The whole works of W. Tyndall, John Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs,…The vvhole workes of W. Tyndall, Iohn Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs,…

This comfort shalt thou evermore find in the plain text, and literal sense. Neither is there any story so homely, so rude, yea or so vile (as it seemeth outward) wherein is not exceeding great comfort. And when some which seem to them selves great clerks say: they wot not what more profit is in many guests of the Scripture, if ⟨p. 4⟩they be read without an allegory, then in a tale of Robin Hood: say thou, that ¹they were written for our consolation and comfort, that we despair not, if such like happen unto us. We be not holier then Noah, though he were once drunk. Neither better beloved then Jacob, though his own son defiled his bead. We be not holier then Lot, though his daughters through ignorance deceived him, nor peradventure holier then those daughters. Neither are we holier then David, though he brake wedlock, and upon the same committed abominable murder. All those men have witness of the Scripture that they pleased God, and were good men, both before that those things chanced, and also after. Nevertheless such things happened them for our example: not that we should counterfeit their evil, but if while we fight with our selves, enforcing to walk in the law of God (as they did) we yet fall likewise, that we despair not, but come again to the laws of God, and take better hold.

This comfort shalt thou euermore finde in the playne texte, and litterall sense. Neither is there any storye so homely, so rude, yea or so vyle (as it semeth outward) wherein is not excedyng great comforte. And when some which seme to thē selues great clarkes say: they wott not what more profite is in many gestes of the Scripture, if ⟨p. 4⟩they be read without an allegory, then in a tale of Robenhode: say thou, that ¹they were written for our consolation and comforte, that we dispayre not, if such like happen vnto vs. We be not holyer then Noe, though he were once dronke. Neither better beloued then Iacob, though his owne sonne defyled his bead. We be not holyer then Lot, thoughe his daughters thorow ignoraunce deceaued hym, nor peraduenture holier then those daughters. Neither are we holyer then Dauid, though he brake wedlocke, and vpon the same committed abhominable murther. All those men haue witnesse of the Scripture that they pleased God, and were good mē, both before that those things chaunced, and also after. Neuerlesse such thynges happened them for our example: not that we should counterfeite their euill, but if whyle wee fight with our selues, enforsyng to walke in the law of God (as they dyd) we yet fall likewise, that we despayre not, but come agayne to the lawes of God, and take better hold.