¶ Here beginneth a little treatise in Englysshe/ called the Extripation of ignorancy: and it treateth and speaketh of the ignorance of people/ showing them how they are bound to fear god/ to love god/ and to honour their prince. Which treatise is lately compiled by sir Paul bush priest/ and Bonhome of Edyndon: and dedicated unto the young and most high renowned lady Mary/ princes & daughter unto the noble progenytour/ our worthy sovereign king Henry the eight/ king of England and of France/ & high defender of the christenfaithe. etc. Hystoris to read/ authentical and true Grace to augment/ and idleness to subdue. ¶ Wherefore gracious lady/ sith ye are so prove By natural instyncte/ and humble humility Thus virtuously to be occupied/ no hour foregone Of your mild goodness/ my ditties to oversee Wherein ye shall find/ touched in brevity Hystoris authentical/ of the testament old And some presydences of the new/ necessary to behold ¶ And though I lack drops/ of the liquor laureate Which sprang of Chaucer/ the fountain of orators To adorn my style and my matter to consecrated yet gracious princes/ to repel the sharpeshours Of synistrall reports/ among evil detractors sometime at leisure/ your other charges laid aside Where ye fault find/ correct or it be spied. ¶ Thus doing/ your grace shall me straightly bind With heart and service/ to do what lieth in me your magnificence to extol/ or else I were unkind According to your merits/ to testify my fidelity Against you & your parent's/ whose wealth & dignity Christ conserve/ and also daily augment with honour & worship/ congrue/ to your power excellent. ¶ The prologue general of Paul bush/ composytour of this little treatise. ¶ Deum timete/ et regem honorificate. Prima Petri secundi. ¶ In an orchard as I walked/ desolate of company In a path/ from tree to tree/ as my usage was Vnbrede with bows pendaunt/ in order pleasantly In mind I revolved/ how I might bring to pass Some treatise to indite/ to the comfort and solace Of people desirous/ virtuously to be occupied To see god lauded/ and his high name magnified. ¶ And as I walked alone/ in mind thus musing I thought to indite/ what thing were necessary And by long deliberation/ I congelation most sitting Somewhat to writ/ of man's ingratituding & folly And to prosecute his demeanour/ all crooked & contrary To god his maker/ by living nat commendable Subdued by vice/ and such matters semblable. ¶ And no great marvel/ ne wonder certain Though such inconvenience/ enshewe us among For wilfully is broken/ the bridle and the rain Which should govern man in every throng As first/ dread is expulsed/ by audacity strong And sensuality ruleth/ as governor principal So that Christ is nat dread/ ne feared at all. ¶ Also perfit love/ which should devout minds Set on fire/ in loving god omnipotent Is subpeditate/ by enormities of sundry kinds Wherefore I thought it seeming/ and most convenient As touching my purpose/ for this time present Of these two matters/ and their circumstance chiefly Somewhat to writ/ to mitigate such folly. ¶ And also to speak/ I thought it expedient Thirdly of ignorance/ which leadeth people froward Showing them by authorities/ & reason's evident How they are obligate/ in especial regard Their prince to honour/ as captain of their forward Whose magnanimyte/ they aught to advance With hearts and goods/ after their substance. ¶ Of these matters three/ as god will dispose I intend this volume/ shall bear thimportance And as briefly/ as I can/ in meeter compose I shall describe as my wits can forge utterance Their grades & distinctions/ their proꝑtis & eligaunce Rebuking in especial/ wilful rash audacity & also blind ingratitude/ which man aught to i'll. ¶ That ghostly champion/ saint Peter the apostle In his epistles/ this sentence oft doth recite Fear you god he saith/ this is his counsel And look ye honour your prince/ with power & might In his just title/ always ready for to fight Thus shall you please god/ & your souls decorate When the heed with the membres/ together be adunate. ¶ What causeth mischief? what causeth dissension? Discord and debate: But only disobedience Thus old hystores and scripture/ maketh mention For it is counted a life brutal/ ever saith sapience When that people living/ doth nat their diligence God chiefly to worship/ and their prince to honour As the thing special/ of their corporal treasure. ¶ What caused cities and towns to fall to ruin: But only the decaying/ of Christ's high honour When the people to vice/ themself did fully incline Sometime the romans/ habounded in treasure But when christis honour decayed/ & they fell to error Than their renome abated/ urged by violence For their unstable demeanour/ to keep true silence. Many fold presidents/ reduce we may to memory Cotidially showed of man's unstable dotage Wavering as the wind/ labouring right busily For honour and worship/ as one of high lineage Climbing so high/ that forgotten is their parentage ye/ god and his prince/ and himself also Which after subverteth his state/ to sorrow & wo. Well this set clean aside/ I shall my wits advance My purpose to comprice/ and thereto my pen direct No longer to remain/ by god's governance In matters depending/ nothing to theffect Eschewing words suꝑflewe/ which often doth infect The sentence clear/ of hystores true & authentical Left for moral presydentes/ to people universal. But in mind when I ponder/ this proverb old Who casteth less perils/ than doth bayard blind It maketh my hand quake/ and also my heart cold And tosseth my wits/ as a ship before the wind Jest some froward persons/ pervert and unkind Should by me report/ words somewhat equalent Saying/ to entprice such causes/ he is insufficient. Such saying may be verified the deed maketh relation Wherefore to my masters/ knowng the quiditice Of scholastical acts/ by practise and speculation I submit myself/ in most humble wise Their due correction/ in no case to dispyce But as a disciple/ leaning to doctrine So unto their traditions/ gladly I shall incline. ¶ But the correction I refuse/ and that in especial Of a wandering minstrel/ or of a rusty coke Of a jester/ a railer: or of a barbaryke rural Or of any such other/ knowing no letter in book The truth to say/ nat an A/ from a fish hook And after mine opinion/ it is greatly unfitting That such should have/ such matters in handling. ¶ But yet though such chat/ as doth the Pie And find many faults/ for lack of intellection yet that shall nat 'cause me to omit my study But to keep idleness/ in bond and subjection Such pastime will I use/ under the protection And the divine sufferance/ of god omnipotent As to my state/ is most sitting and convenient. ¶ Commendation it is none/ this I know certain A religious man/ to idleness to be obedient Nor the laud is but small/ vile and mundane His time to contrive/ in describing works insolent For to such things/ if he do his mind frequent wisemen shall say/ depraving his fame This man goeth about/ to lose his good name. ¶ Therefore my lords and masters in general Pondre the intent/ of my enterprise rude For the thing that provoked me/ to this work special My study to apply/ with diligent solicitude Was that slothful idleness/ should not me illude And that I may accomplish/ my purpose and intent First shall I pray/ as it is most expedient. Now lord/ as thy sapience surmounteth man's estimation In ruling & governing/ by providence incomparable heaven/ earth/ and hell/ as doctors make relation So now rule my pen/ and my wit variable That my work be nat found/ faulty ne yet culpable But fartell of goodness/ garnished with virtue Vice utterly to repel/ & ghostly fortitude to renew. ¶ Also help me lord/ of thy goodness habundaunt Directly to proceed/ in this matter compendious My style to adorn/ with sentence pleasant That to the readers/ greedy and desirous It may be profitable/ and also commodious Their hearts to inflame/ always pondering God to dread/ and to honour their king. ¶ Thus endeth the prologue of Paul bush/ compositour of this work/ and beginneth the first treatise/ which speaketh of the dread & fear that every man aught to have to offend almighty god. Venite filij audite me, timorem domini docebo vos. Psalmo. xxxiij AS ornaments fresh/ pleasant and comely Garnisheth the body/ of man woman & child So is the soul decorate/ when people labour busily God specially to honour/ by conversation undefiled Whose power invincible/ chasteth & tameth the wild As hunger doth the falcon/ all at large flying Wherefore attend my words & ponder my saying. Deum timete. ¶ He that purposeth/ graciously to comprehend The joys inestimable and with god to reign Must remember ponder and well attend That he have sure in store/ wings twain The one must be dread/ the other love certain And these two well ordered/ fear nat thy departing Wherefore attend my words & ponder my saying. Deum timete/ et diligite. david the prophet/ doth pronostike this sentence In his book of psalms/ as plainly doth appear That the original only/ of all wisdom & sapience Is to dread god/ and also his power to fear For it is nat good/ man himself to endanger With his true justice/ & most righteous dealing Wherefore attend my words & ponder my saying. Deum timete. ¶ If Adam our first parent/ being in paradise Had humbly obeyed/ the commandment special Of god his maker/ the mirror of all justice And nat wilfully transgressed/ by suggestion mortal But always have feared/ his displeasure principal Than changed had nat been his state in wealth flowing Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. ¶ When the world also/ was replete with sin Almost every creature/ prove to unthriftiness Was nat No preserved/ and eight of his kin From dreadful drowning/ for his constant sadness And life right commendable: as beareth witness The history true: without colour of feigning Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Deum timete. Old Abraham the patriarch/ hath made immolation Offering his son isaac/ in sacrifice most redolent Had he nat feared/ god's just castigation No doubtless/ the history showeth plain & evident For it was always/ his mind and intent God's will to accomplish/ as it is most sitting Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Deum timete. Was nat virtuous jacob/ had in worthy reputation With almighty god/ & endued with great substance Ruling near the world/ as writing maketh relation By his pruident dealing/ & politic governance And all this was provided/ by god's ordinance For his moral living/ and righteous demeaning Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Deum timete. ¶ Also what abled joseph/ to such high authority As to be lord & governor/ of Egypt that region Was it nat his virtue/ and sober gravity Dreading the infect/ his soul with the poison Of Venus' flaming lusts/ filthy as carrion Behold well genesis/ there appeareth the writing Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying ¶ What advanced Moses/ sometime a shepherd To honour and fame/ as man of high parentage But only that his lord/ he dread and feared Instructing his people/ committed to his governage With language discrete/ countenance/ demure and sage The fame special to enshewe/ vice & sin avoiding Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum timete. ¶ Why was joshua elect/ by god omnipotent Moses to succeed/ in office and dignity But that he feared god/ & eschewed works insolent As it becometh a captain/ set in authority For high rooms/ and dissolute manners/ as we see Full ill doth accord/ as judgeth wisdom & cunning Wherefore attend my words & ponder my saying. Deum timete. Were nat the children of israel plonged in care & sorrow In the time of Aioth/ Delbora and Gedeon As in captivity to day/ and at liberty to morrow Now in now out/ brought to great confusion And all for their iniquity/ and unstable conversation God nat dreading/ but all at pleasure wandering Wherefore attend my words & ponder my saying. Deum timete. ¶ O holy Ruth/ a woman though thou were And made of nature frail/ as all women be yet example art thou/ as plainly doth appear To all men/ for thy meekness and high humility For in the reigned/ no such mutabylite But virtue and goodness/ god always fearing Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. ¶ If Ofnye and Phynes/ the sons of Hely Had feared god/ and nat prevaricate his intent Ne defrauded their father/ and the people chiefly Which made oblation/ with minds benivolent Than suffered they had nat/ such straight punishment As to be slain both/ the holy ark also losing Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum timete. ¶ How garnished Samuel/ his life levitical With works meritorious/ as a lamp & luminary Ruling all Israel/ in causes judicial With justice and equity/ by his wit and policy Subduing transgressors/ myttigating folly Fering gods punishment/ as I said at beginning Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum timete. ¶ Died nat David commit a sin great & detestable When that Vrye his seevaunt/ he caused to be slain For Barsabe his wife/ which was so amiable committing adultery/ as th'history showeth plain But immediately/ with doleful heart & great pain He died penance/ god's punishment fearing Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum timete. O Solomon salomon/ while thou didst pmmeditate In thy heart inwardly/ god to serve and fear Than greatly was magnified/ thy regal estate For in wisdom and glory/ thou hadst no peer But after for thy idolatry/ and ingratitude clear Overthrown was thy state/ in wealth so standing wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Why was Eliseus' the prophet/ endued with such virtue As to restore the deed to life again But that with diligence/ he died always eschew Vnclenly manners/ which utterly doth distain The life of man/ and the soul revolve in pain For time perpetual/ in torment always lying Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum timete. What caused Nabugodonosor/ a king of great fame To fall from his regal state/ to lead a life brutal living by hay & grass/ in woeful misery & shame But only his errogance/ nat fearing god eternal Which by his might/ subdueth such people frontall wandering at pleasure as the wind wavering Wherefore attend my words & ponder my saying. Deum timete. When people be inflamed/ with blind ambiciosite Coveting high governage/ unworthy and unable Than ruleth will/ and brutal sensuality So that virtue to vice/ must be serviceable Which is nat comely/ sitting/ nor yet laudable Thus saith the theologe/ plain in his writing Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum timete. ¶ What mention maketh/ that book so excellent Paralipomynon/ which treateth seriously Of kings and princes/ and of their regiment Showing how some were advanced to glory For their lives venerable/ despising pleasures transitory Dreading always: the final day of recuing Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying ¶ Again some were thrown/ in to bale & misery Their lives so to lead/ brought to extreme ruin For their inornate living/ all vile and beastly God nat fearing/ despising to incline Their minds and hearts/ to his lore and doctrine Which causeth them to lie/ in pains everlasting Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum timete. ¶ Esdras the scribe/ as his book maketh mention Which governed his life/ by virtue most excellent revolved well in mind/ such manner abusion When to jerusalem/ by Artraxerxes he was sent His busy study was to stable people malivolent In the dread of god/ by counsel & demure dealing Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum timete. ¶ O holy dread/ how surely thou were planted In the heart of Toby/ that ghostly living person Which of profit goodness/ nothing at all wanted For all his cure was set/ in the ministration Of works of mercy/ eschewing the diffamation Of theft and rapine/ the sequel thereof dreading Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Deum timete. ¶ little of this dread/ with his rash audacity Had blind Olifernes/ when he threatened the subversion Of Bethulia & Jerusalem/ cities of pemynent degree But what become of him/ mark the conclusion Died nat virtuous judith/ by divine permission His heed of strike/ drunken in his bed lying Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my sayeng. ¶ O judith judith/ great was the iubilation Of Bethulia & jerusalem/ with man woman & child When thou hadst vanquished/ the pride & elation Of the outrage assyrions/ all furious and wild Which thought in their minds/ god to beguile But such can nat preveyle/ thus briefly concluding Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum timete. ¶ O holy Hester likewise great was thy business To persuade king Assuerus/ to pity and compassion Inflamed with ire/ by thenticement doubtless Of cruel Aman/ which for pride and indignation Would of the jews/ have destroyed the hole nation But of such dreadless whelps/ naught is thendingending Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum timete. ¶ Such encensate villains/ may learn god to fere Of perfect job/ which lost his substance & children also But yet still with patience/ he tempered his cheer Never moved/ but said/ now all is go: So god be pleased/ void is my heart of care & woe Thought he none took/ but god displeasure fering Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum timete. ¶ What great fear took that woman so constant Holy Susane/ which cruel death to tolerate Died freely chose/ with mind strong and valiant Rather than her body/ to defile and contamynate With the unchaste officers/ which found her desolate And would her oppressed/ their lives therefore losing Wherefore attend my words & ponder my saying. ¶ If isaiah/ Heremye/ Baruthe/ and Ezechiell Abacuthe/ Osee/ and perfit Amos also Abdon and jonas/ and that prudent Danyell Holy prophets/ with other of their fellows more Had lacked this fear/ as their histories doth show Than now in heaven/ should nat be their abiding Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Deum timete. What was the original/ that caused the macabeiss five As valiant men/ descended of stock royal In martial business/ their lives to contrive Was it nat/ that they as thing most principal Feared sore to break/ their laws moisecall Is doubtless/ thus saith plain the writing Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Deum timete. ¶ Many thousands more/ there be without doubt In the old testament/ as we read/ which devoutly Lived under godly fear/ who list to seek them out Whose names and acts/ I purpose to omit chiefly Because I intend to writ now consequently Of our new patrons/ the merits also praising Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Deum timete. ¶ First what caused the holy apostles all This world to dispyce/ caduke and transitory Affecting no honours/ ne pleasures corporal Certain it was/ as the text doth testify For fear of losing/ the everlasting glory Of heavenly joy sovereign/ excelling all thing Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying ¶ O blessed Paul/ didst nat thou also Fervently labour/ with travail and great pain To preach and teach/ where ever thou didst go And all because/ that thou wouldest obtain The joys inestimable/ and with god to reign yes surely: this was thy special recuing Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Deum timete. ¶ At first beginning/ thou were inflamed greatly With furious audacity/ procuring only to abate Christ's high honour his disciples pursuing namely But thy tyrannous courage/ was son subpeditate When thou layst nusling/ on the ground prostrate In the field of Damasse/ for mercy always crying Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Deum timete. What caused Steven & Laurence/ with divers other As vincent alban/ & thomas: these martyrs glorious Also Cyrike the infant with julyta his mother Constantly to persever/ in torments dolorous Was it nat for fear of losing/ the mansion glorious yes doubtless/ or else in vain was their traveling Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Deum timete. How many holy confessors/ do we find in likewise As we read in legends/ left in perpetual memory Which daily mortifyde/ as plants of paradise Their membres corporal/ assuaging lusts filthy Fering the contaminate/ the figure of endless glory Of these we find thousands/ without any feigning Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying ¶ Also what is he/ which truly can express The number of perfit virgins/ pure and immaculate Which lived here continent/ grounded in soberness In whose honours now/ our temples are dedicate I know certain/ if I should daily investigate yet should I never bring them all to recuing Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum timete. ¶ This still to replycate/ hystores authentical Time it consumeth/ wherefore to conclude That I say to one/ I say briefly to all If ye will obtain/ the everlasting beatitude Beware of ignorance/ and blind ingratituding And evermore among/ as I said at beginning Attend my frequent words/ & ponder my saying. ¶ Here endeth the first part of this volume/ which hath showed how man is bound to fear god by manifold examples. And now immediately here followeth the second part/ which shall speak of the love that man aught to have to almighty god. ¶ Diligamus nos deum/ quoniam deus prior dilexit nos. Prima johannis quarto. ¶ Rede the last word in the second line over the leaf/ meritorious/ for metorious. Deum diligite. But yet god thus to dread/ and nothing to love It were but labour tedious/ & scant metorious For he that a place will purchase above Eternally to reign/ in state most prosperous Must combine dread/ with love ardent & amorous As two things necessary/ to one belonging Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Deum diligite. ¶ This love is so noble/ so high and so excellent If it be pure voluntary/ free and spontayne That to all virtues/ it is a spectacle evident For nother dread/ nor yet obedience certain May be acceptable unto god/ this is plain Except love be the original/ and the well spring Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Deum diligite. ¶ The love that Christ showed first for man In his plasmation/ by gifts high and excellent Was for no qualyteis/ that in him reigned than His production was so barren/ yet of his mind provident To magnify our nature/ it was his intent For of all his creatures/ he made man lord & king Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Deum diligite. ¶ Whereof mounted this gift of pre-eminence But only of his mere love/ as I said before Nat in vain to betaken/ through our negligence But as a president/ always to be had in store Love to increase & augment/ specially again therefore This may we understand/ by reason ruling Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying The multitude of benefits/ should engender amity Namely when they be exibite/ to people indigent Wrapped in wretchedness/ and bonds of calamity As is our nature/ all lame and impotent By necessity inevitable/ of itself nat sufficient But that god ministereth/ unto us all thing Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum diligite. ¶ Such is our necessity/ that no creature can say Without the excellent gifts/ of god omnipotent I am able to live/ one natural day No doubtless/ to speak/ and to be indifferent Be he never so noble/ nat the space of a moment So feeble & so slender/ is our substance wavering Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum diligite. ¶ Let us consider/ how prove in times all Christ is to sufflute/ our impotence and debilyte For our necessity/ is nat so urgent at all But moche more prove/ is his aid and benignyte All seasons helping/ our care and adversity giving us life/ conserving our being Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Deum diligite. ¶ This is evident/ experience doth the cause patify That his conservation/ may nat be sequestrate From our substance caduke/ vile and transitory For if it be/ we all are but frustrate Redacte to adnichilation/ from all thing private Of shape and form/ nothing remaining Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. ¶ These considerations/ aught to advance reason With solicitude of mind/ concluding finally That man is most bound/ having discretion God always to laud/ with servage and study Inuestigate who listeth/ he findeth nat the contrary For this yieldeth reason/ without more recuing Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum diligite. ¶ Now/ sith man is bound/ above creatures all To god omnipotent/ for his benefits infinite He aught to revolve/ in his mind principal What thing may be/ most acceptable in his sight And the same to render/ with heart and might Or else reason may reprove/ his unworthy dealing Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum diligite. ¶ What thing may be/ thinketh man in mind Unto god his maker/ more pleasant or acceptable Than to show him love/ as reason doth him bind Doubtless nothing/ so precious nor commendable Nor to us nothing/ so necessary nor profitable If it be depured/ from all earthly recuing Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum diligite. This love must be pure tangled with no wealth mundain But fixed on him only/ which of naught made all Or else inordinate is our law/ this is plain For when love is wrapped/ with affection carnal It is nat good nor godly/ but beastly and brutal And to people reasonable/ greatly discording Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying ¶ What should man/ having the use of discretion Fix his mind/ on things vain and transitory Though nature give beauty/ & fair impression Set nat thy mind/ on such matters rasly For it is but volage/ and changed shallbe shortly To all creaturrs: this chief point is belonging Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum diligite. ¶ It is greatly uncomely/ unto us people mortal To set our hearts on that/ which can nat remain For he that is prudent/ to mind oft will call That such faint follies/ should not him constrain His maker to forget/ for things abject & vain But labour he should busily/ for his soul providing Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum diligite. ¶ What can the world promise to the perpetually Scythe nothing it hath/ that is perdurable But fraite with vanities/ coward under pall Thy mind to enuolue/ with thoughts damnable And thy soul to put/ to pains interminable This ever eschewing/ thy life mysgoverning Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum diligite. ¶ Such doleful rewards/ among people prudent Are utterly despised/ and set at naught Revolving in mind/ this proverb oft frequent The child is ill taught/ and worse up brought Which in age/ hath no mind nor thought His body to refrain/ from inordinate living Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. ¶ God made nat man/ as doctors make relation His wits five/ to spend mordynate But his part were/ his life and conversation