Oppositions of the Word of God, Part 1
I cannot rank my ſelfe with the Romane Church, becauſe ſhee teacheth things diſagreeing with the word of God, contained in the holy Scriptures.
I.
GOD forbiddeth to add any thing toDeutro. 4. 2. his worde: ¶ The Romane Church in way of contradiction doth add many thinges thereunto: as inuocation of Saints, adoration of Images, the Communion vnderunder one Species or kinde, a prohibition to eate fleſh vponupon certaine dayes; prayer in a tongue not vnderſtood of the people, the ſatisfaction of Saints for the ſinnes of others, the ſingle life of Prieſts, confirmation, Auriculer confeſſion, the deliuerance of ſoules out of the fire of Purgatorie by the indulgences of the Pope, the Iubily at the end of eueryevery fiue & twenty yeares for the remiſſion of all ſins, pardons for a hundred thouſand yeares and more, the Lymbus for Infants: the inſtitution of Maſſe Prieſts, who vaunt that they ſacrifice Ieſus Chriſt, pilgrimages to viſite reliques, the diuers charges giuen to Saints, as to one to cure the tooth-ake, to another to be patron of the Shoomakers, to another to gouerne Spaine, or France. Particuler Maſſes, ſaid in a corner of the Church, at the requeſt of ſome particular man who payeth for them, Maſſes without Communion, and without aſſiſtants: Maſſes for the corne, heards of cattell, &c. The holy beades which are diſtributed to procure a hundred yeares pardon of ſinne. The Agnus Dei which the Pope ſanctifieth, giuing them vertue and power againſt the diuell, and againſt ſinne, the cuſtome to baptiſe bells, ſhips, &c. And a thouſand ſuch follies, of the which there is not ſo much as one word extant in the word of God.
II.
God forbiddeth to diminiſh his word, or take any thingDeutro. 4. 2. from it. ¶ On the contrary ſide, the Church of Rome hath taken away the ſecond commandement of God, out of the Canons of the Maſſe, in the which is contained an expreſſe prohibition to make any reſemblance of any thing, which is in heauen aboue, and in the earth beneath, in way of worſhip. With the like impudencie hauehave they tooke from the BibleGen. 3. 15. theſe wordes: that the ſeede of the woman (namely Ieſus Chriſt) ſhould bruſe the head of the ſerpent: ſaying, that it ſhould be read thus, that the woman ſhall bruſe the head of the ſerpent: giuing that honour to the virgine Mary, which is due to our Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt.
III.
Saint Paul ſaith, that the holy Scriptures are able to make2. Timoth. 3. 15. vsus wiſe vntounto ſaluation: ¶ On the contrary ſide, the Church of Rome teacheth that the word of God is inſufficient to declare the truth: that it was not inſtituted to be the rule of ourSee the 3. verity of Charron, & Bellarmine de verbo non Scripto, and the Biſhop of Eureux in his booke of traditions. Rom. 11. 21. and 22. faith: that it is but a peece, or part of that rule. And that it is not the principall, and ſoueraine Iudge in doubts and controuerſies of Religion: but that this prerogatiue of right belongeth to the Church of Rome.
IIII.
The Apoſtle S. Paul in his Epiſtle to the Romanes, threatneth the Church of Rome, that ſhee ſhould be cut off, if ſhee perſeuered not, or if ſhee grew high minded. ¶ On the contrary part, the Church of Rome at this preſent day vaunteth, that ſhe cannot erre: and that her head, to wit the Pope, cannot become an heretique.
V.
God doth exhort vsus to reade the holy Scriptures, not thatReuel. 1. 3. 2 Pet. 1. 19. Acts. 17. 11. excepted which is moſt obſcure in them, as the Reuelation, and the Prophets. ¶ On the contrary ſide, in the Church of Rome the people are not permitted to reade the holy Scriptures, leaſt they become heretiques; neither doe they ſuffer the word to be read in a tongue vnderſtood of the people.
VI.
The Apoſtle S. Paul would hauehave vsus pray and ſpeake in the1. Corinth. 14. Church, in a tongue vnderſtood of the aſſiſtants; and ſaith, that he had rather pronounce in the Church fiue words with vnderſtanding, then tenne thouſand in a tongue not vnderſtood. ¶ On the contrary part, in the Church of Rome the diuine ſeruice is ſaid in an vnknowne tongue, and the people are accuſtomed to pray to God without knowing what they ſay: from whence it commeth to paſſe, that oftentimes they ſay a Pater noſter, before the Image of S. Nicholas, or S. Roch, and ſay an Aue Maria, as if it were a prayer.
