Brethren, ye be come together this day, as far as I perceive, to hear of
great and weighty matters. Ye be come together to entreat of things that
most appertain to the commonwealth. This being thus, ye look, I am
assured, to hear of me, which am commanded to make as a preface this
exhortation, (albeit I am unlearned and far unworthy,) such things as
shall be much meet for this your assembly. I therefore, not only very
desirous to obey the commandment of our Primate, but also right greatly
coveting to serve and satisfy all your expectation; lo, briefly, and as
plainly as I can, will speak of matters both worthy to be heard in your
congregation, and also of such as best shall become mine office in this
place. That I may do this the more commodiously, I have taken that
notable sentence in which our Lord was not afraid to pronounce "the
children of this world to be much more prudent and politic than the
children of light in their generation." Neither will I be afraid,
trusting that he will aid and guide me to use this sentence, as a good
ground and foundation of all such things, as hereafter I shall speak of.

Now, I suppose that you see right well, being men of such learning, for
what purpose the Lord said this, and that ye have no need to be holpen
with any part of my labour in this thing. But yet, if ye will pardon me,
I will 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: