Answer to the Proud Challenge of a Counterset Catholic, Answer · Answer · Article 29
The 29. article conteyneth 8. demandes.
1 Let any Proteſtant in the worlde, proue vntounto me, that their church coulde rightly be called Catholike, which was ſo particular, that no man aliue coulde name a place where any ſuch church was.
WHy might not our Church, when it was moſt hidden, be as rightly called Catholike, as the Church of the Apoſtles, when it was ſo particular, that it was cōteined in the narrow bondes of Iury: for it is not called Catholike, becauſe it ſhoulde be eueryevery where, for that it neuer was nor ſhalbe: But becauſe that where ſo euer it be, in partes, it is one body of Chriſt. The Popiſh church is not in eueryevery parte of the worlde: For Mahomets ſect is in the greateſt parte. Many cuntries are Idolaters and the moſt parte of them that profeſſe the name of Chriſt, are not in the felowſhip of the Popiſh church: And whereas you ſaye: that no man aliue coulde name the place where it was, you make an impudent lye: For although it were vnknowen, to the Papiſtes, and enemies thereof, yet was it knowen to the true members therof. It was in Italie, whē Marſilius of Padua, preached: in France, when VValdo preached at Lyons, and there about. In England, when VVickliffe taught: in Bohemia, when Iohn Hus, and Ieronyme of Prage did floriſhe.
2 Or that it might be called holy, which neuer had Baptiſme, or other ſacramentes, to ſanctifie any of her followers withall.
IT had the ſpirite of God to ſanctifie the true members of it, and it had ſacramentes to teſtifie the ſame: Alſo did not the Bohemians baptiſe: Were not pauperes de Lugduno baptiſed? &c. But if you count their Baptiſme no Baptiſme, why did you not rebaptize in Queene Maries time, all thoſe that were baptized by our Church in King Edwards time?
3 Or that it ſhould be one, which as ſoone as it grew vp in the world, was diuided into ſo many ſundry ſectes.
NOne of vsus will graunt you, that our Church began firſt to grow, when it was laſt brought to light, and knowledge of the world: for it hath continued euen ſince Chriſt. But if there aroſe, or were renewed many hereſies, with it, that is no new matter, but an olde practiſe of the deuill. For as ſoone as the Church of Chriſt beganne to grow vp after his aſcenſion, euen in the Apoſtles time, there were many ſectes and hereſies, As the Iewes that mainteyned the lawe, they that denyed the Reſurrection among the Corinthians Hymenaeus and Philetus, Simon Magus, Cerinthus, Ebion, Marcion, Baſilides, Valentinus, Carpocrates, &c. So that there were many more hereſies, at the firſt preaching of the Goſpell, in, and immediatly after, the Apoſtles time, then at the laſt reſtoring of the publike preaching therof vntounto the worlde in our dayes: And yet the Apoſtolike Church was one Church, and ſo is ours at this day one and the ſame.
4 Or that it might be called Apoſtolike, which could neuer coūt by orderly ſuceſſion from any Apoſtle, or Apostolike man.
YOu are neuer able to anſwere the arguments that are brought to proue that Peter was neuer Biſhoppe at Rome. And then where is all your braggs of Apoſtolike ſea, and ſucceſſion, &c. But be it that Peter was there, except you proue ſucceſſion of doctrine and faith as wel as ſucceſſion of men, your ſucceſſiō is not worth a ſtraw. And our Church, which holdeth all the doctrine of the Apoſtles, and none other but the doctrine of the Apoſtles, ſhall be truely called, and founde, the Apoſtolike Church, when your with all her ſucceſſion of Antichriſtes whore, whoremongers, heretikes, Sodomites, blaſphemers, coniurers, &c. ſhabe Apoſtaticall, rather than Apoſtolicall.
5 Or the ſecret, baſe, contemptible, defaced, and diſordered Congregation, was euer of that maieſtie, that it might require the obedience of all Nations.
HOw baſe, and contemptible ſoeuer it be, in the eyes of the wicked deſpiſers of it: yet did it not only require, but alſo ſubdue all nations to the obedience of the Faith, ſo many as were euer ſubdued, in the dayes of the firſt Chriſtian Emperors, and before. And ſence, when it was moſt defaced by the tyrannie of Antichriſt, it was of ſuch maieſtie, that it both required and obteined the obedience of the realme of Bohemia, and in proceſſe of time, hath obteined the obedience of almoſt all the nations of Europe. If the churche of Rome reteine the like maieſtie, why doth it not now, requier the like obedience of all nations, both Chriſtians and Turkes. you will ſaye: It requireth, but it can not obteine. Euen ſo, I aunſwere of our Church, it hath alwayes bene worthy to requier: but it hath not pleaſed God, that it ſhoulde alwaies obteine.