VII.
The ſame Apoſtle holdeth it a thing impoſſible for a manRom. 10. 14. to call vponupon him, in whom he beleeues not, ſaying, how will they call vponupon him in whom they hauehave not belieued? and all the prayers of the holy Scripture are addreſſed to God: ¶ On the contrary ſide, in the Church of Rome they inuoke them, in whom they beleeue not, and addreſſe their prayers to the creature.
VIII.
The holy Scripture teacheth vsus, that God alone knoweth1. Kings. 8. 39. and ſearcheth the hearts of men. ¶ On the contrary ſide, the Church of Rome telleth vsus, that the Saints know our hearts, and thoughts.
IX.
The holy Scripture preſenteth Ieſus Chriſt, as him who1. Timoth. 2. 5. Acts 4. 12. hath giuen himſelfe a ranſome for vsus: and moreouer ſayth that ſaluation belongeth to him alone. ¶ On the contrary ſide in the Romane Church it is taught, that the Saints andQuorum precibus, meritiſ que In the Canon of the maſſe. Monkes hauehave done and ſuffered more then they ought, and beyond their duety, for the payment and abſolution of the puniſhment due to their ſinnes, and that this ouer-plus ſerueth for the payment and acquitting of other mens ſinnes: wherefore in the Maſſe and prayers of the Church of Rome, they pray not onelyonly to God, through the interceſſion of Saints, but alſo ground their demands vponupon their merites.
X.
Saint Paul ſaith, that eueryevery one carrieth his owne burden.Galat. 6. 5. ¶ On the contrary ſide in the Church of Rome they teach, that by faſting, afflicting our ſelues, and giuing to the Church, we may beare the paine due to the ſinnes of our friends, as alſo that we may ſhorten their torment in Purgatorie.
XI.
The holy ſcripture termes Ieſus Chriſt our onelyonly aduocate and mediator, who ſitting at the right hand of God maketh1. Iohn 2. 1. 1 Timoth. 2. 5. Rom. 8. 33. Rom. 5. 10. interceſſion for vsus, and who loueth vsus with a Soueraign louelove, euen to thruſt himſelfe into the iawes of death to ſaue his enemies. ¶ On the contrary ſide, the Romane Church ſetteth him foorth like a ſeuere Iudge, full of wrath andThis is to bee ſeene in the virgine Maries Pſalter. indignation againſt vsus, till the Virgine Mary ſtanding before him, appeaſe his anger, and turne his indignation from vsus.
XII.
God in his law forbiddeth all men to repreſent him by anyDeut. 4 15. and 16. reſemblance or picture whatſoeuer. ¶ On the contrary ſide the Church of Rome painteth foorth the Trinity moſt groſſely.
XIII.
God forbiddeth in his law to bow before the likeneſſe or ſimilitude of things, that are in heauen aboue or in the earthExod. 20. 4 & 5. beneath it. ¶ On the contrary ſide, in the Church of Rome they kneele before the Images of Saints, doe reuerence to them, carry them in proceſſion, cloth them, put them on cleane caps eueryevery holy-day, light candles by them: and to ſhew ſome holines to be in the Image, they will hauehave of one and the ſelfe ſame Saint many Images, one of the which ſhall be viſited, and honoured, another abandoned and forſaken.
XIIII.
The Apoſtle S. Paul ſaith, that whatſoeuer is done without faith, is ſinne. ¶ On the contrary ſide in the Church ofRom. 14. 23. Rome they teach, that thoſe, who are Infidels, and without faith, doe neuertheleſſe good workes, and merite by them, which they call merits of congruity.
XV.
The holy Scripture ſpeaking of man, not regenerate, andGen. 6. 5. Epheſ. 2. 1. as he is in his owne nature, ſaith, that all the thoughts of man are at all times euill, and that he is dead in ſinne, and that we cannot ſo much as will what is good. ¶ On the contrary ſide in the Church of Rome they teach, that man not regenerate, hath freewill, and hath the power to chuſe what is good.
XVI.
Saint Paul calleth the concupiſcence which remaineth inRom. 7. 7. In the Counſell of Trent. Seſſ. 5. the faithfull, ſinne. ¶ On the contrary part the Church of Rome teacheth, that it is not ſinne.
