SO oft as I call to remembrance ( which for the most part I do every hour ) this commandment of our Lord and master . Occupy yourselves till I come , wherbi we are admonished diligently Luke , nineteen . to employ our talent committed unto us every one according to our vocation in the advancement of God's glory , and in the edification of our christian brethren , whose health and salvation , not only with the loss of our temporal possessions , but euen of our life also , if need so require we are bound under pain of damnation to seek , leing that God as the wise man testifieth , 〈◊〉 . xvii . hath given to every man charge over his neighbour , again sing that according to the doctrine of blessed john , as Christ gave his life for us , so likewise i. Epistle . iii. are we bound to bestow our life to win our Brethren to Christ , forasmuch as we all are membres of one body , & are commaunded roman . ●…ii . i. Cor●…in . ●…ii . i. Timoth. i , i. john . iii. Leu●… . 〈◊〉 . Mathe. ●…ii . roman . ●…iii . without dissimulation to love our neighbour as oure selfe , and to seek his commodity profit , & furtherance in all Godliness , no less than our own , I can none otherwise then reprove and accuse mine own sluggishness , which almost these five years past have omitted my butye toward my neighbours , not going forth as I began in my Christmas bankette , in my Potation , in my Nolegaye , and in my Neweyers gift to exhort them to godliness , & to encourage them valiantly to go forth in the same , & to persever unto the end , but traneing my life in other exercises , I trust not altogether ungodly , nor unprofitable to the christian public weal , I have neglected the neighbourly office which I ought to have practised toward them . Yea I fear lest thorough the neglecting of my duty toward my neighbours , I have not showed myself an obedient servant in all points concerning the diligent accomplishment of my Lord & master's precept , which straightly chargeth me not only to occupy myself privately in virtuous studies & godly exercises , but also openly , that his holy & glorious congregation mai be edified & brought to the true & perfect knowledge of his most godly wil Certes the omission & leaving of this my duty toward my neighbours doth not a little disquiet me , seeing the so long time I have had no familiar talk with them of Godly matters , no nor yet once seen them sense I gave them a new years gift , being unwillynglye thorough the furious and Nerolike cruelty of certain persons ( whose tyranny since that time God hath not left unpunished ) driven away from them to the great and continual disturbance of my mind for lacking the company of so loving neighbours , and sweet friends .

But I have sent my servants for them , that I may talk with them after mine old sort , renew our acquaintance , and be merry togythere . For it is a sweet thing when friends meet , and merry when old acquaintance flock togitherward . I marvel that they tarry so long . I fear least my servant doth not his message expeditelye , or else that they have some great letting . For I am well ascertained , that if they once have knowledge of my return into the country , no worldly affairs can withdraw them long from my company .

But behold , where they come flocking together . Oh pleasant and comfortable sight . Tears distil out of mine eyes for very joy , yet can I not withhold myself from them , but must needs with m●…ting arms embrace them lovingly salute them , and swetely kiss them . O most dear neighbours & christian brethren , so heartily welcome as heart can think . Blessed be God , which hath preserved us alive unto this day , that we may yet once again see one an nother , talk one with an other , & freely rejoice in the Lord our God . Come , come unto me . Let me embrace you , kiss you , & once again did you heartily welcome .

O most true hearted friend and unfeigned brother , we praise God for your self return into the country .

This day most sweet neighbour hath replenished us all with joy unspeakable , forasmuch as it hath off red you again to our sight .

O dear brother Philemon your repairing into this country , your sight , your company , your ta●…ke hath euen now suddenly so revived us , that we seem to have put on a certain kind of immortality . And as for all other his benefits , so likewise for this ' do we render to the immortal God most hearty thanks , and with o●… voice we all bid you most hertely welcome home .

I know dear neighbours your unfeigned love and ready bend goodwill toward me . And you do not more rejoice at mi return , than I am entirely glad that I have found you all in good health .

But I pray you tell us of good fellowship brother Philemon in what parties of the world have ye traveled so long time ? For neither by letters nor yet by report of any credible persons sense your departure could we learn where you trained your life .

