¶ A Sermon preached at Paul's Cross, the. xiiii. day of December, by Thomas Lever.  
Anno. M. D. L.  
Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum. Per septennium   

¶ Unto the right honourable Lords, and others of the Kings majesty ●…ys privy Counsel, Thomas leaver wisheth increase of Grace and godly honour.  
MErcy, grace, and peace from God the father almighty, unto your honours, with my most humble and reverent commendations.  
The enemy of God and man always see king like a roaring lion whom he may devour, is much at all times, but then especially to betaken heed unto, when as he himself being transformed into the angel of light, doth cloak the ministers of his mischief in a pretenced show of godliness and virtue, so that there by they be suffered of all men, and maintained of many men, to work and bring unto pass a devilish disorder, and shameful dishonesty in a Christian comen wealth.  
Wherefore, saying that in this realm preachers, officers, merchants, craft's men, labourers, and such like, be displaced of their rooms, and disappointed of their livings by those which through a pretenced name, & outward appearance, seem to be necessary and profitable ministers in a common wealth, (howbeit in their own doings may be evidently tried and known for to be sp●…ylers and disturbers of any common wealth) suredly you of the kings most honourable counsel, being the chief maiestrats and rulers in this realm, had need to be ware, circumspect and diligent, lest that Satan banishing all faithful Christians, which should and would provide to help one an other, do fill this realm full of crafty flatterers, which can and will deceive, beguile, and spoil one another.  
Truly there be no men more against Christ then those which by profession of Christian religion, and bearing of a Christian name, do rob Christ of his honour, & Christ's ministers of their livings: nor none more parilous enemies unto the king's majesty, and unto this realm, them those which have the names of Englishmen, and the kings subjects with the conditions & manners of enemies, & traitors.  
Most gracious good lords and masters, for your reverent love towards God, and the king, for your charitable pity of miserable spoiled people, and for the necessary regard of your own honours, and the state of this realm, se and consider how that ambitious covetous men, do buy and sell, take and abuse personages, prebends, offices, fees, merchandise, fermes, lands, and goods, so that prowling for themselves, they be neither afraid, nor ashamed to spoil this realm of preaching of God's gospel, of justice and equity, of cheap and plenty, and of every thing that should save, keep, or profit a common wealth.  
Wherefore most gracious good lords, and masters, for the tender mercies of God in our Saviour jesus Christ, take heed that neither servant, nor friend, retainer, nor yourselves do deceive you with flattery.  
For saying that ambitious covetous men do take, keep, and enjoy the rooms and livings of every man's vocation, both you and we be in far more danger, then if blockhouses and bulwarks made and kept of the kings faithful subjects for the safeguard of this realm, were taken and abused of such Scots or frenchmen, as making spoil for their own profit, would not spare to destroy this realm.  
There is very many rooms and livings, belonging both unto the ecclesiastical ministry, and also unto civil policy, in the which be no faithful subjects, godly diligent ministers and officers, which by doing of their duties, do save, keep and comfort the people: but covetous idolaters, which neglecting their dutye●…, and taking commodities, do disorder, spoil and destroy the people.  
Suerly●… if there be any men that go about to persuade the Kings majesty, or you of his honourable Council, that things in this realm for the mostparte be honourably, godly, or charitably reform, they be but flatterers.  
For papistry is not banished out of England by pure religion, but overrun, suppressed and kept under within this realm by covetous ambition. papistry abused ma ny things, covetousness hath destroyed more: papistry is superstition, covetousness is Idolatry. papistry afore time did obscure the kings honour, and abuse the wealth of this realm, covetousness at this time doth more abuse and decay them both, making the king bare, the people poor, and the realm miserable.  
The Kings proceedings to be red in his laws, statutes, and Iniunc●…ions be good & godly: but to be seen and known in the deeds and practices of his officers, servants, and subjects, be ungodly, shameful, wicked. For in their doings appeareth no re●…ournynge from evil unto good, by a godly reformation: but a proceeding from evil unto worse, by an uncharitable spoil, & devilish destruction.  
Lands a●…d goods be spoiled: provision made for learning and poverty, is destroyed. Ye know in whose hands this rich spoil remaineth, then can ye not be ignorant by whose means the wealth of this realm is spoiled and decayed.  
If ye will have a godly reformation 〈◊〉 to proceed, trust not the servants of Mammon, enemies unto God, and traitoures unto the king, and spoilers of the people, with the setting forth of your godly laws, statutes and ordinances, which be most contrary unto their covetous minds, and wicked deeds.  
Their minds are always evil, and their deeds be well known, when as you geu●… freely, or suffer them by brybrye to by unto themselves authority: for then, being trusted to make better provision for the poor, to erect more Grammar schools, to increase & augment the unpuersities, and to see the people taught lovingly, to reverence, serve, a●…d obey God, the king, and you: they take provision from the poor, they sell away Grammar schools, they dec●…i the universities, and they use such practices, as maketh God to be unknown, the king disobeyed, & you suspected, hated, and envy of the people.  
Take these false flatterers which have enriched themselves, making the king bare, and the people poor, restore their lands and goods unto the king, their rooms and offices unto faithful and true officers and ministers: and then shall the king be enriched, the realm unspoyled, and the people delivered from miserable captivity under cruel extortioners, unto an honest liberty under Godly governors, which shall so dispose the hearts and minds of all people, that they willingly shall be ready, not only to serve the markets with corn, but also to serve God and the king with lands and goods, bodies and lives, when and where so ever you shall command it.  
Marvel not though a faith full heart, with humble obedience and reverent love towards the kings Majesty, and you of his honourable Godly counsel, do burst a●…d pour forth a lamentable complaint of grievous sorrow conceived in seeing the king shamefully beguiled, you sore dishonoured, & the wealth of this realm utterly spoiled.  
For men do high offices unto themselves, and lands from the king: and by the only spoil that is made in common offices and upon the kings lands, both these bargains be paid for, and furthermore all such bargeyners wonderfully enriched.  
O merciful Lord, what a grief is it unto a faithful heart, having just occasion to suspect, that you lack faithful counsel to adveriyse you of the gracious working of the Lord being God, and of the frail faults of yourselves being men●…e, in all your doings: for God's grace working in you, causeth you to do honourable and Godly service to God, the king, and the common wealth, when as ye cause an ungodly bishop to be deposed. And yet shall god, the king, and the people be grievously offended, and your honours and souls so a●… endangered, if a bishop's lands or goods be divided amongst you that be godly magys●…rates to punish evil doers, as Christ's cote was divided amongst wicked soldiers, which did cruelly torment a righteous person.  
Alas most gracious reverent Lords and masters, if ye use the service, or hear the advise of false crafty flatterers, ye shall therewith be so blinded that ye can neither perceive by yourselves, nor believe when as ye be plainly and faithfully told, that many of your own doings, coming of man's freyltye, do tend much unto the displeasure of God, dishonour of the king, and discredit of yourselves, being most contrary to that reverent zeal and faithful love towards God, the king, and the comen wealth, which zeleand love god of his goodness hath graffed in your hearts, and the devil by man's freyl deeds covered in silence or coloured with praise of flatterers, laboureth to deface, pervert and destroy.  
As God which searcheth the secrets of man's heart, doth bear me record, I do suppose, and think that you do so loving lie dread God, reverence the king, and regard this realm, & your own honours, that being charged with the oversight and provision of castles, holds, and forts, made and kept for the safeguard of this realm, ye could not wittingly be hired to sell one of them unto the kings enemies, for all the treasures in the world. And yet being craftily deceived with ●…attery, ye use a dangerous practise in very many of them.  
Further be some of them slenderly assaulted at certain times of feeble enemies: and other continually besieged either with open force or crafty conveyance of fierce, cruel, and perilous enemies. And now crafty flatterers which have once served for their wages in time and place of the slender assault, do afterwards require and persuade you for that service to give them the spoil of other holds remaining continually in more danger Truly Frenchmen and Scots be but feeble enemies, and at certain times do slenderly assault castles, towers, and such manner of holds: The devil seeking like a ro ring Lion, whom he may devour, night & day, winter and summer, with a wonderful force of wicked spirits, doth ever besiege bishoprics, shires, towns, and parishes.  
If these places be not well furnished with stout and true soldiers of both the sorts (I mean both officers in civil policy, and also Prelates in Ecclesiastical ministry) or if those soldiers be unprovided of necessary livings and dew wages, then must the people needs perish and be destroyed for their own sins, and the blood of their bodies and souls required at your hands, which be charged and trusted of both God, and the king to provide soldiers to those places, and also wages and livings to maintain those soldiers continually.  
How be it now many personages, benefices, offices, and fees be sold unto covetous bribers for money, which seek nothing but the vantage of extortion, robbery and spoil, and few of them be freely given unto faithful ministers & officers for their worthiness, which could and would by diligent doing of their duty, govern, instruct and cherish god's people, the kings subjects.  
And therefore now the most part of men lacking teachers & rulers, do without grief of conscience, or fear of punishment, abuse every thing unto the ruin and destruction, which God hath ordained unto the upholding & increase of a christian common wealth.  
As for example, now buying and selling is not used as a provision for good cheap and great plenty, but made the most occasion of dearth and scarcity. Wealth and wit be not rightly used unto a common comfortable pro fit, but shamefully abused unto a wicked pri vate gain. Many offices with authority be not duly disposed unto faithful worthy men nor to do good unto other, but unlawfully bought and sold amongst covetous, ambitious men, to get gains unto themselves. So this realm is spoiled, the king is made bare, & his faithful true subjects be many of them very poor: but crafty deceivers, covetous extortioners, bribing officers, and such false flatterers be wondrous rich & wealthy.  
