sacrifice of the mass, calling it idolatry. And thirdly, that you have spoken against the sacrament of the altar, denying the real presence of Christ's body and blood to be in the same. And according to the will and pleasure of the synod, you have been oft by me invited and required to go from your said errors and heresies, and to return to the unity of the catholic church, which if you will now willingly do, you shall be mercifully and gladly received, charitably used, and have all the favour I can shew you. And now to tell you truly, it is assigned and appointed me to give sentence against you, if you stand herein, and will not return. Wherefore, if you so refuse, I do ask of you, whether you have any cause that you can shew why I should not now give sentence against you?'

"Philpot. Under protestation, not to go from my appeal that I have made, and also not to consent to you as my competent judge, I say, to your first objection concerning the catholic church, I neither was nor am out of it. And as to the sacrifice of the mass, and the sacrament of the altar, I never spake against it. And as concerning the pleasure of the synod, I say, that these twenty years I have been brought up in the faith of the true catholic church, which is contrary to your church, and in that time I have been many times sworn (as well in the reign of King Henry VIII. as in the reign of good King Edward his son) against the usurped power of the bishop of Rome, which oath I think that I am bound in my conscience to keep. But if you, or any of the synod, can by God's word persuade me that my said oath was unlawful, and that I am bound by God's law to come to your church, faith, and religion, I will gladly yield, agree, and be conformable to you, otherwise not.'"'

Then Bonner, not being able with all his learned doctors to accomplish this his offered condition, fell to persuading of him, as well by his accustomed vain promises, as also by bloody threatenings, to return to their church.

Philpot.-'You, and all your sort, are hypocrites, and I would all the world knew your hypocrisy, your tyranny, ignorance, and idolatry.'"'

Upon these words, the bishop dismissed him, commanding that on Monday, the sixteenth of the same month, he should again be brought there, to have the definitive sentence of condemnation pronounced against him.

At which day and time, John Philpot being presented before the bishops of London, Bath, Worcester, and Lichfield, Bonner, bishop of London, after a Latin prayer and some conference as to his authority, began to recite the following exhortation :

"Master Philpot, this is to be told you, that if you, not being yet reconciled to the unity of the catholic church, from whence you did fall in the time of the late schism here in this realm of England against the see apostolic of Rome, will now heartily and obediently be reconciled to the unity of the same catholic church, professing and promising to observe and keep to the best of your power the faith and christian religion observed and kept of all faithful people of the same; and moreover, if you which heretofore, especially in the years 1553, 1554, 1555, or in one of them have offended and trespassed grievously against the sacrifice of the mass, calling it idolatry and abominable, and likewise have offended and trespassed against the sacrament of the altar, denying the real presence of Christ's body and blood to be there in the sacrament of the altar, affirming also withal, material bread and material wine to be in the sacrament of the altar, and not the substance of the body and blood of Christ; if you, I say, will be reconciled as is aforesaid, and will forsake your heresies and errors before touched, being heretical and damnable, and will also allow the sacrament of the mass, you shall be mercifully received, and charitably used with as much favour as may be; if not, you shall be reputed, taken, and judged for an heretic, as you are indeed. Now do you choose what yon will do; you are counselled herein friendly and favourably.

"Ita est quod Edm. Bonner Episc. Lond.'

"The bishop's exhortation thus ended, Master Philpot turned to the lord mayor, and said:

"Philpot. To you my lord mayor bearing the sword, I now speak, I am glad that it is my chance now to stand before that authority that hath defended the gospel and the truth of God's word; but I am sorry to see, that that authority, which representeth the king and queen's persons, should now be changed, and be at the commandment of antichrist; and you,' speaking to the bishops, pretend to be the followers of the apostles of Christ, and yet are the very antichrists and deceivers of the people; and I am glad that God has given me power to stand here this day, and to declare and defend my faith, which is founded on Christ.

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"Therefore, as touching your first objection, I say, that I am of the catholic church, whereof I was never out, and that your church, which you pretend to be the catholic church, is the church of Rome, and so the Babylonian, and not the catholic church; of that church I am not.