So to govern & adorn/ with no abusion violate That with joy & felicity/ his soul might be decorate In the stage glorious/ all thing surmounting Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum diligite. ¶ A heart with devotion flamed/ will covet always The thing special/ which is pure and constant And that only desire: both night and day Which is good and honest/ and to god pleasant Deformed with no enormity/ to his state repugnant His laud so hyndring/ & his good name depraving Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum diligite. ¶ Man aught to desire/ the thing most eminent Sure and nat fading/ which all time doth profit Drowned with no error/ void of all torment As endless bliss/ incomparable and perfit Which every good man/ doth desire and covyte His carcase despising/ for such treasure seeking Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum diligite. ¶ This endless bliss certain/ is of such valour That it is impreciable/ no man can it buy With gold ne silver/ richesses nor yet treasure It excelleth so in honour/ in beauty and glory And ordained it is/ no man can deny For god and his angels/ and man well living Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. ¶ The apostle Paul/ in his epistles doth say That no heart can think/ nor material eyes No ear can here/ nor tongue express may The inestimable glory/ joy and felicity That is comprised/ without fastidiosyte In this realm of pleasure/ in beauty shining Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum diligite. In this court angelical/ reigneth no mortality No need nor indigence/ but plenty and abundance No age decrepit/ infect with infirmity But health/ wealth/ and peace/ without perturbaunce No bond ne servitude/ nor yet misgovernance May enter this throne/ of Christ's garnishing Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Deum diligite. ¶ saloman's sapience/ that surmounted so high Nor Absalon's beauty/ the was praised in especial Is nat to be compared/ in laud and glory To the wisdom and beauty/ which perpetual In this stage and throne/ clearer than crystal Gloriously adorned/ things all excelling Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Deum diligite. The fortitude of Samson/ nor the velocite of Asael As scripture showeth/ in sentence most worthy Nor yet the long life/ of the ancient Matusaell Were but gifts natural/ involved with misery Nothing to be resembled/ to the goodness heavenly which in this glorious habitacle is ever abiding Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying ¶ And all this man/ thou mayst purchase and obtain By virtuous living/ and by love true & perfectly Loving thy maker/ that hath ordained the to reign Thus for time perpetual/ in his presence and sight In his throne everlasting/ never destitute of light But garnished with beauty/ in virtue shining wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. ¶ Here endeth the second part of this volume/ which hath showed/ how man is bound to love almighty god: 〈◊〉 potestatibus sublimioribus subdita sit, quia non est potestas ●usi a deo. Ad ●oma. 〈◊〉 And now here after followeth the third part/ which shall speak of the honour that every man is bound to reverent his prince and sovereign with all. ¶ Now seeing that I/ have made demonstration In style homely/ thy love how thou shouldest bestow To god's pleasure man/ & thy soul's conservation Now briefly to revert/ I purpose to show How that thy prince/ thou oughtest to know That to god may be acceptable/ thy living wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Regem honorificate. ¶ By moral wisdom/ first devised were Officers and governors/ of constant gravity This world namely to rule/ and set in an order With comely manners/ eschewing all enormity adorning their own lives/ mortifying vanity To people rude/ virtuous example's giving Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Of these governors/ which ruled thus long space Some were patriarchs/ prophets: & judges tenꝑall And some were priests discrete/ & as th'history do trace Descended lineally/ of the styrpe & stock levitical And again some were scribes/ ingenious & moral By politic discretion/ their offices governing wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Prepositos' honorificate. When these worthy governors/ armed with prudence Had governed thus the world/ a long time & date It was thought more convenient/ for the commens defence One heed and ruler/ to govern and the principate therefore as people discrete/ in one mind confederate They chose them a ruler/ and named him a king Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Regem honorificate. ¶ This king our sovereign/ we aught to honour And have in reputation/ as the mirror of chivalry In whose magnanimity/ resteth our trust & treasure All times and seasons/ to suffult our bale & misery As a captain valiant/ ruling by wit and policy His subjects transgressors/ straightly punishing Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Regem honorificate. ¶ Who maketh our enemies to dread and fear Insurrections to make/ our wealth to molest Who punisheth the felon/ who correcteth murder Who keepeth our noble realm in peace and rest Who maketh the prove lecher/ to be good and honest Doth nat this our sovereign and worthy king Wherefore attend my words & ponder my saying. ¶ Who causeth justice/ who causeth equity: Duly to be ministered/ in