then golde or pretious stone and sweeter then honie and honie combe The embassage of great ioy Ioyfull tidinges of peace tidinges of good things The poure of God vnto saluation to euerie one that beleeueth and able to saue their soules that imbrace it Wherefore lay apart sayth the Apostle Iames all filthinesse and superfluitie of maliciousnesse and receaue with meekenesse the worde that is grafted in you which is able to saue your soules Thus it appeareth manifestly vnto all them that be willing to see the trueth that God the father appoynteth vs vnto the worde of his sonne Iesus Christ our Lord. Christ referreth vs vnto his holy spirite and trueth The holy Ghost also taught nothing else but the same trueth and word Therefore the holy Apostle durst not to appoint vs to anie other but straightly commendeth vs to the same trueth that cannot erre and vnto the word of grace which is the selfe same and still one trueth according to the infallible word of God that saith Thy righteousnesse O Lord is an euerlasting righteousnesse and thy lawe is the trueth So that we haue now in this time iust cause ioyfully to say with the prophet O praise ye the Lord all ye heathen praise him all ye people For his mercie is stablished vpon vs and the trueth of the Lord endureth for euer Then the which trueth there can be no surer stay guide and rule for the beliefe life and doctrine of mortall men in this mortall life and world of tribulation The Church of Antichrist hath no such stay guide nor rule but they are like the chaffe which the winde scattereth awaie from the face of the earth as the prophet Dauid witnesseth who also calleth them the councell of the vngodly the way of sinners and the chaire of pestilence or the seate of the scornful workers of iniquitie wicked men bloud-thirstie men the euil man the wicked man the wilde boare the cruell beast the slaunderer blasphemer enemie and persecutor the enemie in the holy place and aduersary whose mouth is full of cursing and bitternesse their throat is an open sepulcher with their toonges they haue deceiued the poyson of aspes is vnder their lippes their feete are swift to shed bloud destruction and vnhappinesse is in their waies and the way of peace haue they not knowne there is no feare of God before their eies There were they brought in great feare euen where no feare was Vaine persons and deceiptfull lippes whom euer all good men abhorred and hated after the example of the holy prophet who saith I haue hated the Church of the vvicked and will not sit among the vngodly Loe you see the wicked and vngodly haue the name of Church yea they haue got the name of holy Catholicke Church How else haue they put on sheepes clothing How haue they fashioned themselues like the ministers of righteousnesse And howe hath the deuill transformed himselfe into the angel of light Truely in this that his church hath got the titles of holy and Catholicke and his ministers the names of true shepheardes Catholicke be the right clothing of the sheepe of Christes fold Antichrist therefore hath robbed Christes fold of their right title holy and catholicke and thereby bleared the eyes of the simple vnlearned multitude which doe seeke no further for saluation then they haue bene taught they say by the holy Catholicke Church Their common sayinges be these We be not wiser then our fathers before vs We will doe as our fathers haue done Such thinges they doe affirme because they know not Sathan from the angell of light the wolues from the sheepe the lyes from the word of God neyther Church of Antichrist falsly called holy and catholicke from the Church of Iesus Christ which indeede is both holy and catholicke But in stead of the holy Catholick church they doe beleeue the Church of the wicked in whose dregs of detestable traditions and ceremonies they haue bene ousted from their youth Verely if they would ponder their wordes with halfe indifferent iudgement and behold them but with one of their eyes I thinke they would keepe silence or else blushe for shame For to say they will doe as their elders and fathers haue done before them is nothing but to confesse thēselues to walke wilfully in errour and blindnesse when their fathers wandered vnawares And where they say they be no wiser then their fathers they shew themselues to be blinde followers of the blinde But if the blinde follow the blinde they both fall into the ditch Their fathers tooke Antichrist the bishop of Rome for head of the Church they made images and worshipped them they gadded on pilgrimage and trusted in workes pardons absolutions dirges trentalles masses c. wherein they erred increased in error and walked ignorantly into perdition The cause whereof was the lack of the word of God which word is euer a rule vnto the holy catholicke church Therefore their fathers learned not these thinges of the holy Catholicke Church but of the Church of Rome vsurping the name of the holy Catholicke Church which abhorred and trode vnder feete the word of God without the which their fathers doctrine was nothing els but olde errour against whome God giueth a speciall commandement saying Keepe my commandementes doe not those thinges that other haue done before you be not defiled in them I am your Lord your God Wherefore addeth God these words I am your Lord your God but to the end he would haue his words regarded for euer and not his aduersaries the man of sinne and childe of perdition as Paul nameth him who deceaued their fathers Whose coming is after the vvorking of Sathan vvith al lying povvers signes vvonders with al deceiuablenesse of vnrighteousnesse amongest them that perish because they receaued not the loue of the trueth that they might be saued And therefore God shal send them strong delusion that they might beleue lyes that all they might be damned which beleeued not the trueth but had pleasure in vnrighteousnesse In these wordes hath the holy Ghost plainly shewed the fashion and comming of the man of sinne sonne of perdition Church of the wicked and kingdome of Antichrist The Church or kingdome of Antichrist is called the man of sinne because it is builded vpon a sinnefull man gouerned by a sinfull man instructed by euill sinfull workmen and their doctrine defended by the lawes and power of sinnefull men Which tooke authoritie neyther of God nor of his worde but of a monstrous beast with many heades euen of the people that departed from the faith whereof the same holy spirite of God speaketh and prophecieth more plainely by the mouth of Paul saying The spirite speaketh euidently that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith and shall giue heede vnto the spirites of error and deuilish doctrines of them which speake
