The sermon that the reuerende father in Christ, Hugh Latimer, Byshop of Worcester, made to the clergie, in the co[n]uocatio[n], before the Parlyament began, the 9. day of June, the 28. yere of the reigne of Our Souerayne Lorde Kyng Henry the VIII nowe translated out of Latyne into Englyshe ; to the inte[n]t, that thing is well said to a fewe, may be vnderstande of many, and do good to al the[m] that desyre to be better.

bothe worthye to be harde in youe congregation , and also of suche , as best shal become myn office in this place . That I may do this the more commodiously , I haue taken , that notable Sentence , in whiche oure lorde was not afrayde to pronounce , The chylderne of this worlde to be Luc. 19. moche more prudent and polytike , than the chyldren of lyghte in theyr generation . Neyther I wyll be afrayde , trustynge that he wyll ayde and guyde me , to vse this sentence , as a grounde and foundation of al suche thynges , as hereafter I shall speake of .

¶ Nowe I suppose , that you see ryght well , being men of suche lernynge , for what pourpose the lorde sayd this , and that ye haue no nede to be holpen with any parte of my labour in this thynge . But yet , yf ye wyll pardone me , I wylle wade somwhat deper in this mattier , and as nyghe as I can , fetche it frome the firste originall begynnyng . For vndoubtedlye ye maye moche meruayle at this saying , if ye well ponder bothe what is sayde , and who saythe it . Define me fyrst these thre thynges , what prudence is , what the worlde , what lyght , and who be the chyldren of the worlde , who of the lyght , see what they sygnifie in scripture , I meruayle , if by and by ye al agre , that the chyldren of the worlde , shoulde be wyser , than the chylderne of the lyghte . To come some what nygher the matter , thus the lorde begynneth .

¶ There was a certayn rych man , that had a stewarde , which was accused vnto hym , that he had dissypated and wasted his goodis . This

For Luke saythe , the Lorde spake these wordis to his disciples . wherfore let it be out of al doute , that he spake them to vs , which euen as we woll be compted the successours & vycars of Christis disciples , so we be , if we be good dispensers , & doo our duitie . He sayde these thynges , partly to vs , which spake them partly of hym selfe . For he is that riche man , which not only had , but hath , and shall haue euermore , I say not one , but many stewardes , euen to th ende of the worlde .

¶ He is man , seing that he is god and man . He is ryche , not onely in mercy , but in all kynde of rychesse . For it is he , that giueth vs al thinges abundantly . It is he , of whose hande , we receyued both our lyues , and other thinges necessarie for the conseruation of the same . What man hath any thynge I praye you , but he hath receiued it of his plentyfulnes ? To be short , it is he , that openeth his hande , and fylleth all beastis with his blessynge , and not onely gyueth vnto vs , in most ample wyse his benediction . Neyther his treasure canne be spente , howe moche so euer he lasshe oute , howe moche so euer we take of hym , his treasure tarieth styl , euer taken , neuer spente .

¶ He is also the good man of the howse . The churche is his howseholde , whiche ought with all dilygence , to be fedde with his worde & his sacramentes . These be his goodes , most precious , the dispensation and administration wherof , he wolde byshops and curates shulde haue . Whiche thynge S. Paule affirmeth , sayinge , Let men esteme

hytherto faythfull stewardes or no ? Ponder , whether yet many of them be , as they shulde be or no. Goo ye to , tel me nowe , as your conscience leadeth you ( I wolle lette passe to speake of many other ) was there not some , that dyspysynge the money of the lorde , as copre , and not currante , eyther coyned newe them selfes , orels vtterde abrode newely coyned of other , some tyme eyther adulteratynge the worde of god , or els mynglinge it ( as tauerners do , whyche brewe and vtter the euylle and good bothe in a potte ) somtime in the stede of goddis worde , blowynge out the dreames of menne : While they thus preched to the people , the redemption that cometh by Christis dethe to serue onely them that died before his commyng , that were in the tyme of the olde testament , and that nowe sens redempcyon , and forgyuenesse of synnes pourchased by money , and deuysed of men , is of efficacye , and not redemption purchased by Christe .

They haue a wonderfulle prety example , to perswade this thynge , of a certayne maried woman , whiche whan her husbande was in purgatory , in that fyry fornays , that hath burned away so many of our pens , paide her husbandes ransome , and so of duetie claimed hym to be sette at lybertie : Whyle they thus preached Deade ymages . to the people , that deade images ( which at the first , as I thinke , were set vp onely , to represent thinges absent ) not onely ought to be couered with golde , but also ought of al faythful & christen people , yea in this scarsenes and penurye of all thynges , to be cladde with sylke garmentis , & those also laden with precious gemmes & iewels , And that besyde all this , they are to be lyghted with waxe candelles , bothe within the churche and withoute the churche , yea at noone dayes , as who shulde say , here no coste can be to greatte , where as in the meane tyme , we see Christis faitheful and lyuely ymages , bought with no lesse price , than with his most precious bloud , alas alas , to be an hungred , a thurste , acolde , and to lye in darkenes wrapped in all wretchednesse , yea to lye there , vntyll dethe take away theyr miseries : While they preched , these wylworkes , that comme but of our owne deuotion , althoughe they be not so necessarye , as the workes of mercy , and the preceptes of god , yet they sayd , & in the pulpet , that wilworkes were more principall , more excellent , & ( playnly to vtter what they meane ) more acceptable to god than workes of mercy : as thoughe now mans inuentions and fansies , coude plese god better than goddis preceptis , or straunge thinges better than his owne : while they thus preached , that more fruite , more deuotion cometh of the beholdyng of an image , though it be but a Pater noster whyle , than is gotten by redynge and contemplation in scripture , though ye rede and contemplate therin seuen yeres space :

