Skip to main content

Full text of "Sermons, 1550. Edited by Edward Arber"

See other formats 


OF  THE 


BY 


— 


CAREFULLY  EDITED  BY 
EDWARD      ARBER, 

Affociate,  Kings  College,  London,  F.R.G.S.,  £~ 


THOMAS    LEVER,    M.A. 

Fellow  and  Preacher  of  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge. 

SERMONS.    iS5o. 


\  AM    WEBBE,   GRADUATE, 
A  DISCOURSE  OF  ENGLISH  POETRIE.     ,586. 


LONDON : 

5  (^UKKN    SQUARE,    !!!.( JOMSUrRV.    \V.C. 
(at.  Hall}  1870.  \.-ltf  R, -£/:(., 


BX 
5153 


CON  TEW  TS. 

NOTES  of  the  Life  and  Writings  of  Thomas  Lever, 
INTRODUCTION,  ....  .9 

BIBLIOGRAPHY,    .....  i? 

I.  THE   SERMON  IN  THE  SHROUDS   OF  ST. 

PAULS  CHURCH,  .  .  .  19 

Septiiagefuna  Sunday,  \ 

<  [  2  Feb.  1550. 
4  Hys  fourth  Sunday  after  tw elf e  tyde,'  ) 

TEXT.  From  the  Epistle  of  the  day.     Rom.  iii.  1-3. 

I 1 .  THE  SERMON  BEFORE  KING  ED  WARD  VL,     53 

Mid-Lent  Sunday,  16  March  1550. 
TEXT.  From  the  Gospell  of  the  day.     John  vi. 

III.  THE  SERMON  AT  PAULS  CROSS,  .         91 
Second  Sunday  in  Advent,  14  December  1550- 

1.  The  Epistle  [to  the  Counsell]. 

2.  The  Sermon. 

No  particular  TEXT. 


NOTES 

of 
The  LIFE  and  WRITINGS 

of 
THOMAS    LEVER,   M.A., 

In  succession,  Fellow,  Preacher  and  Master  of  St.  John's  College,  Cam 
bridge  ;  Pa-tor  in  exile  of  the  English  Church  at  Aarau  ;  Prebend  of  Durham 
Cathedral,  Master  of  Sherburn  Hospital  for  the  poor. 

The  earliest  account  of  our  Author  is  the  following  brief  contemporary  one 
by  John  Bale  :— 

"Thomas  Leucrus,  patria  Lancastriensis,  insignis  collegij,  diuo  Euan- 
gelista?  loanni  apud  Cantabrigiensis  sacri,  olim  praeses  :  nunc  autem  An- 
glorum  ecclcsia;,  quae  est  in  Arouia  Heluetiorum  urbe,  primarius  pastor: 
pius  certe  theologus,  uitiorum  osor,  uirtutumque  in  omni  mansuetudine 
seminator,  in  idiomate  uulgari  ad  suos  Anglos  scripsit. 
Semitam  rcctam  ad  Christum,  Lib.  i.  Cum  nidissem  meant  in  Ang lia 

moram  ac. 

In  orationetn  Dominicam,  Lib.   i.    P ropier    laborem    inopuin   et 

Condones  aliquot  paitperum. 

At</uc  alia. 

Viuit  Arouiae,  in  uinea  Domini  fortiter  laborans."  Script.  Illust.  Cent.  i-c. 
96, /.  762.  Ed.  1557-9- 

1509.  apr.  22.  menrrj  THE.  begins  to  reign. 

1542.  Lever  takes  his  B.A. 

1543.  Is  admitted  Fellow  of  his  college. 

1545.   He  takes  his  M.A.     Cooper.  Ath.  Cantab,  i.  366.   Ed.  1858. 

St.  .Mary'.,  vicarage,  Burwell,  was  given  by  the  King  to  the  University  of 

lidge,   but  only  obtained  by  payment  of  ^600  [  =  ,£9000  now]  to  Sir 

Edward,  afterwards   Lord  North.     This  was  the  first  occasion  of  emptying 

the  University  chest.      It  is   denounced  by  Lever   to   King   Edward    \  1. 

at/.  80. 

1547.  3an.  28.  lEfcfoartj  1TE.  ascentos  the  throne. 

1548.  Jri.v  3.   Lever  is  admitted  a  senior  Fellow  of  St.  John's  College. 

SEIJT.  22.   He  is  appointed  a  College  preacher:  from  which  it  is  sup 
posed  that  he  was  previously  ordained. 
For  public  commotions  in  1549     1550:  see//.  15,  16. 
1550.  FEIS.  2.  Septitagesiina  Sunday.  Lever  preaches  the  first  of  the  three 
sermons  here  printed,  in  the  Shrouds  of  St.  Paul's  church, 
I. MI, don. 
MAR.  16.  Mid-Lent  Sunday.    Lever  preaches  the  second  of  these 

sermons  before  the  King  at  Court. 
AI-R.    i.  Bp.    N.    Ridley  is  translated   from   Rochester   to  London. 

Lever  refers  to  him  at/.  78. 

APR.  "It  was  ordered  that  whosoever  should  have  ecclesiastical 
benefices  granted  them  by  the  King,  should  preach  before 
him  in  or  out  of  Lent,  and  that  every  Sunday  there  should  be 
a  sermon  at  Court." — jf.  Strype,  Eccles.  Mem.  ii.  334.  Ed. 
1822. 
APR.  9.  Lever's  two  sermons  of  this  year  are  printed  or  reprinted, 

and  finished  on  this  day. 

JUNE  24.    Bp.    Ridley   ordains  ^5   deacons  before   the   high   altar  of 
St.  Paul's,  including  Lever  and  John  Fox  the  martyrologist. 

Sfi-yp,-.  idem,  ii.  402. 

AUG.  io.   Bp.    Ridley  ordains  at   Fulham   several  persons  deacons: 
and  his  diapbin.  John  Bradford,  with  Thomas  Lever,  priests, 
'(,  idem.  ii.  403. 


4  NOTES  OF  LEVER'S  LIFE  AND  WRITINGS. 

DEC.  12.  Second  Sunday  in  Advent.  Lever  preaches  the  Third  of 

these  sermons  at  Paul's  Cross. 

DEC.      .  This  sermon  he  immediately  publishes  with  a  preface. 
1551.  APRIL.  Sedburgh  (Yorkshire)  Grammar  School  refounded  by  a  grant 
of  the  King  in  part  the  result  of  Lever's  previous  exposure  of 
its  spoliation  :  see/.  81. 
1551.  Lovvndes  quotes  the  following  work  by  Lever— 

"A  Meditation  vpon  the  Lordes  Prayer,  made  at  Sayncte 
Mary  Wolchurche,  London.  Anno  MDLi.  Lond.  by  lohn 
Daye.  161110." 

1551.  DEC.  10—1553,  SEPT.  28.  THOMAS  LEVER,  SEVENTH  MASTER  OF 

ST.  JOHN'S  COLLEGE,  CAMBRIDGE. 

1552.  He  takes  his  B.D. 

1552.  JULY  7.  Roger  Ascham  writing  to  Sir  W.  Cecil  from  Villacho  in 
Cariuthia  :  thus  refers  to  the  then  Master  of  John's. 

Mr  Leaver  wrote  vnto  me  a  ioyfull  lettre  of  Mr.  Cheeks 
most  happie  recouery,  praying  to  god  in  his  lettre  that  Eng 
land  may  be  thankful!  to  god,  for  restoring  soch  a  man  agein 
to  the  King,  and  well  prayed  trewlie  ;  but  I  am  thus  firmelie 
perswaded,  that  god  wist  and  wold  we  wold  be  thankfull  and 
therfore  bestowed  this  benefit  vpon  vs.  Gods  wroth,  T  trust,  is 
satisfied  in  punishing  diuers  orders  of  the  realme  for  their 
misorder,  with  taking  away  singular  men  from  them,  as 
Learnyng  by  Mr.  Bncer,  Counsell  by  Mr.  Denny,  nobilitieby 
the  two  yong  Dukes,  Courting  by  ientle  Blage,  S.  Johns  by 
good  Eland.  But  if  Lerning,  Counsell,  Nobilitie,  Courte, 
Cambridge  shold  haue  bene  all  punisshed  at  ones,  by  taking 
away  m*.  Cheke,  then  I  wold  haue  thought  our  mischeef  had 
bene  so  mochs  as  did  crye  to  god  for  a  general!  plage,  in  tak 
ing  away  soch  a  general  and  onely  man  as  mr.  Cheeke  is. — 
Lansdoivne  MSS.  3,  fol.  i. 

[1553.— Notwithstanding  the  pressures  this  and  other  colleges  were  under 
in  point  of  maintenance,  which  Mr.  Leaver  complains  of  in  his  sermons,  oc 
casioned  by  the  courtiers'  invading  church  preferments  (that  were  intended  as 
rewards  of  learning)  by  racking  their  tenants,  formerly  accustomed  to  easy 
rents  whilst  a  great  part  of  the  lands  of  the  nation  were  in  the  hands  of  the 
church,  by  their  neglect  of  hospitality  which  ought  to  have  been  kept  up, 
and  by  their  want  of  charity  which  had  formerly  been  maintained,  yet  the 
college  flourished  in  learning,  and  what  usually  attends  it,  in  the  true  re 
ligion.  The  reformation  nowhere  gained  more  ground  or  was  more  zealously 
maintained,  than  it  did  here  under  this  master's  example  and  the  influence  of 
his  government,  as  appeared  best  in  the  day  of  trial,  when  he  with  twenty- 
four  of  his  fellows,  quitted  their  preferments  to  preserve  their  innocence. — 
T.  Baker,  B.D.,  Hist,  of  St.  John's  Coll,  i.  132.  Ed.  by  J.  E.  Mayor,  1869.] 

1553.  3ulj)  6.  fElnrn  sucKcDe  to  the  croton. 

Lever  and  twenty-four  Fellows  resign  and  leave  the  country.  Roger 
Ascham  thus  refers  to  this  exodus  in  \i\sScholemaster: — 

"Yea  S.  lohnes  did  then  so  florish,  as  Trinitie  college,  that  Princelie 
house  now,  at  the  first  erection,  was  but  Colonia  deducta  out  of  iS".  lohnes, 
not  onelie  for  their  Master,  feilowes,  and  scholers,  but  also,  which  is  more, 

for  their  whole,  both  order  of  learning,  and  discipline  of  maners 

6".  lohnes  stoode  in  this  state,  vntill  those  heuie  tymes,  and  that  greuous 
change  that  chanced.  An.  1553.  whan  mo  pertite  scholers  were  dispersed 
from  thence  in  one  moneth,  than  manyyeares  can  reare  vp  againe."  p.  135. 
Ed,  1870. 

1554.  JULY.  John  Knox  in  a  '  Comparison  betwixte  England  and  luda  be 
fore  their  destruction '  in  his  Godly  letter  sent  too  the fayethfull 
in  London  /  Newcastle  j  Barwyke  /  &*c.,  thus  writes 

'  That  godly  and  feruent  man  mayster  Lever  /  playnlye 
spake  the  desolation  off  thys  common  wealthe.' 


NOTES  OF  LEVER'S  LIFE  AND  WRITINGS.  5 

1554.  Bp.  Ridley  in  his  Piteous  Lamentation  on  the  state  of  the 

Church  of  England,  writes  :— "  As  for  Latimer,  Leuer,  Brad 
ford,  and  Knox,  their  tongues  were  so  sharp,  they  ripped  in 
so  deep  in  their  galled  backs,  to  haue  purged  them  no  doubt 
of  that  filthy  matter  that  was  festered  in  their  hearts,  of  in 
satiable  couetousness,  of  filthy  carnality  and  voluptuousness, 
of  intolerable  ambition  and  pride,  of  ungodly  loathsomeness 
to  hear  poor  men's  causes,  and  to  hear  God's  word,  that  these 
men  of  all  other  these  magistrates  then  could  neuer  abide." 

1554.  OCT.  25.  Lever  writes  from  Zurich  to  Bradford  : — "  I  have  seen  the 

places,  noted  the  doctrine  and  discipline,  and  talked  with  the 
learned  men  of  Argentine,  Basil,  Zurich,  Bern,  Lausan,  and 
Geneva  ;  and  I  have  had  experience  in  all  these  places  of  sin 
cere  doctrine,  godly  order  and  doctrine  and  great  learning, 
and  especially  of  such  virtuous  learning,  diligence,  and  charity, 
in  Hullmger  at  Zurich,  and  in  Calvin  at  Geneva,  as  doth  much 
advance  God's  glory,  unto  the  edifying  of  Christ's  church, 
with  the  same  religion  for  the  which  you  be  now  in  prison."— 
Writings  of  Bradford,  it.  137.  Ed.  1853. 

1555.  FEB.  n.   Bradford  in  his  Farewell  to  Cambridge,  dated  "Out  of 

prison,  ready  to  the  stake,  the  nth  of  February,  anno  1555  ;  " 
writes:— 

"  Call  to  mind  the  threatenings  of  God  now  something  seen 
by  thy  children.  Lever  and  others.  Let  the  exile  of  Lever, 
Pilkington,  Grindal.  Haddon,  Home,  Scory,  Ponet,  &c., 
something  awake  thee.  Let  the  imprisonment  of  thy  dear 
sons,  Cranmer,  Ridley,  and  Latimer,  move  thee.  Consider 
the  martyrdom  of  thy  chickens,  Rogers,  Saunders,  Taylor  : 
and  no\v  cast  not  asvay  the  poor  admonition  of  me  going  to  be 
burned  also,  and  to  receive  the  like  crown  of  glory  of  my  fel- 
lo\vs.  ' -—  Writing •;,  t.  445.  '^Ed.  1848. 

1556.  Lever  in  a  preface  dated  'at  Geneva,  1556,'  prints  many  copies  of  a 

treatise  Of  the  right  way  from  Danger  of  Sinne,  &*c.  See 
1571. 

1558   Nofa.  IT-  Elnnbctrj  begins  to  rctgn. 

1559.  APR.   Lever  marries  a  widow,  who  has  three  children  already. 

1560.  Jfi.v  10.    He  speaks  of  the  birth  of  a  dan 

Lever  returns  to   England,  soon  after  the  Queen's  accession,  with  more 
Puritan  views  than  ever. 

Sherburn  Hospital  was  founded  by  Hugh  de  Pudsey  [who  became  Bp.  of 
Durham  on  20  Dec.  1153,  acquired  by  purchase  Earl  of  Northumberland  in 
1190:  d.  3  Mar.  1195  :  act.  70,]  about  1181,  in  the  time  of  the  great  plague  of 
lepro -y  in  Kit-land  in  the  reign  of  Henry  II.,  for  the  reception  <>f  sixty-five 
poor  lepers,  with  a  master  and  other  officers  to  superintend  the  same.  Great 
:;iplained  of,  Thomas  Langley,  another  Bp.  of  Durham  [bet. 
17  May  1406 — 28  Nov.  1437]  issued  fresh  ordinances  on  22  July  1434,  which 
infer  alia  directed  that  the  future  master  should  be  in  clerical  orders. 

It  appears  that    the  leprosy    for  the  relief  of  those   under   which  affliction 
tills  li'.'-pital  was  founded    was  at  that  time   almost  eradicated,  for  I'.p.  I  .ring- 
is,  that   in  the   remembrance   of  the  original   foundation,  two  lepers 
should  be   received  into  the  hospital,  if  they  could   be  found,  but  to  be   kept 
the  people  admitted  to  the  house.      To  those,  thirteen 
I'le  were  to  be  added,  to  be  provided  with  meat  and  drink   of  ten- 
iu<-  every  week,  or  tenpence  of  ready  money  at   their  own  option, 
and  have   yearly  the  sum  of  6s.  8d.  for  fuel   and  cloaths,  and   to  i: 

•iie  house,  and  daily  to  attend   mass.      I'pon   the  death  of  a 

mother  poor  man  to  be  chosen  by  the  master  within  fifteen  days, 

under  the  p  /nally  of  paying  a  mark  to  the  fabric  of  the  church  at  Durham. 

An  old  w  i    ter  was  to  be  provided  at  the  master's  expense, 

to  attend  the  brethren,  wash   their  linui,  and  do  other  offices.     The  master 


6  NOTES  OF  LEVER'S  LIFE  AND  WRITINGS. 

to  have  the  care  of  all  the  goods  and  buildings  of  the  hospital,  and  to  take  an 
oath  for  the  due  performance  of  all  things  stipulated  by  those  ordinances.-- 
J.  Hutchison's  Hist,  of  Durham,  ii.  p/>.  589,  607.  Rd.  1780. 

1562.  JAN.   28.  Thomas  Lever  was  born  in  Lancashire,  collated  to  Sher- 

burn  hospital.     Idem.  p.  594. 

1563.  FEB.  2.  Lever  is  made  a  Prebend  of  Durham  Cathedral. 

1567.  Lever  supplies  A  preface,  shewing  the  true  icndcrstanding  of 

God's  word,  and  the  right  use  of  God's  works  and  benefits,  evi 
dent  and  easy  to  be  seen  in  the  exercise  of  these  Meditations  : 
and  also  A  meditation  on  the  Tenth  Commandment  to  the  edi 
tion  of  this  year,  of  Godly  Meditations,  &*c.  &c.,  made  by 
John  Bradford.  [Reprinted  in  Townsend's  Writings  of  Brad 
ford.  Ed.  1848.] 

1567.  He  is  deprived  of  his  Prebendship. 

1568.  FEB.  24.  There  is  a  characteristic  letter  of  Lever's  showing  that  he 

was  the  same  zealous  and  disinterested  Reformer  and  Pro 
testant  to  the  latter  end  of  his  life,  as  when  he  preached 
these  Sermons. 

Grace  and  peace  in  Christ.  For  that  god  hath  placed  you  in  authoritie 
and  fauer  with  the  Queues  Maiestie,  so  as  heretofore  I  and  mani 
others  haue  bi  your  meanes  had  quietnes,  libertie  and  comfort  to  preach 
the  gospel)  of  Christ :  therefore  of  Christian  charitie,  and  bonden  dutie 
must  we  daili  prai,  and  vse  all  godli  indeuor  for  the  continuance  of  the 
same. 

And  so  now  as  more  willing  then  able  to  render  due  thankfulnes  vnto  god, 
the  Quenes  Maiestie  and  vnto  your  honors,  I  haue  here  noted  summe  such 
things  as  make  mich  to  the  subuersion,  or  presentation  of  godlie  honor. 
Gen.  34.  The  Sichemites  recciuing  circumcision  partli  for  voluptuousnes, 
and  partli  for  couiteousnes  were  all  vtterli  destroied,  w[h]ich  is  a  terrible 
threatning  to  Englande :  where  as  mani  euen  so  farre  receiue  and  refuse  re- 
li:-,i'in,  as  seineth  to  be  for  pleasure  or  gaine  worldli.  And  losu.  7.  The 
annie  of  the  Israelites  polluted  with  the  couiteous  spoile  of  Achan  cold 
n-jither  vse  sufficient  power,  nor  a  good  policie  against  their  and  gods  enni- 
raies,  vntill  that  offence  was  confessed,  and  such  corruption  vterli  abolished 
from  ainorgc  gods  people  :  and  then  did  god  giue  vnto  his  people  the  vse  of 
power  and  policie,  to  preuaile  against  their  ennimies.  So  England  being 
polluted  with  mich  couiteous  spoile  espec^alli  of  impropriations,  grammer 
scoles  and  other  prouision  for  the  pore,  can  not  vse  power  and  policie  to  pre 
uaile  against  the  ennimies  of  god  and  godli  religion,  if  it  sinke  still  into  such 
corruption,  as  causeth  more  sclander,  and  danger  daili  to  incresse  vnto  the 
cheife  professers,  and  promoters  of  good  religion. 

And  certenli  the  neccssari  reuenues  of  the  prince,  the  bishops,  other 
estates,  and  the  vniuersities,  do  as  yet  rather  sinke  into  the  corruption  then 
stand  vpon  the  profets,  of  improperations. 

Wherefore  in  the  vniuersilies,  and  els  where  no  standing  but  sinking  doth 
appere ;  when  as  the  office  and  lining  of  a  minister  shalbe  taken  from  him, 
that  once  lawfulli  admitted  hath  euer  since  diligentli  preached,  because  he 
now  refuseth  prescription  of  man  in  apparrell :  and  the  name,  lining  and 
office  of  a  minister  of  gods  worde,  allowed  vnto  him  that  neither  can  nor  will 
preach,  except  it  be  pro  forma  tantnm,  to  kepe  gods  commandments  summe 
times  per  al'nnn,  euer  obseruing  the  prescription  of  man  in  wairing  apparell 
and  reding  per  se. 

Also  Ezcch.  14.  When  as  bi  plaines  of  the  prophets  notable  idolatrie  was 
reproued  in  Israeli,  and  at  the  same  time  the  Elders  of  Israeli  keprng  their 
idols  in  their  hartes.  and  setting  their  stombling  blockes  afore  their  faces, 
wold  yet  bi  hearing  the  prophet  and  worde  of  god,  seme  to  be  godli :  then 
such  Elders  and  prophettes  hearing  and  answaring,  according  to  the  vncleines 
of  their  o\vne  hartes,  were  both  iustli  deceiued  and  destroied  of  god.  Like 
wise  now  is  notable  papistrie  in  England  and  Scotland  proued  and  pro 
claimed  bi  preaching  of  the  gospell,  to  be  idolatrie  and  treason,  and  how  such 
idolatrie  and  treason  is  yet  norrished  in  the  hartes  of  mani  god  knoweth,  and 


NOTES  OF  LEVER'S  LIFE  AND  WRITINGS.  7 

how  the  old  stombling  stockes  be  sett  openli  of  mani  things  in  mani  places, 
and  especialli  of  the  crucifix  in  England,  and  of  the  masse  in  Scotland  afore 
the  faces  of  the  hieghest,  is  daili  to  be  seen  of  idolators  and  traitors  with  re- 
ioiccmg  and  hoping  of  a  dai;  and  of  Christian  faithfull  obedient  subiects  with 
sorrow  of  harte  and  feare  of  the  state. 

And  if  in  the  ministre  and  ministers  of  gods  worde,  the  sharpnes  of  salt  bi 
doctrine,  to  mortitie  affections,  be  reiected,  and  ceremonial  seruice  with 
flateri,  to  fede  affections,  rctoincd  ;  then  doth  Christ  threaten  such  treding 
ruder  fote,  as  no  power  or  policie  can  withstand  or  abide.  Further  more 

vnder  Aliasm-ms.  the  moost  faithfull  people  of  god  and  obedient  subiectes 
were  then  falseli  accused  to  be  breakers  of  the  kings  lawes,  and  so  brought 
iito  extreme  dimmer  and  destresse.  Then  Ester  the  quene  aduertised  bi 
Nardochee  what  occasion  god  had  offered  vnto  her  to  help  his  people,  did 
take  and  vse  the  same  occasion,  vnto  the  moost  comfortable  deliverance  of 
them,  and  the  greattest  incresse  and  stai  of  her  honor  and  state. 

Contrariwise  Kzech.  29.  l^gipt  as  a  staf  of  rede  failing  breaking  and  hurt- 
i»g  gods  people,  in  their  destresse  leaning  and  trusting  vnto  it,  did  bi  the 
iust  ludgment  <>f  god  loose  honor  and  power,  man  and  beast,  and  so  was  with 
dishonor  brought  to  desolation. 

The  most  godli  and  faithfull  subiects  be  maini  times  worst  suspected  and 
r:porti:d.  a;>d  so  brought  into  greatest  destres>e  and  danger,  that  bi  gods 
P'ouidence  wonderfulli  to  gpds  glorie  thei  inai  be  presented  and  prosper, 
scing  their  cnnimies  and  conterfeited  frendes  tried,  and  destroied  by  gods 
iust  lodgements. 

Now  therefore  mi  praier  vnto  god,  and  writing  to  your  honors  is,  that 
utthoritte  in  /•'.n^/ttini,  and  e-pecialli  you  mai  for  sincere  religion  refuse 
pleasure  and  gaine  worldli,  and  not  for  \vorldli  praise,  profet  or  pleasure  re- 
;eme,  refuse  cr  abuse  religion  corruptli  :  not  to  allowe  ani  such  corruption 
amonge  protestants,  being  gods  seruants,  as  shold  make  papistes  to  ioie  and 
hope  for  a  <l;ii,  being  gods  eimimies  :  but  rather  cause  such  abolishing  of  in 
ward  papistric,  and  outward  'Monuments  of  the  same  as  shold  cause  idola 
trous  traitors  to  gretie,  and  faithfull  subiects  to  lie  glad  :  such  casting  forth 
of  the  vnsaueri  ministre  and  miui-ters  of  gods  \vonle  as  might  make  onli  such 
as  hie  the  sauerines  of  doctrine  and  edification  to  be  allowed  in  that  office, 
itch  ministre  onli  mai  preserue  princes,  and  prestes  and  people  from 
g  and  treading  vnder  fote  :  and  so  not  deceiuing  and  leaning  the  godli 
in  dcstto  ••,  t  >  p-ri.-^he  with  the  vngodli  thn.ugh  vngodlines,  but  euer 
traueling  to  deliuer,  defend,  and  help  the  .g  ds  prouidence  and 

prom;  1  from   all  danger,  into  continuance  and   in- 

ili  honor:  which  god  for  his  metcies  in  Christ  grant,  vnto  the 
tic.  vnto  you,  and  all  other  of  her  honorable  counsell.     Amen. 
Scriblet  at  S her born  hou.^e  liy  l^iitvsinc  the  24  of  februarij. 
Hi  yours  at  comandment  faithfull  in  Christ 

TIKC- 

Addressed  on  )  To  the  right  honorable  Lord  Robert  Erie  of  Leicestrc  and  Sr 

the  btick  )       William  Cicell  Knight  and  to  either  of  them,  at  the  Court. 

I'.nd<>;-s,-,{  24   Febr.  1568         Mr.  Levor   t<>   my    I,   of  L'/ux-s.  and   myself. 

Adviscth    yat  ye  refusing    or   receiving    of  religion    may  not  depend  vpon 

Worldly  respects.     Lnnds.  MS,  n.  Art.  s. 

1569.  Nov.  14—1570.  JAN.  The  rebellion  in  the  North.  It  began  at 
I'm  ham.  It  must  have  been  a  dangerous  time  for  such  an 
ultra  protestant  a-  i 

1571.  Lever  i-sues  a  second  edition  of  A  treatise  <\f  tJic  right  way 

fro;:  inne  and  rv;/.;,w>/<v  /;/  (At  ride, 

vnt<>  •'•  and  .valuation  in  Christe  :  in  the  Epistle, 

•  which,  In:  Bi 

"Of  this  matter  did  I  wryte  a  lit  I  i  agin  C.eneua 

in    the    time  of  Oueene    Maries  raignr,  wlu-ii    1  was   there   by 

din  men  mooued  uid  requ    ited  too  cause  il  ton 

bee  printed  :  and  so  then  with  a  lyttle  1'reface   1  dyd  send 


8  NOTES  OF  LEVER'S  LIFE  AND  WRITINGS. 

many  of  those  Bookes  so  printed,  intoo  this  Realme  of  Eng- 
lande. 

And  nowe  finding  none  of  those  Bookes  too  be  solde  in  anie 
place,  but  being  of  some  desired  too  peruse  one  of  them 
(which  was  founde  in  a  freendes  hande)  and  putte  it  too  print 
ing  agayn,  with  some  admonition  meete  for  this  tyme,  I  haue 
written  this  Epistle  or  Preface.  .  .  . " 

1572.  The  revised  and  corrected  edition  of  these  Sermons  is  pub 

lished. 

1572.  T.  Baker,  B  D.,  in  a  folio  commonplace  book,  now  Harl.  MS. 

7048,  has  copied  '  a  long  scroll,  on  several  sheets,  pasted  to 
gether*  and  printed  by  Henrie  Bynneman,  for  Humfrey  Toy, 
1572,  but  apparently  never  published  :  of  what  is  virtually 
the  Cambridge  Calendar  for  that  year.  The  number  oi 
Scholars  of  all  the  degrees  in  the  Universitie  was  then  1684. 
From  this  we  quote  the  Daily  exercises  for  Schollers  by 
way  of  comparison  to  Lever's  account  in  1550,  at  pp.  121,  122. 
Euery  worke  daye  throughout  the  whole  yeare,  in  euery  Col- 
ledge  are  celebrated  Morning  Prayers  from  five  of  the  Clock 
untill  sixe  /  at  what  time  also  some  Common  Place  is  ex 
pounded  by  one  of  ye  Fellows  in  order  after  that  he  hath 
bene  Master  of  Arte.  That  done  from  seven  of  the  Clocke 
untill  eight  in  all  Colledges  are  plainly  and  distinctly  taught 
and  reade  Logicke  and  Philosophic  Lectures.  From  eight 
of  the  Clock  vntill  Eleven,  ordinarie  Lectures  and  publicke 
Disputations  are  exercised  /  and  reade  in  the  Common 
Schooles.  p.  541. 

1575.  A  third  edition  of  The  right  way,   &c.,  was  issued  :  printed 

by  H.  Bynneman. 

At  the  end  of  it  is  (apparently  reprinted)  A  meditation  1'ppon 
the  Lordes prayer.     A  copy  is  in  the  British  Museum. 

1577.  JULY.  On  a  journey  home  to  the  hospital  of  Sherburn,  (which  he 
was  permitted  to  retain  on  account  of  the  scarcity  of  preachers, 
though  deprived  of  his  prebend  for  non-conformity)  falling 
sick  by  the  way,  died  at  Ware  the  beginning  of  July  1577,  his 
body  was  brought  to  and  interred  adjoining  the  south  wall 
within  the  altar  rails  of  the  chapel  of  Sherburn  hospital,  under 
a  blue  marble  stone,  whereon  is  cut  a  cross  flory  with  a  bible 
and  chalice,  .  .  .  and  on  a  brass  plate 

THOMAS     LEAVER     PREACHER 
TO  KING  EDWARD  THE  SIXTE. 

HE  DIED  IN  IVLY  1577. 

His  brother  Ralph  succeeded  him  as  Master,  being  collated 
on  16  July  1577. — Hntchinson,  Hist,  of  DurJiam,  ii.  589. 
Thomas  Baker  calls  Lever  '  one  of  the  best  masters  as  well  as  one  of  the 

best  men  the  college  [of  St.  John's,  Cambridge]  ever  bred.' 


INTRODUCTION. 

Hwithftanding  all  that  has  been  faid  and  written  ;  the 
Story  of  the  Englifh  Reformation  has  by  no  means  been 
fully  and  exactly  recovered.  It  was  the  ftrangeft  and 
greateft  Change  that  had  occurred  in  England,  fmce 
fhe  had  abandoned  Pagan ifm.  There  happened  alfo  to  come  at 
the  fame  time,  a  mofl  trying  Social  Progrefs  ;  which  was  quite 
diftincl:  from  it,  which  was  greatly  mifunderftood  at  the  time, 
and  which  has  fmce  been  fometimes  confounded  with  it. 

The  Reformation  was  fome  twenty-five  years  old,  when  thefe 
Sermons  were  uttered.  Inftrumentally,  it  had  been  the  work 
of  many  Scholars,  of  fome  of  the  Town  Clergy,  Monks,  &c.,  of 
Merchants  and  the  like,  and  of  the  Lollards  among  the  lower 
claffes.  It  began  before  Henry  courted  Anne  Boleyn,  and  would 
have  certainly  come  to  pafs  had  he  or  fhe  died  in  Wolfey's  life 
time  :  but  the  Divorce  Queftion  became  for  ever  mixed  up 
with  the  change  of  Faith  and  \\orfhip  among  the  people  of 
England. 

The  Reformation — as  in  the  cafe  of  the  firfl  foundation  of  Chrif- 
tianity,  as  indeed  of  neceffity  mufl  be  the  cafe  of  the  eftablifh- 
ment  of  any  religion  upon  earth— began  with  a  few.  Thefe 
fearchers  after  Truth  and  Holinefs  went  on  leavening  the  people. 
The  Reformers  and  the  Reformed  had  been"and  were  even  now  far 
outnumbered  by  the  Inland  Catholic  population  :  the  country 
Clergy,  Gentry,  Farmers,  and  Labourers.  It  was  a  long  con 
flict  between  the  Government  and  the  more  active  Intelligence 
of  the  Minority  in  the  Nation,  refiding  in  Univerfity  and  fouthern 
cities:  and  the  Confervatifm  of  a  Majority  living  in  purely  agri 
cultural  diftri<5ts  and  in  the  remoter  northern  towns. 

The  procefs  of  the  Reformation  was  moft  difficult  to  the  un 
lettered  people.  All  that  was  concrete  in  a  gorgeous  ceremonial 
and  worfliip  was  replaced  by  the  fiinple  enunciation  of  prin 
ciples  of  life  and  conduct,  and  their  application  to  all  conditions 
of  fociety.  The  Mafs  and  the  Proccffion  were  fucceeded  by  the 
long  Sermon,  which  even  now  fends  fome  of  its  hearers  into  a 
quiet  fleep,  and  which  Lifted  three  or  four  hours,  as  Latimer 
intended  his  Sermon  in  this  fame  Lent  to  have  done.  \Yh:U 
had,  for  ages  palt,  been  confidcred  as  unerring  authority  in  all 
matters  towards  Cod,  had  now  been  indignantly  abandoned 
as  a  prepoflerous  fraud.  Roods,  fhrines,  and  other  vehicles  of 
adoring  wurfhip  alfo  became  a  mock  and  bye-word.  To 
crown  all  ;  in  place  of  the  comfort  and  certainly  of  a  pre- 
tentioully  infallible  fyftem  could  only  be  offered  inducements 
to  incel'lant  llriving  after  that  which  is  True,  Right,  and  Pure. 
The  Reloimaii.in  in  leading  the  people  to  a  higher  life,  impofed 
upon  them  the-  arduous  toil  of  the  afcent. 

\Yhnt  then  was  the  tafk  of  the  Reformers:  firfl  in  unlearning 
and  in  learning  themfelves  ;  then  in  teaching,  under  all  conceiv- 


i  o  Introduction. 

able  oppofition,  the  people.  The  firft  Reformers  engaged  againft 
enormous  odds.  They  faced  a  Hierarchy  that  could,  by  power  of 
Law,  finite  down  its  antagonifls  even  unto  death.  So  that  rnoft 
of  the  Reformers  came  to  be  judicially  murdered  for  their 
opinions :  and  then,  by  a  ftrange  change  of  fate,  fome  of 
their  Judges  followed  them  in  differing  like  cruel  injuftice. 

Such  furvivors  of  this  firft  Band,  as  efcaped  the  block  and  the 
(lake,  re-appeared  in  public  life,  like  Latimer  and  Coverdale,  foon 
after  the  acceffion  of  Edward  VI. :  and  then  regained  more  than 
their  prifline  influence  with  the  Reformed. 

With  tiiefe,  joined  a  fecond  race  of  Reformers,  their  fpiritual 
children,  fuch  as  Lever,  Bradford,  Knox,  and  others.  The  Lent 
of  1550,  witneffed  Latimer  preaching  his  laft  Sermon  at  Court, 
his  Ultimum  Vale  to  Edward  VI.,  and  Lever's  firft  addrefs  to 
the  King  and  Nation.  One  generation  was  therein  overlapping 
the  fecoii'l. 

II.  The  Reformation  found  England  fettling  down  from  the 
long  anarchy  of  the  Wars  of  the  Rofes.  From  the  beginning  of 
the  century  there  had  been  a  general  Rife  in  Prices:  fometimes 
a  factitious  and  paffing  one,  by  Speculators  (Foreflallers  or  Re- 
grators  as  they  were  then  called)  rigging  the  market  ;  but  alfo 
through  the  increafing  wealth  of  the  country.  This  had  nothing 
effentially  to  do  with  the  Reformation.  It  was  not  the  cafe  in 
Germany  and  Switzerland  at  the  time.  It  was  the  recovery  of 
this  country  from  the  Civil  Wars. 

But  this  enrichment  was  not  general.  The  rich  became  richer, 
and  the  poor  more  dcftitute.  There  were  few  to  take  the  part 
of  the  poor,  but  the  Preachers.  As  we  liften  to  Lever  we  are 
often  reminded  of  our  prefent  Newfpapers.  The  Pulpit  then 
did  the  work  of  our  Platform,  and  the  Prefs  as  well.  So  thefe 
Sermons,  dealing  with  troubles  and  abufes  all  round,  are  a  per 
fect  revelation  to  us  of  thofe  times.  The  current  events,  and 
what  is  flill  more  valuable,  the  general  talk  and  imprefhon  of 
the  Court  and  the  City  in  1550;  photographed  in  them, 
conftitute  them  moil  valuable  records  of  the  domeftic  hiftory 
of  England  in  that  year  :  while  the  fuperlative  moral  bravery 
of  the  preacher  that  could  fpeak  fuch  home  truths  fo 
plainly  to  the  King,  the  Counfell,  and  that  quick  and 
high-fpirited  People,  cannot  but  win  our  admiration  of  the 
man. 

It  is  impoffible  here  even  to  touch  upon  every  fraud  attacked 
by  the  Preacher:  but  two  chief  points  may  be  confidered,  byway 
of  preparation  to  the  Sermons  themfelves. 

INCLOSURES. — Wool  was  and  had  long  been  the  staple  pro 
duct  of  England.  The  rife  in  the  Price  of  Wool  was  depopulat 
ing  the  country,  defpite  all  ordinances  and  ftatutes  whatfoever. 
Sir  T.  Moore,  in  his  Latin  Utopia,  thus  protefts,  in  the  perfon 


Introduflion.  1 1 

of  Raphael  Hythlodaye,  againfl  the  rapacity  of  landlords  of  all 
forts  anterior  to  1516. 

But  yet  this  is  not  only  the  necessary  cause  of  stealing.  There  is  an  other, 
whych,  as  1  suppose,  is  p[ro]per  and  peculiar  hshmen  alone. 

What  is  that,  quod  the  Cardinal  ?  forsoth  my  lorde  (quod  I)  your  shepe  that 
were  wont  to  be  so  meke  and  tame,  and  so  smal  eaters,  now,  as  I  he-are  save, 
be  become  so  .trrcat  d^uowerers  and  so  wy'de,  that  they  eate  vp,  and  swallow 
downe  the  very  men  them  selfes.  They  consume,  destroye,  and  deuoure 
whole  fieldes,  howses,  and  cities.  For  lookc  in  what  partes  of  the  realme 

we  the   fynest,  and   therfore  dearest   woll,   there  noble   i. 
gentlemen  :  yea   and  certeyn  Abbottes,  holy  men  no  doubt,  not  contenting 
them  selfes  with  the  yearly  reuenues  and  profytes,  that  were  wont  to  grow 
to  theyr  forefathers  and  predecessonrs  of  their  landes.  nor  beynge  content 
that  tliey  Hue  in  rest  and  pleasure  nothin^e  pmi";.  ,'-h  noyinge  the 

weale  publique  :  leaue  no  grounde  for  tillage,  thei  inclose  al  into  ; 
thei  throw  doune   houses:    they  plucke   downe    townes,    and   leant:  nothing 
;  e,  but  only  the  churche  to  be  made  a  shepehowse.     And  a    . 

iid    small  quantity  of  grounde   by   forestes,    chases,   lain 

parkes,  those  <„•  \\  turne  all  dwellinge  places  and  all  that  glebe- 

land  into  desolation  and  wildernes.  Therfore  that  on  couetous  ai: 
able  cormaraunte  and  very  plage  of  his  natyue  contrey  maye  < 
aboute  and  inclose  many  thousand  akers  of  grounde  hin  or.e 

pale  or  hed^e,  the  husbandmen  be  thrust  owte  of  their  owne,  or  els  either  by 
coueyne  and  frande.  or  by  violent  oppression  they  be  i  it,  or  by 

and  ir.iuries  thei  be  so  weried,  that  they  be   compelled   t" 
:eanes  therfore  or  by  other,  either  by  hooke  or  crooke  they  muste 
needes  departe  awaye,  poore,  i.edsoules,  men,  w< 

wines,  fatlierlesse  children,  widowes,  wofull  mothers,  with  the 
and  their  whole  houshold  smal  in  substance,  and  muche  in  ninubi 
bandrye  re(]uireth   nianye  handes.      Awaye  thei  trudge,  I   say,  out  of  their 
knowen  and   a<  uses,  fyndynge  no  place  to  reste  in.     All  their 

housholdestuffe,  whiche  is  verye  little  woorthe,   thoughe  it  n. 
the  sale  :  yet  beexn-e  sodainely  thruste  oute,  tlu-y  be  con>trayned  to  sell  it 
for  a  thing  of  nought.     And  when  they  hatie  wandered  abrode  tyll  that  be 
spent,  what  can  they  then  els  doo  butsteale,  and  then  Justly  pardy  DC  1 
\\'f,.     And  yet  then  also  they  be  caste  in 

-  rke  n«t  :  whom   no  man  v. 

workc,  though  thei  neuer  so  willyn.L;ly  j'.rofrr  t  For  one 

Shephearde  or  Heardman  is  ynoughe  to  eate  vp  thai  grounde  with  cattel,  to 

:    aboute    hi.  iiye    handes  were    ; 

And  (hi  i.-.e  why  victualles  be  now  in  many  places  dean  r.    Yea, 

't "  wnllc  is  so  rysen.  I  ilces,  which  v. 

:  •    cloth  therof,  be   DOWC  hal  ie  at  all.      And 

by  thys  ;  u.anye  be  forced  to  for  ake  \\orke,  and  to  gene  them 

. 

an   iiifmite    multitude   of  shepe  dyed   of  the    rotte,    sin  he    \> 
toke  of  tip  ir   inordinate   and  vnsariable  .  a:;e   the 

shepe   tl;  i    morrein,    whiche    much   more    iustely    shoi:' 

And  though  the  number  of  shepe 

•,  yet  the  price  f.dleth  not  one  myte,  because  there  be 
they  be  almooste  all  coinen  into  a  fewe  rich- 

i\:th  to  sell  before  they  h:   '  iu>,te  not 

bjfore  they  maye  sell  as  deare  as  they  luste."    />/>.  40-4-.  I'.d.  1869. 

Mvcr  In  ice  Mn(.rc  wrote,  tlie  (late  of  things  of  which  he  thus 
complains  had  eoiiiimu-il  to  incrcafc  rather  than  diminifh. 

The  Rev.  F.  W.  KuilVll  in  his  Kelt's  Rebellion  in  •Norfolk, 
I'M.  1^51),  4t«,  tells  u.s  that  "at  this  time,  the  arable  land  of  any 
village  or  townihip,  known  as  'the  field' — a  name  flill  in 
common  ufe— was  fubdivided  by  ridges  called  '  bawlkes '  into 


1 2  Introduction. 

'lands'  belonging  to  the  different  proprietors,  who  cultivated 
them  and  took  the  produce:  but  when  '  the  corne  was  inned  and 
harueft  don,'  then  all  had  right  of  common  over  the  whole. 
Juft  prior  to  Kelt's  rebellion,  the  practice  began  to  be  generally 
adopted  by  thofe  who  had  two  or  more  lying  together,  to  enclofe 
thefe  '  lands'  as  well  as  others,  viz.,  the  wafte  lands  of  the  manor, 
that  ought  to  be  common,  and  it  was  againft  fuch  enclofures  that 
the  efforts  of  Kett  and  his  affociates  were  efpecially  directed." 

A  Commiffion  to  redrefs  Enclofures  was  iffued  by  King 
Edward's  Counfell  on  2  June  1548.  In  a  fpeech  of  one  of  the 
Commiffioners,  Mr.  John  Hales,  preferved  by  Strype,  we  have 
the  following  official  definition  :  — 

But  first,  to  declare  unto  you  what  is  meant  by  this  word  inclosures.  It 
is  not  taken  where  a  man  doth  enclose  and  hedge  in  his  own  proper  ground, 
where  no  man  hath  commons.  For  such  inclosure  where  no  man  hath  com 
mons.  For  such  inclosure  is  very  beneficial  to  the  commonwealth  ;  it  is  a  cause 
of  great  increase  of  wood,  but  it  is  meant  therby,  when  any  man  hath  taken 
away  and  enclosed  any  other  mens  commons,  or  hath  pulled  down  houses  of 
husbandry,  and  converted  the  lands  from  tillage  to  pasture.  This  is  the  mean 
ing  of  the  word,  and  we  pray  you  to  remember  it. 

To  defeat  these  statuts,  as  we  be  informed,  some  have  not  pulled  down  their 
houses,  but  maintain  them;  howbeit  no  person  dwelleth  therin  ;  or  if  there 
be,  it  is  but  a  shepheard  or  a  milkmaid,  and  convert  the  lands  from  tillage  to 
pasture  :  and  some  about  one  hundred  acres  of  ground,  or  more  or  less,  make 
a  furrow,  and  sow  that ;  and  the  rest  they  till  not,  but  pasture  their  sheep. 
And  some  take  the  lands  from  their  houses,  and  occupy  them  in  husbandry ; 
but  let  the  houses  out  to  beggars  and  old  poor  people.  Some,  to  colour  the 
multitude  of  their  sheep,  father  them  on  their  children,  kinsfolks,  and  ser 
vants.  A:l  which  be  but  only  crafts  and  subtilties  to  defraud  the  laws,  such 
as  no  good  man  will  use,  but  rather  abhor.— Eccles.  Mem.  n.  //.  361.  Ed. 
1822. 

Such  was  one  form  of  the  ftruggle  for  the  poffeffion  of  the  land 
of  the  country,  on  account  of  its  increafing  value.  Another  form 
of  this  covetoufnefs  (and  can  we  wonder  at  Latimer  and  Lever 
denouncing  covetoufnefs  fo  much  !)  confided  in 

IMPROPRIATIONS  OFECCLESIASTICALBENEFICES;  which  were 
the  poffeffion  of  their  revenues  by  corporations,  non-refident 
clergy,  or  laymen  ;  and  the  delegation  of  the  fpiritual  duties  of  the 
benefice  to  a  Curate  :  and  of  the  temporal  duties  (collecting  the 
tithes,  keeping  up  hofpitality,  and  the  like)  unto  a  Farmer. 
This  abufe  alfo  exifted  long  before  the  Reformation. 

Sir  Francis  Bygod  [?  of  Mogreve  Caflle  in  Blakemore],  who 
on  a  fudden  joined,  and  by  joining,  ruined  77ie  Pilgrimage  of 
Grace,  in  January  1537  :  f°r  which  he  was  hanged  at  Tyburn  in 
the  June  following.  Froude  \_HiJl.  of  England,  Hi.  193.  Ed. 
1858]  wrote  a  ftrange  tract  entitled  A  Treatife  concernynge  im- 
propriations  of  benefices,  printed  j,by  T.  Godfrey,  without  date: 
but  certainly  after  the  birth  of  the  Princefs  Elizabeth  (7  Sept. 
1533)  and  before  the  fuppreffion  of  the  leffer  Monafteries  (with 
lefs  than  £200  [  =£3000  now]  a  year)  in  March  1536;  fay  therefore 
about  1534. 

In  this   farrago  of  creeds,  Bygod  calls  Henry  the  'fupreme 


Introduction.  13 

bed,'  the  Pope  the  'gret  draffacke  of  Rome,'  approves  'of 
the  preaching  of  the  Gofpel,'  and  yet  talks  of  the  '  bleffed 
Mafs.'  Notwithflanding  all  this,  Bygod — apparently  then  a 
'  Six  Articles'  man— could  write  to  good  purpofe  on  his  griev 
ance. 

But  me  thynketh  I  here  you  whysper  that  ye  be  no  mtirtherers  /  theues/ 
pykers  /  sacrylegans  /  nor  yet  none  of  all  this  geare  /  No  ar  nat  ?  Well  / 
than  I  se  well  we  must  haue  more  to  do  with  you.  For  as  moche  as  ye  denye 
the  cryme  layde  vnto  your  charge.  You  shall  vnderstande  that  good  and 
vertuouse  men  before  our  dnyes  /  whiche  loued  the  wyll  of  god  /  whiche  loued 
his  holy  pleasure  /  whiche  regarded  his  commaundement  /  whose  medyta- 
tyons  and  studye  both  day  and  nighte  was  /  to  set  forth  his  glorie  /  to 
auaunce  his  blessed  worde  /  and  to  maynteine  the  ministers  of  the  same  / 
dyd  (no  dout  of  it)  with  the  consent  of  higher  powers  of  kynges  and  of 
princes  /  and  of  their  most  honourable  counsels  /  folowynge  (in  this  behalfe) 
the  olde  lawe  /  for  the  most  easyest  waye  and  spedyest  prouisyon  /  appoynt  / 
assygne  and  ordeyne  (for  the  same  ministers  to  be  maynteyned)  decymations 
or  tythes  /  wyllynge  and  myndynge  by  this  good  prouisyon  /  that  within 
euery  congregation  or  parysshe  /  the  minister  of  goddes  worde  there  /  shulde 
be  sure  at  all  tymes  of  a  lyuynge  raysed  and  gathered  of  these  sayde  decyma 
tions  /  and  therein  to  haue  added  a  certayne  name  /  callynge  it  a  benefyce  / 
personage  or  vycarage  /  and  lyke  wyse  turnynge  the  name  of  a  minister  or 
curate  /  to  the  name  of  a  persone  or  vycare,  Furthermore  orderynge  that  one 
man  shall  haue  authoritie  /  as  patrone  /  to  name  this  parsone  /  and  so  to  giue 
this  same  benefyce :  albe[i]t  /peraduenture  that  other  in  the  sameparyshe  gyue 
as  moche  to  the  annuall  lyuynge  of  the  parsone  as  the  patrone  doth.  Besydes 
this  /  they  ordeyned  him  a  mantion  to  dwel  in  among  them  /  to  th[e]entente  that 
for  his  dilygente  administration  /  he  shulde  haue  euery  thinge  necessarye  for 
him  within  his  owne  gouernance  :  yea  /  and  haue  it  brought  euen  home  vnto 
him  /  to  dyspose  at  his  pleasure  /  as  it  shall  be  most  expedyent  and  necessary 
for  him  /  that  the  more  quyetly  he  mighte  studye  and  apply  him  selfe  to 
minister  vnto  them  the  pure  worde  of  god  /  and  to  be  euer  redy  at  hande  to  en- 
slructe  them  of  all  thinges  necessarye  for  ye  helth  of  their  smiles  /  and  to  be 
their  trewe  watchman  and  shepherde  to  take  them  from  the  rauysshynge 
wolfe  /  and  lyke  a  good  trew  herdesman  /  a  pastoure  to  go  afore  them  in 
spirytuall  and  vertumise  conuersation  :  and  euer  whan  they  be  scabbed  to 
anoynte  them  gentely  with  the  softe  and  swete  salue  of  goddes  worde  /  all 
rancoure  and  stryfe  layde  a  parte.  Nowe  my  maisters  impropriated  or  im 
proper  maisters  howe  saye  ye  by  youre  fathers  /  haue  nat  you  with  your 
crafty  collusyon  /  almooste  throughe  Englande  /  dystroyed  these  holy  and 
godly  prouysons  /  made  for  the  mayntenance  of  goddes  holy  word  /  and  for 
th[e]administratyon  of  this  most  blessed  sacramentes  /  for  the  helth  /  welth  / 
and  saluatyon  of  mans  soule  /  for  the  vpholdynge  of  the  trewe  and  catholyque 
fayth  /  for  the  supportacyon  of  vertue  /  and  dystruction  of  vyce.  Have  nat 
ymi  (I  saye)  by  the  glykynge  and  gleynyng  /  snatchynge  and  scratchinge  / 
tatchynge  and  patchynge  /  scrapinge  and  rakynge  togyther  of  almost  all  the 
fatte  benefyces  within  this  lealineandimpropriatyn.ye  them  vnto  youre  seines  / 
distroycd  this  most  godlye  and  holy  prouision  /  bereyued  the  peple  of  ye 
worde  of  god  /  of  ye  trew  knowlege  of  ye  blessed  sacramentes  /  of  their  trew 
beleue  and  faith  in  god  the  father  /  and  the  blode  of  lesu  Christ.  For  howe 
can  the  people  haue  any  faith  in  god  withoute  preachiniire  '!  11  owe  shulde  they 
haue  any  preachynge  whan  ye  haue  robbed  them  of  their  ministers '(  How 
shulde  the  minister*  seme  them  whan  ye  haue  robbed  them  of  theire  lyuynge? 
If  the  peple  haue  no  faith  how  can  they  haue  charyte  ?  If  they  haue  no 
charytie  /  what  merueyle  is  it  /  if  they  ronne  hedlonge  and  be  caryed  from  one 
vyce  to  another  /  from  one  mischefe  to  another  ?  Be  nat  ye  th[e]  occasion  of 
all  this?  Who  is  elles  I  praye  you?  Haue  nat  ye  the  impropriations  ?  Be 
the  impropriacyonsi  any  thinge  els  sauynge  benefyces  as  parsonages  /  and 
such  lyke  ?  Do  we  not  say  such  an  abbot  is  parsone  here  /  suche  a  priour  is 
parsone  here  ?  yea  /  suche  a  prioresse  is  parsone  here  ? 


1 4  Introduction. 

After  dealing  with  the  objection  'We  haue  teachingeinongh /and  that  there 
is  neuer  the  lesse  preachynge  for  yon; '  Bygod  thus  goes  on. 

But  nowe  ye  wyll  obiecte  that  no  ordynaunce  of  god  is  broken  /  hindered  /  or 

prohibytedonyour  behalfein  this  mater.  For  thoughe  thebenefyce  be  impropri- 

ate  to  a  monster  /  I  wolde  saye  to  a  monasterye  /  yet  th[e]abbot  or  prionre  ap- 

poynteth  a  monke  or  chanon  to  be  the  minister  /  and  to  preche  the  worde  of 

god  to  the  parysshe  /  who  shall  tarye  and  abyde  amonge  his  parysshoners  / 

and  haue  oute  of  the  same  benefyce  a  suftycyente  lyuynge  /  and  the  reste 

thereof  to  come  home  to  th[e]abbot  and  his  hretherne  :  and  this  is  no  break- 

lyn.umce  /  but   rather  a  turnynge   of  it  to  a  better  vse. 

:vnto  1  aus\vere  /  that  where  any  such  vicare  or  minyster  is  instytiited 

of  his  abbot  or  priour  /  and  trewly  laboureth  in  th[e]administration  of  goddes 

worde  /  it  is  nat  one'.y  well  done  to  gyue  him  a  suffycyent  lyuynge  out  of  the 

same  benefyce  /  but  also  he  were  wel  worthy  to  haue  it  euerywhitte  /  and  as 

for  the  rest  that   haboundeth  /  let  him  kepe   hospytalyte  /  as  Paule  com- 

ma-.indeth  /  or  of  necessytie  wylleth  him  to  do  /  and  I  saye/  there  shall  but 

lytell   remayne  to  sende  home   to  th[e]abbot  /  and  if  he  do  nat  kepe  hospy- 

t  dyte  of  the  rest  /  then  is  he  a  thefe  and  thfejabbot  another  /  for  the  rest  is 

>re  indygentes.      But  howe  faythfull  and  dilygent  suche  men  be  so  in- 

stytuted  by  abbotes  and  priours  to  preache  the  worde  of  god  /  and  howe  sore 

j  thervvith  charged  by  their  heedes.     I  thynke  though  I  wolde  cloke 

it  /  yet  th[e]effecte  wyl  nat  suffre  it.     Yet  / 1  beleue  rather  that  they  ben  the 

;o  persecutors  of  goddes  worde  /  rather  than  the  furtherers  therof.  .   .   . 

r.ut  n.>we  these  men  beynge  neuer  without  excuses  /  may  peraduenture 
th'r.ike  this  to  be  a  good  answere  f  T  me.  We  praye  for  tlie  soules  of  them 
that  haue  improperated  such  benefyces  vnto  vs  /  and  synge  masse  and  diryge 
for  them  /  and  set  vp  tapers  for  them  to  burne  both  daye  and  night.  Where- 
vnto  fyrst  I  say  /  that  ii"  a  man  demaunded  of  you  an  accompte  to  be  gyuen 
of  youre  so  doynge  /  askynge  you  who  taught  you  to  apply  ye  blessed  masse 
that  wave  /  with  the  psalmes  and  lessons  in  the  diryge  conteyned  /  and  de- 
syred  you  to  shew  scripture  for  it.  I  thynke  peraduenture  that  ye  might 
come  short  home  of  a  wyse  answere  /  which  if  ye  can  make  /  I  thinke  ther  is 
no  man  but  he  wyl  be  wel  content  ther  with.  .  .  . 

Some  men  that  fauoure  these  newe  founde  sectes  /  wyll  peraduenture  say : 
Well  /  yet  it  is  better  these  monkes  /  chanons  /  and  suche  lyke  haue  the  im- 
propriatyons  (whiche  though  they  preche  nat  /  yet  they  kepe  some  hospi- 
talyte)  rather  than  the  seculer  priestes  shulde  haue  them  /  as  they  haue  had 
before  /  which  kepe  no  hospitalytie  nor  preche  nother.  To  this  it  is  easy  to 
answere  :  That  it  is  not  mete  that  any  man  what  s.ieuer  he  be  /  shuld  receyue 
the  benefyte  or  frute  of  a  precher  /  onles  he  do  his  duty  therfore 

Is  it  nat  great  pitye  to  se  a  man  to  hane  thre  or  foure  benefyces  :  yea  per 
aduenture  halfe  a  score  or  a  dosyn  /  which  he  neuer  c*ometh  at  /  but  setteth 
in  euery  one  of  them  a  syr'  lohn  lacke  laten  /  that  can  scarce  rede  his  por- 
teus  /  orels  suche  a  rauenynge  wolfe  as  canne  do  nothynge  but  deuoure  the 
sely  shepe  with  hi>  false  dootryne  /  and  sucke  their  substannce  from  them. 
Lorde  /  if  it  be  thy  pleasure  /  ones  haue  mercye  vpon  vs  /  and  gyue  grace 
that  we  may  haue  some  remedye  founde  for  thys  myschiefe  /  bothe  of  im- 
propriatyons  /  and  also  of  them  that  minister  not  the  worde  of  god  faythfully 
v;>  m  their  benefyces :  as  they  ought  to  do  :  for  I  haue  k  o\ven  suche  /  that 
whan  thev  hauen'rydden  by  a  benefyce  wherof  they  haue  ben  persone  /  they 
coulde  natte  tell  that  it  was  their  benefyce.  This  is  a  wonderful!  blyndnesse. 

We  have  not  fpace  here  to  illuflrate  the  great  fiafco  of  the 
Suppreflion  of  the  Monafteries,  the  decay  of  the  Univerfities,  the 
upriung  of  the  lower  claffes  again  ft  the  Nobility  and  Gentry,  the 
utter  deflitution  of  the  poor,  the  pluralities  of  benefices,  the  gen 
eral  covetoufnefs,  and  the  other  crying  abufes  denounced  in  thefe 
Sermons.  Mod  of  the  complaints  of  that  time  have  been  ably 
collected  by  Mr.  F.  ].  Furnivall,  in  his  Ballads  from  MSS. 
Vol.  I.  Ed.  1868,  to  which  we  must  refer  our  readers. 

1  The  customary  title  of  respect  at  this  time  for  priests,  as  Esquire  is  now 
for  the  laity. 


Introduction.  1  5 

The  beft  fetting  we  can  put  to  thefe  difcourfes  are  the  follow 
ing  brief  extracts  from  Stowe,  of  the  commotions  of  the  two 
years  1549  and  1550  — 

1549.  MAY.  By  meanes  of  a  proclamation  for  inclosures,  the  commons  of 
Somerset.-hire  and  Lincolnshire  made  a  commotion,  and  brake  vp  certain 
parks  of  Sir  IV.  Herberts,  and  Lord  Sturtons,  but  sir  W.  Herbert  slewe 
and  executed  many  of  those  rebels. 

JULY.  The  commons  of  Kssex  and  Kent,  Suffolk  and  Norfolk,  rose  against 
inclosures,  and  pulled  down  diners  parks  and  houses. 

Also  the  commons  of  Cornewall  and  Deuoushire  rose  against  the  nobles 
and  gentlemen,  and  required  not  onely  that  the  inclosures  might  bee  dis- 
parked,  but  also  to  haue  their  old  religion,  and  act  of  sixe  articles  restored  : 
these  besieged  the  citie  of  Excester,  which  was  valiantlie  defended.  Against 
these  rebels  was  sent  John  L[ordJ.  Russell  Lord  priuy  >cale,  with  a  number 
of  souldiers,  who  entered  the  city  of  Excester  the  5  of  AUGUST,  where  they 
slew  and  took  prisoners  of  the  rebels  more  than  4000.  and  after  hanged  diuers 
of  them  in  the  towne  and  country  about.  The  L[ord].  Gray  was  also  sent  with 
a  number  of  strangers,  Almaine  and  Germaine  horsemen,  who  in  diuers  con- 
fiicts  slewe  manie  people,  and  spoiled  the  country. 

31  JULY.  William,  L|ord].  marques  of  Northampton,  entred  the  city  of 
Norwich,  and  on  the  next  morning,  the  rebels  also  entred  the  towne,  burned 
parte  thereof,  put  the  L[ordJ  marques  to  flight,  and  slew  the  L[ordJ  Shef 
field. 

22  JULY.  In  this  meane  time  diuers  persons  were  apprehended  as  aiders  of 
of  the  foresaid  rebels  or  reporters  of  their  doinges,  of  the  which  one  was  the 
Bailife  of  Romford  in  Essex,  hanged  within  Aldgate,  and  an  other  of  Kent, 
at  the  bridge  foot  toward  Southwark,  both  on  Mary  blagdaleus  day  by 
inarti  ill  law. 

8  AUG.  The  French  Ambassador  did  in  name  of  his  maister  the  Ffrench] 
King,  made  defiance  vnto  the  King  of  England,  and  so  the  war  began. 

In  the  beginning  of  AUGUST  the  French  [suddenly  attempted  Guernsey 
and  Jersey,  but  were  repulsed  with  the  loss  of  a  thousand  men.] 

The  16  of  AUG.,  a  man  was  hanged  without  Bishopsgate  of  London,  and 
one  other  without  Aldgate,  the  third  at  Totenham,  the  fourth  at  Waltham, 
and  so  forth  in  diuers  other  places,  all  by  martial!  law. 

The  rebels  in  Norfolke  and  Suffolke  encamped  themselues  at  mount  Surrey, 
in  a  wood  called  S.  Nicholas  wood,  neere  vnto  Norwich,  against  whom  sir 
lolin  Dudley  carle  of  Warwike  went  with  an  army,  where  bothe  he  and  a 
great  number  of  gentlemen  meeting  with  the  rebels  were  in  such  daunger,  as 
they  had  thought  all  to  haue  died  in  that  place,  but  God  that  confoundcth 
the  purpose  of  all  rebels,  brought  it  so  to  passe,  that  aswcl  there  as  in  all 
other  places,  they  were  partly  by  power  constrained,  partly  by  promise  of 
their  pardon,  perswaded  to  submit  themselues  to  their  prince  :  the  earle  of 
Warwike  entred  the  city  of  Norwich  the  27  of  AUGUST,  when  he  had  slaine 
jiboue  5000.  of  the  rebels,  and  taken  their  chief  captaine  Robert  Ket  of 
Wiiidham  [WymondbaiD]  tanner,  which  might  depend  in  lands  fifty  pound 
now]  by  yeere,  and  was  worth  MI  moueables  aboue  a  thousand 


inarkes,  [^666  —  say  ;£  10,000  now].  When  he  had  put  to  execution  diuers  of 
the  rebells  in  diuers  place-,  about  Norwich,  he  returned. 

The  28  of  AUG.  tidings  was  brought  to  K[ing]  Edward  and  the  lord  pro 
tector,  that  the  French  men  had  taken  lilacknes,  Hamiltew  and  Newhauen 
by  I'.oleinc,  and  had  slaine  all  the  Englishmen,  and  taken  the  kings  ordi 
nance  and  victuals. 

About  this  time  also,  a  commotion  began  at  Semer  in  the  north-riding  of 
Yorke-shire,  and  continued  in  the  east-riding,  and  there  ended  :  the  }  nnapall 
raysers  whereof  were  ll'illiain  O»ii-l,-r  of  east  He-tnion  yeomen,  li.omas 
I  hi  If  parish  clearke  ol'l"  Seiner,  and  A'AT'/V/.WW  of  Semer  :  bring  preuented  by 
the  lord  president  from  rising  at  Wintringham,  they  drew  to  a  place  at 
r  by  the  sea  coa^t,  ami  there  by  night  rode  to  the  beacon  at  Staxton, 
and  set  it  on  tire,  and  so  gathered  a  rude  route  ;  then  they  went  to  master 


1 6  Introduction. 

Whites  house,  and  tooke  him,  and  Clapton  his  \viues  brother,  Sauage  a 
merchant  of  Yorke,  and  Bery  seruant  to  sir  Walter  Mild  may,  which  foure 
they  murthered  a  mile  from  Seiner  and  there  lefte  them  naked:  their  number 
increased  to  3000. 

On  21  AUG.  the  kings  pardon  was  offered,  which  Ombler  and  other  re 
fused,  who  were  shortly  after  taken,  and  brought  to  York,  where  Thomas 
Dale  and  other  were  executed  the  21  of  SEPTEMBER. 

[6-14  Oct.  The  coup  d'etat  of  the  Earl  of  Warwick  aided  by  some  of  the 
counsel!  and  the  Londoners ;  ending  in  the  deposition  of  the  Duke  of  Somerset 
as  Lord  Protector.] 

14  OCT.  The  Duke  of  Somerset  brought  from  Windsor  and  put  in  the  Tower. 

29  Nov.  Robert  Ket  was  hanged  in  chaines  on  the  top  of  Norwich  castle, 
and  William  Ket  likewise  hanged  on  the  top  of  Windham  [Wymondham] 
steeple. 

Nov.-DEC.  The  Scots  tooke  Burticrage  in  Scotland,  and  other  holds  then 
possessed  by  Englishmen,  where  the  Scots  slue  man,  woman,  and  childe,  ex 
cept  Sir  lohn  Lutterell  the  captaiae,  whome  they  took  prisoner. 

,1550.  27  JAN.  Humfrey  Anmdell esquire,  Thomas Holmes,  Win slowe and 
Bery,  captaines  of  the  rebels  in  Deuonshire,  were  hanged  and  quartered  at 
Tyborne. 

2  FEB.  Candlemas  Day  ;  also  Septuagesima  Sunday. 

(1)  ICtiontas  ILebcr's  Sermon  in  tlje  Shrautis  of  5>t.  Rani's. 

(2)  The  Duke  of  Somerset  makes  his  Submission  in  the  Tower. 

(3)  The  Lords  of  the  Counsell  are  changed,  Warwick's  faction  coming 

into  office 
6  FEB.    The  Duke  of  Somerset  delivered  out  of  the  Tower. 

10  FEB.   One  Bel  a  Suffolke  man,  was  hanged  and  quartered  at  Tyborne, 
for  mouing  a  new  rebellion  in  Suffolk  and  Essex. 

16  MAR.  Mid-Lent  Sunday.    ^Thomas  ILefarr's  Sermon  before  the  Htng. 

31  MAK.   Peace  proclaimed  between  England  and  France. 

8  APR.  The  Duke  of  Somerset  came  to  court  at  Grenewich  and  was  sworn  of 
the  Privy  Counsell. 

2  MAY.  Joan  of  Kent  was  brent  in  Smithfield  for  heresie. 

14  MAY.  Ric.  Lion.  Goddard  Gorran,  and  Ric.  Ireland were  executed 
for  attempting  a  newe  rebellion  in  Kent. 

Trinity  Terme  (n  JUNE — 2  JULY)  was  adiorned  till  Michaelmas,  for  that 
the  gentlemen  should  keepe  the  commons  from  commotion. 

11  JUNE.  At  night  the  high  Altar  in  Paules  Church  was  pulled  down,  and 
a  Table   set  where  the   altar    stoode,  with  a  Vayle   drawne  beneath   the 
Steppes,  and  on  the  Sundaie  next  [15  June]  a  Communion  was  sung  at  the 
same  Table,  and  shortly  after  all  the  altars  in  London  were  taken  downe,  and 
Tables  placed  in  their  room. 

14  DEC.  Second  Sunday  after  Advent.  ^Thomas  letter's  Sermon  at  ^aula 
dross. 

All  thefe  evils  were  by  many  charged  to  the  Change  of  Faith. 
Hence  the  energy  of  the  Preachers  to  rebut  the  flander,  by  expof- 
ing  their  true  and  many  caufes.  The  political  economy  of  that 
time — faulty  as  we  now  fee  it  to  be — was  bafed  upon  the  prin 
ciple  of  difinterefted  fervice  for  the  common  good.  Men  were 
urged  not  by  their  felf-intereft,  but  by  the  dread  and  love  of  God, 
to  do  their  duty  to  each  other  and  the  State.  Among  all  thofe 
preachers  none  more  bravely  fought  the  battle  of  the  loyal  poor  ; 
none  more  vigoroufly,  even  to  perfonal  hazard  and  danger,  ex- 
pofed  the  cruelty,  covetoufnefs,  and  craft  of  the  rich  and  the 
clergy  than  Thomas  Lever,  the  Cambridge  Fellow,  and  the 
Boanerges  of  the  Reformation. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

Lever's  printed  Sermons  were  very  popular  when  first  published.  No  less 
than  five  editions  of  the  three  discourses  were  published  in  1550  :  viz.,  two  of 
the  Sermon  in  the  Shrouds,  two  of  that  before  the  King,  and  one  of  that  at 
Paul's  Cross. 

Twenty-two  years  later,  they  were  revised  by  Lever,  and  published  to 
gether,  under  a  fresh  title.  Since  then,  they  have  not  been  printed  until 
the  present  edition. 

One  reason  for  this  has  been  the  excessive  scarcity  of  copies  of  all  these 
first  Editions.  They  were  soon  thumbed  out  of  existence,  like  the  Author's 
Right  ivay  frotn  the  daungcr  of  sinne,  &*c.  printed  at  Geneva  in  1556, 
which  had  all  but  perished  by  1571  :  and  after  his  death  they  were  virtually 
lost  in  oblivion. 

It  may  be  useful  therefore  to  quote  their  titles  and  colophons  :  and  to  dis 
tinguish  the  present  possessors  of  copies,  so  far  as  I  know. 


ISSUES    IN    THE    AUTHOR'S    LIFETIME. 

I. — As  separate  publications. 

Sermon  tn  tfye  Sfjrouos   of  St.  Caul's. 

Septuagesima  Sunday,  2  Feb.  1550. 
. '.  A  dated  and  an  undated  edition. 

1.  TITLE.  A  fruitfull   Sermon  made  in  Poules  churche  at  London  in  the 

Shroudes,    the   seconde   daye   of  Febuari   by  Thomas   Leuer. 
Anno  M.  D.  and  fiftie. 

COL.  C  Imprinted  at  London  by  lohn  Daie,  dwelling  ouer  Aldersgate, 
and  William  Seres,  dwelling  in  Peter  Colledge  (.'.)  Cum 
priuilegio  ad  i»i/»'i»ii'iittn»i  solutn.  H.  PYNE. 

2.  1550.  APR.  9.  TITLE:  as  at/.  19. 

COL.:  as  at/.  52.     H.  PyNE  (wants  title);  BODLEIAN. 


.Sermon  before  Etna;  !5ofoarti  F5. 

Mid-Lent  Sunday,  16  March  1550. 
.  . '.  A  dated  and  an  undated  edition. 

3.  1550.  APR.  9.  TITLE,  as  at/.  53. 

COL.  :  as  at  /.  90.     H.  PYNE  (T.  Baker's  copy) ;  BOD 
LEIAN. 

4.  1550.         TITLE.  A  Sermon  preached  the  thyrd  Sondaye  in  Lente  before 

the  Kynges^Maiestie,  and  his  honorable  Counsell,  by  Thomas 
Leauer.     Anno  Domini.  M.ccccc.l.  *  .'.  * 

COL.  C!  Imprynted  at  London  by  Ihon  Day  dwcllinge  ouer 
Aldersgate,  beneth  saint  Marty  us.  And  are  to  be  sold  at 
his  shop  by  the  litle  conduit  in  Chepesyde  at  the  sygne  of  the 
:i  rection.  Cum  priuilegio  ad  iinprimcndiitn  solunt.  Per 
septcnnium.  H.  PYNE. 

There  is  a  misprint  in  most  of  the  title-pages.  These  copies  have  '  the 
thyrd  Sonday  in  Lent,'  but  the  text  is  the  same.  Lever  took  his  text  from 
'  the  gospell  of  this  day,  written  in  the.  vi.  of  lohan,"  sec  /.  58.  This  fixes 

B 


i8  BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

the  particular  Sunday  with  absolute  certainty,  for  in  Edward  VI. 's  first 
Prayer-Book,  which  came  into  use  on  the  Feast  of  Pentecost  (9  June)  1549, 
as  in  our  present  version  of  it,  the  Miracle  of  Feeding  the  Five  Thousand  is 
the  Gospell  for  the  fourth  Sunday  in  Lent,  which  fell  in  1550,  on  i6th  of 
March.  Lever  also  puts  the  true  date  in  the  revised  edition  of  1572.  See 
below. 

.'.  There  is  no  authority  for  the  above  order,  as  regards  the'undated  im 
pressions.  It  will  be  seen  that  1,  2  and  3  are  printed  by  Day  and  Seres 
jointly  :  and  4  by  Day  alone. 


Sermon  at  Caul's  (Eross. 

Second  Sunday  in  Advent,  14  December  1550. 

5.  1550.  TITLE,  as  at/.  91. 

COL.,  as  at/.  144.     BODLEIAN. 

II.— Collected  together. 

6.  1572.   FIRST  TITLE.  f[  Three  fruitfull  Sermons,  made  by  Thomas  Leuer. 

Anno  domini.  1550.  51  And  now  newlie  perused  by  the 
aucthour.  London.  Imprinted  by  I.  Kytigston,  for  Henry 
Kirckhan'..  1572. 

TITLE  TO  SECOND  SERMON.  A  Sermon  preached  the  iiii.  Sondaie 
in  Lente,  before  the  kynges  Maiestie  and  his  honorable 
Counsaile,  by  Thomas  Leuer.  Anno  Domini.  1550. 

TITLE  TO  THIRD  SERMON.  A  Sermon  preached  at  Paules  crosse 
the  xiiii.  daie  of  December,  by  Thomas  Leuer.  Anno  Domini 
J55o. 

COL.,  as  at/.  144. 

LAMBETH  LIBRARY:  ST.  JOHN'S  COLLEGE,  CAMBRIDGE, 
(See  Rev.  C.  H.  Hartshorne's  Book  Rarities  of  the  Uni 
versity  of  Cambridge,  p.  443.  Ed.  1829.) 

.'.  The  principal  variations  of  this  edition  are  shown  within  [  ],  words 
omitted  in  it  that  are  in  the  earlier  impressions  are  asterisked  *.  One  cha 
racteristic  of  the  revision  is  the  prefix  of  Saint  to  the  Apostles'  names. 


ISSUES    SINCE  THE    AUTHOR'S   DEATH. 

I.— Collected  together. 
1870.  Nov.  15.  8vo.  English  Reprints:  see  title  at/,  i. 


.'.  Cordial  thanks  are  due  to  Mr.  Pyne,  (who  first  pointed  out  to  me  the 
mportance  of  these  Sermons,)  for  the  loan, — out  of  his  splendid  collection  of 
English  Books,  before  1600  A.D.,  -of  his  copies  of  them  ;  and  to  the  Hon. 
Librarian  of  Lambeth  Library,  for  permission  to  collate  the  1572  edition. 


fruit- 
fun  Sermon 

maDe  in 

djurdje  at  ILonDon 

in  tfje  £f)rou&es 

tfjc  fccon^e 

of 

Jfcfcruari 
mas  Heucr. 
no. 
anD  ft  ft ir. 


in  t&e  $l)rout)*<$  in  ^oulcg.1  21 


Od  be  merciful  unto  vs. 

Good  Chriflen  people  Chrifle  lefu 
the  fonne  of  God,  the  wyfedome 
of  the  father,  the  fauiour  of  the 
worlde,  whyche  hath  redemed  vs 
with  his  precious  bloud  moft  piti 
fully  lamentyng  our  myferies,  and 
earnefllye  threateninge  our  wylfull 
blyndnes,  cryeth  oute  by  the  voyce  of  the  wyfe  king 
Salomon,  faying:  Qida  uocam,  et  remiiftis.  et  cete. 
Prone,  i. 2  Becaufe  I  haue  called  (fayeth  the  wyfedome 
of  God)  and  ye  haue  denyed,  I  haue  ftretched  forth 
my  hand,  and  there  was  none  that  woulde  beholde : 
yea  ye  haue  difpifed  all  my  conn  eels,  and  [al]  my  rebukes 
haue  ye  not  regarded,  I  therfore  fhall  laugh  at  your 
deilruccion,  and  I  mal  mocke,  when  it  is  come  vpon 
you  whiche  ye  haue  feared.  Affuredlye  good  people, 
God,  Qui  mortem  non  fecit,  nee  fatatur  in  perdicione 
iiiromm?  God  whiche  (as  the  boke  of  wifedome  fayth) 
made  not  death,  ne  dothe  not  delyghte  in  the  perdicion 
of  manne,  cannot  be  of  fuche  affection,  as  to  delyghte 
in  laughynge  or  mockyng  our  miferies  :  but  euen  as 
that  man  whyche  dothe  delyghte  to  laughe  at  other 
mens  griefes,  is  a  man  moil  farre  of  from  lament)  nge 
and  pytyinge  them  to  do  them  good  :  fo  is  God  fo  fore 
offended  and  dyfpleafed  wyth  them  that  difpyfe  hys 
counfclles,  threatning  or  promifes,  while  they  might 
haue  mercy,  that  he  wyll  as  it  were  rather  of  mockyng, 
laughe  and  fkorne,  then  of  pitye  lamente  and  help 
their  miferable  wretched  griefes,  when  as  they  would 
haue  conforte.  Se  therfore  howe  mercyfully  God 
hath  called  by  the  fayinges  and  wrytinges  of  Moyfes, 
the  Prophetes,  and  the  Apoflles,  and  howe  fewe  haue 

1  in  the  Shroudes  in  London.     1572.  2  Prov.  :'.  24. 

^   Wis.  of  Solomon,  j.  13. 


22  &  Sermon  matie 

barkened  to  beleue.  Se  how  wonderfully  God  hath 
ftretched  forth  hys  hande,  in  creatynge  heauen  and 
earthe,  and  all  thynges  in  them  conteyned,  to  the  vfe, 
commoditie,  and  conforte  to  man :  and  how  fewe  do 
dayly  behold  thefe  creatures,  to  be  thankefull  vnto  the 
creatoure.  Se  howe  muche  good  counfell  and  earnefte 
threatenynge  God  hath  geuen  of  late  vnto  Englande, 
by  fettynge  forth  of  his  worde  in  the  englylhe  tonge, 
caufynge  it  to  be  read  dayly  in  ye  churches,  to  be 
preached  purely  in  the  pulpites,  and  to  be  rehearfcd 
euery  where  in  communicacion,  and  how  many  con 
tinuing,  yea  increafynge  their  wycked  lyues,  regarde 
not  gods  worde,  dyfpife  his  threateninges,  defyre  not 
his  mercye,  feare  not  his  vengeance. 

Wythoute  doute  good  people  verye  manye  haue  de- 
ferued  the  vengeaunce  of  God,  and  yet  by  repentaunce 
founde  plentye  of  mercye :  but  neuer  none  that  euer 
refufed  the  mercye  of  God  hath  efcaped  the  venge 
aunce  of  God  in  the  time  of  hys  wrathe,  and  furye. 

Yea  but  what  mercyes  of  God  haue  we  refufed, 
or  what  threatenynge  of  God  haue  we  here  in  Eng 
land  not  regarded :  whyche  haue  forfaken  the  Pope, 
abolyfhed  idolatrye  and  fuperfticion,  receyued  goddes 
worde  fo  gladly,  reformed  all  thynges  accordinglye 
therto  fo  fpedily,  and  haue  all  thinges  mofl  nere  the 
order  of  the  primitiue  churche  vniuerfallye  ?  Alas  good 
brethren,  as  trulye  as  al  is  notgolde  that  glyftereth,  fo 
is  it  not  vertue  and  honefly,  but  very  vice  and  hipo- 
crifie,  wherof  England  at  this  day  dothe  mofle  glorye. 
Wherfore  the  worde  is  playne,  and  the  fayinges  be 
terryble,  by  the  whyche  at  thys  tyrce  God  threateneth 
to  punyfhe,  to  plage,  and  to  deftroy  England.  It  is  a 
wonderous  playne  worde  to  faye  that  Englande  mail 
be  deflroyed  :  and  vpon  thys  worde  enfuinge,  it  mould 
be  a  terrible  fight  to  fe  hundred  thoufandes  of  Scottes, 
Frenche  inenne,  Papifls,  and  Turkes,  entryng  in  on 
euery  fyde,  to  murther,  fpoyle,  and  to  deflroye.  Thys 
playne  worde  of  a  credyble  perfon  fpoken,  wyth  thys 
terrible  feyng  afore  our  eyes  in  fight  [our  iyes  in  pre- 


in  t&e  Jb&routie*  in  ^onleg.  23 

fence,]  woldraake  cure  corage  to  fall,  and  oure  hertes  to 
ryue  in  peces,  for  wofull  forowe,  feare,  and  heauinefle. 

Alas  England,  God,  whom  thou  mayefl  beleue  for 
his  truthe,  hathe  fayd  playnly  thou  fhalt  be  deflroyed, 
and  all  thyne  ennemyes,  bothe  Scots,  Frenchmen, 
Papifles,  and  Turkes,  I  do  not  meane  the  men  in 
whome  is  fome  mercye,  but  the  moil  cruell  vices  of 
thefe  thy  enemyes  beynge  wythout  all  pitie,  as  the 
couetoufenes  of  Scotland,  the  pryde  of  Fraunce,  the 
hipocryfy  of  Rome,  and  the  Idolatrye  of  the  Turkes. 
A  hundred  thoufande  of  thefe  enemies  are  landed  at 
thy  h.iuens,  haue  entred  thy  fortes,  and  do  precede  to 
fpoyle,  murther,  and  vtterly  deflroy :  and  yet,  for  all 
this  thou  wretched  Englande  beleueft  not  gods  worde, 
regarded  not  hys  threatninge,  calleft  not  for  mercye, 
ne  fearefle  not  gods  vengeaunce.  \Vherfore  God 
beinge  true  of  hys  word,  and  righteous  in  hys  dedes, 
thou  Englande  whyche  wylt  haue  no  mercye,  fhalt  haue 
vengeaunce,  whyche  wylte  not  be  faued,  fhalte  be  de 
flroyed.  For  God  hath  fpoken,  and  it  is  wrytten. 

Omne  regnuniin  fediiiifiiui  defolabiiur}-  Euerye  kyng- 
dome  that  is  deuyded  in  it  felfe,  (hall  be  defolate,  and 
deflroyed.  And  Salomon  fayeth  :  Becaufe  they  haue 
hated  learnyng  and  not  receiued  the  feare  of  God,  de- 
flruccion  commeth  fodaynlye  :  Yea  trulye,  and  bryng- 
eth  Idolaters  vnto  mifery,  and  proude  men  vnto  fhame. 
Ye  all  here  fele,  fee,  knowe,  and  haue  experience,  howe 
that  this  Realme  is  deuyded  in  it  felfe  by  opynyons  in 
relygyon,  by  rebellious  fedicion,  yea  and  by  couetoufe 
ambicion,  euerye  manne  pullynge  and  halynge  towardes 
them  felues,  one  from  another. 

It  is  not  onelye  diuyded,  but  alfo  rente,  torne,  and 
plucked  cleane  in  pieces.  Yea  and  euerye  couetoufe 
manne  is  an  Idolater,  fettynge  that  mynd  and  loue  vpon 
ryches,  whyche  oughte  to  be  geuen  vnto  God  onely. 

Euery  couetoufe  man  hateth  Icarnynge.  and  ivccyu- 
eth  not  the  feare  of  God,  for  the  gredv  dclire  that  he 
hathe  to  the  lucre  of  tliys  worlde.  Euerye  couetoufe 
man  is  proude,  thynkynge  hymfelfe  more  worthy  a 

1  Matt.  xii.  25. 


24  &  Sermon  matre 

pounde,  then  a  nother  man  a  penye,  more  fitte  to  haue 
chaunge  of  fylkes  and  veluettes,  then  other  to  haue 
bare  frife  cloth,  and  more  conueniente  for  hym  to  haue 
aboundaunce  of  diuerfe  dilicates  for  hys  daintye  toth, 
then  for  other  to  haue  plenty  of  biefes  and  muttons  for 
theyr  hongry  bellyes :  and  finnally  that  he  is  more 
worthye  to  haue  gorgeoufe  houfes  to  take  his  pleafure 
in,  in  bankettynge,  then  laborynge  men  to  haue  poore 
cotages  to  take  reft  in,  in  flepynge.  Vndoubtedlye 
God  wyll  make  all  thofe  to  fall  wyth  fhame,  which  fet 
them  felues  vp  in  pryde  fo  hygh,  that  they  can  not  fee 
other  men  to  be  chyldren  of  the  fame  heauenlye  father, 
heires  of  the  fame  kingdome,  and  bought  wyth  the 
fame  pryce  of  Chrifles  blonde,  that  they  take  them 
felues  to  be.  That  realme,  that  realme  that  is  full  of 
couetoufnes,  is  full  of  diuifion,  is  full  of  contempt  of 
goddes  mercye,  yea  and  fclaunder  of  hys  worde,  is  full 
of  Idolatry  and  is  full  of  pryde.  Diuifion  is  a  figne  of 
deftruccion,  contemning  of  goddes  mercye  caufeth  his 
vengeaunce  to  come  fodeynly  :  Idolatrye  euer  endeth 
in  mifery,  and  pryde  neuer  efcapeth  fhame.  Then  if 
you  fele,  knowe,  and  haue  experyence,  that  Englande 
by  reafon  of  couetoufnes  is  full  of  diuifion,  is  full  of 
contempte  of  goddes  mercye,  is  full  of  Idolatrye,  is 
full  of  pryde,  Flatter  not  your  felues  in  youre  owne 
phan[ta]fies,  but  beleue  the  word  of  God,  which  e  telleth 
you  truelye  that  Englande  mall  be  deflroyed  fodainly, 
miferably,  and  fhamefullye.  The  fame  deflruccion 
was  tolde  to  the  Sodomites,  was  tolde  to  the  Nini- 
uites :  was  deferued  of  the  Sodomites,  and  was  de- 
ferued  of  the  Niniuites  :  but  came  vpon  the  Sodomites, 
and  was  tourned  from  the  Niniuytes.  And  why?  For 
becaufe  the  Sodomytes  regarded  not  goddes  threaten- 
ynges  and  were  plaged  wyth  gods  vengeaunce,  the 
Nim'uytes  regarded  goddes  threatnynges,  and  efcaped 
gods  vengeaunce. 

Now  all  you  Englyihe  men  at  the  reuerence  of  God, 
for  the  tender  mercy es  of  lefu  Chrift,  for  the  reuerent 
loue  to  youre  moil  gentle  and  gracious  kynge,  for  the 


fn  tf)e  jcfcroufceg  in  Remits.  25 

fauegarde  of  your  cuntry,  and  for  tender  pyty  of  your 
owne  wiues,  your  children,  and  your  felues,  caufe  not 
Englande  to  bee  deflroyed  wyth  gods  vengeaunce,  as 
was  the  Cytie  of  the  Sodomites  :  but  repent,  lament  and 
amend  your  Hues,  as  did  the  good  Niniuites.  For  if  ye 
fpedely  repent,  andmyferably  [and  pitifully]  lamente,  and 
be  afhamed  of  your  vainglory,  couetoufnes,  andambicion, 
ye  fhal  caufe  couetous,  fedicious,  proude,  and  vicious 
England,  fodenly,  miferablye  yea  and  fhamefully  in  the 
fyghte  and  Judgement  of  the  world,  to  vanyfh  away. 
And  fo  finne  and  abhominacion  deflroyed  by  the  re- 
pentaunce  of  man,  this  pleafaunte  place  of  Englande, 
and  good  people  mall  be  preferued  and  iaued  by  thy 
[the]  mercy  of  God.  For  els  if  man  wil  not  forfake  his 
fynne,  God  wyll  not  fpape  to  deftroye  both  the  man 
and  hys  place  with  his  fynne. 