6 Or that it was euer able to gather generall Councels.
THe foure beſt generall Councells were gathered by our Church, and the Emperors, that were defenders of the ſame, and not by the byſhops of Rome. Neither were they Preſidentes in them, as it is manifeſt, that other men were Authors of the Canons, or diſtinctions: As of the Nicene, Alexander Biſhop of Conſtantinople of the Conſtantinopolitane. Nectarius byſhop of the Epheſine. Cyrillus byſhop of Alexandria of the Chalcedonenſe. Anatolius of Conſtantinople &c. and in other generall Councells where the biſhop of Rome was preſident, I aunſwere as Iohn Patriarche of Antioche did, in the Councell of Baſile, his preſidence was: Honoraria ad beneplacitum Concilij eis data: non authoritatiua, niſi ex conceſſione aut permiſſione habente vim conceſſionis aut ex tolerantia, that is: For honor ſake graunted to them ſo long as it ſhoulde pleaſe the Councell, and not of authority but either by graunt or permiſſion being of the force of a graunt or els of ſufferance. And I conclude as he doth, the Pope was neuer Preſident either of honor, or of authority, but by the graunt or permiſſion of the Councell. And how is the Popiſh church able to gather general Councells at this daye? who will come at her calling? Except a few Spaniardes, and a ioly company of buckram biſhops of Italie? generall Councells of all the worlde, can neuer be gathered, but either whē there is a Monarchie, or els (which is not to be looked for) that all the Princes of the worlde, will conſent together.
7 Or exerciſe Diſcipline.
BEcauſe this demande hath bene aunſwered ſo often before, I will ſaye the leſſe nowe. The free courſe of diſcipline, in time of perſecution may be hindred: As it was in S. Cyprians time, when the members of the Church be diſperſed: but the power of diſcipline, hath alwayes remained, and when occaſion ſerued, bene executed: As the Bohemians, excommunicated the Adamites, and the ciuill Magiſtrates puniſhed them by the ſworde.
8 Or that theſe names, proper by ſcripture and Doctors of the true Church, coulde be euer chalenged, by any right to their ſaide Congregation.
AS many of theſe names as are proper to the Church by ſcripture, or Doctors agreeing, with ſcripture, hauehave bene alwayes iuſtly chalenged of right to perteine to our Church and Congregation.
I meane theſe:
1 Corpus Chriſti.
OVr Church doth rightly chalenge, to be the body of Chriſt, which acknowledgeth Chriſt to be her only head, Sauiour, Redeemer, Prieſt, King, Interceſſor. &c. The Popiſhe church can not chalenge this name, becauſe ſhe doth not acknowledge Chriſt to be theeſe only and wholly.
2 Sponſa Chriſti.
THe ſpouſe of Chriſt, heareth the voice of Chriſt, and is ruled thereby, ſo doth our Church, therefore ſhe is ſpouſe of Chriſt. But the Romiſh church goeth a whoringe after her owne inuentions, committeth groſſe idolatry, and will in no wiſe be ruled only by the voice of Chriſt, there ſhe is not the ſpouſe of Chriſt.
3 Vinci dilecta Chriſto.
HOwe tenderly Chriſt loueth his Church, the true members thereof, which hauehave receiued the firſt frutes of his ſpirit, do better vnderſtand in hart thā can be expreſſed with words, & howe he abhorreth the whore of Babylon the Romiſhe Synagoge, the Scripture doth plentifully declare.
4 Columba ſpecioſa.
OVr Church, expreſſing the ſimplicitie of a fayer doue, may iuſtly chalenge this name: But the Babylonicall Strompet your church, in crafte and ſubtilitie, is more like a foxe than a doue.
5 Domus Dei.
THe true Church, in which we are, is the houſe or familie of God, which he gouerneth by his ſtewardes, the ſincere preachers of his word. The popiſh church is the Synagoge of Satan, where the preaching of God his word is deſpiſed, and the word it ſelfe, made ſubiect to mens determinations and authorities.
