Two priests’ servants, named Watkyn and Jeffraye, are supposed to be conversing about the Testaments, and they discourse thus:-- “_Jef._ But nowe of Standisshe accusacion Brefly to make declaracion, Thus to the Cardinall he spake: ‘Pleaseth youre honourable Grace, Here is chaunsed a pitious cace, And to the Churche a grett lacke. The Gospell in oure Englisshe tonge, Of laye men to be red and songe, Is nowe hidder come to remayne. Which many heretykes shall make, Except youre Grace some waye take By youre authorite hym to restrayne.’ * * * * * _Wat._ But what sayde the Cardinall here at? _Jef._ He spake the wordes of Pilat, Sayinge, ‘I fynde no fault therin.’ Howe be it, the bisshops assembled, Amonge theym he examened, What was best to determyn? Then answered bisshop Cayphas, That a grett parte better it was The Gospell to be condemned; Lest their vices manyfolde Shulde be knowen of yonge and olde, Their estate to be contempned. The Cardinall then incontinent Agaynst the Gospell gave judgement, Saying to brenne he deserved. Wherto all the bisshoppis cryed, Answerynge, ‘It cannot be denyed He is worthy so to be served.’ * * * * * _Jef._ They sett nott by the Gospell a flye: Diddest thou nott heare whatt villany They did vnto the Gospell? _Wat._ Why, did they agaynst hym conspyre? _Jef._ By my trothe they sett hym a fyre Openly in London cite. _Wat._ Who caused it so to be done? _Jef._ In sothe the Bisshoppe of London, With the Cardinallis authorite: Which at Paulis crosse ernestly Denounced it to be heresy That the Gospell shuld come to lyght; Callynge them heretikes execrable Whiche caused the Gospell venerable To come vnto laye mens syght. He declared there in his furiousnes, That he fownde erroures more and les Above thre thousande in the translacion. Howe be it when all cam to pas, I dare saye vnable he was Of one erroure to make probacion.”