The images of a verye Chrysten bysshop, and of a couterfayte bysshop

BEcause good and gentle reader , It maye to some certayne persones eyther corrupte with euyll affeccyons or therwyse lyghtely moued to vayne offence & flaūdre , seme that I am of ryght lytle charytie , and that myne whole studye , and endeuoyre soundeth to no purpose elles , but onely to rayse trouble , stryfe , and sedycyons in the worlde as they of a set frowardnes / malycyously do calumpnyate , theyr condempned conscyence testyfyeng the contrarie , for that that I in despyte of the deuyll , & for the zele that I beare to the truthe of goddes worde , & his moste blyssed name , doo ( as they thynke ) somwhat to sharply rebuke the vyce of some that wolde be estemed the heddes of the churche , all vnworthye to be the fete except they amende in tyme . Therfore as we entre into the playne felde of oure matyer we entende purge vs of suche vntrue accusacyons , and to proue it ryght mete and conuenyent , yea and therto necessarye , and that by reasons and scrypturis inuyncible , so to behaue vs , in our wordes and wrytyngis towardes suche toppes and heddes of the people whiche wyll admytte no charytable admonycyon .

IN dede the bysshop of Rome hathe forbeden in his vnryghtuous and wycked lawe Canonycall , The Canon faw . that any man shulde sharpely rebuke the prelates , or elles resyste theym / and vpon this goodly instytucion and ordynaunce , he and his counterfayte bysshops , the sones of hypocrysye from the moste hygh maiestye of god ? The offyce & duetie of a p̄acher . For the preacher is bounde vnto this vndre parell of dampnacyon , that he shall sharpely & sore rebuke wycked men and synners . For god speketh hereof manyfest and open rebukyng , in as moche as he hathe betaken vnto hym the offyce of preachyng his worde . But I praye you , why dothe god with so great vehemencye requyre this thynge , commaunde it , and so straytely call vpon it without doubte because the preacher , yf he doo holde his tonge , dothe synne most greuously agaynst charyte , in that he dothe este me at so small valure so great & so precyous a treasure / that is to wyt , the soule helth of his neygh boure , to whome he ought neuerthelesse to succoure and releue in mete and drynke and clothynge , and in farre smaller thynges . we ought to be assured the we preache no thyng but goddes word . The holy scrypture . But yet he addeth this thynge expresly , that the prophet shulde here the worde of goddes mouth leaste he myght elles preache his owne worde , or elles any other worde of man . Nowe we haue none other worde , then the scryptures of god : and therfore by these all wycked men are to be rebuked / neyther can it helpe them thoughe , they wolde make this cauyllacyon , and saye that this afore rehersed place of the scrypture dothe not speake of great estates and lordes , but onelye of the poore and lowe commonaltie : for in as moche as it dothe expresse no maner of person , it is a playne and a necessarye conclusyon , that this sayde place is to be vnderstanded also of greate estates . For it speaketh generallye of wycked men / whether they be great , or smalle , and what maner ones soeuer they be . ¶ The worde of god hathe noo respecte or regarde vnto one persone , more then an other . For it is aboue all persones , and it apperteyneth egallye vnto all maner persones . Ezechiel . For euen Ezechyell hym selfe , althoughe he was of lowe degree : yet that notwithstandynge he was sente to preache vnto the whole people of Israell , amonge whome were Prynces , preestes , and many great estates So lykewyse saythe . Mycheas also in the. .vi. vi.chapytre .

HErken you ( sayth he ) what the lorde sayth / Aryse and strayne thy selfe in Iudgemente agaynst the mountaynes , and let the hylles here thy voyce , lette the mountaynes and the stronge foundamentes of the earthe here the iudgement of the lorde , for the iudgemente of the lorde is with his people , and Israell shall be iudged .

WHo are those mountaynes , Mountaynes . and the foundamentes & the grounde warkes of the earthe vnto which he commaundeth hym to preache ? here he dothe gyue commaundement and charge , that the Iugement of god and the worde of the lorde shuld be shewed not to the people onely , but to the heddes & rulers amonge the people .

IN lyke maner all the resydue of the Prophettes , The prophettes . in those places where they are moste vehement and most bolde and free in rebukynge , and do moste ryse vp with those tragycall affeccyons , for the moste parte they doo touche and moste sharply reproue not the pore commynaltie , nor the rascal sorte , but the hygh toppes / that is to say , kynges , prynces , the prestes , & those that were most connynge and moste noble a monge the people , as theyr owne wrytynges do wytnesse and bea , recorde suffycyently , thoughe I speake neuer a worde . So also dyd the lorde saye vnto hieremy in the fyrste chapytre .

LO I haue put my wordes in thy mouthe : beholde I haue sette the to daye ouer nacyons & kyngdomes / For I haue ordeyned and made the to daye to be as a fenced Cytie , and a pyller of yron , and a walle of brasse , to the kynges of Iuda , to the prynces and rulers of it / and to the preestes , & to all the people . And they shall make warre agaynst the , but they shall not preuayle agaynst the : for I am with the , sayth the lorde to delyuer the.

NO we this hieremy as touchynge to his personage & estate , Hieremy . was farre vndre kynges , prynces , & prestis / A man vtterlye contempte and abiecte / borne in a pore lytle Towne called Anathot : Anathot . and yet all this not withstandynge , he was sent by god to preache the worde of the lorde , and to be a comptroller ouer all men , and agaynste all the hyghest estates and hed offycers & rulers of the people . Besydes this , Chryste . Chryste hym selfe , as he is descrybed in the gospell , was a verye contemptyble , an abiecte , & a lowe personage in the syght of the worlde , without any hyghe power or empyre and lordshyp at all . Nowe I pray you , whome dyd he muste pryncypally rebuke ? what other persones dyd he reproue then onely the chyefe prestes , the scrybes , and the pharyseys ? & to be shorte , who soeuer were great & hygh in dygnytie & auctorytie . And in so doynge , he wold be an example vnto all preachers , that they shuld boldely & without any fere rebuke the great & hyghe hedes amonge the people , when they do worke against god because both saluacyon & perdycyon resteth moste in the hedes / why shulde we then folowe the folysshe , furyous & mad lawes of the bysshop of Rome , agaynst the example of chryst & of al the prophetis Why ( I saye ) shulde we spare & forbeare those great lordis spiritual . wherto shulde it auayle to chyde and cebuke the common people : yf we do ouerhyppe and loke besydes the prynces & rulers of the people ? For there coulde neuer so moche vyce and synne be plucked vp by pure syncere , and fro teachyng , and bolde preachynge of the gospel : as they shuld plante by theyr wycked & sinystre commaundementes . For it shuld in this thyng playnly come to passe as Salomon sayth in the fyrsts chapytre of Ecclesiast.

WHere one buyldeth , and an other destroyeth : what can be there but onely trauayle and laboure .

¶ yf we must nowe buylde amonge the people , it is necessary to resyste those rulers , and those heddes the auctours of humayne do ctryne , and destroyers / we ought therfore here to holde faste with tothe and nayle , and to folowe , & toughly cleaue vnto that fre doctryne of the Apostle Paule in the thyrde chapytre of the fyrste Epistle to Tymothe , whan he sayth .

SVche as doo synne rebuke theym in the presence of al men : The doctryne of saynt Pause . that other maye stande in feare .

¶ Here Paule excepteth no man neyther of lowe estate and degreneyther yet of hyghe / And all though he dothe say that contrapresbiteros , that is to saye agaynst aged men or senyours ( for suche were at that tyme gouernours & rulers in the churche ) he shulde not receyue any accusacion with out two or thre wytnesse : he dyd not for all that by those wordes exclude and take away al maner cebukynge of theym , but rather dyd confyrme the reprouynge of theym / For after those wordes whiche he spake of wytnesse and recorde it foloweth immedyatlye .

THey whiche do offende and trespasse , thou oughtest to rebuke theym openlye before all men .

¶ But our bysshops haue interpreted & declared this worde presbyter of prestes , Presbyter . that is to wyt of theyr owne selues , where as the apostle doth meane of well aged and auncyent wyse men : that is to wyt , that such maner men are not to be accused lyghtly and for euery slayghte occasyon , lykewyse as he saythe also in the .v. chapytre .

DO not rebuke an olde man very sharpely , but desyre & praye hym as a father .

¶ For the apostle speaketh not of such bysshops and prestes , as are nowe in our tyme , whiche for the most parte at of flowrysshynge age , & in a maner yonge men , to the incerdible hurte & hynderaunce of the churche : but he speaketh of olde men and auncyent in age , and well skylled in the scryptures . For suche maner persones it is mete and accordynge to handle reuerently : and yf they haue trespassed and made a faulte in any thynge , they are to be desyred & prayed that they wyll leaue it , and not to be sharpely and sore rebuked .

OVer & besydes this the myny sters of the worde of god ar pryn cypally bounden here vnto ,

The preachers oughte moche rather to rebuke the spyrytuallheddes , then the temporal , for dyuerse iust causes .

Nicolaicass bysshops , I wene he meane the bysshops made of chyldren at saynte Nicholas tyme .

that they shall more sharply rebuke the bysshops and the prymates of the Churche , then the worldly prynces and rulers , and that for many causes . Fyrste because that ecclesiastycall hyghnes and dignytie , as it is nowe , is not of god . For god dothe not a knowledge neyther electe this dysgysed and paynted deceytefull people , and thyse childysshe , and in a maner counterfayte , & Nicolaicall bysshops , for as moche as they doo neyther teache , neyther yet do execute any poynte belongynge to the offyce of a bysshop . Secundaryly these shadowes of bysshops haue not ben constytuted by men , but they haue exalted theyr own selues , & they haue catched vnto them selues empyre , domynyon , & lordshyps agaynst bothe god and men , agaynst reason , cōmensence or iudgement , Tyrauntes . after the nature and propretie of tyrauntes , whiche do rule onely by the wrath and great indygnacyon of god / The temporal or worldly gouer nours and offycers are constytuted by the gracyous fauour and mercyfull ordynaunce of god , Temꝑas pryncis & gouernours . to the chastysement and punysshement of euyl men , and to the proteccyon defence and mayntenaunce of good men . No. 13. Besydes this the worldly gouernours , althoughe they do iniurye and wronge neuer so moche , and do vniustlye & wyckedly : yet for all that they do but onely hurte the temporal gooddes and the body . But these great estates and prelates of the churche , yf they be not good and vertuous , and do promote and sette forwardes the course of the worde of god vnfaynedly and with theyr hertes : they are mere wolues . and moste cruell murderers of soules . And it is moche lyke in euyll & wycked bysshops , as yf Sathan hym selfe hauynge a mytre on his hed , and rynges on his fingers , dyd sytte in a chayre and dyd rule the people . Wherfore euen the bysshops also , whiche do not teache the pure worde of god , ar no lesse to be eschewed then the deuyll hym self . For whersoeuer the worde of god is not , The worde of god . there without doubte is nothynge elles but humayne erroure , mere doctryne of deuylles , and butcherye and slaughter of soules , For the conscyences or soules , withoute the worde of god can neyther lyue , neyther be delyuered from the deuyll . But here I knowe well ynoughe , they wyll obiecte and saye , that it is ieoperdye , leaste sedycyon myghte be raysed vp agaynst those bysshoppes and prelates of the Churche Loo I make answere , shall the worde of god ( I beseche you ) for this youre fayned obieccyon be neglected ? and shall therfore the whole people perysshe ? And is it ( I praye you ) ryght and conue nyent that all soules shulde perpetuallye perysshe , and be slayne , that the temperall and moste vayne pompe of suche men myghte be preserued and maynteyned , and myghte endure and contynue in her peace and quyetnesse ? Naye , it were better ( for spyrytuall harmes are moste to be wayede ) that syxe hondreth tymes all the bysshoppes shulde perysshe for euer in theyr pryde and dygnytie , & that all the churches collegiate , and all monasteryes were plucked vp by the rootes / were ouerthrowen and vtter lye destroyed ( so it were done by the auctoryte of the hygher powers , then that one soule shuld perysshe / because I wyll not in the meane season saye that infynyte soules , yea that all soules shall perysshe for any thynge that suche as they do , I meane noo true bysshops . I praye you tell me , what profyte commeth of many of the bysshoppes that nowe are , The profyte that commeth of oure bysshops . or wherfore serue they , but onely to lyue in voluptuousnes and pleasures , & to play the ryotours & wantons of other mens labour & swete , and in the meane season with moche greuous thre tenynges & with dreadefull feares , to condempne , to hysse oute , to cast out , and to warre agaynst the worde of god ? Good men they take excedynge great thought & care for theym selues , and with meruaylous great vnquyetnesse of mynde feare and drede sedycyons in the temporall commen weale but as for the deathe of soules , beynge therof all careles , & with out any maner feare or vnquyetnes of mynde , they do neglecte , and passe nothynge vpon it . I be seche the good reader , are not these goodly wyse , and excedynge bolde and manly herdes men of the Churche . yf they dyd receyne the worde of god and of truthe , and dydde pryncypallye searche for the lyfe and sauegarde of soules then the god ( as the apostle sayth ) of pacyence , 2. cor. 1. and of comforte and hope wolde be with theym , that they shuld not nede to feare any sedycions or rysynges of the people / whiche is but theyr craftye cloked excuse , to blynde the iyes of the prynces . But in as moche as they lyke deafe serpentes stoppynge theyr eares , Psalmo . 57. deafe serpentes . woll not here the worde of god , but ( suche is theyr furye and madnes ) doo rage agaynst it with excomunycacyons , cursynges , imprysonemētes with the swerde , and fynally with fyre . I beseche you what other thyng do they ( as concernynge theyr parte / with this theyr extreme woodnes , then ( which god defende ( euen wyll inly prouoke that there shulde ryse vp a verye great sedycion , and that some certayne tempest & storme shuld violently & sodaynly come vpon them which shuld rydde them at ones out of the worlde . And surely yf any suche thyng dyd chaunce vnto theym , yet were they noughte elles but to be laughed & scorned as wysdome saythe in the fyrste chapytre of the prouerbes .

BEcause I haue called & you haue refused to com , I haue stretched forth my hande , & there was none of you that wolde loke to me , & you haue despysed all my counsayl , & haue set at nought my rebukynges : I also wyll laughe in your destruccyon , and I wyll mocke & scorne , when that thynge , whiche you dyd feare , shal be chaunced & commen vnto you .

THe worde of god dothe not styrre or rayse vp sedycyons and stryues : They the resyst the worde of god be sedycyous persones . but the stubburne and obynat dysobedyence of them whiche do rage agaynst it is the cause that trouble and sedycyon is styrred vp amonge the people / and that then by suche sedycyons that thynge shuld happen vnto theym whiche they had deserued through theyr owne vnbelefe and frowardnes and wycked blyndnes . For who soeuer receyueth the worde of god , that mārayseth vp no maner sedycyons at all , albeit that he dothe no longer feare those vayne bugges , neyther doth worshyp those episcopall puppettes , nowe syns that he doth knowe the worde of god And because that men do not feare & reuerence theyr vayne ymaginacions as here tofore they haue done , that same is the thynge yf I be not begyled , whiche they do call sedycyons , What the bysshpos call Sedycyon . and this is the thynge , that those persones doo so greatly feare , whiche haue hytherto suffred theym selues to be worshipped and feared lyke goddes , as though they had ben true bysshoppes or true herdes men of the Churche . Sedycyon is against the worde of god . And yf any man do rayse vp sedycyons or warre , that man abuseth the worde of god to his owne affeccyons , and to his owne luste and appetyte . For the worde of Chryste or the worde of god dothe neuer cause no strife or trouble bodely : but to wycked men , and namely vnto tyrauntes it doth oftentymes manace and shewe before bataylles and boldely destruccyons to ensue , as it appereth in the bokes of the ꝓphetes / But the sayd worde doth delyuer by lytle and lytle the soules from the bondes of tyrauntes , that they may be despysed : whiche is of all other the most myghtye and strongest remedye to breake & ouercome the tyranny of them . For what soeuer thynge begynneth to be lytle set by , & is despysed in the hertes of men , it nedeth not to go about with great myght & power to destroy the thynge . For it is fallen euen all redye & can not stande nor contynue longe , as it is sayd in the .ix. psalme . 9. psalme . So lykewyse this people of visures nedeth none other destruccyon then onely that it be discouered & openly shewed , Carnan . that it is dysgysed , a counterfayte , & an hypocrytal people . For this thing ones knowen they begyn to be lytle regarded a monge all men , & are forsaken . But we wyll here vse a certayne playne & famyly are example . In the olde tyme the bisshops mytre was a certayne mystycall sygne & token . The bysshoppes mytre . The two hornes in the toppe of it dyd sygnyfye the two testamentes , the olde & the newe , whiche the bysshops dyd beare in the toppe of his mynde , that is to say in his vnderstandynge / & he was cunnynge & well skylled in the holy scryptures as saynt Paule commaundeth in the fyrste epystle to Tymothe . And the two fyllettes or labelles hangynge downe behynde at his backe , The fyllettes or labelles of the my mytre . dyd betoken the offyce of preachynge , by whiche he dyd frely & boldly pronounce & declare the scrypture of both testamentis amonge the people , and goynge hym selfe before theym by holy & pure honest maner of lyuynge , dyd teache them to counterfayte & folow hym . But now a dayes when we do se the bysshops wearyng those cappes with hornes , I beseche thou what shall they signyfy . There are certayne mery conceyted felowes , whiche do suppose that the two hornes doo betoken that a bisshop ought to be lerned in the scripturis of both testamentꝭ but the two fyllettes hangynge so at al auentures behynde theyr backe , they do thynke to sygnyfy contrary wyse , that they are excedyngly ygnoraunt in bothe , & not so moche as to be wyllynge to learne theym . For the pryncypall vertue whiche appereth & moste sheweth it selfe in our bysshops & cardynalles is in a maner this that they ar earthen pottes , and scalpes or sculles without brayne or wytte , excedynge dulle and insensyble , and so ygnoraunt that one wolde wondre at it / in so moche that in these bytter and myserable tymes of the decretalles , The tymes of decretalles . it hath begonne to be accompted a great shame & rebuke , for a bysshop to stody in the Bible , & not without a cause aꝑduēture . For what shulde so great a prynce & lorde vexe and trouble hym selfe with these so paynfull cares , whiche ( yf I be not begyled ) do hurte both the hed and also remembraunce ? seynge that there are on euery syde lymoturs ynough , & freers , and relygyous men ynoughe on euery syde , whiche may be hyred euen for a lofe of brede , to declare many suche good thynges out of the bible to hym , eyther whyles he sytteth at dyner , or elles whyles he lyeth in his bedde , and so with readynge of suche holye wrytte may bryng the reuerende & holy father a slepe / But nowe in good sadnesse , I beseche you what other thynge are our bysshops , in comparyson then mere visures & suche maner bysshops in all poyntes , as children do make when they playe : onely because they can skylle to spyncle dumbe stones , ( yf god be pleased ) & with frankensence cast in to the senser to make smokes , & selle smokes / that is to wyt that them selues beynge nought els but stockis & trees , may also consecrate and halowe trees & stockis , & that them selues beynge none other thynge then dumbe stones , maye baptyze stones . But they do all these thynges with hygh countenaunce & solempne ceremonyes / & because els peraduenture they shuld fynde none the wold gyue them the lokyng on of these thyngꝭ : they do hyre them with . xl . dayes of pardon ( no lytle rewarde god knoweth ) as though they were about to consecrate or halowe churches or alters vnto god / And it is verye wel done forsorth , for where shulde god els fynde a dwellyng place ? or whether coulde he els flee for succour , yf the deuyll dyd chase hym ? ( yf I may say so ( excepte these ꝓfytable men , & these chast & holy bysshops dyd water those dumbe stones , & these dumbe walles with certayn holy droppes of war , & except they dyd delyte his nosethrylles with swet fumes & plesaunt smelles . And doubtles they do al thyngꝭ aswel as can be , according to that that becommeth theyr persones . For in lyke maner in these holye dayes ( whiche maye well be called Festa luꝑcalia ) afore the hungrye fastynge dayes we do make these men kynges , He meaneth from Chrystenmas to Cent. & for a sporte and playe cloth them in purple & golde & make theym counterfayte bysshops / whiche in very dede ar nothyng els but rascalles ydyotes & boyes . & albeit there is no doubt the those earnest offices & workes belongyng vnto very dysshops , such as the apostle descrybeth & wylleth them to be , are not able to be counterfayted of chyldren : yet not withstandyng here it maye be a great doubte , whether of them dothe counterfayte the other , the bysshoppes the boyes , or the boyes the bysshops

NOwe whiche is the true Image & forme of a bysshop , the apostle Paule doth descrybe in the thyrde chapytre of the fyrste epystle to Tymothe .

YF any man desyre the offyce of a bysshoppe or an ouerseer , The image of a true bysshop . he doth desyre an honeste worke / a bysshop therfore ought to be vnreprouable , the husband of one wyfe , watchefull or dylygent , sobre dyscrete and lowlye / A keper of hospytalytie / apte to teache / no dronkarde / no fyghter / not dysyrouse of fylthy lucre / but egall & indyferent , hatynge fyghtynge , abhorrynge couetousnes , and a man which ruleth his owne house well , and whiche hathe his chyldren in subieccy on and obedyence with all reuerence . For yf it be so that a man can not skylle to rule his owne howse : howe shall the man ordre the churche of god ? he must be no nouyce newly entred in to the Chrysten relygyon , leaste he be puffed vp with pryde , & do falle in to condempnaryon of the euyll speaker / he muste also haue good reporte amonge straungers and the infydeles , leaste he do falle in to rebuke , and in to the snare of the euyll speaker .

LOnsydre now whether it be not a good worke , The offyce of a Bisshop . to desyre the offyce of a bysshop , in whiche are so many excellent and goodlye vertues . Saynt Paule wyll not a bisshop to be a nouyce , whiche hath lately come to the fayth or whiche is lytle confyrmed and establysshed in the fayth : leaste the bakbyter & euyll tonged persone myght haue occasyon to iudge & saye / Se what maner foole they haue made ruler & ouerseer of so great thynges . But he wylleth hym to be a man hauyng experyence , wel skylled , sadde & wyse , so that his euyll wyllers may be asshamed to speke euyll , yea & also can not speke euyll or iudge euyl of hym / lykwyse also he must haue a good reporte euen of the Insydelles , & he must not be of vyle reputacyon not so moch as euen amonge them : for els he shall blaughed to scorne of theym , & he shall be bounden & holden in on euery syde , as it were with a rope . that he may neyter boldly exhorte , nor say any thynge , nor rebuke any thynge , for asmoche as there are in hym selfe also many thynges , whiche maye be tourned to his reproche , and rebuke whiche thynge shulde be bothe a great sclaundre to all the whole congregacyon , and also a great cause of offensyon to the infydelles . For in the tyme of the apostle the Chrysten men were mengled amonge hethen men .

WHerfore it was necessarye , that the lyfe of them , & namely of the bysshops shuld be vnreprouable commendable , & on euery syde pure & faultles . So lyke wyse he sayth vnto Tymothe in the fyrste chapytre .

FOr this cause I left the in Crete or Candy , that thou shuldest contynue and holde on to amende suche thynges as are wantynge , and that thou shuldest ordeyne preestes in euery towne , as I appoynted vnto the. yf any man be vnculpable , the husbande of one wyfe , hauyng faythfull chyldren and not skaundred of ryot , nor sturdy and vnruly . For a bys shop must be fautles , as beynge the mynystre of god / not stubburne & selfe wylled / not angrye / no dronkarde / no fyghter , not gyuen to fylthy Iucre / but harberfull / a louer of good thynges , sobre , ryghtuous , holy , temperate , tough ly cleuyng vnto that true worde whiche is accordynge to doctryne that he may be able also to exhorte by holsome doctryne , and to confute and dysprone theym , that do say agaynst it .

☜ ☞ ❧ ❧

LO these at the fasyons and vertues belongynge vnto true Chrysten bysshops , of whiche sorte there ought to haue ben in euery Cytie or comynaltie at the leaste one , or two , after as necessytie and nede dyd requyre / But what say you nowe ? seynge that there is a certayne newe fasyon , yea and a more gentle and noble example ( yf god be pleased ) of bysshops shewed nowe a dayes , shulde these olde maners and qualyties , wherof the apostle dothe speake , and whiche are worne out of vse many yeres agoo , shulde they ( I saye ) belonge vnto these bysshops ? There are in the papysticall bysshops ( yf I be not begyled ) farre better fasyons and vertues , wherof leaste any man myght hereafter desyre a rehersall : I shall reherse as many of theym as I can call to remembraunce , and they are commenly suche as here foloweth .

THe fyrste propryetie chyefly belongyng vnto theym is , The image & proꝑties of a papystystycal bysshop . to be excedyngly ignoraunt , & without any maner perceyuing of all learnynge to flee & eschewe matrymony or wedlocke , and in stede of it to kepe as many harlottes as they lyste / to beare in theyr handes a shepehoke of syluer bounde about with a towell , to weare a mytre with hornes / to go after the maner of pageauntꝭ in processyons / to haue theyr crowne brode shauen / to haue many tytles & townes & a verye large domynyon vndre theyr spryncle , ( for I wyll vse theyr owne tearme ) to leade aboute with a certay ne pompe goodly palfrayes , aspsio . and that a great many of them , after the maner of one tryumphynge , to be proude with all maner pompe & gorgyousnes after the courte facyon / to kepe offycyalles / that is to say , certayne robbers & pyllers of prouynces , & tormentours of pore men / to kyll soules by tyranny & excōicacyons / & ( whiche thynge I had almost forgotten ) to paynte & set vp in euery place the armes of theyr kynned rampyng lyons , & suche other monumentes , with a shepehoke & a bysshops crosse put therunto to set forth theyr fyngers to the shewe , decked with goodly ryngis of golde to arme theyr handes with purple gloues , leste els they myght be a colde in the myddes of theyr ceremonyes / to spryncle dombe stones & stockes in the churches , hauig a ladder set to euery wal ) with I wot not what war to confyrme ,

vnkynde , wycked / withoute affeccyon / false accusers . ryotoures / cruel despysers of good men / traytours / rasshe and hasty , puffed vp with pryde / the louers of pleasures , rather then the loners of god / hauynge the semblaunce and apparaunce of vertue and godlynes , but denyenge the vertue and power therof / those that are suche , do thou abhorre .

LO here ( yf I be not vtterly begyled ) Paule hath descry bed & workemanly set forthe our ydle & vnlearned bysshops with theyr owne mete colours . And with the same colours the apostle Peter also ( whose successoures the pope bosteth hym self to be ) doth paynte theym and set theym out to the iye , Peter . in the seconde chapytre of his seconde epystle .

THere were also false prophetes amonge the people , lyke wyse as there shall be amonge you false teachers , whiche shall pryuely brynge in peruycyous & myscheuous sectis , euen renyeng the Lorde whiche hathe bought theym , seachynge vnto them selues hasty destruccion , and many shall folowe theyr deadely wayes , by whome the waye of truthe shall be euyll spoken of and thorughe couetousnes with counter fayte wordis they shal make mar chaundyse of you .

THese wordes can not be vnderstanded any other wyse then of the bysshops & of the great p̄latꝭ & rulers of the church . For we do se , howe they haue deuysed dyuerse sectis , dyuerse orders , dyuer se facyons , & haue brought them in to the worlde contrarye to the doctryne of Chryste & of the gospell / whiche thynges euery one of them beynge cleane out of the ryght and the hyghe waye of the chrysten fayth , do prescrybe and teache peculyer workes and fasyons of lyuynge , by whiche the knowledge of Chryste is put away & quenched , Chryste . and chryst hym selfe , ( whome onely the apostle Paule dothe well nere in euery syllabe teche vnto vs ) is denyed , whiche Chryste alone for all that dyd redeme vs . For those good holy men do teache , that we are iustyfyed by workes , and by the endeuermentes of free wyll : where as in verye dede onely Chryst hath ben made vnto vs ryghtuousnes , and sanctify cacyon , and redempcyon . i. Cor. i. besydes this they do with euyll wordes & blasphemyes rayle and speaketh agaynst the way of the gospel and of the truthe , neyther wyll they suffre theyr errours to be dysproued , or them selues to be taughte that onely Chryste is our helthe , our lyfe , and our ryghtuousnes / Agayne this is more euydente , then that it nedeth any probacyons , howe they all beynge blynded and made starke madde thorough couetousnes , do dyrecte altheyr whole doctryne vnto this ende , that all thynges shulde be gyuen vnto themselues alone / that temples and monasteryes , & cathedrall churches collegyate , myght be buylded / and that we shuld suffre theym to be ryche , to be well monyed , and to haue habundaunce of all maner thynges And these are lyes & gyles , and these are the deceytes , whiche they do so couer and cloke , with the coloure of holy lyfe , and of spyrytuall estate : and in verye dede they do denye the vertue and power of true vertue and godly lyuynge . And yet for all this in the meane season euery man dothe so gyue vnto them , as though they were suche as dydde lyue in holy lyfe , when in very dede it is nothyng but deceyte and mere hypocrysy , & these gylefull symulacion with out faythe . So that saynt Peter dyd not without a cause say , nay men shall folowe the errours of theym .

BEsydes this saynt Peter sayth , whose iudgement is not slowe of commynge , and theyr vtter destruccy on dothe not slepe . For yf god dyd not spare the aungelles whiche had offended , aungelles whiche had offended , but dyd caste theym downe in to hell bounden with chaynes of darkenes to be kept there vnto the iudgement , neyther dyd spare the worlde in olde tyme , Noe. but saued Noe the eyght preacher of ryghtuousnes and brought in a floode ouer the worlde of wycked men / and dyd brynge the Cyties of Sodome & Gomorre in to asshes , & dyd condempne them with vtter destruccyon , and dyd make theym an example vnto all those the afterwardes shuld worke wyckedly . And dydde delyuer ryghtuous Loth which loth was oppressed of the wycked men by theyr vncleane & Lecherous conuersacyon . For he beynge ryghtuous bothe in seynge and hearynge , whenne he dwelled amonge theym , he dyd daylye vexe his ryghtuouse soule with theyr wycked dedes . The lorde knoweth howe to delyuer good & vertuous men out of temptacion , and howe to kepe the vnryghtuous persones vnto the daye of iudgement for to be punysshed / namely suche as folowyng the flesshe do walke in the concupyscence & luste of vnclennes & do despyse the gouernours & rulers , beynge presumptuous , stubburne , & whiche do not feare to rayle and speake euyl wordes on theym whiche are in hygh auctoryte .

THe apostle here in these moste vehement and sore wordes , setteth forth vnto those gretestates and lordes thre terryble and dreadfull examples / that is to wytte of the aungelles , of the worlde , and of Sodome . But al these thynges are in vayne shewed and preached vnto theym . Our delicate bysshoppes do not beleue that this was spoken of theym , and besydes that they do not rede nor heare these thinges .

¶ But I beseche the good reader marke here , howe well the wordes of Peter doo agree with Paule , when he dyscrybeth theyr fylthy & vnclene lyf . For where he saith presumptuous stubburne : there are skantly any men , to whome those wordes do soner agee . For it is they , whiche of all men doo most set by them selues , in so moche that they do despyse al worldly rulers and offycers , and what soeuer other persone is of hyghe dygnytie & auctorytie in worlde , in comparyson of them selues , & do also rayle vpon theym & speake opprobrious wordes agaynst theym , For the Pope hath many yeres ago taken this monstruous tyranny vnto hym selfe , The tyranny of the Pope . that he hathe not ben affrayde to treade kynges & prynces vnder his fete to depose them / to excommunycate theym / to curse theym vnto the .iiii. v. and. vi . generacion / and after theyr owne pleasure to exercyse all thinges whiche any maner of way what soeuer it be may be longe & helpe vnto extreme and wonderfull tyranny , none other wyse then yf the prynces & gouernours were swyne or els dogges Notwithstandynge that the scrypture wylleth al men to be subiect and obedyent vnto the prynces & gouernours for the publyke peace and tranquylytie of this lyfe , namely for as moche as they are constytuted and ordeyned to serue the dyuyne ordynaunce as mynysters of the swerde . And yet neuertheles there are founde some kyngis and prynces so faynte herted , & of so lytle manfulnes and courage , that they doo feare these harmeles thundres and vayne cursynge , and do humbly beseche & optayne the extreme and vttermoste folysshenes and insensy by lytie that they maye be blyssed agayne ( for so they call it ) of the Pope I wot not with what charmes or coniuracyons and wordes appoynted for the same purpose onely : that is to wytte to the ende that that cruell presumpcyon , and that wonderfull tyranny of his ( as thoughe he were not madde ynough of his own swynge ) myghte by the reason hereof the sooner gather power & strengthe , and with those moste vayne deceytes of cursynges myght deceyue all the whole worlde . Besydes this the bysshoppes do stoutely and manfully helpe the Pope , and so do all the great lordes belongynge to the Pope / & they be in verye dede the despysers of all rulers & potestates , whiche wyll in no wyse be subiect to any maner hyghe power , neyther in body neyther in goodes , but onely they beynge presumptuous & stubburue and more then woode do on euery syde make busynes & rage to excommunycate and curse all kynges , and prynces , and other whiche are in auctorytie .

¶ Tell me I beseche you , hathe not oure Peter here largely and playnly touched our moste delycate & tendre bysshops ? I praye you of what other persones may these wordes be vnderstanded , that they are not subiectis nor obedyent vnto the rulers ? that they speake euyll of kynges and prynces ? bryefly that beyng presumptuous & stubburne they do feare no man ? is it not openly knowen to the worlde , who they be , that commytte these lewde dedes ? Besydes this Peter sayth .

WHen the aungelles theym selues whiche are greater in myght & power do not receyue of the lorde iudgement with euyll wordes agaynst theym selues . 1. petri . 2. But these persones as brute beastes naturally ordeyned to be taken & destroyed , speakynge euyll of those thynges whiche they vnderstande not , shall perysshe in theyr owne destruccion , and shal receyue the rewarde of vnrightuousnes : and they do accompte it a pleasure , yf they do lyue delycyously / they be spottes and fylthy whiche feastyng and banketynge togyther in theyr erroures do play the ryotours of your gooddes hauynge theyr iyes full of adulterye , and whiche can not cease to synne , begylynge and allurynge to synne vnstable soules hauynge also theyr hertes exercysed with rauynes and extorsyons .

☞ ❧ ❧ ☜

BEholde howe vehement and sore this excellent apostle is here , howe hote he is , howe he is kyndled , & howe he casteth oute pure flambes of fyre / I beseche you , who are they which do lyue in pleasures and ryotousnes of other mens goodes ? who ( I say ) are they whiche supposen it to be suffycyent to care onely for them selues and for those thinges whiche do belonge vnto them selues Who be they , which do lyue ( as Peter sayth ) lyke brute beastes ? and whom no man hytherto durste be bold to rebuke , yea or ones to admonysshe and tell theym of theyr defaltes / I praye the , nedeth this place any glose or declaracy on at all ? Is it not openly & euydentlye knowen that bysshoprykes , cathedrall Churches , monasteryes , vnyuersyties , in whiche holye scrypture is not syncerelye taughte pryncypallye before all thynges , are nothynge elles but a certayne vnsacyable and bottomles whyrlepole , whiche swal lowen vp the ryches of kynges , of prynces , of dukes , of erles , of the common people , and to be shorte of all the worlde ? Is it not euydent ynough , that this sorte of men haue come vnto these so great goodes and ryches , not by theyr owne in dustrye & laboure , but throughe other mennes folysshenes , and a certayne madnes of gyuyng vnto theym ? They verely them selues ( as they be naturally louers of them selues , and do stonde in theyr owne conceyte ) wolde sweare deapely , that theym selues are the moste noble sorte , and the most fyne & pure floure of all the men that are in the whole world , and Peter yet for all that calleth theym openly and playnly spottes , fylthes , and pestylences . And these also ar they whiche do rayle and speake opprobryous wordes agaynst the truthe , & do condempne it wherof yet they be ignoraunt and haue no knowledge . For they beynge all togyther drenched in theyr humane , yea deuelyshe opynyons , and in theyr moste fylthy lyuynge , and beyng all togyther carnall and brutysshe are made insensyble , and vtterly partles & ignoraunt of fayth and of ghostly thynges . But yet for all that they do allure and begyle vnstable soules with those theyr intysementes and pleasures of ryches and honours . For hytherto they haue aspyred vnto bysshoprykes to benefyces , and to abbotshyps and pryorshyps , & haue panted for the loue of ydlenes and ease , and for the hatred of the holy crosse , for the moste parte , whiche in the floure of theyr youthe were most honest good and vertuous . For euen nowe a dayes also many folysshe and wycked fathers & mothers do bryngevp theyr sones & theyr doughtes for the same purpose , The folysshenes of fathers & mothers that they shulde entre in to these maners of lyuynge , not verely for the loue of god or of vertuous & good lyuynge , but onely that ( as they call it ) they maye be well prouyded for , and sure of a lyuynge / and that of other mennes goodes they maye lyue ydely in all maner delyciousnes and pleasures / that is to wytte , that they nede not to get theyr lyuynge with theyr owne handes , and theyr breade or sustenaunce with the swette of theyr face , vnto whiche thynge all men are bounden .

¶ Now they haue theyr herte exercysed with couetousnes and rauynes , Sene. 3. as euery man perceyueth for they neuer make any ende of deuysynge & fyndynge out craftes , and subtyleties : wherby they may catche vnto them selues the goodes of all the worlde . And to this byenge and sellyng and get tynge of lucre , Byenge & sellyng of spiritual thynges . they do ( whiche is abhomynable ) abuse god , the sacramentes , the masse , and all spyrytuall thynges though I passe ouer in the meane season what thynges they do exhorte , and get from men by vsurye , lyes , fraudes and gyles . But yf thou do aske , who they be that haue the full iyes of an adulteres without doubte the apostle here rebuketh the most fylthye and a verye strompettes lyfe , whiche they do lede . An adulteres . For euen likewyse as an adulteresse is passed all shame , & with full & wanton iyes loketh rounde aboute vpon euery man , beyng set forth & redy to serue the flesshely luste of euery maner man / euen so ar they also without shame , moche lyke vnto an adulteresse , whiche haue layde awaye shamefastnes for euer . For they ar gyuen al togyther vnto fylthy lechery , in which they do lyue careles at lybertie , and without the rebukes of any man Besydes this saynt Peter saith .

THey are the chyldren of maledyccyon or cursynge , whiche haue forsaken the right way & gone a wronge waye , folowynge the waye of Balaam the sone of Bosor , whiche loued the rewarde of wyckednes , but he was rebuked of his wyckednes . The tame dumbe beaste speakyng with mans voyce dyd forbydde & lette the madnes of the prophete . These are fountaynes lackynge water , and cloudes caryed aboute of a tempest .

FOr lykewyse , as Balaam was rebuked of the Asse , euen so do we se couetousues to raygne amonge theym with so great madnes and vnshamefastnes , that euen the vnleraned common people do now begyn to cry agaynst it , and herof hath taken vp a commen prouerbe , The common prouerbe . whiche is this . He is more couetous ( saye they of a couetous persone ) then other preest or monke . Bryeflye there is no man , which doth not for theyr couetousnes moste odyously speake agaynst theym , and gyue theym euyl wordes . But I praye you howe fearefull a thynge is this , that Peter calleth theym openly the sones of malediccyon Who els durste call the Pope of Rome , & the bysshops with theyr vnder offycers , a cursed people ? Nowe peter that so excellent apostle , yea and the holy ghost by Peter doth call theym , and doth curse theym / Who nowe wolde not be sory and tremble in his herte , that euer he hath gyuen & bounde hym self to this cursed kynde & maner of lyuynge ? Oh I saye , who soeuer may let hym eschewe lette hym eschewe , nowe in these dayes , these maners of lyuyuge of preestes , & freers , and of suche other . Afterwardis he doth agayne gaylye garnysshe the bysshops with theyr mete tytles . For what other thyng is meaned here by a fountayne without water , A fountayne withoute water . and a cloude without rayne : then by a bysshop without mynystracyon of the worde of god ? For this offyce lyeth vnto the bysshops charge , and yet they do not fulfyll it accordynglye / moche lyke as the drye and broken welles haue the name of a fountayne or welle , & do occupye the place of a welle , & yet for all that gyue no water at all . And the cloudes , which troubled with the wynde are caryed & dryuen fro one place to another , ar in dede in the ayer in stede of very cloudis : & yet they do not gyue somoch as one drop of moysture So lykewyse our bysshops also beyng tossed with the wynde of glory ar in dede in the hygh rowme of the very Apostles / but yet for all that they be moued & dryuen accordynge to all that cogytacyons of the deuyl / & they be greatly aduaunced in the honoures & pleasures of this world but they sende downe no droppes of moysture . They preche nothyng at al / wherfore ther is reserued for them also ifernall darkenes for euermore . But yf thou wylt say vnto me howe can they be called fountaynes without water & cloudes without rayne , in asmoche as they do ynoughe & more then ynough fylle and replenysshe all the worlde with theyr teachynge and do on euery syde with lowde voyce speake great thynges ? Peter maketh answere & graunteth that withoute doubte they do preache to moche , to the great hurte of all the worlde : and he sayth furthermore .

FOr when they haue vehemently spoken proude wordes of vanytie , they begyle & allure men through lustes of the pleasure of the flesshe , such as were cleane escaped , suche as are in erroure , whyles they doo promyse vnto them lybertie , and yet they are theym selues the bonde seruauntes of corrupcyon .

HEre he sheweth the cause , why he doth compare & lyken theym to Balaam , Balaam and he descrybeth the nature of theyr doctryne . wherfore let vs loke vpon this somwhat stedfastlye & with good aduysement . Nume 24 et . 31. Moyses wryteth in the boke of Numeri in the xxiiii . and .xxxi. chapitres , howe that Balaam made mocyon to the kyng Balach , he shuld set vp an Idolle called Baal peor and instytude and ordeyne sacryfyces , in which certayne women & maydes shuld after the maner of commen women stonde forth redy to satysfye the flesshely lustes of all maner persones , in the honoure of the god Baal / & that he shulde prouoke the chyldren of Israell to Idolatrye and fornycacyon , and so by that meanes myghte brynge the wrathe and indygnacyon of god vpon theym / when he coulde by none other wayes ouercome , whose counsell kynge Balach dyd folowe & obey . Soo then the chyldren of Israell entysed by the women of the madyanites , dyd sacryfyce with theym to the Idolle Peor / & after that they had gyuen them selues moste shamefully to lecherye and glotonye , they were deceyued with the flaterynge wordes and behauoure of the women . wherfore god beynge dyspleased & angrye , caused the prynces and rulers to be hanged agaynst the sonne , and he slewe . xxiiii . M. persones . Lo the author and begynner of this so great & abhominable synne was Balaam so great a prophete / Lo this greate offence commytted he , whiche not longe afore had preached so godly thyngꝭ . But for as moche as the apostle Peter doth referre and applye all these thynges vnto our bysshops , lette vs nowe consydre more largely of this mater . What maner Idolle Baal Peor was , Baal peor the scrypture doth not so playnly declare , albe it that in the .xxi. chapytre of Ezechyell it doth somwhat touche of the wonderfull , and vnsacyable flesshely luste of that spyrytuall adulteres / when it dothe moste sharpely rebuke her for that she dyd desyre and luste after the flesshe of horses .

ANd she was made ( sayth he ) with luste to lye by theym , Ezech. 21. whose flesshe are as the flesshe of Asses , & the fluxe & yssue of them as the fluxe or yssue of horses .

AUthors do saye , Priapus that this same Idolle was Priapus of the whiche mater all togyther , I had moche leuer holde my tonge then to speke any thyng at al not but that it myght be vttered penned & spoken well ynoughe ( so it were done with honest shamefastnes & reuerence were not for the capcyousnes of certayne persons whiche when they can fide aff theyr long poryng and pryeng ) no faulte or chalenge in the argument or matter , wyll be right glad otherwyse to fynde some thynge , whiche ( albeit vnworthely ) they may with some fayned coloure of honeste & vertuous pretens , depraue & calumpnyate . Therfore who so lysteth to know more of the fylthie rytes and ceremonyes of this detestable Idolle priapus or Baal Peor , vsed at the matrimonye of honest matrones amonge the gentyles before Chrystes natyuytie , Let hym resorte to a boke of . De ciuitate dei . fib . 6. ca. 9 S. Augustynes , intytled De ciuitate dei . where the holy doctour , is not asshamed ( for why shuld he ) nomore thenne men neded to be nowe a dayes , yf the deuyll dyd not rage so sore in his membres , to shewe the detestable sacryfyce don vnto this abhominable god fylthye lecherye and vnclennes / Baal peor or Priapus . The whiche abhomynacion euery whytte notwithstandynge , was done & commytted vndre the cloked coloure of a ghyhe sacryfyce offred vnto god . where note to what great in conuenyence , the blynde nature of man is brought vnto , and caryed hedlonge , by the hypocrysie of fayned relygyon , and paynted holynes , when he hath not the worde of god , to testyfye with hym that his seruyce is good and godlye , The blindenes of man . yea what thynge can be ymagyned or deuysed so fowle so abhomynable , and shamefull / but men may be persuaded vnto it : so that Relygyon & holynes be fayned & pretended , vndre the abuse of the blyssed & most worshypful name of god : is not this a thynge more then myserable , more then horryble , in so foule and so abhomynable a thynge as was this sacryfyce of Pryapus to mysuse the name of god ? and by that cloke & pretence so many thousandes of soules to be seduced , begyled & ledde oute of the ryght waye ? And yet god in the meane season helde his peace , Note here the great sufferaunce of god . and suffred his name in vngoodly and shameful wyse to be polluted and blasphemed , to the entent that to those whiche were vnkynde , and had forgoten his grace and fauour , so great blindnes , & so excedynge great errour shulde be as a rewarde and a recompensacyou of theyr wyckednes , lykewyse as they had deserued / And loke yf it haue not ben euen so amonge vs chrysten men For what soeuer thyng that wycked tyraunte the Priapus of Rome , Priapus of Rome . & those sones of maledyccyon the bysshops & doctours , the holde of his doctryne , lernyng & lawe , dare eyther deuyse or fayned & ymagyne , & offre vnto vs : that thyng forth with we do receyue & embrace & do thynke it suffycyent . And the for nothyng els , but onely because they do pretende the name of god , & therwith do couer & cloke theyr priapyshe doctryne & sacryfyce . And when they prayse their inuencyons onely with great tytles , callyng them holy vertuous & chrysten deuyses establysshed by the church of god : we forth with do ron vpon them in al the hast , & do receyue them neuer so moche as ones bethynkyng vs or consydringe whether it be also commanded of god or standyng with his scripturis so that this commen ꝓuerbe cam not vp for noughte , A prouerbe . neyther is itvsed without a cause / In the name of the lorde is be gon al mischief & vngraciousnes But god dyd in especiall threten and forbede this very dylygently that we shulde not rasshely & vndyscretely receyue euery maner thynge , that is offered vnto vs vndre the pretence & coloure of his name , and as it were shewynge and payntynge with his fynger the Pope & his bysshoppes of our tyme , he sayth in the .xxiiii chapytre of Mathewe .

MAny men shal come in my name , and shall say , I am Chryste , and shall begyle many , & leade them out of the ryght way .

ANd for this cause , also he dyd so dyly gentlye prouyde & ordeyne that we shulde not take his name in vayne in to our mouthe , or otherwyse abuse it / agayne he hath also taught vs to parye in this wyse .

" ¶ Halowed be thy name . That is to say , The name of god graunte that the holye and worshypfull name of god may coutynue holye and in honoure , & onely be applyed vnto those thynges / whiche are truly holy , and truely godly , and so that we may not be seduced & begyled by the name of god , but that we may be saued by it / And that by all these thynges is sygnyfyed that incredyble pestilence and calamytie of humane tradycions , Priapus was a fygure of the popes tradycyons , as proueth Moyses . Deute. 4. wherwith god nowe doth punysshe and scourge the world by the Pope & his clyentꝭ . Fyrste Moyses sheweth & declareth it in the .iiii. chapytre of Deuteronomium , when he sayth .

YOu shall not adde vnto the worde whiche I doo speake vnto you , neyther shal you take away any thynge therfro / kepe you the commaundementes of your Lorde god , which I do commaunde and teache vnto you / And immedyatlye after it foloweth . For your iyes haue sene , what god hathe done to the Idole Peor , And how he hathe destroyed the worshypers of it , and hathe taken them from amonge you .

NOwe why shuld Moyses put Baal Peor for an example moste specyallye afore all other thynges , when he doth commaunde that they shuld neyther adde any thynge to the worde of god , nor mynyshe any thyng therof : excepte it were becanse he wolde openlye shewe that humane tradycyons are nothyng els but an Idole Peor ? Mannes tradycions For these do take away the lawe of god , and do adde humane thynges . Lykewyse as euen at these dayes the Pope hath suppressed , or at the least wyse hathe neglected and despysed almost all the commaundementes of god , and hathe added his owne humane abhomynacyons as patches sowed therunto . The here tycall doctryne of the papystes . For ( as we haue sayde often tymes ) the Papystes do teache , that it is no nede that god be loued with the whole harte : so by this is taken awaye the fyrste commaundement / agayn they do teache , The papistes destroye all goddes commaundementes . that faythe is not suffycyent to iustyficacyon , but that good workes are requyred vnto ryghtwysnes so by this the seconde & thyrde precepte falleth to grounde . Besydes this they do teache the sones to be dysobedyent vnto the fathers & mothers , as them selues are to the hygh gouernours & rulers : ( as we haue sayd heretofore ) by this is taken awaye the fourthe precepte / Also they teache that it is not nedefull to loue oure enemyes : by this they doo teache wrathe and hatred be of strengthe , agaynste the .v. precepte . Moreouer they haue inuented and deuysed innumerable meanes and craftes bothe of knyttynge or cowplynge matrymonye , and also of deuorsynge or departynge matrymonye : by this is adnulled & put awaye the syxe commaundement . Besydes all these thynges , they do teache to gette and to holde & kepe styll other mennes goodes , other mennes thynges , and money gotten by vsurye , contrary to the .vii. precepte . Also all theyr hole doctryne is false wytnes : contrarye to the .viii. precepte . So vndre that Idole the Priapus of Rome there is no precepte of god any lenger safe : but al are abrogate and put awaye . On the other syde he hath added and put to of his owne , howe that by the habytes of his relygyous ordres , by sectes beggynge songes , organes , franken sence , smokes , belles , lowde noyse belowynges or rorynges , pardons , satysfaccyons / & by suche other vysyble thyngꝭ , the fauour of god is purchased and the workes of ryghtwysnesse are fulfylled , whiche thynges euery one of theym god dothe hate and abhorre , and wyll not knowe the best theym , yf they be done withoute faythe , as all the prophettes doo openly wytnesse / wherfore euen the doctryne also of hym is very Baal Peor / Here vnto Moyses also is consonaunte & verye well agreynge , The maner of Baas honour and sacryfyce . Nume . 25 when he descrybeth the sacryfyce and maner of worshypynge Baal Peor . Howe it was done all togyther in glotony & lechery . For the gentyles or paynymes were fallen in to so extreme blyndnes , The blindenes of the gentyles . that in the honoure of that Idole , they dyd most shame fully set forth theyr owne wyues & theyr fayrest doughters as commen women to serue the beastlye luste of who soeuer wolde , and it was the commen maner and custome , that euery man shulde take his pleasure , and satysfye his abhomynable luste vpon euery woman that was nerest vnto hym , after the maner and facyon of beastes and dogges . Cosbi . And Moyses wryteth of Cosbi the doughter of a certayne prynce , howe as she was vsynge the fylthye pleasure of the flesshe with a certaine prince & gouerno ' of Israel , both she & he as they were ioyned togyther in that fylthye acte doynge , were stryken through with a dagger by a preest named Phynees , Psalmo . 105. of whome the psalme also maketh mencyon .

