstanding, they will not commit themselves wholly unto it: but rather despise it, allowing other sacrifices for sin, invented by the imagination of man (as we see by daily experience) unto whō if they abide still in their wickedness, & sin, remaineth a most horrible & dreadful judgment. This is y ^e sin unto death for which s. John would not that a man should pray.

Wherefore my dearly beloved in Christ, let us, (on whō the ends of the world are come) taking diligent heed unto ourselves, y ^t now in these last and perilous times, in y ^e which the devil is come down, and hath great wrath because he knoweth his time is but short, & whereof the Prophets, Christ & the Apostles have so much spoken & givē us so earnest forewarning: we withhold not y ^e truth in unrighteousness, believing, doing, or speaking any thing against our knowledge & conscience, or without faith. For if we do so, for whatsoever cause it be, it is a willful & obstinate infidelity, & a sin unto death: And as our Savior Christ saith: if ye believe not: ye shall die in your own sins. For unless we hold fast the word of life, both believing it & also bringing forth fruit worthy of repentance, we shall with the unprofitable fig tree, which did but cumber the ground, be cut down, and our talent taken from us and given unto another that shall put it to a better use: & we through our own unthankfulness put from the mercy of God, shall ever be able to pay our debts: that is to say, we shall altogether de lost & undone. For the earth that drinketh in rain that cometh o • t upon it, & bringeth forth herbs meet for them y ^t dress it, receiveth blessing of god. But that ground that beareth thorns & brears, is reproved and is nigh unto cursing, whose end is to be burned.

Neuertheles dear friends, we trust to see better of you and things which accompany salvation, and that ye being y ^t good ground, watered with the moystnes of God's word plenteously preached amongst you, will with a good heart hear the word of God & keep it, bringing forth fruit with patience. And be none of those forgetful and hipocritish hearers, which although they hear the word yet the Devil cometh, and catcheth away that which was sow̄ in the heart: either having no root in themselves, endure but a season, and as soon as tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by they are offended: either with the cares of this world & deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and so are unfruitful. Read the parable of the sower, & among other things note and mark, that y ^e most part of the hearers of God's word are but hypocrites and hear the word without any fruit or profit, yea only to their greater condemnation: for only the fourth part of y ^e seed doth bring forth fruit. Therefore let not us that be Ministers, or professors, & followers of God's word, be discouraged, though that very few do give credit, & follow the doctrine of the Gospel, and be saved.

Who soever therefore hath ears to hear, let him hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but who soever hath not frō him shall be taken away even that he hath: that is to say, they that have a desire of righteousness and of the truth, shall be more & more illuminated of God, on the contrary part, they that do not covet after righteousness and truth, are more hardend and blinded, though they seem unto them selves most wise. For God doth here follow an example of a loving father, which when he seeth that fatherly love and correction doth not help towards his children, useth another way. He ceaseth to be beneficial unto them, & to minister unto thē fatherly correction: he giveth them over unto them selves, suffering them to live as they lust them selves.

But we trust to see better of you (my dearly beloved) and that ye like very Gadarenites, for fear to lose your worldly substance or other delites of this lif, will not banish away Christ & his gospel from amongst you: but that ye with all diligence of mind will receive y ^e word of god, taught you by such ministers, as now when persecution ariseth because of y ^e word, are not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord Jesus, but are content to suffer adversity with the Gospel, & therein to suffer trouble as evil doers, even unto bonds. And if ye refuse thus to do, your own blood will be upon your own heads. And as ye have had plenteous preaching of the Gospel, more then other have had: so shall ye be sure if ye repent not, and bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, to be sorer plagued, & to receive greater vengeance at God's hand, then others, and the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and be given to another nation, which will bring forth the fruits thereof.

Wherefore my dearly beloved in Christ, take good heed to yourselves, & ponder well in your minds, how fearful and horrible a thing it is to fall into the hands of the living God. And see that ye receive not the word of God in vain, but continually labor in faith, and declare your faith by your good works, which are infallible witnesses of y ^e true justifying faith, which is never idle, but worketh by charity. And see that ye continually give yourselves unto all manner of good works: amongst the which, the chiefest are to be obedient to the Magistrates, since they are the ordinance of God, whether they be good or evil, unless they command Idolatry and ungodliness, that is to say, things contrary unto true Religion. For then ought we to say with Peter: We ought more to obey God then man. But in any wise we must beware of tumult, insurrection, rebellion, or resistance.

