xxi. Christ to his Spouse.
The Argument.
Whyles
the Church accordyng to Christes commaundement,
preacheth remission of sinnes, through fayth in
his blud, death and merites, false Apostles seyng the people
ready to receyue what soeuer is taught, fayne themselues to
be the Spouses healpers: and vnder that title deceyuyng the
simple rude soules, preach for theyr profit, theyr own dremes
and inuencions: promisyng merit and satisfaccion for supersticious
wylwurkes. Whiche Christe perceyuyng, geueth his
Spouse warnyng of them: & streytly chargyng her to preach agaynst them: syngeth.
Catche vs the false foxes that preache not the truth,
Those young litle foxes whiche flatter my youth:
Catche them with scripture, declare them theyr follie,
Teache them to preache true my wurd that is hollie:
And stroy not my vineyardes.
They labour with learnyng the truth to deny,
And through theyr false faynyng to lead men awry,
Wastyng my vineyard, my people most holly:
Therfore catche them quickly, that they by theyr folly,
Destroy not my vineyardes.
For loe now my vine trees begyn thycke to bud,
In bryngyng furth bourgeons the whiche wyll be good:
Catche then these foxes ye preachers most holly,
Least by theyr flattring and false fayned folly,
They stroy al my vineyardes.
