A Very Pleasaunt Fruitful Diologe Called the Epicure | Page 2

breuely, the most famaus writers, as well the
Heathen, as the Christien, with an vniuersall consent, playnly affirme:
Whan thei had weied the nature and condiciõ of the purest thinges
vnder heauen, thei sawe nothyng faire, or of any pryce, or that ought
too be accõpted ours, but onely vertue and learning. Euen now too
acknowledge that same, it is yeouê you from aboue, for your grace
delecteth in nothyng more then too bee occupied in the holye Byble:

wherin, ||A.iiii.|| you beginne too sauer & smelle furth the treasure of
wisedome, knowledge and fulnes of the deuyne power, that is a studie
most conuenient for euery Christien Prince, that kynd of studye cannot
haue sufficient laude and commendation. Whose Princely heart forsoth,
is raueshed on suche a godlie and vertuous studie, it can neuer haue
condigne and worthie praises, but deserueth alwaies too bee had in
great price, estimation, and honour. Who dooeth not know? that Prince
which is yeouen vnto the scriptures of God and with a stoute stomake
and valiãt heart, both searcheth furth and also defendeth ye true
doctrine of the Gospell, too bee inrolled in the assemble of Christ. Who
dooeth not see? that Prince too bee moost surelye armed, which carieth
in his heart the swerd of ye spirit, which is the blessed woord of God.
Who is ignoraunt? that euer lastyng lyfe consisteth in the knoweledge
of God. What Prince woulde not studie to maintaine that, which is
written for the health, and saluation of all menne weiyuge with
himselfe || that a Prince can not deserue, neither by conquest, ciuel
policie, nor yet by anye other meane vnder heauen, thys name high or
honorable, so wourthely as by the setting forward of Goddes woorde.
What young Prince humily defendyng doune intoo him selfe and
callyng to memory his bounden dutie woulde not with a glad hearte and
a chearfull mynde, gredelye desyre too knowe, enlarge, and amplifie
the glory and maiestie of hys derely beloued father? Your grace
(forsoth) hath professed God too bee your father: Blessed are you then
if you obey vnto hys word, and walke in his waies. Blessed are you, yf
you supporte suche as preache the Gospell. Blessed are you, yf your
mind bee full furnished with the testament of Christ, and shew your
selfe too bee the most cruel too and enemy agaynst ypocrisie,
supersticion, and all papistical phantasies, wherwith the true religion of
God hathe been dusked and defaced these many yeres Blessed are you,
if you reade it daye & nighte, that your grace maye knowe what GOD
dooeth forbyd you, and ||A.v.|| euer submit your selfe therunto with
seruiceable lowlines chiefly desiring to florysh and decke your mynd
with godly knowledge. And most blessed are you, if you apply your
self vnto al good workes, & plant surely in your heart the scriptures of
Christ, If you thus doo, nether the power of any papistical realme, nor
yet of hel can preuaile at any time against your grace. Nowe therfore,
with humile hearte, faithfully receiue the swete promises of the Gospel.

If you kepe the woordes of the Lorde and cleaue fast vnto them: there is
promised you the kingdome of heauen: You are promised a weale
publick most riche and welthy You are promised too bee deliuered
from the deceiptes of all youre priuie enemyes. You are promised also,
too conquere great and mightie nations. Agayne, let your grace bee
most fully perswaded in this, that ther was neuer Kyng nor Prince, that
prospered whiche tooke parte against Goddes woord, and that the
greatest abhomination that can bee, either for Kyng, Prince, or any
other manne, is too || forsake the true woord of God. O with howe
rebukefull woordes & greuous iudgement thei be condemned, which
dispice & set lytle by the holy Byble & most blessed Testamêt of God,
wherin there is contained all the wil & pleasure of our heauêly father
toward vs most miserable & ignoraunt wretches Who would not quake,
too beholde the terrible feares & threatenynges of God ageinst al suche?
Who would not lament & gladly helppe their obstinate blyndenes? Who
woulde not weepe? to heare and reade in how many places, they be
openly accursed by the scriptures of Christ. God him self playnely
affirmeth, that he wyll sodênly consume them with the breath of his
anger. Yea, besides that whoso euer declyneth from the word of God is
accursed in all his doynges, whether he be Kyng, or Prynce, riche, or
poore, or of what estate soeuer he bee. This fearfull saiyng (most
excellent Prynce) shulde moue all men to take hede vnto their duties
and to praie that gods word maie take place emõgist vs. O that al men
would ||fantasie the scriptures of