Finally , whyle they preached thus , sowles tourmented in purgatorie , to haue mooste nede of oure helpe , and that they canne haue noo ayde , but of vs in this world , of the whiche two , if the one be not false , yet at the least it is ambiguous , vncercertayne , doubtefull , and therfore rashly & arrogantly with such boldnes affirmed in the audience of people , Thother by all mens opinions is manifestly false . I lette passe to speake of moche other suche lyke countrefayte doctrine , whiche hath ben blasted and blowen out by som for the space of . iii. houres togither . Be these the chrystian and dyuyne misteries , and not rather the dreames of men ? Be these the faithful dispensers of goddis misteries , and nat rather fals dissipatours of them ? whom god neuer put in office , but rather the dyuell sette them ouer a myserable familie , ouer an howse myserably ordred and intreated .

Happy were the people , if such preched More happy , if they preached neuer . seldome . And yet it is a wonder to see these , in their generation , to be moch more prudent and polytike , than the faithfull ministers at in their generation , whyle they go about more prudently to stablysshe mennes dreames , than these do , to holde vppe Goddis commaundementes .

¶ Thus it commeth to passe , that workes lucratiue , wylworkes , mens fansies reigne , and christian workes , necessarye workes , fruitefulle workes , be troden vnder the foote . Thus the euyll , is moche better set out by euyll men , than is the good , by good men : bycause the euylle be more wise , than be the good in their generation .

¶ These be the false Stewardes , whom al good and faythefull men euery day accuse vnto the rych master of the householde , not without great heuynesse , that they wast his goodes , whom he also one day wol call to hym , and saye to them , as he dyd to his stewarde , whan he sayd , What is this , that I here of the ?

¶ Here God partely wondereth at our ingratitude and perfidie , partly chydeth vs for them , and beinge bothe full of wonder , and redy to chyde , axeth vs , What is this , that I here of you ? As though he shulde saye vnto vs , All good men in all places , complayne of you , accuse your auarice , your exactions , your tyranny . They haue required in you a longe season , and yet require , diligence and synceritie . I commaunded you , that with all industrie and labour , ye shulde fede my shepe : ye cruestly fede your selfes , from daye to daye , wallowynge in delytes and ydelnesse . I commaunded you , to teache my commaundementes , and not your fansies , and that ye shulde seke my glory and my vantage : you teche your own traditions , and seke your owne glorie and profite . You preache very seldome , and whan ye do preche , ye do nothynge but cumber them that preache truly , as moche as lieth in you , that it were moche better , suche not to preache at all , than so perniciously to preache . Oh , what I here of you ? You that ought to be my preachers , what other thynge do you , than apply all your study hyther , to brynge all my prechers to enuy , shame , contempt , yea more than this , ye pulle theym into perylles , into prisons , and as moche as in you lyethe , to cruclle deathes . To be shorte , I wold , that christen people shulde here my doctrine , and at their commoditie , rede it also , as many as wold : your care is not , that al men may here it , but al your care is , that no lay man do rede it . Surely being afrayde , lest they , by the redynge , shulde vnderstande it . and vnderstandyng , lerne to rebuke our slouthefulnesse . This is your generation , this is youre dispensation . This is your wisedome . In this generation , in this dispensation , you be most politike , mooste wyttye . These be the thynges that I here of your demeanour . I wysshed to here better reporte of you . Haue ye thus deceyued me ? or haue ye rather deceyued your selues ?

Where I had but one house , that is to say , the church , and this so derely beloued of me , that for the loue of her , I putte my selfe forth to be slayne , and to shede my bloud : this Churche at my departure , I committed vnto your charge , to be fed , to be nourished , and to be made moche of . My pleasure was , ye shulde occupye my place , my desyre was , ye shoulde haue borne lyke loue to this churche , lyke fatherly affection , as I dyd . I made you my vycars , ye in mattiers of most importaunce . For thus I taughte openly , Lnc. 10. He that shulde here you , shulde here me : He that shuld despise you , shuld despise me .

