The Marginal Notes of the Popish Testament Translated Into English, Book 22
2. PETER.
…. Pet. 1. 16.
The text.
For not hauing followed vnlearned fables, hauehave we made the power and presence of our Lord Iesus Christ knowne to you, but ⸫ made beholders of his greatnes.
The note.
By this it is plaine that either Iohn, Iames, or Peter must be the author of the Epistle, for these three were onlie present at the transfiguration, Matth. 17. 1.
The answer.
We do not intend to striue with you for the author of the epistle: but you might hauehave told vsus that you borrowed this of master Beza, and that Iames being killed by Herode, it must be either Iohns, or Peters, and that the phrase being Peters peculiar phrase, doth shew it to be Peters. But you can borrow of vsus, and not giuegive againe that, which is due to vsus.
…. Pet. 1. 18.
The text.
And this voice we heard brought from heauen when we were with him in the ⸫ holie mount.
The note.
You see that places are made holie by Christs presence, and that all places be not alike holie. See annot. Acts. 7. 33.
The answer.
That all places by nature, and creation are alike good, and of like holines this place hindereth not, though by some special occasion, or vse that a place for a time is put to, it may be more estéemed, or regarded then an other.
…. Pet. 2. 2.
The text.
And many shal follow their riotousnes, by whom the way of truth shall be blasphemed.
The note.
Heretikes (of whom he prophesieth here) do gaine scholers by preaching libertie, and by their owne licentious life, which is specially ioined to the heresie of these daies.
The answer.
The first, and most speciall note giuen to know those heretikes by whom Saint Peter here speaketh of, is that they be lieng masters. Which how it is, and alwaies hath béene annexed to your religion, and the teachers thereof, may appéere to the indifferent Reader, by the answers to these your notes, and by your bookes of beastly fained myracles. Your other note of preaching libertie, and licentious life, cannot in all the worlde be so fitly sought, and so surely founde as amongst your selues. For by your doctrine our ladie is so good a gentlewoman,Mille … la beat… Mars▪ that so men serue her, be they whoores, be they théeues, be they what they will be, it is no matter she will entreat and obtaine pardon for them. And her seruice is neither painfull, nor costly, for it consisteth in sayeng of a few Aue Maries, and now and then praieng to our ladie, and somtimes offering of a taper. As for licentious life who hauehave béene able to match your most holie fathers of Rome?
2. Pet. 2. 3.
The text.
And in auarice shall they with ⸫ feigned words make marchandize of you. VntoUnto whom the iudgement now long since ceaseth not, and their perdition slumbereth not.
The note.
All the sweete words of heretikes, speaking much of the word of the Lord, the Gospell, Iesus Christ, &c. are but tearms of art to buy and sell poore mens soules.
The answer.
This accusation of those, whom you are woont to call heretikes, is one of your accustomed slanders. But your marchandise is so manifest, that your own writers hauehave cried out of it. It was an abbot that acknowledged the church of Rome for his mother, that willed her to reioice,Abbas vrspergensis. bicause brookes and riuers of monie flowed to her, in woonderful plentie, & no man came to her with emptie hand. The old prouerbe, no penie, no Pater noster, did witnes that the pretended good which you chalenged, and vaunted that you could do to soules, would not come from you without being déerely bought, and well paied for. As for your pretensed accusation beareth no shew. For if we had sought our owne profite, we would neuer hauehave sought the ouerthrow of your religion. For if we had held that still, we had béene sure of the first bequest in euerie mans will.
2. Pet. 2. 10.
The text.
And especiallie them which walke after the flesh in concupiscence of vncleannes, and contemne dominion, bold, selfe pleasers, they feare not to bring in sectes, blaspheming.
The note.
The speciall properties of heretikes.
The answer.
Though your restraint of these properties to heretikes, be neither in it selfe true, neither agréeable with the truth of the text which speaketh more generallie, yet bicause it can not be but that such teachers be heretikes, as be so grosselie wicked, we will examine the case how you can cléere your most holie fathers, and the pillars of your church from being heretikes: the properties here mentioned be in nūber six. The first, walking after the flesh in concupiscence of vncleannes: what the testimonies of al stories are, concerning not the dregs but the highest and holiest amongst you I néede not tell you. Pope Iohn the eight, otherwise called pope Ioan, deliuered of a childe in solemne procession, whose picture remaineth in Rome as a monument of the truth of her being pope, bewraieth sufficientlie their vncleannes and filthines.Plat…na. Pope Iohn the thirtéenth was slaine being taken in the age of adulterie. It were too long to rip vp the licentious liues of other popes, I know your selues are ashamed of them. The second, is cōtempt of dominion: your popes hauehave not only vsurped the place & seat of their soueraigne lords, but hauehave also troden vponupon them, deposed Emperors and kings from their roial estate, made them his pages to lead his horse and hold his stirrop, and to thinke it a great curtesie that they might be admitted to kisse his foot. If this be not contempt of dominion, then what cal you it? For boldnes, what dare not they do to mē, that dare cast their god into the fire? that dare poison the holie host as they terme it. What selfe pleasers they be in this it appeareth, that they both flatter them selues,Pope Hildebrand called Gregorie the 9. Pope Victor the third was poisoned in the chalice. and go about to perswade others that they can not erre?The Emperor Henrie of Lucemburgh was po…soned in the consecrate bread. How Christendome hath bene replenished by them with sectes, he that vnderstandeth & knoweth the swarmes,Leo the tenth. the number, the diuersitie of Monkes, Friers, Nunnes, Eremites, Iesuits, and such like, can not doubt? And for blasheming which is the sixt, he that hath read of the Popes spéech, that he called the Gospel the fable or tale of Christ, can not doubt but that this note also is verified of your holie father: now acquite your selues well, and shewe vsus some good defence of your popes against these properties.
2. Pet. 2. 12.
The text.
But these men as vnreasonable beastes, naturallie tending to the snare, and into destruction ⸫ in those things which they know not blaspheming, shall perish in their corruption.
The note.
So heretikes blaspheme the highest misteries of our faith through ignorance.
The answer.
If a man should go about to recken vp the bold blasphemies of your popish heretikes, against Christ him selfe and his holie word,Master Cam…pion in the 3. dais conference in the Tower. the day would sooner faile him then matter. But no maruell, when your great challenging champions can make them selues good sport and pastime, of the greatest and most reuerend mysteries of our religion.
2. Pet. 2. 18.
The text.
For speaking the proud things of vanitie, they allure in the desires of fleshlie riotousnesse, those that escape a little, which conuerse in error ⸫ promising them libertie, whereas them selues are the slaues of corruption.
The note.
Who euer promised more libertie to their followers then Luther and Caluin, and the like, taking away penance, fasting, continen…ie, or chastitie, keeping of vowes, necessitie of good workes, (because faith doeth all) obedience to Ecclesiasticall pastors, and Councels, and such like?
The answer.
You are nothing ashamed of lieng. These things which you set downe of Caluine and Luther are starke lies, which you shall neuer be able to iustifie. But you hauehave set open the flood gates to sinne, by promising manie daies of pardon to the saieng of a set number of praiers, and such like.