KNOWLEDGE. Everyman, hearken what I say: Go to priesthood, I you advise, And receive of him, in any wise, The Holy Sacrament and ointment together; Then shortly see ye turn again hither: We will all abide you here. FIVE WITS. Yea, Everyman, hie you that ye ready were There is no emperor, king, duke, ne baron, That of God hath commission, As hath the least priest in the world being; For of the Blessed Sacraments, pure and benign, He beareth the keys and thereof hath he cure; For man's redemption it is ever sure, Which God, for our soul's medicine, Gave us out of his heart with great pain. Here in this transitory life, for thee and me, The Blessed Sacraments Seven there be; Baptism, Confirmation, with Priesthood good, And the Sacrament of God's precious flesh and blood; Marriage, the Holy Extreme Unction, and Penance. These seven be good to have in remembrance, Gracious sacraments of high divinity. EVERYMAN. Fain would I receive that Holy Body, And meekly to my ghostly father I will go. FIVE WITS. Everyman, that is the best that ye can do: God will you to salvation bring, For good priesthood exceedeth all other thing. To us holy scripture they do teach, And converteth man from sin, heaven to reach. God hath to them more power given Than to any angel that is in heaven. With five words he may consecrate, God's body in flesh and blood to make, And handleth his maker between his hands. The priest bindeth and unbindeth all bands Both in earth and in heaven. Thou ministers all the sacraments seven-- Though we kiss thy feet thou were worthy-- Thou art surgeon that cureth sin deadly. No remedy we find under God But all only priesthood. Everyman, God gave priests that dignity, And setteth them in his stead, among us to be; Thus be they above angels in degree. KNOWLEDGE. If priests be good, it is so surely; But when Jesus hung on the cross with great smart, There he gave, out of his blessed heart, The same sacrament, in great torment; He sold them not to us, that Lord omnipotent: Therefore Saint Peter the Apostle doth say, That Jesus' curse hath all they Which God their Saviour do buy or sell, Or they for any money do take or tell. Sinful priests giveth the sinners example bad; Their children sitteth by other men's fires, I have heard, And some haunteth women's company, With unclean life, as lusts of lechery: These be with sin made blind. FIVE WITS. I trust to God no such may we find! Therefore let us priesthood honour, And follow their doctrine for our souls' succour. We be their sheep, and they shepherds be, By whom we all be kept in surety. Peace! for yonder I see Everyman come, Which hath made true satisfaction. GOOD DEEDS. Me-thinketh it is he indeed.