Vera effigies Gildae qui ob insignem Prudentiam, Morumque Severitatem Cognominatus est Sapiens Floruit anno reparationis humanae DXXXXVI  Will: Marshall-sculp:  portrait of Gildas   

THE EPISTLE of GILDAS, The most Ancient BRITISH Author: Who flourished in the year of our Lord, 546. And who by his great Erudition, Sanctity, and Wisdom, acquired the name of Sapiens.  
Faithfully Translated out of the Original Latin.  
LONDON, Printed by T. Cotes, for William Cook and are to be sold at his shop near Furnivalls-Inne gate in Holborn. 1638.   

Imprimatur,  
Tho. Wykes▪ R. P. Episc. Lond. Capell. domest.   

Of Gildas and the Translation.  
THE age of books shows the strength of their composition; Weak or abortive births, perishing in the infancy, scarce numbered among the works of Time. This Author lived near the so memorable desolation of this Island, when the Saxons, under the conduct of Hengist and Horsus, forced the natives to cold and inaccessible mountains, and conquered the Country so far, that they left it not the empty honour of the former name.  
The causes of their ruin, he passionately, but faithfully, attributes to the misgovernment of evil governed Princes, ignorance of a licentious Clergy, and an universal laps of the people into impiety. Against these as a zealous Citizen of the world, and a most particular, but sad lover of his Country; this Reverend Father inveighes, and profitably instructs the present, by correcting the enormities of the age he lived ●n. The Translation was made near the first entrance of the Scottish line upon the Throne of England. To the continuance ●f which the Preface con●urres with most zealous ●ishes. In rendering this ●●to English, much faith ●●th been observed; by ●hich you may discover, the author still the same▪ ●●ough in his apparel fashioned to the time. In perusing whom, the Reader shall find, that impiety is the great destroyer of Empires; and that kingdom that remains most emmaculate from sin, stands safest from ruin.   

TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE Island of great BRITAIN, Unity and Felicity.  
IF all men are generally so much addicted unto the monuments of forepast ages, and every Country particularly unto the antiquities of the Land wherein they inhabit, which is the reason that this our own Island so much delighteth in beholding the ruins of Verolamium, the renowned Town of the Romans, the huge and wonderful stones on Salisburies' plain, the remembrance of the Britanes, Thong Castle the first seat of the Saxons, the trenches and Fortresses of the Danes, and the Abbey of Battle the trophy of the normans, that I may omit the quoines of the old. Emperors, the tombs of conquering Kings, with the Arms, swords and Lances of famous men, being all held in estimation, of purpose to reward with continual commendation the worthy actions of deceased persons, and to leave us examples to imitate their right Noble enterprises: How much more are we then bound with affectionate eyes to behold this ancient Author Gildas, who doth not only present unto our view the lively Image of this Land, how in glory of beautiful Cities, in polished order of good husbandry, & in industrious traffic of merchandise, she shined above a thousand years ago (at which time some ignorant men suppose she was only overgrown with a wilderness, and overwhelmed with Barbarism) but also that she did as then bring forth unto the world learning, wisdom and true religious virtue, which above all these are most highly to be honoured. And although some fresh water soldiers (who never saw the large Sea of ancient writers) may imagine every shallow brook of our late pamphleteers, to be the very Ocean of learning, yet when overpassing our mechanical Chroniclers I look into Malmsbury and Hungtington, and others such as these, yea and above them into venerable Bede and Gildas, me seemeth that travailing over the barren Alps I descend down into pleasant and fruitful Italy, or sailing beyond the rude Ethiopians and Indians, I arrive on the coasts of the incomparable Country of China. But falling on this treasure of antiquity (Gildas I mean) I found myself instantly so devoted unto him, that what for mine own recreation, and what to deceive the tediousness of my lingering imprisonment: and lastly, that they who are not able, for want of the tongue to purchase the knowledge of him in his own natural Latin, should not remain altogether destitute of so great riches, I painted him out though unskilfully, yet howsoever in our English language: In which attempt, I found two especial difficulties, the one he was in many places (through the negligence of them in whose hands he rested) so over-eaten with the rust of time, that I could scarcely discern his lively Portraiture, the other his sentences were so long and obscure, that they would be harsh and disliking to the reader, yet love overcoming all, and pleasure drawing me forward, I adventured as touching the first, to aim at this Image, & give a guess where I could not determine the certainty, and for the last to set himself (as near as I could) according to his proper fashion, knowing it to be as undecent to turn his grave speeches into idle words, and his long periods into short sentences, as to picture a sad man with a pleasant look, and to draw the counterfeit of a reverend judge not in his robes but in some light attire: Wherefore I must entreat for the obscurity the reader's attention, for the tediousness his patience, and for mine own enterprise his pardon.  

The cause why Gildas allegeth almost only the Scriptures.  One silly writer unskilfully noteth how Gildas (leaving all authorities of men) followeth only the Scriptures, little considering that he intending to reproove the depraved lives of Princes and Prelates, could find no Patrons so worthy and able to protect him, as the volumes of the holy Prophets, who bent all their powers to batter down the enormous offences of Governors; as for the Church having not long before (by the conclusion of the primitive persecution) overcome her most grievous enemies, and instantly afterwards encountering with her unnatural rebels, the horrible Arians and others, she could hardly yet find a time to suppress these abuses, and for the Doctors who were some of them but lately dead, and others as yet unborn, the later were not extant, and the former had not by continuance of time received their strength and glory; for if I may compare small things unto great Authors are like coats of Arms, which by antiquity purchase commendations. 
Gildas citeth Scriptures not after the vulgar Translation.   
Another matter not only cavilled at by the former carper, but observed also by Pollidor Virgil is, that in most of the citations of the holy Scripture, he very far differeth from the vulgar translation; a thing not much to be merveiled at, for it is not unknown unto the learned, how in old time there were many Translations of the Bible, for extinguishing of which dangerous variety, and establishing of God's Word in one perfect uniformity, Saint Jerome at the commandment of Pope Damasus, Translated the Old Testament out of the Hebrew, and also the New Testament out of the Greek, whereof Gildas could not be ignorant, sithence he flourished about one hundred years afterwards, and was a man of great knowledge and wisdom; but in respect this Island had been long corrupted with Heretics, and now oppressed with Infidels, it is likely that the Church in Britain (by reason of the tumults of such rebellious and outrageous enemies) wanting her due preeminence, could not as yet display the banner of this reformed Bible, but marched under the Ensign of some other Translation which our Author speaking generally to the whole Land) hath for conformity unto the common fashion (as it seemeth) vouchsafed here to use, being especially as apt as any other to reprove the disorders of the Island, and no way patronising either the Arians or Pellagians (the most deadly cankers as then of the Christian Commonwealth) or any other heresy, that hath ever since lifted up her viperous head against the Church of God.  
Another thing very much to be lamented and merveiled at is, 
The reasons why Britain was at this time so defiled with vices.  that not only the temporal Princes, but also the Spiritual Rulers (whose lives should be a light unto the rest, and salt to preserve the souls of men from corruption) had at this time many of them so degenerated from all goodness, as not only it provoked the justice of God to dispossess them of their Country and give it to their deadly foes the Saxons, but also made Pollidor Virgil suppose that Britain did never after the persecution of Dioclesian perfectly return unto the unity of the Catholic Church again; an opinion by Gildasses own words refelled, for he showeth how after the stormy winter (as he calleth, it of this persecution, succeeded the flourishing spring of true Christian and Catholic religion; but the Author himself declareth some notorious causes of the ruin of as well Civil as Ecclesiastical discipline, and the first was heresies, for upon this fruitful seed of the Gospel, came the Arians, and scattered the darnel of their detestable doctrine, yea (as he saith) all other damnable Sectaries breathed out upon the Land, their venomous poison, and not only this, but also from the very bowels of Britain was borne that accursed wretch Pellagius, and shortly after the death of Gildas were the Britaines overwhelmed with the darksome cloud of the Quartodecimani (who varied from the Church of God in celebrating the feast of Easter, these truly were the moths that did eat the garment of the government of the realm. Another was bloody war (the depraver of Civil discipline, and the Author of disorder, that for many years built here his Fortress, who as he commandeth for the time all Spiritual and national Laws to silence, so he corrupteth the manners of all Countries through which he marcheth; by the power of war were Infidels planted in the Land, who as they were professed foes of the faith of God, so were their lives defiled with all offences; and these also in all likelihood infected the Britain's with the plague of their vices. After the wars were ended, and Britain's together with the Saxons (like Sheep and Goats) continued in one fold, altogether for a while the scourge of misery (which chastised the Christian Britanes) terrified them from transgressing the Commandments of God, yet plentiful peace (the Nurse of sensuality) so lulled them afterwards asleep in her lap with a seeming but deceitful security, that hereupon sprung the last cause of their confusion (to wit) exceeding wickedness sprouting out from the root of abundant wealth: For according unto Moses; Incrassatus est dilectus, & recalcitravit; incrassatus, impinguatus, dilatatus dereliquit Deum factorem suum, etc. and even as the Children of Israel did sit them down to eat and drink, and then arose to play, until the fury of our Lord was pawred out upon them; so the Britaines growing fat in worldly pleasures, and foul in hideous sins, continued on in their earthly contentments, until the sword of the Saxons (which was scarcely as yet put in the sheath again) was by the sufferance of God drawn out afresh to deprive them of their pleasant Country. But although mine Author Gildas discovereth the defects of Princes and Prelates, yet let no man think that any Subjects can for the deadly sins of their Superiors, either deprive or disobey them, since neither David did for his adultery with Bersabee, and murder of his faithful servant Urias, lose his royalty, nor yet the Authority of the chair of Moses, was any whit diminished, although Scribes and Pharisees for a time possessed the same, but that the Lepers who were cleansed were sent to the Priests (although unworthy of their Primacy) and Caiphas himself (albeit he was the persecutor of Christ jesus) prophesied, because he was high Priest of that year; all which I profess against the Heretics who have perversely maintained the contrary. Neither yet let any man falsely imagine, that the Land was wholly as then drowned in iniquities, for (as Gildas doth in 2 places apparently manifest) there were divers at that very time, whose virtues he doth most highly commend and reverence.  
Now before I do harbour in the Haven of my desired end, I must of necessity pass by three rocks of exceeding danger, the invectives (I mean) of Gildas, against some sorts of people most happily combined under his Majesty's government, the first the Britanes, the most ancient inhabitants of this Island, the other the Irish together with the Scottish, and picts who next possessed part of the Land, and last the Saxons and English who have very long enjoyed the most large and fruitful portion of the Country. The Britain's not only by the pen of Sir john Price (a learned Knight and writer of theirs) suspect Gildas for a Libeler, but do hardly also sustain other Authors, who allege also out of him any thing that may seem disgraceful to the Nation, unto whom truly as I have ever borne all due respect and tender affection, so do I most humbly crave their pardon in a word or two without offence, to defend their wise and worthy Countrymen whom I may well compare unto a father who (correcting his child) telleth him only of his faults and imperfections, or unto the Prophets who in old time reproving the Israelites did lay nothing before their eyes but their sins and offences, or to the man in the Gospel who labouring to make his vine bring forth the desired fruit; dresseth the root with unsavoury dung. He doth not declare as now (O renowned Britain's) how ye releived your friends the Galls against the invincible Legions of Caesar, how valiantly ye defended your Land against his conquering army, how one King of a little corner of your Island (Silures or South-Wales I mean) maintained war against the whole power of Rome and the world, and afterwards only by misfortune falling into the hands of his honourable enemies, was by them held in equal estimation for worthiness, with Perses the successor of Alexander▪ but for valour with Alexander the great himself, he nameth not your victorious Vortimer, nor yet your invincible Arthur who in twelve fought fields overthrew your cruel enemies the Saxons, he leaveth those discourses to his Chronicle which Henry of Huntinton in the actions of Arthur citeth, he revealeth now only your reproaches, but why? because he would reform your abuses; he chasticeth your vices, because he would cherish your virtues; he aggravateth your offences ut sugeret mel de petra oleumque de saxon durissimo, that he may strike the fire of grace out of flinty hearts, and bring the oil of Charity out of stony minds; he saith the Romans did conquor ye, not so much with Arms as with the threats of their countenances, but telleth not how before that ye encountered (as most true it is) with their puissant power, and what was it (alas) for the naked to resist the armed, for them who were altogether unskilful in the order of fight to join in battle with the best practised soldiers, and one little Island to contend with the whole world? Ye fell with the general calamity of the earth, into the subjection of the Roman Empire. But afterwards (they say) ye were unfaithful because ye killed them who were left in authority over ye: And who can tell what occasion they offered ye to execute that slaughter upon them: we see the cruelty that commonly all Conquerous exercise on their subjects; experience teacheth that all almost are tyrannous, and few or none moderate; ye wrought the like stratagem as the Cecilians did, afterwards on the Frenchmen; why are ye so soulely condemned as unfaithful, but because it succeeded unhappily? For ye were upon this occasion trodden under the feet of your enemies; it is a Proverb that never Rebel prevaileth against his Prince, and what is the reason? but this, if he prevaileth he is no Rebel, but usurpeth rather the title of a reformer of the Commonwealth, I doubt not but King john and Henry the fourth, if they had not obtained the royal garland, had been registered for rebellious traitors, although now they are ranked among the famous Princes: so actions are measured not according to the intents, but after the events. But hereupon ensued your misery and reproach, ye were again overcome (as he saith) without resistance, and therefore not accounted valiant! and did not the jews (who were truly as courageous a Nation as ever was on the earth) open the gates of jerusalem to Alexander, because they could notwithstand him? did not the Persians (those conquerors of the world) fly the face of the Macedonians? and the Persians and mighty Macedonians▪ submit themselves to the romans? did not those nations who for warlike glory excelled all others, run away as sheep before these Italian Lions? and why should we then accuse the Britain's, (who were in respect a small handful and never knew the Art of war) if they resisted not the Romans who had three parts of the world at their commandment, and were the most expert soldiers that ever marched on the earth? The Britaines upon this became captives! and what Nation was not in subjection to the romans who held the earth as a slave in bondage and ruled her Kings as if they were but servants? These things (noble Britain's) Gildas somewhat bitterly recounteth, but why? that he may with the knife of correction, pruine away your superfluous and dead branches and leaves of vain glory and other vices. But although he swayeth throughout his work in great austerity, yet can he not so conceal the fire of his fatherly affection, but that it flameth ou● very often to your singular commendation. Ye were at the first termed unfaithful, upon what occasion I have declared; but afterwards he showeth your faith in the highest degree, in profession (I mean) of the Christian religion, in suffering terrible persecution, in obtaining most glorious martyrdom: your flight is objected as reproachful unto ye, but when? before ye had the knowledge of warfare, but after ye had achieved the art thereof, he writeth how under the conduction of Maximus, ye overthrew, though unjustly, yet most valiantly two Emperors of the world: but the lively blood of Britain being extended into foreign Nations, and there extenuated, and lastly, by misfortune extinguished, the entrailes and heart of the Island began at home to grow weak and cold, which made her body so long oppressed with the invading diseases of the Scottish, picts, and Irish, and lastly, almost killed with the deadly plague of the Saxons: and did not the like befall unto the Romans themselves who having wasted their strength in overcoming and keeping other Countries in obedience, became in the same sort weakened at home, and so fell in ●he end to be a prey, ●nd spoil unto o●hers? All this is but ●he course and chance of fortune, or rather the high pleasure of God, to teach us that in this world there is nothing permanent. And again our Author not containing himself, breaketh out into a singular report of your valour, when (in the reproof of Maglocune) he saith that your Soldiers were so courageous, as their countenances in battle were not unlike the terrible looks of young Lions. But that I may pass to the rest, and so conclude this point, he doth so highly extol the Country, Castles, and Cities of Britain, as truly I am out of doubt the Island hath never since that time flourished in the like glory as then it did: and who so thinketh me deceived, let him but look into the histories of the Romans, where he shall read of ●he Emperors, that did ●n this land of Britaine●ontinue ●ontinue or finish their ●ives, where among ●he rest he shineth in most eminent Majesty, who shutting up the temple of hellish idolatry, did first set open the gates of the Catholic Church, and of her peaceable God, jesus, I mean that Constantine, who being borne in Britain, & of a Britain Saintly Mother, took on him the Imperial dignity, in this very Island, where so many governors of the world would never have made their royal residence, had not the Country been both fruitful and civil, but barren and barbarous as the Romans at their first entrance supposed the same to be. Lastly, he manifestly declareth that the land was as then also furnished with learning, because (writing generally an epistle unto the Country) he useth the Latin tongue, which as it had been a great folly in him to do, if the same had not been universally understood, so do I verily think if the like work in Latin were at this time presented unto the realm, it would little profit without an Interpreter.  
The next sort somewhat bitterly taxed by Gildas, 
The excuse of the invective of Gildas against the Scottish and Irish.  are the Scottish, picts, and Irish, who are reproved as bloody and barbarous: but when? before ever they received the light and heat of civility, which from the Sun of the Roman Empire did spread throughout all Countries, and undoubtedly made a singular preparation to the Almighty Grace of the holy Ghost, that afterwards replenished the whole world; but after they had accepted discipline, and were reduced into better order, and chiefly above all had embraced Christian and Catholic religion, then behold what these Benjamins proved, who by the British jacob (Gildas I mean) are termed Lupi ● rapaces ravenous Wolves? see if that was not truly fulfilled in them which was rightly prophesied of that worthy Benjamin S. Paul, which is Mane rapit vespere dividit escas, in the morning or at the first they gained their booties by spoiling, but in the evening or at the last they distributed their food or baits; what food? but to satisfy the hungry souls of men: what baits? but to catch such fish as might serve for the festival table of our Saviour: Look into Wales and Cornwall, and see how many Towns bear yet the names of Irish Saints, who harboured there, not as before to punish the Britain's with death, but to draw them to the rewards of eternal life! Peruse the histories of the Countries beyond Humber, you shall read how the picts, and inhabitants of Scotland, who sometimes broke down the Northern fortifications, and invaded the Land, did afterwards beat down the Bulwark of hell, delivered the souls which sin did withhold in bondage, and made them the blessed captives of Christ, men undoubtedly of rare holiness, and unspotted conversation, had they not been a little blemished with an erroneous opinion, about the celebration of Easter, which as venerable Bede signifieth continued the longer among them, because inhabiting in a far removed region of the world, they had not heard of the Cannons of the Church which commanded the contrary. Moreover as our Saviour did feed them bodily, whom before he refreshed spiritually, so did they of Scotland, not only with the bread of life, relieve their neighbours, but also received the Britain's (when they were expulsed out of their Country by the Saxons) into their bosom, and suffered them quietly to inhabit by them in Cumberland; and with like charitable affection entertained also the Saxons with their Prince Edgar, when they fled from the countenance of the victorius Norman, William the Conqueror. And as touching their old barbarous misbehaviour (which Gildas here mentioneth) we have no more reason to upbraid the Scottish therewith, then to cast in the teeth of the refined Italians, what their Country was before Saturn did first instruct them in civility, being a time so overgrown with rudeness as the Poets do thereupon wittily descant, that men of that age were borne out of the trunks of trees. For in process of time by careful diligence cometh the correction and amendment of Countries, and by careless negligence falleth the corruption and destruction of Nations.  
The last are the Saxons and English, 
The excuse of his seveare censuring of the English.  called by him a people odious to God and man, to God, because they were Idolatrous Infidels, to man, because they murdered and oppressed the Christian Britain's, and although he enlargeth himself in the dispraise of the Nation, let no man nevertheless suppose that he uttereth this of any malice as stung with the dreadful miseries with the which they vexed his Country: For who knoweth not that the English were in his age enemies of Christ, religion, and the Land: But according to Esay, In the dens wherein dragons did formerly dwell, green reeds and rushes did afterwards grow; and after the sentence of Hosea; Where it was said ye were no people of mine, there shall the same persons be named the sons of the living God. Yea the Lions, the Libbards', the Bears, and the Wolves shall (as the Prophet writeth) quietly lodge and live with Oxen, Sheep, Kids, and Calves, and a little child (no doubt the Son of the Virgin) shall govern them all. For if ever the wild Olive were changed into the rightful Olive of our Lord, or if ever tree brought forth the true fruits of goodness, than were both these undoubtedly verified in the Saxons: For although they came but lately into the Vineyard, yet having entered, they laboured diligently, and undertaking the race of a Christian life, they ran most swiftly, and gained the garland victoriously; and who so thinketh I exceed in their commendation, let him but cast his eyes round about this Realm, and he shall see the Churches and Monuments of religion (some few only excepted) altogether founded by them; and that we may leave the dead buildings, and come to the lively stones of the heavenly jerusalem; how are the Provinces, shires, and Parishes of the Land severally adorned with mighty number of English Saints, and if we may measure by the Governors, what the people were (since unto the examples of their Rulers, the subjects are commonly conformable) let us but consider the royal offspring of the Saxons, and we shall find that never in any land so many Princes left their worldly estates to embrace Christian poverty, and draw in the Yoke of our Saviour, and never so many of Kingly blood were canonised in the heavenly Register, as in this our Country; what shall I say more, In omnem terram exivit sonus eorum, their renown is spread over the whole world, and their glory fixed above the firmament; in so much as William of Malmsbury deriving the Pedigree of holy Edward the Confessor, showeth a descent, not only of Kings but also of Saints so as to the Church then among us those Words of Esay may be fitly applied, Reges servient tibi: and again, Mamilla regum lactaberis, Kings shall do service unto thee, and with the teats of Princes thou shalt be nourished. Let us leave the heavens and return to the earth, was the glory of the Saxons, which now mounted in blessed virtues above the Sky, bounded here below, only in the cloistures of Monasteries? No, but as the shadow followeth the body, so likewise ensued all commodities requisite in a well ordered regiment, and first as touching learning (which manureth the minds of men, and maketh them in due season bring forth their timely fruits) they foun●ded both the Vniversi●ties of Oxford and Cam●bridge: For the ancient laws, the most excel●lent helm which steered the state, the bridle which restrained distempered wills, and the very soul of the body of the Commonwealth, they were by them chiefly framed: and did their praise only consist in matters of piety and peace? and was not their warlike glory equal to their civil government? not so truly: but as a well compacted body hath bones and sinews suitable to the head, so was their powerful strength answerable to their other virtues, and not-onely of singular proof at home; but also obtained a most high commendation abroad in foreign Countries: All which heroical actions they accomplished in less than five hundred years notwithstanding they were during the same time almost continually either invaded by strangers, or molested by unquiet neighbours.  
And thus have I somewhat enlarged myself in declaring the undoubted worthiness of these three Nations, because I shall be enforced in this my translation to discover their ancient imperfections; neither have I used this commendation as sugar; Whereby these distasteful pills may be the better swallowed, but of purpose to shut up their mouths who otherwise might perhaps despitefully upbraid them with these old offences; which truly they have no more reason to do, than those irreligious tongues who (audaciously talking of the blessed Apostles) call Saint Peter the denier of his Master, Saint Paul the Persecutor, Saint Matthew the Publican, for if we should be esteemed as we have been, what were we other than the children of wrath; but by the grace of God we are as we are, and I beseech Christ his grace may not be void in us.  

How the King's Majesty is descended of the blood royal of these three Nations.  And now verily it is with great applause to be received, that it hath pleased God to make the royal lines of these three several people to meet in the Centre of his Majesty's person: For of the first I mean the Britain's) he is come by his last and best known descent out of our Country, to wit the daughter of Henry the seventh, whose Grandfather Owen Theoder was of their Princely blood: For the second, as clear as the Sun, he is by due original lawful King of Scotland: and for the third, it is known to those who have any experience in antiquities, tha● Margaret (from whom all the Kings of Scot●land have these fiv● hundred years issued) was the only true in heritrice unto her great Uncle Edward the Confessor, and her Grandfather Edmund Ironside; and in one word to all the Saintly Saxon Kings of England, so as a lineal right hath from that time hitherto remained in Scotland, although William the conquering Norman did by the sword (as especial decider of kingdoms) not only obtain the actual possession of the Realm, but also ever since leave the same unto his posterity. And yet moreover that none of the Norman race may in his Majesty's enjoying of the Kingdom, find themselves aggrieved, God in his wisdom also disposeth (as to the whole realm it is most apparent) that he likewise rightly deriveth his title from the offspring of the Conqueror. Yea and that the Danish too (if any now remain who were planted here by their puissant Lords) may have no cause to repine, behold the Queen his Majesty's Wife and their Son our Prince, or exceeding hope, are come of the Danish, among whom that renowned Canatus was sometimes King of this Land, in whom it is hard to determine whether, his devotion to God, his great conquests, or his general clemeney deserved high●st commendation: In all which is to be considered how God of his goodness hath in one man conjoined these mighty houses, which were not only for descent and Country sometimes so divers, but also in deadly hatred so far disagreeing, and in bloody wars so violent and contentious, not unlike the frame of a perfect body, which is contrived of the four contrary and repugnant elements; and also that those people which since the confusion of Babylon were ever several, should as loving brethren be now united in his Majesty's Kingdom, even as the Rivers which arising from contrary regions of North and South do notwithstanding fall into one main Sea, and are made in the end one mighty water; 
How the Saxons and Britain's are united in this Realm.  For as you shall perceive in this ensuing treatise, the Britain's and Saxons were not only sundry Nations, but also in discord most dissenting: to number the battles that were fought between them, were an endless labour, they confronted either others many hundred years in continual hatred, three Languages were most different, their laws & customs diverse; the Britain's distressed and dispossessed of their noble, fertile, and Native soil, and driven by the power of their adversaries to live poorly in the barren mountains of Cambria or Wales, the English invaders reigned and disposed freely of all the rest of the Land, until it pleased the God of peace to make an end of all controversies. The English in time having overcome them received the Britain into the body of their Commonwealth and kingdom, they never excepted at the diversity that had been between their laws and ours, they saw how in this very realm the normans had agreed before under one selfe-same rule and regiment with the Kentish Saxons, notwithstanding their legal customs were of another fashion: For as by skilful Musicians is made of sundry instruments one delightful consort, and as by Lapidaries of divers coloured stones, one most rich jewel, and as of the Stars (which vary in several motions) proceedeth the perfect harmony of the heavens: So of these sundry Countries, and customs of Britain's, Saxons, Danes, and Normans, is now framed one most excellent Commonwealth: Neither yet was it objected that the Britain's having been long starved with oppressing poverty, would greedily raven on the English riches and Possessions, for they were then nearer the time of Christ, and so more perfectly instructed with his Charity, who received the needy and sometimes prodigal child, to be partaker with his wealthy elder brother, who rewarded him that entered into his work at the latter end of the day, with as large hire as the other, who laboured from the morning, who accepted into his favour as well the Gentiles as the jews. And what ensued hereupon? hath any Englishman been hereby deprived of his profit? No surely; but although there have reigned 5 Kings and Queens successively descended of the Britain Nation, although we have had Generals, Counsellors, judges, and Magistrates of that Country, there was never as yet any Welshman (as we call him) bolstered out by their authority to afflict the English with any injuries. The commodities that flowed from this blessed union were many: first the charity between both Nations, a thing most acceptable in the sight of God; the enlarging of the kingdom with the addition of so worthy a people; the enriching of the same by making the marches and borders of the Country (which heretofore lay waste by reason of the war) now subject to industrious husbandry: the incorporating of that Land as a limb now of England, which was not only sometimes a continual adversary, but also ever ready to entertain and assist any foreign invasion: the fortifying of the power of the realm with the forces of those who detained them before with discord at home from augmenting their dominion abroad: the finishing of the unspeakable charges of war and expenses in maintaining garrisons on the fronteyres: the stinking of all spoil and stuff; and the ending of the effusion of Christian blood.  
And now if it be easier to imitate a former example, than be the beginner of any action; why then do not the English and Scottish seeing this with far more readiness conjoin in one? If discord hath heretofore reigned between them, the like hath also raged between the Saxons and Britain's; if the Laws of the one are divers from us, the Laws of the other have been as different, if the discommodities of war with the Britain's have been so great and grievous, no less have also been those with the Scottish; if the commodities of peace between the Britain's and us, are so great and gracious, why should not the same be also in like sort between us and the Scottish? the English and Britain's were in language most unlike, the English and Scottish are of one tongue; and if the names of persons and places do not much deceive us, the Southern people of Scotland are either descended of the Saxons, or at the least very much intermingled with the English blood, besides that, it is to be supposed that many of them are issued from the Britain's, since their confiners in Cumberland (which was a part sometimes of Scotland) have heretofore been Cambro or Welsh Britain's: For Nations by Neighbourhood pass one into another, even as we perceive by nearness of property the purest of the water to become air, and the finest of the air to change into fire; the English might also have justly conceived a jealousy against the Britain's in admitting them into the community of the kingdom, lest (as the Lawyers say) they should have accounted themselves in their remitter, and upon this occasion have claimed their ancient possession of the Land whereof in fore passed ages they were (as they thought) wrongfully deprived; which can no way be objected against the realm of Scotland who (saving the most righteous title of our Sovereign Lord to the Crown) can make no lawful challenge of her forefather's inheritance, but cometh as a Princely Virgin with the royal portion of a Kingdom, to be joined in marriage with her husband England; the banes between England and Wales were bid with many a terrible battle, and the match was made with blood shed; but the union of England and Scotland was begun in loving wedlock, and established in lawful descending issue; Since it hath therefore pleased God to graft them both in one stock, let no man seek to rend them into two sundry trees, or rather break them a sunder, since he hath form them into one body, let none labour to dissever the members of the same; since he hath created them into one little world, and encompassed it about with one mighty sea, and now after thousands of years reduced into one entire regiment, let none presume to cut in two that web which God hath woven in one, or separate what he hath joined, or spurn against his providence.  
It is no new thing to see the greatness of Kingdom's increase by the union of Countries; 
How other Kingdoms have increased by Unions.  for to omit the Assyrians, Persians, and Macedonians, who not only flourished in the former and more unknown ages of the world, but also for the situation of the regions are far distant from us, and to consider a little of the Romans and other more familiar and adjoining Nations who have in latter days grown to the height of their renown, did not those Iron legs of daniel's statue, the City I mean that swayed over the universal world, gather her first arising strength, by receiving diverse Territories (which she subdued) into the corporation of her commonwealth? did not the French by combining sundry Dukedoms and Earldoms together (of which some to our cost and loss we have good cause to remember) become the most ample and fruitful Kingdom of all Christendom? was not Spain within these few hundred years distracted in several petty Dominions, the beams of whose glory by intermariages conjoining in one are grown, do not only shine through many parts of Europe, but also to the East and West Indians? The Duchy of Burgundy the garden of Christendom, was not sometimes divided in the small principalities of Flanders, Henault, Holland, and the rest, all which are now by uniting of houses gathered into one Coronet of exceeding beauty? But let us leave travailing abroad and return home into our own Country; were not the Saxons and English severed in seven small kingdoms, and afterwards by conquest brought into one whole Monarchy? Were not the Britain's or Welch divided in three sundry regiments, and hath not the force of the English furnace melted all their crowns into one mighty stream of gold, and like the rod of Moses devoured all the rods of the Magicians: and if we but enter into the histories either of our own Island or otherwise of these foreign Nations, shall we not every where easily find, that as by divided Kingdoms there came nothing but discord, poverty, and debasements, so from united powers groweth tranquillity, plenty, and magnificence: we see the water of a great pool conserveth itself, which if it were separated in small plashes would be quickly either dried up with the sun, or soaked down in the earth, and it is well noted by Saint Gregory, writing upon Saint Luke, that at the coming of our Saviour, the Commonwealth of Rome was in her perfection, because she was contained under the government of one Emperor, and how the Kingdom of the jews ran then to confusion, in regard it was distributed into sundry Seignories, grounding his reason on those words of Christ, with which I will end this point, Omne regnum in se divisum desolabitur, Every Kingdom divided in itself shall fall to desolation.  
Show not therefore yourselves (as the Poet saith) so far removed from the Sun (which is the author of wisdom) that ye should seek with envy to hinder the raising of that frame which God hath so charitably builded, but rather as the same Poet in the person of Dido uttereth, that a Trojan and Tyrian, shall by her with equal affection be respected, so let us all with one voice, pronounce that English and Scottish shall by us now with love alike be entertained. Neither yet if the matter itself can be concluded, let there be any difference about the name of this Kingdom: 
How united nations have been called by one general name.  for as it hath been usual to unite Nations, so hath it been as common to call united Nations by one name; Although Greece had in times past been divided into many Commonwealths and Principalities, yet being all subjected afterwards under the dominion of one, the former names vanished away, and the whole was renowned by the name of the Empire of Greece, the like was of Italy, whose several governments being gathered into one were all entitled by one name; the Aquitanes, Celtes, and Belgics were in former ages comprised under the name of Galls, and having been afterwards severed in sundry Provinces, are now almost all conjoined in one entire famous Kingdom, which after the name of the most puissant part thereof is termed France; our Ancestors not many years since did familiarly know Castil, Arragon, and others, which are all now universally converted into one mighty name of Spain; so were the West Saxons, Mercians, Norfolcians, Northumber's, and the rest of the Saxon Sovereignty's, changed by our Monarch Egbert into the potent and glorious name of England: and Scottland doth in like sort not only comprehend the Scots but also the Hebrides and others; 
How conveniently the name of Britain agreeth to the Kingdom of the whole Island.  If therefore this hath been so greatly practised, let us not refuse to follow so many worthy precedents, especially since it is not required at our hands that we should assume a newfound name, but the most ancient name of the whole Island, the most famous name by which it hath been known to all the mighty Emperors of Rome, and blazed throughout the world, the most learned name as the books of the Latins, and all other tongues and languages do largely witness, and lastly the most general name of all the inhabitants, for what are the English, Scottish, and Welsh, but three parts of the whole large and most beautiful Island of Britain? And surely as it were absurd in familiar speech of London to term it after the names of the particular Wards or companies of the City, and not according to the entire Corporation, or to call any Shire of the Realm, after the Hundreds or divisions of the same, and not according to the well known title of the whole Country, so is it as far against all reason that our little world of Britain being now included in one Kingdom, should be dis●evered in names that would but ever rub up the remembrance of former injuries, and be Nurses of dissension, which his Majesty not unlike that ancient Romulus seeketh providently to abolish, and making a skilful mixture of the English, Scottish, and Welsh, laboureth now to severe them all into three distinct orders, of the Nobility, Gentry, and Cominalty, of his entire Realm of great Britain, which being of three sundry people framed into one happy Sovereignty, I beseech the Almighty Trinity, to bring to a most perfect Unity.  
Thus have I with 
The Conclusion.  more good will than good skill presumed upon the mention of these three people to leap rashly into the matter of the union, wherein although I may be condemned for want of discretion, yet no man shall ever accuse me for lack of indifferency.   

Here beginneth the Prologue of Gildas, surnamed the Wise, as touching the overthrow of Britain, with his lamentation upon the same: being a sharp reprehension of the Princes and people of the Land.  
WHatsoever I shall throughout this Epistle of mine, rather by way of lamentation than declamation prosecute with mine unworthy, but wellwishing pen; let no man suppose I declare the same with any affectation of despising others, or vainly esteeming myself better than all the rest, (being alas the man, who with weeping complaints bewaileth the common loss of all goodness, and the increasing heap of mischiefs)▪ but rather communicating my sorrow on the discommodities and miseries of my Country; and on the contraryside my comfort on the reformation of the same. Because it is not now my determination somuch to report the dangers of the bloody battles of most valiant soldiers, as the perils of slothful men. In silence have I (I con●fesse) with exceeding grief of my heart (as God the searcher of all secrets is my witness) passed and overslipped full ten years' space or more, mine unskilfulness, together with my vile baseness ever (as at this instant) curbing me that I should not presume to write any so little an admonition. I did notwithstanding read how the admirable Lawgiver for the misdoubting of one only word never entered into the desired land. 
* Moses Num. 20.12.  
* Levit. 10.1.  How the sons of the Priest for offering with other fire than was commanded, by a sudden death perished; how the people that broke the word of God, being 
* Num. 14.28.  six hundred thousands, yea, and they most dear to him, (
* Exod. 14.22.  as whose smoothest way, was the sands of the deep red sea, whose meat 
* Exod. 16.14.  the heavenly bread, whose 
* Exod. 17.6.  drink, the new water passing out of the Rock, 
* Exod. 17.11.  whose invincible army, but only the stretching up of hand●,) all these (two upright men excepted) to have died through 
* Num. 21.6.  serpents, 
* Num. 14.45.  sword, and 
* Deut. 1.45.  fire, here and there along the deserts of Arabia; yea, after the entrance of the unknown 
* Num. 11.1.  gate (as it were) of jordan, and their 
* Iosu. 3.16.  adverse City's walls, by the only sound of trumpets through the commandment of God overthrown, 
* jos. 6.20.  one silly cloak, 
* jos. 21.24  and a little gold presumptuously taken of the accursed spoil, to have been the slaughter of many men; how the breaking of the league made with the 
* 2 Sam. 21.1.  Gibionites (yea though the same were through subtlety extorted) was also to some their destruction. I have read the complaining cries of the holy Prophets poured out for the sins of men, and especially those of jeremy, with his fourfold 
* jeremy's four Lamentations written with the order of the Hebrew Alphabet.  Alphabet, lamenting the ruin of his City. I saw moreover in this our time (as he in former bewailed) 
* Thren. 1.1.  The widow City now sit alone, sometimes replenished with people. The Lady of nations, the Prince of Provinces, (to wit the Church) to be made tributary; 
* Thren. 4.1.  The gold obscured the most excellent colour (which is the beauty of the word of God) changed. 
* Thren. 4.2.  The sons of Zion, (that is of our holy mother the Church) sometimes famous and clothed in the purest gold, to have embraced dung; And that which to him as a principal man to me also (though an abject yet howsoever) increased this mountain of sorrow, whilst beforehand he lamented them, living as yet so famous in their flowing prosperity that he said, 
* Thren. 4.7.  Her Nazarens were whiter than snow, redder than the ancient Ivory, fairer than the Saphire. Beholding in the old Testament, these and many others as certain looking glasses of our life, I turned me also to the new, and there the shadow now ceasing, and the light more clearly shining, more plainly did I read, what before perchance was obscure unto me; I did read (I say) that our Lord hath said, 
* Math. 15.24.  I came not but to the lost sheep of the house o● Israel; and yet on the other side, 
* Mat. 8.12.  But the children of this kingdom shall be cast into outward darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And again, 
* Mat. 15.26.  It is not good to take the bread of the children, and cast it unto dogs. And also, 
* Mat. 23.13.  Woe be unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. I heard, 
* Mat. 8.11.  Many shall come from the East and the West, and sit with Abraham, Isaac, and jacob, in the kingdom of heaven: And on the contrary part, 
* Mat. 7.23.  And then shall I say unto them, Depart from me ye workers of iniquity. I have read, 
* Luc. 23.29.  Blessed are the barren, and the teats that have not given suck; And in contrary position, 
* Mat. 25.10.  They who were ready entered with him to the marriage, afterwards came also the other Virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us, to whom it was answered; I know ye not. I did truly hear, 
* Mat. 16.16.  Who so shall believe, and be baptised, shall be saved, but who shall not believe, shall be damned. I did read from the pen of the Apostle, 
Rom. 11.17.  that the branch of the wild Olive was graffed on the good Olive, but notwithstanding should be cut off from the community of the root of his fruitful fatness, if he carry not himself in fear, but rashly entered into high secrets. I knew the mercy of our Lord, but dreaded his judgements. I praised his grace, but trembled, that every man shall receive according to his works. Seeing the sheep of one fold, unlike in fashion, worthily I commended the most blessed Peter for his full confession of Christ, and condemned most miserable judas for his thirsting covetousness. I praised Stephen for his glorious crown of martyrdom, but reproved Nicholas as miserable in respect of the shameful mark of his unclean heresy. I did assuredly read, 
* Act. 4.32.  They had all things in common: but likewise, 
* Act. 5.9.  Why have ye conspired to tempt the spirit of God. I did on the other side behold to how great a security men of our age were grown, as if there rested no cause at all of fear. Wherefore considering with some, whatsoever compunction of heart, full often in my amazed mind these things, and very many other, which because of briefness I have determined to omit. If (quoth I) our Lord hath not spared his people so peculiarly chosen out of all Nations, his royal race, and his solely Country, (to whom he said, 
* Exod. 4.22.  My first begotten Israel,) If not her Priests, Prophets, Kings, throughout the revolution of so many Ages, if not his servant and Apostle, and members of his primitive Church, when they wandered from the right way: what will he then do against such deformity of this of our present time, on the which, besides the unspeakable and monstrous sins that it hath in common with all the wicked of the world, have also fallen, that natural quality (as it were) and irrecoverable and inevitable burden of folly and inconstrncy? What? (I speak to myself) hast thou (oh wretch) so great a care cast upon thee (as though thou wert some eminent and most high Doctor) that thou shouldest withstand the b●llowes of so violent a stream, and keep the charge committed into thy hands, against this race of invetrate vices, which throughout the space of so many years, have without interruption been spread and continued? Hold therefore thy peace, for otherwise thou wilt bid the foot see, and the hand speak. Behold and plainly confess. Britain hath rulers, she hath watchmen. Why dost thou go about thus trifling to mutter? She hath (I say) she hath if not more, not less than a just number, but because overpressed with so great a weight they bend under their burdens, they have not left them a time of breathing, My senses therefore as debtors joined in one obligation with these and such like objections yea rather more biting mutually forebusted themselves, they (as I have said) no small time (having read there is a time of speaking, and a time of holding one's peace) as it were in a cumbersome narrow passage of fear, 
Eccles. 3.7.  with wrestling strived, the Creditor notwithstanding at the last prevailed and gained the victory, saying, If thou art not of that audacity that (among the prosetical creatures, who in regard of the gift of reason, have the next room to the Angelical messengers) thou dost not fear to be marked with the comely note of golden liberty, refuse not yet at least the affection of the understanding Ass, 
The history of Baalam and his Ass.  to that d●y dumb, but then inspired with the Spirit of God, denying to carry the mitred Magician who went to accurse the people of God, 
Num. 22.23.  and dashing in the straits of the vineyards his loosened foot, albeit she therefore did feel his most cruel blows, to whom although unthankful and furiously ●in the mean time beating against all right and reason her innocent sides, she did as it were with a finger show the heavenly Angel threatening with a naked sword, and crossing his course, whom he blinded with dull folly, did not behold. Wherefore in the zeal of the house of our Lord and of his holy law, be it that I am constrained either by the accounts of mine own con●●its, or the religious prayers of my brethren, I do now satisfy the debt long challenged at my hands, worthless truly, yet faithful (as I suppose) and friendly to all renowned Soldiers of Christ's band, but grievous and in supportable to foolish Apostates; of whom the first, (unless I am deceived) will with tears perchance that flow from the charity of God, receive the same, and the last with sorrow, but such as is outwrested from the indignation and pusillanimity of an attainted conscience. But before the performance of my promise, I will (God willing) in few words endeavour to discourse, 1. Of our Country's situation. 2. Of her disobedience. 3. Subjection. 4. And rebellion. 5. Of her second subjection, and dreadful slavery. 6. Of her Religion. 7. Persecution. 8. Holy Martyrs. 9 And diverse heresies. 10. Of her Tyrants. 11. Of two her wasteful adverse Nations. 12. Of her defence. 13. And also of her spoil. 14. Of the second revenge taken on her enemies. 15. then of her third confusion. 16. Of her famine. 17. Of the Letters written to Agitius. 18. Of her victory. 19 Of her villainies. 20. Of the sudden rumour of her approaching enemies. 21. Of the faminous plague. 22. Of her Counsel. 23. Of a foe far more cruel than the first. 24. Of the overthrow of the Cities. 25. Of the remnants of our Countrymen. 26. And of the last victory obtained by our Nation▪ which was through the goodness of God bestowed on us in our time.   

THE EPISTLE of GILDAS:  
THE Island of 
1 Of the situation of the Island.  Britain placed in the balance of the divine poising hand (as they call it) which weigheth the whole world, almost the uttermost bound of this earth towards the South and West; extending itself from the South West, out towards the North Pole, eight hundred miles in length, and containing two hundred in breadth, besides the far outstretched Forelands' of sundry Promontaries, embraced by the embowed bosoms of the Ocean Sea; with whose most spacious, and on every side (saving only the Southern straits, by which we sail to Gallebelgicke) unpassable enclosure (as I may call it) she is strongly defended; enriched with the mouths of 2. noble Floods, Thames and Severne, as it were two arms (by which outlandish commodities have in times past been transported into the same) besides other Rivers of lesser account, strengthened with eight and twenty Cities, and some other Castles, not meanly fenced with Fortresses of Walls, embattelled Towers, Gates, & buildings (whose roofs being raised aloft with threatening hugeness, were mightily in their aspiring tops compacted) adorned with her large spreading fields, pleasant seated hills, even framed for good husbandry, which overmastereth the ground, and mountains most convenient for the changeable Pastures of cattle, (whose flowers of sundry colours, trodden by the feet of men, imprint no unseemly picture on the same) as a spouse of choice, decked with diverse jewels; watered with clear Fountains, and sundry Brooks, beating on the snow white sands together with silver streams sliding forth with soft sounding noise, and leaving a pledge of sweet savours on their bordering banks, and lakes gushing out abundantly in cold running Rivers.  

2 Of her disobedience.  Secondly, this Land with a stiff proud neck, and stubborn mind from the time since she was first inhabited, hath ungratefully rebelled sometimes against God, other while against her own Countrymen, and at other seasons also against outlandish Kings and their Subjects. For what matter of fouler deformity, or what greater injustice can in the attempts of men, either be, or ever be committed, then to deny God of that awful fear, honest Countrymen of that charity, and those who are placed in higher authority (without impeachment of faith) of that honour due unto them, to break allegiance to divine and humane reason, and casting away all dread of Heaven and Earth, to be ruled by their own inventions and sensualities? Omitting therefore those ancient errors common to all nations of the earth, with the which before the coming of Christ in our flesh, all mankind was entangled and bound, nor yet recounting up the monstrous Idols of our Country, surpassing almost in number the very devilish devises themselves of Egypt, (of the which we behold as yet some, both within and without the walls of their forsaken Temples, with deformed portratures, and terrible countenances after the accustomed manner, now mouldering away) neither yet crying out, namely one after another on the mountains themselves, or hills, or floods, damnable sometimes, as to the which divine honour, by the people then blinded was yielded, though now truly profitable to the use of mankind: and letting pass in silence those old outworn ages of our detestable Tyrants, who in other far removed regions were infamous (in so much as Porphyry that outrageous easterling dog, who barked against the Church, hath in the style of his madness and vanity also added this; That Britain is a fruitful Province of Tyrants.) I will only endeavour to set forth to the world those miseries, which in the time of the Roman Emperors she suffered, and likewise heaped on the heads of others, as well her Countrymen, as Strangers, and not farther nevertheless than I am well able to declare, neither yet so much out of the Chronicles of our Country, or the monuments of our own Authors (for why these truly if any such there have been, are either now devoured with the fires of our foes, or being transported into foreign Nations by the means of our banished Countrymen, are quite vanished away) as by the relation of outlandish writers which broken off with many interruptions doth not sufficiently appear.  

3 Of the subjection of the Island.  Thirdly, for when the Rulers of Rome, had obtained the Empire of the world, and now having brought under their government, all their next neighbours, Nations and Lands) had towards the East confirmed with the power of their increasing renown, the first peace of the Parthians who confine on the Indians) which being finished wars thenceased through out almost the whole earth, the fury in a sort of this flame towards the West, could no● with the bluish billows of the cold Ocean Seas be suppressed or extinguished; but passing over without resistance drew our Island to the laws of obedience, and subdued absolutely to their command, the weak but unstable people not like other nations so much with sword, fire, and warlike engines, as with threats, or amazing their minds with the superficious frowns of their countenances, so deeply were their hearts inwardly dismayed.  

4 Of her Rebellion▪  Fourthly, after whose return unto Rome, which for want of pay (as they said) was present suspecting nothing less than rebellion, the subtle 
* Queen Voadit●● slew with the power of her Countrymen the Britanes threescore and ten or fourscore thousand Romans.  Lioness murdered the Rulers, who were left behind of purpose more fully to show; or rather to confirm the enterprises of the Roman Empire. Which being so done, when the report thereof was declared unto the Senate, and they with a speedy army made all haste to be revenged on the crafty fox's cubs (as they called them) there appeared no warlike Navy on the Seas prepared valiantly to encounter for our Country, nor yet a square mustered army, neither the right wing of the battle, nor other order of fight to withstand on the shore but backs in place of shields were turned to the pursuing foes, necks subjected to the conquering swords, cold fear invading all their limbs, and suppliant hands stretched out▪ wom●n-like▪ to be bound; so that it was bruited far and near, as a proverb and scornful reproach, that Britain were 
* Neither forward in war, nor stable in peace.  neither valiant in war, nor faithful in peace.  
Fifthly; 
5 Of the second subjection of the Nation.  many therefore of the rebellious being slain, and some of the enthralled for base works (lest the Land should be wholly brought to desolation) left alive, they sailed from our Country (void of wine and oil) towards Italy, leaving behind them some of their Governors, as scourges over our Countrymens' shoulders, & yokes on their necks, who should engrave, as it were, on the very ground the name of their subjection to Rome, and chastise not so much with warlike weapons, as with reproachful punishments the subtle people, and if occasion so required, should fashion them (as they say) to wear their naked swords by their sides, so that now it was not reputed as Britania but Romania, and what soever Brass, Silver, and Gold it could possess, was stamped with the Image of Caesar.  
Sixthly, 
6 Of her Rebellion.  in the mean while, Christ the true Son of God, spreading forth not only from this temporal firmament, but also from the Castle and Court of Heaven, (which exceedeth all times) throughout the whole world, his most glorious light, especially (as we know) in the Reign of Tiberius Caesar, (whereas in regard that the Emperor) against the will of the Senate threatened death to the disturbers of the professors thereof, Religion was most largely without any hindrance dispersed of his infinite mercy, did first cast on this Island, starving with frozen cold, and in a far remote climate from the visible Sun, his gladsome beams, to wit, his most holy Laws.  

7 Of the Persecution  Seaventhly, which although they were received of the inhabitans, but with lukewarm minds, remained notwithstanding fully in the souls of some, and in others less, until the nine years' persecution of the Tyrant Dioclesian, in which the Churches throughout the whole world were overthrown to the ground, all holy Scriptures (that could be found) burned in the streets, the chosen Priests of the flock of our Lord, together with the innocent Sheep murdered, to the end that not the least remembrance, truly of Christian Religion (if possibly it might be) should in any place of the Provinces be left. How foul the flights were then, how great the slaughters, what torments of sundry deaths, what ruins of Apostates, what shining Crowns of glorious Martyrs, what furious madness of the persecutors, and on the contrary, what singular patience of the Saints of God, the Ecclesiastical History declareth: so as the whole Church, in mighty thronging troops (leaving behind them all worldly darkness) hastened with speed to the pleasant Palaces of Heaven as to their proper seats.  

8 Of the holy Martyrs of Britain.  Eightly, God therefore whose will is, that all men should be saved, and who calleth no less sinners than such as repute themselves just, magnified his mercy with us, who as we conjecture of his gracious aforenamed goodness, that Britain should not be altogether overwhelmed with the black cloud of this dark some night, lightened unto us in this time of persecution the most clear lamps of his Holy Martyrs, the tombs of whose bodies and places of passion (were we not for our most manifold offences through the lamentable interruption of the barbarous, deprived of them) would even now enkindle in the minds of the beholders no small fire of the divine charity. I mean 
* S. Alban.  St. Alban of Verolamium and Aaron, and julius of 
* Carlisle upon uske in Monmouthshire.  Carlisle with others of both Sexes persisting in many places with most singular magnanimity in the battle of Christ. Of whom the first, after he had for charity's sake, concealed a Confessor, pursued by the persecutors, and even now ready to be taken, by hiding him in his house, and then by changing garments with him, and lastly, in the apparel of his forerecited brother, had willingly offered himself to the ensuing danger (imitating also in this Christ, who gave his blood for his Sheep) so pleasing was he found in the sight of God, and between his sacred confession and Martyrdom so exceedingly glorified with miracles even in the very eyes of the wicked, who with fantastical outrage presented the ensigns of the authority of Rome, as entering in the fervour of his Prayers, together with a thousand others dry sooted, the Channel of the noble River of Thames, he made a passage through the waters that hung in the mean time as broken mountains on the one side, & the other. 
* josh 3.17  not unlike to that dried & unworn way of the Israelites when the Ark of the Testament remained long on the sands in the midst of the River of jordan, and by the sight of so miraculous a matter, he changed his first designed executioner, from a Wolf to a Lamb. Yea & made him together with himself most earnestly to thirst, and constantly to achieve the triumphant victory of Martyrdom. Others also were with such sundry torments tortured, and with such unspeakable tearing of their limbs rend in pieces, as without delay the glorious conquerors fixed the trophies of their Martyrdom, in the famous gates (as it were) of jerusalem. For they who remained alive, did hide themselves in woods, in deserts and in secretdens, expecting when God the rightful ruler of all things would pronounce upon their tormentors his severe judgements, and grant themselves the safety of their lives. Ten years therefore of the above named tempestuous hurlewinde being not yet fully ended, and these wicked decrees by the deaths of their bloody beginners now withering away, all the Soldiers of Christ with joyful eyes, do after this long Winter's night, behold the mild season and fair light as it were of the Heavenly sky. They re-edify their Churches battered down to the ground, they found, build, and finish the Temples of holy Martyrs, and display far and near in a sort their conquering banners, they celebrate holy days, and sacrifice with pure hearts and mouths, yea all the children of the Church being now most lovingly embraced and tenderly nourished in the bosom (as you may call it) of their mother do exceedingly rejoice. 
9 Of the diverse heresies.   
Ninthly, for this sweet consort of the members of Christ their head remained inviolable, until the Arrian treason like an horrible serpent, vomiting out upon us his outlandish poisons, brought to mortal discord brethren who dwelled in one, and so all cruel beasts together, making as it were a passage over the Ocean Sea, and spitting the damnable venom of every heresy from their abominable mouths, fastened their deadly wounding teeth on our Country, which is ever desirous to hear novelty, and never truly continueth in any certainty.  

