AL Chrysten people ought this day especyal aboue all the dayes in the yeare , to haue in theyr deuout remembraunce the gloryous passion of our sauyour Iesus Chryst. And to shew them selues prest and redy , redy to suffer & to crucify them selues with Christ , as wel in spirite as in fleshe , as wel in soule as in body . To crucifye them selues . I meane , to afflycte the spirite & soule with an inwarde remorse , with an inward remembraunce of theyr owne wretched lyues : euery one to consydre theyr owne synful dedes . Theyr synnes to be soo great & abhominable , that it was necessary for Chryst the sonne of God to suffer and dye for it . To consydre that nothyng in this worlde coulde pourge nor clense vs from synne , but the onely bloode of Chryst , his onely Passyon and deathe . And in this remembraunce , to crucyfye our spirytes , to mourne and lament , to wepe and sorowe oure sayde synnes , whiche were the cause why Chryste dyd suffer , whiche were the verye cause of this his mooste pityous paynefull Passyon and death . We ought also this day to crucyfye , to afflycte , and punyshe oure bodyes , with exterior and outwarde afflyctyons : with bodylye paynes and penaunces . As I do not doubte , but many good chrysten people hath done bothe this laste nyght and this day also . This nyght past I say , bothe inwardly and outwardly . Inwarly , by inward deuout remembraunce , howe and what Passyons Chryst suffered this nyght and day for vs . Howe that this nyght after he had eate the Paschal lambe with his disciples , after that he had ministred his moost holy precious bodye and bloode to them and washed theyr feete : howe he went in to the mount and there prayed vnto god the father , a prolixe , a longe , a deuoute & dolorous prayer : thre tymes desiryng his father to put away that bloody chalyce , that deathly cuppe , that paynful Passyon , that panguyous deathe . At whiche prayer his mynde was appalled , his soule was panguyde , his body was dyscomyted , his nature was decayed , his herte ful of sorow , his mynd soo wonderfully troubled , that all his nature of the manheed soo horrybly was dysmayd , that he fell in a sweate , and swette water and blood , blood & water : by that to shew his greate panguys & paynes , bothe of soule and bodye , bothe inwardlye and outwardly . And in this pityous deuout remembraunces , they haue had I doubte not , moche pitye & compassyon on the same .

They haue also deuoutly remembred I trust , howe that he thryse rose from his deuoute & prolixe prayer , & yoode to his three dyscyples , Peter , Iames and Iohn . And how he found them a slepe , & sayde to Peter , Petre dormis ? Non potuisti vna hora vigilare mecum ? Peter , o Peter , thou that dyddest promise soo lately to dye with me , and now slepest ? I beynge in this traunce & at hande to be taken ? O Peter , how woldest thou suffer & dye with me , & kanst not holde vp thy heed nor waake with me one houre ? What not one houre Peter ? They haue remembred also I doubte not , howe Chryst went voluntaryly towarde that Traytour Iudas , and wyllyngly dyd mete hym , and the Iues whiche came to take hym . And how he asked Iudas & his companye , whom they sought , for in dede they knewe hym not . And shewed to them that he was he , that he was Christ , that he was Iesus of Nazareth whom they sought : & how he amaased them , & threw them by his secret power down to the ground : & suffered them twyse to aryse & then to knowe him , then to take him , to bynd hym , to hale & lugge him from post to pyller , and all spytefull wayes to handle hym . And howe they brought hym tofore thre Iudges , and was before eueryche of them falsely accused , bryngynge agaynst hym false testamonye , vntrue wytnesse , blasphemously at the last cryenge , Reus est mortis , crucifigatur . He is gylty , worthy to dye . Crucify hym , Crucify hym . They bound hym to a pyller , & bette him with sharpe scourges and roddes , not leauyng in his moost blyssed body any hole place from toppe to too , from the toppe of his heed , to the sooles of his feete . Plattynge with greate vyolence a harde sharpe crowne of thorne on his heed , persynge it to the sculle , blyndf●●lded hym , spyttynge spytefully in his moost blyssed visage , and with theyr fystes and harde reedes beete hym aboute that moost blessed heed and face , whiche the Angelles , and beates of heuen desireth afore althynges to beholde . Puttynge a reede in his hande in steade of a septure , mockeshly and scornefully knelynge before hym & strykynge hym , sayde : Tell vs who strake the nowe ? And who strake the nowe ? And who was that ? And who was this ? With soche mockyshe vilanous wordes and dedes . And when he was thus dault with , they put vpon hym a garmente of Purple in mockadge , & was had out in Pretorium , into the yelde hall afore the multitude of the Iues. And they seynge hym thus apparelled , thus scourged , thus defaced and beete , cryed , Crucifye hym , Crucify hym , he is gyltye , he is worthye to dye . And in conclusyon to satisfy the cruell appetytes of the Iues , he was condempned vnto the deathe : to the deathe of the crosse , which crosse was layde vpon hym , and bare the same moost parte through the citye to the place of his Passion , & there was crucified , & there was set a hygh , so to be sene & wondered on of all the people .

