⧠THE HVMBLE and vnfained confessioÌ„ of the belefe of certain poore banished men grounded vpon the holy Scriptures of God and vpoÌ„ the Articles of that vndefiled and onlye vndoubted true Christian faith which the holy Catholicke that is to say vniuersal Churche of Christ professeth ¶ Specially concerning not only the worde of God and the ministerye of the same but also the Church and Sacramentes thereof Which we send moost humbly vnto the Lordes of EnglaÌ„d and al the commons of the same Rom. x. ¶ To beleue wyth the hart iustifieth and to coÌ„fesse with the mouth saueth Lorde increase our faith ⧠Grace and peace in our sauior Iesus Christe be with you euer strengthen and preserue you in the stedfastnes of Christes worde and bringe to luckie and blessed ende that gracious worke y t he hath begunne in you I Must needes with Saint Paule knowledge my selfe debter to all y t cal vpon the name of our Lorde Iesus Christ but to non more theÌ„ to you most dearly beloued both because of such louynge frendship as I haue found in you and most of al for the Christian loue that some time beyng your Curate I founde amonge you that I trust continueth among you stil not onely toward me but to al that love the Lorde Iesus Christe wherfore now consideryng the tyme of trial to be come that both our Sauâ—or Christ and al his holy Apostles warned vs of I haue thought it my part w t this Epistle to coÌ„sort you not mistrusting but you al are strengthened and comforted dayly with the coÌ„fort that is of God and do nowe earnestlye accompt with your selues the price of the buylding of your tower least if the foundation and beginning be layde and the worcke not finished your enemies beginne to laugh you to skorne and to sai these men began to builde but thei were not able to finishe I trust you are not builte vpon the slippery sandes or grauels where euerye waue that beateth shall shake the foundation and cause it to fal but you are built vpon a sure grouÌ„d depe digged and your fouÌ„dation layde vppon the fouÌ„dation of the Apostles Prophetes vpon the corner stone Iesus Christ in whom euery buildinge knitt and coupled together groweth vnto an holye Temple for the Lorde For al though the builders refuse and cast away as a thyng of nought this stone Christ whiche at this daye thei do puttinge out of the Temples Gods holi word in the mother touÌ„g to set vp a Latine vnknowne tounge and in it to maintaine their olde Romyshe beggery Yet shal that stone be the principal corner stone to you that beleue elect and precious And whosoeuer beleueth in him shall not be ashamed And doubtlesse the vnbeleuers and vnfaithful must nedes fal stomble vpon this stoone be broused and vtterlye destroyed at the laste although for a time the Lorde vseth theÌ„ as the rodde of his furye to chasten our waÌ„ton and tomuch worldly vain liuing which in a manner had forgotten God and mere to muche cooled from that ardent loue that Christ willed to be among his Wherfore oure heauenly father doth mercifully call vs again to suffre afflictions with his sonne Christ and so to tri and examin our fayth that it beynge fouÌ„de more precious theÌ„ gold or siluer myght be to the praise and honour of his name Let vs therfore take this correction with al mekenes of heart and submission vnder the hand of God that he may exalte vs when it shalbe his godly pleasure We cal him our father our sauior Christ hath warranted vs so to do wherfore let vs knowe hym to be in deede a father not onelye in king Edwardes daies when we had al welth quiet with his holye word but also now in these perillous daies when the angels of the depe holde stoppe the windes of Christes Gospel that they should not blowe vpon the earth to make it fruitful nor vpoÌ„ the seas to make them aboundaunte with fishe for the Apostles to catche nor vpoÌ„ the trees to make theÌ„ bryng furth their fruites in due season I saâ— euen now the Lord is our father and y â— he correcteth vs it is of very loue and not of crueltie of mercie and pytie and not of seuere iudgement We are corrected saith Saint Paul of the Lord that we should not be damned with the world Wherefore as obedient children we must submit our selues and sai with Dauid O Lord thou art righteous and righteous are thy iudgementes It is good to me that thou hast huÌ„bled me y t I may learne thy iudgementes The lawe of thy mouth is more dearer to me theÌ„ thou sandes of gold and siluer I trust dear brethren that you al do nowe studie how to stand stedfast in Gods word vnto the ende that you may optaine the promisse as the Lord sayth Thus sayth the first and the last which was dead and liueth I knowe thy works and tribulation pouertie but thou art rich and I knowe the blasphemy of those that cal them selues Iewes and are none but are the sinagoge of Sathanas The Lord calleth theÌ„ rich that habounde in the ritche spirit of God in al good workes that gods spirite moued theim vnto as stedfast fayth sure hope ardent loue and charitie diligent often and feruent praier tamyng of the flesh with his lustes and appetites which you may reade Galath v. liberal almes to the poore and nedie especial to the houshoulde of faith and al other good dedes commaunded of God But the other although thei bost neuer so much y t thei ar Iewes y t is confessors of the Lordes name men of the church spiritualtie yea Gospellers if thei wil to yet the Lorde calleth theim blasphemers and of the sinagoge of Sathan Be not a bashed therefore wyth names titles or dignities as Lorde Duke c. or byshop doctor c. for eâ—cept he bring the worde of God and Christes CommunioÌ„ with the maintenaunce of it doubte not but by the fruites knowe him and geue him his name that y e Lorde geueth him A blasphemer of the Sinagoge of Sathanas And though persecutioÌ„ com vpoÌ„ the yet remeÌ„ber what he saith that is first last wheÌ„ no tirauÌ„t shal remain Be not afraied of none of those thinges that thou shalt suffre Behold the deuil wil cast some of you into prison that you mai be proued You se dearly beloued that it is the deuil that raiseth vp these stormes against vs but doubtles at Gods permission and sufferaunce y t we may be proued whether we be Christians in dede as we confesse in word Manye of vs thinketh our selues strong but tempcation declareth that we are but weake Euen as Peter saide Lorde I wil go with the into prison and death But the knower searcher of hertes sayd Truly or the cocke crowe thou shalt deny
me And so it came to passe Neuertheles after he waâ—ed strong and ouer came that infirmitie and knewe y t to fal we haue of our selues to staÌ„d we haue onely of God So is tribulation profitable to the stroÌ„g and mightie for it bringeth them to the crown of glory it profiteth the weake for it openeth their minde and maketh theÌ„ to seke to the Phisition and curer of our soules and to cry with Dauid O Lord heale my soule for I haue sinned against the. Let vs therfore labour to ouercome our weakenes to accomplishe that the Lorde commaundeth Be faithful vnto the death and I wil geue the a crowne of life You se the Lorde requireth faithfulnesse both in the stewardes that preach his worde and in the seruâ—intes that heare it Death is the ende of al fleshe as well of Kinges and Quenes Dukes and bishops as of poore men For al flesh is grasse and al the glory of fleshe as the flower of grasse WheÌ„ the winde of the Lorde goeth ouer it it falleth fadeth but the Lordes word abydeth for euer and those that doth the wyll of the Lorde abide also for euer Happye are those to whom the Lorde geueth that crowne of lyfe and to loose it is a greater losse then either Emperour King or Quene or an Angel from heauen can either restore or recompence Stand therfore faithfullye to gods word beleue his promis He that hath eares to heare let him hear what the holy Gost saith to the churches He that ouercoÌ„meth shal not be hurt by the seconde death The fyrste death is of the body as the Lord sayd to sinful Adam Earthe thou art and into earth thou shalt returne agayne But the secoÌ„d death is it that Christ admonished vs to flie saying I sai to you my frendes be not afraid of theÌ„ which withe body and after that thei haue nothing more that they can do I wil shew you whom you ought to feare Feare hym that after he hathe slaine the body hath power to cast into hel fyre Trulye I say to you feare him Let not the feare of man so ouercome vâ— but that the fear of god may alway be ruler in our hartes so shall we attaine the croune of life prepared for those that loue the Lorde and hys word vnfeinedly I haue not written this as to those that are ignoraunt of theyr dutye or vnable to streÌ„gthen both them selues and others but as to my moste deare brethren in the Lord trusting y â— Gods spirit that is among you doth dayly moue your harts now to the highest perfeccion