For what is sayd of them that they went not from the tabernacle of the Lorde Ergo Moses was continually in the tabernacle of the Lorde What busynesse had he there Verely that ether he shulde lerne somewhat of God or els teache the people These are the two workes of a Byshop The work of a Bysshop is to study the holy scriptures purely to preache theÌ„ vnto the people and feruently to praye that he shulde learne of god by readyng the diuine scriptures by hauyng hys continuall meditacion in them or elles teache the people but yet ought be to teache those thynges that he had learned of god and not of his owne harte or mans wisdome but those thynges that yâ— holy Ghoste teacheth There is another worke also that Moses dothe he goeth not vnto yâ— warres he fightethe not agaynst the enemies but what doth he He prayeth And while he prayethe hys people ouercommeth if he do once slake let downe hys hâ—des thaÌ„ are hys people ouercome and chased away Let yâ— preste of the chyrche therfore praye wythout ceasyng Exo. xvii that the people whych are vnder hym may ouercome ther inuisible enemies the Amalechites which are dyuels that do impugne and fyghte agaynst them that wyll lyue godly in Christ. O howe true swete and godly are these wordes of the holye Doctore Learn your dutye here o ye Prestes Here may al Byshops Prestes lern what they re dutye is not to be idle not tohsit hawk not to dyse card not to baÌ„cket and lyue voluptuously not to playe the ruflyng galaÌ„tes and to be entangled wyth worldely busynesses but to be continually in the tabernacle of the Lorde that is to saye to studye and to haue theyr perpetuall meditacion in the holye scriptures euen both daye nyght as Dauid saythe Psal. i. and wyth all diligence to teache the people committed to theyr Spirituall charge not mennes tradicions not theyr owne fantasies but Goddes moost holye worde euen the holy scriptures and suche thynges wherof yâ— holy Ghost is the Author Lette them therfore looke well to theyr office For if they be true Byshops and Prestes thys is the worke committed vnto them euen continually to studye the holy scriptures and purely to preach theÌ„ vnto the people If they leaue thys office vndone do the worckes prescribed of man so do they shewe theÌ„ selfes to be yâ— seruauntes not of god but of man Let theÌ„ therfore looke what answer they wyll make to the hygh Iudge and great preste Christ at the terrible daye of iudgement Moreouer it is theyr duty ferueÌ„tly and wythout ceasyng to pray for the people that they maye preuayle agaynst SataÌ„ hys ministers that fyght dayly agaynst theÌ„ The prayers of many prestes are colde â—owa dâ—yes How colde yâ— prayers of many of theÌ„ are I wyl not now dispute For they are more open to the whole worlde than they nede here to be rehersed WhaÌ„ Moses helde vp hys handes and prayed hys people dyd ouercome Whyther our Prestes holde vp theyr handes praye as they ought let other meÌ„ iudge Of this am I sure yâ— syns the world begaÌ„ therneuer reigned more synne and abhominacioÌ„ than there doth at this daye which is but a sleÌ„der argument that we get the victory of our enemies God gyue al Byshoppes and Prestes grace once to looke vpon theyr office diligently yâ— they maye both earnestly studye the holy scriptures teache them syncerly vnto the people and continually occupy theÌ„ selâ—esin feruent prayers Than shal it not only be wel with Christes flocke but also with them selues at the dredefull daye of iudgement whaÌ„ they shall appere before yâ— hygh Byshop Iesus Christ and gyue accouÌ„tes vnto hym of theyr behauour in the office that was coÌ„mitted vnto them in this worlde S. Austen also sayth In AggeuÌ„ ProphetaÌ„ coÌ„syder that it is the office of prestes whan they be demaunded of yâ— lawe to answer If he be a Preste let hym knowe the lawe of the Lord if he knoweth not the lawe of the Lorde he declare the euidently that is he is no preste For it pertayneth vnto the Lordes preste to know the law and whan he is asked to make answer of the lawe Lord be mercifull vnto vs what wyll a great nomber of our prestes saye to these wordes of S. Austen I feare moche that if he were not so auÌ„cient a Doctore and a sayncte all redy approued by the Chyrche surely many prestes for madnes wolde nothynge feare to accuse hym of hereâ—y and to affirme that he preacheth hereticall doctrine so iopardous a thynge at this tyme is it to speake ageÌ„st these ignorant Rabines which although they knowe nothyng yet wyll they be Iudges ouer all menne and redy streyghtewayes to condemne them It is not the long robe the flaryng typpet about the necke the annoyntynge of the fyngers the brode shauynge of the crowne that make the the Preste but knowledge and conâ—ynge in the lawe of the Lorde and so called vnto prestehode The Prophet Malachy sayth the lyppes of a Preste kepe knowledge Maâ—ac ii and at hys mouthe shall they require the lawe for he is the messanger of the Lorde of Hoostes Prestes oughte to be learned in yâ— law of god So sayth S. AusteÌ„ here that Prestes ought to be so wel learned in the holy scriptures that whaÌ„ ony man demaundeth a question of them concernyng the lawe of God they shulde be able to answer If he be a preste saythe he let hym knowe the lawe of the Lord. If he knoweth not the lawe of the Lorde he declareth euidently that he is no preste S. Austen here affyrmethe Who is a preste aftâ—r S. Auâ—â—â—â— mind that he only is a preste whyche hath knowledge in the lawe of the Lorde If there wante the knowledge it is an euident argument sayth he yâ— there is no Preste It is happy that saynt AusteÌ„ is gone and a sayncte For if he were now alyue a Byshop agayne as he was in times paste and shulde go on visitacion thorow out the dioces I thynke surely he wold depose a great sorte of Prestes as meÌ„ more fytte for the carte than for the chyrch For S. Austen measureth all presthode by knowledge It pertaynethe vnto the Lordes Preste sayth he to knowe the lawe and whan he is demaunded to make answer of yâ— law He maye be a Preste of Baal ObsequiuÌ„ amicos veritas odiuÌ„ parit of the â—omysh Byshop and of man but of the Lorde he canne not be excepte he hath knowledge If ony maÌ„ fealethe hym selfe greued at thys matter and can not abyde hys scalde scuruy backe thus to be rubbed let hym know that they be not my wordes but the wordes of S. Austen a man in hys tyme not only godly enspired and excellently learned but also of greate authorite before the worlde I onely reherse hys other holye Doctores wordes because I wolde gladly haue men
