The Chief and Principal Articles of the Christian Faith, Part 3
Of the right Olde Church, what, where and who ſhe is, and where by ſhe maye be knowen.
THe cauſe, wher fore the papiſtes do cal vsus heretykes, is thys. They ſaye, that we be fallē frō the holy churche, & hauehave ſet vp another newe churche. Here vponupon is to be anſwered. For as muche as they boaſte thēſelues, that they be the ryght churche, ſo ought thei to proue the ſame, yf thei by any ground (for we deſyre not much groūd) proue the ſame, then will we yelde oure ſelues, come and ſaye: Peccauimus, miſerere noſtri. But yf they cā not proue it, thē muſt thei nedes confeſſe (be it willyngly or vnwillyngly) that they be not the churche, & that we cā not be heretikes, for falling frō that vyle church. Yea whyleſt there is no mediation, ſo muſte we be the church of Chriſt, & they the churche of the deuil, or cōtrariwiſe. Therfore lyeth very much on this poynt, that mē proue, which is the tru church. As lōg as that profe is not there, it is in vayn that the one part boaſte thē ſelues the church, & cal the other heretykes, The one partie muſt nedes be falſe & wrōg. Two maner of churches.But there be two maner of churches, frō the beginnyng of the world vntill the end the which ſ. Anguſtyn calleth Cayn, & Abel, And the Lorde Chriſte cōmaundeth vsus, that we ſhould not receyue the falſe church & diſcerueth him ſelfe two churches one true, another falſe Math. vij. Beware of falſe Prophetes which come vntounto you is ſhepes clothynge &c.mat. vij. Vvheras Prophetes be, euē there be churches, wherein thei teache. Yf the Prophetes be falſe, thā be the churches falſe alſo, which beleue & follow the prophetes. Now could we neuer as yet hitherto obtayn of the papiſtes, that they would ſhew, wherfore that they are the right church, but they ſtande onelyonly vponupon the ſaynge of Mat .xviii. That men muſte heare the churche, or elles they muſt be loſt.Matth. xviij. And yet in the ſame place Chriſt ſaith not, who, where, or what the church is: but whereſoeuer the church is, euen there ſhould mē heare her. Euē thatſame do we cōfeſſe & ſay alſo. but we aſke, where, & who is the church of chriſt, not of the name, but of the beyng do we aſke
Lyke as yf I ſhould aſke a dronken man beyng halfſtepyng half wakyng, or a foole I praye the tell me, who, or where is the Church? And he ſhoulde anſwer me, tenne tymes one after another, nothing elles but thus, mē ought to heare the Churche. Howe ſhoulde I heare the church not knowing, who or where ſhe is? Yea ſaye they we Papiſtes, hauehave abydē in the firſt old church frō the Apoſtles time hitherto, therfore be we rightly deſcēded frō the olde churche, & remayne hitherto, but ye be fallē frō vsus, & are become a new churche agaynſt vsus. Anſwer, But howe then yf I ſhould proue, that we abyde by the right old church: yea that we be the right old church? and that ye be fallē from vsus, that is frō the old church, & hauehave reared a newe church againſte the old church: that ſame let vsus heare.
Baptiſme.Fyrſte, wil nor can no man denye this, that we as wel as the papiſtes came out of the holy baptiſme, & are called chriſtians of the ſame. Now is baptiſme no newe thinge, nor yet of vsus at this tyme inuented, but it is euē the ſame olde baptiſme, that Chriſte hath inſtituted, wherein the Apoſtles and the primitiue church, and all chriſtians thereafter, hitherto are baptiſed. HaueHave we nowe theſame baptiſme, & the firſt olde (and as in Simbole ſtandeth Catholice, that is the hole chriſten) church and are euen baptiſed in the ſame, then belonge we ſurely in theſame old and hole chriſten church, which with vsus together, & we with her together come of one maner of baptiſme, & is concernyng baptiſme, no difference. Baptiſme is the chiefe & firſt ſacramēt, without the which al other be nothinge, as thei muſt cōfeſſe thē ſelues. Therfore cā not the papiſtes, with the trueth cal vsus a new church or heretikes, ſence we be children of the old baptiſme, as wel as the Apoſtles thē ſelues, & the hole Chriſtianite.Eph. iiij One maner of baptiſme.
Supper of the Lorde.Secondarely, wil nomā denye this, That we hauehave the bleſſed Supper of the Lorde, lyke and euen, as Chriſte hym ſelf hath inſtituted. And the Apoſtles there after, and the hole Chriſtianite hath vſed, So that we eate and drynke with the vniuerſall Chriſtianite, of on borde, and receyue with them one maner of olde ſacrament, and hauehave therein nothing renewed nor channged. Wherefore we be with them one maner of Church, or as S. Paull ſaith i. Cor .xi. one body, whiche eate of one breade, & drynke of one drynk.i. Cor. xi Vvherfore the Papiſtes can not call vsus heretikes or newe Churche, excepte they muſte call Chriſte, the Apoſtles and the vniuerſall Chriſtianite heretykes before, euen as they do in dede. For we be with the olde Churche, one Church in one Sacrament.
Kayes.Thyrdely, can noman denye. That we hauehave the right olde kayes, and vſe them none otherwyſe, then to bynde & to loſe ſynnes that be all agaynſte Goddes commaundement, as Chriſte hath inſtituted them, & as the Apoſtles and the vniuerſall Chriſtianite hauehave vſed them hetherto. And hauehave alſo one kaye & vſe with the olde Church, wherfore we be the ſame olde Church, or at the leaſt in it. For we make no newe keye, nether make we newe lawes, nether do we there with, exclude kynges & Princes and their tēporall powers. But onelyonly ſhutte the ſynners out & into the kyngdome of heauen like as the olde Churche hath done (by the commaundement of the Lord) where in the Papiſtes do falſely belye vsus, yea blaſpheme the olde churche, the Apoſtles and Chriſte hym ſelfe in vsus.
Office of preachynge.Fourthely, can noman denye, That we hauehave the office of Preachinge, & the word of God ſyncerely & rychely, earneſtly teachinge & dryuynge the ſame, without any maner of addiciōs of new propre mānes tradiciōs. Euē as Chriſt hath cōmaunded. And as the Apoſtles & the vniuerſal chriſtianite hauehave done: we inuēte no newelties. But we hold vsus & abyde by the olde worde of God, as the old church hath hadde it. Therfore be we with the ſame, the right old Churche, as one Church that teacheth & beleueth one Goddes word. Vvherfore the Papiſtes agayne blaſpheme Chriſt hym ſelf, the Apoſtles. And the vniuerſal Chriſtianite, whē they calle vsus new & heretikes. For they fynd nothinge by vsus, but the olde faſſhion, of the olde Church, that we be lyke vntounto the ſame, and be with her one Church.
Symbolum or Cred of thapoſtles.Fyfthely, cā nomā denye, That we hold, beleue, ſyng, & cōfeſſe. The Crede or Symbolum of the Apoſtles, the old faith of the olde Church, in al thinges lyke with her not makyng or addynge any new thinge there vntounto. Vvherby we perteyne in the old Church and be one with her. Therfore let not this pece alſo be imputed vntounto vsus of the Papiſtes with the trueth, as hereſie and newe Church. For he that beleueh and holdeth with the old Church the ſame is of the olde Church.
Praye…Sixtely, nomā can denye this, That we hauehave one lyke prayer, with the old church & the ſame Pater noſter, not inuentinge any new or other. And ſynge euē the ſame Pſalmes with one accord of mouthe, & hart: laudinge & thākyng God, lyke as Chriſte hath taught the ſame, and as the Apoſtles and the old Church hauehave vſed the ſame, And commaunded vsus to followe the ſame exā ple. So that the Papiſtes agayne for this can not call vsus heretikes or newe Church, but they muſt fyrſt of all blaſpheme Chriſt hym ſelfe, with his deare olde Churche.
Worldly power.Seuently, can noman denye, That we with the olde Church bothe teache and affirme. That men ought to honoure the temporall Powers, and not to curſe them, nor yet compell them to kyſſe the fete of the byſſhoppe of Rome. Whiche alſo we hauehave not inuented of newe. For S. Peter .ij. Pet. ij. curſeth thoſe that ſhould newly inuēte and cra…tely do ſuche thinges.ij. Pet. ij And S. Paull. Roma. xiij. is on oure ſyde.Ro. xiij. And alſo the olde and vninerſall Chriſtianite. So that in this thynge alſo, we may not be called newe, as the Papiſtes blaſpheme God hym ſelfe in vsus, But we be, & perteyne in the olde holy Apoſtolike Churche as the right chyldrē and membres of the ſame. For we hauehave taught tru obediēce allwayes to be done vntounto oure hyer powers, whether it be to Emperour or Prince, whiche alſo we hauehave done oureſelues, and hauehave prayed for them hartely.
Matrimony.Eyghtely, can noman denye. That we …aude and pr…yſe Matrimony, as a Godly bleſſed, and acceptable creation and ordinaunce, for the frute of the body, and agaynſt the fylthynes of the fleſſhe. And hauehave not of newe inuetēted the ſame by oure ſelues, neither is the vſe there of newly by vsus imagined, muche leſſe, as of newe teathers forbidden. But euen as God from the beginnynge hath created and Chriſte confirmed. The Apoſtles and the olde Churche, hauehave honoured and taught the ſame euen in the ſame olde rule of Goddes inſtitutynge hauehave we abyden. And be therein agreable with the olde Churche, yea and right kynd membres of the ſame. So that men may ſee howe the Papiſtes agayn carnally, laye vntounto vsus ne we fanglednes.
Perſecution for the wordes ſake.Nynthly, can noman denye. That we hauehave euen the ſame ſufferinge, (as S. Peter ſayeth) whiche oure brethren hauehave in the worlde, we be perſecuted in al parties, yea ſlayne, drowned, hā ged, & all maner of tormentes is layde vntounto vsus for the wordes ſake, & it gothe with vsus euen as with the olde church. And be in this point aboue meaſure lyke vntounto the ſame. So that we may well ſaye. Vve be the right old church or at the leaſt her comparteners & lyke fellowes in ſufferinge. For we do not inuente ſuche thinges of newe, but we fele it well ynough. Yea we be euē (as the olde churche is alſo) lyke vntounto the Lord Chriſt hym ſelf vppon the croſſe.
