WEyghing with indifferencie the whole estate of this oure time , and consideringe without partiallitie the disposition of such as nowe do lyue : we shall finde ( a thinge to be lamented ) the verye face of Christendome to bee spreadde ouer wyth ●●yfe , the Gospell of oure Sauiour Christe to be in contempte , and hatred , and the professours of the same almoste euerie where to bee persecuted , and that , with intollerable sclaunders , with extreame disdayne , & with passinge tyrannye . the cause whereof is the blynde supersticion of certen , whereof some are Hypocrites , and some are bewitched , trees they are not only vnproffitable , but also most hurtfull : whose roote is crueltye , but cloathed ouer with a counterfaicte face of charitie : whose braunches are infidelitie , heathines , ydolatrie , thoughe couered with the name of Faythe , religion and pietie : whose fruite is fornication , yet fenced with the tytle of Chastitie : & whose end , withoute repentance , is damnacion , onely outwardly decked wyth a dissembled hewe of saluacion . What shall we then say ? to omitte all circumstances : let vs wish that S. Paule were now lyuing : or elles , that hys wordes wolde pearce into the hartes of suche as bee thus hardened . What ? and wrote hee onelye vnto the Galathians ? or wrote hee not by theyr names vnto vs all that are Christians ? and what saythe hee ? O ye senseles Galathians ( sayth Gal. 3. hee ) Who hathe so bewitched you , that you will not obey the truethe ? Lo , his zeale , and beholde the blindnes that they were in . but howe shall wee knowe that these who nowe lyue are bewitched ? Cum non videant Lactam. lib. 2. de orig. err . ea quae sunt : & videre se arbitrantur e● quae non sunt : When they can not se the thinges that in dede are : and when they seme to se the things which are not . When they can not se , that the scriptures , being the word of God , ought to be had , reade , & embrased , and when it semethe vnto them , that follishe legendes , that faigned miracles , and that passinge fond opinions ought rather to be regarded , professed , & beleued . ah las ( for of such I speake ) what is papacie ? a meere lumpe of pryde , a denne of hipocrisie , a caue of vncleanesse , & a very fence for fornication , for example : behold out of theyr ●oke the lothesomenesse of theyr lawe , & the lawlesse peruerse demeanour of their priestes . Qui inuenerit pupillaoculi quiut . par. cap. 18. clericum cum vxore , matre , sorore , vel filia turpiter agentem , vel parantem se ad opus carnale , in loco priuato , & suspecto per oscula , & amplexus , vel si per alia signa aperta opus turpitudinis constat esse expletum : Dicit quod non licet talem percutere . In Wil. super Ray. h●s . english it is thus : He that findeth a Prieste with his wife , mother , syster , or doughter , behauing him self vnhonestli , or preparing , him self vnto carnall worke , in a place priuate , & suspected , by kyssing , & embracing or els , if it shall appeare by manifest signes , that the filthie acte hath ben committed : yet he saith , that it is not lawfull to stryke such a one . And further . Si ipsa percutiat eum , incidit Ibidem . secundum . Wil. in Canonem . That is : Yf the woman shold strike him , she is to be punished by the Canon law . Who now , except he be more then betwitched , can excuse these men ? who maye commende theyr lawes ? who can like theyr liues ? what shall we say of Laurentius Valla , a Lanon not long a gon of Rome ? writeth he not in this wise ? Omnino nihil interest , vtrum De v● ▪ lup . lib. 〈◊〉 cum marito co●at mulier , an cum amatore . There is no matter at all ( saythe hee . Whether a wooman keepe companye with her husband or whith her louer . Here we haue to consider , that if he wrote this in ●est , yet it becamme not a Chanon to vse suche jestinge , to wryte it , and to putte yt furthe to Printinge : but if he wrote it in ernest , then it was to yrkesome , it was vngodlye , it was noysome . these , these certenlye are they , of whom Christe longe sythence hathe sayde : Beware ye of false Prophetes , whiche come vnto you in shiepes cloathinge , but inwardelye they be raueninge Mat : 7. wolfes . That they came in shepes cloathing howe may it appeare ? how ? by their sundrie false , and faygned professions , by their inwarde syghinge , by their vaine blessings , by theyr childishe ceremonies , by their dreaminge desceaptefull miracles , by their hewe of hollinesse , and to be briefe , by the beguylinge , and seducinge of so manye , and of so longe a time . But that they bee inwardelye raueninge wolfes it is euydente , by their curssinge , by theyr hate , by their fagottes , by their fyre , by theyr tormentinge of true Christians , and by their tyrannie : it is euidente by theyr false teachinge , by theyr errours , & by theyr heresye : it is euidente by their fornication : it is euident by their Sodomiticall life , & adulterie : it is euident by their fruites , by theyr factes . by their Hypocrisie , and superstition : and this shall be nowe euidente by aunciente Autors , by theyr owne wryters , by holye Scriptures , and by reason . wherefore I craue , or rather the trouth it selfe craueth at thy handes ( gentle reader ) three thinges : Firste , that to further thyne owne euerlastinge joye , thou wilte in readinge laye a syde all partiallitie : Secondly , that thou wilte then judge , and that withe indifferencie : Thirdelye , that in the ende , settinge apart worldlye frendeshipe , and all vayne respectes , thou wilt be an earnest defendour of Christe his faythe , and that thou wilt embrace his Gospell with constanncie . Knowing that vnto all such as beleue , it is Rom. 1. the power of God vnto saluacion . For thus doynge : His faithfullnes & trueth shall bee Psal 81. thy shelde , & buckler , neyther shall anye yuell happen vnto thee . But if God offer thee knoweledge . if he proffer thee syghte , by what meanes soeuer , and thou refuse it , beware then , leste thou be in the number of those , of whome Sainte Paule thus saythe : They are withoute excuse , by cause that Rom. 1. when they knowe God , they glorified him not as God , neither were they thankefull , but waxed all together vain in their owne imaginations , and their foolishe harte was blinded . Consyderinge this then , if thou se the truth take hede , & I say agayne , take hede that thou dissemble not , take hede of hypocrisye . If God be God , folow him , but if Baal 〈◊〉 . ●eg 18 be he , go after him : And to this ende , remember well alwayes , and carye in minde , what Jesus the sonne of Syrach doethe saye : A harte ( sayth he ) That goeth two wayes , shal Eccl. 3. not prosper . Meaninge therfore to speke of Hypocrites , before we so do , let vs learne by the heathens , by naturall reason , by examples and by holye scripture , fyrste howe to deteste Hipocrisie . And before wee begin , let vs not studie how to please the vayne , & waueringe mindes of men , we muste loke certayne , wee shute at a marke , the hyttinge whereof if we sayle , it is deathe . knowe wee not , what saincte Paule saythe ? An quaero hominibus placere ? si hominibus placerem , seruus Christi non G●● . 