An enterlude called lusty Iuuentus Lyuely describing the frailtie of youth: of natur, prone to vyce: by grace and good counsayll, traynable to vertue. The parsonages that speake. Messenger. Lusty Iuuentus. Good counsaill. Knowledge. Sathan the deuyll. Hypocrisie. Felowship. Abhominable lyuing. Gods mercifull promises. Foure maye playe it easely, takyng such partes as they thinke best: so that any one take of those partes that be not in place at once.

¶ The prologue of the messenger . FOr as much as man is naturally prone . gene. viii Iere xiiii Eccle. xxx To euil from his youth , as scripture doth recite , It is necessary that he be spedely withdrawen , Frome concupiscence of syn , his naturall appetite , And ordre to bryng vp youth , Ecclesiasticus doth writ ▪ An vntamed horse , wyl be harde saith he , And a wanton chylde wilfull wyl be . ¶ Gyue hym no libertie in youth , nor hys foly excuse , Bowe doune his necke , and kepe him in good awe , Least he be stubburne : no laboure refuse , To trayne hym to wisedome , and teache him Gods law ▪ For youth is frayle and easy to draw ( By grace ( to goodnes : ( by nature tayll : That nature hath ingrafted , is harde to kyll ¶ Neuertheles in youth men maye be best Trayned to vertue by godly mean Uice may be so mortified and so supprest That it shall not breake furth , yet the roote will remayne : As in thys Enterlude by youth , you shall se playn : From his lust by good counsell , brought to godly conuersation And shortly after to frayle natures inclination ¶ The enemy of mankind , Sathan through Hipocrisy Fayned or chosen holynes of mans blynd entent Forsakyn Gods word , that leadeth ryght way Is brought to felowshyp and vngracious company : To abhominable lyuing , til he be holy bent And so to desperation , if good counsel were not sent From God , that in trouble doth no man forsake That doth call , and trust in hym for Christes sake . ¶ Finally , youth by goddes special grace , Doth earnestly repent his abhominable lyuyng By the doctrine of good counsell , and to his solace Gods mercy entreth to hym recitinge : Gods merciful promises , as they be in writinge He beleueth and foloweth to his great consolacyon All these partes ye shal se brefly plaied in their fas●hion ¶ Here entreth lusty Iuuentus , or youth singinge as foloweth . IN a herber grene , a slope where as I laye The byrdes sang swete in the myddes of the daye I dreamed fast of myrth and play In youth is pleasur , in youth is pleasure . ¶ Methought I walked stil to and fro And from her company I could not go But when I waked it was not so , In youth is pleasure , in youth is pleasure . ¶ Therfore my harte is surely pyght . Of her alone to haue a sight . Whiche is my ioy and hartes delyght , In youth is pleasure , in youth is pleasure . Finis . Lusty inuentus or youth , he speaketh . ¶ What how are they not here ? I am disapoynted by the blessed masse , I had thought to haue founde them makyng good chere But now they are gone to some secrte place . Uel seing they are gone , I do not greatly passe . Another tyme I will holde them as much , Seinge they brake promise , and kepe not the tweche . What shal I do now to passe a waye the daye Is there any man here that will go to game . At what so euer ye wil play To make one , I am redy to the same : youth ful of pleasure is my propre name To be alone is not my appetyte . For of all thynges in th world I loue merry compani Who knoweth where is ere a mynstrel , By the masse I would fayne go daunce a fit My compacions are at it I know right well They do not all this whyle in a corner sit : Agaynste another tyme they haue taught my wyt I beshrew their hartes for seruing me this . Here entreth god counsell . To whom youth yet speaketh . I will go seke them , whether I hyt or mysse . Well I met father , well I met , Did you heare any minstrels playe ? As you cam hitherwarde vpon your way , And yf you did I pray you wyshe me theither For I am goyng to seke them , & in fayth I know not whether Good counsell . Syr I will aske you a question by your fauour what would you with the minstrell do ? Iuuentus . Nothyng but haue a daunce or two , To passe the tyme away in pleasure , Good counsell . If that be the matter , I promyse you sure I am the more soryer that it should so be , For there is no such pasting , the tyme a poynted in the scrypture Nor yet therunto it doth not agre , I wyshe that ye would so vse your libertie , To walke as you are bound to do , Accordyng to the vocation , whych god hath called you to , Iuuentus . Why syr , are you angry because I haue spoken so By the masse it is alone for my apety Good counsell Shewe me your name I praye you hertely And then I will my minde expresse Iuuentus . My name is called Iuuentus doutles Say what you will I will geue you the hearinge . Good counsel . For as much as god hath created you of nothing , Unto his owne lyknes , by spirituall illuminacion , It is vnmete that ye should leade your lyuinge Contrary to hys godly determynacyon , Sainct Paul vnto the Ephesians geueth good exhortacion Saying , walke circumspectly , redeming the tyme That is to spend it well , & not to wickednes enclyne Iuuentus . No , no , hardely none of myne , If I wold lyue so straight , you might count me a foole Let them kepe thouse se rules , whiche are doctours diuine And haue be brought vp all theyr dayes in scole . Good counsell Moyses in the lawe exhorteth his people , As in the boke of Deutronomye he doth playnly wryte , That they should lyue obedyent and thankefull , For infecte these wordes he doth resyte : All ye this day stand before the Lordes syght , Both princes , rulers , elders and parentes , Chyldren wiues , yong & olde , therfore obey his commaundements Iuuentus . I am to yong to vnderstand his documents , Wherfore did all they stand before his presence ? Good counsell To entre with God peace and aliaunce , Promysing that they woulde him honour , feare & serue All kynde of people were bounde in those couenauntes , That from his lawe they shuld neuer swarue , For God vseth no percialitie . Iuuentus . What ? am I bound as wel as the cleargy , To learne and follow his preceptes and lawe ? Good counsell Ye surely , or els God wil withdrawe Hys mercy from you , promysed in his couenaunt , For except you lyue vnder hys obedience and awe , How can you receue the benyfites of his testament ? For he submetteth hymselfe to be a seruaunt , And his masters commaundement wyl not fulfil nor regard According as he hath done , is worthy hys reward . Iuuentus . It is as true a sayng as euer I heard , Therfore your name I pray now tell , For by my truth your communication I like wondres wel Good counsell My name is called good counsell , iuuentus Good counsel , Now in fayth I cry you mercy , I am sory that I haue you thus offended , But I pray you beare with me paciently , And my misse behaueour shal be amended , I know my tyme I haue rudely spended , Folowinge my awne lust , beinge led bi ignoraunce . But nowe I hope of better knowledge through your aquayntaunce . Good counsell I praye God guide you with hys gracyous assistans Unto the knowlege of hys truth , your ignoraunce to vndo That you may be one of those numbred christians Which foloweth the lambe whether he doth go , The lambe Iesus Christ , my meanynge is so , By sure fayth & confidence , in his bitter death & passion , The onely pryce of oure health and saluacyon . iuuentus Syr , I thanke you for youre harty oracion And now I praye you shewe me your aduisemet Howe I maye lyue in this my vocation , Accordyng to Godds will and commaundement . Good counsell Fyrst of all it is moste expedient . That you exercyse your selfe in continual prayer , That it might please the Lorde omnipotente , To send vnto you his holi spirit and comforter : Whiche wil leade you euery daye and houre Unto the knowledge of hys worde and verytie Where in you may learne to lyue most christianly . iuuentus O Lord graunt me of thy infinite mercy , he 〈◊〉 The true knowledge of the lawe and wil , And illumine my hart with spirit continually That I way be apte thy holy preceptes to fulfyl : Strengthen me , that I maye parseuer stil. Thy commaundementes to obaye . And then shal I neuer slip nor fal away , he riseth . Good counsell Ful true be these wordes , which Christ hym self did saye He that seketh shal surely fynde . Be holde youth now reioyce we may For I se knowledge of God , verite stand here behinde knowleg entreth . He is come now to satisfey your mynde In those thynges which you will desire , Therfore together let vs approche him nere . Iuuentus . A good counsyl , new it doth appere . That god neuer reiecteth the humbles petycion , Knowledge , Now the Lord blesse you al with his heauenvly benedyctyon , And with his fyery loue your harts enflame That of hys mercyful promyses you may haue the fruityon The subtiltie , of the deuel , vtterly to defame : Nou good christian audience , I will expresse mi name The true knowledge of gods veritie ▪ thus mi name doth hyghte Whom God hath appointed , to geue the blind their syght . Good councell All prase be geuen to that Lord of myght , which hath appoynted you hether at thys present houre For I trust you wil so instruct youth a right , That he shal liue accordyng to Gods pleasure Iuuentus And I thanke Iesus Christ my sauiour , That he ys come to my company . Knowlddge . I thanke you my frendes most hartell For your gentyll salutacion . Iuuentus . Syr , I wil be so bolde by your delyberation To opyn my mind vnto you now , Trustynge that bi your good exhortacyon , I shall learne those thynges , which I neuer knew : This one thynge chiefly I woulde learne of you How I maye my lyfe in thes my vocacyon leade . Accordynge as God hath ordeyned and decrede , Knowledge The prophet Dauid saithe that the man is blessed , Which doth excersise hym selfe in the lawe of the Lorde , And doth not folow the way of the wickid , As the fyrst psalme doth playnly accorde : The foure score & .xiii. psalmes therunto dothe accorde . Blessed is the man whome thou teachest , o Lord sayth he To learne the law , precepts , worde or verytie And Christ in the Gospel sayth manifestly . Blessed is he which heareth the worde of god and kepeth it , That is to beleue hys word , & lyue accordingly Declaryng the fayth by the fruytes of the spirit Whose frutes are these , as s. Paul to the Gal , doth wrighte Loue ioie , peace , long suffring and faithfulnes Mekenes , goodnes , temperaunce and gentilnes Good counsell Be these wordes which vnto you he doth expresse He teacheth that you ought to haue a stedfast faith With out it is impossible doutlesse , To please god , as sainct Paul sayth : Where fayth is not , godly lyuing decaieth For whatsoeuer is not of fayth , sayth . s. Paul , is synne , But where a perfite faith is , there is good working Iuuentus It semeth to me that this your meanyng , That when I obserue gods commaundementes & the workes of charyte They shall preuayl vnto me nothyng , Except I beleue to be saued therby . Knowledge . No , no , you are deceyued very blyndly , for fayth in Christes merites dothe onely iustyfy , And make vs righteous in goddes sight Iuuentus . Why should I then in Good workes delight ? Seing I shal not be saued by them Good counsel . Becausy they are required of al christian men , As the necessary fruites of true repentaunce . Knowledge , But the reward of the heauenli inheritaunce Is geuen vs through faith , for Christes deseruinges , ●s . s Paule declareth in the .iiii. chapter to the Romayns therfore we ought not to worke as hierlinges : Seing Christ hath purged vs once from al our wicked lyuing . Let vs no more wallow therin , But perseuer like good braunches , bearing frute in hym . Iuuentus Now I know where about you haue bene . My elders neuer taught me so before . Good councell Though your elders wer blynd , dout not you therfore For sainct Peter sayth , vaine is the conuersations , Whiche ye receyue by your elders traditions , Iuuentus . I wyll gladly receyue your godly admonicions , But yet I praye you shewe me the cause , that they being men of great discretions Did not instructe me in gods lawes , According to hys will and ordinaunce Knowledge . Because they them selfes were wrapped in ignoraunce Being deceyued by false preachers . Iuuentus . O Lord deliuer me from wicked teachers , That I be not deceyued with theyr false doctrine . Good counsell to Gods word you must onely encline , Al other doctrine cleane set a parte . Iuuentus . Surely that I will from the bottom of my heart , And I thenke the liuing God whyth hath geuen me the knowledge To know hys doctryng from the false & peruarce I being yet yonge and full tender of age : And that he hath made me partaker of the heauenly in heritage Of his one mercy and not of my deseruynge For hell I haue decerued by my synfull workyng . I know right well my elders and parentes . Haue of a longe tyme deceuid be , With blynd hypocrisy and supersticious ententes , Trusting in theyr owne workes , which