Heere you see manifestly faith entereth into the strait gate which is Christ This faith is not idle for it maketh vs to stand that is to say to perseuere and walke in the narrow way by loue which is the third thing that faith worketh in vs and therfore it followeth Not that onely but also we reioyce in tribulations knowing that tribulation bringeth patience patience bringeth experience experience bringeth hope and hope maketh not ashamed because the loue of God is shedde abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost which is giuen vnto vs. No thanke then vnto our faith no thanke vnto our loue but all thanke and praise and glory be giuen vnto God whose holy spirit worketh fayth loue hope patience and altogether in vs. Fayth that worketh by loue is much worth before God which loue is the second note of the holy Catholike church fayth fetcheth this loue of the great loue of God which first so loued vs that hee gaue his onely begotten sonne Iesus Christ to the end that all that beleeue in him should not perish but haue life euerlasting Of this loue speaketh Paule saying Walke in loue euen as Christ loued vs and gaue himselfe for vs an offering and sacrifice of a sweete sauour to God This loue Paule learned of his master our sauiour Iesus Christ commanding and saying A newe commandement I do giue vnto you that ye loue together as I haue loued you Iesus Christ so loued vs that he gaue himselfe for vs for he was obedient vnto God the father for vs vnto death yea vnto death vpon the crosse This loue so warmeth the heart with hope and assurance of euerlasting life for we are saued by hope that it putteth away all seruile feare I say not all feare for there remaineth and abideth in the heart an holy reuerend feare or dread of displeasing God or lothnesse to loose God and his holy spirit which if a man taste is rather a reuerend ioy and a glad loue than feare therefore is it truely said Perfect loue casteth out feare that is to say Iesus Christ by his holy spirit possessing the heart of man through fayth pntteth cleane away the feare of shame losse of goodes or friends the feare of torments enemies and prisonment yea the feare of sinne death the deuill and hell So that the office of true faith setteth not onely before our eyes the vilenesse of sinne that caused Christ to die but it also bringeth vs Iesus Christ the attonement maker betweene God and vs for our sinne whereof commeth loue In the which loue is manifest the third note of the holy Catholike church for now we feare God no more as a terrible iudge but thorow his holy spirit we loue him as a most gentle louing father whereof speaketh Paule saying thus Ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage to feare any more but you haue receiued the spirit of adoption whereby we crie Abba Father Abba is as much in English as Dad or Deare father it is the Syrian speech left vntranslated both by the Latine men also English men to the intent I suppose that it should also be English for this I know that the first word that an English Christian childe beginneth to speake is Abba commonly long before he can speake any thing else which Christian babe in his innocencie is a witnesse with Paule that God is a deare father vnto Christians through his holy spirit by his sonne Iesus Christ Thus you may easily perceiue by those scriptures that faith loue and the spirit of God doe go together and be together in euery true Christian as sure notes and seales of his saluation Faith entring the gate of saluation sticketh to the word of God and taketh it onely to be the rule of life and doctrine Loue cleaueth vnto Christ and maketh faith knowen as the fruits do the tree and putteth away feare The spirit of God quieteth the conscience and bringeth with a reuerend dread ioy and gladnesse ineffable If you know this you be a very true member of the holy Catholike church and in the strait gate and narrow way vnto eternall life If you know not this I say no more but God haue mercy vppon you For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be which go in thereat Heere me thinketh I do heare an idle braine say that these signes and notes be of mine owne inuention which do rather confoūd dim the church than make it knowen Vnto whom I doe answere If it be dim and hid it is hid vnto them that perish but vnto the children of light it is manifest enough Also these notes be not mine but rather Gods books there I do finde them Of the first Christ saith Euery tree is knowen by his fruites Which words be made plaine by these sayings of Paule To beleeue with the heart iustifieth to knowledge vvith the mouth maketh a man safe Faith then is not dead in the heart if it be dead it is not faith faith is knowen by the mouth as the tree is knowen by the fruits for of the treasure of the heart the mouth speaketh A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that vvhich is good Of the second Iohn saith God is loue and hee that dvvelleth in loue dvvelleth in God and God in him He then cannot be hid in whome God dwelleth And Hee that loueth his brother abideth in the light and there is no occasion of euill in him The light therefore must needs be seene Heere is to be noted that as faith without godly works is a dead faith and therefore no faith so loue without the same good weeks also is not loue but naturall affection For vvho so hath these vvorlds goods seeth his brother hath need and shutteth vp his compassion from him hovve dvvelleth the loue of God in him Thus is loue manifestly knowen by the good worke Our fauiour Iesu Christ appointing this to be the notable signe of the church faith vnto them By this shall all men knovv that ye are my disciples if ye haue loue one to another Of the third note which is the spirit of God Paule writing to the Romanes hath these wordes If any man haue not the spirit of Christ the same is none of his And a little after he speaking of himselfe and other of the church of Christ saith The same spirit certifieth our spirit that we are the children of God If the spirit of God certifieth a mans conscience that he is the childe of God then hee may be sure that hee is of the church of Christ Heereby you perceiue that these notes are appoynted by Gods booke not of mine inuention to be vnfallible signes of the holy Catholike church and of euery member of the same which be all of one faith
in the yeare of our Lord God 1547. set foorth by hys royall visitation godly homilies the paraphrase of that learned father Erasmus to the great comfort of the simple that be willing to learne also godly iniunctions meaning thereby to root vp all superstition abuse and idolatry to set vp gods word in their place Wherein he commanded not onely to take awaie all superstition and idolatrie but to take away and vtterly to extinguish and destroy all monuments of superstition idolatrie cap. 28. But how diligently putoffes haue practised their pollicie to hinder this his godly purpose it is better to lament it with teares then to rehearse it in letters Last of all to put all out of doubt and to make a perfect concord we haue a booke of cōmon praier with an order in the same for reading of Gods booke set forth in English by the same aucthoritie and stablished by act of parliament And least anie person would be so foolish mad to looke for the romish ragges againe one statute at the last parliament abolisheth and condemneth for euer all other popish bookes of the old seruice Notwithstanding some people be yet dased in those Gods matters that they know not vvhat to doe Maruaile not therefore deare father though the vngodly sorte doe misconster and euill interpret your godly trauaile For they crie for a law they must haue a law to lead them from euerie superstition by name els they vvill not obey But if they loued obedience quietnesse and had but one sparke of reuerend feare either toward God or their prince or anie desire of godly knovvledge there hath inough and inough againe bin said cōcerning matters of religion and also set forth both by order and law There be articles inough iniunctions inough proclamations inough commandements inough exhortations inough lessons inough and lavves inough if they vvere vnderstoode vvillingly embraced reuerently obeyed Albeit for them that be self vvilled frovvard contentious obstinat dul harted nothing vvil serue Therfore to none may be better applied this prophecy of Esay then vnto these Who saith They that be such must haue after one lesson another lesson after one commandement another commandement after one rule another rule after one instruction another instruction there a litle there a litle For he that speaketh vnto this people is euen as one that vseth rudenesse of speeche a strange language If anie man say vnto them loe this is the rest wherwith ye may ease hym that is wearie this is the refreshing they will not harken Therfore the word of the Lord lesson vpon lesson commandement vppon commandement rule vpon rule instruction vpon instruction there a little and there a litle shalbe vnto them an occasion of stumbling that they may goe on and fal backward be brused tangled and snared Wherefore heare the worde of the Lord yee mockers ye that haue rule of this people O vvould God I might haue ouerleapt this sentēce that goeth before that iustly novv it might not besaid They are out of the way by reason of wyne yea farre out of the way are they by reason of strong drinke These things my moste reuerend father haue inforced me to presume to doe that vvhich is aboue the strength both of my vvit and learning but not aboue my good vvill that is to collect out of Gods scriptures a simple and plaine manifestation of the Church in English or a manifest opening or shevving of the Church naming it the Epiphanie because that vvord albeit borrovved of the Grecians is frequented already among vs english men in the same signification The obscuritie misunderstanding and ignorance onely of this argument article hath bene and also is the cause of much obstinacie contention and disobedience For vntill it pleased almightie God to open vnto me by his holy spirit and vvorde this article credo ecclesiam c. vvith the right meaning of the same according to the scriptures I vvas as stiffe in the popish traditions taking them for good customes and ceremonies of the fathers as I am now earnest in Gods booke and taught them vvith so good a zeale but not according to knovvledge as I doe novv the Gospell Wherefore taking of the same remedy vvherof I tooke hurt euen of Credo ecclesiam as they that be hurt of scorpions be vvoont to do I can do no lesse but vvrite and set forth the same vnto and for such as be stoong vvith the same sting and venomed vvith the same poison Whose nature is not to hurt but vvhere it findeth bloud No more Credo ecclesiam hurteth but suche as cleaue too much to humaine reason and naturall vvit I trust they vvill not mislike that thing that loue constraineth me to doe for their sakes If they doe they shall find me as readie to defend the same by the word of god against all popish bablinges as I haue bene to vvrite it So that your godly learning misliketh it not vnto vvhome vvith all other godly learned I humbly submit the same beseeching you to accept in good part my small industrie as the first fruites of my pen and iudge thereof as god shall put in your minde to vvhome be all thanke praise and glory Amen Your humble Richard Phinch ¶ THE EPIPHANIE OF THE CHVRCH BEcause I couet rather to profite with homely and playn speech then to please with sweete faire words I will speake liberally but yet simply of the Church for their sakes and vnto them that be deceaued with euill custome bewitched with popish iuglings charmed with mens inuentions and beguiled with their owne wittes which resist the trueth of Gods holy word kicke against the pricke and grope at noone and cannot see the light for the sunne In whose mouth is euer Churche Church whose feete are dayly wandring vnto the church and their eyes gasing continually vpon the Church yet can they neyther finde nor see the Church because themselues be none of the Church What is so much alleadged of the babling papistes what so oft frequented of the common people and so manifest in all mens eyes as the Church Notwithanding for want of teachers of the Scriptures few doe know the Church Such is the knowledge among the silly people in verie manie Churches now a dayes Church in the English Bible is commonly called congregation For ecclesia a worde borrowed of the Greeke toonge which may be translated into Englishe eyther Church or congregation Church with vs is a common worde signifiyng the place as well as congregation whereunto the same assembleth for some honest or godly purpose It is written that all the people were gathered togither which made their prayers all the night long in the Church Our common places appoynted for prayer preaching and administration of the sacraments be so well knowne by this name Church that there needeth no example hereof Other whiles Church signifieth the whole multitude of people both of good and bad
congregate togither Of this we read that the people spake to Moyses saying Why haue you brought the Church of the Lord vnto this wildernesse that both wee and our cattell should die in it And Church betokeneth the elect people of God onely whereof the wise man sayth The children of wisedome are the Church of the righteous and their exercise is obedience and loue Holy Paul speaking of this Church saith Ye husbandes loue your wiues euen as Christ also loued the Church and gaue himselfe for it to sanctifie it and clensed it in the fountaine of water thorow the word to make it vnto himself a glorious congregation without spot or wrinckle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blame Also there is a congregation of the wicked called by the name of Churche which for that they outwardly professe the same religion pretend to haue the same gospel and to vse the same sacramentes with the Church be called in Scripture Church whome God permitteth sometimes to rule ouer the people for their sinnes For the vngodlinesse of the people doth God make an hypocrite to raigne ouer them Wherefore they that crie so much the Churche the Church and affirme stiffely that the Church cannot erre and doe not declare what Church they doe meane doe but cast a mist before the simple vnlearned peoples eyes to blind them withall to the end themselues might the cleaner conuey their iugling castes Let them therefore in Gods holy name shew vnto vs plainly in simple wordes what Church they doe speake of whether of the Churche of Christ or else of the Churche of Antichrist So doing men will be out of doubt the sooner trueth will come to light and brawling will cease for verie Christians loue not contention The Church of Antichrist which is worthily called the Church malignant or the congregation of the wicked and may be called the man of sinne childe of perdition hypocrite c. cannot but erre what fayre shewe soeuer they make The Church of Iesus Christ which is his onely doue and spowse sticking vnto the word of trueth vnseparable and gouerned by his holy spirite cannot erre damnably although she be trode downe vnder feete of the world and seeme to be out of countenance These two be contrarie the one to the other betweene whome there is as much difference as is betweene sower and sweete darkenesse and light euill and good Notwithstanding the world not able to perceaue the difference nor make distinction betweene them but blinded with euil custome and the multitude taketh them for the other because