"As touching your second objection, which is, that I should speak against the sacrifice of the mass, I do say, that I have not spoken against the true sacrifice, but I have spoken against your private masses that you use in corners, which is blasphemy to the true sacrifice; for your sacrifice daily reiterated is a blasphemy against Christ's death, and it is a lie of your own invention; and that abominable sacrifice which you set upon the altar, and use in your private masses instead of the living sacrifice, is idolatry, and you shall never prove it by God's word; therefore, you have deceived the people with your sacrifice of the mass.

"Thirdly, where you lay to my charge, that I deny the body and blood of Christ to be in the sacrament of the altar, I cannot tell what altar you mean, whether it be the altar of the cross, or the altar of stone; and if you call it the sacrament of the altar in respect of the altar of stone, then I defy your Christ, for it is a rotten Christ.

"And as touching your transubstantiation, I utterly deny it, for it was brought up first by a pope. Now as concerning your offer made from the synod, which is gathered together in antichrist's name; prove to me that it is the catholic church, which you shall never do, and I will follow you, and do as you would have me to do. But you are idolaters, and daily commit idolatry. You are also traitors; for in your pulpits you rail upon good kings, as King Henry, and King Edward, who have stood against the usurped power of the bishop of Rome; against whom also I have taken an oath, which if you can shew me by God's law that I have taken unjustly, I will then yield to you; but I pray God to turn the king and queen's hearts from your synagogue and church, for you do abuse that good queen.'

"Here the bishop of Coventry and Lichfield began to shew where the true church was, saying: "Coventry. a high hill.' 'Philpot. church.'

The true catholic church is set upon

Yea, at Rome, which is the Babylonian

"Coventry. No; in our true catholic church are the apostles, evangelists, and martyrs; but before Martin Luther, there was no apostle, evangelist, or martyr of your church.'

'Philpot.-' Will you know the cause why? Christ did prophesy that in the latter days there should come false prophets and hypocrites, as you are.'

"Coventry. Your church of Geneva, which you call the catholic church, is that which Christ prophesied of.'

"Philpot. I allow the church of Geneva, and the doctrine of the same, for it is one, catholic, and apostolic, and follows the doctrine that the apostles preached; and the doctrine taught and preached in King Edward's days, was also according to it. And are you not ashamed to persecute me and others for your church's sake, contrary to the true catholic church?" "

After further controversy, the bishops waxing weary, and being not able either by God's word, or by the true ancient catholic fathers, to convince and overcome him,

endeavoured by fair and flattering speech to persuade with him; promising, that if he would revoke his opinions, and come home again to their Romish church, he should not only be pardoned that which was past, but also they would with all favour and cheerfulness of heart, receive him again as a true member thereof. When Bonner saw these words would take no effect, he demanded of Philpot whether he had any just cause to allege why he should not condemn him as a heretic. In the end the bishop, seeing his immovable steadfastness in the truth, pronounced publicly the sentence of condemnation against him. In the reading of it, Philpot said, "I thank God that I am a heretic out of your cursed church; I am no heretic before God. But God bless you, and give you grace to repent your wicked doings, and let all men beware of your bloody church."

While Bonner was about the midst of the sentence, the bishop of Bath pulled him by the sleeve, and said, "My lord, my lord, know of him first, whether he will recant or not." Then Bonner said, "O, let him alone;" and so read the sentence. And when he had done, he delivered him to the sheriffs, and then two officers brought him through the bishop's house into Paternosterrow, and there his servant met him, and when he saw him, he said, "Ah, dear master!" Then Philpot said to his man," Content thyself, I shall do well enough; for thou shalt see me again." The officers thrust him away, and took his master to Newgate; and as he went, he said to the people, "Ah, good people, blessed be God for this day!" and so the officers delivered him to the keeper.

Then Alexander, the chief keeper, commanded him to be set upon the block, and to put as many irons upon his legs as he could bear.

On Tuesday, the 17th of December, there came a messenger from the sheriffs, and bade Philpot make ready, for the next day he should suffer, and be burned at a stake with fire. Philpot answered and said, "I am ready; God grant me strength, and a joyful resurrection." And so he went into his chamber, and poured out his spirit to the Lord God, giving him most hearty thanks that he of his mercy had made him worthy to suffer for his truth.

In the morning the sheriffs came according to the order, about eight o'clock, and called for him, and he most joyfully came down to them. And there his man did meet him, and said, "Ah, dear master, farewell!" His master said to him, "Serve God, and he will help thee." And so he went with the sheriffs to the place of execution. When he was entering into Smithfield he kneeled down, and said, "I will pay my vows in thee, O Smithfield !"

And when he was come to the place of suffering, he kissed the stake, and said, "Shall I disdain to suffer at this stake, seeing my Redeemer did not refuse to suffer most vile death upon the cross for me?" and then with an obedient heart he said meekly the 106th, 107th, 108th psalms and when he had made an end of all his prayers, he said to the officers, "What have you done for me?" and every one of them declared what they had done; and he gave to every one of them money.

Then they bound him to the stake, and set fire to the fagots; so on the 18th of December, suffered this holy martyr, in the midst of the flames, yielding his soul into the hands of Almighty God, and like a lamb gave up his breath, his body being consumed to ashes.

Thus hast thou, an account of the life and acts of this learned and worthy soldier of the Lord, John Philpot; with all his examinations that came to our hands: first penned and written with his own hand, being marvellously preserved from the sight and hand of his enemies; who by all manner of means sought not only to stop him from all writing, but also to spoil and deprive him of that which he had written. For which cause he was many times stripped and searched in the prison by his keeper; but yet so happily were these writings of his conveyed and hid in places about him, or else his keeper's eyes so blinded, that notwithstanding all this malicious purpose of the bishop, they are yet remaining, and come to light.

A Letter of John Philpot to the Christian Congregation, exhorting them to refrain from the idolatrous Ser. vice of the Papists, and to serve God after his Word.

"It is a lamentable thing to behold at this present, in England, the faithless departing both of men and women from the true knowledge and use of Christ's sincere religion, which they have been so plentifully taught, and do know, their own consciences bearing witness to the truth thereof. If that earth be cursed of God, which often receiving moisture and pleasant dews from heaven, doth not bring forth fruit accordingly; how much more grievous judgment shall such persons receive, which hav ing received from the Father of Heaven the perfect knowledge of his word by the ministry thereof, do not show forth God's worship after the same? If the Lord will require, in the day of judgment, a godly usury of all manner of talents which he lendeth unto men and women, how much more will he require the same of his pure religion revealed unto us, (which is of all other talents the chiefest and most pertaining to our exercise in this life,) if we hide the same in a napkin, and set it not forth to the usury of God's glory, and edifying of his church by true confession? God hath kindled the bright light of his gospel, which in times past was suppressed, and hid under the vile ashes of man's traditions, and hath caused the brightness thereof to shine in our hearts, to the end that the same might shine before men, to the honour of his name. It is not only given us to believe, but also to confess and declare what we believe in our outward conversation. For as St. Paul saith (Rom.x. 10.), With the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.' It is all one before God, not to believe at all, and not to shew forth the lively works of our belief. For Christ saith, Either make the tree good and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt and his fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by his fruits.' So that the person who knoweth his master's will, and doeth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes. And not all they who say, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of God, but he that doeth the will of the Father. And Christ says, 'Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." After that we have built ourselves into the true church of God, it hath pleased him, by giving us over into the hands of the wicked synagogues, to prove our building, and to have it known as well to the world as to ourselves, that we have been wise builders in the true church of God, building upon the rock, and not on the sand, and therefore now the tempest is risen, and the storms do mightily blow against us, that we might notwithstanding stand upright, and be firm in the Lord, to his honour and glory, and to our eternal felicity. There is no new thing happened unto us, for with such tempests and dangerous weather the church of God hath continually been exercised. Now once again, as the prophet Haggai tells us, 'The Lord shaketh the earth, that those might abide for ever, which are not overcome.'

"Therefore, my dearly beloved, be stable and immovable in the word of God, and in the faithful obser vation thereof, and let no man deceive you with wain words, saying, that you may keep your faith to yourselves, and dissemble with antichrist, and to live at rest and quietness in the world, as most men do, yielding to necessity. This is the wisdom of the flesh; but the wisdom of the flesh is death and enmity to God, as our Saviour, for example, did declare to St. Peter, who exhorted Christ not to go to Jerusalem to celebrate the pas sover, and there to be slain, but counselled him to look better to himself.