is nothynge but vanyte Their steppes shall not be folowed for me , Therfore I pray you shew me a briefe conclusyon , How I oughte to lyue in chrystian religion , Knowledge . The first begyning of wysdom , as sayth the wise Salomon Is to feare God with al they harte and power And then thou must beleue al his promise without any exception And that he will performe them both constant & sure And then be cause he is thy only sauiour Thou must loue hym with all thy soule and mynde And thy neybour as thy self , because he hath so assyned , Iuuentus . To loue my neybour as my self , I can not be to kynde I pray you tell me , what meane you Knowledge . My meanyng is as Chryste sayth in the .vi. chap. Math. To do to hym as you woulde be done to Iuuentus . I pray God geue me grace so for to do That vnto hys wil I maye be obedyent . Good counsell Here you shall reseaue Christes testament To comfort your consience when nede shal requyre To learne the contentes there of , se that you be dilygent The which all chrystian men ought to desyre For it is the wel , or fountayne moste clere Out of the which doth spryng swete consolacyon To all those that thyrst after eternal saluacyon . Knowledge . Ther in shal you fynde most holsome presaruacion Both in troubles , percicucions , sicknes and aduersytye And a sure defence in the time of temptacyon Agaynst whom the deuel can not preuayle with all his army : And if you perseuer therin vnfaynedly It wyl set your hart at suche quietnes and rest Which can not neuer be turned with stormes nor tempest Good counsell With this thyng you must neyther flatter nor iest But stedfastly beleue it euery day and houre And let youre conuersacyon opīly protest That of your hart it is the most precious treasure And then your godly example shal other men procure To learne and exercyse thesame also I praye God strengthen you so for to do Iuuentus Now for this godly knowledge , whych you ha ●●●rought me to I beseche the lyuynge God reward you agayn From your company I wyl neuer departe nor go So longe as in thys lyfe I do remayne : For in thys boke I se manyfest and playne That he that foloweth hys owne lustes & imagynacyon Kepeth the ready path to euerlast dampnacyon . And he that leadete a godly conuersacyon Shal be borught to suche quietnes , ioy and peace Which in comparison passeth all worldly gloriation Whiche can not endure , but shortly cease Both the time and houre I may now blesse That I met with you father good councel to bryng me to the knowledge of his heueuenly Gospel Knowledge . This your profession I like veri wel So that you entend to lyue accordyng I praye God your lyuing do not rebell But euer agre vnto your sayng That when ye shal make acountes or rekening Of thys talent , whych you haue receued you may be one of those , with whom the Lord shal be pleased Good councell For thys conuersacion of youth , the lords nam be prased Let vs now departe for a reason . Exit Knowledge , To geue God the glori it is conuenient and reason yf thou will depart , I will not tary . Exit Iuuentus . And I wil neuer forsake your company Whyle I lyue in thys world Here entreth the Deuel , Oh oh all to late I trow thys geare wil come to naught For I perceyue my powre doth abate For al the policie that euer I haue wrought , Many and sundry wayes I haue sought , To haue the word of god deluded vtterly , Oh for sorow yet it will not be . I haue done the best that I can , And my ministers also in euery place , to rote it clene from the hart of man , And yet for all that it florisheth a pace : I am sore in drede to shew my face , My auctoritie and workes are so greatly dyspysed My inuentions , and all that euer I haue deuised Oh oh , ful well I know the cause , that my estimacion doth thus decay , the olde people woulde beleue stil in my lawes , But the yonger sort leade them a contrary way they wyl not beleue they playnly say , In olde traditions and made by men , But they wil lyue as the scripture teacheth them . Out I crye vpon them , they do me open wrong , to bring vp their chyldren thus in knowlage , For if they wil not folow my wayes when thei are yong yt is harde turning them when they come to age : I must nedes fynd some meanes this matter to swage , I meane to turn theyr hartes from the scripture quite , that in carnal pleasurs they may haue more delyght . Wel I wil go taste to enfect this youth through the entisement of my sonne hypocrysie , And worke some proper feate to stope his mouth that he may lede hys lyfe carnally : I had neuer more nede my matters to apply , Oh my chyld hypocrisie , where art thou ? I charge that of my blessing , apeare before me now Oh oh quod he , kepe agayne the sowe , I come as faste as I can , I warrant you , Here entreth hypocrysie . Hipocrysye . Where is he that hath the sowe to sell ? I wil geue hym money yf I lyke her well , wether it be sowe or hogge , I do not greatly care For by my occupacion I am a bochare , Deuell . Oh my chylde , how doest thou fare ? Hipocrysye Sancti amen , who haue we there ? By the masse I wyl bye none of thy ware , thou arte a chapman for the deuell What my sonne , canst thou not tell ? Deuell . Who is here , and what I am , I am thyne owne father Sathan . Hipocrycye . Be you so syr ? I crye you mercy than , you may say I am homely , & lacke learnyng , to lyken my fathers voyce vnto a sowes groning But I pray you shew me the cause , and why that you called me hether so hastely , A Hypocrisie , I am vndone vtterly Deuell . Utterly vndone , nay stop there hardely , Hipocrysye . For I my selfe do know the contrary , By dayly experience : Do not I yet raygne a brode , And as longe as I am in the worlde , you haue some treasure and substaunce . I suppose I haue ben the flower In settyng forth thy lawes and power , Without any delay By the masse if I had not bene , thou haddest not ben worth a flaunders pin , At thys present daye . the tyme were to long nowe to declare How many and great the number are , Whiche haue deceyued be : And brought cleane from Gods lawe , Unto thy yoke and awe , Through the intisement of me . I haue ben bused ▪ since the world began , to graffe thy lawes in the hart of man , Where they ought to be refused : And I haue so mingled gods commaundementes with vaine zeales , & blind intents that they be greatly abused . I set vp great ydolatry With a kynd of fylthy Sodometry , to geue mankynd a fall : And I brought vp suche supersticion Under the name of holynes and religyon , that disceyued al moste all . As holy