26. But take heed, brethren, for this is not to be said over any that die unbaptized; ye may not bury them at all; let them be cast out anywhere and anyhow,

27. That it may be fulfilled which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, They shall not lament for him, saying, Ah! my brother: they shall not lament for him, saying, Ah, Lord! or, Ah, his glory! He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.

28. ¶ And as concerning marriage, which is honourable in all, let the priest teach very distinctly and solemnly, that marriage is ordained for the procreation of children.

CHAPTER IV.

1. Bear with me yet a little, beloved, while I speak further of things which it is meet I should declare unto you.

2. Ye know how the Lord Jesus Christ did say, that, wherever two or three were gathered together in his name, he would be present to honour their assembly:

3. And ye have heard, how, in old time, the disciples of Christ did meet for the worship of God, in private dwellings, and in caves and dens of the earth, and by the river side; and that Christ, himself, the teacher sent from God, did preach to many thousands in desert places, and on mountain tops, and by the sea side.

4. But now it is unlawful for a congregation to worship God after this fashion. Ye must build churches, and when built, must they not be used until a bishop do consecrate the same: the ground thereof, and the walls thereof, must be made holy.

5. And if any say, What mean ye by this service? answer the fool according to his folly. And if any priest do minister unto the Lord in places unconsecrated, let him be put out of the ministry.

6. And in like manner let there be graveyards solemnly consecrated, (let him that readeth under

stand,) that therein the bodies of the saints may rest in peace and to this end, let the bishop with his clergy, in regular procession, march round the utmost boundaries thereof, and in so marching, let them mutter certain prayers and certain portions of holy writ.

7. And so the ground whereon they march is holy ground; and great is the blessedness of that man whose bones are laid therein; for, as I wrote afore, he is in sure and certain hope of a glorious resurrection; and meanwhile God hath taken his soul to be with him.

8. And wot ye not that this is the cause wherefore men unbaptized are not to be laid in holy ground; for if this were not a privilege, how could the refusal thereof be for punishment to evildoers ?

9. ¶ Furthermore, ye know how that in all the churches of Jesus Christ, which were planted by us, the apostles of the Lord, in Judea, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, Bithynia, and in all other places, there were only two kinds of officers, namely, bishops, or overseers, who also are called elders, and deacons.

10. For this appeared good unto us, and unto the Holy Ghost, and to be becoming the simplicity that is in Christ: also we received this of the Lord,

11. But, as the church will become more and more conformed unto this world, and will desire

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that which may minister to the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, Know ye that ye need not walk according to our rule.

12. There may be archbishops, who shall take the oversight of the bishops, having the largest share of the one thing needful; for money answereth all things.

13. And, specially, will these be serviceable at the coronation of kings, whom let them anoint with holy oil; and let them crown, as the less is blessed of the greater.

14. And let there be archdeacons, who may be profitable unto you the bishops, performing your duties at certain seasons, and while ye are in the council of the nation, contending earnestly, as it is written, and fighting the good fight for principality, and power, and high places.

15. For no longer need bishops watch for souls as those who must give account; this let those do who sit not in the chief places of the synagogues, and who are not called of men Rabbi, which being interpreted is, My Lord.

16. And beside this, giving all diligence, add unto these, deans, rural deans, prebendaries, canons, minor canons, chancellors, vicars general, commissaries, officials, surrogates, proctors, and others, which the time would fail me to mention.

17. And when ye ordain a priest, say, Receive the

Holy Ghost, for the office and work of a priest in the church of God, now communicated to thee by the imposition of our hands.

18. And add thereto yet this, Whose sins thou dost forgive they are forgiven; and whose sins thou dost retain they are retained.

19. Thus, too, shall it be asserted, that such priests are the only ones who may be certain that they have the body and blood of Christ to give unto the people.

20. And now, brethren, farewell.

Ye see how

large a letter I have written unto you. Let no man convert a sinner from the error of his way except he follow with you.

21. Yea, let not any minister under your authority, give the hand of fellowship to those who follow not with you: no, not so much as to pray with such that the kingdom of God may come;

22. For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans; and God hath shewed you how ye should call such men common and unclean; therefore beware of dogs.

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23. For better is it that souls should perish from way, and should be cast into hell fire, than that ye should countenance such men, even though they do hold the head, Christ Jesus.

24. Finally, beloved, I will that thus doing ye say to such, Stand by thyself, for I am holier than thou; and, We are the men.