The image of both pastors/ set forth by that most famous clerk, Huldrych zwinglius, & now translated out of Latin into English, By john Veron Sinonoys. A most fruitful & necessary Book, to be had & red in all Churches, there with to enarme all simple & ignorant folks, against the ravening wolves and false prophets.  
M.D.L.  
Cum Privilegio ad Imprimendum Solum.   

Actu. xx. Chap.  
¶ Take heed to yourselves, and to the whole flock, whereupon thee holy ghost hath appointed you, bishops, to govern the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his blood.   

Math seven. Chap.  
¶ Beware of false Prophets, that come unto you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly, they are ravening wolves.   

¶ To the Most mighty Prince Edward, Duke of Somerset, Earl of Harforde, Vycount of Beaw champ, & Uncle to our most sovereign Lord the King. john Veron wisheth peace & grace, health of soul & body, & increase of divine knowledge, and godly honour, from God the father, through our Lord & saviour jesus Christ.  
considering within myself, most redoubted Prince, the unspeakable & exceeding great mercy, of our most bounteous heavenvly father, which so plenteously hath now at this present, sent among us, the most pleasant, & joyful light of his holy & sacred word, that sens the birth & nativity of our Lord, & saviour jesus Christ, it was never in this illustre & flourishing realm, so purely & sincerely preached, as it is now in our time, set forth to the great comfort & consolation of our poor wretched consciences, which so long have been detented & held captives in the thick darkness of men's traditions: I have a good cause to wonder, & marvel at the ingratitude, & unthankfulness of many and sundry folks, which, in this most gracious time, that salvation is so freely, in the word of God, and holy scriptures, offered every where unto them, yet to their utter undoing and destruction have rather to stick to the dregs of men's dreams and devyllysshe invencyous of antichrist, than to embrace the joyful tidings of thee Gospel, where only they may find rest too their poor weary souls. christ the everlasting wisdom of the father doth cry our there saying: 
Math. xi  Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are laden, and I will ease you. And yet these mad and bewitched persons will in no wise hearken unto him, but most wretchedly labouring and sweeting, under the intolerable burden, of antichrist traditions, do wittingly, and of all obstinate purpose and mind, run head long into perdytyon, following in it their blind guides, which do yet at this present, contrary both to god's word and the kings most godly procedings, lead them into all kinds of devilish error.  

One of the principal causes of the blindness that yet now a days reigneth among the people,  These blind guides, I say, are the●, that poison the simple and ignorant people and are causes of their utter undoing and destruction. Then will they not suffer to come into thee right way, and to follow the for going light of the gospel, of our saviour jesus Christ, whose doctrine and word, they persuade these poor ignorant and blind folks to be plain heresy, and that they, which now preach, set forth, and bring unto them, the glad and comfortable news of salvation, are most pernytyous heretics, which go about, to bring all men, from thee old and ancient religion, that was set up, allowed, and established, by the holy fathers of the primitive church, in to a new kind of religion that they invented themselves out of their own brains, thereby too take away and banish from among men thee true worshipping of the living God. 
The ungodly persuasions of the papists.  Are not (will these antichrist's say) thorough this new learning, all lamable ceremonies, driven out of the churches? where be now thee holy saints become, that ye, in all your afflictions, and trouble were wont too fly unto. As for thee holy and blessed Sacrament, of thee Aultare they have most ungodly plucked it down. Within a while (sith that they have also put down that most holy & sacred Mass) they will leave no God at all unto us. Beware, take heed too yourselves, good folks, hearken not unto them. We warrant you, they shall not continue long. Within there two or three years and less, ye shall see all things clean altered and changed.  
Those and many other like things, do these ravening wolves, and false Prophets, not only whisper in men's ears, but also most boldly (as though they fear neither God, nor King) blow out abroad, among the loving subjects of this Realm. I tell the truth, I lie not (god shall bear me record of the same). Not long a go, I was in communication with one of the chiefest ring leaders of that unlucky company (whose name I do here wittingly pass over) which is a man of great learning, and in the Philosophy and doctrine of Aristoteles, most cunning and expert. This man after that we had reasonned a while in matters of religion, suddenly broke forth with these words: No, no, said he, (and called me by my name) set your heart at rest, I do not doubt, but that within these two or three years, all these fellows, that now are busyest, and most earnest, in setting forth of this heresy (for so did he call the preaching of the gospel, that is now used among us) shall be glad to recant every one of them, as fast, to call back their erroneous opinions, and to say: tongue thou didst lie. Now most mighty Prince, if this man, not withstanding the Kings proceedings, and other godly acts, set forth by the kings most honourable counsel, to thee utter subversion of false doctrine, ungodly traditions, and idolatry, and again to the maintenance of true religion, durst be so bold too have soche talk, and communication with me, whom he knew right well, though that I have but very small learning and knowledge (howbeit I do most highly thank god, that he of his goodness did vouchsafe, to direct that little that I have, to his glory) yet to be most earnest, in the defence of this true doctrine & religion. What will both he, and other of the ungodly fact, do among them, whom they know to be both unlearned & weak? Truly they will utterly subvert them. They will make them, that when they hear of christ, & of his gospel, they shall stop their ears & cry out with the ungodly multitude of thee jews, saying: Away with him, crucify him. Mark ye this, o ye Christian Magistrates (whose part and duty it is, to beware and take heed, that thee people committed unto you, do not fall again into darkness and ignorance). 
math. xxi Luke. nineteen mark. xi  When our saviour jesus christ, King of all Kings, and Lord of all lords, made his solemn entry into Jerusalem: how joyfully with songs and hymns was he received of thee common people? Blessed be the king (said they) that cometh in the name of the lord: Peace in heaven, & glory in the highest: But within a while after this poor simple and ignorant people, that thus so joyfully received our saviour christ, being moved and persuaded by the high pryestes, 
mat. xvii Luke. xxiii joh. xviii mark. xv.  scribes, and pharisees, did prefer that thief and shameful murderer Barrabas unto him, whom a little while before they called King, desiring of Pouryous pilate, with a loud voice that thee said rebel and cruel murderer Barrabas, should be let lose unto them, and that jesus should be delivered up, for too be crucified. In like manner now a days, it doth happen and chance here among us. For when thee Gospel and glad tidings of salvation, are by honest and godly men preached and set forth unto thee good folks of thee country: it is a great wonder and marvel too see, how greedily the most part of them do receive it, no less rejoicing, at those joyful news of heaven, than thee multitude of thee jews, did at the coming of their Messiah. But as soon, as these false prophets (thee true preachers being departed from thence, into some other place) are come among them, and have shreven them a while, they are made a thousand times worse, than they were afore thee hearing of thee Gospel. These ravening wolves are so armed with hypocrisy, with blaundiloquence, fair speaking and flattery, that it is a thing impossible, for the poor simple folks of thee country, which are nuzzled in the old superstition of their forefathers, that they should at any time without the special grace of god, beware and take heed of them: yea many witted and learned persons that are not yet strong, steadfast, firm, & sound in the faith, at oftentimes by them overthrown and clean subverted.  

The names of the high learned Papists, whose learning consisteth only, in philosophy & profane disciplines are hurtful  What shall we say? thee names of them are noisome and hurtful. Which thing we do see now a days to be most true. I know some, which if they were a little otherwise handled, or some what more straightly look upon, but even half so much, as they did look upon us, when they bare rule and were in high authority, having those laws in their hands, which (no man, of what degree soever he was bearing open his mouth against them) they had made themselves. We should see, & that shortly, all those shires, that have not yet received the word, to come merely, & with a lusty courage, and joyful heart, unto thee truth and gospel, which are no only letted and stopped, by the glorious names and titles, of such high renowned people. 
Read my book that I made against the lybertins & rebelies.  Well, it was not for nought (as I have often said, and now I say it again) that those godly kings, which in times past did put down all idolatry, & superstition, setting up again, withal godly study & diligence, 
iii. Regu. xviii. iiii. Reg. x iiii. Regum. xxiii,  the true worshipping of the living god, did slay & kill up all Baal's priests, & false prophets of groves, & hill altars. Which thing truly they did, because that they should not bring the people again into error. Nor let any man think here, that it was cruelly done, no more, than when a rotten remember is cut of, from the body, lest that it should infect all the whole. Is it not (I pray you) much more expedient, that viii hundreth and. L. false prophets, should be killed up, by some Helyas, than that all the whole Israel should perish. judge ye all, that have any wit in your heads. How be it, it is not my will, 
What moderation must be used in rooting out of the papistes  that any man should be murdered or put to death, unless it be with the sword of the spirit, & as the lord speaketh himself by the prophet, saying: I will smite the earth with the road of my mouth, & with the breath of my lips, 
Isaiah. xi  will I slay the ungodly, I would wish, that all such people should be alured & won, by charitable means, that they might perceive & see, that much more gentleness is showed unto than, than they have afore times showed unto us, & again that the magistrates, do seek only for their amendment, and salvation of their souls, and not for their chests and coffers. Nevertheless, if they be obstinate & stubborn, or go about some tumult and novatyon of things, or else hinder still the people, & kept them back from the truth of the gospel, & from Christ, the comen saviour of all men: let them hardly feel that the Magistrate beareth not in vain the temporal sword. In deed, it is time that some of them be tied up shorter, sith that they be not afraid, 
The bold threatenings & shameful lyings of the papists.  to threaten us, (& that, to thee great abashment of the weaker) that forenne Princes, if we do not shortly recant, & come again to the old fashion, will invade, & come upon t●is noble & flourishing Realm. Yea, say they (when they be upon their ale benches, and in corners, 
the communication of Papists upon their ale benches and in corners, where they dare utter out their poison.  where they think, they may utter out such doctrine) the proudest of them all, meaning the head rulers & magistrates, through whose vigilant care, true religion hath been restored, and set up again, be in doubt, what they may do. They tremble & quake for fear, if they do but hear one's, that noble & most redoubted emperor, named. They do almost creep into a mouse hole, when they hear daily, how he handleth their brethren in Christ beyond thee sea. They would give (yea mary would they) thousand thousands, that thee holy and blessed Mass, had never been put down by them. They would fain have it up again, if they knew, how they might do it handsomely, and not to their shame and rebuke.  
Soche is their communication abroad, among the simple & ignorant people, and that of late. It is no marvel then, that the most part of thee loving subjects of this Realm, do yet both abhor, and utterly refuse the wholesome doctrine of their salvation, sith that so many false Prophets, are yet suffered, to be among them, and so few faithful Pastors provided for, and sent unto them. For truly, this is one of the chiefest causes of the blindness of the people, 
Another cause of the blindness of the people.  and that they are so easily seduced, and brought into error, by false Prophets, that daily and hourly come unto them in sheeps clothing. They lack true Pastors. They want faithful teachers and guides. Their watch men are all blind, they have all together no understanding, 
Esay. lvi.  they are all dumb dogs, not being able to bark, they are slepye, sloggysh, and lie snorting, they are shameless dogs, that be never satisfied. Their shepherds in like manner, have no understanding, but every man turneth his own way every man after his own covetousness, with all his power. How (I beseech you) can the people, having such blind bousardes too their guides & pastors, get any understanding or knowledge? How shall they discern the false prophets, from the true pastors and faithful ministers. They truly, as young innocent babes, will embrace poison, for wholesome meat, and take up a scorpion for all egg. But now, whom shall we blame most chiefly, for this? Thee bishops? thee King and his honourable Counsel? 
Mark & weigh these things o ye Princes of thee world, and high prelate's of churches, let them not be forgotten.  forsooth, if there were any suspicion, that any forenne prince or nation, would invade this Realm: by and by should in all thee haste, and with all diligence, watch mean be set out, in all thee ports and uttermost places of thee country, too espy out the coming of thee enemies, and to give warning thereof. And why so, A pray you? because that the loving Subjects of this Realm, should by their sudden coming & arriving, take no manner of harm in their goods & bodies, How much more then. sith that so many cruel and mighty enemies, do always without ceasing, and intermission, be set us round about, endeavouring themself, both night & day, with all their might and power, to spoil us, of that most precious jewel, that christ himself the only begotten son of the father, 
We are always in peril & jeopardy to be spoiled by our ghosteli enemies, of that precious jewel that christ hath purchased unto us.  hath with the shedding of his dear blood, purchased unto us, and so to murder most miserably both our bodies and souls, having besides that their espies, every where here among us, so masked and disguised in sheeps clothing and skins, that they can scarcely be known, from our friends and well willers: ought true and faithful watch men to be sent out into all corners? to be appointed and set in all places? O preposterous, perverse, and overthwart judgement. In things that are transitory, and fade away like the grass, that is to say, in things that belong to our corruptible bodies, and thee preseruatyon, or safeguard of the same, we are most diligent & careful, but in things that belong unto thee souls, which are immortal, and never die, but after thee death of thee bodies, be always, either in exceeding great joy, or else in pains and torments unspeakable, yea, the bodies at the day of judgement, being united and joined again unto their souls, shall be partakers of either of them: it is impossible to tell, how careless & negligent we are. Which thing, besides all other arguments, may be proved by this. In all thee towns of war, of this Realm, strong garrisons, (as it is most convenient and meet) are set, noble and valiant Captains, and faithful, or trusty watch men are appointed, nothing is left uncared for, that may be for the safeguard of those forts and towns: But now home many parish churches in England, 
Churches are the watching or espying towers of the kingdom of Christ.  which Churches, by right may be called, the watching or espying towers of the everlasting kingdom, of our heavenly King and saviour jesus Christ, are provided of true and faithful watch men? Not scarcely one among xl hath a true pastor or minister, 
The c●use why parish Churches are not provided of true and faithful ministers.  and why? This is one of the causes why. Lords and gentlemen, have all most all the livings of Churches in their hands. And as long as they may get sir john lack latin, to serve their cure under them, for a little or nothing, that is to say: for vi or viii. li. a year, where as they theirself, receive and take yearly upon it, some lx some. C.li some more, some less, it will never be, that they shall set godly learned men in them. O merciful god, what mean the head rulers, and governors of this world (here I do understand Kings, Emperors, high Prelates and bishops) whom the scriptures and word of god do call, pastors and shepherds of thee people? What answer shall they make unto him, that is thee pastor of all, when he shall require out of their hands, thee blood of his dear bought sheep, that did perish, and daily do perish, thorough their negligence and fawlte. My mind abhorreth too remember, how horrible and grievous punishments are prepared for them. God, of his merciful bountuousnesse grant, that our noble and sovereign Lord thee king, and all his honourable counsel, for thee discharge of their consciences, may shortly see an order in it, that all thee parishes thorough out all England and other of thee kings dominions, may be provided of true pastors and ministers.  
In the mean season, that this shall be a doing, too fence and arm thee loving subjects of this Realm against those ravening wolves that come to them in sheeps skins, I have here, according to the little, that I can do, translated out of latin into English, a book, which may right well be called: Thee image of both pastors, set forth by that most famous clerk Huldryche zwinglius bishop of Tigure, and called by him pastor. It is a very profitable and necessary book, and most worthy, not only to be translated into all tongues, but also to be had and read in all thee Churches of Christendom. 
The division of the whole work  For there first and foremost the congregation shall see, thee true and faithful pastor, most lively depycted, 
What is contained in the first part.  and set out in his own colours, which are taken out none other where, than out of thee chests and coffers of thee holy and sacred scriptures. Whereby, any man shall learn, how far from all voluptyes and pleasures of thee flesh, this office and vocation is. For who so ever taketh this ministry and functyon in hand, must continually with out ceasing & intermission, war, strive, and fight, against all flesh, and all the power and strength of it, against his own patents, kinsfolks, brethren, and sisters, yea against his own self, and all the concupiscences, and lusts of his own flesh, against all pomp and pride of this world, and all the mighty Princes of it: finally, what soever, is in any manner of thing, repugnant unto god, he shall profess and declare himself, an open enemy against it. Thee consideration of which things, 
If a man doth administer sufficiently the office of a Pastor, it is the very work of god and not of man.  doth plainly teach us, that too administer this great and perilous office, worthily and suffycyentelye, is thee very work of God, and not of man's strength. To do it, I say, truly and sincerely, it cometh not of man, but only of God, which giveth us strength, too bear so heavy a burden. In thee second part, 
What is contained in the second part.  the ravening wolves, which being clothed in sheeps skins, do counterfeit thee true shepherds, are describe and set forth to thee eyen of thee congregation, and in a manner, showed with thee finger. For, there any man shall see, their wide gaping mouths, their sharp teeth (wherewythe they always threaten slaughter and murder) and woluysshe paws (for thee sheeps skins, wherewythe they have disguised themselves can not hide all things) to appear out. To be short, all the congregatyons and churches, that are not yet provided of true ministers, shall by this little book (if it be truly perused and read) learn, in the mean season, too discern and know thee true and faithful pastors, from thee devilish ravening wolves, be they never so masked and disguised. Which truly, will be no small help unto them afterwards (when true pastors, shall thorough thee fatherly care of our sovereign lord the king, and his honourable counsel, be sent unto them (too come unto the true religion, and godliness. 
A prayer unto God for to send true & faithful Pastors.  O merciful priest, and chief bishop jesus Chiyste, vouchsafe (we beseech thee) of thy bounteous mercifulness, to send out, true and faithful labourers, into thy holy harvest, for too break and distribute thee bread of thy holy word, unto them, that hunger for it. vouchsafe also, o most true and faithful shepherd, to strengthen, with thy holy spirit, all preachers and teachers, that thou haste sent, and daily do send, to feed thy dear bought flock, too thee intent that they may boldly and earnestly set their souls in the defence of thy holy word, and for their sheep, against all the threatenings, and false enterprises, of thee ravening wolves and false prophets that go about too seduce and bring us out of the right way, for their belies sake, through their false doctrine. And that they may so teach and declace unto us, thy holy law, and Gospel, that we being taught and edified, may daily more and more magnify thy godly honour.  
Now I have shortly declared and showed, the chief and pryncypal causes of thee blindness, that yet at this present, raignethe among thee simple and ignorant people, and what moved me too translate this golden book, and most excellent work. Which truly, if that godly Nehemias', thee reparatour of Jerusalem were among us, I would have dedicated unto him, and too none other. Sith than that your grace hath been a very Nehemias' unto us (for, thorough your vigilaunte care, the true Jerusalem, which is the Church that was all covered with thee rubbisshe of Antichristes' traditions, is now at this present, new builded up again) I could do no less, but to dedicate it unto your grace. And though it is not so eloquentely and finely translated, as many, that were naturally borne and brought up in this country, might have done it: Yet not wythestanding, have I a good hope, that your grace (such is your Princely gentleness) will take it in good worth, not so much considering the thing itself, as the benevolent heart, that it cometh from. The Lord knoweth how great a love and affcctyon, not only I, but generally all true christians, do bear unto you, and that, for the exceeding great zeal that your grace, hath had always to true religion and godliness. This love and affection, was right well declared and manifested, by thee tears and daily prayers of thee faithful, when that everliving and almighty God (who always chastiseth them, whom he loveth) did suffer your grace to be tried, with thee fire of trouble and affliction. As then, all thee whole congregation of thee faithful did with mourning tears, make earnest intercession and prayer unto almighty God, for your grace's deliverance: so now I do most humbly beseech him, that is the author of all good things, that he vouchsafe of his goodness and mercy, so with his holy spirit too rule, guygde, and govern you, in all your weighty affairs, with that most gracious Lady, your true loving spouse and wife, that what soever your grace shall think or do, may be to the glory of god, to the common weal of this Realm, & salvation of your soul.  
¶ Your poor orator john Verou.   

The Image of both Pastors, or ministers set forth by that famous Clerck Huldriche zwinglius, and now translated out of latin into english by john Vtron Sevonoys.  

Th●y were called apostolic men that were disciples of the Apostles, as Luke & mark were.  THat in times passed, many admonitions were given by the prophets, in the old Testament, & in the new by apostolic men, yea, & the apostles themselves, which were the chief ministers of Christ's church, unto the Pastors of the people, every man doth know, that only hath red with a diligent mind, their books & writings, in the which, most dear brethren in Christ, & most faithful servants, and ministers in the house of god, we may deprehend and find very suit tokens of this thing. Wherefore I have thought that it was also lawful for me, to speak, talk, and reason, with all the fidelity and diligence that can be, of our common office and admynystration, and that most especially in this godly and divine Synod, 
A Synod is an assemble or convocation of the clergy togeath ten  where so many hundredth of Pastors, so great numbered of learned men, and also so great a multitude of brethren, that with a fervent desire do thirst for the word of God, are assembled. Let us therefore, in gods holy name begin our matter.  
The Christian Pastor, and flock, which he taketh upon him to feed, doth with such evidence and liveliness express the type & figure of thee divine Majesty, and of us all: 
The scripture of the old Testament, doth adumorate & shadow the divine providence of god under the similitude & shadow of a shepherd.  that the Scripture of thee old Testament is wont often times too shadow under thee similitude and Image of a pastor or shepherd, that everlarsting providence of thee high God, where with he doth behold, care for, rule, & as a faithful householder, dispose all things, that is to say, when it doth depicte and set forth that most high governor of the world, under the person of a shepherd, and us under the similitude of sheep. What should we say? Sith that the saviour of us all, jesus Christ doth vouchsafe to call himself by the name of a shepherd? john x chap. For he is thee true food, in him the fat Pastors of the souls are laid forth unto us, to be short, he is that true leader & shepherd of the ●●ocke, which hath brought us miserable & wretched sinners, out of the thick darkness of ignorance, and snares of men's traditions, into that pleasant light, of god's wisdom, and in to the liberty of the sons of God.  