These Flatterers be wonders perilous fellows, having two faces under one hood. For they bear a face and show towards the people, as though by commission and commandment from you, there must be more required and taken of the people th●… ever you did mean or think: And towards you they show another face semy●…g that so much can not be found in any men's hands as must needs be procured: but that therefore the kings lands must needs be sold, which they are ready to by for their own aua●…tage, with those goods which they themselves have in their own hands, or rather with the spoil which they intent to make upon those lands. These subjects that be not ashamed to procure unto themselves such riches, that they may be buyers, and unto their liege Lord and king such need, that he must be a seller of his lands. These be in deed servants unto Mammo●…, enemies unto god, traitores unto the king, and disturbers of a common wealth turning all your godly, wise, and charitable devices for ●…ecessary provision, unto dovylish deceits, for to cause & maintain uncharitable spoils. And suredly when as occasions do serve for any men to practise their pleasures, many men of all sorts, and of the lowest sort, the most part do show themselves the worst infected with this▪ im●…yety, treason, and rebellion, the grievousness and danger of the which with occasions and means how to avoid the same, I preaching at Paul's Cross the. xiiii. day of December last passed, did there openly declare unto mine audience. And as I did then preach that Sermon as an exhortation to▪ mo●…e the people, by the acknowledging, lamenting and amending their own faults, to dese●… and receive the pardon of mercy offered unto them of both god and the king, in this long patient sufferance, so do I now here offer unto your honours, that same Sermon as an earnest complaint, to procure of you that be Gods officers, speedily correction for them that refuse to hear, regard, and obey God's word.  
Be not discouraged in this matter, with your own freylty being great, or with the number of offenders, being many. For it is not your worthiness, but God's grace, that hath placed you in high authority, and in the same authority not your own powers and polcy, but the might and wisdom of God, ●…al so strengthen and confirm you, thatyf ye will be dyltgent, ye shall be made able to deliver God's people, the kings subjects, ou●…e of the haudes of such as be Gods and the kings enemies.  
I beseech the almighty God endue you with grace, that begyuning wythyoure selves, ye may speedily proceed unto the necessary, and godly correction of other men's faults, so that ye may be established in your rooms, and increased in honour, to serve god & the king, providing for his real me in holiness & righteousness all 〈◊〉 days of yourlyves.  
By me humbly subject and faithful obedient unto your honours, Thomas Lever.   

jesus Christus  
¶ The grace of the holy ghost, proceeding from God the ●…ather, by the interces●…ion and mean of jesus Christ, so prepare your hearts, and open my mouth, that I may declare, and show, and that you may hear, understand, remember, and practise in your living, his lively word as may be most to his honour and glori and to your soul's health and comfort.  
YOu Citizens of London, & all other that be here prèfent mark, note, and remember what ye hear of me this day: for if I shall say or speak any thing that is evil, you must bear record against me of that evil. But if I do preach well and truly, than you shall understand and know yourselves to be in great danger of heinous treason towards god & the kings majesty of this realm, which be by you spoiled, and rob: god of his glory, the king of his honour, and the realm of his wealth. How beit the merciful goodness of both god and the king hath sent me hither this day, to proclaim a general pardon, intending thereby to try out and save them that have offended by simple ignorance, because the force of their mighty power is now ready and coming utterly to destroy all other that continued in wilful stobe●…es & rebellious treason. Wherefore afore the reading of my commission, I will declare that piece of scripture which appointed to be ●…d in the church as this day, will certify you that God by his scriptures hath showed the king, who be his fay●…thfull servants, and who be his enemies. This scripture is written in the. iiii. Chapter of the first epistle of. S. Paul unto the Corinthians. Sic nos estimet homo ut ministros Christi, 〈◊〉 dispensatores ministrorum d●…i. etc.  
Filioli ●…ei quos iterum parturio. Albeit I use not scrupulously the same terms, yet conveniently following the manner and phrase of scripture, I say unto you as Paul writeth unto the galatians: My dear children of whom I travel in brythe again until christ be fashioned in you, I would I now being with you might change my voice, which heretofore I have used: declaring by the word of God, that you here in England which will receive no mercy, shall feel sore vengea●…nce, which will ●…ot be saved, shallbe destroyed. This voice used here afore of me, now would I fain change. For now 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I doubt I am passed hope and allmooste in utter despair of you. Tell me you that through covetousness desire the ●…yches and wealth of this world. Have ye not heard how that he which would be a friend unto the world is made an enemy unto God, doth not Paul teach that covetousness is the root of all evil? Is it not written that covetousness is Idolatry? Have ye not red i●… the prophet Ezechiel how that he which keepeth his Idols, meaning covetousness in his heart and cometh to hear gods word, doth thereby provoke gods vengeance to his utter destruction. Paul saith and testifieth that every man which is circumcised, hath no profit by Chrys●…e, is gone quite from Christ, is fallen from grace. I say and testify unto you in the word of the Lord, that so many of you as be covetous, have no profit by the preaching of gods word. the ministration of his sacraments and the setting forth of pure religion within the realm: no ye be clean from God framing yourselves unto the fashion of this world, ye can bring forth no good fruits of charitable works nourishing the rote of all evil in your hearts, ye must needs provoke the wrath & indignation of god to your utter destruction, when as ye keep the idol of covetousness still in your minds to be honoured and served in all your doings, and yet pretend a zeal and love unto the religion of christ in your works and sayings. I would fain have had just occasion to have spoken at this time such things as might have been comfortable and pleasant for you to hear.  
But I must needs show the causes of gods wrath & indignation kindled against us, lest that those plagues should be ascribed unto the word and religion of christ set forth amongst v●…, which be procured by the wickedness of them that serving covetous Mammon, have forsaken, offended, and slandered both Christ, & Christ's word and religion. No man can serve two masters, why then do ye pr●…tend that ye be the servants of christ, saying that ye will not forsake the service of wicked Mammon? if ye be ashamed to be named, and afraid to continue the wicked servants of wicked mammon. now show and prove by your ordinary calling, faythf●…ll dealing, and godly judgement according to this example of Paul plainly painted & set forth in this epistle unto the Cor●…thiās, that ye be Christ's ministers, the servants & disposers of gods mysteries & treasures: for Paul showing himself as a good example of Christ's servants, saith: Sic nos existi●…et homo, ut ministros Christi. etc. So let a man esteem us, as the ministers of christ, & the dysposers of the secrets of god. No man can come unto Christ jesus to be his minister▪ except he be drawn of the father. The father draweth not by force violently them that be stubborn and froward, but by love them that be gentle, & come willingly▪ For when the father showeth in christ forgiveness of sins, grace of amendment▪ justification, and everlasting life, them those that make fast themselves with the band of love by desire of the same be drawn unto Chryst.  
As contrary wise when the devil showeth in fleshly lusts and worldly vanities, many voluptuous pleasures, than they that there with be entangled and delighted be drawn of the tempter away from Chryst. Take heed therefore how ye have entered into religion, professed christ▪ and received the gospel. For if ye be drawn by love of mercy, grace and ●…yghteousnes, ye come unto christ: But by the desire of riches, wealth, & voluptuousness, men be drawn and ●…ysed away from Christ.  
He therefore that by the profession of Christ, the zeal of his word, the favour of the gospel, seeketh covetous gain, or a carnal liberty, surely he is a servant of Mammon, enemy unto Christ, and a sclaunde●…er of the gospel. For he that will be the servant of Christ, must follow the example of Christ. He that will follow Christ in example of living, he must forsake himself, take his cross upon his back daily & follow Christ. So Christ's servant shallbe delivered from the bondage of sin, that he may freely & willingly contemning the vanities of the world, & mortifying the lusts of the flesh, serve christ in bearing the cross of painful diligence, to do the duty of his vocation.  
But all those that delight in a carnal liberty, or seek unlawful gains, although they be named christians and favourers of the gospel, yet be they in deed not ministers of Christ, but enemies unto Christ: not lovers of the gospel b●… slanderers of the Gospel, not justified by lively faith to be of that righteous sort for whose sakes GOD spareth and favoureth a common wealth, but deceived with a dead faith to be of that ungodly sort, for whose cause God plagueth and destroyeth many a common wealth. And now undoubtedly be we in great miseries and danger of destruction, for that we have many that be hearers, readers, and talkers of God's word, and few or none that do walk and live according to god's word: we ought truly to esteem and take them only to be ministers of Christ which for the love of mercy, grace, and righteousness showed of the father unto them in Christ, do kill the lusts of their own flesh, despise the vanities of the whole world, and forsaking their own pleasures and commodities do take the cross of painful diligence and walk after Christ in doing of their duties.  
All other that have the name and profession of christ without living and conue●…saciō according th●…rto, be feigned brethren, in feasts with Christian men to take part of their good cheer, unclean spots amongst honest company, feeding themselves without fear of god, clouds without any moisture of god's grace, tossed about with contrary winds of strange doctrine, trees passing summer time without any fruits of good works, twice dead without feeling the corruption of sin, or looking to be graffed in the stock of grace, yea rooted up from amongst the wines of the Lord, wild waves of the sea frothing forth unshame fast brags, & wandering ●…arres without constancy in judgement & opinion unto whom the dungeon of darkness is ordained for everlasting damnation.  
What marvel is it then though the vengeance of God be poured forth among●… them of such iniquity, yea & most habundantly when as his word plainly preached, is of them most wickedly abused & shamefully slandered, which say: Lord, Lord, and do not as they be commanded of the Lord. Wherefore let us say: Non nobis domine, non nobis. Not unto us o Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, not for that we by our deeds have deserved, but that thy name O christ amongst us christians may behonored, pardon our tauts, amend our lives, and endue us with grace, that the light of our good works afore men upon the earth, may cause thee to be glorified O Lord in heaven. dearly beloved in Christ for the tender mercies of god, when as ye see carnal gospelers, covetous idolaters, grieving your consciences, slandering Christ's religion, and damning their own souls, do not of malice contemn disdain and renyle them, but of charitable pity, lament, sorrow, and pray for them, which blinded with ignorance know not themselves, deceived with the devil, be drawn from Christ, comfort and salvation, unto everlasting death and damnation. Say and pray for them: O lord suffer not the enemy thus to lead into captivity our fellows thy servants, our brethren thy children, O christ restore unto liberty them that y● hast redeemed with thy precious blood, so that we may alto●…ether drawn of the father, received of the son, and gided of the holy ghost, be ministers of christ in liberty of the gospel, delivered from sin free lie to delight and take pleasure in a godly conversation all the days of our life. Now let us after this taking of the ministry of christ, which pertaineth generally unto all christians, speak of the dysposers of God's mysteries, wherein we may consider severally every man's vocation.  
