A68845:249
The world possessed with devils containing three dialogues. 1. Of the Devil let loose.…The vvorlde possessed with deuils conteinyng three dialogues. 1. Of the Deuill let loose.…
The world possessed with devils containing three dialogues. 1. Of the Devil let loose. 2. Of black devils. 3. Of white devils. And of the coming of Jesus Christ to judgement, a very necessary and comfortable discourse for these miserable and dangerous days.The vvorlde possessed with deuils conteinyng three dialogues. 1. Of the Deuill let loose. 2. Of blacke deuils. 3. Of white deuils. And of the commyng of Iesus Christe to iudgement, a verie necessarie and comfortable discourse for these miserable and daungerous daies.
London: printed by John Kingston for John Perin, 1583London: printed by John Kingston for Ihon Perin, 1583
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
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: