Common Places, Part 2 · Chapter 18 · Section 9
I beleeue in the holie catholike church, the communion of Saints, &c.
35 This article of the faith is ſo aptlie knit vntounto the other that goeth before, The ſpirit is the root of the church. Two ſimilitudes.as to any man that is of ſound iudgement, the former may ſéeme to be the root or ſtem of the latter, out of which this latter article ariſeth and buddeth foorth as a moſt fit branch. And that is ſhewed vntounto vsus after this ſort. In whatſoeuer bodie life is placed, the power and ſtrength thereof is to guide, and alſo by a moſt ſure bond to vnite all the parts of the whole bodie, by how great a ſpace ſoeuer they be diſſeuered one from the other: euen ſo the congregation of the godlie, which commonlie (if the beléeuers be conſidered of in reſpect that they be earthlie men) is called the church, how much ſoeuer it be compact of ſundrie people, and hath hir parts ſetled a great ſpace one from another in the world: and that, as much as the vttermoſt quarter of the world is diſtant by the ſpaces of regions, from the other part of the world; yet neuertheleſſe it is ioined, knit, and couched togither. And for that cauſe it is by Paule compared to a bodie, and that oftentimes in his epiſtles vntounto the Epheſians and Corinthians. Ephe. 4, 12, and 5, 23. 1. Co. 12, 12But by what bond the chriſtians (who ſo greatlie differ one from another, whether reſpect be to their condition, countrie, or language) are ſo ſtrictlie knit togither, it is ſufficientlie vnderſtood, by the order which ioineth this latter article of our faith vntounto the former. For there our faith confeſſeth the holie Ghoſt; and here it treateth of the bodie of the faithfull, which with a ſincere faith, imbracing the doctrine of Chriſt, is by him gathered togither in one.
What the name church ſignifieth.And this congregation by a Gréeke name is called Eccleſia, which ſignifieth no other thing, than a multitude called togither. For it is compact of them, which by the holie Ghoſt are called vntounto the chriſtian faith; from the which they be excluded, which by an humane motion, or perſuaſion, or double heart, or by anie other ſiniſter meanes, without anie inſtinct of the ſpirit of God, doo ioine themſelues vntounto it. A ſimilitude.Euen as if one ſhould artificiallie ioine vntounto a humane bodie ſome péece of a bone, of a ſinew, of a griſtle, or elſe a péece of fleſh; theſe be not therefore accounted parts of that bodie, ſéeing they are not moued by the life thereof: but they altogither depend of this cunning art. Euen ſo indéed we acknowledge, that the communion of ſaints is here found vponupon the earth; to wit, the congregation of the faithfull, the which is gathered togither in one, not by the will of man, or by anie cunning craft of the world; but by the onelie ſpirit of Chriſt: not doubtleſſe, that it ſhould be conteined togither in one place, but that it ſhould reteine one true vnderſtanding of faith.
The church is a myſticall bodie.36 By theſe things therefore ye vnderſtand, that the church is a myſticall bodie, the which is gouerned by the holie Ghoſt. Hereby alſo it is manifeſt enough, who they be, that apperteine vntounto the ſame, and who liue out of the communion of it. Further, it is not obſcure how aptlie the name of church agréeth vntounto it. Firſt it is euidentlie proued, that this maruellous bodie is gouerned by the holie Ghoſt, by thoſe words which Paule teacheth in the epiſtle to the Epheſians; We (ſaith he) be one bodie and one ſpirit. Ephe. 4, 4.Againe alſo it is more plainlie ſhewed in the firſt epiſtle to the Corinthians; 1. Co. 12, 13.By one ſpirit we are all baptiſed into one bodie, and hauehave droonke of one ſpirit. Wherevpon it followeth, that whoſoeuer be deſtitute of that ſpirit, doo not belong to this bodie. For he that hath not the ſpirit of Chriſt, how can he aſſure himſelfe to be a member of that bodie, whereof Chriſt is the head, and in whom there is no other life, than the diuine ſpirit it ſelfe? Vndoubtedlie it ſufficeth not, it ſufficeth not (I ſaie) to put on certeine colourable ſhewes, whereby we ſhould be taken by the iudgement of men for members of that bodie. Peter was called of Chriſt, bleſſed: not bicauſe he confeſſed him with outward voice to be the ſonne of God; but bicauſe neither fleſh, nor bloud, nor anie humane reaſon had reuealed vntounto him ſo great a myſterie, but onelie the heauenlie father. Paule alſo in his firſt epiſtle to the Corinthians, in the place aboue recited, writeth; that No man can ſaie that Ieſus is the Lord, but by the holie Ghoſt. By which places it is manifeſt, what confeſſion at the leaſt is required in the church; namelie, not that which procéedeth of mans ſenſe, but that which is ſtirred vp and brought foorth by the ſpirit of God. For otherwiſe the diuelles themſelues, and alſo the Mahumetanes in their Alcoran, doo aſcribe a certeine honour vntounto Chriſt, while they confeſſe his praiſe.