Paul did dispose the secrets of God by the preaching of the Gospel, which was ever secretly hid from the witty, wise, and learned in the world. Other men in other vocations must dispose other treasures of God by other means. As the magistrate by authority must dispose the punishment of vice, & the maintenance of virtue.  
The rich man by liberality, must dispose relief and comfort unto the poor and needy. The Merchant by buying and selling, and the crafts man by his occupation, must provide unto the common wealth of necessary wares, sufficient plenty. The landelorde by letting of fermes must dispose unto the tenants necessary lands, and houses of an indifferent rent. The houshandmen by tilling of the ground and keeping of cattle, must dispose unto their landlords, due rents, and unto themselves & other, both corn, and other vitals. So every man by doing of his duty must dispose unto other that commodity and benefit, which is committed of god unto them to be disposed unto other, by the faithful and diligent doing of their du●…yes.  
The treasures of the Lord be unmeasurable, his heart is liberal, there can be therefore no lack amongs his people, if his stewards unto whom the disposing of his gifts be committed, be true and faithful. This therefore saith Paul, is required in a steward, that he be faithful. Who think▪ ye, saith Christ, is a faithful and a wise stewa●…de whom the Lord setteth over his hous●…holde to give them a due measure of the wheat of necessaries in time convenyente? Blessed is that servant whom the Lord when he cometh, shall find so doing: verily▪ I say unto you that he will make him lord of all that ever he hath. Behold the faithfulness of the lords steward consisteth in diligent providing and ministering unto the lords family any such things as be necessary. The reward of such faithfulness is to be put in trust with all that his Lord & master hath. Then who can delyre a better master than the Lord God or a higher room than a stewardshyppe in the house of Christ, or a greater reward then to have all the treasures of God which be an hundred fold passing any man's deserving here, and furthermore everlasting life. O that men would consider the goodness of God, the worthiness of their offices, the comfortable fellowship of the household of Christ, and the joyful reward of the crown of glory, and so be faithful stewards and dysposers of the manifold gifts of God: And not being bleared and blinded with covetousness, deserve to be cut of from the company of christians, & to have their por●…ion with hypocrites, whereas shallbe wayl●…ng and gnashing of teeth. For that the greedy worm gnawing ●…he conscience never dieth, and the flaming fire of untolerable vengeance shallbe never quenched.  
O brethren, God hath given great plenty, and we in England find great lack: therefore the st●…wards of God be unfaithful. Who be gods stewards? They that have gods gifts. surely no man hath all the gifts of God, and every man hath some gifts of God. Then if all things be lacking, yet can no one man deserve all the blame, but every man shall be found faulty for that which is amiss, for lack of his duty.  
Do ye perceive that the laity is either altogether ignorant and blind, or else having knowledge to speak fair, hath no learning to do well? Then surely the clergy hath not been faithful in preaching of gods word earnestly, in s●…son and out of season to reprove, beseech and blame, in all patience and token, or discipline. Do ye see the clergy hath not wherewithal to maintain learning, to relieve the poor, to keep hospitality, and too find themselves? Then truly hath not the laity sufficiently provided that they which preach the Gospel, should live on the Gospel, and that they which sow spiritual treasures, might reap corporal necessaries.  
Do ye see that they which be in authority have not been regarded and obedientli served? Then the common people have not done their duties, dysobeying any man placed in authority by god's ordinance. Do ye see the people have had injuries and ye●… the●…r complaints negligently heard and long delayed? then have the higher powers omitted righteousness and judgement, which will be required at their hands of the Lord.  
Do ye see that in all manner of things there is some lack of that which is very necessary? Then be ye sure that all manner of men do leave or misuse some part of their duty.  
Q●…is potest dicere: mundum est cor meum, purus sum a peccato.  
No man can say: my heart is clean, I am pure without faults. Therefore s●…ynge that w●… be all guilty, Let us not envy, grudge, or 〈◊〉▪ deign one an others faults, but every one acknowledge, lament, and 〈◊〉 own faults.  
Do not triumph and be glad when ye 〈◊〉 that other men's faults be noted or rebuked, but be most certain and sure, that except ye ●…de ye repent and amend, ye shall every one be likewise served. If ye have not those same faults which ye hear by the preacher noted & rebuked, yet if you take pleasure and be glad to hear other men's e●…vis, he sure that even that pleasure taking is a fault, which God hateth and will punish.  
Therefore when ye hear any mann●… faults spoken of, be sorry for them, and take heed to your selves: so shall you thereby get good and they have no harm. If ye so do at this time, I may the more boldly examine and try the faithfulness of some stewards and disposers of God's gifts.  
And for the better trial & assurance of their fydely●…e I note two things to be required: first that a steward or disposer be, Quem constituit dominus, whom the Lord assigneth and maketh: and secondarily, Vt det cibu●… in tempore, that he use to feed and cheryche, and not to deuou●…e and hurt them of the lords family. For the first part it is to be noted, that every man in the time of his admission, when he shall be put into his office, is set on the hill of consideration and advisement: where as the Lord Christ to those which he admitteth, showeth that the harvest is great, the labourers b●…fewe, great pains must be taken that much good may be done: vile rebukes & grievous afflictions here to be suffered, be the signs & tokens of great rewards in heaven for them prepared. The enemy of Christ Sa●…an unto those which he would deceive showeth all the glory of the world, promising to give it a reward presently unto all the that will worship him falling down at his feet, in flattery, craft, and iniquity.  
Christ the Lord endueth with will and habily●…ye to take pains to do good, those which he bringeth in at the door to be shepherds of the fold and stewards of the house: the devil the enemy of christ cloaketh in sheep skins of solemn titles to get gains, those which he con●…yeth not in at the door, but over an other way to destroy the flock, and rob the house.  
Therefore if thy room be benefice prebend, office or authority in a christian commonalty within God's house, and if thou be brought in at the door of ordinary and lawful calling, by painful diligence to do good, thou mayest be a faithful steward in that place: but if thou be brought in over and besides all ordinary and lawful calling, by covetous ambition to get gains, then must thou needs be a thief and robber: for Christ which so saith can be no liar. I mean if thou by money or fryndshyp have bought either benefice or office, thou can●… not be of Christ's iustitution, but of the Dyvylles intrusion, not a faithful dysposer, but a thievish extortioner of God's gifts. For Christ saith plainly that he which entereth not in at the door, but climbeth over an other way, is a thief and a robber, and the thief cometh not but to steal, murder, and to destroy.  
The door which is Christ himself, can never be entered in at ●…y either ●…rendshyd or money.  
Sum perauētur●… will be offended not because I speak against the bi●…ge of benefices, which be spiritual charges, but for that I also include the buying and selling of offices, which as they say, be temporal promotions. As for benefices ye know so well, that I need not to stand about the declaration or proof in them.  
No, I am sure that ye perceive how that through the abuse of one benefice, the devil oft times is sure to have many souls.  
first the patron for his presentation, than the bishop or admission, the person for his unworthiness and a great many of the parish that be lost for lack of a good Persons duty.  
But now as conce●…nyng the biing of offices, to come thereby unto the room of an auditor, Suru●…our chancellor, or any such like, surely no man will attempt it, but he which is so covetous and ambyciou●…e that he doth neither dread God nor love man. Whereof cometh the buying of offices but of covetousness how then can that be a good fruit which 〈◊〉 out of the root of all evil? Is not every christian common wealth the fold of Christ's sheep, the house of his family? be not then all officers in a Christian common wealth named by God's word sheppeherdes of the fold, and stewards of the family of christ? O Lord what shall we then say to excuse them that by and sell offices within England? Shall we say those offices be no rooms and places ordained of God for his faithful stewards, therein to dispose his treasures and benefits? or that the vile slaves of wicked Mammon for their bribery may lawfully be promoted unto those rooms which be ordained of God to his holy servants for their fidelity? If we say that the offices be not meet for God's servants, than we confess that the officers which be in them be gods enemies. If we say that they be ordained for the faithful servants of God, how can we think that they may be bought unto the bryb●…nge servants of wicked mammon? Let us not seek excuses to cloak sin, no let every man be known to be a ly●… and specially, they that say: One man can serve two masters, Mammon in giving or taking of bribes, and GOD in faithful doing of duty. Let God be justified when ye find his word true, which plainly affirmeth that they which clime into a common office of Christ'S fold by the help of Mammon in at the window of bribery, be thieves and robbers, coming to steal, murder and destroy.  
O that no man in this fault were guilty, then might I be sure that no man would be offended. But & if any man be grieved because his sore is touched, let him remember the saying of the wise man: Meliora sunt vulnera diligentis, quam fraudulenta oscula odientis: the wounds of the lover be better than the deceitful kisses of the hater. For the wounds which the friend openeth, be to ●…le old sores: and the deceitful kisses of the enemies be to make new wounds. I speak plainly to open the ●…ounde▪ ●…o root out and heal the disease of covetousness, which would be to the wounded and to every man, c●…mfort. They that by flattery do covet, kiss, and plaster this deep wound, do seek their own gain to the utter damnation of the wounded, and to good men's great grief, yea and to the great dysquyetinge of a common wealth: making no difference betwixt the lords servants, and the Lords enemies. For without doubt, Non 〈◊〉 quem constituit dominus.  
He is none of the lords appointment or admission, which 〈◊〉 in to an office by bribing, Money, or flattering petition. buying of an office is an eu●…dente token of vnfayeth●…uines. He that is once known by that token and mark, should be thrust out of the lords fold, Ne furetur, mactet, et perdat, least that he rob, kill, and destroy. But now by the second note to try whether that the steward and dysposer of god's treasures be faithful or not, see whether that he be 〈◊〉 feather o●… devourer. He that feedeth, is faithful: he that devoureth, is unfaithful. What doth he which is unfaithful? devour god's sheep, Christian people, the kings subjects, A dangerous matter, which if it be spoken of, will procure displeasure: and if be it not remedied, will procure God's vengeance. surely brethren, I think God would never have caused me to have meddled with this dangerous matter, but that he will give me grace m●…e patiently to suffer the loss of mine own life, than the damnation of your souls.  
For if I lose my life here, I shall find▪ it in heaven. But if you be dampened, & I being a watchman, and seeing your damnation coming, do not give warning, you shall be taken in your own sins, and your blood required at my hands. If I give warning, and you take heed, god's indignation shallbe appeased, and both we saved. Therefore I being a watchman and by the light of god's word spying that the abomination of idolatrous covetousness hath kindled the indignation of God, to consume and destroy the people of this realm, do c●…ye out against England by the voice of the Prophet: Abiecerunt ●…egem domini, they have cast away the law of the lord, every one framing himself unto the fashion of this world: ●…loquium sa●…cti Israel blaspheme averunt. They have blasphemed the word of the holy one of Israel, by their abominable living. Ideo incensus est furor domini in populum suum: therefore is the indignation of God kindled against his people. Therefore doth all run at six and seven, from evil unto worse: therefore doth god's word take no place to do good, but is unthankfully refused, which causeth more harm. Is gods word received in England because it is plainly preached and taught, or refused and forsaken because it is not obeyed & followed? Be we in better case than we have been afore time because papistry amongst us is kept under, or else worsethen ever we were because covetousness reigneth at liberty? That which papystry abused, hath not covetousness destroyed? is not papistry superstition, & covetousness idolatry? Then I b●…ch you be not we well amended that be come from abusing to destroying, from superstition to idolatry? And hath not God given unto us at the bynyshing of superstition, comfortable plenty of his holy word, and by the suppressing of abbeys exceeding abundance of all manner of lands, riches, and treasures? And now where is it all become? surely it is much spent, wasted and lost by evil officers, unfaithful disposers, which be in deed devourers. S●… therefore howeye have offended god, beguiled the king, spoiled the realm, and indaūger●…d yourselves to be accused, condemned, & suffer as most vile heinous traitors to God, the king, & to the common wealth. Wherefore whiles ye have time, before ye be condemned, Sacrificate sacrificium iu●…itie, & sperate in domino. Off●… a sacrifice of righteousness, makig restitu●…ion of the which ye have wrongfully gotten: then trust in the Lord, and he will sh●…w mercy, providing you pardon and safeguard, unto every man's comfort. Here I naming no man, do mean almost every man: for every man hath some treasures of the lords to dispose, and none is so faithful that he may be able to stand unto the trial, entering with the Lord in to judgement. Therefore I advertise both ministers of the clergy, officers in authority, and other people of every degree, to acknowledge their faults, and make restitution to the vtterm●…st of their power. First unto the clergy, I say: there is none of you all having so much learning, wit, and diligence, as is possible to be in one man, that can do more than one m●…ns duty: why then do ye take and keep, some four or five men's livings? I do not think that every man is worthy blame that hath a great living, nor to be praised that hath a little living. For as God hath given some more excellent gifts of learning, wit and policy, so hath he provided for the same better living with higher authority: howbeit no man may promote himself to proceed from a mean living unto a better, quia nemo sibi su●… met honorem, for no man may prefer himself unto honour, nisi qui a deo vocatus est, but he which for his fyd●…lytie in a little, is called of God to be trusted with more. But it is not a good reason to say that because an honest man for his fydelyty is called of God from the less unto the more, therefore a covetous man through greediness, may keep less and take more, and so join three or four of them together to make divers parishes in divers shires, all one man's living. The Prophet crieth: we vobis qui coniungitis domum ad do mum, & agrum agro copulatis. Woe be unto you that yoine house to house and knit filed unto field. What rehearseth he no more but houses and fields? No, for there was never such abomination in the prophets times as to join parish to parish, prebend to benefices, and Dean●…yes unto knights lands. I pray God that some of them if they be worthy men in wisdom, learning and judgement, may be promoted unto worthy rooms, & that those meaner livings which they have heaped together to fill one purse, being so far dystante in place and conditions that they can never be well served of one man's duty, may be divided and disposed unto meaner men: which being more fit for these livings, may do more good with them.  
I hear some complain and say that all things be now so chargeable that one benefice is not able to find one honest man. And if ye inquire of the same men whom they k●…pe and find in tehyr benefice they themselves being absent, they will say a learned curate, and a diligent farmer both honest men. O wicked worldlings condemned by your own words. The whole benefi●…e if you should therewith be content lying upon it, and look for no more, would not find one man.  
But when ye have gotten other promotions besides that, to lie in another place from it, than a small portion of it doth serve two honest men which ye leave in your absence. Hark you that have three or four benefices, I will say the best for you that can be spoken: Thou liest always at one of thy benefices, thou art absent always from three of thy benefices: thou keepest a good house at one of thy benefices, thou keepest no house at three of thy benefices, thou dost thy duty at one of thy benefices, thou dost no duty at three of thy benefices. Thou seemest to be a good man in one place, and in deed thou art found nought in three places. Woe be unto you worse than scribes and Phariseis hypocrites, which shut up the kingdom of heaven afore men, keeping the parish so that neither you enter in yourself, neither suffer them that would enter in and do their duty, to have your rooms and commodities. Woe be unto you dumb Dogs, choked with benefices, so that ye be not able to open your mouths to bark against pluralities, improperations, buying of vousons, nor against any evil abuse of the clergies livings. No, for you yourselves might go a begging it livings that be ordained for the clergy were not abused, but restored and bestowed upon them only that doth the cleargyes duty. Therefore you be the inventors and procurers of ungodly statutes, and devilish devices, to give Lords chaplains whyehe ought to live upon their master's wages, authority to live upon the spoil of divers parishes. Ad 〈◊〉 u●…stram dico, I speak to make you ashamed of your selves. If gentlemen that be lords servants might obtain of the king and his counsel placardes or warrants to keep a standy●…g upon shooters hill, Salesbury plain, or n any thievish place, to take men's purses by the way, should not this be robbery and shameful abomination to be maintained by laws, statutes and authority? What should a young ge●…telman be ashamed to rob one rich man's purse of forty shillings once in his life? & an ancient prelate not once blush which robbeth divers poor parishes of forty pounds yearly all the days of his life. You pestilent prelate's which by flattery poison the high powers of authority, be ye neither afraid nor ashamed to make the Kings majesty, his laws and your lords and masters which should be the ministers of justice and equity, to be the defenders and maintainers of your ungodly robbery, Your example and flattery hath caused the great men and rich men to take to themselves the vantage and profits, and give ●…nto their children being ignorant babes, the names and lytles of Personages, Prebends, Archedeaconryes', and of all manner of offices. For even aswell may the Lord that cannot, as the doctor that will not do his duty, take the profits to himself, and leave a hireling unto the parish: and yet both be nought. O that it would please God to open the eyes of the higher powers too perceive what good doctrine, nay what devilish disorder is taught by them that be double and triple beneficed. For their example teacheth, and their preaching can never dissuade, to set and ordain rich robbers and ignorant teachers over the christian congregation, god's people, the kings subjects: yea and as for civil order in all offices, ambitious covetous men learning at them, take the solemn titles and good fees unto themselves, and leave their duties unto other, so to be neglected & abused, as causeth all discord and disobedience. For who but officers. should set good order, and make quietness? And how can he set any good order, which placeth himself in ten men's rooms? or make other to be quiet with nothing, that will never quiet himself with any one living? Yea how can he be but a maker of business that thrusteth many men out of their livings? But for all this the flatterer wy●… say that there is a great number of them that hath▪ many men's livings in their hands, which do much good with them, yea and be liberal gentlemen, very good officers and godly preachers. But wot ye what the scripture saith: they be Canes impudentissimi, nescientes saturitatem, Unshamefaste dogs, knowing no measure of greedy getting.  
Der●…linquentes rectam viam err●…uerunt secuti viam Baalam filii Bosor, Leaving the right way of proceeding unto greatefees by faithful diligence in doing worthy duties, do stray in covetousness, following Baalam the son of Bosor. Leaving the reward of cursed in wicked craft, O take heed of Balaam you that love the reward of iniquity, a reward for ●…ntsyng the people, whom god would have blessed. A fee for ke ping those offices unto yourselves which god amongst the people would have executed. Can ye say any more for yourselves then Balam did? S●… dederit michi Balaac domum suam▪ 〈◊〉 argenti & ●…uri, If Balaac would give unto me his housefull of silver and gold, I cannot change the word of the lord my God, to speak more or les. Can ye do any better in the sight of the world than Balaam did upon the hills, even as the lord did command him and none otherwise? & yet loving the reward of iniquity being a Prophet, was rebuked of a bruit beast: as you being wise men ought to learn at a foolish Ass not to overburden and load yourselves with far more th●…ye a●… able to bear. surely it is an ungodly & wicked desire of you, to look for a reward both of god for doing of your duty and also of Mammon for taking upon you far more than ever ye be able for to discharge. Balaam sought how too get thanks of God and a reward of Baala●…, and in so doing he lost the favour of God, the reward of Balaac, and caused the people too sin, so that the vengeance of God did sore plague the Israelites, and utterly destroyed Baalam and Balaac & all their sort. And when as you by heaping of livings together, do seek to get the wealth of the world, and also the favour of god by pretending to do so many duties as no man is able to perform, ye lose the favour of god, & ye shall be deceived of the world, & bring such iniquity amongst the people as shall provoke the indignation of god to plague them, and to destroy you. O for the tender mercies of god in our saviour jesus Christ, although I rush & fret your legs upon the hedge and pales of gods vencyarde, and speak plainly being but a very ass in comparison of your wisdom, cunning, & experience, yet I beseech you dear brethren be assured that I speak not of malice but of pity, not of envy, but of fear: for I see evidently the angel of the Lord with a sword of vengeance red ye to destroy you if ye do not stay, but proceed in this ungodly way: See and behold, Nisi conversi fueritis, gladium suum acuit, arcum suum tetendit et par avit illum, except ye turn, he the Lord hath whet his sword, he hath bent his bow, and made it ready with deadly darts. surely brethren this heaping together of livings maketh you to have so many things to do, that ye can do no thing well: it is the ready way not to edify but to destroy. Wherefore if ye cannot espy your own faults in yourselves, yet look one at another: look you of the laity at them of the clergy, that seeing the motes in their eyes, ye may learn to pull the boames out of your own eyes. Do ye not see how that they of ●…he clergy by heaping together many livings, have caused many poor parishes to pay their tithes that lack their persons? Do ye not see how that prebends which were godly founded as most convenient and necessary linings for preachers to help the bishops and the persons too instruct the people, be now ungodly abused to corrupt the bishops and the persons that rather seek the vantage of good prebends to enrich themselves, than the help of godly preaches, to instruct God's people? Do ye not see how these providers of pluralities having the cure of Christian souls in the parish, and sheepfold of christ, do leave the flock and take the spoil to spend in Noble men's houses▪ where as they do see that the keeper of horses in the stable, of cattle in the field, and of dogs in the kennel, doth live on his master's wages, and not on the pillage of his ●…re. O ye noble men do ye give unto the keepers of your horses, cattle, and dogs, wages, least that they should sell your horses, kill your cattle, or ●…eye your dogs to live upon the skins: and will ye allow your chaplains no wages, but cause cheym to live upon the murder and spoil of the innocent Lambs of God, redeemed and bought with Christ's precious blood? Do ye see how by these servants of Mammon, enemies of christ, greedy wolves in Lamb skins, the parishes be spoiled, the people untaught, God unknown, his lively word set gracy●…uslye forth by the kings proceedings, is ungraciously suspected, hated, and abhorred of the ignorant people?  
You of the laity, when ye see these small motes in the eyes of the clergy, take heed too the great beams that be in your own eyes. But alas I fear least that ye have no eyes at all. For as hypocrisy and superstition doth blear the eyes:  
So covetousness and ambition doth put the eyes clean out. For if ye were not stark blind ye would see and be ashamed that where as thirty ●…unne belied monks given to gluttony filled their pawnches, kept ●…p their house and ●…elyued the whole country round about them, there one of your greedy gu●…es deu●…wrynge the whole house and making great pillage throughouce the country, cannot be satisfied.  
If ye had any eyes, ye should see and be ashamed to confess that if some of you should not have many offices, there would not be men enough found, to put in every office one man, meet and able by doing of their duties to serve the king, and take good order amongst the people, where as there is a great number too many of your sort which think your selves meet and worthy by taking many Offices in hand, too burden the king and the people with all fees and charges belonging unto every office: yea and fu●…ermore to require personages, prebends, Dean●…yes and any manner of living due unto the ecclesiastical ministry, to be given unto you for serving the King in taking the vantage of many, and doing the duties of few offices belonging unto civil policy.  
If ye had any eyes ye should see and be ashamed that in the great aboundannce of lands and goods taken from abbeys, Colleges and chantries for to serve the king in all necessaries, & charges, especially in provision of relief for the poor, & for maintenance of learning the king is so disappointed, that both the poor be spoiled, all maintenance of learning decayed, and yovonly en ryched. But for because ye have no eyes to see with, I will declare that you may hear with yours cares▪ and so perceive and know, that where as God and the king hath been most liberal to give and bestow; there you have been most unfaithful to dispose and deliver. For according unto god's word and the knges pleasure, the universities which be the schools of all god lines and virtue, should have been nothing decayed, but much increased and ameuded by this reformation of religion.  
As concerning god's word for the upholding and increase of the universities, I am sure that no man knowing learning and virtue doth doubt. And as for the kings pleasure it did well appear in that he established 〈◊〉 the vnyu●…rsityes all Priuileg●… granted afore his time, and also 〈◊〉 all manner of payments requyr●…d of the clergy, as tithes, and first fruits, the universities be ex●…ted. Yea and the kings majesty 〈◊〉 that dead is, did give unto the universities of cambridge ●…t one time, two hundred pounds yearly to the exhibition and finding of five learned men, to read and teach dyvynitye, law, physic, Greek and Ebrue.  
At an other time. thirty. pound yearly In liberam et puram 〈◊〉. In fire & pure alms. And finally for the foundation of a new College so much as should serve to build it, and replenyshe it with more Scholars and 〈◊〉 ●…nges th●… any other College in the university afore that time ha●….  
By the which every man may perce●…ue that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…yng ●…nye things▪ and ●…nge nothing from the vni●…▪ was very desirous to have 〈◊〉 increased and a ●…nded 〈◊〉 all 〈◊〉 that have know●…n the unyversitye of 〈◊〉 sense▪ that time that it did first begin to r●…ue these great and manyefolde benefits from the kings majesty, at your hands, have ●…uste occasion to suspect that you have deceived both the king and university, to enrich yourselves. For before that you did begin to be the disposers of the kings liberality towards learning and poverty, there was in houses be longing unto the university o●… cambridge, two hundred students of divinity, many very well learned: which be now all clean gone, house and man, young toward scholars, and old fatherly●… Doctors, not one of them left: one hundred also of an other sort that having rich friends or being beneficed men did live of themselves in Ostles and Inns be either gone away, or else feign to creep into Colleges, and put poor men from bare livings. Those both be all gone, and a small number of poor godly diligent students now remaining only in Colleges be not able to tarry and continue their study in the university for lack of exhibition and help. There be divers there which rise daily betwixt four and five of the clock in the morning, and from five until two of the clock, use common prayer with an exhortation of god's word in a common chapel, and from sixth unto ten of the clock use ever either private study or commune lectures. At ten of the clock they go to dinner, where as they be content▪ with a penny piece of byefe amongst. iiii. having a few porridge made of the broth of the same byefe, with salt and otemell, and nothing else.  
After this slender dinner they be either teaching or learning until v. of the clock in the evening, when as they have a supper not much better than their dinner. Immedyat●…lye after the which, they go either to reasoning in problems or unto some other study, until it be nine or ten of the clock, and there being without fire are fain to walk or run up and down half an hour, to get a heat on their feet when they go to bed.  
These be men not weary of their pains, but very sorry to leave their study: and sure they be not able some of them to continue for lack of necessary exhibition & relief. These be the living saints which serve god taking great pains in abstinence, study, labour and diligence, with watching and prayer. Wherefore as Paul, for the say tes and brethren at Jerusalem, so I for your brethren and saints at cambridge most humbly beseech you make your collections amongst you tych Marchaunies of this city, and send them your oblations unto the university, so shall ye be sure to please God, to comfort them, and provide learned men to do much good throughout all this realm. Yea and truly ye be debtors unto them: For they have sown amongst you the spiritual treasures of god's wdrde, for the which they ought to reap of you again corporal necessaries. But to return unto them that should better have provided for learning and poverty in all places, but especially in the universities.  
Look whether that there was not a great number of both learned & poor that might have been kept, maintained, and relieved in the vuiversities: which lacking all bealpe or comfort, were compelled to forsake the univeclitye, leave their books, & seek their living abroad in the country? Yea & in the country many Grammar Schools founded of a godly intent to bring up poor men's sons in learning and virtue, now be taken awye by reason of the greedy covetousness of you that were put in trust by God, and the king to erect and make grammar schools in many places: And had neither commandment nor permission to take away the scholmasters living in any place, moreover much charitable alms was there in many places yearly to be bestowed in poor towns and parishes upon god's people, the kings subjects: which alms to the great displeasure of god and dishonour of the king, yea and contrary to god's word and the kings laws, ye have taken away. I know what ye do say and brag in some places: that ye have done as ye were commanded with as much charity and liberality towards both poverty and learning, as your commission would bear and suffer.  
Take heed whom ye slander, for God's word, and the kings laws and statutes be open unto every man's eyes, and be every commission directed according unto them, ye both might and should have given much where as ye have taken much away.  
Take heed unto the kings statutes, the acts of parliament, there ye shall find that the Nobles and commons do give, and the King doth take into his hands Abbeys Colleges and chantries, for erecting of Grammar schools, the godly bringing up. of youth, the farther augmenting of the universities, and better provision for the poor. This shall ye find in thee, Acts of parliament, in the Kings statutes: but what shallbe found in your practise ●…nd in your deeds? Surely the pulling down of grammar schools, the devilish drowning of youth in ignorance, the utter decay of the universities, and most vncha●…table spoil of provision, that was made for the poor.  
Was it not a godly and charitable provision of the King to give unto the university two hundred pounds yearly for excellent Readers? three hundred pounds yerelye in pure alms, and many hundred pounds also to the foundation and erection of a new College? And was it not a devilish devise of you to turn all this the kings bountuouse liberality into improperations of benefices, which be papistical and uncharitable spoils of most necessary provision for poor parishes? Intelligite insipientes in popu●… lo, et stulti aliquando s●…pite.  
Learn understanding you that play unwise parts amongst the people, and you fools once wax wise. Qui plantavit aurem non audiet?  
He that set the ears, shall h●… not hear the sorrowful complaint of poor parishes, against you that have by improperations clean taken away hospitality, and much impaired the due livings of gods ministers, the people's instructoures and teachers Qui figure at ●…culum non considerate? he that fashioned the eye, doth he not behold how that the best lands of abbeys, colleges & chantries be in your hands, and evil improperations conveyed to the king and to the universities & bishops lands? Qui corripit gentes non arguet?  
He that corrected and punisheth the heathen lacking the light of god's word for the only abuse of natural reason, will he not reprove and condemn you which have good reasonable wits, gods only word, the kings laws, and statutes: and much power & authority given unto you to edify and do good, seeing it is abused of you to destroy and do hurt? Should not you have amended the provision for the poor, the education of youth, and the condition of the universities? And be they not by you sore hurt and dekayed? The king should and would have reform religion. The first part of reformation is to restore and give again all such things as have been wrongfully taken and abused. surely the Abbeys did wrong fully take and abuse nothing so much as the improperations of benefices. Nothing is so papistical as improperations of benefices be: they be the Pope's darlynges & paramours, which by the devilish device of wicked Balaamytes, be set a broad in this realm to cause the learned men of the universities and all bishops that be godly men, the Pope's enemies, to commit spiritual fornication with them. Why did God destroy the Madianytes but for their sin? Why did he plague the Israelyt●…s but for 〈◊〉 same 〈◊〉? Why did God cause the Abeyes to be d●…stroyed, but for papistical abuses? And why should not god plague the universities and bishops keeping and meddeling with improperations, that be the same papistical & devilish abuses?  
