cal the preaching of the gospel grace because that the gospell is the ioyful tyding of that most sure infallible grace What the knowledg of synne doth worke in vs. which of god is grauÌ„ted geueÌ„ vnto vs. The knowledge of synne which we do nede here most of al bringeth vs to the poynte that we doo vtterly dispayre of oure owne selfes wherfore it coÌ„pelleth dryueth forceth vs to flye vnto the gratuite and free mercy of god of the whych we are most sure syth the god the father dyd geue his only begotteÌ„ soÌ„ne for vs. Wherfore christ as it is sayd before dyd vouchsaue to call the hole misery of our saluatioÌ„ a medicine And in an other place as Luk. xxiiii he doth ioyne both togeather â–ª that is to saye repeÌ„taunce forgeuenes of synnes saying So it behoueth that christ shuld suffer rise agayn froÌ„ death the thyrd daye that repentauÌ„ce remission of synnes shulde be preached among all natioÌ„s in my name Beholde how he hath here ioyned both together setteth forth vnto vs both repeÌ„taÌ„ce forgeuenes of synnes For no man can worthely delight in the preachinge of the gospel no maÌ„ can worthely receaue it with a full ioye excepte he hathe afore a full knowledge of his syckenesse disease that is to saye of hys synnes The secoÌ„d care of a pastour is to take hede â–ª that they which doo repent perish not agayne But now as soone as the wretched miserable maÌ„ doeth know his sicknes infirmitie disease seing the filthines of his synnes doth also espye depreheÌ„d and fynde a sure knowledge hope of saluation in Iesus Christ he oughte in no wyse afterwardes to lyue in synne For sith that in christ Iesus we are al dead to synne we can not afterwardes lyue in synne as the holy Apostle S. Paule doth largely copiously declare shew Roma vi This shal therfore be one of the chiefest and greatest care of a Pastour and true shepeherde to watche diligently and as nyghe as he can to take hede beware that the shepe which are already washed clensed do not voyltre theÌ„ selfes agayne in the stinking myre and puddell of synne For after that the faythfull are ones come into the knowledge of theyr saluacion and haue tasted of the gratuite free mercy of god which the heauenly father doth most liberally graunt gyue vnto vs it is most coÌ„uenient that they do leade an innocent lyfe and pure from all contagiouse fyl thynesse of synne least parchaunce they dye agayne For as Christ beyng ones rysen from death dyeth nomore death hath nomore power ouer hym so they doyng or putting of the olde man shal put on the new whych is created after the lykenes of god that is to saye oure Lorde Iesus Christ hym self what it is to putt on Christ They do sayth the scripture put on christ that walke and lyue as Christ him self dyd lyue here in the earth Therfore he doth byd and commaund his disciples after the same maner mat xxviii Go ye therfore and teache all nations and baptise them in the name of the father the sonne the holy ghost teachinge them to obserue kepe what soeuer I haue commauÌ„ded you For who soeuer doth not thincke euery day vpoÌ„ the ameÌ„demeÌ„t of his lyfe after that he feleth him self to be redemed by Christ renewed doth coÌ„tempne the name of christ abusing the same most shamefully yea rather he is thee cause that the holye name of christ is euyll spoken of and blasphemed among the infidels and vngodly We do reade therfore that the holye Apostle S. Peter doth not wythout a good cause say i. Pet. ii.l. for as moch then as Christ hath suffred for vs in the fleshe arme ye your selues lykewyse wyth the same mynde for he which suffreth in the fleshe ceasseth froÌ„ synne that hence forward he shuld lyue as moche tyme as remayneth in thee flesshe not after the lustes of men but after wyll of God For it is sufficiente for vs that we haue spent thee tyme that is past of our lyfe after the wyl of the BeÌ„tils walking in waÌ„tounes lustes in excesse of wyne in excesse of eatinge in excesse of drinking or droÌ„kenes in abhominable Idolatrie By the whyche wordes we maye easely see perceyue or vnderstand that we haue not yet fulfylled nor done fully our duety yf we shewe and declare the saluation which is pourchased by Christ for we haue most nede too beware and take hede that we do not lose agayne the saluation which is gotten and purchased vnto vs therby as most vnfaythfull Apostates Traytours most vngodly blasphemyng the holye and blessed name of thee lyuinge God It is the dutâ—e of a pastour to lyue accordiÌ„ge too hys doctryne that he teacheth Which thing that it may be coÌ„modiously brought to passe done ther is none other way more coÌ„modiouse redy thaÌ„ yf the honestye of the pastour be soche that he shal with his workes dayly example of lyuing expresse the thing that he doth teache wyth his mouth and wordes Which thing Christ doeth highlye requyre mathew v Who soeuer sayeth he shall breake the least of these coÌ„maundementes teache men to do so he shal be called lesse in the kingdom of heaueÌ„ But who soeuer shal both do teach he shal be called great in the kingdoÌ„ of heaueÌ„ For this is most sure no man is able to denye this but that it is a playne payntinge and hypocrysye to speake gaylye of god and in the meane season to lyue nothing after the rule prescript of his word Which thing S. Paul doth manifestly declare wryting to Titus Titum i. wheÌ„ he sayeth They confesse that they knowe god whoÌ„ with their dedes they do vtterly denye syth that they be abhominable disobedient vnapte to euery good worcke And again Roman ii he writeth after this maner Which teachest another and doeste not teache thy self which preachest that a man shuld not steale thou stealest whiche sayest that a man shuld not commit adultery and thou breakest wedlock why the abhorrest ydols robbest god of his glory which boastest in the lawe by the breakiÌ„ge of the law doest dishonor god for the name of god is yll reported and spoken of among the BeÌ„tyls for your sakes Therfore the pastour shall wyth all care and study beware take hede that he do not destroye with his fylthyelyuyng coÌ„uersation the thinge that he doeth buyld set vp with his doctrine and traditioÌ„s for the nature of mans wit is soche that the weaker persons are sore offended with this thing they wyl not suffre theÌ„ selfes lightely to be won drawen allured with gods worde yf they see that the lyfe and conditions of the pastoure do not agree with the doctryne whych is pure holy and sounde The pastour oughte diligentâ—ie to shuÌ„ne the hypocritycal faynynge of
in the name of the lord Peace in heueÌ„ glory in the highest But wtin a while after this poore symple and ygnoraunte people that thus so ioyfullye receaued oure sauyoure chryste beynge moued and perswaded by the hyghe pryestes mat xvii Luke xxiii Ioh. xviii marke xv scrybes and Pharyses dyd preferre that thefe and shamefull murtherer Barrabas vnto hym whome a lyttel whyle before they called Kynge desyryng of Pouryous Pylate wythe a loude voyce that thee sayde rebelle and cruell murtherer Barrabas shoulde bee lette loose vnto theym and that Iesus shoulde be delyuered vppe for too bee crucyfyed In lyke maner nowe a dayes it doethe happen and chaunce here amonge vs. For when thee Gospel and gladde tydynges of saluatyon are by honeste and godlye menne preached and sette forthe vnto thee good folckes of thee contreye it is a greate wonder and maruayle too see howe gredely the moste parte of them do receaue it noo lesse reioycynge at those ioyfull newes of heauen than thee multytude of thee Iewes dyd at the comynge of theyr Messias But as soone as these false prophetes thee true preachers beynge departed from thence into soome other place are come amonge them and haue shreuen theym a whyle they are made a thousande tymes worse than they were afore thee hearynge of thee Gospell These rauenynge wolues are so armed wyth hypocrysye with blaundiloquence fayre speakyng and flattery that it is a thynge impossyble for the poore symple folkes of thee contreye whyche are noseled in the olde superstition of theyr forefathers that they shuld at any tyme wythout the specyal grace of god beware and take hede of them yea manye witted and learned persons that are not yet stronge stedfast fyrme sound in the fayth at oftentymes by them ouerthrowen and clene subuerted The names of the hygh learned Papistes whose learninge consysteth onli in philosophye prophane disciplines ar hurtfull What shall we saye thee names of them are noisome and hurtful Which thing we do se now a daies to be most true I know some which yf they were a lyttel otherwyse handeled or some what more strayghtly loke vpon but eueÌ„ halfe so moch as they dyd loke vppon vs when they bare rule and were in high auctoritie hauing those lawes in their haÌ„des which no man of what degre soeuer he was bearing open hys mouth against theÌ„ they had made theÌ„ selues We shuld se that shortlye al those shyres that haue not yet receiued the worde to come merelye wythe a lusty corage and ioyful hart vnto thee trueth and gospel which are noe only letted and stopped by the glorious names and titles of soch high renowned persoÌ„s Reade my boke that I made agaynst the lybertins rebelies Wel it was not for nought as I haue often sayd and now I say it againe that those godly kinges which in times past dyd put down al ydolatry superstitioÌ„ setting vp again wtal godly studye dylygeÌ„ce iii. Regu xviii iiii Reg. x iiii ReguÌ„ xxiii the true worshipping of the liuing god did slaye kyl vp al Baalles priestes false prophetes of groues hille altars Whyche thing truly they did because that they shoulde not brynge the people agayne into errour Nor let anye man thynke here that it was cruelly done no more than when a rotteÌ„ remember is cutte of from the bodye leste that it shoulde infecte al the whole Is it not I praye you moch more expedyente that .viii hundrethe and L. false prophetes shoulde bee kylled vppe by some Helyas thaÌ„ that al the whole Israell shoulde perysshe Iudge ye all that haue anye wytte in youre heads Howe be it it is not my wyll What moderation must be vsed in rooting out of the papistes that anye man shoulde be murthered or put to death onelesse it be with the sworde of the spyrite as the lorde speaketh him self by the prophet saying I wyl smyte the earth with the rode of my mouth with the breath of my lippes Esaye xi wyl I slaye the vngodly I wold wishe that all suche persoÌ„s shuld be allured won by charitable meanes that they myght perceiue se that moch more geÌ„tylnes is shewed vnto theÌ„ then they haue afore times shewed vnto vs agayn that the magystrates doo seeke onelye for theyr amendemente and saluacyon of theyr soules and not for theyr chestes and coffers Neuertheles yf they be obstynate stubborne or goo aboute some tumulte and nouatyon of thynges or elles hynder styll the people kept theÌ„ back froÌ„ the truth of the gospel froÌ„ Christ the commen sauiour of al meÌ„ let them hardely feele that the Magistrate beareth not in vayne the teÌ„porall sworde In dede it is tyme that some of theim be tyed vp shorter syth that thei be not afrayed The bolde threateninges shameful lyinges of the papistes to threaten vs that to thee great abashmeÌ„t of the weaker that forenne Princes yf we do not shortely recant come agayne to the olde fashioÌ„ wyll inuade come vpon tâ—is noble florishing Realme Yea say they wheÌ„ they be vpon theyr ale benches and in corners the coÌ„municatioÌ„ of Papistes vpon their ale beÌ„ches and in corners wher they dare vtter oute theyr poyson where they thincke they may vtter out soche doctryne the proudeste of them all meaning the head rulers magestrates through whose vigilante care true religioÌ„ hath ben restored and set vp agayne be in doubte what they may do They treÌ„ble quake for feare yf they do but heare ones that noble most redoubted emprour named They do almost crepe into a mouse hole wheÌ„ they heare daylye howe he handeleth theyr brethren in Christe beyonde thee sea They woold geue yea marye wold they thousande thousandes that thee holy and blessed Masse had neuer bene put downe by theÌ„ They woulde fayne haue it vp agayne yf they knew howe they myght do it handsomely and not to theyr shame and rebuke Soche is theyr communication abroade among the symple ignorant people and that of late It is no meruayle then that the moste parte of thee louinge subiectes of thys Realme do yet bothe abhorre and vtterlye refuse the wholsome doctrine of theyr saluation sythe that so many false Prophetes are yet suffâ—red to be among them and so fewe faythfull Pastours prouyded for and sent vnto them For truely thys is one of the chiefeste causes of the blyndnesse of the people Another cause of the blyndnesse of the peopâ—e and that they are so easely seduced and brought into erroure by false Prophetes that dayelye and hourely come vnto theym in shepes clothynge They lacke trewe Pastours They wante faythfull teachers and guydes Theyr watche men are all blynde they haue all togeather no vnderstandinge Esay lvi they are all domme dogges not beynge able to barke they are slepye sloggysh and lye snortyng they are shamelesse dogges that be neuer satisfyed Theyr shepehardes in lyke maner
that is to say with rewardes giftes with warres fyering of villages and townes with spoyling destroying of feldes slaughter of the innoceÌ„tes and al other kindes of crudelite The Kynges of Scicilia were counted to be the cruellest tirauÌ„ts of the worlde in so much that the tyrauntes of Scicilia whych were of most famous crudelitie coulde deale no cruellier For they dyd neuer handel a man cruelly afore that his cause was hearde but these our spiritual prelates do with al care diligence studye thys one thinge that they maye in all regions and countreys winne to theÌ„ selfes wyth large gyftes and rewardes thee myndes of the myghtye rulers and magistrates whom they so intoxicate and poysonne that they thyncke that they haue well and truelye done theyr duety yea that they do hygh seruice vnto god when they do most cruelly persecute al them the preache the word of the gospell without any hearinge of the causes or trying of the doctrine And yf they their owne selues haue the secular swerde in theyr haÌ„des as they do cal it by and by they do without any measure slea kyl and murther the innocentes beynge in thys poynt more cruell than Tygres and Crocodiles And onles they shulde feate that thei shuld be so serued yf at any tyme the world shuld alter chauÌ„ge they wold in no wyse be conteÌ„t with the coÌ„mune vsed kindes of punishmeÌ„ts Phalaris was kinge of the Argentiâ—s most cruell tyrauÌ„t whiche daylye inuented new kiÌ„des of tormeÌ„ts to exercise their ragiouse crudelitie but wold as a most cruell Phalaris dayâ—ly inuente fynde out newe facions and kyndes of tormentes to afflicte there wyth according to their inordinat lustes the faythful ministers of gods minde the iniquitâ—e vnryghtfull