XVII.
The holy Scripture ſaith, that there is no man without ſinne, and that we all faile, and fall in many things: and Ieſus1. Kin. 8. 46. Iam. 2 Job 7. 20. Pſal. 51. 6. & 7. Rom. 7. In the ſummary of the law. Chriſt commaundeth his Apoſtles, and vsus all, to repeate this often, Forgiue vsus our treſpaſſes: Iob, Dauid, S. Paul acknowledge themſelues to be ſinners. ¶ On the contrary ſide in the Church of Rome they teach, that man can fulfill the law, and by conſequence, be without ſinne: nay, which is more, they teach that man can doe more, then God commandeth in his law to be done: although hee commaund vsus to ſerue him with all our hearts, with all our ſoules, & with all our might.
XVIII
The Apoſtle Saint Paul ſaith, that all our ſinnes are forgiuenCol. 2. 13. 1. Ioh. 1. 7. vsus freely, or as we commonly ſay, gratis, and that the blood of Ieſus Chriſt doth clenſe vsus from all our ſinnes. ¶ On the contrary ſide, in the Church of Rome they teach that our ſinnes are not forgiuen vsus freely: but that wee muſt pay ſatiſfaction for them, and indure paine for them, both in this life, and in Purgatory: and that beſides the blood of Ieſus Chriſt, we muſt hauehave another clenſing and purification of ours in the fire of Purgatorie, from whence there is no deliuery before the laſt penny be paid.
XIX.
The ſpirit of God ſaith, happie are thoſe which die in theReuel. 14. 13. Eſay. 57. 2. Lord, and that they reſt from their labours: in like manner thoſe which walke in Gods wayes, when they die enter into peace: and repoſe themſelues in their beds: Item, that it is ordained that eueryevery man ſhall die once, and after that ſhall iudgement come, without making mention of any fire,Heb. 9. 27. Luke. 23. 43. Luke. 2. 29. 2. Tim. 4. 8. through which we muſt paſſe before we come to iudgement: and the Scripture witneſſeth to vsus of the good theefe, that the ſame day which hee died, his ſoule entred into Paradiſe: and of Simeon, that he is entred into peace: and of Saint Paul that hauing finiſhed his courſe, he receiued a Crowne of glory. ¶ On the contrary ſide, in the Church of Rome they teach, that the ſoules of the faithfull are carried into a fire, there to be tormented for a long time together, as appeareth by the pardons for an hundred thouſand, and two hundred thouſand yeares. For this reaſon alſo are Maſſes ſaide, for ſuch as hauehave beene beneficiall to the Church foure or fiue hundred yeares agoe.
XX.
The holy Scripture calleth eternall life a gift, and an inheritance.Rom. 6 23. Luke. 12. 32. Epheſ. 2. 8. ¶ On the contrary ſide, in the Church of Rome they teach, that wee purchaſe life euerlaſting by our merits, notwithſtanding that Ieſus Chriſt hath taught vsus, that when we hauehave done all that we can doe, we are vnprofitable ſeruants.Luke. 17. 10.
XXI.
The remiſſion of ſinnes is ſet forth in the Goſpell, as a gift promiſed to thoſe who belieue in Ieſus Chriſt. ¶ On the contraryActs. 10. 43. part, the Pope remitteth ſinnes of all ſorts, be they neuer ſo lewd, and enormous, not as one who inuiteth, and ſummoneth ſinners to apprehend the grace, which is purchaſed for vsus by Ieſus Chriſt: but he giueth the remiſſion of ſinnes in the forme of Arreſts, and Letters Patents, ſealed with leade vnderunder the Ring of the fiſher, as if a King did ſpeake, and not an Heraulde of the grace of God.
XXII.
Remiſſion of ſinnes is publiſhed in the Goſpel, and declaredActs. 10. 34. 35. to all men of all nations whatſoeuer. ¶ On the contrarie ſide in the Church of Rome: the remiſſion of ſinnes is tied to one certaine day, to one certaine place, to one certaine yere, and to one certaine Conuent, whether the people are bound to goe to ſeeke pardons for their ſinnes: in like manner the full pardon of all ſinnes is publiſhed at Rome, in the yeere of Iubile, which is renewed very often: to wit, at the end of eueryeveryBy the inhabitants of Rome fiue and twentie yeeres: from whence it followeth, that the remiſſion of ſinnes is eaſily to be obtained, but hard to be obtained by them who dwell farre off, eſpecially if they bee ſicke, feeble, or are deſtitute of horſes: as alſo that God is more mercifull in the yeere of Iubile, then in any other yeres, & that the prayers made in the Churches of the Gray-Friers, where the Iubile is kept, are better then thoſe which are made at the Iacobins Conuents: counting it a great vnhappineſſe to die a little before the Iubile: whereas he that dieth incontinently after the Iubile goeth directly into Paradiſe.
