high-ways, and fuch others, be called voluntary works, which works be of themselves marvellous good, and convenient to be done. Neceffary works, and works of mercy are called commandments; and works of mercy confift in relieving and vifiting thy poor neighbours. Now then, if men be fo foolish of themfelves, that they will beftow the most part of their goods in voluntary works, which they be not bound to keep, but willingly and by their devotion; and leave the neceffary works undone, which they are bound to do, they and all their voluntary works are like to go unto everlasting damnation. And I promise you, if you build an hundred churches, give as much as you can make to the gilding of faints, and honouring of the church, and if thou go as many pilgrimages as thy body can well fuffer, and offer as great candles as oaks, if thou leave the works of mercy and the commandments undone, thefe works shall nothing avail thee. No doubt the voluntary works be good, and ought to be done; but yet they must be so done, that by their occafion the neceffary works, and the works of mercy be not decayed and forgotten: If you will build a glorious church unto God, fee firft yourselves to be in charity with your neighbours, and fuffer not them to be offended by your works. Then when you come into your parish church, you bring with you the temple of God; as St Paul faith, "you yourfelves be the very holy temples of God:" And Chrift faith by his Prophet; "In you will I reft, and intend to make my manfion "and abiding place:" Again, if you lift to gild and paint Chrift in your churches, and honour him in vestments, fee that before your eyes the poor people die not for lack of meat, drink and clothing. Then do you deck the very true temple of God, and honour him in rich veftures, that will never be worn, and fo forth, use yourselves according unto 1 unto the commandments; and then finally fet up your candles, and they will report what a glorious light remaineth in your hearts, for it is not fitting to fee a dead man light candles. Then, I fay, go your pilgrimages, build your material churches, do all your voluntary works, and they will then reprefent unto God, and teftify with you, that you have provided him a glorious place in your hearts. But beware, I fay again, that you do not run fo far into your voluntary works, that ye do quite forget your neceffary works of mercy, which you are bound to keep you must have ever a good refpect unto the beft and worthieft works toward God, to be done firft and with more efficacy, and the other to be done fecondarily. Thus if you do, with the other that I have fpoken of before, you may come according to the tenor of your cards, and offer your oblations and prayers to our Lord Jefus Chrift, who will both hear and accept them to your everlafting joy and glory, to the which may he bring us, and all thofe whom he fuffered death for. Amen. INDE X. A. Biathar depofed, and made A a quondam, Adams, many in the world, 282 765 Affliction it is better to have than phyfic we fhould use, 215 422 Anabaptifts, he meaneth the, all that be in authority, 172 ble and pernicious errors, 129 God will judge, 402 37 911 Answer, a godly and prudent,230 473 no, 636 553 739 time of progrefs and pastime, 371 291 Bilney, |