<P_323>

For the seconde instruccyon the next wordes enseweth .
(FISHER-E1-P1,323.2)

<font> Ille testimonium perhibebit de me . </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,323.3)

that is to saye . (FISHER-E1-P1,323.4)

And he shall bere wytnesse or gyue euydence of me .
(FISHER-E1-P1,323.5)

what meruaylous vertue what wonderfull operacyon is in the bemes of the
sonne whiche as we se this tyme of the yere spred vpon the grounde
dothe quycken & make lyfely many creatures the whiche before appered as
deed . (FISHER-E1-P1,323.6)

who that vewed and beheld in the wynter season the trees whan they be
wydred and theyr leues shaken from them and all the moystour shronke in
to the rote & no lust of grenenes nor of lyfe appereth outwardly .
{COM:sic} yf he had had none experyence of this mater before he wold
thynke it an vnlyke thyng that the same trees sholde reuyue agayn & be
so lustely cladde with leues & floures as we now se them .
(FISHER-E1-P1,323.7)

And yet this is done by the subtyll operacyon and secrete workynge of
the sonne bemes spred vpon the grounde . (FISHER-E1-P1,323.8)

Neuerthelesse not euery beme of the sonne hathe this vertue .
(FISHER-E1-P1,323.9)

It is a trouthe the bemes of the sonne in wynter be lyght as they be
now this tyme of the yere but that lyght is so faynt and feble that it
gyueth no lyfe . (FISHER-E1-P1,323.10)

for than we sholde haue herbes and trees to growe as well in wynter as
they now do this tyme of the yere . (FISHER-E1-P1,323.11)

The cause of this weykenes is . for the sonne shooreth so lowe by the
grounde that his bemes thaune sklaunteth upon the grounde and dothe not
rebounde nor double in theymselfe agayne towardes the sonne .
(FISHER-E1-P1,323.12)

and this is the cause of this weykenes . (FISHER-E1-P1,323.13)

Ye se whan a bowle is throwen sklantlynge vpon a wall it slydeth
forwarde & reboundeth not bakwarde dyrectly agayne to hym that was the
thrower . (FISHER-E1-P1,323.14)

but whan it is dyrectly cast agaynst a <P_324> wall with a grete
vyolence than it dothe dyrectly rebounde agayne . (FISHER-E1-P1,324.15)

In this maner it is of the sonne bemes (FISHER-E1-P1,324.16)

the more nye that the sonne draweth vnto vs now this tyme of the yere
the more dyrectly his bemes bete vpon the grounde & the more dyrectly
they rebounde & retourne agayne towardes the sonne .
(FISHER-E1-P1,324.17)

And by the reason of the nyenesse of beme to beme ryseth a greter
strengthe in the beme and a more full lyght . (FISHER-E1-P1,324.18)

<font> quia omnis virtus vnita fortior est . </font>
(FISHER-E1-P1,324.19)

that is to say . (FISHER-E1-P1,324.20)

For euery vertue that is gadred togyder is more stronger .
(FISHER-E1-P1,324.21)

A sengell threde is nothynge so stronge as is a double ,
(FISHER-E1-P1,324.22)

nor a syngle beme of the sonne is nothynge so myghty as whan it is
doubled & bowghted in it selfe by reboundynge and reflexyon .
(FISHER-E1-P1,324.23)

Forthermore of these two ryseth an hete & a warmenes the whiche is the
pryncypal worker of lyfe in euery creature . (FISHER-E1-P1,324.24)

But for all this we be not yet sure that any tree is alyue to than we
se some puttynge forthe of buddes or lefes out of the same tree .
(FISHER-E1-P1,324.25)

This example yf ye perceyue it maye enduce vs to conceyue how
wonderfully the spyrytuall sonne almyghty god worketh by his spyrytuall
and inuysyple {COM:invisible} bemes of his lyght spred vpon the soule
of man or vpon the chyrche . bothe whiche is called in scrypture a
spyrytuall erthe . (FISHER-E1-P1,324.26)

<font> Dominus dabit benignitatem et terra nostra dabit fructum suum .
</font> (FISHER-E1-P1,324.27)

That is to saye . (FISHER-E1-P1,324.28)

our lorde shall gyue his gracyous influence (FISHER-E1-P1,324.29)

and our erthe shal yelde fruytfull workes . (FISHER-E1-P1,324.30)

The bemes of almyghty god spred vpon our soules quyckeneth them .
(FISHER-E1-P1,324.31)

& causeth this lyfe in vs and the fruyte of good workes .
(FISHER-E1-P1,324.32)

Fyrst they cause the lyght of faythe (FISHER-E1-P1,324.33)

but this is a veray {COM:sic} sklender lyght withouten the reboundynge
of hope and the hete of charyte . (FISHER-E1-P1,324.34)

faythe without hope is a sklender beme & of a lytle power .
(FISHER-E1-P1,324.35)

But Ioyne vnto hym hope <P_325> whiche reboundeth vp to god agayne
<font> ad ea que non videntur . </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,325.36)

& than is he moche stronger than he was byfore . (FISHER-E1-P1,325.37)

For nowe this is a doubled and boughted in it selfe and gadred more nye
vnto himselfe & made more valyaunt and mighty than it was before .
(FISHER-E1-P1,325.38)