Wherefore  the  Epyflle  by  the  order  nowe  taken,  ap- 

poynted  for  thys  fourth  Sunday  after  twelfe  tyde,  is  a 

leffon  mofl  mete  to  teach e  you  to  knowe  and  lamente 

youre  greuous  fmnes  of  late  committed,  whyche  as 

yet    be   in   fuche   cafe,    that   man   wyth  out 

greate  repentaunce  cannot  fone  amende 

them,  nor  god  of  hys  ryghteoufnes 

much  longer  fuffer  them.    It  is 

written  in  the  beginning 

of  the.  [x]iii.  Chap,  of 

Paul  to  the  Rom. 

on  this  wyfe. 


jVerye  foule  be  fubiecte  vnto  the  hygher 
]  lowers,  for  there  is  no  power  but  of  God. 
Thofe  powers  whych  be,  are  ordeyned  of 
God.  Wherefore  he  that  refyfleth  power, 
refyfleth  the  ordinaunce  of  God,  but  they 
whyche  doo  refifle,  iliall  receyue  to  themfelues  iudgc- 
inent.  For  Rulers  are  not  to  be  feared  for  good 
doinges,  but  for  euil.  Wouldeft  thou  not  feare  the 
power?  do  that  which  e  is  good,  and  thou  malt  haue 


26  8l  £ermon  mate 

praife  of  it.  But  if  thou  do  euyll,  feare  :  for  he  bear- 
eth  not  the  fweard  wythout  a  caufe,  for  he  is  the  mini- 
fler  of  God  to  auenge  in  wrath,  hym  that  doeth  euyl. 

Wherefore  ye  mud  nedes  be  fubiecte,  not  only  for 
wrathe,  but  alfo  for  confcience  fake.  For  thys  do  ye 
paye  tribute  :  For  they  are  the  minifters  of  God  at- 
tendyng  to  thys  fame  thynge.  Gene  therefore  vnto 
euery  one  dueties  :  tribute  to  whome  trybute  is  due, 
cuflome  to  whome  cuflum  is  due,  feare  to  whom  feare 
is  due,  honoure  to  whom  honoure  is  due. 

Thus  haue  ye  heard  howe  that  euery  one  oughte  to 
be  vnder  obedience,  and  geue  vnto  other  that  whych  is 
due.  Howbeit  experience  declareth  howe  that  here  in 
Englande  pore  men  haue  been  rebels,  and  ryche  men 
haue  not  done  their  duetie.  Bothe  haue  done  euyll  to 
prouoke  goddes  vengeance,  neyther  doth  repente  to 
procure  gods  mercye. 

Nowe'for  the  better  vnderflandyng  of  thys  matter, 
here  in  thys  texte,  fyrft  is  to  be  noted,  how  that  Anima, 
the  foule,  for  as  muche  as  it  is  the  chiefe  pane  of  man, 
is  taken  for  the  whole  man :  as  we  in  cure  englylhe 
tonge,  take  the  bodye  beynge  the  worfe  part  for  the 
whole.  As  if  I  faye.  euery  bodye  here,  I  meane 
euerye  man  or  woman  here.  So  in  the  fourthe  of 
Leuiti.  Anima  qwzpeccauerit,  ipja  monctur. x  The  foule 
that  fmneth,  it  mail  dye :  meanyng  the  man  or  woman 
that  fynneth.  And  euen  fo  here  Paule  by  the  Ebrue 
phrafe  and  maner  of  fpeche,  commaundeth  euery  foule, 
whych  is  by  the  englifhe  phrafe  euery  bodye,  that  is  to 
faye,  euerye  perfon,  man,  woman,  and  child  to  be 
fubiect.  As  thou  art  in  dede,  fo  acknowledge  thy 
felfe  in  thine  own  mynde  Hypotafjeftho  [iVorao-o-ecrtfcu], 
yat  is  to  faye,  fet  or  placed  vnder  the  hygher  powers, 
yea  and  that  by  God.  For  as  there  is  no  power  of 
authorithy  but  of  god,  fo  is  there  none  put  in  fubieccion 
vnder  theym  but  by  God.  Thofe  powers  whiche  be 
are  ordeyned  of  God.  As  is  the  power  of  the  father 
euer  hys  chyldren  of  the  hufband  ouer  hys  wyfe,  of  the 
mailer  ouer  hys  feruauntes,  and  of  the  kynge  ouer  hys 

1  EzeL*  xv Hi.  4. 


tn  tlje  j&Jjroul)cs  in  ^ouleg.  27 

lande  and  fubiectes  :  wyth  all  kynde  of  magiflrates  in 
their  offices  oner  their  charge. 

Nowe  to  proue  that  thefe  bee  the  ordinaunces  of  God, 
we  haue  by  goddes  word  bothe  in  the  olde  teflamente 
and  in  the  newe,  their  names  rehearfed,  theyr  offices  dyf- 
cribed,  and  theyr  duties  [duetie]  commaunded.  Yet 
that""'  notwythflandynge  fome  there  be  that  labour  by 
wreftynge  of  the  fcripture  to  pulle  them  felues  from 
vnder  due  obedience  :  faiynge  that  it  appeareth  in  the 
actes  of  the  Apoflles  how  that  they  hadde  all  thynges 
commen,  and  therfore  none  more  goodes  or  ryches, 
power  or  aucthoritie,  then  other,  but  all  alyke. 

Truthe  it  is,  that  the  Apoftles  had  all  thynges  comen, 
yea  and  that  chriflen  men,  in  that  they  are  chriflen 
men  rather  then  couetous  men,  haue  all  thynges 
comen,  euen  vnto  thys  day.  How  be  it  ther  can  be 
nothyng  more  contrarye  or  further  difagreyng  from  that 
phantaftical  commenneffe,  or  rather  from  that  diuelyfhe 
difordcr,  and  vnrighteoufe  robry  [robberie],  where  as 
Idle  lubbers  myghte  lyue  of  honefte  mennes  laboures, 
then  to  haue  all  thynges  comen  as  the  Apoflles  hadde, 
as  chriflen  men  haue,  and  as  I  do  meane.  And  thys 
is  theyr  vfage,  and  my  meanynge  :  that  ryche  menne 
fhoulde  kepe  to  theym  felues  no  more  then  they  nede, 
and  gene  vnto  the  poore  fo  muche  as  they  nede.  For 
fo  Paule  wryteth  to  the  Corinthes.  I  meane  not  (faythe 
Paull,  fpeakynge  to  the  ryche)  to  haue  other  fo  eafed, 
that  you  therby  fhoulde  be  brought  in  trouble  of  nede, 
but  after  an  indii[fe]renc[i]e,  that  at  this  tyme  your 
abtmdaunce,  myght  helpe  their  nede. 

And  fo  dyd  the  Apoflles  take  order  as  appeareth  in 
the  fourth  of  the  actes.  Qiiottjuot  Jiabcbant  agros  ct 
poffcjjloncs.  etc.1  As  many  as  hadde  kindes  and  poffcf- 
fions  dyd  fell  them,  and  broughte  the  prices  vnto  the 
feete  of  the  Apoftles,  and  diuifion  was  made  vnto 
euerye  one  accordinge  vnto  euerye  maniu-s  neede. 
So  they  whyche  myght  fparc  dyddc  frelye  gene,  and 
they  whiche  hadde  nede  dyd  thankefully  reccyue. 

For  fo  is  it  [it  is]  mete,  that  chriden  mens  goodes  fhuld 

I  Acts  iv.  34. 


28  &  Sermon  mate 

be  comen  vnto  euery  mans  nede,  and  priuate  to  no  mans 
lufte.  And  thofe  [thefe]  comune  goodes  to  bee  difpofed 
by  liberall  geuers,  and  not  fpoyled  by  gredy  catchers. 
So  that  euery  man  may  haue  accordyng  to  hys  nede 
fufficient,  and  not  accordynge  to  hys  fpoyle  fo  muche 
as  he  can  catche,  no  nor  accordyng  to  the  value  of  the 
thyng,  euerye  man  a  penye,  a  grote,  or  a  fhyllyng. 
For  they  that  Imagyne,  couet,  or  wyfhe  to  haue  all 
thynges  comune,  in  fuche  forte  that  euerye  man  myght 
take  what  hym  luile,  wolde  haue  all  thynges  comen 
and  open  vnto  euerye  mans  lufle,  and  nothynge  re- 
ferued  or  kept  for  any  mans  nede.  And  they  that 
wolde  haue  like  quantitie  of  euery  thyng  to  be  geuen 
to  euerye  man,  entendyng  therby  to  make  all  alyke, 
do  vtterly  deftroy  the  congregacyon,  the  miflicall  bodye 
of  Chryfl,  wheras  there  muftnedes  bedyuers  members  in 
diuerfe  places,  hauynge  diuerfe  duetyes.  For  as  [fainct] 
Paul  fayth :  yf  all  the  bodye  be  an  eye,  where  is  then 
hearyng  ?  or  yf  all  be  an  eare,  where  is  then  fmellyng  ? 
meanyng  therby,  that  yf  all  be  of  one  forte,  eftate, 
and  roume  in  the  comen  wealth,  how  can  then  dyuerfe 
duetyes  of  diuerfe  neceffarye  offices  be  done  ? 

So  that  the  fre  herte,  and  liberall  gyfte  of  the  ryche, 
mufl  make  all  that  he  may  fpare,  comen  to  releue  the 
nede  of  the  poore  :  yea  yf  there  be  great  neceffitye,  he 
mud  fell  both  landes  and  goodes,  to  maynteynecharitie: 
And  thus  to  haue  all  thinges  comen,  doth  derogate  or 
take  away  nothynge  from  the  authoritye  of  rulers. 
But  to  wyll  to  haue  all  thynges  comen,  in  fuche  forte 
that  idle  lubbers  (as  I  fayde)  myghte  take  and  wafte 
the  geines  of  laborers  wythout  reflraint  of  authoritie, 
or  to  haue  lyke  quantitye  of  euerye  thynge  to  be  geuen 
to  euery  man,  is  vnder  a  pretence  to  mende  al,  pur- 
pofely  to  marre  all.  For  thofe  fame  men  pretendinge  to 
hate  [haue]  couetoufnes,  wold  be  as  rych  as  the  rychefl: 
and  fayinge  that  they  hate  pryde,  wold  be  as  hyghly 
taken  as  the  beft,  and  femynge  to  abhorre  enuye,  can 
not  be  contended]  to  fe  any  other  rycher  or  better  then 
they  them  felues  be.  Now  I  heare  fome  faye  that 


fit  tbe  j&Drou&eg  fa  i^ouleg.  29 

thys  errour  is  the  fruyte  of  the  fcripture  in  englyfhe. 
No,  neyther  thys,  nor  no  other  erroure  commeth  be- 
caufe  the  fcripture  is  fet  forth  in  the  englyfhe  tonge,  but 
becaufe  the  rude  people  lackynge  the  counfell  of  learned 
rnenn^  to  teache  theim  the  trewe  meanynge  when  they 
reade  it,  or  heare  it,  mufle  nedes  folowe  theyr  owne 
Imaginacion  in  takynge  of  it.  And  the  chiefeft  caufe 
that  maketh  them  to  imagine  thys  abhominable  errour, 
that  there  fhuld  be  no  ryche  menne  nor  rulers,  cum- 
meth  becaufe  fome  ryche  men  and  rulers  (marke  that  I 
faye  fome,  for  all  bee  not  fuche)  but  I  faye  fome  ryche 
men,  and  rulers  by  the  abufe  of  their  ryches  and  auc- 
thoritye,  dothe  more  harme  then  good  vnto  the  comen 
wealth,  and  more  griefe  then  confort  vnto  the  people. 
For  nowe  a  dayes  ryche  menne  and  rulers  do  catche, 
purcheffe,  and  procure  vnto  them  felues  great  com 
modities  from  many  men,  and  do  fewe  and  fmall  plea- 
fures  vnto  any  men. 

As  for  example  of  lyche  men,  loke  at  the  mer- 
chauntes  of  London,  and  ye  mall  fe,  when  as  by  their 
honefl  vocacion,  and  trade  of  marchandife  god  hath 
endowed  them  with  great  abundaunce  of  ryches,  then 
can  they  not  be  content  with  the  profperous  welth 
of  that  vocacion  to  fatiffye  theym  felues,  and  to  helpe 
other,  but  their  riches  mufle  abrode  in  the  countrey 
to  bie  fermes  out  of  the  handes  of  worfhypfull  gentle 
men,  honefte  yeomen,  and  pore  laborynge  hufbandes. 
Yea  nowe  alfo  to  bye  perfonages,  and  benefices,  where 
as  they  do  not  onelye  bye  landes  and  goodes,  but  alfo 
lyues  and  foules  of  men,  from  God  and  the  comen 
wealth,  vnto  the  deuyll  and  theim  felues.  A  myf- 
cheuoufe  marte  of  merchandrie  is  this,  and  yet  nowe  fo 
comenly  vfed,  that  therby  fhepeheardes  be  turned  to 
theues,  dogges  into  wolues,  and  the  poore  flocke  of 
Chrifl,  redemed  wyth  his  precious  bloud,  mode  mifer 
ablye  pylled,  and  fpoyled,  yea  cruelly  deuoured.  Be 
thou  marchaunt  of  the  citye,  or  be  thou  gentleman  in 
the  contrey,  be  thou  lawer,  be  you  courtear,  or  what 
maner  of  man  foeuer  thou  be,  that  can  not,  yea  yf 


30 

thou  be  mafler  doctor  of  diuinitie,  that  wyl  not  do  thy 
duety,  it  is  not  lawfull  for  the  to  haue  perfonage, 
benefice,  or  any  fuche  liuyng,  excepte  thou  do  fede  the 
flocke  fpiritually  wyth  goddes  vvorde,  and  bodelye  wyth 
honefle  hofpitalitye.  I  wyll  touch  diuerfe  kyndes  of 
ryche  men  and  rulers,  that  ye  maye  fe  what  harme 
fome  of  theim  do  wyth  theyr  ryches  and  authoritye. 
And  efpeciallye  I  wyll  begynne  wyth  theym  that  be 
befl  learned,  for  they  feme  belyke  to  do  mode  good 
wyth  ryches  and  authoritie  vnto  theim  committed.  If 
1  therefore  beynge  a  yonge  fimple  fcholer  myghte  be 
fo  bolde,  I  wolde  afke  an  auncient,  wyfe,  and  well 
learned  doctor  of  diuinitie,  whych  cometh  not  at  hys 
benefice,  whether  he  were  bounde  to  fede  hys  flocke 
in  teachynge  of  goddes  worde,  and  kepyng  hofpitalitie 
or  no  ?  He  wold  anfwere  and  faye  :  fyr  my  curate 
fupplieth  my  roume  in  teachynge,  and  my  farmer  in 
kepynge  of  houfe.  Yea  but  mailer  doctor  by  your 
leaue,  both  thefe  more  for  your  vauntage  then  for  the 
paryfhe  conforte  :  and  therfore  the  mo  fuche  feruauntes 
that  ye  kepe  there,  the  more  harme  is  it  for  your 
paryfhe,  and  the  more  fynne  and  fhame  for  you.  Ye 
may  thynke  that  I  am  fumwhat  faucye  to  laye  fynne 
and  fhame  to  a  doctor  of  diuinitie  in  thys  folemne 
audience,  for  fome  of  theim  vfe  to  excufe  the  matter, 
and  faye:  Thofe  whych  I  leaue  in  myne  abfence  do 
farre  better  then  I  fhoulde  do,  yf  I  taryed  there  my 
felfe. 

Nowe  good  mafler  doctor  ye  faye  the  verye  truthe, 
and  therfore  be  they  more  worthye  to  haue  the  bene 
fice  then  you  your  felfe,  and  yet  neythcr  of  you  bothe 
fufficient  mete,  or  able  :  they  for  lacke  of  habilitye,  and 
you  for  lacke  of  good  wyll.  Good  wyll  quod  he? 
Naye  I  wolde  wyth  all  my  harte,  but  I  am  called  to 
ferue  the  kynge  in  other  places,  and  to  take  other 
offices  in  the  comen  wealth e.  Heare  then  what  I 
mail  aunfwere  yet  once  agayne :  There  is  lyuynges 
and  revvardes  due  and  belongyng  to  theim  that  labour 
in  thofe  ofiyces,  arid  fo  oughte  you  to  be  contente 


in  i\)t  jcljroutics  in  $3cule5.  31 

vvyth  the  lyuyng  and  reward  of  that  office  onelye,  and 
take  no  more,  the  duetye  of  the  whyche  office  by  your 
labour  and  diligence  ye  can  difcharge  onlye,  and  do 
no  more.  And  fo  Paule  wryteth  vnto  the  Corrinth. 
fayinge  :  The  Lord  hathe  ordeyned  that  they  whyche 
preache  the  Gofpell,  fhulde  lyue  vpon  the  Gofpell.1 
And  vnto  the  T[h]effalonians.  He  that  dothe  not 
labour  fhulde  not  eate.2 

By  thefe  textes  well  fet  together,  you  may  conclude 
and  learne,  that  there  as  you  beftowe  your  labour,  there 
maye  ye  take  a  lyuynge,  and  ther  as  ye  beflowe  no 
labour,  there  ought  ye  to  take  no  liuyng.  Well  let  vs 
precede  further  vnto  other  nowe,  for  I  perceyue  that 
all  that  which  I  haue  fpoken  againfl  them  that  take 
greate  geynes  of  theyr  benefices,  and  do  lytle  good  to 
theyr  benefice,  maye  feme  to  be  fpoken  agaynfl  the 
vniuerfityes,  yea  and  againfl  the  kynges  mayeflye  : 
whyche  now  by  reafon  of  improperacions  haue  no  lytle 
geynes  of  benefices,  and  yet  beflowe  no  great  laboure 
nor  almes  vpon  the  paryfhioners  of  thofe  benefices. 
Surely,  for  as  muche  as  I  feare  the  vengeaunce  of  God 
more  yf  I  fhoulde  not  fpeake  the  truthe,  then  the  dif- 
pleafure  of  man  yf  he  be  offended  in  hearynge  of  the 
truth,  trulye  I  wyll  tell  you.  Seyng  that  impropera 
cions  beynge  fo  euyll  that  no  man  can  alowe  theym, 
be  nowe  fo  employed  vnto  the  vniuerfities,  yea  and 
vnto  the  yerelye  reuenues  of  the  kynges  maieflye,  that 
fewe  dare  fpeake  agaynfl  them,  ye  maye  fe  that  fome 
men,  not  onelye  by  the  abufe  of  ryches  and  authoritie, 
but  alfo  by  the  abufe  of  wyfedom  and  pollicie  do  much 
harme,  and  fperially  thofe,  by  whofe  meanes  thys  realme 
is  nowe  brought  into  fuch  cafe  that  eyther  learnyng  in 
the  vniuerfitie,  and  neceffarye  reuenues  belongynge  to 
the  mode  hygh  authoritye  is  lyke  to  decaye,  or  elies 
improperacions  to  be  mavnteined,  whyche  bothe  be  fo 
deuyllyfheandabhominable  that  yf  eyther  of  them  come 
to  effect  e,  it  wyll  caufe  the  vengeaunce  of  God  vtterly 
to  deilroy  this  realme.  Do  not  thynke  that  1  meane 

1   i  ^,ur.  ix.  14.  -  -   1'lioss.  iii.  10. 


32  &  Sermon  mate 

any  thyng  agaynfl  that  whyche  the  kynges  mayeflye 
by  acte  of  Parliament  hathe  done  :  no  nor  that  I  wyll 
couer  in  fcilence,  or  alowe  by  flatterie  that  whyche 
couetoufe  officers  (fome  as  I  fuppofe  nowe  beyng  pre- 
fente)  contrary e  to  goddes  lawes,  the  kynges  honour, 
and  the  comen  wealth  vfe  to  do.  For  in  fuppreffinge 
of  Abbeyes,  Cloyflers,  Colleges,  and  Chauntries,  the 
entente  of  the  kynges  maieflie  that  dead  is,  was,  and 
of  this  our  kynge  now,  is  verye  godlye,  and  the  pur- 
pofe  or  els  the  pretence  of  other,  wonderoufe  goodlye : 
that  therby  fuche  abundaunce  of  goodes  as  was  fuper- 
fliciouily  fpente  vpon  vayne  ceremonies,  or  voluptu- 
oufly  vpon  idle  bellies,  myght  come  to  the  kynges 
handes  to  beare  hys  great  charges,  neceffarilie  be 
llowed  in  the  comen  wealthe,  or  partly  vnto  other 
mennes  handes,  for  the  better  releue  of  the  pore,  the 
mayntenaunce  of  learning,  and  the  fettinge  forth  of 
goddes  worde.  Howe  be  it  couetoufe  officers  haue  fo 
vfed  thys  matter,  that  euen  thofe  goodes  whyche  dyd 
feme  to  the  releue  of  the  poore,  the  mayntenaunce  of 
learnyng,  and  to  confortable  neceffary  hofpitalitie  in  ye 
comen  wealth,  be  now  turned  to  maynteyne  worldly, 
wycked  couetoufe  ambicion. 

I  tell  you,  at  the  fyrile  the  intente  was  verie 
godly,  the  pretence  wonderoufe  goodly,  but  nowe 
the  vfe  or  rather  the  abufe  and  myforder  of  thefe 
thynges  is  worldlye,  is  wycked,  is  deuilylhe,  is  ab- 
hominable. 

The  kynge  maye  haue,  and  wolde  to  God  he  hadde 
in  hys  handes  to  beftowe  better,  all  that  was  euell* 
mifpente  vpon  fuperfticious  Ceremonies,  and  voluptu 
ous  Idle  bellyes. 

But  you  whych  haue  gotten  thefe  goodes  into  your 
own*  handes,  to  turne  them  from  euyll  to  worfe,  and 
other  goodes  mo  frome  good  vnto  euyll,  be  ye  fure  it 
is  euen  you  that  haue  offended  God,  begyled  the  kynge, 
robbed  the  ryche,  fpoyled  the  pore,  and  brought  a 
comen  wealth  into  a  comen  miferye.  It  is  euen  you, 
that  mufl  eyther  be  plaged  with  gods  vengeaunce  as 


(n  tlje  js&nwte*  in  ^oule*.  33 

wer  the  Sodomytes,  or  amende  by  repentaunce  as  did 
the  Nineuites.  Euen  you  it  is  that  muil  eyther  make 
reflitucion  and  amendes  fpedely,  or  elles  fele  the 
vengeaunce  of  God  greuouily.  Do  not  thynke  that 
by  reflitucion  and  amendes  makyng  I  meane  the 
buyldynge  agayne  of  abbeyes  or  cloyfters,  no  I  do 
not :  For  yf  charitable  almes,  honefle  hofpitalitie,  and 
neceffary  fcholes,  for  the  bryngynge  vp  of  yougth  had 
ben  indifferently  maynteyned  and  not  cleane  taken 
away  in  fome  places,  I  woulde  not  at  this  time  haue 
fpoken  of  reflitucion.  Howe  be  it  fure  I  am,  that  if  at* 
the  orderinge  of  thefe  thynges  there  had  been  in  the 
officers  as  much  godlines  as  there  was  couetoufnes, 
fuperflicious  men  had  not  bene  put  from  their  liuinges 
to  their  penfions  out  of  thofe  houfes,  wher  they  myght 
haue  had  fchole  mailers  to  haue  taught  them  to  be 
good,  and  for  leffe  wages :  or  for  the  referuacion  of 
their  penfions,  receyued  into  cures,  and  perfonages, 
where  as  they  can  do  no  good,  and  wyll  do  muche 
harme.  Here  as  concerninge  thefe  thinges  I  faye,  if 
man  do  not  make  reflitucion,  God  wyll  take  venge 
aunce.  For  the  people  that  by  thys  meanes  contynue 
in  deuelyfhe  fuperflicion,  and  begyn  vngracious  re 
bellion,  do  dye,  and  are  damned  in  their  owne  fynnes, 
but  the  bloud  of  their  bodyes  and  foules  fhall  be  re 
quired  at  youre  handes.  Yea  and  the  abhominable 
errour  of  thofe  that  would  haue  no  rulers  in  authentic, 
cometh  partelye  by  your  occafion,  whyche  vnto  your 
owne  vayne  glorye,  and  pryuate  commoditie  [priuate 
authentic],  do  abufe  the  power  and  authoritie  ordeyned 
of  God  to  hys  glorye,  and  to  the  commen  wealthe. 
Thus  ye  perceyue  ho\ve  that  fome  ryche  menne  and 
rulers  almlyn^c  their  ryches  and  authoritie,  do  make 
-fome  eyther  to  iudge  that  it  fhoulde  be  farre  better 
then  it  is,  if  there  were  neyther  riche  men  nor  rulers  : 
Howbeit  thofe  men  are  farre  dea-yin-d.  And  Panic 
telleth  the  truth,  fayinge  that  thofe  which  be,  are  or- 
lU-yiu-d  of  God. 

Then  fome  wyll  afke  thys  queflyon :  Seynge  there  is 
c 


34  &  S^nnon  matte 

no  euyll  of  God,  howe  can  etiyll  rulers  or  officers  be  of 
God  ?  You  honefte  men  that  be  here,  and  dwell  in 
the  countrey,  heare  this  leffon,  and  marke  it,  and  take 
it  home  wyth  you,  for  your  felues,  and  your  neygh- 
bour.  It  is  God,  Qui  facit  hypocrita  regnare  propter 
peccata  populi.  It  is  God,  as  the  fcripture  in  the  xxxiiii. 
of  lob  doth  teflifye,  whych  maketh  an  hypocritie  to 
be  a  ruler  for  the  fynnes  of  the  people.  Nowe  the 
people  of  the  countrey  vfe  to  faye,  that  their  gentle 
men  and  officers  were  neuer  fo  full  of  fayre  woordes 
and  euyll  dedes  (whych  is  hypocrify)  as  they  nowe  be. 
For  a  gentleman  wyl  faye  that  he  loueth  his  tenaunt 
as  well  as  hys  father  dyd,  but  he  kepeth  not  fo  good  a 
houfe  to  make  them  chere  as  hys  father  dyd,  and  yet 
he  taketh  mo  fynes,  and  greater  rentes  to  make  them 
neadye,  then  hys  father  hadde. 

Another  wyll  fay  that  he  would  bye  a  Lordlhyppe 
of  the  kyng,  for  the  loue  that  he  hath  to  the  tenauntes 
thereof,  but  affone  as  he  hathe  boughte  it,  by  takynge 
of  fynes,  heyghnyng  of  rentes,  and  fellyng  away  of  com 
modities,  he  maketh  thefametenantespayforit.  Another 
fayth  that  he  would  haue  an  office  to  do  good  in  hys 
contrey,  but  as  fone  as  he  hath  authoritie  to  take  the 
fee  to  hym  felfe,  he  fetteth  hys  feruaunte  to  do  hys 
duetye,  and  in  ilede  of  wages  he  geueth  them  autho 
ritie  to  lyue  of  pyllage,  brybry  and  extorcion  in  the 
countrey. 

Now  you  of  the  countrey,  marke  your  leffon  I  faye, 
and  take  it  home  wyth  you.  It  is  God  that  maketh 
thefe  euyl  men  to  be  gentlemen  rulers,  and  officers  in 
the  countrey:  it  is  the  finnes  of  the  people  that  caufeth 
God  to  make  thefe  men  youre  rulers.  The  man  is  fome- 
tymes  euyll,  but  the  authoritie  from  God  is  alwayes 
good,  and  God  geueth  good  authoritye  vnto  euyll 
men,  to  punyfhe  the  fynnes  of  the  euyll  people.  It  is 
not  therefore  repynyng,  rebellyng,  or  refiftyng  gods  ordi 
nance,  that  wyll  amende  euyll  rulers.  For  [fainct]  Paule 
fayeth,  that  all  powers  be  of  goddes  ordinaunce.  And 
in  lob  it  is  playne,  that  euyll  menne  bee  made  rulers 


in  t|jc  jtfrroufces  m  joules,  35 

by  God :  So  that  who  foeuer  refyfteth  the  ofifycers,  be 
the  menne  neuer  fo  euyll  that  be  in  office,  he  refifleth 
the  ordinaunce  of  God,  he  can  not  preuayle  againfle 
God,  but  furely  he  (hall  be  plaged  of  God.  And  as 
the  people  can  haue  no  remedye  againft  euyll  rulers 
by  rebellyon,  fo  can  the  rulers  haue  no  redreffe  of  re 
bellious  people  by  oppreffyon.  Example  of  bothe  we 
haue  in  the  thyrd  booke  of  Kynges,  where  as  it  ap- 
peareth  that  Roboam  leauyng  good  counfell  to  vfe  the 
people  wyth  gentlenes  and  folowyng  euyll  counfell  to 
kepe  them  vnder  by  extremytye,  dyd  fo  exafperate  and 
flyrre  vp  the  hertes  of  the  people  again  ft  him  beyng 
their  kyng,  that  ten  partes  of  them  dyd  by  fedicious 
rebellion,  burfte  oute  from  hym,  and  were  neuer  after 
fubiecte  vnto  hym,  nor  to  none  of  his  pofteritie.  And 
thofe  rebellious  people  by  leroboam  whom  they  them 
felues  chofe  to  be  their  kynge,  or  rather  the  captayne 
of  theyr  rebellyon,  were  brought  into  farre  worfe  cafe 
and  more  myferye  then  euer  they  were  afore,  com 
pelled  to  forfake  God,  and  to  vfe  Idolatrye,  and  were 
euer  after  plaged  wyth  fodeyne  deathe,  honger,  dearthe, 
warres,  captyuytie,  and  all  kynde  of  myferye. 

Learne  therefore  ye  people  if  ye  inforce  to  eafe  your 
felues,  wheras  ye  imagine  that  ye  be  euyll  entreated  of 
men,  be  ye  fure  that  ye  mall  fele  in  deede  that  ye  mail 
be  more  greuouflye  affiyctedby  the  ordynaunce  of  God. 
And  learne  ye  rulers  if  ye  intende  by  onely  fuppref- 
fion  to  kepe  vnder  rebellion,  be  ye  fure  if  ye  thrulle 
it  downe  in  one  place  it  wyll  brafte  out  wyth  more 
vyolence  and  greater  daunger  in  ten  other  places,  to 
the  further  dyfquietynge  of  you  beynge  rulars,  and 
to  the  vtter  deftruccyon  of  all  youre  people  beynge 
rebelles. 

Heare  ye  people  what  God  fayeth  by  thofe  people 
that  wyll  not  be  in  fubieccion,  becaufe  they  thynke  the 
men  to  be  euyl  whiche  be  in  authoritye.  Yea  harke 
what  the  Lord  fayeth  as  concern}  n^c  the  proude,  am- 
bycyoufe,  and  vncyrcumcyfed  Kynge  Nabugodonozer 
whyche  was  an  euyll  manne  in  dede,  in  the  twentic 


36  &  Sermon  matre 

and  feuen  Chapter  of  Hieremye.  Gens  et  regnum.  et 
cetera.1 

That  people  and  realme  that  doth  not  feme  Nabu- 
godonezer  ye  kinge  of  Babilon,  and  whofoeuer  putteth 
not  his  necke  vnder  the  yocke  of  Nabugodnozer  the 
kynge  of  Babilon,  I  (fayeth  the  Lorde)  wyl  vifet  vpon 
that  people  in  fvveard,  honger,  and  in  peflylence.  And 
inthexxvii.  of  the  fame  Prophete.  Catenas  ligneas  contri- 
uifti,  et  fades  pro  eis  \catenas\f err eas?  Thou  haft  broken 
the  fetters  of  wood,  and  fhalt  make  for  them  fetters  of 
yron.  By  the  whiche  he  declareth  yat  as  a  pryfoner  in 
ye  kepynge  of  a  gayler,  if  he  breake  hys  fetters  of  wood, 
mail  not  therefore  by  the  gayler  be  fet  at  lybertye,  but 
rather  cheyned  wyth  more  flronge  fetters  of  yron :  Euen 
fo,  people  beynge  in  the  kepyng  of  God,  if  they  by  re- 
bellyon  breake  their  yocke  of  fubieccion,  whych  they 
nowe  haue,  fhall  not  therfore  by  God  be  putte  at  libertie, 
but  rather  be  thrufle  into  a  more  ftraite,  greuous,  and 
ftronger  yocke,  where  they  mall  be  fure  neuer  to  haue 
libertie  nor  eafe. 

Wherfore  ye  people,  if  ye  fele  your  burden  is  heauye, 
and  your  yocke  greuoufe,  pacyently  fuffer,  and  call  vnto 
the  Lorde:  for  then  he  wyll  heare  thee,  and  he  wyl  re- 
lieue  thee,  and  he  wyll  delyuer  thee. 

And  you  rulers,  becaufe  ye  knowe  that  the  people 
oughte  not  to  forfake  or  refufe  what  burden  or  yoke 
fo  euer  ye  charge  them  wyth  all,  fee  that  ye  charge 
them  with  no  more  then  they  maye  beare  and  fuffer. 
For  if  they  cry  vnto  you  for  reliefe  and  eafemente,  and 
you  wyll  not  regarde  theyr  forowes,  but  imagynynge 
that  they  be  to  wealthy,  ye  wyll  encreafe  their  miferye, 
and  decay  their  wealthe,  as  Pharao,  and  Roboam  dyd : 
Well  then,  if  the  examples  of  Pharao  and  Roboam  wyll 
not  fuffyce  you,  marcke  what  God,  by  the  prophet 
Ezechi.  fayth  (I  pray  you)  in  the.  xxxiiii.  of  Ezechiel, 
Audite paftores.  &c?  Do  not  thynke  that  for  becaufe 
pallors  be  named  there,  yat  therfore  it  is  al  fpoken 
onely  vnto  the  clargye,  but  for  afmuche  as  all  officers 
and  rulers  ought  rather  to  be  feders  then  fpoilers,  it  is 

l  Jer.  xxvii.  8.  2  Jer.  x&viii.  13.  3  Ezek.  xxxiv.  8. 


in  tf)e  jcftroutifg  in  joules.  37 

fpoken  vnto  you  officers,  which  do  not  enter  in  by  ye  dore 
of  loue.asthefhephearde  to  feede,  but  clime  ouer  another 
awaye  [an  other  waie]  thorovve  couetoufnes  as  a  thiefe, 
to  robbe  and  fpoyle  the  flocke  of  Chrift  in  your  office. 
Here  what  the  Lorde  fayeth  vnto  you  officers  yat  fede 
youre  felues  by  feking  of  gaines,  and  not  your  flocke 
by  doing  your  dutie.  Thus  fayth  the  Lord :  I  my  felfe 
wyl  vp  on  thefe  patters,  and  I  wil  require  my  fhepe  at 
their  handes,  and  wyll  make  them  to  ceafe  from  fedyng 
of  my  flocke,  yea  the  pattors  fhal  fede  them  felues  no 
more,  for  I  wyll  delyuer  my  flocke  out  of  their  handes, 
and  they  fliall  be  no  longer  a  praye  for  them  to  fede 
vpon.  Vndoubtedly  if  ye  fhuld  entende  by  your  autho 
rity  rather  your  felues  to  line  in  riote,  then  to  kepe  ye 
people  in  quietnes,  your  rulynge  fhulde  not  longe  con 
tinue.  Surely  ther  is  none  other  remedy  for  ryche  or 
poore,  high  or  low,  gentleman  or  yeoman,  to  helpe  to 
amende  the  difquietnes  in  thys  realme,  but  to  pulle 
and  rote  that*  out  of  youre  hertes,  which  is  roted  in 
euery  one  of  your  hertes,  the  rote  of  all  euyll,  whyche 
is  couetoufnes.  For  etien  you  hufbandmen  whyche 
crye  out  vpon  the  couetoufnes  of  gentlemen  and 
officers,  it  is  euen  couetoufnes  in  you,  yat  caufeth, 
and  ingendreth  couetoufnes  in  them.  For,  for  to  get 
your  neyghbours  ferme,  ye  wyll  offer  and  difire  them 
to  take  bribes,  fynes,  and  rentes  more  then  they  loke 
for,  or  then  you  your  felues  be  wel  able  to  pay.  It 
is  a  wonderous  thing  to  fe  gentlemen  take  ib  great 
rentes,  fynes,  and  ingreffaunce  for  couetoufnes  to  ad- 
uaunce  theyr  owne  landes  :  Howebeit  it  is  a  farre  more 
wonderfull  thyng  to  fee  hufbande  men  offer  and  gene 
fo  greate  fynes,  rentes,  incomes,  yea  and  bribes  for 
Couetoufnes  to  gette  other  mennes  fermes.  It  femeth 
to  come  of  great  couetoufnes  for  riche  men,  to  make 
ftrayte  iawes  to  fane  their  owne  goodes  :  Howebeit  it 
is  in  (let-do  a  farre  more  couetoufnes  for  poore  men  by 
rebellion  to  robbe,  and  fpoile  other  mens  goodes.  And 
tliis  dare  1  faye,  takyng  all  you  to  beare  rcrorde,  that 
the  ioreil  Iawes  that  euer  any  tyraunt  made  in  any 


38  &  Sermon  matre 

lande,  if  they  fbuld  continue  many  yeares  coulde  not 
caufe  fuch  and  fo  great  murther,  myfchiefe,  and 
wretchednes  as  ye  perceyue  and  know  that  thys  re- 
bellyon  in  England  contynuynge  but  a  fewe  monethes, 
hath  caufed  :  by  the  which  ye  may  learne  that  al- 
thoughe  lawers  be  comenly  called  moft  couetous,  yet 
compare  them  with  rebels,  and  as  pickinge  theft,  is 
leffe  then  murtheryng  robrye  [robberie] :  fo  is  the  couet- 
oufnesof  gredy  lawers  which  begyle  craftely,  farleffe  then 
the  couetoufnes  of  rebelles,  whych  fpoyle  cruelly.  Lette 
vs  therefore  euerye  one  acknoweledgynge  our  owne 
fautes,  where  as  moft  euyll  fpryngeth,  there  laboure 
fyrfte  wyth  mofte  diligence  to  plucke  vp  the  roote  of 
that  euil,  whyche  is  couetoufnes  :  that  God  ingraftynge 
grace  in  vs,  maye  geue  occafyon  vnto  cure  Rulars 
rather  to  bee  occupyed  in  rewardynge  of  vertue,  then 
in  punyfheyng  of  vyce :  Yea  that  God  be  not  pro- 
uoked  by  our  finnes  to  fende  euyll  rulers  to  punyfhe 
euyll  men,  but  rather  moued  by  oure  repentaunce,  to 
preferue  thefe  good  rulers  whiche  be  fente  already e 
to  the  greate  comfort  of  all  good  men :  efpecially  the 
kinges  maiefly,  whofe  godlynes,  vertue,  and  grace,  is 
lyke  to  make  this  realme  to  floryfhe,  if  oure  fynnes  do 
not  caufe  God  to  thinke  our  realme  vn worthy  to  en- 
ioye  the  treafure  of  fo  precyous  a  lewell.  Manye 
other  noble  men  therebe  as  I  trufte,  fome  that  I  do 
certaynlye  knowe,  whofe  tender  heartes  do  muche 
lamente  youre  griefes,  and  whofe  godlye  prouifion 
wyll  be  muche  vnto  youre  comforte,  if  your  vnpaciente 
flubburnes  do  not  difapoynte  their  good  purpofe.  If 
euer  at  any  tyme  God  did  fend  vnto  any  afflycted 
people  releyfe,  comforte,  and  profperytye,  it  came 
alwayes  by  good  rulers,  at  fuch  tyme  as  the  people 
beeynge  in  afflyccyon,  dyd  humble  them  felues  in 
pacyence,  and  cryed  vnto  the  Lorde  wyth  prayer,  as 
is  apparente  in  the  houndreth  and  feuen  Pfalme. 
Clamauerunt  ad  dominum  cum  trilmlarentur,  et  de  ne- 
ceffitatibus  eorum  liber auit  eos.1  When  they  were  in 
trouble  they  called  vnto  thee  [the]  Lorde,  and  he  de- 

1  Ps.  cvii.  13. 


in  t|)c  £$rout)e$  in  ^ouleg.  39 

Huered  them  forth  of  their  troubloufefome  gryefes. 
And  in  the  bookes  of  the  iudges  and  of  the  kynges,  ye 
maye  reade  how  that  God,  to  delyuer  his  people  forth 
of  miferye,  and  to  profper  them  in  wealth,  dyd  reyfe 
vp  good  rulers  as  Gedeon,  Barac,  lepthe,  Sampfon, 
Dauid,  Samuel,  and  fuche  other.  And  wythoute 
doubte  euen  at  this  time  here  in  England,  God 
hathe  rayfed  vp  a  gracyous  kynge,  and  fome  fuche 
noble  men  as  be  neyther  cruell  nor  couetous.  If 
ther  be  therfore  in  vs  pacience,  humility,  thankful- 
nes,  and  prayer,  furelye  we  mail  foone  feele  relyefe, 
conforte  and  profperitie. 

Thei  therfore  yat  as  yet  feele  them  felues  greued, 
let  them  cal  vnto  ye  lord,  lokinge  for  his  helpe  in 
paciente  fufTering,  not  prouoking  his  vengeaunce  by 
vngracious  rebellinge  agaynfle  hys  officers,  vnhappye 
refilling  hys  ordinaunce  :  vnhappy  refiftyng  may  I  well 
call  it,  for  vnhappye  are  all  they  that  vfe  it,  purchafing 
thereby  to  them  felues  iudgement,  vengeaunce,  and 
damnacyon.  O  howe  vnhappye  haue  they  been  here 
in  England,  whiche  haue  not  quietlye  fuffered  a  con- 
fortable  reformacion  of  their  greateft  griefes  and 
harmes,  to  precede  from  god  to  them  by  his  ordi 
naunce,  but  vnpacientlye  grudginge  haue  offended 
god,  difquieted  this  realm,  and  vndone  them  felues, 
by  refyflynge  goddes  ordynaunce.  For  the  greatefl 
griefe  that  hathe  been  vnto  the  people  in  thys  realme, 
hath  bene  the  inclofing  of  comens,  as  concernyng 
the  whyche  the  powers  ordeyned  of  GOD  for  that 
purpofe,  made  an  acte  of  parlyamente,  forbiddynge 
anye  man  to  enclofe  vnto  hys  pryuate  vfe,  that  whyche 
of  long  tyme  had  bene  taken,  and  vfed  as  common. 
And  afterwardes,  the  fame  powers  dyd  fende  forthe 
proclamacions,  warnynge  theym  whyche  contrarye  to 
thys  acte  of  parliament  had  inclofed  groundes,  offend- 
ynge  the  people,  that  they  accordynge  to  thefe  Pro 
clamacions  fhoulde  laye  the  fame  inclofed  landes 
abroade  a^ayne,  to  fatyffye  the  acte  of  parliamente, 
and  to  releue  the  people.  And  for  becaufe  neyther  of 


40  &  jtwnon  mate 

thefe  wayes  toke  effecte,  there  was  immediatly  further 
commiffions  dyrected  to  put  fuche  men  in  authoryty, 
as  could  eafelye,  and  woulde  gladly,  and  were  pur- 
pofed  fpedely  to  haue  layed  vnlawfull  inclofed  landes 
abrode  agayne,  in  fuch  quiet  forte  as  fhoulde  haue 
bene  mod  to  the  kynges  honour,  to  ye  wealth  of  thys 
realme,  and  to  the  greatefl  comforte  of  thofe  whyche 
were  moll  greued.  Now  howe  the  people  dyd  take 
or  rather  how  they  dyd  refylle  and  wythlland  thys,  ye 
know. 

And  I  mall  rehearfe  whan  as  I  haue  telled  you  of 
one  other  thyng  whyche  beynge  of  longer  contynuance 
in  Englande,  hath  done  ferre  more  harme,  and  yet  the 
gryef  therof  fer  leffe,  yea  nothynge  at  all  felt.  For  the 
deadely  wound  therof  dyd  brynge  the  people  pafl  all 
felynge  of  gryefe.  And  the  venomous  poyien  broughte 
the  people  in  fuche  a  Maze,  that  they  dyd  not  fele  and 
perceyue  them  felues  to  be  in  moll  horryble  myferable 
wretchednes,  whan  as  the  worde  of  GOD,  the  breade 
of  lyfe,  the  fauyng  health  in  Chrifl  lefu,  was  taken 
a  way,  and  in  a  llraunge  language  fhut,  and  clofed  vp 
from  theym,  fo  that  they  wythout  felyng  were  led  from 
God  by  mannes  tradicions  vnto  vayne  ceremonis,  to 
be  moll  venemoufly  poyfoned  wyth  dyuelifhe  fuperfli- 
cion.  Therefore  whan  as  the  mercyfull  goodnes  of 
God  beholdyng  the  miferies  of  the  people,  by  the 
prouydence  of  the  kynges  maiellye,  and  his  counfell, 
purpofely  ordeined  of  God  to  conforte,  healpe,  and 
amend  the  people  of  thys  realme,  by  the  relloryng  of 
goddes  worde,  and  fettynge  it  playnelye  forthe  in  the 
Englyfh  tong,  with  the  ryght  vfe  and  dew  adminiflra- 
cion  of  hys  facramentes  to  be  imprynted,  and  con- 
fyrmed  in  our  hartes :  Whan  as  I  faye,  by  thefe 
gracyous  meanes,  and  godly e  order,  God  hym  felfe 
dyd  offer  vnto  the  people,  relyefe,  comforte,  and  prof- 
peritye  :  Then  the  vngodlye,  vngracious  and  vnhappye 
people,  beynge  moofte  vnkynde,  where  as  they  fhoulde 
haue  bene  moofle  thankefull,  dyllrufled  GOD,  dyfpifed 
hys  ordinaunce,  and  prefumed  of  theyr  owne  wylfulnes 


in  tlje  j£|jrout)c3  in  joules.  41 

fo  farre  as  they  coulde  or  myghte,  to  wythftand  the  or- 
dynaunce  of  God,  refufed  the  grace  of  God,  and  pro 
cured  to  theym  felues  the  vengeaunce  of  God.  Wher- 
fore  we  hauynge  thys  terrible  example  in  frefh  memorye, 
and  feynge  a  gracyous  Kyng,  and  Godly  rulars  or- 
deyned  of  GOD,  to  amende  oure  gryefes,  althoughe 
all  that  cannot  be  amended  in  one  day,  whyche  hath 
bene  appayryng  manye  yeres,  yet  let  vs  pacientlye 
fuffer  for  a  tyme,  not  doubtynge  but  that  that  reliefe, 
comforte,  and  wealth,  whyche  God  hathe  promyfed 
vnto  Englande  by  hys  word,  offered  of  hys  goodnes, 
and  begon  by  his  ordinaunce,  fhalbe  brought  vnto 
paffe,  by  hys  wyfdome  and  myghte  :  in  fuche  wyfe  as 
fhall  be  moile  for  hys  glorye,  the  kynges  honoure,  the 
wealth  of  the  real  me,  and  moil  to  the  conforte  of 
theym  that  moofle  pacyentlye  in  hope,  trufle  to  [in] 
goddes  goodnes.  Thefe  examples  haue  I  rehearfed  to 
teach  you  as  it  were  by  experience,  howe  true  this  faying 
of  [faincte]  Paul  is:  They  whyche  wythflande  or  refyile 
the  powers  ordeyned  of  God,  receyue  vnto  them  felues 
ludgemente :  whyche  is  vengeaunce,  and  damnacion. 
Let  vs  therfore  amend  our  lyues,  and  be  good  men, 
and  we  fhall  not  nede  to  hate  and  feare,  but  haue 
greate  occafion  to  loue,  and  truft-e  thofe  whyche  be  nowe 
our  chyefe  rulars.  For  they  be  as  [S.]  Paule  fayeth, 
made  rulars,  not  to  put  theym  in  feare  that  do  good, 
but  theym  whyche  do  euyll :  fo  that  none  nedeth  to 
feare  thefe  rulers,  but  euell  doers.  Whyche  in  euyll 
doynge  haue  deferued  of  the  rulers  to  be  punylhed, 
and  in  refyflynge  theyr  power  ordeyned  of  GOD,  do 
haften,  and  aggrauate  towardes  theym  felues,  the  fore 
vengeaunce  of  GOD.  It  foloweth  :  Wouldeil  thou  be 
wythout  feare  of  power,  do  that  whyche  is  good,  and 
thou  fhalte  haue  prayfe  of  it  :  for  he  is  the  mynyiler 
of  God  to  do  the[e]  good,  but  yf  thou  do  euyl,  feare. 
For  he  beareth  not  the  fwearde  wythout  a  caufe,  but 
is  the  mynifler  of  GOD  to  aduenge  in  wrath  hym  that 
doeth  euyll. 

All  thefe  wordes  [faiiict]  Peter  concludethbryefelye in 


42  &  jtermon  matie 

thefecond  of  hys  fyrfl  Epiftle,  faying  that  thofe  that  haue 
rule  and  authorytye,  be  fente  ad  vindictam  malorum, 
laudcm  vero  bonorum^  That  is  to  faye  :  to  take  ven- 
geaunce  of  euell  doers,  and  to  commende  the  good. 

Whofoeuer  thou  arte  therefore  and  of  whatfoeuer 
degree  or  forte  thou  bee,  yf  thou  bee  a  Subiecte  thou 
mufte  remember,  and  confyder  howe  that  powers  be 
ordayned  of  God  for  the,  yf  thou  be  euyll  to  make  the 
good  by  dewe  correccyon  :  yf  thou  be  good  to  make 
the[e]  better,  by  the  encoragemente  of  commendacyon, 
prayfe,  and  mayntenaunce.  Looke  therefore  all  you 
that  haue  power,  and  authorytye  of  GOD,  that  ye  vfe 
it,  as  ye  are  commaunded  by  God :  to  correcte  and 
punyihe  the  euyll  doer,  and  to  encorage,  rewarde,  and 
mayntaine  the  good. 

Se  that  for  fo  ferre  as  your  power  extendeth,  there 
be  no  euyll  vnpunyfhed,  nor  no  good  vnrewarded. 
Butharckea  lytle,  and  I  fhal  tell  you  of  an  ab[h]omyn- 
able  robbery  done  in  the  Citye,  knowen  to  the  officers 
of  the  city,  and  as  yet  not  punylhed,  but  rather  mayn- 
tayned  in  the  city.  There  is  a  greate  fumme  of  monye 
fente  from  an  honorable  Lord  by  hys  feruaunte  vnto 
thofe  whome  he  is  indetted  vnto  in  the  citye.  The 
officers  knowynge  that  they  to  whom  thys  monye  is 
fente  haue  great  nede  of  it,  knowe  alfo  in  what  places, 
at  what  tymes  thefe  vnthryftye  feruauntes  by  whorne  it 
is  fente,  at  gamnynge,  banckettyng,  and  riot,  do  fpende 
it.  If  thys  be  an  euell  dede,  why  is  it  not  punylhed  ? 
Bycaufe  it  is  not  knowen  fome  faye.  But  whyther  they 
meane  that  it  is  not  knowen  to  be  done,  or  not  knowen 
to  be  euyll  I  doubte.  And  therefore  here  now  wyll  I 
make  it  openlye  knowen  boeth  to  be  done,  and  alfo 
to  be  euell  done,  and  worfe  fuffered.  But  doeth  not 
manye  of  you  knowe  ?  fure  I  am  that  all  you  that  be 
officers  oughte  to  know  that  all  that  ryches  and  trea- 
fures  whyche  rych  men,  and  rufflers,  wafle  at  gredye 
gamning,  glotonous  bancketting,  and  fuche  riote,  is 
not  theyr  owne,  but  fente  by  theym  from  the  honor 
able  Lord  of  heauen,  vnto  other  that  be  honeft,  pore, 

'  i  Peter  it.  14. 


in  tije  grouse*  tn  $oule$.  43 


and  nedye  :  vnto  whome  God  by  hys  promyfe  is  in- 
detted.  Ye  knowe,  that  Domini  eft  terra  et  plenitudo 
eiits.1  The  yearthe  is  the  Lordes,  and  the  plenty 
therof.  So  that  no  man  hath  any  thyng  of  hys  owne  : 
But  hath  receyued  all  of  the  Lorde.  For,  Quid  habes 
quod  non  accept/lit'2  What  hafle  thou  that  thou  haft 
not  receyued  :  Yea  thou  as  a  feruaunte  hafle  re 
ceyued  of  thy  Lord,  whych  gyueth  vnto  hys  fer- 
uauntes  the  Talentes  of  hys  treafures.  And  to  knowe 
for  what  purpofe  he  gyueth  theym  vnto  you,  reade 
Efaye,  thexviii  [.Iviij.].  Frangeefurientipanemtuum.  etc? 
Breacke  thy  breade  vnto  the  hungrye,  and  the  nedye  : 
and  the  wanderyng  leade  into  thy  houfe  :  whan  thou 
feed  one  naked  cloth  hym,  and  do  not  dyfpyfe  thyne 
owne  fleflie.  Heare  you  feruauntes  of  the  Lorde, 
whyche  haue  receyued  the  treafures  of  the  lord,  vnto 
whom  the  lorde  by  you  hath  fente  them  :  vnto  the 
houngrye,  the  nedye,  the  naked,  and  thofe  that  be  of 
the  fame  flefhe  and  bloude  that  you  youre  felues  be. 
Nowe  you  offycers  knowynge  that  greate  ryches,  and 
treafures  fente  from  the  honorable  lord  of  heauen, 
vnto  his  welbeloued  people,  the  nedy  members  of 
Chriftes  bodye,  by  thefe  vnthriftye  feruauntes  is  fpente 
at  gamnynge,  and  riote,  within  your  offyces,  ye  mufte 
nedes  knowe  that  an  euyll  dede  is  done.  Let  vs 
therfore  I  praye  you,  knowe  howe  it  is  punyfhed. 
Peraduenture  ye  wyll  faye  :  ther  is  no  lawe  in  Eng 
land  that  appoynteth  any  punyflimente  for  gamners. 
If  therefore  euyll  dedes  maye  be  done  in  Englande 
wythout  feare,  than  is  the  fweard  of  authoritye  borne 
in  Englande,  wythout  a  caufe.  But  I  wyll  tell  the 
that  art  an  offycer  in  England  or  in  what  Chryflen 
lande  fo  eucr  it  be:  whereas  there  is  no  certayne 
punyfhment  for  any  euyl  dede  by  mans  law,  there  the 
offycer  may  and  ought  to  vfe  any  kind  of  punifhment 
to  amende  or  reflreyne  the  euyll  doer,  by  goddcs 
lawe.  But  without  doubte  yf  thofe  fame  men  mould 
fpende  in  the  fame  forte  of  ryot,  fo  great  treafures 
fente  from  the  Kyngcs  Maieflye  vnto  the  Aldermenne 

1  Psa.  xxiv.  i.  2  j  cor.  jv.  7.  3  Isa.  h'iii.  7. 


44  &  Sermon  matre 

of  thys  Cytye,  there  flioulde  be  punyfhmente,  correc- 
cyon,  and  reamedye  founde  for  theym  quyckely. 

And  of  very  confcience  is  not  god  as  much  to  be 
feared  as  the  kynge,  and  the  poore,  and  nedye  as  well 
to  be  pytied  and  prouyded  for  as  the  rych  and 
wealthy  ? 

Well,  gamners,  ryotters,  and  all  euell  doers,  yf  they 
do  not  repente,  fhalbe  damned  in  theyr  owne  fynnes  : 
but  the  bloude  of  theyr  foules  fhalbe  requyred  at  the 
handes  of  the  cflfycers,  whyche  by  feare  fhoulde  haue 
caufed  theim  to  le  lue  fynne.  Yea  but  what  mall  me  [we] 
than  faye  by  vfurye,  whyche  is  no  we  made  fo  lawefull 
that  an  offycer  yf  he  would,  can  not  punyfh,  to  make 
men  to  leaue  it?  As  concernynge  thys  matter  we 
haue  playne  commaundemente  in  the  fiftene  of  Deutro 
[nomie].  And  in  the  fyfteof  Math.  To  lend  tohym  that 
nedeth,  and  wold  borowe.  And  in  the  fyxte  of  Luke 
it  is  playne.  Date  mutuo,  nihil  inde  fperantes^  Lende 
fayeth  Chrifle,  trufling  to  haue  no  gayn  therby.  Here 
we  haue  two  commaundementes,  the  one  is  to  lende, 
and  the  other  not  to  lende  for  lukar  [lucre]  :  nowe  he 
thatbreaketh  goddes  commaundement  rnufl  nedes  go  to 
the  deuyll.  So  that  in  breakynge  thefe  two  commaunde 
mentes,  here  is  two  wayes  for  you  ryche  men  to  go  to 
the  dyuyll :  Eyther  in  lendynge  for  luker  [lucre],  or 
els  in  not  lendynge  anye  thynge  at  all.  Manye  of 
you  there  be,  that  whofoeuer  fayeth  nay,  wyll  nedes 
the  one  of  thefe  two  wayes.  For  yf  mans  lawe  do 
flop  vp  vfurye,  fo  yat  by  lendyng  thou  canfl  haue  no 
gaynes,  than  wylte  thou  the  other  waye  apace,  and 
lend  nothyng  at  all.  So  flialte  thou  be  fuer  to  come 
ther  away  to  the  deuyll.  For  than  mail  no  man  in  no 
cafe  haue  anye  vfe  of  thy  goods.  Therefore  neyther 
the  lawe,  nor  the  officer  in  fufferynge  a  lytle  vfurye, 
and  commaundinge  none,  doth  mayntayne  or  allow 
vfurye.  But  for  becaufe  you  [thou]  beynge  an  vfurer  wylte 
nedes  to  the  dyuell,  they  fuffer  the  to  goo  fuch  awaye 
as  fome  commodytye  myght  come  to  other  by  fome 
vfe  of  thy  goodes,  rather  than  by  ftoppynge  vp  that 

1  Luke  vi.  35. 


in  tlje  jc^routies  m  joules.  45 

•waye,  to  dryue  the  there  awaye  as  no  man  coulde  haue 
any  vfe  of  anye  of  thy  goorles.  For  where  as  God 
commaundeth,  and  thy  nedy  neyghbour  defyreth  the 
to  lende,  and  thou  neyther  at  the  reuerence  of  God, 
nor  for  pitye  of  thy  neyghboure  wylte  lende  of  loue 
frelye :  but  contrarye  to  goddes  commaundemente 
wyth  out  pytye  of  the  poore,  thou  wylte  not  flycke  to 
lende  for  gredyneffe  of  Inker  couetouflye :  thy  owne 
dedes  declare  the  to  be  fo  voyde  of  all  godly  charity, 
and  fo  ful  of  diuilyfh  couetoufnes,  that  thou  art  fer  pad 
all  mans  cure,  and  helpe,  either  by  law  or  puniihmente. 
So  wyl  I  leue  the,  and  fpeake  of  thofe  that  myght,  and 
oughte  to  be  healed  by  men  beynge  in  authorytye,  and 
yet  wyll  not. 

For  ther  be  fum  fuche  ioyly  felowes  that  they  wylbe 
fubiect  to  no  powers,  which  by  fear  myght  caufe  them 
to  forbeare  theyr  vayne  pleafures  in  euil :  vnto  thofe 
now  confequentlye  doth  [faincte]  Paule  fpeake,  fayinge  : 
ye  mufl  nedes  be  fubiecte,  not  onely  for  wrathe,  but  alfo 
for  confcience  fake.  If  ye  be  fuche  ioyly  felowes  that 
ye  feare  not  the  wrathe  or  dyfpleafure  of  officers,  whan 
as  ye  do  euyll,  yet  grope  youre  owne  confcience,  that 
ye  may  fele  what  a  greuous  fynne  it  is  to  wythflamle 
the  powers  ordayned  of  GOD  to  minifler  dewe  correc- 
cyon  vnto  euyll  doers.  For  not  onely  thy  confcyence, 
but  alfo  thyne  owne  deede  in  that  thou  doefle  paye 
tribute  for  thys  thynge,  fhall  teftifye  agaynfl  the  :  that 
thou  knowefl  theym  to  be  the  myniflers  of  GOD,  at- 
tendynge  to  thys  fame  thynge,  to  thys  bryngynge  euell 
doers  in  feare.  It  is  therefore  a  matter  of  confcience 
for  the[e]  fo  to  withftande  the  powers  ordayned  of  God, 
that  thei  take  no  place  in  the,  but  that  thou  wylt  do 
euell  wythout  feare,  and  maintaine  that  whych  is  euell 
done,  by  worfe  prefumpcion.  I  do  not  lave  that  what- 
foeuer  the  magyflratcs  commaunde  is  a  matter  of  con 
fcience,  but  what  foeuer  is  euell,  is  a  matter  of  con 
fcyence.  And  to  refyfle  ryghte  by  myghte,  fo  that 
thou  wylte  not  be  fubiecte  in  huniylitye,  vnto  thofe 
powers  whyche  God  by  hys  righte  hath  fet  ouer  the[e]  in 


46  &  Sermon  mate 

authoritye  is  a  greate  euell,  and  therefore  a  greate 
matter  of  confcience.  Manye  examples  we  haue 
whyche  doeth  proue  that  euerye  commaundement  of 
magiftrates  be  not  matters  in  confcience,  and  yet 
euery  refifting  or  rebelling  againfl  their  autority  is  a 
matter  in  confcience.  The  lewes  had  a  cuflume 
confirmed  by  their  elders  whiche  were  magiflrates, 
that  no  man  mould  eate  wyth  vnwafhen  handes : 
Chrifte  lefu  leafte  thys  cuflome,  brake  thys  tradicion 
wythout  any  grudge  of  confcience. 

Dauid  knowynge  Saule  the  kyng  to  be  a  wycked 
man  and  hys  deadly  enemy,  and  hauyng  Saule  in  a 
denne,  where  as  if  he  would,  he  myghte  haue  kylled 
hym :  this  Dauid  hadde  a  good  confcience  not  to 
touche  the  lordes  anointed,  to  fuffer  Saule  to  be 
kynge  and  to  fubmitte  hym  felfe.  Daniel  was  com- 
maunded  not  to  praye  to  God  :  the  Apoftles  were 
commaunded  not  to  preache  gods  worde.  Thefe  dyd 
not  rebell  againfl  the  higher  powers,  no  nor  yet  for 
confcience  obey  men,  but  rather  they  obeyed  God. 
For  Daniell  did  praye,  and  the  Apoflles  dyd  preache. 
So  ryfe  not,  rebell  not,  refifte  not,  what  foeuer  the 
rulers  them  felues  do :  And  be  ye  not  fo  fcrupulous 
as  to  thynke  the  bond  in  confcience  vnto  euerye 
thing  that  a  man  beyng  a  ruler  commaundeth  the  to 
do  it  efpeciallye,  if  God  commaund  the  contrary. 
Nowe  it  foloweth,  geue  vnto  euerye  one  that  which 
is  due  :  Euery  dutye  belonging  to  euery  body,  can  not 
here  be  declared,  no  nor  at  this  tyme  rehearfed,  I 
wyll  therefore  fpeake  briefely  of  one  thynge  whych 
fhall  be  a  generall  example  for  all  duties.  Pan.  i.  vnto 
the  Cor.  xi.  Vnus  panis  vnum  corpus  multi  fumus  .a 
One  bred  fayeth  he  one  body  we  are  that  be  many  :  by 
the  whiche  he  declareth  that  as  of  diuers  cornes  of 
wheate  by  the  liquor  of  water  knoden  into  dough  is 
made  one  loafe  of  breade  :  fo  we  being  diuerfe  men, 
by  loue  and  charitie,  whyche  is  the  liquor  of  lyfe, 
ioyned  into  one  congregacion,  be  made  as  dyuers 
members  of  one  mifticall  body  of  Chrifte,  where  by  I 

1  i  Cor.  x.  17. 


tn  lj)c  jc£rout)e$  in  joules.  47 

fay,  as  by  one  example  in  the  ftede  of  many,  learne 
that  the  more  gorgeous  you  youre  felues  bee  in 
filkesand  veluettes,  the  more  fhame  is  it  for  you 
to  fee  other  poore  and  neady,  beyng  members  of 
the  fame  bodye,  in  ragges  and  clothe,  yea  bare  and 
naked. 

Doefl  thou  not  thynke  them  to  be  members  of  the 
fame  bodye  that  thou  arte  ?  Then  arte  not  thou  a 
member  of  Chrifte,  then  arte  not  thou  a  chylde  of 
God,  then  art  not  thou  a  chriflen  man.  One  member 
oughte  as  well  to  be  prouided  for,  as  a  nother :  I  do 
not  fay  that  one  oughte  to  haue  as  coflely  prouifion 
as  a  nother. 

But  as  there  be  dyuers  members  in  dyuers  places, 
hauyng  dyuers  duties,  fo  to  haue  dyuers  prouifion  in 
feedyng  and  clothyng. 

And  as  they  be  all  in  one  body,  fo  none  to  be  with 
out  that  feedynge  and  clothyng,  whych  for  that  part  of 
the  bodye  is  meete  and  neceffarye.  Euen  as  ye  do 
prouide  indifferentlye  for  euery  parte  of  youre  naturall 
bodye,  by  reafon  of  the  which,  ye  are  bounde,  and 
fubiecte  to  corruption  :  So  let  no  parte  or  member  of 
your  Chriilen  bodye  be  vnprouyded  for :  By  reafon 
of  the  whyche  bodye,  ye  be  heyres  of  the  heauenly  kyng- 
dome.  And  this  one  example  generally  fhall  teacheyou 
to  gyue  that  whych  is  due  vnto  euery  one  feuerally.  Nowe 
here  folowetheuen.  iiii.  [fowerl  word  es:  Tribute,  cu  flume, 
fere,  honor.  Of  thefe.  iiii.  [fower]  wordes  wil  I  con 
clude  almofl  in  iiii.  [fower]  wordes.  Ye  mud  gyue 
trybute,  to  whome  trybute  is  due  :  cuflome,  to  whome 
cuftome  is  due  :  feare,  to  whome  feare  is  due  :  honour, 
to  whome  honoure  is  due.  Vnder  trybute  be  con- 
teined  taxes,  fiftenth,  fubfides,  and  fuche  as  be  payed 
at  fometymes  to  the  Rulers,  and  be  not  continuall. 
Cuftomes  be  tythes,  tolles,  rentes,  and  fuch  as  the 
people  paye  vnto  the  officers  continually.  For  \>:\y- 
inge  of  trybute  befydes  thys  comrnaundemente  of 
Paule,  we  haue  example  of  Chriiles  mother,  whyrh 
beyng  at  the  houre  of  her  trauell  went  out  of  Gal)  k- 


48  &  Sermon 

vnto  Bethlem,  a  toune  in  lewry,  there  to  be  taxed, 
and  pay  trybute  vnto  Cefar. 

As  concernyng  cuftome,  Chrift  hymfelfe  com- 
maimded  Peter  to  pay  for  them  both,  leil  that  they 
fhulde  offend  :  that  is,  left  that  they,  in  not  paying, 
fhuld  geue  euyll  example  vnto  the  people.  So  Chrif- 
ten  men  mud  nedes  paye  both  trybute  and  cuftome. 
What  trybute  and  cuftome  good  men  may  take,  it  ap- 
pereth  in  that  that  goeth  afore  :  furelye  euen  fo  muche 
and  no  more  as  (hall  fufficientlye  difcharge  their  coftes, 
neceffaryly  beftowed  in  correctynge  of  euyll,  and  re- 
wardyng  good.  Marke  that  I  fay  they  may  or  oughte 
to  take  no  more  :  for  here  I  tell  them  their  duty.  For 
truly  if  they  do  requyre  more  of  you  that  be  their  fub- 
iectes,  then  is  it  youre  duty  to  pay  that  whiche  they 
afke,  and  not  to  be  curyous  to  know  for  what  caufe 
it  is  afked,  but  this  onlye  to  take  hede  that  with  due 
reuerence  ye  pay  it,  as  Paule  commaundeth,  and  as 
Chrifte  and  hys  mother  haue  geuen  you  example. 
Feare  and  honoure  belonge  chieflye,  yea  in  a  manner 
onely  vnto  God.  For  God  onely  for  hym  felfe  is  to 
be  feared  and  honoured. 

All  other  for  gods  caufe,  are  fo  to  be  feared  and 
honoured  :  as  that  feare  and  honoure  which  is  geuen 
vnto  them,  may  procede  and  come  finally  vnto  God. 
For,  dominum  dcnm  tuum  adorabis  et  ilium  folum  coles} 
Thou  fhalte  honoure  the  Lorde  thy  God,  and  hym 
only  (halt  thou  reuerentlye  ferue.  As  for  the  Deuyll, 
feare  hym  not,  for  he  wyll  doo  no  leffe  harme  vnto 
thee  then  he  canne  :  he  canne  do  no  more  then  God 
wyll  differ  hym.  Feare  therfore  lefte  that  thou  of- 
fende  God,  and  he  fufferre  the  Deuyll  to  vtter  hys 
malyce,  and  myfchyefe  towardes  thee. 

That  feare,  honoure,  or  feruice  whyche  accordynge 
to  godcles  commaundemente  is  done  vnto  thofe  per- 
fonnes  whom  God  hath  authoryfed  to  receyue  it  in  hys 
name,  is  done  vnto  God. 

As  that  money  whych  by  thy  commaundemente  is 
payde  to  thy  feruaunt  in  thy  name,  is  paid  vnto  the[e]. 

1  Matt.  iv.  10. 


(n  tlje  j?I)rou&eg  (n  ^oule<}.  49 

Therefore  Chrifte  rulynge  in  magiflrates  by  authcrytye, 
and  beynge  houngrye  and  coulde  in  the  poore  by  pytye, 
doeth  commaunde  vs  to  geue,  and  promyfeth  that  he 
hym  felfe  wyll  receyue  and  rewarde  that  honoure  of 
reuerence,  feruyce  and  obedyence  doone  to  the  hygher 
powers,  as  to  hys  ordinaunce  in  the  common  wealth : 
andalfothat  honour  of  chari  table  almes  [almose],  relyefe, 
and  conforte,  whych  is  bellowed  vpon  the  poore  and 
neady,  as  vpon  the  lyuely  members  of  his  owne  body. 
As  for  that  whych  wythout  goddes  commaundement, 
of  mans  phantafticall  imaginacion  is  doone  vnto  Images, 
mufl  nedes  be  hyghe  dymonoure,  and  greuous  difplea- 
fure  vnto  God,  when  as  the  lyuely  ymage  of  God 
created  wyth  hys  owne  hande  in  flefhe  and  bloud, 
doth  honor,  reuerence,  and  homage  vnto  a  dead  pic 
ture  of  man,  grauen  in  ftocke  or  ilone,  wyth  a  worke- 
mans  tooles. 

God  is  alfo  honoured  in  all  hys  creatures,  when  as 
they  be  taken  wyth  thankes,  and  vfed  as  he  hath  com- 
maunded:  and  therfore,  when  as  they  be  vnthankfully 
taken,  or  wyckedly  abufed,  then  is  he  difhonoured, 
and  difpleafed. 

Nowe,  heare  a  fhort  conclufion,  Qid  ex  dco  eft,  uer- 
bum  dci  audit.  He  that  is  of  God,  heareth  the  worde 
of  God.  All  you  I  faye  that  be  Chriflen  men,  Gods 
chyldren,  and  indued  wyth  Goddes  fpiryte,  wyll  heare 
the  worde  of  Gods  threatenyng,  and  fearyng  his  venge- 
aunce,  repent,  wyll  heare  the  woorde  of  gods  com 
maundement,  and  folowyng  his  counfels  amende 
youre  lyues,  wyl  heare  the  worde  of  Gods  promyfe, 
and  paciently  furTerynge,  trull  to  hys  goodnes.  As 
for  you  that  wyll  not  heare  and  regarde  goddes  worde, 
ye  declare  your  felues  not  to  be  of  God.  But  for  be- 
caufe  ye  haue  the  deuyl  to  your  father,  ye  wyll  fulfyll 
the  luiles  and  defyres  of  the  Deuyll,  whyche  is  your 
father.  And  the  lufle  and  defire  of  the  Deuyll  is,  to 
hynder  the  worcke  and  pleafure  of  God  :  and  thys  is 
the  worke  and  wyll  of  God,  that  we  fhould  repofe 


50  &  Sermon  mat)* 

cure  faythe  and  trufle  in  Chrifle  lefu,  and  beftowe  cure 
laboure  and  diligence  in  our  owne  vocacyon. 

'herefore  the  deuyll  poyfonynge  all  hys  wyth 
greadye  couetoufenes,  wyll  cauie  them  euer  to  trufl 
to  their  owne  prouifion,  and  neuer  to  be  content  wyth 
their  owne  vocacion,  but  beynge  called  of  God  to  be 
marchaunt,  gentleman,  lawer,  or  courtear,  yet  to  be 
readye  at  a  becke  of  their  father  the  deuyl,  befydes 
this  their  godly  vocacion,  deuyllyfhelye  to  proule  for, 
feke,  and  purchafe  farmes,  perfonages,  and  benefices, 
to  difcourage  houfbandemenne  from  tyllynge  of  the 
grounde,  and  minifters  from  preachynge  of  Goddes 
woorde :  that  therby  maye  come  a  greuoufe  honger, 
dearth,  and  lacke  both  of  naturall  fubflaunce  for  the 
bodye,  and  alfo  of  heauenly  foode  for  the  foule  And 
then  thofe  in  the  countrey  that  be  not  gods  chyldren, 
but  deuyllyfhe  vipers,  will  hyffe,  whifper,  and  fwell 
wyth  venemous  prefumpcion,  and  their  fling  of  re 
bellion  to  deftroy  both  them  felues,  and  al  the  cuntry. 
But  they  of  ye  cuntry  or  els  wher,  that  be  the  chyldren 
of  God  in  dede,  knowynge  couetous  riche  men  and 
officers  to  be  fparpled  abrod  in  the  cuntry  as  the 
fcourges  of  god,  to  beat  them  for  their  fynnes,  lyke 
gentle  chyldren,  wyl  acknowledge  their  owne  fautes, 
and  paciently  fuffryng  correccion,  pitifullye  crye  vnto 
their  heauenly  father  for  mercy,  forgeueneffe,  and  con- 
forte.  So  all  you  in  England,  that  haue  any  godly 
knowledge,  grace,  and  charitie,  wyll  fay  with  the  pro 
phet  Dauid :  Virga  tua,  et  bacillus  tuns,  ipfa  me  con- 
folata  funl -^  Thy  rod,  O  Lorde  and  thy  ftaffe,  they  it 
be  whyche  haue  conforted  me.  Thy  rodde  of  correc 
cion,  whych  is  thefe  couetous  ryche  men,  and  officers, 
and  thy  flaffe  of  conforte,  whyche  is  the  kynges  maiel- 
tie,  whom  thou  hail  endowed  wyth  a  gracious  gentle 
nature,  godly  educacion,  wonderful  wyt,  and  great 
learnyng :  yea,  and  thofe  noble  men  whom  thou  haft 
called  from  their  vayne  plcfures,  to  take  great  paynes, 
of  a  reuerent  loue  towardes  the  kyng,  and  of  a  chari- 

1  Ps.  xxiii.  4. 


in  tlje  jefjroulifS  in  joules.  51 

table  pitie  towardes  vs,  to  beflowe  their  landes  and 
goodes,  tyme,  and  fludye,  and  all  that  euer  they  haue, 
to  profper  the  Kynge,  to  prouide  for  hys  realme,  and 
to  cherilh  vs  his  people  therof.  Thus  thy  rodde  of 
correccion,  O  Lorde,  hath  taught  vs  to  be  fubiecte  in 
humilitie  vnto  all  hygher  powers,  as  to  thy  ordinaunce: 
and  this  thy  ftaffe  of  conforte  o  Lorde,  doth  encorage 
vs  to  loue  and  trufl  them,  efpecially  vnto  whome  thou 
hafl  geuen  hyefl  power  and  authoritie.  So  that  we 
can  nowe  wyllynglye  geue  vnto  euerye  one  that 
whyche  is  due :  vnto  ye  higher  powers,  reuerence, 
feruyce,  and  obedience,  vnto  all  in  general  faythfull 
dealynge,  and  vnto  the  poore  and  needye,  charitable 
almes  [almose],  releefe  and  conforte. 

Giue  therfore  vnto  vs,  o  Lord,  mercye  and  grace, 
that  we  maye  render  vnto  thee  thankes  and  prayfe  for 
euer.  Amen. 


imprinted 

at  fLouDfon 

Date,  ttoellinge  ouer 
Derfgate,  anD 
liam  ©er 
ling  in 
ColleDge* 

geate  of  our  ilortie 
|ll«  13.  iL« 
Dare  of 


Sermon 

preacfteD  ge  fourtft 


xonDap  in  3Lent  foe= 
fore  tfje  ISpnges 

tcfltr,  ctnD  ijio  ijono 
rafole  Counfell, 
bs 
ILeauer, 


C/////  priuilf^  imprimcntiiim  Join  in. 

As   incorrectly  printed    on   smut:    tit.  -his   srrin< 


In  nomine  Ermt 


[OD  be  mercifull  vnto  vs  :  For  the 
tyme  is  euen  nowe  comynge,  when 
as  God  mufte  needes  either  of  his 
mercye  here  in  Englande,  worke 
fuche  a  wonderfull  miracle  vnto 
our  conforte,  as  farre  paffeth  mans 
expectacion  :  orels  of  his  righteous- 
nes  take  fuch  vengeance  of  this 
lande  to  th[e]example  of  all  other  landes,  as  fhall  be  to 
our  vtter  diflruccion. 

Ye  know,  that  immediatly  after  the  preachynge  of 
Noe,  came  the  great  floud  that  drouned  ye  world. 
After  the  warnyng  of  Loth,  came  fyre,  brymflone  vpon 
the  Sodomites  and  Gomorrians.  When  Moifes  had 
declared  Gods  thretnynges  in  Egipte,  kyng  Pharao 
and  his  people  were  plaged  vpon  the  lande,  and 
drouned  in  the  red  fea. 

Suche  plages  came  euer  where  Gods  worde  truly 
preached,  is  not  beleued,  receaued,  and  folowed.  ]Jut 
at  the  preachyng  of  lonas,  the  Niniuites  repented 
wonderfully.  When  the  boke  of  the  law  was  reade  vnto 
lofias  the  kyng,  he,  with  all  his  people  fpedely  repent- 
yng,  found  exrcadyng  mercy,  bleffyng,  and  grace  :  as 
lykewyfe  all  other  fhalbe  fure  to  find,  which  heare  the 
worde  of  God  and  keepe  it. 

For  when  Chrifl  and  his  Apoflles  had  preached  the 

Gofpel  vnto  the  lewes,  thofe  that  beleued  were  de- 

•1   irome  the  curfo  of  the  law,  vnto  the  blefling 

of  grace,  out  of  worldly  mifcry,  to  be  inheritcrs  of  the 

heucnly  kyngdome  :   and  thofe  that  did  not  beleue, 

were  cn.fl  from   God,    oppixffcd    of  men,   ouercome, 

fnovlrd,  murilK'ivd,  and  dillroycd  of  llu-ir  riu-myes. 

\\  hcrfore  Englande,  whicho  at  this  prclcnt  tyme,  by 


56  &  Sermon 

reafon  of  the  worde  of  God  fetfurth,  reade,  preached, 
and  comuned,  dothe  in  euerye  place  heare  the  coun- 
fell  of  Noe,  the  warnynge  of  Loth,  the  law  of  Moyfes, 
the  threatnynges  of  the  Prophetes,  and  the  grace  of 
the  Gofpell,  as  it  was  declared  and  taught  by  Chrili 
and  his  Apoflles  :  Thys  Englande  mulle  nedes,  either 
by  beleuynge  of  thefe  thynges,  obteyne  of  God  won- 
derfull  grace  of  amendement,  orels  by  neglecting  them, 
prouoke  the  vengeance  of  God,  as  a  dewe  plage  and 
punyfhment. 

Take  heede  therfore  England,  for  if  thou  by  vnbe- 
lefe,  let  and  flop  God  from  workynge  of  miracles  to 
thy  confort,  then  furely  dooefl  thou  prouoke  God  to 
powre  doun  vengeaunce  vpon  the,  to  thy  vtter  di- 
flruccion  :  But  if  thou  doo  regarde,  receaue,  and  be- 
leue  Gods  worde,  he  wyll  worke  wonderfull  miracles 
to  thy  conforte,  wealth e,  and  profperitie.  Yea,  let 
euerye  man,  of  what  eftate  or  degree  foeuer  he  be, 
grope  his  owne  confcience  :  for  if  he  dooe  not  there 
feele  that  the  worde  of  God  dothe  take  place  to  moue 
hym  to  repentaunce  and  amendment  of  lyfe,  then  mall 
he  be  fure  fone  to  haue  experience,  that  the  vengeaunce 
of  God,  by  a  fhamefull  fhorte  eride  of  his  wretched 
lyfe,  wyll  bryng  him  vnto  an  euerlaflynge  dampnable 
deathe.  For  all  thofe  that  wyll  not  creepe  vnder  the 
merciful  wings  of  god,  as  the  chikynnes  of  Chrift, 
fhalbe  caught  and  deuoured  of  puttockes,  haukes,  and 
kytes,  as  a  pray  for  the  deuyll.  The  wynges  of  God 
be  iiretched  abrode  here  in  Englande,  by  the  kynges 
gracious  maieflye  and  his  honorable  counfell,  of  mighty 
power,  with  ready  wyll  to  fhadowe,  defende,  and  faue 
all  thofe  that  with  reuerent  loue,  come  Humbly  creepyng 
vnder  their  ordinaunce,  rule,  and  gouernaunce,  whiche 
is  the  power,  the  wynges,  and  the  honour  [the  order] 
of  God. 

The  filthye  gredye  puttockes,  wylde  haukes,  and 
rauenyng  kytes  be  fuperflicious  papifles,  carnall  gofpel- 
lers,  and  fedicious  rebelles,  which  as  ye  haue  feene,  by 
late  experience,  haue  moil  cruelly  caught,  fpoyled,  and 


Before  tf)e  ^gng.  57 

deuoured  the  lambes,  the  chekynnes,  the  chyldren  of 
God,  redemed  and  boughte  with  Chrifles  blonde. 
Wherfore  as  Chrifl  in  his  owne  perfone  dyd  once 
lament  and  bewayle  lerufalem,  fo  clothe  he  nowe 
many  tymes  in  the  perfons  of  his  propheticall  Preachers, 
lament  and  bewayl  Englande,  faying :  O  England, 
howe  ofte  wolde  I  haue  gathered  thy  chyldren,  as  a 
hen  gathereth  her  chikens  vnder  her  wynges,  and  thou 
woldefl.  not.  Euen  with  the  fame  affeccion  that  the 
fhepherde  cryeth,feeyng  the  wolfe  le[e]ryng  towardesthe 
fhepe,  and  with  the  fame  affeccion  that  the  hen  clock- 
eth  and  calleth,  fpyeng  the  kyte  houeryng  ouer  her 
chekyns :  with  the  fame  affeccion  it  behoueth  the 
minifter  and  preacher  of  God,  feeyng  vntollerable 
vengeaunce  hangynge  ouer  Englande,  to  crye,  to  call, 
and  to  geue  wnrnyng  vnto  the  people,  faying  as  [it]  is 
written  in  the  firfl  of  Efay  :  If  ye  willyngly  wyl  heare 
and  obeye,  ye  (hall  eate  the  good  confortable  frutes 
of  the  earthe :  but  if  ye  wyll  not,  and  prouoke  me 
vnto  angre,  the  fwoorde  (hall  deuoure  you  :  Quia  os 
Domini  locutum  e/l.1  For  it  is  the  mouth  of  the  lord 
that  hath  fpoken. 

Now  your  reuerende  maieflie,  mod  gracious  kyng, 
and  you  honourable  wyfe  godly  counfellers,  you  are 
the  chiefe  fhenherdes,  you  are  the  mod  reuerende 
fathers  in  Chrille,  hauynge  the  wynges  of  power  and 
authentic,  to  fhadow,  faue,  and  keepe  thefe  lambes  of 
Ljod,  thefe  [the]  chekens  of  Chrift,  and  thefe  chyldren  of 
the  heauenly  father,  redemed  with  Chrifles  blonde, 
and  committed  vnto  your  handes,  to  be  faued,  kepte, 
and  prouyded  for. 

God  be  prayfed,  with  thankful  obedience,  and  lou- 
6  reuerence  dewc  to  your  gracious  maieftye  and 
honorable  counfell,  whiche  haue  furdy  wyfely  pro- 
uyded  for,  diligently  kept,  and  charitablv  faucd  this 
realme,  by  driuyn^  away  the  wyldc  [wilie]  foxe  of 
papiilirall  fuperllic.ion,  and  by  caflynge  out  the  vn- 
cleane  fpirit  of  ignorance,  to  gods  glorye,  your  honour, 
and  our  con  fort. 

i  K  /.  »rt. 


58  &  Swncm  pvtacljct) 

But  alas  mod  gracious  Kyng  and  godly  gouernors, 
for  the  tender  mercyes  of  God,  in  our  Sauiour  lefu 
Chrift,  take  good  and  diligent  heede  when  ye  be 
chafyng  the  wylde  [wilie]  fox  of  papifticall  fuperflicion, 
that  the  greedye  wolfe  of  couetous  ambicion,  do  not 
..creepe  in  at  your  backes  :  For  furely  he  wyll  doo  more 
harme  in  a  vveeke,  then  the  foxe  dyd  in  a  yere. 

Take  heede,  that  the  vncleane  fpirite  of  ignor- 
aunce,  returnynge  with.  vii.  other  worfe  then  himfelf, 
fynde  no  place  vnwarded,  where  he  may  creepe  in 
agayne.  For  if  he  returnyng  with  his  felowes,  enter 
in  agayne,  then  wyll  he  make  the  ende  of  this  genera- 
cion  to  bee  worfe  then  the  begynnyng. 

Then  mail  you  leefe  the  rewarde  of  your  former 
diligence,  and  be  dam[p]ned  for  your  later  negligence. 
Then  mall  the  welfpryng  of  mercye,  which  of  long 
tyme  hath  watered  thys  Realm e  with  the  grace  of 
God  be  clofed  vp,  and  the  blodye  flouds  of  vengeance 
gufhing  out  from  the  wrath  and  indignacion  of  God, 
ouerflowe  all  togyther.  Then  wyll  not  God,  by  work- 
yng  of  miracles  declare  mercy,  but  by  takynge  of 
vengeaunce,  execute  right oufnes. 

But  God  beyng  as  mercyfull  yet,  as  euer  he  was,  if 
you  contynewe  as  faythfull,  wyfe,  and  dilygent  as  ye 
haue  ben,  to  handle  the  wolfe,  as  you  haue  doone  the 
foxe,  to  keepe  out  the  deuyll,  as  to  call  out  the  deuyll: 
then  mail  the  people  of  this  lande  feede  in  quyetnes, 
without  feare  of  euyl :  then  fhal  you  continuyng  to 
the[e]nde,  be  fure  of  an  hunderdfold  reward  in  this  lyfe, 
and  afterwards,  euerlafling  lyfe,  ioye  and  glorye. 
Then  mall  God  doo  wonderfull  miracles  in  Eng- 
lande,  to  declare  howe  mercy  fliall  triumphe  ouer 
rightoufnes. 

And  that  wee  maye  all  dyfpofe  our  felfes  the  more 
conuenientlye  for  God  to  worke  fuche  a  miracle  amonge 
vs,  wee  haue  appoynted  for  the  gofpell  of  this  day, 
writen  in  the.  vi.  of  lohan,  a  wonderfull  miracle  of.  v. 
thoufande  men,  fed  and  fatisfyed  with.  v.  loaues  and 
ii.  fyfhes,  wheras  euery  man  may  and  ought  to  learne 


More  tfcc  l&gng.  59 

his  owne  dutye,  whiche  (hall  clearefly]  appeare  too  a 
kyng  in  Chrifl,  to  head  gouerners  vnder  the  kynge,  in 
the  Apoflles,  beyng  moft  neare  about  Chrifl,  and  to  all 
other  men,  in  that  multitude  of  the  people,  whiche 
folowynge  Chrifl,  were  obedient  to  fyt  doune  at  the 
commaundment  of  his  Difciples,  not  knowyng,  nor 
enquiring  why  they  were  fo  commaunded. 

And  as  furely  as  this  wonderfull  miracle  was  done 
to  the  great  confort  of  them  in  Chrifles  tyme :  fo 
truly  is  it  left  in  writyng  for  to  learne  vs  by  pacience 
and  confort  of  the  Scriptures,  to  haue  good  hope  at 
this  tyme. 