An Inuectyue agenst the moost wicked detestable vyce of swearing newly coÌ„piled by Theodore Basille Eccl. 23. A man that vseth muche swearing shall be fylled with wyckednes and the plage that is to say the veÌ„geance of god shal not go away froÌ„ his house ¶ The Inuectyue speakethe LAmentably do I nowe procede Of myn Author sent at this season In a sadde and lamentable wede To make my complaynte lamentacion Lament I must bothe daye and nyghte To beholde the greatâ— abhominacion Whych thorow swearyng in all mennes syght Is now vsed wythout lamentacion Lament all christen hartes do I am â—uâ—e To heare God and hys â—reaturâ—s eâ—he one So wyckâ—dly blasphemed wythout â—ure And yet noman maketh lamentacion Lament oâ—ye Swearers lament lament And looke ye cease from thys great abusion For yf to do thus ye be not now bent In hell shall ye make full sore lamentacion Lament your synnes take me to you For to leaue your great abhominacion I wyll teache you yea all thyng true That ye maye be fre from lamentacion Lament yf ye wyll not in hel fyre But enioye the diuine fruicion Looke that ye accomplyshe my desyre So shall ye be fre from lamentacion To the right worshypfull Master Rycharde Skotte Theodore Basille wysheth loÌ„ge lyfe coÌ„tinual helth and prosperous felicitie ✚ GOD the father saythe by hys Prophete Esa. lviii Crye cease not Lyfte vp thy voyce as a trompe and shew to the people theyr wickednes and to yâ— house of Iacob theyesynnes That this is chefelye spoken to them that are Prechers Ministers of Gods worde Ther is no maÌ„ that is but meanely learned ignoraunt therof For it is theyr dutye to crye not to cease It is theyr dutye to exalte lyft vp theyr voyce as a troÌ„pe It is theyr duty to shew vnto the people theyr wyckednesses synnes It is theyr duty to preach the Gospel to euery creature It is theyr duty to preach Repentaunce remission of synnes in the name of Christ vnto al nacions â—at xxviii It is theyr dutye to gyue meate to the Lordes family household in due tyme. It is ther duty to fede Christen people with doctrine knowledge â—uke xxiiii It is theyr duty to conforte the weake â—at xxiiii to bynd vp that is broken â—uke xii to bryng agayne that is caste awaye Timo. v to seake vp that is loste â—zec xxxiiii to cheryshe all the slocke of Christ. It is ther duty to cast away vngodly olde wyues fables Tim. iiii and to exercyse themselues vnto godlynes It is theyr dutye to be an example of the faythfull in worde in conuersacion in loue Tim. v in spirite in fayth in purite It is ther duty to rebuke theÌ„ that synne before all menne that other may haue â—eare It is theyr dutye to shewe them selues coÌ„mendable to God worke men yâ— nede not to â— Tim. ii be ashamed iustly dyuyding yâ— word of truth It is ther duty not to stryue but to be gentle peaseable toward all men redy to teache sufferyng the euyll wyth mekenes enformynge them that resiste if God at ony tyme gyue them repentaunce to knowe the truthe ii Tim. iii It is theyr dutie to preach the word to be feruent both in tyme out of tyme to reproue to rebuke to exhorte with al foftnes and doctrine Titus i. It is theyr duty to watch iÌ„ al thynges not to shrinck in affliccions to do the worcke of an Euangeliste to make theyr ministracion commendable euen vnto the vttermost It is theyr duty to be fautles as the stewardes of God not hyghe mynded not angrye not droneken not â—yghtyng not gyuen to fylthy lucre but mayntenyng Hospitalite â–ª studious of good thinges soâ—er ryghteous godly temperate holdyng fast that faythful word which is accordyng to doctrine that they may be able to exhorte by wholsome doctrine 1. Pet. v. to ouercome them that speake agaynst it It is theyr dutye to fede yâ—â—locke of Christ somuch as lygheth in theyr power To be short it is ther duty to shewe themselues dispeÌ„satours of the diuine misteries on such maÌ„ner that they may seme appere vnto all menne to haue taken ther power to edifye not to destroye For they are the lyghte of the world to shew men how they ought to walk They are the salt of yâ— earth to sauoure such as be vnsauerye But alas the lyght of the worlde I mean Prestes is now so do dymme yâ— it shewethe almoste no â—yght at al. Menne yâ— walke in darknes can not perceaue how to walke the Prestes are so wrapped about wyth the workes of darkenes The salt of yâ— earth I meane the Prestes is so vnsauery that it can not sucke out the corrupte humores The people that are diseased can not be healed yâ— preastes themselues are so fâ—ble weake infirme sycke wounded on euery part Morouer yâ— Prestes Esay lvi which shuld be ouersears of yâ— people are al blind as the Prophet sayth they are all with out knowlege they are dumme dogges not able once to barke they haue a pleasure to looke vpon vayne thynges they gyue them selues to sluggyshenes they lyghe snortynge all daye yea they are vnshamefaced dogges that haue neuer ynoughe The sheppardes themselues are wtout all knowledge All follow theyr owne wayes euery one of theÌ„â—s giueÌ„ into couetousnes Esa. lviii euen from the hyghest to the lowest God sayth Crye cease not But they turne caâ—te in the panne saye Cease crye not God sayth Lyfte vp thy voyce as a troÌ„pe But they saye whyst not a word vnles we be suspecte to be fellowes of the new lerning God sayth show vnto the people theyr wyckednesses and rebuke theyr synneful lyuynge Na by saynt Mary say they al thiÌ„g saue that It is good sleapyng in an whoâ—e skynne He is not wyse that wyll cast hymselfe into trouble whan he maye lyue in reste O Lorde haue marcy vpon vs. By thys meanes is it come to passe that vertue is so lytyll regarded vice so vniuersallye vsed Wo be to those prestes whiche neglecte theyr office flatter the people suffer them to lyue in al wyckednes For they are the Authors of all euell They are the occasion that so many soules perysh They cause yâ— so much myschyfe abhominacion reygneth now a dayes Theyr negligence ther sileÌ„ce theyr dissolute lyuing cause yâ— God 's worde is so euyll regarded among many and yâ— so great wyckednes suppresseth yâ— honour of the christen religion Is it ony maruell We se that yâ— bodye wythereth awaye perysheth and decayeth if it wanteth corporal sustenaunce Is it thaÌ„ to be thought yâ— the soule caÌ„ be in salue estate if it waÌ„teth her meat I mene yâ— word of God Matth. iiii Christ sayth Man shall not lyue wyth breade alone but wyth euery worde Deut. viii that coÌ„meth forth from the mouth of God Salomon
wytnes in vniuste and trifelynge matters vaynely to sweare by his moost blyssed name to take it in our mouthes wythoute a necessary vrgent cause and to obscure the glory of it thorow wycked vngodly othes All they that thus do shall not escape vnponysshed O Lorde God howe many are there at thys tyme that transgresse this holy precepte Howe many caull God a wytnes in vniust trifelyng matters Howe many pollute defyle yâ— in them is the glory of Gods moost blyssed name How many sweare coÌ„tinually not only by God al yâ— euer he made agayne not onely by his derely beloued son our Loâ—d sauiour Iesus christ but also with honour reuerence I speake it by all yâ— holy meÌ„bers of his moost glorioê° body How common an oothe nowe dayes is Gods flesh Gods bloud Gods hart Gods bodye Gods woundes Gods nayles Gods sydes Goddes guttes and all that euer maye be rehearsed of God O wickednes O abhominacion What parte of Christes moost blyssed body do these wycked abhominable swearers leaue vnreÌ„t and vntorne They are much worsse thaÌ„ the Iewes which cried Tolle tolle crucifige eum Awaye awaye to the gallowes wyth hym Ioan. xix crucifye hym torment hym leaue not one part whole of hym For they only cryed vpoÌ„ Pylate to haue hiÌ„ crucifyed but these swearers them selues crucify hym rent and teare hym The Iewes crucifyed hym but once and than theyr fury ceased In math but these wicked caytiffes crucify him dayly with theyr vnlawefull oothes neyther doth theyr malyce cruelnes cease at ony tyme S. Austen sayth They syn no lesse whiche blaspheme Christ reygnyng in heauen than they whiche crucifyed hym walkyng on the earthe Yea there want not which haue so great pleasure in swearyng yâ— they thinke theÌ„ selues no