gouernement of the Magestrates of ouer tyme Besydes that thou doest before thyne owne eyen see this thing also o faythfull seruaunt which hast wholy consecrated thy self vnto god that many of the hygh powers whose part it was to administer the swearde of iustice do vse exercise iustice yf that maner of rulâ—ng that they do vse may be called iustyce rather accordinge too theyr coueteouse myndes inordinate lustes bold rashenesse that they may be hygh voyltre theym selfes in all kyndes of pleasure than of any loue or feare of God true religion The people is sâ—een to the verye bones with importable tarâ—s exactyoÌ„s subsydies For they doo myserable vexe theyr owne subiectes wyth pryde hautenesse of mynde insolent arrogaÌ„cye yea they do oppresse them they tormeÌ„t and afflicte them they pylle and poole robbe fley theÌ„ to the very bones wyth vnlawfull exactions taxes subsydes They trouble forenne nations and peoples wyth wartes excursioÌ„s or hostile renninges out with dayly scarmychinge battailes And at home yf thou doest beholde loke vpoÌ„ their priuate maner of lyuing they do nothing els but ryotte eate and drinke make mery vse vnlawful games in theyr abhominable dronckenes most shamefully polluting all theyr studyes and doynges wyth fil thye whoredom adultery This is the sickenes and most pestileÌ„t boyle where with the heades of the Christian people are infected Wherefore Ezechi iii. o faythful Pastour take good hede to thy self and se how these euyls can be remedyed For yf thou doest not set forth the truth of the worde of God the bloud of them that peryshe as it is sayd before The office of a Pastour is very peryllous shal be requyred at thy haÌ„d Agayn yf thou doest beginne to speake tel the truth thou shalt fall â—nto the handes of them that be able to do the no small harme For the deceate fraud subtyltie The craft of the papistes in winning the hertes fauoure of Princes craft of the papistes is soche that they haue crepte into the palaces of al princes Emprours Kinges craftely at the fyrste promoting the chyldreÌ„ of certayn Princes For they dyd make some of theym Cardinals some Byshops some agayn Abbates Prious CoÌ„mendours Administratours or Coadiutours yea they dyd also make the same selfe Princes parteners wyth theym of the money that they gotte of the symple ignoraunte people by theyr pardons indulgeÌ„ces Whereby it came to passe that they haue almost all earthly princes not a litle subiect bound vnto theÌ„ Wherfore yf thou folowinge the example of Christe doest go about to assaute expell dryue out thys deceyptful coÌ„pany flocke of hypoctiâ—es by by thou shalt see the Princes leape forth to defend these hypocrites with dothe and â—â—ale Agayn yf thou casting away thy weapons and harneys wyll runne away and seeke a meane howe thou mayste coÌ„modiously rydde delyuer thy self froÌ„ that peâ—yllous function office thou shalte be rekened among the vnfaythfull pastours which seinge the wolfe doo forsake the shepe and take them selfes to their fete sauing theÌ„ selfes by runninge awaye Here as yf it were by the way the vertue strength of fayth is knoweÌ„ for when a man being in extreme daunger is in perplexitie and all together doubtfull of mynde he may not flye to none other yf he be faythfull in dede than to thee oâ—â— god his word as vnto a most sure refuge that he being fully instructed by iâ— may pâ—t his host trust and coÌ„fidence in hym onely Hauing therfore aâ— eye vnto Christ A pastour ought in no wise to feare death heaâ—e take hede and marke diligently what he doth speake Iohn x. When he saithe a good pastour doth ieoparde his lyfe for his shepe Yf then thou wylt be counted a faythful good pastour and desyrest to be numbred and rekened among them that haue wrought and laboured faithfully in the worke of the lorde thou muste nedes ieoparde thy lyfe for thy shepe Besydes that he doeth moue styrre vs with other wordes Math. x when he saythâ— That thing that I saye vnto you in darkenesse tell ye it in thee light that thing that ye heare in your eares preache ye it vpoÌ„ houses And be not ye afrayed of them that kyl the bodye but the soule they caÌ„ not kyl but rather feare ye him that caÌ„ cast both body soule into the fyre of hel By the which wordes we do most playnly learne that we oughte in no wyse to kepe close or hyde Gods word but rather the lord doth coÌ„mauÌ„d that we puttiÌ„ge aside al feare do speake it abroade Also he that is the minister of God shall in no wyse dreade the manasshes and threateninges of the world For as it is our duety and office to speak boldely agaynst all theÌ„ that lyue in synne lycentiously and wythout shame as the Lorde doth coÌ„maunde the prophet sayinge Hierem. i. Thou shalt go to whom soeuer I shall send the crye oute ceasse not Esay iviii lyft vp thy voyce as a trompette and shewe vnto my people theyr synnes so it is the duety of a Pastour to coope openly wyth the
enemyes of the trueth and to withstande them to theyr faces that so he may defende the flocke committed vnto hym and helpe hys shepe out of thee myre and puddell of synne for onlesse soche thinges were done cared for and takeÌ„ hede of we shuld haue no nede of a Pastour for whyles no peryl doeth hange ouer the shepe they haue no neade of a pastour nor of a watch man that should watch for theym but rhey haue nede of a pastoure that they may throughe his fatherly care diligence both for see and shunne the peryl Yf then the pastour when there is any daunger peryl ieoperdye doth runne away as touching the shepe it maketh no matter at al whether that they haue any shepeherde or not Wherfore it is most necessary The example of christe that afore all thynges we haue an eye vnto christ whych sayeth Iohn x. I do ieoparde my lyfe for my shepe For he dyd not onely speake these thinges with wordes but also he dyd fulfyll and performe them in dede For when he was goynge to Hierusalem he dyd wythe plaine and manifest wordes declare vnto his discyples what paryl dauÌ„ger he shuld bryng his lyfe to Math. xvâ— wheÌ„ Peter dyd go about to turne hym froÌ„ the minde and purpose he turned hym self to Peter sayinge Goo after me Sathan thou hynderest me for thou doest not sauoure those thinges that are of god but those thynges that are of meÌ„ And afterwardes beyng entred into the citie he did cast the biers sellers out of the temple fearyng nothynge thee malycyous intentes of thee Scrybes and priestes whom he knewe dyd hate hym deadly Yea he dyd also opeÌ„ly in the audyence of all thee people wythe greate grauitye and sharpe wordes rebuke theyr synnes and vyces that is to saye theyr couetousnes ambition hypocrysye math xxiiâ— And when the appoynted houre or tyme of hys deathe was come that he shoulde delyuer hym self for vs his enemies beiÌ„ge yssued forth dyd seeke too take hym he dyd come forthe to mete theym and that we beynge instructed by hys owne example myghte vnderstande that it is also thee offyce of a Pastoure to beware and kepe of those outewarde perylles and ieopardyes whyche maye hurte the lyues and goodes of the shepe he dyd not onelye delyuer hym selfe too deathe for vs all but also dyd deliuer hys dyscyples from thys bodelye deathe sauynge theyr lyues when he not wythout a dyuyne godly maiestie power dyd saye Yf ye seke me suffre these to go away Therfore he that wylbe a faythful good pastour of the shepe of our lord and sauyoure Iesus Chryste folowynge chrystes example muste set hym selfe agaynste