<P_1>

The occasion wherevpon , together with the ende wherefore , this
Epistle was written , is opened in the front & entrie of the same .
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,1.2)

There were then , as there are now , many evill and wickedly disposed
persons , not of the mysticall body , yet within the visible bounds of
the Church , men which were of old ordained to co~demnation , vngodly
men which turned the grace of our God into wantonnesse and denied the
Lord Iesus . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,1.3)

For this cause the spirit of the Lord is in the hand of Iude , the
servant of Iesus and brother of Iames , to exhort them that are called
, and sanctified of God the father , that they would earnestly contend
to maintaine <P_2> the faith ; which was once delivered vnto the Saints
. Which faith because wee $can $not {TEXT:cannot} maintaine except wee
knowe perfectly , first against whom , secondly in what sort it must be
maintained ; therefore in the former three verses of that parcell of
Scripture which I haue read , the enimies of the crosse of Christ are
plainely described ; (HOOKER-A-E2-H,2.4)

and in the later two , they that loue the Lord Iesus haue a sweet
lesson giuen them how to strengthen & stablish themselues in the faith
. (HOOKER-A-E2-H,2.5)

Let vs first therefore examin the description of these reprobates
concerning faith ; and afterwards come to the words of the exhortation
; wherein Christians are taught how to rest their hearts on Gods
eternall and everlasting truth . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,2.6)

The description of these godlesse persons is two fold ; <font> Generall
</font> and <font> Speciall </font> . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,2.7)

The <font> generall </font> doth point them out and shew what manner of
men they should be . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,2.8)

The <font> particular </font> pointeth at them , (HOOKER-A-E2-H,2.9)

and saith plainely these are they . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,2.10)

In the <font> generall </font> description we haue to consider of these
things . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,2.11)

<font> First , when </font> they were described , <font> they were told
of before . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,2.12)

Secondly </font> , the men by whom they were described , <font> They
were spoken of by the Apostles of our Lord Iesus Christ .
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,2.13)

Thirdly </font> , the daies when they should bee manifested vnto the
world , they told you they <font> should bee in the last time .
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,2.14)

Fourthly </font> , their disposition and whole demeanure , <font>
mockers and walkers after their own vngodly lusts </font> .
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,2.15)

2 (HOOKER-A-E2-H,2.16)

In the third to the Philippians , the Apostle describeth certaine .
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,2.17)

<font> They are men </font> , saith hee <font> of whom I haue told you
often , (HOOKER-A-E2-H,2.18)

and now with teares I tell you of them , their God is their belly ,
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,2.19)

their glorying and reioycing is in <P_3> their owne shame ,
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,3.20)

they mind earthly things . </font> (HOOKER-A-E2-H,3.21)

These were enimies of the crosse of Christ , enimies whom he saw ,
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,3.22)

& his eies gusht out with teares to behold them . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,3.23)

But we are taught in this place , how the Apostles spake also of
enimies , whom as yet they had not seen , described a family of me~ as
yet vnheard of , a generation reserved for the end of the world , & for
the last time , (HOOKER-A-E2-H,3.24)

they had not onely declared what they heard and saw in the daies
wherein they lived , (HOOKER-A-E2-H,3.25)

but they haue propheci'd also of me~ in time to come .
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,3.26)

And <font> you doe well </font> , saith S. Peter , <font> in that yee
take heed , to the words of prophecie , so that yee first know this ,
that no prophecie in the Scripture commeth of any mans owne resolution
</font> . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,3.27)

No prophecie in Scripture commeth of any mans owne resolution .
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,3.28)

For all prophecy , which is in Scripture , came by the secret
inspiration of God . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,3.29)

But there are prophecies which are no scripture , (HOOKER-A-E2-H,3.30)

yea there are prophecies against the Scripture : (HOOKER-A-E2-H,3.31)

my brethren beware of such prophecies , (HOOKER-A-E2-H,3.32)

and take heed you heed them not . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,3.33)

