Against the Outward Apparel and Ministering Garments of the Popish Church, Title page 1 – To the reader
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A briefe diſcourſe againſt the outwarde apparell and Miniſtring garmentes of the popiſhe church.
pſalme. 31.
I hauehave hated all thoſe, that holde of ſuperſtitious vanities.
1566.
¶ The Booke to the Reader.
THe Popes attyre, whereof I talke,
I knowe to be but vaine:
Wherfore ſome men that wittie are,
to reade mee will diſdaine.
But I woulde wiſhe that ſuch men ſhoulde
with iudgement reade me twiſe:
And marke how great an euill it is,
Gods Preachers to diſguiſe.
I knowe a cocks combe can not take
from wiſe men any wit:
So doe I knowe that ſuch attyre
is for no wiſe man fit.
Good mindes can not but much miſlike
to ſee good men diſplaſte:
But better mindes woulde ſorrowe more,
to ſee ſuch men defaſte.
Their perſons if ye do reſpect,
the matter is but ſmall:
But on their office if ye looke,
then are they guides of all.
The Preacher is a meſſanger,
ſent from no worldely wight:
But from that Prince that pearleſſ… is,
and made all by his might.
King Dauid coulde not take it well,
but thought himſelfe diſpiſde:
When Hanon ſent his ſeruauntes backe
diſhonorde and diſguiſde.
And ſhall not God, thinke you, reuenge
himſelfe vponupon that route:
That to deface or elſe diſplace,
his Preachers goe about?
Yes doubtleſſe, for the mighty God,
will not long tyme endure:
The ſpite of ſuch as ſo doe ſeeke,
to worke him diſpleaſure.
All wiſe men therfore will beware,
How they doe ſuch men wrong:
As hauehave ſuch one to take their parte,
as for all is to ſtrong.
God graunt that all men may once ſee,
on which ſide truth doth ſtande:
And pray to him for ſuch as be
made Rulers of the lande,
That they hauing before their eyes
the feare of God aboue,
May ſeeke to ſet Gods worde in place.
and all vayne toyes remoue.
FINIS.