all peryllous temâ—estes and stormes and come forthe against al the enemies of Christ which for goddes sake and hys euerlastynge worde and also for the faythfull care that he taketh for hys shepe do go aboute to persecute and afflycte hym fearynge nothyng nor yet regarding the persoÌ„ of any man Lette hym not be afrayde nor abasshed in hys mynde thoughe he were coÌ„pelled to reproue rebuke speake against the great Kynge Alexander magnus or Iulyus Cesar The true Pastour shall also rebuke and reproue priÌ„ces yf they vse any extortion or burden ouer sore their poore subiectes or thee Bysshoppe of Rome hym self to be short against al the mightiest moste puissaunt kynges Princes of the worlde Which thing he shal not only do yf they do obstinateli resist the word of god but also yf they do oppres the poore people that is vnder their subiectioÌ„ with intollerable burdens of subsidyes exactioÌ„s taxes Which thinges we wyl proue nowe with plaine euident examples and also wythe manifest testimonies of the scryptures WheÌ„ the almighty merciful father did se that the people of Israel was oppressed w e exceding great vnmeasurable afflictioÌ„s with an ouer heauy yoke of seruitude by the most cruel tirauÌ„t Pharao al the people of Egipt by by he did seÌ„d Moses to delyuer them froÌ„ so hard a thraldom bodage For he could beare no longer the tyrannicall vniust affliction of his people Exo. iii. And although Moyses excusynge him selfe by his simplicitie and rudenesse dyd al that he could to put from hym that functyon office yet did he profytte or auayle nothing prayed he neuer so moch but beynge compelled and constrayned of the lorde dyd brynge forth that great people and innumerable multytude of men women and chyldren yea against the tyraunt Pharaos wyl and how Through the myddest of the sea through the desertes thoroughe thousandes of their enemyes thorough infinit parylles of hunger thyrste sycknesses punysshementes So that to haue reade or harde suche great paynes labours and trauayles wolde make anye man to tremble and quake for horrour God notwythstandynge althoughe they were beset on euerye syde with parylles most daugerous ieopardyes yet remembrynge his promyse dyd geue the vyctorye to his people Thys therfore shal be the office duety of euery Pastour to come forth and to stand vp manfully for the health saue garde of hys shepe yf at any tyme the tyrauntes of this world do begynne vniustly and after newe vngodly wayes to aggrauate or burden and oppresse thee people For they that mynyster thee lames of natyons and peoples The duâ—tâ—e of christian magistrat â— and are gouernoures of publyke weales oughte too be benefycyall not iniuryous or wrongefull not pyllers and pollers not robbers and theues Luke .xxii. Wherefore that famous godly philosopher Seneca Seneca dyd ryght wel and iustely cal the offyce or ruledomme of a Kynge Benefecyum that is to saye a benefytte No man I suppose is ygnoraunte what is dued of subiectes to magystrates whych thynge Paule doeth playnelye set forthe Roma xiii but here in thys place we speake of tyrauntes whyche doynge intollerable wronges vnto all men haue in theym no sparkle of loue towardes theyr neyghboure nor yet of true relygyon or godlynesse A digression What shall we saye o faythfull soule shall wee not beleue that thys is doone by thee syngulare loue mercye and bounteous worcke of God thee father that in thys oure moste wycked tyme whyche is polluted with all kyndes of vyce we see thee bryghtenesse of hys holye worde too shyne forthe wythe so greate vertue and lyghtesomnesse In this oure tyme I saye that all inorydynate lustes fleshely affectyons vnryghteousnesse iniquitie a dyssolute or lycentyous corruptyon of all good lawes do raygne euery wher that we se al states and orders of menne yea thee greateste parte of thee myghty Prynces corrupted coÌ„taminated polluted with fylthye whoredom adulterye rauyshyng of mayden vnfaithfulnes impudency or vnshamefastnes with robberyes theftes detestable vsurye all other lyke horryble synnes Wherfore sythe that it is playne and euedente that the word of god was neuer hetherto sens that the fayth of chryst beganne fyrst to bee preached and spreade abroade
set forth with suche power vertue lyuelynesse as we do se before our owne eyeÌ„ to be done now a dayes and that euerye where almost it maye easely be gathered therby that thys is done by the deuyne prouidence and not wythout our great good that we beyng instructed wyth the knowledg of our saluation shuld rather rote out thys deceateful hypocrysye of humayne tradytyons Wo be to the pastour which hydeth the lyghte of gods worde vnder a bushel Wo therfore be vnto the pastour which now in this our time the children fooles can speake is not ashamed to hold his peace which hidiÌ„g the lyghte of gods word vnder a busshel doth the worke of the lord fraudulently or deceatfully nor endeuoureth him self al that he can that the people of the lord may be delyuered God with expressed plaine wordes reueled by Samuel The example of Saul and Samuel .i. Regum xv had in tymes past coÌ„maunded Saul the fyrst king of the Israelites that he shuld make warre against the Amalechites destroy theÌ„ al and kil with the sweard all liuing soules that he shulde saue either to him self or to hys soldiours no maner of thing of the ryches spotles of those vngodlye men But Saul breaking the coÌ„maundemeÌ„te of god dyd bring aliue Agag the Kyng of the Amalechites also he doubted not to reserue saue a great nuÌ„bre of catel for to offre vnto the lord with the most precious costely garmeÌ„tes and many other thinges This proude presumptioÌ„ of Saul that faithful prophet Samuel could not suffre nor abide which fearinge him nothinge that both was lately made a kinge also was not a lyttle pufte vp with the prosperous vâ—ctory that the lord had geueÌ„ him doth boldly wyth such wordes blame rebuke his disobedieÌ„ce Wherfore hast yâ— not harkened vnto the voice of the lorde Soche are oure good intentes that ar not groÌ„ded vppon gods worde but hast turned to the pray hast done that which is wycked in the syght of thee lorde But Saul excusing him self aunswered that he had performed fulfylled the worde of thee lorde sayinge I haue gone the way which the lord hath sente me vnto and haue broughte Agag thee kyng of Amaleke haue vtterlye destroyed the Aamalechites But the people toke of the spoile shepe oxen the chefest of the thinges which shulde haue beÌ„ destroied to offre vnto the lord thy god in Gilgal Maâ—â—ke ye this that wil may ataine good intentes Which thinges being hearde Samuel dyd agayne blame rebuke hym very sharpely saying Hath the lord as great pleasure in burnt sacryfices offringes as when the voice of the lord is obeyed Behold to obeye is better than sacryfyce to herken is better than the fat of Rammes For rebellyon is as the synne of wytchecrafte and stubbernesse is as the wyckednesse of Idolatryr Because thou hast cast awaye the word of the Lorde therefore hath the lord cast away the from beynge kynge A good pastour ought to folow the exaÌ„ple of Samuâ—ll Howbeit these thynges being thus paste after that Samuell had executed done the coÌ„maundement of god he dyd hewe in peces Agag the king of Amaleke which was brought too hym prysoner Thys dede then of that most holye and stronge prophete Samuel doth suffycyently teache vs that it is the office and duety of a pastor to spare neither kinges nor myghtye