Certain sermons preached before the Queens Majesty, and at Pauls crossCertaine sermons preached before the Queenes Maiestie, and at Paules crosse

And besides this, we are in love with our own corruption: and as the Prophet sayeth, we rejoice when we have done wickedly: we cannot abide to have our fault touched, our pride is grown up as hie as heaven, our covetousness is sunk as deep as hell, our poor weak brethren be offended, and think that these be the very fruits of Christs gospel. Yet we can in no wise suffer to be reproved, we say to the Preacher, peace, and talk not to us in the name of the Lord, tell not us of the Scriptures, tell not us of Christ, of Peter, & Paul: we did him speak us fair, and bless those things that be accursed by Gods own mouth. We say, he is too busy, he meddleth with that he knoweth not. Yes, yes man, he knoweth it well enough, he knoweth that pride is pride, that usury is usury, that sin is sin: and thou & thine own conscience knowest it too, if thou wouldest be known of it: yea, thou knowest it, & indeed in thy heart, of force art weary of it, And this is extreme misery, that we are so far plunged in sin, that we ⟨image 60⟩can neither abide our own faults, nor yet the amending of them. Is this the repentance of our life? Are these the fruits of Gods Gospel? are these the fruits of the innocent blood, that we see shed before our eyes? Are these our tears for the sins we have committed? Is this the thanks that we render unto God, for giving unto us so great blessings? But, what said I, blessings? Would God we were so blessed, that we might consider our blessedness. Many already bewray the weakness of their stomachs, they brook not the Gospel: yea, they seem already weary of these Preachers, they call them Pulpit men, men of the spirit, and I know not what: as though they themselves had nothing to do with Gods spirit. Ha merciful God, what way may GOD take to win you? Alas, what are we? what have we offended you? Are we become your enemies, for telling you the trueth? I fear me, this murmuring is not against us, but against the Lord.

And besides this, wee are in loue with our owne corruption: and as the Prophet sayeth, we reioyce when we haue done wickedly: wee cannot abide to haue our fault touched, our pride is growen vp as hie as heauen, our couetousnesse is sunke as deepe as hell, our poore weake brethren be offended, and think that these be the very fruites of Christes gospel. Yet we can in no wise suffer to be reproued, we say to the Preacher, peace, and talke not to vs in the name of the Lord, tell not vs of the Scriptures, tel not vs of Christ, of Peter, & Paul: we did him speake vs faire, and blesse those things that be accursed by Gods owne mouth. We say, he is too busie, he medleth with that he knoweth not. Yes, yes man, he knoweth it wel inough, he knoweth that pride is pride, that vsury is vsury, that sinne is sinne: and thou & thine owne conscience knowest it too, if thou wouldest be knowen of it: yea, thou knowest it, & indeede in thy heart, of force art weary of it, And this is extreeme miserie, that we are so farre plunged in sinne, that wee