THys Doctryne is greuous , heui , & irkesom to couetouse herts rebellyouse and sedyciouse hertes . Gyue , gyue , they canne not awaye wyth it , it can not sticke in their mindes , nor sattell in theyr stomakes : they woulde rather be taking , scraping , and catchinge , then geuinge . But godlye persons wyll well accepte and take it , for it is to them a greate pleasure , Ioye and comforte . For the better vnderstandynge of this place , ye shal vnderstand , Chryste came to bryng vs oute of bondage and to set vs at libertye : not frome cyuyll burthen as from obaying the magistrates , from paying taxe and try but , but from a greater burthen , and a more greuouser burthen , the burth●● 〈◊〉 , the burthen not of 〈…〉 but of the soule , to make vs fre frome it , and to redeme vs from the curse and malediccion of the lawe vnto the honourable state of the chyldren of God . But as for the cyuyll burthens , he delyuered vs not frome them , but rather commaunded vs to paye them : gyue , gyue , sayeth he to Cesar obedience , tribute , and al thynges dewe too Cesar . For the vnderstanding of thys text , it shall be nedefull to consyder the circumstance going before : whyche thynge dewlye considered , geueth a greate lyghte to al places of the scripture : who spake these words , to whom thei were spoken , vpon what occasyon , and afore whome . Therefore I wyll take the whole fragmente and shred , taken oute of goddes boke for the gospel of this day , wrytten in the gospell of Mathewe the .xxii. Chapter .

Tunc abierunt Pharisei .

Then wente the Pharisies and toke a counsell . Luke hathe Obseruantes , marckinge , spyinge , lookynge , totinge , watchynge : lyke suttel , crafty and sleyghtie felowes they toke a councel and sent to him theyr disciples , which shuld fain them selfs iust men , godly men , glad to learn his doctrine And wyth them Herods seruauntes to trap him in his words : & they sayd to him : Master we knowe that thou arte a trewe man , and teachest the waye of God , in ueritate , truly , and carest for no manne . For thou regardest not the personage of man . Tel vs therfore , what thinckest thou ? Is it lawefull to geue Cesar tribute mony or no ? This was theyr question that they wold haue snarled him with . In answeryng to this they woulde haue caught him by the fote . But Iesus Cognita malicia eo rum , knowing theyr malice , theyr wyckednes , theyr vncharitablenes , he sayd to them : hypocrytes whi do ye tempt me ? Shew me a pece of the tribute mony . And they broughte hym a penye . And he sayde to them : whose image is thys , and the wrytynge ? They answered : Cesars . He sayde to them . Gyue to Cesar that that belongeth to Cesar , & to god that that is goddes .

Thus ye maye perceyue , it was our sauyoure Chryste that spake these wordes , and they wer spoken vnto the Pharyseis that tempted him . But they be a doctryne vnto vs that are Chrystes Dyscyples . For whose wordes shulde we delite to heare & learn , but the wordes and doctryne of oure sauyour Chryste ? And that I maye at thys tyme so declare them , as may be for goddes glorye , your edifying , and my dyscharge : I praye you all to helpe me with your prayer .

In the whych prayer . &c. For the vniuersall church of Chryst thorowe the whole worlde . &c. For the preseruation of oure Souerayne Lorde Kynge Edward the .vi. sole supreme head vnder God and Christ of the churches of Inglande and of Irelande . &c. Secondly for the kynges most honorable councell ? Thirdly I commende vnto you the soules departed thys lyfe in the faythe of Chryste , that ye remember to geue laudes , praise , and thankes to almightye God for his great goodnesse and mercye shewed vnto theym in that greate nede and conflicte ageynste the deuil and synne . To gyue them at the houre of deathe faythe in hys synnes deathe and passion , wher by they myght conquere and ouercome , and get the vyctorye . Gyue thanckes I say for thys , addynge prayers and supplycations for youre selues , that it may please god to gyue you the lyke faythe and grace , to truste only vnto the death of his deare sonne , as he gaue vnto them . For as they be gone , so must we : and the deuyll wyll be as readye to tempt vs as he was them , & our synnes wyl lyght as heuy vpon vs as theirs did vpon them : and we are as weake and vnable to resyst as were they . Praye therfore that we may haue grace to dye in the same fayth of Chryste as they did , & at the latter daye be raysed wyth Abraham , Isaac and Iacob , and be partaker wyth Chryste in the kyngdome of heauen : for this and grace , let vs saye the Lordes prayer . Tunc abcuntes . Tunc , then ▪ It hangeth on a text before . Chryst told them a similitude that the kingdom of heauen is lyke to a king that made a bridal to his sonne , he maryed hys sonne , and sente hys seruauntes oute to byd hys gestes . Wel they wold not come althoughe he had made greate preparing & much cost for them : ambycion , couetousnes , and crueltye would not lette them come . Then he sente hys warryoures and destroyed them : and agayne sente other seruauntes to bydde gestes to hys brydal , hande ouer heade come who wold . Thei dyd hys bydding , and the house was full of gestes . The kynge nowe wold vewe his gests : and fyndyng there one not cladde in Mariyng garmentes , he asked hym : frende how cammest thou here , not hauing a mariage garmente ? And commaunded to bynde hym hande and fote , and caste him into vtter darkenesse : there was wayling & grinding of teeth . For many be chosen & few be called . Nowe Chryst expoundeth this . The kingdome of heauen is preaching of the Gospel . This mariage is the ioyning of Chryst & his church , which was begun by Christ , here in earth , & shal continue to the end of the world . The bidders of his gestes are preachers , but here are so many lets & hinderances : couetise is a let , ambicion is a let , crueltie is the greatest lette . For they bett hys seruauntes , brake theyr heades , yea murdered them , whiche bad them to thys brydal . Wyth this the kynge was angrye , and sent hys men of warre to destroye those vnthankful people . Was he not angrye wyth couetousenes and wyth ambition ? Yes he is angrye wyth couetouse men , with ambiciouse men : But most of all wyth crueltye . Thys is an angre aboue commune angre , when men be not onlye vnthanckfull but also adde crueltye to persecute the preachers , that commeth to call vs to thys maryage . This toucheth god so nyghe , that he sayeth . Qui uos audit me audit . Thys crueltye the kynge wolde not leaue vnpunished , but sente furthe his menne of warre . They are called hys men of warre , his men , his men , for warres come at hys commaundemente . Titus and Uaspasian were sente of god to punyshe those couetouse Iewes , Ambiciouse Iewes , cruel Iews , that wold not credit Chryst , nor beleue the preachinge of saluacion . Now in warre , what parte soeuer gette the victorye , that is Goddes parte , that is Goddes host . Nabuchodonosor was an euyl manne , a wicked manne , yet was he sent of God to punyshe the stubbourne and Couetouse Iewes for theyr ambicion , and crueltye , and forsakyng goddes moste holye woorde : And he is called in scrypture goddes seruaunt . It is no good argument He hathe the vyctorye , Ergo he is a good manne . But thys is a good argumente . He hathe the vyctorye , ergo God was on hys syde , and by hym punyshed the contrarye parte . The preachers called good and bad . Thei canne do nomore but call , God is he that must bryng in , god muste open the hertes , as it is in the Actes of the Apostles . When Paule preached to the womenne , there was a silke woman Cuius cor deus aperuit , whose herte god opened . None coulde open it but god . Paule coulde but onelye preache , god muste worcke , god must do the thyng inwardelye . But good and bad came . Therfore the preachynge is lykened to a Fyshers nette , that taketh good fysh and bad , and draweth all too the shoore . In the whole multytude that professe the gospell , all be not good , all canne not awaye wyth the mortyfyinge of theyr fleshe , they wyll wyth good will beare the name of Chrystians , of gospellers , but to do the dedes they grudge , they repyne , they can not awaye wyth it . Amonge the Apostles , al were not honest , naye , one was a deuyll : So amonge so greate number of gospellers , some ar Carde gospellers , some are dyse gospellers , some pot-gospellers : all are not good , all seeke not amendmente of lyfe . Then commeth the kynge to se hys gestes . And findeth one not hauynge the maryage garment , and saythe to hym : Frende how cammest thou hither , and haste not the maryage garment ? Faith is the maryage garmente , not a fayned fayth wythout good lyuing , but fayth that worketh by loue . He was blamed because he professed one thynge , and was in dede another . Whi did he not blame the preachers ? There was no faulte in them , they dyd theyr dewtyes , they had no further commaundemente but to call them to the maryage . The garmente he shulde haue prouyded hym selfe . Therefore he quarrelleth not wyth the preachers : what dothe thys felowe here ? Whye suffered ye hym to enter . &c. for theyr commission extended no further but only to cal him .

Manye are greued that there is so lytell fruite of their preachyng . And when as they are asked : why do you not preache hauyng so greate giftes geuen you of God ? I woulde preache saye they , but I se so lytle fruite , so lytle amendmente of lyfe , that it maketh me werye . A noughty aunswere , a verye noughty answere . Thou arte troubled with that god gaue the no charge of , and leauest vndone , that thou arte charged wythe . God commaundeth the to preache , and Si non locutus fueris . If thou speke not , if thou warne not the wycked that they turne and amend , they shal perish in theyr iniquityes . Sanguinem autem eius de manu tua requiram . Thys texte nippeth , this pyncheth , this toucheth the quicke . He shall dye in hys wickednes , but I wyll require hys bloude at thy hand . Herken wel to thys , marke it wel ye curates I wyll aske hys bloude at thy hande . If you do not your office , if ye teache not the people , & warne them not . You shall be dampned for it . If you do your offyce , you are dyscharged : Tuanimam tuam liberasti . Warne them therfore to leue theyr wyckednesse , theyr couetyse , theyr ambycyon , theyr crueltye ▪ vnmercyfulnesse . &c. and thou haste saued thine owne soule . For there was no quarrell wyth the preachers , but he was caste in prison , wher was wepynge and waylynge , & gryndynge of teathe : these were hys delycates . Multi sunt uocati , manye are called , but fewe are chosen . To this parable now ioineth thys gospell .

Tunc Pharisei abeuntes .

Pharisei was a secte of religion amonge the Iewes mooste exquisite , perfit , holie , and learned , and wer reputed most godlye men , euen suche as in holynesse excelled all other , as oure Monkes were of late amonge vs , and be yet in other places . They were in goddes bosome , euen at heauen gates in the syght of the worlde : But inwardelye supersticious , fained , holow herted , dissimulers . Nowe at thys tyme I knowe none more lyke than than the hypocritical holow herted papystes . The name is changed , but the thyng remayneth : Therfore they may wel be called by the name , that kepe the thynge . These were enemyes to Chryste and hys doctryne . They wolde be ordred by olde wont , customes , forfathers : and to maynteyne theyr tradicions sette asyde the commaundements of God , refused Chryst , and his word . S Luke hath obseru●●es obseruauntes , that is watchers , tote●s , spies , much like the obseruaunt fryers , the barefote fryers , that were here , whiche in dede were the Byshop of Romes spies , watchynge in euerye country , what was sayde or done against him . He had it by and by , by one or other of hys spyes , they wer his men all together , his postes to woorke agaynste the Regalitie . In the courte , in the noble mens houses , at euerye marchauntes house , those obseruauntes were spyinge , totynge , and lookynge , watchynge and catchinge what they myghte heare or se against the sea of Rome . Take hede of these obseruauntes . To vnderstande the woorde obseruauntes marke what the poet sayeth in hys Comedi . Obserua Danum . Take hede , beware and marke Danum , for they wyll be styrrynge in euerye towne , in euery gentelmannes house , yea at theyr very tables : well , be wyse , beware of them .

Inierunt Concilium .

They toke a counsell , some goodlye thynge , some wayghty matter , I am sure , that these holye fathers consulte vpon . It muste nedes be for the commune wealthe , and the profit of many , that these holye fathers come together for . It was to snarle or trappe him in his words . This was theyr deuice this was theyr counsell . To thys ende they gather suche a companye of holye fathers . A counsell , a councell . Bonum est concilium saied one . Yea marye quod another : Sed bonorum A councell is good , yea syr if it be of good men . For elles what is a councell , if it be wycked , of wycked men . If they say : This was done by a counsell , determined in a counsel , what is it the better if the councel be wicked ? Nicene councel was gathered of a greate number of Byshoppes and learned men , yet had not one man haue bene , they had determyned contrary to gods word . They were mynded , and ernest lye bente to make a decree that no priest shulde marye : but one olde man , & vnmaryed hym self withstode that acte , and turned the councels minde : so that they medled not with that decre . And whye , more credence is to be geuen to one man hauinge the holye worde of God for hym , then to .x. thousande wythoute the worde . If it agre wyth goddes worde , it is to be receyued : if it agre not , it is not to be receiued , thoughe a Councel , yea though an aungel from heauen had determyned it . Truthe it is that Chryste graunteth to a congregacyon gathered in hys name , to be amongs them , yea though it be but .ii. or .iii. There is as muche graunted to .ii. or three , as to ten thousand , so they come in Chrystes name . Vbi duo uel tres congregati sunt in nomine meo , Ibi sum in medio eorum . In nomine meo . much wickednes is done In nomine domini when they come together sekynge theyr own pryuate luste , pleasures , and ambycyouse desyres , it is not in in nomine domini , But to seeke goddes glorye Chrystes glorye , Chrystes true relygyon , that is in nomine Christi , and then they are to be hearde . But what was these mennes counsel ?

Vt illa quearent eum in sermone .

To snarle or tangle hym in hys wordes , toters & watchers to catche him in his worde , that they myghte enforce some what agaynste hym : Non est concilium aduersus dominum : These were wylye pyes , sleyghtye chyldren , chyldren of the worlde , and craftyly they handled theyr matters . Miserunt discipulos suos cum Herodianis . They wold not go theim selues , lest they myghte haue bene knowen , but he knewe not theyr Dyscyples as they thoughte . And they wente not alone , but hadde wyth theym Herodes Sowdiers , Herodes fauourers . Thys Herod was an Idumean , and was appoynted by the Romaynes to gouerne the Iewes and to gather the trybute mony . Therfore he was hated among the Iewes , and so were those the fauoured the Romaynes parte , and in dysdayne they were called Herodians . Nowe was the tyme come , that the holye Patryarke Prophecyed , that the Scepter and kyngedome was remoued , and Christ was born . Thys they shulde haue marked , and receyued hys doctryne . But they wente aboute to destroye hym , and therefore they broughte the Herodians wyth theym . Here nowe is an agremente in wyckednesse betwene the Phariseis and the Herodyans agaynste truthe , agaynste Chryste , agaynste gods woorde they agree together , where as in dede neyther loued other , but hated eche other as a toode . So manye nowe adayes of oure Phariseis papystes in destroyinge the truthe , they agre wonders well : where as in pryuate matters , they hate one another as a toode .

Here commes me nowe these holye fathers from theyr councell , and sende theyr Dyscyples wyth the Herodians : marke theyr behauyoure , and marke Chrystes behauyoure . They come lowtynge & with lowe curtesye , as thoughe they wolde creape into hys boosome : as for Herods men , they meddle not , but stande by to heare the tale as wytnesses , and if he shoulde speake anye thynge amysse , be ready to lay handes vpon him . They wolde fayne ryd him and destroye hym , but they wolde turne the enuye of the deede vpon Herode , so that they wolde be sene fautelesse . It had bene more meete for than to haue counceld how to amend their fautes and to haue come to chryste , to learne hys doctryne , then to studye malycyouslye to trappe hym , and to destroye him . what saide they ?

Magister scimus quod ueraxes . &c.

Master we know that thou arte a true manne , and teachest the waye of God trulye , master wee knowe that thou arte Tomme truthe , thou tellest the verye truthe , and sparest for no manne . Thou arte playne Tomme truth . Goodly words , but out of a Cancarde stomacke and maliciouse herte . Smyling speakers crepe into a mannes bosome , they loue and al to loue him , they fauoure his woorde , and call hym Master , and yet wolde gladlye se him hanged . These are in deade Hipocrites , one in hert & another in mouth . We knowe thou arte a trewe manne .

Et uiam dei in ueritate doces .

Yea this is goddes waye taughte trulye . There is gods waye and mannes waye . Manye teache mennes waye , but that shuld not be : we shulde lern uiam dei , goddes waye , and that trulye , withoute mixture , temperature , blaunching , powdering . Many teache goddes way , and shall preache a verye good and godlye Sermon , but at the last they wyll haue a blaunched almonde . One lytel peace of Popery patched in , to powder ther matter with , for theyr owne lucre and glorye . They make a minglinge of the waye of God and mans way to gether , a mingle mangle as men serue pigges in my countrye . Chryste dyd not so . He taughte the waye of God trulye wythout myxture , temperature , powderynge , or blaunchynge .

These be the properties of al true preachers , that these confes to be in Christe . It was true euerye word that they spake . Christ is oure master appoynted of God , he was true and taughte goddes waye , not mans waie ▪ trulye , not blaunchinge it with mannes doctryne . So shoulde we preachers be true men . Preachers of goddes waye , trulye , trulye , withoute regarde of personne : That is for no mannes pleasure , corruptinge the word , or mingle mangle the woorde with mannes inuencyons and traditions .

Here maye patrons of benefices learne vpon what maner a manne they shoulde bestowe their benefice . Upon a true man , a teacher . He may not be to lerne and a scholer when he shoulde teach other , but one learned , hable to teache , hable and wel willinge to discharge his cure . But what do patrons ? Sell your benefices , or geue them to your seruauntes for theyr seruyce , for kepynge of houndes , haukes , for makynge of youre gardennes . These patrons regard no soules , neither their owne , nor other mens , what care they for soules , so they haue monie , though they peryshe , thoughe they go to the Deuyl . Where as in deede the offyce of a patrone is to haue a care , a zeale , a vigilante eye for soule healthe , and to prouide for his churches , that he is patron of , that they myghte be taughte in goddes woorde . Truly many nowe a dayes , striue to be patrons of benefices , and goo too the lawe who should be patron . And what stryue they for thinke ye ? Euen whyche of them shall goo to the Deuyll fyrste . For they regarde not soule healthe , nor the offyce of preachynge , the offyce of saluation : where as in dede therfore are they patrons , to loke to it and to se it be prouided for . God of hys goodnesse & almightye power , myght ordein other waies & meanes of saluacion : but thys offyce of preaching is it that god hathe ordeyned , as Saynte Paule sayeth . Cum non cognouerit mundus per sapientiam deum , placuit deo per stultitiam predicationis saluos facere Credentes . Wher as the worlde by hys wysdome knew not god , it pleased god by folish preching to saue , credentes , those that beleue , per stultitiam predicationis , by folishnes of preaching , or folyshe preachyng , it maketh no matter . Not that it was folyshe in deede , but that the wisemen of the worlde did so essteme and take the preaching of the Gospel , wheras in dede it is mooste godlye wisdome , and the preachynge office , is the office of saluacion , and the onlye meanes that God hath appointed too saluacion . Credentes . Those that beleue be saued by thys holye office of prechynge . I woulde wyshe it were better looked vnto , and prouyded for , and that patrons and Bishops shoulde se more diligently to it , then hath bene done afore time . I wold aske no more dylygence to thys offyce of saluacion : then men ar wonte to bestowe vpon these worldlye pleasures and lu●er or commodityes . Naye wolde they bestowe but the halfe labour and paynes , and some litell parte of the expences , it were well .