There ſtād before the croſſe, Annas and Caiphas, with the Prieſtes, and blaſpheme the Lord. Alſo beſydes that they hauehave crucified hym. Euen lyke as the byſſhoppe of Rome, Cardinalles, and monkes, hauehave iudged, condemned and murthered vsus, and hauehave ſhed our bloude, and ſclaunder vsus yet beſydes that. There ſtād the ſouldiours, that is The worldly powers partely & ſclaunder vsus alſo. Moreouer the vnthrif… the murtherer on the left hād. H M. with his conſortes, whome god hath iudged and hanged in chaynes in hell, muſt alſo there vntounto adde his ſclaundering. In ſo moche that this pere as an olde ſigne of the olde churche, aboundantly maye be ſene on vsus.
The churche vſeth no vēgaunce.Tenthly, can nomā denye, That we alſo do not ſhede bloude agayn, nether murther, hange, & reuenge oure ſelues as we oftentymes myght & yet coulde do. But euē as Chriſt, the Apoſtles, & the old church hath done. So we ſuffre exhorte, and pray for thē. Alſo opēly in the church, in the letany & ſermōs, lyke as chriſt our Lord hath done & taught, & the olde churche alſo. So that here in alſo we behaue our ſelues cōformable to the olde faſſhion of the olde church.
For as muche nowe as the papiſtes knowe that we in all ſuche poyntes, an whatſoeuer there be more of them be conformable vntounto the olde churche, and maye lawfully be called the olde churche (for ſo much as ſuch poyntes be not nowe, nor of vsus inuented) It is a merueylous caſe, howe they may be ſo bolde, ſo ſhameles to belye & to condēne vsus, as though we were fallē frō the churche, & hadde begonne a newe church. Notwithſtonding, that they cā not fynde, any newelties by vsus, that was not vſed in the olde and righte Churche, in the Apoſtles tyme. In ſo muche that I thinke verely. This be the tyme, Wherof Daniel .vij. ſayeth.Dan. vij. The olde aged ſat hym doune, after that the lifte horne had ended his blaſphemynge and the iudgement geuen. For the primitiue olde Churche breketh forth agayne (lyke as the ſonne after the cloudes, behynde the whiche cloudes the ſame ſonne was, but not ſo bryght ſhyninge) And that preſumptuous horne ſhall periſſhe. And all ſhall hauehave an ende, as euen there is cō teyned, and the worke it ſelfe declareth where of to diſpute, is no tyme here.
But myght any man ſaye. There is yet a faute in one thynge, namely in faſtynge for ye heretikes faſte not (ſay they) Oh Lorde God, yf faſtynge be a poynt belonginge to vsus of the olde Churche then is it a piteous caſe, yf it be a pece perteynynge to the Papiſtes of the newe Churche, ſo is it that they faſte not. And lyue ryotouſly alſo upon the faſtynge daye, more than vponupon the holy daye. Yea we do not onelyonly faſte. But ſuffer (with S. Paul) hunger,i. Cor. ij which we maye eaſely perceyue by oure pore Curates their wines and chyldrē dayly, and by many other pore folkes more, oute of whole eyes the hunger doth appeare, & hauehave ſkāte breade and water, & beſydes that they go fynger naked, hauynge nothing of their owne. The huſbandman and the Citezen geueth nothing. The nobilite taketh, ſo that there be fewe of vsus that hauehave ought, and yet can not helpe enery man. Thereto ſhoulde mynſters & cloyſters ſerue. But the other he dro… ued in couetouſnes. Laza… dyeth hungryIn ſo much that Lazarus muſt dye for hunger. Wherfore the Papiſtes laugh, howe be it, they declare therby, that we be the old thurch, which ſuffer the ſkornes of the deuills children to oure hynderaunce.
Hereby hauehave we nowe declared, and ſhewed, that we be the righte olde Churche, and with the vniuerſall Catholyke Churche one body, and one communion of Saynctes. Declare nowe alſo ye Papiſtes. That ye be the right olde Churche, or lyke vntounto it. But that be ye not able to do. But I will proue, that ye be the newe falſe Churche, whiche euer is fallynge awaye from the right olde Churche, and becometh the harlotte and ſcoele of the deuill.
Of the newe falſe Church, what, where, and who ſhe is, and whereby men ſhall knowe her.
New baptiſme & holynes in Poperye.Fyrſt ye do not abyde by the fyrſt old baptiſme, for ye hauehave of newe inuented many other baptiſmes. And teache that the fyrſt baptiſme, through ſynne be loſt, and that man muſt make ſatiſfaction by his owne workes. And ſpecially, that by mōkery a mā becometh as pure, as yf he come oute of the baptiſme of Chriſte. Vvhereby ye hauehave filled the worlde with Churches and Cloyſters.
Satiſfaction.And thie poynt, Satiſfaction is the begynnynge and occaſion, dore and entraunce into all abhomination of Popery, lyke as in the Churche, Baptiſme is the begynnynge and entraunce to all grace and remiſſion of ſynnes. For where as baptiſme is not, there helpeth nothinge Sacrament, keyes nor any other thinge, yf the Satiſfaction had not ben enterpryſed, than ſhould not, Pardō, Pilgrymage, Fraternite, Maſſe, Purgatory, monkerye, Mynſters, and the mooſt parte of all abhomination, hauehave ben inuented, and the Papacye ſhoulde not hauehave ben ſo large and fatte. Therefore hauehave they wel named the ſame a Baptiſme in their Churche, that hath wrought ſo many Baptiſmes, Sacramentes and remiſſions of ſynnes, yea alſo hygh holynes, that is the ſame theire owne righteouſnes, and worke holynes, wherof we hauehave writtē not a lyttell. Vvho hath cōmaunded you or where is it written? Where do ye fynde in the olde Churche, that ye maye inuente ſuche baptiſmes and holyneſſes? Who is here an heretike and newe churche.
Pardō.Secondarely, hauehave ye dryuen your Pardons throughout all the whole world as a baptiſme, yea as a floud that waſſheth awaye ſynnes. In ſo muche that ther is no corner in the world wherein your Pardons hauehave not ben ſolde & geuen. And all the worlde is full of Bulles & writtynges. Vvho hath cō maunded you? or where is it written? Vvhere do ye fynd it in the old church that ye maye ſtablyſſhe ſuche a newe baptiſme and waſſhinge away of ſynnes? who is here the hereticall newe church. Are ye not it euē the hooryſhe church of the deuill.
Holy water and …aſt.Thyrdely, hauehave ye drynen the holywater & …, not onelyonly in all churches but alſo in eueryevery corner as a clenſynge (or baptiſme) of ſynne, and hauehave alſo taught great witchecrafte therein. As diſt… … A…uam ſale ſheweth: Vvho hath comaunded you this. Vvher is it writtē. Vvher do ye fynd it in the old church, or inſtitutiōs of the Apoſtles. Vvho is here the new affallig church.
Pilgremages.Fourthely hauehave ye inſtituted Pilgremages for to merite Pardō, or fergeuenes of ſynnes, which for as much it is done withoute the office of the keyes, through your owne merites, is alſo a newe other Baptiſme, or clenſyng of ſynnes. Vvho hath cōmaunded you wher is it writtē. Vvhere do ye fynde it in the olde church, that ye ſhould inſtitute ſuch new remiſſiō or bapti…me. Vvho is here the newe runne awaye Churche.
Fraternitie.Fyftely, hauehave ye erected fraternities innumerable. In ſo much that ye hauehave alſo filled the worlde with Bulles and lettres, & all for Pardon & remiſſion of ſynnes, & deſeruynges. VvhichWhich onelyonly is the office of the holy Baptiſme and ſacrament. Vvho hath commaunded you. Vvhere is it written? Vvhere do ye fynde it in the olde Church, that ye hauehave authorite to induce ſuche newe remiſſions or merite? And who can reherſe, howe many maners of newe faſſhions ye hauehave inuented, to forgeue ſynne for money or propre deſeruynges. Vvho is here the newe Churche, with newe doctrines and Sacramentes, whereof neyther Chriſt, Apoſtles, Scripture, nor yet the old church hauehave any thinge knowen.
Sacrament of the aulter of the vniuerſall Church robbed.Sixthely, who will reherſe al the abhominable newellies which ye hauehave inuented in the hygh worthy holy Sacramēt of the body & bloude of Chriſt. Vvho hath cōmaunded you. Vvhere is it written, where do ye fynde it in the olde church. That fyrſte maye take and robbe this Sacrament from the vniuerſall church, and leaue onelyonly the one kynde, & appropriate the hole onelyonly to the Prieſtes.
Secondarely, alſo the ſame onelyonly kynde, not to teache and increaſe faith but to chaunge it into a worke of obedience of the Churche.
Thyrdly. The ho…e ſacrament (yf it elles as than be a ſacramēt) not in the remēbraunce of Chriſte, of hym openly to preache, and to geue hym thankes for his paſſion. But to ſelle it vntounto the other for a Prieſt offer, and propre deſeruinge of a wicked perſon, and to make the ſoules in purgatory partakers thereof, and to alter it mooſt abhominably and blaſphemouſly for all temporall neceſſities, euen as a heathē ſeruice of Idolles yea as a ſhamefull iuglynge, Vvhereby ye hauehave ſtilled & defaced, the remembraunce of Chriſte (for the whiche Chriſt did inſtitute it)
And notwithſtādinge that ye were elles, ſo pure a church, as the Apoſtles church, & yet much purer. Neuertheles doth this onelyonly abhominable, horrible pece whiche by the counſayll of the deuil ye hauehave inuēted of new, make you a new of falling hereticall church, yea an earthy whoor of the deuil, & a ſcoole of hell. For this parte is ſo abhominable, groundeles & euill, that in this lyfe, no tonge can expreſſe, nor no harte cōprehende it, vntil the later daye appeare.
Reade, gather and heape all the miſchief to gether. Vvhatſoeuer the deuil with you all agaynſt vsus cā imagine & lye a thouſande tymes as muche intre to it, yet for all that will it not be a ſmal chippe in cōparyſon of this great beam…, where on not one, but douteles all the deuills, with all the Craftyeſt k…aues, in ſixe hundreth yeres hauehave buylded. This is one of the right poyntes: Abhominatiō in holy place.Vvhiche Chriſt calleth an abhominatiō to the holy place. Vvherfor not onelyonly we ſhould & muſt flee frō you, as frō the great wrath of God. But alſo heauē & earth trēbleth, & abhorret ſuch a denne of theues, for this pece doth not onelyonly cauſe no church to remayn. But alſo maketh thereof the fouleſt doug…hill of the deuil, that is in earth.
The Turke, Tatterues and Iewes be nothing lyke, ſo euill a dēne of murtherers, as the Popyſhe churche is in this one point. For they onelyonly denye Chriſt, & tourne their backe towardes hym. But theſe take hym here before the, ſpitte at hym, ſcorne hym, blaſpheme ſlaunder, defame & marter hym, & playe a more horrible paſſiō with hym then was done vntounto hym corporaly by the Iewes. He go your wayes nowe boaſte your ſelues the holy church frō the which we be fallē. The deuil abyde with you in ſuch a church, & all ſuche as hold w…h you in that trade, God ſaue vsus frō it, euen as he hath graciouſely pluckte vsus away from it, wherfore be laude and prayſe vntounto hym for euer.
Seuently, who hath commaunded you to make this neweltie? That ye hauehave made new keyes and wrought two falſe warthes, wherewith ye do not forgeue ſynne, nor yet withhold it, as the olde keyes do with vsus, And in the vniuerſal olde churche. But ye do inſtitute of newe ſynne, and murther, whereas elles be none in your runne awaye, and murtheryſſhe church, whereby with importable and innumerable lawes, ye entangle and bynde the Chriſten conſciences, ye treathen and kyll, for eatynge, drynkyng, clothyng places, dayes, and ſuch lyke outwarde thynges, whiche Chriſte hath geuen free. Colloſſ. ij. and the olde Churche hath kepte without any ſynne or feare.Collo. ij Beſydes thys, ye put downe Kynges and Prynces, as though ye were God youre ſelues. Howe is here fallynge awaye, or newe churche? The deuyll abyde with you in thys blaſphemous, murtheryſhe, ſynful, and dā nable peace we be come agayne to the olde church, lauded & prayſed be god.
Eyghtly, who hath commaunded you, ouer and aboue the maner of the olde Churche, and contrary to the cō maundemēt of chriſt, to preache other wyſe thā he hath cōmaunded? Matth. xxviij. Go & teache thē to obſerue what ſoeuer I cōmaūdeth you.Matth. xxviij. He ſayth not whatſoeuer ſemeth to you right & good Iohā. xiiij. The holy gooſt ſhall teache you al thynges, & bring to your remē braūce, whatſoeuer I hauehave tolde you.Ioh. xiiij
Mens tradicyons, & lyes in the Papacye.But ye hauehave filled al churches and ſchooles ſo ful of your dregges & dōg that is mannes doctrine & lyes, and arayed al places ſo foul with your vomite & filthynes, that (as Eſay ſayeth) no more roume is lefte, and yet ye will be called the churche.
Priuate maſſe.And this point is beſydes the priuate maſſe, alſo one of the worſte abhominations, whoſe hurt & plage cā not be grounded nor expreſſed, whereby ye hauehave edifyed a newe church for the deuyl, & hauehave ſerued hym with the ſame, In ſo much that it is nothyng but ſoule murther, and the very Molech, deuourer of chyldren, whiche ſuffreth not (as yonder Molech did) the ſoules of the chyldren to be ſaued, although they were burned corporally, but contrarywyſe ſuffereth the bodye to lyue a ſhort ſpace, but the ſoul burneth perpetually.Molech Leuit. xviij. Leui. xx Hiere. xxxij. I can not for tremblynge recyte muche of the calamitie of the innumerable falſe Idolatrous murtheryſſhe doctryne in Poperye, thys is, our newe goodly Churche.
Bodely head of the Romyſhe ChurchNynthly, who hath cōmaunded you thys froward newe fang lednes in the Churche, which is a ſpirituall kyngedome, that ye ſet vp a bodely heade, namynge hym the mooſt holyeſt: for as muche as there can be none other, but a ſpiritual h…ade, which is Chriſt? Thys is the thy…e abhominatiō moſt damnable, in youre moſte holye, yea mooſte hellyſh …we church. For the olde churche knoweth nothyng there of, for ſhe …bydeth by her head, euen as we out ſhe knoweth that it is the deuils owne creation, and ſhoulde come, euen for ſynnes ſake, accordynge as ſhe hathe declared it .ij. Theſſal. ii. The man of ſynne, and chylde of perdicion ſhall ſette hymſelfe in the tempell of God, and ſhewe hym ſelfe as God.ij. Th. ij. Euen ſo hath Daniel ſayd alſo, that he ſhould deſpyſe the olde church and the God of hys fathers, and ſette vp another newe God, & newe churche (that maye helpe hym to ſtablyſſhe hys newe God).Da. xij.
Vvho hath nowe the newe offallynge Churche, hauehave it the olde, & we, whiche do abyde by the ryght old heade, and abhorre the newe deuelyſſhe heade: Or hauehave they it, That worſhippe the newe deuelyſſhe heade, kyſſe hys fete, and recey…e bleſſyng of hys two fyngers, that exalte hys doctrine aboue the worde of God, and honoure not the old ryght he…de with one knelyng, yea alſo not o…es remēbre hym, and hys bleſſynge, vhich he hath purchaſed for vsus with …ys hole body and bloude?
But thys deſolation is ſo …homynable and horryble, Abhomination in Poperythat to ſpeake of it a littel, helpeth nothynge, And yet no Angels longe is able to declare it ſufficiently. That thynge which Goddes owne monthe nameth abhomination, muſt nedes be a greater abhomination, than all tonges can expreſſe.
Vvorſhyppyng of ſainctesTenthly, who hathe commaunded you to ſette vp thys newe Idolatryer? That ye do inſtitute worſhippyng of ſaynctes, Canonyſe ſaynctes, ordeyne faſtynges and holy dayes, to honoure them, euen as though they were goddes themſelues, that men do put theyr truſt and confidence in their merites, more then in Chriſt hymſelfe, and in hys bloude and merites, whome you hauehave ſet forth and declared vntounto vsus, as a iudge, whome we muſt pacifye & obteyne grace of hym, by hys mother, and by the interceſſion and merites of all ſaynctes, with our holy ſeruice.
Churches of the heathen.In ſo muche that youre churche in thys article is become nothynge elles, then the churches of the heathen, whiche worſhypped, Iupiter, Iuno, Venus, Diatra, and other dead perſons, And lyke as the Romayns in theyr citie of Rome dyd edificate a Pantheon, Euen ſo hauehave ye alſo buylded a Pantheon, that is a churche of al the deuyls. Thys ſhal ye not fynde in the writtynges of the Apoſtles, nor in the yonge Churches after them, which in tymes paſt alſo would not ſuffer the Images of fayncies, ſo that muche bloude was ſhed for it, I omitte that they ſhoulde worſhyppe & pray to the ſaynctes, which onelyonly is dew to god,
Matrimony cō dēned.Eleuently, who hathe cōmaunded you to make hys newe ioye. That ye condemne and ſclaunder matrimony, and iudge it vncleane & vncomely, for goddes ſeruice, hauehave ye that of the Apoſtles or of the primatiue old church? Yes truely, for S. Paul ſaith .i. tim. iiij That ye ſhould come vnderunder hypocriſye and departe and ſteppe a ſyde frō the faith, & old church, as a very harlot of the deuyl, whiche ſhoulde receyue ſuche doctryne of the deuyl, and preache agaynſt matrimony, and yet lyue youre ſelues in diſſemblyng chaſtite, that is in al maner of vnclenlynes.i. tim. iiij
Thys neweltie ſewe with her noble frutes, that the grounde wyl beare you no longer. And God with hys iudgement hath begōne to preaſſe into it, & to hallowe thys newe holy church euen into hel fyre, And wil not be intreated to the contrary. Thys knowe we, Thanked be God.
Abuſe of the tēporall ſwoord in the papacyeTwelftly, who hath commaunded you to make this newnes? That ye rule and warre with the worldly ſweard and vſe the ſame for the mooſte parte, for to ſhede innocent bloude? HaueHave ye ſene ye ſharp eyed flitter myſe, that the Apoſtles or old churche ſubdued the worlde with the ſworde, or augmēted the churche by battayl? whence come ye then I praye you, that boaſte your ſelues ſucceſſours of the old church, & cal vsus the newe waueryng Churche, which notwithſtandyng holde with the olde churche, and came of the ſame But ye came of that runne away the deuyls harlott your new murtheryſh and lyenge Church.
Purgatorye reliques.There are yet many more of thoſe newe knackes, as purgatory, reliques hallowynge of churches, and of ſuche ſwarmynges, the hole decrees and decretall with other innumerable bokes full of cleane newe inuentions, whereof the olde Churche, and the Apoſtles neuer knewe. But who is able to recyte al the multitude of this fond or duſte, yea poyſon and deuelyſſhe lyes: Thys ſhal ſuffiſe at thys preſēt, to ſhewe, howe ſhamefully the Papipiſtes, by theyr. H. M. lye, when they cal vsus to newe, runne away. Heretical churche. But that theyr broken edged ſworde, gothe throught theyr owne harte, & appeareth euidētly, that they hauehave forſaken theyr olde Church, and her olde brydegrome, and are runne away from her, as an archedeuils harlot, whiche is not onelyonly heretycal, (for that worde is to littel and to honeſte for ſuche ſhameful knauerye) but the Antichriſtiſhe harlot, and goddes enemye, yea that exalteth her ſelfe aboue God (euen as her brydegrome would do alſo in heauen) the deupls laſte and moſt ſhamefull ſpouuſe.ij. Th. ij
But we, for as much as we eſchewe and abhorre ſuche deuelyſſhenes and newnes, and holde oure ſelues agayn to the ryghte olde churche the virgyn and pure ſpoūſe of Chriſt. Are we vndoubtedly the very old Church, withoute all hooredome, and newnes, whiche remayneth hitherto vntounto vsus, and we come of the ſame, yea be regenerate of her, as the Galathians were of S. Paul. For we dyd alſo of late ſticke earneſtly in the hynder part of the hellyſſhe hoore the Popes newe churche, which we lamente that we hauehave ſo ſhamefully ſpente ſo muche tyme & paynes in the ſame denne. But thankes and prayſe be to God, whiche of that reade blaſphemous harlot hath delyuered vsus.
Yf yet ſuche newnes in the Papacye were but ſlyghte newne or coulde be, then were they after ſome forte for tranquillities ſake to be ſuffered, lyke as one weareth and ſuffereth his newe coate. But nowe cleaueth this deuelyſſhe poyſon and infernall murther ther on. The byſſhop of Rome wyl hauehave his mennes tradicyons to be taken for goddes ſeruice, &c.That the cōmaundement of the churche, muſte be called holye Goddes ſeruice, good lyfe, ſpirituall conuerſatiō, wherein a man deſerueth grace and lyfe (yf he obſerue it) either wrath and death (yf he do not obſerue it). This is of lyes to make trueth of the deuyl God, and of hel to make heauen, And contrary wyſe.
Therfore is the popyſſhe church ſo ful of lyes, deuyls Idolatrye, hel, murther, and of all miſchief that it ſwarmeth. And it is here tyme to heare the voyce of the Angel. Apo. xviij. Come away from Babylon my people, that ye be not partakers in her ſynnes, that ye receaue not of her plages, for her ſynnes are gone vp to heauen &c.Apocal. xviij.
Image of the later iugement.In tymes paſt, where as the paynters paynted the later iudgement: Payntyng of the popyſhe churchethei fayned hel a great dragōs heade with a very wyde mouth, wherein in the myddes of the flame ſtode the Pope, Cardinals, Byſſhoppes, prieſtes, mō kes, Emperour, Kynges, Prynces, & all maner of men and women, but no yonge chyldren. I coulde not deuyſe of a trueth howe the Popyſſhe church myght or coulde be more goodly, compendiouſly and playnelyer paynted or deſcrybed, for doubteles ſhe is the deuourynge of hel, where vntounto ſhe abydeth the Pope hymſelf, and deuoureth al the world in the botomeles pit of hel, through the deuils mouthe, that is through her deuilyſh preachynge & teachynge. Surely it hath not bē inuē ted of a foolyſſhe fellowe, bylyke oute of Eſay. v, where as he ſayth,Eſay. … hel gapeth & openeth her mouth maruelous wyde, that their pride and boaſtynge bothe her rychemē & welthe with ſuch as reioyce therein, may deſcende into it. But yf it did chaunce to be made ſo vnaduiſedly or vnwarely, truely then is it an Image very wel happened, to ſet oute to the ſymple man the popyſh church, to thintent that he may be ware of it, and flee from it, whiche hathe deuoured al, ſaue the yonge chriſtened chyldrē, wherof we ſhal intreate more here after.
Here wil and may they ſaye, why doſt thou reuile vsus ſo ſhamefully, as a newe runne awaye Churche, ſeynge we hauehave alſo the Baptiſme. Sacrament, keyes, Crede, and Goſpell, as well as the olde churche, of the which we dyd deſcende. And thou thy ſelfe aboue haſt graunted, that euen we as well as ye, procede from the Olde Churche.
I make anſwer, It is true, I graunte that the churche wherein ye ſitte, cometh from the olde Churche, as well, as we, and hath alſo euen the ſame Baptiſme, Sacrament, keyes, and texte of the Byble, and the Goſpell, And I wyl prayſe you yet hyer, and knowledge that we, of the Churche vnderunder you (not of you) hauehave all thynges receyued, what wyl ye more? Are we not honeſte ynough? Wyll ye not from hencefurth leaue vsus vncherked, by the name of heretykes. Vve cānot take you for Turkes nor Iewes (as is aboue ſpecifyed) whiche be oute of the Churche.
But thys ſaye we, that ye do not abyde by it, and become the runne awaye, departynge houryſh churche, (as the Prophetes vſe to cal it) which abydeth not in the Churche, whereof ſhe is borne and nouryſſhed, ye runne oute of the ſame Churche, and from the ryght huſbande or bridegrome (as Hoſeas ſayth of the people of Iſrael) to the deuyll Baall, Molech, Aſtaroth, vnderſtande ye not thys. I wyll tell it you.
Departynge frō the ryghte churche vntounto the falſe.Ye are all vndoubtedly baptiſed in the ryght baptiſme of the olde church as we ſpecially in chyldhode, and whatſoeuer ſo baptiſed, liueth and dyeth, vntyl in the ſeuenthe or eyghte yere, before it hauehave vnderſtandynge of the hooryſſhe Churche, of the Romyſhe Byſſhop, that is ſurely ſaued, whereof we doubte nothinge, but wha… it cometh to age, and heareth your lyenge preachynges, of youre deuelyſh newelties, beleueth and followeth the ſame, Than becometh it a deuelyſſhe harlot with you, and falleth awaye from hys baptiſme and brydegrome (as hath chaunched vntounto me wyth other) buyldeth and truſteth vponupon hys owne workes, euen as ye hooremongera, in your hoorehouſes and deuils Churches preache, notwithſtondyng that it was baptiſed, to truſt & buylde onelyonly vponupon hys onelyonly deare brydegrome, and …ure Lorde Ieſus Chriſte, whiche hath geuen hym ſelues for vsus.
And it goeth euen lyke, as yf an honeſt yonge fellowe, ſhoulde bryng vp a poore youge, beggeryſſhe, comfortles mayde, for to be his ſpounſe in tyme to come, & make hymſelf ſure with her, and ſhe ſhould kepe her ſelfe chaſt and honeſt, vntylſhe were man able. And as then tourne her eyes, and behelde other fellowes, that ſhould lyke her better, waxe hoote and be ſet on fyre vponupon them, and forſake her hertely beloued & true brydegrome, whiche had delyuered, nouryſſhed, kepte, brought vp, clothed, decked, trymed, & kepte her gaye, and ſuffre her ſelfe of eueryevery man to be made an harlot.
Thys harlot whiche before was a pure virgyn, & deare ſpouuſe, is nowe adeuorced runne awaye aduontreſſe, a houſe whore, a chāber whore, a kepe whore, whiche in the houſe in mayſtres, and hath the keyes, beddes, kytchen, celler, and al thynges in her power ſo abhominable, that in comparyſon of her, the cōmune free harloties heggehoores, feldwhoores, landwhores, campwhores, be in a maner holy. For thys is the right archewhore, and properly a deuils whore.
Of ſuche whores ſpeaketh Oſeas,Oſe. i and yet more roughly, and almoſte to rough, the Prophet Ezech. Cap. xxiii. whiche ye may reade,Ezech. xxiij. yf ye wyl know what maner of harlot your churche is For ſuche a whore do I meane, when I name you an offallyng, runne away harlot, whiche in youre youthe were baptiſed right Chriſtians, in our deare Lorde, and dyd lyue certen yeres, as the olde Churche. Afterwardes whā ye waxed great, and came to vnderſtandyng (euen as I my ſelfe with all other dyd alſo) ye ſawe and hearde the goodly ceremonies of the Popyſh churche, beſydes that, the auauntage, honour, & authorite, which ſhine & glyſter therin, yea the ſuperſticious, holynes, and ſolempne Gods ſeruyce, and counterfaicte kyngdome of heauen, forgettynge your catholyke faythe, baptiſme and Sacrament, and became the carnal Scolers and yonge harlotts of that Leua the Archewhore (as the Comedyes ſay, vntyl ye old whores make agayne yong harlottes, and ſo furth increaſe and augmente the Popes ye the deuyls churche, and ſeduce many of the ryghte virgyns of Chriſte, ſo borne by baptiſme, making them alſo in proces of time to Archewhores. This I ſuppoſe beſpokē plaine ynough that ye & eueryevery mā may vnderſtād, what we meane. For though ye counte ſuche newelties amonge you for tryfles, ye which hauehave no god, nor regard him, neuertheles is it afore god, horryble, abhominable, Idolatry, murther, hell, and al myſchyef, which God can not abyde, wherfore he wyll condēpne that Archeharlot for euer.
Thereof prophecyed Peter,ij. Pet. ij where as he ſpeaketh of you ſuch newe Prophetes & churches .ij. Pet. ij. They ſpeake ſwelling wordes of vanitie, & thei entyſe through luſtes in the voluptuouſnes of the fleſhe, thē that were cleane eſcaped, but nowe are wrapped in errours, They promiſe thē liberte, remiſſion & Pardon, where as they them ſelues are the bonde ſeruauntes of corruption.
Item, They were eſcaped from the fylthines of the worlde, through the knowlege of the Lorde and of the ſauyor Ieſu Chriſt. And are yet tangled agayne therin and ouercome. And ſo is the later ende worſe with them then the beginnynge. It were better for them, not to hauehave knowen the waye of rightuouſnes, then after they hauehave knowne it to turne from the holy commaundement, that was geuen vntounto them. It is happened vntounto them according to the true Prouerbe. The dogge is turned to his owne vomet agayne. The ſowe that was waſſhed in her ſwymmynge is turned agayne to her wallowinge in the myre.
This are ye, and ſo hauehave I ben alſo. There hauehave ye youre newe, of fallinge & runne awaye church playne ynough deſcribed, and cleare ynough ſet oute before your eyes. For we knowlegs not onelyonly. That ye with vsus are come oute of the right Churche, and hauehave ſwymmed with vsus in bapfiſme and are waſſhed through the Bloude of oure Lorde and Sauioure Ieſu Chriſt as S. Peter here ſayeth. But ſaye alſo that ye are in the Churche, and alſo abyde therin. Yea verely, that ye therin ſitte and rule as ſaynete Paule prophecieth.ii. Theſ. ij. That the curſed Antichriſte ſhall ſitte in the Tempell of God (and not in a horſe ſtable) &c.
But of the Churche, or membres of the Churche, are ye no more. But in that holy Churche of God, do ye execte this youre newe of fallinge Churche, the whorehouſe of the deuill and innumerable whore domes and Idolatryes or Newelties, whereby ye ſeduce, the Chriſtened and redemed ſoules with you. And deuoure them through helles mouthe in the botomles pytte of hell, with innumerable flockes. To the harrible pitiefulnes and diſquietnes of harte, of all them that with ſpirituall eyes ſee and knowe the ſame.
But it is God, that through his wō derfull allmightie power, by you amonge ſo many abhominatiōs, & deuelyſhe whoredomes yet ſaueth the yōge babes, through baptiſme and ſome old folkes, but very few that in theyr ende hauehave turned agayne to Chriſte, of whiche ſorte I hauehave knowen a greate nombre myſelfe. So that for all this: The righte olde Churche with her Baptiſme, and Gods worde dothe ſtill remayne amonge you. And youre God the deuil through ſo many newe Idolatries with all youre deuelyſſhe whoredome was neuer able to deſtroy it cleane.