here in this life they be mingled togither as the good fishes are mixt with the bad the goates with the sherpe and the chaffe with the corne so that they be not openly known vnto men at the first sight No maruaile for Sathan himselfe is changed into the Angel of light and his ministers fashion themselues as though they were the ministers of righteousnesse Also woolues clothe themselues in Sheepes clothing Yet is Sathan a deuill still and hys ministers are deceiptfull workers and a woolfe a deuourer of sheepe which at length bewrateth himselfe by his taile and bloudshedding Whereas the bloud of Iesus Christ is knowne by the spirite of trueth and by paciently suffering for his word Which spirit word be the sure anchors guids and rule of the same and not Rome nor Peter though Sathan pretendeth neuer so antient a title If Christ had appoynted his Churche to anie place or creature for the establishing of matters of Religion should Paul that elect vessell of God which was rapt vp into the third heauen and into paradise and heart secret wordes which no man can vtter haue bene ignorant thereof Paul knewe well that Christ had left his Church vnto his holy spirite and word his word to be an infallible rule both of their life and doctrine and his spirite to be a readie interpreter of the same Therefore when hee should depart from them he said Nowe brethren I commend you to God and vnto the word of his grace which is able to build further and to giue you an inheritance amongest all them that are sanctified These wordes are without guile and sophisticall craft they are simple and playne and Gods Scriptures We must therefore beleue them They send vs vnto the port of safegard and touchstone that cannot deceiue vs we must needes therefore stick vnto theÌ„ otherwise we cannot know the trueth be saued Wherein first let vs consider why Paul did send vs vnto God the holy Ghost For he saith Nowe brethren I commend you to God Hee commendeth vs not vnto Iohn Peter Andrew or any other of the Apostles much lesse vnto Rome the Pope or Antichristian Bishops but vnto God the holy Ghost Why Because hee knew well that Christ himselfe had so appointed before For when Christ should depart from the church he promised to send them the same holy Ghost saying The comforter which is the holy Ghost whome my father will send in my name hee shall teache you all thinges and bring all thinges vnto your remembrance whatsoeuer I haue said vnto you He comforted them also vvith the same spirite Commaunded them to tarrie in the citie of Hierusalem vntill he had performed the same his promise which indeede he saythfully kept and fulfilled for they were all filled with the holy Ghost euen the spirite of trueth whiche could not but teach them all trueth whatsoeuer he had said vnto them that was all one and the same trueth Secondly let vs note that Paul commended the Church vnto the word of grace what is this word of grace Forsooth the same trueth which the holy Ghost taught is the word of grace euen that word which God the father commanded to be heard at the mâ—uth of his son Iesus Christ saying This is my welbeloued sonne in whome I am well pleased heare him And whosoeuer will not harken vnto the wordes which hee shall speake in my name I will require it of him I will be reuenged of him saith God Of this witnesseth Peter also laying The time will come Paul saith Behold nowe is the time that euerie soule which vvill not heare him shalbe destroyed from amongest the people It standeth vs then in hand to searche diligently and knowe that thing that God requireth so straightly of vs which is to heare his sonne Iesus Christ The neglecting whereof is no lesse then damnation But what shall we heare verily his holy Gospel confirmed for vs by his holy spirite for the same purpose which Gospell is the worde of grace vndefiled conuerting soules giuing wisedome vnto babes making glad harts giuing light vnto the eies a lantorn vnto the feet and a light vnto the pathes proued by the fire tryed more pure then siluer vii times purged more to be desired
mirth because hee might be sure of weeping and gnashing of teeth when hee commeth there Yet did not the poore sillie people selling their owne soules to the deuill and giuing their monie vnto his ministers perceaue that they were made a marchandise whereof prophecied Peter saying Thorovv couetousnesse shall they vvith fained words make a marchandise of you The onely wifelesse life of the Romish anointlinges so bewitched the vnlearned peoples eyes that they stoode in admiration of them iudging them more then men and thought all had bene well whatsoeuer they had sayde or done To keepe this their estimation in the peoples opinions they procured their champions to fight manfully with their lawes and tormentes against the mariages of priestes And nowe that they doe perceaue that force will not serue them they priuily whisper in the eares of the people that mariage is whoredome and an vncleane life Whereby they do condemne all honest married persons of adulterie yet doe not manie foolish people perceaue how they that teache such heresie and diuelishe doctrine goe about to lowt them in their liuing For they are not ashamed to make God the author of vncleannesse to accuse Christ of bawdrie and to condemne all men of sinne so that themselues might still be counted angels and not men This do all they that speake thus euilly of matrimony Whereof God himselfe was the author And Christ honoured it both by his corporall presence and first myracle turning water into wine whereby he declared that the wel alowed matrimonie and condemned adulterie But these fellowes disalowing Gods institution and aduaunsing their owne inuention turne wine into water contrary vnto Christ that is to say They dishonour holy matrimonie which is sweete and pleasant in the sight of God and make much of stincking adulterie euer abhorred and condemned of God and all good men They admit rather an harlot for money dispensed withall contrarie to the commandementes of God then a wife according to Gods scriptures which sayth If they cannot abstaine let them marrie yea some of them are not ashamed to say that it is more lawfull for a priest to haue six whores then one wife And some also pretend so good fellowship that they would sooner lend their owne wiues they say vnto the Priest then to grant that he shuld marrie Also they count it a deed of charitie and a good worke to make a priest a cookold as they terme it and in so doing they think to please God and doe him good seruice Whether a man might beleeue them in these their sayinges without an othe I leaue it for other men to iudge Of this I am sure that this their cupshot doctrine brawled in their conuenticles and whispered in corners their liberall fellowship and good worke that proceedeth of their burning concupiscense not of charitie hath brought in the contempt and violating of holy matrimonie and the people to a wonderfull loosenesse of liuing Wherein they ioy not a little thinking it to be a good meane to set them vp againe like Gods in mens consciences But in the meane while they shal be deuils and spirites of error according to the prophecie of Paul before said in that they doe forbid the mariage of priestes Also who hath brought in so manie sectes into y e world as these romish wraklinges haue done Of which sorte be these Moonks Chanons Friers Prebendaries Canons Nuns Sisters Auckars hermites brother hoods bawds beades-men I should say fraternities craftily naming thē holy religious How these haue bin deceiued w t dreams c. I appeale to their owne consceence Let them take heede that it be not marked with the hote iron of burning concupiscence If it be I leaue them this also for a token of their maisters marke to make them knowne by euen that they burne in malice against al them that speake the trueth If you aske me to what purpose this rable serueth and what good they doe in the publike weale of the Lord Forsooth I must desire the prophet to make answere for me who saith They are not in the trauaile of men neyther are they plagued like other folk Yes sir they take great paines in prayer and in massing Of whome therefore it may be more truely spoken as followeth They stretche forth their mouth vnto heauen and there toonge goeth through the worlde Therefore fall the people vnto them and thereout sucke they no small aduauntage Beholde these sinfull and wealthie men in the world haue obtained riches Loe these be the mouthes that speake proud thinges before rehearsed What prouder thinges can be saide than to affirme that they can with fine words create their creator of a peece a bread and offer him for the sinnes of the people when they haue done Whereby they haue sucked no small lucre and game from the people But their lucre beginneth now to decay and their idle life is perceaued to be vnneressary Which idle life the God that they doe make hath and must maintaine or els they will perceiue their state cannot remaine This maketh them to be so stiffe necked against the setting forth of Gods worde and against the right administration of the sacramentes This maketh them to studie so diligently to keepe vp their altar and to maintaine their good friday masse with the which they can beguile the people well inough as they handle it Yea to say the trueth they can doe more with this then they could do with masse of Requiem scala coeli Recordare or anie other of that sorte Wherefore I beseeche them for the passion of Iesus Christ If there bee anie consolation in Christ If there bee any comforte of loue If there bee anie fellowship of the spirite If there be anie compassion and mercie Let them halt no longer on both partes Let them blow no longer hote and cold But let them make the tree good and his fruites good or els make the tree euill and his fruite euill To speake plainely vnto them Let them not make a mingle mangle and hodge podge of the Lordes supper anie longer But let them minister it simply and plainly at the Lordes table as Christ hath left it and as the booke of Scriptures doe truely meane and not after their olde popish fashion as they doe making it a sacrifice for sinnes both of quicke and dead offering it at burialles and monethes mindes after their olde maner whereby they make it abhomination of desolation For as the sacrifice of the popish masse was the verie desolation departure and forsaking of Christes oblation by death vpon the crosse once offered for all So is this funerall sacrifice as they vse it the verie abhomination of the same desolation Therefore let them looke better vpon holy scriptures written for our learning and followe the rules and right meaning of the same and not their popish rules and ceremonies otherwise then is there meant and
a monstrous beast This monstrous beast hath lift vp borne and mainteined the whore of Babylon which is the church of antichrist This monstrous beast hath put vp her hornes heere in England against the word of God and faine would rule the same againe if the deuill could bring it to passe whose labour is in vaine for we know the trueth of Gods word proceedeth euer from God and therefore hath God set it forth amongst vs by his owne vicegerent a mayden king our liege lord and supreme head in his dominions next vnder Christ and that by act of parlement with the consent of the nobility of the realme and the lordes spirituall and temporall and the commons of the same Let Sathan therefore leaue off with all his wicked instrumēts which go about to perswade the silly people that Gods booke and this new learning as they call it is heresie whereby they slander theyr godly magistrates and speake euill of them that be in authority Which theyr customable so doing auaileth them nothing for when they haue prooued it heresie which thing they shall as easily bring to passe as to prooue light darkenesse and darkenesse light then must they also compell all them that haue set it forth and all them that willingly receiued the same to do open penance for theyr manifest heresie as they say Thus to speake euill of them that be in authority is one of their proper markes whereby they be knowen to be of Antichrists brood which hath by conspiracy caused rebellion euer against such gouernors as haue done any thing against theyr tyranny and excommunicated cursed and deposed emperours and kings that haue displeased theyr hypocrisie whose authority as it is next vnto God so hath God left the correction thereof vnto himselfe and neither vnto priest nor people God commandeth saying Touch not mine anointed and do my prophets no harme If it be not lawfull to touch Gods anoynted kings Gods officers Gods lieutenants Gods vicegerents that be appoynted by God to rule in his sted let them take heed that do vsurpe theyr sword for vndoubtedly Gods vengeance will fall vpon them Example hereof we haue in Chorah Dathan and Abiram which rose vp against Moses with other men of the children of Israel euen two hundreth and fiftie that were captaines of the multitude great famous men in the congregation but Gods vengeance fell vpon them for the earth opened and swallowed them downe aliue Yet these rebels were not of the base and lower sort of the people but captaines and famous men Consider then if God cannot abide this rebellion and vsurping of the sword of iustice in a captaine surely he will not suffer it in a souldiour If not in a famous or noble man verely he will not leaue it vnplagued in one of the lower subiects no he will not let it escape vnpunished in whom whensoeuer it be because it is high treason against himselfe Though they worke craftily and secretly yet will theyr false traitourous hearts bewray themselues before they be ware if Gods word as needes it must be true Be not thou so bold as once to thinke or imagine euill against the king or that thou wilt reprehend the prince although thou be alone in thy priuie chamber for it will come out if not otherwise surely the birds that flye in the ayre will not suffer it to be hid Heereby it appeareth that the word of God reproueth yea condemneth all maner of persons of what state condition or degree soeuer they be that in word or thought do arise vp rebell or resist the kings authority specially in setting foorth Gods worde For there is no power but of God the powers that be are ordeined of God whosoeuer therefore resisteth power resisteth the ordinance of God but they that resist shall get vnto themselues damnation These are Gods words and not mine Againe as almighty God would that we should neither hurt nor harme his true prophets preachers of his word so Iesus Christ the sonne of God giueth vs a speciall commandement to beware of antichrists prelats calling them false prophets saying Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheeps clothing but inwardly they are rauening wolues Wolues are wrapped in sheepes clothing when tyrants