SEVEN DIALOGVES BOTH PITHY and profitable.  
The  

1 Is of the right use of things indifferent.  
2 showeth what comfort Popery affordeth in time of danger.  
3 Is between a good Woman and a Shrew.  
4 Is of the conversion of a Harlot.  
5 Is of putting forth Children to Nurse.  
6 Is of a Popish Pilgrimage.  
7 Is of a Popish Funeral.   
By W. B.  
LONDON. Printed for Nicholas Ling, and are to be sold at his shop in Saint Dunstan's Churchyard in Fleetstreet. 1606.   

¶ To the Right Worshipful, the Mayor, sheriffs and Aldermen, together with all that unfeignedly fear God, and sincerely love the truth, in that religious and famous City of Norwich, W. B. wisheth all outward prosperity, with increase of heavenly grace in this life, and eternal felicity in the life to come.  
RIght Worshipful, Fathers, and Brethren, as Elisha said 
2. King 4. 13.  unto the Shunamite( who provided a chamber for the Prophet) Behold, thou hast had all this care for us, but what shall we do for thee? So may I truly say. The City of Norwich hath been very careful for me, and exceeding kind unto me sometime an unworthy Minister of Christ amongst them, but what shall I do for them, whereby to show myself thainkefull for their love? five years it was my blessed hap( through the goodness of God) to reap the benefit of two very reverend & godly persons than your City Preachers, 
M. Moor. M. Roberts.  and now Citizens of Heaven,( whose memory is blessed of all that knew them, and must of me be ever honoured as my Fathers in the Lord, and with them also I enjoyed the labours of many learned and godly persons beside, which made your City like Bethel and jericho, which maintained 
2. King. 2.  the Schools of Prophets amongst them. Oh the heavenly harmony and sweet amity that then was amongst you from the highest to the lowest! The magistrates and the Ministers embracing and seconding one an other, and the common people affording due reverence, & obedience to them both. No matters of weight were usually concluded in your common assemblies for the good of your City, before you had first consulted with your grave and godly Preachers. It was David's joy, to see the people go unto the house of the Lord. And whose heart was not filled with joy, to see in Norwich the continual resort that was every day through the year, and that for many years together unto the holy exercises of Religion, which were continually supported by worthy and sincere Preachers, and graced by the presence of so many grave and Religious Magistrates? And so great a meeting of learned, godly, and faithful Pastors; above twenty together, of good account have I seen usually frequenting the holy exercises, and all having pastoral charges in the City, besides those of the Cathedral Church. And all these were of one heart, and one mind, all as brethren embracing most lovingly each other from the heart, boldly conversing, and freely rejoicing one with another, no man suspecting each other. Such was their care and vigilancy, yea, and such was their gravity and modesty, yea such was their grace and humility, and such was their charity, and fidelity; but especially so well were things managed by the wisdom & moderation of those two worthies before mentioned, who were still amongst the rest as precedents, or leaders of an army, that it was not possible for any jar or contention to be of any longer continuance than a spark of fire produced by the violent stroke of the steel and flint, of which a man might truly say, Oritur moritur, if any were kindled with one word, the next word quencheth it again; their heavenly doctrines were greedily received of you for the truths sake, and themselves were always welcome unto you for their doctrine sake, but whether of their doctrines or their persons were in greater price with you, it is hard for me to say. Being invited to your houses( as daily they were by one or other) they were seldom or never dis-joined, but whither some went, all went: none were excluded, to show that you had not the word in respect of persons, but all were embraced alike, that all might receive encouragement alike in the work of the Lord: in which course of yours, whether your abundant love, or christian wisdom ought to have the pre-eminence, I know not: passing sweet was the one, and exceeding pleasant was the other, yea gracious & admirable were you in both chargeable: I confess it was unto you, yet such was the love you bore to those, whose feet brought you the glad tidings of peace, that you counted nothing too dear for them. I write not thus to flatter you: the Searcher of hearts will witness for me, that I speak the truth & lie not, my conscience tells me that I should do you open wrong, if I should not acknowledge the City of Norwich to have been always as kind and loving to their Preachers, as they have been famous for their government. In all, let God have the glory. As for myself,( the most unworthy of all) I must acknowledge myself by many bands of love to be tied unto you, but especially, for that in my troubles which befell me about matters of my Ministry( though long since, yet never to be forgotten) it pleased you for the most part in your own persons as occasion served, but especially in the person of a most worthy Senator, than your chief magistrate( and now also a glorious citizen of heaven, to stand forth in the face of all the world for my just defence, as also afterward when all means failed, to extend your enlarged hearts to the utmost of your power for my maintenance. Abounding was your love before, but then it superabounded, and by the cheerful working thereof it appeared to all the world, that your faith was not dead nor barren, but like David's blessed tree, planted by the rivers of celestial waters, which bringeth forth his fruit in due season, without either fading or fall of the leaf; so far were you from driving me away( as it hath pleased Envy to remour it home even to the place where I dwell) that I must needs confess, that you did labour to the utmost of your skill, to have kept me still amongst you, and no less was the care for the rest of my brethren, & fellow labourers, who being in the fame predicament with myself, were also enforced( through the indisposition of those times) to remove their tents from amongst you, to the general grief of themselves, and the most part of your City, and to place them elsewhere, upon those aggravated rumours posted after me by the malignant messengers of the envious man, it hath been my happc( God purposing for my good I trust to have it so) to be not a little sifted in this country, where it hath pleased the Lord of his goodness to place me: to which end, there hath been also posting from hence unto you for copies of records and I wot not what, assuring themselves, that from thence would come such shot that would batter down my hold, and make me quite to give over; and no less in boasting manner most confidently they gave out amongst themsel●…es. But God be thanked, who suffered them like deluded souls, no less foolish than maliciously to triumph before the victory: and my fear is, that those men which traveled so far, and searched so near, and were at such cost and raked( as it were) so many backesides, and troubled both themselves, and others, and all for the finding, and reviewing of an old rotten coffin( so many years since buried with a blocks end in it, for want of a better co●…se) have received the most hurt themselves: for some of them( besides the forfiture of their credit which they pawned upon the bargain) have proved since that, like cloth that shrinks in the wetting, and having borrowed till no man will trust them, are glad to live where no man doth know them, shifting for themselves tanquam individua vaga, which are vix demonstrativa in their own country, whereof I take no pleasure at all, for I have always wished them more good than they do themselves: and I hope, the rest of their confederates will make good use of their fellows falls. But as for you, right Worshipful, and in the Lord entirely beloved, your hearts, and hands have ever been free from such kind of practices, and blessed be God that hath ever kept you from casting in your lot amongst them, whose devising hath been still to spread nets for the innocent and simple man: and as the remembrance of your ancient love doth much rejoice me; so is my joy much more increased, through the constant continuance of your love, which by many signs and tokens, did most plentifully appear, when( after many years discontinuance) it pleased the Lord of his goodness, to bring me amongst you again. And now, beloved in the Lord, what remaineth, but that you continue your ancient & holy courses, that so the fame of your faith, love, and zeal, which is spread far and near, may increase yet more and more, to your everlasting commendation. And if you have still the holy assemblies and sacred exercises of religion continued amongst you, as I hope you have, I beseeeh you be thankful unto God for them, and make your best use of them while you may. And you that be the worthy Senators and governors of that City, let me entreat you to follow the good example of your predecessors, grace the holy assemblies with your presence, and go before the people to God's house, as David did in fetching home the Ark; encourage your Pastors and Preachers still, and show forth the power of religion in your holy conversation and good government, as you have done. And my good brethren which be of the ministery in that City, if I have found grace in your eyes, and may be counted worthy to advise you in the Lord, be you all of one heart and of one mind in the Lord. And I beseech you forget not the holy counsel, which one of your ancient Fathers and Pastors was 
M. Moor.  wont oftentimes to put you in mind of; though there may be some difference in opinion, about matters of circumstance and less weight, yet let there be no difference in brotherly affection, but love one another in the Lord from the heart, remembering that of the Apostle: If any be otherwise minded, God shall reveal it unto him in his good time: and let none be too forward in rushing into the heart and conscience of his brother, for that is( as you know) God's prerogative, but rather imitate the Lord himself, who said; if Solomon did sin against him, he would visit 
2. Sam 7.  him with the rods of the children of men: but yet his loving kindness and mercy, he would not take from him. So, though there may perhaps arise some hot disputes amongst you, about this or that, and in heat, you may perchance sometimes strike too hard, and make the sparkles ●…ie too fast; yea, cause may be given sometime to reprehend one another roundly, as Paul did Peter, yet let charity & loving kindness never depart from amongst you, & the God of peace shall bless you as he hath done, to the wonder of the world. I know you are already established in the present truth, and therefore need none of my instructions: yet, for somuch as sound faith hath need of a strengthening, and a pure mind, of a stirring up, and a weary heart, of a warming, I bear myself somewhat bold upon your Christian patience, to write thus unto you as I do. And now( right Worshipful, and the rest of your City beloved in the Lord) for a testimony of a heart that would be thankful, if my velle & posse, would be suitable the one to the other, I do here offer unto your Christian consideration, & courteous patronage, these Dialogues, which I have at times, for my own recreation, translated out of Latin into english. And because they contain variety of matters, therefore I dedicate them to your whole City, which also comprehendeth variety of wits and dispositions. I trust you will accept them in good part, as you always have done myself, and all my poor and slender endeavours in former times: which if you do, you shall encourage me to labour hereafter, in arguments of greater moment, if greater may be. In the mean time, I commend you to the grace of God. And as I have you always in remembrance in all my prayers, so I beseech you, forget not me in yours, nor the whole Church of Christ, that so the communion of Saints, may not sound only in our lips, but may be powerful in our hearts, and fruitful one towards another, until we shall all fully enjoy that blessed fellowship of the Saints, which the Lord jesus Christ, our head and blessed Redeemer, hath purchased with his blood, and reserved for us in the heavens, Amen.  
From my study at Reading, in Berkshire, 1606. Your servant for the Lord jesus, William Burton.   

To the Christian Reader.  
GOod Reader, here I exhibit unto thy view, certain Dialogues, compiled first in Latin by that famous man Erasmus, and now by me translated into English, for the general good of our Church and Commonwealth: not absque delectu, or hand over head( as they say) have I gathered them, but according to the Apostles rule, I have tried all, and chosen the best. If thou wilt but enter into them, thou shalt find so delightful and fruitful a walk, that thou wilt hardly retire until thou hast gone through. They are full of doctrines, both sound and substantial. Replete they are with sent●…nces, not pretty, but pithy, and garnished they are with similes and examples, both witty and weighty. Of Philosophy both natural and supernatural, thou shalt find there great plenty. Of learning both divine and human, thou shalt have thy fill: Both pleasure and profit will entertain thee at thy entrance, and recompense abundantly thy travel all the way thou goest. What should I say more? Good wine needs no ivy bush, and Erasmus, hath no need of my commendations. To the learned and judicious, yea generally to all men, he is so well known for his deep learning, and profound judgement: that for the entertainment of th●…se his conferences, I needed not but only to have said Erasmus wrote them. For the matter or subject of them, I refer thee to heir sever all titles: Only thus much I thought good to make known unto thee, that he fifis Dialogue, which is of a woman in Childbed, is especially ●…tended against the monstrous and unnatural exposing of children to nurses by wanton women, and such as having dame Nature most beneficial unto them, do yet show themselves both 〈◊〉 Dames, 〈◊〉 most cruel mothers to their tender infant, whereby many sweet babes, which might have lived, and done good ser●…ice, both to God and their Prince, to the Church & Commonwealth are now made away, yea, cast away by an untimely death, hasted by the unnatural dealing of Mothers, and Nurse●…. And many, though th●…y live, yet are marred in the handling, and caused to 〈◊〉 out of kind, by the unkind provision that is made for them,( poor babes) between the nice wanton mother, and the unconscionable greedy nurse. Of men that come to their end by untimely death, the saying is, that Plures periere crapula quam gladio: surffeting kills more than the sword, which I think to be true. But of children that come to their end by untimely death, I suppose I may( and that not unprobably) say, that more have miscarried in the nursing, then otherwise, as shall further appear by the reasons of this reverend and learned Author. And for further confirmation thereof, mark what I shall tell thee. Not yet a year since, it was my hap( being in London) to be present at s●…pper in a Merchant's house, where this matter of putting forth children to nurse, was debated, Pro & contra,( as they say.) There was then in presence an ancient grave Matron, and a midwife, who openly protested, that she knew a Nurse, that had taken( for greediness of gain) three several women children to nurse at one instant, and they were not of the meanest sor●… neither: and her manner was to go forth in the morning, and come no more in again till night, but to leave the poor tender Infants in the Cradle together without any company or comfort, which within a short space by continual crying and beating themselves one against another for want of food, ended their miserable and woeful days: a thing able to break a heart of flint. This midwife being demanded whether she spoke this upon hearsay or no, did protest that she was an eye witness thereof herself, and saw them all three laid forth upon a board together. The hearing whereof caused some watery eyes, and bitter sighs. This cruel murderer answered the Law, but she could not give the poor Infants their innocent blood again. When thou hast advisedly read th●…, learned Dialogue, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. If by my publishing hereof, but one Infant in the world may be preserved, or be the better educated, my 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…ly 〈◊〉. In the rest of the 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 perceive how little 〈◊〉 the Papists 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Erasmus, as a m●…n of their side. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and reap 〈◊〉, and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thy prayers.  
Thine in●… the Lord Iesus●… William Burton.   

The Printer to the Reader.  
COurteous Reader, there have in this impression some faults escaped, whereof I must acquit the Author, and plead thy pardon for myself, he being both absent, and unacquainted with the sudden publication of his book: and I, sometimes misled by doubt and difficulty of the copy. The number and moment of them is not so great, but I hope thy kindness will be greater, in giving what thyself( as being a man) dost sometimes need, excuse of errors.   

❧ A dialogue of Fish-eating, both pleasant and profitable, wherein are many excellent points of Divinity discussed, but chiefly that of the right use of things indifferent, very necessary for these times.  