10 Of the Tyrants.  Tenthly, moreover also at the length, new springs of Tyrant's increasing, and even now growing up into a very wilderness of wickedness, our Island which bore as yet the Roman name, but far degenerated from the manners and laws of the same, yea rather which did cast away the first root of her most bitter planting, furnished out unto the Galls 
* The Tyranny of Maximus.  Maximus (not lawfully invested, but Tyrannically usurping, and advanced by mutinous soldiers) with mighty bands of men to guard him, and ensigns of the Imperial Majesty, (which never yet did any way become him) who rather first which crafty subtlety than any valour, tying and combining together all near adjoining Shires and Provinces against the estate of Rom●, as the nettles of his perjury and falsehood for the achieving of his wicked government, stretching out one of his wings to Spain and the other to Italy, and seating at Trire the Throne of his most unjust Empire, rebelled against his Lords with so great outrage, as he expelled two most lawful Emperors, the one out of Rome, the other out of his most Religious life; and without delay encouraged with such fatal attempts, lost at the City of Aquilege his accursed head, who before in a sort had thrown to the dust the Crowned heads of the whole world's Kingdom. 
11 Of two wasteful Nations.   
XI. After this Britain being now despoiled of all armed Soldiers, of warlike companies, of (though outrageous yet) Rulers, and of her brave and valorous youth, (who marching along with the afore recited Tyrant, never returned to their home again) and now absolutely ignorant of all practice of war, was astonished, and lamentably groaned, as trampled many years under the feet of especially two very fierce outlandish Nations, the Scots from the South, and the Pyctes from the North.  
XII. Upon whose invasions, 
12 Of the defence of the Island.  and most terrible oppressions, she sent Ambassadors furnished with Letters to Rome, humbly beseeching with piteous prayers an host of Soldiers to redress her wrongs, and vowing with the whole power of her mind her everlasting subjection to the Roman Empire, so as these her foes might be once chased further away. In whose behalf (all forepast injuries being clean forgotten) a Legion strongly provided for the war, was forthwith mustered: which being Shipped and so transported over the Ocean into our Country, and encountering hand to hand, with our grievous foes, and slaying an huge number of them, drove them all out of the British bounds, and with so bloody a fight delivered their friends and subjects from that imminent thraldom. Whom they commanded to build across over the Island, from Sea to Sea a wall, which being manned with garrisons of Soldiers, might be a terror to suppress the enemy, and a safeguard to defend their friends. But this being without any director made by the people, and unreasonable rout, not so much of stone, as of turf, proved to little purpose.  
XIII. 
13 Of the other spoil of the Country.  The army was no sooner with great triumph & rejoicing returned home but their accustomed foes not unlike devouring Wolves, that ravening with extreme hunger, and greedy jaws, leap over the fold, in the Shepherd's absence, being furthered and furnished with the wings of Oars, and the strength of Rowers, and Sails filled with too prosperous winds, break down all bounds, commit all murders, and as men who reap the now ripe corn, so tread they under foot, and overrun them all.  

14 Of the second revenge taken of the enemy.  XIV. And now again they send suppliant complaining Ambassadors with rent garments (as they say) and heads overspread with ashes, humbly beseeching assistance from the state of Rome, & shrouding themselves like fearful chickens under the most trusty wings of their Parents, that their miserable country might not be altogether made desolate, nor yet the Roman name (which now was only left with idle sound of words to fill the empty ear) basely vanish away, as consumed with the reproachful despites of foreign Nations, whereupon the Romans being moved (as much as man's nature possibly might be) with the declaration of this so lamentable a tragedy, advancing forward (as Eagles in their flight) withal speed their troops of Horse by Land, and Mariners mustered on the Sea, do seize on the shoulders of their foes, first with the unexpected, and then the terrible talons of their swords, and slaughtering, overthrew them as thick as leaves, that withered Autumn hurleth down. And as the stream that poureth out from the Mountains, and increaseth with sundry brooks, that rise of tempestuous reins, which in her roaring fall, surmounteth now all channels, and outrageously foameth with her furrowed back and vehement boiling fountain, and leaping (as they say) to the very clouds with her dashing waters (through whose diverse circuling wheels the appels of our eyes, though often refreshed with our twinkling eyelids are notwithstanding dazzled) even with one billow, beareth down all resisting powers, so our rightworthy assisting friends most speedily chased the troops of our foes (if any could so escape their hands) beyond the Seas, because beyond the same Seas, they did year by year in great abundance greedily transport their praises, no man daring withstand them. The Romans therefore declaring unto our Country, that they could not endure to be so often troubled with such tedious journeys, nor yet to weary out the Ensigns of Rome, together with such and so great an army, both by land and Sea, on these wand'ring wasters; and persuading them rather by exercise of warfare, and courageous fight, with their whole powers of themselves to defend their lands, goods, wives, children, and (which are dearer than all these) their liberties and lives, and not in any case to yield unto Nations no way more valiant than themselves (if by sloth and idle cowardliness they were not weakened) their disarmed hands to be manacled in bands, but rather to show them the same hands armed with Targets, Swords, and Spears, and manfully prepared to make slaughter of their foes, do together with the poor miserable inhabitants by the common charge of all and private helps of many, (because they supposed it would be some advantage to the people, now left to themselves) build a wall as the first, though not weak as the first, by level, directly from Sea to Sea, along the Cities, which for dread of their ●oes, were there by chance situate, give manful admonitions to the fearful people, leave them the art to make armour, and teach them the order of warfare. And moreover on the Southern shore of the Ocean, where their Ships lay in Harbour (because the landing of the barbarous savage sort, was there most to be feared) they do in diverse and distant convenient places erect watchtowers, to ken over the Seas, and now as never to return again, give them their last farewell.  

15 Of the third wasteful spoil of the Land.  XV. They were notwithstanding no sooner gone home, but as the brownish bands of worms and eamots, which in the hieghth of Summer, and increasing heat, do swarming break out of their most strait and darksome dens, the dreadful routs of Scots and picts, partly dissenting in manners, but consenting in one and the self same greedy thirst of shedding blood, and shadowing rather their terrible faces, with shagging glibes, then hiding the secrets and shame of their bodies with comely garments, do run in throngs and mustering troops, a land out of their Ships, wherein they were transported over their Scythian vale, 
The Sea between England and Ireland called Scyth●ca vallis.  and being assuredly informed, as touching the departure of our assisting friends, and their absolute denial of ever returning again, even now more boldly then at any time before they invade, and bereave the inhabitants of all the Northern and uttermost bounds of the land, to the very wall itself. For the withstanding of whose forces was placed on the fortress a slothful garrison, backward to fight, unfit to encounter, an unprofitable dismayed company, which day and night in amazement wasted away; in the mean while ceaseth not the hooked weapons of the naked enemies, with the which our miserable Countrymen were pulled from the wall, and dashed down to the ground. And yet truly they who lost their lives in this slaughter, reaped through the torment of their untimely death, this commodity, that by their sudden ends they eschewed the sight of those lamentable and imminent plagues and punishments which fell upon their brethren and dear children. What need many words? They left the Cities, they left the high wall, again they fly, and are again dispersed in far more desperate sort then before; and now the enemy pursueth afresh, and afresh he hasteneth, and heapeth slaughters on slaughters, more cruelly than ever, and as Lambs by butchers, so our pitiful Countrymen are by their foes hewed in pieces, insomuch as their habitation was like a wilderness of savage beasts.  
XVI. For even they 
16 Of the famine.  themselves did not withhold their hands from ravening on their own miserable Countrymen, yea for a little sustenance of a small deal of food, and so overthrows from the enemy were enereased with civil sedition, and the reason was because through these such sundry wasteful spoils, the whole Country was utterly disfurnished of all manner of provision of victuals, that only excepted which they got by hunting.  

17 Of the Letters to Aeitius.  XVII. Wherefore again the ruthful remnants of us direct unto Agitius (a man of power, in the state of Rome) their Letters indicted to this purpose. The lamentation of the Britanes unto Agitius thrice Consul, and a little after in this sort complaining. The Barbarous beat us to the Seas, the Seas drive us back on the Barbarous, between these two dreadful kinds of death, we are either slain or drowned; but nevertheless they obtain no manner of aid. In the mean while a cruel and most notorious famine oppressed the struggling and discomforted people, which enforced many of them without delay, for the gaining but of a little meat to refresh their lives, to yield▪ their necks to the yokes of their terrible spoiling foes, although others would never be constrained thereunto, but rather from of the mountains and from out the dens and defert woody forests made continual resistance.  

18 Of the victory obtained by the Britain's.  XVIII. And then first of all they overthrew their foes, who now for many years had wasted their Country, yet not trusting in the strength of man, but in the power of God, according to that of Philo. It is necessary to have divine assistanc●, when humane forces fail. A while ceased the attempts of our enemies, but yet not ceased the wickedness of our Countrymen, our foes left our people, but our people left not their iniquities.  

19 Of their offences.  XIX. For it hath been still a custom with our Country (as still al●s it remaineth) that she hath been weak to repress the power of their enemies, but strong to raise civil broils, and bear the burdens of offences; feeble (I say) to execute the laws of peace and truth, but able enough to sin, falsify, and deceive. The impudent Irish wasters departed home, as they who not long after determined to return again, and then first the picts seated themselves (where afterwards they continued) in the furthest part of the Island, breaking every while forth in spoiling and defacing our Country. Wherefore in such truces as these, the cruel sore of famine (which the desolate people sustained) was now clear healed, another far more poisonous secretly arising. For no sooner did the enemy desist from spoiling the Country, but the Island abounded with so great plenty of all things, as no forepast age could ever remember the like, wherewith all kind of licentiousness in like sort increased. Yea truly it increased with a mighty offspring; so that very aptly to the same time might be applied the saying which is; To be short, such fornication is heard of, 
1 Cor. 3.1.  as among the Gentiles there is not the like. Neither yet this vice alone, but all others that to humane frailty do accustomably befall, and chiefly (that which now also overthroweth in her the whole estate of goodness) hatred of truth with her maintainers, and the love of falsehood with the framers thereof, the acceptance of sin for sanctity, the worshipping of wickedness for benignity, the desire of darkness for the Sunneshining, the embracing of Satan for an Angel of light. Kings were anointed, not as God appointed, but such as in cruelty excelled others; and within a while after were they by their Electours without due examination of their deserts murdered, other more bloody Tyrants being in their places advanced, if any one of them were of a milder disposition, or seemed to draw any whit nearer to the truth, on him as the subverter of Britain were all men's hatred and vengeance with out respect thrown, and at an equal rate was valued all that displeased and pleased God, if that which displeased bore not the higher price. So as rightly to our Country might be spoken those words of the Prophet, which to that people of old were denounced. 
* Esai. 1.5.  Children without a law, have ye left God and provoked to anger the holy One of Israel, to what end shall ye be as yet strooken, adding iniquity? every head is languishing, and every heart is grieving, from the sole of the foot even to the very crown of the head, there is no soundness in him. And so they managed all matters, that were contrary to their salvation, as if the true Physician of all things could Minister no medicine to the enfeebled wound: And thus dealt not only the Lay people, but the very flock of our Lord, and the Pastors thereof, who ought to give all the Commons good example; very many as it were washed in wine did carelessly waste themselves in drunkenness, and were moreover attainted with the swelling of pride, the contention of anger, the griping talo● of envy, and the indifferent estimation of good and evil; so that apparently (as now also it fareth) there seemed to be poured out 
* Psa. 106  Contempt on the Princes, who caused them to wander astray, and not in the way.  

20 Of the sudden news of the enemy.  XX. God in the mean while being willing to cleanse his family, and with the only report of tribulation to amend them who were infected with so great a pestilence of mischiefs; the winged flight of no uncertain fame, pierced the listening ears of all men, concerning the instant approach of their inveterate enemies, even now resolved to make a spoil of all, and to possess after their accustomed manner, the whole Country from the one end to the other. Yet did our Countrymen nevertheless reap small commodity hereby, but like to brainsick beasts, most wilfully taking (as they say) in the teeth the bit of reason, they left the safe, though strait way, and ran mainly to the open passage of sundry vices, that lead headlong to deadly destruction.  
XXI. While therefore (as Solomon saith) The stubborn Servant is not with words amended, 
21 Of the faminous Plague.  the fool is scourged and feeleth it not. For a pestilent sickness did mortally infect the unwise people, which (without any stroke of the sword) did in short time devour so great a multitude of them, as the living were unneathable to bury; but neither with this were their sins corrected, that the same of Esay the Prophet might be also in them fulfilled, saying▪ And God hath called to Lamentation, 
Isai. 22.12.  to baldness, and to the girdle of sackcloth, and behold they rejoice to kill calves, and to slaughter Rams, to eat and drink, and to say, Let us eat, and let us drink, for to morrow we shall dye. For why the hour drew on a pace, wherein all their iniquities as those sometimes of the Amorrheians should be fully accomplished.  
XXII. For a Counsel 
22 Of the Counsel.  was called to determine what were the best or safest way to repulse and repress such deadly and often invasions and spoilings made by the aforesaid Nations.  
XXIII. When all the Counsel, 
23 Of an enemy far more cruel than the first.  together with the proud Tyrant, were blinded in finding out this defence, nay, offence, and utter destruction of our Country, that those most fierce and detestable people named the Saxons, a Nation odious both to God and man, should be sent for into the Island (as wolves into a fold of Sheep) to beat down the Northern powers; than which nothing ever befell to this our Country more pernicious and miserable. O most palpable darkness of their senses! O desperate and blockish dulness of their minds! whom they dreaded in their absence, more than death itself, were now freely and willingly invited to inhabit with them under the roof (as I may call it) of oneself same house, by the foolish Princes (as it is said) of Taneos giving undiscreete Counsel to their King Pharaoh. And then an huge litter of whelps ramping out of the den of the barbarous 
* Saxony.  Lioness, in three Ciuls (according to their tongue, but (after ours) in three long Ships or Galleys, with prosperous sails, fortunes and prophecies, through which by a certain Soothsayer among them was foretold, that they should three hundred year possess the Country whereunto they directed their course, and spend an hundred and fifty of the same (to wit) the one half in often spoiling of the Realm, and landing first in the Eastern part of the Island, fixed there, by the unhappy Tyrant's commandment, their cruel claws, as it were to fight for our Country, but more truly to overthrow the same. After whom the aforesaid 
* Saxony.  Dam, (finding her first beginnings had so good success) sendeth also forth a new and greater supply of her ravening race, which being shipped over, join themselves with the former bastardly bands. Hereupon the bud of iniquity, the root of bitterness, and the plant of poison, answerable truly to our demirits sprung out from this our native soil in fierce arms and branches. The Barbarous therefore being invited and admitted into our Island, demand and obtain allowance of victuals to be granted them as Soldiers and such as would undertake mighty dangers (as they pretended) for their good hosts, and entertainers which being a long time largely bestowed. stopped (as they say) the dog's mouth. Yet afterwards notwithstanding they cavil that they had not sufficient victuals and habitations appointed them, forging thereupon, quarrels of set purpose, and if they found not greater abundance of bounty, they protest they would break the league, and sack the whole Island, and without delay they make good their threats with following effects.  
XXIIII. For the fire of just revenge, 
24 Of the overthrow of the Cities.  being in regard of our former offences now enkindled, was increased and continued from sea to sea, as fed by the hand of the sacrilegious Easterlings, which spoiling and consuming all near adjoining Cities and Countries, when it was once inflamed, ceased not till burning almost the whole Western face of the Island, it dipped histerrible red scorching tongue into the Ocean Sea. Wherefore in these assaults, not unlike those which the Assyrians sometimes attempted against judah, the same was also Historically performed in us, which the Prophet lamenting said; 
* Psal. 73.7  They have burned with fire thy Sanctuary, they have pollat d in earth, the Tabernacle of thy name. And again, 
* Psal. 78.1  O God the Gentiles have come into thine inheritance, they have defiled thy holy Temple. In so much as all the towns with the often beat of the Rams, and all the Townsmen, Pastors, Priests, and People, with naked swords that glittred on all sides, and crackling flames were together whirled to the ground; lamentable and dreadful to behold, there lay the tops of lofty Towers now tumbled down, the stones of high walls, the holy Altars, and rent pieces of carcaces covered with distilling & congealed purple blood, confusedly in the midst of the streets heaped in one, as if they were to be crushed together in a certain horrible winepress: and now besides the ruins of houses, there remained no grave at all for the dead, but the bellies of beasts and birds; be it spoken with reverence to the sacred souls (if many yet were to be found) which at that time by the blessed Angels were assumpted to the high Heavens; for that vine which was sometimes so good, had as then so degenerated into bitterness, that (according unto the Prophet) like as when the winemakers or harvest men have done, there was hardly a grape or ear of corn to be seen. 
25 Of the remnant of the Britain's.   
XXV. Some therefore of the miserable remnants being taken in the mountains, were in heaps murdered; others constrained by famine, came and yielded themselves to be eternal slaves to their foes, if they were not instantly nevertheless slain, which truly was the greatest favour that could be offered them: some others passed over beyond the Seas, singing or rather sighing with wonderful lamentation under the shadows of their sails, in place of the Mariners sound, this heavy sentence; 
* Psal. 43.12.  Thou hast given us as Sheep to be slaughtered, and among the Gentiles hast thou dispersed us. Others committing the safeguard of their lives, in continual doubtful dread, to the mounting hills, to the fortresses of deep donwfalls, to most thick woody forests, and to the Rocks of the Seas, remained (albeit with trembling hearts) yet still in their Country. But in the mean while, an opportunity happening, when as these most cruel robbers were returned home, the poor remnants of our Nation (to whom do flock from diverse places round about our most miserable Countrymen as fast as Bees to their hives, for fear of an insueing storm) being strengthened by God, and with all their hearts calling upon him, and lading (as they say) the Heavens with innumerable vows, that they might not be now brought to utter destruction take arms under the conduction of Ambrose the Aurelian a modest man (who of all the Roman Nation was then alone in the confusion of so great a tempestuous season by chance left alive, his parents who for their honour were adorned with purple, being slain in the same broils, although his progeny in these our days do foully degenerate from the worthiness of their Ancestors) and provoke to battle their cruel Conquerors, and so by the goodness of our Lord obtain the victory.  

26 Of the last victory granted by God to the Britain's.  XXVI. After this sometimes our Countrymen, sometimes the Enemy won the field, to the end our Lord might in this Land try after his accustomed manner these his now Israelites, whether they loved him or not, until the year of the siege of the mountain of Bath, and of the last almost though not the least slaughter of our villainous foes, which was (as I am sure) forty four years and one month after the landing of the Saxons, and also the time of my Nativity. And yet neither to this day truly are the Cities of our Country as before inhabited, but being forsaken and overthrown do hitherto lie desolate, our foreign wars ceasing, but civil remaining. For as well the remembrance of so desperate a destruction of the Island, as also that of the unexpected recovery of the same remained in the minds of them, who were eye witnesses of the wonderful events of both, and in regard thereof, Kings, public Magistrates, and private persons, with Priests and Clergy men, did all and every of them live orderly according to their several vocations. But when these departed out of this world, and a new offspring succeeded, that was ignorant of this troublesome time, and had only experience of the present prosperity, all the laws of truth and justice were so shaken and turned upside down, that I will not say one step, but not so much truly as one little memory of these virtues hardly rested to be seen in the forerecited orders of men, a few, yea a very few excepted, who in respect of the loss of so great a multitude, which rusheth daily headlong down to hell, are accounted so small a number, that our reverend mother the Church doth in a sort scarce behold them reposing in her bosom, whom she doth only accept for her true children; whose worthy lives being admirable to all men, and of God beloved (by the sacred prayers of whom, as by certain pillars and most profitable supporters, our infirmity is sustained up, that it may not utterly fall down to the ground) I would have no one suppose I go once about to reprove, if any way enforced by the increasing heaps of offences I shall more liberally, yea more lamentably not so much declare as bewail the wickedness of those who are become servants not only to their bellies, but also to the devil rather than to Christ, who is our blessed God, world without end.  
For why shall their Countrymen conceal, what foreign Nations round about do as now not only know, but also cast in their teeth? Britain hath Kings but Tyrants, she hath judges but wicked, often spoiling and confounding, but the Innocent; defending and protecting but the faulty and Felons; having very many wives, but queans and adulteresses, sundry times swearing but forswearing, vowing and almost instantly falsifying the same, making wars, but civil and unjust, mightily pursuing robbers abroad truly in the Country, and yet not only loving but also rewarding such thiefs as are with them at their tables; giving alms bountifully, but on the contrary side heaping upmountaines of mischiefs miserably, sitting in the throne of justice, but seldom seeking out the rules of rightful judgement, disdaining the honest and humble, but extolling (as much as in them lieth) unto the very stars, the bloody, the proud, the monstrous murderers, the combined and adulterous enemies if so (as they say) they may prevail, of God himself, who together with their very names are to be razed absolutely out of the earth; having many fettered in their goals, but lading them with chains, whom they rather beat down by deceits, then punish for any due deserts; making solemn oaths on the Altars, and presently afterwards despising the same Altars, as if they were but dirty stones. 
* The reproving of Constantine  Of which so horrible a crime, Constantine the Tyrannical whelp of the unclean Lioness of Dannonier is not guiltless. This self same year after the taking of a dreadful oath (whereby he bound himself first before God, and by a solemn sworn protestation, then calling all the quires of Saints, and Mother of God to witness, that he would not contrive any deceits against his Countrymen) he did nevertheless in the reverend bosoms of two mothers, the Church, and the carnal Parent, under the habit of the Saintly Abbot Amphibalus, 
Amphibol●s.  amidst the very holy sacred Altars (as I have said) in stead of teeth with his abominable sword and lavelin, wound and rend the most tender sides of two royal 
* 
I think this should be rather thus.  
Youths, and cruelly the entrailes of two nurselings. Fo● it appeareth to be two several slaughter; the first of two young men, the last of two nurse children, according to our Chronicles;   children, or cruelly the entrailes of two such nurselings, whose arms no way defended with armour (which no man almost as then more stoutly, than these poor babes used) but stretched against the day of judgement, to God and the Altar, did hang up (O Christ) at the gates of thy City, the venerable ensigns of their patience and faith: yea so he did it as the purple cloaks (as it were) of congealed blood, did touch the seat of the heavenly sacrifice, neither did he commit this truly after any precedent commendable actions: For many years before was he overcome with the often and interchangeable stenches of adulteries, having thrust away his lawful wife against the commandment of Christ, and also the Doctor of the Gentiles, saying, 
* Mat. 19 6. Mark 10 9  What God hath joined, let not man separate; and again, 
* Eph. 5.28 Colos. 3.19.  Husbands love your wives, For why he had planted in the ground of his heart (an unfruitful soil for any good seed) a certain most bitter set of incredulity and folly, taken at the first from the Vine of Sodom, which being watered with his vulgar and domestical impieties, as poyso●●nous kinds of showers, an● afterwards to the offence of God more audaciously springing up, hath brought forth into the world the sin of horrible murder and sacrilege; and not as yet discharged of the entangling nets of his former offences, he increaseth his new wickedness with old villainies. Go too now, I reproove thee as present, whom I know as yet to be in this life extant; why standest thou astonished, O thou butcher of thine own soul? why dost thou wilfully enkindle against thyself the eternal fires of hell: Why dost thou in place of enemies, desperately stab thyself with thine own swords, with thine own javelins? What cannot those same poisonous cups of offences yet satisfy thy stomach? Look back (I beseech thee) and come to Christ, (for why thou labourest, and art pressed even down to the earth with this huge burden) and he himself, as he said will give thee rest. Come to him who wisheth not 
* Esa. 52.2.  The death of a sinner, but that he should be rather converted and live. Unlose (according to the Prophet) the bands of thy neck, 
Ezech. 33.11.  O thou son of Zion. Return (I pray thee) although from the far remote regions of sins, 
Luc. 15.13.  unto the most pious Father who for his son that will despise the filthy food of swine, and fear the death of cruel famine, and so come back to him again, hath with great joy accustomed to kill his fated Calf, and bring forth for this erroneous wanderer, the first stole and royal ring, and then talking as it were a taste of the heavenly hope thou shalt perceive. 
* Psa. 33.9.  How sweet our Lord is. For if thou dost contemns these, be thou assured, thou art almost instantly to be for ever tossed and tormented in the inevitable and dark floods of endless fires. What dost thou also thou Lion's whelp (as the Prophet saith) Aurelius Conanus? 
The reproving of Aurelius Conanus.  Art not thou as the former (if not far more foully) to thy utter destruction, swallowed up in the filthiness of horrible murders, fornications and adulteries, as in certain over-whelming floods of the sea? Hast not thou by hating, as a deadly serpent, the peace of thy Country, and thirsting unjustly after civil wars, and often frequent spoils, shut up the gates of heavenly peace and repose against thine own soul? Being now left alone as a withering tree in the midst of a field, remember (I beseech thee) the vain and idle fancies of thy Parents, and brethren, together with the untimely death that befell them in the prime of their youth; and shalt thou for thy religious deserts, be reserved to live some hundreds of years, or to attain to the age of Methusalem, being now bereft almost of all succeeding posterity? No surely, but unless (as the Psalmist saith) thou shalt be more speedily converted unto our Lord, that King will shortly 
* Psal. 7.13.  Brandish his sword against thee, who by his Prophet saith 
* Deut. 32.39.  I will kill, and I will cause to live, I will strike, and I will heal, and he is not who can deliver out of my hand. Be thou therefore 
* Esa. 52.2.  shaken out of thy filthy dust, and withal thy heart converted to him, who hath created thee, that 
* Psal. 2.12.  When his wrath shall shortly burn out, thou mayest be blessed in hoping on him. But if otherwise, eternal pains will be heaped up for thee, where thou shalt be ever tormented and never consumed in the cruel jaws of Hell. 
The reproving of Vortiper.  Thou also who like to the sundry coloured Pard art diverse in manners and divers in mischiefs, whose head now weareth hoar, who art seated in a Throne full of deceits, and from the bottom even to the very top deflowered with sundry detestable murders and adulteries, a naughty son of a good King, as another Manasses sprung from Ezechias, Vortiper thou Tyrant of the Demetians why dost thou astonished stearve away? What! do not such violent gulfs of sins (which thou dost swallow up as most pleasant wine, if thou thyself art not rather swallowed up by them) is yet satisfy thee, especially since the end of thy life daily now also approacheth? Why dost thou heavily clog thy miserable soul with a lustful sin of all others the foulest, by putting away thine own wife, and after her honourable death, with a certain irrecoverable burden of thine impudent daughter? Wast not (I beseech thee) the residue of thy life in offending God, because as yet an 
* 2 Cor. 6.2.  acceptable time and day of Salvation shineth on the faces of the repentant, wherein thou mayest work well, that thy 
* Math. 24.20.  Flight may not be made in the Winter, or Sabbath. 
* Psal. 33.15.  Turn away (according to the Psalmist) from evil, and do good, seek forth blessed peace and follow the same, because the eyes of our Lord will be cast upon thee, when thou dost righteousnsse, and his ears will be then open unto thy prayers, and he will not destroy thy memory out of the land of the living, thou shalt cry and he will hear thee, and out of thy tribulations deliver thee, for Christ doth never despise 
* Psal. 50.19.  an heart that is contrite and humbled with his fear. Otherwise 
* Esay 66.24.  the worm of thy torture shall not dye, and the fire of thy burning be never extinguished. 
Marc. 9.44.  And why art thou tumbled in the old filth of thy naughtiness, 
The reproving of Cuneglasse.  yea since the very first spring of thy tender youth, thou Bear, thou rider and ruler of many, and guider of the chariot which is the Bear's bearour, thou contemner of God, and depressour of his lot Cuneglasse, and by interpretation in Latin a yellow or golden butcher? why dost thou raise so great a war as well against men as also against God himself, against men yea thy Countrymen with thine especial powers, against God with thine infinite offences? Why besides other thine innumerable ruins having thrown out of doors thine own wife, dost thou with the lustful love, or rather blockish dulness of thy mind, against the Apostles express prohibition, 
Galat. 1.21.  denouncing that no adulterers can be partakers of the Kingdom of heaven, esteem (according to the Poet) as the exceeding dainties of the celestial nymphs, her detestable sister, who had vowed unto God the everlasting continency of her widowhood? Why dost thou provoke with thine often injuries the lamentations and sighs of Saints, by thy means corporally afflicted, which will in time to come like a terrible Lioness, break thy bones in pieces? 
* Psal. 36.8  Desist (I beseech thee (as the Prophet saith) from wrath, and leave of thy deadly, and (that which will be) thyself tormenting fury, which thou breathest out against heaven and earth which is against God and his flock: make them rather with altered minds to pray for thee, who possess a power of binding over this. world, when in this world they bind the guilty, and of losing when they lose the penitent. 
* Tim. 6.17.  Be not (as the Apostle saith) proudly wise, nor hope thou in the uncertainty of riches, but in God who giveth thee many things abundantly, and by the amendment of thy manners purchase unto thyself a good foundation for hereafter, and obtain a ●rue, and truly everlasting life, and not a transitory one Otherwise thou shalt know and see yea in this very world, how bad and bitter a thing it is for thee to leave thy Lord God, and not have his fear before thine eyes, and in the next, how thou shalt be burned in the foul encompassing flames of endless fire, nor yet by any manner of means ever dye. For why the souls of the sinful are as well eternal in perpetual fire, as the souls of the just in perpetual joy and gladness.  
And likewise O Dragon of the Island, 
The reproof of M●glocune.  O depriver of many Tyrants, as well from their kingdoms as also from their lives, and among the forerecited the last in my writing, but the first in thine own mischief, exceeding many in power, and also in malice, more liberal in giving, more licentious in sinning, boisterous in arms, but stronger in working thine own fowls destruction, Maglocune, to what end art thou (as one 
* jer. 23.9.  Soken in the wine pressed out of the Sodomitical grape) foolishly moiled in that so ugly old deformity of thine offences? Why dost thou wilfully heap in bands upon thy kingly shoulders, such huge weights of sins, not unlike (as I may say) unto the unsupportable burdens of great mountains? Why dost thou not show thyself unto the King of all kings (who hath made thee as well in kingdom as also in stature of body higher than almost all the Dukes of Britain besides) better likewise in virtues than the rest; but on the contrary side for thy sins much worse? The certain affirmation of which sins, do thou a while with an indifferent ear, hear and listen unto, wherein I will not touch any whit thy domestical and higher offences (if yet any of them are light) but only report those open ones which are spread far and broad in the knowledge of all men. Didst not thou in the very first entrance of thy youth, most terribly oppress through sword, spear, and fire, the King thine uncle together with his most courageous bands of Soldiers, whose countenances in battle were not much unlike unto young Lions? Little esteeming those words of the Prophet that say; 
* Psal. 54.24.  Men of blood and deceit shall not accomplish the middle part of their days: and were not the sequel of thy sins such as ensued) yet what revenge shouldest thou expect at the hands of the just judge for this only offence; He also saying by his Prophet: 
* Esa. 33.1  Woe be to thee who spoilest, and shalt not thou thyself be spoiled? and thou who killest, shall not thyself be killed? and when thou shalt make an end of thy spoiling, then shall thyself ruinate.  
But when the conceit of this usurping reign had succeeded according to thine own hearts wishes, didst not thou being taken with a desire of returning to the right way, day and night as then (perhaps through the deep remorse of thy sinful conscience) chaw first of all, the cud of thy many meditations about the service of God, and the observance of the rules of Monks, and afterwards make it known to the whole world, and for ever vow thyself before Almighty God, and in the sight of Angels and men (breaking as it was thought those most large nets, wherein fat bulls of thy sort are wont to be headlong entangled, and overcoming all temptations of thirst of Kingdoms, Gold, and Silver, and which is greatest that of thine own will) and wert professed a Monk without any thought (as thyself didst say) of violating the same, and didst not thou being now become of a crow a dove, like the same bird, when she sheareth swiftly with her singing wings the empty air, and avoideth with her often winding turns, the fell talons of the ravenous hawk, safely recover thyself to the cells, and reposes of Saints, as thy most trusty refuge? Oh how great a joy should it have been to our Mother the Church, if the enemy of all mankind had not lamentably pulled thee in a sort out of her bosom! Oh how ample fuel of Heavenly hope, would have been enkindled in the hearts of desperate sinners, hadst thou remained in thy blessed estate! Oh what, and how great rewards in the Kingdom of Christ would have been laid up for thy soul against the day of judgement, if that crasty wolf had not caught thee, who of a wolf, was now become a Lamb (not much against thine own will) out of the fold of our Lord, and made thee of a Lamb, a wolf like to himself, again? Oh how great a joy would the conservation of thy salvation have been to God the holy Father of all Saints, had not the devil the miserable father of all castaways, as an Eagle of monstrous wings and claws carried thee captive away against all right and reason, to the unhappy root of his children? And to be short, as great gladness and sweetness, did thy conversion to righteousness minister to heaven and earth, as now thy detestable return, after the manner of a sick mastiff unto the horrible vomit again, breedeth grief and lamentation: which being done; 
* Rom. 6.13.  The members are now become the armours of iniquity for sin and the devil, which in right sense should have been busily employed, as the armours of justice for God: for now with thy listening ears are not heard the praises of God sweetly sounded forth by the pleasant voices of Christ's Soldiers, nor the Organs of ecclesiastical melody, but thine own praises (which are nothing) rung out after the fashion of Bacchus' giddy rout, by the mouths of thy villainous followers fulfilled with lies, and also with foaming malice, to the utter overthrow of every one of their neighbours, so as the vessel sometimes prepared for the service of God, is now turned to a vessel of dirt, and what was once reputed worthy of Heavenly honour, is now worthily cast into the bottomless pit of hell. Neither yet is thy sensual mind (which is overcome by the excess of folly) any whit abated or debarred of his course with committing so great sins, but hot and prone (like a young colt that coveteth every pleasant pasture) runneth▪ headlong forward, with irrecoverable fury, through the large fields of offences, in heaping new wickedness on the head of the old. For the former marriage of thy first wife (although after thy violated vow of Religion, she were not lawfully thine) yet being sometimes thine, was now despised, another, the wife of a man then living, and he no stranger, but thine own brother's son, being in her place beloved. Upon which occasion that stiff neck of thine (being already laden with many burdens of sins) is now moreover with two monstrous murders, the one of thy aforesaid Nevew, the other of her who sometimes was thy married wife (as with the outrageous extremity of thy sacrilege) from low to lower, and from bad to worse, bowed, bended, and depressed down. Afterwards also didst thou accept her, (by whose deceit and suggestion such mighty matter of offences was undergone) publicly, and (as the flattering tongues of thy parasites with feigned, but not faithful words pronounce) lawfully as a widow, but (as we) say most wickedly to be thine own in wedlock. And therefore what holy man is there, whose bowels being moved with the narration of such an history, would not presently break out into weeping and lamentations? What Priest (whose heart lieth open unto God) would not instantly upon the hearing of this, with marvellous mourning cry out that saying of the Prophet: 
* jer. 9.1.  Who shall give water to my head, and to mine eyes a fountain of tears, and I will day and night bewail those of my people, who are slaughtered. For why full little (alas) hast thou with thine ears once heard that reprehension of the Prophet speaking in this wise: 
* Eccle. 4 1.11.  Woe be unto ye (O wicked men) who have left the Law of the most holy God, and if ye shall be borne, your portion shall be to malediction, and if ye die, into malediction shall be your portion, all things that are from the earth, to the earth shall be converted again, so shall the wicked from malediction pass to perdition: (but ever supposed) if they return not unto our Lord, receiving especially this admonition: 
* Eccle. 21.1.  Son thou hast offended, add no farther offence thereunto, but withal, do thou pray for the forgiveness of the former. And again, 
* Eccle. 5.8  Foreslow not to be converted unto our Lord, neither yet do thou put of the same from day to day, for his wrath doth come suddenly. Because as the Scripture saith: 
* Pro. 29.12  When the King heareth the unjust word, 
* Pro. 29.4  all under his dominion become wicked. And, The just King (according to the Prophet) raiseth up his Region. But warnings truly are not wanting to thee, since thou hast for thine instructor the most eloquent Master, of almost all Britain. Take heed therefore, lest that which Solomon noteth, befalleth not to thee, which is: 
* Eccle. 22.8.  Even as he who stirreth up a sleeping man out of his heavy sleep, so is that person who declareth wisdom unto a fool, for in the end of his speech will he say. What hast thou first spoken? Wash thine heart (as it is written) from malice (Oh jerusalem) that thou mayst be saved. Despise not (I beseech thee) the unspeakable mercy of God, calling by his Prophet, the wicked in this sort from their offences 
* jere. 18.7  I will on the suddvine speak to the Nation, and to the Kingdom, that I may root out, and disperse, and destroy and overthrow. As for the sinner he doth in this wise exhort him vehemently to penance. And if the same people shall do penance from their offence, I will also do penance upon the evil which I have said that I would do against them. And again, 
* jer. 18.8.  Who will give them such an heart, as they may hear me, and keep my Commandments, and that it may be well with them all the days of their lives, And also in the 
* Deut. 32.28.  Canticle of Deuteronomy, A people without counsel and prudence, I wish they would be wise, and understand, and foresee the last of all, how one pursueth a thousand and two put to flight ten thousands. And again, our Lord in the Gospel. 
* Mat. 11.28  Come unto me all ye who do labour and are burdened, and I will make ye rest. Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek and humble of heart, and ye shall find repose in your souls. For if thou dost hearken to these admonitions, but with deaf ears, if thou contemnest the Prophets, if thou despisest Christ, and (although most base we are) makest no account of us, so long as with sincere piety and purity of mind, we observe the same of the Prophet, that we may not be found, 
* Esa. 56.10  Dumb dogs, not able to bark (howsoever I for mine own particular am not of that singular fortitude, in the spirit and virtue of our Lord as to declare 
* Esa. 58.1.  To the house of jacob their sins and the house of Israel their offences) and so long as we shall remember that of Solomon. 
Pro. 24.24.  Who so termeth the wicked to be just, shall be accursed among the people, and odious to nations, for they who reproove shall have better hopes. 
Eccle. 24.27  And again, Respect not with reverence thy neighbour in his ruin, nor spare thou to speak in time of Salvation. And as long also as we forget not this, 
* Pr●. 24.11.  Withdraw them away by force, who are led to death, and forbear not to redeem them who are murdered; because as the same Prophet saith 
* Pro. 11.4  Riches shall not profit in the day of wrath, but justice delivereth from death. And 
* Pro. 11.31. 1 Pet. 4.18.  If the just truly be hardly saved, where shall the wicked, and sinner appear? If thou scornest us and all these, the darksome flood of hell shall without all doubt eternally drown thee in that deadly whirlpool, and those most terrible fiery streams that shall ever torment and never consume thee, and then shall the palpable knowledge of these pains, and sorrow for sins be altogether to late and unprofitable unto him, who as now in this acceptable time and day of Salvation deferreth his conversion unto the righteous way of of life. And here truly if not before was this so doleful and lamentable an history of the miseries of our time, to have received a conclusion, that our mouth might no further discourse of the works of men; But that we may not be esteemed fearful or overwearied, whereby we might the less carefully avoid that saying of Esay, which is, 
* Esa. 5.20.  Woe be unto them who call good evil, and evil good, placing darkness for light, and light for darkness, bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter, 
Mat. 13.13.  who seeing see not and hearing hear not, whose he●rts are overshadowed with a certain thick and black cloud of vices! We will briefly set down, what and how great threatenings are denounced (against these five aforesaid lascivious horses, the frantic followers of Pharaoh, through whom his army is wilfully urged forward to their utter destruction in the red sea, and also against such others) by the sacred Oracles, with whose holy testimonies (as with a fair roof) the frame of this our little work, may be most assuredly covered, that it be not subject to the showers of the envious, which otherwise would be mainly poured thereupon. Let therefore the holy Prophets (who have been unto mortal men the mouth in a sort) of God, and the Organ of the holy Ghost, forbidding evils, and favouring goodness) answer for us as well now as in that before, against the stubborn and proud Princes of this our age, that they may not say we menace them with such threats, and so great terrors, only of our own invention, and overbusy talking rashness. For to no wise man is it doubtful how far more grievous the sins of this our time are, than those of the first age, the Apostle saying Any one transgressing the law, 
Heb. 10.28.  being convicted by two or three witnesses, shall dye, how much worse punishments think ye then that he deserveth, who shall trample under his foot the Son of God? And he first of all appeareth before us, Samuel (by the Commandment of God) the stablisher of a lawful kingdom, dedicated to God before his birth, undoubtedly known by admirable signs, to be a true Prophet unto all the people, from Dan even to Bersheba, out of whose mouth the Holy Ghost thundereth to all the Potentates of the world, by denouncing unto Saul the first king of the Hebrews, only because he did not accomplish some matters commanded him from our Lord in this sort. 
1 Sam. 13.13.  Thou hast done foolishly, neither yet hast thou kept the Commandments of our Lord thy God, that he hath given thee in charge; which if thou hadst not committed, even now had our Lord prepared thy reign over Israel for ever, but thy kingdom shall no farther arise. And what did he commit adultery, or any abominable murder like to the offences of this time? No truly, but broke in part a Commandment, because as well one of ours noteth; The question is not of the quality of the sin, but of the violating of the precept. Also when he endeavoured to answer (as he thought) the objections and after the fashion of men wisely to make defences for his offences on this wise; Yea I have heard the voice of our Lord, 
1 Sam. 15.20  and walked in the way through the which he hath sent me: with this reprehension was he corrected by him: What will our Lord have burnt offerings or oblations, 
1 Sam. 15.22  and not rather that the voice of our Lord should be obeyed? Obedience is truly better than oblations, and to hearken unto him, better than to offer the fat of Rams. Because as the sin of soothsaying, so is it to resist, and as the offence of Idolatry not to obey; in regard therefore thou hast cast away the Word of our Lord, he hath also cast thee away that thou be not King. And a little after. 
1. Sam. 15.28.  Our Lord hath this day rend the Kingdom of Israel from thee, and delivered it up to thy neighbour, a man better than thyself. The triumpher of Israel truly will not spare, and will not be bowed with repentance, neither yet is he a man that he may 
† be penitent  do penance, (supposed ever) upon the hard stony hearts of the wicked: Wherein it is to be noted how he saith, that to be disobedient unto God is the sin of Idolatry. Let not therefore our wicked transgressors (while they do not openly sacrifice to the gods of the Gentiles) flatter themselves that they are not Idolaters, so long as they tread like swine the most precious pearls of Christ under their feet. But although this one example as an invincible affirmation might abundantly suffice to correct the wicked: Yet, that in the mouths of many witnesses all the offences of Britain may be approved, let us pass to the rest. What chanced to David for numbering his people, the Prophet Gad speaking unto him in this sort? Thus saith our Lord. The choice of three is offered thee, 
2 Sam. 24.12.  Elect to thee one of these which thou wilt, that I may execute it upon thee. Either shall there befall thee a famine for seven years, or three months shalt thou fly thine enemies and they pursue thee, or certainly there shall be three days Pestilence in thy land. For being brought into great straits upon this condition, and willing rather to fall into the hands of God who is merciful, than into those of men, he was humbled with the slaughter of LXX thousand of his subjects, and unless with the affection of an Apostolic charity, he had desired to dye himself for his Countrymen, that the Plague might not further consume them, 
2 Sam. 24.17.  by saying, I am the same person that have offended I the shepherd have dealt unjustly: these who are sheep what have they sinned? Let thy hand (I beseech thee) be turned against me, and against the house of my Father. He should have purged the unadvised pride of his heart with his own death. For what doth the Scripture afterwards declare of his Son. 
1 Reg. 11.6.  And Solomon wrought what was not pleasing before our Lord, and he did not supply in his place, that he might as his Father follow our Lord. And our Lord said unto him; Because thou hast thus behaved thyself, 
1 Reg. 11.11.  and not observed my covenant and precepts, which I have commanded thee, breaking it asunder; I will divide thy Kingdom, and give the same unto thy Servant. Hear now likewise what fell upon the two sacrilegious Kings of Israel, (even such as ours are) jeroboam, and Baasa, unto whom the sentence and doom of our Lord, is by the Prophet in this sort directed: For what cause have I exalted thee a Prince over Israel, 
* 1 Reg. 14.7.  in regard they have provoked me in their vanities. 
* 1 Reg. 16.2, 3, 4.  Behold I will stir up after Baasha and after his house, and I will give over his house as the house of jeroboam the Son of Nebat. whoso of his blood shall dye in the City, the dogs shall eat him, and the dead carcase of his in the field, shall the fowls of the air devour. What doth he also threaten unto that wicked King of Israel, a fellow soldier of the former band (by whose collusion and his wife's deceit, innocent Naboth, was for his Father's Vineyard oppressed) talking by the holy mouth of that Elias, yea the selfsame mouth that was instructed with the fiery speech of our lord Thou hast killed, 
1 Reg▪ 21.19.  moreover likewise thou hast possessed, and after these thou wilt add yet more. Thus saith our Lord, in this very place, wherein the dogs have licked the blood of Naboth, they shall lick up thy blood also. Which that it fell out afterwards in that very sort we have certain experience. But least perchance (according as it befell unto the aforesaid Achab) The lying spirit which pronounceth vain things, 
1 Reg. 22.22.  in the mouths of your Prophets may seduce ye, hearken ye to the speeches of the Prophet Michaias. 
1 Reg. 22.23.  Behold God hath suffered the spirit of lying to possess the mouths of all thy Prophets that do here remain, and our Lord hath pronounced evil against thee. For even now it is certain there are some Doctors replenished with a contrary spirit, preaching and affirming rather naughty pleasure then truth: whose words are softer than oil, 
Psa. 54.22 jere. 6.14. &. 8.11.  and the self same are darts, who say, peace, peace and there shall be no peace to them, who persevere in sins, as the Prophet in another place, on this wise speaketh. It is not for the wicked to rejoice saith our Lord. 
Esa● 48.22 & 57.21.  Azarias also the son of Obed, did speak unto Asa, who returned from the slaughter of the Army of ten hundred thousand Ethiopians, 
2 Para●. 15.2.  saying, Our Lord is with ye, while ye remain with him, and if ye will seek him out, he will be found by ye, and if ye will leave him, he will forsake ye. For if jehoshaphat but yielding assistance unto a wicked King, was thus reproved by the Prophet jehu, the son of Anany, saying. 
2 Paral. 19.2.  If thou givest aid to a sinner, or lovest them whom our Lord doth hate, the wrath of God doth therefore hang over thee, what shall become of them, who are fettered in the proper snares of their own offences? whose sins but not whose soulens, we must of necessity hate, if we will fight in the Army of our Lord, 
