A new dialog between the angel of God, & the shepherds in the field concerning…A newe dialog betwene thangell of God, & the shepherdes in the felde concernynge…
A new dialog between the angel of God, & the shepherds in the field concerning the nativity and birth of Jesus Christ our Lord & Saviour : no less godly than sweet and pleasant to read / lately compiled by T.B.A newe dialog betwene thangell of God, & the shepherdes in the felde concernynge the natiuite and birthe of Jesus Christ our Lorde & Sauyoure : no lesse godlye than swete and pleasante to reade / lately compyled by T.B.
Thomas Becon 1512–1567London : Imprinted by me John Daye dwelling in Sepulchres parish a little above Holborn conduit, 1547?London : Imprynted by me John Daye dwellyng in Sepulchres paryshe a lytle aboue Holbourne conduit, 1547?
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.
The angel speaketh.
A Sweet message
To every age1
From God so sage
Is given to me,2
Which to declare
Both near and fare
To exclude care
Glad would I be.3
¶ Men have full long
Throw Satan's wrong4
In bondage strong
Ben detained,
No liberty
To make them free
Found could there be
Since they sinned.5
¶ In Adams fall
They became thrall6
Both great and small
Remediless,7
Through Satan's lure
⟨image 3⟩They are unpure8
Drowned all sure9
In wickedness.
¶ So that of right10
Before God's sight11
That lord almighty
Damned are they all,12
Without excuse
God may refuse13
Such as ensue
Works ethnical.
¶ Notwithstanding
God pitting14
Their back sliding
And grievous chance,
Of his mercy
Will now freely15
Obeyeth humbly,
He is the lord
By whose concord
All things restored
Shall be plainly.
¶ He is the peace
Uvhiche shall release
All our disease
And grievous pain,
He is the stay
If that we call
Though we be thrall
He will us all
Unto him pull.
¶ Pleasures many
Treasures plenty
Shall men truly
Of him receive,
Who so that will
Come him until
Thangell speketh.
A Swete message
To euery age1
From God so sage
Is gyuen to me,2
Whiche to declare
Both nere and fare
To exclude care
Glad wolde I be.3
¶ Men haue full longe
Throwe Satans wronge4
In bondage stronge
Ben detayned,
No lyberte
To make them fre
Founde coulde there be
Syns they synned.5
¶ In Adames fall
They became thrall6
Both great and small
Remediles,7
Throughe Satans lure
⟨image 3⟩They are vnpure8
Drowned all sure9
In wyckednes.
¶ So that of ryght10
Before Godes syght11
That lorde almyght
Damned are they all,12
Without excuse
God maye refuse13
Suche as ensuse
Workes ethnicall.
¶ Notwithstandyng
God pyteyng14
Theyr backe slydyng
And greuous chaunce,
Of his mercy
Wyll nowe frely15
Unto glory
Them all auaunce.
¶ This gentle father
In no manner
Wyll consyder16
Theyr great offence17
Frely frely18⟨image 3⟩Shall they truly
Be brought clerely19
To his presence.
¶ Of his owne grace20
Before mennes face
This come to passe21
Shall nowe playnly,22
By Christ h•s sonne
Whiche is come downe23
For theyr raunsome
The death to dye.
¶ He vndoubted24
Undeserued
Was promysed
To men mortall,25
Of God aboue
For very loue
To theyr behoue26
Whiche were full thrall.27
¶ Of a mayde pure
So to endure28
Is he borne sure
Without mannes sede.29
To puryfie30⟨image 4⟩Mennes vylanie31
Whiche wyckedlie
They wrought indede.
¶ This chylde alone
Sent from Gods throne32
All kynde of mone33
Shall put awaye.
Who so embrace
His louyng face
Shall wante no grace
Nor yet decaye.
¶ He is the kynge
To whose byddynge34
Euerythynge35
Obeyeth humbly,
He is the lorde
By whose concorde
All thynges restorde
Shall be playnly.
¶ He is the peace
Uvhiche shall release
All our disease
And greuous payne,
He is the staye
⟨image 4⟩He is the waye36
By whom we maye
Glorye obtayne.
¶ He is the truthe
Uviche doth all ruthe
Suche as ensueth37
Clene put awaye,
He is the lyfe
By whom all stryfe38
Is no more ryfe
But sone decaye.
¶ He is the Gyde39
On euery syde
Uvhiche at eche tyde40
Doth his people saue,
He is the health
Of whom all wealth41
Uvithouten stealth
Men ought to craue.
