The institution of Christian religion, vvrytten in Latine by maister Ihon Caluin, and translated into Englysh according to the authors last edition. Seen and allowed according to the order appointed in the Quenes maiesties iniunctions

¶The .v. Chapter. That the olde forme of gouernement is vtterly ouerthrowen by the tyranny of the Papacie.

NOw it is good to set before mens eies the order of go∣uerning the Chirche, that the see of Rome and all the champions therof do kepe at thys daye, and the whole image of that Hierachie whiche they continually haue in their mouth, and to compare it with that order of the first and olde Chirche which we haue described: that by the comparison it may appeare what maner of Chirch they haue, which vse this only title to charge or rather to ouerwhelme vs. But it is best to begin at Calling, that we see both who, and what maner of men, and by what order they be called to this ministerie. And then afterwarde we shal consider how faythfully they execute their of∣fice. We wil geue the first place to Bishops: to whom I woulde to God thys might be an honor, to haue the firste place in thys discourse. But the matter it selfe doth not suffer me, ones to touche this thing be it ne∣uer so lightly, without their great shame. And yet I will remember, in what kind of writing I am now occupyed: and wil not suffer my talke, which ought to be framed onely to simple doctrine, to flowe abrode be∣yonde due boundes. But let som one of them that haue not vtterly lost all shame, answere me, what maner of Bishops are at thys day cōmon∣ly chosen. Truely it is now growen to much out of vse, to haue any ex∣amination had of their learning: but if there be had any respect of lear∣ning, they choose some lawyer that can rather brawle in a courte, than preach in a Chirch. This is certain, that these hūdred yeres there hath scarcely ben euery hundreth man chosen y^t vnderstode any thyng of ho∣ly doctrine. I do not therfore spare y^e former ages, for y^t they wer muche better, but because we haue now only y^e present Chirche in questiō. If iudgement be had of their manners, we shall fynde y^t there haue been few or almost none, whō the olde Canons would not haue iudged vn∣worthy. He y^t was not a dronkarde was a whoremonger: he y^t was also cleane frō thys wickednesse, was either a dycer, or a hunter, or dissolute in som part of hys lyfe. For there be lighter faultes, which by y^e old Ca∣nons do exclude a man frō being a Bishop. But this is a most great ab∣surditie, y^t very children scarcely ten yeres olde, are by the Popes graūt made Bishops. They ar growē to such shamelessnesse, & sēslesse dulnesse, that they dreaded not that extreme yea and monstruous wicked doing,

which is vtterly abhorring from the very sense of nature. Hereby ap∣peareth how religious their elections were, where the negligence was so carelesse.

[ 2] Now in election, al that right of the people is taken away. Their de∣siringes, their assentinges, their subscribinges, and al such thynges are vanished: the whole power is transferred to the Canons onely. They bestowe the Bishoprike vpon whom they will, and afterwarde bryng hym forth into the sight of the people, but to be worshypped, not to be examined. But Leo cryeth on the other syde, that no reason suffreth it, and he pronounceth that it is a violent imposition. Ciprian, when he testifieth that it procedeth from the law of God y^t it shoulde not be done but by the consent of the people, sheweth that the contrary manner is repugnant to the worde of God. The decrees of so many Sinodes doe most seuerely forbid it to be otherwyse done: and if it be done, they com∣maunde it to be voyde. If these thynges be true, there now remayneth in the papacie no Canonical election, neyther by Gods law nor by the ecclesiasticall lawe. But although there were no other euil, yet how shal they be able to excuse thys that they haue so spoyled the Chirche of her right? But (say they) the corruption of tymes so required, that because in appointing of Bishops, hatreds and affections more preuailed with the people and the magistrates, than righte and sounde iudgemente, therefore the rule thereof shoulde be geuen to a few. Admit verily that thys were the extreme remedie of a mischiefe in despeired case. But sith the medicine it selfe hath appeared more hurtfull than the very dis∣ease, why is not this new euil also remedied? But (say they) it is exactly prescribed to the Canons, what they ought to folowe in the election. But do we doute, but that the people in olde tyme dyd vnderstande that they were bounde to moste holy lawes, when they saw that they had a rule set them by the worde of God, when they cam together to choose a Bishop? For that onely voyce of God, wherby he describeth the true I∣mage of a Bishop oughte worthyly to be of more value than infinite thousandes of Canons. But neuerthelesse the people, corrupted with a most euill affection, had no regarde of the lawe or of equitie. So at thys day though there be very good lawes written, yet they remayne buried in papers. Yet for the most part it is vsed in mens maners, yea and alo∣wed as though it were done by good reason, that dronkardes, whore∣mongers, dycers, are commonly promoted to thys honor: (it is but litle that I say) that Bishoprikes are the rewardes of adulteries and baw∣deries. For when they are geuen but to hunters and falconers, it is to be thoughte to be gaily well bestowed. Any way to excuse so haynous indignitie, it is to much wicked. The people (say I) had in olde tyme a very good Canon, to whō Gods worde prescribed, that a Bishop ought to be vnreprouable, a teacher, no fyghter. &c. Why therfore is the charge of choosyng remoued from the people to these men? Because forsoth the worde of God was not heard among the tumultes and seditious partakinges of the people. And why should it not at thys day be remo∣ued agayne from these men, which not onely do breake all lawes, but casting away all shame, do wantonly, couetously, ambitiously, mingle and confounde Gods and mens maters together?

