and yf any mannes wurke burne he shall suffer the losse For eyther whyle we lyue in thys worlde we labour our selfe wyth penaunce or ellys truely bycause god so wyll or suffereth it we are punysshed wyth many trybulacyons for these synnys And then yf we gyue thankes vnto god we be delyuered whyche thynge is a thys wyse yf oure husbande or oure wyfe or oure sonne dye or yf our substauÌ„ce whyche we loue more then we shold do be taken from vs. For though we loue Chryste aboue that substaunce so that yf nede were we wolde rather lâ—se that substaunce than denye Chryste yet bycause as I haue afore sayd yf we loue that substaunce more than we shold and can not whyle we lyue or when we dye lese it wythout greate sorowe and yet for all that yf when we lese it we gyue thankes as good chyldren vnto god whych as a mercyfull father suffereth our substauÌ„ce to be taken froÌ„ vs yf we wyth very humylyte confesse that we suffer lesse punyshment than we haue deserued the synnys be in suche wyse purged in thys worlde that in the worlde to come the fyre of purgatory can fynde eyther no thynge or ryght lytell to burnâ— But then yf we neyther thanke god in our trybulacyon nor bye out our synnys with good workes we shal so longe abyde in that fyre of purgatory tyll the venyall synnys aboue named be consumed vp as wode hey and stubblys But some man wyll saye I force not how longe I there abyde so that I maye at the last go to the euerlastyng lyfe Let no man say thus my moste welbeloued bretherne for the fyre of purgatory is more sharpe then any payne y t in thys worlde can be sene or thought or felt c. Lo good chrysten reders ye maye clerely se by saynt Austayns wordes here that he mente not to deny purgatory there but affermeth it playnely syth he sayeth there is no dowt but that prayour and almoyse dede and the oblacyon of that holy sacryfyce offred for them in the masse maketh the soulys that are departed to be the more mercyfully delt wythall and theyr paynes to be releued In whyche fewe wordes saynt Austayn wytnesseth agaynst mo of theyr heâ—esyes than one For he not onely affermeth purgatory agaynst yong father Fryth and affermeth also that almoyse dede and prayour maye releue the soulys therin but ouer that he techeth vs agaynst all these newe sectes that good wurkes be merytoryouse not onely for hym selfe that doth them but also to other folke And yet ouer that he techeth vs that we maye here meryte deserue in thys lyfe y t other folkes good dedes may meryte for vs and serue vs whan we be dede It foloweth also y â— syth we maye praye for the soules that haue nede they maye also praye for vs whyche haue yet more nede than they not for our present peyne teÌ„porall but for auoydynge of perpetuall syth soynt Iamys sayth Orate pro inuicem vt salâ—emini Saynte Austayne affermeth here also that the blessed body and bloude of Cryste in the masse is a sacryfyce and an oblacyon to god agaynst Luther all hys adherentes Fynally he techth vs here that the tradycyon of the fathers and the comune obseruaunce and custume of the catholyke chyrche is for the certyfycacyon of a trouth a sure vndowted authoryte Now good chrysten reders yf ye lyke to take so myche labour as to rede saynt Austayns wordes agayne in such wyse as Barns reherseth them in hys boke and than to coÌ„pare them wyth hys very wordes in dede as I haue trewly translated them ye shall merueyle mych to se what wylynesse he hath vsed therin yet what lacke of wyt therwithâ— For Barns hath as ye maye se taken pecys of saynt Austayne pached theym to gyther wyth a worde or twayne of hys owne some where bytwene as thoughe the wordes laye so to gyther in the text as he reherseth them where as he leueth out by the waye the very chyefe poynte of all by whyche saynt Austayne excepteth them from forgyuenesse at theyr deth that than haue dedâ—ly synne that is to saye them y t do dye therin And Barns leueth of before he come to the poynt leâ—t we sholde se that they whyche be forgyuen so clene at theyr deth muste vse suche wayes therto as not euery man so suffycyently vseth to be so soone so clene forgyuen that yet dyeth in the state of grace and shall be layd vp at last for pure gold in the treasures of god but he shall in the furnace of the fyre of purgatory be purely fyned fyrst Also where as saynt Austayne hauynge hys whole wordes well vnderstanden sayth no more but that euery suche man of the chyrche as dyeth out of dedely synne and wyth helpe of god in the vertue of Crystes passyon by faythfull prayour contâ—ycyon and great heuynesse of harte wyth dylygence vsed in auoydynge synne and doynge good vertuouse workes in hys lyfe before shall at hys deth be fully forgyuen and layed vp pure golde in the treasures of god Frere Barns reherseth his wordes in such wise as though saynt Austayne had sayed that euery man of the very chyrche wythout any excepcyon sholde passe hense pure clene and forthwyth go to god as though no man of thys chyrch coulde dye in dedely synne wherof saynt Austayne in these wordes quae talia habebat vt dimiterentur declareth playnely the contrary Barns also concludeth wherfore by thys meane the chyrche of god is in the treasures of god without spotte or wryncle whyche wordes whaÌ„ I redde sowned vnto myne vnderstandyng so haue they to many that I know haue redde them that the chyrche is in the treasures of goddes foreknowledge and predestynacyon alwaye pure and clene where as saynte Austayne sayth nor meneth no more but that as many of the chyrch as be forgyuen thoughe many be not forgyuen bycause they be the lette of theyr forgyuenesse them self for lacke of dew desyrynge yet they that be shall whan the be be layed vp pure golde in goddes treasory in one or other of those good shoppys where shall neuer be more tryall pressynge nor strechynge put vnto them Barns leueth out also these wordes of saynte Austayne that god is the moste cunnynge wuâ—keman goth aboute the clensynge of our spottes stretchyng out of our wryncles dylygently but yet in thys world in the course of oure lyfe he is alwaye in doynge of it and hath not fully done it tyll we parte hense by deth These wordes of saynt Austayne whyche Barons here leueth out or purposely leueth of ere he come at theym do playne full agre wyth that exposycyon that I gaue you here in thys boke agaynst Barns of saynt Poâ—lys wordes that Barns brought in for hym you men loue your wiues as Cryste loued the chyrche and hath gyuen hym selfe for her that he myghte sanctyfye her and clense her in the fouÌ„tayne of
obtaynynge of forgyuenesse and getynge reward in heuyn excepte y e scrypture of god be false when it sayth that as the water quencheth fyre so doth almoyse dede auoyde synne and except our sauyour hym selfe saye false where he sayth Gyue your superfluouse substaunce in almoyse and then lo are ye all clene And in lyke wyse where he promyseth rewarde in heuen in sondry playne places of scrypture for good wurkes done here in erth Now yf Tyndale answere that the good workes be nothynge worth of them selfe nor wythout fayth as he answereth me in his answere to y e thyrd boke of my dyaloge then maye euery chylde se that he is dreuen to the harde wall fayne to seke a shamfull shyfte For what thynge is awght worth of yt selfe to heuenward without goddes grace and the greate goodnesse of god No fyry cheryte though men wolde burne for goddes sake coude deserue heuen of yt selfe wythout the lyberall goodnesse of god For as saynt Poule sayth the passyons of thys worlde be not worthy to wynne the glory to come that shal be shewed vppon vs. And yf he saye that good workes be nought worth bycause they be nought worth without fayth so myght he as well saye y e fayth were nought worth bycause it is nought worth wythout cheryte So that ye maye playnely se that he seketh nothynge but shyftes whyche wyll yet serue of nought when he hath all together done For ye maye fynally perceyue that though euery man maye well fere that the workes which hym selfe hath done semed they neuer so good were yet for some lacke vppon hys parte in y â— doynge so vnperfyt in the depe secret syght of god that they were vnworthy to serue hym or be any thynge rewarded and