men excepte they face crake and bragge out theyr matters wyth large and shameles oothes They iudge it a poynte of elogancye ciuilite and good nourtoure to enterlase theyr talke wythe abuÌ„daÌ„s of oothes They recount him an asse a dastarde and an hobbe of the contrey that can not sweare valeauntly so greatly hath vice preuayled so greatly hath wickednes rooted herselfe in the hartes of men so lytle authorite bearethe vertue godlynesse nowe a dayes in the worlde MeÌ„ of occupacion The maÌ„ of occupacon feareth no thyng at al to sweare by God to call him a witnes in a vayne and triflyng matter whan he byeth or selleth ony thyng so that he maye gette but a peny by this means O Lorde what dothe it profyt a man to wynne all yâ— who le world to loose his soule How customably is this hearde dayely among them that be byers and sellers O â—â—treâ—e abhominacioÌ„ By Gods soule man take it vnto the say not but that thou haste a frendly peny worth For by the blyssed body of god thou hast it as good chepe as euer I bought it And yet are all togyther starke lyes But lette it be grauÌ„ted that theyr ooth were true is it therfore conuenient yâ— in worldly matters for euery lyghte trifle what 〈◊〉 and faythe oughte to reygne amoÌ„g christen men we shoulde thus abuse the name of god whom we ought neuer to haue in our mouthes without great reuerence and for vrgeÌ„t weyghty causes There ought to be so great sincerite faythfulnes trueth singlenes amonge Christen men that yea yea naye naye should be sufficient But alas there is so moch crafte deceate suttelty falshode and doublenes reygnyng in the worlde at this tyme that none dare trust another no thoughe they promyse neuer so fayre excepte they sweare Exulaâ— fides no nor than nether He that feareth notto blaspheme yâ— name of god wyl not let to deseaue his neyghbour excepte they haue them bound in blacke whyght as they saye O Lorde vnto what poynt are we come whan all trueth credence is so farre banysshed from the boundes of Christianite yâ— there is more fayth trust gyuen to an obligacioÌ„ or suche other trifle than to yâ— word and promyse of a Christen man It is euen as the Prophet sayth Oze iiii there is no trueth vpoÌ„ the earth Psal. â—x but swearyng cursyng lyeÌ„g Rom. iii Euery man is a lyare Luke xviii Euery man that lyuethe is nothyng but vanite nether is ther ony trust in hym Do ye thynke sayeth Christ that the sonne of manne shall fynde ony fayth on the earthe whaÌ„ he shall come Verely I thynke but a lytle which is an euident tokeÌ„ that the daye of the great terrible iudgement is not farre of Moreâ—uer howe is God rent and torne by blasphemous othes not only among men in bargaynynge Dysers and Cardâ—rs byeng and sellyng choppyng and chaâ—â—gyng c. but also in playeng yo le matters How wyl the diser sweare rather than he wyll loose one caste Howe wyll the carder teare God on peces rather than he wyll loose the profyt of one carde Howe wyl they that stonde by beholde forsweare them selues for the loue that they beare to one of the parties Agayn howe depely do menne of lawe sweare vnto theyr Clientes Men of lawe yâ— they haue laboured theyr matters earnestly to the Iudges whan many tymes they haue not spoken one worde but styl prolonge the matter that theyr auauntage maye be the greater Howe doth the prest sweare that if it had not ben for the loue of suche suche an honest man and for yâ— good Prestes benefyced men reporte that he hath hearde before of the Parysh he would neuer haue beÌ„ person of 〈◊〉 And yet it is not vnknowen that the moost part of the loue theyr paryshners so derely that after they be once â—ure of theyr benefyce they care not although they neuer se none of theÌ„ after so that they maye haue the auaÌ„untage of the benefice excepte peradueÌ„ture of theyr deuocion it be at haruest whan the tythe barnes are ful or elles at Easter to searche howe good the Easter boke wyll be that yeare This once done hense go they agayne leaue asyr Iohn Lack latin in theyr stead whyche teachethe not muche more than the hyll mouethe The wolffe maye come and easely rent Ioan. x. teare deuour the poore shepe For the shepparde hath gotteÌ„ the mylke wolle and he is gone He hathe lycked the fatte from hys paryshners berdes hath taken his iourney Take thought for the flock who lysteth O Pastor Idolum derelinquens gregem Zaâ—h xl O shepeparde Idolle that thus forsaketh his flocke But alas what consciences haue these menne which take so muche and do so lytyll If they wyll reape carnall thynges so must they sow spiritual thynges sayth the scripture The labouryng plow maÌ„ not the ydle lubber muste receaue of the frutes i. Cor xix sayth S. ii Tim. ii Paule i. Tim. v They that rule well are worthy double honour
chefely they that labour in worde doctrine i. Cor. ix For the Lord hath ordined that they which preach the Gospel shulde lyue of the Gospell Wo be to me sayth S. Paule if I preach not yâ— Gospel Shal these good men thaÌ„ God wyll escape free seynge they do nought and yet receaue so great frutes commodities and rewardes Hom. vii Super illud Dignuâ— est operarius c. what do we O ye sheppardes sayth S. Gregory How may we be bolde to receaue wages yet be no worke men We take the profytes of holy chyrche for our dayly stipende yet do we labour no thyng at all in prechyng for the euerlastyng Chyrche Let vs consyder and weyghe what greate damnacion it is to take here the rewarde of laboure and to do no thyng for it Beholde we lyue of yâ— oblacioÌ„ of yâ— faythfull but what do we laboure for yâ— soules of the faythful we take for our stipend what so euer the faythfull haue offered to redeme theyr sinnes and yet do we not once shewe ony diligence agaynste those synnes ether by the studye of prayer or preachyng Let beneficed menne which gyue so lytle attendaunce vpon Christes flocke marke wel thafor sayde wordes of the holy Doctore consyder with them selues whyther they maye iustly receaue so muche do so lytle for it Dist. xviii cap. oporâ—et or not Agayne the same Doctore saythe the prestes to whome the Lordes people are coÌ„mitted must watch with great diligeÌ„ce vpon the Lordes shepe that they be not rent and torne with the bytynges of the wolfe that is to say with the mocions of the dyuell God giue them grace once to be prestes shepe herdes not only in name apparel but also in work and truth Among seruyng meÌ„ also aboue all other what wycked and detestable oothes are there hearde Seruing men If there be ony of that sorte which feare God loue his worde therfore abstayne from vayn oothes how doth his coÌ„panye lout hym Loke what an asse is among a sorte of apes eueÌ„ the very same is he amonge hys fellowes They thyncke hym not worthye to weare a sweard buckelare that caÌ„not face oute the matter with plentye of oothes He yâ— can swearebest soonest gyue a blowe he is couÌ„ted an hardy fellowe and fyt to do a GeÌ„tyll man seâ—uyse whan to saye the truethe of all men he is moost wretche and coward and moost of all vnapte to do suche a Gentyll man seruyse as â—oueth God and his holy lawes Yea such pestilent swearers and fylthy blasphemers of God and hys creatures ought all honest and vertuous Gentle men to putte oute of theyr houses vnlesse they bryng the vengeaunce of God vpoÌ„ theyr whole family wyfe chyldreÌ„ seruauntes c If they knowe that onye man haue bene in that place where the plage reygneth