Cardinals ▪ holy Popes , Holy vestimentes , holy copes Holy armytes and Fryers Holy priestes . holy bisshoppes Holy monkes , holy abbotes yea , and all abstinate lyers . Holy pardons , holy beades , Holy saincts , holy ymages , With holy , holy bloud , Holy stockes , holy stones : Holy cloughtes , hole bones : yea , and holy holy wood . Holy skinnes , holy bulles : Holy rochetts , and coules Holy crouches and staues Holy hoodes , holy cappes Holy miters , holy hattes a good holy , holy knaues . Holy dayes , holy fastinges : Holy twitching , holy tastinges , Holy visions and sightes : Holy waxe , holy leade : Holy water , holy breade : To driue a waye spirites . Holy fyre , holy palme : Holy oyle , holy cream : And holy ashes also : Holy brouches , holy rynges : Holy knelynge ▪ holy sensynges : And a hundred trim trams mo . Holy crosses , holy belles : Holy reliques , holy iouels : Of myne owne inuencion : Holy candels , holy tapers : Holy parchementes , holy papers : Had not you a holy sonne ? Deuell . All these thinges , which thou hast done My honour and lawes hath maintained , But now , Oh alas , one thynge is begone By the which mi kingdome is greatly decaied I shall lese al , I am sore afrayed , Except thy helpe I knowe right playne , I shall neuer be able to recouer it agayne . Gods worde is so greatly sprong vp in youth That he litle regardeth my lawes or me , He telleth his parentes that is very truth , That they of longe tyme haue deceyued be , He sayth , accordynge to christes veritie , All his doynges he wyll ordre and frame , Mortifiyng the flesshe with the lustes of the same . Hipocrysye . A syr a , there beginneth the game , Hipocrysye . What , is Iuuentus become so tame ? To be a new gospeler . Deuell . As fast as I do make , he doth marre , He that folowed so longe the steppes of good counsell . that knowledge and he together doth dwell , For who is so busye in eueri place , as youth Hipocrysie . To reade and declare the manifest truth ? Deuell . But ho Hipocrisie if thou coulde stoppe his mouthe Thou shouldest wyn mi harte for euer , What would you haue me to do in the matter ? Shewe me therein your aduisement . I woulde haue the go incontinent , And worke some craft , feate or policye , To set knowledge and hym at contrauersie , And hys company thy self greatly vse That Gods worde he may cleane a buse . Hipocrysye . At your request I wil not refuse to do that thynge which in me doth lye , Dout ye not , but I wyll excuse , those thynges which ye doth playnly denye And I wil handel my matters so craftely that ere he commeth to mans state : Gods worde and hys liuing shal be cleane at the bate Deuell . thou shalt haue my blessing both early and late , And be cause thou shalt all mi counsel kepe thou shalt call my name frendshyp . Hipocrysie By the masse it is a name full mete , For my proper and amyable person , Deuell . Oh , fare wel fare wel my sonne , Spede thy busynes , for I must be gone , Hipocrysie I warrant you , let me alone , I will be with Iuuentus anone , And that ere he be ware . And I wysse if he walke not streight . I wil vse such a sleyght , That shal trap hym in a snare . How shal I bryng this geare to passe ? I can tel now by the masse , Without any more aduysement : I wil infect hym with wicked company , Whose conuersation shal be so fleshly , yea , able to ouer come an innocent , This wicked felowshipe , Sall hym company kepe , For a whyle : And then I will bryng in , Abhominable lyuyng , Hym to beguyle . With wordes fayre I wyll hym tyse , Tellyng hym of a gyrlenyse , Which shal hym somwhat moue : Abhomynable liuing , though she be , yet he shal no other wayesse . But she is for to loue . She shall hym procure ▪ To lyue in pleasure , After hys owne phantesy ▪ And my matter to frame , I wyll call her name , Unknowen honestie . This wil I conuey , My matter I say , Some what hansomely , That through wicked felowship : And false pretende frendshep , youth shall lyue carnally . Trudge hypocrysie trudge , Thou art a good drudge , To serue the deuel : If thou shouldest lye and lurke , And not entend thy worke , Thy maister should do full euel . ¶ Here entreth youth , to whom hepocrysye yet speaketh What maister youth . Wel I met by my trouth and whether a way ? you are the last man , Whych I called on , I sware by thys daie . Me thought by your face Ere you cam in place , It should be you : Therfore I did a byde ▪ For your commyng , thys is true . Iuuentus . For your gentelnes , syr. most hertely I thanke you But yet you must holde me som what excused , For to my symple knowledge I neuer knew That you and I to gether were acquainted , But neuertheles , if you do it renew , Old acquayntaunce will some be remembred Hipocrisie . Ah now I se wel youth is fethered And hys crumes he hath well gathered , Since I spake with hym last A pore mans tale can not now be herde As in tymes past : I crye you mercy , I was som what bolde Thynkyng that your mastershyp would , Not haue byn so strange : But now I perceue that promocyon , Causeth both man , maners and fashyon Greatly for to chaunge ▪ iuuentus you are to blame this me to calenge Hipocrysye . For I thinke I am not he which you take me for yes , I haue knowen you euer since you were bore your age is yet vnder a score , Which I can wel remember : I wisse , I wisse you and I. Many a tyme haue ben ful mery· When you were yong and tender . iuuentus Then I pray let vs reason no lenger Hipocrysye . But fyrst shewe your nominacion . Of my name to make declaracyon Without any dissimulacyon , I am called frendshyip : Although I be symple and rude of facyon yet by linage and generacyon , I am ney kyn to your mastership . What frendshyp ▪ iuuentus I am glad to se that you be mery , By mi trouth I had almost you forgot , By long absence brought out of memory , Hipocrysye . By the masse I loue you so hartely , That there is none so welcome to my company I pray you tell me , whether are you goyng ? iuuentus My entention is to go heare apreachyng Hipocrysie . A preachyng quod he , ha good litle one By chryst she will make you cry out of the wynnyng If you folowe her instruction so early in the mornyng , iuuentus Full great I do abhore thys your wicked saying , For no doubt they encrease much sinne and vice , Therfore I pray you shew not your meanyng , For I delyght not in such folish fantesies Hipocrysye . Surely , then you are the more vnwyse . you mai haue a spyrt amongest them now and then iuuentus

Why should not you as wel as other men ?

