rofessing himself to be in no wise like
unto him. So likewise it shall be necessary unto all men and women of
this world, not to ascribe unto themselves any goodness of themselves,
but all unto our Lord God, as shall appear hereafter, when this question
aforesaid, "Who art thou?" shall be moved unto them: not as the Pharisees
did unto St. John, of an evil purpose, but of a good and simple mind, as
may appear hereafter.

Now then, according to the preacher's mind, let every man and woman, of a
good and simple mind, contrary to the Pharisees' intent, ask this
question, "Who art thou?" This question must be moved to themselves,
what they be of themselves, on this fashion: "What art thou of thy only
and natural generation between father and mother, when thou camest into
this world? What substance, what virtue, what goodness art thou of, by
thyself?" Which question if thou rehearse oftentimes unto thyself, thou
shalt well perceive and understand how thou shalt make answer unto it;
which must be made on this wise: I am of myself, and by myself, coming
from my natural father and mother, the child of the ire and indignation
of God, the true inheritor of hell, a lump of sin, and working nothing of
myself but all towards hell, except I have better help of another than I
have of myself. Now we may see in what state we enter into this world,
that we be of ourselves the true and just inheritors of hell, the
children of the ire and indignation of Christ, working all towards hell,
whereby we deserve of ourselves perpetual damnation, by the right
judgment of God, and the true claim of ourselves; which unthrifty state
that we be born unto is come unto us for our own deserts, as proveth well
this example following:

Let it be admitted for the probation of this, that it might please the
king's grace now being to accept into his favour a mean man, of a simple
degree and birth, not born to any possession; whom the king's grace
favoureth, not because this person hath of himself deserved any such
favour, but that the king casteth this favour unto him of his own mere
motion and fantasy: and for because the king's grace will more declare
his favour unto him, he giveth unto this said man a thousand pounds in
lands, to him and his heirs, on this condition, that he shall take upon
him to be the chief captain and defender of his town of Calais, and to be
true and faithful to him in the custody of the same, against the
Frenchmen especially, ab