¶ He is the lyght
That is so bryght
In all mennes syght42
To shewe the waye,
He is the Rocke43⟨image 5⟩If that we knocke44
He wyll vnlocke
And healpe vs aye.45
¶ He is the louer
The sauiour46
The mediatour
Of the faythfull47
If that we call
Thoughe we be thrall
He wyll vs all
Unto hym pull.
¶ Pleasures many
Treasures plenty
Shall men truly
Of hym receyue,
Who so that wyll
Come hym vntyll48
Shall haue his fyll
Without deceyue.
35Esa, lxii, Math, xxi, Psal, clxxix. Phil, ii, Heb, ii, i, Timoth vi, Apoc, xvii, xix, John̄, xiiii. xvi, xx. Ephe, ii, Coloss, i,Esa, lxii, Math, xxi, Psal, clxxix. Phil, ii, Heb, ii, i, Timoth vi, Apoc, xvii, xix, Iohn̄, xiiii. xvi, xx. Ephe, ii, Coloss, i,
36Rom, v, Math, xi. Joh. xiiii, John̄, x, John̄, xiiii,Rom, v, Math, xi. Ioh. xiiii, Iohn̄, x, Iohn̄, xiiii,
37ii, Cor, i, Tit, i, John̄, x, xiiii,ii, Cor, i, Tit, i, Iohn̄, x, xiiii,
¶ These joyful news1
Which Satan ruyse
Without excuse
God commanded
That I, the angel
⟨image 5⟩Should show and tell2
To them that well
Are disposed.3
¶ The obstinate4
Receive this rate
Early or late
Will by no wise.
The simple therefore5
Now evermore6
To teach this lore
Will I devise.7
¶ Behold I see
In this country
Of small degree
Shepherds watching,
Which now this night
With all their might
Keep in their sight8
Their flocks resting.
¶ From all pride far
These simple men are
Therefore declare
To them will I,
Gods good pleasure
⟨image 6⟩That this joy sure
May in them dure
Eternally.
¶ Upon this land
Free or yet bond
By them to stand
I will now plain,
And tell them true
These tiding snewe
Which shall ensue
Shortly certain.
¶ What doth it mean
That on this green
As persons lean
They look dismayed,
This mighty light9
That shine so bright
Now in their sight
Make them afraid.
¶ These ioyfull newes1
Whiche Satan ruyse
Without excuse
God commaunded
That I, thangell
⟨image 5⟩Sulde shewe and tell2
To them that well
Are dysposed.3
¶ The obstynate4
Receyue this rate
Earely or late
Wyll by no wyse.
The symple therfore5
Nowe euermore6
To teache this lore
Wyll I deuise.7
¶ Beholde I se
In this contre
Of small degre
Shepherdes watchyng,
Whiche nowe this nyght
With all theyr myght
Kepe in theyr syght8
Theyr flockes reastyng.
¶ From all pryde farre
These symple men are
Therfore declare
To them wyll I,
Gods good pleasure
⟨image 6⟩That this ioye sure
Maye in them dure
Eternally.
¶ Upon this londe
Fre or yet bonde
By them to stonde
I wyll nowe playne,
And tell them true
These tydynge snewe
Whiche shall ensewe
Shortly certayne.
¶ What doth it mene
That on this grene
As personnes lene
They loke dismayde,
This myghtye lyght9
That shyne so bryght
Nowe in theyr syght
Make them afrayde.
1Esa. lii, Rom, x, John̄: xii, Ose, xiii, i. Cor, xv, Heb, ii,Esa. lii, Rom, x, Iohn̄: xii, Ose, xiii, i. Cor, xv, Heb, ii,
¶ The Shepherds speak.
O Lord God what work have we here?
Uvhat meaneth this marvellous great light
The Element was never so clear
That ever we saw in any night
Good lord save us and all our sheep
⟨image 6⟩That none of us perish at all,
Give us grace ever well to keep
That we have charge of both great and small.
Hrom the wolf that ravening beast
Defend our sheep, Lord we pray thee
And give us all this night good rest
For of this light sore afraid are we.
¶ The Shepherds speake.
O Lorde God what worke haue we here?
Uvhat meaneth this meruelous great lyghte
The Element was neuer so clere
That euer we sawe in any nyghte
Good lorde saue vs and all our shepe
⟨image 6⟩That none of vs peryshe at all,
Gyue vs grace euer well to kepe
That we haue charge of both great and smal.
