Christe is the onely Sonne of God and oure Lorde In whome we beleue euen with the same Fayth wherewith we beleue in the Father as the texte sayeth in the fyrst Symbole I beleue in God c. And in Iesu c. For yf he were not very God then muste he not with lyke Faythe lyke vnto the Father be honoured This disputeth and dryueth S. Athanasius in his Symbole And it is a very defence of the fyrst Symbole Who so euer wil be saued before al thynges it is necessarye that he haue the Catholyke fayth Whiche faythe but yf euery man will kepe whole and inuiolate withoute doubte he shall eternally perysshe This truely is the righte Catholyke Faythe that we worshippe one God in trinite and the trinite in vnitie Neyther confondinge the persons neyther seperatinge the substaunce The person of the Father is one The persone of the Sonne another The persone of the holy Ghooste another But of the Father of the Sonne and of the holy Ghoost ther is one diuinite equall glorye coeternall maiestie Suche as is the Father suche is the Sonne suche is the holy Ghoost The Father is vncreate the sonne vncreate the holy Ghost is vncreate The Father is immeasurable the Sonne immeasurable the holy Ghoost immeasurable The Father is euerlasting the Sonne euerlasting the holy Ghoost euerlastinge And not withstāding there be not thre euerlasting but one euerlasting Euen as there be not thre vncreate nor thre vnmeasurable but one vncreat and one vnmeasurable In lyke maner is the Father almightie the Sonne almightie and the holy Ghoost almightie And yet be they not thre almighties but one God almightie So the Father is God the Sonne is God the holy Ghoost is God And yet be there not thre Goddes but one God So the Father is the Lord the Sonne the Lord the holy ghoost the Lorde And yet be they not three Lordes but one Lorde For as we be compelled by the christian veritie to cōfesse separately euery one person to be God and Lorde So are we prohibite by the Catholyke relygyon of Christes faythe to saye that there be three Goddes or three Lordes The father is made of none neyther crated nor gotten The sonne is from the father alone neyther made nor created but gotten The holy Ghost is from the father and the sonne neyther made created nor gotten but procedynge And so is there but one father not three fathers one sonne not three sonnes one holy Ghoost not three holy ghoostes And in thys trinite there is none before or after another nothyng more or lesse But al the three persōs be coeterne and coequal to them selfe So that by all wayes as nowe it hath ben aboue sayde the trinite in vnite and the vnite in trinite maye be worshypped He therfore that wyll be saued let hym vnderstande thus of the trinite But it is necessary vnto euerlasting helth that euery Christian beleue also faythfully the incarnation of oure Lorde Iesu Christe It is therfore the ryght fayth that we beleue and confesse that our Lorde Iesus Christe the sonne of GOD is God and man He is God by the substaunce of the father gotten before al worldes and he is man by the substaunce of the mother borne in the world Perfect God perfecte man beyng of a soule reasonable and of flesshe humayne Equal to the father by hys Godheade lesse then the father by hys māheade Whiche though he be God man yet is there not twayne but one Christe Truely he is one not by the turnyng of hys Godheade into manhead but by assumptynge of hys manheade into Godheade Yea he is one not by cōfusyō or mixture of substaūce but by vnite of persō For as the reasonable soule and the flesshely body is or maketh one man So God and man is one Christe Vvhiche suffred death for oure saluation descended to hel and rose from death the thyrde daye Vvhiche ascended to heauens sitteth on the ryght hande of God the Father almightye From thence shal he come to iudge the quicke and the deade At whose commynge al men must ryse with theyr owne bodyes And shal geue accompte of theyr owne propre dedes And they that haue done wel shall go into euerlasting lyfe thei that haue done euyl into euerlastynge fyre This is the catholike fayth which excepte euery mā faythfully stedfastly do beleue he can not be saued ☞ Symbolum Ambrosij and Augustini THe thyrde Symbole should be S. Augustyns and Ambroses and after S. Augustyns baptisme haue ben songe whether that be so or not there is no daunger in it whether a man beleue it or not It is neuertheles a propre symbole or confessyon whosoeuer be the mayster or authour made after the maner of a songe not onely to knoweledge oure faythe but also therin to prayse and to thanke God And soundeth thus We prayse the O God We knowledge the to be the Lorde All the earth dothe worshippe the the father euerlastynge To the al Angels crye a loude the heauen and al powers therin To the Cherubyn and Seraphyn continually do crye Holy holy holy Lorde God of Sabaoth Heauen and earthe are full of the maiestye of thy glorye The gloryous companye of the Apostles prayse the. The goodly felowshyp of the Prophetes prayse the. The noble army of martyrs prayse the. The holy Churche throughoute all the worlde dothe knoweledge the. The father of an infinite maiestie Thy honourable true and onelye sonne Also the holy Ghoost the conforter Thou arte the Kynge of glorye o Christe Thou arte the euerlastyng sonne of the father Vvhen thou tokest vpon the to delyuer man Thou dyddest not abhorre the virgyns wombe Vvhen thou haddest ouercome the sharpenes of death Thou diddest opē the kyngdome of heauē to al beleuers Thou sittest on the right hande of God in the glorye of the father Vve beleue that thou shalt come to be oure iudge Vve therfore pray the to helpe thy seruauntes whome thou haste redemed with thy precyous bloude Make them to be nombred with thy saynctes in glory euerlastynge O Lord saue thy people and blesse thyne heritage Gouerne them and lifte them vp for euer Daye by daye we magnifye the. And we worshyp thy name euer worlde withoute ende Vouchesafe O Lorde to kepe vs thys daye without synne O Lorde haue mercy vpon vs haue mercy vpon vs. O Lorde let thy mercy lyght vpon vs as oure trust is in the. O Lorde in thy haue I trusted let me neuer be confounded ⧠The Symbole of Nyce I Beleue in one God the Father almightye maker of heauen earth of all thynges visyble and inuisyble ¶ And in one onely Lorde Iesu Christ Gods onely sonne which was gotten of the father before al worldes God of God light of lyght very true God of the very true God gottē not made equall with the father by the whiche al thynges be made Vvhiche for vs mankynde and for oure saluation came doune from heauen And was incarnate by the holye Ghoost
