Wherefore, they can not suffer that to be in them, which they can well suffer in other that are not of that calling, yea and in themselves, ⟨image 47⟩as we see the Papists at this day. For, not only the most superstitious & demure of them, but also the least religious, the greatest mockers of all religion, the most vicious and unruly of all, are sore offended with their Priests and Monks, and cry out against them, that they lead an offensive life, and a life that seems not to be according to their profession. And therefore there are many of both sorts, that care neither for them, their calling, nor religion. But because they can not judge of true religion,1 upright life, and good conversation, according to the rule of Gods word, they are contented with the life of their Priests and Monks, so that there be no notable or apparent vice in them. It sufficeth them, if they have only an outward show of discretion and holiness, which they take principally to consist in superstition, hypocrisy, ceremonies, counterfeiting, & outward works: and not in true Christian virtues. And therefore, whosoever can best play the superstitious hypocrite, pleaseth them best, and is best esteemed amongest them. And this knew Julian the Apostate very well.2 Therefore, he commanded the Priests religions and Ministers of the heathens ⟨image 48⟩God, to enforce themselves at the least to counterfeit as nigh as they could the life and manners of the Pastors and Ministers of the Christians: and that they should use themselves so, that there might be no apparent or notable crime in them,3 which might make the people mislike them, their Ministry, or the Religion of the Gods which they served. Wherefore, he forbade them to go to any common plays, to Taverns, or to meddle with any filthy practise,4 or any unhonest art not seemly for their calling. To be short, he made such a reformation among these fellows, as the Pope and his make commonly among them selves for their Priests, Monks, and the rest of their Clergy. For when they see that every man crieth out at their pride, pomp, bravery, pleasures, ditties, and at their great excess in all things, at their Epicurean life, given over to all filthiness and enormity more then any other, they make a show of reformation and creation of such vice and horrible sin as reigneth amongst them, which they can in no wise excuse:
Wherfore, thei can not suffer that to be in them, which thei can well suffer in other that are not of that calling, yea and in themselues, ⟨image 47⟩as wee see the Papistes at this daie. For, not onely the most supersticious & demute of them, but also the least religious, the greatest mockers of all religion, the most vicious and vnruly of all, are sore offended with their Priestes and Monkes, and crie out against them, that thei leade an offensiue life, and a life that seemes not to bee according to their profession. And therfore there are many of bothe sortes, that care neither for them, their calling, nor religiō. But because thei can not iudge of true religion,1 vpright life, and good conuersatiō, accordyng to the rule of Gods worde, thei are contented with the life of their Priests and Monkes, so that there bee no notable or apparant vice in them. It sufficeth thē, if thei haue onely an outward shewe of discretion and holinesse, which thei take principally to consist in superstition, hypocrisie, ceremonies, counterfaiting, & outward works: and not in true Christian vertues. And therfore, whosoeuer can best plaie the supersticious hypocrite, pleaseth thē best, and is best esteemed amongest them. And this knew Iulian the Apostata very well.2 Therefore, he commaunded the Priestes religions and Ministers of the heathens ⟨image 48⟩God, to enforce themselues at the least to counterfaite as nigh as thei could the life and maners of the Pastors and Ministers of the Christians: and that thei should vse themselues so, that there might bee no apparant or notable crime in them,3 whiche might make the people mislike thē, their Ministerie, or the Religion of the Gods whiche thei serued. Wherefore, he forbadd them to go to any common plaies, to Tauernes, or to meddle with any filthie practise,4 or any vnhonest arte not seemely for their callyng. To be shorte, he made suche a reformation amōg these fellowes, as the Pope and his make commonly among them selues for their Priestes, Monkes, and the rest of their Clergie. For whē thei see that euery mā crieth out at their pride, pompe, brauerie, pleasures, ditties, and at their greate excesse in all thynges, at their Epicurian life, giuen ouer to al filthinesse and enormitie more then any other, thei make a shewe of reformation and creation of suche vice and horrible sin as raigneth amongst them, whiche thei can in no wise excuse:
- 1Hypocrisy in stead of holy life.Hypocrisie in stead of holy life.
- 2A reformation of Julian in the heathens Priests.A reformatiō of Iulian in the heathens Priestes.
- 3Tripart. hist. lib. 6. cap. 28.
- 4Popish reformation.