But they lye, when they say, that this was deuised for a remedie. We [ 3] often rede that in olde tyme Chirches were in tumultes at the choosing of Bishops: yet neuer any man durst think of taking away the autho∣ritie from the people. For they had other wayes whereby they might either preuent these faultes, or amend them if they were alredy cōmit∣ted. But I will tell what it is. When the people began to be negligente in making the elections, and did caste that care vppon the Priestes as litle belonging to them, they abused thys occasion to vsurpe a tyranny to themselues, whiche afterwarde they stablished by newe Canons set forth. As for their ordering, it is nothing els but a mere mockage. For the shewe of examination that they there sette out is so vaine and hun∣gry, that it wanteth euen all coloure. Therefore wheras in some places Princes haue by couenant obteyned of the Bishops of Rome, that they themselues mighte name Bishops, therin the Chirche suffered no new losse: because the election was taken awaye, onely from the Canons, which had by no right violently taken it, or verily stolen it. Truely this is a most fowle exāple, that out of the court are sent Bishops to possesse Chirches: and it should be the worke of Godly Princes to absteine frō such corruption. For it is a wicked spoiling of the Chirche, when there is thrust vnto any people a Bishop, whom they haue not desyred, or at least with free voice allowed. But that vnorderly manner which hath long agoe ben in the Chirches, gaue occasion to Princes to take the presentation of Bishops into their owne handes. For they had rather that it should be their gifte, than those mens, to whom it nothing more belonged, and whiche did no lesse wrongfully abuse it.

Loe here is a noble calling, by reason whereof the Bishops boste [ 4] themselues to be the successors of the Apostles. But they say that the authoritie to create Priestes belongeth to them onely. But in this they most lewdly corrupte the olde institution: because they doe not by their ordering create Priestes to rule and fede the people, but Sacrificers to Sacrifice. Likewyse when they consecrate Deacons, they do nothyng of their true and propre office, but they ordeine them onely to certayne Ceremonies aboute the chalice and the paten. But in the Sinode at Chalcedon, it is contrarywise decreed, that the orderynges should not be absolutely geuen, that is to saye, but that a place shoulde be therewithall assigned to them that are ordered, where they shal exercise their office. This decree is for twoo causes very profitable. First, that the Chirche shoulde not be burdened with superfluous charges: nor that that shoulde be spente vppon idle menne whiche shoulde be geuen to the poore: Secondly, that they whiche be ordered, shoulde thynke that they be not promoted to an honor, but that there is an office committed vnto them, to the execution wherof they are bounde by so∣lemne protestation. But the Romishe maisters (whiche thynke that there is nothing in religion to be cared for, but their bellye) firste dooe expounde title to be the reuenue that maye suffice to susteyne them, whether it be by their own lyuelhode or by benefice. Therfore when they order a Deacon or a Priest, without takyng care where they ought to minister, they geue them the order, if they be ryche enoughe to fynde themselues. But what man can admitt thys, that the title whiche the decree of the Counsell requireth, shoulde be the yerelye

reuenue for their sustenance? But now because the later Canons con∣demned the Bishops with penaltie to finde them whom they had orde∣red without sufficient title, by this meane to restraine their to muche easy admitting: there hath ben also a sutteltie deuised to mocke out this penaltie. For he that is ordered, naming any title whatsoeuer it be, pro∣miseth that he wilbe content therewith: by this shift he is driuen from his action for his finding. I passe ouer a thousande fraudes that are herein vsed: that when some doe falsly name vaine titles of benefices, wherupon they can not make fiue shillinges by yere: other some vnder secrete couenante doe borrowe benefices, which they promise that they wil by and by restore againe, but somtime they restore not at all. And such other misteries.