1. essem : That is : Go I aboute to please men ? if I wolde please men , I shoulde not be the seruaunt of Christe . I am playne , it is not possible , to serue two masters , and that truelye , it is not possible to serue bothe God , and the Pope , it is not possible to obeye the Pope and thy Prince : For , what felloweship hathe Christ , with Belial ? or what agremente 2. Cor. 6 is betwixte lyghte , and darkenes ? or what parte hathe a Faythefull with an infidell ? well , the Noble Romayne , Marcus Tullius Cicero ( whom for learning I can not to much comende , nor for witte ynough prayse , neyther yet for Eloquence sufficientlye extolle ) hee in his fyrste booke of dueties of an Hypocrite , sayth thus : of all iniustice , theyres is most worthie of death , who when they deceaue most , then speciallye wold they seme to be good men . Here let vs remembre the shiepes cloathinge , that is , the seming to be good , and then we shall beware the rauening wolfs , we shall espie theyr dissembling , & we shal aduoyd al their subtill jugling . but to speke of no heathen , what hath 〈◊〉 . Hierome Offic. 1. In exemp. ad Rust. monachum of suche ? euon these woordes . An Hipocrite is inwardely Nero , but outwardly he is Cato , hee is altogether so variable , that you might well say , how that one monster , & a newe beast is compacted of contrarie , & diuersse natures . S. Hierome will anone , & in playne woords , declare , that the prelacie of Rome , the Moonkes , Priestes , & Fryars are they . Come we to naturall reason doeth not dame nature her selfe preferre the inwarde partes , before the outwarde ? is not this manifest by the fourming of mans body , where nature fyrst worketh about the harte , the lyuer & the lunges , before she deale with the outewarde forme , or other parts ? I wil omitte to speke of trees , where nature first hath regard vnto the rootes , then after vnto the partes apparaunte , as the bodye , the bowes , the leafes , and fruit : & what doth an hipocrite ? ●a : what dothe a Papiste ? hee againste all nature , onlye outwardly to seme good , sheweth all his indeuor , omittinge the inward partes , and neglectinge the chiefe duetie of man . This is he , which canne behaue him Eccl 19. self humblye , and canne dowke with his heade , & yet is hee but a deceauer within . Nowe , that we maye touche examples : an hypocrite is compared vnto a Peacoke , which hathe winges , as if it were of an Angell , but the feete of a thiefe , and the heade of a Serpent . & euen so it is of a Papiste : his woordes be pleasaunte , his workes are detestable and his heade is full of Poyson , and sutteltie . to lette passe that hee is compared vnto an Ostriche , vnto an ape , and suche lyke : let vs heare what Sainte Bernarde sayth of them Hypocrites ( saithe hee ) are biters as doagges : deceaptefull as foxes : proude as Bernard Lyones : inwardely they are raueninge wolffes : howling as beares : they wil be judges without autoritie , witnesses without sight : false accusers , & wantinge all trouth : And what gather wee of this ? euon ( as Hierome saythe ) That they doe all thinges to be praysed of men . We gather that they be lyke sup. mat . ad Eus. vnto the elder tree , which hauinge a faire & pleasaunt flowre , yet bearth a contageous , and a most noysome fruite . open your eares therefore ( o ye Hypocrites ) and heare , open your eyes ( o you papistes ) and se , be not you Ierem 5. Lib. 6. Cap. 24. them , of whom it is written : Ye haue eyes but you se not : eares haue ye but you here not . It proffiteth nothing ( sayth Lactantius ) To haue your conscience secrete , & hydde within , it is open vnto God , let no place bee leaft vnto lyenge , & dissembling , for though that with wales , things may be moued from mannes sighte : yet from the deitie of God you can hide nothinge , no not with your intraylles , but that he seeth , and knoweth man throughely . What dothe an Hypocrite I praye you , seeke ? what doethe a Papiste hannt for in all his doynges ? Reuerentiam Greg. lib 8. moral honoris , gloriam laudis , a melioribus metui , sanctus ab omnibus voeari : That is : The reuerence of honour , the glorie of praise , to bee feared of their betters , & to be called holie of all men . Shall I rehearse anye scripture againste an Hypocrite ? or is it not ynoughe onelye to cousyder the twentie and third chapiter , of the Gospell after Saincte Matthewe ? wherin o howe ofte doth oure sauiour Christ reprehende the hypocrites ? pro nūceth he not woe there in one place , eyghte tymes againste them ? O ye serpentes ( saithe hee ) Ye generation of vipers , howe will ye mat. 23. escape the dampnacion of hell ? To speake at once of hypocrites , of papists , or of both : Suche as men thinke to be perfecte among Esay . 9. these , are but cast awayes . Yt remaynethe therefore , that we shewe playnelye , and that we declare briefely who they are : and in shewinge this , theyr owne autoures , theyr own freinds , and the writinges of men auncient , and learned shall describe them . to beginne , a Doctour of theyr own diuinite sayth thus : Fyrste , the pastoures of the Churche , the viualdus in opere . regali . Cardinalles , Archebusshoppes , Busshoppes , Abbates , Deanes , Archedeacons , & suche whiche are promoted to highe dignitie , they haue blacke spottes of Hypocrisie , as the spottes of a Lybarde . These are they whiche come not lawefullye , but by yuell meanes vnto the prelacie , they are for the moste parte puffed vp withe the winde of the vayne prayse of men , and therefore by theyr outewarde signes , and dede , they seme to haue more in them , then in dede theyr is , for aboue theyr abilitie , they mayntayne greate estates , and pompeous furnitures , horsses , & seruantes in abundance . They haue also their custrells , or pages , decked all in silke , with crisped , or curled heares , hauinge Eunuches faces , agaynste the intention of the Churche , and contrarye vnto the manners , and examples of the Hollye Fathers , and so they spende the goodes of oure Lorde Jesus Christe ( where wythe the poore sholde haue bene refresshed ) vaynelye , and vnproffitablye , in vayne ornamentes , in muche superfluitie , and curiositie , but Christ his