Theo. Where shall we seek them then?1 In the Popes court, or in the courts of Princes, or great lords that persecute the church of Christ? Who doeth now maintain truth and justice, but only such as David describeth these of Sauls court to be? that is, his mortal enemies: of whom he complaineth thus.2 They go to and fro in the evening,3 they bark like dogs, and go about the city. Behold they brag in their talk, and swords are in their lips. Even as they that were sent by Saul, went and came, and closed Davids house, when Saul sought to put him to death, to the end he might not escape, and as they roared & howled like dogs that pursue wild beasts, even so do they now adays, seek after the ⟨image 24⟩true servants of God. We may add to this saying of David, that that he sayeth in an other Psalm, of the nature of the wicked,4 thus. He sayeth in his heart, I shall never be moved, nor be in danger. His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, & fraud, under his tong is mischief & iniquity. He lieth in wait in the villages, in the secret places doeth he murder the' innocent, his eyes are bent against the poor. Wherefore doeth the wicked condemn God? he saith in his heart, thou wilt not regard. Hear also what Micah sayeth touching the same matter.5 The good man is perished out of the earth, & there is none righteous among men, they all lye in wait for blood, every man hunteth his brother with a net. To make good for the evil of their hands, the Prince asked, and the Judge judged for a reward: therefore the great man he speaketh out of the corruption of his soul, so they wrap it up. The best of them is as a brier and the most righteous of them is sharper then the Thorn hedge.
Theo. Where shall we seke them then?1 In the Popes courte, or in the courtes of Princes, or great lordes that persecute the churche of Christ? Who doeth now maintaine truthe and iustice, but onely suche as Dauid describeth these of Saules court to be? that is, his mortall enemies: of whō he complaineth thus.2 Thei goe to and fro in the euenyng,3 thei barke like dogs, and go about the citie. Behold thei bragg in their talke, and swordes are in their lips. Euen as thei that were sent by Saule, went and came, and closed Dauids house, whē Saule sought to put hym to death, to the end he might not escape, and as thei rored & howled like doggs that pursue wilde beastes, euen so doe thei now adaies, seke after the ⟨image 24⟩true seruauntes of God. We may adde to this saiyng of Dauid, that that he saieth in an other Psalme, of the nature of the wicked,4 thus. He saieth in his harte, I shal neuer be moued, nor be in dāger. His mouth is full of cursyng, deceipte, & fraude, vnder his tong is mischief & iniquitie. He lieth in waite in ye villages, in the secret places doeth he murther th' innocent, his eyes are bent against the poore. Wherefore doeth the wicked condemne God? he saith in his harte, thou wilte not regarde. Heare also what Micheas saieth touchyng the same matter.5 The good man is perished out of the earth, & there is none rightous emong men, thei all lye in waite for blood, euery man hunteth his brother with a nette. To make good for the euil of their handes, the Prince asked, and the Iudge iudged for a reward: therefore the greate man he speaketh out of the corruption of his soule, so thei wrap it vp. The best of thē is as a brier and the moste rightous of them is sharper then the Thorne hedge.
- 1Princes Courts.Princes Courtes.
- 2Psalm. 59.
- 31. Samu. 19.
- 4Psalm. 10.
- 5Micah. 7.Micha. 7.