Hipocrysye . As for al those fylthe doynges . I vtterly detest them , I wyll heare no more of youre wycked communycacyon . iuuentus

yf I may be so bold by your deliberation

Hipocrysye . What wil you do at a preachyng ? Learne some holsome and godly teaching , Of the true minister of Christes gospel . iuuentus Tush , what he wil say I know right well , He wil say that God is a good man , He can make hym no better , and say the best he can I know that , but what then ? The more that Gods worde is preached and taught The greater the occasion is to all christen men , To forsake their 〈◊〉 liuinges , both wycked , vile & naught And to repent their former euils , which they haue wrought Trustyng by Chrystes death to be redemed . And he that this doth , shal neuer be disceyued . Hipocrysye wel sayde mayster doctor , wel sayd . By the masse we must haue you , in to the pulpyt , I pray you be remembred , and couer your head For in dede you haue nede to kepe in your wit , A Sirra , who would haue thought it That youth had bene such a wel learned man : Let me se your portous gentle syr Ihon. iuuentus No , it is not a bote for to loke on , Hipocrysye . you ought not to iest with Gods testament . What man , I pray you be content , For I do nothyng els but sai mi phantasie But yet if you culd do after mi aduisment In that matter you should not be so busy Was not your father as wel learned as ye ? And if he had sayd then as you haue now done I wisse , he had ben like to make a burne Inunetus . It were much better for me , then to returne From my fayth in Christ , & the profession of hys worde . Hipocrysye . whether is better , a halter or a corde I can not tell , I sweare by Goddes mother But I thynge you wil haue the one or the other Wil you lose al your frendes Good wil To continue in that opion stil , Was ther not as wel lerned men before as now ? yea , and better to I may saye to you And they thought the yonger sort of the people By the elders to take an example And if I did not loue you as nature doth me bynde you should not know so much of my mynde Iuuentus . Whether were I better to be ignoraunt and blynde And to be dampned in hel for infidelitie ? Or to learne godli knowledge , wherin I shal finde The right path way to eternal felicitie ? Hipocrycye . Can you denye , but it is your dutye Unto your elders to be obedient iuuentus I graunt I am bound to obay my parentes In al thynges honest and lawful . Hipocrysie . Lawful quod ha , a foole foole Wil thou set men to scoole when they be olde I may say to you secretly The worlde was neuer meri Since chyldren where so boulde . Now euery boy wil be a teacher The father a foole , and the chyld a preacher Thys is preaty geare The foole presumptious of youth wyll turne shortly to great ruth I feare . I feare . I feare . Iuunetus . The sermon wyll be done ere I can com there , I care not greatly whether I go or no , And yet for my promys , by God I sweare , Ther is no remedy but I must nedes go : Of my companyons there wyll be mo And I promysed them bi godds grace Hipocrysye . To mete them there as the sermon was . For onse breakyng promyse do not you passe , Make some excuse the matter to cease what haue they to do ? And you and I were I wote wote where we woulde be as mery as there yea , and merryer to Iuuentus . I would gladly in your compane go But if my companyons shoulde chaunce to se They woulde report full euell by me : And peraduenture if I would it vse . My company they would cleane refuse . Hipocrycye . what , are those felowes so curious That your selfe you can not excuse ? I wyll teache you the matter to conuey Do what your owne lust , and saye as they say And if you be reproued wyth your owne affynytye Byd them plucke the beame out of there owne eye The olde popysh priestes mocke and despyse And the ignoraunt people that beleue theyr lyes Call them papistes , hipocrites , & ioynyng of the plough . Fare out the matter , and then good ynough . Let your boke at your gyrdle be tyed , Or els in your bosome that he may be spyed , And then it wil be sayd both wyth youth and age yonder felow hath an excellent knowledge . tushe tushe , I could so beare the busshe , that all should be flusshe . that euer I did . iuuentus Now by my trouth you are meryly disposed Hipocrisye . Let vs go thether as you thenke best . How say you , shall we go to breakefast will you go to the pye feast . Or by the masse if thou wilt be my gest It shal cost the nothyng , I haue a furny carde in a place , that wyll bare aturne besides the ace , She puruyes now a pace , For mi commynge And if thou wylt fybbere as well as I. we shall haue mery company , And I warrant 〈◊〉 we haue not a pye we shall haue a pudding . iuuentus By the masse that meate I loue aboue all thynge : Hipocrisye . you may draw me a bout the towne with a puddynge : Then you shall se cunnyng . A poore shyft for a liuing . Here entreth . Amongest poore men vsed is , The kynde hart of hyrs , Hyth eased my purse , Many a tyme ere thys I meruayle greatly where frendshyp is , Felowshyp He promised to mete me here eare thys tyme I beshrew his hart that thys promys doth mys , And then be ye sure it shall not be mine yes feloshyp that it shal be thine Hipocrisye . For I haue taryed here thys oure or twayne , And this honest gentylman in mi company hath ben Fellowshyp . To abyde your commyng . thys thing is playne By the masse if you chyde . I will be gon agayne For in fayth frendshyp , I mai saye to the I loue not to be there , where chyders be Hipocrysye . No God it knoweth , you are as ful of honesty As a mary bone is full of honey But syrra , I pray you bid thys gentelman welcome For he is desirous in your company to come , I tel you he is a man of the right makyng And one that hath excellent learnyng At hys gyrdle he hath such a boke That the popysshe priestes dare not in hym loke This is a felow for the nones . Fellowshyp . I loue hym the better by gods precious bones , you are hartele welcome as I maye saye I shal desyre you of better acquaintaunce That of your company be bolde I maye you may be sure yf in me it lye , To do you pleasure , you shoulde it fynd For by the masse I loue you , both wyth hart and mynde . iuuentus To saye the same to you , your gentlenes doth me binde And I thanke you hertely for your kyndnes Hipocrysie . Wil you se thys gentelman fynes your gentelnes and your kindnes , I thanke him and I thanke you , And I thinke , if the truth wery sought , The one bad , and the other naught , Neuer a good I make God a vow . But yet feloship tel me one thyng . Did you se litle besse thys mornyng ? We