also that were they neuer so pure perfyt they were not yet worthy â—uche rewarde but of goddes lyberall goodnesse yet is it a very false fayth and a pestylent heresye to byleue as Tyndale here techeth vs y â— god wyll saue suche as maye worke wythout any respecte or regarde vnto theyr deseruynge as though he rought not whyther they dyd good or yll but wyll saue all suche as hym lyste do they what they lyste onely bycause hym lyste and that hym selfe so lysteth for none other cause but onely bycause he hath so promysed and sworen For surely neyther is the promyse the cause as I haue in myne other boke shewed but y e goodnesse of god whych caused hym so to promyse Nor also he hath not so sworne nor so promysed neyther that he wyll saue man wythout any regarde of good wurkes but hath bothe promysed sworne the clene contrary that but yf we wurke well yf we maye or repent that we dyd not and be in purpose to do ellys shall our fayth stande vs in lytell stede but greately aggreue and encrease the payne of our dampnacyon And now that hys fayth is proued very playne false and faythlesse it is a worlde to se how ryally he runneth forth in the prayse as though it were proued trew Tyndale And thys fayth and knowlege is euerlastynge lyfe and by thys we be borne a newe and made the sonnes of god and obteyne forgyuenesse of synnes and are translated from deth to lyfe and from the wrath of god vnto hys loue and fauour And thys fayth is the mother of all trouth and bryngeth wyâ—h her the spyryte of all truth whyche spyryte purgeth vs as from all syâ—â—e euyn so from all lyes and errour noysome and hurtâ—ull Anâ— thys fâ—yth is the fundacyon layde of the apostles and prophetes whereon Paull sayth Ephe. 2. that we are bylte and therby of the howseholde of god And thys fayth is the rocke wheron Cryste bylte hys congregacyon More Lo what a prayse he hath made you of thys fayth that feleth that folke sholde nede to do no good workes How he calleth it euerlastyng lyfe to come to the bare knowlege of that fayth that shall take away from vs all respecte and regarde of deseruynge any rewarde or thanke the rather for any good wurkes For yf men myght haue any suche respecte then were it greate parell leste men wolde fall the more to do them For other greate parell I se none consyderynge y â— we be well taught to put no proude confydence in them but referre all the thanke of them to god by whose helpe and grace we do them Now wote ye well that no good man can deny but that for lacke of suche wurkes men shall be dampned as Cryst sayth hym selfe in the gospell And harde it were that the good nature of god beynge more redy to rewarde then to punysshe wolde punysshe vs for the lackynge and not rewarde vs for the hauynge namely syth hym selfe sayth in the same gospell that he shall gyue men heuen for theyr almoyse ded But Tyndale as he denyeth the tone so denyeth he the tother to and wyth some fonde glose wyll auoyde the gospell and all and then goo boldely forth wyth hys fayth boste it and saye thys fayth and knowlege is euerlastynge lyfe But all faythfull folke wyll saye agayne thys fayth and knowlege ys euerlastynge deth For thys fayth hath Luther and frere Huskyn bothe and yet be farre from euerlastynge lyfe For bysyde that abomynable heresye it selfe agaynste all regarde of good wurkes they be not agreed in bylyefe concernynge the sacrament of the awter the tone byleuynge it to be very brede â— the tother no thyng loweth ellys but brede and false bothe twayne And Tyndale foloweth the falser of them bothe And so thys fayth delyuereth them not fro lyes besydes y t they bothe and Tyndale wyth them do byleue yf they lye not that it is lawfull for monkes freres to breke theyr vowed chastyte and runne out and wedde nonnes whyche poynt of false fayth ys no parte of the fundacyon that the apostles byelded vppon but saynt Poule preched the contrary sayeng that vowed wydowes wyllynge to wedde shold haue dampnacyon by cause they had frustrated and broken theyr formaâ— fayth that is to wytte theyr fayth gyuen to god in theyr vowe of abstynence from all carnall knowlege of man agaynste whyche fayth they wolde now wedde and geue a seconde fayth vnto man in maryage But now goth Tindale forth wyth hys tale wolde seme to proue it trew by scrypture Tyndale Cryste asked hys apostles Matth. 17. whom they toke hym for And Peter anâ—wered for them all sayenge I say that thou arte Cryste the sonne of the lyuynge god that arte come in to thys worlde That is we byleue that thou arte he that was promysed vnto Abraham shulde come and blesse vs and delyuer vs. How be it Peter yet wyste not by what meanes but now it is opened thorow out all the world that thorow the offeryng of his body and bloâ—e More Here is it necessary that euery wyse reder marke well consyder the cause and purpose of Tyndale in
wesshed out all her spottes and strecched out all her wryncles made her gloriouse in heuen where as saynt Poule sayth who shall accuse the chosen of god as who say no man can ellys whyle she is yet here in erth not gloryfyed nor her spottes fully wesshed out but be in wesshynge nor her wryncles fully strecched out but be in strecchynge and whyle as faste as her husbande wassheth she spotteth and as faste as he streccheth she wryncleth I can not in good fayth se why saynt Peter sholde be afâ—rd or by what lawe it were vnlawefull for hym to saye for the tyme the thynge that for the tyme is trouth that is to wyt that she is not yet pure clene wythout spotte or wryncle And thus good reders yet ye se onys agayne that frere Barons proueth nothynge the chyrche that he promysed bnt when in stede of one pure and clene wythoute spotte or wryncle he bryngeth one not so clene but that she is spotted and wryncled he wolde wynne the felde wyth a face make saynt Peter aferde to call her spottes spottes or her wryncles wryncles But it wyll not be Barns it wyll not be For though saynt Peter whyle hym selfe was of y e very chyrch here in erth and therfore yet wryncled and spotted and so sore fered reprofe that at the worde of a woman he was aferd to loke a gyrle in the face yet now that he is gloryfyed in the chyrche in heuyn and all hys spottes wasshed clene out and all his wryncles clene streched out he is now so farre out of all fere of reprofe that the thonder of youre greate worde can not lette hym to saye trewe for any fere of your gargyle face that ye came dysguysed wyth at your laste resortynge hyther But now let vs consyder sumwhat of frere Barns holy prechynge by the waye whyther it be so holy as he wolde haue it seme The cause he sayth why thys chyrche is here so holy pure and clene wythout spotte or wryncle and yet hath he sayth euer spottes and wryncles whyle it is in this worlde is he sayth bycause god hath chosen it wythout any merytes of her and bycause she knowledgeth her fautes Here muste we consyder alway good reders that he putteth the chyrch to be all of good folke and none euyll nor dedely synners therin for that is ye remember well the dyfference bytwene the comon knowen catholyke chyrche and hys that the catholyke chyrche of Cryste here in erth hath in it bothe good and bad and frere Barons chyrche hath none in it but so good so clene and so pure that there is not an euyll man therin but though they neuer lacke spottes nor wryncles yet theyr spottes be no spottes nor theyr wryncles be no wryncles or at the leste wyse though they be yet saynt Peter maye not be so bolde to call them so bycause them selfe knowledge them to be so Now as for that he speketh of eleccion and merytes wâ— wyll not mych medle wyth hym For we agre that god cheseth by preuencyon of grace euery man y t he taketh to hym before the man maye any thynge meryte whyche can wyth out grace nothynge meryte But after may man by fre wyll wurke wyth grace and helpe to meryte rewarde in heuyâ— by good wurkes wrought in fayth and cheryte and not in fayth alone what so euer frere Barns agaynst fre wyll and good wurkes bable to the contrary But now concernynge that he speketh of satysfaccyon and that Cryste is our satysfaccyon the wordes are good and trewe for Chrystes deth is able and sufâ—ycyent and so is the leste