Psal. 96.10  the Psalmist saying, Hate ye evil, who love our Lord. What was said to the son of the afore rencited josaphat, named joram, that most horrible murderer (who being himself a bastard, slew his noble brethren, that he might possess the throne in their place) by the Prophet Elias, the waggon and waggoner of Israel? 
2 Paral. 21 21.  Thus speaketh (quoth he) the Lord God of thy Father David. Because thou hast not walked in the way of thy Father josaphat, and in the ways of Asa the King of judah, but hast made thy passage through the ways of the Kings of Israel, and in unsensibleness according to the behaviour of the house of Achab, and hast moreover killed thy brethren, the sons of josaphat, men far better than thyself; behold our Lord shall strike thee and thy children with a mighty plague. 
2 Paral. 21.25.  And a little afterwards. And thou shalt be marvellous sick, of a disease of thy belly, until the entrailes of thy belly shall together with the malady itself from day to day pass forth away from thee? And listen also what the Prophet Zachary the son of joiades menaced to joas the King of Israel, leaving our Lord even as ye now do, who arising, spoke in this manner to the People; Thus saith our Lord, 
2 Paral. 24.20.  why do ye transgress the Commandments of our Lord and do not prosper? Because ye have left our Lord, he will also leave you. What shall I mention of Esay, the first and chief of the Prophets, who beginneth the proem and entrance of his Prophecy, or rather vision, saying in this sort; Hear O ye Heavens, 
Esa. 1.2.  and O thou earth conceive in thine ears, because our Lord hath spoken, I have nourished children, and exalted them, but they themselves have despised me. The Ox hath known his owner, and the Ass the manger of his Master, but Israel hath not known me, and my people hath not understood. 
* From this place forward all the sentences of Esay are omitted in another Book. Esa. 1.8.  And after a few words, framing threatenings answerable to so great a folly, he saith: The Daughter of Zion shall be utterly left as a shelter in the Vineyard, and as a hovel in the Cowcumber Garden, and a City that is sacked. And especial-conventing and accusing the Princes, 
Esa. 1.10.  he saith, Hear the word of our Lord (O ye Princes of Sodom,) perceive ye the Law of our Lord, O ye people of Gomorrah. Where truly it is to be noted, that unjust Kings are termed the Princes of Sodom, for our Lord forbidding sacrifices and gifts to be offered unto him by such where we with greedy covetousness receive those offerings which in all Nations are displeasing unto God, and to our own destruction suffer them not to be bestowed on the poor and needy speaketh to them who laden with abundance of riches, are likewise given to the filth of offences on this wise. 
Esa. 1.13.  Offer not any more your sacrifice in vain, your incense is abomination unto me. And again he denounceth. 
Esa. 1.15.  And when ye shall stretch out your hands, I will turn away mine eyes from ye, and when ye shall multiply your prayers, I will not hear. And he declareth wherefore he doth this, saying; Your hands are full of blood. And likewise showing how he may be appeased, he saith, 
Esa. 1.16.  Be ye washed, be ye clean, take away the evil of your thoughts from mine eyes, leave of to deal perversely, learn to do well, seek for the judgement, secure the oppressed, do justice to the pupil or Orphan. And then assuming as it were the part of a reconciling appeaser, he adding saith, 
Esa. 1.18.  If your sins shall be as scarlet, they shall be made white as Snow: & if they shall be as red as the little worm, they shall be as white as wool. If ye shall be willing and will hear me, ye shall feed on the good things of the Land, but if ye will not, and shall provoke me unto wrath, the sword shall devour ye. Receive ye, hear the true and public avoucher witnessing without any falsehood or flattery, the reward of your good and evil▪ not like the soothing humble lips of your Parasites whispering poisons into your ears. And also directing his sentence against ravenous judges, he saith thus. 
Esa. 1.23.  Thy Princes are unfaithful, companions of thiefs, all love gifts, hunt after rewards, they do no justice to the Orphan, the widow's cause entereth not unto them. For this saith our Lord God of hosts, the strong one of Israel. Alas, I will take consolation upon my foes, and be revenged upon mine enemies, and the heinous sinners shall be broken to powder and offenders together with them and all who have left our Lord, shall be consumed. And afterwards, 
Esa. 2.11.  The eyes of the lofty man shall be brought low, and the height of men hath bowed down. And again, 
Esa. 3.11.  Woe be to the wicked, evil be fall him, for he shall be rewarded according to his handy works. And a little after, Woe be unto ye who arise early to follow drunkenness, 
Esa. 5.11.  and to drink even to the very evening, that ye may vapouring fume with Wine. The Harp, and the Lyra, and the Taber, and the Pipe, and Wine are in your banquets, and the work of our Lord ye respect not, neither yet consider ye the works of his hands. Therefore is my people led captive away, because they have not had knowledge, and their Nobles have perished with famine, and their multitude hath withered away with thirst. Therefore hath hell enlarged and dilated his spirit, and without measure opened his mouth, and his strong ones, and his people, and his lofty and glorious ones, shall descend down unto him. And afterwards, Woe be unto ye who are mighty for the drinking of wine, 
Esa. 5.22.  and strong men for the procuring of drunkenness, who justify the wicked for rewards, and deprive the just man of his justice. For this cause even as the tongue of the fire devoureth the stubbell, and as the heat of the flame burneth up, so shall their root be as the ashes, and their branch shall rise up us the dust. For they have cast away the law of our Lord of hosts, and despised the speech of the holy one of Israel. In all these the fury of our Lord is not turned away, but as yet his hand is stretched out. And somewhat after debating of the day of judgement and the unspeakable fear of offenders, he saith. Howl ye out, 
Esa. 13.6.  because the day of our Lord is near at hand (if then near, what shall it now be thought to be) in regard destruction shall proceed from God. For this shall all hands be dissolved, and every man's heart shall wither away, and be bruised, small tortures and dolours shall hold them, as a woman in labour so shall they be grieved, every man shall at his neighbour stand astonished, burned faces shall be their countenances. Behold, the day of our Lord shall come, cruel and full of indignation, and of wrath, and fury, to turn the earth into a desert, and break her sinners in small pieces from off her, because the stars of Heaven and the brightness of them, shall not unfold their light, the Sun in his rising shall be covered over with darkness, and the Moon shall not shine in her season, and I will visit upon the evils of the world, and against the wicked their own iniquity, and I will make the pride of the unfaithful to cease, and the arrogancy of the strong, I will bring full low. And again, Behold, our Lord will disperse the earth, 
Esa. 24 1.  & he will strip her naked, and afflict her face, and scatter her inhabitants, and as the people, so shall be the Priest, and as the slave so shall be his Lord as the handmaid so shall be her Lady, as the purchaser so shall be the seller, as the usurer, so shall be he that borroweth, as he who demandeth, so shall be he that oweth. With dispersing shall the earth be scattered, and with sacking shall she be spoilt. For our Lord hath spoken this word. The earth hath bewailed, and hath fleeted away, the world hath run to nothing, she is weakened by her inhabitants, because they have transgressed laws, changed right, brought to ruin the eternal truce. For this shall malediction devour the earth. And afterwards, They shall lament all of them who do in heart rejoice, 
Esa. 24.7.  the delight of the timbrels hath ceased, the sound of the gladsome shall be silent, the sweetness of the Harp shall be hushed, they shall not with singing drink their wine, bitter shall the potion be to the drinkers thereof. The City of vanity is wasted, every house is shut up, no man entering in; an outcry shall be in the streets upon wine, all gladness is forsaken, the joy of the land is transferred, solitariness is left in the town, and calamity shall oppress the gates, because these things shall be in the midst of the land, and in the midst of the people. And somewhat afterwards, 
Esa. 24. ●6.  Swarving from the truth, have they wandered out of the right way, with the straggling of transgressors have they gone astray. Fear and entrapping falls, and a snare upon thee who art the inhabitant of the earth. And it shall come to pass: Who so shall fly from the voice of the fear, shall tumble down into the entrapping pit, and who so shall deliver himself out of the downfall, shall be caught in the entangling snare: because the floodgates from aloft shall be opened, and the foundations of the earth shall be shaken. With bruising shall the earth be broken, with commotion shall she be moved, with tossing shall she be tottered like to a drunken man, and she shall be taken away as if she were a pavilion of one nights pitching, and her iniquity shall hang heavy upon her, and she shall fall done, and shall not attempt to rise again. And it shall be, that our Lord in the same day shall visit on the warfare of heaven in the high place, and on the Kings of the earth, who are upon the earth, and they shall be gathered together in the bundle of one burden into the Lake, and shall there be shut up in prison, and after many days shall they be visited. And the Moon shall blush, and the Sun be confounded, when our Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion and in jerusalem, and be glorified in the sight of his Seniors. And after a while, yielding a reason why he threateneth in that sort, he saith thus, Behold the hand of our Lord is not shortened that he cannot save, 
Esay. 59.1.  neither yet is his ear made heavy that he may not hear. But your iniquities have divided between ye and your God, a●d your offences have hid his face from ye, that he might not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity: Your lips have spoken lying, and your tongue uttereth iniquity. There is not who calleth on justice, neither is there he who judgeth truly, but they trust in nothing, and speak vanities, and have conceived grief, and brought forth iniquity. And a little after; 
Esa. 59.6.  Their works are unprofitable, and the work of iniquity in their hands, their feet run into evil, and make haste that they may shed the innocent blood; their thoughts are unprofitable thoughts, spoil and confusion are in their ways, and the way of peace they have not known, and in their steps there is no judgement, their paths are made crooked unto them, every one who treadeth in them is ignorant of peace; in this respect is judgement removed far off from ye, and justice taketh no hold of ye. 
Esa. 59.14.  And after a few words; And judgement hath been turned back, and justice hath stood a far off, because truth hath fallen down in the streets, & equity could not enter in, and truth is turned to oblivion, and who so hath departed from evil, hath laid open to spoil. And our Lord hath seen, and it was not pleasing in his eyes, because there is not judgement. And thus far may it suffice among many, to recite a few sentences out of the Prophet Esay.  
Now truly do ye a while with diligent ears hearken unto him (who was foreknown before he was form in the belly, sanctified before he came forth of the womb, and appointed a Prophet in all Nations) jeremiah I mean, what he hath pronounced of foolish people and cruel Kings, beginning moderately his Prophecy in this manner.  
And the Word of God was spoken unto me saying; 
jerem. 2.2.  Go and cry in the ears of jerusalem, and thou shalt pronounce. Hear the Word of our Lord thou house of jacob, and all ye kindreds of the house of Israel; Thus saith our Lord; What iniquity have your fathers found in me, who have been far removed from me, and walked after vanity, and are become vain, and have not said, Where is he who made us ascend out of the Land of Egypt? 
* In another book this first sentence of jeremy is only mentioned, and the rest all omitted. jerem. 2.20.  And after a few words; From the beginning of thine Age thou hast broken my yoke, violated my bands, and said, I will not serve, I have planted thee my chosen vine, all true seed. How art thou therefore converted into naughtiness O strange Vine? If thou shalt wash thee with Niter, and multiply unto thee the herb Borith, thou art spotted in my sight with thine iniquity, saith our Lord. And afterwards; Why will ye contend with me in judgement? 
jer. 2.29.  Ye have all forsaken me saith our Lord, in vain have I corrected your children, they have not received discipline. Hear ye the Word of our Lord. Am I made a solitariness unto Israel, or a lateward Land? why therefore hath my people said, we have departed, we will come no more unto thee? What doth the Virgin forget her ornament, or the Spouse her gorget? my people truly hath forgotten me innumerable days. 
* jer. 4.22.  Because my people are foolish, they have not known me, they are unwise and mad children. They are wise to do evil, but to do well they have been ignorant. Then the Prophet speaketh in his own person saying; O Lord thine eyes do respect faith, thou hast strooken them, and they have not sorrowed, thou hast broken them, and they have refused to receive discipline, they have made their faces harder than the rock, and will not return. And also our Lord: 
jer. 5.20.  Declare ye this same to the house of jacob, and make it to be heard in juda, saying: Hear ye foolish people who have no heart, who having eyes see not, and ears hear not. Ye will therefore not dread me saith our Lord, and ye will not conceive grief from my countenance, who have placed the sand the bound of the sea, an eternal commandment which she shall not break, and her waves shall be moved, and they cannot, and her surges shall swell, and yet not pass the same. But to this people is framed an incredulous and an exasperating heart, they have retired and gone their ways, and not in their heart said, Let us fear our Lord God. And again; Because there are found among my people wicked ones, framing wiles to intangell as if they were foulers, 
jer. 5.26.  setting snares and gins to catch men; As a net that is full of birds, so are their houses fulfiled with deceits. Therefore are they magnified and enriched, they are become gross and fat, and have neglected my speeches most vildly, the orphans cause they have not sentenced, and the justice of the poor they have not adjudged. What shall I not visit over these saith our Lord? or shall not my soul be revenged upon such a nation? But God forbid, that ever should befall unto you, which followeth, Thou shalt speak all these words unto them, 
jer. 7.27.  and they shall not hear thee, and thou shalt call them, and they shall not answer thee, and thou shalt say unto them; This is the Nation that hath not heard the voice of their Lord God, nor yet received discipline, faith hath perished, and been taken away from out their mouth. And after some few speeches, Whoso falleth doth he not arise again, 
jere. 8.4.  and who so is turned away, shall he not return again? why therefore is this people in jerusalem, with a contentious aversion alienated? they have apprehended lying, and they will not come back again. I have been attentive, and hearkened diligently, no man speaketh what is good. There is none who doth penance for his sin, saying, What have I done? All are turned unto their own course, like a horse passing with violence into battle. The Kite in the sky hath known her time, the Turtle and Swallow and Storke have kept the season of their coming, but my people hath not known the judgement of God. And the Prophet being strucken into fear, with so wonderful a blindness, and unspeakable drunkenness of the Sacrilegious, and lamenting them who did not lament themselves (even according to the present behaviour of these our unfortunate Tyrants) he beseecheth of our Lord, that an augmentation of tears might be granted him, speaking in this manner; 
Ie●e. 8.21.  I am contrite upon the contrition of the daughter of my people, astonishment hath possessed me: is there no gum in Galaad, or is there no Physician there? Why therefore is not the wound of the daughter of my people healed? Who shall give water unto my head, and to mine eyes a fountain of tears, and I will day and night bewail the slaughtered of my people? who will grant me in the wilderness the Inn of passengers, and I will utterly leave my people, and depart from them, because they are all of them adulterers, a root of offenders & they have bend their tongue as the bow of lying, and not of truth, they are comforted in the earth, because they have passed from evil into evil, & not known me saith our Lord. And again: 
jere. 9.13.  And our Lord hath said, Because they have forsaken my law, which I have given them, and not heard my voice, nor walked thereafter, and have wandered away after the wickedness of their own heart, in that respect our Lord of hosts the God of Israel, saith these words, Behold I will feed this people with wormwood, & give them to drink the water of gall. And a little after (speaking in the person of God) See therefore thou do not pray for this people, 
jere. 11.14  nor assume thou for them praise and prayer, because I will not hear in the time of their outcry unto me, and of their affliction. What then shall now our miserable Governors do, these few who found out the narrow way and left the large, were from God forbidden to pour out their prayers for such as persevered in their evils, & so highly provoked his wrath, against whom on the contrary side when they returned with all their hearts unto God (his divine Majesty being unwilling that the soul of man should perish, but calling back the castaway that he should not utterly be destroyed) the same Prophets could not procure the Heavenly revenge, because not jonas, when he desired the like most earnestly against the Ninevites, could obtain it. But in the mean while omitting our own words, let us rather hear what the prophetical trumpet soundeth in our ears speaking thus: 
jere. 13.22  If thou shalt say in thy heart, why have these evils befallen? For the multitude of thine iniquities. If the Ethiopian can change his skin, or the Pard his sundry spots, ye may do also well when ye have learned evil (supposed ever) because ye will not. And afterwards: 
jere. 14.10  These words doth our Lord say to this people, who have loved to move their feet, and have not rested, and not pleased our Lord; now shall he remember their iniquities, and visit their offences, and our Lord said unto me, Pray thou not for this people to work their good, when they shall fast, I will not hear their prayers: ●nd if they offer burnt sacrifices and oblations, I will not ●eceive them. And again, And our Lord said unto me; 
jere. 15.1.  ●f Moses and Samuel shall stand before me, my soul is not bend to this people, cast them out away from my face, and let them depart. And after a few words: Who shall have pity on thee jerusalem, 
jere. 15.5.  or who shall be sorrowful for thee, or who shall go to pray for thy peace? Thou hast left me (saith our Lord) and gone away backward, and I will stretch forth my hand over thee, and kill thee. And somewhat after: 
jere. 18.11  Thus saith our Lord, Behold I do imagine a thought against you, let every man return from his evil course, and direct ye straight your ways and endeavours, Who said, we despair, we will go after our own thoughts, and every one of us do the naughtiness of his evil heart. Thus therefore saith our Lord. Ask the Gentiles, who hath heard such horrible matters, which the Virgin Israel hath too often committed? Shall there fail from the rock of the field, the snow of Libanus? or can the waters be drawn dry that gush out cold and flowing? because my people hath forgotten me. And somewhat also after this, propounding unto them an election, he speaking saith, Thus saith our Lord, 
jere. 22.3.  Do ye judgement and justice, and deliver him who by power is oppressed out of the hand of the malicious accuser; and for the stranger, and orphan, and widow, do not provoke their sorrow, neither yet work ye unjustly the grief of others, nor shed ye out the innocent blood. For if indeed ye shall accomplish this word, there shall enter in through the gates of this house, Kings of the lineage of David, sitting upon his throne. But if ye will not hearken unto these words, by myself I have sworn (saith our Lord) that this house shall be turned into a desert. And again, 
jere. 22.24  (for he spoke of a wicked King) I live (saith our Lord) if so be that jechonias shall be a Ring on my right hand, I will pluck him thence away, and give him over into the hands of them who seek his life. Moreover holy Abraham cryeth out saying: 
Abac. 2.12  Woe be unto them who build a City in blood, and prepare a town in iniquities, saying: Are not these things from our Almighty Lord? and many people have failed in fire, and many Nations have been diminished. And thus complaining, he beginneth his prophecy: 
Abac. 1.2.  How long (O Lord) shall I call, and thou wilt not hear? shall I cry out unto thee, to what end hast thou given me labours and griefs, to behold misery and impiety? And on the other side; 
Abac. 1.3.  And judgement was sat upon, and the judge hath taken in regard hereof, the Law is rend in pieces, and ●udgement is not brought fully to his conclusion, because ●he wicked through power ●readeth the just underfoot. In this respect hath passed forth perverse judgement. And mark ye also what blessed Osee the Prophet speaketh of Princes saying: 
Osee 8.1.  For that they have transgressed my covenant, and ordained against my Law, and exclaimed out. We have known thee, because thou art against Israel, they have persecuted good, as if it were evil, 
* Osee 8 4.  They have reigned to themselves and not by me, they have held a Principality, neither yet have they acknowledged me. And hear ye likewise the holy Prophet Amos, in this sort threatening: 
Amos 2 4.  In three heinous offences of the sons of judah, and in four I will not convert them, for that they have cast away the Law of our Lord, and not kept his Commandments, but their vanities have seduced them. And I will send fire upon judah, and it shall eat the foundations of jerusalem. 
* Amos 2.6.  Thus saith our Lord; In three grievous sins of Israel, and in four I will not convert them, for that they have sold the just for money, and the poor man for shoes, which they tread upon the dust of the earth, and with buffets they did beat the heads of the poor, and have eschewed the way of the humble. And after a few words: Seek our Lord and ye shall live, 
Amos 5.6.  that the house of joseph may not shine as fire, and the flame devour it, and he shall not be, that can extinguish it. 
* Amo. 5.10  The house of Israel hath hated him who rebuketh in the gates, and abhorred the upright word. Which Amos being forbidden that he should not prophesy in Israel, without any fawning flattery, answering saith: I was not a Prophet, nor yet the son of a Prophet, 
Amos 7.14  but a Goat herd, I was plucking Sicamores, and our Lord took me from my herd, and our Lord said unto me, Go thy way and prophesy against my people of Israel, and now hear thou the Word of our Lord (For he directed his speech unto the King) Thou sayest, do not Prophesy against Israel, and thou shalt not assemble troops against the house of jacob. For which cause our Lord saith thus, Thy wife in the City shall play the harlot, and thy sons and daughters shall dye by the sword, and thy ground be measured by the cord, and thou in a polluted land shalt end thy life, but for Israel, she shall be led from his own Country a captive. And afterwards: 
Amos 8.4.  Hear therefore these words, ye who do outrageously afflict the poor, and practise your mighty power against the needy of the earth, who say, When shall the month pass over that we may purchase, and the Sabbaths that we may open the treasuries. And within a few words after: 
Amos 8.7.  Our Lord doth swear against the pride of jacob, if he shall neglecting forget your actions, and if in these the earth shall not be disturbed, and every inhabitant thereof fall to lamentation, and the final end as a flood ascend, and I will turn your festival days into wailing, and cast on the loins of every one haircloth, and on the head of every man baldness, and make him as the mourning of one over his beloved, and those who are with him, as the day of sorrow. 
Amos 9.10.  And again: In the sword shall die all the sinners of my people, who say, Evils shall not approach, nor yet shall light upon us. And listen ye likewise, what holy Micheas the Prophet hath spoken saying: 
Mich. 6.10.  Harken ye Tribes. And what shall adorn the City? shall not fire? and the house of the wicked hoarding up unjust treasures, and with injury unrighteousness. If the wrongful dealer shall be justified in the balance, & deceitful weights in the scales, by which they have heaped up their riches in ungodliness. And harken also what threats the famous Prophet Sophonias thundereth out together: 
Sopho. 1.14.  near draweth on (saith he) the great day of our Lord, near it is at hand, and very swiftly approacheth. The voice of the day of our Lord is appointed to be bitter and mighty, that day, a day of wrath, a day of tribulation and necessity, a day of clouds and mist, a day of the trumpet and outcry, a day of misery and extermination, a day of darkness and dimness, upon the strong Cities, and high corners. And I will bring men to tribulation, and they shall go as if they were blind, because they have offended our Lord, and I will pour out their blood as dust, and their flesh as the dung of Oxen, and their silver and gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of our Lord. And in the fire of his zeal shall the whole earth be consumed, when the Lord shall accomplish his absolute end, and bring solitariness upon all the inhabitants of the earth. Come together and be joined in one, thou Nation without Discipline, before ye be made as the fading flower, before the wrath of our Lord falleth upon ye. And give ear also unto that which the Prophet Aggeus speaketh on this wise: 
Aggei. 2.22  Thus saith our Lord, I will once move the Heaven, & Earth, & Sea, and dry land, and I will drive away the Thrones of Kings, and root out the power of the Kings of the Gentiles, and I will chase away the chariots of those who mount upon them. Now also behold ye what Zacharias the son of Addo, that chosen Prophet said, beginning his prophecy on this manner: Return ye to me, 
Zach. 1.3.  and I will return unto ye, (saith our Lord) and be not like your Fathers, to whom the former Prophets have imputed saying, Thus saith our Almighty Lord, Turn away from your ways, and they have not marked whereby they might obediently hear me. And afterwards: And the Angel asked me, 
Zach. 5.2.  what dost thou see? and I said, I see a flying sith, which containeth in length twenty cubits. The malediction which hath proceeded upon the face of the whole earth: because every one of her thiefs shall be punished even to the very death, and I will throw him away saith our Almighty Lord, & he shall enter into the house of fury, and into the house of swearing falsehood in my name. 
Malac. 4.1.  Holy Malachy the Prophet also saith, Behold the day of our Lord shall come inflamed as a furnace, and all proud men, and all workers of iniquity shall be as stubble, and the approaching day of our Lord of hosts shall set them on fire, which shall not leave a root nor a bud of them. And harken ye also what holy job debateth of the beginning and end of the ungodly, 
job 21.7.  saying: For what purpose do the wicked live, and have dishonestly worn even to old age, and their issue hath been according to their own desire, and their sons before their faces, and their houses are fruitful, and no fear nor yet the scourge of our Lord is upon them. Their Cow hath not been abortive, their great with young, hath brought forth her young ones and not miss, but remaineth as an eternal breed: and their children rejoice, and taking the Psaltery and Harp, have finished their days in felicity, and fallen peaceable a sleep down into hell. Doth God therefore not behold the works of the wicked? Not so truly; 
job 21.17.  But the candle of the ungodly shall be extinguished, ●●d destruction shall fall upon them, and dolours as of one in childbirth, shall with hold them from wrath; and they shall be as chaff before the wind, and as the dust which the whirlwind hath carried away. Let all goodness fail his children, let his eyes behold his own slaughter, nor yet by our Lord let him be redeemed. And a little after he saith of the same men; 
job 24.2.  Who have ravenously taken the flock with the shepherd, and driven away the beast of the Orphans and engaged the Ox of the Widow, and deceiving, have declined from the way of necessity. They have reaped other men's fields before the time, the poor have laboured in the Vineards of the mighty without hire and meat, they have made many to sleep naked without garments of the covering of their life they have bereft them. And somewhat afterwards, when he had throughly understood their works, he delivered them over to darkness. Let therefore his portion be accursed from the earth, 
job 24.18.  let his plantings bring forth witherings; let him for this be rewarded according to his dealings: 
* job 24.20.  Let every wicked man like the unsound wood be broken in pieces. For arising in his wrath hath he overthrown the impotent. Wherefore truly 
* job 24.22  shall he have no trust of his life, when he shall begin to grow diseased, let him not hope for health, but fall into languishing. For his pride hath been the hurt of many, and he is become decayed and rotten, as the mallows in the scorching heat, or as the year of corn when it falleth off from his stubble. And afterwards; If his children shall be many, they shall be turned to the slaughter, 
job 27.14.  and if he gather together silver as if it were earth, and likewise purify his gold as if it were dirt, all these same shall the just obtain. Hear ye moreover what blessed Esdras that Library of the Law, threateneth in his discourse on this wise. 
4 Esd. 15.22.  Thus saith our Lord God; My right hand shall not be sparing upon sinners, neither shall the sword cease over them who spill the innocent blood on the earth. Fire shall proceed from out my wrath, and devour the foundations of the earth, and sinners as if they were inflamed straw. Woe be unto them who offend, and observe not my Commandments, saith our Lord, I will not forbear them. Depart away ye Apostatising children, and do not pollute my sanctuary. God doth know who do offend against him, and he will therefore deliver them over to death and to slaughter. For now have many evils passed over the round compass of the earth. 
* 4 Esd. 16.3.  A sword of fire is sent out against ye, and who is he that shall restrain it? shall any man repulse a Lion that hungereth in the wood? or shall any one quench out the fire when the straw is burning? our Lord God will send out evils, and who is he that shall repress them? and fire will pass forth from out his wrath, and who shall extinguish it? it shall brandishing shine, and who will not fear it? it shall thunder, and who will not shake with dread? God will threaten all, and who will not be terrified? before his face shall the earth tremble, and the foundations of the sea fleet from the depth. And mark ye also what Ezechiel the renowned Prophet, and admirable beholder of the four Evangelicall creatures, speaketh of wicked offenders, unto whom pitifully lamenting before hand, the scourge that hung over Israel, our Lord doth say, 
Ezek. 9.9.  Too far hath the iniquity of the house of Israel and judah prevailed, because the earth is fully filled with iniquity and uncleanness. 
* Ezeck. 5.8. & 11.  Behold I am, mine eyes shall not spare, nor yet will I take pity. And afterwards, 
Ezeck. 7.23  Because the earth is replenished with people, and the City fraughted with iniquity, I will also turn away the force of their power, and their holy things shall be polluted, prayer shall approach and sue for peace, and it shall not be obtained. And somewhat after; The Word of our Lord (quoth he) was spoken unto me saying; 
Ezeck. 14.12  Thou son of man, the land that shall so far sin against me as transgressing it shall commit an offence, I will stretch forth my hand upon her, and break in pieces her foundation of bread, and send upon her famine, and take away mankind and cattle from her; and if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and job be in the midst of her, they shall not deliver her, but they in their justice shall be saved, saith our Lord. If so be that also I shall bring 〈◊〉 evil beasts upon the land and punish her, she likewise shall be turned to destruction, and there shall not be one who shall have free passage from the face of the beasts, and admit these three men are in the midst of her, I live (saith our Lord) if their sons and daughters shall be preserved, but they alone shall be saved, and as for the land it shall fall to confusion. 
Ezeck. 18.20  And again; The son shall not receive the unrighteousness of the Father, neither yet the Father the son's unrighteousness. The justice of the just shall be upon himself. And the unjust man, if he turneth him away from all the iniquities which he hath done, and keepeth all my Commandments, and doth justice and abundance of mercy, he shall live in life and shall not dye. All his sins, whatsoever he hath committed, shall have no further being; he shall live the life in his own justice which he hath performed. Do I with my will voluntarily wish the death of the unrighteous (saith our Lord) ra●her than he should return from his evil way and live? But when the just shall turn himself away from his justice, and do iniquity, according to all the iniquities which the unrighteous hath committed, all the just actions (which he hath done) shall remain no further in memory. In his offence wherein he hath fallen, and in his sins in which he hath transgressed, he shall dye. And within some words afterwards: 
Ezech. 29.23.  And all nations shall understand, that the house of Israel are led captive away for their offences, because they have forsaken me. And I have turned my face from them, and yielded them over into the hands of their enemies, and all have perished by the sword; according unto their unclean sins, and after their iniquities have I dealt with them, and turned my face away from them. This which I have spoken may suffice concerning the threats of the holy Prophets: only I have thought it necessary to intermingell in this little work of mine, as well as the former menaces, a few words also borrowed out of the wisdom of Solomon, which declares unto King's matter of exhortation or instruction, that they may not say I am willing to lad the shoulders of men, with heavy and insupportable burdens of words, but not so much as once with mine own finger (which is with speech of consolation) to move the same. Let us therefore hear what the Prophet hath spoken to rule us. 
Sap. 1.1.  Love justice (saith he) ye that judge the earth. This only testimony (if it were with a full and perfect heart observed) would abundantly suffice to reform the governor's of our Country. For if they had loved justice, they would also love God, who is in a sort the fountain and original of all justice. Serve our Lord in goodness, 
Sap. 1.1.  and seek him in simplicity of heart. Alas who shall live (as one before us hath said) to see these things performed by our Countrymen, yea if perhaps they may be any where accomplished▪ 
Sap. 1.2.  Because he is found of those who do not tempt him, he appeareth truly to them who have faith in him. For these men without respect do tempt God, whose Commandments with stubborn despite they contemn, neither yet do they keep to him their faith, unto whose Oracles be they pleasing, or somewhat severe, they turn their backs and not their faces. 
Sap. 1.3.  For perverse thoughts do separate from God, and this in the Tyrants of our time very plainly appeareth. But why doth our meanness intermeddle in this so manifest a determination? Let therefore him who is only true (as we have said) speak for us, the holy Ghost I mean, of whom it is now pronounced; 
Sap. 1.2.  The holy Ghost verily will avoid the counterfeiting of discipline. And again. 
Sap. 1.5.  Because the spirit of God hath filled the globe of the earth. And afterwards, (showing with an evident judgement the end of the evil and righteous) he saith, 
Sap. 5.15.  How is the hope of the wicked as the down that is puffed away with the wind, and as the smoke that with the blast is dispersed, and as the slender froth that with a storm is scattered, and as the memory of a guest who is a passenger of one day. But the just shall live for ever, and with God remaineth their reward, and their cogitation is with the highest. Therefore shall they receive the kingdom of glory, and the crown of beauty from the hand of our Lord. Because with his right hand he will protect them, and with his holy arm defend them. For very far unlike in quality are the just and ungodly, as our Lord verily hath spoken saying, 
1 Sam. 2 30.  Them who honour me I will honour, and who so despise me shall be of no estimation. But let us pass over to the rest, Harken (saith he) all ye Kings and understand ye, 
Sap. 6 2.  learn ye judges of the bounds of the earth, listen with your ears who contain multitudes in awe, and please yourselves in the troops of nations. Because power is given unto ye from God, and puissance from the highest, who will examine your actions, and sift your thoughts. For that when ye were ministers of his kingdom, ye have not judged uprightly, nor kept the law of justice, nor yet walked according to his will. It shall dreadfully and suddenly appear unto ye, that a most severe judgement shall be given on them who govern. For to the meaner is mercy granted, but the mighty shall mightily sustain torments. For he shall have no respect of persons, who is the ruler of all, nor yet shall he reverence the greatness of any one, because he himself hath made both small and great, and care alike he hath of all: but for the stronger is at hand a stronger affliction. Unto ye therefore (O Kings) are these my speeches, that ye may learn wisdom, and not fall away from her. For who so observe what things are just, shall be justified, and who so learn what things are holy, shall be sanctified. Hitherto have we discoursed no less by the Oracles of the Prophets, than by our own speeches with the Kings of our Country, being willing they should know what the Prophet hath spoken saying, 
Ezeck. 21.2.  As from the face of a Serpent, so fly thou sins: If thou shalt approach unto them, the teeth of a Lion will catch thee, their teeth are such as kill the souls of men. 
Eccles. 17.18.  And again, How mighty is the mercy of our Lord. and his forgiveness to such as convert themselves unto him. And if we have not in us that Apostolical zeal, 
Rom. 9.3.  that we may say, I did verily desire to he amathematised by Christ for my brethren, Notwithstanding we may from the bottom of our hearts speak that Prophetical saying; Alas that a soul perisheth. And again, 
* Thren. 3.40.  Let us search out our ways, and seek and return unto our Lord: Let us lift our hearts together with our bands to God in heaven, And also that of the Apostle, 
* Phil. 1.8.  We covet that every one of ye should be in the bowels of Christ. And how willingly truly, as one tossed on the waves of the sea, and now arrived in a desired haven; would I in this place make an end (blushing shame forbidding me further to proceed) did I not behold such and so great mountains of malice advanced against God by Bishops or other Priests, or clerks, yea some of our own order, whom as witnesses myself must of necessity first of all stone (according unto the Law) with the hard blows of words (lest I should be otherwise reproved of partiality towards persons) and then afterwards the people (if as yet they keep their decrees) must pursue with their whole powers the same execution upon them, not to their corporal death but to the death of their vices and their eternal life with God. Yet (as before I have said) I do crave pardon of them, whose lives I do not only praise, but also prefer before all earthly treasure, and of the which (if it may be) yet before my death I desire and thirst to be a partaker: and so having both my sides defended with the double shields of Saints, and by those means invincibly strengthened to sustain all that arise against me, arming moreover my head in place of an helmet with the help of our Lord, and being most assuredly protected with the sundry assistances of the Prophets, I will boldly proceed notwithstanding the stones of worldly rioters fly never so fast about me.  
IT is very aptly said, that sin creepeth on as a Cancer, for no man in a moment becometh absolutely evil, but even like the Sea that making his entry first at a little hole, and afterwards enlarging his passage, in the end breaketh down the bank, and overwhelmeth the whole land; so vice hath her progresses in depraved minds; the lamentable example whereof, we may in the history of Britain apparently behold. Our Author hath already declared the infection of Heresy, the corruption of infidelity, the disorders of war, and the dissolution of manners, that distempered the body of the Island, he laid open the sores of the temporal governors to the end that medicines might have been the better applied for their remedies, and here now he beginneth to discover the grievous imperfections of the Clergy, which are truly so much the worse, by how much their lives ought to be more virtuous and exemplar; and yet would I have you to know, that these were defects not of Religion but of life, such as those offences of the Priests, Scribes, and Pharisees, so often in the word of God recited, whose sins (although too foully they soiled their own souls) yet could they never stain the immaculate Church of God, committed unto their charge: Neither yet did Gildas as another Elias complain that there was not one left but himself alone who worthily served God, since in sundry places he showeth how many were yet here in this land whose holy lives deserved most high commendation, even as our Lord spoke to the same Elias saying. There remained seven thousand in Israel, who never bowed their knees to Baal. But suppose Britain had been wholly drowned in the deep Seas of offences, yet did Italy, Greece, and Gall. with many other mighty Provinces of the Christian world, flourish at the self same time, both in virtuous Life, and true Religion, not unlike the Kingdom of judah, which in that season, when Elias so complained of Israel, did notwithstanding openly maintain the true worshipping of God; but this insueing Treatise telleth us that in the field of our Lord, there sprung up Cockle, and in his barn of purest Corn, there was found chaff, and among his wisest Virgins, foolish ones, all which in this world cannot be separated, but remain until the day of judgement, to be severally divided; thus doth he set before our eyes the beginning and proceeding of the wickedness of Britain, whose blessed soul possessed with a true zeal to God, departed to receive a Crown of eternal glory, before the conclusion of this tragedy of sin, for (as ye shall read in venerable Bede) presently after the decease of Gildas, they fell to open errors, and then to disobedience of the Church in withstanding the authority of Saint Augustine, the first Archbishop of Canterbury, although within a while afterwards, it pleased God of his singular mercy to recall them back into his Catholic fold again: Neither let any man imagine I have Translated this work to disclose the faults of Pastors, and Superiors; For I had rather with Sem and japhet conceal, then with Cham reveal the imperfections of spiritual Fathers. But having Englished the former part of Gildas, I did also (because I would not leave the work maimed, and unperfect) adventure upon this latter, wherein I would wish the Readers to consider that if this flame of sin did scorch the Cedars of Libanus, no doubt but it may burn the lesser silly shrubs, if it infected (I say) the spiritualty, it may assuredly (unless we be ware) consume us of the Laity.  
BRitaine hath Priests, but some she hath that are unwise; very many that Minister, but many of them impudent; Clerks she hath, but certain of them deceitful raveners; Pastors (as they are called) but rather wolves prepared for the slaughter of Souls, (for why they provide not for the common people's commodity, but covet rather the gluttony of their own bellies) possessing the houses of the Church, but obtaining them for filthy lucre's sake; instructing the Laity, but showing withal most vild examples, vices, and evil manners; seldom sacrificing, and seldom with clean hearts, standing at the Altars; not correcting the Cominalty for their offences, while they commit the same sins themselves; despising the Commandments of Christ, and being careful with their whole hearts to fulfil their own lustful desires, some of them usurping with unclean feet the seat of the Apostle Peter; but for the demerit of their covetousness falling down into the pestilent chair of the traitor judas; detracting often, and seldom speaking truly; hating verity as an open enemy, and favouring falsehoods, as their most beloved brethren; looking on the just, the poor, the impotent, with stern countenances, as if they were detested Serpents, and reverencing the sin ●ull rich men without any respect of shame, as if they were heavenly Angels, Preaching with their outward lips that alms are to be disbursed upon the needy, but of themselves not bestowing one halfpenny, concealing the horrible sins of the people, and amplifying injuries offered unto themselves, as if they were done against our Saviour Christ; expelling out of their houses ●heir religious mother perhaps, or sisters, and familiarly entertaining with indecency strange women, as ●f it were for some more se●ret office, or rather, to speak truly, though fond, (and yet not fond to ●ne, but to such as commit ●hese matters) debasing themselves unto such bad creature's; and after all these ●eeking rather ambitiously ●or ecclesiastical dignities, ●hen for the Kingdom of Heaven; and defending af●er a tyrannical fashion ●heir achieved preferments, nor ever labouring with lawful manners, to adorn the same; negligent and dull to listen to the precepts of the holy Saints (if ever they did so much as once hear that which full often they ought to hear) but diligent and attentive to the plays and foolish fables of secular men, as i● they were the very waye● to life, which indeed are but the passages to death▪ being hoarse, after the fashion of Bulls, with the abundance of fatness, and miserably prompt to all unlawful actions; bearing their countenances arro●gantly a loft, and having ne●verthelesse their inwar● senses, with tormenting an● gnawing consciences, depressed down to the bottom, or rather to bottomless hell, with the gaining of one penny glad, and with the loss of the like value sad, floathfull and dumb in the Apostolical decrees (be it for ignorance or ra●her the burden of their offences) and stopping also ●he mouths of the learned, but singularly experienced ●n the decitfull shifts of worldly affairs; and ma●y of this sort and wicked conversation, violently intruding themselves into the preferments of the Church, ●ea rather buying the same ●● an high rate, then being my way drawn thereunto, ●nd moreover as unworthy wretches, wallowing (after the fashion of swine) in their old and unhappy puddle of intolerable wickedness, after they have attained unto the seat of Priesthood or episcopal dignity, (who neither have been installed or resident on the same) for usurping only the name of Priesthood, they have not received the orders or apostolical preeminence, bu● how can they who are no● as yet fully instructed in faith, nor have done penance for their sins, be any way supposed meet● and convenient to ascend unto any ecclesiastical degree (that I may not speak● of the highest) which non● but holy and perfect men and followers of the Apostles, and (to use the words of the Doctor of the Gentiles) persons free from reprehension, can lawfully and without the foul offence of sacrilege undertake. For what is so wicked and so sinful as after the example of Simon Magus, 
Act. 8.18.  (yea although with other faults, he were not before hand defiled) for any man with earthly price to purchase the office of a Bishop or Priest, that only with holiness and righteous life is lawfully compassed? but herein they do more wilfully, and desperately err in that they buy their deceitful and unprofitable ecclesiastical degrees, not of the Apostles or their successors, but of tyrannical Princes, and their father the devil; yea rather they raise this as a certain roof and covering of all offences, over the frame of their former serious life, that being protected under the shadow thereof, no man should lightly hereafter lay to their charge their old or new wickednesses, and hereupon they build their desires of covetousness and gluttony, because being now the rulers of many they may more freely make havoc at their pleasures. For if truly any such offer of purchasing ecclesiastical promotion● were made by these impudent sinners, (I will not say with Saint Peter) but to any holy Priest, or godly King, they would doubtless receive the same answer which their Father Simon Magus had from the mouth of the Apostle Peter, saying: 
Act. 8, 20.  Thy money be with thee unto thy perdition. But (alas) perhaps they that order and advance these ambitious aspirers (yea they who rather throw them under foot, and for a blessing give them a cursing, whilst of sinners, they make them not penitents (which were more consonant to reason) but sacrilegious and desperate offenders, and in a sort install judas, that traitor to his Master, in the chair of Peter, and Nicolas the author of that foul heresy in the seat of Saint Stephen the Martyr) it may be did by the same means at the first obtain their Priesthood themselves, & therefore do not greatly dislike in their children, but rather respect the same race, that they their fathers did before hand assuredly run. And also if finding resistance, in obtaining their Dioceses at home, and some, who severely renounce this chaffering of Church-livings, they cannot there attain unto such a precious pearl, than it doth not so much loathe as delight them, (after they have carefully sent their messengers before hand) to cross the Seas, and travail over most large Countries, that so in the end, yea although with the sail of their whole substance, they may win and compass such a pomp, and such an incomparable glory, or to speak more truly, such a dirty and base deceit, and illusion. And afterwards with great show and magnifical ostentation, or rather madness, returning back to their own native soil, they grow from stoutness to stateliness, and being wont to level their looks to the tops of the mountains, they now lift up their drowsy eyes straight into the air, yea to the very highest clouds, and as Novatus that foul hog, and persecutor of our Lords precious jewel, dealt sometimes at Rome, so do these intrude themselves again into their own Country, as Creatures of a new mould, yea rather as devilish instruments, being even ready in this state and fashion to stretch out violently their hands (not so worthy of the reverend Altars, as the revenging flames of hell) upon Christ's most holy Sacrifices. What do ye therefore (O unhappy people) expect from such belly beasts (as the Apostle calleth them? 
Tit. 1.12. ) Shall your manners be amended by these, who do not only not apply their minds to any goodness, but (according to the upbraiding of the Prophet) also labour to deal wickedly? 
jere. 9.5.  Shall ye be illuminated with such eyes as are only with greediness cast on those things that lead headlong to vices (which is to say) to the gates of hell? Nay truly, if according to the saying of our Saviour, 
Mat. 7.16.  ye fly not these mostravenous wolves like those of Arabia, 
Gen. 19.20  or avoid them as Lot, who ran most speedily from the fiery shower of Sodom up to the mountains, then being blind and led by the blind, 
Mat. 15.14  ye will both together tumble down into the infernal ditch. But some man perchance will objecting say, that all Bishops, or all Priests, (according to our former exception,) are not so wickedly given, because they are not defiled with the infamy of Schism, pride, or unclean life, which neither we ourselves will deny, but albeit we know them to be chaste, and virtuous, yet will we briefly answer.  
What did it profit the High Priest Hely, 
1 Sam. 2.11.  that he alone did not violate the Commandments of our Lord, 
Examples of the Old Testament.  in taking flesh with forks out of the pots, 
1 Sam. 4.11.  before the fat was offered unto God, while he was punished with the same revenge of death wherewith his sons were? what one (I beseech ye) of them whose manners we have before sufficiently declared hath like Abel upon the 
Abel. Gen. 4.8.  malicious emulation of the more acceptable sacrifice (which with the heavenly fire ascended up into the skies) been martyred? since they fear the reproach even of a silly ordinary word, which of them hath hated the council of the malicious, 
Psa. 25.59.  and not sat with the ungodly, so that of him as a Prophet, this may be verified which was said of Enoch; 
Enoch. Genes. 5.24  Enoch walked with God and was not to be found in the vanity (forsooth) of the whole world, as then leaving our Lord and beginginning to halt down right after Idolatry? which of them like Noah in the time of the Deluge, 
Noah. Genes. 7 7.  hath not admitted into the Ark of Salvation (which is the now present Church) any adversary unto God, that it may be most apparent that none but innocents or singular penitents, aught to remain in the house of our Lord? Who is he that offering sacrifice like Melchisedeck, 
Melchisedeck.  hath only blessed the conquerors, and them who delivering in the number of three hundred (which was in the Sacrament 
Gen. 14.18.  of the Trinity) the just man have overthrown the deadly armies of the five Kings, together with their vanquishing troops, and not coveted the goods of others? 
Abraham.  Which of them hath like Abraham at the Commandment of God freely offered his own son on the Altar to be slain, 
Genes. 22.1.  that he might accomplish a precept of Christ, 
Math. 5.29.  agreeable to this saying, thy right eye if it scandalizeth aught, 
jer. 48.10.  to be pulled out, and another of the Prophet, that he is accursed who withholdeth his sword from shedding blood? 
joseph.  Who is he that as a joseph hath rooted out of his heart the remembrance of an offered injury? 
Gen. 50.15.  Who is he that as a Moses speaking with our Lord in the Mountain, 
Moses. Exod. 19.16.  and not thereupon terrified with the sounding trumpets, hath in a figurative sense presented unto the incredulous the two tables, and his horned face which they could not endure to see, but tremble to behold? Which of them, praying for the offences of the people, did from the very bottom of his heart cry out, like unto him saying: 
Exod. 32 3.  O Lord this people hath committed a grievous sin, which if thou wilt forgive them, forgive it; otherwise blot me guilty out of thy book? Who inflamed with the admirable zeal of God hath courageously risen for the revenge of fornication, 
Phin●es. Num. 25.7.  curing without delay by the present medicine of penance, the affection of filthy lust, left the fire of the wrath of God should otherwise consume the people, as Phinees the Priest did, 
Ps. 105.31.  that by this mean justice for ever might be reputed unto him? Who verily of them hath in a moral understanding imitated jesus Nave either for 
jesus Nave.  the utter rooting forth (even to the slaughter of the last and least of all) 
jos. 24.11.  the seven Nations out of the land of promise, or for the establishing of spiritual Israel in their places? Which of them hath showed unto the people of God their final bounds beyond jordan (that it may be known what to every tribe is convenient) in such sort as the aforenamed Phinees and jesus have wisely divided the land? 
Phinees and jesus.  Who is he that to overthrow the innumerable thousands of Gentiles, adversaries to the chosen people of God, hath as another jephte, 
jephte.  for a sacrifice of a votive placation or appeasing, 
jud. 11.29.34.  slain his only daughter (which is to be understood his own proper will) imitating also therein the Apostle, saying, (Not seeking what is profitable to me, 
1 Cor. 10.33.  but to many, that they may be saved) which daughter of his, met the conquerors with drums and dances (to wit carnal desires?) Which of them that he might disorder, put to flight, and overthrow the camps of the proud Gentiles, 
Gedeon.  by the number of three hundred (being as before we have said, 
jud. 7.6.16. & 20.  the mystery of the blessed Trinity) and with his men holding in their hands, those noble sounding trumpets (which are Prophetical and Apostolical senses, according as our Lord said to the Prophet, Exalt thy voice as a trumpet, 
Esay 58.1.  and the Psalmist of the Apostles; 
Psal. 18.5.  Their sound hath passed throughout the whole earth) and bearing also those famous flagons shining in the night season, with that most glittering fiery light (which are to be interpreted the bodies of Saints adjoined to good works, and burning with the flame of the holy Ghost, yea having as the Apostle writeth, 
2 Cor. 4.7.  This treasure in earthen vessels) hath after the hewing down of the Idolatrous grave (which is morrally meant, dusk and dark desire) marched on like Gedeon, 
jud. 6.25.  with an assured faith in the evident sign of the fleece, which to the jews was void of the heavenly moisture, but to the Gentiles made wet with the dew of the holy Ghost? 
jud. 6 36.  Who is he that (earnestly wishing to dye to this world, and live to Christ) hath as another 
Samson.  Samson utterly extingui●shed such innumerable luxurious banquetters of the Gentiles, 
Phil. 1.23.  while they praised their gods (which is meant while the senses of men extolled these earthly riches, 
jud. 16.30.  according to the Apostle speaking thus; 
jud. 16.23, 24.  And covetousness which is the service of Idols) shaking with the power of both his arms the two pillars (which are to be understood, 
Coloss. 3.5.  the naughty pleasures of the soul and body) by the which the house of all worldly wickedness is in a sort compacted, 
jud. 16.30.  and underpropped? 
Samuel.  Who like Samuel that with prayers and the burnt sacrifice of a sucking lamb, 
1 Sam. 7.9.  drove away the fear of the Philistians, raised unexpected thunderclaps, 
1 Sam. 12.17  and showering clouds, established without flattery a King, 
1 Sam. 10.1 & 17.  deposed him when he displeased God, and anointed another his better in his place and Kingdom, 
1 Sam. 13.14 & 15.18. & 16.13.  when he shall give to the people his last farewell, shall constantly appear in this sort saying, 
1 Sam. 12.3.  Behold I am ready, speak ye before our Lord and his anointed, whether ever I took away the Ox or Ass of any man. If I have falsely accused any one, if I have oppressed any body, if I have received a bribe from the hands of any? Unto whom it was answered by the people; Thou hast not wrongfully charged us, neither yet oppressed, nor taken any thing from the hands of any? Which of them like the famous Prophet Elias, 
Elias.  who consumed with heavenly fire the hundred proud men, and conserved the fifty that humbled themselves; 
2 Reg. 1.9.11. & 13.  and afterwards denounced without fawning dissimulation, unto the unjust King (that sought not the Counsel of God by his Prophets, but of the Idol Accaron) his imminent death, hath utterly overthrown all the Prophets of Baal (which are interpreted worldly senses ever bend (as we have already said) 
1 Reg. 18.40.  to envy and avarice) with the lightning sword (which is the Word of God?) and as the same Elias moved with the zeal of God, 
1 Reg. 17.1  after the taking away of the airy showers from the Land of the wicked, who were now shut up with famine in a strong prison, as it were of penury for three years and six months, being himself ready to dye for thirst in the desert, hath complaining said, 
1 Reg. 19▪ 10.  They have murdered (O Lord) thy Prophets and undermined thine Altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life? Which of them like Haeliseus 
Haeliseus.  hath punished his dearly beloved disciple if not with an everlasting Leprosy, 
2 Reg. 5.23 27.  yet at least by abandoning him, who was extraordinarily burdened with the weight of worldly coveting, those gifts which his Master before (although very earnestly entreated thereunto) despised to receive? 
2 Reg. 6.15 & 17.  and which of these among us hath like him revealed unto his servant (who was troubled with despair of life, and on a sudden trembled at the warlike army of the enemies that besieged the City wherein he was) through the fervency of his prayers, poured out unto God those spiritual visions, so as he might behold a mountain replenished with an heavenly assisting army, of warlike chariots & horsemen, who shined with fiery countenances, and also believe that he was stronger to save, than foes to offend? And which of them as the afore-recited Helizeus with the touch of his body, being dead truly to the world, but living unto God, 
2 Reg. 4.34  shall raise up another course perishing and carried out with a contrary funeral of death undoubtedly to God, but of life to vices, so as instantly revived, he may yield humble thanks unto Christ for his unexpected recovery from the hellish torments of all mortal offences? which of them hath his lips purified and made clean with the fiery coal carried by the tongues of the Cherubin, 
Esaias. Esa. 6.6.7.  from off the Altar (that his sins may be quite wiped away with the humility of confession) as it is written of Esay, 
2 Reg 19.1.  by whose effectual prayers adjoined with the aid of 
Esa. 37.1.  the godly King Ezechias an hundred fourscore and five thousands of the Assyrians Army through the stroke of one Angel without the least print of any appearing wound, were overthrown and slain? which of them like blessed jeremy 
jeremy.  for accomplishing the Commandments of God, for denouncing the threats thundered out from heaven, and for preaching the truth even to such as would not hear the same, 
jer. 1.17.  hath suffered loathsome stinking prisons as momentary deaths? And to be brief what one of them (as the Doctor of the Gentiles said) hath endured like the holy Prophets to wander in mountains, 
jere. 20.  in dens, and caves of the earth, to be stoned, 
Heb. 11.38.  to be sawed in sunder, and attempted with all kinds of death, for the name of our Lord? But why do we dwell in examples of the old Testament as if there were none in the new? Let therefore them (who suppose they do without any labour at all, under the naked pretence of the only name of Priesthood, enter this straight and narrow passage of Christian Religion) harken unto us while we recite and gather in one a few as the highest and chiefest flowers out of the large and pleasant meadow of the Saintly soldiers of the New Testament; 
Examples of the New Testament.  which of ye (who rather sleep than lawfully sit in the chair of Priesthood) being cast out of the council of the wicked, 
Act. 11.50.  hath after the stripes of sundry rods, 
Act. 16.23.  as the holy Apostles given from the bottom of his heart, 
Act. 5.41.  thanks to the blessed Trinity that he was found worthy to suffer disgrace for Christ's true Deity? What one for the undoubted testimony of God, having his brains dashed out with the Fuller's club; 
Act. 12.2.  hath as james the first, a Bishop of the New Testament, suffered corporal death? Which of ye like james the brother of john was by the unjust Prince beheaded? Who like the first Deacon and Martyr of the Gospel (having but this only accusation, 
Act: 7.57.  that he saw God, whom the wicked miscreants could not behold) was by the ungodly hands stoned to death? What one of ye, like the worthy keeper of the keys of the heavenly Kingdom, being nailed to the cross with his feet upward, in regard of the reverence of Christ, 
S. Peter.  whom no less in his death than in his life, he endeavoured to honour, hath so breathed out his last gasp? Which of ye for the confession of the true word of Christ, hath like the vessel of election, and chosen Doctor of the Gentiles, after suffering the chains of imprisonment, 
S. Paul.  sustaining of Shipwreck, after the terrible scourges of whips, the continual dangers of Seas, of thiefs, of Gentiles, of jews, and of false apostles, after the labours of famine, of fasting, etc. after his incessant care had over all the Churches, after his exceeding trouble, for such as scandalised, after his infirmity for the weak, after his admirable peregrination over almost the whole world in Preaching the Gospel of Christ, through the stroke of the sword lost his head? which of ye, as the holy Martyr Ignatius, 
S. Ignatius.  Bishop of the City of Antioch, hath after his miraculous actions in Christ, for testimony of him been broken in pieces by the jaws of Lions, as he was sometimes at Rome? whose words (being now led to his passion) when ye shall hear (if ever your countenances were overcome with blushing) ye will not, only in comparison of him esteem yourselves no Priests, but not truly so much as the meanest Christians; for in the Epistle which he sent to the Church of Rome, he writeth thus: From Syria even unto Rome, I fight with beasts, at Land and Sea, being bound and chained unto ten Leopards, the Soldiers (I mean) appointed for my custody, who for our benefits bestowed upon them become more cruel but I by their wickedness am the better instructed, neither yet am I in this justified; Oh when shall come those beasts the causers of my Salvation (which are for me prepared)? when shall they be let out loose at me? when shall it be lawful for my carcase to enjoy them? whom I do most earnestly wish to be eagerly enraged against me, and truly ● will incite them to devour me, moreover, I will humbly pray, lest perchance they should dread to touch my body (as in some others they have heretofore done) yea also if they doubtfully stagger. I will offer violence, I will enforce myself upon them. Pardon me (I beseech ye) I know what is commodious for me, even now I begin to be the Disciple of Christ; let all envy, be it either of humane affection or else of spiritual wickedness surcease, that I may discern to obtain Christ jesus, let fires, let crosses, let cruelty of beasts, let breaking of bones, and renting of limbs, with all the pains of the whole body, and all the torments devised by the art of the devil, be altogether poured out on me alone, so that I may merit to attain unto Christ jesus. Why do ye behold these things with the sleepy eyes of your souls? why do ye hearken unto them with the deaf ears of your senses? Shake off (I beseech ye) the darksome and black mist of the slothfulness of your hearts, that so ye may see the glorious light of truth and humility. A Christian and he not mean, but a perfect one, a Priest not base, but one of the highest, a Martyr not ordinary, but one of the chiefest, saith: Now I begin ●o be the Disciple of Christ. And ye like the same Lucifer, who was thrown down out of Heaven, are puffed up with words not with power, and after a sort do chaw under the tooth, and make pretence in your actions, even as the Author of this your wickedness hath expressed saying, 
Esa. 14 13.  I will mount up into the Heavens, and be like unto the highest: And again, I have digged and drunk water, 
Esa. 37.25.  and dried up with the steps of my feet all the rivers of the banks. Where more rightly ye should have imitated him and hearkened unto his words (who is doubtless the most true example of all goodness and humility) saying by his Prophet, 
Psal. 21.7.  I am verily a worm and not a man, the reproach of men, and the outcast of the people. Oh unspeakable matter! that he called himself the reproach of men, when as he washed quite away the reproaches of the whole world. And again in the Gospel, I of myself am not able to do any thing. 
joh. 5.30.  When as he being coeternal with the Father, coequal with the Holy Ghost, and consubstantial unto both, Created not by the help of another, but by his own Almighty power, the Heaven and Earth, with all their inestimable Ornaments, and ye nevertheless have arrogantly lifted aloft your voices, notwithstanding the Prophet saith, 
Eccle. 10.9  Why doth earth and ashes swell in prid●. But that I may return unto the purpose. which of ye (I say) like the famous Bishop of the Church of Smerna Policarpus, 
St. Policarpus.  that witness of Christ, hath courteously entertained as guests at his table, those who violently drew him out to be burned, and being for the charity which he did bear unto Christ) brought to the stake said, He who gave me grace to endure the torment of the fire, will likewise grant me without fastening of nails to suffer constantly the flames. And now overpassing in this my discourse mighty armies of Saints, I will as yet touch but one, for example's sake, 
S. Basill.  Basil, I mean the Bishop of Caesaria, who when he was thus by the unrighteous Prince threatened, that (unless he would on the next morrow be as the rest, defiled in the dirty dunghill of the Arrian heresy) he was absolutely to be put to death, answered (as it is reported) I truly will be to morrow the same as to day, and for thee, I wish thou wouldst not change thy determination. And again, O would I had some worthy reward to bestow on him that would speedily discharge Basil from the bands of this breathing bellowes. What one of ye to daunt the menaces of Tyrants, doth inviolably keep the rule of the Apostolical speech, which in all times and ages when some ever hath been observed by all holy Priests to suppress the suggestion of men, when they sought to draw them headlong to naughtiness, saying in this manner, It behoveth rather to obey God then men. 
Act. 5.29.  Wherefore after our accustomed manner making our refuge unto the mercy of our Lord, and to the sentences of his holy Prophets, that they on our behalf may now level the darts of their Oracles at unperfect Pastors (as before at Tyrants) so as thereby receiving compunction they may be cured, let us behold what manner of threats, our Lord doth by his Prophets utter, against slothful and dishonest Priests, and such as do not as well by examples as words, rightly instruct the people. For even Hely the Priest in Silo, for that he did not severely proceed (with a zeal worthy of God) in punishing his sons, when they contemned our Lord, but (as a man overswayed with a fatherly affection) too mildly and remissly admonished them, was sentenced with this judgement by the Prophet speaking unto him: 
1 Sam. 2.28  Thus saith our Lord, I have manifestly showed myself unto the house of thy Father, when they were the servants of Pharaohin Egypt, and have chosen the house of thy Father out of all the Tribes of Israel, for a Priesthood unto me. And a little after, 
1 Sam. 2.29.  Why hast thou looked upon mine incense, and upon my sacrifice, with a dishonest eye? and hast honoured thy children more than me, that thou mightst bless them from the beginning in all sacrifices in my presence? And now so saith our Lord: Because who so honour me I will honour them again: and who so make no account of me shall be brought to nothing. Behold the days shall come and I will destroy thy Name, and the seed● of the house of thy Father. And let this be to thee the sign, which shall fall upon thy two sons Ophnee and Phinees, in one day shall they both dye by the sword of men. If thus therefore they shall suffer pains, who correct them that are subjected under their charge, with only words, and not with condign punishment, what shall become of those who by offending exhort ye, and draw others unto wickedness? It is apparent also what befell unto the true Prophet, who was sent from judah to prophesy in Bethel and forbidden not once to taste any meat in that place, after the sign which he foretold, was fulfilled, and after he had restored the wicked King, his withered hand again, being deceived by another Prophet, (as he was termed) and so made to take but a little bread and water, his host speaking in this sort unto him, 
1 Reg. 13.21.  Thus saith our Lord God; Because thou hast been disobedient to the mouth of our Lord, and not observed the precept which thy Lord God hath commanded, and hast returned, and eaten bread and drunk water in this place, in which I have charged thee that thou shouldest neither eat bread nor drink water, thy body shall not be buried in the Sepulchre of thy forefathers. And so (saith the Scripture) it came to pass, that after he had eaten bread and drunk water, he made ready his Ass, and departed, and a Lion found him in the way and slew him. Hear ye also the holy Prophet Esay, 
Esa. 3.11.  how he speaketh of Priests on this wise. Woe be unto the ungodly, evil befall him; for the reward of his hands shall light upon him. Her own exactors have spoilt my people, and women have borne sway over her. O my people who tear me thee blessed, they themselves deceive thee, and destroy the way of thy footsteps. Our Lord standeth to judge, and standeth to judge the people. Our Lord will come unto judgement with the elders of the people and her Princes. Ye have consumed my Vine, the spoil of the poor is in your house. Why do ye break in pieces my people, and grind the faces of the poor, saith our Lord God of Hosts? And also; 
Esa. 10.1.  Woe be unto them who compose ungodly laws, and writing have written injustice, that they may oppress the poor in judgement, and work violence unto the cause of the lowly of my people, that widows, may be their prey, and they make s●●ile of the Orphans, what will ye do in the day of visitation and calamity approaching afar of? And afterwards, But these also in regard of wine have been ignorant, 
Esa. 28.7.  and in respect of drunkenness have wandered astray, the Priests have not understood, because of drunkenness, and have been swallowed up in wine, they have erred in drunkenness they have not known him who seeth, they have been ignorant of judgement. For all tables are filled with the vomit of their uncleanness, in so much as there is not any free place to be found. Hear therefore the Word of our Lord (O ye men ye deceivers) who bear authority over my people that 〈◊〉 in jerusalem. 
Esa. 28.14.  For ye have said, we have entered into a truce with death, and with hell we have made a covenant. The overflowing scourge when it shall pass forth shall not fall upon us, because we have placed falsehood for our hope, and by lying we have been defended. And somewhat after, And hail shall overthrow the hope of lying, 
Esay. 28.17.  together with the defence. Water's shall overflow, and your truce with death shall be destroyed, and your covenant with hell shall not continue, when the overflowing scourge shall pass forth, ye shall also be trodden under foot, whensoever it shall pass along through ye, it shall sweep ye away withal. And again, And 〈◊〉 Lord hath said: 
Esay 29.13  Because this people aproacheth with their mouth, and with their lips glorify me, but their heart is far removed from me, behold therefore I will cause this people to admire with a great and amazed wonder. For wisdom shall decay and fall away, from her wisemen, and the understanding of her sages shall be concealed. Woe be unto ye that are profound in heart, to conceal counsel from our Lord, whose works are in darkness, and they say who seeth us? And who hath known us? for this thought of yours is perverse. And somewhat afterwards. Thus saith our Lord: Heaven is my seat, and the earth the foot stool of my feet. 
Esay 66.1.  What is this house that ye will erect unto me, and what place shall be found of my resting repose? all these things hath my hand made, and these universally have been all created saith our Lord, on whom truly shall I cast mine eye, but on the humble poor man, and the contrite in spirit, and him that dreadeth my speeches? he that sacrificeth an Ox, is as he that killeth a man; he that slaughtereth a beast for sacrifice is like him who beateth out the brains of of a dog; he that offereth an oblation is as he that offereth up the blood of an hog; he that is mindful of frankincense, is as he that honoureth an Idol: Of all these things have th●y made choice in their ways, and in their abominations hath their soul been delighted. Listen ye also what jeremy that Virgin and Prophet speaketh unto the unwise Pastors in this sort; Thus saith our Lord: 
jere. 2.5.  What iniquity have your fathers found in me, because they have removed themselves far off from me, and walked after vanity, and are become vain? And somewhat after; 
jer. 2.7.  And entering in; ye have defiled my Land, and made mine inheritance abomination. The Priests have not said, Where is our Lord? and the Rulers of the Law, have not known me, and the Pastors have dealt treacherously against me. Wherefore I will as yet contend in judgement with you, saith our Lord, and debate the matter with your children. And a little afterwards, 
jere. 5.30.  Astonishment and wonders have been wrought in the land. Prophets did Preach lying, and Priests did applaud with their hands, and my people have loved such matters. 
jere. 6.10.  What therefore shall be done in her last and final ends? To whom shall I speak and make protestation that he may hear me? behold their cares are uncircumcised, and they cannot hear. Behold the word of our Lord is uttered unto them for their reproach, and they receive it not: because I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the earth, saith our Lord. For why from the lesser even unto the greater, all study avarice, and from the Prophet even unto the Priest, all work deceit, and they cured the contrition of the daughter of my people, with ignomy, saying, Peace, Peace, and peace there shall not be. Confounded they are, who have wrought abomination: but rather they are not with a confusion confounded, and have not understood how to be ashamed. Wherefore they shall fall among those who are ruinating, in the time of their visitation shall they rush headlong down together, saith our Lord. And again, All these Princes of the declining sort, walking fraudulently, 
jere. 6.18.  being brass and iron, are universally corrupted, the blowing bellowes hath failed in the fire, the Fi●er of metals, in vain hath melted, their malicious acts assuredly are not consumed, ●all them refuse and reprobate silver, because our Lord ●ath thrown them away. And after a few words, I ●m, 
jere. 7.11.  I am, I have scene saith ●ur Lord. Go your ways to ●y place in Shilo, where my ●ame hath inhabited from ●he beginning, and behold ●hat I have done thereunto 〈◊〉 the malice of my people of israel. And now because ye have wrought all these works saith our Lord; and I have spoken unto ye, arising in the morning, and talking, and yet ye have not heard me, and have called ye, and yet ye have not answered. I will so deal towards this house, wherein my name is now called upon, and wherein ye have confidence: and to this place which I have given unto y●e, and to your fathers, as I have done to Shilo, and I will cast ye away from my countenance. And again, 
jere. 10.20.  My children have departed from me, and have no abiding, and there is not he who any more pitcheth my tent, and advanceth my Pavilion: because the Pastors have dealt fondl● and not sought out our lord Wherefore they have not understood, and their flock hath been dispersed. And within some words after, 
jere. 11.15  What is the matter that my beloved hath in my houses committed many offences? shall the holy flesh take away thy maliciousness from thee, wherein thou hast gloried? our Lord hath termed thy noon a plentiful, fair, fruitful, goodly olive, at the voice of the speech a mighty fire hath been inflamed in her, and her Orchards have been quite consumed▪ therewith. And again, Come ye to me, 
jere. 12.9.  and be ye gathered together all ye beasts of the earth, make ye haste to devour. Many Pastors have thrown down my vine, they have trampled my part under foot, they have given over my portion which was well worthy to be desired into a desert of solitariness. And again he speaketh: Thus saith our Lord unto this people, 
jere. 14.10  which have loved to move their feet, and not rested, nor yet pleased our Lord; now shall he remember their iniquities and visit their offences. Prophet's say unto them, ye shall not see the sword, and there shall no famine be among ye, but our Lord shall give true peace unto ye in this place. And our Lord hath said unto me, The Prophets do falsely foretell in my name, I have not sent them, neither yet laid my Commandment on them, they prophesy unto ye a lying vision, and divination together with deceitfulness, and the seducement of their own hearts. And therefore thus saith our Lord: in sword and famine shall those Prophets be consumed: and the people to whom they have prophesied shall by means of the famine and sword be cast out in the ways of jerusalem, and there shall be none to bury them. And moreover; 
jere. 23.1.  W●e be to the pastors who destroy and rent in pieces the flock of my pasture, saith our Lord. Thus therefore saith our Lord God of Israel unto the Pastors who guide my people, ye have dispersed my flock, and cast them forth, and not visited them: Behold I will visit upon ye the malice of your endeavours, saith our Lord. For the Prophet and the Priest are both defiled, and in my house have I found their evil, saith our Lord, and therefore shall their way be as a slippery place in the dark, for they shall be thrust forward, and fall down together therein, for I will bring evils upon them, the year of their visitation, saith our Lord. And in the Prophets of Samaria, I have seen foolishness, and they did prophesy in Baal, and deceived my people of Israel, and in the Prophets of jerusalem, have I seen the like resemblance, adultery, and the way of lying, and they have comforted the hands of the vildest offenders, that every man may not be converted from his malice: they have been all made to me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as those of Gomorrha. Thus therefore saith our Lord to the Prophets; Behold, I will give them wormwood for their food, and gall for their drink. For there hath passed from the Prophet of jerusalem pollution over the whole earth. Thus saith our Lord of hosts; listen not unto the words of Prophets, who prophesy unto ye, and deceive ye, for they speak the vision of their own heart, and not from the mouth of our Lord. For they say unto these who do blaspheme me, our Lord hath spoken, peace shall be unto ye; and to all that walk in the wickedness of their own hearts, they have said, Evil shall not fall upon them. For who was present in the counsel of our Lord, and hath seen and heard his speech, who hath considered of his word, and harkened thereunto? Behold, the whirlwind of the indignation of our Lord passeth out, and a tempest breaking forth, shall fall upon the heads of the wicked, the fury of our Lord shall not return, until the time that he worketh and until he fulfilleth the cogitation of his heart. In the last days of all shall ye understand his counsel. And little also do● ye conceive and put in execution, that which the holy Prophet joel hath likewise spoken in admonishment of slothful Priests, and Lamentation of the People's damage for their iniquities, 
joel 1.6.  saying: Awake ye who are drunk, from your wine, and weep and bewail ye all, who have drunk wine even to drunkenness, because joy and delight are taken away from your mouths. Mourn ye Priests, who serve the Altar, because the fields have been made miserable. Let the earth mourn, because corn hath become miserable, and wine been dried up, oil diminished, and husbandmen withered away. Lament ye possessions, in regard of Wheat and Barley, because the vintage hath perished out of the field, the vine withered up, the figs diminished: the pomegranates, and palm, and apple, and all trees of the field are withered away, in respect that the children of men have confounded their joy. All which things are spiritually to be understood by you, that your souls may not wither away with so pestilent a famine, for want of the word of God. And again, Weep out ye Priests, 
joel 2.17.  who serve our Lord, saying; Spare O Lord thy People, and give not over thine inheritance unto reproach, and let not Natio●s hold dominion over them, that Gentiles may not say, Where is their God? And yet ye yield not your ears unto these sayings, but admit of all matters by which the indignation of the fury of God is more vehemently inflamed. With diligence also attend ye what holy O see the Prophet hath spoken unto Priests of your▪ behaviour. 
Osec 5 1.  Hear these words (O ye Priests) and let the house of Israel, together with the King's house mark them; fasten ye them in your ears, for that unto ye appertaineth judgement, because ye are made an entangling snare to the espying watch, and as a piched n●t more and worse than the toil which the followers of hunting have framed. To ye also, may this kind of alienation from our Lord, be meant by the Prophet Amos saying, I have hated and rejected your festival days, 
Amos 5.21  and I will not receive the savour in your solemn assemblies, because albeit ye offer our burnt sacrifices and hosts, I will not accept them, and I will not cast mine eye on the vows of your declaration. Take away from me the sound of your songs, and the Psalm of your Organs I will not hear. For why the famine of the Evangelicall meat consuming, in your abundance of victuals, the very bowels of your souls, rageth violently within ye, according as the aforesaid Prophet hath foretold, 
Amos 8.11.  saying: Behold the days shall come▪ saith our Lord, and I will send out a famine upon the earth, not the famine of bread, nor the thirst of water, but a famine in hearing the word of God, and waters shall be moved from sea even to sea, and they shall run over from the North even unto the East, seeking out the word of our Lord, and yet shall not find it. Let holy Micheas also pierce your ears, who not unlike a certain heavenly trumpet soundeth shrilly forth against the deceitful Princes of the People, saying: Harken now ye Princes of the house of jacob, 
Miche. 3.1.  is it not for ye to know judgement, who hate goodness, and seek after mischiefs, who pluck their skins from off men, and their flesh from their bones? Even as they have eaten the flesh of my people, and flayed of their skins from them, broken their bones to pieces, and hewed them small as meat to the pot, they shall cry to God, and he will not hear them, and in that season turn his face away from them, even as they before have wickedly behaved themselves in their inventions. Thus speaketh our Lord of the Prophets who seduce my people, who bite with their teeth, and preach against them peace, and if a man giveth nothing to stop their mouths, they raise and sanctify a war upon him. Night shall therefore be unto ye in place of a vision, and darkness unto ye in l●we of divination, and the sun shall set upon your Prophets, and the day shall wax dark upon them, and seeing droames they shall be confounded, and the diviners shall be derided, and they shall speak ill against all men, because there shall not be any one that will hear them, but that I myself shall do mine uttermost & strongest endeavour in the spirit of our Lord, in judgement and in power, that I may declare unto the house of jacob their impieties, and to Israel their offences. Harken therefore unto these words ye Captains of the house of jacob, and ye remnants of the house of Israel, who abhor judgement, and overthrow all righteousness, who build up Zion in blood and jerusalem in iniquities: her rulers did judge for rewards, and her Priests answered for hire, a●d her Prophets did for money divine, and rested on our Lord, saying: And is not our Lord within us? evils shall not fall upon us. For your cause therefore shall Zion be ploughed up as a field, and jerusalem as a watch cabin of a garden, and the mountain of the house as a place of a woody wilderness. And after some words ensuing, 
Mich. 7.1.  Woe is me for that I am become as ●e that gathereth stubble in the harvest, and a cluster of grapes in the Vintage, when the principle branch is not left to be eaten. Woe is me, that a soul hath perished through earthly actions, the reverence of sinners ariseth even reverencing from the earth, and he appeareth not that among men correcteth. All contend injudgement for blood, and every one with tribulation afflicteth his neighbour, for mischief he prepareth his hands. Listen ye likewise how the famous Prophet Sophonias debated also in times past, with your fellow banqueters (for he spoke of jerusalem, which is spiritually to be understood the Church or the soul) saying: 
Sopho. 3.1.  O the City that was beautiful and set at liberty, the confident Dove hath not obediently harkened to the voice, nor yet entertained discipline, she hath not trusted in our Lord, and to her God she hath not approached. And he showeth the reason why, 
Soph. 3.3.  Her Princes have been like unto roaring Lions, her judges as Wolves of Arabia did not leave towards the morning, her Prophets carrying the spirit of a contemptuous despising man; her Priests did profane what w●s holy, and dealt wickedly in the law, but our Lord is upright in the midst of his people, and no unjust morning will he make, in the morning will he give his judgement. But hear ye also blessed Zachery the Prophet, in the Word of God, admonishing ye: For thus saith our Almighty Lord, 
Zach. 7 9  judge ye righteous judgement and work ye every one towards his brother mercy and pity, and hurt ye not through your power the Widdoow, or Orphan, or stranger, or poor man, and let not any man remember in his heart the malice of his brother; and they have been stubborn not to observe these, and have yielded their backs to foolishness, and made heavy their ears that they might not hearken, and framed their hearts to be not persuasible that they might not listen to my law and words, which our Almighty Lord hath sent in his spirit, through the hands of his former Prophets, and mighty wrath hath been raised by our Almighty Lord. And again, Because they who have spoken, 
Zach. 10.1.  have spoken molestations, and diviners have uttered false visions and deceitful dreams, and given vain consolations; in respect hereof they are made dry as sheep, and are afflicted because no health was to be found; my wrath is heaped upon the Shepherds, and upon the Lambs will I visit. And within a few words after, The voice of lamenting Pastors, because their greatness is become miserable. 
Zach. 11.3.  The voice of roaring Lions, because the fall of jordan is become miserable: Thus saith our Almighty Lord; who have possessed have murdered, and yet hath it not repent them, and who have sold them, have said; Our Lord is blessed and we have been enriched and their Pastors have suffered nothing concerning them. For which I will now bear no sparing hand over the inhabitants of the earth, saith our Lord. Hear ye moreover what the holy Prophet Malachy denounceth unto ye, saying, 
Mala. 1.6.  Ye Priests who despise my name, and have said: Wherein do we despise thy name? in offering on mine Altar polluted bread: and ye have said, Wherein have we polluted it? In that ye have said: The table of our Lord is as nothing, and have despised such things as have been placed thereupon; because if ye bring what is blind for an offering, is it not evil? If ye set and apply what is lame or languishing, is it not evil? Offer therefore the same unto thy governor, if he will receive it, if he will accept of thy person, saith our Almighty Lord. And now do ye humbly pray before the countenance of your God, and earnestly beseech him (for in your hands have these things been committed) if happily he will accept of your persons. And again, And out of your ravenous theft ye have brought in the lame and languishing, 
Mal. 1.13.  and brought it in as an offering. Shall I receive the same at your hands, saith our Lord? Accursed is the deceitful man who hath in his flock one of the male kind, and yet making his vow offereth the feeble unto our Lord, because I am a mighty King, saith our Lord of hosts, and my name is terrible among the Gentiles. And now unto ye appertaineth this Commandment, O ye Priests, if ye will not hear, and resolve in your hearts to yield glory unto my name, saith our Lord of hosts, I will send upon ye poverty, and accurse your blessings, because ye have not settled these things on your hearts. Behold I will extend out an arm upon ye, and disperse upon your countenances the dung of your solemnities. But that ye may in the mean time, with a more thirsting desire prepare your Organs and instruments of mischief, to be converted into goodness, harken ye (if there remaineth as yet any so little inward listening in your hearts) what he speaketh of a holy Priest saying; My covenant of life and peace was with him (for historically he did speak of Levi and Moses) I gave fear unto him, 
Mala. 2.5.  and he was timorous of me, he dreaded before the countenance of my name, the law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips, he walked with me in peace and equity, and turned many away from unrighteousness. For the lips of the Priest shall keep knowledge, and from out his mouth they shall require the law, because he is the angel of our Lord of hosts. And now again he changeth his style, and desisteth not to rebuke and reprove the unrighteous, saying; 
Mal. 2.8.  Ye have departed from the way, and scandalised many in the law, and made void my covenant with Levi, saith our Lord of hosts. In regard whereof I have also given ye over as contemptible and abject among my people, according as ●ee have not observed my ●ayes, and accepted countenance of men in the law. What is there not one father of us all? What hath not one god created us? Why therefore doth every one despise his brother? And again, Behold our Lord of hosts will come, 
Mal. 3.2.  and who can conceive of the day of his coming, and who shall endure to stand to behold him? For he shall pass forth as a burning fire, and as the fullers herb, and shall sit melting and trying silver, and he shall purge the sons of Levi, and cleanse them as gold and as silver. And somewhat afterwards, 
Mal. 3.13.  Your words have grown strong against me, saith our Lord, and ye have spoken thus. He is vain who serveth God, and what profit because we have kept his Commandments, and walked sorrowful before our Lord of hosts. We shall therefore now call the arrogant blessed, for because they are erected and builded up, while they work iniquity, they have tempted God, and are made safe. But hear ye also what Ezechiel the Prophet hath spoken, saying: 
Ezec. 7.26.  Woe upon woe shall come, and messenger upon messenger shall be, and the vision shall be sought for of the Prophet, and the law shall perish from the Priests, and counsel from the Elders. And again: Thus saith our Lord; 
Ezec. 13.8.  In respect that your speeches are lying, and your divinations vain. For this cause, Behold, I myself unto ye saith our Lord; I will stretch out my hand on your Prophets, who see lies, and them who speak vain things, in the discipline of my people they shall not be, and in the Scripture, of the house of Israel, they shall not be written, and into the land of Israel they shall not enter, and ye shall know that I am the Lord, because they have seduced my people, saying, The peace of our Lord, and there is not the peace of our Lord. Here have they built the wall; and they anointed it, and it shall fall, And within some words afterwards; 
Ezec. 13.18  Woe be unto these who fashion pillows, apt for every elbow of the hand, and make veils upon every head of all ages to the subversion of souls, and the souls of my people are subverted, and they possess their souls, and contaminated me unto my people for a handful of barley, and a piece of bread to the slaughter of the souls, whom it behoved not to dye, and to the delivery of the souls, that were not convenient to live, while ye talk unto my people that listeneth after vain speeches. And afterwards: Say thou son of man, 
Ezec. 22.4.  thou art earth which is not watered with rain, neither yet hath rain fallen upon thee in the day of wrath, in which thy Princes were in the midst of thee as roaring Lions, ravening on their preys, devouring souls in their potent might, and receiving rewards, and thy widows were multiplied in the midst of thee, and her Priests have despised my law, and defiled my holy things. Between holy and polluted, they did not distinguish, and divided not equally between the unclean and clean, and from my Sabbaths they veiled their eyes, and in the midst of them they defiled. 
Eze. 22 30.  And again, And I sought among them a man of upright conversation, and one who should altogether stand before my face, to prevent the times that might fall upon the earth, that I should not in the end utterly destroy it, and I found him not. And I poured out upon it, the whole designment of my mind, in the fire of my wrath for the consuming of them: I repaid their ways on their heads, saith our Lord. And somewhat after: 
Eze 33.1.  And the word of our Lord was spoken unto me saying: O Son of man, speak to the children of my people, and thou shalt say unto them: The land whereupon I shall bring my sword, and the people of the land shall take some one man among them, and ordain him to be a watchman over them, and he shall espy the sword coming upon the land, and sound with his trumpet, and signify unto the people, who so truly shall then hear the sound of the trumpet, and yet hearing shall not beware: and the sword shall come and catch him, his blood shall light upon his own head, because when he heard the sound of the trumpet, he was not watchful, his blood shall be upon him, and this man, for that he hath preserved his own soul, hath delivered himself. But the watchman if he shall see the sword coming, and not give notice with his trumpet, and the people shall not beware; and the sword coming shall take away a soul from among them, both the soul itself is caught a captive for her iniquities, and I will also require her blood at the hand of the watchman. And thou O son of man, I have appointed thee a watchman over the house of Israel, and if thou shalt hear the word from out my mouth, when I shall say to a sinner, Thou shalt die the death, and yet wilt not speak whereby the wicked may return from his way: both the unjust himself shall die in his iniquity, and truly I will require his blood also at thy hands. But if thou shalt forewarn the wicked of his way, that he may avoid the same, and he nevertheless will not withdraw himself from his course, this man shall die in his impiety, and thou hast preserved thine own soul. And so let these few among a multitude of Prophetical testimonies suffice, by which the pride or sloth of our stubborn Priests may be repelled, to the end they may not suppose that we do rather of our own invention, then by the authority of the Laws, and Saints denounce such threats against them. And now let us also behold what the trumpet of the Gospel, sounding to the whole world, speaketh likewise to disordered Priests; for as we have often said, this our discourse tendeth not to treat of them, who obtain lawfully the Apostolical seat, and such as rightly and skilfully understand how to dispose their spiritual food (in time convenient) unto their fellow servants (if yet at this time there remain any great number of these in this our Country) but we only talk of ignorant and unexpert Shepherds, who leave their flock, & feed on vain matters, for learned and good Pastors are free from these vanities. And therefore it is an evident token that he is not a lawful Pastor, yea not an ordinary Christian, who rejecteth and denyeth these sayings, which are not so much ours (who of ourselves are very little worth) as the decrees of the old and New Testament; even as one of ours right well doth say, We do exceedingly desire that the enemies of the Church should also, without any manner of truce, be our adversaries: and that the friends and defendours thereof, should not only be accounted our confederates, but also our fathers and governor's. For let every one with true examination, call his own conscience unto account, and so shall he easily find, whether according unto righteous reason he possesseth his Priestly chair or no. Let us see (I say) what the Saviour and Creator of the world hath spoken. Ye are (saith he the salt of the earth, 