And there ayayne he was newly had in dirysyon , and gaue hym Aysell and Gall , derydynge and scornefully mockynge hym with scoffynge & scornfull wordes tyll he was deade . And then they thrast a speare to his herte . Wherewith ranne out water and bloode in oure redempcyon . All this with many moo thynges , many of you good chrysten people , haue had in your specyall and moost deuout remembraunces this nyght past and this day : sorowynge in your selues to remembre , that ye and we were the veraye cause of his deathe , and why he thus suffered .

Howe dampnable then and howe greate were our synnes , for the whiche it was necessarye for Chryst to suffer and dye ? and soo to washe vs in his moost precyous bloode ? And by these and soche other lyke deuoute contemplacyons , to haue remorse in our soules , sorowynge our synnes , repentynge our yll lyuinges , callyng to god for mercye , hauynge inwarde sorow and contricyon , lamentynge and wepynge euerye one vpon hym selfe . And though it be percase not pleasaunte vnto you longe to tarye , bycause ye haue this nyght & day vnder this maner , weryed your myndes in soche deuoute contemplacyons , reuoluynge in your hertes this panguyous Passyon of Chryst : and your bodyes with watche and prayer , herynge the worde of god this day ones , a herynge diuyne seruyce , with knelynges alredy & with prostracions to the grounde , knockynge your brestes , holdynge downe your heddes in a mournyng fassyon , weriynge also the body with these & other afflyctyons , with great and longe abstinence , fastyng & other many wayes , euery man seuerally after his moost secrette and inwarde deuocyon : Yet this day let vs take more payne then we wolde doo in other dayes . It cometh but oons in the yere . And one thynge shal I assure you of , though your paynes shall be thought moche , yet youre meryte and rewarde shall be moche more .

Let vs therfore soo ordre our selues , that god may se the feruent desires of our soules . Let hym se our hertes & loues we beare towardes hym . Let hym se & perceyue howe dilygently we doo endeuoure oure selues all the wayes we can , to doo & speake that that may be to the hygh honour laude & glorye of hym & of this his moost gloryous Passyon . And to this purpose and ende , and that we may the more inwardlye be styrred to deuocyon , and loue towardes our sauyor Chryst : I desyre you all to helpe with your deuoute prayers .

OREMVS .

THAT we may the more commodyously nowe procede in that we haue prayed for , I wyll take my grounde to speake vpon , the wordes of th apostle which he wryteth vnto the Hebrues in his xiii . Chapit̄ where he consydereth and maketh mencyon of two solemnityes , of two hygh solemne feastis . duo 〈◊〉 One of the olde lawe , another of the newe lawe . That of the olde lawe , was the figure : that of the newe lawe , was the veryte ▪ That of the olde law , was the shadowe : that of the new law , was the body . That of the olde lawe dyd but sygnifye the feast of the newe lawe : that of the newe lawe was the selfe same feast , the trueth , the veryte figured in the olde lawe . That of the olde lawe was called Festum Propiciationis , Festum propiciat●●onis . the feaste of Propiciatyon or of mercye , the feast in whiche by the sacrifyce done on that day , the people were pourged from certayne immundicyes and vnclennes , and brought in to the fauoure of god . The feast of the new lawe , is called Festum redemptionis , the solemnyte , or feast of redempcyon . Festum redemptionis . On which day we all , yee all mankynde , was redemede , wasshed , clensed , pourged , saynctifyed and iustifyed from al our synnes : brought and reconsyled into the fauour of god by the sacrifye that was that day offered . And as the course of the yere gothe about , this is the day . The day of redempcion , the day of propiciacyon , the day of mercye and of reconciliacyon , the day that Chryst offered vp hym selfe for vs .