woulde come into theyr houses they speare the gates agenst hym they shutte hym ouâ— by no means wyll they suffer him to enter And why Verely because they wyll not haue yâ— plage brought in among them vnlesse they should be infected and so dye Alas for pure pite to dye we are all borne and dye we must at one tyme or other whyther it be by the plage or otherwyse therfore it maye seme that the death of the body ought not so greatly to be feared why than rather do they not putte out of theyr houses these pestiferous caytisses which thorow theyr abhominable swearyng infecte all theyr family not onely theyr bodyes but theyr soules also and prouoke God to poure out his moost fearse greuous plages vpoÌ„ them Is not this the sayeng of the wyse man the maÌ„ that vseth muche swearyng shall be fylled with iniquite Eccl. xxiii and the plage yâ— is to saye the vengeaunce of GOD shall not go awaye from hys house Awake therfore O ye gentyll men awake ye men of nobilite awake An admoniâ—ion for Gentle meÌ„ suffer no swearers in youre houses eschew them more then a venemous serpent fede a dragoÌ„ sooner in your house than ony suche one as hathe pleasure in swearyng For as towchyng the one it only hurteth the body the other destroyeth the bodyes soules of so many as be vnder you dayelye prouoke the vengeaunce of God agaynste you and all that euer ye haue in towne Eccle. xiii felde or els where He that toucheth pytche sayth Iesus Syrache shall be defyled of it And he that kepeth company wyth them yâ— are proud shall learne pryde Lykewyse they that accoÌ„pany suche as be swearers and blasphemers of Gods moost holy name must nedes proue lyke vnto them and therfore runne into lyke damnacion Awaye therfore wyth such out of your houses excepte they wyl amend Mayntayne none that shall bryng yâ— plage of God vpoÌ„ your house Suffer not the tender brestes of youre chyldren to be poysonned in theyr yonge age with the pestilent and damnable coÌ„municacion of these abhominable swearers But aboue all thynges looke that ye youre selues haue the name of God in so greate reuerence and honoure that by no means ye abuse it at ony tyme by your vaynâ— oothes vnto the euel exaÌ„ple of yourâ— family Agayne whan the comon sort oâ— people in a parysh are gathered togâ—ther at ony tyme to make mery Paryssh 〈◊〉 aâ— the custome in many places is to do chefely on the Sondayes other hâ—ly dayes at after noone whan theâ— oughte rather to be occupyed in seruent prayers or els in the readyng or hearyng of the holy Scriptures what shamefull wycked oothes do they sweare WhaÌ„ they are once set vpon the alebenche and well whytled in theyr braynes thorow the many cuppes that haue bene fylled in howe faull they then to swearynge What parte of Christes moost blyssed body is leaste vntorne He is taken for ioylyest fellow that can best swere I let passe theyr other fylthy talke dronckeÌ„shyppe and excesse O wyckednes Are these Christen meÌ„ Not muche before they were in the Temple and ful solemnely went vp downe patteryng with a payre of â—eades in theyr handes and whan yâ— preste redde the Gospell althoughe they vnderstode not one worde yet of custome they stoode vp lyke men and whan the prest named Iesus in the Gospell and they sawe hym for yâ— reuerence of it make curtesy they also full manerly bowed theyr knees as deuoute parsonnes pretendyng by that meanes that they haue the name of Iesus amoÌ„g them in great honour yet streyght wayes go they vnto the alehouse and by theyr wicked oothes do they there the gretest dishonour to the name of Iesus that can be done in the worlde These people maye well be resembled to those Iewes whyche in despyte strypped Christ put on hym a purple robe platted a crowne of thornes put it vpon his heade a reed in his right hand and bowed theyr knees before hiÌ„ mocked hym sayeÌ„g Aue rex Iudeorum hayle kynge of the
our tyme There lyue at this daye whiche haue knowen certen meÌ„ to be great swearâ—rs of whome some many yeares before they dyed were greuously punyshed wyth strauÌ„ge and innumerable diseases some by yâ— strong hand of God had theyr houses as yâ— Prophet Zachary sayth consumed with fyre some lost theyr speache before they dyed another sort certen dayes before they dyed Felix queÌ„ faciuÌ„t alienape ricula caâ—tum had such an heate and breÌ„ning in theyr mouthes that by no means they could suffer to haue them speared Theyr toÌ„ge all that euer was within theyr mouthe was so blacke as a coole Were not all these manifest tokens of Gods wrath and vengeaunce for takynge his holy name in vayne Woulde God they yâ— were thus punyshed myght be an example vnto vs for to leaue the wycked and vngodly custome of swearyng If we wyll not cease but styll prouoke god vnto anger surely we shal proue feale those same plages and much more greuous And wolde god oure paynes myghte cease in thys worlde that we myght be free from euerlastyng damnacion We all professe Christ Ioan. viii Ioan. x Ioan. xviii and caull our selues christians why do we not thaÌ„ those thinges that Christ commaundeth vs Christ sayth he that is of God heareth the wordes of god Ioan. xv Agayne any shepe heare my voyce Mat. â— Also in another place euery one that is of the trueth hereth my voyce If we therfore be of God why do we not heare the wordes of God If we be yâ— shepe of Christ whye do we not heare our sheppardes voyce If we pertayne vnto Christ which is yâ— selfe trueth why do we not heare hys voyce Christ sayth ye haue hearde that ii was sayd to them of thou old time thou shalt not forsweare thy selfe but perfourme vnto the Lorde that yâ— haste sworne But I saye vnto you swerâ— not at al neyther by heaueÌ„ for it is the throne of God neyther by earth for it is the footestoole of hys feete nor by Hierusalem for it is the citis of the great kyng nether shalt thou swear by thy head because thou art not able to make one heare whyght or blacke But let your communicacioÌ„ be yea yea naye naye For what so euer is more than that cometh of euell Herevnto agreeth S. Iames sayeng before all thynges Iacob v o my brethren looke ye sweare not nether by heueÌ„ nor by earth nor by ony other ooth Let your coÌ„municacioÌ„ be yea yea naye naye that ye fall not into dissimulacion Here are we forbyddan to sweare by ony thynge that euer God made If it be not lawfull for vs to sweare by ony thiÌ„g yâ— euer Godmade thaÌ„ is it not lawful for vs to swear by him that made al thinges If it be synne to sweare by the creatures thaÌ„ must it nedes be damnable to sweare by yâ— creatore Why do we not remember these thynges and leaue our great swearynge It is a shame to se christen men lyue so contrarye to theyr profession It shall be more tollerable to Tyrus and Sydon to Sodâ— me Gomorre at the daye of iudgement Math. xi than to vs except we shortely repent beleue and amend For that seruaÌ„t which knowethe his masters wyll and doth it not shall be beaten w many strypes Swearyng hathe euer bene couÌ„ted a thing of so great absurdite Luke xii that the very Ethnyckes and Gentiles dydde deteste it in so muche that a certayne Greke Poet wryteth on this manner flye swearyng although thyne ooth be ryghâ— accordyng to the truethe Our damnacion is greata What a sayeng is this of an Infidell Shall not he and such other ryse vp at the daye of iudgement condemne vs seyng they were Infidelles and we Christen men Our Lorde