Where the office of a shepherd or pastor ought to be learned  Wherefore it shall be necessary for all them, that are sent as Pastors, to feed the flock of thee LORD, that they receive and take thee admynystration and laws of their office out of none other Doctrine, than out of thee pure, and sincere word of God, which in these latter times did declare, manifest, expound and express itself vysyblye and most lively, with great lyghtesomnesse and evidence in Christ jesus thee true and natural son of thee Father, which thing was also done before in thee old Testament (though it was some what darckelye) in thee times of thee patriarchs and Prophets. 
The division of the whole work.  We shall therefore look first upon God's word at Chistes' mouth, and in his Acts (which Christ is also a true God.) Then by and by, we will seek out thee same in thee Prophets and Apostles, that we may know thereby, how excellent, and of what dignity and worthiness the office of a Pastor is, whom by other names we do call either a Bishop, or Person, a Vicar, or Curate, a preacher, prophet or evangelist. secondly we shall likewise depicte and set forth the false prophets in their own colours, that they may the better and more easily be known and taken heed of. We will also declare and set forth the punishment, which is prepared for them, that thee knowledge, and understanding of it, may either bring them to amendment, or if they refuse it, move the Magistrates, to remove & put them from their benefices and rooms that they are in. 
Christ is the true example of a good Pastor.   
But lest we should be fain to tarry long upon the most holy & profunde mysteries of that wonderful incarnation and nativity of our Lord jesus Christ, we will begin to speak of those things, which he both did and taught, sense thee time that he was manifested unto this world. Among thee which, we find this thing first, that he, being brought into thee Temple, according to thee prescript of thee law, was received into Symeons' arms, and not without high gratulation and joy, which after that he had declared with many words, that he was thee Saviour of all the whole world, turned himself to his mother, and said: 
Luke two.  Behold, this child is set to be thee fall and uprising again of many in Israel, 
The pastor is the stone of of fence & upresinge again  and for a sign, which is spoken against. And more over the sword shall pierce thy soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be opened. This therefore, shall the Pastor, afore of all things persuade himself in his mind, that there shall be many, which shall wax worse by his food, doctrine, and labour, and also that many being taught and instructed by him, shall rise from their sins and filthiness thereof. And also that there shall be always some ungodly and unfaithful persons, which shall withstand his Doctrine and godly endeavours. For, thee flesshelye man doth not receive that spiritual word of God, but rather doth resist it with all his whole strength. Whereby, it is wont to ensue and follow also, that thee Pastor being moste grievously hated and laid wait for, 
The Pastor is in not without peril & jeopardy  by those wicked and ungodly enemies of God's word, is always in peril and jeopardy. This thing also the parents, kynsfolckes and friends must be surely persuaded, nor ought to look for any other end of this ministry and function, but that their children, kynsefolckes and friends being called to this office, shall be hated, mocked derided and laughed to scorn of all men, yea, and that before their own eyen. For thee nature of flesh, is not such, that it can suffice itself to be kept and holden in so, that it doth not break forth at some times, and go about to follow his own studies and affections. Here therefore a great grief and sorrow doth spring and rise in thee minds of the parents and kynsfolckes, here also they do feel that sword, which not without great grief & dolour did pierce thee ●oule of Mary. For it is so ordained by nature, that patents do love their children so tenderly, that they are wont to have exceeding great compassion on them, not only, when they are afflicted without a just cause, but also when they are punished deservingly. David is an example or prove of this thing, which doth so sore lament and bewail the destruction and death, 
●. Regum xviii.  of his most ungodly and unfaithful son Absalon.  

It is the of fi●e of a pastor neither to d●, nor to learn undone any thing for the love & respect of his parents  Again it is the duty and part of a faithful pastor, to renunce, & forsake the love, friendship, and amity of his parents, and to do nothing in favour of them, but go on still, & persist steadfastly in the work of the Lord, without any respect of them, which thing Christ with his own example doth teach in the same place. For, when joseph, and the virgin Marry his mother, had by thee space of iii days, with a heavy heart sought him, and at length had found him in the midst of the Doctors & Scribes, his mother did some what sharply reprehend or rebuke him saying: Son, why hast thou so done unto us. Behold, thy father and I did with a heavy heart seek thee: He did answer, why did ye seek me? Did ye not know that I must be in those things, that belong to my father. A Christian pastor than must be of that mind and must be so affectioned, lest peradventure, he being moved, with thee grief of his parents, doth slowly administre God's work, and thee office that he hath received of him. He shall (I say) regard nothing, nor pass upon thee weepings of his children, nor thee mourning and bewailing of his wife, nor the affection and love of his sisters and brethren, nor yet the tears of his friends, and kinsfolks. For he seeth, that jesus Christ thee son of the virgin Mary (which else was most obedient) did thee same. 
Mathe ten  Wherefore, when de did send his disciples too preach thee gospel, he did say unto them: He that loveth his father and his mother above me, is not worthy of me. And he that loveth his son and his daughter above me, is not worthy of me, or he is not meet for this office and vocation. Also a faithful pastor shall not suffer his patents too have any authority, or bear any rule in thee admynystratyon and preaching of God's word, that is too say, he shall in no wise admynyster or preach the Gospel, and word of God, according too their mind, affection and judgement. For, it is known how sharply christ did speak unto his mother, when she being moved with a womanly affection, did begin to exhort him, 
john ii  as he sat at the marriage, that he should miraculously help them with wine, for they wanted it. Did he not say woman what have I to do with thee? Let this, I say, be the steadfastness and constancy of a pastor, let this be thee firm, steadfast, and constant purpose of his mind, to respect or regard thee authority of no mortal men, no, not of his own mother, that bore him, but follow on still the right course of his administration and office. And if his parents will to importinatelye with stand his godly purpose, & with stubbornness and obstinacy resist thee everlasting word of God, let then a faithful pastor count himself their utter foe and enemy, he shall forsake them, yea and hate them. For Christ sending forth his disciples doth speak unto them after this manner: 
Math. ten  think not that I am come to send peace into the earth. I came not to send peace, but a sword, for, I am come to set a man at variance, against his own father, and the daughter against the mother, and the daughter in law, against her mother in law. And again in Luke: 
Luke xiiii  If any man, sayeth he, doth come unto me, and doth not hate his father, and his mother, his wife, and his children, and sisters, yea and his own life, also he can not be my disciple. For, a faithful pastor of the lords flock, must be so wholly given and addicted to God the father, 
Though the children ought rather to forsake their parents, than to serve one jot from thee truth of god's word, yet notwithstanding we do not teach them too withdraw their helping hand from them in the time of necessity & need.  that he shall also be ready to hate his own parents (whose love, and careful looking to, the laws of god do in an other place commend) if at any time they go about to let his godly functyon and office, howbeit, these things, that we have rehearsed now, are not commanded to the Pastors only, but to all mankind, but yet first of all, they are required of pastor, too whom also they oughet chiefly to be referred. Now therefore, I do think, that we have declared sufficiently enough, and that ye do well see and perceive, how a pastor ought to be have himself, towards his parents, lest the respect of them should bring him any let or impediment. And again it hath been showed how the parents ought to be affectyoned & minded, that is to say, how they ought in no wise to hope, look, or gape, for any honours, and glory of this world in their children, that be sent to this message and chosen to this office, yea let them know this also for a surety, that their children can not but hate them, if they go about at any time too left them in this functyon and business of thee Lord. 
how a faithful Pastor ought to be affectioned towards himself.  But now we shall see how the Pastor ought to be affectyoned towards himself.  
Christ the saviour of the world, and infallible example of our life. Math xvi. chap. and Luc. ix. chap. speaketh after this manner: If any man will come after me, let him forsake himself, and take up his cross and follow me, for he that will save his life, shall lose it. And again: he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it. Here first and formest we do see that it is required that a man do utterly forsake himself. For, thee nature of man is such that he thinketh always himself to be somewhat, or too be worthy of no small honour, promising unto himself always mountains of gold, of his own strength and wisdom. But here now, it is necessary that a man do as a servant all together oppygnorate, bind, and give himself over unto almighty god, and therewythe, cast or throw him self wholly down in his sight. For he shall always have an eye only too God, to learn his will, nor he shall in no wise enterprise too do any thing of his own strength and wisdom, but still shall consider, behold and look upon, that one only and infallible example of his life which is God, and do all things, according to thee prescrypte of his word. But as soon as he hath done this, by and by shall thee cross offer itself, which every day must be taken upon our shoulders, for every day he shall feel new cares, new heaviness, and some new misfortune, which all, he shall suffer patiently, nor shall in any wise, or at any time shake of the yoke, that the Lord hath set upon him For, if any man doth forsake himself, and so, leaving the flesh and Satan, cometh unto Christ, for to have, or that he may have only, in all his doings, an eye unto God, every day, he shall see a great numbered of them, that have not yet forsaken themselves, which company shall far pass thee numbered of the godly and faithful. Now, these contrary kinds of people or of men, can no more agree among themselves, than fire and water. For the flesh doth covet against the spirit, & the spirit against the flesh. 
Galat. iii.  The flesh challenging unto itself no less knowledge & administration of the truth and of good things, than the spirit: 
The nature of our corrupted flesh.  she thinketh always that she can do some thing, & doth promise unto herself, a very great knowledge of holy things. And although she doth plainly see that her works in comparison of the divine works of god are nothing else but a vain painting, decenitfulnes, & as if a man might say, a childish play & game: yet notwithstanding doth she disdain to give place of the over hand to thee divine majesty. Howbeit though she doth counterfeit before men no small godliness, and true religion, yet in the mean season can she in no wise escape the judgement of a godly and faithful man, which hath wholly and from the very heart forsaken himself. For, he doth quickly smell out the affections of the flesh, & the contumacy or stubbornness that is naturally toted in her: as soon as she once beginneth to set forth herself. But if he once enterpryseth or go about to bring to light the painting, hypocrisy, 
Who soever goeth about to detect & open the hipocrysye of thee flesh shall feel sorrow & trouble.  & deceitful nature of the flesh, by and by, shall he feel her enemytye & armure. For, straight ways arming, and weeping herself, with most ygnominions, reproachful, and opprobrious words, she shall furiously fly upon him, that hath touched her painting and hypocrisy, never ceasing too spend all her whole strength against him, till she can either overthrow or utterly destroy him. Christ therefore, willeth us afore all things to be persuaded, that every day, we must bear a cross, for that more, that gods word doth increase & flourish, the more doth the cross, & persecution rise and follow, the greater that thee proceeding of god's word is, 
The godly ought never to look for peace & quietness in this world  the more furious & angry doth the flesh wax. Therefore they are all together deceived and err all the world wide, that are wont to hope and gape for peace and quietness, nor will sustain or abide the grievous scorns of persecutions, for the holy words sake, or think that they must suffer none For, though the people doth by flocks & swarms fly to the word of god, & with fervent studies come unto christ, yet withstanding, we shall feel, that ever much persecution, and cross, shallbe stirred up against us, by the mighty rulers of the world, which will always, with all their strength endeavours, & might, withstand & resist the evangelical doctrine. Yes, put the case, that there be no such in the world, or that the Princes & rulers do favour the truth of that gospel yet shall we nevertheless see false teachers & false Apostles, 
The nature of false teachers & false apostle.  rise daily, which having more learning, & knowledge, than charity & love, will set forth themselves not without great hindrance of the truth of god's word. For, they without any urgent cause, stirring up contentious and strifes, for every light trifle, shall grievously offend the weak and meek hearted, they care not though they all offend the world, so that they may be counted of the simple and ignorant people great clerks and well learned. Here therefore shall a new grief and cross rise and come up on us, which doth require in us a new & whole strength. For, they that at sound & steadfast or constant in the faith must needs be sore grieved in their minds, 
It is a great ●rosse to the godly to see the weak too be offended  when they see the weak to be offended, and truly there can be no greater, grievouser, or bytrerer grief unto a godly man, as Paul testyfyethe of himself to the Corinthi. saying? 
two. Cori. xi.  Who is offended, and I burn not? What neadethe many words? Every day we must take a new cross upon us: for, christ lieth not, when he doth say: 
math, vi  sufficient unto the day, is the travail thereof. And in an other place: 
math. ten  He that will save his life, shall lose it. Where ye must mark & note, that this word, anima (which commonly is taken for the soul or life of man) doth not only in this place signify, the life, that we do live in this body but also the mind, intent purpose or counsel of man. Who soever then, for to save this frail & transitory life, doth unfaithfully fall from the word of god, shall lose his life, who soever trusting in his own learning, wisdom, counsels, & intent or purpose of his mind, will not suffer himself to be plucked from it, but rather honeth, that by it he shall obtain the true beatitude & ever lasting felicity, shall also lose his life and cast away his soul. Therefore, the pastor shall utterly forsake himself, he shall all together cast and throw down himself before god, he shall utterly take and banish away the froward intent or purpose of is obstakle & stubborn mind, & every day prepare him self to bear some new cross. For, christ did also follow the same way and rule, ever submitting his will to his father's will, which he did always obey, bearing the cross that was laid upon him, till he was taken up, to that glory that he should sit at thee right hand of the father.  

After that the pastor hath forsaked him self he must be replenished with the spirit of god  As soon them, as the pastor (& not only he, but also every mortal man) hath for saken himself, & by this forsaking, hath wholly evacuated himself, that is to say, hath made him self of no reputation in his own sight, next of all it behoveth that he be filled or replenished with God, that is to say, that he put all his hope & trust in the one only god. Our lord jesus christ did both perform & express thee same in his disciples, whom by & by as soon as they leaving all things did stick & cleave only to him, he did not only provide for, concerning extern & outward things, that is to say, meat & drink and clothing, & that so liberally, that they being asked, whether they wanted any thing, when they were sent to preach the gospel without scrip or wallet, did answer that they did lack no manner of thing: but also willed them to be without all care, and too take no thought, what they should answer, if at any time they should be brought before Kings and Princes, 
Math. x.  for in the same self hour, saith he: it shallbe given you, what ye shall answer. Besides that he did not commit unto them the full office of preaching, afore that he blowing upon them (as we may see in the twenty cha. of john) did say: Receive ye the holy ghost, signifying thereby that no man is meet to feed the people, & that no man can well & truly execute the office of a Pastor, 
To evacuate him self which is half a latin phrase, is too esteem him self of no reputation. Philip ii  except he utterly forsaking & evacuatinge himself hath God inhabytinge, dwelling, and speaking in, or by him. Besides that, he doth command them also, that they should not departed from Jerusalem, till that they had received the spirit, 
* Actuum. i  that was promised unto them. Which, being received, they did by & by begin, and not without great gratulation and joy of minds, the function & office of preaching, for so it behoveth to be, lest the Pastor do le●de the sheep committed unto him, into any other pastors, than in to the same, out of the which, he hath picked & gathered the food of god's word, that is to say, into the knowledge of the true god, & into a constant & most sure confidence in him only. If he will them set forth these things unto the people, that is committed unto him, he mu● himself learn to know god first, and put his hole affi●unct trust, and confidence in him only.  
These things being thus promised & done, he shall begin to preach the word, after the same manner that christ himself did use. For, he being about to teach the world, did say: Repent ye, for, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 
Repentance is the first part of the preaching of the gospel.  Which form and manner john baptist, the fore renner of Christ jesus did observe. But who will repent, who will amend his life, that afore doth not understand and know how wicked and evil he is? Therefore the sickness & disease must be first showed and declared, & than afterwards the salvation ought to be preached. No man ought to be moved, that our lord & saviour jesus christ, 
Math. x mark xvi  doth command to preach only salvation, & the gospel. For, the sickness must be known afore that any man will suffer the medicine to be ministered unto him. Christ also in those places that we now have made mention of, doth by a more sweet pleasant & comfortable word, denominate, & call the preaching of the gospel grace, because that the gospel is the joyful tiding of that most sure & infallible grace, 
What the knowledge of sin doth work in us.  which of god is granted, & given unto us. The knowledge of sin, which we do need here most of all, bringeth us to the point, that we do utterly despair of our own selves, wherefore, it compelleth, driveth & forceth us, to fly unto the gratuite, and free mercy of god, of the which we are most sure, sith the god the father did give his only begotten son for us. Wherefore christ (as it is said before) did vouchsafe to call the hole misery of our salvation, a medicine. And in an other place, as Luk. xxiiii. he doth join both together▪ that is to say, repentance & forgiveness of sins, saying: So it behoveth that christ should suffer & rise again from death the third day, & that repentance, & remission of sins should be preached among all nations in my name. Behold, how he hath here joined both together & setteth forth unto us, both repentance & forgiveness of sins. For no man can worthily delight in the preaching of the gospel, no man can worthily receive it with a full joy, except he hath afore a full knowledge of his sickness & disease, that is to say, of his sins.  

The second care of a pastor is to take heed▪ that they, which do repent, perish not again.  But now as soon as the wretched & miserable man doth know his sickness, infirmity & disease, & seeing the filthiness of his sins, doth also espy, deprehend and find a sure knowledge, & hope of salvation in jesus Christ: he ought in no wise afterwards to live in sin. For sith that in christ jesus we are all dead to sin, we can not afterwards live in sin, as the holy Apostle S. Paul doth largely & copiously declare & show 
Roma, vi.  This shall therefore be one of the chiefest and greatest care of a Pastor, and true shepherd, to watch diligently, and as nigh as he can, to take heed & beware, that the sheep, which are already washed & cleansed, do not voyltre themselves again in the stinking mire, and puddle of sin. For, after that the faithful, are once come into the knowledge of their salvation, and have tasted of the gratuite & free mercy of god, which the heavenly father doth most liberally grant & give unto us: it is most convenient, that they do lead an innocent life and pure, from all contagious filthiness of sin, lest parchance they die again. For as Christ, being once risen from death, dieth no more, death hath no more power over him: so they doing or putting of the old man, shall put on the new, which is created after the likeness of god, that is to say: our Lord jesus Christ himself. 
what it is to put on Christ.  They do (saith the scripture) put on christ, that walk and live, as Christ himself did live here in the earth. Therefore he doth bid and command his disciples after the same manner: 
mat. xxviii  Go ye therefore and teach all nations, and baptize them in the name of the father, the son, & the holy ghost, teaching them to observe & keep, what soever I have commanded you. For, who soever doth not think every day upon the amendment of his life, after that he feeleth himself to be redeemed by Christ, & renewed, doth contemn the name of christ, abusing the same most shamefully, yea, rather he is thee cause, that the holy name of christ is evil spoken of, and blasphemed among the infidels and ungodly. We do read therefore, that the holy Apostle S. Peter doth not without a good cause say: 
i Pet. ii.l.  for as much then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm ye yourselves likewise with the same mind, for he, which suffereth in the flesh, ceaseth from sin, that hence forward he should live (as moche time, as remaineth in thee flesh) not after the lusts of men, but after will of God. For it is sufficient for us, that we have spent thee time, that is passed of our life, after the will of the Bentils, walking in wantounes, lusts, in excess of wine, in excess of eating, in excess of drinking, or drunkenness, & in abominable Idolatry. By the which words, we may easily see & perceive or understand, that we have not yet fulfilled nor done fully our duty, if we show and declare the salvation which is purchased by Christ, for, we have most need too beware and take heed, that we do not lose again the salvation which is gotten and purchased unto us thereby, as most unfaithful Apostates & Traitors, most ungodly blaspheming the holy and blessed name of thee living God.  

It is the dutte of a pastor to live according too his doctrine that he teacheth  Which thing that it may be commodiously brought to pass & done, there is none other way more commodious & ready, than if the honesty of the pastor be such, that he shall with his works & daily example of living express the thing, that he doth teach with his mouth, and words. Which thing, Christ doth highly require. 
matthew. v  Who soever (sayeth he) shall break the least of these commandments, & teach men to do so, he shallbe called less in the kingdom of heaven. But who soever shall both do & teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For, this is most sure, no man is able to deny this, but that it is a plain painting and hypocrisy to speak gaily of god, and in the mean season to live nothing after the rule & prescript of his word. Which thing S. Paul doth manifestly declare, writing to Titus, 
Titum. i.  when he sayeth: They confess, that they know god, whom with their deeds, they do utterly deny, sith that they be abominable & disobedient, & unapt to every good work. And again, 
Roman. two  he writeth after this manner: Which teachest another, and dost not teach thyself, which preachest that a man should not steal, & thou stealest, which sayest that a man should not commit adultery, and thou breakest wedlock, why the abhorrest idols, & robbest god of his glory, which boastest in the law, & by the breaking of the law dost dishonour god, for the name of god is ill reported and spoken of, among the Bentyls for your sakes. Therefore the pastor shall with all care and study beware & take heed, that he do not destroy, with his fylthyelyving & conversation, the thing, that he doth build & set up with his doctrine and traditions, for the nature of man's wit is such, that the weaker persons are sore offended with this thing, they will not suffer themselves lightly to be won, drawn, & alured with god's word, if they see that the life and conditions of the pastor, do not agree with the doctrine, which is pure, holy and sound.  

The pastor ought diligently to shun the hypocritycal feigning of religion.  Finally here, with a diligent mind and most vigilant care heed must be taken that the pastor be not decked with any hypocritical clothing & feigned colouring of godliness, rather than with that true, and pure wedding garment, which for the most part, is wont to be now a days: that is to say, good heed must be taken, that he be not clothed in a sheeps skin, wearing a long gown down to the feet, a long fattynet tippet, or a wide & broad hood, coming down to his very middle (these things, 
Many yet do seek by these trime trames to crep● in to the estimation of the people  god with'ot, have been, and are yet taken of some, for most infallible tokens, and signs of a godly & devout mind) where as he doth bear a mind replenisshed and flowing over with avarice and covetousness, as all most all thee Doctors of divinity are wont to be, specially such, as the world hath in estimation: Again, that he god not abroad in the streets, with a bowed neck, looking down, with his face to the ground, 
O ye hypocrites wash ye rather the inner part of the cup.  where as he hath a heart puffed up, with all kind of arrogancy and pride: Item that he do not wear a white rotcher, which is a sign of chastity, & cleanliness, where as he is more lastivious, wanton, and lecherous, than any he goat, or stinking bore: furthermore that he do not wear high shone above the ankles, & a deep cap down beneath his ears, where as he doth nourish and cloak inwardly in his heart, the most pernityous monsters of envy and hatred: finally that he do not mummell every foot a, m. Psalms, and in the mean season doth leave and neglect the plain, light some, and everlasting word of God. 
The simple & rude people by the outward show of ceremonies is brought to hypocrisy & superstition.  For, if the simple & rude people, doth see such outward show of works, set forth before their eyen, in their teacher or Pastor, what shall they suck out of it, but a vain & ungodly hypocrisy? which the pastor or teacher, doth outwardly show, but inwardly in his heart, is not a little troubled, and exercised, with the allurements & counsels of his affections. This therefore shallbe the duty & office of a pastor, to frame & order his life, not according to the prescribed rules of men's traditions, but according to the rule of god's word, whereof he is a minister, For, except he doth the same, he shall plant nothing else, but a plain hypocrisy, as it is said even now. 
Christ is a more te perfect example of the pastors life  And sith that he hath christ, for a most perfect example of his life, he ought with all care and diligence to follow him. Wherefore, if christ was farthest from all hypocrisy, and hypochriticall works: we ought in no wise to be studious or followers of them. For, he is the highest & most perfect God, which as it wanteth or lacketh nothing, so by man's industry, labour, & study nothing can ever be added unto it to make it more perfect. In those things then, that pertain & belong to the ministry of the church, the pastor shall follow the conditions & nature of a godly & a loving father. A loving & wise father, doth in no wise come forth masked into the sight of his children, to beg any thing of them, but all his hole intent, study & endeavour is, to teach, instruct, & bring them up so, that they may live a chaste & impolluted life, that they may be friendly & gentle unto all men, that they may be hurtful to no man living upon the earth, that they may in all things, follow temperance & stubbornness or modesty, and always abhor all kinds of temperance. These are thee chief things wherein a Pastor ought to exercy see himself, which therefore is called by christ, a householder or steward. And Paul, 
i Cor. iiii.  not without great sorrow & grief, doth complain of the Corinthians, that although they had a great numbered of school masters & teachers yet they had very few fathers. Whereby we do, 
Except the teacher is a father he is a p●ayn deceiver.  & that by a sure & infallible demonstration gather, that they can in no wise be true teachers, except they be also very fathers of the congregation. For, the nature of fathers is such, that they directing both their deeds & sayings, to this end, that they may profit, and do good, unto other that can never be seen to seek their own profit & advantage, of the disprofit, & harm of their children, wherefore, no man can be a faithful, & true pastor, except he doth bear a fatherly affection, towards the flock, that is committed unto him. And if the teachers do not delight & have a pleasure in those things, that they do teach, they are very deceivers of the people, but if they do exercise themselves in those things that they do set forth & enjoin unto other, by their doctrine: that lively example of the true Pastor, shall bring more utility & profit, to the sheep committed unto him, & shall take greater increase, than if they should, as tynkeling brass, resound a. M. times the holy oracles & word of god. Again if they neglecting the word of the Lord do teach him value traditions & fables expressing as nigh as they can, the same doctrine of their, both in their beads & living: They are false prophets, whom thee lord hath oftentimes commanded to slay, kill, and root out of the earth. 
ye shall not every man do that thing the s●●●th good to you, but the thing ●●at I commeund you, that do ye only sayeth the lord.  But of them, we will sneak hereafter. Therefore, the pastor shall not initiate & follow, n●● yet express in his own living, the exemplary and pattern of those things, that either he himself, or other do judge to be good, & acceptable unto god, but he shall frame his life after, or according too those things, that god doth require of us by his word.  

What the faithful pastor ought too preach  Now any man may easily know, understand & gather, by this, that hath been said hitherto, what thing it is that a christian pastor ought too preach: Truly none other thing, but the pure word & scriptures of the eternal & everlasting god. For, our of them shall he bring forth those things that shall induce and bring the people committed unto him, in to the knowledge of their infirmity, weakness, and disease, that is to say, of their sins. Which after that they have once known perfectly, they shall also feel that there is no manner of strength in man, wherewith he may obtain salvation. Then shall he by and by declare and show unto them, the mercy of god, unto whom they may with their hole heart and undoubted faith & affiance commit themselves, and that chiefly for this cause, that they see that most highest & merciful father, to have delivered us, his one only begotten son, our lord and saviour jesus christ, for a most sure pledge of his grace, by whom, we have always, a most free access and passage unto thee throne and seat of thee divine grace and mercy. After, then, that they have, with a sure and undoubted faith known and understanded ones, thee hole matter of their salvation and that most sure writing and pledge of the mercy of god, so that they are already made the children of god, our heavenvly father, which afore, were the children of the flesh & everlasting damnation, this duty shallbe requireth of them, that they follow hence forward thee laws and rules or gods holy will: For, they are, a new creature, 
Galat. vi.  as we may see. Therefore the pastor, shall with an earnest care & study beware and take heed, that the sheep, which are already cured and healed from their sickness & disease, 
The knowledge of the word of God is necessari to a pastor.  shall not fall again into thee same diseases. But sith that this thing can & aught to be ministered, by the operation of god's word only, no small knowledge of god's word is required in him. Which ought to be sought none other where, than in the holy & sacred scriptures of both Testaments. But it shall profit and avail little or nothing, to look upon the outward letter except god doth vouchsafe with his inward virtue to draw the heart and mind of man, and cause him by his spirit to credit his word, and not too wrest it at his own pleasure, according too his inordynate, affects, lusts, and passions, but rather follow the free, sincere, and plain meaning, sense, and understanding, of it, which the holy spirit and grace of god hath inspired. Paul doth in few words, most lively comprehend all these things, in thee later epistle too his disciple Timothe, 
two. Tim. iii  writhing after this manner: All scripture given by the inspyratyon of god, is profitable, to teach, to improve, to amend, and to instruct in righteousness, that thee man of god may be perfect, and prepared unto all good works. All institution, then, or teaching, wherewith the faithful Pastor will feed his people, shallbe ordered after this form and rule. Which books be Canonical & which be not, I have no need in this place and at this time to declare, for, I think that no man is ignorant thereof, if only he hath any sight in the knowledge of the tongues.  
After that the Pastor, 
The Pastor must rebuke & rote away vices.  is well instructed in all those things, that pertain to his kinsfolks, his own life & doctrine (for, of the love of god, we will speak hereafter in a due time and place) that is most necessary for him, to know & understand how he ought to be have himself in other extern & outward things, & what reward he ought to look for. The first thing, that offereth itself, here in this place, is that he must with a bold and stout courage rebuke all noisome and pernicious vices neither fearing the vain pride & threatenings of this world, 
The pastor ought too dread nothing.  nor yet being abashed, that he is on every side laid wait for, for, the lord doth enjoin the same to Hieremy, 
Hierem. i.  saying: Behold, I put my words in thy mouth, and behold, this day do I set the over the people & kingdoms, that thou mayst rote out, break of, destroy, & make waste, & that thou mayst build up, & plant. Let therefore the pastor be mighty, & of ableness to overthrow every high thing, that exhalteth itself, against the prescript of god's word▪ let him▪ with a bold stomach assault and destroy all such things, as Paul doth teach in the later epistle to the Corinthians. 
two. Corin. x  Christ himself did leave a most sure & evident example of the same thing which example is to be followed of all men. 
The example of christ.  For, after that he had ones, by his everlasting wisdom perceived, that the hypocrisy, & unsatyable covetousness of the priests & scribes, was the cause & occasion that the rude & unlearned people did fall from the true and everlasting god, which simple people being as if a man might say, captivated, and snarled, with the covetous deceits, traditions, dreams, and feigned inventions of thee pristes, did he, wrapped in all kinds of error, he did rebuke no kind of men, with such severity, and sharpness, as he did use against them, speaking always openly against their painted hypocrisy, & filthy covetousness, for, he did, and not without great grief of mind, pity always the poor people, whom thee deceitful crafts of thee priests did deceive, and that, because that he did see them destituted of the food of god's word, 
Mathe. i●  which is that most pleasant & gracious meat of thee souls, and that they did want a true & faithful Pastor, which should bear a fatherly mind & affliction towards them. Many times also, he doth teach and instruct them gently. And if at any time necessity doth require, that he must also rebuke them, yet doth he never use such austerite & sharpness in rebuking, as he was wont to use against the ungodly priests, that so deceived and seduced the people. For, laying to them lack of knowledge, & ignorance of the truth, he calleth them blind guides, vipers, generation of Satan, hypocrites, shameless cravers, liars, and other like names, which thing any man may see & learn in the books & writings of all the evangelists, wherefore we shall have no need here of many testimonies. But now, sith that in our time, this poisoned evil of hypocrisy, is grown to so great a power, hath gotten & purchased lo great a strength & might, & is come up to that point, that it can or dare no more for shame hide itself, but rather defend with strong hand their devilish crafts and deceits, & that most shamefully, what (I pray thee, o faithful minister in thee house of God) is best for the to do? for, if thou dost hold thy peace, the blood of them that perish, shallbe required at thy hand, which thing, 
Ezechin. iii.  we may learn by the words of God in Ezechiel. And thou seest that the hypocrisy of the Papists (here I do call papists, 
All the spiritualty and clergy are Papists except they do either favour or preach sincereli gods word.  all the sort of them that are called spiritual, or the clergy, them being excepted, which preach purely and sincerely the word of God) hath gotten & purchased so great treasures of riches, and so great might & strength that they have no more need of a cloak, to cloak their deceitful craftiness with all (which thing nevertheless was most necessary to the Priests of thee jews, in the time of christ) but rather be not ashamed to defend themselves openly, with most mighty and strong arms, that is to say, with rewards & gifts, with wars, & fyering of villages and towns, with spoiling & destroying of fields & slaughter of the innocentes, and all other kinds of crudelite, 
The Kings of Scicilia were counted to be the cruelest tyrants of the world.  in so much that the tyrants of Scicilia, which were of most famous crudelity could deal no crueller. For, they did never handle a man cruelly, afore that his cause was heard, but these our spiritual prelate's, do with all care & diligence study this one thing, that they may in all regions and countries, win to themselves, with large gifts and rewards, thee minds of the mighty rulers and magistrates, whom they so intoxicate and poison, that they think, that they have well and truly done their duty yea, that they do high service unto god when they do most cruelly persecute all them, the preach the word of the gospel, without any hearing of the causes or trying of the doctrine. And if they their own selves have the secular sword in their hands (as they do call it, by and by they do without any measure slay, kill, and murder the innocentes, being in this point, more cruel, than Tigers, and Crocodiles. And unless they should feat, that they should be so served, if at any time the world should alter & change they would in no wise be content with the common & used kinds of punishments, 
Phalaris was king of the Argenti●s & most cruel tyrant which daily invented new kinds of torments  to exercise their ragiouse crudelity, but would as a most cruel Phalaris, dayfly invent & find out new fashions and kinds of torments, to afflict there with according to their inordinate lusts, the faithful ministers of gods mind.  

the iniquit●e & unrightful government of the Magistrates of over time.  Besides that, thou dost before thine own eyen see this thing also, o faithful servant, which hast wholly consecrated thyself unto god, that many of the high powers, whose part it was to administer the sword of justice, do use exercise justice (if that manner of ruling that they do use may be called justice) rather according too their coveteouse minds, inordinate lusts, & bold rashness, that they may be high, & voyltre themselves in all kinds of pleasure than of any love or fear of God & true religion. 
The people is s●een to the very bones with importable tar●s exactyons & subsidies.  For, they do miserable vex their own subjects, with pride, hautenesse of mind, & insolent arrogancy, yea, they do oppress them, they torment and afflict them, they pill and pool, rob & flay them to the very bones, with unlawful exactions, taxes & subsydes. They trouble forenne nations, and peoples, with warts, excursions, or hostile renninges out, with daily scarmychinge & battles. And at home (if thou dost behold & look upon their private manner of living) they do nothing else, but riot, eat, and drink & make merry, use unlawful games, in their abominable dronckenes, most shamefully polluting all their studies and doings, with fill thy whoredom & adultery. This, is the sickness, and most pestilent boil, where with the heads of the Christian people, are infected. Wherefore, 
Ezechi iii.  o faithful Pastor take good heed to thyself, and see how these evils can be remedied For, if thou dost not set forth the truth of the word of God, the blood of them that perish (as it is said before) 
The office of a Pastor is very perilous.  shall be required at thy hand. Again, if thou dost begin to speak & tell the truth, thou shalt fall ●nto the hands of them that be able to do the no small harm. For, the deceit, fraud, subtlety, 
The craft of the papistes in winning the hearts & favour of Princes.  & craft of the papists is such, that they have crept into the palaces of all princes, emperors, & Kings, craftily at the first promoting the children of certain Princes. For, they did make some of them Cardinals, some Bishops, some again abbots, Prious, Commendours, administrators, or Coadiutours: yea, they did also make the same self Prince's partners with them, of the money that they got of the simple & ignorant people by their pardons & indulgences. Whereby it came to pass, that they have almost all earthly princes, not a little subject & bound unto them. Wherefore, if thou following the example of Christ dost go about to assault & expel & drive out this deceitful company & flock of hypocti●es, by & by thou shalt see the Princes leap forth, to defend these hypocrites with doth and ●●ale. Again, if thou casting away thy weapons and harness, will run away and seek a mean, how thou mayst commodiously rid & deliver thyself, from that pe●yllous function & office, thou shalt be reckoned among the unfaithful pastors, which seeing the wolf do forsake the sheep, and take themselves to their feet, saving themselves by running away. Here, as if it were by the way, the virtue & strength of faith is known, for, when a man, being in extreme danger, is in perplexity and all together doubtful of mind, he may not fly to none other (if he be faithful in deed) than to thee o●● god & his word, as unto a most sure refuge, that he being fully instructed by i●, may p●t his host trust and confidence in him only.  
Having therefore a● eye unto Christ, 
A pastor ought in no wise to fear death.  hea●e, take heed and mark diligently, what he doth speak, john x. When he saith a good pastor, doth jeopardy his life for his sheep. If then thou wilt be counted a faithful & good pastor, and desirest to be numbered and reckoned among them, that have wrought and laboured faithfully in the work of the lord thou must needs jeopardy thy life for thy sheep. Besides that, he doth move & stir us, with other words. Math. x when he say That thing, that I say unto you in darkness, tell ye it in thee light, & that thing that ye hear in your ears, preach ye it upon houses. And, be not ye afraid of them, that kill the body, but the soul they can not kill, but rather fear ye him, that can cast both body & soul into the fire of hell. By the which words we do most plainly learn, that we ought in no wise to keep close, or hide God's word: but rather the lord doth command, that we putting aside all fear, do speak it abroad. Also he that is the minister of God shall in no wise dread the manasshes and threatenings of the world. For, as it is our duty and office, to speak boldly against all them, that live in sin lycentiously and without shame (as the Lord doth command the prophet, saying: 
Hierem. i.  Thou shalt go to whom soever I shall send thee, & cry out, cease not, 
Esay. iviii  life up thy voice, as a trumpet, and show unto my people their sins) so it is the duty of a Pastor, to coop openly with the enemies of the truth, and to withstand them to their faces, that so he may defend the flock committed unto him, and help his sheep out of thee mire and puddle of sin, for, unless such things were done, cared for, and taken heed of, we should have no need of a Pastor, for, whiles no peril doth hang over the sheep, they have no need of a pastor, nor of a watch man, that should watch for them: but rhey have need of a pastor, that they may through his fatherly care & diligence both for see and shun the peril, If then the pastor, when there is any danger, peril & jeopardy, doth run away, as touching the sheep, it maketh no matter at all whether that they have any shepherd or not.  
Wherefore it is most necessary, 
The example of christ.  that afore all things we have an eye unto christ, which sayeth. john. x. I do jeopardy my life for my sheep. For, he did not only speak these things, with words, but also he did fulfil and perform them in deed. For, when he was going to Jerusalem he did with plain and manifest words declare unto his disciples, what peril & danger he should bring his life to 
Math. xv●  & when Peter did go about to turn him from the mind and purpose, he turned himself to Peter saying: Go after me, Satan, thou hynderest me, for thou dost not savour those things that are of god, but those things that are of men. And afterwards being entered into the city, he did cast the buyers & sellers out of the temple, fearing nothing thee malicious intentes of thee scribes and priests, whom he knew did hate him deadly. Yea, he did also openly in the audience of all thee people, with great gravity and sharp words rebuke their sins and vices, that is to say, their covetousness ambition, & hypocrisy. 
math. xxii●  And when the appointed hour or time of his death was come, that he should deliver himself for us, & his enemies being issued forth did seek too take him, he did come forth to meet them, and that we being instructed by his own example, might understand that it is also thee office of a pastor, to beware and keep of, those outward perils and jeopardies, which may hurt the lives and goods of the sheep, he did not only deliver himself too death for us all, but also did deliver his disciples from this bodily death, saving their lives when he, not without a divine & godly majesty & power did say: If ye seek me, suffer, these to go away. Therefore, he that willbe a faithful & good pastor of the sheep, of our lord and saviour jesus christ, following Christ's example, must set himself against all perilous tempests and storms and come forth against all the enemies of Christ, which, for god's sake, and his everlasting word, and also for the faithful care, that he taketh for his sheep, do go about to persecute and afflict him, fearing nothing, nor yet regarding the person of any man. Let him not be afraid nor abashed in his mind. though he were compelled to reprove, rebuke & speak against the great King Alexander magnus, or julyus Cesar, 
The true Pastor shall also rebuke and reprove princes, if they use any extortion, or burden over sore their poor subjects.  or thee bishop of Rome himself to be short, against all the mightiest & most puissant kings & Princes of the world. Which thing he shall not only do, if they do obstinateli resist the word of god, but also, if they do oppress the poor people that is under their subjection, with intolerable burdens of subsidies exactions & taxes. Which things we will prove now, with plain & evident examples, and also with manifest testimonies of the scriptures.  
When the almighty & merciful father. did see, that the people of Israel, was oppressed with exceeding great & unmeasurable afflictions, & with an over heavy yoke of servitude, by the most cruel tyrant Pharaoh, & all the people of Egypt: by & by he did sand Moses to deliver them, from so hard a thraldom & bodage. For, he could bear no longer, the tyrannical & unjust affliction, of his people. Exo. iii. And although Moses excusing himself, by his simplicity and rudeness, did all that he could, to put from him that functyon & office, yet did he profit or avail nothing prayed he never so much, but being compelled and constrained of the lord, did bring forth, that great people and innumerable multitude of men, women, and children, yea against the tyrant pharao's will, and how? Through the midst of the sea, through the deserts, thorough thousands of their enemies, through infinite perils of hunger, thirst, sicknesses, & punishments. So that to have read, or hard such great pains, labours and travails, would make any man to tremble and quake for horror God, notwithstanding, although they were beset on every side with perils & most dangerous jeopardies: yet remembering his promise did give the victory to his people. This therefore shallbe the office & duty of every Pastor, to come forth, and to stand up manfully for the health & save guard of his sheep if at any time the tyrants of this world, do begin unjustly, and after new & ungodly ways, to aggravate or burden, and oppress thee people. For, they that minister thee lame of nations and peoples, 
The du●t●e of christian magistrate. ●.  and are governors of public weals, ought too be beneficial, not injurious or wrongful, not pillars, and pollers, not robbers, and thieves. Luke xxii Wherefore that famous & godly philosopher Seneca, 
Seneca.  did right well and justly call the office or ruledomme of a King, Benefecyum, that is to say, a benefit. No man, I suppose, is ignorant, what is dued of subjects, to magistrates, which thing, Paul doth plainly set forth Roma. xiii: but here in this place we speak of tyrants, which doing intolerable wrongs unto all men, have in them no sparkle of love towards their neighbour nor yet of true religion or godliness. 
A digression.  What shall we say, o faithful soul? shall we not believe, that this is done, by thee singular love, mercy, and bounteous work of God thee father, that in this our most wicked time, which is polluted, with all kinds of vice, we see thee brightness of his holy word, too shine forth, with so great virtue and lyghtesomnesse? In this our time, I say, that all inorydynate lusts & fleshly affections, unrighteousness iniquity, a dissolute or lycentyous corruption of all good laws do reign every where: that we see all states and orders of men, yea thee greatest part of thee mighty Princes, corrupted, contaminated & polluted, with filthy whoredom adultery, ravishing of maiden, unfaithfulness, impudence or unshamefastness, with robberies thefts, detestable usury, & all other like horrible sins. Wherefore, sith that it is plain and evedente, that the word of god, was never hitherto, since that the faith of christ, began first to be preached and spread abroad, set forth with such power virtue & liveliness, as we do see before our own eyen, to be done now a days, and that every where almost, it may easily be gathered thereby, that this is done by the divine providence and not without our great good, that we being instructed with the knowledge of our salvation should rather rote out, this deceateful hypocrisy of human tradytyons. 
Woe be to the pastor which hideth the light of god's word under a bushel.  woe therefore, be unto the pastor, which now, in this our time, the children & fools can speak, is not ashamed to hold his peace, which hiding the light of god's word under a bushel, doth the work of the lord fraudulently or deceatfully, nor endeavoureth himself all that he can that the people of the lord, may be delivered.  
God, with expressed & plain words, revealed by Samuel, 
The example of Saul and Samuel i Regum xv  had in times past commanded Saul the first king of the Israelites, that he should make war against the Amalechites, & destroy them all, and kill with the sword all living souls, & that he should save either to himself, or to his soldiers no manner of thing of the riches & spotless of those ungodly men. But Saul breaking the commandment of god, did bring alive Agag the King of the Amalechites, & also he doubted not to reserve & save a great numbered of cattle, for to offer unto the lord, with the most precious & costly garments and many other things. This proud presumption of Saul, that faithful prophet Samuel could not suffer, nor abide, which fearing him nothing, that both was lately made a king, & also was not a little pufte up, with the prosperous victory that the lord had given him doth boldly with such words blame & rebuke his disobedience: Wherefore, hast y● not hearkened unto the voice of the lord, 
Soche are our good intentes that are not gronded upon god's word.  but hast turned to the pray, & hast done that, which is wicked in the sight of thee lord? But Saul excusing himself, answered that he had performed & fulfilled the word of thee lord, saying: I have gone the way, which the lord hath sent me unto, and have brought Agag thee king of Amaleke, & have utterly destroyed the Aamalechites. But the people took of the spoil, sheep, oxen & the chiefest of the things, which should have been destroyed, to offer unto the lord thy god in Gilgal. 
Ma●●ke ye this, that will may ataine good intentes  Which things being heard, Samuel did again blame & rebuke him very sharply, saying: Hath the lord as great pleasure in  sacrifices & offerings, as when the voice of the lord is obeyed? Behold to obey, is better than sacrifice & to hearken is better than the fat of Rams. For, rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness, is as the wickedness of Idolatryr Because thou hast cast away the word of the Lord, therefore, hath the lord cast away thee, from being king. 
A good pastor ought to follow the example of Samu●ll.  Howbeit these things being thus passed, & after that Samuel had executed & done the commandment of god he did hew in pieces Agag the king of Amaleke, which was brought to him prisoner, This deed then, of that most holy and strong prophet. Samuel, doth sufficiently teach us, that it is the office and duty of a pastor, to spare neither kings nor mighty magistrates, but as soon as he shall perceive them, to be deceived, and too go out of the way, by & by, he shall rebuke their error, that they may learn both to acknowledge their faults, and also to amend.  
Therefore, 
against them the will not have sins to be rebuked by the Pastors.  a certain of those high prelate's of the romish church (whose name I will wittingly pass over) was not all together foolish, which when he did commit the cure & administration of a parish, which did belong to his Diocesys unto a certain minister, or pastor, he did bind him to these conditions, that he should in no wise rebuke or touch sharply his order, yea, not as much as with a word: Again that he should so temper and moderate thee preaching of the gospel, that he should in his sermons blame and rebuke noman. What shall then, this poor wretched Pastor, being thus bound, entreat upon, in his public sermons? Behold, the whole world doth lie buried in the stinking puddle of sin, & is all together drowned in vices: and yet, it shall not be lawful too rebuke or blame it. What need have them the poor sheep of a Pastor? In the mean season, I know right well, what this good and wise father, did say, when he gave this commandment, forsooth, that the condition & nature of the gospel was, to rebuke no man to sharply. But, o reverend father, open your eyes a little, and look diligently upon Math. iii. & xiii. Item joh. iii. & viii & other innumerable places, of the evangelical scripture, that ye may understand what words, and manner of speaking, Christ and john did use in rebuking men's sins I know that he will give this answer: Forsooth, that it is thee duty of a pastor: to rebuke thee sins of the common & rascal people, and to bring them of the basest sort, from their acco●umed vices & manner of living. For, in this one thing, that holy and reverend father, did not a little show and declare his godliness, saying: that he did in no wise gain say or contrary the evangelical doctrine but rather that he did favour it, with all his heart. Behold then, how these men, do bewray their own nature and mind. He●e, here, a snake lurketh in the grass. For, the mighty Princes and rulers of this world, 
●he worldlings could well ●●●de the preaching of the gospel, if it should not rebuke their vicious living  could well abide or bear the preaching and doctrine of the truth, if they should not feel and perceive, that thereby their tyranny is brought to light & rebuked, or if they were not afraid, to lose their temporal commodities and profits. Another thing shall also the faithful pastor learn in thee example of Samuel: that he ought in no wise to spare the Princes and governors, but blame and rebuke sharply their faults. Which thing, if they can not abide: 
Actuum. v  he heareth what saint Peter saith: Better it is to obey God, than man.  
But because the anointed sort of the papists, are not ashamed, 
Of the true obedience ● disobedience against the papistes  to affirm, strengthen, and establish that obedience, that they do require of all kinds of men, by this example of Samuel, we must better look upon it, and also speak more largely of it. When Saul, in his facts and deeds, had rather followed and observed his intent and mind, than thee plain decree of God's word: he did commit a great sin of disobedience. Wherefore Samuel saith, that it is plain Idolatry if a man doth not apply and submit himself too the laws of God, and in his doings fellow them as a most sure and infallible rule: yea, that it is a thing, not only hurtful and pervitious, but also most deceitful, wherewith a man is wont to be no less deceived, than sorcerers, wytches, and jugglers, be wont to delude & deceive thee simple and ignorant persons with their merry inventions and iuggelinge canes. Which saying of the Prophet, aught to be taken after this meaning, sense, and understanding: When a man by thee iustincte and counsel of his own reason, doth fourge and imagine unto himself some thing, as just, good, and holy determining to observe and follow it, and in the mean season will not learn of that one only God, and his words, what is good, righteous and holy, he hath already set up in his mind, a false and deceitful God, that is to say, his own reason & will of his own flesh. Now, when this false God is one's erected & set up, it is an hard & difficult thing, to put him down, or to banish him away. For, by and by, he doth show and declare himself in extern and outward things, and that with wonderful mists iuggelinges, and hypocrisy, wherewith, under the colour of godliness, he goeth about to deceive all men. For, as an ape doth like her younglings, though they be most deform & evil favoured, better than the whelps or younglings of all other beasts, so all men generally are want to prefer the inventions of their own reason & brain, unto all other ordinances, statutes and laws, that ever were ordained, either by god or by man. 
The good intent of Saul.  For the same cause, Saul did think, that it was a just, an equal & seemly thing that one King should not handle another King too cruelly, nor slay him with the sword, but rather that it was a Royal and Kingly thing, to lead his enemy, being overcomed, captive and bound. Likewise he did judge that it was neither commodious, not profitable, that the costly garments, and other precious things, which were found in the treasures of the Amalechttes, should be destroyed with fire & thee sword, or that all the herds of cattle, should thus unprofitably perish: Wherefore, he did suffer the soldiers to take unto themselves, those things, that were costly and precious, (as though he should study & go about, by this mean to fulfil thee charity of his neighbour, expressed in the law). And also he did iustitute, and ordain a great and solemn sacrifice unto God his saviour, thereby studying to fulfil the first law, that commandeth to honour, serve, and worship one only God. Samuel having an eye too his sound & fleshly intent of Saul, saith: Better it is too obey, than sacrifice, and what shall a man call that obedience? That obedience of Saul, whereby he suffereth both the King to be kept a live, and thee people too take of thee spoil, costly garments and precious jewels, and to save a live great herds of cattle for a sacrifice unto almighty God? No, Have not all these things a gteat show of godliness? yes forsooth. But the Lord doth require another obedience: that is to say, that we follow thee prescript and rule of his word, which only, King Saul ought to have observed and followed, and not to have preferred his own good intent to the divine oracles of God's word. 
The obedience that Samuel doth speak of, doth maintain nothing the tyranny of the papists.  By this do Monks, Popish priests, nuns, and all the flock of thee Papists understand, that this saying of the prophet Samuel, where he sayeth, that obedience is better than all sacrifices, doth make nothing, to the establishment and strenghtening of their tyranny, but that it doth rather directelye contrary their statutes and ordinances. For, by these words every man is commanded to obey god's word without all tergiversation and controversy (truly this worshipping is moste acceptable unto god) and that we ought too suffer ourselves to be brought away or plucked from it, by no man's authority, nor by the counsel of our own reason. Therefore, sith that all thee whole flock of thee papists, do teach only, their own traditions, set forth their counsels, and lean upon their inventions & dreams which are all together repugnant & contrary unto god's word, it shall be our part and duty to oppone & set against such traditions of theirs, the verity of the divine word of God, When then they cry and thounder out that Prelates, bishops, 
When Bishops & prelate's do command us any thing we must look whether it agreeth with god's word or not.  and Priests must be obeyed, let us by and by look whether that these men, do command and set forth things, that may be proved and allowed by god's word. If the things, that they command, are such, as may be borne by god's word, we have all ready in this thing, no need at all, of their Precepts, and Commandments, sith that we have God's word itself, which ought only to be brought forth and adduced, which ought only to be observed of us after whose prescript all our life ought to be ordered, nor it is convenient and meet that we should ascribe it to any monrtall man. Again, if their commandments be seche, that the truth of God's word, tooth neither admit, nor allow them: and yet in the mean season be of such impudency and unshamefastness, that they be not ashamed to say: Our decrees & laws, though, they be all together contrary to God's holy laws, must be obeyed: for obedience is better, than all other things, we shall by and by answer, that those things, which they do trifingly allege for the observance and keeping of their traditions ought to be referred to god only: Yea, we shall die rather a. M. deaths, than neglect in any manner of thing the prescript and rule of god's word, for, there can be nothing more pleasant and acceptable unto god, than if we do diligently hearken to his voice nor suffer out selves to be deceived by the authority of any man, be he never so great, and holy in the sight of the world. As often then as ye command things contrary to the oracles of the divine wo●d of god, 
It is an high service to God to be disobedient to the ungodly traditions of the papistres.  as of ●●ini●st high 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 pury thee ●●●●ghrye; and that ●●ynge god, if no man 〈◊〉 over tradityous.  
When 〈◊〉 the king of Israel, had with most ●●●table and filthy adultery des 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of that most valiant and godly man ●uas, 
The example of Dayud & Nathan ii Resguin xii  raising him most treattiously (which sought manfully again the unfaithful enemies of god ieoperding alway his life for the weal of his own country) to be stay 〈◊〉 and ●●●therd, with the sweathe 〈…〉 enemies: God did by and by ●●de Nathan the prophet unto him, 〈◊〉 should sharply ●l●●●e and rebu●●● 〈◊〉, for this most wicked and abhorrible deed: because that be 〈◊〉 ye contem●●ynge the divine majesty, was nothing neither afraid nor ashamed to 〈◊〉 this filthy wickedness in the sight of god, only ●●●ing deed to this thing, that 〈◊〉 should not 〈◊〉 the heinousness of his faci●. 〈◊〉 also he cōm●●●●ed, that the punishm●●, ●hich ensued, should be, with sharp words, denunced, and she med unto him ii Reg. xii. for he sayeth: Thou hast stain with the sword, ●●ias thee herbyte, 〈…〉 married his wife: and therefore those death shall ●enet depart from the house. 〈◊〉 be ●●than the ●●yph●●●s, compelled to 〈◊〉, that 〈◊〉 ●●●yaunte and mighty king D●●●d too his face, and to rebuke him for thee crime of adultery and trayteouse murder, that he had so shamefully committed. 
Many pastors are faint h●●ted & told in rebuking the vyt●s of the princes  What shall we say then of those faint hearted and sold pastors, which saying bailiff and hourtlye the stinking adulteries of their high rulers and couer●●u●●, before their own ●ye● do not 〈◊〉 much as open their mouths 〈◊〉 speak against th●●● but rather (which is an horrible thing to be sp●●●●) are coadintoutes and helpers, unto them, that they ma● thee easely●● pollage all the who●● world, with adulteries? What can be spoken of ye●●●thy, 
The detestable chastity of the papists.  ●y●●ynge and ●eggy she ab●●ytye of the papists, whose for●ycatyon and adultes 〈…〉 me mo●● shamefully exce●● 〈◊〉 them as the 〈◊〉 of all men▪ And yet in thee m●●ne season these wicked hypocrites will he counted chaste of all men. Which things thought they be ungodly and most wicked yet they were too be borne in some of them, if they would keep themselves, myth their detestable lechery, within thee Limytyes & bonds of nature.  
Hieroboam the first king of the ten 
The sexample of Hieroboam & of the prophet ii regum xiii  tribes, did conceive such a pride, an dacytie, and ungodliness in his mind, that he did set up ii calves for too worship, one in bethel, and all other in Da●, boldly perverting the feast of the Tabernacles, which ought only to be celebrated in thee tribe of juda, least thee people should have any occasion too return too Jerusalem: He as the first of thee Kings, that did so we the sedes of Idola try, and false religion in Israel, as we may iii Reg. xii and xiii But when thee time appointed for religion was at hand or come, and the ungodly king standing at thee aultare, did burn incens: behold, thee man of God, whom we call & Prophet, being seure from juda, did suddenly appear before the king, which did blow forth and declare with a loud voice, thee commandments that the was charged with all, by almighty god, saying: 
three Re. xiii.  altar altar, The Lord god sayeth these things, Behold, a son shall be borne unto the house of David (called josias) and upon thee, wall he offer thee pryenes of thee hill aultates, that burnt incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be brent upon thee. And he gave a token thee same time saying: This is thee token that thee Lord hath spoken it. Behold, the aultate shall tent, and thee ashes that are upon it shall fall out. And when thee King heard the saying of thee man of god (which had ceyed against thee aultare in Bethel) he stretched out his hand, from thee aultate, saying held him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, and be could not put it in again too him, the aultare also clave asunder, and the ashes fell out from the aultare according to the token, which the man of god had given, by the word of the lord. And when thee same prophet had made intercession unto god, for thee health of that ungodly King, his hand was miraculously restored to be former state, and yet for all that, he would not thus leave and forsake the idolatry, which he had once begun and set up, so great was thee indutaryon and hardness of his heart. Now we are taught by this, that it is thee duty and office of a pastor, too suffer in no wise his sheep to be brought into any peril of Idolatye, or into any kind or spear of ungodliness: yea though some ungodly and rash Hieroboam doth tyse against him, 
The Pastor ought not to leave of, though he knoweth, the he shall profit nothing.  yet he ought too tesyste him, too his face, and not too cease or leave of, though he knoweth that he shall spend all his labour in vayve. For god, did right well know thee hard heart of Hieroboam, and that no reasons could persuade him from his ungodliness: yet notwithstanding he doth vouchsafe to send a Prophet unto him. This thing doth make against those pastors, which be woute too excuse their silence that they do use, with this reason, saying that they do spend and bestow all their labour in vain. For, christ doth not therefore cease too teach, whiles he was among that froward and stubborn nation of thee jews, because that he did see them too be obstinate, and that they could with no reason be persuaded too receive his doctrine.  

The example of Achab & of Elias thee Prophet. three xi.xviii  Achab also king of thee people of Israel, being no less ungodly and rash, did walk in the ways of Hieroboam: yea, he did pass all other Kings (were they never so nought and ungodly) in maintaining of false religion and wickedness. For, vesydes thee idolatry, which his forefathers had brought in, he did also execte and set up thee Idol of Baal, instituting or ordaryning a great multitude and numbered of priests to worship Baal, and to up hold his religion: Wherefore thee heavenly father, being not a little moved did stutte up thee heavens, that by thee space of three years no reign did come down, or fall upon thee earth: afterwards he did send the Prophet Elias, which should both shame the prelate's of Baal's religion, and also reduce or bring thee poor people again into the true knowledge of god. When then, that most wicked and ungodly king Achab, the extreme enemy both of god himself, and also of true religion, did meet this holy prophet, he did incontinently say: Art thou not be that trouble Israel: Whom thee prophet did answer: I have not troubled Israel, but thou, & the house of thy father, which have forsaken the comaundementes of the Lord, & have followed Baal. How be it send now, and assemble all whole Israel together unto me, in thee meaunte carmel, and thee four hundreth and fifty Prophets, and the four hundreth propthes of the graves. Whom when, he had gathered, (that is to say't Achab the king) Deltas coming to he people of Israel, said: How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal be he, go after him. And when he had offered unto them this condition, that they should by fire coming down form heaven, for too consume the sacrifice, declare and show, thee divine power of Baal, they could in no wist do it. But be calling upon thee divine power, and name of the high and true living God, did see his sacrifice to be consumed with fire, that came down from heaven. Thou seest then, with what steadfastness and constancy of mind, Elyas doth assault Idodolatrye, before that furious and cruel king Achab, 
iii. Re xix  and also before so great, a multitude and numbered of false Prophets and Baal's pr●estes, though he did think himself too have been left alone of all thee numbered of thee Prophets. Let the faith full pastor learn by his example, that it is his duty, too maintain, defend and uphold, boldly, and without any fear the authority of god's word, yea though he doth see all the whole world too be against him: besides that, let him not suffer himself to be frayed or dyscoraged, by that infinite numbered of false teachers, & prelate's of Baal's religion, or the people to halt between two opinions, 
A halting in religion  that is too say, let him not permit & suffer, that the rude & poor simple people, be entangled or wrapped with that error, wherewythe many now a days being deceived, are wont to say: that in deed, they do trust in the high and true living god, & yet in the mean season (say they) we have some confidence in those creatures, which are already partakers of the everlasting blessedfulness, for the people of Israel was wont at some times to give some honour unto the true God: but that almighty and merciful creator of all things, doth not admit, receive, or allow such kinds of worshipping.  
When the self same rash, 
The history of Naboth, and what thee true Pastor ought by it. i●i Regum xxi  wicked and ungodly Achab, would have bought of Naboth thee Israelite, a virtuous and godly man, the vineyard, which he had nigh to the Kings palace, affirming unto him▪ as moche as he would have for it: he did take so grievously, that he was said nay, that he did sodayulye fall into a sickness, or ague, which ague, that ungodly jesabel his wife, did by and by, by traitorous means put away. For, she did by false witnesses which should accuse that virtuous man Nabothe as a blasphemet of the holy name of the living God, bring to pass that the innocent man should be stoned to death. Which thing being done, she did did her husband to be merry, and to rise, and to go take possession by the kings laws, of the vineyard of Naboth. Here was the Prophet Elias sent the second time, which should rebuke the King, for this wicked fact, and detestable murder. Which, when he came to the King, did say unto him: Thus saith the Lord. Hast thou killed and taken possession? Thus saith the Lord. In the place, where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, shall dogs lick thy blood also. And of that ungodly & wicked jesabel, ye did prohetye after this manner: Dogs shall eat jesabel in the field of Israel. The scripture doth testify, that all these things were done, according to the prophecy of Elias. By this example them, shall the faithful Pastor learn, that it is required of him, and that it is high duty and ocfyce, to withstand manfully, and with a bold stomach, the wicked purposes of cruel tyrants, not only, when he seeth all the people, and thee whole common weal too be oppressed, but also if he perceiveth that one private man alone doth suffer wrong and injury.  

The example of Micheas & of the false prophets. three re xxii  Again, when all thee whole flock of the false Prophets did promise unto the Kings, Achab and josaphat, a most joyful, prosperous, and fortunate success of thee mat, exhorting them, too setteforthe their army against the Syrians: one only Prophet, called Micheas, did set himself against all them, telling them before with a constant and bold mind, all the fortune, chance, and success, that they should have. He could be letted in no wise, neither by the grievous injuries of the proud Sedechiab, nor with the opprobrious blow, nor with his high words, whee with he did boast his Prophetical spirit, to persevere and continue still in thee declaring and setting forth of God's commandment and holy word: Yea, when he was cast into prison, he persevered still in his purpose. And thee oracles or prophecies of gods word, werer so fulfilled, that josaphat did return home, being sore wounded, Achab being slain with an arrow. And when his charette, where in he did ride in thee battle, 
They that have gods word always in their mouths & yet in thee mean season are liars, must be ●●sisted by the faithful pastor.  was washed in thee pool of Samatia, that, which was prophesied before by Elias, did happened an't chance. For, thee dogs did lick there thee blood of King Achab. By thee which example were are taught again, that a good and faithful Pastor ought to resist them, that have gods word in their mouths, and are wont to boast and crack of it, where as in the mean season they be liars, and set forth either of some private affection, or of a flattering mind, the counsels of their own reason. Whether any man doth set forth and handle gods word of a fraudulent and deceyprfull mind, it may easily and evidently be gathered, known and tried, by god's word itself. Again, we do see that it is the duty and office of a Pastor, to rebuke and let, as much as in him lieth, that inordinate lust and desire, that almost all Princes have to make watte one against another. Let now therefore, 
Against popish bishops, the styyre and maintain wars  those high popish prelate's come forth. Let the proud company of mysted Bishops, and of all other, that ate by a false and wrong name, called spiritual, show their heads, that it may be known of all men, what they have done hither to. Who doth not know, that by thee space of fifteen years, and much more, great and mighty nations have with deadly and irreconcilable hatred, through the crafyte working and coweyaunce of these Antichristes' warred, and yet (thee more is the pyrie) do war one against another Oh Lord God, how many souls have in the mean season perished, how many poor innocentes have been cruelly murdered, how great treasures, and tyches have been wasted and spent? and yet we see no end, but rather fear, that worse times will follow. And as often as they do reason among themselves of peace & concord, they do it for none other cause, but that they having gotten some profit, may afterwards stir up greater tragedies of mars, in so much that to hear them at any time, speak of peace, will make any man afraid. For truly, when soever they do it, they intend to send forth into this miserable and wretched world, 
Ate, is ●● hurtful sp●rite always doyngeyll to men.  that unlucky Ate, which troubleth all things But that I may in few words conclude all these things, who soever is studious of true peace, and godly concord, let him first receive the word of God, whose light shineth forth now a days, with so great lyghtsomnesse, for unless a man receiveth it, he shall never evioye the true peace. The are is all ready laid to thee root of thee tree.  
But what need we to prove, with any longer demonstration, out of the books and writings of the prophets, after what fashion, and manner, the pastor ought to resist & withstand the sins and vices of the high powers & governors? Let the faithful & diligent pastor read their sermons, and there he shall find none other thing, but a continual fight, which they have had with the mighty princes & their vicious living. For, who doth not hear and see, with what words Esay both rebuke, 
Isaiah  the rulers of the common weal, when he saith: Isaiah. i. Hear the word of the Lord, ye princes of Sodoma, and hearken unto the law of our God, thou people of Gomorra. Thy princes are wicked and companions of thieves. They love gifts all together, & gape for rewards. As for the fatherless, they help him not to his right, neither will they let thee wydomes' causes come before them. 
Hieremye.  and Hieremye doth also complain, that he can not find a righteous man, or that ministereth justice in all the streets of the sytie: which he speaketh not of the commons or rascal people, but of thee Lords and chief rulers, whose sins and unfaithfulness do far pass the wickedness of the people. Therefore, the princes and rulers of our time, be wise enough, which forbid by their laws, that no man shall speak against them, nor against their vicious living, where as the fountains of all vices and devilish wickedness, do springe from none other, than from thee Princes, spiritual prelate's, and governoves. Again, with what sharpness, do they speak against false Prophets? How cruel, dreadful, and horrible a punishment doth ezechiel xxxiiii Chapter, threaten to those Pastors, 
Ezechi ●.  which are wont to feed themselves only? Of whom, without doubt, there is, and shallbe always a great number, and yet nevertheless the prophets do not therefore spare their crafty deceyptfulnes and hypocrisy. What shall we say of the prophet Amos, 
Amos.  which most sharply rebuking the sins of the head rulers doth call them fat bullocks, & also doth prophecy & tell before, what misfortunes, plagues, & calamities are prepared for them? What, 
jonas.  jonas was compelled by the divine commandment of God, to go into a strange city, which was all drowned in wickedness and sin, and to devounce and tell unto them the punishments and plague that should follow, within the space of xi. days. To be short, what severity & sharpness did they all use, which before the captivity of Babylon did prophecy of the utter destruction of thee people, and yet for all that, they could avail or profit nothing.  

The example of john against Herode. mark. vi.  That valiant and noble fore tenor of jesus christ, john baptist, did right well know the strength, might, and fycecenesse of King Herode. which was so great, that none of all his country durst contradict, or gainsay it: and yet in the mean season, he doth also understand, that he ought not therefore to be spared, nor yet to be suffered at his own pleasure, without the blame of any man to exercise and use his inordinate lechety: & because that there was none other, that durst reprehend or rebuke this abominable deed of thee King, he his own self cometh unto him, & laying thee heynousuesse of thee fact before him saith: 
Mark. v.  It is not lawful for the to have thy brother's wise. The King therefore, being offended at his boldness, did both cast him into prison, & at length put him to death. Whereby, we do gather, that a pastor is driven to this necessity, that he must rebuke, blame and reprehend, all those faults, vices, and sins, that none other mortal man date rebuke: 
mark ye this, o ye faint hearted pastors, the dare not freeke against agnatter,  here we see no man too be excepted, but that he must resist the very Princes themselves, and also the mighty prelate's of the church, and that, too their own faces: let him not suffer himself, to be dismayed with the vain fears, neither of man's strength, nor of dignity and power, nor of thee foolish and mad multitude: but as soon as thee lord doth warn him of his duty, let him go about it, with a soute and bold stomach, and never leave of, till he feel and perceive in them a manifest amendment of life. For, so doth the lord command Hieremye, saying: And therefore gird up thy loins, arise, and tell them all, that I give thee in commandment, fear them not, lest I destroy the before them. For behold, this day do I make thee, a strong defenced town, and iron pyllet, & a brace wall against the whole land, against the kings and mighty men of juda, against the priests & people of the land. They shall fight against thee, but they shall not be able to overcome therefore I am with the to deliver the. They shall convert unto thee, and thou shalt not convert unto them.  

