| 1. Nolite plures magistri fieri fratres mei, scientes quoniam majus judicium sumitis. | 1. BE yee not
*
Matthew 23,8.
many Masters
Many Masters. Many Masters are many proud Sect-Masters. He meaneth principally Sect-masters that make themselves several Ring-leaders in sundry forts of new devised doctrines: every one arrogating to himself to be Master, and none so humble as to be a scholar, either to God's Church and true Pastors, or to other guides and Authors of the said Sects. So did Zuinglius disdain to be Luthers scholar, and Calvin to be the follower of Zuinglius. , my Brethren, knowing that you receive the greater judgement. |
| 2. In multis enim offendimus omnes. Si quis in verbo non offendit, hic perfectus est vir: potest etiam freno circumducere totum corpus. | 2. For in many things we offend all. * Ecclesiasticus 14,1. 19,16. If any man offend not in word; this is a perfect man. He is able also with bridle to turn about the whole body. |
| 3. Si autem equis frena in ora mittimus ad consentiendum nobis, et omne corpus illorum circumferimus. | 3. And if we put bits into the mouths of horses that they may obey us, we turn about all their body also. |
| 4. Ecce et naves, cum magnæ sint, et a ventis validis minentur, circumferuntur a modico gubernaculo ubi impetus dirigentis voluerit. | 4. And behold, the ships, whereas they be great, and are driven of strong winds: yet are they turned about with a little stern whither the violence of the director will. |
| 5. Ita et lingua modicum quidem membrum est, et magna exaltat. Ecce quantus ignis quam magnam silvam incendit! | 5. So the tongue also is certes a little member, and ✟ μεγάλαυχεῖ vaunteth great things. Behold how ✟ little much fire what a great wood it kindleth? |
| 6. Et lingua ignis est, universitas iniquitatis. Lingua constituitur in membris nostris, quæ maculat totum corpus, et inflammat rotam nativitatis nostræ inflammata a gehenna. | 6. And the tongue, is fire, a whole world of iniquity. The tongue is set among our members, which defileth the whole body, and inflameth the wheel of our nativity, inflamed of hell. |
| 7. Omnis enim natura bestiarum, et volucrum, et serpentium, et ceterorum domantur, et domita sunt a natura humana: | 7. For all nature of beasts & souls & serpents & of the rest is tamed & hath been tamed by the nature of man: |
| 8. linguam autem nullus hominum domare potest: inquietum malum, plena veneno mortifero. | 8. But the tongue no man can tame, an unquiet evil, full of deadly poison. |
| 9. In ipsa benedicimus Deum et Patrem: et in ipsa maledicimus homines, qui ad similitudinem Dei facti sunt. | 9. By it we bless God and the Father, & by it we curse men which are made after the similitude of God. |
| 10. Ex ipso ore procedit benedictio et maledictio. Non oportet, fratres mei, hæc ita fieri. | 10. Out of the self-same mouth proceedeth blessing & cursing. These things must not be so done, my Brethren. |
| 11. Numquid fons de eodem foramine emanat dulcem et amaram aquam? | 11. Doth the fountain give forth out of one hole sweet and sour water? |
| 12. Numquid potest, fratres mei, ficus uvas facere, aut vitis ficus? Sic neque salsa dulcem potest facere aquam. | 12. Can, my Brethren, the fig-tree yeald grapes, or the vine, figgs? So neither ✟ can it yeald salt & sweet water. can the salt water yeald sweet. |
| 13. Quis sapiens et disciplinatus inter vos? Ostendat ex bona conversatione operationem suam in mansuetudine sapientiæ. | 13. Who is wise and hath knowledge among you? Let him show by good conversation his working in mildness of wisdom. |
| 14. Quod si zelum amarum habetis, et contentiones sint in cordibus vestris: nolite gloriari, et mendaces esse adversus veritatem: | 14. But if you have bitter zeale, and there be contentions in you harts; glory not and be not liars against the truth. |
| 15. non est enim ista sapientia desursum descendens: sed terrena, animalis, diabolica. | 15. For this is not ✟ The difference betwixt the humane wisdom, specially of heretics; & the wisdom of the Catholic Church & her children. wisdom descending from above: but earthly, sensual, devilish. |
| 16. Ubi enim zelus et contentio, ibi inconstantia et omne opus pravum. | 16. For where zeal and contention is, there is inconstancy, and every perverse work. |
| 17. Quæ autem desursum est sapientia, primum quidem pudica est, deinde pacifica, modesta, suadibilis, bonus consentiens, plena misericordia et fructibus bonis, non judicans, sine simulatione. | 17. But the wisdom that is from above, first certes is chaste; then peaceable, modest, suasible, consenting to the good, full of mercy and good fruits not judging, without simulation. |
| 18. Fructus autem justitiæ, in pace seminatur, facientibus pacem. | 18. And the fruit of justice, in peace is sowed, to them that make peace. |