"Likewise, the world would not have us to forsake it, neither to associate ourselves to the true church, which is the body of Christ, whereof we are lively members, and to use the sacraments after God's word with the danger of our lives. But we must learn to answer the world as Christ did Peter, and say, 'Get thee behind me, Satan, for thou savourest not the things that be of

that fear him, and on such as put their trust in him. Where we may learn, that they only put their trust in God that serve him; and to fear God, is to turn from evil, and do what is good. So that such as do look to be partakers in God's mercy, may not abide in that which is known to be manifest evil, and detestable in the sight of God.

"Another sort of persons do make them a cloak for their sins, under the pretence of obedience to the magistrates, whom we ought to obey although they are wicked. But such must learn of Christ to give to Cæsar that which is Cæsar's, and to God that which is due to God; and with St. Peter to obey the higher powers in the Lord, although they are evil, if they command nothing contrary to God's word, otherwise we ought not to obey their commandments, although we should suffer death therefore, as we have the apostles for our example, who answered the magistrates as we ought to do in this case, not obeying their wicked precepts, saying, 'Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.'

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Also, Daniel chose rather to be cast into the den of lions to be devoured, than to obey the king's wicked commandments. If the blind lead the blind, both fall into the ditch. There is no excuse for the transgression of God's word, whether a man doth it voluntarily or at commandment, although great damnation is to them, by whom the offence cometh. Some others there are, that for an extreme refuge in their evil doings, do run to God's predestination and election, saying, that if I be elected of God to salvation, I shall be saved, whatever I do. But such are great tempters of God, and abominable blasphemers of God's holy election, and cast themselves down from the pinnacle of the temple in presumption, that God may preserve them by his angels through predestination. Such verily may reckon themselves to be none of God's elect children, that will do evil that good may come; whose damnation is just, as St. Paul saith. God's predestination and election ought to be with a simple eye considered, to make us more warily to walk in good and godly conversation according to God's word, and not set ourselves up, and charge it upon God to do wickedly as we will; for the elect children of God must walk in righteousness and holiness, after that they are once called to the true knowledge of the truth. For saith St. Paul to the Ephesians, (i. 4,) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.'

"Therefore, St. Peter exhorteth us through good works to make our calling and election sure to ourselves, which we know not but by the good working of God's Spirit in us, according to the rule of the gospel; and he that conformeth not himself to the same in godly conversation, may justly tremble, and doubt that he is none of the elect children of God, but of the viperous generation, and a child of darkness. For the children of light walk in the works of light and not of darkness; though they fall, they do not lie still.

"Let all vain excuses be set apart, and while ye have light, as Christ commandeth, believe the light and abide in the same, lest eternal darkness overtake you unawares. The light is come into the world, but, alas! men love darkness more than light. God give us his pure eyesalve to heal our blindness in this behalf. O that men and women would be healed, and not seek to be wilfully blinded! The Lord open their eyes, that they may see how dangerous a thing it is to decline from the knowledge of truth, contrary to their conscience.

"But what said I, conscience! many affirm their conscience will bear them well enough to do all that they do, and to go to the idolatrous church to service; whose conscience is very large to satisfy man more than God. And although their conscience can bear them so to do, yet I am sure that a good conscience will not permit them so to do; which cannot be good, unless it be directed after the knowledge of God's word: and therefore in Latin this feeling mind is called conscientia, which agreeth by interpretation, as much as with knowledge.

"And therefore, if our conscience be led of herself,

and not after true knowledge, yet we are not so to be excused, as St. Paul beareth witness, saying, 'Although my conscience accuseth me not, yet in this I am not justified.' And he joineth a good conscience with these three sisters, charity, a pure heart, and unfeigned faith. Charity keepeth God's commandments, a pure heart loves and fears God above all, and unfeigned faith is never ashamed of the profession of the gospel, whatsoever damage he shall suffer in body thereby. The Lord, who hath revealed his holy will unto us by his word, grant us never to be ashamed of it, and give us grace so earnestly to cleave to his holy word and the true church, that for no manner of worldly 'respect we become partakers of the works of hypocrisy, which God doth abhor; so that we may be found faithful in the Lord's testament to the end, both in heart, word, and deed, to the glory of God and our everlasting salvation. Amen.