poore membres craued for bread , and there was none that woulde gyue it them . So well dyd Viualdus knowe them , hee was of theyr profession , of theyr councell , of theyr Companye , hee sawe theyr workes , hee was acquaynted wythe theyr woordes , hee wrote thus of them , more then thre score yeares agonne , and yt is Andreas de Soncino , at that tyme a Fryare that commended hys Booke , it was the Pope , and all hys Prelacie that accepted it , there was then nonne that coulde denye it . But deale wee wythe others and lett vs heare what Saincte Hierome sayth , lette vs heare howe hee reprehendeth them . ad pauli What proffite is it ( saythe hee ) to haue the waules to shyne wyth Jeweles , and Christe in the poore to starue for hungre ? the things that thou possessest are not thine , but the dispensacion thereof is committed Ad gaudentium vnto thee , & further he sayth : nay , he exclayneth : O wickednes : the whole worlde decayth throughe vs : but sinners decaye not the hollie Churches sometime fell into asshes , and sparkles , and we giue oure whole studie vnto Couetousnes , wee builde , as thoughe wee shoulde lyue alwaies in this worlde , the walles do shine with gold , the vawltes doe glister with golde , the toppes of the pillers are trymmed with golde , and Christe beinge hungrye , and naked dieth before our gates . Marke then the estate of the Prelacie euon in Hieromes time , note howe hee complaineth of them , and consider howe hee rebuketh their pompe , and follye , theyr pompe in adourninge withoute due regarde the materiall temple : and their follie , in neglectinge , and despisinge the poore members of Christ . Yea , and further , to make the same most manifest , he saithe : Manie Ad Nepotianum . doe builde , they set vp the walles , and pillers of the Churche , the marble stones doe shine , the roofes , and beames are glisteringe with golde , the aulter is all garnished with precious stones , but of the seruaunts of Christe , there is no election , nor regard , neither let anie obiecte here vnto me , the riche temple in Judaea , the tables , the lyghtes , the Frankensence , the basens , cuppes and morters , and all other thinges wrought of golde , for the Lorde did then alowe these , when the Priestes dyd offer sacrifice , and when the bloud of beastes was the redemption of synne , althoughe yet all these thinges wente before in a figure , but nowe when oure Lorde beynge poore , dyd consecrate the pouertie of hys house : let vs thinke vpon his passion , and accompte riches to be but claye . What meruayle we that Christ called it , the wicked Mammon ? why do we esteme , or loue that , which Pieter with joy testified that he wanted . Such was the estate of the Romayne cleargye for a thousaund and two hundreth yeares past , suche are the woordes of Sayncte Hierome , who was as it were Notarye vnto Damasus the Pope , agaynste the Prelacie . What maruayle is it therefore , if they fell afterwardes from yuell to worsse ? what wonder wee , it they waxed , as they dyd , moste wicked ? why muse we , if they became supersticious , arrogaunte , ignoraunte and malicious ? in what case ( o Lord , these thinges considered ) was the tyme of late , when , and wherein eyghtein Busshopes of Rome were coniureres , and that one Imediatly succeadinge the other ? of whome wrytethe not Wierus in thys wyse ? For , from Syluester De prae ▪ dem , li. 4 the seconde ( saythe hee ) vnto Gregorie the seuenthe that great sorcerer . it is written in their lyues , that they were all coniurers . Where wee may reade most execrable examples of the like sorte , who gaue them selues vnto the sacrifices of the Diuelles , and that in wooddes , and hilles , to the intente that they mighte allure women to loue them . And shall this be winked at ? shall we thinke they dyd well ? or shall wee not detest them ? well lette Ludouicus Viualdus speke of them agayne , for in these woordes hee wrytethe : Secoundelye , the clearkes priestes , and Chanons , Ludoui . viualdus are Hipocrites , and like vnto a Lybarde , who fayne meekenes , bountiefullnes , modestie , humilitie , and in all thinges doe counterfaicte Religiousenes : whiche care not if they maye attayne vnto a benefice , or ecclesiasticall dignitie , by crafte , by theafte , or by simonie . These coueyte not to foster vertue , but to cherishe vices , and beinge corrupted throughe arrogancie , their care is not to proffite , but to rule . Whereof this is an euidente signe , for , beinge promoted vnto honoures , furthe withe they are lifted vpp in pryde , and swollen in loftines , they disdayne their former frendes , and those whom before they knewe , they nowe haue forgotten , they hoyse vp their neckes , they speake greate thinges , they are glorious , arrogante , and outerageouse . O howe aptelye doe the woordes of Esaye agree withe these ? Esay . 5● . The pastours ( saythe hee ) were voyde of vnderstandinge , euerie one followed his owne waye , euerie one haunted after couetousnes , euon from the highest to the lowest . Nowe let vs heare Saincte Hierome agayne : Dico quosdam scelere , periurio , Ad mercellam . falsitate , ad dignitatem nescio quam , peruenisse : , Some I saye haue creapte into a dignitie , I knowe not what , by wickednes , periurie , and falshoode . These were meanes then vsed , thys vsed they whome the worlde tooke for Godlye , and whome the simple people esteamed for hollye . And further Saincte Hierome saythe : Some Idem . seeke not to appointe those to be ayders in the Churche , whome they knowe may proffite beste , but whom they loue beste , or for whome some greate man hathe intreated , yea , ( and that I maye kepe secreate , thinges that are worsse ) or those , whiche optayned to bee made priestes throughe rewardes . Here you se when fauour toke place , when rewardes preuayled , that simonie was offered , that ecclesiasticall orders were sold , and to let passe the worsse , that giftes were rec●●ued , that kinsfolkes were preferred , and that good , and goodlye men were neglected . O , then mighte Symon magus make vp hys marchaundize , then mighte learninge lamente , then might truethe mourne ; then myghte all godlynés bewayle , then myghte Gregorie saye , as of hys tyme hee justlye sayde : Sacerdotes nominamur , non sumus . Wee are called Priestes , Gregr. Maur. but wee are nonne . What then were they ? Superbiae duces . The ringe leaders of pryde . They were euon suche , as of whom God , by hys Prophete Hieremye , saythe : My people hathe bene a loste flocke , my Hier 50. shepeheardes haue deceaued them , and haue made them gone a straye vppon the hylles . And againe : The Priestes them selues sayde not : Where is the Lorde ? the Idem . 2. shepeherdes offended agaynst mee . These are the woordes of God , vttered agaynste the vngodlye Pryestes , to bee vttered agaynste those , who serued Baal , who obeyd Antichryste , and who wente after straunge goddes , after wodden stoackes , after golden Images , after engrauen ydoles , and after not onelye folishe , but also most filthie and more then heathenisshe supersticion . shall wee further see , what Hugo de sancto victore De claus animam Lib. 2. saythe of them ? and shall wee learne by him , what , and howe greate theyr charitie then was ? They reache breade ( saith he ) with a better wyll vnto a dogge then vnto the poore , and more doe waite vpon them at their tables , then in time of praiers , they will haue with them men seruauntes and maide seruauntes , but clarkes they cannot haue with them , for they will nonne . and Ibidem . moreouer he saythe : They neither knowe the lawe of GOD , neyther wyll they learne it , they are gyuen vnto ydlenes , banquetinge , and drunkennesse , they smelle and gape for earthelie thiuges , they are alwaies in the stretes , but seledome in in the churche , slowe are they to redresse the faultes of a sinner , but swift to seke after the footing of a hare , swifter to gather doagges together , then to call , or to relieue the poore . whether this was to walke in the spirite , or not , judge thou Christian Gal. 5. reader . S. Paule saith , that the workes of the fleshe , are manifeste , and if these be not they , what are they ? while ( a thing to be lamented ) they thus hunted the hare , while in this sorte they fead theyr dogges , while after such maner they banqueted together : God righte worthily might say : Et dispersae sunt oues meae eo ezec. 34. quòd non esset pastor , My shepe are scattered abrod , because they had no shephard . Because they preached not because they lyued thus lewdelye , therefore Gregorie vseth towardes them these woordes : What do we , Hom. super . dignus operari us ( o shepeherdes , ) when wee receaue the hyre , and yet be no labourers ? for we receaue the proffit of the Churche , in a daylye stipende , but yet we labour not for the aeternall Church in preachinge . Let vs consider what damnacion it is withoute labouringe , to receaue the hyre of labour . Lo , we liue of the oblacion of faythefull folkes , but what doe wee laboure for the soules of the faythefull ? These were they , who throughe couetousnes gotte riches , and throughe negligence corrupted not onelye them selues , but also others , and yet being suche , they thought nonne wyse , nonne learned , nonne hollye but they . certenlye it is in suche men a thinge most shamelesse , to come by theyr wealthe so vnlaufully , to kepe it vn orderlye , and to spende it vngodlye . A las , what hope might our forefathers conceaue of pure religion , or of true Christianitie , if vnto suche , euerye thinge beinge lusted for was lawefull : and beinge lawefull if they coulde doe it : and being able to doe it , if they durste do it : and darieng to do it , if they dyd An obiectio . it : and doynge it , if euerye one allowed it ? but o ( will some saye ) they buylded fayre houses , passinge pallaces , greate halles , excellent parlours , fyne chambres , and suche like , and therefore no remedie we must praise , and commende them . well , of all suche buyldinges , & of theyr like braweries , ( not to rehearsse agayne what saincte Hierome in An aunswere . that behalfe hath sayd ) let vs here what the sayde Hugo Victorinus saythe . The Busshops doe buylde them howses , for greatnesse , De cla . animae . lib. 1. nothinge inferiour vnto Churches , they will haue paynted chambres , & there they haue images decked with sundry collours , and preciouse ornaments : But the poore dooe walke withoute cloathes , and they crye withe an emptie beallye at theyr doores . Yea , and that I maye confesse the truethe , the pore are oftentymes spoyled , to the intent that stoans , & wood maye bee cloathed . And is this then prayse worthie , because of buyldinge , to leaue of preachinge ? shall we commende the cloathing of woode , and stoanes , and leauinge of the poore destitute of reliefe , pinched with hungre , and oppressed with nakednesse ? what is the duetie of a Busshop ? to preache Goddes woorde vnto his people . But this they dyd not . and what shold he doe more ? he ought to feede the hungrye , and to cloathe the naked . But it canne not be sayd , that they dyd it . For the poore were spoyled , and in theyr stede woode , and stones , were cloathed this we must confesse , for this ( sayth their owne wryter ) was true , but let theyr owne Doctors goe further , of whom one saythe thus ? Thyrdlie the religious men , and cloisterers ●…aldus are hypocrites , who by manie and sundry meanes doe counterfaicte the myeldenes of a shepe , but they carie within the fiercenes of a woolfe , some of them fayning the mourninge noise of a dooue , haue the verye minde of a doagge . I aske therefore , of these religious men , whether such dealynge be good religion ? I craue to knowe at the handes of theyr Cloysterers , whether thys oughte to bee the parte of Christians ? is it Christianitie to counterfaicte myldenes and to haue inwardly pryde , crueltie , and fiercenes ? is it the custome of Cloysterers , to faine the mourning noyse of a dooue , and to haue the verye mynde of a doagge ? heare that vnto Viualdus , we maie adde another witnesse , and so that by the mouthe of twoo or three theyr hipocrisie may appeare . Saint Hierome findynge great faulte with them , saithe thus : Beware of fained humilitye 〈◊〉 ●eme . follow that which is true that which christ taught , & wherin no pride is shut , for many there be that go after the shadow of ver tue , but fewe do follow the truth therof , it is an easy thing to haue in contempt some attyre , to salute humblie , to kisse the handes , and knees , and with the heade beinge bowed vnto the grounde , and withe the eyes loking downeward to promise humilitie , & mekenes , it is easie with a gentle , & smoth voice to frame your speche to sighe often , & at euerye worde to saie : that thou art a sinner , & a wretche : but if you be offended neuer so litle , then to lyfte vp your browes , to set vp a stiffe necke , & to chaunge your fotmer milde speche , into an outcrie , & rage , it is an other humilitie that christe taughte , who exhorteth vs after his example saying learne of me , for I am meke , and mat . 