¶ Phynees pacyfyed &c. Phinees .

BRyefly that moste wretched people was so blynded , that they dyd also lyke theym selues well , and dydde stande in theyr owne conceyte , as often tymes as they dydde offre to this Idole theyr best sones , and theyr moste tendre doughters / euen lykewyse as nowe a dayes that Idole the Priapus of Rome doth with his doctryne corrupte and defyle the sones of great estates , and the doughters of prynces , whyles he doth entyse & allure theym in to monasteryes or howses of relygyon , whiche do wene the theyr selues do very well in theyr wycked opynyon to be iustyfyed by entrynge in to the same , and that they do folowe godlynes and the ryght waye of good lyuynge albeit they be neuer so farre from the gyfte of contynauncie . Now all the whole scrypture in euery place calleth the madnes of theym whiche do bynde theyr conscyence captyue to the tradycyons of men and in them lye tomblynge , Spūall fornycacion & who redome . lettynge the commaundement of god go , whoredome and fornycacion And god in al the prophettes doth rebuke the synagoge whiche for sakyng hym the verye god , Synagoge . doth commytte fornycacyon with the doctrynes of men , and with the maysters or teachers of humane tradycyons . So that bodely fylthynes and vnclennes of Baal Peor , maye sygnyfye none other thynge , then spyrytuall adultery and fornycacyon , by whiche soules are defyled & are ledde away from the symplycytie of the faythe and from the knowledge of Chryste , The souse is a spiritual virgyne & conceyueth the worde of god by fayth . in to the confydence of workes for euery soule the scrypture dothe call a spyrytuall virgyne or spouses , that is to wyt verely , because of faythe , in whiche she beynge great and full with the holy ghoste dothe conceyue the wordes of god , & in whiche same fayth also the holy ghoste makynge plenty full the sede of the worde of god , fayth is the mother of truthe . doth make her the mother of truth that is to say doth make her full of true & substancyall good workes , and of the fruites of true pytie and godlynes . Besydes this the nature and propryetie of the name dothe meruayllouslve well agre vnto this matyer and purpose . For Baal in the Hebrwe tonge sygnyfyeth a man , The iterpretacion of Baal . and the such a maner man which doth by any meanes cleaue to a woman , as yf a woman dydde saye , this is my man , whether he be her lawfull husbande , or els one to whom she is concubyne . And lykewyse as we do say of an harlotte , that she hath many men : Baal . so Baal doth signifie & betoken a man wholly addecte & gyuen to women , and a housholder / so that this worde doth sygnyfie in his propre sygnyfycacion not any maner man , but a man which is gyuen to women , and a speaker & gouernour of a housholde . For elles a man whiche is mete to gouerne the common weale , or to make warre , or to do any other maner earnest & wayghtie busynes : Isch / Enosch . Beelzehuh . Accaron . is in Hebrwe tonge called Isch or Enocsh . So the Iewes dyd call the Idole Accaron Beelzebub , that is to saye the man or husbande of flyes : that is to wyt a man nothyng worthe & without all myght or strength scasely worthy to haue euen a flye to his wyfe . In the laten tonge suche a maner man is called maritus or coniunx ( not vir , or mas ) and the same is Baal in the Hebrwe tonge . ¶ Nowe Peor and phegor betokeneth an openynge or gapynge , Neor . Phegor . and it belongeth properlye to the mouthe . Wherfore Baal Peor in the Hebrwe tonge , dothe betoken in Englys she , men whiche haue theyr mouthes alwayes gapynge : and suche for the moste parte ar fooles without any wyt recheles , slouth full , dastardes , desyrous of womens company , & nothyng mete to any sadde or earnest busynes / And therfore vnto this fylthy Idole this name Baal Peor was verye well and accordyngly gyuen : Baal peor . because it was on euery behalfe fylthie and vnclene , and or deyned onely to fylthynes & baudrye / For what other thyng shulde it meane that , that ymage was grauen in suche maner fylthye & shamefull facyon : but onely that it shuld sygnyfie a flouthfull man and a folysshe , and suche one as were greatly desyrous of the company of women ? lykewyse as the ymage of one in complete harneys & with a salette on his hed , doth sygnyfie a man apte & mete for warres and bataylles / And albeit that feruent fautoures of bysshop of Rome do commytte all these spyrytuall adulteryes & for nycacyons , as we shall heare hereafter : yet for all that ( yf I shulde not lye ( they be so stronge and mighty and as it were twyse maryed , that some of them do in verye dede playe the adulterers , & that notablye as men saye euen with theyr bodyes also . For I pray you for the loue of god tell me what is the profyte that commeth of this holye and godlye people ? Are they not in verye dede Baal Peor , that is to say recheles and folysshe ydle men ? For what other thynge can they skyll of , or what other thynge do they , saue onely ryde vpon well fedde , and fatte palfrayes : yf not chastelye yet warely . & kepe fayre wenches yr not chastlye yet warely ( for I wyll vse theyr owne wyse terme ) with whome they maye lye ( god wotte to auoyde all maner feres that happen in the nyght . So then they are pure Baal peors and do contynue alwayes Baal peors , and yet neuertheles in the meane season they do busely make this coloure and semblaunce to begyle men with all , as thoughe they dyd gouerne the churche in spyrituall thynges , and dyd conueye soules in to heuen , & as thoughe it were they alone , which do plucke vp and rydde awaye errours and heresyes with great dyligence & care . ¶ Wherfore this Idole spyrytually is nothynge elles , but the holy canon lawe , The Canon lawe and the doctryne of the Pope & the craftye maynteyners of the same . For this is that fylthye and vnclene ymage , in whiche the soules doo lese theyr virgynyte , that is to say in whiche they learne to truste in workes , & to leaue & forsake the chastytie and purytie of the ryghtuousnes of fayth / whiche the Apostle calleth the symplycytie , whiche is in Chryste Ihesu .

¶ Wherfore also the Pope shulde of ryghte be called not the pope , but Priapus : 1. Co. vi . and the papystes not papystes , Priapystes . but priapystes And lykewyse as it was a verye fylthy and a shamefull thynge / and euen also playne agaynst alreason and that commen iudgement of men , that the paynymes shulde so sette vp an ymage of extreme vnclennes or rybauldrye , by whiche men were prouoked vnto lecherye , and by twyce more fylthy & stynkynge vse therof dyd worshyp this Idole as it were with commen & solempne ceremonyes . So in lyke maner and a thousande tymes worse , and a thousande tymes more fylthye and vnclene is the doctryne , the maner and vsage of the papystes , whiche by theyr Bulles & by theyr doctryne do allure and drawe the conscyences of men vnto confydence & truste in workes / to pardones & satysfaccyons : wenynge that then pryncipally they haue done excellent and hyghe honoure and seruyce vnto god , yf by inuentynge and deuysynge verye many workes and tradycyons of workes , they do dayly encreace this spyrituall fornycacion : as though the god of glorie , and of soueraygne Maiestie were made this Idole of rybaldrye & vnclennes / when in verye dede the true honoure & seruyce of god , The true honour & seruyce of god . & that true spyrytuall chastitie standeth or resteth in fayth onely , & in the workes whiche god by grace dothe worke in vs . So we do se through out all the worlde that the Papystes do sette soules vpon this Idole of Priapus , and do fyll the worlde with suche maner spyrytuall vnclennes and monstruous kyndes of spyrytuall lecherye . For they do sette vp the mere doctrynes & workes of men in the holy place , where onelye the worde of god oughte to raygne . And lykewyse as that abhomynable ymage of Priapus is made lyke vnto a yonge man most shameles , desyrous of womans companye , euen so that papystycall Idole also , The doctryne of men . that is to wytte that doctryne of men , is a certayne madnes and furye contynually ragynge in pollutynge of myndes , and in vyolatynge & defylynge the chastytie of fayth . For we do se with howe great labour and dylygence , Nota. with howe great stryuynge / yea euen yet at this daye in Englande , the papystes do nosell the selye pore people in theyr doctrine , but after suche maner , that by theyr wylles they wyll not be a knowen therof , and so craftely ( as they thynke ) that no man can perceyue them , albeit in that meane tyme euery foole may espye them . We se ( I say ) howe wodde they are , and howe they rage , as it were men vexed offendes , as often tymes as theyr doctryne is iudged or examyned and tryed by the rule of holy scry ptures . For they wolde not that so moche as one soule shuld escape that stewes of spyrituall lecherye , and those fowle bordell howses , & that fowle luste , wherin they do contynually brenne to maynteyne theyr Idole , and so to prouyde that there shall not one soule kepe the chastyte of her fayth . This is sygnyfyed by the name Baal , Baal . that is to saye a man gyuen to loue of women , that is to wytte , because suche maner doctryne of men is onely ordeyned to the pollutynge , corruptynge , and defylynge of soules .

¶ This same also is sygnyfyed by the worde Peor / that is to say a gapynge mouth . Peor . For they wyl not harken nor gyue eares that they maye here the worde of god but onely that stubburne , dysobe dyente , and shamelesse mouthe , with contynuall gapynge dothe barke forthe humane doctrynes . For they onelye wyll teache and gyue lawes in the churche , & they requyre & loke that theyr selues onely shuld be herde , & that them selues onely shulde be taken for bysshops & ouerseers / And this is the cause , why they do outwardely pretende so goodly and gloryous names with so many colours and deceytfull hypocryses where as in verye dede they are nothynge elles but Peor / that is to say men full of tonge , bablers tryflres , and shamefull lyers ( as saynt Paule saythe in the fyrste epystle to Tymothe . )

Wyllynge or desyrynge to be teachers of the lawe , & yet they doo not vnderstande what thynges they doo speake , nor of what thynges they do affyrme .

By these thyngꝭ we may now vnderstande the wordes of the apostle Peter , why , and for what cause he doth compare and lyken the Pope & his preuye bysshops and secrete frendes vnto the prophete Balaam . Balaam For fyrste this worde Balaam in the hebrwe sygnyfyeth a deuourer , lykewyse as the papystes also haue deuoured & swalowed vp the ryches of the whole world . Secondarely lyke wyse as Balaam for respecte of money , or for rewardes sake gaue counsayll vnto kyng Balach , that he shulde sette vp the Idole Baal peor , and dyd begyle the people of Israell , and let theym ou● of the ryght waye : euen so sayth the Apostle , that that papystes whether they ben preuye or knowen , and suche other men do folowe the wayes of Balaam : and also do rayse or sette vp the Idole Baal peor for fylthye lucres sake . For as we se , what soeuer humayne doctrine there is , it is euery whyt ordeyned to th ende , to gather ryches , to encrease worldly substaunce / bryefly to get plentefull lucre and auauntage as we se in the king dome of the Pope and his . On the other syde the worde of god or the gospell , The gospesscan gette no money . or the worde of the crosse is barayne & vnfruytfull to brynge forthe any lucre or gaynes . For there is no man but he flyeth from the crosse , & euery man greatly hateth trybulacyons and aduersytie , whiche do alway accompanye and folowe the worde of god . For the apostle coulde not of all the scrypture haue founde oute a more mete example to descrybe and sette forthe the fylthy and the dowble wycked lyfe of Rome & of the romanystes , then this Balaam . For I praye you what other thynge is all the whole kyngdome of the Pope and his vpholders where soeuer they be and all the whole wycked Monarchye of hym and his , The Monarchye of the pope . then couetousnes & gredy desyre to gather golde , then money , money , money ? for all thynges are there so ordered and appoynted , that they may bryng in lucre . For how tyrannously the pope with these byenges & sellynges , with sutes about prebendes , with the whyrlynge processes of the rote at Rome , with so many palles & cotes belongyng to the bysshops , hath pylled , made bare beggered the world : the thing it self , that is to wyt the extreme pouerte of al Chrystendom doth euydently wytnes & declare . How beit those losses of money & gooddes were not to be passed vpon , yf he had not set vp this Idole of his deuylisshe & wicked doctryne and called awaye all the whole worlde from very god vnto Idolatrye , onely for this execrable & moste fylthye lucre . For therin that Balaam of Rome & his doth most hurte , and teacheth spyrytual adulteryes & fornycacyons , by whiche god is prouoked to wrathe & vengeaunce . So that not onelye ( as Moyses wryteth ) .xxiiii. M. do perysshe & are destroyed : Humeri . xxvi . but innumerable soules and conscyences are slayne and dampned yf they persyst in his doctryne . Furthermore the apostle sayth , the they do speake excedyng prowde and dysdaynfull wordes . Withoute doubte by these wordes he dothe sygnyfye and rebuke that wycked doctryne , of the Pope and his , as yf he shuld say the doctryne of theym is vp and downe the veryeryghte Baal peor . For the maisters and teachers of that doctryne with meruaylous pryde , & with great gapynge and openynge of the mouthe do preache and teache thynges vnfruytfull and wherof shall come no profyte at all . I beseche you is not this opynyon comenly rooted in mennes myndes ? and hathe it not ben so vsed in our tyme , as though onely the lyfe of Monkes , freers , & preestes , were the verye ryght way vnto saluacyon and heuen ? No man durste hope to be saued , excepte he were one of those holye sayntes or elles at the leaste wyse dyd bye heuen of them . And they theyr owne selues dare verye boldely hope to be saued , & dare selle saluacyon vnto other beynge excedyngly shameles : lykewyse as they do openly excerse marchaundyse , sellynge Masses , fastyngis , prayers , and good workes done in theyr Monasteries , as though by these meanes they shuld conuaye other men in to heuen / are not these great thynges I praye you ? but what is hydde vnder the royall & goodly cloke & pretence : Nothynge elles but hypocrysye , starke lyes , and craftis & deceytes Romyshe falshode , gyles , flaterynge slayghtes , bryefly snares & grynnes of the deuyll . For in all that whole wycked and vngodly people is there not one Crumme of fayth or fydelytie : but al theyr holynes standeth in theyr shauen crownes / in theyr longe robes , in sayenge or syngyng of Psalmes in the dyuersitie of garmentes or habytes , in hyocrytyse fastinges , in belles , in the smokes of the sensers , in suche thyngꝭ as these ( I saye ) resteth all theyr holynes . And of these thyngꝭ they do chalenge and take vnto them selues those noble tytles : of spyrytuall state , of holy ordres , of preestes & bysshops as though they shulde be meanes betwene god & other men , that is to wyt makynge theyr owne selues newe medyatoures or meanes , leaste that onely medyatour , whome god hath ordeyned & appoynted , Chryst Ihesus were not yuough for all suffycyent , but had lyen hym downe to sleape . 1. Timothe .2 . O Balaam the sone of Belyall god gyue the shorte tyme to contynue with thyne abhomynable Idole , whiche gatherynge & scrapyng together money on euery syde doste kyll and slee soules . Besydes this the apostle sayth , the by so goodly a colo & so glorious a cloke & pretence they do only allur̄ & drawe men vnto the lustis desyrꝭ of the flesshe , in so moche the those men are compelled to lyue in erroure whiche somtyme had truely escaped . I verely do not doubte , that the spyryteof god dothe here by the mouthe of peter rebuke not one erroure alone , or one synne and abhomynacyon alone but dothe touche and rebuke all the whole heape of synnes & vyces , whiche lyeth hydde vnder the goodly coloure and hypocrysye . For we se howe wyde and largely the Relygyon of men of the churche dothe extende and stretche it selfe , howe many sectes it dothe contayne , whiche sectes are egally bounden all the rable of them to chaster not withoute a relygyous and a deuoute othe . when notwithstandynge the scrypture and with dayly experyence dothe teache , that perpetuall chastytie is an hygh gyft of god farre aboue the power and strength of nature , whiche gyfte chaunceth but euen to verye fewe holye and spyrytuall men also . But oure bysshops here beynge blynde & maddo conne on hedlonge , & do bynde all maner psones indyfferentlye with this bonde , none otherwyse then yf chastytie were a verye easy thynge and lyghte to be kepte of euery man / and so with those hyghe prayses of virgynytie & of theyr spyrytuall state ( for they so do call it ) they do allure & drawe selye youth in to theyr nettes of theyr syngle lyfe , The fructes of the popes chastytie . whiche youthe then afterwardes dothe defyle it selfe contynuallye with fowle lecherye and vncleane lustes . And hereof it is that we dose them bothe men and women , whiche beyng letted and holden in within the prysones of monasteryes , & with iyerne lockes and grates can not haue the company of man or woman , to synne more fylthelye & more abhomynablie ( sauyng reuerence ) in sodomytrie or buggerie , then a man dare be bolde to vtter or expresse . For albeit they do neuer so moche conteyne outwardly , as concernynge the bodely acte : Nota. yet that notwithstandyng they do inwardly boyl & brenne with vncleane luste so that among them eyther there is whoredome vnder the colour & cloke of spyrytuall & ecclesiastycal lyfe , or at the least wyse there is constrayned & tyrannously extorted chastytie . And of a suertie , there are more greuous ieopardyes of conscyences & greater calamytie & miserie there , then any man may eyther expresse with his tonge or thynk with his herte , & this is it the Peter rebuketh here , when he saythe .

THey allure & draw men with pleasuris of the fleshe through concupyscences and lustes .

AS though he dyd say of those our bisshops & prestes In dede they do preache many thynges of the spyrytuall & ecclesiastycal state , & they do meruaylously prayse & magnyfie chaslytie : but with those theyr fayre & pleasaunt wordes they do begyle sely pore yonge men & women , & do leade them & al other in to the myddes of the fylthy stynkyng pumpe of lechery & vncleane lustes , which a lytle before through baptysme had truly escaped the power of synne and of the deuyll , and had begon well in the chrysten faythe and in the gospell . Why so many conne to religyon . For hereof it is that so many men do ronne so hedlonge & blyndlye in to these kyndes of lyuyng : because they do suppose that baptisme & the vertue therof is loste through actuall synne , and doth worke nothynge any lenger in them . And hereof also it is that they do not regarde but do despyse faythe , Fayth . as a vayne & a triflyng thyng without any fruyte or profyte ( whiche for all that is the onely thynge that doth iustify ) and they doo take vpon them a more holy and a more pure maner of lyuynge , and ( as it appereth to them ) also a more spirituall and a more hygh kynde of lyuynge , that is to wytte to lyue sole and chaste . And then this thinge without fayth & without the spirite is vnpossible for them to do , and so they are cast downe in to the myddes of this depe dongeon of myserie & wretchydnes , for it is possyble that the deuyll may for the space of one yere or two , yea & also somtyme of hole tenne yeres suffre suche maner men to be quyet ( howbeit this happeneth very seldome ) but yet for all the the same men at length do not contynue chaste , onles they do learne faythe and Christe , or elles do get some hygher gyfte . For the deuyll hathe that man , who soeuer he be , A man without fayth . which is without fayth , so surely & so fast bounden in the snares of lechery & vncleane lustes : that he nede not to lye in wayte , or to vse his deuylyshe craftes aboute them , wherfore he doth so mocke hym , and doth suffre hym for a certeyn season to lyue quyetly , yea in so moche that he begynneth also to haue great delyte and pleasure in chastite : but yet he is more than sure that the man can not escape out of his snares without fayth and the spyryte , or elles some spyrytuall gyfte of god , namely seynge that euen those men also haue busynesse ynough & moche worke to kepe them selues vpryght and vnouercomen in this behalfe , whiche ar spyrytuall in very dede , and whiche trustynge and beyng bolde vpon theyr manly & stronge couragyous faythe , alwayes watchfull , & standynge vp ryght do contynually wrestle and fyght with hym contynually . Bryesly take this for sure and vndoubted , that all that so hyghly praysed chastyte and contynencie of ecclesyastycall persones , The chastyte of alecclesyastycal persons / whiche haue not the faith that iustifyeth whose hertes are not puryfyed & raysed vp with faythe ( as all the preestes for the most parte ar ignoraunt of Chryste ) is nothynge elles but mere hypochrisye & deuylyshe deceypte , by whiche they do allure youthe into most great ieopardyes , when in the meane season no good thynge at all is hydde vnder this goodly and deceyptfull semblaunces or apperaunce . And wolde to god that nowe an hundred monasteryes were brought vnto one , and that of one hundred churches collegyate there were left scantly one or two , and the same to be instytuted and ordayned for a scole of chryscen youthe , and not for a gage or place to boste and she we forthe ceremonyes in . Beleue me this so great and so excellent Apostle dyd not speake in vayne & for nought , wherfore as I haue sayde alwayes euen so I saye agayne nowe , who soeuer may , let hym kepe hym self euen as farre awaye from all maner bondes of religyon , from all monasteryes and temples , where the scripture & fayth is not earnestly taught , and where soeuer Christe is not taught , and spirytuall workes are exercysed bothe day & nyght , as he wolde from a pestylence . For it is not possible to be otherwyse , but that these monasteryes and churches bothe cathedrall & collegiate are the gates of hell : Cathedral churches . yf the gospell be not there contynually preached and syncerely taught . And except the gospel do raygne in such places , and be exercysed by the crosse , by temptacions and tribulacions , alwayes through moste sure and vpryght hope and most lyuely fayth : it is not possible , but that all thynges there done are and muste be corrupte , hypochritycall , and deuylyshe , howe soeuer holy they appere in sight . Neyther is there in such a place any hope of counsel or remedy . Wherfore good reader , I do oftentymes louyngly admonyshe , and hertely exhorte the , flee flee ( wylte thou that I shal speke it a thousand tymes ? ) flee and eschewe the estate of religyous men , which is so chosen , sought and inuented by the madnes and vanytie of mannes counsayle , without scripture , without the byddyng , without the comaun demente and worde of god . True chastite . To the kepyng of true chastite , fyrst there is nede of a lyuely , effectuall , stronge , proued , tryed , and very angelical gyfte , which may of a certeyn efficacy and strenght properly belongyng vnto it self , & of her owne couragious force commyng by the grace of god carye vp the spirite aboue the fleshe , and which also may rule and commaunde desyres and affeccyons , and which may as it were a certayne very hote fyer , drye vp the issues & flowynges of the flesshe , and brynge a man in that case , that he begynne to sette lyghte by this lyfe , and by hym selfe , in a maner turned by the gyfte of god in to an angely call nature .