The weapon of a Christian in this matter, ought to be the sword of the spirit, which is God's word and prayer, coupled with humility and due submission, and with readynes of heart, rather to die then to do any ungodliness. Christ also doth teach us, that all power is of God, yea evē the power of the wicked, which God causeth often times to reign for our sins, & disobedience towards him and his word. Whosoever then doth resist any power, doth resist the ordinance of God, and so purchase to him self utter destruction and undoing.

We must also by all means, be promoters of unity, peace and concord. We must honor and reverence Princes, and all that be in authority, and pray for them, and be diligent to set forth their profit and commodity.

Secondly, we must obey our parents, or them that be in their rooms, & be careful for our households, that they be provided for & fed, not only w ^t bodily food, but much rather with spiritual food, which is the word of God.

Thirdly, we must serve our neighbors by all means we can, remembering well the saying of Christ: Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye likewise unto them, for this is the law and the Prophets.

Fourthly, we must diligently exercise the necessary work of prayer for all estates: knowing that God therefore hath so much commanded it, and hath made so great promises unto it, and doeth so well accept it. After these works we must learn to know the Cross, & what affection and mind we must bear towards our adversaries and enemies, what so ever they be, to suffer all adversities and evils patiently, to pray for them that hurt, persecute, and trouble us: and by thus using our selves, we shall obtain an hope & certainty of our vocation, that we be the elect children of God.

And thus, I commend you brethren unto God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build further, & give you an inheritance among all thē, which are sanctified: beseeching you to help M. Saunders & me your late Pastors, and all them that be in bonds for the Gospels sake, with your prayers to God for us, that we may be delivered from all them that believe not, and frō unreasonable and froward mē, and that this our imprisonment & afflictiō may be to the glory and profit of our Christian brethren in the world, & that Christ may be magnified in our bodies, whether it be by death or by life. Amen.

Salute from me all the faithful brethren: & because I write not several Letters to them, let them either 〈◊〉 or hear these my letters. The grace of our Lord be with you all. Amē. The xxviij. of June, by the unprofitable servant of Jesus Christ, and now also his prisoner. George Marsh.

Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Pray, pray, pray. Never more need.

An other Letter of the said George Marsh, to certain of his dearly beloved friends at Manchester in Lancashire.

GRace be with you, and peace from God ou • Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

After salutations in Christ to you, with thanks for youre friendly remembraunces of me, desiring and wishing unto you, not only in my letters, but also in my daily prayers, such consolation in spirit, and taste of heavenly treasures, that ye may thereby continually work in faith, labor in love, perseueer in hope, and be patient in all your tribulations and persecutions, even unto the ende and glorious coming of Christ: these shall be ea • nestly to exhort and beseech you in Christ, as ye have received the Lord Jesus, even so to walk, rooted in him, and not to be afraid of any terror of your adversaries, be they never so many and mighty, and you on the other side never so few and weak: for the battle is the Lord's. And as in times past, God was with Abraham, Moses, Isaac, David the Maccabees and other, & fought for them, and delivered all their enemies into their hands, even so hath he promised to be with us also, unto the worlds end, and so to assist, strengthen, and help us, that no man shall be able to withstand us. For as I was with Moses, so will I be with thee (saith God) and will never leave thee nor forsake thee. Be strong and bold: neither fear nor dread: for the Lord thy God is with thee, whether soever thou goest. Now if God be on our side, who can be against us?

In this our spiritual warfare, is no man overcome, unless he traitorously leave and forsake his captain, either cowardly cast away his weapons, or willingly yield himself to his enemies, either fearfully turn his back and fly. Be strong therefore in the Lord (dear brethren) and in the power of his might, and put on all the armor of God, that ye may be able to stand steadfast against the crafty assaults of the devil.

Now, what weapons ye must fight withal, learn of S. Paul, a champion both much exercised, and also most valiant and invincible. For we must think none other, but that the life of man is a perpetual warfare upon earth, as the examples of all godly men, throughout all ages to declare. The valiant warrior S. Paul, being delivered from the hands of the ungodly, and that so many times, and also from so many extreme pearils and dangers of death (as he his own self doth witness) is fain to commit him self in the ende to the rough waters of the sea: where he was in great pearil and ieoperdie of his own life: yet was God always (to the great comfort of all that hear of it) most ready to comfort and succor him, and gloriously delivered him out of all his troubles: so that no man that invaded him, could do him any harm, and in the ende he was compelled to say: I have finished my course: the time of my departing is at hand: I long to be loosed, and to be with Christ, which is best of all, most heartily desiring death.

These things be written for our learning and comfort, and be to us a sure obligation, that if we submit our selves to God & his holy word, no man shall be able to hurt us, and that he will deliver us from all troubles, yea from death also, until such time as we covet and desire to die. Let us therefore run with patience unto the battle that is set before us, and look unto Jesus the Captain and finisher of our faith, and after his example, for the rewards sake that is set out unto us, patiently bear the cross and despise the shame. For all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution.

Christ was no sooner baptized and declared to the world to be the son of God, but Satan was by and by ready to tempt him: which thing we must look for also: yea, the more we shall increase in faith and virtuous living, the more strongly will Satan assault us: whom we must learn after the example of Christ, to fight against, and overcome with the holy and sacred Scriptures and word of God (which are our heavenly armor) and sword of the spirit. And let the fasting of Christ, while he was tempted in the wilderness, be unto us an example of sober living, not for the space of 40. days (as the Papists do fondly fancy of their own brains) but as long as we are in the wilderness of this wretched life, assaulted of Satan, who like a roaring Lyon walketh about, and ceaseth not, seeking our utter destruction.

Neither can the servants of God at any time come & stand before God, that is, lead a godly life, and walk innocently before God. But Satan cometh also among them, that is, he daily accuseth, finedeth fault, vexeth, persecuteth and troubleth the godly: for it is the nature and property of the devil always to hurt, and do mischief, unless he be forbidden of God: for unless God do permit him, he can do nothing at all, not so much as enter into a filthy hog: but we are more of price then many hogs before God, if we cleave unto his son by faith.

Let us therefore knowing Satan's deceits and rancor, walk the more warely, and take unto us the shield of faith, wherewith we may be able to quench and overcome all the fiery and deadly darts of the wicked. Let us take to us the helmet of salvation, & sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, and learn to use the same according to the example of our graunde Captayne Christ. Let us fast and pray continually. For this frantic kind of devils goeth not out otherwise (as Christ doeth teach us) but by faithful prayer and fasting, which is true abstinence and soberness of living, if we use the same according to the doctrine of the gospel and word of God. Fasting is acceptable to God, if it be done without hypocrisy, that is to say: • f we use it to this intent, that thereby this mortal body and disobedient carcase may be • amed and brought under the subjection of the spirit: and again, if we fast to this intent, that we may spare wherewith to help and succor our poor needy brethren.

This fast do the true Christians use all the days of their life, although among the common sort of people remaineth yet still that superstitious kind of fasting, which God so earnestly reproveth by his Prophet Isaiah. For as for true chastening of the body, and abstaining from vice, with showing mercy towards our needy neighbors, we will neither understand nor hear of, but still think with the Jews, that we do God a great pleasure when we fast, and that we then fast, when we abstain from one thing, and fil our bellies with another. And verily in this point doth our superstition much exceed the superstitiō of the Jews: for we never read that they ever took it for a fast, to abstain from flesh, and to eat either fish or white meat, as they call it.

To fasting and prayer must be joined alms, and mercy towards the poor and needy: and that our alms may be acceptable unto God, three things are chiefly required.

First, that we give with a cheerful and joyful heart: For the Lord loveth a cheerful giver.

Secondly, that we give liberally, putting aside all nigardship, knowing that he that soweth little, shall reap little, and he that soweth plenteouslye, shall reap plenteouslye. Lette every man therefore do according as he is able. The poorest caitiff in the world may give as great and acceptable an alms in the sight of God, as the richest man in the world can do. The poor widow that did offer but two mites, which make a farthing, did highly please Christ: In so much that he affirmed with an oath, That she of her penury, had added more to the offerings of God, then all the rich men, which of their superfluity had cast in very much. For if there be first a willing mind (as S. Paul saith) it is accepted, according to that a mā hath, and not according that a man hath not.

Thirdly, we must give without hypocrisy and ostentation, not seeking the praise of men, or our own glory of profit. And although the Scriptures in some places make mention of a reward to our alms and other good works, yet ought we not to think that we do merit or deserve any thing: but rather we ought to acknowledge, that God of his mere mercy rewardeth in us his own gifts. For what hath he that giveth alms, that he hath not received, he then that giveth unto a poor man any manner of thing, giveth not of his own, but of those goods which he hath received of God. What haste thou (saith the apostle) that thou hast not received? If thou hast received it, why rejoicest thou, as though thou hadst not received it?