O what a bloody day shall it be: when as for this abomination this spiritual fornication, God shall command his faithful servant Moses the kings majesty to take and hang all the rulers of the people that have wit●…ynglye suf●…ed th●…se whorish Madyanytes these popish abuses? And cause a zealous Phinees to shed the heart blood of him that before Moses and many Israelites▪ before a high justice and many people, taketh a Madianite into his tent, an improperation into his inheritance? But now brethren as Peter preached unto the jews: Nunc fr●…res scio quod per ignorantiam 〈◊〉. Now brethren I know that you have done this through ignorance: for the Lord which foreseeth all things, knoweth that if you had not been blinded with ignorance, ye could never for pity have executed his indignation and wrath in making such destruction. saying therefore that it was God's pleasure thus by one evil to punish another, now repent, and amend, that your faults may be pardoned. It pleased God by the blind malice of the jews, to nail christ jesus upon the cross: and yet as many of them as hearing that mart●…r opened by Peter were grieved and pr●…ted in conscience, so many said unto Peter, and to the other Apostles What shall we do? The Apostoli●…al counsel was: Agite pen●…, recipiscite. Repent & amend. So dear brethren hearing and knowing that God hath used your greedy covetousness to destrye Abbeys▪ Colleges, and chantries▪ and to plague all this realm, be grieved and sorry in your hearts, saying that ye have been▪ ●…saire, instruments of wrath to execute vengeance: and purge yourselves of this vile covetousness, then shall ye from henceforth be 〈◊〉 honoris vessels of honour, to serve God, in 〈◊〉 et justicia in holiness and righteousness all the days of your life.  
And now on the other part, you that be of the commonalty, when ye feel that any plague or punishment cometh by thiem that be ●…ette over you in office, and aucthory●…ye, know that they do it not of them selves, but be moved and stirred of God, to work his wrath upon you. For when as God was disposed with the israelites, than his displeasure caused david their king to take that way that brought a pestilence amongst the people, whereon died. lxx. thousand: Addidit▪ furor domini ●…ras ci contra Israel, commou●…tque david. The indignation of the Lord waxed hot against Israel, & he stirred up david. What kindled the indignation of God, but the sins of the people? The sins of the people did kindle the indignation of the Lord: the lords indignation stirred up david in presumption. David's presumptuousness caused the people to die on the pestilence. And even as then God ordained that christ should be crucified by the malicious blindness of the jews, the Israelites plagued by the presumption of david:  
So hath he ordained that England should be spoiled with greedy covetous officers. Look then, what hath made this great spoil in England? greedy covetousness of officers. What did make in them such greedy covetousness? the indignation of God. What kindled gods indignation? the sins of the people. What was the sin of the people? Eloqu●…um sancti Israel, blasphe●…auerunt. They have blasphemed the holy word of GOD, calling it new learning and heretical doctrine: Ideo iratus est furor domini. And therefore is the wrath of the Lord kindled. Now you people which ●…ry & say that you are rob and spoiled of all that ye have: Would ye have this which ye call robbing & spoiling to be ceased? Then quench the indignation of god which doth cause and make it. If ye will quench the indignation of God, hody si uo●…m ●…ius ●…dieritts. To day, even now if ye shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation in the day of temptation. Hard hearts, stay●…e necks, disobedient minds, provoke, tempt, and stir up the indignation of God.  
truly the indignation of God shall never be quenched, until that you with tender hearts, humble, obedient, and thankful minds, receive, embrace, and conform yourselves unto the holy word of God set forth by the Kings majesty his gracious proceedings.  
There is as yet more stiff necked stubbornness, dievellysh disobedience, and greedy covetousness in one of you of the common sort that keepeth this great swelling in the heart, having no occasion to set it forth in excercise, then is in ten of the worst of them that being in office and authority, have many occasions to open and show them selves what they be.  
When did ever any officers in authority show such rebellious proud minds, as was of late plain lie perceived in very many of the commonalty? I put the case that they be so covetous, that one of their gredi guts hath swallowed up a whole Abbey, house, lands and goods, And if you had had powers unto your wills, ye had devoured whole countries, houses and goods, men and beasts, corn and cattle, as ye did begin.  
Some of them keepeth their fermes in their own hands, and many of you keep your own Corn in your own barns. Yea marry, why should we not keep our corn in our own barns? Forsooth ye no we may not keep it for dread of God, obedience to the Kings majesty, and pity of your poor neighbours: For God sayeth: Qui abscondi●… frumenta, maledic●…tur in populis: benedictio autem super caputuendencium: He that hideth up corn, shall be accursed amongst the people: but blessing shal●…e upon their heads that bringeth it forth to the markets to sell. Here ye hear the ●…lessynge and curse of God.  
Ye know the kings gracious proclamation, ye may perceive your neighbours need, by their miserable complaint. And yet neither God by blessing and cursing, neither the king by proclamation & commission, neither the ●…ore by praying and paying, can cause you to serve the Markets with corn. But let god's word, the Kings laws, honest order, and chartable provision be put forth of all marketts towns by wicked Mammon, and let him only keep the Markets and set prizes for your purposes, & without doubt every market shallbe full of all manner of Corn and victuals coming in on all sides.  
O wicked servants of Mammon▪ always both enemies and traitors to GOD and the king and the common wealth. Is it God or Mammon that hath made the Corn to spring, and given you plenty? If ye say Mammon, than ye confess plainly whose servants ye be, what idolatry ye use. If ye say God, How dare ye confess him in your words and deny him in your deeds? Why do ye not bring forth god's corn unto god's people, at god's commandment? Why be ye not faithful disposers of God's treasures? Well, he that hath no corn thinketh he hath no part, nor is not guilty in this matter: but I can tell that there is many of them, that neither hath nor will have corn, which make corn most dear. I have heard how that even this last year, there was certain Acres of corn growing on the ground bought for. viii. pounds: he that bought it for. viii. sold it for. x. He that gave. x. pounds, sold it to an other above. xii. pounds: and at last, he that carried it of the ground, paid. xiiii. pounds. Likewise I heard, that certain quarters of malt were bought after the price of. iii. shillings. iiii. pence a quarter to be delivered in a certain market town upon a certain day. This bargain was so oft bought and sold before the day of deliverance came, that the same Malt was sold to him that should receive it there and carry it away, after. vi. s. a. quarter. Look and see how much a crafts man or any other honest man that must spend corn in his house, by this manner of bargaining, payeth, and how little the husband man that tilleth the ground, and payeth the rent, receiveth: Tenterhook ye may see & perceive it must needs be hard for either of them to keep a house, the crates man pay●… so much, & the husbandman taking so little.  
There is a like manner of barganing of them that be lease-mongers, for lease-mongers make the tenants to pay so much, and the landlord to take so little▪ that neither of them is well able to keep house. I hear say that wit●… a few miles of London an honest gentleman did let his ground by lease unto poor honest men after. two. s. iiii. d. an 〈◊〉: them cometh a lesemounger, a thief, an extortioner, deceiving the tenants, buyeth their leases, put them from the grounds, and causeth them that have it at him now, to pay after ix. s. or as I hard say. ●…ix. s. but I am ashamed to name so much. How be it, covetous extortioners be ashamed of no deed be it never so evil. And as I hear say, there be many lose mongers in London, that heyghthen the rent of bare houses: & as corn, lan des, tenements & houses, so in all manner of wares, there be such bi●…rs & sellers as cause the provyders & mak●…rs of the wares to take so little, & the occupiers of the wares too pay so much, that neither of them both is able too live. All the Merchants of mischief that go betwixt the bark and the tree, Betwixt the husband man that getteth the corn, and householder that occupieth Cor●…e, betwixt the Landlord●…, that setteth fermes, and the tenants that dwell in the fermes. And betwixt the crafts man that maketh, or the merchant that provideth wares, and other men that occupieth wares. I say these merchants of mischief coming betwixt the bark and the tree, do make all things dear to the buyers: and yet wonderful vile & of small price to many, that must needs set or sell that which is their own honestly come buy. These be far worse than any other that hath been mentioned heretofore: for although beneficed men and officers have many men's livings, yet they do some men's duties. But these have every man's living, & do no man's duty. For they have that which is in deed the living of crafts men, Marchauntmennes, husbandmen, landlords and tenants, and do never a one of these men's duties. These be idle vacaboundes, living upon other men's labours: these be named honest barginers, and be in deed crafty covetous extortioners. For they that be true marchauntemen to by and sell in deed, should and do provide great plenty and good cheap by honest buying and selling of their wares. But these having the names of true merchants, and being in deed crafty thieves, do make a scarcity and dearth of all things that cometh through their hands.  