The Speakers are only two.  
1 Lanio, that is, a Butcher.  
2 Salsamentarius, that is, a Fishmonger.   Butcher. 
HOw now lusty Fishmonger? have you yet bought you a rope?  Fishmonger 
A rope Butcher, what to do?  Bu. 
What to do? to go hang thyself.  Fish. 
Why man, I am not yet weary of my life.  But. 
But you will be ere it be long.  Fish. 
Why Butcher, what is the matter?  But. 
If you know not, I will tell you. There is coming towards you, a very Saguntine famine( as they call it) that will make you even go hang yourselves.  Fish. 
Good words Butcher, let this come to our enemies: how cometh it about, that of a Butcher you are so suddenly become a diviner of such great calamity?  But. 
It is no divination, do not flatter yourself, the matter is evident, and the thing itself is already in the open market place.  Fish. 
You trouble my mind much, fhew it me if you have any thing.  But. 
I will show it you to your great grief: There is of late come forth an edict from Rome, that from henceforth it shall be lawful for every man to eat what he list. And what then remaineth to you and your order, but an insatiable hunger with your rotten salt fish?  Fish. 
For my part, I care not if any man do list to eat snails or nettles, let him: but is any man forbidden to eat fish?  But. 
No, but there is liberty granted to all men, to eat flesh that will.  Fish. 
If this be all, then go thou and hang thyself: for I hope to gain more hereafter than ever I have done.  But. 
Yea, great coming in, but hunger to the full: or if you had rather hear more merry news, henceforth you shall live more cleanly, neither shall you use to wipe your snotty nose, which is ever itching with scabs upon your arm, as you were wont to do.  Fish. 
Ha, ha: now we be come to the top: the blind reproacheth the one-eyed, I would it were true that you tell me, but I am afraid you do but feed me with a false joy.  But. 
That which I tell you is too true, but whereupon do you promise to yourself greater gain?  Fish. 
Because that the world is come to that pass, that look what is most forbidden, that men do most of all desire.  But. 
And what of that?  Fish. 
Because more will abstain from eating of flesh, when there is liberty giu●…n to eat it, neither will it be counted a dainty banquet indeed, where there is no fish, as the manner hath been amongst our forefathers: therefore I am glad that the eating of flesh is permitted, and I would also that the eating of fish were forbidden, for than ●…ould men more gladly buy it then now they do.  But. 
Surely a goodly wi●….  Fish. 
This I could wish, if I respected nothing but the gain of money, as you do, for the love whereof you have devoted your gross flesh devouring body to the infernal spirits.  But. 
You should seem to be all salt, by your unsavoury speech.  Fish. 
What hath moved the romans to release men from that law which res●…rained flesh eating, and hath been observed so many ages?  Butcher 
They think( as the truth is indeed) that by Fishmongers the city is polluted, the earth, the air, the waters, and the fire are infected, and the bodies of men are 
Discommodities of fisheati●…g.  corrupted, for by eating of fish the body is filled with rotten humours, and from hence proceed fevers, consumptions, gouts, the falling sickness, leaprousies, and what not?  Fish. 
Tell me then( master Hypocrates) why in good governed Cities it is forbidden to kill bulls and swine within the walls? And it were more for the health of the Citizens, if there might be no cattle killed within the walls. Why have Butchers a certain place allotted them to dwell in, for fear that if they should dwell every where, they would soon infect the whole City with the plague? Is there any kind of stinch more pestilent than the corrupted blood and dregs of beasts and other living things?  But. 
These things be very sweet spices, if they be compared with the rotten savour of fish.  Fish. 
To you I think they be mere spices, but not to the Magistrates which have removed you from the City. And how sweetly your slaughter houses do smell, let them declare that pass by them, holding their noses: yea ask the common people, who had rather have ten bawds dwell by them then one Butcher.  But. 
But neither ponds nor whole rivers will suffice to wash your rotten salt fish: and it is truly said, that you spend water in vain, for a fish always smelleth like fish, though you should besméere it with sweet ointments. And no marvel though they smell so when they are dead, for the most of them do smell so soon as they are taken. Flesh being powdered in brine may be kept very sweet many years together, and common salt will preserve it from smelling: being dried in the smoke and the wind, it gathereth no ill savour. If you should do all this unto fish, yet it would savour still like fish. By this alone you may conjecture, that there is no rotten savour to be compared unto that fish maketh. And fish corrupteth and putrefieth the very salt itself, whose nature is to preserve things from putrefaction, whilst by his natural force it both shutteth and bindeth, and also excludeth and keepeth out whatsoever might hurt outwardly, and drieth up inwardly whatsoever might putrefy the humours. In fishes only salt is not salt. Some dainty or delicate person perhaps doth hold their nose when they go by our sla●…ghter houses, but no man can abide in the boat where your salt fish lieth. If upon the way any travelers chance to meet your carts loaden with your salt fish, what running is there till they be passed it? What holding of noses, spitting, and coughing? And, if it were possible, that pure salt fish could be brought into the city, as we do the flesh of beasts that we kill, yet the Law would not sleep: but no●… what shall be done to those that over rotten before they be sp●…nt? And yet how often do we see your damned merchandise taken by the Clerk of the Market, and cast into the river, and your 〈◊〉 fined for bringing such stuff to the Market? And this should be done oftener than it is, but that they( being corrupted by your bribes) do more respect their own private gain, than the good of the common●… wealth.  Fish. 
Although no man did ever know of any Butcher fined for selling of meazled pork, or r●…tten sheep that have died in a ditch, & shoulders of mutton eaten with worms, yet by washing of them, and be●…mearing them over with fresh blood, the matter hath been covered.  But. 
You cannot ●…hew such a precedent amongst all of us, as we can show amongst you, as of an éele sodden with a cru●… of bread, there died nine citizens, a horrible thing: with such dainties do you furnish men's tables.  Fish. 
You tell of a case that nò man could avoid, if God would have it so: but with you it is an ordinary thing, to sell cats for coneys, and dogs for hares. I say nothing of pasties made of man's flesh.  But. 
What do you know by me? you upbraid me by men's abuses, let them answer these matters that commit them, I do but compare trade with trade, and gain with gain: so you may also condemn gardiner's, for that against their wills they may sometimes sell hemlocks or wolves bane for coleworts: so may you also condemn Apothecaries, for that sometime unawares they give poisons instead of medicines. There is no trade ●…o free from offence, but such mischances may now and then happen: but you Fishmongers, when ye have done what you can, yet is it poison that you sell, if you should sell a crampefish, or a water snake, or a hare of the sea, caught and mingled together with other fish in your nets, it were a chance, and no crime, neither were you any more to be blamed for it than a Physician, who oftentimes killeth that sick body which he intendeth to cure. This might be borne withal, if only in winter time you did thrust out your filthiness●…s, the rigour of the season might mitigate the plague: but now in the heat of summer you cast out your rotten garbage, and the Autumn, which is dangerous of itself, is by your means made more dangerous. And when the year doth renew itself▪ and hidden humours do again show themselves, not without great danger to the body▪ then do you for two whole months together play the tyrants, corrupting the infancy of the spring with untimely age. And when this should be holpen by nature, that bodies, ●…éeing purged from bad humours, might be renewed with new moisture, you fill them with mere rottenness, and stinking corruption: and if there be any corruption in the body, by your means it is increased: and if there be any good humours, they are also corrupted. And this also might be ●…orne withal, if you did corrupt men's bodies only: but now, because by the difference of meats, the organical instruments of the mind be corrupted, it cometh to pass, that the minds of men are also infected: for the most part, you shall see these same great fish eaters, such as the fishes themselves are, that is, they look pale, they smell, they are blockish and mute.  Fish. 
Oh sir, you are another Thales, one of the seven wise men of Greece. How then I pray you do they look and smell which live upon beets? do they look like béets? do they savour of them? how do they look and savour that eat of oxen, sheep, & goats? For soothe like oxen, sheep and goats, do they not? you Butchers sell kids flesh for dainty meat, and yet as it is subject to the ●…alling sickness itself, so it breedeth the same disease in those that love flesh, were it not better to please the hungry stomach with salt fish?  But. 
As though this were the only lie, that the natural Philosophers have written, but admit that they be all true which they write, yet to bodies that are subject to diseases, oftentimes those things that be of themselves exceeding good, prove very bad: We sell kids flesh unto those that are troubled with fevers, & consumption of the lungs, but not to giddy brains.  Fish. 
If fish-eating be so hurtful as you would make it, why do the magistrates allow us to sell our wares all the year, and restrain you from selling of your commodities a good part of the year.  But. 
What's that to me? peradventure that is procured 
Note that of the Physician.  by bad Physicians, to the end their gains might be the more.  Fi. 
What do you tell me of bad physicians? why man, none are more enemies to fish than they be.  But. 
O deceive not yourself, they do not that for any love that they bear you, or to the fishes, when they can abstain from them, none more religiously, they know what they do well evough: they do therein provide for themselves, and their own health. That which makes many to cough, to languish, to be sick, is good provision for them, and they like it well.  Fish. 
I will not speak for Physicians, let them reu●…nge themselves upon thee,( as I doubt not but they will) if ever thou fallest into their nets. It sufficeth me that I have to defend my cause, the good life of our forefa●…hers, the authority of the most approved Writers, the approbation of the reverend Bishops, and the general custom of christian countries, whom if you will condemn all of madness, you may: but I had rather be mad with them, than so●…er with Butchers.  But. 
You will not patronize the Physician, neither will I be a censurer of ou●… forefathers, or the common custom, I was always wont to reverence them, but not to inveigh against them.  Fishm. 
In this respect you are more wary than godly, unless I be deceived in you.  Bu. 
In my opinion, it is good for men to beware how 
The Butcher discourseth out of the Bible.  they have to do wi●…h such as have authority in their hands: but I will tell you what I think, according to that which I read in my Bible, that is, of the vulgar translation.  Fish. 
That so of a Butcher you may become a Divine.  But. 
I think that the first men, so soon as they were created of the moist clay, had very healthful bodies, which appeareth by their long living. And further, that paradise stood in a most commodious and healthful air. And I do think that such bodies in such places, yielding on every side a sweet air, by reason of the sweet herbs, trees and flowers that there did grow, might live long without any meat, and the rather, I think so, because the earth abundantly powered forth every thing of it own accord, without the labour of man: for the dressing of such a garden was rather to be counted a pleasure than a labour.  Fish. 
As yet that which you say is likely, but go on.  But: 
Of that great variety of things which came of s●…●…ertile a ground, there was nothing forbidden, but only one tree.  Fish: 
Most true.  But: 
And that for no other cause, but that by their obedione●… they might acknowledge their Lord and Maker. And this I think, that the earth when it was young, did bring forth all things more happily, and of better juice, then if doth now, being old and almost barren, but especially in Paradise.  Fish: 
Not unlike: what then?  But: 
Therefore to eat there was of pleasure, not of necessity.  Fish: 
I have heard so.  But: 
And to abstain from tearing, or butchering, living creatures, was then a point of humanity, not o●… sanctity.  Fish: 
I know not that. I read, that after the flood, to ●…éede upon living creatures, was permitted: I do not read that it was forbidden before. But why should there be now a permission granted to eat of them, if it were permitted before?  But: 
Why do we not feed upon frogs, as well as upon other living creatures? Not because they are forbidden, but because we abhor them. And it may be, that God in that place, doth but adm●…nish men what meats are fittest for human ●…rugality, and not what he would permit to be eaten.  F●…sh: 
I am no Sooth●…sayer.  But: 
But we read, that so soon as man was created, it was said unto them; bear rule over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and all living things that move upon the earth. What use is there of this dominion, if it be net lawful to eat of them?  Fish: 
O cruel Master, do●…st thou so debar thy men and thy maids, thy wife and thy children? but by the same reason thou mayest go eat thy chamber pot too, for thou bearest rule over it.  But: 
But hear again you proud Fish monger, of other things there is an use, and the name of rule is not in vain: The horse doth bear me on his back, the camel carrieth packs, but of fishes what other use can there be, but to feed upon them?  Fish: 
As if forsooth, there were not a number of medicines made of fishes. Again, there be many things that be made only for the delight of man, who also in the beholding of them, may be drawn thereby to an admiration of the Creator. Peradventure you will not believe that Dolphines do carry men upon their backs. But to conclude, there be fishes which do foreshew a tempe●…t to be at hand, as the Hedge. hog of the sea: do you not want such a servant at home sometime?  But: 
Well, grant that before the flood, it was not permitted to eat of any thing but of the fruits of the earth, yet it was no great matter to abstain from those things which bodily necessity required not, and in killing whereof, was a show of cruelty. This you will grant me, that the feeding upon lining creatures, was permitted from the beginning, for the imbecility of man's nature. The fl●…ud brought cold with it: and we see at this day, that in cold Country's men are more ginen to eat then in hot: and the overflowing of waters, did either extinguish, or much corrupt the fruit of the earth.  Fish: 
Be it so: What then?  But: 
And yet aft●…r the flood men lived above two hundred years.  Fish: 
So I believe.  But: 
Why then did almighty God permit those that were so strong without comparison to eat of all things, and afterward re●…rained those that were of a far weaker constitution and shorter time, to certain kinds of meats, 
Of the re●…traint of meats under the Law.  as he gave in charge by Moses.  Fish: 
As if it were for me to gi●…e a reason of God's doings. But I think the Lord did then as Masters use to do, who abridge their servants of their liberty, which before they allowed them, when they see that they abuse their masters lenity and kindness. So we take from a horse that is too lusty and unruly, his beans and ●…ates, and give him but a little hay, and then ride him with a sharper bit and sharper spurs. Mankind had shaken off all fear and reu●…rence of God, and was grown into such a kind of licentiousness, as if there had been no God at all. Hereupon were ordained laws, as bars and ceremonies, as rails, precepts, and threatenings, as bridles, that so men might repent.  But: 
Why then do not those bars and bridles remain unto this day?  Fish: 
Because the rigour of that carnal servitude was taken away, after that by the Gospel we were adopted to 
Of our libert●… under the Gospel.  be the sons of God, when the grace of God did more abound, those precepts were abrogated.  But: 
God's law is perpetual. And Christ saith; he came 
Object.  not to break the Law, but to fulfil the Law. How then durst they that came after, to abrogate a good part of the Law?  Fish: 
That Law was not given to the Gentiles: and 
Answer.  therefore it seemed good unto the Apostles, not to burden them with circumcision,( which theIewes observe unto this day) lest they should( as the jews also do) place the hope of salvation in bodily observations, rather than in faith and love towards God.  But: 
I omit the Gentiles. By what scripture prove you that the jews( if they would embrace the profession of the Gospel) should be free from the bondage of Moses Law?  Fish: 
Because the Prophets did foretell, that God would make a new covenant with them, and give them a new heart, and they bring in the Lord, abhorring the festival days of the jews, refusing their sacrifices, detesting their fasts, rejecting their offerings, and desiring a people of a circumcised heart. The Lord himself confirmed their prophecies, who giving his body and his blood unto his 
The choice of meats abrogated.  Disciples, calleth it a new Testament. Now if nothing were abolished of the old, why is this called a new▪ The choice of meats is abrogated, both by Christ's example, as also by his word, who saith; That man is not defiled with that which goeth into the belly, & is cast out in the draft. The same was showed to Peter in a vision; yea, and Peter himself with Paul and the rest, eateth common meats forbidden by the Law. This matter is handled by Paul in all his Epistles, and without doubt, the Christian people to this day do follow the same rule, as delivered them from the hands of the Apostles. Therefore the jews are not only freed from the superstitious observation of the Law, as it were from milk, or food that they were familiarly used unto, but now they are driven from it as a thing out of season. Neither is the Law abrogated, but only some part of it is commanded to cease, which now would be idle, or in vain, which may be illustrated by some familiar 
Similes.  similitudes in the course of Nature.  
Green leaves and blossoms do promise fruit to spring 
1  after them. Now when the tree is loaden with fruit, no man desires the blossoms: neither is any man grieved 
2  for the loss of his sons childhood, when his son is grown to man's estate. No man careth for candles and 
3  torches when the Sun is risen. The tutor hath no cause 
4  to complain, if his scholar( being of a ripe age) doth challe●…ge his liberty, and hath his tutor under his own power 
5  or command. A pledge is no longer a pledge, when the things promised are exhibited. The Bride, before she be 
6  brought to the Bridegroom, doth comfort herself with letters, which he sent unto her, she kisseth the gifts that come from him, and embraceth his picture; but when she enjoyeth the Bridegroom himself, than she neglecteth those things which she loved before. But the jews at the first, are hardly drawn from their old customs; as a child is hardly weaned from the breast. Therefore they are almost by force driven from those figures, or shadows, or temporary comforts, that they might wholly i●…brace him whom that ceremonial law did promise and shadow.  But: 
Who would ever have expected so much divinity to come from a Fish monger? Truly you are worthy to sell saltfish no longer, but fresh fish. But tell me one thing, if you were a jew, as I am not sure whether you be or no, and were in danger of death, by reason of extreme famine, would you die rather than you would eat any swine's flesh?  Fish. 
What I would do, I know: but what I should do 
Ofeating swine flesh.  I know not.  But. 
God hath forbidden both, he hath said, Thou shalt do no murder, and he hath said, Eat no swine flesh. In such a case, which commandment should give place to other?  Fish. 
First, it is not e●…ident, whether God forbade the eating of swine's flesh with this mind, that men should rather die than preserve life by eating of it. For the Lord h●…mselfe excuseth David, that contrary to the law did eat the show bread: and when the jews were exiles in Babylon, they omi●…ted many things which the law prescribed. Therefore I should judge the law of nature, which is perpetual and inviolable, to be preferred be●…ore that which neither was ever, and was after to be abrogated.  But. 
Why then are the brethren of the Macha●…ees commended, 
Why the Macabees refused to eat swine's flesh.  for choosing to die, rather a most cruel death, than once to taste of Swine's flesh?  Fish. 
I think it was, because that eating so commanded by that heathen king, did comprehend under it a renouncing of the whole law of thei●… country, even as circumcision, which the jews would enforce upon the Gentiles, contained the profession of their whole religion, no otherwise then an ear●…est which serveth to bind men to the performance of the whole bargain.  But. 
I●… then the grosser part of the law were rightly taken away, when the light of the Gospel arose, what is ●…he reason that the same, or more grievous than they, are now commanded again; and especially ●…eing as the Lord doth call his yoke an easy yoke. And Peter in the Acts of the Apostles doth call the law of the jews a hard law, which neither they nor their fathers were able for to bear? Circumcision is taken away, but baptism is come in stead thereof, I had almost said, of a harder condition. Then the Infants were deferred unto the eight day, and if the child chanced to die in the mean time, the parents desire of circumcision was imputed unto them for circumcision. We bring little children immediately from the mother's womb, and dip them over head and ears in cold water, which hath stood perhaps long a putrefying in a stone font. An●… if it chance to die the first day, or to miscarry even in th●…●…irth, through no default of the friends, or parents, they say in Popery that the poor miserable infant is damned in hell for ever.  Fish. 
So they say indeed, but I see no reason for it, for 
Of children dying without baptizing.  not the want of the sacrament, but the contempt and neglect of the sacrament is dangerous, but especially to the parents: but other wise, if children die before they can be lawfully baptised, we must believe that they are saved by god's election, and by virtue of the covenant which God hath made to the faithful, and to their seed, of which covenant baptism is but a seal and a pledge, to confirm our faith that do believe, and the child's faith when it cometh to years of discretion: but God's grace is not tied to his seals or pledges. We are pestered with more fasting days, and festival days than the jews were. They were more free from their meats than we be, for they might all the year long eat muttons, capons, partridges, kids, etc. so may not we. There was no kind of garment forbidden them ●…ut linsey woolsey: but now we must be prescribed what appa●…rell to wear, of what fashion, and colour, and 〈◊〉 must wear ●…ilke, and who not: and many things more I could 〈◊〉, which makes me think that the state of the Iewe●… 〈◊〉 sa●…re better than ours.  
You err all the way Butcher, you err: Christ's yoke is not such a thing as you imagine it to be. A christian is tied 
Math ●… 29. & hebr 2. 3. & hebr. 10. 28  to more things for quantity, and more hard for quality than the jews: yea and to a sorer punish meant, if he neglect them or contem●…e them, but a greater force of faith and love being joined unto them, doth make those things sweet and easy, which are by nature most hard and gréeu●…us.  But. 
But when the Spirit was given in the likeness of sierie tongues, it replenished the hearts of the faithful with a most plentiful gift of ●…aith and love: why was the burden of the Law then withdrawn as it were from weak ones, that were ready to sink as it were under a most cruel burden? Why doth Peter( being now endued with the holy Ghost) call it an intolerable burden?  Fish. 
It was abrogated in part, and that for two causes.  
First, lest judaism should( as it did begin) overwhelm the glory of the Gospel.  
Secondly, lest through the rigour of the ceremonial Law, the Gentiles should be kept back from Christ, among whom were many weak ones, who were in danger of a double inconvenience, if some part of the Law had not been taken away.  
First, they might else have believed that no man could be saved without the observation of the law.  
Secondly, they might otherwise perhaps choose rather to remain still in their Paganism, than to undergo the yoke of Moses law.  
Therefore it was meet to allure and catch those weak ones, with a certain bait of liberty.  
Again, part of the ceremonial law was then abrog●…ted, or changed to some other thing, in regard of th●… who slatly denied all, or any hope of salvation to be in the profession of the Gospel, without the observation of the 〈◊〉, circumcision, sabba●…ths, choice of meats, and many such things. And further, that speech of the holy Apostle saint Peter, where he saith, the Law is an intolerable burden, is not to be referred unto that person which he then sustained( for to him nothing was intolerable) but to those gross and weak jews, which not without great yrkesomenesse did bite upon the shell, having not as yet tasted the sweet ker●…ell of the spirit.  But. 
Your reasoning is gross enough, or( if you will) 
human observations to be arbitrary, and why.  substantial enough: but me thinks there are causes enough why their carnal observations should be now taken away, or at leastwise be left arbitrary to every man's conscience and discretion.  Fish. 
Why so?  But. 
Oflate I saw the whole world pictured upon a linen cloth, but very large, there I saw how small that part is which doth purely and sincerely profess Christian religion, namely one corner of Europe reaching westward, and part of it towards the north, and a third part tending( but afar off) toward the south, and the fourth reaching to the eastward seemed to be Polonia. All the world beside containeth either Barbarians, not much differing from bruit beasts, or Schismatics, or Heretics, or all.  Fish. 
But you saw not all that part which lieth southward, and the dispersed islands, noted for worthy christains.  But. 
I saw them: and I learned, that from thence many preys have been taken: but that christianity was planted there, I heard not. Sith therefore the harvest is so great, I would think that this were the best way of all for to plant religion there, that as the Apostles took away the burden of Moses Law, lest the Gentiles should go back again; so now also to allure the weak ones, it were fit to remove the bondage of certain things, without which the world stood well enough at the first, and now might continue as well, if there were that faith and charity which the Gospel requireth. Again, I see that there be many which do place the chiefest part of piety in the observation of places, garments, meats, fasts, gestures, and singing, and by these things do judge their neighbour, against the rule of the Gospel, from whence it cometh, that when all things should be referred to faith and charity, by the superstition of these things, both are extinguished. And far is he from the faith of the Gospel, that trusteth to such things: And far is he from Christian charity, that for meat and drinks sake, will grieve his Christian brother, whose liberty Christ hath purchased with his blood. What bitter contentions do we see amongst Christians? What deadly reproaches about garments of this fashion, or that fashion, and about the colour of garments, and about meats which the waters yield, and which the fields yield? If this mischief had infected but a few, it might be contemned: but now the whole world we see is at deadly centention about them and the like. If these things wer●… taken away, or le●…t to every man's discretion, we should live in greater concord, and ceremonies neglected, wee should strive only to such things as Christ hath commanded, and other Nations would the sooner receive the Christian religion, when they should see it accompanied with such Christian liberty. And I hope, that he which is now chief Bishop, Clemens by name,( which signifieth Mildness, who is, animo, pietateque clementissimus, both for his nature and godliness most mild) to that end he may draw all men to the fellowship of the Church, will mitigate all those matters, which have hitherto kept back from embracing the same. And I hope that he will more respect the gain of the Gospel, than the persecuting of his own right in all points. I hear daily complaints of divers actions and Churches that be grieved, but I hope he will so moderate all matters, that hereafter he shall be very impudent that shall complain.  Fish: 
And I would to God that all Princes in Christendom would do the like, and then I ●…oubt not but that Christian religion, which is now driven into a strait, 〈◊〉 flourish and spread most happily, if the 〈◊〉 nations might perceive that they were called to the liberty of the Gospel, and not to human bondage: and that they should not be exposed to repine and spoil, but admitted to be partakers with us of happiness and holiness, when they shall come amongst us, and find in us true Christianity, & christian dealing indeed they will of themselves ●…ffer, more than any love can enforce or draw from them.  But: 
I hope that would be effected in short space, if that pestilent goddess, of revenge( which hath committed two most mighty monarchs of the world, unto most deadly war) were gone to the devil, from whence she sprang.  Fish: 
And I much marvel that this is not already effected, seeing as King Francis is so full of humanity, as no man more: and Emperor Charles, I suppose is sufficiently instructed by his tutors, that by how much the Lord hath enlarged his Dominions, by so much the more should he add daily unto his own clemency and goodness.  But: 
Surely there is nothing wanting in either of them.  Fish: 
Why then hath not the whole world, that which they so much desire?  But: 
As yet the Lawyers and Counsellors cannot agree about the limits of their dominions. And you know, that the tumults that are in Comedies, are all ways shut up and ended wi●…h marriages: and in like manner are the tragedi●…s of Princes. But in Comedies marriages are suddenly accomplished: but amongst great Personages the matter is with grea●…●…ficulties brought to pass: And better it is to have the wound by leisure brought to head, then presen●…ly to have the soar break out again.  Fish: 
And do you think that these marriages are firm bonds of concord?  But: 
Truly I could wish it were so: but even from hence I see often times, the greatest part of wars to arise: and if any war be begun, while one kinsman bordereth upon another, the fire doth flame out further, and is more hardly quenched.  Fish: 
I confess it, and do acknowledge it to be most true that you say.  But: 
But is it meet think you, that for the brabbles of Lawyers, and the delays of marriages, the whole world should suffer so much evil? For now there is nothing safe, and bad men may do what they list, while it is neither peace nor war.  Fish: 
It is not for me to talk of Prince's counsels, but if any would make me an Emperor, I know then what I would do.  But: 
Well, go to, imagine that you are an Emperor, and Bishop of Rome too if you will, what would you do?  Fish: 
Nay, rather make me Emperor and French King.  But: 
Go to then, suppose you are both.  Fish: 
So soon as I had gotten peace in my land, I will send out Proclamation throughout my Kingdom, that 
The Fishm. playeth the Emperor.  no man, upon pain of death, should touch so much as his neighbour's hen. And having by that means pacified all matters with my own good, or rather( I may say) with the common good of my people; I would then come to a point about the borders or bounds of my dominions, or about some conditions of marriage.  But: 
Have you no surer bond of peace than marriage?  Fish: 
Yes▪ I think I have.  But: 
I pray you show it.  Fish: 
If I were Emperor, ●…s would I( without delay) deal with the French King. Brother, some evil spirit hath stirred up this war between us, and yet the contention that hath been between us, hath not been to death, but for rule only: you for your part have showed yourself a most courageous and valiant warrior; Fortune hath favoured me, and hath made you, of a King, a Captain; that which happened to you, might have fallen unto me, and▪ your calamity doth admonish us all of human condition: we have both of us found by experience, that this kind of contending is discommodious on either side. Go to, let us hereafter contend the contrary way: I give you yourself, and I give you your liberty; I accept of you, not as an enemy, but as a friend, let all former quarrels be buried in oblivion, return unto your own subjects a free man, and that gratis, without any ransom, take your goods with you, be a good neighbour, and henceforward let us strive only about this; which of us shall ouer●…ome other in faithfulness, in good will, and in kind offices, let us not strive which of us shall most enlarge our possessions, but who shall administer and govern that which he hath most holy and uprightly. In the former conflict I got the praise of a fortunate man, but in this, he that overcometh shall win far greater glory. And truly, to me this fame of Clemency shall purchase more true commendation, then if I had conquered all France, and the fame of your gratitude, shall win you more hono●…r, then if you had driven me out of all Italy. Do not you envy me that honour which I affect, and I again shall so favour your desire, that you shall willingly be a debtor to such a friend? Oh what magnificent and plausible renown would this courtesy win unto Charles through the world? What Nation would not willingly submit themselves to a Prince so mild and courteous?  But: 
You have played Caesar's part very finely. Now let me hear what you would do if you were chief Bishop? 
The Fishm. here playeth the Bis●…op.   Fish: 
It were a long while work to prosecute every point. I will tell you briefly, I would deal, that all the world should see that he is the chiefest bishop in the church, that thirsteth after nothing, but the glory of Christ, and the salvation of men's souls. And such a course would free the name of chief Bishop from all envy, and would also purchase sound and perpetual honours.  But. 
But to return to our former matter again. Do the bishop's laws and const●…tutions bind all that are in the Church to observe them?  Fish. 
They do, if they be good, and confirmed by the autho●…itie of the Prince.  But. 
If the constitutions of the Church be of such force, why doth God in Deut. so straightly charge, that no man 
Object.  shall add any thing to his laws, or take any thing from the same? 
Answer.   Fish. 
He doth not add unto the law of God, which more plainly unfoldeth that which lay wrapped up before, or which doth suggest that which may make for the observation of the law: neither doth he detract from the word of God, who according to the ab●…itie of the hearers, doth despence the word and law of God, revealing some things, and concealing other some, as the necessity of the time shall require.  But. 
Suppose that the bishops, with the rest of the Church, should make a constitution, that no man( returning from Market,) should eat meat with unwashen hands; he that should break this constitution, should be in danger of hell fire?  Fish. 
I think not so, unless the fault be aggravated with contempt of public authority.  But. 
●…ath a master of a family the like authority in his 
Of the master of a family, his authority.  house, that a bishop hath in his Diocese?  Fish. 
I think he hath, according to his proporiion.  But. 
And do his commandments bind in like manner?  Fish. 
Why not.  But. 
I command that none of my household shall eat no Onions, or the like, what danger is he in before God that shall break my commandment?  Fish. 
Let him look to that; for it is a breach of the first commandment.  But. 
But I see my next neighbour to be in danger, and when I meet with him, I do secretly admonish him, to withdraw himself from the company of drunkards, and gamesters he sets my admonition at nought, and liveth afterward more riotously than he did before. Doth my adm●…nition bind him?  Fish. 
I think so. For if we be bound by the Scripture to exhort one another while we have time, than those which are exhorted are bound to hearken unto, and obey the exhortations of their brethren.  But. 
Then whether we counsel, or exhort, the party counseled, etc. is snared.  Fish. 
Not so, for it is not an admonition, but the matter of an admonition, that doth snare the conscience. For although I be admonished to wear Pantofles, yet am I not guilty of any crime, though I neglect this admonition.  But. 
From whence have human laws their force of binding?  Fish. 
From the words of Saint Paul, Obey those that have the oversight of you.  But. 
Have every constitution and ordinance of Magistrates, civil and ecclesiastical, his power of binding the conscience?  Fish. 
Yea, so it be equal, 〈◊〉, and lawfully ordained.  But. 
But who shall judge of this matter?  Fish. 
They that made the law, must also interpret the law.  But. 