This sentence ought to be had in remembrance of all men. For if we have nothing, but that which we have received, what can we deserve? or what need we to dispute and reason of our own merits? It cometh of the free gift of God, that we live, that we love God, that we walk in his fear. Where is our deserving then? We must also in this our spiritual warfare arm our selves with continual prayer, a very necessary, strong, and invincible weapon, and after the example of Christ and all other godly men, cry heartily unto God in faith, in all our distresses and anguishes. Let us go boldly to the seat of grace, where we shall be sure to receive mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. For now is pride and persecution increased: now is the time of destruction and wrathful displeasure.

Wherefore my dear brethren, be ye fervent in the law of God, and ieoperd ye your lives if need shall so require, for the testament of the fathers, and so shall ye receive great honor, and an everlasting name. Remember Abraham: Was not he found faithful in temptation, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness? Joseph in time of his trouble kept the commandment, and was made a Lord of Egypt. Phinehas was so fervent for the honor of God, that he obtained the covenant of an everlasting Priesthode. Joshua for the fulfilling the word of God, was made the captain of Israel. Caleb bare record before the Congregation, and received an heritage. David also in his merciful kindness obtained the throne of an everlasting kingdom. Elias being zealous and fervent in the law, was taken up into heaven. Ananias, Azarias, and Misael remained steadfast in the faith, and were delivered out of the fire. In like manner Daniel being vnguiltie, was saved from the mouth of the Lions.

And thus ye may consider throughout all ages since the world began, that who soever put their trust in God, were not overcome. Fear not ye then the words of ungodly men: for their glory is but dong and worms: today are they set up, and tomorrow are they gone: For they are turned into earth, and their memorial cometh to naught. Wherefore let us take good hearts unto us, and quite our selves like men in the law: for if we do the things that are commanded us in the law of the Lord our God, we shall obtain great honor therein.

Beloved in Christ, let us not faint because of affliction, wherewith God trieth all them that are sealed unto life everlasting: for the only way into the kingdom of God, is through much tribulation. For the kingdom of heaven (as God teacheth by his Prophet Esdras) is like a City built and set upon a broad field, and full of all good things, but the entrance is narrow and sudden, [full of sorrow and travail, pearils and labors] Like as if there were a fire at the right hand, and a deep water at the les •• and as it were one straight path between them both, so small, that there could but one man go there. If this City now were given to an heir, and he never went through the pearillous way, how would he receive his inheritance? Wherefore seeing we are in this narrow and straight way, which leadeth unto the most joyful and pleasant City of everlasting life: let us not stagger, either turn back, being afraid of the dangerous and pearillous way, but follow our Captain Jesus Christ in the narrow and straight way, and be afraid of nothing, no not even of death it self: for it is he that must lead us to our journeys ende, and open us the door unto everlasting life.

Consider also the course of this world, howe many there be which for their masters sake, or for a little promotions sake, would adventure their lives in worldly affairs, as commonly in wars, & yet is their reward but light & transitory, & ours is unspeakable, great and everlasting. They suffer pains to be made Lord's on earth for a short season: howe much more ought we to endure like pains (yea peradventure much less) to be made kings in heaven for evermore? Consider also the wicked of this world, which for a little pleasures sake, or to be avenged on their enemies, will fight with sword and weapons, and put them selves in danger of imprisonment and hanging. So much as virtue is better then vice, & God mightier then the devil, so much ought we to excel them in this our spiritual battle.

And seeing brethren, it hath pleased God to set me, and that most worthy minister of Christ, John Bradford, your countrymen in the forefront of this battle, where (for the time) is most danger, I beseech you all in the bowels of Christ to help us and all other our fellow soldiers standing in like perilous place, with your prayers to God for us, that we may quite our selves like men in the Lord, and give some example of boldness & constancy, mingled with patience in the fear of God, that ye and others our brethren, thorough our example, may be so encouraged and strengthened to follow us, that ye also may leave example to your weak brethren in the world, to follow you. Amen.