Before it was lyke vnto the faythe that saynt Peter had whan christ bad
hym come to hym vpon the see . (FISHER-E1-P1,325.39)

he beleued his mayster (FISHER-E1-P1,325.40)

but he had no veray fast hope that he myght walke there .
(FISHER-E1-P1,325.41)

He was not stronge in his faythe (FISHER-E1-P1,325.42)

& therfore our sauyour sayd vnto hym . <font> Modice fidei quare
dubitasti . </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,325.43)

But of the stronge faythe that hath a confydence & hope adioyned .
{COM:sic} therunto he sayth in another place . <font> Si habueritis
fidem sicut granum sinapis dicetis monti huic . transi hinc et
transibit . </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,325.44)

That is to say . (FISHER-E1-P1,325.45)

yf ye had faythe lyke vnto a corne of mustard sede ye shold commaunde
this mountayn to remoue hymselfe (FISHER-E1-P1,325.46)

& it shold by your faythe auoyde . (FISHER-E1-P1,325.47)

this is a grete fayth (FISHER-E1-P1,325.48)

& hath also confydence & hope adioyned therwith . (FISHER-E1-P1,325.49)

A corne of mustard sede is veray lytle (FISHER-E1-P1,325.50)

but it hath a gret vertue compact and gadred in it .
(FISHER-E1-P1,325.51)

So whan the bemes of faythe & hope be ioyned togyder in one poynt than
it is of myghty power . (FISHER-E1-P1,325.52)

The bemes of the sonne whan by reflexyon of a brennyng glasse they be
gadred togyder . they be so myghty that they wyll set tynder or clothe
on fyre . (FISHER-E1-P1,325.53)

And lykewyse it is of the bemes of the {COM:sic} faythe & hope whan
they be ioyntly compacte and vnyte togyder . (FISHER-E1-P1,325.54)

Yf a man had suche a faythe and confydence than he myght commaunde a
gret mountayne to remoue for his pleasure (FISHER-E1-P1,325.55)

and this were a myghty faythe . (FISHER-E1-P1,325.56)

Neuerthelesse yf a man had suche a faythe yet yf he wanted the hete of
charyte he were but as a deed tree . (FISHER-E1-P1,325.57)

For saynt Paule sayth . <font> Si habuero omnem fidem ita vt montes
transferam charitatem autem non habuero nihil sum . </font>
(FISHER-E1-P1,325.58)

yf I haue all faythe he that speketh of all leueth <P_326> none
vnspoken of . yf I haue all faythe he saythe & so myghty faythe that by
my faythe I maye remoue at my commaundement grete mountaynes , yet yf I
want the hete of charyte I am nothyng but as a deed stoke a tree
withouten lyfe . (FISHER-E1-P1,326.59)

And therfore saynt Iames sayth . <font> Fides fine operibus mortua est
. </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,326.60)

Faythe withouten the fruyte of good workes is deed .
(FISHER-E1-P1,326.61)

To this purpose our instruccyon saythe . <font> Ille testimonium
perhibebit de me . </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,326.62)

that is to saye (FISHER-E1-P1,326.63)

he shall bere wytnesse of. {COM:sic} me . (FISHER-E1-P1,326.64)

Of whom ? (FISHER-E1-P1,326.65)

of christ . (FISHER-E1-P1,326.66)

what is christ ? (FISHER-E1-P1,326.67)

<font> Lux vera que illuminat omnem hominem venientem in hunc mundum .
</font> (FISHER-E1-P1,326.68)

that is to saye the true lyght the whiche enlyghtneth every creature
commynge into this world . (FISHER-E1-P1,326.69)

who shall bere wytnesse or gyue euydence of this lyght ?
(FISHER-E1-P1,326.70)

the spyryte of god . <font> Quia charitas dei diffusa est in cordibus
nostris per spiritum sanctum qui datus est nobis . </font>
(FISHER-E1-P1,326.71)

That is to saye (FISHER-E1-P1,326.72)

the hete of the charyte of god is spred in our hertes by the holy
spyryte the whiche is gyuen vnto vs . (FISHER-E1-P1,326.73)

hete of charyte gyueth euydence that that lyght is lyfely .
(FISHER-E1-P1,326.74)

Haue a man neuer so moche lyght of faythe onlesse he haue also this
hete of charyte sterynge his soule and bryngyng forthe lyfely workes he
is but a deed stock & as a tree withouten lyfe . (FISHER-E1-P1,326.75)

For as I sayd though the naturall sonne shyne neuer so bryght vpon a
tree . yf this tree haue in it no grenenes nor puttynge forthe of
buddes & lefes this tree is not alyue . (FISHER-E1-P1,326.76)

So whan the bemes of the spirytuall sonne be spred vpon oure soules yf
we fele not the sterynge hete to fruytfull workes our soules be but
deed . (FISHER-E1-P1,326.77)

But now to what purpose serueth this instruccyon ?
(FISHER-E1-P1,326.78)

To this . (FISHER-E1-P1,326.79)

it subuerteth one grete grounde of Martyn luther whiche is this that
faythe alone withouten workes dothe Iustifye a synner . vpon the whiche
ground he byldeth many other erroneous artycles & specyally that the
sacramentes of christes chirche dothe not Iustyfye <P_327> but onely
faythe . A perylous artycle able to subuerte all the order of the
chirche . (FISHER-E1-P1,327.80)

but touchynge these sacramentes the kynges grace our souerayne lorde in
his owne persone hath with his pen so substauncyally foghten agaynst
Martyn luther that I doute not but euery true christen man that shal
rede his boke shal se those blessed sacramentes clered & delyuered from
the sklaunderous mouthe & cruel tethe that Martyn luther hath set upon
them . wherin al englond maye take grete comforte and specyally al
those that loue lernynge . (FISHER-E1-P1,327.81)

Plato saythe . <font> Tum beatas fore respubiicas quando aut philosophi
regnent aut reges philosophentur , </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,327.82)

That is to saye . (FISHER-E1-P1,327.83)

than shall comen welthes be blessed whan eyther those that be
philosophers gouerne , or elles those that gouerne gyue them to
phylosophy . (FISHER-E1-P1,327.84)

And scrypture exhorteth prynces to the same sayenge . <font> Et nunc
reges intelligite erudimini qui iudicatis terram . </font>
(FISHER-E1-P1,327.85)

that is to say (FISHER-E1-P1,327.86)

And now ye that be kynges studye to haue vnderstandynge .
(FISHER-E1-P1,327.87)

& ye that take vpon you the Iudgementes of the worlde inforse you to
haue lernynge . (FISHER-E1-P1,327.88)

But now lette vs retourne to our mater agayne . (FISHER-E1-P1,327.89)

For this grounde he bryngeth saynt Paule in dyuers places sayenge that
a man is iustyfyed by his fayth onely withouten workes .
(FISHER-E1-P1,327.90)

Neuerthelesse saynt Austyn sayth that saynt Paules wordes were
misconceyued in the begynnynge of the chyrche for the whiche as he
saythe the other apostles in theyr epystoles studyeth to the contrary
parte . (FISHER-E1-P1,327.91)

But some here thynketh that Martyn luther lytle regardeth saynt Austyn
. (FISHER-E1-P1,327.92)

And a trouthe it is . (FISHER-E1-P1,327.93)

but yet that is a foule presumpcyon . (FISHER-E1-P1,327.94)

let hym at the leest beleue the other apostles whome withouten manyfest
heresye he can not denye . (FISHER-E1-P1,327.95)

Saynt Iames sayth . <font> Ex factis iustificatur homo & non ex fide
tantum . </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,327.96)

A man is iustyfyed by his dedes and not <P_328> by his faythe alone .
whiche thynge saynt Iames dothe not onely saye but also proueth it by
dyuers wayes . (FISHER-E1-P1,328.97)

One is this . <font> Demones credunt et contremiscunt . </font>
(FISHER-E1-P1,328.98)

The deuylles he saythe hathe faythe (FISHER-E1-P1,328.99)

& yet no man maye saye that the deuylles be iustyfyed by theyr faythe .
(FISHER-E1-P1,328.100)

How many that lyue in horryble synne that yet haue the faythe of chryst
Iesu & wolde rather dye or they shold renye {COM:sic} theyr faythe .
(FISHER-E1-P1,328.101)

but for all that they be not iustyfyed . (FISHER-E1-P1,328.102)

But yf onely faythe dyd iustify bothe they and the deuylles also shold
be iustifyed . (FISHER-E1-P1,328.103)

Seconde the same example that saynt Paule vseth vnto the Romaynes to
proue that faythe iustyfyed a synner withouten workes . the same vseth
saynt Iames to the contrary . (FISHER-E1-P1,328.104)

the example I meane of Abraham as there appereth in the same place .
(FISHER-E1-P1,328.105)

But ye than wyll saye . Syr be these apostles one contrary to another .
(FISHER-E1-P1,328.106)

To this saynt Austyn saythe that nay forsothe . (FISHER-E1-P1,328.107)

But that saynt Iames onely contrareth that that may be construed &
mystaken in saynt Paule . (FISHER-E1-P1,328.108)

For saynt Paule meaneth of the workes that gothe before faythe .
(FISHER-E1-P1,328.109)

& saynt Iames meaneth of the workes that folowe after the faythe .
(FISHER-E1-P1,328.110)

Saynt Paule meaneth that the worke of cyrcumcysyon or of other workes
of the lawe was not necessary for the iustyfyeng of Abraham to go
before his faythe but his faythe withouten them dydde iustyfye hym .
(FISHER-E1-P1,328.111)

Saynt Iames meaneth of the fruytfull workes that folowe after faythe
the whiche gyue euydence of a lyfely faythe (FISHER-E1-P1,328.112)

and these iustyfyeth a man . (FISHER-E1-P1,328.113)

and these he saythe yf Abraham hadde not had . he had not ben iustyfyed
(FISHER-E1-P1,328.114)

yf Abraham had not ben redy to offre vp his sone Isaac at the
commaundynge of god he hadde not ben iustyfyed . (FISHER-E1-P1,328.115)

but bycause he was so redy therfore he saythe . <font> Abraham ex
operibus iustificatus est . </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,328.116)

That is to saye . (FISHER-E1-P1,328.117)

Abraham was iustifyed by his workes . (FISHER-E1-P1,328.118)

wherfore saynt Iames <P_329> speketh not agaynst saynt Paule but
agaynst the mysunderstandynge and mysconceyuynge of hym . Of the whiche
mysconceyuynge saynt Peter also speketh in his second epistle sayeng
<font> In quibus sunt quedam difficilia intellectu que indocti et
instabiles deprauant sicut et ceteras scripturas ad suam ipsorum
perditionem . </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,329.119)

