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…

Upon this grew sects and orders, so that the one becometh a Charterhouse monk, another a Grayfrere: the one endeavoureth ⟨image 11⟩to be saved with fasting, the other with praying, & another by this manner & fashion: one by this & another by the work procure to fly everlasting damnation. And yet are they all even but mens inventions, even such as one mans choosing hath founded. Read thereof the treatise of orders & sects. Neither are they commanded by God, but invented by men: about the which the vain janglers have no respect of faith, but teach alway the confidence of works, so long till they be at variance within themselves: Every man will be nearest the mark, & despise the other, as our observants do now a days swell and heave themselves. Against these workers and good men in sight, or rather hypocrites doth Paul pray, saying: that God is the God of peace, of whom these varying hypocrites, & haters of peace are not partakers, nor having him, can hold the same, without they bid farewell their statutes, rules & ceremonies, & be all one minded in faith & spirit, knowlegynge that works cause variance, sin & dissension, & only faith maketh honest, one minded & peaceable men, as witnesseth the .lxvii. Psal, saying: He is the God that maketh men to be of one mind in the house. And again in the .C.xxxii. Psalm: Behold […] ⟨image 12⟩Even so showeth Mary whereof her song of praise shall sing and treat, namely: of the renowned & excellent works of God, the comfort of our faith, to comfort the lowly and to fray all the highest of the earth. And to these three uses or commodities is it necessary for me to direct this virgins song of praise, that she have not song it only to herself, but to us all, that we should counterfeit her. Neither is it possible that any man ether should be afraid, or receive consolation out of so great works of God, without he not only believe that God can & knoweth to do great things, but also he must believe that he will do them, and hath pleasure in doing them. Neither is it enough to believe that God will do great things with other, and not with you, and by this means to avoid your selves from the works of God. Even as they do, which being in prosperity or set in authority, fear not God: and they that be feebleminded tremble and be abashed of him in their adversity.

Vpon thys grewe sectes and orders, so that ye one becōmeth a Charterhouse mōke, another a Grayfrere: the one endeuoureth