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The Image of Both Pastors Set Forth · Ulrich Zwingli

The Image of Both Pastors Set Forth, Essay

¶Of falſe Paſtours / & vnpreachinge Prelates.

FAlſe Paſtours, are they,Who be falſe Paſtours. whyche are called falſe Prophetes, whom that moſt wyſe & euerlaſtinge God, …oeth in many places lyuelye depicte, & ſet forth, in theyr owne colours, and yet for all that, ſoch is the ignoraunce & blyndneſſe of our hartes, yt we wyl not know them. But Chriſt doth ſo lyuely, Math. vii. ſet thē forth before oure owne eyen, that he may ſeme to hauehave ſhewed them wyth hys fynger, ſaying after thys maner: Beware of falſe Prophetes yt come to you in ſhepes clothing, but inwardely they are raueninge wolues, ye ſhall knowe them by theyr fruytes. Do men gather grapes of thornes, or fygges of thyſtels? In theſe wordes, we do ſe a generall rule ſet forth by Chriſt, whych ye trueth it ſelfe dyd deſcrybe, that therby we ſhould know all falſe Paſtours and prophetes.The hipocriſy of falſe prophetes is applyed to ye Papyſtes. For, at the fyrſt they come as yf a man myghte ſaye, vnarmed or naked, beynge decked in ſymple & homely apparell, contrefeytinge thee ſhepe, as though butter could not melte in theyr mouthes, yt is to ſaye, as thoughe they coulde hurte no man wyth theyr owne ſtrength and armure. Such as we do ſee now a dayes the Papiſtes to be, yf a mā ſhuld conſyder and loke vponupon the wordes, that they doo vſe, for, as touchinge theyr outward apparell, that both they and theyr trayne are wonte to vſe, it is ſo repleniſhed, with the pryde & pompe of this worlde, it is ſo garniſhed wyth all kyndes of watrely weapons & armure, that a wolfe can not be eaſelyer knowen, by hys wyde gaping mouth, and longe rauening teeth thā theſe tyrauntes are knowē by it. But lettinge theſe th…nges paſſe, we wyll conſyder & loke vponupon theyr wordes. Yf they do ſee any where the pure and ſyncere doctryne of the Goſpell too be ſowen, by and by, they come to the Magiſtrates wyth ſoche woordes: We do ſee, o men,The hypocriticall oratiō of ye Papiſtes. not without a bytter griefe of mynde, that vnſewed coate of Chriſte, to be miſerably rente and torne, and that the holye catholyke Church, whych Chriſte hath pourchaſed vntounto hym ſelfe, wythe hys moſte precious bloude, is troubled, yea, and almoſt ouerwhelmed wyth ſondry, and diuerſe calamities, &c. And who,Ironia, yt is to ſay a playn mockinge of ye hypocritecal Papyſtes. beyng a true faythful man, could kepe him ſelf frō weping, whē he heareth the bitter death of chriſt, & the ſheding of his moſt precious bloud, thus, with ſoch lamentable wordes to be rehearſed? But when they are come to the ende of their Oratiō: thou ſhalt eaſely perceaue and vnderſtande, whether that they do ſeke chriſt, or rather the fillinge of theyr cheſtes. For they are wonte all moſt to vſe ſoch a cōcluſion. The laudable traditions of the holy fathers are ſcornefullye cōtempned & altogether deſpyſed, (here they do vnderſtand ſoche conſtitutions, as do mayntayne theyr prebendes, their rentes & reuenues, their firſte fruytes, thythes,Why ye papiſtes doo cōplayn of the Go… pellers & excommunication or ſuſpendinge for money, theyr iuridicial power and iuridictions). Many ſaye that the Maſſe is no ſacrifyce, (for, thys was ye moſt gaynful hawking, wherwith they dyd eſcape vntounto them ſelfes al the treaſures & ryches of the world.) Confeſſiō is eueryevery where reiected & ſet at naught (for by it, they dyd leade the conſciēces of all men captyues and pryſonners, whych in dede they dyd neuer delyuer, or ſette at large, tyll they had alwayes wraſted from the poore wretches an ineſtimable raunſome. As for that true & neceſſarye confeſſion, whereby a man maye come into the true knowledge of hys ſynnes, and into a repentaunce, acceptable vntounto God, they cared neuer for it.) The holy and bleſſed mother of god, the Vyrgyn Mary, is of al men vngodlye deſpyſed (and why? becauſe that they do not ſee her, as ſhe was afore tymes hytherto, too be decked and trymmed wythe golden and ſyluer gyftes, wherby they had eueryevery yere a newe harueſt of money: but ye al thinges are diſtributed & geuen to the poore, as we reade yt the poore ſonne of Mary dyd). Monkes & Nonnes, breakinge forth of their cloyſters, treadinge mooſte vngodly all theyr lawes and rules vnderunder fete, do forſake theyr Monaſteries.Monaſteryes & Abbeys were thee garriſons of the Biſhop of Rome & of hys ſhauelinges. (For in them was the ſtrongeſt garriſon of the Byſſhop of Rome & of his adherentes, for, they dyd allure into Monaſteries, thee ſonnes and daughters of the noble mē, of thee ryche and myghtye rulers, that they hauing theyr chyldren as pledges ſhuld feare and dreade theyr power the leſſe: Whych thing, we may ſee nowe a dayes by manyfeſt and playne tokens. For, in thoſe places where ther be fewe or no Monaſteries, men are wont to reſyſte leſſe the Euangelicall doctryne,) prieſtes do take wyues (doeth not God hym ſelfe commaunde the ſame?Of deuylyſhneſſe. but yf they ſhuld vſe concubynes and harlots, ſo that the Byſhop myght yearely get of eueryevery one of them iiii. crownes, whē eyther the chyldrē that are thus vnlawfully gottē, are redemed, or the charges and coſtes of the viſitacion, as they cal it, payde, ſo that the Biſhop might that way ſcrape .iiii.M. crounes eueryevery yere they wolde cōplayne nothyng.) Theſe newe preachers, do ſet forthe thynges vnaduiſedly in theyr ſermons that wil ſhortlye brede tumultes and ſedycyons (In thee meane ſeaſon that all mens goodes at morgaged vntounto you, that ye, chalenge vntounto your ſelfes all mens rycheſſe and poſſeſſions, that ye oppreſſe the poore with an intollerable yoke of rentes and ſeruitude, & that wyth ſuche an vngodly violēce, as was neuer heard of: ye thincke that there can be no cauſe of ſedition, where as eueryevery man doeth know, that all ſeditions & tumultes, yt euer were ſens ther beginninge of the worlde, dyd acyſe of the pryde & tyranny of the ryche and myghtye men of the worlde.) Theſe thinges, I ſaye, & other lyke, are they wont to bringe about the latter ende of their Oration, wherby any wyſe man may eaſely gather, that theſe men wyll colour or cloke moſt deceyptfully,The papiſtes do make ye miſtery of chriſt a cloke too hyde theyr carnall luſtes & affections. craftely and hypocritically, theyr inordinate luſtes and affections, wyth that mooſt free and gratuite myſtery of our Lorde and Sauyour Ieſu chriſte. But go to, let them not bewraye theyr fylthynes and impietie of theyr counſayle by ſoche addition, yet eueryevery man doeth vnderſtand what theſe men go about, by theyr vnmeaſureable pride and exceadinge great trayne: Whether that they do ſeeke chriſte and the glorye of God …eyth a ſyncere harte, or rather be diſpleaſed that theyr cyches myght, gaynes, and pleaſures are mynyſſhed, for, Chriſt neuer drewe wt hym ſuche a multitude of ſeruātes nor ſuch a greate trayne.

But becauſe they do make mētiō of the Chriſtian & Catholike church,Of the catholike churche of Chriſt. whiche chriſt hath doth redemed wt the merite of his bitter deathe, & alſo inſtituted & eſtabliſhed by his own auctoritie. We muſt fetch diligētly, what is that Chriſtian and Catholyke church. But wher ſhal we fynde it, more playnelye ſet forth, than in the wordes & oracles of our lord Ieſus chriſt, whych he him ſelf hath ſpokē, of thys thyng? Yf thē, we may deprehēd & fynde by ye wordes of chriſt, that the conſpiracie & congregatiō of ye Papiſtes, is the chriſtiā churche, truly it is cōuenyent & mete, yt we do acknowledg it ſo. But yf chriſt hath not inſtituted it: with what boldneſſe, and impudency do they boſt, crake, and ſet theym ſelues forthe by that tytle? Truely they may be a Papiſtical churche, thys we do not denye vntounto them. But they can be no more called,Yf Belial may be called god. Ye cōgregation or cōſpiratie of ye Papyſtes may be called thee Churche ye Chryſtian churche (whych we do confeſſe in the Crede, or ſymbole, and is the communiō of al thee faythful, & ſpouſe of chriſt) than Belial is god. For, oneleſſe this were true, ye foūdaciō of our fayth and beleue, that we hauehave of the church, ſhulde leaue vponupon wretched, fraile and mortall men. Howe folyſſhe, abſurde and impoſſyble thys thynge is, anye Chriſtyan harte doeth eaſely vnderſtād and perceaue.

