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 heirs also lost it by him and in him.
So now this example proveth, that by our father Adam we had once in him
the very inheritance of everlasting joy; and by him, and in him, again we
lost the same.
The heirs of the captain of Calais could not by any manner of claim ask
of the king the right and title of their father in the thousand pounds of
possessions, by reason the king might answer and say unto them, that
although their father deserved not of himself to enjoy so great
possessions, yet he deserved by himself to lose them, and greater,
committing so high treason, as he did, against his prince's commandments;
whereby he had no wrong to lose his title, but was unworthy to have the
same, and had therein true justice.
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