ove all other enemies.
This man taketh on him this charge, promising his fidelity thereunto. It
chanceth in process of time, that by the singular acquaintance and
frequent familiarity of this captain with the Frenchmen, these Frenchmen
give unto the said captain of Calais a great sum of money, so that he
will but be content and agreeable that they may enter into the said town
of Calais by force of arms; and so thereby possess the same unto the
crown of France. Upon this agreement the Frenchmen do invade the said
town of Calais, alonely by the negligence of this captain.
Now the king's grace, hearing of this invasion, cometh with a great
puissance to defend this his said town, and so by good policy of war
overcometh the said Frenchmen, and entereth again into his said town of
Calais. Then he, being desirous to know how these enemies of his came
thither, maketh profound search and inquiry by whom this treason was
conspired. By this search it was known and found his own captain to be
the very author and the beginner of the betraying of it. The king,
seeing the great infidelity of this person, dischargeth this man of his
office, and taketh from him and from his heirs this thousand pounds of
possessions. Think you not that the king doth use justice unto him, and
all his posterity and heirs? Yes, truly: the said captain cannot deny
himself but that he had true justice, considering how unfaithfully he
behaved him to his prince, contrary to his own fidelity and promise. So
likewise it was of our first father Adam. He had given unto him the
spirit of science and knowledge, to work all goodness therewith: this
said spirit was not given alonely unto him, but unto all his heirs and
posterity. He had also delivered him the town of Calais; that is to say,
paradise in earth, the most strong and fairest town in the world, to be
in his custody. He nevertheless, by the instigation of these Frenchmen,
that is to say, the temptation of the fiend, did obey unto their desire;
and so he brake his promise and fidelity, the commandment of the
everlasting King his master, in eating of the apple by him inhibited.
Now then the King, seeing this great treason in his captain, deposed him
of the thousand pounds of possessions, that is to say, from everlasting
life in glory, and all his heirs and posterity: for likewise as he had
the spirit of science and knowledge, for him and his heirs; so in like
manner, when he lost the same, his he
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