rule in the place of shepheards vnder the titles of holy fathers worshipfull doctours honourable prelats c. These Christ painteth vnto vs by the names of Blinde guides Froward generation Adulterous generatiō Pharises Sadduces Hypocrites Generation of vipers Serpents Adders brood Painted sepulchres Painted wall c. who saith he do binde together heauie burdens and grieuous to be borne and lay them on mens shoulders but they themselues will not heaue at them with one of their fingers All their workes do they for the intent that they may be seene of men Also they goe in long religious apparell they must be had in reuerence and saluted with names and titles of dignity they shut vp the kingdome of heauen before men both by their example and doctrine condemning the iustifying faith for heresie They vse long prayers with lippe labor for lucres sake they be very curious in ceremonies and trifles but in great matters as iudgement mercy and fayth they haue little regard they see quickly a moat in another mans eye but will not looke on the beame in their owne they are great intanglers of mens consciences with meates drinkes holy dayes and mens traditions finally they haue as before hath beene said theyr consciences marked with the hoat yron of burning malice enuy and hatred against all them that loue Gods word forbidding to marry and commanding to abstaine from meats which God hath created to be receiued with giuing thanks of them that beleeue know the trueth These and such like be theyr fruites these be theyr workes ye shall know them sayth Christ by theyr works That those should enter into the Church after that the Gospell was preached by the apostles Paul playnly sheweth saying I am sure of this that after my departing shal grieuous wolues enter in among you not sparing the flocke This is the Church that cannot erre Furthermore that you may the better perceiue know the Church that cannot erre from the Church that cannot but erre you shall vnderstand there be but two wayes The way of the Spirits of truth Faithfull Godly Children of God Members of Christ Holy Catholike Church The way of the Spirits of error Vnfaithfull Vngodly Children of the deuill Members of the deuill Wicked Church of Antichrist Call them by what names you will Christ calleth the one The broad way and the other The narrow vvay saying Enter in at the strait gate for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be which goe in thereat But strait is the gate and narrovv is
in thee and that they also may be one in vs that the vvorld may beleeue that thou hast sent me Iesus Christ knewe right well that the greater number would not enter this gate by faith and therefore he said I pray not for the world He would haue all saued and come to the knowledge of his trueth but they will not beleeue the trueth but hate and persecute the trueth And therefore he knowing the great danger that his smal slock were in and should be in amongest the wicked and their small strength also in sauing themselues from their tyrannie prayed for them that they might be one in faith and loue hauing the spirit of trueth dwelling in them Whereby they euer haue in possession that pretious pearle and hidden treasure that the worlde can neyther taste nor finde because hee that will haue and taste it must in finding it therewith renounce and giue for it all that hee hath or else hee looseth it Whiche thing onely the electe that haue the Spirite of trueth whome the worlde cannot haue doe and none else And thereby they haue yea and feele in theyr great afflictions that peace of conscience that Christ gaue vnto them saying Peace I leaue vvith you my peace I giue vnto you not as the world giueth giue I vnto you Let not your hearts be grieued neither feare From the which neither losse of friends and goods neither losse of good name and fame nor shame of the world neither threatnings nor prisonment nor scourginges and tormentes nor yet death it selfe could separate them that had once entred felt and tasted how sweete the Lord is This made Peter Andrew Iohn Iames and the other apostles to forsake all things esteeming it to be more woorth then goodes friendes or life in this world Paul being in this gate and tasting the sweetnesse thereof with a vehement spirit sayth Who shal separate vs frō the loue of God Shal tribulation or anguish or persecution either hunger either nakednes either peril either sword Who saith I am sure that neither death nor life neither angels nor rule nor povver neither thinges present nor things to come neither high nor lovv nor any other creature shalbe able to separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesu our Lord For this the holy Catholike Church suffereth and euer shall suffer all kindes of torments vntill Christ commeth againe to deliuer her as euer hitherto they haue suffered whereof some were mocked some scourged some prisoned some hamshed some drowned some sawen some hewen in pieces some burned some racked and some stened to death Which holy Catholike Church may well say according to the scriptures Thou O God makest vs to be rebuked of our neighbours to be laughed to scorne and had in derision of them that be round about vs. And For thy sake are vve killed all day long and are counted as sheepe appointed to be slaine These be the few that do finde the narrow gate these be the righteous that doe finde and enter the same these be they that Christ so louingly prayed for whose prayer without faile because of his reuerence was heard these be they that be one in faith and loue euen of one heart and one minde in one house the holy catholike church vnite and knit together with one spirit the spirit of trueth that cannot erre Moreouer euery one that is of this holy Catholike church may say with the Prophet Thy vvord O Lord is a lanthorne vnto my feet and a light vnto my paths For they stablish theyr faith by the word of God and study to forme theyr life to fashion theyr maners by the same who he knowen by three notable signes by faith by loue and by the spirit of God He that lacketh any one of these is not in the strait gate but wide gate he walketh not in the narrow way but broad way he is not of the church of Iesus Christ but of the church of Antichrist Faith is a sure confidence of things vvhich are hoped for and a certaintie of thinges vvhich are not seene This faith bringeth vs the knowledge of God and maketh vs to vnderstand our owne sinfull nature and weakenesse for Paule sath Through faith we vnderstand that the world was ordained by the word of God and that thinges which are seene are made of thinges which are not seene c. Of our owne infirmitie by sinne we haue example in him that brought his sonne vnto Iesus to be healed which with teares sayd Lord I beleue helpe thou my vnbeliefe This man vndoubtedly saw by faith great imperfections in himselfe euen his sinne as it were ouerwhelming his faith and therefore he wept and sayd Lord helpe thou my vnbeliefe Likewise the Apostles considering theyr great burden of sinne and frailenesse said vnto the Lord Increase our faith This is the first thing that faith worketh in vs it bringeth vs the knowledge of our sinne and vilenesse of the same and maketh vs to crie to God for helpe and seeke remedie for our sinne which is Iesus Christ that gaue himselfe to death vpon the crosse for our sinne as is aforesaid Thus wrought faith in the penitent publican that thought himselfe vnworthy to lift vp his eyes vnto heauen but smote himselfe vpon the brest saying God be mercifull to me a sinner Thus fayth wrought in the Centurien or petie captaine which iudged himselfe vnworthy of Christes presence saying Lord I am not worthie that thou shouldest enter vnder my roufe wherefore I thought not my selfe vvorthy to come vnto thee but say thou the word and my seruant shal be whole c. Such a lowe estimation did faith worke in Peter when he said Lord goe from me for I am a sinfull man And least anie man should contend herein y t this faith which thus bringeth vs knowledge of God of our owne sinful nature weaknesse should be a fayned faith a dead faith or a deuils faith heare y e praise therof by him y t cannot flatter nor lie y e truth who saith of the same I say vnto you haue not found so great a faith no not in Israel Note Christ calleth this a great faith Verily it so great that it bringeth vs our iustification and peace with God which is the second thing that faith worketh in vs. That faith bringeth vs the righteousnesse of Christ our iustification is already plainely prooued by the scriptures and writings of Paule who goeth further and saith Because therfore that we are iustified by faith wee are at peace with God And to declare the very gate dore and way wherby we enter into this peace and fauour of God hee addeth saying Through our Lord Iesus Christ by whom also it chanced vnto vs to be brought in through faith vnto this grace wherein we stand and reioyce in the hope of the glory of the children of God
Trulie Trulie as the shadowe followeth the bodie so Christes crosse followeth the holy Catslolique church And as the greater the height of the sunne is the more is the shadow seene so the greater the height of the gospel shinneth by preaching the more manifest is the crosie of Christ who sayth He that loueth father or mother more then me is not worthie of me and hee that loueth sonne or or daughter more then me is not vvorthie of me And he that taketh not his crosse and follovveth me is not vvorthie of me Also if anie man vvill come after me let him deny himselfe and take vp his crosse dayly and follovv mee For vvhosoeuer vvill saue his lyfe shall lose it But vvhosoeuer doth lose his life sot my sake the same shall saue it For vvhosoeuer is ashamed of me and my vvords of him shall the sonne of man be ashamed vvhen he commeth in his maiestie and the maiestie of his father It is vnpossible to sticke vnto the Gospel without the cross without trouble or persecution Paul being witnesse saying All they that vvill liue godly in Christ Iesu shall suffer persecution Of the which crosse and persecution Christ prophecied saying ye shall be hated of all men for my names sake But vnto this in another place he giueth a better coÌ„fort saying If the vvorld hate you you knovve it hated me before it hated you If ye vvere of the vvorld the vvorlde vvould loue hys ovvne Hovvbeit because yee are not of the vvorlde but I haue chose you out of the vvorlde therefore the vvorlde hateth you Remember the vvord that I saide vnto you The seruaunt is not greater them his Lorde if they haue persecuted me they vvill persecute you Seeing the trueth hath spoken these thinges they must needes come to passe Wherefore it now remaineth that all louers of the Gospel and trueth doe patiently sticke vnto the trueth in all their tribulations and call to memorie their maisters first promise and blessing which is written Where he saith Blessed are they that suffer persecution for righteousnes sake for theirs is the kingdome of heauen To suffer for righteousnesse and truthes sake me thinketh must be a signe of the elect of God For they verily y t do liue immofluely in the world and charitably with their neighbours and notwithstanding be hated euill spoken of standered and persecuted of the wicked onely for speaking against sinne and iniquitie and for the Gospels sake haue great cause to ioy in their trouble and persecution as it solloweth Blessed are yee vvhen men shal speake euil of you and persecute you and shal speake all euil against you lying for my sake Reioyce yee and be glad for plenteous is your revvarde in heauen Loe this is the Churche that cannot erre Thus I haue described before your eies both the church of Antichrist which cannot but erre and also the Church of Iesus Christ that cannot erre plainly with their signes and notes Note them therefore circumspectly The church of Antichrist is not stablished vppon the veritie of Gods worde and spirite which is the sure foundation of the holy catholicke Church but vpon a sinful man quia omnis homo mendax because euerieman is a lyer Christes Churche hath one iustifiyng faith which worketh by loue for the which Antichristes Church hath manie faithes as a little faith a smale faith an vnperfect faith a deceiuing fayth a sick faith and a dead faith Dominikes faith Basils fayth Austens faith Bennets faith Bernardes faith Frances faith and Deuils faith All which may enter the wide gates and be admitted into the popes Church and pertaker of his mony sacrifices Where note they be the greater number which thing maketh them bolde to persecute the few and small flocke that entreth the straite gate of fayth and walketh the narrow way of the Gospel which small flock neuer persecuteth For it is against the nature of a lambe to sucke the bloud of a Woolfe It is the propertie of the Woolfe to sucke bloud deuour and persecute The church of Iesus Christ euer suffereth loueth and prayeth for enemies and persecutours Antichriste brood do murmure hate persecute with a filthy conscience Vnto the church of Iesus Christ onely Gods booke is a perfect rule of beliefe life and doctrine in stead whereof Antichrists generation hath many books and rules as holy decrees and decretals fathers coumels holy doctours Festiuale Legenda aurea Austens rule Benets rule Basils rule Bernards rule Dominiks rule Francis rule and now last of all Canterbury tales with a dung-cart sul also of vnwritten verites These haue beene brought in and taught by the spirits of errour the very guides stayes of Antichrists church therfore they could not but erre But the church of Iesus Chrâ—st euery member of the same is gouerned with one spirit of trueth that cannot lie therefore cannot they erre euen with the spirit of Christ the holy ghost vnto whom with the father and the some be all thanks laud praise and glorie Amen Written the eleuenth day of the moneth of Iulie Anno Domini 1550. Esay 28. Church hath diuers significations Church signifieth the place of praier Iudith 6. Church signifiyng the companie of good and bad Numb 20. Church signifiyng the elect of God onely Eccles 3. Ephes 5. Ecclesia signifiyng the mulitiude of the wicked Psalm 26. Esay 3. Math. 21. Iohn 5. Iob. 34. 2. Thess 2. Churche of Antichrist Church of Iesus Christ 2. Cor. 11. Math. 7. 2. Cor. 12. Act. 20. Iohn 14. Iohn 15 16. Luke 24. Act. 2. Iohn 15. Math. 3 17. Deut. 18. Acts. 3. 2. Cor. 6. Gospel Act. 20. Psal 18. Psal 119. Psal 11. Psal 18. Psal 119. Luke 2. Rom. 10. Rom. 1. 1. Cor. 1. Iames. 1. Psal 119. Psal 17. 1. 2. The Church that cannot Futeâ—re Psal 1. Psal 58. Psal 140. Psal 59. Psal 140. salm 81. Psal 4 Psal 6. Psal 14. Psal 26. Luke 6. Leuit. 18. Exod. 20. 2. Thess 2. The man of sinne 1. Tim. 4. The cause why God suffered error to raigne and the wicked to rule The greatest plague of God By lyes the wicked haue entered into the Church By false miracles lying powers the wicked haue increased By force the wicked haue withstood the trueth and set forth their owne doctrine 1. Tim. 4. 2. Tim. 3. 2. Pet. 2. Hipocrisie Hindeth the sillie multitude Math. 24. Sure notes of Antichristes generation Iude 1. The first note of Antichrist The second note of antichrist The third note of antichrist Antichristes badges The finall end of Antichrists iuglinges The fourth note of Antichrist 2. Pet. 2. The thing that blinded the people most The cause why Antichristes prelates will not permit the mariages of priestes If marriage be not a cleane life God is the author of vncleannesse and Christ a bawd Gen. 2. Math. 19. Iohn 2. Vnto God matrimonie is sweete But vnto Antichrist whoredome is holy 1. Cor. 7. Antichristes prelates
vnite as one by loue gouerned with one and the same spirit of trueth Finally if these signes of the holy catholicke Church be not yet euident and plaine inough vnto you to knowe the same perhappes because you your selfe be none of the Church marke yet diligently the effectes that follow First the simple and plaine setting forth of the worde of God both in writing and preaching with the administration of Christes sacramentes according to the same Secondly the murmuringes complaininges conuenticles vprores and tumultes of the wicked against the same Thirdly the persecution and patiently suffering of the verie elect of God for the same as the elect of God taketh nothing from his holy wordes but wholly sticketh vnto the same without anie of their owne additâ—ons So doe they alwaies sincerely open the same vnto the worlde and haue their whole delight in making it knowne vnto men Whereof they haue of their maister Christ a speciall commandement so earnestly giuen vnto them as though hee had required of them that alone binding them as they loued him to teache feede and preach vnto his sheepe And as he required of them this teaching and preaching of the Gospel most earnestly so did he most often put them in memory of the same This was the principall and great commission that he gaue them after his resurrection saying All power is giuen vnto me in heauen and in earth Go ye therefore and teache all nations baptising them in the name of the father and of the sonne and of the holie Ghost teaching them to obserue all thinges whatsoeuer I haue commanded you Other thingee then Christ hath commanded to be taught may not bee taught by Christes commission who saith also The holy hhost shall teache you What All thinges and bring all thinges vnto your remembrance whatsoeuer I haue said vnto you Againe that they might be sure of theyr vndeceaueable rule he saith Preache the gospell to all creatures vnto theÌ„ that thus do He saith further He that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth me and hee that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me Because the children of perdition walking in the broad way despise the narrow way of the Gospell and teachers of the same they doe commit high treason against Christ and against God for that they doe not regard but contemne the great commission of God the Gospel of his sonne Iesus Although this Gospel should be for a time troad vnder feete and sealed vp as it was prophecied and as we haue seene it yet should it be a witnesse to all the world Christ saith This Gospel of the kingdome shalbe preached in all the worlde for a witnesse to all nations and then shall the end come The gospel is a witnesse of Christ and his Church to al nations in the world To the wicked it is a witnesse that they loue darkenesse more then light because their workes are euill To the godly it is a sure stay and witnesse that they are of the holy Catholicke Church and members of Christ This is a plaine token of the holy catholicke church that wheresoeuer this gospel is set forth in y e mother toong and countrie speache and sincerlie taught there bee the true members of Christes Church Example hereof we haue in the preaching of the same by the Apostles at Hierusalem in whome the holy Ghost so wrought that they spake to euerie man many beeing there of diuers and strange languages in their owne mother toonge and countrie speeche The true ministers of the worde in whome the holy Ghost speaketh euer teache the people in their owne language that they vnderstand and not in a strange toonge that they knowe not We may therefore be glad and ioy to haue seene and heard the same Gospel here in England set forth in our mother toonge preached according to Christes promise and sincerely taught O it is a worlde to behold the subtiltie of Sathan working in these wicked worldlinges When hee feeleth by preaching of the Gospel that his counterfeit religion is espied and that his lies and false miracles will serue to blinde and deceaue the people no longer then he bestirreth himselfe then hee seeketh out his trustie friendes and setteth them a worke to stirre the people to murmuringes tumultes and vprores to the end that by deuisions debates and discordes he may eyther face out the Gospel or els for that he looseth some in their faith hee might winne moe by their euill life Whereby albeit against their wil both the deuill and his ministers doe giue an euident testimonie of the Gospel For Iesus Christ the wisedome of God the father knowing that it would be so shewed that it should be so both by his wordes and example taking vpon him that the wicked would lay to his charge saying Thinke not that I am come to send peace into the earth I came not to send peace but a sword For I am come to set a man at a variance against his father and the daughter against her mother and the daughter in lawe against her mother in lavv and a mans foes shalbe they that be of his owne houshold And he prophecieth also saying Suppose yee that I am come to send peace on the earth I tell you nay but rather deuision For from hence forth there shalbe fiue in one house deuided three against two and two against three The father shalbe deuided against the sonne and the sonne against the father The mother against the daughter and the daughter against the mother The mother in lawe against her daughter in law and the daughter in lawe against her mother in lavv In this phrase of speache Christ shewed not himselfe to be the authour and cause of discord and diuision but hee rather declared in their owne wordes their false standers Hee knewe right well that the wicked woulde resist the gospell with lyes staunders and tumultes and when they had thorow their owne malice craftily raysed such tragedies then they would disburdening themselues lay it to Christes charge and to his holy word or ministers of the same Thus hath it bene in out time The wicked hating the Gospel haue stirred vprores and vnquietnesse amongest the people and then they haue burdened the Gospel and preacher withall Thus the Scribes and Pharisees with their Disciples moued the people against Christ whereby they made vnquietnesse and then they accused Christ of blasphemie heresie making of discention traitours and blasphemous heretickes neither true to God nor the Prince For this cause Christ knowing before vouchsafe to bewray their malice taking vpon himselfe the person of discord when in verie deedele is the berie peacemaker because he knewe they woulde so iudge him and reporte him to be as wee can witnesse they haue doon wherfore wee must needes beleue this his prophesie nowe that we haue heard it and seen it fulfilled