We feared jest in so perilous time ye had been swallowed up of the greedy cormorantes , and insasiable Locusts , which are never satisfied nor filled with the shedding of innocent blood . Neither was the liberty of your speech , nor the swiftness of your pen unknown to us , which the swarm of Antechristes' sect , sense you first of all traveled in the Lord's harvest , could never abide , but extrenly persecute , blaspheme and condemne .

What gentleness I found for my Godly travails at the handes of some men in these parties , ye know right well . Therefore when neither by speaking , nor by writing I could do good , I thought it best not rashly to throw myself into the raveneing paws of these greedy wolves , but for a certain space to absent myself from their tyranny according Matthew , 〈◊〉 . to the doctrine of the Gospel .

For as there is a time to speak , so is there a time to keep silence Ecclesi . i●… , When the poor are oppressed and trodden under the foot , then shall the wise man , saith the prophet , 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 . hold his peace , for the time is evil . And we have a manifest commandment of our saviour Christ , that we should Matthew , seven . not give that which is holy unto dogs , nor cast pearls before swine , least they tread them un der their feet , and they turn again and all to rend us . For there be some kind of men so greatly infected with the nature of Suffenus , and accumbered with the properties of Menius , two foleish & vain glorious poets , that they think nothing well spoken , nothing truly written , except they themselves be the authors & doers thereof , they are those same very hypocrites , Matthew . seven . which find fault at a little mote in an other man's eye , but they can not perceive a great ●…eame in their own eyes . They are those same Pharises , which sparre up Mathe. xxiii . the kingdom of heaven before men . They are those same sawiers Luke , xi . which take away the key of know ledge , thet them selues enter not in , nether suffer they other that would to enter in . They are those same babylon backslideds , & ●…yng children , which will not hear the law of the Lord , but daily cry , isaiah . thirty . Loquimini nobis placentia Tell us pleasant things , provide us of errors , care not for the right way , but away with the holy one of Israel from our face , they are those same faulse christians , of 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . iii. whom saint Paul prophesied , which should be lovers of themselves , covetous , hie minded , proud , evil speakers , disobedient to their elders , unthankful ungodly , unkind , false of their promise , false accusers , riatours fierce , despisers of them that are good , traitors , heady , standing in their own conceit , lovers rather of pleasures , than lovers of God , having an outward appearance of godliness , but devyinge the power thereof . Like as jannes' & jambres withstood Moses , euen so do they also resist the truth . Men are they of corrupt minds and lewd as concerning the faith , but they shall prevail no longer . For their foleishnes shall be manifest unto all men , as theirs was . Where things be so ordered , that the truth can bear no place , nor the professors thereof be thankfully received , but rather blasphemed persecuted , enprysoned , and ungentillye handled : what should men do , but shake of the dust of their feet , for a witness against the at the day of iudgement & departed into some other place where they may do good , as Christ & the Apostles Matthew . 〈◊〉 . Matthew , 〈◊〉 . john . ●…iii . seven Act. xiii . did , & quietli to abide the pleasure of god , as the prophet saith .

The promise of God is even so . Every one , sayeth he , that forsaketh house , or brothers , or sistern , or father , or mother , or Matthew . 〈◊〉 . Luke . xviii wife or children for my name's sake , and for the kingdom of God , that is to say , for the love that he beareth toward the Gospel of Christ , he shall receive an hundred fold as much in this present time , and in the world to come life everlasting ,

Truth it is , but you have not yet declared to us , in what country's ye have been here in England sense your departing from hence .

After I departed from you and had taken my leave of my most sweet mother , & of m●… other dear friends , I traveled into Darbyshere & D●…bishere from thence into the Peke , whither I appointed my books and The 〈◊〉 . my clothes to be brought .

Into the Peke ? Lord God what made you there ?

Mine intent was by exercising the office of a school master to engrafte Christ and the knowledge of him , in the breasts of those scholars , whom God should appoint unto me , for to be taught .

I think you found there very peakeish people .

Not so , I confesse to you , that I found there very good wits & apt unto learning .

But how favour they christian religion in those parties ?