And  as  Ch rifle,  hauynge  alwayes  fpeciall  refpecte 
vnto  hys  audience,  dyd  teache  the  fyfhers  by  talkyng 
of  nettes,  preachynge  vnto  the  lewes  by  dyuers 
parables,  and  called  the  Gentyles  by  the  eloquence 
of  Paule :  fo  I,  in  handlyng  of  this  miracle,  hauing 
refpect  vnto  thys  audience,  wyll  applye  the  wonder- 
full  great  charitable  prouifion  of  Chrifte,  vnto  the 
Kynges  Maieflye :  the  faythfull  diligence  of  the 
Apoflles,  vnto  the  nobilitie  :  and  the  dewe  obedi 
ence  and  hertye  thankfulnes  of  the  multitude,  vnto 
all  other  of  the  communaltye.  Not  doubtyng  but 
that  charitable  prouifion  of  liberall  benefites,  wyll  be 
a  thyng  mofl  plefaunt  and  honorable  for  the  Kynges 
Gracious  Maieflye,  and  faythfull  diligence  in  difpof- 
yng  great  benefites  mofl  conuenient.  and  commend 
able  for  all  that  be  in  high  authentic  :  and  finally, 
humble  obedience,  and  vnfayned  thankfulnes  to  be 
mofl  neceffary,  requifite,  and  looked  for  at  this  tyme, 
in  all  inferiours  and  commune  forte  of  people  in  Eng 
land  e. 

Marke  a  litle  after  the  bcgynnyng  of  the  fyxt  Chap, 
of  lohan,  and  ye  (hall  heare,  when  as  much  people 
[commyng  vnto  Ic-fus,  hauyng  nothyng  to]  eate,  what 
K-fus  dyd.  I  wyll  pa  fie  the  difcripcion  of  the  wylder- 
iies.  with  the  caufes  and  the  maner  of  the  peoples 
goyng  to-ither,  and  be^ynne  at  that  whiche  Chritl 
dyd,  when  they  were  cunnnyng  towardes  hym. 


6o  21  jecrmon 


[Efus  lifting  vp  his  eyes,  and  feeynge  muche 
people  come  vnto  hym,  fayde  vnto  Philip  : 
Frome  whence  mall  wee  b[u]ye  bread,  that 
thefe  may  eate?      This   he  fayd  tempt- 
for   he    himfelf    knew    what    he    wolde 
Philippe  anfvvered  vnto  hym  :    Two  hundreth 
penye  worth   of  breade  wyll   not  be   fufficient  vnto 
thefe  fo  that  euerye  one  myght  take  a  lytell.     One  of 
hys    difciples  Andrew,  Symon   Peters   brother,  fayth 
vnto  hym  :  There  is  one  boye  here,  whych  hath  .v. 
barley   loaues    and    .ii.    fyfhes,    but    what    ar    thofe 
amongefl  fo  many?     lefus  faid  :  Make  the  men  to 
fyt   doun.     There   was   muche   graffe   in   the    place. 
The  men  therefore  fat  doune,  about  the  numbre  of 
.v.    thoufands.      lefus   tooke   the   breade,    and   after 
thankes  geuynge,   dyd  diuide   it  vnto   his    difciples, 
and  the  difciples  to  them  that  were  fette  :  And  lyke- 
wyfe  of  the  fyfhes,  fo  muche  as  they  woulde.     And 
when  they  were  filled,  he  fayde  vnto  his  difciples  : 
Gather  vp  the  broken  meates  remaynyng,  that  no- 
thynge  bee  loft.     They  gathered  therfore,  arid  fylled 
.xii.  bafkets  full  of  thofe  meats  which  remayned,  after 
that  thei  hadde  eaten.     The  men  therfore  feeynge 
what  a  fygne   lefus  hadde  done,  fayde  that  this  is 
trulye  the  Prophet  whiche  cummeth  vnto  the  worlde. 

QMercifull  Lorde,  what  a  greef  is  it  to  fee  thofe 
which  a  man  loueth  hertely,  with  fuche  difeafes 
;ed,  that  euery  thing  miniflred  by  the  Phificion 
to  doo  them  good,  by  their  owne  vnquietnes  and  mif- 
ufynge  of  the  fame,  doth  encreafe  their  greuous  daun- 
gerous  fycknes.     For  thefe  [people  in  the  wilderneffe, 
deflitute  of  all  prouifion,  and  in.  great  lacke  and  neede 
of  bodily   fuflenaunce,    were   then  by   a   wonderfull 


fafore  t&e  Itfing.  61 

miracle,  plentifully  fedde  of  Chrifl,  occafionyng  then 
by  the  yearthly  and  bodily  foode,  to  defire  and  feeke 
the  bread  of  life,  defcendyng  from  heauen  :  but  then 
tooke,  and  turned  that  occafion  cleane  contrary, 
imaginyng  to  make  Chrifle  an  yearthly  Kyng,  and 
were  fo  greedie  to  feede  their  bodies,  that  thei  had  no 
defire  nor  tail  of  the  foode  of  the  foule.  And  now 
England  hauyng  occafion,  by  the  abolifhyng  of  Papif- 
trie,  to  embrace  fmcere  Chriftianitie,  tourned  that 
occafion,  to  take  the  fpoyle  of  Papiftrie,  whiche  is  the 
caufe  that  many  neglecte,  and  fclaunder  fmcere  Chrif 
tianitie.  And  fo  haue,  and  doe  tourne  all  occafions 
of  godly  charitable  reformation,  into  worldly  couetous 
corruption.  And  the]  people  [of  this  audience],  hauyng 
great  occafion  of  confort,  bi  reafon  that  in  [t]his  place, 
through  the  true  preachyng  of  gods  word,  ail  fynne  is 
plainly  and  freely  rebuked:  and  thofe  fynnes  efpeciallye 
which  dooe  appertayne  vnto  magillrates,  wherby  any 
man  of  indifferent  iudgement,  may  thynke  that  thefe 
magiflrates  beeyng  prefent,  and  willingly  hearynge,  bee 
purpofed  to  amende :  Thefe  people  I  faye,  that  thus 
haue  a  great  occafion  of  conforte  offered  vnto  them, 
by  their  owne  miflakyng  of  it,  dooe  tourne  all  to  their 
further  griefe  and  daunger.  For  they  fpeake  vnreue- 
rently,  and  vntruly  flaunder  the  magiilrats,  not  only 
with  the  faultes  that  bee  here  named,  but  alfo  with  re- 
bukyng,  imprifonyng,  and  forbiddyng  of  the  Preachers. 
And  when  as  by  the  fame  mouth  of  the  true  preacher, 
their  venemous  tongues  be  rebuked,  then  thei  fpare 
not  to  fay,  that  the  Preacher  hath  learned  his  leffon 
in  lacke  an  apes  court :  doyng  as  much  as  lieth  in 
them,  to  make  other  men,  neither  to  reuerence  the 
magiflrates,  nor  beleue  the  Preacher.  What  thei 
them  felfes  mean  therebye,  peraduenture  by  reafon 
of  blyndneffe,  they  wot  not.  But  we  knowyng  the 
craft  of  the  deuyl,  as  Paul  writeth.  ii.  Cor.  ii.  perceiue 
yat  he  wold  haue  nothing  in  this  place  layde  to  the 
Rulers  charge :  Not  fearyng  how  muche  be  fpoken  to 
thofe  of  the  people,  which  be  pail  any  amendment  by 


62  &  jsermon 

wordes :  But  all  that  the  deuyll  feareth,  is,  left  that 
the  Rulers  be  put  in  remembraunce  of  the  great  daun- 
ger  that  they  be  in,  for  fufferynge  fo  great  enormityes 
vnpunyfhed  amongeft  the  people. 

I  therfore  truftyng  to  do  moft  good  in  that  whiche 
the  deuyll  laboureth  the  moft  to  hyndre,  wyll  laye 
great  and  many  fautes  vnto  them  that  haue  moft 
power  and  authoritie.  For  fure  I  am,  that  rulers 
ordeyned  by  God  to  fee  the  ignoraunt  inftructed,  and 
the  euyll  punyfhed,  be  in  great  daunger  of  Gods  venge- 
aunce,  for  the  great  and  manifolde  enormities  whiche 
do  grow  and  fpring  of  ignoraunce,  for  lacke  of  know 
ledge,  and  of  diffolutenes  for  lacke  of  due  correc- 
cion. 

And  you  people  be  ye  fure  that  the  more  their 
daunger  is,  for  lacke  of  prouifion  and  punymment  for 
other  mens  faultes,  the  greater  is  the  damnacion  of 
them  that  commit  and  doo  thefe  fautes. 

Nowe  I  truftyng  to  God,  and  not  fearyng  the  deuyll, 
wyll  proceede  to  declare  and  applye  this  parte  of  fcrip- 
ture  vnto  this  Audience,  fo  that  for  no  man  I  wyll  cloke 
or  flatter  anye  vyce. 

lefits  lyftyng  vp  his  eyes,  and  feeynge  muche  people 
cummynge  vnto  hym,  <&c. 

Here  note  two  thynges  :  in  the  people  note  coming 
vnto  Chrift,  and  in  Chrift,  note  charitable  prouifion 
for  the  people.  For  in  this  people  dothe  Chrift  de 
clare  by  example,  and  proue  in  experience  his  doc 
trine  to  be  true,  whiche  he  had  afore  taught,  faying : 
Fyrft  feeke  for  the  kyngdome  of  God  and  the  rightouf- 
nes,  therof,  and  all  thefe  other,  meanyng  necei'faryes, 
mil  bee  miniftred  vnto  you.  For  here  they  folowyng 
Chrift,  to  feke  the  kyngdome  of  God,  had  not  onlye 
this  kingdome  of  God,  this  bread  of  lyfe,  this  woorde 
of  faluacion  preached  vnto  them,  but  alfo,  all  their 
difeafes  healed,  and  their  hungiye  belyes  withe  good 
meates  plentifully  fylled. 

Yea,  the  plentye  of  thefe  people  hauyng  enough, 


before  t&e  £\gng.  63 

euen  fo  much  as  they  woulde,  was  farre  more  then 
the  plenty  of  crafty  Lawers,  difcdtful  Merchauntes, 
couetous  greedyguttes,  and  ambicious  prollers,  whiche 
canne  neuer  haue  ynough  :  but  alwayes  contynew  in  vn- 
faciable  hunger,  and  neede  of  couetoufnes.  As  [in]  the. 
[xxjxiiii.  Pfal.  declareth  :  Diuitcs  eguenint-}-  The  ryche 
haue  felt  neede  and  hunger :  but  they  whiche  feeke 
the  Lorde,  lacke  no  goodneffe  [gooddes]. 

He  that  feeketh  to  be  ryche,  be  he  neuer  fo  poore 
a  flaue,  or  fo  mightye  a  Lorde,  he  falleth  into  dyuers 
temptacions  and  fnares  of  the  deuyll :  but  they  that 
feeke  the  Lorde,  mall  lacke  no  goodnes.  Seke  for 
to  be  ryche,  and  thou  malt  fynd  forow,  miferye,  and 
mifcheif :  Seeke  for  to  be  godly e,  and  thou  (halt  fynd 
confort,  vvelth  and  profperitie,  with  al  rnaner  of  felicitie. 
If  thou  wylt  be  godly,  thou  mufl  folowe  Chrifl :  thou 
mud  not  folow  the  fleppes  of  his  feete,  which  be  taken 
vp  into  heauen  oute  of  thy  fyght,  but  thou  oughteft  10 
folowe  the  doctrine  of  his  worde,  which  is  lefte  here  [here 
left]  vpon  earth,  to  guyde  the  fleppes  of  thy  lyfe,  in  the 
way  of  peace.  And  whyther  wyll  Gods  worde  guide 
the  in  the  tyme  of  thy  trouble  and  neceffitie  ?  Surely 
vnto  the  Lorde, whyche  fayth:  Propiermiftriaminopum^ 
&v.2  For  the  miferyes  fakes  of  the  confortleffe,  and 
fyghynges  of  the  poore,  now  wyll  I  ryfe,  fayth  the  Lorde. 

O  Lorde,  feeynge  thou  hade  manye  people  in  Eng- 
lande,  that  as  yet  be  in  miferies  without  confort,  and 
in  pouertie,  and  lacke  helpe,  how  dooefl  thou  aryfe 
vnto  them  ?  Vnto  this  the  Lorde  anfwereth,  in  the. 
xxxiiii.  of  Ezechiel :  Sufdtabo  fuper  cos  pajlorem  vnum? 
&>c.  I  wyll  fet  vp  ouer  theim  one  pallor,  euen  my 
feruaunt  Dauid,  he  mail  feede  theym,  and  he  fhall  be 
their  pallor,  and  I  the  Lord,  wyl  be  their  God.  This 
prophecye  was  written  longe  after  Dauids  tyme.  Wher- 
fore  by  Dauid  here  named,  is  fignified  and  meante  fuche 
a  Kyng  as  fhalbe  as  faythfull  and  diligent  to  kccpe, 
fccde,  and  cheryfh  his  fubiectes  within  hys  owne 
Realme,  as  was  Dauid  to  his  people  within  Ifraell  [,that 
fame  is  Chrifl  in  his  Kyngdome.  in  his  aucthontie  ?] 

1  Psa.  .r.rx/z/.  10  (Latin).  2  Psa.  xa.  5.  3  Ezek.  xxiv.  23. 


64  &  j£crmon  preac^et) 

[And]  We  hope  trufte  and  beleue,  that  cure  gracious 
Kyng,  indued  with  the  faythfull  diligence  of  Dauid,  is 
ordeyned  of  God,  to  gouerne,  cherifti  and  feede  vs  the 
people  of  this  his  Realme.  Wherfore  accordynge  to 
the[e]xampleof  Chrifte  Iefu,moflChriftenand  Gracious 
Kyng,  for  the  reuerence  of  God,  which  hath  fet  you 
vpon  the  high  hyll  of  honor  and  authoritie,  lyft  vp 
your  gracious  eyes  of  charitable  pitie,  and  behold 
much  people  throughoute  all  Englande,  comyng  to 
feeke  releefe,  eafe,  and  conforte,  fente  from  God  vnto 
them,  by  your  excellent  Maieftye.  For  althoughe 
there  hathe  ben  to  much  mercy  (hewed  vpon  the 
generacion  of  vypers,  the  vngracious  rebels  :  Yet  is 
there  manye  poore  people,  whiche  lyke  fymple  fheepe, 
fhorne  to  the  bare  fkynne,  haue  as  yet  little  prouifion 
and  great  neede  :  euen  as  .v.  thoufandes  in  wildernes 
folowed  Chrifl  and  his  Apoftles,  fo  many  thoufandes 
in  Englande,  pafl  all  other  hope  and  refuge,  folow  your 
gracious  maieflye  and  honorable  Counfell.  For  their 
perfons  [parfones],  which  fhouldelykefhepheardesfeede 
them,  doo  lyke  thieues  robbe,  murther  and  fpoile 
them.  And  their  landlords,  which  fhuld  defend 
them,  be  mofl  heauye  maiflers  vnto  them :  Yea,  all 
maner  of  officers  doo  not  their  duties  to  kepe  the 
people  in  good  ordre,  but  rather  take  fuch  fees  as 
maketh  the  people  veraye  poore.  Who  fo  hathe 
eyes,  and  wyll  fee,  mai  eafely  perceiue  that  thofe 
perfonages,  which  be  mofl  in  nombre,  and  greatefl, 
in  value.  Throughout  all  England  be  no  fhepherds 
houfes  to  laye  vp  fodder  to  feede  the  poore  fheepe  of 
the  parifh,  but  theeuyfh  dennes,  to  conuey  away  great 
fpoyle  from  all  the  ryche  men  of  the  parifh.  I  fay 
ther  is  no  perfon  there  to  releeue  the  poore  and  nedy, 
with  natural  fuflinaunce  in  keepyng  of  houfe,  and  to 
feede  all  ingenerally  with  the  heuenly  foode  of  Gods 
woorde  by  preachynge  :  But  there  is  a  perfons  deputie 
or  fermer,  which  hauyng  neither  habilitie,  power,  nor 
aucthoritie  to  doo  the  perfons  dutye  in  feedynge  and 
teachyng  the  paryfh,  is  able,  fufficient,  and  (lout 


fcefore  tfre  l&flng.  65 

ynough  to  chalenge  and  take  for  his  mayflers  dutie, 
the  tenth  parte  of  all  the  parifh.  Likewife  other  offi 
cers  take  many  fees,  and  do  few  dutyes  :  And  efpeci- 
ally  landlordes  take  exceedynge  fynes  and  rentes  of 
theire  tenauntes,  and  doo  no  good  vnto  their  ten- 
auntes. 

Now  my  Lordes,  bothe  of  the  laitie  and  of  the 
clergye,  in  the  name  of  God,  I  aduertyfe  you  to  take 
heede :  for  when  the  Lorde  of  all  Lords  fhal  fee  his 
flock  fcatered,  fpylte,  and  lofle,  if  he  folowe  the  trace 
of  the  bloude,  it  wyll  leade  him  euen  ftreyght  waye 
vnto  this  court,  and  vnto  your  houfes,  where  as  thefe 
great  theues  which  murther,  fpoyle,  and  diftroye  the 
flockes  of  Chrift,  be  receaued,  kepte,  and  mainteyned. 

For  you  mainteyne  your  chapleynes  to  take  Plur 
alities,  and  your  other  feruauntes  mo  orTyces  then  they 
can  or  wyll  difcharge. 

Fye  for  fynne  and  fhame,  eyther  gyue  your  fer 
uauntes  wages,  or  els  let  them  go  and  ferue  thofe 
which  do  gyue  them  wages.  For  nowe  your  chap 
leynes,  your  feruauntes,  and  you"'  your  ft- lues  haue  the 
perfons,  the  fhepherdes,  and  the  offycers  wages,  and 
neither  you  nor  they,  nor  no  other  dooeth  the  perfons, 
the  fhepherdes  or  the  offycers  dutye,  except  peraduen- 
ture  ye  imagen  that  there  is  a  paryflie  priefle,  curate, 
whiche  dooeth  the  perfons  duty.  But  although  ye  do 
fo  ymagen,  yet  the  people  do  feele  and  perceyue  that 
he  doetli  meane  no  other  thing  but  pai  your  duty, 
paye  your  dutye.  Yes  forfoth,  he  miniflreth  Gods 
facramentes,  he  fayeth  his  feruyce,  and  he  readeth  the 
homilies,  as  you  fyne  llatring  cowrtiers,  which  fpeake 
by  imaginacion,  teanne  it :  JUit  the  rude  lobbcs  of  the 
countrey,  whiche  be  to  fymple  to  paynte  a  lye,  fpeake 
foule  and  truly  as  they  fymle  it,  and  faye  :  He  minifli- 
eth  Gods  (acraments,  he  llubbers  vp  his  feruice,  and 
he  can  not  reade  the  humbles.  Yet  is  there  fomc  that 
can  readc  \vry\vell:  but  how  many  of  thofe  be  not 
either  fuperfticious  papylles,  oivls  carnall  -ufpellers, 
whiche  by  their  euyll  example  of  lyuyng,  and  worfe 

£ 


66  &  £wnon  prearfjeti 

doctrine,  do  farre  more  harme  then  they  do  good  by 
their  fayr  reading  and  faiyng  of  feruyce.  But  put  the 
cafe,  as  it  maye  be,  that  there  bee  at  a  benefyce  in 
fome  place  at  fomtime,  fome  good  curate :  all  thofe 
fummes  wyll  make  but  a  fewe  in  nombre,  and  yet  ye 
fee  many  perfons  in  many  places  abfente  from  their 
benefices,  whiche  if  they  be  feldome  abfent,  may  be 
good,  but  if  they  be  continually  or  for  the  moft  part 
abfent,  then  can  they  be  neither  good,  honefl  nor 
godly.  For  if  their  duytie  be  vndone,  then  can  no 
man  excufe  them  :  if  it  be  doone,  then  is  it  by  other, 
and  not  by  them :  and  then  why  dooe  they  lyue  of 
other  mens  labours  ?  He  that  preacheth  the  gofpell, 
fhulde  lyue  vpon  the  gofpell,  as  God  hath  ordeyned : 
As  for  thofe,  Qui  mollibus  veftiuntur,  indomibus  Regum} 
whiche  go  gaye  in  Kynges  houfes,  and  either  mofell 
the  labouring  oxe,  orels  fpoyle  the  poore  parifh  in  the 
countrey,  be  of  the  deuyls  ordinaunce.  As  there  is  in 
all  offyces,  fome  putte  in  by  Chrift,  fome  by  the  deuyl : 
fo  is  there  in  perfonages  [Parfonages],  fome  fente  from 
Chrifl  as  fhepherds  to  fede,  and  fome  from  the  deuyll, 
as  theues  to  deuoure.  Yea,  amongeft  all  kyndes  of 
offycers,  fome  bee  true  Prophettes  and  fhepheardes 
in  dede,  and  fome  haue  fhepe  fkyns,  and  be  rauenyng 
wolfes  in  deede.  The  one  taketh  paynes  in  doyng  of 
his  dutye,  and  the  other  feketh  gaynes  in  profeffyng  of 
his  duty.  Take  heede  of  thofe,  for  they  are  erraunt 
theeues. 

Alas,  if  all  thofe  whiche  take  the  names  and  profef- 
fyons  of  offycers,  for  defyre  of  luker  and  honor,  and  do 
not  execute  the  duties  belongynge  to  their  offyces  with 
paynful  diligence,  be  errant  theues,  as  they  be  in  deede, 
then  is  there  manye  a  flronge  erraunt  theefe  amongefl 
them  that  be  called  honefl,  worfhipfull,  and  honorable 
men. 

For  they  haue  the  names,  the  authorities  and  vaun- 
tages  of  thofe  offyces  giuen  and  payed  vnto  them,  the 
dutyes  of  the  whiche  be  veray  flenderly  or  nothynge  at 
al  executed  amongefl  the  people. 

1  Matt.  xi.  8. 


before  tlje  Ixgng.  67 

If  I  were  in  anye  other  place  in  all  Englande,  I 
could  and  wolde  vfe  an  other  trade  of  preachynge 
afore  an  other  audience  :  but  beyng  called  of  God  by 
your  appoyntement  vnto  this  place  at  this  tyme,  my 
confcience  doth  compell  me  to  vfe  this  trade  and  no 
other,  afore  this  folemne  audience.  Wherfore  with 
dreede  and  feare  of  God,  with  charitable  pitie  of  the 
people,  with  mod  reuerende  loue  and  homage  vnto 
your  honors,  I  muft  needes  crye  with  the  prophet 
Efaie:  l^rincipcs  Sodomce^populus  Gomorroe^  Heare  the 
vvoorde  of  the  Lorde  ye  Princes  of  Sodome,  ye  people 
of  Gomorra :  Quo  mihl  mult  Undo  victimarum  veftrarum : * 
What  care  I  for  the  great  nombre  of  your  facrifyces, 
Dirit  Donritius,  fayth  the  lord  :  rebukynge  all  the  facri- 
fices,  ceremonies,  and  feaftes  of  the  lewes,  which  he 
himfelfe  had  commaunded  to  be  obferued  and  kepte  : 
by  the  which  thyng  left  in  writynge,  he  doth  teache 
and  commaunde  me  howe  to  fpeake  of  your  wel  doyng 
here  in  England.  Heare  therfore  ye  Princes  of  So 
dome,  and  ye  people  of  Gomor,  thus  fayth  the  Lord. 
What  pleafure  haue  I,  yea  what  care  I  for  al  your 
Englifhe  Bibles,  Homilies,  and  all  youre  other  bookes: 
fet  furthe  no  more  godly  feruyce  to  honor  me  with  :  I 
hate  them  all  with  my  herte,  they  are  greuous  vnto  me, 
I  am  wery  of  them  :  Yea,  it  is  a  great  payne  for  me  to 
fuffer  them.  Why,  o  lord,  thefe  be  good,  thefe  be 
godly,  and  thefe  be  neceffary  thynges. 

Truth  it  is,  the  faulte  is  not  in  the  thynges  that  be 
fet  furthe,  but  in  you  that  haue  fet  them  furthe. 
Manus  enim  vc/lrcz  plcnoe.  funt  f anguine  : 2  For  your 
handes  are  ful  of  blood. 

Your  handes,  your  feruyces  [feruice]  and  your  houfes 
be  ful  of  perfons  lyuynges,  Preachers  liuynges,  and  offy- 
cers  liuynges.  And  by  you,  the  perfone  hath  his  difpen- 
facion,  the  preacher  is  put  to  fcilence,  and  the  offycer 
vnpunyfhed,  for  neclectynge  of  his  dutye.  And  fo 
through  the  negligence  of  the  kepers,  [(Jgood  order, 
which  is  the  pale  of  the  parkc  of  this  commune  wdth 
clekayedQ],  the  dere  therof,  mod  dearly  bought  with 

'  Isa.  i.  io.  ii.  2  Isa.  /.  is. 


68  &  Sermon 

Chrifles  blonde,  haue  flrayed  oute  of  theire  owne  feed- 
ynge,  to  diftroy  the  corne  of  all  mens  liuynges  :  Where 
as  very  neceffytie  hath  compelled  you  with  fuch  force 
to  driue  them  backe,  as  muft  needes  diflroye  manye 
of  thofe  dere.  Thofe  people  I  mean,  which  you  haue 
cherylhed  and  kept,  and  as  yet  doo  loue  and  pitie 
aboue  all  other  iewels,  commodities  and  pleafures. 
Alas,  thefe  that  take  the  liuynges,  and  doo  not  the 
dutyes  of  Perfons,  Preachers,  landlordes,  Bailyes,  and 
of  other  officers :  Thefe  flatterers,  thefe  wolfes  in 
lambes  fkyns,  thefe  deuyls  in  mens  vyfers  haue  caufed 
you  to  be  thought  and  taken  as  cruell  oppreffers  of  thofe 
[thefe]  people,  whofe  furious  wylde  rage  ye  dyd  fup- 
preffe  and  keepe  vnder,  of  veraye  charitable  pitie 
towardes  them,  and  all  other,  whiche  with  that  re 
bellious  rage,  fhulde  haue  be  all  togither  diftroied,  if 
the  help  of  your  power  and  aucthoritie  had  ben  anye 
longer  differed. 

Surely,  vntyll  that  thefe  prollers  for  them  felues, 
thefe  children  of  the  deuyll,  thefe  fowers  of  fedicion 
be  taken  out  of  the  way,  either  by  reformacion,  or  by 
diflruction,  your  charitable  pitie  and  prouifion  for  the 
people,  and  -their  reuerende  loue  and  obedience  to 
wardes  you,  mall  neuer  be  feene,  felt,  and  knowen. 
Nowe,  as  Helve  was  gilty  of  the  whordome,  extor- 
cion,  and  abhominacion  of  his  fonnes,  fo  are  your 
hertes  full  of  crueltye,  and  your  handes  full  of  bloude, 
not  fo  muche  by  doyng,  as  by  fufferyng  all  thefe  euyls. 
Wherfore  Lauamini,  mundi  eflotc  :x  Wafh,  and  make 
your  felfes  cleane,  with  the  teares  of  repentaunce. 
Anferte  malum  cogitationum  veftrarum  ab  oculis  meis  .-1 
Avvai  with  the  euil  of  your  thoughtes  from  afore  my 
eyes.  Open  your  heartes,  that  the  fworde  of  Gods 
word  may  come  to  wype  awaye  couitoufnes,  whiche 
is  the  roote  of  all  euyll,  planted  in  your  hertes.  For 
if  that  roote  continew  there,  than  can  no  good  fpring 
from  you  :  but  euen  the  moft  pure  and  holfome  woorde 
of  God  fette  furth  by  you,  continuyng  in  couitoufnes, 
wyll  be  abhominable  in  the  fyght  of  God,  offenfme  vnto 

'  Isa.  i.  16. 


Wore  tfrc  ISgng.  69 

the  people,  and  damnable  vnto  your  felues.  Wher- 
fore,  Quiefcite  agere  peruerfe  :*  Seace  to  peruerte,  manye 
thynges  from  euyll  vnto  worfe.  Difrite  bcnefacere  :* 
Learne  to  dowell,inconformyngal  thyngsthat  beamiffe, 
vnto  a  good  ordre.  Queer ite  indicium:^  Seeke  [Searche] 
for  righteous  iudgement,  which  is  almofl  banyfhed  out 
of  Englande.  Alas  what  a  iudgement  is  this,  a  fuper- 
flicious  papifle,  which e  hathe  made  the  faulte,  mail 
haue  a  penfion  out  of  a  Chauntrie,  fo  longe  as  he 
lyueth,  and  a  poore  paiyfhe  whiche  hathe  great  neede 
and  doone  no  faulte,  mall  lofe  and  forfayte  many 
Chauntries  vtterly  for  euer.  Subuenite  oppreffo?  Helpe 
the  oppreffed  people  that  be  loaden  with  heuye  bur- 
deyns  of  paiynge  wages  to  manye  offyces,  and  faynte 
for  lacke  of  releefe,  and  due  feruyce  of  the  offycer. 
Indicate  pupillo:^  ludge  fo  to  the  fatherles  chyldrens 
behofe,  that  wardfhip  mai  be  a  good  prouifion  for 
fatherles  chyldren,  and  not  an  vncharitable  fpoyle  of 
yong  mens  landes.  Defendite  viduam  : *  Shielde  the 
wydow  from  all  mens  iniuryes,  and  compell  them  not 
to  marye  your  vnthrifty  feruauntes. 

Thus  hath  God  by  Efaye  in  his  tyme,  and  by  me  at 
this  tyme  defcribed  Rulers  Faultes,  with  a  waye  how 
to  amende  them.  Therfore,  Principes  Anglian1  Ye 
head  rulers  and  gouernors  of  England,  fyrfl  fee,  ac 
knowledge  and*  amende  your  owne  fautes  :  And  then, 
perufynge  all  vnder  offycers,  confyder,  and  note  how 
few  fheph cards  and  offycers  doo  feede  and  keepe,  by 
doyng  dutyes,  and  how  many  theeues,  and  wolfes  do 
robbe  and  fpoyle  the  flockes,  by  takyng  fees  here  in 
Englande  :  and  then  fhall  ye  perceaue  that  there  mufl 
ncdes  be  manye  fheepe,  that  with  their  hertes,  myndcs, 
and  expectacion,  do  folow  the  Kynges  Maiellye,  and 
you  of  his  honorable  counfell,  fo  farre  pafte  the  hotifes 
and  cyties  of  their  owne  prouifion,  that  yf  thei  haue 
not  fpedy  reliefe  at  your  handes,  many  of  them  is  lykc 
to  feynte  and  decaye  by  the  way. 

Thcrfore  this  confydered  and  knowen,  as  Chrift 
lyftyng  vp  his  eyes,  dyd  teache  you  to  fee  and  con- 

1    K:i.   /'.    1 6,   17. 


70  &  j£crmon  prcacljet) 

fyder  the  people  :  fo  learne  by  that  which e  foloweth 
in  Chriftes  dooyng,  what  fhalbe  your  dutye  after  that 
ye  fee  and  knowe  the  multitude,  the  flate  and  condi- 
cion  of  the  people. 

And  he  fayd  vnto  Philip  :  From  whence  mall  we 
bye  bread  e,  that  thefe  maye  eate  ?  But  this  he  fayde 
to  prouc  him :  for  he  him  felfe  knewe  what  he 
wolde  doo. 

Chrifl  faid  to  Philip,  as  euery  Chriften  King  ought 
to  fay  to  his  Counfell :  From  whence  fhal  we  that  be 
gouernors,  kepers  and  feders,  bye  and  prouide  with 
our  own  coft.es,  labor,  and  diligence,  bread,  foode  and 
neceffaryes,  that  thefe  may  eate  and  be  releued,  which 
be  our  fubiectes,  in  obedience,  brethern  in  Chrifl,  and 
felow  heyres  of  the  heauenly  kyngdome. 

Pharao  with  his  Counfell  in  Egipte,  confulted  howe 
to  bryng  the  welthy  people  vnto  miferye  :  fo  that  he 
is  a  very  Pharonicall  tyrant,  which  laboreth  by  op- 
preffion  to  thruft  down  the  welthy  people  :  And  he  is 
a  faythful  chriften  kyng,  that  humbleth  him  felfe  by 
diligence  to  releeue,  conforte,  and  fet  vp  the  afflycted 
people.  For  the  one,  by  worldly  policy,  wolde  haue 
much  honor,  and  the  other  of  godlye  charitie  wyll  do 
much  good.  Chrifl  alfo  fayde  this,  to  proue  and  trye 
Philip,  knowyng  him  felfe  what  fhoulde  be  done.  So 
that  here,  Kynges  and  great  men  may  lerne  to  trye 
and  proue  the  honeflye,  wyt,  and  fidelitie  of  their 
Counfellers  in  fuch  matters  as  they  them  felues  be  fo 
perfect  that  they  can  difcerne  with  what  difcrecion  and 
mynde  the  Counfeller  doth  anfwere. 

[And  in  this  we  maie  fe,  that  God  doeth  not  lacke, 
or  neede  any  counfaile,  or  helpe  of  any  manne,  to 
dooe  any  good  thyng,  but  would  haue  men  to  vnder- 
flande  how  muche  and  wel  that  God,  and  how  little 
or  nothing  menne  can  deuife,  and  dooe  when  as 
neede  is.  So  therefore  will  God  vfe,  and  exercifc 
men,  as  Chrifl  here  doeth  vfe,  and  exercife  Phillip, 
Andrewe,  and  the  other  Difciples,  for  their  owne  ne- 
ceffitie,  comforte,  and  commoditie  to  receiue,  and 


before  tjje  ISsncr.  71 

learne  of  hym,  wherewith  they  maie  dooe  good  vnto 
others.     And  this  leffon  had  not  Phillip  yet  learned.] 

Philip  aunfwered.  that  two  hundreth  peny  worth  of 
breade  wyll  not  ferue  vnto  thefe,  fo  that  euerye  one 
myght  take  a  lytell. 

In  the  which  anfwere,  as  concernyng  his  wytte,  he 
declareth  it  to  be  to  flender  to  prouyde  for  fo  great  a 
matter  in  fo  fhort  tyme.  And  his  mynde  feemed  to  be 
fuch,  as  wolde  not  haue  Chriil  to  trouble  him  felfe  with 
fo  great  cares,  but  rather  as  the  other  Euangeliftes  do 
declare,  to  fende  the  people  awai,  and  let  them  prouide 
for  them  felfes.  The  fame  mynde  and  affection  was  in 
Peter,  after  that  Chrift  hadde  tolde  his  Difciples  howe 
that  he  mud  go  to  lerufalem  to  fuffer  fore  paynes  and 
miferable  death.  For  then  Peter  tooke  him  a  fyde 
and  fayde :  Maifter,  fauour  your  felfe,  doo  not  entre 
in  to.  fuche  daunger  and  forowes. 

And  it  is  not  vnlyke,  but  if  your  Mageftye,  with 
your  Counfell,  fpeake  vnto  your  nobles  for  prouifion 
now  to  be  made  for  the  people,  ye  mail  fynde  fome 
that  bee  Philippians  and  Peters,  whiche  by  fettynge 
afore  your  eyes  the  hardnes  of  the  matter,  the  tender- 
nes  of  your  yeares,  and  the  wonderful!  charges  that 
fhulde  be  requilite,  wyll  moue  and  counfell  you  to 
quiet  youre  felfe,  to  take  your  eafe,  yea,  to  take  your 
paflyme,  in  haukyng,  huntyng  or  gamnyng.  Vnto 
whom  your  Mageftie  may  anfwere,  as  Chrifte  dyd 
vnto  Peter :  Auoide  fro  me  Sathan,  thou  hyndrefl  me 
by  thy  carnall  temptacion,  to  doo  that  thynge  whiche 
God  hath  moued  me  vnto  by  his  gracious  infpiracion. 
Thou  haft,  no  tall  nor  fauour  how  delicious  God  is 
vnto  a  pure  confcience,  in  godlye  exerfyce  of  good 
workes.  But  all  that  thou  regardell  and  fcleft,  is 
voluptuous  pK-afure  in  worldly  vanities.  And  thcr- 
fore  thou  docft  not  perceaue,  how  that  they,  which  be 
indued  with  a  Iperiall  grace  of  God,  muye  fynde  more 
pleafure  and  paflyme  in  ^odly  ^oucrnauncc,  to  kropc 
togyther,  and  fane  fymple  men,  then  in  haukyng  and 


72  &  pennon  pread)ctr 

huntynge,  to  chafe  and  kyll  wylde  beaftes.  Yea,  a 
godly  kyng  fhall  fynde  more  pleafure  in  cifting  lottes 
for  lonas,  to  try  out  offenders,  whiche  trouble  the 
fhip  of  this  commune  wealthe,  then  in  caflyng  dice  at 
hafarde,  to  alow  and  maintayne  by  his  example,  fuch 
thynges  as  fhulde  not  be  fuffered  in  a  commune  wealth. 
Yea  furely,  a  good  Kynge  fhall  take  farre  more  delyte 
in  edifiyng  with  conforte  and  deckyng  with  good  order 
the  Congregacion  of  his  people,  the  Churche  and 
Houfe  of  God,  the  heauenly  Citie  of  lerufalem,  then 
in  buildyng  fuche  houfes  as  feeme  gaye  and  gorgeous, 
and  be  in  deede  but  vile  earthe,  ftones,  tymber  and 
claye.  Suche  lyke  anfwere  ought  your  Mageflye,  and 
all  noble  men  to  make,  if  ye  fynde  anye  of  youre 
Counfellers  more  carnall  than  fpiritual,  more  worldlye 
then  godly.  Orels  turne  awai  your  eares  from  fuche 
Philippians,  and  heare  other,  as  Chrifl  dyd. 

Then  fayde  vnto  hym  one  of  his  Difciples,  Andrew, 
Symon  Peters  brother,  There  is  a  boy  here  that  hath 
fine  barley  loaues  and  two  fyfhes,  but  what  auayle  thofe 
among  fo  manye? 

Note  here  that  this  boye  was  the  Apoflles  page, 
and  thefe  loaues  and  fyfhes  were  their  vittayles.  For 
as  appeareth  in  Marke,  when  he  had  made  fearche  how 
many  loaues  they  them  felues  had,  this  anfwer  was 
made,  that  thei  had.  v  loues  and.  ii.  fifties  :  but  what 
be  thei  amongeft  fo  many?  As  who  fhulde  fay:  al 
though  thefe  be  al  that  euer  we  haue,  and  feeme  more 
meete  to  be  kepte  amongeft  a  fewe,  then  to  be  gyuen 
vnto  many :  yet  forbicaufe  thei  [that]  be  cum  [come], 
[whiche  beyng]  many  haue  more  nede  then  we :  yet 
[therefore]  ar  we  willyng  to  giue  them  to  be  difpofed, 
and  wyffhe  that  they  were  of  more  value  to  dooe  more 
good  amongeft  the  people. 

Thefe  men  cared  more  for  the  Commune  people 
then  they  dyd  for  them  felues,  and  therfore  were  very 
meete  to  be  Counfellers,  and  neare  about  a  great  Kyng. 
[And  furely  none  can  continue  neare,  and  dearevnto  our 


before  fyc  Hvjing.  73 

kyng  Chrifl  but  fuche,  for  others  that  euer  prolle  for  pri- 
uateprofite,  bee  hypocrites  and  flatterers  as  was  ludas. 
And]  Here  wee  perceyue  what  fymple  Philip,  and  good 
Andrewe  thynke,  but  here  is  nothing  declared  of  couet- 
ous  ludas  counfell.  No,  for  Chrifl  beyng  fully  purpofed 
to  doo  a  good  deede,  dothe  neither  alke,  nor  heare  any 
counfell  of  couetous  ludas :  teaching  all  them  which 
intende  any  goodnes,  neuer  to  afke  nor  admit  anye 
counfell  of  thofe  whom  thei  know  to  be  couetous. 
For  trulye  the  couetous  mans  counfell,  although  it 
feeme  neuer  fo  good  and  honed,  yet  is  it  in  deede 
nought  and  deuelifh.  For  what  could  feeme  better 
counfell,  then  yat  a  litle  ointment,  the  fwete  fmell  of 
the  whiche  continued  but  a  whyle  among  a  few,  fhuld 
haue  ben  foulde  for.  iii.  hundreth  pence,  the  great  price 
of  the  whiche,  bellowed  amonged  manye  poore,  fhulde 
haue  done  them  good  for  a  great  ceafon  [feafon]  ? 

The  Euangelid  dothe  fhewe  howe  that  ludas  dyd 
gyue  thys  counfell,  not  for  that  he  had  anye  care  of 
the  poore,  but  becaufe  he  was  a  theefe,  and  baire  the 
bagges. 

ludas  pretence  was  wonders  goodly,  to  fell  the  oynt- 
ment  for  a  great  fumme  of  money,  to  relieue  the  poore 
with :  but  his  purpofe  was  deuelym,  to  get  the  money 
in  his  bagges,  and  keepe  it  to  him  felfe.  And  thofe 
in  En^Umde,  which  dyd  pretende,  that  befydes  the 
abolyfliynge  of  fuperdicion,  with  the  landes  of  Abbeyes, 
Coliges  [Colledges],and  Chauntryes,  the  Kyngfhuld  be 
enriched,  learnyng  mainteyned,  pouertye  relieued,  and 
the  commune  wealth  eafed,  and  by  this  pretence,  pur- 
pofely  haue  enriched  theim  fellies,  fettyng  abrode  in- 
cloydred  papifi.es,  to  get  their  liuyngs  by  giuyng  them 
penfions,  yea,  and  thrullyn.u;  them  into  benefices  to  poy- 
fon  thewhole  commune  welth  for  the  refignacion  of  thofe 
pencions,  and  fo  craftly  conueying  much  from  the  King, 
from  lernyng,  from  pouertie,  and  from  all  the  com 
mune  welth,  vnto  their  owne  priuate  vauntauc.  Thefe 
mennes  counfell  femed  better  then  hulas  counfell  was: 
and  their  couetoufnes,  by  their  owne  deedes  appeareth 


74  &  Sermon  preacfjctf 

no  leffe  then  ludas  couetoufneffe  dyd.  Well,  beware, 
for  if  ye  play  ludas  part  on  flyll,  and  make  no  reftitu- 
cion,  vntil  ye  go  to  hangyng,  ye  ar  lyke  to  fynde  defpe- 
racion  at  th[e]ende  of  your  life,  bicaufe  ye  wold  not  by 
reftitucion  amende  your  life.  Ye  noble  men,  and 
efpecialli  you  of  the  kings  counfel,  for  the  reuerence 
of  God,  pitie  of  the  commen  wealth,  and  fafegarde  of 
your  felfes,  awaye  with  thefe  ludaffes,  let  them  go  hang 
them  felfes :  excepte  peraduenture  ye  thynke  yt  fytte 
and  neceffary,  that  you  fyrfl  hang  them  afore  they  be 
tray  you.  For  vndoubtedly,  he  that  hath  the  couetouf- 
nes  of  ludas  in  his  hert,  he  wyll  playe  all  the  other 
partes  of  ludas,  if  he  euer  haue  fuche  oportunitie  as 
ludas  had. 

Away  with  ludas,  and  learn e  at  Andrew,  to  faye 
vnto  this  kynge  and  his  counfell  intendyng  to  re- 
lieue  the  multitude  of  his  people  here  in  Englande, 
learne  ye  noble  men  to  faye  :  Here  is  a  boye  :  Here 
be  feruauntes  and  retainers  of  ours,  which  haue  fyue 
loaues  and  two  fyfhes,  many  benefyces,  fome  pre- 
bendes,  with  dyuers  orifices :  yea,  and  fome  of  vs  our 
felues  haue  mo  offyces  then  we  can  difcharge.  Pleaf- 
eth  it  your  maieflie  to  take  thefe  into  your  handes, 
which  haue  ben  kepte  for  vs,  that  they  nowe  in  this 
greate  nede,  may  be  better  difpofed  amongeft  your 
people.  Quid  hoc  inter  tantos  ?l  Thefe  be  verye  fmall 
thynges  towardes  the  amendment  of  fo  many  lackes, 
in  fo  great  a  multitude.  How  be  it  thefe  wyll  feme, 
fo  that  there  may  be  mo  good  Perfons,  good  Preachers, 
and  good  officers  placed  abrode  in  euery  countrey, 
whiche  in  doing  their  offices,  keping  of  houfes,  and 
preachyng  of  gods  word,  may  teache  the  ignoraunt, 
relieue  thepoore,  punyfli  the  fau[l]tye,  and  cheryfh  the 
honeft,  and  fo  repayre  the  pale  of  good  ordre  about 
this  commen  welth.  For  the  loue  of  god  gyue  your 
feruauntes  wages,  and  caufe  them  to  reflore  thefe  liu- 
ings,  which  comyng  of  the  fweate  of  the  labourer,  be 
in  dede  the  reliefe  of  the  poore,  ye  maintenaunce  of 
honefly,  and  the  reward  of  vertue,  yea,  the  very  pale, 

1  John  vi.  g. 


before  i\)t  $vgng.  75 

wall,  and  bulwarkes  of  the  commen  wealth.  The 
Apoflles  gaue  al  that  thei  had  of  their  own,  frely 
vnto  other :  flycke  not  you  to  reflore  yat  now 
which  ye  haue  of  long  time  vncharitably  kept  from 
other. 

Heare  what  foloweth  :  whan  thefe  fifties  and  loaues 
were  brought  vnto  lefus,  make  (fayth  he)  the  people 
to  fyt  doune.  God  alwaies  befloweth  his  benefites 
vpon  them  that  fyt  doune  in  quietnes,  and  powreth 
furth  his  vengeaunce  vpon  thofe  that  be  vnpacient, 
vnquiet,  and  full  of  bufyneffe.  For  as  appeareth  in 
Genefis  :  The  people  gathered  togither  in  the  plain  of 
Sannaer  [Sanner],  and  made  a  great  vprore,  buyldyng 
a  towre  lyke  rebels  againft  god,  to  get  them  a  name. 
Howbeit  god  deflroyed  their  handy  work,  confounded 
their  langage,  and  fcatred  them  abrode. 

The  Scribes  and  the  Pharifeys  came  vnquietly, 
tempting  Chrift,  and  requyred  a  fygne  from  heauen. 
Chrifl  rebuked  them  fharply,  and  fhewed  them  no 
fygne,  but  called  them  a  frowarde  and  aduoutrous 
generacion.  So  the  people  in  Englande  gathered 
togytber,  thei  woulde  make  maifleryes,  and  bee  not 
able  felowes,  yea,  the  towre  of  their  prefumpcion  fhuld 
be  buylt  vp  vnto  heauen,  in  difpite  of  gentyl  men  and 
nobilitie  :  they  haue  partlye  felte,  and  we  haue  ryghte 
pitifully  feene  how  fore  God  was  therwith  offended. 
Now  I  heare  faye  there  is  as  yet  remainyng  in  Eng 
land  fum  flirTe  necked  lewes,  which  come  prefumptu- 
oufly  tem[p]tyng  God,  and  fay :  if  thefe  our  rulers  be  fent 
of  God  to  take  better  order  then  other  haue  done,  well 
then  let  theym  begynne  betyme  to  gyue  vs  a  notable 
fygne  and  token,  for  els  we  wyll  not  bileeue,  trull,  nor 
obey  them. 

Well,  I  wyl  tell  you  that  thus  whyfpcr :  Euen  as 
Chrifle  was  l\\Jitus  in  refurrectioncm  ct  rninata  mitl- 
tonini  in  ffracll?  Set  to  reflore  and  dckay  manye  in 
llraell:  So  be  Chriflen  rulers  in  euerye  commune 
wealth,  fct  and  ordeyned  of  God,  to  beatc  doune  and 
kepe  vnder  thefe  ilunlye  rebels,  whiche  be  fo  euyll 

1  Luke  //.  34. 


76  &  jccrmon  prcadjcti 

themfelues,  that  thei  can  not  thynke  that  any  man 
doth  intende  to  doo  them  good,  and  to  reife  vp,  con- 
forte  and  cherifh  the  fimple  pacient  people,  which  be 
of  a  good  trull  towards  their  rulers,  knowynge  that  they 
themfelfes  haue  deferued  no  euil:  orels  if  they  haue 
done  euyll,  yet  by  repentaunce  and  amendment,  do  not 
doute  to  obteyne  mercye  at  their  rulers  handes.  So  God 
hath  ordeyned  rulers  to  cheryfhe  the[e],  if  thou  be  made 
quiet  and  pacient,  orels  to  punifti  the  if  you  [thou] 
be  vnquiet,  bufy,  and  floborne.  Learne  at  [S.]  Paul.  Ro. 
xiii.  If  you  do  wel,  to  trufl  wel  of  thy  rulers,  and  if 
thou  do  euil,  not  to  be  without  fere  of  their  powers : 
for  he  beareth  not  ye  fword  without  a  caufe.  Take 
hede  therfore  ye  rulers,  for  gods  fake,  and  pitie  of  the 
people,  feyng  yat  god  hath  geuen  you  a  fword,  to  cut 
of  rotten  cankred  membres,  for  ye  fafegard  of  ye 
hole  body,  knowing  no  canker  to  be  fo  dangerus  as  is 
rebellion  in  a  comen  welth  :  If  ye  finde  one  perfon  in 
fected  with  that  canker,  away  with  him,  for  ye  fafe 
gard  of  ye  body  of  yat  houfe.  If  one  houfe  be  in 
fected,  away  with  it,  for  the  fafegard  of  yat  toune.  If 
ye  toune  be  infected,  awai  with  it,  for  ye  fafegard  of 
the  contrey.  Yea,  if  a  Ihyre  or  contrey  be  al  poyfoned, 
away  with  it,  for  the  pitie  and  fafegarde  of  the  hole 
body  of  the  comen  welth.  So  ye  fe  that  the  fharper 
yat  your  fword  is,  and  ye  foner  that  ye  flrike  rebellion, 
ye  more  pitie  ye  mew  [me  we  ye]  in  cutting  awai  the  leffe, 
and  fauing  ye  more  part  and  porcion  of  the  people, 
being  al  of  one  body,  of  one  realme  and  comen  welth. 
Confider  that  Chrift  went  from  lerufalem  vnto  wilder- 
nes,  to  draw  ye  gentle  people  from  among  ye  floborn 
fcribes  :  and  fo  chriften  rulers  mufl  now  nedes  defer 
ye  time  to  draw  ye  people  yat  be  good  and  trufl 
well,  from  among  this  froward  generacion,  which e  of 
prefumcion  loke  to  haue  ordre  taken  as  they  require 
and  appoint  ye  time,  ye  place,  and  ye  thing. 
Wherfore  ye  yat  be  good  quiet  people  beware  of 
thefe  bufi  felowes,  and  as  this  multitude  which  ought 
to  be  your  example,  folowed  chrift  into  wildernes,  fo 


before  tfte  ?$»ng.  77 

folow  you  chriften  rulers,  gods  officers,  your  chefe 
gouerners  in  england.  And  as  thei  dyd  not  mur- 
mour,  faiing :  why  fhal  we  fyt  doune  here  in  wilder- 
nes,  being  an  infinit  number  wher  no  meat  is,  feing 
that  in  the  cities  where  was  more  meate,  and  leffe 
gatherynge  of  the  people,  we  had  neuer  feafl  gyuen  ot 
hym  by  his  Apoilles  ? 

So  I  fay,  do  not  you  grudge  and  faye  :  why  mail  we 
quiet  our  felues  nowe,  truflynge  to  releefe,  where  wee 
fee  nothyng,  and  were  nothyng  at  all  releeued  when 
there  was  great  plentye  of  landes,  and  goodes  of 
Abbeyes,  Cole[d]gies,  and  Chauntries  ?  Do  not  mur- 
mour  fo  vngodly,  but  fee  that  there  bee  no  faulte  in 
you,  and  ye  Ihal  fynde  no  lacke  in  God.  Surely,  ex- 
cepte  ye  do  fytte  doune  quietly,  ye  mall  fooner  pro- 
uoke  Gods  vengeaunce  to  your  damnacion,  then  de- 
ferue  any  releefe  of  Gods  offycers,  to  your  confort. 
Syt  doune  and  be  quiet,  for  the  fame  rulers  and  mini- 
llers  are  ordeyned  of  God,  to  feede  you  with  plentye : 
whiche  be  commaunded  of  God  to  make  you  fyrfl  to 
fytte  doune  in  ordre  and  quietnes.  Yea,  and  herke 
all  ye  that  be  godlye  Rulers:  there  was  much  graffe 
in  the  place.  God  had  prouided  much  graffe  for  theym 
that  loked  for  no  carpets:  geuing  all  godly  gouernours 
example  to  prouyde  thynges  necelTurye  for  thofe  people 
that  loketh  for  no  fuperfluities.  But  alas,  here  in  Eng 
land,  fuperfluous  gorgeous  building  is  fomuch  prouided 
for  ryche  mens  pleafures,  that  honefl  houfes  do  de 
cay,  where  as  labouryng  men  ought  to  haue  necefTary 
lodgyng.  It  is  a  commen  cuflome  with  couetous  land- 
.  to  lette  tlieir  houfynge  fo  decaye,  that  the 
farmer  llialhc  tayne  for  a  fmall  rc\varde  or  none  at  all, 
to  gyue  vp  his  leaffe,  that  they  takynge  the  groumles 
into  their  o\vne  handcs,  may  turne  all  to  pallurc  :  lo 
nowOld-j  leathers,  poore  Wydowes,  and  yong  Chyl- 
dren  lye  beg-yng  in  the  myrie  11  r 

O  mercyfull  Lorde,  what  a  niunbre  of  Pooiv,  I;eble, 
Haulte,    Dlynde,    L.nne,   fycklye,  yea,  with   idK 
boundes,  and  diffemblyng  kaityffes  mixt  among  them, 


;8  &  jecrmon 

lye  and  creepe,  beggyng  in  the  myrie  flreates  of  Lon 
don  and  Weftminfter? 

Nowe  fpeakyng  in  the  behalfe  of  thefe  vile  beggers, 
forafmuche  as  I  know  that  ye  vilefl  perfon  vpon  erth, 
is  the  liuely  image  of  almightye  God,  I  wyl  tell  thefe] 
that  art  a  noble  man,  a  worfhipml  man,  an  honefl 
welthye  man,  efpecially  if  thou  be  Maire,  Shirif,  Alder 
man,  baily,  conflable  or  any  fuch  officer,  it  is  to  thy 
great  fhame  afore  the  worlde.  and  to  thy  vtter  damna- 
cion  afore  god,  to  fe  thefe  begging  as  thei  vfe  to  do  in 
the  flreates.  For  there  is  neuer  a  one  of  thefe,  but  he 
lacketh  eyther  thy  charitable  almes  [almofe]  to  relieue 
his  neede,  orels  thy  due  correction  to  punyfh  his  faute. 
A  great  fyn  and  no  leffe  ihame  is  it  for  him  that  faith  he 
is  a  chriften  man,  to  fee  chrifl  lacke  things  neceffary, 
and  to  beflow  vpon  the  detiyl  fuperfluofly.  It  is  Chrifl 
lefufs]  himfelf  that  in  the  nedi  doth  fuffer  hunger,  thrift 
and  colde.  It  is  the  deuil  him  felfe,  that  in  the  wealthye 
fareth  dientily,  goeth  gorgioufly,  and  vfeth  fuperfluitye. 
Looke  Matthewe  the.  xxv.  and  there  mall  ye  fee  playn- 
lye  that  it  is  Chrifl  which  lacketh  fufficient  in  the 
neadye  :  and  therfore  the  deuyll  beyng  contrary  to 
Chrifl,  contrariwife  hath  to  much  in  the  wealthye. 

You  alfo  that  do  prouide  that  your  cattell  dooe  not 
longe  tarye  pynned  in  a  folde  where  there  is  no  graffe, 
whye  dooe  you  fuffer  youre  owne  brethren  in  Chrifl, 
withoute  prouifion  to  lye  in  the  flreates,  where  is  muche 
myer?  Thefe  fely  fols  [feelie  foules]  haue  ben  ne 
glected  throghout  al  England  and  efpecially  in  London 
and  Weflminfler :  But  now  I  trufl  that  a  good  ouer- 
feer,  a  godly  Byfhop  I  meane,  wyl  fee  that  they  in 
thefe  two  cyties,  fhall  haue  their  neede  releeued,  and 
their  faultes  corrected,  to  the  good  enfample  of  al 
other  tounes  and  cities. 

Take  heede  that  there  be  much  graffe  to  fytte  vpon, 
there  as  ye  commaund  the  people  to  fyt  doune,  that 
there  be  fufficient  houfyng,  and  other  prouifion  for  the 
people  there  as  ye  commaunde  them  to  be  quiet  The 
men  fatte  doune  about  fyue  thoufandes  in  number. 


before  tf)e  Itjmg.  79 

If  they  had  not  ben  obedient  to  fyt  doune,  Chrifl 
wolde  not  haue  ben  liberal  to  haue  gyuen  theym 
meate. 

Meate  was  prouided  for  the  Commens  of  Englande, 
and  ready  to  haue  ben  deliuered :  But  when  they  were 
bydden  to  fyt  doune  in  quietnes,  they  rofe  vp  by  re 
bellion,  and  haue  loft  all  the  chere  of  that  feafl.  Yet 
that  notwithftandyng,  I  truil  that  thofe  whiche  fat 
quietly  in  dede,  mall  foone  be  fedde  with  plentye,  if 
they  fytte  flyll,  vntyll  it  may  conueniently  be  difpofed. 
I  pray  God  they  may,  I  trufl  thei  fhall.  The  Euan- 
gelid  fayth  that  the  men  fatte,  namyng  neither  women 
nor  chyldren  :  how  be  it  there  was  bothe  women  and 
chyldren,  as  appeareth  in  the  other  Euangeliftes.  And 
men  be  here  named  only,  bicaufe  all  women  and  chyl 
dren  dyd  folowe  the  example,  and  obey  the  commaunde- 
ment  of  men,  chyldren  of  their  [the]  fathers,  and  women 
of  their  hufbands. 

Let  not  therfore  your  wyues  and  chyldren,  when 
they  come  abrode,  be  fo  bolde  openly,  as  to  fay  or  do 
any  thynges  of  them  felfes,  but  as  they  haue  example 
and  commaun dement  of  you.  Nowe  the  multitude 
placed  in  quietnes : 

lefus  toke  the  loaues,  and  when  he  had  gyuen 
thankes,  he  diuided  them  vnto  his  Difciples,  and  the 
Difciples  vnto  them  that  were  fet  doune  :  and  likewyfe 
of  the  fyfhes,  fo  muche  as  they  wolde. 

Here  learne  fyrfl  of  Chrifl,  to  take  nothyng,  be  it 
neuer  fo  lytell,  but  with  thankes  rendered  therfore 
vnto  God  :  For  of  God  furely  thou  hafl  receaued  it,  by 
what  meffcnger  or  meane  fo  euer  thou  came  vnto  it. 
Then  fecondarily,  learne  at  the  Apoflles  to  giue  vnto 
other,  that  which  the  Lord  hath  gyuen  vnto  the,  that 
thou  mayfl  truly  fay  with  the  Apoftle  Paul  :  Quod  ac 
cept  a  a ' oniiiio,  hoc  tradidi  vobis  -,1  That  whiche  I  re 
ceaued  of  the  Lorde,  haue  I  geuen  vnto  you.  Be 
ware  that  thou  playe  not  the  wycked  feruaunt,  which 
kepte  his  talent  hyd,  and  not  deliuered  vnto  any  vfe, 

'  i  Cor.  xi.  23, 


8o  H  Sermon 

for  then  it  fhall  be  taken  from  the,  and  thou  fhalte  be 
cafte  into  vtter  derkeneffe. 

Now,  to  applye  this  miracle  vnto  this  prefent  time, 
time,  the  Kyngs  Mageflye  may  learne  at  Chrifle,  to 
take  of  his  feruantes,  Prebendes,  Benefices,  Impro- 
peracions,  and  all  maner  of  Offyces,  that  be  not  pre- 
fently  occupyed  and  executed  of  a  faythfull  diligent 
offycer :  and  after  thankes  geuen  vnto  God  therfore, 
to  delyuer  them  vnto  his  Couniell  and  Nobilitie,  to  be 
difpofed  amongeft  the  people  of  his  Realme,  which  be 
in  fuch  hungre  and  lacke  of  faythfull  offycers,  and 
houfekepers,  and  godly  preachers,  that  thei  rnufl 
needes  faint,  excepte  they  be  fone  prouided  for. 

And  in  this  diflribucion  of  offyces  and  benefyces, 
your  Mageflye  with  your  Counfell  had  nede  to  flande 
and  beholde  the  dealyng  of  your  nobles,  as  Chriil  dyd 
of  his  Apoftles.  For  it  is  not  vnlike  but  as  there  was 
amongeft  Chrifles  Apoftles,  fo  wyll  there  be  amongeft 
euerye  Chriften  Kynges  Councellers  and  Nobles,  fome 
ludas,  which e  is  to  be  trufted  no  further  than  he  can 
be  feene.  For  in  fyght  ludas  dothe  as  other  of  his 
felowes  do :  but  beyng  out  of  fyght,  he  folde  his 
Maifter.  And  fo  the  mode  couetous  of  them  all,  wyll 
be  a  frayde  to  do  any  thyrige  amyffe,  if  you  loke  vpon : 
but  if  your  backes  be  turned,  then  wyll  couetous  ludas 
fell  dearely  that  which  his  liberall  maifter  gyueth  freely. 
As  for  example  of  late  dayes,  the  Kynges  Magefty  that 
dead  is,  dyd  gyue  a  Eenefyce  to  be  appropriate  vnto 
the  Yniuerfitie  of  Cambridge,  Inliberam  et  pur  a  in  c/ie- 
mofynam  :  As  free  and  pure  almes.  How  be  it,  his 
handes  were  fo  vnpure,  which  fhuld  haue  deliuered  it, 
that  he  receaued.  vi.  hundred  poundes  of  the  Vniuer- 
fitye  for  it.  Whether  that  this.  vi.C.  pounds  were  con- 
ueied  to  the  kings  behoofe  priuely  for  that  Almes, 
which  by  playne  writyng  was  giuen  freely,  orels  put 
into  fome  ludas  pouch,  I  wold  it  wer  knowen.  For 
nowe,  by  fuche  charitable  Almes,  the  kyng  is  flaundered, 
the  paryfh  vndone,  and  the  Vniuerfitye  in  worfe  cafe 
then  it  was  afore. 


before  t&e  Bgng.  81 

Pleafeth  it  your  Mageftye,  with  your  honorable 
Counfell,  for  the  reuerence  of  God,  the  pitie  of  the 
poore,  and  the  godlye  zele  that  ye  haue  to  good  lern- 
yng,  heare  what  hath  ben  done  in  your  tyme. 

Your  Mageftie  hath  had  gyuen,  and  receaued  by 
Act  of  Parliament,  Collegies,  Chauntries,  and  guyldes 
for  many  good  coniideracions,  and  efpecially  as  ap- 
peareth  in  ye  fame  Act,  for  erecting  of  Grammer 
fcoles,  to  the  educacion  of  youthe  in  vertue  and  godly- 
nes,  to  the  further  augmentyng  of  the  vniuerfyties,  and 
better  prouifion  for  the  poore  and  needye.  But  nowe, 
many  Grammer  fcholes,  and  much  charitable  prouifion 
ior  the  poore,  be  taken,  folde,  and  made  awaye,  to  the 
great  llaunder  of  you  and  your  lawes,  to  the  vtter  dif- 
conforte  of  the  poore,  to  the  greuous  offence  of  the 
people,  to  the  moll  miferable  drounynge  of  youthe  in 
ignoraunce,  and  fore  decaye  of  the  Vniuerfities. 

There  was  in  the  North  countrey,  amongeft  the 
rude  people  in  knowledge  (which  be  moil  readye  to 
fpende  their  lyues  and  goodes,  in  feruyng  the  Kyng  at 
the  burnyng  of  a  Beacon)  there  was  a  Grammer  fchole 
founded,  hauyng  in  the  Vniuerfitie  of  Cambridge,  of 
the  fame  foundacion.  viii.  fcholerfhips,  euer  replenyfhed 
with  the  fcholers  of  that  fchole,  which  fcole  is  now  folde, 
decayed,  and  lofle.  Mo  there  be  of  lyke  forte  handled: 
But  I  recyte  thys  only,  bicaufe  I  knowe  that  the  fale 
of  it  was  once  flayed  of  charitie,  and  yet  afterwards 
broughte  to  paffe  by  bribrye,  as  I  hearde  fay,  and  be- 
leue  it,  bicaufe  that  it  is  only  bribrye,  that  cuilomablye 
ouercometh  charitie. 

For  Gods  fake,  you  that  be  in  aucthoritie,loke  vpon  it. 

For  if  ye  winke  at  fuche  matters,  God  wyl  fcoule 
[that  is  to  faie,  looke  with  anger  vppon  you]  vpon 
you.  Thinke  not  that  I  do  burden  you  with  more 
than  that,  which  God  by  his  ordynance,  not  with 
out  your  willes  and  confentes,  hath  charged  you  with 
all.  For  by  whofe  fau[l]t[e]  or  negligence  fo  euer 
it  was,  that  things  afore  tyme  haue  ben  vncharitablye 
abufed,  furelye  it  is  youre  charge,  whiche  be  now  in 


82  & 

aucthoritie,  to  fe  at  this  tyrne  all  fuche  thynges  as  yet 
remain  out  of  ordre,  rightoufly,  fpedely,  and  charitably 
redreffed.  And  as  I  do  perceiue,  that  the  abufe  of 
thefe  thynges  afore  tyme,  hath  offended  God,  troubled 
the  com  men  weal  the,  and  brought  fome  men  towardes 
fhame  and  confulion  :  So  do  I  wyfli,  pray,  and  trufle, 
that  now  the  redreffe  of  the  fame,  may  be  to  Gods 
pleafure,  the  peoples  confort,  and  to  the  honor  and 
eftablyfhmentof  theym  that  be  in  moll  hygh  aucthoritie. 

Heare  therfore,  and  I  wyll  tell  you  more  :  There 
were  in  fome  townes.  vi.  fome.  viii.  and  fome  a  dozen 
kyne,  gyuen  vnto  a  flocke,  for  the  reliefe  of  the  poore, 
and  vfed  in  fuch  wyfe,  that  the  poore  cotingers,  which 
coulde  make  any  prouifion  for  fodder,  had  ye  mylke 
for  a  very  fmall  hyre :  and  then  the  number  of  the 
ftocke  referued,  all  maner  of  vailes  befydes,  bothe  the 
hyre  of  the  mylke,  and  the  pryces  of  the  yonge  veales, 
and  olde  fat  wares,  was  difpofed  to  the  reliefe  of  the 
poore,  thefe  be  alfo  folde,  taken,  and  made  away.  The 
Kyng  beareth  the  flaunder,  the  poore  feeleth  the  lacke, 
but  who  hath  the  profit  of  fuche  thynges,  I  can  not  tell: 
but  well  I  wot,  and  all  the  worlde  fayth,  that  the  Act 
of  Parliament  made  by  the  Kynges  Mageilye,  and  his 
Lords  and  Commens  of  the  Parliament,  for  the  mayn- 
tenaunce  of  learnyng,  and  reliefe  of  the  poore,  hath 
ferued  fome,  as  a  moft  fyt  inftrument  to  robbe  learn 
yng,  and  to  fpoyle  the  poore.  If  you  that  be  now  in 
aucthoritie  do  not  loke  vpon  fuch  thynges  to  redreffe 
them,  God  wyl  loke  vpon  you,  to  reuenge  theim.  Here 
haue  I  reherfed  them,  that  the  Kynges  Mageilye,  with 
you  of  his  counfell  maye  learne,  not  onlye  by  the  doc 
trine  and  examples  of  fcripture,  but  alfo  by  experience 
in  his  owne  lande,  to  fee  and  confyder  howe  his  bene- 
fytes,  put  into  the  handes  of  his  nobles  and  officers, 
be  difpofed  and  vfed  amongell  his  inferioure  people. 

For  if  landed  men  and  officers,  by  keping  of  houfes, 
and  doing  of  their  dutyes  in  their  countryes,  do  be- 
ftowe  amongell  [emong]  the  people,  all  that  they  haue 
receaued  of  God,  by  the  kynges  gyft,  their  fathers  in- 


More  i\)t  l^sng.  83 

heritaunce,  or  other  wayes :   then  fhall  God  giue  fuch 
increafe,  that  euery  man  fhall  haue  inough. 

As  Salomon,  the.  xi.  of  the  Prouerbes  teftifieth  : . 
Alii  dimdunt  propria,  et  ditiorcs  fiunt :  alii  rapiunt  non 
fita,  et  Jenifer  in  egejlate  funt  :l  Some  difpofe  and  gyue 
their  owne,  and  become  rycher  and  rycher :  fome  doo 
raueyn  and  fpoyle  that  which  is  not  their  owne,  and 
be  euer  in  lacke  and  neede.  As  ye  fee  in  dailye  ex 
perience,  thofe  that  do  their  owne  dutyes  in  execut- 
ynge  their  offyces,  and  beflowe  theire  owne  goodes  in 
keepyng  good  houfes,  haue  euer  fuche  plentye,  that 
all  other  men  meruayle  from  whence  God  fendeth  it. 
And  thofe  that  dooe  no  duties,  nor  keepe  no  houfes, 
but  brybe  in  their  offyces,  and  polle  their  tenauntes, 
take  fo  much,  and  haue  fo  lytell,  that  all  men  wunder 
how  the  deuyl  thei  waft  it. 

Nothyng  is  more  true  than  the  gofpel :  Date,  et 
dabitiir  vobis  :2  Gyue  and  it  fhall  be  gyuen  vnto  you. 
Giue  plentifully  vnto  other,  and  God  wyl  gyue  more 
plentye  vnto  you.  For  God  wyll  alwayes  be  afore 
hande,  in  giuynge  good  gyftes.  For  as  appeareth  in 
this  gofpell,  when  the  Apoftles  had  giuen  vnto  the 
people  fo  much  good  meate  as  they  defyred,  then 
fayeth  the  Euangelift  : 

When  thei  were  filled,  lefus  fayeth  to  his  difciples  : 
Gather  vp  the  broken  meates  that  remayn,  fo  that 
nothynge  be  loft.  They  therfore  gathered,  and  fylled 
.xii.  bafkets  ful  with  the  broken  meates  remaining  of 
that  which  they  had  eaten. 

Here  they  gaue  but.  v.  loaues  and  .ii.  fyfhes,  and 
there  wns  gyuen  vnto  them.  xii.  bafkets  ful  of  meats. 

The  Wydowe  of  Sareptha,  gaue  but  one  handfull  of 
flowre,  and  a  lytle  oyle  vnto  Elias,  and  had  gyuen  vnto 
her  agayne  fo  muche  as  ferued  her  and  her  fonne,  al  the 
tyme  of  the  greate  droughte  .iii.  Re[gu].  xvii.  Learne 
therfore  that  couetous  bribry  and  extorcion  hath  neuer 
ynough  :  and  charitable  liberalise,  euer  hathe  plentye. 
Here  alfo  maye  ryche  men  learne,  when  and  howe  to 

1   Prov.  .vi.  24.  "  Luke  vt.  38. 


84  &  jfcermott  preacljeb 

fyll  their  ftore  houfes.  Surely e,  euenas  the  Apoftles  dyd 
fyll  their  bafkettes,  when  the  people  haue  [had]  ynoughe, 
then  by  gatheryng  vp  that  which  els  fhoulde  be  Toil. 
So  dyd  lofephe  in  Egipt,  fuffre  no  corne  to  be  loft  in 
the  yeares  of  plenty,  but  flored  it  vp  in  barnes,  to  re- 
lieue  the  people  with,  in  ye  tyme  of  darth :  Not  as 
couitous  carles  do  here  in  Englande  forflall  the  mar- 
kettes.  and  b[u]ye  corne  at  all  tymes,  to  begynne  and 
encreafe  a  dearth.  Bleffed  be  they  that  fell,  to  make 
good  cheape,  and  curfed  be  they  that  b[u]ye,  to  make  it 
deare.  For  Salomon  fayeth,  Prouerb.  xi.  Quiabfcondit 
frumenta,  maledicetur  in  populis  :  benedictio  autem  fuper 
caput  vendencium  .-1  He  that  hydeth  vp  corne,  mall  be 
curfed  amongeft  the  people:  But  bleffyng  be  vpon 
their  heades,  that  fell. 

Nowe,  to  teache  Chriflen  rulers  their  dutyes,  in 
the  example  of  Chrifles  Apoflles :  marke  how  the 
Apoftles  dyd  fyrft  minifter  vnto  the  people,  and  than 
gathered  vp  for  them  felfes :  teachyng  therby  all 
Chriften  minifters,  landelordes,  offycers,  and  rulers, 
fyrfte  to  minifter  vnto  the  people,  euery  one  the  dutye 
of  his  owne  vocacion,  afore  they  gather  of  the  people, 
rentes,  tythes,  or  fees,  by  the  name  and  aucthoritie  of 
that  vocacion.  Qjninon  laborat,  fayth  [S]  Paul,  non  man- 
ducet  ^  He  that  doth  not  labour,  fhuld  not  eate.  He 
that  doth  no  worke,  ihulde  take  no  wages :  he  that 
dothe  no  dutyes,  fhoulde  take  no  fees.  Alas,  this  is 
Gods  woorde,  written  in  his  wylle  and  Teftament, 
fealed  with  Chriftes  blonde,  and  yet  the  cuftomes  and 
lawes  of  Englande  be  cleane  contrarye.  For  it  hath 
ben  cuftomeably  vfed,  yea,  and  by  lawes  cornmaunded, 
to  paye  wages,  tythes,  and  fees,  although  no  labour, 
no  ortyce,  no  dutye  be  done.  Yea,  although  he  be 
not  a  labourer,  a  paftor,  or  an  offycer  in  dede,  but 
only  by  a  pretenfed  name,  vnto  whom  thefe  for  the 
moft  parte  be  payed. 

For  he  that  hath  the  properties,  and  vfeth  the  trades 
of  a  falfe  thefe,  and  a  cruell  murtherer,  can  neuer  be 
a  faythful  offycer  in  dede,  altho[u]gh  he  be  fo  named  by 

1  Prov.  xi.  28.  2  2  Thess.  in.  TO 


fcefore  tfre  Hgng.  85 


his  owne  flatery,  in  the  Patrons  prefentacion,  in  the 
Byfhoppes  induction,  yea,  and  in  the  Kynges  Patent, 
fealed  with  the  brode  Scale.  I  had  nede  to  take  heede 
howe  that  I  fpeake  openly  agaynft  any  thyng  in  any 
mans  Patent,  fealed  with  the  kings  greate  Scale  : 
Muche  more  neede  had  you  to  take  heede,  how  that 
ye  do  any  thyng  expreffedly  agaynft  Gods  wyll  and 
Teftament,  fealed  with  Chriftes  precious  bloude.  It 
is  expreffedly  agaynfle  Gods  Teflament,  to  clothe  a 
Wolfe  in  a  Lambes  ikynne  :  to  call  a  thefe,  an  officer  : 
and  a  cruel  murtherer,  a  charitable  paflor  :  to  call  euyll, 
by  the  name  of  good  :  and  good,  by  the  name  of  euyll. 
Efaye.  v.  V<z  qui  dicitis  malum  bonum  :  l  Wo  be  to  you 
that  cal  euyl  good.  To  you  I  fay,  which  not  only  by 
fayings,  but  alfo  in  writynges,  do  name  and  cal  thieues, 
murtherers,  and  wolfes  that  be  euyll,  by  the  names  of 
officers,  pallors,  and  lambes,  which  be  good.  1  dooe 
not  only  meane,  Perfones,  Prebendaries,  and  other 
benefifed  men,  but  alfo  all  maner  of*  officers,  which 
haue  wages,  fees,  or  lyuynges,  bicaufe  you  gyue  them 
fuche  names,  and  not  for  that  thei  do  fuche  dutyes. 

Thefe  be  al  Wolfes,  and  the  names  and  tytles  that 
you  gyue  them,  be  nothyng  els  but  flieepe  fkynnes. 
Some  faye,  they  wyll  take  better  heede  here  after,  but 
that  which  is  now  paft,  can  not  nowe  be  called  backe, 
and  amended.  Yea,  and  it  were  great  pitie,  feeyng 
that  they  haue  payed  the  fyrft  fruites  vnto  the  Kynges 
Mageftie,  and  no  fmall  reward  vnto  other  men,  per- 
chaunce  bought  their  offices  dearely,  now  to  put  them 
out  of  thofe  liuyngs,  with  the  loffe  of  all  thofe  charges, 
whiche  they  haue  bellowed  in  rewardes,  as  otherwayes, 
to  gette  fuche  liuynges. 

Wo,  wo,  wo  vnto  you  hipocrites  that  flumble  at  a 
flrawe,  and  leape  ouer  a  blocke,  that  flrayne  out  a 
j^nat,  and  fwalowe  vp  a  camell,  that  pitye  more  the 
loffe  of  mens  brihryc,  which  was  geuen  to  corrupt 
fome  men,  than  the  treding  viuler  fote  of  Chrifles 
blood,  which  was  mead,  to  fane  all  men,  that  dooe 
imagen  it  pitie  to  driue  the  theues,  murtherers  and 

1  Isa.  v.  20. 


86  <&  Sermon  preacljet) 

wolfes  from  amongefl  the  lambes  of  God,  redemed 
with  Ch rifles  precious  blood,  and  committed  vnto 
your  gouernaunce  and  kepynge. 

As  God  fhal  help  me,  I  fpeake  with  feare,  pitie, 
and  reuerence :  if  you  do  not  rather  pulle  the  fhepes 
fkines  ouer  the  wolfes  eares,  and  hange  their  carkafes 
vpon  the  pales,  than  fuffer  theim  to  contynewe  ftyll, 
God  wyll  plucke  you  doune  with  fome  fodeyn  mif- 
chief,  rather  than  mainteyn  or  fuffer  you  in  fo  hygh 
aucthoritie,  to  vfe  fuch  vncharitable,  vngodly,  and 
cruel  pitie.  You  knowe  that  fome  of  them  haue 
bought  their  benefices,  haue  bought  theire  offyces, 
than  muft  ye  nedes  knowe,  that  eyther  Chrifl  is  a 
Iyer,  orels  that  they  be  entered  in  as  theeues,  to 
fpoyle,  murther,  and  to  deftroye. 

If  you  fuffre  theeues,  murtherers,  and  wolfes,  to 
take  their  plefures  amongefl  Gods  lambes,  I  tell  you 
playn,  God  wyll  not  long  fuffer  you  to  be  ye  hed- 
fhepherds,  and  gouernors  and  feders  of  his  lambes. 

And  take  hede  you  people,  that  on  the  other  fyde 
ye  runne  not  into  an  vntollerable  flobornes,  deniing 
your  rents,  your  tithes  or  other  duties :  for  ye  fcrip- 
tur  forbiddeth  you  vtterly,  to  deny  or  withdraw  any 
thing  from  them  :  thou  art  commaunded  if  he  contend 
to  take  thi  cloke,  to  giue  him  alfo  thy  cote.  What  fo 
euer  is  afked,  rather  gyue  more,  than  by  denying  of 
that,  not  to  fhewe  thy  felfe  to  be  an  innocent  fheepe 
that  gyueth  his  fleefe,  but  a  noyfome  Goat,  that  ftryketh 
with  the  home.  You  are  alwayes  bounden  to  gyue 
the  fleefe.  It  is  magiftrates  dutyes,  to  confyder  and 
note,  whether  they  be  theeues,  or  fhepheardes,  dogges, 
or  wolfes  that  taketh  the  fleefe.  Medle  not  with  other 
mens  dutyes,  for  if  ye  do,  furely  ye  fhalfynd  no  remedy, 
but  prouoke  vncolourable  [vntollerable]  vengeaunce. 

Now  to  retourne  [turne]  to  our  particular  purpofe, 
let  all  theym  that  do  receaue  offices,  landes,  power, 
or  aucthoritie  from  God,  by  the  kyngs  gyfte,  or  by  other 
meanes  :  Fyrfl  beflow  and  difpofe  the  dutyes  of  thofe 
thyngs  faythfully  amongefl  the  people,  afore  they  gather 


fafore  tyt  ISjmg.  87 

vp  to  them  fellies  the  reuenues  amd  commodities  of 
the  fame  from  the  people.  And  then,  when  as  no 
man  can  come  to  meat,  but  by  doing  of  labour, 
nor  none  to  receauynge  of  fees,  but  by  doing  of 
duties,  furely  euery  man  fhal  haue  as  much  as  he 
deferueth,  and  no  man  fliall  lacke  that  which  he 
needeth. 

For  he,  that  by  doyng  of  great  duties  deferueth  the 
mode,  by  atteinynge  the  fees  and  rewardes  due  for  the 
fame  dutyes,  mail  haue  the  beft.  And  he  that  is  in 
nede,  bailing  no  trud  to  get  any  thyng  by  idleneffe, 
craft,  or  flattery,  fhalbe  compelled  to  vfe  that  labour 
and  honed  exercife,  whiche  (hall  relieue  his  nede  dif 
fidently .  Yea,  by  this  mean  no  man  mall  fpende  his 
tyme  in  idleneffe,  nor  vfe  no  [any]  labour  or  diligence, 
without  due  recompence.  For  nede  mail  driue  all  men 
from  iloulhfull  idleneffe,  vnto  labour  and  diligence : 
and  where  as  no  labour  nor  diligence  lacketh  his  iufl 
rewarde,  there  euery  labouryng  and  diligent  man,  dial 
haue  diffident  plenty.  So  ye  fee  how  this  doth  con- 
fequently  enfue,  that  euery  man  fhall  haue  diffident 
inough  and  plentie,  where  as  men  do  fird  difpofe  and 
minider,  and  giue  according  to  their  duties,  and  after 
wards  receiue,  kepe  and  faue  that  which  God  doth 
fende  as  a  rewarde,  encreafed  and  augmented,  for 
doyng  of  their  dutyes. 

So  dyd  the  Apodles,  after  the  faythful  diligent  dif- 
pofyng  of  the.  v.  loaues  and.  ii.  fyfhes,  receyue  and 
keepe  their  rewarde  wonderfullye  augmented,  to  re- 
plenifh  and  fyl.  xii.  bafkets.  So  God  graunt,  that  all 
officers  in  F.nglande,  may  with  fuch  faithful  diligence 
do  their  duties,  vat  it  may  pleafe  God  to  giue  to  all 
the  people  fufiidcnt  enough,  and  vnto  euery  minif- 
ter,  the  baiket  of  his  honed  defire,  heped  vp  by  ye 
bryra 

The  men  therefore  feyng  what  a  fygne  lefus  had 
done,  fayd  that  this  is  ye  Prophet,  whiche  cometh  vnto 
[into]  the  world.  This  is  euen  he  whom  Moifes,  thy 


88  &  Sermon  preacijcti 

law,  and  the  prophetes  do  teach e,  to  be  the  fullye  and 
only  fufficient  fauiour  of  ye  world.  Moifes  faiing,  in 
ye.  xviii.  of  Deut.  A  Prophet  of  thy  nacion  and  of  thy 
brethren,  lyke  vnto  me,  fhall  the  Lorde  thy  God  rayfe 
vp  vnto  the,  him  malt  thou  heare.  The  lawe,  as  a 
tutour,  leadeth  and  bryngeth  al  men  to  this  fauyour, 
to  receaue  of  him  that  perfection,  which  the  law  it 
felfe  lacketh.  The  Prophetes  dyd  tel  long  afore  of 
this  fauiour,  which  is  now  comen  in  our  tyme,  after 
their  dayes.  This  was  the  peoples  confeffion  of 
Chrift,  after  that  they  were  by  fo  great  a  miracle,  fo 
plentifully  fed. '  Chrift,  ofte  afore  had  wrought  won- 
derfull  miracles,  difputed  learnedly,  and  preached 
plainly :  but  by  all  thofe  meanes  dyd  he  not  fo  muche 
perfwade  the  people,  and  wynne  their  heartes,  as  by 
this  one  miracle,  in  feedyng  and  cheriihing  the  people. 
Yea,  and  whofoeuer  lifleth  to  mark  thorow  out  all 
England,  he  fhall  fee  that  a  meane  learned  perfon, 
keping  an  houfe  in  his  paryfh,  and  kepynge  of  godly 
conuerfacion,  (hall  perfwade  and  teach  mo  of  his 
parifhioners  with  communicacion  at  one  meale,  than 
the  beft  lerned  doctor  of  diuinitie  kepyng  no  houfe, 
can  perfwade  or  teache  in  his  parifh  by  preaching  a 
dofen  folemne  fermons. 

Lykewyfe  the  gentle  man  that  kepeth  a  good  houfe 
in  his  countrey,  (hall  be  in  better  credit  with  the 
people  for  his  liberalitie,  than  the  beft  oratour  or 
lawyer  in  England,  for  all  his  eloquence.  I  do  not 
prayfe  thofe  men  which  brybe  and  polle  all  the  yeare 
to  kepe  riot  in  their  houfes  for  a  fortnyght,  a  moneth, 
or  a  quarter  of  a  yeare :  But  thofe  I  fe  be  loued, 
trufted,  and  obeyed,  that  accordynge  to  their  habilitie, 
keepe  good  houfes  continually.  , 

And  the  chiefe  caufe  why  the  commens  doo  not 
loue,  truft,  nor  obey  the  gentle  men  and  officers,  is, 
bicaufe  the  gentle  men  and  officers  buyld  many  fayre 
houfes,  and  kepe  few  good  houfes,  haue  plentye  of 
eloquence  to  tell  fayre  tales,  but  vfe  lytell  faythfull 


before  tlje  Itgng.  89 

diligence  in  doyng  of  their  duties.  Wherfore,  fende 
forth,  and  place  in  euery  countrey  godly  preachers, 
wel  difpofed  perfons  [Parfones],  and  faithfull  diligent 
officers,  of  all  fortes.  Yea,  but  where  fhuld  we  now 
fynd  liuyngs  for  al  thofe. 

For  foth  I  do  tell  you  :  Out  and  away  with  the  wily 
foxes,  the  falfe  flatteryng  theeues,  and  the  rauening 
wolfes,  and  than  fee  how  many  loaues,  how  many 
offyces,  prebends,  and  benefices  ye  finde  voyde,  how 
many  you  haue  amongefl  your  felues  that  your  boye 
caryeth,  that  your  chapleyns,  your  feruauntes,  and 
your  houfeholde  offycers  haue,  and  let  all  thefe  be 
brought  forth  :  and  althoughe  at  the  fyrft  fyght  they 
(hall  feeme  to  lytell,  and  few  to  feme  fo  great  a 
Realme  with  fo  manye  fhyres,  beyng  all  runne  nowe 
out  of  ciuil  ordre  into  rude  wildernes.  Yet,  after 
equal  diuidyng  and  faithfull  diligent  miniflrynge  of  thefe 
[thofe]  loaues  and  fifhes,  of  thefe  prebends,  perfonages, 
and  all  kynde  of  offyce[r]s  amongefl  the  people,  God  of 
his  goodneffe  mail  giue  fuch  encreafe  vnto  the  people, 
hauynge  therby  fufficient  plenty  of  Chrifl.es  holy  word, 
of  good  ciuil  ordre,  and  of  charitable  relief,  than  there 
fhalbe  remainyng  fo  much  tythes,  offryng,  rentes,  fees, 
and  rewards,  as  wyl  fyl  the  xii.  bafkets  of  the  Apoflles, 
I  meane  the  barnes,  the  houfes,  and  purfes  of  all  fayth- 
full  diligente  miniflers  and  officers.  Then  fhal  this 
one  acte  perfwade  and  allure  the  herts  of  all  Englifh 
men  more  then  all  that  euer  was  done  afore :  For 
when  they  fhall  fee,  that  by  this  Kyng  and  this  Coun- 
fell,  the  wilye  foxe  of  fuperflicion  is  vtterly  banyfhed, 
the  falfe  theefe  of  flattery  apprehended  and  taken,  and 
the  cruell  wolfe  of  couetoufneffe  flayne,  and  hanged  vp 
by  the  heeles,  fo  that  the  preachers,  the  perfons,  the 
officers,  and  all  maner  of  paftors  reflored  to  their 
places,  doo  feede,  cherifh,  and  kepe  their  flockes, 
which  were  afore  pilled,  fpoiled  and  deuoured  :  then 
mall  they  of  herty  courage,  with  one  mynde,  and  one 
voyce  confeffe  and  acknowledge,  that  there  [this]  is  a 


90  &  Sermon  pread&eti 

King  fent  from  God,  indued  with  the  wyfdome  of  Salo 
mon,  and  the  faythfull  diligent  floutneffe  of  Dauid  his 
father,  now  guyded  by  godly  counfell,  to  bring  out  of 
miferye,  and  profper  in  welt-h  vs  the  people 
of  this  his*  Realme. 
Dixit  Do  in  inns. 
The   Lord   hath 

fpoken  it. 