Remember the things that were spoken of before ; but spoken of before
by the Apostles of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ .
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,3.34)

Take heed to prophecies , but to prophecies which are in scripture .
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,3.35)

For both the manner and the matter of those prophecies doth shew
plainely that they are of God . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,3.36)

3 (HOOKER-A-E2-H,3.37)

Touching the manner , how men by the spirit of prophecie in holy
Scripture haue spoken & written of things to come , wee must vnderstand
, that as the knowledge of that they spake , so likewise the vtterance
of that they knewe came not by these vsuall <P_4> and ordinary meanes
whereby we are brought to vnderstand the mysteries of our salvation ,
and are wont to instruct others in the same . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,4.38)

For whatsoever wee know , we haue it by the hands and ministrie of men
, which lead vs along like children from a letter to a syllable , from
a syllable to a word , from a word to a line , from a line to a
sentence , from a sentence to a side , and so turne over .
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,4.39)

But God himselfe was their instructour , (HOOKER-A-E2-H,4.40)

he himselfe taught the~ partly by dreames and visions in the night ,
partly by revelations in the daie , taking them aside from amongst
their brethre~ , and talking with them , as a man would talke with his
neighbour in the way . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,4.41)

Thus they became acquainted even with the secret and hidden counsels of
God . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,4.42)

They saw things which themselues were not able to vtter ,
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,4.43)

they beheld that whereat men and Angels are astonished .
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,4.44)

They vnderstood in the beginning , what should come to passe in the
last daies . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,4.45)

4 (HOOKER-A-E2-H,4.46)

God , which lightned thus the eies of their vnderstanding giving them
knowledge by vnvsuall and extraordinarie meanes , did also miraculously
himself frame and fashion their wordes and writings , in so much that a
greater difference there seemeth not to bee betweene the manner of
their knowledge , then there is between the manner of their speech &
ours . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,4.47)

When we haue conceiued a thing in our hearts and throughlie vnderstand
it , as wee thinke within our selues , yet we can vtter it in such sort
that our brethre~ may receaue instruction or comfort at our mouths ,
how great , how long , how earnest meditation are <P_5> we forced to
vse ? (HOOKER-A-E2-H,5.48)

And after much travaile , and much paines , when we open our lips to
speake of the wonderfull workes of God , our tongues doe faulter within
our mouthes , (HOOKER-A-E2-H,5.49)

yea many times wee disgrace the dreadfull mysteries of our faith ,
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,5.50)

and grieue the spirit of our hearers by words vnsavory , and vnseemely
speeches . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,5.51)

<font> Shall a wise man fill his bellie with the easterne wind </font>
, saith <font> Eliphaz , (HOOKER-A-E2-H,5.52)

shall a wise man dispute with words not comely ? or with talke that is
not profitable </font> ? (HOOKER-A-E2-H,5.53)

Yet behold , even they that are wisest amongst us living , co~pared
with the Prophets , seem no otherwise to talke of God , then as if the
children which are caried in armes should speake of the greatest
matters of state . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,5.54)

They whose words doe most shew forth their wise vnderstanding , and
whose lips doe vtter the purest knowledge , so as long as they
vnderstand and speake as men , are they not faine sundry waies to
excuse themselues ? (HOOKER-A-E2-H,5.55)

Sometimes acknowledging with the wise ma~ , <font> hardly can we
discerne the things that are on earth , (HOOKER-A-E2-H,5.56)

and with great labour finde wee out the things that are before vs ,
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,5.57)

who can then seeke out the things that are in heauen </font> ?
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,5.58)

Sometimes confessing with <font> Iob </font> the righteous , in
treating of things too wonderfull for vs , we haue spoke~ we wist not
what . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,5.59)

Sometimes ending their talke , as doth the history of the Macchabees ,
if we haue done wel , & as the cause required , it is that we desire ,
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,5.60)

if we haue spoke~ slenderly and barely , we haue done what we could .
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,5.61)