"JOHN PHILPOT, prisoner in the King's Bench for the testimony of the truth. A.D, 1555."

A Letter to John Careless, profitable to be read by all them who mourn in Repentance for their Sins. "The God of all comfort, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, send unto thee, my dear brother Careless, the inward consolation of his Holy Spirit, in all the malicious assaults and troublous temptations of our com. mon adversary the devil. Amen.

"That God giveth you so contrite a heart for your sins I cannot but rejoice to behold the lively mark of the children of God, whose property is to think more lowly and vilely of themselves than of any other, and oftentimes do set their sins before them, that they might the more be stirred to bring forth the fruits of repentance, and learn to mourn in this world, that in another they might be glad and rejoice. Such a broken heart is a pleasant sacrifice unto God: O, that I had the like contrite heart! God soften my stony heart, which lamenteth not in such wise my former detestable iniquities. Praised be God that he hath given you this sorrowful heart in respect of righteousness, and I pray to be a partaker of these godly sorrows for sin, which are the testimony of the presence of the Holy Ghost. Did not the sword of sorrow pierce the heart of the elect and blessed mother of our Lord? Did not Peter weep bit. terly for his sins, who was so beloved of Christ? Did not Mary Magdalene wash the feet of our Saviour with her tears, and received therewithal remission of her sevenfold sins?

"Be of good comfort, therefore, mine own dear heart, in this thy sorrow, for it is the earnest of eternal con solation. In thy sorrow be joyful, for the Spirit of God is with thee: Blessed are they (saith Christ) that mourn, for they shall be comforted.' They who went forth and wept, saith the prophet, such shall come again having their hearts full of gladness. And although ↑ sorrowful heart, in consideration of our sins, is an acceptable sacrifice before God, whereby we are stirred up to more thankfulness unto God, knowing that much is forgiven us that we might love the more, yet the man of God must keep a measure in the same, lest he be swal lowed up by over-much sorrow. St. Paul would not have the Thessalonians to be sorry as other men who have no hope, such a sorrow is not commendable, but worketh damnation, and is far from the children of God, who are continually sorrowful in God when they look upon their own unworthiness, with hope of forgiveness. For God to this end by his Spirit setteth the sins of his elect still before them, that where they perceive sin to abound, there they might be assured that grace shall much more abound, and bringeth them down unto hell that he might lift them up with greater joy unto heaven. Wherefore, mine own bowels in Christ, as long as you are not void altogether of hope, be not dismayed through your pensive heart for your sins, how huge soever they have been, for God is able to forgive more than you are able to sia: yea, and he will forgive him, who with hope is sorry for

his sins.

"But know, brother, that as often as we do go about,

"Be not discontented that you have this conflict: but be glad that God hath given you the same to try your faith, and that you might appear daily worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you strive. God beholdeth your striving faith against Satan, and is pleased with your mighty resistance. The spirit, which is in you, is mightier than all the adversary's power. Tempt he may, and lie wait at your heels, to give you a fall unawares; but overcome he shall not: yea, he cannot, for you are sealed up already with a lively faith to be the child of God for ever: and whom God hath once sealed for his own, him he never utterly forsakes. The just falleth seven times, but he riseth again. It is man's frailty to fall, but it is the property of the devil's child to lie still.

"This strife against sin is a sufficient testimony that you are the child of God: for if you were not, you should feel no such malice as he now troubleth you with. When this strong Goliah hath the hold, all things are in peace which he possesseth and because he hath you not, he will not suffer you to be unassaulted. But stand fast, and hold out the buckler of faith, and with the sword of God's promises smite him on the head: that he may receive a deadly wound, and never be able to stand against you any more. St. James telleth you that he is but a coward, saying, 'Resist the devil, and he will fly from you.' It is the will of God that he should thus long tempt you, and not go away as yet, or else he had done with you long ere this. He knoweth already that he shall receive a defeat at your hands, and increase the crown of your glory, for he that overcometh shall be crowned. Therefore glory in your temptations, since they shall turn to your felicity. Be not afraid of your continual assaults, which are occasions of your daily victory. The word of God abideth for ever. In what hour soever a sinner repents him of his sins, they are forgiven. Who can lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? Do you not perceive the manifest tokens of your election? First, your calling to the gospel, and after your calling, the manifest gifts of the Spirit of God given unto you above many others of your condition, with godliness which believeth and yieldeth to the authority of the scriptures, and is zealous for the same? Seeing you are God's own child, who can hurt you? Be not cast down for these temptations; neither make your sincere friends to be more sorrowful for you than need doth require.