He that relieveth his parents, being thereunto compelled 
Of constrained obedience.  by law, whether doth he fulfil the law or no?  Fish. 
I think not. For first, he doth not satisfy the mind of the Lawgiver: secondly, there is added hypocrisy unto an unwilling mind.  But. 
A man fasts, that would not fast, except the church did command him to fast: doth he satisfy the law?  Fish. 
Now you change both the Author and letter of the law.  But. 
Compare then a jew observing his prescribed fasting days,( which he would not observe unless the law did drive him thereunto) with a christian observing his fasting days, which he would not observe unless the church did compel him thereunto.  Fish. 
I think he may be pardoned, which for infirmity sake borroweth a point of the law: but not he that ofsette purpose( and when he needeth not) shall obstinately cross the law.  But. 
If God's laws and men's laws do alike bind the conscience, what difference then is there between them? 
The 〈◊〉 between God's laws and men's laws.   Fish. 
He that 〈◊〉 the laws of men, doth sin immediately against man, and mediately against God,( as the Schoolmen say:) but he that breaketh the laws of God, sinneth immediately against God, and mediately against men.  But. 
What skills it whether the Uinegar, or the Wormwood be put in first, seeing I must drink up both? But what difference is there between the authority of God, and the authority of man?  Fish. 
A wicked question.  But. 
But many do believe that there is great difference, God gave a law by Moses, which may not be broken. The same God giveth laws by Magistrates, and Sy●…ods of Bishops, and other Ministers, what difference is there between them and these? Moses laws was given by a man, and our laws are given by men?  Fish. 
Of the spirit of Moses it is not lawful to make any doubt.  But. 
What difference between the prec●…pts of Paul, and the ordinances of bishops?  Fish. 
Great difference, because that without controversy Paul wrote by the inspiration of the holy Ghost.  But. 
Why is not Paul's spirit to b●… called in question?  Fish. 
Because the consent of the whole Church is against it.  But. 
Of the spirit of Bishops a man may make some question.  Fish. 
Not rashly, unless the matter doth manifestly sa●…our of impiety, or filthy lucre.  But. 
What say you of Counsels? 
Of Counsels and their authority.   Fish. 
Men must beware how they call their Decrees into question, if they be lawfully as●…embled and guided by the holy Ghost.  But. 
Then there may be some Council held, so whom these things agree not.  Fish. 
There is no doubt of that, for there have been many wicked Counsels: and if that were not so, Divines would not have added that distinction.  But. 
It seemeth then that a man may doubt of Conucels.  Fish. 
Not after they be received, and approved by the judgement and consent of Christian Nations.  But. 
What other difference can you show me between the laws of God, and the laws of man?  Fish. 
I desire to hear that from you.  But. 
The laws of God be unchangeable, unless they 
Other defferences between the laws of God and the laws of men.  be such as were made to signify or foreshow some other thing, or to hold the people in subjection for a time, which also the Prophets foretold should end, as touching their carnal sense, and which the Apostles also taught should be omitted.  
2 Again, amongst the laws of men, there are found oftentimes wicked, foolish, and pestilent laws, where●…pon they are abrogated, either by the authority of the higher power, or by an universal neglect of the people. In the laws of God there is no such matter.  
3 Again, man's law doth cease of his own accord, when the cause is ceased for which they were made.  
4 Again, man's law is no law, unless it be approved by the consent of the people. The law of God ought neither to be examined, neither can it be abrogated. And albeit Moses in giving the law gathered the voices, and required the consent of the people, yet this was not of necessity, but to make them the more guilty, and to leave them without excuse if they did break them. For it is an impudent part to contemn that law which thou hast approved, by giving thy voice and consent.  
5 Lastly, forsomuch as the laws of men,( which for the most part prescribe bodily things) are inducements to godliness, they seem then of right to cease when any man is grown to the strength of a spiritual man, that now he need not any longer to be bounded in with such rails or bounds, so that to the uttermost of his power he be careful, not wittingly to offend the weak ones, nor maliciously to offend those that are superstitious. As if a father, for the better preserving of his daughter's virginity until she be married, doth charge her, while she is a virgin, that she drink no wine: but when she is grown to be of years, and married to a husband, she is no longer tied to her father's commandment. Many laws are like unto medicines, or potions, which are oftentimes ●…ltered and changed, or taken quite away, according to the na●…ure of their obi●…cts about which they are employed, the Physicians themselves also allowing the same, who if they should 
A s●…t similitude.  always use the same remedies which have been prescribed by ancient writers, they should kill more than they should heal.  Fish. 
You heap up a number of things together, whereof some I like, and some I mislike, and some I understand not.  But. 
What if a bishop's law shall evidently savour of cou●…tousues, as for example, if he should ordain that eu●…ry parishioner thr●…ghout his Diocese shall twice every year give a ducat of gold to be absolved from such cases as they call episcopal cases, whereby he may extort the more of those that are under his jurisdiction, do you think he is to be obeyed?  Fish. 
I think he is, but in the mean time his wicked law is to be cried out against, but always without sedition: but whence is it that the Butcher is such a Questionist and sifter of matters? let Carpenter's 〈◊〉 of their building, and Eutchers of Butcher's matters.  But. 
We are oftentimes troubled with such questions at feasts, and s●…metimes the heat is so great, that it groweth to fight. 
How we should carry our 〈◊〉 towards the laws established by pu●…like authority   Fish. 
Let them fight that list, I think that the laws of our Emperors ought to be reverently embraced, and religiously observed, even as proceeding from God, neither d●…e I hold it safe, or savouring of godliness, 〈◊〉 ●…o conceive, or suspiciously to speak of public authority. And if there ●…e any thing that may seem to savour of tyranny, which yet doth not compel men to impiety, I do hold it better to suffer it patiently, than to resist it seditiously.  But. 
By this means I confess you provide well for them that excel in dignity, and I am of your mind, neither do I envy them, but I would willingly hear what course might be taken for the liberty and good of the people.  Fish. 
God will not leave his people destitute.  But. 
But in the mean time, where is that liberty of the spirit which the Apostles promise out of the Gospel, and which Paul so often beateth upon, crying out, that the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, and that we that are the children of God, are not under a Schoolmaster, and that we should be no longer in bondage to the rudiments of this world, and a number of things more: if Christians be burdened with so many constitutions more than the jews were.  Fish. 
I will tell you Butcher, christian liberty doth not 
Wherein christian liberty consisteth.  consist in this, that it may be lawful for men to do what they list, being set free from human constitutions, but that from the aboun●…ance and fervency of the spirit, they being prepared for all weathers,( as they use to speak) do those things willingly and cheerfully which are prescribed them, that is to say, like sons, and not like unto servants.  But. 
Very well, but under Moses law there were sons, and under the Gospel there be servants. And more than that, I fear lest the greatest part o●… men are of the nature of servants, which are compelled by law to do their duty: what difference is there then between the old Testament and the new?  Fish. 
In my opinion, great di●…ference. That which the old Testament taught under veils, the new Testament 
The diff●…ence between the old and new Test●…ment.  layeth before our eyes. That which the old foretold by figures, and shadows, the new showeth more clearly. What that promised very obscurely, and afar off, this hath exhibited for a great part thereof. That was offered to one nation only, this doth exhibit salvation indifferently to all. That made a few Prophets and worthy men partakers of that excellent and spiritual grace, this hath plentifully powered out all manner of gifts, as namely of tongues, of healing diseases, of working miracles, of prophesyings, etc. and that upon men of all ages, sexes, and nations.  But: 
What is then become of all these things now?  Fish. 
They are not dead, but asleep: not perished, but ceased, either because there is no need of them, the doctrine of the Gospèl being now published over the world, or because many being but christians only in name, want that faith whereby miracles were wrought.  But. 
If miracles be needful for those that be unbelievers, 
Of Miracles.  and distrustful, then now are they needful, for now the world swarmeth with such.  Fishm. 
There are unbelievers that err of simplicity, such were the Jews which mu●…mured against Peter for receiving Cornelius and his household unto the grace of the Gospel. And such were the Gentiles, who supposed that the religion of their forefathers would save them, and as for the doctrine of the Apostles, they accounted it strange superstition. These, at the sight of miracles were converted. They which now distrust the Gospel, a●…ter so great light of knowledge, so long shining in all parts of the world, do not err of simpli●…itie, but being blind●…d with evil affections, they li●…t not to understand. No miracles would ever reclaim such persons to a better mind. And now is the time of healing, hereafter will be a time of vengeance, upon all such as will not be healed of their error. But to let these things pass, tell me in good earnest, is it true that you said, that there is liberty given for eating of flesh, who list, and when they will?  But. 
I did but jest, to stir you a little. And if such an Edict were made, the Company of the Fishmonger●… would be seditious. Again, the world is full of Pharisaical persons, who can no way else get themselves an opinion of holiness, but by such observations. And they would neither loose one jot of that glory which they had gotten, nor endure that their inferiors should have more liberty than themselves. Neither would this be for our commodities that are Butchers, to have a free use of all things granted, for then our gains would be very uncertain, whereas now our gain is more certain, and less subject to chance and labour.  Fish. 
You said most truly, and the same discommodity would redound unto us.  But. 
I am glad yet, that at the last there is somewhat found, wherein the Fishmongers and the Butchers do agree. Now that I may begin to speak in good earnest, it were better( as I take it) for the christian people to be less clogged with constitutions and human ordinances, especially such as do not tend much to godliness, but rather do hurt, yet on the other side, I will not defend them which reject all, and care not a straw for any constit●…tions of any man. Yea so peevish are they some of them, that therefore they will do such and such things, only because they are forbidden. But yet I cannot marvel enough at the preposterous judgement of mortal men.  Fish. 
No more can 1  But. 
If we suspect any danger of losing any ioate of 
Man must be so honoured as God be not defrauded of his honour.  weight from the constitutions and authority of the Clergy, we keep a stir, as if heaven and earth should go together: but although there be so much given to human authority, that God's authority is not so much regarded as it ought to be, yet we sleep sound, and think there is no danger at hand. And thus while we labour to shun one rock, we run upon another more deadly, and that without any fear at all. The ●…ishops and clergy are to have that honour which is due unto them? who denieth it? especially if they do according to their names: but it is a wicked thing to transfer that honour unto men, which is due and proper unto God, and while we are precise in reverencing of men, to do little or none at all unto God. The Lord is to be honoured and reverenced in our neighbour, but in the mean time we must beware, that God by this means be not defrauded of his honour.  Fish. 
In like manner we see many ●…o put so much confidence in outward ceremonies, that they altogether neglect those things which pertain to true piety, arrogantly ascribing that to their own merits, which is due only to God's mercy and goodness, setting down their rest there, from whence they should proceed to greater perfection, and withal, reproaching and judging their neighbours by those things which in themselves are neither good nor bad.  But. 
Yea, and one and in the same action, if there be 
Cases of prepost●…rous judgement.  two things whereof the one is better than the other, we do ever make most reckoning of the worst part. The body and bodily things are every where more esteemed than the soul, and the things that belong to the soul. To kill a man is counted a heinous crime, and so it is, but to corrupt the soul of man with pestilent doctrine, and viperous suggestions, is a sport. If a Minister wear a Lay man's garment, he is cast into prison, and severely punished: but if he be found drinking and bousing in alehouses, and whore houses, if he be a whoremaster, if he be a gamester, if he defile other men's wives, if he never study the Scriptures, yet( if he be formal) he is for all that a pillar of the Church, and nothing is said unto him. I excuse not his disorderly going in apparel forbidden: but I blame this preposterous judgement.  Fish: 
Yea, if he say not his stint of prayers at his set hours, he is an Anathema, accursed: but if he be an usurer, or symonist, he goeth scot free.  Fish: 
If one should see a Carthusian Friar otherwise clad, then according to this order, or feeding upon flesh in Lent, or upon Fridays, etc. how is he accursed, abhorred, detested, yea, men fear that the earth will open and swallow up both the beholder and him that is beheld: but if the same man see him lie drunken in the steéetes, or with lies and standers, raging against the good name of other men, and laying snares through crafty and subtle means, to entrap his poor neighbour, no man doth therefore abhor him.  Fish: 
It is as if one should see a Franciscan Friar wear a girdle without knots, or an Augustine Friar to wear a linen girdle in steed of leather, or a Carmelite to go without a girdle. Again, to see a Franciscane wear shoes, or a Crosse-bearer half should, were a horrible fact, and they worthy for the same to be drowned in the bottom of the sea.  But: 
Yea, of late there were with us two women, counted both wise women: one of them went home and traveled before her time, and the other fell into a sweund, because they saw a certain canon go before the holy Nuns, or Uirgines( as they will be called) in the next village, & walking openly without a white garment, and his black cloak upon it: but the same woman had often seen such birds banqueting, and reveling, singing, and dancing, kissing and ambling, the rest I will conceal, and yet they thought they never saw enough.  Fish: 
Peradventure that sex is lawless: but you know Polithescus, do you not? he was very dangerously sick; the Physicians had often persuaded him to eat eggs and white meats, but all in vain. To the same effect did the Bishop exhort him, but he( though he were learned, and a Bachelor of Divinity) did choose rather to die then to follow, the counsels either of the B●…shop or of the Physicians. Then it seemed good to the Physicians and the rest of his friends, to deceive him by a wiie: there was a supping made for him of eggs and goats milk, which they called Almond milk, he did eat it very willingly, and so continuing some days together, at last he began to amend, until a certain damsel told him what it was, than he began to cast up that which he had eaten. But the same man that was so superstitious in eggs and milk, made no conscience of forswearing a debt that he owed me: for when I in simplicity sent him his bill, he secretly with his nail cut it and rend it, and swore it was canceled. What more perverse than this judgement? he sinned against the mind of the Church, in not obeying either the Bishop or the Physicians, and in manifest perjury he had a firm conscience, that was so weak in a mess of milk.  But: 
Now you make me remember a tale that I heard of late a Dominican Friar tell in his sermon, of a holy virgin that was oppressed by a young man; the swelling of her belly did plainly argue the fact: she was called before the Abbess, and the rest of the Nunnery, the pleadeth that she was overmatched: but you should have cried out( saith the Abbess) I should have done so indeed, but it is a great offence to break silence in the sleeping chamber.  Fish: 
Now to requite your tale with the like. I was 
Holy virgins.  of late in a place where a couple of Nuns came to visit their acquaintance; their man through forgetfulness had lest their portuse behind. Good God what a stir was there, to supper they would not go before they had said their evensong, neither would they read on any other book but their own: In the mean time, all the house tarried for their supper. To be short, their man was fain to run back again to their Cloister, la●…e in the evening he brings their own prayer book: well, prayers are said, and scarcely had we supped before ten of the clock.  But: 
All this while I hear nothing worthy to be much blamed.  Fish: 
Because you have but half the story. While they were at supper, those Uirgines began to be merry with wine: at length, having finished their laughter, the whole company abounded with jests and scoffs, not very plea●… to chaste years, but no man was more lascivious than those holy Uirgines, which would not go to supper before they had said prayers upon their own book, and after the manner of their Cloister or Covent: from ●…ing they proceeded to play, to dancing, to sing bawdy songs, the rest I dare not tell: but I am afraid there was that night somewhat committed that did scantly become Uirgines, unless these fore warnings, their lascivious ●…yorts, noddings, and kiss, did much deceive me.  But: 
This impiety is not so much to be imputed to the Uirgines, as to those Priests which had charge over them: but go to, I will also requite your story with such another, and such a one as I was an eye-witness unto my sel●…e. Within these few days there were a company clapped in prison for baking of bread upon the Lord's day, which they said mere necessity drove them unto. I condemn not this censure, but I like not the preposterous partiality of men's judgements. A little while after upon a Sunday, called Palms sunday, by chance I was to go to the next village: there, about four of the clock after dinner, it was my hap to meet with I know not whether I may call it, a ridiculous, or a miserable spectacle: I suppose that no drunken feasts had ever more filthiness: some réelde this way and that way with wine, even as a ship left at sea without 
Most beastly drunk●…nnes.  a guide, is tossed of the winds and the waves. There were some that went arm in arm to hold by one another, and yet so weak they were, that they were still down, and could hardly rise again. Many of them were crowned with oaken leaves. A certain Signior amongst them, playing the foster-father of Bacchus, was carried like a pack upon men's shoulders, in that manner as men use to carry a dead corpse, his feet upward, and his head downward, with his face towards this porters legs, lest he should choke himself with vomiting, if he had been upward, he did piteously bewray the hose and shoes of those porters that came behind: neither was any of the porters sober: for the most part they did nothing but laugh, but in such sort, as any man might easily perceive them to be beside their wits. The fury of Bacchus had so possessed them all, and with this show they went through the City even in the open day light. If these men had but tasted an egg, they should have been haled to prison, as if they had killed their father, whereas for losing the sacred sermon, for neglecting the public worship of God, & for committing so horrible intemperancy, & that upon so holy a day, & in so public a manner; to the great offence of God, and grief of the godly, no man punished them, no man was angry with them.  Fish: 
Never marvel much at that: for in the midst of the City, in Alehouses that be next unto the Church, upon Sabaoth days and other holy days, you shall have them tippling, singing bawdy songs, dancing, quarreling, and fight, with so great noise and tumult, that neither the sermon can be heard, nor any holy business be performed without disturbance. If the same persons should at the same time but mend a shoe, or eat a pig upon a Friday, they should be severely punished for a most deadly sin. And yet the Lords day was chiefly ordained to this end; that men might be at leisure to hear the doctrine of the Gospel, and therefore are men then forbidden to work bodily work, that they might be at leisure to inform their minds with the will of God. Is not this strange perverseness of men's judgements? 
Of fasting.   But. 
Very strange. Now in the fast itself, which is prescribed in Popery, there be two things, one is the abstaining from meat; the other is the choice of meats. Every one knoweth the first to be according to God's commandment: but the other is, not only human, but also contrary to the doctrine of the Apostle, howsoever we would excuse the matter, yet here also by a pr●…posterous judgement it is lawful for the people to sup, and it is no fault in them; but to taste of meat forbidden by man, and 
Of receiving the Sacrament.  permitted by God, & his servants the Apostles, is a deadly sin counted. What a heinous offence would men account it, to receive the holy sacrament of Christ's body and blood with unwashen hands▪ and indeed it is a ●…ault, but h●… 〈◊〉 little do they fear to receive the same with anwashen heart, and a mind defiled with perverse and wicked lusts?  Fish. 
Yea, how many Priests are there, which would rather die then minister the Sacrament in a Cup, not yet consecrated by the Bishop, or in such garments as they usually wear every day: but amongst these that are so affected, how many do we see, which are no whit afraid to come to the holy Table, being as yet full and foul with the former nights surfeiting, gormandizing and drunkenness? It is forbidden by human constitution, that no person that is base borne, lame, or purblind shall be admitted to the holy Ministry: and here how strict are w●…? And yet in the mean time we admit every where, such as be unlearned, gamesters, drunkards, soldiers, cutters, and ruffians. They will say perhaps, they know not the diseases of the mind: but I speak not of secret defects, I speak of such as are more open in the view of all men, than the defects of the body be.  
Again, there be great ones that make no bones( as the saying is) of oppressing the liberties, and privileges of ecclesiastical 
Devourers of Church lands which were first given to the use of the poor.  persons, neither yet of joining unto their own houses, such houses as are part of the Church's inheritance, and were given by the devotion and liberality of godly and well disposed persons, for the relieving of such as are aged, and sick, and poor & needy in the Parish. And yet they seem unto themselves very great Christians, if they can rage, and play the mad men against such as omit a ceremony, leave out a Collect, or observe not every holy day, or holy day even, and the like.  Bu. 
Well, let them go, and leave them to the Lord, who will meet with such hypocrites well enough. Let us now talk of fish and flesh another while.  Fish. 
With a good will. Let us return then to our former 
Of fasting & fish-eating.  speech of fasting, and fish-eating. I have heard that the laws of the church do expressly except children, old folks, sick persons and weak, great labourers, women with child, giving suck, and very feeble.  But. 
And the same have I also often heard.  Fish. 
I have also heard of an excellent Divine, Gerson I think his name is, that hath added this, that if there be any cause of the like moment, with those which the canons of the Church do except by name, that then also the force of the law doth cease. For there be peculiar habits of states of men's bodies, which do make the restraint of meat more dangerous than an evident disease. And there be secret diseases which yet do not appear, which in truth may be so much the more dangerous. And they which compel children, or very old folks, or sick and feeble persons, either to taste, or to eat fish, do commit a double sin, first against brotherly charity: Secondly, against the mind and meaning of the Church, which would not have them wrapped in a law, which cannot keep it without their own destruction, or danger.  
Whatsoever Christ did institute, he instituted it to the health both of soul and body, neither can any potentate challenge unto himself so great power, as that by his constitutions he may drive any persons to endanger their lives. As if one by fasting one night, should not be able to sleep, and for want of sleep, should be in danger of a frenzy: he that shall drive a man to this inconvenience, is( both against the mind of the Church, and against the will of God) a murderer of his neighbour. Prince's so often as they see cause, do make laws to punish men by death: what 
Prince's may punish by death.  they may do I do not define; this I think I may say, that they should deal more safely, if they did not punish any by death, but for such causes as are expressed in the holy scriptures. In heinous crimes, the Lord doth call men away from the uttermost bond of circumstance that may lead thereunto, as in the case of perjury, he forbiddeth to swear at all; to keep men from murder, he forbids men to be angry. We for a human constitution do drive men to the uttermost bound or very point of manflaughter. But so often as there appeareth any probable cause, it is the part of charity to exhort our neighbours, unto those things which the weakness of his body doth require. And if there appear n●… cause, yet it is the duty of christian charity, favourably to interpret the matter, that it might be done with a good mind, unless he that will eat, shall show therein a manifest contempt of the laws. And such as shall contemptuously, and seditiously, eat any thing that is forbidden by law, the civil Magistrate doth justly punish. But what every man may eat in his own house, for the health of his body, it is for Physicians, and not for Magistrates to determine.  
But if hereupon also any shall be so wicked as to raise any tumult, let him be guilty of sedition, and not he that provideth for his bodily health, not breaking either God's law or man's law. And such is the lenity and moderation of the Church of Christ, that upon good cause, they will of their own accord stir up men to use such things as the health of their body shall require, and which their licences or charters will also arm men against the accusations and backbitings of ill disposed persons.  
It may be called zeal, if any man shall deal severely with his own body, for every man is best known unto himself; but where is the piety, or where is the charity of these men, who contrary to the law of nature, contrary to the law of God, and contrary to the meaning of the Church, would enforce their weak brother unto death, or to some kind of disease more cruel than death itself?  But. 
Your speech makes me to remember a story of ●…ne 
M●…unsier Eros.  monsieur Eros, a learned man, and now very old, he would never eat any flesh upon Fridays, nor in Lent, and yet by reason of diverse infirmities that vexed him, he had a licence or dispensation from the Bishop to eat what he would. This monsieur Eros for his health ●…ake, went on a time to Feruentia, and I in kindness bore him company. Being come to Feruentia, he turned into the house of an old friend of his, who had often by letters invited him thither. This friend of his was a man of great wealth, and authority. He came to a fish dinner, but Eros began to be very dangerously ●…icke, there was an army of diseases upon him, the ague, the headache, vomiting, the stone, etc. This host, although he saw his friend in great danger, yet durst not give him one bit of flesh. And why think you? he saw causes enough why he might lawfully do it, and he had seen the Bishop's dispensation, but he feared the tongues of men. And now the disease was grown so far upon him, that it was in vain to give him any.  Fish. 
What did monsieur Eros? I know the nature of the man, he had rather die, then to do any thing that might procure his friend any envy.  But. 
He shut himself into his Chamber, and for three days together he lived after his old manner: his dinner was an Egg only; his drink was water boiled with Sugar. So soon as the Ague had left him, he took his horse, and carried his diet with him.  Fish. 
What was that?  But. 
Almond milk in a Flagon Bottle, and Raisins in the Sun in a Bag. When he came at home, he had a ●…itte of the stone, and he kept his bed for it a whole month together. Now because he did eat every day an Egg at his friend's house, there followed a horrible rumour after his departure of eating of flesh, and in that furious manner it was aggravated, as if he had poisoned te●…ne men, and this rumour was spread as far as Paris: What do you think to be the fittest remedy against such offences?  Fish. 
The best remedy that I know, is this, let them power all their chamber pots upon their heads, and if they chance to meet you, stop your nose until you are passed them, it may be that so they may be ashamed of their folly.  But. 
Certainly Preachers shall do well, sharply to reprove this Pharisaical impiety. But what think you of that host?  Fish. 
He seemed to be a wise man, who knew full well what Tragedies upon frivolous occasions would be 〈◊〉 by the foolish people. But it is now time to return from this long digression, to our former purpose.  But. 
There is no loss of time in this digression, it is to the purpose, unless perhaps you have any thing else to add to that which hath been said already concerning human constitutions.  Fish. 
Truly, to me it seemeth that he is not a right observer 
The end why men's laws are made must be considered.  of men's laws, which doth negl●…ct the meaning & drift of the lawemakers: for he that upon holy days abstaineth from handy labour, and yet in the mean time is not at leisure to hear Sermons, and to join with the congregation in the exerc●…es of God's worshipp●…, ●…oth neglect the chiefest thing for which the festival day was instituted: for therefore is one good work then forbidden, that a better might be done in his steed: but they which leave their ordinary business, only to haunt taverns, and harlots houses, to fight and brawl, to be great drinkers, and riotous, etc. they are double violaters of the holy festival day.  But. 
And I know divers which would choose, rather to die, than to minister the Sacrament, if by chance they had tasted any mea●…e that morning, or if but one drop of water( while they wash their mouth) should chance to slip down their throat. And yet the same persons have confessed, that at the same instant they have carried some privy grudge against certain persons, whom they would have killed, if fit opportunity would have served, neither did they make any scruple or doubt to come to the holy table of the Lord with this bloody mind.  Fishm. 
And as prepostereus are men in their judgements 
Vows.  concerning vows. There is no vow more religious than that of baptism. Now he that hath vowed a monastical life etc. and afterward upon just cau●…e changeth his garment, or his place, is sought for as if he had poisoned his father, he is apprehended; haled, and pulled, imprisoned, and bound, & many times put to death for the honour of his order. But they whose life is directly contrary unto the vow which they made in baptism, while they giu●… 
Vow of Baptism.  themselves wholly to serve mammon, their belly, and the pomp of this world, they are had in great account, neither are these men charged with the crime of violating their vow, neither are they accounted apostates, or back sliders, but good christians.  But. 
He is punished, that( being moved by some urgent 
False oaths.  cause) doth swear a false oath, but they that mingle every third word with a false oath, are not punished.  Fish. 
These do not swear of set purpose, or in good earnest.  But. 
By the like reason you may excuse him that kills a man, so he did it not in earnest, or of set purpose. To swear a false oath is not lawful, either in jest or earnest. And it is a more heinous crime to kill a man in jest, than in anger. What infamy doth pursue a maid that hath slipped aside, but a slanderous and backbiting tongue, with a heart fraught with hatred and malice or a greater evil, and yet no body woondreth at them: there is no law for 
adultery and The●…t.  them. Where is not the lightest theft punished more seu●…rely than adultery? No man will willingly converse with one that is stained with the infamy of theft: but to be familiar with one that is loa●…en and covered over with adulteries is a great credit, and a point of good neighbourhood accounted. No man will bestow his daughter upon 
A 〈◊〉, a common sold●…r.  a common hangman, which for his stipend doth execute the laws, but we do like well to have affinity with a common soldier, which hath often against the will both of the parents and magistrates served in a mercenary war, which hath been defiled with so many whoredoms, rapes, sacrileges, murders, & other most heinous crimes, which either in the wars themselves, or in going to them, or returning from them, are wont to be committed, such a one do we make choice of to be our son in law: such a one that is worse than any hangman doth a virgin dote upon, and that we account great nobility that i●… g●…ten by mischief and villainy. He that taketh away a man's money, is hanged, but that they by purloining the common 
thieves.  stock of Churches and towneships, by monopolies, by usuries▪ yea by a thousand wiles, and deceitful tricks d●…e spoil many, are reckoned amongst the chief men of the parish.  Fish. 
So, they that give poison to some one person, are 
Poyso●…ers.  punished by the laws as a poisoner, but they that infect and kill the people with infected wines and corrupted oils, are lawless.  But. 
I have known some Monks so superstitio●…s, 
Superstitious Monk●…s.  that they would think themselves in the hands of the 〈◊〉, if by chance their holy vesture were left off, but although they give themselves to lying, and slandering, to drunkenness and envy, they fear no such matter.  Fish. 
And such idiots a man may find amongst us 
Fo●…lish armour against the devil.  many, who do not think their house safe from the power of the devil, and malice of witches, and wicked spirits, unless they have consecrated holy water, or a holy candle, or a horse shoe nailed upon their threshold, but they fear not their houses wherein daily God is provoked by so many means, and the diu●…ll is daily worshipped.  But. 
And how many are there that trust more to the help of the virgin Marie, or of Saint Christopher, than of Christ himself. The m●…ther of Christ they worship with candles, images, and songs, but Christ himself they do most obstinately and stoutly offend with their wicked lives. And for such trifles as these and others that we have spoken of, how great breach is there of brotherly charity? how bitter hatred and hart-burning? what virulent backbiting and traducing of men's names? Against which, both Christ in the Gospel, and Paul in his Epistles do vehemently inveigh: And which all Divines and Preachers should strongly beat down.  Fish. 
Indeed it 〈◊〉 ●… so: but there be ma●…y amongst them, who h●…●…ather have the people, and princes, and bishops at that pass, than otherwise. And again, there be which do no more savour or understand these things than the common people doth, or if they do understand them, they dissemble their knowledge, taking more care for the belly than for the Lord jesus. Hereupon it cometh to pass that the people being on every side corrupted with preposterous judgements, are confident where there is cause to fear, and afraid where there is no danger. There they stand at a stay, where they ought to go forward, and there they march forward, from whence they ought to retire. And from these so ill taught, if a man should attem●…t to pluck any thing away of their old customs, they would cry out that he is a raiser of se●…ition: as if it were sedition for a man, by good medicines, to reclaim or purge a body corrupted, which unskilful Physicians have had long in handling, and brought to a natural habit of corruption. But it is time to break ●…ff this complaint which hath no end.  But. 
As I was lately reasoning of these matters at suppe●…, by ill hap there was a certain fellow in presence that was lousy, ragged, pale, lank, dry, and with a withered erabtree face very ghastly, he had scarce three hairs upon his skull, so often as he spoke he shut his ●…ies, they said he was a divine: he called me a disciple of Autichrist, and many other things he babbled out.  Fish. 
What said you? were you mute?  But. 
I wished h●…e might have one mite of a sober mind in so filthy a brain, i●… he had any brain at all.  
FINIS.   

Naufragium A pitiful, yet pleasant Dialogue of a Shipwreck, showing what comfort Popery affordeth in time of danger.  

The speakers names.  
Antonius,  
Adolphus.   Antonius. 
YOu tell me horrible things Adolphus, of your sea voyage, is this to be a Mariner? God kéep●… me from going to sea.  Adol. 
Yea, that I have told you bitherto, is 〈◊〉 sport to these things you shall now hear.  〈◊〉. 
I have h●…ard of evils more than enough, I trembled al●… the ti●…e you were reciting them, as if myself had been in danger with you.  Adol. 
But to me my labours past were ple●…sing enough. But that night there happened a certain thing, which for ●… great part of the night, took away all hope of life from the Master of the ship.  Anto. 
What I pray you?  Adol. 
The night was somewhat light, and in the top of the mast stood one of the ma●…iners in the basket( for so I think they call it) looking about to see if he could spy any land: fast by this man began to stand a certain round thing like a bal of fire, which( when it appeareth alone) is to the shipme●… a most fearful sign of hard success, but when two of them do appear together, that is a sign of a prosperous voyage. These apparitions were called in old time Castor and Pollux.  Anto. 
What had they to do with seamen, being one of them a Horseman, the other a Champion, or stout warrior?  Adol. 
So the P●…ets did feign. The Pilot of the ship sitting at the stern, said to him that was aloft; fellow( for so do the shipmen call one another) dost thou not see what a companion stands by thy side? I see it( said the other) and I pray God it ●…e for good: By and by the f●…ery globe sliding down by the ropes, tumbled itself ●…ntil it came to the Master of the ship.  Anto. 
Did he not die with fear?  Adol. 
No, Mariners are accustomed to monsters. It having ●…ayed th●…re a while, it rolled itself along the brims of the ship, and 〈◊〉 from thence down into the middle rooms, it vanished away. About midnight the tempest began to increase more and mor●…: did you ever see the Alps?  Anto. 
Yes, ●… have seen them.  A●…ol. 
Those mountains are but hillocks in comparison of the waves of the sea: so often as we were heaved up with them, we might have touched the Moon with our fingers; so often as we went down again, it s●…emed unto us as though the earth had opened, and we had been going directly to hell.  Anto. 
O madm●…n that commit themselves to the sea!  Adol. 
The mariners striving with the tempest, but all in vain, at length the Master of the ship came unto us very pale.  Anto. 
That paleness doth presage some great evil.  Adol. 
My friends( quoth he) I can be no longer Master of my ship, the winds have gotten the upper hand, it remaineth now, that we commit ourselves unto God, and every man to prepare himself for extremity.  A●…to. 
O right Scy●…hian sermon!  Adol. 
But first( quoth he) the ship must be disburdened, necessity hath no law, a sore weapon it is, there is no remedy, better it is to save our lives, with the loss of our goods, than to lose both goods and life together. The truth pr●…uailed, many vessels were thrown over into the sea, full of rich merchandise.  Anto. 
This was indeed to suffer wrack.  Adol. 
There was a certain Italian in the ship, who had 
Of an Italian.  gone Ambassador to the King of Scots, he had a chest full of plate, gold rings, cloth, and silk apparel.  Anto. 
He would not bestow them upon the sea.  Adol. 
No, but desired either to perish with his beloved riches, or to be saved with them. Therefore he was somewhat wilful, and stood against the rest.  Anto. 
What said the ship-master?  Adol. 
We could be well content( quoth he) that thou, and that thou hast, should perish together: but it is not fit that all we should be in danger for the saving of thy chest: if you will not be ruled, we will throw both you and your chest headlong together into the sea.  Anto. 
A right mariners oration.  Adol. 
So the Italian lost his goods, wishing all evil both 
A sorry revenge.  to the heavens and the hells, for that he had committed his life to so barbarous an element.  Anto. 
I know that is the manner of Italians.  Adol. 
A little while after, when we saw that the winds rage●… more and more, and we had done what we could, they cut the ropes, and cast the sails overboard.  Anto. 
O miserable calamity!  Adol. 
Then the Master came to us again, friends( quoth he) the time doth exhort every man to commend himself to God, and to prepare himself for to die. He was asked of certain, who were not altogether ignorant of seafaring, for how many hours he thought the ship might defend itself, he said that he could promise nothing, but above three hours he said it was not possible.  Anto. 
This speech was yet harder than the rest.  Ad. 
When he had so said, he commanded all the ropes to be cut, and the maine-maste to be sawen down close by the box wherein it stood, and together with the saile-yardes to be cast over board into the sea.  Anto. 
Why did he so?  Adol. 
B●…cause( the sail being gone or torn) it served to no vs●…, but to burden the ship: all their hope was in the st●…rne or rudd●…r.  An. 
What did the passengers & shipmen in the mean time?  Adol. 
●…here you should have seen a miserable face of things, the mariners singing Salve regina, they cried to the 
Sa●…ue regina.  virgin Mary for help, they called her, the star of the Sea, the Queen of Heaven, the Lady of the world, the haven of Health, 
Poor shifts.  fl●…ttering her with many other titles which the holy Scriptures never gave her.  Anto. 
What had she to do with the sea, that I think never went to sea in all her life?  Adol. 
Venus had sometimes the charge of mariners, because she was thought to be borne of the sea: and because she g●…ue over her cure, the Virgin mother was substituted in her steed, which was a mother, but no virgin.  Anto. 
Now you jest. 
Ridiculous superstition.   Adol. 
Many falling flat upon the b●…ordes, did worship the sea, crying; O most gentle Sea, O most noble Sea, O most rich Sea, O most fair S●…a, be qui●…t, save us: and thus they cried to the deaf●… s●…a.  Anto. 
O ridiculous superstition! what did others?  Ad. 
Some did not●…ing but vomit, and some made vows. There was a certain Englishman, who promised golden mountains to his Lady of Wa●…singham, if ever he came safe to land. Others promised many things to a wooden cross that stood at such a place: and others to another that stood in anoplace. The like vows were made to the Virgin Mary, which reigneth in many places, and they think th●…ir vow of no effect, except they name the place.  Ant. 
A jest, as though the Saints did not dwell in heaven.  Adol. 
There were that vowed to become Carthus●…ans. Ther●… was one who vowed to go to St. james of Compostella, barefooted, and bore headed, with nothing upon his body but a ●…hirt of male, and beg for victuals.  Anto. 
Did none remember S. Christopher?  Adol: 
Yes, I heard one( but I could not forbear laughing) promise Saint Christopher, which stands in the great Church at Paris, a wax Candle as big as himself. Now this Christopher is rather a mountain than an Image, and this he cried out as loud as ever he could, for fear he should not be heard, and this he often repeated. One of his acquaintance that by chance stood next unto him, pulled him by the s●…éeue, and warned him to take heed what he said: for( said he) if you should make sale of all that you have, you are not able to pay your vow. Then the other with a loud voice( lest Christopher should hear him) said, hold thy peace fool, dost thou think 
Saint Christopher like to be cozened of a 〈◊〉.  that I speak as I mean, or mean as I say? If once I get to land I will not give him a tallow Candle.  Anto. 
O gross wit, I think he was a Hollander.  Adol. 
No, but he was a Zeland●…r.  Anto. 
I marvel that none remembered Paul the Apostle, who himself was sometime at sea, and suffered shipwreck, and out 〈◊〉 a broken ship swanune to land he having been in danger himsel●…e, would perhaps have pitied others that were in danger.  Adol. 
There was no me●…tion of Paul.  Anto. 
But they prayed in the mean time, did they not?  Adol. 
Yes, that they did, striving who should do best. One sung, Salue Regina; another sung, Credo in Deum; There were some that had certain special short prayers, like charms against dangers.  An. 
How religious men are in affliction: in time of prosperity, m●…n think neither upon God, nor any godly man, what did you all this while? Did y●…u vow to no Saint?  Adol. 
No surely, because I make no covenant with Saints, ●…or what is it else but a formal contract, or bargain? I will give you this, if you will do that for me: I will give you a Candle, if I may swim to land.  Anto. 
But you craved the aid of some Saint: Did you not?  Adol. 
Not I, for heaven is large. And if I should commend 
●… 〈◊〉 next he door.  my safety to any of the Saints, suppose it were to saint Peter, who peradventure would be the first that should hear, because he standeth at the door, before he could come to God, yea before he could declare my cause, I should be drowned.  Anto. 
What did you then?  Adol. 
I went directly to God himself, and said, Our father which art in heaven, etc. None of the Saints do hear sooner than he, nor more willingly give us that which we ask.  Anto. 
But did not your conscience fight against you? were you not afraid to call him Father, whom you had so many ways offended?  Adol. 
Truly to deal plainly, my conscience did somewhat terrify me, but presently I gathered courage unto me, thinking thus with myself, there is no father so angry with his so●…ne, but( if he see him in the river and in danger of drowning) will take him by the hair of the head, or else where, as he may, and pull him to land. Amongst all the rest, there was 
Of a woman with her child  none more quiet, and free from fear, than a certain woman, who had an Infant sucking upon her breast: she neit●…er cried out, nor wept, nor made any vow, she only embracing her tender Infant, prayed softly to herself. In the mean time, the ship rushed upon a shallow, and the Master fearing lest it would be split all in pieces, he bound it together with Cables, from the foredocke to the stern.  Anto. 
O miserable shifts.  Adol. 
In the mean time there stands up a certain Mass 
Of an old▪ Pr●…est.  Priest, an old man, about three score, he casting off all his clothes to his very shirt, together with his boots and shoes, wished all the rest in like mann●…r to prepare themselves to swim. And so standing in the midst of the ship, he preached unto us out of Gerson▪ of the utility of auricular Confession, exhorting us, that every one of us should prepare himself both to live and die. And there was a certain Dominican Friar: to these two they did confess themselves ●…hat ●…isted.  Anto. 
What did you?  Adol. 
ay,( seeing all so full of tumult) secretly confessed myself unto God, condemning before him my unrighteousness, and craving his mercy in Christ.  Anto. 
Whither should you have gone, if you had so died?  Adol. 
That I committed unto God my judge, for I would not be my own judge: yet in the mean wh●…le I was of good comfort. While these things were thus in doing, the Master of the ship came again unto us weeping, and said, let every man shift now for himself, for we are not like to have any use of the ship a quarter o●… an hour, for it being torn in certain places, the water came in apace. Within a little while after, the Master told us that he had spied a holy Tower, or a Church, wishing us to call for help unto that Saint that was patron of that Church. All fell down and prayed unto an unknown Saint.  Anto. 
If you had called him by his name, he would ha●…e heard you.  Adol. 
No man knew his name. In the mean time the Pilot as much as lay in him, did guide the ship that way, which was now torn and rend, and leaking on every side, and had fallen all to pieces, if it had not been bound together with Cables.  Anto. 
Things were now at a hard pass.  Adol. 
We were driven so near, that the inhabitants o●… that place might see us, and in what danger we were. They came running out by heaps unto the shore, and holding up their cloaks, and their hats upon poles did invite us to come unto them. And casting up their arms towards heaven, did thereby signify how much they did bewail our hard fortune.  Anto. 
I listen for an end, to hear what success you had.  Adol. 
By this time the ship was full of water, and we were no safer in the ship then in the sea. The Mariners emptied the ship boat of water, and put it out to the sea: into that boat all endeavoured to go, all the Mariners crying out with great tumult, that the boat was not able to hold such a multitude: let every man( said they) get what he can and swim out. There was no time t●…●…ske long counsel, one ●…ooke an oar, another a qu●…nt, ano●…her the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉, one got a b●…ket, another a table, and every man with such as he could g●…t, committed themselves to the waves.  An. 
〈◊〉 became in the mean time of that same woman that was so quiet?  Adol. 
She was the first that came to the shear: ●…or we had put her upon a broad table, and had made her so ●…ast unto it, that she could not easily fall off, and we put a little board into her hand, which ●…he might use in stead of an oar, and so b●…dding her farewell, we thrust her off with a quant, that she might be free from the ship, where was all the danger.  Ant. 
O courageous woman▪  Adol. 
When nothing was now left, one plucked down a wooden image that was there of the virgin Marie, that was rotten, and eaten hollow with rats, and having gotten that i●… his arms, he began to swim.  Ant. 
The boat came safe to shore, did it not?  Adol. 
That was the first that was drowned, with thirty p●…rsons in it: for before it could get free from the great ship, with the waving and wallowing of the ship, it was overthrown.  A●…t. 
O hard hap, what then?  Adol. 
While I gave counsel to others, I had like to have perished my s●…lfe, for there was nothing left that was good for swimming.  Ant. 
●… here cork would have done good service, if one had had it.  Adol. 
In such a strait. I had rather have a piece of vile cork, than a golden candlestick: while I was looking about for a thing to swim upon, at the last I remembered the lower end of the mast. And because I could not p●…ll it up alone, 
One more than was looked for.  I took another unto me, we▪ lying both upon that, committe●… ourselves to the sea, so as I held by the right horn, and he by the left. While we were thus tossed, and putting off from ●…he ship, that same mass Prie●…t that preached to ●…he Mariners threw himself in the midst upon our shoulders. And he was not very light, for he had a big body. We cried out, who is that third? he will cast us all away: but he answered us somewhat ●…héerefully, Be of good cheer, here i●… room enough for us, God will be with us.  A●…to. 
What became of the Dominican Friar?  Adol. 
He having called upon the Saints, cast away all his ●…pparrell, and betook himself naked to swimming.  Ant. 
What Saints did he pray unto?  Adol. 
Saint Dominicke, saint Thomas, saint Vincent, and S. Peter, but his chiefest trust was in saint Katherine of Sene.  Ant. 
Did he not call upon Christ?  Adol. 
Not that I could learn.  Ant. 
He might have swam out the better, if he had not cast away his holy koole: but when that was gone, how could saint Katherine know him? but go forward to tell of yourself.  Adol. 
While we were tossed and tumbled hither and thither by the ship side, the Rudder of the ship chanced to hit him that held by the left corner of the Mast, and broke his thigh, so he let go his hold and fell off. The priest praying God to send him eternal rest, took his place, exhorting me with great courage to hold fast my corner & to stir my feet lustily. In the mean time we drunk in a great deal of salt water: but the priest taught me a remedy against it.  Ant. 
What was that I pray you?  Adol. 
So often as any wave came toward us, he would turn his noddle against it with his mouth close.  Ant. 
A strong old man.  Adol. 
When we had by swimming in this manner gone some way, the Priest being a wonderful tall man, said unto me, Be of a good cheer man, I feel the bottom. But I durst not hope for so great happiness, we are further( quoth I) from the land than to hope for any bottom. Nay( quoth he) I feel the ground with my feet. P●…raduenture it is( said I) some chest that the sea hath rolled hi●…her. Nay( said he) I do plainly feel the ground with my fingers. When we had swum a little longer, and he again had felt the bottom. Do you( quoth he) what you think best to be done, I giu●… you all the mast, and I will betake myself wholly to the ground: and withal, when he saw the billow go from him, he ran after it as fast as ever he could. And when the billow came again, he clasping both his hands together about both his knees, he strove with all his might against the waves, hiding himself under them as Cormorants and Ducks use to do when they dive under the water. And when the billow was passed him again, he set forward and ran. I( seeing him to speed so well) followed him. There stood on the shore some strong men, and used to the sea, which with long poles did strengthen themselves against the waves, so as the hindermost of them could reach his pole unto him that could swim, and so by that means divers were drawn to shore, and saved.  Anto. 
How many?  Adol. 
Seven, but of them two died so soon as they came to the fire: there were in the ship 58. but when we came to land there, we had experience of the country men's kindness, which indeed was incredible, who with wonderful speed and chéerefuluesse, provided for us lodging, fire, meat, apparel, and all necessaries for our journey.  Ant. 
What country was that?  Adol. 
It was Holland.  Ant. 
There is no nation in the world more kind and full of humanity than they be, and yet they are compassed about with cruel and barbarous nations. But I believe you will not go to sea again in haste.  Adol. 
I do not mean it, unless God shall deprive me of my wits.  Ant. 
And I had rather hear such tales, than make trial of them: but thanks be to God that hath preserved you, and I hope you will be the better for this to himward while you live.  Adol. 
God grant I may.  
FINIS.   

A very excellent Dialogue between a good Woman and a Shrew, showing how a Woman may win her Husband's love, though he be never so froward.  

