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There are some, who think it is a gay thing to avoid poverty, to be in wealth, and to live pleasantly: yet sometimes we see, that such an easy life gives us occasion to commit all wickedness, and so is an instrument of our damnation. Now therefore when we say this prayer, we require of God, that he will be our loving Father, and give us such things as may be a furtherance to our salvation, and take away those things which may hinder us from the

same.

Now you have heard the Lord's Prayer, which is, as I told you, the abridgment of all other prayers, and it is the storehouse of God. For here we shall find all things necessary both for our souls and bodies. Therefore I desire you most heartily to resort hither to this storehouse of God; seek here what you lack; and no doubt you shall find things necessary for your wealth.* In the gospel of St. Matthew there are added these words, "For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, world without end. Amen." These words are added not without cause; for as we say in the beginning, "Our Father," signifying that he will fulfil our request, so at the end we conclude, saying, "Thine is the power," &c., signifying that he is able to help us in our distress, and to grant our requests. And though these are great things, yet we need not despair, but consider that he is Lord over heaven and earth, that he is able to do for us, and that he will do so, being our Father and our Lord, and king over all things.

Therefore let us often resort hither, and call upon him with this prayer, in our Christ's name; for he loveth Christ, and all those who are in Christ; for so he saith, "This is my well-beloved Son, in whom I have pleasure." Seeing then that God hath pleasure in him, he hath pleasure in the prayer that he hath made; and so when we say this prayer in his name, with a faithful penitent heart, it is not possible but he will hear us, and grant our requests. And truly, it is the greatest comfort in the world to talk with God, and to call upon him, in this prayer that Christ himself has taught us; for it takes away the bitterness of all afflictions. Through prayer we receive the Holy Ghost, who strengthens and comforts us at all times, in all trouble and peril.

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"For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory."

* Well doing.

The kingdom of God is general throughout all the world, heaven and earth are under his dominion. As for the other kings, they are kings indeed, but toward God they are but deputies, but officers; he only is the right King; unto him only must and shall all creatures in heaven and earth obey, and kneel before His Majesty. Therefore have this ever in your hearts, what trouble and calamities soever shall fall upon you for God's word's sake; if you be put in prison, or lose your goods, ever say in your hearts, "Lord God, thou only art ruler and governor, thou only canst and wilt help and deliver us from all trouble, when it pleaseth thee; for thou art the King to whom all things obey." For, as I said before, all kings reign by him, and through him, as Scripture witnesses: "Through me kings rule." (Prov. viii.) To say this prayer with good faith and a penitent heart, is "a sacrifice of thanksgiving." We were wont to have "the sacrifice of the mass," which was the most horrible blasphemy that could be devised, for it was against the dignity of Christ, and his passion; but this sacrifice of thanksgiving every one may make who calls, with a faithful heart, upon God in the name of Christ.

Therefore let us at all times, without intermission, offer unto God the sacrifice of thanksgiving; that is to say, let us at all times call upon him, and glorify his name in all our livings; when we go to bed let us call upon him; when we rise, let us do likewise. Also, when we go to our meat and drink, let us not go unto it like swine and beasts, but let us remember God, and be thankful unto him for all his gifts. But above all things we must see that we have a penitent heart, or else it is to no purpose; for it is written, "God will not be praised of a wicked man." (Eccles. xv.) Therefore let us repent from the bottom of our hearts, let us forsake all wickedness, so that we may say this prayer to the honour of God, and our own advantage. And, as I told you before, we may say this prayer whole or by parts, according as we shall see occasion. For when we see God's name blasphemed, we may say, "Our Father, hallowed be thy name:" when we see the devil rule, we may say, "Our Father, thy kingdom come:" when we see the world inclined to wickedness, we may say, "Our Father, thy will be done." And when we lack necessary things, either for our bodies or souls, we may say, "Our Father, which art in heaven, give us this

day our daily bread." Also when I feel my sins and they trouble and grieve me, then I may say, "Our Father, which

art in heaven, forgive us our trespasses."

Finally, when we desire to be preserved from all temptations, that they shall not have the victory over us, and that the devil shall not devour us, we may say, "Our Father, which art in heaven, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever, world without end." Amen.

THE

CHRISTIAN WALK.

A SERMON,

Preached on the twenty-third Sunday after Trinity, 1552.*

PHILIPPIANS iii.

Brethren, be followers together of me, and look on them which walk even so as ye have us for an ensample: for many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.

THIS is the epistle which is read this day in the church, and it contains many good things. And this day two years, I entreated of the gospel of this day, at Stamford: and such matters as I had in hand, were gathered by a diligent person and put in print. The gospel was this, "Give unto Cæsar that which pertaineth unto Cæsar; and unto God that which pertaineth unto God." I will rehearse in few words what I said at that time.

The Pharisees and Scribes asked Christ our Saviour, whether they should give tribute unto Cæsar or not; for it irked them that they should pay tribute, they thought it to be a great servitude. They asked Christ this question of a mischievous mind, intending to take him in his words; but he disappointed them, asking whose image‡ the money bare? They answered, The emperor's. Then our Saviour saith, "Give therefore unto the emperor that which pertaineth unto him, and unto God that which pertaineth unto God." They spake not of God, but only of the tribute, but our Saviour in his answer tells them and all the world

*This and the following sermons were also preached in Lincolnshire, and were "collected and gathered by Augustine Bernher." + Gave them pain. + Likeness.

their duties: yet he does it with dark and covered words. They confessed that the image was the emperor's, and so consequently subject unto him; then our Saviour commanded them to pay according unto the order, as the emperor had agreed with them, and that it was their duty to do so. Our Saviour referred them to their laws, signifying that they ought to obey the laws in their commonwealth; and so ought we to do too: for our Saviour in his answer teaches not only them, but us also; for as it was with the Jews, so is it with us here in England.

Our sovereign lord the king, when he lacketh any thing for the defence of his realm, it is presented in the parliament; there such things as are necessary for the king's affairs are required. Now whatsoever is granted unto his majesty by the parliament, the whole realm is bound in conscience to pay it, every man as it is required of him: and that is our due unto the king; namely, to give, and to do our duties in all things towards our sovereign lord the king; as far as it is not against God, we must obey him, and do his requests.

But now you will say, this is a great bondage, and a heavy yoke and servitude. Consider therefore who spoke these words, who commanded us to be obedient. Our Saviour himself. Now he saith, " 'My yoke is light:" how happens it then that he will lay upon me such a heavy burden? for it is a great burden for me to forego my goods; as when there is a subsidy,* so that the king requires one shilling of every pound. Now I am worth forty pounds, and so I pay forty shillings; to which money the king hath as good right, as to any inheritance which his majesty hath.

And this I speak to this end, for I fear this realm is full, of thieves; for he is a thief that withdraws any thing from any man, whosoever he is. Now I put the case that it is allowed by the parliament, by common authority, that the king shall have one shilling of every pound, and there are certain men appointed in every shire who are valuers; if I either corrupt the valuer, or swear against my conscience, that I am not worth a hundred pounds when I am worth two hundred, I am a thief before God, and shall be hanged for it in hell. Now, how many thieves think you are there in England, who will not be valued above ten pounds when they are worth a hundred pounds? But this * A tax upon property.

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