To feed mens soules, and hath an heavie threat.” “To feede mens soules,” quoth he, “is not in man: For they must feed themselves, doo what we can. We are but charg’d to lay the meate before: 435 Eate they that list, we need to doo no more. But God it is that feedes them with his grace, The bread of life powr’d downe from heavenly place. Therefore said he that with the budding rod Did rule the lewes, _All shalbe taught of God._ 440 That same hath Iesus Christ now to him raught, [_Raught_, reached, taken.] By whom the flock is rightly fed and taught: He is the shcpheard, and the priest is hee; We but his shepheard swaines ordain’d to bee. Therefore herewith doo not your selfe dismay; 445 Ne is the paines so great, but beare ye may; For not so great, as it was wont of yore, It’s now a dayes, ne halfe so streight and sore. They whilome used duly everie day Their service and their holie things to say, 450 At morne and even, beside their anthemes sweete, Their penie masses, and their complynes meete, [_Complynes_, even-song; the last service of the day.] Their diriges, their trentals, and their shrifts, [_Trentals_, thirty masses for the dead.] Their memories, their singings, and their gifts. [_Memories_, services for the dead.] Now all those needlesse works are laid away; 455 Now once a weeke, upon the Sabbath day, It is enough to doo our small devotion, And then to follow any merrie motion. Ne are we tyde to fast, but when we list; Ne to weare garments base of wollen twist, 460 But with the finest silkes us to aray, That before God we may appeare more gay, Resembling Aarons glorie in his place: For farre unfit it is, that person bace Should with vile cloaths approach Gods maiestie, 465 Whom no uncleannes may approachen nie; Or that all men, which anie master serve, Good garments for their service should deserve, But he that serves the Lord of Hoasts Most High, And that in highest place, t’approach him nigh, 470 And all the peoples prayers to present Before his throne, as on ambassage sent Both too and fro, should not deserve to weare A garment better than of wooll or heare. Beside, we may have lying by our sides 475 Our lovely lasses, or bright shining brides; We be not tyde to wilfull chastitie, But have the gospell of free libertie.” By that he ended had his ghostly sermon, The Foxe was well induc’d to be a parson; 480 And of the priest eftsoones gan to enquire How to a benefice he might aspire. “Marie, there,” said the priest, “is arte indeed: Much good deep learning one thereout may reed; For that the ground-worke is, and end of all, 485 How to obtaine a beneficiall. First, therefore, when ye have in handsome wise