city/ borrow/ & town. Who quencheth the flames/ of rash lassyvite Who exalteth just livers/ & the wicked putteth down All this doth our prince/ bearing the sceptre & crown In whose hand resteth/ our wealth and governing Wherefore attend my words & ponder my saying. Regem honorificate. ¶ If our prince were nat/ order were there none For every 〈◊〉 would rule/ and play the lord And than should the poreman both grudge & groan Kept under bondage/ as dog under board And not so hardy/ as ones to speak a word For dread of punishment/ & of his goods losing Wherefore attend my words & ponder my saying. Regem honorificate. ¶ Where is no heed/ the body deformed is far out of shape/ as we see by experience So in caselike/ thou canst nat contrary this Where is no sovereign/ there reigneth inconvenience As fraud/ guile/ & extortion/ with many other offence So that all togethers/ runneth to the devil headlong wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Regem honorificate. ¶ Were it nat for fear/ of our prince and sovereign I think surely/ and dare boldly say Verity nor yet equity/ should be suffered to reign And than soon after/ should our realm decay So craftily would avarice/ her matters convey Through subtlety/ her handmaids help & socoring Wherefore attend my words & ponder my saying. ¶ All syses and sessions/ moche perjury is used Falls heed and power/ be so nigh of consanguinity But than our worthy prince/ which can nat be deluded By his law and justice/ extirpeth such ꝑcialyte Thus it is doubtless/ or else thus it should be In every realm & region/ where reigneth a king Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Regem honorificate. Would our masters trow ye/ both spiritual & tenꝑall Fear as they do: their lives to contamynate With manners uncomely/ by suggestions infernal Hyndring their honour/ and hurting their estate were it nat for their prince/ to whom they be subjugate Doubtless no: The more pity without feigning Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Regem honorificate. ¶ Reason would be so blinded/ by ambition verily Were it nat for dread of our prince and sovereign that by simony execrable/ holy church's patrimoni Should be bought & sold/ as it is known plain Moore common than the ox/ vile and mundane Which is sold in markets/ for great winning Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Regem honorificate. Here mayst thou advert man/ what profits doth ensue To the realm and subjects/ of every region Where as valiant princes/ do correct and subdue Such frontall enormities/ by their laws correction No state favouring/ if he worthy be punissyon But every man to reward/ after his deserving Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying ¶ When prices be ꝑciall/ and nat to all indifferent It giveth people occasion/ to grudge & complain But when they minister to all like punishment Than in their realms/ most commonly do reign Peace/ unite/ and concord/ without disdain So that every man joyeth/ of others well living Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Regem honorificate. ¶ O/ what treasure it is/ and singular aveyle When princes be given/ to virtue and goodness Their own faults to behold/ & them to bewail Their souls to redeem/ out of wretchedness This point most chiefly/ belongeth doubtless To every good prince/ endless pains revolving Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Regem honorificate. ¶ The next point also/ that a prince valiant Aught to bear in mind/ both in wealth & distress Is to be always liberal/ and in his deeds constant His poor commons' to love/ and then never to oppress Except necessity do instant/ his noble worthiness Aid to require/ for his just titles defending Wherefore attend my words & ponder my saying. Regem honorificate. ¶ In such cause's man: thou art bound to succour Thy prince and sovereign/ with goods & substance Which thy body also/ and with thy worldly treasure His right to maintain/ and his honour to advance Whereby thy wealth/ with good perseverance Shall prosper the better/ for thy true dealing wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. ¶ To this chrisst gave us/ as we read in the gospel Example most evident/ when he commanded Peter To the see to go/ as Mathe we doth us tell Saying: in the fishes mouth/ find he should there A piece of money/ which duly he should deliver For their subsidy/ to their emperor and king Wherefore attend my words & ponder my saying. Regem honorificate. The same also affirmeth/ the postell and doctor Blessed saint Paul/ in his epistle which he sent To the romans/ which he brought out of error Saying: look that to prices/ shining in power eminent ye be always subject/ meek/ low/ and obedient Ready them to aid/ at all times calling Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Regem honorificate. ¶ Likewise saith Peter/ as the text lieth plain In his first epistle/ and in the second chapter Look that ye be diligent/ saith he/ ready and fain Like humble subjects/ your princes to honour With faithful hearts/ with goods and treasure And so please you shall/ our everlasting king Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Regem honorificate. And all though saith he/ that in living & behaviour All princes and sovereigns/ be nat like of condition But some rigorous & vicious/ involved in error yet nat withstanding/ your purpose & chief intention Must be to obey/ for your dew correction Such unworthy ruler's/ sent for your misliving Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying ¶ In many places else/ inscripture I find And in the law also/ allegations authentical Which doth the command man/ & straightly bind Thy prince to honour/ under statutes penal Which if thou break/ thou dost surely fall In the censor's ecclesiastical/ & danger of the king Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Regem honorificate. Now conclude upon this/ and thy courage advance And think that it is nat/ the regal power only Which price have in governage/ to speak in substance That to such obedience/ bindeth the thus straightly But it is certain/ as see thou mayst plain The state legal/ of the churches first ordering Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Regem honorificate. ¶ Behold what inconvenience/ commonly doth ensue Where reigneth inobediente/ debate and dissension Behold also again/ where people be untrue How their of springs/ be put under subjection To day a lord/ and a man of great possession And to morrow scant worth/ a poor silly farthing Wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying Regem honorificate. ¶ Likewise behold/ what utterly destruction Hath comen of rebellion/ and wilful conspiracy Is it nat plainly left in description How by such means/ monasteries right worthy Hath been destroyed/ and contaminate uncomely yet doubtless: it appeareth plain in writing wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. ¶ Also/ how many noble cities/ castles/ & towers Hath been subverted/ and made ways plain By violent force/ and martial showers The goods despoiled/ the governors slain Their wives and daughters/ deflowered certain This for rebellion/ hath been seen without feigning wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Regem honorificate. ¶ Such lamentable conflicts/ & mortal dolours Are spectacles necessary/ sometime to behold To stable men's minds/ avoiding dishonours And to live in peace/ which a thousand fold Is treasure more precious/ than silver or gold As man may judge/ by his own wit revolving wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Regem honorificate. ¶ O noble England/ O worthy realm of fame Note well these presidents/ & bear them in mind And be true to thy prince/ continuing thy good name For in chronicles/ yet could I never find That to thy worthy sovereign/ thou were unkind Which to the is great laud/ & also to god praising wherefore attend my words/ & ponder my saying. Regem honorificate. ¶ Now thus to conclude/ without more prolixity I purpose by god's grace/ and no longer to tarry repeating these foresaid words/ together as they be Fear you god/ love you god/ and also finally: Honour your prince/ mirror of all chivalry And so shall ye purchase/ joy without ending The which god grant us all/ at our departing. ¶ Here followeth a brief conclusion of Paul bush/ composytour of this work/ to the readers of the same. ¶ How hast the little book/ god be thy good speed And look that thyself/ thou meekly present Among my masters all/ requiring no meed No laud/ ne praising/ for that was nat th'intent Of thy compositour/ as knoweth god omnipotent But his purpose was/ people chiefly to excite In virtuous pastime/ to have some delight. ¶ Some have pleasure/ in the fields to walk Of the stilling of th'earth/ to take the fragrant odours Some delighteth again/ to bide at home and talk In reading chronicles/ of their ancient progenitors How worthily they obtained/ glory & honours And some again there be/ and they desire chiefly Of musical instruments/ to here the sweet armony. ¶ All these be pastimes/ right honest & venerable To reprove them greatly/ we have none occasion For all thing that is done/ after manner laudable May be permitted/ in the way of recreation So that it be done/ with demure conversation Hurting no man/ always observing measure Which is thing commendable/ in every gesture. ¶ But some villains there be refraining no shame Dispyce all pastimes/ honest and moral Vnclenly thoughts/ doth them so inflame That their hearts and minds/ beset in especial In reading of books & ballads/ of acts veneryall Thinking in their opinions/ nothing more laudable Which is right vile/ full wretched and damnable. ¶ How should I than/ after this wise and rate Please and content/ such minds unstable It were greatly unfitting/ unto my order & state If I should indite/ such matters 〈◊〉 commendable This wysmen will say/ though the fool with his babble Think no works good/ except they in special smack of Venus' lusts/ filthy and brutal. ¶ But let such think/ and say what they please To say that I will contrive/ my time and study About such business/ almighty god to displease Doubtless I purpose nat/ wherefore myself to occupy In works commendable/ I died my mind apply This little brief process/ thus rudely to indite Some things thereby/ to bring to light. ¶ Therefore my worthy lords/ & master ingenall Over read this little volume/ sometime at leisure And if it be well/ give laudes chief and principal To god omnipotent/ our lord and saviour And if it be otherwise/ let me bear the dishonour For well am I worthy/ as I said at beginning For entprising this cause/ having so little cunning. ¶ Thus endeth this book/ entituled or called the extirpation of ignorancy. Imprinted 〈…〉 in fleetstreet by Richard 〈…〉 to the kings most nob●● 〈…〉 Cum privilegio