ANd excepte that god , with the moste free & passyng hyghe gyfte of contynencie or chastytie in body & mynde do gyrde in and holde vnder his raynes : it is but labours all in vayne , to goo aboute by any myghte or power of man to brydle or subdue the flamyng heate of the flesshe . But those madde men and vtterly ignoraunt of fayth & spyryte , and also vnskylled of spyrytuall thinges , do go about to prouyde for these thynges , and to remedye them by theyr colde workes , with fastynges , with habytes or vestures , with prayers set & appoynted , with the prysonnes of monasteryes or relygyous houses , A simylitude . none otherwyse then yf one wolde go about to stoppe the ryuer of Thaymes of his course , with a banke made of straw , leauynge in the meane season the sprynge or hed of it vnstopped . This felowe that wolde so doo , myght ꝑaduenture sooner destroy the landes lyeng nere , with the ouer flowyng of the sayd ryuer : them stop or let the course of the same . So these men do leaue vnto nature her naturall flowynges , whyles they do not teache the knowledge of the gyfte of chastytie , & yet do go aboute with eatyng of fysshe and with dyuersitie and choyse of garmentes , and with the prysones of monasteryes , to stoppe and kepe vnder the sayd nature , that she shall not breake forth in to issues or flowynges : when that natural power and that natural desyre to contynue and encreace his kynde is so depely roted and grounded in the flesshe that it can not by any power or strength of man be plucked vp & put away . and so the goodly and excellent purytie of theyr chastytie is this onely , to kepe them selues vnmaryed : The chastitie of the papistical spiritualtie . but yet neuertheles in the meane season to folowe flesshely lustes , commenly beynge the worste lyuers of all other . And so it is true that Peter the Apostle sayth , that with theyr goodly hypochrisy , & with theyr hyghe and gloryous prayses of this coloured and paynted chastite , they do allure & begyle the commen people , & very many vnskylled yong men , makyng them to beleue that by this spirituall ( for so they call it ) estate & by workes they shall be chaste and holy , and do moste hyghe honour and seruyce vnto god , and this is that errour of al other farre the worste in the which they ar compelled to lyue , which a lytle before were delyuered from all errour throughe baptysme & the fayth of Christe . Is not this then a goodly and an excellent prayse of prestes and relygyous men , whiche so great an Apostle gyueth vnto them : that is to say , that the lyfe of them is nothyng elles , but great & goodly soundes of wordis , vnder which there is no good thyng hydde or meaned , vnder whiche maner of lyuyng also moste fowle vnclennesse and most grosse synnes are couered , & with whiche them selnes do seduce and leade chrysten men from the hygh waye of fayth , and from the knowledge of Chryst , in to comberous & inextrycable mases of errours ? yf I shulde paynt & set out bysshops , prestes & relygyous persons with suche maner colonrs , I shulde be proclaymed . cccccc . tymes an heretyke , and these praters of vayne thynges ( I shulde haue sayde preachers of dyuyne thynges ) wolde crye our a thousande tymes & more . To the fyre , to the fyre . Thou canst not denye ( say they ) but that many sayntes , as Augustyne , saynte Barnarde , and Francyske , dyd professe this maner of lyuynge , what therof ? ( I say ) you blynde guyders , do you not se , the those fathers Barnard , Augustyne , & such other holy men were saued not by theyr workes , not by these orders , so as you do wene : How the ofde fathers estemed outwatde workes . but by that knowing of christ but by fayth ? & that they dyd not accompte or take these outwarde exercyses for that waye & cause of saluacyon : but onely for an outward exercyse to chastyce & subdue the pryde & rebellyon of that flesshe . Let this therfore be suffycyent to vs now that we haue open & playn testimonyes of that most excellent Apostles Peter & Paule , whiche haue descrybed & haue set forth to our iyes that papystes with all theyr wycked lyfe & doctryne : that is to wyt , that they ar that sonnes or chyldren of malediction & monsters of that world , but deyns of the earthe , to be shoned & eschewed of al those which ar the louers of true vertu & good lyuing But what Christ hym selfe , and what the prophetes Esaie / Hieremie / and Ezechiel with other do say with most vehement and very tragicall affeccyons , and with meruaylous playnesse and boldnesse , concernyng this matter : we shall differre & put of in the meane season whyles , the pope and bysshops with all theyr garde and retynue freattynge & fomyng agaynst this veritie after theyr accustomed maner , shall blowe on those my lytle sparkes . Nowe yf the men , whiche are by nature so desyrous of glorie , and which ar wont to flaterynges , do complayn that they be not handled of me lyke bysshops according to theyr dignytie : no man shall greatly blame me therfore , for asmoche as they do not behaue them selues , as it becometh bysshops to do . For I do forbeare them and gyue them more honour , then they be worthye to haue in that I do vouchesafe to call them by so holy and so olde a worde , The name of a hysshop . I meane the name of bysshop , for they ought to be called by very odyous tytles , yf I shulde call them as dothe saynt Paule the Apostle , and as Steuen the fyrst marter doth call them . Actes . xii For a bysshop ought to be very connynge in the Byble , and day and nyght to labour and studye in the holy scripture , and to be suche one , whiche shulde in his owne persone teache his people , bothe pryuately and openly , Actes . vii & instructe them to know Chryste ( as saynt Paule doth reherse ) & whiche also in his owne propre persone shulde vysyte sykmē , & succoure & releue pore , and nedye men . Nowe they are notynge elles ( I meane the papystes ) but blynde guydes , whiche defendyng the tradycyons of men and the papystycall marchaundyse , by fraudes and guyles doo plucke awaye , and by infynyte craftes do extorte the goodes of other men . Therfore lykewyse as shepeherdes when it fortuneth them to se the wolfe , doo make a great outcrye vpon hym , sayeng the wolfe , the wolfe , the wolfe , euen so also wyll I crye out here euen vntyl I be hoorse with cryenge to such tyme as they amende theyr maners . I wyll descrybe some of theyr vertues , to th entent that all chrysten men both nowe lyuyng & hereafter to come may haue knowledge therof , howbeit yet I wyll forbeare from shewyng theyr names and persones , neyther wyll I rebuke and inuaye agaynst that worldly admynystracyon & dignytie whiche they beare , but I shall pryncypally touche that thynge , whiche concerneth the captyuyte of conscyences , that they may ones se & perceyue , that there is by the gyfte of god some shepe of so great a flocke sprongen vp which al other hytherto beyng affrayde dare be bolde to saye . Lo vnder these goodly dysguysyngꝭ , vnder this fayre name , and vnder this appareyll of bysshops are hydde rauynous wolues . And of this my lybertie and bolde playnesse , I haue an excellent example the Apostle Paule , Pause . Ac. xxiii . which dyd in open audyence very sharply and sore rebuke the hyghe preeste Ananias , Ananias and sayde .

GOd shall stryke the , thou whyted wall , thou syttest here to iudge me according to the lawe , & yet contrarye to the law dost commaundeme to be stryken

THere he calleth the hyghe preeste a whyted wall , the is to say , a person which with certeyn payntynge and vayne colourynge outwardly dothe pretende to be that thynge , whiche he is not , and the Apostle dothe threten vnto hym ponysshement of god , and doth handle hym nothynge reuerently , but lykewyse as yf he had ben not onely a pryuate persone , and not the hyghe bysshop . And when certeyne men had blamed and rebuked hym , for that he had spoken euyll to the ruler of the people : he answered . Brethern I dyd not knowe that he was a bysshop , what those wordes of the Apostle do meane , it is eathe to coniecture . For yf he had feared the hym selfe had done amysse in that he had so wysshed vengeaunce to hym from god , no doubte of it he wolde haue asked after an humble maner forgyuenes of the hygh bysshop , & wolde haue reuoked his rebukefull worde , but this thynge Paule in no wyse dyd . Neyther can these wordes of saynt Paule be so taken , as though he was vtterly ignoraunte that he was bysshop . For who wolde thynke it lykely , that Paule was openly brought forthe vnto the place of iudgement , and that no man gaue to hym any monicyon or knowlege before with these or lyke wordes . Lo Paule thou shalt be presented before the bysshop syttyng in iudgement , or elles to the same effecte . Lo Paule he that sytteth there , is the chyefe bysshop : namely seynge that we are wont in so open and commen maters dylygently to enquere & learne the persones , namely of the iudges . And thoughe Paule had ben nener so moche ignoraunt , that he was the hygh bysshop : yet for all that he sawe hym sytte in the hyghest place , and by that he perceyued that he was the iudge , be cause he dyd commaunde Paule to be stryken . He ought therfore here of ryght to spare & forbeare the power and prehemynence which he hym selfe doth confesse & know ledge . Wherfore this sayenge of Paule of necessyte must thus be vnderstande , brethren I dyd not know that he is bysshop , as if he had sayde , he ought in dede to be bysshop : but I se nothynge in hym , nor I do know any poynte in hym that is belongynge vnto a bysshop . He oughte veryly to playe the bysshop in very dede : but he doth not but openly dothe iniurye to me beyng not conuyct or cast . For thus also doth Augustyne hym selfe expounde it , yf nowe Paule the Apostle doth so sharpely and boldely rebuke the preeste , whiche was constytuted by the law of Moyses , yea by the lawe of god : why then shulde I be affrayed to touche and rebuke these coloured and paynted bysshops , whiche by the tyranny of the pope , by the fauours of men , and by holy golde haue inuaded bysshoprykes , without the commaundement eyther of god , or of men .

¶ The fyrste proprietie and vertue of the papystycall bysshops .

FIrste these bysshops haue suffred and nowe a dayes do suffre in stede of the worde of god ( whiche onely , onely , onely , onely , I saye ought to be preached in the churche ) theyr indulgences and pardones to be publysshed & preached , and the this thynge is not onely wycked , but also blasphemous & deuylyshe , and full of deathe and hell , it appereth euydentlye ynough euen hereof , seynge that it is agaynst the fyrst precept & commaundement of god , The fyrst precept . where he dyd commaunde that none other ought to be preached , saue onely the worde of god , and that to hym alone honour is to be gyuen in all thynges , that he might be our god , our teacher & mayster , as he sayth by Esaie .

I Am thy god teachynge the profytable thynges .

ANd Christe doth moste greuouslye and sore inuaye agaynst the doctrynes of men , Mat. w. wherfore all humane doctryne is none other thynge then an Idole , & a certeyne ymage , whiche beynge set vp in the stede of the lyuyng and very god , doth leade men in to perdicyon & a eternall destruccyon . Pardone But now no man can denay that bulles & pardones ar not the worde of god , and that nothynge concernynge these thynges is conteyned in the scriptures . Besydes this we are also compelled to confesse and graunte , that all these places of scripture and other out of nombre do condempne all doctryne , whiche is not the worde of god . Agayne god hym self doth gyue sentence that all suche maner thynges ar vnprofytable , vayne , and apperteynynge to Idolatrie : & whiche are to be eschewed vnder payne of the indignacyon and wrath of almyghty god . But for as moch as these delycate and tendre bysshops haue foreheddes of iyerne and neckes of brasse , as it is sayd in the prophetes , & wyll not here : they can not be perswaded & they ronne forthe on , accordynge to theyr owne madnes , The sconthefusnes and reche sesnes of Bysshops . theyr owne course , and theyr owne swynge , & where as they ought to spende theyr bloode and theyr lyfe ( I meane not in any worldly fyght ) for the mayntenaunce of the worde of god agaynst the doctrynes of men : they slepe all careles , and gyue theyr myndes al togythers to pleasures , and to fare well , and the soules , of which they boste them selues to be the pastoures and feders , they do most slouthfully neglecte , and nothyng care for . But such is theyr negligence They doo onely thynke and studye howe they may brynge in the dredefull wrathe of god vpon men , and drawe soules vnto the depe pytte of helle , and that they may at the laste carye the conscyences of men clene ouerthwarte from the worde of god in to lyes and deuylysshe errours , and the doctrynes of men , wherfore we ought here so moch the more dylygently to take good hede , & to loke wel about , the we may shew & vtter vnto the worlde these so cruell & so blody wolues , whiche doo lye hydde vnder forked myters set with peerles and precyous stones , I do therfore exhort all chrysten men in our lorde , that they wyll here consydre and pondre the wrathe of god . And therfore lykewyse as you wolde doo with a visyble Idole : euen so do now with the bulles of these Romysshe Balaam , the tourmentour & sleer of soules . Consydre howe pleasaunt a thynge you shall do vnto god , yf you do breake and dasshe in peces ( with the worde of god , and not with the swerde ) these Idoles , & do sanctyfye his gloryous name , and do delyuer it from the fylthy abhomynacyon of Idolatrie , wherfore who soeuer I saye who soeuer may : let hym here boldely and manfully conne on and teare the sayd Idolatry call bulles , let hym rente them in small peces , lette hym brenne them , let hym vtterly destroye them . And trustynge vnto his owne good conscyence and faythe , let hym boldly plucke vp by the rootes these abhomynacyons brought in contrary to the worde of god , for the moste precyous and the moste holy and deuoute worshippyng of god is ( yf it be done by the hyghe powers ) to beate downe & destroye Idoles , and to ouerthrowe them , and to breake them in to small gobbettes , whiche thynge Moyses doth so oftentymes teache & commaunde in Deuteronomium . Moyses . Gedeon . So dyd Gedeon breake the Idole Baal , in the .viii. chapyter of Iudicum . Asa . So dyd the kyng Asa breake the Idole of Papus in the thyrde boke of kynges the .v. chapytre . And all these sayd persons were hyghlye praysed of god , and rewarded agayne with meruaylous grace . No doubte of it the tyme that nowe is , is that laste age or tyme of the worlde , in which it is to be feared , that the flocke shall take more hurte of the shepeherdes , then of the wolues .

¶ The seconde vertue and propryetie of these fore sayd bysshops . ¶ Chryste saythe .

FRelye you haue receyued : frely gyue you .

Cleane contrary to this euery dent & playne sayeng of Chryste our bysshops doo ronne on hedlonge , and not onely they do suffre lyes & the doctrynes of men , suche as be contrary to to the gospell , to be preached : but also with a bolde shameles face they doo vse and applye all theyr ceremonyes , prayers , masses , baptysme , holy oyle , and halowynges of churches , they do ( I say ) applye all these thynges to lucre , and do sell them for money . Notwithstandyng that they be bounde to gyue frely all these spyrytuall gyftes vnder payne of eternall dampna cyon . Nowe the case put , that indulgences and pardones were of some strength , & were good and profytable : yet they ought to offre vndesyred and frely and lybe rally to gyue forthe the same , and the goodnes and benefyte therof vnto all maner men , accordynge to the commaundement of Chryst , how moch more synfull a thyng than & how moch more shameful & abhomynable a thyng is it , now , to sel starke lyes , mere deceyptes and more then harlottes guyles , to Chrystes faythfull people for money , after a blasphemous maner and fasshyon ? For euen the holy ghost hathe by saynt Paule descrybed the ryches of chrysten men .

" HAuynge ( sayth he ) meate , drynke & clothynge : The ryches of christen men . let vs holde vs content therwith .

I Beseche the nowe good reader hathe not this Balaam of Rome , ryches ynoughe , possessyons ynough , lordeshyps , and domynyons ynough , cyties , and kyngdomes ynoughe , euen in Italy alone , that he may compare with the most myghtie kynges that are ? though I speke no thyng in the meane season of the most shamefull byenges and sellynges , of the most stynkyng baudy craftes and of the moste vngracyous and deuelysshe subtyletyes and deceyptes by whiche he doth euery where through out the whole world scrape togyther golde and syluer measuryng all thynges by golde , & referrynge all thynges to the ende of gettyng money , in the meane season the care and charge of pore folkes , ( which charge onely Paule doth reherse in his epystle vnto the Galatians to be commytted vnto hym , and whiche sayd care he doth exercyse stoutly this cure & charge ( I saye ) is strongly neglected & layde quyte apart . Act. viii . iv . Cor. Besydes this eyther of the Apostles , that is to wyt , both Peter and also Paule , amonge other vertues of a very bysshop do nombre & reken this also THat a bysshop ought to abhorre & be farre away from fylthye lucre .

THey wyl therfore that a bysshop shulde get vnto hymselfe suche thynges as are necessary to his sustenaunce and lyuynge by honest & godly meanes , to the example of other . And Paule hym selfe , whiche was so excellent an Apostle , dyd lyue by the worke and labour of his handes , and he dyd not dysdayne ( althoughe he was greater than all the bysshops that euer were or now be ) to exercyse a handy crafte , in to what towne soeuer he dyd come . And for this cause also he lodged and was at hoste in Corynthe with Prisca and Aquila , Prisca . Aquila . for that they were of the same crafte and occupacion , and he wrought with them . Nowe let vs make a comparyson of the one with the other . Is not the most fylthye and more then hoorysshe maner of gettynge money , whiche the bysshop of Rome and his clyentes bysshops doo vse . Is it not ( I saye ) in comparyson of the purytie of the Apostle , more stynkynge and more fylthy then any stues , then any bordell house ? when golde is requyred for those folysshe fortye dayes of indulgence and pardon , by whiche certeyn nombre of dayes the Romanystes ( god wot least they shulde be ouer moche lauace in gyuyng forthe so precyous a thynge for noughte ) haue openly mocked our mytred bysshops ? is it not I say most shameful & filthy lucre in alages and tymes , when money is requyred for suche other tryfles , bryefly for lyes & deceyptes , and when those bawdes the Romanystes , with suche as they be , are fedde and nourysshed with the swete of the poore people ? But this is but the leaste parte of theyr wycked marchaundyse , for other bysshops of theyr complexcyon haue infynyte craftes , and moste shameful meanes of gettyng money : of whiche we shall hereafter speke more largely yf they beyng offended with this gentle monycyon wyll also vncurtayslye be wroth with me monysshyng them so fauourably & openly ynough , as I suppose . And here it is not vnknowen to me what they doo obiecte . Is it not ynough nor suffycyent for a prynce ( saye they ) to haue meate , drynke , & clothynge , excepte he haue also suffycyently wherof he may kepe and maynteyne a garde or bende of men accordynge to the condycyon and estate of a prynce , what prynces do in this place obiecte & alledge for them selues of the pryncelye state , and of prynces courtes , aduyse them , the Apostle speaketh not of prynces , but of bysshops , as for these pryncely bysshops & bysshoppely prynces he vtterly knoweth nothynge of , whiche do begyle the worlde with the name of bysshop , & with the moste vayne colours of ceremonyes , & gloues and mytres . But therfore Paule and the spyryte of god , whiche spake in hym : shall not chaunge theyr wordes , neyther attempre them selues vnto these prynces : but these pryncelyke bysshops shall be fayne to attempre and applye them selues in theyr lyuyng accordyng to the mynde of saynt Paule and his wordes , or elles they shall not be bysshops , nor pastours , but mere puppettes & vysures . I can not here refrayne ( although I lyste not now great lye to bourde in the rehersall of these thynges ) but I muste reherse a pleasaunt and merye hystorie . An hystory or narracyon . It happened vpon a tyme that a certeyn suche maner pryncely bysshop dyd ryde with a royall pompe and goodly company of horsemen , ( as commenly suche bysshops ar wont to shewe them selues set forthe gaylye and gorgyously euen aboue any worldly or temporall prynces ) throughe the feldes that laye nere vnto a certeyne vyllage , whome when a certeyne shepherde had happely espyed as he rode ouer the feldes : he lefte his flocke , and dyd ronne vnto hym , and starynge and gasyng vpon hym , as it had ben one amased , he meruayled greatlye at the ryches , and the pompe and gorgyousnes , which he sawe aboute hym . The bysshop seynge hym so gasynge , sayde vnto hym : what doste thouse se here , that thou doste meruayle so greatlye ? Then he as he was an homly rustycall felowe , made to hym this playne answere . I meruayle ( sayde he , ) whether saint Martyn dyd vse this same pompe , or lyke gorgyousnes and superfluytie . To whome the bysshop sayde . Forsothe thou arte a starke foole , and takest thy marke amysse . For saynt Martyne was scacelye one of the vyle and rascall people : but I am also a prynce of hygh and noble byrth . Then sayd that shepherde agayne , I beseche you my lorde wyll you gyue me leaue to speke a worde ? yea marie , sayde the bysshop , I gyue the good leaue , demaunde what thou wylt . Then sayd the shepeherde , what yf the deuyll shulde take and bere awaye the prynce : shall there remayne any thynge of the bysshop ? At these wordes that good pryncely bysshop beynge confounded and asshamed , departed from the man , and rode his way . So the Apostle Paule in comparyson of those dukes and Nemrothes , Pause . was a playne symple craftes man , lyuyuge by the worke of his owne handes . And therfore he went somtyme on his feete , and preached the gospell all abrode , he coulde playe the Apostle , but suche a pore and lewde persone as he was , could neuer haue played the royall and pryncely bysshop after this fasshyon , and the wrathe and the furye of god .

¶ The thyrde vertue .

THese bysshops are content , and do suffre that the preachers do publysshe the indulgences & bulles of the pope of Rome , by whiche the sayd pope doth mercyfully graunt lycence to kepe styll other mennes goodes goten eyther by robberye and extorcion , or elles by some other vnlawfull and myghtye meanes , so that some porcyon therof be gyuen to hym & to the holy churche of Rome , & to the proctours and commyssaryes of the pardones , that is to wyt , so that them selues also may get some part of the sayd spoyles , and wrongfully gotten goodes . And here verely I am in doubte with my selfe , with what tytle I myght best garnysshe these so monstruous poyntis of couetousnes : and of truthe I am halfe in doubte , whether I maye call the pope with his bysshops folowynge and alowynge these thynges , dull asses , or elles insensyble blockes , or elles peuysshe , madde , and vtterly furyous men whiche with so great shameles boldnes , and with so great madnes do not onely exercyse openly so fowle and shameful deceytes but also do in euery countrey and place teache the same by theyr freers and other relygyous persones sent forthe to preache . For god hath commaunded , thou shalt not stele : This precept these monsters of Rome with suche other these cruell wylde beastes with meruaylous fyersenes and with meruaylous woodenes do withstande and gaynsaye , & do openly teache and saye , that thou arte in no perell , thoughe thou doste possesse & kepe styll euyll gotten goodes , so that thou woldest gladly restore them yf thou knowest from whom they were taken , & so that thou purchace & bye the popes pardones . I beseche the what other thyng is this in effecte , then yf a man dyd saye , verely thou mayst steale & be a theffe , & god whiche forbad this , was mad . Lo thus the god & lorde of maiestie is compelled to be a scornynge stocke to these chyldren of malediccyon , whom they also openly & euydently reproue & condempne for a lyer & a fole For this precept those beastes do blaspheme openly to his face & contrary it ( though they wolde cloke or colour the matyer ) they do in very dede teache theftes , roberyes , extorcyons , deceyptes , and fraudes . Go to nowe thou pope of Rome , tell I praye the , wherby doste thou clayme & take vpon the so moch auctorytie that thou darest saye , that goodes euyl gotten , or parte of the goodes euyll gotten is thyne ? God whiche hath created all thynges , and whiche is lorde of the earthe , and of the fulnes therof , sayth / that he wyll not receyue any oblacion of goodes gotten by rauyne or robberie . And thou farre the most cruell tyraunt of all that euer were borne syns the fyrste creacyon of man , beynge openly blasphemous agaynst so great and so hygh maiestie , agaynst the voyce and commaundement of god alyue agaynst so great a precept , doste auaunce and lyfte vp thy selfe aboue god and doste take vpon the greatter power and auctorytie , and doste teache men by thy deuylysshe bulles to breake and transgresse the commaundementes of god , and to exercyse thefte , roberyes , extorcyons , and vsuryes , contrarye to nature and reason , and the comen iudgement of men . Thus must they nedes be cast downe into a reprobate sense or iudgement and be vtterly tourned out from god whiche doo condempne the gospell , Brenning and condempnyng of Bokes without teadynge of them . and which do brenne the bokes whiche they neuer sawe , nor loked through , which do violate and breake the publyke faythe or fidelytie , contrary to the lawe of all nacyons , the so ronnyng forthe all madde & wood agaynst god , they shulde stryke theyr foreheddes agaynst the stumblyng stone Chryste , Ro. iv . and afterwardes do impugne all the wordes and workes of god , and that they shulde come to that madnes & extreme blyndnes , that they shulde openly teache the breakynge of goddes law . O how excellently , how plenteously and myghtely with a stretched forthe hande , and an hyghe arme hathe god auenged the contempte of the gospel : with howe great encreace , & as it were a treasure or heape of wrathe , the wrathe of god . he hath requyted this iniurye , strykyng them with so obstynate mynde with so great blyndnes and with so great Ise or coldnes of herte ? Here nowe the thyng it selfe , and the veray haynousnes of this of fence wolde requyre that not onely the bulles of the pope , but also that the verye postes and the dores wherupon the sayd bulles are wonte after the commen maner to be hanged vp , beynge roborated and strengthed with manye Cardynalles seales , were brente , were ouerthrowen , and brought vnto asshes , and so vtterly destroyed , that there myght be ones some ende of these abhomynacyons , wherfore who soeuer thou art good chrysten reader , I beseche the , and requyre the for Chrystes sake , doo not suffre thy selfe to be seduced and led out of the ryght waye by these so cruell and madde beastes , remembre that thy god , hath not onely forbeden the dede , sayenge : Thou shalt not stele : but also he hathe forbydden the affeccyon and desyre of the herte , sayenge : Non concupisces , thou shalt not luste or desyre , beleue me , he wyll not reuoke his owne worde , how is it possyble then , that any man or any creature can gyue the lybertie to haue or to possesse thy neyghbours goodes .

FOr Esaie saythe , I am the god louynge iustyce , and I do hate sacryfycie or oblacyon made of stolen good or of rauynes .

ANd though these foresayde thynges be openly deuylysshe yet those wolues doo teache vs not onely to make sacryfyce of rauyne : but also to possesse & kepe styll goodes stolen or gotten by rauyne & extorcyon . Se howe with theyr blasphemyes and extreme madnesses they do brynge in the wrathe of god vpon the , and condempnacyon vnto helle , and yet neuerthelesse they desyre and loke for to be called bysshops , & reuerende fathers in Chryst , and pastours or feders of soules , flee flee from them my brother , they are wolues . I verely althoughe I be but a wretched pore caytef , as oftentymes as I doo se , beholde , & consydre that blyndnes of bysshops , I do very oftentymes thynke thus in my mynde , that it is best vtterly to holde my tonge , & to leaue them vnto the iudgement of god , and not medle with them any thynge at all . For oftentymes suche maner thoughtes do come in to any mynde , that all thynges are desperate , & that there is no hope lefte at all : all good thynges are so by those Romysshe hypochrytes & very monsters not only feblysshed and corrupted but also extyncte and vtterly destroyed , in so moche they haue vndone the whole worlde drownyng them with so great a floode of errours and abhomynacyons : that there are euydent and playne tokens on euery syde , that that daye of the lorde is nere at hande . The last daye . But yet agayne on the other syde , that so myserable perdicyon and pyteous destruccyon of many soules , which those monsters doo with so great crueltie & with so great tyranny flee , sechyng nothynge elles but onely money doth not suffre me to be styll and to holde my tonge , but compelleth me to speake , to the entent that yf it may be brought aboute I myght by some meanes happely delyuer at the leaste some soules from the mouthes of the wolues , yf therfore my brother , thou hast euyl gotten goodes do not in any wyse thynke , that thou canst be excused . Restore it therfore , for thou shalte not chaunge the word of god . It were a good and a godly thynge , yf thou couldest by the consent of thy neyghbours obteyne , that he whome thou haddest deceyued wolde for gyue the ( for euery man is bounden vnto his neyghboure to forgyuenes ) yf peraduenture thou haddest any of thy neyghbours goodes , whiche coulde not be restored very well and conuenyently vnto hym , nor without greater perel and ieopardye . But concernynge this thou mayste redemore in other dyuerse places . Of these thynges now gesse thy selfe whether both the pope & also his bysshops haue not bery greate nede of an instructour to teache them , lykewyse as we doo teache ignoraunt yonge chyldren , the .x. commaundementes , that they myght at the laste learne , that we ought not to stele , nor to desyre the thyng that belongeth to our neyghbour , and that moche lesse they ought to teache other men to exercyse & vse theftes , rauynes , extorcyons , & vsuryes . For except they them selues doo despyse those madde & furyous bulles of the pope : they are bysshops in dede , but not of chrysten men . What ar they then ? bysshops of theues , of robbers , of extorcyoners , of vsurers , chyef capitaynes ( I say ) & defenders , and the authours and counsayllours of great synnes and abhomynacyons , as it is easy to know and perceyue by these thynges , which we haue alredy sayd . And it is a myracle or wondre of the dyuyne wrathe and indignacyon many dayes a go prouoked and styrred vp agaynst vs , that euer these thynges coulde haue ben perswaded vnto any man which are so repugnaunt and contrary to the commen sense or iudgement and also to that blynde lyghte of reason . It is lyke a monstre and a wondre that so open and manyfest theftes , roberyes , and blasphemyes of Romanystes coulde so longe be hydde . And there is no man forsothe , which wolde be leue , that there were euen among the Scythyans any men so rude and vplandysshe , and so moche without wytte or perceyuynge , that they wolde haue suffred so grosse deceytes : yf it were not so , that experyence dyd compell hym to confesse , that this dulnes and insensybilytie hath ben euen in our owne selues , whiche ar yet lyuynge . For what man or woman of Scythia wyll allowe or holde with this that euyll gotten goodes maye be possessed & kept by the dyspensacyon or bulles of the Pope . Swyne and asses , stones and stockes are scante so insensyble , and so moche without perceyuynge , as we haue ben made vnder the pope . And here I knowe well ynoughe , what they are wont to allege & brynge in for theyr parte agaynst me . The pope ( saye they ) is the hyghest bysshop , and hedde , of all chrysten people generally , throughe out christendome . It belongeth to hym to dyspense of goodes euyll gotten , wherof it is doubted who is the ryght owner here I make answere thus . I be seche you , where is this in all the scryptures ? where is it wryten ? Is it peraduenture at Rome with saynt Peter in some chymney or fornace , as it is commenly sayde ? Forsoth , it is an excellent lye , why shulde not then euery man his owne selfe by his owne selfe dyspose , accordyng to his owne conscyence of his owne , whiche way soeuer they haue ben gotten ? what nedeth hym to haue another dyspensatour , namely suche a tyrannous one as is the pope ? It is therfore nothynge elles , but a grosse and a moste shameles lye ymagyned doubtles for this entente and purpose , that the pope myght be made the generall hed of all theues , of extorcyoners , of vsurers , and that so by all the handes of all theues , and of all extorcyoners , he myght stele and snatche awaye more then all the theues vnder heuen and so myght be capitayne and chyefe ruler amonge the moste erraunt theues and extorcyoners of the whole worlde , and amonge suche other lyke vnthryftes who soeuer they be , yf he were hedde & hyghest in the churche , he ought accordyng to the ensample of the Apostles , to commytte the admynystracyon euen of honest ryches & goodes to other men , to gyue hym selfe holy to prayer and to the gospel , and to saye with the Apostles .

IT is not mete the we shulde leaue the mynysterye of the worde of god , Act. vi . and to mynystre at the tables .

NOwe he cleane contrarye wyse chalengeth and taketh vpon hym the care & busynes to admynystre a sclaunderfull and vnhonest kynde of goodes , theftes , rauynes , vsuryes , and suche other godly & holy ryches ( yf god be pleased ) I beseche the , is not this a worshypful and a goodly vycar of Christ and an excellent successour ( for so he calleth hym selfe ) of the Apostles ? why dothe he not by the same ryght make hym selfe the generall stewarde and dyspenser of all thynges , what soeuer christen men haue in any place , and why doth he not adminystre them ? seynge that he hathe ones taken this aucrorytie vnto hym self by this prymacy , that al we besydes myghte lyue in reste and ydlenes , and the moste holye father myght care for , & also ordre both vs , and all that euer belongeth to vs . Oh these thynges , ought to haue ben done to stones and trees , and not to men : thoughe I do speake nothyng in the meane season , the these thynges are done to chrysten men .

¶ The .iiii. vertue .

IN al the bulles of indulgences and pardones , he promyseth full remyssyon of synnes to all men beynge truely confessed and contryte . The fountaynes of errours . This is the most stronge venome and moste deadely poyson of most pestylent errour , that euer cam forthe of this founteyne and sprynge of errours & humayne tradycyons , whiche is the pope . Chryst in the ix . of Mathewe dyd not say to the man dyseased of the palsaye . Go put thy money in to a cheste , then thy synnes be forgyuen the : but he sayde .

TRuste or beleue sonne , thy synnes are forgyuen the.

FRom that symplycytie and purytie of fayth , and from the sure and stedfast truste or beleue in the grace and promyses of god , Trust in the promyses of god whiche beleue onely dothe iustyfye , whiche onelye dothe obteyne remyssyon of synnes , as Paule the Apostle dothe declare through out al his epystle wryten to the Romanes : from this beleue ( I saye ) that wolfe and abhomynable monster doth plucke awaye the people , & doth leade them in to truste and confydence in his bulles , and in deade waxe , & in the payenges of certeyn sommes of money limytted & assygned vnto theym , in so moche that the symple hertes do learne to putte theyr confydence not in the grace and mercye of god , promysed but in theyr owne workes and satysfaccyons . This inuencyon of the deuyl so magnyfyenge bulles , is more haynous and abhomynable , then may be expressed with wordes , or elles compassed with mannes thoughtes . For the fyrste and chyef commaundement of god is here condempned and extyncte , by whiche we are commaunded to trust onely to mercye and grace , bryefly to god alone . Nowe they do teache the people to put theyr confydence in paper and waxe , and in theyr flaterynge and bawdy lyes , & vpon these thynges to buylde theyr conscyences . And without doubt the bysshop of Romes bysshops yf they had any poynte of a chrysten mynde , they wolde them selues ( I saye teache and preache this faythe ) whiche Paule doth well nere in euery syllable inculke in to vs , Fayth . and they wolde also suffre and exhorte other men to preache the same in euery place . Nowe for asmoche as these papystycall vysures are rude , folysshe , vnlearned , whiche lyke vnto theyr creatoure the Pope are created to the entent that they shulde pursue and stryue agaynst the verytye of god ( but doubtles though they wolde braste they shall neuer ouercome it ) it becometh them and is semely for theyr personages , lykewyse as they be dysguysed and hypochrytes : euen so also to suffre deceytes , smokes , vysures , puffed prowde wordes , tryfles , and bryefly mere madnesses to be preached , and that only for profyte and lucre . Here agayne I desyre chrysten reader for Christes sake , that no man do desyre her in me temperaunce and measurablenes : for as moche as I am prouoked with so iuste grefe . For not without cause we chrysten men doo sorowe with herte and mynde : whiche be dayly compelled to se and suffre so shamefull , so manyfest , and so furyous blasphemye agaynst god . For euen this one thynge alone the bysshops were worthy to be far more sore rebuked of me . For all thynges what soeuer I am able to saye or to crye out , be they neuer so hote , so sore , and so vehement : yet are they to lytle for to expresse scasely the thousande part of so excedynge and vnmeasurable madnes . Paule the Apostle dothe boldlye condempne bothe hym selfe and also the aungelles of heuen , yf they wolde teache ( I do not saye any thynge agaynst the gospell ) any thynge besydes that which is pure gospell , what wolde he then do now to those men , whiche do teache not onely besydes the gospell : but also with more then fantastycall madnes , or with more then deuylysshe boldnes do openly teache thynges contrary to the gospell . And let no man thynke it to be spoken agaynst the ecclesyastycal state & agaynst true bysshops or good pastours : He rebuketh no vertuous estates . what soeuer is sayd agaynst these tyrauntes . Let no man thynke it to be sayde or done agaynst the heddes and gouernours of Chrystes churche : what soeuer is sayde or done agaynst these slouthefull ydle and sluggysshe beastes gyuen all to the belye . For they are not bysshops , but playne Idoles and dumbe ymages / ydle puppettes vysurꝭ , blockes / shadowes / dysguysed game players / which do not so moche as knowe what this worde Episcopus / that is to saye , bysshoppe dothe sygnyfye / so farre of they be from knowynge what . is the offyce or duytie of a bysshoppe / wylte thou that I tell the at one worde what they are ? wolues they are , tyrauntes / traytoures / manquellers / monsters of the worlde , burdeynes of the earthe / the apostles of Antechryste , grauen & made to corrupte and destroye the worlde , and to extincte & destroy the gospell . And to vtter at ones what I thynke : Lo I wyll here playe the bedell or commen cryer . Be it knowen to al men , that the bysshoppes of Rome with theyr clyentes bysshops which do now exercyse tyranny vpon so many cyties in moste ample and large domynyon , are not bysshops by the ordynacyon of god , but by errour , and by the seduccyon of the deuyll , and by the tradycyons of men . Wherfore without doubte they are the messangers and vycars of Satan , yf I do not shew and proue this by so euydent testymonyes , that myne enemyes shall be constrayned to confesse this verytie , and that euen them selues ( so that they do meanely repent and waxe wyse ) can not denye it : then let them be bysshops then let me be thoughte to do iniurye vnto them . Fyrste Paule wryteth vnto Tite , that he shulde constytute and ordeyne presbyteros in euery towne . presbyter . Here I suppose that no man can denye that all one thynge is sygnyfyed by this worde bresbyter , and by this worde Episcopus in saynt Paules wrytinges , for as moch as he dothe bydde Tite that he shulde in euery cytie constytute presbyteros . And because a bysshop ought to be vnreproueable , therfore he calleth hym presbyterum . It is euydent therfore what Paule doth sygnyfye & meane by this worde Episcopus : Episcopus . bysshop , that is to saye a man excellently good & vertuous , of rype age , whiche also hath a chaste wyfe , and chyldren obedyent in the feare of the lorde . And the Apostle wyll that he shulde haue the ouersyghte and gouernaunce of the congregacyon , in the mynysterye of the worde and the admynystracyon of the sacramentes . Wherfore it is necessarye also , that he be learned , and well exercysed in the scriptures , and also as touchyng his lyfe , vnreproueable . I beseche the , is there any man here so moche a stone , that he can eyther denye these wordes of the apostle , or elles wrest them to any other sense , yf he do consydre and waye well the wordes that goo before , and that folowe after ? Besydes this it pleaseth me here to aske one question , whether the worde of saynte Paule be the worde of god ? whether the ordynacyon of the Apostle be the ordynaunce of god ? For I am assured , that neyther the pope , neyther the deuyll hym selfe ( althoughe bothe of them do busylye stryue & labour all that euer they can to extyncte & destroy the worde of god ) dare denye this the Paules worde is goddes worde , the worde of saynte Paule . and that Paules ordynacyon is the instytucyon and ordynaunce of the spyryte of god . For albeit that the worde of god doth greatly greue the deuyll : yet he dare not denye it , but onely he vseth these subteltyes , and deuylysshe craftes that vnder the colour and cloke of the worde of god , and vnder hypochrysie , he may doo & entrepryse all thynges contrarye to the worde , yf then it be the worde of god and the ordynacion of the holy ghoste , what soeuer Paule doth saye or ordeyne : it foloweth that what soeuer thynge is done contrary to his worde and ordynacion , the same is done agaynst god , and contrarye to the ordynaunce of the holy ghoste . Nowe yf it be agaynst god and his spyryte : vndoubtedly it is of the deuyll . Coulde this thynge be any more clere ? coulde it be more euydent ? is there yet any thyng wherof any man may doubt ? For how can god be contrarye to hym selfe seynge that Chryst sayth , that . Luce. vi .

EUen the deuyll hym selfe is not repugnaunt , nor contrarye to hym selfe ?

SEcondarely it foloweth , that all chrysten men are bounden vnder payne of goddes indygnacyon and of euerlastyng deathe , to maynteyne & defende the worde & ordynaunce of god , which saynt Paule doth teache . And contrary wyse agayne they are as moch bounden to impugne to destroy , to ouerthrowe , and vtterly to extyncte the ordynaunce of the deuyll , whiche is so repugnaunt and contrarye to god and his ordynaunce , and let them spende about this yf nede requyre as when they shall be called by the hygh powers , both theyr goodes and theyr frendes , and also theyr lyfe , and theyr bloode , or els they can not extyncte and destroy it , at the least wyse let them eschewe it and flee from it , as from abhominacyon and from the deuyll hym selfe . This thyng verely is open and manyfest . For all thynges are to be forsaken for the defence and mayntenaunce of the worde of god , that his wyll may be fulfylled both in heuen and in earthe and the errours of the deuyll are to be plucked vp by the rootes afore all thynges , to the vttermost of our power . Herunto now take you hede you bisshops . For in as moche as ye delyte so moche in bulles , I shall reade vnto you a bull of a newe makynge , I pray god it may please you .

¶ The bulle of the author and reformacyon .

ALl men who soeuer they be , whiche by all honest & lawfull meanes do spende & bestowe theyr goodes , honour , bloode , & lyfe , to the ende that these bysshoprykes so pompous and courtlye , so farre vnlyke & contrarye to all the offyce & duetie of an Apostle , namely to the mynystracion of the worde , & that all this deuylysshe kyngdome of the bisshop of Rome may be ouerthrowen & destroyed or yf they can not in very dede destroye it , doo crye agaynst it , do dysprayse and condempne it , and do auoyde it as abhomynacy on : all those persones that so done , are the sones of god , and true chrysten men , fyghtynge and helpynge the faythe of the gospel in spyrytual batayll agaynst the gates of hell . Contrarye wyse , who soeuer do fauour the kyngdome of the popes bysshops so wycked and that so tyrannous and deuy lysshe crueltie , and do wyllyngly and gladly submyt them selues , and obey vnto it : those persones are the mynystres of the deuyll , fyghtynge as enemyes agaynst the wordes , the lawes , and ordynaunces of god . This sentence of myne , nay rather of goddes iudgement . I proue with stronge effectuall argumentes in this wyse . The apostle Paule commaundeth Tite , that he shulde ordeyne and constytute a bysshop in euery cytie , such one as was the husbande of one wyfe , a man vertuous , & vnreprouable . &c. This is the worde , this is the wyll and sentence of god . Agaynst this sayde wyll of god these men do nowe stryue and fyghte , which haue taken quyte away al true bysshops out of all cyties , and in stede of true bysshops haue constytuted shoppes or workehouses of most colde ceremonyes , monasteryes , and churches collegyate , & haue brought in them selues in theyr stede , that by this meane they myght be made bysshops or ouer seers of many cyties , and also of many prouynces . Nowe the sentence of Paule , or rather the wordes of the holy ghoste dothe contynue fyrme , stable , and not able to be moued or stered of the gates of hel , & doth stande as styffe , as a brasen wall , whiche saythe playnly and euydently , that in euery cytie there ought to be constytuted and ordayned one bysshop , and these then shall be euery one of them of egall power with the other . For Paule speaketh playnly of euery cytie , and he gyueth to euery bysshop full power & auctorytie in his owne cytie . God to therfore nowe ye worldly bysshops . Why do you not here ryse ? Why do you not boldely and manfully resyste ? why do you not breake forthe all the maynye of you together ? here you haue to do not with me , but with the Apostle Paule . Here you resyste ( that may I saye with the holy martyre Steuyn ) not me , Act. vii . but the holy ghoste whiche lykewyse agayne of his parte dothe myghtcly resyste you . Go to then what wyll you saye here I beseche you ? wyl you al holde your peace , and saye nothynge at all ? Lo your sentence is gyuen , and pronounced agaynst you , you haue the matyer iudged , that is to wytte , that , vnto all chrysten men it belongeth , of theyr parte ( with the worde of god ) agayne to destroye , to plucke vp by the rootes , and vtterly to extyncte bothe you and your kyngdome , whiche you do tyrannously exercyse , to extyncte and destroye the gospell , you haue harde nowe that they be in the indygnacyon of god , who soeuer fauoureth you : and on the other syde that they are in the fauour of god , who soeuer ouerthroweth , and destroyeth you . But I wylle not in any wyse these wordes , whiche I doo speake of the destruccyon and vtter subuersyon of the kyngdome of false bysshops , so to be vnderstanded or taken , ye se here , the the preachere of the gospesl , teache no sedycyon , sheddyng of bloode , or fyghting with the hande as thoughe it ought to be done with the hande , or with swerde , or with vyolence , or bodely inuasyon of them . For with this destruccyon of the men , we shall be nothynge further in this so great a matyer , that is to wyt , goddes cause or busynes But as Daniel prophecyed in the .viii. chapytre .

THe kyngdome of antechrist is to be broken all to peces without any hande of man .

ANd it shal com to passe that euery man shall speake and preache agaynst it by the worde of god , vntyll that wretched synfull man be of his owne accorde confounded , and forsaken of all men and so do fall downe deade , and be vtterly destroyed . This is the very true destruccyon belongynge to chrysten men : to the bryngvnge of whiche to passe , we ought to bestowe al that euer we haue , or elles maye doo . But here I wyll gyue you metely good counsel ( yf you wyl so take it ) because you shall not thynke that I doo vtterly hate all your hole ordre . The coilsayf of author . It is expedyent for you here to reteyne and hyre , what so euer it do cost you ( as you ar bysshops of golde and of money ) some excellent craftie lyer , which maye so wryte a pleasaunt lytle boke , lykewyse as many a foolys she asse of your sorte haue done , as though they could haue chaunged the whole worlde with those wretched papers . For yf the wordes of saynt Peter , in whiche he speketh of al christen men sayeng .

YOu are a regall presthode and a prestly kyngdome .

YF these wordes ( I say ) may be wrested vnto this , that they do sygnyfye , preestes shauen and annoynted , as thoughe Peter wolde that all chrysten menshulde be such maner annoynted and shauen preestes : what thyng dothe let that Paules wordes may not by the same crafte ( se that a craftes man haue that handelyng of it which is inferior to no man in lyes & vnshamefastnes ( haue the necke of them wrythen , & so be applyed to this sense , as thoughe we ought to vnderstande it of two maner bysshops , Spyrytuall hysshops . so that spyrytuall bysshops after that exposycyon are all the preachers of the worde of god in cyties , townes , & vyllages , althoughe they doo neyther bye palle , nor gowne , ne yet any other garment of those bawdes the Romanystes . Corporal hysshops . And the corporall bysshops are you which bearyng forked myters on your heddes vnder the apparayll of Aaron doo in very dede playe the veraye starke tyrauntes , & are felowes vnto Nero & Caligula , rydynge vpon fatte & wel fedde palfrayes , and slyke mules , & afterwardes with your rynges onely , & your gloues , & your syluer shepehoke ( yf god be pleased ) you do playe the bysshops . Now yf Paule beynge god wot but a symple & an abiecte creature , wolde refuse & dysalowe this glose , or exposycion of so holy fathers : he were worthy to be stryken with that spyritual swerde of excommunicacion , & to be feared with the indignacyon at the leaste wyse of saynt Peter , for as moche as he is gyltie here in this thyng after that style of the Romane bulles , or elles at that leaste wyse he were worthy to be honestly rewarded with a good buffet on the eare , lykewyse as Ananias the bysshop dyd vnto hym For why shuld not he being but one person alone , be content to be taught & to learne of so many holy fathers ? why should not they with a prowde contenaunce by theyr auctorytie commaunde sylence and saye . Paule I saye be content to be admonysshed and counsaylled . That worde cytie dothe betoken there by the determynacyon of the church of Rome , and of vs an hole prouynce or kyngdome . For yf it be lawfull and free for the pope to chaunge the true sense of scripture , which the wordes and argumentes do declare & fortyfye : why shulde it not also be in his lybertie & power , after his owne lust and pleasure to chaunge and tourne clene contrary wayes bothe the wordes and the vocabules of the same ? For wordes ( to vse theyr owne paradoxe ) doo sygnyfye at pleasure . Wordes do sygnyfy at pleasure . Wherfore as soone as it shall please any such so myghtie , and so well mytred and hatted a papyste , or as soone as it shal come to his mynde vpon his wyne benche : both the Greke and also the Latyne lettres and wordes , shall be constrayned to goo in to an other nature , so that yf it lyke them well , from hensforthe this worde garden shall betoken a cytie , and a starre , a stabule , Garden . Cytie . Starre . and an asse , a man . And yf any man , that thynketh hym selfe wyse , wyl here obiecte agaynst me and saye , hytherto thou haste rebuked the pope , and now thou dyspraysest the bysshops , what then ? wylte thou alone confunde , mengle , and tourne all thynges vp and downe ? Here I saye , who soeuer thou arte that doste thynke these thynges , be thou thy selfe whiche arte the dysputer ) bothe iudge and vmpyer , I saye I appeale vnto the thy selfe as iudge , all affeccyons layde aparte , gyue thou thyne owne selfe the sentence . Maye I not by ryght , here make that answere vnto the bysshops , Besias . Achab. whiche Helyas made to kynge Achab in the .xviii. chapitre of that thyrde boke of kynges ?

IT is not I that troble & disquyet Israel , but you . &c.

I Say discerue and iudge thy selfe , Who tourneth all thynges vp sette downe . whether of vs is here in the defaulte , & whether I do tourne all thyngꝭ vp & downe and the wronge waye , so as they do compleyne ( which do teache the worde of god , that clere ordenaunce and decre of the holy ghost ) or elles they which teachyng theyr owne ordynacyon , do extyncte the ordynaunces of god . Tel me whether of these two thynges is more tollerable , whether lesse agaynst equytie that they shulde ouertourne & destroy the ordinaunce of god : or elles that I do ouerthrowe and cast downe the deuylysshe furyes and madnesses of them , & theyr erroneous & humane ordynaunces ? do not consydre here what I do , but consydre the very thynges selues , wherupon I do pryncipally grounde , which of them selues do this thyng that is to wyt the worde of god , & the scriptures . The offyce & duetie of a preacher . The preacher ought not so mochto regard and consydre what maner men , howe great , howe myghtie they be , agaynst whome he doth preache , or what he may gette by his sermones , but this thynge onely and nothynge elles he ought to care for , that he may preache the pure word of god , for this is not to be watred , or to be attempred , and made to agre vnto the affeccyons of men , what soeuer thynges maye chaunce , or elles maye be feared to be done vnto hym of man . This worde I say is purely and syncerely to be preached , althoughe not onely the bysshops but also all the aungelles of heuen wolde resyste & saye agaynst it . Nowe yf thou wylte here agayne obiecte , that they are very great , very hygh , very wyse , and very well learned men after the worldely iudgemente , agaynst whome I do wryte these thyngꝭ : I answere vnto the , Peter , Paule , and all the prophetes dyd prophecye before , that there shulde not come a more and vengeable myschyef vpon the earthe , then that of Antechryste and of the last dayes . Dost thou suppose these so hyghe wordes of the holy ghost to haue ben spoken of the leues of trees , or of small trysles ? The worde of god ( as it appereth in the prophetes ) alwayes speaketh agaynst kyngdomes , agaynst peoples , of great thynges , agaynst them that are the heddes amonge the people , agaynst many & great nacyons , whiche way soeuer thou dost loke : they are vtterly great and wondrefull thynges , wherof god dothe speake . How moch more lykely is it than , that they shulde be great , noble , worshypfull , and very wyse men as concernyng the flesshe : which shall be the doers and workers of this extreme myschyef of the last dayes , wherof all the prophetes haue prophecyed and spoken before ? namely seynge that the scripture dothe speake so horryble thynges of these tymes .

THat is to wytte , that no flesshe shall be saued , except those dayes were shortened . And in an other place , that the sone of man at his commyng shal scasely fynde any fayth vpon earthe . And also that euen the very electe and chosen persones shulde be seduced , and led out of the ryght waye , yf it were possyble .

I Beseche & requyre the good chrysten reader , I beseche the for Chrystes sake , consydre well , & waye these wordes . For they are not wordis spoken of any lyghte persone vpon his ale or wyne benche , neyther yet any inuencyons of mannes mynde : but the wordes of the eternal maiestie . For yf thou do consydre these wordes stedfastedly & with good aduysement , thou shalt fynde the they shal be great men , & men of myght & power , & that it shal be a myghtie kyngdome , which shal do and worke this last great & most sore & vengeable mischyef as the pope , his bysshops , & other his prelates are in very dede , bryefly what matyer I praye you maketh it , how great , how hygh , & how connyng they are : seynge that it is more euydent and clere then daye that all they and theyr doctryne is agaynst god ? Is not god greater and hygher then all creatures ? The great Turke also is a great lorde of many prouynces , the furke . & greater then is any of them : and yet he is agaynst god , and the enemye of god . And here agayne I gesse what they wyll obiecte . For all that ( saye they ) oftentymes manye sayntes haue ben bysshops not onely of one cytie : but of many cyties . I make answere . As many as haue ben holy bisshops in very dede and called pastours by the callynge of god : all those for the moste parte were the bysshops of one cytie alone , as Cypriane , Hilary , Ambrose , Augustyne , Hireneus , and these obserued the tradycyon of the Apostles , it is founde in dede in hystoriographers , that there haue bencerteyne ( suche was holy Boniface , Boniface . Tite . and suche also Tite vnto Paule ) whiche dyd after theyr owne iudgement constytute other bysshops in the cyties , as Titus dyd : but yet were they not therfore the bysshops of many cyties And albeit that suche maner example coulde be shewed of the sayntes : The exampfes of holy men maye not be preiudicyaff to goddes holy worde . For all men may erre . shall the examples of holy men be preiudycyal to the worde of god ? Is not god greater then all sayntes , howe oftentymes dowe fynde that holy men haue synned and erred ? God saued Daniel in the dungeon of Lyons , & he saued Ananias , Azarias , and Misael in the flamynge fornace of Babylon . Is the hande or power of god nowe shortened and mynysshed ? God saued Daniel in the dungeon of Eyons Dani. vi Dani. iii. Is it any doubte but that he myght preserue and kepe his electe and chosen persones , yf it shulde happen them by any meanes to be seduced , & led out of the ryght waye ( as Christ prophecyed ) euen in the myddes of mennes ordynacyons & tradycyons , & of the errours of the deuyll ? Nota. we ought not to put confydence in any ensample , dede , or worde of sayntes : but our conscyences ought to leane & to be grounded onely vpon the worde of god , which only is he ( as Paule saith ) that can not lye . But let vs furthermore here Paule , what he sayth of this ordynaunce of god , for in this wyse Luke wryteth of hym in the .xx. chapytre of the Actes .

ANd sendynge messangers from Miletum to Ephesus , he sent for preestes of the church , whiche when they were come to hym , he sayd vnto them . Take hede to your selues & to all the flocke in which the holy ghost hath set or ordeyned you bysshops , to gouerne the churche of god , whiche he hath purchased and gotten with his owne blode .

❧ ☜ ☜ ❧

GO to now , is here any new thyng ? Is Paule a foole , & doth he not know what he doth ? Ephesus was but one citie alone and Paule calleth openly all the preestes or elders by one comon name Episcopos : bysshops . Al the preestes of one cytie be called of Pause Bysshope . But peraduenture Paule had not red those bokes & those Apologies wretchedly patched together of papystes , nor the holy decretalles . For how wold he haue ben bolde elles to make many bysshops ouerseers to one cytie , & to call all the preestes of one cytie bysshops , in as moche as they were not all prynces , neyther kept a garde of men , & goodly palfrayes , but were certeyne rascall persones , and of the moste abiecte and vyle sorte of men , after the worldly estymacyon ? For Paule peraduenture wasig noraunt of that , which is growen in vse nowe in our tyme , that no man can be a great bysshop in very dede , oneles he doo ( as the Poete saythe ) kepe an hundred horses in goodly stables , oneles he haue a gorgyous house ful of royall pompe , onles he haue many royall tytles of lordshyppes . For this alone is suffycyent now in our tyme , to that that knyghtes and prynces ( be they neuer so moche vnlearned and foolyshe , yea and thoughe theyr myndes otherwhyles do stande nothyng towardes it ) may by the cōmendacyōs of theyr parentes & kynsfolkes , and otherwhyles by gyftes and rewardes be sodeynly made bysshops . But in good sadnes . Thou seyst pleynly that the Apostle Paule doth cal these onely bysshops , whiche doo preache the gospell vnto the people , and do mynystre vnto them the sacra mentes , as nowe in our tyme be the parysshe preestes and the preachers , All true preachers ben Bysshops . wherfore I do not doubte but these , although they do preache the gospell , but to very lytle vyllages and graunges , and yf they be the faythful and true my nysters of the worde : I doo not doubte ( I saye ) that they haue by good ryght the tytle and name of a bysshoppe . Contraryewyse those valyaunt horsemen and tyrannous bysshops haue no poynt of the offyce of a bysshop , sauynge onely those bare goodly tytles , & certeyne disguysed apparayll , in lyke maner as those bysshops whiche are paynted on a wall , haue in dede the shape and lykenes of bysshops , but they are without lyfe and speache . For euen such deade and ydle stockes and blockes are the popes bysshops in euery poynt : albeit that then they are ouer more stronge and quycke when they do exercyse tyrannous crueltie agaynst the very pastours , which do busylye gouerne cyties in the mynystracyon of the worde of god , and by more then deuylysshe tyranny do forbede them holy wedlocke , & to the open sclaunder of the church do wynke at the kepyng of whores do blaspheme the gospell , do extyncte the worde of god , & vnder the pretence & colour of vertue and godlynes do with incredyble wodnes exercyse contynually extreme tyranny vpon the sely pore people . By the reason wherof we doo se in the courtes & palayces of some bysshops , lykewyse as in the fountayne of al vyce and myschyef the courte of Rome , the courte of Rome . not so moche as one crumme , not so moch as the leaste shadowe to be founde of chrysten maners , we se also al the cyties of preestes , and namely those noble seates of prestes , to be nothyng elles but scoles of vnclenlynes & bodely pleasures , warkehouses of vyces , in so moch that in comparison of theyr houses the courtes of the seculare prynces maye be accompted monasteryes and holy scoles of vertue & godlynes , yea & Sodome and Gomorre in comparyson of them may seme temperate measurable , & thryftye . For out of theyr courtes or houses commeth forthe neyther the gospel , nor any other holy doctryne : but only citacions , excommunycacyons , exaccyons , in terdyccyons , cytacyons ( I saye ) in very dede peremptorie , that is to say sleers both of goodes and of soules . For suche as the bysshops are them selues , suche also is theyr doctryne . Prouerhes . And thoughe thou do neuer so moch clothe an asse with a lyons skynde : yet he contynueth styll an asse , and an ape is styll an ape , althoughe he be cladde in purple , besydes this saynt Paule wryteth to the Philippians in this wyse .

PAule and Timothe the seruauntes of Iesu Chryst , Philippi to all the sayntes in Chryste Iesu , whiche are in the cytie Philippi and to the bysshops also and the deacons . &c.

LOo Philippi was but onely one cytie , and yet saynt Paule saluteth all them that beleueth , together with the bysshops , vndoubtedly the bysshops , whome he meaneth there , were the preestes , lykewyse as he was wonte to constytute and ordeyne in all the other cyties . This is nowe the thyrde place of Paule , in which we do se , what god and the holy ghoste hath constytuted and ordeyned , that is to wytte , that they onely are called bysshops in verye dede , & by ryght , whiche do take & beare the charge of the people in the admynystracyon of goddes worde / in carynge for the pore flolke / in the admynystracyon of the sacramentes as are nowe in our dayes the chrysten curates or parysshe preestes yf they myght be suffred for those mytred horse men . Curates or parysshe prestis . And the this belongeth to the offyce of a bysshop , the very worde it selfe doth verye well declare / For this worde Episcopus is deryuyed of . Episcopus . ii . greke wordes , Epi , and Scopin whiche sygnyfye to gyue attendaunce to ouerse , to gyue dylygence , to playe the keper or watche man ouer the people , in lyke maner as watche men do kepe watche vpon the walles of a cytie / or as shepe herdes doo kepe watche vppon theyr shepe . And episcopus in greke dothe properly sygnyfye in englysshe an ouerseer / and in the hebrue it sygnyfyeth a vysytoure , the is to saye , one whiche vysyteth men at theyr owne house , & doth dylygently enquyre and searche the condycyon of theym , and the state of theyr lyfe , beynge redye egally and indyfferently to helpe and comforte all men . So Chryste saythe in the .xix. chapytre of Mathewe .

BEcause thou haste not knowen the tyme of thy vysytacyon .

THat whiche is there called , tyme of vysytacyon / we cal the tyme of thy bysshopriche . But oure papystycall bysshops haue founde and deuysed a certayne newe proffe and declaracy on of that Episcopall offyce , semelye for suche as they are / that is to sytte theym selues a hyghe in a chayre gylted , cladde in purple , with cusshens of cloth of tyssue vndre theyr buttockes and theyr elbowes , hauynge habundaunce and plentye of all maner delytes and pleasures , as moche as any kynges can haue : and in the meane season to offre and sette forthe the men belongynge to theyr gouernaunce , to be pyl : led , Officialses . tormented , and flayne of theyr offycyalles ( to whom they make theyr flockes subiectes ( men for the moste parte wycked , vngodly , & whiche do thynke that there is no god / whiche then may also with theyr commaundementes at theyr owne plesure by compulsyon cause to appere at those theyr holy consistories , persones the dwelle very farre of , not without damage and hurte both in goodes & in theyr soules / and may exercyse & vse all maner of extreme tyrannye vpon theym . For as moche then as nowe it is euydent and open of these thre places of the apostle , that those bysshops , whiche are so farre away from mynystracyon of goddes worde , and be neglygent aboute theyr duetie , are not onely no true bysshops , but rather the people of malediccion before god , as the men which haue setled theyr myndes agaynste the statutes and ordenaunces of god to extyncte the gospell , and do exalte them selues to destroye soules . It is euery chrysten mannes duetie by al lawfull and honest meanes that he may , to procure that theyr tyrannous & synfull tradycyons , may ones be vtterly contynued and come to confusyon . It belongeth ( I saye ) to euery chrysten mannes duetye man fully and with great confydence and boldnes where charyte wyll suffre without offendynge the weake to endeuoure hym selfe to do all thynges whiche are contrary to theyr tradycyons , none otherwyse then he wolde do agaynste the deuyll hym selfe . And also to trede vnder the feete and vtterly despyse the obedyence of theym , by whiche they desyre to haue , theyr owne tradycyons greatlye regarded and obserued , the worde of god neglected and nothynge sette by ) euen as they wolde treade vnder theyr feete the very deuyll hym selfe . All we therfore ( yf it so be that we haue pytie of so many soules whiche do perysshe for euer , yf we be earnestlye moued and styrred with the worde of god ) owe with oure vttermoste dylygence to go aboute , & with very great contencyon and strayning of our selues to labour aboute this , Old euyl bissops to be charitably reformed & yf yey refuse to be reformed , then newe and good bysshopes to be put in theyr places . that there maye agayne accordynge to the instytucyon of the apostle , very bysshoppes & shepeherdes be constytuted euery where in cyties , whiche be men pure , & vertuous , and well learned in holy scrypture , and in spyrytuall thynges / whiche haue chaste wyues , and chyldren obedyent ( as the apostle saythe ) in the feare of the lorde . Wherfore seynge that the bysshoppes and pastours euery where in the Cyties , which are nowe a dayes , haue hytherto rather obeyed the deuyll then god , byndynde theym selues , agaynste the scrypture , to this wycked vowe of lyuynge , syngle , or sole ( yf there be any poynte of chrysten breste or mynde in vs ) we ought to gyue dylygence and bestowe labours , for a reformacion of the same to be had , by the kynge our onely supreme hedde of the churche , in whome onely the reformacyon lyeth , so that one such a reformacion had , the pore captyue soules may bollye , to contempte of the deuyll , & his papystycall tradycions , reuoke those vowes , as beynge throughe errour made with the deuyll and with the very gates of helle , and that they may accordynge to the worde of god wedde wyues / and rather be wyllyng ( accordynge to the instytucion of saynt Paule ) to be good maryed men in the syghte of god , then for the pleasure of those baudes the Romanystes to be adulterers and hore kepers . For the verye tyme it self doth now in so great reuelacyon of the gospell requyre that ones at the laste the holye ordynacyon of the spyryte of god , whiche can not be but very good , shuld be restored and sette vp agaynst those prophane and abhomynable tradycyons of men . Loo this is my decre agaynst those prowde puffed Bulles of the deuyll , The decre of the author . and of the deuylysshe Romanystes and theyr fautours . Neyther do they here and obey me , but they here & obey god and the spyryte of god : who soeuer do here & obey this . And therfore I can also in verye dede promyse both euerlastynge lyfe , and also the fauoure of god to all those , what soeuer they be that do in fayth obserue and kepe it . And because this shall not be iudged the ordynacyon of Paule alone / ( For it is reported , that the deane & chanons of a certayne cathedrall churche dyd say after a blasphemous maner & fascyon , openly to a precher , whom they dyd expulse for the gospell sake , what of paule ? Chanons and Chanonlyke . what of paule : The pope hath receyued more power of Chryste then euer Paule dyd ) and for the pleasure of those so swete and gentyll men and excellently deuylysshe preestes , let vs se what Peter , & what Chryste hym selfe do saye concernyng this matyer . In the fyfte chapitre of the fyrste epystle of Peter , it is thus wryten .

THe prestes that are amonge you I beseche ( whiche am also my selfe a preste , Presbiteros . and a recorde of the afflyctyons of Chryste , and also a parte taker of the glorye , whiche shall be shewed ) fede , asmoch as lyeth in you to do , the flocke of Chryst takyng the charge and ouersyght of them not by compulsyon , but wyllynglye . Not for the desyre of fylthy lucre but of a good fauourable and louynge mynde / neyther as men exercysynge domynyon , in theyr in heretaūces but that you maye be your selues ensample to the flocke .

¶ And when the hedshepeherde shall appere , you shal receyue an incorruptyble crowne of glorye . Here thou seyst that .

PEter , euēlykewyse as Paule dyd , dothe vse these two wordis presbyter and Episcopus bothe for one thynge / that is to wytte , that they are Episcopi , whiche do teache the people , and do preache the worde of god / and he maketh theym all of egall power one with another / and he for byddeth theym to behaue theym selues so , as yf they were lordes , or hadde domynyons ouer those whom they haue charge of , he calleth hym self a felowe preest , ( that I may so say ) by these wordes euydently declarynge & prouyng , that all parysshe preestes & bysshops of cyties are of egall power amonge them selues , and as touchyng to the auctorytie of a bysshop , that one is nothynge superyor to an other , and that he hym selfe also is felowe preest with theym , and hath nomore power and auctorytie in his owne cytie then haue the other or euery one of theym in theyr owne congregacion . Lo peter maketh hym selfe egall & not superyour to the bysshops / what I beseche you wyll those beastes allege here agaynst these thyngꝭ whiche do not cease not onely to be lordes and haue domynyon , but also to exercyse moste cruell tyrannye vpon our soules & our goodes / which also do neuer cease with excedynge madde braulynges and suytes to contende & stryue amonge them selues about the dyfference , & degrees of power & auctoryte . And that I maye ones make & ende , Chryste hym selfe in the .xxii. chapytre of Luke saythe .

THe prynces of the paynymes are lordes ouer theym , and they whiche haue power and auctorytie ouer theym are called be nefycyall and gracyous / but it shall not be so amonge you / but he that is eldest amonge you , let hym be made as yongest .

HEreunto , herken and gyue good attendaunce you pom pous & lordly bysshops . Lo all the hole Chrysten people requyre of you a reason & cause of your domynacyon and lordshyp , whiche you haue hytherto with so many tytles and also with so many tyrannous dedes taken , vyolently vsurped , & chalenged vnto your selues / Lo I say the chrysten worlde requyreth a cause of this your doynge / for this you can not denye whiche is so open & euydent afore the iyes of all men , that your kyngedome is an outwarde and a worldlye kyngedome / yea and that more worldly , then the kyngdome of any worldly prynce . For you play the lordes openly bothe vpon the bodyes , and also the myndes / and that not by the worde of god , but by exteryour pompe / by exteryour and worldly tyrannye / as other prynces and rulers of the hethen people do / I saye go to therfore nowe and tell me , Doe non sic . howe those wordes of Chryst vos autem non sic / that is , but so shall not you do / howe do they agree with that your kyngdome go to nowe because you shall not ( as you are verye slypper ) slyppe from me : let vs enserche and ponder well the naturall strengthe and sygnyfycatyon of the wordes , what is the meanyng of these wordes . But you not so ? For here vndoubtedlye is rebuked your kyngdome , and your condy cyon and state . For this ought not to be suche a one as it is , yf it were a Chrysten state .

¶ Nowe lette it be what soeuer maner one you wyll ? yet for all that Chryste spekynge of the domynacyon of those worldly prynces , sayth playnlye vnto you ( for you wyl seme to be bysshoppes . ) But you shall not do so / tell me I saye , do not bothe your eares ryng and glowe at these wordes of the soueraygne maiestie , but you shal not so / why do you kepe scylence ? why are you dumbe ? Nowe let vs se what you begyn to answere with so many great bokes of decretalles vnto these wordes of one sillable vos autem non sic . But you not so ? I saye to you what can you say to this litle sentence of thre sillables , vos non sic , you not so ? peraduenture , as you are bolde to do and say all thynges / suche is the madnes of you ) you wyll begyn to make a cauyllacyon as though these wordes / vos non sic , The papystꝭ wyl kepe the true significacion of wordis no longer than they lyste were as moch to say as ye shall do so , for so ye be wonte to chaunge at your pleasures the sygnyfycacyon of wordes .

And shall teache , that the Pope hath also more power and auctorytye then Chryst hym selfe . But why do I thus rebuke those obstynate persones ? They are blynde and guydes of the blynde / I wyll here earnestly aduertyse the good gentyl reader , that thou do leaue and forsake these men , and euen lykewyse as yf thy deadely foo and enemye dyd come vnto the vndre the semblaunce and lykenes of a moch dearlye beloued brother , thou woldest at the least wyse haue hym in suspectyon , and woldest with great dylygence eschewe his company : euen so now flee from those tourmentours of conscyences , and haue theym in suspectyon , whiche do come vndre the vysures and tytles of true bysshops and be none . For Paule hathe shewed before that lykewyse as the deuyll doth transfygure hym selfe in to an Aungell of lyght , euen so those his Apostles shulde take vpon theym the lykenes and the name of the mynysters of Iustyce , and of the Apostles of Chryste / but by theyr fruytes , that is to saye , by theyr workes and theyr doctrynes we do knowe them . For they do not preache nor suffre to be preached any other thynges , then lucre / and the chestes and coffres of Indulgences and pardons .

¶ The fyfte vertue of the Bulle of the bysshop of Rome .

I He Pope taketh vpon hym power and auctorytie to chaunge vowes , For money vowcebe chaunged . in to other good workes , and that not frelye and for nothynge , but for money : but yet alwayes the vowes are excepted of goynge to saynte Iames , to Rome , to Hyerusalem , and also the vowe of chastytie . Many thynges ben heretofore wryten concernynge vowes whiche be nothynge nedefull to be rehersed here agayne in this place . But yf I do here demaunde of the Pope of Rome , that blynde hedde , A questy on concernynge vowes . and begynne to call sore vpon hym for an answere , what is the cause that he dare dispence with certeyne vowes onely , and not with all vowes indyfferentlye . I knowe well ynoughe , he knowethe not what other answere to make , then that of the thynges whiche are vowed some are greate , as for example , to lyue chaste : and some agayne are smalle thynges and of no greate wayghte , as for example to faste breade and water . And therfore he maye chaunge the vowe of lytyll thynges , but not lykewyse of great thynges / Lo howe starke blynde this people of vysures is , and without eyther wyt or brayne : whiche do esteme and iudge the wayght and value of vowes not accordyng to the vertue and strength of goddes commaundement , but accordyng to workes . But I pray the tell me , is it not an othe aswell , when thou swerest depely in a matier of thre halfepens as yf thou haddest sworne in a matyer of an hundred talentes ? Is not the Relygion and strength of the othe in all poyntes egall in bothe those thynges why then shulde it not be egally kepte bothe in lytle thynges and in great thynges : Shuld it therfore be broken in a great summe , be cause it is an harder thynge to pay an hundred talentes , then to pay thre halfepens ? This people therfore of vysures is pleynlye madde , and in all poyntes starke furyous wood , wherfore embrace thou this substancyall and fyr me and stable sentence .

¶ Neuer make thou in mans lawe any difference of vowes as concernynge the bygnes or smalnes of the worke selfe , as though one vowe were dyspensable , and another indyspensable . For the bonde , relygyon , and strength of the vowe , is of lyke effycacytie and strength aswell in great thynges as in lytell thynges , so that the vowe of lyuynge sole without a wyfe , maye as well be dispensed with all as the vowe to Ierusalem . For in the one , the othe , and promyse is sworne , and made as depelye and ernestly as in the other and ought therfore to be performed the one aswell as the other . This shal be more easy to perceyue yf we compare the nature of mannes lawe with the nature of godes lawe . The nature of goddes lawe is suche , that it maye not be dispensed with al , eyther in great thynges or lytell thynges , as all good chrysten men graunt . Neyther doth it make any dyfference betwene great thynges & smalle thynges , sayinge . Thou mayste leaue vndone the vowes of lytel thynges , but the vowes of great thyngꝭ thou shalte be compelled to kepe obserue and fulfyll , nor yet contrarywyse . Thou muste obserue and kepe the vowes of smalle thynges , but as for the vowes of paynfull , greate , and heuye thynges , thou mayste leue vndone and be dyspensed with all . The lawe of god saythe not so I saye , but byndethe all men indyfferentlye to the obseruacyon therof vnder the payne of damnacyon without any remedye of mannes dyspensacyon . Wherfore in mannes lawe , whose force and strength may not be lyke , the contrarye muste nedes be true , that all other vowes not conteyned within the precept of god , as the vowe to lyue sole without a wyfe , to vysyte Saynt Iames in compostella , with all other suche lyke , and all monkysshe , monysshe , and freerrysshe vowes , be they greate or smalle , be clerelye dyspensable , and maye be broken as well one as an other , as well the greate as the smalle .

Or els muste the bysshop of Rome and his fautours , the lordes of such vowes and lawes confesse and defende , theyr lawes to be of the same nature that is the lawe of god , that is to wytte , that they may not be dyspensed with all , & that they them selues ben moreouer in that poynte checke mate with god in power , yea in euery poynte , where in theyr lawe is ( as they say ) indyspensable . And for asmoche as nothynge in any condycyon can be egall to god but that nedes that same thynge also must be god , it argueth then that , that synfull man of Rome , with any such as he is , whiche in any degree or poynte shall take vpon them to be of lyke & egall power with god , muste of necessytye make them selues goddes , all thoughe it be but halfe goddes , quarter goddes , pesyd goddes , and patched goddes , yea false goddes and Idoles .

¶ Wherfore do not in any wyse good reader gyue credence to these deceyuers . Neyther do thou truste and put confydence in those byenges and sellynges of dyspensacyons , and commutacyons of vowes . For they haue none auctorytye , wherbye they maye chaunge any vowe conteyned with in the worde of god . For where they maye chaunge vowes as in thynges of mannes inuencyon and in thynges indyfferent , there maye thou thy selfe & any other man who soener he be do the same . I meane betwyxte god and the , so that there ryse no offence and sclaunder therof , and boldly dyspence for all maner vowes . Forels to chaunge vowes comprehended within goddes worde is nothyng els , The vo : wes are not to be changed . but to abrogate & adnull this precept of god / vouete et reddite / that is to say / vowe you and paye your vowes . yf the commaundement of god maye be abrogated in one artycle : by the same ryghte it maye be abrogated in alle poyntes . For it is a playne and a generall commaundement of all vowes comprysed within the lymyttes of holy scrypture . For yf this wyndowe be opened to the Pope , that he hathe power to chaunge suche vowes , whether they be smalle or great / then myghte he forth with do the same lykewyse in al vowes . And then it shulde folowe by and by after , that he maye also dyspence in the fyrste commaundement , that is to wyt , that god oughte not to be loued with al our herte , & that our neyghboure ought not to be loued as our owne selues / And it shulde folowe forthwith , that he myght gyue lycence to worshyp an Idole with exteryour worshyp / or to commytte adulterie with pore menes wyues , although it were neuer so vnlauful to commytte the same with greate Lordes wyues because it is in a greate mater . Bryefly in a thousande other lyke , I wyll not say inconuenyent & vnresonable thyngꝭ , but wondres , but monsters of errours shulde folowe , as soone as it shall be ones laufull to chaunge but euen one tytle of any one commaundement of god / So thou seest nowe and perceyuest , that this couetous Balaam , and these hypochrytes and vysures , doo gyue theyr myndes to none other thynge , thenne vnto this onelye that they may for lucre & aduayle make the commaundement of god of small strength and effecte . wherfore flee , flee this Balaam / for he can in no wyse chaunge not euen the leaste vowe that is corroborate by the worde of god . But yf it be so that one vowe may be chaunged , I saye vnto the , it is free for the withoute any coste or charge though thou doste paye nothyng to the Romanystes , to chaunge all maner other vowes . Here we my ghte haue large mater to dyspute of concernynge vowes : but it apperteyneth not to this place / For in other places it is largelye ynoughe spoken of , & peraduenture ( yf nede requyre ) we shall he reafter entrete more largely of the same . Let these thynges suffyce now at this peruerte tyme . Fyrst there are certeyne vowes or promyses made vnto men . Of vowꝭ made to men . And these vowes do bynde so longe , as he to whom they haue be made , dothe exacte & requyre the same to be performed / & of this maner vowes , we do not speake here . Dowes made to god . Secunda rylye there are certeyne vowes made to god , or to his sayntes . And those also are made in two maners or wyse . Fyrste they are made agaynste god and his preceptes , and those are vtterly not to be obserued . But those which are not agaynste god , are to be obserued and kepte . Here nowe ryseth a verye harde doubte , whiche are those vowes that are made agaynste god and his preceptes . Here it is profytable and expedyent to consyder and weyghe dylygentlye and sadlye the tenne commaundementes / & we wyll begynne at the leaste of theym all . yf thou woldest vowe to luste after the goodes or the wyfe of thy neyghbour , A synful and a cursed vowe . yf thou woldest vowe to beare false wytnes , steale , commyt adulterye , kyll or sle / bryefly yf thou woldeste vowe not to loue thy neyghboure , nor owe to hym good wyll : thou perceyuest well and seest that suche maner vowe is wycked and vnlaufull / and suche one , as thou cannest not kepe without the indygnacyon & dyspleasure of almyghty god . This thynge ( I suppose ) is more euydent , then that any man maye denye it more ouer yf thou woldeste vowe not to obeye thy father and mother : doubtles it is euydent , that all these thynges are playne repugnaunt and contrarye to the commaundementes of god . Why are we then so blynde so obstynate , & so brutysshe , and vnresonable , that we do obserue these vowes , whiche are so openly and euydently agaynst the preceptes of god ? Is it not agaynst the precept of god , when the doughter is maryed to a man of yonge or myddle age agaynst the wyll of her parentes , or elles without any knowlege at all gyuen vnto theym ? Is it not contarye to the preceptes of god / when the sone or the doughter , agaynst theyr parentes wyll do vowe to entre in to Relygyon , or elles dothe receyue those vnholy ordres , whiche the commen sorte of preestes doo receyne callynge theym holye ordres / Hathe not god hym selfe in the .xxx. chapytre of Numeri abrogated and adnulled suche maner vowes or promyses ? Numeri. 30. deuotꝭ and moreouer hathe he not in this wyse interpreted & declared this precept ? Agayne is it not against the commaundement of god , when eyther the husbande or els the wyfe doth vowe to go in pylgrymage to saynt Iames ? to do this thynge or that thyng , namely when the wyfe may not be without her husbande , nor the husbande wante the presence of his wyfe ? Come of nowe and tell me , The vowe of matrymony . is this vowe a gaynst the precept of god , which hath enioyned to the husbande that he shulde prouyde and sette dylygently for his wyfe and his chyldren , & not to go from them , and leaue theym destytute of his helpe and succoure / And yet for all this that Idole of Rome , & that kynge of vysures , maketh this vowe of Pylgrymage to saynte Iames inuiolable , & such one as no man may in any wyse breake in so moche the he dothe also in his bulle except it by name as a thynge indyspensable . Notwithstandynge that yf he wolde shewe hym selfe a very bysshop , he oughte ( & not without good cause ) both to speake agaynste , yea and also to abolyshe and vtterly destroy all suche maner of vowes . But the Pope dothe in all poyntes , as be cometh suche one as he is to do . For it is fyt and , semely for hym after this maner to prohybyte & forbydde that whiche god dothe promyt and also commaunde / and contrary wyse agayne , to commaunde that , whiche god dothe forfende / and to destroye that , whiche god edyfyeth / & to buylde that , whiche god dothe destroye . For howe coulde he elles be Pope ? But O wold god these abhomynable & deuelysshe hypochrytes and vysures dyd erre only to there owne hurte / dyd leade theym selues only out of the ryghtway , were euyll and wycked to theyr owne harmes alone : for them they myghte somwhat be suffered / or elles yf nedelye it pleased theym in this wyse to be madde , they were to be honoured worldly , as men whiche had deserued well of vs / to be tolerated , as hethen princes / But nowe for as moche as they do with so incredyble furye and woodnes seduce so manye conscyences , do murdre and slee so manye soules , and with theyr owne tradycyons do openlye not onely obscure and make darke and deface the worde of god , but also do scrape it out , & put it out of mynde , and vtterlye destroye it : no man vndoubtedly that wyse is & aduysed wyll desyre moderatyon to be vsed here , no man wyl requyre sylence to be vsed in this mater , in whiche no man may kepe silence without abhomynable greate synne / and without open and euydent vnkyndnes & blasphemye agaynst god . Pycke the hense with thy moderacyon and sylence , who soeuer thou be , that for feare of men , thynkest it but a small thynge openlye to commyt so open blasphemyes agaynste god . Let no man here speake to me of moderacyon , of somewhat mylder wrytynge , and of suche other vayne tryfles . Let no man bable to me of reuerence to begyuen to theym . Lette no man prate to me of patyence and of chrysten sufferaunce here in this matyer It is an accursed sylence whiche leueth these thyngꝭ vntouched . It is a cursed reuerence , whiche here forbeareth and gyueth place , and doth as it were open a certeyne great dore , and gyue occasyon to so blodye tyrauntes , and to so cruell wolues , blodye & frely to murther and to make hauoke of mennes soules and conscyences . But nowe for as moche as we haue spoken ynough of these lette vs touche somwhat concernynge the vowes of Relygyous persones . The vowes of relygyous persones . Albeit that in an other place it be treated of in a hole boke peculyerlye appoynted to the same . And here fyrste oure bysshops and goodly vysures shall haue both theyr eares ryngynge and glowyng / and here they shal fyrste gnasshe with theyr teathe . Here they shall make greuous and tragycall exclamacyons I saye you goodlye pastoures , ( for I wyll demaunde a questy on here of you ( come of nowe and tell me , yf preestes , monkes , freres , and nunnes , dyd vowe to kepe the rules and ordynaunces of theyr ordres in vnbelefe , or in supersty cyon or in the Iudycall belefe . I praye you make answere , shulde they be any better then adulterers , or those whiche had made a vowe to corrupt and defyle theyr neyghbours wyfe ? Tell me I be sech you , shuld not this be a playne renyenge of Chrystes faythe , and to offende more greuouslye then yf a man dyd commytte tenne adulteryes ? But howe many are there nowe in all this hole secte of preestes , of monkes , of freers , of nunnes , whiche haue not by the reason hereof forsaken the fayth of Chryste , and hath enwrapped and entangled hym self and his conscience in Iudycall superstycyon ? And peraduenture these thynges seme straunge thyngꝭ vnto thee . But I beseche the harken what is the very crysten fayth . The very chrysten fayth is this , The verye chrysten fayth . thou doste beleue the thou arte iustyfyed & saued not by any workes , but onely through fayth in Chryste , as medyator , & by the mercy whiche is frely gyuen in hym ( as it is wryten in the fyrste chapytre to the Galathyanes ) so the a man do despayre of all his owne strengthe & power & of all his owne enforcementes , & all his owne workes / & do all togyther & holy truste & hange vpon the merytes & the Iustyce of an other man , that is to wyt of Chryst . It is not a Iudaycall fayth , to be wyllyng to be iustyfyed , to that is to haue remyssyon of synne & to be saued by workis / by theyr owne propper strength and merites ? Roma . x. Is not the fay the of Chryst by this reiecte and refused , as of whome those holye men haue no nede , or at the leaste wyse haue no great neade ? Nowe therfore lette euery man euen of the commen people be Iudge whether a greate parte of prestes , of monkes , freers , and nunnes , do not begynne the ordynaunces of theyr secte in that faythe . For these goodlye bostynge wordes they do vse commenly & openlye for this entent ( say they ) I do embrace & professe this maner of lyuynge : that I maye purchase some meryte vnto my selfe aboue the commen maner of lyuynge of chrysten men / for why shuld I els be a monke , or a freer / & they do ascry be that thynge to workes & ceremonyes which ought to be ascribed onely to Christe , and fayth onely I praye you tell me , what other thyng is this , then to deny Chryste , & to seke holynes and ryghtwysenes in vnbelefe and hypochrysie : that is to say , to be made of chrysten men very Iewes and paynymes / saynt Petre sayth .

THose , whiche were verelye escaped , they allure and be gyle , and do kepe theym stylle in erroure .

ANd that them selues are Iewes and paynymes , Iewes paynymes . they do theyr owne selues confesse / For what entent ( saye they ) shulde I be a monke , a frere , or a nunne ? Why shulde I trouble and vere my selfe with so many holy obseruaunces and ceremonyes : except I could by these meanes purchace and gette a prerogatyue , and shorte spede vnto saluacyon aboue the commen sorte of chrysten men , or aboue worldlye persones ? For this is theyr communycacyon . Thou herest that these are more then pharysaycall wordes of hypochrytes , and of men puttynge confydence & trust in theyr owne workes : in whome Chryste hath no maner place or worke at all . Is it any doubte , that all these men do loke for that thynge of the workes , and I wot not what obseruaunces of theyr ordres : whiche they ought to haue loked for of Chryste , and of the mercye of god promysed in Chryst , wherfore it is as certayne as any thynge maye be , that all Collegyate churches and all monasteryes , in which there are preestes , monkes or freers lyuynge in such maner hypochrysy & perylous truste and belefe : are farre more fylthye and abhomynable , than any stues , then any bordell howses / or any dennes of theues . And therfore it is also brought to passe by the wrathe and indygnacyon of god that as it were for a sygne & marke , these preestes are moste polluted and defyled with all kyndes welnere and sortes of flesshely lustes & plesures . For when through suche maner hypochrysie of workes they do vyolate the chastytie and purytie of the chrysten fayth then for a punysshement , Hypochrysye of workes . they ar gyuen in to that vnclennes , that they do also vyolate the chastyte of theyr bodyes / as saynt Peter doth saye , that they do allure vnto the desyres and lustes of the flesshe / Soo all ordres , and all vowes , because they are moste parte of theym agaynst the fyrste the seconde , and the thyrde , commaundemente of god / are to be eschewed , and fledde frome , as from a pestylence . And I wolde hertelye aduertyse and counsayle all relygyous persones and all suche maner Iustycyaryes , Relygyous persones . that they shulde here chose eyther the one or the other of these two : that is to wytte , eyther to leaue and forsake this Iudaycal fayth and truste in workes / and to leane to the knowelage and the vse and profyte of Chryste / and to begyn theyr lyfe agayne in fayth : or elles rather lette them , yf they may not frelye , optayne lycence to for sake , bothe theyr relygyous habyte , and also theyr Monasteryes / and lette theym retourne vnto the symplycyte , which is in our Sauyoure Chryste Ihesu , and let theym chose rather any other honeste and godlye kynde of lyuynge . And thou oughtest to do none otherwyse here in this thynge , then yf thou dyddest openlye kepe an harlot in thy companye . For there , yf thou wylte lyue vertuouslye and godlye : eyther thou muste forsake thyne harlot or els marie her to thy wyfe . Lo here is that spyrytuall Baal , of whome by the gyfte of god there is wryten a lytell boke , wherin by scryptures and argumentes it is stronge ynoughe proued , that the professyon of Monastycall vowes is of it selfe , wycked and heretycall , and that it is a verye harde thynge to brynge aboute , that a man may vse it well . And I doubte not but that by these thynges good myndes and conscyences , and also reason ben there by well satyfyed so that from henseforth I hope that there shall not be so many , whiche shall be begyled and perysshe thoroughe the Relygyous lyfe and that wretched clarkshype . And yf some certayn men ben therwith myscontent , as thoughe in the sayde boke were preached lybertye to preestes , monkes , freers : and nunnes , and that monasteryes and temples , shulde be pulled downe and destroyed . I do not greatlye marueyle hereof . For who can satysfy those wycked men , which wyll heare nothynge , but that whiche semethe good to theym selues / and whiche ( as salomon saythe ) ben setteled in theyr owne folysshe hertes . Agayne on the other syde yf they shulde be demaunded a reason and cause of theyr tradycions , they can do nothyng els but shewe theyr purple cardynall hattes , & theyr bysshops myters , & with a lordly countenaunce breake out & say , dost thou not se that I am a cardynall , dost thou not know , that I am a bysshop ? What doste thou requyre the know lege of srypture , or a cause of his belefe in a bysshop ? What neade hath a bysshop of any suche smal tryfles , the cure & charge wherof may be put vnto his chapleynes ? And what meruayle is it , that those presumptuous men & trustynge to theyr selues , do vse so earnest , so wayghtie , & so prowde wordes sith it is so that they onely haue the holy ghost , in so moche that wher soeuer they be assembled & gathered to gyther , there is vndoubtedly the holy ghoste ? Syth it is so ( I say ) that they haue not onely the holy ghost , but euen the most holy spryre / that is to wyt the spryte of the Pope , whiche is not only ( as Chryst is called of Peter in the actes ) ryghtuous & holy : but also is moste holy . But veryly I am vtterly wery to speke any more hereof those cursed abuses & bulles of the Pope / & I wyll dyfferre & put of , vntyll they happelye do begynne to graunt agaynst these thyngꝭ , whiche I haue sayd . At this tyme it is suffycient to know , that all men are bounden before god with his worde , yea & otherwyse yf they ben in iuste auctoryte to destroy , & vtterly to extyncte these bulles of the popes indulgencꝭ & pardons . Besides this not onely to condempne & despyse those hypochrytes & vysures , which do publysshe & preche them as vnlerned & wycked bestes : but also to shunte them & to flee from them , as from wolues , and cruell Lyons , accordynge to the doctryne of the apostles , both Peter & also Paule . And that I maye ones ende these complayntes procedyng of moste rightfull sorowe and grefe . I beseche you tell me , is not this also an excellent dede , and suche as hath not ben harde of before in any nacyon or in any age or tyme , that our bysshops by the grace of god berynge small fauoure towardes goddes worde and lykewyse agayne standynge but smally in fauoure , with it do not secretlye but openlye forbyd preestes honest matrymonyes . And ( that a man may knowe the apostles of Sathan dryued at ones of all furyes ) do they not with thretenynge of emprysonementes and of the swerde , stoutely go aboute this , that that holye and goodly chastytie ( whiche is no thynge at al mynisshed nor appayred by so many thousandes of harlottꝭ by so many monsturous kyndes of lecherye ) shulde not by wedlocke , that is to witte ( as they cal it ) a laye and a prophane thyng , peraduenture suffre some damage and hynderaunce . And lorde howe my mynde coueteth and desyreth here to make rehersall by name of these cyties belongynge to preestes , in which euery where almost thorugh out all chrystendome we do se so manye and so greate flockes of vnhoneste women and that for none other cause but bicause they are kepte not of the commen people , but of prestes ) to be mayntayned none otherwyse , then yf it were a companye of honest matrones , to the open sclaunder of the churche / & to be fedde in ydlenes with delycate meates and drynkes / to haue the honorable name and tytles of families / and moreouer after the similitude & maner of temples ( as the psalmiste saythe ) to be cladde in purple , Psalmo C. vliii . and decked , and garnysshed with golde , peerle , and precyous stones . I say I haue moche a do to holde my tonge from namyng of them : but yet I wyll refrayne vntyll some defender of such maner chastyte do ryse , whiche wyll go aboute to defende and mayntayne this holye contynencye of prestes , But oh peuyshe fole , and vnmanerlye carter that I am , which dare be so bold to call such bysshoppes baudes , and theyr worshypfull cathedrall churches stues . But go forthe on you papistes bysshoppes procede luckely to that wherunto your vertue leadeth you / & for asmoch as you thynke it a smal thynge , and not ynough that all men do dysprayse you , and speake euyll of you / that are hated of the people / and that in a maner your name is despysed of euery good man : encreace you & heape you harred vpon hatred / for ( as he sayethe ) they whiche ones ouerleaped and passed the bondes of shamefastnes , Cicero in his epistles must nedes be excedynge bolde & shameles for if you had not short lye as it were , wasshed awaye this your so great fauour of the people , with some newe hatred / yf you were not now ymages & dumbe blockꝭ : it lacked not moch , but the for excedige great loue , & for so many excellent benefytis of yours , we wold haue set vp your ymagis made of gold , in the market place / and why shuld we not put you to worshyp , settynge vp ymages & such other monumentꝭ for a memorial to be had of you : sith it is so the you ) yf I be not begyled ( haue verye wel deseruyd it with your merytes / and euen nowe also openly defendyng the kepyng of hoores bothe with your wordes and your dedes , do heape meritis vpon merytes / fyrste you are youre selues more vnchast then I wyll reherse , & do wynke at so manye whoredomes , and at so many stu●s & bordel houses buylded round aboute your churches ( for what other thynge are commenly all the prestes houses ? ) and some of you whiche I coulde name doo your selues also kepe harlottes . Secundarylye you do fede and norysshe your selues most delicately and tenderlye in ryote and pleasures with the bloode and swete of poore men / Besydes , empoueryshynge and beggerynge the worlde with your guyles and deceyptes , you do with your excommunycacions and interdiccyons vexe and tosse all thynges vp & downe , afflictynge and tormentyng poore men , both in soule , in bodye , and in theyr goodes / you do extyncte and destroye the gospelles / & not onely you your selues doo no maner worke belongyng to the offyce of a bisshop , but also you wyll not suffre any other men to preache the worde of god / you do pursue the preachers , from cytie to cytie , ( as it was prophecyed in the .xxiii. chapytre of Mathue ) and you do expulse them as knaues and vyle wretches out of al your dominions / and yet in the meane season your selues are nothynge elles in comparyson but visures , whome as vnprofitable burdeynes of darthe the worlde can no lenger beare nor suffre , one les you do waxe wyse & amende . Wherfore here labour & applye your selues lustelye & stoutelye the you do not please the people ouer moche / encreace your benefites & good dedes / gyue diligens lustely that there maye not nede any great busynes to destroy your tyranny , whyles you do shake out your owne selues , and do youre owne selues wylfully ronne forth to your owne confusyon and destruccyon / I verely ( to gyue you good & faythfull counsayle ) wolde not aduertyse you that you shulde purchace & ger vnto your selues the fauour & loue of the people , with myldenes , with mercifulnes , with softnes , with pascience / and sincerite apostolicall / that is to wyt , with those vertues , with those holy meanes , which saynt Paule dyd vse / go forth & holde on as you haue begonne / this is euen the ryght & next way to vndoubted destruccion , wherunto you do so greatlye make hast / for euen so dyd your fathers the Iewes , into whose hypochrisie you are succeded , which when they had slayne the lorde & authoure of lyfe Iesu Cryst , & had by decrees ꝓmulged and publysshed the gospelles to be forbeden yet could they not so rest vntyll they had ꝓuoked the romaynes and so had sought theyr owne vndoubted mischefe / which sayd romaynes at the last settyng violently vpon them , slewe them vp , & vtterly destroied them / for how could you better obserue & fulfyl the which becometh your personages to do : then yf you do go about & endeuer to proue & shewe your selues the very ryght & trewe sones & heyres of suche maner parentes / but here ( I wene ) they wyl do vpon them all the hole episcopall armoure , The hole armoure or harnayse of the popes bysshoppys . that is to wyt a purple Palle , and a forked mytre , vpon theyr hed , theyr gloues and theyr rynges with precious stones , to fence bothe theyr handes with all / they shall also haue theyr fete shode not in the preparacyon of the gospel of peace , but of the sādalle of vanite / & a syluer crosse hangyng downe to the myddes of theyr breste / & ( yf I be not deceyuyd ) a Romane pallealso couerynge theyr shulders / & a shepherdes staffe to measure theyr pase / and so then hauyng this armure vpon them , with a statelye and a solempne gate they shall come forth , & saye / wylte thou the we shuld shewe the more playnly a cause , why we do kepe preestes from wedlocke : hathe not the most holy father the pope forbeden this by his lawes and holye canons : addynge also a penalytie vpon the same . For these shall be all the argumentes , reasons , and syllogismes , by which those excellent men and worshypfull pastours maye shewe the cause of theyr dede ( with the lycence & fauoure of the most holy pope , and of his worshipful bulles be this spoken ) I verelye do nothyng doubte , that the lawes exactynge this syngle lyfe , are deuelysshe doctryne , and moste grosse phantasmes of the deuyl / And here I can not refrayne , but I muste nedes clerely and pleynly shewe , what I do thynke of the contynencie of preestes . Thou shalt graunte me this one thyng good crysten reader , that I may here with bolde & scoffynge wordes , mocke and cheke these theyr so earnest counsayles and proude wordes of the decretalles . Tell me I pray you , why do the poetis , that make commedyes , Wryters of commedyes . alwayes ymagyne the men baudes and the women baudes to be suche maner ones , that they do retayne yong men with pleasures , and by certayne polycie and certayne craftes do counsayll them from mariage ? Doubtles it is not for any good wyll , that they do beare to the yonge men : but because by the mary ages of yonge men they do lese a great parte of theyr gaynes . Euen so the bysshoppe of Rome with his clientes the aucthours of the forsayd lawe of vnchaste contynencye haue a great parte of theyr yerely rentes and profytes by the baudrye of preestes , and by preestes hoores . For who soeuer wyll at his lybertye kepe hoores and mennes wyues with prayse and fauour : he is compelled to paye yerely to the bysshop a crowne of gold . And this tradicyon is so commenly knowen that it is nowe a commen sayeng , that chast persones and good lyuers are nothynge profytable to the offyce of a preeste ( for so they cal the tyranny of the offycyales ) in somoch that ( as some saye ) the officyales do also hate the preestes , Dnprofytable to the offyce of a preest . that are chaste lyuers / I besech you tell me , when at any tyme were baudes more ryche , or more honourable ? When was euer baudrye more vnpunysshed then in the popes bysshoppes ? & what meruaile is it , yf those holy fathers , when they haue receyued money , doo wynke at the kepyng of hoores : seynge that it is an olde saynge , a ꝓuerbe . that lucre smelleth well of what soeuer maner thynge it be goten ? who wyll then be so vncurtayse , and so vngentle , as to blame the wysdome of the bysshoppes , for that they do approue and allowe harlottꝭ . Who is he , but he knoweth , that there are dyuers craftes , and dyuers meanes , by which marchauntes do get gaynes , and that there are dyuers and sondrye kyndes of mercers ? one selleth peper / another saffron / another clothe / another purple or clothe of golde / what meruayle is it then yf bysshop Kayface of Rome ( leaste he only shulde set nought by lucre ) as it were in certayne fayers or markettes ordeyned and set vp rounde aboute those goodly and gorgious churches , do selle the flesshe and the skynne ( I had almost spoken a fouler worde ) of a quycke harlot / for whiche waye elles shulde that holy father and his haue a suffycyent lyuynge , yf they dyd not playe the marchauntes in such honest wyse ? Further more yf it fortune so that at any tyme , that some prest do gyue vnto any suche maner harlotte any whytte more of his chastite then nede is , so that her belye dothe swelle , and she doth brynge forth to hym the seale of his contynency , some pretye chylde : then forth with encreaceth that yerely rente of the bysshop / for then aboue that yerely crowen , the bysshop getteth agayne occasy on to exercyse mercy / & to this wretched father and to the chyld newly borne , them fyrste he selleth this harlot ageyne : and he doeth not suffre somoche as the selye poore infaunt to haue his owne mother , whiche god hathe gyuen to hym , frelye , & without payeng of money / lo thus this profet & gaynes , which wolde scacely come syngle to the commen baudes : to the bysshopps is properlye & craftely doubled / is not this then a goodly & a gay market to sell thus the harlottes belyes twyse euery yere , yf fortune be theyr frende ? is not this a goodly marchaundyse semely for bisshoppes and so holy officiales to get lucre by the whoredome of other men : & so with those secrete and pruye baudryes to passe any stues ? And it is no meruayle yf for the augmentacyon and conseruacyon of the goodes of the churche ( for the goodes of the church they do call gold and syluer , the gooddes of the chutche . contrary to the wordes of saynt Peter ( these holy fathers do busylye gyue theyr minde to this lucre yf they wyll not graunt vnto the preestes honest wedlocke , which helpeth nothyng to the gettyng of lucre & gaynes / forlauful wyues are nothyng profitable to the offyce and to the cofers ( as I sayd before ) of the moste reuerende fathers and lordes . I beseche the good reader take in good worth these my bourdes & gestes , though they be somwhat large and playne : which do procede vndubtedly not of any luste or pleasure that I haue therin , but of verye great grefe and sorowe of my herte . For who wolde not mourne greatly ? Who wolde not hertelye sorowe ? that seethe these so abhomynable dyspysers of the worde of god whiche are so destytute of all wysdome , reason , and wytte / that sooner wyll any brute beastes , Oxen , or Asses haue wytte , then thes excellent herdysmen of the churche . And this is it which the lorde threteneth by Esaie sayenge .

I Shall gyue them chyldren to be theyr prynces , and effeminate persones shall haue dominion ouer them .

FOr they can here laye none other excuse for them selues / that all these thynges are done , & do procede of a deuelysshe couetousnes and an horryble blyndnes : it is more open and euydent then the it may be hyd / for though they dyd passe verye asses in ignoraunce , and very stockes and blockes in dulnes and in insensibilite : yet coulde they not denye , that god dyd neuer in any place forbid preestes to wedde wyues / So farre of it is , that he dyd for byd it : that Paule hath also charged the stede of god , yea or elles aboue god . But here agayne they wyll barke out theyr olde songe agaynste me . The pope hathe prohibited it . The pope hath forbydden it . What is this that you saye ? O good syrs and swete men , as who shulde saye , that yf the pope do commaunde me , that I shulde not be obedyent to my parentes , lykewyse as he hathe done in the professyon of relygyon , that I shulde not kepe the commaundementes of god : it dyd not belong to the offyce which you do falsely professe , with all your power and myght to withstande and resyste hym / and his commaundementes / haue you not redde the wordes of saynte Peter in the .v. of the actes of the Apostles .

WE ought to obey god , rather then men .

DO you not knowe , whe mens tradicyons ought to cease all thoughe they be ꝓfitable that all tradicyons of men , all though they be good and profytable , yet in the tyme of necessyte , and when they are intollerable , they do cease & do bynde nothynge at all . Do you not knowe by open experyence , that this moste vngracyous and verye deuelyshe tradicy on of syngle lyfe and chastyte , is impossyble to be kept of preestes and that throughe it the whole worlde is fylled with fornycacyons and adulteryes ? And yet for all this you moste vncharitable persones , that euer were syns the world fyrst beganne , do for most fylthy lucre and auayle constrayne and dryue selye wretched consciences to synne , and to assured destruccyon / you se and perceyue playnely , yea & in a maner you feele it , that this chastyte of syngle lyfe can not be obserued and kepte : and yet you do compell & dryue men to kepe it , without any necessytie . O you most cruell tormentours of consciences , howe do you embrue , how do you pollute and defyle your handes in the bloode of innocent persones ? O howe sore an accompte shall you gyue of your tyrannye . Besydes this it is euydent ynoughe , that all those humayne tradicyons of syngle lyfe and forbyddyng matrymonye are the doctrynes ( as the apostle calleth them ) of the deuylles / as it is proued and declared by those places a lytle before alledged of his epystles to Tite & Timothe / as in the thyrde chapytre of the fyrst epystle to Timothe .

ABysshop ought to be the husbande of one wyfe .

THis is the instytucyon and ordynaunce of god . This is the constitucyon promulged and publysshed by the apostle Paule . Wherfore it can not be otherwyse , but that all that doctryne is of the deuyll , what soeuer is taught , or elles commaundyd by any lawes contrarye to it . For god is not contrary to hym selfe neyther dothe he proue hym selfe a lyer / lykewyse as the scrypture hathe all this in euery place , and dothe also compelle euery man , be he neuer so blynde , to confesse it : so also euery man is compelled to confesse , that the lawe of the pope concernynge the syngle lyfe of preestes is openlye agaynste the ordynacyon of Paule , and of god . Are not these thynges clere ynoughe are not they euydent ynoughe to you , you blynde and gydes of the blynde ? I saye go to searche all your wyttes , and do the beste that you can , What can you allege or bryng here for your selfe ? What dare you euen profer to speake here agaynste ? Are not your harde forehedes of iyerne , and your brasen neckes nowe at the laste ashamed , when it dothe come to your mynde and rememberaunce , that you doo with so great tyranny compelle so many conscyences , to obserue the commaundement and doctryne of the deuyll , agaynst the ordynaunce & commaundement of god ? The thyrde place of the apostle is , in the .iiii. chapytre of the fyrste epystle to Timothe .

THe spirite speaketh of a suertye that in the laste dayes certeyne men shal shrynke away from the fayth , gyuynge hede to the doctrynes of deuylles .

TO there the apostle calleth those doctrynes of deuylles , whiche do forbyd matrimony / & the apostle dothe not there speke of the Tacianes , so as that most wretched & folysshe wryter went aboute to ymagyne , in that bare & vnfrutefull trifelynge treatyse entyteled / de loco petri / that is to say of the place of Peter . The heresye of the Tacyāes For the Tacianes dyd prohibite matrymony as a thyng euyl of it owne nature , & as synne . But Paule speaketh of them , which do only prohybyte matrymonye , and do not also condempne & dysalowe it as synne / lykewyse as the papistes do also prohybite certayne meates , and yet they do not accompte it for synne to eate these meates or those meates . So also the pope dothe not saye , as the Tacianes dyd , the wedlocke is synne / neyther doth he saye that to eate egges or to eate flesshe is synne / but he doth onlye prohybyte them , to make a deceyptfull coloure & hyprocrysye of great holynes , as saynt Paule saythe .

IN hypocrysye they do speke lesynges , and of the doctrines of deuylles ,

FOr as moche then as these thre places of Paule , as beynge the worde of the souerayne maiestye and of god , do abyde & stonde as styfly as it were a brasen walle or a great rocke , and do also effectually and myghtelye proue , that the tradycyon of this syngle lyfe agaynste the ordenaunce of god , is doctryne of deuylles , as it is playnely expressed in the wordes of Paule : then it resteth and remayneth , that the preestes , which can not contayne & lyue chast , with a bolde mynde and a very fre conscience do here betake them selues to these wordes of god / yea & euen those also whiche haue no nede of a wyfe , yet ought nowe to marye a wyfe only to shame and scorne the deuyl and this his so renomed and poysoned doctrine . And you also excellent prelates , yf you had leuer be the apostles of cryste , then of Sathan : ought stoutely and manfully to labour and do your endeuour , to plucke vp those stues aboute your churches , & that that preestes myght mary / but here you wyll obiecte and allege for your selues , that preestes , when they were consecrated , dyd swere to lyue sole without wyues . Fayre wordes I beseche you / haue I not sayde here before ? and is it not proued with many argumentes , in other places that all the vowes , whiche are made contrarye to the precepte and ordynaunce of god , are of none effecte / and that they are to be forsaken and broken vndre the payne of eternall indygnacyon and dredefull wrathe of god . the vowe of lyuinge syngle . Now that suche vowes of abst aynynge from matrymonye hathe bene made and of all men is made contrary to the precept and indyngnacion of god : it is certeyne & vndoubted . The prestes do vowe to the pope and not to god Besydes this , the preestes do not vowe theyr vowe to god , but to the pope / but to the tradycyons of man / and therfore men ought to dyssolue it / For suche maner vowe dothe neuer come , nor apperteyneth any thynge at all to god . Wherfore there is no ieoperdy at al of conscience in that matyer yf preestes do wedde laufull wyues : but those hypochrytes maskers and mummers do of them selues fayne & ymagyne I wote not what perelles and ieoperdyes of helthe and saluacyon euen as spyders do of them selues make theyr webbes / agayne on the other syde , whoredome , in whiche are mere daungers of soules , & vnchast places sumptuously buelded aboute theyr churches , these thynges they do sell for money / & do permytte all men to vse them at theyr lybertye vnpunysshed , so that they do gyue , & paye somwhat . Are not these then holy pastours , & excellent bysshoppes ? They crucyfye chryste , & let Barrabas the erraunt thefe go at lybertye . Wo , wo , wo , be to them , onles they amende . What can I do more ? I monysshe them , and crye vnto them , and to all that do holde with them , that they shuld repent and amende , and that they shulde take hede to them selues for the ingement of god doth not slacke / god wyll not alwayes suffre the contempte of his worde .

NOwe fynally I wyll gentelye and hertelye here exhorte al those , who soeuer they be that wyll rebuke those mummynge and dysguysed bysshoppes with wrytynges : that they do it openly , boldly , and playnely / accordynge to the doctryne of the gospell and of the apostle Paule / And that they do prouoke them , vnto the lawe of the scryptures , lykewyse as I haue done hytherto . For thoughe they be neuer so worshyppefull in the worlde , yet at the leaste wyse in this poynte we are superyours , that this commen sorte of bysshoppes for theyr excedyng great ygnorauncye , dulnes , and ydlenes / hathe had these many yeres a sclaunderous name amonge all men / and agayne is sore dispraysed , and hathe an euyll reporte , because they wyll not come forth to lyght / and do refuse to be iudged accordyng to the scriptures / do fle from the place of open and not suspecte audyence . By the reason therfore of this selfe same thynge theyr hypocrisye is nowe opened ones and abolisshed , and they them selues ( lyke vnto the crowe in Aesopes fables ) hauyng theyr goodly fethers plucked a way from them , do prouoke the lokers on to laughter . There can not therfore a more dyspleasure , nor a more paynfull thynge in the worlde chaunce vnto them : then yf we doo resyste them openly to theyr face / and do prouoke and call them forthe vnto the scryptures / and boldely callynge and cryenge on them , do requyre of them to shewe the fundacyon , whereupon they haue the verye grounde of theyr doctryne There they can not chose but be a shamed ( thoughe they do dissemble and hyde it neuer somoche ) in theyr hertes within , and in theyr conscyences so that they shal vtterly holde theyr peace , and can allege nothynge for them selues . And yf they wolde go aboute to breake out with tyranny and violence , then shall theyr shame and rebuke be somoch be the greater and they shall strayghte and the soner come vnto this myschefe & euyll , whiche they do so greatly shunte and eschewe / and by so moch , the sooner theyr estimacyon shall decaye and perysshe bothe with god & men / for they coulde not by any other meane , more helpe oursyde and the course of the worde of the lorde : then yf they do greatlye grudge & be angery , and do most greatly rage and be rough out theyr dyoces boldely and purely preache the gospell in the bysshoppes stede . Whiche sayd preachars beynge in daunger of persecucyons ( for euermore the worlde shall hate the worde of god ) the bysshoppes also shall asmoche as lyethe in theyr power lawfully to doo , mayntayne and defende / and bestowe theyr bloode and lyfe , to mayntayne and fortyfye the trouthe of the gospell , agaynste the tradycyons of men , lykewyse as Chryste hym selfe and also Paule bothe taught , and also gaue example of the same with theyr dede . Dalerye So we rede that saynt Valery bysshop of Hyppom . Augustine dyd substytute Augustyne as preacher in his stede ( before that the sayde Augustyne was made bysshoppe ) and dyd defend hym / and it was the comen maner and custome in the moste parte of the regyons and churches of the caste and of Grece londe , the preestes dyd preache for the bysshoppes , in the presence of them . Besydes this , let suche maner bysshoppes in especyal study by bestowynge care and benefytes vpon poore folke , to make amendes for that , whiche is wantynge of theyr parte in the mynysterie of the worde . What soeuer bysshop he be that dothe not , all other thynges set aparte , set his mynde vpon these thynges only as greatest thinges and the very thynges belongyng to a bysshop let hym not byleue to be saued / for asmoche as he is a mere tyraunt , tormentour , and murtherer of soules / But here they wyll obiecte and saye , how or in what wyse can suche maner care for poore folke , and the kepynge of a house and pryncely porte ( suche as our bysshoppes for the moste parte do kepe now a dayes ) stande bothe togyther the one with the other ? I answere , we do not here speke how thou mayst be made a prynce : but howe thou mayste be a good bysshop and be saued / for who hathe commaunded that bysshops shuld so play the galandes , & vse suche pompe and gorgyousnes of the courte ? Chryst dyd openly forbyd them to be as the kynges and prynces of the gentyles , where he doth by expresse and open wordes seperate and dyuyde them from prynces of the worlde , and saythe .

THe kynges and rulers of the gentyles are lordes ouer them but you shall not do so .

THese wordes , that prince , of prynces , the kyng of kynges and that lorde of maiestye , wyll not reuoke / he wyll not abolyshe them / ne suffre them to be thrust out of place , & made voyde for thy peuysshe excuses , wherwith thou doste in thy conscyence coldly and fayntly conforte thy selfe / why doste thou not rather forsake thy lordely porte , be it neuer so plesaunt : yf thou canst not execute and fulfyll the offyce of a bysshop / why doste thou for tran sytory and most vyle honour , for get thyne owne helth and saluacyon ? yea moreouer wyttyngly & wyllyngly doest cast away thyne owne soule , for the most deceyptfull pleasure of this lyfe ? Why doste thou ( I saye ) wyttyngly & wylfully perysshe ? Euen those men are scantly saued at the last whiche with couragyous fayth contynually wrestlynge and fyghtynge with theyr flesshe and the deuyll , do lyue in a good & a vertuous kynde of lyfe . Why doste thou then hope in vayne , that thy selfe shalte be saued amonge so many ieoperdyes , amonge so many voluptes and pleasures ?

WHat dothe it profyte ( saythe christ hym felfe ) if he do possesse all the worlde , & all the kyngdomes : & do cast away his owne soule ?

BVt wherof or whiche waye ( wyl some say ) shuld kyngis prynces , erles , barons , kynghtis brefely all the nobles of the worlde , prouyde for theyr yonger children yf these bysshoprykes , yf those cathedral and collegiat churches were not ? And therin fyrste we may openly se the excedynge folyshnes & blyndenes of the al cristendome which hytherto haue boughte commenly of the Romanistes the benefyces and prebendes founded by them selues , with the bloode of theyr chyldren . Lo here I doo speke vnto the who soeuer thou art , whiche doest wyttyngly so cast awaye thy chyldren / yf any ploughman or smythe dyd wounde or kyll thy sone , or elles dyd defyle thy doughter or thy syster : thou woldest for angre and woodnes go aboute to do the vttermoste myschefe that thou couldest / to ouerthrowe & destroye euen hole cyties , to destroy hole prouynces for the reuengyng therof , wolde seme but a small mater vnto the thou woldest thynke in thy mynde it to be so hyghe and so haynous an offence , that was done vnto the. But I beseche the , here open the iyes of thy mynde , and loke , whether there can be any a more sore homycyde and murtherer of thy chyldren , any more greuous and more cruel enemy vnto them then thou arte thyne owne selfe , auaunsynge and promotynge them vnto a bisshopryke or thrustyng them downe in to suche a church ( as they do cal it ) for thou makest thy sone a bysshop , which state ( as it is nowe farre awaye from the mynystracyon of the worde , the state of a bysshop . and from all godlynes ) thou knowest vndoubtedly to be a deuelysshe state , in whiche thy sone can in no wyse be saued . Syth it is so , that thou doest knowe this : tel me I besech the whether thou doest not more sore rage , and vse more crueltie agaynst hym , then yf thou cut hym in to gobbettes , & dyddest throwe his flesshe vnto dogges to be deuowred / yf thy sone , throughe ignoraunce or errour had stumbeled & fallen into suche a certayne kynde & maner of lyuyng : He meaneth when 〈◊〉 hath not the gift of connnency & can not kepe his professyon / or when the ꝓfessyon is made with any wycked opynyon of iustificacion to be had therby . thou oughtest with al dyligence , & with al thy power to labour & go about ( yf there were any wysdome , or any poynt of a chrysten mynde in the ) to ryd hym out of it , althoughe thou haddest but only one lofe of bread to lyue on thy selfe , whereof thou shuldest be fayne to gyue hym the one halfe , but here I beseche the loke vpon thy selfe somwhat more nere and more narowly / who soeuer thou art whiche doste caste downe thy chyldren hedlonge in to these kyndes & maners of lyuynge , & consydre what maner father thou art only to kepe thy dominion & thy ryches vpryght & from decay , only least thy gold & syluer shuld be mynysshed , yf it were deuyded amonge many heyres : thou doste thrust downe & wyllyngely cast hedlong thy sones & kynnesmen in to the depe dungeon of hell / neyther doth it moue or styre the any whyt , to se thyne owne blood souped & swalowed vp in the throte of the deuyl , & perpetually to perysshe : so the thou be not compelled to mynyshe or debate any thynge of thy superfluite , or any percell of thy pompe & royalte . Lo this moost vngracious opynyon this costome is crepte in & vsed in many places , that as often tymes as any great mannes sone beyng mete rather for any other thyng , than for a bysshopryke , is chosen & elected bysshoppe , or is brought into the temple . Than with solempne pompe , and a solempne company sette in theyr arraye are made cryes and lowde shoutes , as it were in a tryumphe , then all the halles and courtes do sounde & rynge with the noyse of trumpes with trumpettes / with tabrettes , then are in euery place lyghted tapers and torches then that solempne songe . Te deum laudamus is thundered out / so that these triumphes do playnely represent vnto vs the ymage of those folishe kynges of Israell , whiche dyd brenne vp theyr sones & doughters for a sacrifyce in the honour of the Idole Moloch , Mosoch . and with the dyuerse lowde soundes of trumpes dyd brynge to passe , that the lamentable cryeng out and waylynge of them , that were in the myddes of the fyer , coulde not be harde . After the same maner doo these excellent parentes handle theyr doughters and theyr neces , of whome they allure some by fayre meanes , and some full sore agaynste theyr wylles / they doo thruste downe in to the prysons of monasteryes / and for none other cause , but that theyr ryches , theyr possessyons , and that dygnyte of theyr hygh bloode maye be preserued and vpholden , they are ashamed to bestowe them in maryage vpon persones of lower parentage . Howebeit yet this selfe same study , only to preserue theyr ryches , dothe tourne vnto theyr very great damage & losse of goodes and substaunce / for god dothe auenge and punyshe this vnbelefe and mystruste , so that the ryches of dukedomes and erledomes do neuerthelesse decay , & all thynges do go backwarde as it were by a certayne fatall and predestyned destruccyon / whiche thynge doubtles shuld not be so yf the wycked parentes had not deserued this wrath and vengeaunce of god , with theyr so cruell oblacyons & sacryfyces of theyr sones and of theyr doughters to the Idole Moloch / for the innocent bloode so cruelly shed forth , for cause of moost vyle ryches , doth cry maynly in to heuen , as dyd the bloode of ryghtuous Abel , Abell . whiche crye , with howe attent & hedefull an care the lorde dothe herken vnto it , he hath suffyciently declared in Abell . Now to declare the thyng with a more playne and more famylyer example . Nunnes . The Nunnes or sacred vyrgyns now in our tyme , are for the most perte lustye damoyselles , and of florysshynge age / and created of god , to the entent that they shuld wedde and brynge forth chyldren / And it is not possyble for them contynually so to contayne and lyue chaste , at the leaste wyse of theyr owne good wyll . For perpetuall contynencye and chastyte is an hyghe and the moost spyrytuall gyfte of god , Continence which chaunceth but to fewe men . Besydes this god , when he dyd fyrst create man , and dyd make them male & female . This his generall lawe , & his worde spoken by his owne mouth , he wyll not to be so comenly taken awaye in so many persones / or alwayes by the gyfte or rather the myracle of contynencye to be abrogated & adnulled , but perpetuall contynencie & chastyte is a very seldome thynge before god . yf now thou haddest a doughter or a kynsman , which through errour had ben entysed in to this maner of lyuynge as a fysshe in to a we le : thou oughtest rather ( yf thou were a good man ) to lose thy lyfe and all thy goodes , then to leaue this soule thus in the mouth of the deuyll . But thou leaste thy ryches , leaste thy domynyon , least thy gloryous tytles , leaste thy dygnyte myght be any thyng my nyshed , wylte thruste downe thy chyldren with thyne owne hande in to the depe dongeon of helle , yea beynge very lothe and full cuyll wyllynge . And what dothe then folowe ? Herken , and I shal tell the in fewe wordes / verely I dyd neuer here that auricular confessyon of Nunnes , but yet by the scriptures & wordes of the sprete of god ( whiche do on euery syde touche and most depely serche the affeccyons of the hertes ) I shall easely gesse & as it were touche with a nedle / vnto what ende this chastyte doth come / and I know well ynoughe , a ꝓuerbe that this my dyuynacyon and coniecture wyll nothynge at all deceyue me . Fyrste the yonge damoysell , in whiche this hygh gyfte of chastite is not can nomore easely be without an husband and the company of man then she can lyue without meate & drynke , and slepe , & suche other workes of nature . On the other syde also yong men or men of myddle age cannot be without a wyfe , for it is as depely graffed in them & as naturally gyuen vnto them to contynue and encreace theyr kynde by propagacyon : as it is eyther to eate or to drynke . Who soeuer therfore coueteth & gothe aboute nowe to stoppe and holde backe by his owne propre myght & strenth , this naturall inclynacyon , vertue & force gyuen hym of god , what other thyng dothe he , then yf one wolde go aboute to cause & brynge to passe , the the fyre shuld not brenne / or the water not make moyst , or the a man shuld lyue without eyther meate or drynke , Of this I do nowe inferre & conclude , that all suche maner Nunnes , how soeuer many there be of them , whether they be gentle mennes or pore mens doughters , not hauinge the rare gyfte of chastytye , as very few haue or can haue do not kepe chastyte with theyr owne goodwyl but ful sore agaist theri wylles they are without husbandes . Now yf they do contayne by compulsyon & with an euyll wyl vndoubtedly they do lese bothe lyues / that is to saye , this lyfe , & the lyfe eternall / for on both sydꝭ they shall be in hell paynes here in intollerable heate & brennyng of the flesshe , and there in eternal fyre except repentaunce at the laste Lo vnto this extreme infelycyte , vnto this most wreched and myserable state thou doste thyne owne selfe brynge thyne owne chyldren and kynnes folke : & all to the entent onlye , that thou mayste raygne & kepe vpryght thy ryches , & thy domynyon . This is that excellent & goodly fruyte of constrayned & enforced chastite , and of certayne cruell prynces & offycers , whiche with so great madnes do go about to defend monasteryes and these great cruell prysons as an holye thynge / & to stoppe & holde backe nature , which can not be stopped it is an easye thyng to perswade other folke , to compell other folke vnto chastyte : yf thou thy selfe haste a wyfe , and canst prouyde for thy selfe agaynst the heates and flames of nature . But the most wretched company , through this enforced syngle lyfe , doth in the meane season perisshe in the myddes of the fyers of the flesshe as it were in a certayne hell / For where there is not wylfull chastyte by the specyall gyfte of god : the nature be she neuer so moche holden backe and kepte vnder by our power & strength , yet she holdeth on to do her owne operacyon and worke , & she contynueth euen suche one , as god dyd create her / consydre the rest thy selfe , which of truthe myghte here be spoken , for shamefastnes wyll suffre me to declare no further of the inconuenience and abhomynacyon the foloweth all thoughe necessyte say the contrary , consyderyng the blyndnes of the worlde . And albeit that I do of shamefastnes represse my pen from that which ought as I sayde before to be declared , yet notwithstandynge those yonge persones bothe men and women aforesayd do I know well fele in them selues what I meane & are therof both ashamed , & sore tormented , wher vpon it commeth to passe , that not onlye they do curse theyr parentis but also god / and do dysprayse & extremely hate theyr condycion & state , and do detest and crye out vpon all them , which gaue them counsayle vnto this thynge , and curse the tyme that euer they were borne or gotten to lyue in that wrechydnes . Lo this was the purpose of the deuyl , this was the thyng that he entendyd , and went about when he taught the vnder the coloure and semblaunce of holynes to stoppe and kepe vnder nature whiche without this hyghe and verye seldome gyfte of god can not by any meanes be stopped & kepte vnder . But to retourne to our purpose . I saye it is a thousande partes better to leaue and forsake bysshoprykes , and al maner hyghe offyces and dignytes , and to be a meane cytezen or an husbandman : then vnder the colour and semblaunce of holynes to neglecte and not regarde the offyce of a bysshoppe , or not to gyue dylygence at the least wyse that it maye be executed and fulfylled by other men . For there is no meane , and it is but vayne labours to seche for an excuse .

THe worde of god abydethe & contynueth perpetually . The worde of god

NOt onely bysshoprykes , but also heuen and erthe shall passe awaye : but the word of god shal not passe away Take this as an oracle / & byleue this as verelye to be true , as yf god had spoken it to the mouthe to mouthe . yf nowe the pope , or his papistes ( so as he now doth ) wyll not suffre the to preche the gospell purely , Prechers ought to preache . boldely & ( as Peter sayth in the actes ) boldely : then haste thou a greatter and a more lauful cause to forsake the bysshopryche .

WE ought to obey god rather then men .

NEyther doo thou thynke , that thou haste gayly wel fulfylled the offyce of a bysshop , or that thou art excused , yf now before that thou thy selfe hastred through earnestlye , and hast learned the bible & the scryptures , thou do begynne to walke euery where abrode throughout thy cyties , and conducte or hyer a preacher ye farre lesse learned then thy selfe , to preache not the gospelles , but mennes inuencyons , and perseueraunce in the tradycyons of men and in the olde custome / so as a certayne bisshop dyd now of late tyme . When the wreched men haue suppressed the gospell , and haue taught humayne thynges , and nowe with the only coloure and bryghtnes of the episcopall name ( as thoughe so great a prynce coulde not teache any false thynges ) now with persones , I saye ( whiche god dothe not accepte ) they do go aboute to bleare the iyes of men , and to breke forth with theyr auctoryte only . And in dede they shulde be wyse in so doyng , yf this were as sure & as a trew waye to amende these so great damages & losses of conscyences , as it is an easy & an excedynge spedy waye . But why do they nowe to late abuse the symplycytye of the commen people , by such maner high & proude promyses . Why do they fede vs forth with moste vayne promyses ? we wyll not ( saye they ) refuse to laye our soules to pledge before god , that our doctryne is trewe / yf they wyll earnestly preach the gospell and the worde of god : why do they not duely prepayre them selues vnto the offyce of a bisshop ? Why do they not hyre a wyse & a vertuous mayster , & take a byble in theyr handes , and fyrst do lerne theyr owne selues , that they maye afterwardes teache other men ? I truly wolde make answere to suche a bysshoppe , that dyd with great wordes promyse to lay his soule to pledge , & I wold saye vnto hym , that he shuld lay his soule to pledge vnto other credytours that are lyght of gyuynge credence . For I had leuer here leaue and trust vnto the manyfest worde of god , then to the pleage euen of so great a lordes soule . For what yf the deuyll shuld beare awaye this pleage , be it neuer so precyous ? Howe shulde I then be prouyded for , and saued harmeles ? Awaye therfore with thyne vncertayne pledge and vnsure cautyon , For I wold for my parte haue no suche bysshop whiche shall make his soule the fundacyon of my helth & saluacyon , to the whiche soule I can not tell what shall happen , or what shall betyde it in an other worlde . But I wolde haue suche maner a bysshop , which shall preache the gospell vnto me , and set chryst vnto me for the foundacyon of my helth For here I am sure to whome I may trust . And here I do gyue no counsayle of amendement to that papystycall sorte that wyll not amende , For they do stoppe theyr eares , and do not suffre them selues to be taughte . But yf peraduenture there be any yet amonge them , whiche haue repented , & doo desyre to be good and crysten bysshoppes and to worke the helth and sauegarde of them selues & of the people : the onlye & pryncypall offyce and dutye of them ( in comparyson of which all other thynges do nothynge belonge vnto a bysshoppe ) is to take care for the churches & congregacyon / theyr offyce and dutye is to take care & ꝓuyde for poore folke / to walke aboute euery where , and to gyue dylygent labour eyther to preche or elles to cause to be preached not the tradycyons of men , but the pure gospell / and the worde of god And as for those shadowes and dumbe ymages blockes , mummers and maskers , which spend a great parte of theyr lyfe in pompe and ryot , and whose belye is theyr god , and which do set theyr mynde al vpon earthly thynges : I haue ( yf I be not begyled ) largelye and playnely ynoughe spoken of them / I haue nowe openly preached and shewed vnto them that they shulde tourne from theyr wycked waye . What can I doo more ? I beseche our lorde that he wyl vouchsaue to helpe forward