NEW CUS. When I consider the ancient times before, That have been these eight hundred years and more, And those confer with these our later days, My mind do these displease a thousand ways. For sure he, that hath both perceived aright, Will say they differ as darkness doth from light. For then plain-dealing bare away the prize; All things were ruled by men of good advice; Conscience prevailed much, even everywhere; No man deceived his neighbour and eke a thing full rare It was to find a man you might not trust; But look what once they promised, they did that well and just. If neighbours were at variance, they ran not straight to law: Daysmen[10] took up the matter, and cost them not a straw, Such delight they had to kill debate and strife; And surely even in those days was there more godlier life. Howbeit men of all ages are wonted to dispraise The wickedness of time that flourished at their days. As well he may discern, who for that but lightly looks, In every leaf almost of all their books. For as for Christ our master, what he thought of Jews, And after him th' apostles, I think it is no news. PERV. DOC. Hark, Simplicity, he is some preacher, I will lay my gown; He mindeth to make a sermon within this town. He speaketh honestly yet; but surely, if he rail at me, I may not abide him, by the mass, I promise thee. NEW CUS. Paul to the Corinthians plainly doth tell, That their behaviour pleased him not well. All our forefathers likewise have been offended With divers faults at their time, that might have been amended. The doctors of the church great fault they did find, In that men lived not after their mind: First with the rulers as examples of sin, Then with the people as continuing therein: So that of them both this one thing they thought, That the people was not good, but the rulers were nought. But in comparison of this time of misery, In those days men lived in perfect felicity. Saint Paul prophesied that worse times should ensue, _In novissimis venient quidam_, saith he, this is true, Following all mischief, ungodliness and evil, Leaning to all wickedness and doctrine of the devil; And spake he not of these days, think you, I pray? The proof is so plain that no man can denay: For this is sure, that never in any age before Naughtiness and sin hath been practised more, Or half so much, or at all, in respect so I say, And is now (God amend all) at this present day: Sin now no sin, faults no faults a whit: O God, seest thou this, and yet wilt suffer it? Surely thy mercy is great; but yet our sins, I fear, Are so great, that of justice with them thou canst not bear. Adultery no vice, it is a thing so rife, A stale jest now to lie with another man's wife! For what is that but dalliance? Covetousness they call