A Disclosing or Opening of the Man of Sin, Book 1 – Book 2
▪ A dyſcloſynge or openynge of the Manne of ſynne, Cō taynynge a iuſt reproche of the deuylyſhe declaration of Boner, or the newe profeſſyon of Tolwyn to the antichriſt of Rome. And thys is therof the fyrſt fytte.
¶ The dyſcloſynge.
HAd thys byſſhopp bene ſent vntounto vsus in maſſage from God the euerlaſtyngeIoan. 1. Lucae. 3. Math. 28. Marci. 6. Roma. 1. father as was Iohā Baptiſt, we had had of hym the preachīge of repentaū ce for ſynne. Had he bene dyrected from hys eternall ſonne Ieſus chriſt as were the meke ſpreted apoſtoles, we ſchuld hauehave receyued af hym the Ioyfull tydynges of ſaluacyon in hys bleſſed deathe and paſſion. Had he bene a true mynyſtre of that vndefyled churche whych is alone gouerned1. Pet. 4. Prouer. 9. …. Cor. 2. Apoc. 9. Math. 12. 2. Theſ. 2. 2. Theſ. 2. by Chriſtes onlye worde, he had brought to Paules croſſe the wholſom doctrine of faythe accordynge to that Chriſten offyce. But as one ſhaken out of antichriſtesneſt, he hath mynyſtred here frutes lyke hymſelfe. Euen lyke the verie manne of ſynne, or like him which hath no maner of godlye ſprete, neyther of wiſdome, vnderſtandynge, coūſell, ſtrē gthe, knowlege, pyte, nor yet of the trueEſa. 11. Gala. 5. Apoc. 13. Marci. 3. Ioan. 19. feare of God, as Eſaye doth reherſe thē. I thynke verylye he is that two horned beaſt which Chriſt ſhewed vntounto Iohan boanerges hys dearlye beloued Apoſtle in myſterye, that ſchuld ryſe out of the earthe. For here he ſpeaketh peruerſe thynges and blaſphemies as it is ſeyd that beaſt ſchuld do. He hath ij hornes like the lābes at a bluſhe, as that beaſt ſchuld hauehaveA ryght deſcripcy on of Boner out of the apoc. for they are alſo coūterfett. The .ij. prycketes of hys myter (his chaplaynes ſayth) betokeneth the .ij. teſtamentes, which manyfeſtlye proueth him to be the ſame. He compelleth here the worldlye multytude to worſhip the firſt beaſt, lyke as thatThe workes of a ryght antichriſt. beaſt ſchuld do. He ſemeth to fatche fyre from heauen in mēnys ſyght, he ſeduceth the dwellers vponupon earthe, he incorageth aſeheades that of late years were dumme dodypols, as are Standyſhe, huntyngtō,dyrt dawbers of …rokē Babylon. and ſoche other more, and he ſleeth them that wyll not do homage to the fyrſt beaſtes Image as that beaſt ſchuld do, ād ther for he ſemeth to be the ſame. Though he be not that whole beaſt (for that it vniuerſallye extendeth to all the ſpūall promoters of Idolatrye in the popes kyngedome)The promoters of Idolatrie. yet hath he a great porcyon therin. The maſſage that he here bryngeth and the lyerninge that he here vttereth might come frō the deuyll wele ynough, for anyBoners declaracyon is a maſſage frō Sathan. goodneſſe is in it. And therfor lete hi ſtande forth here hardelye, and tell hys owne tale. I thynke by that time ye hauehave throughlye harde it hauynge alwayes recourſe to the ſcripturs, ye will ſaie in this matter as I do.
¶ The manne of ſynne.
¶ 1 Here begynneth the declaracyō made. 2. the forth ſond…ye in aduent 3. the yeare of owr lorde God a thou ſande / fyue houdreth and .xli. 4. by maſter Vvyllyam Tolwyn perſone of ſaynt Antonynes. 5. in the cyte of London.
Hys dyſcloſynge.
NOn other is thys declaratiō (good Chriſten Reader) yf thu dyligentlye marke it and waye it a ryght,A newe profeſſyō to Antichriſt. but a newe profeſſyon to the Antichriſt of Rome and his olde ruſtye rewles▪ hys onlye name ſuppreſſed. Neceſſarye it is for the Chriſtē traueler whych walketh here betwixt fyre and water, lyght andEccle. 15. Herem. 2. 1. Ioan. 4. 1. Theſ. 5. Ioan. 5. darkeneſſe, good and yll, life and deathe to trye all ſpretes, ād to proue all beleues by the rewles of faythe, whether they be godlye or naye. And to that ende were the holy ſcripturs firſt geuē vsus of owr eternall God, and are made now open vntounto vsus by the ſprete of hys onlye ſonne Ieſus Chriſt, whych are herin and in all ſoche deuylyſhe dottages nedefull to bePro. 30. Eſa. 52. Oſee. 10. Math. 7. folowed yf we couete with thē ſaluacyon. For with the falſe Prophetes ſchall the ſeduced multitude periſhe as the chyldren with ther mother ād the frute with ther tre yf they take not the lordes aduertyſementes. 2. Vve will not greatlye ſtryue with my lorde Boner here of Londō Iewyſhe rytes not yet abolyſhed.for the name of the daye▪ whervpon the ſeyd newe profeſſiō was made by cōpulſiō, though it be ſumwhat Iewyſhe. For neyther is it in owr power to change it in other, nor yet to commaunde it not ſo to be obſerued, though we in owr owne conſcyence accordinge to the doctrine ofColo. 2. Lucae. 17. Gala.. 4. ſaynt Paule, obſerue neyther dayes nor monethes, tymes nor years in bondage, leaſt we turnyng agayne to beggerly tradicyons and lowſye cuſtomes ſchuld hauehave of chriſt no profyght. This we ſpeake for my lordes forth ſonday of aduent or commynge of Chriſt. Vvherin we loke not now for hys cōmynge agayne withThe papyſtes loke for chriſt with the iewes ād hipocrites the iewes, nor yet thynke to receyue him in outwarde ſhaddowes with the hypocrytes more vponupon one daye than vponupon an other. But we beleue to hauehave hym wythin vsus at all tymes. And as the true worſhyppers, by hym to worſhypp the father in ſprete and in verite. For whye,1. Cor. 6. Ioan. …. Ioan. 15. without hym we can do nothynge. So perfyght muſt owr faythe betherfor that he maye dwell preſentlye with vsus, and not now be thought commynge towarde vsus, yf we be of God. For we ſchuld1. Cor. 3. Hebr. 5. now be no babes in Chriſt hauynge hys godlye, doctrine of ſaluacyon ſo longe tyme amonge vsus. 3. Thys declaratyon ſchuld be made by this preſent euidence, in the yeare of owr lorde God a thouſande, fyue hondreth, and .xli. which yeareantichriſt loketh ſtil to regne i the conſcience. ſemeth in thys acte and ſoche other lyke, to be rather of the peſtylēt regne and peruerſe dominacyon of my lorde of londō vnderunder hys moſt holy father of Rome the great god of the earthe, patriarke of purgatorye, ād porter of hell, thā of the eternall lyuynge God, he ſo cruellye exacting… ſoche a ſhamefull profeſſiō and abhomynableAll this is ſtyl to ma ynteyne ther vayne glorye othe as thys is here. For in thys proceſſe is not his glorie ſought, but ther vayne glorye, pryde, and glotonouſe co…etouſneſe. 4. Of the poore ſymple man ne, called here in ſcorne maſter Vvyllyā Tolwyn, perſone of ſait Antonines was thys open promes to the deuyls obedience moſt tyrannouſlye coacted by the verye ſatellyte of Sathan. 5. In the famouſeThe captyuyte of cō ſci…ce paſſeth all other. cyte of London at Paules croſſe, to the great dyſhonour and ſeruytute of ſo noble a cyte to hauehave ſoche a ſhameleſſe anti chriſt for ther byſſhopp as geueth no better frutes. Now foloweth in courſe the ſeyd declaration.
¶ The manne of ſynne▪
¶ … Good peple / ſo yt ie / that I wyl lyā Tolwin. 2 maſter af arte and 3 perſone of ſaynt Antonynes within thys. 4. cyte and dyoceſe of Londō. 5 hauehave bene lawfully donounced / detected / and peeſented to my lorde byſſhopp of London / that I hauehave bene and ama manne vehementlye ſuſpected / noted / and infamed of herety / call. 6. and ſedicyouſe opynyons age ynſt. 7. the catholyke faythe of owr holye mothethe churche.
Hys dyſcloſynge.
