A14151:33
The practise of prelates. CompiledThe practyse of prelates. Compyled
The practise of prelates. Compiled by the faithful and godly learned man, William TyndaleThe practyse of prelates. Compyled by the faythfull and godly learned man, Wyllyam Tyndale
London: printed by Anthony Scoloker and William Seres. Dwelling without Temple bar, 1548London: printed by Anthony Scoloker and Willyam Seres. Dwellynge wythout Temple barre, 1548
Title page typeset from the transcription.
¶By what means the prelates fell from Christ¶By what meanes the prelates fell from Chryst
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.
¶By what means the prelates fell from Christ
¶By what meanes the prelates fell from Chryst
The office of a Bishop was a room at the beginning, that no man coveted and that no man durst take upon him, save he only which loved christ better then his own life. For as Christ sayeth that no man might be his disciple, except ⟨image 15⟩that he were ready to forsake life and all: even so might that officer be sure that it would cost him his life at one time or an other forbearing record unto the truth. But after that the multitude of the christen were increased, and many great men had received the faith, than both lands and rents aswell as the other goods, were given unto the maintenance as well of the clergy as of the poor: because they gave then no tithes to the priests, nor yet now do save in certain countries: For it is to much to give alms / offerings / lands and tithes also. And then the bishops made them which they call priest / and keep the name bishop unto them selves.
THe office of a Bysshop was a roume at the begynnynge, that no man coueted and that no man durste take vppō him, saue he only which loued christ better then hys owne lyfe. For as Christ sayeth that no man myght be hys disciple, excepte ⟨image 15⟩that he were ready to forsake lyfe and all: euē so myght that officer be sure that it wolde coste hym hys lyfe at one tyme or an other forbearīg record vnto the truth. But after that the multitude of the chrysten were encreased, and many great men had receau•d the fayth, than both landes and rentes aswell as the other goodes, were geuen vnto the maintenaunce as well of the clergye as of the poore: because they gaue then no tythes to the priestes, nor yet nowe do saue in certeyne coūtreys: For it is to much to geue almesse / offeringes / landes and tythes also. And then the bysshops made thē whych they call pryest / and kepe the name bisshop vnto them selues.