God  graunt  you  grace  to 

do  it,  with  thankes  and 

prayfe  to  hym 

for  euer. 


3fmprinteti 

at  Eontron  feg 

5Daie,  Dtoelling  ouer 
Uerfgate,  anD 
iiam  Seres 
ling  in 
CoileDge. 

sere  of  our  ILorBe 
|H»  13.  H*  tfje  nmtti) 
of 


lfes,  a. 


€i  &  Sermon 

preac&eti  at 

Crossr,  %.  ortiu. 
of  &cc£mfocr,  fog 


&tmo*  |H.  13. 

1, 


Cum  priuilcgio  ad  impri 


mendum  folum.     Per 
feptennium 


C  Santo  tfje  rtQfjt  ijonor- 

table  itorircs,  an&  ctljcrs  of  tljc 

ISgnaes  fHagestte  f)j)S  prtuge  OToun^ 

sell,  &f)oma<3  ILeauer  togsljetf)  in? 

crease  of  ©race  anti  gotilg 

Jjonoure. 


,  grace,  and  peace  from  God 
the  father  almyghty,  vnto  your  hon 
ours,  wyth  my  mofle  humble  and 
reuerente  comendacions. 

The  enemye  of  God  and  man 
alwayes  fekyng  lyke  a  rorynge  lion 
whome  he  may  deuoure,  is  much 
at  al  tymes,  but  then  efpecially  to 
be  taken  hede  vnto,  when  as  he  hym  felf  beyng  tranf- 
ibrmed  into  the  aungell  of  lyght,  doth  cloke  the  minif- 
ters  of  hys  myfchiefe  in  a  pretenfed  fliew  of  godlines 
and  vertue,  fo  that  therby  they  be  fuffered  of  al  men, 
and  maynteined  of  many  men,  to  worcke  and  brynge 
vnto  paffe  a  dcuilliflie  dyforder,  and  fhamefull  dyf- 
honeflye  in  a  Chriften  commen  wealth. 

\Vlierefore,  feynge  that  in  thys  realme  preachers, 
officers,  marchauntes,  crafts  men,  labourers,  and  fuch 
ivkc,  be  difplaced  of  their  roumes,  and  dyfapoynted 
of  theyr  lyuinges  by  thofe  whych  through  a  pretenfed 
name,  and  outward  apperancc,  feme  to  be  neceffary 
and  j>rofytable  miniflcrs  in  a  common  wealthe  (howbeit 
in  theyr  owne  doyngrs  may  be  euidently  tryed  and 
knowen  for  to  be  fpoylers  and  diflurbers  of  any  com 
mon  welth)  furedly  you  of  the  kynges  mod  honourable 
counfell,  beyng  the  (  hefe  maieilrats  and  rulers  in  this 
realme,  had  nede  to  be  ware,  circumrptrt  and  diligent, 
left  that  Sathan  banyOiyng  al  faithful  Chriftians.  \\hych 
fliould  and  wold  prouyde  to  helpe  one  an  other,  do  fyl 


94 

this  realme  ful  of  crafty  flatterers,  whych  can  and  wyll 
deceyue,  begyle,  and  fpoyle  one  another. 

Truly  ther  be  no  men  more  againil  Chrift  then  thofe 
which  by  profeffion  of  Chriften  relygyon,  and  bearyng 
of  a  Chriften  name,  doo  rob  Chryft  of  hys  honor,  and 
Chriftes  minifters  of  theyr  liuyngs:  nor  none  more 
parilous  ennemies  vnto  the  kings  maiefty,  and  vnto  this 
realme,  then  thofe  whyche  haue  the  names  of  Englifh- 
men,  and  the  kyngs  fubiects  with  ye  condicions  and 
maners  of  enemies,  and  traitors. 

Moil  gracious  good  lordes  and  maifters,  for  your 
reuerent  loue  towardes  God,  and  the  kyng,  for  your 
charitable  pytye  of  myferable  fpoiled  people,  and  for 
the  neceffary  regarde  of  your  owne  honours,  and  the 
ftate  of  thys  realme,  fe  and  confyder  how  that  ambi- 
cious  couetous  men,  do  bye  and  fel,  take  and  abufe 
perfonages,  prebendes,  offyces,  fees,  marchaundyfe, 
fermes,  landes,  and  goodes,  fo  that  prowlyng  for  them 
felues,  they  be  neither  afrayde,  nor  afhamed  to  fpoile 
thys  realme  of  preachyng  of  Gods  gofpel,  of  iuftyce  and 
equitie,  of  cheape  and  plenty,  and  of  euery  thynge 
that  fhould  faue,  kepe,  or  profytte  a  commune  wealthe. 

Wherfore  moft  gracious  good  lordes,  and  mayfters, 
for  the  tender  mercies  of  God  in  our  Sauiour  lefus 
Chrift,  take  hede  that  neyther  feruaunte,  nor  frende,  re- 
teyner,  nor  youre  felues  do  deceyue  you  wy th  flatterye. 

For  feynge  that  ambicious  couetous  men  do  take, 
kepe,  and  enioye  the  roumes  and  lyuynges  of  euerye 
vmannes  vocacion,  bothe  you  and  we  be  in  farre  more 
daunger,  then  yf  blockehoufes  and  bulwarkes  made  and 
kepte  of  the  kynges  faythful  fubiectes  for  the  fauegarde 
of  thys  realme,  were  taken  and  abufed  of  fuche  Scottes 
or  Frenchemen,  as  makyng  fpoyle  for  theyr  owne  pro 
fit,  would  not  fpare  to  dyftroye  thys  realme. 

There  is  very  manye  rowmes  and  lyuynges,  belong- 
ynge  both  vnto  the  ecclefiaftical  mynifterye,  and  alfo 
vnto  cyuyll  policye,  in  the  whyche  be  no  fayethful  fub 
iectes,  godlye  diligente  minifters  and  offycers,  whiche 
by  doynge  of  theyr  duties,  doo  faue,  kepe  and  comforte 


95 

the  people :  but  couetous  Idolatours,  whych  neglectyng 
theyr  dutyes,  and  takynge  commodities,  doo  dyforder, 
fpoyle  and  dyftroye  the  people. 

Suerlye  if  there  be  any  men  that  goo  aboute  to  per- 
fwade  the  Kynges  Mageftye,  or  you  of  hys  honourable 
Councell,  that  thinges  in  thys  realme  for  the  mofl  parte 
be  honourablye,  godly  e,  or  chary tably  reformed,  they 
be  but  flaterers. 

For  papiftry  is  not  banyfhed  out  of  Englande  by 
pure  religion,  but  ouerrunne,  fuppreffed  and  kepte 
vnder  within  thys  realme  by  couetous  ambicion.  Pa- 
piftrye  abufed  many  thyngs,  couetoufnes  hath  diflroyed 
more :  papiflry  is  fuperflicion,  couetoufnes  is  Idolatry. 
Papiflrye  afore  tyme  dyd  obfcure  the  Kinges  honour, 
and  abufe  the  wealth  of  this  realme,  couetoufnes  at 
thys  tyme  doth  more  abufe  and  decaye  theym  bothe, 
makynge  the  kynge  bare,  the  people  poore,  and  the 
realme  miferable. 

The  Kynges  procedynges  to  be  red  in  his  lawes, 
flatutes,  and  Iniunccions  be  good  and  godly:  but  to  be 
fene  and  knowen  in  the  dedes  and  practifes  of  his 
officers,  feruauntes,  and  fubiectes,  be  vngodly,  fhameful, 
wicked.  For  in  theyr  doynges  appeareth  no  retourn- 
ynge  from  euil  vnto  good,  by  a  godly  reformacion: 
but  a  procedyng  from  euyl  vnto  worfe,  by  an  vnchari- 
table  fpoyle,  and  deuyllyme  deflruccion. 

Landes  and  goodes  be  fpoyled :  prouyfyon  made  for 
learning  and  pouerty,  is  deftroied.  Ye  knowe  in  whofe 
handes  thys  ryche  fpoyle  remaineth,  then  can  ye  not 
be  ignoraunt  by  whofe  meanes  the  wealth  of  this  realme 
is  fpoyled  and  decayed. 

If  ye  wyll  haue  a  godlye  reformacion  effectuouflye  to 
precede,  trufle  not  the  feruauntes  of  Mammon,  enne- 
myes  vnto  God,  and  traitoures  vnto  the  kynge,  and 
fpoylersof  the  people,  wyth  thefettyng  forthe  of  your  god- 
lye  lawes,  flatutes  and  ordynaunces,  which  be  mod  con- 
trary  vnto  theyr  couetous  mymles.  and  wyrked  dedes. 

Theyr  myndes  are  alwayes  euyll,  and  theyr  dedes  be 
well  knowen,  when  as  you  geue  frelye,  or  fuller  theym 


96  £&e  tfjpfetle. 

by  brybery  to  by  vnto  theim  felues  authorytye :  for  then, 
being  trufted  to  make  better  prouifion  for  the  pore,  to 
erect  mo  Grammar  fchooles,  to  encreafe  and  augment 
the  vnyuerfities,  and  to  fe  the  people  taught  louyngly, 
to  reuerence,  ferue,  and  obey  God,  the  kyng,  and  you : 
they  take  prouifyon  frome  the  poore,  they  fell  awaye 
Grammer  fcoles,  they  decai  the  vniuerfities,  and  they 
vfe  fuche  practifes,  as  maketh  God  to  be  vnknowen, 
the  kynge  dyfobeyed,  and  you  fufpected,  hated,  and 
enuyed  of  the  people. 

Take  thefe  falfe  flatterers  whyche  haue  enryched 
them  felues,  makynge  the  kynge  bare,  and  the  people 
poore,  reflore  theyr  landes  and  goodes  vnto  the  kynge, 
theyr  rowmes  and  offyces  vnto  faythfull  and  true  offy- 
cers  and  minifters :  and  then  fhal  the  kyng  be  enryched, 
the  realme  vnfpoyled,  and  the  people  delyuered  from 
myferable  captiuitie  vnder  cruel  extorcioners,  vnto  an 
honeft  lybertye  vnder  Godlye  gouernoures,  whyche 
fhall  fo  dyfpofe  the  hartes  and  myndes  of  all  people, 
that  they  wyllynglye  fhall  be  readye,  not  onlye  to  ferue 
the  markettes  wyth  corne,  but  alfo  to  ferue  God  and 
the  kynge  with  landes  and  gooddes,  bodyes  and  lyues, 
when  and  where  fo  euer  you  fhal  commaunde  it. 

Maruel  not  thoughe  a  faythful  hearte,  wyth  humble 
obedyence  and  reuerente  loue  towardes  the  kynges 
Maieftye,  and  you  of  hys  honourable  Godly  counfel,  do 
barfl  [burfle]  and  poure  [put]  foorthe  a  lamentable 
complaynte  of  greuous  forrowe  conceyued  in  feeynge 
the  kyng  fhamefully  begyled,  you  fore  difhonored,  and 
the  wealthe  of  thys  realme  vtterly  fpoyled. 

For  menne  dooe  bye  offyces  vnto  them  felues,  and 
landes  from  the  kynge :  and  by  the  onlye  fpoyle  that 
is  made  in  common  offyces  and  vpon  the  kynges 
landes,  bothe  thefe  bargens  be  payed  for,  and  further 
more  all  fuch  bargeyners  wonderlullye  enryched. 

O  mercyfull  Lorde,  what  a  griefe  is  it  vnto  a  fayth 
full  harte,  hauinge  iuil  occafyon  to  fufpecte,  that  you 
lacke  faythful  counfell  to  aduertyfe  you  of  the  gracious 
workynge  of  the  Lorde  beynge  God,  and  of  the  freyle 


Cpfetle.  97 

fautes  of  youre  felues  beynge  menne,  in  all  youre 
doynges:  for  Gods  grace  woorkynge  in  you,  cauieth 
you  to  dooe  honourable  and  Godlye  feruyce  to  god, 
the  kynge,  and  the  common  wealthe,  when  as  ye  caufe 
an  vngodly  byfhop  to  be  depofed.  And  yet  (hall  God, 
the  king,  and  the  people  be  greuoufly  offended,  and 
your  honors  and  fowles  fo  ar  indaungered,  yf  a  bifhops 
landes  or  goodes  be  deuyded  amongft  you  that  be 
godlye  magyfetrates  to .  punyfh  euyl  doers,  as  Chriftes 
cote  was  deuyded  amongefl  wycked  foldyers,  which 
dyd  cruelly  torment  a  righteous  perfon. 

Alas  mod  gracious  reuerente  Lordes  and  mayfters, 
if  ye  vfe  the  feruyfe,  or  hear  the  aduyfe  of  falfe  crafty 
flatterers,  ye  (hall  therewyth  be  fo  blynded  that  ye  can 
neyther  perceyue  by  your  felues,  nor  beleue  when  as  ye 
be  play  nely  and  fay  thfully  tolde,  that  many  e  of  your  owne 
doynges,  commyng  of  mans  freyltye,do  tend  muchevnto 
the  difpleafure  of  God,  dyfhonour  of  the  kynge,  and 
dyfcredyt  of  your  felues,  beyng  mod  contrarye  to  that 
reuerent  zele  and  faythful  loue  towards  God,  the  kyng, 
and  the  commen  wealth,  which  zele  and  lone  god  of  hys 
goodnes  hath  grafted  in  your  hartes,  and  the  deuyll  by 
mannes  freyl  dedes  couered  in  fylence  or  colored  with 
prayfe  of  flatterers,  laboreth  to  deface,  peruert  and 
deflroye. 

As  God  whyche  fearcheth  the  fecretes  of  mans  hart, 
doth  beare  me  recorde,  I  do  fuppofe,  and  thynke  that 
you  dooe  fo  louynglye  drede  God,  reuerence  the  kyng, 
and  regarde  this  realme,  and  your  owne  honors,  that 
beyng  charged  wyth  the  ouerfight  and  prouifion  of 
caftels,  holdes,  and  fortes,  made  and  kept  for  the  fafe- 
garde  of  thys  realme,  ye  coulde  not  wyttyngly  be  hyred 
to  fell  one  of  them  vnto  the  kynges  ennemyes,  for  al 
the  tre:ifi:res  in  the  world.  And  yet  beyng  craftelye 
deceyued  wyth  flattery,  ye  vfe  a  daungerous  practyfe 
in  very  many  of  them. 

For  ther  be  fome  of  them  fclcnderly  aflauted  at 
ccrtayne  tymes  of  feble  enemyes:  and  other  contin- 
uallye  bciegcd  cyther  wyth  open  forfe  or  craftye  con- 


98  STJie 

ueyaunce  of  fearce,  cruel,  and  perylous  eir,m{es>     And 
now  crafty  flatterers  whych  haue  once  feruei  for  theyr 
wages  in  tyme  and  place  of  the  fclender  afldt.e,  doo 
afterward es  requyre  and  perfwade  you  for  that  I^riiyfe 
to  geue  them  the  fpoyle  of  other  holdes  remayi?ing 
continuallye  in  more  daunger.     Truly  Frenchmen  ai/i 
Scottes  be  but  feble  ennemyes,  and  [yet]  at  certayne  tymes 
do  fclenderly  affalt  caftels,  towers,  and  fuch  maner  of 
holdes.     The  deuyl  feking  lyke  a  roryng  Lyon,  whom 
he  may  deuoure,  nyghte  and  day,  wynter  and  fommer, 
wyth  a  wonderful  forfe  of  wycked  fpirites,  doth  euer 
befyege  byfhopryckes,  fhyres,  townes,  and  parifhes. 

Yf  thefe  places  be  not  wel  furnifhed  with  flout  and 
true  foldiers  of  bothe  the  fortes  (I  meane  both  officers 
in  ciuyle  polycy,  and  alfo  Prelates  in  Ecclefiaflicall 
minifiery)  or  if  thofe  fouldyers  be  vnprouided  of  necef- 
fary  liuyngs  and  dewe  wages,  then  mufl  the  people 
nedes  peryfhe  and  be  deflroyed  for  theyr  owne  fynnes, 
and  the  bloud  of  theyr  bodyes  and  foules  requyred  at 
your  handes,  whyche  be  charged  and  trufted  of  both 
God,  and  the  king  to  prouide  fouldiers  to  thofe  places, 
and  alfo  wages  and  liuinges  to  mayntayne  thofe  fold- 
yers  continually. 

How  be  it  now*  manye  perfonages,  benefyces,  ofTyces, 
and  fees  be  fold  vnto  couetous  brybers  for  money, 
whych  feke  nothyng  but  the  vantage  of*  extorcion, 
robbry  and  fpoyle,  and  fewe  of  them  be  freely  giuen 
vnto  faithful  miniflers  and  officers  for  their  woorthynes, 
which  could  and  would  by  diligent  doynge  of  their 
dutie,  gouerne,  inftruct  and  cheryfhe  goddes  people, 
the  kynges  fubiectes. 

And  therefore  nowe  the  moft  part  of  men  lackyng 
teachers  and  rulers,  do  without  griefe  of  confcience,  or 
feare  of  punifhment,  abufe  euery  thynge  vnto  the  ruine 
and  deflruccion,  whyche  God  hath  ordayned  vnto  the 
vpholdyng  and  increafe  of  a  chriflian  commune  welth. 

As  for  example,  now  bying  and  fellyng  is  not  vfed 
as  a  prouifion  for  good  cheape  and  great  plenty,  but 
made  the  mofl  occafyon  of  dearth  and  fcarfitie. 


99 

Wealth  and  wyt  be  not  ryghtly  vfed  vnto  a  common 
confortable  profyt,  but  fhamefully  abufed  vnto  a 
wycked  priuate  gayne.  Many  offyces  with  authoritie 
be  not  duely  difpofed  vnto  faithful  worthy  men  nor 
to  dooe  good  vnto  other,  but  vnlawfullye  bought  and 
folde  amongefl  couetous,  ambicious  men,  to  get  gaynes 
vnto  theim  felues.  So  this  realme  is  fpoyled,  the  kynge 
is  made  bare,  and  his  faithful  true  fubiectes  be  many 
of  them  very  poore:  but  crafti  deceiuers,  couetous 
Extorcioners,  brybynge  offycers,  and  fuche  falfe  flat 
terers  be  wonderous  rich  and  welthy. 

Thefe  Flatterers  be  wonders  perilous  felowes,  hauynge 
two  faces  vnder  one  hoode.  For  they  beare  a  face  and 
mew  towardes  the  people,  as  though  by  Commyffion 
and  commaundement  from  you,  there  mufl  bee  more 
required  and  taken  of  the  people  then  euer  you  dyd 
meane  or  thynke:  And  towardes  you  thei  fhewe  an 
other  face  femyng  that  fo  much  cannot  be  founde  in 
anye  mennes  handes  as  mufl  needes  bee  procured :  but 
that  therefore  the  kynges  landes  mufl  nedes  be  folde, 
whyche  thei  are  redye  to  by  for  their  owne  auantage, 
wyth  thofe  goodes  whyche  they  them  felues  haue  in 
theyr  owne  handes,  or  rather  wyth  the  fpoyle  whych 
they  intend  to  make  vpon  thofe  landes.  Thefe  fub- 
iects  that  be  not  alhamed  to  procure  vnto  them  felues 
fuch  riches,  that  they  maye  be  biers,  and  vnto  their 
liege  Lorde  and  kyng  fuche  nede,  that  he  mufle  be  a 
feller  of  his  landes.  Thefe  be  in  deede  feruauntes 
vnto  Mammon,  enemies  vnto  god,  traitores  vnto  the 
king,  and  diflurbers  of  a  common  welth  turning  all 
your  godly,  wife  and  charitable  deuyces  for  necelfary 
prouyfyon,  vnto  deuylifh  deceytes,  for  to  caufe  and 
maynteyne  vncharitable  fpoyles.  And  furedly  when 
as  occafions  do  ferue  for  any  men  to  practife  theyr 
pleafures,  manye  men  of  al  fortes,  and  of  the  lowefl 
fort,  the  moil  part  do  mew  them  felues  the  worft  in 
fected  wyth  thys  impyety,  treafon,  and  rebellyon,  the 
greuoufnes  and  daungcr  of  the  whyche  wyth  occafyons 
and  meanes  how  to  auoyd  the  fame,  I  preaching  at 


ioo 


Paules  Crofle  the.  xiiii.  [fowertene]  day  of  December  la  ft 
pafl,  dyd  there  openly  declare  vnto  mine  audience. 
And  as  I  did  then  preach  that  Sermon  as  an  exhorta- 
cion  to  moue  the  people,  by  the  acknowledgyng,  lament- 
yng  and  amendynge  theyr  owne  fautes,  to  deferue  and 
receyue  the  pardon  of  mercy  offered  vnto  them  of  both 
god  and  the  kyng,  in  thys  longe  pacient  fufferaunce,  fo  do 
I  nowe  here  offer  vnto  your  honors,  the  fame  Sermon  as 
an  earneft  complaynte,  to  procure  of  you  that  be 
Gods  offycers,  fpedyly  correccion  for  them  that  refufe  to 
heare,  regarde,  and  obey  Gods  word. 

Be  not  dyfcouraged  in  thys  matter,  wyth  your  owne 
freylty  beyng  greate,  or  wyth  the  number  of  offenders, 
beyng  manye.  For  it  is  not  your  worthynes,  but 
Goddes  grace,  that  hath  placed  you  in  hygh  authority, 
and  in  the  fame  aucthoritye  not  your  owne  powers  and 
polycy,  but  the  myght  and  wifdome  of  god,  fhal  fo 
ftrengthen  and  confyrme  you,  that  yf  ye  wyll  be  dyli- 
gent,  ye  mail  be  made  able  to  delyuer  Gods  people, 
the  kynges  fubiectes,  oute  of  the  handes  of  fuche  as 
be  Gods  and  the  kynges  ennemyes. 

I  befeche  the  almyghtye  God  indue  you  wyth  grace, 
that  begynnyng  wyth  youre  felues,  ye  may  fpedely  pro- 
cede  vnto  the  neceffary  and  godly  correccion  of  other 
mens  fautes,  fo  that  ye  maye  be  eflablyflied  in  youre 
rowmes,  and  increafed  in  honor,  to  ferue  god  and  the 
kynge,  prouiding  for  hys  realme  in  holines  and  right- 
eoufnes  al  ye  daies  of  your  lyues. 


13 1>  me  ijumijli)  sutncrt  anfl  fattljful  o= 
Unto  jjour  ijonor.o, 
mas  ilcucr. 


lefus  Chriftus. 

C  2Tfte  grace  of  ttye  f)oh>  gost,  prorettmtg 
from  <SoB  tfje  fatfjrr,  bi>  tfje  intercession 
anti  meanc  of  I-csu  Cijrist,  so  prepare 
gour  fjcrts,  anti  open  mr>  moutf),  tfjat  5 
mai?e  Ucclare,  anti  sijrtoe,  anD  tijat  pott 
mape  ijearc,  bnBrrstanB,  rrmrmtjrr,  anti 
prartuc  in  pour  humtg,  ijtG  lutclij  toortt 
as  map  lie  most  to  ijt's  ijonour  anD  glort 
to  pour  soules  ijraltij  ant)  comfort 


|Ou  Citizins  of  London,  and  all  other 
that  be  here  prefent  marke,  note, 
and  remember  what  ye  heare  of  me 
this  day  :  for  yf  I  fhall  fay  or  fpeake 
any  thynge  that  is  euyll,  you  mufle 
beare  recorde  againft  me  of  that 
euyl.  But  if  I  do  preache  well  and 
truelye,  then  you  fhall  vnderftande 
and  knowe  your  felues  to  be  in  great  daunger  of 
haynous  treafon  towards  god  and  the  kinges  maiefly 
of  this  realme,  which  be  by  you  fpoyled,  and  robbed: 
god  of  his  glory,  the  kyng  of  hys  honoure,  and  the 
realme'of  hys  wealth.  Howbeit  the  mercyfull  goodnes 
of  bothe  god  and  the  kyng  hath  fent  me  hyther  thys 
daye,  to  proclame  a  generall  pardon,  intendynge 
thereby  to  try  out  and  faue  theim  that  haue  offended 
by  fimple  ignoraunce,  becaufe  the  force  of  theyr 
myghty  power  is  nowe  readye  and  commynge  vtterly 
to  deflroye  all  other  that  continue  in  wylfull  ftobernes 
and  rcbellyous  treafon.  Wherefore  afore  the  readynge 
of  my  commyffion,  I  wyll  declare  that  piece  of  fcriptur 
whyrhe  appoynted  to  be  red  in  the  churche  as  thys 
\vyll  certyfyc  you  that  God  by  his  fcriptures  hath 
Ihewcd  the  k}'iige,  who  be  hys  fayethfull  feruauntes, 
and  who  be  hys  ennemyes.  Thys  fcripture  is  wrytten 


102  &  ^ermon 

in  ye.  iiii.  Chapter  of  the  firfte  epiflle  of.  S.  Paule  vnto 
the  Corinthians.  Sic  nos  ajlwiet  homo  ut  miniftros 
Chrijli,  et  difpenfatores  minijlroruui  \inyjler  ioruni\  del.  etc} 
Filioli  mei  quos  iterum  parturio?  Albeit  I  vfe  not 
fcrupulouflye  the  fame  termes,  yetconuenyentlyfolowyng 
the  maner  and  phrafe  of  fcrypture,  I  fay  vnto  you  as 
Paule  wryteth  vnto  the  Galathyans:  My  deare  chyldren 
of  whom  I  trauell  in  byrthe  agayne  vntyll  Chrifte  be 
facyoned  in  you,  I  would  I  now  beyng  wyth  you 
myght  chaunge  my  voyce,  whyche  heretofore  I  haue 
vfed :  declarynge  by  the  worde  of  God,  that  you  here 
in  England  whych  wyll  receyue  no  mercye,  mall  feele 
fore  vengeaunce,  which  wyll  not  be  faued,  fhalbe 
deftroyd.  Thys  voyce  vfed  here  afore  of  me,  nowe 
wold  I  fayne  chaunge.  For  nowe  a7ro/x>{yxcu  kv  vpiv  I 
doute  I  am  palie  hope  and  allmooile  in  vtter  dyfpayre 
of  you.  Tell  me  you  that  throughe  couetoufnes  defyre 
the  ryches  and  wealthe  of  thys  world.  Haue  ye  not 
heard  how  that  he  whych  wold  be  a  frend  vnto  the 
world  is  made  an  enemy  vnto  God,  doethe  not  Paule 
teache  that  couetoufnes  is  the  roote  of  all  euyl?  Is  it 
not  wrytten  that  couetoufnes  is  Idolatry?  Haue  ye 
not  red  in  the  prophet  Ezechiel  howe  that  he  whyche 
kepeth  his  Idolles,  meanyng  couetoufneffe  in  hys  hert, 
and  commeth  to  hear  gods  word,  doth  therby  prouoke 
gods  vengeaunce  to  hys  vtter  deftruccion.  '  Paule 
fayth  and  teftifyeth  that  euery  man  whiche  is  circum- 
cyfed,  hath  not  profyt  by  Chrifle,  is  gone  quite  from 
Chrifl,  is  fallen  from  grace.  I  faye  and  teliyfye  vnto 
you  in  the  word  of  the  Lorde,  yat  fo  many  of  you  as 
be  couetous,  haue  no  profit  by  the  preachyng  of  gods 
word,  the  myniftracion  of  hys  facraments  and  the  fettyng 
forth  of  pure  religion  wythin  the  realme:  no  ye  be 
clene  from  God  framyng  your  felues  vnto  the  faffion  of 
thys  worlde,  ye  can  brynge  forth  no  good  frutes  of 
charitable  workes  nourimyng  the  rote  of  all  euyll  in 
youre  hartes,  ye  mufl  necles  prouoke  the  wrath  and 
indignacion  of  god  to  your  vtter  deflrucion,  when  as  ye 
kepe  the  ydoll  of  couetoufnes  flyll  in  youre  myndes  to 

1  i  Cor.  iv-  i.  2  Gal.  iv.  19. 


at  $JauU$  t\'Q$*e.  103 

be  honoured  and  ferued  in  all  your  doinges,  and  yet 
pretend  a  zele  and  loue  vnto  the  religion  of  Chryfl  in 
your  workes  and  fayinges.  I  woulde  fayne  haue  had 
iufl  occafion  to  haue  fpoken  at  thys  tyme  fuche  thynges 
as  myght  haue  bene  confortable  and  pleafaunt  for  you 
to  heare. 

But  I  mufle  needes  fhewe  the  caufes  of  gods  wrath 
and  indignacion  kyndled  agaynfte  vs,  lead  that  thofe 
plages  fhould  be  afcribed  vnto  the  word  and  religion 
of  Chryfl  fet  foorthe  amongefl  vs,  whyche  be  procured 
by  the  wickednes  of  theym  that  feruyng  couetous 
Mammon,  haue  forfaken,  offended,  and  flaundered 
both  Chrift,  and  Chriftes  word  and  religion.  No  man 
can  feme  two  maflers,  whye  then  dooe  ye  pretend  that 
ye  be  the  feruauntes  of  Chryfl,  feynge  that  ye  wyll  not 
forfake  the  feruyce  of  wycked  Mammon?  Yf  ye  be 
afhamed  to  be  named,  and  afrayd  to  continue  the 
wycked  feruauntes  of  wycked  mammon,  now  fhew  and 
proue  by  youre  ordinarye  callyng,  faythfull  dealyng, 
and  godly  iudgement  accordyng  to  thys  example  of 
Paule  playnly  paynted  and  fet[teth]  forthe  in  thys  epiflle 
vnto  the  Corinthians,  that  ye  be  Chrifles  mynyfters, 
the  feruauntes  and  difpofers  of  gods  myfleries  and 
treafures:  for  Paule  (hewing  hym  felfe  as  a  good 
example  of  Chrifles  feruants,  fayth:  Sic  nos  czjlimct 
homo,  ul  minijlros  CJiriJli.  etc}  So  let  a  man  efleme 
vs,  a<;  the  mynifters  of  Chryfl,  and  the  dyfpofers  of  the 
lecretes  of  god.  No  man  can  come  vnto  Chrifle  lefu 
to  be  hys  mynifler,  excepte  he  be  dravven  of  the  father. 
The  father  clraweth  not  by  force  violentlye  them  that 
be  fluborne  and  frowarde,  but  by  loue  them  that  be 
gentyll,  and  come  wyllyngly.  For  when  the  father 
fheweth  in  Cliryfle  forgeuenes  of  fynnes,  grace  of 
anu mU'incnt,  iuRificacion,  and  euerlaflyng  lyfe,  then 
thofe  that  make  theim  fafl  thcim  fellies  wyth  the  bande 
of  loue  by  defy  re  of  the  fame  be  drawen  vnto  Chryll. 

As  contrary  wyfe  when  the  deuyll  fheweth  in 
fiefhlyc  lufl.es  and  worldly  vanytyes,  manye  voluptuous 
pleaiures,  then  they  that  there  wyth  be  entangled  and 

1  i  Cor.  iv.  i. 


preadietf 

delyted  be  drawen  of  the  temptour  away  from  Chryft. 
Take  hed(;  therfore  howe  ye  haue  entred  into  religion, 
profeffed  chryfte,  and  receyued  the  gofpell.  For  if 
ye  be  drawen  by  loue  of  mercy,  grace  and  ryghteoufnes, 
ye  come  vnto  Chryft:  But  by  the  defyre  of  ryches, 
welth,  and  voluptuoufnes,  men  be  drawen  and  tyfed 
away  from  Chrifte. 

He  therfore  that  by  the  profeffion  of  Chrift,  the 
zele  of  hys  worde,  the  fauoure  of  the  gofpell,  feeketh 
couetous  gayne,  or  a  carnal  liberty,  furely  he  is  a 
feruaunt  of  Mammon,  ennemy  vnto  Chrifte,  and  a 
fclaunderer  of  the  gofpel.  For  he  that  wyll  be  the 
feruaunt  of  Chryfte,  muft  folow  the  example  of  Chrift. 
He  that  wyll  folowe  Chrift  in  example  of  lyuyng,  he 
mufte  forfake  hymfelfe,  take  hys  croffe  vpon  hys  backe 
dayly  and  folow  Chrift.  So  Chriftes  feruaunt  fhalbe 
deliuered  from  the  bondage  of  fynne,  yat  he  may  frely 
and  wyllyngly  contemnyng  ye  vanities  of  the  world, 
and  mortifying  ye  lufts  of  ye  flefti,  feme  chryft  in 
bearyng  the  croffe  of  paynful  diligence,  to  do  the  duty 
of  his  vocacion. 

But  all  thofe  that  delyte  in  a  carnall  libertye,  or 
feeke  vnlawfull  geynes,  althoughe  they  be  named 
Chryftians  and  fauourers  of  the  gofpell,  yet  be  they  in 
dede  not  mynifters  of  Chrift,  but  ennemyes  vnto 
Chrifte:  not  louers  of  the  Gofpell  but  fclaunderers  of 
the  Gofpell,  not  iuftyned  by  liuelye  faythe  to  be  of 
that  ryghteoufe  forte  for  whofe  fakes  GOD  fpareth 
and  fauoureth  a  common  wealthe,  but  deceyued  with 
a  dead  fayth  to  be  of  that  vngodlye  forte,  for  whofe 
caufe  God  plageth  and  deftroyeth  many  a  common 
welth.  And  nowe  vndoutedly  be  we  in  great  miferies 
and  daunger  of  deftruccion,  for  that  we  haue  many 
that  be  hearers,  readers,  and  talkers  of  Gods  worde, 
and  fewe  or  none  that  do  wralke  and  lyue  accordyng 
to  gods  worde:  we  ought  truly  to  efteme  and  take 
theym  onlye  to  be  mynyfters  of  Chrifte  whyche  for  the 
loue  of  mercy,  grace,  and  ryghtuoufnes  (hewed  of  the 
father  vnto  theim  in  Chrift  do  kyll  the  luftes  of  theyr 


at  Dairies  rro^e.  105 

owne  flefhe,  dyfpyfe  the  vanytyes  of  the  whole  worlde, 
and  forfakyng  theyr  own  pleafures  and  commodities 
do  take  the  croffe  of  paynfull  diligence  and  walke  after 
Chrifl  in  doynge  of  theyr  dutyes. 

All  other  that  haue  the  name  and  profeffion  of 
Chryd  without  liuyng  and  conuerfacion  accordynge 
therto,  be  fayned  brethren,  in  feafles  wyth  Chriden 
men  to  take  parte  of  theyr  good  chere,  vnclene  fpots 
amongefl  honed  company,  feedyng  theim  felues  without 
feare  of  god,  clouds  without  any  moidure  of  gods 
grace,  toffed  aboute  wyth  contrarye  wyndes  of  (Iraunge 
doctryne,  trees  paffyng  fommer  tyme  without  any  frutes 
of  good  workes,  twyfe  dead  without  felynge  the 
corrupcion  of  fynne,  or  lokynge  to  be  grafted  in  the 
flocke  of  grace,  yea  rooted  vp  from  amongefl  ye  vynes 
of  the  Lord,  wilde  waues  of  the  fea  frothyng  forth 
vnfhamefaft  brags,  and  wandryng  ilarres  without 
conflancie  in  iudgement  and  opinion  vnto  whom  the 
dungeon  of  darknes  is  ordeyned  for  euerladyng 
dampnacion. 

What  maruell  is  it  then  thoughe  the  vengeaunce  of 
God  be  poured  forth  amongs  them  of  fuch  iniquitie,  yea 
and  mod  abundantly  when  as  hys  word  playnely 
preached,  is  of  thcym  mode  wickedly  abufed  and  fhame- 
fully  flandered,  whych  fay:  Lorde,  Lorde,  and  do  not 
as  they  be  commaunded  of  the  Lord.  Wherfore  let  vs 
fay:  Non  nobis  dominc,  non  nobis.  Not  vnto  vs  o  Lord, 
not  vnto  vs,  but  vnto  thy  name  geue  glorye,  not  for 
that  we  by  oure  dedes  haue  deferued,  but  yat  thy  name 
O  Chryde  amongefl  vs  chriflians  may  be  honored, 
j)ardon  our  fauts,  amende  our  Hues,  and  indue  vs  with 
grace,  that  the  lyghte  of  oure  good  workes  afore  men 
vpon  the  earthe,  may  caufe  thee  to  be  gloryfyed  () 
Lonle  in  hcauen.  I  )earlye  beloued  in  Chride  for  the 
tender  mercyes  of  god,  when  as  ye  fe  carnall  gofpellers, 
couetous  ydolaters,greuyngyoure  confciences.  llaunder 
'•  'hniles  religion,  and  damnynge  the\  r  o\\  no  foules, 
do  not  of  malyce  contempne'difdayne  and  reuyle  them, 
but  of  charitable  pitye,  lament,  ibrow,  and  pray  for 


theim,  whyche  blynded  wyth  ygnoraimce  know  not 
theim  felues,  deceyued  wyth  the  deuyll,  be  drawen  from 
Ch rifle,  comforte and faluacion,  vnto  euerlaflynge  deathe 
and  damnacion.  Say  and  pray  for  them :  O  lorde 
fuffer  not  the  enemye  thus  to  lede  into  capliuitye  owre 
felowes  thy  feruauntes,  cure  brethren  thy  chyldren,  O 
Chryfl  reftore  vnto  lyberty  them  that  you  hail  redemed 
wythe  thy  precious  blud,  fo  yat  we  may  altogether 
drawen  of  ye  father,  receyued  of  the  fonne,  and  gided 
of  the  holy  gofl,  be  miniflers  of  Chryft  in  libertye  of 
the  gofpell,  delyuered  from  fynne  frelye  to  delyte  and 
take  pleafure  in  a  godly  conuerfacion  all  the  dayes  of 
our  lyfe.  No  we  let  vs  after  thys  takynge  of  the  mynif- 
terye  of  Chryfte,  w[h]yich  perteineth  generally  vnto  all 
chriflians,  fpeake  of  the  dyfpofers  of  Gods  myfleryes, 
wherein  we  maye  confider  feuerally  euery  mans  vocacion. 

Paule  dyd  dyfpofe  the  fecretes  of  God  by  the  preach- 
ynge  of  the  Gofpell,  whych  was  euer  fecretly  hydde  from 
the  wyttye,  wyfe,  and  learned  in  the  worlde.  Other 
men  in  other  vocacions  muft  dyfpofe  other  treafures  of 
God  by  other  meanes.  As  the  magiftrate  by  authorytye 
mufl  dyfpofe  the  punylhmente  of  vyce,  and  the  mayn- 
tenaunce  of  vertue. 

The  rych  man  by  liberalytye,  mull  dyfpofe  reliefe 
and  comforte  vnto  the  poore  and  nedye.  The  Mar- 
chaunt  by  byinge  and  fellynge,  and  the  craftes  man  by 
his  occupacion,mufle  prouyde  vnto  the  common  wealthe 
of  neceffarye  wares,  fuffyciente  plentye.  The  landelorde 
bylettyng  of  fermes  muil  dyfpofe  vnto  the  tenants  necef- 
fary  lands,  and  houfes  of  an  indifferent  rente.  The  houf- 
bandmen  by  tyllyng  of  the  ground  and  kepyng  of  cattel, 
mufl  dyfpofe  vnto  theyr  landlorcles,  dew  rentes,  and  vnto 
them  felues  and  other,  both  cOrne,  and  other  vytals. 
So  euerye  man  by  doynge  of  hys  dutye  mufle  dyf 
pofe  vnto  other  that  commodytye  and  benefyte,  whiche 
is  committed  of  god  vnto  theym  to  be  clyfpofed  vnto 
other,  by  the  faythful  and  diligent  doyng  of  theyr  dutyes. 

The  treafures  of  the  Lord  be  vnmeftrable,  his  hart 
is  lyberall,  ther  can  be  therefore  no  lacke  amonges  hys 


at  failles  rro^e.  107 

people,  yf  hys  flewardes  vnto  whom  the  dyfpofmg  of 
hys  gyftes  be  committed,  be  true  and  faythfull.  Thys 
therfore  faythe  Paule,  is  requyred  in  a  lleward,  yat  he 
be  faythfull.  Who  thynke  ye,  fayth  Chrift,  is  a  faythe- 
full  and  a  wyfe  flewarde  whom  the  Lorde  fetteth  ouer 
hys  houfeholde  to  geue  theim  a  due  meafure  of  the 
wheate  of  neceffaryes  in  tyme  conuenyente  ?  Blefled 
is  that  feruaunte  whom  the  Lorde  when  he  commeth, 
fliall  fynde  fo  doyng :  verelye  I  faye  vnto  you  that  he 
wyl  make  him  lord  of  all  that  euer  he  hath.  Beholde 
the  faythfulnes  of  the  Lordes  fleward  confyfleth  in 
dylygente  prouydynge  and  myniftrynge  vnto  the  Lordes 
famylye  anye  fuche  thynges  as  bee  neceffary.  The  re 
ward  of  fuch  faythfulnes  is  to  be  put  in  trufl  wyth  all 
that  his  Lord  and  matter  hath.  Then  who  can  defyre  a 
better  matter  then  the  Lorde  God  or  a  hygher  roume 
then  a  ttewardfhyppe  in  the  houfe  of  Chritt,  or  a 
greater  reward  then  to  haue  all  the  treafures  of  God 
whych  be  an  hundred  folde  paffynge  any  mans  deferu- 
yng  here,  and  furthermore  euerlattyng  lyfe.  O  that 
men  wold  confyder  the  goodnes  of  God,  the  worthines 
of  their  offices,  the  comfortable  felowfhyp  of  the  houf- 
hold  of  Chritt,  and  the  ioyfull  rewarde  of  the  croune 
of  glory,  and  fo  be  faythful  ttewardes  and  dyfpofers  of 
the  manyfold  gyftes  of  God  :  And  not  being  bleared 
and  blynded  wyth  couetoufneffe,  deferue  to  be  cut  of 
from  the  company  of  chrittians,  and  to  haue  theyr 
porcion  with  hypocrits,  wheras  fhalbe  waylyng  and 
gnafhing  of  teeth.  For  that  ye  gredy  worme  gnawyng 
the  conscience  neuer  dyeth,  and  the  flamynge  fyre  of 
vntollerable  vengeaunce  fhulbe  neuer  quenched. 

O  brethren,  God  hath  geuen  great  plentye,  and  we 
in  KngUmde  fynde  greate  lacke :  therfore  the  (Inwards 
of  God  be  vnfeythfull.  Who  be  gods  ttewardes  ?  They 
that  haue  gods  gyftes.  Suerly  no  man  hath  all  the 
gyfts  of  God,  and  euery  man  hath  fome  gyfts  of  God. 
Then  if  all  thynges  be  lackyng,  yet  can  no  one  man 
deferue  all  the  blame,  but  euery  man  (hull  be  found 
fauty  for  that  which  is  amyffe,  for  lack  of  his  duty. 


io8  &  J-rermon 

Do  ye  perceyue  that  the  laytie  is  eyther  altogether 
ygnoraunte  and  blynd,  or  els  hauyng  knowledge  to 
fpeake  fayer,  hath  no  learnynge  to  do  well?  Then 
fuerlye  the  cleargye  hath  not  ben  fay th full  in  preach- 
yng  of  gods  word  earneftly,  in  fefon  and  out  of  feafon 
to  reproue,  befech  and  blame,  in  all  pacience  and 
token,  or  dyfcyplyne.  Do  ye  fee  the  cleargye  hath  not 
whenvithall  to  mayntayne  learnyng,  to  relieue  the  pore, 
to  kepe  hofpytalytye,  and  too  fynde  theym felues  ?  Then 
trewly  hath  not  the  layitye  fufficientlye  prouyded  that 
they  whyche  preache  the  Gofpell,  mould  lyue  on  the 
Gofpell,  and  that  they  whyche  fowe  fpirituall  trealures, 
myght  repe  corporall  neceffaryes. 

Do  ye  fee  yat  they  which  be  in  authoritye  haue  not 
ben  regarded  and  obedientli  ferued  ?  Then  ye  com 
mon  people  haue  not  done  theyr  dutyes,  dyfobeying 
any  man  placed  in  authoryty  by  gods  ordynaunce.  Do 
ye  fe  the  people  haue  hadde  iniuries  and  yet  theyr 
complaintes  neglygentlye  heard  and  long  delayed  ? 
then  haue  the  higher  powers  omytted  ryghteoufnes  and 
Judgement,  whiche  wyl  be  required  at  theyr  handes  of 
the  Lord. 

Do  ye  fe  that  in  all  maner  of  thinges  ther*  is  fome 
lack  of  that  whyche  is  very  neceffarye  ?  Then  be  ye 
fure  that  all  maner  of  men  do  leaue  or  myfufe  fome 
parte  of  theyr  dutye.  Quis  potcft  dicere  :  mundum  eft 
cor  meum,  purus  fum  a  peccato* 

No  manne  canne  fay  :  my  hert  is  cleane,  I  am  pure 
wythout  fautes.  Therefore  feynge  that  we  be  all  gyltye, 
Lette  vs  not  enuye,  grudge,  or  dyfdayne  one  an  others 
faultes,  but  euery  one  acknowledge,  lament,  and  mende 
hys  owne  fautes. 

Do  not  triumphe  and  be  glad  when  ye  perceyue  that 
other  mens  fautes  be  noted  or  rebuked,  but  be  moofle 
certayne  and  fuer,  that  excepte  ye  fpedelye  repente 
and  amende,  ye  mall  euerye  one  be  lykewyfe  ferued. 
If  ye  haue  not  thofe  fame  faultes  whyche  ye  heare  by 
the  preacher  noted  and  rebuked,  yet  yf  you  take  plea- 
fure  and  be  glad  to  heare  other  mens  euyls,  be  fure 

1  Prov.  xx.  9. 


at  $3aule5  cro^e.  109 

that  euen  that  pleafure  takyng  is  a  faute,  whyche  God 
hateth  and  wyll  punylh. 

Therefore  when  ye  heare  anye  mannes  fautes  fpoken 
of,  be  forye  for  theim,  and  take  hede  to  your  felues : 
fo  fhall  you  thereby  gette  good  and  they  haue  no  harme. 
If  ye  fo  do  at  thys  tyme,  I  may  the  more  boldely  ex- 
amyne  and  trye  the  faythfulnes  of  fome  flewardes  and 
difpofers  of  Gods  gyftes. 

And  for  the  better  tryall  and  affurance[s]  of  theyr  fy- 
delytie  I  note  two  thynges  to  be  requyred :  fyrfte  that  a 
ftewarde  or  difpofer  be,  Quern  conjlituit  dominus,  whom 
the  Lord  affigneth  and  maketh:  and  fecondarily,  Vt 
det  cibum  i)i  tempore?  that  he  vfe  to  fede  and  cheryche, 
and  not  to  deuoure  and  hurte  theim  of  the  lordes  fa- 
milye.  For  the  fyrfle  parte,  it  is  to  be  noted,  that 
euery  man  in  the  tyme  of  hys  admyffion,  when  he  fhall 
be  put  into  hys  offyce,  is  fet  on  the  hyll  of  confydera- 
cion  and  aduyfement:  where  as  the  Lorde  Chrifl  to 
thofe  whyche  he  admitteth,  fheweth  that  the  harueil  is 
greate,  the  laborers  be  fewe,  greate  paynes  mufle  be 
taken  that  muche  good  may  be  done:  vyle  rebukes 
and  greuous  afiliccions  here  to  be  fuffered,  be  the  fygnes 
and  tokens  of  great  rewardes  in  heauen  for  theym  pre 
pared.  The  ennemy  of  Chrifl  Satan  vnto  thofe  whych 
he  would  deceyue  fheweth  all  the  glory  of  the  worlde, 
promyfyng  to  geue  it  a  rewarde  prefently  vnto  all  them 
that  wyl  worfhyp  hym  fallyng  downe  at  hys  feete,  in 
flattery,  crafte,  and  iniquitye. 

Chrifle  the  Lorde  indueth  wyth  wyll  and  habilytye  to 
take  paynes  to  do  good,  thofe  whych  he  bryngeth  in  at 
the  doretobe  fhepherdes  of  the  folde  and  flewardes  of  the 
houfe :  the  deuyll  the  ennemy  of  Chryfl  cloketh  [clothed] 
in  flicpe  fkynnes  of  folemne  titles  to  gette  gaynes,  thofe 
whyche  he  conueyeth  not  in  at  the  dore,  but  ouer  an 
other  wave  to  dyflroye  the  flocke,  and  robbe  the  houfe. 

Therfore  yf  thyroume  be  benefyce,prcbcnde,oftyceor 
author)  tic  in  a  chriflen  comminaltye  wythinGods  houfe, 
and  yf  ihou  U-  brought  in  at  the  doore  of  ordynarye 
and  lawefull  callynge,  by  payndull  dyli;;ence  to  do 
good,  thou  uiayefl  be  a  faythfull  ftewarde  in  that  place: 

1  Luke  xii.  42. 


110  &  gwnon 

but  yf  thou  be  broughte  in  ouer  and  befydes  all  ordi- 
narye  and  lawfull  callynge,  by  couetous  ambycyon  to 
get  gaynes,  then  muft  thou  nedes  be  a  thefe  and  a 
robber:  for  Chryfle  whyche  fo  fayth  can  be  no  Iyer. 
I  meane  yf  thou  by  money  or  fryndfhyp  haue  boughte 
eyther  benefyce  or  offyce,  thou  canft  not  be  of  Chrifles 
inflitucion,  but  of  the  Dyuylles  intrufion,  not  a  fayeth- 
ful  dyfpofer,  but  a  theuyfh  extorcioner  of  Gods  gyfts. 
For  Chrift  fayth  playnely  that  he  whyche  entereth  not 
in  at  the  doore,  but  clymeth  ouer  an  other  way,  is  a 
thefe  and  a  robber,  and  the  thefe  commeth  not  but  to 
fleale,  murther,  and  to  deflroy. 

The  doore  whyche  is  Chrifte  hym  felfe,  can  neuer 
be  entred  in  at  by  eyther  frendfhyp  or  money. 

Sum  perauenture  wyl  be  offended  not  becaufe  I 
fpeake  againfl  the  biinge  of  benefices,  whyche  be  fpiri- 
tuall  charges,  but  for  that  I  alfo  include  the  bying  and  fel- 
lynge  of  offyces,  whych  as  they  faye,  be  temporall  promo- 
cions.  As  for  benefyces  ye  knowe  fo  well,  that  I  neede 
net  to  (land  about  the  declaracion  or  profe  in  theym. 

No,  I  am  fure  that  ye  perceyue  howe  that  through 
the  abufe  of  one  benefyce,  the  Deuyll  ofte  tymes  is  fure 
to  haue  many  foules. 

Fyrfte  the  patron  for  hys  prefentacion,  then  the 
Byfhoppe  for  admiffion,  the  perfon  for  hys  vnworthy- 
neffe,  and  a  greate  manye  of  the  paryfhe  that  be  loft 
for  lacke  of  a  good  Perfons  dutye. 

But  now  as  concernyng  the  biynge  of  offyces,  to 
come  thereby  vnto  the  roume  of  an  auditour,  Surueiour, 
Chauncelloure,  or  anye  fuche  lyke,  furelye  no  man  wyll 
attempt  it,  but  he  whyche  is  fo  couetoufe  and  amby- 
cioufie  that  he  dooeth  neyther  dread  God  nor  loue  man. 
Whereof  commeth  the  byinge  of  offyces  but  of  couetouf- 
nes  ?  howe  then  canne  that  be  a  good  fruyte  whyche 
fpryngeth  oute  of  the  roote  of  all  euyll  ?  Is  not  euerye 
Chryflen  common  wealthe  the  folde  of  Chrifles  fhepe, 
the  houfe  of  hys  famylye  ?  be  not  then  all  offycers  in 
a  Chryflen  common  wealthe  named  by  Goddes  woorde 
fheppeherdes  of  the  fold,  and  ftewardes  of  the  famylye 


at  $Jaute$  cro^e.  m 

of  Chryfle  ?  O  Lorde  what  fhall  wee  then  faye  to  ex- 
cufe  theim  that  by  and  fel  offyces  wythyn  England  ? 
Shall  we  fay  thofe  offyces  be  no  roumes  and  places 
ordeyned  of  god  for  hys  faythefull  ftewardes,  therein  to 
dyfpofe  hys  treafures  and  benefytes  ?  or  that  the  vile 
flaues  of  wycked  Mammon  for  their  brybery  may  law 
fully  be  promoted  vnto  thofe  roumes  whyche  be  or 
deyned  of  God  to  hys  holy  feruauntes  for  theyr  fydely- 
tye  ?  If  we  faye  that  the  offyces  be  not  meete  for  Gods 
feruauntes,  then  we  confes  that  the  offycers  whyche  be 
in  theim  be  gods  ennemyes.  If  we  faye  that  they  be 
ordeyned  for  the  fayethfull  feruauntes  of  god,  how  can  we 
thynkethat  they  maye  be  brought  [bought]  vnto  the  bryb- 
ynge  feruauntes  of  wycked  mammon  ?  Lette  vs  not 
feeke  excufes  to  cloke  fynne,  no  let  euerye  manne  be 
knowen  to  be  a  Iyer  and  fpecyallye,  they  that  fay :  One 
manne  can  ferue  twoo  mayflers,  Mammon  in  geuynge 
or  takynge  of  brybes,  and  G  O  D  in  faythfull  dooynge  of 
duty.  Let  god  be  iuftifyed  when  ye  fynde  hys  worde 
true,  whyche  plainly  affyrmeth  that  they  whyche  clyme 
into  a  common  offyce  of  Chryftes  fold  by  the  help 
of  Mammon  in  at  the  wyndowe  of  bryberye  be  theues 
and  robbers,  commyng  to  fteal,  murder  and  deftroye. 

O  that  no  man  in  thys  faute  wer  gilty,  then  myght  I 
be  fure  yat  no  man  wold  be  offended.  But  and  yf  any 
man  be  greued  becaufe  hys  fore  is  touched,  let  hym 
remember  the  fayinge  of  the  wyfe  man:  Mdiora  funt 
uulncra  diligent  is,  quam  fraudulenta  ofcula  odicntis* 
the  woundes  of  the  louer  be  better  then  the  deceyte- 
full  kyffes  of  the  hater.  For  the  woundes  whyche  the 
frinde  openeth,  be  to  hele  olde  fores;  and  the  dyfceyt- 
full  kyffes  of  the  ennemyes  be  to  make  newe  woundes. 
I  fpeake  playnelye  to  open  the  wounde,  to  roote  oute 
and  heale  the  dyfeafe  of  couetoulhes,  whyche  wold  be 
to  the  wounded  and  to  euery  man,  comfort.  They 
that  by  flattery  do  couer,  kyffe,  and  playfler  this  deepe 
wounde,  do  feeke  their  owne  gayne  to  the  vtter  damp- 
nacyon  of  the  wounded,  and  to  good  mennes  greate 
griefe,  yea  and  to  the  greate  dyfquyetinge  of  a  com- 

1  Prov.  xxvii.  6. 


mune  welth :  makynge  no  dyfference  betwixt  the  Lordes 
feruauntes,  and  the  Lords  enemyes.  For  wythout  dout, 
Non  eft  quern  conftituit  do  minus. 

He  is  none  of  the  Lordes  appoyntmente  or  admyf- 
fion,  whyche  entereth  in  to  an  offyce  by  brybyng, 
Monye,  or  flatterynge  frendefhyp.  Byinge  of  an  offyce 
is  an  euydente  token  of  vnfayethfulnes.  He  that  is  once 
knowen  by  that  token  and  marke,  fhoulde  be  thrufl  out 
of  the  Lordes  foulde,  Ncfuretur,  mactet,  etpcrdat?  leafle 
that  he  robbe,  kyll,  and  deflroye.  But  novve  by  the 
feconde  note  to  try  whether  that  the  Reward  and  dyf- 
pofer  of  goddes  treafures  be  faythfull  or  not,  fe  whether 
that  he  be  a  feder  or  deuourer.  He  that  fedeth,  is 
fayethfull:  he  that  deuoureth,  is  vnfaythefull.  What 
doeth  he  whyche  is  vnfaythefull  ?  deuoure  goddes 
fhepe,  Chriften  people,  the  kynges  fubiectes;  A  daun- 
gerous  matter,  whiche  if  it  be  fpoken  of,  wyl  procure 
dyfpleafure:  and  yf  it  be  not  remedyed,  wyll  procure 
Goddes  vengeaunce.  Surelye  brethren,  I  thyncke  God 
would  neuer  haue  caufed  me  to  haue  meddeled  wyth 
thys  daungerous  matter,  but  that  he  wyll  geue  me 
grace  more  pacyentlye  to  fufier  the  loffe  of  myne  owne 
lyfe,  then  the  damnacyon  of  your  foules. 

For  yf  I  lofe  my  lyfe  here,  I  (hall  fynde  it  in  heauen. 
But  yf  you  be  dampned,  and  I  beynge  a  watcheman, 
and  feinge  your  dampnacyon  comming,  do  not  geue 
warning,  you  (hal  be  taken  in  youre  owne  fynnes,  and 
your  blonde  requyred  at  my  hands.  If  I  geue  warnyng, 
and  you  take  hede,  gods  indignacion  fhalbe  appeafed, 
and  bothe  we  faued.  Therefore  I  beynge  a  watcheman 
and  by  the  lyghte  of  goddes  worde  fpying  that  the 
abominacion  of  yclolatrous  couetoufnes  hathe  kyndled 
the  indygnacyon  of  God  to  confume  and  deflroye  the 
people  of  thys  realme,  doo  crye  out  agaynfl  Englande 
by  the  voyce  of  the  Prophete :  Abiecerunt  legem  domini* 
they  haue  cafl  awaye  the  lawe  of  the  lorde,  euery  one 
framyng  hym  felfe  vnto  the  fafhyon  of  thys  world- 
eloquium  fancti  If  retell  blafphemaiierunt*  They  haue 
blafphemed  the  word  of  the  holy  one  of  Ifraell,  by 

1  i  John  x.  ID.  2  Isa.  v.  24. 


at  J3au!e$  cross  r.  113 

theyr  abominable  lyuyng.  Ideo  incenfus  eft  furor 
domini  in  popuhim  fmim  .-1  therefore  is  the  indigna- 
cion  of  God  kindled  againfl  his  people.  Therefore 
doth  all  runne  at  fyxe  and  feuen,  from  euell  vnto 
worfe :  therefore  doeth  goddes  worde  take  no  place  to 
do  good,  but  is  vnthankefully  refufed,  whyche  caufeth 
more  harm.  Is  gods  word  receyued  in  Englande  be- 
caufe  it  is  playnlye  preache  and  taughte,  or  refufed  and 
forfaken  becaufe  it  is  not  obeyed  and  folowed?  Be  we 
in  better  cafe  then  we  haue  ben  afore  tyme  becaufe 
papiftry  amongefl  vs  is  kept  vnder,  or  els  worfe  then 
euer  we  were  becaufe  couetoumes  raygneth  at  lybertye? 
That  whych  papyftry  abufed,  hath  not  couetoufnes 
deftroy[e]d?  is  not  papiilry  fuperfticion,  and  couetoufnes 
ydolatrye  ?  Then  I  befech  you  be  not  we  well  amended 
yat  be  come  from  abufyng  to  deftroying,  from  fuper- 
llicion  to  idolatry?  And  hath  not  God  geuen  vnto  vs 
at  the  banyfhyng  of  fuperflicion,  comfortable  plenty  of 
his  holy  worde,  and  by  the  fuppreffyng  of  abbeyes 
e\< -edynge  aboundaimce  of  all  maner  of  landes,  ryches, 
and  trealures?  And  nowe  where  is  it  all  become? 
Surelye  it  is  muche  fpent,  wailed  and  loft  by  euyl 
officers,  vnfaithtul  difpofcrs,  whiche  be  in  dede  de- 
uourcrs.  Se  therefore  howe  ye  haue  offended  god, 
be^yled  the  kyng,  fpoyled  the  realme,  and  indaungered 
your  felues  to  be  accufed,  condemned,  and  fuffer  as 
moft  vyle  hay  nous  traytours  to  God,  the  kyng,  and  to 
ye  common  welth.  Wherfore  whyles  ye  haue  tyme, 
before  ye  be  CQnfartmQ^Sacrificatefai'riJiciinn  injll/ue^ff 
fpcrate  in  domino."  Offer  a  facrifyce  of  ryghteoufoes, 
making  reilitucion  of  yat  whych  ye  haue  wrongfullye 
gotten:  then  trufle  in  the  Lord,  and  he  wyll  fhew 
mercy,  prouydyn^e  you  pardon  and  laiegarde,  vnto 
euerye  inannes  comforte.  Here  1  namynge  no  man, 
do  meane  alinoil  euer}-  man:  for  euery  man  hath  fome 
treafures  of  the  lords  to  dyfpofe,  and  none  is  fo  fayth- 
full  that  he  inaye  l»e  a'hle  to  llaiule  vnto  the  tryall, 

entryngwyth  the  Lorde  into iu^gemente.  Thereiore  I 
aduertiie  both  mynifters  of  the  clergye,  offycers  in 

J  i>.i.  v.  25.  a  Ps.  i'v.  5. 

H 


ii4 

authoritye,  and  other  people  of  euerye  degre,  to  ac 
knowledge  theyr  faultes,  and  make  reflitucion  to  ye 
vttermoft  of  theyr  power.  Firft  vnto  the  clergy,  I 
fay :  there  is  none  of  you  al  hairing  fo  much  learninge, 
wytt,  and  dylygence,  as  is  poffyble  to  be  in  one  man, 
that  can  do  more  then  one  mans  duty:  why  then  do 
ye  take  and  keepe,  fome  foure  or  fyue  mens  lyuynges? 
I  do  not  thyncke  that  euery  man  is  worthy  blame  that 
hath  a  great  lyuynge;  nor  to  be  prayfed  that  hath  a 
litle  lyuyng.  For  as  God  hath  geuen  fome  more  excel 
lent  gyftes  of  learnynge,  wytte  and  polycy,  fo  hathe  he 
prouyded  for  the  fame  better  lyuynge  with  hygher 
authority :  howbeit  no  man  may  promote  hym  felfe  to 
precede  from  a  meane  lyuyng  vnto  a  better,  quia  nemo 
fibifuimet  honorem,  for  no  man  may  preferre  hym  felfe 
vnto  honoure,  nifi  qui  a  deo  vocatus  eft?  but  he  whyche 
for  hys  fydelytie  in  a  lytle,  is  called  of  God  to  be 
trufled  wyth  more.  But  it  is  not  a  good  refon  to  fay 
that  becaufe  an  honeft  man  for  hys  fydelyty  is  called 
of  God  from  the  leffe  vnto  the  more,  therefore  a  coue- 
tous  manne  throughe  gredynes,  maye  kepe  leffe  and 
take  more,  and  fo  ioyne  thre  or  foure  of  theim  together 
to  make  dyuers  paryfhes  in  dyuers  fhyres.  all  one  mans 
lyuynge.  The  Prophete  cryeth :  ucz  uobis  qui  coniun- 
gitis  domum  ad domum,  et  agrum  agro  copulatis. 2  Wo  be 
vnto  you  that  yoine  [ioyne]  houfe  to  houfeand  knytfyeld 
vnto  fylde.  What  reherfeth  he  no  more  but  houfes 
and  fyeldes?  No,  for  ther  was  neuer  fuch  abomina- 
cion  in  the  prophetes  times  as  to  ioyne  paryfhe  to 
paryfh,  prebend  to  benefyces,  and  Deanryes  vnto 
knyghtes  landes.  I  pray  God  that  fome  of  theim  yf 
they  be  worthy  men  in  wyfdome,  learnynge  and  iudge- 
mente,  may  be  promoted  vnto  worthy  roumes,  and 
that  thofe  meaner  lyuynges  whiche  they  haue  heaped 
together  to  fyll  one  purfe,  beynge  fo  far  dyftante  in 
place  and  condicions  that  they  can  neuer  bee  well 
ferued  of  one  mannes  dutye,  may  be  deuyded  and 
dyfpofed  vnto  meaner  men:  whych  beyng  more  fitte 
for  thefe  lyuynges,  maye  do  more  good  wyth  theym. 

1  Heb.  v.  4,  2  Isa.  v.  8. 


at  $autes  tw<&t.  115 

I  heare  fome  complayne  and  faye  that  all  thynges 
bee  nowe  fo  chargeable  that  one  benefyce  is  not  able 
to  fynd  one  [an]  honefl  man.  And  yf  ye  enquyre  of  the 
fame  man  whome  they  kepe  and  fynd  in  theyr  bene 
fyce  they  theim  felues  beyng  abfent,  they  wyll  fay  a 
learned  curate,  and  a  dyligent  farmer  both  honefl 
menne.  O  wycked  worldlings  condemned  by  your 
owne  words.  The  whole  benefice  yf  you  fhuld  ther- 
wyth  be  content  ly[u]ing  vpon  it,  and  loke  for  no  more, 
wolde  not  fynde  one  man. 

But  when  ye  haue  gotten  other  promotions  befydes 
that,  to  lye  in  another  place  from  it,  then  a  fmall  por- 
cyon  of  it  doth  ferue  two  honefl  menne  whyche  ye 
leaue  in  youre  abfence.  Herke  you  that  haue  three 
or  foure  benefyces.  I  wyll  fay  the  beli  for  you  that 
can  be  fpoken :  Thou  lyefl  al  wayes  at  one  of  thy  bene 
fyces,  thou  arte  abfente  alwayes  from  three  of  thy 
benefyces:  thou  kepefl  a  good  houfe  at  one  of  thy 
benefyces,  thou  kepefl  no  houfe  at  three  of  thy  bene 
fyces,  thou  doeft  thy  deutye  at  one  of  thy  benefyces, 
thou  doeft  no  dutye  at  thre  of  thy  benefices.  Thou 
femefi.  to  be  a  good  manne  in  one  place,  and  in  dede 
thou  arte  founde  noughte  in  thre  places.  Wo  be  vntoo 
you  worfe  then  Scrybes  and  Pharifeis  Hypocrytes, 
whyche  (hut  vp  the  kyngedome  of  heauen  afore  menne, 
kepynge  the  paryfhe  fo  that  neyther  you  enter  in  your 
felfe,  neyther  ftifTer  them  that  would  enter  in  and  do 
theyr  dewtye,  to  haue  your  roumes  and  commodities. 
Woo  be  vnto  you  dumme  Dogges,  choked  wyth  bene 
fyces,  fo  that  ye  be  not  able  to  open  your  mouthes  to 
barcke  agaynfle  pluralytyes,  improperacions,  bying  of 
voufons,  nor  againfl  anye  euyll  abufe  of  the  cleargies 
lyuynges.  No,  for  you*  yowre  felues  myghte  go  a 
beggynge  yf  liuynges  that  be  ordeyned  for  the  cleargy 
wer  not  abufed,  but  reilored  and  bellowed  vpon  theym 
onelyc  that  doeth  the  dcargyes  dewtye.  Therefore 
you  be  the  inuenters  and  procurers  of  vngodlyc-  Ibt- 
utes,  and  deuelyfhe  deuyfes,  to  gyue  Lordes  chapkunes 
whyche  oughte  to  lyue  vpon  theyr  mailers  wages, 


n6 

authorytye  to  lyue  vpon  the  fpoyle  of  dyuers  paryfhes. 
Ad  erubefcentiam  ueftram  dico}  I  fpeake  to  make  you 
afhamed  of  youre  felues.  If  gentylmenne  that  be 
lordes  feruauntes  myghte  obtayne  of  the  kynge  and  hys 
counfel  placardes  or  warrantes  to  kepe  a  ftandyng  vpon 
fhoters  hyll,  Salesbury  playne,  or  in  any  theuyfhe  place, 
to  take  mens  purfes  by  the  way,  fhould  not  thys  be 
robbery  and  lhamfull  abhomination  to  be  mayntayned 
by  lawes,  flatutes  and  authority?  What  mold  a  yonge 
gentleman  be  afhamed  to  robbe  one  rych  mans  purfe 
of  forty  fhyllinges  once  in  hys  lyfe?  and  an  auncient 
prelate  not  once  blufhe  whyche  robbeth  diuers  pore 
paryfhes  of  forty  pounds  yerely  al  the  dayes  of  hys 
lyfe.  You  peililent  prelates  whyche  by  flattery  poyfon 
the  hygh  powers  of  authorytye,  be  ye  neyther  afrayed 
nor  afhamed  to  make  the  Kynges  maieftye,  his  lawes 
and  your  lordes  and  maflers  whych  fhuld  be  the 
minifters  of  iuftice  and  equrtye,  to  bee  the  defenders 
and  mayneteyners  of  your  vngodly  robbery.  Your 
example  and  flattery  hath  caufed  the  great  men  and 
ryche  men  to  take  to  theim  felues  the  vauntage  and 
profytes,  and  gene  vnto  their  chyldren  being  ignor- 
aunte  babes,  the  names  and  tytles  of  Perfonnages, 
Prebendes,  Archedeaconryes,  and  of  all  manner  of 
offyces.  For  euen  afwell  may  the  Lorde  that  cannot, 
as  the  Doctoure  that  wyll  not  do  his  dutye,  take  the 
profites  to  hymfelf,  and  leaue  a  hyrelyng  vnto  the 
paryfh :  and  yet  both  be  noughte.  O  that  it  woulde 
pleafe  God  to  open  the  eyes  of  the  hygher  powers  too 
perceyue  what  good  doctryne,  nay  what  deuylyfhe 
dyforder  is  taught  by  theim  that  be  double  and  tryple 
benefyced.  For  theyr  example  teacheth,  and  theyre 
preachyng  can  neuer  difwade,  to  fet  and  ordeyne  ryche 
robbers  and  ignoraunt  teachers  ouer  the  Chryften 
congregacion,  goddes  people,  the  kynges  fubiectes: 
yea  and  as  for  cyuyll  order  in  all  offyces,  ambicious 
couetous  men  learnyng  at  theim,  take  the  folempne 
tytles  and  good  fees  vnto  them  felues,  and  leaue  their 
dutyes  vnto  other,  fo  to  be  neglected  and  abufed,  as 

i  i  Cor.  vi.  5. 


at  panics  rro&e.  117 

caufeth  al  difcord  and  difobedyence.  For  whoe  but 
offycers  fhuld  fet  good  order,  and  make  quietnes?  And 
how  can  he  fet  [fee]  any  good  order,  whyche  placeth  hym 
felfe  in  ten  mens  roumes?  or  make  other  to  be  quyet 
wyth  nothynge,  that  wyll  neuer  quyet  hym  felfe  wyth 
any  one  liuynge?  Yea  how  canne  he  be  but  a  maker 
of  bufynes  yat  thrufteth  many  menne  oute  of  theyr 
lyuynges?  But  for  all  thys  the  flatterer  wyl  fay  that 
there  is  a  great  number  of  them  that  hath  many  mens 
lyuynges  in  theyr  handes,  whych  do  much  good  wyth 
them,  yea  and  be  liberall  gentlemen,  very  good  officers 
and  godly  preachers.  But  wotte  ye  what  the  'fcripture 
fayth :  they  be  Canes  impudent iffimi,  nefcicntes  faturi- 
tatem.1  Vnfhamefafle  dogges,  knowynge  no  meafure 
of  gredye  gettynge. 

Derelinqnentes  rectam  uiam  errauerunt  fccuti  iiiam 
Baalamfilii  Bofor*  Leauyng  the  ryghte  way  of  proced- 
ynge  vnto  greate  fees  by  faythfull  diligence  in  doynge 
worthye  dutyes,  do  ftraye  in  couetoufnes,  folowyng 
Balaam  the  fon  of  Bofor.  Leauynge  [Louyng]  the 
rewarde  of  curfed  in  [and]  \vycked  crafte,  O  take  heede  of 
Baalam  you  that  loue  the  rewarde  of  iniquitye,  a 
reward  for  curfyng  the  people,  whome  god  would  haue 
bleffed.  A  fee  for  kepyng  thofe  offyces  vnto  your 
felues  whych  god  amongfl  ye  people  wold  haue 
executed.  Can  ye  fay  any  more  for  your  felues  then 
Balam  dyd?  Si  dcderat  mihi  Balaac  domnni  fnam, 
plcna;n  argent i  d  aiiri?  If  Balaac  wold  geue  vnto  me 
hys  houfe  full  of  fyluer  and  gold,  I  cannot  change  the 
word  of  the  lorde  my  God,  to  fpeake  more  or  les. 
Can  ye  do  any  better  in  the  fight  of  the  world  then 
Balaam  did  vpon  the  hylles,  euen  as  the  lord  dyd 
commaunde  hym  and  none  otherwyfe?  and  yet 
louynge  the  reward  of  iniquitye  beyng  a  Prophet, 
was  rebuked  of  a  bruyt  bead :  as  you  beyng  wyfe  men 
ought  to  learnc  at  a  folyfli  Affe  not  to  ouerbunlen  and 
lode  your  felues  with  far  more  then  ye  ar  able  to  beare. 
Suerlye  it  is  an  vngodly  and  \vy<  kcd  defyre  of  you,  to 
loke  for  a  rewarde  both  of  god  tordoyng*of*your*duty 
and  alfo  of  Mammon  for  takyn^c  vpon  you  farre  more 

.',•7.  ii.  a  2  Peter  it.  15  •  a.  .vxii.  18. 


n8  & 

then  euer  ye  be  able  for  to  dyfcharge.  Balaam  fought 
hovve  too  get  thanckes  of  God  and  a  rewarde  of  Balaac, 
and  in  fo  doyng  he  loft  the  fauoure  of  God,  the  rewarde 
of  Balaac,  and  caufed  the  people  too  fynne,  fo  that  the 
vengeaunce  of  God  dydde  fore  plague  the  Ifraelites, 
and  vtterly  defiroyed  Baalam  and  Balaac,  and  al  theyr 
fort.  And  when  as  you  by  heapynge  of  lyuynges 
together,  do  feke  to  gette  the  welthe  of  the  world,  and 
alfo  the  fauour  of  god  by  pretendynge  to  do  fo  manye 
dutyes  as  no  man  is  able  to  performe,  ye  lofe  the  fauor 
of  god,  and  ye  fhal  be  deceyued  of  the  worlde,  and 
bryng  fuch  iniquity  amongeft  ye  people  as  mall 
prouoke  ye  indignacion  of  god  to  plage  theym,  and  to 
diftroy  you.  O  for  the  tender  mercies  of  god  in  oure 
fauioure  lefu  Chrifte,  although  I  rufhe  and  fret  your 
legges  vpon  the  hedge  and  pales  of  gods  veneyarde, 
and  fpeake  playnely  beinge  but  a  very  affe  in  com- 
paryfon  of  your  wyfdome,  connynge,  and  experience, 
yet  I  befech  you  dere  brethren  be  affured  yat  I  fpeake  not 
of  malyce  Lat  of  pyty,  not  of  enuy,  but  of  feare:  for  I 
fe  euydently  the  aungell  of  the  Lorde  with  a  fworde  of 
vengeaunce  redye  to  deftroye  you  yf  ye  doo  not  flaye, 
but  procede  in  thys  vngodlye  way :  Se  and  behold,  Nifi 
Conner  ft  fueritis,  gladhimfuum  acuit,  arcumfuum  tdendit 
etparauit  ilium, ^xcepte  ye  turne,  he  the  Lorde  hath  whet 
his  fword,  he  hath  bente  his  bowe,  and  made  it  readye 
wyth  deadlye  dartes.  Suerlye  brethren  this  heapynge 
together  of  lyuynges  maketh  you  to  haue  fo  many 
thynges  to  do,  that  ye  can  do  nothyng  well :  it  is  the 
readye  waye  not  to  edify  but  to  deftroye.  Wherefore  yf 
ye  cannot  efpye  your  owne  fautes  in  your  felues,  yet  loke 
one  at  another':  loke  you  of  the  layty  at  them  of  the 
cleargye,  that  feyng  the  motes  in  their  eyes,  ye  may 
learne  to  pull  the  beames  out  of  your  owne  eyes.  Do  ye 
not  fe  how  that  they  of  the  cleargy  by  heapyng  together 
manye  lyuynges,  haue  caufed  manye  poore  parifhes 
to  pay  their  tithes  yat  lacke  their  perfons  [Parfones]? 
Do  ye  not  fe  how  that  prebendes  whiche  were  godly 
founded  as  mofte  conuenient  and  neceffarye  lyuyngs  for 

1  Ps.  iiii.  12. 


at  ftauleg  rros&e.  119 

preachers  to  healp  the  byfhoppes  and  the  perfons  too 
enftructe  the  people,  be  now  vngodly  abufed  to 
corrupte  the  byfhoppes  and  the  perfonnes  that  rather 
feke  the  vauntage  of  good  prebends  to  enryche  them 
felues,  then  the  healp  of  godly  preache[r]s  to  enflruct 
Gods  people  ?  Do  ye  not  fe  howe  thefe  prouiders  of 
pluralities  hauynge  the  cure  of  Chriflen  foules  in  the 
paryfhe,  and  fhepefolde  of  Chryfl,  do  leaue  the  flocke 
and  take  the  fpoyle  to  fpende  in  Noble  mennes  houfes, 
where  as  they  doo  fe  that  the  keper  of  horfes  in  the 
liable,  of  cattell  in  the  fyelde,  and  of  dogges  in  the 
kenell,  doeth  lyue  on  hys  matters  wages,  and  not  on 
the  Pyllage  of  his  cure.  O  ye  noble  menne  do  ye 
geue  vnto  the  kepers  of  your  horfes,  cattell,  and 
dogges,  wages,  leafle  that  they  fhoulde  fell  youre 
horfes,  kyll  youre  cattell,  or  fleye  youre  dogges  to  lyue 
vpon  the  fkynnes :  and  wyl  ye  allowe  your  Chapleynes 
no  wages,  but  caufe  theym  to  lyue  vpon  the  murder 
and  fpoyle  of  the  innocente  Lambs  of  God,  redemed 
and  boughte  wyth  Chriftes  precious  blode  ?  Do  ye 
fe  howe  by  thefe  feruauntes  of  Mammon,  enemyes  of 
Chryile,  gredy  wolues  in  Lamb  fkynnes,  the  paryfhes 
be  fpoyled,  the  people  vntaughte,  God  vnknowen,  hys 
lyuelye  woorde  fette  gracyouflye  forthe  by  the  kynges 
procedynges,  is  vngracyoufly  fufpected,  hated,  and 
abhorred  of  the  ignorant  people  ? 

You  of  the  laytye,  when  ye  fee  thefe  fmall  motes  in 
the  eyes  of  the  clargye,  take  heede  too  the  greate 
beames  that  be  in  your  owne  eyes.  But  alas  I  feare 
lead  yat  ye  haue  no  eyes  at  all.  For  as  hypocrify  and 
fuperftiticion  dooeth  bleure  the  eyes:  So  couetoufnefie 
and  ambyryon  doeth  puttc  the  eyes  clcanc  out.  F«>r 
yf  ye  were  not  flarke  blynd  ye  would  fe  and  be 
afliamed  that  where  as  fyfty  tunne  bi-lyed  Monrkes 
geiien  to  glotony  fylled  theyr  pawnchcs,  kept  vp  theyr 
houfe  and  relyued  the  whol  country  round  about 
them,  ther  one  of  your  ^redye  guttes  deuowrynge  the 
whole  houfe  and  makyn^  great  pyllagc  thlOUghoute 
the  countrye,  cannot  be  fatilVyed. 


120  &  Jpermon 

If  ye  had  any  eies,  ye  fhould  fe  and  be  afhamed  to 
confeffe  that  yf  fome  of  you  fhoulde  not  haue  manye 
offyces,  there  woulde  not  be  menne  ynoughe  founde, 
to  put  in.euerye  offyce  one  manne,  mete  and  able  by 
doynge  of  theyr  dewtyes  to  ferue  the  kynge,  and  take 
good  order  amongefl  the  people,  where  as  there  is  a 
greate  number  too  manye  of  your  forte  whyche  thyncke 
your  felues  mete  and  worthy e  by  takynge  many  Offyces 
in  hande,  to  burden  the  kynge  and  the  people  wyth 
all  fees  and  charges  belongyng  vnto  euery  offyce :  yea 
and  furdermore  to  requyre  perfonages,  prebendes, 
Deanryes  and  anye  manner  of  lyuynge  due  vnto  the 
Ecclefiaflycall  miniftery,  to  be  geuen  vnto  you  for 
feruynge  the  Kynge  in  takynge  the  vauntage  of  many, 
and  doyng  the  dutyes  of  fewe  offyces  belongyng  vnto 
ciuyll  pollycye. 

If  ye  hadde  anye  eyes  ye  fhoulde  fe  and  be  afhamed 
that  in  the  great  aboundaunce  of  landes  and  goods 
taken  from  Abbeis,  Colleges  and  Chauntryes  for  to  ferue 
the  kyng  in  all  neceffaryes,  and  charges,  efpecially  in 
prouifion  of  relyefe  for  the  pore,  and  for  mayntenaunce 
of  learnynge  the  kynge  is  fo  dyfapoynted  that  bothe 
the  pore  be  fpoyled,  all  mayntenance  of  learnyng 
decayed,  and  you  only  enryched.  But  for  becaufe  ye 
haue  no  eyes  to  fe  wyth,  I  wyll  declare  that  you  may 
heare  wyth  youre  eares,  and  fo  perceyue  and  knowe, 
that  were  as  God  and  the  kynge  hathe  bene  mofte 
liberall  to  gyue  and  beftowe,  there  you  haue  bene 
mofle  vnfayethfull  to  dyfpofe  and  delyuer.  For  ac- 
cordyng  vnto  gods  word  and  the  k[y]nges  pleafure, 
the  vniuerfities  which  be  the  fcholes  of  all  godlynes 
and  vertue,  fhould  haue  bene  nothyng  decayed,  but 
much  increfed  and  amended  by  thys  [the]  reformacion 
of  religion. 

As  concernynge  goddes  worde  for  the  vpholdyng 
and  increafe  of  ye  vniuerfities,  I  am  fure  that  no  man 
knowyng  learnyng  and  vertue  doth  doute.  And  as 
for  the  kynges  pleafure  it  dyd  well  appeare  in  that 
he  eflably  med  vnto  the  vnyuerfityes  all  Priuileges 


at     aulc$  crc*$e.  121 


graunted  afore  hys  tyme,  and  alfo  in  all  manner  of 
paymentes  requyred  of  the  cleargye,  as  tythes,  and 
fyrft  fruytes,  the  vnyuerfities  be  exemted.  Yea  and 
the  kynges  mayeftye  that  dead  is,  dyd  geue  vnto  the 
vniuerfities  of  Cambryge  at  one  tyme,  two  hundred 
poundes  yerely  to  the  exibition  and  fyndynge  of  fine 
learned  menne,  to  reade  and  teache  dyuynitye,  lawe, 
Phyfycke,  Greke  and  Ebrue. 

At  an  other  tyme.  xxx.  pounde  yerely  In  libcram  d 
puram  eliemofinam.  In  fre  and  pure  almes.  And  fynally 
for  the  fuft  dacion  [foundation]  of  a  newe  Colledge  fo 
rnuche  as  fhoulde  ferue  to  buylde  it,  and  replenyfhe  it 
wyth  mo  Scholers  and  better  lyuynges  then  any  other 
Colledge  in  the  vniuerfitye  afore  that  tyme  had. 

By  the  whyche  euerye  man  maye  perceyue  that  the 
kynge  geuyng  manye  thynges  and  takynge  nothinge 
from  the  vniuerfityes  was  very  defirous  to  haue  them 
increafed  and  amended.  Howbeit  all  they  that  haue 
knowen  the  vnyuerfitye  of  Cambryge  fence  that  tyme 
that  it  dyd  fyrfl  begynne  to  receyue  thefe  greate  and 
manyefolde  benefytes  from  the  kynges  maieflye,  at 
youre  handes,  haue  iufte  occafion  to  fufpecte  that  you 
haue  deceyued  boeth  the  kynge  and  vniuerfitie,  to  en- 
ryche  youre  felues.  For  before  that  you  did  beginne 
to  be  the  difpofers  of  the  kinges  liberalitye  towardes 
learnyng  and  pouerfy,  there  was  in  houses  belongynge 
vnto  the  vnyuerfytye  of  Cambryge,  two  hundrul 
fludentes  of  dyuynytye,  manye  verye  well  learned  : 
whyche  bee  nowe  all  clene  gone,  houfe  and  marine, 
young  to  ward  e  fcholers,  and  old  fatherlye  Doctors,  not 
one  of  them  lefte  :  one  hundred  alfo  of  an  other  forte 
that  hauyng  rych  frendes  or  beyng  beiH-fyccd  men  dyd 
lyue  of  theym  fellies  in  Oftles  [Oflries]  and  Iniu-s  be 
eyther  gon  awaye,  or  elles  fayne  to  crepe  into  ColU-ges, 
and  put  poore  men  from  bare  lyuynges.  Thofe  bothe 
be  all  gone,  and  a  fmull  number  of  poore  godly  dvly- 
gent  fludenu-s  nowe  remaynynge  only  in  Colleges  be 
not  able  to  tary  and  contynue  tlu-yr  lludye  in  ye 
vniuerfitye  for  lacke  of  exibicion  and  healpe.  There 


122  &  Jrmnon  grearfjetf 

be  dyuers  ther  whych  ryfe  dayly  betwixte  foure  and 
fyue  of  the  clocke  in  the  mornynge,  and  from  fyue 
vntyll  fyxe  of  the  clocke,  vfe  common  prayer  wyth  an 
exhortacion  of  gods  vvorde  in  a  commune  chappell, 
and  from  fixe  vnto  ten  of  the  clocke  vfe  euer  eyther 
pryuate  fludy  or  commune  lectures.  At  ten  of  the 
clocke  they  go  to  dynner,  whereas  they  be  contente 
wyth  a  penye  pyece  of  byefe  amongeft.  iiii.  hauyng  a 
fewe  porage  made  of  the  brothe  of  the  fame  byefe, 
wyth  lalte  and  otemell,  and  nothynge  els. 

After  thys  flender  dinner  they  be  either  teachynge 
or  learnynge  vntyll  v.  of  the  clocke  in  the  euenyng, 
v,  hen  as  they  haue  a  fupper  not  much  better  then  theyr 
dyner.  Immedyatelye  after  the  whyche,  they  go  eyther 
to  reafonyng  in  problemes  or  vnto  fome  other  fludye, 
vntyll  it  be  nyne  or  tenne  of  the  clocke,  and  there 
beyng  wythout  fyre  are  fayne  to  walk  or  runne  vp  and 
downe  halfe  an  houre,  to  gette  a  heate  on  their  feete 
whan  they  go  to  bed. 