¶ I gaue you also keyes , not erthly Matt. 16. keyes , but heuenly . I left my godes , that I haue euermore mooste highely estemed , that is , my worde and sacramentes , to be dispensed of you . These benefites , I gaue you , and do you giue me these thankes ? Can ye fynde in your hartes , thus to abuse my goodnes , my benignitie , my gentylnesse ? Haue ye thus deceyued me ? Noo no , ye haue not deceyued me , but your selues . My gyftes and benefites towarde you , shall be to your greatter dampnation . Bycause ye haue contempned the lenitie and clemency of the master of the howse , ye haue right wel deserued , to abyde the rygour & seueritie of the Judge . Come forthe than , lette vs see accompte of your stewardship . An horrible and fearefull sentence . ye maye haue no longer my goodes in your handes . A voyce to wepe at , and to make men tremble .

¶ You se brothern , you se , to what euyll , the euyl stewardes must come to . your labour is payd for , if ye can so take hede , that no suche sentence be spoken to you . Nay , we must all take hede , lest these thretninges one day take place in vs .

¶ But leste the lengthe of my sermon offende you to soore , I wylle leaue the reste of the Parabole , and take me to the handlyng of the ende of it , that is , I woll declare you , howe the chyldren of this worlde be more witty crafty and subtyle , than Luc. 10. are the children of the lyght in their generation . Whiche sentence , wold god it lay in my poore tongue , to explicate with suche lyght of wordes , that I myght seme rather to haue peynted it before your eyes , than to haue spoken it : and that you myght rather seme , to se the thynge , than to here it . But I confesse playnely , this thynge to be farre aboue my power . Therfore this beinge onely left to me , I wysshe for that I haue not , and am sory , that that is not in me , whiche I wold so gladly haue : That is , power so to handle the thynge , that I haue in hande , that all that I say , may turne to the glorye of god , your sowle helthe , and

was in dede as he had sayd , but complayned rather , that it shulde be so : as many men speke many thinges , not that they oughte to be so , but that they are wonte to be so . Naye , this greued Christ , that the children of this worlde , shuld be of more polycie , than the chyldren of lyghte , whiche thing yet was true in Christis tyme , and nowe in our tyme is most true . Who is so blynde , but he seeth this clerely , excepte perchance there be any , that can not discerne the chyldren of the worlde , from the chyldren of lyght ? The chyldren of the worlde , conceyue and brynge forth more prudently , and thynges conceyued and brought forth , they nouryshe and conserue with moche more polycie , than do the chyldren of lyght . Whiche thynge is as sorowfull to be sayd , as it semeth absurde to be herde . Whan ye here the chyldren of the worlde , you vnderstande the worlde , as a father . For the worlde is father of many children , not by first creation & worke , but by imitation and loue . He is not only a father , but also the sonne of an other father . If ye knowe ones his father , by and by ye shall know his chyldren . For he that hathe the dyuelle to his father , muste needes haue dyuellyshe chyldren . The dyuelle Prynce of the world the dyuell . is not onely taken for father , but also for prince of the world , that is , of worldly folke . It is eyther all one thynge , or els not moche different , to say , chyldren of the worlde , and children of the diuel , according to that , that Christe sayd to the Jewes , Ioan. 8. Ye are of your father the dyuel : where as vndoutedly he spake to childerne of this worlde . Nowe seing the diuell is both author and ruler of the darkenes , in the which the chiiderne of this worlde walke , or to say better , wander , they mortally hate both the lyght , & also the children of lyght . And hereof it cometh , that the chyldren of lyght neuer , or very seldome , lacke persecution in this worlde , vnto which the chyldren of the world , that is of the dyuell , bringeth them . And there is no man , but he seeth , that these vse moche more policie in procurynge the hurte and damage of the good , than those in defendyng them selfes .

¶ Therfore brothern , gather you , the disposition and study of the children , by the disposition and studye of the fathers . You knowe , this is a prouerbe moch vsed , An euyl crow , an euyll egge . Than , the chyldren of this worlde , that are knowen to haue so euyll a father , the worlde , so euyll a grandefather , the dyuell , can not chose but be euyll . Surely the fyrste heed of theyr auncester , was that deceytfull serpent the dyuell , a monster monstrous aboue all monsters . I can not holly expresse hym , I wote not what to call hym , but a certayne thynge , all together made of the hatrede of god , of mistruste in god , of lyenges , deceites , periuries , discordes , manslaughters , & to say , at one word , a thinge , concrete , heaped vp , and made of al kynde of myschiefe . But what the dyuell meane I , to go about to discriue particularly , the dyuels nature , whan no reason , no power of mans mynde , can comprehende it . This alonly I can say grossely and as in a summe , of the whiche al we , our hurte is the more , haue experience , the diuel to be a stynking sentine of all vices , a foule filthy chanell of al myscheues : and that this worlde , his sonne , euen a chylde mete to haue suche a parent , is not moche vnlyke his father .

¶ Then this dyuelle beynge suche one , as canne neuer be vnlyke hym selfe , To of enuye , his welbeloued leminan , he begatte the worlde , and after left it with discorde at nours . Whiche worlde , after that it came to mans state , had of many concubines , many sounes . He was so fecunde a father , and had gotten soo many chyldren of lady pride , dame glottony , maystres auarice , ladye lechery , and of dame subtilitie : that no we hard and scant , ye may finde any corner , any kynd of lyfe , where many of his chylderne be not . In courte , in coules , in cloysters , in rochettes , be they neuer so whyte , yea where shall ye not fynde them ? Howe be it , they that be secular and lay men , are not by and by chyldren of the worlde , ne they chylderne of lyght , that are called spirituall , and of the clergie . Noo noo , as ye may fynde among the laitie , many chyldren of light , so amonge the clergie ( howe moche so euer we arrogate these holy tytles vnto vs , & thynke them only attributed to vs , vos estis Matth. 5. lux mundi , peculium Christi . &c. Ye are the lyght of the worlde , the chosen people of Christe , a kyngely priesthode , 1. Per. 2. an holy nation , and suche other ) Ye shall fynde many chyldren of the worlde , bycause in all places , the worlde getteth many chyldren . Amonge the lay people , the worlde cesseth not , to brynge to passe , that as they be called worldly , so they at worldely in dede , driuen heedlonge by worldly desires , in so moch , that they maye ryght well seme to haue take as welle the maners , as the name of their father . In the clergy , the worlde also hath lerned a waye , to make of men spirituall , worldelynges , yea and there also to forme worldly children , wherewith great pretense of holynes , and crafty colour of religion , they vtterly desire to hyde and clooke the name of the worlde , as though they were ashamed of theyr father , whiche do execrate and deteste the worlde ( beyng neuer the lesse theyr father ) in wordes and outewarde sygnes , but in hart and worke , they colle and kysse hym , and in all theyr lyues declare them selfes to be his babes : in soo moche that in all worldly poyntes , they far passe and surmount those , that they call seculars , lay men , men of the worlde . The chylde so diligently foloweth the steppes of his father , neuer destitute of the ayde of his grandfather . These be our holy holy men , that say they ar deed to the worlde , whan no men be more lyuely in worldly thinges , than some of them be . But let them be in profession & name , moste farthest from the world , most alienate from it , yea so farre , that they may seme to haue no occupienge , no kynrede , no affinitie , nothynge to do with it : yet in theyr lyfe & dedes , they shewe them selfe no bastardes , but ryght begotten chyldren of the worlde : as the whiche , the worlde longe sythens , had by his dere wyfe , dan Hypocrisie , and syns hath brought them vp and multiplied them to more than a good maynye , encreased theym , to moche ▪ ●o moche , al be it they swere by al he sayntes and she sayntes to , th●t they knowe not theyr father , 〈◊〉 mother , neyther the worlde , nor hypocrisie , as in dede they can semble & dissemble all thynges , whiche thinge they might lerne wonderfull well of theyr parentes . I speke not of all religious men , but of those , that the worlde hath fast knytte at his gyrdell , euen in the myddes of their religion , that is , of many , and mo than many . For I feare , leste in all orders of men , the better , I must saye , the greatter parte of them , be out of order , and chylderne of the worlde . Many of these myght seme ingrate and vnkynde chyldren , that woll no better aknowledge , and recognyse theyr parentes in wordes and outwarde pretense , but abrenounce and cast them of , as though they hated them as doggis and serpentes . Howe be hit they , in this wise , are most gratefull to their parentes , bycause they be moste lyke them , so lyuely representyng theym in countenaunce , and condytions , that their parentes seme in them to be yonge ageyne , for as moche as they euer say one , and thynke an other . They shew them selfe to be as sobre , as temperate , as Curius the Romaine was , and liue euery day , as though al their life were a shrouynge tyme . They be lyke their parentes , I saye , in as moche as they in folowynge them seme and make men beleue , they hate them . Thus grandfather dyuell , father worlde , & mother hypocrisie haue broughte them vp . Thus good obedient sonnes , haue borne away their parentes commaundementes , neither these be solitarye , howe religious , howe mocking , howe munkyng , I wolde saye , so euer they be . O ye woll laye this to my charge , that Monachus and Solitarius , signifyeth all one . I graunte this to be so , yet these be so solitarie , that they be not alone , but accompanyed with great flockes of fraternities . And I meruayle , yf there be not a greatte sorte of bysshoppes and prelates , that are bretherne germayne vnto these , and as a great sort , so euen as ryght borne , and worldes chylderne by as good tytle as they .

¶ But bicause I can not speake of all , whan I saye prelates , I vnderstande byshops , abbattes , pryours , archedeacons , deanes , and other , of suche sorte , that are nowe called to this conuocation , as I se , to intreate hereof nothynge , but of suche matters , as bothe appertayne to the glorie of Christe , and to the welthe of the people of Englande . Whiche thynge I praye god they do as ernestly , as they ought to do . But it is to be fered , lest as lyght hath many her children here , so the worlde hath sente some of his whelpes hyther .

Amonges the which I know , there Menne 〈◊〉 diuers opnions agre 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they be toither . can be no concorde nor vnitie , albeit they be in one place , in one congregation , I knowe , there can be no agrement betwene these two , as longe as they haue myndes so vnlike , and so contrarie affections , iugementes so vtterly dyuerse in all poyntes .