[ 5] But although these grosser abuses were taken away, is not this al∣way an absurditie, to appoint a Priest to whom you assigne no place? Also they order no man but to Sacrifice. But the true ordinance of a Priest is, to be called to y^e gouernement of y^e Chirche: and a Deacon to be called to the gatherīg of the almes: they do in dede with many pom∣pes shadow their doing, that in the very show it may haue a reuerence among the simple. But among mē that haue their sounde witt, what cā these disguisinges auaile, if there be no sounde stuffe or trueth vnder∣neth them? For they vse Ceremonies aboute it, either fetched oute of Iewishnesse, or fayned of themselues: which it were better to forbeare. But of true examination, (for I nothyng passe vppon that shadowe which they reteine) of the peoples consent, and of other thyngs necessa∣rie, they make no mention. I cal a shadowe their folishe gesturinges mete to be laughed at, framed to a fonde and colde coūterfaiting of an∣tiquitie. The Bishops haue their deputies whiche before the orderyng may enquire of their learning. But what? whether they can rede their masses: whether they can decline a cōmon nowne, y^t they shall light vpō in reding, or coniugate a verbe, or do know y^e significatiō of one worde, for it is not necessarie y^t they be cōning enough to cōstrue a verse. And yet they be not put backe frō Priesthode, which faile euen in y^e childishe rudimentes, so y^t they bryng any money or commendatiō of fauor. Of like sorte it is, that when they are brought to the altare to be ordered, it is asked thrise in a tong not vnderstanded, whether they be worthy of that honor. One answereth (which neuer saw thē: but because nothing should want of the forme, he hath y^e part in the play) They are worthy. What may a man blame in these reuerende fathers, but that with moc∣kyng in so open Sacrileges, they doe withoute shame laughe to scorne both God and men? But because they are in long possession therof, they thynke that nowe it is lawful for them. For whosoeuer dare ones open hys mouth agaynst these so euident and so haynous wicked doinges, he is forthwith haled by them to punishment of death, as thoughe it were one that had in olde tyme disclosed abrode the holy misteries of Ceres. would they do thys if they thought that there were any God?

Now how much do they behaue thēselues better in bestowyng of be∣nefices: [ 6] which thing was ones ioined w^t the ordering, but now it is al∣together separate? There is among them a diuerse maner. For the Bi∣shops onely do not conferre benefices: & in those wherof they ar said to haue y^e cōferring, they haue not y^e ful right: but other haue y^e presētatiō▪

and they reteine onely the tittle of collation for honors sake. There are also nominations out of scholes, and resignations, either simple, or made for cause of eschange, commendatorie writinges, preuentions, and whatsoeuer is of that sorte. But they also behaue themselues that none of them can reproche an other with any thing. So I affirme, that scarcely euery hundreth benefice, is bestowed at this daye in the papane without Simonie, as the olde writers defined Simonie. I do not say that they all bye them with ready money: but shewe me one of twentie that commeth to a benefice without some bye commendation. some either kinred or alliance promoteth, and some the authoritie of their parentes: some by doing of pleasures do get themselues fauor. Fi∣nally benefices are geuen to this end, not to prouide for the Chirches, but for them that receiue them. Therefore they call them benefices, by which worde they do sufficiently declare, that they make no other accompt of them, but as the beneficial giftes of princes, whereby they either get the fauor of their soldiars or rewarde their seruices. I omit how these rewardes are bestowed vpon barbers, cookes, moile kepers, and such dreggishe men. And nowe iudicial courtes doe ring of no mat∣ters more, than aboute benefices: so that a man may saye that they are nothyng els but a pray cast afore dogs to hunt after. Is thys tollerable euen to be heard of, that they should be called Pastors, which haue bro∣ken into the possession of a Chirche as into a ferme of their enemie? that haue gotten it by brawlyng in the law? that haue bought it for mo∣ney? that haue deserued it by fylthy seruices? which being children yet scantly able to speake, haue receiued it, as by inheritance from their vncles and kinsmen, and some bastardes from their fathers?

Woulde euer the licentiousnesse of the people, though they had been [ 7] neuer so corrupt and lawlesse, haue gone so farre? But this is also more monstrous, that one man, (I will not saye what manner of man, but truely suche a one as can not gouerne himselfe) is sette to gouerne fiue or six Chirches. A man may see in these dayes in Princes courtes, yong men that haue thre abbaties, twoo Bishoprikes, one Archbishop∣ryke. But there be commonly Canons with fiue, six or seuen benefices, wherof they haue no care at all, but in receiuing the reuenues. I will not obiecte, that it is eche where cryed out againste by the woorde of God, which hath long agoe cessed to be of any estimation at all among them. I will not obiect, that there haue been many most seuere penall ordinances in many counsels made agaynst thys wickednesse: for those also they boldly despise as oft as they list. But I say that both are mon∣strous wycked doinges, which are vtterly against God and nature and the gouernement of the Chirche, that one robber shall oppresse many Chirches at ones, and that he shoulde be called a Pastor, whiche can not be presente with his flocke thoughe he woulde: and yet (suche is their shamelessenesse) they couer suche abhominable filthinesse wyth the name of the Chirche, to deliuer them selues from all blame. But also (and God will) in these lewdenesses is conteined that holy succes∣sion, by the merit wherof they boste that it is wrought that the Chirche may not perishe.