of godlines euen to denie your liues for Christes sake to take vp your crosse and to folow him Yf any haue in times past bene negligeÌ„t in the wai of godlynes I prai besech and exhort the same in the Lord Iesu to turn vnto the Lord with his whole hart and not by his euyl and wicked liuing prouoke the Lordes wrath any longer nor to bring plages vpon the whole congregacion for his wickednes Brethren fal to praier dayly euery man for him selfe and for his Christian brethren Fal to weeping wyth Nehemias Ieremye to see the wall of Ierusalem broken the city destroied with sweard and fire and the temple burned Fal to fasting for now y e daies are come that our swete deare Bridegrome Christ is taken from vs. I certeinli beleue that our to to much negligence in praier and our sloutheful and seldome coÌ„myng to the holye Supper of the Lorde are twoo of the great causes why the Lord hath thus plaged vs. Let vs therfore earnestlye turne vnto the Lord that he mai turn to vs cal that he may hear aske that he may giue seke that we may finde knocke that the Lord may open vnto vs. If euer we shewed our selues true ChristiaÌ„s let vs now shew it in godlines of conuersacion and lyuinge in quietnes in patieÌ„t suffering in meeke bearing of wronges doing of none to other in forgeueing our enemyes and praying for them in feedyng the poore and needy Saintes of God in pitying al men and in praying for all men And dearelye beloued praye for vs that God of his mercy strengthen and coÌ„forte vs in these troubles that he nowe layeth vpon vs and that the Lorde leaue vs not to our seluâ—s but â—uer hold his handouer vs and kepe vs vnto the ende For truly I know without his grace and mercyful help no man is able to withsâ—and SathaÌ„s vyolence therefore for Christes loue pray for vs as we shal not faile dayly to do for you Here haue I geÌ„tle Reader setforth the Confession and Faith of certaine learned men that as they haue writteÌ„ it in theyr exile for thy coÌ„fort so maiest thou giue god the praise and helpe to stop the mouthes of suche blasphemers as haue nothing in theyr mouthes but Heretickes Heretickes But I dout not that when thou hast read it with iudgement and coÌ„ferd it with theyr doctrine that they now preach to thee thou shalt se which sort ar the Heretickes Thou mayest see that all theyr struglynge is to brynge thee to theyr stynckyng Romyshe puddels agayne Thus I commende you all dearelye beloued in the tender mercies of Iesu Christ vnto the tuitioÌ„ of the liuing god which is the father of our Lord Iesus Christ beseching him to send his holy Gost among you to bestow his ritch grace and blessing vpon you that you al may be coÌ„stant and perfect in Gods wayes and vnmoueable in Christes faith constantlye perâ—euering vnto the end Amen Grace be with you peace froÌ„ God our Father and from our Lord Iesus Christe who tread down Sathan vnder our fete shortly Amen ⧠To all suche as loue to feare God to serue and worshippe him in spirit and truth and to lyue in charitie and vertue amoÌ„g their neighbours within the Realme of England Grace mercye and peace be multipled with you from God the father through Iesus Christ his only soÌ„ne our Lord and only Sauiour BEcause we are assured that the Deuil not onely as an anucient murtherer proceadeth stil in cruel tirannye and extremities but also as the olde liar from the beginning and father of falsholde in misreporting slaundring and beliynge the moost sacred veritie of Goddes holy worde and vs poore men that haue bene minisâ—ers of the same specially now that we are absent and gone far from our natiue couÌ„try of England Therfor partly to certifie such of you as knowe vs that we shute styl at the olde marke of Gods worde neither recanting nor reuokyng that whiche we haue learned in the â—chole of Goâ— and taught amongst you and partly to signifi to as many of you as know vs not and yet do hear howe our aduersaries raile vpon vs behynde oure backes callyng vs Heretyckes Sâ—â—smatickes c. that we are not as they reporte but better framed bothe in thought word and deede
