Chapter L: OF GOSPEL. Then all wicked company you must clean forsake,

And fly their society as a toad or a snake.

PERV. DOC. I abandon them quite, whatsoever they be.

NEW CUS. Well, Sincere Doctrine, hearken also unto me,
Whom needs you must follow, if you will do well,
Since you have embraced the Light of the Gospel.
I am not New Custom, as you have been misled,
But am Primitive Constitution, from the very head
Of the church, which is Christ and his disciples all,
And from the fathers, at that time taking original.
By me then you must learn for your own behest,
And for all vocations what is judged the best.

PERV. DOC. I receive you gladly with thanks for your gentleness,
At your hands craving earnestly for my trespass forgiveness.

NEW CUS. It is easily forgiven.

PERV. DOC. Now as touching my apparel, what counsel do you give?
For I see well that, in the constitution primitive,
They used no such garment as I have on here,
But fashioned it after some other manner.

NEW CUS. So did they truly, I confess it indeed;
But in such things a man ought not to take so great heed,
For the wearing of a gown, cap, or any other garment,
Surely is a matter, as me-seemeth, indifferent,
Howbeit, wise princes, for a difference to be had,
Hath commanded the clergy in such sort to be clad;
But he who puts his religion in wearing the thing,
Or thinks himself more holy for the contrary doing,
Shall prove but a fool, of whatever condition
He be, for sure that is but mere superstition.
Other things there be, which have been abused,
Tolerable enough, if well they were used:
Wherefore use your apparel, as is comely and decent,
And not against scripture anywhere in my judgment.

L. OF GOSPEL. No, sure: for God weigheth not (who is a sprite)
Of any vesture or outward appearance a mite,
So the conscience be pure, and to no sin a slave:
That is all which he most gladly would have.

NEW CUS. Well, these having declared and sufficiently taught,
And, I trust, on your part perceived as they ought:
By your patience, I mind to depart for a season.

L. OF GOSPEL. If your business be so, it is but reason.

NEW CUS. With great thanks unto you, Light
of the Gospel, for the gentleness I have found,
At your hands, as of due desert I am bound.

L. OF GOSPEL. The Lord be your guide, whither-soever you
depart.

PERV. DOC. Humble thanks, sir, I yield you from the bottom
of my heart.
Albeit in this part so small be my skill,
That I may not perform them according to my will.

NEW CUS. The peace of God be with you both for evermore.
[_Exit._

EDIFICATION _entereth_.

Wheresoever Light of the Gospel goeth before,
There I, Edification, do follow incontinent,
As unto the same a necessary consequent:
For though the letter always work not that effect,
Yet surely in the congregation of God's elect,
Where the light and force taketh place, there Edification
Of all right must I make my habitation.
Endeavour then always me to retain,
So shall your doctrine not be given in vain.

PERV. DOC. I receive you most gladly, and I trust in the Lord,
That for ever hereafter we shall well accord.

EDIFICATION. I trust so.

L. OF GOSPEL. Fare you well, now you are not alone,
For this small while I must needs be gone.
Here, take at my hands this Testament-book,
And in mine absence therein I pray you earnestly look.

PERV. DOC. Your commandment shall be done, with thanks for
your counsel.