The bnyuerſal churche of all the godly.The church thē (yt we may alſo ſpeake of it, as much as ye neceſſitie of thys place & tyme doth requyre) in hys fyrſt ſignification is taken for all thē that put theyr whole truſte, hope and confydence in Chriſte onelye, and in him do ſeeke all theyr ſaluacyon, accordynge to Chriſtes ſayinge where Math. xvi. he ſayethe of hym ſelfe: And vppon thys ſtone (whych thou Peter had confeſſed euen nowe and therfore act called Peter) I wyll or ſhall buylde my churche, that is to ſay, I wyl reconcile my people, with god my father, by this one only meane. I am that true immaculate lambe, and therfore I wyl offer my ſelf an omniſufficient ſacrifice, for ye ſinnes of al ye whole world. Who ſoeuer thē doth put his whole truſt & cō fydēce vponupon this rocke or ſtone, he ſhal be ſaued, & is a membre of my ſaintes, yt is to ſay of my people, & of my churche. By chriſtes wordes thē, it is manifeſt & playne, yt al they, which do truſte in chriſt, put al theyr hope and cōfidēce in him, are the chriſtian church. For he that is builded vponupon this rock or ſtone, muſt nedes to be in the church, ſythe yt the church is builded vpō y• ſame ſtone.Part…cul… re churches. Secondlye, the churche is taken other whiles for eueryevery paryſhe. For, after ye ſenſe and ſignificatiō, we do cal ye churche of ye Corinthiās, that part of ye vnyuerſal church, yt was in times paſt gathered at Corinthus in ye fayth of chriſte, where as in the meane ſeaſon, they were al membres of that catholike and vniuerſal church: and yet not wythſtā ding, beīg gathered together, they dyd receaue ye name of a church or cōgregation. After the ſame maner, we cal the churche of London, the ſame congregatyon, that is in London: wher as in the meane ſeaſon, al they that be cōtayned in it, are membres of that vnyuerſall chriſtiā church which is that true churche, which we do cōfeſſe in the crede,the church of ye papiſtes hathe no power, or iuriſ…iction ouer ye Catholike or vniuerſal church or ſymbole of the Apoſtles. But as theſe partyculare churches of Corynthus & of London, may nor oughte nor, to burden thee vnyuerſall Churche of thee Chriſtians, whyche dwel diſperſed vp on the whole face of the earth, with any newe lawes and tradycyons: So ye Romyſhe or Papiſtical church (which is only a particulare churche, yf ſo bee that they hauehave fayth in chriſte Ieſu) ought in no wyſe to prefarre it ſelf vntounto other nor to make all men ſubiecte vntounto their traditions. Alſo theſe thinges might be proued, wt many teſtimonies of the ſcriptures, but becauſe thei are ſufficiently & largely ynough aledged in other places,…oke vpō his articles & … anſwere yt he made too one called Valentin… Compar. we ſhal not neade here to bryng thē. For, the matter doth not admitte, nor ſuffre vsus to ſpeake of thys thynge as muche, as neade requyreth. Wherfore when the Papiſtes to complaine of any deuiſion or ſubuerſyon of the churche, they care for none other thyng, but for theyr own yt is to ſay, al their care is, for ye lucre gaynes & cōmodities of their churche, which they ſe eueryevery day to loſe moch profyt. For, the more do come to ye true knowledge of chriſte, and beleue in hym thee greater the church is, though no Pope at all, or mytred Byſſhoppe, or hyghe pryeſte or patriarch were founde in al thee whole world. But that, that they complayne vponupon, doeth get vntounto them no ſmall fauour, and why? it hathe no ſmall ſhew of godlineſſe: for, they wil be coumpted ſuch, as care for the ſhepe wheras they ſeke the wolle, & wold rather, be clippers and ſherers, than Paſtours or ſhepeherdes. For, the crafty & ſubtyl men, knew ryght wel, that thee churche of god, or ſhepe or people of god, ought to be brought into none other paſtoure,The papiſtes, yf thei were trew paſtours, hauehave more cauſe to be glad than to be ſory. but yt the true and onelyonly fode of gods word ought to be mynyſtred vntounto them. Sythe then, that thee faithful paſtours do eueryevery where, miniſter lyberally this wholſom & healthful fode of the goſpel, it is mete, that they ſhuld make no complaynte of the deuiſyon of thee churche, but rather, oughte to reioyce, and bee gladde, that they ſe thee paſtoures of ſaluacyon, to ſprynge vp and floryſſhe, ſo goodly eueryevery where.

Here,againſt thē ye wil hauehave ye fathers to be obſerued & folowed in the expoſition of ye ſcriptures. I do not greatlye paſſe vppon theyr obiectyon, wher they do commaū de yt the preachyng of ye goſpel, ſhulde be ruled, guyded, & moderated, after, or accordyng to the expoſityon of the fathers. For, chriſte our ſauyour, did not aſſubiectize or make ſubiect, thys worde, wherof he ſpeaketh Math iiii ſaying: Man doth not liue, wt bread only, but wt eueryevery word, that cometh out of gods mouth: vntounto ye Iudgemente of ye fathers, yt they ſhuld pronoūce or geue ſentēce vpō it, but he wil hauehave ye worde to be vnderſtāded, which cometh out of Gods mouth, as we may ſe Deut. viii. But yt theſe thīges may be more plain, & eaſyer to be vnderſtāded of eueryevery mā: Let theſe felowes tell,Let the pap…ſtes aunſwere to theſe. I praye, what was ye condiciō of the chriſtian faith. & how the goſpel & Euāgelical doctrine could be preached, afore yt theſe fathers were borne into ye world? Howe ſhall, we ſay that ye Apoſtles did preache the goſpell, or after what maner dyd they it? Now therfore, their deceateful craftes ar detected, wherby they dyd go about, to deceaue ye ſimple witted mē, vnderunder ye name of ye fathers, & to include wt in certaine limities & boūdes, ye libertie of gods worde. For, thys we maye boldely affirme & ſay, yt the chriſtiā people did neuer liue a more innocēt & godly lyfe, thā whē ther were no humaine tradityōs at al, the preſcriptyon & teachynge of the Euangelycall doctryne being then admixſted wt ſimplicitie.

They are wāt therfore to ſpeake theſe & other lyke wordes, about the begynnyng of their oracyō, or this one cauſe, yt they may deceaue the ſymple and ygnorāt people. But prayſed be god, yt they begynne theyr tale after this maner, & faſhyō. For, two or tri actes hauehave ben ſet forth by theſe mē, wher they ſeme yt thei hauehave forgottē, to cōmēd at the fyrſt beginning, the faithful & dyligent preachīg of ye goſpel vntounto al mē: which we hauehave moſt nede of, of al thinges. How beit, they makīg a very cold mētiō of ye goſpel, almoſt about ye ende of their Actes, be wōt to ſay: And yet for al ye, we ought not to be coumpted enemies of the goſpel. For we wyll yt it be preached &c. Now, thākes be vntounto god, thee matter is come to yt, yt they be fayne at lēgth to ſpeake & make mē tiō of the goſpel, & to cōmaūde the paſtours to preach it dilygētly: but by & by, leſt thei ſhuld ſeme to hauehave graūted to much, they do bryng ye meanīg, expoſitiō, & iudgemēt, or ſētēce of ye fathers & the cōmune mynd, or agreemēt of all ye faythful, & by them wyl they hauehave ye preachīg of gods word to be ruled. In good ſouth, a mā might thynke,ſarcaſmus yt in to ſay a playne mocke. ye god hath a very good turne, that theſe doctours and fathers ar come for oneleſſe theſe fathers had ben, it had ben laweful for no mā, to preach his word. For, let vsus faigne, ye none of al ye fathers, did expound or went aboute to expounde, the worde of god and thee ſcryptures, wt theyr wrytynges and cōmentaryes, lett theym tell, I praye, wyll they ſuffre then goddes worde to bee preached or not? Yf then, goddes worde can bee preached and ſette forthe purelye and ſyncerely, wythout the expoſityō and labour of the fathers, what ſhame and impudencye is thys, that they be not a ſhamed, to alligate and bynde goddes worde to thautorytye of thee fathers. Wheras theyr decrees do teach plainely,that booke I hauehave already trāſlated in to Engliſh, & is called a ſhort pathway to come thee ryghte vnderſtāding of Gods word. that the fathers muſt gue place geue place vntounto gods worde, and not the worde, vntounto the fathers, as we maye fynde Diſtin. viii. a. & .ix. a. from whome the true & ſyncere vndertādīg of gods word doth come, & wher, it ought to be ſought. I hauehave ſufficiently declared in a booke, which is intituled, De claritate verbi dei, yt is to ſay of the playnelyneſſe or lyghtſomnes of gods word.