Hebre. ●●3 . The wordes of the Apostle are these , Habemus altare de quo edere non habent potestatem qui tabernaculo deseruiunt . Quorum enim animalium infertur sanguis pro peccato , in sancta , per pontificem : horum corpora cremantur extra castra . Propter quod , & IESVS extra portam passus est . Exeamus igitur ad cum extra castra , improperium eius portantes . These are the wordes of the apostle , many thynges contryued in fewe wordes . And the Englyshe therof is this : We haue an aulter . We haue an aulter ( sayth the apostle : ) an aulter , and a sacrifyce vpon this aulter . And they that serueth the tabernacle , maye not eate of this aulter , may not eate of the sacrifyce that is offred vpon this aulter . For the Apostle here ( per metonimia ) dothe put the aulter for that that is sacrifysed vpon the aulter . The blood of those beastes that were sle●●ne for the sacrifyce , was brought in to the holy secrete hygh place of the temple where the arke was , bitwene the hygh aulter ( as ye wyl say ) & the vayle , by the bushop , & there offred vp for the synne of the people . The bodyes of the beastis that were burned without the pauilyons or tentes , for the whiche , Propter quod , for whiche what ? for the fulfyllynge of whiche mistery . Also to veryfye and fulfyll the figure , and that the thynge fygured , mought be corespondente to the fygure , Iesus suffered without the yate , to sanctify the people by his blood . Let vs go out therfore & suffer with Chryst , bearyng his obprobries & rebukes . Altare . Sacrificium . Pontifex Tabernaculum . Seruiti●● in tacer-Sāgu●●s . Sancta sanctorum Corpora a●●alium· Ignis . Castra . Decemdies . Mensis septimus These be the wordis of the apostle now taken .

I wyll by the helpe of our Lorde god , declare these wordes in ordre , euen as they doo stand . Here is an aulter , here is a sacrifyce , here is a bushop which dyd offer this sacrifyce , here is a tabernacle , a seruynge of the tabernacle , the bloode of the sacrifyce which was offered by the bushop for the synnes of the people , in the moost holye place of the temple : and the bodyes of the beastes ( whose bloode was offered ) were burned withoute the tentes , And this was done the tenthe day of the seuenth moneth . Ye here nowe the wordes of the Apostle . Wherin appeareth the manyfeste figure of the Passyon of our sauyour Iesus Chryst , whiche we this day do honour .

In these wordes the apostle toucheth the figure of the law , and brynges it to a spirytual vnderstandynge . For it was commaunded in the law in the boke of nombers , that the tenthe day of the seuenth moneth , Num●● . ●● . in the feast that was called the feaste of the propicyatyon , of mercye , of remissyon , or the feast of purgacyon , when the people were pourged . At whiche tyme they shulde take a calfe and a kydde and slaye them . Uitulus Hircus . Hebre. ●● . Whose blood the onely bushop shulde brynge in sancta sanctorum , in to the moost holy solempne & secret place of the temple , wherin the bushop neuer came , oneles he brought with hym bloode , bloode to offer in sacrifyce . Quia omnia penae in sanguine secundum legem mundabantur , Sang●●● . & sine sanguinis effusione non fit remissio saythe the Apostle . Almoost all synnes after the lawe or in the lawe , were clensed in bloode & by blood : And without the effusyon of blood , was no remyssyon . And in that place of the temple called sancta sanctorum , Sancta sanctorum Corpus the bushop prayed and offered for the people . The flesshe and corps of the sacrifyce was burned without the tentes , without theyr pauilyons . And it was not lawfull to any that dyd serue the tabernacle , to eate of the flesshe of that sacrifyce .

Here is a manyfest figure ( as I sayde ) of the Passyon of our sauyour Chryst. altare qd The aulter that was consecrate and halowede in this solenuyte of the bloode of the eternall testament , was that holy crosse that Chryst suffered on . Whiche as on this day , he dyd consecrate , halowe , dignifye and dedicate : And dyd adourne and decke the same with the members of his moost precious bodye , more gloryously then it had bene enbrowderede & inserte with precyous stoones . For as golde which is the moost precyous metall , is made more precyous when it is set with precyous stoones , and is dignifyed therewith , whether it be aulter , ymage , crowne , rynge or owche : soo was this aulter the holye crosse bewtifyed , dignifyed , adourned & made precyous : with the members of that moost precous stoone Chryst , whiche is as Peter sayth Lapis viuus , ab hominibus reprobatus , a deo electus , 1. Peter . 2. Lapis . Christus probatus , angularis & praeciosus . This Chryst is ( he saythe ) the lyuely stoone , whiche men dyd reproue , whiche god dyd electe for the approued stoone , for a corner stoone , for the cheyfe stoone in the buyldynge of his churche , for the stoone that ioyneth the walles of the churche togyther , for the stoone whervpon the fayth of Chryst , and his churche is buylded . A precyous stoone , a stoone of pryce , a stoone of hygh value , farre passyng in the estimacyon of a good chrysten man , all other precyous stoones in the worlde . This precyous stoone Chryst with the members of his moost precyous body , dyd decke , adourne and make precyous this aulter the crosse : When his bodye was by the Iues with a violencye , extremely strayned vpon the same , that all his bones ( as testifyeth the Prophet ) mought be nombred . Psal. 21. Sacrificium . Upon this aulte●● was the greate sacrifyce of the world offred , Chryst hym selfe . He was the sacrifyce , & he was the preest . He offered vp hym selfe to god his father , for the synne of man . Hebre. 9. Obtulit semetipsum immaculatum deo vt sanctificaret inquinatos saythe the apostle . He offered hym selfe a pure , cleane , immaculate hooste to god , to redeme the worlde , to sanctify synners , to iustify man .

