Specimens of English literature from the 'Ploughmans crede' to the ...

Yes,XXI. SERMON ON ' THE PLOUGHERS.' 237\_Fro?ii the Sermon on 'the Plougheys'~\Here haue I an occasion by the way somwhat to sayevnto you, yea, for the place that I alledged vnto you beforeoute of Hieremy the xlviii. Chapter \ And it was spoken ofa spiritual! worcke of God, a worke that was co7;^maundedto be done ; & it was of sheddynge bloude, and of destroy- 5ing the cities of Moab. For (sayeth he) ' curssed be he thatkepeth backe hys sworde frome sheddynge of bloud ^.' AsSaule when he kepte backe the sworde from shedding ofbloude, at what tyme he was sent agaynst Amalech, wasrefused of God for beinge disobedie;/t to Goddes commaunde- 10mentes, in that he spared Agag Me kyng. So that, thatplace of the prophet was spoken of them that wente to thedistruction of the cityes of Moab, amonge the which therewas one called Nebo, whyche was muche reproued for idolatrie,supersticion, pryde, auarice, crueltie, tiranny, and for 15hardenes of herte, and for these sinnes was plaged of Godand destroyed. Nowe what shall we saye of these rychecitizens of London ? What shall I saye of them ? shal I calthem proude men of London, malicious men of London,mercylesse men of London ? No, no, I may not sale so, 20they wil be offe;/ded wyth me than. Yet must I speake.For is there not reygning in London as much pride, asmuch coueteousnes, as much crueltie, as much oppression,.''as much supersticion, as was in Nebo I thynke &muche more to. Therfore I saye, repente O London !Repent, repente ! Thouheareste thy faultes tolde the25^ ' Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully.' Jet.xlviii. 10. ^ Jer. xlviii. 10.