11. humble of harte . And shall wee maruaile at the hypocrisye of suche Cloisterers : not at all . For Sathan him selfe is chaunged in 2 cor 11. to the fashion of an Angell of light , therefore it is no great thinge , thoughe his seruauntes fashion themselues , as thoughe they were the seruauntes of righteousnes : whose ende shal be accordinge vnto theyr dedes . For if they deceaued the worlde with Hipocrisye , shall they not susteine shame , if they seduced the people of GOD , shall they not suffer payne : yf vnder theyr counterfaycte attyre there was no trouth , if in theyr dyssembled Humylytye , there was nothinge els but pryde , if in theyr fayned fasting , there was but surfetting , if they abused the Gospell of oure sauiour Christe , shall they not comme to extreme tormentes , to hell fyre , to a fowle ende , and that accordinge vnto theyr dedes ? the leadinge of a wicked lyfe is yuell , but the cloaking therof is woorsse , the pryde of suche Cloysterers is to be comptrolled , but theyr dissimulacion , is to be detested . And shall wee yet agayne , heare in what wise Viualdus proceadethe ? viualdus his woordes are these : Fourthelye , those religious men are Hypocrites , who vnder the pretence of pouertie , & nede , doe seke after gayne , and rapine . Therefore if trueth maye preuayle , if reason maye take place , if autorities may serue in any steade : then haue Fryars good cause to acknowledge theyr owne factes , Moonkes haue juste occasion to consider theyr lewde disceaptfulnes , all those counterfaicte religions haue right matter to bewaile their Hypocrisie , and we , vnto whome God hathe disclosed the dissimulacion of our aduersarie , wee I saye , on whom the Gospell shyneth , and amongest whome the truethe it selfe speaketh , haue greate cause to thanke our heauenly Father , and , in signe of due thankefullnes , to bee obediente vnto his will . And to make it more apparante , of whom it is , that Viualdus writeth , to cyte the woords of Saincte Augustine , I know it shall not be a misse : What a numbre of lib. de opere monachorum . Hypocrites ( saythe he ) vnder the habite of Moonkes , hathe the wielie enemie scattered abrode euery where ? they roague about euery prouince , they aske of all men , and they gette , eyther the expence of their gaynfull necessitie , or els the price of their dissembled sanctitie . what sholde I speake of their pedlerie , of their choppinge , & changinge , and of their chapmanship ? in the tyme of saincte Hierome , the priestes , & suche religious personnes , were so drowned in seculer affayres , and so addicted vnto Merchaundize , that writinge vnto Nepotianus , Hierom. he gyueth this warninge of them : A prieste ( sayth he ) that is a chapman , and him , that of a poore man waxethe riche , or beynge before base , that is nowe glorious , of such Of pedlers thei be came priests . a one take hede , as of a plague . Yea , and he further saythe : The most parte can not lacke theyr olde pedlerie , and artes , for , changing the name of Pedlears , they haunte the same trade , not seekinge foode , & raymente , whiche the Apostle byddethe , but scratchinge together greater gaynes , then the temporall men doe : Yea nowe vnder ad rust . monachum the title of religion , they exercise vniuste aduantages , and the honour of a Christian name doth worke rather deceipt , then suffer persecution : whiche is a shame to saye , but it is nedefull , that so at the length wee maye bee ashamed at oure dishonestie . We lyue as though we were poore vppon golde wee attyre oure selues withe cloathe , and contrarie vnto all mennes mindes , wee dye verye riche with full coffers : If suche then was the estate of the Churche in Hieromes dayes , consyderinge the wickednes of the tyme that followed , and weyghinge into what a disordered case theyr proude prelacie fell , mighte wee not with Bernarde saye ? Serpsit hodie putrida tabes hypocrisis per omne corpus ecclesiae , & quò to Barnard . lerantius , eò desperatiùs , eoque periculosius quò communius : Thys rotten contagion of hypocrisye in these dayes haue creapte ouer the whole bodye of the Churche , whiche the more it is suffered the more desperate it is , and the communer that it is , by so muche the more perillous it is . What aunswere can anye Papistes heare make ? can they denye , that in theyr Prelacye , there was no suche enormitye ? naye can they disproue anye of thys , whyche shal be further sayde : In chronica . Sulpitius Seuerus saythe of them thus . As they sytte they looke for rewardes , and all the honestye of their lyfe , is corrupted with hyre , settynge as it were oute their hole lyues fullie to sale . Neither leauethe Saincte Hierome of so , for in thys voyse he further saythe : The Moonkes bee richer ad Heli. Monac . nowe , then when they were seculer men , and vnder poore Christe they possesse the ryches , whiche vnder riche Sathan they had not , and so the Churche hathe them nowe to bee riche , whom the worlde had before to bee poore . To reprehende these and to beate downe theyr passynge couetousenes , the rehearsall of an historye , that Laertius wryteth , shall not bee vnproffitable . Aristippus vppon a tyme as hee sayled , perceauynge the shyppe , where in hee was to bee a pirate , for sauegarde of hys lyfe , hee threwe all the Golde that hee had into the sea sayinge ( for so some other wryte of hym ) Satius est vt haecper Aristippum , Lib. 2. quam propter haec pereat Aristippus : it is better that these shoulde perishe by Aristippus then that Aristippus shoulde peryshe by them . Meanynge in deede by thys facte , that throwynge hys Golde awaye , hee had cutte of the occasyon , whyche els shoulde haue hadde moued the Pyrates to murther hym . O that the Prelacye of ●ome hadde beene of Aristippus mynde . O that they had considered how this world , is but a pirate shippe , for , so doinge : their pryde hadde not bene so greate , and theyr pryde once diminisshed , theyr pompeous estate hadde not bene mayntained , but their proud estate being abated , simplicitie had pre uayled , the Gospell had floorished , and then in knowledge wee Christians had increased . Yf the Busshop of Rome him selfe had doune this : then shoulde not the Grecians haue hadde suche occacion to wryte vnto Ihon the Pope in this wyse . Potentiam mandeu . lib. ca. 7. tuam summam ergatuos subditos , firmiter credimus , superbiam tuam summam tollerare non possumus , auaritiam satiare non valemus , Diabolus tecum , dominus nobiscum : That is : The ouer greate power that thou vsest towardes thy subiectes , wee stedefastlye beleue , thy passinge pryde wee can not beare , thy couetousenes wee can not satisfie , the Deuyll bee withe thee , and God bee wythe vs : Thus they then wrote vnto hym , when hee throughe passinge Pryde , and ambition , dyd affirme that there was but one Churche , wherof he him selfe was the head . Yf the Busshop of Rome hadde learned but