It is the duty of Pastors, too rebuke chose vices the none other man dare rebuke.  For, as among the Lacedæmonians there were certain officers called Ephori, and among the Romans, other, whom they called Tribuni, and at this presence, in certain cities of germany, there be high wardens of companies or tribes, which do resist and withstand the head ruler, if at any time, 
Ephori & tribuni were officers among the Lacedæmonians & romans too who the people, if they were not well used might have aupelled from the higher magistrates.  through over great power, he waxeth out of fashion, so god did institute & ordain Pastors among his people, as certain officers, which should always watch. For god will have no man to be so high nor of sech authority, the all men should be afraid to rebuke his sins, or tell him of his fawres. And if the magistrate, whose office and duty it is to do it, being either letted with fear or infected & sick with the same disease, dare not boldly resist & withstand the supreme ruler & governor: yet shall he that is a Pastor never sleep: In deed if thauthority of the magistrate be joined with his study, labour, and godly endeavours or enterprise: Vices and wickedness, shall the more easily, and with greater quietness, or more commodiously be taken away. But if he be slothful, or negligent, the pastor shall take upon him this hard cure yea, with the peril and jeopardy of his own head, and shall look for help and deliverance, from none other, that from god only. Thee pastors must watch, 
il. Croni. xxxvi. Heir. xxv  and stop the way unto wickedness and sin. For god arysethe yearly sending for the his prophets in time, to monish, correct, and amend the world, which altogether is polluted, with the stinking filthiness of sin, as we may see. Hierem xxv. and xxix. But after that, thee admonition sent of God, is once come, there is none other remedy, but that we must change our former life, and amend our selves. For, except this be down, a greater evil or plague is at our own doors, which daily draweth nearer and nearer, and is aggraguated, till extreme and utter destruction do ensue and follow. We have examples in readiness, wherewythe this can be proved. For, who doth not see thee lamentable destruction of Sodoma, and of the Ninivites? 
Exo. xxxii  Also the people of Israel, when they had worshipped the golden calf in the desert, were received into favour again, but when afterwards dwelling in the land of promission, they had ungddly despised the voices of the prophets, they were extremely plagued, & carried away captives into Babylon.  

What armour a pastor must be armed with all.  Sith then, that it is the office and duty of a Pastor, to set himself against, to resist & withstand, all the Princes, & mighty rulers of this world, and to fight against them, & their vicious livings, with all his might, strength, & power it is very necessary and needful, that he be well armed, afore that he take upon him this hard burden or charge. Wherefore, he must be brought into the armoury of Christ, that out of it, he may be decked and armed, with thee same armure, that christ did afore hand arm his disciples with. 
math. x mark vi. Luk. ix. & x  For, he sending forth his disciples, did say: Go, and preach saying: Thee kingdom of heaven is at hand heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils, & preach that the kingdom of god, is already at hand, or at the very dooore. Freely ye have received, give freely. Possess not gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, not yet scrip towards your journey: neither ii coats, neither shoes, nor yet a road. For the work man is worthy of his meat. In the which place, Christ doth diligently beware & take heed, that the pastor be not entangled with any cares of earthli things, or with any study & thought, how he shall get his living, yea, he will have him in no wise to provide himself of a living: but doth commit unto him, that chief & principal food of thee souls, whom he biddeth him to set forth, with all faithful labour & diligence, believing & that without all doubt, that they shall want no manner of extern & outward thing, that is necessary for the life of the body. For, there shallbe almaies every where some godly & liberal men, which will not suffer them that labour faithfully in thee lords vineyard to lack or want any such things. Besides that, he can not deny a living, and other necessary things, unto his ministers & work men, that provideth so liberally for the brides of the air, & flowers of the field. Moreover, her commanded them to give freely unto other, the gifts of the spirit, which they had received, 
A staff is both granted & forbidden to the Apostles.  by the free liberalytye of god. In mark he doth ꝑnit or suffer them to wear a staff, which is nothing repugnant to those things, that we have now here alleged. For, there a staff is permitted or granted unto them, to help them in their way or journey, that so they should understand that all pomp & pride of charets & horses was forbidden them, In Matthew, he doth forbid the same lest they should think, that they might bring their matter to pass with stryppes, & force of arms: besides that, because they should wholly commit themselves, unto his divine will providence & promise, nor go about to provide for themselves with their own wisdom and study.  

The keys of binding & lousinge, are given to the apostles  A little after, Christ doth also add: And who soever shall not receive you, nor hear your preaching, when ye depart out of that house, or that city, shake of the dust of your feet. Verily, I say unto you, it shall be easier for the land of Sodoma and Gomorra in the day of judgement, then for the city. Even as in the fore-alleged places he did bid them to use the keys of losing and forgiving that is too say, when he commanded them to preach the gospel, and to tell forth, that the kingdom of god is at hand: so now, he doth bid them to bind such, as will not receive the gospel or glad tidings of saluac●on offered by them. For, when he doth command them, to shake of, the dust of their feet, he doth teach thereby, as by a certain sign & token, that the infidels are snarled & bound with so strait bonds of infidelity, misbelief, & incredulity, that they that are faithful, may not have, as much as the dust, (than that which, nothing is more vile & abject) common with them. After the same faction & manner, 
Actu. xviii  Paul afterwards (as we may see in the Acts) bid use the keys of binding. For when certain ungodly & stubborn jews withstanding the Euangelycal doctrine, did most ungodly blaspheme the name of christ▪ he did shake his garments, & dust of his feet against them, saying: Your blood be upon your own heads. From hence forth will I go blameless unto the gentiles. Also, in this place, we may see, 
christ will have no man to be compelled violently to thee faith.  the christ doth violently compel no man to the faith, nor will have any man to be concayved (as we do see many now a days to be fowl deceived, which thinking that it is lawful, make the faithful afraid, that they do rather seek the riches & kingdom of this world, than the kingdom of christ) that all virtue, power, and glory, may be adscrybed too his word alone.  

The apostles & Pastors, are destytuted of all extern and outward help  By & by again Christ saith: Behold, I sand you forth as sheep among wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and innocent as doves. But beware of those men, for, they shall deliver you up to the counsels, & shall scourge you, in their synagogues. And ye shallbe brought to thee head rulers, and kings, for my sake, in witness to them and to the Gentiles etc. Behold he taketh from them all earthly defence of this world, all hope of comfort and help. For, what could be spoken, more grievous, dreadful, and horrible unto the flesh, 
The flesh can not well away with these things.  then that? ye shall be delivered up to counsels, ye shallbe brought unto head rulers, kings, and also before judges, they, whom ye do think most friendly, shall treaterouslye betray you, ye shall be scourged in synagogues, one brother shall deliver an other to death, thee father shall bring his sons into extreme jeopardy and peril of their own lives, nor the sons will in any wise spare their poor parents. And yet in the mean season he sayeth, that among or in the midst of so many & great perils, they shallbe naked, and as touching the body destituted of all help, as sheep that be in the midst of wolves. For, as wolves do in no wise pity the sheep, nor acknowledge that they be both innocent and meek, 
A similitude.  but rather running upon them, do scatter, tear, rent, devour, and destroy all about, so they, that are the true worshippers of God, shall find no manner of mercy before tyrants, which will esteem them as sheep, appointed to the slaughter, yea, they running furiously and most ragiously upon them, will think that they do high service unto God, if they do root out from the earth and murder cruelly as many, as he such.  
This armure, I say, and other like, (as when he saith: The disciple or scholar is not above the master, nor the servant above his Lord. Again: if they have called the good man of the house, Beelzebub, how moche more shall they his household servants? And when he sayeth: And the world ye shall have persecution. Item: They shall speak all ill words against you) may seem unto some, lets rather, and stops, than any defence, or strengthening, where as in very deed, they are nothings else but a very armure. For, if any man be already before fully persuaded in his mind, that these things will happen and chance unto him, looking for them with a bold & courageous stomach, all fear being banished from his mind he is already well armed, so that they can neither hurt nor harm him any more. If then, these things can neither hurt nor harm the Pastor, we must needs believe, that he is surely fenced and armed, and that with a strong complete armure, against all these things. And yet I do not set forth here the descryptyon, of that armure, whereof saint Paul maketh mention. Ephesians vi Chapter. but I bring forth the same, which Christ did briefelye and with plain words describe and set forth. For, when he hath, Math. x. rehearsed an infinite number of misfortunes and perils, which do daily and hourly hang over the Pastors, 
To be without fear is the most strong am●re of a pastor.  he sayeth by and by: do not ye fear them. And a little after: do not ye fear them that kill thee body, but thee soul they can not kill, but rather dread him, that can destroy both the body and soul in thee fire of hell. Not to fear then, not to be dismayed, for any dread, fear or horror of perils, is a most strong and sure armure. But peradventure, thou wilt make an Objection, and say: Objection What new thing hath Christ taught here? for, already afore I did understand, that I should lustily and with a bold stommacke go about thee office and charge, which is given and enjoined unto me, if I feared nothing at all. Wherefore I had more need of him, that should give me that mind, which will be afraid of nothing. For except such a mind be given me, I can not persevere, but Christ himself doth make answer to all these Objections. For, Solution, when he had commanded them, that they should not be afraid in those waves of perils: by and by he did show, where they might get soche a mind, as should be with out fear, for he saith, john xvi. These things have I spoken unto you, that in me, ye may have peace, for, ye shall have affliction in the world. But be ye of a good cheer, for I have overcomed the world. Dost thou see now, how Christ is our defender? He biddeth us to be of a good cheer, & that we putting away all fear, do persist constantelye in his work, though most grievous afflictions do overwhelm us. For, this is the nature of the world thus always to exercise and trouble the true worshippers of God. Here doth lie a most sure hope of our comfort, and an undoubted defence, that Christ hath overcomed the world. For, if we be his faithful ministers, he shall also overcome the world for us. Wherefore, he biddeth us to be of a good cheer, and to put away all fear. After the same manner Moses doth comfort the children of Israel saying: 
Exod. xiiii  The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace and be still. The Pastor then, being endued, or rather armed with such a mind, shall with all care diligence, and fidelity admynistre the work of his Lord, committing all the residue unto him, who, according to his good and divine will, shall give a joyful and prosperous end or success.  
But because the pastor might here make another objection, Objection & say: Truly, I do hear the voice & word of Christ, which promiseth that he willbe both an helper & a defender unto me, but I see in the mean season, how he is wont to defend his ministers, even so, that at length they be fain to suffer death. I answer that then thou art very well defended, Solution. when thou dost suffer death for Christ's sake For, no man suffereth death for the name of god, except he be a child of God. But here in this place, thou shalt know the chief and most principal foundations of faith & charity, 
The principal foundations of faith & charity.  where with the whole building of a Christian man is set up, as it hath been promised afore. Dost thou believe that there is one only almighty God? I believe, wilt thou say. Dost thou believe, that the same is thy god, thy Lord and thy father? I believe wilt thou say. Tell me then, dost thou put all thine hope and confidence in him only? Yes, wilt thou say. Without doubt then, thou dost believe this also, that the same God hath promised nothing unto thee, but that he will perform it. That do I also believe, wilt thou say. If thou dost then acknowledge God to be thy father, I doubt not, but that thou wilt love him, & in all his commandments, be obedient unto him. And if thou be thus minded, thou wilt be glad, I trow, if thou canst at any time do service, unto so bounteous, merciful and gentle a father, or if thou canst do any manner of thing, that may please him. Or that faith then, whereby thou dost acknowledge him, to be that most high and almighty God, whereby thou dost acknowledge him to be thy God, and thy father, that also is wont to ensue & follow, that thou conceaveste a very great hope to come into the presence of this God, yea, thou wilt make haste to come unto him, as soon as may be. For, if thou dost acknowledge him to be thy father, thou shalt love him. If thou dost love him, as thou oughtest to do, thou canst never abide that his name be blasphemed, that his honour and glory be any thing minished, that his word be not believed, that his commandments be thus so ungodly and wickedly contemned and trodden under feet. 
A similitude.  As then, thou wilt rather die, than to suffer thy father to be brought into an ill name, or too be defamed: so shalt thou much more wish and desire to suffer this bodily death, rather than to see gods glory to be diminished. Again if thou dost believe that God's word is constant, sure, and infallible, thou shalt also know and understand, that no greater glory can upon the earth happen unto man, and that we can do no greater service unto God, than if we suffer death for the glory of his name. Therefore, the less fear and horror of death is in thee, so much thee greater and stronger faith is in thine heart, on the contrary, thee more thou dost fear and dread this bodily death, so much the less dost thou love Christ, and trust in God. For, whosoever is endued with a true faith and is fired with an unfeigned and sincere love of God, he doth already understand, that this death, which we must suffer for the name and glory of Christ: is a very lucre and a most true way, 
The death that we suffer for Christ's sake is a true w●y to come to everlasting life  to come to the everlasting life. Besides that, he doth know, that he is in no wise overcomed which, for the confession of Christ's name, suffereth death, but rather that he is both overcomed & all together undone, that for thee love of this mortal life, doth suffer himself to be plucked away from God. He then, that understandeth all these things perfectly, shall in no wise excuse thee peril of death, for, it is the nature of the flesh, to fear death and to complain of it, but he that hath in him a sincere and so ●nde love of GOD, no fire, no concupisbence, or covetousness of earthly things, shallbe able to quench that divine heat which is in him We must needs, with the might and power of this love, as with a must sure armour, to overcome the enemies of god, as Paul doth teach, when he sayeth: Roma viii I am sure, that neither death, neither life, neither angels nor rule, neither power neither things present nor things to come, neither height no: lowness, nor any creature shallbe able to depart us from the love of god, which is in Christ jesus our Lord.  

Why and wherefore love is required in a Pastor.  Now because that charity is afore all things, and most chiefly required in a pastor, as very necessary, the cause must be showed why he hath need of it, and also we must tell, where he may get it, Love is therefore necessary in a Pastor, 
A similitude.  because that all his actions and doings, all his endeavours, and counsels must be proved, tried and righted by the rule and line of charity or love. For, as no carpenter, be he never so convinge and industrious, is so well eyed, or hath so perfect a sight that he needeth no rule & live. So, neither the strength of the mind, nor the science & knowledge, nor yet faith, is any thing worth, except it be righted by the rule of charity. 
i. Cor xiii,  For, Paul doth speak of it after this manner: Love suffereth long, & is courteous: Love envieth not love doth not frowardly, swelleth not, dealethe not dishonestly, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger thinketh not evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth, suffereth all things, believeth all things, hopeth in all things, endureth all things. love calleth never away. It may then easily be gathered by these conditions of love, that afore all other virtues it is necessary & needful to a pastors. For, as a shepherd, 
A similitude.  doth scourge & beat some of his sheep, some he driveth forwards with his hands, some with feet, some again he doth wystell forwards, some he doth allure with bread & salt, some, the are weak, he doth bear upon his shoulders, some again he leaveth in the tables & folds, till they be grown & of strength, & in all these things he seeketh the ꝓrofit of his master, having a respect only, that the number of the sheep may increase, & that they may be safe & sound: So, the Pastor of the souls, being kindled with the fire of god's love, shall do all that he can, that the sheep of god, may both increase, and abiding steadfastly in the true faith, may always, through his diligence, be in safeguard. Wherefore he shall, now in time; now out of time call upon them, as the nature of sheep is wont to require, and as God, according too the true meaning of his word doth admit. But, what need we many words? she that hath love, doth never, deceive or fail, nor is deceived, for, love is not idle, but moveth man, to promote & set forth always the honour and glory of god, bearing, & suffering in the mean season with a constant and steadfast mind, 
Without the love of God it is an easy things to fall into pride.  all those things, that must be suffered for it. But if a man doth want this charity and love, he shall easily fall and that headlong into thee bottomless pit of pride: for without the love of god, what is man, but an arrogant pride, & mere hypocrisy.  

Where the love of god ought to be sought.  Now, and where a man shall both seek and find thee love of god, it is easy to be known by the words of christ, where joh. vi. he speaketh after this manner: No man cometh unto me, except my father doth draw him. Ergo, it cometh of god the draweth us, that we do stick unto him, leave upon him, & trust in him. For, god himself, is love, as john i joh. two: i doth testify. He thee, that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in god, and god dwelleth in him. Wherefore, it is most necessary & needful for a pastor, to call earnestly upon god, that he vouchsafe to kindel in him the fire of his love. But how shall he call upon him, in whom he believeth nor. in whom he trusteth not? Ro x. The invocation them, or prayer, cometh or springeth of faith: For, no man is wont too call upon him, of whom, he can not hope, to receive salvation & help: besides that, men do not call upon him, of whose good will & love they do hope to have all goodness if in the mean season, they know him, to be so weak, that he can not help & aid them. If then, we do in our minds acknowledge god, both to be merciful & loving towards us, & also almighty, that is to say, that he is not willing, but also able to help our necessities: it is already most sure, that god is in us. For our flesh, can not have, of itself, such a knowledge of god. If therefore, there is in us, & in our minds, such a knowledge of god, & such confidence, & trust in him, that same is not of ourselves, but it cometh of god. For, it is he that learneth us, both his power, & his will & certifieth us of them by his only begotten son jesus christ. And who soever, doth receive him for the son of god, he is already sure in his mind, that god both will & can help us: for he hath delivered to death his only begotten son for us: thau the which, nothing can be found in this world greater, or more excellent. He therefore, which is certified by jesus Christ, is borne of god, and god dwelleth in him i joh. iiii. For, we can not by our own reason and strength receive christ, with a sure, and steadfast faith, for that is wrought in us, by god only. And he, that hath god dwelling in him, is already certified in his mind, that God will both hear his prayers, and also perform his desires. By these things then, that have been rehearsed hitherto, it is most surely to be gathered that they▪ which are wont to complain of the feebleness of gods love, and of their cold affection towards him, nor can abide to suffer death, for his name's sake, have not yet received christ, with a true and sound faith. For, he that hath embraced christ. from his very heart, can not, but be ashamed, if he feelethe his flesh too go about some let or stop, sith that he seeth god the father, to have delivered so liberally his only begotten son for us. Who soever then, 
Of whom we ought to desire that love of God.  desireth the love of god, he must ask of god the father, the true knowledge of jesus christ, and of his whole mystery, & that he may lean upon him with a sure, true & undoubted faith: and by & by he shall feel in himself the fire of love. He shall also afterwards give high thanks unto god, the he doth vouchsafe to spend, bestow & consume, this foul & vile body, to the honour and glory of his name. For, although our flesh doth dread & fear death (for christ himself, was not a little moved with the fear and horror of death) yet notwithstanding, being by and by stirred, with that most strong fire of love, & incensinges of faith, will be constrained to follow the faithful soul, into the very death. Such I say, is the necessity of gods love which may be drawn out of those fountains, that we have showed even now.  
We think then, 
What the love of God is able to do  that it is sufficiently showed & declared, that the love of god only, can perform or bring too pass all those things, that are necessary for a pastor, which are these: that he utterly forsake his parents & his own self, that he take upon him this most perilous office, without scrip, purse, & without any road or stick, that also, he suffer himself to be brought before head rulers, before kings and judges, that he suffer himself, to be scourged, to be reviled & ill spoken of, and atlength to be most cruelly put to death: Which love again, 
the reward of a good Pastor.  it is impossible to stand, without a true and assured faith in god. Now also, the greatness of the reward must be considered, if perchance, according to the nature of man's wit, thee hope of thee reward may encourage the Pastor, both to labour, and also to be patient, in his troubles and afflictions. Our lord jesus christ doth appoint the reward. Mark ten For, when Peter had in the name of all the disciples asked him, saying: Behold, we have forsaken all things, and followed thee. What shall we then have? Christ did answer: Verily, I say unto you, There is no man, that hath forsaken his house, or his brethren, or his sisters, or his father, or his mother, or his wife, or his children, or his fields, for my sake & the gospel, but that he shall receive an hundredth fold in this world, hours, & brethren, and syners, & mothers, & children and fields with persecutions, & in the world to come, life everlasting. Here, christ doth promise an ample and an exceeding great reward, but he doth add a very sour sauce, he maketh it very bitter, and hateful or heinous unto our flesh, when he telleth before, that we shall have, that reward with persecutions. Wherefore, we must better look and consider, where, the same hundredth fold reward that he doth speak of here, was ever given. For, it is a very easy thing. to fyud persecution in this world, but we see, that it is not so easy to find an hundredth houses, & so many brethren & fields etc. Wherefore ponder more diligently, what hath been done. 
Actuum ii  When Peter, as the Acts do testify. did upon whitsunday, preaching christ, convert three. 
How it ought to be understanded, that we shall receive an hundredth fold in this world  M men to the christian faith, did he not get unto him, a much greater numbered of sisters and brethren, and also many more houses, fields, and much greater plenty of all things than ever he had before? For, he did love all them which did take thee name of christ upon them, and did believe in him, no les than his own brethren, he did no less care for their riches and possessions, than if the substance of all them, had been his own, taking heed most diligently to this thing, that they should not set their minds to much upon earthly riches, nor abuse them rashly. Truly all faithful pastors were of this mind. In deed this reward doth in no wise serve for the body, nor for bodily commodities, but rather it doth increase the care & solicitude of a Pastor, which he hath over the sheep committed unto him. What needeth to speak of the promises of persecution, wh●ch we do see to be so fulfilled, that by the space of many years, the pastors & ministers of the churches have been most cruelly put to death? whereby, it may easily be gathered, that the Pastors do in no wise minister and execute this function & office, 
whether a Pastor that is faithful doth take this office upon him, in respect of the ●uerlasting reward, or not.  for any extern & outward reward. But because, the reward of everlasting life is promised also with these outward things, we must consider & luke, whether that the Pastor doth take upon him this office, in respect of it, or not. Where again we shall deprehend & find, that the Pastor, if so be that he be true & faithful, is not principally moved with thee promise of the everlasting reward, to take this office upon him. For, he that seeveth for an everlasting hire & reward, must needs afore all things to know, where this higher or reward is promised vnt● him, again, who is the author of this promise, & that he, which hath promised, is true, which can neytherlye, nor deceive. If then, a man knoweth, that a reward is promised unto him, by and by doth he inquire, with all diligence & study, whether that he which hath promised it, is true. If he be eves assured and certified in his mind thereof, he hath also gotten the true & most assured or strong faith in god the father. And where faith is, there also must the love of god ensue and follow. For, who could acknowledge god, for that high and infallible good, for a most benign, bounteous, & merciful father, & not love him, from his very heart? especially sith that hath certified us of his grace and love, with that most chief jewel, price▪ and pledge, of his only begotten son jesus christ. No man then that is a faithful pastor, hath a respect to the reward or higher. For, if he be already before assured & certified of the reward, knowing that it can not be taken from him, he must also have faith before in him: If he hath fatyh, he hath also an inseparable companion with it, which is called thee love of God. If then the Pastor hath both faith and love, these two shall move him: to do his duty. and to execute truly his office, without any respect of reward or higher. Servants and hyerlynges do labour and work for the higher, and have an eye only to it, the children not so: but because they are children they do so faithfully work in the house of their father, without any solycitude or care of the higher, or reward, for, they do commit wholly the retribution or paying of it, what soever it shall be at length, unto their father. 
Galat. iiii  And we are children and heirs with Christ, why should we then as servants and hyerlynges have a respect only to the higher and reward, and not rather to the glory and honour of our father, which according to his righteous will, and everlasting wisdom, doth appoint and assign a portion of his inheritance for us? What Pastor soever is not come to this measure of gods love, he shall in the flames of temptation & persecution, often times waver. For this cause Christ did strengthen his disciples with his holy spirit, afore that they went to preach, & that with an outward sign and token of fiery tongues, of a vehement noise & impetuous wind. 
Actuum. two  For, the wind did go before in token of the most troublous tempest where with afterwards the world was shaken & moved: which sign and token, fiery tongues did follow, whereby the strengthening & confirming of god the father, through his love, being kindled in our hearts, is signified and betokened.   

