An exposition upon the song of the blessed virgin Mary, called Magnificat Where unto…An exposicion vpon the songe of the blessed virgine Mary, called Magnificat Where vnto…

But this kind of men is no where better set forth in his colours, than in the .xl. and .xli. chapters of Job, where they be called Behemoth. Now Behema in Hebrew is as much to say as a beast, and Behemoth the plural number signifieth beasts, that is: a umbremente or multitude of men, leading a beastly life, and not permitting themselves to be guided by the spirit of God. This kind doth God in the same place say to have eyen like the morning shine: for there is no end of his wisdom. His skin also is so hard, that no weapon can pierce through it, ether shot or sticked at, that is: if the word of God be preached against them to their reproof, they ⟨image 45⟩laugh it to scorn: for they judge their matter sure enough: The scales also do stick so fast together, that the leest air can not enter, that is: they agree so, and be so one minded, that they will not admit the leest breath of Gods spirit. As for his heart (sayeth God) is hardened like an anvil. It is the Devils body, and therefore doth he in this place attribute it all unto the same. Such a people above all other is the Bishop of Rome, with all his umbremente, and hath ben a great season. For they do likewise, and that of such a fashion, as is evident that never was seen: they hear no body, there is no redressing and amending of life: No persuading, no praying, no threatening will help. Shortly, they neither say nor sing, save: We defend a good quarrel, thus must it be, avaunt they whom this doth not please, ye though it were the whole world.

But thys kynde of men is no where better set forthe in hys colours, than in the .xl. and .xli. chapters of Iob, where they be called Behemoth. Nowe Behema in Hebrue is as much to saye as a beaste, and Behemoth the plurall nombre sygnifyeth beastes, that is: a vmbremente or multitude of men, leadynge a beastly lyfe, and not permittynge themselues to be guyded by the sprete of God. Thys kynde doth God in the same place saye to haue eyen lyke the mornynge shyne: for ther is no ende of hys wysdome. Hys skynne also is so harde, that no wapen can pearse thorowe it, ether shot or stycked at, that is: yf the worde of God be preached agaynst thē to theyr reprofe, they ⟨image 45⟩laugh it to scorne: for they iudge theyr matter sure ynough: The skales also do shycke so faste together, that the leest ayre can not entre, that is: they agre so, and be so one mynded, that they wyll not admitte the leeste breth of Gods sprete. As for hys harte (sayethe God) is hardened lyke an anuylte. It is the Deuels body, and therfore doth he in thys place attribute it all vnto thesame. Suche a people aboue all other is the Byshoppe of Rome, wyth all his vmbremente, and hath ben a greate season. For they do lykewyse, and that of such a fashion, as is euidente that neuer was sene: they heare no body, ther is no redressynge and amendynge of lyfe: No persuadynge, no prayenge, no threatenynge wyll helpe. Shortelye, they nother saye nor synge, saue: We defende a good quarell, thus must it be, auaunte they whome thys doth not please, yee though it were the whole worlde.