37 But here might appeare ſome difficultie. Whether and how farre foorth the church is inuiſible.What? Is the church inuiſible, that it cannot be perceiued in the world with corporall eies? And dooth not the verie ſenſe it ſelfe tell, that the companie of men is there gathered togither, for celebrating and calling vponupon the name of Chriſt? How then is that beléeued, which is ſéene? Is faith caried vntounto thoſe things, which be moſt manifeſt, and are ſubiect euen to the ſenſes themſelues? Herevnto we anſwer, that the multitude of men, which outwardlie profeſſe Chriſt, are indéed ſéene of vsus, but not ſuff…icently knowne of vsus, bicauſe we apprehend it with our outward ſenſe, as it hath béene ſaid. But we beléeue certeinlie, that this companie of men dooth ſo come togither, as neuertheleſſe it is no humane worke. A philoſopher, or ſome other heathen man would obiect, that ſuch aſſemblies be ſects of men, which might ſpring vp of diuerſe and ſundrie opinions; and be brought foorth into light, according as places and times require. Vndoubtedlie, we liue not by the induſtrie of men, but this worke muſt be attributed to the ſpirit of GOD, whome we hauehave before confeſſed.
Neither muſt we paſſe ouer the cauſe, Whie the church is called Catholike.whie the church is called Catholike, which is a Gréeke word, and ſignifieth no other thing, than if thou ſhouldſt ſaie, vniuerſall: for that it is not bound more to one place than to an other. But euen as God is a God of the whole vniuerſall world; euen ſo will he, that the bodie of his ſonne, which is his church, ſhould be extended into euerie place. With him there is no exception of perſons; neither had he reſpect, whether thoſe, which he calleth into his church, be either huſbandmen or ſmithes, men or women, princes or ſeruants, rich or poore, barbarous, citizens, or Gentils; as though he were moued for theſe outward things to chooſe them: but of euerie nation he chooſeth thoſe, whome he thinketh méet. Wherefore the church is an vniuerſall bodie, compacted of men of euerie kind and condition. But it excelleth alſo in a nobler ſocietie, which is of ſuch ſort, as whoſoeuer be truelie gathered togither into that bodie, be indued with the ſame féeling of faith. And vndoubtedlie, in vaine ſhall euerie other conſent be, if minds diſagrée in the doctrine of faith.
Neither is there euer anie thing, that bringeth more detriment vntounto this faith, than the inuentions of men. From henſe hauehave flowed all the hereſies that euer were, which in verie déed are nothing elſe, but the opinions of men, conceiued beſides the meaning of the ſcriptures, and ſowen abroad among diuers people: as if they were certeine diuine myſteries, which bring ſaluation; or elſe works moſt acceptable vntounto God. And forſomuch as ſuch doctrines are nothing elſe, but deuiſes of men, by which the authours of them hauehave ſought their owne gaine and commoditie; firſt they be méere lies, deceipts, and wicked iuglings; ſecondlie, when as they procéed from the inuentions of men, they cannot ſatiſfie all men. For looke how manie men, ſo manie ſundrie opinions there be: ſo that ſome diſſent in one article of the faith, and ſome in another. So in verie déed it happened among the Gréekes and other Chriſtians, which inhabit towards the Eaſt part, whome if thou examine, thou ſhalt vndoubtedlie find, that by a common conſent they hauehave allowed the holie ſcriptures: but in thoſe ſundrie ſuperſtitions, the which they hauehave oftentimes deuiſed, there will appeare great diſagréement.