Math. 5.13  if that the salt vanisheth away, wherein shall it be salted? it prevaileth to no purpose any farther, but that it be cast out of the doors, and trampled under the feet of men. This only testimony might abundantly suffice to confute all such as are impudent, but that it may be yet by the Words of Christ, more evidently proved, with what huge intolerable bands of offences, these false priests, entangle and oppress themselves, some other sayings are also to be adjoined; For it followeth: Ye are the light of the world. 
Math. 5.14  A C●ty placed on a mountain cannot be hid, neither yet do they light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine unto all who are in the house. What Priest therefore of this fashion and time, who is so possessed with the blindness of ignorance, doth as the light of a most clear burning candle, shine with the lamp of learning and good works, in any house, to all that sit in the darksome night? What one is so accounted a safe public and apparent refuge, to all the children universally of the Church, that he may be to his countrymen a most defensible and strong City, situated on the top of an high mountain? Moreover, which one of them can accomplish one day together, this that followeth: 
Mat. 5.16.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven: Since rather a certain most obscure cloud of theirs, and the black night of offences, do in that sort hang over the whole I●land, that they turn all almost away from the righteous course, and make them to wander astray through unpassable and cumbersome paths of wickedness, and so their heavenly Father is not only by their works not magnified, but also by the same intolerably blasphemed. And truly I gladly would in some historical or moral sense how so ever, willingly interpret (as far forth as our meanness could afford) these testimonies of Holy Scripture, which are either already cited, or hereafter to be intermixed in this Epistle, but for fear lest this our little work, should be unmeasurably tedious unto those who despise, loathe, and disdain, not so much our speeches as God's sayings, I have already alleged, and mean hereafter to affirm these sentences plainly without any circumstance. And to proceed, within a few words after: 
Mat. 5.19.  For who shall break one of the least of these Commandments, and so instruct men, shall be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. 
Mat. 7.1.  And again, judge ye not that ye may not be adjudged: for in what judgement ye shall judge, ye shall be judged. And which one (I pray you) of your Company will regard this same that followeth; 
Mat. 7.3.  But why dost thou see (saith he) the mote in the eye of thy brother, and considerest not the beam in thine own eye? or how dost thou say to thy brother, suffer me, I will cast the mote out of thine eye, and behold the beam remaineth still in thine own eye? Or this insueing: Do ye not give what is holy to dogs, 
Mat. 7.6.  neither yet shall ye cast your pearls before swine, lest perchance they tread them under their feet, and ●urning against ye break ye asunder, which hath most often befallen unto ye. And admonishing the People, that they should not by deceitful Doctors (such as ye) be seduced he saith: Keep yourselves carefully from false prophets, 
Mat. 7.15.  who come unto ye in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly are ravenous wolves: by their fruit shall ye know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? So every good tree beareth good fruit, and the evil, evil. And somewhat afterward: Not every one who saith unto me, 
Mat. 7.21.  Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but who so doth the will of my father that is in Heaven, he shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. And what shall then become of ye, who (as the Prophet hath said) believe God only with your lips, and not adhere to him with your hearts. And how do ye fulfil that which followeth; 
Mat. 10.16  Behold I send ye forth as sheep among the midst of the wolves. Who do clean chose, proceed as wolves against a flock of sheep; or the other ensueing sentence; Be ye wise as serpents and simple as doves, 
Mat. 10.16  since ye are only wise to bite others, with your deadly mouths, and not to defend (with the objection and adventure of your whole body) your head, which is Christ, whom with all the endeavours of your evil actions, ye tread under foot; neither yet have ye the simplicity of doves, but the resemblance rather of the black Crow, which taking her flight out of the Ark, (which is the Church of God) and finding the carrion of earthly pleasures, did never with a pure heart return back thither again. But let us look on the rest. Fear ye not (saith he) them who kill the body, 
Mat. 10.28  but are not able to slay the soul, but fear ye him, who can overthrow both soul and body into hell fire. Receive in your minds which of these ye have performed? And what one of ye is not wounded in the very deep secrets of his heart, with this testimony following, which our Saviour uttereth unto his Apostles, of evil prelates, saying, 
Mat. 15.14.  Do ye suffer them, the blind are leaders of the blind, but if the blind be a guide to the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. But the people doubtless whom ye have governed, or rather beguiled, have just occasion to listen hereunto. Mark ye also the words of our Lord speaking unto his Apostles and to the people, which words likewise (as I hear) ye yourselves are not ashamed to pronounce full often in public: 
Mat. 23.2.  Upon the chair of Moses have Scribes and Pharisees sat, observe ye therefore and accomplish, all whatsoever they shall speak unto ye; but do ye not according unto their works. For they do but speak, and they of themselves do nothing. It is truly unto Priests a dangerous and superfluous doctrine, which is overclouded with sinful actions. Woe be unto ye Hypocrites, 
Mat. 23 13.  who shut up the Kingdom of Heaven before men, yourselves truly enter not in, neither yet do ye suffer those that are entering to pass in. For ye shall with horrible pains be tormented, not only in respect of the great offences of your wickedness, which ye do heap up for punishment in the world to come, but also in regard of those who daily perish through your bad example, whose blood in the day of judgement shall be required at your hands.  
Yield ye in like sort diligent attention unto the misery, which the Parable setteth before your eyes that is spoken of the servant, who saith, 
* Mat. 24.48.  in his heart, my Lord maketh delay in his coming, and upon this occasion perchance, hath begun to strike his fellow servants, eating and quaffing with drunkards. The Lord of the same servant therefore (saith he) will come on a day when he doth not expect him, and in an hour whereof he is ignorant, and will divide him (from holy Priests undoubtedly) and will place his portion with hypocrites (with them certainly who under the pretence of Priesthood do shadow much iniquity) affirming that there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth; Which sorrow in this present life, neither for the daily ruins of the children of our holy Mother the Church, nor yet for the desire of the Kingdom of Heaven, they have often sustained. But let us see what Paul, the true Scholar of Christ, and Master of the Gentiles (who is a mirror of every ecclesiastical Doctor, 
1 Cor. 11.1.  Even as I (saith he) am the Disciple of Christ) speaketh about a work of such importance in his first Epistle on this wise: Because when they have known God, 
Rom. 1.25.  they have not magnified him as God, or given thanks unto him; but vanished in their own cogitations, and their foolish heart is blinded, affirming themselves to be wise, they are made fools. Although this seemeth to be spoken unto the Gentiles; look into it notwithstanding, because it may conveniently be applied unto the Priests and people of this age. And after a few words; Who have changed (saith he) the truth of God into lying, 
Rom. 1.25.  and have reverenced and served the creature rather than the Creator who is blessed for ever: therefore hath God given them over unto the passions of ignominy. And again, 
Rom. 1.28.  And even as they have not approved themselves to have God in their knowledge, so God hath yielded them up unto a reprobate sense, that they may do such things as are not convenient, being replenished with all iniquity, malice, uncleanness of life, fornication, covetousness, naughtiness, full of envy, murder, (of the souls truly of the people) contention, deceit, wickedness, backbiters detractors, hateful to God, spiteful, proud, puffed up, devisers of mischiefs, disobedient to their Parents, senseless, disordered, without mercy, without affection, who when they had known the justice of God, understood not that they who commit such things, are worthy of death. And now what one of the aforecited sort hath indeed been void of all these? And if he were, yet perhaps he may be caught in the sense of the ensuing sentence, wherein he saith; Not only who do these things, but also who consent unto the doers, 
Rom. 1.31.  to wit, that none of them truly are free from this wickedness. And afterwards; But thou according to thy hardiness, 
Rom. 2.5.  and impenitent heart, dost lay up for thyself wrath, against the day of wrath, and revelation of the just judgement of God, who will yield unto every one according unto his works. And again, For there is no acceptation of persons with God. 
Rom. 2.11.  For whosoever have offended without the Law, shall also without the law perish: whosoever have offended in the Law, shall by the Law be judged. For not the hearers of the Law, shall with God be accounted just, but the doers of the law shall be justified. How severe a sentence shall they therefore sustain, who not only leave undone, what they ought to accomplish, and forbear not what they are forbidden, but also fly as an hideous snake, the very hearing of the word of God, though lightly sounding in their ears. But let us pass over to that which followeth to this effect: 
Rom. 6.1.  What shall we therefore say, shall we continue still in our sin, that grace may abound? God forbid, for we who are dead in sin, how shall we again live in the same? And somewhat afterwards, 
Rom. 8.35  Who shall separate us (saith he) from the charity of Christ? tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword? What one (I pray you) of all you, shall with such an affection be possessed in the inward secret of his heart, since ye do not only labour for achieving of piety, but also endure many things for the working of impiety, and offending of Christ? Or who hath respected this that followeth: 
Rom. 13. ●2  The night hath passed, and the day appreached. Let us therefore cast of the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light, even as in the day, let us honestly walk, not in banqueting, and drunkenness, not in couches, and wantonness, not in contention, and emulation, but put ye on our Lord jesus Christ, and make no care to bestow your flesh in concupiscences. And again, in the first Epistle to the Corinthians, he saith: As a wise workemaster have I laid the foundation, 
1 Cor. 3.10.  another buildeth thereupon, but let every man consider how he buildeth thereon. For no man can lay any other foundation besides that which is Christ jesus. But if any man buildeth upon this, gold, and silver, precious stones, hay, wood, stubble, every one's work shall be manifests; for the day of our Lord shall declare the same, because it shall be revealed in fire, and the fire shall prove what every man's work is. If any man's work shall remain, all by the fire shall be adjudged. Who so shall build thereupon, shall receive reward. If any man's work shall burn, he shall suffer detriment. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God inhabiteth in ye? but if any man violate the Temple of God, God will destroy him. And again, 
1 Cor. 3.18.  If any man seemeth among ye to be wise in this world, let him be made a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world, is foolishness with God. And within some words afterwards: Your glorying is not good. 
1 Cor. 5.6.  Know ye not, that a little leaven corrupteth the whole mass? Purge ye therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new sprinkling. How shall the old leaven, (which is sin) be purged away, that from day to day with your uttermost endeavours is increased. And yet again. 
1. Cor. 5.9.  I have written unto ye in mine Epistle, that ye be not intermingled with fornicators, not truly the fornicators of this world, or the avaricious, ravenous, or idolatrous, otherwise ye ought to depart out of this world. But now have I written unto ye, that ye be not intermingled, if any one is named a brother, and be a fornicator, or avaricious, or an idolator, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or ravenous, with such an one, ye should not so much as eat. But a fellow condemneth not his fellow thief for stealing, or other open robbery, whom he rather liketh, defendeth, and loveth, as a companion of his offence. Also in his second Epistle unto the Corinthians; Having therefore (saith he) this administration, 
2 Cor. 4.2.  according to that we have obtained mercy, let us not fail, but let us cast away the secrets of shame, not walking in subtlety, nor yet corrupting the word of God, (that is by evil example and flattery.) And in that which followeth, he doth thus discourse of wicked Doctors, saying: For such false apostles are deceitful workmen, 
2 Cor. 11.13  transfiguring themselves into the Apostles of Christ. And no wonder. For Satan himself transfigureth him into an Angel of light. It is not much therefore if his ministers are transfigured as ministers of justice, whose end will be according unto their works. Listen ye likewise what he speaketh unto the Ephesians? and consider if ye find not your consciences attainted as culpable of this that followeth? where he denounceth thus; 
Ephes. 4.17  I say and testify this in our Lord, that ye do not as now walk like the Gentiles in the vanity of their own sense, having their understanding obscured with darkness, alienated from the way of God, through ignorance, which remaineth in them in regard of the blindness of their heart, who despairing, have yielded themselves over to uncleanness of life, for the working of all filthiness and avarice. And which of ye hath willingly fulfilled this that next ensueth; 
Ephes. 5.17  Therefore be ye not made unwise, but understanding what is the will of God, and be ye not drunk with wine, wherein there is riotousness, but be ye fulfilled with the holy Ghost. Or that which he saith to the Thessalonians. 
1 Thess. 2.5  For neither have we been with ye at any time in the speech of flattery, as yourselves do know; neither upon occasion of avarice, neither seeking to be glorified by men, neither by ye, nor any others, when as we might be honoured as other Apostles of Christ. But we have been made as little ones in the midst of ye, or even as the nurse cherisheth her small tender children, so desiring ye, we would very gladly deliver unto ye, not only the Gospel, but also our very lives. If in all things ye retained this affection of the Apostle, then might ye be likewise assured, that ye lawfully possessed his chair. Or how have ye observed this that followeth: Ye know (saith he) what precepts I have delivered unto ye. 
1 Thess. 4.2  This is the will of our Lord, your sanctification, that ye abstain yourselves from fornication, and that every one of ye know to possess his own vessel, in honour and sanctification, not in the passion of desire, like to the Gentiles who are ignorant of God, and that none of you do encroach upon or circumvent his brother in his business, because our Lord is the revenger of all these. For God hath not called us into uncleanness; but unto sanctification. Therefore who despiseth these, doth not despise man, but God. What one also among you hath advisedly and warily kept this that ensueth: Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth, 
Colos. 5.3.  fornication, uncleanness of life, lust, and evil concupiscence, for the which the wrath of God hath come upon the children of disfidence. Ye perceive therefore upon what offences the wrath of God doth chiefly arise, in which respect do ye likewise hear what the same holy Apostle with a Prophetical spirit, foretelleth of you, and such as yourselves, writing plainly in this sort to Timothy; For know you this, 
2 Tim. 3.1  that in the last days there shall be dangerous times at hand. For men shall be selfelovers, covetous, puffed up, proud, blasphemous, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, wicked, without affection, incontinent, unmeeke, without benignity, betrayers, froward, lofty▪ rather lovers of sensual pleasures, then of God, having truly a show of piety, but renouncing the virtue thereof, and avoid thou these men. Even as the Prophet saith; I have hated the congregation of the malicious, 
Psal. 25.5.  and with the wicked I will not sit. And a little after, he uttereth that (which in our age we behold to increase) saying: Ever learning, and never attaining unto the knowledge of truth: 
2 Tim. 3.7  For even as jannes' and Mambres resisted Moses, so do these also withstand the truth: men corrupted in mind, reprobate against faith, but they shall prosper no further; for their folly shall be manifest unto all, as theirs likewise was. And evidently doth he also declare how Priests in their office ought to behave themselves, writing thus to Titus, Show thyself an example of good works, 
Tit. 2.7.  in learning, in integrity, in gravity, having thy word sound without offence, that he who standeth on the adverse part, may be afraid, having ●o evil to speak of us. And moreover he saith unto Timothy; Labour thou as a good Soldier of Christ jesus, 
2 Tim. 2.3.  no man fight in God's quarrel entangleth himself in worldly businesses, that he may please him unto whom he hath approved himself, for who so striveth in the lists for the mastery, receiveth not the crown, unless he hath lawfully contended. This is undoubtedly his exhortation given to the good. Other matter also which the same Epistles contain, is a threatening advertisement unto the wicked (such as yourselves, in the judgement of all understanding persons, appear to be.) If any one (saith he) teacheth otherwise, 
1 Tim. 6.3.  and doth not peaceably assent to the sound sayings of our Lord jesus Christ, and that doctrine which is according unto piety, he is proud, having no knowledge, but languishing about questions, and contentions of words, out of the which do springing arise, envies, debates blasphemies, evil suspicions, conflicts of men corrupted in mind, who are deprived of truth, esteeming commodity to be piety. But why in using these testimonies, here and there dispersed, are we any longer (as it were) tossed up and down in the silly boat of our simple understanding, on the waves of sundry interpretations? We have now therefore at the length thought it necessary, to have recourse even unto those lessons, which are worthily gathered out of almost all Texts of holy Scriptures, to the end they should not only be rehearsed, but also be assenting and assisting unto the benediction, where with the hands of Priests, and others of inferior sacred orders, are first consecrated, and that thereby they may continually be warned never by degenerating from their Priestly dignity, to digress from the Commandments, which are faithfully contained in the same; so as it may be plain and apparent unto all, that everlasting torments are reserved for them, that they are not Priests, or the servants of God, who do not with their uttermost power follow and fulfil these instructions and precepts. Wherefore let us hearken what the Prince of the Apostles, Saint Peter, hath signified about this so weighty a matter saying: Blessed be God, 
1 Pet. 1.3.  and the Father of our Lord jesus Christ, who through his mercy hath regenerated us into the hope of eternal life, by the resurrection of our Lord jesus Christ from the dead, into an inheritance which can never corrupt, never whither, neither be defiled, conserved in heaven for ye, who are kept in the virtue of God; Why then do ye fond violate such an inheritance, which is not as an earthly one, transitory, but immortal and eternal? And somewhat afterwards; For which cause be ye girded in the loins of your mind, 
1 Pet. 1.13.  sober, perfectly hoping in that grace which is offered ye in the revelation of jesus Christ: Examine ye now the depths of your hearts, whether ye be sober and do perfectly conserve the grace of Priesthood, which shall be duly discussed and decided in the Revelation of our Lord. And again he saith, 
1 Pet. 1.4.  As children of the benediction, not configuring yourselves to those former desires of your ignorance, but according unto him who hath called ye holy, be ye also holy in all conversation. For which cause it is written; Be ye holy because I am holy. Which one of ye (I pray) hath with the burning desire of the-whole mind, so pursued sanctity, that he hath earnestly hastened, as much as in him lay, to fulfil the same? But let us behold what in the second lesson of the same Apostle is contained, 
1 Pet. 1.22.  My dearest (saith he) sancti●ie your souls for the obedience of faith through the spirit in charity, in brotherhood, loving one another out of a true heart perpetually, as borne again not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the Word of God, living and remaining for ever. These are truly the Commandments of the Apostle; and read in the day of your ordination, to the end ye should inviolably observe the same, but they are not fulfilled by ye in discretion and judgement, nay not so much as duly considered or understood. And afterwards, Laying therefore aside all malice, 
1 Pet. 2.1.  & all deceit, & dissemble, and envy, and detractions, as infants now newly borne, reasonable and without guile covet ye milk, that ye may thereby grow to salvation, because our Lord is sweet. Recount ye also in your minds, if these sayings which have sounded in your deaf ears, have not often likewise been trodden by ye underfoot; And again, Ye truly are the chosen lineage, 
2 Pet. 2.9.  the royal Priesthood, the holy nation, the people for adoption, that ye may declare his virtues, who hath called ye out of darkness into that his so mervoilous light. But truly by ye are not only the virtues of God not declared and made more glorious but also through your wicked examples are they (by such as have not perfect belief) despised. Ye have perchance at the same time likewise heard, what is read in the lesson of the Acts, on this wise; Peter arising in the midst of the Disciples said; 
Act. 1.15.  Ye men my brethren, it is expedient the Scripture be fulfilled, which the holy Ghost hath by the mouth of David foretold of judas. And a little after, This man hath therefore purchased afield, 
Act. 1.18.  of the reward of iniquity. This have ye heard with a careless or rather blockish heart, as though the reading thereof had nothing at all appertained unto yourselves. What one of ye (I pray ye) doth not seek the field of the reward of iniquity? For judas rob and peeled the purse, and ye spoil and waste the sacred gifts and treasures of the Church, together with the souls of her children. He went to the jews to make a Market of God, ye pass to the Tyrants, and their father the Devil that ye may despise Christ. He did set to sale the Saviour of the world for thirty pence, and ye even for one poor halfpenny; what need many words? The example of Mathias is apparently laid before ye for your confusion, who was chosen into his place, not by his own proper will, but by the election of the holy Apostles, or rather the judgement of Christ, whereat ye being blinded, do not perceive how far ye run astray from his merits, while ye fall wilfully and headlong, into the manners and affection of judas the traitor. It is therefore manifest that he who wittingly from his heart, termeth ye Priests, is not himself truly a worthy Christian. And now I will assuredly speak what I think: This reprehension might have been framed after a milder fashion, but what availeth it to touch only with the hand, or dress with a gentle ointment, that wound which with impostumation or stinking corruption, groweth now in itself so horrible, as it requireth the searing iron, or the ordinary help of the fire, if happily by any means it may be recured, the diseased in the mean while not seeking a medicine, and the Physician much erring from a rightful remedy? O ye enemies of God, and not Priests; O ye traders of wickedness and not Bishops, O ye betrayers and not successors of the holy Apostles, O ye adversaries and not servants of Christ! Ye have certainly heard at the least, the sound of the words, which are in the second lesson taken out of the Apostle Saint Paul, although ye have no way observed the admonitions and virtue of them, but even as statues (that do neither see nor hear) stood that day at the Altar, while both then and continually since he hath thundered in your ears saying; Brethren it is a faithful speech, 
1 Tim. 3.1.  and worthy of all acceptance. He called it faithful and worthy, but ye have despised it, as unfaithful and unworthy. If any man coveteth a Bishopric, 
1 Tim. 3.1.  he desires a goodworke. Ye do mightily covet a Bishopric in respect of avarice, but not upon occasion of spiritual commodity, and for the good work which is convenient for the place; ye want it. It behoveth therefore such an one, 
1 Tim. ●. 2.  to be void of all cause of reprehension. At this saying we have more need to shed tears than utter words; for it is as much as if the Apostle had said, He ought to be of all others most free from occasion of rebuke. 
1 Tim. 3.2.  The husband of one wife, which is lkewise so contemned among us, as if that word had never proceeded from him; 
1 Tim. 3.2.  Sober, Wise, Yea which of ye hath once desired to have these virtues engrafted in him, Using hospitality. For this, if perchance it hath been found among ye, 
Ibidem.  yet being nevertheless rather done to purchase the favour of the people, then to accomplish the Commandment, it is of none avail, our Lord and Saviour saying thus; Verily I say unto ye, they have received their reward. 
Mat. 6.2.  Moreover, A man adorned, 
1 Tim. 3.2.  not given to wine; no fighter; but modest; not contentius, not covetous: O lamentable change! O horrible contempt of the heavenly Commandments! And do ye not continually use the force of your words and actions, for the overthrowing or rather overwhelming of these, for whose defence and confirmation (if need had required) ye ought to have suffered pains, yea and to have lost your very lives. But let us see what followeth; Well governing (saith he) his house, 
Ibidem.  having his children subjected with all chastity. Imperfect therefore is the chastity of the Parents, if the children be not also endued with the same. But how shall it be, where neither the father, nor yet the son as depraved by the example of his evil parent, is found to be chaste? 
1 Tim. 3.5.  But if any one knoweth not how to rule over his own house, how shall he employ his care over the Church of God? These are the words, that with apparent effects, should be made good and approved. 
1 Tim. 3.8.  Deacons in like manner, that they should be chaste, not double tongued, not overgiven much to wine, not followers of filthy gain, having the mystery of faith in a pure conscience, and let these also be first approved, and so let them administer, having no offence. And now trembling truly to make any longer stay on these matters, I can for a conclusion affirm one thing certainly, which is; that all these are changed into contrary actions, in so much that Clerks, (which not without grief of heart, I do here confess) are shameless and deceitful in their speeches, given to drinking, covetous of filthy commodity, having faith (or to say more truly) unfaithfulness in an unpure conscience, ministering not upon probation of their good works, but upon foreknowledge of their evil actions, and being thus defiled with innumerable offences, they are notwithstanding admitted unto the holy function, ye have likewise heard on the same day (wherein ye should with far more right and reason have been drawn to prison or punishment, then preferred unto Priesthood) when our Lord demanded whom his Disciples supposed him to be, how Peter answered; Thou art Christ, 
Mat. 16.16  the Son of the living God, and our Lord in respect of such his confession, said unto him: Blessed art thou Simon Ba●jonas, 
Mat. 16.17.  because flesh and blood hath not revealed unto thee, but my Father who is in Heaven. Peter therefore instructed by God the Father, doth rightly confess Christ; but ye being taught by the devil your father, do with your lewd actions, wickedly deny our Saviour. It is said to the true Priest, Thou art Peter, 
Mat. 16.18  and upon this rock will I build my Church: But ye are resembled unto the foolish man, 
Mat. 7.26.  who hath builded his house upon the sand. And verily it is to be noted, that God joineth not in workmanship with the unwise, when they build their house upon the deceitful uncertainty of the sands, according unto that saying: They have made Kings unto themselves▪ and not by me. Semblably that (which followeth) soundeth in like sort, 
Mat. 16.17  speaking thus: And the Gates of hell (whereby the infernal sins are to be understood) shall not prevail. But of your frail and deadly frame, mark what is pronounced? The floods came, 
Mat. 7.25.  and the winds blue, & have mainly dashed upon that house and it sell, and great was the ruin thereof. To Peter and his successors our Lord doth say: And I will give unto thee the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: 
Ma●▪ t 16.18  But unto ye; I know ye not, depart from me ye workers of iniquity, that being separated with the goats of the left hand, ye may together with them, go into eternal fire. It is also promised unto every good Priest; 
Mat. 16.18. He speaks not of the power and jurisdiction but of the decency and vitnes ●ince no Priest but may absolve another though in sin himself, neither can he excummunicate himself. Prov. 5.22.  What soever thou shalt lose upon earth, shall be likewise loosed in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, shall be in like sort bound in Heaven. But how shall ye lose any thing, that it may be loosed also in Heaven, since yourselves for your sins are severed from Heaven, and hampered in the bands of your own heinous offences, As Solomon saith: With the cords of his sins, every one is tied? And with what reason shall ye bind any thing on this earth, that above this world may be likewise bound, unless it be your only selves, who entangled in your iniquities, are so detained on this earth, as ye cannot ascend into Heaven, but without your conversion unto our Lord in this life, will fall down into the miserable prison of hell? Neither yet let any Priest flatter himself upon the knowledge of the particular cleannenesse of his own body, since their souls (over whom he hath government) shall in the day of judgement be required at his hands as the murderer of them, if any through his ignorance, ●loth, or fawning adulation have perished, because the stroke of death is not less terrible, that is given by a good man then which is inflicted by an evil person: Otherwise would the Apostle never have said that which he left unto his successors, as a fatherly Legacy; I am clear and clean from the blood of all: 
Act. 20.26.  for I have not forborn to declare unto ye all the counsel of God. Being therefore mightily drunken with the use and custom of sins, and extremely overwhelmed with the waves, (as it were) of increasing offences, seek ye now forthwith the uttermost endeavours of your minds, (after this your shipwreck) that one board of penance, which is only left, whereby ye may escape and swim to the land of the living, that from ye may be turned away the wrath of our Lord, who saith: I will not the death of a sinner: 
Ezec. 33.11  but that he may be converted and live. And the same Almighty God, of all consolation and mercy preserve his few good Pastors from all evil, and (the common enemy being overcome) make them free inhabitants of the heavenly City of jerusalem, which is the congregation of all Saints, grant this, O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to whom be honour and glory, world without end, Amen.  
FINIS.