But yf the chyldren of this worlde be eyther mo in nombre , or more prudent than the children of light , what than auayleth vs to haue this conuocation ? Had it not ben better , we had not ben called togyther at all ? For as the chyldren of this worlde be euyll , soo they brede and brynge forth thinges euyll , and yet there be mo of theym in all places , or at the leest they be more politike , than the chyldren of light in their generation . And here I speake of the generation . wherby they doo engender , and not of that , wherby they are engendred , bycause it shuld be to long to intreate , howe the chyldren of lyght are ingendred , and how they come in at the doore : and howe the children of the world be engendred , and come in an other way . How be hit , I thynke all you that be here , were not ingendred after one generation , neyther that ye all came by your promotions after one maner . God graunte , that ye , engendered worldly , do not ingender worldly : And as nowe I moche passe not , how ye were engendred , or by what meanes ye were promoted to those dignities , that ye nowe occupye , so it be honest , good , and profitable , that ye in this your Consultation shall do , and ingendre . The ende of your Conuocation , shall shewe what ye haue done : the fruite that shall come of your consultation , shall shewe , what generation ye be of . For what haue ye done hytherto I praye you , these . vii . yeres and mo ? what haue ye ingendred ? what haue ye brought forthe ? what fruite is come of your long and great assemble ? What one thynge , that the people of England hath ben the better of an heare ? or you your selues , eyther more accepted before God , or better discharged towarde the people , committed vnto your cure ? For that the people is better lerned and

trewly neuer hurte any of you , ye wolde haue raked in the coles , bycause he wolde not subscribe to certayne articles , that toke awaye the supremetie of the kynge . Take awaye these two noble actes , and there is nothynge els lefte , that ye went aboute , that I knowe , sauying that , I nowe remembre , that somwhat ye attempted agaynst Erasmus , all be it as yet , nothynge is come to lyght .

¶ Ye haue ofte sytte in consultation , but what haue ye done ? ye haue had many thynges in deliberation , but what one is put forth , wherby eyther Christe is more glorified , or els Christis people made more holyer ? I appele to your owne conscience . Howe chaunced this ? howe came this thus ? bycause there were no chyldren of lyght , no chyldren of god amonges you , whiche settynge the worlde at nought , wolde studye to illustrate the glorye of god , and therby shewe theym selfes chyldren of lyght ? I thynke not so , certainly I thinke not so . God forbyd , that all you , whiche were gathered togyther , vnder the pretense of lyght shulde be chylderne of the worlde . Than why happened this ? Why I pray you ? Perchaunce eyther bycause , the chylderne of the worlde , were mo in noumbre , in this youre congregation , as it oft happeneth , or at the leest of more policie , than the chyldren of lyght in their generation . Wherby it might very sone be brought to passe , that those were moche more stronger , in gendryng the euyll , than these in producynge good . The childerne of lyght haue Chylderne of sightes polycie policie , but it is lyke the polycie of the serpent , and is ioyned with douuysshe symplicitie . They ingendre nothyng but simply , faythfully , and playnly , euen so doing all that they do . And therfor they may with more facilitie be combred in theyr ingendryng , and be the more redy , to take iniuries . But the chyldren of this worlde , haue worldly policie foxely crafte , lyonlyke crueltie , power to do hurte , more then eyther aspis or basiliscus , ingendrynge and doing al thynges , fraudulently , deceytfully , gylefully . Whiche as Nembrothes and suche sturdy and stoute hunters , being full of simulation & dissimulation , before the lorde , deceyue the chyldren of lyght , & combre theym easely . Hunters go not forth in euery mans syght , but do theyr affaires closely , and with vse of gyle and deceyte , waxe euery day more craftier than other . The chyldren of this worlde be lyke crafty hunters , they be misnamed children of lyghte , for as moche as they so hate lyghte , and so study to do , the workes of darknes . If they were the chyldren of lyght , they wold not loue darknes . It is no meruayle , that they go aboute to kepe other in darknes , seinge they be in darknes , from top to toe ouerwhelmed with darknes , darker than is the darknes of hell . Wherfore it is well done , in all orders of men , but in especiall in the order of prelates , to put a difference betwene children of light , and chyldren of the world , bicause great deceyte aryseth in takynge the one for the other . Great imposture commeth , when they that the common people take for the lyght go aboute to take the sonne and the lyght out of the worlde . But these be easyly knowen , bothe by the dyuersitie of myndes , and also their armours . For where as the chyldren of lyght at thus minded , that they seke their aduersaries helthe welthe and profyte , with losse of their owne commodities , and ofte tymes with ieoperdie of their lyfe , The children of the worlde , contrary wise , haue suche stomakes , that they woll soner se them deed , that doth them good , than susteyne any losse of temporal thinges . The armure of the children Armure of the children of lyght . of light , are first the worde of god , whiche they euer sette forthe , and with al diligence put it abrode , that as moche as in them lyeth , it maye bringe forthe fruite : after this , pacience and prayer , with the whiche in all aduersities the lorde comforteth them . Other thinges they committe to god , vnto whom they leue all reuengemente . The armure of Armure o● worldes chyldren . the chyldren of the worlde , are somtyme fraudes and deceytes , somtyme lyes and money : By the fyrst , they make theyr dreames , theyr traditions : by the second , they stablishe and confirme theyr dremes , be they neuer so absurde , neuer so agaynst scripture , honestye , reason . And yf any man resyste theym , euen with these weapons they procure to slee hym . Thus they boughte Christis deathe , the veray lyght it selfe : and obscured hym after his deth . Thus they bye euery daye the chyldren of lyght , and obscure them , and shall so do , vntyl the world be at an ende . So that it may be euer true , that Christe sayd , The chylderne of the worlde be wyser . &c.