This Chryst the bushop of good thynges to come ( as the apostle wytnesseth ) entred oons in to the place called sancta sanctorum , Hebre. 9. not onely of the temple : but in sancta sanctorum , in to that holye place of places , Sancta sanctorum in to heuen . He entred with sacrifyced blood lyke a busshop . Not with the bloode of gootes or calues , not with the bloode of rammes or bulles : but with his owne moost precyous bloode . For yf the bloode of gootes & bulles , Hebre 9. Leuit●● ▪ 1●● . and the asshes of the burned calfe sprinkled abroode , were suffycyente to the makynge cleane of the flesshe : howe moche more then the bloode of Chryst ? Who by the holy goost dyd offer vp him selfe to god , moost pure moost cleane & immaculate sacrifice , is able to pourge , clense and make fayre our coscyences from the workes of deathe , and to lyue in the lyuynge god ?

This is our great bushop as the apostle saythe , Habemus pontificem magnum qui paenetrauit coelos , Hebre ●● . Magnu●● 〈◊〉 noster christus est . IESVM filium dei . We haue a greate bushop , whiche dyd penetrate the heuens , whose name is Iesus the sonne of god . This is our greate bushop , our hyghe bushop , our vniuersall bushop . This is the heed bushop of all bushoppes and of the worlde , named of god ( as the apostle saythe ) to be our greate bushop , properly called Summus pontifex the hyghest bushoppe , the bushop of bushoppes . For this is he onely that is Summus , Hebre. ●● . Summus Maximus vniuersalis pontifex christus maximus & vniuersalis pontifex . The bushop of Rome therfore ought herein to be abashed , ashamed & to abhorre his owne pryde . For in this he outragyously dothe offende god and blasphemeth hym , in that he presumeth to take this hygh name from our bushop Christ . In that , he taketh away ( asmoche as lyeth in hym ) the glorye of god , the maiestye apperteynyng vnto Chryst. In that , he taketh vpon hym these names only appropryed vnto Chryst , Summus pontifex , maximus pontifex , vniuersalis pontifex : the hyghest bushop , the greatest busshop , the vniuersall bushop , the bushop of all the worlde . I moche maruayle howe he dare be soo bolde to vsurpe and take these greate names vpon hym . Greater blasphemye can not be , then to take from god , that that naturally belongeth vnto hym : then to take from god his glorye and honoure , then to vendicate and take vpon hym soche hygh names as besemes noo Chrysten man to vsurpe . Ezeche 42. God sayde by his Prophet , Non dabo gloriam mean altri : I wyll not gyue my glory away to any other , to any creature . He dothe reserue that glory , that laude and honour that belongeth onely vnto hym , vnto hym selfe : noo man to attempte soo farre , noo man to take somoche vpon hym .

Peter , Peter thou were oons bushop of Rome , & the fyrst bushop of Rome , Petrus pontifex Rome . dyddest thou euer take this name vpon the ? Summus , maximus , vniuersalis ? Noo noo noo . And why ? for the holy goost was in the. Thou woldest take nomore vpon the then god gaue the. Thou were not desirous of worldly fame and glorye . All that thou soughtest for , was for the glorye of god : as all that wyll rede thy sermondes , thy Epystles and thy lyfe , shall soone perceyue . Looke a great nombre of bushoppes that nexte folowed Peter in the same see , what were they ? holy martyrs , holy lyuers , whiche neuer attempted thus farre . Lette the bushop of Rome therfore knowledge his greate faulte , his hygh foolye , his vnlawful vsurpacion , his vnpreestly presumpcion : & humble hym selfe to Chryst & god his greate bushop . Wolde god he wolde refourme him selfe . Wolde god he wolde kepe hym selfe within the compasse of his auctoryte , and nomore to encroche vpon other mennes iurisdictyons , but diligently kepe and ouer looke his owne diocesse , and be content with that . Wolde god he wolde looke vpon his predecessor saynt Gregory in his reg●●e , whiche was a bushop of Rome , a holy man . Let hym lerne there how he dyd rebuke Iohn that tyme the busshop of Constantinople , for takynge on hym soo hyghlye , in soche names , vniuersal bushop , hyghest bushop , greatest bushop : gregorius in registro . libro iiij . indictione .xxx Epistola xxx●●iij . and howe he proued it to be annenste the lawe of god . He saythe there in one place to this proude bushop Iohn , what ansfere shalte thou make in that strayte examynacyon at that laste iudgement to Chryst the heed of the vniuersal holy church , that goest aboute to haue subiecte vnto the , all the members of Chryst , by takynge on the the name of vniuersall busshop ? In an other place ayayne in the same booke he saythe vnto hym , Idem . who arte thou that doest presume to vsurpe a newe name vpon the of vniuersall bushoppe , contrary to the statutes of the gospell and the decrees ?

