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blind lead the blind, and both fall into the ditch. Truly, in my simple and unlearned judgment, no man's doctrine is to be esteemed, or preferred, like unto Christ and the apostles; nor to be taught, as a perfect and true doctrine, but even as it doth accord and agree with the doctrine of the gospel.

But yet, those that are called spiritual pastors, (although they are most carnal, as very evidently and plainly appears by their fruits,) are so blinded with the love of themselves, and the world, that they extol men's inventions and doctrines before the doctrine of the gospel. And when they are not able to maintain their own inventions and doctrines with any jot of the scripture, then they most cruelly persecute them that are contrary to the same. Are such the lovers of Christ? Nay, nay, they are the lovers of the wicked mammon, neither regarding God, nor his honour. For filthy lucre hath made them almost mad, but frantic they are doubtless. Is not this miserable state of spiritual men in the world much to be lamented of all good christians? But yet I cannot allow, neither praise all kind of lamentation, but such as may stand with christian charity.

THE EIGHTH CHAPTER.

Of the fruits and rules of true christianity for men to follow.

I

CHARITY Suffereth long, and is gentle, envieth not, upbraideth no man, casteth frowardly no faults in men's teeth, but referreth all things to God; being angry without sin, reforming others without slanders, carrying ever a storehouse of mild words to pierce the stony-hearted men. would that all christians, like as they have professed Christ, would so endeavour themselves to follow him in godly living. For we have not put on Christ to live any more to ourselves in the vanities, delights, and pleasures of the world, and the flesh; suffering the concupiscence and carnality of the flesh to have its full swing, for we must walk after the Spirit, and not after the flesh; for the spirit is spiritual, and coveteth spiritual things, and the flesh carnal, and desireth carnal things. The men, regenerate by Christ, despise the world and all the vanities and pleasures thereof; they are no lovers of themselves, for they feel how evil and infirm they are, not being able to do any good thing without

the help of God, from whom they acknowledge all goodness to proceed.

They flatter not themselves with thinking every thing to be good and holy which shineth to the world; for they know all external and outward works, be they ever so glorious and fair to the world, may be done of the evil as well as of the good. And, therefore, they have in very little estimation the outward show of holiness, because they are all spiritual, casting up their eyes upon heavenly things; neither looking nor regarding the earthly things, for they are to them vile and abject. They have also the simplicity of the dove, and the policy of the serpent; for, by simplicity, they have a desire to do good to all men, and to hurt no man, no, though they have occasion given; and, by policy, they give not, nor minister any just cause to any man, whereby their doctrine might be reproved. They are not, also, as a reed shaken with every wind; but, when they are blasted with the tempests and storms of the world, then remain they most firm, stable, and quiet, feeling in spirit, that God, as their best Father, doth send, and suffer all things for their benefit and commodity. Christ is to them a rule, a line, and example of christian life; they are never offended at any thing, although occasion be ministered unto them. For, like as Christ, when Peter would have withdrawn him from death, answered, and said, "Go back from me, Satan, for thou offendest me;" that is, As much as lieth in thee, thou givest me occasion with thy words to make me withdraw myself from death, although I yield not thereto; for this, thy procurement, cannot extinguish the burning desire I have to shed my blood for my chosen. Even so the perfect men are never offended at anything; for, although the world were full of sin, they would not withdraw themselves from doing of good, nor wax cold in the love of the Lord. And much less would they be moved to do evil, yea rather, they are so much the more moved to do good.

The regenerated by Christ are never offended at the works of God, because they know, by faith, that God doth all things well; and that he cannot err, either for want of power, or by ignorance, or malice; for they know him to be almighty, and that he seeth all things, and is most abundantly good. They see, and feel in spirit that of the will most highly perfect, cannot but proceed most perfect works. Likewise, they are not offended at the works of

men; for, if they are good, they are moved by them to take occasion to follow them, and to acknowledge the goodness of God, with giving of thanks, and praising his name daily the more. But if they are indifferent, and such as may be done with good and evil intents, they judge the best part, thinking they may be done to a good purpose, and so they are edified. But, if they are so evil, that they cannot be taken in good part by any means, yet they are not offended, although occasion be given; nay, rather, they are edified, inasmuch as they take occasion to be better, though the contrary be ministered to them.

Then begin they to think and say thus; If God had not preserved me with his grace, I should have committed this sin and worse. Oh how much am I bound to confess and acknowledge the goodness of God! They go also thinking and saying further; He that hath sinned, may be one of God's elect; peradventure the Lord hath suffered him to fall, to the intent he may the better know himself. I know he is one of them that Christ hath shed his blood for, and one of my christian brethren; truly, I will admonish and rebuke him, and, in case I find him in despair, I will comfort him, and show him the great goodness and mercy of God in Christ; and, with godly consolations, I will see if I can lift him up. And thus ye may see how the men, regenerated by Christ, of every thing, win and

receive fruit.

THE NINTH CHAPTER.

Of the fruits of infidelity, and offence of weaklings

AND contrariwise, the younglings, and imperfect, are offended at small trifles, taking every thing in evil part, grudging and murmuring against their neighbour; and so much the more, as they show themselves fervent in their so doing, they are judged of the blind world, and of themselves, great zeal-bearers to God. If this were the greatest evil of these younglings, it were not the most evil; but I fear they are so blind and ignorant, that they are offended also at good things, and judge nothing good, but such as they embrace and esteem to be good, with murmuring against all such as follow not their ways. If there are any of this sort, the Lord give them the light of his truth, that they may increase and grow in godly strength. I suppose,

if such younglings and imperfect had seen Christ and his disciples, eat meat with unwashen hands, or not to have fasted with the pharisees, they would have been offended, seeing him to be a breaker of men's traditions. Their affections dispose their eyes to see through other men, and they see nothing in themselves; where charity, although it be most full of eyes, to see the faults of others, whom it coveteth to amend, thinketh none evil, but discreetly and rightly interpreteth all things, by the which every thing is taken more justly and truly.

Now, these superstitious weaklings, if they had been conversant with Christ, and had seen him lead his life, sometime with women, sometime with Samaritans, with publicans, sinners, and with the pharisees, they would have murmured at him. Also, if they had seen Mary pour upon Christ the precious ointment, they would have said, with Judas, This ointment might have been sold, and given to the poor. If they also had seen Christ, with whips, drive out of the temple those that bought and sold, they would forthwith have judged Christ to have been troubled and moved with anger, and not by zeal of charity. How would they have been offended, if they had seen him go to the Jews' feast, heal a sick man upon the sabbath day, practise with the woman of Samaria, yea, and show unto her of his most divine doctrine and life! They would have taken occasion to have hated and persecuted him, as the scribes and pharisees did; and even so should Christ, the Saviour of the world, have been to them an offence and ruin.

There are another kind of little ones imperfect, which are offended after this sort and manner. As when they see one that is reputed and esteemed holy, to commit sin, forthwith they learn to do that, and worse, and wax cold in doing of good, and confirm themselves in evil; and then they excuse their wicked life, publishing the same with the slander of their neighbour. If any man reprove them, they say, Such a man did this, and worse. So it is evident that such persons would deny Christ, if they saw other men do the same. If they went to Rome, and saw the enormities of the prelates, which are said to reign there amongst them, I doubt not, if they saw one of them sin, who was reputed and taken for holy, their faith would be lost, but not the faith of Christ, which they never possessed; but they should lose that human opinion which they had of

the goodness of the prelates. For, if they had the faith of Christ, the Holy Ghost should be a witness unto them; the which should be mighty in them, that, in case all the world would deny Christ, yet they would remain firm and stable in the true faith.

The pharisees also took occasion of the evil of others, to wax haughty and proud, taking themselves to be men of greater perfection than any others because of their virtue; even as the pharisee did when he saw the publican's submission. And so they are offended with every little thing, judging evil, murmuring against their neighbour; and, for the same, they are of many reputed, and taken for the more holy and good, whereas, indeed, they are the more wicked. The most wicked persons are offended even at themselves; for, at their little stability in goodness, and of their detestable and evil life, they take occasion to despair, where they ought the more to commit themselves to God, asking mercy for their offences; and, forthwith, to give thanks, that it hath pleased him of his goodness to suffer them so long a time.

But what needs it any more to say that evil men are offended even at the works of God? They see God suffer sinners, therefore, think they, sin displeases him not. And, because they see not the good rewarded with riches, oftentimes they imagine that God loveth them not. It seemeth to them God is partial, because he hath elected some, and some reproved. And therefore they say, that the elected are sure of salvation; taking, by that, occasion to do evil enough, saying, Whatsoever God hath determined, shall be performed. If also they see the good men oppressed, and the evil men exalted, they judge God to be unjust, taking occasion to live evil, saying, Inasmuch as God favoureth the naughty men, let us do evil enough, to the intent he do us good. If then the wicked be offended, even at God, it is no wonder if they are offended at those that follow and walk in his paths and ways.

THE TENTH CHAPTER.

Of carnal gospellers, by whose evil living, God's truth is shamefully slandered.

I WILL now speak with great dolour and heaviness in my heart, of a sort of people which are in the world, that

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