A17182:98
A commentary upon the second epistle of S Paul to the Thessalonia[n]s In the…A commentary vpon the seconde epistle of S Paul to the Thessalonia[n]s In the…
A commentary upon the second epistle of S Paul to the Thessalonia[n]s In the which besides the sum of our faith, there is sincerely handled [and] set forth at large, not only first co[m]myng up [and] rising with the full property [and] dominion, but also the fall and utter confusion of the kingdom of Antichrist: that is to say of Machomet [and] the bishop of Rome.A commentary vpon the seconde epistle of S Paul to the Thessalonia[n]s In the which besydes the summe of oure faythe, ther is syncerelye handled [and] set forth at large, not onely fyrst co[m]myng vp [and] rysyng with the full properyte [and] dominion, but also the fall and vtter confusion of the kyngdome of Antichriste: that is to say of Machomet [and] the byshop of Rome.
Printed in Southwark : In S. Thomas hospital by James Nicolson, 1538Printed in Southwarke : In S. Thomas hospytall by Iames Nicolson, 1538
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.
They which desire to be ⟨image 66⟩idle,1 go about to get an occasion, that they may make the rich men fain on them, & to call them oft unto their houses, and as they go up and down, they mark subtilly the doings and opinions of each one, by this means knowing what they would gladly hear of every man, that they may be fed thankfully and required also: which kind of doing greatly abhorreth from the doctrine of the LORD. For the belly is the God of those which get their living by such filthy and shameless provision. Hitherto is S. Ambrose saying. How much more doth it differ from the doctrine of the LORD, that Monks and sacrificers have robbed the people, under the pretence of the name & service of God, and have stuffed their bellies with most sweet delicates & dainty dishes? Howe much is it contrary unto the doctrine of Christ also, that sturdy beggars & hypocrites under the pretence of Christs name do maintain their idleness, at the cost & charge of Christen men? We command and require such (sayeth the Apostle) that they work with quietness, & rate their own bread: their own bread (I say) ⟨p. 63⟩as though he would say, not other mens bread, but their own. For they that live curiously do not eat their own bread but other mens. Farther more they labour not with quietness: for their labour causeth trouble, in as much as it is unprofitable & chargeable to the miserable people. On the other side, necessary labour bring the with it much quietness & utility: for he that goeth about his own busyness and worketh with his own hands hath need of nothing .i. Thessalo. iiii. And therefore is chargeable to no man, but doth give to them that have need. Ephe. iiii. As many of you as are chargeable unto the people, as many of you as do no work at all, but go about things that be to no purpose, think ye that this is spoken unto you also. Christ shall punish you, except ye leave your dishonest and most uncomely idleness, and get you to labour. And here is a goodly place, to speak of the kinds of labours and busyness, and of the helping and duties to the poor also. For all things are out of order among us, but I had rather to subscribe unto other better learned, then to show forth mine ignorance.