Church in Elias tyme .iij. Reg. xvij.Euen as in the tyme of Elias, whē all (howe be it they were all Goddes people, that is, ſuche as were called the holy Churche, and boaſted that God whiche had broughte them oute of Egypte) was full of Baall, Idolatrye and whoredome in all the whole lande, that there was not one aulter left for God. And yet for all that were reſerued ſeuen frō thouſand men, of all the multitude of thouſandes, among the which were the Chyefeſt and the beſt, which went all to the deuill. And in the wildernes vnderunder Moſes al dyede ſauinge theſe two Ioſua and Caleb.
Goddes worke is called, Conſummans and abbreuians, that he ſaueth a certein fewe by his grace. When the whole multitude in his wrath periſſheth whereof S. Paule Rom. x. plenteouſly writteth.Rom. x.
Euē ſo did Daniel alſo propbecye longe before.Da xij. That vnderunder Anthechriſt ſhoulde be a tyme of wrath, and ſuche trouble as neuer was vpō earth. And S. Paull whiche taketh his prophecye out of Daniel euen there ſayeth alſo.ij. Theſ. ij. That God ſhalbe diſpleaſed, & ſuffce to come mightye erroures, becauſe mē receyued not the louelove of truethe that they might be ſaued.
Heretikes arrianes.I pray you, let vsus behold oure owne hittories, that is, The hiſtories of the Chriſtianite. VnderUnder Conſtantius the ſonne of Conſtantyn was the indignatiō of God ſo great, that the heretikes of the Arrians, had taken in all the churches of the world, excepte twa…n. And notwithſtondinge at that tyme were the Byſſhoppes, and alſo the Arrians them ſelues learned, wyſe, honeſt, honourable, & earneſt men before the world. Vvhat ſhoulde than be vnderunder the Byſſhoppe of Rome. Vvhere as no Byſſhoppe knoweth nor exercy ſeth his office. But lyueth Epicuryſhly and hoggyſſhly. There muſt nedes be the very deuill.
Vvherefore the miſerable, blynde, hardened Popyſhe aſſhes, muche leſſe vnderſtande, Vvhat Churche or God is then a Cowe or Sowe vnderſtandeth. The church is a hygh, depe, hydden thinge, that noman may know her nor ſee. But onelyonly, muſt be taken & beleued by the Baptiſme, Sacramente, and worde, Mans doctrine, Ceremonies, Shauen Crounes, longe gounes Byſſhops battes, & the hole popyſhe rablement doth leade farre wyde from it, euē into the very holl. I omitte that it ſhoulde ſignifie the Churche. For to the churche pertayne alſo naked Children, man, woman, Ploweman & Citegen, whiche hauehave neither ſhauen crounes Byſſhoppes hattes, nor yet maſſe garmentes vponupon them.
Diſtinction / betwene the right and the falſe Churche.
Papiſtes ſett as much by mās doctrine as by Gods worde.HEre myght the papyſtes paraduēture deſyre, yea they will hauehave it by compulſion. That ſuche newe Articles of their newe Churche, ſhoulde beſydes the olde Articles of the olde Churche be obſerued or ſuffered, yf not they woulde hauehave vsus to be heretikes, and tyd out of the waye. For the Popyſſhe Aſſe, is ſuche a dull Aſſe, that he neither can nor will learne to diſcerne betwene Goddes worde and mans traditions. But kepeth bothe lyke.
This do they declare thereby. That they nowe often hauehave intended, to make with vsus an accorde or agreemēt and made as thoughe they woulde ſomethinge abate, and that we ſhoulde alſo abate ſom what, to thintēt that bothe to gether mighte be ſtablyſſhed ſhowe be it they neuer mynded the ſame earneſtly. But onelyonly to rente vsus away and to trouble vsus.)
Papiſtes.Neuertheles men may ſee ſo muche therin howe that they hauehave ſette them ſelues aboue God as the Antichriſtifſhe blaſphemours, Thinkynge that that the doctrine ſhoulde be right as longe as they will. And when they will no more that then it ſhoulde no more be right. For they woulde hauehave the authorite, ſomwhat to abate thereof or not, at their pleaſures. And euen as they geue it or take it, euen ſo ſhoulde we receyue it. Offringe vsus ſuche an abhominable filthnes, ſhameles, with oute any ſemblaunce, very openly. Whereby they them ſelues declare, that they hauehave no more a ſubtill deuill, that rydeth them as they had a certein hundreth yares a goue. But the cōprehēſible Tulpyn, Clubbyſhe deuill, that can couloure hym ſelfe no more for iniquitie.
Goddes worde to abate or chaungeFor, ſeynge they offer them ſelues ſomthinge to abate, deſyring the ſame alſo of vsus, they do teſtifie: That they regarde as muche, Mannes doctrine, as Gods worde. It lyeth not in God hym ſelfe to abate or chaunge his own worde. For he can not denye and alter hym ſelfe. And his worde abydeth for euer. Vvherfore whoſoeuer ſhoulde vndertake to abate or alter it, the ſame muſte nedes hauehave a hyer Power and authorite then God hym ſelfe. For he would not hauehave altered Moſes lawe, yf he had not before by his worde promyſed to alter it. Vvherfore alſo noman will entrepriſe the ſame then the Antichriſte, as Daniel. xij. & S. Paule do ſaye.Da. xij. Vvhiche exalteth hym ſelfe aboue God, namely the Papacye.
What ſhoulde men nowe handle with ſuche people, yea with ſuche dull and groſſe aſſes, whiche ſuppoſe, that Goddes worde is a reede whiche is moued with eueryevery blaſte of wynde hither and thither, whereof they hauehave the rule. Or (as they do rather thinke) that it is a counter, whiche after their damnable frowardnes muſte ſignifie accordinge as they caſte or laye it vpō the rule. Euen ſo pretely do they vnderſtande, what the church is, yea euen therewith ſhew they aboundātly, that they deſpiſe God and his word highly and moreouer ſette them ſelues aboue God and can not be his Church.
The holy Chriſten Churche. (I talke nowe with oure owne fellowes. For with the Popyſhe aſſes. Clutters and ſtones, is no vnderſtandinge) ſeynge nor hearing, is not a reede nor Counter. No, ſhe wauereth not, nor geueth backe, as the deuills harlott the Popyſhe church, which lyke an aduou treſſe, thynketh that ſhe ought not to cleaue vntounto her wedded huſbāde. But that ſhe may lawfully ſwarue, geue backe, & admitte, euen as the whoremō ger will hauehave it. But ſhe is (ſayeth S. Paul)i. Ti. iij. a pyller & ground of the trueth. She ſtandeth ſure (ſayth he) & is a ſure grounde. And not a falſe or deceyuable grounde. But a grounde of trueth which neither lyeth nor deceyueth, neither gothe aboute with any lyes. But whatſoeuer wauereth or doubteth, the ſame can not be truth.
And whereto were a Churche of God profitable and neceſſary in the worlde, yf ſhe woulde wauer, and be vnſtable of her wordes? Or inſtitute eueryevery daye ſome newe knacke, & nowe geue this, and nowe take awaye that, yea where vntounto were ſuch a God profitable, that woulde teache vsus ſo to wayuer and to doubte? Theologyes of the Papiſtes.as the Theologie of the Papiſtes teachet, that men muſte doubte of mercy. Vvhereof is writtē ynough beſydes. For all though the Papiſtes in all other cauſes had ouercome, yet be they condēned in this Chyef Article, that they teache. That we muſte doubte of the grace of God yf we be not worthy ynough before, through oure oune ſatiſfaction, or merites, & interceſſion of ſaynctes. There be their Bookes, writtinges & ſeales Cloyſters, Mynſters, & alſo yet their bayly ſhauen Crounes and maſſes to beare witnes.
And for as muche as they teache this Article, that they ſtoude vponupon their owne workes and doubtes, as they can none other. So is it euident, that they muſte nedes be the Churche of the deuill. Wayes vntounto ſaluation.For there can be no more wayes, than theſe two. The one, whiche truſteth vntounto Goddes mercy. The other that buyldeth vponupon oure owne merites and workes. The fyrſt is the waye of the olde Churche, and of all the Patriarkes, Prophetes, and Apoſtles as the ſcripture witneſſeth. The other is the waye of the Roomyſhe Byſſhop, and of his Churche. This can noman denye, no, not H.M. and all the deuills them ſelues. There ſtandeth (as often hath ben ſayde) recorde, Bookes, Bullus, Sealles, Vvrittinges, Mynſters, Cloyſters, ſo that it may be teſtifyed by all the worlde.
And there is S. Pet. Act. iiij. There is none other name geuē, whereby we may be ſaued, but onelyonly Ieſus Chriſt.Act. iiij. Agaynſt this ſayeth the kyng of Rattes at Rome, No not ſo. But there are many other names wherby the people muſte be ſaued, ſpecially. Myne name after that, all ſuch as I will S. Frauncys, Dominyke, and all propre workes that bryng in mony vntounto me. And lay kyng & Emperour vnderunder fote. Here is holynes & ſaluation, Chriſt is no more neceſſarye nor profitable, &c.
Church of chriſt ſuffereth no lyes nor falſe doctrine.But to come agayn to oure matter. That the Churche of Chriſt dothe not lye nor deceyue, muſt they confeſſe them ſelues in deſpite of their hartes. Where woulde they elles become? They muſt ſaye: That ſhe is a rocke Matth xvi. agaynſt the which hell gates can not preuayle.Math. xvi. Or as S. Paule gloſeth the ſame, a piller and grounde of truth.i. Ti. iij. This (I ſaye) to graunte, we thanke them not. Euen ſo ſayeth alſo the Crede of the children that ſhe is a holy Catholyke church. And S. Paull i. Cor. iij. The tempel of God is holy whiche ye are.i. Co. iij But whoſoeuer defyleth the temple of God, hym ſhal God deſtroye. Therfore can & may the holy church a byde no lyes, nor falſe doctrine. But ſhe muſt teache nothinge but mere holynes and truthe, that is onelyonly the worde of God. And yf ſhe teache any lye, then is ſhe cleane Idolatriouſe and the whorys church of the deuill.
Goddes ſeruice of the kynges of Iſrael.What did it profite vntounto the kynges of Iſrael, to boaſte that they ſerued the God of Iſrael, whiche had brought them oute of Egypte. There with named and meaned they. The very God of their fathers. And did alſo obſerue the whole lawe of Moyſes. But for as much as they beſydes that, did alſo honour Calues or Baal, or at the leaſt there with, of mannes imagination. Did inſtitute newe Goddes ſeruice, to the honour of the very true God So was it all loſt. For agaynſte the ſame was Goddes cōmaundemēt. Thou ſhalt hauehave none other God beſydes me.