XXIII.
Ieſus Chriſt ſayeth that happie are the poore, for theirs isLuke. 6. 20 the kingdome of God. ¶ On the contrary ſide in the Church of Rome it may be ſaid, Bleſſed are the rich: for they hauehave where with all to pay for Maſſes after their death, the which Maſſes are of power & vertu, to take away & nullifie the pain of Purgatorie: they ſay more particular Maſſes for the poore, the order of begging Friers neuer goe to viſite a dying man, except he be a man of wealth: they ſay no Maſſes for nothing: in briefe with the Church of Rome, eueryevery thing is ſolde, buriall, the ringing of Bels, Confeſſions, Prayers, Remiſſion of ſinnes; beſides this, boxes ſet in order to inuite the people to contribute to the Church, although ſhe hauehave the third part of the reuenues of the kingdome: and the Pope beſtowesWhich they call in the Romane Church Annates. Biſhoprickes vponupon this condition that he ſhall hauehave the firſt yeeres rent.
XXIIII.
The Apoſtle Saint Paul teaches vsus, that we are iuſtified byGal. 2: 16. faith onelyonly, and not by the workes of the Law. ¶ On the cōtrary ſide the Church of Rome teacheth, that a man is iuſtified by his works: not only by that iuſtification towards men, (which S. Iames maketh mention of) but alſo toward God.
XXV.
Saint Peter ſaies, that whoſoeuer beleeues in Ieſus ChriſtActs 11. 10. 43. Acts 13 39. ſhall hauehave remiſſion of ſinnes: and Saint Paul, that whoſoeuer beleeues in Ieſus Chriſt, ſhall be iuſtified. ¶ On the contrary ſide, in the Church of Rome they teach, that eueryevery man that beleeueth is not iuſtified, neither hath alwayes remiſſion of his ſinnes, ſince that as they ſay, to beleeue and to hauehave faith, is onelyonly to hold for truth all what God hath ſaide; all which the diuels and many of the wicked beleeue.
XXVI.
God would hauehave vsus to approach before him with boldneſſeEpheſ. 2. 12. Hebrewes 3. 6. Iohn 3. 16. 17. & 18. and confidence, through the faith which wee hauehave in Ieſus Chriſt: and that wee retaine to the end the aſſurance, and glory of our hope: and Ieſus Chriſt doth aſſure vsus, that whoſoeuer beleeueth in him ſhall not periſh, but hauehave life euerlaſting. ¶ On the contrary ſide, the Church of Rome calleth this confidence and aſſurance, a preſumption: teaching the people that they ſhould doubt of their ſaluation. From whence enſueth, that he who is in his death-bed, and beleeueth in Ieſus Chriſt, ought to doubt of the truth of the promiſe of God, who ſaies, that whoſoeuer beleeueth in Ieſus Chriſt, ſhall hauehave life euerlaſting.
XXVII.
Saint Paul hauing ſaid, that all our ſinnes are forgiuen vsusColoſ. 2. 13. freely: addeth in another place, that where remiſſion ofHeb. 10. 18. & Chap. 9. 25. ſinne is, there is no more ſacrifice for ſinne, and that Ieſus Chriſt doth not offer himſelf often for vsus. ¶ On the contrary ſide, in the Church of Rome they offer eueryevery day ſacrifice propitiatory for the redemption of our ſoules, and they pretend to ſacrifice Ieſus Chriſt himſelfe, although the Scripture teacheth vsus, that Ieſus Chriſt hath a true humane bodie, as we hauehave, the which is placed at the right hand of God, and is contained in heauen, from whence he ſhall deſcend at the day of iudgement.
XXVIII.
