The Parable of the Wicked Mammon

And again, the scribes and the pharisees, say they, sate in Moses seat, do as they teach but not as they do. Thus confess they that they are abominable. But to the second I answer, if they sate on Christs seat they would preach Christs doctrine, now preach they their own traditions and therefore not to be heard If they preached Christ we ought to here them thought they were never, so¹ abominable, as they of them selves confess and have yet no power to a mend nether to let loose Christs flock to serve God in the spirit which they hold captive compelling them to serve their false lies. The devils felt the power of Christ and were compelled against their wills to confess that he was the son of God, but had no power to be content therewith nether to consent unto the or dinaunce and eternal counsel of the everlasting God, as our prelates feel the power of God against them but yet have ⟨image 68⟩no grace to give room unto Christ, because that they (as the devils nature is) will them selves sit in his only temple, that is to wit, the consciences of men. ¶Simon magus believed, Acts. viii. with such a faith as the devils confessed Christ,² but had no right faith, as thou seest in the said Chapter. For he repented not consenting unto the law of God. Nether believed the promises or longed for them, but wondered only at the miracles which Philippe wrought and because that he him self, in Philips presence, had no power to use his witchcraft, sorcery and art magic, where with he mocked and deluded the wits of the people: he would have bought the gift of God to have sold it much dearer, as his successors now do and not the successors of. Simon Peter.

And agayne, the scribes and the pharises, say they, sate in Moises seate, do as they teach but not as they do. Thus confesse they that they are abhomynnable. But to the secōde I answere, if they sate on Christes seate they woulde preachr Christes doctryne, now preach they their owne tradicions and therfore not to be hearde If they preached Christ we ought to here them thought they were neuer, so¹ abhominable, as thei of them selues confesse and haue yet no power to a mende nether to let lowese Christes flocke to serue God in the spirite whiche they hold captiue compellinge them to serue theyre false lyes. The diuils fealte the power of Christe and were compelled against thir wylles to confesse that he was the sonne of God, but had no power to be contente therewith nether to consente vnto the or dinaunce and eternall cowncell of the euerlasting God, as oure prelates feale the power of God against them but yet haue