God forbyd that euer it shulde come in the hertes of chrysten people this blasphemye , in the whiche the honour of all preesthood is taked away , when a man shall rashly and arrogantly , take that name vpon hym . Let this bushop of Rome therfore humble hym selfe vnto our greate vniuersall bushop Chryst , humble hym selfe vnder the myghtye hande of god , & knowe what the apostle doth wryte of the honour & power of this Chryst our greate and hygh bushop . He is he saythe , Hebre. ●● . 3.4.5.7.8.9 . Pontifex misericors , fidelis , po●●ens , magnus , humilis , paenetrans coelum , compaciens infirmitatibus nostris , offerens dona & sacrificia pro peccatis nostris , condolens hiis qui ignorant & errant . Qui potest saluum facere a morte , offerens preces & supplicationes cum clamore valido & lacrimis , & exauditus est pro reuerentia sua . Pontifex appellatus a deo . Pontifex sanctus , innocens , impollutus , segregatus a peccatoribus , excelsior coelis . Non habens necessitatem ( quemadmodum alii ) prius pro suis delictis hostias offerre deinde pro populi : Pontifex sedens in dextris dei interpellans pro nobis , Emundans conscientias nostras ab operibus mortuis Intrans sancta sanctorum per proprium sanguinem . Hic est pontifex confessionis nostrae .

Let all earthly bushops lerne of this heuenly bushop Chryst. Some of these propertes are appropryed and belongeth onely to God and not to man . In some we ought to folowe hym . In some we can not , ne ought to doo . Misericors . This our hyghe and greate bushop is misericors , sayth the apostle , mercyfull . A mercyfull bushop , redye to forgyue , redy to remyt those that hath offended hym . He is not cruell , not vengeable , but full of pitye , full of mercye . And in this we ought to folowe hym .

He is pontifex potens , a myghtye bushop , myghty and full of power . Potens . We be but weyke & feble bushops , not able to doo any thynge but by his permyssyon and helpe . He is able to make sycke , to make hoole : to make ryche , to make poore : to set vp , to put downe . Potens , a myghtye bushop , myghtye and able to remyt synne , to forgyue , to saue bothe bydye and soule from dampnacyon . Potens , a myghty bushop and full of power . No power in this worlde but of hym . Roma. 13. Omnis potestas a domino deo est . All power is of hym . And as he hym selfe wytnesseth , Math. 28. Data est mihi omnis potestas in coelo & in terra . All power is gyuen vnto me , in heuen and in earthe . Potens saluare a morte . He can saue the body , and saue the soule . He can delyuer the toone , and delyuer the tother from euerlastyng deathe . Who can forgyue synne but he ? Ma●● . 2. Quis potest dimittere peccatum nisi solus deus ? Est potens . He is a myghtye bushop . Of hym and by hym , Emperours , Kynges , magistrates and potestates : busshoppes , preestes , with all other that hath power , hath theyr power and auctorytie . Who is able to turne the wynde ? to make the wynde blow or ceasse , but he ? Who is able to say & proue , I wyll nowe haue it rayne , nowe clere : the sonne to shyne , the water to flow , to ebbe , with soche other , but onely he ? This is our myghty bushop . Pontifex potens , myghtye , yee omnipotens , almyghtye . He can doo all . nothynge to hym impossyble . Omnipotens . Ipse dixit & facta suntoīa , Mandauit , & creata sunt vniuersa . Psal. 32. Potens ergo est . He is a myghtye bushop . We are not soo ,

Fidelis pontifex . He is a faythful bushop . Faythfull . Fidelis . He is a faythfull bushop to god . referrynge all laudes , all honoure and glorye to his father , in althynges that he dyd , miracles or other . He toke neuer the more vpon hym selfe . He was also a faythful bushop to the world . For he dyd all that belongede to the offyce of a good bushop . The verye offyce of a bushop is predicare , Tria ad officium episcopi partinētia . Predicabat . i. Offic●●● episcopi . orare , & sacrificare siue offerre . To preache , to praye , to do●● sacrifyce and to offer . He preachede to his people . He taught the worlde moost holsome doctryne , whereby he called the people to god , he conuerted synners , he called them to penaunce . He made them weepe & lament theyr synnes . They folowed his person , they folowed his worde , they folowed his ensample . They came oute of all coostes to se hym , to here hym , to lerne of hym . Math 14. They forsoke meate and drynke , house and home , and folowede hym wheresoeuer he wente , aswell in wyldernes as els where . In somoche that after they had folowede hym thre dayes , he beynge moued with pitye leste they shuld peryshe for lacke of foode beynge in wyldernes far from succour , fedde them twyse miraculously . Oons , in the desert with fyue loues & two fysshes , fede fyue thousand men besydes women and chyldren , and were lefte twelue great baskettꝭ , Math. 15 . twelue maundꝭ full of the brokelettꝭ & offals at that meale . At an other tyme , he fedde in wyldernes to the nombre of foure thousand men , besydes women and chyldren , with seuen looues and a fewe small fyshes . And was lefte of fragmentes , seuen maundes full .