"Since God hath willed you at your baptism in Christ to be careless, why do you make yourself careful? Cast all your care on him. Set the Lord before your eyes always, for he is on your right hand, that you should not be moved. Behold the goodness of God towards me! I am careless, being fast closed in a pair of stocks, which pinch me for very straitness; and will you be careful? I would not have that unseemly addition to your name. Be as your name pretendeth, for doubtless you have no other cause but so to be. Pray, I beseech you, that I may be still careless in my careful estate, as you have cause to be careless in your easier condition. Be thankful, and put away all care, and then I shall be joyful in my strait present care. Commend me to all our brethren, and desire them to pray for me, that I may overcome my temptations: for the devil rageth against me. I am put in the stocks in a place alone, because I would not answer to such articles as they charged me with, in a corner, at the bishop's appointment, and because I did not come to mass when the bishop sent for me. I will lie all the days of my life in the stocks, by God's grace, rather than I will consent to this wicked

pleased him to make us worthy to suffe. somewhat for his name sake. The devil must rage for ten days. Commend me to Master F-, and thank him for his law books but neither law nor equity will take any place among these blood-thirsty men! I would, for your sake, the unjust dealing were noted unto the parliament house, if it might avail. God shorten these evil days. I have answered the bishop very plain already, and I said to him, if he will call me in open judgment, I will answer him as plainly as he will require : otherwise I have refused, because I fear they will condemn me in hugger mugger. The peace of God be with you, my dear! brother. I can write no more for lack of light, and what I have written I cannot read myself, and God knoweth it is written with pain. pray God you may pick out some understanding of my mind towards you. "Written in a coal-house of darkness, out of a pair of painful stocks, by thine own in Christ.

"JOHN PHILPOT."

A Letter of John Philpot to certain Godly Brethren.

"The grace of God the Father, and the peace of our Saviour Jesus Christ, his eternal Son, and the consolation of the Holy Ghost, our comforter, strengthen your hearts, and comfort your minds, that you may rejoice, and live in the truth of Christ's gospel to the end, Amen.

"I do much rejoice, dearly beloved in the Lord, to hear of your constant faith in the word of God, which you have so purely received; which do not with the worldlings decline from the purity thereof, although you suffer grief and trouble thereby; for which I praise God most heartily and the Lord of all strength, who hath begun this good work in you, make it perfect to the end, as I doubt not but he will, for the faithful zeal you have to his truth and to his afflicted church. Therefore, that you may the better stand and bear the brunt of many temptations, which you are all like to be assaulted with in these wicked and stormy days; I thought it good, as it is the duty of one christian man to exhort another in the time of trouble, to put you in remembrance thereof, and to desire you, with the wise man, to prepare yourselves for temptations; and to beware that ye, who yet do stand by the goodness of God, may not fall from your lively knowledge and hope. It is an easy thing to begin to do well, but to continue in well doing is the peculiar property of the children of God, and such as assuredly shall be saved: for so saith our Saviour in his gospel, blessed are they that persevere to the end.

"Let not, therefore, this certainty of your salvation, which is continuance in the sincerity of faith, slide from you. Esteem it more than all the riches and pleasures of this world, for it is the most acceptable treasure of eternal life. This is that precious stone, for which the wise merchantman in the gospel doth sell all that he hath, and buys the same. God, in the third chapter of Revelations, doth signify to the church, that there shall come a time of temptation upon the whole world, to try the dwellers on the earth. From the danger of which temptation all such shall be delivered as observe his word: which word there, is called the word of patience; to give us to understand that we must be ready to suffer all kind of injuries and slanders for the profession thereof.

:

"Therefore, God commands us there to hold it fast, that no man might deprive us of our crown of glory, and St. Peter tells us, 'Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.' St. Paul to the Hebrews shews us that Christ our Saviour was in his humanity made perfect by afflictions, that we being called to perfection in him, might more willingly sustain the troubles of the world, by which God giveth all them that are exercised in the same for his