The sermon of doctor Colete/ made to the Convocation at Paulis.    

YE are come together to day/ father's and right wise men/ to enter council: in the which/ what ye will do/ and what matters ye will handle/ yet we understand not. But we wish/ that ones remembering your name and profession/ ye would mind the reformation of the church's matter. For it was never more need. And the state of the church did never desire more your endeavours. For the spouse of Christ/ the church/ whom ye would should be without spot or wrinkle/ is made foul and evil favoured/ as saith Esaias: The faithful cite is made an harlot: And as saith Hieremias: She hath done lechery with many lovers: whereby she hath conceived many sedes of wickedness: and daily bringeth forth very foul fruit. wherefore I came hither to day father's/ to warn you/ that in this your council/ with all your mind/ ye think upon the reformation of the church. But for sooth I came not willingly: For I knew mine unworthiness. I saw beside/ how hard it was to please the precise judgement of so many men. For I judged it utterly unworthy and unmeet/ ye and almost to malapert/ that I a servant/ should counsel my lords: That I a son/ should teach you my fathers. Truly it had been meeter for some one of the father's/ that is to say/ you prelate's might have done it with more grave authority/ and greater wisdom. But the commandment was to be obeyed of the most reverent father and lord/ the archbishop/ president of this council/ which laid upon me this burden/ truly to heavy for me. we read/ that the prophet Samuel said: Obedience is better than sacrifice? wherefore fathers and right worthy men/ I pray you/ and beseech you/ that this day ye would sustain my weakness with your goodness and patience. furthermore to help me at the beginning with your good prayers. And before all thing let us pray unto god the father all mighty. first remembering our most holy father the pope/ and all spiritual pastors/ with all christian people/ furthermore the most reverent father and lord/ the archbishop precedent of this council/ and all bishops/ and all the Clergy/ and all the people of England: Remembering finally this your congregation/ desiring god to inspire your minds so accordingly to agree/ to such profit and fruit of the church/ that ye seem not after the council finished/ to have been gathered together in vain & without cause. Let us all say Pater noster.  
To exhort you reverent fathers to the endeavour of reformation of the churches estate: because that nothing hath so disfigured the face of the church/ as hath the fashion of secular and worldly living in clerks and priests: I know not where more conveniently to take beginning of my tale/ than of the apostle Paul/ in whose temple ye are gathered together. For he writing unto the Romans/ and under their name unto you saith: Be you not conformed to this world: but be you reform in the newness of your understanding/ that ye may prove what is the good will of god well pleasing and perfect. This did the apostle write to all christian men/ but most chief unto priests and bishops. priests and bishops are the light of the world. For unto them said our saviour: you are the light of the world. And he said also: If the light that is in the be darkness/ how dark shall the darkness be? That is to say/ if priests and bishops/ that should be as lights/ run in the dark way of the world/ how dark than shall the secular people be? wherefore saint Paul said chief unto priests and bishops: Be you not conformable to this world/ but be ye reform. In the which words the apostle doth two things. first he doth forbid that we be not conformable to the world/ and be made carnal. furthermore he doth command that we be reform in the spirit of god/ whereby we are spiritual. I intending to follow this order/ I will speak first of confirmation/ than after of reformation. Be you not (saith he) conformable to this world. The apostle calleth the world/ the ways and manner of secular living: the which chief doth rest in four evils of this world: that is to say/ in devilish pride/ in carnal concupiscence/ in worldly covetousness/ in secular business: These are in the world/ as saint Iohn the apostle witnesseth in his pistle canonical. For he saith: All thing that is in the world/ is either the concupiscence of the flesh/ or the concupiscence of the eyes/ or pride of life. The same are now and reign in the church/ and in men of the church/ that we may seem truly to say/ all thing that is in the church/ is either concupiscence of flesh/ or eyes/ or pride of life. And first for to speak of pride of life/ how moche greediness and appetite of honour and dignity is now a days in men of the church? How run they/ ye almost out of breath/ from one benefice to an other: from the less to the more/ from the lower to the higher? who seeth not this? who saying this sorroweth not? More over these that are in the same dignities/ the most part of them doth go with so stately a countenance and with so high looks/ that they seem not to be put in the humble bysshoprike of christ/ but rather in the high lordship/ & power of the world/ not knowing/ nor advertising/ what christ/ the master of all meekness/ said unto his disciples/ whom he called to be bishops and priests: The princes of people (saith he) have lordship of them: and those that be in authority have power: but do ye not so: but he that is greater among you/ let him be minister. He that is highest in dignity/ be he the servant of all men. The son of man came not to be ministered unto/ but to minister. By which words our saviour doth plainly teach/ that the mastery in the church/ is none other thing than a ministration: And the high dignity in a man of the church/ to be none other thing than a meek service.  