magistrates but as sone as he shall perceaue them to be deceaued and too go out of the way by by he shal rebuke their errour that they may learne both to acknowledge theyr faultes and also to amende Therfore against theÌ„ the will not haue siÌ„nes to be rebuked by the Pastours a certayn of those hygh prelates of the Romisshe churche whose name I wil wittingly passe ouer was not all togeather folyshe whych when he dyd coÌ„mitte the cure administratioÌ„ of a parishe whych dyd belonge to hys Diocesys vnto a certayn minister or pastour he dyd bynd hym to these conditions that he shoulde in no wyse rebuke or touche sharpely his order yea not as moche as wyth a word Agayne that he shoulde so tempere and moderate thee preachinge of the gospell that he shuld in hys sermons blame and rebuke noman What shall then thys poore wretched Pastour beinge thus bounde entreate vpon in hys publyke sermons Behold the whole world doth lye buried in the stinking puddel of synne is all togeather drowned in vyces and yet it shall not be lawefull too rebuke or blame it What nede haue theÌ„ the poore shepe of a Pastour In the meane season I knowe ryghte well what thys good and wyse father dyd saye when he gaue thys commaundement forsoth that the condition nature of the gospell was to rebuke no man to sharpely But o reuerende father open your eyes a lyttle and loke diligently vpoÌ„ Math. iii. xiii Item Ioh. iii. .viii. other innumerable places of the Euangelicall scripture that ye maye vnderstande what wordes and maner of speaking Christe and Iohn dyd vse in rebukinge mens synnes I know that he wyll geue thys aunswere Forsouth that it is thee duetye of a pastour to rebuke thee synnes of the commune rascall people and to bringe theÌ„ of the basest sorte from theyr accoâ—umed vyces maner of lyuinge For in thys one thyng that holy and reuerende father dyd not a little shewe and declare hys godlynes sayinge that he dyd in no wyse gayn saye or contrarye the Euangelicall doctrine but rather that he dyd fauoure it wyth all hys harte Beholde then howe these men do bewray theyr owne nature and mynde Heâ—e here a snake lurketh in the grasse For the myghty Princes and rulers of this world â—he worldliÌ„ges coulde wel â—â—â—de the preaching of the gospell yf it shuld not rebuke their vicious liuing coulde well abyde or beare the preaching and doctrine of the trueth yf they shulde not feele and perceaue that therby theyr tyraÌ„ny is brought to lyght rebuked or yf they were not afrayed to lose theyr temporall commodities and profytes Another thing shal also the faythful pastour learne in thee example of Samuell that he oughte in no wyse to spare the Princes and gouernours but blame and rebuke sharpely theyr faultes Which thing yf they can not abyde Actuum v he heareth what Saynte Peter sayth Better it is to obeye God than man But because the annoynted sorte of the Papystes are not ashamed Of the true obedyeÌ„ce â— disobedieÌ„ce agaynst the papistes to affyrme strengthen and establyshe that obedience that they doo requyre of al kyndes of men by thys example of Samuell we muste better looke vpon it and also speake more largelye of it When Saule in hys factes and dedes had rather folowed and obserued hys intente and mynde than thee playne decree of Goddes worde he dyd commyt a great synne of disobedience Wherfore Samuel sayth that it is playne Idolatrie
alwayes doyngeyll to men that vnluckye Ate which troubleth al thinges But that I maye in fewe wordes conclude all these thynges who soeuer is studious of true peace and godlye concorde let hym fyrste receaue the woorde of God whose lyght shineth forth now a dayes wyth so great lyghtsomnesse for onelesse a man receaueth it he shall neuer euioye the true peace The are is all readye layde too thee roote of thee tree But what neade we to proue wyth any longer demonstratiō out of the bokes and wrytynges of the prophetes after what facion and maner the pastour ought to resyste withstand the synnes and vyces of the hygh powers gouernours Let the faythful diligent pastour reade theyr sermons and there he shal fynde none other thinge but a continuall fyghte whych they haue had with the myghty princes theyr vicious lyuing For who doth not heare and see with what wordes Esay both rebuke Esaye the rulers of the commune weale when he sayth Esaye i. Heare the worde of the Lorde ye princes of Sodoma and herken vnto the lawe of our God thou people of Gomorra Thy prynces are wycked and companions of theues They loue gyftes all togeather gape for rewardes As for the fatherles they helpe hym not to hys ryght nether wil they let thee wydomes causes come before theym Hieremye and Hieremye doeth also complayne that he can not fynde a ryghteous man or that ministreth iustice in all the stretes of the sytie whyche he speaketh not of the commens or rascall people but of thee Lordes and chief rulers whose synnes and vnfaythfulnesse do farre passe the wyckednesse of the people Therfore the princes and rulers of oure tyme be wyse ynoughe whych forbyd by theyr lawes that no man shall speake agaynst theym nor agaynst theyr vycyous lyuinge wher as the fountaynes of all vyces and deuylyshe wyckednesse do springe frō none other than from thee Prynces spirituall prelates and gouernoues Agayne wyth what sharpenesse doo they speake agaynste false Prophetes How cruell dreadfull and horrible a punishmēt doeth Ezechiell .xxxiiii. Chapter threaten to those Pastours Ezechi ◠whych are wont to fede theym selues onely Of whom wythout doubte there is and shal be alwayes a great number and yet neuerthelesse the prophetes do not therefore spare theyr craftye deceyptfulnes and hypocrysye What shal we saye of the prophete Amos Amos. whych moste sharpelye rebuking the synnes of the head rulers doeth call theym fat bullockes also doeth prophecie tell before what misfortunes plagues calamities are prepared for them What Ionas Ionas was cōpelled by the deuyne commaundement of God to goo into a straunge Cytye whych was al drowned in wyckednesse and synne and to deuounce and tell vnto them the punishementes and plague that shuld folowe wythin the space of xi dayes To be shorte what seueritie sharpenesse dyd they all vse whych before the captiuitie of Babilon dyd prophecye of the vtter destruction of thee people and yet for all that they coulde auayle or profyte nothinge The example of Iohn against Herode marke vi That valyant and noble fore tenner of Iesus christ Iohn baptist dyd right well know the strength might and fycecenesse of Kyng Herode whych was so great that none of al hys contrey durst contradicte or gaynesaye it and yet in the meane season he doeth also vnderstande that he ought not therfore to be spared nor yet to be suffred at his owne pleasure wythout the blame of any mā to exercyse and vse hys inordinate lechety because that ther was none other that durst reprehend or rebuke thys abhominable dede of thee Kynge he hys owne selfe cometh vnto hym layinge thee heynousuesse of thee facte before hym sayth Mark v. It is not lawfull for the to haue thy brothers wyse The Kynge therfore beynge offended at hys boldenesse dyd bothe cast hym into pryson at length put hym to death Whereby we do gather that a Pastoure is dryuen to thys necessytye that he must rebuke blame and reprehende all those fawtes vyces and synnes that none other mortall man date rebuke marke ye thys o ye faynt harted pastours the dare not freeke againste agnatter here