of the vyrgyn Mary And became man crucifyed also for vs vnder PoÌ„ce Pilate suffred and buryed And rose agayne the thyrde day accordyng to the scriptures and asceÌ„ded into heauen and sitteth on the ryght hande of the father and shal come agayn with glorye to iudge the quicke and the deade whose kyngdome shall be endeles And in the Lorde the holy ghoost which quickeneth which proce deth froÌ„ the father the sonne whiche with the father and the Sonne together is worshypped and together is glorifyed which hath spoken through the Prophetes And one holye Catholyke and Apostolyke Churche I knoweledge one baptisme to the remission of synnes and I abyde the resurrection of the dead and the lyfe of the world to come AMEN ⧠A singular and fruteful maner of prayeng vsed by the famous clarke Doctour Marten Luther and comppleâ—… at the desyre and instaunce of a special frende of hys vpon the Lordes prayer the tenne commaundementes and the xij Articles of the Christen fayth no lesse necessary then profitable FYrst whan I fele that through straung dedes or thoughtes I am be come colde and vnlusty to prayer euen as the fleshe and the deuyl are alwaies ready to lette and hynder prayer I take my boke of Psalmes get me into my chaÌ„bre or yf the day time so requyre into the churche to the congregation and begynne mouthely by my selfe to saye the Tenne commaundementes the Crede and after as the tyme doth serue me certayne sayenges of Christe Paule or Psalmes euen as the chyldren do Therfore is it good that the prayer be vsed for the fyrste worke in the mornynge and for the last in the euenynge And that a man beware with all diligence of these false deceyuable thoughtes whiche saye Tarye a littel within thys houre wyl I pray I must do thys or that before for by suche cogitations and thoughtes commeth a man from prayer vpon workes whiche do holde and compasse hym in such wyse that nothynge is done in prayer that daye And albeit that some workes may be fall whiche be as good as prayer or better specyally whan necessitye doth requyre them as there goeth a Prouerbe vnder the name of Saynte Ierome Euery worke of the faythful is a prayer And another Prouerbe he that laboureth or worketh truely prayeth double Whiche must be spoken out of thys ground That a faithful man in hys labour doth feare and honour God and thynketh on his coÌ„maundementes so that he wyll do wronge to no man nor steale nor circumuent or deceyue any man And suche cogitations make doubteles of hys worke a prayer and besydes that a sacrifyce of prayse To the contrary wherof it muste also be true that the worke of an infidel is a mere cursyng and he that worketh vnfaythfully curseth double for the cogitacyons and thoughtes of hys harte are suche that he despyseth God and thynketh to transgresse hys commaundemeÌ„tes to do hys neighboure wrong to steale and to deceyue suche cogitatioÌ„s what are they elles but mere cursynges agaynst God man by the whiche hys worke labour becoÌ„meth also a double curse whereby he curseth hym self suche men do also remayne at the last beggers and of no reputation Of thys continual prayer doth Christ speake vndoubtedly Luc. xi Luce. xi that we oughte to praye withoute ceasyng for we must be ware of synne and wrong withoute ceasyng whiche can not be done yf we do not feare God and haue his commaundemeÌ„tes before oure eyes as the first Psalme saith Blessed is that man which thinketh on the lawe of god nyght day Psal i. Howe be it we must also beware that we do not vse oure selues from the ryght prayer and prescribe vnto our selues at the laste necessary workes which notwithstandynge are not to the purpose are therby at the last made slouthful and vnlusty cold and yrkesome or lothsome to prayer for the deuil is not slouthful nor vnlusty or ydel aboute vs Also our flesshe is yet to quicke and iocunde inclyned and proued to synne and agaynst the spirite of prayer Iob .i. i. Pet. v Nowe whan the harte is warmed thorough such speakyng of the mouth is come to it self Then knele doune or stande with thy handes folden and thyne eyes erected into heauen and saye or thynke in the shortest maner that thou canst Oh God oure heaueÌ„ly father I am an vnworthy pore synner Lu. xviij not worthy to lyft vp myne eyes or handes towardes the or to praye notwithstandyng forasmuch as thou hast coÌ„maunded vs al to praye also hast promysed to heare vs and besydes that hast taught vs thy self bothe wordes and maner through thy dearly beloued sonne oure Lorde Iesus Christe I come vpon thys thy commaundement to be obedyent vnto the trustyng to thy gracyous promyse in the name of my Lord Iesus Christ I praye with all thy holy Christians in earth as he hath taught me Mat vij Luc. xi Ioh. xiiij xv xvi Mat. vi Luc. xi Our father whiche arte in heauen c. Hole oute from worde to worde The fyrst Peticyon After that repete one pece or as much as thou wilte namely the fyrste peticyoÌ„ Halowed be thy name and saye Oh Lorde God mercyfull Father vouchesafe I beseche the to sanctifye thy name bothe in oure selues and in al the worlde destroye and put doune al abhominacyon Idolatrye and heresye of the Turke of the Pope and of al false doctryne and erronyous spirites whiche falsely beare thy name and so shamefully abuse it and so abhominably blaspheme it saynge and boastyng that it is thy word and the churches coÌ„maundement notwithstandynge that it is the lye and deceyt of the deuyll whereby they seduce so many poore soules in all the worlde vnder thy name and besydes that also kyl shede innocent bloude persecute thynkyng thereby to do the a hygh seruyce O Lorde God here conuerte and lette Conuerte them that yet shall be conuerted that they with vs and we with them maye sanctifye and prayse thy name bothe with pure and true doctryne and also with a good holye lyfe and conuersation And resiste or let them that wyll not be conuerted that they maye cease to abuse blaspheme and dyshonour thy holye name and to seduce the poore people Amen The seconde Peticyon Thy kyngedome come sayenge Oh Lord God mercyful father thou seest that not onely the wisedome and discretion of the worlde blasphemeth thy name and geueth thyne honoure to the lye and to the deuyl But also al theyr power myght rychesse and honoure which thou hast geuen them vpon earth to rule in the worlde and to serue the with thesame is set and stryueth agaynst thy kyngdome they are great mighty and many thicke fatte and full and plage hynder and destroye the small heape of thy kyngdome Those that be weake despysed and feawe wyl they not suffre vpon earthe and thynke neuertheles thereby to do thy a hyghe Goddes seruice O Lorde God father almightye
confesse with thy mouthe wherefore thou hast nothing to reioyce of before God but that thou arte nothinge at all and that he is thy maker and creatour and can tourne the to nothinge euery momente Of this light knoweth the imagination of man nothinge at all Many highe learned men haue sought and searched what heauen and earth Man and creature might be but they haue not founde it But here sayth oure belefe that God made all thinges of nought Here is the pleasaunt garden of the soule to walke in in the workes of God howe be it it is to longe to writte of it at this tyme. Secondarely ought we here to geue thankes that we through the goodnes of God are made of nought and are dayly preserued of nought suche a goodly creation whiche hath body and soule discretion and the fyne wittes c. and ordeyned Lordes and rulers ouer the earth fysshes foules cattel Hither belongeth the i.ij and .iij. chapiter of Gene. Thirdely ought we to confesse to lamente our vnbeleue and vnthankefulnes that we haue not regarded beleued remēbred nor knowledgede thesame worse then the vnreasonable cattell c. Fourthely to praye for a true and sure faith that we maye from hence-furth earnestly beleue take the true God for our Creatour accordinge to the sayenge of this Article The seconde Article of the redemption And in Iesu Christe his onely sonne our Lord. c. Here shyneth agayne as greate a lighte and teacheth vs Howe we are redemed through Christ the Sonne of God from death wherein we are fallē after our creation through the synne of Adam and must eternally perysshe And here is it tyme lyke as in the fyrst Article thou must also counte thy self for one amonge the creatures of God and doubte nothinge therein Euen so muste thou counte thy selfe also for oure amonge them that are redemed and doubte nothinge at all And set by euery worde the fyrste worde oure as Iesus Christe oure Lorde euen so lyke wyse oure suffered Oure dead oure rysen that he be all hole oures And that thon arte also vnder the same oure euen as the worde it selfe doth geue it Secondarely we ought hartely to geue