And Moyſes Deu. iiij. and xij. had cōmaunded,Deut. iiij. xij. that they ſhoulde not pretende any newenes or alteration, or of their owne imaginatiō, ſayeng: What ſoeuer I commaunde the that ſhalt thou do. Thou ſhalt take nothinge from it, nor put any thinge there vntounto. Thou ſhalt not tourne from it to the lefte hande nor to the righte hand, That is. Thou ſhalt neither make it better nor worſe, neither diminyſhe nor alter any thinge. Vvhereof we reade in the Prophetes in dyuers places, howe that they rebuked kynges. Prieſtes and the people becauſe they inuented dayly newe wayes, and did not abyde in the righte waye and onelyonly pathe.
OnelyOnly the way vntounto ſaluatiō is the word of GodFor whatſoeuer ſteppeth a ſyde frō the worde of God (whiche onelyonly is the waye) as he ſayeth, I am the waye, the truthe and the lyfe,Io. xiiij. appeare it as good and fayre as it maye. So is it notwhitſtanding doubtles, errour, lyes, and death. For it is without the word of God, that is withoute the waye, truthe and lyfe. And what nede ſhoulde we hauehave of the worde, yf we withoute the ſame coulde fynde wayes for oure ſelues?Pſal. xxix. For the worde is onelyonly the lanterne of oure fete, and the lyght of oure pathes, which lighteth in the darke places of the worde, as S. Peter ſayeth.ij. Pet. i As that kepeth not the ſame alwayes before his eyes whither can he go elles, than in darkenes. So that light is in darkenes to thintent that we ſhoulde guyde oure ſelues therafter in darkenes.
New articles in the new papiſticall churcheNowe let vsus behold the newe Articles one after another, which are come vp in the newe church of the Romyſhe Byſſhop. So do we fynde, that they be al withoute Goddes worde, that is withoute waye, truthe and lyfe, onelyonly of mannes deuotion or good ſemynge or of the Popes iniquite inuēted. Therfore as the Papiſticall churche is full of Pardons, propre merites. Fraternities, worſhippinges of ſaynctes, monkerye, maſſes, ſatiſfaction, and ſuche lyke of the aboue named percelles, as Goddes ſeruices. Euen ſo is ſhe therwith, full of Errours, lyes, Idolatrye, vnbeleue, Murther, and ſumma full of all deuils churches. For they can not ſaye that, the worde of God teacheth ſuche pointes.
Church can not erre.But nowe that they muſte confeſſe, that the holy Catholyke Church muſte be holy and a grounde of truthe, withoute errour and lyes. Quia Eccleſia non poteſt errare. So muſte they lykewyſe confeſſe, that they are not, nor yet cā be the ſame holy church ſeynge they be full of ſuche abhominable errours, lyes and Idolatrye. But they are the very runne awaye, depa… tinge, wycked harlott of the deuill, whome ſhe followeth and ſerueth in ſuche horrible lyes.
But myght ſome ſimple harted ſoule (as men calle them) ſaye: What myght it hurte, that men kept the worde of God, and did ſuffre beſydes that, all theſe peeces, or at the leaſte ſome of them that myght be ſuffered, lykewyſe alſo to remayne. To this I make anſwer. They maye be called goodherted people. But they be euill harted, and deceyuable hartes, or people. For thou heareſt that it can not be. To teache any other thinge beſydes the worde of God. To ſerue any other beſydes God, beſydes the lyght of God ordeyned in darkenes, to lyght another, It is doubteles and erronious wyſſhe, and an errour, yea although it were but one clauſe only.
For the church ſhoulde nor can not teache any lye or erroure, No, not in any poynte. Yf ſhe teache one lye, then is it al falſe, as Chriſte ſayeth.Luce. xi. Luc. xi. Take hede therfore that the lyght be not darkenes in the, yf nowe thy body be thorouly lyghte, ſo that it hauehave no part of darkenes, than ſhal it be whole lyghte, that is, it muſt be lyght altogether, and no part of darkenes there remayuynge. OnelyOnly Goddes worde or trueth, and no errour, nor lye, muſt the Churche teache, and howe were it alſo poſſible to be otherwyſe? ſey…ge Goddes mouth is the Churches mouthe, And agayne, God can not lye, no more can the churche alſo.
❧ Diſtinction betwene the doctryne, and the lyfe.
TRuth it is, to ſpeake after the lyfe, that the holy church is not withoute ſynne, accordyng as ſhe knowelegeth in the Pater noſter, forgene vsus our treſpaſſes.Mat. vi And i. Iohn. i. yf we ſaye, that we hauehave no ſynne, we lye, and make God a lyar, whiche calleth vsus all ſynners.i. Ion. i Roma. iij. Pſalm .xiiij. and .li. But the doctryne may not be ſynne, nor repronable, neyther is ſhe comprehended in the Pater noſter, where we ſaye: forgeue vsus oure treſpaſſes, for ſhe is not of oure doynge, but euen Gods owne word, which can not ſynne, nor do vnryghtuouſely.Rom. iij pſa. xiiij Pſal. li.
For a preacher ought not to praye the Pater noſter, nor to ſeke forgeuenes of ſynnes, when he hath preached (yf he be a ryghte preacher) But he oughte to ſaye and boaſte with Ieremye, Lorde thou knoweſt, that whatſoeuer is gone oute of my mouthe, is ryghte and pleaſaunt vntounto the.Ier. xvij Yea he muſte boldely ſaye with Saynte Paul and with all the Apoſtles and Prophetes, Hec dixit dominus, Hec dixit Dominus.Thys hath God ſpoken hym ſelfe, Et iterū, I hauehave ben an Apoſtle and a prophete of Ieſu Chriſte in thys ſermon.
Here is it not neceſſary, yea not good, to aſke forgeuenes of ſynnes, as though he had taught vntrewely, For it is Gods word, & not my worde which God may or can not forgeue me, but muſt cōfirme it, laude it, croun it, & ſaye: Thou haſt taught the truth, for I hauehave ſpokē by the, and the word is myne. Whoſoeuer can not boaſte thys of hys preachyng, let hym ceaſſe from preachyng, for he lyeth vndoubtedly and blaſphemeth God.
Yf the word ſhould be ſyn or vntrew where after ſhould or could thē the lyfe be directed? there ſhould ſurely the one blynd leade the other, & fal bothe in the pitte, yf the leadlyne or ſquare rule ſhoulde be falſe, what ſhoulde or coulde the mayſter then frame thereafter? There ſhoulde the one croked make the other, without ende or meaſure. Euen ſo here alſo, can the lyfe wel be ſynne and vnryghteous, yea alas it is to vnryghteous, but the doctryne muſt be lyue ryght and ſure withoute al ſynne. Church teacheth onelyonly Gods worde.Therfore muſte in the churche, nothynge but onelyonly the ſure, pure, and onelyonly worde of God be preached. Yf theſame fayle, then is it no more the church, but the ſcoolehouſe of the deuyl. Lyke as an honeſt womā (as the Prophetes vſe ſuche illuſyons euermore) ought to heare no more, but her huſbandes word within the houſe and to be dwarde, for yf ſhe heare any other mannes worde, whiche perteyneth not to her huſbandes bedde, then is ſhe ſurely a harlot.
Al theſe thinges are ſpoken to that ende, that the church muſt onelyonly teache Goddes worde, and be ſure of theſame, whereby ſhe is called the grounde and piller of trueth, and buylded vpō the rocke, holy and vnrebukeable, Church can not erre.that is, as we ſaye ryght and truely, The church can not erre, for Goddes word whiche ſhe teacheth, can not erre. But whatſo…uer is taught otherwyſe, or doubted, whether it be Goddes word or not, thatſame can not be the churches doctryne, but muſte be the deuils doctryne, lyes, and Idolatrye. For the deuyl can not ſaye (ſeyng he is a lyar) and the father of lyes, thys ſayth the Lorde. But as Chriſt Ioh. viij. ſayeth.Iohn. viij. Er proprijs, Oute and of hym ſelfe muſt he ſpeake, that is lye. Euen ſo muſt alſo al hys chyldren, withoute Goddes worde, ſpeake of them ſelues that is lye.
Nowe beholde my deare frende, what a wonderful thyng is it, that we ſo ſurely teache Goddes worde, & yet be ſo weake and for great humilite ſo fearful, that we do not gladly boaſte oure ſelues, That we be the churche, witneſſes, miniſters, and preachers of God, and that God ſpeaketh through vsus &c. Notwithſtandyng that we be the ſame vndoubtedly, for ſo muche as we ſurely hauehave and teache hys word. Thys lowelynes and fearfulnes cometh thereby, that we do earneſtly beleue, Gods worde to be ſuche a glorious and excellent thyng, that we knowelege oure ſelues to vnworthy, that throughe vsus ſuche a greate thynge ſhoulde be ſpoken and done, which lyue yet in fleſſhe and bloude.
Nature of falſe Prophetes.But oure aduerſaryes, deuyl, Papiltes, ſeetes, and al the worlde, they be bolde and vnſhamefaſt, and dare folyſhely proclayme, for great holynes, here is God, we are Gods church Miniſters, Prophetes, and Apoſtles, lyke as al falſe Prophetes hauehave done alwayes. But lowlynes and feare in Goddes worde hath alwayes ben the ryght token of true holy church, boldnes & preſumptuouſnes in mās imagnation hath ben the ryght token of the deuyl, as it may alſo playnely be perceyued in the papiſtical decrees.
Thys is ſpokē of the doctryne, whithe muſt be pure & ſyncere, namely the deare bleſſed, holy, and onelyonly word of God, withoute any addition. But the lyfe, which dayly muſt frame purifye & ſanctifyed it ſelfe, after the doctrine is not yet al pure or holy, whileſt this wormes, bagge fleſſhe and bloude lyueth. Samaritane. Luce. xNeuertheles, whileſt he is a purifyenge or ſanctifyeng and ſtil furth ſuffereth hymſelfe to be healed, by the Samaritane, and dothe not deſtroye hymſelfe further more and more in vnclenlynes, It ſhalbe graciouſly, for the wordes ſake, through the whiche he ſuffereth hym ſelfe to be clenſed, remitted, freely and clearly forgeuen, and not imputed vntounto hym, and muſte be called cleane. For thereby becommeth not the holy catholyke churche a harlot or vnholy, whyleſt ſhe cleaueth purely and ſurely to the word (which is her holynes) and abydeth in theſame. Ye are cleane ſaith Chriſt. Ioh. xv. not for your ſake. But for the wordes ſake, whiche I hauehave ſpoken vntounto you.Ioh. xv.
Holines of the worde & purenes of the doctrineFor the holynes of the worde, and the ſynceryte of the doctryne is of ſuch efficacye and ſurenes, that yf alſo Iudas, Caiphas, Pilate, Pope, & the deuyll hym ſelfe ſhoulde preache theſame, or truely baptiſe (without addition purely and vprightly) yet neuertheles the ryghte pure worde, and the ryghte holy Baptiſme ſhoulde be receyued, for as muche as there muſte alwayes be hipocrytes, and falſe chriſtians in the churche, and one Iudas amonge the Apoſtles.
Impurite of doctrineContrariwyſe, is the impuritie of the doctryne, yf it be not Gods word, or withoute Gods worde, ſuch an euil poiſoned thynge, that through S. Peter, yea an Angel from heauen ſhould preache it, yet is it accurſed. Galat. i.
Falſe teachers abyde not in the churche.Therfore, falſe teachers, and baptiſers, or falſe Sacramentaryes can not be, nor abyde in the church, as the Pſalm .i. ſayth.Pſal. i For they do not onelyonly contrary to the lyfe, whiche the church muſt ſuffre, ſpecially, whā it is ſecrete. But alſo cōtrary to the doctrine, whiche muſt lyght and ſhyne openly, for to frame the lyfe thereafter.
Thys hath ben taught from the beginnynge, as S. Iohn ſayeth.i. Ioh. ij. They are from vsus, but not of vsus. And in eccleſia ſunt, ſed non de eccleſia. Item, Numerus, Sed non merito. And ſuch lyke. Whereout we hauehave thys diſtinctyon. They are not al Chriſtians that hauehave the name.They be not al Chriſtians, that profeſſe the name of a Chriſtian. But when it cometh to paſſe that there happeneth variaunce in the doctrine, then parteth the one from the other, and then appeareth, who be the right chriſtians, namely they that hauehave Goddes worde ſyncerely and purely. Let thys ſuffiſe at this tyme, of the ryght churche.
¶ Of reſtitucion of the churches Goodes.
YF nowe the Papiſtes ſhall or can proue, that they are the ryghte holy Church, & that they hauehave taught none of the aboue mencyoned whoryſh Churches articles and inuentions, or hauehave none of them, or that oure Articles are not the ryght old churches articles, which we hauehave not inuented nor imagyned, Then muſt we nedes knowelege oure ſelues to be heretykes and ſteppers a ſyde. Yf they can not proue thys▪ Then muſt they contrariwyſe knowledge themſelues to be the very whoryſſhe churche of the deuyl, which frō Chriſte her Lorde is runne awaye, & hath ſuffred her ſelfe of the deuyll, through newe and other doctryne, to be abhomynably defyled. Thys after my iudgement muſt be ſure, although Iewes and Heathen, or whatſoeuer hath yet mannes witte, ſhould be iudges betwene vsus.
Yf they be not the Church, but the deuyls harlot, which continued not in Chriſt. So is it groundely and myghtely concluded, That they oughte not to poſſeſſe the churche Goodes. Muche leſſe to moue thys ſtryfe (wherewith hitherto they trouble and diſeaſe Emperour & kyng) that thei ſhould be put in agayne by vsus, & the goodes reſtored agayn vntounto thē. For that is euē as muche, as yf the deuyls ſhould deſyre of the Aungels, that they mighte be ſet agayne in heauen, notwithſtandyng, that they knowe & confeſſe, that they dyd not continue Gods aungels but became Goddes enemyes, whiche belōg to hel fyre. Or that I ſpeake of men, It is euē as much, as yf a thefe or murtherer would demaunde reſtitution of ſuche money and goodes as he had ſtolen and robbed, whiche beynge taken frō hym, were layed vnderunder iudgement, or were reſtored agayn to the ryghte owners, yf not, then would he threaten to become a H. M.
But for ſo muche as in earthe in thys matter is no iudge, for they are become parcyal and becauſe the chief iudges hauehave made themſelues, is their iudgement of no valoure, accordynge to al lawes, and euen ſo littell alowable, as the iudgement of vsus, which are the contrary part, is accepted of them, therfore muſt we let it paſſe, & abyde the ryght iudge, But yf there were a iudge in thys matter in earth, ſhoulde thys iudgement fynde it ſelfe, That they (of the one partie) not only hauehave no lawfull cauſe to demaunde reſtitution. But were worthy to be expelled out of the worlde, and to be ſerued, as the Kynge I…hn ſerued the Baalites, and as Kynge Ioſi… dyd ſerue the prieſtes at Samaria, and Bethel.iiii. Reg x. xxiij. For thei are (as aboue is declared) before God accordynge to the iugement of holye Scripture, the ryghte denne of murtherers, and the deuyls harlot whereout followeth, that they, the Goodes of the Churche, that is, of the poore Chriſtianite (as robbers of archechurches, and Goddes theues) hauehave pulled vntounto them, and vniuſtly kepe them in poſſeſſyon, wherfore yet to theyr hynderaunce they follow, bothe in body and honoure, temporall and eternal deſtruction.
For thys can a chyld of ſeuen yeares olde, yea a nyged foull, tel and reken vpō hys fyngers (howe be it, that the groſſe Popyſſhe aſſe, with hys dā nable confederates, kan vnderſtande nothyng) That the laudable olde, Emperours, Prynces, Lordes, and good people, doubteles, hauehave not bē of that mynde, & wyl to geue theyr Goodes, to that intent, that therewith ſhoulde nothyng but deuils harlottes, an Idolatrie, be inſtituted, decked, & honoured Much leſſe, that thei there with ſhould brynge vp and mainteyne, Soulmurtherers, church robbers, & Gods theues, But the deare churches and ſcooles, that is the holy word of God, the offyce of preachyng, & other ſeruice of the churche, Theologiens, Curates, preachers, beſydes that alſo poore folkes, wydowes, the cōfortles & ſicke to maintayn, to the prayſe & honoure of god. Churches goodes.For thei are not called the goods of harlots, murtherers, blaſphemous of god H. M. nor goodes of the deuil, but the goodes of the church, whiche euen nowe, not onelyonly of the ſpirituall deuils whores in the popyſſhe denne of murtherers, in mooſt abhominable wyſe, by Symonye and all manner of blaſphemye be bought, ſolde, ſtelē, robbed, and conſumed, but alſo of the corporal whores & knaues, in mooſt vnſhameſt wyſe be conſumed and expended, much worſe then was done at Sodoma and Gomorra. In ſo muche that they geue not one halfpenny towardes the mayntenaunce of a poore Prieſte, Scholler or poore man, for they be not worthy alſo for to do ſuche a ſmal good dede, But in ſtede thereof, as the foolyſhe Epicuriens, thei do mocke and laugh to ſcorne, bothe God hym ſelfe, and the worde of hys Churche. Yea thys is the goodly holy churche, whiche yet dare boaſte them ſelues holy, Counte the churches goodes for their owne, and demaunde reſtitution, but he ſhal not tarye longe that ſhall geue the righte reſtitution, vntounto ſuche deſperate, ſelfe willed ſcorners, and tyrannous murtherers.
i. But for as muche as we hauehave no iudge vponupon earth, So wil we beſydes that, that we hauehave the iudgemente of God the hygheſt iudge in hys holye Scripture, alſo vſe theyr own iudgement and witneſſe of the Papiſtes, in the meane whyle for vsus againſt them. For thus ſayde Duke George of vnworthy memorye. That he knewe very well, that there is muche abuſyon crepte into the Churche, But that a lowſy freer oute of a Caue ſhoulde take in hande ſuche reformation, were not to be ſuffered, wel he confeſſeth (& doubtles not he alone) that your churche is ful of abuſes, that is as muche, as it is not the pure ryghte Churche, For that ſhoulde be holye and pure withoute al additions, I omitte, withoute any abuſe, as the Crede ſayeth, I beleue one holy Catholyke Church.
ij. So hauehave ye for your part, altogether, in the conuocation at Auſpurgh deſyred the Emperour, to handle with the Romyſhe Byſſhoppe, that he woulde ſende no more Pardons in Douchelande, ſeynge it is deſpyſed. PardonHere do ye confeſſe your ſelues, that youre Pardon is a deſpyſed thynge, that is, an abuſe, and Idolatrye, for yf ye dyd counte it ryght and good, as a pure Goddes ſeruyce, ye coulde not with good cōſcience deſpiſe it, & deſpre to hauehave it aboliſhed. There witneſſeth your conſcience by your owne worde, That youre church be an Idols houſe and vnpure, whiche hath ſerued, and yet doth ſerue the deuil, and not God, with falſe vyle and beggerlye Pardons.
iij. Thyrdly, dyd euen there the Cardinal of Ment… ſay, what wyl we muche diſpute, They hauehave one Article, whiche we knowe, and can not denye, but that it is ryghte, namely Matrimony, and yet we can not accept the-ſame. And though he of Mētz ſhould neuer ſaye it, yet are ye youre ſelues more ſo ouercome in it, that many of you, which wyl be the beſte, ſuch thinges openly confeſſe. Nowe tel me: Thinkeſt thou that it is a ſmal deuyls whore, that hathe kepte, inſtituted taught, honoured, and maynteyned, ſuche a terryble Article, that is Idolatrye in her Churche, that men ſhoulde counte Gods creatiō, work, ordinaunce, and bleſſynge, damnable, accurſed, and the greateſt ſynne. What euyll more abhominable coulde the deuyll Goddes enemy hym ſelfe inſtitute, yf he woulde inſtitute any thing agaynſt God?
Howe coulde youre Church be holy by ſuche abhomination, yea, though ye alltogether hadd lyued chaſte virgyns, and yet hadd ſerued ſuche Idoles. For God did forbidde it you, as a doctrine of the deuill .i. Timo. iiij.i. Ti. iiij And what frute and holynes, ſuch Idol and his Idoll ſeruice hath wrought in your Churches, muſt ye your ſelues lament For there is Rome, the Byſſhoprykes, the hole ſpiritualtie, which beare witneſſe, yea theyr ſynnes hauehave filled heauen and earthe with abhomination and bloude ſhedinge. Vvhere is here your holy Churche. VvhichWhich with ſuch abhomination ſo deteſtably is made a whore by the deuill?
Conſilium.And what hauehave ye done your ſelues, that nowe ye deſyre a Counſayll nowe promyſe it, nowe delaye it, and nowe agayne ſaye it? Is your Church holy. Vvhy is the then afrayde for a Coūſayll? Vvhat nedeth ſhe a reformation or Counſayll? hath ſhe nede of a Counſayll why is ſhe holy? Will ye alſo refourme youre holynes.
We for oure parte did neuer deſyre a Counſayll for to refourme oure Churche. For God the holy Ghooſt hath by his huly worde halowed oure Churche Longe a god, yea rather ſwepte away from it all Popyſſhe whoredome and Idolatrie, that we hauehave all thinges (prayſed be God) pure and holy, The worde pure, the Baptiſme pure, the Sacrament pure, the …eyes pure, and all what ſoeuer belongeth to the church hauehave we pure and holy, without all mans tradition, addition, and fylthynes. The lyfe (as aboue declared) goeth not fully thereafter, as we would fayne ſee and wyſ ſhe, where vponupon the Prophetes and Apoſtles them ſelues alſo complayne. But that perteyneth yonder wher, as we ſhall be lyke vntounto the Aungels.
How be it we deſyre a counſayll for this intent. That our Churche myght be hearde, & that oure doctrine myght come abroad freely to the light, wherwith your whoredome in the Papacye myght be ſpyed and condemned, and that eueryevery man that there by is ſeduced, myght be with vsus conuerted to the holy Churche, and increaſed with vsus in the ſame. But here hauehave, ye not the poſe wyth your God the deuill. But ye Flyttermyſe, Molles, Nightrauens, and nyght Owles, whiche can not abyde the lyght, lette & defende with al power & crafte, that it come not there to, that the truth myght come to light, be heard and handled.
Notwithſtanding, God goeth forwarde ſtill and bryngeth the light as broade, yea to more ye lette it, to more it doth increaſe. That at the laſte ye ſhal be fayne to ſuffer it with al ſhame and damage. And howe muche that ſuch your fugitiue, aſtonyed deſperat, eſchewinge of the light, doth feare vsus or animate you, let your owne cōſciēce and hert declare vntounto you:
For as much now, I ſaye, ye knowledge your ſelfe & muſt confeſſe, what a fylthy Churche ye hauehave. I ſpeake not nowe of the lyfe. But of the doctrine, that ye hauehave ſo manye horrible lyes, and falſe doctrines, and beſydes that ye wil not leaue it. So muſt ye conſequently confeſſe alſo, that ye are not the holy Churche. But the deuills Curche, ſpecially ſuche as holde there on, and compelle there to. For they worſhippe the deuil willingly in his lyes, whyleſt they know, that they be falſe Articles. But ſuche thinges do ye euen frō the hyeſt, the Romyſhe Byſſhopp, downe vntounto the loweſte Prieſte, or freer. This is the right kernel of the beſt ſorte, whiche ye in eſpeciall call youre Church, and what ſoeuer is more of your adherentes amōge the layte. For ſuche as be ſory for it, perteyne not in youre deuelyſſhe church But in our, that is: In the olde right holy churche.
Furthermore, for ſo moche as we hauehave ſuch your owne witneſſe & iudgement, ſo can ye not calle vsus heretikes or fugitiues. But muſt geue vsus right, as vntounto the right church whiche forſaketh ſuche youre knowen abhominatiō & falſe articles. And agayne knowledge youre ſelues, as the right deuills church, for ſo muche as of youre ſelfe ye fortifie and kepe, knowen abhominable, and falſe Articles, and compelle there vntounto. That ye ought not to clay me the churches Goodes to be rēdred vntounto you as a ſpoyle. But that ye are bounde, all ſuch goodes a…ye yet hauehave in your cuſtodye, as Goddes theues and church robbers, to forſake. And to reſtore and rēdre them vntounto the right churche. And thoughe youre forehead were neuer ſo harde and ſhameles, as the Prophetes ſaye, which can not be aſhamed, muſte ye neuertheles ſaye youre ſelues here in, that ſuch iugemēt is right. For at the laſt ſhoulde alſo, woode, ſtones, myre, and donge crye oute agaynſt you. Whyleſt it can be none otherwyſe. But that an arraunt whore, can not be on honeſt vertuous virgyn. Therfore ought ſhe alſo to be no churche, rule no churche, and hauehave no churches goodes. This is the ſumme thereof.
That which is Goddes, maye not be gegeuen vntounto Themperour.
THat they more our do cal vsus diſobedient and cauſers of inſurrections, becauſe that oure Prynces do not obeye, Thēperours Edicte or cōmaundemēt, where in oure Churches and doctrines are condemned. There do we boaſte and thanke God, whiche gratiouſely hath kept vsus, that we are not founde with you in ſuch damnable obedience. For there ſtandeth God, which forbiddeth vsus, ſaynge: Eeue vntounto Ceſare that which is Ceſares, and geue vntounto God that which is goddes. Pſal .cxv. he hath geuen the heauen vntounto the Lorde. But the earthe vntounto the Chyldren of men, heauē or the kyngdom of heauē goeth not to louelove of the Emperour. And god can not be themperours lo…e mā. But themperour ought and muſt be called goddes lonemā. And as Sprach ſayth alſo. God hath ordeyned to the laudes Dominions. But in Iſrael is he Lord hym ſelfe: God will alone, & hym ſelfe rule in the church. Suche rule did he neuer geue frō hym, or oute of his hād as the, lx. Pſal. witneſſeth. God ſpeaketh in his holynes.
Therfore muſt ye Papiſtes fyghte oute this Article of Obedience, with God hym ſelfe, and not with vsus, and make vsus certeyn and ſure before, that we (as ye do) maye geue vntounto themperour that which is Goddes. Or elles we will not do it. But take youre ſklaundrynge & lyenge, for great ioye where with ye beare vsus witnes, and knowledge that we take not frō God that which is his, and geue it to themperour, and ſo ye helpe vsus with youre peſtiferous lyes, to boaſte this trueth that we lyue not in youre accurſed obedience.
For God hath cōmaūded thēperour ye all his augels and creatures, that they ſhall teache none other worde in his kyngdome, that is in his church as S. Paul Gal. i. ſhuteth a terrible thonderbolt, ſayinge yf an Angell frō heauen teache you any other thinge, thē that ye hauehave receyued, hold hym accurſed.Galat. i Nowe hauehave we aboue recyted retteyn of the innumerable newelties of other doctrine (that is, as S. Paull dothe here cal it, Anathema, accurſing damnation, malediction) wherewith youre Popyſſhe newe whore, and deuills church is filled. Therfore can not the Emperour nor any other creatur compell vsus to ſuche accurſed obedience, yea he ought to kepe hym ſelfe with vsus from it, yf he will not with S. Paules thunderbolt, be accurſed and ſtrykē into the pitte of hell.
God hath committed vntounto themperour ynough, more than he is able to execute namely, the kyngedome of the earthe, that is body and Goodes, ther hath his office an ende. Yf he aboue that, layeth hande on the kyngdome of God, then dothe he robbe God of his owne, whiche is called, Sacrelegium, Sacrilege, or Goddes thefte. Or as S. Paul Phil ij. doth name it.Phil. ij. Rapinā diuinitatis. Yf a mā be lyke vntounto God whiche he can not be the ſame, muſt he intēde to robbe it. For it can not be geuen vntounto hym, here to is an onelyonly heyr alone, he hath not robbed it, nor willed to robbe it (as the deuill in heauen and Adā did in Paradys). But it is geuen vntounto hym frō the father euerlaſtingly and borne vntounto hym by nature.
They that now do entice the good Emperour Charlles to this, or do ſuch thinge vnderunder his Seall, be euen as holy Creatures as the Serpent in Paradys. The Emperour ſhoulde continue vnderunder God. And attende to the office vntounto hym appoynted (as wel as all Creatures) For God will here, that is in the churche ſpeake alone, and ſuffer none other.
Lyke (that I may declare it playnely) as a maryed man, or a brydegrome may, wil diſtribute many maner of offices in his houſe, he maye call the one ſeruaunte Emperoure, and the other kynge, and committe vntounto them al his goodes, to this his landes, to the other his vynearde, Cattell, fyſſhes, raymēt money, and Goodes. But in the Chā ber or in the Brydes bedde, maye no ſeruaūt be found, whether he be called Emperour or kynge. For that is death (ſayeth Salo. Prouer. vi.) for that perteyneth onelyonly to the brydegrom. And here ought the bryde to hear nor know none other worde but onelyonly her Brydegromes As Iohn the Baptiſt ſayeth he that hath the bryde, the ſame is the Brydegrome.Iohn. iij Euen ſo can & wil God ſuffer none other beſydes hym in the church. There ſhould nothinge, but he hym ſelfe or his worde be hearde, or elles ſhoulde ſhe be a whore and not his Bryde.
By this may men will vnderſtande what ye Popyſſhe aſſhes make, whan ye calle vsus Stirrers of Sedition, becauſe we doo not obeye with you, the Emperours commaundementes. Namely this doo ye make, ye knowledge, that we leaue the ſpouſe of Chriſte, immaculate to her Lorde Chriſte, and alſo his bedde vndefiled … trewe obedient Ioſephes,Gene. xxxix. and miniſter beſydes in oure appointed Offices, Contrary wyſe, that ye as the burnynge whoremongers and aduoutrers, that is damnable robbers of God, or heuenly Sedicioners, do breake into the Lordes Bryde chamber, & will make of his ſpouſe a harlott. But he ſtryketh you with blyndnes, euen as the Sodomites, that ye can not fynd the dore, and permitteth you therfore, to fynd whores and Aduoutrers lyke vntounto your ſelues. Whiche obeye vntounto you, and goo to the deuill with you.
And Sūma, as is aforeſayd? Fyght it oute before with God, that we may heare and learne, ſomwhat elles in the Churche contrary to Goddes worde, Item, that youre aboue reherſerd new percels, be Goddes worde. And that ye are the holy Churche. Then ſhall ye hauehave righte and we ſhall gladly be obedient, what doth it preuayle. I praye you: That ye crye the Conſequente ſo loude, and lette the Antecedente alone? For the ſtry… is not aboute the Conſequente, as ye madde foules do crye. But aboute the Antecedent, Ponatur, Eccleſia cer to, et obedientia ſequetur neceſſario. E contra, Non poſita Eccleſia. Nulla ſequitur obedientia. Ex natura relatiuorum. Yf there be elles yet a ſparkle of logyke with in you. This be at this time ſayde of the Churche agaynſte the ſclaunderous mouthe of the Papiſtes.