the fyrste Poynte of wysedome , that is , if hee had knowen hym selfe , then had not Platina wrytten of Hiltebrande , and of Paschall , bothe beinge Busshops of Rome in this sorce : Hi duo nebulones , Imperatores Platina . Henricos excommunicant , & ab obedientia , & juramento subditos absoluunt , & principes subditos contra proprios Imperatores armant . Apostolicum esset immitari Apostolos , qui praecipiunt vt pro magistratibus oretur , hi verò suos , & quidem Christianos excommunicant , & quod indignissimum est , pedibus suis conculcant : That is to saye : These two varlattes doe excommunicate Henries the Emperours , & doe sett at libertie their subiectes from their othe , and obedience . Yea , & they sett in armour , Princes that are subiectes , against theyr owne Emperours . Yt had appartayned vnto an Apostleship calling to followe the Apostles , who commaund that magistrates shold be prayed for , but these doe excommunicate their magistrates , yea , euon those which are Christians , and that that is most vnworthie , with theyr feete they treade vpon them . Is there any papiste , that , reading this , will mayntayne Rome ? is there any being learned , that will defend this hellish Hiltebrande ? can any one of any honestie speke in the defence of Paschall ? who will like , yea , who will not mislike the tyrannie , the pryde , and the auarice of pope Ihon ? if autoritie maye auayle , if trueth maye preuayle , then let the letters of Lewys king of the Romaines , declare what Pope John was , the sayde Lewys wryteth in these woordes : Nos Ludouicus Romanorum . Rex , &c. Wee Lewys kinge of the Romaines doe alleage these thynges Obenh . againste John , who saithe him selfe to bee Pope , that he doeth abuse the Testamente of Christ , altogether disquieting the common peace of Christianitie . Neither remembreth hee , that what honour so euer he now hath , the same to haue bene graunted by hollye Constantine , vnto Syluester then of smale accompte . He is litle thankfull vnto the Romaine Empire , whence he tooke all the glorie , whiche he nowe abuseth , &c. Plato called Aristotle for his vnthankefullnes a mule , but the emperours of Rome , might worthely accompt the busshop there , not onelye to bee a mule , but an asse , a mule for his vnthankefullnes , & an asse for his greate v●curtousie , and rudenes . What ? hee receauynge all that he hathe at the handes of the Emperoure , shall hee cursse hym : shall he excommunicate hym ? shall he treade hym vnder feete ? Hic pietatis honos ? is this the rewarde of pietye ? is thys the profession of Peter ? but what saye wee vnto Clemente the Syxte , of whome Marius saithe ? Hieron . Mari. Clemens sextus , homo mulierum , honoris , ac ▪ potentiae cupidissimus , diabolico furore percitus , &c. Clemente the Sixte , a man mooste greedye of Women , honoure , and power , a man moued withe a deuelishe furye , &c. Well let vs touch farther the whole flocke of their Romyshe roagges , for soo wee muste tearme those , who forsake God , who judge wythoute auctoritye , who vsurpe regimentes withoute equitie , who defende erroures who maynetaine heresyes of these it is , that Gregorie thus saythe : Because Earthelye princes do with greate In mora humilitie submitte themselues vnto god , therfore lewde religious men are tourned vnto deceipte , for beholdinge those princes to reuerence religion , these men doe putte on the attyre of humilitye , and so vnder despised garments , they presse downe with wicked workes , the lyues of such as are good they are certainelye the louers of the worlde , in that they bragge to bee in them selues , that whyche others doe reuerence . they refuse honour onelye , that they maye haue , and come by it . Suche was the behauioure of Relygiouse men ; in the tyme of Gregorye , 〈◊〉 was theyr Hypocrysye , for aboue nyne hundred yeares agonne . But goe we so Bernarde who lyued aboue foure hundred yeares agonne , and let vs heare what he saithe of his time , his woordes be these : I see a thinge , which without griefe ought Hom. 4. sup. missus est . not to be sene , that is : howe many , hauing once professed to be souldiours of Christ , doe now againe entangle themselues with seculer affaires , being drowned with earth lye desires . these with great care do builde vp maine walles , but they neglect maners . Also vnder the pretence of a common vtilitie , they deceaue riche men , & matrones , yea , & against their Emperours Edict , they couete other mens goodes , and seeke their owne with strife . So that they haue crucified neither themselues vnto the worlde , nor yet the worlde vnto them . But those , which before were scaresely knowen in their owne townes , and villages , are nowe wandring aboute countries , haunting courtes , and getting the acquaintaunce of kinges , and familiariatie of Princes . Here ( gentle reader ) thou seest howe they then entangled themselues with the worlde , how they were drowned with earthlye desyres , howe they neglected maners , how they deceaued ryche mon and matrones , how they coueted other mennes goodes , and thou seest howe they wandred roagging aboute countryes , how they haunted courtes , and howe flattringli● they gotte the acqu●yntaunce of kinges , and Princes . Yea and in the same place , againste suche dothe Barnarde goe further , sayinge I see that , whereat I am not a litle sorye , I Ibidem see a number after they haue contemned the pompe of the worlde , and being in the schoole of humilitie , that nowe doe rather learne pride , and vnder the winges of an humble , and meke master , they waxe maruailous proude , and in the ende , they waxe more vnrulie in the Cloyster , then they did when they seemed to be worldlinges . Let the munkes make here theire answere , let they fryars defende themselues . What haue they to saye ? they learned pride , they waxed maruaylous proude , and they were vnrulie in their cloysters . Goe we then further , euen vnto S. Hieromes tyme agayne , and let vs heare what he saith , his words be these : Crates the Thebane , being a man verie ad pauli . riche , as hee trauailed to Athence to learne wisedome , he threwe awaie a greate deale of golde , neither did he thinke , that he colde possesse bothe vertue and riches , and that at one time . But wee ( of the priestes he speaketh ) hauing our lappes full of golde , doe followe Christe , that is poore , and vnder the pretence of almes we cleaue still vnto oure former wealthe . Howe then can wee distribute other mennes goodes faithfully , when wee hoorde vp oure owne so fearefullie ? Such hipocrites they were in the time of Hierome , suche dissemblers they were for a. xi . hundreth yeares agonne , and more . but afterwardes , howe of lewde men they waxed to be meere loordens , and of vicious men , howe they proued to be ranke varlattes , by the testimonye of Antonius Patauinus their owne writer , it maye more then euidently appeare , for he saithe : By the faire , and foolishe woman , is vnderstanded the priestes , who being nice , and kemmed , Serm: Domi. doe set themselues as drabbes to sale for a penie . they are faire in the glorie of their garmentes , in the number of their nephewes , and in the multitude of their prebendaries . they are foolishe : for what so euer either they or others doe speake , they vnderstande not , they crie all the daie in the churche , and barke like doagges , and yet they knowe not what they themselues doe saye . for thoughe the body be in the quite yet is their harte in the streete , or market . these hauinge the golden circle of knoweledge , and eloquence , do not sticke to bestowe it in riotousenes , and couetousenes almost all the religious men haue stoallen this golden rule , for , they walke not accordinge vnto the trueth of the Gospell , they liue not according vnto the institucions of the fathers , but they leade a croked , and a dissembled life , the moonkes of benedicts order haue stoallen this rule , so haue they of Augustines orders , the chanons , and all the rest , who seke their owne , and not that whiche is Jesus Christes , and therefore in the daye of judgemente , they shal be stoaned withe sharpe rebukes , and then , they shall be burnte in euerlastinge fyre , and so shall they bee curssed for euer , separated from Christe . O Lorde how haue our forefathers beene abused , and by whome ? by those nyce , and kemmed Priestes , by those riotouse , and mooste couetouse companye , by those who leade a crooked , and a dissembled lyfe , by the Moonkes of Benedictes order , and of Augustines order , by the chanones , ( I vse theyr owne woordes ) and all the reaste : but what gayne they in the ende by theyr hypocrisie ? euen to be burnt in euerlastinge fyre , to bee curssed for euer , and alas to be separated from Christ . Antoniaus also , who was Archebusshop of Florence , speakethe , and wrytethe of them in thys wyse : Abbas Siluanus , Diu in excessu Anto. part : 2. mentis factus est , & exurgens fleuit amare ▪ rogantibus aute fratribus caussam fletus , ait : ego ad judicium raptus sum , & multos vidi de habitu nostro euntes ad tormenta , & multos seculares ad regnum : That is : The Abbote Siluanus being longe in a trance , at the lengthe rysinge vp hee weapte , and when his brethren asked of him the cause of his weping , he sayd : I was taken vp into judgement , & there I sawe manye of our company going into tormentes , and many of the laye men goynge into the kingedome of heauen . Howe playne be these woordes ? the religigiouse companie went into hell , and the laye men vnto heauen . how coulde they then guyde rightly the floacke of Christe , when they them selues fel into the dytch of perdicion , into the doungeon of deathe , and into damnable tormentes ? but if hee were a moonke no man might reprehende him , no man mighte blame him , and therefore S. Augustine findinge greate faulte with suche foolishenes saythe : Yt is a thinge verye muche to bee ad ●ure . sorowed , if we puffe vp moonkes into so ruinouse a pryde , as to say : that an yuell Moonke is a good prieste , whereas in verye dede a Moonke beinge sometimes good , can yet scarselye be a good prieste . Suche hollynes you se , was in theyr Moonkeship : suche perfection was in theyr Moonkerye , that a goode Moonke could scarselye ( for so S. Augustin . saythe ) be a good Prieste . perceaue wee not therfore what they were ? shall they lulle vs styll a sleeape ? shall wee sette by them ? shall we make any accompt of them ? in the quyre they prayde not , but they playd , they sange not , but they slepte . and thence it in examp . is , that Bernard sayth this . He is a singuler moonke , who is diligente to gette a priuate gayne , and to gette a commune proffite is slouthefull , who in his beadde wakethe , and in the quiere sleepeth . And agayne , in pol● . touchinge theyr Hypocrisye , hee wrytethe further in this wyse : Yt is a great abuse , for it is the graetest care , how the body may be regularelye attyred , & contrarye vnto rule , they leue the soule destitute of his attyre . Yf with suche an indeuore , the coate , and the hoodde muste be prepared for the bodye , without which he is thought to be no Moonke : why then doe they not in lyke maner , prouide spirituall attyre for the spirite ? which attyre is pietie , and humilitie . Howe can here the hoode defende them ? Ibidem . howe may the coate excuse them ? yea , Barnarde goeth further , and saythe : Our apparaile , which I speke with griefe , is proudlye worne by the Moonkes of this oure tyme . we can not fynde in all oure countrey wherwith we may be called . for the knight maketh his cloake , and the Moonke his hoode , & all of one cloath . This was the attyre , and the prowd attyre of the Moonks in Bernards time . where then was humility ? yt was banished . where was simplicitie ? it was suppressed . and on the 〈◊〉 Pryde raigned , arrogancie ruled ; hypocrysye tryumphed , God was displeased , and Satan reioyced . O heauen what an vnhappye hearde of Moonkes were then ? o yearthe ; what an vnhappy broode dydst thou then beare : but lette Bernards saye further ▪ Ibidem in epistola . Oure eyes ( saythe hee ) looke all on hy● ▪ oure feete doe , compasse aboute all the Marquette , oure toungues are hearde in euerye mannes matters , oure handes do● snatche awaye euerye manes Patrimonie : What are they then ? pro●de , busye bodyes , and P●…rers , An honest Companie ▪ meere to bee reuerenced , m●u woorth●● to bee obeyed , ●●●cke deserninge to be fauoured . well , what saythe Hugo Victori●… of them ? he was theyr verye frende , a Papiste for ly●e , lette vs heare hym ▪ Th● Moonkes sayth hee doe make them Cl●●sters , that the outwarde man maye bee de clau ▪ anima . Lib. 1. kepte in , but I woulde to God , that they woulde make Cloysters , wherin the inwarde man might bee keepte ordinarelye● yea , and further in the persone of a Moonke hee saythe : I am in the quiere with my De an lib. 1. bodye , & in some wordlye busynes wythe my minde , I am nowe within , and nowe withoute , I singe one thing , & I thinke another , I vtter the wordes of the Psalme , but I gyue no heede vnto the sense . in my minde I am a vagabonde in myne apparaille , dessolute , & in mine eyes amased . I gase here , & there , beholding what is euery where donne . I haue the habite of a moonke but not the conuersacion , yea , amongest a gret companye , if my large hoodde be