The Speakers names.  
Eulalia  
Xantippe.   Eulalia. 
GOd save you, my most desired Xantippe.  Xan. 
And you also, my most dear Eulalia, we think you look fairer than you were wont to do.  Eul. 
What, do you receive me with a scoff at the first dash?  Xan. 
No truly, but so you seem indeed to me.  Eul. 
It may be that my new apparel doth make me look better than I was wont.  Xan. 
You conjecture very right, for I saw none more fine a great while, I think your gown be of English cloth, is it not?  Eul. 
It is English wool, but of Venice die.  Xan. 
It is softer than silk, but how pleasant a colour is this purple? who I pray bestowed such an excellent gift upon you?  Eul. 
Where should honest women have such things but of their husbands?  Xantip. 
O you are happy that have met with such a husband, I would I had been married to a mushroom when I was married to my Nicholas.  Eul. 
Why so I pray you? are you so soon fallen out?  Xan. 
I shall never agree with such a one as he is: you see how ragged I am, so doth he suffer his wife to go. Let me die if I be not ashamed to go abroad when I see how well other women be clad, whose husbands are far y●…rer tha●… mine.  Eul. 
The grace and decking of matrons is not in apparel▪ or in other kind of trimming up of the body,( as Saint Peter the Apostle doth teach us,) but in chaste and modest behaviour, and in the ornaments of the mind: harlots are set forth to please many men's eyes, we be fine enough, if we may please our husbands only.  Xan. 
But in the mean time, my good man that is so sparing toward his wife, doth spend lustily of that portion which he had with me when I was married, and that was no mea●…e portion.  Eul. 
Wherein?  Xan. 
In what he thinketh good, in wine, in harlots, an●… in play.  Eul. 
Good words Xantippe.  Xan. 
But so it is, and more than that, when he cometh home drunk at midnight, he lieth snorting all night, and many times he berayeth his bed with vomiting, I'll keep the rest.  Eul. 
Fie, fie, you discredit yourself when you discredit your husband.  Xan. 
I would I were hanged if I had not rather lie with a ●…ow that hath pigs, than with such a husband.  Eul. 
Do not you chide at him when he comes home?  Xan. 
Even as he is worthy, he finds that I am not dumb.  Eul. 
And what doth he then?  Xan. 
At the first he took on grievously, thinking to shift me off with hot words.  Eul. 
Did he never grow from words to blows?  Xan. 
Only at one time, the contention was so hot between us, that it was not far from blows: he shaked his ●…udgel at me, thundering at me with cruel clamours, and threatening speeches.  Eul. 
And were not you afraid of him?  Xan. 
Afraid, faith fir no: but whatsoe'er I was, I set a good face on the matter, I got a three footed stool into my hands: if he had but touched me with his finger, he should well hau●… known that I had not been lame in my hands.  Eul. 
A new kind of buckler indeed, you wanted a buckled girdle for a lance.  Xa. 
He should have found a virago of me, I warrant him.  Eul. 
Ah my Xantippe, this doth not becom●… you.  Xant. 
What becomes me not? if he do not count of me as his wife, neither will I account of him as my husband.  Eul. 
But saint Paul doth teach, that wives ought to submit themselves to their husbands with all reverence. And sai●…t Peter doth propound unto us the example of Sarah, who called her husband Abraham, her lord.  Xa. 
I know that well enough: but the same Paul doth teach also, that men ought to love their wives, as Christ loved the Church his Spouse: let him do his duty, and I'll do mine.  Eul. 
But for all that, when the matter is grown to that pass, that one must yield, it is fittest that the wife should yield unto her husband.  Xant. 
Shall I call him husband that taketh me for his servant? *] 
All that follow●…th after this mark * till you come unto the like mark again is not in Erasmus.   Eul. 
Ah my good Xantippe, though you be his wife, yet you must not think scorn to serve him, for you gave him your promise before God and his church, that you would obey him, and thereunto pledged your troth.  Xant. 
What, must he have me at commandment? his ser●…ant can be no more.  Eul. 
Surely we must be at our husband●…s commandments, if we be, we must obey our husbands, for even our band of obedience doth argue a certain sovereignty and power in them over us, whereby they may command us any honest and lawful thing. And 〈◊〉 that, Almighty God himself hath set it down for a law, that our desires shall be subject to the desires of our hus●…ds.  Xa. 
What's that? I know not ●…he ma●…ning of these words.  Eula. 
Yes Xantippe, you know it well enough, but perhaps you list not know it, because you like it not, the meaning is plain, that we must not desire any thing that stands not with our husband's liking: and whatsoever they affect & like, that must we like and obey.  Xant. 
I promise you I d●… not like, that there should be no difference between me and my servant with my husband, by that reckoning you would have my husband to be my master, as he is over his servant, I like not that.  Eula. 
No, I knew that well enough: for by nature wee cannot abide subjection of all things, we desire to bear●…rule, until God shall( by his grace) regenerate our hearts, and give us humble spirits.  Xant. 
I hope I am regenerate, and have the grace of God, though I suffer not my husband to be my master.  Eula. 
Therein you deceive yourself: for if we be truly regenerate, and borne anew by the spirit of grace, we will never think much to submit ourselves to the ordinance of God, who hath set it down, that we must be in subjection to our husbands.  Xant. 
That is true indeed: but by God's ordinance I am his wife, and not his servant.  Eula. 
Yes Xantippe, therefore you ought to serve him, because you are his wise, or else, when you were married unto him, why did you make him such a solemn promise of obedience: and for the performance thereof, pawn your troth? Now if we make no conscience of such a solemn promise, whereunto God, and Gods Angels, and God's Church, are witnesses; then is our tr●…th forfeited, and we are to be held for false creatures, neither is any word that ever we speak to be held of any credit.  Xant. 
Well, yet for all that, he should use me as his wife, and not as his servant.  Eula. 
Oh that word servant sticketh sore in your stomach, but mark, my good Xantippe, of servants there be two sorts, bond servants, and free servants: now though you are to serve and obey your husband, yet it is not the nature of a bond or hired servant that serveth only for wages, but as a free servant, and his fellow, and so long as we willingly submit our 
What mane●… of servants wives are to their husbands.  selves unto this ordinance of God, our service is no bondage, but a freedom, for we are free of our husbands, & all that they have, and are to receiuè from them again all maintenance, and protection, familiarity, and comfort, which freedom and privilege no hired or bond servant can look for at his masters hands.  Xant. 
If we be free, then are they not to command us.  Eula. 
Not so, good friend, now you mistake: for though we be free of our husbands, & all that they have, that is, of bed, and board, and familiarity, and maintenance from them, yet it doth not follow, that therefore we must not obey them, or that we may be our own carvers of that which they have at our pleasure, and whether they will or no.  Xant. 
If we be free( as you say we are) why may we not be our own carvers? or why should we be commanded as servants?  Eula. 
Because we are under a law, which hath made us subject to their power and authority. For though a man be a noble man, and a Lord, and hath tenants under him, yet is he also a subject, and must obey his Prince, as one that liveth under a law: and yet though a Lord, or a fréeholder are to obey the law, and to do service for their Prince, yet are they not in the nature of the Prince's hired servants, or bond servants, which are daily about him, and take wages, but are as free subjects, and do enjoy their goods and lands, etc. under the Prince's protection, and live in great liberty, and are called by their Prince with sweet words of great love, & princely kindness; as, our loving subjects, and sometimes, our trusty & well-beloved, if they be of their Council, but not, our loving servants: so they write to those that are of their household and serve for wages. And so a wife, though she is ●…o serve her husband, as his subject, yet he doth not therefore call her his servant, but both in writing and speaking, calleth her his beloved wife, or his trusty, and dear beloved spouse, etc. And to me this is a clear case.  Xan. 
This is more( I confess) than ever I heard, or considered of in all my life, & I will find a time to consider better of it.  Eula. 
In so doing, you shall do well. *] But tell me, my Xantippe, afterward your husband left threatening to beat you, did he not?  Xant. 
Yes that he did, and was the wiser man for that, or else he would have been beaten himself.  Eula. 
But you did not give over brawling with him.  Xant. 
No, nor never will, if he give me cause.  Eula. 
That is not well spoken, for we must bear: but what doth he in the mean time while you chide and brawl?  Xant. 
What? sometimes he sleepeth, sometimes he doth nothing but laugh, & sometimes he taketh his Lute, & sits thrumming on that as loud as he can, when it hath scarce 3. strings upon it, and all to interrupt my speeches, or drown my voice.  Eula. 
And doth not that anger you?  Xant. 
Anger me( quoth you?) I cannot express how much he vexeth me, I am so chafed with it, that it goeth even to the heart of me, sometime I have much ado to hold my hands.  Eula. 
My good Xantippe, will you give me leave to speak freely unto you?  Xant. 
I do give you leave, say on.  Eula. 
What manner of man soever your husband be, yet think this with yourself, there is no changing for another. Sometimes were con tentions where unappeasable, divorce is used as the last remedy: now that in such cases is quite taken away, even unto the hour of death he must be your husband, and you must be his wife. Now there is nothing remaining, but that each of you, by applying yourselves to each others conditions, do study to live in concord.  Xant. 
Can I make him a new man?  Eula. 
It is not of little force, that wives may do to make their husbands such as they should be.  Xant. 
You than agree well with your husband belike.  Eula. 
Now all is well between us.  Xant. 
Then belike ye had somewhat to do at the beginning.  Eula. 
Never any tempest( I thank God) but yet( as it is often amongst men) some clouds did now & then arise, which might have bred a storm, if we had not by bearing one with another, prevented the same. Every one hath his fashio●…s, and every one hath his mind or opinion by himself: and if we will confess the truth, every one hath his faults; which if it be lawful at any time to take notice of without any hatred of them, or to see and not see, then surely in marriage it is lawful.  Xan. 
Your speech is good.  Eula. 
And it often times cometh to pass, that mutual good will between man and wife, may be broken off, before one do well know another's conditions, that must be well looked unto at the first: for when contention and heart burning is once sprung up, hearty reconciliation is hardly wrought, especially if the matter be grown to bitter reproaches, as things that are glued together, if they be presently shaken, they do easily fall asunder: but when the glue is through dry, than nothing is surer. Therefore at the beginning all means must be used whereby goodwill between the husband and the wife may grow, and be strongly confirmed: and that is done chiefly, by observing each others conditions, and fitting of manners accordingly. As for that love that is grounded only upon beauty and riches, etc. it is mere temporary, and will fail when beauty or riches do fail, or when it seeth another 
A similitude.  fairer or richer, and is like a fire that is kindled of straw, which will make a blaze for a time, but is soon out.  Xan. 
But I pray you tell us by what means you drew your husband to your fashions?  Eul. 
I will tell you, to that end you may imitate me.  Xan. 
I will if I can.  Eula. 
It is a most easy thing to do, if you list, and it is not yet too late: for he is a young man, and you are a young woman. My chiefest care was still to be pleasant and merry with my h●…sband, and to see that there were nathing that might offend his mind, I observed his affection and meaning in every thing, and I observed my times, as Abigail did, when he was merry, and when he was angry, as they are wont to do that would tame Elephants, or Lions, or the like beasts, which cannot be won by force.  Xan. 
Such a one I have at home.  Eula. 
They that go to Elephants, wear no white raiment, nor they red which go to bulls, because it is found by 
Similitudes.  experience, that such creatures by such colours are made more wild, even as Tigers also at the sound of bells, are so enraged, that they are ready to tear their own flesh. And they that go about horses, have words of purpose, smacking with their lips, and handling of them gently, and all to mitigate their fury, when they are in a chase. How much more doth it become us to use such Arts and devices towards our husbands, with whom we must live, will we, nill we, in one house and bed together, so long as we live.  Xant. 
Well, go on with that you began.  Eulali. 
Having well observed these things, I framed myself to his humour, taking great heed, that no offence did grow.  Xant. 
How could you do that?  Eula. 
First, in my care of domestical affairs, which is the peculiar province of Matrons, I was very vigilant and careful, not only that nothing was pretermitted, but also, that every thing was a gréeable to his liking, even in the smallest things: as for example; If my husband loved this or that meat better than another, or i●… he had rather have it dressed this way, than that, or if he would have his bed made thus, or thus, I would be sure to fit him.  Xan. 
But how could you frame yourself to please him that is seldom at home, and cometh drunken home?  Eula. 
Nay, stay a while, I went thus far. If at any time I saw my husband sad, or very heavy, and that there was no ●…t time to talk with them: I did not then laugh and toy with him, as the manner of many women is to do; but then did I look as heavily as he: For as a looking-glass if it be true, doth always show a perfect image of him that looketh in it, so it becometh a good wife to frame herself to the affection of her husband, that she be not merry, when he is mourning, nor sad when he is merry. But if at any time I saw him much moved, and very angry indeed, either by some flattering, or intreatin●… speeches, I would allay his anger, or by silence I would give place unto it, until fit time was offered,( when his heat was past) either to clear myself, or to admonish him. The same course I took, if at any time I saw him come home more in drink then ordinary. And for that time I would speak of nothing but pleasant matters, and only by flattering and fair speeches, I would draw him to bed.  Xan. 
But unhappy is the state of wines, if they must be obedient and diligent to please their husbands, that are angry, drunk, and given to all naughtiness.  Eula. 
As though this care were not mutual. For they also are compelled to bear with many things in our behaviour: but there is a time when a woman may in good earnest admonish her husband, if it be in a weighty matter: for at light matters it is better to wink than to see.  Xan. 
When is that?  Eulalia 
When his mind is free from study, from anger, from care, and drink, then alone when there is no body by, 
How wives must admonish their husbands.  he is sweetly to be admonished, or entreated rath●…r, that in this, or that, he would take a better course for his wealth, or his health, or his credit and good fame. And this same admonition also aught to be powdered with pleasant jests, and delightful speeches. O●…tentimes I would use some preface unto my matter, and obtain of him, that he would not be angry with me, if a foolish woman did admonish him, or put him in mind, of that which might seem to make for his credit, for his health, or for his salvation. And when I had said what I would, I would cut off my speech, and would set myself to speak of more pleasant matters. For this is commonly our fault my Xantipp●…, that when we once begin a matter, we cannot tell when to make an end.  Xan. 
So they say indeed.  Eula. 
But this one thing amongst all the rest, I did most precisely take heed of; that I would never chide with my husband before company, nor carry any complaints against him out of my house. But if there be any thing that cannot be endured, nor yet by the wives admonition amended, it is mor●… civil for the wife to go and complain to her husband's parents, or kindred, then to his acquaintance and friends, that resort to his house, or before any of his family, and so to temper her complaint, that she may not seem to hate her husband's person, but his sin: neither let her power out all, that so he in silence may acknowledge and love his wives civility and modesty.  Xan. 
She must be a very wise woman that shall perform all this.  Eula. 
Yea, and by such deeds we shall draw our husbands to the like civility.  Xan. 
There be some that cannot be amended by any civility.  Eula. 
Truly I do not think so. But grant there be such: First let us think this, that our husband is to be borne withal whatsoever he be. It is therefore better to bear him, being like himself, or made better by our courteous behaviour, then by our furious and extreme dealing, to make him daily worse and worse? What if I can bring forth such husbands, as by the like civility have amended their wives? How much more doth it become us to perform the like towards our husbands?  Xant. 
Then you will show an example of one that is nothing like my husband.  Eula. 
Now, if I might not be too troublesome, I would tell you of a certain thing that happened of late in this City.  Xan. 
It shall be no trouble to me, but I shall hear it with a good will.  Eula. 
There is a certain man, none of the meaner sort, who used to go much a hunting. In the Country he met with a certain damsel, the daughter of a very poor man: he began to be exceedingly in love with her, and he a man of good years: and for her sake he did very often lie abroad all night, his pretence was still hunting. His wife, being a singular good woman, and suspecting I wot not what, she made a search for her husband's game, and still was at him for that he had gotten with hunting, and went so far, that at last she came to that rustical cosage or cabin of turfs, where he used to lie, and fished out all his business, the place where he slept, what he drunk, what provision there was made for him: there was no household stuff but méeee poverty. This matron went home, and by and by came again thither, and brought with her a good bed, and all furniture belonging to it, and plate to drink out of, and money to buy things withal, praying them that if he came th●…ther any more, they s●…ould use him more civilly than they had done, dissembling all this while that she was his wife, and feig●…ed herself to be his sister. After a few days, her husband came thither again by stealth, and saw every thing more plentiful, and handsomer than it was wont to be, he asked how all that came about: they said, there was a certain honest matron of kindred to him, that had brought those things thither, and charged them to entertain him in the best manner that they could. By and by his conscience was touched, and he began to suspect that this was his wives doing. Being returned home, he asked her if she had not been there, she did not deny it: then he demanded of her to what end she sent that stuff thither? husband( quoth she) you are used to lie and far better at home, I saw that you were but homely used there, and I thought it my duty,( when your pleasure was to lie there) to see you have better entertainment.  Xan. 
O matron, too good for such a hunter! If it had been my case, I should have sooner have laid him a bundle of nettles or bushes, than a bed to lie upon.  Eula. 
But hear the end. The man perceiving his wives honesty and kindness to be so great, wo●…ld never after go steal a lodging abroad any more, but contented himself at home with his own wife, and loved her most dearly to his dying day. You knew Gilbert Bataws, did you not?  Xan. 
Yes, I knew him well.  Eula. 
He( as you know) in his flourishing age, married one of good years.  Xan. 
It may be he married her portion, not her person.  Eula. 
Well, so it is, he being weary of his wife, loved another woman, with whom he did often solace himself abroad: seldom did he dine or ●…up at home: What would you have done in this case?  Xan. 
What? If I had been his wife, I would have flown in his beloved's face, and torn her hair off her head, and when he had gone out to dinner or supper with her, I would have crowned him with a pisspot, that so he might have gone anointed to his banquet.  Eula. 
But his wife took a wiser cour●…e than so. She invited that woman( which her husband loved) home to her house, and used her in all kindness, and so without any sorceries drew her husband home also: and if at any time he supped abroad with her, she sent thither s●…me one mess or other of some good thing, willing them to be merry witha●…l.  Xan. 
I should rather die, than be a bawd to my husband.  Eula. 
But in the mean time consider the matter itself well: Was not this far better, than i●… by her furious rigour she had wholly ●…straunged her hus●…ands mind from her, and so should have led her whole life after in brawls and contentions? She knew that some kind of inconuentence was to be pr●…ferred before a mischief. And so long as she saw nor kn●…w no ●…uil by them, she in her wisdom did charitably consier all things to the best.  Xan. 
I know she chose the less evil of the two: but I could not do so.  Eula. 
I will add only one more, and then I have done with examples. Our next neighbour, a very honest kind man, but somewhat hasty and impatient when he was moved, on a certain time beat his wife, who was also a very good woman. She presently got herself into the inwardest cham●…er in all the house, and there weeping and sobbing, she digested the grief of her mind. A little while after, vpp●…n some occasion her husband went into the same room, he finds his wi●…e weeping: Why do you sit here( quoth he) weeping and sobbing like a child? Then she wisely answered him: what,( said she) is it not better for me to deplore an●… bewail my hard estate here in secret, than to run forth and cry out in the open streets, as some women use to do? With this speech( so well beseeming a wife) the man's heart was broken and overcome, and giving her his right hand, he promised her, that he would never strike her more: and he was as good as his word.  Xan. 
But I have gotten that of my husband by a clean contrary way.  Eulalia 
It may be so: but in the mean time, there is a perpetual war between you, and it is a hundred to one that he will never love you for it.  Xan. 
What then would you have me to do?  Eula. 
First, you must swallow up all injuries that your husband offer you, and his affection must be by little and little won, by duties, and kindness, and meekness, and mildness, and so you shall at last, either overcome him, or use him more commodiously than now you can.  Xan. 
He is too stout and hard-hearted, to be won by any duty or kindness.  Eula. 
Oh say not so. There is no wild beast so fierce, but may be ●…amed by gentle handling, do not despair of the man, make trial some months, blame me if you find not this course good for you. There be many faults also that you must wink at; and above all, beware that you move no brawls in chamber or in bed: but be careful that there all things be pleasant and merry. For if that place which is consecrated to the putting away of all offences, and to the restoring of love, be profaned with strife and grief, than all remedies of reconciliation are gone.  
And there be some women so froward, that even in the very act of generation, they will be brawling, or sullen, and malcontented, and by their tedious and irk some conditions, do make that pleasure unpleasant, which should purge men's minds from all grée●…e and dislike, corrupting and spoiling the physic whereby offences might have been healed.  X●…n. 
Truly this hath been my case.  Eula. 
No marvel then though your husband cannot love you. At no time a woman should be loath some or gréeu●…us to her husband: but at such a meeting, especially she should do all her endeavour to be amiable and pleasing to her good man.  Xan. 
I have to do with a beast, and not a man.  Eula. 
Oh leave these railing and uncivil speeches: for the most part it is through our own default, that men be no better than they are.  Xan. 
I would I could make him better, but it passeth my skill.  Eulalia 
If you will be as good as your skill, you can do it: he must be yours, and you must be his, do what you can; and the better you make him, the better it will be for yourself. But you always look upon his faults, and those you aggravate, and they increase your hatr●…d, and then you take the pot by that ear that will not hold: rather fa●…en your eyes upon those things that are good in him, and that is a handle by which he may be held and used. Before you did marry him, you had time to consider what faults he had: now is the time of healing, and not of wounding, of clearing, and not of accusing: and you ought to have chosen your husband as well by your ears, as by your eyes.  Xan●…ippe 
What woman did ever choose a husband by her ●…ares?  Eula. 
She chooseth only by the eye, who respecteth nothing but the beauty, and making of the body; but she chooseth by the care, that doth diligently obse●…ue what report and ●…ame goeth of him.  Xan. 
Your warning is good, but i●… cometh too late.  Eula. 
But it is not too late to study how to amend your husband, and that you may do yet, if you will but temper yourself accordingly. What do others report of your husband, his friends and acquaintance with whom he doth daily converse?  Xan. 
They say he is of marvelous good behaviour, courteous, liberal, kindhearted, and friendly to his friend.  Eul. 
And that makes me of good hope, that he will prove such a one as we desire.  X●…n. 
But to me only he is not so.  Eul. 
Do you but show yourself to him in such manner as I have showed you, and never trust me more, if he pr●…oue not 
Of Divorce.  such to you also. And there is no talking of being divorced from him now.  Xan. 
But that hath been often in my mind.  Eul. 
When that cogitation comes into your mind, think first with yourself, of how small reckoning a woman is that is divorced from her husband. The chiefest ornament of a wife, is to be dutiful to her husband, and studious to please him: so hath Nature provided, and so God will have it, that we depend wholly upon our husbands. Again, thin●…e of your children which are common to you both, what do you mean to do with them? If you take them with you, y●…u de●…raude your husband of his possession. If you leave th●…m behind you, than you bereave yourself of that which is most 〈◊〉 unto you. Last of all, tell me, have you any that bear you evil will?  Xan. 
I have a mother in law, and my own mother, both which do wish me dead.  Eul. 
And what can be more acceptable unto them than to see you divorced from your husband, to live a widow, nay, worse than a widow, for widows may marry again.  Xan. 
Truly I like your counsel well, but I shall be weary of such a daily labour.  Eul. 
But think with yourself what a deal of labour you must take before you can teach this Parrot to speak like a man. And shall it grieve you to take pains in reforming of your husband, with whom you may live sweetly all the days of your life?  Xan. 
What shall I do?  Eul. 
I have already told you: first use daily & earnest prayer to God, then be careful that all things be clean, and sweet, and decent at home, that there be no loathsomeness or sluttishness to make him weary of his house, show yourself gentle and loving unto him, and always remember a certain reverence that a wife oweth to her husband: put away sadness and malecontentednesse, and put away all sauciness and impudent repr●…chfulnes, be not sluttish, nor toyish, and lasciu●…ous, let all your provision at home be neat and trim. You know your husband's diet, that that he liketh best, provide for him, and let it be after his own mind. And moreover, show yourself friendly and affable to those he loveth. At the table let there be no complaining, nor finding of fault, but let all be full of mirth and joy, so shall you enure your husband to tarry at home, and save charges. Then shall he begin to think with himself thus: Truly I am a very fool to live abroad with the great expense of my wealth and credit, having at home so pleasant and loving a wife, with whom I may enjoy all things in honest, decent, and good sort.  Xan. 
Do you think I should have good success if I tried?  Eul. 
I make no doubt of it: in the mean time I will go to your husband, and will admonish him of his duty.  Xant. 
I like your counsel, but take heed that none of our talk come to his ear, for if you do, he will take on as if heaven and earth should go together.  Eul. 
Fear not, I will so wind within him by circumstances, that he shall tell me all the stir that is between you himself. After that, I shall handle him after my manner most finely. And I hope you shall find him more to your liking than ever be●…ore. And as occasiou shall serve, I will bely you, and tell him how well and kindly you spoke of him.  Xan. 
I pray God prosper that we go about.  Eul. 
No doubt but he will, if you be not wanting to yourself.  
FINIS.   

A pithy Dialogue between a Harlot and a godly young man: showing how she going about to catch him in her snares, was ( by his forcible persuasions) caught her self, and converted to an honest woman.  

The Speakers names.  
Lucreti●….  
Sophroniu●….   Lucreti●…. 
WEll done, my most pleasant friend Sophronius, that you are come unto us at the last, for me think it is a long time since I saw you: at the first sight I did scarce know you.  Soph. 
Why so, my Lucretia?  Lu. 
Because the last time I saw you, you had no beard, and now you have a little one. What is the matter, my sweet heart? me think you look more sourly than you were wont.  Sop. 
I desire to talk more ●…amiliarly with you alon●….  Lu. 
What, are we not alone, my dear heart?  Sop. 
Let us go into a more secret place.  Lu. 
Go to then, let us go into the inner chamber, if you list to do any thing.  Sop. 
This place( as I take it) is not secret enough.  Lu. 
From whence cometh this new bashfulness? here is a closet where I lay all my apparel, so dark a place, that I can scarce see thee, or thou me.  So. 
Look round about that there be no chinks in the wall.  Lu. 
There is not one.  So. 
Is there no body in the next room that can hear us?  Lucr. 
Not a fly truly, my sweet heart: what dost doubt? why dost thou make such delays?  Sop. 
Can we here escape the eyes of God?  Luc. 
No, he seeth all things.  Sop. 
Nor his Angels?  Luc. 
We cannot avoid their presence.  Sop. 
And what is the reason that men are not ashamed to do those things before the eyes of God, and his holy Angels, which they are ashamed to do in the sight of men?  Lucr. 
What new matter is this? what, art thou come hither to preach? put on a hood, and get thee into the Pulpit, and there we will hear you, with your little beard.  Sop. 
Surely, I would not stick to do that, if I thought I might reclaim you from this kind of life you lead, not only the most filthy, but also the most miserable.  Lucr. 
And why so, goodman? we must live by one means or another. Every man liveth by his trade, this is our trade, and this is our lands.  Sop. 
I could wish( my Lucretia) that this lightness of mind being shaken off, you would with me consider better of the matter.  Luc. 
I pr●…y thee keep thy Sermon till another time, let us now live and be merry, my Sophronius.  Soph. 
You do all that you do for lucre, do you not?  Lucr. 
You have hit the nail on the head.  Sophr. 
You shall lose no penny of that you look for, I will give you four times so much, if you will but only hearken unto me.  Lucr. 
Say what you will.  Soph. 
First then answer me to this question, Have you any that wish you evil?  Lucr. 
Not one.  Sophr. 
Is there none that you do hate?  Lucr. 
No otherwise than they deserve.  Sophr. 
If you could do them a good turn, would you do it?  Lucr. 
I would first temper them a cup of poison.  Soph. 
But now consider with yourself, whether you can do any thing that can be more acceptable unto them, than to let them see you live this shameful and miserable life. And what could you do that could more grieve them that wi●…h you well?  Luc. 
This was my lot.  Sophr. 
Now that which was wont to be the hardest thing of all other to banished persons, or to those that are carried over into the islands, or cast out into the furthest parts of the world amongst the barbarous people, that have you chosen to yourself of your own accord.  Lucr. 
What is that?  Sop. 
Have not yo●… voluntarily renounced all natural affection, yea your father and mother, your brethren and sisters, and all others, whom by nature you are bound unto? for they are all ashamed of thee, and thou darest not come in their sight.  Lucr. 
Yea, I have most happily changed my affection, for in stead of a few friends, I now have many, of whom I always reckon thee for one, that is to me in stead of a brother.  Sophr. 
Leave these jestings, and consider the matter in good earnest as it is. She that hath so many friends, hath never a friend, believe me,( my Lucretia.) For they that resort unto thee, do not account of thee as their friend, but rather as a chamber-pot. Behold how far thou hast rejected thyself, thou miserable creature. Christ did so dearly love thee, that he redeemed thee with his blood, to make thee a fellow-heire with him of the inheritance of heaven, and dost thou make thyself a common sink, or jakes, for every base, filthy, and scabby companion to resort unto, and to empty his filthiness in thee? And if you be yet free from the contagion of that leprosy which they call the Spani●…h Scab, or French pox, you cannot long be without it: which if it should happen unto thee, what more unhappy or miserable than thou, although the rest were safe, I do mean thy goods, and good name? What else canst thou be but a living carcase, or a carrion? You were loath to obey your mother, now do you serve a most filthy bawd. You scorned to hear the admonition●… of your parents: here you must be continually beaten of drunken and mad who r●…maisters. It grieved you to do any work at home, wher●… by you might get your living, and here, what tumult? what stirs? what hurly-burlies? what brawli●…gs and quarrelling, what night watchings, must you endure? Besides that, continually afraid of the Constable, and suspecting every one that knocketh to be an Officer sent to apprehend you.  Lu. 
From whence cometh this new preacher to us?  Sop. 
Now consider of another thing with me, and leave thy scoffing. The flower of thy beauty which getteth thee so many lovers, shall fade in a very short time, what wilt thou do then, thou miserable creature? what dunghill will be more vile, what Toad more loathsome than thou? Peradventure of a Strumpet you will become a Bawd, yet every one cometh not to that dignity: but say that you do, what thing more wicked, or that can come more near unto the malice, and nature of the Devil himself?  Lu. 
They are true indeed, my Sophronius, almost all that thou sayest. But where gatest thou this sanctimony, which wert wont to be the wantonest of all wantoness? No man did ever more often resort hither, or at more unseasonable hours than thou hast done. I hear say you have been at Rome.  So. 
I have so indeed.  Lu. 
But from thence men were wont to return worse than they went, how cometh the contrary to pass with you?  So. 
I will tell you: because I went not thither in that manner, nor to that end that others do. Others for the most part go thither, that they may return worse than they went, and there they shall want no occasions, nor provocations. I went with an honest man, by whose persuasion I sold my Flagon Bottle, and bought me a little Book, the new Testament of Erasmus translation.  Lu. 
Erasmu●…? they lay he is half an heretic.  So. 
Have you seen the man?  Lu. 
Never: but I wish I might see him of whom I hau●… heard so much evil.  Sop. 
It may be of evil person●….  Luc. 
Nay of reverent men.  So. 
Who, I pray you?  Lu. 
Nay, I may not tell.  So. 
Why so?  Lu. 
Because if you should blab, and it should come to their ears, I should lose no small portion of my gain.  So. 
I thought what reverend ones they were. But fear not, you shall tell it to a stone.  Lu. 
Hearken then in your ear.  So. 
O foolish woman, what need I lay my ear to whisper in, when we are alone? Can God hear us? But now I see that you are a godly whore, that can help beggars with your alms.  Lu. 
But by such beggars I gain more, then by you rich folk.  So. 
I know that well enough, for they spoil honest matrons to bestow it upon wicked harlots.  Lu. 
But go on with your book.  So. 
So I will, and it is best of all. There Saint Paul( who cannot lie) taught me, that neither whoremongers, nor fornicators shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. When I had read that, I began thus to think with myself: It is but a small thing that I look to get by my father's inheritance, and yet I had rather renounce all whoredoms, and harlots, then to be disinherited of my father. How much more should I take heed that I be not disinherited of my heavenly father? And yet against my father( if he should dis▪ inherit me) I might be relieved by the laws of men; but if God should disinherit me, I have no refuge to fly unto. Therefore I did fully resolve with myself wholly to renounce all harlots.  Lu. 
If you can contain yourself, it is well.  So. 
It is a good part of continency, to be willing from the heart to be continent. Last of all, there remaineth another remedy against this mischief, an●… that is marriage: There was a good man at Rome, who with many good words exhorted me to purity of mind and body, to holy readings, to often prayers, and sobriety o●… life: for my penance he enjoined me nothing but to ask God forgiuene●…se upon my knees, if I had any store of money, to give to some poor body one Caroline. I marveled that for so many faults that I had committed with harlots, he would enjoin me no harder penance: he answered me pleasantly and said; My son, if thou dost truly r●…pent, and change thy life, I stand not upon penance: but if thou continuest in thy sin, even thy filthy lust itself will put thee to penance, and pain more then enough, yea though the priest enjoin thee none. For Solomon saith, That the wicked man shall be taken with his own iniquity, and shall be 
Prou 5.  bound with the cords of his own sin: so that he shall need none else to pursue him, or to apprehend him, or to bind him, his own sin shall do all. And again in the same Chapter, he saith: That though the lips of a harlot drop as the honey comb, and her words be softer than Oil, yet her feet go down to death, and her steps take hold of hell, and her end will be more bitter than wormwood, and sharper than a two edged sword, and he that is deceived by her shall mourn in the end, and say, I have given mine honour to the straung●…r, and my strength to the cruel, and wasted my substance, and my goods are found in the house of the stranger. How have I hated instruction, and my soul despised correction? I am brought unto all evil, in the midst of the Congregation. And look upon me( quoth that father) you see me, how blind I am, my eyes continually running with water, I shake and am crooked, and sometime I was such a one as you say yourself havebéene hitherto. So I repented, and have ta ken a n●…w course.  Lu. 
Then I perceive I have lost my Sophronius.  So. 
Nay, you have gained him rather. For before, he was lost, and was neither his own friend, nor thine, but now he doth truly love thee, and thirsteth after thy salvation.  Lu. 
What then, do you persuade me unto my good, Sophroni●…s?  So. 
That with all speed you give over this kind of life. Yet you be young, the stains that hitherto you have gotten, may, by hearty repentance, and faith in Christ, be wiped away: or marry some honest man, and we will help you to some thing towards your dowry: or else leave this place, and get into the service of some honest matron. To which of these you have most mind, you shall have my be●…t furtherance.  Lucr. 
In good earnest, my Sophronius, look me out a service, and I will follow your counsel.  So. 
But in the mean time remove your self from hence.  Lucr. 
What, so soon?  Sophr. 
Why not to day aswell as to morrow? delay is dangerous.  Lucr. 
Whither shall I go?  Sophr. 
Gather up all your apparel, and I will keep it for this night, my servant shall bring you to an honest ma●…rone, where you shall be a while at my charge, until I shall oth●…rwise provide for you, which shall not be long.  Lucr. 
Go to then, my good Sophronius, I do wholly commit myself unto thy fidelity.  So. 
Thereof you shall never repent yourself by the grace of God.   

A Dialogue of a Womanin Childbed.  

