Two sermons, of Jonahs punishmentTwo sermons, of Ionahs punishment

There was no art nor science which was so much set by in former times, and is now profitable to the Common-wealth, bringing less profit unto her self that may ⟨image 51⟩so justly complain of her fall without cause, and her despite from them that live by her, as this painful science of husbandry: that it is marvel that any man will take the pain for the rest, to be contemned for his labour, and be a scorn for the rest, which might hunger and starve, if he did not labour for them more then they do for themselves. No marvel then though many in the poor countries murmur and complain, that other cannot live by them, and they cannot live themselves: but it is marvel if their complaints do not grow in time to rebellion, and pull others as low as themselves: for why should the greatest pain yield the less profit? yet this is their case, for if you mark, you shall see, that the husbandman doth bare the price of his fruits so soon as the dearth is past, though he raiseth it a little while the dearth lasteth: but they which raise the price of their wares with him, seldom fall again, but make men pay as d•are when the dearth is past, as if it were a dearth still. Thus a plentiful year doth damage him, and a hard year doth vantage them. So this painful man is fain to live poorly, fare meanly, go barely, house homily, rise early, labour daily, sell cheap, and buy dear, that I may truly say, that no man deserveth his living better, no man fulfilleth the law nearer: that is, Thou shalt get thy living in the sweat of thy brows, then this poor son of Adam, which picks his crumbs out of the earth. Therefore he should not be mocked for his labour, which hath vexation mough though all men speak well of him: and in my opinion, if any deserve to be loved for his innocency, or for his truth, or his pain, or the good which he brings to the Common-wealth, this Realm is not so much beholding to any sort of men, (but those that feed the soul) as those that feed the body, that is, those that labour the earth: yet you see how they live like drudges, as though they were your servants to provide food for you, and after to bring it to your doors: as the beasts ⟨image 52⟩serve them, so they serve you, as though you were another kind of men.

There was no art nor science which was somuch set by in former times, and is now profitable to the Common-wealth, bringing lesie profit vnto her selfe that may