Take away all marchauntmen from any town or city, and ye shall leave almost no provision of things that be necessary. Take away leasmongers, régrators and all such as by buying and selling make things more dear, & when they be gone, all things willbe more plenty and better cheap. Now may ye see who they be that make a great dearth in a great plenty. For who is it, that heygtheneth the price of Corn, the housbandman that getteth plenty of corn by tilling of the ground? No: the regrator that buyeth corn to make it dear, growing upon the ground. Who raiseth rents, joineth house to house, and heapeth fermes together? The gentle man, that by giving of leases, letteth forth his own lands into other men's hands? No, the lease-mongers, that by selling leases, buyeth and bringeth other men's Lands into their own hands. Who maketh all manner of wares and merchandises to be very dear? the merchant venterer, which with faithful diligence to provide for the common wealth, carrieth forth such things as may well be spared, and bringeth home such wares as must needs be occupied in this realm? No, the Merchant of mischief that by crafty conveyance for his own gain, carrieth away such things as may not be spared▪ and bringeth again such wares as are not needful. Take heed you Merchants of London that y●… be not Merchants of mischief, conveying away to much old lead, will, leather & such substantial wares as would set many englishmen to work, and do every man good service, and bringing home silks and sables, cattayls, and foolish feathers to fill the realm full▪ of such baggage as will never do rich or poor good, and necessary service. Be ye sur●…, if this realm be rich, ye shall not need to be poor: if this realm be poor, you shall not be able to keep and enjoy your riches. Take heed than that your merchandise be not a serving of foolish men's sansies, which will destroy the realm: but let it be a providing for honest discrete men's commodities, which will be the upholding and enriching of you and the whole realm. Take heed unto your vocations prelate's and preachers, Magystrats and officers, land lords & tenants, crafts men and merchants, all manner of men take heed unto yourselves and to your conversation and living: yea dear brethren at the reverence of god, for a general comfort to all parts with out greedy covetousness towards ourselves, or malicious envy towards other, with a single eye, of a pure heart, let us consider and acknowledge how that the bountiful liberality of almighty God hath given unto this realm wonderful plenty of personages, prebends, benefices, offices, and all manner of livings: with great abundance of corn, cattle, lands, goods, and all wares that be good and profitable: and how that it is certainly the unfaithful disposers which cause a great scarsyty, dearth and lack of all these gifts and treasures of God, therefore dominus de celo prospexit, ut videat si est intelligens aut requirens deum.  
The Lord looked down from heaven to see if there were any that had under standing and sought to please God in faithful disposing of God's treasures: but seeing that Omnes student auaritie, a maiore usque ad minorem. All be given unto covetousness from the highest unto the lowest, so that poor people can have no houses to dwell in, ground to occupy, no nor corn for their money. The Lord him s●…lfe speaking unto the earth, showeth where is the fault: principes tui infideles. Thy head rulers and of fycers be unfaithful disposers. ●…ocii furum, thievish fellows.  
Omnes diligunt muner●…, they all love bribes, ●…t sequuntur retributiones, and hunt for promotions. What then o Lord shall be the end of all this? Vivo ego dicit do minus. As truly as I live saith the Lord, propterea quod facti sunt greges mei in rapinam, Because that my flock have 〈◊〉 spoiled, et oves mee in devorationem omnium be●…tiarum agri, and my sheep devoured of all wild beasts of the field, quia non esset pastor, Because there was no keeper, Neque ●…nim quesiverunt pastores mei gregem meum, For these which were named my pastors, did take no heed unto my ●…cke, Sed pastores pascebant semetipsos, But those pastors did feed themselves prowling for profit, et greges meos non pascebant, and my flock thy did not feed by doing of their duties. Propterea pastores audite ●…erbum domini.  
Therefore ye keepers hear the word of the Lord. What word? that the flock shallbe delivered, & you shallbe destroyed: That is a true word: for qua mensura mensi fueritis, remecietur vobis: By the same measure that you have served other, ye yourselves shall also be served: for as ye have served super●…tycious papists, so shall you yourselves be served, being covetous Idolaters: yea and have as much vantage at the meeting, as is betwixt superstition and idolatry. How be it, God giving you respite to look for amendment: offers more gentleness, if ye will take it. For in the. xx. of jeremy he saith: Ecce ego do cord vobis viam uit●… et viam mortis: Behold I set before you the way of life & the way of death: if ye repend & amend, life: If ye be still stiff-necked▪ death: for the Lord by Isaiah. i. sayeth: Si volueritis et audieritis: If ye will hear to repent & amend, Bona terre comedetis, ye shall eat the good fruits that the earth shall bring forth, to your consort. Si nolueritis, et me ad iracundi●… pro vocaveritis, if ye will not, but provoke me to anger, gladius devorabituos. The sword shall eat you up. Quia os domini locutum est. For it is Gods own mouth that hath spoken it. For God's sake believe it: And do not by a ●…harde heart void of repentance heap unto yourselves the wrath of god against the day of vengeance.  
But thankfully embracing the riches of god's goodness, pa●…ience and long suffering, acknowledging that god's kindness draweth you unto repentance, if ye have so little spiritual feeling and ghostly understanding that ye can nothing be persuaded or moved by the comfortable promises, & terrible threatenings of the invisible God: yet having corporal eyes and natural reason, consider the decay of this Realm, and the towardness of the kings majesty. Note the decay of this realm, and thereby ye shall learn to know that nothing can make a realm wealthy, if the inhabitants thereof be covetous: for if lands and goods could have made a realm happy not wyth standing men's covetousness, then should not this realm so unhappylye have decayed, when as by the suppression of abbeys, Colleges and chantries, innumerable lands and goods were gotten.  
If god's word were ordained by any other mean then by the converting of covetous men, to make that realm happy where covetous men be, then surely should England now be most happy, where gods word is freely set forth in the mother tongue, plainly preached in solemn congregations, and commonly used in daily communication. But undoubtedly whereas covetous men be, there neither lands or goods, no not gods holy Gospel can do so much good as covetousness doth harm. Wherefore seeing this realm by covetousness is sore decayed, lest it should also by the same be destroyed, away with your covetousness, all you that love this realm. Or if ye will not do it for love of the realm, yet for the reverent obedience which ye own unto God and the kings majesty, away with covetousness which maketh men servants of Mammon, and enemies unto god and the king. Be ye well assured that the kings Majesty which now is, God save his noble grace, dreadeth god, loveth his people, & abhorreth covetousness, which in this realm offendeth God, dishonoureth the king, annoyeth the people.  
Therefore he doth partly now perceive and consider, and will do better hereafter, that prelate's with pluralities, and magistrates with many offices, do burden him and his people with paying tithes, fees, and many great charges, and yet keep so many rooms vacant of preachers and officers, that his majesty cannot be duly served, nor his people well instructed by the preaching of gods word, nor yet well ordered by the ministration of justice and equity.  
He knoweth that regrators of corn vyttals and of all manner of wares, make such dearth and scarcity, that no diligence of good merchants by honest buying and selling can provide any things to be either good cheap or plentiful. It is well known to his gracious majesty, or at the least unto his honourable council that leasemungers taking much of tenants and paying little unto the landlords, have both their livings, and doth the duties of neither. For to their own private lucre they take rents of tenants, and fermes of land lords: but when by occasion they shall be required to serve the King for a common wealth, than they will have neither lands nor ●…erme to do the king service. Do not therefore imagine you that be either of the clergy or of the laity in high or low degree, that the Kings Gracious majesty and his honourable council be so negligent that they do not espy, or so partial that they will not punish those which in this realm hinder the preaching of god's word, stop the administration of justice and equity, cause of all things a dearth and scarsytye, and bring Gentlemen too poovertye, and husbandmen unto beggary. It is spied and must be punished, although it be delayed for a time, to see if you of yourselves willingly will amend it.  
Beware therefore that ye stay not yourself unto a brittle staff, for it will braced in spylles and pierce thorough your▪ hands. Do not stay yourself upon this imagination to think that although craftelye contrary to law and conscience ye do invade other men's rooms, livings and goods, yet for because ye be so many in number that do it, therefore the king and his council either cannot or will not be against you in it: For truly even therefore must they now needs without delay reform and amend it. For as seditious rebellion, so covetous treason being in a few may be suffered at the first in hope o●… amendment, so long as they few by cloaking it secretly, seem to be ashamed of their own evil doings, or afraid of the ruler's power and authority: but being so many that they all together without shame and fear, fall to open spoiling of the realm, than without delay must they needs be repressed, although they both say and swear, that they be the kings subjects, and break no laws. If the spoil be found in their hands, it is neither saying nor swearing that can excuse them. Open spoil hath been made of personages, prebends, offices, fermes, wares, victuals, and of all manner of men's livings. Therefore there is no long delay to be taken in hope o●… amendment, but speedy provision for redress must be made for fear of a general destruction. You then that for wasting and abusing of the lords goods be worthy and like lie soon to be displaced, yet in the mean time whiles ye have respite, play the part of a wise steward. Restore unto preachers and officers, benefices and offices: let landlords have their rents, and fermoures their leases: cause buying and selling to be a provision of good cheap and plenty, and not an occasion of dearth and scarsytye. So shall both God and the king perceiving your wise provision, allow your well doing, pardon your faults, and confirm you in your offices.  
O refuse the service, restore the injuries of wicked Mammon, that ye may from henceforth serve God and the king, providing for the people in holiness and righteousness all the days of your life: take heed when ye go from a meaner living unto a better, from a lower office unto a higher, that ye go as men called of Christ, not as bewitched and alured by Mammon, see that God by higher authority perceyuyng●… your faithfulness in a little, do in at the door of worthiness and honesty, admit and receive you to be trusted with more: beware least that the devil by flattering friendship and covetous ambition, perceiving your world lines in a little, do in at the window of wicked bribery convey and receive you, to abuse and be abused with more. See that ye obey the commandment of God, taking pains in your duty e to feed and do good. Do not consent unto the temptation of the Devil, worshipping him in worldliness, for to get gains. These things observed, ye shall be esteemed and taken as worthy ministers of christ, and ●…ruaunts of God, for so much as appertaineth unto the lawful calling and admission of you into your rooms, and also the faithful diligence in using of yourselves in your rooms. Furthermore Paul giveth example of a lowly mind which doth not justify a man's self, and judge evil of other. For so it becometh the servants of God, and the ministers of christ, even when they have done as they be commanded, to acknowledge themselves unprofitable servants. And not as proud Pha●…iseis, praying in the presence of the Lord, to make boast of themselves, and find faults with other men. No, for if other men praise than, they must not regard it, no nor if their own conscience commend them, except God also allow it. There fore Paul sayeth. Mihi pro minimo est ut a nobis iudicer. It is one of the least things with me too be judged of you that be with me, either in time or place. Vel ab humano die, either of man's day, by the experience of them that shall have further trial in continuance of time. Sed neque me ipsum judico. No nor I do not judge myself. Mihi enim nihil conscius sum, sed non ide●… instificatus sum. For there is nothing that I know myself guilty of, yet through that am I not justified, no not thorough the judgement of you or of other, or of mine own conscience. Qui vero judicat me dominus est. He truly that judgeth me, is the lord judge of all men. Quare, nihil ante tempus iudicate, wherefore judge ye nothing afore the time of judgement. Quand▪ dominus venerit, when the Lord shall come to judge. Qui et illustrabit occult●… tenebrarum, which also shall make bright the coverts of darkness and crafty cloaking of faults. Et manifestabit concilia cordis, and shall open the thoughts of the hearts, which he only searcheth. Et tunc laus erit unicuique a deo. And then praise shall be unto every one of God, that giveth praise to the praise worthy. If Paul, being a minister of Christ, and a disposer of God's mysteries, was so faithful in his doing that neither all the world nor his own conscience could in any thing reprove him, and yet to continue his careful diligence had evermore a great respect unto the coming and judgement of the Lord: How shall we think that they read and take this place, which being known both to themselves and unto the whole world to do very evil in many things, yet without care of amendment, do forget themselves, the Lord, and his judgement? Surely they understand it as Peter saith: that many places of Paul be understand of them which being indocti 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unlearned and unsettled in judgement, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wrested or wring until a wrong pin in suam ipsorum perniciem, unto their own destruction, many places of Paul, et reliquas scripturas, and the other scriptures. For whereas this place of Paul should be applied to make men careful and diligent, they wrest and wring it to make for them that be careless and negligent. For Paul saith that he doth very little regard what any man doth judge of him, meaning thereby that though all the world would commend him, yet would he not be vain glorious, of his well doing. They say, they pass little what any man saith by them, meaning thereby that though all men find faults with them, yet will they never be ashamed of their evil doing. Paul sayeth that no man should judge, meaning that no man as concerning secrets of the mind, should judge other to be evil, and themselves to be just: and so take occasion to speak shamefully of other, and to glory in them selves: they say that no man should judge, meaning that neither preacher nor friend▪ should so rebuke their manifest evil deeds, as might give them occasion to be ashamed of themselves, and leave judging of other. Let us not wrest the places of Paul and of other scriptures unto a wrong purpose. They wrist the saying of Paul unto a wrong meaning, when as the mercy of God, which passeth all his works is denied of them unto any penitent synnet, by their alleging of the tenth of Paul unto the Ebrues. Then is that place not well applied but wrong wrested. For when it is said that if we sin wilfully after that we have received the know ledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin, but a fearful looking for judgement and violente fire, it is a meant that there is remaining and left in the scriptures no mention of sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, but terrible threatenings of vengeance to punish sinners, too be preached unto wilful sinners.  
Howbeit there is no condemnation but always mercy to be preached unto them that grafted in Christ jesus, be penitent sinners, how sore & oft soever they fall▪ For his mercy is above all his works. Therefore whensoever he suff●…eth the devil to tempt men to ●…o sin, or too plague them for sin, or whensoever by his word written or preached he doth aggravate sin, all is done to drive men unto mercy. The devil hath caused here in England much sin and abomination, grievous plagues, and sore miseries, God hath sent wondrous plenty of his comfortable word. And now brethren all this is even the work of god: for it is God that worketh all things in all men. Deus est qui operatur omnia in omnibus. And yet take good heed to ●…he true interpretation of this place lest that ye make God to be the author of sin, Qui non novit peccatum, nec est inventus dolus in ore eius, which know●…th no sin by experience of doing it, nor hath no guile found in his mouth. But even as it was God that did both give and take away jobs goods: So is it God that doth all things both good and evil. And as he did make job rich, by giving him goods, and poor b●… suffering the d●…uill to destroy those goods: so doth he good deeds of his own goodness, and evil deeds in suffering the devil to do them. Yea it is even God that hath concluded all men under sin, that hath suffered the devil to tempt all men to do sin, yea and scriptura conclusit omnia sub peccato, the scripture of God hath concluded all men undersyn, or as ●…aul speaketh in another place more plan li, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. We have concluded or proved, alleging good reason, that both the greeks and the jews be under sin. So now all ye by GOD be concluded underneath sin, that is by god's sufferance the devil hath caused you to commit sin. By God's ordinance the scriptures and the preachers of God, do open and declare that ye be all sinners.  
And this is all done, ut omnium mis●…riarctur, that he might have mercy upon all, that all might receive the pardon of his mercy without the which none can be saved, none can escape vengeance. For non est in aliquo alio salus, there is no health in any other, ●…ec aliud nomen datum sub Celo, in quo opor●… nos s●…luos fieri, nor none other name geu●… under heaven, in the which we should be saved. So that he which will have any health must come unto Christ, showing himself wounded with sin, to stand in need of a Phisic●… on. He that will be saved must show himself a penitent sinner unto Christ which came not to call the righteous but sinners to amendment. But he that regardeth the flattery of the world or the partiality of his own conscience, & thereby taketh occasion to glory in his own doings, he shall find no mercy, he can receive no pardon or for gevenes sent from god to be delivered only unto those that feel & acknowledge themselves to be sickly & unrighteous sinners. They therefore that feel & acknowledge the greatest sins wickedness & abominations in themselves▪ being sorry therefore, & intend amendment, be most wortht & sure to receive the great pardon of god's mercy, which certainly will deliver them out of all danger, keep them in safti & bring them to prosperity. Hear therefore and I will now read my commission, by the which ye shall well perceive that I speak nothing upon my own head, but every thing according to the commandment of the Lord your god, which hath sent me unto you his people. The example of this proclamation. Es. lviii. Clama. Make proclamation openly. that all men may hear: n●… cesses. Cease not for fear of them that may kill the body, & can not hurt the soul, quasi 〈◊〉 exalta uoc●… tu●…, Lift up thy voice as a trumpet, giving men knowledge of the coming of the enemies in the time of war. So give them knowledge of the sword of vengeance, which shall follow immediatli after this warnig Et annuncia populo meo scelera ●…orum. And show them their faults that in bearing of my name, & professing my religion will be my people. Et domui jacob peccat●… sua, & unto the house of jacob their own sins: unto all sorts of men even those sins which they themselves do use. Unto the clergy, the sins of the clergy, unto the laity, the sins of the layte: and unto every degree, the sins that be of that degree used. Show the clergi that they feed themselves fat with many livings, & let my flock be scattered & unfed, because there is few preaching pastors that can & will feed them.  
Show the clergy that they can neither teach, nor require the king & laity to provide new livings for preachers, until they do restore forth of their own hands those which be pro vided already: show such of the clergy as be fatlings puffed up with pluralities, that they neither have fed, do feed, or can feed my flock, yet have spoiled, do spoil & will spoil my lan bes, the kings subjects, & their own brethren, so long as they use their pluralities. Show the laity that they have rob me their lord & god of double honour due unto my ministers: for they have taken away the fodder that was prepared for the labouring ox, and been disobedient unto my law, pronounced by them that sat in Moses' cheire.  
Show the nobility that they have oppressed the commonalty, Keeping them under in fear & ignorauce, by power & authority, which might & should have been lovingly learned their obedience & duty to both God & the king by preaching of the gospel. Show the nobility that they have extorted & famished the commynalty by the heigthening of fines & rents of fermes, & decaying of hospitality & good house keeping. Show the comminaltye that they be both traitors & rebels, murmuring & grudging against mine ordinances: tell the comminalty that the ox draweth, the horse beareth, the tree bringeth forth fruits & the earth corn and grass to the profit and comfort of man, as I have ordained them: but they of the commonalty in England buy and sell, make bargains, and do all things to the grief and hindrance of man, contrary to my commandment. Tell the commonalty that they take one another's farm over their heads, they thrust one an other out of their houses, they take leases unto themselves, and let them dearer unto other: they buy corns and wares to make other pay more dear for it: they hurt and trouble, eat up and devour one an other. Tell all England high and low, rich and poor that they every one prowling for themselves, be servants unto Mammon, enne ●…es unto god, disturbers of common wealth, and destroyers of themselves. And for all this let them know that I have no pleasure in the death of a sinner. Sed magis ut c●…uer t●…tur et vivat, but rather I give him respite & send him warning that he may turn & live, comfortably here upon earth, & joyfully in heaven for ever. Therefore if any in England do turn & amend, he shall save himself. But they which will not repent & amend shall not be saved by their fathers or friends, which by repentance be as sure themselves to be accepted unto me as was No Danyel & job: but and if all or the most part of them in England, turn & amend them▪ say unto England: delectaberis super domino, Frō●…enceforth y● shalt have delight & pleasure in the lord, et sustoll●… te super altitudines terre, & I will lift the higher in honour wealth & power, than any other realm in or upon the earth, et albabo te heredita●…e jacobi p●…tris tui, and so will I feed the with the inheritance of Jacob thy ●…ather. I will restore unto that whatsoever land or holds in Scotland or in France did at any time be long unto jacob thy father, unto the kings of this realm, os enim domini locutum est, for the Lords own mouth hath spoken it, which is a better assurance unto this commission, than though it were signed & sealed with ten thousand men's hands.  
Now all you that intend to be saved by the mercies of God in our saviour jesus Christ, come when ye be calle●… from greedy covetousness wherewith ye have been blinded to wreak God's wrath: receive mercy & grace which be now freely offered to make you from henceforth holy ministers of Christ, & faithful disposers of the manifold gifts of God's grace & goodness: & now for fere of forgetful negligence, when ye depart hence, replenish your minds with the comfortable remembranc●… of your own grievous miseries, and of gods great mercies, in secret meditation of the lords prayer, here tarrying together in quietness a little for to receive the lords blessing.  
The god of peace that brought again from death our Lord jesus the great shepherd of the sheep, thorough the blood of the everlasting testament, make you perfect in all good works, to do his will, working in you that which is pleasant in his sight, through jesus Christ.  
Amen.  
God save the King.   

Imprinted at London by John Day dwelling over Aldersgate. Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum. Per septennium.