The first tome or volume of the Paraphrase of Erasmus vpon the Newe Testamente

The .xv. Chapter.

[ The texte.] Than resorted vnto hym all the Publicanes and synners, for to heare hym. And the pha∣risees and Scribes murmoured, saying: He receiueth synners and eateth with them. But he put furth this parable vnto them, saying: What man emong you hauing an hundred shepe, if h•• lose one of them, dooeth he not leaue the foure score and nynetene in the wyldernesse, and goeth after that whiche is lost, vntyll he fynde it? And whan he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders with ioye. And as soone as he commeth home, he calleth together his louers and neyghbours, saying vnto them: Reioyce with me, for I haue founde my shepe, which was lost. I saye vnto you, that lykewyse ioye shall bee in heauen ouer one synner that repenteth, more then oure foure score and ninetene iust persones, whiche nede no repentaunce.

WHan the whole multitude of the people drewe nere vnto Christe, and came thicke aboute him on euery side, and he neyther putte any one from him, nor despised or sette at naughte any of them: certayne of the Publicanes and certayne notable synners were so boldened with it, that they feared not to approche nere vnto him, whiche kynde of people the Pharisees did much abhorre and accoumpte abhominable, because they woulde haue it to appere that theimselues were holy menne in dede, whereas the moste vndoubted token of holynesse is, not to contemne ne disdeyne a synner, but by all manier meanes to labour that the••ame maye amende, and to reioyce whan he doeth amende.

Therfore whereas the Pharisees were withinfurth full of disdeyne, en∣uye, hatred, couetife, and pryde, yet in theyr owne sight and iudgement they se∣med righteouse: whan they sawe Iesus willyngly to suffre the Publicanes to approche his presence, as ofte as they would, and not the Publicanes onelye, but others also whiche lyued in slaundre and obloquie, for theyr transgressiōs notoriouslye knowen to the worlde, (as for exaumple) bawdes, and harlottes, with suche others: they murmured agaynst his mercifull dealyng, and sayed: This manne whiche dooeth professe a certayne newe and vncouthe trade of holynesse, yet dooeth nothyng eschewe the coumpanye of naughtie per∣sones, but receyueth euen knowen synners to talke with hym, and dooeth in so muche not flee ne abhorre to haue them come and bee with hym in coumpanye, that he euen eateth also with theim, nothyng remembryng

howe that the good men are defoiled by the coumpany and conuersacion of the eiuill emong them. Than Iesus to the entente he woulde vttrely wede out of hys disciples hertes this merciles disdeyne, putte foorthe three parables of soondrie tenours, but yet cumming all to one poynt and conclusion in the effect of theyr exhortacion: that is to wete, to all possible mercifulnes towardes a sin∣ner refourmyng hys naughtye lyfe. For suche an one is not onely not to bee cast of and reiected whan he returneth agayne to better grace, but also by all manier wayes to bee exhorted that he will amende. The firste parable ren∣neth thus: How greatly God tendreth a sinner (sayeth Iesus) and turneth not awaye his face from thesame synner turnyng agayne to grace, and amending: euery man maye coniecture by his owne herte and affeccion. Is there any man of you, whiche hath an hundred shepe of his owne (for in dede euery man dere∣ly loueth any thyng that is his owne, nor would not haue any parte therof pe∣rishe or miscarrye.) And what would he do, if it should chaunce that one of the hundred shoulde breake of and straygh from the flocke? would he not with the losse of thatsame one bee so greatly moued, that the nyntie nyne residue leafte in the wielde field, he would carefully go rennyng about to the other that were loste, and would not be in quiet vntill he had founde hym? And what yf he chaunce to fynde agayne the litle selye shepe whiche to fore was loste? For∣sooth as a man muche reioycyng, he wyll laye him on his shoulder and putte hym among the residue of the flocke, a gladder man of that one shepe receyued agayne whiche he feared had been loste, then of the safetie of all the rest of his flocke, for whiche he hadde taken no feare of miscarying. And so great is his gladnesse, that it cannot staigh ne refreyne it selfe, but it must breake out in the presence of others. For so soone as he commeth home, euen as one that had got∣ten some notable great gaines, he calleth his frendes & neighboures together, saying vnto them: Declare and shewe your selues glad on my behalfe, reioyce ye lyke true frendes at my ioye: (for among frendes it becummeth that all thynges bee in common) because that I haue founde my shepe whiche I had loste. If this bee the affeccion of a good shepeherde towarde his flocke, of what affeccion doe ye thynke God to be towardes mankynde whom he created, whō he nourisheth, whom he hath for the glorye of his owne name predestinate to e∣uerlastyng blysse? will he (trowe ye) despise the sinner whom Satan hath se∣duced and led a contrary waye from the flocke▪ or els (as he is al mercifull and tendre louyng ouer all thynges whiche hymselfe hath made) will he not rather doe all that maye bee doen to recouer and wynne suche an one into his owne handes and possession agayne, and with great ioye receyue the synner agayne, when he repenteth, for whom he tooke great griefe and thoughte that he was loste? Be ye on my woorde right well assured, that as the sayed shepeherde for the receyuyng of thesame one litle se••••e shepe maketh muche reioycyng with his frendes and neyghbours: euen so there shall be greater ioye to all the aun∣gels in heauen for one synner repenting and amendyng his naughtie lyfe, then of nynetie and nyne iust menne the which haue no ••ede of repentaunce. This image or parable did in dede moste directly and properly signifie and represent the Lorde Iesus, who onely is that same shepeherde of goodnesse in∣comparable, who whan mankynde had fallen and trespaced, dyd reconcile thesame agayne to his father, paying of his owne body that whyche we had deserued, and carrying in his owne bodye all our transgressions. And albeit