That is to saye (FISHER-E1-P1,329.120)

in the epistoles of oure ryght dere broder Paule be some thynges harde
to be conceyued whiche the vnstable myndes dothe misconstrue lyke as
they do many other scryptures to theyr owne dampnacyon .
(FISHER-E1-P1,329.121)

Thus ye may se that dyuers other haue mysconstrued saynt Paule byfore
this as nowe dothe Martyn luther to his owne peryll and dampnacyon .
(FISHER-E1-P1,329.122)

But here one thynge I merueyle moche of Martyn luther specyally that he
saythe that in all scrypture there is no more testymony agaynst him but
this one place of saynt Iames . (FISHER-E1-P1,329.123)

for it is not to be douted but many moo maye be brought .
(FISHER-E1-P1,329.124)

And fyrst oure sauyour in the gospell of Luce saythe . <font> Date
eleemosynam & ecce omnia munda sunt vobis . </font>
(FISHER-E1-P1,329.125)

That is to saye . gyue ye almes (FISHER-E1-P1,329.126)

and all thynges shal be clene vnto you . (FISHER-E1-P1,329.127)

what is this clennesse but the iustyfyenge of oure soules the whiche is
promest for the workes of almes . (FISHER-E1-P1,329.128)

yf I beleue neuer so moche and yf I releue not the poore in theyr
necessyte I shall not atteyne vnto this clennesse .
(FISHER-E1-P1,329.129)

Ferthermore in the $gospel of mathew . <font> Si remiseritis homimbus
errata sua remittet & vobis pater vester celestis . Quod si non
remiseritis hominibus errata sua nec pater remittet vobis errata vestra
. </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,329.130)

That is to saye . (FISHER-E1-P1,329.131)

yf ye do forgyue vnto them that hathe greued you theyr offences your
father in heuen shal do lykewyse to you . (FISHER-E1-P1,329.132)

and yf ye do not forgyue to men whiche hath greued you theyr offences
<P_330> nor your father shall not forgyue to you youre offence done
agaynst hym . (FISHER-E1-P1,330.133)

Ouer this he saythe in the same gospell . <font> Non omnis qui dicit
mihi domine domine intrabit in regnum celorum . sed qui facit
voluntatem patris mei . <font> (FISHER-E1-P1,330.134)

that is to say . (FISHER-E1-P1,330.135)

yf we worke not the wyll of almyghty god the father we shal not be
iustyfyed nor entre in to the kyngdome of heuen (FISHER-E1-P1,330.136)

Besydes these in the same gospell . <font> Nisi abundauerit iusticia
vestra plusquam scribarum & phariseorum non intrabitis in regnum
celorum . </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,330.137)

That is to saye . (FISHER-E1-P1,330.138)

onlesse your iustyce or your maner of lyuynge be more better and ample
than was the iustyce and lyuynge of the Iewes and pharasees ye shal not
entre in to the kyngdom of heuen whiche is to be vnderstanded <font> de
iusticia operum . </font> of the iustyce of workes . as clerly
appeereth of all that foloweth . (FISHER-E1-P1,330.139)

Besydes this he saythe <font> Omnis qui audit verba mea hec & non facit
ea similis erit viro stulto qui edificauit domum suam super arenam .
</font> (FISHER-E1-P1,330.140)

That is to saye . (FISHER-E1-P1,330.141)

All that hereth these my wordes & worketh not therafter is lyke unto an
vnwyse man that buyldeth his house vpon an vnsure ground .
(FISHER-E1-P1,330.142)

And saynt Paule also sayth . <font> Non auditores legis sed factores
iustificabuntur . </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,330.143)

that is to saye . (FISHER-E1-P1,330.144)

Suche as onely be herers of the lawe of god shal not be iustyfyed but
the workers therafter . (FISHER-E1-P1,330.145)

And saynt Iames saythe . <font> Estote factores verbi et non auditores
tantum fallentes vosmetipsos . </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,330.146)

that is to saye (FISHER-E1-P1,330.147)

be ye workers of the worde of god and not onely the herers
(FISHER-E1-P1,330.148)

for than ye disceyue yourselfe . (FISHER-E1-P1,330.149)

& saynt Paule agayne saith . <font> Si secundum carnem vixeritis
moriemini . Si spiritu facta carnis mortificaueritis viuetis . </font>
(FISHER-E1-P1,330.150)

that is to saye . (FISHER-E1-P1,330.151)

yf ye lyue after the workes of your flesshe ye shall dye .
(FISHER-E1-P1,330.152)

but yf ye mortyfye in you by spyryte the workes of youre flesshe ye
shall lyue . (FISHER-E1-P1,330.153)

And <P_331> fynally saynt Paule sayth resoluyng his owne sentence .
<font> fides que per dilectionem operatur . </font>
(FISHER-E1-P1,331.154)

that is to saye . Faythe whiche is wrought by loue . accordynge to the
{COM:word_missing_in_text} whiche saynt Iames sayth . <font> Vides
quoniam fides cooperabatur operibus illius : ex operibus fides
consummata est . </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,331.155)