The Roman church aboundeth with ſuperſtitions.38 Howbeit, in theſe deuiſes of ſuperſtitions, the church of Rome carrieth awaie the price. For while they prouide to ſtuffe into the pure and ſimple religion of Chriſt infinit abhominations, drawne out of the ſinkes of paganiſme, in reſtoring and (as they ſaie, or rather as they lie) in reforming them to a better forme; it hath troden vnderunder foote and deſtroied all things. Alſo this it obſtinatelie vrgeth, that euerie mans faith dooth reſt in ſuch goodlie things. And mens inuentions are more eſtéemed than the lawfull doctrine of the truth, drawne out of the holie fountaines of the ſcriptures. And this might not others, which in like maner be infected with their owne ſuperſtitions, abide; that they, anie leſſe than the Romans, ſhould ſtoutlie kéepe ſtill and defend their fained worſhippings and humane inuentions. But they, which hauehave imbraced the principall and ſincere doctrine of Chriſt, be vtter enimies againſt thoſe ſuperſtitions; ſéeing they perceiue, that thereby the glorie of Chriſt and his merits are altogither obſcured, the honour of God tranſlated vntounto his creatures, his ſeruice vſed without his word, & ſet foorth onelie after the deuiſe of men: ſo that the church, which at this daie challengeth proudlie vntounto it ſelfe alone, the name of Catholike; ſhée alone (I ſaie) more than others hath ſeuered, and euen rent in ſunder that common and vniuerſall ſocietie of the faithfull.
For if it had ſtaid it ſelfe in that religion and ſeruice, which the holie ſcriptures doo preſcribe vntounto vsus; there had not procéeded ſo manie ſchiſmes from thence. But hitherto it hath vſed no meaſure of hir owne feined deuiſes, and it hath endeuored by force & armes to conſtraine euerie man to receiue the ſame. From hence hauehave riſen infinit diſſentions, amongſt which there be ſome that remaine vntounto this daie; as experience it ſelfe plainlie teſtifieth. And as touching thoſe that hauehave béene in the former ages, whoſoeuer will diligentlie applie his mind in reading of hiſtories, ſhall eaſilie perceiue them. Howbeit, whatſoeuer ſathan, by his cunning, The Catholike church ſtandeth faſt.hath wrought; the Catholike church remaineth ſtill ſtedfaſt and immooueable, and ſhall firmelie abide euen vntill the laſt daie of iudgement. For the ſame betokeneth nothing elſe, but an vniuerſall bodie, compact togither of men of euerie ſtate and condition; the which, in what parts ſoeuer of the earth they dwell, they reteine the ſame faith and grace, righteouſneſſe, holineſſe, and happineſſe; and finallie, they imbrace euerie good thing offered them in Chriſt: and ſo, as they will neuer ſuffer themſelues one iot to be led from that truth, which the ſpirit of God hath reuealed to vsus in the holie ſcriptures; but they will aſſure themſelues of that onelie worſhipping to be lawfull and acceptable vntounto GOD, which hée hath preſcribed in thoſe holie ſcriptures.
39 Neither are they for anie other end compacted togither in this ſocietie, A communion of the church but ſpirituall.but that they ſhould edifie one an other to their power: euen as the ioining togither, that is in the members of a mans bodie, is chéeflie ordeined for the helpe and preſeruation of euerie particular member. The church ſtriueth not, to the intent it might challenge vntounto it ſelfe ſome chéefe empire or temporall iuriſdiction: it promiſeth no ſuch end vntounto it ſelfe, as it would heape vp excéeding treaſures and earthlie riches. The ſcope thereof is not to rule nations, to make warres, to laie hold vponupon cities, What weapons the church hath.and to vanquiſh them. Indéed this bodie is not deſtitute of his weapons, but theſe be ſpirituall, and not carnall weapons; namelie, the word and the ſpirit, with the which it ouercommeth the wiſedome of man, caſteth it to the ground, leadeth captiue the mind and cogitation to the obedience of Chriſt. And the ſame (vndoubtedlie) oppreſſeth not the bodies with tyrannicall ſeruitude, or draweth awaie mens goods by gréeuous tributes. This ſelfe-ſame doctrine dooth Paule in verie manie words inculcate in his later epiſtle to the Corinthians, 1. Cor. 10, 4.where he verie well deſcribeth the wreſtlings of this congregation: and he in the ſame epiſtle, intreating there of his owne, and of other of the apoſtles authoritie, ſaith; that The ſame was granted vntounto him to edifie, and not to deſtroie. VntoUnto the which notwithſtanding, they doo ſingularlie bend themſelues, which will alone be called heads, and apoſtles of the church.
Howbeit (in the meane time) with all their power they reſiſt the word of God. Neither doo they ſuffer the perfect ſtate of our iuſtification to be preached; but rather by their humane decrées and conſtitutions, laie infinite ſnares againſt the miſerable ſoules of the people committed to them, the which notwithſtanding are redéemed by the pretious bloud of Chriſt. And yet further, they pollute with their ſundrie abuſes, the ſacraments ordeined of God, and eſpeciallie the holie ſupper of the Lord, which they hauehave turned into filthie and ſhamefull idolatrie, and of the ſignes or ſeales thereof, they admit the ſimple flocke to the participation of one onelie; as though it were in their power to inuert the order, which the Lord hath appointed. They not content (I ſaie) to defraud the flocke of Chriſt of that principall food of ſoules, which is the word of GOD, doo alſo cut awaie halfe the ſacrament, which is as it were the viſible word, and the euident teſtimonie of the goodneſſe, charitie, and ardent affection of Chriſt toward vsus, a memoriall of his death, the moſt effectuall marke of that vnion, whereby they growe vp togither vnderunder Chriſt himſelfe being head, vntounto a holie bodie of the church. But this will I here adde, that this one thing they worke by their traditions; namelie, they eſtabliſh that tyrannie of theirs, and make it to extend further abroad. Howbeit, the hope is, that Chriſt will at length take pittie of ſo noble a bodie of his, and that he will not ſuffer a mortall man anie longer to vaunt himſelfe ſo proudlie againſt his head. This Chriſt onelie, Chriſt (I ſaie) is the head of the church.
That the Pope is not head of the church.40 But they, which ſaie, that the Pope is head of the church (as he will commonlie be accounted, (which alſo his ſhameleſſe flatterers feare not to publiſh openlie, both by words and writings) ſéeme in my iudgement to be like vntounto thoſe wicked Iewes, which all with one voice denied Chriſt to be their king, and profeſſed Caeſar to be their prince. Euen as in a bodie well framed, there is one head: ſo muſt the church, A ſimilitude.vnles it be tranſformed into ſome kind of monſter, be indued with one head onelie, the which head is Chriſt. Neither ſtandeth it with any reaſon that they ſaie they hauehave the Romane biſhop to be appointed another head, as it were vnderunder the chéefe head Chriſt: whoſe biſhop; to wit, that other head, they will hauehave to be a neceſſarie inſtrument. For there was neuer ſéene, in a well ſhapen bodie, ſuch a diſorder, as thervnto ſhould be ioined two heads; wherewith one ſhould be ſubiect vntounto another: ſéeing the verie name of Head, ſignifieth the chiefe part of the bodie. But Chriſt alone ſheweth himſelfe aboue the church, & he altogither by maruellous and vnſpeakeable meanes, ioined the humane nature vntounto the diuine nature. Behold the head, which God appointed to that beloued bodie, as it is written in the epiſtle to the Epheſians. Epeſ. 1, 21.We confeſſe in déed, that the members in that bodie be diuerſe, wherof one is more excellent than another: but in this point they conſpire all in one, that they be ſubiect vntounto that head, and are to ſerue faithfullie vnderunder it. Wherefore it is not lawfull to deuiſe more heads than one: and vndoubtedlie it is verie intollerable pride, for one to arrogate vntounto himſelfe the honour of Chriſt.
But (I beſéech you) let it be as theſe men will; that the Pope ſhould be counted another head, vnderunder Chriſt the principall head. Yet, with what faith he is vnderunder Chriſt, as a fit inſtrument, experience it ſelfe ſpeaketh: which beareth record, that he not onelie doth not cleaue vntounto Chriſt, but that he is plainlie againſt him, both in works, déeds, and counſelles. Neither is it my purpoſe, to ſet foorth at large the proofe of this matter; Barnard.ſéeing Barnard hath declared the ſame, indéed not fullie; but yet ſo, as their craftie and ſubtill exception may be diſcouered. Wherefore, being content with this profitable declaration; I will not here at this time adde anie more, but that I conclude againe, Chriſt onlie is the head of his church.that that bodie hath onelie Chriſt to be the head; and not anie ſillie man, which with his authoritie alone may wreſt, corrupt, peruert, and rent in ſunder the words of the ſcriptures (whereof he boaſteth among his ſort, that he within the cloſet of his breſt, hath the full knowledge and perfect interpretation;) not a ſillie man, which (according to the naked iudgement of his owne will) may expulſe out of the church whom he pleaſe, and accuſe and condemne them; not a ſillie man, that at his owne onelie becke may appoint paſtors, rectors, and biſhops vntounto churches, to whom he will not commit the cuſtodie, no not of their own goods; bicauſe he miſtruſteth their wit and induſtrie, whereof he hath not had anie one iot of triall. Now then we be content with one head; namelie Chriſt, the holie Ghoſt being the guide, and the holie ſcripture being as an outward teſtimonie of his will: the certeine perſuaſion whereof, the power of the holie Ghoſt dooth inwardlie ſeale in our minds.
By what meanes the church is edified.41 But let vsus weigh (I beſéech you) by what meanes that moſt holie bodie of the church may be eſtabliſhed, edified, and alſo increaſe. And here I affirme, that beſides the inward grace, faith, and outward ſcripture, we hauehave alſo néed of admonitions and godlie ſermons out of the word of God; the which be miſerablie intermitted at this daie, by them which would be called chriſtians. And yet neuertheles this is the chiefe and principall worke of the Apoſtolicall office, the which, as though it were vnworthie for the dignitie of a Biſhop (forſooth) theſe new heads of the church hauehave committed it vntounto certeine hungrie Moonks, Preaching committed to certeine hungrie Moonks.who neuertheleſſe are threatened vntounto gallies, vntounto perpetuall priſons, and to be put to euerie moſt cruell death, if they paſſe the bounds preſcribed by them. Indéed, they knowe verie handſomelie how to withdrawe themſelues from their owne office, charge, and labour; but ſo, as they will neuer preach vntounto the people concerning holie things. The maner of papiſticall preaching.Yet neuertheleſſe, whoſoeuer doo take that charge in hand, they will hauehave them to preach after the rules preſcribed by them. Whereof it commeth to paſſe, that the poore ſmall flocks of Chriſt, either periſh with hunger, or elſe are ſcantlie and ſlenderlie fed. And commonlie, the ſermons touching holie things, are onelie made in the time of Lent, and a verie few daies beſides; and that either by a ſort of vnlearned and vndiſcréet men which knowe not ſufficientlie thoſe things that they ſpeake; or elſe by them which ſtand more afraid of ſome, than they ought to doo; or elſe by ſuch as hunt after honours, riches, or fauour, which are not fit for their vocation. Wherefore, at that time they hauehave ſermons; but yet ſuch, as in them they vtter méere trifles, and bewraie the groſſe darkneſſe of ignorance.
But if otherwhile they ſhew ſomething of the truth, it is doone with ſuch cloked ſpéeches, with ſuch intricate, minſed, and nice termes, as they rather deſtroy than edifie; or elſe they preach flatteries, the which vndoubtedlie vntounto all godlie men are méere intollerable. And ſuch be they, that preach for the deſire they hauehave either of honour, or of priuate commoditie. All the reſt of the yeare is ſpent in walking vp and downe the churches, in chaunting, ſinging, and ſounding [of inſtuments.] In all which things, not ſo much as the leaſt word is vnderſtood that might ſerue for edifieng of the people. At which time, thoſe chéefe prieſts, biſhops, and other prelats are occupied (as they ſaie) in great affaires, as to take vponupon them the adminiſtration of the common weale, to examine accounts, to ſearch out the yéerelie reuenues of lands, and manie times to find out new waies of gouernment. I paſſe ouer thoſe things that be more outragious; not bicauſe it gréeueth them to heare ſuch things, but partlie, for that I am aſhamed of them; and partlie, bicauſe thoſe things are ſufficientlie knowne, and manifeſt to euerie one. If they be apoſtles, it perteineth vntounto their office to preach; if they be paſtors, to féed; if they be ſchoole-maſters of the church, to teach; if they be diſpenſors of the treaſures of Chriſt, they ought to inrich their ſhéepe therewith: I meane not with their pardons, bulles, and bleſſings; but with the word of God, with continuall admonitions and corrections, by which meanes the infidels are conuerted vntounto God, the faithfull are ſtirred vp from their ſloth and idleneſſe, and receiue comfort in the fornace of afflictions.
