CHRISTIANITY

¶Christianity I do represent, Muse not though the sword of policy I bear: Neither marvel not what is mine intent, That this fayleable shield of riches I wear. Greedy great, will have it so every where, Greedy great for this cause I have nam, For that the greater part use greediness, which is to be blamed. As the greater part will, thereto must I yield, Their cruel force I may not withstand: Therefore I bear this deformed sword and shield, Which I may be ashamed to hold in my hand, But the Lord deliver me from their thraldom and band, For if the enemy assail me, then am I in thrall: Because I lack such Armour, as is taught by S. Paul. For in stead of Gods word, and the shield of faith, I am deformed with policy, and riches vain: And still I say, as the greater part sayeth, I am still a christian, and so shall remain, My Christianity say they, no damage does sustain: But alas they are deceive ̄ worser, their Armour is not sure, For neither policy, nor riches, may long time endure. Yet upon those two, we greatly depend, We say by policy, our selves we can save, Riches as a shield, we say will defend, And by riches we possess what ever we crave, So that for riches, we fell all that we have. Not only the body, and all things terestriall, But also the soul, which ought be celestial. ¶Now God be praised who thus again, Hath restored me to my former estate: And hath extinguished from me all pain, God grant that now not found ungrate. And God grant that all Christians may me duly embrace, In such sort as Gods will it is: So shall they be sure of a resting place, In Heaven where reigneth all joy and bliss. ¶Yes undoubtedly, my name is so, As you are faithful few imbraser of verity. ¶O Faithful few, of me have no doubt, I am Christianity, though thus deformed: And though thus abused, by the great rout, Yet by God I trust, my title shall be turned. ¶Now Faithful few, you here what he say, Therefore to turn the titles I must be fain, ¶But alas, he goes the contrary way, For of his covetousness, he takes no ru h And Aristotle I remember does say, The covetous man cannot learn the truth. Wherèfore he cannot, or will not know, The way to reform me Christianity: Therefore from this place now I will go, To pray unto God, to show him the verity. Now Faithful few adue unto Thee, I will pray unto God for thy comfort and aid: I beseech Thee make Like intercession for me, And that my reformation be not long delayed. Exiunt. ¶Alas in vain this pain take, For as you few, So the power is but small that you can make, To resist the greedy great ones, who are against you. ¶Assuredly thou highly offendest, For that so double in dealing thou art: Aristotle sayeth, by the same thou pretendest, And not so to bear a dissembling heart. A Christian ought not unto riches to yield, For it is a thing but fayleable and vain, Riches is no perpetual shield, But the shield of Faith, shall ever remain Take therefore faith, and Gods word for thy sword, And arm Christianity in this wise.