A DIALOGUE OR FAMILIAR talk between two neighbours, concerning the chiefest ceremonies, that were, by the mighty power of Gods most holy pure word, suppressed in England, and now for our unworthiness, set up again by the Bishops, the imps of Antichrist: right learned, profitable, and pleasant to be read, for the comfort of weak consciences in these troublous days. Read first, and then judge. From Roan, by Michael Wood, the twenty of February. Anno. Domi. M. D.L.IIII. A TALK BETWEEN OLYuer a professor of the Gospel, and Nicholas nuzzled in the blind superstitions. NIcholas. Good morrow gossyb. Oliver. God give you good morrow good Nicholas. whither away so soon this morning? Nicho. To church man, heardest thou not the bell ring to mass? Oliver. Ye were not wont to be so hasty a mornings to churchwardes. Nicho. No, for when we came there, there was nothing to do but to hear a priest babble. But now I thank God, I may see my maker again. Oliu. Your maker Nicholas? who is that? Nicho. The great apple maker of holdernes. Oliu. Apple maker? ye mean God, do you not? Nicholas. Yes mary do I. Olyu: Then I perceive, that so long as God's commandments were read in the Churches, ye counted it babbling, neither delighted ye in hearing them, but now ye have somewhat to gaze at, that pleaseth ye. But Nicholas I have heard it said, that no man ever saw God with his mortal eye. Ex. xxxiii. john. i. Nicho. Yea, these heretics tell us so, but I trust to see a good many of them fry a faggot for this gear, yet long. Oliu. Are ye there now Nicholas? I had went ye had loved and favoured the word of God, set out by our late most gracious, virtuous, & innocent king. Nicho. So I did, as long as he lived, but now that he is dead, I will do as most men do, & so shall fewest men wonder at me. Oli. In veri deed it is a politic worldli saying, but Nicholas, thinkest thou that god is dead? Nic. Nay by my faith. Oliu. what and God wonder at thee, to see the so unconstant, and unsteadfast, wavering as the wind, as a weathereocke doth, that standeth upon the steeple? Nich. There are no weathercockes then one. Oliver. Yea Nicholas that I think, and more than stand upon steeples also: but we should not do as the most do, but as the best doth. Nich. So do I, for I do as the richest in all the country doth, and as all the greatest learned men do, in all the country. Oliu. Richeses are a good gift of God, but when they prevail, and to much addict a man's heart unto them, they make the same scant a good man. Neither are the greatest clerk the wisest men alway, nor yet the best. But they be the best, that prefer gods honour before all things, and that constantly abide in the truth thereof, how soever the rytchest men, & greatest clerks turn themselves from it. And this I marvel with what faces men can look to be accounted Christians, that deal so unfaithfully with Christ. For either they took it for the truth, that was set out amongst us, or for an untruth. If they took it for a truth, why do they now untruly go from it, as though there were no truth in it? If they knew it to be no truth, but false doctrine, why did they not as Christian men, defend that doctrine, which they knew to be a truth? Nich. They durst not for fear. Oliu. woe worth that fear, that putteth away the fear of God, notwithstanding there was no such cause of fear. For all the reign of that most gracious king, their reigned mercy & pity, long sufferance, and patiented abiding for amends, even of them, that when they were confuted, so that neither their wit, nor learning was able to withstand the truth: yet maliciously they would not consent nor agree unto it, but outwardly afore men, to flatter those that were in authority, they bore themselves as great forwarders of the kings procedings, as could be▪ and what they were inwardly, now appeareth unto all men. Nicho. They were worldly wise men. Oliu. Ye say truth. worldly wise in deed: but such wisdom is great folly before God, and unto such wise men (as Christ saith) are the secrets of god hidden, so that they neither have faith in god, nor in his son jesus Christ, they neither have the fear of his judgements, nor love of his mercy: For these things are given unto babes, to the outcasts of this world, that are counted fools & outcasts, as their master Christ was. These do not seek to flatter kings and princes, but they seek to please God, and to set forth his truth, with the los (if God so lay the burden upon them) of goods, friends, name, & even their life. which of these trow ye, are most worthy to be followed? Nicho. I can not tell I. we did well enough afore, and better than we have done since, for we had never good world, since this gear began. But our sir john telleth us another lesson. Oli. what I say thee? Nich. Marry that he maketh God every day, at his mass. Olive. Can sir john make thy maker? Nicho. Yea that he doth every day. Olive. And doth he show him unto thee? Nicho. Yea, he is as fair a lifter, as any is within Hamshire. Oliu. And what doth he with him afterward? Nich. what man? eat him, or hang him in the Pix. Oliu. Than he maketh him, and eateth him. Nicho. what else. Olive. what hangeth in the Pix? Nich. God's body sacred. Olive. Thou saidest sir john did eat gods body. Nicho. Yea, so I said. Olive. How can he eat him, & hang him up to? Nich. I can not reason such high matters. I believe as our sir john telleth us. Oliver. who made god's body sacred? Nich. Marry sit john. Olive. And who made sir john? Nich. God made him. Olive. Then he is even with god, and maketh him again. Nich. we trow so, for sir John is a priest anointed. Oliu. who made him a priest anointed? Nich. The Bishop. Olive. wherewith anointed he him? Nich. with oil in the Chrismatorye. Olive. who made the bishop. Nich. The Pope, Olive. Then the Pope made the Bishop, the Bishop greased sir john. & sir john made God. Nich By our blessed Lady Oliver, ye are as bad as the best, and I am sorry to see you fall to this new learning. Olive. In good faith Nicholas I am sorry to see you and many a thousand more, thus to fall again from god's word, to your old superstitious errors and idolatries, Nic. we believe as our forefathers did. Oliu. what call ye forefathers? Nich. Marry my father, my grandsire, and my great grandsire. Oliu. Is thy father alive? Nich. Yea, but he is at the last cast. Olive. How long is it, since thy grandsire died? Nich. He died .xx, year since, when I was twelve year old. Oli. How thinkest thou, was not saint Peter and saint Paul forefathers? Nich. Yes mary. Olive. was not Christ a forefather? Nich. yes blessed mot he be. Oliu. Nicholas, ye bless Christ, but you call his word, new learning, heresy and babbling. Nich. Nay that I do not. Oliver. Did not you call the holy reading of the Bible so even now? Nich. why? our sir john telleth us it was made by king Harry th'eight. Oli. No good Nicholas no. That gracious king set it out, and commanded that the people should read it. without any letting. But the Bible is god's book, and all that is in it, is god's truth. Therefore the old fathers, that we should follow, are Christ's prophets, and Apostles, and Christ himself, and not our old grandsires & grandames. For God giveth an express commandment, zacha. i. saying: Be not like your forefathers, unto whom the prophets cried before time, saying: Thus saith the lord god of hosts. Turn from your evil ways, and from your wicked imaginations, & they heard not, nor took heed unto me, saith the Lord. Nich. Our forefathers were good men. Oliver. But yet Christ was better. Nich. They were wise men. Oliu. Yea, but yet Christ was wiser. Nich. They were holy men. Olive. But Christ is holier. And what soever you can reckon of them, goodness, i. corin. i. wisdom, holiness. etc. Christ excelleth them in all things. For he is made of god unto us, our wisdom, righteousness, holiness, sanctification, Iho. xiiii. and redemption. Christ is the way, the truth, and the life, and no man can come to the father, but by him. He that heareth. Christ's words, hath life everlasting. But Nicholas, tell me, can sir john make an ox, or an horse? Nicho. Nay by mi truth. I trow not. Oli. How can he then make gods body. Nich. It is no matter how, we must believe so, for he saith so. Olyu. Nay Nicholas, we must not believe all that sir john saith, but we must believe all that he saith, and hath god's word to confirm his saying. And this is an intolerable pride of the papists, to teach the people, that they make gods body. Truth it is, Eph. iiii. that Christ ascending into heaven, gave gifts unto men, and appointed church ministers, but far other than greased shavelings: for he appointed Apostles, prophets, Evangelists, shepherds and teachers. Phili. i. And saint Paul calleth the ministers of the church, by the names of Bishops and Deacons. i Tim. iii. The office of these ministers appointed by Christ, and S. Paul, Luk. xiiii is to preach gods word, to call all men to repentance and amendment of life: john. xxi i. Tim. iiii & to declare to them that repent, the good news of the gospel. Nich. Yea, the priests were wont to come to our houses, & to say us gospels, & make us holy water, & holy bread: and so I trust they will again now. Olive. I pray the hear me a little. The gospel is a glad tidings that god the father, Luke. two. for his son jesus Christ's sake, two. cori. v. is contented, and reconciled, and receiveth man again to his favour and grace, Gala. iiii. and will for his son jesus Christ's love, take us (by adoption) to be his children, Ephesi. i. give us his holy ghost, & make us inheritors of eternal life. joh. xvii. And to confirm this promise, our Saviour jesus Christ hath ordained ii holy sacraments: Titus. iii. Baptism, wherein we are certified, that all our sins are washed away, in the death of Christ: i. corin. xi And the holy supper of the lord, that when we come together we should take the bread, Mat, xxvi break it. Mar. xiiii & eat it, in remembrance that Christ's body was (upon the good Fridai) offered up, upon the cross, for our sins, Luk. xxii, and we should all drink of the cup, in remembrance that Christ's blood was shed for our sins. Therefore this is the priests office, to preach the death of jesus Christ, and to teach the people to know, that none other thing could deliver them from their sins, and therefore they ought both to consider the heinous ugliness of sin, and the great wrath of god over it, which otherwise would not be reconciled, nor atone with man. Rom. viii Then on the other part, to declare the great mercy, love & charity of god towards us, that spared not his own beloved son, but gave him to the death of the cross for us. Thus should they be moved to repent the evil done, to believe and love the charity of God, & to walk in love, & good friendship, one to an other: ever studying to live an obedient life, after the heavenly father's will and commandments. Nich. Doth not the priest make God's body? Do we not eat gods body? Oliu. First answer me (if thou can) to a question or two. Nicho. I will if I can. Olive. Canst thou say thy Creed in English? Nicho. Meanest thou the new Creed, or the old Crede? Oliver. There is but one Creed. Nicho. I can say that my mother taught me, Credum deum. I was harping at the new a good while, but now I care not for it. Olive. I see it was not for nought that christ said to his Apostles: blessed are the eyes that see that you see, Luke. x. For even as then many were blind, and would not see the light of his word, john. ix. even so is it now, well, I will help you out with your question. Do you not believe, that the son of God came down from heaven, & was borne for us of the virgin Mary, taking our man's nature of her substance? Nicho. Yes that I do. Oliver. And that he was crucified for our sins, dead and buried, and rose again upon Easter-Day? Nicho. Yes verily. Oliu. And that he ascended into heaven▪ and sitteth on the right hand of God the father almighty? Nicho. Ye marry ye Olyu And from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead? Nich. Ye marry. Olyu. Do you believe this in very deed? Nicho. Ye by my troth? Oliver. Then Christ's body was made in the womb of the virgin, not by sir john, but as our Creed saith, he was conceived of the holy ghost, Luke. i. & borne of the virgin mari. Other making of Christ's body, there is none, nor never was, nor never shallbe. Thus our lord & saviour lived in this world, August in joa. tract. Item in pref. pin. xcviii. & taught us the wai of god's truth, even the doctrine that is set out in the holy Bible, whereof the chief and principal article is, how we are redeemed from our sins, and received into the favour and grace of God, by that holy ransom of Christ's body broken upon the cross, & his precious blood that was on the cross shed for us. The holy bread given at the lords supper, is the sacrament of Christ's body that was broken on the cross, and the blessed cup that we drink, is the sacrament of that blessed blood shed for our sins. And when we receive them, as our body feedeth up on the outward things we see, so our souls are fed with the inward things we see not. For the very flesh of Christ is not eaten with our bodily teeth, nor his blood drunk with our bodily mouths or throats: but it is a sacramental eating, done by the soul & mind, not by the body or carnal instruments of the body. Nicho. How can we eat, but with our tethe, or how can we drink but with our throats? Oliu. You shall the better understand this mystery, if you mark Christ's deed, when his holy sacrament was first instituted. Christ himself sat at the table with his xii Apostles, and taking the bread, that stood before them, even such bread, as they then usually had to eat with the paschal lamb, and gave thanks to his heavenly father, and broke that bread, and gave it to them saying: Take, eat ye, this is mi body which is broken for you. They did take the bread, and did eat as he commanded them, and they did drink the cup that he delivered them saying: this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for you. Yet, it was the next day, ere his body was broken, and his blood shed upon the cross for us, and he sat whole amongst them at supper, and himself did eat of that same bread, which he called his body, and did himself drink of that cup which he called his blood, therefore by faith they did receive and eat his body & drink his blood. They believed that his death and passion should be for them, and into remission for their sins: as we now, that Christ is ascended into heaven, by faith do eat his body broken, and drink his blood shed, although that he liveth & sitteth on the right hand of his father. But Christ's veri natural body is not toren with our teeth, as the Capernites error thinketh, nor yet his blood dornk with our throats & mouths. But Nicholas, have you not a soul as well as a body? Nicho. Yes that I have. Olive. what manner of thing is your soul? Nicho. By mi troth I can not tell. Olyu. I think Nicholas no more can the greatest doctor of them al. And therefore because the soul is unknown unto us, the scripture speaking of the soul & those things that appertain unto it, useth such words as we are acquainted with, & ascribeth those things unto the soul that are proper unto the body. So David said: My soul O Lord thirsteth unto the. And Christ saith: Blessed are those that hunger and thirst for righteousness. The hearty desire of the soul, is the hunger and thirst of the soul: as the hearty desire of meat and drink is the hunger & thirst of the body. Therefore when a sinner feeleth the burden of sin upon his conscience, and the lack of strength and power, to do the will of God, and is touched with god's spirit, to be sorry for this unperfectness, and longeth fain to be delivered, this is the hunger of the soul. This hunger is not satisfied till he hear the preaching of Christ's body broken for our sins, & that by his bloodshed, our sins are forgiven us, our infirmities healed, & we received into the grace and favour of God. But when we believe this, then is our hunger slaked, and our thirst put away, that is: we fear no more damnation, but know that in Christ we have our pardon. Thus we eat Christ, believing that his body was broken for us, and that his blood was shed for our sins. Nich. wherefore eat we the Sacrament then? we may do this by hearing the preaching. Oliu. I am glad that thou askest me this question: for it seemeth thou wouldst feign understand something of this matter. As to writings men set to seals, for a confirmation of the same writings, so Christ set to his word, his Sacraments, for a confirmation of our faith, in his word. And to put us the better in memory of the gift given unto us by his word, he called the same Sacraments, by the name of the gift given unto us in them. So circumcision is called the lords league, the pascal lamb is called the Lords passing thorough Egypt, Baptism is called the new birth, and the bread and wine is called the body and blood of the Lord. Therefore Nicholas mark well this. In the Lords Sacraments there are ii things, an earthli thing, and an heavenly. In Baptism, the earthli thing is water, that washeth the body: the heavenly thing is the blood of Christ, that washeth the soul, and the holy ghost renewing the hole man, and sanctifying him in jesus Christ. In the holy supper of the Lord, the earthli thing is bread and wine, that we receive at our mouths into our bodies, which are digested in our stomaches, and by the natural powers converted & changed into our substance, and the excrements of them naturally cast forth from us, as other meats be: but the heavenly things, at the blessed body of our lord & saviour jesus Christ, broken for us, & his blood shed for us, upon the cross, which we receive by faith, with all the blessed fruits and profits, that Christ by his death, resurrection, ascension, intercession and priesthood, hath obtained for us. This sweetly and comfortably we meditate in our minds, by the working of the holy ghost, it is distribute into all our actions & deeds, and we are wholi received