drope of hys bloude for the satysfaccyon of the synnys of all the whole worlde and many be wythout any other satysfaccyon saued as be all the chyldren that after baptysme dye in theyr cradels But god hath not so ordered yet that euery man which hath age dyscrecyon shold so trust vnto that satysfaccyon by whyche Cryste wyth his passyon satysfyed for all mennes synnes at onys that he sholde for hys owne synnes by the frutefull wurkes of penauÌ„ce make no satysfaccyoÌ„ hym selfe no more then he wold though Cryst be our aduocate pray for vs that we shold therfore be the more slacke remysse in prayenge also dylygentely for our selfe For he byddeth â— teacheth vs also to praye that without ceacyng fayntyng Nor he taketh it not for foly nor for synne y â— for the honour we bere to god we honour and praye to the sayntes also that are hys frendes to be intercessours for vs agaynste whyche frere Barons hath made as very a folysshe processe as euer dyd heretyke that spake on that parte syth that heresye fyrste beganne and no leâ—se folysshely speketh he in many places agaynst satysfaccyon agaynst all the sacrameÌ„t of penauÌ„ce And therfore where he sayeth that the chyrche is made clene and pure by knowledgynge her synnys it appereth well that though he speke the same wordes that saynt Austayne spake yet he meneth not as saynt Austayne ment For saynt Austayne in dyuerse other places declareth that a synner sholde knowledge hys dedely synnys by shryfte and confessyon and do satysfaccion and penaunce appoynted hym by the preste as he doth both in dyuers other placys and also at great length in hys boke de vera falsa penitentia where he sayth in thys wyse Therfore he that repenteth lette hym vtterly repente lette hym shewe hys sorow wyth tearys let hym represente and declare his lyfe vnto god by the preste lette hym preuent the iudgemeÌ„t of god by shryft For our lorde commaunded those that were made clene of theyr leprosy that they shold shewe them self to the prestes therby teachynge that the synys muste be confessed by bo +dely presence and not be shewed by a messenger nor by writynge And after in the .xv. chapyter Lette euery man put hym selfe vtterly in the power of the iudge in the iudgemeÌ„t of y e preste let hym reserue vnto hym selfe no power of hym selfe but that he be redy at the prestes coÌ„maundemeÌ„t to do for the repayrynge of the lyfe of hys soule all thynges that euer he wolde do for to fle the deth of hys body and y e wyth desyre to for bycause he getteth agayne infynite lyfe And thus it appereth as ye se good reders in what wyse saynt Austayne wolde a synner sholde knowledge hys dedely synnys that is to wytte by shryfte contrycyon and satysfaccyon not onely voluntary bysyde but also suche as sholde be enioyned by the preste And whyle frere Barons doth but mocke the sacrament of penaunce and bycause Cryste is our satysfaccyon wyll that men shall do none for them selfe it appereth well I saye therfore that though he speke in thys place as saynt Austayn doth in one place yet meneth he not as saynt Austayne ment in that place And therfore by frere Barns menynge a man nedeth no more but knowlege hym self a synner and
rysyng agayne and his myracles and his other conuersacyon in his lyfe so clere to make yt open that Cryste was he that was comen to saue the worlde and teache the trouth and sholde and ought to be byleued that god inwardely workynge wyth those good outwarde occasyons he reioyced hyghly the meâ—ynge wyth Crystes dyscyple that hadde so well knowen hym and ben so conuersauÌ„t wyth hym But nowe hath god establyshed his fayth and his doctryne by the space of .xv. hundred yere and sendeth not lyghtely any suche one man to preache and teache as was saynte Phylippe that can in teachyng make the scrypture so playne and open to me as saynt Philyppe dyd vnto Eunuchus not that hath lerned yt so fully and so surely as the postles hadde of the mouth of the great mayster Cryste And therfore shold I not haue so great occcasion to byleue and to take for the trewe teacher any one man that wolde constre me the scrypture nowe namely constrewynge yt in such wyse many of his owne felowes professyng the fayth of Cryste as he doth wyll say that he constreweth yt false whyche happed not in the construccyons that saynte Phylyppe made Enuchus And therfore though our sauyour say that such as are his do heare his voyce and not the voyce of straungers he semeth to meane there in to geue vs warnynge do so that is to wyt that we shold heare and obay hym and not other agaynste hym For who so wyll heare heretyques and not hym be none of his And that the vnccyon and inwarde inspyracion of god techeth vs and maketh vs perceyue that is very trew For god inwardly worketh with the will of man walkyng with god in well vsynge and applyenge conuenyent occasyons towarde yt outwardely geuen by god But yt meaneth not that by and by vppon euery thynge that we heare we shold wythout consyderacyon geue our selfe to the consent of the tone syde or the tothâ—r in mater of eternall deth or euerlastynge lyfe and thynke that what so euer we forthwyth vnaduysely lyste to bylyefe is the vnccyon of the spyryt and in spyracyon of god For god byddeth vs that we shold not be lyght of bylyefe nor by and by byleue euery spyryte but proue the spyrytes whether they be of god And then yf we be not only symple as douys but also prudent and wyse as serpentes his inwarde vnccyon wyll worke wyth our dylygeÌ„ce but not yf we be slouthfull or wyll be willyngely begyled and suffer the deuyll make vs madde folys And therfore he sayth not byleue at aduenture but byddeth vs take hede and be well ware that we be not begyled by false prophetes y â— wyll come to vs in such wyse that outwardly they shall seme shepe and inwardely be rauenouse wolues To this wold frere Barns say For soth dere doughter in the lorde those wolues be these monkes and freres and prestes that be the comen preachers of this carnall chyrch that they falsely call the catholyque chyrch whych do techâ— bysyde the scrypture dampuable dremes of men and make men byleue that dome sacramentes and ceremonyes and good workes sholde do good to the soule whych false prechers wyth all theyr carnall chyrch that hath now ben this viii hundred yere ledde out of the ryght way we new preachers of the very trew chyrche whych is spyrytuall do now by the worde of god wryten in holy scrypture conuycte and reproue To this were she well lykely to say agayne veryly father Barns here ye bryng me now euen to the very poynt For syth that the apostles of Cryste begonne that lerned of his owne mouth no one man lefte now nor neuer synnes theyr tyme whome men myght so surely take for an vndouted teacher as them yt semeth that god hath lefte the sure credeÌ„ce of doctryne in no one man but in his whole chyrch And therfore that man whych agreeth in doctryne with the very chyrche I maye reken sure that his doctryne is very trew in the necessary exposycyon of scrypture not for hys owne authoryte of suerty of his person nor for the suertye that I can haue that his doctryne agreeth well wyth scrypture for I can not know that but by that I know hym for for a trew techer but for y â— surty that I haue that the doctryne of the hole catholyke very trew chyrch wyth whiche hys techyng agreeth can not be false For yf it myght then were there no sure trewe chyrch at all that must there nedes be as all sortes of sectes agre as I here saye And therfore this trew chyrche beyng knowen yf you shew me how I may get a techer whose techyng agreeth wyth that then dare I byleue hym well els it wyll be harde for any suche as I am to thynke with reason that she sholde gyue sure credence to any man or that she can be by the scripture sure of so many sectes of contrary consterers which one constreweth trewly when all the tother say nay and be all redy to swere that he constreweth false And therfore good father Barns wyll she say I lyke it well that ye declare so well at length which is the very chyrch bycause we shold not be deceyued with the false prophetes of the fals chyrch of whom Cryst bode vs take hede beware For the very trew chyrche onys knoweÌ„ we shall as our