¶ These worldlynges pull downe the lyuely fayth , and full confidence that men haue in Christe , and sette vp an other fayth , an other confidence of theyr owne makynge : the chyldren of lyght contrary . These worldelynges sette lyttell by suche workes , as god hath prepared for our saluation , but they extoll traditions and workes of theyr owne inuention : the chylderne of lyghte contrary . The worldlynges , if they spye profyte , gaynes , lucre , in any thynge , be it neuer suche a tryfle , be it neuer so pernicious , they preache it to the people , if they preache at any tyme : and these thinges they defende with tothe and nayle . They can scarse disalowe the abuses of these , all be it they be intollerable , lest in disalowynge the abuse , they lose parte of theyr profite . The children of the lyght , coutrarye put all thinges in their degre , best highest , nexte , next , the worste lowest . They extoll thynges necessarie , christian , and commaunded of god . They pull downe wylworkes feyned by men , and put them in their place . The abuses of all thynge they ernestly rebuke . But yet these thynges be so done on bothe partyes , and so they bothe do gendre , that children of the worlde shewe them selfe wyser than the children of lyght , and that fraudes and deceytes , lyes , and money , seme euermore to haue the vpper hande . I hold my peace , I woll not say , how fatte feastes and ioly bankettes be ioly instrumentes , to sette forthe worldely matters withall .

Neyther the chyldren of the worlde , be onely wyser , than the chyldren of lyght , but are also some of them , amonge them selfe , moche wiser then

lyght , and also the rest of their company , that they bothe are but foles , if ye compare them with these .

¶ It was a pleasaunt fiction , and from the begynnynge so profitable to the feyners of it , that almoste , I dare boldly say , there hath bene no emperour , that hath gotten more by taxes and tallages of theym that were alyue , than these the very and right begotten sonnes of the world gotte by deed mennes tributes and gyftes .

¶ If there be some in Englande , Purgatory the swetinge of worldlinges . that wold this sweting of the world to be with no lesse policie kept styll , than it was borne and brought forth in Rome , who than can accuse Christ of lyenge ? No no , as it hath ben euer true , so it shall be , that the children of the worlde , be moch wyser , not only in makyng their thinges , but also in conseruing them . I wot not what it is , but somewhat it is , I wotte , that somme men be so loth to se the abuse of this monster , purgatorie , whiche abuse is more than abhominable . As who shulde saye , there is none abuse in it , or elles as thoughe there canne be none in it .

They may seeme hartily to loue the olde thynge , that thus ernestly endeuoure theym to restaure hym his olde name . They wolde not sette an heare by the name but for the thynge . They be not so ignoraunt ( noo they be craftye ) but that they knowe , yf the name come ageyne , the thynge woll come after . Therby it aryseth , that some men make theyr crakes , that they , maugre of all mens heedes , haue founde purgatorie . I can not tel , what is found . This , to praye for deed folkes , this

uocation , As our actes shall be , so they shall name vs , so that nowe it lyeth in vs , whether we woll be called chylderne of the worlde , or chylderne of lyght .

¶ Wherfore lyfte vp your heades brotherne , & loke aboute with your eyes , spye what thinges are to be reformed in the churche of Englande . Is it so harde , is it so great a matter for you , to se many abuses in the clergye , many in the laytye ?

What is done in the arches ? Nothynge The arches . to be amended ? What doo they there ? Do they euermore rydde the peoples busynes and matters , or combre and ruffle theym ? Doo they euermore correcte vyce , or elles defende it , somtime being wel corrected in other places ? How many sentences be gyuen there in tyme , as they ought to be ? If men say truth , howe many without brybes ? Or if Bysshops consistories all thinges be well done there , what do men in byshoppes consistoryes ? Shall you ofter se the punysshementes assigned by the lawes executed , or elles money redemptions vsed in theyr stede ?

¶ Howe thynke you by the Ceremonies , Ceremon●●● . that are in Englande , ofte times with no litle offence of weake consciences , contempned : more oftener with superstition soo defyled , and soo depraued , that you maye doubte , whether it were better , some of them to tarye styll , or vtterly to take them away ? Haue not our fore fathers complayned of the nombre of ceremonies , of the superstition , and estimation of them ?

