thrusteth forthe one while verily suche as are approued in opinion for their notable wisedome another while swinishe haters and contemners of all holy things an other while Hypocrites puffed vp with a vaine shew of holynesse and therefore maruellous fit instrumentes to beguile the simple by whose painted and smooth persuasions and by other crafty conueyances the vnwarie sort maye be broughte to the neglecting and open hatred of the Scriptures but it is your partes with these reasoÌ„s and instructions whereof you haue hitherto heard many and sundry as well out of the sacred Scriptures theÌ„selues as also out of the moste godly and learned fathers to shoare vp and fortify your minds and euen in spight of all the rablement of the wicked whome Sathan subborneth and armeth dayly against vs to stirre them vp to the loue and study of Gods word Let vs coÌ„sider that CHRIST doth euen now also without ceasing preache vnto vs which in very déede he doth not after one waye or manner and that there is no precepte of him oftner vrged and repeated than this wherein he sayeth to all Christians Searche the Scriptures for they are they that testifye of me This voyce of CHRIST for so much as his heauenly father hath so coÌ„maunded let vs heare with patient and stayed mindes and with al reuerence and submission obey it finally in comparison of that let vs refuse and abandon all mens pesuasions preceptes counsels flatteries threatnings curses and tormentes whatsoeuer For he that maketh none accompt of thys voyce of CHRIST there is no doubt but that his name shall oneday be vtterly scraped and raced out of the register of Christians that is to saye out of the booke of life whiche GOD himselfe hath written and that at the laste iudgement of the great day he shal heare froÌ„ the mouth of the same CHRIST a far other manner of voyce namely a heauye and a horrible voyce as touching the suffering and enduring of euerlasting fire THE ENDE Ps. 14.2.3.4 Psâ—l 53.4 Ps. 5.10 and 140.2 and 10.7 Prou. 1.16 Iam. 4.8 1. Cor. 1.20 2.14 Iere. 9.26 Deut. 10.16 Eccles 11.33 Genes 6.5.11.12 and 8.21 Psal. 36.1 Esa. 59.3.7 Rom. 3.10.11.12.13.14.15.16.17.18 Psalm 51.5 Eph. 2.1.3.5 Rom. 3.9 Galath 3 22 Rom. 2.22 Psalm 116.11 Rom. 3.4 Esa. 59.5 Deut. 27 Galath 3.10 Coloss 2.13 Ephes 2.12 Rom. 6.23 1 Pet. 5.8 Ephes 6.12 Ephes 2.2 Genes 3.1 1. Pet. 5.8 Apocal. 12 3 Ioan. 3.3 Ephes 4.23 1. Pet. 2.2 Hebr. 13.14 â— Corinth 1.10 11. Time. 3.16 Rom. 15.4 Man is created to the knowledge of GOD and of his will. Ouid. Metamorph Lib. 1. Of the former booke which is the whole world Of the later booke to wit the holy Scripture VVe must giue more attendaunce to the latter booke of the holy Scripture than to the former and that for three causes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 III. It behoueth all men to reade the word of GOD in that it is graunted to them only to speake and vnderstand They must especiallye read the holye Scriptures which professe themselues to be Christians It is a shame for a Christian to be ignorant of the things that Christe commaundeth The Iewes reade the Scriptures painefully God commandeth in the Lawe the bookes of holy Scripture to be read and perused of all people For what cause and coÌ„sideratioÌ„ God woulde haue his doyngs and sayings committed to writing The Fathers albeit they were without Bookes yet taught they most diligently the doctrine of religion then what ought not wee to do that haue Bookes graunted vnto vs. The commandement of God as touching the reading of the Scriptures belongeth not only to Iewes Christ also commaundeth vs to reade the Scriptures In the Apostles time all the Godly read the Scriptures most diligently The holy Ghost is giueÌ„ to the beleuers to the intent they may learne and vnderstande the Scriptures â–ª Euen the Gentiles also in these dayes vsed to reade the Scriptures albeit they were extance onely in the Greeke tong In these dayes wee haue the holy Scripturs extant in all tongues And after the Apostles time all the godly serched continualy the Scriptures Exhortations of the holy Fathers as touching the reading of the holy Scriptures priuatly in houses Origen Eusebius â—â—misenus Iohn Chrisostome Augustine Ambrose Now a dayes some Bishops there be that forbid the holy Scriptures to be read The neglecting of the Scriptures of this time if it be compared with the diligence of the auntient people is verie shamefull and ignominious The Lâ—â—ie is profited 〈◊〉 dâ—â—g of the Scriptures that they were able also to teache others Laie men skilful of the holy Scriptures in times paste taughte in Churches and were chosen to thâ— goueâ—â—emet of the same The barbarus enimies of Christian religion oughte sooner by orderly teching of sounde doctrine than by force of armes be won and vnited vnto vs. The very consideration of the times present doth require that all should applye themselues to the studie of the holye Scriptures The answere It behoueth the Ministers of the Church to bee exercised in the holy Scriptures aboue all other The Ecclesiasticall Ministery consisteth not in songs or colde ceremonies The Minister ignorant of the holye Scriptures can not conuince false opinions The Minister that is without the knowledge of the Scriptures can not wisely reproue sinne The Minister that is ignorant of the Scriptures can not confer with others of godlynesse and pietie The Minister can giue no counsell to carefull consciences that is not conuersant in the Scriptures The Minister that he may be able to coÌ„fort the afflicted must of necessitie haue experience in the Scriptures To haue the name of the Ministerie without the substance of it is an absurde thing They that can not perfourme the office of the Ministerie must not reape the fruites of it The Ministers that are vnskilfull of the Scriptures oughte to bee remoued from their places They do moste grieuoâ—sly offende whiche beeing placed in the Ecclesiasticall Ministery doe still neglect the holy Scripture Albeit the studye of the holy Scripeurs doe especiallye become the Ministers of the worde yet maye not the Laitie therefore reiect it There is no degree of men among Christians to whome it