It is euident & playne thē, by this, yt hath ben ſaid hetherto, yt al they, yt ar wōt to hauehave alwayes our lorde Ieſus chriſt in theyr mouthes,The hipocriſi of the papiſtes, & of ye woues. therby to commed, ſet forth, & colour their hypochrytical cōplaintes, wherewt now, yt the goſpel begīneth to floriſh, thei do tragically fyl yt whole world, whereas in ye meane ſeaſon they hauehave not in thē a crōme of the chriſtian fayth, wherby they may be knowen, do ſeke none other thing, by this theyr hipocriſye, but that they may be taken for true paſtours, for, yf yu doeſt loke vponupon, conſyder & beholde them, frō the top to the toes, thou ſhalt alwayes ſee woluiſh clawes to appeare out, whiche they can neuer hyde. We wyll not hauehave thys thing to be vnderſtanded only of thoſe hyghe Prelates, & mytred Biſhops, but it ought to be referred to all the miniſters of the church by whoſe ſermons any man may eaſely eſpye & perceaue, whether yt they doo ſeke in their doctryne, the health & ſaluation of thee ſhepe, or rather theyr owne …ryuate profyte.The fruytes, whereby falſe paſtrous are knowen. Soch are they yt do defend the papiſtical church, ſaying opēly: that ye cō ſtitutions of it, ſtatutes and traditions ought to be no leſſe accepted thā the ſacred & holy ſcriptures And what greater blaſphemye can be agaynſte God? What greater apoſtaſye or rebelliō can be agaynſte our heauenly Kynge? For, by what reaſon can we make the creature equall wyth the creator? Soch are they alſo, yt do ex…enuate the paſſiō and death of chriſt, & almoſt make it nothing worch, whē they ſaye: that man can not only, but alſo muſt nedes get & obtayne his ſaluatiō by the merites of his workes. For, yf ryghteouſnes doth come vp workes Chriſt dyed in vayne, Galat. ii. But theſe deceyptfull wretches, do vſe thys ſubtyltie and crafte, for thys one cauſe, they know ryght well, that generally all men do diſpayre of the merites & righteouſnes of theyr owne workes. Yf then, they do neuertheleſſe aſcribe & attribute ſaluation to workes, by & by they turne them ſelfes to the workes of other mē, crauing of thē help & ſuccour. Thē, by & by the cold prayers of popiſh prieſtes, the mummelinges of Mōkes, yt rehearſinges of pſalmes, the byinges & ſellinges of Maſſes, thee deckinges & trimmīges of churches do come forth, & offer thēſelues, which, as ſone as yt myſerable mā doeth truſt, & put hys confidēce in, this foliſhe beleue of his, doeth with al liberalitie, geue vntounto theſe falſe & vnfaythful paſtours, doth mylke and wolle. Theſe thinges dyd chriſt meane in Mathew,Math. vii whē he ſayth: Ye ſhal knowe thē by theyr fruytes. That is to ſay, by a diligent lokinge vponupon, wayinge, & conſyderation of thoſe thinges, yt they be wont to ſeeke, ye ſhall eaſely vnderſtande, whether yt they do fede the ſhepe, of anye louelove, that they hauehave towardes God, or of coueteouſneſſe and auarice.It is yt of fire & part of al godly perſons too iudge of paſ…ours. Thys iudgement and tryall god doeth cōmitte …niuerſally to all chriſtian mē, and to all the faythfull people. Wherfore, the Papiſtes ſhal neuer eſcape, but that they ſhalbe fayne to ſubmit them ſelues to the iudgement and criall of other, yea, the vyl…ſte and ſymple…e, that is in the Congregation, ſhall be iudge ouer theym, whyche thynge they maye not refuſe. For, Chriſte ſpeaketh theſe wordes ye me hauehave now alledged, to the whole multytude of hys ſhepe. Let the fathers then togeather, wyth the whole ſtocke of Byſhoppes and hyghe Prelates, ſubmytte them ſelues to thee commune tryal of all men, whether they be Paſtours or wolues. And yf the chriſtian church do perceaue, that they be wolues and not Paſtours, they ought in no wyſe to be hearde, but to be diligentlye taken heede of: thoughe they rage neuer ſo moche, and take on lyke Tyrauntes.

But now, we wil returne to ye rule of Chriſt, wherby he teacheth vsus to trye ſoch paſtours, for, in Mat. he doth adde:Math. vii So, eueryevery good tree brīgeth forth good frutes, and a rotten tree, can not bringe forthe good fruyte. A good tree can not bringe forth yll fruyte: nor a rotten tree can bringe forth no good fruyte. EueryEvery tree that bringeth forth noo good fruyte, is hewed downe, and hurled into the fyre: therfore ye ſhall know them by theyr fruytes. Here, we muſt diligētly note & marke, what was ſayd before of ye faythful paſtour, yt is to ſay, yt it is hys office & duetye, to be earneſtly ſtudious of thoſe thinges, whych he ſeeth to be contayned in gods worde, & commaundeth other to obſerue & kepe,By what workes falſe paſtours muſt be knowen & tryed and that he muſte in no wyſe ſet forth hym ſelf, wythe hys owne, or any other hypocritical workes. And ſo lykewyſe thee chriſtian people oughte to iudge & trye theyr Paſtour, not by thoſe workes that are required in mens traditions, but by them, which god doeth cōmaunde vsus in hys holy worde. Whych, becauſe it is not done now a dayes, we do ſee manye ſymple & ingnoraunt perſons come forth which crye out.The complaynts of the ſ mple & igno…ant people. See ye not, where vntounto all thinges are come? The deuotion of the bleſſed Maſſe is clene fallen awaye, the Images are nether worſhipped nor trimmed, the goodly ſingu…ge in churches is cōtempned & nothing ſet by, Indulgences are nothing regarded, ye prieſtes, Monkes, & Nonnes receaue fewe, or no offeringes at al no man geueth towardes the mayntenance of our Ladys ſeruyce, nor towardes the buyldinge of her church, wher vntounto they do adde many lyke thinges with mornefull & lamē table voyces or woordes. But yf theſe good folkes knew yt the bying & ſelling of Maſſes, doeth hyghly diſpleaſe god, and that to cloth & decke the lyuing Images of god,Marke ye thys, o ye ſimple and vnlearned people, & ſuffer you ſelfes noo lōger to be deceaued wt ye poynted babels of the Papyſtes. which are the poore nedy mēbres & lymmes of Chriſt, not blockes and ſtones, is a worſhipping, moſt acceptable vntounto god: Beſydes that none other ſinging is more pleaſant vntounto him than when we do worſhip him in ſpirit and trueth, & not when the churches do reſounde with pypinge, lulling, belowinge and roaring: agayne, that ye wares of pardons & Indulgences, dyd induce and bringe into chriſtendom, all kyndes of evorme ſynnes & vyces (for men truſting in them, geue thē ſelues vp to pylling & pooling, to capines, to theftes, to vſury, to warres, to ſlaughter and murther, to playne treaſon, & to al other heynouſe & enorme vyces) moreouer, what great harme the chriſtian people ſhould get, yf ſo greate a multitude and nūber of ydell lubbers, as popyſſhe Prieſtes, Monkes and Nounes are, ſhoulde bee maytayned and kepte, wher as we ſee them, to be not onelyonly the folowers but alſo thee very autours and fynders of all vncleane tybaudrye and fleſhelye pleaſures or carnall luſtes: alſo, that no mans worcke, be he neuer ſo godly and holye, can helpe or further the ſaluatiō of another, onelye thee merite of oure Lorde and Sauiour Ieſus Chriſte, very God and man, beynge excepted: fynally yf they ſhoulde vnderſtande, that the chyefe honour, whyche can be geuen to the Vyrgyn Marye, doeth not conſyſte in thys thynge, that we ſhoulde buylde vp goodlye Churches, that we ſ…oulde ſette vp the arrogant and proude …hanones, vppon hyghe pa…frayes, keping theym at our owne coſtes and charges, wythe theyr ſhameleſſe harlottes and whores:The trew worſhypp…nge of ye vyrgin marye. but moche rather that we ſhulde beſtowe all theſe coſtes and charges vponupon theym, that do beleue and truſt in Ieſus Chriſte the ſonne of Mary, and that thoſe thynges that are b…wed vppon buyldinge of churches, ſ…oulde be geuen to Vyr…yus and …oneſte womē, whoſe chaſtitie is for extreme nede and pouertye, in no ſmall peryll and daunger, that ſo they maye thee better kepe theym ſelues honeſte. Yf, I ſaye, theſe tude and vnlearned perſonnes, vnderſtode theſe and other lyke good worckes, that Chriſt doeth requyre of vsus, they woulde alſo learne too knowe theyr Paſtoure, by theym onelye. But nowe, for lacke of thys knowledge, thoughe thee poore ſymple and fooliſh ſheepe, do ſee hym, that ſhoulde be theyr Paſtoure, to bee ſhamefull ye geuen to coueteouſneſſe, rybaudrye, dronckeneſſe and ryottous bancketting to carthyng and dycynge, and other mooſte abhomynable vyces: Yet not wythſtanding yf he can hauehave ſome ſhewe of deuotyon or godlyneſſe, eyther by often ſayinge of Maſſe, or by ſome other outewarde ceremonyes or toyes, they wyll take hym for a trewe ſhepehearde of Paſtoure, where as he is none other thynge, but a verye rauenyuge Wolfe.

