Part 43 (1/2)

As St. Paul doth write unto the Corinthes[629] plain, Our forefathers were under the cloud of darkness, And unto Christ's days did in the shadow remain; Yet were they not left, for of him they had promise All they received one spiritual feeding doubtless.

They drank of the rock which them to life refreshed, For one saving health, in Christ, all they confessed.

In the woman's seed was Adam first justified, So was faithful Noah, so was just Abraham; The faith in that seed in Moses forth multiplied, Likewise in David and Esaye[630] that after came, And in John Baptist, which shewed the very Lamb.

Though they so afar, yet all they had one justice One ma.s.s, as they call it, and in Christ one sacrifice.

A man cannot here to G.o.d do better service, Than on this to ground his faith and understanding.

For all the world's sin alone Christ payed the price, In his only death was man's life always resting, And not in will--works, nor yet in men's deserving, The light of our faith makes this thing evident, And not the practice of other experiment.

Where is now free will, which the hypocrites comment?

Whereby they report they may at their own pleasure Do good of themselves, though grace and faith be absent, And have good intents their madness with to measure.

The will of the flesh is proved here small treasure, And so is man's will, for the grace of G.o.d doth all.

More of this matter conclude hereafter we shall.

Thus endeth this tragedy or interlude, manifesting the chief promises of G.o.d unto Man by all ages in the old law, from the fall of Adam to the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Compiled by John Bayle. Anno Domini 1538.

APPENDIX A

”ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON”

A MODERN CORNISH CHRISTMAS PLAY

CHARACTERS

Saint George The Dragon Father Christmas The Doctor King of Egypt Turkish Knight The Giant Turpin

_Enter the Turkish Knight._

Open your doors, and let me in, I hope your favours I shall win; Whether I rise or whether I fall, I'll do my best to please you all.

St. George is here, and swears he will come in, And, if he does, I know he'll pierce my skin.

If you will not believe what I do say, Let Father Christmas come in--clear the way. [_Retires._

_Enter Father Christmas._

Here come I, old Father Christmas, Welcome, or welcome not, I hope old Father Christmas Will never be forgot.

I am not come here to laugh or to jeer, But for a pocketfull of money, and a skinfull of beer, If you will not believe what I do say, Come in, the King of Egypt!--clear the way!

_Enter the King of Egypt._

Here I, the King of Egypt, boldly do appear, St. George, St. George, walk in, my only son and heir.

Walk in, my son St. George, and boldly act thy part, That all the people here may see thy wond'rous art.

_Enter Saint George._

Here come I, St. George, from Britain did I spring, I'll fight the Dragon bold, my wonders to begin.

I'll clip his wings, he shall not fly; I'll cut him down, or else I die.

_Enter the Dragon._