A… Craftye cuſtome hath the wylye foxe of wanton playe and dallyaunce, whan he myndeth to optayne a praye, which my lorde Boner of lō don vſeth here as one verye ſubtyle inEzech. 13. Lucae. 16. Sopho. 3. Proue. 11. Pſal. 37. hys woluyſhe generacion. Vvith gloſinge wordes and flatteringe ſpeche he faw neth vponupon the peple by thys poore ſymple ſowle, callynge them good, as the falſe pharyſeded Chriſt for a wycked purpoſe. But neceſſarye it is after the godlyeMath. 19. Lucae. 18. Colo. 2. counſell of Salomon, not to geue a rydie eare vntounto flatterers, but rather with Eſaye to thynke they mynde deceyt towardes vsus which calleth vsus good. If the pepleProuer. 1. Eſa. 3. Sap 13. be good (as I am certayne and ſure they are ſo manye as hath thankefullye receyued Gods worde) great pyte it is ther goodneſſe ſchuld be diſtayned withEccle. 29. Rom. 8. 1. Tim. 4. ſo vnwholſom councell of deuilyſheneſſe in hypocreſye as herin is contayned. 2. He that was ſett forth to declare thys doctrine, is a maſter of arte here noted. A tyttle it is mete for ſoche lowſye lernige as this is. To ſubtilte and craft are they cō pelledPro. 16. 2. Tim. 4. 2. Pet. 2. to rōne, which hath not gods worde vpō ther ſyde. For no diſprayſe of lernynge nor yet of the poore māne be thys ſooken, whom my lorde of Londō thus cruellye enforceth to ſtande forth in theſe colours. 3. He is alſo here noted to be perſone of ſaynt Antonynes within theSubiectes are mēnebecōe vntounto Idols. cyte and dioceſe of London, to make the matter more gloryouſe. Sure we are that the ſaynt Antonyne which there dwelleth is a prophane beaſtlye, Idoll, and ſo are all they that ſtande vp in tabernacles within hys temple. To be the vycegerēt, or to repreſent the perſone of ſoche an Idoll, is non other (I ſuppoſe) thā to be anDani. 14, Zacha. 11. Ezech. 34 Idoll in dede. For, an Idoll doth zacharye call that ſheparde, whych doynge Idoll ſeruyce, omytteth to fede hys flocke with the trewe lawes of god. Vvherfor I wyſhe the ſeyd poore mā no longar to be vnderunder ſoche tyttles and offyces, as canOſee. 11. Sopho. 1. ne not be vſed without daunger of ſowle. 4. To be a cytezen of London is no more harme before God than it is to be a dweller in any other quarter of the worlde. But to be of the dioceſe is to be a memberMath. 23. Apoc. 13. of antichriſtes kyngedome whych is moche worſe in dede. 5. Non other hath denounced hym of errours, detected him of hereſye, and preſented hym to my lorde byſſhoppe of London for a ſedicious1. Cor. 6. Ephe. 5. Apo. 21. perſone, but ther owne fylthye frye, the curſed generacyon of Idolatours, whore mongars, extorcioners, and epycures. Of renon other for the trewthes ſake hath he bene vehementlye ſuſpected, noted, and infamed, to be a fauourer, furderer, and receyuer of heretykes as they call them, than was Chriſt and hys Apoſtles, withLucae. 23. Ioan. 7. Act. 24. all ſoche lyke abiectes of thys worlde. 6. Sedicious muſt he be noted that hath opinyons ageynſt the falſe faythe of ther whoriſhe mother the churche of ātichriſt the ſtrompe…t of babylon, the roſe colouredHere. 3. Apo. 17. harlot… with the cuppe of all fylthye abhominacyons, daylye dronken with the bloude of the wytneſſes of Ieſu. He ſchuld not els be the ſeruaūt, maſſenger,Math. 10. Ioan. 15. Marci. 13. nor yet a iuſt folower of his maſter. Neyther ſchuld the worde of God els be founde trewe, nomore than is the tale or fable of a ſynner. By non other token is the trewe churche of Chriſt knowne from the falſe and cownterfett ſynagoge, but by perſecucyon for ryghtouſneſſeMathr 5. Ioan. 13. Lucae. 6. ſake. For hys churche ys euermore as he was, hated, blaſphemed, vexed, trobled, ſcorned, dyſdayned, accuſed, lyed vpō, and cruellye afflicted vntounto deathe, els is it not of hys marke. Not wurthy is1. Cor. 6. Ioan. 15. Math. 5. he to be a mēber of Chriſtes bodye, but to be cutte from it, that wyll not ſuffer with him. Bleſſinges of the goſpel (wherbye the churche is made holye) are neyther promyſed to myter nor rochett, ſhauen crowne nor typpett, whode nor ſyde gowne, ſtole nor cope, cuppe nor can delſtyck, a…oyntinge nor preſtode, maſſe nor mattens, ſenſynge nor ceremonie, conſiſtorye nor ſeſſyon ſyttynge. But toLucae. 6. Eſa. 61. 1. Pet. 3. them that be meke, mercifull, faythfull, pyttefull, gē …ill, peaceable, poore in ſprete, and that pacyētlye ſuffer all maner of ſhame and rebuke for the trewthes ſake. No puffed vpp Prelates, gloryous byſſhoppes, dyſgyſed preſtes, ſophyſticall maſters, nor paynted hypocrytes doth he knowe for hys, but ſymple preachers, godly beleuers, and mēne perſecuted forLuce. 13. Math. 19. Gal. 6. hys worde. For they are thoſe are thoſe which car rye hys lyuerye. 7. Catholyck they call the faythe of ther churche (which terme the ſcripture hath not) and it maye well be. For catholyck is as moche to ſaye, asCalepin▪ 9 Perottus et …re…to nus. vnyuerſall, or admyttynge all. For in dede they allowe all maner of faythes, that faythe only excepted which they owght to allowe moſt of all. No Iewyſhe ceremonye refuſe they, nor yet heythen ſuper ſtycyon. So longe as the goſpell is not trewlye preached, ther faythe is good ynowgh. For it is catholyck. VniuerſallyAll ſuper ſtycyouſe beleues ad mytt the papyſtes. all falſe beleues and wycked worſhyppynges contrarye to Gods preſcripcyon it alloweth, no kynde of Idolatrye and ſuperſticyon reiected. Neyther hauehave thys generacion ſens the begynnynge reproued pylgrymages nor pardons, rellyckes nor falſe reuerences, ſenſynges nor cādel ſacrifices, la…yn buſſynge nor lyppe ſeruyce, dead ſhaddowes nor Idel obſeruacyons,Neuer repent they the… myſchefes. with ſoche lyke pylde pedlarye and romyſhe ware. For it is ther owne proper good. And that wyl plentuouſlie apere here after in thys preſent declaratyon, wherin thys poore man is more depelye compelled to accuſe hymſelf.
The manne of ſynne.
¶ 1 And alſo that I hauehave bene a great fauourer / defender / maītener / and receptour / of heretyques. 2. acuſtomed alſo to hauehave in my cuſtodye. 3. bokes of hereſye / and other vnlaw full workes. 4. forbyddē by the kynges mageſtees proclamacyon and ordinaūces. 5. and alſo contrarye to the decre and inhybycyon of myn ordynarye.
¶ Hys dyſcloſynge.
FOr fauourynge, mainteyninge, and defendynge Chriſtes godlye verite, was ſteuen as a blaſphemer ſtoned vntounto deathe at Hieruſalem. Antipas theAct. 7. Apoc. 2. faythfull wytneſſe of the lorde was ſlayne at pergamos. And Chriſtes Apoſtles were dyuerſelye afflycted the worlde ouer,Math. 23. 1. Theſ. 2. Rom. 16. Act. 17. by thys viperous generacyon. Iaſon for receyuynge Paule and Sylas with other dyſciples and teachers of the goſpel, was brought before the cownſell at theſſalonica, and accuſed for a ſedycious traytour ageynſt Caeſar. No maruele therfor thowgh thys pore mā be vexed of the ſameIoan. 16. Act. 9. Phil. 2. ſort; mainteininge the ſame doctrine, and fauorynge the teachers therof. Is there anye other rewarde folowynge the trewe ſeruauntes of God now then hath bene afore? No ſurely, vnleſſe chriſt hath now of late changed hys former promyſe, and is now become a ſpeaker ageynſt himſelf, which is ſo vnpoſſible as he not to be God. If they hauehave perſecuted hym,Lucae. 21. Ioan. 15. 1. Cor. 6. Math. 10. Lucae. 21. nedes muſt they perſecute hys members. If they hauehave called the maſter of the howſe belzebub, ſo wyll they do hys how ſholde ye ſchall be hated of al mēne (ſayth Chriſt) for my names ſake. It is no newe thynge to ſe poor menne thus hādled, blaſphemed, and openlye ſchamed, without reaſonable cauſe.
2 For heretykes muſt they be taken, which folowe not ther tradycyons, nor regarde ther ſacred ſorcerye. Thus mayechriſt was no good churche manne. they cal chriſt an heretyke alſo, for he neuer allowed ther ceremonyes. He neuer went proceſſyon with cope, croſſe, and candelſtyck. He neuer ſenſed ymage nor ſange lat…yn ſeruyce. He neuer gaue orders nor ſate in confeſſion. He neuer preached of purgatorye nor pardons. He neuer honoured ſayntes nor prayed for the dead. He neuer ſayd maſſe, mattens, norChriſt taught no popyſhe ceremonies▪ euenſonge. He neuer faſted frydaye nor vygyll, lent nor aduent. He neuer hallowed churche nor chalyce, aſhes nor palmes, cādels nor belles. He neuer made holye water nor holye brede, with ſoche lyke. But ſoche domme ceremonyes not hauynge the expreſſe cōmaundement of God, he called the leuen of the PharyſeesMath. 16. Lucae. 12. Deut. 4. Apoc. 22. Pſal. 68. Gal. 4. and dampnable hypocreſie, admonyſhinge hys dyſcyples to be ware of them. He curſeth all thē that addeth vntounto hys worde ſoche beggerlye ſhaddowes, wypynge ther names cleane out of the boke of lyfe. Saynt paule teſtyfyeth them to hauehave no porcyon in Chriſt, which wrappe themſelues ageyne with ſoche yokes of bondage.
3 Bokes of hereſie muſt all thoſe workes be, whych rebuketh anye of ther abuſvons, be they neuer ſo godlye. That cauſed them ſo longe tyme to locke vpp2. Pet. 3. 1. Cor. 14. Ioan. 3. Ephc. 5. the ſcripturs in a ſtraunge language and vnderunder an vnknowne ſpeche, leaſt the peple by readinge of them ſchuld perſeyue ther workes to be nowght, and ſo rebuke them. Yea, they hauehave not bene aſhamed of late years, to call the prophecyes of the olde lawe, the .iiij. goſpels, paules epyſtles, and the holye apocalyps, with other treatyſes of the ſacred Byble, moſtThe holy ſcriptures cōdēpned for hereſye. deteſtable bokes of hereſye, and to burne manye good godlye and innocent creaturs for hauynge thē in ther howſes, and for readynge of them vntounto other, and all vnderunder the tyttle and auctoryte of princes lawes. In the meane ſeaſon alſo hauehave they boaſted themſelues for the peculyar peple of God, for the holye churche, the cō ſecrateThe brag ges of antichriſtes ſhorlynges. nombre, the ſpirytuall ſort, the catholyck doctors, the choſen perſones, the godlye companye, the relygious brether hede, the wyueleſſe vyrgyns, the good goſtlye fathers, and that they hauehave done nothynge but in the zelous quarell of the lorde. But nomore are they of hys kyngedome than was phaſſur and ſemeiasHiere. 20. 2. Tim. 3. which perſecuted Hieremye, Iannes and Iambres which reſyſted Moyſes, Cayphas and Annas which putt Chriſt vntountoIoan. 18. Actu. 4. deathe and vexed hys apoſtles, with ſoche lyke bludthurſtye prelates and malycyous mourtherers. For hys churche or kyngedome is a congregaciō of ſymple,Math. 19. Ioan. 18. 1. Cor. 6. Gala. 5. meke ſpreted, lowlye, pytefull, and gentyll teachers, and not of prowde glottōs, glorious lechours, cruell byteſhepes, and rauenouſe robbers, as they are. Neuer ſchall ye ſe them trewlye grounde ther doynges vponupon Gods holye worde, but eyther vponupon ther owne fylthye tradycyons or vponupon the croked cuſtomes of theMarci. 7. 4. reg. 17. Eſa. 34. Pſal. 145. cuntre brought in fyrſt of all by ther curſed counſell, or vpō the auncyentneſſe of ther fathers, or holineſſe of ther doctours or els moſt chefelye vponupon the myghtye auctoryte of princes.
4 Marke how the byſſoppe of London layeeh forth here the kynges proclamacyons and ordynaunces ageynſt thys poore mānne, for hauynge in hys cuſtodyeA marriage betwixt beliall and chriſt God and the deuyll bokes ageynſt the byſſhoppe of Rome, and how he doth couple them with hys owne Antichriſtiane decre and inhybycyon. Yea, conſider how blaſphemouſlye and trayterouſlye he doth here abuſe them, to the abhorrynge of all Chriſtē …ares, and the great dolour of all faythful hartes. Here is not the trewe preachynge of the goſpell called vponupon by the kynges proclamacyons, to the glorye of God. Neyther is here ſowght the adoliſhment of the byſſhoppe of romes vſurped poure,Nothynge for chriſt but all for the pope. nor yet the layēge aſyde of deuylyſhe ſuperſticyons, (which are all effectuallye required in hys godlye ordinaunces) For they are not the thynges that mi lorde ſeketh to vpholde. But here is ſore cōplayned of, the ſlackneſſe in goynge of proceſſiō My lorde here vnd' propeth babylon for fallynge.at euēſonge, in the ſaynge of romy ſhe howres, in the makynge of holy water ād holy brede. And what make theſe to the Chriſten erudycyon, or to anye other godly purpoſe? What are theſe …oyes eyther to the mayntenaunce of faythe, or of anye common welthe? Muſt ſo many ydle Byſſhoppes and preſtes be maſted vpp ſo fatte to the great hyndraunce of the publique welthe, for the vpholdyngevnderunder prices auctoritees worke they ther feates of thynges of ſo ſmall profyght? Alac that euer the prices auctorite ſchuld thus be vſed to the blaſphemye of God, and to hys gre…t dyſhonour. Thys maketh forē peple to report moche ſhame which is not here to be ſpoken, to the great heuyneſſe of trewe faythfull hartes.
5 If the decrees and inhybycyons ofTher ſinodes are all ageynſt God and hys chriſt … my lorde ordynarye of London, and of other ſoche holye ordynaryes of englande (as they be here named) were dilygentlye ſowght out, and well wayed, I feare me they ſchuld apere verye ſcant honeſt men, well, the lorde ſeeth all, and ſchall ſurelye iudge it at a daye.
¶ The manne of ſynne.
¶ 1 And more ouer that I hauehave not accuſtomed to obſerue and kepe the. 2. laudable ceremonyes / rytes / and cuſtomes / of thys catholyck churche of englande cōmonlye obſerued and kepte by other / that is to ſaye. 3. neyther in goynge proceſſion vponupon ſatudaye… at euenſonge. 4. nor in the vſage and maner of makynge of holye vvater and holye brede 5. nor in makynge my confeſſyon. 6. or ſaynge of maſſe. 7. mattens / or euenſonge / as I ſchuld or ought to hauehave.
Hys dyſcloſynge.
GIR euous burdens and intollerable yokes laye they ſtyll vponupon the ſhoulders of menne, ſyttynge in MoyſesMath. 23. Luce. 11. Math. 15… chaire. Nothynge eſteme they the cōmaū dements of God in comparyſon of ther owne tradi…yons. No fawte ys the brekyngeFrutes of the popes holye ſpyrytualte. of them here noted. Idolatrye, ſy monye, ſacrilege, whoredome, hatred, ſe dycyon, glottonye, couetouſneſſe, cruelte, rape, and mourther ys neyther here blamed nor yet ſpoken yll of. Onlye ys Gods verite here condēpned vnderunder theChriſt is perſecuted in hys poore mē bers. Lucae. 21. Apo. 9. blacke tyttle of hereſye, the poore member of Chriſt made a lawghige ſtocke to all the worlde for yt, blaſphemed, dyſdayned, and abhorred. Soch is yet the ab homynacyon of thys ſixt age of the churche. Vvhan ſathan tempted Chriſt in the deſart, in hys fyrſt .ij. ſuggeſtions he named the ſonne of God. But in thys declaracyonMath. 4. Lucae. 4. (yea, rather temptacyon of hys peple) ſchalt thu not fynde one ſyllabe mē cyoned, neyther of hym nor yet of hys he auenlye father. Reade yt ouer hardelyegod is not ones named in all thys doctrine. with iudgement, and marke yt with we pynge eyes, lamētynge that the dere flocke of the lorde ys thus myſerablye ledde. For there is no plage vnderunder heauen to it. If thys be not the defec…yon from Chriſt, mencyoned by Paule to the Theſſalonianes,2. Theſ. 2. Daniel. 9. Math. 4. 1. Ioan. 2. I thynke ther ys non. I feare yt that my lorde of london hath taken vpp the third ſuggeſtyon of ſathan with hys couetours and ambycyous kyngedome, and as a fearefull tempter, ſeduceth the peple to ther dampnacyon. For what a doctrine is thys… wherin neyther God nor hys ſonne is mencyoned. Vvele may it be called errour in hypocreſye and doctrine of1. Tim. 4. 2. Pet. 3. 2. Cor. 11. Gene. 3. deuyls, yea, ād worſe yf worſe maye be. Se how the deuyll reſembleth here the angell of lyght. Sens Chriſtes aſcenciō hath not ſoche a declaracyon bene after thys ſort ſpredde amonge the peple, by Chriſtyane nor Antichriſtiane, Iewe nor pagane, angell nor deuyll, a poore manne compelled ſo openlye to profeſſe the ſameNo deuyl of hell ſo blaſphemoſe as are Papyſtes. and no mencyon made of god nor of chriſt. If this be not a miſterie of iniquire, and a workynge of Sathan vnderunder a de ceytfull powre, neuer was there anye.
2 A grett matter is made here of a thī ge of nowght, and it muſt be proclamed at Paules croſſe. Tolwin muſt ſtāde forth ther for an heretyke. And whye? For heA verye ſore offence. hath not obſerued the laudable ceremonies, rytes, ād cuſtōes of this catholyck churche of englande. Vvherin I praye yow?
3 He hath not gone proceſſyon vponupon ſaturdayes at euenſonge. A verye haynous offence, and worthye to be iudged no leſſe thān hygh treaſon ageynſt yowr holye father agapitus popett of Rome,Petrus de natalibus wernerus …arthuſianus. whych fyrſt dreamed it out, and enacted it for a lawdable ceremonye of yowr whoryſhe churche, for chriſt knoweth it not. But I maruele ſore that ye obſerue yt vponupon ſaturdayes at nyght at euenſonge, he cōmaundynge yt to be obſerued vponupon the ſondayes in the mornynge betwixt holie water makynge and hygh maſſe. Parauēture ye wyll ſaye, ye do both, and ſo doble yt (as we perſeyue ye do in dede) leaſt the holie obſeruacyon of your fatherRanulph. ceſtrenſis Ioan. ſtel. ſchuld droppe awaye, and yow be founde neglygent in your obedyēce. For ſoth ye ſhewe yourſelf a verye naturall childe to your holye mother, in ſo holdinge her vpp for fallynge now in her latter age, ād wurthye ye are to hauehave her bleſſynge. If ye wolde wytſaue to put… One wyekedneſſe auaū …eth an other.the. 7. ſtaciōs of Rome unto it in the worſhyp of the▪ vii. deadlye ſynnes after the olde wonte, your ceremonye myght ape …e more ſolempne. Moch is Sa…urnus beholden vntounto yow (whych ys one of the olde goddes) to garnyſhe the goynge outSaturdaie is dedicate to ſaturne, of olde vſage. of hys daye with ſo holye an obſeruacyon. Ioye yt ys of your lyfe, ſo to remēber your olde fryndes. Doubtleſſe yt ys a fyne myrye pagent, and yow worthye to be called a Saturnyane for yt. Vvher of thys and other proper pagētes of yours be called lawdable, we can not tell, for we can neyther fynde worde nor commaundement of god for them and therfor we referre it vntounto yow.
4 An other lawdable ceremonye ofA ſore matter in the popes bokes. yowrs Tolw in hath not well handled, nor as a workemāne of that occupacyon ſchuld do. He hath not made hys holye water ād his holy brede after the olde vſage and maner, nor as it is cuſtomablye yet vſed of other conynge artyfycers of your lyuerie ād marke. Though he hath made thē ād well ſeaſoned thē with ſaltePlatina … vitis pōti. Sigebert. gēblacenſis. after the rew les of pope alexander, yet hath he left out the holy exorcyſmes and cōiuracyōs, ſuppoſynge the good creaturs of Gods creacyon to hauehave no deuyls within thē, remēbringe alſo hys prynces pleaſure, which hath wylled all ſuperſty cyouſneſſe to be taken awaye frō the ceremonyes. Notwithſtādinge yow ſe an other thynge in it. The lawdable inſtitucyon of your holy fathers popes of rome ſchuld periſhe if it were not ſo vſed. YeaA ceremonye borowed of ſorcerers. we, ſchuld hauehave nothīge to dryue away ſpretes with, nor yet to take away vēge able ſynnes. For neyther hath chriſt nor yet a Chriſten mannys faythe the powre that holy water hath. Therfor ſet hāde to it harde lye, and regarde neyther god norOpē penaunce for holye water makinge. yowr kynge, but lett the heretyke knaue do opē penaūce in ſpight of thē bothe to putt other in feare, leaſt the feate of holy water makynge be forgottē amonge thē.
