The due praise of Martyrs, and other glorious Saints exceedeth mortal tongs.late English Martyrs, and Confessours, whose happie soules for confessing true faith before men, are now most glorious in heaven, we passe here with silence; because their due praise, requiring longer discourse, yea rather Angels then English tongues, farre surpasseth the reach of our conceits. And so we leave it to your devout meditation. They now secure for themselves, and solicitous for us their dearest clients, incessantly (we are wel assured) intercede before Christs Divine Majestie for our happie consummation, with the conversion of our whole countrie. To you therfore (dearest freinds mortal) we direct this speach: admonishing our selves and you in the Apostles words, that for so much as we have not yet resisted tentations to (last) bloud (and death) it-self, Patience necessary to the end of mans life.patience is stil necessarie for us, that doing the wil of God, we may receive the promise: So we repine not in the tribulation, but ever love them that hate us, pittying their case, and rejoycing in our owne. Persecution profitable.For neither can we see during this life, how much good they doe us; nor know how manie of them shal be (as we hartily desire they al may be) saved: our Lord and Saviour having paid the same price by his death for them and for us. Love al therfore, pray for al. Doe not lose your confidence, which hath a great remuneration. For yet a little, and a very little while, he that is to come, wil come, and he wil not slacke. Confession of faith before men necessary to salvation.Now the just liveth by faith, believing with hart to justice, Rom 10.
Heb. 10.and confessing with mouth to salvation. But he that withdraweth himself shal not please Christs soule. Attend to your salvation, dearest contriemen. And you that are farre off, draw neer, put on Christ. And you that are within Christs fold, keep your standing, persever in him to the end. His grace dwel and remaine in you, that glorious crownes may be given to you. Amen.
From the English College in Doway, the Octaves of Al Saints. 1609.