Hrom the wolffe that rauenyng beaste
Defende our shepe, Lorde we praye the
And gyue vs all this nyghte good reaste
For of this lyght sore afrayde are we.
¶ The angel.
Be not afraid
Nor yet dismayed1
Nothing decayed
Shall be in you,
Your sheep harmless
Shall be certes
Therefore distress
Look ye eschew.
¶ To comfort you
With tidings new
Uvhiche shall ensue
I am now come,
Gods messenger
Both far and near
To you now here
Am I come down.
¶ Mirth and pleasance
To eschew grievance
⟨image 7⟩Is my portance
That I now bring,
Your hearts therefore
Have ye in store
And evermore
Mark my saying.
¶ Thangell.
Be not afrayde
Nor yet dysmayde1
Nothyng decayde
Shall be in you,
Your shepe harmeles
Shall be certes
Therfore dystres
Looke ye exchewe.
¶ To conforte you
With tydynges newe
Uvhiche shall ensue
I am nowe come,
Gods messengere
Both farre and nere
To you nowe here
Am I come downe.
¶ Myrth and pleasaunce
Texchewe greuaunce
⟨image 7⟩Is my portaunce
That I nowe brynge,
Your hartes therfore
Haue ye in store
And euermore
Marke my sayinge.
¶ The Shepherds.
Uve think by thy communication
That thou wilt not in any wise
Hurt us or our flock at this season
But to do •s good rather devise
Seeing that thou art so minded
And sayest more ou•r also,
That of God thou art appointed
Joyful tidings to bring us to
Say on we pray the heartily
Uvhat so ever thou haste to say
we will hear the dill gently
And do there after if we may
¶ The Shepherdes.
UUe thyncke by thy cōmunicacion
That thou wylt not in any wyse
Hurte vs or our flocke at this season
But to do •s good rather deuise
Seyng that thou art so mynded
And sayst more ou•r also,
That of God thou art appoynted
Ioyefull tyd•nges to brynge vs to
Saye on we praye the hertely
Uvhat so euer thou haste to saye
we wyll heare the dyl gently
And do there after yf we maye
¶ The angel.
News that I bring
Come from that king
To whom all thing1
Oweth obeisance,
So of duty
Ought ye truly
⟨image 7⟩Your minds apply
To attendance.
¶ No point of sadness
But all gladness
Do I certes
Bring unto you,
Which not to one
Person alone
But to each one
Shall chance full true.
¶ The news are this
Uwithout any mys
This day borne is
Your Saviour,2
In the City
Of David free
Christ called is he
A lord of power.
¶ Thangell.
Newes that I brynge
Come from that kynge
To whom all thynge1
Oweth obeysaunce,
So of dutye
Ought ye trulye
⟨image 7⟩Your myndes applye
To attendaunce.
¶ No poynte of sadnes
But all gladnes
Do I certes
Brynge vnto you,
Whiche not to one
Personne alone
But to eche one
Shall chaunce full true.
¶ The newes are this
Uwithout any mys
This daye borne is
Youre Sauioure,2
In the Citie
Of Dauid fre
Christe calde is he
A lorde of power.
1John̄, viii •x, xviii,Iohn̄, viii •x, xviii,
2Luc. ii, Miche, v. Math: ii, Dan, ix. Psa, cc, ix
¶ The Shepherds.
These are news full of all pleasance
And is Christ, sayest thou, borne in deed,
Surely this is a full good chance
He shall help us I trust, in our need.
Uve have •oked for him full long
For he is our true Messiah,
⟨image 8⟩The Romans have done us great wrong
And holden us in a piteous case.
But we are glad he is come now
I trust that by him we shall be,
Delivered from all sorrow
And set again at liberty.
He shall be king and reign over all
All nations to him shall obey.1
On h•s head the crown imperial
Shall be set for ever and aye.
All kingdoms through him shall bow
To us and our people Judaical,
All nations universal shall now
Take us for chief and principal.
Uve shall abound with all riches
Glory and honour have shall we,
All in joy shall we live certes2
Now blessed mought •ur new king be.
¶ The Shepherdes.
These are newes full of all plesaunce
And is Christ, sayste thou, borne in dede,
Surely this is a full good chaunce
He shall healpe vs I truste, in our nede.
Uve haue •oked for hym full longe
For he is our true Messias,
⟨image 8⟩The Romans haue done vs great wronge
And holden vs in a pyteous case.
But we are glad he is come nowe
I truste that by hym we shall be,
Delyuered from all sorowe
And set agayne at lyberte.
He shall be kynge and reygne ouer all
All nacions to hym shall obaye.1
On h•s heade the crowne imperiall
Shall be set for euer and aye.
All kyngdomes thorowe hym shall bowe
To vs and our people Iudaicall,
All nacions vniuersall shall nowe
Take vs for cheife and pryncipall.
Uve shall abounde with all rytches
Glorye and honoure haue shall we,
All in ioye shall we lyue certes2
Nowe blyssed mought •ur newe kynge be.
¶The angel.
But now one thing
Of this your king
Give you warning
I must certes,
Spiritual
Not temporal1
His Realm royal
Is aye doubtless.2
¶Not outwardly
But inwardly3⟨image 8⟩His Impery
Is appointed,
By his spirit
To rule each wight
Is his sole right
Determined.4
¶If therefore you
Look for rescue
Of your king new
To make you free,5
That you each one
Should reign alone6
And other none
Deceived are ye.
¶Thangell.
But nowe one thyng
Of this your kyng
Gyue you warnyng
I must certes,
Spirituall
Nottemporall1
His Realme royall
Is aye doubtles.2
¶Not outwardly
But inwardly3⟨image 8⟩His Impery
Is appoynted,
By his spirite
To rule eche wyghte
Is his sole ryghte
Determyned.4
¶If therfore you
Looke for rescue
Of your kynge newe
To make you fre,5
That you eche one
Shulde reygne alone6
And other none
Deceyued are ye.
1Luc, xii, John̄, xi,Luc, xii, Iohn̄, xi,
2John̄, xviii,Iohn̄, xviii,
3Psal, ii, zaeh, ix. Mathe, xxi, Marc, xi, Luc, xix, Ihō, xii.Psal, ii, zaeh, ix. Mathe, xxi, Marc, xi, Luc, xix, Ihō, xii.
¶The angel.
It is even he
Uvhiche with great glee
Shall make you free1⟨image 9⟩From tyrants all,2
Not outwardly
But inwardly
Triumphantly
This thing be shall.
¶Thangell.
It is euen he
Uvhiche with great gle
Shall make you fre1⟨image 9⟩From tyrauntes all,2
Not outwardly
But inwardly
Tryumphantly
This thynge be shall.
1Ihō, viiiIhō, viii
2John̄, viii. Act, xiiii, Galat. v, zach, ix,Iohn̄, viii. Act, xiiii, Galat. v, zach, ix,
¶The Shepherds.
Yet sir all we full well hoped
That b• the power of this our king,
Uv• Jew•shulde be delyuir•d
From the Romans cruel handling.
Uve hoped also I tell you plain
That we under our messias,
Shu•d great victor•es obtain
And so worthy livings purchase.
¶The Shepherdes.
Yet syr all we full well hoped
That b• the power of this our kyng,
Uv• Iew•shulde be delyuir•d
From the •omans cruell handlyng.
Uve hoped also I tell you playne
That we vnd•r our •essias,
Shu•d great victor•es obtayne
And so worthye lyuynges purchase.
¶The angel.
Your messias
In every place
From all evil case
Shall you defend,
His servants true
Shall this king new
Ever rescue1
Unto the end.
❧Notwithstanding
Mark my saying
⟨image 9⟩This your new king
Is appointed,
Uvithin your breast
To rule with rest2
So is it best
Determined.
☞External power3
In hall or bower
Uvith great honour
Now shall he bear,4
In spirit and mind5
Such as be kind
Favour shall find6
Uvithout all fear.
❧Your enemies7
Shall in no wise
Ones enterprise
You to damage,
Defend you all
Doubtless he shall
Both great and small
In every age.8
¶Thangell.
Your messias
In euery place
From all euyll case
Shall you defende,
His seruauntes true
Shall this kynge newe
Euer rescue1
Unto the ende.
❧Notwithstandyng
Marke my sayeng
⟨image 9⟩This your newe kyng
Is appoynted,
Uvithin your brest
To rule with rest2
So is it best
Determyned.
☞Externall powre3
In hall or bowre
Uvith great honoure
Nowe shall he beare,4
In spirite and mynde5
Suche as be kynde
Fauoure shall fynde6
Uvithout all feare.
❧Your enmyse7
Shall in no wyse
Ones enterpryse
You to damage,
Defende you all
Dubtles he shall
Both great and small
In euery age.8
¶The Shepherds.
If his power be not external
To reign with great authority,
⟨image 10⟩Nor he a Prince imperial
Uvhat than shall we the better be?
Uvhat enemies shall he subdue
Or of them get the victory?
We see not, what joy shall ensue
Why we should rejoice so greatly.
¶The Shepherdes.
If his power be not externall
To reygne with great aucthorite,
⟨image 10⟩Nor he a Prynce imperiall
Uvhat than shall we the better be?
Uvhat enemyes shall he subdue
Or of them gette the victorie?
We se not, what ioye shall ensue
Why we shulde reioyse so greatly.
¶ The angel.
For to rejoice
All with one voice
Making sweet noise
Great cause ye have,
Ye were all lorn
In Satan's scorn
But he is borne
Uvhiche shall you save.
❧Through Adam
All ye became1
In goodness lame
And so damned,
Children of ire
Bond to hell fire2
By your grand Sire
Are ye proved.3
☞His wickedness
Against Gods goodness4⟨image 10⟩Uvas your certes5
And sin all one,
His villainy6
Brought misery
Generally
To your great moan.
❧By his great sin
This did ye win7
Never to blin
From evil doing,
By your free will
No godly skill8
Can ye fulfil
In your working.
¶ Your powers all
Are now full thrall9
In goodness small
Without virtue,
Not a good thought
Can ones be wrought
Ye are so nought
And evil ensue.
¶ Bond to Satan
Both now and than
⟨image 11⟩Is every man
Of Adam borne,10
So that now ye
Are no more free
But as ye see
Parsons all lorn.
¶ The Law again
To your great pain11
Proveth certain
You sinners still,
Seeing that ye12
In no degree
So faithful be
The Law to fulfil.13
¶ The Law transgress
In wickedness14
Ye do certes
Each one of you,
Ye have no will15
It to fulfil
But remain still
In works untrue.16
¶ So of reason
To damnation17⟨image 11⟩Ye are each one
Fallen carefully,18
Therefore again
Nothing but pain
To you pertain
Eternally.
¶ Thus to Satan
Is every man
For ought he can19
Grievously bond,
So that in hell
Ye must now dwell20
With Satan fell
And therein stand.
¶ With God no part21
Have ye in heart
But grievous smart22
For your merit,
So that now ye
By equity
Damned must be
Of very right.
¶ For ye doubtless23
In this distress
⟨image 12⟩Can help certes24
Nothing at all,
Your whole desert
Is to depart
Into hell smart
Perpetual.
¶ Thangell.
FOr to reioyse
All with one voyce
Makyng swete noyse
Great cause ye haue,
Ye were all lorne
In Satanes scorne
But he is borne
Uvhiche shall you saue.
❧Thorowe Adam
All ye became1
In goodnes lame
And so damned,
Chyldren of yre
Bonde to hell fyre2
By your grande Syre
Are ye proued.3
☞His wyckednes
Agaynst Gods goodnes4⟨image 10⟩Uvas your certes5
And synne all one,
His vylanie6
Broubgte mysery
Generally
To your great mone.
❧By his great synne
This dyd ye wynne7
Neuer to blynne
From euyll doyng,
By your fre wyll
No godly skyll8
Can ye fulfyll
In your workyng.
¶ Your powers all
Are nowe full thrall9
In goodnes small
Without vertue,
Not a good thought
Can ones be wrought
Ye are so nought
And euyll ensue.
¶ Bonde to Satan
Both nowe and than
⟨image 11⟩Is euery man
Of Adam borne,10
So that nowe ye
Are no more fre
But as ye se
Parsonnes all lorne.
¶ The Lawe agayne
To your great payne11
Proueth certayne
You synners styll,
Seyng that ye12
In no degre
So faythfull be
The Lawe to fulfyll.13
¶ The Lawe transgresse
In wyckednesse14
1Gen. iii. iiii. Esd. iii, Ose, vi, John̄, iii.Gen. iii. iiii. Esd. iii, Ose, vi, Iohn̄, iii.
¶ The Shepherds.
Ah sir a, now well perceive we
That we are in a far worse case
Than we thought our selves for to be
By Adam, say you, is this come to pass?
¶ The Shepherdes.
Ah syr a, nowe well perceyue we
That we are in a farre worse case
Than we thought our selues for to be
By Adam, saye you, is this come to passe?
18Galat. ii Mathe. xxv. John̄. v Roma. i ii. iii. i, Cor, vi Ephe, v Ose. xiii Heb. ii,Galat. ii Mathe. xxv. Iohn̄. v Roma. i ii. iii. i, Cor, vi Ephe, v Ose. xiii Heb. ii,