5 Confeſſyon is alſo a laudable ceremonye of yowrs, and was fyrſt admitted by pope innocent in the moſt peſtylēt counſell of laterane for a mayntenaunceplatina in vita pape …epherini of yowr markett. Se now that it decaye not for wante of lokynge to. Conſyder fyrſt of all that for yowr commodite it hath depoſed and dyſherited more th… ij. hondreth lawfull kynges, and ſhorne them into monaſteryes of monkerye ſome of ther eyes putt out. It made fredericus barbaroſſa the Popes fote ſtole atſigebertꝰ Ioānaucle rus ge. 40 venys, and ſubdewed manye other noble emprowrs. For ſoche a treaſure it is as euer helpeth whan yowr matters are in daunger. By the vertu of confeſſyon was the pleſaunt kyngdome of Italye deſtroyed,Eginhard Matheus. Palmeriꝰ and became ſaynt peters patrimonye, the kynge therof called deſyderius with hys wyfe and children exyled into lyons, and endynge hys lyfe in greatt myſerye. Throwgh the ſame was the empyre of conſtantynople tranſlated frō the grekes to the frenchemenne your oldeVolateranus et wernerus Ranulph. ceſtrenſis. fryndes, bycauſe they wold not for your profyght to hauehave ymages worſhypped. Kynge Iohan of englande a manne of no ſmall valeauntneſſe and vertue, through the hydden myſteryes of the ſame was brought into hate of hys nobyly … and commons and compelled to geue vpp hys crowne and tyttle for hym and …ys heyres to the apoſtolyck ſeate. Raymundus alſo the laſt erle of tholoſe andNicolaus bertrādus in hyſto. tholoſana moſt valeaunt warryour of all chriſtendome, abowght the ſame tyme onlye by…auſe he wold not burn the albigeſyanes within hys dominyon (whō your holye …athers iudged for heretykes for that they …eſyſted ther ſeyd eare confeſſiō, ther prymacye,Guido perpinianus in lib. de hereſibus. ther purgatorye, ther praynge to …ead ſayntes, with other ſoche pylde ped …arye, which they had eſtablyſhed in the …fore ſeyd counſell of laterane for newe artycles of the Chriſten faythe, and as matters neceſſarye vntounto ſaluacyō he was …ruellye compelled to ſtāde forth nakedGuilhel. de podio Meyerus & kyrian der. in hys ſhyrt in the face of the worlde, bare…oted and bareheaded, and to axe mer…ye vponupon hys knees before the legate cardynall of ſayn… angell, hys naturall peple ſtandynge abowt hym, waylynge, wepynge, and cryenge out for verye pyte. For he was not onlye enforced there by penaunce (as they call it) to geue toNicolaus bertrādus in hiſto. tholoſa. ther clergye. 27. thouſande marke, but alſo to dyſheryte hys whole ſtocke for euer, and to warre vponupon the turkes without powre, the ſonnar to brynge hym to hys ende with other moſt cruell ininuccyons, as are to be ſeane more at large in the hyſtorye of tholoſe compyled by Nicolas Bertrande doctour of both lawes.Beware ye tell no …ales out of ſcole. It ſchall ſtande tolwyn in hande therfor from henceforth to take better hede, and not to dallye with your confeſſion as he hath done, ſeynge yt ys ſo daūgerous a matter
6 No maruele ys yt thowgh ye callIacobus Bergomē ſis. Sigebert. & Platina …ere conſequētlye vponupon your latyne maſſe ſaynge, for that farre paſſeth a lawdable ceremonie, beynge the inſtytucyon of ſo manye holye popes, beynge alſo a ſacrifice neceſſarye for the quycke and the dead, and ſo profytable alſo to the vpholdynge of yowr gloryous glytterynge kyngedome. That hath made your purſes wayghtye ād your kychynes war me, your chekes fatte and your fleſhe ple ſa ūt. Therfor Iudge the ſpeakīge ageynſtholde faſt thys Iewel or all wyl awaye. The relygyon of the popes churche. yt, no leſſe than hereſye and treaſon, make cruell lawes of deathe, prouyde fagottes yuowgh and borne the loſels apace. For yf that ones fall, your precious robes, myters, croſers, fyne rochettes, ſcarlett frockes, ſandals, and typettes, with the monſtruouſe marke of madyan wyll folowe ſone after. And than farwel the Romyſhe relygyon. Adewe than all ſpiritual vayneglory. Conſyder what years yt coſt e…e yt cowde be fynyſhed, and how manye holye popes wer abowt ytVvernerus in faſ. temporū. ere yt cowde be browgt to paſſe. It was more than vi. hondreth and lxx. years after Chriſtes incarnacyon ere the fyrſt latyne maſſe was ſayd. For as wytneſſeth platina in the lyues of romyſhe byſſhoppes,Platina. Antonin. Nauclerꝰ Iohan byſſhoppe of portuenſe was the fyrſt that euer ſayd maſſe openlye, pope Agathō approuynge yt than in the .vi. generall ſynode at Conſtātinople in the yeare of ower lorde. 677 where as marryage was fyrſt forbiddē to preſtes ād whordomeAchilles Gaſſarus & Vvernerus. admytted by thys rewle. Si non caſte tamen caute. Remēber alſo that yt was the worke of more than. 20. holy fathers of Rome, euerye one of thē clowtynge in a patche vntounto yt, And lett not the labour of ſo ma…ye peryſhe amonge theſe Luthe ranes for a lyttle lokynge to. Ye hauehave more auctoryte than euer had Cayphas and Annas. For ye maye call ſeſſyons whereCayphas coude neuer both accuſe ād iudge. and whan ye wyll. Ye may ſyt vpō lyfe and deathe, and be both accuſer ād iudge. If the warmode queſt wyll not cōdēpne your accuſed, brynge out a falſe of your owne, of Rome rōners, pardoners, parryſh clarkes, and bellryngers, as ye ded now of late for Rycharde mekyns, a poore ſimple ladde of. 17. years of age. And geue hym a bylle of wrōge articlesRicharde Mekyns brent of my lorde. in hys hande to reade whā he cometh to the fyre to ſhaddowe with your myſcheff.
7 Though Chriſt calleth yowr latyne howres Idelneſſe, hypocreſye, moche bablynge, and lyppe laboure, yea, andMath. 6. Eſa. 29. 1. Cor. 14. Roma. 1. though ſaynt Paule doth eſteme it a po…t of vayne foliſhnes and moche more madneſſe to vtter a proceſſe in an vnknowne language amonge the peple, yet ſett your romyſhe wyſdome ageinſt them both, and ſtande faſt in your olde popyſhe opynyon, makynge Gods cōmaundemēts of non effecte for your owne dyrtye tradycyōs. Vvhere as chriſt hath cōmādedMath. 15. Marci. 16. Ioan. 10. …. Ioan. 2. yow ſyncerelye to preache hys goſpell, do as thowgh ye owght him no ſeruice, nor were non of hys. Obeye it not, but ſaye that ye knowe a moche better waye Ye hauehave a maſter (whoſe lyuerye and marke ye weare) whych geueth better wages for the darkenynge of the goſpellThe Popes rewarde for darkenyge the goſpell. thā chriſt geueth for the preachīge of yt. The pope geueth forth gloryous tytles, fatte byſſhopryckes greatt benefices, princely howſes, delycyous meates and drynkes, with other mennys wyues to lye bye whā they be yonge and faire, where as Chriſt ys all to the contrarie. And ther for ye wyll rather folow hym thā Chriſt Thys maketh yow ſo ſtraytlye to lokeVerye ſharpe balyes in the popes behalfe. vponupon yt, that mattēs, pryme, howres, maſſe, euen ſonge, and complyne, be done as they owght to be. That ys to ſaye, accordynge to the holye inſtytucyon of pope Pelagius, whych fyrſt ordayned them to blemyſhe the goſpell preachynge and to fyll the tyme with Idell vanytees. Yea, ye wuld putt menne to deathe rather thanIoan. 16. Miche. 7. Math. 23. fayle, for not obſeruīge them, yf they ded not thus with pore Tolwyn ſhamefullye recante. So good, faythfull, obedient, and louynge are ye to your holie fathers of Rome, though your wylye pretence be an other.
The manne of ſynne.
¶ 1 Vvhych denuncyacyon / deteccion / and preſentacyon / 2 hath bene partlye by myne ovvne confeſſion 3 and partlye by ſuffycyent vvitneſſe and recorde in that behalff 4 ſufficyentlye proued.
¶Hys dyſcloſynge.
1 THys ys an olde practyſe of owr holye prelates, euermore to leaue one craftye clauſe or other as a ſtartynge hole to Rone to, yf daunger happenAn olde practyſe of byſſhopes. to them of ther dedes here after. Thynke yow that my lorde of London wyll be founde fawtye in thys acte, in caſe yt be proued in proceſſe of tyme, blaſphemouſe, trayterouſe, cruell, and deuylyſhe, by the ſacred ſcripturs and by the kynges ſtatutesMat. 23. Prou. 16. Lucae. 3. Math. 27. and lawes? Naye, I warande yow. He ys of a more craftye generacyon than ſo. I trowe my lorde wyl waſhe hys handes here with Pylate. Not one ſpotte ſhall apere in hys rochett of all that ys done in thys matter.
2 Rather ſchall Tolwyn confeſſe hymſelfe here to be hys owne accuſer to myFull workemanlye conuayed of my lorde. lorde, not all vnlyke to hym that hāgeth hymſelf or drowneth hymſelf. So workmanlye wyll thys matter be handled. Partlye hath Tolwyn by hys owne confeſſion denounced hym ſelf for a ſedycyouſe doer, detected hymſelf for an heretyque, and preſented hymſelf for a greuouſe offender for not obſeruynge the popesBut ſathā can not thus hyde hys myſchefe. holye tradycyons. And thys ys ynough to clere my lorde, yf anye lykelyhode of olde fryndeſhypp towarde hys holye fatherhede do here after apere. But who extorted thys confeſſyon more ſemynge a deuyll than a manne, with thret tenynges of fagottes and fyre? That wyll be eaſye to knowe to hym that marketh the termes. Neuer coude tolwyn throughlyeVntoUnto ane we ſcole ys Tolwī brought. knowe what theſe rhetoryckes ment, as are denuncyacyon, deteccyon, and preſentacyon, ſo longe as he was in cambryge, neyther by hys art ſtodye, nor yet by hys ſcole dyuynyte, tyll he came to my lorde of Londons howſe. There was he ſone made perfyght in them, by ſome well ſtodyed manne of the popes lawe. For from thens they came fyrſt in dede. Neuer ys a manne to olde to be taught, and be brought in farder practyſe.
3 The wytneſſes alſo receyued the ſamewhye the wytneſſes are called ſuffycyēt. doctrine, to the ſame ſelfe ende and purpoſe. And here they are called ſuffycyent. Vvhether yt be for that they were manye in nombre whych than accuſed hym, or be cauſe they are accounted honeſt menne for ther goodes falſelye gotten or in that yt pleaſed hys Good lorde ſhypp ſo to accept them for ther olde faythes ſake, lett the dylygent reader iudge. Soche allowaunce of catholyck wytneſſes and recordes ageynſt heretyques, forChriſt was alſo thus ſerued. the vpholdynge of holye churche, ys no newe thynge, yf ye ſerche the ſcripturs ād hyſtoryes. For they that accuſed Chriſt for a malefactor, a ſupporter of ſynners, a deuyly ſhe perſone, a ſubuerter of the peple,Ioan. 18. Lucae. 23. Marc. 3 Math. 26. Ioan. 7. a blaſphemouſe heretyque, a breaker of ther Sabboth, a defyler of ther lawes, a ſower of ſedycyon, and deſtroyer of holye churche, a traytour ageynſt ceſar, and ſoche lyke, were accepted and abeled of Annas ād Cayphas for honeſt, credible, wyſe, and ſuffycient menne, though all the worlde knoweth them for falſe periuresAct. 3. Marci. 14. Ioan. 16. Act. 4 and knaues. So ſone as the Apoſtles beganne ones to preache after Chriſtes aſcencyon, by ſoche ghoſtlye chyldrē of holye churche were they accuſed and cō pelled to make anſwer in the ſpūal court of the Iewes. And ſens that tyme hath the byſſhopps bene ſeldome without ſoche prodygyouſe pykethankes and glaueringeByſſhops are neuer without ther Iudaſes and Iewes. gloſers, to brynge menne coram nobis. VvhichWhich thynke they do God great good ſcruyce, whan they brynge one of hys pore lambes vntounto deathe, as they do in dede, though ther ſeruyce be nothinge to ther owne ſowles profyght, as it wyll apere in the laſt rekenynge. Vvell, theſe ſuffycyent wytneſſes and recordes of my lorde, or true vpholders of the popes oldeVpholders of the popes holye churche. faythe, hath ſuffycyentlye proued Tol wyn an heretyque in that behalfe, beſydes hys owne confeſſion. That is to ſaye, in that he hath not gone proceſſyon vpō ſaturdayes at euenſonge, nor workeman lye made hys holye water and holy breade, nor confeſſed hymſelfe as the vſe ofSmell here what yowr holye prelates are. Rome is, and ſo forth. And vpō theſe ſuffycyent accuſacyōs wolde my lorde hauehave condēpned hym to the fyre without mercye, had he not recanted at Paules croſſe. Sone maye ye knowe wher of yowr holye prelates ſmelleth, yf ye way thys matter a ryght. Now reſort we ageine to the text.
¶ The manne of ſynne.
¶ 1 And al be it for my offence in ſo doynge. 2. I knovvlege to hauehave de ſerued no ſmall pōnyſhment. 3. yet I hauehave foūde ſoche charitable good neſſe ād merciemercy in my lorde biſſhopp of London. 4. upon my ſubmyſſyon and ſute vntounto hym.
Hys dyſcloſynge.
1 PRepoſterouſe alwayes are the iudgementes of thys vyperouſe generacyon. Euermore eſteme they that isMath. 12 Eſa. 5. Prouer. 3. euyll to be good, and that is good to be euyll, as wytneſſeth Eſaye. Ambycyon, pryde, and vayne glory take they for ſpi rituall holyneſſe, clerelye reiectynge theEphe. 6. Math. …5. Iudae. 1. ryghtouſneſſe of God for ther owne beaſtlye tradycyons whom hys hart abhorreth. Thus putt they darkeneſſe for lyght and lyght for darkeneſſe. Mennys wyſdomeEſa. 1. Ioan. 3. Rom. 12 Eph. 4. Iaco. 3. 1. Cor. 1. (whych ys but errour, dottage, and blyndeneſſe of the ſprete) preferre they to the eternall wyſdome of God. Verye folyſnneſſe, hereſye, and madneſſe do they iudge the goſpell, whych ys the ſtronge power of the lorde vntounto ſaluacyon to all them that beleueth yt. That make they ſower whych …s more ſwete than honye, and that vyle whych ys moſt precyouſe, as to putt in the lorde owr whole confydencePſal. … Eſa. 13. Coloſ. 1. Pſal. 11…. 1. Tim. 4. Hiere. 23. Miche. 3. Roma. 1. Ephe. 4. 2. ſheſ. 2. Exod. 7. Apoc. 11. and truſt, lyke as hys holye worde leadeth vsus. For hys vndefyled lawes, my nyſtre they the doctryne of deuyls, with lyes in hypocreſye. Thus doth the chyldren of thys worlde peruert all godlyneſſe. As the very antychryſtes turne they the tre rotes vpwarde. Into a wycked mynde therfor hath the lorde geuen them ouer, ſtrongelye to delude the vnbeleuers for ther vnbeleues ſake. S… how thys ſubtyle charmer, thys coniurer of Egypt, thys vnbonere byſſhopp Boner, a very blodye bocher of Babylō doth hād le thys poore innocent Chryſtyane.
2 So hath he bywytched hym with hys craftye legerdemayne. So hath he feared hym for chynges of no wayght. Yea ſo hath he compaſſed hym with threttenynges of terryble deathe, that nedes he muſt graūt ſynne where no ſynne ys, andantichriſt can make ſynne ver tu, ād ver tu ſynne. opēlye cōfeſſe a greuouſe offence where as nō ys at al. He muſt acknowlege to the peple to hauehave deſerued no ſmall ponnyſh mēt at my lordes hāde, though hys cōſcyence ſtandeth clere to the cōtrarie. Vvhat haynouſe treaſō haſt thu done good ſymple manne, that thu ſtandeſt thus forth for a wonder of the worlde? Vvhat ys thyPreſtes ar neuer thus ponniſhed for Idolatrye and whor dom. offence, that yt requyreth ſoche open ſhame? Is yt theſe or murther, whoredome or Idolatrye, ſuperſtycyon or ſacrylege? Than were yt more mete that my lorde ſtode there than thu. For of theſe frutes and ſoche other, he hath moche more ſtore than thyſelfe hath, as yt ys eaſye to perſeyue by thys proceſſe. If yt be for not obſeruynge the commendable rytes, ceremonyes, and cuſtomes of holye churche, as ys ſeyd afore. Than ought my lorde alſo to ſuffre the ſame ſelfe ponnyſhment,Auncyent rytes and lawdable ceremonyes of holy churche. for not goynge abought with ſaynt Nycolas clarkes, for not hallowynge pelgrimes to Hieruſalem ānd Rome, for not ſenſinge the plowghes vpō plowgh mondaye, for not roſtynge egges in the palme aſhes fyre, and for not ſyngynge Gaudeamus in the worſhypp of holye Thomas Becket, with ſoche other lyke, which were ſumtyme more lawdable ceremonyes, than eyther ſaturdaye proceſſyon or yet holye water makynge vponupon the ſondaye. But my lorde doth here mocheEſa. 10. Math. 23. Lucae. 11. Oſeae. 11. after the practyſe of his olde predeceſſours, which heaped vponupon mennys ſholders intollerable burdens of tradycyons. They layed vpō thē heuy yokes ynough therſelues not ones mouynge ther fingars therunto for ſoylynge.
3 He that doth couete to knowe the naturall compaſſyon, gentylneſſe, and ſauoure, whyche regneth in a byſſhopp of antichriſtes kyngedome, lett him here as in a glaſſe behold it. For Tolwyn hath founde my lorde verye fauorable and good vntounto hi, as he here ꝓteſteth. Vvhat though he hath ſtāde forth at Paules croſſeThe fauorable goodneſſe of my lorde of Londō to hys rudyculouſe reꝓche, for not obſeruynge the lowſye lawes and Idele ceremonyes of the pope, yet is my lorde verye charitable vntounto hym. Vvhat though thys vncomelye proſpect hath made of hys fryndes hys vtter enemyes, and brought hym out of al honeſt eſtymacyō of menne, yet hath my lorde ſhewed great goodneſſe vntounto hym. Vvhat though thys recantacyon declareth hym of a frynde an enemye to godes truthe, preparyngeLerne here to knowe the mercye of a byſſhop hym to the fyre in caſe he here after fall in relapſe and turne ageyne to Chriſt, yet ys my lorde verye plentuouſe and large in mercye towardes hym. Thīke yow that the wolfe (whych ys naturallye geuen to rauyne) ſheweth not great gentylneſſeThe chorlyſhe nature of a wolfe ys not to ſpare. whan he ſuffreth hys praye to paſſe from hys gredye mouthe, and ſo leaueth hym vndeuowred, what though he hath afore ſpoyled hym both of hys wolle ād ſkynne? Yes ſurelye doth he, and farre otherwyſe than he hath of hys chorlyſhe nature. Than commende my lorde bonner of London for thus charytablye handelynge Tolwyn, conſyderynge that the ſerpentyne nature of a byſſhopp of that kynde wolde otherwyſe. But trulye yf thys be my lordes charyte, goodneſſe, ādDo as ye wold be done to dwelleth not with my lorde mercye, hys dyſpleaſure, hate, and malyce ys the deuyll and all.
4 But how cometh yt to paſſe that my lorde hath ſhewed hymſelf here ſo mercy full vponupon my humble ſubmyſſyon and penytent ſute vntounto hym, ſayth Tolwyn. Yea marrye, now I here the. I wolde els hauehave thought yt moche more than a myracle,Lowe crepeth the ſhepe to the l…ō to hauehave hys poor lyfe the wolfe ſo to hauehave left the ſhepe, the foxe the capon, and the marleon the poore byrde. I warrand the goode poore creature thy ſubmyſſion was not ſmall to temper the furye of ſoche a woluyſhe tyraunt. Thy ſute was not lyttle with promes and othe to maynteyne all Romiſhe poperye, to ſaue thy ſyllye carkas from the fyre. Oh, my ſerable calamyte of ſowle. Oh, moſt vngodlye handelynge of Chriſten peple. Awake ones ye Chriſten gouernours out of your ſlouthfull dreames,Sap. 6. Pſ…l. 2. Math. 13 3. Reg. 10 Pſal. 98. Apoc. 11. Prou. 29. and attende to your ryght offyce. For whyls yow are a ſlepe, the enemye ſoweth tares amonge the good ſede. Suffre not the peple of God to peryſhe amonge theſe proude gloryouſe glottons of So dome and Egypt, for want of lokynge to. Leaue them not to the handes of ſoche vnmercyfull tyraūtes, vnleſſe ye care not for them. If anye blaſphemouſe ſpectacle maye moue yow to ſhewe your ſelues godes true mynyſters, lett thys be one hardelye. For all the worlde wondreth of yr, as they maye full well, yow ſufferyngeRom. 13 the holye ghoſt to be in ſoche contēpt, hys graces not regarded.Heb. 6.
¶ The manne of ſynne.
1 That vponupon onlye thys decleracyon 2 here made of myne offence vn to yovv 3 vvith promyſe that I vvyll in deuer my ſelfe to the beſt of my povver to tyue as a 4 catholike manne ought 5 and ſchuld do here after
Hys dyſcloſynge.
F…Or not ſtraynynge out a gnatt (as Chriſt calleth the fryu…louſe obſeruacyonMath. 23. Lucae. 11. Zach. 11. of the Idell ceremonyes) ys all thys terryble tragedye, thys outwarde penaunce, thys open ſhame of the worlde, called here the charitable goodneſſe and fatherlye mercye of my lorde of Londō. Moche eaſyer had yt bene for Tolwyn toGods cō maundementes no thynge regarded. hauehave broken all the commaundementes that euer God gaue, great and ſmall, preceptes and counſeles as they call the, than one beggerlye tradycyon of the popes whoryſhneſſe, ſo ferce are hys horned warryours in hys holye cauſe, though they ſpeke yt not. For a māne (they ſaye) maye louelove hys howſe well, though he ſit not vponupon the toppe therof. Had he commytted an hondreth kyndes of Idolatrye ſuperſtycyon, hypocreſye, treaſon, forcerye, theft, rape, fornycacyon, fylthyneſſe,Cōfeſſyō dyſchargeth al theſe myſchefes. ſodometrye, and the deuyll and all els, (as ther ſmered ſhauelynges doth dalye) Benedicite vnderunder a ſtoole had bene able to dyſcharge hym. If he had betrayed hys kynge .vii. tymes▪ murthered a ſcore of innocentes, and defyled an hondreth vyrgyns (as many of that generacyon hath done) Ego abſoluote had bene able toHier. 7. Tuſh we are abſolued quyte ſaye they. clere hym ageynſt all menne. But an here ſye commytted ageynſt holye churche (whych ys the verye execrable whore of Babylon, hauynge nothynge ryghtlye of Chriſt) is no power able to remytt. That muſt in the ſyght of all menne with moſt extremyte be ponnyſhed.