Ieſus Chriſt forbiddeth his Apoſtles to raigne one ouerLuke 22. 25. and 26. 2. Corinth. 12. 11. Galath. 1. 1. another: and S. Paul ſaies, that hee was in nothing inferiour to the moſt excellent Apoſtles: as alſo that hee had not his charge from any man, but from Ieſus Chriſt. ¶ On the contrary ſide in the Church of Rome, they make S. Peter the head and the Prince of the Apoſtles, hauing authority and commaund ouer them, as if they were all ſubiect vntounto him: in like manner the Pope willeth all other Biſhops to take their charge of him.
XXIX.
S. Paul would hauehave a Biſhop to be the husband of one1. Timoth. 3. 2. and 4. wife, and that he keepe his children in all obedience toward him. ¶ On the contrary ſide, in the Church of Rome Eccleſiaſticall perſons are forbidden to marrie: a doctrine which theIn the 4. Chap. of the ſame Epiſtle. ſame Apoſtle calleth the doctrine of diuels.
XXX.
The word of God would hauehave vsus, when we are inuited by1. Corinth. 10. 25. & 27. Infidels, to eate whatſoeuer is put before vsus, without making a conſcience ſo to doe. ¶ On the contrary ſide, thoſe of the Romane Church being inuited by vsus, would make it a conſcience to eate of all that we ſet before them we (I ſay) whom they name Heretiques, and ranke with Infidels.
XXXI.
S. Paul would hauehave all men to be ſubiect to the higher powers,Rom. 13. 1. & 4. 14. and to Princes, who carrie the ſword to doe iuſtice. ¶ On the contrary ſide, thoſe in the Church of Rome, who hauehave retired themſelues into a Conuent, are not onelyonly free from the power and commaund of their Princes: but alſo of their fathers and mothers.
XXXII.
Our Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt diſtributing the cup in his laſtMat. 26. 27. 1. Cor. 11. 28. ſupper, ſaid, Drinke of this all, and S. Paul willeth, that eueryevery one hauing proued and ſearched himſelfe, drink of this Cup. ¶ On the contrary ſide, in the Church of Rome the Prieſt alone drinketh, and the reſt of the people feedeth vponupon one Species or Kinde onelyonly.
XXXIII.
Our Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt diſtributing the bread, ſayd, take, 1. Cor. 11. 24.eate. ¶ On the contrary ſide, in the Church of Rome the Prieſt in the Maſſe eateth alone, yet notwithſtanding in way of mockage, he ſaies, take, eate; and prayeth for all thoſe who hauehave eaten and participated at the Altar, albeit himſelfe eatethVt quot quot ex hac altaris participatione Sump ſerimus. Mat. 26. 29. and drinketh alone.
XXXIIII.
Our Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt calleth that which he gaue to his Apoſtles, the fruit of the vine. ¶ On the contrary ſide, in the Church of Rome they teach, that it is not the fruit of the vine, but bloud.
XXXV.
S. Paul ſaies, that hee brake bread in the Lords Supper,1. Cor. 10. 16. In the 10. chap. & 11. with theſe words, the bread which wee breake: and himſelfe fiue times together ſaith, that we eate bread. ¶ On the contrary ſide, in the Church of Rome they teach that it is not bread, but Ieſus Chriſt, as great, and as tall as hee was vponupon the Croſſe: and moreouer in breaking him with their teeth, they breake him not; but remaineth whole in eueryevery part & peece of the hoſt, or Sacrament.1. Cor. 10. 20. They call the Supper the waſhing of the Poores feet.
XXXVI.
S. Paul calleth the Sacrament, which Chriſt miniſtred to his Apoſtles, the Supper of the Lord: but in the Church of Rome at this day there is a number of Maſſes different in ceremonies, different in the end, and purpoſe for which theyS Geneviefue the Patroneſſe of Paris. are made: which are high or low, dry, or current: there hauehave you a Maſſe for S. Geneuiefue, S. Michael and others.
XXXVII.