The second secular evil is carnal concupiscence. Hath not this vice so grown and waxen in the church as a flood of their lust? so that there is nothing looked fore more diligently/ in this most busy time/ of the most part of priests/ than that that doth delight & please the senses? They give themself to feasts and banqueting: They spend themself in vain babbling: They give themself to sports & plays: They apply themself to hunting and hawking. They drown themself in the delights of this world. Procurers & finders of lusts they set by. Against the which kind of men/ judas the apostle crieth out in his pistle/ saying: woe unto them/ which have gone the way of Cain: They are foul & beastly feasting in their meats without fear feeding themself: floods of the wild see/ foaming foaming out their confusions: unto whom the storm of darkness is reserved for everlasting.  
Covetousness is the third secular evil: the which saint Iohn the apostle calleth concupiscence of the eyes: Saint Paul calleth it idolatry. This abominable pestilence hath so entered in the mind/ almost of all priests/ and so hath blinded the eyes of the mind/ that we are blind to all things/ but only unto those/ which seem to bring unto us some gains. For what other thing seek we now a days in the church/ than fat benefices and high promotions? ye & in the same promotions/ of what other thing do we pass upon/ than of our tithes and rents? That we care not how many/ how chargeful/ how great benefices we take/ so that they be of great valour. O covetousness: saint Paul justly called the the root of all evil. Of that comech this heaping of benefices upon benefices: Of the so great pensions assigned of many benefices resigned: Of thee/ all the suing for tithes/ for offering/ for mortuaries/ for dilapidations/ by the right and title of the church: For the which thing we strive no less than for our own life: O covetousness: of the cometh these chargeful visitations of bishops/ of the cometh the corruptness of courts and these daily new inventions/ where with the silly people are so sore vexed. Of the cometh the besyte and wantonness of officials. O covetousness mother of all iniquity. Of the cometh this fervent study of ordinaries to dilate their jurisdictions: Of the cometh this wood and ragenge contention in ordinaries/ of the insinuation of testaments: of the cometh the undue sequestration of fruits: Of the cometh the superstitious observing of all those laws/ that sound to any lucre/ setting a side and despising those that concern the amendment of manners. what should I rehearse the rest? To be short/ and to conclude at one word: All corruptness/ all the decay of the church/ all the offences of the world/ come of the covetousness of priests. According to that of Saint Paul/ that here I repeat again/ and beat in to your ears: Covetousness is the root of all evil.  
The fourth secular evil/ that spotteth and maketh ill favoured the face of the church/ is the continual secular occupation: wherein priests & bishops now a days doth busy themself/ the servants rather of men than of god: the warriors rather of this world than of Christ. For the apostle Paul writeth unto Timothe: No man being god's soldier/ turmoil himself with seculare business. The warring of them is not carnal but spiritual. For our warring is to pray/ to read and study scriptures/ to preach the word of god/ to minister the sacraments of health/ to do sacrifice for the people/ and to offer hosts for their sins. For we are mediators and means unto god for men: The which saint Paul witnesseth/ writing to the Hebrews: Every bishop (saith he) taken of men/ is ordained for men in those things that be unto god/ that he may offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. wherefore those apostles/ that were the first priests and bishops/ did so moche abhor from all manner of meddling of secular things/ that they would not minister the meat/ that was necessary to poor people/ all though that were a great work of virtue: but they said: it is not meet/ that we should leave the word of god/ and serve tables: we will be continually in prayer/ and preaching the word of god. And saint Paul crieth unto the Corinth's. If you have any secular business/ ordain them to be judges/ that be most in contempt in the church. without doubt/ of this secularity/ and that clerks and priests (leaving all spiritualness) do turmoil themself with earthly occupations/ many evils do follow. first the dignity of priesthood is dysshonoured/ the which is greater than other the kings or emperors: it is equal with the dignity of angels. But the brightness of this great dignity is sore shadowed/ when priests are occupied in earthly things: whose conversation ought to be in heaven.  
Secondarily priesthood is despised/ when there is no difference betwixt such priests and lay people: but according to the prophecy of Ozee. As the people be/ so are the priests.  
Thirdly the beautiful order/ and holy dignity in the church/ is confused/ when the highest in the church do meddle with vile and earthly things: and in their stead/ vile & abject persons do exercise high and heavenly things.  
