_And because that all men and women should give all their business here in this life to build them virtuously upon this sure foundation, Saint PAUL [ac]knowledging the fervent desire and the good will of the people of Ephesus, wrote to them comfortably, saying_, Now ye are not strangers, guests, nor yet comelings, but ye are the citizens and of the household of GOD, builded above upon the foundament of the Apostles and Prophets. In which foundament, every building that is builded and made through the grace of GOD, it increaseth or groweth into a holy temple; _that is, everybody that is grounded and builded faithfully in the teaching and living of CHRIST is therethrough made the holy temple of GOD._ _This is the stable ground and stedfast_ stone, _CHRIST! which is the sure corner-stone fast joining and holding mightily together two walls. For through CHRIST JESU, mean or middle Person of the Trinity, the Father of Heaven is piteous or mercifully joined and made one together to Mankind: and through dread to offend GOD, and fervent love to please him, men be unseparably made one to GOD, and defended surely under His protection._ _Also this foresaid_ stone _CHRIST was figured by the square stones of which the Temple of GOD was made. For as a square stone, wheresoever it is cast or laid, it abideth and lieth stably; so CHRIST and every faithful member of his Church, by example of him, abideth and dwelleth stably in true faith and in all other heavenly virtues, in all adversities that they suffer in this Valley of Tears. For, lo, when these foresaid square stones were hewen and wrought for to be laid in the walls or pillars of GOD's Temple, none noise or stroke of the workmen was heard. Certain, this silence in working of this stone figureth CHRIST chiefly, and his faithful members, which by example of him have been, and yet are, and ever to the world's end shall be, so meek and patient in every adversity, that no sound nor yet any grudging shall any time be perceived in them._ _Nevertheless this chief and most worshipful corner-stone, which only is ground of all virtues, proud beggars reproved! but this despite and reproof CHRIST suffered most meekly in his own person, for to give example of all meekness and patience to all his faithful followers. Certain, this world is now so full of proud beggars which are named priests; but the very office of working of priesthood which CHRIST approveth true, and accepteth, is far from the multitude of priests that now reign in this world._