into Christ, to be one body with him, as S. Paul saith. Heb. two. He that sanctifieth, and they which are sanctified are all of one. And again S. Paul saith. The cup of thanksgiving which we bliss. is partaking of the blood of Christ: and the bread which we broke, is partaking of the body of Christ. For we (though we be many) yet are one bread, & one body, in as much as we all are partakers of one bread. Nicho. These are good words, but our sir john will deny all this, and we must do as our curate teacheth us. Oliu. what teacheth he you? Nic. That he offereth up Christ in his Mass, for our friends souls. Oliu. Yea but take away moni that ye like fools give him, and he will sing another song. In very deed, Christ was offered for our sins, Heb. ix. x but that was once for all, and then he offered himself upon the cross as our Crede saith, & after he had so (by that offering) satisfied unto God, neither needed he any more to sacrifice, nor we any more sacrifices, for us. For by one oblation once offered, he hath made perfect unto God, all that are sanctified. Sir john therefore is a false Antichrist, and a disceiteful juggler in this point, & teacheth his own dream, and not gods word. And (I pray you) what word of God hath sir john, to hang up the Sacrament in the pyx? Nicho. Marry sir it is a goodly sight in the church. Oliver. But Nicholas, our creed saith, Mat. xvi. Lu. xxiiii Acts. i. that Christ ascended in to heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the father almighty. And S. Peter saith: The heavens must receive him, until the time that all thing be restored. And the angels said, he should come from heaven as he ascended visibly, & shallbe seen. Sir John therefore doth great wrong to hang up bread in the Pixe, and to make the people believe, that it is Christ's body or Christ's Sacrament either. Nich. why, is it not the holy Sacrament? Oliu. water in the fount, is no Sacrament, but when it is put to the use that Christ appointed it, than it is a Sacrament. So bread & wine are no Sacraments, until they be put to the use that Christ appointed, that is, to be eaten in remembrance of his body broken, and of his blood shed: then are they Sacraments, and the worthy receiver hath the promises of Christ, but the unworthy, receiveth his condemnation. But when the bread is made a gaze, a pageant of a plai, borne about for a pomp, & hanged up to be worshipped, it is an horrible abuse of Christ's Sacrament. For Christ never appointed any such worshipping of his sacraments. Nicho. why, may we not worship the holy sacrament? Oliu. Yes forsooth▪ we do worship it with most high honour, when we use it as Christ commanded it to be used, that is, to eat the bread, and to drink the cup, in Christ's remembrance. Nich. Nai, sir john teacheth us to sai a pater noster to the sacrament, to find a light afore it & such like. Oli. Sir john hath that out of his own brain▪ and unlearned noll. Christ nor his Apostles, nor any of the ancient doctors, never taught any such doctrine: But I pray you, what can sir john do more? Nicho. Many goodly things. Olive. what I pray thee? Nich. He can make holy water, holy bread, holy palm, holy ashes, & holy candles. Oliu. wherefore is holy water good? Nic. To drive a war devils & troublous dreams, & to wash away venial sins. Oli. what callest thou venial sins? Nich. Light sins▪ as swearing of custom, by god's body, sides, wounds &c. telling of ribaldry tales, drinking drunken, and kissing of pretty wenches. Oli. These be horrible sins in the sight of God, Ephes. v. and S. Paul saith, for such things sake, the wrath of God cometh upon the children of unbelief. what callest thou deadli sin? Nich. Losing of Mass, Matins, & Evensong, breaking of imber days vigils and lenten. Oliu. Ah Lord, how you worship God in vain, Math. xv Esa. xxix being afraid to break men's traditions. would to God men were but half so ready to keep God's commandments. But what remedy for those deadly sins? Nicho. we must be shriven to sit john, & he shall give us penance. Oliu. what is penance? Nic. That our ghostly father enjoineth us: as to sai. three pater nosters, in the worship of God and saint julian, to fast saint Anthony's fast, or to say every day our Lady's psalter. Olive. And are thy sins then forgiven thee, when thou hast done thy penance? Nich. why not? when I have made amends for them. Can God have any more than amends? Oli. Ye are deceived Nicholas every wai. For first ye think that sin, which in some cast is done, and that, which ever is horrible and great sin afore god, ye count it light, and small. or no sin. Again, ye think your sins to be put away, for your own penance doing, and for the worthiness of your own works, which is to to great a blasphemy. Nichol. why should I not believe, that I am absolved, when Sir john layeth his hand upon me? Oliver. what saith he, when he absolveth thee? Nicho. Many good words, I warrant you. Oliu. I trow so, but what I pray thee? Nicho. By my troth I can not tell, but believe well and have well. Oliu. But how canst thou believe that thou understandest not? Nich. I believe if I be shriven. them he beareth all the charge, & not I. Olyu. So mayest thou be easily deceived. But Nicholas, joel. i. Eze. xviii true penance or repentance, is a turning with the heart unto God, hating and detesting of the sin afore passed, two. Cor. v. Ephe. iiii trusting to have forgiveness by jesus Christ, and fully studying to live a new life, in time to come. This should sir john preach to us in English, that our hearts may be bruised unto repentance, by the law, condemning us, and quickened again by the gracious promise of the gospel. I say it should be done in English, that we may hear it, and understand it, believe it, and so be absolved from our sins. For they that repent and believe, are absolved by Christ, but such as do not, sir john may absolve them at his pleasure, but Christ absolveth them not. Therefore a latin absolution, to an English sinner, is as good, as a shoulder of mutton for a sick horse. And thinkest thou, that thou art able to make a mends for thy sins? Nicho. why not? Oliver. wherefore died Christ then? Gala. iii. if we could make amends with our good deeds. what needed we Christ then? Needed his body to have been broken for our sins, if our deeds could have made amends? Or needed his blood to have been shed, if holy water could have washed away our sins? Christ's death were in vain, if we by our own merits, might have deserved reconciliation & pardon at the hand of God. Nicho. And shall I not do good deeds, fast and pray▪ and humble myself before God? Oliu. Yes Nicholas, if thou be heartily sorry, thou shalt weep and lament thy wickedness, fast & and tame thy sinful carcase, pray and instantly ask mercy of God thy father. But yet all these cannot make amends to God, for thy wickedness committed, for than needed thou not Christ's death, nor bloodshed to be between God & thee, but thou wilt not forsake that I trust. Nicho. No, god forbodde I should. Oliver. Then mark this well, all thy good deeds are duty for the time present, not amends for thy time past. For if thou hadst done no sin at all, art thou not bound to keep gods commandments? I trow yes. But if thou offend against gods commandments, then must thou repent, & turn to god, and ask pardon in Christ's name, and so obtain forgiveness by his death, who hath made amends for thee, and from that time forward, walk in gods commandments obediently. And if thou have hurt or harmed thy neighbour, reason would thou shouldest make him amends. Didst thou never fall out with none of thy neighbours? Nich. Yes by our lady, sometime. Oliu. And didst thou no displeasure to them in thine anger? Nicho. No by god, but as I came from the hai making, with mi pitch fork, I dabbed a Cow of his in the flank, that she died of it. Oliver. And what penance didst thou for that spiteful deed? Nich. I said .v. Pater nosters, in the worship of God and the .v. wounds, and gave a penny to a poor man. Olive. Here if thou hadst had a good ghostly father, he should have enjoined thee, Math. v. Luk. xvii. to ask thy neighbour forgiveness. and give him as much money, as he had loss, by thy cruel and naughty deed. Nich. Ask him forgiveness quoth a? I had rather his eyen had been out. Oliu. I believe thee, God will not forgive thee, till this be done, if thou may by any reasonable means come to him. But I pray thee tell me, when wast thou shriven last. Nich. In Lent, when wast thou shriven? Oliver. I am shriven every day. Nicho. Thou shriven every day? to what priest? Oliver. To the high priest God himself. Psa. xxxi Nicho. How canst thou come to god, to be shriven to him? Thou toldest me, that I cannot see him. Oliver. I do not see him by bodily eyes, but believing him to be every where present. I bow mi heart & knee to him, knowledging the great sin and misery that is in me, and beseeching his merci & forgiveness, of that which is past, & his holy defence against sin, in time to come. And if many thing I perceive my neighbour to be