I will tell you . Coming into a little village called Alsoppe in the dale , I chanced upon Master A●…soppe . a certain gentilmanne called Alsoppe , Lord of that village a man not only ancient in years , but also ripe in the knowledge of Christ's doctrine .

By what means had ye knowledge of his Godly disposition ?

After we had saluted one an other and take a sufficient repast for that present , he showed me certain books which he called his jewels and principal treasures .

I pray you what books were they ?

To rehearse them all by name , I am not able , but of this am I sure that among all other there was the new Testament after the translation of the Godly learned man Myles coverdale , which seamed to be as well worn by the diligent reading thereof , as ever was any portas or mass book among the papists .

Yea and a gentleman also , For gentylmen now adays for the most Gentlemen . part delight so much in reading the word of God , as a true christian doth in reading the Pope's decretals , they are all together so addict to the vain pleasures of this world .

Many think it to be an unsemly thing for a man of nobility to be studious of holy letters , hawks , and dogs dise and cards ( as I may speak nothing of their service to lady Venus ) is their pastime and delectation . If they read any thing , it is some vain trifle of love , or when they be beast occupied an history or chronicle .

I grant many gentilmen little answer their vocation , neither are they studious of god's word as they ought , notwythstandinge ( praised be God for it ) I know many both men & women of nobility which greatli delight in reading the holy scriptures , & do not only love , but also live the Gospel

I pray God increase the numbered daily . For than shall it go well with christian religion , when noble men shall be learned in those books , which are fountains and head springs of all true , perfect , and christian religion . Notable is the sentence of Plato which affirmeth that the public weal is most fortunate & greatly advanced , if such as be the governors thereof be either wise or studious of wisdom . Deuter. x vi joshua . i. Therefore doth the scripture in so many places exhort the civil Psal. two ●…en . i. vi magistrates to be learned in the law of god . But I pray you tell us , had the gentleman none other books but only the new testament ?

Yes verily . I remembre right well , that he had many other godly books , as the obedience of a christē mā, man , the parable of the wicked Mammon , the revelation of Antichrist , the sum of holiscripture , the book of john Frith against purgatory , all the boks published in the name of Theodore Basil , with divers other learned men's works , In these godly treatises , this ancient gentleman among the mountains & rocks occupied himself both diligently and virtuously .

I would not lightly have believed that such a man could have been founde in so barbarous and rude a country , nor that so fruitful works had been placed in so unlearned a region .

Neither would the prophet Helias have believed that theridamas had been any godly men left alive besides himself , when king Achab & his wicked wife jesabel had cruelly murdered such great numbered of the Lords Prophets & seruaunts , till god made him answer & said . I have yet reserved to me . seven . M. men , which have not bowed their knees before iii. ●…g nineteen . romans . xi Ba●…l . When the Papists & Antichrist's think their kingdom most strongest and most Mark ye paistes . like to continue , then is it most nigh unto down fall , so worketh God for the avauncement of his glory , and for the profit of his poor afflict congregati on . When the enemies of God burn good men , and consume their books unto ashes , then are these martyrs the better credited their doctrine the more regarded , & their books both the more warily kept & hold in the greater reverence .

I believe it right well . For there be certain books whose remembrance hath fallen away long before this time from the minds of the people , if they had not furiously , and without consideration been condemned for heresy . But when the people saw them condemned & no cause why , but plain tyranny . Sic volo , sic iubeo , stat pro ratione voluntas : It caused them to have the more respect unto the books , and when they had read them , perused them & compared them with the scriptures of God , perceiving that in all points they did agree with them , it caused the readers to have an evil opinion of the adversaries , and to embrace and safely keep the books as holy relics , and precious treasures . So that where the Papists sought a final destruction to the books by burning them , contrary to their expectation they have made them as it were immortal , & won to the authors of them a noble fame , & glorious renown . Very truly , is it said of Solomon , there is no wisdom prover. xxi no forecast , no council that can prevail against the Lord . Euse. Truth it is , but to return unto the Peke , of what sort I pray you are the people concerning christian religion .

When I was there , all their religion consisted in hearing matins , & masses , in super Feigned religion sticious worshipping of saints , in hyeringe soul caryars to sing trentals , in pattering upon beads , and in such other popish pedlary .

The history of the gentleman caused me not so much to rejoice , as the hearing of this maketh me sorry . I wonder that the common people be ●…o ignorant .

Do ye wonder ? What wonder is it ? When such as should lead them in the light of ●…noraunt priests . Christ's gospel , are the very self darkness . The eye , that is to say , the preacher of god's word is the light Matthew . vi Luke . 〈◊〉 . of the body , that is , of the whole congregation of Christ . If the eye be single , that is to say , if the curate or preacher be godly learned , then shall all the body be full of light , that is the christē cōgregation congregation shall have the word of god dwell in them plentuously , & truly walk in that light of Gods most blessed will , without halting on both parts . But if the eye be darkness , that is to say , if the preacher be unlearned , how great them shall the darknes be , that is , how ignorant and blind shall the gross & tude people be ? Is not this the saying of Solomon . When the preaching of God's word faileth , the people Prove . xxi●… . perish and come to nought . The priests are the salt of the earth in deed , but if the salt be unsavoury & have lost his saltness , what Matthew v can be salted their with ? It is afterward good for nothing but to be cast out & to be trodden under foot of men .

I can not deny , but that the priests in that country are very baselylearned , & in a manner such as are pointed of the prophet saying . Esa●… . 〈◊〉 . The curates are blind every one of them , they are altogether with out knowledge , they are dumb dogs not able to bark . etc.

The priests for the most part universally thorough the realm , are such as Ezechiel crieth out on saying . Woe be to the shepherds Ezechi . xxxiii . of Israel which fede them selues . Should not the shepherds fede the floke ? Ye have eaten up the milk Ye have clothed you with the wool , the best fed have ye slain , but the stoke have ye not nourished the weak have ye not held up , the sick have ye not healed , the brokè have ye not bound together , the outecastes have ye not brought again , the lost have ye not sought up , but churlishly , & cruelly have ye ruled them etc.

Where such unlearned pastors bear rule , no marvel though papistry be not exiled .

If the blind lead the blind , both Matthew 〈◊〉 fall into the ditch .

The people where I havetraveiled for the most part are reasonable and quiet enough , yea and veri cōformable mable to God's truth . If any be stobournlye obstinate , it is for fault of knowledge , and because they have been seduced of blind guides .

It should help very much unto an uniformity in religion , & unto the salvation of christian men's souls , if there were learned curates appointed in every parish , if so many can not be found , them to place in every country certain learned & godly preachers , which mai go from parish to parish , preaching to the people the good will , & pleasure of god . And let the other priests be ministers under the superattendentes or overseers , & in their absence read to the people the said scriptures , & the homiles , reuerently minister the sacraments , vi sit the sick people , make collections for the poor , & vertuouslye bring up the youth of the town . If this were brought to pass , what a flourishing realm should we have ? How should learnig & virtue prosper ? How purely should we honour God ? How faithfully should one of us love an other ? What christian works should issue out of our daily conversation & living .

I doubt not but that the king's majesty with his most honourable council will veri gratioussi consider these thinges , yea & that with expeditton

But sit once again to the Peke . I pray you continued you there still to this return into the countrey .

I will tell you . While I was in the Peke , I learned that R. wisdom was in Stafforde Robert wisdom . shear , ye know the man I am sure

We know him to be a godly man in his conversation , & a faithful preacher in his doctrine , and such one as hath not been altogether free from persecution for the maintenance of god's truth .

