A06772:65
The fortress of the faithful against [the] cruel assaults of poverty and hunger newly…The fortresse of the faythfull agaynst [ye] cruel assautes of pouertie and honger newlye…
The fortress of the faithful against [the] cruel assaults of poverty and hunger newly made for the comfort of poor needy Christians, by Thomas Becon.The fortresse of the faythfull agaynst [ye] cruel assautes of pouertie and honger newlye made for the comforte of poore nedye Christians, by Thomas Becon.
London: printed by John Day dwelling over Aldersgate, 1550London: printed by Iohn Day dwellynge ouer Aldersgate, 1550
Title page typeset from the transcription.
The Fortress of the faithful.The Fortresse of the faythfull.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Phil. I will not excuse all preachers. For some, as I have heard, have taken upon them the office of preaching uncalled, unsent, and such disordered preachers for the most part, bring all things to a disorder, yea to ⟨image 26⟩an utter confusion, mask they with never so pleasant a visor, and babble with never so painted eloquence in the sight and ears of the simple and ignorant people. Howe shall they preach except they be sent,1 sayeth Saint Paul? I have not sent the preachers, sayeth the Lord, and yet they run.2 I have not spoken to them, and yet they preached. But as I may speak in the faithful and discrete preachers behalf, which are lawfully sent of the high powers, and called thereunto by the secrete motion of God's spirit in their hearts, how soever they be reported, certain I am they never taught such doctrine, as should minister occasion to godly people to shake of the zeal of obedience, or to break any good order or politic law.
Phil. I wyl not excuse al preachers. For some, as I haue heard, haue taken vpon them the office of preachinge vncalled, vnsente, and suche disordered preachers for the mooste parte, brynge all thynges to a disorder, yea to ⟨image 26⟩an vtter cōfusion, maske they wyth neuer so pleasaunt a visare, and bable wyth neuer so paynted eloquence in the syghte and eares of the simple and ignorante people. Howe shall they preache excepte they be sente,1 sayeth Saint Paul? I haue not sent the preachers, sayeth the Lorde, and yet they runne.2 I haue not spoken to them, and yet they preached. But as I maye speake in the faythefull and discrete preachers behalfe, whyche are lawfully sente of the hye powers, and called thereunto by the secrete mocion of goddes spirite in theyr hertes, howe soeuer they be reported, certaine I am they neuer taughte suche doctrine, as should minister occasion to godlye people to shake of the zeale of obedience, or to breake any good order or pollityke lawe.