he found neuer a nacion that was not muche burdened and endaungered with sinne, yet the Iewes, if they were compared to the other heathen nacions, semed to haue a lykelyhood and a shewe of righteousnesse for that they wurshipped one God alone, and for that they obserued and kept a lawe geuen by god. And some there wer emōg the Iewes, who, because they dyd after a more streighter sorte cleue to the outwarde preceptes of the lawe, thought themselues in theyr owne opinions to nede no repētaunce. But the righteousnesse of these brought lesse ioye vnto the tendre louyng shepeheard, then did the heathen nacions tur∣nyng from great and manifest synnes, as from idolatries, from adultries, frō straunge and vnnatural misusages of the body. And emong the Iewes Paule did more sette foorth the mercie of god in that he chaunged from a persecutour, and became an Apostle, then if he had secretely miengled Christe with y^e lawes and supersticious customes of the Iewishe profession, whiche thyng was at that tyme doen of no small noumbre. As for the parable dooeth generally con∣cerne the apostles and their successours the bishops. For these ought to beare the affeccions of Christ theyr guyde and captayne towardes his flocke, at least∣wyse if they be not hyrelynges but true shepeheardes. For oftentimes it cōmeth in vre, that suche as bee once reclaymed and throughly conuerted from many∣fest synnes of great enormitie vnto true godlinesse, dooe in the ensuyng of god∣ly conuersacion, outrenne and passe those, whiche neuer fell into the lyke hay∣nous enormities. Suche persones will not the euangelical shepeheard despise or disdeyne, but rather seke alwayes possible vntill he shal eftsōs haue brought them home agayne, and restored them to the shepecotes of the churche. The re∣pentaunt synner endeuouryng to walke a newe life, he will take to hym again with great gladnesse, and with a common reioycyng of all the feythfull con∣gregacion. Leat the Pharisees murmour and clatter agaynst him, whiche tru∣styng to their deceiptfull and false righteousnesse, doe not perceyue nor vnder∣stande how muche more acceptable mercie is vnto the lorde, then any kynde of sacrifice dooen vnto hym. Suche as are righteous in veray dede, suche as are vnfeigned frendes and fauourers of that good shepeheard, will shewe them∣selues more gladder for the receiuyng again & the recoueryng of one lost shepe, then for many suche as doe put their trust and confidence in theyr owne colde and naked righteousnesse. For they doe not any ferther charge or burden hym with his old faultes and misdooynges, whiche God of his mercie hath freely remitted and forgotten: but with muche reioycyng they shewe forth their glad∣nesse whiche they conceyue for the returnyng of a synner vnto a newe life. He could not haue returned, except the shepeheard laying hym on his shoulders, had brought hym home againe: and therefore the whole compainye of saynctes rendreth thankes and reioyceth at the goodnesse of God, not enuying thesame benefite vnto another, of the whiche benefite euery one of them haue had expe∣rience and proufe in themselues before: estemyng and reputyng it common to them all, whatsoeuer hath chaunced to euerie particular membre, whether it wer good or eiuill. And good reason it is, that the reioycyng and gladnesse of y^e churche should bee cōmon to them al, seeing y^t the griefe & sorowe was common to them all. And this was the firste parable whereby our lorde checketh and re∣proueth the proude and arrogant righteousnesse of the Pharisees, whiche did nothyng but onely hate synners, and eschewe theyr coumpainie: whereas it is the duetie of true holinesse to procure and studie for the health and emende∣mente

of all creatures, and suche as are guiltie and faultie toward God, to call home agayne by ientilnesse to better wayes: and with all possible affeccion of loue and charitie, tendrely to receyue suche as repente and emende their liues. If Christe, who neuer knewe sinne did vse this mercifulnesse toward sinners: how muche more doeth it beseme a man beyng his owne self subiect to vice and synne, to shewe and vse thesame mercie towardes his neyghbour?

[ The texte.] ¶Either what woman hauyng tenne grotes (if she lose one) doeth not light a candle, and swepe the house, and seke diligently till she fynde it? And whan she hath found it, she cal∣leth her ••ou••rs and neighbours together, saying. Reioyce with me, for I haue found the grote whiche I had loste. Lykewyse I saye vnto you, shall there be ioye in the presence of the Aun∣gels of God, ouer one synner that repenteth.