be mercifull vnto vs. All hunte after worldly promocions and seake to lyue in pleasure and welth but no man seaketh howe to lede a godly innocent lyfe howe to leaue theyr swearyng and to magnify the moost glorious name of God For we go forthe styll to synne as thoughe there were no punishment ordined for it at all We blaspheme the name of god as though he were so chyldysh that he woulde neuer caull vs vnto an accouÌ„tes for oure vngodly blasphemies We so â—eare Christ and al the partes of his moost blissed body as thogh he shuld neuer come vnto the iudgement for to rewarde the good to condemne the euell Christ sayth that we shall gyue an accouÌ„tes at yâ— daye of iudgement for euery ydle worde Math. xii that we haue spoken what is thaÌ„ to be thought of our abhominable othes wherby God is so greatly dishhonoured What accosites shal we gyue of theÌ„ Howe narowly shal we be examined of them What wyl we aunswere in this behalfe What wyll we saye what excuse wyll we make I feare vnlesse we shall be redy of oure owne free wyll to runne hedlong into hell syre before the terrible sentence of damnacion be giuen our conscience shall so condeÌ„ne vs. Lorde holde thy holy hande ouer vs gyue vs grace to amende Sayente Pauls sayth Colos. iiii lette your speache be well fauoured and powdered wyth salte that ye may know howe to answere euery man What place hathe thys commaundement of thapostle among them whiche so pouder theyr wordes the there come nothyng out of theyr mouthes but vayne othes wicked blasphemies The communicacioÌ„ of these men sauour lytle of salte wherby is vnderstonde the wysdome of Gods word what saâ—e signifyeth it is so fresh vnsauery Yea wolde God these abhominable blaspemers of Gods moost holy name were not extreme enemies to gods worde chosyng rather to remayne dastardes styll in the folyshnesse of the worlde Swearers are enemyes to gods word than to become wyse and prudeÌ„t in the wysdome of gods worde All swerers therfore are enemies bothe to god and hys worde A Christen man maye not acquaynte hymselfe wyth such maÌ„ners nor so wyckedly abuse hys tonge For oure tonge is gyuen vs not that we shoulde sweare lye blaspheme ieste rayle scoffe mocke vse vngodly talke but yâ— we shulde onely speake those thynges whiche maye bothe turne vnto the glory of god the health of our neyghbour And thys is it that S. Paule sayth let your speach be wel fauoured and poudered wyth salte Colos. iiii Our speche is well sauoured semely honest comely whan there appeare the no thing in it that maye offende the eares of ony true Christen man Mark wel but is agreable in all poyntes to godlynes and honeste It is poudered wyth salte wheÌ„ it vttreth those thynges which are godly wyse and edifye so many as are the hearers of it Let all swerers marke this and amende theyr coÌ„municacion vnlesse they be that vnsauery salte Math. v whiche shall be caste out and troden vnder foote Agayne he sayth lette no sylthye coÌ„municacion procede out of youre mouthes Ephe. iiii
but that which is good to edify with all whan nede is that it maye haue fauour with the hearers If no fylthy communicacion ought to procede out of our mouthes muche lesse ought ony vayn dothes vngodly swearynges blasphemies c. come forth out of them If our wordes ought to be good to edify wythe all thaÌ„ ought they not to be such as should destroy both our selues the hearers which many tymes chaunseth thorow wicked oothes Let not dome Ephe. v sayth he and all vnclennes or couetousnes or fylthynes or folyshe talkynge or iestynge be once named among you as it becommeth saynctes but rather thanckes gyuyng If these thynges maye not once be named among vs surely much lesse yea a M. tymes muche lesse oughte oothes swearynges blasphemies of Gods moost holy name be named among vs and hearde in our dayely speache If the wrath vengeaunce of God be wonte to faull vpon the chyldren of vnbeleue for these thynges aforesayd as S. Paule testifyeth certenly let all swearers be certenlye assured that they shall not escape the plages of Gods vengeasice and theyr damnacion shal be yâ— more greuous for asmuch as they professe godlynes and lyue nothynge accordyng thervnto What are they ony other than blasphemous mockers of God They saye that they knowe God but withe theyr dedes they denye hym seynge they are become abhommable and disobediente and enell mynded vnto all good workes as S. Paule writeth Titus i They are welles wythout water cloudes caryed about of a tempest to whom yâ— myst of darckenesse is reserued for euer They are trees without â—rute at gatheryng tyme ii Pe. ii twyse dead plucked vp by the rootes Iudas Epistle They are the ragyng waues of the sea somyng oute theyr owne shame Howe can they than escape the vengeaunce of god The Sodomites Gomorrians sinned agaynst nature therfore were they consumed wythe fyre brymestonne froÌ„ heaueÌ„ the swearers synne agaynst the God maker of nature is it to be thought â—e xviii that they shall escape vnponyshed If suche as committe the lessest synne be punysshed howe can they than escape which of sende in the greatest They maye be sure if they do not amend not only to be plaged with fyre brymestone but also to suffer all other kyndes of intollerable paynes yea and that in hell where is no redemcion nor marcy to be had The Lorde Psal. xi sayth Dauid seeth both the ryghteous vngodly but who so delyghteth in wickednes him his soule abhorreth Vpon the vngodly he shall reygne snares fyre brymestonne storme tempest this rewarde shall they haue to drynke For the Lorde is ryghteous and he loueth righteousnes his cosâ—tenauce beholdeth the thyng that is iuste Agayne he saythe God is a ryghteous Iudge Psal. vii and God is euer threatenyng If men wyl not turne he hath whet his swearde he hathe bent his bowe and made it redy He hath prepared hym the weapons of deathe ordined his arrowes to bestroye We rede in the forth boke of Moses that whan the chyldren of Israel were in the wyldernes they fouÌ„d a man gatherynge styckes vpon the Sabboth day 〈◊〉 .xv â–ª And they that found him gatheryng styckes brought him vnto Moses and Aaron vnto all the congregacion they put him inward For it was not declared what shoulde be done vnto hym And the Lorde sayd vnto Moses the manne shall dye Let al the multitude stone hym with stones without the hoost And all the multitude brought hym wythout the hoost stoned hym with stones and he dyed as the Lorde coÌ„maunded Moses If the man that gathered styckes vpon the Saboth daye for transgressyng that coÌ„mauÌ„dement whiche notwythstondynge was but a ceremoniall law seruyng but for a tyme and a figure of oure spirituall quietnes and reast which we ought to haue coÌ„tinually in our consciences toward God which precepte also is nowe abolyshed stond in none effect so that we are Lordes of the Sabothe daye and maye appoynte what daye it shall please the head rulers to cease from laboure yâ— we may the more coÌ„ueniently come togyther vnto the teÌ„ple for to pray to heare the holye worde of God to se the blyssed Sacramentes ministred c. If the man that gathered styckes I saye vpon the Sabothe daye was stoned vnto deathe by the commaundement of God for transgressynge that precepte howe maye these swearers than persuade themselues that they shal escape vnponished althoughe they sweare abuse God and all hys creatures by theyr vnlawfull oothes The other precepte was ceremoniall The Iewes at thys day accordiÌ„ge to theyr olde wont wyl teare there garmentes whan the heare Gods blessedâ—ame blasphemed for the drede of Gods feercewrath that is â—â—yred vp there by Butte who among vs ChristeÌ„ shewethe hiÌ„selfe by ony meanes to be displeased there wtal in whom ough to be the loue feare dreade of God so wel as in yâ— Iewes is nowe of no strengthe but this commaundement is morall and abydeth styll in perfecte strengthe and so shall do so longe as the worlde stondeth shall yâ— transgressioÌ„ of this than escape vnponyshed The other was punyshed by death and shall this escape fre wythout punyshment Let the wicked worldlynges laughe at the matter so much as they lyst there lyueth a god agaynst whome the offence is committed which wyl not suffer the blasphemies of his holy name and of his creatures to escape vnpunyshed And well were it wythe these abhominable swearers which go forth in theyr wyckednes wyll not amend if in this worlde they myght he consumed with fyre and brymestone froÌ„ heauen as the Sodomites were or stoned vnto death as the transgressour of yâ— Saboth daye was so that theyr plages and paynes myght on this manner ende they afterward enioye euerlastyng lyfe But it is to be feared that after thys lyfe they shall feale more greuous tormentes than euer the Sodomites dyd ether suffer in this world or where they be nowe God be marcifull vnto them and gyue them grace to amend Hytherto haue we hearde howe greuous an offence it is beâ—ore God for to sweare to take his moost blissed name in vayne or to abuse onye of his creatures by vayne vnlawfull oothes We haue heard also how God wyll not suffer by ony meanes them to escape vnponished that wickedly sweare and breake this godly commaundement Nowe seyng that GOD wyll so sharpely ponysh them that take hys name in vayne or feare not to sweare for euery lytle trifle by hym or by hys creatures what is than to be sayd of perâ—â—ry Of perâ—ury What is to be thought of them which bothe falsely and wyllyngely forsweare them selues Into howe great ponyshment shall they faull whiche feare nothyng at all to sweare in a false matter vpon the holy Euangely that moost â—lyssed worde of euerlastyng trueth yea to call God and all his holy saynctes to be wytnesses
weale they maye also entreate of thys thynge in theyr Sinodes Congregacions Parliamentes councelles c. that God maye be glorifyed hys moost blyssed name exalted of all nacions from the Easte to the Weaste By this meanes shall they not onely expulse vice and make theyr Realmes to florish with vertu vnto the great glory of God and the hyghe consolacioÌ„ of all the faythfull but also they shall acquire and get to them selfes a crowne of immortal glory for euer and euer Amen Agayne Bysshops Parsons Vicars c let all Bysshoppes Parsonnes Vicares Curates Paryshe prestes so many as are ministers of Gods word in all theyr SermoÌ„s other exhortacions vnto the people aboue all thynges rebuke thys abhominable synne of swearyng â— declare vnto them how great an offence it is 〈◊〉 xxiii howe the plage of God and hys veÌ„geaunce shal not departe from the houses of them yâ— vse thys moost detestable synne of swearing Let them consyder that they haue hene the chefe occasion both of thys synne and of all other seynge they haue not accordynge to theyr office diligently watched vpon the Lordes flocke preached Gods worde rebuked the wickednesse of the people tolde theÌ„ theyr fautes exhorted theÌ„ vnto repentaunce amendment of lyfe Pro. xxiâ— Math. ix For whaÌ„ the preachyng of gods worde fayleth sayth Salomon thaÌ„ doth the people perysh and go to hanocke Christ had moch pytie on the people whan he saw that they were destitute and dispersed as shepe not hauynge a shepparde For as shepe whan they be without a shepparde wander they can not tell whyther Mark this comparison hang on euery bushe are rent wyth euery bryer and in dauÌ„ger to be denoured of the rauenyng wolfe at all tymes euen so lykewyse those people that are wythoute a Preacher teacher of Gods word runne astray wtout order hear the voyce of euery straunger faull in all kynde of vicious abhominacion are rent torne wyth wycked spirites redy at euery houre to be swalowed vp of Satan our olde aduersary whiche sleapeth not but watcheth diligently walketh about lyke a roryng Lyon 1. Pet. v seakyng whome he maye deuoure Surely great is the damnacioÌ„ that hangeth ouer the hedes of these sluggyshe sheppardes Christ the hyghe preste sayde mar â— iiiâ— Oportet me euangelizare nâ— in hoc missus sum I must preach the gospell saythe he for I am sent for this purpose What shall the baser sorte of prestis do than I praye you shall they lyue in pleasure and idlenes in delicious fare sluggyshnes Doth not Oportet also pertayne vnto theÌ„â— Certes if they wyll not meddle with Oportet euangelizare they are lyke to haue no parte of Miserere S. Paule also that good Byshop sayd Vae mihi sinoÌ„ euangelizauero i. Cor. ix Wo vnto me if I preach not the Gospel And shal our Rabines thynke to escape wythout pouyshment though they preach nothyng at al I feare that if they wyl not medle wyth Euangelizare they are lyke to crye another daye Vae Vae Vae quantae sunt tenebrae Wo wo wo howe great are these darkenesses God the father God the sonne God the holy Ghost wythe all the Prophetes and Apostles crye oute vpon prestes for to preache the holy scriptures exhortyng theÌ„ to be diligent in that matter Cry sayth God the father cease not Esa. lviii Lyfte vp thy voyce as a troÌ„pe Shew the people theyr synnes and declare vnto them theyr wickednes Agayne he saythe Esa 〈◊〉 O Ierusalem I haue set watche men vpon thy wanâ—les they shall not holde theyr peace nether nyght nor daye Christ sayde to hys Apostles go thorowe out the world and preache the gospel to euery creature S. Paule saythe take hede to your selfes and to all yâ— flock vpon whome the holy Ghoste hathe made you ouersears Luke xxiiii to fede the congregacion of God whom he purchased wyth hys bloud Act. xâ— For I knowe yâ— after my departure greuous wolfes shall enter in amoÌ„g you not sparing the flock And euen among your selfes shall there aryse men speakynge peruerse thynges yâ— they maye lede awaye the disciples after theÌ„ Therfore watche and remember that by the space of thre whole yeares I dyd not cease to monish euery one of you both daye and nyght euen with teares Agen he sayth gyue atteÌ„daunce to thy selfe to doctrine â— Ti. iiii contine we in these For if thou doste so yâ— shalte both saue thy self them that heare the. Preache the word be feruent be it in tyme or oute of tyme reproue rebuke Titus ii exhorte wyth all softenes doctrine Speke those thynges that become wholesome doctrine S. Peter also saythe i. Pet. v ye Prestes se that ye fede christes flocke which is among you takynge the ouersyght of them not as though ye were coÌ„pelled ther to but wyllyngly not for the desyre of fylthy lucre but of a good mynd not as thoughe ye were Lordes ouer the paryshes but that ye be an ensaÌ„ple to the flocke And whaÌ„ the chefe shepeheard shall appeare ye shall receaue an incorruptible Crowne of glory These textes of the holy scripture declare manifestly how feruent The preachynge of Gods word causeth yâ— Christen religioÌ„ to floryshe busy studious and diligeÌ„t all true prestes ought to be in the preachyng of