I Meruayle what fellowe this is that commes towardes me thus spéedily : he thinkes belike to haue some succour here , but he is much deceyued : for we neuer goe to trouble anye : neyther any shall trouble vs . What art thou sirra ? what is thy name ? from whence dost thou come ? and what wouldest thou haue ?

O sir , I am come from the furthest partes of the worlde I thinke , there is no place nor Countrey but I haue bin in it I beléeue , ( except this where you dwell ) my name is SIVQILA , a sinner I confesse , but one that feares God , loues his word , estéemes equitie , and abhors wickednesse : my chiefe desire is to find out such a countrey and people , as are altogither affectioned as I am .

You may go round about the whole world , and thorowe and thorow it againe , ere you shall finde the least villedge ( much lesse a whole countrey ) of such as you name your selfe to be : I pray you of what Countrey are you ?

Forsooth I was borne in a famous and most fertile Iland called Ailgna .

If I do not mistake it , there are some of youre countreymen , that would haue rapt out halfe a dozen othes , in a great deale lesse talke than you haue vttered .

That is true , God amende it , whiche vice with many other , too commonly frequented , was the chiefe occasion of my comming from thence .

What ? and coulde you finde betwéene that and this no good and méete place to rest in ?

No truely , notwithstanding I haue bin since in diuers Countreys , where gods word is truely preached , and many godly professours thereof . But bycause the moste part was giuen to gréedy gaine , to fraude and flatterie , and to wickednesse and mischiefe , there was no place for me .

Are you so vertuous , that you may not dwell with the wicked ? are you so holy you maye not abide among the haughtie ? and are you suche a Sainct , you maye not settle your selfe with sinners ? Then truely , either you must gette you a place in Paradise , or a house in Heauen : for I thinke you meane not to harbor in Hell .

The Lorde kéepe me thence ; and the moste enimies I haue : But sir , I would not haue you thinke , that I take my selfe to be so vertuous , that all other are too sinful to be conuersaunt with me . For so I might séeme to be more Pharizaical than faithful , more wicked than wittie , & more deu●●ish than godly : for the Fathers could not flée from them , the Prophets were present with them , Christe the sonne of God was conuersant with them , the Apostles were alwayes among them , the Martyres remained stil with them , & the Saints in this life cannot shunne them . But truely sir I loath and detest such vile and abhominable sinne so much , as is commonly vsed with many of them at this present , that my hearte did euen sinke for sorrow , while I was among them .

Why did not you returne into your own country séeing you could find no fit place for your purpose ?

Truely bycause I hoped the further the better : but I founde by proofe , the further the worse . For after I departed from the carnall Gospellers , I came among the peruerse Papists , among whom was such Superstition , Idolatrie , and massing , with other abhominations : besids the imprisoning , racking , punishing , killing & burning the true professors of Christe : that I coulde not choose , but openly tel the truth & their faults . Whych in no wise they could abide to heare . Wherby quickly I was imprisoned , & there so punished : that the vnchristian Turks would not so haue vsed me .

How chanceth y● ? for they name themselues Christians .

They are christians in name : but diuels in their déeds .

It is maruel you escaped their handes : if they be so cruell as you say they are .

It was againste their wils , you may be sure . But as the Lorde deliuered Peter out of hys chaines : so he of hys méere goodnesse delyuered me myraculously , & so you would say , if I did tel you how . And thus ( as Daniel saith ) the Lord neuer faileth them that put their trust in him . And when I was escaped their handes , I trauelled further , vntil I come among the Heathen Idolators , from whence I wisht my selfe wyth a good wyl : but to say truelye , I founde more loue among them , not knowing God , than among the Papists professing God . Who thoughe they woulde not beléeue my religion : yet they liked it a great deale better than the Papisticall religion , after I had reuealed the maner therof to them . And then through long trauel , I hapned amongst the Canibals , who vse to féede on mens flesh . But God so guided my féete , that I fled from them , & throughe his great prouidence escaped them .

You that are men of God , ought neither to feare death , nor flée from persecution .

No sir , & why so ? did not Christ the son of God which was without sin ) fear death himselfe ? & haue we that are most wicked sinners , a greater prerogatiue therin than he had ? And doth not Christ say also : if they persecute you in one Citie , flée into another ? then if we may lawfully flée from Christs enimies for feare of killing , we maye well flée from the Canibals ( that knowe not God ) for feare of eating .

I haue spoken but reason I hope : Sir al the sort of vs , yea the best of vs all , are frayle fleshe , rather gyuen to defende our life , than to amende oure life : you must thynke vs to be earthly sinners , not heauenly Saintes .

What wil you do now , do you meane to go into your Country againe ?

I intend to procéede further this waye , perhaps this countrey of yours may be something better than where I haue trauelled , worse it can not lightly be .

Nay , you came neuer in the like since you were borne .

What , for goodnesse or euilnesse ?

Nay , for goodnesse , godlinesse , obedience , equitie , vertuous lyuing , plaine dealing , and true meaning , that in all the earth is not the like : for we haue such commendable customes and excellent orders , and so wel kept & obserued , that you woulde think them incredible if you did heare them .

Wel , though my trauaile hath bin troublesome , painful and dangerous , yet I repent not my iorny : for now I hope I haue founde the place that wil please me : I pray you let vs make haste , I thinke long vntill I be in it .

You were beste to knowe firste , whether you shall be welcome thither or not .

I trust I shal behaue my selfe in such order , that none there shall mislike me .

Wel , to be plaine , you cannot come there , for we kéepe none but suche as are borne and bred in our owne Countrey , therefore no straunger can dwell with vs , for if they shoulde , we should rather learne their vices than they followe our Uertues .

As you are to be praysed for kéepyng away the wicked , so are you to be misliked for refusing the godlye : for you coulde learne of them no harme , but goodnesse .

I can not deny that : but if you would bée so good vnto me , as to suffer me a while to remaine in youre Countrey , I would ( by Gods helpe ) liue in such order , that I woulde not encrease your number .

Are you not flesh & bloud ? are you not a sinner ?

Yes truly that I am , or else I were a lyar .

Then we will not trust you , nor put it in proofe : as godly men as you haue broken as great promises as that : Therefore set youre hearte at rest , you may not come there , nor you shal not come there .

What remedy , I can be but sory , but my grief is the greater , for that I am so nigh suche a Country , where there is suche godly orders , such commendable customes , equitie estéemed , and Uertue so embraced , ( as you erst did tel me ) and cannot sée it before I goe hence : O that I mighte haue bin so happy , to haue séen the maners and orders therof , whereby I might haue reuealed them in mine own countrey , when I had bin come home , that they might haue bin practised there : Such a mind I haue that my country might excell other in goodnesse and equitie .

It séemes , that you being so godly , and of a perfect religion , there are godly Preachers in your country .

Indéede there are great store of them , thankes be to God , and are very diligent in preaching the trueth of the Gospell , and do mightily thereby reproue sinne , but either the Diuell doth so busily strow Tares among the good séede of Gods worde , or the audience are so stony hearted , or else they are negligent or forgetfull hearers , or rather all , that their painefull preaching doth little preuaile , yet more than some wishe , but not so muche as I woulde .

Then it were but vaine to sée the orders & vses of this oure Countrey , ( if you mighte ) for séeing they wyll not followe Gods word , whiche they credite , being among them : then it is lyke they wil muche lesse regarde oure orders , being vnknowen vnto them , and that so farre from them , vnlesse they be of the sect of Diues brethren , that rather Mathe. woulde beléeue one that shoulde come from Hell , than the word of God that came from Heauen . Yet I am of this opinion , that your Countrymen wil rather embrace toyes , gawdes , and newe vices farre brought , than good things & auntient vertues vsed nigh home : So that if you hearde of our maruelous maners , and excellent orders : yet you were as good ( when you come home ) declare them not , as they to heare them , and follow them not .

Yea sir , but many of them thinking that none in the world haue better maners , orders , customes , wits , and knowledge than they , and then hearing of suche farre passing theirs , and that in a farre vnknowne Countrey , I thinke verily , shame woulde driue them to followe and practise some of them at the leaste .

