A10781:26
A piteous lamentation of the miserable estate of the church of Christ in England…A pituous lamentation of the miserable estate of the churche of Christ in Englande…
A piteous lamentation of the miserable estate of the church of Christ in England in the time of the late revolt from the gospel, wherein is contained a learned comparison between the comfortable doctrine of the gospel, [and] the traditions of the popish religion: with an instruction how the true Christian ought to behave himself in the time of trial. Written by that worthy martyr of god Nicolas Ridley, late Bishop of London. Never before this time imprinted. Whereunto are also annexed certain letters of John Careless, written in the time of his imprisonment. Perused and allowed according to the Queens Majesties injunctions.A pituous lamentation of the miserable estate of the churche of Christ in Englande in the time of the late reuolt from the gospel, wherin is conteyned a learned comparison betwene the comfortable doctrine of the gospell, [and] the traditions of the popish religion: with an instruction how the true Christian ought to behaue himself in the tyme of tryall. Wrytten by that worthy martyr of god Nicolas Rydley, late Bysshoppe of London. Neuer before this tyme imprynted. Wherevnto are also annexed certayne letters of Iohn Careles, written in the tyme of his imprisonment. Perused and allowed according to the Quenes Maiesties iniunctions.
London: printed by William Powell, 1566London: printed by VVillyam Powell, 1566
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.
And why should any think this to be sore,
And why should any thinke this to be sore,
for what doth he sell but that he bought before?
for what doth he sell but yt he bought before?
I grant these verses to be light gear, and the verse is but rude, but alas such conditions were more wicked and lewd then any wit could express. If these had ben but the faults of one or a few in number, they ⟨image 9⟩had ben less pernicious, and might have ben taken for personal crimes, not to be imputed unto that see, but now alas the matter is more than evident to all that hath godly understā ding, that these crimes be grounded upon laws, be stablished by custom, and set forth by all kind of wicked doctrine, falsehood, & craft, and therefore are not now to be esteemed for any one mans or of a few mens personal crimes, but are now by laws, custom, and doctrine incorporated into that wicked see, & maketh in deed the body of the beast whereupon the abominable whore doth sit.
I graunte these verses to be lyght gere, and the verse is but rude, but alas such conditions were more wicked and leude then any wytte coulde expresse. If these had ben but the faltes of one or a fewe in number, they ⟨image 9⟩had ben lesse pernicious, and mighte haue ben taken for personal crimes, not to be imputed vnto that see, but now alas the matter is more thē euident to al that hath godly vnderstā ding, that these crimes be grounded vpon lawes, be stablished by costom, and set forthe by all kinde of wycked doctrine, falshed, & craft, and therefore are not now to be estemed for any one mannes or of a fewe mennes personal crimes, but are now by lawes, costome, and doctrine incorporated into that wicked see, & maketh in dede the body of the beast whervpō the abhominable whore doth sit.