perteyneth not exactly to learne the holy Scriptures Kings and Princes must reade also the holy Scriptures All Câ—urtiers and noble men must diligently reade the holy Scriptures Iudges Consuls Pretors must exercise themselues in reading the holy Bible Neither must souldiors neglecte to reade the holy Scriptures Lâ—wiâ—rs ougâ—â— to be familiarly acquainted with the holi Scripturs Phisitions also muste deuoutly trauâ—ile in the Scriptures It is expedient that Merchant men also and Artificers should profit in the Scriptures To husbandmen also is commended the reading and hearing of the Scriptures It is expedient that Boyes and Mothers also be instructed in the holy Scriptures There be certayne duties common to all Christians whiche it is needefull for theÌ„ to learne out of the holy Scriptures All Christians muste endeuor to shewe themselues to be true members of the Churche Euerye Christian ought to bee readye to render a reason of hys Fayth to euerye one that asketh it Euery Christian ought to foresee prouide that hee erre not or be not deceiued in the doctrine of Religion There is no ChristiaÌ„ that standeth not in neede to be reproued for his sinnes and oft times to be admonished No Christian caÌ„ be without comfortes The Conclusion The willing mind easilie findeth oportunitie to do well It is false to saye that in reading there is labour and griefe How we maye get leysure oportunitie to read the holie Scriptures That a time certain ought to be giuen to the reading of the Scriptures VVhat time most apt to the reading of the Scriptures How much euery day to be read The Canonical bookes of the olde Testament Let a man read dayly certaine chapters but vvithout superstition The depth and maiestie of the holy Scriptures ought not to fray vs froÌ„ the reading of theÌ„ No maÌ„ ought to complayne that he cannot vnderstaÌ„d the Scripturs howe we maye attayne to the vnderstaÌ„ding of them Some thinges we are ignoraÌ„t of to cure benefite Howe thou mayste gather spirituall profite by the thyngs that thou readest The power of the spirite worketh priuiely through the worde is the heartes of the readers and hearers Certain Chapters or fountains to which all things in the holy Scriptures ought to be referred Teaching Reprouing Instructing Correcting Comforting Conclusion Jmprinted at London by Henry Bynneman 1579.
and especially in the exercises of holye Scripture or take anye long and greate paines in the Schooles of Learning when he smelleth that there will be no publike vse thereof and foreséeth that no manner of rewardes shall bée allotted to his laboures in Churches I appeale to the testimonies of a great number of good menne whyche can remember that in Churches verye greate and notable there haue not béene scarce foure Sermons throughoute the whole yeare made vnto the people and yet if there happened to be anye it was spente for the moste parte eyther in a fruitelesse narration of Myracles and those commonlye false or else in some subtill disputation sauoring more of Aristotle than of the Prophetes and Apostles Verily I remember that I hearde ouce in Fraunce one beyng old and hoareheaded and a man of singular modestie tel and reporte that he was declared Doctor of Diuinitie in the Sorbon Schoole at Paru when as hée had neuer in all his life read ouer so muche as thrée Chapiters of the holy Bible and further that he was afterwarde the Pastor of no obscure Churche and althoughe he dayly descanted vppon the hundreth and ninetéenth Psalme wherein is wonderfully commended the study efficacie and vse of Gods worde and here and there also be repeated these wordes In the lawe of the Lorde wil I meditate day and night yet notwithstanding that it neuer came into his minde one whit to peruse the Bookes of holy Scripture with a desire of vnderstaÌ„ding the truth nor neuer made also any Sermon oute of the Scriptures to the people Whyche thinges he not wythout an honest kinde of shame callyng to remembraunce bothe bewayled the vnhappinesse of the tyme past and also complayned of the shamefull ignorance of the men of his coate and calling Yea and moreouer in dyuers Countries where I haue trauailed I haue séene many Priestes as my manner is in euery place to enquyre diligently of the state of Churches whyche when they were vtterly voyde of learning and very Drones had no Churche wherein they mighte lawfully minister But out of their Masses as they call them whych they beyng hyred daylye sayde they sucked out no small gaine and aduantage sustained themselues in their filthy ydlenesse Furthermore we sée it euerye where commonly receiued not by custome but as yée woulde saye by a lawe established that Priestes are made wythoute choyce no more as they were in times past to teache but onelye to say Masse As who should say forsooth this way do the holy Byshops followe the holy Cannons whyche forbidde that without a title for so they speake any man shoulde be ordered Distinction 70. C. Neminem Sanctorum Canonum c. Therefore as touching the Doctrine of Religion there is among them no further question but it maye be sayde as Ierome speaketh expounding the thirtéenth Chapiter of Ezechiel that for the sinnes of men the word of GOD is vtterly loste and that grieuous calamitie sent downe into the worlde that GOD by the Prophet Amos Cap. 8 threatneth namely a cruell hunger thirste and scarcitie of hearing the worde of GOD. The other inconueniences whyche haue flowed oute of that fountayne to witte the false perswasion of the Ministery to consiste in bare Songs and Ceremonies I ceasse to make any further reckening of But to procéede where Bishops do not prouide that the Scriptures be continually readde and expounded in Churches and yet giue orders to a greate number of suche as they knowe haue neyther bestowed any time before in studying the holy Scriptures neyther can or will do hereafter I leaue it to be considered of euerye man whether suche either Byshops or Priestes can rightly chalenge to themselues the power Ecclesiasticall and kayes of the kingdome of Heauen as granted vnto them of God or no. We haue learned forsooth out of the Sermons of Christ and the Apostles that there is a double