Consider what I say: the Lord give us understanding in all things. Brethren the time is short: it remaineth that ye use this world as though ye used it not: for the fashion of this world vanisheth away. See that ye love not the world, neither the things that are in the world: but set your affection on heavenly things, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Be • eeke, & long suffering, serve and edify one other, with the gift that God hath given you. Beware of strange doctrine: lay aside the old conversation of greedy lusts, and walk in a new life. Beware of all uncleanness, covetousness, foolish talking, false doctrine & drunkenness: Rejoice & be thankful towards God, & submit yourselves one to another▪ Cease from sin, spend no more time in vice, be sober and apt to pray, be patient in trouble, love each other, and let the glory of God and profit of your neighbor, be the only mark ye shoot at in all your doings. Repent ye of the life that is past, and take better heed to your doings hereafter. And above all things cleave ye fast to him, who was delivered to death for our sins, & rose again for our justification. To whom with the father & the holy ghost be all honor & rule for evermore. Amen.

Salute from me in Christ all others, which love us in the faith, and at your discretiō make them partakers of these letters: and pray ye all for me and other in bonds for the Gospel, that the same God (which by his grace hath called us from wicked papistry, unto true Christianity, and now of love proveth out patience by persecution, will of his mercy and favor in the end gloriously deliver us, either by death, or by life, to his glory, Amē

At Lancaster the 30. of August. 1554.

By me an unprofitable servant of Christ, George Marsh.

To his well-beloved in Christ Ienkin Crampton, James Leiuer, Elice Fogge▪ Rafe Bradshaw, the wife of Richard Bradshaw, Elice Crampton, and to everyone of them be these delivered from Lancaster. G. Marsh.

THe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, & the love of God, & the fellowship of the holy Ghost be w ^t you all. Amen.

After salutations in Christ, and hearty thanks for your friendly tokens, and your other remembraunces towards me, beseeching God y ^t ye may increase in faith, fear, love, and 〈◊〉 good gifts, & grow up into a perfect man in Christ: these be earnestly to exhort you, yea & to beseech you in the • ender mercy of Christ, that w ^t purpose of heart ye continually cleave unto the Lord, and that ye worship & serve him in spirit, in the gospel of his son. For God will not be worshipped after the commandments & traditions of men, neither yet by any other means appointed, prescribed, and taught us, but by his holy word. And though all men for the most parte defile them selves with the wicked traditions of men & ordinances after y ^e world, and not after Christ: yet do ye after the ensample of Toby, Daniel & his 3. companions, Matharhias and his 5. sons, be at a point with yourselves that ye will not be defiled with y ^e unclean meats of the heathen, I do mean the filthiness of Idolatry, and the very Heathenish ceremonies of the Papists: but as true worshippers, serve ye God in spirit and verity, according to his sacred Scriptures: which I would wish and will you above all things continually and reverently (as both S. Paul and Christ command you) to search and read, with the wholesome monitions of the same: to teach, exhort, comfort & edify one another, and your brethren & neighbors, now in time of this our miserable captivity, and great famishment of souls, for want of the food of God's word. And doubt not, but that the merciful Lord, who hath promised to be with us even unto the worlds end, and that whensoever 2. or 3. be gathered together in his name, he will be in the midst of them, will assist you, and teach you the right meanings of the sacred Scriptures, will keep you from all errors, and lead you into all truth, as he hath faithfully promised.

And though ye think yourselves unable to teach, yet at the commandment of Christ now in time of famine, the hungry people being in wilderness far frō any towns, which if they be sent away fasting, are sure to faint & pearish by the way, employ and bestow those five loaves and two fishes that ye have, upon that hungry multitude, although ye think it nothing among so many. And y ^t he increased the v. loaves and the ii. fishes to feed v. M. men, besides women and children, shall also augment his gifts in you, not only to the edifying and winning of others in christ, but also to an exceeding great increase of your knowledge in God & his holy word. And fear not your adversaries: for either according to his accustomed manner God shall blind their eyes that they shall not espy you, either get you favor in their sight, either else graciously deliver you out of their hands by one means or other.