To consider what hath bene pluckte from Abbayes , colledges , & chantryes : it is meruel no more too be bestowed vpon thys holye offyce of saluation . It maye well be sayde by vs that the Lorde complayneth by hys prophet . domus mea deserta , uos fegtinatis unus quisque in domum suâ , What is Christes house but Christen soules but who maketh anye prouision for them , euerye man scrapeth and getteth together for thys bodelye house , but the soule healthe is neglected , scooles are not maynteyned , scolers haue not exhybicion , the preachynge offyce decayeth , men prouide landes and ryches for theyr chyldren , but thys mooste necessarye offyce , they for the moste parte , neglecte . Uerye fewe there be that helpeth poore scolers , that setteth theyr chyldren to scole , to learne the woorde of God , and to make a prouision for the age to come . This notwithstandinge is the onlye waye to saluacion , God wyll not deuyse anye newe way as farre as I perceiue , but woulde haue vs to vse thys waye ordeyned all readye . Thys preachyng way we oughte to vse , and not too loke for anye newe waye , thys offyce of saluacion we oughte to maynteine , and not loke for anye other . My requeste is that he wold bestow as much to the mayntenaunce of thys necessarie office of saluation , as ye were wonte to bestow in times paste vppon Romishe trifels and thinges of mannes tradicions . Nether do I now speke for my selfe and my couente , as the beggynge Friers wer wonte to do , I haue enough , I thyncke God , and I neade not to begge . I wolde euerye preacher were as well prouided as my selfe thorowe thys realme , as in dede I thyncke them as wel worthy as my self . I wishe ( I saye ) ye would bestowe as muche vpon this necessarye office of saluation , as in times paste ye bestowed in pilgrimage , in images , in gildynge , paynetinge , in Masses , Diriges , Trentals , chauntryes and suche vayne thynges of the Romyshe Pharises and Papistes inuentinge . Ye woulde do that withoute callynge , and to thys wil you not be readye when ye be , called . If it bee no better in tyme too come , hitherto loked vnto , them Englande wyll at the laste bewayle it . Christe knewe what a charge hangeth vpon thys necessary office of preaching , the office of saluation , & therfore mooste earnestlye applyed it hym selfe . And when hee chose hys twelue Apostles to sende them foorthe vnto thys office , he fyrste prayed all the nyghte . Hee beynge God almyghty with the father , might haue geuen al giftes fitte for thys office , but to teache vs he wolde fyrste praye all nyghte . Here is good matter for Byshoppes and patrons to loke vpon , and not to regard so lytel whome they giue theyr benefice vnto , or whome they admit to cure the souls thei haue charge of . A notable example . Christ prayed al nyghte , or hee woulde sende theym forthe , or he wold put them in thys preachynge offyce , thys mooste necessary office of saluacion . For he sawe that they had neade of greate zeale to God , and to soule health , that shoulde take vppon theym to kepe soules , and a bolde courage and spirite that shoulde rebuke the world of theyr sin & wickednesse ▪ Many wyl chose nowe suche a curate for theyr soules as they maye cal foole , rather then one that shall rebuke theyr couetyse ambytyon , vnmercifulnesse , vncharytablenes . That shal be sober , dyscrite , apte to reproue , & resyste the agayne sayers , wyth the woorde of God . These be the propertyes of euery good preacher , to be a true manne , to teach , not dreames , nor inuencyons of menne , but uiam dei in ueritate , the waye of God trulye . And not to regarde the personage of manne . Not to creape into hys bosome , to clawe hys backe , to saye to the wycked , hee doothe well , for fylthye lukers sake . Ah theese flatterers , no greater mischife in the commune wealthe then theese flatterers .