power of the Churches or that there be two kayes the one of Doctrine whyche consisteth in teachyng that is to saye in interpreting the Scriptures and administration of the Sacramentes whiche are annexed to the worde and euen a certaine portion of the worde like as in very déede they are acomplished by the worde the other is prepared to giue iudgement and to binde and loose But nowe howe shall he â—â—â—â—ly teache in the Churche all the chiefe poyntes of Christian Doctrine oute of the Law and the Gospell How agayne shall be wisely giue sentence as well of sinnes for whiche the obstinate must be bounde as also of faith and repentance for the witnessing whereof it behoueth them to be loosed that were bounde which neuer exercised himselfe in the monumentes of the Prophets and Apostles neither intendeth at any time to beginne Certesse that no keyes of Christes Church are committed to vnlearned Priestes it is well proued by the iudgement of those Prelates that ouer and besides that they haue deputed a good parte of the rabblement of Priestes only as I sayde to the execution of Masserites and Ceremonies haue moreouer deuised certaine cases which they name Reserued whereof some they wil haue referred to the Bishops only of euery Church othersome only and alone to the Bishop of Rome Now there shoulde be no néede to trudge for counsell to the higher Prelates if so be they déemed the Priests which themselues had made fitte to giue iudgement of matters incident and sufficiently furnished to bind and lose But that which the authours of reserued cases haue openly protested touching certayne Priestes the same may we interprete worthily to be vnderstoode of all in generall whether they be Bishops or Priestes that are founde voyde and destitute of all furniture of learning Héereby then we shall be inforced to suspect that many Churches haue of long time wanted and bin altogither withoute keyes For the vnderstanding and interpretation of the Scriptures being once loste it coulde not be chosen but that the keyes must néedes haue bin lost also And in what state the house is that is neyther opened nor shutte at any tyme with keyes but hauing as yée woulde saye the lockes and dores broken all to fitters standeth on euery side and alwayes and to euery one that commeth wide open in the very same state we suppose the Churches to haue bin and to be in whiche is had no consideration at all of the handling of the holy Scriptures But we shall haue lesse cause to maruayle that Priestes haue not hitherto bin carefull of receyuing the true keyes if in case we consider that a number of them haue not bene accustomed to go in and out by the dore but by some other way and that there haue appeared in them more liuely markes of hirelings than of anye true Shepheardes It remayneth therefore that whosoeuer hauing gotten any dignitie in the Churche of God wyll also purchase to himselfe credite and authoritie and be acknowledged in very déede for a true Shepheard hauing interest in the keyes and skill to vse
men shall so be stricken and pierced thorow that whosoeuer wil be counted in the nūber of Christians which make not their vaunt at the least of the vaine title maye easilye vnderstande that hée hathe of necessitie to applye himselfe diligentlye to the reading of the Scriptures Whyche thyng that wée woulde doe and accomplishe we haue once before promised alredye Tell me therefore whosoeuer thou be and haste a desire to be called a Christian I meane suche a desire as is vnfayned oughtest thou not if thou couetest in déede to be that whiche thou faine wouldest to laboure by all meanes possible to declare thy selfe to be a true and liuely member of that spirituall bodye whyche is the Churche and whereof Christe is the heade for thus we reade of all men of what age sexe dignitie or condition soeuer they be that are regenerate and borne againe in CHRIST Rom. 12. Wee being many are one body in CHRIST and euerye one seuerally one an others members 1. Corinth 12. Wee are all baptized by one spirite into one body whether wee bee Iewes or Greekes or bonde or free and we haue al tasted of one spirite And in the same Epistle and tenth Chapiter Wee that are manye are one breade and one bodye ▪ for wee are all partakers of one breade Ephes 4. One bodye and one spirite like as also you are called in one hope of youre calling One Lorde one Faith one Baptisme one GOD and father of vs all Chap. 5. Wee are members of his body whyche is the Churche Therefore thou canste not choose if so be thou wilte be counted better than an Ethnicke Iewe or Turke but testifie by some meanes that thou arte indéede a true liuelye and effectuall working member of the holye Churche of god But if thou canste not be the mouth or the eie that thou mightest sustaine the roomth of a Byshop and gouerne the Churche by commaunding ordeynyng whatsoeuer things should be profitable and necessarye if thou canste not be the tongue whereby thou mightest publikelye teache and prophecie in the Churche if thou canste not be the hande to dispose the Sacramentes or goodes of the Churche yet surely thou mayste be the eare thou mayste be the finger thou mayste be a parte of the breaste and to make an ende thou mayste and oughtest to be of that Churche whyche standeth in néede of verye manye Ministers and is alwayes occupyed aboute manye thynges some certayne member and that truelye quicke liuely stirring and suche a one as is bewtified both with féeling and mouing Onelye take héede thou dispayre not and accounte thy state to be happye if thou mayste haue place in the Churche but euen among the basest and weakest members so they be sounde and not as yet for their rottennesse to be cutte quite awaye But there is no common wealth that acknowledgeth that manne to be a Citizen and suffereth him to enioy the common priuiledges of the Countrey whyche doth not reuerence the Magistrates in it but refuseth to obey them whyche will not embrace the vprighte Lawes and excellent Statutes that are the verye sinewes of Common weales neyther promise that he will liue after them Neither in very déede deserueth hée the name of a good Citizen that careth for none of those thynges whyche pertayne eyther to the dignitie of the Common wealth wherein he liueth or to hys duetie in defending and adorning the same Howe then shall the Churche iudge thée to be a liuelye member of hirs incase thou doest not homage as thou arte bounde vnto CHRISTE hir heade incase thou neuer bethinke thy selfe to vnderstande the Doctrine of CHRISTE incase she perceyueth no lyfe of Fayth no motion of anye good actions to be in thée the Churche finally is not holpen by any duety or diligence of thine For why it is certayne that all the godlye do receiue lyfe and mouing from CHRISTE their heade and from hys worde CHRISTE is the life of the Churche who powreth abroade after a wonderfull manner his vitall powers into all hys members and the wordes whyche CHRIST speaketh are spirite and lyfe Ioh. 6. and againe by the worde of GOD the faithfull do liue Deut. 4. Math. 4. Is any of you so fonde and foolishe as to thinke himselfe for thys cause onelye to become a member of the Churche for that he doeth nowe and then or if hée will euerye daye in the wéeke repayre corporally to holye assemblies Nay it behoueth thée to be ingraffed and linked into that bodye in spirite like as in verye déede the selfe same bodye is spirituall But the spirite is nourished and sustained by the word wyth the which it hath a certaine Anologie or proportion Now therefore if so be either when thou arte present in Ecclesiasticall assemblies whiche are especiallye ordayned for the handling of Gods worde or when thou art returned home to thy house thou intentiuely readest the worde of GOD hearest it and layest it vppe in thy mind then beléeue me shalt thou bée reputed and taken in very déede for a liuely member of the Church And truely this is a verye small matter and easie to be done whyche as a testimonye of thy engraffing into the Churche wée requyre at thy handes For if thou refuse once to ensearche the Scriptures doubtlesse I doe not sée howe thou shalte bée able to perfourme anye thyng worthye of commendation Hée that cannot abide to apply himselfe to the hearing and reading of Gods worde wythout the which there is no accesse vnto Faith howe shall we suppose that he can be broughte to accomplishe anye workes or dueties of Loue flowing out of Faith for soothly where the word of GOD is there is hearing where Hearing is there is Faith where Fayth is there followe of necessitie the workes of loue Be carefull therefore to heare reade and vnderstande the worde of GOD so shalte thou haue Faith and the fruites of Faith and Workes yea and so shall all thinges redounde to the common edifying and encrease of the wholebodye of the Churche Ephes 4. But I haue further to demaunde of thée O Christian for I doe as willingly for mine owne parte attribute this glorious title vnto thée as thou for thy parte arte willing to heare it Wherefore I praye thée art thou called a Christian but bycause thou beléuest in IESVS CHRIST and haste once receyued baptisme as a seale of this thy fayth and of the Righteousnesse thereof But howe wilte thou perswade vs that thou beléeuest in CHRIST if so be thou be ignorante of the articles of Fayth if thou canst not make confession of thy Fayth and so ofte as néede is render an accompte of the same for there are certayne generall preceptes prescribed indifferently to all Christians as Hee that beleeueth shall be saued Math. 28. Rom. 10. c. He that confesseth me before men I wil confesse him before my father whiche is in Heauen Math. 10. Marc. 8. and Luke laste Againe Rom. 10. With the hearte man beleeueth
the sonnes of men reioyceth to be named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to saye the Word and the same preaching without intermission or ceasing hath declared the wil of his heaueÌ„ly father Prouerb 8. Ioan. 1. Heb. 1. And moreouer amongst the things that are exercised in the Church the Word holdeth the chiefe place yea and euen the very force and dignitie of the mysticall actions or Sacramentes dependeth vppon the worde of god Wherevppon it pleased some of the learned fathers and especiallye Augustine vppon Iohn in his Sermon 80. and against Faustus booke 19. Cap. 16. to tearme the same very Sacramentes visible wordes What néede anye long circumstaunce GOD by his worde openeth bothe himselfe and all his benefites and graces vnto man and by faith in the worde man is ioyned vnto GOD and made partaker of eternall blessednesse Wherefore we maye moste truely auouch that to reade the holy Scripture with a godly affection is euen all one to talke and conferre with GOD and to heare God talking and conferring with vs Certes as often as thou readest of precepts exhortations promises threatnings iudgements rewardes punishmentes and other things of like sorte so ofte doest thou heare God himselfe of a truth speaking vnto thée Againe as ofte as thou readest of any confession of sinnes crauing of pardon prayer giuing of thanks or anye suche like so ofte dost thou thy selfe speake vnto god For in these pointes chiefly do consist the naturall commonings betwixte God and men and in these things resteth the substaunce of all sacred sayings and sentences Wherefore then to goe aboute to forbidde or withholde anye man from the reading hearing and vnderstanding of the holy Scriptures is euen as much in effecte as to commande him to dissemble or deny himselfe to be a man that so he mighte be depriued of the power of speaking and of the fruite and benefite of reason Hierome maruelleth and stomacketh the matter and counteth it intollerable if anye man shoulde so presume Forsomuch saith he in the proheme of his exposition of the Epistle of Saint Paule to the Ephesians as we differ from all other creatures in this point chieflg that we are endued with reason and haue the vse of speaking and al reason and holy speach is contayned in the bookes of God by which we both learne to know God and also to what ende wee be created I maruaile greatly at some who either giuing themselues to slouthfulnesse and slepe wil not learne the things that are excellent or else seeke to reproue others that bend themselues that waye Which men whereas I might more straightly stop their mouths