¶ Do ye se nothynge in our holy Holydaye dayes ? of the which very fewe were made at the fyrste , and they to sette forth goodnes vertue and honestie . But sythens , in some places , ther is neyther meane nor measure in makynge newe holy dayes : as who shulde saye , this one thynge is seruynge of god , to make this lawe , that no man may worke . But what The bare is holy , yf we be holy . doth the people on these holydayes ? Do they gyue them selfe to godlynes , or els vngodlynes ? Se ye nothynge brotherne ? If you se not , yet god seeth . God seeth all the hole holy dayes , to be spente miserably , in dronkennes , in glossynge , in stryfe , in enuy , in daunsynge , dycyng , ideines and glortony . He seeth all this , and threteneth punyshement for it . He seeth it , whiche neyther is deceyued in seinge , nor deceyueth when he threteneth . Thus men serue the dyuell , for god is not thus serued , all be it ye saye , ye serue god . No , the dyuell hath more seruice done vnto him on one holy day , than on many workynge dayes . Lette all these abuses be compted as nothyng , who is he , that is not sory , to se in so many holy days , riche and welthy persons to flowe in delicates , and men that lyue by their trauaylle , poore men , to lacke necessarie meate and drinke for their wyues , and theyr chylderne , and that they can not labour vpon the holy dayes , excepte they woll be cited and brought before our officials ? were it nat the office of good prelates , to consult vppon these matters , and to seke some remedy for them ? Ye shal se my brotherne , ye shall see ones , what woll come of this our wynkynge .

¶ What thynke ye of these images Images . that are had more than theyr felowes in reputation ? that are goone vnto , with suche labour and werynes of the bodye , frequented with suche our coste , sought out and vysited with suche confidence ? What say ye by these images , that are soo famous , so noble , soo noted , beinge of them so many and so dyuers in Englande ? Doo you thynke , that this preferrynge of picture to pycture , image to image , is the righte vse , and not rather the abuse of ymages ? But you woll saye to me , Why make ye all these interrogations ? And why in these youre demaundes doo you lette and withdraw the good deuotion of the people ? Be not al thinges well doone , that are doone with good intente , whan they be profitable to vs ? So surely Couetousnes bothe thinketh and speketh . Were it not better for vs , more for estimation , more meter for men in our places , to cut awaye a piece of this oure profytte , if we wyll nat cutte awaye all , thanne to wynke at suche vngodlynesse , and so longe to winke for a lyttell lucre , specially if it be vngodlynesse , and also seme vnto you vngodlynes ?

These be two thinges , so oft to seke Relikes of sayntes . mere images , & sometyme to visite the relikes of saintes . And yet as in those , there may be moche vngodlynes committed , so there may here some superstition be hydde , if that sometime we chance to visite pigges bones , in stede of sayntes reliques , as in tyme past it hath chaunced ) I had almoste sayde ) in Englande .

Than this is to great a blyndenes , a darkenesse to sensyble , that these shuld be so commended in sermons , of somme men , and preached , to be done after suche maner , as though they coude not be euyll done , which not withstandynge are suche , that neyther god nor man commandeth them to be done . No rather , men con manded them eyther not to be done at all , or ess more slowlyer and seldomer to be done : for as moche as our auncetours made this constytution ,

¶ we commaunde the priestes , that they oft admonysshe the people , and in especiall women , that they make no vowes , but after longe deliberation , consent of their husbandes , and counsell of the prieste .

¶ The church of England in time past made this constitution . What sawe they , that made this decree ? They sawe the intollerable abuses of images . They sawe the peryls , that myght ensue , of goinge on pilgremage . They sawe , the superstytious difference that men made betwene image and image . Surely somwhat they sawe .

¶ The constitution is so made that in maner it taketh awaye all suche pylgremages . For it so plucketh awaye the abuse of them , that it leaueth eyther none , or els seldome vse of them . For they that restreyne makynge vowes , for goynge of pylgremage , restreyn also pilgremage . Seinge that for the moste parte , it is sene , that few go on pilgremage , but vowemakers , and suche as by promyse bynde them selfe to goo . And whan , I praye you shulde a mans wife go on pilgremage , if she went not , before she had well debated the matter with herself , and obteined the consent of her husbande , beinge a wyse man , and were also counselled by a lerned priest so to do ? Whan shuld she go farre of , to these famous images ? For this the common people of Englande thynke to be goinge on pilgremage , to go to somme deed and notable image out of towne , that is to saye farre from theyr house .

¶ Nowe if your forefathers made this constitution , and yet thereby dydde nothynge , the abuses euery day more and more encreased , what is left for you to do ? Brotherne and fathers , if lye pourpose to do any thynge , what shulde ye sooner do , than take vtterly awaye , these deceytfull and iuglyng images : or els if ye knowe any other meane , to put awaye abuses , to shewe it , if ye intende to remoue abuses . Me thinke it shulde be gratefull and pleasant to you , to marke the ernest mynde of your forefathers , & to loke vpon their desyre , where they say in their constitution , we commaunde you , and not , we counsell you . Howe haue we ben so longe a colde , so longe slacke in settynge forth so holsome a precepte of the churche of Englande , where we be so hote in all thynges , that haue any gaynes in them , all be it they be neyther commaunded vs , nor yet gyuen vs by counsell : as though we had leauer , the abuse of thynges shulde tary styll , than it taken awaye , lose our profyte .

¶ To lette passe the solempne and nocturnal bacchanals , the prescript myracles , that are done vpon certayne dayes in the Weste parte of Englande , who hath not harde , I thynke , ye haue harde , of sayncte Blesis harte , whiche is at Maluerne , and of saynct Algars bones , how longe they deluded the people ? I am afrayde , to the losse of many sowles . Wherby men may wel coniecture , that all aboute in this realme , there is plentie of suche iuglynge deceytes . And yet hytherto ye haue sought no remedy . But euyn styll the myserable people is suffered , to take the false myracles for the true , and to lye styll a stepe in all kynde of superstytion . God haue mercy vpon vs .

¶ Laste of all , howe thynke you of Matrimonye . matrimonie ? Is all well here ? What of baptisme ? Shall we euermore in ministring of it , speke latine , and not englyshe rather , that the people may knowe what is sayd and done ?

¶ What thynke ye of these masse priestes , & of the masses them selfe ? The abuses reprohēded , the reuerence of the Masse is not diminisshed , but rather set forth . What saye ye ? Be all thynges here so without abuses , that nothynge ought to be amended ? Your forefathers sawe somwhat , whiche made this constitution , against the venalitie and sale of Masses , that vnder peine of suspending , no priest shuld sell his sayinge of tricennals , or annals . what sawe they , that made this constitution ? What pristes sawe they ? what maner of masses sawe they , trowe ye ? But at the last , what became of soo good a constitution ? God haue mercy vpon vs .

¶ If there be nothing to be amended abrode , concernynge the holie , lette euery one of vs make one better . If there be neyther abrode nor at home any thinge to be amended , and redressed , My lordes , be ye of good chere , be mery : and at the least bycause we haue nothyng els to do , lette vs reason the mattier , how we may be rycher . Let vs fall to some pleasant communication : after let vs goo home , euen as good as we came hyther , that is right begotten chyldren of the worlde , and vtterly worldlynges . And whyle we lyue here , let vs all make bon chere . For after this lyfe , there is smalle pleasure , lyttell myrthe for vs to hoope for , if nowe there be nothynge to be chaunged in our facions . Lette vs say , not as S. Peter dyd , Our ende 1. Petr. 4. approcheth nighe , this is an heuye herynge : but let vs say , as the euill seruaunt sayde , It woll belong ere Matt. 24. Luc. 12. my maister come . This is pleasant . Let vs beate our felowes . Lette vs eate and drynke with dronkerdes . Surely , as ofte as we do not take away the abuse of thynges , so ofte , we beate our felowes . As oft as we gyue not the people their true fode , so oft we beate our felowes . As oft as we let them dye in superstition , so ofte we beate them . To be short , as ofte as we blynde , leade theym blynde , so oft we beate and greuously stryke our felowes . Whanne we walter in plesures and idelnes , than we eate and drynke with drunkardes . But God wyll come , God wyl come , he woll not tarye long away . He woll come vpon suche a day , as we nothynge loke for hym : and at suche houre , as we knowe not . He woll come , and cutte vs in pyeces . He woll rewarde vs , as he doth the hypocrites . He woll sette vs , where wayling shal be my brothern , where gnastyng of tethe shall be my brotherne . And let here be the ende of our tragedie , if ye woll . These be the delycate dysshes , prepared for worldes well be loued chyldren .

These be the wafers and tōkettes , prouided for worldly prelates , waylynge and gnasshynge of teethe . Can there be any mirth , where these two courses , laste al the feaste ? Here we lawghe , there we shall wepe . Our teeth make mery here , euer dashing in delicates , there we shall be torne with teeth , & do nothing but gnashe and grynde our owne . To whatte ende haue we nowe excelled other in policie ? What haue we broughte forth at the laste ?

Ye se brothern , what sorow , what punyshement is prouyded for you , yf ye be worldlynges . If ye wol not thus be vexed , be not ye the chylderne of the worlde . If ye woll not be the chyldren of the worlde , be not stryken with the loue of worldelye thynges , leaue not vpon them . If ye woll not dye eternally , lyue not worldly . Come , go to my brothers , goo to , I saye agayne , and ones agayne , go to , leaue the loue of your profite , study for the glorie and profyte of Christe , seke in your consultations , suche thynges as pertayne to Christ , and bring forth at the last , somwhat , that may please Christe . Fede ye tenderly with all diligence , the flocke of Christ . Preache truely the worde of god , Loue the lyght , walke in the lyght : and so be ye the chyldren of lyght , whyle ye are in this world , that ye may shyne in the world , that is to come , bright as the sonne , with the father , the sonne , & the holy goost , to whom be all honour and glorie .

Amen .