6 Columna veritatis.
SAinct Paule by this title doth admoniſh Paſtors, and Preachers, how great a burthen and charge they ſuſteyne, that the truth of the Goſpell can not be continued in the world, but by their miniſterie in ye church of God, which is the piller and ſtay of truth, this their duety true preachers conſidering, are diligent in their calling to ſet forth the Goſpell and to preach the truth. But the popiſh church, which is not the vpholder, and mainteyner, but the ouerthrower & oppreſſor of the truth, compelling it to giuegive place to falſhood and error, can by no equitie chalenge this name, to be called the piller and ſtay of truth, but rather of falſhood and lyes.
7 Ciuitas Dei.
OVr Church is the citie of God, builded vponupon the foundations of the Patriarkes, Prophets, and Apoſtles, Ieſus Chriſt being the head corner ſtone: ruled by the lawes of God onelyonly, reteyning that forme of regiment and common wealth, that Chriſt him ſelfe hath preſcribed. The Church of Antichriſt, is founded vppon ſeuen hilles, Apoc. 17. vponupon the traditions, dreames, phantaſies, and deuiſes of men, refuſeth to be ruled onelyonly by the lawes of God, hath cleane altered and changed the forme of regiment preſcribed by God, & ſet vp an other, full of Antichriſtian pride, crueltie, and tyrannie. Therefore in no wiſe may be called the citie of God, But Babylon the mother of fornication, Sodoma and Egypt, where our Lord is daily crucified in his members.
8 Ciuitas ſupra montem poſita.
THis ſaying of our Sauiour Chriſt in the 5. of Mathew, is not properly meant of the Church, but of the Apoſtles & their ſucceſſors the miniſters of ye Church, euen as theſe ſayinges: You are the ſalte of the earth, you are the light of the worlde, A citie builded vppon an hill can not be hidden, neither is a candle lighted to be ſet vnderunder a buſhell. By which wordes, he teacheth them aboue all other men, to looke diligently to their life and conuerſation: for as they excell in place and dignitie, ſo the eyes of all men are ſet vppon them. As a citie builded vppon an hill, muſt needes be ſeene of all them that come neare it, ſo they being placed in ſo high an office and dignitie ſhall be noted and marked aboue all other men. As a candle is not lighted but to be ſet on a candleſticke & to giuegive light vntounto all them that come into the houſe, euen ſo a Miniſter and P…cher of God his word is not ordeyned for any other ende but that he ſhould ſhine before men in true doctrine and good maners. Hereby it appeareth how fondly ſome Papiſts would ſeeme to proue out of this place that the Church muſt alwayes be viſible, when the wordes are not applyed to the Church, but to the miniſters thereof, I know ſome of the doctors expound this place otherwiſe, but the context of the wordes doth plainely confute their error.
9 Hortus concluſus.
AS a gardē or orchard walled in or incloſed with hedges, is more eſtemed of the owner, thē great broad fieldes, and the trees and flowers that growe therein are preſerued and kept more ſafely, then ſuch as are wilde and grow abroad, right ſo the Church of Chriſt ſeuered from the reſt of ye world, though it be ſmall in compaſſe, yet is it more eſtemed of him then all the world beſide. But the Church of Rome, which will not be encloſed with the walls or hedges of God his word, but wandreth at large after her owne inuentions, can not be called the incloſed garden of Chriſt.
10 Fons ſignatus,
THe true Church of Chriſt is alſo compared to a ſpring or founteine, which is ſhutte in or ſealed vppe from the prophane waters of worldly vanities, miniſtring the water of life to all the children of God. But as for the popiſh church, which iſhueth out of the bottomles lake, is a ſtincking puddle of all falſe doctrine and hereſie, whereof the whore beareth a cupp full. Apoc. 17. out of which all nations hauehave dronk, Apoc. 18. So farre is it, that ſhe ſhould be a well, ſealed vp by Chriſt.
11 Sponſa Agni.
THe deſcription of the Spouſe of the Lambe, ſet forth in S. Iohns Reuelation, doth in all pointes moſt aptly agree vntounto our holy Church and congregation. But the popiſh church, which is not content to be clothed in that white ſhining ſilke, which is the Iuſtificatiō of Saincts made white in the blood of the Lambe, but with the filthy ragges of mans righteouſnes, Eſay 64. is no Spouſe of Chriſt, but the darling of the deuill.