should haue our brekefast , yester nyght she sayd , But she hath fore gotten it now , I am a fraid . Felowship . Her promise shal be perfourmed and payd , For I spake with her synce the tyme I rose And then she tolde me how the matter goeth : We must be with her betwene eyght and nyne , Iuuentus . And then her maister & mystres wil be at the preachynge I purposed my selfe there to haue bene , But thys man prouoked me to the contrary And tolde me that we shoulde haue mery company . Felowship Mery quod ha , we can not chuse but be mery , For ther is such a gyrle , where as we go , Whych wyl make vs be mery , whether we wyll or no Hipocrycye . The ground is the better on the whych she doth go For she wyll make better chere with a litle whych she can get Then many one cane with a great banket of meate , iuuentus To be in her company my hart is set , Felowshyp Therfore I praie you let vs be gone She wyl com her selfe anone For I tolde her before where we woulde stande . And then she sayde she woulde becke vs with her hande Iuuentus . Now by the masse I perceyue that she is a gallaunde What wyl she take paynes to come for vs hether ? Hipocrysye . yea I waraunt you , therfore you must be familier with her When she commeth in place , you must her embrace , Somwhat hamsomlie . Leste she thynketh danger Be cause you are a stranger , To come in your companye . yea , by Gods foot that I wyll be busye And I may saye to you I can play the knaue secretly abhominable liuyng . Hem , com a way quickly The back dore is opned I dare not tarry , Come felowship come on a waye . Hipocrycye . What vnknowne honestye a worde you shall not go yet by God I sweare . Here is none but your frendes , you nede not to fraye . Although thys strange yong gentel man be here , Iuuentus . I trust in me she wyll thynke no daunger . For I loue well the company of fayre women . abhominable liuyng . Who you , nay ye are suche a holy man , That to tuche one ye dare not be bolde , I thyng you woulde not kysse a yong woman , yf owne would geue you .xx. pound in goulde , Iuuentus . yes by the masse that I woulde , I could fynde in my hart to kysse you in your smocke abhominable lyuing . My backe is brode inough to bare a waye that mocke as myne For one hath tolde me many a tyme , That you haue said iou would vse no such vātēs compani Iuuentus . By dogs precyous woundes that was som horson vyllain I will neuer eate meate that shall dome good , Tell I haue cut hys fleshe by gods precious blude , Tell me I pray you who it was . And I wyl tryme the knaue by the blessed masse Hipocrysye . Tush , as for that do not you passe That which I tolde you was but for loue abhomynable . She dyd nothyng els but proue , Whether a litle thynge woulde you moue To be angry and frette What and if one had sayde so , Let such tryflyng matters go And be good to mens flesh for all that . iuuentus Kisseth . abho . lyuynge . To kysse her since she cam I had cleane forgot you are welcome to my company Syr I thanke you most hartely , By your kyndes it doth a pere . Hipocri . What a is here , Smicke smacke and all thys gere you well to tycke take I fere . yf thou had tyme , Well wanton well , I wysse I can tell That suche smocke smell wyl set your nose out of tune . abbominable lyuing . what man you nede not to fume , Seinge he is come in to my company now He is as wel welcom as the best of you And if it lye in me to do hym pleasur . He shall haue it , you may be sure . Felowship . Then old acquayntaunce is cleane out of fauour . Lo frendshyp , this geargoth with aflleight He hath dreuen vs twayne out of conceyte Hipocrisye . Out of conceyte , quod ha no no , I dare welsay that she thynketh not so , How say you vnknowne honestie ? abbominable liuing . Do not you loue felowshyp and me ▪ ye by the masse I loue you all thre , But yet in dede yf I shoulde saye the trouth Amongest all other welcom mayster youth iuuentus Ful greatly I do delyght to kysse your pleasaunt mouth he kysseth abhominabl liuing I am not able your kyndes to recompence , I long to talke with you secretly , therfore let vs go hence . I agre to that , for I would not for .xx. pence , That it were knowen where I haue bene Hipocrysye . what and it were knowne it where no daly synne As for my parte I do not greatly care , So that they fynd not your proper butteckes bare Now much fie vpon you how badi you are , abbominable liuing . I wosse frendship it mouth haue been spoken at twise what thinke you for your saing the people wyll surmise Iuuentuss . Who dare be so boulde vs to despise ? And if I may heare a knaue speake one worde , I wyll runne thorow his chekes with my sword ▪ Felowshyp . This is an ernest felow of gods word Se I pray you , how he is disposed to fight Iuuentus . Why , should I not and if my cause be ryght What , and if a knaue do me begyle ? Sall I stand crouching like an owle , No , no , then you myght count me a very cowe , I know what belongeth to gods law as well as you ▪ abhominable lyuing . your wit therin greatly I do alowe , For and yf I were a man as you are , I would not sticke to geue a blowe , To teache other knaues to beware , I beshrew you twyse and yf you do spare , But lay lode on the flesshe whatsoeuer befal you haue strength ynough to do it with all , Felowship . Let vs depart , and if that we shal , Come on maisters , we twaine wil go before . iuuentus Nay nay my frende stoppe there yt is not you that shall haue her awaye , She Sall go with me , and yf she go to daye . Hipocrisye . She shall go with none of you I dare welsaye , She wyll go with me before you both , abhomynable . To forsake any of your company I wolde be very loth Therfore I will folow you all thre , Hipocrysye . Now I beshrew his herte , that to that wyll not agree , But yet because the tyme shall not seme very longe , Or eate we departe , let vs haue a mery songe The sing as foloweth . Why should not youth fulfyl hys owne mynde , As the course of nature doth hym bynde , Is not euery thyng ordayned to do hys kynd ? Report me to you , report me to you . Do not the floures spring fresh and gaye , Pleasaunt and swete in the month Maye ? And when theyr tyme commeth they sayd awaye ▪ Report me to you , report me to you . Be not the trees in wyntter bare , Lyke vnto theyr kynde , such they are , And when they spring , theyr frutes declare Report me to you , report me to you . What should youth do , wyth the frutes of age But liue in pleasure in thys passage , For when age commeth hes lustes wyll swage Report me to you , report me to you . Why shoulde not youth fulfyll hys owne mynde They go fourth . Here entreth