duties one towardes another Wherfore beynge fullye perswaded that the eternal God hath appoynted the ministery of his worde to be continued in his churche or congregation and hath geuen giftes vnto meÌ„ to edifie it withal aswel bi teachyng of true doctrine and improuiÌ„g of false aswel bi planting of godlines and al vertues as by instructyng of the ignoraunt rebukyng of the â—uyll and refourmynge of thinges that be a misse We mynde therfore nowe to confesse what oure beliefe is consernyng the Church of Christ. Of the Churche THough this word church betakeÌ„ in diuers significatioÌ„s as for a perticuler congregation somtime of the good somtime of the wicked sometime for an assemble of both good and euyll together And other wise vsurped partly for an house of commen resorte and partly for the only state of the Cicargie yeâ— are we fullye perswaded and do stedfastly beleue that there is but oneonly Apostolicke and holy Catholicke or vniuersal Church and congregation of God which being moued â—aught and gathered together froÌ„ among al nations of the whole world by the operation of the holy ghost into the vnitie and truth of the faith and vndefiled Religion of the Apostles Is not onely sanctified clensed and purified in the bloud of our sauior Christ but specialli also endued with vnfained holines of life This Church hath the Lord Iesus builded vpon the sure stedfast and hard stony rocke that is to say vpon him self against whom the gates of hel cannot preuayle Nether hath this Church any other foundaâ—ion theÌ„ that which as the prophet sayth Almyghti God the father hath â—ayde alredy which the Apostle declareth to be euen Iesus Christ. This Churche is the house the dwellynge place and congregation of the liuing God the piller and ground that is to say the mayntainer and defendor the â—ure staye and vpholder of the truth This Church is the mistical bodye and beloued Spouse of Christe who is the head and Sauiour therof who also for the entire loue that he beareth therunto not only gaue him selfe for it to sanctifie it clensed it in the fouÌ„taine of water thorow the woorde to make it vnto him selfe a glorious coÌ„gregacion or church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing y t it should be holy and without blame But also after his ascencion when he led captiuitie captiue prouided ritchlye for it aswel with a most bewtiful diuersitye of offices and ministrations as wyth his owne worthy giftes meete conuenient for the same in a moste eccellent order vnitie agreement â–ª to the intent that his said church louinglye â—olowing his truth and in al thynges growyng in hym as an whole bodye coupled and knyt together in euerye ioynt wâ—erwyth one member ministreth vnto a nother according to the measure of his gift may helpe edify it selfe coÌ„stantly to increase in al godlynes and not to wauer therfroÌ„ neyther to be caried with euery winde of doctrine by the wilynes subtelty of men Of this Church are they whom the Apostle calleth Citizens wyth the Saints and of the houshold of God Which being built together vpon the same foundation that the Prophetes and Apostles were builded vpon are made an habitacioÌ„ of God in the spirite This Church and CongregacioÌ„ is the CoÌ„munion of Saintes the heauenly felowship and blessed compani of al Gods elect and chosen children that euer were from the beginning of the world be now or shalbe hereafter euen aâ—l true worshyppers that serue him in the spirit and in the veritye in such holynes righteousnes as is alowed in his â—ight they that vnfainedly feare y t Lord that walke not on styl in the counsaile of the vngodlye that stand not in the way of wycked synners and that remain not among the spiteful scorners but euer delite in the law of the Lorde alway study to obserue and kepe his coÌ„maundements his rules his ordinaunces hys actes and statutes Of this Churche are the poore in spirite the true penitent the meeke harted the mercifull the pure and cleane minded the peacemakers Here are they that being hongry and thyrsti for righteousnes do suffer persecution for the same and be reuyled troubled and falsly belied of men for the Lordes sake Of this Churche are they whom the Lord calleth the salte and seasoners of the earth the light of the world which so shine before men that they seing theyr good woorkes godly liuing do glorify praise theyr father whyche is in heauen Of thys Church are thei that both obserue the coÌ„maundements of Christ theÌ„ selues and teache others also to do the lyke who vnderstanding the law spiritually accordyng to the Lordes interpretacion declare them selues to be the perfect childreÌ„ of God in louing their enemies blessing those that cursse theÌ„ â–ª doing good to such as hate theÌ„ praying