we see no manne too bee excepted but that he muste resyste the verye Princes them selues and also the myghtye prelates of the churche and that too theyr owne faces lette hym not suffre hym selfe to be dismayde wythe the vayue feares neyther of mans strengthe nor of dignytye and power nor of thee folysshe and madde multytude but as sone as thee lorde doethe warne hym of hys duetye lette hym goo aboute it wythe a soute and bolde stomache and neuer leaue of tyll he feele and perceaue in theym a manyfeste amendmente of lyfe For so doethe the lorde commaund Hieremye sayinge And therefore gyrde vppe thy loynes aryse and tell theim all that I geue thee in commaundement feare them not leste I destroye the before them For beholde thys day do I make the a strong defenced towne and yron pyllet a brase walle against the whole lande against the kinges and myghty men of Iuda against the priestes people of the lād They shal fyght agaynst the but they shal not be able to ouercome therfor I am with the to delyuer the. They shal conuerte vnto the and thou shalte not conuerte vnto theym It is the duetye of Pastours too rebuke chose vices the none other mā dare rebuke For as among the Lacedemonians there were certayne offycers called Ephori and among the Romaynes other whome they called Tribuni and at thys presence in certayne cytyes of Germanye there be hygh wardens of companyes or trybes whyche do resyst and wythstande the heade ruler yf at any tyme Ephori tribuni were offycers amōg the Lacedemonians Romayns too who the people yf they were not wel vsed myght haue aupelled frō the hygher magistrates through ouer greate power he wareth out of faciō so god did institute ordaine Pastours amōge hys people as certayne offycers whyche shulde alwayes watche For god wyll haue no man to be so hygh nor of sech auctorytie the al mē shoulde be afrayde to rebuke his synnes or tel hym of his fawres And yf the magistrate whose offyce and dutye it is to do it beynge eyther letted wyth feare or infected syck with the same disease dare not boldly resist wythstād the supreme ruler gouernour yet shall he that is a Pastour neuer slepe In dede yf thautorytie of the magistrate be ioyned with hys studye laboure and godly endeuoures or enterpryse Vyces and wyckednes shal the more easelye and withe greater quietnes or more commodiously be taken awaye But yf he be slouthfull or negligent the pastour shal take vpō hym thys harde cure yea with the peryl and ieopardye of hys owne heade and shall loke for helpe and delyueraunce from none other that from god only Thee Pastoures muste watche il Croni
that hys honoure and glory be any thing mynyshed that his worde be not beleued that his commaundementes be thus so vngodly and wickedly contempned and troaden vnder fete A similitude As then thou wylt rather dye than to suffre thy father to be broughte into an yll name or too be diffamed so shalt thou moch more wyshe and desyre to suffre this bodely death rather than to see gods glory to be diminished Agayn yf thou doeste beleue that Gods worde is constant sure and infallible thou shalte also knowe and vnderstande that noo greater glorye can vppon the earth happen vnto man and that we can doo no greater seruyce vnto God than yf we suffer death for the glorye of hys name Therfore the lesse feare and horrour of death is in thee so moche thee greater and stronger fayth is in thyne harte on the contrarye thee more thou doeste feare and dreade thys bodelye death so moche the lesse doest thou loue Christe and truste in God For whosoeuer is endued wyth a true faythe and is fyered wyth an vnfayned and syncere loue of God he doeth already vnderstand that thys death whyche we muste suffer for the name and glorye of Christ is a very lucre and a most true waye The death that we suffer for christes sake is a true wâ—y to come to euerlastiÌ„g lyfe to come to the euerlastinge lyfe Besydes that he doth know that he is in no wise ouercomed which for the confession of Christes name suffreth death but rather that he is both ouercomed all together vndone that for thee loue of thys mortall lyfe doth suffre him self to be plucked away from God He then that vnderstandeth all these thinges perfectely shall in no wyse excuse thee peryll of death for it is the nature of the fleshe to feare death and to complayn of it but he that hath in hym a syncere and so â—nde loue of GOD noo fyre noo concupyscence or coueteousnesse of earthlye thynges shal be able to quenche that deuyne heat whych is in hym We must nedes with the myghte and power of thys loue as wyth a muste sure armure to ouercome the enemyes of god as Paule doth teache when he sayeth Roma .viii. I am sure that neyther death neyther lyfe neyther aungels nor rule nether power neyther thinges present nor thinges to come nether heyght no lowenesse nor any creature shal be able to departe vs froÌ„ the loue of god whych is in Christe Iesu our Lorde Why and wherefore loue is required in a Pastour Nowe because that charitie is afore all thinges and most chiefely requyred in a pastour as very necessary the cause must be shewed why he hath nede of it and also we must tell wher he maye get it Loue is therfore necessary in a Pastour A similitude because that all hys actions and doynges all hys endeuours and counsayls must be proued tryed and righted by the rule and lyne of charitie or loue For as no carpenter be he neuer so conuinge and industrious is so well eyed or hath so perfect a syghte that he neadeth no rule lyue So nether the streÌ„gth of the mind nor the science knowledge nor yet fayth is any thinge worthe excepte it be righted by the rule of charitye i. Cor xiii For Paul doth speake of it after thys maner Loue suffreth long is courteous Loue enuyeth not loue doeth not frowardlye swelleth not dealethe not dishonestly seketh not her own is not prouoked to anger thinketh not euil reioyceth not in iniquitie but reioyseth in the truth suffereth al thinges beleueth al thinges hopeth in al thiÌ„ges endureth al thinges loue calleth neuer away It may then easely be gathered by these condicions of loue that afore al other vertues it is necessary nedeful to a pastours For as a shepeherde A similitude doth scourge beate some of his shepe some he dryueth forwardes with his handes some with fete some againe he doth wystell forwardes some he doeth allure with bread salt some the ar weake he doth beare vpoÌ„ hys shoulders some agayn he leaueth in the tables foldes tyl they be groweÌ„ of strength in al these thinges he seketh the ê“rofit of hys marster hauing a respect only that the nuÌ„ber of the shepe may encrease that thei may be safe sound So the Pastour of the soules being kyndeled with the fyre of gods loue shal do al that he can that the shepe of god may bothe encrease and abydyng stedfastly in the true fayth may alwayes through hys dyligence be in safegarde Wherefore he shal now in tyme now out of tyme cal vpon them as the nature of shepe is wonte to requyre and as God accordynge too the true meanynge of hys worde doth admyt But what neadâ— we manye wordes she that hath loue doth neuer deceaue or fayle nor is deceaued for loue is not ydle but moueth man to promote set forth alwayes the honour and glory of god bearyng sufferynge in the meane season wyth a constant and stedfaste mynde Withoute the loue of God it is an easy things to fall into pryde all those thynges that muste be suffered for it But yf a man doeth want thys charytye