Thefe  be  menne  not  werye  of  theyr  paynes,  but 
very  forye  to  leue  theyr  ftudye  :  and  fure  they  be  not 
able  fome  of  theym  to  contynue  for  lacke  of  neceffarye 
exibicion  and  relefe.  Thefe  be  the  lyuyng  fayntes  whyche 
ferue  god  takyng  greate  paynes  in  abftinence,  fludye, 
laboure  and  dylygence,  wyth  watching  and  prayer. 
Wherfore  as  Paule,  for  the  Sayntes  and  brethren  at 
Hierufalem,  fo  I  for  your  brethren  and  Saynctes  at 
Cambrydge  moofte  humblye  befeche  you  make  youre 
colleccions  amongeft  you  rych  Marchauntes  of  this 
citye,  and  fend  them  your  oblacions  vnto  the  vnyiier- 
fytye,  fo  fhall  ye  be  fure  to  pleafe  God,  to  comfort 
theim,  and  prouyde  learned  men  to  do  muche  good 
throughout  all  thys  realme.  Yea  and  truly  ye  be 
detters  vnto  theim :  For  they  haue  fowen  amongefle 
you  the  fpirituall  treafures  of  goddes  worde,  for  the 
whyche  they  oughte  to  repe  of  you  agayne  corporall 
neceffaries.  But  to  returne  vnto  them  that  fhoulde 
better  haue  prouyded  for  learnynge  and  pouertye  in  all 
places,  but  efpecyally  in  the  vniuerfities. 


at  $aule$  rro$$e.  123 

Loke  whether  that  there  was  not  a  greate  number  of 
both  lerned  and  pore  that  myght  haue  ben  kepte, 
mayntayned,  and  relyeued  in  the  vniuerfities :  whych 
lackyng  all  healpe  or  comforte,  were  compelled  to  for- 
fake  the  vniuerfitye,  leue  their  bokes,  and  feke  theyr 
lyuynge  abrode  in  the  country?  Yea  and  in  the 
cuntrey  manye  Grammer  Scholes  founded  of  a  godly 
intent  to  brynge  vp  poore  mennes  fonnes  in  learnynge 
and  vertue,  nowe  be  taken  aw[a]ye  by  reafon  of  the 
gredye  couetoufnes  of  you  that  were  put  in  truil  by 
God,  and  the  kynge  to  erecte  and  make  grammer  fcholes 
in  manye  places  :  And  had  neyther  commaundement 
nor  penniffion  to  take  away  the  fcholmafters  lyuyng  in 
anye  place,  moreouer  muche  charitable  almes  was  there 
in  manye  places  yerely  to  be  bellowed  in  pore  townes 
and  parifhes  vpon  goddes  people,  the  kynges  fubiectes : 
whiche  almes  to  ye  great  dyfpleafure  of  god  and  dys- 
honoure  of  the  kynge,  yea  and  contrarye  to  goddes 
worde  and  the  kynges  lawes,  ye  haue  taken  away.  I 
knovve  what  ye  do  faye  and  bragge  in  fome  places  :  that 
ye  haue  doen  as  ye  were  commaunded  wyth  as  muche 
charytye  and  lyberalitye  towardes  both  pouertye  and 
learnynge,  as  your  commiffion  woulde  beare  and  fuffer. 

Take  heede  whome  ye  (launder,  for  Goddes  worde, 
and  the  kynges  lawes  and  ftatutes  be  open  vnto  euery 
mannes  eyes,  and  be  [by  ?]  euery  commiffion  directed 
accordynge  vnto  them,  ye  both  myght  and  fhould  haue 
geuen  much  wher  as  ye  haue  taken  much  away. 

Take  hede  vnto  the  kynges  ftatutes,  the  actes  of 
parliament,  there  ye  (hall  fynde  that  the  Nobles  and 
commons  do  geue,  and  the  Kvn-e  doth  take  into  hys 
handesAbbeyes,  Colleges  andChauntryes  for  erect  \n;;r 
of  ( iramcr  fcholes,  the  godly  brynging  vp  of  youthe,  the 
farther  aui;mentyn;;e  of  the  vnyuerf}  tves,  iind  better 
prouifyon  for  the  poore.  Thys  (hall  ye  fyncl  in  the 
Actes  of  parliament,  in  the  Kynges  ftatutes:  but  what 
fhalbe  found  in  your  practyfe  and  in  your  dedes? 
Surely  the  pullyivj;  downe  of  Drainer  Icholes,  the  deuyl- 
iihe  drownynge  of  youthe  in  i^noraunce,  the  vtter 


124  &  ^trmon 

decaye  of  the  vniuerfities,  and  moofle  vncharitable 
fpoyle  of  prouyfion,  that  was  made  for  the  pore. 

Was  it  not  a  godly  and  charitable  prouyfion  of  the 
Kynge  to  geue  vnto  the  vniuerfity  two  hundred  poundes 
yerelye  for  excellente  Readers  ?  three  hundred  [Thirtie] 
poundes  yerelye  in  pure  almes,  and  manye  hundred 
pounds  alfo  to  the  foundacyon  and  ereccion  of  a  newe 
Colledge  ?  And  was  it  not  a  deuilifhe  deuyfe  of  you  to 
tourne  all  thys  the  kinges  bountuoufe  liberalitye  into 
improperacions  of  benefices,  whyche  be  papyfticall  and 
vncharytable  fpoyles  of  mod  neceffarye  prouyfion  for 
pore  paryfhes  ?  Intelligite  infipientes  in  populo,  et ftulti 
aliquando  fapite. * 

Learne  vnderftandyng  you  that  playe  vnwyfe  partes 
amongefte  the  people,  and  you  fooles  once  waxe  wyfe. 
Qui  plantauil  aurem  not  audiet^ 

He  that  fette  the  eares,  fhall  he  not  heare  the  forow- 
full  complaynte  of  pore  pary flies,  agaynfle  you  that 
haue  by  improperacions  clene  taken  awaye  hofpitalitye, 
and  muche  impared  the  due  liuynges  of  gods  myny- 
fters,  the  peoples  inflructoures  and  teachers.  Qui 
figuratoculum  non  confederate  he  that  fafhioned  the  eie, 
doth  he  not  beholde  howe  that  the  befle  landes  of 
abbeyes,  colleges  and  chaunteries  be  in  youre  handes, 
and  euyll  improperacions  conueyd  to  the  kyng  and 
to  the  vniuerfities  and  Byfhopes  landes  ?  Qui  corripit 
gentes  non  arguet?1 

He  that  corrected  and  punyfheth  the  heathen  lack- 
yng  the  lyght  of  gods  word  for  the  only  abufe  of  natu- 
rall  reafon,  wyll  he  not  reproue  and  condemne  you 
whyche  haue  good  reafonable  wyts,  gods  onely  word, 
the  kynges  laws,  and  ftatut[e]s :  and  much  power  and 
authority  geuen  vnto  you  to  edifye  and  do  good,  feinge  it 
is  abufed  of  you  to  deflroy  and  do  hurt  ?  Shulde  not 
you  haue  amended  the  prouifion  for  the  pore,  the 
educacyon  of  youthe,  and  the  condicion  of  the  vniuer 
fities  ?  And  be  they  not  by  you  fore  hurte  and  de- 
kayed?  The  kyngc  (hold  and  wold  haue  reformed 
religion.  The  fyrfl  parte  of  reformacion  is  to  reflore 

1  Ps.  xciv.  9,  10. 


at  panics  rrog$e.  125 

and  geue  agayne  all  fuche  thynges  as  haue  bene  wrong- 
fullye  taken  and  abufed.  Surelye  the  Abbeyes  dyd 
wrongfullye  take  and  abufe  nothynge  fo  much  as  the 
improperacions  of  benefices.  Nothynge  is  fo  papyfty- 
call  as  improperacions  of  benefices  be:  they  be  the 
Popes  darlynges  and  paramors,  whiche  by  the  dyuel- 
yflie  deuyce  of  wicked  Balaamytes,  be  fet  a  brode  in  this 
realme  to  caufe  the  lerned  men  of  the  vnyuerfities  and 
all  bifhoppes  that  be  godly  menne,  the  Popes  enemyes, 
to  commyt  fpirituall  fornicacion  wyth  them.  Whye  dyd 
God  deflroye  the  Madianytes  but  for  their  fynne  ?  Why 
dyd  he  plage  the  Ifraelytes  but  for  ye  fame  fynne  ? 
Why  dyd  God  caufe  the  Abeyes  to  be  deftroyed,  but 
for  papyflycall  abufes?  And  why  fhoulde  not  god 
plage  the  vnyuerfityes  and  Byfhops  kepynge  and  med- 
delynge  wyth  improperacions,  that  bee  the  fame  papyfti- 
call  and  deuelyih  abufes  ? 

O  what  a  bloudye  daye  mall  it  be :  when  as  for  thys 
abhomynacion,  thys  fi)irituall  fornicacion,  God  Ihali 
commaunde  hys  faythfull  feruaunte  Moyfes  the  kynges 
mayefly  to  take  and  hange  all  the  rulers  of  the  people 
that  haue  wittynglye  fuffred  thefe  whoryfhe  Madyanytes, 
th'efe  Popyfh  abufes  ?  And  caufe  a  zelous  Phinees  to 
fliedde  the  harte  bloude  of  hym  that  before  Moyfes 
and  many  Ifraelites,  before  a  hygh  iuflice  and  manye 
people,  taketh  a  Madianite  into  hys  tent,  an  improp-jr- 
acion  into  his  enheritance.  But  nowe  brethren  as 
Peter  preached  vnto  the  I  ewes:  Nunc  fratres  frio  quod 
\orantiamfefiftis*  Now  brethren  I  knowe  tl  at 
you  haue  done  thys  through  tgnoraunce:  for  the  I,onle 
whych  forf.vth  all  thynges,  knoweth  that  yf  you  hadde 
not  bene  blynded  wyth  ignoraunce,  ye  couldc  neuer 
for  pitye  haue  executed  hys  imlignaryon  and  wrathe 
in  makynge  fuche  deflruccyon.  Seynge  therefore  that 
it  was  (ioddes  plcafurc  thus  by  one  euyll  to  punyfhe  an 
other,  nowe  rep-nt,  and  amende,  that  youre  iatites  inaye. 
b«-  pardoned.  It  pleafed  (lod  by  the  blyncle  mal\ -re  of 
tin-  lewes,  to  nayle  Chryfle  lefu  vpon  the  croffe:  and 
yet  as  many  of  theini  as  hearyng  that  matter  opened 

1  Acts  Hi.  1 7. 


by  Peter,  were  greued  and  pricted  in  confcience,  fo 
many  fayde  vnto  Peter,  and  to  the  other  Apoflles  what 
mall  we  do ?  The  Apoflolical  counfel  was:  Agite peni- 
tenriam,  recipifcite)  Repent  and  amend.  So  dere  breth 
ren  hearynge  and  knowyng  that  God  hath  vfed  your 
gredy  couetoufnes  to  deftr[o]ye  Abbeyes,  Colleges,  and 
chauntryes,  and  to  plage  all  thys  realme,  be  greued 
and  fory  in  your  hertes,  feynge  that  ye  haue  bene  Vafa 
tree*  inftrumentes  of  wrath  to  execute  vengeance :  and 
purge  your  felues  of  thys  vyle  couetoufneffe,  then  mall 
ye  from  henceforth  be  Vafa  honoris?  veffels  of  honoure, 
to  ferue  God,  in  fanctitate  ct  iujlicia*  in  holynes  and 
ryghteoufnes  all  the  dayes  of  your  lyfe. 

And  nowe  on  the  other  parte,  you  that  be  of  the 
comynaltye,  when  ye  feele  that  anye  plague  or  pun- 
yfhement  commeth  by  thiem  that  be  fette  ouer  you  in 
offyce,  and  aucthorytye,  knowe  that  they  do  it  not  of 
theym  felues,  but  be  moued  and  flyred  of  God,  to 
worke  hys  wrath  vpon  you.  For  when  as  God  was 
dyfpleafed  wyth  the  Ifraelytes,  then  hys  dyfplefure 
caufed  Dauyd  theyr  kynge  to  take  that  way  that 
brought  a  peftilence  amongeft  the  people,  whereon 
dyed.  Ixx.  thoufande:  Addidit  furor  domini  irafci 
contra  Ifrael,  commouitque  dauid.5  The  indignacion 
of  the  Lorde  waxed  whot  agaynil  Ifrael,  and  he 
Hired  vp  Dauyd.  What  kyndled  the  indignacion  of 
God,  but  the  fynnes  of  the  people?  The  fynnes  of  the 
people  dyd  kyndle  the  indignacyon  of  the  Lorde :  the 
Lordes  indignacyon  liired  vp  Dauyd  in  prefumpcyon. 
Dauids  prefumptuoufnes  caufed  the  people  to  dye  on 
the  peflylence.  And  euen  as  then  God  ordeyned  yat 
chrifl  lliuld  be  crucifyed  be  ye  malicious  blyndnes  of  the 
leweSjthelfraelitesplagedbytheprefumptionofDauyd: 

So  hath  he  ordeyned  that  Englande  Ihoulde  be 
fpoyled  wyth  gredy  couetoufe  officers,  Looke  then, 
what  hath  made  thys  greate  fpoyle  in  England?  gredye 
couetoufnes  of  officers.  What  dyd  make  in  theym 
fuche  gredy  couetoufnes?  the  indignacion  of  God. 
What  kyndled  goddes  indignacion?  the  fynnes  of  the 

1  Acts  ii.  38;  Mark  i.  15.  2  Rom.  ix.  22.  3  2  Tim.  ii.  21. 

4  Luke  i.  75.  5  2  Sam.  xxiv.  i. 


at  JJauIes  croSSe.  127 

people.  What  was  the  fynne  of  the  people?  Eloqui- 
um  fanfli  Jfradl,  blafphemcnierunt)  They  haue  blaf- 
phemed  the  holye  woorde  of  G  O  D,  callynge  it  ne\ve 
learnynge  and  h  ere  ty  call  doctryne :  Ideo  iratus  eft  furor 
doming  And  therefore  is  the  wrath  of  the  Lorde 
kyndled.  Now  you  people  which  cry  and  fay  that  you 
are  robbed  and  fpoyled  of  all  that  ye  haue :  Woulde 
ye  haue  thys  whyche  ye  call  robbyng  and  fpoyling  to 
be  ceaffed  ?  Then  quench  the  indignacion  of  god 
whych  doth  caufe  and  make  it.  If  ye  wyl  quench  the 
indignacion  of  God,  Hodicfi  uoccm  cms  audicritis. 2  To 
daye,  euen  nowe  yf  ye  fhal  heare  hys  voyce,  harden 
not  your  hartes,  as  in  the  prouocacion  in  the  daye  of 
temptacyon.  Harde  heartes,  flyffe  neckes,  dyfobe- 
diente  myndes,  prouoke,  tempte,  and  (lyre  vp  the 
indignacion  of  God. 

Truelye  the  indignacion  of  God  flial  neuer  be 
quenched,  vntyll  that  you  wyth  tender  hartes,  humble, 
obedyente,  and  thankefull  myndes,  receyue,  embrace, 
and  conforme  your  felues  vnto  the  holy  worde  of  God 
fet  forth  by  the  Kynges  Mageftye  his  gracious  pro- 
cedynges. 

There  is  as  yet  more  flyffe  necked  flubburnes, 
dieuellyfh  difobedience,  and  gredye  couetoufnes  in  one 
of  you  of  the  commune  forte  that  kepeth  thys  greate 
fwellynge  in  the  hearte,  hauyng  no  occafion  to  fette  it 
furth  in  exercife,  then  is  in  ten  of  the  word  of  theim 
that  beynge  in  office  and  aucthoritye,  haue  manye 
occafions  to  open  and  fhewe  them  felues  what  they  be. 

When  dyd  euer  anye  offycers  in  authorytye  fhewe 
fuche  rebellyous  proud  myndes,  as  was  of  late  playnlye 
perceyucd  in  very  manye  of  the  communaltye?  I  put 
the  cafe  that  they  be  fo  couetoufe,  that  one  of  their 
grecli  guts  had  fwalowed  vp  a  whole  Abbey,  houfe, 
landes  and  goodes,  And  yf  you  had  had  powers  vnto 
your  wylles,  ye  had  deuoured  whole  countryes,  houfes 
and  goodes,  men  and  beafles,  corne  and  cattell,  as  ye 
dyd  be^ynne. 

Some  of  theim  kepeth  their  fermes  in  theyr  owne 

I    I  s;i.  7'.  24,  25.  >   Ps.  XCV.  ^. 


128  <&  J^ermcm 

handes,  and  manye  of  you  kepe  youre  owne  Corne  in 
youre  owne  barnes.  Yea  marrye,  why  fliould  we  not 
kepe  oure  corne  in  oure  owne  barnes  ?  Forfooth  ye 
nowe  maye  not  keepe  it  for  dreade  of  God,  obedience 
to  the  Kynges  maieflie,  and  pitie  of  your  poore 
neighbours :  For  God  fayeth :  Qui  abfcondit  frumenta, 
maledicdur  in  populis:  benediftio  autem  fuper  caput 
uendenciitni  -}  He  that  hydeth  vp  corne,  fhall  be  accurfed 
amongeft  [amonges]  the  people :  but  bleffynge  fhal  be 
vpon  theyrheades  that  bryngeth  it  furth  to  the  Markettes 
to  fell.  Here  ye  heare  the  bleffynge  and  curfe  of  God. 

Ye  knowe  the  kynges  gracious  Proclamacyon,  ye 
maye  perceyue  youre  neyghbours  neede,  by  theyr 
myferable  complaynt.  And  yet  neyther  God  by  blef- 
fyng  and  curfynge,  neither  the  kyng  by  proclamacion 
and  commiffion,  nether  the  pore  by  praiyng  and  paying 
can  caufe  you  to  ferue  ye  Markets  wyth  corne.  But 
let  goddes  woorde,  the  Kynges  lawes,  honefl  order,  and 
chary  table  prouyfyon  be  put  foorth  of  all  markette 
townes  by  wycked  Mammon,  and  let  hym  onely  kepe 
the  Markets  and  fet  pryfes  for  youre  purpofes,  and 
wythoute  doubte  euerye  market  fhalbe  ful  of  all  manner 
of  Corne  and  vytayles  commyng  in  on  al  fydes. 

O  wycked  feruauntes  of  Mammon,  alwayes  bothe 
ennemyes  and  traytoures  to  G  O  D  and  the  kyng  and 
the  common  wealthe.  Is  it  God  or  Mammon  that 
hath  made  the  Corne  to  fprynge,  and  geuen  you 
plentye  ?  Yf  ye  fay  Mammon,  then  ye  confeffe  playnely 
whofe  feruauntes  ye  be,  what  Idolatrye  ye  vfe.  If  ye  fay 
God,  How  dare  ye  confeffe  him  in  youre  woordes  and 
denye  hym  in  youre  deedes  ?  Whye  do  ye  not  brynge 
foorth  goddes  corne  vnto  goddes  people,  at  goddes 
commaundement  ?  Why  be  ye  not  faythfull  difpofers 
of  Goddes  treafures?  Well,  he  yat  hath  no  corn 
thmketh  he  hath  no  parte,  nor  is  not  gyltye  in  this 
matter:  but  I  can  tel  that  ther  is  many  of  theim,  that 
neither  hath  nor  wyll  haue  corne,  whyche  make  corne 
moil  dere.  I  haue  heard  howe  that  euen  this  laft  yere, 
ther  was  certayn  Acres  of  corne  growyng  on  the  ground 

l  Prov.  xi.  26. 


at  $aule$  mtfSe.  129 

bought  for.  viii.  poundes:  he  that  bought  it  for.  viii. 
fold  it  for.  x.  He  that  gaue.  x.  pounds,  fold  it  to  an 
other  aboue.  xii.  poundes :  and  at  lad,  he  that  caryed 
it  of  the  ground,  payde.  xiiii.  poundes.  Lykewyfe  I 
hearde,  that  certayne  quarters  of  make  were  boughte 
after  the  pryce  of.  iii.  fhyllynges.  iiii.  pence  a  quarter 
to  be  delyuered  in  a  certayn  markette  towne  vpon  a 
certayne  daye.  Thys  bargayne  was  fo  oft  bought  and 
folde  before  the  daye  of  deiyueraunce  came,  that  the 
fame  Malte  was  folde  to  hym  that  fhoulde  receyue  it 
there  and  carrye  it  awaye,  after,  vi.  s.  a  quarter. 
Looke  and  fe  howe  muche  a  craftes  man  or  anye  other 
honefle  man  that  muile  fpend  corne  in  his  houfe,  by 
this  maner  of  bargaynynge,  payeth,  and  howe  littel  the 
houfbande  manne  that  tylleth  the  ground,  and  paieth 
the  rent,  receyueth :  Then  ye  may  fe  and  perceyue  it 
mufl  needes  be  harde  for  eyther  of  theim  to  kepe  a 
houfe,  the  cra[f]tes  man  payinge  fo  muche,  and  the 
hufbandman  takynge  fo  lytle. 

There  is  a  lyke  maner  of  barganyng  of  them  that  be 
leafemongers,  for  leafemongers  make  the  tenaunts  to 
pay  fo  muche,  and  the  landlord  to  take  fo  little,  that 
neither  of  them  is  wel  able  to  kepe  houfe.  I  heare 
fay  that  within  a  few  miles  of  London  an  honefl  gentle 
man  did  let  his  ground  by  leafe  vnto  pore  honefl  men 
after,  ii.  s.  iiii.  d.  an  acar:  then  commeth  a  lefemounger, 
a  thefe,  an  extorcioner,  deceiuyng  ye  tenaunts,  bieth 
theyr  leafes,  put  theim  from  the  groundes,  and  caufeth 
them  yat  haue  it  at  hym  nowe,  to  paye  after,  ix.  s.  or 
as  I  harde  faye.  xix.  s.  but  I  am  afhamed  to  name  fo 
muche.  How  be  it,  couetous  extorcioners  be  afhamed 
of  no  dede  be  it  neuer  fo  euyll.  And  as  I  hear  fay, 
ther  be  many  lefcmongers  in  London,  that  heyghthen 
the  rent  of  bare  houfes:  and  as  corne,  landes,  tene- 
mentes  and  houfes,  fo  in  al  maner  of  wares,  ther  be 
fuch  biers  and  fellers  as  caufe  ye  prouyders  and  makers 
of  ye  wares  to  take  fo  litle,  and  the  occupiers  of  the 
wares  too  paye  fo  muche,  that  neyther  of  theim  both 
is  able  too  lyue.  All  the  Marchauntes  of  mylchyeft 
I 


130  &  ^etmon 

that  go  betwixt  the  barke  and  the  tree.  Betwixte  the 
houfband  man  that  getteth  the  corne,  and  houfholder 
that  occupyeth  Corne,  betwix  the  Landlorde,  that 
letteth  fermes,  and  the  tennauntes  that  dwell  in  the 
fermes.  And  betwixt  the  craftes  man  that  maketh,  or 
the  marchaunte  that  prouydeth  wares,  and  other  men 
that  occupieth  wares.  I  faye  thefe  marchauntes  of 
mifchiefe  commynge  betwixte  the  barke  and  the  tree, 
do  make  all  thinges  dere  to  the  byers :  and  yet  won- 
derfull  vyle  and  of  fmall  pryce  to  many,  that  mufl  nedes 
fett  or  fell  that  whyche  is  their  owne  honeftlye  come 
bye.  Thefe  be  far  worfe  than  anye  other  that  hath 
bene  mencyoned  heretofore:  for  although  benefyced 
men  and  offycers  haue  manye  mennes  liuynges,  yet 
they  do  fome  mennes  dutyes.  But  thefe  haue  euerye 
mannes  lyuyng,  and  doo  no  mans  duytye.  For  they 
haue  that  whyche  is  in  dede  the  lyuynge  of  craftes  men, 
Marchauntmenne,  hulbandmen,  landelordes  and  ten 
nauntes,  and  do  neuer  a  one  of  thefe  mens  dutyes. 
Thefe  be  ydle  vacaboundes,  lyuyng  vpon  other  mens 
labours :  thefe  be  named  honefl  barginers,  and  be  in 
dede  craftye  couetoufe  extorcioners.  For  they  that  be 
true  marchauntemen  to  by  and  fell  in  dede,  fhoulde 
and  doo  prouyde  great  plentye  and  good  chepe  by 
honefl  byenge  and  fellynge  of  theyr  wares.  But  thefe 
hauynge  the  names  of  true  marchauntes,  and  beyng 
in  dede  crafty  theues.  do  make  a  fcarfitye  and  dearth 
of  all  thynges  that  commeth  through  theyr  handes. 

Take  awaye  all  marchauntmen  from  anye  towne  or 
cytye,  and  ye  mail  leaue  almoft  no  prouyfyon  of  thinges 
that  be  neceffarye.  Take  awaye  leafmongers,  regrators 
and  all  fuche  as  by  byinge  and  fellynge  make  thyngs 
more  dere,  and  when  they  be  gone,  all  thyngs  wylbe 
more  plentye  and  better  chepe.  Now  maye  ye  fe  who 
they  be  that  make  a  greate  dearth  in  a  great  plentye. 
For  who  is  it,  that  heygtheneth  the  pryce  of  Corne,  the 
houfbandman  that  getteth  plentye  of  corne  by  tyllynge 
of  the  grounde  ?  No :  the  regrator  that  byeth  corne  to 
make  it  dere,  growynge  vpon  the  grownde.  Who 


at  -patilfj*  rro^e.  131 

reyfeth  the  rentes,  ioyneth  houfe  to  houfe,  and  heapeth 
fermes  together  ?  The  Gentyll  manne,  that  by  geuynge 
of  leafes,  letteth  forth  hys  own  landes  into  other  mennes 
handes  ?  No,  the  leafemongers,  that  by  felling  leafes, 
byeth  and  bryngeth  other  mennes  Landes  into  their 
own  hands.  Who  maketh  all  manner  of  wares  and 
marchandyfes  to  be  very  dere?  the  marchaunt  ven- 
terer,  which  with  fayethfull  dylygence  to  prouyde  for 
the  commune  wealth,  caryeth  furth  fuche  thynges  as 
maye  well  be  fpared,  and  bryngeth  home  fuche  wares 
as  mufte  needes  be  occupyed  in  thys  realme  ?  No, 
the  Marchant  of  myfchyefe  that  by  craftye  conuey- 
aunce  for  his  owne  gayne,  caryeth  awaye  fuch  thinges 
as  maye  not  be  fpared,  and  bryngeth  agayne  fuche 
wares  as  are  not  nedemll.  Take  hede  you  Mar- 
chauntes  of  London  that  ye  be  not  Marchauntes  of 
myfchyefe,  conueying  away  to  much  old  lead,  wol, 
lether  and  fuch  fubftanciall  wares  as  wold  fet  many 
Englyfhmen  to  work,  and  do  euery  manne  good 
feruyce,  and  bryngynge  home  fylkes  and  fables,  cat- 
tayls,  and  folyfhe  fethers  to  fil  the  realm  full  of  fuch 
baggage  as  wyll  neuer  do  ryche  or  poore  good, 
and  neceffary  feruyce.  Be  ye  fure,  if  thys  realme 
be  rych,  ye  fhall  not  nede  to  be  poore,  yf  thys  realme 
be  poore,  you  fhall  not  be  able  to  kepe  and  enioy 
your  ryches.  Take  hede  than  that  your  marchaundife 
be  not  a  feruynge  of  folyfh  mens  fanfies,  whyche  wyll 
deflroye  the  realme:  but  lette  it  be  a  prouydyng  for 
honeft  difcrete  mens  commodities,  whych  wyll  be  the 
vpholdyng  and  enrychyng  of  you  and  the  whole  realme. 
Take  hede  vnto  your  vocacions  prelates  and  preachers 
Magyflrats  and  offycers,  landlordes  and  tenaunts, 
craftes  men  and  marchauntes,  all  maner  of  men  take 
hede  vnto  youre  felues  and  to  your  conuerfacion  and 
lyuyng :  yea  dere  brethren  at  the  reuerence  of  god,  for  a 
generall  comfort  to  al  partes  with  out  gredye  couetouf- 
neffe  towards  oure  felues,  or  malicious  enuye  towardcs 
other,  wyth  a  fyngle  eye,  of  a  pure  herte,  let  vs  confyder 
and  acknowledge  how  that  the  bountifull  liberalitye  of 


132  fl  J?ermon 

almyghtye  God  hath  geuen  vnto  thys  realme  wonderfull 
plenty  of  perfonnages,  prebends,  benefyces,  offyces, 
and  all  maner  of  lyuynges :  wyth  great  abotmdance  of 
come,  cattell,  landes,  goodes,  and  all  wares  that  be 
good  and  profitable :  and  howe  that  it  is  certeynly  the 
vnfaithfull  difpofers  whyche  caufe  a  great  fcarfyty, 
dearth  and  lacke  of  all  thefe  giftes  and  treafures  of 
God,  therfore  dominus  de  calo  profpexit,  ut  uideat  ft  eft 
intelligent  aut  requirens  dcum* 

The  Lord  loked  doim  from  heauen  to  fe  yf  there 
were  any  that  had  vnderftandyng  and  fought  to  pleafe 
God  in  faythfull  dyfpofynge  of  Goddes  treafures:  but 
feinge  that  Oinnes  ftudent  auariticz,  a  maiore  vfque  ad 
minorcm.*  All  be  geuen  vnto  coueteoufnes  from  the 
hyefle  vnto  the  lowefle,  fo  that  pore  people  can  haue 
no  houfes  to  dwell  in,  ground  to  occupye,  no  nor  corne 
for  their  moneye.  The  L^rde  hym  felfe  fpeakyng  vnto 
the  earthe,  fheweth  wher  is  the  faute:  principes  tui 
infideles?  Thy  head  rulers  and  offycers  be  vnfaythfull 
difpofers.  Sociifurum?  theuifhe  fellowes. 

Omnes  diligunt  munera?  they  all  loue  brybes,  et 
fcquuntur  retributiones?  and  hunte  for  promocyons. 
What  then  O  Lorde  mail  be  the  ende  of  all  thys? 
Viuo  ego  ditit  dominus*  As  trulye  as  I  lyue  fayeth 
the  Lord  propterea  quod  facti  funt  greges  mei  in  rap- 
mam*  Becaufe  that  my  flock  haue  ben  fpoyled,  et  ones 
meet  in  deuorationem  omnium  beftiarum  agri*  and  my 
fhepe  deuoured  of  all  wyld  beaftes  of  the  fyelde,  quia  non 
effet  pa/tor,  Becaufe  there  was  no  keper,  Neque  enim 
qucejiueriint  paftores  mei  gregem  mcum,  For  thofe  [thefe] 
which  were  named  my  paftours,  dyd  take  no  heede 
vnto  my  flocke,  Sed  paftores  pafcebant  femetipfos,  But 
thofe  paflours  dyd  feede  theyrn  felues  prowlyng  for 
profyte,  et  greges  meos  non  pafcebant,  and  my  flocke 
th[e]y  dyd  not  feede  by  dooyng  of  their  dutyes. 
Propterea  paftores  audite  uerbum  dominL 

Therfore  ye  keepers  heare  the  word  of  the  Lorde. 
What  worde?  that  the  flocke  fhalbe  delyuered,  and  you 
fhalbe  deflroyed :  That  is  a  true  word :  for  qua  menfura 

1  P&  liii.  2.        2  Jer.  vt.  13.        3  Isa.  i.  23.        4  Ezek.  xxxiv.  8,  9. 


at  JJauIeS  cro^e.  133 

mcnfi  fueritis,  remecidnr  uobis?  By  [bicaufe]  the  fame 
meafure  that  you  haue  ferried  other,  ye  youre  lelues  lhall 
alfo  be  ferued:  for  as  ye  haue  ferued  fuperftycious 
papiftes,  fo  lhall  you  your  felues  be  ferued,  beynge  coue- 
tous  Idolaters :  yea  and  haue  as  muche  vauntage  at  the 
metynge,  as  is  betwixte  fuperflicion  and  Idolatrye. 
Howe  be  it,  God  geuynge  you  refpite  to  loke  for  amend- 
mente :  offers  more  gentelnes,  yf  ye  wyl  take  it.  For  in 
the.  xx.  of  leremy  he  fayth :  Ecce  ego  do  coram  uobis  itiam 
uittz  et  uiam  mortis  :2  Behold  I  fet  before  you  the  way  of 
lyfe  and  the  way  of  death :  yf  ye  repent  and  amend, 
lyfe:  If  ye  be  flyll  ilimecked,  death:  for  the  Lorde  by 
Efaye.  i.  fayeth:  Si  uolueritis  et  audieritis?  Yfye  wyll 
heare  to  repent  and  amend,  Bona  terra  comcdetis?  ye 
lhall  eat  the  good  fruits  yat  the  earth  lhall  brynge 
forth,  to  your  comfort.  Si  nolueritis,  et  me  ad  ira- 
cundiam  prouocaueritis?  yf  ye  wyl  not,  but  prouoke  me 
to  anger,  gladius  dcuorabit  uos?  The  fworde  lhall  eate 
you  vp.  Quia  os  doinini  locution  eft?  For  it  is  Gods 
owne  mouthe  that  hathe  fpoken  it.  For  Gods  fake 
beleue  it :  And  do  not  by  an  harde  hearte  voyde  of 
repentance  heape  vnto  your  felues  the  wrathe  of  god 
agaynfl  ye  day  of  vengeance. 

But  thankfullye  enbrafynge  the  ryches  of  goddes 
goodnes,  pacience  and  long  fufferyng,  acknowlegyng 
that  goddes  kyndnes  draweth  you  vnto  repentance,  yf 
ye  haue  fo  lytlc  fpyrituall  felyng  and  gholllye  vnder- 
llandynge  that  ye  can  nothyng  be  perfwaded  or  moued 
by  the  comfortable  promyfes,  and  terrible  threten- 
ynges  of  the  inuifible  God :  yet  hauynge  corporal  1  eyes 
and  naturall  reafon,  confyder  the  decaye  of  thys 
Realme,  and  the  towardnes  of  the  kynges  mageflye. 
Note  the  decaye  of  thys  realme,  and  thereby  ye  lhall 
learnc  to  knowe  that  nothynge  can  make  a  realm e 
wealthye,  yf  the  inhabitauntes  therof  be  couetoufe:  for 
yf  [all]  landes  and  goodes  coulde  haue  made  ;i  rcalnic 
happy  notwythflandynge  mcnnes  com-toulhes,  then 
Ihoulde  not  thys  realme  foo  vnliap])yly«.'  haue  decayed, 
when asby  the  iii] )pR'l lion  of  AMteis.C  'oik  -cs  jmlCliaun- 
terk-s,  innumerable  lauds  and  goodes  wefegottea 

1  Matt.  r.  a  Jcr.  au-/.  8.  3  Iba  /.  19,  20. 


134  &  Sermon 

If  goddes  worde  were  ordeyned  by  anye  other  meane 
then  by  the  conuertynge  of  couetous  men,  to  make 
that  realme  happy  where  couetous  men  be,  then  fuerlye 
fhoulde  England  now  be  mofl  happy,  wher  gods 
word  is  frely  fet  forth  in  the  mother  toung,  playnly 
preached  in  folempne  congregacions,  and  commonly 
vfed  in  daily  communicacion.  But  vndoubtedlye 
whereas  couetoufe  men  be,  there  neyther  landes  or 
goodes,  no  not  goddes  holye  Gofpell  canne  doo  fo 
muche  good  as  couetoufnes  doeth  harme.  Wherefore 
feyng  thys  realm  by  couetoufneffe  is  foore  decayed, 
leail  it  moulde  alfo  by  the  fame  be  deflroyed,  awaye 
wyth  youre  couetoufnes,  all  you  yat  loue  thys  realme. 
Or  yf  ye  wyll  not  do  it  for  loue  of  the  realme,  yet  for 
the  reuerente  obedience  whyche  ye  owe  vnto  God  and 
the  kynges  maieftie,  away  wyth  couetoufnes  whyche 
maketh  men  feruauntes  of  Mammon,  and  enemy es 
vnto  god  and  the  kynge.  Be  ye  well  affured  that  the 
kynges  Maieftye  whyche  nowe  is,  God  faue  his  noble 
grace,  dreadeth  god,  loueth  his  people,  and  abhorreth 
couetoufnes,  whiche  in  this  realme  offendeth  God, 
difhonoureth  ye  kyng,  anoyeth  the  people. 

Therefore  he  doeth  partly  nowe  perceyue  and  con- 
fider,  and  wyll  do  better  hereafter,  that  prelates  wyth 
pluralities,  and  magyflrates  wyth  manie  offices,  do 
burden  him  and  his  people  wyth  paying  tithes,  fees, 
and  manye  greate  charges,  and  yet  kepe  fo  many 
roumes  vacant  of  prechers  and  officers,  that  his  ma- 
gefly  cannot  be  duly  ferued,  nor  his  people  well 
inftructed  by  the  preachyng  of  gods  word,  nor  yet  well 
ordred  by  the  myniftracion  of  iuftice  and  equitye. 

He  knoweth  that  regratours  of  corne  vyttals  and  of 
all  maner  of  wares,  make  fuche  dearthe  and  fcarcitie, 
that  no  diligence  of  good  marchauntes  by  honefl  byinge 
and  fellynge  canne  prouyde  anye  thynges  to  be  eyther 
good  cheap  or  plentiful.  It  is  well  knowen  to  his 
gracious  maiefly,  or  at  the  leafl  vnto  hys  honourable 
councell  that  leafemungers  takynge  muche  of  tenauntes 
and  paying  lyttell  vnto  the  landlordes,  haue  both  theyr 


at  $aulc$  fro$$e.  135 

lyuynges,  and  doth  the  dutyes  01  neyther.  For  to 
theyr  owne  pryuate  luker  they  take  rentes  of  tenauntes, 
and  fermes  of  landlordes :  but  when  by  occafyon  they 
mall  be  requyred  to  ferue  the  Kynge  for  a  common 
wealth,  then  they  wyll  haue  neyther  landes  nor  ferme 
to  do  the  kyng  feruyce.  Do  not  therfore  imagyn  you 
that  be  eyther  of  the  clergye  or  of  the  laytye  in  hyghe 
or  lowe  degree,  that  the  Kynges  Gracious  Mageflie 
and  his  honourable  councell  be  fo  negligent  that  they 
do  not  efpye,  or  fo  parcyall  that  they  wyll  not  punyihe 
thofe  whyche  in  thys  realme  hynder  the  prechyng 
of  gods  word,  ftoppe  the  adminyftracion  of  iuftice 
and  equitye,  caufe  of  all  thynges  a  dearthe  and  fcar- 
fytye,  and  brynge  Gentlemenne  to  poouertye,  and  huf- 
bandmen  vnto  beggerye.  It  is  fpyed  and  mufte  be 
punyfhed,  although  it  be  delayed  for  a  tyme,  to  fe  yf 
you  of  your  felues  wyllynglye  wyll  amende  it. 

Beware  therefore  that  ye  flaye  not  your  felfe  vnto  a 
bryttell  flaffe,  for  it  wyll  brafl  in  fpylles  and  perce 
thorowe  your  handes.  Do  not  flay  your  felfe  vpon 
thys  ymaginacion  to  thynke  that  althoughe  craftelye 
contrary  to  lawe  and  confcience  ye  do  inuade  other 
mennes  roumes,  liuynges  and  goodes,  yet  for  becaufe 
ye  be  fo  many  in  number  that  do  it,  therefore  the 
kynge  and  hys  councell  eyther  cannot  or  wyll  not  bee 
agaynile  you  in  it:  For  trulye  euen  therefore  mufle 
they  nowe  neades  wythout  delaye  reforme  and  amend 
it.  For  as  fedicious  rebellion,  fo  couetoufe  treafon 
beynge  in  a  fewe  may  be  fuffered  at  the  fyrfle  in  hope 
of  amendment,  fo  long  as  they  few  by  clokyn-v  it 
fecretelye,  feme  to  be  afhamed  of  their  owne  euyll 
doynges,  or  afrayed  of  the  rulers  power  and  authorytye: 
but  l>eyn-e  fo  many  that  they  all  together  wythoute 
ihame  and  feare,  falle  to  open  fpoylyiu;e  of  the  realme, 
then  wythoute  delaye  mufle  they  needes  be  repreffed, 
nlthoughe  they  both  fay  and  fweare,  that  they  be  the 
kyngs  fubiects,  and  hreake  no  laws.  If  ye  fpoyle  be 
found  in  theyr  hands,  it  is  neyther  fayinge  norlwear- 
yn-e  that  can  exeule  them.  Open  fpoile  hath  bene 


136  &  ^ermcn 

made  of  perfonages,  prebendes,  offices,  fermes,  wares, 
vyctuals,  and  of  all  manner  of  mens  liuinges.  There 
fore  there  is  no  long  delay  to  be  taken  in  hope  of 
amendemente,  but  fpedye  prouifion  for  redres  mull  be 
made  for  feare  of  a  generall  deftruccion.  You  then 
that  for  waflynge  and  abufynge  of  the  Lordes  goodes 
be  worthye  and  lykely  fone  to  be  difplaced,  yet  in  ye 
mean  tyme  whyles  ye  haue  refpyte,  playe  the  parte  of 
a  wyfe  fteward.  Reflore  vnto  preachers  and  offycers, 
benefyces  and  offyces :  lette  landelordes  haue  their 
rentes,  and  fermoures  theyr  leafes :  caufe  byinge  and 
fellyng  to  be  a  prouyfyon  of  good  chepe  and  plentye, 
and  not  an  occafyon  of  dearthe  and  fcarfytye.  Soo 
mail  both  God  and  the  kyng  perceyuyng  your  wyfe 
prouyfion,  allow  your  wel  doyng,  pardon  your  fautes, 
and  confirme  you  in  your  offyces. 

O  refufe  the  feruyce,  reftore  the  iniuryes  of  wycked 
Mammon,  that  ye  maye  from  hencefoorthe  ferue  God 
and  the  kynge,  prouydyng  for-  the  people  in  holynes 
and  ryghtoufnes  all  the  dayes  of  youre  lyfe  :  take  hede 
when  ye  go  from  a  meaner  lyuynge  vnto  a  better,  frome 
a  lower  offyce  vnto  a  hygher,  that  ye  goo  as  menne 
called  of  Chrifte,  not  as  bewitched  and  allured  by 
Mammon,  fe  that  God  by  hygher  authoritye  perceyu- 
ynge  your  faythfulnes  in  a  lyttell,  doo  in  at  the  doore 
of  worthynes  and  honeflye,  admytte  and  receyue  you 
to  be  trufted  wyth  more  :  beware  leafte  that  the  deuyll 
by  flatteryng  frendlhyppe  and  couetous  ambycion,  per- 
ceyuynge  your  worldlynes  in  a  lytle,  do  in  at  the  wyn- 
dow  of  wycked  bryberye  conuey  and  receyue  you,  to 
abufe  and  be  abufed  wyth  more.  Se  that  ye  obey  the 
commaundement  of  God,  takynge  paynes  in  youre 
dutye  to  feede  and  doo  good.  Do  not  confent  vnto 
the  temptacion  of  the  Deuell,  worfhyppynge  hym  in 
worldlynes,  for  to  gette  gaynes.  Thefe  thynges  ob- 
ferued,  ye  flial  be  eflemed  and  taken  as  worthye  miny- 
flers  of  Chryft,  and  feruaunts  of  God,  for  fo  much  as 
appertayneth  vnto  the  lawfull  callyng  and  admiflion  of 
you  into  youre  rowmes,  and  alfo  the  fayethfull  dyly- 


at  Dairies  tro^c.  137 

gence  in  vfyng  of  your  felues  in  your  roumes.  Further 
more  Paule  geueth  example  of  a  lowly  mynde  whyche 
doeth  not  iuftifye  a  mans  felfe,  and  iudge  euyll  of  other. 
For  fo  it  becommeth  the  feruauntes  of  God,  and  the 
mynyfters  of  Chryfle,  euen  when  they  haue  done  as 
they  be  commaunded,  to  acknowledge  them  felues 
vnprofytable  feruaunts.  And  not  as  proud  Pharifeis, 
prayinge  in  the  prefence  of  the  Lorde,  to  make  boaft 
of  theim  felues,  and  fynde  fautes  wyth  other  men.  No, 
for  yf  other  menne  prayfe  them,  they  muft  not  regarde 
it,  no  nor  yf  theyr  owne  confcience  commende  them, 
excepte  God  alfo  allow  it.  Therfore  Paule  fayeth. 
Mihi pro  minima  eft  ut  a  nobis  iitdicer.  It  is  one  of  the 
leafl  thinges  wyth  me  too  be  iudged  of  you  that  be  wyth 
me,  eyther  in  tyme  or  place.  Velab  hurnano  die,  eyther 
of  mannes  daye,  by  the  experience  of  theim  that  mall 
haue  further  tryall  in  contynuance  of  tyme.  Sed  neque 
me  ipfum  iudico.  No  nor  I  doo  not  iudge  my  felfe. 
Mihi  cnim  nihil  confdus  fum,  fed  non  idea  iuftificatus 
fum.  For  there  is  nothyng  that  I  knowe  my  felfe  gylty 
of,  yet  through  that  am  I  not  iuftifyed,  no  not  thorow 
the  iudgement  of  you  or  of  other,  or  of  myne  owne 
confcience.  Qui  uero  iudicat  me  dominus  e/l.1  He  truly 
yat  iudgeth  me,  is  ye  lord  iudge  of  all  men.  Qttare, 
nihil  ante  tcrnpus  indicate^  wherefore  iudge  ye  nothyng 
afore  the  tyme  of  iudgemente.  Qiiando  dominus  uenerit} 
when  the  Lorde  mall  come  to  iudge.  Qui  et  illuftrabit 
occulta  tenebrarvmj  whyche  alfo  fhall  make  bryghte  the 
couertes  of  darkeneffe  and  craftye  clokynge  of  fautes. 
Et  manifcjlabit  concilia  con/is,1  and  mall  open  the 
thoughtes  of  the  heartes,  whiche  he  only  fearcheth. 
J']t  tune  laus  crit  uniciii(]uc  a  dto)  And  then  prayfe 
fhall  be  vnto  euery  one  of  God,  that  geueth  prayfe  to 
the  prayfe  worthy.  If  Paule,  beynge  a  mynyfter  of 
Chryfle,  and  a  difpofcr  of  Goddes  myfteryes,  was  fo 
fuythefull  in  hys  doynge  that  neyther  all  the  worlde 
nor  hys  owne  confcience  coulde  in  any  thyng  reproue 
hym,  and  yet  to  contynue  hys  carefull  dylygence  had 
cucnnore  a  greatc  rcfpecte  vnto  the  commyng  and 

1  i  Cor.  iv.  3,  41  5- 


138  &  Sermon  preac^etr 

iudgement  of  the  Lorde  :  Howe  fhall  we  thynke  that 
they  rede  and  take  thys  place,  whiche  beyng  knowen 
both  to  theym  felues  and  vnto  the  whole  worlde  to  do 
very  euyl  in  many  thyngs,  yet  wythout  care  of  amende- 
ment,  do  forget  theym  felues,  the  Lord,  and  his  iudge- 
mente  ?  Surely  they  vnderftand  it  as  Peter  fayth  :  that 
many  places  of  Paul  be  vnderftand  of  them  whych 
beyng  indocti  Kal  a^cn^rot  vnlearned  and  vnfetled  in 
iudgement,  aoyH/^Aovcret  wrafl  or  wryng  vntyll  a  wrong 
pin  in  fuam  ipforium  pernidon?  vnto  theyr  owne  de- 
ftruccyon,  manye  places  of  Paule,  et  reliquas  fcripturas? 
and  the  other  fcriptures.  For  whereas  thys  place  of 
Paul  mould  be  applyed  to  make  men  carefull  and 
diligent,  they  wraft  and  wryng  it  to  make  for  them  that 
be  careles  and  negligent.  For  Paul  fayth  that  he  doth 
very  lytle  regarde  what  any  man  doth  iudge  of  hym, 
menyng  therby  that  though  all  the  world  wolde  com- 
mende  hym,  yet  wold  he  not  be  vayne  glorious,  of  hys 
well  doynge.  They  faye,  they  paffe  lytle  what  any 
man  faythe  by  them,  meanyng  therby  that  though  all 
men  fynde  fautes  wyth  theim,  yet  wyll  they  neuer  be 
afhamed  of  theyr  euyll  doynge.  Paule  fayeth  that  no 
man  fhoulde  iudge,  meanynge  that  no  man  as  concern- 
ynge  fecretes  of  the  mynde,  mould  iudge  other  to  be 
yuell,  and  theim  felfes  to  be  iufl :  and  fo  take  occafion 
to  fpeake  fhamefully  of  other,  and  to  glory  in  theim 
felues  :  they  faye  that  no  man  fhoulde  iudge,  meanynge 
that  neyther  preacher  nor  friende  fhoulde  fo  rebuke 
theyr  manifefl  euyll  dedes,  as  myght  gene  theym  occa- 
lion  to  be  afhamed  of  theym  felues,  and  leue  iudgynge 
of  other.  Lette  vs  not  wrefl  the  places  of  Paule  and 
of  other  fcripturs  vnto  a  wrong  purpofe.  They  wreft 
the  faying  of  Paule  vnto  a  wrong  meanynge,  when  as 
the  mercye  of  God,  whyche  paffeth  all  hys  works  is 
denyed  of  theym  vnto  anye  penytente  fynner,  by  theyr 
allegynge  of  the  tenth  of  Paul  vnto  the  Ebrues.  Then 
is  that  place  not  well  applied  but  wrong  wrefted.  For 
when  it  is  fayde  that  yf  we  fynne  wylfullye  after  that 
we  haue  receiued  the  knoweledge  of  the  trueth,  there 

1  ii.  Peter  Hi.  16. 


at  paulcs  tro^e.  139 

remayneth  no  more  facrifice  for  fynne,  but  a  fearefull 
lookynge  for  iudgemente  and  violente  fyer,  it  is  a 
meante  that  there  is  remaynynge  and  leafte  in  the 
fcriptures  no  mencyon  of  facrifyce  for  the  forgeueneffe 
of  fynnes,  but  terrible  threatnynges  of  vengeaunce  to 
punyfhe  fynners,  too  bee  preached  vnto  wylfull  fynners. 

Howbeit  there  is  no  condemnacionbutalwayes  mercye 
to  be  preached  vnto  theym  that  grafted  in  Chrifl  lefu, 
be  penitent  fynners,  how  fore  and  ofte  foeuer  they  fall. 
For  his  mercy  is  aboue  all  hys  workes.  Therefore  when- 
foeuer  he  fuffereth  the  Deuyll  to  tempte  menne  to  do 
fynne,  or  too  plage  them  for  fynne,  or  whenfoeuer  by 
his  worde  wrytten  or  preached  he  doth  aggrauate 
fynne,  all  is  done  to  dryue  menne  vnto  mercye. 
The  deuyll  hathe  caufed  here  in  Englande  muche 
fynne  and  abhominacion,  greuous  plages,  and  fore 
miferies,  God  hath  fent  wonderous  plenty  of  hys  con- 
fortable  word.  And  nowe  brethren  all  this  is  euen  the 
worke  of  god  :  for  it  is  God  that  worketh  al  thynges  in 
all  men.  Deus  eft  qui  opera  fur  omnia  in  omnibus}-  And 
yet  take  good  hede  to  the  true  interpretacion  of  thys 
place  lead  that  ye  make  God  to  be  the  author  of  fyn, 
Qui  not i  jwuii  pcccatuni,  nee  eft  inucntus  do/us  in  ore  cius? 
whyche  knoweth  no  fynne  by  experience  of  doyiig  it, 
nor  hathe  no  gyle  founde  in  hys  mouthe.  But  euen 
as  it  was  God  that  dyd  both  geue  and  take  awaye  lobs 
goodes :  So  is  it  God  that  doth  al  thyngs,  both  good  and 
euyll.  And  as  he  dyd  make  lob  ryche,  by  geuinge  him 
goodes,  and  poore  bi  fuffering  [and  vfyng]  the  deuill  to 
deflroy  thofe  goodes :  fo  doethe  he  good  deedes  of 
hys  owne  goodnes,  and  euyll  dedes  in  fufferynge 
the  deuyll  to  do  theym.  Yea  it  is  euen  God  that  hathe 
concluded  al  men  under  fynne,  that  hath  fuffered 
the  deuyl  to  tempt  al  men*  to  do  fynne,  yea  and  fcrip- 
tura  condufit  omnia  j'nb  pcccato?  ye  frriptur  of  God 
hath  concluded  al  men  vnder  fyn,  or  as  Paulc  fpeaketh 
in  an  other  place  more  pla[i]nli  aiToapcOa.  We  haue 
concluded  or  proued,  allegynge  good  rcafon,  that  both 
the  grekes  and  the  Jewes  be  vnder  fynne.  So  nowe 

1  I  Cor.  jfii.  6  1  \  Peter  ii.  22.  a  Gal.  //'/.  ax 


140 

all  ye  by  G  O  D  be  concluded  vnderneth  fmne,  that  is 
by  goddes  fuffraunce  the  deuil  hath  caufed  you  to  com 
mit  fmne.  By  Gods  ordinaunce  the  fcriptures  and  the 
preachers  of  God,  do  open  and  declare  that  ye  be  all 
fynners.  And  this  is  all  done,  ut  omnium  miferearetur} 
that  he  myght  haue  mercye  vpon  all,  that  all  mighte 
receyue  the  pardon  of  his  mercye  without  ye  which 
none  can  be  failed,  none  can  efcape  vengeaunce. 
For  non  eft  in  aliquo  alto  falus,  there  is  no  health  in 
anye  other,  nee  aliud  nomen  datum  fub  C&lo,  in  quo 
oporteat  nos  faluos  fieri?  nor  none  other  name  geuen 
vnder  heauen,  in  the  which  we  fhuld  be  faued.  So 
yat  he  whyche  wyl  haue  anye  healthe  mufte  come  vnto 
Chrifl,  fhewyng  him  felfe  wounded  with  fin,  to  (land  in 
nede  of  Philicion.  He  yat  wil  be  faued  muft  fhew  him 
felfe  a  penytente  fynner  vnto  Chrifle  which  came  not 
to  cal  the  righteous  but  fynners  to  amendments  But 
he  yat  regardeth  the  flattery  of  the  worlde  or  the  parci- 
alitie  of  his  owne  confcience,  and  therby  taketh  occafion 
to  glory  in  his  own  doynges,  he  fhal  finde  no  mercy,  he 
can  receiue  no  pardon  or  forgeuenes  fent  from  god  to 
be  deliuered  only  vnto  thofe  yat  fele  and  acknowlege 
them  felues  to  be  fickely  and  vnrighteous  fmners. 
Thei  therfore  that  fele  and  acknowledge  ye  greatefl  fins 
wickednes*  and  abhominacions  in  theim  felues  being 
fory  therfore,  and  entend  amendment,  be  moil  worthi 
and  fure  to  receiue  ye  great  pardon  of  gods  mercy, 
whyche  certenly  wil  deliuer  them  out  of  all  daunger, 
kepe  them  in  fafti  and  bryng  them  to  profperity. 
Heare  therfore  and  I  wil  now  read  my  commiffion  by 
ye  whiche  ye  mail  wel  perceyue  yat  I  fpeake  nothyng 
vpon  my  own  head,  but  euery  thyng  according  to  the 
commaundement  of  the  Lorde  your  god,  whyche  hath 
fent  me  vnto  you  hys  people.  The  example  of  this 
proclamacion.  Ef.  Iviii.  Clama?  Make  proclamation 
openly,  yat  al  men  maye  heare:  ne  ceffes?  Ceas  not 
for  feare  of  them  that  may  kyll  the  body,  and  can  not 
hurt  the  foule,  quafi  tuba  exalta  iiocem  tuam?  Lifte  vp 
thy  voyce  as  a  trumpet,  geuinge  men  knowledge  of  the 

1  Rom.  xi.  32.  2  Act"  iv  3  Isa.  Iviii.  i. 


at  paule*  cro^e.  141 

commyng  of  the  ennemyes  in  the  tyme  of  war.  So 
geue  them  knowlege  of  the  fwerd  of  vengeance, 
which  fhal  folow  immediatli  after  this  warning  Et 
annunda  populo  meo  fcdcra  eorum^  And  fhew  them 
their  fau[l]tes  yat  in  bering  of  my  name,  and  pro- 
feffinge  my  religion  wil  be  my  people.  Et  domui 
lacob  peccata  fua}  and  vnto  the  houfe  of  lacob  their 
own  fins:  vnto  all  fortes  of  men  euen  thofe  fyns 
which  they  them  felues  do  vfe.  Vnto  the  clergy,  the 
finnes  of  ye  clergy,  vnto  the  laitye,  the  fynnes  of  the 
layte :  and  vnto  euery  degre,  ye  finnes  yat  be  of  that 
degre  vfed.  Shew  ye  clergi  that  thei  fede  them  felues 
fat  with  many  liuings,  and  let  my  flocke  be  fcatered 
and  vnfed,  becaufe  ther  is  few  preching  paftors  yat  can 
and  wil  fede  them. 

Shew  the  clergy  that  they  can  neyther  teach,  nor 
requyre  the  king  and  laitye  to  prouide  new  liuings  for 
prechers,  vntill  they  do  reftore  forth  of  their  own  hands 
thofe  which  be  prouided  alredy:  fhew  fuch  of  the 
cleargy  as  be  fatlings  puft  vp  with  pluralities,  that  they 
neyther  haue  fed,  do  fede,  or  can  fede  my  flocke,  yet 
haue  fpoyled,  do  fpoyle  and  wyl  fpoyle  my  lambes,  ye 
kynges  fubiectes,  and  theyr  own  brethren,  fo  long  as 
thei  vfe  their  pluralities.  Shew  the  laity  yat  thei  haue 
robbed  me  theyr  lord  and  god  of  double  honour  due 
vnto  my  myniflers:  for  they  haue  taken  awaye  the 
fodder  that  was  prepared  for  the  laborynge  oxe,  and 
bene  difobedyent  vnto  my  law,  pronounced  by  theim 
that  fate  in  Moyfes  cheire. 

Shewe  the  nobilitie  that  they  haue  opprefled  the 
comminaltye,  Kepyng  theim  vnder  in  feare  and  ignor 
ance,  by  power  and  aucthorityc,  which  myght  and 
fhould  haue  bene  louyngly  learned  their  obedience 
and  duty  to  both  God  and  the  kyng  by  preachyng  of 
the  gofpel.  Shew  the  nobility  yat  they  haue  extorted 
and  famifhed  the  commynalty  by  the  hcigthcning  of 
fynes  and  rentes  of  fcrmes,  and  decaying  of  hofpitality 
and  good  houfe  kepyng.  Shew  the  comminaltye  yat 
they  be  both  traytoures  and  rcbclles,  murmuryng  and 

I  Isa.  Iviii.  i. 


grudgyng  agaynft  myne  ordinaunces:  tel  the  commin- 
alty  yat  the  oxe  draweth,  the  horfe  beareth,  ye  tre 
bryngeth  forth  frutes  and  the  earthe  corne  and  graffe 
to  the  profyte  and  comforte  of  man,  as  I  haue  or 
dained  them :  but  they  of  the  comminaltye  in  England 
bye  and  fel,  make  bargaynes,  and  do  al  thynges  to  the 
grefe  and  hynderaunce  of  manne,  contrary  to  my  com- 
maundemente.  Tell  the  commynaltye  that  they  take 
one  anothers  ferme  ouer  their  heades,  they  thrufte 
one  an  other  oute  of  their  houfes,  they  take  leafes  vnto 
theim  felues,  and  lette  theym  dearer  vnto  other:  they 
bye  cornes  and  wares  to  make  other  paye  more  dere 
for  it:  they  hurte  and  trouble,  eate  vp  and  deuoure 
one  another.  Tell  all  Englande  hye  and  low,  riche 
and  poore  that  they  euerye  one  prowlynge  for  them 
felues,  be  feruaunts  vnto  Mammon,  ennemies  vnto  god, 
difturbers  of  common  wealth,  and  deflroyers  of  them 
felues.  And  for  all  this  lette  theim  knowe  that  I  haue 
no  pleafure  in  ye  death  of  a  finner.  Sed  magis  vt  con- 
uertatur  et  uiuat?  but  rather  I  geue  him  refpit  and 
fend  him  warning  yat  he  may  turne  and  Hue,  com 
fortably  here  vpon  earth,  and  ioifully  in  heauen  for 
euer.  Therefore  if  any  in  Englande  do  tourne  and 
amende,  he  mail  faue  hym  felfe.  But  they  which  wyll 
not  repent  and  amend  fhal  not  be  faued  by  theyr 
fathers  or  frendes,  which  by  repentaunce  be  as  fure 
them  felues  to  be  accepted  vnto  me  as  was  Noe 
Danyel  and  lob :  but  and  if  all  or  the  mooil  parte  of 
them  in  England,  turne  and  amend  them,  fay  vnto 
England  :  delectaber  is  fuper  domino. 2  From  henceforth 
you  malt  haue  delite  and  plefure  in  ye  lord,  etfuftollam  te 
fuper  altitudines  terra?  and  I  wil  lift  the  higher  in 
honour  welth  and  power,  then  any  other  realme  in  or 
vpon  the  earth,  et  cibabo  te  hereditate  lacobi  patris  tui* 
and  fo  wyll  I  fede  the  with  the  inheritaunce  of  lacob 
thy  father.  I  will  reflore  vnto  ye  whatfoeuer  land  or 
holds  in  Scotland  or  in  Fraunce  dyd  at  any  tyme  belonge 
vnto  Jacob  thy  father,  vnto  the  kings  of  this  realme, 
os  enim  domini  locutum  eft?  for  the  Lordes  owne  mouth 

1  Ezek  xxxiii.  \i.  2  Isa.  hriii.  14. 


at  Paulo*  rro£5e.  143 

hath  fpoken  it,  which  is  a  better  aflurance  vnto  this 
commiffion,  then  though  it  were  figned  and  feled  wyth 
ten  thoufande  mens  handes. 

Now  al  you  yat  entend  to  be  faued  by  the  mercies 
of  god  in  our  fauioure  lefu  Chrift,  come  when  ye  be 
called  from  gredy  couetoufnes  wherwyth  ye  haue  bene 
blinded  to  wreake  Gods  wrath:  receyue  mercy  and 
grace  which  be  now  frely  offred  to  make  you  from 
henceforth  holy  miniflers  of  Chrift,  and  faithfull  dif- 
pofers  of  ye  manifolde  gyftes  of  Gods  grace  and  good- 
nes:  and  now  for  fere  of  forgetfull  negligence,  when  ye 
depart  hence,  replenifh  your  minds  with  ye  comfort 
able  remembrance  of  your  own  greuous  myferies,  and 
of  gods  great  mercies,  in  fecrete  meditation  of  the 
lords  praier,  here  tarying  together  in  quyetnes  a  littell 
for  to  receyue  the  Lordes  bleffyng. 

The  god  of  peace  that  brought  againe  from  death 

our  Lord  lefus  the  greate  fhepeheard  of  the  fhepe, 

thorow  the  bloud  of  the  euerlaftyng  teflament,  make 

you  perfit  in  all  good  workes,  to  do  hys  wyll,  workyng 

in  you  that  which  is  plefant  in  his 

fyght,  through  lefus  Chrift. 

Amen. 


faw  tfje 


1  In  second  edition,  1573.        God  saue  the  Quceoo. 


at 


cmer 


priuilegio  ad  imprimendum 
folum  Per  feptennium. 


In  the  reprint  of  1572,  the  colophon  is— 

These  bookes  are  to  be  solde  at  the  litle 

North  doore  ot   Paules,   at  the 

signe  of  the  blacke  Boye. 


Muir  &*  Paterson,  Printers,  Edinburgh. 


WILLIAM    WEBBE,    GRADUATL. 


A  DISCOURSE 


O  F 


ENGLISH    POETRIE. 


1586. 


CAREFULLY  EDITED  BY 

)WARL)     \  i'  !'.  ' 

AJfociate,  Kings  College,  London,  F.R.G.S.,&c. 


LONDON : 
Ent.Stat.Hall.}  i  December,  1870.  [All  Rights  r 


CONTENTS. 


NOTES  of  William  Webbe,           ....  3 

CONTEMPORARY  ENGLISH  AUTHORS  referred  to,             .  5 

INTRODUCTION,  .            .            .            .            .            .  •  7 

BIBLIOGRAPHY,    ......  10 

A  DISCOURSE  OF  ENGLISH  POETRIE,          II 

1.  The  Epiftle  to  Edward  Sulyard,  Efquire,         .  .          13 

2.  A  Preface  to  the  noble  Poets  of  England,        .  .          17 

3.  A  DISCOURSE  OF  ENGLISH  POETRIE,        .        21 

(a)  What  Poetry  is  ?  .  .  .  .21 

(i))  The  beginning  of  Poetry,  and  of  what  eftimation 

it  hath  always  been,  .  ...  21 

(c)  The  ufe  of  Poetry,  and  wherein  it  rightly  con- 

fifted,    ......         25 

(o)  The  Author's  judgment  of  Englifh  Poets,  .  30 

(e)  Stye  fHattcr  of  fEnglt'srj  ^octrie, .  .  38-56 

Ex.    Comparifon  of  Thomas  Phaer's  tranfiation 
of  the  j&neid  with  the  original  text  of  Virgil. 

( f )  £fje  fHanncr  or  jForm  of  Engltsfj  ^octrfc,         .  56-84 

A.  RHYMED  VERSE. 

There  be  three  fpecial  notes  neceffaiy  to  be  obferved 
in  the  framing  of  our  accuftomed  Englifh  Rhyme  : — 

(1)  The  metre  or  verfe  mnft  be  proportionate        .         57 
Ex.   Criticifm  of  the  different  forts  of  Verfe  in 

Spencer's  Shepherds  Calender. 

(2)  7%e  natural  Accent  of  the  words  mnjl  not 

be  ivrejled       ...  62 

(3)  The  Rhyme  or  like  ending  of  verfes    .  .         63 

B.  The  Reformed  kind  of  ENGLISH  VERSE  [i.e., 

in  CLASSICAL  FEET],  .  .  .  67-84 

Ex.  The  Author's  tranfiation  of  the  firft  two 

Eglogues  of  Virgil  into  Englifh  Hexameters,  73-79 
Ex.  His  tranfiation  of  Hobbinoll's  Song  in 

the  Shepherds  Calender  into  Englim  Sapphics,    81-84 

(g)  The  Canons  or  general  Cautions  of  Poetry,  pre- 

fcribed  by  Horace :  collected  by  George 
Fabricius  \b.  23  April  1516  at  Chemnitz, — d.  13 
July  1571] 85-95 

4.  EPILOGUE,      ......        96 


NOTES 

of 
WILLIAM    W  E  B  B  E. 

*  Probable  or  approximate  dates. 

Very  little  is  known  of  the  Author  of  this  work.  The  suggestion  that  he 
was  the  William  Webbe,  M.A.,  one  of  the  joint  Authors  of  a  topographical 
book  The  Vale  Royal,  1648,  foL,  is  quite  anachronistic. 

Messrs.  Cooper,  in  Athentz  Cantabrigiensis,  it.  12.  Rd.  1861,  state  that 
our  Author  "was  a  graduate  of  this  University,  but  we  have  no  means  of 
determining  his  college.  One  of  this  name,  who  was  of  St.  John's  College, 
was  B.A.  1572-3  [the  same  year  as  Spenser],  as  was  another  who  was  of 
Catharine  Hall  in  1581-2.  His  place  of  residence  is  unknown,  although  it 
may  perhaps  be  inferred  that  it  was  in  or  near  the  county  of  Suffolk.  We 
have  no  information  as  to  his  position  in  life,  or  the  time  or  place  of  his 
death.  He  was  evidently  a  man  of  superior  intellect  and  no  mean  attain-, 
inents."  [Our  Author  apparently  witnessed  Tancred  and  Gis»utnd'm  1568, 
and  being  evidently  acquainted  with  Gabriel  Harvey  and  Spenser  (who  left 
Cambridge  in  1578^,  must  be  the  earlier  graduate  of  the  above  two  Webbes.] 

1568.  Tattered  and  Gisnmnd,  written  by  five  members  of  the  Inner 

Temple,  the  first  letters  of  whose  names  are  attached  to  the 
several  acts,  viz.,  Rod.  Staff;  Hen.  Nol'well?];  (i.  All;  Ch. 
Hat[ton?];  and  R.  W[ilmot] :  is  'curiously  acted  in  view 
of  her  Maiesty,  by  whom  it  was  then  princely  accepted.1 

Webbe  appears  to  have  been  present  at  the  representation  : 
see  1591.  Mr.  J.  P.  Collier  in  his  edition  of  '  Dodsley's  Old 
/'lays,'  i.  153,  prints  from  a  MS.  what  is  apparently  a  por 
tion  of  this  Tragedy  as  it  was  then  acted,  written  in  alternate 
rhymes.  He  also  states  in  his  Hist,  of  Dram.  Poet,  that  it 
'  is  the  earliest  English  play  extant,  the  plot  of  which  is  known 
to  be  derived  from  an  Italian  novel."  ///.  13.  Ed.  1831. 
*  1572-3.  Our  Author  takes  his  KA.  at  Cambridge. 

1582.  Nov.  28.  Gabriel  Poyntz  presented  Robert  Wilmott,  clerk  to  the 
Rectory  of  North  Okendon,  Essex:  18  miles  from  London. 
Neiucoitrt  Kcpertoriuui,  ii.  447.  Ed.  1710. 

Flemyngs  is  a  large  manor  house  in  Essex  in  the  parish  of  Runwell,  in  the 
hundred  of  Chelmsford  ;  from  which  town  it  is  ten  miles  distant,  and  about 
twenty-nine  miles  from  London.  '  This  house  commands  extensive  views  of 
some  parts  of  the  county  and  of  Kent,  including  more  than  thirty  parish 
churches.' 

Edward  Sulyard  succeeded,  on  the  death  of  his  father  Eustace  in  1546,  to 
Flemyngs  and  other  possessions.  He  had  two  sons,  Edward  and  Thomas, 
nnd  a  daughter  named  Eli/aheth.  He  was  knighted  on  23  July  i( 
Whitehall  by  James  I,  before  his  coronation:  and  died  in  June  1610.  Of  his 
two  sons,  Edward  died  without  issue;  Thomas,/'.  1573,  was  knighted,  and  d. 
March  1634;  leaving  a  son  Edward,  who  d.  7  Nov.  1692  without  issue,  'the 
last  of  the  Inm^e  and  family.'  See  \\' ,  Berry,  County  C,cn.  J:ssfX,  64.  T. 
Wright,  Hist,  of  Essex,  i.  142,  143.  Ed.  1831.  J.  P[hilipot]  Kuts.  Batch. 
ttiadt'  l<y  James  I.  1660. 

'1583  or  4.  Webbe  appears  to  have  been  at  this  time  private  tutor  to  Mr. 
Sulyard's  twoM)tis,  for  he  presented  his  MS.  translation  (now 
lost)  of  the  t;,;ir£ics  to  Mr.  Sulyard  :  see//.  55  and  16. 

1585.  DEC.  2.  The  Dean  and  Chapter  of  St.  Paul's  appoint  Robert  Wilmott, 
M.A.,  to  the  Yi<  ar.ti^r  of  llorndon  on  the  Hill,  twenty-four 
miles  from  London,  and  a  few  miles  from  Elemyngs,  where  his 
friend  Webbe  was  a  private  tutor.  Newcourtt  idem.  ii.  343. 


4  NOTES  OF  WILLIAM  WEBBE. 

1586.  Of  '  the  pregnant  ympes  of  right  excellent  hope,'  Thomas 
Sulyard  was  about  thirteen  years  old,  and  his  brother  Edward 
was  older  than  him. 

W.  Webbe  writes  the  present  work  in  the  summer  evenings. 
SEPT.  4.   It  is  thus  registered  for  publication. 
"  Robt.  Walley 
John  Charlewood,  Rd.  of  them,  for  printinge  A.  Discourse  of 

englishe  poetrye vjd." 

J'.~P.  Collier,  Extr.  ofStat.  Co.'s  Regrs.  ii.,  215.  Ed  1849. 

1587.  FEB.  5.   Margaret,  the  mother  of  Mr.  Sulyard  died.     She  is  buried  at 

Ron  well. 

1588.  Warton   quotes    "a  small  black-lettered   tract  entitled   The 
Touch-stone  of  Wittes,  chiefly  compiled,  with  some  slender 
additions,    from    William    Wehbe's    Discourse    of  English 
Poetrie,  written  by  Edward  Hake,  and  printed  at  London  by 
Edmund  Bollifant."    p.  804.  Ed.  1870. 

Our  Author — his  pupils  growing  to  manhood — then  appears  to  have  gone, 
possibly  also  in  the  same  capacity  of  private  tutor  into  the  family  of  Henry 
Grey,  Esquire  [created  Baron  Grey  of  Groby,  21  July  1603  :  d.  1614]  at 
Pirgo,  in  the  parish  of  Havering  atte  Bower,  Essex  ;  fifteen  miles  from  Lon 
don.  Dugdale  states  that  the  first  husband  of  one  of  the  daughters  of  this 
Henry  Grey,  Esquire,  was  a  lVillia»i  Siilyard,  Esquire.  Baron,  i.  722. 
Ed.  1675.  From  this  old  Palace  of  the  Queens  of  England  Webbe  wrote  the  fol 
lowing  letter  to  Wilmott,  which  is  reprinted  in  the  revised  edition  of  Tan- 
cred  and  Gisimind  published  in  1592:  of  which  there  are  copies  in  the 
Bodleian,  and  at  Bridgewater  House,  and  an  imperfect  one  in  the  British 
Museum  (C.  34,  e.  44). 

1591.  AUG.  8.  To  his  frend  R.  W.  Master  R.  W.  looke  not  now  for 
the  tearmes  of  an  intreator,  I  wil  beg  no  longer,  and  for  your 
promises,  I  wil  refuse  them  as  bad  paiment :  neither  can  I  be 
satisfied  with  any  thing,  but  a  peremptorie  performance  of  an 
old  intention  of  yours,  the  publishing  I  meane  of  those  wast 
papers  (as  it  pleaseth  you  to  cal  them,  but  as  I  esteem  them, 
a  most  exquisite  inuention)  of  Gisinunds  Tragedie.  Thinke 
not  to  shift  me  off  with  longer  delayes,  nor  alledge  more  ex 
cuses  to  get  further  respite,  least  I  arrest  you  with  my  Action 
est,  and  commence  such  a  Sute  of  ynkindenesse  against  you, 
as  when  the  case  shall  be  scand  before  the  Judges  of  courtesie, 
the  court  will  crie  out  of  your  immoderat  modestie.  And  thus 
much  I  tel  you  before,  you  shal  not  be  able  to  wage  against 
me  in  the  charges  growing  vpon  this  action,  especially,  if  the 
worshipful  company  of  the  Inner  temple  gentlemen  patronize 
my  cause,  as  vndoubtedly  they  wil,  yea,  and  rather  plead 
partially  for  me  then  let  my  cause  miscary,  because  them- 
selues  are  parties.  The  tragedie  was  by  them  most  pithely 
framed,  and  no  lesse  curiously  acted  in  view  of  her  Maiesty, 
by  whom  it  was  then  as  princely  accepted,  as  of  the  whole 
honorable  audience  notably  applauded  :  yea,  and  of  al  men 
generally  desired,  as  a  work,  either  in  statelines  of  shew, 
depth  of  conceit,  or  true  ornaments  of  poeticall  artej  inferior 
to  none  of  the  best  in  that  kinde  :  no,  were  the  Roman  Seneca 
the  censurer.  The  braue  youths  that  then  (to  their  high 
praises)  so  feelingly  performed  the  same  in  action,  did  shortly 
after  lay  vp  the  booke  vnregarded,  or  perhaps  let  it  run 
abroade  (as  many  parentes  doe  their  children  once  past 
dandling)  not  respecting  so  much  what  hard  fortune  might 
befall  it  being  out  of  their  fingers,  as  how  their  heroical  wits 
might  againe  be  quickly  conceiued  with  new  inuentions  of 
like  worthines,  wherof  they  haue  been  euer  since  wonderfull 
fertill.  But  this  orphan  of  theirs  (for  he  wandreth  as  it  were 
fatherlesse,)  hath  notwithstanding,  by  the  rare  and  bewtiful 
perfections  appearing  in  him,  hetherto  neucr  wanted  great 


NOTES  OF  WILLIAM  WEBBE.  5 

fauonrers,  and  louing  preseruers.  Among  whom  I  cannot 
sufficiently  commend  your  more  then  charitable  zeale,  and 
scholerly  compassion  towards  him,  that  haue  not  only  rescued 
and  defended  him  from  the  deuouring  iawes  of  obliuion,  but 
vouchsafed  also  to  apparrel  him  in  a  new  sute  at  your  own 
charges,  wherein  he  may  again  more  boldly  come  abroad, 
and  by  your  permission  retume  to  his  olde  parents,  clothed 
perhaps  not  in  richer  or  more  costly  furniture  than  it  went 
from  them,  but  in  handsomnes  and  fashion  more  answerable 
to  these  times,  wherein  fashions  are  so  often  altered.  Let  one 
word  suffice  for  your  encouragement  herein  :  namely,  your 
commendable  pains  in  disrobing  him  of  his  antike  curiositie, 
and  adorning  him  with  the  approoued  guise  of  our  stateliest 
Kti^Iishe  termes  (not  diminishing,  but  augmenting  his  arti- 
ficiall  colours  of  absolute  poesie,  deriuedfrom  his  first  parents] 
cannot  but  bee  grateful  to  most  mens  appetites,  who  vpon 
our  experience  we  know  highly  to  esteem  such  lofty  measures 
of  sententiously  composed  Tragedies. 

How  much  you  shal  make  me,  and  the  rest  of  your  priuate 
Trends  beholding  vnto  you,  1  list  not  to  discourse  :  and  there 
fore  grounding  vpon  these  alledged  reasons,  that  the  suppress 
ing  of  this  Tragedie,  so  worthy  for  ye  presse,  were  no  other 
thing  then  wilfully  to  defraud  your  selfe  of  an  vniuersall  thank, 
your  frends  of  their  expectations,  and  sweete  G.  of  a  famous 
eternitie.  I  will  cease  to  doubt  of  any  other  pretence  to 
cloake  your  bnshfulnesse,  hoping  to  read  it  in  print  (which 
lately  lay  neglected  amongst  your  papers)  at  our  next  ap 
pointed  meeting. 

I  bid  you  heartely  farewell.     From  Pyrgo  in  Essex,  August 
the  eight,  1591.       Tuns  fide  et  facilitate.       GUIL.  WEBBE. 
It  may  also  be  noted  that  VVilmott  dedicated  this  revised  tragedy  to  two 
Kvsex   ladies  :  one  of  whom  was   Lady   Anne  Grey,  the  daughter  of  Lord 
\Vind>or,  and  the  wife  of  the  above-mentioned  Henry  Grey,  Enquire  of  Pirgo. 
That  tlie  al  ove  R.  Wilmott,  Clergyman,  is  the  same  as  the  Reviser  of  the 
play  appears  from  the  following  passage  in  his  Preface. 

"  Hereupon  I  have  indured  some  conflicts  between  reason  and  judgement, 
whether  it  were  convenient  for  the  commonwealth,  and  the  indecorum  of  my 
calling  >s  some  think  it  that  the  memory  of  Ttuicreifs  Tragedy  should  be 
ai;ain  by  my  means  revised,  which  the  oftner  I  read  over,  and  the  more  I 
considered  thereon,  the  sooner  I  was  won  to  consent  thereunto  :  calling  to 
mind  that  neither  the  thrice  reverend  and  learned  father,  M.  Beza,  was 
ashamed  in  his  younger  years  to  send  abroad,  in  his  own  name,  his  Tragedy 
of  Abraham,  nor  that  rare  Scut  the  scholar  of  our  age)  />uc/ut>ia>i.  his  most 
pat  helical  Icptka."  '  Dods  ley's  Old  Plays'  ii.  165.  Ed.  by  J.  P.  Collier, 
1825. 

If  the  identity  may  be  considered  as  established,  Wilmott  the  Poet  lived 
on  tilli6nj  :  when  he  was  succeeded  on  his  death  by  W.  Jackson,  in  the 
Rectory  of  North  Okendon.  Nfn'cnnrt,  iiicin.  ii.  447. 

No  later  information  concerning  W.  Webbe  than  the  above  letter,  has  yet 
been  recovered. 


CONTEMPORARY   ENGLISH   AUTHORS 
Ki:i'Ki;i:i.i>  TO  IN  nir.  FOLLOWING  Difcourfe. 

G.R  ?   The  Sfnppe  of  Safeguard^  1569        .  .        35 

?  .  .  .  .  -35 

T.  CHURCHYARD.   ChuKhyvrcCs'Chippesl  1575;  Church- 

rant's  '  Chance,'  1580  ;    Churchyards  '  Charts,'  1580        33 
M.   I").   |?  Mailer  Dyer,  i.e.,  Sir  Edward  Dyer]       .  .       33 

?  DARKLI  i.  ?  .  .  .  -35 


6  CONTEMPORARY  ENGLISH  AUTHORS. 

R.  EDWARDES.  Par.  of  Dainty  Deznfes,  1576;  Comedies  33 
Sir  T.  ELYOT.  The  Governor,  1538  .  .  42,  43 

G.  GASCOIGNE.  Poftes,  1572;   The  Sleele  Glas,  &c.,  1576.       33 

B.  GoOGE.  Eglogs,  Epytaphes,  and  Sonettes,  1563  ;  tranf- 

lation  of  Palingenins    .  .  .  .  -34 

Sir  J.  GRANGE.    The  Golden  Aphroditis,  1577        .  .       35 

G.  HARVEY.          ...  .      35 

HEIWOOD  [either  JOHN  HEYWOOD  or  JASPER  HEYWOOD]  33 
W.  HUNNIS.  Paradife  of  Dainty  Devifes,  1576,  1578  .  33 
?  HYLL  ?  .  -33 

E.  K.  [i.e.  EDWARD  KIRKE]         ...  33,  53 

F.  K.  [?  Fr.  Kindlemarfh]  Par.  of  Dainty  Devifes,  1576,  1578    35 
J.  LYLY.  Enphues,  1579-80 ;  Plays  .  .  .46 
A.   MUNDAY.     The  Mirronr  of  Mutabilitie,    1579  ;    The 

Paine  of  Plcafure,  1580  .  .  -35 

T.  NORTON.  Joint  Author  of  Ferrex  and  Porrex,  1561      .       33 

C.  OCKLANDE.   Anglorum  Pralia,  1580,  1582       .  .        30 
[?  DR.  E.]  SANDJYS].  Par.  of  Dainty  Devifes,  1576,  &c.  .        33 
E.  SPENSER.   Shepheards  Calender,  1579,  1581,  1586    35,  52,  81 
HENRY,  Earl  of  SURREY.  Sonnets,  «Srv. ,  in  TotteVs  Miff.  1557    33 
T.   TUSSER.     Five  hundred  points  of  Good  Hnfbandrie, 

1557-80  .  .  -33 

THOMAS,  Lord  VAUX.  Sonnetes,  <Srv.,  in  Tottel's  Miff. 

1557  ;  and  Par.  of  Dainty  Devifes,  1576  .  -33 

E.  VERE,  Earl  of  OXFORD.  Unpublifhed  Sonnets  .  33 

G.  WHETSTONE.    The  Roc ke  of  Regard,  1576         .  .       35 
R.  WILMOTT.    Tancrcd  and  Gifnnmd,  1568           .  .        35 
S.  Y.  [?  M.  YLOOP,  i.e.  M.  POOLY  in  Par.  of  Dainty  Devifes}      33 

THE    TRANSLATORS. 
SENECA. 

J.    HEYWOOD.     Troas,    1559;     Thyejlcs,    1560;  Hercules 

Furens,  1561  .  34 

A.  NEVILL.   (Edipus,  1563  .  34 

J.  STUDLEY.  Medea,  1566;  Agamemnon,  1566  .  .  34 

OVID. 

G.  TURBERVILLE.   Heroical  Epijlles,  1567  .  .       34 

A.  GOLDING.  Metamorphofes,   1565  .  345  5l 

T.  CHURCHYARD.   Trijtia,  1578    .  .  -34 

T.  DRANT.   Satires,  1566 ;  Art  of  Poetrie,  1567        .  .       34 

VIRGIL. 

HENRY,  Earl  of  SURREY.  Two  Books  of  the  '  ^neid,'  1557  33 
T.  PHAER,  M.D.  <^\rd Books  of the^^Eneid,'  1558-1562  33,  46-51 
T.  TWYNE.  The  remaining  ?.\rd  Books,  1573  .  .  34 

A.FLEMING.  Bucolicks,  1575,  in  rhyme.     His  Gcorgicstt- 

ferred  to  at/.  55  appeared  in  1589      .  .  34,  55 


A  Difcoitrfe  of  Engli/h  Poetrie 


INTRODUCTION. 

Part  from  the  exceffive  rarity  of  this  work,  two 
copies  of  it  only  being  known ;  it  deferves 
permanent  republication  as  a  good  example 
of  the  bed  form  of  Effay  Writing  of  its  time  ;  and  as 
one  of  the  feries  of  Poetical  Criticifms  before  the  ad 
vent  of  Shakefpeare  as  a  writer,  the  fludy  of  which  is 
fo  effential  to  a  right  underflanding  of  our  befl  Verfe. 
Although  Poetry  is  the  mofl  ethereal  part  of 
Thought  and  Expreffion ;  though  Poets  mud  be  born 
and  cannot  be  made :  yet  is  there  an  art  of  Poefy ; 
fet  forth  long  ago  by  Horace  but  varying  with  differ 
ing  languages  and  countries,  and  even  with  different 
ages  in  the  life  of  the  fame  country.  In  our  tongue — 
Milton  only  excepted — there  is  nothing  approaching, 
either  in  the  average  merit  of  the  Journeymen  or  the 
fuperlative  excellence  of  the  few  Mafler-Craftfinen,  the 
Poefy  of  the  Elizabethan  age.  Hence  the  value  of 
thefe  early  Poetical  Criticifms.  Their  difcuffion  of 
principles  is  mod  helpful  to  all  readers  in  the  difcern- 
ment  of  the  fubtle  beauties  of  the  numberlefs  poems 
of  that  era  :  while  for  thofe  who  can,  and  who  will  ; 
they  will  be  found  fingularly  fuggedive  in  the  training 
of  their  own  Tower  of  Song,  for  the  indruclion  and 
delight  of  this  and  future  generations. 

A  Cambridge  graduate;  the  private  tutor,  for  lonie 
two  or  three  years  pad,  to  Edward  and  Thomas  Sul- 


8  Introduction. 

yard,  the  fons  of  Edward  Sulyard  Efquire,  of  Flem- 
yngs,  fituated  in  Effex,  fome  thirty  miles  diftant  from 
London :  our  Author  gave  his  leifure  hours  to  the 
ftudy  of  Latin  and  Engliih  poetry. 

He  had  acquainted  himfelf  with  our  older  Poets, 
and  with  the  contemporary  verfe:  and,  thinking  for 
himfelf,  he  endeavoured  to  fee  exaclly  what  Englifh 
poetry  actually  was,  and  what  it  might  and  mould  be 
come.  Doubtlefs  in  his  walks  in  the  large  park  fur- 
rounding  the  Old  Manor  Houfe  this  fubjecl  often  oc 
cupied  his  thoughts,  and  he  fat  down  to  commit  his 
opinions  to  the  prefs,  in  the  prefence  and  quietude  of 
a  large  and  fair  landfcape  ilretching  far  away  fouth- 
ward  beyond  the  Thames  into  Kent,  diverfined  with 
the  fpires  of  many  churches  and  the  mafls  of  many 
paffing  fliips :  and  all  illuminated  with  the  glow  and 
glory  of  the  fummer  evenings  of  1586. 

Webbe  was  as  much  affedled  with  the  '  immoderate 
modefly'  with  which,  five  years  later,  he  charged  Wil- 
mot,  as  any  of  the  writers  of  that  age.  He  dreads,  at 
/.  55,  the  unauthorized  publication  of  his  verfion  of 
the  Georgics,  and  he  muil  have  been  moved  deeply 
by  *  the  rude  multitude  of  rufticall  Rymers,  who  will 
be  called  Poets'  before  he  ventured  to  advocate  in 
print  'the  reformation  of  our  Englifh  Verfe,'  i.e.,  the 
abandonment  of  Rhyme  for  Metre. 

He  calls  his  work  '  a  Height  fomewhat  compiled  for 
recreation  in  the  intermyffions  of  my  daylie  bufmeffe,' 
yet  it  is  the  mofl  extenfive  piece  of  Poetical  Criticifm 
that  had  hitherto  appeared.  He  had  read,  for  he 
quotes  at  /.  64,  G.  Gafcoigne's  Certayne  Notes,  6°<r., 
1575:  alfo  Three  proper  and  wittie,  familiar  Letters, 
by  Immerito  [Edmund  Spenfer]  and  G[abriel  H[arvey] 
1580,  to  which  he  alludes  at/.  36.  He  may  have 
heard  of  Sir  P.  Sidney's  Apologie  for  Poetrie  [1582], 
then  circulating  in  manufcript,  or  of  the  young  Scotch 
King's  Reulis  and  Cautelis  of  Scotti/h  Poejie,  then  being 


Introduction.  9 

publifhed  at  Edinburgh.  Yet  none  of  thefe  is  fo 
lengthy,  nor  deals  with  the  fame  extent  of  fubject, 
nor  is  illuftrated  by  original  examples,  as  is  this 
Difcourfe. 