The secound parable renneth thus. What woman (saith Christe) is there emong you, whiche yf she had tenne grotes, and should lese one of them, would neglecte the losse of one grote, because she had the other nyne safe enough and sure in her custodie? What than will she do? truely she will light a candle, turne and tosse vp the rushes, serche euery corner of the house, she wil remoue al thing out of his place, and shorte tale to make, she will neuer make an ende of sekyng vntyll suche time as she hath found her grote that was lost? That if it chaunce her to fynde it, than is there so muche reioycyng made of the woman for that one grote receyued agayn, that she can not tempre or staygh her selfe, but euen emong her frendes and gossops she must declare and tell it out. And her sayed gossops beeyng called together, she will saye vnto them in this wyse: Reioyce ye, and shewe your selues glad for my cause, that I haue found again my grote whiche I had lost. She maketh no boste at all of the other nyne whiche were not lost: she glorieth of that one grote and no mo, whiche she hath founde and gotte agyne, and thinketh herselfe a richer woman with that same one grote, then with the other nine. If a woman be so affeccionately set toward her money that she is muche grieued with the losse of any parte therof, and greatly reioy∣ceth for the fyndyng of thesame agayn, be it neuer so litle a porcion: how muche more will God bee of the mynde, that no parte shoulde bee loste of men, for the redemyng and sauyng of whom he hath willyngly geuen hymselfe to be han∣ged on the crosse, because he fourmed and made manne after the paterne of his owne lyknesse?

[ The texte.] And he sayed: A certayne man had two sonnes, and the younger of them sayed vnto the father. Father geue me the porcion of the gooddes, that to me belongeth: and be deuided vn∣to them his substaunce. And not long after, whan the younger sonne had gathered all that he had together, he toke his iourney into a ferre coūtrey, and there he wasted his goodd••s with ••iottous liuyng. And whan he had spent all, there arose a great derth in all that lande, and he began to lacke and wante, and came to a citezen of that same countreye: and he sent hym to his ••erme, to kepe swyne. And he would fayne haue fylled his bealye with the coddes that the swyne dyd eate: and no man gaue it vnto hym.

Than added he ferthermore the third parable, whiche albeeit it generally apperteineth to all synners, arysyng from theyr synnes and trespaces, yet for the rate of the tyme in whiche it was spoken, it dooeth more directly touche the Gentiles called and receyued to the grace of the ghospell, and the Iewes (who semed to themselues alreadie iust) enuying the felicitie of thesame Gentiles. The discourse and processe of the parable is this that foloweth. A certaine man (sayeth Christe) had twoo soonnes, of whiche the younger folowyng the in∣stinct

and leding of youth and folye, went vnto his father and faied vnto him: father geue me my childes part of your goodes, and I wil after myne owne fashiō assay what profite & gaines I can leuie therof. The father being tēdre ouer him, and lettyng him folow his own bridle and course, deuided his sub∣staunce betwene his two sonnes, and either of them had his own porcion de∣liuered him, and free libertie withall, to put it to suche vse as he would him∣self, but yet not without hope that thei would thriue and do good therwith. The elder planted himself not ferre from his fathers house: but the younger within fewe daies sold al his substaunce that he had, and whan he had turned it into ready money, he strayed from his fathers, and went into a ferre coun∣trey. What should he dooe beeyng a young man, beeyng at his owne libertye and mayster of hymselfe, and liuing ferre from his father, in a straunge coun∣trey? He vtterly diuorceth and disseuereth hymself from god his most ientell father, who maketh himself a straungier and a pilgrime of this world. This disseueryng and sundering is not of place, but of affeccion & herte. Euill talk•• dooeth corrupt and marre good maners. The Iewes had receiued a lawe by the instruccion and guydyng whereof, they did knowe what was to bee fo∣lowed, and what to bee eschewed: and the Gentiles also had their giftes, as quicknesse of witte, the knowlage and vnderstanding of the thinges created, and made of goddes handy woorke, by the whiche they mighte haue knowen the maker (as in very dede a knowlage of him they had.) Yea and they wrote and setforth bokes very absolute and perfite, of the manier and fourme howe to line wel: but not hauing in their mind that thei ought to referre & attribute these very ••ame rychesse vnto God as the autour of them, whiche he did ten∣derly geue, not to any suche ende or purpose, that they should folishely abuse them, but that with thesame they should wurship and honour their most be∣neficiall father, and by this wurshippyng, prouoke him to ferther lyberali∣tie to geue them more. But how ferre had they strayed and gone wanderyng awaye from god, in that thei did wurship wood, stones, dogges, oxē, apes, serpētes, oynions and lekes, as yf these thynges had been Goddes? And how ferre were they gon frō god in that they fell into suche filthines, as the verye perceiuing and reason of nature hath euermore remoued and kepte the bruite and saluage beastes from? Unhappy is that libertie, whiche the fathers pre∣sence dooeth not gouerne and stay. For what chaunce at length befell y^e young man now set at his owne free libertie out of his fathers tuicion? he spēte and wastefully consumed among straungiers all the substaunce, not of his owne, (for nothing it was that he had of his owne) but of his fathers. And he spent it out riottously at dyce, on harlottes, and in feastyng and banquettyng. For plaineriotte it is, whatsoeuer is spent about the inordinate lustes of y^e body without necessitie. Verily the saied inordinate lustes and desires do corrupt and marre euen the right precious giftes of nature. And whā he had wasted all his substaunce, folowyng in all behalfes his owne sensuall mynde & plea∣sure: there arose a great famine in the said countrey where the yoūg mā kept himself as a straūgier and pylgrime. For this worlde hath nothyng in it that may fully satisfie the soule of man, but onely that whiche is the chiefest and moste best thing of all, whiche thyng is no where els but only in the fathers house. Well what should the young man do beyng a straungier among suche as he knewe not, beyng naked without clothyng, and beeing in the daungyer

