[96] As for al those fylthe doinges, Copland's edition.
[97] Shakespeare puts these words, with great humour, into the mouth of Dogberry, in "Much Ado about Nothing," A. 3, S. 8. Though the quartos and folios concur in this reading, the moderns uniformly read, He's a good man. N.B.—The old reading is restored by Mr Capell.
The author seems here to ridicule the blasphemous questions discussed by the schoolmen among the Papists in his time, as, Whether the Pope be God or man, or a mean betwixt both? &c. See Archbishop Whitgift's "Sermon before Queen Elizabeth." 1574. Sig. B 2.—Hawkins. [In Germany they have a similar saying at present, and it seems to be used in this sense: God is a good person, he lets things take their course.]
[98] Portous, the ancient name for a Breviary. Blount. Here it signifies the Bible.—Hawkins.
[99] You omitted, Copland's edition.
[100] Thynge, Copland's edition.
[101] Thought, Copland's edition.
[102] Where, Vele's edition.
[103] Wil, Copland's edition.
[104] The foole presumptious, Copland's edition.