Certain Sermons or Homilies (First Book of Homilies)

which sharp words, proceeded not of anger, rancour, or malice, or appetite of vengeance, but of a fervent desire to bring them to the true knowledge of GOD, and from ungodly living, by an earnest and sharp objurgation and chiding. In this zeal ⟨image 90⟩saint John Baptiste called the Pharisees,¹ Adders brood,² and s. Paul called the Galatians fools, and the men of Crete,³ he called liars, evil beasts, & sluggish bellies, & the false Apostles, he called dogs and crafty workmen. And this zeal is godly, and to be allowed, as it is plainly proved by the example of Christ, who although he were the fountain and spring of all meekness, gentleness and softness: yea he calleth the obstinate Scribes and Pharisees,⁴ blind guides, fools, painted graves, Hypocrites, serpents, adders broad, a corrupt and wicked generation.⁵ Also he rebuketh Peter eagerly, saying: go behind me satan. Likewise S. Paul reproveth Elimas,⁶ saying: O thou full of all craft, and guile, enemy to all justice, thou ceasest not to destroy the right ways of God: and now lo, the hand of the lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, and not see for a time.⁷ And s. Peter reprehendeth Ananias very sharply, saying: Ananias, how is it that satan hath filled thy heart, that thou shouldest lye unto the holy ghost? This zeal hath been so fervent in many good men, that it hath stirred them not only to speak bitter and eager words: but also to do things, which might seem to some, to be cruel, but in deed, they be very just, charitable, and Godly, because they were not done of ire, malice or contentious mind, but of a fervent mind to the glory of God, and the correction of sin, executed by men, called to that office. For in this zeal,