The texte.

Christ bringeth his punyshementes to passe thorowe good and euyll angels, euen at his owne pleasure. For vnto the lorde there is nothing euell nor vnpro∣fytable: for as muche as he onely, can make good of euyll well ynoughe. The first plage of the churche of Christ, was in the vnderstandynge and interpreta∣cion of holy scripture whiche euen at the first, was assaulted with dyuerse dan∣gerous heresyes, whiche sprang vp by reason of y^• dyuersytie of vnderstandyng amonge the wryters and teachers: by reason wherof, infynite Schisemes, dissē∣cions▪ perels and dangerous vproures did sprynge & aryse. And for this cause were so many councels holden. For the christendome suffred great decaye, and many swarued there from, at suche tyme as god, of his mercye, gaue peace and* quietnes in the churche, but for a small season, as I sayde before. By the trees we shall vnderstande people of all maner of nacions and degrees, in y^• christen∣dome of no small nomber, as in the tyme of Athanasius and after. The seconde plage foloweth afterwarde, against the whote and natural strength and fearce∣nes of men, and specially that, whiche was betwene princes and rulers, that were assaulted of the wycked fyende with ambicion, for power and dominion. The whiche the wycked fyende dyd rayse vp, after that the godly and holy tea∣chers had rooted out all errours and heresyes. This contencion and deuysion in the churche betwene the rulers of the laytie and clergye, hath bene the occasion of very great myseries betwene the grecians and y^• Romaynes, Emperors and Kynges, Popes and byshops bothe in the spirituall and temporall regiment. For this deuyllyshe burning fyre of pryde hathe bredde infynite and vnspeake∣able hurte vnto y^• churche of Christ. For euen out of y^•, sprang so many warres, battels, burnynges, and destroyng of landes. And suche common harmes wyll the spirite of god sygnifye by the trouble, losse and destruccion in all the elemē∣tes, y^• fyre, water, ayer & the earth. For there was no man sure and in safegarde.