Doe you think that your Countreymen wil doe more for feare of Shame , than for feare of Sinne ? truly you Note this well . do commende your Countrymen verye well . But suppose one forbeare to play the harlot for feare of shame , and an other This is worthy the noting . refraines the same for feare of Sinne , or for displeasing of God : Doe you thinke that shame can do the one as much harme in thys worlde , as Sin can do the other in the world to come ? I thinke not , for Shame can make but one to be mocked , disdayned , gazed , and pointed at , and perhaps to be whipte a little , emprisoned , set on the Pillorie , or ryde in a Carte , the memorie whereof lasteth but a whyle , who after comming to wealth , shall haue as many courtesies , as they that neuer did the like : wheras Sinne is so horrible in the sight of God , that eternall damnation in Hell fire for euer is the rewarde thereof .

Yea , wythout repentance in Christ , amendment of life , and the mercy of God .

I must néedes grant that , blessed be his holy name therfore . Wel , séeing there is no remedie , I meane to go homeward againe : for no place that I haue trauelled in , doth excell it for true preaching , plentie and peace .

And I tell you , they are thrée such dishes , as they that will not be thankful for them , are worthy to fare worse . I thinke few people haue more and do deserue lesse .

In déede as you saye , vnlesse proud apparell , haughtie hearts , daintie dinners , surffetting suppers , detestable drunkennesse , solemne swearing , and other vitious liuing deserues it .

Nay , that is the nexte waye to lose these greate blessings of God : whyche they are not able to get agayne , with all the cunning they haue .

They are worthy blessings indéede , if they could sée it .

If one of them were taken away , they would sée Consider this it : if two of them wer taken away , they would féele it : but if al thrée wer taken away , they would lament it : I can tel them that .

The Lord forbid it : I hope in God neuer to sée that day .

As good , vertuous , and honeste Countreys as yours , haue at one time wanted some one of them : they may thinke themselues blessed , that haue thrée such treasures al at once .

Then what will you say to them , that lacke them all at once ?

They were most vnhappy of al other I thinke : but your Countreymen were neuer in that case .

Yes truly , and that of late dayes .

I think then they can neuer forget the goodnesse Marke this well . of God : that hath sente them wealth for want , plentie for penurie , light for darkenesse , quietnesse for trouble , peace for warres , and solace for sorowes .

Such is the nature of witlesse ( not of witty ) men : your going home wil be dangerous , and your getting home as doubtfull .

That God that guided me hither , will , I trust , leade & protect me thither : but Sir before I go , I beséech you thinke not much , to let me vnderstand your name , and the name of your Countrey .

I will not greatly sticke with you for that . I am called OMEN , and my Country is called Mauqsun , therfore A hard place to dwell in . the place is not méete for you to be in , vnlesse you can lyue foodelesse , ( I had almost sayd faultlesse . )

Well sir , I will now take my leaue of you , fare yée well .

Staye a little I pray you , haue you a desire indéede , to know the state of our Countrey ?

A maruellous desire , if I knew how .

I like you wel , and now for the good wil I bear you , I wil make a relation to you therof , especially as much as I can remember , or as you will aske .

I thanke you most heartily therefore , and if you stood in néed of me as you do not , and I as able to pleasure you as I am not , you should find as much willingnesse in me , as I perceyue readinesse in you .

Your curteous speach doeth muche please me , therfore aske what you will , and I will aunswere according to your demaunde .

I néede not aske you the cause of the good estate of your Country , for by your former talke , it séems you haue a worthy gouernour , obedient Subiects , and also good lawes wel and throughly executed .

You saye true in the thrée firste blessings you spake of , you maye perhaps compare wyth vs , but in these laste thrée we may compare wyth you .

You would not gain so much that way as you thinke , if our subiectes were to our soueraigne : for truly we haue moe orders than be well obserued , we haue verye good lawes , though euil kept , and not throughly executed : therfore our lawes ( as Anacharsis sayeth ) are like to a Spyders Lawes compared to a Spyders webbe . web , which the Humble Bée doeth break and rush through at pleasure , but the little weake and small flyes are catchte therein .

I knowe what you meane thereby : surely laws True sayings . were as good vnmade as vnkept . To what purpose serueth a Mill , if it be vnoccupyed and grinde no corne ? to what end is a rod , if the childe be not beaten therewyth when it doeth offend ?

To no purpose at al : and also if lawes bée euil , then why are they made ? if they be good , why are they not kept . But sir I pray you , do your Bishops , Preachers , and Ministers lyue godly .

Yea suche Bishops , Preachers , and Ministers , as we haue , you haue not commonly hearde of the lyke .

Then I truste they liue accordyng to their preaching , teaching , and vocation .

You néede not doubt that , for they are altogither Marke this well . of this opinion , that ther is no greater reproch to Bishops , Prechers , and Ministers , than to praise that way , that they refuse to walke in themselues . Therfore oure Bishops liue so godly , our Preachers besides so vprightly , and our Ministers so modestly , that they doe tenne times more good with their vertuous liuing , than with their godly preaching and teaching .

I fear it is Too good to be true , which if it be , I woulde to God it were so with vs : for to tel you truth , I feare there are manye wyth vs that doe a greate deale more harme , wyth their naughtie liuing , than they do good with The more pitie . their preaching and teaching .

I remember you said euen now , that you feared my wordes were Too good to be true : but I beléeue verily that these your words are Too euill to be false : For surelye I think that some of that worthy function , liues as reprochfully , as they that are not of suche a calling .

I would it were false : notwithstanding there are diuerse of them throughe Gods goodnesse lyue so godlye and vertuously , that the cruellest enimies they haue , are not able to reproue them .

It is an euil corne fielde , that beares nothyng but Thistles : and it is an euil garden that brings forth nothyng but wéedes . But truely as you say , the euil liuing of the Preachers , doth muche harme .

I affirme your saying , for the people are more apt to followe euil déedes than good wordes .

Yea , and more apte to followe euil words than apt to euil euery way . good déedes .

If they be so giuen to follow both euil words and euil déedes , ( howsoeuer they are tyed or lyncked ) then what saye you to that Preacher or Minister , that sayth euill and doth euil moste commonly , vnlesse it be in the Pulpit or Churche ?

In my indgemente , the one is more méete to a good iudge ment . preache on the Pillorie , than in the Pulpit : and the other is more méete to be whipt out of the Churche , than to minister in the Church .

I maruel how suche dare presume to enter into that place ?

And I maruel why suche are chosen , and put into a good aunsweare . that place ?

Alas , they counterfaite themselues , vntyll Rightly said . they get in .

And when they vncounterfeite themselues againe , why are they not thrust out ?

I haue knowne diuers such in my Countrey , displast by godly Bishops .

And haue not some of them bin plast againe in a great liuing , in another place , soone after ?

Yes that they were , but how , and by what meanes I know not .

Then I beléeue I know . For bribes , rewards , Too true . friends , and letters , helpes many a one into that holye and sacred function : that are méeter to be Swineheardes , than spirituall Shéepeheards .

The more pitie , I woulde it were not so . I maruell that you haue none such with you .

If we did as you , we should haue as you haue . We haue neyther Bishop , Pastor nor Minister , but is long and throughly tryed before , to be of such lerning and godlynesse , and of such qualities and conuersation , as is méete for a Bishop , pastor , or Minister , according to the description of Saint Paule to Timothie .

Then I thinke none is admitted into that function with you , that intrude themselues into it by giftes or Simonie .

No I assure you , for if one should séeme to offer himselfe , or procure by any wayes or meanes to come into a good order that worthy charge : he shold not only euer after be estéemed to be ambitious and couetous , ( thinking he would haue it rather for preheminence than for preaching ) but also shall lose halfe the liuing he hath , and be euer after euil thought of , vntill he did encrease in vertuous liuing , that his repentance therefore might manifestly appeare . For we are out of doubt , that he that is an earnest crauer and suter for a spirituall liuing cares more for the sléese than the flocke .

This was and is a common practise among the Romanistes .

I praye God it be not vsed among the Protestants .

Take héede your some be not a great sort , therfore it is too manifest , that such séeke the liuing , not the office .

I thinke if there were now as small liuing Marke . ioyned to the said offices , as was in the Apostles time , ther woulde be as few crauers of them , as now there be many : And then we shoulde be driuen to choose fit men for the ministerie , as they of the ministerie choose nowe fit liuings for themselues .

Whatsoeuer they doe with you , they cannot choose them so with vs : Christ chose the Apostles , they choosed not him , nor sued to him for office . Steuen and the rest were chosen to be Deacons , by the elders , for their vertuous liuing and good conuersation : but they did not sue for it , nor made friends therfore . But Simon Magus , one of another religion ( that loued gayne more than godlynesse ) would haue come by the holy Ghost at the Apostles hands for mony , as many get spiritual liuings now-adayes , wherevpon it may rightly be called Simony . Therfore , if the Apostles & Deacons , came more truly to their offices ( being chosen & called to it orderly , than Simon Magus ) which procured or called himselfe , euen so they that are orderly called & chosen nowadayes , for their abilitie & godly conuersation , to this worthy ministerie , may be thought to be the true bishops & Pastors : and they that come in by money , or by anye other vnlawful meanes , may rightly be called Simon Magus Disciples : for as Simon Magus thought to haue solde bycause he ment to buy , so the buying Pastors and Ministers now , bycause they haue bought , they meane not to giue .

Some haue Spirituall liuings giuen them fréely , yet vse them as euill as the rest , and are rather fléesers , than féeders of their flocke .

Then the fault was in the giuer , before he had iuste tryall of them : but the Bishoppe in more faulte , for admitting them , before he had true knowledge of their lerning , maners , and conuersation . But if the patron that doth present , the Bishop that doth admitte , and the Parson that is presented and admitted , did déeply consider , what a deare They would not doe so if they consider this well . price Christ hathe payde for our Soules , what endlesse tormentes euery lost Soule shall suffer , the continuall entertainement that suche Bishops and Patrons shall haue in Hell at the Diuels handes , for presenting , admitting , and suffering such blinde bussardes , or carelesse pastors , and the continuall chéere , besides the howling , gnawing and gnashing of téeth prepared in Hell for euery such Parson , Pastor , or Minister , the Patron then I thinke woulde not present so quickly , the Bishop would not admit so vnaduisedly , nor the Parson or Uicar would not so rashly enter into such a dangerous office , for all the earth , nor the whole treasure thereof .

And haue they this consideration with you ?

Yea I warrant you , for as I tolde you before , none are chosen into the ministerie , but they are well tryed and approued , to be godly , well learned , of a pure & honest conuersation and vertuous liuing : and euery such Minister doeth consider , that the bloude of euerye soule within hys a good consideration of the Ministers of Mauqsun . charge , that shall perishe throughe his defaulte , that is , for lacke of good teaching , or through want of reprouing , or by his euill example of liuing , shall be required at his handes . And euery Parson or Uicar with vs doe likewise consider , a good consideration of the Parsons of Mauqsun . that he shall aunswere for euery Soule so perished , through the negligence of the minister by hym so permitted in hys cure . And all the Bishoppes with vs are so holye , godly , and vertuous , that they weigh and consider , that they shall answere A good consideration of the Bishops of Mauqsun . for euery soule that is perished within their Bishoprike , throughe the defaulte of anye Parson , Uicar , or Pastor there by them admitted .

O most happy countrey , that hath such blessed Bishoppes , O most blessed people , that haue such precious Pastors : if all Bishoppes , Pastors , and Ministers had Note this . such a consideration as they haue , there would not be such gaping , snatching , procuring , wayting , suing , flattering , crowching , writing , riding , poasting , giuing , rewarding , and promising , for spirituall liuings , as now is . Nay they woulde rather flye from them , than thus to follow them . O méere madnesse to desire our destruction , to pay for oure He is a noddy indeede that will pay such a fine for a Farme . paine , and to séeke our owne sorrow . If one might haue a Farme , for the space of one and twenty yeres , without paying of any rent all that while , vpon condition that he should be hanged at the ende of the sayde yeares : might not he be counted a very noddy , that woulde pay suche a fine for a This is deep ly to be considered of many that sue for Spiritual liuings . Farme ? truly then he might rightly be thought to be starke staring madde , and cleane out of his wittes , that will sue paynefully , and labour earnestly to haue a benefice , to lyue ydlely and loytringly all his life , to pay the fine of damnation for euer therefore after his death , in Hell fire , where there is payne without pleasure , sorrow without succour , mourning without measure , and miserie without mercie .

Cal you these fines , they are proper fines indéed , they may more properly be called fines , than the fines now daily giuen for Farmes : for they make a final end of al. A man were better to pay a good round fine at his comming in , than Note . to pay suche a fine at his going out : this is the common fine that all Idolaters , vsurers , whoremongers , harlots , bauds , swearers , drunkards , théeues , and such like wicked persons , shall paye to the Diuell after their death , for occupying of their trade : he is not so hastie in taking his fines , as manye Landlords are now adayes . What can a man desire more , than to occupy a thing fréely during his life ? the ●surers dare not for their eares lend their mony to interest vpon so long a day : for , if they should , the borrowers would not be so bare , nor the lenders so rich . Wel , though the Diuel suffer so long , yet he will pintch them home in their payments at length .

A dolefull thing to consider these fines , a lamentable This is to be well marked . thing to remember these fines . but a most horrible thing to pay these fines . There is an ende of earthlye payments , fines , and vsuries , but the fines and vsuries to the Diuell , shall euer be a paying , and neuer payde .

A common saying , A day will come shall paye for al : but when this day comes , it wil pay home for al : therefore Marke this well . séeing the great goodnesse of God can not moue vs , the wonderful friendship of Christe cannot procure vs , nor the straunge examples of our warning , can allure vs : yet mée thinkes euerlasting damnation with the féendes in hell fire should feare vs .

I doubte there are some , whyche eyther thinke there is no Hell at all , or else that God is so mercifull , that hée wyll suffer none ( bée they neuer so Wicked ) to come there .

If anye suche bée , they haue eyther exercysed themselues very little in the Scriptures , or else they gyue They that beleeue Christ muste beleeue there is a Hell . very small credite to it . If they will credite Christe , ( who is well worthye to be beléeued ) then they cannot be doubtfull , but that there is a Hell : for he sayeth , Whosoeuer sayth thou foole , shall be in daunger of Hell fire : and he sayeth againe : It is better for thee , that one of thy members perishe , than all thy body shoulde be caste into Hell : What néede I recite the wordes of the Prophets or Apostles , that in diuers places name Hell ? If any be so incredulous , that they will not beléeue Christe , they will hardelye beléeue eyther Prophet , Apostle , or any other . But I will promise them one thing , whosoeuer wyl not beléeue Christe nowe , they shall beléeue him agaynste theyr wylles at the laste daye , at whych tyme he wil saye , Goe yee wicked into euerlasting fyre , prepared for you from the begynnyng . And then with al the mighte and power they haue , let them proue hym a Marke . lyar , or wythstande him if they can . No , no , hée wil be too hard for them there : for , though the Iewes ouermatcht hym here with hys wyl : he wil ouermatch them & al his enimies there against their wils . As there is a God that will protect and defend the godly : so there is a Diuel ( yea a maister Diuel ) besides manye thousandes of other Diuels that will torment and punish the wicked . And as there is a heauen where the godly and faithful beléeuers shall haue euerlasting a pleasant discourse where the diuel should be if there were no Hel. ioy and pleasure : so there is a Hell , where the wicked and infidels shall haue endlesse sorrowe and paines : or else , if there were no Hell , where shoulde the dyuel , with al his vnder diuels kéepe hys residence ? not in Heauen I am sure , for God did thruste hym out from thence for his pride , but not to come thither again . And though heauen be great and large , yet it cannot hold them both : and to say truth , the Diuel is suche an enimie to God , that he wil not haue such an euil neighbor so nigh him .