Though  the  book  is  an  honeft  one,  faithfully  repre- 
fenting  the  author's  robuil  mind  ;  it  was  written  under 
the  ilrong  influence  of  three  works  :  Afcham's  Schole- 
mafter,  1570;  Edwardes'  Paradife  of  Dainty  Dances, 
1576;  and  Spenfer's  Shepherdes  Calender,  anonymouily 
publifhed,  without  the  author's  confent,  by  E.  K.  [i.e., 
Edward  Kirke,  as  is  generally  believed]  in  1579.  He 
follows  Afcham  as  to  the  origin  of  Rhyme;  and  alfo  in 
his  error  as  to  SimmiasRhodiasat/.  57,£c.  He  quotes 
W.  Hunnis'  poem  at  /.  66,  from  the  collection  of 
Edwardes.  It  is  alfo  Webbe's  great  merit  as  a  lover 
and  judge  of  poetry,  that  he  inflinc~lively  fixes  upon 
the  Shepherdes  Calender  (never  openly  acknowledged 
by  Spenfer  in  his  lifetime)  as  the  revelation  of  a  great 
poet,  as  great  an  Englifh  Poet  indeed,  as  had  yet  ap 
peared.  That  Paftoral  Poem  gave  Webbe  a  higher 
reverence  for  Spenfer  than  his  great  Allegory  breeds 
refpecl  for  him  in  many,  now-a-days. 

The  facility  of  Rhyme,  at  a  time  when  there  were  many 
wonderfully  facile  Rhymers,  induced  Afcham,  AVebbe, 
and  many  others  to  feek  after  a  more  difficult  form  of 
Knglifh  verfe.  Claflical  feet  Webbe  himfelf  experi 
enced  to  be  a  'troublefome  and  unpleafant  peece  of 
labour,'  fo  he  fought  after  fomething  more  adapted  to 
the  nature  of  the  language,  'fome  perfect  platforme  or 
Profodia  of  verfifying.'  Blank  verfe  would  have  fatif- 
fied  him,  but  he  did  not  recognife  its  merits  in  Surrey's 
tranflation  of  the  JEneid.  He  is,  however,  warm  in 
his  praife  of  Phaer's  verfion  of  that  work  in  hexame 
ters  :  and  gives  us  three  pieces  of  reformed  verfe  of 
his  own  coinage ;  two  in  hexameters,  and  one  in 
fapphics. 

Finally,  AVebbe  wrote  'thefe  fewe  leaues'  'to  fliire 


i  o  Introduction. 

vppe  fome  other  of  meete  abilitie,  to  beftowe  trauell 
in  this  matter.'  His  wifh  had  been  anticipated.  Al 
ready  a  Matter  Critic  was  at  work — we  know  not  for 
certainty  whether  it  was  George  Puttenham,  or  who 
elfe — who,  beginning  to  write  in  1585,  publifhed  in 
1589  The  Arte  of  Englifh  Poefie  :  which  is  the  largeil 
and  ableft  criticifm  of  Englifh  Poefy  that  appeared  in 
print,  during  the  reign  of  Elizabeth. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY. 
in  tl)e  JVutljor's  lifetime. 

I. — As  a  feparate publication. 

1.  1586.   London.      I  vol.  4to.     See  title  on  oppofite  page. 

Of  the  two  copies  known,  the  one  here  re 
printed  is  among  the  Mai  one  books  in  the 
Bodleian.  The  other  paffed  from  hand  to 
hand  at  the  following  fales  :  always  increafmg 
in  price. 
1773.  APR.  8.  Mr.  West's  sale,  No.  1856,  IDS.  6d., 

to  Mr.  Pearson. 
1778.  APR.  22.  Mr.  Pearson's  sale,  No.  1888,  ,£3,  55., 

to  Mr.  Stevens. 
1800.   MAY  19.  Mr  Stevens'  sale,  No.  1128,   £8,  8s., 

to  the  Duke  of  Roxburghe. 
1812.  JUNE  2.  The  Roxburghe  sale,  No.    3168,  ^64, 

to  the  Marquis  of  Blandford. 

H&me*  ginee  tlje  Jlixtljor'*  fceatlj. 

I. — As  a  feparate  publication. 

3.   1870.    DEC.    i.    London.    Engli/h  Reprints:     fee  title    at 

1  vol.  8vo.        /.  i. 

II. _  With  other  works. 

2.  1815.  London.    Ancient  Critical  EJjTays.  Ed.   by  J.   Hafle- 

2  vols.  4to.         wood.      A  Difcourfe  of  Englijh  Poetrie  oc 

cupies  Vol.  ii.,  //.  13-95- 


ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 

V. 


•-•  £ 

I  . 
I 


CKXXXXXXX>OCK»3C>00000000000^^ 


ADifcourfeofEng- 
Poetrie. 


» 


Together,  with  the  Authors 
iudgment,  touching  the  re 
formation  of  our  Eng- 
lilh  Verfe. 


William  Webbe 
Graduate. 


£Y!^  \  Jmprinted  at  London,  \ 
^f         by  lohn  Charlewood  for 
Robert  VValley 
1586. 


()OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO()(K)()()000000000000000()0(H)()0()OOOOOOO 


To  the  right  vvorfhip- 

full,  learned,  and  moft  gentle  Gentle- 

man,  my  verie  good  Master,  Ma. 

Edward  Suliard,  Efquire.  W.  W. 

wylheth  his  harts  defire. 


|Ay  it  pleafe  you  Syr,  thys  once 
more  to  beare  with  my  rudenes,  in 
prefenting  vnto  your  viewe,  an  other 
/lender  conceits,  of  my  fimple  capa 
city:  wherin  although  lam  notable 
to  bring  you  ante  thing,  which  is 
mccte  to  delaine  you  from  your  more  ferious  matters: 
yet  Tpp.ui  my  knowledge  of  your  former  court  cfy  and 
your  faiiouniblc  countcnaunce  toivardes  all  entcrprifes 
of  Learning,  I  dare  make  bold  to  craue  your  accustomed- 
patience,  in  turning  oner  fome  of  thcfe  fewe  leaucs,  which 
I  Jliall  account  a  greater  recompence,  then  the  wry  ting 
thereof  may  defer  uc. 


i4  The  Epiftle. 

The  fir  me  hope  of  your  wonted  gentlenes,  not  any  good 
lyking  of  myne  owne  labour,  made  me  thus  prefumptu- 
oufly  to  craue  your  worships  patronage  for  my  poore 
booke.  A  pretty  aunfwere  is  reported  by  fome  to  be  made 
by  Appelles  to  King  Alexander,  who  (in  difport)  taking 
vp  one  of  his  penftlles  to  drawe  a  line,  and  asking  the 
Paynters  iudgment  of  his  draught,  It  is  doone  (quoth 
Apelles)  like  a  King.-  meaning  indeede  it  was  draw  en  as 
hepleafed,  but  was  nothing  lejfe  then  good  workmanshippe. 
Myfelfe  in  like  fort,  taking  vppon  me,  to  make  a  draught 
of  Englifh  Poetry,  and  requefti?ig  your  worJJiyps  cenfure 
of  the  fame,  you  wyll  perhaps  gyue  me  thys  verdict,  It 
was  doone  like  a  Scholler,  meaning,  as  I  could,  but 
indeede  more  like  to  a  learner,  then  one  through  grounded 
in  Poeticall  workmanship. 

Alexander  in  drawing  his  lyne,  leaned  fometime  too 
hard,  otherwhyle  too  foft,  as  neuer  hailing  beene  appren 
tice  to  the  Arte:  I  in  drawing  this  Poeticall  difcourfe, 
make  it  fome  where  toflraight  (leaning  out  the  cheefe  col- 
lour  es  and  ornaments  of  Poetry)  in  an  other  place  to  wyde 
(fluffing  in  peeces  little  pertinent  to  true  Poetry)  as  one 
neuer  acquainted  wyth  the  learned  Mufes.  What  then  ? 
as  he  being  a  king,  myght  meddle  in  what  Scyence  him 
lifted,  though  therein  hee  had  no  sky II:  fo  I  beeing  a 
learner,  wyll  try e  my  cunning  iti  fome  parts  of  Learning, 
though  neuer fofimple. 

Noive,  as  for  my  faucie  prejfingvppon  your  expefted 
fauor  in  crauing  your  iudgment,  I  befeech  you  let  me 


The  Epiftle.  15 

make  thys  excufe:  that  whereas  true  Gentilitie  did 
neuer  withdrawe  her  louing  affection  from  Lady  Learn 
ing^  so  I  am  perfwaded,  that  your  worshyppe  cannot 
chufe,  but  continue  your  wonted  fauourable  benignitie 
towardes  all  the  indetiourers  to  learning,  of  which 
corporation  /  doo  indeede  profeffe  my  felfe  one  ftllie 
member. 

Forfith  the  wryters  of  all  ages,  haue  fought  as  an  vn- 
doubted  Bulwarks  and  stedfajl  faucgarde  the  patronage 
of  Nobilitye,  (a  JJiielde  as  fure  as  can  be  to  learning) 
wherin  tofJirowde  andfafelye  place  their  fcuerall  inuen- 
tions:  why  should  not  Ifeekefome  harbour  for  my  poore 
trauell  to  reste  and  flaye  vppon,  beeing  of  it  felfe  vnable 
to  JJiyft  the  carping  cauillcs  and  byting  fcornes  of  lewde 
controllers  ? 

And  in  tructh,  where  myght  I  rather  choofe  a  fure 
defence  and  ready  e  refuge  for  the  fame,  then  where  I  fee 
perfecte  Gentility  e,  and  noblenejfe  of  minde,  to  be  fafle 
lynckcd  with  exccllencie  of  learning  and  affable  courtefye  ? 
Moreouer,  adde  thys  to  the  ende  of  myne  excufe:  that  I 
fende  it  into  your  fight,  not  as  anie  wyttiepeece  of  worke 
that  may  delight  you:  but  being  a  flcight fomewhat  com- 
pylcd  for  recreation,  in  the  intermyjjfions  of  my  day  lie 
bufinefle,  (euen  thys  Summer  Eucninges)  as  a  token  of 
that  earnest  and  unquenchable  defy  re  I  haue  to  shewe  my 
felfe  duct  If ull  and  welwylling  towardes  you.  W hereunto 
I  am  continually  enflamed  more  and  more,  when  I  con- 
fidereyther  your  fauourable  freendshyppe.  vfed  towardes 


16  The  Epiftle. 


or  your  gentle  countenaunce  JJiewed  to  my  fimple 
tranelles.  TJie  one  I  haue  tryed  in  that  homely  tranfla. 
tion  I  prefentcd  vnto  you:  the  other  Ifinde  true  in  your 
curteous  putting  to  my  truft,  and  dooing  me  fo  great 
honejly  and  credite,  with  the  charge  of  thefe  toward 
young  Gentlemen  your  fonnes. 

To  which  pregnant  ympes  of  right  excellent  hope,  I 
would  I  were  able,  or  you  myght  haue  occafion  to  make 
triall  of  my  lotting  minde:  who  shoulde  well  perceyue  my 
felfe  to  remayne  vnto  them  a  faythfull  and  tnifty  Achates, 
euenfofarre  as  my  wealth  my  woe,  my  power  or  per  rill, 
my  penne  or  witte,  my  health  or  lyfe  may  feme  to  ferche 
myne  ability. 

Huge  heapes  of  wordes  I  myght  pyle  together  to  trouble 
you  withall:  eyther  of  my  felfe  or  of  my  dooinges,  (as 
fome  doo)  or  of  your  worJJiyppes  commendable  vertues  (as 
the  mojle  doo)  But  I  purpofely  chuft  rather  to  let  paffe 
thefpreading  of  that  worthy  fame  which  you  haue  euer 
deferued,  then  to  runne  in  fufpicion  of  fawning  flattery 
which  I  euer  abhorred. 

Therefore  once  againe  craning  your  gentle  pardon, 

and  patience  in   your  ouerlooking  thys  rude 

Epiftle:  and  wyshing  more  happinejfe  then 

my  penne  can  exprejfeto  you  and  your 

whole  retinewe,  I  rest. 

(•••) 

Your  worJJiippes  faithfiill 

Seruant.  VV.  W. 


A  Preface  to  the  noble 
Poets  of  Englande. 


|Mong  the  innumerable  fortes  of  Eng- 
lyfhe  Bookes,  and  infinite  fardles  of 
printed  pamphlets,  wherewith  thys 
Countrey  is  peftered,  all  fhoppes 
{luffed,  and  euery  fludy  furniflied: 
the  greateft  part  I  thinke  in  any 
one  kinde,  are  fuch  as  are  either 
meere  Poeticall,  or  which  tende  in  fome  refpecle  (as 
either  in  matter  or  forme)  to  Poetry.  Of  fuch  Bookes 
therfore,  fith  I  haue  beene  one,  that  haue  had  a 
defire  to  reade  not  the  feweft,  and  becaufe  it  is  an 
argument,  which  men  of  great  learning  haue  no  ley- 
fure  to  handle,  or  at  leail  hauing  to  doo  with  more 
ferious  matters  doo  leaft  regarde :  If  I  write  fomething, 
concerning  what  I  thinke  of  our  Englifh  Poets,  or  ad- 
uenture  to  fette  downe  my  fimple  iudgement  of  Englifh 
Poetrie,  I  truft  the  learned  Poets  will  giue  me  leaue, 
and  vouchfafe  my  Booke  paffage,  as  beeing  for  the 
rudeneffe  thereof  no  preiudice  to  their  noble  fludies, 
but  euen  (as  my  intent  is)  an  injlar  cotis  to  ftirre  vppe 
fome  other  of  meete  abilitie,  to  beftowe  trauell  in  this 
matter:  whereby  I  thinke  wee  may  not  onelie  get  the 
meanes  which  wee  yet  want,  to  difcerne  betweene  good 
writers  and  badde,  but  perhappes  alfo  challenge  from 
the  rude  multitude  of  mflicall  Rymcrs,  who  will  be 
called  Poets,  the  right  practife  and  orderly  courfe  of 
true  Poetry. 

It  is  to  be  wondred  at  of  all,  and  is  lamented  of 
B 


i g  The  Preface. 

manie,  that  where  as  all  kinde  of  good  learning,  haue 
afpyred  to  royall  dignitie  and  flatelie  grace  in  our 
Englifti  tongue,  being  not  onelie  founded,  defended, 
maintained,  and  enlarged,  but  alfo  purged  from  faultes, 
weeded  of  errours,  and  pollilhed  from  barbaroufnes,  by 
men  of  great  authoritie  and  iudgement :  onelie  Poetrie 
hath  founde  feweft  frends  to  amende  it,  thofe  that  can, 
referuing  theyr  fkyll  to  themfelues,  thofe  that  cannot, 
running  headlong  vppon  it,  thinking  to  garnilh  it  with 
their  deuifes,  but  more  corrupting  it  with  fantailicall 
errours.  What  fhoulde  be  the  caufe,  that  our  Englifh 
fpeeche  in  fome  of  the  wyfeft  mens  iudgements,  hath 
neuer  attained  to  anie  fufficient  ripenes,  nay  not  ful 
auoided  the  reproch  of  barbaroufnes  in  Poetry  ?  the 
rudenes  of  the  Countrey,  or  bafeneffe  of  wytts/  or  the 
courfe  DialcR  of  the  fpeeche  ?  experience  vtterlie  dif- 
proueth  it  to  be  anie  of  thefe.-  what  then?  furelie  the 
canckred  enmitie  of  curious  cuflome.-  which  as  it  neuer 
was  great  freend  to  any  good  learning,  fo  in  this  hath 
it  grounded  in  the  moft,  fuch  a  negligent  perfwafion 
of  an  impoffibilitie  in  matching  the  bell,  that  the  finefl 
witts  and  moft  diuine  heades,  haue  contented  them 
felues  with  a  bafe  kinde  of  fingering/  rather  debafing 
theyr  faculties,  in  fetting  forth  theyr  fkyll  in  the  cour- 
feft  manner,  then  for  breaking  cuftome,  they  would 
labour  to  adorne  their  Countrey  and  aduaunce  their 
ftyle  with  the  highefl  and  moft  learnedft  toppe  of 
true  Poetry.  The  rudenes  or  vnaptneffe  of  our 
Countrey  to  be  either  none  or  no  hinderaunce,  if 
reformation  were  made  accordinglie,  the  exquifite  ex 
cellency  in  all  kindes  of  good  learning  nowe  flourim- 
ing  among  vs,  inferiour  to  none  other  nation,  may 
fufficiently  declare. 


The  Preface.  i9 

That  there  be  as  fharpe  and  quicke  wittes  in  Eng 
land  as  euer  were  among  the  peereleffe  Grecians,  or 
renowmed  Romaines,  it  were  a  note  of  no  witte  at  all 
in  me  to  deny.  And  is  our  fpeeche  fo  courfe,  or  our 
phrafe  fo  harflie,  that  Poetry  cannot  therein  finde  a 
vayne  whereby  it  may  appeare  like  it  felfe  ?  why  mould 
we  think  fo  bafely  of  this  ?  rather  then  of  her  filler,  I 
meane  Rhetoricall  Eloqwttion,  which  as  they  were  by 
byrth  Twyns,  by  kinde  the  fame,  by  originall  of  one 
defcent:  fo  no  doubt,  as  Eloquence  hath  founde  fuch 
fauoures,  in  the  Englifli  tongue,  as  me  frequenteth  not 
any  more  gladly:  fo  would  Poetry e  if  there  were  the 
like  welcome  and  entertainment  gyuen  her  by  our 
Englifh  Poets,  without  queflion  afpyre  to  wonderfull 
perfection,  and  appeare  farre  more  gorgeous  and  delect 
able  among  vs.  Thus  much  I  am  bolde  to  fay  in 
behalfe  of  Poetrie,  not  that  I  meane  to  call  in  queflion 
the  reuerend  and  learned  workes  of  Poetrie,  written  in 
our  tongue  by  men  of  rare  iudgement,  and  moil  excel 
lent  Poets:  but  euen  as  it  were  by  way  of  fupplication 
to  the  famous  and  learned  Lawreat  Maflers  of  Eng- 
lande,  that  they  would  but  confult  one  halie  howre 
with  their  heaucnly  Mufe,  what  credite  they  might 
winne  to  theyr  natiue  fpeeche,  what  enormities  they 
might  wipe  out  of  Englifli  Poetry,  what  a  fitte  vaine 
they  might  frequent,  wherein  to  fhewe  forth  their  worthie 
faculties:  if  Englifli  Poetrie  were  truely  reformed,  and 
fome  perfect,  platforme  or  Profodia  of  verfifying  were 
by  them  ratifyed  and  fette  downe :  eyther  in  immitation 
of  Greekes  and  Latines,  or  where  it  would  fkant  abyde 
the  touch  of  theyr  Rules,  the  like  obferuations  felccUd 
and  eflablifhed  by  the  naturall  affectation  of  the 
fpeeche.  Thus  much  I  fay,  not  to  pcrfwadc  you  that 


20  The  Preface. 

are  the  fauourers  of  Englifhe  Poetry  but  to  mooue  it 
to  you :  beeing  not  the  firfle  that  haue  thought  vpon 
this  matter,  but  one  that  by  confent  of  others,  haue 
taken  vppon  me  to  lay  it  once  again  in  your  wayes,  if 
perhaps  you  may  flumble  vppon  it,  and  chance  to  looke 
fo  lowe  from  your  diuine  cogitations,  when  your  Mufe 
mounteth  to  the  flarres,  and  ranfacketh  the  Spheres  of 
heauen/  whereby  perhaps  you  may  take  compaffion  of 
noble  Poetry,  pittifullie  mangled  and  defaced,  by  rude 
finatterers  and  barbarous  immitatours  of  your  worthy 
ftudies.  If  the  motion  bee  worthy  your  regard  it  is 
enough  to  mooue  it,  if  not,  my  wordes  woulde  fimply 
preuaile  in  perfwading  you,  and  therefore  I  reft  vppon 
thys  onely  requeft,  that  of  your  courtefies,  you  wyll 
graunt  paffage,  vnder  your  fauourable  corrections,  for 
this  my  fimple  cenfure  of  Englifti  Poetry,  wherein  if 
you  pleafe  to  runne  it  oner,  you  (hall  knowe  breefely 
myne  opinion  of  the  moil  part  of  your  accuftomed 
Poets  and  particularly,  in  his  place,  the  lyttle 
fomewhat  which  I  haue  fifted  out  of  my 
weake  brayne  concerning  thys 
reformed  verfifying. 

VV:      VV: 


A   Difcourfe  of  Eng- 

lifhe  Poetrie. 


Xtending  to  write  fome  difcourfe  of 
Englifh  Poetrie,  I  thinke  it  not 
amyfie  if  I  fpeake  fomething  gene 
rally  of  Poetrie,  as,  what  it  is,  whence 
it  had  the  beginning,  and  of  what 
eilimation  it  hath  ahvayes  beene 
and  ought  to  be  among  al  forts  of 
people.  Poetrie  called  in  Greeke 
7ro€Tpia,  bccing  deriued  from  the  Verbe  TTOICW,  which 
fignifieth  in  Latine  faccre,  in  Englifh,  to  make,  may 
properly  be  defined,  the  arte  of  making :  which  word 
as  it  hath  alwaies  becne  efpecially  vfed  of  the  bed  of 
our  Knglifh  Poets,  to  expreffe  ye  very  faculty  of 
fpcaking  or  wryting  Poetically,  fo  doth  it  in  dccdc 
containc  mod  fitly  the  whole  grace  and  property  of 
the  fame,  ye  more  fullye  and  effectually  then  any  other 
Englifh  Verbe.  That  Poetry  is  an  Arte,  (or  rather  a 
more  excellent  thing  then  can  be  contayned  wytliin 
the  compaffe  of  Arte)  though  1  neede  not  ftancle  long 
to  prootie,  both  the  witnes  of  Horace*  who  wrote  tic 
arte  J  \h1ica,  and  of  Terence,  who  calleth  it  Artem 
JMuficam,  and  the  very  naturall  property  thereof  may 
fufficiently  declare:  The  beginning  of  it  as  appeareth 
by  Plato,  was  of  a  vertuoiis  and  moil  deuout  purpofe, 


22 


A  Difcourfe  of 


who  witnefleth,  that  by  occafion  of  meeting  of  a  great 
company  of  young  men,  to  folemnize  ye  feafts  which 
were  called  Panegeryca,  and  were  wont  to  be  cele 
brated  euery  fift  yeere,  there,  they  that  were  moft  preg 
nant  in  wytt,  and  indued  with  great  gyfts  of  wyfedome 
and  knowledge  in  Muficke  aboue  the  reft  did  vfe 
commonly  to  make  goodly  verfes,  meafured  according 
to  the  fweeteft  notes  of  Muficke,  containing  the  prayfe 
of  fome  noble  vertue,  or  of  immortalitie,  or  of  fome 
fuch  thing  of  greateft  eftimation:  which  vnto  them 
feemed,  fo  heauenly  and  ioyous  a  thing,  that,  think 
ing  fuch  men  to  be  infpyrde  with  fome  diuine  inftinct 
from  heauen,  they  called  them  Vates.  So  when  other 
among  them  of  the  finefl  wits  and  apteft  capacities 
beganne  in  imitation  of  thefe  to  frame  ditties  of  lighter 
matters,  and  tuning  them  to  the  ftroake  of  fome  of  the 
pleafanteft  kind  of  Muficke,  then  began  there  to  grow 
a  diflinction  and  great  diuerfity  betweene  makers  and 
makers.  Whereby  (I  take  it)  beganne  thys  difference  : 
that  they  which  handled  in  the  audience  of  the  people, 
graue  and  neceffary  matters,  were  called  wife  men  or 
eloquent  men,  which  they  meant  by  Dates',  and  the 
reft  which  fange  of  loue  matters,  or  other  lighter 
deuifes  alluring  vnto  pleafure  and  delight,  were  called 
Poetcz  or  makers.  Thus  it  appeareth,  both  Eloquence 
and  Poetrie  to  haue  had  their  beginning  and  originall 
from  thefe  exercifes,  beeing  framed  in  fuch  fweete 
rneafure  of  fentences  and  pleafant  harmonic  called 
Pi0/z,os,  which  is  an  apt  compofition  of  wordes  or 
claufes,  drawing  as  it  were  by  force  ye  hearers  eares 
euen  whether  foeuer  it  lyfteth:  that  Plato  affirmeth 
therein  to  be  contained  Ao^reta  an  inchauntment,  as 
it  were  to  perfwade  them  anie  thing  whether  they  would 
or  no.  And  heerehence  is  fayde,  that  men  were  firft 
withdrawne  from  a  wylde  and  fauadge  kinde  of  life,  to 
ciuillity  and  gentlenes,  and  ye  right  knowledge  of 
humanity  by  the  force  of  this  meafurable  or  tunable 
fpeaking. 

This  opinion  fhall  you  finde  confirmed  throughout 


Englifh  Poetrie.  23 

the  whole  workes  of  Plato  and  Arijlotle.  And  that  fuch 
was  the  eftimation  of  this  Poetry  at  thofe  times,  that  they 
fuppofed  all  wifedome  and  knowledge  to  be  included 
myftically  in  that  diuine  inftinction,  wherewith  they 
thought  their  Vates  to  bee  infpyred.  Wherevpon, 
throughout  the  noble  workes  of  thofe  mod  excellent 
Philofophers  before  named,  are  the  authorities  of  Poets 
very  often  alledged.  And  Cicero  in  his  Tiifculane  quef- 
tions  is  of  that  minde,  that  a  Poet  cannot  expreffe 
verfes  aboundantly,  fufficiently,  and  fully,  neither  his 
eloquence  can  flowe  pleafauntly,  or  his  wordes  founde 
well  and  plenteoufly,  without  celefliall  inftinction: 
which  Poets  themfelues  doo  very  often  and  gladlie 
witnes  of  themfelues,  as  namely  Quid  in.  6.  Eafto: 
Est  dcus  in  nobis  Agiiante  call cf  dm  us  illo.  etc.  Where- 
vnto  I  doubt  not  equally  to  adioyne  the  authoritye  of 
our  late  famous  Englifh  Poet,  who  wrote  the  Shcep- 
hcanis  Calender,  where  lamenting  the  decay  of  Poetry, 
at  thefe  dayes,  faith  moft  fweetely  to  the  fame. 

Then  make  thee  winges  of  thine  afpyring  wytt, 

And  whence  thou  cameft  flye  back  to  heauen  apace,  etc. 

Whofe  fine  poeticall  witt,  and  moft  exquifite  learning, 
as  he  (hewed  aboundantly  in  that  peece  of  worke,  in  my 
judgment  inferiour  to  the  workes  neither  of  Theocritus 
in  llrecke,  nor  Virgill  in  Latine,  whom  hee  narrowly 
immitateth:  fo  I  nothing  doubt,  but  if  his  other  workes 
were  common  abroade,  which  are  as  I  thinke  in  ye  clofe 
cuftodie  of  certaine  his  freends,  we  fhould  haue  of  our 
owne  Poets,  whom  wee  might  matche  in  all  refpects 
with  the  beft.  And  among  all  other  his  workes  what- 
foeuer,  I  would  wyfh  to  haue  the  fight  of  hys  EugUJJi 
J\><-/,  which  his  freend  E.  K.  did  once  promife  to 
publillie,  which  whether  he  performed  or  not,  I  kmnve 
not,  if  he  did,  my  happe  hath  not  beene  fo  good  as 
yet  to  fee  it. 

But  to  returne  to  the  eftimation  of  Poetry.  Befides 
ye  great  and  profitable  fruites  contained  in  Poetry,  for 


24  A  Difcourfe  of 

the  inftructioR  of  manners  and  precepts  of  good  life 
(for  that  was  cheefly  refpected  in  the  firil  age  of  Poetry) 
this  is  alfo  added  to  the  eternall  commendations  of 
that  noble  faculty :  that  Kinges  and  Princes,  great  and 
famous  men,  did  euer  encourage,  mayntaine,  and  reward 
Poets  in  al  ages :  becaufe  they  were  thought  onely  to 
haue  the  whole  power  in  their  handes,  of  making  men 
either  immortally  famous  for  their  valiaunt  exploytes 
and  vertuous  exercifes,  or  perpetually  infamous  for 
their  vicious  Hues.  Wherevppon  it  is  faid  of  Achilles, 
that  this  onely  vantage  he  had  of  Heflor,  that  it  was 
his  fortune  to  be  extolled  and  renowned  by  the  hea- 
uenly  verfe  of  Homer.  And  as  Tully  recordeth  to  be 
written  of  Alexander,  that  with  natural  teares  he  wept 
ouer  Achilles  Tombe,  in  ioy  that  he  concerned  at  the 
confideration,  howe  it  was  his  happe  to  be  honoured 
wyth  fo  diuine  a  worke,  as  Homers  was.  Arijlotle,  a 
mod  prudent  and  learned  Philofopher,beeing  appointed 
Schoolemafler  to  the  young  Prince  Alexander,  thought 
no  worke  fo  meete  to  be  reade  vnto  a  King,  as  the 
worke  of  Homer:  wherein  the  young  Prince  being  by 
him  inftructed  throughly,  found  fuch  wonderfull  delight 
in  the  fame  when  hee  came  to  maturity,  that  hee  would 
not  onely  haue  it  with  him  in  all  his  iourneyes,  but  in 
his  bedde  alfo  vnder  his  pyllowe,  to  delight  him  and 
teache  him  both  nights  and  dayes.  The  fame  is 
reported  of  noble  Scipio,  who  finding  the  two  Bookes 
of  Homer  in  the  fpoyle  of  Kyng  Darius,  efteemed  them 
as  wonderfull  precious  lewelles,  making  one  of  them 
his  companion  for  the  night,  the  other  for  the  day. 
And  not  onely  was  he  thus  affected  to  yat  one  peece 
or  parte  of  Poetry,  but  fo  generally  he  loued  the  profef- 
fors  thereof,  that  in  his  mod  ferious  affayres,  and  hot 
ted  warres  againd  Numantia  and  Carthage  he  could 
no  whitte  be  without  that  olde  Poet  Ennius  in  his 
company.  But  to  fpeake  of  all  thofe  noble  and  wyfe 
Princes,  who  bare  fpeciall  fauour  and  countenaunce  to 
Poets,  were  tedious,  and  would  require  a  rehearfall  of 
all  fuch,  in  whofe  time  there  grewe  any  to  credite  and 


Englifh  Poetrie.  25 

edimation  in  that  faculty.  Thus  farre  therefore  may 
fuffice  for  the  eflimation  of  Poets.  Nowe  I  thinke 
mod  meete,  to  fpeake  fomewhat,  concerning  what  hath 
beene  the  vfe  of  Poetry,  and  wherin  it  rightly  confided, 
and  whereof  confequently  it  obteyned  fuch  eflimation. 

To  begin  therefore  with  the  fird  that  was  fird  worthe- 
lye  memorable  in  the  excellent  gyft  of  Poetrye,  the 
bed  wryters  agree  that  it  was  Orpheus,  who  by  the 
fweete  gyft  of  his  heauenly  Poetry,  withdrew  men  from 
raungyng  vncertainly,  and  wandring  brutifhly  about, 
and  made  them  gather  together,  and  keepe  company, 
made  houfes,  and  kept  fellowfhippe  together,  who 
therefore  is  reported  (as  Horace  fayth)  to  affwage  the 
fierceneffe  of  Tygers,  and  mooue  the  harde  Flynts. 
After  him  was  Amphion,  who  was  the  firfl  that  caufed 
Citties  to  bee  builded,  and  men  therein  to  hue  decently 
and  orderly  according  to  lawe  and  right.  Next,  was 
Tyrtceits,  who  began  to  practife  warlike  defences,  to 
keepe  back  enemies,  and  faue  themfelues  from  inuafion 
of  foes.  In  thys  place  I  thinke  were  moll  conuenient 
to  rehearfe  that  auncient  Poet  Pyndants:  but  of  the 
certainc  time  wherein  he  flourifhed,  I  am  not  very 
certaine :  but  of  the  place  where  he  continued  mode, 
it  fhoulde  feeme  to  be  the  Citty  of  Thebes,  by  Plinie 
who  reporteth,  that  Alexander  in  facking  the  fame 
Cittie,  woulde  not  fuller  the  houfe  wherein  lie  dwelt  to 
be  fpoyled  as  all  the  red  \vcre.  After  thefe  was  Homer, 
who  as  it  were  in  one  fumme  comprehended  all  know 
ledge,  wifedome,  learning,  and  pollicie,  that  was  inci 
dent  to  the  capacity  of  man.  And  who  fo  liile  to  take 
vicwe  of  hys  two  Hookes,  one  of  his  Iliadcs,  the  other 
his  ujijsi'ii,  (hall  throughly  perceiue  what  the  right  vfe 
of  Poetry  is:  which  indeede  is  to  mingle  profite  with 
pleafure,  and  fo  to  delight  the  Reader  with  pleafantnes 
of  hys  Arte,  as  in  ye  mcane  time,  his  mind  may  be  well 
indructed  with  knowledge  and  wifedome.  For  fo  did 
that  worthy  Poet  frame  thofe  his  two  workes,  that  in 
reading  the  fir  ft,  that  is  his  Iliads,  by  declaring  and 
fetting  forth  fo  liuely  the  Grecians  affemUy  againd 


26  A  Difcourfe  of 

Troy,  together  with  their  proweffe  and  fortitude  againft 
their  foes,  a  Prince  fhall  learne  not  onely  courage,  and 
valiantneffe,  but  difcretion  alfo  and  pollicie  to  encounter 
with  his  enemies,  yea  a  perfect  forme  of  wyfe  confulta- 
tions,  with  hisCaptaines,  and  exhortations  to  the  people, 
with  other  infinite  commodities. 

Agayne,  in  the  other  part,  wherein  are  defcribed  the 
manifold  and  daungerous  aduentures  of  Viiffes,  may  a 
man  learne  many  noble  vertues:  and  alfo  learne  to 
efcape  and  auoyde  the  fubtyll  practifes,  and  perrilous 
entrappinges  of  naughty  perfons :  and  not  onely  this, 
but  in  what  fort  alfo  he  may  deale  to  knowe  and  per- 
ceiue  the  affections  of  thofe  which  be  neere  vnto  him, 
and  mofl  familiar  with  him,  the  better  to  put  them  in 
truft  with  his  matters  of  waight  and  importaunce. 
Therefore  I  may  boldly  fette  downe  thys  to  be  the 
trueft,  auncientefl  and  befl  kinde  of  Poetry,  to  direct 
ones  endeuour  alwayes  to  that  marke,  that  with  delight 
they  may  euermore  adioyne  commoditie  to  theyr 
Readers:  which  becaufe  I  grounde  vpon  Homer  the 
Prince  of  all  Poets,  therefore  haue  I  alledged  the  order 
of  his  worke,  as  an  authority  fufficiently  proouing  this 
affertion. 

Nowe  what  other  Poets  which  followed  him,  and 
beene  of  greatefl  fame,  haue  doone  for  the  mofle 
parte  in  their  feuerall  workes  I  wyll  briefely,  and  as  my 
(lender  ability  wyll  feme  me  declare.  But  by  my  leaue, 
I  mufl  content  my  felfe  to  fpeake  not  of  all,  but  of  fuch 
as  my  felfe  haue  feene,  and  beene  bed  acquainted 
withall,  and  thofe  not  all  nor  the  moile  part  of  the 
auncient  Grecians,  of  whom  I  know  not  how  many 
there  were,  but  thefe  of  the  Latinifts,  which  are  of 
greatefl  fame  and  moft  obuious  among  vs. 

Thus  much  I  can  fay,  that  Ariftotle  reporteth  none 
to  haue  greatly  flourifhed  in  Greece,  at  leafl  wyfe  not 
left  behynd  them  any  notable  memoriall,  before  the 
time  of  Homer.  And  Tully  fayth  as  much,  that  there 
were  none  wrytt  woorth  the  reading  twyce  in  the 
Romaine  tongue,  before  ye  Poet  Ennius.  And  furely 


Englifh  Poetrie.  2y 

as  the  very  fumme  or  cheefefl  eflence  of  Poetry,  dyd 
ahviiyes  for  the  moft  part  confifl  in  delighting  the 
readers  or  hearers  wyth  pleafure,  fo  as  the  number  of 
Poets  increafed,  they  ftyll  inclyned  thys  way  rather 
then  the  other,  fo  that  moil  of  them  had  fpeciall 
regarde,  to  the  pleafantneffe  of  theyr  fine  conceytes, 
whereby  they  might  drawe  mens  mindes  into  admira 
tion  of  theyr  inuentions,  more  then  they  had  to  the 
profitte  or  commodity e  that  the  Readers  fhoulde 
reape  by  their  works.  And  thus  as  I  fuppofe  came 
it  to  paffe  among  them,  that  for  the  moll  part  of  them, 
they  would  not  write  one  worke  contayning  fome  ferious 
matter :  but  for  the  fame  they  wold  likewife  powre  foorth 
as  much  of  fome  wanton  or  laciuious  inuention.  Yet 
fome  of  the  auncienteft  fort  of  Grecians,  as  it  feemeth 
were  not  fo  much  difpofed  to  vayne  delectation:  as 
Arijbtle  fayth  of  Empcdodes,  that  in  hys  iudgment  he 
was  onely  a  naturall  Philofopher,  no  Poet  at  all,  nor 
that  he  was  like  vnto  Homer  in  any  thing  but  hys 
meeter,  or  number  of  feete,  that  is,  that  hee  wrote  in 
verfe.  After  the  time  of  Homer,  there  began  the  firfle 
Comedy  wryters,  who  compyled  theyr  workes  in  a  better 
flile  which  continued  not  long,  before  it  was  expelled 
by  penalty,  for  fcofting  too  broade  at  mens  manners, 
and  the  prime  reuengements  which  the  Poets  vfed 
againfl  their  ill  wyllers.  Among  thefe  was  Eupolis, 
Cratinus,  and  Ariftophenes^  but  afterward  the  order  of 
thys  wryting  Comedies  was  reformed  and  made  more 
plaufible:  then  wrytte  Plato,  Comicits,  Mcnandcr,  and 
I  knowe  not  who  more. 

There  be  many  moft  profitable  workes,  of  like  anti 
quity,  or  rather  before  them,  of  the  Tragedy  writers: 
as  of  Euripides,  and  Sophocles,  then  was  there  J^hoci- 
//</<•.»•  and  'J'hcagincs,  with  many  other  :  which  Tragedies 
had  their  inuention  by  one  Thefpis,  and  were  pollilhed 
and  amended  by  sEfchilns.  The  profitte  or  difcom- 
inoditie  which  aryfeth  by  the  vfe  of  thefe  Comedies  and 
Tragedies,  which  is  moll,  hath  beene  long  in  contro- 
uerfie,  and  is  fore  vrged  among  vs  at  thefe  dayes :  what 


28  A  Difcourfe  of 

I  thinke  of  the  fame,  perhaps  I  mall  breefely  declare 
anon. 

Nowe  concerning  the  Poets  which  wrote  in  homely 
manner,  as  they  pretended,  but  indeede,  with  great 
pythe  and  learned  iudgment,  fuch  as  were  the  wryters 
of  Sheepeheards  talke  and  of  hufbandly  precepts,  who 
were  among  the  Grecians  that  excelled,  befides  Theo 
critus  and  Hefiodus  I  know  not,  of  whom  the  firft, 
what  profitable  workes  he  left  to  pofterity,  befides  hys 
LIUlia  or  contentions  of  Goteheards,  tending  mofl  to 
delight,  and  pretty  inuentions,  I  can  not  tell.  The 
other,  no  doubt  for  his  Argument  he  tooke  in  hande, 
dealt  very  learnedly  and  profitably,  that  is,  in  precepts 
of  Hufbandry,  but  yet  fo  as  he  myxed  much  wanton 
iluffe  among  the  reft. 

The  firft  wryters  of  Poetry  among  the  Latines, 
fhoulde  feeme  to  be  thofe,  which  excelled  in  the  fram 
ing  of  Commedies,  and  that  they  continued  a  long  time 
without  any  notable  memory  of  other  Poets.  Among 
whom,  the  cheefeft  that  we  may  fee  or  heare  tell  of, 
were  thefe.  Ennius,  Cceci/iits,  Nccuius,  Licinius,  Atti- 
lius,  Turpitius,  Trabea,  Lufcius,  Plautus,  and  Terms. 
Of  whom  thefe  two  laft  named,  haue  beene  euer  fince 
theyr  time  moft  famous,  and  to  thefe  dayes  are  efteemed, 
as  greate  helpes  and  furtheraunces  to  the  obtayning  of 
good  Letters.  But  heere  cannot  I  ftaye  to  fpeake  of 
the  moft  famous,  renowned  and  excellent,  that  euer 
writte  among  the  Latine  Poets,  P.  Virgill,  who  per 
formed  the  very  fame  in  that  tongue,  which  Homer  had 
doone  in  Greeke :  or  rather  better  if  better  might  as 
Sex.  Propert.  in  his  Elegies  gallantly  recordeth  in  his 
praife,  Nefcio  quid  magis  nafdtur  Iliade.  Vnder  the 
perfon  of  ^Eneas  he  expreffeth  the  valoure  of  a  worthy 
Captaine  and  valiaunt  Gouernour,  together  with  the 
perrilous  aduentures  of  warre,  and  polliticke  deuifes  at 
all  affayes.  And  as  he  immitateth  Homer  in  that  worke, 
fo  dooth  he  likewyfe  followe  the  very  fteps  of  Theo 
critus,  in  his  moft  pythy  inuentions  of  his  sEglogues-. 
and  likewyfe  Hefiodus  in  his  Georgicks  or  bookes  of 


Englifh  Poetrie.  29 

Hufbandry,  but  yet  more  grauely,  and  in  a  more  decent 
ilyle.  But  notwithftanding  hys  fage  grauity  and  won- 
derfull  wifedome,  dyd  he  not  altogether  reflrayne  his 
vayne,  but  that  he  would  haue  a  cad  at  fome  wanton 
and  fkant  comely  an  Argument,  if  indeede  fuch  trilles 
as  be  fathered  vppon  him  were  his  owne.  There  fol 
lowed  after  him,  very  many  rare  and  excellent  Poets, 
whereof  the  mofl  part  writt  light  matters,  as  Epigram- 
mes  and  Elegies,  with  much  pleafant  dalliance,  among 
whom  may  be  accounted  Propertius,  Tibullits,  Catullus, 
with  diuers  whom  Quid  fpeaketh  of  in  diners  places  of 
his  workes.  Then  are  there  two  Hyfloricall  Poets,  no 
leffe  profitable  then  delightfome  to  bee  read :  Siliits  and 
Lucamis:  the  one  declaring  the  valiant  proweffe  of  two 
noble  Captaines,  one  enemie  to  the  other,  that  is,  Scipio 
and  Hanibt'll:  the  other  likewife,  the  fortitude  of  two 
expert  warriours  (yet  more  lamentably  then  the  other 
becaufe  thefe  warres  were  ciuill)  Pompcy  and  Cu'fiir. 
The  next  in  lyme  (but  as  mod  men  doo  account,  and 
fo  did  he  himfelfe)  the  fecond  in  dignity,  we  will  ad 
ioyne  0///V/,  a  moil  learned,  and  exquifite  Poet.  The 
worke  of  greateil  profitte  which  he  wrote,  was  his 
Booke  of  Metamorphofts,  which  though  it  confided  ot 
fayned  Fables  for  the  mod  part,  and  poeticall  inuentions, 
yet  beeing  moralized  according  to  his  meaning,  and  the 
trueth  of  euery  tale  beeing  dilcouered,  it  is  a  worke  of 
exceeding  wyfedome  and  founde  iudgnicnt.  If  one 
lyd  in  like  manner,  to  haue  knowledge  and  perfect 
intelligence  of  thole  rytes  and  ceremonies  which  were 
obferued  after  the  Religion  of  the  Heathen,  no  more 
profitable  worke  for  that  purpofe,  then  his  bookes 
/)<•  ftis/is.  The  red  of  his  dooinges,  though  they  teiule 
to  the  vayne  delights  of  lone  and  dalliaunce  (except 
his  THsttbus  wherein  hebewayleth  hys  exile)  yet  furely 
are  mixed  with  much  good  counfayle  and  profitable 
leflbns  if  they  be  wifely  and  narrowly  read.  After  his 
time  I  know  no  worke  of  any  great  fame,  till  the  time 
of  7/,'niiY,  a  Poet  not  of  the  fmoothed  dyle,  but  in 
iharpneffe  of  wytt  inieriour  to  none,  and  one  to  whom 


3o  A  Difcourfe  of 

all  the  reft  both  before  his  time  and  fince,  are  very  much 
beholding.  About  the  fame  time  luuenall  and  Perfius, 
then  Martial,  Seneca  a  moll  excellent  wryter  of  Trage 
dies,  Boetius,  Lucretius •,  Statins,  Val\  Flaccus,  Manilius, 
Aufonius,  Claudian,  and  many  other,  whofe  iufl  times 
and  feuerall  woorkes  to  fpeake  of  in  this  place,  were 
neither  much  needefull,  nor  altogeather  tollerable, 
becaufe  I  purpofed  an  other  argument.  Onely  I  will 
adde  two  of  later  times,  yet  not  farre  inferiour  to  the 
moft  of  them  aforefayde,  Pallengenius,  and  Bap.  Man- 
tuanus,  and  for  a  fmguler  gyft  in  a  fweete  Heroicall 
verfe,  match  with  them  Chr.  Odan.  the  Authour  of 
our  Anglorum  Prcelia.  But  nowe  leaft  I  flray  too  farre 
from  my  purpofe,  I  wyl  come  to  our  Englifh  Poets,  to 
whom  I  would  I  were  able  to  yeelde  theyr  deferued 
commendations :  and  affoorde  them  that  cenfure,  which 
I  know  many  woulde,  which  can  better,  if  they  were 
nowe  to  write  in  my  fleede. 

I  know  no  memorable  worke  written  by  any  Poet  in 
our  Englifh  fpeeche,  vntill  twenty  yeeres  pafl:  where 
although  Learning  was  notgenerally  decayde  at  anytime, 
efpecially  fince  the  Conqueft  of  King  William  Duke  of 
Normandy,  as  it  may  appeare  by  many  famous  works 
and  learned  bookes  (though  not  of  this  kinde)  wrytten 
by  Byfhoppes  and  others :  yet  furelye  that  Poetry  was 
in  fmall  price  among  them,  it  is  very  manifeft,  and  no 
great  maruayle,  for  euen  that  light  of  Greeke  and  Latine 
Poets  which  they  had,  they  much  contemned,  as  ap- 
peareth  by  theyr  rude  verfifying,  which  of  long  time 
was  vfed  (a  barbarous  vfe  it  was)  wherin  they  conuerted 
the  naturall  property  of  the  fweete  Latine  verfe,  to  be 
a  balde  kinde  of  ryming,  thinking  nothing  to  be  lear 
nedly  written  in  verfe,  which  fell  not  out  in  ryme,  that 
is,  in  wordes  whereof  the  middle  worde  of  eche  verfe 
mould  found  a  like  with  the  lall,  or  of  two  verfes,  the 
ende  of  both  mould  fall  in  the  like  letters  as  thus. 

O  male  vinentes,  verfus  audite  fequentes. 


Englifh  Poetrie.  3I 

And  thus  likewyfe. 

Propter  hcec  et  alia  dogmata  doclorum 
Rcor  effe  melius  et  magis  decor  urn: 
Quifquefuam  habeat,  et  non  proximonun. 

This  brutifh  Poetrie,  though  it  had  not  the  beginning 
in  this  Countrey,  yet  fo  hath  it  beene  affected  heere,  that 
the  infection  thereof  would  neuer  (nor  I  thinke  euer 
will)  be  rooted  vppe  againe:  I  meane  this  tynkerly 
verfe  which  we  call  ryme :  Matter  Afcham  fayth,  that 
it  firft  began  to  be  followed  and  maintained  among  the 
Hunnes  and  Gothians,  and  other  barbarous  Nations, 
who  with  the  decay  of  all  good  learning,  brought  it  into 
Italy,  from  thence  it  came  into  Frauncc,  and  fo  to 
Germany,  atlaftconueyed  into  England,  by  men  indeede 
of  great  wifedome  and  learning,  but  not  confiderate  nor 
circumfpect  in  that  behalfe.  But  of  this  I  muft  intreate 
more  heereafter. 

Hairy  the  firft.  King  of  that  name  in  England,  is 
wonderfully  extolled,  in  all  auncient  Recordes  of  me 
mory,  for  hys  finguler  good  learning,  in  all  kinde  of 
noble  (Indies,  in  fo  much  as  he  was  named  by  his  fur- 
name  Beauclcark,  as  much  to  fay,  as  Fayrcclcrkc 
(whereof  perhappes  came  ye  name  of  Fayrcdtwe)  what 
knowledge  hee  attained  in  the  fkyll  of  Poetry,  I  am 
not  able  to  fay,  I  report  his  name  for  proofe,  that 
learning  in  this  Country  was  not  little  efleemed  of  at 
that  rude  time,  and  that  like  it  is,  among  other  (Indies, 
a  King  would  not  neglect  the  faculty  of  Poetry.  The 
firft.  of  our  Kn^lifh  Poets  that  I  haue  heard  of,  was  John 
6V/VW-,  about  the  time  of  king  Rychard  the  fcromle,  as 
it  ftiould  kvme  by  certayne  conjectures  bothe  a  Knight, 
and  queftionlcffe  a  finguler  well  learned  man:  whofe 
workes  I  could  wyfh  they  were  all  whole  and  jKTkrt 
among  vs,  for  no  doubt  they  contained  very  much  deepe 
knowledge  and  delight:  which  maybe  gathered  by  his 
freend  Chaucer,  who  fpeaketh  of  him  oftentimes,  in 


32  A  Difcourfe  of 

diuer[s]  places  of  hys  workes.  Chawcer,  who  for  that 
excellent  fame  which  hee  obtayned  in  his  Poetry,  was 
alwayes  accounted  the  God  of  Englifh  Poets  (fuch  a 
tytle  for  honours  fake  hath  beene  giuen  him)  was  next 
after,  if  not  equall  in  time  to  Gower,  and  hath  left  many 
workes,  both  for  delight  and  profitable  knowledge,  farre 
exceeding  any  other  that  as  yet  euer  fince  hys  time 
directed  theyr  ftudies  that  way.  Though  the  manner 
of  hys  ilile  may  feeme  blunte  and  courfe  to  many  fine 
Englifh  eares  at  thefe  dayes,  yet  in  trueth,  if  it  be  equally 
pondered,  and  with  good  iudgmeiit  aduifed,  and  con 
firmed  with  the  time  wherein  he  wrote,  a  man  mail 
perceiue  thereby  euen  a  true  picture  or  perfect  fhape 
of  a  right  Poet.  He  by  his  delightfome  vayne,  fo 
gulled  the  eares  of  men  with  his  deuifes,  that,  although 
corruption  bare  fuch  fway  in  mod  matters,  that  learning 
and  truth  might  fkant  bee  admitted  to  fhewe  it  felfe, 
yet  without  controllment,  myght  hee  gyrde  at  the  vices 
and  abufes  of  all  flates,  and  gawle  with  very  fharpe  and 
eger  inuentions,  which  he  did  fo  learnedly  and  plea- 
fantly,  that  none  therefore  would  call  him  into  queftion. 
For  fuch  was  his  bolde  fpyrit,  that  what  enormities  he 
faw  in  any,  he  would  not  fpare  to  pay  them  home, 
eyther  in  playne  words,  or  els  in  fome  prety  and  pleafant 
couert,  that  the  fimplefl  might  efpy  him. 

Neere  in  time  vnto  him  was  Lydgate  a  Poet,  furely 
for  good  proportion  of  his  verfe,  and  meetely  currant 
flyle,  as  the  time  affoorded  comparable  with  Chawcer, 
yet  more  occupyed  in  fuperfticious  and  odde  matters, 
then  was  requefite  in  fo  good  a  wytte :  which,  though 
he  handled  them  commendably,  yet  the  matters  them- 
felues  beeing  not  fo  commendable,  hys  eftimation  hath 
beene  the  "leffe.  The  next  of  our  auncient  Poets,  that 
I  can  tell  of,  I  fuppcfe  to  be  Pierce  Ploughman,  who 
in  hys  dooinges  is  fome  what  harftie  and  obfcure,  but 
indeede  a  very  pithy  wryter,  and  (to  hys  commendation 
I  fpeake  it)  was  the  firft  that  I  haue  feene,  that  obferued 
ye  quantity  of  our  verfe  without  the  curiofity  of  Ryme. 

Since  thefe  I  knowe  none  other  tyll  the  time  of 


Englifh  Poetrie.  33 

Skdton,  who  writ  in  the  time  of  Kyng  Henry  the  eyght, 
who  as  indeede  he  obtayned  the  Lawrell  Garland,  fo 
may  I  wy th  good  ryght  yeelde  him  the  title  of  a  Poet : 
hee  was  doubtles  a  pleafant  conceyted  fellowe,  and  of 
a  very  fharpe  wytte,  exceeding  bolde,  and  would  nyppe 
to  the  very  quicke  where  he  once  lette  holde.  Next 
hym  I  thynke  I  may  place  mafter  George  Gajkoyne,  as 
painefull  a  Souldier  in  the  affayres  of  hys  Prince  and 
Country,  as  he  was  a  wytty  Poet  in  his  wryting :  whofe 
commendations,  becaufe  I  found  in  one  of  better 
v.'iit  then  my  felfe,  I  wyl  fette  downe  hys  wordes, 
and  fuppreffe  myne  owne,  of  hym  thus  wryteth  E.  K. 
vppon  the  ninth  sEglogue  of  the  new  Poet. 

Matter  George  Gajkoyne  a  wytty  Gentleman  and  the 
very  cheefe  of  our  late  rymers,  who  and  if  fome  partes 
of  learning  wanted  not  (albeit  is  well  knowne  he  altoge 
ther  wanted  not  learning)  no  doubt  would  haue  attayned 
to  the  excellencye  of  thofe  famous  Poets.  For  gyfts 
of  wytt,  and  naturall  promptnes  appeare  in  him  aboun- 
dantly.  I  might  next  fpeake  of  the  dyuers  workes  of 
the  olde  Earle  of  Surrey :  of  the  L.  Vaus,  of  Norton, 
of  Brijlow,  Ediwdes,  Tuffcr,  Churchyard.  Wyl\ 
Jfitnnis'.  JIaiu'ood:  Sand\  Jfyll:  S.  Y.  M.  D.  and 
many  others,  but  to  fpeake  of  their  feuerall  gyfts,  and 
aboundant  fkyll  mewed  forth  by  them  in  many  pretty 
and  learned  workes,  would  make  my  difcourfe  much 
more  tedious. 

I  may  not  omitte  the  deferued  commendations  of 
many  honourable  and  noble  Lordes,  and  Gentlemen,  in 
!.  r  Maieilies  Courte,  which  in  the  rare  deuifes  of 
Poetry,  haue  beenc  and  yet  are  mod  excellent  fkyl- 
full,  among  whom,  the  right  honourable  Karle  of  '  I 
may  challenge  to  him  felfe  the  tytle  of  ye  mod  excellent 
among  the  refl.  I  can  no  longer  forget  thofe  learned 
( ientlemen  which  tooke  fuch  profitable  paynes  in  trans 
lating  the  Latine  Poets  into  our  Knglilh  tongue,  whole 
deiertes  in  that  behalfe  are  more  then  I  can  vtter. 
Among  tliefe,  I  euer  efteemed,  and  while  I  lyue,  in  my 
conceyt  I  fluill  account  Mailer/). PIuw\  without  doubt 
c 


34  A  Difcourfe  of 

the  beft:  who  as  indeede  hee  had  the  bell  peece  of 
Poetry  whereon  to  fette  a  mod  gallant  verfe,  fo  per 
formed  he  it  accordingly,  and  in  fuch  fort,  as  in  my 
confcience  I  thinke  would  fcarcely  be  doone  againe,  if 
it  were  to  doo  again.  Notwithstanding,  I  fpeak  it  but 
as  myne  own  fancy,  not  preiudiciall  to  thofe  that  lift  to 
thinke  otherwyfe.  Hys  worke  whereof  I  fpeake,  is  the 
englifhing  of  jEneidos  of  Virgill,  fo  farre  foorth  as  it 
pleafed  God  to  fpare  him  life,  which  was  to  the  halfe 
parte  of  the  tenth  Booke,  the  reft  beeing  fince  wyth  no 
leffe  commendations  finifhed,  by  that  worthy  fcholler 
and  famous  Phifition  Mailer  Thomas  Twyne. 

Equally  with  him  may  I  well  adioyne  Mailer  Arthur 
Golding,  for  hys  labour  in  englifhing  Quids  Metamor- 
phofis,  for  which  Gentleman,  furely  our  Country  hath 
for  many  refpects  greatly  to  gyue  God  thankes:  as  for 
him  which  hath  taken  infinite  paynes  without  ceafmg, 
trauelleth  as  yet  indefatigably,  and  is  addicted  without 
fociety,  by  his  continuall  laboure,  to  profit  this  nation 
and  fpeeche  in  all  kind  of  good  learning.  The  next, 
very  well  deferueth  Mailer  Barnabe  Googe  to  be  placed, 
as  a  painefull  furtherer  of  learning :  hys  helpe  to  Poetry 
befides  hys  owne  deuifes,  as  the  tranflating  of  Pallen- 
genius.  Lodiac.  Abraham  Flemming  as  in  many  prety 
Poefis  of  hys  owne,  fo  in  tranflating  hath  doone  to  hys 
commendations.  To  whom  I  would  heere  adioyne  one 
of  hys  name,  whom  I  know  to  haue  excelled,  as  well 
in  all  kinde  of  learning  as  in  Poetry  moft  efpecially, 
and  would  appeare  fo,  if  the  dainty  morfelles,  and  fine 
poeticall  inuentions  of  hys,  were  as  common  abroade 
as  I  knowe  they  be  among  fonie  of  hys  freendes.  I  wyl 
craue  leaue  of  the  laudable  Authors  of  Seneca  in  Eng- 
lifh,  of  the  other  partes  of  Quid,  of  Horace,  of  Mantuan, 
and  diners  other,  becaufe  I  would  haften  to  ende  thys 
rehearfall,  perhappes  offenfyue  to  fome,  whom  eyther 
by  forgetfulnes,  or  want  of  knowledge,  I  mufL  needes 
ouer  paffe. 

And  once  againe,  I  am  humbly  to  defire  pardon  of 
the   learned   company  of  Gentlemen  Schollers,  and 


Englifh  Poetrie.  35 

(ludents  of  the  Vniuerfities,  and  Innes  of  Courte,  yf  I 
omitte  thcyr  feuerall  commendations  in  this  place, 
which  I  knowe  a  great  number  of  them  haue  worthely 
deferued,  in  many  rare  deuifes,  and  finguler  inuentions 
of  Poetrie :  for  neither  hath  it  beene  my  good  happe, 
to  haue  feene  all  which  I  haue  hearde  of,  neyther  is 
my  abyding  in  fuch  place,  where  I  can  with  facility  get 
knowledge  of  their  workes. 

One  Gentleman  notwithftanding  among  them  may  I 
not  ouerflyppe,  fo  farre  reacheth  his  fame,  and  fo  worthy 
is  he,  if  hee  haue  not  already,  to  weare  the  Lawrell 
wreathe,  Mafter  George  Whet/lone,  a  man  fmgularly 
well  fkyld  in  this  faculty  of  Poetrie:  To  him  I  wyl 
ioyne  Anthony  Munday,  an  earned  traueller  in  this 
arte,  and  in  whofe  name  I  haue  feene  very  excellent 
workes,  among  which  furely,  the  moil  exquifite  vaine 
of  a  witty  poeticall  heade  is  mewed  in  the  fweete  fobs 
of  Sheepheardes  and  Nymphes :  a  worke  well  worthy 
to  be  viewed,  and  to  bee  efteemed  as  very  rare  Poetrie. 
With  thefe  I  may  place  John  Graiuige,  Knyght,  VVyl- 
mott,  Darrcll,  F.  C.  F.  K.  G.  B.  and  many  other, 
whofe  names  come  not  nowe  to  my  remembraunce. 

This  place  haue  I  purpofely  referued  for  one,  who 
if  not  only,  yet  in  my  iudgement  principally  deferueth 
the  tytle  of  the  righted  Englifh  Poet,  that  euer  I  read : 
that  is,  the  Author  of  the  Sheepeheardes  Kalender, 
intituled  to  the  woorthy  Gentleman  Mafter  J* hi  Hip 
Sydney,  whether  it  was  Mafter  Sp.  or  what  rare  Schol- 
ler  in  Pembrooke  Hall  foeuer,  becaufe  himfelf  and  his 
freendes,  for  what  refpect  I  knowe  not,  would  not 
reueale  it,  I  force  not  greatly  to  fette  downe :  forry  I 
am  that  I  can  not  find  none  other  with  whom  I  might 
couple  him  in  this  Catalogue,  in  his  rare  gyft  of  Poetry: 
although  one  there  is,  though  nowe  long  fmcc,  ferioully 
occupied  in  grauer  iludies,  (Mafter  Gabridl Haruey) 
yet,  as  he  was  once  his  moft  fpecial  freende  and  fellow 
Poet,  fo  becaufe  he  hath  taken  fuch  paynes,  not  onely 
in  his  Latin  Poetry  (for  which  he  enioyed  great  com 
mendations  of  the  beft  both  in  Judgment  and  dignity  in 


36  A  Difcourfe  of 

thys  Realme)  but  alfo  to  reforme  our  Englifh  verfe,  and 
to  beautify  the  fame  with  braue  deuifes,  of  which  I 
thinke  the  cheef e  lye  hidde  in  hatefull  obfcurity :  there 
fore  wyll  I  aduenture  to  fette  them  together,  as  two  of 
the  rarefl  witts,  and  learnedfl  matters  of  Poetrie  in 
England.  Whofe  worthy  and  notable  fkyl  in  this 
faculty,  I  would  wyfh  if  their  high  dignities  and  ferious 
bufmeffes  would  permit,  they  would  ftyll  graunt  to  bee 
a  furtheraunce  to  that  reformed  kinde  of  Poetry,  which 
Mailer  Haruey  did  once  beginne  to  ratify :  and  furely 
in  mine  opinion,  if  hee  had  chofen  fome  grauer  matter, 
and  handled  but  with  halfe  that  ikyll,  which  I  knowe 
he  could  haue  doone,  and  not  powred  it  foorth  at  a 
venture,  as  a  thinge  betweene  iett  and  earned,  it  had 
taken  greater  effect  then  it  did. 

As  for  the  other  Gentleman,  if  it  would  pleafe  him 
or  hys  freendes  to  let  thofe  excellent  Poemes,  whereof 
I  know  he  hath  plenty,  come  abroad,  as  his  Dreames, 
his  Legends,  his  Court  of  Cupid,  his  English  Poet  with 
other:  he  fhoulde  not.  onely  flay  the  rude  pens  of  my 
felfe  and  others,  but  alfo  fatiffye .  the  thirtty  defires  of 
many  which  defire  nothing  more,  then  to  fee  more  of 
hys  rare  inuentions.  If  I  ioyne  to  Matter  Haruey  hys 
two  Brethren,  I  am  affured,  though  they  be  both  bufied 
with  great  and  waighty  callinges  (the  one  a  godly  and 
learned  Diuine,  the  other  a  famous  and  fkylfull  Phifition) 
yet  if  they  lytted  to  fette  to  their  helping  handes  to 
Poetry,  they  would  as  much  beautify  and  adorne  it  as 
any  others. 

If  I  let  paffe  the  vncountable  rabble  of  ryming  Ballet 
makers  and  compylers  of  fenceleffe  fonets,  who  be  mott 
bufy,  to  ttuffe  euery  flail  full  of  groffe  deuifes  and  vn- 
learned  Pamphlets :  I  trutt  I  mall  with  the  bett  fort  be 
held  excufecL  Nor  though  many  fuch  can  frame  an 
Alehoufe  fong  of  nue  of  fixe  fcore  verfes,  hobbling  vppon 
fome  tune  of  a  Northen  lygge,  or  Robyn  hoode,  or 
La  lubber  etc.  And  perhappes  obferue  iuft  number  of 
fillables,  eyght  in  one  line,  fixe  in  an  other,  and  there 
withall  an  A  to  make  a  iercke  in  the  ende :  yet  if  thefe 


Englifh  Poetrie.  37 

might  be  accounted  Poets  (as  it  is  fayde  fome  of  them 
make  meanes  to  be  promoted  to  ye  Lawrell)  furely  we 
mall  fhortly  haue  whole  fwarmes  of  Poets:  and  euery 
one  that  can  frame  a  Booke  in  Ryme,  though  for  want 
of  matter,  it  be  but  in  commendations  of  Copper  nofes 
or  Bottle  Ale,  wyll  catch  at  the  Garlande  due  to  Poets : 
whofe  potticall  poeticall  (I  fhould  fay)  heades,  I  would 
wyfhe,  at  their  wormipfull  comencements  might  in 
fleede  of  Lawrell,  be  gorgioufly  gamimed  with  fayre 
greene  Barley,  in  token  of  their  good  affection  to  our 
Englifhe  Malt.  One  fpeaketh  thus  homely  of  them,  with 
whofe  words  I  wyll  content  my  felfe  for  thys  time,  be- 
caufe  I  woulde  not  bee  too  broade  wyth  them  in  myne 
o\vne  fpeeche. 

In  regarde  (he  meaneth  of  the  learned  framing  the 
newe  Poets  workes  which  writt  the  Sheepheardes  Calen 
der.)  I  fcorne  and  fpue  out  the  rakehelly  rout  of  our 
ragged  Rymers,  (for  fo  themfelues  vfe  to  hunt  the  Let 
ter)  which  without  learning  boafle,  without  iudgment 
iangle,  without  reafon  rage  and  fume,  as  if  fome  inftinct 
of  poeticall  fpyrite  had  newlie  rauifhed  them,  aboue 
the  meaneffe  of  common  capacity.  And  beeing  in 
the  midfl  of  all  their  brauery,  fuddainly  for  want  ot 
matter  or  of  Ryme,  or  hauing  forgotten  their  former 
conceyt,  they  leeme  to  be  fo  payned  and  trauelled  in 
theyr  remembraunce,  as  it  were  a  woman  in  Chyldbyrth, 
or  as  that  fome  Pythia  when  the  traunce  came  vpon 
her.  Os  raludum  fcra  cor  da  Jo  mans  etc. 


Hus  farre  foorth  haue  I  aduentuivd  to  fetie 
<lo\vne  parte  of  my  fimple  Judgement  con 
cerning  thofe  Poets,  with  whom  for  the 
moll  part  I  haue  beene  acquainted  through 
myne  owne  reading:  whicl}  though  it  may 


3s  A  Difcourfe  of 

feeme  fomething  impertinent  to  the  tytle  of  my  Booke, 
yet  I  truft  the  courteous  Readers  wyll  pardon  me,  con- 
fidering  that  poetry  is  not  of  that  grounde  and  antiquity 
in  our  Englim  tongue,  but  that  fpeaking  thereof  only 
as  it  is  Englim,  would  feeme  like  vnto  the  drawing  of 
ones  pycture  without  a  heade. 

Nowe  therefore  by  your  gentle  patience,  wyll  I  wyth 
like  breuity  make  tryall,  what  I  can  fay  concerning 
our  Englifhe  Poetry,  firft  in  the  matter  thereof,  then  in 
the  forme,  that  is,  the  manner  of  our  verfe :  yet  fo  as 
I  muft  euermore  haue  recourfe  to  thofe  times  and 
wryters,  whereon  the  Englim  poetry  taketh  as  it  were 
the  difcent  and  proprietye. 

Englim  Poetry  therefore  beeing  coniidered  accord 
ing  to  common  cuftome  and  auncient  vfe,  is,  where 
any  worke  is  learnedly  compiled  in  meafurable  fpeeche, 
and  framed  in  wordes  contayning  number  or  propor 
tion  of  iufl  fyllables,  delighting  the  readers  or  hearers 
as  well  by  the  apt  and  decent  framing  of  wordes  in 
equall  refemblance  of  quantity,  commonly  called  verfe, 
as  by  the  fkyllfull  handling  of  the  matter  whereof  it  is 
intreated.  I  fpake  fomewhat  of  the  beginning  of  thys 
meafuring  of  wordes  in  iufl  number,  taken  out  of 
Plato:  and  indeede  the  regarde  of  true  quantity  in 
Letters  and  fyllables,  feemeth  not  to  haue  been  much 
vrged  before  the  time  of  Homer  in  Greece,  as 
Ariftotle  witneffeth. 

The  matters  whereof  verfes  were  firft  made,  were 
eyther  exhortations  to  vertue,  dehortations  from  vice, 
or  the  prayfes  of  fome  laudable  thing.  From  thence 
they  beganne  to  vfe  them  in  exercifes  of  immitating 
fome  vertuous  and  wife  man  at  their  feafles :  where  as 
fome  one  fhoulde  be  appointed  to  reprefent  an  other 
mans  perfon  of  high  eflimation,  and  he  fang  fine  ditties 
and  wittie  fentences,  tunably  to  their  Mufick  notes. 
Of  thys  fprang  the  firfl  kinde  of  Comedyes,  when  they 
beganne  to  bring  into  thefe  exercifes,  more  perfons 
then  one,  whofe  fpeeches  were  deuifed  Dyalogue  wife, 
in  aunfwering  one  another.  And  of  fuch  like  exer- 


Englifh  Poetrie.  39 

cifes,  or  as  fome  wyll  needes  haue  it,  long  before  the 
other,  began  the  firft  Tragedies,  and  were  fo  called  of 
r/oayos,  becaufe  the  Actor  when  he  began  to  play  his 
part,  flewe  and  offered  a  Goate  to  their  Goddeffe :  but 
Commedies  tooke  their  name  of  Ko/zafeiv  KCU  aSctv 
comefsatum  ire,  to  goe  a  feafting,  becaufe  they  vfed  to 
goe  in  proceffion  with  thek  fport  about  the  Citties  and 
Villages,  mingling  much  pleafaunt  myrth  vvyth  theyr 
graue  Religion,  and  feafling  cheerefully  together  wyth 
as  great  ioy  as  might  be  deuifed.  But  not  long  after 
(as  one  delight  draweth  another)  they  began  to  inuent 
new  perfons  and  newe  matters  for  their  Comedies, 
fuch  as  the  deuifers  thought  meetefl  to  pleafe  the 
peoples  vaine:  And  from  thefe,  they  beganne  to  pre- 
fent  in  fhapes  of  men,  the  natures  of  vertues  and 
vices,  and  affections  and  quallities  incident  to  men, 
as  luflice,  Temperance,  Pouerty,  Wrathe,  Vengeaunce, 
Sloth,  Valiantnes,  and  fuch  like,  as  may  appeare  by 
the  auncient  workes  of  Ariftophanes.  There  grewe  at 
laft  to  be  a  greater  diuerfitye  betweene  Tragedy  wryters 
and  Comedy  wryters,  the  one  expreffing  onely  forrow- 
full  and  lamentable  Hyftories,  bringing  in  the  perfons 
of  Gods  and  Goddeffes,  Kynges  and  Queenes,  and 
great  Rates,  whofe  parts  were  cheefely  to  expreffe  mod 
miferable  calamities  and  dreadfull  chaunces,  which 
innvafed  worfe  and  worfe,  tyll  they  came  to  the  mofl 
wofull  plight  that  might  be  deuifed. 

The  Comedies  on  the  other  fide,  were  directed  to  a 
contrary  cndc,  which  beginning  doubtfully,  drewe  to 
fome  trouble  or  turmoyle,  and  by  fome  lucky  chaunce 
alwayes  ended  to  the  ioy  and  appeafement  of  all 
parties.  Thys  diftinction  grewe  as  fome  holde  opinion, 
by  immitation  of  the  workes  of  Homer  :  for  out  of  his 
Iliads,  the  Tragedy  wryters  founde  dreadfull  clients, 
whereon  to  frame  their  matters,  and  the  other  out  of 
hys  Odyffea  tooke  arguments  of  delight,  and  pleafant 
ending  after  dangerous  and  trouble  fome  doubles.  So 
that,  though  there  be  many  fortes  ofpoeticall  wrytings, 
and  Poetry  is  not  debarred  from  any  matter,  which 


4o  A  Difcourfe  of 

may  be  expreffed  by  penne  or  fpeeche,  yet  for  the 
better  vnderflanding,  and  breefer  method  of  thys 
difcourfe,  I  may  comprehende  the  fame  in  three  fortes, 
which  are  Comicall,  Tragicall,  Hiftori[c]all.  Vnder  the 
firfl,  may  be  contained  all  fuch  Epigrammcs,  Elegies 
and  delectable  ditties,  which  Poets  haue  deuifed  re- 
fpecting  onely  the  delight  thereof:  in  the  feconde,  all 
dolefull  complaynts,  lamentable  chaunces,  and  what 
foeuer  is  poetically  expreffed  in  forrow  and  heauines. 
In  the  third,  we  may  comprife,  the  refte  of  all  fuch 
matters,  which  is  indifferent  betweene  the  other  two, 
doo  commonly  occupy  the  pennes  of  Poets :  fuch,  are 
the  poeticall  compyling  of  Chronicles,  the  freendly 
greetings  betweene  freendes,  and  .very  many  fortes 
befides,  which  for  the  better  diftinction  may  be  refer 
red  to  one  of  thefe  three  kindes  of  Poetry.  But  once 
againe,  leafl  my  difcourfe  runne  too  farre  awry,  wyll 
I  buckle  my  felfe  more  neerer  to  Englifh  Poetry:  the 
vfe  wherof,  becaufe  it  is  nothing  different  from  any 
other,  I  thinke  beft  to  confirme  by  the  teflimony  of 
Horace,  a  man  worthy  to  beare  authority  in  this 
matter:  whofe  very  opinion  is  this,  that  the  perfect 
perfection  of  poetrie  is  this,  to  mingle  delight  with 
profitt  in  fuch  wyfe,  that  a  Reader  might  by  his  read 
ing  be  pertaker  of  bothe,  which  though  I  touched  in 
the  beginning,  yet  'I  thought  good  to  alledge  in  this 
place  for  more  confirmation  thereof  fome  of  hys  owne 
wordes.  In  his  treatife  de  arte  Poetica,  thus  hee  fayth. 

Ant  prodeffe  volunt  ant  ddeftare  pocttz, 
Aut  Jim ul  et  iucunda  et  idonea  dicer e  vitce. 

As  much  to  faie:  All  Poets  defire  either  by  their 
works  to  profitt  or  delight  men,  or  els  to  ioyne  both 
profitable  and  pleafant  leffons  together  for  the  inftruc- 
tion  of  life. 

And  again 


Englifh  Poetrie.  4i 

Oinne  tulit  punElum  qiii  mifcuit  vtile  dulri, 
Lcclonun  deleclando  paritcrque  moucndo. 

That  is,  He  miffeth  nothing  of  his  marke  which 
ioyncth  profitt  with  delight,  as  well  delighting  his 
Readers,  as  profiting  them  with  counfell.  And  that 
whole  Epiflle  which  hee  wryt  of  his  Arte  of  Poetrie, 
among  all  the  parts  thereof,  runneth  cheefelie  vppon 
this,  that  whether  the  argument  which  the  Poet  hancl- 
leth,  be  of  thinges  doone,  or  fained  inuentions,  yet 
that  they  fhould  beare  fuch  an  Image  of  trueth,  that 
as  they  delight  they  may  likewife  profitt.  For  thefe 
are  his  wordes.  Ficla  voluptatis  caufa  fint  proximo, 
vcris.  Let  thinges  that  are  faigned  for  pleafures  fake, 
haue  a  neere  refemblance  of  ye  truth.  This  precept 
may  you  perceiue  to  bee  mod  duelie  obferued  of 
C/uiwcer:  for  who  could  with  more  delight,  prefcribe 
fuch  wholfome  counfaile  and  fage  aduife,  where  he 
feemeth  onelie  to  refpect  the  profitte  of  his  leffons  and 
inllructions?  or  who  coulde  with  greater  wifedome,  or 
more  pithie  (kill,  vnfold  fuch  pleafant  and  delightfome 
matters  of  mirth,  as  though  they  refpected  nothing, 
but  the  telling  of  a  merry  tale?  fo  that  this  is  the 
very  grounde  of  right  poetrie,  to  giue  profitable  coun 
faile,  yet  fo  as  it  mull  be  mingled  with  delight.  For 
among  all  the  auncient  works  of  poetrie,  though  the 
mod  of  them  incline  much  to  that  part  of  delighting 
men  with  pleafant  matters  of  fmall  importauncc,  yd 
euen  in  the  vainefl  trifles  among  them,  there  is  not 
forgotten  fume  profitable  counfaile,  which  a  man  may 
learne,  cither  by  llatte  precepts  which  therein  arc  j>re- 
fcribed,  or  by  loathing  Inch  vile  vices,  the  enormities 
whereof  they  largelic  (lifcoucr.  For  furclie,  I  am  of 
this  opinion,  that  the  wantoncll  Poets  of  all,  in  their 
mod  laciuious  workes  wherein  they  bulled  themfelues, 
fought  rather  by  that  meanes  to  withdraw  incns 
mimics  (efpcciallie  the  bcfl  natures)  from  fuch  foule 
vices,  then  to  allure  them  to  imbiace  fuch  bcailly 
follies  as  they  detc< 


42  A  Difcourfe  of 

Horace  fpeaking  of  the  generall  dueties  of  Poets, 
fayth,  Os  tenerum  pueri  balbumque  poeta  fugitat,  and 
manie  more  wordes  concerning  the  profitte  to  be  hadde 
out  of  Poets,  which  becaufe  I  haue  fome  of  them  com- 
prifed  into  an  Englifh  tranflation  of  that  learned  and 
famous  knight,  Sir  Thomas  Elyot,  I  wyll  fet  downe  his 
wordes. 

The  Poet  fafhioneth  by  fome  pleafant  meane, 
The  fpeeche  of  children  ftable  and  vnfure : 
Gulling  their  eares  from  wordes  and  thinges  vncleane, 
Giuing  to  them  precepts  that  are  pure : 
Rebuking  enuy  and  wrath  if  it  dure : 
Thinges  well  donne  he  can  by  example  commend, 
To  needy  and  ficke  he  doth  alfo  his  cure 
To  recomfort  if  ought  he  can  amende. 

And  manie  other  like  wordes  are  in  that  place  of  Ho 
race  to  like  effect.  Therefore  poetrie,  as  it  is  of  it  felfe, 
without  abufe  is  not  onely  not  vnprofitable  to  the  Hues 
and  (Indies  of  menne,  but  wonderfull  commendable  and 
of  great  excellencie.  For  nothing  can  be  more  accept 
able  to  men,  or  rather  to  be  wilhed,  then  fweete  allure 
ments  to  vertues,  and  commodious  caueates  from  vices? 
of  which  Poetrie  is  exceeding  plentifull,  powring  into 
gentle  witts,  not  roughly  and  tirannicallie,  but  it  is  were 
with  a  louing  authoritie.  Nowe  if  the  ill  and  vndecent 
prouocations,  whereof  fome  vnbridled  witts  take  occafion 
by  the  reading  of  laciuious  Poemes,  bee  obiected :  fuch 
as  are  Quids  loue  Bookes,  and  Elegies,  Tibullus,  Catul 
lus,  and  Martials  workes,  with  the  Comedies  for  the 
mofl  part  of  Plautus  and  Terence:  I  thinke  it  eafily 
aunfwered.  For  though  it  may  not  iufllie  be  denied, 
that  thefe  workes  are  indeede  very  Poetrie,  yet  that 
Poetrie  in  them  is  not  the  effentiall  or  formall  matter 
or  caufe  of  the  hurt  therein  might  be  affirmed,  and 
although  that  reafon  fhould  come  fhort,  yet  this  might 
be  fufficient,  that  the  workes  themfelues  doo  not  cor 
rupt,  but  the  abufe  of  the  vfers,  who  vndamaging  their 


Englifh  Poetrie.  43 

o\vne  difpofitions,  by  reading  the  difcotieries  of  vices, 
referable  foolifh  folke,  who  comming  into  a  Garden 
without  anie  choife  or  circumfpection  tread  downe  the 
faired  flowers,  and  wilfullie  thruft  their  fingers  among 
the  nettles. 

And  furelie  to  fpeake  what  I  verelie  thinke,  this  is 
mine  opinion :  that  one  hauing  fufficient  fkyll,  to  reade 
and  vnderdand  thofe  workes,  and  yet  no  daie  of  him 
felfe  to auoydeinconueniences,  which  the  remembraunce 
of  vnlawfull  things  may  dirre  vppe  in  his  minde,  he,  in 
my  iudgement,  is  wholy  to  bee  reputed  a  laciuious  dif- 
pofed  perfonne,  whom  the  recitall  of  fins  whether  it  be 
in  a  good  worke  or  a  badde,  or  vppon  what  occafion 
foeuer,  wyll  not  daie  him  but  prouoke  him  further  vnto 
them.  Contrariwife,  what  good  leffons  the  warie  and 
fkylful  Readers  mail  picke  out  of  the  very  word  of  them, 
if  they  lid  to  take  anie  heede,  and  reade  them  not  of 
an  intent  to  bee  made  the  worfe  by  them,  you  may  fee 
by  thefe  fewe  fentences,  which  the  forefayd  Sir  Thomas 
Elyott  gathered  as  he  fayth  at  all  aduentures,  intreat- 
ing  of  the  like  argument.  Fird  Plant  us  in  commenda 
tions  of  vertue,  hath  fuch  like  wordes. 

Verely  vertue  doth  all  thinges  excell, 
For  if  liberty,  health  lining  or  fubftaunce, 
Our  Country  our  parents,  and  children  doo  well, 
It  hapneth  by  vertue :  me  doth  all  aduaunce, 
Vertue  hath  all  thinges  vnder  gouernaunce : 
And  in  whom  of  vertue  is  founde  great  plenty, 
Any  thing  that  is  good  may  neuer  be  dainty. 

Terence,  in  Kunncho  hath  a  profitable  fpeeche,  in 
blafing  foorth  the  falhions  of  harlots,  before  the  eyes 
of  young  men.  Thus  fayth  Parmcno. 

In  thys  thing  I  tryumphe  in  myne  owne  conceite, 
That  I  hauc  found  for  all  young  men  the  way, 
Howe  they  of  Harlots  fliall  know  the  deceite, 
Their  witts  and  manners:  that  thereby  they  may 
Them  perpetual  lie  hate,  for  fo  much  as  they 


44  A  Difcourfe  of 

Out  of  their  owne  houfes  be  frefh  and  delicate. 
Feeding  curioufly:  at  home  all  day 
Lyuing  beggerlie  in  moil  wretched  eflate. 

And  many  more  wordes  of  the  fame  matter,  but 
which  may  be  gathered  by  thefe  fewe. 

Quid,  in  his  mofl  wanton  Bookes  of  loue,  and  the 
remedies  thereof,  hath  very  many  pithie  and  wife  fen 
tences,  which  a  heedefull  Reader  may  marke,  and  chofe 
out  from  ye  other  ftuffe.  This  is  one. 

Tyme  is  a  medicine  of  it  mail  profitt, 
Wine  gyuen  out  of  tyme  may  be  annoyaunce. 
And  man  mail  irritat  vice  if  he  prohibitt, 
When  time  is  not  meete  vnto  his  vtteraunce. 
Therfore  if  thou  yet  by  counfayle  art  recuperable, 
Fly  thou  from  idlenes  and  euer  be  liable. 

Martiall^  a  mofl  diffolute  wryter  among  all  other, 
yet  not  without  many  graue  and  prudent  fpeeches,  as 
this  is  one  worthy  to  be  marked  of  thefe  fond  youthes 
which  intangle  theyr  wytts  in  raging  loue,  who  flepping 
once  ouer  fhoes  in  theyr  fancyes,  neuer  reft  plunging 
till  they  be  ouer  head  and  eares  in  their  follie. 

If  thou  wylt  efchewe  bitter  aduenture, 

And  auoyde  the  annoyance  of  a  penfifull  hart, 

Set  in  no  one  perfon  all  wholly  thy  pleafure, 

The  leffe  rnaifl  thou  ioy,  but  the  leffe  malt  thou  fmart 

Thefe  are  but  fewe  gathered  out  by  happe,  yet  fuffi- 
cient  to  fhewe  that  the  wife  and  circumfpect  Readers 
may  finde  very  many  profitable  leffons,  difperfed  in 
thefe  workes,  neither  take  any  harme  by  reading  fuch 
Poemes,  but  good,  if  they  wil  themfelues.  Neuerthe- 
les,  I  would  not  be  thought  to  hold  opinion,  that  the 
reading  of  them  is  fo  tollerable,  as  that  there  neede  no 
refpect  to  be  had  in  making  choyfe  of  readers  or 
hearers  :  for  if  they  be  prohibited  from  the  tender  and 
vnconflant  wits  of  children  and  young  mindes,  I  thinke 


Englifh  Poetrie.  45 

it  not  without  great  reafon  :  neyther  am  I  of  that 
deuiliifh  opinion,  of  which  fome  there  are,  and  haue 
beene  in  England,  who  hailing  charge  of  youth  to  in- 
flruct  them  in  learning,  haue  efpecially  made  choyfe  of 
fuch  vnchildifh  fluffe,  to  reade  vnto  young  Schollers, 
as  it  fhoulde  feeme  of  fome  filthy  purpofe,  wylfully  to 
corrupt  theyr  tender  mindes,  and  prepare  them  the 
more  ready  for  theyr  loathfome  dyetts. 

For  as  it  is  fayd  of  that  impudent  worke  of  Lucia;::. 
a  man  were  better  to  reade  none  of  it  then  all  of  it,  ib 
thinke  I  that  thefe  workes  are  rather  to  be  kept  alto 
gether  from  children,  then  they  fhould  haue  free  liberty 
to  reade  them,  before  they  be  meete  either  of  their 
owne  difcretion  or  by  heedefull  inflruction,  to  make 
choyfe  of  the  good  from  the  badde.  As  for  our 
Englifhe  Poetrie,  I  know  no  fuch  perilous  peeces 
(except  a  fewe  balde  ditties  made  ouer  the  Beere  potts, 
which  are  nothing  leffe  then  Poetry)  which  anie  man 
may  vfe  and  reade  without  damage  or  daunger  :  which 
indeede  is  leffe  to  be  meruailed  at  among  vs,  then 
among  the  olde  Latines  and  Greekes,  confidering 
that  Chriftianity  may  be  a  flaie  to  fuch  illecibrous 
workes  and  inuentions,  as  among  them  (for  their  Arte 
fake)  myght  obtaine  paffage. 

