An invective against the most wicked [and] detestable vice of swearing, newly co[m]piledAn inuectyue agenst the moost wicked [and] detestable vyce of swearing, newly co[m]piled

Moreover y• Priests,¹ which should be overseers of y• people, are all blind as the Prophet saith, they are all with out knowledge, they are dumb dogs, not able once to bark, they have a pleasure to look upon vain things, they give them selves to sluggishness, they lie snorting all day, yea they are unshamefaced dogs, that have never enough. The shepherds themselves are with out all knowledge. All follow their own ways, every one of them •s given into covetousness,² even from the highest to the lowest. God saith, Cry, cease not. But they turn ca•te in the pan & say, Cease, cry not. God ⟨image 5⟩saith, Lift up thy voice as a tromp. But they say, whist, not a word unless we be suspect to be fellows of the new learning. God saith, show unto the people their wickednesses, and rebuke their sinful living. Na by saint Mary say they, all thing save that. It is good sleeping in an who•e skin. He is not wise that will cast himself into trouble, when he may live in rest. O Lord have mercy upon us. By this means is it come to pass, that virtue is so little regarded, & vice so universally used. Woe be to those priests, which neglect their office, flatter the people & suffer them to live in all wickedness. For they are the Authors of all evil. They are the occasion that so many souls perish. They cause y• so much mischief & abomination reigneth now a days. Their negligence, there silence, their dissolute living ⟨p. iiii⟩cause, y• Gods word is so evil regarded among many, and y• so great wickedness suppresseth y• honour of the christen religion. Is it any marvel? We see that y• body withereth away, perisheth and decayeth, if it wanteth corporal sustenance. Is it than to be thought y the soul can be in salve estate, if it wanteth her meat, I mean y word of God?