He was the same to me , that Aristarchus Colossi . iiii . was to Paul . desiring greatly to see him , I bade mi friends in the Peke far well , & made haste toward him . When I came to him , I did not only rejoice to see him in health , but also gave god thankes that he was so well placed & provided for . For I found him in the house of a certain faithful brother called john Old , a man john Old . old in name , notwithstanding young in years , & yet ●…unciēte in true Godliness & christian life . He was to us as jason wasto Paul & Silas . He received us joyfully 〈◊〉 . ●…vii into his house , & liberally for the Lord's sake , ministered all good things to our necessities . And as he began , so did he continue a right hearty friend , & dearly loving brother so long as we remained in the country . Even as blessed two . Timo. i. Paul wished to Onesiphorus , so wish I to him , and with the same words pray for him , the lord grant to him that he may found mercy with the Lord in the day . After that we had passed over certain days in the house of that most loving brother , refreshing our selves with the comfort of the holy scriptures , after so many grievous tempests , troublous storms , & pain full labours I know not of what friend our dear brother Robert wisdom was called away by letters , which was to us both , no small pain & grief . Notwithstanding we submitted ourselves to the good pleasure of God , with this hope & comfort , that his return to his old familiars should make greatly to the advancement of god's glory , and to the quietness of his christian studies , whereof might spring hereafter no small commoditie to the christē public weal And so we wishing one to an other the assistence of God's spirit repentance of our former life , strength of faith & perseverance in all godliness to our last end , the parted , yea & that not with out tears .

Did he write nothing all the time that he was in those parties ?

He was ever virtuous occupied , & suffered no hour to pass away with out good fruit . He is a man in whom the fear of god reigneth unfeignedly . Besides his other works , of this I am sure that The books of of Robert wis doom . he hath written veri godly & fruit full expositions upon certain Psal. of David , of the which also he traunslated some into english metre very learnedly . He hath written also many godly & learned set mons upon the epistles & Gospels that are read in the temples on sundays , part whereof I have both seen & read . Moreover he hath traunslated the postil of Antonius Coruinus and divers other learned men's works . And , which I had almost forgotten , he hath made a confutation of those errors which were imputed & let ed to his charge veri unjustly of his adversaries , a book farsed with all kind of godly learning .

These his works are not printed nor commonly published abroad .

Truth it is , would God they were . They should withoute doubt bring great profit to the readers , & highly auaunce the glory of god .

But I pray you , what exercise did you practise in Stafford there after his departure , Stafford ●…er

According to my talente I brought up youth in 〈◊〉 knowledge of good literature & instil led into their breasts the elements & principles of Christ's doctrine teaching them to know their Lord & god , to believe in him , to fear & love him , & studiously to walk in his holy ways from their very cradles even to the yielding up of their last breath . I doubt not , but that Christ was so depeli graven in their hearts at that time , that he is not yet worn out , neither as I trust shall be so long as they live .

How savoured the people christ & his doctrine in those parties , when you were there ?

Not altogether unlike the people of the Peke , but that they were not in all points comunli so superstitious they savoured somewhat more of pure religion . This I thinke came to pass thorough certain english books that were among them , & thorough travelers to & fro London . Priests .

What of the priests ?

Ye should axe , what of the moving of the mountains .

In deed when I was there , they were all massemongers applying their portasse & mass book very diligently , but the holy Bible very little .

Were they not as he writteth of Titus . men of Crete , evil beasts , and slow bealies ?

If I should rehearse here to you , the childish ignorance that was found in priests at the kings majesties visitation , it would make your heart to bleed for to consider that such blind curates should have the over sight & charge of Christ's congregation .

Their blindness is rather to be lamented than to be derided , notwithstanding this must I needs say by the way , I wish with all my heart that the church of Christ mai be purged of such unprofitable clods of the earth , at the lest that they may not occupy the tome and enteye the live of a preacher , they them sell ves being altogether unlearned and more meet to be taught then to teach . He that should be a curate Tit. 〈◊〉 . after S. Paul's rule ought to be a man able to teach the peo ple Gods word , yea & such a man as should not only be able to exhort , but also to convince & overcome all such as speak against the truth .

A great fault in bishops . this behalf is to be imputed unto the bishops , which admitted such unlearned asses unto the order of priesthood .

The patrons of the benefits are not altogether blameless for geving 〈◊〉 of benefices . the livings to such ignorant men , weather it be for affection or for rewards , neither shall their punishment , I fear , be small at the day of iudgment . For if when the blind leadeth the blind , both fall into the ditch , what shall we than say of them , which are the occasion that Math. xv . the blind guide which his blind floke fall into the dich , that is to say , into everlasting damnation ? Shall not the blood of them that perish be required at the Patron's hands in the dreadful day of iugement ? If I put a sword in a mad man's hand , which with the same Note . immeadiatli killeth a nother man : am not I guilty of the blood of him that is slain ?

