HAuing thus speedilie packed my wares , trussed my Hampiers , made safe my monie , and sent all iogging before by Iacke my boy : I would now that I had some one frend or other to accompanie me hom-ward : but , wish ( they say ) and haue : For see where ( in a very good time ) mine old acquaintance the Pedler of Potton , goeth plodding before me . I assure you I am glad thereof . Oh he is a iollie companion , a pleasaunt fellowe , and a mate for the nonce . Besides that , ( if hee haue had anie good market at all ) I shal be sure to take some siluer of him for wares which he receiued ( by retaile ) at my hands this morning . Well , be what be will : of this I am certaine , that ( if happelie we shold be besee with false harlots as we walke home-wardes together ) I may be bolde of him to helpe at a pinch , for the man is made of a tried mettall , hee feares not his flesh : I will after him therefore with all the haste that I can . Well ouer-taken friend Pedler : What is the cause ( man ) you make so much speed ? I immagine you haue had a warme market to daie , you march so merrilie home-wardes : or els ( it should seeme ) you are afraid of your pursse .

For my market ( good sir ) I confesse I haue had manie a worse in my daies . But as for robbing ( assure your selfe ) that is the leaste of my care . Whosoeuer dare challenge a further right to my coyne then I haue in it my selfe , and ther-vpon will attempte his said enterprise : ( being but one to one ) let him win it and were it .

Is it true ? and are you ( in deed ) so lustie a champion ? well , then I hope ( if neede should require ) I might he holde to trust to your helpe .

What man ? and would you take you to your legges ? surelie sir , you are a friend to trust to at neede .

Nay sir , you do much mistake my words . My meaning is , that I wold fight in your cause so long as I weare able to stand . And this , not onely in regard of manie your former frendshipps , but especiallie in some recompence of your kindenes towards me at this faire , by deliuering your wares into my hands of trust : whereby I haue got an honest gaine : yea I haue had a good Market to daie , I thanke you hartelie for it .

In good soothe I am glad thereof . Neither hath the pleasuring of thee that wayes beene anie hinderaunce at all to my selfe : for albeit manie men holde an opinion that I ( by keeping my wares in myne owne hands ) might happely in the end haue sold them for more : yet ( because those happs are in hazarde , and for that the longer I holde them , the greater is my charge , & the seldomer I retorne them , the lesse my commodity ) I had rather to take a little in time , then right naught at leasure : for light gaines and often will make the purse heauie .

Truth ( sir ) as you say , howbeit manie men had rather hould their wares in their handes , although it turne to the hurt of them selues , then that they would retaile them foorth to the furderaunce of others : and so oft times they are forced to return their gaines by weeping crosse . But what is he that yonder goeth ietting before vs .

I am greatly deceiued if it be not our olde friend Eueri-bodie : sure it is so . Come , let vs legge it a little to ouer-take the man and we shal be sure to heare some one newes or other : for he is a tolie talke-atiue felowe . Well ouertaken frend Eueri-bodie .

What ? master Ingroser and you goodman Pedler , mine olde acquintance , in good sooth you are welcom both : yea , euen the welcomest friends of a thousand .

Gramercie for that , but what newes abroade I pray thee friend Eueri-bodie ?

Small newes ( sir ) euen now . And yet this newes I can tell you ( beshrew your lippes for your labour ) Eueri-bodie doe maruell that wares should be so deare to day . You chapmen haue had a good hit at this fayr : men say you haue made your markets as you lyst your selues .

In deed ( for mine own part ) I confes I haue sped pretelie well . And yet , if we chapmen had beene but so wise amongst our selues as to haue mette together in the morning before the fayre , & then ( rating our wares all at one reckoning ) had so held men at hardmeate a while till towards the end of the fayre : wee might haplie haue got one hundred pownds amongst vs more then we did : howbeit , ( such is the greedines of some ) they will sell ( forsoothe ) althoughe it tende to the hurt of them selues and the rest of their trade . They loue to bee turning the penie so oft , The purpose of this treatise , is to shew that ministers may deale both generally & perticulerly with offendours . that ( I feare me ) at length they will turn them selues cleane out of credit .

Oh , I perceiue by your speech ( goodman Pedler ) that you hard not the Sermon to-day .

The Deuil a Sermon I hard : why ? thinke you I could not more profitablie imploy my selfe then stand staring vpon a pratling Priest to heare I wote not what , and so haue my Bouthstakes to pytch when other are selling their wares ? nay , I like not of that .

I holde thee the wiser . For howsoeuer men seeke after Sermons , they must be carefull to liue . But I pray thee frend Eueri-dodie , what newes hast thou brought from the Sermon ?

Surely , 10. generall reprehensions so generallie granted , they neede no proofe . such newes as made Eueri-bodie amazed . He kept a coyle as though he had got a commission to condemn the whole company to death , he was so outragious against al estates ( especiallie pore chapmen frequenting the fayres ) that I maruayled greatlie some one or other did not presently pluck him out of the Pulpit .

Were it not for fear of the laws , an hundred ( I warant thee ) would haue beene readie to that . And surelie ( except the varlets bee tamed in time ) they will bring at length euerie mans head vnder their girdle . But I pray thee what could hee prate against vs that be chapmen ?

What was he I pray thee ? where is his dwelling ? and how is hee called ?

Surely , concerning his substance he was ( for any thing I could perceiue ) euen then in the mydest therof . For by the goodly gaberdine he wore , any man might easilie gather , that either he was a miserable catiff , very loth to lay any cost on his carkes : or other-wais so pore a snake he could not prouide him a better . As for his dwelling , I thinke that , either he had no where at al to hide his head : or that he passed but lyttle for the loue of his countrie-men , in raging so roundlie against them on a row without anie cause at all for ought I could see . Now next , as touching his name , ( for ought I heard ) hee was called No-bodie : which name , whether it was proper vnto him , or otherwaies giuen him in skorne , I cannot certainelie say . But ( vnlesse I bee foulie deceiued ) yonder goeth the man , or one very like him .

I would it were true : vpon condition thereof , I would giue thee a gallon of wine .

Oh that it were so . Thou shouldest then see vs throughlie prooue the gentle-mans patience : or otherwais laugh him out of his coate .

Of a trueth it is euen the verie same . Let me alone ( I praie you ) with broaching the matter . Wherin you shall see mee so cunninglie deale , that at the verie first entraunce of all , he will make no daubt to laie open the inward secrets of his heart .

We willinglie consent to the same .

Now ( alasse seelie soule ) see how leanelie hee lookes . A man would iudge by his cheekes he had not eaten a good meales meate this moneth . But mum : go to Eueri-bodie , let s see you salute him .

Wel ouer taken maister Parson ? whither ( I pray you sir ) are you traueling this waie alone ?

Euen whither it pleaseth the Lord him selfe : a a Act. 17. 28. for in him alone I liue , mooue , and haue my beeing .

It 's maruell ( maister parson ) to see a man of your profession without three or four good geldings of your own , a couple of men and a lackie .

That worldlie pompe in a preacher ( good brother ) beseemeth such as seeke their kingdome on earth . As for me b b Heb. 11. 10. I looke for a cittie hauing a sure foundation , whose builder and maker is God . And therefore c c Heb. 11. 25. I had rather to suffer aduersitie with the children of God , then so to enioye the pleasures of sinne for a season .

Surelie ( sir ) the man is so marueilouslie well disposed , that ( mee thinke ) it were great pitie , hee should liue anie longer .

A man may perceiue ( maister Parson ) by your apparell , you are an olde Penni-father : one that cannot spare an halpeny to your backe for powching the same in your budgit .

As there can not bee a more miserable a a Eccle , 10. 9. thing then the loue of mony , and the hording vp of the same , for b b Iames. 5. 3. the verie rust thereof will bee a witnesse of such an outragious wickednesse in the last daie , and burne mens flesh as fire : so am I c c 1. Tim. 6. 8. taught by the Apostle saint Paule , when I haue meat , drinke , and apparell whatsoeuer to bee contented therewith . And touching the brauerie of apparell , as d d Gen. 3. 7. 21. the same first entred with sinne and shame : so it ends ( for the most part ) in miserie and confusion . Neither doe I see , why mortall men , should be so puffed vp with the brauerie of apparell , ( vnlesse it bee to shew them selues proude of their borrowed plumes ) seeing the Silke-woorme her selfe hath greater occasion to glorie in her silkes , and the poore seelie sheepe , more reason to brag of the brauerie of her wooll then miserable men : who in no wise can long continue their brauery without borowing these blessings at the hands of them both .

Well sir : how plaine soeuer you seeme in apparell , you were meetlie rough ( me thought ) this daie in your preaching : especiallie against these buyers and sellers . In good sooth maister Ingroser , and you good-man Pedler whereas you thinke him plaine at this present , if you had heard him preach to daie , you wold haue thought him a plain fellow in deed .

To be plain in expounding the word of god , that I accompt a plainnes with profit . But for anie man to be plaine in displaying the maners of men : to tel you plaine , I take that for a plainnes plainelie besides the purpose .

If you think it meet for a man to be plain in expounding the scriptures , why shold you iudge it vnmeet to be also as plaine in deuiding the same ? vnlesse you do deem the Lord God to be meetlie wise in prouiding a medicine , but meerly vnwise in applying the plaister .