of death through great houngre? wheras before it was grieuous vnto hym to obey the commaundemente of his moste ientle father, he was now of force constreyned to bee as a bonde seruaunte to a foreyne & vncurteous citezen of a straunge toune. Whan men refuse to receiue the swete yoke of the Lorde, than are they compelled to beare the moste hard and heauye yoke of Satan. Wilt thou heare how miserable a kynde of bondage it is to serue the desires of the world? The citezen that was his maister sent hym to his mainour in y^e coūtrey, there to kepe and fede his hogges. Frō how great dignitie into how great reprochefulnesse was the miserable young man brought throughe hys owne folye? Of a ryche inherytour of an excedyng ryche house, he was nowe made a boude man and a swyne heard: and yet notwithstanding dyd not that∣same his cruell maister so muche as geue hym meate to eate. What needeth many woordes? so greate was the famine and houngre of the trueth & grace of god (whiche trueth onely and none but it is hable to fede and satisfy y^e soul of man) that he desyred to fill his bealye he cared not wherewithal, no not yf it had been with the very huskes & coddes, wherwith the hogges wer fedde•• and yet was there no man whiche would geue him thesame, in so muche that he was in wurse case then the very swine, to whome he rather was a bonde seruaunte, then a rewler or a maister ouer them. The verye gyftes of nature wer now defaced in him, and had clene forsaken the young man: and the free∣dome of his owne will (as poore as it was) yet lost and gon it was: and yet the stomake and appetite of his soule beeyng extremely corrupt, was eagre to haue sum meate to appeace his hoūgre. Euery vayne & voyd pleasure of y^e worlde which dooeth but for a short space pacifie, neither satisf••yng y^e soule, nor makyng it fatte, be as huskes and coddes that the swyne feede of: with these are the yl spirites delited: and suche as are their sworne serua••••es, they doe rather tolle and traine with those baites then fill them. And yet haue they not alwaies plentie or aboundaunce of these readye at hand neyther, or in ease they haue, yet is it marred and disrealised with muche galle of griefes and sorowes.

[ The texte.] Than he came to himself, and said: how many hyred seruauntes at my fathers haue breade enough, and I perishe with houngre? I will arise, and goe to my father, and I will saye vnto him: father I haue sinned against heauen, and before thee, and am no more woorthy to be cal∣led thy sonne, make me as one of thy hired seruauntes.

Well than he was now come to the poynte of extreme calamitye and dy∣stresse. But happy is that distresse whiche constrayneth a man to amende his ill liuyng. For the first degree and steppe toward saluacion is this: to call to remembraunce from whence a man is fallen, and to acknowelage howe ferre he hath swerued and growen out of kynde. And this was the fathers owne drawyng vnto him. For he had gon away and leaft his father: but the father is euery where present. In tymes past he had been a young man past himself, and out of his right mynd, he was a mā distraughte with deceytefull snares of this worlde, fleeyng all suche thynges as were onely to bee desyred, and desiring those thinges whiche only were to bee eschewed and auoyded. But the matter is than in good state whan the synner and mysdooer thorough the secrete inspiracion of his moste ientle father, cūmeth to his herte agayn. The young man therefore beeyng at length cum well to himselfe agayne, spake to

