To the most illustrious and most potent Henry the Eighth of England, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and supreme Head upon earth of the Churches of England and Ireland. John Cheke wisheth much health.

dom to dis

It is the effect of great ingenuity and judgment, (and Great wisperhaps proceeds not merely from human nature, but from tinguish divine grace,) to be able accurately to separate truth from things. falsehood, and to distinguish between things decent and dishonest for so great a resemblance is there between the most distant things, and such a seeming agreement between those things that are of natures really differing one from another, that unless the best and most excellent disposition shall be enlightened by learning and supernatural grace, and be cultivated as it were by continual exercise, it will be impossible for things so much entangled and confused to be parted and discerned by it. Craftiness imitates prudence; severity is often taken for justice; boldness has a semblance of valour; stupidity is not easily distinguished from temperance; pride draws to itself the commendation of magnificence; and not only the pretence of holiness, but what is even almost a mere old wives superstition, puts itself off for religion, and for the true worship of God.

with ap

And as it usually comes to pass, that swollen bodies, Are not to and such as are coloured by art, do exceed the solid bulk be cheated and natural colour of bodies; and as those things that have been tinctured with bull's gall are not far from having

a kind of golden lustre; even so, such things as are in their own nature vicious, and have nothing excellent in them, have nevertheless the figure and appearance of things the most illustrious and magnificent. Concerning which there is a diligent caution to be had: and we should labour with our utmost study, that the one be not taken for the

pearances.

Religion, what it is.

other; and that those things being quite passed by, that have the express characters of honesty, and the image of truth, we do not totally give ourselves over to catch at the shadows and resemblances of things. Therefore, in the ordering of religion, we ought to be very cautious and circumspect, that we do not through carelessness run headlong into any rash judgments and opinions; and that we yield but so far to the bent of our own genius, as not to turn out of the right way that God has prescribed, without framing new modes of worship for ourselves; or endeavouring to appease God with such things as he has either not commanded to be done, or left not to be enjoined. For if even those things which are of divine prescript are not capable of pleasing God, unless they shall be done as he would have them; what human reason invents, what superstition dictates, what the heat of a man's temper hurries him on to pursue, must needs be much farther from pleasing God, when these things neither have any means of rendering themselves grateful to him, nor, if they had, could they merely of themselves be worthy of the divine care.

But there is nothing that is of so great moment, as to the whole concern of this or a future life, as religion: which instructs us in the right discipline and method of life, and of the worship of God; and does alone comprehend the hopes of a future immortal state. And what is there preferable to this? What thing can come in competition with it? What is there that either in point of advantage, or divinity, or safety, can approach or come up to the least part of it? For that which as soon as we seek after it, is not only found with as much ease as other things; but does, over and above besides itself, draw along with it other good things, that are the greatest, and most abundantly such: shall we not think this chiefly to be laid hold of, and pursue it with our utmost care? For to what other end should we labour with all our might, than that having obtained those things that are greatest and most happy, we ourselves should have a full enjoyment of true and perfect felicity, as constantly and long as may be?

vi. 33.

inasmuch as mankind is both naturally inclined to wish after it, and the grace of God does likewise call upon us to embrace it. But the religion which is now proposed by Christ's Christ, and that is manifested to all degrees of men ; which religion. is neither hidden from the good, nor concealed from such as are studious, nor is harsh and difficult to those that follow after it; it is not only most easily sought out, but is even revealed to us. Which being once possessed, what can be wanting, that may seem to any man worthy of being desired, when wanting? what can be present to him, that he shall think greatly deserving to be wished for? For even our Saviour Christ has told us, that religion being first laid hold of, other things will not with much labour be brought in, but will naturally follow of their own accord. Seek ye first, says he, the kingdom of God, and all Matth. these things shall be added unto you. For if he who has given us Christ, will with him likewise give us all things, since in Christ are all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge; how will he not, who through him hath made secure the way to peace and reconcilement with God, teach us also the way, whereby things less considerable, and of lighter value, may either flow in unto us without labour, or be present without trouble, or be taken from us without sorrow? But if Solomon, upon his request of wisdom and judgment, to enable him to distinguish between right and wrong, had so great an addition of riches, power, and glory bestowed upon him, as none of his ancestors had ever seen, and as did never again shine forth upon any of his posterity; how great things God Almighty will give those, who, in the true and pious worship of him, have given up themselves wholly to seek after him; who have prepared themselves to hear his divine voice, and with their whole will and study to live after it! Certainly it cannot be, but that whatsoever they require upon any occasion, they must have just so much, or what they at present have, be it never so little, yet they require no more; either of which, if they have once arrived to, they are most happy: inasmuch as they are of a quiet and contented mind; and it is a thing indifferent to them,

Reformation of reli

gion prosperous to Kings.

whether or no they have an addition of many things towards the satisfying their desire, or their desire lessened to a moderate stint.

This duty towards God, as often as pious and religious Kings have observed, they have been enriched by God with manifold and great blessings. The memory of which has been derived down to us with the Scripture; and the example of them still flourishes, to excite and stir men up, which without the Scripture would be of no force: for

1 Kings xv. Asa, when he purged and reformed religion, that had been

2 Chron.

xiv.

xvii.

oppressed and corrupted by heathen rites, and the wickedness of others; and called back his people to seek after the Lord, and to make a new covenant with their God; did he not defend his cities in peace, and fortify his strong holds? And did not all things flow in unto him prosperously to his wish? Did he not overthrow his enemies in war, and with a small handful destroy whole armies? And being enriched with victory and spoils, did he not return safe, and bring back with him the ample reward of his having cultivated religion? But Jehoshaphat, when he cut down the groves, and inquired after the Lord, and went 2 Chron. up to him with his heart; when he sent his Princes, and with them the Levites and Priests, to teach and instruct the people of the Lord throughout all the coasts and cities of Judah; and himself reformed all the people, from Beersheba to Mount Ephraim; though as yet the high places were not broken down, and although the people were not perfectly brought back to the God of their fathers: yet, nevertheless, how great peace and affluence of all things, what splendor of renown, what tranquillity to the commonwealth, what provision, and abundance of military stores, and of valiant soldiers, how great victory in battle, and what ample spoils, and how great triumphs did he bring back! What need I mention to you Ezechias or Josias, who did not only renew religion that was almost erased and extinguished, but almost established it afresh? How great riches, and what peace did they enjoy! How great a store of money, cattle, and spices, did they possess! How did God as it were snatch them out of the