But <font> God hath made my mouth like a sword </font> , saith <font>
Esay </font> . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,5.62)

And <font> we haue received </font> , saith the Apostle , <font> not
the spirit of the world , but the spirit which is of God , that <P_6>
wee might know the things , which are given to vs of God which things
also we speake , not-5 in words , which mans wisdome teacheth , but
which the holy Ghost doth teach </font> . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,6.63)

This is that which the Prophets mean by those books writte~ ful within
, & without ; which books were so often delivered the~ to eat , not
because God fed the~ with inke , & paper , but to teach vs , that so
oft as he employed them in this heavenly worke , they neither spake ,
nor wrote any word of their owne , but vttered sillable by sillable as
the spirit put it into their mouths , no otherwise then the Harp or the
Lute doth giue a sound according to the discretion of his hands that
holdeth & striketh it with skill . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,6.64)

The difference is only this . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,6.65)

An instrument whether it be a pipe or harpe maketh a distinction in the
times and sounds , which distinction is well perceived of the hearer ,
the instrumente it selfe vnderstanding not what is piped or harped .
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,6.66)

The Prophets and holy men of God not so . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,6.67)

<font> I opened my mouth </font> , saith <font> Ezechiel </font> ,
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,6.68)

and <font> God reached me a scroule , saying , son of man cause thy
belly to eat (HOOKER-A-E2-H,6.69)

& fill thy bowels with this I giue thee , (HOOKER-A-E2-H,6.70)

I eate it , (HOOKER-A-E2-H,6.71)

and it was sweet in my mouth as hony </font> , saith the Prophet .
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,6.72)

Yea sweeter , I am perswaded , then either hony or the hony combe .
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,6.73)

For herein they were not like Harps or Lutes , (HOOKER-A-E2-H,6.74)

but they felt , they felt the power and strength of their owne words .
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,6.75)

Whe~ they spake of our peace , every corner of their hearts , was
filled with joy . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,6.76)

Whe~ they prophecied of mournings , lamentations , and woes , to fall
vpon vs , they wept in the bitternes and indignation of spirit , the
arme of the Lord being mighty and strong vpon them .
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,6.77)

<P_7>

5 (HOOKER-A-E2-H,7.79)

On this manner were all the prophecies of holy scripture . Which
prophecies , although they containe nothing which is not profitable for
our instruction , yet as one starre differeth from another in glory ,
so every word of prophecy hath a treasure of matter in it ,
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,7.80)

but all matters are not of like importance , as al treasures are not of
equal price . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,7.81)

The chiefe & principal matter of prophecie is the promise of
righteousnesse , peace , holinesse , glory , victory , immortality vnto
every soule which beleeveth , that Iesus is Christ , of the Iew first ,
and of the Gentile . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,7.82)

Nowe because the doctrine of salvation to bee looked for by faith in
him , who was in outward appearance as it had beene a man forsaken of
God , in him who was numbred , Iudged , and condemned with the wicked ,
in him whom men did see buffited on the face , scoft at by Souldiers ,
scourged by tormentours , hanged on the crosse , pearced to the heart ,
in him whom the eies of many witnesses did behold , when the anguish of
his soule enforced him to roare as if his hart had rent in sunder ,
<font> O my God , my God why haste thou forsaken me </font> ? I say ,
because the doctrine of salvatio~ by him is a thing improbable to a
natural man , that whether we preach it to the Gentile , or to the Iew
, the one condemneth our faith as madnes , the other as blasphemy ,
therefore to establish and confirme the certainety of this saving
trueth in the harts of men ; the Lord togither , with their preachings
, whom hee sent immediatly from himselfe , to reveale these things vnto
the world , mingled prophecies of things both civill <P_8> and
Ecclesiasticall , which were to come in everie age from time to time ,
till the very last of the latter daies ; that by those things , wherein
we see daily their words fulfilled and done , we might haue strong
consolation in the hope of things which are not seene , because they
haue revealed as well the one as the other . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,8.83)