shortly send theÌ„ packing either eased or pleased in vouching that it is much better to reade the Scriptures than to gape so greedily after the encreasing and hourding vp of riches I will content my selfe onelye in saying this whiche I maye obtaine euen before a moste incompetent Iudge namely that my vocation from labor and quiet solitarinesse of mind is more pleasant vnto me than al other solemnities whatsoeuer Hitherto Hierome Where if so be nowe it belongeth to mans duetie to loue and learne the words of God declared at large in the holy Scriptures forasmuche as we haue giuen vnto vs of God the power and vse of speaking howe muche more ought we wholly to be addicted vnto them which professe our selues to be ChristiaÌ„s For truly how honorable the name of Christian is and what thinges it putteth vs in minde of it shoulde be good for vs oftentimes and déepely in minde to consider He that nameth a Christian comprehendeth in one worde whatsoeuer maye be added to the dignity of a man He that nameth a Christian vnderstandeth a man to be of the number of those whome God himselfe hath pronounced to be a chosen generation a kingly Priesthoode a holy Nation a people freely purchased Exod 19.1 Pet. 2. He that nameth a Christian signifieth a man to be choseÌ„ of God the father before the foundations of the worlde were layed to bée deliuered by the son of God Iesus Christ out of most miserable captiuitie and out of the bondage of most cruell Tirants the Diuel Sinne and Death to be regenerate by the holy Ghost into the Churche of CHRISTE to bée adorned wyth newe Righteousnesse wyth Fayth Loue and other vertues and spirituall graces vnto whome lastely is appointetd prayse and immortall glorie and also eternall felicitie bothe of bodye and soule bringing with it more bountifull and large benefites than the eie of anye man can sée the eare heare or the hart be able to conceiue Ephes 1. Rom. 8. Esay 64.1 Corinth 2. Suche and so greate is the excellencie of a Christian man But whence I praye you taketh a Christian this name Thou wilt say I am sure of CHRIST Act. 11. But howe then commeth a Christian man by those incomparable benefites and by euerlasting blessednesse Forsooth euen by the knowlege of GOD the father and of his sonne oure sauiour IESVS CHRIST This is eternall life saith our sauiour Christe Ioan. 17. To knowe thee the onely true GOD and Iesus Christe whome thou haste sente And Peter Act. 4. saith There is no other name giuen vnto men vnder Heauen wherein wee can bee saued but onely the name of Iesus Christe Paule in like maner 1. Corinth 1. saith CHRIST became vnto vs the wisedome of GOD and righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption But there is no maÌ„ that can distinctly and without ambiguitie know GOD the father or his sonne Iesus Christe the authour and beginner of Christianitie oute of that former booke Concerning the nature of things or out of anye inuentions of mans wisedome whatsoeuer but onely and alone by the reading of the holy Scripture reuealed from aboue Whiche thing to be true oure Sauioure Christe himselfe testifyeth Ioan. 5 saying Search the Scriptures for they are they that testifye of mee And to the intents the sonne oure Sauioure might be the better knowen of his Disciples he interpreteth many places of the Scriptures as touching his owne person The like did the Apostles also and Euangelistes with greate diligence Therefore whosoeuer he be that desireth to be saluted by the name of a Christian and to be accounted among those that knowe Christe and that looke for saluation promised in Christe him truely it standeth vppon to acquainte himselfe with the holy Scriptures and to make them as familiar vnto him as is possible As no manne can make the Iewes beléeue that he is of the Iewish secte which holdeth none of the traditions of their Thalmud and as the Turkes will receiue none for a worshipper of Mahomet that cannot alleage at the leaste some of his decrées oute of their Alcoran â—o is it not likely that he in good earnest and from his hearte shoulde be a Christian that cannot in some measure oute of the bookes of the Prophets and Apostles declare who Christe is and what inestimable benefites he hathe purchased to mankinde For in verie
vnto Righteousnesse and with the mouth confession is made vnto Saluation Moreouer the Apostle Peter in hys seconde Epistle and thirde Chapiter sayth that all those that haue giuen their names vnto Christe or are called Christians oughte so farreforthe to procéede in the study of the holy mysteries that they hauing hearde the truth of their Faith out of the Prophets and Apostles declared in the Scriptures mighte fully and substantiallye comprehended the same and also be able euerye man for himselfe at all times and to euery one that requyreth it to render a reason of his faith and hope But that any man shoulde be able to confesse his faith and to yéelde an accompte thereof that hathe not béene some space conuersante in the sacred Scriptures it is by no meanes probable or likely For it is one thing simply to make a confession of Faith and an other to render an accompte of Faith. As for the one it maye readilye ynoughe after a sorte be performed of euerye manne especiallye when there is no perill of persecution néere at hande and there is no manne in a maner which hath not séene at one time or other many folkes so to haue learned and repeated by hearte the Symbole of the Apostles yea and the Nicene Créede and that now then also in an vnknowen language as Popiniayes are wont to chatter whē they bid men good morrowe or good euen but as touching the other he that will do it must of necessitie declare that his faith is vpholden by the worde of GOD it selfe and as Paule speaketh Rom◠confirmed with the testimony of the lawe and the Prophets For thou arte vtterlye deceiued incase thou thinkest it lawfull for thée to put ouer the office of beléeuing to another and to be sufficient in case thou confessest thy selfe to beléeue as thy Godfather beléeued which vndertooke and gaue his worde for thée at the holye Fonte or as the Churches beléeue or as the Ministers of Churches For vndoubtedly in the