That is to saye . (FISHER-E1-P1,331.156)

Thou seest how that faythe helped his workes and how of the workes his
faythe was made perfyt . (FISHER-E1-P1,331.157)

By all the whiche testimonyes ye may playnely se that not onely faythe
suffyseth but also loue and workes be requyred to the iustyfyenge of
our soules . (FISHER-E1-P1,331.158)

And thus moche for the seconde instruccyon . (FISHER-E1-P1,331.159)

<P_388>

A Sermon verie fruitfull , godly , and learned , vpon thys sentence of
the Prophet Ezechiell , <font> Lamentationes , Carmen , et vae ,
</font> very aptely applyed vnto the passion of Christ : Preached vpon
a good Friday , by the same Iohn Fisher , Bishop of Rochester .
(FISHER-E1-P1,388.161)

The Prophet Ezechyell telleth that hee sawe a booke spread before him ,
the which was written both within and without , (FISHER-E1-P1,388.162)

& there was written also in it , <font> Lamentationes , Carmen , et vae
, </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,388.163)

that is to say , lamentation , songe , & woe . (FISHER-E1-P1,388.164)

This was a wonderfull booke , and much to be merueiled vpon .
(FISHER-E1-P1,388.165)

Much comfortable knowledge and sweetnesse this Prophette gate by this
booke , <paren> as he saith in the Chapter next ensuing <font> factum
est in ore meo sicut mell dulce , </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,388.166)

thys booke was in my mouth as swe'ete as honye . (FISHER-E1-P1,388.167)

This booke to our purpose may be'e taken unto vs , the Crucifixe , the
which doubtlesse is a merueylous booke , as we'e shall shewe
he'ereafter . In the which if we'e doe exercise our admiration , we'e
shall come to wonderfull knowledge . (FISHER-E1-P1,388.168)

Meruayling was the cause , why that the Philosophers came to so greate
knowledge , as they had . (FISHER-E1-P1,388.169)

They behelde and sawe many wonderfull thynges , and effectes in thys
worlde , as the marueylous earthquakes , Thunders , lightnings , Snow ,
Rayne , & Frostes , blasinng Starres , the Eclipses <P_389> of the
Sunne and of the Moone , and suche other effectes .
(FISHER-E1-P1,389.170)

And those marueylous wonders moued them to search for the causes of the
same . (FISHER-E1-P1,389.171)

And so by dyligent searche and inquisition , they came to great
knowledge and cunning , which cunnyng men call Philosophie naturall .
(FISHER-E1-P1,389.172)

But there is another higher Philosophie which is aboue nature , which
is also gotten with marueyling . (FISHER-E1-P1,389.173)

And this is the verye Philosophie of Christian people .
(FISHER-E1-P1,389.174)

And doubtlesse amongest all other things concerning a Christian man ,
it is a thyng muche marueylous , and most wonderfull , that the sonne
of God , for the loue that he had unto the soule of man , woulde suffer
hym selfe to be'e crucified , and so to take upon him that most
vyllanous death upon the Crosse . (FISHER-E1-P1,389.175)

Of thys the Prophet Abacuck sayeth . <font> Admiramini et obstupescite
, quia opus factum est in diebus vestris , quod nemo credet quum
narrabitur , </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,389.176)

marueyle , (FISHER-E1-P1,389.177)

and wonder you , (FISHER-E1-P1,389.178)

for a worke is done in your dayes , which when it shall be'e shewed ,
no man will bele'eue . (FISHER-E1-P1,389.179)

Is it not a wonderfull thyng , that he whych is most to be'e dreade and
feared , would be in so much feare , that for e'erie feare and dreade
of payne hee had to suffer , he swet water and bloud .
(FISHER-E1-P1,389.180)

Is it not a wonderfull thyng , that he that was most inestimable in
price , and most precyous , woulde suffer hys bodie to be'e solde for
so little a pryce , as for the value of thyrtye pence ?
(FISHER-E1-P1,389.181)

Is it not a wonderfull thyng , that hee that is the Lorde of heaven and
earth , and all other creatures , would suffer him selfe to be bound of
those vyllaynes wyth ropes lyke a the'efe ? (FISHER-E1-P1,389.182)

Is it not a wonderfull thing that he that hath so great might and power
, would suffer him selfe to be taken of his cruell & mortall enimyes ,
and so led unto all these paynes ? (FISHER-E1-P1,389.183)

Is it not a wonderfull thyng , that hee that is the <P_390> Iudge of
all the worlde , woulde thus wrongfullye be iudged ?
(FISHER-E1-P1,390.184)

Is it not a wonderfull thyng , that hee that had in hym all wisedome ,
would thus be'e mocked and reputed as a foole ? (FISHER-E1-P1,390.185)

Is it not a wonderfull thing , that he that is so strong & mightie ,
would be made so weake , and fe'eble , that he fell vnder the wayght
and burthen of the Crosse ? (FISHER-E1-P1,390.186)

Is it not a wonderfull thing , that hee that is the Lord of Angels ,
would be spytted and bobbed of a sorte of Lorrelles in that moste
dispytefull maner ? (FISHER-E1-P1,390.187)

Is it not a wonderfull thyng , that he that is the Kyng of euerlastyng
glorie would suffer his head in mockerie to be crowned with thornes ?
(FISHER-E1-P1,390.188)

Is it not a wonderfull thyng , that he that giueth lyfe to euery
creature , would suffer this most shamefull , sorowfull , and so
painfull death ? (FISHER-E1-P1,390.189)

Is it not a wonderfull thing , that he that is the Lord , and Aucthor
of all libertie , would thus be bounde with ropes , and nayled hand and
foote vnto the Crosse ? (FISHER-E1-P1,390.190)

Thus who that list with a me'eke harte , and a true fayth , to muse and
to maruayle of this most wonderfull booke <paren> I say of the
Crucifixe </paren> hee shall come to more fruitefull knowledge , then
many other which dayly studie vpon their common bookes .
(FISHER-E1-P1,390.191)

This booke may suffice for the studie of a true christian man , all the
dayes of his life . (FISHER-E1-P1,390.192)

In this boke he may finde all things that be necessarie to the health
of his soule . (FISHER-E1-P1,390.193)

Sainct Fraunces coulde passe hys time with this booke ,
(FISHER-E1-P1,390.194)

& was neuer wery thereof , (FISHER-E1-P1,390.195)

and his great studie was in the compasse of a fewe wordes . <font> Quis
tu , et quis ego domine . </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,390.196)

That is to say , who arte thou Lord , (FISHER-E1-P1,390.197)

and who am I . (FISHER-E1-P1,390.198)

Thys thought alway dyd run from hym selfe to Christ :
(FISHER-E1-P1,390.199)

And agayne , from Christ vnto hym selfe . (FISHER-E1-P1,390.200)

And so euer he meruayled of the most excelent <P_391> noblenesse of
Christ , (FISHER-E1-P1,391.201)

and compared it with hys owne naughtynesse , alwayes meruaylynge that
Christ being of so incomparable worthynesse , woulde suffer that moste
paynefull death for so vnworthye sinners , which lesson is so playne ,
and so common , that euerie man <paren> be he neuer so simple ,
</paren> may somewhat profite in it . (FISHER-E1-P1,391.202)

And agayne , it is so hygh , that fewe can attayne to reach to the
specyall fruite of it . (FISHER-E1-P1,391.203)

This holie Sainct Fraunces so profited in this lesson , that it caused
in hys hearte such a feruent loue , such a deuotion , such an affection
to Christ , that the capitall woundes which he behelde in the handes
and fe'ete , and syde of Christ , ware {COM:sic} by myracle imprinted
in hys owne handes and fe'ete . (FISHER-E1-P1,391.204)

This thing the B. of R. Innocent and hys Cardinalles dyd se'e ,
(FISHER-E1-P1,391.205)

and had verye proofe thereof . (FISHER-E1-P1,391.206)

The meditation and imagination of this booke was so earnest , and so
continuall , that the token of the fiue woundes of Christ , were
imprinted and ingraned in thys holy Saynctes bodye .
(FISHER-E1-P1,391.207)

But to this hygh fruite <paren> as I sayde </paren> fewe or none
besides him doth attayne . (FISHER-E1-P1,391.208)

It is a singular gyfte of almightie God , and not common to be'e looked
for of other persons . (FISHER-E1-P1,391.209)

Neuerthelesse , who that will exercise this lesson , though he come not
to thys hygh poynte of perfection , he shall neuerthelesse greatly
profite in the same , and come to a great knowledge both of Christ & of
him selfe . (FISHER-E1-P1,391.210)

A man may easily say & thinke with him selfe <paren> {COM:sic}
beholding in his hart the Image of the Crucifixe , who arte thou ,
(FISHER-E1-P1,391.211)

and who am I . (FISHER-E1-P1,391.212)

Thus euerie person both ryche and poore , may thinke , not onely in the
church here , but in euery other place , and in hys businesse where
about hee goeth . (FISHER-E1-P1,391.213)

Thus the poore laborer maye thinke , when he is at plough earyng hys
grounde , and when hee goeth to hys pastures to see hys Cattayle , or
when hee is sittyng at home by hys fire side , or els when he lyeth in
hys bed waking and can not sle'epe . (FISHER-E1-P1,391.214)

Likewyse the rich man may do in his businesse <P_392> that concerneth
him . (FISHER-E1-P1,392.215)

And the poore women also in theyr businesse , when they be spinning of
their rocks , or seruing of their pullen . (FISHER-E1-P1,392.216)

The riche weomen also in euerie lawfull occupation that they haue to
doe . (FISHER-E1-P1,392.217)

It is an easie thyng for any man or woman to make these two questions
wyth them selfe . O my Lorde that wouldest dye for me vpon a Crosse ,
how noble and excelent arte thou ? (FISHER-E1-P1,392.218)

& agayne , how wretched and myserable am I ? (FISHER-E1-P1,392.219)

Doubtlesse O thou christian soule , he that hunge for thy sake on the
Crosse , was verelie the sonne of God , as the noble Centurio sayde ,
when at the death of Christ he sawe so many wonderfull tokens .
(FISHER-E1-P1,392.220)

He saw the sunne withdrawe his lyght , and the ayre in darkenesse ,
(FISHER-E1-P1,392.221)

and felte all the earth tremble and quake , and the stones brake
asunder , (FISHER-E1-P1,392.222)

then he sayde , <font> vere filius dei erat iste . </font>
(FISHER-E1-P1,392.223)