I hauehave for thee nones,A deſcription of the falſe Paſtour by a col…u…ō or cōparyſon of ye trew. and of a ſet pourpoſe, deferred the deſcription, eyther of a Byſhop, or Paſtoure, whyche Paule hath ſette forth. Titu i.i. Timo iii. vntounto thys place, yt by the lightſomneſſe and true beholdinge of the lyght, we maye knowe the backeneſſe, and by the nature and propertie of the true paſtour, we may alſo eſpye oute the falſe. Paul wryteth after this maner: A Biſſhop therfore musſt be blameles, the huſband of one wyfe, diligēt, ſobre, diſcret, a keper of hoſpitalitie, apte to teach, not geuē to ouer moche wyue, no fyghter, not gready of fylthy lucre, but gentyll, abhorring fyghting, abhorring coueteouſneſſe, one that ruleth well hys owne houſe, one that hath chyldren in ſubiection wyth all reuerence. And agayne, a byſhop muſt be blameleſſe as ye ſteward of God, not ſtubborne, not angrye, not geuen to moche wyne, noo fyghter, not geuē to fylthy lucre, but a keper of hoſpitalitie, oue that loueth goodneſſe, prudent, ſobre, righteous, godly, temperate, and ſoche as cleueth to the true woorde of doctryne, that he may be able alſo, to exhorte by wholeſome learninge, and to improue them, that ſaye agaynſte it. In theſe wordes, Paule doeth ſet forth vntounto vsus ſynges and tokens, wherby we oughte to know and chooſe a paſtour. Wherby, this alſo doeth neceſſarely folowe, that they be all falſe paſtours, and vnapt to the miniſtratio of this offyce as many as are not enoued wyth theſe vertues. Yet all theſe thinges, yt Paule doeth reherſe, are comprehended wyth in louelove and charytye, as we hauehave declared before.

Now, althoughe ſome paſtoure,The Paſtour muſt be blameleſſe. bee through ſa…aunderous perſons yll reported, and by bacbyters & falſe knaues diffamed and alſo accuſed, yet it ought no to be hurtfull vntounto hym, excepte he be conuinced of thee cryme, that is layde agaynſte hym, by true wytneſſes, and ſute argumentes and tokens. For,Manye of an yl wyll that they beare to ye truth ſclā der ye miniſters of gods worde. nowe in thys moſte wycked worlde, we doo ſee a greate ſorte, (whych is more the pitie) that of a malyce, hatered, and yll wyl that they beare vntounto thee truthe, are not aſhamed, & that, wyth moſte manyfeſt and playne lyes, to ſklaunder and dyffame the minyſters of goddes worde. But yf he be accuſed of ſome notable cryme, and thereof, lawfullye by ſure wytneſſes conuynced, he is not worthye to mynyſter any lōger ye ſacred & holy office. O, how I might now dreſſe, hādel, depict, & ſet forth in their owne colours, certaine of thoſe hygh prelates, which do ſklaūderouſly lay to my charge, all heinous crimes, that they cā ymagine, or thynke vponupon, yf I ſhulde any thyng be moued, wyth their ſhamefull backbytynges and ſklaunders.

Thee Paſtour yf he hath not ye gift of chaſtite, muſte marye.Againe it is manifeſt & playne by ye wordes of Paul, yt they are al falſe paſtour, yt hauehave rather to liue abhominably, thā to take wyues. For, they that are ſuch, are growē & come, to that impudencie, & vnſhamefaſtnes, yt not onelyonly, they be not aſhamed of their abhominable lyuing, but, alſo are nothing aſhamed to mynyſter vntounto other, occaſyon of euyl,The Paſtour muſt be …obre. & of deteſtablenes. Paul doth geue like iudgemēt, & ſētēce of bibbers, drōkardes. & riotous perſons. Yet in ye meane ſeaſō, we do not fobid any mā to vſe, a moderate eatīg & drinkīg.

I paſtour muſt not be ſtubburne, nor wt out moderation.Lykewiſe he is commaunded, that he be not ſtubborne, ſtyfnecked, & wtout moderacyon, in hys wordes and other geſtures of hys: whereby we do vnderſtande, that theſe lyars, teyſters, & fantaſtycall reuylers, are falſe prophetes. Alſo they, that vſe no moderatyon, or ſobrenes in theyr apparell, geſture, or other behauoyour of theyr body, ar not Paſtoures, but rauenynge wolues. As many,Thee Paſtour is bounde to kepe hoſpitalitie. as kepe no hoſpitalytie, eſpecyally towardes the poore and neadye, are falſe paſtours. Yet in thys place, maye thee commune ſorte of paſtours be excuſed, which hauehave ſcaſcely, any thynge leſſe to lyue vppon: for, al thinges, as we ſe, at come to that poīt, that thee myghtye prelates and Byſſhops yea the ſeculare rulers alſo,Oye. vngē till gētilmē y• dayli do improperate benefyces, reſtore for ſhame, vntounto y• paſtors theyr lyuinges. hauehave takē away frō them, their liuinges & thythes, ſcarcely leauing any thing to the poore paſtours, wherwt they may lyue at hom a poore lyfe. Wherfore, it is thee duetye of churches and paryſſhes, to prouyde lyberally of their rhythes & other reuenues, for their paſtour yt he may both hauehave that, whych is neceſſary, & alſo helpe them, that ar in neciſſitie & nede. Yf this were done, wee ſhuld ſe by & by al thoſe actes, craftes, and deceates, wherwith they hauehave alured the people committed vntounto theym, to offerynges, to fall awaye of theyr owne ſelues.A paſtour muſt be able to teache.

But afore al thinges, they are vnworthye of the name of a paſtour, yt be not apte or able to teache, or thoughe they can teache, yet they will not ſtycke or cleaue to the doctryne, that they maye ſtrongely and wyth a conſtant & ſtoute corage confound and reproue theym,A faithful father. yt ſpeake againſt the truth. The faithful paſtour muſte hauehave alſo modeſte or ſobre chyldren, godly, and well brought vp. Whereby, it maye bee gathered alſo, that yong mē, which are vnexpert of the worlde, & are yet ruled by theyr affectyons and luſtes, oughte not to be admytted too thys moſte peryllous and harde offyce, but menne of rype Iudgemente, whyche hauehave alreadye ſhewed a proue of thyr ſtudye and godlyneſſe in the bryngynge vppe of theyr chyldren: except we myght fynde ſome Timothes that is to ſaye yonge men endued wt all gyftes, appertayning to a Byſhop. That, whyche folowethe in Paul, any mā may eaſely vnderſtand, For, they are ſo playne that they nede no farther expoſition. Wherefore, we ſhal by this meane, accordynge to thee ſaying of chriſt, know a falſe paſtour & hypochrite, by his fruites, or worckes, ſo that we ſhal alſo vnderſtand, whych be the good & godly frutes, and agayn whych be euyl & deuelyſh, leſt paraduē ture, we ſhould receaue the cockyl for thee good wheate, or the tares beyng ſaued, we ſhulde caſt awaye, the good ſede. We wyll tell afterwardes, what chryſt doeth meane, by the rotten tree, whych being hewed and cut downe is hutled and caſt into the fyre.They are falſe Paſtours yt hauehave neyther faythe nor charite

Moreouer, they that hauehave vnfaythfull, and myſbeleuyng hartes, nor bee fyred or kyndeled wythe thee louelove of god, as it was ſhewed by the example and wordes of chriſt, when we ſpake before of the true paſtour, …r no leſſe falſe paſtours, than they, that we hauehave ſpokē of, alredy. Thou ſhalt playnelye ſe theyr myſbeleue, infidelitie & miſtruſt or incredulytie, by theyr owne fruites & workes. For afore, we dyd learne by the wordes of chriſt that it is ye offyce and duetie of a paſtour, to forſake vtterly, for the louelove of god, & hys worde, his parentes, ſyſters, brethren & other kynſefolkes: it is playne then & manifeſt, that they at falſe paſtours, that take thys offyce vponupon them, to this intēt, that they may euryche them ſelues, & al theyr kynred. Whych thing now at thys preſent, we maye ſe, in thoſe mytred Byſhoppes, which wt faygned indulgences, abſolutions, and other like deceates and craftes, do promote & inhaunce al their kynfolkes to hygh honours & richeſſe:the popiſh prelates do guide ye goodes of poore, to yt their kynſfokes & to their handes, yea they geue alſo vntounto bawdes, which whē they were yōg, brought vntounto thē, whores and harlots, greate and fat benefyces. Wherefore, when we do ſe them, whiche were poore and nedy afore, after that they be outs made Byſhops, to enrych them ſelues, and al theyr kynſefolkes, it is a moſte ſure, vndoubted and infallyble token that they bee falſe paſtours. For, theſe are the goodes of the poore, whom god byddeth vsus, to do good to, and not too thē that abuſe theſe rycheſſe to vayne orientacyon, arrogante pryde & glory. Chriſt doeth byd vsus to forſake our parentes and kynſefolkes: but they, whē they be made Byſſhops and paſtours, do imbraſe them moſt, and geue theym great goodes and rycheſſ.They are falſe Paſtours. … do abhorre the croſſe.

Beſydes that, we hauehave heard, yt it is requyred of a paſtoure, that he bee alwayes readye, ta take vp hys croſſe vp on hys ſhoulders and to folow chriſte. Whereby we do ſee agayne, that they are falſe paſtours, and vntrue Byſhoppes, that be ſo farre from that conſtancye, and ſtrengthe of mynde, that they do not onelyonly thynke and harde and an intollerable thyng to ſuffer death, but alſo, can not abyde or ſuffre pacyently any mynyſhynge of their worldly cō modities, nor any rebuke, for the name of Chriſte for ſome of them, do ſo louelove thē ſelues, and their own lyues, yt they do not care, though they do ſet all thee nations of the worlde together by the eares,In exhortation too Princes ſo yt they may p…aſiblye, enioye ſtil theyr owne pleaſers: Lyft vp your eyen, o ye Princes, yt hauehave ye ruledō & gouernāce of Publyke weales, and looke aboute you. For, theſe falſe paſtours can lightly moue and ſtyrre you to maddenes & futye, and too take vengeaunce one of an other, for naye tryflynge matter: but what hathe ben the ende of ſuche counſayles and enterpryſes, not fewe examples of oure tyme, do manyfeſtly declare. Wherby we ſe clerely, that al peſtylent warres, hauehave bene ſtyrred vp thoroughe the worcke & counſayle of falſe paſtours, whiche afterwardes they neyther could, nor yet wold quē che nor pacifie. Wherby, infinit calamityes & extreme pouertye dyd enſue, both to the Princes & to the poore people, wher as in the meane ſeaſō the inuentours, or cauſers of thee yll, dyd lawghe and reioyce ſecretely in theyr owne boſome.

It is playne and manifeſt alſo,They are falſe Paſtours yt do not ſhewe & declare thē ſelfes fathers of the congregatyon that they are falſe paſtours, whiche do not, in al theyr actes, doinges, ſtudyes and counſayles, ſhewe and declare thē ſelues to be fathers, nor eſteme and take, al the afflyctyons, troubles, cares and ſolicitudes of theyr ſhepe, as theyr own moleſtyes, and cares, but rather ſeeke theyr owne profyt and aduantage or lucre, thondryng oute, alwayes thys one thing: Pay me that, which is mine owne. I aſke my duetye, I aſke that, that is my ryght What ſhal we ſay of thē, which though they do not buyld, & edyfye by their preachyng & doctrine, yet they doo alwayes breake down & deſtcoye, wyth theyr abhomynable lyuynge and deteſtable dedes, ſythe that it hath ben ſhewed alredy before, by the wordes of chriſt that they, whyche do teach, & do not expreſſe ye ſame in theyr workes & dedesmath. v. are les in the kyngdō of heauen, yt is to ſay, in the church. Sythe then that theſe vaine doctours or teachers, ought by ryght to be numbred amōg the falſe paſtours, amonge whō I pray, ſhal we nūbre and recken thē, which do neither teache, nor do yt, that they ſhuld teache, wher as in thee meane ſeaſō, they glory, boaſt, crake & ſet forth thēſelues by the titles of Byſſhops & fathers & take away frō churches ye liuynges or reward & hier dued to the true paſtours? (I wyl not hauehave the, who ſoeuer thou be that art godly, and loueſt true relygion, to be any thinge offended. For theſe ſayinges pertaine nothyng to the) they are rauenyng wolues agayne, it is playne, and manifeſte, that they are falſe Paſtoures, whych do ſeke,They are falſe Paſtours that ſet forth, anye other workes thā chriſte hath cōmaūded or ſette forthe any other worckes, than God hath commaunded. Beſydes that, ſyth that we hauehave hearde al ready before, that it is the chiefe and principall office of a paſtour, to preache Gods worde, and that it is requyred in the preaching of it, that ſynnes and vyces be rebuked and blamed: it is euidēt that they are falſe Paſtoures, and vntrue Byſhoppes that doo neglecte thee preachinge of Gods worde▪ nor rebuke vyces, as they oughte to be rebuked.Agaīſt vnpreachinge prelates, yt nether preach nor rebuke ſ…nne It is alſo moſte euydent, and playne, that they are all rauenynge wolues, whych do puniſſhe ſynnes onelyonly for this, that they may ſcrape and get to them ſelfes therby a greate ſumme of moneye. For,Marke ye this, o ye officials cō miſſaries & dotrours of ye arches yf the ſynnes of the people ſhould greue theym, thys gryefe coulde not be mitigated and aſſwaged, nor yet taken awaye from theyr hartes by moneye: but rather they ſhoulde ſtudye, laboure, and doo all that in theym lyeth, that ſynners beynge inſtructed, and taughte by the rules of Goddes worde, ſhoulde leaue and forſake theyr ſynfull wayes, whych thynge, ſyth that they doo not, they geue a manyfeſt proue of thē ſelfes that they onelyonly ſeke for the cheſtes and purſes of theyr ſhepe, or of them that ar vnderunder them, for by the fruyte, that they doo ſeeke, we maye vnderſtande, what they are. Truely, it is to be lamented, that theſe men, whom it is manyfeſt to be rauenynge wolues, do vſurpe and take vppon theym, the names of Paſtours. Agayne, ſyth that the rewarde of perſecution and croſſe was promyſed, vntounto the trew paſtours, we can not nor maye not call theym paſtours, but rather ſagitiues, rennegates,They that will beare no croſſe, are rennegates and hyerlinges and hyerlinges, that wyll beare no croſſe. But, by what worthye names ſhall we call theym, that do trayterouſly laye wayte for the true paſtours, perſecuting them wyth al theyr might, ſtrength, & power and when ſtrength fayleth theym, doo hyre other to perſecute theym? Many ſoche could I name, whoſe bloudy workes alſo, I myght deſcribe: How be it, I doo wittingly paſſe theym ouer: for nowe, it is not tyme to do it, for the meaſure of theyr wickednes muſt be fulfylled, whych beynge done, theyr iniquitie ſhalbe reueled to all men. For, nothing is ſo hydden, but that it ſhall be reueled Marke .iiii.

They that do not rebuke ye fau…es & vicesAlſo they, that do not rebuke ye fautes of Kynges, Princes, Magiſtrates, and of the people, nor reſyſte, or wythſtande theym, but rather ſuffre theym,Of Prīces, & voylter in thē their ſelfes are falſe Paſto…rs. and not withoute a greuouſe offence of all godlye perſonnes, to voyltre theym ſelues in the ſtinckinge myre of ſynne, are no leſſe falſe Paſtours. But thys myghte in a maner be borne, yf the Doctours or teachers theym ſelues, ſhoulde not wyth theyr abhominable lyuinge, farre exceade and paſſe the naughtynes and wyckednes of other. For I am ſore aſhamed, too ſpeake any more of theyr rybandrye, and deteſtable dedes, that they do ſecretely Ephe. vii. And yf any man myghte ſee thorough the walles theyr ſecretes and priuities, as in times paſſed, thee Lorde dyd reuele vntounto hys holy prophete, Ezechiel viii. he ſhoulde ſee horrible thinges, that is to ſaye, he ſhoulde ſee moſte vngodlye Idolatrye, deteſtable playes, moſte ſhameful whoredom, an oppreſſing and murtheringe of ſoules, and ſoche a puddel of all abhominable vyces, that we myght complayne wyth Chriſt, that the earth doth not vomite, ſoche vngodly and abhominable knaues. Neuertheleſe, we doo acknowledge, and take theym for Paſtours. And yet theſe vngodly perſons are not content wyth theſe thinges, for we may fynde ſome of theym, that are not aſhamed to do thoſe thinges openly, whych no man beinge ſober, or in hys ryght mynd, yf he dyd but feare & reuerent the lyght, or the cleare and bryght daye, wolde or durſt doMath. v. & xviii Marke. ix Chriſt our ſauiour doeth commaunde to plucke our & caſt awaye ſoch eyen, but we are come to that madneſſe, that we do plante and ſett theym▪

They that vſurpe here an earthly kingedō ar woluesChriſt doth forbyd hys diſciples, beynge gone forth to preache, yt they ſhuld not beare a rode in their hādes, nor poſſeſſe any ſcrip or purſe. Wherby it appeareth, that they are not paſtours, but moſt rauenīg wolues, that beare a rode, that is to ſaye, vſurpe here an earthlye kingdō. For chriſt doeth forbid the Paſtour al kynde of ruledom, that princes of this worlde do vſe, when he ſayeth.Luke .xxii. mathe .xx. The princes of nations do beare rule ouer thē, and they that are greate, hauehave power vpō thē, it ſhal not be ſo among you. Yf thē they hauehave the rode that the Lord hath forbiddē, they ar in very dede falſe paſtours. Yet not wythſtandinge, they hauehave not only takē the rode, but alſo the ſcrip, purſe & beget, for, they are ſo bent, & geuē to get gold & ſyluer and al other ryches of this world, that they could not do it, with any greater ſtudye care & diligēce, yf the Lord had ſtrayghtly charged & cōmaunded thē, to gette al the whole world vnderunder their ſubiectiō. For, we ſee thē to be ſo ſpiritual, yt they hauehave brought the chief part of ye whole world vnderunder their dominiō, ruling and gouerning almoſt al other men. What? do we not ſe the princes thē ſelfes wyth empty handes to depende wholy of thē? Dyd chriſt cōmaunde ſo to leaue & forſake the ſcrip and the purſe? Yet in the meane ſeaſon, they were hytherto takē for true Paſtours, yea, no man for hys lyfe durſt hauehave called them rauenynge wolues, for, ſoch is theyr crafte & ſubtiltie, that they be not aſhamed, to colour and cloke their coueteouſneſſe, or rather theyr robbery, with chriſt & hys mother the vyrgin Mary, alſo wt Iohn Baptiſt or with ſome other Saynt, which, whē he dyd lyue, dyd eſteme the worlde noo better, thā potſhardes. For, ſaye they,the ſhamefull croſſe of ye papiſtes in crauing & begginge. al that we aſke is for god: yt, which ye geue is for our bleſſed lady. &c. which god wote, being now in hygh felicitie & beatitude or bleſſedfulnes, are by theyr moſt ſhameful lyes, faygned to begge, to exercyſe vſury, to beare rule, to gather rycheſſe, & to fleye the poore ſhepe. They, I ſay, which whē they were alyue, dyd forſake all for Chriſtes ſake, & beſtowed vpopn the poore. And what is to mocke the poore ſymple people, yf thys be not to mocke theym?

Thee Popiſh prelates are r… uen…g wolues amōge ſhepe Mathe .x.But there is another ſygne, and token, wherby they maye be knowē. For, Chriſte dyd byd hys Paſtours, that is to ſaye, hys diſciples, to goo forth into the myddeſt of tyrauntes, as yf a mā * ſhoulde ſence ſhepe among wolues: but theſe oute goodly prelates behaue them ſel…es amonge ſhepe, as rauening wolues. For, what is it that they doo not ſnatche vp to theym ſelfes? What thinge is it that they doo not teare and rente? Whom do they not kyll & murther? What is it, that they do not ſcatter and deſtroye? As ſoone as they doo heare, that the goſpell of Chriſt is preached any where, and receaued of ſome people, wherby they ſee, that they ſhall loſe ſome praye or botie, by and by they ſhewe what they are. For, they trouble they rente, and teare all thynges: They fyll al the whole world with tumultes and ſedit…ōs, alwayes in the meane ſeaſon moſt deuylyſhely layinge thys cryme to the preachers of the goſpell, that they are the auctors of al troubles, hurlis, burlis, inſurrectiōs and tumultes. But thanckes be vntounto thee Lorde God, that he doeth ſo mercyfully fauour his people, that he wyl ſuffre no longer the ioyefull tydinges of ſaluation too be hyden and kept from them, whoſe bodyes be myſerably afflicted. But thys can not theſe hyghe prelates abyde in any wyſe, for, the people beyng taught and inſtructed by the worde of God begynneth to waxe wyſer and wyſer eueryevery daye, and learneth to helpe and ſuccour the neceſſitie of theyr neghbour, nor wyl geue any longer theyr rycheſſe to thys vngodly ſorte,Why ye papiſtes doe cal ye preachers of gods worde auctors of tumulte & ſedition. or wanton company of the Papiſtes. Therfore, they beinge angrye at this, do ſay: that they (I meane the preachers and the people ye receaueth ye goſpel) breadeth tumulte and ſedition: & why? becauſe that they are not pampered ſtyll wyth great treaſours and rycheſſe, that they maye therby trouble al ye whole world. But ſoch complayntes are not to be regarded, for theyr lewdeneſſe hathe bene wyncked at, longe ynoughe, they hauehave felte and ſene longe ynoughe, howe frendly & gentylly theyr erroure hath bene layde before them. How beit, they are moued wt no frēdly and gentyl exhortacions & duplicate page duplicate page warnīges: therfore, ye pure ſimple & ſincere worde of the truth, muſt be brought forth, that the lyght, & brightnes therof may ſmyte into their eyen: as for ye ſucceſſe, it ought to be cōmitted vntounto god. But we wyl gather together in one, all the ſignes and tokens, wherby, as by a moſt infallible touche ſtone, the falſe paſtours may be tryed.

I. Commune notes & tokēs, wherby falſe paſtoures may be diſcerned frō the true.As many as do not teache, are wolues, how ſoeuer they glorie, boaſt, crake cōmende and ſet forth thē ſelfes, by the tyteles, eyther of Paſtours, or of Byſſhops, or of Kynges, and I praye, how manye of theſe mytred Byſhoppes, do nowe a dayes execute the offyce of preachynge?

As many as do ſet forth in teaching of gods worde, theyr owne inuentions and dreames, are wolues, and not Paſtoures.

As many as teache gods worde, and do not referre all thinges to the honour and glorye of god, but ſeke theyr owne, and hauinge a reſpect to theyr head, the Byſhop of Rome, do goo about to eſtabliſhe hys tyranny, and vſurped power, are moſte noyſom and hurteful wolues, whych come, beynge clothed in ſhepes clothynge,

As many as do teach the very word of god in dede, but in the meane ſeaſon do not reſyſt & wythſtand the vyces & ſynnes of the hygh rulers, ſufferynge theyr tyrannye, & yt wt a greuous offēce of all men, to encreaſe doylye & waxe ſtronger: are flatterynge wolues, and betrayers of the people.

As many as do not expreſſe in their workes and doynges, that, which they do teache, ought to be of no eſtimacyō in the churche of chryſte. For, they deſtroye more, wt theyr workes & doinges, than they do buylde and edifie wt theyr teachynge and doctryne.

As many, as do not care for ye poore, but ſuffre them to be afflicted, & oppreſſed, are falſe paſtours.

As many as do glory in the name & tytles of paſtours, & in the meane ſeaſon do vſurpe an earthelye kyngdome ruling and gouernng as hyghly, as ye Prynces of thys worlde, are moſt pryntyous wolues.

As many as, with gathering, & heapy…g vp of treaſours and rycheſſe, doo fil their purſes, cheſtes, garners, & wine ſellers, are rauenynge wolues. Too bee ſhorte, as manye as, doo prefyre, or ſette vntounto theym ſelues anye other ſcope, or marcke, than that they maye plāte, ſet & edifye among mē the knowledge feare, and louelove of god ar raueninge wolues which, yf they be not quickly kept of, from the flocke of the ſhepe, do teare, rente, and deuoure all the whole flocke.

As many, beſydes yt as bryng and allure vsus from god the creator, to make vsus, to ſerue vntounto creatures, & to make vsus to aſke helpe and ſuccour of them, are falſe paſtours.

an exhortation vntounto thē, that ar deliu…red from falſe paſtors, yt thei do not … thē ſelfes to be begyled agayne.But now, ſyth that almyghty god, hath determyned to punyſhe ſo long ye enormytye of oure ſynnes, by falſe paſtours, whych dyd take thee foode of gods worde awaye from oure ſoules, and by rauenynge wolues, which dyd ſpoyle vsus of our outward and tēporal goodes, yea dyd bryng vsus all together, vnderunder theyr ſubiectyon and tyrannye: and now doeth voucheſafe to kyndell againe, & to reuyle, ye lyght of his euerlaſtyng truth, ſo yt we may bothe ſe openlye and knowe falſe Paſtours and rauenynge wolues: it is the duetye of Chriſtiā people in no wyſe for to kyck agaynſte, but rather to ſuffre theym ſelues wythe a gladde harte, to bee delyuered from that harde captyuytye and thraldome of rauenynge wolues. For here, we oughte not too conſyder and loke vppon the …terne and outewarde incommodytyes of oure bodye: but lette thys thynge moue vsus rather that we ſee goddes worde, bothe deprauated, and taken awaye from vsus. For, thys hathe bene thee cuſtome of falſe paſtours, that they dyd eyther hyde goddes worde all togeather,The papiſtes hauehave depraueated Gods word wt mens traditions. or els deprauate it, wt falſe expoſitions. Which thing now a dayes they go aboute to bring to paſſe, intending this one this, in al their craftes and ſubtilties, that eyther gods worde bee not preached at al, or els that it maye be all togeather corrupted & deprauated, wythe humayne or mens tradicions, falſe dreames, & expoſitiōs. For, yf we ſuffre our ſelues, to be brought agayn into darknes, it is plaine, yt it is done for none other cauſe, but yt becauſe ye heynouſnes & abhominacyon of oute ſynnes is ſo greate, yt we can not abyde gods word: Syth that the brightnes of the truth, cā not ſmite into our eyen, wtout greate payne, gryefe & dolour. We are therfore, deſeruinglye dampned: it is oure owne merite & deſeruynge, yt our burden and yoke is encreaſed, and doubled. For, the lyght dyd come into thee worlde, and men dyd louelove rather darkeneſſe than the lyghte. Ioh. iiii. Wherfore, that myſerable alteratyon and chaunge, and fallinge agayne into darkeneſſe, is wythe all dylygence, and wyth moſt vygylaunte care to bee taken hede of, in al commune weales. For our ſauiour, and lord Ieſus chriſt, is readye, and offereth freelye hys grace vntounto vsus: it is oure part, coragyouſly to folowe hym, beyng our guyde or forgoer. Yf we wylde the children of god, it is mete & conuenient, yt we do harken to his worde onelyonly: We ſhal alſo take hede, yt we do not herkē vntounto thē, that do pluck vsus away, from gods worde: but rather we ſhall kepe of, or dryue they, awaye, farre from vsus, nor ſuffre them in anye wyſe to be in oure companye. Thys thynge are all parentes wont to requyre of theyr chyldren: how moche more thē, ſhall ye heauēly father of vsus al require ye ſame of his children? whō he hath adu… ted or choſē in his ſōne as a peculiare & moſt dere beloued people vntounto hym? We ſhal therfore, ſhew the wayes and meanes, wherby, we may quyckely be delyuered frō falſe paſtours, And firſt of al, we wyl reherſe & ſhew, the rewarde, and horryble punyſhmente, that is prepared for them, yf perchaunce, they beynge frayde, wythe the conſyderation of it, wyll forſake theyr wycked & vnryghteous wayes.