Whatsoeuer I think therof , it makes no matter . But ( sir ) because you and the rest of your fellowes do euerie where shew your selues so malapert in deciphering the seuerall dealinges of all men : Particular reprehensions warrantable both by precept & practize . or euer wee come to examine the causes that compelled you to carpe at vs chapmen , let s see howe ( either by precept or practise of anie one seruant of God ) you are able to warrant such particular reprehensions from the sacred scriptures ?

With all my heart . By precept and how : First therefore ( to beginne with precepts ) an euident warrant concerning the same , is laied downe by the Lorde him selfe in Leuitticus , saying : a a Leuit. 19. 17 , thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy hart , but thou shalt plainlie rebuke thy neighbour , and suffer him not to sinne .

Tut , tut ( sir ) you are cleane besides your case : for that is to be vnderstood of priuate reprehensions .

But if you looke to the verse next going before , you shall finde it farre otherwaies , For there the Lord ( to suppresse all outragious malice in men ) forbiddeth them in place of iudgement , to seeke ( by any sinister affection ) the death of the innocent , saieng : b b Leuit. 19. 16. thou shalt not stand against the bloud of thy brother : I am the Lord . Now , least any should seeme to cauil against the equity of this law , saieng : why ? then we may not speak the trueth against our brother before a iudge , especiallie , when it may tend to his destruction , hee addeth foorthwith : thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine hart but thou shalt plainelie rebuke thy neighbour , and suffer him not to sinne . Giuing vs thereby to vnderstand , that it is no lesse demonstration of a malitious mind for men to winke at the wickednesse of their brother before a iudge , then with hatred to pursue his innocencie vnto the death . For whereas by the one , they wound but his bodie : by the other they slaie both bodie and soule .

But this is spoken ( as appeareth in the beginning of the chapter ) to all the congregation of Israell without exception , shewing therein how one neighbour should friendlie and priuately admonishe another : and not that you Priestes should ( in open Pulpit ) thus peartlie prate against all men at your pleasures .

You could not ( in all the Bible ) haue brought an argument more directlie against your selfe . For if the safetie and good estate of our bretheren , must be so carefullie couched in all christian breasts , that euery priuate and perticuler man is bound ( by the rule of charitie ) to be most carefull thereof : How much more belongs it then to the ministers to be preciselie circumspect therein , who , not only by the self-same league of loue , but also in a more special regard of their function & calling , are charged verie vigilantlie to watch a a Heb. 13. 17. ouer the soules of Gods people , as those that are sure to giue an accompt for the same .

Tush a strawe : for that is ment to reprooue them in generall tearmes , but where can you warrant your particuler reprehensions by the woord of God ?

Besides this latelie alleadged law of the LORD , the proofes which doe tend to that purpose are both pregnant and plentifull . For first , our Sauiour Christ ( intending to make a plaine description of a ministers office ) compareth b b Math. 24. 45. him to a wise and faithfull steward , Luke . 12. 42. whome his Lord hath made ruler ouer his house , to giue them their porcion of meate in due time . If therfore it belongs to the dutie of a temporall steward , to giue euerie seruant his portion of meate , namelie : foure peckes of meale for euerie moneth , Donatus in Phormio . ( as Donatus declareth ) or otherwaies , ( for his vnfaithfulnes ) to be hewen in peeces : Is it likelie ( think you ) the spirituall steward ( being with no lesse diligence bound to distribute iustly to euery one his portion of spirituall meat ) if hee bee found negligent therein , that b b Ezec. 33. 8. he should be brought to anie better estate of dignity , Math. 24. 51. remaining ( as you see ) in a farre more miserable condition of sinne . Luke . 12. 46.

Surelie ( sir ) you haue said something nowe to the purpose , if comparisons prooued anie thing at all . But seeing such shotte is of insufficient force to batter the enemies holde : wee will bee the sooner perswaded in this point , if you can avouch your assertion by some euident precepts and rules of the holie ghost .

That may easilie be perfourmed . For the Apostle saint Paule ( to the end his scholler Timothy might more carefullie continu the integritie and credite of his calling ) he giues him herein a speciall exhortation saieng : c c 2. Tim. 2. 15. Studie to shew thy selfe approoued to God , a workeman that needeth not to be ashamed , deuiding the word of truth aright .

What meanes the Apostle ( I pray you ) by deuiding the woord of truth aright ?