The Speakers names.  
Eutrapilus  
Fabulla.   Eutrapilu●…. 
GOd save you my dear Fabulla.  Fab. 
And you too Eutrapilus, but what is the matter that you come now to salute me, which none of us have seen this three year full?  Eut. 
I will tell you, by chance I( passing by these houses) saw the crow or the ring of the door bound about with a white linen cloth, and I marveled what the reason of it should be.  Fab. 
Are you such a stranger in this country, that you do not know the reason of that? do not you know that it is a sign that there is a woman lying in where that is?  Eut. 
O wonderful! is it not a prodigious thing to see a white crow? but in good sadness, I knewwel enough, that that is the manner where a woman lieth in, but I could not once inuspect that, you being so young a damsel, scarce yet sixteen years old, had so soon learned that most difficult Art of getting children, which oth●…r women do hardly learn before they be thirty years old.  Fab. 
You are always like yourself, you have not your n●…me inor nought, you may well be called Eutrapilus, for you love to be giving and jesting.  Eutr. 
So may you well be called Fabulla, for you are never without a fable. But as I was thus musing at the matter, in good time I met with him that hath had so many wives.  Fab. 
What, he that s●… lately buried his tenth wife?  Eutr. 
The very same: but i'll tell you,( that which perhaps you are ignorant of) he goeth a wooing again as proudly and lustily as if he had never been married: And I asked of him the reason of this white crow. There is( quoth he) in this house, a woman cut in two, or divided by the middle, what heinous offence( said I) hath she committed? And if it be true( quoth he) is bruited by the common rumour of the people, the good wife of the house hath flayed her husband, and with that went laughing away.  Fab. 
He is a pleasant companion after his rude manner.  Eutr. 
I came forthwith in, to gratulate or rejoice with you for your happy birth.  Fab. 
So you may if you will Eutrapilus, but than you will rejoice for my happy birth, when you shall see in that which I have brought forth, a token of a good man.  Eutr. 
Thou speakest both godly and truly, my Fabulla.  Fab. 
No sir, I am no man's Fabulla, but Petronius only.  Eut. 
To Petronius only, you bring forth, but I suppose you do not live to him alone. But for this also am I glad, and do rejoice with you, that you have brought forth a man child.  Fab. 
But why do you think me more happy for having a man child than a woman child●…?  Eutr. 
Nay rather Fabulla, let me learn that of you, why you women are gladder when you bear a son, than when you bear a daughter.  Fab. 
What oth●…rs think is unknown to me, but at this time I am glad of a son, because it seemed good unto God to have it so: if his will were to give me a daughter, I should be as well pleased as I am.  Eutr. 
Do you think that God is at leisure to look to thos●… that bear children?  Fa. 
What can his majesty rather do then to preserve that by propagation which he hath created?  Eutr. 
What can he rather ●…oe good woman? yea, if God were not God indeed, I do not think that he could sufficiently provide for so many businesses as he doth. There is the king of Denmark a godly favourer of the Gospel, he liveth in banishment. There is Francis the French king, he liveth as a guest or stranger amongst the Spaniards, I know not whether it be with his will, or against his will, but surely he is a man worthy of better fortune. Charles he goeth about to make a new Monarchy of the whole world. Fe●…dinandus hath as much to do in Germany about his own matters as he can. All Courtiers are gnawn with an insatiable hunger of money: the countrymen, they raise very dangerous commotions, neither can they be terrified from their attempts by so many slaughters and ruins as they have suffered, all the people thinks of nothing but an Anarchy, or confusion of all things: the house of the Church is shaken with dangerous factions: this way and that way is the seamless coat of Christ tor●…e in pieces. The lords vineyard is now wasted, not by one boar alone: the authority also of Priests and the dignity of Divines, together wi●…h their tithes and maintenance is going to wrack, the constitutions of the Bishops do ●…aint and languish, the Eucharist or Sacrament of Chr●…sts bo●…y and blood is called in qu●…stion, antichrist is exspect●…d, and the whole world doth travel of( I know not what) some great ●…ischiefe. In the mean time the Turks 〈◊〉 a●…d dominéere, and will make havoc of all, if they go●… on as they begin. And dost thou ask what God can do b●…tter than to have a care of women in Childbed? yea, I think it high time for him to look to his own kingdom, and that in time too.  Fab. 
Peradventure that which séem●…th great unto men, is unto God a matt●…r of no moment. But( if you will) let us from this talk ●…clude the person of God, and tell in good earn●…st what moveth you to think me more happy for having alo●…ne than a daughter.  Eutr. 
It is the part of a godly mind to judge that the best which our good God shall give without all doubt. But if God should give you a crystal cup, would you not give him great thanks?  ●…ab. 
●… would indeed.  ●…utra. 
But what if he should give you but a glass pot, wo●…ld you give him the like thanks? But while I stand disput●…g of these matters, I fear me that I am not comfortabl●…, but troublesome unto you.  ●…ab. 
Not so: Fabulla cannot now take any harm by talking, this is the fourth week since I lay down, and now I am strong enough eu●…n to wrestle.  Eut. 
Why then do you not fly abroad from your nest?  Fab. 
●…he King hath forbidden it.  Eut. 
What King?  Fab. 
A tyrant.  Eut. 
Wh●… I pray you?  Fab. 
I will tell you in one syllable: Custom. 
Custom is a tyrant.   Eut. 
See how many things this King exacteth beside all right and reason, let us then go on with our discourse of crystal and glass.  Fab. 
The man( as I conjecture) you judge to be of a more excellent and firm nature than the woman.  Eutr. 
So I think indeed. 
Whether the man or the woman be the more excellent.   Fab. 
Forsooth, if men may be judges, whether then are men longer liu●…d than women? or whether are they free from diseases?  Eu. 
Not so, but in their kind they are stronger than women.  Fab. 
But therein a camel goes beyond a man.  Eut. 
Yea but the man was first created.  Fab. 
S●… was ●…dam cr●…ated before Christ, is he therefor●… more excellent? And workmen are wont in their last works to ●…xcell thems●…lues.  Eutr. 
But God hath made the woman subject to the man.  Fab. 
He is not by and by the bett●…r which commandeth another. And God hath not subjecteth the woman, but th●… married woman. ●…nd again, he hath so subjecteth the married woman v●…to her hus●…and▪ that whereas each hath power over o●…hers body, he would have the woman to yield obedience v●…to her husband, not as unto the more excellent, but as unto the more ●…ierce and unruly. Speak Eutrapilus, whether is the weaker, he that yéeld●…th unto an other, or he to whom the way is yielded?  Eutr. 
Truly here I will yield unto you, if you will declare unto me what was saint Paul's meaning when he saith, That Christ is the head of the man, and that the man is the head of 
1. Corin. 11.  the woman. And again, when he saith, That the man is the image and glory of God, and the woman is the glory of the man.  Fa●…. 
That I shall soon resolve you of, if you will but show me, whether it be granted v●…to men only to be the members of Christ.  Eut. 
God forbid, that is given to all, both men and women by faith.  Fab. 
How cometh it then to pass, that when the head is but one, it may not be counted common to all the members? Again, when God made man to his own image, whether did he expr●…sse that image in the figure or form of the body, or in the gifts of the mind?  Eut. 
In the gifts of the mind.  Fa. 
And in these,( when you have said what you can) wherein do men excel us? In either sex are to be found vices enough, drunkenness, brawlings, fightings, slaughters, wars, rapines, and adulteries, etc.  Eut. 
But only we men fight for our Country.  Fab. 
But you do more often leave your place, and fly with shame enough, neither is it always for your Country that you fight, but most commonly for a base stipend: you forsake both wife and children, and worse than cutthroats, when you need not, you expose your bodies to a seruil●… necessity, either of killing or being killed. Now for all the great brag you make of your martial valour, there is none of you all, but if you had once tried what it is to bear a child, he had rather stand and fight ten times in the army, than once to undergo the pain and sorrow that we have experience of daily. In the wars it comes not always to handy blows: and if it do, yet every part of the army is not endangered alike: such as you be, are placed in the middle of the camp, some are in the out-shifts, and some after th●… first stroke is stricken, go their way, and sit down where they are ●…afe enough. And to conclude, many save themselves by yielding, our surrendering: but as for us, we must encounter with death even hand to hand.  Eut. 
This is not the first time I have heard of these things, but are they as truly as commonly reported?  Fab. 
They are too true.  Eut. 
Will you have me then to persuade your husband, that from henceforth be shall not meddle with you? For so shall you be sure to be free from this danger, Fabula.  Fab. 
Surely I desire nothing more willingly, if you can bring it to pass.  Eut. 
What reward shall that Orator have that can persuade this matter?  Fab. 
Sure I will give him ten neats tongues dried in the smoke.  E●…t. 
I had rather yet have them than ten Nightingales 
A bargain.  tongues. Well, I refuse not the offer: but I would not hau●… this bargain to take effect, until there be some solemn covenant or band drawn.  Fab. 
If you please to have it so, let it be so, and whatsoever caution or assurance else you can devise.  Eut. 
That shall be done according to your own mind, after your month is expired.  Fab. 
And why may it not be done now rather, according to my mind?  Eut. 
I will tell you, because I fear that after a month, you will be of another mind, and then both you must double your reward, and my pains also will be doubled in persuading and dissuading.  Fab. 
Well then, let it be even as you will for me: but in the mean time go forward, and show why the male sex should be more excellent than the female?  Eut. 
Oh, I perceive Fabulla, that you have studied this matter, and come prepared for this combat, and therefore for this time I think it my best course, even to give you the Bucklers, I will deal with you after an other manner, and I will be armed too, neither will I come without a Soldier to help me, for when the matter is tried only by the tongue, surely one woman will be too hard for seven men.  Fab. 
Certainly nature hath armed us with this weapon, although you men be not tongue-tied.  Eut. 
It may be so: but where is the boy?  Fab. 
In the next Chamber.  Eut. 
What doth he there? Doth he seeth Coleworts, or look to the pottage pot?  Fab. 
Away trifler: he is with his nurse.  Eut. 
What nurse do you speak of? hath he any other nurse then his own mother?  Fab. 
Yea, why not? that is the common manner now.  Eut. 
When you speak of the common manner, Fabulla, you name the worst author that can be, of a thing that should be well done: for commonly men sin, the common manner is to play at Dice; the common manner is to go to whoore-houses; the common manner is to deceive, to be drunken, and to riot.  Fab. 
It seemed good to my friends to have it so, for they thought it meet to spare me yet, being of so tender years.  Eut. 
But if nature hath made you able to conceive, and 
O●… putting forth children o nurse.  bring forth, no doubt but that Nature hath also made you able to give suck.  Fab. 
Truly that is very probable.  Eut. 
Tell me what you think, is not the name of Mother a most sweet name?  Fab. 
Yes, I do believe it.  Eut. 
Therefore if it were possible, you should let another woman be the Mother of your child.  Fab. 
In faith sir no.  Eut. 
Why then do you willingly resign more than half your title of Mother unto another woman?  Fab. 
Good words Eutrapilos, I divide not my son, I am the whole and sole mother.  Eut. 
Nay Fabulla, here even Nature itself doth gainsay you, and check you to your face: Why is the earth called 
Nature itself is against putting forth children to nurse.  the mother of all things? is it for that it bringeth them forth? yea, but much more because it nourisheth those things which it bringeth forth. Whatsoever the water breedeth, is also brought up in the same waters. In the earth there is no kind of thing engendered, whether it be li●…g creature, or plant, but the same earth doth nonrish it with her moisture. Neither is there any kind of living creature, but it doth nourish his own young ones: the Owels▪ the Lions, and Uipers do nourish their own young ones: and do men and women cast off theirs? I pray you, what is more cruel than those, that for the tediousness that is in education, do expose or cast out their young ones to the wide world?  Fab. 
You speak of things to be abhorred.  Eut. 
Yea, but men for all that do not so abhor the fact as they should: for it is not a kind of exposing or casting o●…t ●…o take a little 〈◊〉 in●…ant, yet warm 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mother, yea that 〈◊〉 of the mother, yea and 〈◊〉, or crying for help of the mother, with that v●…ice that is said 〈◊〉 move even the wild beasts, and to commit it over unto a woman, perhaps scarce sound in her body, nor yet in her conditions, with whom a little money is more respected than all thy child.  Fab. 
Yea, but we have made choice of a nurse that is o●…●… sound constitution of her body.  Eut. 
This can the Physicians better judge of than you. But here suppose that the woman you speak of, be not only 
Strangersmilk and heat is not like the mothers, whereunto the infant hath been accustomed in the womb. Similes of Wheat, Vines, Plants.  equal to yourself, but if you will, a little above you: yet do you think it no matter, whether the tender infant do such of that milk that it hath been ●…amiliarly acquainted unto, and to be nourished with that natural heat that it was used unto in the womb, or be compelled to accustom itself unto other milk, and other heat? Wheat being sown in a strange ground, doth degenerate into 〈◊〉, or winter wheat: a vine being translated from his native soil to another hill, doth change his nature: a little plant being plucked from his native earth, doth hang down his head, and droop, and in a manner die: and therefore, as much as lieth in men, they never remove them without their own native earth about the roots of them.  Fab. 
Yea, but they say, that plants removed, and new s●…t 
Object.  in other ground, do lose their wild nature, and bring forth more noble fruit.  Eut. 
True, but they are not removed presently( good woman) so soon as they are borne. And this time will come too 
Answer.  one day,( if God will) that you must put forth your young son abroad, to be endued with learning, and more 〈◊〉 kind of government, or discipline, which duty doth rather belong unto the father, than to the mother: but now his tender age is to be favoured, and cherished. And further, where as it maketh much to the health and strength of the bo●…y, to s●… what manner of meat it be fed withal, then is it a thing 〈◊〉 ●…o be regarded, what juice that young and tender little body o●… the infan●… be nourished withal. For in this case it will prove true which Horace sayeth; Look wherewith the pot is once seas●…ed, of that will it smell a long time after.  Fa. 
For the body I take not so much care, so that the mind may be such as we des●…re.  Eut. 
Truly your speech hath m●…re piety than Philosophy.  Fab. 
Why so?  Eu●…rap. 
Then when you cut herbs, why do you complain that your knife's edge is blunt, and command it to be sharpened? And why do you refuse to sow with a dull needle, seeing that doth diminish nothing from your skill?  Fab. 
There wanteth not Art, but a fit instrument.  Eut. 
Why do they avoid Darnel and Onions, which have need of a ●…harpe sight?  Fab. 
Because they hurt the eyes.  Eut. 
And is it not the mind that seeth?  Fab. 
Yes, for they that have no mind▪ have no sight, and they that mind nothing, see nothing: But what ●…an a workman do with a bad tool?  Eut. 
Then you confess the body to be the instrument of the mind.  Fab. 
That is certain. 
When the body is at fault, the mind is at fault.   Eut. 
And you also confess, that when the body is at fault, the mind cannot work, or it worketh but untowardly.  Fab. 
It is true that you say.  Eut. 
Go to then, me thinks now I have gotten a pretty Philosophical wit. Imagine therefore, that the mind of a man might go into the body of a dunghill cock: could it then utter such a voice as now it doth?  Fab. 
No.  Eut. 
What should be the let?  Fab. 
Because there are wanting lips and teeth, and such a tongue as we have, as also the wesel-pipe, or flap of the throat: there are also wanting the three gristles which are moved of the three muscles, unto which do belong the sinews that come from the brain, neither hath a cork such ●… mouth and ●…awes, as we have.  Eut. 
What if the soul of man should go into a swi●… body?  Fab. 
It should grunt like a swine.  Eut. 
What if it were in the body of a Camel?  Fab. 
It would cry like a Camel.  Eut. 
What if it were in the body of an Ass?  Fab. 
It would bray like an Ass.  Eut. 
Surely this did Ap●…leius a Philosopher of A●…hens confess, when he desired to call upon Caesar, though he drew his lips together as much as he could, yet he could scarce sound O Caesar, by no means could he pronounce. Th●… same Apuleius, when he desired to remember a tale that he had heard, he desired to have it written, and he condemned such an a●…se-headed conceit, when he did see whole hooves.  Fab. 
And worthily.  Eu●…rapilus 
Therefore, with eyes that run, or are blood-shotten, the soul seeth worse than when the eyes ar●… clear, it heareth the worse when the ears are full of filth▪ it smelleth the worse when phlegm doth possess the brain, it feeleth the worse when any member is astonied, it tasteth the worse when the tongue is corrupted with ill humours.  Fab. 
It cannot be denied.  Eut. 
Only because the instrument is corrupted.  Fab. 
So I judge it.  Eut. 
Neither do you deny, but that for the most part it is corrupted by meat and drink.  Fab. 
I grant it: But what hurt doth this to a good mi●…e?  Eut. 
Therefore what doth Darnell to clear eyes?  Fa. 
It corrupteth the eye which is the minds instrument.  Eut. 
You answer rightly▪ but tell me one thing. What is the reason that one man hath a quicker v●…rstanding, and a surer memory th●…n 〈◊〉, and that one is sooner angry and more moderate in his a●…ger than another?  Fab. 
Because the mind is so framed.  Eut. 
You shall not so carry it away. What is the cause that he which was sometime of a quick wit, and of a rich memory, doth afterward become forgetful and dull, and that without blow, without fall, or disease, or old age?  Fab. 
Now you seem to play the Sophister with me.  Eut. 
Therefore on the other side do you also play the Sophister, and find out my Sophistry.  Fab. 
I think this is your meaning; that as the soul doth hear and see by the ears and the eyes, so by certain organs or instruments, it understandeth, and remembreth, and loveth, and hateth, it is angry, and pleased.  Eut. 
You conjecture right.  Fab. 
But after all this now, what be those instruments, and where be they?  Eut. 
You see where the eyes be.  Fab. 
That is true, and the ears too, and nostrils I see, and where the palate is I know, and in all the whole body I see there is a fellow-feeling, unless any member be benumbed or astonished.  Eut. 
Though a foot be cut off, yet the mind understandeth.  Fab. 
It doth so, although a hand be cut off.  Eut. 
But he that receiveth a sore blow upon the temples of his head, or in the nape of the neck, falleth down like a dead man, and is void of sense.  Fab. 
This have I seen in my time.  Eut. 
By this you may perceive, that within the brainpan do lie the instruments of understanding, of will and memory, which be not so gross or thick, as the ears and eyes, but yet material. For as much as they be spirits which we have in our body, that be most subtle and corporeal, that is, of a most thin, fine, and tender substance.  Fab. 
And are these also corrupted by meats and drinks?  Eut. 
Very much.  Fab. 
Why the brain is far from the stomach.  Eut. 
And so is the top of the tunnel of a chimney, far from the fire in the chi●…y: but if you 〈◊〉 there you ●…hall feel a vapour.  Fab. 
I do not mean to try.  E●…t. 
But if you will not credit me, inquire of the Storks. Therefore it is very material what spirits and vapours do fly up into the brain and instruments of the mind: for if these b●… raw and cold, they fall down again into the stomach.  Fab. 
In truth now you describe unto me the manner of a still, by which we receive the juice of hearbe●… and ●…owers, breathing or vapouring upward.  Eut. 
Your còniecturing is not amiss. For the l●…er whereunto the gall cleaveth, is in the place of the fire, the stomach is a pan, the brainpan is the top of the high butt or still, and so if you will, the nose is in the steed of the spout. Therefore from this mutual flowing and ebbing of humours, groweth whatsoever is the cause of any disease, even as divers humours do diversly fall, now into the eyes, now int●… the stomach, one while into the shoulders, another whi●…e into the neck, or elsewhere. Whereby you may also perceive why exce●…siue wine drinkers have bad memories, and why those that feed upon meats of more pure and subtile●… spirits, are not so dull witted. And why Coriander helpeth memory, and Langwort or Neesewort purgeth the mind: and why great fullness brings the falling sickness, which at once deadeth or benumbeth all the senses, as if they were cast into some deep fléepe. And to concl●…de, as too much hunger or thirst in children, doth blunt the edge of their wit and memory, so too much meat doth make the●… blockish and dull witted, if we may credit Aristo●…le, because that little spark of the mind is as it were over▪ whelmed with undigested matter.  Fab. 
Is then the mind a bodily substance, that it may be affected with bodily things.  Eu●…. 
●…he very nature of the reasonable soul, is not cor●… 〈◊〉, but her original instruments being corrupted, her force an●… 〈◊〉 is hin●…ered: as it booteth not a wo●…keman to excel in his Art, if he want ●…t tools to work withal.  Fab. 
Of what quantity or shape is the soul?  Eut. 
What a ridiculous question is that, seeing you confess it to be without body?  Fab. 
I mean a body that may ●…e felt.  Eut. 
But those ●…hings are most pe●…t which are not felt, as God and Angels.  Fab. 
I hear that God and Angels are called spirits, but a spirit we feel.  Eut. 
The holy Scriptures in using this word, do but st●…mmer as it were for our rude understanding sake, meaning thereby, a mind pure and free from all comerc●… and society of sensible things.  Fab. 
What difference then is there between Angels and 
The differéce betwee●…e an Angel and a soul.  souls?  Eut. 
Even the same that is between a due snail, and a shell snail.  Fab. 
Then the body is rather the soul's house, than the soul's instrument.  Eutrap. 
There is no let to the contrary, but that one and the same thing may be called both an instrument, & a house. But of this matter the Philosophers do not agree, some call the body the soul's garment, some the soul's house, some the s●…ules instrument, and some the soul's harmony. Now 
What the soul is to the body.  which soever of all these you list to call it, it will follow thereupon, that the actions of the mind are hindered by the affections of the body. First, if the body be that to the soul which the garment is to the body: how much the garment makes to the health of the body, Hercules hath showed: to say nothing of the colours of hairs and kinds of skins. But whether one soul may suffice to we are out many bodies, as one body doth to wear out many garments, I leave that to Pythagoras to tell.  Fabulla 
It were not amiss if( according to the opinion of Pythagoras) it were lawful to change souls as well as garments: then in winter a man might have a fat body, and w●…ll lined, and in summer a lean.  Eut. 
But I think it were not very commodious, if as when many garments are worn, the body itself at last weareth: so, many bodies being worn, at last the soul should wax old, and we are too.  Fab. 
No truly.  Eut. 
Now as it maketh much to the health and agility of the body, to see with what garment it be clad: so is it very material what body the soul carrieth about with it.  Fab. 
Truly, if the body be the garment of the soul, I see many men very diversly clad.  Eut. 
So it is: and yet the greatest part of this matter resteth in us, to see how ●…itly the soul be clothed.  Fab. 
Therefore let go the garment, and say something of the house.  Eutrap. 
I will. But lest that I say unto thee may seem a fable, Fabulla, the Lord jesus himself calleth his body a Temple. And Peter the Apostle calleth his body a tabernacle. And some stick not to call the body the soul's sepulchre. Some call it the minds priso●…: and many call it a Tower. Now 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  hear the reasons: That mind that is pure in all parts, dwelleth in a temple: that soul that is not captive to the love of corporal things, dwelleth in a tabernacle, and would willingly remove out of it, if her Commander would call for her: that soul that is blinded with most filthy lusts, that it can never aspire to the wholesome liberty of the Gospel, that lieth in a sepulchre. But they which painfully wrestle with their sins, and as yet cannot do as they would, their souls dwell in a prison, still crying unto him that is the deliverer of all his servants, saying; Bring my soul out of priso●…, that it may praise thy name O Lord. They which fiercely fight with Satan, watching his sleights, who goeth about like a roaring Lion, seeking whom he may devour, their soul liveth, as it were, in a Garrison or Camp, from whence it is in no wise lawful to depart, without warrant from the General and Commander of the field.  Fab. 
If the body be the soul's lodging, I see many whose souls are but sorily lodged.  Eut. 
It is very true, even in houses that ●…e 〈◊〉 dropping, da●…ke, and dus●…ish, subject to all w●…nde and weather, ●…moky, filthy, phlegmatic, rhumatike, torn and ruinous, rotten and inf●…cted: and yet Cato doth judge it the first part of happiness, to dwell well.  Fab. 
It were somewhat tolerable, if it were lawful to go out of one house into another.  Eut. 
To remove is not lawful, until the Landlord that placed the soul shall call for it. But though it be not lawful to let the soul out of her dwelling: yet it is very lawful and fit too, by Art and Care, to make the souls dwelling house more commodious a●…d handsome than it is, as in houses we see the windows are altered, the ground is raised, the walls are plastered, the dust is swept out, and the rooms are cleansed with fire and perfume. This to do in an old body, all ruinated and ready to drop down, is most hard. But it is to great purpose, if a child be looked unto as it ought to be ●…rom his birth.  Fab. 
You would have a woman to be both mother, and nurse, and Physician too.  Eut. 
I would so indeed, as touching ●…he choice and moderation of meat and drink, and of exercise, and of sleep, and 
Note tha●… well.  bathing, and anointing, and rubbing, and dressing, and clothing. How many think you are subject to most grievous diseases and vices, as the falling-sickness, lea●…enesse, weakness, ●…afenesse, their loins broken, their members pulled ●…way, their brains weak, and their minds dull and sottish, and all through the gross ignorance or unconscionable negligence of nurses.  Fab. 
It is marvel that you were not made a Franciscane Friar in steed of a Painter, you preach so well.  Eut. 
When I see you become a St. Clare, then will I be a Franciscan, and p●…each unto you.  Fab. 
Tr●…ely I am very desirous to know what the soul is, of which we hear and talk so much, seeing no man ever saw it.  Eutr. 
Nay, there is none that hath eyes but hath seen it.  Fab. 
I see souls pictured like a little infant, but why have they not wings like Angels?  Eut. 
Because when they fell from heaven, they broke their wings, if there be any credit to be given to the ●…ables of Socrates.  Fab. 
How then are they said to fly up into heaven?  Eutr. 
Because ●…aith and charity have caused them to have 
The wings of the soul.  new wings. These wings did he desire, that being weary of the cottage of his body, cried out, Who shall give unto me the wings of a Dove, that I may fly from hence, and take my rest? for other wings the soul hath none, being incorporeal, neither hath it any shape that can be seen with bodily eyes, but those things are more certainly discerned, which we see with the eyes of our mind. Do you believe that there is a God?  Fab. 
That I do most steadfastly.  Eutr. 
But nothing can be less seen then God.  Fab. 
He is seen in things created.  Eutr. 
In like manner is the soul seen in the actions of the 
How thesoule is seen.  soul: if thou demandest what it doth in a living body, do but look upon a dead body. When you see a man feel, see, hear, move, understand, remember, and discourse, you do more certainly see the soul in presence, than you do now see this same pot, for one sense may be deceived, but so many arguments drawn from all the senses, can by no means fail.  Fab. 
Well then, if you cannot show me the ●…oule, then describe it unto me by certain marks, as you would describe Caesar, whom I have not seen.  Eutr. 
Aristotle's definition I have ready for you.  Fab. 
What's that? for they say he is a very good descipherer of all things.  Eutr. 
The soul( saith he) is An act of an Organical and natural bod●…e, having life in power. 
Aristotle's definition of th●… soul examined.   Fab. 
Why doth he call it an Act, rather tha●… a journey, or a Way?  Eut. 
Here is no warning given to Carters, or horseme●…, but the state or manner of the soul is defined. And the act he calleth the Form, the nature whereof is to do, when the nature of any matter is to suffer: And every natural motion of the body proceedeth from the soul: and the motion of the body is divers.  Fab. 
I understand it, but why doth he add Organical?  Eut. 
Because the soul doth nothing but by means of the instruments of the body.  Fab. 
Why doth he add Natural?  Eutr. 
Because Daedalus would counterfeit such a body, but in vain: and therefore he addeth, having life in power. Every thing receiveth not form, but only such matter as is capable of form.  Fab. 
What if an Angel should enter into the body of a man?  Eutr. 
He might work indeed, but not by natural organs, or instruments of nature: neither could he give life unto the body, the soul being away.  Fabu. 
Have I now the whole definition and manner of the soul?  Eutr. 
According to Aristotle you have.  Fab. 
Truly I have heard great speaking of him, as of a famous Philosopher, but I fear, that if a century of wise men should so write v●…to me, I may charge them with heres●…e, if I may gainsay them, or freely speak my mind. Otherwise, whatsoever he hath said of the soul of man, may be said of an ass, and an ox.  Eut. 
Yea of a beetle, and of a snail.  Fab. 
What difference then is there between the soul of a beast, and the soul of a man?  Eut. 
They that say the soul is nothing else than a harmony of the qualities of the body, do not make any great difference. For if it be so, than this forsooth will ●…ollowe, the harmony being broken, the souls of both do perish alike. It is not reason itself surely that distinguisheth the soul of a man from the soul of a beast, but this we may say, that the soul 〈◊〉 a beast knoweth or underftandeth less than the soul of a man, even as we see some men also to know and understand less than a beast. 
Es●…y 1.   Fab. 
Surely they have but a beastly mind.  Eutr. 
But this you know Fabul●…a, that according to the nature of the Lute, the harmony is the sweeter.  Fab. 
I grant that.  Eutr. 
Neither doth it a little skill, of what wood and fashion the Lute be made.  Fab. 
And you say true, for some wood is better than some, and the fashioning of a thing is a great matter.  E●…trap. 
Neither are the strings made of every beasts entrails.  Fab. 
So I have heard.  Eut. 
And these strings also, through the dryness or moisture of the air that encloseth them, are often times shrunk up, or rotten, and by that means will not hold the straining.  Fab. 
That I have seen oftener than once.  Eutr. 
By this than you may be able to perform no small help to your little infant, that his mind may have an instrument well tempered, and tuned, that it be not loose by sloth, nor too shrill through wrath, nor hoarse through drunkenness, for oftenti●…es these affections are graffed in us by education and want of good diet.  Fab. 
I do take your admonition in good part: but I look how you can defend Arist●…tle.  Eutr. 
Truly, he did but in general terms describe the soul, living, growing and feeling. The soul giu●…th life, 
Of the li●…e of tre●…s.  but it is not forthwith a living creature that l●…th: for trees do both live and wax old, and die, but they feel nothing: though some do attribute unto them a certain kind of stupid sense: In the cliffs or ioynt●… there is scarce any sense perc●…iued, but in sponge there is, w●… it is plucked off: In trees, those that are fellers of timber do discern some s●…nce,( 〈◊〉 we may believe them) for they say, that if one do strike 〈◊〉 tree with the palm of his hand, w●…ich h●… would fallen( as timber men use to do) it is the more hardly cut down, because for fear( forsooth) it hath s●…runke it s●…lfe, together: but that that 
A very jest.  hath life and sense is a living creature. And there is no l●…t to the contrary, but that may be v●…getable, or growing, which wanteth sense, as do muhrooms, beets, and coleworts, etc.  Fab. 
If these things do feel, or live, in any sort, if they be mou●…d when they grow ripe, what 〈◊〉 that they may not be called living creatures?  Eutr. 
It did not seem good unto our Ancestors to have it so, and it is not lawful for us to be wiser than our forefathers, neither is it any thing to the matter that we have in hand.  Fab. 
But I can not endure, that the life of a scarabée, or beetle fly, and the soul of a man should be all ●…ne.  Eutrap. 
They are not all one, good woman, but after a sort, thy soul doth give life, and growing, and sense unto thy body: and so doth the soul of a scarabée in his body: for whereas the soul of a man doth something which the soul of the scarabée cannot do, the cause is in the matter, that can neither sing nor say, because it w●…nteth fit instruments for those ●…ffices.  Fab. 
This than you say, that if the soul of a scarabée should pass into the body of a man, it should do the same things that the soul of a man doth.  Eutr. 
Nay nor yet the soul of an Angel( as I have showed) but there is no difference 〈◊〉 an Angel and the soul of a man, saving that the soul of man was created to live and move in a human body furnished with natural instruments, and to govern the same: and in like manner the soul of a scarabée, to move only the body of a scarabée. Angels be not created to that end that they should give life unto bodies, but to understand without bodily instruments.  Fab. 
And can not the soul of man do the same, I pray you?  Eutrapilus 
Yes truly, when it is parted from the body.  Fab. 
Belike than he is not his own man,( as they say) while he is in the body.  Eutr. 
Truly no, unless something ha●…pen be●…de the common course of nature.  Fab. 
But me think, that for one soul, you have powered 
Obi●….  me out many souls, as one that giveth life, an other that causeth to grow, another that giveth sense, another that affordeth understanding, another that bestoweth memory, another that is the guider of the will, an other that kindleth anger, and another that begetteth lust: One had been enough for me.  Eut. 
One and the same soul effecteth divers a●…tions, and 
Answer.  in respect of those it hath divers surnames( as it were) as a thinking so●…le, a sensible soul, an understanding soul, etc.  Fab. 
I do not well understand you.  Eutr. 
But I will cause you to understand me, you are in 
A similitude.  your bed chamber a wife, in your shop a weaver of tapestry, in your aware house a seller of tapestry, in your kitchen a cook, among your servants a mistress, and among your children a mother, and yet notwithstanding all these, you are in one and the same house.  Fab. 
So then belike the mind is in the body, as I am in my house.  Eut. 
Right.  Fab. 
But when I work in my shop, I play not the cook in my kitchen.  Eut. 
That is because you are not all soul, but you have a soul that carrieth a body about with it, and your body cannot be in many places at once: the soul, because it is not a compound, but a simple form, is so in the whole body, that it is whole in every part of the body, although it cannot effect the same thing by every part, neither can she effect the same things which she effecteth in the same manner always, howsoever her instruments be affected: for she understandeth and remembreth in the brain, she is angry in the hea●…t, she lusteth in the liver, she hearet●… in the ears, seeth in the eyes, smelleth in the nostrils, tasteth in the palate and tongue, & feeleth in all the parts of the body, that have any sinewy matter adjoining: for neither doth she feel in the hairs of the head, nor in the nails of the fingers, neither can the lights, or the liver feel of themselves, nor peradventure the spl●…ne.  Fab. 
Therefore it quickeneth and refresheth only in certain parts of the body.  Eut. 
So it seemeth.  Fab. 
If one and the same soul effecteth all these things in one man, than it followeth that the Infant in the womb, so 
Whether the soul performeth all her offices in an Infant or no.  soon as it increaseth, which is a sign of life, it doth also at the same instant feel and understand, etc. unless perhaps at the beginning of one man there be many souls, and afterward,( all the rest giving place) one only doth all, so that fir●…t a man shall be a plant, and then a living creature, and last of all, a man.  Eut. 
That which you say seemeth not very absurd unto Aristotle: but to us it is more probable, that together with the life is infused a reasonable soul, or a soul endued with reason, but that which as a little fire, drenched out of measure with abundance of moist matter, cannot as yet show forth his force and strength.  Fab. 
The soul therefore is bound to that body which it rul●…th, and moveth, is it not?  Eut. 
No otherwise then a Snail is to her shell, which she carrieth about with her.  Fab. 
She moveth her shell indeed, yet so as she is also therewithal moved herself: as the master of a ship turneth the ship which way he listeth, but in the mean time he is also moved with his ship.  Eut. 
Yea, or rather as a Squirrel whéeleth about the rolling Cage, and in the mean time is movable him sel●…e.  Fab. 
And so the soul both affecteth and is affected again.  Eut. 
Truly yea, as touching her operations.  Fab. 
Then belike, in respect of nature, the soul of a Blackm●…re, is equal with the soul of king Solomon.  Eut. 
True, there is no ab●…urditie in that.  Fab. 
And so are Angels alike too, sith they want matter, or material substance, which( as you say) is the cause of inequality.  Eut. 
We have Philosophy enough n●…w, rather let Divines canvas these points, and let us go to the matter that we began withal. If you will be a whole mother, look●… 
The duty of a mother.  yourself to the little body of your tender Infant, that so, after that he hath unfolded himself of those vapours, which are as sparkles to the mind, it may use good and fit instruments. So often as you hear your child crying like a child, think with yourself that he doth instantly require it at your hands. When you see upon your breast, these two as it were swelling fountains of milk, and flowing of their own accord●… with that milky liquor, then think how nature doth admonish you of your duty. Otherwise, when your child shall learn to speak, and in his pleasant and pretty stammering language, shall call you mother, with what face can you hear this of him to whom you, have denied your paps, and have turned over to a hired papp●… even as if you had put it out to a goat or a sheep. When he shall be able to speak and know good from evil, what if he should call you, n●…t mother, but half mother? It may be you will try what the rod will do●…: but she is scarce half a mother, which refuseth to nurse that which she hath brought forth. The better part of mother-hood is the nur●…ing of the tender babe. For it is not nursed only with milk, but also with the sweet scent or smell of the mother's body, it craveth the same liquor that it was familiarly acquainted withal before, which it su●…ked in the body, and whereby it grew together. And I am of this mind, that in children, wit is corrupted by the nature of the Milk which they suck; even as we see in plants and fruits, their nature is changed, and altered, even by the moisture of the earth which doth nourish them. Do you think this Proverb came 
A Proverb too true.  of nothing: This naughtiness he sucked in with his nurse's milk?  
Truly, I am not of the Grecians mind, who were wont to say, that nurses do signify one that is ill fed: for they put a little chawed meat into the Infant's mouth, and swallow the greatest part thems●…lues. And therefore she hath not brought forth truly, that doth presently cast away that she hath travailed of; for this is not kindly to bring forth, but to come afore the time. And unto such kind of mothers may very 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, à 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, i. à non seruand●….  well agree in my opinion that derivation which the Grecians have given of the Greèke word which signifieth mother. And that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which they say cometh of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that is, mother of not saving: for to take altogether a hired Nurse for a poor tender Infant, as yet warm from the mother, is a kind of exposing, or casting it forth to hazard.  Fab. 
I should yield unto that you say, if there were not chosen such a woman in whom nothing is wanting that should be in a nurse.  Eut. 
As if( forsooth) it were no matter what milk the tender Infant do suck, or what slauer it swalloweth down with his meat that she hath chawed and champed before. But imagine that such a nurse may be gotten, as I know not where such a one can be had, do you think that there is any which possibly can digest all the weariness and irksomeness that is in nursing as the mother can? Is there any that can brook all the foul hands, th●… sit, the watchings, the cry, the diseases, and diligent care of preserving the child,( which can neu●…r b●…e enough) as the mother can? If there can be found any whose love is equal with the mother's love, then may her care also be equal with the mother's care.  
And why may not that also come to pass, that your son may love you but to the halves, whenas that native love is as it were distracted, & divided between two mothers? neither can you be carried with the like natural affection toward your son: As he groweth in years, so he shall be more unwilling to obey your commandments, and your care will be the colder towards him, in whose behaviour perhaps you shall see his nurse. And the chiefest step to learning, is the mutual love that is between the teacher and the schaller. Therefore, if he shall lose nothing of that sweet savour which natural affection yieldeth, you shall the more easily drop into him the precepts of living well: For here the mother's help is not small, even in this respect, that she will teach him that, which both for matter and manner, will be most pleasing, and in all points to be imitated.  Fab. 
Now I perceive, that it is not so easy a matter to be a mother, as it is commonly supposed to be.  Ent. 
If you do not bl●…ue me, b●…holde Saint Paul spe●…ks plainly unto you,( speaking of the woman he saith) she 
1. Tim. 2. 15.  shall be saved by bearing of children.  Fab. 
Then they shall be saved which she bear●…th.  Eut. 
Not so, but he addeth, if her children continue in the faith and love, with holiness and modesty, so that you have not yet done the part of a mother, unless you first frame aright his tender body, and then his mind as tender as that with good education.  Fab. 
But this is not in the mother's pow●…r, that the children shall continue in faith and godliness.  Eut. 
It may be so, but for all that, vigilant admonition is of such force, that Paul thinks it to be laid to the mother's charge, if their children degenerate from godly courses. And to conclude, if you shall but that do which lieth in you to perform, God will add his help unto your diligence.  Fab. 
Truly Eutrapilus your speech hath persuaded me, if you can in like manner pe●…swade my friends, and my husband.  Eut. 
That will I undertake, so that you will help me with your cons●…nt.  Fab. 
That I do assure you I will.  Eut. 
But may I not see your child?  F●…b. 
Yes, that you shall most willingly. Do you hear Syrisca? Call hither the nurse, and bid her bring the Infant with her.  Eut. 
A very fine child, the saying is, that the first trial must have a pardon, but you upon the first trial, have showed even the perfection of Art.  Fab. 
It is no graven Image, that it should need any art.  Eut. 
True, for it is a molten Image, but howsoever it be, it fell out m●…st happily, I would that those Images which you make in your tapistry work, may have no worse success.  Fab. 
But you on the other side are better at painting than begetting of children.  Eut. 
So it seemed good unto nature, to fit and match every man's turn: how careful is nature that nothing may perish; see how she hath represented two persons in this one child; the nose and eyes resemble the father; the forehead and chin the mother. Can you commit such precious pledge to another body's trust? Me think they are double cruel that are able to do it: for that is not done only with the peril of the Infant that is put away, but also with their own peril, because the milk which is corrupted by change, doth oftentimes breed most perilous diseases. And therefore it falleth out, that while they provide for the fashion or beauty of one body, they neglect the lives of two bodies, and while they go about to prevent sudden old age, they cast themselves into an untimely death; but I will go see what I can do with your husband and friends.  Fab. 
I pray God you may prevail.   