12 Mulier amicta Sole.
NO place in all the ſcripture doth more plainely ſet forth the eſtate of our Church than this 12. of the Apocalyps. She is clothed with the ſunne of righteouſneſſe Ieſus Chriſt, which is her bewtie. She treadeth vnderunder her feete, the Moone of mutabilitie, changeableneſſe, and inconſtancie, ſhe is crowned with 12. ſtarres, which is the doctrine of the 12. Apoſtles, the worde of God. She is alwaies fruitefull, and perſecuted by the deuill and his members, but yet by Chriſt defended, protected, and prouided for in all daungers and aduerſities. But the church of Rome, is that whore of Babylon clothed in purple and ſcarlet, golde, precious ſtones, and perles, deſcribed Apoc. 17. ſitting vponupon the beaſt with ſeuen heades, which are the ſeuen hilles, and is the great cytie that had dominion ouer the kinges of the earth.
13 Habitatio fratrum in vnum.
ALthough this ſaying be not proper nor peculiar vntounto the Church onelyonly, but common to eueryevery ſocietie and fellowſhip of men that continue in godly vnity, yet doth it moſt aptly agree vntounto our Church, which holdeth one vnity of doctrine, faith, and religion of Chriſt. But the Popiſh church how ſo euer it bragge of vnity, becauſe their agreement is not in verity, can not be that cohabitation of brethren, which the Pſalmiſt doth ſo highely commende.
14 Mons Dei mons pinguis.
THe hill which Dauid ſo extolleth Pſal. 68. is the mount Zyon, which though it be ſmall, yet it excelleth the high and frutefull hill of Baſan, becauſe God had choſen it to place his tabernacle therupon: euen ſo the church of Chriſt, though it ſurmount not ouer kingdomes in worldly dignities and commodities, yet to ſuch as Dauid was, the litle hill of Zyon is more worth, than all the ſeuen hilles of Rome.
15 Sacra anchora.
IN all the Scripture the Church is not compared to an holy Anchore, but in the ſixt to the Hebrues Fayth in God his promiſes, is compared vntounto a ſure & ſtedfaſt Anchore of our ſoules, vponupon which Faith ſeeing our Church is builded we may truely ſay that in our Church only is this ſure anchore, which the popiſh church doth ſo much deſpiſe that ſhe counted it hereſie for vsus to flie vntounto Fayth, tanquans ad ſacram anchoram, that is: As to our only ſure refuge.
16 Vinea Domini.
THe Vineyard of the Lorde is of his owne plantinge, dreſſed & tilled by ſuch husbandmen, as he hath placed in it, which will yeelde him frute in time conuenient. This agreeth aptly vntounto our Church, which alloweth no plant, but ſuch as is planted by our heauenly Father. This Vineyarde cā not the popiſh church be compted, which plucketh vppe the vines planted by God, and in the ſteede of them ſetteth thornes and thiſtles after the deuiſes of men.
17 Terra viuentium.
THe land of the lyuing in ſcripture ſignifieth this preſent life, as: I truſted to ſee the goodneſſe of the Lorde in the lande of the lyuing. that is: Although I was neare death, yet I beleued that God woulde preſerue me in this life Pſal. 27. And vntounto Doeg, he ſayeth: Pſal. 52. God ſhall deſtroy thy roote out of the lande of the lyuing. that is: Out of this life. Alſo Ezechias, in his pſalme. Eſay. 38. I ſhall not ſee the Lorde, euen the Lorde in the lande of the lyuing. that is: I ſhall no more praiſe God in his temple here in this life. And when you ſhall bring forth a place of ſcripture where it is proprely applied vntounto the church, it ſhalbe an eaſie matter to proue that we onelyonly are the liuely members of Chriſt, which abide in his body receuing all benefites of life from him which is our heade: And eaſie it wilbe to proue that you are the lande of the deade men, which are ſtrangers from the life of God Epheſ. 4. which are aliue in this worlde and not deade vntounto Chriſt.
18 Regina in veſtitu deaurato circundata varietatibus.
ALthough this ſaying alleaged out of the 45. Pſalme, be figuratiuely ment of the church, as it is literaly ſpoken of Pharaos doughter whom Solomon maried: yet being alleaged not after the trueth of the Hebrue but after the error of the olde tranſlation, I will not interprete it contrarie to my conſcience (as S. Ieronym fayeth) according to that corrupt verſion but according to the trueth of the text, which is: The Queene in a garment of golde of Ophir, As for compaſſing with varieties, it is not in the text. By this figure the ſpirituall magnificence of the church of Chriſt gathered of the Gentiles is ſet forth vntounto vsus, and therefore let not the Papiſtes dreame that material golde is the ornament of Chriſt his ſpouſe, but as it is before ſayed, of the whore of Babylon.