for those that do them wrong and persecute them Of thys Churche are they y t when they do almes let not y e left hand know what the right hande doth seke no vaine glory or to be sene of men And when they pray they enter into the priuye chamber of theyr conscience shutting the dore to them and praying to theyr heauenly father which is in secret And thoughe they babble not much in theyr prayers as the Hethen doo and are assured that theyr heauenly Father dothe knowe what thinges thei haue nede of afore they aske of him Yet being taught of the Lord how vnto whom and what to pray they most obediently folowe his order forgiuing others theyr offeÌ„ces as they them selues haue forgiuenes and desyre styll to be forgeuen of God These when they fast do it not to be sene of men but of theyr father which seeth in secret Of thys Church are they that gather them selues treasure together not vpon earthe but in heauen wher neither rust nor mothes corrupt wher theues nether breake vp nor steale These dependyng vpon the only prouidence of God though they â–ª abhorring idelnes do faithfully labour and trauaile euery one in their vocation the haÌ„des working the eies looking the mouth speaking the fote going c. yet take they no vnlawfull care or thought for this life but fyrste seke the kingdom of God the righteousnes therof and so enioye at his hand the rich prouision of al necessary thinges with a good conscience Of this Church are thei that geue not that which is holy vnto dogges nether cast their pearles before swyne These aske and haue Seke and fynde knocke and the dore is opened vnto them These doynge vnto others as thei would be done vnto them selues entre in at the streight gate and bi the narrow way which ledeth vnto lyfe Of this Churche are the good trees â–ª that oute of the good treasure of the heart bring furth good fruitfull thinges As thei that beynge ware of false prophetes and herkening onely
faithfully called to remembraunce For man in hys firste creacion was made to the similitude and likenes of almighty God endued with perfectnes wisdome rightuousnes and lyfe euerlastynge Of the which incomparable kindnes mercye to the inteÌ„t he might styl be mindful and keepe the same euer in thankful remembrauÌ„ce God prescribed vnto him a rule law or coÌ„maundemeÌ„t whych to obey was euen to continu in the felowshyp of the same immortal lyfe that was geuen hym But to disobey it in followyng his own wil contrary to the coÌ„maundement was to be in seruice to euerlasting death and to lose hys porcioÌ„ in euerlastyng life So when man was fallen from the obedience of the commauÌ„demeÌ„t hys owne nakednes appeared vnto him selfe so horrible by reason it was not couered wyth the image of lyfe that he began to dispayre and durste not shew himselfe in the sight of god How beit in this terrible distres and most woful stare of man Almightye God who euer was and is merciful dyd promis him againe euerlastynge lyfe which was laied vp in his owne sonne â–ª but so that accordyng as he euen God hymselfe by an euerlasting decree had appointed he wold be satiâ—â—yed recompenced and pacified againe in the obedience of al his commaundementes by the same nature of man whych because of the corruption of synne that had entred in to it by disobedience could not fully satisfye the law and therefore God made an euerlasting couenaunt of mercye with mankinde promysed the blessed seede namely that hys owne son should put vpon him our nature and therwith in innocency satisfi the law and bryng vs agayne into the felowshyp of that euerlasting lyfe whyche was lost thorow Adams disobedieÌ„ce God now to kepe his people in remembraunce of thys his great merci requyred continual sacrifices to prouoke them vnto thankfulnes and to geue them occasion froÌ„ tyme to time â–ª to setle and reast theyr coÌ„sciences stil 〈◊〉 hope vpon the sayde promes And for thys cause he reneued the said couenaunt of mercy so oft and sondrye â—imes by outward Sacramentes and ceremonies in the which the death of Christ was so present to the faith of y e fathers that thei beleuing the promis made in the blessed seede appreheÌ„ded the sayd life that was lost in Adam In Circumcision whiche was not only an outward visible signe but also a very seale of the rightuousnes of fayth a testimony of his grace fauour â—ewardes them thorow Christ the holy Ghost certified theyr consciences of theyr porcion in the