That is to say , (FISHER-E1-P1,392.224)

verely thys person was the sonne of God . (FISHER-E1-P1,392.225)

Thinke with thy self , O christian soule , how great a person he is
that is the sonne of God ? (FISHER-E1-P1,392.226)

And thinke againe how vilaynous and how wretched thou art , in
comparison of him . (FISHER-E1-P1,392.227)

What art thou but ashes , <font> cinis es , </font>
(FISHER-E1-P1,392.228)

and vnto ashes thou shalt returne , <font> et in cinera reuerteris .
</font> (FISHER-E1-P1,392.229)

Abraham which was a man of high perfection , yet when he should speake
vnto almightie God he sayde , <font> quum sum puluis et cinis loquar ad
dominum , </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,392.230)

that is to say , (FISHER-E1-P1,392.231)

I am but dust and asshes , (FISHER-E1-P1,392.232)

and yet I must speake unto my Lorde . (FISHER-E1-P1,392.233)

Dauid also sayth , <font> vniuersa vanitas omnis homo viuens , </font>
(FISHER-E1-P1,392.234)

that is to saye , (FISHER-E1-P1,392.235)

man contayneth in him all vanitie . (FISHER-E1-P1,392.236)

Furthermore Iob speaketh of man saying in this maner , <font> Qui quasi
flos egreditur , et conteritur , et fugit velut vmbra . </font>
(FISHER-E1-P1,392.237)

Man is lyke a flower , (FISHER-E1-P1,392.238)

he dooth issue foorth into the worlde , (FISHER-E1-P1,392.239)

and soone after he is troden downe , (FISHER-E1-P1,392.240)

and so finally hee passeth lyke a shadowe . (FISHER-E1-P1,392.241)

Man is but earth and asshes , (FISHER-E1-P1,392.242)

& shall passe away lyke a shadow , and lyke a me'ere vanitie .
(FISHER-E1-P1,392.243)

<P_393>

Contrarywyse Christe , was , is , and euer $shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} ,
the prince of heauen , the Lorde of Angells , and the creator of all
creatures , <font> Qui fecit coelum et terram et omnia que in eis sunt
, </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,393.245)

He made heaven and earth & all that is in them . (FISHER-E1-P1,393.246)

His power is infinit , & most to be dreade . <font> Omnipotens rex , et
metuendus nimis . </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,393.247)

His wisedome is incomprehensible . <font> O altitudo diuitiarum
sapientiae et scientiae dei . </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,393.248)

His greatnesse passeth all measure , <font> Magnus dominus et
laudabilis nimis , et magnitudinis eius non est finis . </font>
(FISHER-E1-P1,393.249)

Shortly to saye , when a man hathe spoken or thought all that can be to
the prayse of his excellencie , yet he dooth farre passe and surmount
all that , as the Scripture sayth , <font> Glorificantes dominum ,
quantum cumque poteritis super valebit adhuc et admirabilis
magnificentia illius . </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,393.250)

Now then , O thou sinfull creature , maruell at his excellent worthines
, that was thus crucified . (FISHER-E1-P1,393.251)

And maruell also at thy naughtinesse , for whose loue he was thus
crucified . (FISHER-E1-P1,393.252)

Thus I say dyd the holy sainct Francis , <font> Quis es tu et quis sum
ego domine , </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,393.253)

Who arte thou my Lord so excellent , (FISHER-E1-P1,393.254)

and who am I , for whome thou wouldest endure all this payne .
(FISHER-E1-P1,393.255)

O Christen soule often beholde this booke , (FISHER-E1-P1,393.256)

and saye with this holy man , <font> Quis es tu et quis sum ego .
</font> (FISHER-E1-P1,393.257)

Marueyle that his inestimable goodnesse would thus dye for so myserable
a vanitie . (FISHER-E1-P1,393.258)

And so maruelinge , thou shalt profyt in a gracious knowledge of Christ
, (FISHER-E1-P1,393.259)

and thy heart shall taste maruelous swe'etenese , and be replenished
with a devoute fauour of his most excelent goodnesse .
(FISHER-E1-P1,393.260)

But you maruell peraduenture why I call the crucifix a booke ?
(FISHER-E1-P1,393.261)

I will now tell you the consideracion why ? (FISHER-E1-P1,393.262)

A booke hath boardes , leaues , lynes , wrytinges , letters booth small
and great . (FISHER-E1-P1,393.263)

First I saye that a booke hath two boardes : (FISHER-E1-P1,393.264)

the two boardes of this booke is the <P_394> two partes of the crosse ,
(FISHER-E1-P1,394.265)

for when the booke is opened & spread , the leaues be cowched vpon the
boardes . (FISHER-E1-P1,394.266)

And so the blessed body of Christ was spred upon the crosse .
(FISHER-E1-P1,394.267)

The leaues of this booke be the armes , the handes , legges , and
fe'ete , with the other members of his most precious and blessed body .
(FISHER-E1-P1,394.268)

Never anye Parchement skynne was more strayghtlye stratched {COM:sic}
by strength vpon the tentors then was this blessed body vpon the crosse
. (FISHER-E1-P1,394.269)

These lorells that crucifyed him , drewe by vyolence his moste precious
armes , with ropes vnto either braunche of the crose , that the sinowes
burst in sonder , (FISHER-E1-P1,394.270)

and so nayled his handes fast with spykinge nayles of yron , unto the
crosse . (FISHER-E1-P1,394.271)