2 An open declaracyon muſt be made therof to the peple, to make yt to apereOpen pō nyſchmēt to dryue other frō the truthe vntounto ther blynde eyes an offence moche more greuouſe than eyther whoredome or murther, fellanye or treaſon, beynge no ſynne att all but godlyneſſe. Nō other ys yt but an offyce dewlye belongynge to a Chriſten hart to abhorre ſuche beſtelvneſſe as obſcureth the glorye of God
3 Yea, a ſolempne promyſe muſt beA profeſſyon to becō a traytour to all godlyneſſe. made alſo vponupon thys declaracyon, of ſtudyouſe indeuoraunce with all dylygence and power poſſyble, to Remayne frō hence forth a falſe periured Chryſtiane, a double ſworne papyſt, a newe profeſſed traytoure ageynſt God ād all godlyneſſe
4 Vvhom my lord calleth a catholycke mā. Vvhych ys as moche to ſaye, as a mā ne liuynge ſtyll after the ſame rewles and the ſame ſelfe cuſtomes that were vſed in thys realme before the popes puttyngeVvhat yt ys to become a catholyk papyſt. downe. And what ys thys els, but layſerlye by a lyttle and lyttle to ſett hym vp ageyne and to reſtore hym to hys olde ſeate, or els to rayſe vpp ſoche an other antichryſt for hym though yt maye not ſo be ſpoken? Vvhan olde practyſes wyll no lōger helpe, thā muſt newe be ſoughtBaptiſta Mantuan, lib. 3. Faſt out, to the vpholdīge of owr gaye glytterynge Gabaon. This maye ye ſe that yt ys moche leſſe daunger to offende a godlye mynded woman, than a proude paynted whore, a meke ſpreted ladye, than a malycyouſe modye qweane. For pacyētlye wyll ſhe remytt all iniuryes done,Pſal. 38. Hier. 26. Eph. 5. Math. 18. Apoc. 2. where the other wyll ſpyghtfullye reuenge them. The gentyll ſpouſe of Chryſt (whych ys hys churche wythout ſpotte) ys euermore redye to forgeue, though the offence be done ſeuētye ſeuen tymes. The cruell ſynagoge of ſathan (whych ys the ſodomytycall ſwarme of ſmered ſorcerers) prouoketh euermore her horned whoremongers to fyght in her quarell,All diuerſe ys the popes churche from chryſtes. and to perſecute her offenders vntounto deathe by manye vniuſt lawes and decrees.
5 Farre vnlyke ſchall ye fynde theſe ij. churches, yf ye conferre them togyther, brynge them to the touche ſtone, proue ther ſpretes, and trye them by the ſcripturs The office of a Chriſten byſhopp were r…ther to preache than to ponnyſhe, rather2. Tim. 4. Ioann. 21. Math. 28. Coll. 1. Apoc. 9. Hiere. 23. Ezech. 34▪ Zacha. 11. to fede than to famyſhe, rather gentyllye to allure than curryſhely to rebuke before the worlde, were he after the ordre of Chriſt and hys apoſtoles. But my lorde ys of an other ſmokye brode, whoſe nature vsus to rauyſhe and deſtroye, to deuoure the flocke and fede them ſelues with the fatte, executynge vponupon them all tyrā nye poſſyble. Lorde pyte thy poore peple, and wytſaue ones to open the in warde eyes of worldlye rewlers, that they maye in thy feare beholde theſe myſchefes with Ioſaphat; hiehu, Ezechias, and3. Reg. 22. 2. Par. 34▪ godlye Ioſias, for as yet we are farre from godlyneſſe for all owr newe reformacyon.
The manne of ſynne.
1 And that I do not here after preache or teache anye 2 hereſyes / errours / or noughtye opynyons 3 contrarye and ageynſt the catholike faythe of ovvr holie mother the churche / 4 but as moche as can lye in my povver to maynteyne / defende / 5 and auaunce the ſeyd catholycke faythe.
Hys dyſcloſynge.
SIE yf there be in the worlde anye myſchefe, abhomynacyō, or deuylyſhneſſe lyke vntounto thers. In eueryevery poynt do theyLuc. 16. Math. 12. Gene. 3. ſhewe them ſelues the verye aduerſaryes of God, and the rebellynge ſede of the ſerpent. Chriſt at hys departure from thys worlde, commaunded onlye preachyngeMat. 28. Marci. 16. and baptyme to hys apoſtles, and neyther ſyngynge nor ſenſynge, holye watte rynge nor maſſynge. Thys do they with all threttenynges inhybytt, as ys here ſpecyfyed.The papyſtes ponnyſhe with deathe whan Chryſt ys obeyd. For Tolwyn ys here commaunded from hence forth neyther to preache nor to teache, vponupon ſoche peynes and penaltees as are due to heretyques, whych ys no leſſe thā burnynge in ſmythfeld, or hangynge in the lollars tower at mydnyght whan menne be a ſlepe. Vvo ys vntounto me (ſayth ſaynt Paule) or dampnacyon1. Cor. 9. Act. 9. 1. Cor. 1 to my ſowle, yf I preache not the goſpell. Chriſt hath not ſent me to baptyſe, but to publyſhe the glad tydynges of helthe, moche leſſe than to go proceſſyon or to ſaye a popyſſhe maſſe. Thys neceſſaryeThey forbyd and condempne that chriſthath commaſtded. mynyſtracyon in the worde, whych Chriſt hath ordayned, do they lyke antichriſtes condempne. The wholſome offyce of preachynge that he hath commaunded, do they moſt ſtreyghtlye inhybitt. Ryghtlye therfor ded Chriſt declare thē contempners of hys fathers heauenlye ordynaunces for ther owne fylthye tradycyons and cuſtomes, whych are moſt abhomynable blaſphemyes.
2 But here parauenture my lorde wyl allege for hymſelfe, that hys preſent inhyHereſye call they the goſpell. bycyon concerneth the onlye preachynge of hereſyes ād errours, whych he wyll in no wyſe hauehave taught in hys dyoces. If my lorde had ſo well aſſertayned vsus what an hereſye ys, as he hath here ſett out Tolwyn for an heretyque, we ſchuld mocheVvhat he reſye ys, they tell not. better hauehave vnderſtande hym. But ſurelye yf hereſye be a contrarye doctrine to the wholſome doctrine of Chryſt, my lorde ys here the moſt rāke herety qne and wyt leſſe antychryſt that cuer I harde of. And as for Chriſt, here ys no maner of mencyon of hym. He ys not ſo moche as ones namedNot ones ys Chryſt here named. in all thys frantyke declaracyon. He re ys not one thynge that the ſcrypture of God can iuſtlye maynteyne, ſo Babylonyſhe, heythr…yſſe, ād hellyſhe ys yt. And therfor yt ys no doctryne of hys, but all ageynſt hym. My lord thynketh that thereHereſyes after my lordes me anynge. are nō other hereſyes but thoſe whych rebuke the ſuperſtycyons of hys popyſhe churche. Non other errours, but that ſpeaketh ageynſt ther ambycyouſe pryde and vayne glorye. Non other noughtye opynyōs but ſoche as towcheth ther couetouſe cloynynge and inſacyable auaryce. Thē Heretyques after the popes doctors.thynketh he onlye heretyques with Thomas, Bonauenture, Dons, Bachonthorpe, and other ſentencyoners, whych dyſobeyeth the Rome churhe. He remembreth not that accordynge to Chriſtes promyſe, the holye goſt at hys commynge ſchuld reproue the worlde of ſynne, ryghtouſneſſeIoan. 16. Luc. 12. 1. Tim. 4. and iudgement, whych betokeneth infydelyte, hypocryſe and mannys wyſdome. For he fyndeth yt not in hys portifolium, nor yet in owr ladyes mattens. And therfor whan ſoche ſtraunge voyces ſoū deth in hys eare for lacke of a through acquayntaūce with them, he taketh thē forEſa. 5. Hier. 2. Ezech. 38 Lucae. 3. Math. 15. Eph. 4. hereſyes, errours, and noughtye opynyōs Thus maye he alſo iudge Eſaie, Hieremie, Ezechiel, and Daniel with the other prophetes, Chriſt, Iohan Baptyſt, Paule, and Peter with the other apoſtles to be heretyques, for all ther prophecyes and wrytynges are full of ſoche hereſyes.
3 Euerye where are they contrarye to the catholyke faythe of your churche, whych ys the worſhyppynge of Idols, the callynge vponupon menne that are departed, and the gaſynge vponupon goddes that are ſeane with the eye. Euerye where areThe catholyk faythe of papyſtes in dead Idols they ageynſt that holye mother of yours, in opynyon, faythey and doctryne. No Chriſten beleue fatcheth ther dyſcyples, and ſcolers frō your laye mēnys calēder your dead boke of Images, nor yet from iour latyne ſeruyce whō they vnderſtāde not, but frō the lyuynge worde of the lorde.The faythe of tru Chryſtianes in the liuynge God. Ther faythe ys a ſubſtaūce of thynges vnſeane, and not of gaudes and fables aperynge to the eye. In ſprete and verite do they worſhyp ther eternall father ād not in outwarde ſhaddowes and toyes. Vnholie do they iudge that mother whych bryngeth forth daylye ſo manye proude porkelynges, ſo manye couetouſePhil. 3. 2. Tim. 3. 2. Pet. 2. Pſal. 105. charmers, ſo manye Idell hypocrytes, oyled Idyotes, ſhorne bellye goddes, wedlock breakers, defylers of maydēhe de, open perſecuters of the truthe, ſleers of innocentes, ſodomytes, and beaſtes, of ferynge thēſelues vp for aſtynkige ſacryfyce vntounto belphegor in the fylthye fyreDaniel. 13 Eph. 4. 1. Tim. 4. of concupyſcence, burnynge heates of ther luſtes, ād vnſacyable deſyres of ther lueſhe with a deſperate conſcyence, contempnynge the iuſt ordynaunce of God to obſerue ther papyſtycall vowe.
4 The catholyke faythe of thys malygnaunt madame, the churche of anti…ſt, the mother of myſchefe (whych ys abhomynable whoryſhneſſe) hath Tolwyn promyſed to hys ſymple power toErrours lies ādthe doctryne of deuyls in hypocryſye. maynteyne with holye water makynge to defende with errours and lyes in hypo cryſye, and to auaunce with the holye docryſye, of deuyls, accordynge to hys newe made othe and profeſſyon in my lordes preuye cloſett, for the ſcripturs wyll not therto ſerue hym. They knowlege nō other churche of chriſt, but the kynges doughter whych ys from wythin, as Dauid doth largelye deſcrybe her in hysPſal. 44. Luc. 17. Math. 12. 44, pſalme and ys therfor called the kyn gedome of heauen, whych neyther hath myter nor cope, mattens nor maſſe, ſhauen crowne nor anoyntynge.
5 To thys newe profeſſyon and ſolempne othe of Tolwyn, that he ſchall durynge hys lyfe, maynteyne, defende, and auaunce the popes olde relygyon or ātychriſtes whether ye wyll (for yt ys nō of chriſtes) the worſhypfull cyte of London,London muſt heare thys ꝓ ſeſſyō, to obeye yt. my lorde mayer, the ſhryues, and the whole commynnalte muſt beare recorde, that they maye alſo obeye the ſame, though they hauehave both godes lawes and ther kynges actes to the contrarye. Is not thys thynke yow a bolde enterpry fe and a wonderfull ſpectacle vntounto menne, ſoche a thynge to be done in the face of the peple, the pope ſo latelye putt downe,antichriſt hath here an vnſhamefaſt face. the goſpell ſo clerelye dyuulgate, and the kynge makynge ſoche conſtytucyons for the ſcrypturs mayntenaunce. Are not the peple of thys realme wonderfullye abuſed by ſoche maſterye workers as my lorde ys? Vvhat yow thynke of yt in En glande I can not tell, but I wote all chriſtendome beſydes wondereth of yt, theThe kynge doth one, ād the byſſhops an other. kynge thus doynge one thynge and the byſſhoppes an other. If they dare be ſo bolde openlye and vnderunder the kynges noſe, I doubt not butt hey are bold ynow a brode and farder of, and ther preſtes lacketh no good counſell ther vntounto in ther conuocacyons and ſeanes. In dede thys farre paſſeth the calkynge of doctor Crōke horne with hys ſecrete reuelacyons, andDoctor Cronckhorne ād doctor Bockyng alſo the pratye practyſes of doctor Bockynge and the holye mayde of kente, yf all thynges be conſydered. Now foloweth the text in hys courſe.
The manne of ſynne.
¶ 1 And Vtterlye to deteſt / abhorre / 2 and auoyde all / 3 and all maner of hereſyes / errours / and nough tye opynyons / 4 VVith the fauourers / mainteyners / defenders / or anye of them durynge my lyfe.
Hys dyſcloſynge.
O… F a farre other ſort was Chriſt in takynge of ſynners to repētaunce, than ys my good lorde of London, for he compelled non of them to do ſocheChriſt was more eaſye to ſeke vntounto than my lorde. open penaunce, nor yet ſhamefullye to ſlaunder them ſelues a fore the multytude. Magdalene, Zacheus, the aduowterooſe womā, and the thefe on hys ryght hande, had fauorable wordes of hym, with manye ſwete commendacyons, bleſſſynges, and promyſes. The ſpyghtfullLuc. 7. Luc. 19. Ioan. 8. Luc. 23. Eze. 18. Math. 26 Marci. 14. Ioan. 18. Matth. 11. traytour whych betrayed hys bodye vntounto deathe, refuſed not he to kyſſe. The dyſcyples whych forſoke both hym ād hys doctrine to the great ſlaunder therof, ded not he cōſtrayne to recant openlye. Lerne of me (ſayth he) for I am gentyll and meke harted. My yoke ys eaſye and my burthē lyght. But perchaūce my lorde wyll ſaye here in hys owne behalf (as he ys a man of great lernynge and leſſe godlye wytte) that he hath done in thys as ded Peter whā he ſtrake of Malchus ryght eare. Thā My lorde ſmytethof Malchus eare with Peter.muſt my lorde cōſydre what thāke Peter had of hys maſter for ſo doynge, ād how lyttle pleaſure that enterpryſe ded hym. He was by and by commaunded lyke a brayneleſſe fole to put vpp hys weapon ageyne, with ſoche an erneſt checke, that he neuer durſt drawe yt ſens. Vve muſtMath. 26 Lncae. 22. Ioan. 18 2. Cor. 6. remembre alſo that Malchus was a byſſhops ſeruaunt, whych dyſchargeth my lorde of Peters felyſhypp. For non agrement can Chriſt hauehave wyth Belial, nor yet lyght with darkeneſſe. A true chriſtiane ought by hys Chriſten profeſſyon, in the ſprete of lenyte and gentylneſſe to examyneIoan. 5. 1. Ioan. 4. Iacobi. 4. 1. Pet. 1 all doctrines, and to proue all ſpretes whether they be of God or nay, ād not raſhelye to condempne hys poore Chriſten brother whom Chriſt hath ſo derelye redemed.
2 But thys newe profeſſyon of my lorde in Tolwyn, ys of an other veyne, and af a farre dyuerſe ſort from that. For yt muſt vtterlye deteſt, abhorre, and auoyde all. But what all I can not tell yow, vnleſſeAll godlineſſe and veryte cō dēned by profeſſyō yt be all godlyneſſe and veryte, or all that Englande hath done ageynſt the pope, for yt ys not here expreſſed. It ys ſoche an all, as ſtandeth here in myſterye, cō prehendynge my lordes whole mynde in holye churches behalfe with out vtteraunce.
3 Seynge therfor that thys all, beyngeMy lorde loketh for a tyme of more myſchefe. vnderunder a ſecrete trope or fygure maye not be dyſcloſed tyll my lorde ſeeth a better tyme, we wyl lett hym alone, and paſſe forth to the all that foloweth, whych car ryeth hys contentes with hym. That ys to ſay, all maner of hereſyes, errours, and noughtye opynyons vnnamed, leaſt they ſchuld ſhewe my lorde in hys ryght colours. Not vnlyke ys my lordes honorable lordſhypp here in thys condempnacy on to the great bellyed braggers or ſorbonycall maſters in Parys, whych commynge with rede faces from the cherefull bankett of Bacchus, called prandium theologicumMartyn Luther cōdempned in ſorbon at Parys. condempned Martyne Luther in the reare of owr lorde. M. D. ād XXIIII hys artycles not examyned. It muſt nedes be an hereſye, an erroure, and a noughtye opynyō yf my lorde ſo iudgeth yt though yt be Chriſtes owne worde. It ys ynough for my lorde but to ſpeake yt, for a ChriſtenMy lorde ys a great pyllar of the popes churche. mā nys beleue. For hys reuerende lordeſhypp ys a great pyllar of the popes holye churche, whych maye condempne the goſpell by quodcun que ligaueris.
4 Yea, he that ſchall profeſſe thys newe rewle of olde papyſtrye, muſt vtterlye deteſte and abhorre all theſe (I wote not what) with the fauorers of them, the maynteyners, defēders, or obiecters what ſo euer they be, kynge or coūſell, for both they hauehave depelye entred ſoche matters.
5 For whye yt foloweth in the textThys doctrine tea Thys doctrine tech eth to ab horrekyn ge ād con̄ ſell. here, or anye of them. Vvhych ys an anagogycall trope or hygh ſpeakynge of my lorde aboue hys compaſſe, I had almoſt hauehave ſeyd, beyonde hys wytte. And thys muſt be for euer and euer durynge hys lyfe. For ſo hath Tolwyn promyſed, for example. Thys vowe of relygyon maye neuer be broken, though godes commaundementes and Chriſtes aduertyſementesTake hede of. xxi years in thys vnad uyſed vo we. ſchuld go all to the deuyll of hell. For the breakynge therof myght brynge in both fagottes and fyre. And all thys muſt be do ne for the auauncement of holye churche, as ys a fore ſpoken. Butt tell me thys. Vvhat godlye wyſe manne can thynke that churche holye or good, whych ſeethHolye churche knoweth not a tray tour from a ſaynt. not in ſo manye years a traytoure from a ſaynt, but auaunceth hym with ſo manye falſe myracles, as ther churche hath done beckett, and ſtyll doth more of the ſame generacyon. She ſchall be of a moche better ſyght, and of a more godlye iudgemēt ere I cruſt eyther her, or yet her anoynted chyldren as ſpirituall as they be. Vvele I wote that the churche, whych ys the immaculateApoc. 19. Eph. 5. Cant. 4. Ioan. 12. ſpouſe of the lambe Ieſus chriſt, had neuer ſoche a ſpotte in her garment. The eternall father be ones mercyfull to hys peple, and delyuer them from thys dampnable plage of darkeneſſe, yf yt be hys pleaſure.
¶The manne of ſynne.
¶ 1 Hys fordeſhypp ys content to reſpyte the reſt of my penaunce / 3 and vponupon my good deſeruynge 4 and doynge accordynge to my ſeyd promyſe / 5 to forgeue all togyther.
Hys dyſcloſynge.
I 1 Vvyſt yt wolde at the laſt apere frō Tyrānye ſpringeth out ofther lordſhypwhens all thys Pharaonycall tyrannye ſpryngeth, thys cruell perſecutynge, thys murtherynge of innocentes. It cometh frō a lordſhypp, by ther owne confeſſyon. For hys honorable lordſhypp ys contented here vponupon couenauntes made betwixt them, to reſpyte the reſydue of Tol wyns penaunce. But from whens aryſethApoc. 20 Zach. 9. Ioan. 18. Luc. 22. thys ſpyrituall lordſhyp, or worldye monarchye rather. Not from Chriſtes doctrine, for they taught euermore the cōtrarye. My kyngedome (ſayth he) ys not of thys worlde. The rewlers of nacyons hauehave the vnyuerſall domynyon, and are called gra cyouſe lordes, but yow ſchall not ſo. Peter, Iohā, lames, and Paule, with the other apoſtles and dyſcyples were onlye preachersMarc. 26 1. Cor. 4. Act. 4. of the goſpell, mynyſters, dyſpoſers, and geuers Forth of the ſecretes of god.
They neuer became anye lordes, but perſe cuted abiectes, as manye are uow adayes. Thys gloriouſe lordſhypp came in wham phocas the falſe emproure made Rome thePhocas the Emprour. Apoc. 20 head churche of the worlde for moneye. And yt was ſpred abrode after a thouſan de years from Chriſtes natyuyte, whan Sa than was loſed out of hys preſon, and per mytted to go at large to deceyue the vngodlye multytude for ther vnbeleues ſake. So that thys lordſhypp ys non other, but the power, auctoryte, and ſeate of theDaniel. 9 Apoc. 13. Ezech. 22 dragon geuen vntounto the great antichriſt, which ys the beaſtlye bodye of Sathan, of whom my good lorde here ys a member, and ſo are all they that worke lyke feates in the ſame generacyon.
2 Vvhat my lorde ſchuld meane hereThe reſt of Tolwyns penaunce ys burninge byr eſpytynge of the reſt of Tolwyns penaunce, I can not well tell, vnleſſe he tarryeth a tyme or wayeht a layſer to hauehave hym in relapſe, and ſo to burne hym vp for an heretyque all together, lyke as hys holye predeceſſours hath done euer ſens Iohan wycleues tyme and ſumwhat a fore.Iohā wyc leues bat tayle ageynſt an …y chriſt. As I purpoſe ſhortlye (the lorde lēdyn ge me lyfe) to declare in a farre more larger treatyſe. Yet plucketh my lorde backe thys reſpyte ageyne full lyke a mercyfull father of holye churche, to apere charytable yf yt maye be.
3 Tolwyn vponupon hys good deſeruyngeVvhat a good deſeruynge ys. maye chaunce to hauehave a full for geueneſle of my lorde. But what call ye a good deſeruynge I praye yow? Marke that foloweth here after, and ye ſchall ſe how honorablye my lorde hath dyffyned yt he re vntounto Tolwyn, with a lumpe of good lernynge.
4 It ys to do accordynge to hys ſeydMy lordes owne dyffynycyon ther rof. promyſe. That ys to ſaye, to become from hence forth a good proceſſyon goer vponupon ſaturdayes at euēſonge, a good holye water maker, a good mattenſer, maſſer, and ſo forth, but no true goſpell preacher. More ouer yt ys to become a catholyke manne,Vvhat ys a catholyck man ne of holye churche. otherwyſe called a popyſhe rebellion but ſaye neuer a worde I cha ge yow. Yt ys alſo to auaunce the popes holye churche, and to deteſt and abhorre the noughtye heretyques, otherwyſe called good faythfull Chriſten mēne. Loo ſer, all thys ys called here a good deſeruynge.