sayde euerlastynge lyfe In the SacrameÌ„t of the Passeouer wheÌ„ the bloud of the Lambe was striked vpon the postes of theyr doores and the fleshe therof eaten rosted and with such other ceremonies as therto wer appointed They geuing faith credite to the said promis made in the blessed seede saw the worthynes and merites of Christes bloud by the coÌ„fortable swetenes wherof in the operacion of the holy Gost they wer assured of the sayd lyfe euerlastyng In the wildernes Manna was geuen them from heaueÌ„ to declare that the very true nourishment and foode to life euerlasting must come froÌ„ heauen which maÌ„kind by stedfast beliefe thorow the merites of Christ should taste and be partaker of and in al the sacrifices slayne offeringes of y e law was the same misteri represented and set forth to the eyes of faith amonge the people of God Thus the benefite of Gods mercy hath bene alway froÌ„ time to time most louingli opened in hys Sacramentes and holy ordinauÌ„ces certifying vs by faith thorow the death of Christ that we haue our porcion againe in euerlasting lyfe which was lost thorow Adams disobedieÌ„ce Now to come somewhat nerer vnto the sacrameÌ„ts of y e new law we do hartely agree and coÌ„sent to the iudgement of S. Augustine not only when he affirmeth y t our Lord Iesus Christ hath knyt together the felowshyp of his new people by SacrameÌ„ts which are very few in nomber very easy to be obserued and very eâ—cellent in signification as is baptime thesupper of the Lord but also when he saieth y t a SacrameÌ„t is the signe token or representacion of an holy thing the visible fourme of an inuisible grace and a visible word of God Moreouer the Sacramentes that are of the Lordes holy institucion we do reuerently esteme to be no vain or bare signes neither only euidences of the profession of Christen meÌ„ but also certaine assured and effectuous testimonies or rather seales of the rightuosnes grace and good will of God towardes vs wherby he working in vs supernaturally after an inuisible maner doth not only styrre vp our faith towards him but also establisheth and conâ—yrmeth it the more in the assuraunce of euerlastiÌ„g life Wherfore like as stedfast faith in the operacion of the holy Gost doth certify vs euen so the SacrameÌ„tes by propre similitudes being vsed according to the Lordes institucion testyfye the same For the holye Gost who glorifyeth his owne ordinaunces with his blessed preseÌ„ce and also the word it selfe assureth vs that nothing though it be outward external appointed and appertainiÌ„g to the right whole and perfect vse of Gods holy sacramentes is in vaine or but a bare signe for asmuch as when the minister doth execute the Lordes wil according to his holy ordinaunce in the ministration of the visible SacrameÌ„t by an outward action The holy gost not only certifieth the faithful â—eaceiuers y t they are partakers of the thing promised that is to sai euerlasting life which life euerlasting is euen God y e sonne whose diuine nature is ioyned with the humanitie nowe syttyng in glory not only we say certifieth but also inuisibly worketh in them those vertues wherby thei be vndoubtedly ioyned vnto Christ and one towards another hys mistical membres partakers of eternall lyfe So that to be partaker of that euerlasting lyfe is to be as verely ioyned vnto him to be a member of his glorious boâ—y of his flesh of his bones as his own diuine nature is ioyned vnto his humanitie O worlde howe mad o man howe blinde art thou that seest not this precious treasure and taistest not the incomparable swetenes and moste heauenly comfort of this greate mistery betwene Christ and his coÌ„gregation â–ª Thou gnawest vpon the harde shelle but vpon the swete kernel wherein is spirit and life thou fedest not Wolde God his truth coulde perswade vs y t to be worthy pertakers hereof is thorowe fayth by the operatioÌ„ of the holy gost to be assured and fully certified that followyng also the Lords will in the outward actions of his holy ordinaunces and framynge our lyues accordyng to his wholsome doctrine taught vs therein we haue vndoubttedly the thinge that ther is promised which is euerlasting lyfe in his bodye and bloude For first as concernyng fleshe and bloude we were in felowshippe with Christ in
bewayle theyr manyfold offences to acknowledge and confesse theÌ„ vnto God hartely to cal on him for mercye wholy to conuert vnto hym and louingly to reconcile theÌ„selues witâ— their neighbours afore they presume to aproche vnto the table of the Lord. And doo they not yet fall into it lyke Hogges walowing styl in the filthenes of their abhominable liuing with out any iust remorce of conscience w t out any true repentaunce or amendement of lyfe wythout suche charytable reconâ—iliacion as was wont to be among the worthy CoÌ„municaÌ„tes of Christes holy Sacrament The Priest ought so to minister in such a language y t the people might vnderstaÌ„d what he saith But he hudling it vp in a corner by hym self muÌ„bleth we can not tel what His dutye is seÌ„sibly to declare vnto vs the Lordes death that we therby myghte be styrred vp aswel to remember taste the swetenes of this mistery of our redemption as to be thankful vnto the Lord for the same But the Prest speaking to the wal not vnto vs kepeth vs stil in blynde ignoraunce So that as we cannot consider what the Lord hathe done doth or offereth to do for vs so is it no maruayle that we remayne styl vnthankful We should at the ministracion and recept of the Sacrament haue good natural bread but in stede thereof we haue printed waifers and suche starched stuffe as is not pure perfecte bread nor lyke vnto that whych was vsed in the eating of the Lordes holy Supper at the first The Lord biddeth his disciples take the breade but oure lay people whoÌ„ we trust yet to be the Lords disciples are forbiddeÌ„ to touch it The Lord saith Take ye eate ye he saith not take thou it alon and let no maÌ„ els eate with the. He saith take and eate he saith not lift it vp aboue your heades But nowe the Priestes take and lyft it vp an high He sayeth Take and eate and saieth not hang it vp But now it is taken hanged vp by a lyne or cord He sayth Take and eate and saith not take and worshyp it as God But now men crouch and kneele vnto it honour and worship it as theyr maker The Lord saith Take eate He saith not put it vp in store or kepe it in a boxe tyl another tyme But now it is reserued caried about in procession and in the streetes that the people may fal downe yea when they se it not knocke theyr breastes worship it The Lord saith Do this in remembraunce of me He sayeth not do it in remembraunce of others but now the Priestes do theyr Masse in remembraunce of the quicke deade in remembraunce of Angels saints they make an oblacion sacrifice of it for the soules departed for beasts and Catfel for syknesses and diseases c. The Lord willeth al the Disciples that were with him to drinke of the Cup and the Euangelist saith â–ª that they al dranke of it But now the part of the Sacrament is takeÌ„ from the lay people as though Christ had not shed his bloud for theÌ„ as wel as for others What can we then iustly looke for at the Lordes hand to be partakers of in this worthy Sacrament when we so vnworthely disdaine think scorne to minister receaue and vse it according to the Lordes most holy institucion but chop and chaunge adde and minysh after the pleasures imaginacions and fond fantasies of men not after the word of the Lorde nor after the rightful practise of hys primitiue and most pure Church Because the Corinthians did so vnworthely behaue them selues aboute thys holy Sacrament by reason of these and such like abuses as we haue now spoken of and for that thei made no difference of the Lordes body that is to say because thei so litle regarded not only his mistical body the church and congregacion but also the death and merites of his natural blessed body that suffred and was crucified for them therfore saith the Apostle many are weake and sicke among you and many sleepe And what thing els vnder the Sunne hathe more prouoked the wrath and indignatioÌ„ of god ouer vs or is a greater occasion why he withdraweth his grace holy spirit from vs and otherwise also seÌ„deth his sondrye plages amongst vs Yea what hath bene or is at thys daye a greater cause of his displeasure theÌ„ is the most filthy and abhominable idolatry and supersticion of theyr masse the blinde and wylfull abusing of the SacrameÌ„t when neither the doctrine of the Lord is trulye taught nor beleued neither those worthye fruites of repentaunce folow that so godly florished in the primitiue churche that so vertuously shuld appeare in euerie one that receaueth y e holy coÌ„munion But now to conclude for our own part This worthy Sacrament of our Lord and only sauiour Iesus Christ we so honour and reuerence that we are fully resolued and perswadeâ— by the testimony of hys holy word that it is a synguler and precious Iewell â–ª which the Lorde himselfe by hys last wyl and testament hath moste graciously coÌ„mitted and left to hys owne holy congregacion and church to the intent that the same worthye Sacrament which he ordayned to be a special renewing of hys gracious couenaunt with vs and an vndoubted testimony and seale of his louing mercy towardes vs should be also a continual and frutful exercise of our faith loue hope to himward a myghtye prouocacioÌ„ vnto charity and al good workes among our selues So as we fyrst duely examining our owne consciences and then assembling our selues orderly to that solempne memorial of our redemption hearing there the death of the Lorde declared vnto vs callyng the same in special and all other hys benefites in general moste thankfully to remembraunce lamenting bewailing and repeÌ„ting vs earnestly of our sinnes knowledgyng coÌ„fessing them vnto God â—euoutlye calling vpoÌ„ him for mercy professing a new vertuous life conuertynge vs wholy vnto him forgeueing one another in brotherly reconsiliacion froÌ„ the botome of our hartes shoulde in the vnity of the holy Ghost aproche reuerently vnto the table of the Lord and worthely receiue such notable increase of heauenly coÌ„fort spirituall repaste in our conscieÌ„ces as He there for that purpose by the coÌ„munioÌ„ and felowship that we haue with hym in his precious body bloude most louinglye doth offer vnto vs euen clothing vs as it were wyth a newe power and strengthe froÌ„ aboue that we being armed a freshe with hys owne weapons may froÌ„ henceâ—orthe fyght themore valeauntly vnder his baner against the flesh y â— world the Diuel whiche to do he graunt vs hys grace and holy spirit Amen ¶ From Wittonburge by Nicholaâ— Dorcastor Ann. M.D.Liiii the .xiiii. of May. Roma i. Mat. xxiiii i. Pet. iiii ii Tim. iii. i. Iohn ii iii.iiii Luke xiiii Mat. vii i. Cor. ii Ephe. ii Psa. cxvii Mark xii i. Pete ii Esa. xxviii Esay x. i. Pet. v. Math. vi Luke xi Apoc. vii i. Cor. xi Psa. cxviii Apo. ii Math. v. i. Tim. vi Iob. i. ii Math. vii Mat. xxvi Psalm vâ— i. Cor. iiii Esay xl Genes iii. Luke xii Mat. xvi Esay lix Iosu. vii ii Esdr. Thre i. Math. ix Ioel. ii Mat. vii Luke xi Ephes. iiii Col. iii. iiii â—i Tim. iii ii Pet. i. â—â— Iohn i Math. vii Colâ—o ii Gala. i. Collo ii i. Tim. vi ii Tess. ii Esay xxix Math. xv Mar. vii Psa. lxxxi Psal. cxix * Iosu. xxiii Deut. xi Deut. iiii xii Pro. xxx Apo. xxii The Byshops of England in theyr booke to king Henrye â–ª y e .viii. circa An. M.D.XXXviii â–ª De doct Christia lib. iii. ca. In lib. ad Orosin coÌ„tra Priscilliam et Origenis Rom. xii i. Cor. xii â–ª ii Tim. iii â–ª * Ez. xxxvii Cant. vi Iohn x. * Act. ii iiii Eph. iiii * Ez. xxxvii Ioh. xiiii xvi i. Iohn ii Eph. iiii * i. Ihon. i. Heb. ix Ephes. v. * i. Pet. i. * Mat. xvi i. Cor. xiii * Es. xxviii * i. Pet. ii i. Tim. iii. Ephe. i. Collos. i. Psal. xlv Eph. v. Titus iii. Ephe. iiii Roma xii i. Cor. xii Ephe. iiii Hebr. xiii Ephe. ii Heb. xii Iohn iiii Luke i. Psa. i. iii Math. v. Math. vi Mat. vii Math. x. Math. xi Mat. xiii Luke xi Iohn â— Psa. xxxii Rom. iiii Mat. xviii Iohn xx Act. i. ii.iiii i. Cori. xi x.iii Titus ii Iohn x. Math. xvi Mat. xviiâ— â–ª Mat. vii Mat. xii vii iii. Re. viii i. Tim. iii. CoÌ„tra epistolam fundamenti cap. v. Iohn xii Psa. xxvi Roma iii. Iaco. iii. Ephe. v. Philip. â— â–ª Collo ii i. Tessa i. Rom. xvi Hebru i. Mar. xvi Madateu saie Mat. xxviii Iohn xx Luk. xxiiii Roma xii i. Cor. xii i. Cor. iiii ii Cor. iii. ii Cor. viii ii Cor. iiii ii Cor. iiii ii Cor. v. Luke x. Iohn xiii Mat. x. Luke x. Actes i. Mat. ix.x. Act. xx Titus i. i. Pet. v â–ª i. Cor. iii. i. Cor. iiii i. Tim. iii. Deâ—oâ— Christian. lib. iii. cap. xii The misterye Gene. i. ii Genes ii Genes iii. Roma â— Gen. xvii Roma iiii Exod. xii Heb. xi Exod. xvi Iohn vi Ad Ianuâ—rium Rom. iiii Roma v. Iohn vi Gala. v. Ephes v. Gene. iii. Heb. ii Iohn vi Iohn vi i. Iohn i. i. Corin. â— Ephes. v. Mat. xxvi Mar. xiiii Luke xxii i. Cor. xi Gen. xvii Exod. xii ma. xxviii Maâ— xvi Iohn iii. Actes ii Titus iii i. Cor. xi mat xxvi Luke xx i. Cori. xi What things ar requyred afore the holy communion The order to be kepte at y e holye coÌ„munion The name of thys holy Sacrament i. Cor. x. xi i. Cor. xi Ye shal se shortlye a boke wheÌ„ eueri part of y e masse began