Let these things pass , for doubt ye not the kings highes with his most honourable counsel will most graciously provide for the redress of such abuses .

Did you tarry I pray you cotinually in Stafforde shear until ye returned into your country ?

Nay forsooth . After that I had consumed a year in that country and some what more in the virtuous education and Godly bringing up of youth , I departed into warwick shear , where in like manner as afore I freely enjoyed the liberallytie of my most sweet & dear friend john Old , which impelled by vorgent causes departed into that country for to inhabit . There likewise taught I divers gentle men's sons , which I trust , if they live , shall be a beauty to the public weal of Egland both for the preferment of true religion and for the maintenance of justice .

How fancied you that country ?

I travailed both in Darbye shear , in the peke , in Stafford shear and in Lechester shear , yet warwick shear was to me most dear and pleasant .

How so ?

In Leicester shear ( as I may pass over the other ) I had familiarity only with one learned man a contriman of M. john Ail 〈◊〉 . ours called john Aylmer , a master of art of the university of cambrige , a young man singularly well learned both in the latin & greek ●…onge , teacher to my Lord Marquis Dorset his children , but Warwick shear ministered unto me theacqueyntaunce and friendship of many learned men .

What are their names I pray you ? For nothing delighteth me more than to hear of learned men .

Friste cometh to my remenbrance a man worthy to be loved and reverenced of all true hearted christian men not only for the puernes Master Latimer . of his life , which hath always before the world ben innocent and blameless , but also for the sincerity and godliness of his Euangelike doctrine , which since the beginning of his preaching hath in all points been so comformable to the teaching of Christ and of his Apostles that the veri adversary's of God's truth with all their manaching words and cruel emprisonmentes could not with draw him from it , but that so ever he had once preached , he valiantly defended the same before the world without fear of any mortal creature although of never so great power and high authority , wishing & minding rather to suffer not only loss of worldly possessions , but also of life , than the glory of God and the truth of Christ's Gospel should in any point be obscured or defaced thorough him . His life was not dear unto him Act. xx . so that he might fulfil his course with joy and the office that he received of the Lord jesus to testify the Gospel of God's favour . He might well say with the holy psalmograph , I spoke O Lord , of thy testimonies and Psal. C. xviii . ordinauntes in the presence of Kings , Princes and Rulars , and I was not abashed .

I much desire to know his name tell it us I pray you .

Ye have heard I am sure of Master Latimer sometime By shop of Worcester ?

His noble fame and virtuous renown is more known not only in this Realm of England but also in foreign countries a 'mong both learned and unlearned , than it can be hid . I for my part have known him before . xx . years in the university of Camb●…ig to whom nexte unto God I am specially bound to give most hearty thanks for the knowledge , if any I have , of God and of his most blessed word .

How so ?

I was sonetyme a poor scholar of Cambrige very desirous to have the knowledge of good letters , and in the time of my being their , this godly man preached many learned and christian sermons both in latin & english tongue , at the which all , I for most part was present , and although at the time I was but a child of xvi . years yet I noted his doctrine so well as I could , partly reposing it in my memory , par lie commending it to letters as most faithful treasurers unto memory .

