The Subtle Sophistry of Watsons Sermons before Queen Mary, To the reader
To the Chriſtian Readers.
HAuing occaſion oftentymes to be in place where ſuche as are not yet perſwaded that the Popes Church can erre, hauehave bene bolde to vtter their minds fréely, affirming that the doctrine which the Proteſtants teache, is erronious and falſe, eſpecially concerning the preſence of Chriſt in the Sacrament of his body and bloud, and the ſacrifice of the Maſſe: I hauehave perceyued, that the ſame hauehave bene chiefely perſwaded & ſtayed by theſe two Sermons, made by Doctor Watſon in the firſt yere of Quéene Maries reigne. I hauehave therefore wyſhed, that ſome man of lyke learning, would hauehave publiſhed in print, an anſwere to thoſe Sermons: that thereby ſuch as hauehave bene diſceyued by the ſubtiltie thereof, might by the plaine and ſimple aunſwere, be brought to the knowledge of the truth, which no doubt the greateſt number of them would embrace, if they might once be brought to ſée it. Yea, I know ſome of them doe hunger and thirſt, to ſée what may be ſayde to the contrarie of that which they are yet perſwaded in, by that which ſéemeth to them vnaunſwerable.
But whiles I thus wyſhed with my ſelfe, many yeares are paſſed by: and I feare me, manye ſoules hauehave periſhed, being blinded by the ſubtilty of theſe Sermons. And hitherto, I can not vnderſtand that any man hath once purpoſed to aunſwere them.
Although therefore, I be of many the moſt vnméete, and of ſome moſt diſpiſed, accounted and reported to be none of the learned: yet rather then the prowde Philiſtine ſhould ſtill blaſpheme the God of Iſraell, and defie his whole armie, no man being ſo hardie as to buckle with him, I hauehave in the courage and confidence of diſpiſed Dauid, taken in hande to fight the combat with him, and doe not doubt by the helpe of Dauids God, eyther to cauſe him to yéelde, or to lye headleſſe, diſpiſed and forſaken euen of his owne ſort and folowers.
Some man will ſay (peraduenture) that it is but a vayne bragge to make ſuch a chalenge, knowing that the aduerſe party may not without lycence encounter with mée: and if he ſhall obtayne lycence, yet ſhall not his doings be ſuffered to come to light, vnleſſe the ſame ſhall be lyked by ſuch as fauour my cauſe. For my part, I wiſhe that it were as frée for him to replye to thys mine aunſwere and to publiſhe the ſame, as it is for mée to aunſwere his Sermons: and I know that if he be able and wylling to replie, he can neyther lack libertie ſo to doe, nor meanes to publiſh it when it is done. This obiection therfore is but vaine.
But that you may hauehave ſome vnderſtanding of that which I hauehave done in this aunſwere (deare Chriſtians) and with better will read it thorowe and weigh it: I will in fewe wordes declare the effect of my doing therein. Firſt, I hauehave faythfully reported the Sermons, as they are to be ſéene in his printed Copie: altering or chaunging no one ſillable or letter, but ſuch onelyonly as doe manifeſtly appéere to be faultes eſcaped by the ignoraunce or negligence of the Printer. Secondly, I hauehave weighed and conſidered the Authorities that he hath alledged with their circumſtances: ſetting downe the ſame in wryting to be ſéene, that you may in the feare of God, weigh the ſame alſo, and iudge whether he hauehave applied them aright or not. And thirdly, I hauehave aunſwered, by the lyke, or greater Authoritie, all that he hath laboured to confirme by Authoritie: eyther of the ſcriptures or auncient fathers.
The Lorde Ieſus direct you all in the reading of theſe Sermons and aunſwere: that you may vnderſtande and embrace the truth of the matters in controuerſie, & in life and conuerſation, glorifie him that hath with his ſpirite of comfort cauſed mée to go thorow wyth this aunſwere: notwithſtanding the manifold waies that Sathan hath ſought to cauſe me to caſt it aſide. Fare you well.
Yours in Chriſt Robert Crowley.