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MY brethren / be not every mā a * 1.1 ma∣ster / remembringe how that we shall [ A] receave the more damnacion: for in many thinges we synne all. Yf a man synne not in worde / the same is a parfecte mā / & able to tame all the body. Beholde we put bittes into y• horses mouthes that they shuld obeye vs / & we turne aboute all the body. Beholde
also the shyppes / which though they be so gret / and are dryven of fearce windes / yet are they turned about with a very smale helme / whither soever the violence of the governer wyll. Even so the tonge is a lyttell member / and bosteth great thinges.
Beholde how gret a thinge a lyttell fyre kyndleth / & the tonge is fyre / and a worlde of wyckednes. So is the tonge set amonge oure members / that it defileth the whole body / & setteth a fyre all that we have of nature / and is it selfe set a fyre even of hell.
All the natures of beastes / & of byrdes / and [ B] of serpentes / and thinges of y• see / are meked & tamed of the nature of man. But the tonge can no man tame. Yt is an vnruely evyll full of deedly poyson. Therwith blesse we God the father / and therwith cursse we mē which are made after the similitude of God. Out of one mouth proceadeth blessynge and cursyn∣ge. My brethren these thinges ought not so to be. Doth a fountayne sende forth at one place swete water and bytter also? Can the fygge tree / my Brethren / beare olive beries: o∣ther a vyne beare fygges? So can no fountay∣ne geve bothe salt water and fresshe also. If eny man be wyse and endued with learnynge amonge you let him shewe the workes of his [ C] good conversaciō in meknes that ys coupled with * 1.2 wisdome.
But Yf ye have bitter envyinge and stryfe in youre hertes / reioyce not: nether be lyars agaynst the trueth. This wisdome descēdeth
not from a boue: but is erthy / and * naturall / * 1.3 and divelisshe. For where envyinge & stryfe [ A] is / there is stablenes & all māner of evyll wor¦kes. But the wisdom that is from above / is fyrst pure / then peasable / gentle / and easy to be entreated / full of mercy and good frutes / without iudgynge / and without simulaciō: yee / and the frute of rightewesnes is sowen in peace / of them that mayntene peace.
He that taketh au¦ctoryte to rebuke o∣ther of that whe∣rin he sin¦neth him¦selfe / the same sha∣ll haue the greater damnaciō He must be witho∣ut▪ synne that will cast y• fyr¦ste stone.
wysdo∣me: All mekenes and obedi¦ence must be accordi¦ge to the wisdome▪ & worde of god.
Naturall that is all that a mā doth with¦oute the spirite of god. Godly wi¦sdome ho∣w it is kn¦owen.