42 Theſe be thoſe exquiſite arts, whereby the bodie of Chriſt is preſerued; vntounto the which muſt be added the vſe of the ſacraments, but yet whole and throughlie clenſed from the deuiſes of men. Oh thou that holie ſupper of the Lord, how manie waies art thou here miſerablie diſhonoured and polluted! Oh maſſe, maſſe, maſſe, what remaineth ſound in thée! But here will I forbeare my ſtile, ſéeing I write a Catechiſme, and not a full treatiſe of the ſacraments, which neuertheleſſe I hope ſhortlie (if the Lord lend me life) to bring to paſſe. Theſe few things I hauehave written onelie to this end, that I may ſhew how ill theſe things hauehave béene handled, which did make for the increaſe and profit of the church. I will ſpeake nothing of baptiſme, ſéeing by the merciemercy of God, the ſame hath béene ſomewhat leſſe polluted with foule abuſes. And although it be not purelie and ſoundlie vſed; yet there is leſſe cauſe for thée to compla…ne herein. The vſe of the ſacraments.Wherefore the vſe of the ſacraments is moſt profitable vntounto the church; ſéeing they be as it were viſible words, the which conſiſt in thoſe euident ſignes of water, bread, and wine. By which ſignes, as it were by words, all the promiſes of Gods merciemercy are effectuallie repreſented vntounto vsus.
And here, not onelie the promiſes are giuen vsus, but we be aſſuredlie partakers of the thing it ſelfe: and therefore thoſe ſacraments are verie neceſſarie vntounto vsus, and further vsus not a litle vntounto ſaluation. Brotherlie correction.VntoUnto which ſacraments muſt be ioined brotherlie correction, which in theſe daies is ſo neglected, as no man will applie it, either to another mans vſe, or will ſubmit himſelfe therevnto: ſuch profit hauehave we taken in the ſchoole of Chriſt. Yea, which is more, thoſe which are carefull but of their owne matters, are counted godlie, yea and in a maner holie; which neuertheleſſe is ſo vndecent and diſhoneſt, as it is not allowed, no not of the heathen philoſophers; ſéeing they fréelie confeſſe, that Man is not borne onelie to himſelfe. Yea and verie oxen, or ſhéepe, or aſſes, if they be fallen downe by the waie, will helpe one another. And ſhall not we hauehave a care of our brethren, that when they faint vnderunder the burdens of their ſinnes, to reléeue them with the helpe of holie correction? But if that doo not preuaile, it behoueth that excommunication follow, which God hath left vsus, as the laſt remedie againſt obſtinate perſons.
Eccleſiaſticall lawes.43 To conclude: that holie bodie is preſerued by equall and iuſt lawes, by the which it muſt be ruled and gouerned, ſo farre as concerneth thoſe outward exerciſes. Of which ſort be the comming togither vntounto publike praiers, at places and times conuenient, to ſing praiſes vntounto God, to giuegive thanks vntounto Chriſt, and to come vntounto the adminiſtration of the ſacraments. All which things muſt be doone in order, decentlie, and honeſtlie: euen as Paule teacheth in the firſt epiſtle to the Corinthians. 1. Cor. 14, 14Theſe lawes muſt not be appointed by the will and diſcretion of one man, neither yet muſt they be accounted of ſo great authoritie, as thoſe things, which the Lord hath reuealed to vsus in the holie ſcriptures. And they muſt be ſo ordeined, as they cannot be repealed and changed by one mans conſent; but by the conſent of the whole church, if anie detriment come to the church by them. Moreouer, let no man ſetle his hope vponupon thoſe things, as though they can bring righteouſneſſe or ſaluation, but let him remember, that they be ordinances of men: further, that they hauehave not to doo with yéerelie rents, with gaine, or with the priuate commoditie of anie man; but that they muſt wholie hauehave a reſpect to the glorie of God, and to the profit of our neighbour.
Let not their number be ſo augmented, as either they may be naughtilie compriſed, or elſe that they ſhould oppreſſe the people with a more gréeuous burden. Let them not deſpoile the people of that libertie, which is giuen in Chriſt: let them not bind mens conſciences, with the terror of eternall death. With theſe conditions (I ſaie) if lawes be appointed by the church, let chriſtians imbrace them, let them obeie & reuerentlie ſubmit themſelues to them. Where the matter ſo ſtandeth, that lawes be after this order appointed, they cannot be contemned or little ſet by, without gréeuous offenſe. Hitherto we hauehave largelie enough diſputed, what that holie bodie of the church is, how it may be ioined togither in one, what head it hath, by what meanes it is nouriſhed, augmented, & preſerued. And if ſo be that I hauehave béene induced to ſtand longer vponupon this matter, than my maner is to doo, it muſt altogither be imputed, not to anie ſuperfiuitie of ſpeach, but vntounto the nature and ſtate of the cauſe; which aboundeth with ſuch plentie & ſtore of matter, as I hauehave rather touched the principall points of things, than ſufficientlie expreſſed it according to the woorthines thereof. But that, which may be wanting at this time, we will proſecute more largelie in another place.