and loue he shall easelye fall and that headlonge into thee bottomlesse pyt of pryde for without the loue of god what is man but an arrogante pryde mere hypocrysye Wher the loue of god ought to be soughte Now and where a man shall bothe seke and fynde thee loue of god it is easye to bee knowen by the wordes of Chryste where Ioh. vi he speaketh after thys maner No manne cometh vnto me except my father doth drawe him Ergo it cometh of god the draweth vs that we do styck vnto him leaue vpon him truste in him For god him selfe is loue as Iohn .i. Ioh. ii i doth testifye He the that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in god and god dwelleth in hym Wherfore it is most necessary nedeful for a pastour to cal earnestly vpon god that he vouchsafe to kindel in him the fyre of his loue But how shal he call vpoÌ„ him in whome he beleueth nor in whoÌ„ he trusteth not Ro x. The inuocatyoÌ„ theÌ„ or prayer cometh or springeth of fayth For no maÌ„ is wonte too cal vpoÌ„ him of whoÌ„ he can not hope to receaue saluatioÌ„ helpe besydes that men do not cal vpoÌ„ him of whose good wyl loue thei do hope to haue al goodnes yf in the meane seasoÌ„ they know him to be so weake that he caÌ„ not helpe aide them Yf then we do in our myndes acknowledge god both to be mercyful louyng towardes vs also almighty that is to say that he is not wyllynge but also able to helpe our necessyties it is alredye most sure that god is in vs. For our flesh caÌ„ not haue of it self such a knowledge of god Yf therfore ther is in vs in our myndes suche a knowledge of
of his adherentes for they dyd allure into Monasteries thee sonnes and daughters of the noble meÌ„ of thee ryche and myghtye rulers that they hauing theyr chyldren as pledges shuld feare and dreade theyr power the lesse Whych thing we may see nowe a dayes by manyfest and playne tokens For in those places where ther be fewe or no Monasteries men are wont to resyste lesse the Euangelicall doctryne priestes do take wyues doeth not God hym selfe commaunde the same Of deuylyshnesse but yf they shuld vse concubynes and harlots so that the Byshop myght yearely get of euery one of them iiii crownes wheÌ„ eyther the chyldreÌ„ that are thus vnlawfully gotteÌ„ are redemed or the charges and costes of the visitacion as they cal it payde so that the Bishop might that way scrape .iiii. M. crounes euery yere they wolde coÌ„playne nothyng These newe preachers do set forthe thynges vnaduisedly in theyr sermons that wil shortlye brede tumultes and sedycyons In thee meane season that all mens goodes at morgaged vnto you that ye chalenge vnto your selfes all mens rychesse and possessions that ye oppresse the poore with an intollerable yoke of rentes and seruitude that wyth suche an vngodly violeÌ„ce as was neuer heard of ye thincke that there can be no cause of sedition where as euery man doeth know that all seditions tumultes that euer were sens ther beginninge of the worlde dyd acyse of the pryde tyranny of the ryche and myghtye men of the worlde These thinges I saye other lyke are they wont to bringe about the latter ende of their Oration wherby any wyse man may easely gather that these men wyll colour or cloke most deceyptfully The papistes do make the mistery of christ a cloke too hyde theyr carnall lustes affections craftely and hypocritically theyr inordinate lustes and affections wyth that moost free and gratuite mystery of our Lorde and Sauyour Iesu christe But go to let them not bewraye theyr fylthynes and impietie of theyr counsayle by soche addition yet euery man doeth vnderstand what these men go about by theyr vnmeasureable pride and exceadinge great trayne Whether that they do seeke christe and the glorye of God â—eyth a syncere harte or rather be displeased that theyr cyches myght gaynes and pleasures are mynysshed for Christ neuer drewe with hym suche a multitude of seruaÌ„tes nor such a greate trayne But because they do make meÌ„tioÌ„ of the Christian Catholike church Of the catholike churche of Christ whiche christ hath doth redemed with the merite of his bitter deathe also instituted established by his own auctoritie We must fetch diligeÌ„tly what is that Christian and Catholyke church But wher shal we fynde it more playnelye set forth than in the wordes oracles of our lord Iesus christ whych he him self hath spokeÌ„ of thys thyng Yf theÌ„ we may depreheÌ„d fynde by the wordes of christ that the conspiracie congregatioÌ„ of the Papistes is the christiaÌ„ churche truly it is coÌ„uenyent mete that we do acknowledg it so But yf christ hath not instituted it with what boldnesse and impudency do they bost crake and set theym selues forthe by that tytle Truely they may be a Papistical churche thys we do not denye vnto them But they can be no more called Yf Belial may be called god the coÌ„gregation or coÌ„spiratie of the Papystes may be called thee Churche the Chrystian churche whych we do confesse in the Crede or symbole and is the communioÌ„ of al thee faythful spouse of christ than Belial is god For onelesse this were true the fouÌ„dacioÌ„ of our fayth and beleue that we haue of the church shulde leaue vpon wretched fraile and mortall men Howe folysshe absurde and impossyble thys thynge is anye Christyan harte doeth easely vnderstaÌ„d and perceaue The bnyuersal churche of all the godly The church theÌ„ that we may also speake of it as much as the necessitie of thys place tyme doth requyre in hys fyrst signification is taken for all theÌ„ that put theyr whole truste hope and confydence in Christe onelye and in him do seeke all theyr saluacyon accordynge to Christes sayinge where Math. xvi he sayethe of hym selfe And vppon thys stone whych thou Peter had confessed euen nowe and therfore act called Peter I wyll or shall buylde my churche that is to say I wyl reconcile my people with god my father by this one only meane I am that true immaculate lambe and therfore I wyl offer my self an omnisufficient sacrifice for the sinnes of al the whole world Who soeuer theÌ„ doth put his whole trust coÌ„fydeÌ„ce vpon this rocke or stone he shal be saued is a membre of my saintes that is to say of my people of my churche By christes wordes theÌ„ it is manifest playne that al they which do truste in christ put al theyr hope and coÌ„fideÌ„ce in him are the christian church For he that is builded vpon this rock or stone must nedes to be in the church sythe that the church is builded vpoÌ„ yâ— same stone Partâ—culâ—re churches Secondlye the churche is taken other whiles for euery paryshe For after the sense and significatioÌ„ we do cal the churche of the CorinthiaÌ„s that part of the vnyuersal church that was in times past gathered at Corinthus in the fayth of christe where as in the meane season they were al membres of that catholike and vniuersal church and yet not wythstaÌ„ding beiÌ„g gathered together they dyd receaue the name of a church or coÌ„gregation After the same maner we cal the churche of London the same congregatyon that is in London wher as in the meane season al they that be coÌ„tayned in it are membres of that vnyuersall christiaÌ„ church which is that true churche which we do coÌ„fesse in the crede the church of the papistes hathe no power or iurisâ—iction ouer the Catholike or vniuersal church or symbole of the Apostles But as these partyculare churches of Corynthus of London may nor oughte nor to burden thee vnyuersall Churche of thee Christians whyche dwel dispersed vp on the whole face of the earth with any newe lawes and tradycyons So the Romyshe or Papistical church which is only a particulare churche yf so bee that they haue fayth in christe Iesu ought in no wyse to prefarre it self vnto other nor to make all men subiecte vnto their traditions Also these thinges might be proued with many testimonies of the scriptures but because thei are sufficiently largely ynough aledged in other places â—oke vpoÌ„ his articles â— answere that he made too one called Valentinâ— Compar we shal not neade here to bryng theÌ„ For the matter doth not admitte nor suffre vs to speake of thys thynge as muche as neade requyreth Wherfore when the Papistes to complaine of any deuision or subuersyon of the churche they care for none other thyng but for theyr own that is to say al their
teÌ„ptacyon o brethren which the lord suffreth to chastice happeÌ„ vnto vs by false Prophetes that is to say that the thynges that they haue told of before shoulde come too passe For by this meane not only they that are weake may be offended but also the elect yf it myghte be possyble brought into errour fraude as our sauyoure him selfe sayeth Math. xxiiii But in the meane season the lord doth requyre thys one thyng of vs The word oughte to be beleued afore miracles woÌ„ders that we beleue and credite more hys symple and infallible word than wonders myracles besydes that he doeth wythe this temptacion trye vs whether we loue him with al our hart or not But that this teÌ„ptacion should not aryse to moch or gather strengtheÌ„ by dayly encereaces he commaundeth to kyl vp the false prophet Truly this reward is apointed of god for al false prophetes which pluckinge vs from the true one onely god doo go aboute to copple or ioyne vs to straunge goddes For they that be soch by the coÌ„maundemeÌ„t of god ought to be roted out of the earth ObeictioÌ„ And yf they do make here anye obiectioÌ„ say that they set forth no kynde of Idolatry nor yet worshippiÌ„g of false gods again that the yoke of the law ought in no wyse to be put vpoÌ„ them that be vnder the new Testament Solution we wyll answere them after thys maner As touchyng the fyrst part of their obiectyoÌ„ it is playne manyfest that al they that haue not directed the myndes of men to one only god but plucking them a syde caused theÌ„ to serue to creatures The papistes dyd seache too worshippe straunge Goddes or other outward thiÌ„ges did set forth straunge false gods vnto vs. For that is to euery maÌ„ a god wherin he putteth al his hope confydence truste More ouer we may se that the papistes haue more dowtingly and folishly brought the symple to theyr Idol the Byshop of Rome makynge theym to truste in hym than euer anye Idolatres or prelates of the ethnike relygioÌ„ dyd For they dyd worshyppe the Idols of Iupiter Iuno Venus Mars of other none other wyse thaÌ„ as the ymages of the gods whoÌ„ they thought verely to be in heueÌ„ nor euer were brought to the madnesse that they shuld take worshyp any maÌ„ yet lyuing vpoÌ„ thee earthe instede of god What were they nor all called flatterers among the Heathen that dyd offer sacrifyce vnto certaine men as vnto gods For thei that were wise neuer agreed to such worshippinges Therfore the Papistes ar moch more folyshe that be not afrayde nor yet ashamed to cal the Idol of theyrs The Papistes do cal theyr fleshly Idoll the Bysshop of Rome an earthly god an earthely god exhibiting geuing more adoratioÌ„ more honour more worship veueracion vnto the miserable wretched mortal maÌ„ than vnto the true euerlastinge god lord of all thynges Besydes that they euen now a dayes daughynge to scorne mocking deriding the pouertie of our lord sauyor Iesus christe The papistes ar blasphemous agaynste Christ which he suffered for vs do most despitefully blaspheme hi. For say they christe knewe no better estate nor yet could obtaine no better but oure most blessed god father being not folishely wyse caÌ„ both easelyer also moche better rule gouerne the world Wherfore ther is now an other coudycyoÌ„ of the church whych the hygh Byshops haue set vp an hygh with honours renowne might riches a force of armes we maye not then folowe here after the poore and nedye christ Yea they do openlye accuse Peter of folysshenesse Oh mooste shamefull and moste detestable kynde of blashphemye But nowe o Papistes I requyre thys thing of you that ye vouchsake to aunswere me to that whyche I wyll aske you Dyd your Bysshop of Rome institute and sette vp soche pryde pompe and arrogancye accordinge to the prescripture and rule of Goddes worde No forsooth no. Therfore it is hys owne inuention he folowing hys owne dreames dyd ymagyne soche thynges and by theym he dyd plucke vs awaye from God The Bisshop of to me accordinge to the law of god is giltye of death He is then according to the lawe gyltie of death and ought by and by to be rooted out of the earth For god cannot abyde soche dreamers For. Hiere xiiii chapter the prophete speaketh after thys maner O Lorde God the Prophetes saye vnto theym Tushe ye shall neade to feare no swearde and no hunger shall come vpon you but the Lorde shall geue you continuall reâ—â—e in thys place In lyke maner now at this presente that all thynges are infected and corrupted wyth detestable wyckednesse false pastours are woÌ„t to promyse peace which they theÌ„selfes neuer folowed yf they had any vnderstanding of the scriptures they shuld ryght wel know that so greate and enorme wyckednesse of thys worlde eyther muste be chaunged left and amended or els that great plagues oughte to be looked for as hunger pestylence warres captyuytie and other lyke destructions But they crye peace where no hope of peace is callinge thys peace and reste yf they maye peasyblye possesse and enioye theyr great rentes and reuenues And then the Lorde answered me The prophetes preache lyes in my name wher as I haue not sent theym neyther gaue I theÌ„ any charge nor yet spake vnto theym Not wythstanding they preache vnto you vysyons charmynge vanytye and deceytfulnes of theyr owne hart Therfore thus sayth the Lordes As for those prophetes that preache in my name whoÌ„ neuerthelesse I haue not sent and that saye Tushe there shall nether swearde nor hunger be in thys lande Wyth swearde and hunger shal those prophetes peryshe c. Beholde howe he doeth threaten agayne the sweard to the false Prophetes But because we shulde not thinke that here any other are noted ment not they that popishly do teach mens tradictions he doeth afterwardes depicte and set them forth more lyuely in theyr owne colours when he sayeth Wo be vnto the shepeherdes Hitr. xxiii that destroye and scatter my flock Doest thou not now heare him speake of rauening wolues which do pluck and scatter the flocke into sundry opinioÌ„s errours I haue not sent them yet they tanne I haue not spoken vnto theym and yet they preach I haue heard wel ynough what the Prophetes saye that preache lyes in my name sayinge I haue dreamed I haue dreamed How longe wyll thys continue in the Prophetes harte to tell lyes and to preache thee craftye subtiltye of theyr owne harte Whose purpose is with the dreames that euery one telleth to hys neyghbour to make my people forget my name as theyr forefathers dyd when Baal came vp The Prophete that hath a dreame lette him tel it and he that vnderstanded my worde let hym shew it faythfully For what hath chaste and wheate to doo together sayth the Lord Hereby any maÌ„ may