matter whyche appertayneth to the euerlasting saluation of the soule euerye manne oughte to be his owne factour to be nearest vnto hymselfe to gage hys owne proper Fayth béefore GOD and the Churche wyth hys owne proper hearte to beléeue vnto Righteousnesse and with his owne proper mouth to confesse vnto Saluation For like as it profiteth not thy bodye in case an other manne taketh meate for thée or in thy steade and thrusteth it into his owne mawe and in the meane tyme leaueth thée hungry and almoste hungersterued for wante of foode euen so arte thou wonderfullye deceyued when thou wéenest that it will be behouefull for thy soule in case thou thy selfe beyng ignoraunte of the thynges that belong vnto Faith whilest I meane thou arte bothe of age and vnderstanding méete to haue learned the worde of GOD and making no confession at all an other man doe declare hys Faith before GOD and his Churche This is not the waye no this is not the way beléeue me to attaine vnto the scope and marke of Saluation Those saide preceptes of beléeuing of confessing of rendring an accompte doe in verye déede binde euerye particular man withoute anye difference Be yee readye sayth Peter to gyue a reason alwayes and to euerye one that asketh But how canste thou hope that thou shalte haue at all tymes and in euerye place eyther thy Godfathers and Godmothers or teachers of the Churche to be present wyth thée whyche wyll doe so muche I meane make answere for thée And for this verye cause is the custome commonlye receiued in the Churche that the confession of Fayth shoulde vpon Sondayes and Holy dayes be recited in suche a forme as albeit there be but one common Faith of all like as there is but one GOD and one Baptisme yet it shoulde not be saide in common we beléeue in one GOD but I beléeue in one GOD to the intent verily euery man might perceiue that he hath for himself both to make confession and also to render a reason of his faith For whiche cause also when Baptisme is ministred it is vsed in all Churches and Prouinces after one and the selfesame manner as for example euery one being asked the question of the minister of the Church seuerally aunswereth for himselfe and sayth I beleeue in GOD the father I beleeue in Iesus Christ hys onelye begotten sonne I beleeue in the holye Ghoste and so foorthe as touchyng whyche order of questioning and aunsweryng there is plaine mention Act. 8. where is touched the regeneration of the Ethiopian Eunuch Neither can it be declared howe great a pestilence that fond opiniō of Faith inuolued as they terme it scattered abroad by certaine vnlearned ideots hath broughte into the minds of menne where by they thinke they do inough when they professe thēselues to beléeue as other men beléeue For doubtlesse here vpon hath risen a moste perillous securitie Yea it hath come to passe by little and little that those which should haue obtayned saluation by faith haue bin so bold as vtterly to neglecte and contemne Faith. But those that haue once neglected cast from them the care of their faith howe is it possible that they should afterward performe the workes of Charitie especially such as are pleasing and acceptable vnto GOD of which sort are those onely and alone that flowe and procéede from Faith And in whom there is neither Faith nor Charitie the same must also of necessitie be destitute of the benefite of hope These things being thus determined it followeth that suche persons are hitherto fallen away from the grace of GOD and oughte not to be made anye better accompte of if we haue regarde to spirituall blessings than Pagans or brute beastes Than whiche estate doubtlesse especiallye of a man that is baptized and glorieth in the name of CHRISTE nothyng can bée sayde or thoughte more wretched or myserable The manne that hathe eyther no Faith in hym at all or suche as is verye slender and vnperfecte neyther vseth to stirre vppe to nourishe to encrease and confirme the same by reading and meditating of the worde of GOD that manne I saye whatsoeuer he bée looketh in vaine to receiue anye spirituall benefites at GODS hande But that Faith do we affirme to be nothing or as slight and slender a thing as maye be whiche onelye is implicita that is to saye inuolued or enwrapped suche I meane as is fast fixed and locked vppe in the breaste of an other manne but hath no maner of place in thine owne Therefore euen as Fayth is looked for at thy handes and muste issue from thine owne selfe so is the reading and knowledge of GODS worde wherein are declared the principles of Fayth and whereby the liuely iustifying faith is kindled and nourished in the mind likewise requyred at thy hands must of necessitie also procéede from thy selfe And to thys end pertaineth that rebukemēt or cōplaint whither it be of Chrisostome in hys sixtéene Homily vpon Iohn Some there be
saith he more fonde than children that saye Blessed is euerye soule that is simple and hee that walketh in Simplicitie walketh in Faith. This truelye is the cause of all calamities that a great number can no skill to alleadge fitte testimonyes of Scripture for matters in question For the simple in that place is not to be taken for the Foole and for hym that knoweth nothing at all but for hym that is not euill for hym that is not craftye For if it shoulde so bee vnderstoode it hadde beene superfluous to saye Be yee wise as Serpentes and simple as Doues But nowe oughte euerye man very carefully to beware and take héede leaste he erre in anye wise in the Doctrine of Faith or be deceyued and beguiled of others The Angell of darkenesse oft times changeth himselfe into the likenesse of an Angell of lighte In these dayes are to be séene euery where greate swarmes of Hipocrites false teachers and enuious mē whiche doe breake into the Lords field by night and there sow darnell Againe there is no man priuie in his owne conscience that he is on euery side so confirmed in sound doctrine but that he may both be deceyued of others and also deceyue others yea and euen himselfe to Our firste Parentes Adam and Eue whome God had adorned as well with perfite righteousnesse as also with a most plentifull knowledge of all goodnesse and many other spirituall graces were notwithstanding beguiled of the subtil serpent and euen forthwith withoute any great striuing gaue consent to hys treacheries and illusions How and by what meanes therefore may we warrant our selues that we shall in no case be insnared or intangled when as we are both farre more weake than they and the old serpente dothe nowe no lesse craftily than in times past endeuoure by Heretikes and false teachers to intrap and circumuent vs He then may séeme rightly to be out of his wittes and euen to striue with reason it selfe whosoeuer feareth not ne standeth in doubte of suche a daunger And soothly that thou mayest arme thy selfe substancially against all pestilent opinions that thou mayst be able to auoyde to preuente and beate backe the strokes of the aduersaries who séeke on euery side with the enuenomed dartes of wicked arguments to assayle and set vpon thée and mayst stande so fast and perseuer so vnvanquishable in sound doctrine as is most méete and requisite thou hast néede to put on spirituall weapons the shield of faith the helmet of saluation but especially the sword of the spirit which is the word of God as the Apostle teacheth and commaundeth in the sixte of the Ephe. But thus doth he arme and defend himselfe that dayly and duly heareth readeth meditateth learneth the worde of GOD set forth in the bookes of holy Scripture For the Apostle Paul in the second Epistle to Timothy and third Chapter sayth very well that the Scripture is profitable to reproue and confute those that casting abrode the nettes of false opinions goe about to beguyle to maske and destroy the vnwary and weake What doctrine soeuer is first brought in it is necessarye that the same be tried by the touchstone of the holy Scripture as by a most absolute rule And there are to be found euery where in the sacred bookes as wel exhortations which do plainely shewe with what great héedfulnesse the authours of sects are to be auoyded as also counsels and certaine reasons whyche doe no lesse euidently declare how wisely and circumspectlye the same ought to be resisted Whych things do verye plainely proue that it is a most vaine toy that a number to beguile simple people withall do oft times iangle off and haue continually in their mouthes reading of the Scriptures doe by by become Heretickes But this speach is more worthy to be abhorred and abandoned than to be answered For what other thing else is this than to saye that the Phisicke wisely giuen and ministred of GOD himselfe is poyson and that sicknesse death is procured by that thing which is prouided to the furtherance of health and preseruation of life Shall we thinke him that we haue oftentimes spoken off Iohn Chrisostome to haue bene beside himselfe and voyde of reason who following the iudgement of the Apostle by howe muche more he sawe many Heresies to growe vppe in his time and in manner of the disease called the canker to créepe further and further by so muche more thought it necessarie to haue his hearers admonished that they shoulde diligently apply themselues to the reading of the holye Scriptures There were in déede at that time no small number of Heretikes as namely the Manichees the Anomaeans the Arians Aetians Eunomians Valentinians and Marcionites the Marcellians and Sabellians the Acoluthiās there were to be short Gentiles and such as following the Emperoure Iulianus had reuolted from the Tentes of the Christians for with all these it is euident that hée encountred by sharpning his penne againste them and so much the rather for that they vnmeasurably vexed the Churches of Constantinople and else where ouer all Greece and verye manye menne being otherwise not euill were seduced by them This necessitie therefore draue the most vigilant Bishoppe to stirre vp all mens mindes as well by bookes notoriously written as also by publike preachings and Sermons to the continuall reading of the propheticall and Apostolicke wrytings as wée haue more than once or twice here alreadye And in one place hée pronounceth that is we intende to resiste Heresies and to descerne the true Churche from the conuenticles of Heretikes we haue néede especially to the doing of it of the ayde and furtheraunce of the Scriptures Hys words in the exposition of the foure and twentie Cha. of Math. Homilie 49. are these In these dayes since Heresie inuaded the Churches there can no triall bee hadde of true Christianitie neyther is there any other refuge for Christians desirous to knowe the variety of Fayth than the holy Scripture of god Before indeed it was shewed many wayes whych was the Churche of CHRIST and whiche was Gentilitie but nowe it can no waye bee knowen of anye whyche is the true Churche of CHRIST but onely by the Scriptures And why Bycause that all these thyngs whyche are properlye Christes in trueth those Heresies haue also in Schisme they haue Churches alike and the holy Scriptures themselues they haue Bishops alike and other orders of Clearkes they haue Baptisme alike they haue the Eucharist alike and al other things and finally euen Christ himselfe A man therefore desirous to know which is the true Chuche of Christ howe shall he knowe in so great a confusion of likenesse but only and alone by the Scriptures Againe before tyme the Churche of Christ was knowen by hir very maners and conditions when the conuersation of Christians either of al or of the most was holy and blamelesse which was not so among the vngodly But nowe Christians are become as euill or worse than are
the Heretikes or Gentiles For to say the truth there is greater continencie founde among them though in schisme then among the Christians He therefore that will knowe whiche is the true Church of Christ how shal he know but only by the Scriptures The Lord knowing then that so great a confusion of things should happen in the later times therefore commaundeth that the Christians whiche are in the state of Christianitie and desirous to embrace the stedfastnesse of the true faith should haue recourse to no other thing than to the Scriptures Otherwise if they shall haue regard to any other matters they shal be offended and perishe not vnderstanding whiche the true Church is Thus much there Yea moreouer the same Father is bold to say that Heresies doe then chiefelye budde forth when men neglect to reade the holy Scriptures A great defence and bulwarke against sinne saith he in his 3. Homilie of Lazarus is the reading of the Scriptures a great downefall a daungerous pitte is the ignorance of the Scriptures a greate losse of saluation it is to know nothing of Gods lawes this thing hathe ingendred heresies this thing hathe broughte in corrupte life this thing hath turned all things vpside downe For it can not be no it can not be I say that any man should depart without fruite that is delighted with the continuall reading of the Scriptures The counsel therfore that we sée Chrisostome gaue the selfe same no doubte did other of the holye fathers giue also as Origen Hierome Augustine and suche like who then especially exhorted al men to the reading of the Scriptures when as Heresies euery where waxed rife In these sentences then as well of the Apostle Paul and also of Chrisostome and others laying forthe the lawfull vse of the holy Scriptures we wil willingly reste and if any shall be founde hereafter to the high reproche and slaunder of GODS diuine maiestie to crye out that the sacred Scripture doth minister matter and occasion of Heresie those vnlesse they wil be conuicted of high treason against the holye GHOST the author of the holye bookes we will commaunde and charge to hold their peace But if they shal go forward to speake blasphemies againste the holy GHOST then will wée with the martyre Polycarpus for so doth Iustine write of him to Florinus stoppe our eares with our fingers and turning vnto GOD saye O merciful GOD what tymes hast thou brought vs into that we should heare these things If euer at any time then vndoubtedlye at this time which ingendreth sectes not a fewe whereby the ignorant multitude is infected it were to be prouided that out of the most plentifull storehouse of the holy GHOST against the pestilent ayre of wicked opinions all good men would diligentlye procure to themselues in time preseruatiue remedies gathered out of the most excellent rules of the olde and newe Testamente whiche in déede ought to be preferred before all maner of costly and swéet smelling spices whatsoeuer Where if so bée anye malapert merchaunt or craftye cousiner be founde to abuse the Scriptures of themselues moste notable and most holesome to his own and other mens destruction there can nothing here truely be imputed to the Scriptures but what euill or mischiefe so euer bée taken it muste of necessitie be ascribed to the peruerse nature of men as well of the deceiuers as of the deceyued There is nothing at any time so excellent profitable and holesome that Satan and his Disciples dare not subtilly counterfayte and apply to another end than it ought to be but especially to do hurt Euil men make the ayre sunne fire water earth meate drinke to become hurtfull vnto them when they will not vse them aright The like iudgement is to be giuen of the worde of GOD which in the holy Scriptures is called a light a lanterne breade meate foode fire But indéed like as the Apostle saith that he preacheth CHRIST crucified vnto all that are called both of the Iewes Grecians the power of GOD and wisdome of GOD albeit the vngodly either Iewes or Gentiles should neuer so muche be offended and laugh him to scorn euen so is the course of our talke directed to the commendation of GODS worde to the intente the Godlye minded may receyue life thereby though the wicked and vngodly do snatch it and violentlye wrest it how and whithersoeuer they list themselues Againe howe many Christians may we finde whiche doe not now and then diuerse wayes ouershoote thēselues and fowly also fall If we say that we haue no sin we deceiue our selues and ther is no truth in vs as saith S. Iohn in the first Chapter of his first Epistle whervnto it behoueth vs al to subscribe For why it is requisite that euen the saints also do pray dayly as oure Lord and maister CHRIST hath taught and commanded saying Forgiue vs our debtes And the excellent Prophete Dauid Psal. 33. sayeth that all the holy ones shall cal continually vpon GOD to obtayne pardon for their sinnes I wil acknowledge sayth he my sinnes vnto the Lorde and thou hast pardoned my vnrighteousnesse For this cause shall all the godly pray vnto thee Wherefore there is no man liuing that standeth not in néede oft times of a controller or Iudge which may diligently admonish rebuke chasten and bring him into order But if it so fall out that men dare not reproue thée being a sinner or they vouchsafe it not or they doe it not so franckly and courteously as were to be wished and that peraduenture bycause thou art grieued if any doe deale with thée in that order then truely there remayneth this only aduice namely that thou reade with an attentiue minde the preceptes contained in the holye Scriptures the sentences the threatnings vttered of GOD againste sinners likewise the Sermons of the Prophetes and Apostles wherin the sinnes of all men and therefore thine also are openly and seuerely reproued humbly transfer vnto thy self whatsoeuer things thou findest agréeable to thy state By this meanes euen alone thou maist in good earnest be brought to the knowledge of thy sinnes from this knowledge secondly to repentaunce and from repentance finally to faith and amendment of life Adde moreouer that the Scripture doth finde out and condemne those secret sinnes in thée which men know not off and which thou wouldest be ashamed to confesse and so coulde neuer be reproued by the liuely sounding voyce of any man Therfore the holy Scripture when thou readest it speaketh only vnto thée alone it is a faithful kéeper of thy secrets it wil admonish thée of most weyghty affayres it wil not put into thy minde but those things that are excellent and of whiche peraduenture thou shouldst neuer haue heard anye thing of any man liuing For in good sooth this very worde whilest it is reuerently and with a feruent affection read or heard recited of another becōmeth quick and mighty in operation so that it pearceth to the very marow