Nowe (whiche is the seconde marke in iudging a lawfull Pastor) let [ 8]

vs see how faithfully they exercise their office. Of the Priestes that be there created, some be Monkes, some be (as they call them) Secular. The first of these twoo companies was vnknowen to the olde Chirch: and it is so against the profession of Monkes, to haue suche a place in the Chirche, that in olde tyme when they were chosen out of Mo∣nasteries into the clergie, they cessed to be Monkes. And Gregorie, whoes tyme had muche dregges, yet suffered not this confusion to be made. For he wylleth that they be put out of the Clergie that bee made Abbots, for that no man can rightly be together both a Monke and a clerke: sith the one is a hinderance to the other. Now if I aske, how he well fulfylleth hys offyce, whom the Canons declare to be vnmete: what I pray you, will they answere? They will forsoth allege vnto me those vntimely borne decrees of Innocente and Boniface, whereby Monkes are so receiued into the honor and power of Priesthode, that they mighte still abide in their Monasteries. But what reason is this, that euery vnlearned asse, so sone as he hath ones possessed the sea of Rome, may with one worde ouerthrowe all antiquitie? But of this matter we shall speake hereafter. Lette this suffice for this time, that in the purer Chirche it was holden for a great absurditie, if a Monke dyd execute the office of Priesthode. For Hierome sayeth that he doeth not execute the office of a Priest, while he is cōuersant amōg Monkes: and maketh hymselfe one of the common people to be ruled by the Priestes. But, althoughe we graunt them this, what do they of their dutie? Of the mendicantes some doe preache: all the other Monkes ei∣ther sing or mūble vp masses in their dennes. As though either Christ willed, or the nature of the office suffereth, Priestes to be made to this purpose. Wheras the Scripture plainly testifieth, that it is the Priestes office to rule his owne Chirche, is it not a wicked prophanation, to turne an other way, yea vtterly to change the holy institution of God? For when they are ordered, they are expresly forbydden to do y^e thinges that God commaundeth all Priestes. For this song is soong to them: let a Monke, contente with his cloister, not presume to minister the Sacramentes, nor to execute any thyng belonging to publyke offyce. Let them deny, if they can, that it is an open mockerie of God, that any priest should be made to this purpose, to absteine from his true and na∣turall office: and that he which hath the name, may not haue the thing.

[ 9] I come to the secular Priestes: which are partly beneficed men, (as they call them) that is to saye, haue benefices whereupon to liue: and partly doe lette out their daily laboure to hyre, in massing, or singing, and liue as it were of a stipende gathered thereupon. Bene∣fices haue either care of soules, as Bishoprikes, and cures of paro∣ches: or they be the stipendes of deintie men, that gett their liuing with singing, as Prebendes, Canonshippes, personages, and digni∣ties, chaplainships, and suche other. Howbeit, sins thynges are nowe turned vpside downe, Abbaties and priories are geuen to very boyes, by priuilege, that is to say by common and vsuall custome. As concer∣ning the hirelinges, that gett theyr lyuing from daye to daye, what shoulde they dooe otherwyse than they dooe? that is in seruile and shamefull manner to geue oute them selues for gayne, specially sith there is so greate a multitude as nowe the world swarmeth with?

Therfore when they dare not beg openly, or forasmuch as they thinke they should but little profite that way, they go about like hungry dogs, and with their importunacie, as with barkyng, they enforce out of men againste their willes somewhat to thruste into their bealy. Here if I would goe about to expresse in wordes, howe greate a dishonour it is to the Chirch, that the honor and office of priesthod is come to this point. I should haue no ende. Therfore it is not mete that the readers should looke for at my hande suche a long declaration as may be proportionall to so heynous indignitie. Brefely I saie, if it be the office of priesthod, (as the woorde of God prescribeth, and the auncient canons requyre) to fede the Chirche, and to gouerne the spirituall kyngdome of Christe: all suche sacrificers as haue none other work or wages, but in making a market of masses, are not onely idle in their office, but also haue no office at all to exercise. For there is no place assigned them to teach: they haue no flocke to gouerne: Finally there is nothyng lefte to theim, but the altar, wherupon to sacrifice Christ: which is not to offer to God, but to deuyls, as we shall see in an other place.