offended with me, if I be in the fault, I seek atonement, & make amends: but if he be in faut, I am content to forgive & pardon him. Nich. But thou dost no penance. Olyu. Yes, my hole life is a penance, namely to mortify the flesh, and to strive against sin, and to forsake mine own will, obedyentlye to labour, to do the will of God. But what was thy penance Nicholas, when thou wast last shriven? Nicho. By god sore penance. Oli. what a good fellowship. Nic. I may not bewrai confession. Oliu. Tell me, I warrant thee, it shall never come out for me. Nich. May I trust the. Oliu. On my honesty. Nicho. Sir john enjoined me to fast all the fridays in Lent, and the .v. Lady eyens, bread and water. Oli. That was sore penance for thee, that lovest good ale so well. Nich. further, that I should seek (barefete & woolward) our Lady of walsingham, and our Ladi of Pity of Dankaster. Oliu. How canst thou seek them? they were destroyed by king Henry the eight, a king of most godly memory, and destroyer of such manifest idolatries. Nicho. That is truth, but sir john would have me to be a begin? again, of those holy pilgrimages. For he doubteth not, but within a while, we shall have them again, or else other as holy as ever they were. Oliu. what had dost thou done that he gave thee so sore penance? Nicho. Horrible sins, I cry God mercy. Oliver. what. Nichol. It chanced to be holy day upon a Thursday, and upon Friday morning, or I went to the plough, I was very hungry, and forgetting what day it was, I thought it had been Monday, and so I eat a piece of a shoulder of mutton unwares. But god knoweth I was full sorry for it. Olive. O grievous sin? Nich. Another time, it chanced the chalice to be left at mi house, and one of the feet of it, hang out at a little hole, and so I chanced to touch it with my bare hands. Oliu. That was not so great offence. Nicho. No was? Out sir john would sing no more with it, till it was new hallowed. And he scraped mi fingers till the blood followed. Oliver Is not a man better than a sheep. Nic. Yes that he is. Olive. Then whether is holier, thy skin on thy hands, that God created, or the gloves that the Glover hath tanned, and made of a sheeps skin? Nich. I trow the skin of my hands is holier. Oly. why mayest thou then touch the chalice and the clout that covereth it, with thy gloves on, but not bare handed? Nicho. I think it is, because I handle with my bare hands many foul things, as my frail, my dongfork, mi spade, & so every man the instruments of his occupation. Olive. Oh I cry ye mercy, ye are none of the clean fingered gentlemen: But Nicholas believe me, all men know not, what they have handled many times the night before they mass. But how sai you to S. Paul, Act. xviii. xx. that got his living with the labour of his own hands? and wrought with Priscilla & Aquila, sowing tents, and leather coverings for them. Might not he (trow ye) touch the chalice, because he had handled such poor instruments as belonged to that occupation? Nich. Sir john is none Apostle. Oliu. I believe that, nor yet Apostolic priest. For if he were, he would never make men to shoot at a wrong mark, with such blind superstitious doctrines: touch not, taste not, handle not: Collo. two. which all perish with the using of them, & are after the doctrines & commandments of men. Didst thou promise to do thy penance? Nic. Nay I bought it out partly. Oliver. Then I see well, sir john is a Merchant. what gavest thou for it? Nichol. Ten groats, and so he changed my pilgrimage, into ten Masses, v. of the v. wounds of our Lord iii of the purification of our Lady, one of the holy ghost, & one of Requiem, for all Christian souls. Oli. A merchant in deed, that selleth fine flower, Apo. xviii and bodies and souls of men: But who song these Masses? Nicho. Sir john promised me, to sing them himself. Oli. well, that was enough for x. groats: but how didst thou with thy fasting, would he not fast for thee also? Nich. No he might not (he said) for singing of Mass. For he must put wine in his Chalice. Oliu. The hypocrites bind heavy burdens, Mat. xxiii and lay them on men's shoulders, but they will not once move them with their fingers. Would he in no case release thee? Nicho. Yes, at the last he changed my fasting, to other good works. Oliver. what good works? Nicho. Gild of an image of S. Frances, & another of S. Leonard, & buying of an holy water far of brass, with a brazen censer. Oliu. This cost the a good deal of silver. Nich. I had rather have spent all the silver that I earned this month, then have fasted. Oliu. That knew sir john well enough. And tell me one thing I pray the. what gavest thou weekly to the collection for the poor, when it was used? Nic. I gave as neighbours gave, they may have a mess of pottage at my door, & such other, but silver hath been very scant. Oli. It is very scant, when we should do gods commandments, but we have enough, to do our own imaginations. And see the just judgements of God: you that hinched & pinched to give ii pence, or a penny a week, to the poor of your parish, which in deed are the very images of God, and Christ, now shall ye be plagued with gilding & painting of images, of tree & stone, and with a great deal of like trumpery, which are expressedly forbidden in the second commandment of god. And where as for relieving the poor & needy, you should have had gods blessing, now for painting and gild, ye shall have gods curse. Nich. But our sir john saith, images are lewd men's books. Oliu. Had he said lewd books, he had said truly. I prai ye what had men learned of images, a sore the of the scripture came amongst us? Learned we any other thing, then that the prophet Hieremye complaineth upon, to lie, & to forget God, and to run after idols, as the old idolaters did? Hereof came our famous idols, at Ipswiche, at Walsingham, at canterbury, at Hails, at Dunstable, and every where. For the jews had never more idols. more blind superstitions, more detestable whore huntinges, than we had. And all this may we thank our holy hypocrites, bishops and shorn greased priests, that set us to school, upon such blind books. Who could twenty years agone▪ say the lords prayer in English? who could tell any one article of his faith? who had once heard of any of the ten commandments? who witted what catechism ment? who understood any point of the holy baptism? As for the lords supper, no man ever knew, whither there were any such things, or no. If we were sick of the pestilence, we ran to Saint Rook, if of the Ague, to Saint Pernel, or master john Shome: if men were in prison, they prayed to saint Leonarde: if the welsh man would have a purse, he prayed to Daruel Gatherne, if a wife were weary of her husband, she offered oats at Paul's at London, to s. Vncumber. Thus have we been deluded with their images, & thus we will be deluded still. And our solemn doctors preach as savourly in the maintenance of these idolatries, as though there never had been any such things. But Nicholas, beware of such books, & such lewd sir john's, that set thee to school upon them. And hearken to gods commandments, which saith: Exod. xx. Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor any similitude of any thing, that is in heaven above, or in earth beneath, or in waters under the earth, thou shalt not bow thyself to them, nor worship them. I a sure the Nicholas, the image made by man's hand, & set forth to be kneeled, & knocked unto, to be sensed, licked, and kissed, or any otherwise worshipped, is a cursed of god, even it, & he that made it. And as the holy psalm saith: Psa. cxiii They have eyes & see not, ears & hear not, noses with out breath, or smelling, hands with out feeling, feet & go not, like them mote they be, that made them, & all that put their confidence & trust in them. Nich. Our forefathers had them in great worship. Oliu. It is full true, that is bred in the bone, will not out of the flesh. Our forefathers & grandfathers, were deluded with hypocrites, & shall we be so to? I told thee before that our forefathers that we should follow, are Christ, his prophets & apostles, not our grandsires, & great grandsires. And sure I am they worshipped none, nor gave any commandment, that we should worship them. Nic. They are goodly things & become the church well. Afore the churches looked more like old barns. Oli. Nicholas ye speak like yourself. I am sori for your old blindness, that think all things goodly, that shineth gay in your eyes. & ye nothing regard what is accepted in the sight of god. would it please ye well, if one should come into your house, & paint the walls with cow dung, or with maser scourings Nic. I should paint him with a cracked crown if I could come by him. Oli. Then as he should please you nothing, but rather cast you in to a futi, no more do these image-makers please god, but provoketh his anger. For god (in the writings of the prophets) calleth images dung, filth, abomination: & the worshippers of them, he calleth whoremongers, backeslyders, runagates, & breakers of his league & covenant. Nich. we do not worship the thing we see, but god and his saints that are represented by the images. Ol. No image can represent god, as the scripture saith plainly. And I think, the apostles, prophets, martyrs & virgins never knew any such pomp or vaniti, as the puppets in churches seateth forthwith vain gild & painting, neither require they such honours, but would we should honour the Lord our god, of whose goodness they received such mercy, to be made saints: And to honour them, is to follow their faith, in believing gods word, and their virtuous life in keeping gods commandments: and not so vainly without god's word, to paint and gild their images, to candle them, and sense them, and so commit idolatry. What and thy servant should serve thee, as he list, & not as thou apointedst him? Nicho. Then would I give him wages, as I thought he had deserved. and not as he looked for. Oli. How shall thy servant know, what thy mind is, for him to do? Nich. He must ask me, and I will tell him. Olive. So then we must ask at god's word, and learn there to know his pleasure: and according to the same we must do. But in this god's commandment is: thou shalt make none, thou shalt worship none. Now, were he a good servant, that would worship the with breaking thy commandments? Nich. Nay by my troth. Oliu. No more worshippest thou god, or his saints, but committest gross idolatry. God is a spirit, & those that will worship him, must worship him in spirit and truth. That is, we worship not god, till we do (from the bottom of the heart) acknowledge his almighty power, and goodness, & truly fear him, and truly love him, and studiously serve him, with the faithful observation of his commandments. So shall we need no visible image, to express unto us the invisible God. And as concerning worshipping of the saints, it is far other then painting or gild of images, or finding of lights before them, as I have before told the. Nicho. And me think it becometh the church well, and is a goodly sight, to see the sweet images, well painted with fair lights afore them, & a very good smell to feel the perfumes and odours, when sir john senceth. Oli. This is thy thinking, but S. Paul asked the Corinthians, how agreeth the temple of god and idols. And as for candles, they did well in churches, when the people met in the night, as the old Christians were wont to do for fear of persecution, and we do yet on Christmas day, & Easter day morning. But in fair day light, men need them not, and the images can not see them. And if perfumes were burnt to purifis the air in the church, it is tolerable: but to do it, to the saints, which are in heaven, it is needles, and to do it to the images of timber, or stone, it is stark foolish frenzy. In very deed in the old Testament, Ex. xxxvii God made a golden candlestick, with lamps burning upon it, in the temple, and he ordained perfumes and odours to be brent upon his altar: but at the coming of Christ, Heb. ix. those jewish ceremonies ceased. For when Christ (the true light) was come, and had shed forth the bright beams of his Gospel, than the light of faith nourished with the oil of good works, Mat. xxv. so shone in the church, that is, in the faithful congregation of Christ's disciples, that all the world might see their faith, meekness, patience, goodness temperancy, soberness, constant confession of Christ, charitable behaviour to all men, with all other their good works▪ & glorify their father which is in heaven. Thus the sweet perfume & odour of the knowledge of Christ, filled the hole world, & in every place, drew the people to run unto him, that is their most true lover even our lord jesus Christ. Nich. well, say what ye list, it is good to have such things in the church. Ol what callest thou the church? Nic. The church (man) where we hear our divine service. Mass, Matins & Evensong. Oli. The church is the congregation that believeth & professeth the name & doctrine of jesus Christ. & rightly & deuli administeth & useth the sacraments, as Christ ordained & commanded. And so we are the church & temple of god▪ & every one of us is a temple. Nich. Are we the temple of god? Oliver. Saint Paul saith so: two. Cor. vi. ye are the temple of the living God, as saith God. I will dwell amongst them, and walk amongst them, and will be their God, and they shallbe my people. Nic. And is not our parish church an holy place, and the temple of god? Oliu. Yes, if it be holily used. Nicho. what callest thou holily used? Oliu. when gods word is preached, and the people taught to know one ever living god, Hier. seven. Math. xx. and his son jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. But if god's word be blasphemed, and railed upon, errors, superstitions, and idolatries maintained, then will God refuse our churches, chapels, and all our assembles, and tell us, as he told them at Jerusalem, that we have made his house a den of thieves. And in the revelation of S. john, those places that refuse Christ's word and gospel, Ap. xviii. and maintain false doctrine and idolatries, are called Sodom, and Egypt, & Babylon, mother of whoredoms, & abominations, the dwelling of devils, and habitation of all foul spirits, and a cage of all unclean and hateful birds. Nicho. well Oliver well, I fear me ye will (one day) smoke for this gear. Oliver. why Nicholas, what should I dissemble with thee, that art my neighbour? but plainly to tell thee the truth. what are our parish churches now? God's word is taken away & cast a side, as a thing of nought, and our blind guides, mumble up their latin Matins, Mass & Evensong, conjuring their holy water, and salt, and giving their holy bread, but no word of god is read in the mother tongue to the people, no calling men to repentance and amendment of life, no mention is made of Christ's death nor passion, but all these things that our most godly kings, with great labour, cost and travail, and with the painful studi of the Clergy, reform in many years, all this (I say) have the popish bishops and priests cast down, in one hour. Nicho. Yea, that am I glad of. For now I may have leisure to pray, afore we could not pray for hearkening to the priest. Oliu. And didst thou hearken to the priest in deed? Nich. Yea that I did. Oliu. How began he Matins? Nic. what wots I now? Oliu. A goodly herkener, that took heed to no word that he spoke. For hadst thou taken heed, thou moughtst have learned many goodly preys. For when he began Matins, saying: O Lord open thou my lips, Psalm. l. and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. If thou hadst learned this well, & heartily prayed it, every morning, then should not thy mouth have been thus ready to railing, ribawdrie talk and swearing, as it is. For doubtless God openeth not such lips but the devil openeth them. Neither is such talk, gods praise, but his most highest dispraise. Again what prayer can be more godly, than the verse following, to be said at the beginning of all thy labours? O Lord make speed to save me. O Lord make haste to help me. Psa. lxix. And in the end of thy day work, to say praising God: Glory be to the father, and to the son, and to the holy Ghost: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end, Amen. Sure I am Nicholas, ye can have no such learning now to pray. I pray the what sayest thou in the Matins time? Nich. Mi beads. Olive. Cannest thou say the lords prayer? Nich. Nay nor our Ladies neither. I can say mi pater noster. Oliu. what is pater noster? Nich. Marry Pater noster, what can ye make of it? Oliver. A good Nicholas, Esa. xxix Math. xv. you honour god with your lips, but your heart is far from him. Nich. By God sit, and we think on god & our Ladi, when we say our Pater noster, & pray for all our good friends souls, as well as ye. Oli. I think ye do. But what ask ye of god, when ye say: dimit nobis debita nostra & c? Nic. Maty I pray to God to have merci up on all Christian souls: and to save their lives, that I sare better for. Oliu. That is well done. But why have you not learned the lords prayer in english all this while? Nic. Sir John had me, keep me to mi old Pater noster (for he said the new would not abide always. And now I see he is a true man. Oliver. And art thou glad, that the Scripture is taken away out of the churches? Nicho. Yea by my troth am I, for we had never merry world since this gear begun, but hunger, dearth, lack of money, and much trouble every where. Oliu. O blessed god, hear the blasphemies of the wicked world. They refused thy word (O Lord) and lived a detestable life, and when thou plagest them, to call them to repentance, and amendment, they received not thy correction, but ascribed all those evils to thy word. But Nicholas Nicholas, trowest thou that God will not now viset all your sins, and punish them with sword, pestilence, wild beasts and famine? Yes truly will he, & that the more sharply, because that to all your old abominations, ye add this blasphemy, and are like the women of the jews, in the time of Hieremie the prophet: whom when the holy Prophet rebuked, for their worshipping of Diana an he then idol, Hie. xliiii which idol they called the queen of heaven. They with many stubborn words, laid all the blame of their miserable captivity, upon the prophet of God, and upon his preaching, and said, as ye say now: They had never merry world, since Hieremie preached, but they were punished, and even so shall ye be. three Regum. xviii. The like did wicked Achab, he laid all the blame of the plagues that god had sent, upon Helyas the Prophet. But Helyas answered him: It is not I that trouble Israel, but it is thou (O Achab) and thy father's house, Osee. iiii. viii. that have forsaken the lord your God, and have served Baal. So Nicholas lay the fault, where it is worthy to be laid, and doubt ye not, Prou. i. but the day is at hand (except ye repent) that as ye now cast away God and his word, so will god cast you away, and as he called to you, and ye would not hear him, so shall you call to him, Pro. xviii and he will not hear you. And you that have stopped your ears, that ye might not hear the law, God shall stop his ears from you, & your prayers shallbe accursed. Nich. Tush, care not for that, God was never better served, than he is now, Matins, evensong, & mass, goodli song with prycksong, & organs & we do all good things, as we were wont to do. Oli. Yea, yea, ye serve him, as ye list, and not as he commandeth. For he commandeth you to believe in his son, and to follow his holy word; but this ye leave undone, & then ye pipe him a dance, on the organs, Nicho. There is nothing pleaseth the. Oli. what can please any Christian heart, when he seeth god's word set aside and contemned? But Nicholas▪ wherefore serveth holy candles? Nich. To light up in thunder, and to bless men, when they lie a dying. Oliver. The true light for them that lie a dying, is to know the sweet promises of jesus Christ, how he died for our sins, and purchased for us resurrection and life: that every one that believeth upon him, should not perish, but pass from death unto life. As Christ saith: john. xi. I am the resurrection and life, he that believeth in me, although he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever liveth, & believeth in me, he shall never die. joh. viii. And again Christ saith: Verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man keep my sayings, he shall never see death. john. vi. And again in the gospel of S. john: All that the father hath given me, shall come unto me, & him that cometh unto me, I cast not away. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but his will that sent me. And this is the father's will, which hath sent me, that of of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise them up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every man, that seeth the son and believeth on him, have everlasting life: And I will raise them up at the last day. This light so comforted David, that he said: Psal. xxvi The Lord is mi light & my health, whom shall I fear. And again: If I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, Psa. xxii. I will not fear evil, for thou (O Lord) art with me. This light comforted old Simeon, that he said: Lord now lettest thou thy servant departed in peace, Luke. two. according to thy word. etc. This holy candle shone so bright in S. Paul's eyes, that he said: Phill. two. I long to be dissolved and to be with Christ. This is our defence against the thunder claps of gods wrath, that falleth upon sinners. And where this holy light of god's word shineth, joh. viii. men walk not in darkness, but have the light of life. But where this is not, what can thy holy candle do, but light the into a wrong belief, & so lead the into the dark dungeon of hell? wherefore serveth holy palms? Nich. To make crosses, to bear in our purses, and to set up. upon our windows and doors, that the devil come not nigh us, nor into our houses. Oliu. what if the devil be in the house, or ever the cross be set up? Nich. Then let him fly away on the devils name. Oli. How shall he fly out, seeing the doors and windows be so crossed, that he dare not come nigh them? Shall he creep into the bench hole, or fly out at the top of the chimney? Nich. He may if he list, for I believe he hath no power to comeny the holy cross. Oliver. what if a cross were set there, made of an hazel stick, or of an unhallowed palm? were it not so good as this? Nich. No marry were it not. Olive. why so? Nich. For this made upon Palm sundai, in the passion time, of hallowed palm. Oliver. See the crafty devil▪ and how the people are deluded with blind guides. The old church kept a memory the sunday before Ester, how Christ's glory was openly received & acknowledged among the jews, when they met him with date tree bows, and other fair bows, and confessed that he was the son of God, comen into the world to save mankind, and the gospel declaring the same, was appointed to be read on that day. But now our blind leaders of the blind took away the knowledge of this, with their latin processioning, so that among ten thousand, scarce one knew what this meant. They have their laudable dumb ceremonies. with lenten cross, & uptide cross, and these two must justle, till Lent break his neck. Then cakes must be cast out of the steeple, that all the boys in the parish must lie scambling together by the ears▪ till all the parish falleth a laughing. Nic. By our Lady I have laughed well at it ere this. Oliu. Yea Nicholas, I warrant thee, the devil laugheth full merrily, that he could with such preatye toys, mock out Christ's gospel. And then, where the ancient fathers, appointed the history of Christ's passion, to be read, that it being well known unto the people, they might the more depelier weigh the causes of the same, and profit that cometh unto mankind, this the devil, & his ministers mocked out with the latin tongue, which many times neither the priest nor people understood. But Lord what Apes play made they of it in great Cathederal churches, & abbeys? Nich. what did they there? Oliu. One comes forth in his albe, and his long stole (for so they call their gird that they put about their necks) this must be leash wise, as hunters wears their horns. This solemn sire, played Christ's part, a god's name. Then another company of singers, children and all, song in priksong, the jews part. And the devil (the deacon I should have said) read the the middle text. Nicho. what did the priest at the alter all this while? Oliu. He stood mum, and played judas, that betrayed his Master. And in the mean time, because it was teadiouse to be unoccupied, such plain souls as thou art, made crosses of palm, to set upon your dorss, & to bear in your purses, to chase away the devil & god beforens. Hath not our spirituality well ordered this matter (trow ye) to turn the reading & preaching of Christ's passion into such well favoured pastimes? But tell me Nicholas, hath not thy wife a cross of palm about her? Nich. Yes in her purse. Oliver. And a go on fellowship tell me, thinkest thou not sometime, the devil is in her tongue? Sigh not man. Nich. I would she heard you, you might fortune to find him in her tongue and fist both. Oliu. Then I see well he cometh not in her purse, because the holy palm cross is there but if thou couldst entreat her, to bear a cross in her mouth, then he would not come there neither. Nich. say you what you list, the holy cross is good. Oliu. Nicholas, I take god to record, no man living, more highly esteemeth the sign and token that Christ died on, than I do: but the holier it is, the more impiety is it, that the preaching of Christ's death and passion, that he suffered for us, should be set aside, and the people deluded, with superstitious opinions. For such superstitious crossings, rather bring the devil to house: then drive him from us. Nic. Yea, and such as ye are, may say what ye list, for the people liked this better, than your preachings, and Sir john hath willed the parish to buy a new cross, that we might follow the good lord again a precession. Oliu. why, will he not say the English Litany, kneeling in the body of the church, that the people may say it with him? Nich. Tush, we care not for it, it is left of long since, it is to tedious, we will follow the cross a pression, as our forefathers did. Oliu. O followers, it is great piti to se one blind follow another, till both fall in the pit. Nich. Sir john told us, Math. xv. that Christ said: If any man will be my disciple, he must follow my cross. Oliu. I can sit john thank, he is a cunning coblet. The text (Nicholas) is this. Mat. xvi. Mark. viii Luke. ix. ● Christ declared unto his disciples, that he must go unto Jerusalem, and there suffer many things, of the elders, & of the high priests, and Scribes, and be killed, and rise again the third day. Here Peter (of a good carnal love to his master) took him aside and rebuked him, saying: Master, favour thyself, this shall not be. Then turned he about, and said unto Peter: Come after me Satan, thou offendest me: because thou savourest not the things that are of God, but the things that are of men. jesus then said to his disciples: If any man will follow me, let him forsake himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it: But whosoever shall lose his life, for my sake and the Gospels, the same shall save it. Here ye see what it is to bear the cross, and to follow the cross, and mark well the order of the text: Christ declared that he must suffer at their hands, which in veri deed, should of duty afore all other have glorified him, & his doctrine. Nic. who were they? Oliu. The bishops, priests & lawyers, as now adays, one bishop being a crafty lawyer, worketh more mischief against the truth, than a. M. beside can do. And yet the same. with feigned words of hipocrisi will make all the world believe that he seeketh gods glori, the reformation of religion, & common wealth of the people: Even as Caiphas did when he said in the counsel, Ihon. xi. it is expedient that one man die for the people, & that the hole nation perish not. So say they it is expedient that this doctrine of the gospel be destroyed, & the preachers burned so shall we agree with other realms, & have the highest & greatest in the world, on our side. But Caiphas was deceived, for the wai that he purposed to save the people, he destroyed them, and his wicked counsel fell on his own pate, as it will do (without doubt) upon our hypocrites, at the last. Now cometh peter, & as much as in him is, counseleth Christ to favour himself. But then Christ preached this sermon: To follow Christ. that those that will be Christ's disciples, must follow him, that is: as Christ most earnestli & constantli did the vocation, that his heavenly father appointed him, traveling from place to place, preaching & teaching the will of god unto the people calling them to repentance & amendment of life, & so won souls unto the heavenly father, so must all Christ's disciples do their vocation with faith & diligence. And would to God our bishops, would well look upon this text: for it principally toucheth them. And to take up his cross daily, is to suffer with patience the miserable afflictions and tribulations, poverty, need, sorrow, sickness, prison, loss of goods, cattles, friends and all other that god layeth upon us. To take these things with quiet minds, knowledging that they are laid upon us for our sins, to kill sin in us, & to mortify our fleshly lusts and appetites, to raise and stir up true repentance, & hearty invocation upon god, and patiently and faithfully to wait for deliverance at gods hand. This is to take up our crosses and to follow Christ, even to deny our selves, and to lose our lives for his word and gospels sake. This is another manner of piece of work, then to carry palm crosses in our purses, or to go a procession after a tin, or copper, or silver cross. This S. Paul rejoiceth in, ●i. cor. iiii saying: we always bear about in our bodies, the dying of the Lord jesus, that the life of jesus might always appear in our bodies. And again he saith▪ Gala. vi. God forbidden that I should rejoice, but in the cross of our Lord jesus Christ, whereby the world is crusified unto me, and I unto the world, that is, the world greatli esteemeth outward ceremonies and shows of holiness, as the jews much boasted the circumcision of the flesh, and neglected the new creature of the mind, but Paul & all true Christians, rejoice not in such outward shows of holiness, but in the true holiness of the heart and mind, and especially in this high benefit and gift of god, that they are called to be partakers with Christ, of the miseries and troubles of this world. And as the world ever despised Christ, and counted him accursed, and so put him to the most vile death of the cross: so hath it ever done by Paul, and all the apostles, and all other that follow their doctrine. These must be dispiced and persecuted of the world▪ and not counted worthy common breath▪ & air. And Paul & his followers the disciples of Christ, again condemn the world by the just sentence of god's word, because they refuse Christ, cast aside the doctrine of his gospel, and chose rather to be lead in the dark dreams, and misty imaginations of hypocrites, then in the clear light of God's holy scripture, and verity, & thus is Paul crucified unto the world, & the world is crucified unto Paul God knoweth, few bear the cross thus, and yet this is it that Christ requireth of us, to be his disciples to follow him, to deny our selves, and to bear our crosses. This was not spoken of going about the church yard, with a cross borne upon a staff, with a goodly banner cloth, but to follow him in our vocation, leading a godly life, and (as I said) patiently suffering the tribulation of this world, for his word and truths sake. Nicho. Yet it is a good sight, to see sir john, how he becometh our best Cope, and upon an high day to see all our Copes worn in procession. Oliu. why have ye Copes yet? Nich. Yea, as saite as ever we had. Oliu. were not ye sworn to bring in all such things before the king's commissioners? Nich. Yea, but we brought in two or three of the worst, & kept the best behind still. Oliu. How will you excuse yourselves of perjury? Nich. we are sorry that we brought in any at all, and as for perjury, let god & us deal it. Oliu. I am afraid it will be a miserable dealing, when god will arise to judge the wickedness of so unfaithful people, that neither feareth God, nor regarded the oath made by his name, nor yet the commandment of their king. It were a much more better sight, to see sir john become well the pulpit, and declaring to the people, how to follow Christ in godliness of living Nich. what say ye to procession in gang days, when sir john saith a gospel to our corn fields. Oliu. I say nothing but this: ye that have forsaken to follow god as he commandeth, shall be left to yourself to follow your own inventions. And as for your latin gospels, tead to the corn, I am sure the corn understandeth as much as you, & therefore hath as much profit by them, as ye have, that is to say, none at all And many times this hath been seen, that the Clerk hath left the cross behind him, and the priest his gospel book, and scant found the right way home, they have been so cumbered with malt worms, & miseled with the spirit of the buttery. Trow you that god was not well pleased with this good Nicholas. Nic. I trow so. But far well, Mass will be done, or I come. Oliu. It makes no matter for one day. I will read the a piece of the scripture in steed of thy Mass. Nich. I care not for the scripture, and sir john bade me beware of it, for it would make me an heretic. Oliver. Sir john then readeth not the Scripture. Ncho. No, he saith he will meddle no further than his portas. Oli. The Scripture is god's word, two, Pete. i. opened to us from heaven by the holy prophets, Apostles, and Christ himself, Psal. cxix it is the light to our feet. & candle to our foot steps: Psal. nineteen. it is the law of life, undefiled and holy, converting souls, it teacheth all things, two. Tim. iii that is good perfect, rightwise & holy, to make the man of God perfect unto all good works. Psalm. i. He is blessed that studieth in it day and night: but sir john's owlish eyes, can not abide it. And as for his portas, there is in it a meany of lies, craftili cloined, to deceive such unstable souls as delight in blindness, deceived themselves, and deceiving other. Nich. By our Lady, sir john is a good priest, say what ye list. Oliu. Is sir john married? Nich. Nay, Marriage. he crieth phie on that. Oliu. what was the matter that sir john was afore the Sheriff of the shire, a while a go? Nich. A naughty quean slandered him. Oliu. wherewith? Nicho. She had a child in an old barren, & laid it to the priests charge, that he begot it. Oliver. thinkest thou it was not a slander of truth? Nich. Tush, if it were his, it was but a course of kind. Oliu. Had it not been better sir john had dad a wife of his own, as S. Paul saith, to avoid fornication, let every man have a wife of his own, two. cor. seven. and every woman her own husband. Nich. what should priests do with wives? Let them fast and pray, as therefore fathers did, & live chaste. Oli. chaste as sir john doth? Nic. Tush he was shriven or he went to mass, it was well enough. Ol. Nicholas, I could sai somewhat, of the unwedded priests chastiti, & tell the many preti histories how holili the foxes abstain from snatching of goose-flesh, as oft as they may come to it But as S. Paul saith, Ephesi. v. it is shame to speak those things that they do: & for such things sake, cometh the wrath of god, upon the children of unbelief, although ye make a tushing at it, i Cor. seven. & despice the holy state of wedlock, in those priests that be married. Yet do their follow the commandment of God, who commandeth that every man have his own wife, & every woman her own husband, to the avoiding of whoredom. And again God's word sayeth: If they can not abstain, let them marry, for it is better to marry, then to bourn. And again Saint Paul saith: as concerning virgins, i. Tes. iiii. I