thankes for this great grace and be glad of this redemption Thirdely bitterly to Lamente and to confesse oure shamefull vnbeleue doubtefulnes concerninge this grace Oh what a heape shalte thou fynde here for to remembre howe muche Idolatrye thou haste vsed contrary to this with so many seruynges of saynctes and innumerable workes of thyne owne whiche haue ben quite and cleane against this redemption Fourthely muste thou praye that God wil kepe the by the true and syncere faith in Christ thy Lord frō hence furth vnto the ende The thyrde Article of the Sanctification I beleue in the holy Ghoost c. This is the thyrde greate lighte whiche teacheth vs. Where this Creatour and redemer in earthe externally is to be founde and to be taken and where al thinges shall become at the last whereof there were muche to say And briefly this is the summe Whersoeuer the holy Catholyke Churche is there is founde God the Creatour God the redemer and God the holy Ghoost that is to saye whiche dayly sanctified through forgeuenes of synnes c. And the Churche is whersoeuer Goddes worde is truely preached and knowledged of this faythe Here haste thou agayne many thinges to remembre of all that the holy Ghoost doeth dayly exercyse in the churche c. Therfore geue here thankes that thou arte also come and called into this Church Confesse and Lamente thyne vnbeleue and vnthankefulnes that thou hast not regarded all this And praye for a righte sure faythe whiche maye continue and abyde vntill thou comest where as all thing shall continue for euer that is after the resurrection of the deade in the lyfe euerlastinge AMEN A prayer agaynste the Pope the Turkes the Mortall enemies of Christ and of his Churche HEuēly Father ful well haue we deserued to be corrected of the. But correcte vs Lorde thy selfe accordinge to thy mercy and not after thy fury It is better for vs to geue oure selues into the correctiō of thy handes than in the handes of men or of the enemy as Dauid prayed also For great is thy mercy We haue synned agaynste the and haue transgressed thy commaundementes But thou God almightie Father knowest that we haue not synned agaynst the deuill Pope or Turkes And that they also haue no authorite nor power vs to correcte Howe be it thou canst and mayest vse them as thy fearful scourge agaynst vs which agaynst the haue offended and deserued all myschief Yea deare God heuenly father we haue done no synne against thē wherfore they might lawfully punyssh vs. But muche rather would they that we with thē most abhominably shoulde synne against the. For they regard it not yf we to the were disobedient blasphemed the vsed al maner of Idolatry as they do went aboute with false doctryne false fayth and with lyes and committed agaynst the aduoutry vnclenlynes murther thefte robbery Sorcery and al maner of enyl But this is our trespasse against them that we preache beleue knowledge the God the father to be the onely true God and thy welbeloued sonne our Lord Iesus Christ and the holy ghoost to be one onely God yea thys is the synne that we committe agaynst them but yf we shoulde denye the then shoulde the deuil world pope and turcke fulwel leaue vs in rest accordynge to the saynge of thy deare Sonne yf ye were of the worlde the worlde woulde loue her owne c. Here shewe thy mercy O merciful father ouer vs and earnest iudge ouer oure enemyes for they are more thyne enemyes then oures Because that when they persecute and stryke vs then do they persecute and stryke thy for the world which we preache beleue and knowledge is not oures but thyne and the work of thy holy ghost in vs. The deuil wil not suffre such thynges but in steade of the he wyl be our god in stede of thy word he wil stablis she lyes in vs. The Turke wil set hys Machometh in the rowme of thy deare sonne Iesus Christ For he speaketh euyl of hym and sayth That he is no ryght God and that hys Machomet is hyer and better then he Yf it be synne that we holde knoweledge and boaste the father and the Sonne and the holy Ghoost for the true onely God Then arte thou the synner thy selfe whiche workest thys in vs and commaundest vs to do it Therfore do they hate stryke and correcte thy selfe whē they for such matters do hate stryke or punysshe vs. Wherfore awake O Lorde God sanctifye thy name whome they blaspheme strengthen thy kingdom whiche they distourbe in vs let thy wyl be done whiche they will quenche in vs and suffer not thy self so to be troaden vnder fete for our synnes sake of them that do not correcte our synnes in vs but woulde quenche in vs thy holy worde name and worke to thintent that thou shouldest be no God haue no people to preache beleue and knoweledge the. Vouchesafe o Lorde gracyously to heare this oure petitiō and do accordynge to oure beleue and truste By the deare Sonne oure Lorde Iesus Christe whiche lyneth and raygneth with the and the holye Ghooste worlde without ende AMEN FINIS ☞ Seke peace and ensue it Psal xxxiij i. Pet. iiij ⧠Imprinted for Gwalter Lynne dwellyng vpon Somers kaye by Byllinges gate In the yeare of oure Lorde God M.D.Xlviij ⧠Cum Gratia et Priuilegio ad imprimendum solum
handes full So that in the meane seasoÌ„ thei should forgette all children playes and foolyshnes of long gownes greate crownes broade gyrdels Bysshoppes and Cardinalles hattes or staues and suche other iugglynges When fyrst we hadde executed the Commaundementes and ordinaunce of God bothe in the spiritual and temporal estates theÌ„ shoulde we fynde tyme ynough to refourme meates garmentes cronnes and câ—pes But when thei deuoure suche camelles and in stede hereof wil see a moote let the beame alone and iudge the chippe than myght we also well forbeare the counsayll Therfore haue I set but fewe Articles For as muche as we besydes that haue of God so many commaundementes to do in the churche in the superiorite within the housse that we can neuer be able to perfourme them Vvho then or what doth it auayll to make besydes them many decrees and Statutes in the counsayl Specially seyng these chiefe poyntes commaunded of God are not regarded nor obserued Euen as though he should set by oure iuglynge tromperies because we treade hys earnest commaundementes vnder oure fete But oure synnes suppresse vs and suffre not God to be mercyfull vnto vs neyther do we also repente but will moreouer maynteyne and vpholde all abhomination O Lorde Iesu Christe kepe thou Counsayll thy selfe and delyuer thy people by thy gloryous commynge It is done with the Pope and hys adhereÌ„tes They wyll none of the Therfore helpe thou vs poore and miserable whiche sygh vnto the and seke the with earnest accordyng to the grace whiche thou haste geuen vs through the holye Ghoste which lyueth and reygneth with the and thy father praysed for euer and euer AMEN The fyrste parte is of the hygh Article of the Godly Maiestye as i THat Father Sonne and holy goost in one godly essence and nature three sondry Persones is one onely God whiche created heauen and earth ij That the father of none the Sonne of the father is borne the holy goost from the father and the sonne procedynge iij That not the father nor the Holye Ghoost but the Sonne is become man iiij That the Sonne so is become man that he was conceyued by the holye Ghoost withoute the helpe of man and borne of the pure holy virgin Mary After that suffred dyed was buryed DesceÌ„ded into hel rose again from the deade Ascended into heauen sittynge on the ryght hande of God shall come to iudge the quicke the deade c. As the Symbole of the Apostles Item of S. Athanasius and the common Cathechismus for Children do teache These Articles are in no controuersie nor variaunce for as moche as of bothe parties we knowledge and confesse the same wherfor it is nedeles to entreate further there of at this time ⧠The seconde parte is of those Articles that concerne the office worke of Iesu Christe or oure redemption Here is the fyrst and Chiefe Article THat Iesus Christe oure God and Lorde suffered death for oure synnes and rose agayne for oure Iustification Roma iiij And that he onely is the lambe of God which beareth the synnes of the worlde Iohan .i. And that God hath layde all oure synnes vpon hym Isaie liij Item They are all Synners and are iustifyed frelye withoute deseruing by his grace through the redeÌ„ption of Iesu Christe in his blonde c. Roma iij. For as muche nowe as this must be beleued and otherwyse can not be obteyned or comprehended by no worke lawe nor deseruinge So is it cleare euident and sure that onely suche faith maketh vs righteous As Roman .iij. S. Paull sayth We suppose that a man is iustifyed by faith withoute the dedes of the lawe Item That he onely be counted iuste and a iustifyer of hym that beleueth on Iesus From these Articles may noman shrynke nor geue backe any thinge yea though heauen and earthe shoulde fall and what soeuer will not abyde for there is none other Name geuen vnto men were in we maye be saned sayeth S. Peter Acto iiij And by his strypes we are healed Isaie liij And vpon this Article standeth all whatsoeuer we teache and lyue agaynst the Pope deuill and worlde Wherfore we must be very sure thereof doubte nothinge Or elles all is lost and the Pope and the deuill must obteyne the victory and right against vs. The â—… Article Masse in the Papacye That the masse in the Papacye is the greatest and mooste horrible Abhomination as that whiche directely and vyolently stryueth against this Chiefe Article And yet aboue and before all other Papisticall Idolatries hath ben moost hyest and fayrest For it is supposed That suche an offer or worke of the Masse done also by a leaude Person doth delyuer man from synne bothe here in this lyfe and yonder in Purgatorie Vvhich onely belongeth to the lambe of God as is aboue saide From this Article also may no man swarne or geue backe For the fyrst Article wil not suffer it And yf there were any Papistes of descretion any where men might common with them measurably and reasone with them after a gentle fasshion Namely wherfore they didde sticke so fast to the Masse Seynge it is nothinge but mannes inuention not commaunded of God And inuentions of man may we lette fall As Christe sayeth matthei .xv. In vayne do they worshippe me with preceptes of men Secondarely is it a thinge not necessary which withoute synne or feare may well be lefte Thirdely maye the Sacrament be had after a godlier and better waye yea onely after a Godlyer fasshson after Christes institution Vvhat is it then that for an inuented and on necessarye thinge which otherwyse may be had well and muche godlyer men wyl compelle the worlde to miserye and necessitie Let it be openly preached vnto the people howe that the masse as a thynge inuented by man may withoute synne be omitted and that noman is damned because he doth not regarde it But maye wel withoute masse and by a bolde meane be saued Vvhat wyl ye laye yf the masse as then do not fall by her selfe not onely among the folysshe people but also amonge all ryghteous godly discrete God fearynge hertes Moche more yf they heare that it is a daungerous thynge withoute Goddes worde and wyll imagyned and inuented Fourthely Seynge suche innumerable and ineffable abuses in all the worlde by byenge and sellinge of the masse are rysen ought men by reason to let her go and euen to resiste onely suche abuses althoughe she hadde in her selfe some good and commodious thynge Howe muche more oughte men to let her go for to auoyde suche abuses for euermore seynge that she is hole vnnecessary vnprofitable and daungerous and that men maye haue all thynges more necessarye profitabler and surer withoute the masse Fyftely for as muche nowe as the masse is or can be none other as the Canon and al Bokes saye but a worke of menne also of a leawde person whereby one wyll reconcyle hym self and other with hym to God obteyne and deserue grace and remissioÌ„ of
wyl stande vntyll my death God willyng And knowe nothyng therein to alter nor to geue backe But yf any maÌ„ will geue backe any thyng let hym do it vpoÌ„ hys own conscience Hallowynge of churches Christenyng of billes Last of all is yet the Popes Iouglinge bagge behynde of foolyshe and chyldysshe Articles as of hallowynge Churches Christonynge of billes Baptisynge of aulter stones and biddynge of Gosshippes therevnto that gaue somewhat thereto c. Which Baptisynge is a slaunder and mocke of the holy Baptisme so that it ought not to be suffered After that of halowyng of lyghtes candels palmes Lakes wafers spyces and worthes c whiche neuertheles can neyther be called halowed nor yet be hallowed but is a mere mocke and deceyte And of suche iugglynge castes an innumerable sorte whiche we committe vnto theyr God and to themselues to worshyppe vntyl they waxe wery Vve wyl not be entangled therewith ¶ The confessyon or knoweledgynge of the faythe of Doctor Marten Luther FOr as moche as I se that sectes errours from day to day do more and more increase and that SataÌ„ doth not ceasse from hys fury and Tyrannye To thintent that not from hencefurthe durynge my lyfe or after my deceasse any myght come take holde of me falsely interpretate my writtynges for to stablysshe theyr errours thereby euen as the Sacramentaryes and Anabaptistes began to do So wyll I by thys writtynge before God and all the worlde knoweledge my fayth from pece to pece whereby I intende to abyde and perseuere vntyll my death and therein whiche God vouchesafe to graunte me to departe out of thys world and to come before the iudgement seate of oure Lorde Iesus Christe And yf any man after my deceasse shoulde saye yf Luther were a lyue nowe he woulde teache and take this or that article otherwyse for he hath not scanded examyned it sufficiently c. To thys I answer nowe as then and than as nowe That I by the grace of God haue moost diligently and moost earnestly remembred and pouÌ„dered al these Articles and haue examyned searched and often retracted them agayne and agayne throughout the scripture and wil so surely stedfastely fighte for them as I haue all ready foughten for the Sacramente of the aulter I am not now dronken nor vnaduised I knowe right well what I saye And also feele ryghtwel what charge it is vnto me agaynst the commynge of oure Lorde Iesus Christ to the last iudgement Therfore let no maÌ„ make a geste or a trifelynge matter of it For it is earnest vnto me For I knowe Satan by Gods grace a greate parte Seyng he can peruerte and tangle the worde of God and scripture what woulde he not do with myne or with other mennes wordes I First I beleue with herte the hygh Article of the godly maiestye That Father Sonne Holy Ghooste three seuerall persons is one ryghte onely naturall true God maker of heauen and earthe in all thynges contrary to the Arrianes Macedoniens Sabellines and suche lyke heresyes Gene. i. accordyng as all that hath beÌ„ holden and kepte hitherto bothe in the Romysshe Churche and in all the worlde by the Christen Churches Second person in God II Secondarely I beleue and knowe that the Scripture teacheth vs that the seconde Person in God namely the Sonne is onely become very man of the holy Ghoost conceyued withoute the helpe of man and borne of the pure blessed virgyn Mary as of a ryghte naturall mother accordyng as al the same S. Luke doth clearly describe Luc. i. and as the Prophetes haue declared So that not the Father or the holy Ghoost dyd become man as certeyn heretykes haue taught Also that God the Sonne hath not onely taken vpon hym the body withoute a Soule as certeyn heretykes haue taught But also the Soul that is a whole perfecte manhode And the ryght seede or Chylde promysed to Abraham and Dauid and is borne a naturall sonne of Mary In euery condition and shape a ryght man euen as I am my selfe and al other excepte that he was borne without synne onely of the virgyn by the holy Ghoost And that thesame man is verye God as an euerlastynge inseparable person become of God and man so that Mary the blessed virgyn is a very right mother not onely of the man Christe Nestorianes as the Nestorians teache but of the sonne of God as saynt Lucas sayth Luc. i That holy one whiche shall be borne in thy shal be called the Sonne of God That is my Lorde and the Lorde of all men Iesus Christe the onely ryght natural sonne of God Mary very God and man The sonne of God suffered for vs. Also I beleue that the same sonne of God and Mary oure Lorde Iesus Christe suffered for vs wretched synners was crucifyed dead and buried Vvhereby he dyd delyuer vs from synne death and euerlastyng wrathe of God through hys innocent bloude and that he rose agayne the thyrde daye from death and ascended into heauen and sitteth on the ryghthand of God the Father almightye a Lord aboue all Lordes Kynge ouer al Kynges and aboue al creatures in heaueÌ„ earth and vnder the earth ouer death and lyfe ouer synne and ryghteousnes Al men borne in synne For I knowledge and can testifie by the scripture that al meÌ„ cam of one man Adam and of thesame thorough the byrthe brynge with them and inherite the fal trespas synne whiche thesame Adam in Paradys Gen. iij throughe the deuyls wickednes dyd perpetrate and so with hym are borne in synne lyue and dye and must be condemned to euerlastynge death Yf not Iesus Christe were come to succour vs and as an innocent lambe had taken vpon hym al oure transgressyons and synnes satisfyed for vs by hys passyon and yet dayly standeth and maketh intercessyon for vs as a true mercyfull mediatour Sauiour and onely priest and Bysshop of oure soules Esa liij Rom. ij Gal. iij. i. Tim. ij Heb vij ix Io xvij i. Ioh ij Hereby do I reiecte and condemne as for a mere errour all such doctrine as commendeth our free wyl as that whih stryueth cleane against such helpe and grace of oure sauyour Iesus Christe For seynge without Christe death and synne be oure Lordes the deuyl oure God and Prince there can be no strength nor power no witte nor vnderstandyng whereby we be able to prepare oure selues or to thinke towardes the righteousnes and lyfe But must he blynded and captyue at the deuyls and synnes owne commaundement to do to thinke whatsoeuer pleaseth him and is contrary to God and hys commaundementes Newe olde Pelagians In lyke maner do I also condemne bothe new old Pelagianes Original synne that wil not graunte the originall synne to be synne but that it should be a lacke or impedimeÌ„t But for as much as death goeth ouer al men must nedes the original synne be no â—mal faulte but an excedyng great
synne as s Paul saith Rom. vi i. Co. xv The reward of synne is death And agayn synne is deathes styng Ose xiij So saith also Dauid Psal li. Psal li. Beholde I was shapen in wickednes in synne hath my mother coÌ„ceyued me Be saith not My mother hath conceyued me with synnes but I I I am shapen in wickednes and my mother hath conceyned me in sinne That is I am groweÌ„ of sinful seede in my mothers woÌ„be as may be gathered of the Ebrewe texte Furthermore I do reiecte and condemne also as mere deuelysh sectes errours al orders rewels cloysters mynsters and al what soeuer of men besydes and without the scripture is inuented and instituted stablysshed with vowes plightynges notwithstondyng that many great Saynctes haue lyued therein and as the electes of God at thys tyme thereby haue beÌ„ seduced and yet at the last by the faith in Iesu Christ were delyuered escaped For seyng such orders inpusters sectes to that intent haue lyued and are kepte that by suche wayes workes men wil and maye be saued and escape from synne and death So is it an open abhominable blaspemy and denyeng of the onely helpe and grace of â—ure onely Sauyour and Mediatour Iesus Christe Act. iiij For there is none other name geuen vnto vs whereby we maye be saued but onely thys whiche is called Iesus Christe And it is impossyble that there shoulde be more Sauyours wayes or meanes to be saued than through the onely righteousnes whiche is oure sauyour Iesus Christe whiche is geuen vs freely and setforth of God as oure onelye mercy seate Rom. iij. Rom. iij It were wel good yf Cloysters or inpysters were kepte and mainteyned to thys yntent that yonge people therein myght be taught the worde of God the Scripture and Godly nourtoure whereby myght be educated brought vp and prepared men of learnynge and discretion apte for Bysshoppes Curates and all maner of mynisters of the churche and also meÌ„ of learnynge and discretion for the gouernaunce of the publyke weale and honest discrete learned women whiche afterwarde myght knowe howe to kepe house Christenly and to brynge vp childreÌ„ But to seke there a waye of saluation that is a deuelyshe doctryne and a fayth diabolical .i. Timot. iiij i. tim iiij Holy orders of God instituted But the holy orders and ryghte Mynsters of God instituted are these three Priesthode matrimony and teÌ„porall power Church ministers Al suche as are found in the cure or ministration of the word be in a holy ryght good ordre and state acceptable vnto God as they that preache minister the Sacramentes they that procure and further the coÌ„mon boxe clarkes boyes or seruauntes that serue suche persons c. All these be pure holye workes before God Father mother In lyke maner whosoeuer is a Father and mother and ruleth hys own house honestly and bryngeth vp chyldren in Goddes seruyce Thys is also mere holynes and a holy worke and a holy order ChildreÌ„ Familie Item where as the chyldren or familye be obedyent to theyr parentes or rulers is also mere holynes and whosoeuer is founde therein is a lyuynge sayncte vpon earth In lyke maner also Prynces or superiours Iudges Offycers Chauncelers Scrybes seruauntes maydeÌ„s and al they that do serue such moreouer al such as mekely obey is al mere holynes and a holy lyfe before God Superiours Subiectes Because that these three states or orders are comprehended and establyshed in Gods worde for whatsoeuer is grounded vpon Goddes worde must nedes be holy for Goddes worde is holy and sanctifyeth althynges that be of it or in it ChristiaÌ„ Charite Besydes these thre estates or Orders is nowe the commune order of Christian Charitie and loue wherein meÌ„ do not onely serue the thre orders but also euery nedy person in general in al maner of benefytes as to refresshe the hungry and the thursty c. to forgâ—ue vnto the enemyes Matth. xxv To praye for all men vpon earthe suffre al maner of wronge vpon earth Beholde these are called good workes euery one And yet is none of these Orders a waye to saluation But the onely way remayneth aboue all these namely the sayth in Iesus Christ To be holy to be saued For there is great difference betwene to be holy and to be saued We are saued onely throughe Christ But we be holy bothe through suche fayth and also by suche godly estates and orders The vngodly maye also haue many holy thynges and yet are they not saued thereby for oure God will haue suche workes of vs to hys prayse and glorye and all they that so are saued in the faythe of Christe doo suche workes and kepe suche Orders The estate of wydowes and virgyns And whatsoeuer hath ben sayde of the state of matrimony the same muste also be vnderstande of the estate of Wydowes and virgins for they belonge also to the house and to the house kepynge Yf nowe these orders and godly estates do not worke saluation what shoulde than the deuelysh mynsters and cloysters doo which are come vp bare naked without Goddes worde and besydes that striue and rage furiously against the onely waye of fayth Holy Ghoost Thyrdely I beleue in the holye Goost which with the father and the sonne is very God and from the Father and the sonne euerlastingly procedeth But a seueral person in a Godly substaunce and nature Through the which as a lyuely euerlastynge Godly gyfte grace are al faythful people garnysshed with fayth and other spiritual gyftes raysed vp froÌ„ death delyuered from synne and made ioyful and confortable bolde and sure in conscience For thys is oure reioysing yf we do feele the witnes of thys spirite in oure hartes that God wyll be oure father forgeue oure synnes and hathe geuen to vs euerlastynge lyfe freely And that al through the merites of Christe whiche by hys death hath purchased for vs suche a spirite and that we oure selues through oure workes can deserue nothyng but is geuen to al them that heare the worde of God and embrace it These are the three Persons and one God whiche hath geuen hym self whole and all vnto vs with al that he is and hath Father The father geueth hym selfe vnto vs with heauen and earth and all creatures that they must serue and be profitable vnto vs. Howe be it this gyfte was darkened through the fall of Adam and become vnprofitable Sonne Therfore dyd afterwarde the sonne also geue hym selfe vnto vs al hys workes death wysedome and ryghteousnes and reconcyled vs to the father whereby we are quickened agayne and iustifyed and also maye knowe and haue agayne the Father with hys gyftes And because that thys grace could profite no man yf the were kept so close and hydden that she coulde not come vnto vs. Holy Ghoost Therfore cometh the holy Ghooste and geueth hym selfe also whole
and al vnto vs which teacheth vs to knoweledge suche benefytes of Christ shewed vnto vs helpeth vs to receyue and kepe them profitably to vse and distribute them to increasse forther them And doth euen thesame inwardely and outewardely In wardely through faithe and other spiritual benefites Outewardely through the Gospell through Baptisme the Sacramente of the aulter through the whiche as by thre meanes or wayes he cometh vnto vs and putteth in our mynde the death of Christ in vs and maketh it profitable to oure saluation Baptisme Therfore do I holde and knowe that lyke as there is but one Gospell and one Christe Euen so is there also no more but one Baptisme And the Baptisme in it selfe is a Godly Ordinaunce euen as his Gospell is also And lyke as the Gospell is not false or vntrewe because some doo falsely vse or teache or beleue the same Euen so is not Baptisme false or vntrue all though some did receyue it or geue it withoute faith or did otherwyse abuse it Anabaptistes Donatistes Wherfore I do vtterly reiecte and condemne the doctrine of the Anabaptistes and Donatistes and whatsoeuer they be that Baptise agayne Euen so do I speake knoweledge Supper of the Lord also of the Supper of the Lorde that euen there by the very body and bloud in breade and wyne monthely is eaten and dronken Allthough the Prieste whiche dothe minister the same or they that do receyue it did not beleue or did other wayes abuse it For it standeth not in mannes beleue or vnbeleue But in Goddes worde and ordeyninge Excepte that they before did alter falsely interpretate Goddes worde and Ordinaunce as the present enemies of the Sacramente do whiche in dede haue nothinge but breade and wyne Because they haue not also the wordes and ordinaunce instituted of God But haue peruerted and altered the same after theyr owne fanthasye One holy Catholike Church After this I beleue that there is one holy Catholike Churche vpon earth that is the felloweshippe and nomber or congregation of all Christians through oute the whole worlde the onely Spouse of Christe and his misticall body whereof also he is the onely heade and that the Bisshoppes or curates are not heades nor Lordes nor brydegromes of the same but ministers frendes and as that worde Bysshop sygnifyeth Ouerseers surueyours and Purueyers Christianite dispersed in al the worlde And thesame Christianite is not onely vnder the Romysshe Churche or Pope but dispersed throughoute the whole worlde as the Prophetes haue shewed Psal ij Psa xix that the Gospell of Christe shoulde come in al the worlde Psal ij Psalm xix So that vnder the Pope Turkes Perses Tatters and euery where the Christianite is dispersed bodely But congregated spiritually in one Gospel and faythe vnder one heade whiche is Christe For the Papacye is vndoubtedly the ryght kyngdome of Antichriste or the ryght tyrannye agaynst Christe which sitteth in the tempel of God and ruleth with traditions of men as Christe Matth. xxiiij and Paul .ij. Thessa ij do declare Matth. xxiiij ij thess ij Howe be it besydes thys also the Turke and al here syes wheresoeuer they be belonge also to thys abhomynation which is prophecyed to stande in the holy place But nothynge lyke vnto the Pope Remissyon of synnes In thys Christianite and whereas she is there is remissyon of synnes that is a kyngedome of grace and of the ryght Pardon For euen there is the Gospel Baptisme the sacrament of the aulter wherein remission of synnes is offered geuen and receyued euen there is also Christe and his spirite and God And withoute thys Christianite is no saluation nor remissyon of synnes But euerlastynge death and damnation Although there be great apearaunce of holynes and many good workes yet all is in vayne And thys remissyon of synnes is not at one tyme as in Baptisme to be loked fore Nonates as the Nonates do teache but as oftē and many tymes as man hath nede of the same vntyl the houre of death Popysh Pardon But the Pardon which the Romyshe Churche hath and geueth is a blasphemous seduction and deception not onely because that it is a seueral thing inuented and set vp ouer and besides the cōmune remission Which through oute the whole Christianite through the Gospell and Sacramentes is geuen and thereby the commune remission is dishonoured and fet at nought but also because it stablyssheth and groundeth the Satisfaction for synnes vpon mennes workes and merites of Saynctes Notwithstādinge that onely Christ can satisfye for vs and hath satisfyed for vs. To praye for the deade For the deade for as moche as the Scripture maketh no mention there of holde I that of free intention it is no synne thus or in lyke maner to praye Lorde God yf the Soule be in suche case that she maye be helped vouchesaf to be mercifull vnto her c. And whē that is done ones or twyse then lett it suffise But the diriges and Soule masses and yerely myndes are not auayliable And it is the deuills fayre or market Purgatorie Vve haue also nothing in the Scriptur of Purgatorie and it was surely brought vp by Robyn good fellowe or by suche illusiōs of the deuill Therfore holde I that it be not necessary to beleue one howe be it all thinges are possible vnto God And he coulde punysshe the Soules well ynough after their departinge frō the body But he hath not declared it by worde or writtinge wherfor also he will not haue it beleued how be it I know will a Purgatorie besydes but of that is not to be taught in the congregation nor yet to be hādled agaynst it with foundations and vigilies Vvorshipping of saynctes Of worshipping of Saynctes haue other taken in hand before me And it pleaseth me I beleue it also that onely Christe ought to be worshipped as oure mediatour this geueth the Scripture and it is sure Of worshippinge of Saynctes is nothing in Scripture Therfore must it nedes be vnsure and not to be beleued Vnctiō The vnctiō Yf she wer kepte according to the Gospell Mar. vi Iac. v. myght be suffered Mar. vi Iaco. v. But to make a Sacramēt there of is in vayn For euē as in the place of diriges Soul masses well might be made a sermō of death euerlasting lyfe And so prayed by the buryal and rememberyng oure ende as it appeareth that the elders haue done do were it also well done that men wente to the speke prayng geuynge good exhortacyons And yf mē woulde anoynte hym with oyle besydes shoulde be free and at liberte in the name of God Confessyon Of Confession holde I and knowe that she oughte to be free withoute compulsyon not bounde with lawes to any tyme person or fasshyon But for as muche the absolutyon whiche is spoken therein and receaued which is none other but Goddes owne worde and
hath commaunded you Vvhere is it written Vvhere do ye fynde it in the olde Church that ye haue authorite to induce suche newe remissions or merite And who can reherse howe many maners of newe fasshions ye haue inuented to forgeue synne for money or propre deseruynges Vvho is here the newe Churche with newe doctrines and Sacramentes whereof neyther Christ Apostles Scripture nor yet the old church haue any thinge knowen Sacrament of the aulter of the vniuersall Church robbed Sixthely who will reherse al the abhominable newellies which ye haue inuented in the hygh worthy holy SacrameÌ„t of the body bloude of Christ Vvho hath coÌ„maunded you Vvhere is it written where do ye fynde it in the olde church That fyrste maye take and robbe this Sacrament from the vniuersall church and leaue onely the one kynde appropriate the hole onely to the Priestes Secondarely also the same onely kynde not to teache and increase faith but to chaunge it into a worke of obedience of the Churche Thyrdly The hoâ—e sacrament yf it elles as than be a sacrameÌ„t not in the remeÌ„braunce of Christe of hym openly to preache and to geue hym thankes for his passion But to selle it vnto the other for a Priest offer and propre deseruinge of a wicked person and to make the soules in purgatory partakers thereof and to alter it moost abhominably and blasphemously for all temporall necessities euen as a heatheÌ„ seruice of Idolles yea as a shamefull iuglynge Vvhereby ye haue stilled defaced the remembraunce of Christe for the whiche Christ did institute it And notwithstaÌ„dinge that ye were elles so pure a church as the Apostles church yet much purer Neuertheles doth this onely abhominable horrible pece whiche by the counsayll of the deuil ye haue inueÌ„ted of new make you a new of falling hereticall church yea an earthy whoor of the deuil a scoole of hell For this parte is so abhominable groundeles euill that in this lyfe no tonge can expresse nor no harte coÌ„prehende it vntil the later daye appeare Reade gather and heape all the mischief to gether Vvhatsoeuer the deuil with you all agaynst vs caÌ„ imagine lye a thousande tymes as muche intre to it yet for all that will it not be a smal chippe in coÌ„paryson of this great beamâ— where on not one but douteles all the deuills with all the Craftyest kâ—aues in sixe hundreth yeres haue buylded This is one of the right poyntes AbhominatioÌ„ in holy place Vvhiche Christ calleth an abhominatioÌ„ to the holy place Vvherfor not onely we should must flee froÌ„ you as froÌ„ the great wrath of God But also heaueÌ„ earth treÌ„bleth abhorret such a denne of theues for this pece doth not onely cause no church to remayn But also maketh thereof the foulest dougâ—hill of the deuil that is in earth The Turke Tatterues and Iewes be nothing lyke so euill a deÌ„ne of murtherers as the Popyshe churche is in this one point For they onely denye Christ tourne their backe towardes hym But these take hym here before the spitte at hym scorne hym blaspheme slaunder defame marter hym playe a more horrible passioÌ„ with hym then was done vnto hym corporaly by the Iewes He go your wayes nowe boaste your selues the holy church froÌ„ the which we be falleÌ„ The deuil abyde with you in such a church all suche as hold wâ—…h you in that trade God saue vs froÌ„ it euen as he hath graciousely pluckte vs away from it wherfore be laude and prayse vnto hym for euer Seuently who hath commaunded you to make this neweltie That ye haue made new keyes and wrought two false warthes wherewith ye do not forgeue synne nor yet withhold it as the olde keyes do with vs And in the vniuersal olde churche But ye do institute of newe synne and murther whereas elles be none in your runne awaye and murtherysshe church whereby with importable and innumerable lawes ye entangle and bynde the Christen consciences ye treathen and kyll for eatynge drynkyng clothyng places dayes and such lyke outwarde thynges whiche Christe hath geuen free Colloss ij and the olde Churche hath kepte without any synne or feare Collo ij Besydes thys ye put downe Kynges and Prynces as though ye were God youre selues Howe is here fallynge awaye or newe churche The deuyll abyde with you in thys blasphemous murtheryshe synful and daÌ„nable peace we be come agayne to the olde church lauded praysed be god Eyghtly who hath commaunded you ouer and aboue the maner of the olde Churche and contrary to the coÌ„maundemeÌ„t of christ to preache other wyse thaÌ„ he hath coÌ„maunded Matth. xxviij Go teache theÌ„ to obserue what soeuer I coÌ„mauÌ„deth you Matth. xxviij He sayth not whatsoeuer semeth to you right good IohaÌ„ xiiij The holy goost shall teache you al thynges bring to your remeÌ„brauÌ„ce whatsoeuer I haue tolde you Ioh. xiiij Mens tradicyons lyes in the Papacye But ye haue filled al churches and schooles so ful of your dregges doÌ„g that is mannes doctrine lyes and arayed al places so foul with your vomite filthynes that as Esay sayeth no more roume is lefte and yet ye will be called the churche Priuate masse And this point is besydes the priuate masse also one of the worste abhominations whose hurt plage caÌ„ not be grounded nor expressed whereby ye haue edifyed a newe church for the deuyl haue serued hym with the same In so much that it is nothyng but soule murther and the very Molech deuourer of chyldren whiche suffreth not as yonder Molech did the soules of the chyldren to be saued although they were burned corporally but contrarywyse suffereth the bodye to lyue a short space but the soul burneth perpetually Molech Leuit. xviij Leui. xx Hiere xxxij I can not for tremblynge recyte muche of the calamitie of the innumerable false Idolatrous murtherysshe doctryne in Poperye thys is our newe goodly Churche Bodely head of the Romyshe Church Nynthly who hath coÌ„maunded you thys froward newe fang lednes in the Churche which is a spirituall kyngedome that ye set vp a bodely heade namynge hym the moost holyest for as muche as there can be none other but a spiritual hâ—ade which is Christ Thys is the thyâ—…e abhominatioÌ„ most damnable in youre moste holye yea mooste hellysh â—…we church For the olde churche knoweth nothyng there of for she â—bydeth by her head euen as we out she knoweth that it is the deuils owne creation and shoulde come euen for synnes sake accordynge as she hathe declared it .ij. Thessal ii The man of synne and chylde of perdicion shall sette hymselfe in the tempell of God and shewe hym selfe as God ij Th. ij Euen so hath Daniel sayd also that he should despyse the olde church and the God of hys fathers and sette vp another newe God newe churche that maye helpe hym to stablysshe hys newe God Da.
not for your sake But for the wordes sake whiche I haue spoken vnto you Ioh. xv Holines of the worde purenes of the doctrine For the holynes of the worde and the synceryte of the doctryne is of such efficacye and surenes that yf also Iudas Caiphas Pilate Pope the deuyll hym selfe shoulde preache thesame or truely baptise without addition purely and vprightly yet neuertheles the ryghte pure worde and the ryghte holy Baptisme shoulde be receyued for as muche as there muste alwayes be hipocrytes and false christians in the churche and one Iudas amonge the Apostles Impurite of doctrine Contrariwyse is the impuritie of the doctryne yf it be not Gods word or withoute Gods worde such an euil poisoned thynge that through S. Peter yea an Angel from heauen should preache it yet is it accursed Galat. i. False teachers abyde not in the churche Therfore false teachers and baptisers or false Sacramentaryes can not be nor abyde in the church as the Psalm .i. sayth Psal i For they do not onely contrary to the lyfe whiche the church must suffre specially whaÌ„ it is secrete But also coÌ„trary to the doctrine whiche must lyght and shyne openly for to frame the lyfe thereafter Thys hath ben taught from the beginnynge as S. Iohn sayeth i. Ioh. ij They are from vs but not of vs. And in ecclesia sunt sed non de ecclesia Item Numerus Sed non merito And such lyke Whereout we haue thys distinctyon They are not al Christians that haue the name They be not al Christians that professe the name of a Christian But when it cometh to passe that there happeneth variaunce in the doctrine then parteth the one from the other and then appeareth who be the right christians namely they that haue Goddes worde syncerely and purely Let thys suffise at this tyme of the ryght churche ¶ Of restitucion of the churches Goodes YF nowe the Papistes shall or can proue that they are the ryghte holy Church that they haue taught none of the aboue mencyoned whorysh Churches articles and inuentions or haue none of them or that oure Articles are not the ryght old churches articles which we haue not inuented nor imagyned Then must we nedes knowelege oure selues to be heretykes and steppers a syde Yf they can not proue thys â–ª Then must they contrariwyse knowledge themselues to be the very whorysshe churche of the deuyl which froÌ„ Christe her Lorde is runne awaye hath suffred her selfe of the deuyll through newe and other doctryne to be abhomynably defyled Thys after my iudgement must be sure although Iewes and Heathen or whatsoeuer hath yet mannes witte should be iudges betwene vs. Yf they be not the Church but the deuyls harlot which continued not in Christ So is it groundely and myghtely concluded That they oughte not to possesse the churche Goodes Muche lesse to moue thys stryfe wherewith hitherto they trouble and disease Emperour kyng that thei should be put in agayne by vs the goodes restored agayn vnto theÌ„ For that is eueÌ„ as muche as yf the deuyls should desyre of the Aungels that they mighte be set agayne in heauen notwithstandyng that they knowe confesse that they dyd not continue Gods aungels but became Goddes enemyes whiche beloÌ„g to hel fyre Or that I speake of men It is eueÌ„ as much as yf a thefe or murtherer would demaunde restitution of suche money and goodes as he had stolen and robbed whiche beynge taken froÌ„ hym were layed vnder iudgement or were restored agayn to the ryghte owners yf not then would he threaten to become a H. M. But for so muche as in earthe in thys matter is no iudge for they are become parcyal and because the chief iudges haue made themselues is their iudgement of no valoure accordynge to al lawes and euen so littell alowable as the iudgement of vs which are the contrary part is accepted of them therfore must we let it passe abyde the ryght iudge But yf there were a iudge in thys matter in earth shoulde thys iudgement fynde it selfe That they of the one partie not only haue no lawfull cause to demaunde restitution But were worthy to be expelled out of the worlde and to be serued as the Kynge Iâ—hn serued the Baalites and as Kynge Iosiâ— dyd serue the priestes at Samaria and Bethel iiii Reg x. xxiij For thei are as aboue is declared before God accordynge to the iugement of holye Scripture the ryghte denne of murtherers and the deuyls harlot whereout followeth that they the Goodes of the Churche that is of the poore Christianite as robbers of archechurches and Goddes theues haue pulled vnto them and vniustly kepe them in possessyon wherfore yet to theyr hynderaunce they follow bothe in body and honoure temporall and eternal destruction For thys can a chyld of seuen yeares olde yea a nyged foull tel and reken vpoÌ„ hys fyngers howe be it that the grosse Popysshe asse with hys daÌ„nable confederates kan vnderstande nothyng That the laudable olde Emperours Prynces Lordes and good people doubteles haue not beÌ„ of that mynde wyl to geue theyr Goodes to that intent that therewith shoulde nothyng but deuils harlottes an Idolatrie be instituted decked honoured Much lesse that thei there with should brynge vp and mainteyne Soulmurtherers church robbers Gods theues But the deare churches and scooles that is the holy word of God the offyce of preachyng other seruice of the churche Theologiens Curates preachers besydes that also poore folkes wydowes the coÌ„fortles sicke to maintayn to the prayse honoure of god Churches goodes For thei are not called the goods of harlots murtherers blasphemous of god H. M. nor goodes of the deuil but the goodes of the church whiche euen nowe not onely of the spirituall deuils whores in the popysshe denne of murtherers in moost abhominable wyse by Symonye and all manner of blasphemye be bought solde steleÌ„ robbed and consumed but also of the corporal whores knaues in moost vnshamest wyse be consumed and expended much worse then was done at Sodoma and Gomorra In so muche that they geue not one halfpenny towardes the mayntenaunce of a poore Prieste Scholler or poore man for they be not worthy also for to do suche a smal good dede But in stede thereof as the foolyshe Epicuriens thei do mocke and laugh to scorne bothe God hym selfe and the worde of hys Churche Yea thys is the goodly holy churche whiche yet dare boaste them selues holy Counte the churches goodes for their owne and demaunde restitution but he shal not tarye longe that shall geue the righte restitution vnto suche desperate selfe willed scorners and tyrannous murtherers i. But for as muche as we haue no iudge vpon earth So wil we besydes that that we haue the iudgemente of God the hyghest iudge in hys holye Scripture also vse theyr own iudgement and witnesse of the Papistes in the meane whyle for