5 If Tolwyn perfourme all thys accordynge to hys ſeyd promyſe, my lorde ys contented to forgeue all togyther lyke a good gentyll vertuouſe prelate. If not, theBe a falſe periureor els bew a re the fyre lorde of heauen hauehave mercye vponupon hym, for he goth ſurelye to the fyre. For that ys the olde rewarde of byſſhoppes, whan menne wyll not be rewled and obeye the good lawes of holye churche. That holye mother of thers can not abyde an enemye to blowe ones vpō her, but ſhe conſumethHolye churcheys becō all fyerye. them with burnynge cooles, not all vnlyke to Proſerpina and the olde god Vulcanus, ſo full of ſober pacyence ys ſhe. Her nature ys now, not to ouercome the worlde with faythe as ſhe was wont to do, but with flame, ſo feruent ys ſhe waxen ſens ſhe became a gloryouſe madame of the earthe. Fyre can ſhe make to come downeApoc. 13. Ioan. 16. Miche. 7. Rom. 8. from heauen in the ſyght of mē, cauſynge them to beleue that yt ys godes wyll to hauehave the heretyques conſumed. Thus prouoke ſhe that good creature of God vnwyllyngly (as ſaynt Paule ſpeaketh yt) to ſerue her vanyte, cleane contrarye vntounto hys gracyouſe ordynaunce. As where yt ought to be mannys cōfort to worke hysThe new myracles of antichryſt. confuſyon, and where yt ought to ſerue hys nede, vnſemynglye to deuoure hym and ſwallowe hym cleane vp. Soche wō ders can they do in the face of the worlde and yet be an holye conſecrate ordre ſtyll I doubt not but the lorde wyll ones make ther inyquyte full knowen to all menne, whan they ſchall ſaye with horrible feare and anguyſhe. Theſe are they whomNahum. 3 2. Theſ. 2. we ſumtyme had in deryſyon. Vve thought ther lyues verye madneſſe, and ther …de without honoure. But loo howSap. 5. they are counted amonge the chyldren of God, and ther porcyon ys amonge the ſayntes. Therfor hauehave we erred from theThe deſperate cō playnt of antichryſtes ſlaughter men. waye of truthe, the ſonne of ryghtouſneſſe hath not ſhyned vntounto vsus, nor the clereneſſe of vnderſtandynge ouer ſpredde vsus, with hys bryght beames. Vve hauehave tyred owr ſelues in the rewles of wyckedneſſe and deſtruccyon. Tedyouſe wayes hauehave we gone, but the iuſt waye of the lord hauehave we not knowen. what good hath owr pryde done vntounto vsus? Or what profyteEccle. 12. 1. Ioan. 2. hath the pōpe of rycheſſe brought vsus. All thoſe thynges are paſſed a waye lyke a ſheaddowe, and ſo forth as yt foloweth ſtyll in the fift chapter of ſapyence.
¶ The manne of ſynne.
¶ 1 Beſechynge therfor yovv that be my fryndes / 2 to geue hym moſt hartye thākes for the ſame / 3 ād to take exāple by me 4 to auoyde the lyke daunger. Amen.
Hys dyſcloſynge.The ſerpē tyne nature of antichriſtes mēbers.
O…H what a cōpas of deceyt ys thys to auoyde the ſuſpycyon of tyrannye before the blynde worlde? Thys poore manne ys ſhamed openlye. He hath loſt hys good name for euer. Of a dere chylde of Chriſt he ys made a ſworne chylde of the deuyll by thys newe profeſſyon, wherin neyther Chriſt ys named nor yet hysAm Impe of hym whych of freth hys fete to be kyſſed. eternall father. Yet muſt hys fryndes come with cappe ādknee, to geue hartye thā kes to thys terryble termagaunt, thys Nē roth, thys Pharao, thys Hieroboam, thys Olopherne, thys antyochus, thys Herode, yea, thys mytred mahounde, and verye deuyll incarnate. I hauehave in my tyme ſeane lettersNo ſoche blaſphemye in ſaracen nor turke. and wrytynges dyuerſe, whych hath comen from the great Turke and Souldane. But neuer ſawe I anye of them with out the name of god as thys lordlye declaracyon ys. Vvo ys that realme that hath manye ſoche ghoſtlye gydes. It had bene great pyte except yt had bene declared at Paules croſſe, and that Tolwyns fryndes ſehuld geue hartye thankes for yt, there ys in yt ſo moche goodneſſe.
2 But vntounto what purpoſe ſchuld theſeThankes for playnge the tyraunt. thankes be geuen? That my lorde maye be iudged a prelate moſt charytable, and that he hath done all thys but of gētylneſſe and fauer, where as he myghthaue burned the heretyque by the popes holye lawes, of whom he ys a commenſed canonyſt. Vvhye? call ye that an acte of charyte, toVvo to them that calleth ſower ſwete. Eſa. 5. Marci. 8. Math. 16. Ioan. 8. Apoc. 13. ſhewe ſoche vyolence for matters of ſo ſmall wayght? Yea, for thiges whych are rather deuylyſhe than godlye, whoſe fulfyllynge ys ſylthye abhomynacyon and blaſphemye? For non other cauſe was Peter called Sathan of Chriſt, but for fauorynge thynges that were not of God but of menne. Lete hym geue hym thākes ther for that hath ſett hym a worke, to kyll as manye as wyll not do ther homages to the beaſtlye bodye of the olde ſerpēt of hell. And lete not honeſt godlye menne now worſhypp that Image, whych ys latelye rayſed of the beaſtes wounded head, of whom I hauehave written a large volumeThe Image of bothe churches. called the Image of both churches comprehēdynge an whole commentarye vpō the reuelacyon of Iohan, whych I truſt ye ſchall ſhortlye hauehave with other thynges els. For a doctryne of ſaluacyon ys that Apocalyps, and ſo neceſſarye to be vnderſtande & knowne, as yt ys to be a member of Chriſtes churche, conſyderynge yt ys non other but a manyfeſtacyon of the eſtate therof for all ages vntounto the worldesNeceſſarye doctrine of ſaluacyō. ende. Now to owr purpoſe ageyne. My lorde wolde fayne by theſe farre fett colours hyde a wolfe, but yt wyll not be. Falſhede wyll apere falſhede, ād axe hym no leaue. Great peynes he taketh to weue the ſpyders webbe, and to hatche the coccatryceIob. 8. Eſa. 59 Ezech. 13. Apoc. 14. 16. & …. Oſeae. 8. egges, but all wyll not helpe.
He vnderunder proppeth Babylon with vntempred claye for fallynge, but hys buyldynge wyll not faſhyō. Her irrecuperable fall ys at hāde. The calfe of Samaria muſt be take awaye. Yet wyl they do myſchefe as lōge as they maye, ſo deuyllyſhe ys ther nature.
3 Vvhych ys here included in thys latterTake warnynge by Tolwyn or els ye burne. admonycyon of Tolwyn. Vvherin he deſyreth hys fryndes to take an example of warnynge by hym, and therbye to auoyde lyke claunger. And me thynketh thys counſell ys fryndlye, yf yt be hys. For indede they ſchuld not fynde yt eaſye to come in ſoche tyrannouſe hādelynge. But I thynke verelye, that thys latter ende ys no leſſe my lorde of Londons, than ys all that went a fore. Not for anye good louelove or benyuolence that the wolfe beareth theEzech. 22 Ioan. 10. Lucae. 11. Heb. 13. flocke of Chriſtes lambes. But in purpoſe to ſcattre them, and to fraye them awaye from the ſwete paſture and fatte fedynge of the goſpell whych ys hys eternall teſtament. A contynuall practyſe hath thys bene amonge owr ſpirituall Mahometes euer ſens ther begynnynge. And I thynkeA prac̄tyſe borowed of the Romanes they lerned yt fyrſt of the romanes, as they hauehave done all other deuylyſhneſſe els. Vvhoſe cuſtome was, whan ſo euer the flood of Tiber raged, to throwe in a man ne or a woman, therwith to pacyfye hys furye. And in dede waters in dyuerſe placesPſal. 76. Apoc. 17 Act. 6. & 21. Lucae 2. of the ſcripture, betokeneth the peple. Thoſe haſtye voyces ageynſt ther proude kyngedome, they vſe oft to apeyſe with ſoche a fraye bugge as was Tolwyn at Paules croſſe, whom my lorde ſett vp the re for a ſygne of contradyccyon. If Iohan Porter that gētyll and godlye yonge man ne and true dyſcyple of Chriſt (whom myIohā porter famyſhed ī new gate for Chriſt. lorde latelye quelled in preſon for readynge the byble) had ſubmytted hymſelfe to thys ſymple office and profeſſyon of papyſtrye, forſwerynge Chriſt and hys veryte, he had bene māne alyue, (and ſo had other more) where as now he ys dead ād gone. But be thu certayne and ſure of yt (thu terryble and cruell Cerberus) thatPrecyouſe ys the deathe of the faythfull before God. God hath not loſt hym. Full dere ys he vntounto hys mercyfull redemer though thu haſt wretchedly caſt hym awaye. Yea, full precyouſe in hys ſyght ys hys deathe, though he dyed in the ſtynkynge dōgyon of new gate with the wydowes almes of no ſmal wayght vponupon hym, beſydes the moſt ſharpe hōger and greuouſe famyſhmēt whych dryed vpp hys bowels. Or ſtrangelynge vpp in the nyght as your commō feate ys,The commen charyte of mytred prelates. for ye hauehave yowr hyred ſlaughter menne in ſoche hydden corners for ſoche buſye byble readers. Remember what ye ſayd, whan he came before yow, that ye were glad he was come to your handes. Ye thought than to dyſpatche hym for anye more readynge in Paules, as ye hauehave now done in dede, though he were a manne of ryght ſtronge nature and ſtomake. But bleſſed be our lorde God, though yePſal. 113. Math. 10. Lucae. 9. Ioan. 12. Marci. 8. Math. 25. hauehave ſlayne hys bodye, ye can do no harme to hys ſowle. He that loſeth hys lyfe for Chriſt, ſchall fynde yt ageyn to auauntage. The corne that dyeth in the grounde, bryngeth forth moche frute. He that loſeth hys ſowle here, ſchall fynde yt in the lyfe euerlaſtynge, whan tyrauntes ſchall hauehave rewarde with the deuyll and hys angels.
4 Tolwyn hath not done all amys therfor in admonyſhynge hys fryndes afore hande to take example by hym, for the auoydaunceThe blood of theſe and other axeth vengeaū ce. of lyke daunger or els worſe. For yf they lyſt not to beware by hym. they maye take warnynge by that hath be done vntounto Rycharde mekyns, Robert warde, and now laſt of all Iohan porter, whoſe blood axeth daylye vengeaunce ouer thys cruell tyraunt, as ded the innocent blood of Abel ouer that ſpyghtfull murtherer Cain. By thys and ſoche other, as by moſt enydent tokens, maye chriſtenAn euydēt ſygne of Chryſtes doctrine. Idols and the ſtewes neuer perſecuted. mēne ſe that yt ys chriſtes doctrine whych hath bene taught now of late, by gods appoyntment and the kynges permyſſyon. For yf yt were of the worlde, the fleſhe, or the deuyll, yt ſchuld hauehave the clergye to frynde, lyke as hath Idolatrye, whoredome and all other fylthyneſſe, with the ſtynkynge ſtewes whom they neuer perſecute. Our eternall God ād mercyfull father delyuer ones hys peple frō theſe cruell enemyes, whom he hath redemed with the precyouſe blood of hys ſonne Ieſus Chriſt
Amen.