god counsell ▪ As the course of nature doth hym bynde . &c. O mercyfull Lord , who can seace to lament , Or kepe hys hart from continual mournyng , To se how youth is fallen from thy worde And wholy enclyned to abhominable lyuyng , He lyueth nothyng accordyng to his profession But alas hys lyfe is , to thy worde abusion , Except thy grat mercy to hys vtter confusyon . O where is the godly conuersacyon Which shoulde be among the professour of thy worde O where may a man finde now one faythfull That is not enfected with dissencyon or descorde ? Or amongest whome are all vices abhord vtterly O where is the brotherly loue betwene man & man we may lament the tyme our vice be gan O where is the peace & mekenes , longe suffring & temperaunce wich are the frutes of Gods holy spirit , with whome is the flesh brought vnder obedience , Or who readeth the scripture to the intent to folow it who vseth not now couetousnes and disceite , Who geueth vnto the poore that whych is dewe ? I thinke in thys world , few that lyue nowe . O where is the godly example that parentes should geue . Unto their yong familie , by godly & vertuous lyuyng ? Alas how wicked do they themselfes lyue , Without any fear of God , or his ryghteous threatening , They haue no respect vnto the dreadfull rekenyng , Whych shal be required of vs , when the Lorde shall come , As a ryght full iudge at the daye of dome , O what a ioyfull sight was it for to se , When youth began Gods worde to imbrace . Then he promysed godly knowledge and me , That from our instruction he would neuer turne his face But now he walketh , alas : in the vngodlyes chase , Her entreth Inuentus Heapyng sinne vp on sinne , vice vpon vyce , He that lyueth most vngodly , is counted most wyse , Who is here playng at the dyce ? I herd one speake of synnes and cyce , Hys wordes did me entice . Hither to come : Good counsell A youth youth , whether doest thou runne ? Greatly I do be wayle thy misrable estate , The tyrrible plagues , which in Gods lawe are written , Hang ouer thy head both early and late : O fleshly capernite , stubburne and obstinate , Thou haddest leuer forsake Christ thy sauiour and kinge Then thy fleshly swinish lustes , & abbomynable lyuynge . Iuuentus . what olde hoorson , art thou a chydyng ? I will play a spyrt , why should I not ? I set a myte by thy chekyng what hast thou to do , and yf I lose my cote : I wyll trill the bones whyle I haue one grote , And when there is no more inke in the pen , I wyll make a shyfe as well as other men . Good counsell . Then I perceue you haue for gotton cleane , The promyse that you made vnto knowledge and me you sayde such fleshly fruites shoulde not be sene , But to Gods worde your lyfe should agre Full true be the wordes of the prophet Osey No verytie nor knowledge of God is now in the land . But abomynable vices hath gotten the vpper hand . Iuuentus . your mynde therin I do well vnderstand . you go about my lyueng to despise , But you will not se the beames in your own eyes , Good counsell The deuell hath you dysceiued whych is the auctor of lyes And trape you in hys snar of wicked hypocrye , Therfore all that euer you do deuyse Is to maintayne your fleshly lybertie Iuuentus . I merueyle why you do thys report me , Wherin do I my lyfe abuse ? Good councell your whole conuersacyon I may well accuse , As in my consience iust occasion I find . Therfore be not offended , although I exprese my mynde Iuuentus . Bi the masse if thou tel not truth , I wil not be behind To touch you as well agayne . Good counsell For thys thyng most cheifly I do complaye : Haue ye not professed the knowledge of Chrystes gospell And yet I thynke no more vngodlines doth raigne , In any wicked Heathen , Turke or infidell : who can deuyse that synne or euyll , That you practyse not from day to day yea and count yt nothyng but a iest or a play , Alas , what wantonnes remaineth in your flesh ? How desyrous are you , to accomplish your owne wyll what pleasure & delyght haue you in wickednes ? How diligent are you your lustes to fulfyll ? S. Paul sayth that you ought your fleshly lustes to kyll But vnto hys teachyng , your lyfe ye will not frame Therfore in vayne you beare a christians name . Rede the .v. to the Galathians , & there you shal se That the flesh rebelleth agaynst the spirit And that your own flesh is our most veter enemye , If in youre soules helth you do delyght : The tyme were to long now to recite , What whordom , oncleanes and fylthe communycacyon Is despersed wyth youth , in euery congregation To speake of pryde , enuye , and abhomynable othes They are the common practises of youth , To auaunce your flesh , you cut & iagge your clothes , And yet ye are a great gospeller in the mouth : What shall I say , for thys plasphemyng the truth I wyll shew you what saynt , Paule doth declare In his epistle to the Hebrues , and the .x. Chapter . For hym sayth he , whych doth wyllyngly syn or consent After he hath receued the knowledge of the veryte Remayneth no more sacrifice , but a fearful loking for iudgement And a trrible fier , whych shal consume the aduersary And Christ sayth that thys blasphemy , Shal neuer be pardoned nor forgeuen , In thys world , nor in the world to come Alas alas , what I haue wrought and done ? Iuuentus . Herein thys place I wil fal doune desperate , He lyeth doun , To aske for mercy , now I know it is to late Alas alas , that euer , I was begat , I wolde to God I had neuer bene borne . All faythfull men that beholde this wreched state May very iustly laugh me to scorne : They may say my tyme I haue euel spent and worne , Thus in my first age , to worke my owne destructyon , In the eternall paynes is my parte and portion . Good counsell Why youth , art thou fallen into desperation ? What man plucke vp thine harte , and rise , Although thou se nothing now , but thy condempnation yet it may please God agayn to open thy eyes : Ah wretched creature , what doest thou surmise ? Thinckest not that Gods mercy doth excede thy synne ? Remembre his mercifull promises & confort thi self in hi Iuuentus . O syr , this state is so miserable the which I lye in , That my comfort and hope from me is seperated , I woulde to god I had neuer bene . Wo worth the time that euer I was created . Good counsell A fayre vessel vnfaithfull and faint harted , Doest thou thinke that god is so merciles , That when the sinner doth repent , and is conuerted , That he wyll not fulfyll his mercifull promyses : Iuuentus . Alas syr , I am in suche heauines , That his promises I can not remembre Good councell In thy wickednes continue no lenger , But trust in the Lorde without any feare , And his mersifull promises shall shortly appeare I would beleue if I myght them heare , Iuuentus With all my hart , power and mynde , The liuing God hath hym hether assined : Good counsell Lo , where he commeth euen here by , Therfore marke hys sayinges diligently . The Lord by his prophet Ezechiel sayeth in this wyse playnlye Here entreth goddes merciful promises . As in the .xxxiii. chapter it doth appere . Be conuerted O ye children , and turne vnto me , And I shall remedy the cause of your departure , And also he sayth in the .xviii. chapter , I do not delyght in a synners death , But that he should conuert & liue , thus the Lord sayth , Iuuentus . Then must I geue neither credit nor fayth , Unto sainct Paules saying , which this man did alege ●●r riseth Gods mercyfull promyses . yes , you must credite them , according vnto knowledge , For sainct Paul speketh of those whiche resist the truth by violence And so end theyr lyues without repentaunce , thus sainct Austine doth them define , yf vnto the Lordes word you do your eares encline , And obsarue those thinges , which he hath commaunded this sinfull state , in the whiche you haue lyen . Sal be forgotten , and neuer more remembred , And Christ hym selfe in the gospel hath promysed , that he which in hym vnfaynedly doth beleue , Although he were dead , yet shall he lyue . Iuuentus . these comfortable sayinges doth me greatly moue to arise from this wretched place . Gods mercyfull promyses . For me his mercy sake thou shalt optayne hys grace And not for thyne owne desertes ▪ this must thou know For my sake alone he shall receyue solace , For my sake alone , he wyll thee marcy shew , therfore to hym as it is moste dew , Geue most harty thankes , with hart vnfayned Whose name for euer more be praysed . Good counsell The prodigall sonne as in Luke we rede which in vicious liuing his good dooth wast , As sone as his lyuing he had remembred , To confesse his wretchednes he was not agast , wherfore his father , louingly hym embrast , And as right ioyful , the text sayth playne Because his sonne was returnen agayne . Iuuentus O synfull flesh , thy pleasurs are but vaine , Now I fynde it true , as the scripture doth saye , Brode & pleasaunt is the path , which ledeth vnto payne , But vnto eternall lyfe , full narow is the waye , He that is not led by Gods spyrite , surely goeth astrayer And all that euer he doth , shal be cleane abhorde Although he bragge & bost neuer so much of Gods worde , O subtell Satan , full deceitfull is thy snare , Who is able thy falshed to dysclose ? What is the man that thou doest fauour or spare And dost not tempt hym eternall ioyes to lose ? Not on the world , surele I suppose , Therfoore happy is the man , which doth truli wayte , Alwayes to refuse thy decetful and crafty bayt When I had thought to lyue most christanly And folowed the steppes of knowledg & good councel , Ere I was ware thou haddest deceyued me And brought me into the path ▪ whych leadeth vnto hel : And of an earnest professor of chrystes gospell Thou madest me an ypocrite , blynd and peruert , And from vertue vnto vice , thou hadst cleane turned mi hart Fyrst by hypocrysie thou didest me moue , The mortifycacyon of the flesh , cleane to forsake , And wanton desyre to embrace and loue , Alas to thynke of it , my hart doth quake , Under the tytle of frendshyp to me he spake , And so to wicked feloshyp did me brynge , Which broughe me cleane to abhominable lyuing Thus I saye . Sathan did me disceyue , And wrapped me in sinne many afould , The steppes of good counsell , I did forsake and laeue , And forgote the wordes , which before to me he told : The fruites of a true Christan , in me waxed cold I folewed myne one lustes , the fleshe I did not tame , And had them in dirision , which woulde not do the same . yet it hath pleased God of his endles mercy To geue me respite my lyfe to a mende . From the bottome of my hart , I repent my iniquitie . I wil walke in hys lawes vnto my lyues ende : From hys holy ordinaunce I wyll neuer dicende . But my whole delyght shal be to lyue therein , Utterly abhorring all filthynes and synne . All Christen people , whiche be here present , May learne by me hypocrysye to know With the which the deuel , as with a poyson moste pestilente Dayly seketh all men to ouer throw : Credite not all thynges vnto the out warde shew , But trye them with Gods word , that squire a rule moste iust Whiche neuer deceued them that in hym put theyr trust Let not flattryng frendship , nor yet wicked company Parswade you in no wise , Gods worde to a buse But se that you stand stedfastly vnto the veritie And according to the rule therof , your doings frame & vse Neyther kynred nor felowshyp shal you excuse When you shall appere before the iudgement seat But your owne secret concyence shal then geue an audite All you that be young , whom I do now represent , Set youre delite both day & nyght on Christes testament yf pleasure you tickele , be not fikle , & sodenly slyde , But in Gods feare eueriwhere , se that you abyde In your tender age , seke for knowledge , & after wisedom runne & in iour old age , teach your famili , to do , as you haue dum youre bodys subdue , vnto vertue , delite not in vaniti Say not I am yong , I shall liue long lest iour dais shortēed be Do not enclyne , to spend the tyme ▪ in wanton ioyes & nyce For idlenes doth encrese much wickednes and vyce , Do not delaye the tyme , and saye my ende is not nere For with short warning , the lordes comming shal sodenly apere God geue vs grace , his word to embrace , & to liue therafter That be thesame , hys holy name , may be prased euer . Good counsel . Now let vs make oure supplicacions together For the prosperous estate of oure noble & vertuous quene , That in her godly procedinges she may still perseuer , Which seketh the glory of God a boue all other thynge . O Lord endue her hart with true vnderstandyng . And geue her a prosperous lyfe , longe ouer vs to rayne , To gouerne & rule her people as a worthy seruant . Iuunetus . Also , let vs for all the nobilite of this realme , And namely for those , whome her grace auctorised , To mayntayne the publike welth ouer vs & them , That they may se his gracyous actes published , And they , beyng truly admonished , By the complaynt of them , which are wrongfulli opprest May lesse a reformation , and se it redrest . Good counsell . Then shall thys land enioy great quietnes & rest And geue vnto God most herty thankes therfore , To whome be honor , prase and glory for euermore Finis Quod R. Weuer .