A Golden Chain

Now I that minister in the kitchen, and am but a kitchen boy, receive all things at the hand of God, know that God hath put me in such an office, submit my self to his will, and serve my master, not as a man but as Christ himself, with a pure heart according as Paul teacheth me, putting my trust in God, & of him seek my reward. Moreover, there is not a good deed done, but mine heart rejoiceth therein, yea, when I hear that the word of God is preached by you and see the people turn unto God: I consent to this deed, my heart breaketh out in me, yea it springeth and leapeth in my breast that God is honoured, and in my heart I do the same that you do with the like delectation and fervency of spirit. Now he that receiveth a Prophet, in the name of a prophet, receiveth a prophets reward, that is, he that consenteth to the deed of a prophet and maintaineth it, the same hath the spirit and earnest of everlasting life, which the prophet hath, and is elect as the prophet is. Now if we compare work to ⟨p. 635⟩work, there is a difference betwixt washing of dishes, and preaching the word of God: but as touching to please God none at all. For neither that nor this pleaseth God, but as far forth as God hath chosen a man, and hath put his spirit in him, and purified his heart by faith and trust in Christ. As the scriptures call him carnal which is not renewed by the spirit and borne again in Christs flesh, & all his works like, even the very motions of his heart & mind, as his learning, doctrine, and contemplation of hie things, his preaching, teaching, and study in the scripture, building of Churches, founding of Colleges, giving of alms, and whatsoever he doeth, though they seem spiritual, & after the law of God never so much: So contrariwise he is spiritual which is renewed in Christ, and all his works which spring from faith seem they never so gross, as the washing of the disciples feet done by our Saviour Christ, & Peters fishing after the resurrection, yea deeds of matrimony are pure spiritual if they proceed of faith, and whatsoever is done within the laws of god though it be wrought by the body, as the wiping of shoes and such like, howsoever gross they appear outwardly, yet are sanctified.

Now I that minister in the kitchin, and am but a kitchin boy, receiue all things at the hand of God, know that God hath put me in such an office, submit my selfe to his wil, and serue my master, not as a man but as Christ himselfe, with a pure heart according as Paul teacheth me, putting my trust in God, & of him seeke my reward. Moreouer, there is not a good deede done, but mine heart reioyceth therein, yea, when I heare that the word of God is preached by you and see the people turne vnto God: I consent to this deede, my heart breaketh out in me, yea it springeth and leapeth in my breast that God is honoured, and in my heart I do the same that you doe with the like delectation and feruency of spirit. Now he that receiueth a Prophet, in the name of a prophet, receiueth a prophets reward, that is, hee that consenteth to the deede of a prophet and maintaineth it, the same hath the spirit and earnest of euerlasting life, which the prophet hath, and is elect as the prophet is. Now if we compare worke to