Fourthly the lay people have great occasion of evils and cause to fall/ when those men whose duty is to draw men from the affection of this world/ by their continual conversation in this world/ teach men to love this world: and of the love of the world cast them down headlong in to hell.  
More over in such pristes/ that are so busied/ there must needs follow hypocrisy. For when they be so mixed and confused with the lay people/ under the garment and habit of a priest/ they live plainly after the lay fashion. Also by spiritual weakness and bondage fear/ when they are made weak with the waters of this world: they dare neither do nor say/ but such things as they know to be pleasant and thankful to their princes. At last ignorancy and blindness/ when they are blinded with the darkness of this world/ they see nothing but earthly things. wherefore our saviour christ/ not with out cause/ did warn the prelate's of his church: Take heed (said he) lest your hearts be grieved with gluttony and drunkenness/ and with the cares of this world. with the cares (saith he) of this world/ wherewith the hearts of priests being sore charged/ they can not hold and lift up their minds to high and heavenly things.  
Many other evils there be/ beside those that follow of the secularity of priests/ which were long here to rehearse/ but I make an end.  
These be the four evils that I have spoken of/ O father's/ O priests/ by the which we are conformable to this world/ by the which the face of the church is made evil favoured/ by the which the state of it is destroyed/ truly moche more than it was in the beginning by the persecution of tyrants: or afterward by the invasion that followed of heretics. For in the persecution of tyrants/ the church being vexed was made stronger and brighter: In the invasion of heretics/ the church being shaken/ was made wiser and more cunning in holy writ. But since this secularity was brought in/ after that the secular manner of living crept in/ in the men of the church: the root of all spiritual life/ that is to say/ charity was extinct: The which taken away/ there can neither wise nor strong church be in god.  
In this time also we perceive contradiction of the lay people. But they are not so much contrary unto us/ as we are ourself. Nor their contrarines hurteth not us so moche as the contrarines of our evil life/ the which is contrary both to god and Christ. For he said: who that is not with me/ is against me.  
we are also now a days grieved of heretics/ men mad with marvelous foolishness: but the heresies of them are not so pestilent and pernicious unto us and the people/ as the evil and wicked life of priests: the which (if we believe saint Barnard) is a certain kind of heresy/ and chief of all/ and most perilous. For that same holy father/ in a certain convocation/ preaching unto the pristes of his time/ in a certain sermon/ so he said by these words. There be many catholic and faithful men in speaking and preaching/ the which same men are heretics in working: For that that heretics do by evil teaching: that same do they through evil example/ they lead the people out of the right way/ and bring them in to error of life. And so much they are worse than physics/ how moche their works prevail their words. This that holy father saint barnard/ with a great and a fervent spirit/ said against the sect of evil priests in his time: By which words he showeth plainly/ to be two manner of heresies/ the one to be of perverse teaching/ and the t'other of naughty life: Of which this later is worse and more perilous: the which reigneth now in the church in priests/ not living pristly but secularly/ to the utter and miserable destruction of the church. wherefore you fathers/ you priests/ and all you of the clergy/ at the last look up & awake/ from this your sleep in this forgetful world: And at the last/ being well awaked/ here Paul crienge unto you: Be you not conformable unto this world. And this for the first part. Now let us come to the second.  

The second part of reformation.  
BUt be you reform in the newness of your understanding. The second thing that saint Paul commandeth/ is that we be reform in to a new understanding/ that we smell those things that be of god. Be we reform unto those things/ that are contrary to those I spoke of even now: that is to say/ to meekness/ to soberness/ to charity/ to spiritual occupation: That as the said Paul writeth unto Titus'/ Renyenge all wickedness & worldly desires/ we live in this world soberly/ truly/ and virtuously.  
This reformation and restoring of the church's estate must needs begin of you our father's/ and so follow in us your priests/ and in all the clergy. you are our heeds: you are an example of living unto us. Unto you we look as unto marks of our direction. In you and in your life we desire to read as in lively books/ how & after what fashion we may live. wherefore if you will ponder and look upon our mottiss/ first take away the blocks out of your eyes. Hit is an old proverb: Physician heal thyself. you spiritual physicians/ first taste you this medicine of purgation of manners: and than after offer us the same to taste.  
The way/ where by the church may be reform in to better fashion/ is not for to make new laws. For there be laws many/ enough/ and out of number/ as Solomon saith: Nothing is new under the son. For the evils that are now in the church/ were before in time paste: and there is no fault/ but that fathers have provided very good remedies for it. There are no trespasses/ but that there be laws against them in the body of the Canon law. Therefore it is no need/ that new laws and constitutions be made: But that those/ that are made all ready/ be kept. wherefore in this your assemble/ let those laws/ that are made/ be called before you and rehearsed. Those laws (I say) that restrain vice/ and those that further virtue.  
first let those laws be rehearsed/ that do warn you fathers/ that ye put not over soon your hands on every man/ or admit unto holy orders. For there is the well of evils/ that the broad gate of holy orders opened/ every man that offereth himself/ is all where admitted without pulling back. Thereof springeth and cometh out the people/ that are in the church both of unlearned and evil priests. Hit is not enough for a priest (after my judgement) to construe a collette/ to put forth a question/ or to answer to a sopheme: but much more a good/ a pure/ and a holy life/ approved manners/ meetly learning of holy scripture/ some knowledge of the sacraments. Chief & above all thing/ the fear of god/ & love of the heavenly life.  
Let the laws be rehearsed/ that command that benefices of the church be given to those that are worthy: And that promotions be made in the church by the right balance of virtue/ not by carnal affection: not by the acception of persons: whereby it happeneth now adays/ that boys for old men/ fools for wise men/ evil for good/ do reign and rule.  
Let the laws be rehearsed/ that warreth against the spot of Simony. The which corruption/ the which infection/ the which cruel & audible pestilence so crepteth now abroad/ as the canker evil/ in the minds of priests: that many of them are not afeard now a days/ both by prayer and service/ rewards and promesses/ to get them great dignities.  
Let the laws be rehearsed/ that command personal residence of curates in their churches. For of this many evils grow: by cause all things now a days are done by vicaries and parish priests: ye and those foolish also/ and unmeet: and often times wicked: that seek none other thing in the people than foul lucre/ whereof cometh occasion of evil heresies/ and ill christendom in the people.  
Let be rehearsed the laws and holy rules given of father's/ of the life and honesty of clerks: that forbid that a clerk be no merchant/ that he be no usurer/ that he be no hunter/ that he be no common player/ that he bear no weapon.  
The laws that forbid clerks to haunt taverns: that forbid them to have suspect familiarity with women. The laws that command soberness/ and a measurablenes in apparel/ and temperance in adourning of the body.  
Let be rehearsed also to my lords these monks/ canons/ and religious men/ the laws that command them to go the strait way/ that leadeth unto heaven: leaving the broad way of the world: that commandeth them not to turmoil themself in business/ neither secular nor other: That command/ that they sew not in princes courts for earthly things. For it is in the council of Calcidinens/ that monks ought only to give themself to prayer and fasting/ and to the chasting of their flesh/ and observing of their rules.  
Above all things let the laws be rehearsed/ that pertain and concern you my reverent fathers and lords/ bishops/ laws of your just and canonical election/ in the chapters of your churches/ with the calling of the holy ghost. For because that is not done now a days/ And because prelate's are chosen often times more be favour of men than by the grace of god: Therefore truly have we not a few times bishops full little spiritual/ men rather worldly than heavenly/ savouring more the spirit of this world than the spirit of Christ.  
Let the laws be rehearsed of the residence of bishops in their diocesis: that command/ that they look diligently/ and take heed to the health of souls: That they sow the word of god: That they show themself in their churches/ at the least on great holy days. That they do sacrifice for their people: That they here the causes and matters of pour men: That they sustain fatherless children and widows: That they exercise themself in works of virtue.  
Let the laws be rehearsed of the good bestowing of the patrimony of Christ. The laws that command that the goods of the church be spent/ not in costly building/ not in sumptuous apparel/ and pompis: not in feasting and banqueting: not in excess and wantonness: not in enriching of kyns folk: not in keeping of dogs/ but in things profitable and necessary to the church. For when saint Augustine/ some time bishop of England/ did ask the pope Gregory/ how that the bishops and prelate's of England/ should spend their goods/ that were the offerings of faithful people. The said pope answered (and his answer is put in the decrees/ in the twelve chap. & second question) that the goods of bishops ought to be divided in to four parts: whereof one part ought to be to the bishop and his household: An other to his clerks: The third to repair and up hold his tenements: The fourth to the pour people.  
Let the laws be rehearsed/ ye and that often times/ that take away the filths and uncleanliness of courts: that take away those daily new found crafts for lucre: that busy them to pull away this foul covetousness/ the which is the spring and cause of all evils: The which is the well of all iniquity.  
At the last let be renewed those laws and constitutions of fathers of the celebration of counsels/ that command provincial counsels to be oftener used for the reformation of the church. For there never happeneth nothing more hurtful to the church of Christ/ than the lack both of council general and provincial.  
when these laws/ and such other are rehearsed that be for us/ and that concern the correction of manners/ there lacketh nothing/ but that the same be put in execution/ with all authority and power.  
That ones (seeing we have a law) we live after the law. For the which things/ with all due reverence/ I call chief upon you fathers. For this execution of the laws/ and observing of the constitutions/ must needs begin of you/ that ye may teach us priests to follow you by lively examples: or else truly it will be said of you: They lay grievous burdens upon other men's backs/ and they themself will not as much as touch it with their little finger.  
For sooth if you keep the laws: and if you reform first your life to the rules of the Canon laws/ than shall ye give us light (in the which we may see what is to be done of our part) That is to say/ the light of your good example: And we saying our fathers so keeping the laws/ will gladly follow the steps of our fathers.  
The clergies and spirituals part once reform in the church/ than may we with a just order proceed to the reformation of the lays part: The which truly will be very easy to do: if we first be reform. For the body followeth the soul. And such rulers as are in the cite/ like dwellers be in it. wherefore if priests/ that have the charge of souls/ be good: straight the people will be good. Our goodness shall teach them more clearly to be good than all other teachings and preachings. Our goodness shall compel them in to the right way/ truly more effectuously/ than all your suspendings and cursings.  
wherefore if ye will have the lay people to live after your wish and will: first live you yourself after the will of god. And so (trust me) ye shall get in them what so ever ye will.  
ye will be obeyed of them/ and right it is. For in the epistle to the Hebrews/ these are the words of saint Paul to the lay people.  
Obey (saith he) to your ruler's/ and be you under them. But if ye will have this obedience: first perform in you the reason and cause of obedience: the which the said Paul doth teach: and it followeth in the text: that is: Take you heed also diligently/ as though ye should give a reckoning for their souls: and they will obey you.  
you will be honoured of the people: it is reason. For saint Paul writeth unto Timothe: Pristes that rule well/ be worthy double honours/ chief those that labour in word and teaching. Therefore if ye desire to be honoured: first look that ye rule well/ and that ye labour in word and teaching: and than shall the people have you in all honour.  
you will reap their carnal things/ and gether tithes and offerings without any striving: right it is. For saint Paul writing unto the Romans/ saith: They are debtors/ & aught to minister unto you in carnal things. first sow you your spiritual things: and than ye shall reap plentifully their carnal things. For truly that man is very hard and unjust/ that will reap where he never did sow: and that will gether where he never scattered.  
ye will have the churches liberty/ and not to be drawn afore secular judges/ and that also is right. For it is in the psalmis. touch ye not mine anointed. But if ye desire this liberty: first unlouse yourself from the worldly bondage/ and from the services of men: and lift up yourself in to the true liberty/ the spiritual liberty of Christ/ in to grace from sins/ and serve you god/ and reign in him. And than (believe me) the people will not touch the anointed of their lord god.  
ye would be out of business in rest and peace: and that is convenient. But if ye will have peace come again to the god of peace & love. Come again to Christ: in whom is the very true peace of the ghost/ the which passeth all wit. Come again to yourself/ and to your pristly living. And to make an end/ as saint Paul saith: Be you reform in the newness of your understanding/ that you savour those things that are of god: and the peace of god shall be with you.  
These are they reverent fathers and right famous men/ that I thought to be said for the reformation of the church's estate: I trust ye will take them of your gentleness to the best. And if peraventure it be thought/ that I have past my bounds in this sermon/ or have said any thing out of temper/ forgive it me: and ye shall forgive a man speaking of very zeal/ to a man sorrowing the decay of the church: and consider the thing hit self/ not regarding any foolysshenes. Consider the miserable form and state of the church: and endeavour yourselves with all your minds to reform it.  
Suffer not father's/ this your so great a gethering to depart in vain. Suffer not this your congregation to slip for naught. Truly ye are gathered often times together: but (by your favour to speak the troth) yet I see not what fruit cometh of your assembling/ namely to the church.  
Go ye now in the spirit that ye have called on/ that by the help of it/ ye may in this your council find out/ decern/ & ordain those things that may be profitable to the church/ praise unto you/ and honour unto god. Unto whom he all honour and glory/ for ever more. Amen.    

Thomas Berthelet regius impressor excudebat. Cum privilegio.