Obey with reverence all your superiors, unless they command idolatry or ungodliness. Make provision for your households, chiefly that they be instructed and taught in the law of God. Love your wives even as your own selves, & as Christ loved the congregatiō. Love your children, but rate thē not, lest they be of a desperate mind: and bring them up in the nurture & information of the Lord, and teache them even as the godly parents of Toby the younger, and Susanna did teach their children, even from their infancy to reverence God according to his law, & to abstain from sin, providing y ^t in no wise they be brought up in idleness & wantonness, seeing y ^t ye reckon yourselves to be the children of God, and look for the life which God shall give to them that never tourne their belief from him. See that ye ever fear God, and keep his commandments: and though the plague of God chance unto you, yet remain ye steadfast in the faith and fear of God, and thank him and serve him in such holiness and righteousness as are acceptable before him all the days of your life. Comfort yourselves in all your adversities, & stay yourselves in him, who hath promised not to leave you as fatherless and motherles children without any comfort, but y ^t he will come to you like a most gentle & merciful Lord. He will continually stand by you in all your troubles, assisting, helping and succoring you at all times. I will be with you (saith he) unto the ende of the world. And clea • e you fast unto him, which was incarnate▪ lived, wrought, taught, & died for your sins: yea rose again from death, ascended into heaven for your justification. Repēt ye of the life that is past, and cease from sin, and from hence forward live as much time as remaineth in the flesh, not after the lusts of men, but after the will of God. To do good & distribute, forget not. Fast and pray busily, & as every man hath received the gift, minister the same one to another as good ministers of the manifold graces of God, that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever, and while the world standeth, Amen.

Yours George Marsh.

An other Letter.

THe same grace and peace (dearly beloved in Christ) do I entirely desire and wish unto you, which the Apostle S. Paul wisheth to all them, unto whom he did write and send his Epistles, then which 2. things no better can be wished and desired of God. Grace is throughout all the Epistles of Paul, taken for the free mercy and favor of God, whereby he saveth us freely, without any deservings or works of the law. In like manner peace is taken for the quietness and tranquility of the conscience, being thoroughly persuaded that through the only merits of Christ's death and bloodshedding, there is an atonement and peace made between God and us, so that God will no more impute our sins unto us, nor yet condemn us.

Dearely beloved, I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of things, though that ye know them yourselves, and be also established in the present truth: notwithstanding, I think it mete (as long as I am in this tabernacle) to stir you up, by putting you in remembrance. Wherefore I beseech you brethren, and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that ye increase more and more, evē as ye have received how ye ought to walk and to please God. And as Barnabas that good man, & full of the holy ghost, exhorted the Antiochiās, with purpose of heart, cleave ye continually unto the Lord. And stand fast, & be not moved frō the hope of the Gospel, whereof (God be thanked) ye have had plenteous preaching unto you these years past, by the faithful Ministers of Jesus Christ, Leiuer, Pilkenton, Bradford, Saunders, and others like, which now when persecution ariseth because of the word, do not fall away like shrinking children and forsake the truth, but are pressed and ready for your sakes, which are his mystical body, to forsake the chief & principal delites of this life, and some of them in giving place to the outrageous tyranny of the world, to forsake their livings, friends, native land, and other chief pleasures of this life, and to commit themselves to painful exile, that if it please God, Christ may come again out of Egypt. And other some are ready to fulfil their ministry unto the utmost: that is to wit, with their painful imprisonmentes and bloodshedding (if need shall so require) to confirm and seal Christ's Gospel, whereof they have been ministers: and as S Paul saith: not only to be cast into prison, but also to die for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Be ye not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord Jesus, neither be ye ashamed of us which are his prisoners, but suffer ye adversity with the gospel, for which word we suffer as evil doers, even unto bonds: but the word of God is not bound with us. Therefore we suffer all things for the elect sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory: wherefore stand ye fast in the faith, and be not moved from the hope of the Gospel, and so shall ye make us even with joy to suffer for your sakes, and as the Apostle saith. To fulfill that which is behind of the passions of Christ in our flesh, for his bodies sake, which is the congregation. Saint Paul doth not here mean, that there wanteth any thing in the passion of Christ, which may be supplied by man, for the passion of Christ (as touching his own person) is that most perfect and omnisufficient sacrifice, whereby we are all made perfect, as many as are sanctified in his blood: but these his words ought to be understand of the elect and chosen, in whom Christ is and shall be persecuted unto the worlds ende. The passion of Christ then, as touching his mystical body which is the Church, shall not be perfect till they have all suffered, whom God hath appointed to suffer for his sons sake. Wherefore stablish yourselves and be of good, comfort, & be not moved in these afflictions, knowing that we are appointed thereunto. For on your partes nothing cā be greater consolation & inward joy unto us in our adversity, then to hear of your faith and love, and that ye have a good remembrance of us always, praying for us as we do for you, as the Apostle writeth of the Thessalonians, saying: Now are we alive if ye stand steadfast in the Lord: for good shepherds do always count the welfare and prosperous estate of Christ's flock to be their own: for while it goeth well with the congregation, it goeth well with them also in whatsoever affliction or adversity they be: but when they see the church in any pearill or weakness, then be they weary of their own lives, then can they have no rest nor joy. Who is weak, saith S. Paul, and I am not weak? Who is offended and I do not burn? But this affection is not in them that seek their own luker and glory.

And for as much as the life of man is a perpetual warfare upon earth, let us run with joy unto the battle that is set before us, & like good warriors of Jesus Christ, please him, who hath chosen us to be soldiors, & not like shrinking children faint and fall away from the truth now in time of adversity and tribulation, wherewith all that will lively godly in Christ Jesus, must be tried, even as gold & silver is proved in the fire, and whereof all the scriptures have given us so much forewarning For God is wont for the most part, to warn his elect and chosen what affliction and trouble shall happen unto them for his sake, not to the intent to fray them thereby, but rather to prepare their minds against the boisterous storms of persecution. As we have a notable example in the Apostle S Paul, unto whom God sent Agabus, who prophesied unto him of the imprisonment and bands, that he should suffer at Jerusalem: In whom we have also a good example of constancy & steadfastness, which regarding nothing the tears of his familiar friends, nor yet the peril of his own life, did through fire & water go on still to set forth the glory of God; and he being delivered frō the hands of his ungodly & bloudthirsty enmies, & that so many times, is in conclusion fain to commit himself to the rough waters of the sea, where he was a long season in great peril & ieoperdy of his own life. But God was always (to the great comfort of all that shall hear of it) most ready to help & succor him. First he did send him a most friendly and sweet cōpanye, I mean Aristarchus and Lucas, so ruling the heart of the under captain Julius, that he courteously entreated him, & gave him liberty to go to his friends, and to refresh him self, and he was beneficial unto him at all times. In like manner was God with Joseph, and delivered him from all his adversities, and gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, in so much that he made him Governor over all Egypt, and over all his household. In like manner was he with Jeremiah, and Daniel in their great troubles, and appointed men for them in their most troubles, to relieve, succor, and help them to their singular comfort.

Also when Peter was in Herodes prison, sleeping between 2. soldiers, bound with 2 chains, and the kepers before the door keeping the prison, the same night that Herod had intended to have brought him out unto the people the day following, and to have put him unto death to please the Jews withal, as a little before he had killed James the brother of John with the sword: god sent his angel, and the chains fell off from Peters hands, and the iron gate opened unto him by his own accord, and so was Peter wonderfully delivered by God. For it is the true living God that looseth all bands, and delivereth out of prison, and not that feigned God S. Leonard. On that true God did S. Peter call: unto him did he ascribe the glory of his deliverance, saying: Now I know of a truth that God hath sent his Angel. &c.

These things are written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. The God of patience and comfort, grant that we be like minded one towards another, after the ensample of Christ Jesus, that we all agreeing together, may with one mouth glorify God the father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A poor prisoner for Christ, George Marsh.

An other letter of George Marshe to Robert Langley.

THe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, & the love of God, and the fellowship of the holy Ghost be with you good brother in Christ, Robert Langley, & with all them that love the Lord Jesus unfeignedly. Amen.

After hearty commendations to you, w ^t thanks for that ye did visit me a prisoner in Christ, & unacquainted with you, to your costs, this shall be to let you know, that ye shall receive from me mine examination and handling at Lathum, and the cause of mine imprisonment, according as I did promise you: and this ye shall receive by my brother or someone of the Bradshawes of Bolton w ^t in this seven night, willing you to show the same to such faithful mē about Manchester or else where, as you do take to be favorers of true religion, and Christ's holy word, and then to deliver it again. And whereas you did put me in comfort, that if I did want anything necessary unto this life, you with some others, would be bearers with me in this my costly and painful affliction. I give you most hearty thanks, and rejoice greatly in the Lord, who stirreth up the hearts of others to be careful for me in this my great necessity. I thank God, as yet I do want nothing, and intend to be as little chargeable unto others (saving my mother) as I can. If I do want, I will be bold with you and others, to send for your relief and help in my necessity: desiring you in the mean while to pray for me, and all others in the bonds of Christ: that God would perform the thing which he hath begun in us, that we may with boldness confess Jesus Christ, and fright the good fight of faith.