ij . officium episcopi , & predicatoris est orare . The second offyce of a bushop he fulfylled also . For he prayed . He was moost deuout in prayer , soo to teache all bushops & preachers not to presume in theyr wytte or lernynge , neyther in theyr capacitye , memorye , fayre tongue or vtteraunce : but that the preacher doo studyouslye applye his booke , with all diligencye to studye : howe to speake , whatte to speake , afore whome he shall speake : and to shape his sermonde after the audyence . The preacher ought also besydes his studye and preachynge , to pray . For by deuout prayer , he shall attayne percase asmoche or more , as by study or lernynge . For without prayer , the wordes wyll lytle preuayle . Looke in Chryst his lyfe , and thou shalt fynde , that in euerye thynge he went aboute he prayed , to shew the valiancye the vertue and strength of prayer . To shewe our necessytes , our weykenes and feblenes of nature . He prayed for his people ( as Luke wytnesseth ) the space of one hole nyght . Luce. 6. And what a meruelous deuout prayer made he for his people in the mounte the nyghte afore his Passyon ? when the chalyce of deathe was represented vnto hym ? when he swette water and bloode ? when he cryed thryse Transeat a me calix iste ? Math. 26. Let this chalyce , let this Passyon and bloode , let the vertue therof passe from me vnto all mankynde . Let euery man haue the vertue and merite therof , let it worke in all folkes , let euery faythfull man and woman be pertener therof , let it not be loste but worke to the worldes ende . This was a merueylous deuoute mercyfull prayer . And ayayne he sufferyng and hangynge on the crosse , offered vp for his people Preces & supplicationes cum clamore valido & lacrimis . Hebre. 5. He offered vp his prayers and supplicacyons with a hudge crye , with a pityous voyce , Clamor christi i●● cruce . with a lamentable and a deathly shryche , and with wepynge teares ( to god his father ) he hangyng on the crosse , euen when the spirite shulde departe the body , not then forgettyng his people at that houre when all the people forgetteth both the worlde and them selues . Whiche crye was so hudge and great , so meruelous and of that effecte , that the heuens trembled thereat , Celi . Angeli . Sol. Uelum . Terra . Petre. sepul●●ra . Mortui . Centurio . Marce 15. the aungels mourned for pitye , the sonne looste his lyght , the vayle in the temple ryued in two , the earth quaued , the stoones rente a sondre and brast in gobettes , the graues opened , the deade bodyes rose to lyfe and appeared in the citye . Centurio and those that kepte Chryst to se the execucyon done , cryed , Vere filius dei erat iste . This was the vndoubted son of god . His prayer & wepynge teares were so pleasaunte vnto the father , that it was herde , Exaudi●●us ●●st pro reuerentia sua . He was herde , & why ? 〈◊〉 . 8. For it was so entere , soo deuout , soo reuerently done , in such a maner & fashyon , with such a zeale , grounded vpon such a charite , sufferynge for our gylte and not for his owne . And for that he dyd the very offyce of a bushop , soo enterely to pray & so reuerently to offer vp him selfe in sacrifice for his people , he was herde , he was herde : his prayer was herde of god . And that is the thyrde property of a good bushop to offer sacrifice for his people . Euery bushop , euery bushop for his diocesans & for the hole vniuersal churche . iii. officium Episcopi est sacrificare . Fidelis . In these thre we ought asmoche as we may to folowe Chryst.

Thus this Chryst was & is Pontifex fidelis , a faythfull bushop . Faythfull , faythfull in his worde , true in his promyse , deceyuynge no man , but profityng all . In all that he dyd or spake , he sought nothynge his owne glorie , but the glorye of god : teachynge therby all busshops of the worlde in all that they goo aboute , to do it to the laude prayse and glorye of God . And herein we ought also to folowe hym .