19 Eccleſia magna.
20 Populus grauis.
DAuid in the 35. Pſalme promiſeth that he will geue thankes vntounto God after his deliuerance, in a great companie and ſolemne aſſemblie of people, ſuch as was wont to come together at the holy meetings in the Sanctuarie. This is the true and the ſimple meaning of this text. And it were to violent an interpretation to inforce it to be a propheſie of the church of Chriſt, although it be true that the church is a great congregation and a mighty people, yet remembring therewith that in comparizon of all the worlde it is as Chriſt him ſelfe calleth it: A litle Flocke.
21 Archa Noe.
IN the Arch of Noe, as S. Peter teſtifieth 1. Pet. 3. but a fewe, namely 8. ſoules were ſaued in the water, euen as many as were obedient vntounto the voice of God, the whole worlde beſide were drowned. Wherefore how fewe ſoeuer we be: As the Papiſtes ſay we are not many, ſo long as we obey the voice of God, we doubt not but we ſhalbe ſaued in the Arch. And the Papiſtes with all their vniuerſality and multitude, deſpiſing the lawe of God, ſhall periſhe with the wicked worlde.
22 Tabernaculum altiſſimi.
THe old Tabernacle was a figure of the true Church, and we know that none ſhall dwell therein but ſuch as be deſcribed in the Pſal. 15. Therefore let the Papiſtes bragge as long as they liſt of the Tabernacle of the higheſt, yet ſhall they not dwell there, neither ſhall they reſt in his holy hill, becauſe they be not indued with ſuch vertues, ſpringing of true, and a liuely faith: As in that Pſalme be ſet forth.
23 Ager & area Dei.
THe church is the feelde and flower of God, in his feelde he ſoweth none but good ſeede, & the chaffe ſhalbe purged from his flower. The Papiſtes are ſome of theſe tares, whome the enuious man hath ſowed while men were a ſleepe, and the chaffe, which after it be purged from the corne together with the tares ſhalbe burned in the vnquencheable fire.
24 Mater fidelium.
IEruſalem that is from aboue is free, which is the mother of vsus all, which embrace Ieſus Chriſt as our onelyonly Redemer from the bondage and curſe of the lawe. As for that ſteppe mother of Rome which bringeth men into captiuitie through ceremonies and traditions of men: Begetteth vntounto bondage as Agar did, and is become the mother, not of the faithfull, but of abhominable fornication Apocalip. 17.
25 Nutrix Chriſtianorum.
THe church of Chriſt is the Nurſe of Chriſtiās, which bringeth them vp and feedeth them firſt with milke, and afterwarde with ſtronger meates according as they are able to receue it 1. Cor. 3. Heb. 6. But Rome, which feedeth her babes with poyſon of mans traditions in ſteede of the milke of God his word, & will rather ſee them famiſh than they ſhoulde taſte of God his worde, maye well be a nurſe of Antichriſtians, but neuer did good vntounto Chriſtians.
26 Eccleſia orthodoxa.
TRue opinions are confirmed out of the worde of trueth, wherefore our church which holdeth no doctrine, but ſuch as is tried by the worde of truth moſt truly may be called the true beleuing church. Contrarywiſe, the Popiſh church which ſo manifeſtly diſſenteth from the worde of trueth that ſhe dare not be iudged thereby, but moſt blaſphemouſly ſubmitteth the ſame to her corrupt and falſe iudgement, maye iuſtly be called a falſe beleeuing church.
27 Vna, Sancta, Catholica.
28 Apoſtolica.
THis hath bene often proued before: And namely in the firſt, ſecond, third, and fourth demandes of this laſt Article.
29 Vxor de latere Chriſti ſicut Eua de latere Adam.
AS S. Auguſtine ſayeth: The church of Chriſt is taken out of his ſide: as Eue was out of Adams ſide, which ſo long as ſhe obeyeth the voice of her busbande, is not deceiued by the ſerpēt: But if ſhe be abſent from him, that ſhe be not inſtructed by him, ſhe is deceiued by heretikes Auguſti. De Geneſ. contra Manichaeos libro. 2. cap. 24. & 26. by which place of Auguſtine it is proued that the Church may erre, if ſhe be not ruled by the worde of God.