Yours George Marsh.

A letter of George Marshe to a certain godly friend.

GRace be with you, and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and Jesus the Lord.

After hearty commendations and thanks to you, not only for your large token, but much more for your loving letters, full of consolation to me as touching my person to you unknown: these shall be to certify you that I rejoice greatly in the Lord, when I do perceive how my sweet savior Christ doth stir up the minds, not only of my familiar friends in times past, but also of sundry and diverse heretofore unto me unknown and unacquainted, to bear part with me in this my painful & costly imprisonment, sending me things not only necessary for this present life, but also comfortable letters, encouraging & exhorting me to continue grounded and stablished in the faith, and not to be moved away from the hope of the Gospel, whereof, according to my small talent I have been a minister: and daily I call and cry unto the Lord, in whom is all my trust, and without whom I can do nothing, that he which hath begun a good work in me, would vouchsafe to go forth with it until the day of Jesus Christ, being surely certified in my conscience of this, that he will so do, for as much as he hath given me, that not only I should believe on him, but also suffer for his sake. The Lord strengthen me with his holy spirit, that I may be one of the number of those blessed, which enduring to the ende, shall be saved.

And whereas you say that my suffering of persecution with Christ, is a thing to you most comfortable, I make answer that in all mine aduersitye and necessity, nothing on your behalf is greater consolation unto me, then to hear of the faith and love of others, and how they have good remembrance of us always, even as the Apostle reporteth by the Thessalonians, saying: Now are ye alive if ye stand steadfast in the Lord. For my trust in the Lord is, that this my business shall happen to the furtherance of the gospel, and that you will be none of those forgetful and hypocritish hearers, whereof some being but wayside hearers, the devil cometh and taketh away the word out of their hearts, least they should believe and be saved (but let prayer be made without ceasing by the congregation unto God for them) and (no doubt) God will to your consolation, gloriously deliver by one mean • s or other his oppressed. Only tarry ye the Lord's leisure: be strong, let your heart be of good comfort, and wait ye still for the Lord. He tarrieth not, that will come, look for him therefore and faint not, and he will never fail you.

Yours George Marsh.

A letter of a godly brother one James Bradshaw, sent to George Marsh in prison.

GRace and peace from God the father, and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you always. Amen.

We had a letter from you, which is a great comfort unto us, to see you take the cross so thankfully. Trouble & affliction doth prove, try, instruct, confirm & strengthen the faith, provoke and stir up prayer, drive and force us to amendment of life, to the fear of God, to mekenes, to patience, to constancy, to gentleness, to soberness, temperancie, and to all manner of virtues, and are the occasion of exceeding much good, as well transitory as eternal, in this world as in the world to come. There is neither good nor bad, godly nor ungodly, but he hath one cross or other. And although some there be that can shift for a while, and make provision for thenselves for a time, by craft or subtlety and dissimulatiō, or by some fashion in fellowship (as they call it) yet they bring them selves at length into the highest danger, confusion and shame, both in this world, & in the world to come. And seeing that all the troubles and adversity in this world, are a thousand times more light & easy, yea nothing in comparison of the eternal fire, which is prepared and already kindled for the unfaithful and wicked enemies of God: all faithful and godly persons ought to bear and suffer their transitorye affliction and adversity the more patiently, willingly, and thankfully: considering and remembering all the dearly beloved friends of God, which were wonderfully vexed & plagued of their enemies Abraham of the Caldeis, Lot, of the Sodomites, Isaac, of Ishmael, Jacob of Esau, Moses of his people, David of Saul and of his own sons. As for Job, he had not a drop of blood in his body. John the Baptist the holiest that ever was borne of a woman, was without any law, right or reason, beheaded in prison, as though God had known nothing at all of him.

We have many thousand fellow martyrs and companions of our misery and adversity, in respect of whose imprisonment, racking, chains, fire, wild beasts, and other means, wherewith they were tormented, all that we suffer is but a blast of wind. Therefore now who soever is ashamed of the cross of Christ, and agreued therewith, the same is ashamed to have Christ for his fellow & companion, and therefore shall the Lord Jesus Christ be ashamed of him again at the latter day.

Thus I leave for this time, beseeching you to let me have your advise, because I do not outwardly speak that with my tongue, that I do think w ^t my heart. Pray for me, as I for you. I beseech the holy Ghost have you in his keeping always. Amen.

By your friend James Bradshaw.