Magnus pontifex . He is the great busshop , the hygh bushop , Magnus the supreme bushop , the vniuersall bushoppe ouer all the worlde . Noo greate bushop but he . None hygh , none supreme nor vniuersall bushop , but he . And herein the bushop of Rome outragiously vsurpeth vppon God as he dothe vpon the worlde : to take the honoure & names ( onely to god appropryed ) to hym selfe . And doth greuously blaspheme & offende god therein . Greater blasphemye can not be , then to ascrybe to god , that that noo wayes belongeth vnto hym : Blasphemia . or to take from God , that that vnto hym is appropryed . It is meete therfore he doo betymes and in season leaue his vniuste encrochementes bothe annenste his Lorde god and also annenste the worlde , leste he do prouoke God to poure oute all his vyalles of wrathe vpon hym : the vees I meane , the maledictions and vengeaunce that Iohn speaketh of in the Apocalyps . I wolde aduise hym to cease the Iniuryes whiche he hathe and daylye dothe annenste the Chryste our greate hygh vniuersall bushop , Apoca. 9. leste thou excommunycate and stryke , leefte thou shewe thy wrathe and iudgement annenst hym and vtterly extyncte his pryde and ambicious pretensed auctorite . For thou wylte be knowen , thou wylte be knowen god . And thou arte and wyll be oure greate vnyuersall and supreme bushop what soeuer the bushop of Rome shall attempte to the contrarye , and thou wylte punyshe his worldely arrogancye , & stryke when thou seeste thy tyme . And though it be longe or thou stryke , yet let hym beware , for stryke thou wylte yf thou be vtterly prouoked . And when thou doest stryke , thy stroke is great , thy stroke is dradful & soore . It vaynquesheth the bodye , it sleyeth the soule , it dampneth bothe . Beware therfore thou bushop of Rome , & be contente with thyne owne dioces , with thyne owne chardge , as other bushops are with theyrs . For further then thyne owne dioces , thy iurisdiction doo not stretche .

A meruelous blyndnes in the therfore to take vpon the to answere for all the worlde , and arte not able to answere oure greate bushop Chryst for thy selfe at that dradfull daye of Iugemente : when he shall aske but these fewe questions of the , Quomodo intrasti ? Questiones in iudicio episcopo fiende . Quomodo rexisti ? Quomodo vixisti ? Quomodo pauisti ? Quae & qualia exempla dedisti ? Quid ad meam gloriam fe●●isti ? & huiusmodi . How dyddest thou enter into thy bushopryke ? by me or by the worlde ? vnlawfully or lawfully ? by simonye or freely ? by labour by paction , or called of god ? How dyddest thou rule thy cure ? thy diocesse ? dyddest thou pray for thy people ? dyddest thou preache me to thy diocesans ? dyddest thou gyue them goostly and bodelye foode ? dyddest thou minyster spirytuall and goostly salues ( the sacramentes I meane ) to heale the soores of theyr soules ? Howe dyddest thou lyue ? dyddest thou caste awaye the cure the glorye and pompe of the world ? dyddest thou folowe me in humilyte , in charyte , in compassion , in pouertye , in clennes , & in chaaste lyuynge ?

Howe dyddest thou gouerne thy diocesans ? dyddeste not thou make of all thynges that thou dyddeste medle with a money matter ? in sellynge that whiche was not in the to sell nor giue , that that thou calleddest thy pardons , thy commyssyons , thy breeues , thy delygaces , reseruacions , exemptions , appellacyons , bulles and dyspensacions ? Dyddest not thou vnder these pretenses and lyke other doynges , dysceyue the worlde ? Whatte ansfere shalt thou make to this at that daye to our and thy great bushop Chryst , when he shall visyte the and all thy dioces , me and all my dioces , yee when he shall visytte all the worlde ? what ansfere shalte thou then make ? I thynke verelye thou shalte then haue ynough to doo , yee and more then thou canst wynde thy selfe oute of , to maake ansfere for thy selfe , for thyne owne dioces and for thyne owne diocesans : thoughe thou vsurpe not vpon other mennes as thou doest . The Apostle wryteth of Chryste humblye , and calleth hym Magnum pontificem , the greate bushop . And he of Rome is not with this worde contented , but wyll haue a hygher worde for him selfe , in the superlatiue degree . Maximum . Pontificem maximum . The greatest busshop . Oh , where is the humblenes and mekenes that shulde be in hym ? Alas he that taketh on hym to teache all the worlde , howe can he for shame suffer such blaphemous wordes to passe in his name to his greate shame and rebuke : to the greate daunger of his soule , and to the perylous ensample vnto other . Oh , fye vpon pryde / it is a common Prouerbe , Pryde wyll haue a fall .

Our bushop Chryst was humilis , meke , lowly , and humble in herte . Humilis . He roode not vpon any palfraye nor curragious horse , but vpon an asse and that but oons . He neuer was borne pompiously abrode in chayre vpon mennes shulders . He neuer profered his foote to anye body to kysse : We rede that he wasshed the feete of his discyples and wyped them . Iohan. 13. We rede that Mary Magdalen profered to haue kyssed his feete , but he dyd prohybyte her sayeng Noli me tangere . Touche me not . He wolde not suffer the woman then to touche hym . Math. 20. He neuer had garde to defende hym . He neuer folowed the pompe of the worlde . He disdayned not to goo vpon the grounde with his baare fecte . What shall I saye ? He gaue ensamples ynough to the bushop of Rome , to me and to all bushoppes , to be meke and humble , he to knowe hym selfe and we our selues , as yf he and we diligently looke in scrypture , we shall fynde . And herein , in mekenes we are bounde to folowe hym .