himselfe in this maner: from what degree to what condicion and state am I come wretched creature that I am? Out of mine owne countrey into exile & banishement: out of a rich & welthy house, into a countrey of famine: from li∣bertie, into seruitude: from a moste louyng father, to a moste cruell Mayster: from the dignitie of beeyng a soonne in my fathers howse, to the most vileste condicion of bondage that may bee, and from the feloweshyp of my brethren and of the other seruauntes, to lyuyng among swyne. How many hyred ser∣uauntes are there in my fathers house, whiche through the bountie of my fa∣ther, haue plentiful stoore of breade at will as much as they will eate? and I beyng the soonne of suche a good householder, dye here for hungre. Many of the Iewes are hirelingers whiche do after a sorte obserue the cōmaūdemētes of the law, not of any godly affeccion, but eyther of a seruile feare, orels for the reward of thynges temporal: and yet a matter of sōwhat it is, to lyue as a couenaunt seruaunt with so ryche and so bounteous an housholder, and not to be disseuered or put asundre from so fortunate and happy a house. For one shall of an hired seruaunt be made as his soonne, if he haue thaffeccion that a soonne ought to haue. And a godly kinde of enuie it is, which prouoketh the young manne to the hope of forgeuenesse. For after that he had with himselfe bewayled his estate of extreme myserye, wherein he than laye altogether walowyng, he begoonne somewhat to lift and set hymselfe vpright, and to take some herte vnto him, saiyng: I will arise, and I will go vnto my father. And yet alas (sayeth he to himself) how darest thou be so bold? hast thou any thyng whereby to make thine excuse or pourgacion vnto hym? thou foūdeste hym euermore a moste tendre louyng father, to leat thee haue all thyne owne will: thou diddest eagrely require thy childes part of his goodes, he gaue it thee without once saiyng nay vnto thee: and of thyne owne mocion & dooyng it was, that thou leaftest thy father beeyng to thee bothe louyng and fauou∣rable: thou hast shamefully wasted thy fathers substaunce, not geuen thee for any suche purpose▪ Thou canst impute this thy calamitie to none other per∣sone but vnto thyne owne selfe. To stand in defense of this my dede should li∣tle helpe or preuail, this is my only hope: forasmuch as I know my father to bee a right father in very dede, that is to saie, of his owne nature a man mer∣cyfull and easye to be entreated: it maye so bee, that some part of his old loue & charitie remaineth still in his hert, though I haue vtterly cast of al y^e whole nature and duetie of a true soonne. I wil not goe about to make my fault and trespace lyght, nor I will not denye it. Plain and simple confession of all the matter shall more weigh with him, and a mynde in very true dede mislykyng it selfe for his naughtinesse: then the best excuse or pourgacion y^t may be made with studie. The more verily that I shall hate my selfe, so muche the more easily shal I stirre vp and kendle his loue toward me again: and last of all in this my extreme desperaciō, to whom should I rather committe my self then vnto myne own father? he only & none but he is hable to restore the trespacer that hath had suche a foulle fall: yea and also if there be any in the world that will bee willyng to do suche a good dede, it is he that wil be willing. I will not tary till he shall knowe my fault, till he shalbe aduertised and enfourmed of my wretched state and woefull distresse by other men then my selfe, who peraduenture will of their instigacion rather incense and prouoke hym to pu∣nishe this my wickednesse, then to pardon me. The readiest way to appeace

the matter & make al thinges quiete, shalbe, if I my self first breake & shewe the plain case vnto him euen as it stādeth. Leat him take suche waies & ordre therin as shall please him. For he is my father, and I am his soonne: & what∣soeuer I haue faulted, I haue faulted against him alone. And therfore I will say vnto hym: father I haue faulted greatly before thaungels of god and be∣fore thee, neither do I iudge my selfe woorthy from hence foorth any more to be called by the name of thy sōne. I shal thinke it enough if thou takyng pitye and cōpassion on me, shalt leat me be in like place and fauour with thee, as e∣uery one of thy common hired seruauntes be. Leat me no more but bee as an hanger on in any one corner of thy househould: there can bee no fitter wordes framed to stirre vp and to enkiendle my moste singuler good fathers mercy & compassion towardes me. Howe muche the plainlyer he confesseth his fault, (whiche faulte coulde neyther be hidde, nor yet bee excused) the more that he dooeth mislike hymself, the more that he dooeth hūble and submitte himself, the more that he declareth hīself to haue no hope ne trust remainyng or leafte vnto hym, but onely in his fathers grace and mercie: so muche the more shal he drawe his fathers mynde to dooe euen as he would haue him to doe. And this tenour and fourme of speakyng vnto his father, no art of rhethorike had put in the young mannes mynde: but his owne conscience beeyng grieued and displeased with it selfe, and yet not vtterly conceyuyng an extreme yll opiniō (that is to say) not despairyng of his fathers goodnesse.

[ The texte.] And he arose, & came to his father. But whan he was yet a great way of, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ranne and fell on his necke, and kissed him. And the soonne said vnto him: father I haue sinned against heauen, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy sonne. But the father said to his seruauntes; bryng forth the best garment & put it on him, & put a ring on his hand, and shooes on his feete. And bryng hither the fatte calfe, and kyll it, and leat vs eate and be mery: for this my sonne was dead, and is aliue again: he was lost, and is founde. And they began to be merye.

This hope therefore and truste conceyued, the young man ariseth, and to a∣rise (as I saied before) is the first step and degree towardes saluacion. Backe goeth he therefore home again al the way that he had cum, weping & sighyng all the way, wheras he had to fore departed from his father as perte & fierce and as rashe and wilful as could be. Thus hast thou a plain paterne & exaū∣ple declared vnto thee, of a man returnyng from extreme naughtinesse: nowe beholde a paterne of the gracious mercifulnesse of god. The young man was not yet full come to his fathers house, whan his father espyed him cummyng a ferre of (as in dede naturall fatherly loue hath alway the iyes open and can see ferre.) He that dyd more tenderly loue of the twoo, dyd first espy y^e other. He sawe his soonne cummyng woondreous ougly and pieteous to behold, who had wilfully departed from him a fierce young man, & one that woulde not take it as he had dooen. He sawe him ragged houngerstaruen, fylthye, la∣mentyng, sighyng & weping. This very syghte beeyng so pieteous, begonne byanby to moue the fathers herte: & wheras he had iuste cause to haue been angrye, this sight turned his angre into pietie and cōpassion. He rēneth forth to mete the young man, as thesame was cummyng towardes hym, and not lookyng to bee praied of his sonne, but beyng ouercūmed with natural loue, caught his sonne about the necke & kissed him. And albeit these thinges were y^e sufficient tokens of a mynde ready of it self to forgeue: yet the yoūg mā being

