wade somewhat deeper in this matter, and as nigh as I can, fetch
it from the first original beginning. For undoubtedly, ye may much
marvel at this saying, if ye well ponder both what is said, and who saith
it. Define me first these three things: what prudence is; what the
world; what light; and who be the children of the world; who of the
light: see what they signify in scripture. I marvel if by and by ye all
agree, that the children of the world should be wiser than the children
of the light. To come somewhat nigher the matter, thus the Lord
beginneth:

There was a certain rich man that had a steward, which was accused
unto him that he had dissipated and wasted his goods. This rich man
called his steward to him and said, What is this that I hear of thee?
Come, make me an account of thy stewardship; thou mayest no longer
bear this office.

Brethren, because these words are so spoken in a parable, and are so
wrapped in wrinkles, that yet they seem to have a face and a similitude
of a thing done indeed, and like an history, I think it much profitable
to tarry somewhat in them. And though we may perchance find in our
hearts to believe all that is there spoken to be true; yet I doubt
whether we may abide it, that these words of Christ do pertain unto us,
and admonish us of our duty, which do and live after such sort, as though
Christ, when he spake any thing, had, as the time served him, served his
turn, and not regarded the time that came after him, neither provided for
us, or any matters of ours; as some of the philosophers thought, which
said, that God walked up and down in heaven, and thinketh never a deal of
our affairs. But, my good brethren, err not you so; stick not you to
such your imaginations. For if ye inwardly behold these words, if ye
diligently roll them in your minds, and after explicate and open them, ye
shall see our time much touched in these mysteries. Ye shall perceive
that God by this example shaketh us by the noses and pulleth us by the
ears. Ye shall perceive very plain, that God setteth before our eyes in
this similitude what we ought most to flee, and what we ought soonest to
follow. For Luke saith, "The Lord spake these words to his disciples."
Wherefore let it be out of all doubt that he spake them to us, which even
as we will be counted the successors and vicars of Christ's disciples, so
we be, if we be good dispensers and do our duty. He said these things
partly to