Prayers and Other Pieces of Thomas Becon, S. T. P: Chaplain to Archbishop Cranmer, Prebendary of Canterbury, &C

Excerpt from Prayers and Other Pieces of Thomas Becon, S. T. P: Chaplain to Archbishop Cranmer, Prebendary of Canterbury, &C

So oft as I behold the face of this world, namely of this realm of England, most gracious lady, I know not whether there be offered unto me greater occasions of gladness or of sadness. For when I consider the horrible blindness and monstrous ignorance which heretofore reigned among us a great number of years, yea, and that almost nniver-sallv in all parts of the Christian public weal, through the subtile devices of Satan and of bis ministers, which, to deceive the foolish blind world, fashion themselves like unto the apostles of Christ, and walk as the angels of light, when, notwithstanding, they are indeed false apostles and deceitful workers, "having an outward appearance of godliness, but utterly denying the virtue and power thereof;" and now see the aforesaid pestilences banished and driven out of this most flourishing realm of England, through the wonderful working of God's Spirit in the king's majesty, and in his most honourable council, I cannot but heartily rejoice and give God most entire thanks.

For who seeth not, except he be wilfully blind and obstinately refuse to sec, how many notable and excellent benefits of our salvation we have received of God under this our king? a prince for his godly disposition and virtuous enterprises worthily to enjoy not only immortal fame, but also the years of ancient and long-living Methuse-latli. Ilis majesty even in these bis young years, by the advice of bis most honourable council, hath no less travailed in putting away idolatry, papistry, superstition, and hypocrisy out of this bis grace's realm, and in restoring unto us his humble and obedient subjects the true religion, and the glorious gospel of our Saviour Jcsu Christ, than that most godly young king Josias did in his kingdom of Juda, which, being but a child of eirht vears old when lie began to reign, did notwithstanding both stiulionslv and earnestly seek after the God of David his father, and turned neither to the right hand nor to the left. And in the twelfth year he began to purge Juda and Ilievusalcm of liill-altars, groves, carved images, and images of metal; so that they broke down the altars of Baal even in the king's presence, and the idols that were upon them he caused to be destroyed. lie slew the idolatrous priests and the chaplains of Baal. lie destroyed the stews and wliorisli houses2. He never ceased till lie had reformed all his whole realm, and brought in again the true religion of God. 0 most shining mirror and lively exemplar for all godly princes to behold and follow!brbrAbout the PublisherbrbrForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.combr