Nowe  will  I  fpeake  fomewhat,  of  that  princelie  part 
of  Poetrie,  wherein  are  difplaied  the  noble  actcs  and 
valiant  exploits  of  puiffaunt  Captaines,  expert  fouldiers. 
wife  men,  with  the  famous  rcportes  of  auncicnt  times. 
fuch  as  are  the  Heroycall  workes  of  Homer  in  Clrecke, 
and  the  heauenly  verfe  of  Virgins  sEncidos  in  Latine  : 
which  workes.  comprehending  as  it  were  the  fiimme 
and  ground  of  all  Poetrie,  are  verelie  and  incompar 
ably  the  bed  of  all  other.  To  thefe,  though  wee  haue 
no  Knglilh  workc  aunfweral)le,  in  refpect  of  the  glorious 
icnts  of  gallant  handling:  yet  our  auncient  C'lironi- 
an<l  reporters  of  our  Countrey  come 

moll  neere  them:  and  no  doubt,  if  fuch  rcuanle  ut 
our  Kn-li'h  fpeeche,  and  curious  handling  of  our  verfe/ 
had  IK  Tmce  thought  vppon,and  from  time  to 


46  A  Difcourfe  of 

time  been  pollifhed  and  bettered  by  men  of  learning, 
iudgement,  and  authority,  it  would  ere  this,  haue 
matched  them  in  all  refpects.  A  manifeft  example 
thereof,  may  bee  the  great  good  grace  and  fweete  vayne, 
which  Eloquence  hath  attained  in  our  fpeeche,  be- 
caufe  it  hath  had  the  helpe  of  fuch  rare  and  finguler 
wits,  as  from  time  to  time  myght  flill  adde  fome 
amendment  to  the  fame.  Among  whom  I  thinke 
there  is  none  that  will  gainfay,  but  Mailer  John  Lilly 
hath  deferued  mode  high  commendations,  as  he  which 
hath  ftept  one  fleppe  further  therein  then  any  either 
before  or  fmce  he  fiift  began  the  wyttie  difcourfe  of 
his  Euphues.  Whofe  workes,  furely  in  refpecte  of  his 
finguler  eloquence  and  braue  compofition  of  apt  words 
and  fentences,  let  the  learned  examine  and  make  tryall 
thereof  thorough  all  the  partes  of  Rethoricke,  in  fitte 
phrafes,  in  pithy  fentences,  in  gallant  tropes,  in  flowing 
fpeeche,  in  plaine  fence,  and  furely  in  my  iudgment,  I 
thinke  he  wyll  yeelde  him  that  verdict,  which  Quintilian 
giueth  of  bothe  the  bed  Orators  Demofthenes  and 
Tully,  that  from  the  one,  nothing  may  be  taken  away, 
to  the  other,  nothing  may  be  added.  But  a  more 
neerer  example  to  prooue  my  former  affertion  true  (I 
meane  ye  meetneffe  of  our  fpeeche  to  receiue  the  bell 
forme  of  Poetry)  may  bee  taken  by  conference  of  that 
famous  tranflation  of  Mailer  D.  Phaer  with  the  coppie 
it  felfe,  who  foeuer  pleafe  with  courteous  iudgement  but 
a  little  to  compare  and  marke  them  both  together  :  and 
weigh  with  himfelfe,  whether  the  Englilh  tongue  might 
by  little  and  little  be  brought  to  the  verye  maiefty  of  a 
ryght  Heroicall  verfe.  Firfl  you  may  marke,  how  Virgill 
alwayes  fitteth  his  matter  in  hande  with  wordes  agree 
able  vnto  the  fame  affection,  which  he  expreffeth,  as  in 
hys  Tragicall  exclamations,  what  pathe[ti]call  fpeeches 
he  frameth?  in  his  comfortable  confolations,  howe 
fmoothely  hys  verfe  runnes  ?  in  his  dreadfull  battayles, 
and  dreery  byckerments  of  warres,  howe  bygge  and 
boyftrous  his  wordes  found  ?  and  the  like  notes  in  all 
partes  of  his  worke  may  be  obferued.  Which  excellent 


Englifh  Poetrie.  47 

grace  and  comely  kind  of  choyfe,  if  the  tranflatour  hath 
not  hitte  very  neere  in  our  courfe  Englifh  phrafe  iudge 
vprighdy:  wee  wyll  conferre  fome  of  the  places,  not 
picked  out  for  the  purpofe,  but  fuch  as  I  tooke  turning 
ouer  the  Booke  at  randon.  When  the  Troyans  were 
fo  toft  about  in  tempeftious  wether,  caufed  by  ALolus 
at  lunocs  requeft,  and  driuen  vpon  the  coafte  viAffrick 
with  a  very  neere  fcape  of  their  Hues :  sEncas  after  hee 
had  gone  a  land  and  kylled  plenty  of  victuals  for  his 
company  of  Souldiours,  hee  deuided  the  fame  among 
them,  and  thus  louinglie  and  fweetely  he  comforted 
them.  s£n.  Lib.  i. 

et  diet  is  mcerentia  pcdora  miilcct 
Oforii  (ncque  ignar  if  limits  ante  malorum) 
O  pafsi  grauiora:  dabit  deiis  his  quoquefinLin 
Vos  etfcyllceam  rabiem,  penitufque  fonantes, 
Accestis  fcopulos :  vos  et  cydopeafaxa 
Experti,  reuocate  animos,  ma'flumquc  timorem 
Mittite,  forfan  ct  h<zc  olim  mcminijfe  iuuabit. 
Per  varies  cafus,  per  tot  difcrimina  rcnnn 
Tendijnus  in  I.atium:  fedes  vbi  fata  quictas 
Ostendunt,  ill ic  fas  rcgna  refurgere  troioe. 
Durate,  et  v  of  met  rebus  feruate  feciindis. 
Talia  voce  rtfert,  curifquc  ingcntibus  cegtr 
Spent  vulta  fimulat,  premit  altum  cordc  dolor 011. 

Tranllated  thus. 

And  then  to  cheere  their  heauy  harts  with  thefe  words  he 

him  bent. 
O  Mates  (quoth  he)  that  many  a  woe  haue  bidden  and 

borne  ere  thys, 
Worle  haue  we  feene,  and  this  alfo  fhall  end  when  Gods 

wyll  is. 
Through  Sylla  rage  (ye  wott)  and  through  the  roaring 

rocks  we  pull, 
Though  Cyclops  fhore  was  full  of  feare,  yet  came  we 

through  at  laft. 


48  A  Difcourfe  of 

Plucke  vppe  your  harts,  and  driue  from  thence  both 

feare  and  care  away. 

To  thinke  on  this  may  pleafure  be  perhapps  another  day. 
By  paynes  and  many  a  daunger  fore,  by  fundry  chaunce 

we  wend, 

To  come  to  Italy,  where  we  truft  to  find  our  retting  ende : 
And  where  the  deftnyes  haue  decreed  Troyes  Kingdome 

eft  to  ryfe 
Be  bold  and  harden  now  your  harts,  take  eafe  while  eafe 

applies 
Thus  fpake  he  tho,  but  in  his  hart  huge  cares  had  him 

oppreil, 
Diffembling  hope  with  outward  eyes  full  heauy  was  his 

breft. 

Againe,  marke  the  wounding  of  Dido  in  loue  with 
s-Eiieas,  with  ho  we  choyfe  wordes  it  is  pithily  defcribed, 
both  by  the  Poet  and  the  tranflator  in  the  beginning 
of  the  fourth  booke. 

At  Rcgina  graui  iam  diidum  faucia  air  a 
'Volnus  alii  venls,  et  azco  carpitur  igni,  etc. 

By  this  time  perced  fatte  the  Queene  fo  fore  with  loues 

defire, 
I  ler  wound  in  euery  vayne  fhe  feedes,  me  fryes  in 

fecrete  fire. 

The  manhood  of  the  man  full  oft,  full  oft  his  famous  lyne 
She  doth  reuolue,  and  from  her  thought  his  face  cannot 

vntwyne. 
His  countnaunce  deepe  fhe  drawes  and  fixed  faft  fhe 

beares  in  breft, 
His  words  alfo,  nor  to  her  carefuil  hart  can  come  no  reft. 

And  in  many  places  of  the  fourth  booke  is  the  fame  mat 
ter  fo  gallantly  profecuted  in  fweete  wordes,  as  in  mine 
opinion  the  coppy  it  felfe  goeth  no  whit  beyond  it. 
Compare  them  likewife  in  the  woefull  and  lamentable 


Englifh  Poetrie.  49 

cryes  of  the  Queene  for  the  departure  of^/ieas,  towards 
the  ende  of  that  Booke. 


Terque  quatcrque  man u  peftus  percuffa  decorum 
Flauentifqut  abfciffa  comas,  proh  Inpiter,  ibit  ? 
Hie  ait,  et  nostris  inluferit  aditcna  Rcgnis  ?  etc. 

Three  times  her  hands  fhe  bet,  and  three  times  ftrake  her 

comely  brefl, 
Her  golden  hayre  (he  tare  and  frantiklike  with  moode 

oppreft, 

She  cryde,  O  Jupiter,  O  God,  quoth  fhe,  and  (hall  a  goe? 
Indeede  ?  and  lhall  a  flowte  me  thus  within  my  king- 
dome  fo  ? 

Shall  notmineAnniesout,andallmypeoplethempurfue? 
Shall  they  not  fpoyle  their  fhyps  and  burne  them  vp  with 

vengance  due  ? 
Out  people,  out  vppon  them,  follow  fail  with  fires  and 

flames, 
Set  fayles  aloft,  make  out  with  oares,  in  fliips,  in  boatcs, 

in  frames. 
What  fpeake  I  ?  or  where  am  I  ?  what  furies  me  doo 

thus  inchaunt ? 
O  Dydo,  wofull  wretch,  now  deflnyes  fell  thy  head 

dooth  haunt. 

And  a  little  after  preparing  to  kyll  her  owne  felfe. 

But   Dydo  quaking  fierce  with   frantike  moode  and 

griefly  he  we. 
With  trembling  fpotted  chcckes,  her  huge  attempting 

to  perfue. 
Befides  her  felfe  for  rage,   and  towards  death  with 

vifage  wanne, 
Her  eyes  about  fhe  rolde,  as  redde  as  blood  they 

looked  than. 


5o  A  Difcourfe  of 

At  lafl  ready  to  fall  vppon  JEneas  fworde. 

O  happy  (welaway)  and  ouer  happy  had  I  beene, 

If  neuerTroian  fhyps  (ahlas)  my  Country  Ihore had  feene. 

Thus  fayd  Ihe  wryde  her  head,  and  vnreuenged  muil 

we  die  ? 
But  let  vs  boldly  die  (quoth  fliee)  thus,  thus  to  death 

I  ply. 

Nowe  likewife  for  the  braue  warlike  phrafe  and  bygge 
founding  kynd  of  thundring  fpeeche,  in  the  hotte  fkyr- 
myfhes  of  battels,  you  may  confer  them  in  any  of  the 
lafl  fiue  Bookes :  for  examples  fake,  thys  is  one  about 
the  ninth  Booke. 

Et  clamor  totis  per  propugnacula  muris, 
Iiitendunt  aeries  arcus,  amcntaqne  torquent. 
Sternitur  omnefolum  telis,  tum  fcutcz  cauceque 
Dantfonitumflictugalecz:  pugna  asper  furgit  1  etc. 

A   clamarous  noyfe  vpmounts  on  fortreffe  tops  and 

bulwarks  towres, 
They  flrike,  they  bend  their  bowes,  they  whirle  from 

firings  fharp  moting  fhowres. 
All   ftreetes  with  tooles  are  flrowed,  than   helmets, 

fkulles,  with  battrings  marrd. 
And  filicides  difhyuering  cracke,  vprifeth  roughneffe 

byckring  hard 
Looke  how  the  tempefl  florme  when  wind  out  wraft- 

ling  blowes  at  fouth, 
Raine  ratling  beates  the  grownde,  or  clowdes  of  haile 

from  Winters  mouth, 
Downe  dafhyng  headlong  driues,  when  God  from  fkyes 

with  griefly  fteuen, 
His  watry  fhowres  outwrings,  and  whirlwind  clowdes 

downe  breakes  from  heauen. 

And  fo  foorth  much  more  of  the  like  effect. 


Englifh  Poetrie.  5i 

Onely  one  comparifon  more  will  I  clefire  you  to  marke 
at  your  leyfures,  which  may  ferue  for  all  the  reft,  that 
is,  the  defcription  of  Fame,  as  it  is  in  the  4.  booke, 
towardes  the  end,  of  which  it  followeth  thus. 

Monstrum  horrcndum  ingcns  cui  quot  funt  corporcplitma 
Tot  vi^ilos  oculi  etc. 

Monfter  gaftly  great,  for  euery  plume  her  carkafle.beares, 
Like  number    learing   eyes   me   hath,    like    number 

harkning  eares, 
Like  number  tongues,   and    mouthes   me  wagges,  a 

wondrous  thing  to  fpeake, 
At  midnight  foorth  fhee  flyes,    and  vnder  made  her 

found  dooth  fqueake. 
All  night  fhe  wakes,  nor  ilumber  fweete  doth  take  nor 

neuer  ileepes. 
By  dayes  on  houfes  tops  fhee  fits  or  gates  of  Townes 

me  keepes. 
On  watching  Towres  me  clymbes,  and  Citties  great 

me  makes  agaft, 
Both   trueth  and  falfhood  forth  fhe    telles,  and  lyes 

abroade  doth  cad. 

But  what  neede  I  to  repeate  any  more  places?  there 
is  not  one  Booke  among  the  twelue,  which  wyll  not 
yeelde  you  mod  excellent  pleafure  in  conferring  the 
tranflation  with  the  Coppie,  and  marking  the  gallant 
grace  which  our  Engliflie  fpeeche  affoordeth.  And  in 
trueth  the  like  comparifons,  may  you  choofe  out 
through  the  whole  tranllations  of  the  Mdamorphofis  by 
Mailer  Gti/t/ing  who  (confulering  both  tlieir  Coppyes) 
hath  equally  deferued  commendations  for  the  beauti 
fying  of  the  Knglilh  fpeeche.  It  would  be  tedious 
to  (lay  to  rehearfe  any  places  out  of  him  nowe:  let 
the  other  fuliice  to  proouc,  that  the  I-'.n-lilh  ton-ue 
larketh  neyther  variety  nor  cuiTantneffe  of  phrafe  for 
any  matter. 


A  Difcourfe  of 


Wyll  nowe  fpeake  a  little  of  an  other  kinde 
of  poetical  writing,  which  might  notwith- 
ftanding  for  the  variableneffe  of  the  argu 
ment  therein  vfually  handled,  bee  com 
prehended  in  thofekindes  before  declared : 
that  is,  the  compyling  Eglogues,  as  much  to  fay  as 
Goteheardes  tales,  becaufe  they  bee  commonly  Dia 
logues  or  fpeeches  framed  or  fuppofed  betweene 
Sheepeheardes,  Neteheardes,  Goteheardes,  or  fuch 
like  fimple  men:  in  which  kind  of  writing,  many  haue 
obtained  as  immortall  prayfe  and  commendation,  as 
in  any  other. 

The  cheefeft  of  thefe  is  Theocritus  in  Greeke,  next 
him,  and  almoft  the  very  fame,  is  Virgin  in  Latin. 
After  Virgyl  in  like  fort  writ  Titus  Calphurnius  and 
Baptifta  Mantuan,  wyth  many  other  both  in  Latine 
and  other  languages  very  learnedlye.  Although  the 
matter  they  take  in  hand  feemeth  commonlie  in  ap- 
pearaunce  rude  and  homely,  as  the  vfuall  talke  of 
fimple  clownes:  yet  doo  they  indeede  vtter  in  the 
fame  much  pleafaunt  and  profitable  delight.  For 
vnder  thefe  perfonnes,  as  it  were  in  a  cloake  of  fimpli- 
citie,  they  would  eyther  fette  foorth  the  prayfes  of 
theyr  freendes,  without  the  note  of  flattery,  or  enueigh 
grieuoufly  againil  abufes,  without  any  token  of  byt- 
terneffe. 

Somwhat  like  vnto  thefe  works,  are  many  peeces  of 
Chawcer,  but  yet  not  altogether  fo  poeticall.  But 
nowe  yet  at  ye  laft  hath  England  hatched  vppe  one 
Poet  of  this  forte,  in  my  confcience  comparable  with 
the  befl  in  any  refpect :  euen  Mailer  Sp :  Author  of 
the  Sheepeheardes  Calender,  whofe  trauell  in  that  peece 
of  Englifh  Poetrie,  I  thinke  verely  is  fo  commendable, 
as  none  of  equall  iudgment  can  yeelde  him  leffe  prayfe 


Englifh  Poetrie.  53 

for  hys  excellent  fkyll,  and  fkylfull  excellency  fhewed 
foorth  in  the  fame,  then  they  would  to  eyther  Theo 
critus  or  Virgill,  whom  in  mine  opinion,  if  the  courfe- 
nes  of  our  fpeeche  (I  meane  the  courfe  of  cuflome 
which  he  woulde  not  infringe)  had  beene  no  more  let 
vnto  him,  then  theyr  pure  natiue  tongues  were  vnto 
them,  he  would  haue  (if  it  might  be)  furpaffed  them. 
What  one  thing  is  there  in  them  fo  worthy  admiration, 
whereunto  we  may  not  adioyne  fome  thing  of  his,  of 
equall  defert?  Take  Virgil  and  make  fome  little 
companion  betweene  them,  and  iudge  as  ye  (hall 
fee  caufe. 

Virgill  hath  a  gallant  report  of  Augiijlits  couertly 
compryfed  in  the  firft  <d£glogue\  the  like  is  in  him,  of 
1  K- r  M  aieflie,  vnder  the  name  of  Eliza.  Virgill  maketh 
a  braue  coloured  complaint  of  vnftedfaft  freendfhyppe 
in  the  perfon  of  Corydon\  the  lyke  is  him  in  his  5 
j£glogue.  Agayne  behold  the  pretty  Paftorall  con 
tentions  of  Virgill  in  the  third  sEglogue\  of  him  in  ye 
eight  Eglogite.  Finally,  either  in  companion  with 
them,  or  refpect  of  hys  owne  great  learning,  he  may 
well  were  the  Garlande,  and  fteppe  before  ye  befl  of 
all  Englifh  Poets  that  I  haue  feene  or  hearde:  for  I 
thinke  no  leffe  deferueth  (thus  fayth  E,  K  in  hys 
commendations)  hys  wittineffe  in  deuifmg,  his  pithi 
nefle  in  vttering,  his  complaintes  of  lone  fo  louely,  his 
difcourfes  of  pleafure  fo  plcalantly,  his  P.a(lrall  rude 
nes,  his  Morrall  wyfeneffe,  his  due  obferuing  of  decorum 
euery  where,  in  perfonages,  in  feafon,  in  matter,  in 
fpeeche,  and  generally  in  all  feemely  fimplicity,  of 
handling  hys  matter  and  framing  hys  wordes.  The 
occafion  of  his  worke  is  a  warning  to  other  young  men, 
who  being  intangled  in  lone  and  youthful  vanities, 
may  learne  to  looke  to  themfelues  in  time,  and  to 
uuoyde  inconueniences  which  may  breede  if  they  l>r 
not  in  time  prcuentcd.  Many  good  Morrall  ktloiis 
arc  therein  contained,  as  the  reuerence  which  young 
men  owe  to  the  ai;ed  in  the  fecond  J\.g!oguc\  the 
caueate  or  warning  to  beware  a  fubtill  prufelTor  of 


54  A  Difcourfe  of 

freendfhippe  in  the  fift  Eglogue:  the  commendation  of 
good  Paftors,  and  fhame  and  difprayfe  of  idle  and 
ambitious  Goteheardes  in  the  feauenth,  the  loofe  and 
retchleffe  lyuing  of  Popifh  Prelates  in  the  ninth.  The 
learned  and  fweete  complaynt  of  the  contempt  of 
learning  vnder  the  name  of  Poetry  in  the  tenth. 
There  is  alfo  much  matter  vttered  fomewhat  couertly, 
efpecially  ye  abufes  of  fome  whom  he  would  not  be 
too  playne  withall :  in  which,  though  it  be  not  appar- 
ant  to  euery  one,  what  hys  fpeciall  meaning  was,  yet 
fo  fkilfully  is  it  handled,  as  any  man  may  take  much 
delight  at  hys  learned  conueyance,  and  picke  out 
much  good  fence  in  the  moil  obfcurefl  of  it.  Hys 
notable  prayfe  deferued  in  euery  parcell  of  that  worke, 
becaufe  I  cannot  expreffe  as  I  woulde  and  as  it  mould : 
I  wyll  ceafe  to  fpeake  any  more  of,  the  rather  becaufe 
I  neuer  hearde  as  yet  any  that  hath  reade  it,  which 
hath  not  with  much  admiration  commended  it.  One 
only  thing  therein  haue  I  hearde  fome  curious  heades 
call  in  queflion:  viz:  the  motion  of  fome  vnfauery 
loue,  fuch  as  in  the  fixt  Eglogue  he  feemeth  to  deale 
withall  (which  fay  they)  is  fkant  allowable  to  Englifh 
eares,  and  might  well  haue  beene  left  for  the  Italian 
defenders  of  loathfome  beafllines,  of  whom  perhappes 
he  learned  it :  to  thys  obiection  I  haue  often  aunfwered 
and  (I  thinke  truely)  that  theyr  nyce  opinion  ouer 
fhooteth  the  Poets  meaning,  who  though  hee  in  that 
as  in  other  thinges,  immitateth  the  auncient  Poets,  yet 
doth  not  meane,  no  more  did  they  before  hym,  any 
difordered  loue,  or  the  filthy  lull  of  the  deuillim 
Pederaftice  taken  in  the  worfe  fence,  but  rather  to 
fhewe  howe  the  diffolute  life  of  young  men  in  tangled 
in  loue  of  women,  doo  neglect  the  freendfhyp  and 
league  with  their  olde  freendes  and  familiers.  Why 
(fay  they)  yet  he  mold  gyue  no  occafion  of  fufpition, 
nor  offer  to  the  viewe  of  Chriflians,  any  token  of  fuch 
filthineffe,  howe  good  foeuerhys  meaning  were:  where- 
vnto  I  oppofe  the  fimple  conceyte  they  haue  of  matters 
which  concerne  learning  or  wytt,  wylling  them  to  gyue 


Englifh  Poetrie.  55 

Poets  leaue  to  vfe  theyr  vayne  as  they  fee  good :  it  is 
their  foolyfh  conftruction,  not  hys  wryting  that  is 
blameable.  Wee  mufl  prefcrybe  to  no  wryters,  (much 
leffe  to  Poets)  in  what  forte  they  fhould  vtter  theyr 
conceyts.  But  thys  wyll  be  better  difcuffed  by  fome 
I  hope  of  better  abillity. 

One  other  forte  of  Poeticall  wryters  remayneth  yet 
to  bee  remembred,  that  is,  The  precepts  of  Hufbandry, 
learnedly  compiled  in  Heroycall  verfe.  Such  were  the 
workes  of  Hefiodus  in  Greece,  and  Virgils  Georgickcs 
in  Latine.  What  memorable  worke  hath  beene  hand 
led  in  immitation  of  thefe  by  any  Englifh  Poet,  I  know 
not,  (fane  onely  one  worke  of  M.  Tnffer,  a  peece 
furely  of  great  wytt  and  experience,  and  wythal  very 
prettilye  handled)  And  I  thinke  the  caufe  why  our 
Poets  haue  not  trauayled  in  that  behalfe,  is  efpecially, 
for  that  there  haue  beene  alwayes  plenty  of  other 
wryters  that  haue  handled  the  fame  argument  very 
largely.  Among  whom  Matter  Barnabe  Googc,  in 
Iran  Hating  and  enlarging  the  mofl  profitable  worke  of 
Hcrcsbathius,  hath  deferued  much  commendation,  as 
well  for  hys  faythfull  compyling  and  learned  increafing 
the  noble  worke,  as  for  hys  wytty  tranflation  of  a 
good  part  of  the  Gcorgickcs  of  Virgill  into  Englifh 
verfe. 

Among  all  the  tranflations,  which  hath  beene  my 
fortune  to  fee,  I  could  neuer  yet  finde  that  worke  of 
the  Georgicks  wholly  performed.  I  remember  once 
Abraham  Flemming  in  his  conuerfion  of  the  Eg!t>£ncs, 
promifed  to  tranllate  and  publifhe  it :  whether  he  dyd 
or  not  I  knowe  not,  but  as  yet  I  heard  not  of  it.  I 
my  felfe  wott  well  I  bellowed  fome  time  in  it  two  or 
three  ycercs  fince,  turning  it  to  that  fame  Knglifh  verfe, 
which  other  fuch  workes  were  in,  though  it  were  rudely: 
ho\vc  belt,  I  did  it  onely  for  mine  owne  vfe,  and  vppon 
ccrtayne  refpectes  towardes  a  (ier.tleman  mine  efpcciall 
five-rule,  to  whom  I  was  defirous  to  fhewe  fome  token 
of  duetifull  good  wyll,  and  not  minding  it  fhould  goe 
farre  abroade,  considering  howe  llcnderly  I  ranne  it 


56  A  Difcourfe  of 


oner,  yet  fmce  then,  hath  one  gott  it  in  keeping,  who 
as  it  is  told  me,  eyther  hath  or  wyll  vnaduifedly  pub- 
lime  it :  which  iniury  though  he  meanes  to  doo  me  in 
rayrth,  yet  I  hope  he  wyll  make  me  fome  fuffycient 
recompence,  or  els  I  mail  goe  neere  to  watch  hym  the 
like  or  a  worfe  turne. 

But  concerning  the  matter  of  our  Englyfh  wryters, 
lett  thys  fuftice  :  nowe  mall  ye  heare  my  limple  fkyl  in 
what  I  am  able  to  fay  concerning  the  forme  and 
manner  of  our  Englylhe  verfe. 

The  mofl  vfuall  and  frequented  kind  of  our  Englifh 
Poetry  hath  alwayes  runne  vpon,  and  to  this  day  is 
obferiied  in  fuch  equall  number  of  fyllables,  and  like- 
nes  of  wordes,  that  in  all  places  one  verfe  either  im- 
mediatly,  or  by  mutuall  interpofition,  may  be  aunfwer- 
able  to  an  other  both  in  proportion  of  length,  and 
ending  of  lynes  in  the  fame  Letters.  Which  rude 
kinde  of  verfe,  though  (as  I  touched  before)  it  rather 
difcrediteth  our  fpeeche,  as  borrowed  from  the  Bar- 
I  barians,  then  furnilheth  the  fame  with  any  comely 
ornament :  yet  beeing  fo  ingraffed  by  cuftome,  and  fre 
quented  by  the  moft  parte,  I  may  not  vtterly  diffalowe 
it,  lead  I  mould  feeme  to  call  in  queftion  the  iudge- 
ment  of  all  our  famous  wryters,  which  haue  wonne 
eternall  prayfe  by  theyr  memorable  workes  compyled 
in  that  verfe. 

For  my  part  therefore,  I  can  be  content  to  efleeme 
it  as  a  thing,  the  perfection  whereof  is  very  commend 
able,  yet  fo  as  wyth  others  I  could  wyfh  it  were 
by  men  of  learning  and  ability  bettered,  and  made 
more  artificiall,  according  to  the  woorthines  of  our 
fpeeche. 

The  falling  out  of  verfes  together  in  one  like  founde, 
is  commonly  called  in  Englifh,  Ryme,  taken  from  the 
Greeke  worde  Pu#p>s,  which  furely  in  my  iudgment  is 
verye  abufmelye  applyed  to  fuch  a  fence  :  and  by  thys, 
the  vnworthineffe  of  the  thing  may  well  appeare,  in 
that  wanting  a  proper  name,  wherby  to  be  called,  it 
borroweth  a  word  farre  exceeding  the  dignitye  of  it, 


Englifh  Poetrie.  57 

and  not  appropriate  to  fo  rude  or  bafe  a  thing.  For 
Ryme  is  properly,  the  iufl  proportion  of  a  claufe  or 
fdntence,  whether  it  be  in  profe  or  meeter,  aptly  com- 
prifed  together :  wherof  there  is  both  an  naturall  and 
an  artificiall  compofition,  in  any  manner  or  kynde  of 
fpeeche,  eyther  French,  Italian,  Spanifh  or  Englifh : 
and  is  propper  not  onely  to  Poets,  but  alfo  to  Readers, 
Oratours,  Pleaders,  or  any  which  are  to  pronounce  or 
fpeake  any  thing  in  publike  audience. 

The  firfl  begynning  of  Ryme  (as  we  nowe  terme  it) 
though  it  be  fomewhat  auncient,  yet  nothing  famous. 
In  Greece  (they  fay)  one  Sy/nias  Rhodias^  becaufe  he 
would  be  fmguler  in  fomthing,  wryt  poetically  of  the 
Fable,  contayning  howe  lupiter  beeing  in  fhape  of  a 
Swanne,  begatte  the  Egge  on  Leda,  wherof  came 
Caflor,  Pollux,  and  Helena,  whereof  euery  verfe  ended 
in  thys  Ryme,  and  was  called  therefore  oW  but  thys 
foolyfhe  attempt  was  fo  contemned  and  difpyfed, 
that  the  people  would  neither  admitte  the  Author  nor 
Booke  any  place  in  memory  of  learning.  Since  that 
it  was  not  hearde  of,  till  ye  time  ye  Hunnes  and 
Gothians  renued  it  agayne,  and  brought  it  into  Italic. 
But  howfoeuer  or  wherefoeuer  it  beganne,  certayne  it 
is,  that  in  our  Englifh  tongue  it  beareth  as  good  grace, 
or  rather  better,  then  in  any  other :  and  is  a  faculty 
whereby  many  may  and  doo  deferue  great  prayfe  and 
commendation,  though  our  fpeeche  be  capable  of  a 
farre  more  learned  manner  of  verfifying,  as  1  wyl  partly 
declare  heereafter. 

There  be  three  fpeciall  notes  necefiary  to  be  obferued 
in  the  framing  of  our  accuflomed  Englifh  Ryme  :  the 
firfl  is,  that  one  meeter  or  verfe  be  aunfwerablc  to  an 
other,  in  eqiuill  number  of  feete  or  fyllables,  or  pro 
portionable  to  the  tune  whereby  it  is  to  be  reade  or 
meafured.  The  feconde,  to  place  the  words  in  fuch 
forte,  as  none  of  them  be  wrciU-d  contrary  to  the 
naturall  inclination  or  affectation  of  the  fame,  or  more 
truely  ye  true  quantity  thereof.  The  thyrd,  to  make 
them  fall  together  mutually  in  Ryme,  that  is,  in  wordcs 


58  A  Difcourfe  of 

of  like  founde,  but  fo  as  the  wordes  be  not  difordered 
for  the  Rymes  fake,  nor  the  fence  hindered.  Thefe 
be  the  moft  pryncipall  obferuations,  which  I  thinfte 
requifite  in  an  Englifti  verfe :  for  as  for  the  other 
ornaments  which  belong  thereto,  they  be  more 
properly  belonging  to  the  feuerall  gyfts  of  fkylfull 
Poets,  then  common  notes  to  be  prefcribed  by  me  : 
but  fomewhat  perhaps  I  mail  haue  occafion  to  fpeake 
heereafter. 

Of  the  kyndes  of  Englifh  verfes  which  differ  in 
number  of  fyllables,  there  are  almofl  infinite  :  which 
euery  way  alter  according  to  hys  fancy,  or  to  the 
meafure  of  that  meeter,  wherein  it  pleafeth  hym  to 
frame  hys  ditty.  Of  the  beft  and  moft  frequented  I 
wyll  rehearfe  fome.  The  longefl  verfe  in  length, 
which  I  haue  feene  vfed  in  Englifh  confifleth  of  fix- 
teene  fyllables,  cache  two  verfes  ryming  together, 
thus. 

Wher  vertue  wants  and  vice  abounds,  there  wealth  is  but  a  bay  ted  hooke, 
To  make  men  swallow  down  their  bane,  before  on  danger  deepe  they  looke. 

Thys  kynde  is  not  very  much  vfed  at  length  thus,  but 
is  commonly  deuided,  eche  verfe  into  two,  whereof 
eche  fhal  containe  eyght  fyllables,  and  ryme  croffe 
wyfe,  the  firft  to  the  thyrd,  and  the  fecond  to  the 
fourth,  in  this  manner. 

Great  wealth  is  but  a  bayted  hooke. 
Where  vertue  wants,  and  vice  aboundes  : 
Which  men  deuoure  before  they  looke, 
So  them  in  daungers  deepe  it  drownes. 

An  other  kynd  next  in  length  to  thys,  is,  where  eche 
verfe  hath  fourteene  fyllables,  which  is  the  moft  ac- 
cuflomed  of  all  other,  and  efpecially  vfed  of  all  the 
tranflatours  of  the  Latine  Poets  for  the  moft  part  thus. 
My  mind  with  furye  fierce  inflamde  of  late  I  know  not  howe, 
Doth  burne  Parnaffus  hyll  to  fee,  adornd  wyth  Lawrell  bowe. 

Which  may  likewyfe  and  fo  it  often  is  deuyded,  eche 


Englifh  Poetrie.  59 

verfe  into  two,  to  [the?]  firft  hauing  eyght  fillables,  the 
fecond  fixe,  wherof  the  two  fixes  fhall  ahvayes  ryme, 
and  fometimes  the  eyghtes,  fometimes  not,  according 
to  the  wyll  of  the  maker. 

My  minde  with  furye  fierce  inflamde, 

Of  late  I  knowe  not  howe  : 
Doth  burne  Pernaffus  hyll  to  fee, 

Adornd  wyth  Lawrell  bowe. 

There  are  nowe  wythin  this  compaffe,  as  many  fortes 
of  verfes  as  may  be  deuifed  differences  of  numbers: 
wherof  fome  confifl  of  equall  proportions,  fome  of  long 
and  fliort  together,  fome  of  many  rymes  in  one  flaffe 
(as  they  call  it)  fome  of  croffe  ryme,  fome  of  counter 
ryme,  fome  ryming  wyth  one  worde  farre  diflant  from 
another,  fome  ryming  euery  thyrd  or  fourth  word,  and 
fo  likewyfe  all  manner  of  dytties  applyable  to  euery 
tune  that  may  be  fung  or  fayd,  diftinct  from  profe  or 
continued  fpeeche.  To  auoyde  therefore  tedioufneffe 
and  confufion,  I  wyll  repeate  onely  the  different  fortes 
of  verfes  out  of  the  Shcepchcardes  Calender,  which 
may  well  ferue  to  beare  authoritie  in  thys  matter. 

There  are  in  that  worke  twelue  or  thirteene  fundry 
forts  of  verfes,  which  differ  eyther  in  length,  or  ryme, 
of  deflinction  of  the  flaues:  but  of  them  which  differ 
in  length  or  number  of  fillables  not  pafl  fixe  or  feauen. 
The  firfl  of  them  is  of  tenne  fillables.  or  rather  fiue 
feete  in  one  verfe,  thus, 

A  Sheepheards  boy  no  better  doo  him  call, 
When  Winters  waflfull  fpight  was  almoft  fpent. 

This  verfe  he  vfeth  commonly  in  hys  fweete  corn- 
play  ntes,  and  morncfull  ditties,  as  very  agreeable  to 
fiu  h  affections. 

The  fecond  fort  hath  naturally  but  nyne  fyllables, 
and  is  a  more  rough  or  clownilh  manner  of  verfe,  vfed 
mod  commonly  of  him  if  you  mark  him  in  hys 


60  A  Difcourfe  of 

fatyricall  reprehenfions,  and  his  Sheepeheardes  home- 
lyeil  talke,  fuch  as  the  fecond  sEglogue  is. 

Ah  for  pitty  wyll  ran  eke  Winters  rage, 
Thefe  bytter  blafts  neuer  gynne  to  affwage. 

The  number  of  nine  fillables  in  thys  verfe  is  very  often 
altered,  and  fo  it  may  without  any  difgrace  to  the 
fame,  efpecially  where  the  fpeeche  fhould  be  mod 
clowniih  and  fimple,  which  is  much  obferued  of  hym. 

The  third  kynd  is  a  pretty  rounde  verfe,  running 
currantly  together,  commonly  feauen  fillables  or  feme- 
time  eyght  in  one  verfe,  as  many  in  the  next,  both 
ryming  together :  euery  two  hauing  one  the  like  verfe 
after  them,  but  of  rounder  wordes,  and  two  of  them 
likewyfe  ryming  mutually.  That  verfe  expreffeth 
notably,  light  and  youthfull  talke,  fuch  as  is  the 
thyrde  j£glogue  betweene  two  Sheepheardes  boys 
concerning  loue. 

Thomalin  why  fitten  we  fo 
As  weren  ouerwent  with  woe 
Vpon  fo  fayre  a  morrowe? 
The  ioyous  time  now  nigheth  fafl 
That  wyll  allay  this  bitter  blail 
And  flake  the  Winter  forrovv. 

The  fourth  fort  containeth  in  eche  ftaffe  manie 
vnequall  verfes,  but  mofl  fweetelie  falling  together: 
which  the  Poet  calleth  the  tune  of  the  waters  fall. 
Therein  is  his  fong  In  prayfe  of  Eliza. 

Ye  daintie  Nymphes  which  in  this  bleffed  brooke 

doo  bathe  your  brefl, 
Forfake  your  watrie  bowres  and  hether  looke, 

at  my  requeft. 

And  eke  yee  Virgins  that  on  Parnafs  dwell, 
Whence  floweth  Helicon  the  learned  Well, 

helpe  me  to  blaze 

her  woorthy  praife 
That  in  her  fex  doth  all  excell.  etc. 


Englifh  Poetrie.  61 

The  fift,  is  a  deuided  verfe  of  twelue  fillables  into 
two  verfes,  whereof  I  fpake  before,  and  feemeth  mod 
meete  for  ye  handling  of  a  Morrall  matter,  fuch  as  is 
the  praife  of  good  Patters,  and  the  difpraife  of  ill  in 
the  feauenth  sEglogue. 

The  fixt  kinde,  is  called  a  round,  beeing  mutuallie 
fung  betweene  two  :  one  fingeth  one  verfe,  the  other 
the  next,  eche  rymeth  with  himfelfe. 

;j3er.     It  fell  vppon  a  holie  eue 
(LfiliU.    Hey  ho  holliday 
J3cr.     When  holie  fathers  wont  to  fhrieue, 
Thus  ginneth  our  Rondelay.  etc. 


The  feauenth  forte  is  a  verie  tragicall  mournefull 
meafure,  wherein  he  bewayleth  the  death  of  fome 
fix-end  vnder  the  perfon  of  Dydo. 

Vp  then  Melpomene  the  mournfuld  Mufe  of  nyne, 

fuch  caufe  of  mourning  neuer  hadfl  afore  : 
Vp  griefly  ghodes,  and  vp  my  mournfull  ryme  : 
matter  of  myrth  now  malt  thou  haue  no  more. 
Dydo  my  deere  alas  is  dead, 
Dead  and  lyeth  wrapt  in  leade  : 

O  heauie  hearfe 

Let  dreaming  teares  be  powred  out  in  (lore 
O  carefull  vearfe. 

Thefe  fortes  of  verfes  for  breuities  fake  haue  I  chofen 
foorth  of  him,  whereby  I  fhall  auoide  the  tedious  re- 
heariall  of  all  the  kindes  which  are  vfed:  which  I 
thinkc  would  haue  beene  vnpoffible,  feeing  they  may 
be  altered  to  as  manie  formes  as  the  Poets  pleafe: 
neither  is  there  anie  tune  or  droke  which  may  be  fung 
or  phiide  on  indruments,  which  hath  not  fome  poetical 
ditties  framed  according  to  the  numbers  thereof:  fome 
to  RoL-vro,  fome  to  Trenchmore,  to  downe  right  Squire, 
to  Galliardes,  to  Pauines,  to  lygges,  to  Brawles,  to  all 
manner  of  tunes  which  euerie  Fidler  knowcs  better 
;hen  my  felfe,  and  therefore  I  will  let  them  pafle. 


62  A  Difcourfe  of 

Againe,  the  diuerfities  of  the  flaues  (which  are  the 
number  of  verfes  contained  with  the  diuifions  or 
partitions  of  a  ditty)  doo  often  times  make  great 
differences  in  thefe  verfes.  As  when  one  ftaffe  con- 
taineth  but  two  verfes,  or  (if  they  bee  deuided)  foure: 
the  firfl  or  the  firft  couple  hauing  twelue  fillables,  the 
other  fourteene,  which  verfifyers  call  Powlters  mea- 
fure,  becaufe  fo  they  tall[i]e  their  wares  by  dozens.  Alfo, 
when  one  ftaffe  hath  manie  verfes,  whereof  eche  one 
rimeth  to  the  next,  or  mutuallie  croffe,  or  diftant  by 
three,  or  by  foure,  or  ended  contrarye  to  the  begin 
ning,  and  a  hundred  fortes,  whereof  to  fhewe  feuerall 
examples,  would  bee  too  troublefome:  nowe  for  the 
fecond  point. 

The  naturall  courfe  of  moft  Englifh  verfes  feemeth 
to  run  vppon  the  olde  lambicke  ftroake,  and  I  may 
well  thinke  by  all  likelihoode,  it  had  the  beginning 
thereof.  For  if  you  marke  the  right  quantitie  of  our 
vfuall  verfes,  ye  fhall  perceiue  them  to  containe  in 
found  ye  very  propertie  of  lambick  feete,  as  thus. 

U        U  \J     O          0        O         U       

I  that  my  ilender  oaten  pipe  in  verfe  was  wont  to  founde: 

For  tranfpofe  anie  of  thofe  feete  in  pronouncing,  and 
make  fhort  either  the  two,  foure,  fixe,  eight,  tenne, 
twelue  tillable,  and  it  will  (doo  what  you  can)  fall  out 
very  abfurdly. 

Againe,  though  our  wordes  can  not  well  bee  forced 
to  abyde  the  touch  of  Pofition  and  other  rules  of  Pro- 
fodia,  yet  is  there  fuch  a  naturall  force  or  quantity  in 
eche  worde,  that  it  will  not  abide  anie  place  but  one, 
without  fome  foule  difgrace :  as  for  example  try  anie 
verfe,  as  thys, 

u        —  u       —  u    —    u         —        <j    —    o    — u      — 

Ofmapestranfformdetobodiesftrangelpurpofetointreate. 

Make  the  firft  fillable  long,  or  the  third,  or  the  fif  t  and 

fo  foorth :  or  contrariwife  make  the  other  fillables  to 

admitte  the  fhortneffe  of  one  of  them  places,  and  fee 


Englifh  Poetrie.  63 

what  a  wonderfull  defacing  it  wil  be  to  the  wordes,  as 
thus. 

—       o          —     u   —         o          —    u         —       u    — u    —  u 

Of  drange bodies  tranfformd  to  fhapes  purpofe  I  to  intreat 

So  that  this  is  one  efpeciall  thing  to  be  taken  heede  of 
in  making  a  good  Englifh  verfe,  that  by  difplacing  no 
worde  bee  wrefted  againfl  his  naturall  propriety,  where- 
vnto  you  fhal  perceyue  eche  worde  to  be  affected,  and 
may  eafilie  difcerne  it  in  wordes  of  two  fillables  or  aboue, 
though  fome  there  be  of  indifferencie,  that  wyll  fland 
in  any  place.  Againe,  in  chouching  the  whole  fentence, 
the  like  regarde  is  to  be  had,  that  wee  exceede  not  too 
boldly  in  placing  the  verbe  out  of  his  order,  and  too 
farre  behinde  the  nowne :  which  the  neceffitie  of  Ryme 
may  oftentimes  vrge.  For  though  it  be  tollerable  in 
a  verfe  to  fette  wordes  fo  extraordinarily  as  other 
fpeeche  will  not  admitt,  yet  heede  is  to  be  taken,  lead 
by  too  much  affecting  that  manner,  we  make  both  the 
verfe  vnpleafant  and  the  fence  obfcure.  And  fure  it  is 
a  wonder  to  fee  the  folly  of  manie  in  this  refpect,  that 
vfe  not  onely  too  much  of  thys  ouerthwart  placing,  or 
rather  difplacing  of  wordes,  in  theyr  Poemes  and  verfes, 
but  alfo  in  theyr  profe  or  continued  writings :  where 
they  thinke  to  rolle  mod  fmoothlie,  and  flow  moft 
eloquently,  there  by  this  means,  come  foorth  theyr 
fentences  dragging  at  one  Authors  tayle  as  they  were 
tyde  together  with  poynts,  where  often  you  (hall  tarrie 
(fcratching  your  heade)  a  good  fpace  before  you  (hall 
heare  hys  principal!  verbe  or  fpeciall  word,  leafle  hys 
finging  grace,  which  in  his  fentence  is  contained  mould 
be  lefle.  and  his  fpeeche  feeme  nothing  poeticall. 

The  thyrd  obferuation  is,  the  Ryme  or  like  ending 
of  verfes:  which  though  it  is  of  lead  importance,  yet 
hath  won  fuch  credite  among  vs,  that  of  all  other  it  is 
mod  regarded  of  the  greated  part  of  Readers.  And 
furely  as  1  am  perf\vaded,  the  regarde  of  wryters  to  this, 
hath  beene  the  Created  decay  of  that  good  order  of 
verli Tying,  which  might  ere  this  haue  beene  edablilhed 


64  A  Difcourfe  of 

in  our  fpeeche.  In  my  iudgment,  if  there  be  any  orna 
ment  in  the  fame,  it  is  rather  to  be  attributed  to  the 
plentifull  fulneffe  of  our  fpeeche,  which  can  affoorde 
ryming  words  fufficient  for  the  handling  of  any  matter, 
then  to  the  thing  it  felfe  for  any  beautifying  it  bringeth 
to  a  worke :  which  might  bee  adorned  with  farre  more 
excellent  collours  then  ryming  is.  Notwithstanding  I 
cannot  but  yeelde  vnto  it  (as  cuftome  requireth)  the 
deferued  prayfes,  efpecially  where  it  is  with  good  iudge- 
ment  ordered.  And  I  thinke  them  right  worthy  oi 
admiration,  for  their  readines  and  plenty  of  wytt  and 
capacity,  who  can  with  facility  intreate  at  large,  and 
as  we  call  it  extempore,  in  good  and  fencible  ryme, 
vppon  fome  vnacquainted  matter. 

The  ready  fkyll  of  framing  anie  thing  in  verfe,  befides 
the  natural]  promptneffe  which  many  haue  therevnto, 
is  much  helped  by  Arte,  and  exercife  of  the  memory: 
for  as  I  remember,  I  reade  once  among  Gaskoynes 
workes,  a  little  inflruction  to  verifying,  where  is  pre- 
fcribed  as  I  thinke  thys  courfe  of  learning  to  verfifye 
in  Ryme. 

When  ye  haue  one  verfe  well  fetled,  and  decently 
ordered  which  you  may  difpofe  at  your  pleafure,  to 
ende  it  with  what  word  you  wyll :  then  what  foeuer  the 
word  is,  you  may  fpeedilie  runne  ouer  the  other  wordes 
which  are  aimfwerable  therevnto,  (for  more  readines 
through  all  the  letters  Alphabetically)  whereof  you  may 
choofe  that  which  wyll  bell  fitte  the  fence  of  your  matter 
in  that  place:  as  for  example:  if  your  laft  worde  ende 
in  Booke,  you  may  flraightwayes  in  your  minde  runne 
them  ouer  thus.  Brooke,  Cooke,  crooke,  hooke,  looke, 
nooke,  pooke,  rooke,  forfooke,  tooke,  awooke  etc. 
Nowe  it  is  twenty  to  one,  but  alwayes  one  of  thefe  mail 
iumpe  with  your  former  worde  and  matter  in  good 
fence.  If  not,  then  alter  the  firfl. 

And  indeede  I  thinke,  that  next  to  the  Arte  of 
memory,  thys  is  the  readyefl  way  to  attaine  to  the 
faculty  of  ryming  well  Extempore,  efpecially  if  it  be 
helped  with  thus  much  paynes.  Gather  together  all 


Englifh  Poetrie.  65 

manner  of  wordes  efpecially  Monafillables,  and  place 
them  Alphabetically  in  fome  note,  and  either  haue 
them  meetely  perfectly  by  hart  (which  is  no  verye 
labourfome  matter)  or  but  looke  them  dilligently  ouer 
at  fome  time,  practifmg  to  ryme  indifferent  often, 
whereby  I  am  perfwaded  it  wil  foone  be  learned,  fo  as 
the  party  haue  withall  any  reafonable  gyft  of  knowledge 
and  learning,  whereby  hee  want  not  bothe  matter  and 
wordes  altogether. 

What  the  other  circumftaunces  of  Ryming  are,  as 
what  wordes  may  tollerably  be  placed  in  Ryme,  and 
what  not:  what  words  doo  beft  become  a  Ryme,  and 
what  not,  how  many  fortes  of  Ryme  there  is:  and  fuch 
like  I  wyll  not  flay  nowe  to  intreate.  There  be  many 
more  obferuations  and  notes  to  be  prefcribed,  to  the 
exacte  knowledge  of  verifying,  which  I  trufl  wilbe 
better  and  larger  laide  forth  by  others,  to  whom  I  de- 
ferre  manie  confiderations  in  this  treatife :  hoping  that 
fome  of  greater  (kill  will  fhortlie  handle  this  matter  in 
better  forte. 

Nowe  the  fundry  kindes  of  rare  deuifes,  and  pretty 
inuentions  which  come  from  ye  fine  poeticall  vaine  of 
manie  in  flrange  and  vnacuflomed  manner,  if  I  could 
report  them,  it  were  worthie  my  trauell:  fuch  are  the 
turning  of  verfes:  the  infolding  of  wordes:  the  fine 
repititions :  the  clarklie  conu  eying  of  contraries,  and 
manie  fuch  like.  Whereof  though  I  coulde  fette  downe 
manie:  yet  becaufe  I  want  bothe  manie  and  the  befl 
kindes  of  them,  I  will  ouerpaffe :  onelie  pointing  you 
to  one  or  two  which  may  fuffice  for  example. 

Looke  vppon  the  rufull  fong  of  Colin  fung  by 
Cuddle  in  the  Shcepiteardcs  Calender,  where  you  fhall 
fee  a  finguler  rare  deuife  of  a  dittie  framed  vpon  thefe 
fixe  wordes  Woe,  founde,  cryes,  paft,  flcep,  augment , 
which  are  mofl  prettilie  turned  and  wounde  vppe 
mutually  together,  exprcfling  wonderfully  the  doleful - 
neffe  of  the  fong.  A  deuife  not  much  vnlike  vnto  the 
fame,  is  vfed  by  fome,  who  taking  the  lafl  wordes  of  a 
certaine  number  of  verfes,  as  it  were  by  the  rebound 
E 


66  A  Difcourfe  of 

of  an  Echo,  (hall  make  them  fall  out  in  fome  prettie 
fence. 

Of  this  forte  there  are  fome  deuifed  by  lohn  Graunge, 
which  becaufe  they  be  not  long  I  wyll  rehearfe  one. 

If  feare  oppreffe  howe  then  may  hope  me  fhielde? 
Denyall  fayes,  vayne  hope  hath  pleafed  well, 
But  as  fuch  hope  thou  wouldeft  not  be  thine, 
So  would  I  not  the  like  to  rule  my  hart. 
For  if  thou  louefl  it  bidds  thee  graunt  forthwith 
Which  is  the  ioy  whereof  I  Hue  in  hope. 

Here  if  you  take  the  lafl  worde  of  euerie  verfe,  and 
place  them  orderlie  together,  you  mail  haue  this  fen- 
ten  ce  :  Shielde  well  thyne  hart  with  hope.  But  of 
thefe  Echoes  I  knowe  indeede  verie  daintie  peeces  of 
worke,  among  fome  of  the  fin  eft  Poets  this  day  in  Lon 
don  :  who  for  the  rareneffe  of  them  keepe  them  priuelie 
to  themfelues,  and  wil  not  let  them  come  abroad. 

A  like  inuention  to  the  lail  rehearfed,  or  rather  a 
better,  haue  I  feene  often  practifed  in  framing  a  whole 
dittie  to  the  Letters  of  ones  name,  or  to  the  wordes  of 
fome  two  or  three  verfes  which  is  very  witty,  as  for 
example  this  is  one  of  W.  Hunnis,  which  for  the 
fhortnes  I  rather  chufde  then  fome  yat  are  better. 

If  thou  defire  to  Hue  in  quiet  reft, 
Gyue  eare  and  fee,  but  fay  the  beft. 

Thefe  two  verfes  are  nowe  as  it  were  refolued  into 
dyuers  other,  euery  two  wordes  or  fillables  being  the 
beginning  of  an  other  like  verfe,  in  this  fort. 

If  thou  (delight  in  quietnes  of  life, 

Defire  )  to  fhunne  from  brawles,  debate  and  ftrife : 

To  Hue  j  in  lone  with  GOD,  with  freend  and  foe, 

In  rest  Ifhalt  fleepe  when  other  cannot  fo. 

Gyue  care  /'to  all,  yet  doo  not  all  beleeue, 
And  fee      I  the  end  and  then  thy  fentence  gyue  : 
But  fay     I  For  trueth  of  happy  Hues  affignde 
The  lest     vhath  he  that  quiet  is  in  minde. 


Englifli  Poetrie.  67 

Thus  are  there  infinite  fortes  of  fine  conueiances  (as 
they  may  be  termed)  to  be  vfed,  and  are  much  fre 
quented  by  verfifyers,  as  well  in  compofition  of  their 
verfe,  as  the  wittines  of  their  matter :  which  all  I  will 
referre  to  the  confideration  of  euerie  pleafant  headded 
Poet  in  their  proper  gifts :  onelie  I  fett  downe  thefe 
fewe  fortes  of  their  formes  of  verfifying,  which  may 
fland  in  fleede  to  declare  what  manie  others  may  be 
deuifed  in  like  forte. 

But  nowe  to  proceede  to  the  reformed  kind  of  Eng- 
lifh  verfe  which  manie  haue  before  this,  attempted  to 
put  in  practife,  and  to  eftablifh  for  an  accuftomed  right 
among  Englifh  Poets,  you  mail  heare  in  like  manner 
my  fimple  iudgment  concerning  the  fame. 

I  am  fully  and  certainiie  perfwaded,  that  if  the  true 
kind  of  verfifying  in  immitation  of  Greekes  and  Latines, 
had  beene  practifed  in  the  Englifh  tongue,  and  put  in 
vre  from  time  to  tyme  by  our  Poets,  who  might  haue 
continually  beene  mending  and  pollyming  the  fame, 
euery  one  according  to  their  feuerall  giftes  :  it  would 
long  ere  this  haue  afpyred  to  as  full  perfection,  as  in 
anie  other  tongue  whatfoeuer.  For  why  may  I  not 
thinke  fo  of  our  Englifh,  feeing  that  among  the 
Romaines  a  long  time,  yea  euen  till  the  dayes  of 
Tully,  they  efleemed  not  the  Latine  Poetrie  almofl 
worth  any  thing,  in  refpecte  of  the  Greeke,  as  appear- 
eth  in  the  Oration  pro  Archia  Poeta  :  yet  afterwardes 
it  increafed  in  credite  more  and  more,  and  that  in 
fhort  fpace  :  fo  that  in  Virgillcs  time,  wherein  were 
they  not  comparable  with  the  Greekes  ?  So  likewife, 
now  it  feemeth  not  currant  for  an  Englifli  verfe  to  runne 
vpon  true  quantity,  and  thofe  feete  which  the  Latines 
vie,  becaufe  it  is  ftraunge,  and  the  other  barbarous 
c  uflome,  beeing  within  compaffe  of  euery  bafe  witt, 
hath  worne  it  out  of  credite  or  eilimation.  But  if  our 
wryters,  beeing  of  learning  and  iudgment,  would  rather 
infringe  thys  curious  cuflome,  then  omitte  the  occafion 
of  inlarging  the  credite  of  their  natiue  fpeeche,  and 
theyr  owne  prayfes,  by  practifing  that  commendable 


68  A  Difcourfe  of 

kind  of  wry  ting  in  true  verfe :  then  no  doubt,  as  in 
other  partes  of  learning,  fo  in  Poetry,  fhoulde  not 
(loupe  to  the  bell  of  them  all  in  all  maner  of  orna 
ment  and  comlineffe.  But  fome  obiect  that  our 
wordes  are  nothing  refemblaunt  in  nature  to  theirs, 
and  therefore  not  poffible  to  bee  framed  with  any  good 
grace  after  their  vfe  :  but  cannot  we  then  as  well  as  the 
Latines  did,  alter  the  cannon  of  the  rule  according  to 
the  quality  of  our  worde,  and  where  our  wordes  and 
theyrs  wyll  agree,  there  to  iumpe  with  them,  where 
they  will  not  agree,  there  to  eflabliih  a  rule  of  our 
owne  to  be  directed  by?  Likewife,  for  ye  tenor  of 
the  verfe  might  we  not  (as  Horace  dyd  in  the  Latine) 
alter  their  proportions  to  what  fortes  we  lifted,  and  to 
what  we  fawe  wold  beft  become  the  nature  of  the 
thing  handled,  or  the  quallity  of  the  words  ?  Surely 
it  is  to  be  thought  that  if  any  one,  of  found  iudgment 
and  learning,  fhoulde  putt  foorth  fome  famous  worke, 
contayning  dyuers  formes  of  true  verfes,  fitting  the 
meafures,  according  to  the  matter  :  it  would  of  it  felfe 
be  a  fufricient  authority  without  any  prefcription  of 
rules,  to  the  moft  part  of  Poets,  for  them  to  follow  and 
by  cuftome  to  ratify.  For  fure  it  is,  that  the  rules  and 
principles  of  Poetry,  were  not  precifely  followed  and 
obferued  of  the  firft  beginners  and  wryters  of  Poetry, 
but  were  felected  and  gathered  feuerally  out  of  theyr 
workes,  for  the  direction  and  behoofe  of  their  followers. 
And  indeede,  he  that  fhall  with  heedefull  iudgment 
make  tryall  of  the  Englifh  wordes,  fhall  not  finde  them 
fo  groffe  or  vnapt,  but  that  they  wyll  become  any  one 
of  ye  moft  accuftomed  fortes  of  Latine  or  Greeke 
verfes  meetely,  and  run  thereon  fomewhat  currantly. 

I  my  felfe,  with  fimple  fkyll  I  confeffe,  and  farre 
vnable  iudgment,  haue  ventured  on  a  fewe,  which  not- 
withftanding  the  rudenes  of  them  may  ferue  to  fhewe 
what  better  might  bee  brought  into. our  fpeeche,  if  thofe 
which  are  of  meete  abilitye  woulde  beftowe  fome  traueli 
and  endeuour  thereuppon.  But  before  I  fette  them 
downe,  I  wyll  fpeake  fomewhat  of  fuch  obferuations  as 


Englifh  Poetrie.  69 

I  could  gather  neceffary  to  the  knowledge  of  thefe 
kinde  of  verfes,  lead  I  fhould  feeme  to  runne  vpon 
them  rafhly,  without  regarde  either  of  example  or 
authority. 

The  fpeciall  poyntes  of  a  true  verfe,  are  the  due 
obferuations  of  the  feete,  and  place  of  the  feete. 

The  foote  of  a  verfe.  is  a  meafure  of  two  fillables,  or 
of  three,  diflinguifhed  by  time  which  is  eyther  long  or 
fhort.  A  foote  of  two  fillables,  is  eyther  fimple  or 
mixt,  that  is,  of  like  time  or  of  diuers.  A  fimple  foote  of 
two  fillables  is  likewife  twofolde,  eyther  of  two  long 
fillables  called  Spondaus,  as  —  goodneffe,  or  of  two 
fhort  called  Pyrrichius  as  o  u  hyther.  A  myxt  foote  of 
2.  fillables,  is  eyther  of  one  fhort  and  one  long  called 
Iambus  as  u  -  dying:  or  of  one  long  and  one  fhort, 
called  Choreus  as  -  u  gladly.  A  foote  of  3.  fillables 
in  like  forte  is  either  fimple  or  myxt.  The  fimple  is 

eyther  Molojfus,  that  is  of  three  long,  as forgiue- 

nes\  or  Troch&us,  that  is  oi"  3.  fhort,  as  u  u  u  incrylie. 
The  mixt  is  of  6.  diuers  fortes,  i.  Dactylus^  of  one  long, 
and  two  fhort,  as  -  u  u  happily.  2.  Anaptztus,  of  two 
fhorte,  and  one  long,  as  o  o  -  t\i-\audcrs.  3.  Bacckius, 

of  one  fhort,  and   two  long,   as  u remembrers. 

4.  Palimbacliius,  of  two  long  and  one  fliort,  as  —  u 
accorded.  5.  Crcticus  of  a  long,  a  fhort,  and  a  long, 
-  u  -  daungerous.  6.  AmpJdbrachus,  of  a  fliort,  a  long, 
and  a  fhort,  as  u  -  o  reioyccd. 

Many  more  deuifions  of  feete  are  vfed  by  fome,  but 
thefe  doo  more  artificially  comprehende  all  quantities 
neceffary  to  the  fkanning  of  any  verfe,  according  to 
Tallceus  in  hys  Rethorique.  The  place  of  the  \\ 
the  difpofmg  of  them  in  theyr  propper  roomes,  whereby 
may  be  difcerned  the  difference  of  eche  verfe  which  is 
the  right  numbring  of  the  fame.  Now  as  for  the  quan 
tity  of  our  wordes,  therein  lyeth  great  dirhcnltye,  and  the 
cheefefl  matter  in  this  faculty.  For  in  truth  there  being 
fuch  diuerfity  betwixt  our  words  and  the  Latiiu-,  it 
cannot  flande  indeede  with  great  reafon  that  they 
fhoulde  frame,  wee  beeing  onelie  directed  by  fuch  rules 


>r0  A  Difcourfe  of 

as  feme  for  onely  Latine  words,  yet  notwithftanding 
one  may  well  perceiue  by  thefe  fewe,  that  thefe  kinde 
of  verfes  would  well  become  the  fpeeche,  if  fo  bee  there 
were  fuch  Rules  prefcribed,  as  woulde  admitt  the  plac 
ing  of  your  apted  and  fulled  wordes  together.  For 
indeede  excepting  a  fewe,  of  our  Monafyllables,  which 
naturally  fhoulde  moft  of  them  be  long,  we  haue  almofl 
none,  that  wyll  ftande  fitlie  in  a  fhort  ibote :  and  ther- 
fore  if  fome  exception  were  made  againil  the  precife 
obferuation  of  Pofition,  and  certaine  other  of  the  rules, 
then  might  we  haue  as  great  plenty  and  choyfe  of  good 
woordes  to  furnifh  and  fette  foorth  a  verfe,  as  in  any 
other  tongue. 

Likewife  if  there  were  fome  derection  in  fuch  wordes, 
as  fall  not  within  the  compaffe  of  Greeke  or  Latine 
rules,  it  were  a  great  helpe,  and  therefore  I  had  great 
miffe  in  thefe  few  which  I  made.  Such  as  is  the  lad 
tillable  in  thefe  wordes,  able,  noble,  or  pqffible  and 
fuch  like :  againe  for  the  nature  and  force  of  our  W.  of 
our  th,  of  our  oo,  and  ee,  of  our  wordes  which  admytte 
an  e  in  the  ende  after  one  or  two  Confonantes,  and 
many  other.  I  for  my  part,  though  (I  mufl  needes 
confeffe)  many  faultes  efcaped  me  in  thefe  fewe,  yet 
tooke  I  as  good  heede  as  I  coulde,  and  in  trueth  did 
rather  alwaies  omitt  the  bell  wordes  and  fuch  as  would 
naturally  become  the  fpeech  bed,  then  I  wolde  com- 
mitte  any  thing,  which  fhoulde  notoriouily  impugne  the 
Latine  rules,  which  herein  I  had  onely  for  my  direction. 
Indeede  mod  of  our  Monafyllables  I  am  forced  to  make 
fhort,  to  fupply  the  want  of  many  fhort  wordes  requifite 
in  thefe  verfes.  The  Participle  A,  being  but  the  Eng- 
lifti  article  adioyned  to  Nownes,  I  alwayes  make  fhort, 
both  alone  and  in  compofition,  and  like  wife  the  wordes 
of  one  fillable  ending  in  E,  as  the,  when  it  is,  an  article, 
he,  Jhe,  ye,  etc.  we  I  thinke  mould  needes  be  alwayes 
long  becaufe  we  pronounce  continually  We.  /,  beeing 
,alone  danding  for  the  Pronowne  Ego,  in  my  iudgment 
might  well  be  vfed  common :  but  becaufe  I  neuer  fawe 
it  vfed  but  fhort  I  fo  obferued  it.  Words  ending  in  y 


Englifh  Poetrie.  71 

I  make  fhort  without  doubt,  fauing  that  I  haue  marked 
in  others  one  difference  which  they  vfe  in  the  fame, 
that  is  to  make  it  fhort  in  the  ende  u  of  an  Aduerb,  as 
gladly,  and  long  in  the  ende  -  of  an  Adiectiue  as  goodly : 
but  the  reafon  is  as  I  take  it,  becaufe  the  Adiectiue  is 
or  mould  be  mofl  commonly  written  thus  goodlie. 
0,  beeing  an  Aduerbe  is  naturally  long :  in  the  ende  of 
wordes  both  Monafyllables  and  other  I  thinke  it  may 
be  vfed  common.  The  firfl  of  Pollifyllables  I  directed 
according  to  the  nature  of  the  worde,  as  I  thought  moil 
aunfwerable  to  Latine  examples,  fauing  that  fomewhere 
I  am  conflrayned  to  flraine  curtefy  with  the  prepofition 
of  a  worde  compounded  or  fuch  like,  which  breaketh 
no  great  fquare:  as  in  defence  or  depart,  etc.  The 
myddle  fillables  which  are  not  very  many,  come  for  the 
mofl  part  vnder  the  precinct  of  Pofition,  whereof  fome 
of  them  will  not  poffibly  abide  the  touch,  and  therfore 
mull  needes  be  a  little  wrefted :  fuch  are  commonly  ye 
Aduerbs  of  three  fillables,  as  mournfully,  fpyghtfully 
and  fuch  like  words,  deriued  of  this  Adiectiue,  full: 
and  therfore  if  there  be  great  occafion  to  vfe  them,  they 
muft  be  reformed  by  detracting  onely  (/)  and  then  they 
Hand  meetely  currant,  as  mournfuly.  The  lafl  fillables 
I  wholly  directed  fo  neere  as  I  could  to  the  touch  of 
common  rules. 

The  mofl  famous  verfe  of  all  the  reft,  is  called  Hexa- 
metrum  Epicum,  which  confifteth  of  fixe  feete,  wherof 
the  firfl  foure  are  indifferently  either  Spondcei  or  Daftyli, 
the  fift  is  euermore  a  dactyl,  aud  the  fixt  a  Spondee,  as 
thus. 


Tyterus  happily  thou  liest  tumbling  vnder  a  bettchtrce. 

Thys  kinde  of  verfe  I  haue  onely  feene  to  be  practifed 
in  our  Englifh  fpeeche:  and  indeede  wyll  fland  fome- 
what  more  orderlye  therein  then  any  of  the  other 
kindes,  vntill  we  haue  fome  tolleration  of  wordes  mat  hi 
by  fpeciall  rule.  The  firfl  that  attempted  to  practife 
thys  verfe  in  Englifh,  mould  feeme  to  be  the  Earle  of 
Surry,  who  translated  fome  part  of  Virgill  into  verfe 


72  A  Difcourfe  of 

indeede,  but  without  regard  of  true  quantity  of  fillables. 
There  is  one  famous  Diftichon,  which  is  common  in  the 
mouthes  of  all  men,  that  was  made  by  one  Matter  VVat- 
fon,  fellowe  of  S.  Johns  Colledge  in  Cambrydge  about 
40.  yeeres  patt,  which  for  the  fweetnes  and  gallantnes 
therof  in  all  refpects  doth  mat[c]h  and  furpaffe  the 
Latine  coppy  of  Horace,  which  he  made  out  of  Homers 
wordes,  qui  mores  hominum  etc. 

—          u    o     —       —      —     O      «-»    —       —          —         u    «_> 

All  trauellcrs  doo  glad  lie  report  great  praife  to  IJliffes 

\J     U          U        \J  \J      O 

For  that  heknewemaniemensmaners, and f aw  many  citties. 

Which  two  verfes  if  they  be  examined  throughout  all 
the  rules  and  obferuations  of  the  bett  verfifying,  mail 
bee  founde  to  attaine  the  very  perfection  of  them  all. 
There  be  two  other  not  much  inferiour  to  thefe,  which 
I  found  in  ye  Gloffe  of  E.  K.  vppon  the  fift  ^Eglogue 
of  the  newe  Poet :  which  Tully  tranilated  out  of  Greeke 
into  Latine,  Hcec  habui  qua.  edi  etc. 

All  that  I  eate  did  I  toy  and  all  that  I greedilie  gorged. 

—  —    —      0     w   —  —    —   —     —  w     ,_, 

As  for  thofe  manie  goodlie  matters  left  J for  others. 

Which  though  they  wyll  not  abide  the  touch  of 
Synalcepha  in  one  or  two  places,  yet  perhappes  fome 
Englifh  rule  which  might  wyth  good  reafon  be  ettab- 
lifhed,  would  make  them  currant  enough,  and  auoyde 
that  inconuenience  which  is  very  obuious  in  our 
wordes.  The  great  company  of  famous  verfes  of  thys 
fort,  which  Matter  Haruey  made,  is  not  vnknowne  to 
any  and  are  to  be  viewed  at  all  times.  I  for  my  part,  fo 
farre  as  thofe  examples  would  leade  me,  and  mine 
owne  fmall  fkyll  affoorde  me,  haue  blundered  vppon 
thefe  fewe,  whereinto  I  haue  tranflated  the  two  firtt 
yEglogues  of  Virgill :  becaufe  I  thought  no  matter  of 
mine  owne  inuention,  nor  any  other  of  antiquitye 
more  fitte  for  tryal  of  thys  thyng,  before  there  were 
fome  more  fpeciall  direction,  which  might  leade  to  a 
.leffe  troublefome  manner  of  wiyting. 


Englifh  Poetrie.  73 


The  Argument  of  the  firft 


Vnclcr  the  pcrfonne  of  Tityrus  Vyrgill  beeing  figured  him- 
felfe,  declareth  to  Melibeus  an  nother  Neateheard,  the  great 
benefittes  he  receyued  at  Augujlus  hand,  who  in  the  fpoyle 
of  Mantua  gaue  him  hys  goods  and  fubllaunce  againe. 

|Qclibacu#.          STitiirusf. 

TItynts,  happilie  thou  lystc  tumbling  vnder  a  beech  tree, 
All  in  a  fine  oate  pipe  thefefwettefongs  lustiiie.  chaunting: 
V  Ve,  poorefoules  goe  to  wracke,  and  from  thefe  coast  es  bercmooucd, 
And  fro  our  pastures  frnr/e:  thou  Tiiyr,  at  cafe  in  a  shade  plolt 
Makst  thickc  groucs  to  rcfoundvvithfongcs  of  brauc  Amarillis. 


O  Melibaeus,  he  rras  no  man  but  a  Cod  who  rclceudc  me: 
J'Mi'r  lie  shaft*  my  God  :  from  this  fame  Sheepcot  his  alters 
.\<n<r,  a  tciidt-r  l.ambe  JJiall  vrati/,  with  blood  to  bed  err  them. 
This  good  gift  did  he  ght<\  to  »n>  si  ceres  tints  free!  ie  to  grander, 
And  to  my  felfc  (thou  feest)  on  pipe  to  refound  what  J  lijlcd. 


74  A  Difcourfe  of 


JEelibaettg. 

Grutch  thee  f  ure  I  doo  not,  but  this  thing  makes  me  to  wonder, 
Whence  comes  all  this  adoo:  with  grieeuous  paine  not  a  little 
Can  I  remooue  my  Goates:  here,  Tityre  skant  get  I  forward 
Poore  olde  crone,  two  twyns  at  a  clappe  ith  boyfterous  hafdlcs 
LeftJJie  behind,  best  hope  ?  my  flock  laid  hard  on  a  bare  stone. 
If  ad  not  a  lucklejjfe  lotte  poffest  our  mindes,  I  remember 
Warnings  oft  fro  the  blajl  burnt  oake  wefaw  to  befent  vs. 
Oft  did  a  left  hand  crow  foretell  thefe  thinges  in  her  hull  tree, 
But  this  God  let  vs  heat  e  what  he  was,  good  Tityre  tell  me. 


That  fame  Cittiefo  braue  which  Rome  was  wont  to  be  called, 
Foole  did  Tthinke,  to  be  like  this  of  ours,  where  we  to  the  pastures 
Wonted  were  to  remooue  from  dammes  our  young  prettie  Cattell. 
Thus  did  J  thinke  young  whelp  es,  and  Kids  to  be  like  to  the 

mothers, 

Thus  did  I  wont  compare  manie  great  thinges  with  many  little. 
But  this  aboue  all  townes  as  loftily  mounteth  her  high  head, 
As  by  the  lowe  bafe  shrubbes  tall  Cypreffe  shooteth  aboue  them. 


And  what  did  thee  mooue  thatneedes  thou  must  goe  to  fee  Rome? 


Freedome:  which  though  late,  yet  once  lookt  backe  to  my  pore 

flate, 

After  time  when  haires  from  my  beard  did  ginne  to  be  whit  is  Ji: 
Yet  lookt  back  at  laft  and  found  me  out  after  a  long  time. 
Whett  Amarill  was  once  obtainde,  Galatea  departed: 
For  (for  I  will  confejfe)  whilst  as  Galatea  did  hold  mee, 
Hope  did  I  not  for  freedome,  and  care  had  I  none  to  my  cattcll. 
Though  manie  f  air  eyoungbeastes  ourfoldefortheaultersaforded 


Englifh  Poetrie.  75 

And  manie  checfcs  good  fro  my  preffe  were  fent  to  the  Cittic: 
Seldome  times  did  I  bring  anie  store  of  pence  fro  the  markett. 


O  Amarill,  wherefore,  to  thy  Gods  (very  much  did  I  meruaile) 
Hcauilie  thou  didft  praie:  ripefruites  vngathered  all  still: 
Tityrus  is  not  at  home:  tliefe  Pyne  trees  Tityre  mift  thce. 
Fountaines  longd  for  thee  :  thefc  hedgrovves  wisht  thy  return 
home 


}*Vhat  was  then  to  bedoonelfrom  bondage  could  not  J  wind  out: 
Neither  I  could  haue  found  fuch  gentle  Gods  any  where  els. 
There  did  I  fee  (Meliboee)  that  youth  whofe  hestes  I  by  courfe 

still. 

Fortnights  whole  to  obferue  on  the  Alters  fure  will  I  not  faile. 
Thus  did  he  gentlie  graunt  to  my  fute  when  first  I  demau  tided. 
Kcfpc  vour  heardes  poore  Jlaues  as  erst,  let  bulks  to  the  makes 

still. 


Happy  olde  man,  then  thoufJialt  haue  thy  far  me  to  remaine  still, 
Large  and  large  to  thy  f  elf  e,  others  nougJit  but  stonie  grauell  : 
And  foule  Jlymie  rush  wherewith  their  lees  be  befprmUed. 
Here  no  vnwoonted  foodc  JJiall  gricue  young  thcaucs  who  be 

laded, 

Nor  the  infections  foule  of  neighbours  JlocheJJia  11  annoie  them. 
1  lap^ic  olde  man.     Injhaddowy  bankes  and  cook  prcttie  places, 
Jl«re  by  the  quaintedfloodes  and  fp  rings  most  holie  remaining. 
//rvr,    thefc  quickfcts  frcjh    w/iuh  lands  fcucr  out  fro    thy 

neighbors 

And  gru'iic  willow  rowcs  which  Ilibhr  bees  doo  rcioice  in, 
Oft  fine  whist  ring  noife,  /hall  bring  fwedc  flecpe  to  th\  fences. 
I'nder  a  Rock  fide  here  will  proyncr  cluiunt  nisrrie  Jittics. 
Neither  on  high*  Elme  trees,  thy  bcloude  J)oucs  loftilie  fitting, 
Nor  prcttic  Turtles  trim,  rri/l  ccafe  to  crookewith  a  good  chccrc. 


76  A  Difcourfe  of 


First,  therefore  fivift  buckes  shall  flic  for  foode  to  the  skies  ward, 
And  from  fish  with  drawn  broade  fcas  themfelues  shal  auoid 

hence: 

First,  (both  borders  broke)  Araris  JJial  run  to  the  Parthanes, 
And  likewife  Tygris  shall  againe  runne  backe  to  the  Germanes: 
Ere  his  countnaunce  fweete  shall  flippe  once  out  from  my  hartroote. 


poor  e  foules,  mujl  fome  to  the  land  cald  Africa  packc  hence. 
Some  to  the  far  re  Scythia,  and  fome  must  to  the  fwift  flood  Oaxis. 
Some  to  Britannia  coaftes  quite  parted  farre  fro  the  whole  world. 
Oh  thefe  paflures  pure  shall  I  ncre  more  chance  to  beliold  yeel 
And  our  cottage  poore  with  warme  turues  couerd  about  trim. 
Oh  thefe  trim  tilde  landes,fJiall  a  rechlejfe  fouldier  haue  them? 
AndfJiall  a  Barbarian  haue  this  cropped  fee  what  a  mif  chief  e 
D  if  cord  vile  hath  araifde?  for  whom  was  our  labour  alltooke  ? 
Now  Meliboze  ingraft  pear  ie  stocks,  fette  vines  in  an  order. 
Now  goe  (my  braue  flocke  once  that  were)   O  now  goe  my 

kidlings. 

Neuer  againefJiall  I  now  in  a  greene  bowre  fwcetelie  repofed 
See  ye  in  queachie  briers  farre  a  loofe  dambring  on  a  high  hill. 
Now  fJiall  Ifing  no  lygges,  nor  whilst  I  do  o  fall  to  my  iunkets. 
Shall  ye  my    Goates,  cropping  fweete  flowres  and  leaues  fit 

about  me. 


Yet  tJiOii  maist  tarrie  heere,  and  keepe  me  companie  this  night, 
All  on  a  Icauie  couch  :  good  Aples  ripe  I  doo  not  lacke, 
Chestnutts  fweete  good  store,  andplentie  of  curddes  will  Ifet  thee. 
Marke  t  the  Towne  how  cJdmnie  tops  doo  beginne  to  befmoaking, 
And  fro  the  Mountaims  high  how  J}iaddowes  grow  to  be  larger. 


Englifli  Poetrie.  77 


- 


The  feconde  ^Eglogue  called 
Alexis. 


The  Argument. 

Vir^ill  in  the  perfonne  of  Corydon  as  fome  thinke,  com- 
playncth  that  he  is  not  fo  gratious  with  Auguftus  as  he 
would  bee  :  or  els  it  is  to  be  referred  to  a  youth  Alexander, 
which  was  giuen  him  of  Afinius  Pollio,  whom  he  blameth 
for  the  vnfi.edfafl.nes  of  his  witt  and  wandering  appetite,  in 
refilling  the  freendly  counfayle  which  he  vfed  to  giue  him. 

THat  Sheepheard  Corydon  did  burne  in  loue  with  Alexis, 
All  his  matters  deare :  and  nought  had  he  whereby  to  hope 
( )nely  in  beechen  groues,  and  dolefome  fhaddowy  places,  [for. 
1  )ailie  reforted  he  :  there  thefe  rude  difordered  outcryes, 
I  Ivllcs  and  defert  woodes  throughout  thus  mournfully  tuned. 
( )  hard  harted  Alex,  hatt  thou  no  regard  to  my  fweete  fong? 
Pyttiett  me  not  a  whitt :  yea  makft  me  now  that  I  ihall  dye. 
Yet  doo  the  beattes  find  out  fine  Ihades  and  trim  pretty 

coole  plottes, 

And  fro  the  fun  beames  fafe  lie  lyzardes  vnder  a  bufhtufte : 
And  for  workmen  toughe  with  boyling  heate  fo  beparched, 
(larlick  fauery  fweete  and  coole  henrbrs  plenty  be  d  re  fled. 
IJui,  by  the  fcorchtbanke  fydes  i'  thy  foote  iU-ppcs  ilil  I  goe 

plodding. 


7s  A  Difcourfe  of 

Hedgerowes  hott  doo  refound  with  Grafliops  mournfully  fqueak- 
O  had  I  not  ben  better  abyd  Amarillis  her  anger  ?          [ing, 
And  her  proude  difdaine  ?  yea  better  abyde  my  Menalcas  ? 
What  though  brown  did  he  feeme  ?  yea  what  though  thou  be 

fo  gallant 

O  thou  fine  chery  cheekt  child  trufl  not  t'  much  to  thy  beauty. 
Black  violetts  are  tooke  when  dayfes  white  be  refufed. 
Me  thou  dofl  defpife  vnknowne  to  thy  felfe  yet  Alexis : 
What  be  my  riches  greate  in  neate,  in  milke  what  aboundance. 
In  Sicill  hylles  be  my  Lambes  of  which  there  wander  a  thoufand. 
All  times,  colde  and  hote  yet  frelh  milke  neuer  I  wanted. 
Such  be  my  Muficke  notes,  as  (when  his  flockes  he  recalling) 
Amphion  of  Dirce  did  vfe  on  more  Aracynthus. 
Much  mifhapt  I  am  not,  for  late  in  a  ban  eke  I  behelde  me, 
When  flill  feas  were  calme,  to  thy  Daphnis  neede  not  I  giue 

place 

No,  though  thou  be  the  iudge,  if  pictures  haue  any  credite. 
O  were  thou  content  to  remaine  with  me  by  the  downes  heere, 
In  thefe  lodgings  fmall,  and  helpe  me  proppes  to  put  vnder. 
And  trym  kydling  flocke  with  me  to  driue  to  the  greene  fieldes: 
Pan  in  finging  fweete  with  me  fhouldfl  brauely  refemble : 
Pan,  was  firil  the  inuenter,  pypes  to  adioyne  in  an  order: 
Pan,  poore  flockes  and  Sheepheardes  to  moll  duly  regardeth. 
Thofefine  lips  thou  needft  not  feare  to  brufewith  a  fweete  pype : 
What  dyd  Amynt  forfake  i'this  excercife  to  be  cunning? 
One  pype  with  feauene  fundry  (lops  matcht  fweetly  together. 
Haue  I  my  felfe,  Damaetas  which  ats  death  he  bequeathd  me, 
And  fayd,  heere,  thou  art  now  thefecond  which  euer  hath  ought 
So  fayd  Damaetas:  but  Amyntas  fpightfully  fcornde  it.       [it. 
Alfo,  two  pretty  fmall  wyld  kyddes,  mofl  goodlie  befpotted 
Haue  I,  that  heere  i'  the  dales  doo  runne  skant  fafe  I  doo 

feare  me. 

Twyce  in  a  day  two  teates  they  fuck:  for  thee  will  I  keepe  them : 
Wondrous  faine  to  haue  had  them  both  was  Theflylis  of  late. 
And  fo  me  mall :  for  I  fee  thou  fcornil  whatfo-euer  I  giue  thee. 
Come  hyther  O  thou  fweete  face  boy :  fee  fee,  to  thy  felfe  heere 
How  fayre  Nymphes  in  baskets  full  doo  bring  manie  Lillies : 
White  violets  fweete  Nais  plucks  and  bloomes  fro  the  Poppies, 
Narcyfs,  and  dyll  flowres  moil  fweete  that  fauoureth  alfo. 


Englifh  Poetrie.  79 

Cafia,  broade  mary  Goldes,  with  pancyes,  and  Hyacinthus. 
And  I  my  felfe  rype  peaches  foft  as  filke  will  I  gather. 
And  fuch  Chefnutts  as  Amarill  was  wont  to  reioyce  at. 
Ploms  wyll  I  bring  likewife :  that  fruite  lhall  be  honored  alfo. 
And  ye  O  Lawrell  twygges  that  I  croppe,  and  myrte  thy 

felfe  next. 
For  ye  be  wont,  (bound  both  in  a  bunch)  moil  fweetely  to 

fauour. 

Thou  art  but  aClowneCorydon:  thefe  gifts  efteemes  not  Alexis: 
Nor  by  thy  gifts  to  obtaine  art  meete  to  incounter  lolas. 
Wretch  (ahlas)  whats  this  that  I  wiih?  fouth  blafls  to  the 

yong  flowers 

Or  cleere  cry  flail  flreames  with  loathfome  fwyne  to  be  troubled? 
Ah  mad  boy  from  whom  dooft  runne?  why  Gods  ithe  woods 

dwelt : 

And  Paris  erfl  of  Troy :  Pallas  moil  gladly  reioyfeth, 
In  thefe  bowres  :  and  in  trym  groues  we  all  chiefely  delight 

vs. 
Grym  Lyoneffe   doth  courfe  curfl  woolues,  fo  wolues  doo 

the  kydlinges. 
And   thefe    wanton    Kyddes   likewife    thefe   faire    Cytifus 

flowers. 

Thee  Corydon  (O  Alex)  fome  pleafure  euery  wight  pulles. 
See  thefe  yoked  fleeres  fro   the  plough  nowe  feeme  to  be 

Ictt  loofe. 
And  thefe  fhadowes  large  doo  declare  thys  fun   to  depart 

hence 
Styll  I  doo  burne  in  loue.     What  meane  in  lone  to  be  lookt 

for? 

Ah  Corydon  Corydon,  what  raging  fury  dooth  haunt  thee, 
Halfe  cropt  downe  be  thy  vynes  and  broade  brauncht  elmes 

ouerhang  them. 

Rather  about  fome  needefull  worke  now  bufy  thy  fdfe  well, 
Kither  on  Ofyers  tuffe  or  bulrulh  weuue  pretty  basketts. 
And  if  Alexis  fcornc  thee  Hill,  mayil  hope  for  another. 


FINIS. 


8o  A  Difcourfe  of 

I  durfl  not  enterpryfe  to  goe  any  further  with  this 
rude  tranflation :  beeing  for  the  refpects  aforefayd  a 
troublefome  and  vnpleafant  peece  of  labour:  And 
therefore  thefe  mall  fuffice  till  further  occafion  fhall 
feme  to  imploy  fome  profitable  paynes  in  this  behalfe. 

The  next  verfe  in  dignity  to  the  Hexameters,  is  ye 
Carmen  Elegiaciun  which  confifleth  of  foure  feete  and 
two  od  fillables  :  viz :  the  two  firft  feete,  eyther  Daftyli 
or  Spondczi  indifferent,  the  one  long  fillable :  next  two 

Daftyli  and  an  other  long  fillable oo  —  u  u  - 

u  u  -  fome  doo  meafure  it  in  this  forte  (and  more  truely 
yet  not  fo  readily  to  all)  accounting  firft  two  indiffer 
ently  either  Dactyli  or  Spond&i,  then  one  Spondczi, 
and  two  AnapczftL  But  it  commeth  all  to  one  reckon 
ing.  Thys  verfe  is  alwayes  vnfeperably  adioyned 
vnto  the  Hexameter,  and  ferueth  efpecially  to  the 
handling  of  loue  and  dalliances,  whereof  it  taketh 
the  name.  It  will  not  frame  altogether  fo  currantlye 
in  our  Englifh  as  the  other,  becaufe  the  fhortneffe 
of  the  feconde  Penthimimer  will  hardly  be  framed 
to  fall  together  in  good  fence,  after  the  Latine  rules. 
I  haue  not  feene  very  many  of  them  made  by  any, 
and  therefore  one  or  two  for  example  fake  mall 
be  fufficient. 

This  Diflichon  out  of  Quid. 

Ingenium  quondam  fuerat  pretiofius  auro. 
At  nunc  barbaries  grandis  habere  nihil. 

May  thus  be  tranflated. 

Learning  once  was  thought  to  be  better  then  any  gold  was, 
Now  he  that  hath  not  wealth  is  but  a  barbarian. 

And  thys 

Omniafunt  hominum  tenui  pendentiafilo: 

Etfubito  cafu  qiuz  valuere  ruunt. 
Tis  but  a  flender  thread,  which  all  mens  flates  do  de 
pend  on : 
And  mod  goodly  thinges  quickly  doo  fall  to  decay. 


Englifh  Poetrie.  81 

As  for  the  verfes  Phalocium  and  lambicum,  I  haue 
not  as  yet  made  any  tryall  in  them :  but  the  Sapphic  I 
affure  you,  in  my  iudgment  wyl  doo  very  pretty,  if  ye 
wants  which  I  fpeake  were  once  fupplied.  For  tryall 
of  which  I  haue  turned  the  new  Poets  fweete  fong  of 
Eliza  into  fuch  homely  Sapphick  as  I  coulde. 

Thys  verfe  confifteth  of  thefe  fiue  feete,  one  Chore, 
one  fpondcz,  one  daftyl,  and  two  Choreis,  with  this 
addition,  that  after  euery  third  verfe  be  fette  one 
Adonium  verfe,  which  confifteth  of  a  daclyl  and  a 
fponda.  It  is  more  troublefome  and  tedious  to  frame 
in  our  fpeeche  by  reafon  they  runne  without  difference, 
euery  verfe  being  a  like  in  quantity  throughout,  yet  in 
my  iudgement  ftandeth  meetely  well  in  the  fame.  I 
pray  looke  the  Coppy  which  I  haue  tranflated  in  the 
fourth  ALglo^ue  of  the  Shuphcardes  Calender :  ye  fong 
of  Colins  making  which  Hobbinoll  fmgeth  in  prayfe 
of  the  Queenes  maiefly,  vnder  the  name  of  Eliza. 

YE  dainty  Nymphes  that  in  this  bleffed  brooke, 
doo  bathe  your  brefl : 
Forfake  your  watry  bowres  and  hether  looke, 

at  my  requeft : 

And  onely  you  Virgins  that  on  Parnafs  dwell. 
VMK-MCC  floweth  Helicon  the  learned  well, 
helpe  me  to  blafe 
her  worthy  praife 
That  in  her  fex  doth  all  excell. 

Of  fayre  Eliza  be  your  filuer  fong 

that  bleffed  wight : 
The  flowre  of  Virgins,  may  me  fiourifh  long, 

in  princely  plight. 