Euen that selfe-same skil & care which our sauior Christ required before in the faithful Steward : namely , a a Exod. 29. 32. that both he know how , Leuit. 9. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. & also be diligent in giuing euerie one his portion of meat in due time . Wherein also , either he alludeth vnto the Priests of the olde law , who ( in their sacrifices ) accustomablie gaue vnto God the portion of right , belonging vnto him , tooke their owne parte , and deliuered also to him which brought the sacrifice his appointed share ? Or els it is a Metaphoricall & borrowed speech , transferred either from the vsuall manner of cutting of bread , as wee see a father ( when hee feedeth his children ) deuideth the whole loafe in peeces , and giues to euerie child his portion : Or otherwaies drawen from the lopping awaie of superfluous things , as the Physitions do practise : who vse to seare , to cut , and to purge away the putrified and rotten parts for infecting the rest of the bodie .

And what would you inferre vpon this ?

Euen the selfe same doctrine I deliuered before . For like as a father , beeing carefull to feede his children , distributeth to euerie one that portion of meat , which is properlie fit , and belongeth vnto him . And as a Phisition , ( seeking soundlie the sauegard of hys patient ) spareth not to purge awaie and to cut of those superfluous and putrified parts , which otherwaies would annoie the whole bodie it selfe : euen so it befalleth especiallie for spirituall fathers , to be carefull in feeding their flocke , and for spirituall Phisitions to be prouident in cutting awaie ( with the sword of the spirit ) all such inordinate affections as a a 2. Cor. 10. 5● doe raise them selues againste the knowledge of God , and to bring into captiuitie euerie thought vnto the obedience of Christ : hauing readie the vengeaunce against all disobedience , when the obedience of the sonnes of GOD is fulfilled .

Is this then ( that you say ) the meaning of Paule .

Yea no doubt . And this more plainelie appeareth by that platforme of reproouing , which ( els where ) he prescribeth to Timothie for all degrees of people , saieng : a a 1. Tim. 5. 1. 2. Rebuke not an elder rigorouslie , but exhort him as a father , the yonger men as breethren , the elder women as Mothers , the yonger as Sisters , with all purenes : shewing therein how he should distribute to euery one their portion of rebukes , according as their age and calling required .

Well : be it that this was the meaning of the Apostle : But where ( for all that ) can you name in the scriptures , any one seruant of God , which either practised the same , or shewed themselues so sawcy in snapping at al estates of men , as your selfe and such other haue done .

Why ? thinke you then that the holie ghost ( who was so carefull in penning these precepts ) would haue men carelesse in practising the same ? or dare you call that holie seruice of God , a sawcines of men ? Oh beware of the woe b b Isay . 5. 20. that is threatned against such an outragious blasphemie . But where and when ( I pray you ) haue you seene me so sawcie ? for it seemes by your speech euen now that you were from the sermon to daie .

I confesse I was from the Sermon indeede : and yet notwithstanding I hard of your dealings therein .

It may be so , howbeit , you should here haue remembered withall , that heare-saye , is commonlie the next neighbour to a lie . But ( I pray you ) of whom haue you hard the same ?

Of whom ? why of Eueri-bodie in the fayre .

If you hard this news of Eueri-body , it followeth then , either that you also did here the same of your selues or otherwais that you your selues are to be accompted as No-body : god graunt you may be found more in the reckoning of the lord . Notwithstanding ( lest my selfe alone might be thought to be mizzeled with the performance of that holy seruice of God which your self so vnholilie accompt but a sawcines of men : I will shew some examples thereof in the sacred scriptures .

Eliiah ( being by Ahab vniustlie accused for a disturber of the kingdome & state of Israell ) most boldlie replied , by practise & how : say a a 1. King . 18. 17. 18. I haue not troubled Israel , but thou and thy fathers house : in that you haue forsaken the commandemente of the Lorde . Declaring ( by this his example ) that the faythfull Ministers must not onely not suffer the truth to be vniustlie standered : but also , verie boldlie reproue the wicked slaunderers thereof to their faces , & that also without any respect of persons at all .

What is this to the purpose ? Eliiah had to deale with a wicked and an vngodlie wretch : suche a one , whose saluation is rather to be doubted then other-waies . But ( sir ) you haue not such a large , commission as Elijah had : neither are you able so stricktly to determine of men as he did of Ahab .

Well , be it so . Yet thus much withall you graunt ( by the way ) that against such as are notoriously knowen to be wicked , a man may deale both particulerlie and plainelie . But what say you to Dauid ? a man a a 1. Sam: 13. 4. made after the mynd of God , one of whose saluation none may lawfullie doubt . And yet notwithstanding , did not Nathan the prophet b b 2. Sam: 12. 7. reproue him openly to the face , saying that he was euen the man which had slaine Vriah with the sword , and taken his wife to be his wife ?

You say som-thing indeed , if this had beene done in the time of the Gospell , wherein the Lord dealeth now a great deale more fauorablie with his people , then heretofore with those that were vnder the rigor & rule of the lawe .