sauyour sayth yf we take good hede know these false prophetes by theyr frutes For loke they nâ—uer so symplely speke they neuer so sayntely yet yf theyr lyuynge or theyr techyng be contrary to the doctryne of the very trew holy chyrch it is than very trew that theyr frute is rotten false and them selfe false prophetes of some false chyrch for all theyr shepyshe semblauÌ„ce outwardly ryght rauenouse woluys are they within And therfore good father Barns I wolde haue wyshed that ye had taken a lytell more payne in declaryng and makyng open by what meanes the very trew holy chyrch whiche ye do assygne myghte be perceyued and knowen to the entent that by the knowlege of her of her prechers whych must nedes haue credence and be knowen for trew techers bycause they be membres of her that is trew and theyr doctryne agrâ—eth with hers whom god wyll not suffer to saye dampnably false we may perceyue repreue the false pre +chers oâ— all other chyrches For I am sure good father Barons y â— whan ye went about to gyue vs tokens wherby we myght haue some knowledge of this chyrche ye perceyued well that of necessyte it is a thyng y â— nede were to be knoweÌ„ for the good that maye folow yf it be knowen the harme that wolde ensew yf it remayned vnknowen For ellys ye wolde haue taken no labour about it to seke vs out suche tokens by whyche we myghte haue knowledge of it And surely me thynketh that the chyefe commodyte that I can haue of the knowledge of it is thys
yf it kyll thys fayth Tyndale to put a man in â—uerty of heuen by y â— strength of fayth in thys facyon that none errour shall preuayle agaynste fayth as longe as the fayth preuayleth agaynste it nor tyll the fayth be the febler and be ouercomeÌ„ and kylled doth myche lyke as though he wolde saye to you be bolde I warraunt you fere no deth for you haue lyfe in you as longe as your lyfe lasteth you can neuer be dede and lyke wyse as longe as ye kepe the trew fayth ye can neuer be false heretykes nor as longe as ye stande styll in the state of saluacyon ye can neuer be dampned Here were a goodly tale were it not And syth that neyther thys may serue hym nor any that I haue towched before and vtterly I can not diuine what he myghte mene ellys takynge the waye y t he taketh in swaruyng fro the knoweÌ„ catholyke chyrche vnto hys vnknowen chyrche of electes whom he calleth all repentaunt synners that byleue the fayth that saynt Peter confessed I can not perceyue nor I trowe no man ellys but that hys wordes wyll euyll stande to gether And yet when he hath thus wysely handeled it then as though the mater were well and suffycyently proued goth he forth wyth the boste and sayth Tyndale That thys fayth is the onely waye by the whyche the chyrche of Cryste goth vnto god and vnto the enherytaunce of all rychesse testyfye all the apostles and prophetes and all the scrypture wyth sygnes and myracles and all the bloude of martyrs And who so euer goth vnto god and forgyuenesse of synnes or saluacyon by any other way then thys the same is an heretyke out of the ryght waye and not of Crystes chyrche More Lo here be lusty hyghe wordes eyther false or ellys of lytell effecte For yf he meane that no man may go to saluacyon by any other thynge wythout thys fayth that â—aynte Peter professed then be they trew But then are they to no purpose spoken nor haue no place in thys mater in which he reproueth the knowen chyrch in that they go by confessyon contrycyon workes of penaunce workes of mercy towarde the remyssyon of the dette of theyr payne and satysfaccyon For hym selfe can not saye naye but that we do all agre that wyth all that euer we can do we can not gete forth one ynche to heuenward without the fayth that saynt Peter confessed Now yf he meane not that waye but that we be playne heretykes and oute of Crystes chyrche yf hauynge that fayth that saynte Peter confessed we go to heuenwarde wyth any other thyng bysyde then testyfye all the apostles and prophetes and all the scrypture and sygnes and myracles all the bloude of martyrs then Tyndale is a starke heretyke in so sayenge For all these wyll testyfye that we muste byleue many thynges more then saynte Peter dyde there confesse or ellys we shall not onely be dyscharged of byleuynge the sacramentes of penaunce confyrmacyon extreme vnccyoÌ„ order and matrymony but baptysme also and the sacrament of the aulter to For of none of all these dyd saynt Peter make any mencion in his coÌ„fessyon there nor so myche as of Crystes deth neyther wherof as Tyndale sayth he had at that tyme no knowlege So that in Tyndales affermynge that the onely fayth there by Peter confessed is suffycyent and the onely waye to heuyn we shall haue Tyndale hym selfe to testyfye y â— Tyndale hym selfe sayth vntrewe yet wolde I fayne in good fayth fynde and brynge it forth yf I coulde any thyng ymagine that he myght seme to mene ryght nor neuer wyll I wyttyngly for the preferment of my part coÌ„strue myne aduersaryes wordes wroÌ„g And therfore what yf we myghte vnderstande Tyndale thus as though he ment that the fayth there confessed by Peter is for euery man suffycient bycause that who so byleue that Cryste is the sonne of the lyuynge god it can not be but that he shall byleue also that he is trewe in all hys wordes and therfore he that so byleueth can not fayle to byleue therwyth all that euer Cryst shall teche hym All be it that thys wyll not very fully serue hym and also hym selfe speketh no thynge of it yet is this as helpe me god the best glose that I can deuyse for hym But now doth hym selfe caste awaye thys defence when he sayth in the seconde chapyter folowynge that there is none errour noysome but yf it be agaynste the promyses so that in all other thynges he graunteth and affermeth playnely by expresse wordes y t a man may erre wythout any parell euyn though that the trouth contrary to hys errour be wryten in holy scrypture wâ—â—che is a meruelouse worde in myne ere For by thys ye may se that he agreeth that a man may byleue y t Cryst is goddes sonne yet byleue the contrary of some thynges that Cryste shall tell hym though he tell it hym in scrypture And therfore he wyll ye se well none of my glose bycause he wyll not stande in my daynger for it And in dede all be it hym selfe shall for hym selfe neuer fynde a better yet myne wyll not suffycyently serue hym neyther For a man myght byleue that Cryste were goddes sonne and therby byleue also all that Cryste wolde teche hym But yet myghte it be that he wolde byleue no more then those thynges onely that Cryste wolde teche hym personally present wyth hym by his owne mouth For though he byleued that Cryste were goddes sonne and wolde byleue therfore all that he wolde tell hym yet myghte he for all that mystruste and not byleue all other men that wolde eyther in word or wrytyng tell hym a tale as tolde to them by Crystes owne mouth ye this myght he do all though they preued it wyth myracles yf he were of Tyndals stomake that can as the Iewys coulde ascrybe goddes myracles to Belzabub and call goddes hygh meruelouse workes illusyons and wonders of the deuyll as he calleth all the myracles wrought by god in hys chyrche synnes the apostles dayes Thys myghte one do that byleued Cryste to be goddes sonne and to haue redemed vs also by his bloud And this doth in dede both Tyndale Marten hys mayster which byleue of Crystes wordes no more then is wryten nor of the wryten wordes no more then they lyste and the remanaunt but as they lyste syth they draw them to what sense they lyste agaynste all the olde holy doctours and all the chyrche of Cryst And thus it appereth y t neyther my glose nor any glose ellys can saue Tyndals tale from playne pestylent heresye bothe in that he sayth there nedeth no more to be byleued and also in that he sayth that the bylyefe alone is suffycyente for saluacyon and that yt is heresye to saye that bysyde the bylyefe any man vnto saluacyon shold nede any thynge ellys For though he put in for shame repentaunce therunto wyth Iffes as ye