Beſide theſe doctrines and many more, contrary directly to the word of God, and beſides thoſe which are not contained in the holy Scriptures, but inuented by men vnderunder the name of Traditions; there remaineth as yet a meruailous abuſe committed in the ceremonies of the Romane Church: of the which ſome are ſuperfluous, and ridiculous: other ſome contrary and repugnant to the honour of God, and his word: all in general, exceſſiue in number, & yet held more neceſſarie then doctrine it ſelfe. The ſuperfluous and ridiculous ceremonies amongſt others, are thoſe which the Prieſt obſerues in the Maſſe, in the which hee maketh a thouſand turnings, faigneth to ſleepe, mutters out his words ſoftly, makes his taile to be lifted vp, cauſeth a bell to be ſounded, &c. Item the ſalt, and ſpettle in baptiſme, the blowe, and the band which the Biſhop giueth in the confirmation. In like maner thoſe which the Pope obſerueth in the Proceſſion, cauſing God to be caried vponupon a Hackney, with a Lanterne before him to giuegive him light, together with many ſuch like abſurdities. The ceremonies contrarie to the word of God, are no fewer in number; as when the Prieſt turneth his backe to the people, lifteth vp the Hoſt behinde, muttereth out the words of Conſecration for feare to be vnderſtoode, ſpeaketh in an vnknowne tongue, &c. For Ieſus Chriſt hath done the quite contrary vntounto this: as alſo the adoration of the Hoſt is cleane contrary to that which the Apoſtles did, who ſate at the Table not adoring it, acknowledging as it were, that it was not God, which they receaued, and eated, and that they offered not any ſacrifice propitiatory: of this kind are ſo many feaſts, which fight with the law of God, the which ſaith, Sixe dayes ſhall thou labour, &c. But the wont is, that theſe ceremoniesExod 20. and humane intentions are placed aboue the word of God, and his Commandements: for he that hath blaſphemed the name of God, ſhal not be ſo abominable vntounto them, as he that eateth fleſh on good Friday, which neuertheleſſe is the day on the which Chriſt ordinarily did eate the Paſchal Lambe, and holy dayes with them are celebrated and reuerenced with more ſolemnity then Sunday: and at Rome it is a leſſe matter to be a deſpiſer of God, and be giuen to vnnaturall vices, then to detract from the Popes holineſſe: For this latter point a man is burned quicke, and the people are inſtructed to talke of Proceſſion, Chapelots, or Beades, Images, Reliques, Iubilies, ornaments of Altars, &c: but of the myſteries of our redemption, of the ſauing grace in Ieſus Chriſt, and the whole doctrine of the holy Scriptures they are wholly ignorant, and are to them as claſped bookes.
XXXVIII.
To conclude, I abhorre the pride of the Pope, and do not ſee that he doth any thing that S. Peter did, of whom he ſtiles himſelfe ſucceſſour: neither that S. Peter did any thing which the Pope now doth: For S. Peter preached the Goſpell with patience, zeale, and pouerty. ¶ On the contrary ſide, theLib. de ceremonijs Sacris. cap. de receptione regis et cap. de feſt. Papal. Pope preacheth not at all, but giueth and taketh away Kingdomes, cauſes himſelfe to be carried vponupon the ſhoulders of men, makes Kings hold his bridle, Emperours kiſſe his Pantable: nay, he maketh his houſhold ſeruants, and Cardinals goe before Kings, he neuer ſaluteth any man; nor doth euer reuerence to any man: hee pulleth ſoules out of Purgatorie, abſolueth and diſpenſeth with Oathes, promiſes made vntounto God: he weareth a triple diademe; and giueth pardons forLib. 1. de cerem. Sac. can. Satis in diſtinct. 96 can. nos iuſticiā de immunit. in 6. Extra de Maio rit. & obed. ſ. 33 can fundament. de electione in 6 can. 5. Papa diſt. 40. cauſa 25, qu, 1. can. ideo, millions of yeares, hee nameth himſelfe in his Canons, decretals, and extrauagants, God, Spouſe of the Church; hee calleth his ordinances Oracles, that is to ſay anſweres of God: hee braggeth that all power both in heauen and earth, is giuen him, that all law, and right is in the cloſet of his owne breaſt: alſo that hee cannot erre in faith: that hee can ſend ſoules to hell by troupes, without any perſon daring to controule him: and hauing made lawes for the Church, will not be ſubiect to them himſelfe. Moreouer, becauſe there is no ſaluation without the Catholique and vniuerſall Church, which is the aſſembly of the Elect, and faithfull, the communion of Saints, and the body of Ieſus Chriſt himſelf being the head: and becauſe there is no other meanes to be the body of Ieſus Chriſt, but to cleaue faſt to Ieſus Chriſt, and that the way to be vnited with Ieſus Chriſt, is faith: I do aſſure my ſelfe that beleeuing in Ieſus Chriſt, I am of the Church, and ſhall hauehave life euerlaſting: although the Pope doth excommunicate me; his thunderings and Canons are but charged with winde, againſt thoſe who build themſelues vponupon Ieſus Chriſt, & truſt in his word.