so likwise was Daniel unto his master the king. But I pray you where are these servants nowa-days? Indeed I fear me there be but very few of such faithful servants. Now these shepherds, I say, they watch the whole night, they attend upon their vocation, they do according to their calling, they keep their sheep, they run not hither and thither, spending the time in vain, and neglecting their office and calling. No, they did not so. Here by these shepherds all men may learn to attend upon their offices and callings. I would wish that all clergymen, the curates, parsons, and vicars, the bishops, and all other spiritual persons, would learn this lesson by these poor shepherds; which is this, to abide by their flocks and by their sheep, to tarry amongst them, to be careful over them, and not run hither and thither after their own pleasure, but tarry by their benefices and feed their sheep with the food of God's word, and to keep hospitality, and so to feed them both soul and body. For I tell you these poor unlearned shepherds shall condemn many a stout and great learned clerk for these shepherds had but the care and charge over brute beasts, and yet were diligent to keep them, and to feed them; and the other have the cure over God's lambs which, he bought with the death of his Son, and yet : Peter they are so careless, so negligent, so slothful over them; yea, and the most part intendeth not to feed the sheep, but they long to be fed of the sheep they seek only their own pastimes, they care for no more. But what said Christ to Peter? What said he? “Petre, amas me?" Peter, lovest thou me? made answer, Yes. "Then feed my sheep." And so the third time he commanded Peter to feed his sheep. But our clergymen do declare plainly that they love not Christ, because they feed not his flock. If they had earnest love to Christ, no doubt they would shew their love, they would feed his sheep. But it is a thing to be lamented, that the prelates and other spiritual persons will not attend upon their offices. They will not be amongst their flocks, but rather will run hither and thither, here and there, where they are not called, and in the mean season, leave them at adventure of whom they take their living. Yea, and furthermore, some will rather be clerks of kitchens, or take other offices upon them besides that which they have already. But with what conscience these same do so, I cannot tell. I fear they shall not be able to make answer at the last day for their follies, as concerning that matter: for this office is such a heavy and weighty office that it requireth a CHRIST AMONG THE POOR. 269 whole man. Yea, and let every curate or parson keep his cure to which God hath appointed him, and let him do the best that he can; yet I tell you he cannot choose but the devil will have some, for he sleepeth not: he goeth about day and night to seek whom he may devour. Therefore it is need for every godly minister to abide by his sheep, seeing that the wolf is so near, and to keep them, and withstand the wolf. Indeed there be some ministers here in England which do no good at all, and therefore it were better for them to leave their benefices, and give room unto others. CHRIST AMONG THE POOR. And so it appeareth that we may not seek Christ in the glistering of this world. For what is so common as water? What is so common as bread and wine? Yet he promised to be found there when he is sought with a faithful heart. So will you have Christ? Where shall you find him? Not in the jollities of this world, but in rags, in the poor people. Have you any poor people amongst you in your town or city? Seek him there amongst the rags; there shall you find him. And I will prove it But on this wise. He saith himself with his own mouth, Whatsoever ye do to these little ones, "minimiş," that do ye unto me. By these words appeareth manifestly, that whatsoever ye do unto the poor people which are despised in this world, ye do it to himself. Therefore I say yet again, when ye will seek Christ seek him in the rags, seek him in the manger amongst the poor folk, where you shall find him. you must understand that when I speak of poverty, I speak not of this wilful poverty of the monks and friars; for that was a hypocritical poverty, that poverty was full of all manner of delicate things. "Nihil habeant, et tamen omnia habeant," They had nothing, and yet they had all. They were wise enough, they could make shift for themselves, I warrant you. Therefore I speak not of that poverty: for it was a wicked, abominable, and hypocritical poverty. But I speak of the very poor and needy flock of Christ, which have not wherewith to live in this world. Those I would have you to refresh, to cherish, and to help them with your superfluity. Amongst that poor company seek Christ, and no doubt you shall find him. A STORY OF THE DEVIL. 271 A STORY OF THE DEVIL. It appeareth throughout all the Scripture. most plainly and manifestly, that the power of the devil is vanquished, when the word of God is used against him; and not only in the Scripture, both New and Old Testament, but also in other writings. For Eusebius Pamphilius hath many stories, wherein is mentioned the impotency of the devil. And at this time we have a story written by a Spaniard in the Latin tongue, and affirmed by many godly and well learned men which story happened in a town of Germany, where a poor husbandman lying sore sick and ready to die, they that kept him company in the chamber where he lay, saw a man of great stature and very horrible to look upon, his eyes being all fiery, coming into the chamber. This terrible devil turning himself unto the sick body, said, " Sir, thou must die this day, and I am come hither to fetch thy soul, for that pertaineth unto me." The sick man answered with a good countenance, saying, "I am ready to depart whensoever I shall be called of my Lord, which gave unto me my soul, and put the same into my body; therefore to him only I will deliver it, and not unto thee, for he hath delivered my soul from thy power, |