For  flie  is  Syrinx  daughter  without  fpott, 
Whi(  h  J\in  the  Shccphcanls  Clod  on  her  begot  : 

fo  fprnng  her  grace, 

of  heauenly  race, 
No  mortall  blemilh  may  her  blott. 

See  where  flie  fittes,  etc. 

r 


82  A  Difcourfe  of 

The  Saphick  verfe. 


u  u 
u  u 


Oye  Nymphes  moft  fine  who  refort  to  this  brooke, 
For  to  bathe  there  your  pretty  breafts  at  all  times  : 
Leaue  the  watrifh  bowres,  hyther  and  to  me  come 

at  my  requeft  nowe. 

And  ye  Virgins  trymme  who  refort  to  Parnafs, 
Whence  the  learned  well  Helicon  beginneth  : 
Helpe  to  blafe  her  worthy  deferts,  that  all  els 

mounteth  aboue  farre. 
Nowe  the  filuer  fonges  of  Eliza  fing  yee, 
Princely  wight  whofe  peere  not  among  the  virgins 
Can  be  found  :  that  long  (he  may  remaine  among  vs. 

now  let  vs  all  pray. 

For  Syrinx  daughter  fhe  is,  of  her  begotten 
Of  the  great  God  Pan,  thus  of  heauen  aryfeth, 
All  her  exlent  race  :  any  mortall  harde  happe 

cannot  aproche  her. 

See,  fhe  fittes  moft  feemely  in  a  graffy  greene  plott, 
Clothed  in  weedes  meete  for  a  princely  mayden, 
.Bofte  with  Ermines  white,  in  a  goodly  fcarlett 

brauely  befeeming. 

Decked  is  that  crowne  that  vpon  her  head  ftandes 
With  the  red  Rofe  and  many  Daffadillies, 
Bayes,  the  Primrofe  and  violetts,  be  fette  by :  how 

ioyfull  a  fight  ift. 

Say,  behold  did  ye  euer  her  Angelike  face, 
Like  to  P/icebe  fayre  ?  or  her  heauenly  hauour 
And  the  princelike  grace  that  in  her  remaineth  ? 

haue  yee  the  like  feenc  ? 
M  edled  ift  red  rofe  with  a  white  together 
Which  in  either  cheeke  do  depeinct  a  trymme  cheere, 
Her  maieftie  and  eye  to  behold  fo  comely,  her 

like  who  remembreth  ? 


Englifh  Poetrie.  83 

Phoebus  once  peept  foorth  with  a  goodly  guilt  hewe, 
For  to  gaze  :  but  when  he  fa\ve  the  bright  beames 
Spread  abroade  fro'  her  face  with  a  glorious  grace, 

it  did  amaze  him. 

When  another  funne  he  behelde  belowe  heere, 
Blufht  he  red  for  mame,  nor  againe  he  durft  looke : 
Would  he  durfl  bright  beames  of  his  owne  with  hers  match, 

for  to  be  vanquifht. 

Shew  thy  felfe  now  Cynthia  with  thy  cleere  rayes, 
And  behold  her:  neuer  abafht  be  thou  fo :  [beauty,  how 
When    me   fpreades  thofe  beames    of  her  heauenly 

thou  art  in  a  dump  dafht  ? 

But  I  will  take  heede  that  I  match  not  her  grace, 
With  the  Laton  feede,  Niobe  that  once  did, 
Nowe  me  doth  therefore  in  a  ftone  repent :  to  all 

other  a  warning. 

Pan  he  may  well  boafte  that  he  did  begit  her 

Such  a  noble  wight,  to  Syrinx  is  it  ioy, 

That  (he  found  fuch  lott  with  a  bellibone  trym 

for  to  be  loaden. 

When  my  younglinges  firft  to  the  dammes  doo  bleat  out, 

Shall  a  milke  white  Lambeto  my  Lady  beoffred :  [grome. 

For  my  Goddeffe  fliee  is  yea  I  my  felfe  her  Heard- 

though  but  a  rude  Clowne. 

Vnto  that  place  Caliope  dooth  high  her, 

Where  my  Goddeffe  mines:  to  the  fame  the  Mufer 

After  her  with  fweete  Violines  about  them 

cheerefully  tracing 

Is  not  it  Bay  braunche  that  aloft  in  handes  they  haue, 
Eune  to  giue  them  fure  to  my  Lady  Eliza : 
O  fo  fweete  they  play — and  to  the  fame  doo  fing  too 

heaunly  to  hearc  ifl. 

See,  the  Graces  trym  to  the  flroake  doo  foote  it, 
Deftly  dauncing,  and  meriment  doo  make  them, 
Sing  to  the  inllrumcnts  to  rcioyce  the  more,  but 

wants  not  a  fourth  grace  ? 


84  A  Difcourfe  of 

Then  the  daunce  wyll  be  eune,  to  my  Lady  therefore 
Shalbe  geune  that  place,  for  a  grace  fhe  fliall  be 
For  to  fill  that  place  that  among  them  in  heaune,  fhe 

may  be  receiued. 

Thys  beuy  of  bright  Nymphes,  whether  ift  goe  they  now  ? 
Raunged  all  thus  fine  in  a  rowe  together? 
They  be  Ladies  all  i'  the  Lake  behight  foe? 

they  thether  all  goe. 

One  that  is  there  chiefe  that  among  the  reft  goes, 

Called  is  Chores  of  Olyues  fhe  beares  a 

Goodly  Crownett,  meete  for  a  Prince  that  in  peace 

euer  abideth. 

All  ye  Sheepheardes  maides  that  about  the  greene  dwell, 
Speede  ye  there  to  her  grace,  but  among  ye  take  heede 
All  be  Virgins  pure  that  aproche  to  deck  her, 

duetie  requireth. 

When  ye  fliall  prefent  ye  before  her  in  place, 
See  ye  not  your  felues  doo  demeane  too  rudely: 
Bynd  the  fillets:  and  to  be  fine  the  wafle  gyrt 

fail  with  a  tawdryne 

Bring  the  Pinckes  therewith  many  Gelliflowres  fweete, 
And  the  Cullambynes :  let  vs  haue  the  Wynefops, 
With  the  Cornation  that  among  the  loue  laddes 

wontes  to  be  worne  much. 

Daffadowndillies  all  a  long  the  ground  ftrowe, 

And  the  Cowflyppe  with  a  prety  paunce  let  heere  lye. 

Kyngcuppe  and  Lillies  fo  beloude  of  all  men 

And  the  deluce  flowre. 

One  verfe  there  remaineth  vntranflated  as  yet,  with 
fome  other  of  this  forte,  which  I  meant  to  haue  finifhed, 
but  by  reafon  of  fome  let  which  I  had,  I  am  con- 
ftrained  to  defer  to  fome  other  time,  when  I  hope  to 
gratify  the  Readers  with  more  and  better  verfes  of  this 
fort :  for  in  trueth  I  am  perfwaded  a  little  paine  taking 
might  furnifh  our  fpeeche  with  as  much  pleafaunt 
delight  in  this  kinde  of  verfe,  as  any  other  whatfoeuer. 


Englifh  Poetrie. 


Heere  followe  the  Cannons  or  gene- 

rall  cautions  of  Poetry,  prefcribed  by  Horace, 
nrft'  gathered  by  Georgius  Fabritius  Cremni- 
cenfis:  which  I  thought  good  to  annex  to 
thys  Treatife,  as  very  neceffary  obferuations 
to  be  marked  of  all  Poets. 

In  his  Rpijlle  ad  Pifones 

de  arte  Poctica. 


llrft  let  the  inuention  be  meete  for  the 
matter,  not  differing,  or  flraunge, 
or  monflrous.  For  a  womans  head, 
a  horfe  necke,  the  bodie  of  a 
dyuers  coloured  Byrd,  and  many 
members  of  fundry  creatures  com 
pact  together,  whofe  legges  ending 
like  a  Fy  flies  tayle :  this  in  a  picture 
is  a  wonderful  dcformitie  :  but  if  there  be  fuch 
diuerfitye  in  the  frame  of  a  fpeeche,  what  can  be 
more  vncomely  or  ilfauoured? 

2.  The  ornaments  or  colours  mufl  not  bee  too  many, 
nor  rafhly  aduentured  on,  neither  mull  they  be  vfed 
euery  where  and  thrufl  into  euery  place. 

3.  The  proprietie  of  fpeeche  mud  bee  duelyobferucd 
that  way^lUy  and  great  matters  be  not  fpokeii  flenderly, 
or  matters  of  length  too  briefly:  for  it  belongeth  much 
both  to  the  comlincffe  and  nature  of  a  matter :  that 


86  A  Difcourfe  of 

in   big   matters   there    be    lykewife    vfed   boyflerous 
wordes. 

4.  In  Poeticall  defcriptions,  the  fpeeche  muft  not 
exceede  all  credite,  nor  any  thing  fainedlie  brought  in, 
againfl  all  courfe  of  nature. 

5.  The  difpofmg  of  the  worke  muft  be  fuch,  that 
there  be  no  offence  committed,  as  it  were  by  too  ex- 
quifite  dilligence :  for  many  thinges  may  be  oft  com 
mitted,  and  fome  thing  by  too  curious  handling  be 
made  offenciue.     Neyther  is  it  in  one  part  to  be  well 
furnifhed,  and  in  another  to  be  neglected.     Which  is 
prooued  by  example  of  a  Caruer,  who  expreffed  very 
artificially  the  heade  and  vpper  part  of  a  body,  but  the 
reft  hee  could  not  make  an  ende  of.     Againe,  it  is 
prooued  thus,   that  a  body  mould  not  be  in  other 
partes  beautifull,  and  yet  bee  deformed  in  the  crooked 
nofe :  for  all  the  members  in  a  well  fhapen  bodie  muft 
be  aunfwerable,  found,  and  well  proportioned. 

6.  He  that  taketh  in  hande  to  write  any  thing  muft 
firft  take  heede  that  he  be  fufficient  for  the  fame:  for 
often  vnwary  fooles  through  their  rafhnes  are  ouertooke 
with  great  want  of  ability 

7.  The  ornament  of  a  worke  confifteth  in  wordes, 
and  in  the  manner  of  the  wordes,  are  either  fimple  or 
mixt,  newe  or  olde,  propper  or  tranilated.     In  them 
all  good  iudgment  muft  be  vfed  and  ready  wytt.     The 
chiefeft  grace  is  in  the  moft  frequented  wordes,  for  the 
fame  reafon  holdeth  in  wordes,  as  doth  in  coynes,  that 
the  moft  vfed  and  tried  are  beft  efleemed. 

8.  The  kinde  of  verfe  is  to  be  confidered  and  aptly 
applied  to  the  argument,  in  what  meafure  is  moft  meete 
for  euery  fort.     The  moft  vfuall  kindes  are  foure,  the 
Heroic,  Elegiac,  lamlrick,  and  Lyric. 

9.  One  muft  vfe  one  kynde  of  fpeeche  alike  in  all 
wrytings.     Sometime  the  Lyric  ryfeth  aloft,  fometime 
the  comicall.    To  the  Tragicall  wryters  belong  properly 
the  bygge  and  boyfterous  wordes.     Examples  muft  be 
interplaced  according  fitly  to  the  time  and  place. 

10.  Regarde  is  to  be  had  of  affections :  one  thing 


Englifh  Poetrie.  87 

becommeth  pleafant  perfons,  an  other  fadde,  an  other 
wrathfull,  an  other  gentle,  which  mufl  all  be  heedefully 
refpected,  Three  thinges  therefore  are  requifite  in 
verfes,  beauty,  fweetnes,  and  the  affection.  T/ieo- 
phraftus  fayth  that  this  beauty  or  delectableneffe  is  a 
deceyt,  and  Ariflotle  calleth  it  rvpawia  oAiyoKpoviov,  a 
momentany  tyrany.  Sweetneffe  retayneth  a  Reader, 
affection  moueth  him. 

11.  Euery  perfon  mufl  be  fitted  accordingly,  and  the 
fpeeche  well  ordered :  wherein  are  to  be  confidered  the 
dignity,  age,  fex,  fortune,  condition,  place,  Country,  etc. 
of  eche  perfon. 

12.  The  perfonnes  are  eyther  to  be  fayned  by  the 
Poets  them  felues,  or  borrowed  of  others,  if  he  borrow 
them,  then  mufl  hee  obferue  TO  o/zotov,  that  is,  that 
he  folow  that  Author  exactly  whom  he  purpofeth  to 
immitate,  and   whereout   he   bringeth   his   examples. 
But  if  he  fayne  newe  perfonnes,  then  mufl  he  keepe 
his  TO  6/mAoV,  that  is  equallie :  fo  bringing  them  in  eche 
place,  that  it  be  ahvayes  agreeable,  and  the  laft  like 
vnto  the  firfl,  and  not  make  one  perfon  nowe  a  bolde 
boafter,  and  the  fame  flraightwaies  a  wife  warie  man, 
for  that  is  paffmg  abfurd.     Againe,  euery  one  mufl 
obferue  TO  ap/xoo-Tov,  which  is  interpreted  conucnicntiani, 
fitneffe:  as  it  is  meete  and  agreeable  euery  where,  a 
man  to  be  floute,  a  woman  fearefull,  a  feruant  crafty, 
a  young  man  gentle. 

13.  Matters  which  are  common  may  be  handled  by  a 
Poet  as  they  may  be  thought  propper  to  himfelfe  alone. 
All  matters  of  themfelues  are  open  to  be  intreated  of 
by  any  man :  but  if  a  thing  be  handled  of  fome  one  in 
fuch  fort,  as  he  thereby  obtaine  great  prayfe,  he  maki-th 
it  his  owne  or  propper  to  himfelfe,  as  many  did  write 
of  the  Troiane  war,  but  yet  Jlomrr  made  matter  which 
was  common  to  all,  propper  to  himfelfe. 

14.  Where  many   thinges  are   to   be  taken  out  of 
auncienter  tongues,  as  the  Latines  tooke  much  out  of 
the  Greekes,  the  wordcs  are  not  fo  prccifclie  to  be  fol 
lowed,  but  that  they  bee  altered  according  to  the  iudg- 


88  A  Difcourfe  of 

ment  and  will  of  the  Immitator,  which  precept  is  bor 
rowed  of  Tully,  Non  verbum  vcrbo  necefse  est  reddere. 

15.  The  beginning  mufl  not  be  foolifhly  handled, 
that  is,  flraungly  or  too  long. 

1 6.  The  propofition  or  narration  let  it  not  be  far 
fetched  or  vnlikely,  and  in  the  fame  forget  not  the  dif 
ferences  of  ages  and  perfons. 

17.  In  a  Comedie  it  is  needfull  to  exhibite  all  the 
actions  openlie,  as  fuch  as  are  cruell,  vnhonefl,  or  ougly, 
but  fuch  thinges  may  better  bee  declared  by  fome  meete 
and  handfome  wordes,  after  what  forte  they  are  fup- 
pofed  to  bee  doone. 

18.  If  a  Commedye  haue  more  Actes  then  flue,  it  is 
tedious,  if  fewer,  it  is  not  fufficient. 

It  fytteth  not  to  bring  in  the  perfonnes  of  Gods,  but 
in  verie  great  matters.  Cicero  fayth,  when  the  Tra 
gedy  wryters  cannot  bring  theyr  matters  to  good  paffe, 
they  runne  to  God.  Let  not  more  perfonnes  fpeake 
together  then  foure  for  auoyding  confufion. 

The  Chori  mufl  be  well  garnifhed  and  fette  foorth : 
wherein  eyther  menne  are  admonifhed,  or  reprehended, 
or  counfayled  vnto  vertue.  Such  matter  mufl  bee 
chofen  for  the  Chorus,  as  may  bee  meete  and  agreeable 
to  that  which  is  in  hand.  As  for  inflruments  and  fing- 
ing,  they  are  Reliques  of  olde  fimplicitye.  For  the 
Muficke  commonlye  vfed  at  Theaters  and  the  licen- 
cioufneffe  of  theyr  fonges,  which  together  wyth  theyr 
wealth  increafed  among  the  Romaines,  is  hurtfull  to 
difcipline  and  good  manners. 

19.  In  a  Satyr  the  clownifh  company  and  rurall  Gods, 
are  brought  in  to  temperate  the  Heauineffe  of  Trage 
dies,  wyth  fome  myrth  and  paflyme.    In  iefling  it  mufl 
be  obferued  that  it  bee  not  lacyuious  or  Rybaldlike,  or 
flaunderous,   which  precept  holdeth  generallie  in  all 
fortes  of  wrytynges. 

In  a  Satyr  greate  heede  is  to  be  taken,  of  the  place, 
of  the  day,  and  of  the  perfonnes :  as  of  Bacchus,  Silenus, 
or  the  Satyr es.  Again e  of  the  vnmeetneffe  or  incon- 
uenience  of  the  matter,  and  of  the  wordes  that  they  be 


Englifh  Poetrie.  89 

fitted  according  to  the  perfons :  of  Decorum,  that  he 
which  reprefented  fome  noble  perfonage  in  the  Trage- 
die,  bee  not  fome  bufy  foole  in  the  Satyr-,  finallie  of 
the  hearers,  lead  they  bee  offended  by  myxing  filthy 
matters  with  iefles,  wanton  toyes  wyth  vnhoneft,  or 
noyfome  with  merry  thinges. 

20.  The  feete  are  to  be  applied  propper  to  euery 
kinde  of  verfe,  and  therm  a  Poet  muft  not  vfe  too 
much  licence  or  boldnes.     The  auncient  writers  in 
lambick  verfes  vfed  at  firfl  pure  lambicks :  Afterwards 
Spondaus  was  admitted  into  Locos  impares,  but  at  lafl 
fuch  was  the  licentious  cuflome,   that   they  woulde 
both   Spondaus  where   they   lifted,   and  other   feete 
without  regarde. 

21.  In  compyling  of  verfes  great  care  and  circum- 
fpection  muft  be  vfed. 

Thofe  verfes  which  be  made  Extempore,  are  of  no 
great  eftimation:  thofe  which  are  vnartificiall,  are 
vtterly  repelled  as  too  fooliih.  Though  many  doo 
lightlie  regard  our  verfes,  yet  ought  the  Carelefneffe  of 
the  hearers  to  bee  no  caufe  in  vs  of  errour  and  negli 
gence.  Who  defireth  to  make  any  thing  worthy  to  be 
heard  of  learned  eares,  let  hym  reade  Greeke  Authors 
heedefullie  and  continually. 

22.  Artes   haue   their   increafinges    euen  as    other 
things,  beeing  natural!,  fo  haue  Tragedies  which  were 
firfl  rudely  inuented  by    Thefpis,  at  lafl  were  much 
adorned  by  JEfchyhis :  at  the  firfl  they  were  practifcd 
in  Villages  of  the  Countrey,  afterwardes  brought  to 
ftages  in  great  Citties. 

23.  Some  Artes  doo  increafe,  fome  doo  decay  by  a 
certayne  naturall  courfe.     The  olde  manner  of  Com- 
medies  decayde,  by  reafon  of  (laundering  which  therein 
they  vfed  againft  many,  for  which  there  was  a  penaltie 
appointed,   leaft  their  bitternes  fhould   proceede  too 
farre:  In  place  of  which  among  the  Latines  came  the 
Satyr es. 

The  auncient  Authors  of  Comedies,  were  Eupolis^ 
Cratinus,  and  Arijlophanes,  of  the  middle  forte  Plato 


9o  A  Difcourfe  of 

Comicus,  of  the  laft  kinde  Menander,  which  continued 
and  was  accounted  the  moft  famous. 

24.  A  Poet  fh  ould  not  content  himfelfe  onely  with 
others  inuentionsi  but  himfelfe  alfo  by  ye  example  of 
old  wryters  fholde  bring  fomething  of  his  owne  in- 
duflry,  which  may  bee  laudable.     So  did  they  which 
writ  te  among  the  Latines  the  Comedies  called  Togat<z, 
whofe  arguments  were  taken  from  ye  Greekes,  and  the 
other  which  wrytt  the  Pretextata,  whereof  the  argu 
ments  were  Latine. 

25.  Heedefulneffe  and  good  compofition  maketh  a 
perfecte   verfe,   and   that   which    is   not   fo    may   be 
reprehended.     The  faculty  of  a  goode  witte  exceedeth 
Arte. 

26.  A  Poet  that  he  may  be  perfect,  hath  neede  to 
haile  knowledge  of  that   part   of  Philofophy   which 
informeth  ye  life  to  good  manners.     The  other  which 
pertaineth  to  naturall  thinges,  is  leffe  plaufible,  hath 
fewer  ornaments,  and  is  not  fo  profitable. 

27.  A  Poet  to  the  knowledge  of  Philofophie  fhoulde 
alfo  adde  greater  experience,  that  he  may  know  the 
fafhions  of  men  and    difpofitions   of  people.     Thys 
profit  is  gott  by  trauelling,  that  whatfoeuer  he  wryteth 
he  may  fo  expreffe  and   order  it,  that  hys  narration 
may  be  formable. 

28.  The  ende  of  Poetry  is  to  wryte  pleafant  thinges, 
and  profitable.     Pleafant  it  is   which   delighteth   by 
beeing  not  too  long,  or  vneafy  to  be  kept  in  memory, 
and  which  is  fomewhat  likelie,    and   not   altogether 
forged.       Profitable   it   is,    which    flyrreth   vppe    the 
mindes  to  learning  and  wifedome. 

29.  Certaine  efcapes  are  to  be  pardoned  in  fome 
Poets,   fpecially  in  great  workes.     A  faulte  may  bee 
committed  either  in  refpect  of  hys  propper  Arte,  or 
in  fome  other  Arte :  that  a  Poet  fhoulde  erre  in  pre 
cepts  of  hys  owne  arte,  is  a  mamefull  thing,  to  com- 
mitte  a  faulte  in  another  Arte  is  to  be  borne  withal :  as 
in    Virgil,   who   fayneth    that   SEncas  comming   into 
Affrica  flew  with  hys  darte  certaine  Stagges,  whereas 


Englifh  Poetrie.  gi 

indeede  Africa  hath  in  it  none  of  thofe  beafles.  Such 
errours  doo  happen  eyther  by  vnheedefulnes,  when 
one  efcapeth  them  by  negligence:  or  by  the  common 
fragility  of  man,  becaufe  none  there  is  which  can 
know  all  thinges.  Therefore  this  laft  kinde  of  errour 
is  not  to  be  flucke  vppon. 

30.  A  good  Poet  mould  haue  refpect  to  thys,  how 
to  retaine  hys  Reader  or  hearer.     In  a  picture  fome 
thing  delighteth  beeing  fette  farre  of,  fomething  nearer, 
but  a  Poet  mould  delight  in  all  places  as  well  in  funne 
as  fhaddowe. 

31.  In  a  Poet  is  no  meane  to  be  admitted,  which  if 
hee  bee  not  he  of  all  is  the  word  of  all. 

32.  A  Poeme  if  it  runne  not  fweetely  and  fmoothly 
is  odious :  which  is  proued  by  a  fimile  of  the   two 
fenfes,  hearing  and  tailing,  as  in  fweete  and  pleafaunt 
meates.     And  the  Poem  mufl  bee  of  that  forte,  that 
for  the  fweeteneffe  of  it  may  bee  acceptable  and  con 
tinue  like  it  felfe  vnto  the  ende,  leaft  it  wearye  or 
driue  away  a  Reader. 

33.  He  that  would  wryte  any  thing  worthy  the  pof- 
teritye,  let  him  not  enterprife  any  thing  wherevnto  his 
nature  is  not  agreeable.  Mercury  \s  not  made  of  wood  (as 
they  fay)  neyther  doth  Minerua  fauour  all  iludies  in 
euery  one.     In  all  Artes  nature  is  the  beil  helpe,  and 
learned  men  vfe  commonly  to  fay  that  A  Pod  is  as  well 
borne  as  made  a  Poet. 

34.  Let  no  man  efteeme  himfelfe  fo  learned,  but  that 
he  may  fubmytte  hys  wrytinges  to  the  iudgments  of 
others,    and  correct    and  throughly  amend  the  fame 
himfelfe. 

35.  The  profitte  of  Poetry  fprang  thus,  for  that  the 
auncient  wyfe  men  fet  downe  the  bed  things  that  per 
tained  to  mans  life,  manners,  or  felicity,  and  examining 
and  proouing  the  fame  by  long  experience  of  time, 
when  they  are  aged  they  publifhed  them  in  wry  tinges. 
The  vfe  of  Poetry  what  it  was  at  the  fird,  is  manifeft 
by  the   examples    of  the  mode  learned  men:    as  of 
Orpheus  who  fird  builded  houfes:    of  Amphion  who 


92  A  Difcourfe  of 

made   Citties,   of  Tyrttzus  who  firft  made  warre:  of 
Homer,  who  wryt  mofl  wyfely. 

36.  In  an  artificiall  Poet  three  thinges  are  requifite, 
nature,  Arte,  and  dilligence. 

37.  A  wryter  muft  learne  of  the  learned,  and  he 
mufl  not  ilicke  to  confeffe  when  he  erreth :  that  the 
worfe  he  may  learne  to  auoyde,  and  knowe  howe  to 
follow  the  better. 

The  confeffion  of  an  errour  betoken  a  noble  and  a 
gentle  minde.  Celfus  and  Quintillian  doo  report  of 
Hippocrates,  that  leaft  he  mould  deceiue  his  poilerity, 
lie  confeffed  certayne  errours,  as  it  well  became  an 
excellent  minded  man,  and  one  of  great  credite.  For 
(as  fayth  Celfus}  light  witts  becaufe  they  haue  nothing, 
wyll  haue  nothing  taken  from  them. 

38.  In  making  choife  of  fuch  freendes  as  mould  tell 
vs   the   trueth,   and  correct  our  wrytinges,  heedefull 
iudgment  mufl  bee  vfed:  leafl  eyther  we  choofe  vn- 
fkylfull  folke,  or  flatterers,  or  diffemblers.    The  vnfkil- 
full  know  not  how  to  iudge,  flatterers  feare  to  offende, 
diffemblers  in  not  prayfing  doo  feeme  to  commende. 

39.  Let  no  man  deceiue  himfelfe,  or  fuffer  himfelfe 
to  be  deceiued,  but  take  fome  graue  learned  man  to  be 
iudge  of  his  dooing,   and  let  him  according  to  hys 
counfayle  change  and  put  out  what  hee  thinketh  good. 

40.  He  which  will  not  flatter  and  is  of  ability  to 
iudge,  let  him  endeuour  to  nothing  fo  much,  as  to  the 
correction  of  that  which  is  wrytten,  and  that  let  be 
doone  with  earned  and  exquifite  iudgment.    He  which 
dooth  not  thus,  but  offendeth  wilfully  in  breaking  his 
credite  too  rafhly,  may  be  counted  for  a  madde,  furious, 
and  franticke  foole. 

41.  The  faultes  commonly  in  verfes  are  feauen,  as 
either  they  be  deftitute  of  Arte,  of  facility,  or  ornament: 
or   els,    they  be  fuperfluous,   obfcure,  ambicious,   or 
needeleffe. 


Englifh  Poetrie.  93 


Out  of  the  Epiftles  ad  Meccenatcm, 
Augnjlum,  et  Florum. 

42.  An  immitation  fhould  not  be  too  feruile  or  fuper- 
flitious,  as  though  one  durfl  not  varry  one  iotte  from 
the  example :  neyther  mould  it  be  fo  fenceleffe  or  vn- 
(kilfull,  as  to  immitate  thinges  which  are  abiurde,  and 
not  to  be  followed. 

43.  One  mould  not  altogether  treade  in  the  fteppes 
of  others,  but  fometime  he  may  enter  into  fuch  wayes 
as  haue  not  beene  haunted  or  vfed  of  others.    Horace 
borrowed  ye   lambick  verfe  of  Archilocus,  expreffmg 
fully  his  numbers  and  elegant[l]y,  but  his  vnfeemely 
wordes  and  pratling  tauntes  hee  moflewyfhlye  fhunned. 

44.  In  our  verfes  we  mould  not  gape  after  the  phrafes 
of  the  fimpler  forte,  but  ftriue  to  haue  our  writings 
allowable  in  the  iudgments  of  learned  menne. 

45.  The  common  peoples  iudgments  of  Poets  is 
feldome  true,   and   therefore  not  to  be  fought  after. 
The  vulgar  fort  in  Rome  iudged  Pacuuious  to  be  very 
learned,  Accius  to  bee  a  graue  wryter,  that  Affranius 
followed  Mcna  udcr,  Plant  us,  Epichannus:  that  Tcrtncc 
excelled  in  Arte  Cccrilius  in  grauity:  but  the  learned 
forte  were  not  of  this  opinion.     There  is  extant  in 
Macnwlus  (I  knowe  not  whether  Angcllius)  the  like 
\  en  lite    concerning   them   which    wryt   Epigrammcs. 
That  Catullus  and  Caluus  wrytt  fewe  thinges  that  were 
good,  Nccuiiis  obfcure,    llortcnfius  vncomely,    Cyima 
vnpleafant,  and  Mcmmins  rough. 

46.  The  olde  wryters  are  fo  farre  to  be  commended, 
as  nothing  betaken  from  the  newe:  neyther  may  we 
thinke  but  that  the  way  lyeth  open  ftyll  to  others  to 


94  A  Difcourfe  of 

attaine  to  as  great  matters.  Full  well  fayd  Sidonius  to 
EucheriiiS)  I  reuerence  the  olde  wryters,  yet  not  fo  as 
though  I  leffe  efteemed  the  vertues  and  defertes  of  the 
wryters  in  this  age. 

47.  Newnes  is  gratefull  if  it  be  learned  :  for  certaine 
it  is,  Artes  are  not  bothe  begunne  and  perfected  at 
once,  but  are  increafed  by  time  and  ftudie.  which 
notwithflanding  when  they  are  at  the  full  perfection, 
doo  debate  and  decreafe  againe. 

Cic.  de  orat.  There  is  nothing  in  the  world  which 
burfleth  out  all  at  once,  and  commeth  to  light  all 
wholly  together. 

48.  No  man  mould  dare  to  practife  an  Arte  that  is 
daungerous,    efpecially   before  he   haue   learned   the 
fame  perfectly:  fo  doo  guyders  of  Shyppes:  fo  doo 
Phifitions  :  but  fo  did  not  manie  Romaine  Poets  (yea 
fo  doo  not  too  many  Englifh  wryters)  who  in  a  certaine 
corragious  heate  gaped  after  glory  by  wryting  verfes, 
but  fewe  of  them  obtayned  it. 

49.  A  Poet  mould  be  no  leffe  fkylfull  in  dealing 
with  the  affectes  of  the  mynde,  then  a  tumbler  or  a 
luggler  fhoulde  bee  ready  in  his  Arte.     And  with  fuch 
pyth  fhoulde  he  fette  foorth  hys  matters,  that  a  Reader 
fhoulde  feeme  not  onely  to  heare  the  thing,  but  to  fee 
and  be  prefent  at  the  dooing  thereof.     Which  faculty 
Fabius  calleth  vTroraa-Lv  and  Ariftotle  irpo  o/z,/xarov 


50.  Poets  are  either  fuch  as  defire  to  be  liked  of  on 
flages,  as  Commedie  and  Tragedie  wryters  :  or  fuch  as 
woulde  bee  regeflred  in  Libraries.     Thofe  on  flages 
haue  fpeciall  refpect  to  the  motions  of  the  minde,  that 
they  may  ftirre  bothe  the  eyes  and    eares   of  their 
beholders.       But   the    other   which    feeke    to   pleafe 
priuately  with  [in]  the  walles,  take  good  aduifement  in 
their  workes,  that  they  may  fatiffy  the  exact  iudgments 
of  learned  men  in  their  ftudies. 

51.  A  Poet  fhoulde  not  bee  too  importunate,  as  to 
offende  in  vnfeafonable  fpeeches:  or  vngentle,  as  to 
contemne  the  admonitions  of  others  :  or  ambicious,  as 


Englifh  Poetrie.  95 

to  thinke  too  well  of  his  owne  dooinges :  or  too  way 
ward,  as  to  thinke,  reward  enough  cannot  be  gyuen  him 
for  his  deferte,  or  finally  too  proude,  as  to  defyre  to 
be  honoured  aboue  meafure. 

52.  The  emendations  of  Poemes  be  very  neceflary, 
that  in  the  obfcure  poyntes   many  thinges  may  be 
enlightned,  in  the  bafer  partes  many  thinges  may  be 
throughly  garnifhed.     Hee  may  take  away  and  put 
out  all  vnpropper  and  vnfeemely  words,  he  may  with 
difcretion    immitate   the    auncient    wryters,    he    may 
abridge  thinges  that  are  too  lofty,  mittigate  thynges 
that  are  too  rough,  and  may  vfe  all  remedies  of  fpeeche 
throughout  the  whole  worke.     The  thinges  which  are 
fcarce  feemely,  he  may  amende  by  Arte  and  methode. 

53.  Let  a  Poet  firft  take  vppon  him,  as  though  he 
were  to  play  but   an   Actors  part,   as   he   may  bee 
efteemed   like   one  which   wryteth   without   regarde, 
neyther  let  him  fo  pollifh  his  works,  but  that  euery 
one  for  the  bafeneffe  thereof,  may  think  to  make  as 
good.     Hee  may  likewyfe  exercife  the  part  of  gefturer, 
as  though  he  feemed  to  meddle  in  rude  and  common 
matters,  and  yet  not  fo  deale  in  them,  as  it  were  for 
variety  fake,   nor  as  though  he  had  laboured  them 
thoroughly  but  tryfled  with  them,  nor  as  though  he 
had  fweat  for  them,  but  practifed  a  little.     For  fo  to 
hyde  ones  cunning,  that  nothing  mould  feeme  to  bee 
laborfome  or  exquifite,  when  notwith (landing,  euery 
part  is  pollifhed  with  care  and  ftudie,  is  a  fpeciall  gytt 
which  Arijlotle  calleth  Kp^v. 

54.  It  is  onely  a  poynt  of  wyfedome,  to  vfe  many 
and  choyfe  elegant  words,  but  to  vndcrfland  alfo  and 
to  fet  foorth  thinges  which  pertaine  to  the  happy  cnde 
of  mans  life.     Wherevppon  the  Poet  Horace,  calleth 
the  Arte  poeticall,  without  the  knowledge  of  learning 
and  philofophy,  a  prating  ranity.     Therfore  a  good 
and  allowable  Poet,  mufl  be  adorned  with  wordes, 
plentious  in  fentences,  and  if  not  equall  to  an  Orator, 
yet  very  neere  him,  and  a  fpecial  loucr  of  learned  men. 

F  I  N   I  S. 


96  A  Difcourfe  of  Englijh  Poetrie. 


Epilogus. 

[His  fmall  trauell  (courteous  Reader) 
I  defire  thee  take  in  good  worth : 
which  I  haue  compyled,  not  as  an 
exquifite    cenfure   concerning    this 
matter,  but  (as  thou  mayfl  well  per- 
ceiue,  and)  in  trueth  to  that  onely 
ende  that  it  might  be  an  occafion, 
to    haue  the   fame    throughly   and 
with  greater  difcretion,  taken  in  hande  and  laboured 
by  fome  other  of  greater  abilitie  :  of  whom  I   knowe 
tliere  be  manie   among  the    famous    Poets   in    Lon 
don,    who    bothe     for    learning    and    leyfure,    may 
handle    this    Argument   far   more    pythilie   then    my 
felfe.     Which  if  any  of  them  wyll  vouchfafe  to  doo,  I 
trull  wee  fhall  haue  Englifhe  Poetry  at  a  higher  price 
in  fliort  fpace  :  and  the  rabble  of  balde  Rymes  fhall 
be  turned  to  famous  workes,  comparable  (I  fuppofe) 
with  the  bed  workes  of  Poetry  in  other  tongues.     In 
the  meane  time,  if  my  poore  fkill,  can  fette  the  fame 
any  thing  forwarde,  I  wyll  not  ceafe  to  prac~tife  the 
fame  towardes  the  framing  of  fome  apt  Englifli  Profodia: 
ftyll  hoping,  and  hartelie  wifhing  to  enioy  firft 
the  benefitte  of  fome  others  Judgment, 
whofe  authority  may  beare  greater 
credite,  and  whofe  learn 
ing  can  better  per- 
forme  it. 


Muir  <2^  Paterson,  Printers,  Edinburgh. 


i  OCTOBER  1870. 

Please  oblige,  by  showing  this  List  to  your  friends. 

in 

PUBLISHED  OR  TO  BE  PUBLISHED  BY 

EDWARD   ARBER, 

Associate,  Kings  College,   London,   F.R.G.S.,   &c. 
AT 

5  QUEEN  SQUARE,  BLOOMSBURY,  LONDON,  W.C. 

Sold  by  all  Booksellers  in  the  United  Kingdom,  and  by  the  following,  abroad  : — 


Berlin:  N.  ASHER. 
Bombay:  THACKER,  VINING  &  Co. 
Boston:  LITTLH,  BKOWN  &  Co. 
Calcutta:  THACKER,  SPINK  &  Co. 
Melbourne:  GEORGE  ROBERTSON. 


Montreal:  DAWSON  BROTHERS. 
New  York:  SCRIBNER,  WELFORD&CO. 
Philadelphia :  C.  J.  PRICE. 
San  Francisco:  A.  L.  BANCROFT  &  Co. 
Toronto  :  ADAM,  STEVENSON  &  Co. 


***   Foreign  booksellers  selling  these  publications  can  have  their  names  added  to 
the  above,  in  the  next  List,  upon  application. 


CHRONOLOGICAL  LIST.          ....  2 

FOR  STUDENTS  OF  ENGLISH  LITERATURE, 

To  STUDENTS.  .....  3 

Facsimile  Texts.         .....  4 

English  Reprints,  Foolscap  size.        .  .  .5-12 

Demy  size.  .  .  .13 

Imperial  size.          .  .  .14 

Annotated  Reprints.    (THE  PASTON  LETTERS.)  15 

FOR  GENERAL  READERS. 

Leisure  Readings  in  English  Literature.         .  .         16 

Choice  Books.  .  .  .  .  .16 

These  publications  arc  all  edited  by  Mr.  Arber,  unless  otherwise  stated. 

Any  single  work   may  be  obtained  separately.      In  ordering  quote  the  Nr 
TITI.K,  and  I'KIO:  (the  author's  name  is  unnecessary). 

All  orders  must  be  accompanied  by  a  remittance;  which,  if  tinder  i  or.,  can  be 
made  in  Postage  Stattif>s\  if  above  that  sum,  in  !'.().().,  made  payable  at  HIGH 
iliii.iiui  -.  <d  LONDON  AND  COUNTY  HANK:. 

These  publications  are  ALWAYS  on  sale  ;  and  may  be  obtained  through  your  own 
Bookseller;  or,  /;/  any  number,  post-free  by  return,  on  remitting  to  Mr.  AKISER,  th* 
prices,  as  stated  in  this  List. 

The  USUal  allowance  to  Colleges  and  S 

All  inquiries  must  be  accompanied  by  a  Stamp  for  reply. 

Subscriptions,  of  not  less  than  One  Guinea,  can  be  paid  in  advance  of  the  appear 
ance  of  the  Publications  ordered. 

This  List  cancels  all  previous  ones,  as  regards 
'          nut  yd  published. 


CHRONOLOGICAL    LIST. 


.1    <^J   pf*» 

1  fil  J^ls  ii  IiIPJ*yi*FI| 

J        H«>«1  W      >         PW       HO^       o<00     £^C>     ^H^   >      2^ 

5  |^'g^  £   ^       525^     pj    c^     w-(Xdd    d^,^    ^hi«Hrt    A^ 

vd  ^o 

S1         \o  \o 

6  £  ? 

8       ^S-^^  5^^,^.^R5 


To   STUDENTS.  3 

URELY  to  us,  after  the  Sacred  Scriptures,  works  of  devotion 
and  of  religious  instruction  ;  the  Literature  of  England  comes 
next.  However  exquisite  and  subtle  the  charms  of  Greek 
and  Grecian  literature;  however  necessary  and  worthy  of 
study  the  language  and  literature  of  Rome;  the  writings  of  our  Fore 
fathers  come  home  to-  every  Englishman.  What  a  mighty  Literature 
have  we  inherited  !  How  little  is  it  known,  save  to  a  few,  who  have  de 
voted  all  their  leisure  to  its  exploration  !  Authors  mighty  in  Prose  and 
Verse  !  Writers  full  of  aery  fancies  and  graceful  similitudes  !  Men  whose 
Prose  marches  with  the  tramp  and  strength  of  a  Roman  legion :  men  whose 
Song  is  sung  by  a  Puck  or  an  Ariel ;  or  who  sing  in  it  of  Patient  Grissell, 
of  Fair  Geraldine,  or  of  Una  and  her  Red  Cross  Knight.  Above  all  the 
English  Bible,  so  clung  unto  by  our  ancestors — with  its  infinite  early 
editions  and  their  most  heroic  story. 

What  present  nation  has  so  ancient,  so  vast,  so  varied  a  body  of 
writings  as  England?  In  which  are  contained  not  only  the  productions 
of  our  Arch-Poets,  Chaucer,  Spenser,  Shakespeare,  Milton,  Dryden ; 
but  those  of  an  almost  uncountable  number  of  authors,  inferior  indeed 
to  these,  but  of  high  rank  among  ordinary  minds. 

Good  books,  besides  affording  enjoyment,  provoke  to  like  excellence. 
No  man  writeth  unto  himself.  Each  worthy  writer  is  trained,  assimi 
lated,  and  influenced  by  those  who  have  gone  before  :  each  returning  a 
like  benefit  to  posterity.  To  trace  the  continuous  chain  of  influence,  of 
cause  and  effect,  link  by  link,  forms  a  part  of  the  History  of  English 
Literature.  That  History  that  we  may  soon  hope  to  possess,  for  the  first 
time  adequately  in  our  language,  in  Professor  HENRY  MORLEY'S  work 
J-'.n^lish  ll'riters;  of  which  we  have  already  received  the  earlier  in 
stalment,  down  to  Dunbar.  What  is  designed  in  the  Facsimile  Texts, 
the  English  Reprints,  and  the  Annotated  Reprints  is  to  represent  the 
later  literature  by  giving,  at  as  cheap  a  price  as  can  be,  Exact  Texts 
sometimes  of  books  already  famous,  sometimes  of  those  quite  forgotten  : 
in  some  cases,  of  works  that  illustrate  the  Literary  History  ;  in  other  in 
stances,  of  those  that  in  a  sense,  constitute  it. 

The  result  is  already,  that  these  Reproductions  are  unique  in  English 
Bibliography  for  their  accuracy  and  cheapness,  as  well  as  for  the  un 
limited  numbers  offered  constantly  for  sale  :  and  so  far  as  tJuy  are  yet 
publisJicd,  they  constitute  the  best  of  all  introductions  to  our  old 
Authors,  from  the  time  of  Caxton  to  that  of  Addison.  \..  A. 

P.S. — A  word  in  furtherance  of  the  Karly  7:'/v^//V/}  Text,  the  Chaucer, 
and  the  Ballad  Societies.  No  one  knows  the  extent  of  the  imprinted 
Literature  of  England.  These  Societies  are  recovering  for  us  book 
after  book  ;  and  laying  us  all  under  great  obligation  to  their  able 
Editors,  who  labour  gratuitously.  For  further  information,  apply  to 
F.  J.  Furnivall,  M.A.,  3  St.  George's  Square,  London,  N.W. 


FACSIMILE    TEXTS. 

IN  VARYING  SIZES,  FOLLOWING  THE  ORIGINALS. 

F  European  publications  there  are  not  a  few  which  the  mere 
outward  appearance,  their  countenance  so  to  speak,  possess 
an  extreme  interest.  Either  from  the  excessive  rarity  of  the 
book  itself,  or  the  drollery  or  quaintmess  of  its  illustrations; 
either  from  the  literary  importance  of  the  work  or  its  significance  in  the 
history  of  our  Country  or  in  the  progress  of  the  World  :  there  arises  at 
the  sight  of  it  the  keenest  attention,  one  might  almost  say  an  inexpress 
ible  sympathy  with  the  book  itself.  In  all  such  cases  :  Sun-Portraits 
confer  exquisite  and  perpetual  enjoyment. 

Hitherto  Cost  has  debarred  photolithographed  books  from  general 
use :  but  I  trust  to  offer  from  time  to  time,  at  ordinary  book-prices^ 
works  of  this  supreme  interest,  though  necessarily  of  an  infinitely  diverse 
character.  In  which  effort,  I  trust  to  receive  a  thorough  support  from 
the  large  number  of  readers  who  have  sustained  the  English  Re 
prints.  Both  being  like  attempts  to  make  forgotten  books  known  ; 
and  known  books,  more  perfectly  and  perpetually  obtainable. 


Early  in  November,  will  be  published  in  Fcp.  4to.,   Half  Calf, 
Illuminated  sides,  pp.  xxxii. -64. 

[WILLIAM  TYNDALE,  assisted  by  WILLIAM  ROY. 

The  First  printed  English  New  Testament.  Cologne — Worms. 
1525.  4to.] 

Photo-lithographed,  by  the  permission  of  the  Trustees  of  the  British 
Museum,  from  the  unique  fragment  in  the  Grenville  Collection. 

Briefly  told,  the  story  of  this  profoundly  interesting  work  is  as  follows : — In  1524 
TYNDALE  went  from  London  to  Hamburg;  where  remaining  for  about  a  year,  he  journ 
eyed  on  to  Cologne;  and  there  assisted  by  WILLIAM  ROY,  subsequently  the  author  of  the 
Satire  onWolsey,  Redcine  andbenott  ivrotlie^seep.  n],  he  began  this  first  edition  in  410; 
with  glosses  of  the  English  New  Testament.  A  virulent  enemy  of  the  Reformation, 
COCHL^US,  at  that  time  an  exile  in  Cologne,  learnt,  through  giving  wine  to  the  printer's 
men,  that  P.  Quentel  the  printer  had  in  hand  a  secret  edition  of  three  thousand  copies 
of  the  English  New  Testament.  In  great  alarm,  he  informed  Herman  Rinck, 
Senator  of  the  city,  who  moved  the  Senate  to  stop  the  printing;  but  Cochlseus  could 
neither  obtain  a  sight  of  the  Translators,  nor  a  sheet  of  the  impression. 

Tyndale  and  Roy,  fled  with  the  printed  sheets,  up  the  Rhine  to  Worms ;  and  there 
completing  this  edition,  produced  also  another  in  Octavo,  'without  glosses.  Both 
editions  were  in  England  in  Jan. -March,  1526 :  and  of  the  six  thousand  copies  of 
which  they  together  were  composed,  there  remnin  but  this  fragment  of  the  First 
commenced  edition  ;  and  of  the  Second  edition,  one  complete  copy  in  the  Library  of 
the  Baptist  College  at  Bristol,  and  an  imperfect  one  in  that  of  St.  Paul's  Cathedral, 
London. 

The  price  of  this  Facsimile  Tt'xt,  will  be  only  Six  SHILLINGS. 


jl  IE  great  importance  to  the  increasing  study  of  English  Literature, 
of  constantly  adding  to,  and  constantly  keeping  on  sale  (a  more 
difficult  task  than  at  first  would  appear)  at  the  lowest  practi 
cable  prices,  these  Exact  Texts  ;  has  led  to  a  full  consideration 
of  the  past  three  years'  progress,  in  an  experiment  which  has  been  success 
ful  beyond  anticipation.  The  following  alterations  have  been  found 
advisable,  in  order  to  place  this  designedly  very  cheap  Series  upon  a 
permanent  basis. 

The  changes  to  take  effect  from  1st  October  1870. 

Small  ^Japcr,  in  .foolscap  ©ctafao. 

1.  The  public  choice  has  passed  so  generally  from  Cut  to  Uncut  edges: 
that  future  issues  will  be  in  Uncut  edges  only.     This  will  also  apply  to 
all  reimpressions,  as  soon  as  the  existing  Cut-edged  copies  have  been  sold. 

2.  No  Sixpenny  Reprints  will  be  issued  in  future.     The  trouble  is 
out  of  all  proportion  to  the  price. 

3.  The  maximum  number  of  pages  for  Shilling  works  will  be  about 
One  hundred  and  twenty-eight.     Experience  has  proved  that  number 
to  be   the  very  utmost  limit  practicable  for  such  closely  packed  works 
in  the  costly  old  spelling,  &c. 

.  '.  The  result  of  these  changes  to  the  public  will  be  simply,  that 
some  future  Reprints  will  be  increased  in  price,  by  an  extra  Sixpence. 
A  trifling  contribution  to  enable  me  to  go  on  for  years.  Yet  I  very 
reluctantly  decide  on  this  augmentation  :  this  series  being  my  personal 
free  offering  to  a  more  perfect  knowledge  of  English  Literature. 

All  existing  issues  will  be  maintained  at  the  present  prices. 

SLargc  IJaprr,  in  .foolscap  Quarto. 

Nos.  19  to  24  in  Large  Paper  are  now  ready.  A  single  Large  Paper 
copy  can  be  obtained. 

DrmiT  Quarto. 

Works  in  this  size  will  be  issued  bound  in  Cloth.  When  published, 
copies  will  however  be  obtainable  in  Sheets,  for  binding,  by  remitting  the 
price  direct  to  me. 

There  is  a  great  cause  for  thankfulness  in  the  progress  already  made. 
Works  which  some  of  our  most  experienced  English  scholars  never 
hoped  to  see  reprinted  ;  have  been  put  into  general  circulation.  Much 
more  may  be  accomplished,  by  a  personal  advocacy  of  this  Series  by 
each  Purchaser  ;  with  a  generous  permission  to  print,  from  possessors  ol 
rare  or  unique  English  books  ;  and  with  unwearying  effort  on  my  own 
part.  Maintaining  herein  the  ancient  and  worthy  fame  of  England  ; 
may  we  lead  very  many  to  understand  how  much  pure  and  unadulter 
ated  Delight  is  to  be  found  in  our  Old  English  Authors. 


35ncjltjs!) 


ORDINARY    ISSUE    IN    OCTAVO. 
Durable  Cases,  in  RoxburgJic  style,  to  holdfour  or  five  Reprints.     OllS  Shilling  each. 

BOUND    VOLUMES    IN    OCTAVO. 
Two  or  three  of  suck  works,  collected  into  occasional  Volumes. 

LARGE  PAPER  EDITION  IN  QUARTO. 

The  same  texts,  beautifully  printed  on  thick  toned  paper,  luith  ample  margins  suit 
able,  for  purposes  of  study.  Issued  in  S  tiff  covers ,  uncut  edges.  IV ken  bound  10  the 
purchaser  s  o'wn  taste  ;  these  Large  Paper  Copies  form  most  handsome  books. 

ANY   SINGLE   WORK   OR   VOLUME    MAY    BE    HAD    SEPARATELY. 


J^aper 
Edit. 


1/6 


1/6 


1/6 


1/6 


FOOLSCAP.  ©ctaba. 

1.  JOHN  MILTON.  SSSfSlR 

(1)  A  decree  of  the  Starre- Chamber,  concerning  Print 
ing,  made  the  eleuenth  day  of  July  last  past.     London, 

'637- 

(2)  An  Order  of  the  Lords  and  Commons  assembled  in 
Parliament  for  the  regulating  of  Printing,  &c.     London, 
14  June,  1643. 

(3)  AREOPAGITICA  :  A  speech  of  Mr.  John  Milton 
for  the  liberty  of  Vnlicenc'd  Printing,  to  the  Parliament 
of  England.    London.  [24  November].  1644.    Sixpence. 


2.  HUGH  LATIMER,  Ex- Bishop  of  Worcester. 

SERMON  ON  THE  PLOUGHERS.  A  notable 
Sermon  of  ye  reuerende  father  Master  Hughe  Latimer, 
\vhiche  he  preached  in  ye  Shrouds  at  paules  churche  in 
London,  on  the  xviii  daye  of  Januarye.  C  The  yere  of 
'our  Loorde  MDXLviii.  Sixpence. 


3.  STEPHEN  GOSSON,  Stud.  Oxon. 

(1)  THE  SCHOOLE    OF  ABUSE.      Containing  a 
pleasaunt  invective  against  Poets,  Pipers,  Plaiers,  Jesters, 
and  such  like  Caterpillers  of  a  Commonwealth  ;  Setting 
up  the  Flagge  of  Defiance  to  their  mischievous  exercise, 
and  ouerthrowing  their  Buhvarkes,  by  Prophane  Writers, 
Naturall  reason,  and  common  experience.     A  discourse  as 
pleasaunt  for  gentlemen  that  fauour  learning,  as  profitable 
for  all  that  wyll  follow  vertue.     London.  [August?]  1579. 

(2)  AN  APOLOGIE    OF   THE    SCHOOLE    OF 
ABUSE,    against   Poets,     Pipers,    and   their   Excusers. 
London.  [December?]  1579.  Sixpence. 


4.  SIR  PHILIP  SYDNEY. 

AN  A  POL  O  GIE  FOR  POE  TRIE.  Written  by  the 

right   noble,    vertuous   and   learned    Sir  Philip    Sidney, 

Knight.     London.  1595.  Sixpence. 


Green  Cloth, 
Re*i  Edges. 


Vol.  I. 

Milton, 
Latimer, 
Gosson. 

21 


ENGLISH  REPRINTS— FOOLSCAP. 


©uarto. 

Large 


Paper 


TITLES,    PR  ICES,  etc.,  etc.        Stiff  Coders. 

Uncut  Kiigcs. 
5.   EDWARD  WEBBE,   Chief  Master  Gunner. 

The  rare  and  most  wonderful  thinges  which  Edward 
Webbe  an  Englishman  borne,  hath  seene  and  passed  in 
his  troublesome  trauailes,  in  the  Citties  of  Jerusalem, 
Damasko,  Bethelem,  andGalely:  and  in  the  Land es  of 
lewrie,  Egipt,  Gtecia,  Russia,  and  in  the  land  of  Prester 
lohn.  Wherein  is  set  foorth  his  extreame  slauerie  sus 
tained  many  yeres  togither,  in  the  Gallies  and  wars  of  the 
great  Turk  against  the  Landes  of  Persia,  Tartaria,  Spaine, 
and  PortUgall,  with  the  manner  of  his  releasement,  and 
comming  into  London  in  May  last.  London.  1590. 

Sixpence. 


6.  JOHN  SELDEN. 

TABLE  TALK:  being  the  Discourses  of  John 
Seldon  Esq. ;  or  his  Sence  of  various  Matters  of  "Weight 
and  High  Consequence  relating  especially  to  Religion  and 
State.  London.  1689.  One  Shilling. 


7.  ROGER  ASCHAM. 

TOXOPHILUS.  The  schole  of  shooting  conteyned 
in  two  bookes.  To  all  Gentlemen  and  yomen  of  Kng- 
undc,  pleasaunte  for  theyr  pastime  to  rede,  and  profitable 
for  theyr  use  to  folow,  both  in  warre  and  peace.  London. 
1545.  One  Shilling. 


8.  JOSEPH  ADDISON. 

CRITICISMS  OF  MIL  TON'S  PARADISE  LOST. 
From  The  Spectator:  being  its  Saturday  issues  between 
31  December,  1711,  and  3  May,  1712.  One  Shilling. 


9.  JOHN  LYLY,  M.A. 

(1)  Q.EUPI1UES.      THE  ANATOMY  OF 
Verie  pleasaunt   for  all    Gentlemen  to    read,    and   most 
necessarie  to  remember.      Wherein  are  contained  the  de- 
delightes  that  Wit  followeth  in  his  youth  by  the  pleasant- 
nesse  of  loue,  and  the  happinesse  he  reapeth  in  age,  by 
the  perfectnesse  of  \\'isedome.     London.  1579. 

(2)  <r  EurnuES  AND  ins  ENGLAND.    Con 
taining  his  voyage  and  aduentures,  myxed  with  sundrie 
pretie  di^cnur-e.^  of  honest   Loue,  the  Description  of  the 
Countrey,  the  Court,  and  the  manners  of  that  Isle.      De 
lightful  to  be  read,  and  nothing  hurtful  to  be  regarded  : 
wher-in  there  is  small  offence-  by  lightnesse  giiu-n  to  the 
wise,  and  lesse  occasion  of  loosenes  proferred  to  the  wan 
ton.   London,     1580.       Collated    with    early    subsequent 
editions.  Four  Shillings. 


Green  Cloth, 
Red  Edges. 


©ttarto. 

Large 
Paper 
Edit. 


ENGLISH    REPRINTS— FOOLSCAP.- 

©ctafao. 

TITLES,    PRICES,  etc.,  etc.        Stiff  Covers. 

Uncut  Edges. 

1O.  GEORGE  VTLIiL&TX&iDHkevf  Buckingham. 

THE  REHEARSAL.  As  it  was  acted  at  the  Theatre 
Royal  London,  1672.  With  Illustrations  from  previous 
plays,  &c.  One  Shilling. 


11.  GEORGE  GASCOIGNE,  Esquire. 

(1)  A  remembravnce  of  the    wel  imployed   life,    and 
ijodly  end  of  George  Gaskoigne,  Esquire,  who  deceassed 
at   Stalmford  in   Lincoln  shire,  the  7  of  October  1577. 
The  reporte  of  GKOR  WHETSTONS,  Gent  an  eye  witness 
of  his  Godly  and  Charitable  End  in  this  world.  Lond.  1577. 

(2)  Certayne  notes  of  Instruction  concerning  the  making 
of  verse  or  rime  in  English,  written  at  the  request  of 
Master  Edouardi  Donati.      1575. 

(3)  THE  STEELE  GLAS.     A  Satyre  compiled  by 
George  Gasscoigne  Esquire  [Written  between  Apr.  1575 
&  Apr.  1576].     Together  with 

(4)  THE  COMPLA  YNT  OF  PHYLOMENE.    An 
Elegie  compyled  by  George  Gasscoigne  Esquire  [between 
April  1562  and  3rd  April  1575.]     London.  1576. 

One   Shilling. 

12.  JOHN    EARLE,  M.A.  :    aftenvan/s  in  suc 

cession  Biskop  of  Worcester,  and  of  Salisbury. 

MICRO-COSMOGRAPHIE,  or  a  Peeceof  the  World 

discovered,    in  Essays  and  Characters.      London.   1628. 

With  the  additions  in  subsequent   editions   during   the 

Author's  life  time.  One  Shilling. 


13.  HUGH  LATIMER,  Ex-Bishop  of  Worcester. 
SEVEN  SERMONS  BEFORE   EDWARD    VI. 

(l)  £  The  fyrste  sermon  of  Mayster  Hugh  Latimer, 
whiche  he  preached  before  the  Kynges  Maiest.  wythin 
his  graces  palayce  at  Westmynster.  M.D.XLIX.  the 
viii  of  Marche.  (, ',) 

(2)  The  seconde  [to  seventh]  Sermon  of  Master  Hughe 
Latimer,  whych  he  preached  before  the  Kynges  maiestie, 
withynhys  graces  Palayce  at  Westminster  ye.  xv.  day  of 
March.  M.cccc.xlix.  Eighteen  Pence. 

14.  SIR  THOMAS  MORE.  " 

UTOPIA.  A  frutefull  pleasaunt,  and  wittie  worke, 
of  the  best  state  of  a  publique  weale,  and  of  the  new  yle, 
called  Utopia  :  written  in  Latine,  by  the  right  worthie 
and  famous  Sir  Thomas  More  knyght,  and  translated  into 
Englishe  by  RAPHE  ROBYNSON,  sometime  fellowe  of 
Corpus  Christi  College  in  Oyford,  and  noweby  him  at  this 
seconde  edition  newlie  perused  and  corrected,  and  also 
with  diuers  notes  in  the  margent  augmented.  London. 
[1556].  One  Shilling. 


ENGLISH    REPRINTS— FOOLSCAP. 


©uarto. 


TITLES,  PRICES,  etc.,  etc. 


Large 
Paper 
Edit. 


5/ 


1/6 


15.  GEORGE  PUTTENHAM. 


*  Eii Re. 

THE  ARTE  OF 'ENGLISH  POESIE.  Contriued 
into  three  Bookes  :  The  first  of  Poets  and  Poesie,  the 
second  of  Proportion,  the  third  of  Ornament.  London. 
1589-  Two  Shillings. 


©ctabo. 

Stiff  Carers.  '  Green  Cloth, 
Uncut  Edges.    K*<*  ' 


16    JAMES  HO  WELL,  Historiographer  Royal  to 

Charles  II. 

INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  FORREINE  TRAVELL. 
Shewing  by  what  cours,  and  in  what  cotnpasse  oj  time,  one 
may  take  an  exact  Survey  of  the  Kingdomes  and  States  of 
Christendome,  and  arriue  to  the  practicall  knowledge  of 
the  Languages,  to  good  purpose.  London.  1642.  Col 
lated  with  the  edition  of  1656  ;  and  in  its  'new  Appendix 
fur  Travelling  into  Turkey  and  the  Levant  parts'  added. 


17.  The  earliest  known  English  comedy. 
NICHOLAS  UDALL,  Master  of  Eton. 

ROISTER  DOISTER,  [from  the  unique  copy  at  Eton 
1/6 '.College].      1566.  Sixpence. 


2/6 


2/6 


1/6 


18.  THE  REVELATION  TO  THE  MONK  Ol 
EVESHAM.  Here  begynnyth  a  marvelous  revelacion 
that  was  schewyd  of  almighty  god  by  sent  Nycholas  to 
monke  of  Euyshamme  yn  the  days  of  Kynge  Richard  the 
fyrst.  And  the  yere  of  our  lord.  M.C.Lxxxxvi.  [From 
the  unique  copy,  printed  abont  1482,  in  the  British 
Museum].  One  Shilling:. 


19.  JAMES  VI.  of  Scotland,  I.  of  England. 

(1)  THE  ESS  A  YES  OF  A  PRENTISE,  IN  THE 
DIVINE  ART  OF  POESIE.     Edinburgh  1585. 

(2)  A  COUNTER  BLASTE  TO  TOBACCO.    Lon 
don.  1604.  One  Shilling 


20.  SIR  ROBERT  NAUNTON,  Master  of  tiu 

Court  of  Wards. 

FRAGMENTA  REGALIA:  or,  Observations  on  the 

late  Queen  Elixabcth,  her  Times,  and  Favourites.     [Third 

Edition.     London]  1653.  Sixpence. 

21.  THOMAS  WATSON,  Student  at  /,/;,•. 

(l)  THE  E/caro/iTraf/a  or  Passionate  Centime  of  Lour. 
Hirided  into  /rro  parts :  -thereof,  the  first  r'.r/vvor///  ///< 
Authors  sufferance  in  Lone:  the  latter,  kit  long  fvrtwell  /< 
I  .one  and  all  his  tyrannic.  Composed  by  Thomas  ll'atson 
( u-ntleman  ;  and  published  at  the  iv«[iu-st  of  certuiue 
Gentlemen  his  very  frcndes.  London  [1582.] 


Vol.  VII. 

Puttenham. 

2/6 


Vol.  VIII. 

Howell, 
Udall, 


Monk  of 
Evesham 


JamesVI. 

3/6 


Vol.  IX. 

Naunton, 
Watson. 

2/6 


io          ENGLISH 

Quarto. 


Large 
i  'aper 
Edit. 


REPRINTS— FOOLSCAP. 

©ctaba. 


TITLES,  PRICES,  etc.,  etc.        Stiff  Covers. 

Uncut  Edges. 

(2)  MELIBCEUS  T.  Watsoni,  Ecloga  in  obitum  F. 
Walsinghami,  &c.     Londini,  159°- 

(3)  AN  ECLOGUE,  &c.,  Written  first  in  latine  [the 
above  MELIBCEUS]  by   Thomas  Watson   Gentleman  and 
now  by  himselfe  translated  into  English.     London    1590. 

(4)  THE    TEARS  OF  FANCY,  or  Loue  disdained. 
[From  the  unique  copy,  wanting  Sonnets  ix.-xvi.,  in  the 
possession  of  S.  Christie-Miller,  Esq.]     London,  1593. 

Eighteen  Pence. 


22.  WILLIAM  HABINGTON. 

CASTARA.  The  third  Edition.  Corrected  and  aug 
mented.  London.  1640.  With  the  variations  of  the  two 

previous  editions.  One  Shilling. 

23.  ROGER  ASCHAM. 

THE  SCHOLEMASTER,  Or  plaine  and  perfite  way 
of  teachyng  children,  to  vnderstand,  write,  and  speake, 
the  Latin  tong,  but  specially  purposed  for  the  priuate 
brynging  vp  of  youth  in  lentlemen  and  Noble  mens 
houses,  commodious  also  for  all  such,  as  haue  forgot  the 
Latin  tongue,  and  would,  by  themselues,  without  a 
Scholemaster,  in  short  tyme,  and  with  small  paines,  re- 
couer  a  sufficient  habilitie,  to  vnderstand,  write,  and 
speake  Latin.  London.  1570.  One  Shilling. 


24.  Tottel's  Miscellany. 

SONGES  AND  SONE  TTES,  written  by  the  ryght 
honorable  Lorcle  HENRY  HAWARD,  late  Erie  of  Surrey, 
and  other.  [London,  5  June]  1557.  Half-a-crpwn. 


2/6  i 


25.  REV.  THOMAS  LEVER,  M.A. :  after- 

wards  blaster  of  St  John's  College,  Cambridge. 
SERMONS,     (i)  A  fruitfull  Sermon  made  in  Paules 
churche   at   London    in   the   Shroudes,    the    second    of 
Februari.  1550. 

(2)  A  Sermon  preached  the  thyrd  [or  fourth]  Sunday 
in  Lent  before  the  Kynges  Maiestie,  and  his  honourable 
counsell.      1550. 

(3)  A  Sermon  preached  at  Pauls  Crosse,  the  xiiii.  day 
of  December  1550.  Eighteen  Pence. 

26.  "WILLIAM  WEBBE,  Graduate. 

A  DISCOURSE  OF  ENGLISH  POETRIE.  To 
gether,  with  the  Anthois  iudgment,  touching  the  reforma- 
jtion  of  our  English  Verse.  London.  1586. 

One  Shilling. 


Green  Cloth, 
Red  Edges. 


.  • .  The  following  works  are  designed  for  publication  in  time  to 
come.  Their  prices  cannot  be  fixed  with  precision,  bnt  are  ap 
proximately  given.  Ferrex  and  Porrex  has  been  postponed;  and 


ENGLISH    REPRINTS— FOOLSCAP. 


I  T 


Newes  from  the  North  by  F.  T.  [FRANCIS  THYNNE],  with  RICHARD 
BARNFIELD'S  Poems  have  not  been  inserted;  some  of  the  Texts  not 
being  accessible,  at  the  present  time.  J.  HOWELL'S  Epistolae  Ho- 
Elianas  will  be  put  to  press  as  soon  as  No.  27  BACON'S  Essayes,  &c., 
is  finis] ltd. 
£"2*127-  FRANCIS  BACON.  stiff Cm^rs. 

A  harmony  of  the  ESSA  YES,  &c.  Uncut  £<*** 

The  four  principle  texts  appearing  in  parallel  columns.  ; 
(i)  Essayes.     Religious   Meditations.      Places  of  per- 
swasion  and  disswasion.      London  1597.     (10  Essays.) 


Of  the  Coulers  of  good  and  euill  a  fragment.     1597- 

(2)  The  writings  of  Sir  Francis  Bacon  Knt  :  the  Kinges 
Sollicitor  Generall  :  in  Moralitie,  Policie,   and  Historic. 
Harleian  MS.    5106.      Transcribed  bet.    1607-12.      (34 
Essays. ) 

(3)  THE  ESSATES  of  Sir  FRANCIS  BACON  Knight,  the 
Kings  Sollicker  Generall.     London  1612.      (38  Essays.) 

(4)  The   Essayes  or  Counsels,    Ciuill   and  Morall,    of 
FRANCIS  Lo.  VERULAM  Viscount  ST.  AI.BANS.     .AVr.Vj' 
Written.     1626.     (58  Essays.)  Three  Shillings. 


Green  Cloth, 
Red  i. 


Vol.  XIII. 


Bacon. 


28.  "WILLIAM    ROY,  Franciscan  Friar. 

(i)  REDE  ME  AND  BE  NOTT  WROTHE.  [Stras- 
burg.  1527.  This  is  his  famous  Satire  on  Wolsey.  j 

(2)  A  PROPER  DYALOGE  BETWEEN  A 
GENTLEMAN  AND  A  HUSBANDMAN,  6v.| 
[Attributed  to  Roy]  Marburg.  1 530.  Eighteen  Pence.  \ 

29.  SIR  W.  RALEIGH-G.  MARKHAM.| 
THE  LAST  FIG  PIT  OF  THE  REVENGE  AT\ 

SEA.  (i)  A  report  of  the  Truth  of  the  fight  about  the 
Isles  of  Acores,  this  last  Sommer.  Betwixt  the  Reuenge, 
one  of  her  Mali-sties  Shippcs,  and  an  Armada  of  the  King 
<>f  Spaim-.  By  Sir  Walter  Raleigh.  London.  1591. 

(2)   The   most    Honorable   Trngedie   of   Sir    Richarde 
Grinuille,  Kniglit    (. '.)      Bramo   assai,  poco  spero,    nulla 
[By    GKRVASK    MAUKIIA.M]    London.    1595. 
[Two  copies  only  are  known,  Mr.  Grcuville's  cost^4O.] 

One  Shilling. 


30.  BARNABE  GOOGE. 

KGLOGS,  KPYTAniES  AND 
written  by  Banutbe  (iooge.      London  15^3-      r5  March. 

One  Shilling. 

31.  REV.  PHILLIP  STUBBES. 

(i\   TIH-:  ANATOMIE  OF  ABUSES:  cv^ntcyning 

a  discoverie  or  briefc  Suinmarie  of  Such  Notable   Vices 
and   Imperfections,    as   HOW    raijjnc   iu   many    Christian 


3,6 


XIV. 


Roy, 


Fight  in 
the  Re 
venge. 


Googe. 


4/ 


12 

©ttarto. 

Large 
Paper 

Edit. 


ENGLISH   REPRINTS— FOOLSCAP. 


6/6 


4/ 


2/6 


2/6 


2/6 


6/6 


TITLES,   PRICES,  etc.,  etc. 


Stiff  Covers. 
Uncut  Edges. 

Countreyes  of  the  World  :  but  especialie  in  a  very  famous 
ILANDE  called  AILGNA  {i.e.  Anglia] :  Together  with 
most  fearefull  Examples  of  Gods  ludgementes,  executed 
vpon  the  wicked  for  the  same,  aswell  in  AILGNA  of  late, 
as  in  other  places,  elsewhere.  .  .  London,  i  Maij.  1583. 
(2)  The  Second  part  of  THE  ANATOM1E  Of 


©ctabo. 


ABUSES. 


London.  1583.       -Half- a -crown 


32.  THOMAS  TUSSBR. 

FIVE  HUNDRED  POINTES  OF  GOOD  HUS- 
BANDRIE,  aswell  for  the  Champion,  or  open  Countrie, 
as  also  for  the  woodland,  or  Seuerall,  mixed  in  euery 
Month  with  HUSWIFERIE,  ....  with  diners 
other  lessons,  as  a  diet  for  the  former,  of  the  properties 
of  windes,  plantes,  hops,  herbes,  bees  and  approued  re 
medies  for  sheepe  and  cattle,  with  many  other  matters 
both  profitable  and  not  vnpleasant  for  the  Reader 

.     London.  1580.  Eighteen  Pence. 


33.  JOHN  MILTON. 

(1)  The   Life   of  Mr    John   Milton   [by   his    nephew 
EDWARD  PHILLIPS].     From  '  Letters  of  State  written  by 
Mr.  John  Milton,  bet.  1649-59.'     London.  1694. 

( 2)  THE  REASON  OF  CHURCH  GOVERNE- 
I\1EN7^  urg'd  against  Prelacy.     By  Mr.    John   Milton. 
In  two  Books.     [London]  1641. 

(3)  Milton's  Letter  OF  EDUCATION.     To  Master 
Samuel  Hartlib.     [London.  5  June  1644.] 

One   Shilling. 

34.  FRANCIS  QUARLES. 

ENCH\  'RIDION,  containing 
/-P..   .       (  Contemplative. 
Divine  j  practicalL 

tuti-  /  I  Ethycall.  London.  1640-1. 

ons    j  Morall  \  Oecono?nicall. 

(  PoliticalL  One    Shilling. 


35,  The  Sixth  English  Poetical  Miscellany. 

THE  PHOENIX  NEST.  Built  vp  with  the  most 
rare  and  refined  workes  of  Noble  men,  woorthy  Knights, 
gallant  Gentlemen,  Masters  of  Arts,  and  braue  Schoolers. 
Full  of  varietie,  excellent  inuention,  and  singular  delight. 
Nwer  before  this  time  published.  Set  forth  by  R.  S.  of  the 
Inner  Temple  Gentleman.  London  1593.  One  Shilling. 


36.  SIR  THOMAS  ELYOT. 

THE  GO  VERNOR.  The  boke  named  the  Gouernor, 
deuised  by  ye  Thomas  Elyot  Knight.  Londini  M.  D.  xxxi. 
Collated  with  subsequent  editions.  Half-a-crown. 


Vol. 
Quarles 


The  Phc 

nix  Nes1 


ENGLISH    REPRINTS.  13 

duarto, 

Will  be  ready,  about  March  1871,  in  one  Volume,  \2S.  6d. 

801.   RICHARD  EDEN. 

I.  A    treatyse    OF  THE   NEWE  INDIA,    WITH 
OTHER    NEW    FOUND E    L ANDES    AND    IS 
LANDS,     AS  WELL     EASTWARDE     AS     WEST- 

WARDE,  as  they  are  kno\ven  and  found  in  these  cure 
dayes,  after  the  descripcion  of  SEBASTIAN  MUNSTER,  in  his 
boke  of  vniuersall  Cosmographie,  &c.  [London,  1553.] 

II.  The  First  English  Collection  of  Voyages,  Traffics,  and  Discoveries.— 
THE    DECADES    OF    THE  NEW    WORLD    OR 
WEST  INDIA,  &c.  &>c.  [by  Peter  Martyr  of  Angleria.] 
[Translated,  compiled,  &c.  by  Richard  Eden.]          Londini, 
Anno  1555. 

1.  The  [Dedicatory]  Epistle  [to  King  Philip  and  Queen  Mary.] 

2.  Richard  Eden  to  the  Reader. 

3.  The  [ist,  2nd,  and  3d  only  of  the  8]  Decades  of  the  newe  world e  or 
west  India,  Conteynyngthenauigations  andconquestes  of  the  Spanyardes, 
with  the  particular  description  of  the  moste  ryche  and  large  lands  and 
Ilandes  lately  founde  in  the  west  Ocean  perteynyng  to  the  inheritance  of 
the  kinges  of  Spayne.     In  the  which  the  diligent  reader  may  not  only 
consyder  what  commoditie  may  hereby  chaunce  to  the  hole  Christian 
world  in  tyme  to  come,  but  also  learne  many  secreates  touchynge  the 
lande,  the  sea,  and  the  starres,  very  necessarie  to  be  knowen  to  al  such 
as  shal  attempte  any  navigations,  or  otherwise  haue  delite  to  beholde 
the  strange  and  woonderful  woorkes  of  god  and  nature.     Wrytten  in  the 
L  aline  tounge  by  PETER  MARTYR  of  Angleria,  and  translated  into 
Englysshe  by  RYCHAUDK  Em-:\. 

4.  The  Bull  of  Pope  Alexander  VI.  in  1493,  granting  to  the  Spaniards 
'  the  Regions  and  Ilandes  founde  in  the  \Vcste  Ocean'  by  them. 

5.  The  Historic  of  t/ie  \Vcst  J>iiliis\>y  GONO.U.O  EMKNANDKZ  OVIKIM 
Y  VALDES, 

6.  Of  other  notable  things  gathered  out  of  dyuers  autors. 

7.  Of  Moscouie  and  Cathay. 

8.  Other  potable  thyngt.-s  as  touchynge  the  Indies  [chiefly  out  of  the 
Looks  ol  FKAN<-IM;<>   LOPXZ  DE  GOMAKA,  '  and  partly  also  out  of  the 
caade  made  by  SMHASTIAN  CABOT.'] 

9.  The  Booke  of  Metals. 

10.  The  description   of  the  two  viages  made  owt  of  England  into 
Guinea  in  Affricke  [1553,  1554]. 

n.  The  maner  of  fyndynge  the  Longitude  of  regions. 

INDEX. 

.*.  An  abridged  analysis  of  this  voluminous  work  was  issued  in  the 
previous  catalogue  (i  Dec.  1869);  which  will  be  found  bound  up  with 
'  English  Reprints'  issued  during  this  year,  1870. 


i4  ENGLISH    REPRINTS. 

Imperial  jToiio, 

1001.   PETBUCOIO  UBALDINI— AUGUSTINE 
RYTHER 

A  Discourse  concerning  the  Spanishe  fleete  inuadinge 
Englande  in  the  yeare  1588  and  ouerthrowne  by  her  Maies- 
ties  Nauie  vnder  the  conduction  of  the  Right-honorable  the 
Lorde  Charles  Howarde  highe  Admirall  of  Englande  : 
written  in  Italian  by  PETRUCCIO  VBALDINI  citizen  of  Flor 
ence,  and  translated  for  A.  RYTHER  :  vnto  the  which  discourse 
are  annexed  certain  tables  expressinge  the  generall  exploites, 
and  conflictes  had  with  the  said  fleete. 

These  bookes  with  the  tables  belonginge  to  them  are  to 
be  solde  at  the  shoppe  of  A.  RYTHER,  being  a  little  from 
Leaden  hall  next  to  the  Signe  of  the  Tower.  [1590.] 

The  twelve  Tables  express  the  following  subjects  : — 

FRONTISPIECE. 

I.  THE  SPANISH  ARMADA  COMING  INTO  THE  CHANNEL,  OPPOSITE 
THE  LIZARD;  AS  IT  WAS  FIRST  DISCOVERED. 

II.  THE  SPANISH  ARMADA  AGAINST  FOWEY,  DRAWN  UP  IN  TH 
FORM  OF  A  HALF  MOON  ;  THE  ENGLISH  FLEET  PURSUING. 

III.  THE    FIRST    ENGAGEMENT    BETWEEN    THE    TWO    FLEETS 
AFTER  WHICH  THE  ENGLISH  GIVE  CHASE  TO  THE  SPANIARDS,  WH 
DRAW  THEIR  SHIPS  INTO  A  BALL. 

IV.  DE  VALDEZ'S  GALLEON  SPRINGS  HER  FOREMAST,  AND  is  TAKE 
BY  SIR  FRANCIS  DRAKE.     THE  LORD  ADMIRAL  WITH  THE  'BEAR 
AND  THE  «  MARY  ROSE,'  PURSUE  THE  ENEMY,   WHO  SAIL  IN  TH 
FORM  OF  A  HALF  MOON. 

V.  THE  ADMIRAL'S  SHIP  OF  THE  GUIPUSCOAN  SQUADRON  HAVIN 
CAUGHT  FlRE,   IS  TAKEN  BY  THE  ENGLISH.     THE  ARMADA  CON 
TINUES  ITS  COURSE,  IN  A  HALF  MOON  ;  UNTIL  OFF  THE  ISLE  O 
PORTLAND,  WHERE  ENSUES  THE  SECOND  ENGAGEMENT. 

VI.  SOME  ENGLISH  SHIPS  ATTACK  THE  SPANIARDS  TO  THE  WEST 
WARD.     THE  ARMADA  AGAIN  DRAWING  INTO  A  BALL,  KEEPS  ON  ri 

COURSE  FOLLOWED  BY  THE  ENGLISH. 

VII.  THE  THIRD  AND  THE  SHARPEST  FIGHT  BETWEEN  THE  TW 
FLEETS  :  OFF  THE  ISLE  OF  WIGHT. 

VIII.  THE  ARMADA  SAILING  UP  CHANNEL  TOWARDS  CALAIS  ;  TH 
ENGLISH  I^LEET  FOLLOWING  CLOSE. 

IX.  THE  SPANIARDS  AT  ANCHOR  OFF  CALAIS.      THE  FIRESHIP 

APPROACHING.       TlIE  ENGLISH  PREPARING  TO  PURSUE. 

X.  THE  FINAL  BATTLE.     THE  ARMADA  FLYING  TO  THE  NORTH 
WARD.     THE  CHIEF  GALLEASS  STRANDED  NEAR  CALAIS. 

LARGE  MAP  SHOWING  THE  TRACK  OF  THE  ARMADA 
ROUND  THE  BRITISH  ISLES. 

These  plates,  which  are  a  most  valuable  and  early  representation  of  the  Spanis 
Invasion,  are  being  re-engraved  in  facsimile,  and  will  be  issued  in  the  Spring  of  187 
at  the  lowest  feasible  price  :  probably  HALF-A-GUINEA. 

.*.    OtJier  works  may  follow. 


Annotated  Reprints.  15 

BY  VARIOUS  EDITORS  :  UNDER  MR.  ARBER'S  GENERAL  SUPERVISION. 

Some  Texts  require  the  amplest  elucidation  aiid  illustration  by  Masters  in 
special  departments  of  knowledge.  To  recover  and  perpetuate  suck  Works  is  to 
render  tke  greatest  service  to  Learning.  With  the  aid  of  Scholars  in  special  sub 
jects,  I  hope  to  endow  our  readers  with  some  knowledge  of  the  Past,  that  is  now  quite 
out  of  their  reach.  While  the  Editors  will  be  responsible  both  for  Text  and  1  llus- 
trations  ;  the  works  will  be  produced  under  my  general  oversight :  so  that  the  Anno 
tated  Reprints,  though  of  much  slower  growth,  will  more  than  equal  in  value  the 
English  Reprints.  E-  A. 

In  the  Spring  of  1871 :  in  Fcp.  8vo  the  First  Volume  (to  be  completed  in  Four]  of 

CD*  ^aSton  Setters.     1422-1509. 

Edited  by  JAMES  GAIRDNER,  Esq.,  of  the  Public  Record  Office. 

EVERY  one  knows  what  a  blank  is  the  history  of  England  during  the  Wars  of 
of  the  two  Roses.     Amid   the   civil   commotions,   literature  almost  died   out. 
The  principal  poetry  of  the  period  is  that  of  Lydgate,  the  Monk  of  Bury.     The  prose 
is  still  more  scanty.     The  monastic  Chronicles  are  far  less   numerous  than  at  earlier 
periods :  and  by  the  end  of  the  Fifteenth  Century  they  seem  to  have  entirely  ceased. 


history.  In  this  general  dearth  of  information  recent  historians  like  Lingard,  Turner, 
Pauli,  and  Knight,  who  have  treated  of  the  reigns  of  Henry  VI.,  Edward  IV.,  &c., 
have  found  in  The  Paston  Letters  not  only  unrivalled  illustration  of  the  Social  Lite 
of  England,  but  also  most  important  information,  at  first  hand,  as  to  the  Political 
Events  of  that  time.  So  that  the  printed  Correspondence  is  cited  page  after  page 
in  their  several  histories  of  this  period. 

The  Paston  Letters  have  not  however  been  half  published.  No  literary  use  was  made 
of  them  while  accumulating  in  the  family  muniment  room.  William,  2nd  Earl  of  Yar 
mouth,  the  last  member  of  the  family,  having  encumbered  his  inheritance,  parted 
with  all  his  property.  The  family  letters  came  about  1728  into  the  hands  of  the  dis 
tinguished  antiquary,  Peter  le  Neve  ;  afterwards,  by  his  marriage  to  Le  Neve's 
widow,  to  his  brother  antiquary  Martin  of  Palgrave;  on  his  death  again,  to  a  Mr. 
Worth,  from  whom  they  were  acquired  by  Mr.  afterwards  Sir  John  Fenn. 

In  1787,  Fenn  published  a  small  selection  of  the  Letters  in  two  volumes  4to ;  of 
whu.h  the  lir>t  edition  having  been  sold  off  in  a  week,  a  second  appeared  in  the  course 
of  the  year.  He  then  prepared  a  further  selection,  of  which  two  volumes  appeared 
in  1789  ;  the  fifth  volume  being  published  after  his  death,  in  1823. 

Strangely  enough,  the  Original  Letters  disappeared  soon  after  their  publication  : 
and  only  those  of  the  Fifth  volume  have,  as  yet,  been  recovered.  There  is  no  reason 
able  doubt  tl.at  they  still  exist  and  will  some  day  be  found.  There  is  no  nee 
h  iwver,  to  po-.tpone  a  new  edition  indefinitely,  until  they  are  again  brought  to 
luht:  for  a  comparison  of  the  Fifth  volume  with  its  originals  establishes  Sir  John 
!•'. MIII'S  general  faithfulness  as  to  the  Text  ;  and  therefore  our  present  possession,  in  his 
Edition,  of  the  contents  of  the  missing  Manuscripts. 

Three  hundred  and  eighty-seven  letters  in  all  were  published  by  Fenn  :  about 
I  i. ur  imndn-d  additional  letters  or  documents,  belonging  to  the  same  collection 
and  whi  h  have  i.evcr  been  published  at  all,  will  be  included  in  the  present  edition. 

Not  only  will  the  Text  be  doubled  in  quantity;  but  in  its  elucidation,  it  will  have 
the  beii'-lit  of  Mr.  (J.iinlner's  concentrated  study  of  this  Correspondence  for  years 
II  ill  la-,  ditliculty  will  be  in  the  unravelling  of  the  chronology  of  the  Letters, 
partly  from  internal  evidence,  pnrtly  from  the  Public  Records,  and  other  sources. 
Fenn'l  chronology  for  no  fault  of  his— is  excessively  misleading.  This  was  inevita 
ble,  from  the  difficulties  of  a  first  attempt,  the  state  of  historic  criticism  in  his  day. 
and  the  limited  means  then  available  for  consulting  the  public  Iti^ 

.  however,  by  restoring  each  Letter  to  its  certain  or  approximate  date,  vastlv 
to  increase  the  interest  of  this  Correspondence.  In  addition  textual  difficulties  will 
be  removed,  and  valuable  biographical  information  afforded. 

Letters  of  the  reign  of  Henry  VI.  will   form   Vol.  i.   (estimated  at  about  600 

//.    :  those  of  Kdw.ml  IV'.,  Vols.  n.  and  in.  (together  about  8oo//.):  and  those  of 

Richard    III.  and    Henry  VII.,  Vol.  IV.   (about   300  //A     The   price  will    be   al-stit 

:lling  for  every  ioo//.  ;  and  the  work,  it  is  expected,  will  be  completed  in  Two 

years. 


FOR   GENERAL   READERS. 

THE  undermentioned  modernized  texts  are  in 
preparation.  Great  care  will  be  bestowed  in  their 
transformation  into  the  spelling  and  punctuation  of  the 
present  day :  but  the  Originals  will  be  adhered  to  as 
closely  as  possible. 

Leisiire  Readings  in  English 
Literature. 

The  object  of  the  volumes  that  will  appear  under 
this  general  title,  will  be  to  afford  Restful  Reading ; 
and,  at  the  same  time,  by  exhibiting  the  wealth  of 
thought  and  the  wit  in  expression  of  our  Old  Authors  ; 
to  predispose  to  a  further  study  of  our  Literature  :  in 
which  study  these  Readings  will  serve  as  First  Books. 

They  will  contain  many  excellent  Poems  and 
Passages  that  are  generally  but  very  little  known. 

Choice  Books. 

THE    DISASTROUS     ENGLISH    VOYAGE 
TO    THE   WEST    INDIES    IN    1568. 

Recounted  in  the  Narratives  of  Sir  JOHN  HAW 
KINS  :  and  of  DAVID  INGRAM,  MILES  PHILLIPS, 
and  JOB  HORTOP,  survivors,  who  escaped  through  the 
American  Indian  tribes;  or  out  of  the  clutches  of  the 
Inquisition  ;  or  from  the  galleys  of  the  King  of  Spain: 
and  so  at  length  came  home  to  England. 
.-.  Other  works  to  follow. 

These  works  will  be  issued,  beautifully  printed  and  elegantly  bound, 

in  Crown  Svo. 
The  above  is  a  specimen  of  the  type,  but  not  of  the  size  of  page. 

5  QUEEN  SQUAEE,  BLOOMSBURY,  L01H)ON,  W.O. 


BX 
5133 


Lever,   Thomas 
Sermons 


1870 
cop.  2 


PLEASE  DO  NOT  REMOVE 
CARDS  OR  SLIPS  FROM  THIS  POCKET 

UNIVERSITY  OF  TORONTO  LIBRARY 


MICROFORMED  BY 
PRESERVAT 
SERVICES 

DATE. 


3.13: