An expositio[n] upon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…An expositio[n] vpon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…

The master of the ship seemeth to be idle, to sit still, and to do nothing. He stirreth not the pump, he driveth not the oars, he soundeth not the deep, he rideth not the ropes, he scaleth not the shrouds, he runneth not hither and thither, forward or backward, under the hatches or above. He sitteth still, holdeth his peace, and looketh upon the load star, and in appearance doth nothing. But his labour passeth all the rest. Without his labour, all the pains which the other Mariners take were lost. Were it not for his labour, the ship would soon strike upon rocks, and be stayed in the sands, and they all should perish. Even so fareth it in the state of princes, and of their counsellors, they seem to do nothing, yet they do all things, which is for the peace and the wealth, and the safeguard of all the people.

The maister of the shippe séemeth to bée idle, to sit stil, and to doe nothing. He stirreth not the pumpe, he driueth not the oares, he soundeth not the déepe, he rideth not the ropes, he skaleth not the shrowdes, hee runneth not hither and thither, forewarde or backwarde, vnder the hatches or aboue. Hée sitteth stil, holdeth his peace, and looketh vpon the loade starre, and in appearaunce doth nothing. But his labour passeth all the rest. Whithout his labor, al the paines which the other Mariners take were lost. Were it not for his labour, the shippe woulde soone strike vpon rockes, and be stayed in the sandes, and they al should perish. Euen so fareth it in the state of princes, and of their counsaylors, they séeme to doe nothing, yet they doe al thinges, which is for the peace and the wealth, and the safegarde of al the people.

Be not weary in well doing: many occasions to discourage you to do well. The world ⟨p. 412⟩is full of lets, but be you steadfast, unmoveable, & abundant always in the work of the Lord, for as much as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Stand fast, and keep the instructions, which you have been taught. Distribute to the necessity of the saints. Do good unto all men, especially to them that be of the household of faith. Live not after the lusts of men in wantonness, drunkenness, & gluttony, and in abominable idolatry. Though they speak evil of you, because you run not with them unto that same excess of riot: though the Devil cast you into prison, and there you have tribulation, be you faithful unto death. They that have afflicted you shall give an account to the righteous judge: and the afflictions which you suffer in this present time are not worthy of the glory which shall be showed unto you.