angrie with himselfe, sayed: father I haue doen amisse and that greatly, bothe before the Aungels of God and before thee, and yet haue I been so bolde as to auenture to come into thy sight, wheras I am vnwoorthie any more to be cal∣led thy sonne, forasmuche as all the bandes of naturall loue and duetie on my behalfe haue been broken. Here in this man by the only instincte and mocion of nature beyng thus affected toward his sonne, vnderstande thou the goodnesse of God, who is muche more gracious and mercifull towardes a man that hath been a synner, if he truely and vnfeignedly repente and mislike himselfe, then any father can possibly bee towardes any sonne, though he neuer so rendrelye loue thesame. His sonne had not yet spoken all that he had conceyued and re∣corded in his mynde before, by reason that wepyng and sobbing did breake his tale. But his teares declared and spake more thē his wordes could haue doen. And what doeth his father therewhyle, trowe ye? dooeth he speake any thoun∣dreyng woordes of crueltie? doeth he threaten to beate hym? dooeth he threaten to cast hym of, and neuer to take hym any more for his sonne? doeth he cast hym in the teeth with his bounteous goodnesse shewed vnto hym? dooeth he laye to hym his goyng awaye? dooeth he burden hym with his gluttonie, or other ab∣hominable poyntes of lyuyng? he remembreth none of all this geare, he doeth so greatly reioyce that he hath got his sonne agayne. The sonne thought hym∣selfe vnwoorthie the title or name of his sonne: yet the father restoreth hym to his old state and degree agayn. The sonne doeth vttrely condemne hymselfe: & the father doeth absolue and quitte hym. The sonne did cast himselfe downe to bee a seruaunte: the father setteth hym perfectly agayn in his olde state and dignitie. For the father turnyng hymselfe to his seruauntes, sayed: bryng ye foorth quickely his former robe and apparell that he was woont to weare, and put it on hym, and sette also a ryng on his fynger, and put on a payre of shooes on his fete. And this doen, fette ye also out of my pastures thatsame beste and fattest calfe that is there, and kyll it. Let vs prepare a feast, and let vs reioyce, for that this my sonne was once dead, and is now come to lyfe: and for that he was once perished and vtterly lost, and is now found agayne. So great a ma∣tier it is that a true penitent herte maye dooe with God. There is no punishe∣ment ministred vnto hym: onely to be of a penitente and coutri••e herte, suffised his moste louyng father. He whiche by his yll demeanour had made himselfe vnwoorthy to come in his fathers sight or presence, thesame did the father espie and cast a mercifull iye vpon, cummyng to wardes hym a great waye of. He that hath deserued for euer to be thrust out of his fathers house, whiche beyng an vnthankefull persone he had tofore wilfully and vnhonestly forsakē: to him returnyng and cūming home agayne, the father in his own persone came forth of the doores, & mette hym, for he hath none in all his whole house more merci∣full then he hymselfe is. Hym that had cast hymself into the bondeseruice of ab∣hominable maisters, that is to wete, the filthie pleasures of the bodye: hym did his father vouchesafe to embrace in his armes. To hym that had deserued to be scourged with many a sore stripe, is geuen a kysse, for a token of perfeicte loue and attonement. Happie is that synner, whom the Lord vouchesalueth to embrace and kysse. Because he confessed his offences, and refused the name of a sonne, for that in his conscience he knewe himselfe faultie, there was brought foorth and restored vnto hym all the tokens of his old dignitie. He had loste all his apparell that was mete for suche a mannes sonne to weare: but there was