Compaciens infirmitatibus . This bushop Chryste , Compatiens . had compassyon of oure infirmites , of oure frayltyes . It is impossible for a man to knowe the afflyctions of the miserable persone that neuer suffered affliction , that neuer had experience of paynes , that neuer felte what payne mente . But this bushop Chryste , had experience of our nature : howe weyke , howe feeble the nature of man is . Howe weyke of hym selfe to doo anye good worke without the helpe of God . Howe feble to resyste temptacions . He suffered and felte the infirmytyes and paynes of his naturall body . He hath therfore compassion vpon man when he dothe se hym fall . He soroweth his ruyne . Teachynge bushoppes in especyall afore all other , to haue compassion and pitye vpon the sinner . To helpe him spirytually , to confort hym goo●●● ▪ to helpe hym to aryse from synne , to allure hym to penaunce , to drawe hym to vertue , to make hym knowe god , to feare his iustice , to loue his lawes . And thus to seeke all the wayes he and we can , to saue the synners soule , for whome he shall make ansfere to god for his owne diocesans : soule for soule , blood for blood , payne for payne , hell for hell , dampnacyon for dampnacyon : For which soule our great busshop Chryst ( as the Apostle dothe wytnes ) dyd offer gyftes and sacrifyce , Hebre. 5. and sacrifycede hym selfe , hauyng compassion of them that by ygnorancye and by erroure dyd synne and offende God : euen when he was in his greatest agonye vpon the crosse , he cryed to his father forgyue them father , Luce. 2●● . forgyue them : they knowe not what they doo , they are ygnoraunt people , they knowe not what is what , nor what daunger they runne in to by this entreatyng me . They knowe not theyr offences , forgyue them father , forgyue them . In this compassyon we ought also to folowe our greate bushop Chryst.

It foloweth in the formour letter . Est pontifex appellatus a deo . Pontifex appellatus He is a bushop , and soo named of god . He is the verye bushoppe . He offered vp the verye sacrifyce , the sacrifyce of his owne moost blyssed bodye and bloode wherby the synne of the worlde was put awaye . Euery bushop of the worlde is not named a bushop by god . For some cometh in to that offyce , not by the holy goost , not electe of god , ( as Iohn sayth ) Not entrynge in ouile ouium per ostium , sed ascendens aliunde . Some there are that entreth in to the folde of the shepe of god , Iohn . 10. not by the doore : Some there be that entreth in to hauynge charge & cure of soule , not by god : but by worldlye meanes , by worldly labour , by importune sutes and intercessyon of frendes , or by theyr owne vnlawfull laboure , by simonye and suche other wayes . Suche are not named bushops by god . Iohn . 14 Suche entreth not by the doore , not by hym that saythe Ego sum ostium , Ego sum via veritas & vita . I am the doore , I am the way , I am lyfe , I am truthe , I am Pastor bonus , the very true and good bushop that entred by god . And all that entreth otherwyse then by god , Chryst calleth them Fures & latrones , Iohn . 10 theues , spoylers , raueners , deuourers and deceyuers of the shepe . Theyr liuynge shall declare the same . For suche as sowrongfully dothe enter , doo studye theyr owne profyttes and commodytes . Suche receyueth the fruytes and doo nothynge for it . Suche suffereth theyr shepe to perysshe for lacke of bodyly and goostly foode and sustenaunce , for lacke of preachynge , for lacke of gyuynge good counsell , for lacke of good lyuynge , for lacke of good ensample . And suche for the moost parte lyueth noughtely , carnally , fleshly , vicyously , pompyously , worldly , and not bushoply nor priestly . For they came not in by god , nor by grace . Chryst saythe , Iohn . 10. Qui intrat per me , saluabitur , & ingredietur , & egredietur , & pascua inueniet . He that entreth by me shal be saued . Et ingredietur & egredietur . And he shall goo in and he shall goo out . What is that to say , He shall goo in and he shall goo out ? To goo in and to goo out , I thynke he meaneth by goynge in , that he shall haue grace to enter studyously in to the holy scrypture , dayly and nyghtly to medytate , to studye and to profytte in the lawes of god . Et egredietur . And he shall explayne and truely interpretate and publyshe it vnto the people . Et pascua inueniet . And he shall fynde there plentye of spirytuall foode for hym selfe and for his people . To edifye theyr soules , to instructe and call them to the knowledge of god , to feede them plentyfully , that they shall not lacke necessaryes to theyr soules . Let vs therfore so lyue that we may be called Pontifices appellati a deo .