have no commandment of the Lord. And again. This is the will of god, even that you should be holy, & that ye should abstain from fornication, Heb. xiii. & that every one of you should know how to keep his vessel in holiness & honour, & not in the lust of concupiscence, as do the heathen which know not god. And again he saith wedlock is to be had in honour, among all men, & the bed undefiled, for whore keepers & adulterers, god will judge. Nic. This was spoken of men, but sir john is a priest. Oliu. He is no angel, nor yet stock not stone, as appeareth by the preti babe. But Nicholas is not marriage an holy thing? Nic. Yes that is it, & priests tell us, it is one of the vii sacraments. Oliu. And is not priesthood holy also? Nich. God forbidden else. Oliu. How chanceth that holy priesthood & holy marriage can not agree together no better. Nich. By mi truth man, I cannot tell. Oli. I will tell the. S. Paul saith: the spirit speaketh evidently, i Tim. iiii that in the latter days, some shall departed from the faith, and shall give heed unto spirits of error, & devilish doctrine, of them which speak false thorough hypocrisy, and have their consciences marked with an hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats which god hath created to be received with giving thanks, of them which believe, & know the truth. Here may all men, that wilfulli are not blind, perceive and see, from whence our priests wifeless life, that condemn Matrimony, & maintain so hily their single life, falsely named chastity, cometh even from spirits of error, from the devil himself, who with that holy snare, hath drawn many a thousand of souls, into most beastly and filthy living. And this the hypocrites know well enough. For their own conscience, is a witness against them, that they live not all chaste, but yet though they know the truth, of a set malise and obstinaty, and for filthy lucre's sake they teach and maintain such a detestable estate▪ so as thieves are brent in the hand with an hot iron, unto their ppetual shame, so these men are daily burnt in their conscience witnessing against them, that their doctrine and unchaste living, pleaseth not God. Therefore Nicholas, take heed of them, & remember the old saying: priests & doves makes foul houses. Nich. I warrant you for sir john, he is as honest a man (for an unmarried priest) and is vengeance holy, as any is with in this twenty mile: and as good a companion. Olive. what call ye an honest man, and a good companion? A good companion. Nicho. A good fellow that will keep company all day at the good ale, an play his xl. pence at dise, with any good fellow that cometh: Yea, I have known him keep company two days & two nights with good fellows ere this. By god I dare say this for sir john. if he were as well seen in the chapters of the Bible, as he is in the tables, dise and cards, by God Oliver, he might reason with the best of them, and yet I speak not this because I would praise him. Yea, yea, I tell ye, as little learning as he hath, he is a murrain fellow. Oliu. Happy are the sheep that have such a shepherd, and the souls that sir john singeth for. Your Alewives love him well, I dare say, and make much of him. Nicho. By Saint julian, else were they to blame, for he is a good customer of theirs, and spendeth more silver among them, than any six in our parish, I dare well say. The bell toleth, I have lost sacrtng a vengeance on it, with babbling with the. But yet I trust to see my maker dance about the cup: I will run a pace. Oliu. I have lost all my labour, with talking with him. Alas it is pity to see the plain and simple people, thus deluded and brought to such a miserable case, that they embrace lies, in stead of truth, and error and superstition, in place of true godliness, and Christian religion. But even this was before prophesied: that Antichrist, two. Tes. v. the son of perdition should come by the working of Satan. with all lying powers, signs and wonders▪ & in all disceiveablenes of unrighteousness, among them that perish, because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And therefore god shall send them strong illusion▪ that they should believe lies, that all they might be damned, which believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But our Lord jesus Christ will come shortly, and with the breath of his mouth destroy that adversary. He shall not be destroyed by sword, zach. iiii. Apo. nineteen. nor strength of man's power: but by the power of god, & by the sword of his word. Come Lord jesus, lighten the eyes of the blind, convert the hearts of thy people: heal our backeslidinges, and tread down Satan and Antichrist his chaplains. And let thy holy name and word, ever more and more, be magnified among us, Let all true Christian hearts say Amen. Amen. Finis. A DIALOGUE OR communication for two children, or unlettered folks, profitable and easy to be learned. WHo made you? God almighty. whereof made he you? Of the mould of the earth What hath he done more for you? Given his son for me. What is his sons name? jesus Christ. What is jesus? A Saviour. How hath he saved thee? He hath redeemed me. wherefrom hath he redeemed thee? From sin, death & damnation. Wherewith redeemed he thee? With his precious blood. What is Christ to say? An anointed. Who anointed him? God the Father. Wherewith anointed he him? With the holy ghost. why is he called Christ, or anointed? For he is king, hishop & prophet. Of whom is he King? Of all Gods elect. What doth he for them? Govern and defend them. What is Christ more? Our high priest and bishop. How is he priest and Bishop? Ordained of God. After what order? After the order of Melchizedech. What sacrifice offered he? His own body upon the cross. what doth he sanctify by the offering? Our consciences from dead works, What are dead works? Sin and wickedness. What is Christ else? The great prophet promised. What is a Prophets office? To declare the council of God. what council hath Christ declared? The gospel of Peace. what is the Gospel? A preaching of glad tidings. what glad tidings? forgiveness of sins freely. what callest thou freely? It cost them nothing. whom cost it then? Our Lord Christ. what cost it him? His blessed heart blood. To whom is forgiveness preached To all that repent and believe. what must they repent? Their former evil living. How must they repent? From the bottom of their hearts. Must we not confess our sins? Yes verily. To whom must we confess them? To God, whom we have offended. Must we not confess to a priest? Yes, when need is. when is it need? when we can not otherwise quiet our consciences. wherefore should we go to the priest? That he may do his office. what is his office? To preach the law and the gospel and to absolve us. why must he preach the law? To bruise our hearts unto true repentance. why must he preach the gospel? To teach us to fly to Christ to raise us. How doth the law bruise our hearts? It showeth us gods wrath & damnation for our sins. How doth the gospel raise us? It showeth our sacrifice and atonement maker. Who is that? The lamb of god, offered for our sins who is that lamb offered? jesus Crist crucified. How often was he offered? Once for all upon the cross. who offered him? Himself and none other. Doth not the priest daily offer him? No, he dieth no more, nor is no more offered. Is not the ministration of the lords supper, a sacrifice? It is a memory of Christ's sacrifice, done on the cross for us? Can we make no sacrifices to god? Yes, iii. manner of sacrifices. what is the first? Praise and thanksgiving, & prayer to god. How is that called in scripture? The fruit of their lips, that confess the lords name. what is the second sacrifice? Alms deed, & mercy to our neighbours. How is that called? A sweet smell accepted and pleasing to god. what is the third, sacrifice? mortifying of our carnal lusts and desires. what is that named in god's word A lively acceptable offering to god? Can the priest absolve us from our sins? Ye, if he repent & believe the gospel what if a man repent not nor believe? Then the priest cannot absolve him. what if he repent and believe? Then the priest cannot bind him. How doth the priest bind and absolve? By the preaching of God's word. what if the priest be ignorant of god's word? Then is he a blind guide. Cannot an ignorant priest lead us? Yes, into the pit of hell. what must he do that is forgiven his sin? Bring fourth worthy fruits of repentance. what are worthy fruits of repentance A godly life amending that he before offended in. give an example. The drunkard must leave his drunkenness. Another. The lechourer must forsake hordom A third example. The swearer must leave swearing and honour the holy name of god. where learnest thou this? In S. Peter's epistle the iii chapter. what saith he? Turn from evil and do good. what reward shall they have that do so? The grace and favour of God, and life everlasting. God grant us all to do so, and ever to walk in his truth. Amen, and thanks to God forth light of his holy word and gospel. Amen.