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

Howe doth the priest swear, that if ⟨p. xx⟩it had not ben for the love of such & such an honest man, and for y• good¹ report that he hath heard before of the Parish, he would never have ben person of […]? And yet it is not unknown, that the most part of the love their parishioners so dearly, that after they be once •ure of their benefice, they care not although they never see none of them after, so that they may have the advantage of the benefice, except peradventure of their devotion it be at harvest, when the tithe barns are full, or else at Easter to search how good the Easter book will be that year. This once done, hence go they again, & leave asyr John Lack latin in their stead which teacheth not much more, than the hill moveth. The wolf may come, and easily rent,² tear & devour the poor sheep. For the shepherd hath gotten the milk & wool, ⟨image 22⟩and he is gone. He hath licked the fat from his parishioners beards, & hath taken his journey. Take thought for the flock who listeth. O Pastor & Idolum derelinquens gregem. ³O shepherd & Idol, that thus forsaketh his flock. But alas what consciences have these men, which take so much and do so little? If they will reap carnal things, so must they sow spiritual things, saith the scripture. The labouring plough man & not the idle lubber must receive of the fruits,⁴ saith S.⁵ Paul.⁶ They that rule well are worthy double honour chiefly they that labour in word & doctrine.⁷ For the Lord hath ordained that they, which preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel. Woe be to me, saith S. Paul, if I preach not y Gospel. Shall these good men than, & God will, escape free, seeing they do nought, and yet receive so great