brought vnto hym, the principall best robe and vesture of his former innocēcie whiche he had lost. He had lost all the worthinesse and dignitie of a soonne of the house, by his owne wilfull seruitude: and yet is the ryng deliuered him a∣gayn. And because he should lacke nothyng that might serue for the deckyng and trymmyng of hym to the vttremoste, he hath shooes put on his feete. The young man hymselfe durst not hope to haue any suche thyng: and how muche the lesse he hopeth or looketh for it, so muche the sooner dooeth he obteyne and geat it. And to thentente that none in the house should the lesse esteme hym or set by hym for his lyght and homely pranke of youth, his father as soone as y^e calfe was killed, moueth and prouoketh al his whole householde to reioyce al∣together, and allegeth good causes vnto them why they should be glad. How∣soeuer he hath behaued hymselfe (sayeth he) my sonne he was, he hath been dead, and now is he called to life agayne. For synne is the death of the soule. And he renneth towarde death, which leaueth and forsaketh the autour of life. He leaueth and forsaketh the autour of lyfe, whosoeuer is in loue with the thin∣ges of this worlde, for the worldly pleasures are ferre wyde from god almigh∣ties schoolyng. And suche an one is reuiued agayne, as dooeth repente and re∣fourme his synnefull lyfe. He was lost without any hope euer to bee recouered agayne as concernyng hymselfe: howebeit he was found and gotten agayn. To departe awaye frō the fathers house, is to perishe: for out of thesame house there is no health. Neither is there any waye to returne, excepte his father selfe putte it into his sonnes mynde beeyng now brought to extremities. That the father putteth the remembraunce of hymselfe in the sonnes mynde, is of his owne beneficiall goodnesse towardes the sonne: but in that the sonne dooeth not neglecte it whan it is so putte vnto him, this is imputed to hym, as a thyng meritorious: and the veraye confessyng of the fault, is receyued and accoump∣ted for satisfaccion. He was loste through his owne folye: And was founde a∣gayne by his fathers loue. And because he repented and emended euen from the botome of the herte, forasmuche as he did vttrely myslyke hymselfe: his fa∣thers mercifulnesse did not onely restore hym to his old dignitie▪ but made also a feaste, that he might commende and settefoorth his sonne to the hertie loue of all that were belongyng vnto hym.

[ The texte.] ¶The elder brother was in the fielde, and whan he came and drewe nighe to the house he heard minstrelsie and dauncyng, and called one of his seruauntes, and asked what those thynges ment. And he sayed vnto hym: thy brother is come, and thy father hath kylled the fatte calfe, because he hath receyued hym safe and sounde. And he was angrye, and woulde not goe in. Than came his father out and entreated hym. He aunswered and sayed to his fa∣ther: loe these many yeares haue I dooen thee seruice, neither brake at any tyme thy com∣maundement, and yet gauest thou me neuer a kidde to make mery with my frendes: but as soone as this thy sonne was come (which hath deuouted al thy gooddes with harlottes) thou hast for his pleasure killed the fatte calfe. And he sayed vnto hym: sonne thou arte euer with me, and all that I haue is thyne: It was mere that we should make merie and bee glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is aliue agayn, and was lost, and is found.

And suche manier an one as the father here, beeyng expressed by the simili∣tude of a parable, shewed hymselfe towarde his sonne: euen suche ones ought curates and bishops to shewe themselues towardes the penitent synner. But the proude Phariseis (who fauouryng theyr owne faultes, dooe nothyng but shewe moste cruell tyrannie vpon other mennes faultes) are ferre wyde frō this exaumple. And beholde whyle al the wholle house of the father, that is to saye,

the wholle congregacion of deuout and godly persones, was altogether merie and full of all reioycyng, onely the brother beeyng well resembled to the Pha∣risees, doeth enuie and grutche at it. For whyle these thynges were in doyng, the elder sonne was not at home, but was busily occupied in the fielde of Moy∣ses lawe, labouryng till he sweate agayne with carrying the burdens of the cō∣maundementes, and moste peinefullye wadyng and strougleyng to beare the heauye woorkes of the lawe, whereas the younger brother dydde in the meane tyme, receyue and take the moste ientyll yoke of his father.

And whan the saied elder sonne drewe nere vnto his fathers house, he heard the straunge noyse of them that songe and daunced for ioye. For stickyng who∣ly to the vnsauourye lettre of the lawe, he did not knowe kowe great ioye it is that the spirite of the ghospell hath. Whyle the Iewes neglecteth all the pre∣misses dooyng nothyng but digge and beare burdens in the fielde of the lawe: in the meane tyme is the people of the Gentiles with great ioye receyued and taken into the house of the father, who nothyng els desireth but the saluacion of his. Than the folower of the olde lawe meruaylyng muche at the straunge∣nesse of this newe matier, and woondreyng what should bee the cause of suche vnwoont mirth, would not vouchesalue to entre in where he might bee parta∣ker of the common gladnesse emong all the rest, whiche thyng his father dyd earnestelie wishe. For the Gentiles were not so receyued in, that the Israelites should bee excluded and shutte out. But euen yet styll they stande without the doores, fumyng and freating for that the churche reioyceth for the Gentiles re∣ceiued to the saluacion of the ghospell.

The elder sonne therfore called out one of his fathers seruauntes, and de∣maunded of hym what newe ioye and gladnesse all thissame was. He made aū∣swer, your brother is come: whome, whan your father had gotten agayne, he was veraye glad, and kylled thatsame principall best calfe which he had so lōg fatted, because he had him safe and sound again, whom he thought to had been vttrely loste for euer. Here beholde a Iudaicall herte & stomake: which wheras it ought to haue reioyced for the receyuing of his brother, which ought to haue praysed the mercifulnesse of his father: yet had rather to enuie his brother, and to take indignacion agaynst his father. He caried still therfore without the doores, murmouryng and full of chafyng. And whan his moste louyng father had perceyued hym, who desyred the ioye to bee in common to all that were of his house: he went vnto hym and begon courteously to praye him, that casting all enuie and grutche out of his stomake, he woulde come in, and make one at the feast emong all the reste, and woulde bee partaker of his fathers ioye.

