The justification of man by faith onlyThe iustification of man by faith only

So great is the favour that they do bear to the word of god, so good is the example that they do give to the pore parish churches, which are in deed, much better disposed than those which should be the chief lanterns of light. These men do set forth the word of god gaily. These men did set so much by their kings commandment, that neither for fear and love of God, nor for fear of breaking the godly commandment of the king, could find in their heart ⟨p. lxxxxviii⟩to suffer it to be in that sight of his people If there should be a commandment that the people (for satisfaction and penance, because they have committed idolatry) should set up on every of their seats an image of this or that, with certain candles before it, to kneel down before it at certain times, to kiss and like it, to say certain prayers to it. What looking and toting: what prying and spying should there be: what diligent observation, who did observe: who did neglect this penance. Every one of Antichrist his birds would have had here in as many eyes as ever had Argus, th•y would never have slept, some should alway have ben waking. But against this most sacred and blessed word of God, how malicious they be, how spiteful and with what tyranny they do persecute those whom they know to embrace this word, it maketh christian mens hearts bleed to see it. They have shut up this word from the pore, and handy crafts men, as though they had no souls permitting it to rich and great landed men, wherein is a great point and piece of their legerdemain and crafty juggling to be noted. They do shut and lock it up from the pore, because they be alway most ready to receive it, they do give ⟨image 100⟩and grant it to the rich, not that it should be set forth the more fruitfully by them, but for .ii. other causes which they do keep close within their own bosoms to them self, that one is, knowing that the most part of the rich sort are so choked up with this world, and the care thereof, that they pass not for it (which maketh well for their purpose) that other cause is, if any of the rich do receive the word thankfully, knowleging the benefits of God, yet they will be afraid to profess it openly, for danger they should be entrapped with the loss both of their bodies and goods.

So greate is the fauour that they do beare to the worde of god, so good is the example that they do giue to the pore paryshe churches, which are in dede, much better disposed than those which shulde be the chefe lanternes of lyght. These men do set forth the worde of god gaily. These men didde set so muche by theyr kinges commaundemente, that neyther for feare and loue of God, nor for feare of breaking the godly commaundement of the kinge, coulde finde in theyr herte