ey
were ever so mete with, and nipt in y^e head betims, or otherwise so
well composed, as still love, peace, and communion was continued; or els
y^e church purged of those that were incurable & incorrigible, when,
after much patience used, no other means would serve, which seldom came
to pass. Yea such was y^e mutuall love, & reciprocall respecte that this
worthy man had to his flocke, and his flocke to him, that it might be
said of them as it once was of y^t famouse Emperour Marcus Aurelious,[K]
and y^e people of Rome, that it was hard to judge wheather he delighted
more in haveing shuch a people, or they in haveing such a pastor. His
love was greate towards them, and his care was all ways bente for their
best good, both for soule and body; for besids his singuler abilities in
devine things (wherin he excelled), he was also very able to give
directions in civill affaires, and to foresee dangers & inconveniences;
by w^ch means he was very helpfull to their outward estats, & so was
every way as a commone father unto them. And none did more offend him
then those that were close and cleaving to them selves, and retired from
y^e comm[=o]e good; as also such as would be stiffe & riged in matters
of outward order, and invey against y^e evills of others, and yet be
remisse in them selves, and not so carefull to express a vertuous
conversation. They in like maner had ever a reverente regard unto him, &
had him in precious estimation, as his worth & wisdom did deserve; and
though they esteemed him highly whilst he lived & laboured amongst them,
yet much more after his death, when they came to feele y^e wante of his
help, and saw (by woefull experience) what a treasure they had lost, to
y^e greefe of their harts, and wounding of their sowls; yea such a loss
as they saw could not be repaired; for it was as hard for them to find
such another leader and feeder in all respects, as for y^e Taborits to
find another Ziska. And though they did not call themselves orphans, as
the other did, after his death, yet they had cause as much to lamente,
in another regard, their present condition, and after usage. But to
returne; I know not but it may be spoken to y^e honour of God, & without
prejudice [14] to any, that such was y^e true pietie, y^e humble zeale,
& fervent love, of this people (whilst they thus lived together) towards
God and his waies, and y^e single hartednes & sinceir affection one
towards another, that they came as near y^e prim