I doo not here touche the outwarde faultes, but onely the inwarde euill, whiche sticketh faste by the roote in their institution. I will adde [ 10] a saying, whiche will sound yll in their eares: but because it is true. I must speake it: that in the same degree are to bee accompted Canons, Deanes, Chaplains, Prouostes, and all they that are fedde with idle benefices. For what seruice can they doo to the Chirche? For they haue put from them selues the preachyng of the worde, the care of discipline, and ministration of Sacramentes, as to muche troublesome burdens. What then haue they remaynyng, wherby they may boast theimselues to be true priestes? Singing forsoothe, and a pompe of Ceremonies. But what is that to the purpose? If they alledge Custome, if vse, if prescription of long tyme: I agayne on the other syde doo laye vnto them the definition of Christ, wherby he hath expressed vnto vs bothe true priestes, and what they ought to haue that will be accompted such. But if they can not beare so hard a lawe, to submit themselues to Chri∣stes rule: at the least let them suffer this matter to be determined by the authoritie of the Primitiue Chirche. But their case shall be neuer the better, if their state be iudged by the old canons. They that haue dege∣nerate into Canons, should haue ben Priests, as they were in old time, that should rule the Chirche in common with the Bishop, and bee as it were his companions in the office of Pastor. Those Chapiter dignities as they call them, doo nothyng at all belong to the gouernyng of the Chirch: much lesse, chapleinships, and the other dregges of like names. What accompt then shall we make of them all? Truely both the word of Christe, and the vsage of the Chirch excludeth them from the honor of priesthode. Yet they stiffely holde that they be priestes: but we must plucke of their visour: so shall we fynde, that their whole profession is moste strange and farre remoued from that office of Priestes, bothe whiche the Apostles describe vnto vs, and whiche was required in the primitiue Chirche. Therfore all suche Orders, with what titles soeuer they be notified, sithe they be newe, beyng verily neyther vpholden by the institution of God, nor by the auncient vsage of the Chirche, ought to haue no place in the description of the spiritual gouernement, which

the Chirche hath receiued consecrate with the Lordes owne mouth. Or (if they will rather haue me to speake more simply and grossely) for as muche as chaplains, Canons, Deanes, Prouostes, and other idle bea∣lies of the same sort, do not so much as with their litle fynger touch any small parcell of that office, whiche is necessarily required in Priestes, it is not to be suffred, that in wrongfully taking a fals honor vpon them selues, they should breake the holy institution of Christ.

[ 11] There remaine Bishops, and persons of Paroches: who, I wold to God they did striue to retein their office. For we wold willyngly graunt vnto theim, that they haue a godly and excellent office, if they dyd exe∣cute it. But when they will be accompted Pastors, while they forsake the Chirches committed to them, and cast the care of them vpon other, they doo as if it were the Pastors office to doo nothyng. If an vsurer that neuer stirred his foote oute of the citie, woulde professe himselfe a Plowman, or a keper of a vineyarde: if a souldiour that had ben conti∣nually in the bataile and in the campe, and hadde neuer seene iudiciall court or bookes, would boast himself for a lawyer, who could abide such stinkyng folies? But these men doo somwhat more absurdly, that will seeme and be called lawfull Pastors of the Chirche, and yet will not be so. For how many a one is there, that doeth so muche, as in shewe, exer∣cise the gouernement of his Chirch? Many doo all their life long de∣uoure the reuenues of Chirches, to which they neuer come so muche as to loke vpon them. Some other doo ones by yeare either come them∣selues, or sende their stewarde, that nothyng should be lost in the letting to ferme. When this corruption fyrst crept in, they that would enioy this kynde of vacation, exempted themselues by priuiledges: nowe it is a rare example, to haue one resident in his own Chirch. For they esteme theim none otherwise than farmes, ouer whiche they sette their vicars as baylies or farmers. But this very naturall reason reiecteth, that he should be pastor of a flocke, that neuer sawe one shepe therof.

It appeareth that euen in the tyme of Gregorie, there were certaine [ 12] seedes of this mischief, that the rulers of Chirches, began to be negli∣gent in teachyng: for he dooeth in one place greuousely complayne of it. The worlde (saieth he) is full of priestes: but yet in the haruest there are seldome workemen founde: because in dede we take vpon vs the office of priest, but we fulfyll not the woorke of the office. Againe, because they haue not the bowelles of charitie, they wyll seeme lordes: they acknowledge not them selues to be fathers. They change the place of humilitie into the aduauncyng of lordlynesse. Agayne, but what do we, O pastours, whyche receyue the rewarde, and are no workemen? We are fallen to outwarde busynesse, and we take in hand one thyng, and performe an other. We leaue the ministerie of preachyng: and to our punishement, as I see, we are called Bishops, that keepe the name of honor and not of vertue. Sith he vseth so great sharpnesse of words against them, which wer but lesse continuyng and lesse diligent in their office: What I pray you, would he say, if he saw of the Bishops almost none, or truely very fewe, and of the rest scarcely euery hundreth man ones in all his life to goe vp into a pulpet? For men bee come to suche madnesse, that it is commonly compted a thyng to base for the digni∣tie of a Bishop, to make a sermon to the people. In the tyme of Ber∣narde,

thinges were somwhat more decayed: but we see also with how sharpe chidynges he inueyeth agaynst the whole order: whiche yet it is likely to haue ben then muche purer than it is nowe.

But if a man doo well wey and examine this outewarde forme of ec∣clesiasticall [ 13] gouernement that is at this daie vnder the papane, he shall fynde that there is no theuishe corner wherin robbers doo more licenci∣ously range without lawe and measure. Truely all thinges are there so vnlike the institution of Christe, yea so contrarye to it, they are so de∣generate from the auncient ordinances and maners of the Chirch, they are so repugnant to nature and reason, that there can be no greater in∣iurie done to Christ, than when they pretend his name to the defence of so disordred gouernement. We (say they) are the pillers of the Chirch, the chief Bishops of religion, the vicars of Christ, the heds of the faith∣full: because the power of the Apostles is by succession come vnto vs. They are alway braggyng of these follies, as though they talked vnto stockes. But so oft as they shal boast of this, I will aske of them agayn, what they haue common with the Apostles. For we speake not of any inheritably descendyng honor, that may be geuen to men euē while they lye slepyng: but of the office of preachyng, whiche they so muche flee from. Lykewise when we affirme that their kyngedome is the tyrannie of Antichrist, by and by they answer, that it is that reuerende Hierar∣chie, so ofte praised of notable and holy men. As though the holye fa∣thers, when they commended the Ecclesiasticall Hierarchie or spiritu∣all gouernement, as it was deliuered them from hande to hande from the Apostles, did dreame of this mysshapen and waste disordred heape, where the Bishops are for the most part, either rude asses, which know not the very first and common principles of Faith, or sometyme childrē yet newe come from the nourse: and if any be learneder (whiche yet is a rare example) they thinke a Bishoprike to be nothyng els but a title of gloriousnesse and magnificence: where the persones of Chirches thinke no more of fedyng the flocke, than a showemaker doeth of plo∣wyng: where all thinges are confounded with more than Babylonicall dispersyng, that there remaineth no more any one steppe whole of that ordinance of the Fathers.

What if we descende to their maners? where shalbe that light of the [ 14] worlde, whiche Christ requireth? where is the salte of the earth? where is that holynesse, which may be as a perpetuall rule to iudge by? There is no degree of men at his day more il spoken of for riot, wantonnesse, deyntynesse, finally all kynde of lustes. There are of no degree men ei∣ther fitter, or conninger maisters of al deceit, fraude, treson, and breach of faith: there is no where so great connyng or boldnesse to doo hurt. I passe ouer their disdainfulnesse, pride, extorciō, crueltie. I passe ouer the dissolute licenciousnesse in al the parts of their lyfe. In suffering wher∣of the worlde is so weried, that it is not to be feared, that I should seme to enforce any thyng to muche. This one thyng I say, which they them selues shall not bee able to denie: that of the Bishops there is almoste none, of the Parsons of paroches not the hundreth man, but if iudge∣ment should be geuen of his maners, accordyng to the olde Canons, he should be either to be excommunicate, or at lest to be put from his office. I seme to say somwhat incredible: so farre is that auncient Discipline

growen out of vse, that commaunded an exacter trial to be had of the maners of the Clergie: but the truth is so. Now let them goe, y^e fight vn∣der the standerd and guiding of the see of Rome, & let them boste among themselus of the order of prestehode. As for the order that they haue, truely it is euident, y^t it is neither of Christ, nor of his Apostles, nor of the fathers, nor of the old Chirch.

[ 15] Nowe let the Deacons come forthe, and that most holy distributing that they haue of the goodes of the Chirch. Howbeit they do not nowe create their Deacons to that purpose, for they enioyne them nothing els but to minister at the altar, to rede and sing the Gospell, and do I wote not what trifles. Nothing of the almes, nothing of the care of y^e poore, nothing of all that function which they in olde tyme executed. I speake of the very institution. For if we haue respect what they doo, in dede it is not to them an office, but onely a steppe towarde priesthoode. In one thyng, they that kepe the Deacons place at the masse, doo represente a voide image of antiquitie. For they receiue the offryngs before the con∣secration. This was the auncient maner, that before the communion of the Supper, the faithfull did kisse one an other, and offer their almes at the altar: so first by a signe, and afterward by very liberalitie they she∣wed their charitie. The Deacō, y^• was the poore mens steward, receiued that whiche was geuen, to distribute it. Nowe of those almes, there co∣meth no more to the poore, than if they were throwen into the sea. Therfore they mocke the Chirche with this lying deaconrie. Truely therin they haue nothyng like, neither to the institutiō of the Apostles, nor to the auncient vsage. But the very destribution of the goods they haue conueied an other way: and haue so framed it, that nothyng can be deuised more vnorderly. For as theues, when they haue cutte mens throtes, do diuide the praye among them: so these, after the quenchyng of the light of Gods word, as though the Chirch were slaine, do thinke that whatsoeuer was dedicate to holy vses is laid open for pray & spoile. Therfore making a diuision, euery one hath snatched to hymselfe as muche as he coulde.

[ 16] Here al these old orders, that we haue declared, are not only troubled, but vtterly wiped out and rased. The Bishops and Priestes of cities, whiche being made riche by this pray, were tourned into Canons, haue made hauocke of the chiefe part among them. But it appereth that the partition was vnorderly, because to this day they striue about the boū∣des. Whatsoeuer it be, by this diuision it is prouided, that not one half∣peny of the goodes of the Chirch should come to the poore, whoes had ben the half part at least. For y^e canons do geue thē the fowerth part by name: & the other fowerth parte they do therfore appoint to y^e Bishops, that they should bestow it vpon hospitalitie, & other duties of charitie. I speake not what the clerks ought to do with their portion, & to what vse they ought to bestow it. For we haue sufficiently declared, that the rest which is apointed: for temples, buildyngs & other expenses, ought to be open for the poore in necessitie. I praye you, if they had one sparke of the feare of God in their hart, wold thei abide this burden of consciēce, y^t al y^t they eate, & wherwith they be clothed, cometh of thefte, yea of sacri∣lege? But sith they ar litle moued with the iudgemēt of God, they should at least think, y^t those be men endued with wit and reason, to whom they

woulde persuade, that they haue so goodly and well framed orders in their Chirche, as they are wont to boaste. Let them answer me shortly, whether deaconrie be a licence to steale and robbe. If they denie this, they shall also be compelled to confesse, that they haue no deaconrie left: for as muche as among them, all the disposition of the goodes of the Chirch is openly tourned into a spoilyng full of sacrilege.

But here they vse a very faire colour. For they say, that the dignitie [ 17] of the Chirch is by that magnificēce not vncomlily vpholden. And they haue of their secte some so shamelesse, that they dare openly boaste, that so only are fulfylled those prophecies, wherby the old Prophets describe the gloriousnesse of the kyngdome of Christ, when that kingly gorge∣ousnesse is seen in the priestly order. Not in vaine (say they) God hath promised these thynges to his Chirche: Kinges shall come, they shall worshyp in thy sight, they shal bryng thee giftes. Arise, arise, clothe thee with thy strength, O Syon: clothe thee with the garmentes of thy glo∣rie, O Hierusalem: All shall come from Saba, bryngyng golde and in∣cense, and speakyng praise to the Lorde. All the cattell of Cedar shalbe gathered together to thee. If I should tarie long vpon confutyng this lewdnesse, I seare least I should seme fonde. Therfore I will not lose woordes in vaine. But I aske: if any Iew would abuse these testimo∣nies, what solution would they geue? Uerily they woulde reprehende his dullnesse, for that he transferred those thinges to the fleshe and the worlde, that are spiritually spoken of the spirituall kingdome of Christ. For we know, that the Prophetes vnder the image of earthly thyngs, did paint out vnto vs the heauenly glorie of God, that ought to shine in the Chirche. For the Chirch had neuer lesse abundance of these bles∣sings, whiche their wordes expresse, than in the time of the Apostles: & yet al confesse, that the force of the kingdom of Christ then chiefly flori∣shed abroade. What then mean these sayings? Whatsoeuer is any where precious, hye, excellent, it ought to be made subiect to the Lord. Where as it is namely spoken of Kynges, that they shall submit their scepters to Christ, that they shall throwe downe their crownes before his feete, that they shall dedicate their goodes to the Chirch: when (wil they say) was it better and more fully performed, thā when Theodosius, casting away his purple roabe, leauyng the ornamentes of the empire, as some one of the cōmon people, submitted himself before God and the Chirch, to solemne penance? then when he & other lyke godly princes bestowed their endeuors and their cares to preserue pure doctrine in the Chirche, and to cherishe and defende sounde teachers? But howe priestes at that tyme exceded not in superfluous richesse, that only sentence of the Sy∣node at Aquileia, where Ambrose was chief, sufficiently declareth: Glo∣rious is pouertie in the priestes of the Lorde. Truely the Bishops had at that time some richesse, wherwith they myght haue set out the Chir∣ches honor, if they had thought those to be the true ornamentes of the Chirche. But when they knewe that there was nothyng more against the office of Pastors, than to glister and shew them selues proudly with deintynesse of fare, with gorgeousnesse of garments, with great train of seruantes, with stately palaces, they folowed and kept the humble∣nesse and modestie, yea the very pouertie which Christ holily apointed among his ministers.