A pleasant Dialogue of a Popish Pilgrimage: notably setting forth the glorious felicity and admirable utility of the Catholic Religion.  

The speakers names.  
Menedemus a Philosopher.  
Ogygius, one of Thebes.   Mene. 
WHat news is this? Do I not see my neighbour Ogygius that hath not been seen this six months full? The speech was, that he was dead: sure it is he, ●…nlesse I be much deceived. I will go and salute him: God save you Ogygius.  Ogyg. 
And you also Menedemus.  Men. 
What region hath sent you hither so safe? For the rumour went here, that you were dead.  Ogyg. 
I thank God I was so well all the time of my being abroad, that I was never better in all my life.  Men. 
Thus you ever prove such spreaders of rumours to be but vain men: but what manner of apparel have you gotten there? Me think you are beset with pearls, or wilkes like Gutter-tiles, you are full of Images, both of Ti●…ne and Led, you are trimly decktindéed, with straw Garlands, and Serpents Eggs upon your sleeves.  Ogyg. 
Oh sir, I have visited Saint Iame●… of Compostella and 
St james of Compost●….  ●…rom thence I went to visit, or rather, to revisit, that holy Virgin, by the sea coa●…t, called our Lady of Walsingham, that is in so great account in England: for about some three year 〈◊〉 since I did visit her before.  Men. 
For your pleasure sake, I think.  Ogyg. 
Nay, for religion sake.  Men. 
This religion I think you learned, when you learned Greek.  Ogyg. 
No, good sir, but my wives mother bound herself by a vow, that if her daughter did bring forth a son alive, I should go in mine own person, and salute St. james of Compostella, and give him thanks for it.  Men. 
Did you salute the Saint only in your own name, and your mother in law?  Ogyg. 
Yea, in the name of all my family.  Men. 
Surely I think your family should have done even as well, if you had never gone to salute Saint james: but I pray what answer did he make you, when you thanked him for your s●…nne?  Ogyg. 
None at all: but when I gave him my present, he seemed to smile, and a little to nod with his head, and withal, reached me this hollow shell.  Me. 
Why doth he bestow such gifts rather than other things?  Ogyg. 
Because he hath abundance of them, the se●… being so nea●….  Mene. 
A good saint indeed, which doth both the part of a Midwife to women in child bed, and is so bountifnll vnt●… strangers. But what new kind of vowing call you this, that one that is idle should enjoin another to labour? If you should make a vow, that if you should speed w●…ll in some things that you ●…oe about, I should fast twice in a week. Do you think that I must do that which you have vowed?  Ogyg. 
I do not think you would do so, although you had vowed it in your own name, for you make but a sport of it to mock the Saints, or to besmear their mouths: but she is my mother, and I must obey her, you know the affections of women, and it stood me upon.  Mene. 
If you had not performed her vow, what had been the danger?  Ogyg. 
I confess that the Saint could not have sued me at law for it, bu●… hereafter he might pe●…happes give but deaf ear to my prayers, or send some calamity upon my family and never make words of the matter: you know the fashion of princes & great persons, when they ●…ake against one.  Mene. 
I pray tell me, how doth that good man, james, how doth he?  Ogyg. 
Much celder and poorer than he was wont to be.  M●…. 
What's the cause, his old ag●…? I think he be very old.  Ogyg. 
Away tri●…ler, away, you know that Saints wax not old, but this new persuasion that is gone over all the world, is the cause that he is not so often visited as he was wont: and if any chance to come unto him, they salute him only, but they give him li●…e or nothing. thinking that that money were better bestowed ●…on the poor fo●…s, yea, and the●… will not stick to say so too.  Men●…. 
Oh wicked p●…rswasion!  Ogyg. 
Alas the more is the pity. And therefore so great an ●…postle, which was wont to glister all with gold and prec●…ous stones, now stands like a wooden thing having scarce tallow candle be●…re him.  Men. 
That's great pity: but if it be as I hear, I promise you it is very like that all other Saints will be served with the same sauce.  Ogyg. 
'tis true indeed, ●…r there is an ●…pistle 〈◊〉 which the virgin Mary herself hath written of this matter.  Mene. 
What Mary is that?  Og. 
She that hath her surname of a stone.  Men. 
If I be not decein●…d, it is sh●… that is amongst the people of Belgi●….  Og. 
The very same.  Men. 
To whom did she write?  Og. 
The epistle itself showeth that.  Men. 
By whom was it sent?  Og. 
No doubt, by an Angel, which when he had written it, set it up in a pulpit where he preacheth, to whom it was sent: And because you shall suspect no fraud in the matter, you shall see the Epistle that was written with the Angels own hand.  Mene. 
Do y●…u so well know that Angel's hand that is secretary to the virgin Mary?  Og. 
Why not?  Mene. 
How do you know it?  Og. 
I have read Bedes Epitaph, which was given by an Angel, the forms of the letters do agree in all points. And I have read a quittance sent to Saint Giles: they all agree, is not this sufficient proof of the matter?  Mene. 
May I not see it?  Og. 
Yes, if you will promise me to be secret.  Mene. 
As secret as a stone.  Og. 
And there be stones nowadays that are infamous in this respect, that they can keep nothing close.  Men. 
Th●…n you shall speak to one that is dumb if you trust not stones.  Og. 
Upon that condition I will read it unto you, hearken with ●…oth your cares.  Men. 
So●… I will.  Og. 
¶ The Epistle of the virgin Mary.  
MAry the mother of jesus, to Glaucoplutus sends greeting. Whereas you following Luther do earnestly persuade men, that it is more than need to pray unto Saints. Know, that in this respect you are much in my favour: for until of late I was even tyr●…d with the wicked complaints and lamentations of mortal men. To one woman they came still for every thing, as if my son should be still an infant, because he is so painted in my bosom, and as if he should still be at his mother's beck, and as if he durst deny me nothing that I should demand of him, for fear( forsooth) that I should deny him my teats when he were a thirst. And many times they crave those things of me being a virgin, which a shamefast young man durst scarce demand of a common harlot, and which I am ashamed to commit to writing. In the mean time the Merchant's Factor being boun●… for Spain, commits to my charge the honesty of his concubine: And the holy Nun( forsooth) having cast away her vail, and ready to run away, commits unto me the fame of h●…r integrity, which she is determined to prostitute and make common: The wicked soldier makes a pitiful cry unto me, and when he is conducted to the slaughter house to filch and pi●…er, than he crieth, O blessed virgin, give me a good booty. ●…hen comes the ●…icer and gamester, and he crieth, favour me O blessed saint, and thou shalt have part of our win. And if the dice do not favour them, than they term me with reproaches, and curse me most ●…itterly. The covetous worldling that exposeth himself to filthy lucre, he crieth, send me a plentiful increase. If I deny them any thing, straightway they exclaim against me, that I am not the mother of pity. The prayers of some others are as foolish as impious: the unmarried woman crieth, Mary, send me a fair and rich husband: the married woman crieth, give me pretty children: she that is great 
Be●… C●…  calleth to me for a happy deliverance: the old woman crieth out v●…to me, that she may live long without the cough and thirst: the d●…ating old man he crieth, let me be young again: the philosopher he crieth, let me be able to resolve hard questions: the priest crieth, send me a fat benefice: the bishop crieth, keep my church for me: the mariner crieth, give me a prosperous voyage: the master of the ship crieth, show me thy son before I die: the courtier crieth, gra●…nt I may make a true confession at the hour of my death: the country man he cries, send us rain in due season: the country woman cries, keep my herd of cattle, and my poultry in safety: if they do not speed of their suit, by and by I am cruel. If I send them to my son, they tell me, that what I will, he wil Must I that am a woman alone, and a virgin, give attendance to sailors, to soldiers, to merchants, to dicers, to married, and unmarried, to women in child▪ bed, to captains, to kings, and to clowns. But that which I have said is nothing to that which I have endured, but with these affairs I am now nothing so much troubled as I was wont to be: in which respect I should surely give you great thanks if this commodity did not bring with it a greater discommodity. I have now more ease, but 
No commodity witl out a discommodity.  less honour and wealth than I was wont to have, I was w●…nt to be saluted in this manner, O Queen of heaven, Lady of the world, now I scarce hear ave Maria, and that but of a few neither. I was wont to be clad in gold and precious stones: I had golden gifts, and set with pearls brought unto me, now I have scarce half a cloak to cover me withal, and that also gnawn with mice: my yearly revenues will hardly maintain a poor miserable house, wherein to light a tallow candle: but these things yet might somewhat be borne, if it were not reported that you go about greater matters: your shooting( as they say) is at this, that whatsoever was given to the Saints, you would take away from all religious houses. I charge you again and again, take heed what you do: there is not wanting unto other saints wherewith to be revenged of the injuries that shallbe ●…ffred unto them. If Peter be cast out of the temple, he can shut heaven gate against you. Paul hath a sword: Bartholomew a knife, Wil●…iam is all armed under a Monks habit, not without a grievous lance: but how will you be able to ●…eale against George, who is both a horseman, and armed from top to toe, both with a spea●…e and a ●…erible sword? Neither is 〈◊〉 unarmed, for he hath the holy fire. And the rest have either their weapo●…s, or their evils, wherewith they can meet whom they list. And as for me, though I be unarmed, yet for all that, you shall not cast me out, unless you will also cast out my Son, whom●… I hold in my arms. I do not mean to be parte●… from him: either you shall thrust us both out, or leave us both in, unless you will have a Temple without a Christ. These things I thought good to let you understand. Now bethink yourself of an answer, for surely this matter doth much trouble me. From our stone-house the Calends of August, in the year after my sons sufferings 1524.  
I the blessed virgin have subscribed hereunt●… with mine ow●…e hand.  Men●…. 
Truly this is a menac●…g, etc. terrible Epistle. I think Gla●…coplutus will take heed what he doth.  Og. 
If he be wise.  Mene. 
Why did not that good man Saint james write to him of this matter?  Og. 
I cannot tell, unless it be because he dwells so far off, and nowadays almost all letters are intercepted.  Mene. 
How camest thou into England?  Og. 
The wind being so prosperous did invite me thither, and I had passed my promise before to that Saint by the Sea coast, that after two years I would see her again.  Mene. 
What suit had you to her?  Og. 
No new matter, but all ordinary, that my family might be in health, that my wealth might increase, and that I might enjoy a long and happy life in this world, and everlasting happiness in the world to come.  Menedemus. 
Could not our virgin mother at Antwerp have done all this for you as well as she at Walsingham? her temple at Antwerp is far more renowned than that by the sea coast.  Og. 
I do not deny but she can, but in other places she gives ●…ther things, either because it seemeth good unto her so to do, or else, for that( as indeed she is a kind woman) she may apply her sel●…e to our desires.  Me. 
Of S. james I have heard often: but I pray thee now 
The Lady of W●…am, he●… dominion described.  describe unto me the dominion of that Saint by the sea coast.  Ogy 
That will I do even as briefly as I can: her name is most famous all England over, neither can you hardly find any one in that Island, that doth look for any good success in his business, unless he do once a year visit her with some pre●…ent.  Men. 
Whereaway is she?  Ogy. 
At the furthest part of England between the North and the West, not above three miles from the sea. It is a town that hath little else to live upon, then of the great tumult of guests that daily r●…sort thither in pilgrimage. There is a college of canons that are called R●…gular, a middle sort between Monks and Secular Priests.  Men 
You tell me now of such as live as well in the water, as on the la●…d, as the Bever.  Ogy. 
Yea, and so doth the Crocodile: but to leave this cavilling, I will tell you in three words that which you would know. In things that they like not, they are Canons, but in things that favour them, they are Monks.  Men. 
T●…is is a r●…ddle, I understand it not.  Ogy. 
Then I will use a mathematical demonstration. If 
A Riddle.  the Pope shall chance to excommunicate all the ●…onks, than they are Canons, and no Monks: But if the 〈◊〉 shall licence all Monks to marry, than they are Monks, and 〈◊〉 Canons.  Men. 
O strange privileges! I would they would take my wife too.  Ogy. 
But to the matter. This Coll●…dge hath scarce an●… other revenues to live upon, but wh●…t cometh by the liberality o●… this virgin: for their greater rewards and gifts are kept in store. But if there be any money, or any thing of small value given, that goeth to the maintenance of the whole College, and their ●…resident, who●… they call the Prior.  Men. 
A very good life.  Ogy. 
There is no fault found with it: they grow richer by their devout piety, than by a yearly rent. Their Church is beautiful and costly, wherein doth not dwell the virgin herself, but for honour sake that she hath yielded unto her Son. She hath a Chapel by herself, as she is placed at the right hand of her Son.  Men. 
Right hand? Which way then looketh her Son?  Ogy. 
Well remembered, when he looketh toward the West, than she hath the right hand; but when he turns himself to the East, than she hath the left hand: yet she doth not dwell here neither, for her house is not yet finished, and the place very windy on every side, the doors open, and windows open, and the Ocean sea, the father of the winds, is hard by.  Men. 
That is very hard: where then doth she keep?  Ogy. 
In that Church that is not yet finished, there is a very narrow Chapel, floored with boards very strait on both sides, and a very little door to let in pilgrims. There is almost no light, but candle light of tapers and wax candles, a most pleasant smell.  Men. 
All this is agreeable to their religion.  Ogy. 
Nay Menedemus, if you did see it, you would say it were a seat of Saints indée●…e, all things do so glister with gold and silver, and pearls, and precious stones.  Men. 
You do almost persuade me to go thither.  Ogy. 
You would not repent you of your journey.  Men. 
Is there any holy oil there?  Ogy. 
Ah fool, that oil is to be found dropping only from the scpulchres of Saints, as of St. Andrew and St. Ca●…herine, and no where else. Mary is not yet buried.  Men. 
I was in an error I c●…nfesse, but make an end of your tale.  Ogy. 
That their religion may be spread the further abroad, other things are showed in other places of their College.  Me. 
And peradventure that their gains may be the greater, according to that common saying; By my ha●…ds the prey is quickly gotten.  Ogy. 
And in every place there are Mistagogues( as they 
Mistagogu●….  are called) that is, some special persons to show relics, and to interpret their mysteries and ceremonies to strangers.  Men. 
Are they of the canons?  Ogy. 
No, they are not used to that end, for fear that by occasion of their religion, they should be drawn from their religion: and while they should attend upon a virgin, themselves should lose their own virginity. Only in the inward Chapel, which I call the bedchamber of the blessed Virgin, there attends a certain canon at the Altar.  Men. 
To what end?  Ogy. 
To receive and to keep that which is given.  Me. 
Do they give that are not willing to give?  Ogy. 
Not so: but many ●…or very shame are forced to give when they see one stand by, which would give nothing if there were no body, or at least they would not give so much as they do, when there is one by to see what they give.  Men. 
This is even the right nature of man, and that which myself have experience o●….  Ogy. 
Yea more: there be some that be so devoted to the most holy Virgin, that when they make as if they laid down some 
That is plain 〈◊〉.  thing upon her Altar, they can very nimbly take away that which was laid down by another.  Me. 
Suppose that none were by, it is marvel that the blessed Virgin herself do not presently thunder against such guests.  Ogy. 
Why should the virgin do that rather than God himself, whom they fear not to spoil of all his ornaments; yea, and to dig through his Church walls for them?  Men. 
I cannot tell whether I should won●…er more at their a●…d aciousnesse, or at his lenity.  Ogy. 
Therefore towards the North side, there is a certain gate,( not belonging to the Church) but a ●…uce or a wall, that keepeth all the outward yard adjoining to the Church. And that hath a very small portal or wicket, such as you see in noblemen's great gates, that he which will enter, must be enforced to put in, first his leg; and so to expose that to danger, and then his head.  Men. 
Truly it is not safe for a thief to enter at such a door.  Ogy. 
You say true. The Mistagogue told me of a certain ri●…er, who on a time, sitting on his horse, rode through this door, and so escaped his enemy's hands, who followed him at the hard heels. There the m●…erable man despairing of himself▪ he suddenly commended his state to the blessed virgin, which was in the next room: for he was determined to fly to her Altar for refuge, if the great gates had been open. And behold a very strange thing, suddenly the horseman 
A 〈◊〉, but ●…o li●….  was within the Church walls, though the gates were not opened, and his enemy stood raging and fretting without, but all in vain.  Men. 
But did he make this admirable tale of any credit?  Ogy. 
Yes that he did.  Men. 
That was not so easily done, you being a Philosopher and a wise man.  Ogy. 
He showed me nailed upon the door, a copper plate, with that horseman's picture upon it that was so preserved, and in the same manner of apparel, that then was used in England, and such as we see upon ancient pictures, which( if they lie not) do show plainly that Barbers and Tailors in those days, were not much set by.  Men 
How so?  Ogy. 
Because he was bearded like a goat, and all his apparel was with●…ut any plait, no bigger than his body, and sat close to his body.  Men. 
Now there is no doubt to be made of that matter.  O●…y. 
Under the threshold was an iron grate, which none could, go upon but only footmen, for it was not meet that any horse should trample upon that place, after the former rider had consecrated it to the blessed virgin.  Men. 
No reason why he should.  Ogy. 
here towards the East is a Chapel full of strange sights, thither go I, where we met with another Mistagogue: there we prayed a little. By and by was ●…hewed us the joint of a man's finger, the bigge●…t of the three, I kissed it▪ then I demanded whose relics those were; he said, Saint P●…ters▪ What, the Apostle? he said, yea. I looked upon the hugeness of the finger, which ●…éemed to come of some Giant: I said, that S. Peter by that finger, should seem to be a man of wond●…rfull great body. At which word, one of my fellows burst forth into a loud laughter, which grieved me not a little: for if he had kept his countenance, the Mistagogue had showed us all his reliqu●…s, but we pleas●…d him again with a few groats. Before that little house was a ●…oofe or covering, which he said,( in winter time, when all was covered over w●…th snow) was on a sudden brought thither from far: under that roof were two wells full to the top, the springs whereof,( they say) are consecrated to the blessed virgin, the water is very cold, and good against the pain in the head and stomach.  M●…n. 
If cold water can help the head and stomach, than hereafter shall oil quench fire.  Ggy. 
O good sir, you hear of a miracle: it is no miracle for cold water to quench thirst.  Men. 
And this is surely one part of a ●…able.  Ogy. 
He affirmeth, that that fountain did suddenly 
No lie.  spring out of the ground, at the commandment of the Virgin Mary. I diligently observing every thing, demanded of him, how many years since that little cottage was carried thither: he said, many ages since. Otherwise( said I) the walls do not look as if they were old: he did not gainsay it: nor these wooden pillars( quoth I) he denied not but that they were lately set up, and the thing was plain. Then said I, and this same thatch of reed seemeth to be newer than all the rest: he did grant it. A●…d these same beams and rafters which bear up the thatch, seem not to be many years old: he did also grant that to be true. And when I had now examined every part of that cabin, I said unto him: how then doth it appear, that this house was ma●… age●… since brought from afar?  Men. 
And I pray how did the Mistagogue vnti●… this knot?  Ogygius 
Forsooth he presently showed us a very old bears skin, fastened to the rafters, and in a manner derided our dullness and slewnesse to believe so manifest a proof: so we being persuaded, craved pardon for our unbelief, and so turned ourselves to behold the heavenly 
●…he bless●…d Vi●…gins milk●….  milk of the blessed Virgin.  Men. 
Such a son, such a mother: h●…e hath left us so much of his blood upon earth, as is wonderful, and she so much of her milk, as is sc●…rce credible to come o●… one woman, having but one child, though the infant had never sucked any of it away.  O. 
And so they reason ab●…ut the Cross whereupon Christ died, which is showed in so many places, but privately, that if the pieces thereof were brought together, they would load a ship: and yet Christ carried it all himself.  Men. 
And doth not this also seem a wonder unto you?  Ogy. 
Somewhat strange perhaps, but no wonder, because the Lord being omnipotent, is able to augment it at his pleasure.  Me. 
You make a good construction of the matter: but I fear that many such things are devised but for lucre sake.  O. 
I suppose that God would not endure any that should so abuse him.  Mene. 
Yes surely, seeing as both mother and son, and father, and holy-ghost,( as you said) are robbed by sacrilegious persons, and yet in the mean time, they seem to be so little moved at the matter, that neither by a beck nor making any noise they will make those wicked persons afraid. So great is the patience of the godhead.  O. 
So it is indeed, but hear the rest: That milk is kept upon a high Altar, in the midst of which altar, stands Christ, and for honour sake, his mother stands at his right hand, for that milk doth represent his mother.  Men. 
Th●…n it is to be ●…éene.  O. 
Yea, but ●…hut up in a crystal glass.  Men. 
What, is it liquid?  O. 
What talk you of liquid, for that which was milked above ●…ue hundred years since: it is hardened, you would think it to be chalk bruised and tempered with the white of an egg.  Men. 
Why do●… they not show it naked?  O. 
Lest the virgins milk should be profaned with men's kisses.  Menedemu●… 
You say well, for there be some I think whose lips are neither clean nor chaste: but go on.  Ogy. 
So soon as the Mistagogue saw us, he put ●…n a surplice, and his stole about his neck, and very devoutly kneeled down, and prayed, that do●…e, he reached us that sacred milk to kiss, and we very devoutly fell down at the foot of the Altar, and haui●…g first saluted Christ, we called upon the virgin Mary, with a short prayer that we had provided of purpose for her in these words.  
Virgin mother, which hast m●…rited with thy virginian breast to suck thy son jesus, the Lord of heaven and earth: our desire is, that we being cleansed with his blood, may grow to that happy & reasonable infancy, which being void of all malice, fraud, and guile, doth daily desire the milk of the evangelical doctrine, vnt●…ll we come to a perfect man, and the fullness of Christ, whose blessed fellowship thou injoyest for ever, with the Father and the Holy-ghost, Amen.  Men. 
A good prayer truly, if it had been made to the right party: but what said she?  O. 
They seemed both to bow unto us, unless my sight failed me: for the holy milk s●…ed to leap a little, an●… the holy sacrament seemed to shine somewhat brighter than before. In the mean time, the Mistagogu●… came unto us, very silent, and reached us a little table to write on, such as the Germans offer which take toll bridges.  Men. 
Truly I have oftentimes cursed those same polling tables, when I have gone through Germany. 
There was a sposing quest●…on indeed.   O. 
Well, we gave him some gr●…, which ●…e offered to the Virgin. By and by I demand●…d of him as ●…ly as I could, by an interpreter skilful in their la●…guage, and a young man of a smooth & eloquent tongue,( I think his name was Ro: Al●…ffe) by what arguments it might be proved, that this was th●… milk of the blessed virgin. Which I did truly with an honest mind, that so I might be able to stop the mouths of ●…uch as are wont to laugh at all these things as fables. At the first, the Mistagogue or Usher of the relics, with a lowering ●…ountenance held his peace. I bade the youth to urge it still, but v●…ry mod●…stly, which indeed he performed very s●…oothely: insomuch, that if he had entreated the Mother herself with the same words, and she lying in child bed▪ she could not have taken it in i●… part. But the Mistagogue, as if he had been inspired with some certain kind of godhead, beholding as with staring eyes,( and as it were with horro●… ex●…ating a blasphemous speech) said; What need you ask s●…ch questions, when you have an authentical table? And he sé●…d altogether a●… if he would cast us out as 〈◊〉, if the g●…oats had not somewhat asswag●…d his fury.  Men. 
What did you in the mean time?  Ogy. 
What think you? Even as 〈◊〉 we had been strucken with a club, or some thunder bolt, we slunk away, hu●…bly craving pardon for our boldn●…sse. From thence we went to another little cabin, the blessed Uirgines' l●…dging: as ●…ée were going thither, a certain relique-mast●…r of th●… inferior sort of them, showeth himself, and beh●…ld us, as if he w●…re desiruus to know us: wh●…n we had gone a little furth●…r, another met us, and in like manner sta●…ed upon us: by and by, the third.  Men. 
It may be they were desirous to take your picture.  Ogy. 
But I thought ●…arre 〈◊〉.  Men. 
What did you think ●… pray you?  Ogy. 
Mary I was afraid, that some sacrilegious person had secretly stol●…n away some thing o●… o●…r Lady's 〈◊〉, and that they suspect●…d me for the matter. Therefore, when I c●…me into the Chapel in this manner, I salut●…d the Uirgin●… mother; O the only mother and Uirgin●… amongs●… women●… most happy mother, most pure virgin, now w●… that are impure, do visit thee that art pure, and with our poor pre●…ents w●… do●… you 〈◊〉: our d●…sire is, that thy son ●…ould grant that we imitating thy most holy manners, may be count●…d worthy through the grace of the holy spirit, spiritually to conceive him in the bowels of our mind, and having conceived him, never to lose him. Amen. And withal having kisse●… the altar, I laid down certain groats and went my way.  Men. 
What did the virgin? did she not by a beck signify unto you, that your prayer was heard?  Ogyg. 
The light was very small( as I said) and she stood in the dark at the right side of the Altar: but lastly I was so cast down with the speech of the former Mystagogue, that I durst not look up.  Men. 
Therefore the success you had in this pilgrimage was not very good.  Ogyg. 
Yes, most joyful.  Men. 
Now you have revived me: for before, my heart was even fallen down into my knees, as your Hom●…r speaketh.  Ogyg. 
After dinner we went again to the Church.  Men. 
Durst you, being suspected of sacrilege?  Ogyg. 
It may be so: but I did not suspect myself, and a good conscience feareth nothing. And the desire I had to see that same table whereunto the Mystagogue referrd us, drawn thither, and after long seeking we found it, but set up so high that every body could not read it. And I have such eyes, that I can neither be said to be sharpsighted, nor yet stark blind. In the mean time, Aldrise read, I conterfeyted him with mine eyes, as if I did read, scarce trusting him in so w●…ightie a matter.  Men. 
Was then all your doubting shaken off?  Ogyg. 
I was even ashamed of myself, that had made any doubt of the matter, the whole matter was so plainly laid before our eyes, the name, the place, and the whole matter in order as it was done. To be short, nothing was omitted. There was a godly man borne at Paris, they call him William, who as he is otherwise, so in this especially religious, for searching the whole world for the Relics of Saints. He having travailed many Countries, and seen very many Monasteries, and Churches, at last went to Constantinople: for this William's brother was a Bishop there. This Bishop, when when he saw his brother William preparing to return home again, told him of a certain holy virgin, which had some of the Virgin Maries Milk: and that he were a very happy man, if either for love or money, or by any skill, he could obtain a portion of it: for all the other Relics which hitherto he had gotten were nothing in comparison of this holy milk. There Wil. could not be quiet till he had begged half that milk. Having that treasure he thought himself richer than Croesus' 
* And as wise as Wiltams c●…e, that went nine mile to suck a Bull.   Men. 
And why not, and truly beyond all hope.  Ogyg. 
Well he goeth directly home with his milk, but by the way he fell sick.  Men. 
See how nothing in human affairs is happy long, nor in any place.  Ogyg. 
When he saw in what danger h●… was, he secretly sent for a Frenchman, a most faithful companion with him in his pilgrimage; and very devoutly requiring secrecy, commits the holy milk unto him, with this condition, that if he come safe home, he shall set that Treasure upon the Altar of the blessed virgin which is worshipped at Paris, in the great Church, that hath the River Senion running on both sides of it: which River seemeth also for honour of the Virgin Marie, of his own accord to turn out of his right course. To be brief, William is buried, his friend plyeth 
A religious ●…iuer.  homeward, and he also sickneth by the way. And despairing of himself, he commits this milk to an English man, and binds him with many obtestations to perform that he should have done. The Frenchman dieth, the Englishman taketh the milk, and placeth it upon the Altar, the Canons of the church being present, which then were called Regulars, of them he obtained half the milk, that he carried into England, and by the motion of the spirit 
* Either of God, or the devil. , he bestowed it upon that blessed lady of Walsing ham.  Men. 
Certainly this tale hangeth well together.  Ogy. 
Yea, and to take away all doubt, the names of the Bishops were subscribed, by consent of the mayor part, which bestowed so much of that milk as they could give out of their own allowance, only to re●…resh poor Pilgrims that came unto them not empty handed.  Men. 
How much was that?  Ogy. 
As much as would refresh them forty days.  Men. 
When they have once given away all their allowance, have they any more to give?  Ogy. 
No, they cannot give all away, for it doth continually run, and is continually full: not as Danaus his fatal tub: ●…or though that be still filled, yet is it still empty: but here if you always draw, yet there is never the less in the tub 
* That stands with good rea son so long as chalk pits, & whites of eggs last, or cows, etc. .  Men. 
If they should give forty days milk to a hundred thousand men, shall every one have so much?  Ogy. 
Yea, so much.  Men. 
What if they that receive forty days milk before dinner, should come again for so much more before supper, is it there for them?  Ogy. 
Yea, if they come ten times in an hour.  Men. 
I would I had such a cow, or else that my casket were of that humour, surely I wo●…ld not wish to have above three groats in it, if they would always run in that manner.  Ogy. 
Nay, rather wish that it might always run gold, you shall assoon have the one as th'other: but now to my table again. This was further added, that our Lady's milk which is showed in many other places, is venerable enough: but this is more venerable than all other, because the other is wrung out of stones, but this ●…owed from the very breasts of the virgin herself.  Men. 
How did that appear?  O. 
Oh, the virgin said so that gave the milk.  Men. 
And peradventure St. Bernard told her so.  O. 
So I think.  Men. 
He whose luck it was when he was aged to suck milk out of the same breasts that the child jesus sucked of, and therefore I marvel why he is said to flow with honey rather than with milk: but how is that the virgin's milk, that came not from the virgin's breasts?  Og. 
That also came out of her breasts, but by chance, as she was milked, it fell upon a stone, whereupon she sat, and afterward by the will of God, it was multiplied, as you heard before.  Men. 
Well, go on with your tale.  Og. 
After all this, while we were making ready to depart, and in the mean time looking here and there, to see if there were any other thing worth the seeing, we met again with Mystagogues or Relique-maisters, who looked askew at us, they point at us with the finger, they come running towards us: then they go away, than they come running again, they nod at us, and they seemed as if they were about to call us, if they had been hardy enough.  Men. 
Were you not then afraid?  Og. 
No surely, but I turned my face towards them, smiling, and beholding them, as if I would have some of them to call me. At last one came and asked me my name, I told him Edo then he asked me, if I were not he that about some two years before had set up an Hebrew table concerning vows. I said, ye.  Mene. 
Do you write Hebrew?  Og. 
No, but whatsoever they understand not, they call it Hebrew. By and by came the prôtos hust●…ros of their college, as I take it.  Mene. 
What name of dignity is this? have they not an 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  Abbot?  Og. 
No, because they have no skill in Hebrew.  Men. 
Nor bishop?  Og. 
No, they have no bishop, because the blessed Virgin is not rich enough to buy him a Crosier and a Mitre.  Mene. 
They have a Precedent at least, have they not?  Og. 
No neither, for that is a name of dignity, and not of sanctimony: and therefore the college of Canons do reject the name of Abbot, but the name of Precedent they like well.  Mene. 
But a Protos hysteros I never heard of before.  Og. 
Truly you are very ignorant in your grammar.  Men. 
I have read of Hysteróproton amongst the tropes and figures of Rhetoric, which signifieth a naming of that first which should be last.  Og. 
You have hit it, he which is next to the Prior, or first, is the latter prior.  Mene. 
The Subprior you mean.  Og. 
The very same: he saluted me very courteously, and told me how many did sweat about the reading of those verses, how many spectacles were wiped, and all in vain, when any old doctor of Divinity, or law came thither, he was brought to those verses: one said they were Ara●…icke letters, another said they were counterfeit. At last, there was one found that could read the title, for that was written in latin, and in great roman letters t the rest were greek verses written in capital greek letters, which at a blush look like great roman letters, I being requested, showed the meaning of them in latin, word for word, they would have given me some small reward for my pains, but I constantly refused it, affirming that there was nothing so hard, but I wo●…ld do it for the blessed virgin's sake most willingly: yea if she would command me to carry letters for her to jerusalem.  Men. 
What need you be her scribe? when she hath so many Angels attending her, both to write for her, and to carry letters for her.  O. 
Well, the Sub prior plucked out of a purse, a fragment of wood, cut off from a block whereupon the virgin mother was seen to fit, the marvelous smell it had, did verily argue it to be a very sacred thing, I took it of him as a most excellent gift, and bowing my body bore headed, after I had with great reverence kissed it, three or four times, I put it into the purse again.  Me. 
May I not see it?  O. 
Yes, you may see it, but if yo●… be not fasting, or if you mean to lie with your wife at night, I would not wish you to see it.  Me. 
Why? show it man, there is no danger.  O. 
Then behol●…e it.  Me. 
O happy man  O. 
Sir, I would you should know it, that I will not give this little fragment for all the gold in Tagus' river. I mean 
Secreta virgins.  to set it in gold, & then put it in crystal. When the Subprior saw my behaviour to be so religious in taking that little gift, and judging thereby that I was worthy to have greater matters s●…ewed me: he asked me if I had seen the virgin's secrets or no? That word moved me not a little: yet I durst not ask him what secrets he meant, for in so holy matters, a slip of the tongue is very dangerous, I said I had not as yet seen them, but I was very desirous to see them, with that I was led in, and I went, me thought, as if I had been ravished in the spirit. There was lighted divers wax tapers, there was showed first a little image, which was not very singular, either for quantity, or stuff, or workmanship, but of great virtue.  Me. 
Hath a block any power to work miracles? I have seen Saint Christopher's Image at Paris, equal with a great mountain, for bigness, but nothing famous for any myracle-working that ever I could hear.  O. 
At the feet of the Virgin lay a precious stone, the name whereof neither Latins nor Greeks could ever find out. The Frenchmen call it a Toad, because it hath in it the form of a toad so lively, that no Art can make the like: and that which is more to be wondered at, it is a very little stone, and the image of the toad doth not appear in the outside of it, but is enclosed in the very heart of the stone.  Mene. 
It may be that men do imagine such a thing to be there, as in a broken flint we imagine an Eagle, and what do not children imagine they see in the clouds? fiery dragons, mountains burning, and armed men fight.  O. 
Nay, I would you should know, that no quick toad doth more evidently show itself than there it is expressed.  Me. 
Hitherto I have endured all your fables: from henceforth get some body else to pers●…ade about your toad.  O. 
No marvel Menedemus, tho●…gh you be so affected, for no man could ever have persuaded me to have believed it, unless I had seen it with these eyes: but in the mean time you seem too much to neglect natural things.  Me. 
Wherefore? because I will not believe that asses can fly.  O. 
Do you not see how Nature playeth the Arti●…cer in expressing the colours and forms of all things? And truly, as in other things, so chiefly in precious stones? And further, what admirable virtues she hath given to the same stones? altogether 
The forms of divers precious stones.  incredible, unless Experience had given us proof thereof? Tell me, would you ever have believed that the steel would have been drawn of the loadstone untouched, and to be driven back again without touching, vn●…es you had seen it.  Me. 
Truly not I, though ten Aristotle's had sworn it unto me.  O. 
Do not then altogether condemn it for a fable, if you hear of any thing, that as yet you have not experience of. In the stone called O eraunia we see the proportion of a thunder bolt: in the Carbuncle we see the likeness of flaming fire: in the Chalazia there is both the shape and coldness of hail, yea though you cast it into the midst of the fire: in the Emerald we see the deep and clear waves of the sea: the Carcinias hath the form of a sea crab: the Echites hath the likeness of a viper: the Scarites resembleth the fish Scarus: the Hieracites is like a hawk: the Geranites hath a crane's neck: the Aegophthalmus showeth a goat's eye: the Lycophthalm●… hath a wolves eye painted in four colours, bright yellow and sanguine, black and white in the middle: the black Cyamea hath a beam in the midst: the stone Dryites hath the picture of the trunk of a tree, and burneth like wood: the stone Cissites and Narcissites hath the likeness of ivy: the stone Phlegontites showeth fire within, but not without: in the stone Anthracitides you may discern certain sparkles of fire running to and fro: the Crocias' looketh like saffron: the Rhodites stone resembleth a rose: the stone Chalcites is like brass: the stone Aetides showeth the shape of an Eagle: the stone Taos hath the picture of a peacock: the Chelidonian the figure of an asp: the Myrmicites the image of an Ant creeping: the stone Cantharias expresseth a scarabée whole: and the stone Scorpijtes a scorpion. But what do I reckon up these which be innumerable, whenas there is no part of nature, either in the elements, or in living creatures, or in plants, but nature hath as it were lasciviously expressed in precious stones? And do you marvel that in this stone she hath pictured a t●…ade?  Men. 
I marvel that nature can be at so much leisure as to recreate herself with the counterfeiting of all things.  Og. 
It is but to exercise the curiosity of man's wit, and to keep us from idleness. And yet as if there were nothing wherewith to mitigate the tediousness of time, we dote upon fools and jesters, and dice and jugglers mockeries.  Mene. 
'tis most true that you say.  O. 
Some are of opinion, that if this kind of stone be put into vinegar, it will swim, and you shall see all the members of the toad to move.  Men. 
That's strange, but why do they lay a toadstone before the blessed Virgin?  O. 
Because she hath overcome, trodden under foot, and quite extinguished all filthiness, malitiousuesse, pride, covetousness, and whatsoever else springeth from eternal desires, and corrupt affections. * 
That's a blasphemous lie tell it no further, for all this hath Christ done, and yet but in part in this life, but most absolutely in ●…he life to come.   Men. 
Woe be to us that carry such a toad in our breast: but go to, go on with your story.  O. 
After that he showed me divers Images of gold and silver, one he said was all gold, an other all silver: he also told me the weight, the value, and the founder o●… every one: I still seemed to be very glad that the virgin was so rich. Then quoth the Relique-maister, because I see you are a godly beholder, I will show you all, even the most secret things that belong to the virgin, and with that pulled out of the Altar an attire full of admirable things, which if I should particularly recite, this day would not suffice: I was abundantly filled with ●…ights, and this inestimable gift I brought with me, a token from the virgin herself.  Menede. 
Have you made no trial what virtue your wood hath?  O. 
Yes, in a certain I●…ne some three days since there was a man distracted of his wits, and should have been bound: this wood was laid close under his pillow, he slept a very long and a sound sleep, and in the morning when he arose, he was well again.  Men. 
This was no frenzy, but some other humour, that coming by much hot moisture is commonly as strong drink and wine, holpen by sleep.  Ogy. 
When you will jest Menedemus, I pray choose an other matter: to jest with the Saints is n●…ither good nor safe. Yea the man himself told me, that in his s●…éepe there appeared a woman unto him in a strange ma●…er, and offered him a pot 
* What pot? a drinking pot, or a chamber pot. .  Men. 
I believe it was some neezing powder.  Ogy. 
That I know not. But this is for certain, that the man was well again.  Men. 
You passed over St. Thomas of Canterbury. 
St. Thomas 〈◊〉 Ca●…terb.   Ogy. 
Faith sir no. I made no pilgrimage with greater devotion.  Men. 
I would willingly hear that too, but for too much troubling of you.  Ogy. 
Nay, I will pray you to hear it. Kent is a part of England that is next to France and Flanders. The chief City is Canterbury, wherein be two Monasteries one hard by another, in both there be of the order of St. Benedict. That which is entitled S. Augustine's, is the more ancient: that which is now called S. Thomas, was sometime the Archbishop's seat, where with a few choice Monks he lived, as now also the Prebends have houses joining to the Church, but distinct from other Can●…ns houses: for sometimes there were both Bishops and Canons. But that Church that was dedicated to S. Thomas, riseth with such majesty towards heaven, that it strikes religion into them that behold it afar off: and with his beauty he e●…lipseth the light of his neighbour, and obscureth that place that in ancient time was most religious. It hath 2. great towers, saluting as it were strangers afar off, and with a wonderful r●…aring o●… brazen bells, awaking the c●…untry adjoining ●…oth far & near. In the Church por●…h towar●…es the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 three armed men graven in stone, which with their wicked hands kille●… that holy man 
* Or traitor..  and there are set over them their names, Tuscus, Fuscus, and Berus.  Men. 
Why is so much honour given to wicked men?  Ogy. 
Forsooth no other honour is given to these men, then is given to judas, Pilate, Caiphas, and a company of wicked souldidiers, whom we have so curiously graven in golden Altars. Their surnames are added, that no man may ever after delight to be called by those names. Their eyes are put out, that no Courtier hereafter may be so bold as to lay his hands upon Bishops, or church-livings For when these 3. champions had committed their wickedness, they were straightway stricken mad, neither could they ever recover their right mind again, vnt●…l they had craved the favour of that most holy man. When we were entered the Church, we saw a huge space, full of majesty, and there every one walketh.  Men. 
Was there nothing to be seen?  Ogy. 
Nothing but a huge mass of building, and certain books 〈◊〉 to certain pillars, in which was the Gospel of Nichodemus and a sepulchre, I know not whose.  Men. 
What else.  Ogy. 
The entrance is so fenced with iron grates, that a man may see that space which is between the outward church, and that which is called the quire, or place of singing men: to that place men ascend by many steps, under which there was a vault, that hath a door to the North. There was showed us a wooden Altar, dedicated to the holy virgin, mean, and not worth the seeing: but for ●…he antiquity of it, which seemed to reprove the excess of these times. There the holy man( as it is said) took his leave of the holy virgin, when death did ●…pproach him. Upon the Altar is kept the point of that sword wherewith the crown of that holy man's head was cut off, and his brain pan pierced, that he might be the sooner dispatched 
Holy rust, ●…irreuerence.  of his life. The h●…ly rust of this sword for the love of the Martyr we kissed most devoutly 
* Such lips, such lettuce. . From thence we went into a secret vault under the ground, and that was not without his Mystagogues. There was exhibited unto us first of all a skull of ●… Martyr cleft with a sword, all was clad in ●…luer, saving the top of it, & that was left bare for men to kiss●…. There was also sh●…wed a plate of lead, wherein was engraven this title, Thomas of Acres. There h●…ng also in the dark the shirts of hair, the girdles & breeches whereby this valiant champion did bring his flesh into subjection, a shame to our dainti●…esse and tenderness.  Me. 
And peradventure also a shame to the monks themselves.  Ogy. 
Of that matter I can say nothing, neither is it any thing to my matter. But from thence we went into the quire: at the north side are their secrets kept, it is marvelous to be spoken what a number of bones be there to be seen, skulls, chins, teeth, hands, fingers, whole arms, all which we kissed, neither had there been any end of ●…hewing, if he that went with me( being somewhat impatient) had not interrupted the business.  Men. 
What was he?  Ogy. 
An English man, his name is Gratian, a young man, a man learned and godly, but not so well affected to this part of religion as I could wish.  Men. 
Some of Wicklifes' scholars, I believe.  Ogy. 
I think not so, although he hath read his books, I know not where he was borne.  Men. 
Did he offend the Mystagogue?  Ogy. 
There was brought forth an arm of a man having yet raw flesh and blood upon it, which he abhorred to kiss, and with his very look showed himself much moved at the matter, and with that the Relic master hid his secrets again: then we went to look upon the table and ornaments of the altar, a●… very costly, you would have said, that Midas and Croe●…us had been but beggars, if you had seen the abundance of gold and silver that was there.  Men. 
You did not kiss them, did you?  Og. 
No, but here I was moved with an other kind of dovotion  Men. 
What was that?  Ogy. 
I fetched a great sigh for grief that there were no suc●… relics at home at my house. After that we went into the ve●…rie. Good God, what pomp of Uestures w●…re there, all of ●…lke, what abundance of golden candlesticks? there we saw Saint Thoma●… his Mitre.  Men. 
What, never a cross?  Og. 
I saw none, but we saw a cloak of silk, but of a gross thread, no gold nor precious stones upon it. There was also a napkin, all sweaty and bloody: these monuments of ancient frugality we willingly kissed.  M●…n. 
These things are not showed to every body.  Og. 
Oh no, good sir.  Men. 
How came you into so great credit, that you saw all?  Og. 
I had a little acquaintance with that reverend father William Warham archbishop of Canterbury, he wrote two or three words in my behalf.  Men. 
I have heard of many, that he is a man of great humanity.  Ogy. 
You would rather say he were humanity itself, if you knew him: from these things we were carried up aloft as i●… were into a new church: there in a little chapel we saw the face of that good man Saint Thomas, set all in gold, and a border of precious stones. Here a certain misc●…unce unlooked for had almost intercepted all my felicity.  Men. 
What ill luck was that?  Og. 
Here my fellow Gratian got but little favour, for after 
G●…atian had almost marred all.  a little short prayer was said, he came to the Mystagogue in this manner: Do you hear good father( quoth he) is it true that men say, that Saint Thomas was so good a man unto the poor? It is tr●… said the Mystagogue, and began to tell many things of his bounty towards poor men. Then said Gratian, I do not think that that affection is changed in him, except it be for the better. That's true, said the Mysta●…ogue. Then said Gratian again: therefore seeing that holy man was so liberal to the poor, when yet himself was but poor, and had need of relief himself for bodily necessities. Do you not think that he would now be contented, being so rich, and wanting nothing, if a poor woman that hath many hunger▪ starved children at home, or daughters, that for want of a good portion cannot be so well bestowed as they might, or whose husband lies sick and succorles, should, after leave asked, be so bold as to take some little portion of this great abundance, to relieve her poor family withal, and taking it as it were ●…m one that were willing to let her have it, either as given, or lent, till she could pay it again? To this question when the Keeper of the golden head made no answer, Gratian( as he is somewhat earnest) said, I think, yea and do verily believe, that such a holy manas he was, would be glad now when he is dead, to relieve the penury of poor men with his goods. With that the Mystagogue frowned upon us, and put out his lips at us, and looked upon us with gorgonical eyes, and I think verily that he would have spit at us, and with all reproachful speeches have thrust us out of doors, but that he knew we were commended by the archbishop. Howsoever it fell out, with fair speeches we pacified the man's wrath, and told him Gratian spoke not as he thought, but after his jesting manner, and withal we laid him down some groats.  Men. 
Surely I greatly commend your piety: but I often times muse to myself, with what colour they can be excused, as free from all fault, which bestow such abundance of wealth in building, adorning, and enriching of temples, as if there were never any end to be made. I grant there is a certain dignity due to holy vestures, to church implements, and solemn service, or holy solemnities: I allow that the buildings themselves should have their state and majesty, but to what end serve so many baptisteries, or fonts, so many candles, and candlesticks, so many golden Images, and such cost as is bestowed upon organs: and not content with these, we must have great revenues to maintain a musical kind of whining, neighing, and chanting, when in the mean time our brethren and sisters, that are the lively temples of Christ, are ready to perish with hunger and thirst.  Og. 
In these things there is no good mind but would wish a mean, but because this f●…lt springs of a certain exc●…iue deu●…tion, it deserves the m●… favour▪ ●…specially so often as we call to mind the contrary 〈◊〉 of those men that spoil the churches of all their mai●…▪ These things were most of them given by princes and great persons, that would have been worse spent in dice or war: and to alienate any thing that was 
Of church ornaments.  given to the church, is ●…acrilege: and again, it doth not only make them withdraw their hands that would give, but also stir them to rapine. Therefore they are not lords but keepers of these things. Last of all, I had rather see a temple too much 
Note that.  abounding with holy ornaments than to see them as some be, naked, filthy, and more like stables than temples.  Me. 
We read of bishops that were commended for selling away their holy vessels, & relieving the poor with the money.  Og. 
They are commended indeed, and only commended, but to imitate them I think it neither good nor lawful.  Me. 
Go on with the rest of your narration, for I expect an end of your tale.  Og. 
That you shall have very briefly: in the mean time came forth the chief Relique-maister.  Men. 
Who is that, the Abbot of the place?  Og. 
He hath a Mitre, and hath an Abbot's revenues, he wants only the title, and they call him the Prior, because the Archbishop is in the Abbot's place: for in old time, whosoever was Archbishop of that Province, was also a Monk.  Men. 
Truly I cared not if they called me a Camel, if I had an Abbot's revenues.  Og. 
Surely to me he seemed both a godly man, and wise, and well read in Scotus divinity, he opened a box, or a case, wherein the rest of that holy martyrs body lay.  Men. 
Did you see his bones▪  Ogy. 
No that we might not, neither could we without a ladder: but he showed us a golden coffin, that was covered with a wooden coffin, which being pulled off with ropes, we saw inestimable treasures.  Men. 
What were they?  Og. 
The worst thing there, was gold, it shined with rare and great precious stones they did all shine and glister, some of them were bigger than a goose egg. Round about it stood certain Monks with great reverence. The former of them with a white rod pointed to every stone, and told us the value and the giver of it: the chiefest of them were given by princes.  Me. 
He that showeth all this, had need of a good memory.  Ogy. 
You say true, yet exercise doth help him much, for he doth it often: from thence he brought us back again to a secret va●…lt under the ground: there the Virgin mother hath a little house, but very dark, and strong, with double grates of iron.  Men. 
What is she afraid of?  Ogy. 
Nothing but thieves: for I never saw a place more loaden with riches in all my life.  M●…n. 
You speak of blind riches.  Ogy. 
When candles were brought, we saw more than a princely sight: and this is not showed but to great persons, an●… special friends. Last of all, we were had into the Uestry again. There was set upon a table, a black leather casket, by and by it was opened, than we all worshipped vowing our knees.  Men. 
What was in it?  Ogy. 
Certain fragments of old lin●…en, rend and torn, ragged, snotty, handkerchiefs, and most of them full of snevil and dirt, and never washed since they were occupied: with these the good S. Thomas wiped off the sweat from his face and his 
O dainty relics, not for every one to see.  neck, and blew his nose, and whatsoever other excrements man's body yieldeth, he dried up with them. But there my fellow Gratian began again to be out of favour: for he being an Englishman, and one of the Prio●…s acquaintance, and a man of good authority, the good ●…rior offered him one of those lin●…en rags, thinking that he would have esteemed of it as a great gift. But Gratian not without great loathing, took it up very gingerly between his fingers and his thumb, and contemptuously threw it from him again, and ●…macked a●… it with his li●…s, after the manner of riders that smack to their horses: for this was his mann●…r 〈◊〉, if any thing offended him, which he judged worthy to be contemned. I was both afraid and asha●…d. But the Prior,( as he was very wise) dissembled this fact, & after he had offered us a cup of wine, he did very courteously dismiss●… us, & then 〈◊〉 were to take ship for London. M. what were you to do when you came near the landing place?  Og. 
Something, but I would by no means land there, for it was more infamous for cosonages, and robberies, than any 
Of a French boy.  rocks be for endangering of sailors. I'll tell you what I saw at my last passage th●…re. There were a company of us carried from the shore to a great ship at Calis. Amongst these there was a poor ragged youth, of him they must needs have half a groat, for so much they extort of every one, if they go never so little a way with a man. He pleads poverty, they jestingly d●…mand it still, at last they pulled off his shoes, & betwixt the soles they found x. or xii. groats, which they took away, making an open laughing game of the matter, scoffing at the unhappy Frenchman.  Men. 
What did the youth?  Og. 
What could he do? he wept.  Men. 
Did they this by authority?  Og. 
By the same authority whereby they rob the packs of their passengers, and take men's purses, when time serves them.  Men. 
It is marvel that they durst do such a wicked deed in the presence of so many.  Ogyg. 
They are so accustomed to it, that they think they may do it lawfully. In the great ship there were many lookers on, in the boat were some English ●…actors, that murmured at the matter, but all in vain: they, as in a merriment boasted that they had taken a wicked Frenchman.  Me. 
Such Mariners as play the thieves in jest, and do 
Lewd mariners.  make but a sport of it, would be hanged in good earnest.  Og. 
And with such do both shores abound, but here you may conjecture what the masters will do, when their servants dare play such parts: therefore hereafter I will rather go far about than pass such a short cut. And moreover, as the way to hell is most easy to find, but the way from thence is most hard, so at this haven the entrance is not very easy, but the going out payeth for all. There were certain sailors of Antwerp that tarried long at London, with them I determined to go to sea.  Men. 
Hath that region such holy Seamen? 
A good note for our En●…lishmen.   Ogyg. 
I confess, that as an Ape is always an Ape, so a Mar●…iner is always a Mariner, but if they be compared with those that have learned to live by theft, they are Angels.  Mene. 
I will remember this, if at any time I be disposed to see that Island: but return into the way, from whence I drew you.  Ogy. 
As we were going towards London, not far beyond 
Of certa●…ne begga●…s upon the high way.  Canturbury, we came to a very hollow way, and narrow, and withal, very steep, or down hill, with such a ragged bank on both sides, that you cannot avoid it, and there is no remedy but you must needs ride that way. On the left hand of that way, was a begging place for certain old men that sat there: their manner is, so soon as they see any horseman approaching, one of them cometh running out, and besprinkeleth the horse man with holy water, than he offereth him an old shoe to kiss, tied to a curtain ring, in which ring is a glass like a counte●…fet precious stone: they that kiss it must give him some money.  Men. 
I rather allow old men to beg on such a way, than a company of strong thieves.  Ogy. 
Gratian, he road by me on the right hand, and was next unto the beggars, he was besprinkeled with holy waters well, he took it after a sort: but when the old shoe was reached him to kiss, he demanded the reason of it; the old man said, it was Saint Thomas, his shoe: with that the man waxed angry, and turning unto me said; What do these beasts mean, that we must kiss the shoes of every good man? why do they not also reach us their spittle, and other excrements of their body to kiss? I pitied the old man, and gave him some money to comfort him withal.  Men. 
In my opinion Gratian had cause to be angry. If hosen and shoes were kept as an argument of a sparing life, I should not greatly mis-like it: but it is a very imp●…dent part to offer such stuff to men to be kissed.  Ogy. 
To deal plainly, I am also of your mind.  Men. 
I marvel that you never visited Saint patrike Den, of which so many monstrous things are reported, and to me altogether incredible.  Ogy. 
Why man? I have sailed over the river of hell, I have 〈◊〉 even into the very jaws of hell: I have seen what●… done in hell.  Men. 
You shall do me a pleasure if you would tell me those things.  O●…y. 
Let this suffice for this time. Now I mean to go home to dinner, for I have not dined yet.  Men. 
Why do you fast so long? sor religion sake?  Ogy. 
No, but of very envy.  Men. 
What, do you envy your belly?  Ogy. 
No, but the pilling Inholders and Vintners, which 
Vintners and Inholders.  when they will not let a man have that is fit for him, yet they are not afraid to take out of all reason. Of such I am wont to be revenged in this manner, if there b●… any hope of a good supper, either at my friends house, or with my miserable Host, than I take no dinner, or a very small one. But if I dine well, then at supper time I am not well in my stomach.  Men. 
Are you not ashamed to seem so sparing and misera●…le?  Ogy. 
Menedemus, they that spend their shame in such matters, ●…eléeue me, they do ill bestow their cost. I have learned to ●…éepe my shame for other uses.  Men. 
Now I long sor the rest of your tale, and therefore I will be a guest with you at dinner, and then you may the more 〈◊〉 make an end of it.  O●…y 
Truly I give ●…ou great thanks that you offer your s●…lfe unbidded, when many do earn●…stly refuse to come, being in't. ca●…ed: b●…t I will give you double thanks, if you will din●… to day at home, for now all the time that I shall have, will be 〈◊〉 enough ms●…luting of my family. ●…ut I have a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my head, that will be better for both of us: to morrow I and my wife will come and dine ●…f your house, and then ti●…l 〈◊〉 n●…r be r●…dy, I will feed you with tales, 〈◊〉 till your sel●…e sh●…ll s●…y, you have enough, and if you think good, we will not leave you t●…l supper be done. What, stan●… you scratchi●…g your hea●…? ●…o you pr●…uide, for in good sadness we mean to come.  Men. 
I had rather your tales were v●…bought, ●…ut go to, you shall have a short dinner, not very savoury, unless you season it with good tales.  Ogy. 
But do you hear, do you not think long to go these pilgrimages?  Men. 
I cannot tell what I shall do, when you have finished your discourses. But as I am now affected, I have enough to do to walk the Roman stations.  O. 
You walk the Roman stations that never saw Rome?  Mene. 
I will tell you how, thus I walk my stations at home: I go into my closet, and I look to my daughters that they lose not their virginity: then I go into my shop, and see what my servants do: and then into my kitchen, to see what is amiss there: and then into some other place, and from one place to another, to observe what my children do, and how my wife is employed, and never leave till I see that every one doth his duty: these b●… my Roman stations.  Ogy. 
And all these things would S. james do for you, if you were abroad.  Men. 
To ●…ooke unto them myself, I have a commandment 
A good co●…clusion.  in the word of God: but to commit them over to Saints I have no warrant at all.   