¶ Of false Pastors/ & unpreaching Prelates.  
FAlse Pastors, are they, 
Who be false Pastors.  which are called false Prophets, whom that most wise & everlasting God, ●oeth in many places lively depicte, & set forth, in their own colours, and yet for all that, such is the ignorance & blindness of our hearts, that we will not know them. But Christ doth so lively, Math. seven. set them forth before our own eyen, that he may seem to have showed them with his finger, saying after this manner: Beware of false Prophets that come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves, ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? In these words, we do see a general rule set forth by Christ, which the truth itself did describe, that thereby we should know all false Pastors and prophets. 
The hypocrisy of false prophets is applied to the papists.  For, at the first they come as if a man might say, unarmed or naked, being decked in simple & homely apparel, contrefeytinge thee sheep, as though butter could not melt in their mouths, that is to say, as though they could hurt no man with their own strength and armure. Such as we do see now a days the Papists to be, if a man should consider and look upon the words, that they do use, for, as touching their outward apparel, that both they and their train are wont to use, it is so replenished, with the pride & pomp of this world, it is so garnished with all kinds of watrely weapons & armure, that a wolf can not be easilier known, by his wide gaping mouth, and long ravening teeth than these tyrants are known by it. But letting these th●nges pass, we will consider & look upon their words. If they do see any where the pure and sincere doctrine of the Gospel too be sown, by and by, they come to the Magistrates with such words: We do see, o men, 
The hypocritical oration of the Papists.  not without a bitter grief of mind, that unsewed coat of Christ, to be miserably rent and torn, and that the holy catholic Church, which Christ hath purchased unto himself, with his most precious blood, is troubled, yea, and almost overwhelmed with sundry, and diverse calamities, etc. And who, 
Ironia, that is to say a plain mocking of the hypocritecal papists.  being a true faithful man, could keep himself from weeping, when he heareth the bitter death of christ, & the shedding of his most precious blood, thus, with such lamentable words to be rehearsed? But when they are come to the end of their Oration: thou shalt easily perceive and understand, whether that they do seek christ, or rather the filling of their chests. For they are wont all most to use such a conclusion. The laudable traditions of the holy fathers are scornfully contemned & altogether despised, (here they do understand such constitutions, as do maintain their prebends, their rents & revenues, their first fruits, thythes, 
Why the papistes do complain of the Go●pellers  & excommunication or suspending for money, their iuridicial power and iuridictions). Many say that the Mass is no sacrifice, (for, this was the most gaynful hawking, wherewith they did escape unto themselves all the treasures & riches of the world.) Confession is every where rejected & set at nought (for by it, they did lead the consciences of all men captives and prisoners, which in deed they did never deliver, or set at large, till they had always wrested from the poor wretches an inestimable ransom. As for that true & necessary confession, whereby a man may come into the true knowledge of his sins, and into a repentance, acceptable unto God, they cared never for it.) The holy and blessed mother of god, the virgin Marry, is of all men ungodly despised (and why? because that they do not see her, as she was afore times hitherto, too be decked and trimmed with golden and silver gifts, whereby they had every year a new harvest of money: but the all things are distributed & given to the poor, as we read that the poor son of Mary did). Monks & nuns, breaking forth of their cloisters, treading most ungodly all their laws and rules under feet, do forsake their Monasteries. 
monasteries & Abbeys were thee garrisons of the Bishop of Rome & of his shavelings.  (For in them was the strongest garrison of the bishop of Rome & of his adherentes, for, they did allure into Monasteries, thee sons and daughters of the noble men, of thee rich and mighty rulers, that they having their children as pledges should fear and dread their power the less: Which thing, we may see now a days by manifest and plain tokens. For, in those places where there be few or no Monasteries, men are wont to resist less the evangelical doctrine,) priests do take wives (doth not God himself command the same? 
Of devilishness.  but if they should use concubines and harlots, so that the Bishop might yearly get of every one of them iiii. crowns, when either the children that are thus unlawfully gotten, are redeemed, or the charges and costs of the visitation, as they call it, paid, so that the Bishop might that way scrape four M. crowns every year they would complain nothing.) These new preachers, do set forth things unadvisedly in their sermons that will shortly breed tumults and seditions (In thee mean season that all men's goods at mortgaged unto you, that ye, challenge unto yourselves all men's richesse and possessions, that ye oppress the poor with an intolerable yoke of rents and servitude, & that with such an ungodly violence, as was never heard of: ye think that there can be no cause of sedition, where as every man doth know, that all seditions & tumults, that ever were since there beginning of the world, did acyse of the pride & tyranny of the rich and mighty men of the world.) These things, I say, & other like, are they wont to bring about the latter end of their Oration, whereby any wise man may easily gather, that these men will colour or cloak most deceyptfully, 
The papists do make the mystery of christ a cloak too hide their carnal lusts & affections.  craftily and hypocritically, their inordinate lusts and affections, with that most free and gratuite mystery of our Lord and saviour jesus christ. But go to, let them not bewray their filthiness and impiety of their counsel by such addition, yet every man doth understand what these men go about, by their unmeasurable pride and exceeding great train: Whether that they do seek christ and the glory of God ●eyth a sincere heart, or rather be displeased that their cyches might, gains, and pleasures are minished, for, Christ never drew with him such a multitude of servants nor such a great train.  
But because they do make mention of the Christian & Catholic church, 
Of the catholic church of Christ.  which christ hath doth redeemed with the merit of his bitter death, & also instituted & established by his own authority. We must fetch diligently, what is that Christian and catholic church. But where shall we find it, more plainly set forth, than in the words & oracles of our lord jesus christ, which he himself hath spoken, of this thing? If then, we may deprehend & find by the words of christ, that the conspiracy & congregation of the Papists, is the christian church, truly it is convenient & meet, that we do acknowledge it so. But if christ hath not instituted it: with what boldness, and impudence do they boast, crack, and set themselves forth by that title? Truly they may be a Papistical church, this we do not deny unto them. But they can be no more called, 
If Belial may be called god. The congregation or conspiratie of the papists may be called thee Church  the Christian church (which we do confess in the Crede, or symbol, and is the communion of all thee faithful, & spouse of christ) than Belial is god. For, unless this were true, the foundation of our faith and believe, that we have of the church, should leave upon wretched, frail and mortal men. How foolish, absurd and impossible this thing is, any Christian heart doth easily understand and perceive.  

The bnyversal church of all the godly.  The church then (that we may also speak of it, as much as the necessity of this place & time doth require) in his first signification is taken for all them that put their whole trust, hope and confidence in Christ only, and in him do seek all their salvation, according to Christ's saying where Math. xvi. he sayeth of himself: And upon this stone (which thou Peter had confessed even now and therefore act called Peter) I will or shall build my church, that is to say, I will reconcile my people, with god my father, by this one only mean. I am that true immaculate lamb, and therefore I will offer myself an omnisufficient sacrifice, for the sins of all the whole world. Who soever then doth put his whole trust & confidence upon this rock or stone, he shall be saved, & is a member of my saints, that is to say of my people, & of my church. By Christ's words them, it is manifest & plain, that all they, which do trust in christ, put all their hope and confidence in him, are the christian church. For he that is builded upon this rock or stone, must needs to be in the church, sith that the church is builded upon the same stone. 
Particular churches.  secondly, the church is taken other while for every parish. For, after the sense and signification, we do call the church of the Corinthians, that part of the universal church, that was in times passed gathered at Corinthus in the faith of christ, where as in the mean season, they were all members of that catholic and universal church: and yet not wythstanding, being gathered together, they did receive the name of a church or congregation. After the same manner, we call the church of London, the same congregation, that is in London: where as in the mean season, all they that be contained in it, are members of that universal christian church which is that true church, which we do confess in the crede, 
the church of the papistes hath no power, or jurisdiction over the Catholic or universal church  or symbol of the Apostles. But as these particular churches of Corynthus & of London, may nor ought nor, to burden thee universal Church of thee Christians, which dwell dispersed up on the whole face of the earth, with any new laws and traditions: So the romish or Papistical church (which is only a particular church, if so be that they have faith in christ jesu) ought in no wise to prefer itself unto other nor to make all men subject unto their traditions. Also these things might be proved, with many testimonies of the scriptures, but because they are sufficiently & largely enough alleged in other places, 
●oke upon his articles & ● answer that he made too one called Valentin● Compar.  we shall not need here to bring them. For, the matter doth not admit, nor suffer us to speak of this thing as much, as need requireth. Wherefore when the Papists to complain of any division or subversion of the church, they care for none other thing, but for their own that is to say, all their care is, for the lucre gains & commodities of their church, which they see every day to lose much profit. For, the more do come to the true knowledge of christ, and believe in him thee greater the church is, though no Pope at all, or mitred bishop, or high priest or patriarch were found in all thee whole world. But that, that they complain upon, doth get unto them no small favour, and why? it hath no small show of godliness: for, they will be counted such, as care for the sheep whereas they seek the wool, & would rather, be clippers and shearers, than Pastors or shepherds. For, the crafty & subtle men, knew right well, that thee church of god, or sheep or people of god, aught to be brought into none other pastor, 
The papists, if they were true pastors, have more cause to be glad than to be sorry.  but that the true and only food of god's word ought to be ministered unto them. Sith then, that thee faithful pastors do every where, minister liberally this wholesome & healthful food of the gospel, it is meet, that they should make no complaint of the division of thee church, but rather, ought to rejoice, and be glad, that they see thee pastors of salvation, to spring up and flourish, so goodly every where.  
Here, 
against them the will have the fathers to be observed & followed in the exposition of the scriptures.  I do not greatly pass upon their objection, where they do command that the preaching of the gospel, should be ruled, guided, & moderated, after, or according to the exposityon of the fathers. For, christ our saviour, did not assubiectize or make subject, this word, whereof he speaketh Math iiii saying: Man doth not live, with bread only, but with every word, that cometh out of god's mouth: unto the judgement of the fathers, that they should pronounce or give sentence upon it, but he will have the word to be understanded, which cometh out of God's mouth, as we may see Deut. viii. But that these things may be more plain, & easier to be understanded of every man: Let these fellows tell, 
Let the pap●stes answer to these.  I pray, what was the condition of the christian faith. & how the gospel & evangelical doctrine could be preached, afore that these fathers were borne into the world? How shall, we say that the Apostles did preach the gospel, or after what manner did they it? Now therefore, their deceateful crafts are detected, whereby they did go about, to deceive the simple witted men, under the name of the fathers, & to include with in certain limities & bounds, the liberty of god's word. For, this we may boldly affirm & say, that the christian people did never live a more innocent & godly life, than when there were no humane tradityons at all, the prescriptyon & teaching of the evangelical doctrine being then admixsted with simplicity.  
They are want therefore to speak these & other like words, about the beginning of their oration, or this one cause, that they may deceive the simple and ygnorant people. But praised be god, that they begin their tale after this manner, & fashion. For, two or tri acts have been set forth by these men, where they seem that they have forgotten, to commend at the first beginning, the faithful & diligent preaching of the gospel unto all men: which we have most need of, of all things. Howbeit, they making a very cold mention of the gospel, almost about the end of their Acts, be wont to say: And yet for all thee, we ought not to be counted enemies of the gospel. For we will that it be preached etc. Now, thanks be unto god, thee matter is come to that, that they be fain at length to speak & make mention of the gospel, & to command the pastors to preach it diligently: but by & by, lest they should seem to have granted to much, they do bring the meaning, exposition, & judgement, or sentence of the fathers & the common mind, or agreement of all the faithful, & by them will they have the preaching of gods word to be ruled. In good south, a man might think, 
sarcasmus that in to say a plain mock.  the god hath a very good turn, that these doctors and fathers are come for unless these fathers had been, it had been lawful for no man, to preach his word. For, let us feign, the none of all the fathers, did expound or went about to expound, the word of god and thee scriptures, with their writings and commentaries, let them tell, I pray, will they suffer than god's word to be preached or not? If then, god's word can be preached and set forth purely and sincerely, without the exposityon and labour of the fathers, what shame and impudency is this, that they be not a shamed, to alligate and bind god's word to thauthority of thee fathers. Whereas their decrees do teach plainly, 
that book I have already translated in to English, & is called a short pathway to come thee right understanding of God's word.  that the fathers must gue place give place unto god's word, and not the word, unto the fathers, as we may find Distin. viii. a. & ix a. from whom the true & sincere undertanding of god's word doth come, & where, it ought to be sought. I have sufficiently declared in a book, which is entitled, De claritate verbi dei, that is to say of the playnelynesse or lyghtsomnes of god's word.  
It is evident & plain then, by this, that hath been said hitherto, that all they, that are wont to have always our lord jesus christ in their mouths, 
The hipocrisi of the papists, & of the woves.  thereby to commed, set forth, & colour their hypochrytical complaints, wherewith now, that the gospel beginneth to flourish, they do tragically fill that whole world, whereas in the mean season they have not in them a cromme of the christian faith, whereby they may be known, do seek none other thing, by this their hypocrisy, but that they may be taken for true pastors, for, if thou dost look upon, consider & behold them, from the top to the toes, thou shalt always see wolvish claws to appear out, which they can never hide. We will not have this thing to be understanded only of those high Prelates, & mitred Bishops, but it ought to be referred to all the ministers of the church by whose sermons any man may easily espy & perceive, whether that they do seek in their doctrine, the health & salvation of thee sheep, or rather their own ●ryuate profit. 
The fruits, whereby false pastrous are known.  Soch are they that do defend the papistical church, saying openly: that the constitutions of it, statutes and traditions ought to be no less accepted than the sacred & holy scriptures And what greater blasphemy can be against God? What greater apostasy or rebellion can be against our heavenly King? For, by what reason can we make the creature equal with the creator? Soch are they also, that do extenuate the passion and death of christ, & almost make it nothing worch, when they say: that man can not only, but also must needs get & obtain his salvation by the merits of his works. For, if righteousness doth come up works Christ died in vain, Galat. two. But these deceitful wretches, do use this subtlety and craft, for this one cause, they know right well, that generally all men do despair of the merits & righteousness of their own works. If then, they do nevertheless ascribe & attribute salvation to works, by & by they turn themselves to the works of other men, craving of them help & succour. Then, by & by the cold prayers of popish priests, the mummelinges of Monks, that rehearsinge of psalms, the byinge & sellinge of Masses, thee deckings & trimming of churches do come forth, & offer themselves, which, as soon as that miserable man doth trust, & put his confidence in, this foolish believe of his, doth with all liberality, give unto these false & unfaithful pastors, doth milk and wool. These things did christ mean in Matthew, 
Math. seven  when he saith: Ye shall know them by their fruits. That is to say, by a diligent looking upon, weighing, & consideration of those things, that they be wont to seek, ye shall easily understand, whether that they do feed the sheep, of any love, that they have towards God, or of covetousness and avarice. 
It is that of fire & part of all godly persons too judge of pastors.  This judgement and trial god doth commit universally to all christian men, and to all the faithful people. Wherefore, the Papists shall never escape, but that they shallbe fain to submit themselves to the judgement and criall of other, yea, the vyl●ste and symple●e, that is in the Congregation, shall be judge over them, which thing they may not refuse. For, Christ speaketh these words the me have now alleged, to the whole multitude of his sheep. Let the fathers then together, with the whole stock of bishops and high Prelates, submit themselves to thee common trial of all men, whether they be Pastors or wolves. And if the christian church do perceive, that they be wolves and not Pastors, they ought in no wise to be heard, but to be diligently taken heed of: though they rage never so moche, and take on like tyrants.  
But now, we will return to the rule of Christ, whereby he teacheth us to try such pastors, for, in Mat. he doth add: 
Math. seven  So, every good tree bringeth forth good fruits, and a rotten tree, can not bring forth good fruit. A good tree can not bring forth ill fruit: nor a rotten tree can bring forth no good fruit. Every tree that bringeth forth no good fruit, is hewed down, and hurled into the fire: therefore ye shall know them by their fruits. Here, we must diligently note & mark, what was said before of the faithful pastor, that is to say, that it is his office & duty, to be earnestly studious of those things, which he seeth to be contained in god's word, & commandeth other to observe & keep, 
By what works false pastors must be known & tried  and that he must in no wise set forth himself, with his own, or any other hypocritical works. And so likewise thee christian people ought to judge & try their Pastor, not by those works that are required in men's traditions, but by them, which god doth command us in his holy word. Which, because it is not done now a days, we do see many simple & ingnoraunt persons come forth which cry out. 
The complaints of the s mple & ignorant people.  See ye not, where unto all things are come? The devotion of the blessed Mass is clean fallen away, the Images are neither worshipped nor trimmed, the goodly singu●ge in churches is contemned & nothing set by, Indulgences are nothing regarded, the priests, Monks, & nuns receive few, or no offerings at all no man giveth towards the maintenance of our Lady's service, nor towards the building of her church, where unto they do add many like things with mournful & lamentable voices or words. But if these good folks knew that the buying & selling of Masses, doth highly displease god, and that to cloth & deck the living Images of god, 
Mark ye this, o ye simple and unlearned people, & suffer you selfes no longer to be deceived with the pointed babels of the papists.  which are the poor needy membres & limbs of Christ, not blocks and stones, is a worshipping, most acceptable unto god: Besides that none other singing is more pleasant unto him than when we do worship him in spirit and truth, & not when the churches do resound with pypinge, lulling, belowinge and roaring: again, that the wares of pardons & Indulgences, did induce and bring into christendom, all kinds of evorme sins & vices (for men trusting in them, give themselves up to pylling & pooling, to capines, to thefts, to usury, to wars, to slaughter and murder, to plain treason, & to all other heinous & enorm vices) moreover, what great harm the christian people should get, if so great a multitude and number of idle lubbers, as popysshe Priests, Monks and Nouns are, should be maytayned and kept, where as we see them, to be not only the followers but also thee very authors and finders of all unclean tybaudrye and fleshly pleasures or carnal lusts: also, that no man's work, be he never so godly and holy, can help or further the salvation of another, only thee merit of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, very God and man, being excepted: finally if they should understand, that the chief honour, which can be given to the virgin Marry, doth not consist in this thing, that we should build up goodly Churches, that we should set up the arrogant and proud ●hanones, upon high pa●frayes, keeping them at our own costs and charges, with their shameless harlots and whores: 
The true worshypp●nge of the virgin mary.  but moche rather that we should bestow all these costs and charges upon them, that do believe and trust in jesus Christ the son of Mary, and that those things that are bedewed upon building of churches, should be given to Vyr●yus and honest women, whose chastity is for extreme need and poverty, in no small peril and danger, that so they may thee better keep themselves honest. If, I say, these tude and unlearned persons, understood these and other like good works, that Christ doth require of us, they would also learn too know their pastor, by them only. But now, for lack of this knowledge, though thee poor simple and foolish sheep, do see him, that should be their pastor, to be shameful ye given to covetousness, ribaldry, dronckenesse and riotous bancketting to carthing and dicing, and other most abominable vices: Yet not withstanding if he can have some show of devotion or godliness, either by often saying of Mass, or by some other outward ceremonies or toys, they will take him for a true shepherd of pastor, where as he is none other thing, but a very ravenyuge Wolf.  
I have for thee nonce, 
A description of the false Pastor by a col●u●●ō or comparison of the true.  and of a set purpose, deferred the description, either of a Bishop, or pastor, which Paul hath set forth. Titu i.i. Timon iii. unto this place, that by the lightsomeness and true beholding of the light, we may know the backenesse, and by the nature and property of the true pastor, we may also espy out the false. Paul writeth after this manner: A Bishop therefore musst be blameless, the husband of one wife, diligent, sober, discreet, a keeper of hospitality, apt to teach, not given to over moche wife, no fighter, not greedy of filthy lucre, but gentle, abhorring fighting, abhorring covetousness, one that ruleth well his own house, one that hath children in subjection with all reverence. And again, a bishop must be blameless as the steward of God, not stubborn, not angry, not given to much wine, no fighter, not given to filthy lucre, but a keeper of hospitality, ove that loveth goodness, prudent, sober, righteous, godly, temperate, and such as cleaveth to the true word of doctrine, that he may be able also, to exhort by wholesome learning, and to improve them, that say against it. In these words, Paul doth set forth unto us sings and tokens, whereby we ought to know and choose a pastor. Whereby, this also doth necessarily follow, that they be all false pastors, and unapt to the ministratio of this office as many as are not enoved with these virtues. Yet all these things, that Paul doth rehearse, are comprehended with in love and charity, as we have declared before.  
Now, although some pastor, 
The Pastor must be blameless.  be through sa●aunderous persons ill reported, and by backbiters & false knaves defamed and also accused, yet it ought no to be hurtful unto him, except he be convinced of thee crime, that is laid against him, by true witnesses, and suit arguments and tokens. For, 
Many of an ill will that they bear to the truth slander the ministers of gods word.  now in this most wicked world, we do see a great sort, (which is more the pity) that of a malice, hatred, and ill will that they bear unto thee truth, are not ashamed, & that, with most manifest and plain lies, to slander and diffame the ministers of god's word. But if he be accused of some notable crime, and thereof, lawfully by sure witnesses convinced, he is not worthy to minister any longer the sacred & holy office. O, how I might now dress, handle, depict, & set forth in their own colours, certain of those high prelate's, which do sklaunderously lay to my charge, all heinous crimes, that they can imagine, or think upon, if I should any thing be moved, with their shameful backbytynges and sklaunders.  

Thee Pastor if he hath not the gift of chastity, must mary.  Again it is manifest & plain by the words of Paul, that they are all false pastor, that have rather to live abominably, than to take wives. For, they that are such, are grown & come, to that impudency, & unshamefastness, that not only, they be not ashamed of their abominable living, but, also are nothing ashamed to minister unto other, occasion of evil, 
The Pastor must be ●obre.  & of detestablenes. Paul doth give like judgement, & sentence of bibbers, drunkards. & riotous persons. Yet in the mean season, we do not fobid any man to use, a moderate eating & drinking.  