all the good techyng And than to kepe suche from doynge harme we must nat onely teche and preche but vnto suche as wyll be lyke swyne we muste yoke them for brekynge hedges and rynge them for wrotynge and haue bande dogges to dryue them out of y â— corne with bytynge and leade them out by the ere 's And yf there be suche dogges as in dede there be that rent all good lernynge wyth theyr teth then standeth not all the pyth of good lyuynge in good teachynge For what auayleth to tech them that wyll not lerne but rent all good lernyng wyth theyr teth And therfore to such dogges men may not onely preche but muste with whyppes and battes bete them well and kepe them from terynge of good lernyng with theyr dogges tethe ye and from barkyng both and chastyce them and make them couch quayle tyll they lye styll and herken what is sayde vnto them And by suche meanes be bothe swyne kepte from doynge harme dogges fall somtyme so well to lernynge that they can stande vp vppon theyr hynder fete and holde theyr handes afore them pretely lyke a mayde ye and lerne to daunce to after theyr maysters pype suche an effectuall thynge is punysshement where as bare techynge wyll not suffyce And who be now more proprely suche dogges then be these heretykes that barke agaynste the blessed sacramentes and tere wyth theyr dogges tethe the catholyke chrysteÌ„ fayth and godly exposycyons of the olde holy doctours sayntes And who be more proprely suche hoggys then these heretykes of our dayes of such a fylthy kynde as neuer came before whyche in suche wyse defyle all holy vowed chastyte that the very pure scripture of god they trede vppon wyth theyr foule dyrty fete to drawe it from all honest chastyte into an vnclene shamefull lybertye of frerys to wedde nonnes And therfore vnto these hogges these dogges y e pyth of good lyuyng standeth not all in techyng For no good thynge wyll they lerne wythout bytynge and betynge yet goeth Tyndale forther and sheweth mo kyndes of folke to whom for all his other wordes all y e pyth of good lyuynge standeth not in techynge Tyndale And there be popeholy whyche folowynge a ryghtuousenes of theyr owne faynynge resyste the ryghtuones of god in Chryste More These wordes lo good reder expowne very well very playne declare what techynge it is that Tyndale all thys whyle so bosteth wherin he sayeth all the pyth of good lyuynge onely standeth that is as he taketh it the techynge of hys abomynable heresyes in whyche he techeth vs that onely fayth suffyseth and that neyther good workes haue reward in heuen nor that any euyll workes shall haue any punysshement eyther in thys worlde or in purgatoryâ— no nor in hell neyther yf the synner be but a bare penytent onely byleue and repent and be well ware in any wyse that he go to no shryfte nor do no penaunce for hys synne For all those that do they be those of whom he rayleth here and calleth pope holy sayeth they make them self a ryghtuousnes of theyr owne faynynge and resyste the ryghtuousnes of god in Chryste bycause they resyste Tyndals vnryghtuouse heresyes whyche vnder pretexte of goddes onely mercy taketh awaye goddes ryghtuousnes and not onely that but vnder the same pretexte of praysynge and settynge forth a more mercy couertely and craftely depraueth and dysprayseth the very trewe mercy it selfe that god of hys godnesse ordynaryly vseth towarde vs. For Tindale maketh as though it were no mercy at all after a lytell penaunce in thys worlde done by the partye for many great mortall synnes or after a temporary payne endured in purgatory to set the meryâ—es of Chrystes passyon for the remanaunt whyche wolde ellys be infynytely tenne hundred thousande thousande tymes longer Thys taketh Tyndale for nâ— mercy whyche is in dede the very mercy that our lorde ordynaryly vseth But thys order the beste blasphemeth and as well in thys deuelysshe wurke of hys as in dyuerse other calleth it expresse tyraÌ„nye yet goeth he fynally forther to a nother kynde of suche folke as techynge can not for a whyle helpe and yet after doth and of them thus he sayth Tyndale And there be that can not attende to harken vnto the truth for rage of lustes whiche when lustes abate come and obaye well inough And therfore a chrysten man muste be pacyente and suffer longe to wynne his brother to Chryst that he whiche attendeth not to daye maye here to morowe We se some at theyr very latter ende when colde fere of deth hath quenched the hete of theyr appetytes lerne and conâ—ente vnto the trouth wherunto before they coulde gyue none â—are for the wyld rages of lustes that blynded theyr wittêâ— More Lo good reders here ye maye se what constaunce is in thys man here he sayth and sayth trewe that men wyll at some tyme not lerne nor harken to the trouth though it be neuer so well taught them And yet in a nother chapyter before he sheweth that the electes as soone as euer they be taughte the trouth assente forthwyth and wyll neuer resyste so he that hath a false parte to defende neuer woteth where to holde hym But at the leste wyse thys that he now sayth is trewe more to For not onely when the rage is passed then men harken but also when the rage cometh agayne then many fall nought agayne and into dedely synne and that of such as after waxe good agayne and fynally shal be saued And lyke wyse some good faythfull folke when false shrewys come and false heretykes do by â—alse doctryne fall fro the â—rewe fayth agayne though they hadde it before ryghte lyuely And yet of suche some turne agayne by grace from theyr dedely heresyes into the lyfe of fayth and some be so sore nowseled in the falâ—e heresyes and in theyr obstynate frowardnesse take suche a deuelysshe delyght that fynally they dye therin as dyd Bayfeld Baynâ—â— and Tewkeâ—bâ—ry And yet in some as Tindale here telleth vs euen in y â— very latter ende when the colde fere oâ— deth hath quenched the hete of theyr appetytes god worketh wyth them towarde the consent of the trouth wherunto before they wolde gyue none eare as he dyd in dede in that good and contryte penytent open confessour both of hys fayth and hys fawte M. Tho. Bylney whicheâ— beynge onys good faythfull vertuâ—use dyd after by the false delyght of Luthers Tyndales bokes fall in to theyr false heresyes and helde on in them thorow the delectacyon and vayne glory that he toke in the prayse of that secrete sect and scatered congregacyoÌ„ tyll fynally at hys deth god of hys goodnesse opened hys eyes and he loked vppon him selfe and considered that all those vayne praysours he muste go from them by fyre and sawe that yf he dyed in those heresyes he sholde neuer mete wyth them more but in the fyre of hell where he shold neuer fro them then
in the merytes of his blessed bood they be the holy chyrche of god ye and the very trew chyrche afore god and you wyth all your spyrytuall tokens and wyth all your exter your clennesse remayne in your fylthynes oâ— synne from the whyche all your blessynges all your holynesse can not clense you nor brynge you into thys chyrche boste crake blaste blesse curse tyll your holy eyes starte out of your hed it wyll not helpe you for Chryste châ—useth hys hyrche at â—is iudgement and not at yours The holy goste is free and inspyreth where he wyll He wyll neyther be bounden to pope nor cardynall or 〈◊〉 nor byshoppe 〈◊〉 noâ— pryour deken nor archdeken parson nor vyeâ—â—t to 〈◊〉 nor frere Breuely come all the hole rabbyll of you together that call your self the holy chyrche and exclude all other ye and take sonne moâ—â— and starrys to helpe you wyth all the â—rendes you haue in hâ—uen and â—rth and yet shall you not be of holy chyrche excepte thatâ— you haue the spyryte of Cryste and be washed in his blessed blowde â—or the holy chyrche of Cryste is nothynge ellys but that congracyon that is sancâ—ifyed in spyryte redemyd with Crystes bloâ—de and stycketh faste and sure aloneâ—y to the promysses that be made therin More Lo good chrysten readers here haue ye redde his whole processe to gether wherin he dyffyneth and descrybeth hys chyrche wyth all hys iestynge corolaryes intermedeled bytwene Iâ— whyche when he hath all done except such thynges as the doctryne of the catholyke chyrâ—he teacheth hym he hath not of hys owne one trewe worde And the tother are brought in to no purpose but onely to plante in couertely some heresyes bytwene And as for the places of scrypture that he bryngeth forthe and of saynte Austayne also there is not of them all any one that doth any thyng proue hys purpose that is to saye that onely suche clene pure people as he speketh of be the very chyrche here in erth but the same places of scrypture and of saynt Austayne as ye shall se playnely proued do make playne agaynste hym and clerely do they declare that the very chyrche of Cryste here in erthe is the knowâ—n catholyke chyrche of good and badde bothe to gyther For fyrste as towchynge hys goodly doctryne interlaced here and there by the waye that all maner of people be he pope or pedeler kynge or cobler carter or cardynall bucher or bysshop munke or myller frere or fydeler or any of the remanaunt that thys fonde frere fydeleth forth here by letters after the rude rymelesse runnyng of a scottyshe ieste be wesshed and made clene of theyr synnys by god hys grace hys perdon and hys precyouse bloude and not by theyr owne merytes nor theyr owne myghte nor by exteryour araye nor by gold and syluer nor by myters nor crosse â—â—aues nor by bysshoppes blessynges nor by theyr spyrytuall ornamentes nor by theyr spyrituall holy waâ—er to what purpose concernynge the mater serueth all thys processe but to shewe hys ryall rethoryke and to contende wyth Tyndale in wytlesse eloquence that hath a lyke lewd ieste or twayne in hys bokes lasâ—hed out by letter whyche frere Barons here fondely foloweth and enforceth hym self to excede For ellys hym selfe knoweth well that the catholyke chyrche whose doctryne he nowe depraueth taughte hym that lesson as myche as is trewe therof though they gaue it hym not in a scottyshe ieste by letter For that no man can be clensed of hys synnes but by y â— myghty mercy of god and by the merytes of Crystes blessed passyon thys poynt thys frere lerned of the knowen catholyke chyrche whyche he nowe despyseth But the heresyes whyche he couertly ioyneth here therwyth those lyes â—o hath he lerned of the deuyll synnys he ranne oute of the chyrche For he wolde make as though the fre wyll of man whyche he meneth here vnder the name of mannes owne myghte dyd neuer no thynge wurke at all towarde the obtaynynge of perdon and remyssyon of synne And 〈◊〉 he thus meneth appereth playnely by the heresye of his mayster Marten Luther and by hys owne frantyke processe also made agaynst fre wyll And that y â— deuyll hath taught hym thys lye appereth playnely by many a playne place of scrypture As where our lorde sayeth by the mouth of hys holy prophete Esaye Be ye wesshed be clene and take a waye out of my syghte the euyll of your thoughtes And by the mouth also of the prophete Ezechyell Caste of frome you all your synnes in whyche ye haue transgressed and make you a new harte and a new spyryte and why wylte thou dye o thou howse of Israell For I wyll not haue the death of hym that dyeth sayth your lorde god but returne ye and lyue Lykewyse sayth the prophete Dauyd in the xxxiii psalme Declyne frome euyll and do good And agayne in the same psalme Kepe thy tounge frome euyll speche and lette thy lyppes speke no gyâ—e And Sachary the prophete sayeth thus Turne to me sayth the lord god of hoostes and I wyll turne to you sayeth the lorde god of hoostes It is wryten also in an other place How greatâ— is the mercy of our lorde and how great is hys pardon towarde those that turne them â—elfe to hym More ouer god sayth by the mouth of saynte Peter God hath fyrste vnto you raysed vp hys sonne and hath sent hym to blesse you that euery man sholde turne hym selfe backe from his wyckednesse Saynt Poule wryteth also to the Colosseyes in this wyse Mortefye and slee your membres whych are on the erth And to the Phylippyans wyth feare and tremblyng worke your owne saluacyon And thapostle saynt Iamys sayth Drawe ye nere to god and he wyll drawne nere to you make clene your handes o ye synners pourge your hartes o ye that are double of mynde More ouer where he sayth men be not wesshed by theyr owne merytes the knowen catholyke chyrche taught hym all thys tale truely taken and well vnderstaÌ„den that is to saye that no man can meryte the fyrste grace For towarde heuyn man can do no thynge but yf he be preuented by grace For as Chyrste sayeth no man cometh to me but yf my father drawe hym nor no meryte of man can be suffycyent to deserue heuen but the greatenesse of that rewarde cometh of goddes mere lyberall goodnes that lyâ—t to gyue so great a pyrce for so symple a thyng For as saynt Poule sayth the passyoÌ„s of thys lyfe be not wurthy the glory that is to come that shal be shewed in vs. And the catholyke chyrche teceth that men sholde therfore putte no proude truste in theyr merytes but stande in fere of theyr vnperfyte wurkynge mengled alwaye for the more parte wyth vnperfeccyon and spoâ—tes syth that all y â— iustyce of man is as the scrypture sayth lyke a fowle spotted clowte and
and bere nor to recouer and gete agayne the money that he spent about hys prentynge of hys booke and hys comynge hyther and goynge ouer agayne wherfore syth he maye not saufely tary here but muste excepte he wolde be burned go gete hym ouer agayne both that good syster and all the holy congregacyoÌ„ and hym selfe also whyche is as sory to parte from theym as they from hym muste conforme theyr wylles on all sydes vnto the wyll of good and as for the absence bodyly he wold recompense vppon hys part wyth beynge myndefull of them in hys prayour to the lorde and trusted they wolde in lyke wyse do and so wolde he praye theym to do praye to the lorde for hym so sholde eyther parte by theyr prayeng eche for other accordyng to the counsayle of saynt Iamys myche more eche profyt other then yf our lady all the sayntes in hâ—uyn yf there be any there wolde praye for them bothe bycause the sayntes be all departed hense dede and be no lenger of our funccyon And yet wolde he for hys parte to theyr ferther consolacyon make and sende them ouer some new bokes of the euangelycall doctryne in theyr mother tonge for the better edyfyenge of theyr sely symple soules And thys wolde he saye for the comforte of the hole fraternyte and sororyte in generall And then for answere to y e good syster in specyall he wold peraduenture aduyse her to take the new testament of Tyndales translacyon and other bokes of his and of his owne and of George Iouy and therin sholde she fynde the trouth wherunto yf she sayde that she might not for fere of her husbandes losse and her own parell aduenture to kepe these bokes bycause of the kynges proclamacyon he wolde tell her and persuade her playnely that the bokes of the scrypture she must nedes kepe spyght of all the prynces proclamacion to dye therfore For that he wryteth playnely all redy but as for y e tother bokes he layeth not expressely so sore a charge vppon them wherfore he wold enioyne her at the lest wise to kepe the scrypture in englysh and tell her that therin she sholde lerne all trouh But then is yt lykely that she myght say that the scrypture is hard for her to vnderstaÌ„d therfore shew him y t the thyng whyche she desyreth of hym is to know of hym syth hym self goth away how she myght be sure to haue a good trew teacher that myght in euery necessarye poynte of bylyefe expowne the scrypture and teache yt her trewly Then wolde he peraduenture assygne her some specyall spedde man in the sectes and tell her she may lerne of hym But then were she lykely to say that he myght happely be dreuen awaye for fere of persecucyon ye or peraduenture dye byfore she shold be fully lerned and instructed in the necessarye trouthes by the scrypture whyche she coulde not thynke her selfe to be tyll she dyd in euery suche trouth vnderstande all the places of scryptures that eyther made for yt or semed to saye agaynste And therfore wolde she fayne know nowe of hym by what meane she myghte alwaye be sure of a trew teacher Then wolde he peraduenture tell her that who so euer preache truely the worde of god accordynge to that scrypture â— she myght be sure that he were a trew preacher and of hym she myght surely lerne But vnto that she were lykely to say Father Barons This same scrypture is very hard and in the moste necessary poyntes dyuerse