A14136:205
The Obedience of a Christian Man
The obedie[n]ce of a Christen man and how Christ[n] rulers ought to govern, where in also (if thou mark diligently) thou shalt find eyes to perceive the crafty conveyance of all jugglers.The obedie[n]ce of a Christen man and how Christe[n] rulers ought to governe, where in also (if thou marke diligently) thou shalt fynde eyes to perceave the crafty conveyance of all iugglers.
At Marlborow in the lande of Hesse i.e. Antwerp : the second day of October. Anno. M.CCCCC.xxviii, by me Hans luft i.e. J. Hoochstraten, 1528At Marlborow in the lande of Hesse i.e. Antwerp : the seconde daye of October. Anno. M.CCCCC.xxviii, by me Hans luft i.e. J. Hoochstraten, 1528
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Woe be to you lawyers / for ye lade men with burdens which they are not able to bear / and ye your selves touch not the packs with one of your fingers saith Christ Luke. xj. Our 1lawyers verily have laden us a thousand times more. What spiritual kindred have they made in baptism / to let matrimony / besides that they have added certain degrees unto the law natural for the same purpose. What an unbearable burden of chastity do they violently thrust on other mens backs / and how easily bear they it them selves? How sore a burden? How cruel an hangman? How grievous a torment? ye and how painful an hell is this ear confession unto mens consciences?2 For the people are brought in belief / that without that they can ⟨image 84⟩not be saved. In so much that some fast certain days in the year & pray certain superstitious prayers all their lives long / that they may not dye without confession. In peril of death / if the priest be not by / the shipmen shrive them selves unto the mast. If any be present / they run then every man in to his care but to Gods promise flee they not: for they know them not. If any man have a death's wound / he crieth immediately for a priest. If a man dye without shrift many take it for a sign of damnation. Many be reason of that false belief dye in desperation. Many for shame keep back of their confession xx.xxx. years and think all the while that they be damned. I knew a pore woman with child which longed / and being overcome of her passion / eat flesh on a Friday / which thing she durst not confess in the space of xviij. years / and thought all that while that she had bin damned / and yet sinned she not at all. Is not this a sore burden that so weigheth down the soul unto he bottom of hell? what should I say? A great book were not sufficient to rehearse the snares which they have laid to rob men both of their goods and also of the trust which they should have in Gods word.
Wo be to you lawyers / for ye lade men with burdēs which they are not able to beare / and ye youre selves •owch not the packes with one of youre fyngers saith Christ Luke. xj. Oure 1