For when many things are spoken of before in scripture , whereof we see
first one thing accomplished , and then another , and so a third ,
perceiue wee not plainely , that God doeth nothing else but lead vs
along by the hand , til he haue setled vs vpon the rocke of an assured
hope , that no one iote or title of his word shall passe till all be
fulfilled ? (HOOKER-A-E2-H,8.84)

It is not therefore saide in vaine , that these godlesse wicked ones
were <font> spoken of before </font> . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,8.85)

6 (HOOKER-A-E2-H,8.86)

But by whom ? (HOOKER-A-E2-H,8.87)

By them whose words , if men or Angels from heauen gainesaie , they are
accursed ; (HOOKER-A-E2-H,8.88)

by them , whom whosoever despiseth , despiseth not them , but me ,
saith Christ . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,8.89)

If any man therefore doth loue the Lord Iesus <paren> and woe worth him
that loueth not the Lord Iesus ! </paren> hereby wee may know that hee
loveth him indeed , if hee despise not the things that are spoken of by
his Apostles ; whom many haue despised even for the basenesse and
simplenesse of their persons . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,8.90)

For it is the propertie of fleshly and carnall men , to honour and
dishonour , credit , and discredit the words and deeds of every man
according to that he wanteth or hath without . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,8.91)

If a man with gorgeous apparell come amongst vs , although he bee a
theefe or a murtherer <paren> for there are theeues and murtherers
<P_9> in gorgeous apparell </paren> be his heart whatsoever , if his
coat be of purple , or velvet , or tissue , every one riseth up ,
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.92)

and all the reverent solemnities wee can vse , are too little .
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.93)

But the man that serveth God , is contemned and despised amongst vs for
his povertie . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.94)

<font> Herod </font> speaketh in iudgement , (HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.95)

and the people cry out , <font> The voice of God and not of man .
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.96)

Paul </font> preacheth Christ , (HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.97)

they tearme him a trifler . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.98)

Harken beloued : (HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.99)

hath not God chosen the poore of this world , that they should be rich
in faith ? (HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.100)

hath hee not chosen the refuse of the world to be heires of his
kingdome , which hee hath promised to them that loue him ?
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.101)

hath he not chosen the ofscowrings of men to be the lights of the world
, and the Apostles of Jesus Christ . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.102)

Men vnlearned , yet how fully replenished with vnderstanding ?
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.103)

fewe in number , yet how great in power ? (HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.104)

contemptible in shew , yet in spirit how strong ? how wonderfull ?
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.105)

<font> I would faine learne the mysterie of the eternall generation of
the sonne of God </font> , saith <font> Hilary </font> .
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.106)

Whom shall I seeke ? (HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.107)

shall I get me to the schooles of the <font> Grecians </font> ?
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.108)

why ? (HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.109)

I haue read , vbi sapiens ? vbi scriba ? vbi conquisitor huius seculi ?
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.110)

These wise men in the world must needs bee dumbe in this , because they
haue reiected the wisdome of God . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.111)

Shall I beseech the Scribes and Interpreters of the law , to become my
teachers ? (HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.112)

how can they knowe this , sith they are offended at the crosse of
Christ ? (HOOKER-A-E2-H,9.113)

It is death for me to be ignorant of the vnsearchable misterie of the
sonne of God : of which misterie notwithstanding I should haue been
ignorant , but that a poore fisherman , vnknowne , vnlearned , <P_10>
new come from his bote with his cloathes wringing wet , hath opened his
mouth and taught me , <font> In the beginning was the word ,
(HOOKER-A-E2-H,10.114)

and the word was with God , (HOOKER-A-E2-H,10.115)

& the word was God </font> . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,10.116)

These poore sillie creatures haue made vs rich in the knowledge of the
mysteries of Christ . (HOOKER-A-E2-H,10.117)