preachers expowne yt diuersly some for the sacramentes some agaynste theym some for the vowe of chastyte and some agaynste yt some for good workes and some for fayth alone some for purgatorye some agaynste yt and so in suche other thynges so that excepte I may be sure of the trew teacher vnto whose credence I may truste in the construccyon I shall alway remayn styll in lyke doute and not vnderstande the scrypture And therfore shall I not be able by the scrypture to trye the trew prechour but must by y e knowledge of the trew preachour trye whyche is the vnderstandynge of the scrypture And therfore I wolde haue the trew preachour to teache me truely to vnderstande the same scrypture And for that intente wold I know hym to th end that I myght by that I know hym for a trew preacher be sure that by his teachyng I do not damnably mysse vnderstand the scrypture but am truely taught yt And now you tell me that who so teche the scripture trewly is a teacher And then muste I by this tale of yours brynge wyth me to hym or ellys I can not knowe hym the thyng y t I can not gete but yf I know hym fyrst what were frere Barns here lykely to say to this womaÌ„ that myghte resonably satysfye her In good fayth I can not say takyng an vnknowen chyrch as he doth For yf he wolde saye good doughter the goodnes of god shall euer suffycyently prouyde you a trewe teacher as he prouyded saynte Peter for Centurio she myght tell hym that Centurio was warned by god that he was a trew precher and yf I hadde suche warnynge of any that shall come then were I satysfyed If Frere Baroâ—s wolde saye when so euer the trewe preacher commeth ye shall knowe hym and perceyue hys doctryne to be trewe by the inwarde vnccyon of the holy goste that shall teache you inwardly as sayth saynt IohnÌ„ for as our lorde sayeth They that are myne heare my voyce and heare not the voyce of a strauÌ„ger and I knowe myne and myne knowe me and of this hauâ— we a sample of Ennuchus whyche as he was redynge in the scrypture and coulde not vnderstande yt by hym selfe god prouâ—ded that saynte Philyppe shold go by hym and teche hym and a non Ennuchus byleued hym and was crystened howe dyd Enuchus knowe that Philyppe was a trew preacher but by the inwarde vnccyon and inspyracyon of god and so good syster shall you be moued inwardely to perceyue the trew scrypture surely me thynketh that vnto this the woman were well lykely to hym that one ensample at one tyme of one maÌ„nys dede as Enuchus was geueth vs not for euery man in euery time a generall rule For though he were therin not deceyued then yet some other that wold so redly now take for y e trew preachour euery man y t cam fyrst to hand myght be sore deceyued therin and wene that god gaue hym the mocyon when yt came of the suggestyon of his enymy For at that tyme yt was vell lykely that Enuchus hadde herd of Cryste and of his lyuynge and of his myracles and of his deth and of his resurreccyon to lyfe and such thynges as were then done and passed byfore the metynge hadde betwene saynt Philyp and hym And then was that prophecye wyth dyuerse other whych Phylyppe there expowned vnto hym so playne and open with his doctryne his deth his
forgâ—uenes wyth For then he sayeth that as god hath washed away our spottes wyth the water of baptysme so he stretcheth out our wryncles vppon his owne crosse And yet he sayth for all this that no man lyueth here so clene but that as long as he lyueth here he so spotteth hym selfe agayn and so caccheth euer some wryncles that he lyueth neuer wythout nor longe can not not for necessyte of our nature peraduenture but thorow our wylfull fraylty and neglygence And then sheweth he farther yet that in those synnes wythout whyche no man lyueth he meaneth not abomynable dedely synnes as maÌ„slaughter or aduoutry or suche other horryble dedely synnes as sle the soule at one stroke For suche synnes crysten men he sayth that haue a good fayth and a good hope wyll not commytte wherby saynte Austayne teacheth vs agaynst the doctryne of those heretyques and these to that a man may be a crysten man and of the very same chyrche to whyche Cryste hath geuen hym self for to make her fayre gloryouse and may haue also a trew fayth that is to wyt a full bylyefe of euery uecessarye trouth and a full hope that is to wytte a great stronge truste in Cryste to be saued by Criste and yet not a good fayth able to make the man good bycause yt is but Barns fayth that is to witte onely fayth without well workynge charyte nor a good hope bycause it is a presumptuouse hope lokynge to be saued wyth dampnable deuelyshe leuyuge And for these causes may the member of the very chyrche here when he dyeth in such mynde for all his knowledgynge and askynge mercy to go from Crystes very chyrche in erthe to the deuyls very chyrche in hell For saynt Austayn sayth here as ye haue herd that they whyche haue suche synnes as at the tyme of deth sholde be remytted that is to say that hath not then such as be at his dyenge dedely both for theyr owne nature and for lacke of trew repentauÌ„ce wyth purpose of amendemeÌ„t well vsyng of the sacramentes shall be fully forgeuen that is to wyt yf he haue for attaynynge therof vsed hym selfe sufâ—ycyently in suche wyse as saynt Austayne here declareth that ys to say in confessyon knowledgyng of his synnes wyth coÌ„trycyon and prayour with good fayth and good hope â—nd a ware lyuynge vsynge dylygence to wythstande synne then he shall be sayth saynt Austayne forgyuen And whâ—n he is so at his deth fully forgeuen then shall he be layed vp for pure golde in the treasurs of god But saynt Austayne meaneth not that eueâ—y man that is of the very chyrche nor that euery man that dyeth out of dedely synne and knowledgeth his synne when he dyeth asketh mercy shall be forthwyth so fully forgeuen that he shall go hense so clene and so pure wythout spotte or wryncle that hâ— shall be by and by layed vppe for pure golde in the treasours of god but yf he long byfore with such other cyrcumstaunces as I haue byfore of saynt Austaynes own wordes rehersed you well and dewly ben accustumed long tyme to pray byfore that god wolde make hym wythoute spâ—t or wryncle by weshynge his spottes wyth the blessed sacramentes and stretchynge out his wryncles wyth the stretchynge them vppon the stretcher or tenter hokes of the crosse And then when god hath in suche wyse washed oute his spottes and in suche wyse washed out his wryncles at the very laste ende after whyche he can neyther gether spot nor wryncle more that then yt may please god to brynge hym into the shoppes and there lay hym where shall neuer be pressynge nor stretchynge more But yf he by long tymâ— byfore his deth pray duely thus ellys shall he not at hys deth be by and by layed vppe for pure gold in goddes treasours as frere Barons maketh ytâ— here seme by mysse rehersyng of saint Austayns wordes but he shal fyrst be wel purged and all the spottes wryncles that then remayn shall be clene burned oute by the hote fyre of purgatorye or by other mennes prayours and almoise dede and other suffrages of the chyrche done for hym be depured and clensed byfore that he shall be layed vppe for pure golde in the treasours of god And that saynt Austayne meaneth here none otherwyse then I do declare hym ye may well perceyue yf ye well aduyse his wordes whych I haue truely traÌ„slated And yet bycause ye shall the lesse doute therof saint Austayn shall him self declare y â— I truely declare you this place by his own very playn wordes in a nother place For in y â— .xxxii. sermon of the wordes of y â— apostle lo thus he sayth No man ought to doute but that wyth prayours of the chyrch and wyth the holsome sacryfyce and wyth almoyse that is geuen for the soules of them that are departed they are holpeÌ„ to be more mercyfully delt wyth of our lorde then theyr synnes haue deserued For this thynge by the tradycyon of the olde fathers the whole catholyque chyrche obserueth that ys to wyt that what tyme they that deceaced in the communyon and blood of Cryste at the tyme of the sacryfyce in they re place and order remeÌ„braunce made of them prayâ—ur shold be made for them and not that onely but also that specyall rehersall shold then be made that the same sacryfyce is offerd vp for them to Now when workes of mercy are done in commendacyon and fauoure of theym who can doute but that they are holpen therwyth syth prayour made for them vnto god is not frutelesse It is not in any wyse to be dowted but that these thynges succour releue them that are deceaced How be it onely suche men I saye as haue so lyued before theyr deth that these thynges maye do theym good after theyr deth For in relyefe of them that be departed out of the body wythout fayth workynge wyth cheryte â—nd wythout the sacramentes of the same suche deades of deuocyon are in vayne vsed the pledge or erneste peny of whyche deuocyon they lacked whyle they lyued here ether bycause they wold not receyue the grace of god or bycause they receyued it in vayne treasurynge and layenge vp for them selues not mercy but wrath wherfore wheÌ„ any good worke is done for them that are deceaced by theyr louers and frendes they meryte not of newe but these thynges are gyuen in rewarde as thynges consequent and well folowynge vppon theyr merytes whyche they deserued before whyle they lyued For it is not sayd that these thynges shold helpe them onely whyle they here lyue and not when they are deade And therfore euery man when he endeth thys lyfe can no thynge receyue but that onely whyche he hath deserued beynge here a lyue And in another place he sayth thus what thyng so euer of venyall synnys is not redemed of vs it must be purged wyth that fyre of whyche the apostle sayth that the worke shall appere by the fyre
sonne beame frome the whole body of the sonne the vnyte of the lyghte receyueth no dyuysyon Breke of a braunche from a tree and as soone as it is ones brokeÌ„ of it can not any more budde Cut awaye a ryuer from the heed and anone it dryeth vp By these wordes of Cypryan we perceyue that y â— lyght receyueth no dyuisyoÌ„ in the holy men that are predestynate vnto the kyngdome of god whyche can in no maner wyse be dyuyded from the chyrch And â—hat the braunche broken of from the tree can no lenger budde we vnderstande it of the buddyng of the euerlastynge lyfe And the dryeng vp of the ryuer that is cut of from the cundytte heed in this wyse vnderstand we that they are voyde and empty of the holy goste that are deuyded from the vnyte The felowshyp of the sayntes that is to say let vs holde our selfe in the coÌ„munyon felowshyp of hope wyth those sayntes whych are deceaced in thys fayth whyche we haue receyued Therfore yf we wyll haue felowshyppe wyth the sayntes in the euerlastyng lyfe let vs thynke vpon the folowyng of them For they must recognyse fynde iÌ„ vs some what of theyr vertues to th entent they may voucesaufe to pray for vs vnto our lord For yf we can not beare the tormentes whyche the sayntes suffred euyn to the death yet at the leste wyse lette vs by theyr prayour and interceâ—syoÌ„s fyghte agaynst concupyscences For neyther Abraam nor Isaac nor Iacob were put to death and yet by the merites of fayth and iustyce they deserued to be chyâ—fly honoured amonge the patryarkes To whose feast is gathered euery man that is founde faythfull ryghteouse laudable And therfore my derest bretherne all though we suffer no suche thynge no bondes no strypes no presonment none other bodyly tormeÌ„tes nor no persecucyon of men for ryghteousnes sake yet we maye be able to obteyne the felowshyp of the sayntes yf we labour to chastyce our body make it subiect yf we accustome our seluys to pray vnto our lord with an humble spyryte and a coÌ„tryte soule yf we endeuour our selfe to take wyth a peaceable mynde the spyghtes that are done vnto vs by our neyghbour yf we coÌ„tende and stryue wyth our selfe to loue those that hate vs and do vs wrong to do them good and to pray gladly for theyr lyfe well fare and to be wyth the vertue of pacyence and the frutes of good workes garnysshed made gaye For yf our conuersacyoÌ„ be such yf we also accordyng to the sayeng of y â— apostle exhibyte our bodyes a lyuely hoost holy pleasauÌ„â— vnto god we shal be gyfted wyth y â— heueÌ„ly honour that we may be in one glory rewarded wyth them y t for our lordes sake gaue theyr meÌ„bres to the deth For lyke wyse as theyr deth is precyouse in the syghte of our lorde so let our lyfe be to than shall we be worthy also to entre into the. place of the cytye aboue and amonge the companyes of the blessed martyrs to render vnto oure redemer the vowys of thankes Lo here haue ye herde good chrysten reders how saynte Austayn vnderstandeth and expowneth both sanctam ecclaesiaÌ„ catholicam the holy catholyke chyrche and also sanctâ—rum communionem the coÌ„munyon or felesshyppe of sayntes wherby frere Barns maye se that yf he byleue saynt Austayn as he wold seme to do thaÌ„ is his owne fonde imagynacyoÌ„ quayled by whyche he divyneth after hys dyuynite that these wordes sanctorum communioneÌ„ do sharpely prycke y e clergye as he sayth after in an other place in thys maner Barns That chyrche that can not erre is all onely the vniuersall chyrche whych is called the communyon and felyshyppe of sayntes the whyche addycyon was made by holy fathers for in saynt Cyprianes tyme was there no mencyoÌ„ of it by all lykelyhed to declare the presumpcyon of certayne men and of certayne congregacyons that rekened them selfe to be holy chyrch wherfore my lordes se well to leste the holy goste haue prycked you with thys addycyon For you haue alwayes made your selfe the holy chyrche ye and that without any holynesse More If there hath neuer bene any holynesse at all in all the whole spyrytualtye than were those holy fathers y â— Barns sayth added in the crede sanctorum coÌ„munioneÌ„ some holy carnall fathers well be it so than for Barons sake But I dare saye they were none suche fathers as father frere Luther is as father frere Huyskyn is that byget chyldren by nonnes But thys suffyseth here agaynst frere Barns that ye perceyue by saynt Austayn here that frere Barns fonde inuencyon is fayled By these wordes of saynt Austayne ye se also that frere Barns in hys gay bable wherwyth he wolde make men by leue that the chyrche can not be the chyrche but yf it suffre persecucyon and that no man myghte come to heuen nor be a trewe chrysten man but yf he were persecuted here lo good reders besydes that it is a greate persecucyon vnto the chyrche and a ryghte greate gryefe and heuynesse to se so many of her membres waxe so roten and fall away from her body by the incurable canker of these false feâ—tered heresyes and that it is also sore persecuted bothe in body and goodes by these false heretyques in dyuers partes of Almayne yet se you ferther here in the fore rehersed wordes the thynge that I tolde you before that as for persecucyon it suffyseth to suffre it whaÌ„ it is of necessyte put vnto them and men neyther bounden to go seke it nor so to suffer euyl folke amonge them selfe that the contagyon of a few maye corrupte a great many whyche growen onys in great nomber may fall vnto rebellyon and persecute all the cuntrey For saynt Austayn sheweth here well and clerely that with out persecucyon yf we haue as wolde god we had so plentuousely as our parte were to haue such good cherytable wurkes wyth the catholyke fayth as hym selfe reherseth we may be good chrysten men and membres not onely of the very chyrche here in erth whyche we maye be by communyon of fayth though good wurkes want but also of y e very chyrche in heuen More ouer good chrysten readers ye se that saynt Austayne in these wordes doth playnely shew that the sayntes whyche are all redy in heuen do praye for vs that are here in erthe whyche thynge these heretyques wyll in no wyse agre Here se you also that these wordes sanctam ecclaesiam catholicaÌ„ by whyche frere Barns wolde make vs wene that the holy catholyke chyrche were a secrete vnknowen chyrche scatered about the worlde saynâ— Austayn well and playnely declareth yf we consyder well hys wordes that it must nedes be thys comune knowen catholyke chyrche But now that I haue playnely confuted frere Barons by saynte Austayne hym selfe whose order and rule frere Barns professed and whose wordes he so often alledgeth for hys purpose