saffe , I thinke that all is well . By thys tyme ( gentle Reader ) what thinkeste thou of these men ? be they not Hypocrites ? by the confession , of Hugo , bee they not Uagaboundes ? it is in vayne to bee to vehemente , onelye lette vs craue at Gods handes , tha● hee will admende them . and for myne owne parte , I prayse God , I daylye thanke hym , that I knowe them , yea , & I lyke in my selfe , that I myslyke them . Nowe lette vs retourne agayne vnto Viualdus , for , in opus . regal . these woordes hee saythe : Fyfetelye , a number of religiouse men , haue blacke spoatof Hipocrisie , lyke vnto a Lybarde . For , they being rude of nature , & vyle in byrth , yet in the Cloyster withe a hoysed nec●e , they fayne them selues more delicate , and noble in all their doings , then other men . these doe indeuore to liue in outward conuersacion ciuillie , and politicallye , but inwardelye they are puffed with the wynd , & vanitie of pryde , ambicion , and enuie . Yt is long to recite all , and euerye autoritie , & the same at large , reade therfore in this behalfe an epistle , that S. Hierome wrote vnto Nepotianus , & therin thou shalte fynde these false prophetes pictured out in theyr owne colloures . There are sixtelye ( sayth Viualdus ) other clearkes , religiouse men , or Moonks , Ibidem . who do conterfaicte sobrietie , & abstinence , to the intente they mighte seme to leade a straighte lyfe , to bee indewed with modestie , and to be adourned with chastitie . but within they are full of filthinesse , delighting in seculer pleasures , & deuouring the pore in secrete . but shal we beleue only Viualdus ? na , let vs go also vnto Hieronimus for in these woordes he inueygheth agaynst suche : He is a drinke master who with a full 〈◊〉 nepo - beallye disputethe of fastinge . in dede a thiefe maye blame couetousenes , but the mouthe , the minde , and the handes of a prieste sholde agree together . Wee haue sene the late fastinge of Priestes , we behelde theyr deyntie disshes , we saw theyr junkettes , the Popishe frydaye fayre is to Hypocrytall , and therefore Saincte Hierome hauinge good cause doethe say : What doeth Ibidem . it proffite mee not to feede on oyle , and to seke after straunge disshes , and fare almost not to be founde ? as Carettes , peaper , nuttes , dates , ryce , honnie , and bake meates . all the gardens are tylled , & why ? because we sholde not feede on breade , but whyles we seeke after deynties , we are drawen backe from the kingdome of heauen . Fye for shame , blusshe we not at these foolishe toyes , and doethe it not loathe vs of our superstition ? Here is a proper faste , to abstayne from bread , and to feede on bakemeate , to eate carretes , peaper , nuttes , dates ryce , honnie , sugar , and suche like . Let those that haue reason , regarde this thinge , and then they muste nedes confesse , that the popes fastinge was counterfaicte , that hys Chaplens were Hypocrites , and that their profession was meere Hypocrisye , take awaye theyr cappes , and what are they ? take awaye theyr hooddes , and what be they ? take awaye theyr outwarde attyre & then nought are they , what more ? mary . There is an viualdus other kind of Hypocrites ( sayth Viualdus ) who vnder the cloake of religion , being vnmaried , yet do seke a newe kinde of wyues , and so . S. Hierome sayth . for wrytinge vnto Eustochius he hath these words : A number doe attaine vnto priesthoode , and deaconship , id eusto●ium . that they may more freely see & talke with women , they faine them selues to be spiritual fathers of simple women that vnder the collour of obedience humility , & mor●ieficacion they might at the length allure them vnto filthynes . O not spirituall , but spightful fathers . O the foes of christianitie . O the enemies of true pietie . What ? vnd●● the collour of religion , to allure women vnto fornication ? what passing heathenes was thys ? what ? will not their shauen faces bee ashamed ? wyll they heare what Sayn●t● Hierome saythe ? Why delighteth it thee to Ad Oce●… , talke with maydes ? why doeste thou freequent the company of Noonnes , contrary vnto thy professyon ? why fyndeth Sainct● Hierome with priestes thys faulte ? because they were saultie , and that they were so , you maye read in the same epistle vnto Oceanus at large . further , and to conclud . Many ( saith Lud : Viualduus . Viualdus ) of the cleargie , of the Moonkes , and religious men are hypocrites , who being ydiotes , and vnlearned , doe yet fayne themselues to knowe , and to vnderstande much , and when they are bound by reason of their degre , & professyon , to studie , and to read the hollie scriptures , they occupye themselues in light , vaine , vnproffytable , & seculer matters , which appertaine nothing vnto their purpose . what vaine , lighte , and vnproffitable thinges they reade , maye appeare by an epistle , that Hierome wrote vnto Damasus wherein these wordes are : But Ad damasum . now the priestes of god , settinge a side the Gospelles , and the prophetes , doe reade comedies , they synge the louinge songes of sheepehardes tune , they are skillfull in Virgill , & they do this , not as children doe which is a faulte , of necessitie , but willinglie . and shall we willinglie goe after them ? shall we willingly reiecte the scriptures and receaue those sectes ? he ther vnto here , in settinge forthe tho hypocrisie of the Romishe prelacie , I haue vsed the auctorie of Lactantius , of theyr owne lawers , of Laurentius valla , of Hierome , of Barnarde , of Gregorie , of Viualdus , of Wierus , of Hugo Victorinus , of Augustine , of Sulpitius , of Mandeuill , of Platina , of Obenhin , of Marius , of Antonius Patauinus , of Antonianus , of the olde Testamente and of the newe , and of others , by whose writtinge it is playne that Fryars are to bee myslyked , that the Moonkes are to bee refused , and that their Priestes are to bee despised , and that , because they were ignoraunte , arrogant , false seducers , false Prophetes , and the hypocrites of whom it is writen in the vii . Chapiter of the Gospell after S. Matthewe in this wise . Beware of false 〈◊〉 . 7. Prophetes , whiche comme vnto you in sheepes cloathinge , who inwardlye are raueninge wolffes . These false prophetes , in the tyme of Moses lawe , were the Baalites Malochites , Marothites , Baalmites , the proude Scribes and the lewde Pharisees : in the primitiue Churche , the were the Simonianes , Cherinthianes , Nicholaits , De●ionites , Nestorians , Sabellians , & Arrianes , in this our time , the are the terminalles , nominalles , reales , and all the roagges holdinge with the sinagogue of Rome , from whom God the father of his mercye defende vs .