Yet would not the elder sonne any thyng bough or relente with this his fa∣thers courteous entreatyng, but proudely quereled and reasoned the mattier with his father, and vnnaturally accuseth his brother. Beholde (sayeth he) so many yeres am I as a bondeseruaunte to you within your house, nor neuer brake or transgressed any commaundement of yours, and yet this my godly o∣bedience hath neuer been regarded. For ye neuer gaue me so muche as a young kidde wherwith I might make merie emong my frendes. But now that this∣same sonne of yours, who hath wasted and spent your substaunce on whoores and harlottes, is come home again: ye haue killed for hym thatsame your prin∣cipall best and fattest calfe.

Doest thou not, Theophilus, thinke thy selfe to see this elder sonne to entre

in fumyng and chafyng, and thus murmouring against his father, whan thou readest of the Phariseis backebityng Christe because he did eate with Publi∣canes and synners? whan thou readest of the Iewes repinyng agaynste the Grekes for that thesame Grekes were admitted to the ministerie and office of Apostles? whan thou readest thesame Iewes scoldyng and raylyng without ende, that the gentyles leauyng theyr ydolatry, without the burden of the law, by fayth only should bee admitted to the grace of the ghospell, and shoulde bee baptysed, and so confyrmed with the holy ghoste? whan thou readest of them hauing enuie, that they absteynyng from the feast, the congregacion & churche of the Gentiles with an vnspeakeable ioye of the spirite, dooeth eate thatsame speciall goodly calfe, whom the father commaunded to be slayne for the redēp∣cion of the whole worlde? And yet this man also beyng a murmourer, as he is, the gracious goodnesse of his moste good father goeth aboute to appeace. Sonne (saieth he) thou shalt fare neuer a whit the wurse for that, though I vse ientilnesse and mercie towardes thy brother. For thou art continually with me, and all that is myne is thyne. For continuall felicitie neuer interrupted or bro∣ken of, hath not so muche pleasure or delectacion in it. But lyke as a disease or sickenesse afore goyng doeth commende health vnto vs, and make it seme the sweter vnto vs after we bee restored to it agayne: euen so the misfortune which I haue had afore for my sonne, maketh our mirth now the more, for that he is gotten agayne.

And thou oughtest to reioyce in thy brothers behalfe, and not to be awaye from the mirth of this feaste, for because thissame thy brother was once dead, & is returned to lyfe againe, he was once loste, and is now founde againe. Therefore dooe not thou thynke that he is returned home to thee thesame man that he was: but thynke hym of an vnthrifte to bee newe borne an honeste and well disposed manne. Thou must not remembre what he hath been: but bee glad that he is nowe become suche an one, as we wishe and desire to haue him.

With these three parables the Lorde dyd exhorte all his disciples to mer∣cie and ientilnesse in receiuing of synners. For the glorie of God is neuer more shewed or better sette foorth, then whan he whiche was veray notoriously eiuil, is sodaynly by the grace of God made a newe manne: of an ydolatre, made the seruaunt of Iesus Christe: of a rauiner, and extorcioner, made a defendour and helper of the poore: of an vnchaste liuer, made chaste: of an ambicious per∣sone, brought to humilitie: of a reuenger, chaunged into a bearer and long sufferer. Furthermore the younger sonne found his fathers mynde so muche the more redier to forgeue hym, for that the Gentiles whiche did not knowe God, faulted agaynst hym more through ignoraunce, then of any stubberne or indurate pretensed malice. For ignoraunce and lacke of thynkyng and ca∣styng afore what wil come after, is alwayes for the moste parte ioyned and cou∣pled with youth. And therfore so muche the more willingly we dooe forgeue youth, and beare the more with this age whan it doeth offende. But the Iewe, whiche to hymselfe semeth iust, and standeth muche in his owne conceypte for fulfillyng of the lawe, dooeth trespace more grieuously with enuying against his brother, then the other had synned by sweruyng and strayghyng out of the right waye.

Notes

• What man among you hauyng an hundred s••ep••▪
• I sa••e vnto you, y^• lyke∣wyse ioye shall bee in heauen.
• Eyther what womā hauing rēne grotes, yf she lose one?
• Geue me the porcion of the goo∣des. &c.
• And there he wasted his goodes. &c.
• And cam to a citezen of thatsame countrey.
• Than he came to him self. &c.
• And he said
• How many hyred ser∣uauntes at my fathers haue bread enough. &c.
• I wil aryse & goe to my father. &c.
• And wyll say to hym: father I haue sinned &c.
• And am no more woor∣thye to bee called thy soonne.
• And hadde compassion.
• And ranne & fell on his necke, and kissed hym.
• Father I haue sinned against hea¦uen. &c.
• But his fa∣ther sayd to his seruaun¦tes. &c
• And putte a tyng on his hande. &c
• And leat vs eate and be merie.
• The elder sonne was in the field.
• And called one of the seruaūtes, and asked what these thynges ment.
• Loe, these many yeres haue I doē thee seruice &c.
• It was mete that we shoulde make mery &c.