I pastor must not be stubborn, nor without moderation.  Likewise he is commanded, that he be not stubborn, stiffnecked, & without moderation, in his words and other gestures of his: whereby we do understand, that these liars, teysters, & fantastical revylers, are false prophets. Also they, that use no moderatyon, or soberness in their apparel, gesture, or other behavoyour of their body, are not pastors, but ravening wolves. As many, 
Thee Pastor is bound to keep hospitality.  as keep no hospitalytie, especially towards the poor and needy, are false pastors. Yet in this place, may thee commune sort of pastors be excused, which have scascely, any thing less to live upon: for, all things, as we see, at come to that point, that thee mighty prelate's and bishops yea the seculare rulers also, 
Oye. ungentill gentlemen y● dayli do improperate benefices, restore for shame, unto the pastors their livings.  have taken away from them, their livings & thythes, scarcely leaving any thing to the poor pastors, wherewith they may live at hom a poor life. Wherefore, it is thee duty of churches and parishes, to provide liberally of their rhythes & other revenues, for their pastor that he may both have that, which is necessary, & also help them, that are in necissitie & need. If this were done, we should see by & by all those acts, crafts, and deceits, wherewith they have allured the people committed unto them, to offerings, to fall away of their own selves. 
A pastor must be able to teach.   
But afore all things, they are unworthy of the name of a pastor, that be not apt or able to teach, or though they can teach, yet they will not stick or cleave to the doctrine, that they may strongly and with a constant & stout courage confound and reprove them, 
A faithful father.  that speak against the truth. The faithful pastor must have also modest or sober children, godly, and well brought up. Whereby, it may be gathered also, that young men, which are unexpert of the world, & are yet ruled by their affections and lusts, ought not to be admitted too this most perilous and hard office, but men of ripe judgement, which have already showed a prove of thyr study and godliness in the bringing up of their children: except we might find some Timothes that is to say young men endued with all gifts, appertaining to a Bishop. That, which followeth in Paul, any man may easily understand, For, they are so plain that they need no farther exposition. Wherefore, we shall by this mean, according to thee saying of christ, know a false pastor & hypochrite, by his fruits, or works, so that we shall also understand, which be the good & godly fruits, and again which be evil & devilish, lest peradventure, we should receive the cockyl for thee good wheat, or the tars being saved, we should cast away, the good seed. We will tell afterwards, what christ doth mean, by the rotten tree, which being hewed and cut down is hutled and cast into the fire. 
They are false Pastors that have neither faith nor charity   
Moreover, they that have unfaithful, and mysbeleving hearts, nor be fired or kindled with thee love of god, as it was showed by the example and words of christ, when we spoke before of the true pastor, ●r no less false pastors, than they, that we have spoken of, already. Thou shalt plainly see their misbelieve, infidelity & mistrust or incredulity, by their own fruits & works. For afore, we did learn by the words of christ that it is the office and duty of a pastor, to forsake utterly, for the love of god, & his word, his parents, sisters, brethren & other kinsfolks: it is plain then & manifest, that they at false pastors, that take this office upon them, to this intent, that they may euryche themselves, & all their kindred. Which thing now at this present, we may see, in those mitred bishops, which with feigned indulgences, absolutions, and other like deceits and crafts, do promote & enhance all their kynfolkes to high honours & richesses: 
the popish prelate's do guide the goods of poor, to that their kynsfokes & to their hands,  yea they give also unto bawds, which when they were young, brought unto them, whores and harlots, great and fat benefices. Wherefore, when we do see them, which were poor and needy afore, after that they be outs made Bishops, to enrich themselves, and all their kinsfolks, it is a most sure, undoubted and infallible token that they be false pastors. For, these are the goods of the poor, whom god biddeth us, to do good to, and not too them that abuse these richesse to vain orientation, arrogant pride & glory. Christ doth bid us to forsake our parents and kinsfolks: but they, when they be made bishops and pastors, do embrace them most, and give them great goods and rychess. 
They are false Pastors. ● do abhor the cross.   
Besides that, we have heard, that it is required of a pastor, that he be always ready, ta take up his cross up on his shoulders and to follow christ. Whereby we do see again, that they are false pastors, and untrue bishops, that be so far from that constancy, and strength of mind, that they do not only think and hard and an intolerable thing to suffer death, but also, can not abide or suffer patiently any minishing of their worldly commodities, nor any rebuke, for the name of Christ for some of them, do so love themselves, and their own lives, that they do not care, though they do set all thee nations of the world together by the ears, 
In exhortation too Princes  so that they may p●asiblye, enjoy still their own pleasers: life up your eyen, o ye Princes, that have the ruledom & governance of public weals, and look about you. For, these false pastors can lightly move and stir you to madness & futye, and too take vengeance one of an other, for nay trifling matter: but what hath been the end of such counsels and enterprises, not few examples of our time, do manifestly declare. Whereby we see clearly, that all pestilent wars, have been stirred up thorough the work & counsel of false pastors, which afterwards they neither could, nor yet would quench nor pacify. Whereby, infinite calamities & extreme poverty did ensue, both to the Princes & to the poor people, where as in the mean season the inventors, or causers of thee ill, did laugh and rejoice secretly in their own bosom.  
It is plain and manifest also, 
They are false Pastors that do not show & declare them selves fathers of the congregation  that they are false pastors, which do not, in all their acts, doings, studies and counsels, show and declare them selves to be fathers, nor esteem and take, all the afflictions, troubles, cares and solicitudes of their sheep, as their own molestyes, and cares, but rather seek their own profit and advantage or lucre, thundering out, always this one thing: Pay me that, which is mine own. I ask my duty, I ask that, that is my right What shall we say of them, which though they do not build, & edify by their preaching & doctrine, yet they do always break down & destcoye, with their abominable living and detestable deeds, sith that it hath been showed already before, by the words of christ that they, which do teach, & do not express the same in their works & deeds 
math. v.  are les in the kingdom of heaven, that is to say, in the church. Sith than that these vain doctors or teachers, aught by right to be numbered among the false pastors, among whom I pray, shall we numbered and reckon them, which do neither teach, nor do that, that they should teach, where as in thee mean season, they glory, boast, crack & set forth themselves by the titles of bishops & fathers & take away from church's the livings or reward & hire dued to the true pastors? (I will not have thee, who soever thou be that art godly, and lovest true religion, to be any thing offended. For these sayings pertain nothing to thee) they are ravening wolves again, it is plain, and manifest, that they are false pastors, which do seek, 
They are false Pastors that set forth, any other works than christ hath commanded  or set forth any other works, than God hath commanded. Besides that, sith that we have heard all ready before, that it is the chief and principal office of a pastor, to preach God's word, and that it is required in the preaching of it, that sins and vices be rebuked and blamed: it is evident that they are false pastors, and untrue bishops that do neglect thee preaching of God's word▪ nor rebuke vices, as they ought to be rebuked. 
Against unpreaching prelate's, that neither preach nor rebuke s●nne  It is also most evident, and plain, that they are all ravening wolves, which do punish sins only for this, that they may scrape and get to themselves thereby a great sum of money. For, 
Mark ye this, o ye officials commissaries & dotrours of the arches  if the sins of the people should grieve them, this grief could not be mitigated and assuaged, nor yet taken away from their hearts by money: but rather they should study, labour, and do all that in them lieth, that sinners being instructed, and taught by the rules of God's word, should leave and forsake their sinful ways, which thing, sith that they do not, they give a manifest prove of themselves that they only seek for the chests and purses of their sheep, or of them that are under them, for by the fruit, that they do seek, we may understand, what they are. Truly, it is to be lamented, that these men, whom it is manifest to be ravening wolves, do usurp and take upon them, the names of Pastors. Again, sith that the reward of persecution and cross was promised, unto the true pastors, we can not nor may not call them pastors, but rather sagitives, runagates, 
They that will bear no cross, are runagates and hyerlinges  and hyerlinges, that will bear no cross. But, by what worthy names shall we call them, that do traitorously lay wait for the true pastors, persecuting them with all their might, strength, & power and when strength faileth them, do hire other to persecute them? Many such could I name, whose bloody works also, I might describe: How be it, I do wittingly pass them over: for now, it is not time to do it, for the measure of their wickedness must be fulfilled, which being done, their iniquity shallbe revealed to all men. For, nothing is so hidden, but that it shall be revealed Mark four  

They that do not rebuke the fauces & vices  Also they, that do not rebuke the faults of Kings, Princes, Magistrates, and of the people, nor resist, or withstand them, but rather suffer them, 
Of Princes, & voylter in them theirselves are false Pastors.  and not without a grievous offence of all godly persons, to voyltre themselves in the stinking mire of sin, are no less false Pastors. But this might in a manner be borne, if the Doctors or teachers themselves, should not with their abominable living, far exceed and pass the naughtiness and wickedness of other. For I am sore ashamed, too speak any more of their rybandrye, and detestable deeds, that they do secretly Ephe. seven. And if any man might see through the walls their secrets and privities, as in times passed, thee Lord did reveal unto his holy prophet, Ezechiel viii. he should see horrible things, that is to say, he should see most ungodly idolatry, detestable plays, most shameful whoredom, an oppressing and murdering of souls, and such a puddle of all abominable vices, that we might complain with Christ, that the earth doth not vomit, such ungodly and abominable knaves. Neverthelese, we do acknowledge, and take them for Pastors. And yet these ungodly persons are not content with these things, for we may find some of them, that are not ashamed to do those things openly, which no man being sober, or in his right mind, if he did but fear & reverent the light, or the clear and bright day, would or dared do 
Math. v. & xviii Mark. ix  Christ our saviour doth command to pluck our & cast away such eyen, but we are come to that madness, that we do plant and set them▪  

They that usurp here an earthly kingdom are wolves  Christ doth forbid his disciples, being gone forth to preach, that they should not bear a road in their hands, nor possess any scrip or purse. Whereby it appeareth, that they are not pastors, but most ravening wolves, that bear a road, that is to say, usurp here an earthly kingdom. For christ doth forbid the Pastor all kind of ruledom, that princes of this world do use, when he sayeth. 
Luke xxii mathe. twenty  The princes of nations do bear rule over them, and they that are great, have power upon them, it shall not be so among you. If then they have the road that the Lord hath forbidden, they are in very deed false pastors. Yet not withstanding, they have not only taken the road, but also the scrip, purse & beget, for, they are so bend, & given to get gold & silver and all other riches of this world, that they could not do it, with any greater study care & diligence, if the Lord had straightly charged & commanded them, to get all the whole world under their subjection. For, we see them to be so spiritual, that they have brought the chief part of the whole world under their dominion, ruling and governing almost all other men. What? do we not see the prince's themselves with empty hands to depend wholly of them? Did christ command so to leave & forsake the scrip and the purse? Yet in the mean season, they were hitherto taken for true Pastors, yea, no man for his life durst have called them ravening wolves, for, such is their craft & subtlety, that they be not ashamed, to colour and cloak their covetousness, or rather their robbery, with christ & his mother the virgin Mary, also with john Baptist or with some other Saint, which, when he did live, did esteem the world no better, than potshards. For, say they, 
the shameful cross of the papistes in craving & begging.  all that we ask is for god: that, which ye give is for our blessed lady. etc. which god wot, being now in high felicity & beatitude or blessedfulness, are by their most shameful lies, feigned to beg, to exercise usury, to bear rule, to gather richesse, & to fleye the poor sheep. They, I say, which when they were alive, did forsake all for Christ's sake, & bestowed upopn the poor. And what is to mock the poor simple people, if this be not to mock them?  

Thee Popish prelate's are r●uen●g wolves among sheep Mathe ten  But there is another sign, and token, whereby they may be known. For, Christ did bid his Pastors, that is to say, his disciples, to go forth into the midst of tyrants, as if a man * should sense sheep among wolves: but these out goodly prelate's behave them sel●es among sheep, as ravening wolves. For, what is it that they do not snatch up to themselves? What thing is it that they do not tear and rent? Whom do they not kill & murder? What is it, that they do not scatter and destroy? As soon as they do hear, that the gospel of Christ is preached any where, and received of some people, whereby they see, that they shall lose some pray or botie, by and by they show what they are. For, they trouble they rent, and tear all things: They fill all the whole world with tumults and sedit●ōs, always in the mean season most devylyshely laying this crime to the preachers of the gospel, that they are the authors of all troubles, hurlis, burlis, insurrections and tumults. But thanks be unto thee Lord God, that he doth so mercifully favour his people, that he will suffer no longer the joyful tidings of salvation too be hidden and kept from them, whose bodies be miserably afflicted. But this can not these high prelate's abide in any wise, for, the people being taught and instructed by the word of God beginneth to wax wiser and wiser every day, and learneth to help and secure the necessity of their neighbour, nor will give any longer their richesse to this ungodly sort, 
Why the papistes do call the preachers of gods word authors of tumult & sedition.  or wanton company of the Papists. Therefore, they being angry at this, do say: that they (I mean the preachers and the people the receiveth the gospel) breadeth tumult and sedition: & why? because that they are not pampered still with great treasures and richesse, that they may thereby trouble all the whole world. But such complaints are not to be regarded, for their lewdness hath been wyncked at, long enough, they have felt and seen long enough, how friendly & gently their error hath been laid before them. Howbeit, they are moved with no friendly and gentle exhortations & warnings: therefore, the pure simple & sincere word of the truth, must be brought forth, that the light, & brightness thereof may smite into their eyen: as for the success, it ought to be committed unto god. But we will gather together in one, all the signs and tokens, whereby, as by a most infallible touch stone, the false pastors may be tried.  

I. Commune notes & tokens, whereby false pastors may be discerned from the true.  As many as do not teach, are wolves, how soever they glory, boast, crack commend and set forth themselves, by the tyteles, either of Pastors, or of bishops, or of Kings, and I pray, how many of these mitred bishops, do now a days execute the office of preaching?  
As many as do set forth in teaching of gods word, their own inventions and dreams, are wolves, and not pastors.  
As many as teach gods word, and do not refer all things to the honour and glory of god, but seek their own, and having a respect to their head, the Bishop of Rome, do go about to establish his tyranny, and usurped power, are most noisome and hurtful wolves, which come, being clothed in sheeps clothing,  
As many as do teach the very word of god in deed, but in the mean season do not resist & withstand the vices & sins of the high rulers, suffering their tyranny, & that with a grievous offence of all men, to increase doylye & wax stronger: are flattering wolves, and betrayers of the people.  
As many as do not express in their works and doings, that, which they do teach, aught to be of no estimation in the church of christ. For, they destroy more, with their works & doings, than they do build and edify with their teaching and doctrine.  
As many, as do not care for the poor, but suffer them to be afflicted, & oppressed, are false pastors.  
As many as do glory in the name & titles of pastors, & in the mean season do usurp an earthily kingdom ruling and governng as highly, as the Princes of this world, are most pryntyous wolves.  
As many as, with gathering, & heapy●g up of treasures and richesse, do fill their purses, chests, garners, & wine sellers, are ravening wolves. Too be short, as many as, do prefyre, or set unto themselves any other scope, or mark, than that they may plant, set & edify among men the knowledge fear, and love of god are ravening wolves which, if they be not quickly kept of, from the flock of the sheep, do tear, rent, and devour all the whole flock.  
As many, besides that as bring and allure us from god the creator, to make us, to serve unto creatures, & to make us to ask help and secure of them, are false pastors.  

an exhortation unto them, that are deliu●red from false pastors, that they do not 〈◊〉 themselves to be beguiled again.  But now, sith that almighty god, hath determined to punish so long the enormytye of our sins, by false pastors, which did take thee food of god's word away from our souls, and by ravening wolves, which did spoil us of our outward and temporal goods, yea did bring us all together, under their subjection and tyranny: and now doth vouchsafe to kindle again, & to revile, the light of his everlasting truth, so that we may both see openly and know false Pastors and ravening wolves: it is the duty of Christian people in no wise for to kyck against, but rather to suffer themselves with a glad heart, to be delivered from that hard captivity and thraldom of ravening wolves. For here, we ought not too consider and look upon the ●●terne and outward incommodytyes of our body: but let this thing move us rather that we see god's word, both depravated, and taken away from us. For, this hath been thee custom of false pastors, that they did either hide god's word all together, 
The papists have depraveated God's word with men's traditions.  or else depravate it, with false expositions. Which thing now a days they go about to bring to pass, intending this one this, in all their crafts and subtleties, that either god's word be not preached at all, or else that it may be all together corrupted & depravated, with human or men's traditions, false dreams, & expositions. For, if we suffer ourselves, to be brought again into darkness, it is plain, that it is done for none other cause, but that because the heinousness & abomination of out sins is so great, that we can not abide gods word: Sith that the brightness of the truth, can not smite into our eyen, without great pain, grief & dolour. We are therefore, deseruinglye dampened: it is our own merit & deserving, that our burden and yoke is increased, and doubled. For, the light did come into thee world, and men did love rather darkness than the light. joh. iiii. Wherefore, that miserable alteratyon and change, and falling again into darkness, is with all diligence, and with most vygylaunte care to be taken heed of, in all common weals. For our saviour, and lord jesus christ, is ready, and offereth freely his grace unto us: it is our part, coragyously to follow him, being our guide or forgoer. If we wild the children of god, it is meet & convenient, that we do hearken to his word only: We shall also take heed, that we do not hearken unto them, that do pluck us away, from god's word: but rather we shall keep of, or drive they, away, far from us, nor suffer them in any wise to be in our company. This thing are all parents wont to require of their children: how much more them, shall the heavenvly father of us all require the same of his children? whom he hath adu●ted or choose in his son as a peculiar & most dear beloved people unto him? We shall therefore, show the ways and means, whereby, we may quickly be delivered from false pastors, And first of all, we will rehearse & show, the reward, and horrible punishment, that is prepared for them, if perchance, they being frayed, with the consideration of it, will forsake their wicked & unrighteous ways.  
That high, 
Of the punishment & utter destruction of false postours or prophets  & almighty god speaketh after this manner Deut. xiii. If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, & giveth that a sign or wonder, and thee sign or wonder, which he hath spoken of do come too pass, and they say: let us go after ●raūge gods, which thou hast not known & serve them: hearken not thou unto thee words of that prophet, or dreamer, of dreams, for, the lord thy god proveth thee, to wite, whether ye love the Lord your god with all your heart, & with all your soul: ye shall walk after thee Lord your god, and fear him, keep his commandments, & hearken unto his voice, serve him and cleave unto him. And thee prophet or dreamer of dreams shall die, because he hath spoken to turn you away, from the Lord your god (which brought you out of the land of Egypt, & delivered you out of the house of bondage) to thrust or put that out of the way, which the lord thy god hath commanded thee, to walk in, & therefore thou shalt put away the evil from thee: This is a very great temptation, o brethren, which, the lord suffereth to chastise & hap unto us by false Prophets, that is to say, that the things, that they have told of before, should come too pass. For, by this mean, not only they, that are weak, may be offended, but also the elect (if it might be possible) brought into error, & fraud as our saviour himself sayeth. Math. xxiiii. But in the mean season, the lord doth require this one thing of us, 
The word ought to be believed afore miracles & wonders.  that we believe and credit more, his simple, and infallible word, than wonders & miracles: besides that, he doth with this temptation try us, whether we love him with all our heart or not. But that this temptation should not arise to much, or gather strengthen, by daily encereaces, he commandeth to kill up the false prophet. Truly this reward is appointed of god, for all false prophets which plucking us from the true, & one only god, do go about to copple or join us to strange gods. For they that be such, by the commandment of god, aught to be rooted out of the earth. 
Obeiction.  And if they do make here any objection, & say: that they set forth no kind of Idolatry nor yet worshipping of false gods: again that the yoke of the law, aught in no wise to be put upon them, that be under the new Testament: 
Solution  we will answer them after this manner. As touching the first part of their obiectyon, it is plain & manifest that all they, that have not directed the minds of men to one only god, but plucking them a side caused them to serve to creatures, 
The papists did seache too worship strange Gods.  or other outward things, did set forth strange, & false gods unto us. For, that, is to every man a god, wherein he putteth all his hope, confidence & trust. More over, we may see, that the papists have more dowtingly and foolishly brought the simple to their Idol the Bishop of Rome, making them to trust in him, than ever any idolaters, or prelate's of the ethnic religion did. For, they did worship the Idols of jupiter, juno, Venus, Mars, & of other, none other wise, than as the images of the gods (whom they thought verily to be in heaven) nor ever were brought, to the madness, that they should take & worship any man, yet living upon thee earth, instead of god. What? were they nor all called flatterers among the Heathen, that did offer sacrifice, unto certain men as unto gods? For, they that were wise, never agreed to such worshippings: Therefore, the Papists, are much more foolish, that be not afraid, nor yet ashamed to call the Idol of theirs, 
The Papists do call their fleshly Idol, the bishop of Rome, an earthly god.  an earthily god, exhibiting & giving more adoration more honour, more worship & veveration unto the miserable, & wretched mortal man, than unto the true everlasting god, & lord of all things. Besides that, they, even now a days, daughing to scorn, mocking, & deriding, the poverty of our lord, & saviour jesus christ, 
The papists are blasphemous against Christ.  which he suffered for us, do most despitefully blaspheme hi. For (say they) christ knew no better estate nor yet could obtain no better: but our most blessed god & father being not foolishly wise, can both easilier, & also much better, rule & govern the world. Wherefore, there is now an other coudycyon of the church which the high Bishops, have set up an high, with honours, renown, might, riches a force of arms, we may not then follow here after the poor and needy christ. Yea, they do openly accuse Peter of foolishness. Oh most shameful, and most detestable kind of blashphemye.  
But now, o Papists, I require this thing of you, that ye vouchsake to answer me to that, which I will ask you. Did your bishop of Rome institute, and set up, such pride, pomp, and arrogancy, according to the prescripture and rule of God's word? No forsooth, no. Therefore, it is his own invention, he following his own dreams, did imagine such things, and by them he did pluck us away from God. 
The Bishop of to me according to the law of god, is guilty of death.  He is then according to the law guilty of death, and aught by and by to be rooted out of the earth. For, god cannot abide such dreamers. For. Heir. xiiii. chapter, the prophet speaketh after this manner: O Lord God, the Prophets say unto them: Tush, ye shall need to fear no sword, and no hunger shall come upon you, but the Lord shall give you continual re●●e in this place (In like manner, now at this present, that all things are infected and corrupted with detestable wickedness, false pastors are want to promise peace which they themselves never followed: if they had any understanding of the scriptures, they should right well know, that so great and enorm wickedness of this world, either must be changed left, and amended, or else that great plagues ought to be looked for, as hunger, pestilence, wars, captivity, and other like destructions: But they cry peace, where no hope of peace is, calling this peace and rest, if they may peasyblye possess, and enjoy their great rents and revenues). And then the Lord answered me: The prophets, preach lies in my name, where as, I have not sent them, neither gave I then any charge, nor yet spoke unto them. Not withstanding they preach unto you visions, charming, vanity, and deceitfulness of their own heart. Therefore, thus saith the Lords As for those prophets that preach in my name (whom nevertheless I have not sent) and that say: Tush, there shall neither sword nor hunger be in this land. With sword and hunger shall those prophets perish. etc. Behold, how he doth threaten again the sword to the false Prophets. But because we should not think, that here any other are noted & meant, & not they, that popishly do teach men's tradictions, he doth afterwards depicte and set them forth more lively in their own colours, when he sayeth: Woe be unto the shepherds, 
Hitr. xxiii.  that destroy, and scatter my flock. (Dost thou not now hear him speak of ravening wolves, which do pluck and scatter the flock into sundry opinions & errors?) I have not sent them, & yet they tan, I have not spoken unto them, and yet they preach. I have heard well enough what the Prophets say, that preach lies in my name, saying: I have dreamt, I have dreamt. How long will this continue in the prophets heart, to tell lies and to preach thee crafty subtlety of their own heart? Whose purpose is (with the dreams that every one telleth to his neighbour to make my people forget my name, as their forefathers did, when Baal came up. The Prophet that hath a dream, let him tell it, and he that understanded my word, let him show it faithfully. For, what hath chaste and wheat to do together, saith the Lord? Hereby, any man may understand, of what Prophets the Lord doth speak, truly of dreamers. liars, & tale tellers. But what reward doth he promise unto them? Wherefore saith he, their way shall be slippery in the darkness, wherein they may stacker and fall etc. And a little after: I will feed them with wormwood & make them drink the water of gall. Behold, how he doth denaunce & tell forth their slippery way, & grievous fall of ignorance, & also their exceeding great bitterness, which as it doth daily increase, so at length, their grievous and perilous tuyne or fall, as the broken walls shall ensue and follow, Isaiah. thirty. The scriptures are full of such Testimonies, whereby, we may know, and espy out false Prophets, but they are most lively depicted and set forth. Ezechiel xxxiiii. Chapter. Which place, the shortness of our matter will not suffer us, nor admit, to write out here. Yet the end of them is showed every where of thee LORD, 
Thee end of false prophets.  that they ought without remedy to be rooted out of the earth.  

