1563 Edition | Book 5 | Page 1604 
☞ In the time that this foresayd Ihō Careles was in prison, in the kinges Bench, it chaūced he was in great heauines and perturbation of mynde and conscience,
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Careless's letters to John Philpot, to his co-religionists in Newgate and his prayer were first printed in the 1563 edition. The letters to Margaret Careless, Bradford, to Green, Whittle and the other prisoners in Newgate, to Tyms, to 'M.C.', to Thomas Upcher (both letters), to Henry Adlington, to 'a faithfull friend' and the letter in Agnes Glascock's book were all first printed in Letters of the Martyrs (yet another indication of the scope and thoroughness of Henry Bull's research). The letter to 'E.K.' was first printed in 1566 along with Nicholas Ridley's Pituous Lamentation. All of the other letters were first printed in the 1570 edition.
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ECL 260, fo. 164r-v is the original of this letter. It was first printed in 1563 and then in Letters of the Martyrs, pp. 226-29. This letter was written on or soon after 20 November 1555.
(☞)
THe God of all coumfort, and the father of our Lord Iesus Christ, send vnto thee my deare brother Careles, the inwarde consolatiō of his holy spirit in all the malicious assaultes and troubles tēptations of oure common aduersary the Deuyll. Amen.
vThat God geueth you so contrite a hearte for your sinnes, I cannot but reioyce to behold the liuely marke of the children of God, whose propertie is to thinke more lowly and vilely of thē selues, then of any other, and often times do set theyr sinnes before them, that they mighte the more be stirred to bring forth the fruites of repentaunce, and learne to mourne in this world that in an other they might be glad and reioyce. Such a broken heart is a pleasaunt sacrifice vnto God. O that I had the like contrite heart. God mollify my stonye heart, which lamenteth not in such wise my former detestable iniquities Praysed be God that he hath geuen you this sorowful hart in respect of righteousnes, & I pray you let me be partaker of these godly sorrowes for sin, which be the testimony of the presēce of þe holy ghost. Did not the sweord of sorow pearce the heart of the elect and blessed mother of oure Lorde? Did not Peter wepe bitterly for his sinnes, which was so beloued of Christ? Did not Mary Magdalene washe the feete of our sauior with her teares, and receiued therwithal remison of her seuenfolde synnes? Be of good coumfort therfore mine owne deare heart, in thys thy sorrowe. for it is the earnest peny of eternal consolation. In thy sorrowe laugh. for the spirit of God is with thee.
[Back to Top]Blessed be they, saith Christ, that mourne. for they shalbe coumforted. They went foorth and wept, saith the Prophet: suche shal come agayne hauing their gripes full of gladnesse. And although a sorowful heart in consideration of his sinne, be an acceptable sacrifice before GOD, whereby we are stirred vp to more thankfulnes vnto God, knowing that muche is forgeuen vs that we might loue the more: yet the manne of God must kepe a measure of the same, least he be swallowed vp by to muche sorow. Sainct Paul would not the Thessaloniās to be sory as other men whiche haue no hope. Such a sorow is not commendable, but worketh damnation, and is farre from the children of God, who are contynually sorowfull in God, when they loke vpon their own vnworthines with hope of foregeuenes. For God to this ende by hys spirite setteth
[Back to Top]the sinnes of his elect stil before them, that wher they perceiue sinne to abounde, ther they might bee assured that grace shall superabounde. and bringeth them downe vnto hell, that he mighte lift thē vp with greater ioy vnto heauen. Wherfore mine owne bowelles in Christe, as long as you are not voyde altogether of hope be not dismaide through your pensite heart for your synnes, howe huge so euer they haue bene. For god is able to forgeue more then you are able to sin: yea, and he will forgeue hym whiche with hope is sorye for his sinnes. But know brother, that as ofte as we doe goe about by the help of gods spirit, to dooe that is good, the euyl spirite Sathan layeth hard wayte to tourne the good vnto euyll, and goeth aboute to mixe the detestable darnell of desperation with the godlye sorrowe of a pure penitent heart. You be not ignoraunt of his malicious subtlety, and howe that continuallye he assaulteth that good which the grace of God planteth. I see the battell betwixt you and hym, but the victorye is yours, yea and that daily. For you haue layde holde vppon the anker of saluation, whiche is hope in Christe, the whiche will not suffer you to be made ashamed.
[Back to Top]Be not discomfited that you haue this conflict, but be gladde that God hath geuen you the same to trye your fayth, and that you might appeare dailye worthye of the kingdome of God, for the whiche you striue. God beholdeth youre striuyng faith against Sathan, and is pleased with your mighty resistaunce. The spirit which is in you is myghtier then all the aduersaries power. Tempt he maye, and lying awayte at youre heeles geue you a fall vnwares: but ouer come he shall not, yea, he cannot. for you are sealed vppe alreadye with a liuelye faith to bee the child of god for euer, & whom god hath once sealed for his own, him he neuer vtterly forsaketh. The iust falleth seuen times, but he riseth again. It is mannes frailtie to fall, but it is the propertie of the Deuils childe to lye still. Thys stryfe against sinne is a sufficient testimony that you are the sonne of god. for if you were not, you should fele no such malice as he nowe troubleth you withall. when this strong Goliah hath the holde, all thinges bee in peace whiche he possesseth: and because he hath you not, hee wyll not suffer you vnassaulted. But stande faste, and holde oute the buckeler of Faith, and wyth the sweord of Goddes promyses, smite hym on the scalpe, that he may receiue a deadly wound and neuer be able to stande agaynst you any more. Sainct Iames telleth you that he is but a cowarde, saying: resist the Deuill and he will flye awaye It is the will of god that he shoulde thus long tempt you, and not goe awaye as yet, or els he hadde doone with you long ere this. He knoweth alreadye that he shall receiue the foyle at youre hands, and encrease the crown of your glory. for he that ouercommeth shall bee crowned.
[Back to Top]Therfore glorye in youre temptations, synce they shall tourne to your felicitie. Bee not afrayde of youre continuall assaultes whiche bee occasions of your daily victorye. The worde of God abideth for euer: in what houre so euer a sinner repenteth him of his sinnes, they bee forgeuen. Who can lay any thinge to the charge of Goddes elect? Dooe you not perceiue the manifest tokens of your election? first your vocation
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