Gods worde The men godly enspired knewe ryght well that so longe as Goddes worde is preached to the people it must nedes go well wythe the Christen religion but if it once cease than farewell all godlynesse farewell all vertue and goodnes Of thys thynge alas for pitie haue we hadde experience many a yere vnto our great discomfort and yet lytyll redresse For many of the prestes go forth to be as sluggysh as euer they were neyther haue they ony godly care for Christes flocke coÌ„mitted vnto theÌ„ So they maye haue the profytes they care for no more Bo nusest odor lucriexre qualiber So yâ— by thys meanes the shepe are lyke to dye for meate But alas howe shoulde they teach other whan they them selues knowe nothynge They are euen as the Prophet saythe â—sa lvi dumme dogges not once being able to barke Many agayne of them there are which are learned and knowe theyr duty and yet I knowe not wyth what spirite moued they holde theyr peace they speake nothyng they se theyr shepe runne astraye before theyr faces walke in all kynde of wyckednes yet haue they no pitie I wonder with what forheades these men wyll appere before the hygh prest and great Iudge Christ at the dredefull day of iudgement I pray God they be not Epicures bothe in lyuyng iudgement But let vs heare what the holy and catholyke Doctors saye vnto thys matter S. Ierome sayth In Leuit. Dist. xxxvi CaÌ„ Siquis if ony maÌ„ wyll be a Byshop not onely in name but also in deseruynge let hym followe Moses and let hym follow Aaron
to do truely theyr office and to set this sayeng of the Psalmograph euer before theyr eyes Be not lyke a horse a moyle whiche haue no vnderstanding Psa. xxxi For ignoraunce in al men is to be abhorred but in Prestes chefely If after the mynde of thapostle Paule sayth S. Ierome In Esaâ—am Christ is the power of God and the wysdom of God it followeth well that he that knowethe not the scriptures knoweth not the power of God and the wysdome of hym For the ignorauÌ„ce of the scriptures is the ignoraunce of Christâ— Leo the Byshop saythe Dis. xxxviii Can. Si in â—aâ—cis if ignorauÌ„ce semeth intollerable euen in laye meÌ„ how moch more is it worthy nether of excuse nor of forgyuenes in them that beare rule I therfore desyre all Prestes that be good and vertuous and tender the glorye of God the saluacion bothe of theyr owne other Christen mennes soules that they wyll not be moued wyth these wordes whych come from a breast that wysheth wel vnto them all but earnestly looke vpon theyr office better caste awaye blynde ignoraunce study for yâ— knowledge of holy scriptures and laboure wyth all mayne to do that which God requireth of them Moreouer saynt Gregory sayth Ad venantium Episcopumâ— yâ— shepparde whiche doth not rebuke them that offende wythout doubte he sleath them by holdyng hys peace Agayne he sayth In Ezech Hom. xâ— we that are called Prestes besydes these euels that we haue of our own we adde also other mennes deathes For we slea so many as we se dayly go vnto deathe yet are sluggyshe holde our peace Heâ—e is terrible sayenge that they whiche are appoynted to saue Christen meÌ„nes soules do cruelly slea theÌ„ by theyr negligence holdyng theyr peace Oh that the Byshops of euery diocesse wold diligently looke vpoÌ„ thys matter the easyer much shulde be theyr accountes at the dredefull daye of iudgement The holy Ghost mought breth it into theyr myndes In concilio tâ—lerano we reade on thys manner Dis. xxxviii Can. Ignoranta Ignoraunce the mother of all errours is moost of all to be exchewed in the Prestes of God whyche haue taken vpon them the office of teachyng among the people of God Prestes are warned to rede the holye scriptures as Paule thapostle sayth vnto Timothe 1. Tâ— iiii gyue attendaunce to readyng exhortacioÌ„ lernyng continew alway in these Let Prestes therfore know yâ— holy scriptures and canons and lette all theyr worke businesse and trauayle consist inpreaching and doctrine let them edify all men so well with the knowledge of fayth as wyth the good informacion of workes O godly decree Here maye all prestes learne that theyr worke doth consist in preachyng and doctrine in edifiâ—ng the people and in giuing them godly examples of vertuous lyuynge God sende vs mo suche councels Byshop Nicolas wryteth on this maÌ„ner Dist. xliii Can. Dispensatio the distribucion of the heauenly seed is enioyned vs. Wo therfore be vnto vs if we do not spryncle it abrode Wo be vnto vs if we holde our peace Here is eternall daÌ„nacion thretened prestes if they do not sowe abrode the heauenly seed of Goddes worde in the feldes of christen mennes hartes Let them looke well to theyr office for they stond in a perrillous state Many of them thyncke it a great pleasure to receaue yerely so great profites of theyr benefices Luke vi but let them remeÌ„ber the commoÌ„ prouerbe swete meate must haue sower sawce Wo be to you sayth Christ that laughe nowe â—or ye shall mourne wepe Wo be to you that are fylled for ye shall honger Wo be to you rytthe menne whiche haue your consolacioÌ„ Wo be to you whan all men prayse you Platina in the lyfe of Byshop Innocentius the syxt Platinaâ— wryteth on this manner Innocentius the syxt dyd not gyue the ecclesiastical benefices but vnto such Prestes as ware thorowly proued tryed both in lyfe learnyng Wold god we hadâ—no such Inno centes And he made a constitucioÌ„ that all prelates and so many as had benefices shuld go home to their owne Paryshes vnder payne of cursyng For he sayd that no hyrelyng but the very owne shepparde ought to kepe his owne shepe Here was a wonderfull godly coÌ„stitucioÌ„ Wolde god it were oâ—serued thorow out all Christendome Than shuld Christes â—locke be muche better fed than they are at this tyme. Than shulde not yâ— ParsoÌ„s Vicars be abseÌ„t froÌ„ theyr benefices as they are now a dayes Than shuld yâ— goodes of yâ— Paryshes be spent amonge the Paryshners not abrode as they be now a dayes no man can tell where about Than shuld the poore people be better looked vpon Than shulde Prestes be more diligent to mayntayne hospitalite Than shuld the beneficed meÌ„ more quietly applye theyr myndes vnto the study of holy scriptures other godly meditacioÌ„s ThaÌ„ shulde seruent loue which is now almoost vniuersally decayed spryng vp new agayne betwene the prestes and the laye men Than shulde prestes be honored as fathers and laye men couÌ„t theÌ„ selues as theyr chyldren gyuing them reuerence and double honour as the scripture commauÌ„deth 1. Tim. v ThaÌ„ shulde Gods worde florysh and the glorye of God he sought of all men Ah shall we not once se thys ioyfull daye in Englande Whan myght it euer be broughte to passe better and more conuenieâ—tly than nowe vnder this our moost excelleÌ„t Kyng which hytherto hath so bothe godly prosperously lyke another Ezechias trauayled in the byldyng agayn of our Lorde Gods temple in throwynge downe the workes of Hypocrisy supersticion and Idolatry and in settynge vp agayne the pure and Christen religion Lorde graunt that it maye come to passe yea yâ— shortly Thus se we both by the holy scriptures Prestes must both preach syncerly also lyue godlye Luk. iiii the auncieÌ„t Doctors and the godly olde councels how greatly all Byshoppes and Prestes ought to be occupyed in studyeÌ„g and preachyng Goddes worde But to thys theyr godly preachyng they must also ioyne a vertuous and pure lyfe vnlesse they edify not so muche wyth theyr preachynge as they destroye wythe theyr wycked lyuyng It is a shame for a PhisicioÌ„ to be so spotted pocky that it shall maye iustly be sayde to him PhisicioÌ„ heale thy selfe God sayde to the synner sayth the Psalmographe Psal. xiix why doste thou preache my lawes and take my Testament in thy mouth Thou haste hated to be reformed and thou haste caste awaye my wordes behynde the. If yâ— sawest a these thou rannest with hym and wythe adulterers dyddest thou laye thy porcion Thy mouth dydde abound wyth cursed speakyng and thy tonge dyd couple craftely togyther deceates Thou dyddest sytte speake agaynst thy brother ageÌ„st thy mothers sonne dyddest thou lay a stomblyng blocke These thynges haste thou done and yet haue I holdeÌ„ my peace Thou wyckedly thoghtest that I wolde be