30 Domus Pacis.
THe church may be called the houſe of Peace, becauſe there is in it Peace and agreement in the cheefeſt Articles of the Faith, or becauſe in it is taught vsus the Peace and reconciliation wrought by Chriſt, whereby we knowing that we are iuſtified by faith, hauehave peace with God. Rom. 5. But neither of theſe Peaces are in the church of Rome: for there is diſſention in doctrine and their doctrine diſſenteth from the truth: as for the peace of conſcience is altogether vnknowen vntounto Papiſtes, euen as the iuſtification of Faith, by which onelyonly it is obteined.
31 Domus Refugij.
THe houſe of Refuge or defence may alſo be applied to the Church, out of which is no ſaluation: And in whoſe boſome it becōmeth eueryevery man to reſt, which ſhall looke for the refuge and defence of God. But God forbidde that any man ſhould ſeeke for refuge or helpe at your church, which muſt be ouerthrowen with ſuch violence as a great mylſtone that is caſt into the Sea, and ſhalbe founde no more Apoc. 18.
32 Domus Veritatis.
AS our church is the piller and ſtaie of trueth, ſo is ſhe alſo the houſe of Trueth, which knoweth nothing but him that is the Trueth it ſelfe Ieſus Chriſt and his moſt holy Scripture: In which this trueth is ſigned and teſtified. But your Synagoge is the houſe of lyes, where beſide mens doctrines and traditions which are nothing but lyes, there be alſo leaden legendes of lyes, Promptuaries of lyes, Feſtiuals of lyes, and other infinite bookes of lyes.
33 Societas Sanctorum.
HOw ſhoulde not our Church be the ſocietie and fellowſhip of Sainctes, which is ſanctified and purged by the bloode of Chriſt, which hath receiued the ſpirite of ſanctification, by which we crie: Abba, Father, which is guided and gouerned by the moſt ſacred and holy worde of God. And how can the Popiſh church be the fellowſhip of Sainctes, when ſhe refuſeth the ſanctification of Chriſt his one oblation and ſacrifice, as ſufficient to make them perfect, which ſcorneth at the ſpirite of ſanctification, which can abide any thing, rather than to be directed onelyonly by God his holy worde: Finally which acknowledgeth no ſainctes, but ſuch as the moſt vnholy Pope, for money doth canonize and make ſainctes.
Proue vntounto me therefore that theſe excellent and propre callinges, can agree to any diſordered companie or Congregation, or to any vnknowen ſociety of men: but onelyonly to the true Church of Chriſt ſpred throughout the whole worlde by Chriſtes his promiſe, and by vertue of his ſpirit, continued in truth and grace from falſhood ſence Chriſtes time, and I recant.
AS many of theſe excellent names, as in the worde of God, or the doctors agreeing with the worde of God, are propre or perteyning to the true Church of Chriſt, ſo many hauehave I proued to be propre and perteyning to our moſt holy and well ordered Congregatiō. And moreouer that they can in no wiſe be rightly applied to that moſt abhominable, Idolatrous, and diſordered Synagoge of Rome, which is vtterly departed from the faith, geuing heede to ſpirites of error, and doctrines of deuills, being ſo liuely painted forth and euen pointed fotth by the ſcripture to be that Antichriſtian church, whereof the holy Ghoſt propheſieth, that no man, except he will wilfully be blinde, can be ignorant thereof, ſo that if you be not ſtarke blinde, and geuen vp into a reprobate ſence, when you conſider theſe thinges you will recant.
Let any man therefore aliue anſwer directly and plainly without colour or fraude of wordes and vnprofitable digreſſions to the foreſayd or any of the foreſayd demandes, and I ſhall willingly leaue the knowne Church & playne way of Saluation, and wander in the woodes to ſeeke after them, and their congregation.
IF you had not added this concluſion, we might hauehave conceaued ſome hope, that vponupon further inſtruction in ſuch matters as troubled your conſcience you would hauehave ben contented to be reformed after God his worde, and good counſell. But now you declare that you are ſo obſtinatly bent that what ſo euer be proued againſt you, you will not receiue it as truth but yeld vntounto it perforce. As for me, Although I know there are very many which with more learning and eloquence coulde hauehave aunſwered your demandes, yet being ſuch as they are, I ſubmitte my ſelfe to the iudgement of all them, that be learned and godly minded, whether I hauehave not directly and plainely, without colour or fraude of wordes, & without all digreſſion aunſwered the ſame, ſo that I doubt not, but as many as are tractable, and ſtayed vponupon theſe doubtes onelyonly, may be fully perſwaded by theſe not very long and yet ſufficient Anſwers.
THE ENDE.
End of the text · William Fulke, Answer to the Proud Challenge of a Counterset Catholic (1577)