That hygh,Of the puniſhment & vtter deſtructiō of falſe poſtours or prophetes & almyghtye god ſpeaketh after thys maner Deut. xiii. Yf ther aryſe among you a prophete, or a dreamer of dreames, & geueth yt a ſigne or wonder, and thee ſygne or wonder, which he hath ſpoken of do come too paſſe, and they ſay: let vsus go after …raū ge gods, whych thou haſt not knowē & ſerue them: herken not thou vntounto thee wordes of that prophet, or dreamer, of dreames, for, the lorde thy god proueth the, to wyte, whether ye louelove the Lord your god wyth all your harte, & wyth al your ſoule: ye ſhal walke after thee Lorde youre god, and feare hym, kepe his cōmaundementes, & herken vntounto hys voyce, ſerue hym and cleaue vntounto hym. And thee prophete or dreamer of dreames ſhal dye, becauſe he hath ſpoken to turne you away, from the Lord your god (whych brought you oute of the lāde of Egipt, & deliuered you out of ye houſe of bōdage) to thruſt or put yt out of ye way, which the lorde thy god hath commaunded the, to walke in, & therfore thou ſhalt put away the euyl frō the: This is a very great tēptacyon, o brethren, which, ye lord ſuffreth to chaſtice & happē vntounto vsus by falſe Prophetes, that is to ſay, that ye thynges, that they hauehave told of before, ſhoulde come too paſſe. For, by this meane, not only they, that are weake, may be offended, but alſo the elect (yf it myghte be poſſyble) brought into errour, & fraude as our ſauyoure him ſelfe ſayeth. Math. xxiiii. But in the meane ſeaſon, the lord doth requyre thys one thyng of vsus,The word oughte to be beleued afore miracles & wō ders. that we beleue and credite more, hys ſymple, and infallible word, than wonders & myracles: beſydes that, he doeth wythe this temptacion trye vsus, whether we louelove him with al our hart or not. But that this tēptacion ſhould not aryſe to moch, or gather ſtrengthē, by dayly encereaces, he commaundeth to kyl vp the falſe prophet. Truly this reward is apointed of god, for al falſe prophetes which pluckinge vsus from ye true, & one onelyonly god, doo go aboute to copple or ioyne vsus to ſtraunge goddes. For they yt be ſoch, by ye cōmaundemēt of god, ought to be roted out of ye earth.Obeictiō. And yf they do make here anye obiectiō, & ſay: yt they ſet forth no kynde of Idolatry nor yet worſhippīg of falſe gods: again yt the yoke of ye law, ought in no wyſe to be put vpō them, that be vnderunder ye new Teſtament:Solution we wyll anſwere them after thys maner. As touchyng the fyrſt part of their obiectyō, it is playne & manyfeſt that al they, yt hauehave not directed the myndes of men to one only god, but plucking them a ſyde cauſed thē to ſerue to creatures,The papiſtes dyd ſeache too worſhippe ſtraunge Goddes. or other outward thīges, did ſet forth ſtraunge, & falſe gods vntounto vsus. For, yt, is to eueryevery mā a god, wherin he putteth al his hope, confydence & truſte. More ouer, we may ſe, that the papiſtes hauehave more dowtingly and foliſhly brought the ſymple to theyr Idol the Byſhop of Rome, makynge theym to truſte in hym, than euer anye Idolatres, or prelates of the ethnike relygiō dyd. For, they dyd worſhyppe the Idols of Iupiter, Iuno, Venus, Mars, & of other, none other wyſe, thā as ye ymages of the gods (whō they thought verely to be in heuē) nor euer were brought, to ye madneſſe, yt they ſhuld take & worſhyp any mā, yet lyuing vpō thee earthe, inſtede of god. What? were they nor all called flatterers among ye Heathen, yt dyd offer ſacrifyce, vntounto certaine men as vntounto gods? For, thei that were wiſe, neuer agreed to ſuch worſhippinges: Therfore, the Papiſtes, ar moch more folyſhe, yt be not afrayde, nor yet aſhamed to cal ye Idol of theyrs,The Papiſtes do cal theyr fleſhly Idoll, the Byſſhop of Rome, an earthly god. an earthely god, exhibiting & geuing more adoratiō more honour, more worſhip & veueracion vntounto ye miſerable, & wretched mortal mā, than vntounto ye true euerlaſtinge god, & lord of all thynges. Beſydes yt, they, euen now a dayes, daughynge to ſcorne, mocking, & deriding, the pouertie of our lord, & ſauyor Ieſus chriſte,The papiſtes ar blaſphemous agaynſte Chriſt. which he ſuffered for vsus, do moſt deſpitefully blaſpheme hi. For (ſay they) chriſte knewe no better eſtate nor yet could obtaine no better: but oure moſt bleſſed god & father being not foliſhely wyſe, cā both eaſelyer, & alſo moche better, rule & gouerne ye world. Wherfore, ther is now an other coudycyō of the church whych the hygh Byſhops, hauehave ſet vp an hygh, with honours, renowne, might, riches a force of armes, we maye not then folowe here after ye poore and nedye chriſt. Yea, they do openlye accuſe Peter of folyſſheneſſe. Oh mooſte ſhamefull, and moſte deteſtable kynde of blaſhphemye.

But nowe, o Papiſtes, I requyre thys thing of you, that ye vouchſake to aunſwere me to that, whyche I wyll aſke you. Dyd your Byſſhop of Rome inſtitute, and ſette vp, ſoche pryde, pompe, and arrogancye, accordinge to the preſcripture and rule of Goddes worde? No forſooth, no. Therfore, it is hys owne inuention, he folowing hys owne dreames, dyd ymagyne ſoche thynges, and by theym he dyd plucke vsus awaye from God.The Biſſhop of to me accordinge to ye law of god, is giltye of death. He is then according to the lawe gyltie of death, and ought by and by to be rooted out of the earth. For, god cannot abyde ſoche dreamers. For. Hiere. xiiii. chapter, the prophete ſpeaketh after thys maner: O Lorde God, the Prophetes ſaye vntounto theym: Tuſhe, ye ſhall neade to feare no ſwearde, and no hunger ſhall come vponupon you, but the Lorde ſhall geue you continuall re…e in thys place (In lyke maner, now at this preſente, that all thynges are infected and corrupted wyth deteſtable wyckedneſſe, falſe paſtours are wōt to promyſe peace which they thēſelfes neuer folowed: yf they had any vnderſtanding of the ſcriptures, they ſhuld ryght wel know, that ſo greate and enorme wyckedneſſe of thys worlde, eyther muſte be chaunged left, and amended, or els that great plagues oughte to be looked for, as hunger, peſtylence, warres, captyuytie, and other lyke deſtructions: But they crye peace, where no hope of peace is, callinge thys peace and reſte, yf they maye peaſyblye poſſeſſe, and enioye theyr great rentes and reuenues). And then the Lorde anſwered me: The prophetes, preache lyes in my name, wher as, I hauehave not ſent theym, neyther gaue I thē any charge, nor yet ſpake vntounto theym. Not wythſtanding they preache vntounto you vyſyons, charmynge, vanytye, and deceytfulnes of theyr owne hart. Therfore, thus ſayth the Lordes As for thoſe prophetes yt preache in my name (whō neuertheleſſe I hauehave not ſent) and that ſaye: Tuſhe, there ſhall nether ſwearde nor hunger be in thys lande. Wyth ſwearde and hunger ſhal thoſe prophetes peryſhe. &c. Beholde, howe he doeth threaten agayne the ſweard to the falſe Prophetes. But becauſe we ſhulde not thinke, that here any other are noted & ment, & not they, that popiſhly do teach mens tradictions, he doeth afterwardes depicte and ſet them forth more lyuely in theyr owne colours, when he ſayeth: Wo be vntounto the ſhepeherdes,Hitr. xxiii. that deſtroye, and ſcatter my flock. (Doeſt thou not now heare him ſpeake of rauening wolues, which do pluck and ſcatter the flocke into ſundry opiniōs & errours?) I hauehave not ſent them, & yet they tanne, I hauehave not ſpoken vntounto theym, and yet they preach. I hauehave heard wel ynough what the Prophetes ſaye, that preache lyes in my name, ſayinge: I hauehave dreamed, I hauehave dreamed. How longe wyll thys continue in the Prophetes harte, to tell lyes and to preache thee craftye ſubtiltye of theyr owne harte? Whoſe purpoſe is (with the dreames that eueryevery one telleth to hys neyghbour to make my people forget my name, as theyr forefathers dyd, when Baal came vp. The Prophete that hath a dreame, lette him tel it, and he that vnderſtanded my worde, let hym ſhew it faythfully. For, what hath chaſte and wheate to doo together, ſayth the Lord? Hereby, any mā may vnderſtand, of what Prophetes the Lorde doth ſpeake, truely of dreamers. lyers, & tale tellers. But what rewarde doeth he promyſe vntounto theym? Wherefore ſayth he, theyr waye ſhal be ſlyppery in the darckeneſſe, wherin they may ſtacker and fall &c. And a lyttle after: I wyll fede them wyth wormewood & make thē drinke the water of gall. Behold, how he doth denaunce & tell forth theyr ſlyppery waye, & greuouſe fall of ignoraūce, & alſo theyr exceading great bitterneſſe, whych as it doeth dayly encreaſe, ſo at length, theyr greuous and peryllous tuyne or fall, as the broken walles ſhall enſue and folowe, Eſaye. xxx. The ſcriptures are full of ſuch Teſtimonies, whereby, we may knowe, and eſpye out falſe Prophetes, but they are moſt lyuely depicted and ſet forth. Ezechiel xxxiiii. Chapter. Which place, the ſhortenes of oure matter wyll not ſuffre vsus, nor admytte, to wryte oute here. Yet the ende of theym is ſhewed eueryevery where of thee LORDE,Thee ende of falſe prophetes. that they oughte wythoute remedye to be rooted out of the earth.

How & by whō falſe paſtours muſt be taken away and roted frō ye earthBut now, it is doubtfull by whom they ought to be roted out of the earth. For, there bee ſome that are deſyrous to kyll them, where ſoeuer they fynd thē. But it is playne, that it is lawfull for no pryuate perſon, to kyll any man, wt out the law, & a iudgemēt geuē vpō him or without a ſpeciall cōmandement of god. Wherefore, certayn hote and fierce Chriſtians, do greatly erre, whyche, as ſone as th…i ſe a faile prophet, do thinke that any man may kyl hym: for, ſo they ſtycke to the letter of gods lawe, & ſeeke or ſearche out, no deper ſence or vnderſtandinge. We muſt beware then, yt we geue not to much the brydell to our affections. For al this whole matter and buſyneſſe ought to be cōmitted to god, who, yf he wyll hauehave thē, to be taken away, ſhal caſely bring it to paſſe, by hys myniſters, that is to ſaye, by the Magiſtrates. In the meane ſeaſon, be thou of a good comfort, & thinking within thy ſelf, of whoſe ſpirite thou arte, ſubmit thy ſelf obediently, to ye meke iudgemēt of our moſt mercyfull maſter and ſauyour Ieſus Chriſt, which ſayeth. Math. vii. EueryEvery tree that bringeth forth noo good frute, ſhalbe hewed downe, & caſte into the fyer. Yf his craftes, & deceyptfull ſubtilties were knowe of ye whole church, he ought to be depoſed and put from the office of teaching, by the commune aſſent & agreement of all the congregation. But yf the churche, hath no ſoch auctorytye, nor may do it, lette no man herken vntounto hym: but rather ſuffre death, than ye ſhulde hearken vntounto a raueninge wolfe, who, wyth his doctryne and traditions, goeth aboute too plucke you awaye from the one onelye God and heauenly father. All theſe thinges, are manyfeſte & playne, by the plages of the ſcriptures, afore alledged, ſo that, they hauehave no neade of any more demonſtratiō. Beſydes that, the Lord him ſelfe Math .v. bydeth vsus to plucke out and caſt awaye from vsus,Mathe .v. our ryght eye, yf it doeth offend vsus. Therfore, it is our part & duetye, to pluck out that wicked eye, that is to ſay, the falſe paſtour, whiche leadeth not to the true paſtures, and to pulle vp by the rootes, the rotten and vnfruytefull tree: but after, that it is done let vsus commit the iudgement vntounto the Lord, who wil caſt it into the fyre when he ſhal thinke beſte, when he is remoued, & put frō the office of teaching, we ſhall reken hym amonge the tares,Mat. xlii. whyche oughte not be pulled vp. tyll the tyme of the harueſt be come, as our ſauiour him ſelf ſayth. After the ſame maner,…et. xxxiiii ye Lord ſpeaketh, Ezech xxxiiii. I my ſelf, wyl vponupon the ſhepehardes: & requyre my ſhepe from theyr handes, & make them ceaſſe from fedinge of my ſhepe: Yea, the ſhepehardes ſhal fede thē ſelfes no more.By whō ye ſentēce of & Lorde. Deut. .xiii oughte to be executed Wherefore, lette theym that beare the ſwearde of iuſtye, delyuered vntounto theym by God, put too execution that ſentence of the Lord, which is expreſſed. Deu. xiii. For, they ſhal eaſely vnderſtand, what they ought to do for the glorye of god, & when they muſt puniſh extremely thoſe falſe prophetes. And yf they beyng of that mynde, that the falſe paſtours are, wyl neyther puniſhe them, nor kepe thē ſhorte: we muſt patiently beare thys yoke, layde vponupon vsus, as yf it were another capt…uitie of Babylon, tyll the Lord hym ſelf vouchſafe to delyuer vsus, wyth hys myghtye hand. For, this that we ſuffre in the meane ſeaſon, is no loſſe, nor harme vntounto vsus, but an exercyſe and tryall, wherby our faith being exerciſed,Pſalm. … xxxviii ſhal ſhyne afterwardes with greater glorye. The lord is gētyl, meke, & of moch mercy, in many thinges alſo he doeth ſpare, & is wont to differre lōge, ye plage & puniſhmēt: for, no mā is able to eſcape his hād Beſydes yt, no ſoch example of crudelitie is ſet forth to vsus, in Chriſt or in hys Apoſtels: which neuer puniſhed no mā wt death, & ſheding of bloud. In dede it is lawful for al churches, to put awaye, & reiecte ye falſe paſtour, yt he do not teache And yf they begin obſtinately, & ſtubburnly to perſeuere & cōtinne, nor wyll ceaſe to pluck away from god, it is the parte and duetye of thee Magiſtrates, to kyll them vp with the ſweared. But thou, that art a pryuate mā, do not raye and defyle thyne handes wyth bloude. For, the Lord ſhal not fayle, yf theſe rauening wolues can not peaſibly, or wt out tumulte, and inſurrection be expelled & out awaye, he wyl wythout fayle rayſe vp ſome Helias,iii. re. xviii which ſhall at one clappe kyll vp. iiii. hundreth and .l. prieſtes of Baal, and .iiii. hundreth prelates of groues & hyll aulters. He ſhall not fayle, I ſaye, take ye onelyonly in good worth this differringe and delayinge. Chriſt wolde not cōdempne to death, ye wycked woman (as we may ſie, Iohn. viii.) which was takē in adulterye, and whom the lawe dyd cōdempne. But agayne, what great calamities and miſeries, hoe horrible a deſtruction, dyd he bringe vponupon the whole people,Reade ye Ioſephus & Sabellicus vpō yt whē Titus both gotte the towne, and ſubdued all the whole countreye? We muſt therfore folow the leuge ſufferaunce of our moſte, bounteous father. In the meane ſeaſon, as moche as in vsus lieth, we muſt take hede, that rauenynge wolues doo not occupye the towmes of Paſtours, whych thynge, yf we can not lette, we muſte paciently abyde the delyueringe hande of the Lorde, for, the gētyll, meke and mercyful example of chriſt doethe moue me more, thā yt ſeuere & cruel ſentence or puniſhmēt of Moſes. How be it, in ye meane ſeaſō. I know yt the dreadeful iudge Chriſt, wyll come, whyche wyl arme eyther the Prynces or ye people theym ſelues to vengeaunce.