lyke vnto the but I wyll reproue the come face to face agaynst the. O vnderstonde these thynges ye that forget God vnlesse he plucke you awaye there be none yâ— can delyuer you Sayncte Paule also sayth Rom. ii thou that teachest another teachest not thy self Thou that preachest that men shulde not steale stealest thy selfe Thou that sayste that whoredome shulde not be committed playest the whoremonger thy selfe Thou that abhorrest Images robbest God of his honour thy selfe Thou that gloryest of the lawe thorowe breakyng of the law dishonorest God For the name of God is euell spoken of among the Gentiles thorowe you Of these thynges it is euident yâ— it is not sufficient for prestes to preache Goddes worde except they also leade a vertuous godly lyfe Math. v. Who so euer doth and teacheth he shal be called great in the kyngdom of heauen sayth the scripture Christ doth not onely call prestes the salte of the earth but also the lyght of yâ— world Wythe theyr preachyng they season the people Prestes are not only called the salte of yâ— earthe but also the lyght of the worlde but wythe theyr lyght of godly conuersacion they shewe men howe they ought towalke and lyue Therfore immediately is it subioyned lette your lyght so shyne before menne that they maye se your good workes glorify your father i. Tim. iiii which is in heauen i. Tim. â— Be an example of the faythfull sayth Paule ii Tim. iâ— in worde in conuersacion in loue in Spirite in faythe Kepe thy selfe pure Study to shewe thy selfe commendable to God a worke man that neadeth not to be ashamedde He that preacheth Christ In serm deieiunio sayth S. Ambrose ought to shewe hym selfe wholly estraunged from all kynde of vices S. IohnÌ„ Chrisostome also sayth In Math. it is a great shame for Prestes and for so many as be of the Clergy whan laye men be founde faythfuller more ryghteous than they are Howe canne it otherwyse be than a shame for them to be inferioure to the laye people whome to be lyke vnto them it is also a shame AgeÌ„ S. Gregory sayth the lyght of the flocke is the flame of the shepparde In Pastora For it becoÌ„methe the Lordes shepehearde and a Preste to â—hyne in manners and lyuyng that in hym as in yâ— glasse of theyr lyght the people that is committed vnto hym maye bothe discerne what they shulde follow and also se what they shulde correcte and amende Hereof is it euident what great purite and innocency of lyfe ought to be in prestes that theyr lyfe may correspond and in all poyntes answere to theyr preachyng But here is an answer to be made to the vnsauery talke of certen men nowe a dayes which because they se the manners of the Preachers not agreable in all poyntes to theyr sermons faull at defyaunce with gods worde blaspheme it as heresy rayle vpon the preachers and absent them selfes from the hearyng of all godly exhortacions warnynges and couÌ„cels These parsons hynder no man so moche as them selfes They may well be compared to a folysshe man Mark well whyche cometh vnto the market for to bye meate But whaÌ„ he beholdeth the butcher and perceaueth hym to haue some deformite in his face as one of his eyes to be out or to be balde or elles to holde his necke awrye gothe streyght home agayne chosethe rather to dye for honger than he wyll bye meate of suche a butcher although the meat be neuer so pure Math. xxâ—â—â— clene commestible wholsome But let vs heare what the holy scripture saythe In the chayer of Moses syt Scribes and Phareses All theâ—fore that they commaunde you to kepe loke that you kepe and do but accordyng to theyr workes do ye not For they say but they do not Here christ commaundethe vs not to abstayne from the hearyng of Goddes worde though they be neuer so wicked and euyll that preache it For who were more vngodly and greater enemies to Christ than the Scribes Phareses yet Christ commaundethe to heare them so longe as they sytte in the chayer of Moses What it is to syt in the chayer of 〈◊〉 To syt in the chayer of Moses is truely syncerly to preach those thynges that Moses dyd to enterpret the lawe accordyng to the ryght vayne of the holy scripture and only to seake the glory of God the profyt of the faythfull So long as they that are preachers do thys they are to be hearde though theyr lyfe be neuer so abhominable For it is not the preacher to whome we must haue pryncipall respecte but to the word of God Nother do we come into the Temple to gase vpon the Preacher but to hear the holy scriptures declared and so lerne to lede a godly lyfe If he were one of the ministers of Satan yea Satan hymselfe that preacheth so longe as he bryngethe in Scriptum est so long as he teacheth purely the diuine scripture wythout wreastyng Euerye maÌ„ yâ— preachethe the scripture trulye is to be hearde be hys lyfe neuer so wycked or corruptynge of the same he is to be hearde We ought not so greatly to marke the teacher as that which is taught If he teachethe well it is ours we haue that we came for if he lyueth well it is his owne and he shal receaue the rewarde But lette vs heare what Chrisostome sayth to thys matter In Math Cap. xxiii If the presteâ— lyue wel sayth he it is theyr auauntage but if they teache well it is yours Be not curioê° to boulâ—e out that which pertayneth vnto another man For oftentymes good learnyng comethe forthe from an euyll manne as vyle earth bryngeth forth precious gold Is precious golde despysed for the vile earth Therfore as the golde is chosen and the earth forsakeÌ„ so lykewyse take you the learnyng leaue the manners Agayne he saythe let vs take the doctrine but not the maÌ„ners Herbes are not necessary for the bees but the floures are So you lykewyse gather the floures of doctrine and leaue theyr fashons of lyuyng Here this holy Doctore wylleth vs not to despyse yâ— word thoughe the Preacher be euell Lette vs take that is oures and let go that is hys The doctrine is oures yâ— lyfe is hys I had rather haue a syncer preacher of Gods worde which shal declare Christ vnto me purely rebuke my synful lyuyng conforte me wyth the swete promises of GOD shewe me howe I ought to institute my lyfe according to yâ— wyl of god c although hys maÌ„ners be somewhat corrupte and dissent from his preachyng thaÌ„ to haue a wicked Papist a pestileÌ„t Pharese a supersticious Hypocrite whiche shall outwardely lyke a crafty foxe preteÌ„d a certayne grauite and a popeholy manner of lyuynge and yet corrupte the holye scriptures confounde Gods worde wyth mens tradicions lede the people into supersticious errours flatter the herers preach for lucre