The images of a very Christen bishop, and of a counterfeit bishopThe images of a verye Chrysten bysshop, and of a couterfayte bysshop

For likewise, as Balaam was rebuked of the Ass, even so do we see covetousness to reign among them with so great madness and unshamefastnes, ⟨image 34⟩that even the unlearned common people do now begin to cry against it, and hereof hath taken up a common proverb, ¹which is this. He is more covetous (say they of a covetous person) then other priest or monk. Briefly there is no man, which doth not for their covetousness most odiously speak against them, and give them evil words. But I pray you how fearful a thing is this, that Peter calleth them openly the sons of malediction Who else durst call the Pope of Rome, & the bishops with their under officers, a cursed people? Now peter that so excellent apostle, yea and the holy ghost by Peter doth call them, and doth curse them / Who now would not be sorry and tremble in his heart, that ever he hath given & bound ⟨image 35⟩him self to this cursed kind & manner of living? Oh I say, who soever may let him eschew let him eschew, now in these days, these manners of living of priests, & friars, and of such other. Afterwards he doth again gaily garnish the bishops with their mete titles. For what other thing is meant here by a fountain without water, ²and a cloud without rain: then by a bishop without ministration of the word of god? For this office lieth unto the bishops charge, and yet they do not fulfil it accordingly / much like as the dry and broken wells have the name of a fountain or well, & do occupy the place of a well, & yet for all that give no water at all. And the clouds, which troubled with the wind are carried & driven fro one place to another, ⟨image 35⟩are in deed in the air in stead of very clouds: & yet they do not give so much as one drop of moisture So likewise our bishops also being tossed with the wind of glory are in deed in the high room of the very Apostles / but yet for all that they be moved & driven according to all yt cogitations of the devil / & they be greatly advanced in the honours & pleasures of this world but they send down no drops of moisture. They p̄ che nothing at all / wherefore there is reserved for them also infernal darkness for evermore.