I was present when with manifest authorities of Gods word and arguments invincible besides the allegations of doctoures he proved in his Sermons , that the holy scriptures Bible in engl●…she . ought to be read in the English tongue of all christē people , whether they were priests or lay men , as they be called , which thing divers drowesy dunsers with certain falls flying flattering Friars could not abide , but openly in their unsavoury sermons resisted his godly purpose , even as Alexander the copersmyth and Elymas the sorcerer with many other resisteth blissed Paul and two . Timo. iiii . his Godly doctrine , not withstanding Act. viii . he ( yea rather God in him , whose cause he handled ) gate the victory , and it came to pass according to his teaching . Neither was I absent when he inveighed against temptle works , good ententes , blind z●…ale , superstitious devotion . etc. Will works . as the painting of tabernacles gyldding of Images , setting up of candles , running on pilgrimage & such other idle inventions of men , whereby the glory of God was obscured and the works of mercy the les regarded . I remember also how he was wont to rebuke the beneficed Beneficed men . men with the authority of God's word for neglecting and not teaching their flock and for being absent from their cures , they themselves being idle and mastinge themselves like hogs of Epicurus flock , taking no thought though their poor parishners miserably pine a way , starve , perish and die for hunger . Neither have I forgotten how he at that time condemned ●…owes . foolish ungodly and impossible vows to be fulfilled as the vow of chastity , wishing rather that liberty of marriage might be granted to them which have so vowed by the highter powers , than so to continue thorough single life in all kind of abominable uncleanness . O how vehement was he in rebuking all sins , namely Idolatry , falls and idle swearing covetousness and whoredom ? again how sweet and pleasant were his words in exhorting unto virtue ? He spoke nothing but it left as it were certain pricks or stings in the hearts of the hearts , which moved them to consent to his doctrine . None except they were stiffnecked and uncircomcised in heart , went a way from his sermons , which were not led with a faithful repentance of their former life affected with height detestation of sin , and moved unto all Godliness and virtue . I did know certain men , which thorough the persuasion of their friends went unto his Sermons swelling , blown full and puffed up like unto Esoppes Frog , with envy and malice against him but when they returned , the Sermon being done , and demanded how they liked him and his doctrine , they answered with the bishops and Pharises servants . Nun quam sic locutus john . viii . est homo , sicut hic homo .

There was never man that spoke like unto this man , so sharppe He●…rus . iiii . a two edged sword is the word of God ( it entereth thorough even unto the dividing of the soul and the spirit , and of the joints and the marry ) so watchethe God upon his word , so causeth the father of heaven 〈◊〉 . i. his word not to return unto him void , but to do what so ever his good pleasure is , and to take root and bringe forth isaiah . iv . ●…t . xiiii . fruit in them that are afore ordained unto everlasting life , in some an hondered fold , in some three score fold , in some their t●… fold . I leave of to report his free speech against buying & selling Math. xiii . of benefices , against the promoting of them unto the livings Benefices . of spiritual ministers which are Unlearned . unlearned and ignorant in the law of God , against popish Ministers . pardons , against the reposing our hope in our own works Pardons . or in other men's merits , against false religion etc. Neither do I Main hope . here rehearse how beneficial he was according to his possibility Alms deeds . to poor scholars and other needy people , so conformable was his life to his doctrine , so watered he with good deeds , what so ever tofore he planted with godly words , so laboured he with all main both in word and deed to wine and allure other unto the love of christes doctrine and his holy religion there is a common saying , which remaineth unto this day , When Master Staforde read , and Master Latimer praych , than was Cambridge blessed .

What was that Stafford ?

A man whom the unthanful M. George Stafforde . world was unworthy any longer to have . As I may pass over the gifts of nature and such goodly qualities , as win unto them that have them the favour and commendation of men , wherewith he was plentuously endued , this I unfeignedly say unto you , he was a man of a very perfect life , and if I may so speak , of an Angelic conversation , approvedly learned in the Hebrew , Greek and latin tongues , and such one as had thorough his painful labours obtained singular knowledge in the mysteries of gods most blessed word .

I doubt whether he was more bound to blissed Paul for leaving those Godly Epistles behind him to cusituet and teach the congregation of God , whereof he was a dear member , or that paul , which before had so many years been foiled with the foolish fantases and eluyshe expositions of certain doting doctors and as it were drowned in the dir●…ye dregs of the drowsy dunsers , was rather bound unto him , sing that by his industry labour , pain and diligence he seemed of a dead man to make him a live again and putting a way all unsemlines to set him forth in his native colours , so that now he is both seen , read and heard not without great and singular pleasures of them that travail in the studies of his most godly Epystles . And as he beautified the letters of blessed Paul with his godly expositions , so like wise did he learnedly setforth in his lectures the native sense and true understanding of the fore evangelists , vively restoring unto us the Apostls' mind & the mind of those holy writers , which so many years before had lain unknown and obscured thorough the dark Math xxiiii . nes and mists of the Pharises and Papists .