How & by whom false pastors must be taken away and rooted from the earth  But now, it is doubtful by whom they ought to be rooted out of the earth. For, there be some that are desirous to kill them, where soever they find them. But it is plain, that it is lawful for no private person, to kill any man, without the law, & a judgement given upon him or without a special commandment of god. Wherefore, certain hot and fierce Christians, do greatly err, which, as soon as th●i se a fail prophet, do think that any man may kill him: for, so they stick to the letter of gods law, & seek or search out, no deeper sense or understanding. We must beware then, that we give not to much the bridle to our affections. For all this whole matter and business ought to be committed to god, who, if he will have them, to be taken away, shall easily bring it to pass, by his ministers, that is to say, by the Magistrates. In the mean season, be thou of a good comfort, & thinking within thyself, of whose spirit thou art, submit thyself obediently, to the meek judgement of our most merciful master and saviour jesus Christ, which sayeth. Math. seven. Every tree that bringeth forth no good fruit, shallbe hewed down, & cast into the fire. If his crafts, & deceitful subtleties were know of the whole church, he ought to be deposed and put from the office of teaching, by the common assent & agreement of all the congregation. But if the church, hath no such authority, nor may do it, let no man hearken unto him: but rather suffer death, than ye should hearken unto a ravening wolf, who, with his doctrine and traditions, goeth about too pluck you away from the one only God and heavenly father. All these things, are manifest & plain, by the plagues of the scriptures, afore alleged, so that, they have no need of any more demonstration. Besides that, the Lord himself Math. v. bideth us to pluck out and cast away from us, 
Mathe .v.  our right eye, if it doth offend us. Therefore, it is our part & duty, to pluck out that wicked eye, that is to say, the false pastor, which leadeth not to the true pastures, and to pull up by the roots, the rotten and unfruitful tree: but after, that it is done let us commit the judgement unto the Lord, who will cast it into the fire when he shall think best, when he is removed, & put from the office of teaching, we shall reckon him among the tars, 
Mat. xlii.  which ought not be pulled up. till the time of the harvest be come, as our saviour himself saith. After the same manner, 
●●et. xxxiiii  the Lord speaketh, Ezech xxxiiii. I myself, will upon the shepherds: & require my sheep from their hands, & make them cease from feeding of my sheep: Yea, the shepherds shall feed themselves no more. 
By whom the sentence of & Lord. Deut. xiii ought to be executed  Wherefore, let them that bear the sword of iustye, delivered unto them by God, put too execution that sentence of the Lord, which is expressed. Deu. xiii. For, they shall easily understand, what they ought to do for the glory of god, & when they must punish extremely those false prophets. And if they being of that mind, that the false pastors are, will neither punish them, nor keep them short: we must patiently bear this yoke, laid upon us, as if it were another captivity of Babylon, till the Lord himself vouchsafe to deliver us, with his mighty hand. For, this that we suffer in the mean season, is no loss, nor harm unto us, but an exercise and trial, whereby our faith being exercised, 
Psalm. ● xxxviii  shall shine afterwards with greater glory. The lord is gentle, meek, & of much mercy, in many things also he doth spare, & is wont to differre long, the plague & punishment: for, no man is able to escape his hand Besides that, no such example of crudelity is set forth to us, in Christ or in his apostles: which never punished no man with death, & shedding of blood. In deed it is lawful for all churches, to put away, & reject the false pastor, that he do not teach And if they begin obstinately, & stubbornly to persevere & continue, nor will cease to pluck away from god, it is the part and duty of thee Magistrates, to kill them up with the sweared. But thou, that art a private man, do not ray and defile thine hands with blood. For, the Lord shall not fail, if these ravening wolves can not peaceably, or without tumult, and insurrection be expelled & out away, he will without fail raise up some Helias, 
iii. re. xviii  which shall at one clap kill up. iiii. hundredth and l priests of Baal, and four hundredth prelate's of groves & hill altars. He shall not fail, I say, take the only in good worth this differringe and delaying. Christ would not condemn to death, the wicked woman (as we may sie, john. viii.) which was taken in adultery, and whom the law did condemn. But again, what great calamities and miseries, ho horrible a destruction, did he bring upon the whole people, 
Read ye josephus & Sabellicus upon that  when Titus both got the town, and subdued all the whole country? We must therefore follow the leuge sufferance of our most, bounteous father. In the mean season, as much as in us lieth, we must take heed, that ravening wolves do not occupy the towmes of Pastors, which thing, if we can not let, we must patiently abide the delyveringe hand of the Lord, for, the gentle, meek and merciful example of christ doth move me more, than that severe & cruel sentence or punishment of Moses. How be it, in the mean season. I know that the dreadful judge Christ, will come, which will arm either the Princes or the people themselves to vengeance.   

¶ The Epilogus or Conclusion.  
Therefore, o ye false pastors, if there be any sparkle of godliness in you, that doth savour, any knowledge of god, if any cromme of humanity doth remain in your hearts, I pray, for the honour and glory of god, for the common fellowship & amity of men, spare the poor people, which, so long a time, hath through you, suffered a most grievous hanger, of god's word: being in the mean season, miserably burdoned and oppressed, with most heavy, & intolerable burdens of traditions. And afore all things, do I speak unto you, o most mighty bishops and prelate's of churches. deliver ye now at length, & set at large, the people of god, whom, ye have bolden captive so long. Think no less, but that it is a detestable and ungodly thing, to bring all the whole world, for your covetousness. & pride sake, into peril, jeopardy & tumult. If ye do believe, that there is any god, & that the same god, is the common judge of all men, what quiet, tranquillity, & peace, can ye have, in your own consciences, and souls, when ye see all your whole ceate, and all thee conditions wherewith, it is sensed, to be an unreasonable burden, and also an intolerable yoke of all thee Christian people. Think ye, that ye must release nothing. Are ye not ashamed to burden every day the people, with new burdens. 
popish prelate's do neither fear God nor his judgement.  This, truly, is a manifest token, that ye fear neither god, nor his righteous judgement. For, where their fear of god is, three must needs follow an amendment of life. Sith then, that we see none of you, that will lighten those most unreasonable burdens, it is most evident, that ye care neither for god, nor for his judgements. And what other name is there, wherein ye may glory? Whose ministers, and servants are ye? But I see plainly wherein ye trust. For, ye lean, or stay yourselves, upon thee read, 
Esa. xxxvi.  or bryckel staff of Egypt, that is to say, ye trust in the help of Princes & kings of this world. But the staff shall break in your hand, & not without a grievous & fore wound. For, what other power, might, & strength, hath a king but his own people? If therefore the people being taught & instructed by god's word, will not, at the kings commandment (for in this matter of god lynesse, better it is to obey God than man) help, succour, & aid you: 
The Papists never observe their safe conducts nor keep their promises, for say they: No promise ought to be kept to an heretic, so was john Hul & Jerome served. The blood of martyrs is the seed of the gospel.  shall not both ye, and your lives be in jeopardy? Or what shallbe the power of the king? Therefore, except ye do cease and leave of, ye shall both feel and see grievous commotions & bortyble calamities, to hap daily, both to you, & to your Princes. And if in the mean season ye will not abide by the letters or safe conducts, that be zealed with your own zeals, nor keep your promises, that ye make, but go on still, to persecute afflict, and murder most cruelly the faithful ministers of the Gospel ye must needs to provoke darlye, more & more, the wrath of god against you, nothing else can ye get thereby. For, the gospel is both planned or set, & also doth encresce or grow by thee cross and persecution, till that thee Lord doth send a deliverance. For, after the same manner, the israelites did grow & increase, and got strength when the tyrant of egypt did imagine all the crudelytye, that he could against them, till that they were delivered by thee hand of Moses. Exo. i. Also, 
Exodi. i.  it will avail you nothing, if ye do appeal to counsels. For, now it is come to that, that ye must live ivalye and godly, and cease to burden the people of God, though that no counsel at all be kept: Do ye not remember Helias, which under that most wicked tyrant Achab, did kill up. viii. hundreth and. L. of Baal's pryestes, and of thee Prophets or pryestes of thee groves and hill altars. Due only Prophet, I say, did prevail so moche, under so cruel and ungodly a King. iii. Reg xviii. And after him, 
iii, Regum xviii.  jehu, by a godly deceit and craft, did destroy, all thee rabblement of Baal's pryestes iiii. Regum. x. What shall I say of josias, 
iiii. Reg. x  which did kill up all the pryestes of thee hill aultates? iiii. Regum, xxiiii. Having soche goodly admovytyous, 
iiii. Regum xxiii.  see that ye repent by times. For, it is so far, that ye should recover your old state, & dignity, that rather. Lucifer or Satan may hope and look for his salvation. Therefore, trust ye, and put your hope or confidence, in an other thing, that is too say, in God. who comforteth, and quyeteth the minds and conscience of all men. Him, I do most meekly beseech and pray, that he vouchsafe to bring you, into thee true knowledge of himself, that humbling your selves, under his mighty hand, & cross of christ our saviour, ye may evioye the eternal, & everlasting felicity with all the congregation of the faithful Amen.   

¶ Of the meeting of Master john Hooper bishop of Gloceter, & of Maiester doctor Cole, quondam chancellor of London, and now warden of the new college in Oxeforde.  
HEre I am compelled, for the great zeal, that I bear unto the truth, & unto the maintainers thereof, to detect & bring to light, a most crafty & subtle policy, which the Papists are wont to use at this present: being in this point most like unto certain warriors, which, when they feel themselves, to be over weak for their enemies, either cause an our cry too be made upon them, with these or like words: They fly, they fly: that so they may encourage their men of war, which afore were most like to forsake thee field and ●enne away, and also make the enemies that are within the hearing of it, too be dismayed and astonied, and to think, that their company, whom they see not, be put too flight, & have utterly forsaken them: or else being beaten and overcomed. ●o send tidings about, that they have gotten thee over hand or victory thereby comforting their adherentes and friends, which else, if their overthrow were known, would have swerved, from them. A very like thing did chance & happen in this last, july Anne. M.D.L. That most valiant soldier of the lord, and strong propugnatoure or defender of god's truth Master john Hooper, as he returned from my lord chancellor, that then was in the county of Essex, did (whether it was by a chance, or of a set purpose, I know not) come unto & certain manor or place of my good Master, Sir john York Knight then Shreve of London, which place is caller Marks ix mile fre●● the city: where a certain learned man, named Master Doctor Cole, quondam chancellor of London, & now warden of the new college in Oxeford, was asserua●ed & kept prisoner (. Wherefore it is, all the world doth know) when these great clerks were met and come together, after a mutual congratulation, they did, within a while, begin to reason of sundry & many things the belong unto learning, but most especially of those points of religion, that now are in controversy between the Orthodoxes, I mean the true and faithful Christians and the Papists. This was not so soon begun, but that is was by & by blown abroad, among the simple & ygnouraunt people, that dwell, v, ●●. vi, mile of, the Master ●ooper had not one word to answer, and that he was so handled & beaten by the doctor that he was fain, with much shame both to him, & to all these new hererykes, to grant him the victory. Which rumour with in two or three days, was spread all abroad here in this noble city of London, & every where else: So that in Cambrige there is no small rejoicing, yet at this hour, among them, that with all their hearts do favour and maintain Popyshnesse: (Howbeit thanks be unto god, there be very few such in that flourishing university) How the most part of Oxeforde do triumph at the mattttr, all men that have any wit or judgement may judge. Is not this, o christian Reader, a maruayllous and a very wonderful Policy of thee Sapystes? They see that they are over weak to withstand the truth of God's word, and that it is impossible for them to recover by open disputation or reasoning (if only the pure and sincere word of God, be as a most sure and infallible light, brought and alleged, to decite or determine all matters, their estate, that they have lost, by the bright shining forth of the Euangelycal verity. Therefore, they do with all craft and defeat noise abroad, and that by their complices and adherentes, that the defenders of thee truth (whom they do most shamefully call pervitious heretics, & seditious people) dare not coop with them, & if perchance they have cooped with them, & manfullly with the ●●●erd of the spirit, which is god's word, over comed them: yet will these rank Papictes, being thus overthrown, by some subtle means, make all thee whole world to believe, and especially them, that are ignorant and simple, that the Orthodoxes or faithful mere over thrown, and (as their common terms be) made very fools. Which thing was well sent at that disputation, that was kept or had, at Oxeforde between thee papists, and that godly learned man Peter Martyr, in the matter of the Lord supper: but now move evidently, in this reasoning and communication, that was between Master Hooper, and Master Cole (though the matters were not of like importance & weight) For thou shalt know and understand, good Christian reader, that it is nothing so, as thou are informed, or as it is noised abroad and that thou mayest be sure thereof: I (which was present at it, and departed never from them, not as much, as thee breadth of a straw, so long as they reasoned, together) will show and declare and that by order, whereupon their disputation was, that thee thing being well and truly known. (For that which I write now, I will justify before Master Cole himself, and all them, that were there present) thou mayest now at length perceive and understand, how thou hast been: deceived: and if thou be a true christian, how thou hast been cast into a vain fear and dread, or if thou be a papist (which thing God for feud) how thou hast be●e brought into a fools paradise, by such lying tales, that immediately ensued upon they, reasoning and talk. The first point of their disputation was this: Master Hooper did affirm, that the bishop of Rome did by hypocrytycall ways grow to that authority, power, and Majesty, that he did chose the emperors, which thing Master Cole did deny, and that stoutly. For, if he had granted the same, by and by it had followed, that thee Emperor had been so under thee subjection of that antichrist, that he durst do none other thing in matters of religion, but as that antichrist should will him to do And therefore, the might well go shoe the goes, that looked for any redress in religion at the emperors hands. Another thing also should have ensued, and that by good consequence, that is to say, that thee bishop of Rome should have been ● very antichrist, sith that clean contrary to they precept of Christ, he did take upon him to rule Emperors and Kings: Where as christ did say: Thee Princes of nations shall rule them, but ye shall not so do. That could not this great doctor abide, and therefore he denied Master Hoopers' proposytyon, which he did prove after this manner: Thee bishop of Rome, said he, doth by his canon law choose and appoint out thee electors. That do I grant, said Master Cole. Then said Master Hooper again: Also when the electors have chosen out the Emperor: thee Electyon doth not stand, unless the bishop of Rome doth allow and approve it. I do not deny that, said thee other. Ergo said Master Hooper, thee bishop of Rome chooseth the Emperor. I deny thee argument, said thee other, is to say, that thee bishop of Rome doth choose thee Emperor. Here thou seest, that this Doctor could escape no way. He did grant (for he could do none other) that the bishop of Rome, did by thee canon laws, make thee electors, and again that thee Electyon did not stand, unless the bishop of Rome did avow it. What other thing. I pray you, cast we conclude there upon, but that the bishop of Room did elect and choose thee Emperor. That some thing also was well proved, by notable histories, which do teach, declare, and set forth, how those Antichristes' have in times passed, handled the poor silly Emperors. The second point, that they reasoned upon, was, that God's word doth sufficiently, without thee help of thee fathers or counsels, expound itself, that is to say, that one place of thee Scripture, ought too be expounded by another, which opinion Master Hooper did hold. This thing was reasonned in the fields between them both, in the latin tongue, (only I being present with them.) And when Master Hooper did bring innumerable testimonies and places of the scriptures, to prove this truth with all, the other resisted him stoutly. But surely they were not both armed and weaponed in like. For Master Hooper being armed with a very eloquent latin tongue, (In deed I have, thanks be unto God, some knowledge in the latin tongue, and many have I heard speak in my days: but yet I never heard an Ecclesiastical man speak more ●et and clean latin, than he did extempore) was also weaponed with strong Scriptures, and word of god, whereas the other, besides his halt eloquence, had nothing else but the fathers, counsels, and I can not tell what church, or if he brought any scriptures, they were so wrested out of tune, that they served nothing less, than for the purpose, that they were alleged for. Upon this matter they were about three hours by thee clock. At length, when Master Hooper could get nothing of him, but: The fathers, the fathers, the counsels, the counsels, and I can not tell what church (for the true Church, why the is the spouse of Christ, and is ruled by his spirit only, setting forth nothing besides or against god's word, Master Hooper did well allow) they made an end of that argument or matter. And as they were at diver, they began to talk of thee counsel that was like to be, by the appointment of the bishop of Rome, Which Master Hooper did think to be unnecessary, because that there nothing could be redressed, or determined, but as the bishop of Rome would have it. And who, I pray, would think, that the same Antythryste would have any thing to pass against his detestable pride and devilish covetousness? next after that, they did confer of thee office and duty of a King, whom Master Cole will not have too be learned and seen in God's laws. But that fond and devilish opinion did Master Hooper confute with strong and infallible testimonies of thee Scriptures, and word of God, showing that it was most necessary of all, that a King should have a perfect knowledge of God's word. How could he else rule and govern his people, according too thee will and pleasure of God? But Master Hooper did in few words show, what was the cause, why he would not have thee Kings and Princes too have learning. truly, because that they would have still the whole world under their jurisdiction. Because that they would have still Princes and rulers too see thorough their spectacles, and too be blinded with thee mists of their tradytyons. last of all at thee instance of my Good Master, Sir john York, they should have reasonned upon thee Supper of thee LORD, but Master Cole would not meddle in it. Then did Master Hooper offere too dispute with him in Hebrew, Greek, and latin, and withal them that be of his fact or sect, upon all matters of religion, that be now in controversy. Whom Master Cole did answer, that, as for the latin and the Greek, he could well skill in them both, but as for the Hebrew, he was not seen in it. And though he were never so skilful: yet said he: that he would not put his foot farther into the fire. Then said Master Hooper unto him: Ye depredicate and say every where, that we are in error, and not only that, but that ye be able to convince us of error. Sith than that ye can confound our error, that we are in: and will not do it. I say unto you: that as many of us, as do, or shall perish, through your negligence or fayntenesse of heart, thee blood of all them shallbe required at your hands. Thus they ended their communication. And then my good Master Sir john York, did take the matter in hand, exhorting Master Cole, not to hide his talent, but to employ or bestow it diligently, according to the will and pleasure of god. This is the whole matter, good Christian reader, truly and faithfully set forth unto thee: whereby thou mayst understand whether of them two had the victory. weigh and powder the matter thine own self. Examine & try it with that infallible touch stone, that can never fail or deceive, Suffer not thyself to be seduced, with those reproachful and opprobrious terms, wherewith, some of them most lying lie do load thee true messenger of God, saying: Master Hooper is but an ass, he is but a dish clout to Master Cole, for truly, though Master Cole is exceedingly well learned, in all liberal Arts, in Philosophy, and other of thee profane sciences, whereunto ye may annex thee eloquence in both the tongues: Yet not withstanding, Master Hooper doth far pass him, in heavenly knowledge and understanding, and being not inferior unto him in the knowledge of both these tongues, he is well seen in the Hebrew and Chaldeike tongue, which thee other doth lack. howbeit, I would that Master Hooper, or any of us, might be a dish clout unto him, for then, we should make thee inner part of thee vessel clean, (for it is the property of dish clouttes so for to do) but I am afraid, that the inner part of the vessel is so cankered, with popish superstition, & devilish doctrine that it shall need of a sword, to scrape it out clean. The Lord God of heaven, from whom all goodness doth come, vouchsafe to bring him & all other, that are yet in error, into the right knowledge of his truth. That we may all together praise & laud his holy and blessed name. Amen.   

¶ Imprinted at London by William Seris & richard Kele, dwelling in Lombard street, near unto the stocks market, at thee sign of the Egle.  
¶ Cum gratia et privilegio ad imprimendum Solum.   

¶ Faults escaped by the Printer.  
In A. i. for Sinovoys, read Senonoys, in A three for then will they not suffer read them will they not suffer. ibidem. for lamable ceremonies, read laudable ceremoni. in A. v. for bearing open, read daring open. in B. two. for do send, read dost send. in. B. v. for in him the fat pastors, read in him the fat pastures. in C. iii, for grievous scorns of persections, read grievous storms of persecutions. ibidem or there. for though they all offend the world, read though they offend all the world in C.v. for ●● to any other Pastors, read into any other pastures, ibidem. for being thus promised, read being thus promised. in C.viii for a long fartinet tippet, read a long lartinet tippet. in D.i. for lastivious, read lascivious. in D ●i. for temperance & stubborns, read temptrance & soberness ibidem or in the same place, for all kinds of temperance, read all kinds of intemperaunte ibidem for unto oath. r that can never, read unto other can never. ibidem for do teach him vain, read do teach them. in D. v, for of the priests did he, read of the priests did lie. in D vi. for do use exercise, read do use & exercise. in E. i. for to turn him from the mind, read to turn him from that mind. in E. seven. for to his sound & fleshly, read to this fond & fleshly. in F. iii. for into any kind or spear, read into any kind or spece, in F. iiii. for the prophets of graves, read the prophets of the graves. in F. v. for Naboth the Israelite, read Naboth the jesraelite. ibidem. for affirming unto him read offering unto him. ibidem. for the field of Israel, read the field of jesrael. in the margin. for the pastor ought by it, read the pastor ought to learn by it. in G. iii. for always, read always. in H. v for sith that hath, read sith that he hath. in H. viii. in the margin, for of devyly sh●●s read o● devylisshnes. in I. iii. for into none other pastor, read into none other pasture, ibidem for where they see the pastors of salvation. read the pastures.