¶ A ve●…y pleasant and fruitful Dialogue, she●…ing what comfort a man may find by Popery in the hour of death.  

The speakers names:  
Marcolph●…s,  
Phaedru●….   Marcolphus 
WHence come you Phaedrus, out of Trophinius his den?  Phae. 
Why do you ask that question?  Mar. 
Because you look more sad, more unhandsome, more filthy, and more stern than you had wont to do: you are nothing less than that you are called.  Phae. 
If they that be long in a Smith's shop, shall be black and grimed with smoke, and coal dust, no marvel though I which have been so many days together with two sick persons, yea, and at their death and burial, look more sadly than I was wont, and especially they being both my dear●… friends.  Mar. 
Who are those that you say are buried?  Phae. 
You knew George Gunner, did you not?  Mar. 
By name only, not by face.  Phae. 
The other I am sure you knew not, his name was Cornelius Montius, he and I have been of familiar acquaintance these many years.  M●…r. 
It was never my hap yet to be present at any man's death.  Phae. 
I have, oftener than I would.  Mar. 
But is death so terrible a thing as it is commonly reported?  ●…haedr. 
The way to death is more hard than death itself. But if a man can free his mind from that imagination of fear of death, he shall abate a great part of that evil. To be short, whatsoever is bitter, either in sickness, or in death, is made more tolerable, if a man do wholly commit himself over to the good will of God. For as touching the feeling of death, when the soul is pulled from the body, I think it to be either none at all, or very stupid and blockish, because nature before it be come to that pass, doth dead, and astonish, or mortify, and as it were, cast asléep●… all the sensible parts.  Mar. 
We are borne without any feeling of ourselves.  Phae. 
But not without sense or feeling of the mother.  Mar. 
And why do we not die in the same manner as we are borne? why would God have death to be so bitter? 
Why God ●…ould have death to be ●…tter.   Phae. 
The Lord would have our birth to be grée●…ous and dangerous to our mother, to that end she might love more dearly that which she hath borne. But death he would have fearful and bitter to all, lest men should wil●…ully cast away themselves: for when we see daily so many lay violent hands upon themselves, what think you would be done, if in death there were nothing to be feared? So soon as a servant should receive correction, or a scholar should be beaten, so often as a wife were angry with her husband, or that any thing did miscarry, or that any accident should happen which were gr●…euous to the mind, straightway would men run to the rope, or to the sword, or to the river, or to poison, or to cast themselves down headlong from some high place, or to one mischief or another. But now the bitterness of death doth make our life the more precious and dear unto us, especially seeing Physicians cannot cure men when life is once gone. Although, as there is not the like chance unto all in their birth, so it happeneth not alike to all in their death, some die quickly, and are soon out of pain, others do languish long of a linger di●…ease: they that are sick of a Lethargy, do die without sense or feeling, as if they were cast into a sleep, like those that are stung of a Serpent. This I have observed, that there is no kind of death so bitter, but it may be endured, if a man be resolved to depart with a bold courage.  Mar. 
Which of your friends deaths was the more christian like?  Phae. 
Me thought George's was the more magnificent.  Mar. 
What, is there ambition in death?  Phae. 
I never saw two in all my life die s●… unlike in their death: if you be at leisure I will describe both their departures unto you, and you shall judge whether of their ends is the more to be desired of a christian man.  Mar. 
I shall most willingly hearken unto you.  Ph. 
Then first you shall hear of George's departure. When 
Of George's death.  there appeared in him certain signs of death, all the rout of Physicians, which had long had him in cure,( dissembling his end) began to require their money.  Mar. 
How many Physicians were there? 
Of his Phisitian●….   Ph●…. 
Sometime ten, s●…etime twelve, and when there were fewest, there were six.  Mar. 
Enough to kill a strong man.  Phae. 
When they had gotten their money, they secretly t●…ld his neighbours that were about him, that death was at hand, and wished them to provide for his soul's health, for as for his bodily health, there was no hope. Now the sick man is gently admonished by his friends, to commit the cure of his body to God, and now to think upon nothing, but of such things as might make to a happy departure out of this world. Wh●…n George heard this news, he looketh upon his Physicians with wonderful indignation, taking it very grievously, that they had given him over. Their answer was, that they were Physicians, and not gods, and that they had done for him whatsoever by Art they could do: but against fatal necessity there was no remedy. This done, they went aside into the next chamber.  Marcolphus 
What, did they tarry after they had their money?  Phae. 
They could not agree upon the kind of his disease: one said it was a dropsy, another said it was a timpany▪ ano●…her said it was an apostumation in his guts, one said one thing, another said another: and all that whole time that they handled the sick man most bitterly, they contended still about the kind of his disease.  Marcol. 
Oh how happy was that patient in the mean time!  Phae. 
Well, to end that strife, they prayed his wife to let them make an Anatomy of the dead body, telling her that it would be very honourable, and a thing usual amongst great persons: and moreover, that it would be much for the good of others, and that it would increase the heap of his merits. And last of all, they promise to purchase thirty masses at their own cost and charge, to be sung for his soul, which would much profit him, being dead. This the sick man did hardly yield unto: yet at the last, by the entreaty of his wife and his neighbours that were about him, it was granted. This being obtained, all the Physicians took their leave: for they hold it vnlaw●…ull for them that are used to succour life, to be present at a man's death, or at his funerals.  
By and by atter was Bernardine sent for to hear his confession, a man he is( as you know) reverendly addicted to the order of the Franciscans. But before he had finished 
Four orders of Mendicants  his confession, there were in the house a company of four orders, commonly called Mendicants, or begging Friars.  Mar. 
What, so many vultures to one carcase?  Phae. 
And then was called the Parish Priest to annoile him, and to give him the holy Sacrament.  Mar. 
Very religiously indeed.  Phae. 
But there had like to have been a very bloody battle between the Monks and the parish Priest.  Mar. 
What, by the bed of the sick man?  Phae. 
Yes verily, and Christ looking on too.  Marcolphus 
What was the cause of such a sudden tumult?  Phae. 
The parish Priest, when he knew that the sick man had confessed himself to a Franciscan, denied him both extreme unction, and the Sacrament, yea and his burial too, unless he also might hear with his own ears, the sick man's confession, alleging that he was the Minister of that Parish, and that he must give an account to God for his sheep, which he could not do, unless he knew the secrets of his conscience.  Mar. 
Did he not seem to speak reasonably?  Phae. 
Surely not to them, for they did all with a loud voice stan●… against it, especially Bernar●…ine, and Vincentius the Dominican Friar.  Mar. 
What reasons brought they?  Phaedria. 
They did incessantly belabour the parish Priest with great reproaches, and withal called him Ass, and said, that h●… was worthy to be a swineherd. I( quoth Vincen●…) am a Bachelor of ●…iuinity, a●…d am shortly to be licenciated and intit●…d Doctor: thou dost scarce read ●…he Gospel, so far art thou f●…om being able to discuss cases of conscience: but if you will needs busy yourself, go your way and see what your wife doth, and your bastards at home, and many other things which I am ashamed to r●…hearse.  Mar. 
What said he to all this? was he mute?  Ph. 
Mute? nay, you would have said the grasshopper had broken his wing. I will make( quoth he) far better bachelors of divinity than thou art, of bean stalks. The Authors and p●…incipall men of your orders were Dominicke and Francis: where did they learn Aristotle's philosophy, or the Arguments of Thomas Aquinas, or the Speculations of Scotus? Or where were they created bachelors of Divinity? you have crept into the world, too ready to believe your lies, and when you first sprang up, you were but a few, and mean enough God wot. You did once nestle in fields and villages, within a short space you found the way into every wealthy city. In the fields was wont to be a place for your work, but now you are nowhere but in rich men's houses. You b●…ast of the title of Bishops, but your privileges are nothing worth, but when the Bishop, or Pastor, or vicar are idle, and do loiter, or will give place unto you. But none of you all shall preach in my church, so long as I am Pastor, and in health. I am no bachelor of divinity, no more was Saint Martin, and yet he was a bishop, but look what learning I want, I will not come to you for it. Do you think that the world is now so simple and blockish, that wheresoever they see one clad like S. Dominicke, or Saint Francis, they should presently ●…hinke their sanctimony to be there? Is it any matter to you what I do at home? What you do in your dens, and how you use holy virgins, and nuns, the world knoweth well enough. As for the houses of rich men that you haunt so much, how little the b●…tter, or the honester they are for your coming thither, is sufficiently known to all men, even to the poorblind and barbers. The rest ( Marcolphus) I dare not tell, surely those reverend fathers he handled very unreverently: neither had there been any end, if George the sick had not made a sign with his hand, that he had somewhat to say. With much ado he obtained silence in that brawl. Then( quoth the sick man) I pray be at peace among yourselves, I will also confess myself unto you, my Pastor: and further, for the ringing of the Bells, for my funeral Dirges, for a Hearse, and for my burial, you shall have your due before you go out of the house.  Mar. 
And did the parish Pri●…st refuse that offer?  Phae. 
No, only he murmured somewhat of the confession which he mentioned to the sick man, what need the same things be repeated again( quoth he) to weary both the sick man and the Priest too? If he had confessed himself to me in time, peradventure he would have made a b●…tter will than he hath done. Now look you to it. At this equal dealing of the sick man, the monks were ill apaid, taking it very grievously, that so much of their prey went to the parish Pri●…st: But I entreated and persuaded, that all contention might be buried. The parish Priest he anointed the sick man, he gave him the sacrament of the Lords body, and when he had his money, away he went.  Mar. 
What, was there not a calm●… after that storm?  Phae. 
Nay, when this ●…torme was past, there presently followed 
Anothe●…●…torme.  another tempest, far more cruel than the former.  Mar. 
I pray you how?  Phae. 
You shall hear. There were come to the house four orders of Mendicants, or begging Friars: by and by cometh a fifth company, of Crosse-bear●…rs, against which the 
A good jest.  o●…her four rose up in a great tumult, as against some misbegotten bastard. They asked the other, where they did ever see a Cart with five wheels, or with what face they would have more orders of Mendicants, than there w●…re Evangelists, than( quoth they) bring in all the beggars that lie upon the high way.  Mar. 
What said the Cross bearers to this?  Phae. 
They asked them again, how the Church's Cart went, when there was nane of those orders of Mendica●…s at all: and afterwa●…des, how went it when there was but one order, and after that, three? As for the number ●…f Euang●…lists, they have no more affinity, or correspon●…encie with our orders, then with a Die, which showeth every way four corn●…rs: who ordained the Augustine's to be an order of beggars, or the Carmelites? When did Augustine, or Heli●… go a begging? and yet these are made( forsooth) to be the authors of your orders. These things with many more, they did lustily thund●…r out against them; but being alone, they were too weak for the other army of four parts, and therefore they went th●…ir way, but threatening them very sore.  Mar. 
Now then there was quietness, was there not?  Phae. 
Nay that heat against the fifth order was turned into an horrible fray amongst themselves: for the Franci●…canes, and the Dominicans did hold, that neither the Augustine's, nor Carmelites were right Mendicants, but bastards, and counterfeits. This brawl did grow to such a heat, that I still feared they would go to bl●…wes.  Mar. 
Did the sick man endure all this?  Phae. 
These things were not done by his bed side, but without in the Court yard adjoining to his Chamber, but yet their noise was heard up to the sick man, for they did not whi●…per it, but set their throats as loud as they could, and sick-men you know are swift of hearing, and the least noise that can be, doth disquiet them.  Mar. 
What then was the issue of this war at the last?  Phae. 
The sick man sent word by his wife, that they should be quiet, and he would end their strife. And he prayed, that for that time the Augustine's, and Carmelites would depart, which if th●…y would do, they should lose nothing by it, for he promised that at the least they should have as much victuals sent them home, as they should have if they tarried still. At the fun●…ral he willed all their orders, the fifth and all, to be present, and that in money their portion should be all alike, but at the common feast he would not have them present, lest they sh●…uld ●…all out, and disturb the company.  Mar. 
You tell me of a notable housh●…lder indeed, who even when he lay a dying, knew how to pacify so many Seas of brawl●…s.  Phae. 
Oh he had for many years been a Captain in the ●…arres, and there are daily such tumults raised amongst the soldiers.  Mar. 
He was therefore very weal●…hie.  Ph●…. 
Very rich.  Mar. 
But his riches were ill gotten, as for the mo●…t part it happeneth by rapines, sacrileges, and extortions.  Phae. 
Indeed that is commonly the manner of Captains, neither dare I swear that he was altogether fr●…e from such faults. Unless I be much deceived in the man, hé●… got his living more by dexterity of wit, then by viol●…nce.  Mar. 
How so?  Phae. 
He was skilful in Arithmetic.  Mar. 
And what if he were?  Ph●…. 
What if he were? he woul●…●…aund of the prince, pay for thirty thousand soldiers, when there were scant seven thousand. Again, to many soldiers he would g●…e no 
W●…rrelike shifts.  pay at ●…ll.  Mar. 
Tr●…ly you tell me of a goodly Arithmetitian.  Phae. 
Moreover, he ruled the wars by art, for his manner was to demand a monthly pay, both of hi●… enemies, as also of his friends: of his enemies, that they might sustain no damage by his men: of his own friends, that it might be la●…ful for them to trade with the enemy.  Mar. 
I know the common fashion of soldiers well enough▪ but I pray you finish your narration.  Phae. 
Then Bernardine and Vincent, with a few of their order, tarried with the sick body. To the rest there was sent some victual.  Mar. 
They agreed well enough, which tarried t●… comfort the sick man.  Phae. 
Not very well: for they gruml●…d ●… wot not what about the privileges of their Charters, but lest there should b●… any speech made of it, it was smoothere●…. Here now was pr●…uision made for his Will making▪ and witnesses being called, there were certain demands made of such matters as they had agree●… upon amongst themselves.  M●…r. 
I long to hear of those matters.  Ph●…. 
I will tell you briefly, for it is too long a ●…ory at large. His wife was yet living, and about two and forty years of ag●…, a woman truly very honest, and wise, and two sons he had also living, the one was twenty years old, and the other 〈◊〉, and as many daughters, but both very young, under twelve. In his will it was so provided, that his wife, because she could not be persuaded to become a Nun, she should wear a Beghive cloak, that is, a middle kind of vesture between Nuns and the Laity.  Ma. 
Th'old fox is not so easily taken with snares: say on.  Phae. 
His eldest son, because he would not be persuaded to become a Mo●…ke, must( as soon as his father's funerals were past) go to Rome, and there, by a dispensation from the Pope, should be made priest before he were of lawful age, and for one whole year should every day sing mass for his father's soul, in the Uaticane church, and should take orders in the Lateran Church, and every friday should creep upon his knees unto the cross.  Mar. 
He did willingly undergo these things, did he not?  Phae. 
I will not say craftily, as Asses were wont to undergo their sacks. The younger son must be dedicated to St. Francis, his elder daughter to Saint Clare, and his younger to Saint Katherine. This was all that could be obtained: for George's mind was( to that end God might be the more merciful unto him) to have had those five that he left behind, to be divided amongst the fiu●… orders of Mendicants, and the matter was laboured very hard, but his wife and his eldest son would by no means be persuaded.  Mar. 
In what manner did he bestow his inheritance?  Phae. 
All his living was so divided, that all the funeral charges being deducted, twelve parts should go to his wife, whereof the one half should be for her maintenance, the other to the place of her abode, from whence if she should( upon her mind changing) depart, than all that part should go for ever to that parish: another part to her son, who should have some of it presently paid him, to bear his charges, going his journey, and remaining at Rome, and he should have sufficient besides to pay for his orders and dispensations: But if he should alter his mind, and refuse holy orders, than should his part be divided between the Franciscans and the Dominicans, which I fear he will lose, the youth seemed so much to abhor being a Priest. Two parts should go to the Monastery, wherein his younger son should be brought up. And two parts likewise to the Monastcries where his two daughters should live: but with this proviso, that if they would not profess that kind of life, yet all their money should remain whole and safe to their use. One part was bequeathed to Bernardine, and as much to Vincent, and half a part to the Cartufians, to be made partaker of all good works that should be done by their whole Order. That which remained, was to be given in secret to the poor: Quos beneficio dignos iudicassent Bernerdinus & Vincentius, that is, whom B●…rnardine and Vincent should think worthy of that benefit.  Mar. 
You should have said( as Lawyers do) Quos vel quas, that is, he or she, male or female. And what was next?  Phae. 
Then they demanded of the sick man,( after they had rehearsed his Will) in this manner: George Gunner, you being alive, and of perfect memory do approve this your last will and testament? And he said, I do approve it. It is your last and immutable will, is it not? He said: It is. And you make me( quoth Bernardine) and this man Vincent Executors of this your last will? He said, I do. Then he was required to subscribe his name.  Mar. 
How could he do that, lying a dying?  Phae. 
Barnardine guided his hand.  Mar. 
What did he subscribe?  Phae. 
Saint Francis and Saint Dominicke be enemies unto him that shall assay to alter any part of this will: these things being thus done, his wife, and children gave their right hands to the sick man, and were sworn to perform that which was given them in charge. Then there was much ado about the funeral solemnities. At length this was concluded, that of every one of the five orders there should nine be present at his burial, for the honour of the five books of Moses, and the nine orders of Angels. Every order should bear his Cross and sing mournful songs before the coarse. Moreover, besides his 
A good reason  kindred, there should be thirty other mourners, because, for so many pence Christ was sold. The taper bearers should be in mourning apparel, and for honours sake, they should be accompanied with twelve mourners, for this is the holy number of the Apostolic order, after the coffin should his horse go in mourning apparel, with his head tied so low to his knees, that he should seem, as it were, to require his master of the ground. The upper cloth should be set here and there with his arms, and in like manner every torch, and every mourning garment should have his arms. And his body should be laid on the right hand of the high Altar in a marble tomb, which should hang over four foot from the ground, and his picture to lie upon the top of it, carved out in white marble, from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot: he should also have his helmet, with his crest, his crest was a swans neck: upon his left arm was his buckler, with his arms graven upon the same: these were three wild Boars heads over, in a field argent, and upon his side his sword, with a gilded hilt, that should be fa●…ned to a gilt b●…lt set with gilt bosses: and upon his feet gilded spurs, for he was a knight, and under his feet a leopard. And upon the face of the Tom be was a title worthy of such a man. And his heart he would have laid up by itself in Saint Francis his cell, but his entra●…ls he bequeathed to the Priest of the Parish, to be buried honourably in a chapel that was dedicated to our Lady.  Mar. 
Truly a very honourable funeral, but very costly. At U●…ice you shall see a Cobbler have more honour with less charge: One company will give a most excellent coffin, and sometime you shall see six hundred Monks in their coats or cloaks, accompany one man to his grave.  Phae. 
We have seen also, and have laughed heartily at these foolish shows that poor men will make, there follow Fuller's, and Curriers before, and Cobblers behind, and Monks in the midst, a man would take them for monsters, or chimney swéepers, and this was no otherwise, if you had seen it. It was also provided by George, that the Franciscans and Dominicans should cast lots, which of them should go foremost in the funeral show, and that the rest also after them should do the like, for avoiding of tumult: the parish priest and his clerks should come last of all, for the Monks would have it so.  Mar. 
He could order solemn sights, aswell as armies.  Phae. 
Yea and this was also provided, that the solemn funeral which was to be kept by the parish priest, should for honours sake be graced with a little music. Now whil●…st these things were thus in handling, the sick man grew very weak, and gave most evident signs that his time was come, and so cometh the last act of this story: now the bishop's pardon was read unto him, whereby he was freed from all his sins, and from all fear of Purgatory: and besides that, all his goods were justified and approved.  Mar. 
What, th●…se that were gotten by rapine, violence, and deceit?  Phae. 
Truly after the manner of the wars, but by good hap there was present one Philip a Lawy●…r, and his wife's brother. He in the pardon noted a place otherwise put than it should have been, and suspected some falsehood in it.  Mar. 
In good time, but what if that had been dissembled, if there had been an error? I think the sick man should have been never the worse.  Phae. 
I grant you that: but the sick man was so troubled about that matter, that he began to despair. There Vincent played the man, and bade him be of good cheer, ser that he had authority to correct or put in whatsoever was amiss, or wanting in the Pardon. And( quoth he) if any thing in the Pardon deceive you, I pawn my soul for yours, and let yours go to heaven, and mine to hell.  Mar. 
Doth God allow of such exchanges to be made of souls? And if he should, did your frien●… George deal wisely to take such a pledge? What if Vincents soul should go to hell without any exchange at all as due to the Devil before? 
Exchange of souls.   Ph●…dr. 
I'll tell you what was done, this did Vincent, and truly the s●…cke man seemed to like it well. Then were read all those clauses wherein George was promised to be partaker of all the good deeds that were ever done by all the four orders 
Good deeds  Mendican●…s, namely the Augustine's, Franciscanes, Bernardines, and Dominicks▪ and also of the fifth, namely the Cartusians.  Mar. 
I should have feared, that if I should carry such a load, it would have pressed me down to hell.  Phae. 
I speak of his good deeds, which do no more trouble a soul flying into heaven, than feathers do a bird.  Mar. 
To whom then did he bequeath his bad deeds?  Phae. 
To Captains of the wars in Germany.  Mar. 
By what law?  Phae. 
By the law of the Gospel: To him that hath shall be given. There was also recited the number of Masses and Psalters that should accompany the soul of the dead man, and that was huge. After this was rehearsed his confession, and the Priest's absolution was given him.  Mar. 
And did he so yield up the Ghost?  Phae. 
Not yet. There was spread upon the ground a Mat of Bulrushes, and at the beginning before it was unfolded, it was like a Pillow in fashion.  Mar. 
What was now to be done?  Phae. 
That they strewed with ashes, but very thin: and 
Here was stuff indeed ●…nough to have infected a sound body.  upon it they laid the body of the sick man, than was spread upon him a Franciscans coat, but first consecrated with prayers, and holy-water. A Friars Cool was put under his head, for than it could not be put on, and withal was laid his pardon, and all his provisoes.  Mar. 
This is a new kind of death indeed.  Phae. 
And they had that, the Devil hath no power over them that die in that manner, so they say, that among others, St. Martin, and St. Francis died.  Mar. 
But their life was answerable to their death. And I pray, what then?  Phae. 
Then there was reached to the sick man the Image of the Cross, and a wax Candle: when the Cross was taken him, he said, I was wont in war to be defended with my Buckler, but now I will oppose this buckler against my enemy: and when he had kissed it, laid it upon his left shoulder; but to the holy Candle he said, sometimes with my spear I have prevailed against the enemies of my body, but now I will shake this spear at the enemies of my soul 
* And with that they all fled away, as a dog doth from a gammon of bacon, when he is through lie a hungered. .  Mar. 
This was warlike enough.  Phae. 
These were the last words that he uttered: for presently death was in his tongue, and he began to breath out his soul. Bernard standing at his right hand, and Vincent at his left hand; the one showed him the image of Saint Francis, and the other the Image of Saint Dominicke. The rest that were in the Chamber murmured certain Psalms with a murmuring voice. Bernard with great and loud voice stood roaring in his right ear: and Vincent the like in his left ear.  Mar. 
What did they cry?  Phae. 
To this effect cried Bernard: George Gunner, if now you like of that we have done, turn your head to the right 
O miserable comforters. Not a word all this while what Christ did for him.  hand: and he did so. On the other side, Vincent cried: fear not George, thou hast Francis, and Dominicke to fight for thee. Be secure, and take no care for any thing. Think what abundance of merits thou hast, what a pardon thou hast: and last of all, remember that I have pawned my soul for thine if there should be any danger, if thou dost believe & like these things, then turn thy head to the left hand, and so he did. Again with the like noise they cried; if thou believest these things, crush my hand, saith the one, and mine, said the other, and so he did. And so with turning of his head this way and that way, and crushing of their haudes there were almost three hours spent, since George began to gasp for breath. Here Bernard standing upright, pronounced his absolution again; but before he could finish it, George was gone. This was about midnight; in the morning they went about their anatomy: and after dinner they finished the burial in manner aforesaid.  Mar. 
I never heard of a more laborious death, nor yet of a more ambitious funeral: but I think you will not publish this tale abroad.  Phae. 
Why? there is no danger in it; for if the things which I have told be good, and godly, it is sit for the people to know them, if not, all good men will give me thanks for bewraying them, to that end that some being corr●…cted with shame, may no more do the like, and the simple may beware that they be not overtaken with the like error.  Mar. 
You speak both truly and stoutly, and now I desire 
Of Cornelius ●…s end.  to hear what end Cornelius made.  Phae. 
As he lived hurtful to none, so he died: he had every year a fever, which came unto him at certain times in the year. Now that,( whether it were by reason of oppressing old age, for he was above three score, or whether it were of some other cause I know not) did more urge the man than it was wont to do. And he ●…éemed to feel the day of his dissolution to approach near at hand: therefore four days before he died, on the Lord's day he went to Church, he conferred with his Minister, he heard the holy Sermon, and Service, he reverently received the Lord●…s Supper, and so returned home again.  Mar. 
Did he use no Physicians help?  Phae. 
Yes, only one he was advised by, both a good Physician, and a good man. His name is jacob Castrutius, he told Cornelius that he would do the best good that he could for his friend but said withal, that there was more help in God then in Physicians. Cornelius received this speech in as good part as if he had given him most certain hope of life. Therefore though he were ever to his ability good to the poor, yet now whatsoever he could spare, after he had taken order for his wife and children, he gave it to the needy, not to these proud beggars, that are in every place, but to the honest poor, who wrought hard for their living, and yet were poor, their charges being greater than their labour could supply, I prayed him to go to his bed, and to send for the Minister, rather than by walking up and down to weary his thin wasted body. His answer was, that his care was always rather to be helpful, than troublesome to his friends, if it were possible, and that he would not be unlike himself at his death. And truly he did not keep his bed above one day, and part of a night, before he left this world. In the mean time, for the weakness of his body, he leaned on a staff, or sat in a Chair, seldom would he lie in his bed, but upon his bed sometime, and sit right up. At this time he did ever give something in charge of looking to those that were known to be honest poor folk, or read on some holy Book, which might stir up his mind to trust in God, and might also set forth the love of God to usward. If through weariness he were not able to read, he would hear some friend rea●…e unto him. He did often with marvelous zeal exhort his family to concord and mutual love, and to the study of true godliness: and those that took care for his death, he did comfort most lovingly. He did also admonish them all, and all his friends to pay every man his own.  Mar. 
Did he not make a Will?  Phae. 
Yes, he did that before, when he was whole & strong. For he was of opinion, that they are not Wills, but dote, or dreams rather, which men make when they lie a dying.  Mar. 
Did he give nothing to the Monasteries, and Mendicant Friars?  Phae. 
Not a farthing: I have( said he) to my ability disposed all my little substance: now as I leave to others the possession of my goods: so I also leave them the dispensation of them, And I hope they will see them better employed than I have done.  Mar. 
Did he not send for religious men to be about him as George did?  Phae. 
Truly there was not one more than his own family, and two of his special friends: for he said he would not trouble any more at his death, than he did at his birth.  Mar. 
I expect an end of this story.  Phae. 
You shall have it presently: he sent for his pastor, who gave him the holy communio●…, but without any secret confession: for he said that his mind was not troubled with any thing. Near his pastor began to deal with him about his burial, and asked him, where, and in what manner he would be buried? Bury me( said the other) even as you would bury a christian man of the most inferior sort, neither do I care where you lay this body of mine, it will be found out well enough in the last day wheresoever it be laid, and as for funeral pomp I regard it not. Then there was mention made of the ringing of bells, of yearly dirges to be sung, of a pardon, and the communion of merits to be purchased: to which his answer was, My pastor, I shall be never the worse, if there be no bell rung for me: if you bestow any solemn funeral on me, it is more than need: or if there be any other thing that the public custom of the church requireth, if it may be omitted without offence to the weak ones, I leave it to your discretion. Neither is it my purpose, either to buy any man's prayers, or to spoil any man of his merits, Christ hath merited sufficiently for me, and I hope the prayers of the church will not a little prosite me while I am alive. My whole trust is, that the prince of Pastors the Lord jesus, hath done away all my sins, and fastened them unto his Cross, and that he hath written and sealed my pardon with his most precious blood, whereby he hath made us assured of eternal life, if we put all our trust in him. For God forbid that I with man's merits and pardons should provoke my God to enter into judgement with his servant, being most assured, that in his sight no flesh living shall be justified, I appeal from his justice to his mercy, which is great and unspeakable. Having spoken these things the Minister departed. Cornelius having conceived great hope of salvation, with great joy and cheerfulness, willeth some things to be read unto him out of the Bible, which tend to prove the resurrection of the dead, and the reward of immortality, as that out of Esay concerning the death of Hezechia, together with his song: then the fifteenth chapter of the first epistle to the Corinthians: then of the death of Lazarus, out of john, but especially the history of Christ's passion out of the Gospel. Oh how greedily did he devour( as it were) every thing in his mind? at some things sighing, at some lifting up his hands with thanksgiving, rejoicing at some, and at many things that were read unto him, he would cast forth certain short prayers. After dinner, when he had slept a while, he willed the twelfth chapter of john to be read unto him, even to the end: here you would have said he had been a man transfigurated, and inspired with a new spirit. Now it grew towards the evening, he called for his wife and children, and raising up himself so well as he could, he spak●… unto them after this manner. Most dée●…e wise, whom God hath before joined together, the same God doth now put asunder, but only in body, and that but for a short time. That care, and love, and godliness which heretofore thou hast showed to me and these sweet pledges, bestow whally on these the fruit of our marriage, which God hath given unto us, maintain them and briug them up in such sort as they may be counted worthy of Christ, which if thou shalt do, as I trust thou wi●…t, there shall be no cause why they should be counted orphans. But if thou chau●…ce to marry again,( at which word she burst out into great weeping, and began to swear that she would never set her mind upon marriage again.) But here Cornelius interrupted her, and said, My most dear sister in Christ, if the Lord jesus shall vouchsafe to bestow this strength of spirit upon thee, be not thou wanting to his heavenly gift, but embrace it: for it will be better both for thee and thy children: but if the infirmity of the flesh shall call thee to the married state, then know that my death doth set thee free from that power which I have had over thee, but not from that faithfulness, which both in respect of me and thee, thou owest unto all the children common to us both. As touching matrimony, use that liberty which the Lord hath permitted unto thee: only this I request, and admonish thee of, that thou choose a man of those conditions: and thou also to show thyself in such sort towards him, that he may either by his own goodness be drawn, or by thy commodity may be provoked to love his sons in law. And moreover, beware that thou dost not bind thyself by any vow: Keep thyself free to God and our children, whom I would have thee so to train up in all piety, that they may not addict themselves unto my trade, until by their years and experience of things, it shall appear for what kind of life they are most fit. Then turning to his children, he exhorted them to the study of godliness, to obey their mother, and to have mutual love and concord amongst themselves. Having ended these sayings, he kissed his wife, and his children, and prayed God to bless them. After all this, he looking upon the rest that were present, he said, before to morrow morning, the Lord jesus which rose again in the morning, will vouchsafe of his great mercy to call this soul out of the sepulchre of this body, and out of the darkness of this mortality, into his heavenly light. I will not weary my tender age with needless watchings. And let the rest also go take their rest, one shall ●…ustics to be with me, to put me in mind of some of those holy instructions which have been read. The night being past, about four of the clock, all his family being about him, he willed the whole Psalm to be read unto him, which the Lord jesus praying rchearsed upon the cross. That done, he said, The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? Then he folded his hands upon his breast in manner of a supplicant, and lifting his eyes toward heaven, he said, Lord jesus receive my spirit. And forthwith closed up his eyes, as one about to sleep, and with a little sigh yielded up the ghost, you would have said he had been asleep.  Mar. 
I never heard of a more easy departure.  Phae. 
And so he was in all his life. They were both my friends, p●…raduenture I shall not judge indifferently which of them died the more Christianlike, you which are of sounder judgement, can tell better than I  Mar. 
That I will, but at my leisure.  
FINIS.