The Parable of the Wicked Mammon

Seek the word of God in all things, and with out the word of God do nothing, though it appear never so glorious. What so ever is done with out the word of God, that count idolatry. The kingdom of heaven is with in us. Luc. xvii. Wonder therefore at no monstrous shappne• at any outward thing with¹ out, that word. For the world was never drawn from God, but with an outward show and glorious appearance and shining of hypocrisy and of feigned and visored fasting, praying, watching offering sacrificing, hallowing of superstitious ceremonies and monstrous ⟨image 51⟩disguising. Take this for an example. John baptist which had testimony of Christ and of the Gospel, that their never rose a greater among women's children, with his fasting, watching, praying, raiment and strait living deceived the jews and brought them in doubt, whether John² were very Christ or not and yet no scrip ture or miracle testifying it, so greatly the blind nature of man looketh on the outward shining of works, and regardeth not the inward word which speaketh to the heart. When they sent to John axing him whether he ware Christ, he denied it. Wham they axed him what he was and what he said of him self. He answered not. I am he that watcheth, prayeth, drinketh no wine nor strong drink, eateth •other fish nor flesh, but live with wild honey and grasshoppers and weare a cote of camels hear and a girdle of a skin: but said I am a voice of a crier. My voice only pertaineth to you. Those outward things which ye wonder at, pertain to my self only unto the taming of my body To you am I a voice only³ and that which I preach. My preaching (if it be received in to a penitent or repenting heart) shall teach you how to live and please God, according as God shall shed out his grace on every man. John preached repentance, saying prepare the ⟨image 52⟩Lords way & make his paths straight The lords way is repentance and not