[ 18] But, that we may not be to long in this point, let vs again gather into a short summe, how farre that dispēsation or dissipasion of the goods of the Chirch, that is now vsed, differeth from the true deaconrie, whiche bothe the worde of God cōmendeth vnto vs, and the auncient Chirche obserued. As for that whiche is bestowed vpon the garnishyng of tem∣ples, I say it is ill bestowed, if that measure be not vsed, whiche bothe the very nature of holy thyngs appointeth, and the Apostles and other holy fathers haue prescribed both by doctrine and examples. But what like thing is there seen at this day in the temples? whatsoeuer is fra∣med, I wil not say after that auncient sparyng, but to any honest meane it is reiected. Nothing at all pleaseth, but that which sauoureth of riot & the corruption of tymes. In the mean tyme they are so farre from ha∣uyng due care of the liuely temples, that they would rather suffer ma∣ny thousands of the poore to perish for hunger, than they would breake the least chalice or cruet, to releue their nede. And that I may not pro∣nounce of my selfe any thyng more greuously against them, this only I would haue the godly readers to thinke vpon: if it should happen that same Exuperius Bishop of Tholosa, whom we euen nowe rehearsed, or Acatius, or Ambrose, or any suche to be raised from deathe, what they would say. Truly they would not allow that in so great necessitie of the poore, richesse in a maner superfluous should be tourned an other way. Admit I speake nothyng how these vses vpon which they be bestowed, (although there were no poore) are many ways hurtfull, but in no be∣halfe profitable. But I leaue to speake of men. These goodes are de∣dicate to Christ: therfore they are to be disposed after his will. But they shall in vaine say, that this part is bestowed vpon Christ, whiche they haue wasted otherwise than he commaunded. Howbeit, to confesse the truthe, there is not muche of the ordinarie reuenue of the Chirche aba∣ted for these expenses. For there ar no bishopriks so welthy, no abbaties so fatte, finally neither so many, nor so large benefices, that may serue to fill the gluttonie of priests. But while they seke to spare them selues, they persuade the people by superstition, to turne that which shoulde be bestowed vpon the poore, to builde temples, to sette vp images, to bye iewels, to gette costly garmentes. So with this gulfe are the dayly al∣mes consumed.

Of the reuenue, that they receiue of their landes and possessiō, what [ 19] els shall I say, but that which I haue already said, & which is before all mens eyes? We see with what faithfulnesse they whiche are called Bi∣shops and Abbots do dispose the greatest parte. What madnesse is it, to seeke here for an ecclesiasticall order? Was it mete that they, whose lyfe ought to haue ben a singular exāple of frugalitie, modestie, continence, and humilitie, should contende with the royaltie of princes in number of goodes, in gorgiousnesse of houses, in deintynesse of apparell and fare? And howe much was this contrary to their office, that they, whom the eternall and inviolable commaūdement of God forbiddeth to be de∣sirous of filthy gaine, and biddeth to bee contente with simple liuyng, should not onely lay handes vpon townes and castels, but also violent∣ly entre vpon the greatest lordships, finally possesse forceably very em∣pires? If they despise the worde of God: what will they answere to those auncient decrees of the Synodes: wherby it is decreed that the

Bishop should haue a small lodgyng not farre from the Chirche, meane fare and householde stuffe? what will they say to that praise of the Sy∣node at Aquileia: where pouertie is reported glorious in the Priestes of the Lorde? For perhappes they will vtterly refuse as to muche rigo∣rous, that whiche Hierome aduiseth Nepotianus, that poore men and strangers, and among them Christ as a guest, may knowe his table. But that which he by and by addeth, they will be ashamed to denie, that it is the glory of a Bishop to prouide for the goodes of the poore: that it is the shame of al priestes to study for their owne richesse. But they can not receiue this, but they must all condemne themselues of shame. But it is not nedefull in this place to speake more hardly against them, sithe my meanyng was nothyng els, but to shew, that among them the law∣full order of deaconry is long ago taken away: that they may no more glorie of this title to the cōmendation of their Chirche: which I thinke I haue already sufficiently shewed.

Notes

• i. Timo. iii.i.
• Dist. lxx cap. i.
• Epi. 11. lib. 3.
• Act. xx.xxiii.
• i. Cor. iiii xxi.
• Homil. xvii.
• Math. v.xiiii.
• Psalme. lxxii.x. Esa. lii.i. ••••. lx.vi.
• Tit. i.vii.
• Conciliū Carthag. iiii. cap. xiiii & xv