any longer their wickedness. Wherefore this terrible state of the world does not come for you, but for your enemies. They have a good cause to be afraid and sorrowful: but rejoice ye, as godly Lot did, which, says Peter, dwelt in Sodom, and was constrained with his innocent eyes and ears, to hear and see the detestable sins, until they grew to such fulness and ripeness, that God could no longer refrain. There came two angels, which led godly Lot out of the city. Surely this thing was not without a terrible sight: when the element was horrible with clouds; when thunder was heard, and the cloud went apart with a great wideness, and brimstone and fire fell down by rain and the gasping of the ground ensued, and swallowed in all things. It is not otherwise to be thought, but that Lot was greatly dismayed at these things. But this comfort was at hand, that this horrible and dreadful tempest did not strike him, but the Sodomites, which believed not the word of God, but gave themselves to all kind of most abominable lewdness, yea, and that without all measure. These must needs be marvellously troubled at this fiery rain. But godly Lot beheld this tempest as a pleasant tree in the spring time, that puts forth his buds, and begins to be green. For he feels and receives help and merciful deliverance against the wicked. So, shall it chance to us also in the latter day, if it befal in our lifetime! It shall seem a terrible thing, when heaven and earth shall burn, and we shall be changed in a moment and die. But a christian man must not here take his eyes for judges, but mark how Christ expounds it: that these flowers and boughs are most pleasant. So that, albeit that the grievous sight of the world shall terrify and abash reason, yet let the heart trust to the word of God, that it may not fear that outward sight, but say, Mistrust not, there is no hurt or damage. This does not signify, as Christ says, any evil; but," that

my redemption, and my Redeemer is at hand," Hail' my Redeemer Christ, therefore, and come on as thou art wished for, as I have desired oftentimes, and prayed for while I lived, that thy kingdom might come unto me. He that can receive Christ at his coming after this manner, shall in a moment be changed into that glory, that he may shine with the sun for ever. After this sort does Christ teach us to know truly the last day, that we may learn how great succour we have therein, and why also we ought to look for, and fervently to desire his coming.

The pope preacheth of Christ, that he is a severe Judge, and that we must have help before him by our good monks, and that the intercession of saints are to be had, if any man will be sure from damnation. For so has he put it forth in picture, how Christ comes to judgment, and how he holds a sword and a rod in his mouth, which both are signs of wrath. And whereas Mary and John stand on both sides, it shews that the prayers and intercessions of them and of other such good saints, must be sought for and trusted in. As the good father Bernard persuaded himself, that when the mother shews her paps to the Son, that he cannot deny her any thing; which was an evident proof, that Christ should come like a severe Judge. But in this gospel he teaches us otherwise, that is, that he shall not come to judge and condemn us, but to deliver and redeem us, and that he will grant indeed that which we prayed for, and bring us to his kingdom. And as for others that believe not in him, and vex the Christians with railing and reviling, he will by his sharp sentence, punish grievously. This, (says he,) believe ye only, and look for my coming joyfully: for it shall be to your wealth, that ye may be saved by me for ever, from sin, devil, death, hell, and the world. This is a great comfort. But in this place one thing remains, whereby the fearful consciences are troubled. For

Christ says that that day shall come unlooked for. So that it shall chance likewise to men as it chances to birds, which flee in the morning hungry out of the woods, to find meat somewhere, suspecting no evil, because they were not deceived of their hope in that place before; and suddenly they are wrapped in the nets, taken and killed. But they that fear God will take heed thereof. And because they prove by daily examples how soon they that stand, fall: they are weakhearted, and soon overthrown. For they think it uncertain, what shall become of them to-morrow. Perchance the hour will come when thou shalt be most unready, and didst not see it before; or else hou shalt be entangled with this or that sin. Then art thou undone, and this joyful day shall be changed into mourning.

In this doubt, Christ leaves us not comfortless, but teaches christian men how they shall be rid from their pensiveness, and says: See that your heart be not overladen with surfeit and drunkenness, and with the cares of this life, lest this day oppress you unawares. But watch at all times, and pray, that ye may be found worthy to escape these things, which shall chance, and to stand before the Son of Man. This is an excellent and a necessary doctrine, which ought never to fall out of our minds. Christ gives here no injunction, to forbear meat and drink wholly, neither as the pope commands, to cast away all things-to live out of the world's trouble. God does not disallow the use of meat and drink: neither is it ungodly to provide things necessary for our household. For God for this cause made us to work. But take heed of this, that your hearts be not oppressed with these things so much that ye forget my coming, but watch, that is, look that at all times ye wait, and be armed with the fear of God, and with a good conscience. Do this first: then join with this prayer, that your temptations and cumbrances may be es

caped, and that ye may stand before the Son of Man. As it is comprised in the two last petitions of the Lord's Prayer: "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from all evil." If ye do so, there will be no peril, whether this day come when we be supping or sleeping: whether we be in the church, or in the market-place, it is all one; for it shall find us in the fear and protection of God.

But in this place, it is to be noted, that God cannot well be prayed unto, neither can the prayer be true, when a man careth not to leave certain vices, and to amend his life. Wherefore to true prayer is required true repentance, and that no man sin wittingly, and so hinder his conscience. After that, let us call upon God for mercy, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that he will keep us in the true fear of him; and by the Holy Ghost help us against sin, and preserve us in true faith unto the end, that we may joyfully look after this healthful day, and that we receive Jesus Christ as our Saviour with all confidence. Such prayer through Christ is heard without doubt. Wherefore let us follow this counsel and precept, and on this wise prepare ourselves to the expectation of this day. The which thing our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ grant us. Amen.

BRADFORD.

A FRUITFUL SERMON

OF

REPENTANCE,

MADE BY THE CONSTANT MARTYR OF CHRIST,

JOHN BRADFORD, 1553.

THE life we have at this present is the gift of God, in whom we live, move, and are, and therefore he is called JEHOVAH. For this life we should be thankful, and we may not in any wise use it after our own fancy, but only to the end for which it is given and lent us; that is, to the setting forth of God's praise and glory, by repentance, conversion, and obedience to his good will and holy laws; whereunto his longsuffering, as it were, even draws us, if our hearts were not hardened by impenitency. And therefore our life in the scripture is called a walking; for as the body daily draweth more and more near its end, that is, the earth, even so our soul draweth daily more and more near unto death, that is, to salvation or damnation, to heaven or hell!

Since we are most careless of this, and very fools, (for we, alas! are the same to-day we were yester