After they stretched his fe'ete lykewyse vnto an other hole beneath in
the crosse , (FISHER-E1-P1,394.272)

and there nayled them with the third nayle thorough bothe his fe'ete .
(FISHER-E1-P1,394.273)

And so they reared vp this body aloft against the sunne , euen as a
parchment skinne is sette foorth before the heat of the Sun for to drye
. (FISHER-E1-P1,394.274)

It was set vp a loft to the entent that all the worlde might looke vpon
this booke . (FISHER-E1-P1,394.275)

This booke was written with in {COM:sic} and without .
(FISHER-E1-P1,394.276)

Fyrst within was wrytten but one worde : (FISHER-E1-P1,394.277)

neuerthelesse this one word compryseth in it , as sayth saint Paule ,
the whole treasure of al cunning and wisdome partayning vnto God ,
(FISHER-E1-P1,394.278)

<font> In quo sunt omnes thesauri sapientiae dei , </font> in whome are
all the treasure of the wisedome of god . (FISHER-E1-P1,394.279)

of this worde Saint Iohn speaketh , saying , <font> In principio erat
verbum , </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,394.280)

the word was in the begynning before all creatures ,
(FISHER-E1-P1,394.281)

thys worde is the second person in the godhead , the sonne of God which
by the holie Ghost was written in the inward syde of thys parchment .
(FISHER-E1-P1,394.282)

For the Godheade of Christe was couered and hidde under the lykenesse
of man . (FISHER-E1-P1,394.283)

The holy Ghost was the penne of almyghtie God the father ,
(FISHER-E1-P1,394.284)

He set hys most mightie word vnto the body of Christ , within the
<P_395> wombe of the Vyrgine Marye , (FISHER-E1-P1,395.285)

and so this booke was written within . (FISHER-E1-P1,395.286)

For as Sainct Paule sayeth , <font> si cognouissent nunquam dominum
gloriae crucifixissent , </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,395.287)

That is to saye , if they had knowne the sonne of God , which was and
is the Lorde of euerlasting glorie , they woulde never have crucified
hym . (FISHER-E1-P1,395.288)

They sawe his manhood which was in outwarde sight ,
(FISHER-E1-P1,395.289)

but they sawe not hys Godheade whych was covered within the same .
(FISHER-E1-P1,395.290)

The Godhead was the inward syde , (FISHER-E1-P1,395.291)

and the manhoode was the outwarde syde . (FISHER-E1-P1,395.292)

Furthermore when a booke is spread , you se'e that in the leaves are
many lynes drawen . And many letters , some read , some blacke , and
some blewe , (FISHER-E1-P1,395.293)

so in this booke , <paren> the moste blessed bodie of Christ </paren>
was drawne many lynes , (FISHER-E1-P1,395.294)

for it was all to scourged with whippes , so that every where the print
of the cordes of the scourges , was left behynd , & that in every place
, from the necke downward unto the soles of his fe'ete , so that there
was no margent lefte in all thys booke , (FISHER-E1-P1,395.295)

there was no voyd place , (FISHER-E1-P1,395.296)

but every where it was eyther drawne with lynes , or els wrytten with
letters , (FISHER-E1-P1,395.297)

for these scourges fylled not onely his moste precyous bodie with lynes
drawne euerie where , (FISHER-E1-P1,395.298)

but also left many small Letters , some blacke , some blewe , some
reade . (FISHER-E1-P1,395.299)

For the blood by the vyolence of the schourges {COM:sic} sprunge out in
every place . (FISHER-E1-P1,395.300)

And for bycause no parte of thys booke shoulde be'e unwritten , hys
head also was pearsed with sharpe thornes . (FISHER-E1-P1,395.301)

These cruell Iewes put upon hys heade a Crowne of thornes ,
(FISHER-E1-P1,395.302)

and pressed it downe upon the same , as hard as they myght presse it by
vyolence , beatyng it downe with a strong Re'ede . <font> Et Arundine
percuciebant caput eius . </font> (FISHER-E1-P1,395.303)

And hys blessed heade so crowned , they dyd beate it downe with a gadde
, or a harde Re'ede . (FISHER-E1-P1,395.304)

Thus you perceyue that this booke was full of lynes and small Letters ,
whyche were of dyuers coulers , <paren> as I <P_396> sayde </paren>
some black , some blewe , some reade , some blewyshe ,
(FISHER-E1-P1,396.305)

that is to saye , full of stroakes , and lasshes , where by the skynne
was toarne , and rente in a thousande places . (FISHER-E1-P1,396.306)

Besides these small letters , yet was there also greate Capytall
Letters precyouslie illumyned with Roset colour :
(FISHER-E1-P1,396.307)

Roset is a reade colour lyke unto the coulour of a Rose , which colour
that most precyous bloude , whiche issued out of his hands and fe'ete ,
doeth represent vnto vs , (FISHER-E1-P1,396.308)

with this most precious blud was illumined the fyue great Capital
letters in this wonderful booke . (FISHER-E1-P1,396.309)

I mean by these capital letters the great wounds of his body , in his
handes , and in hys fe'ete , and in his side . (FISHER-E1-P1,396.310)

{COM:insert_helsinki_sample_2}