❧ A Confutation of unwritten verities/ both by the holy scriptures and most ancient authors/ and also probable arguments/ and pithy reasons/ with plain answers to all (or at the least) to the most part and strongest arguments/ which the adversaries of gods truth/ either have/ or can bring forth for the proof and defence of the same unwritten vanities/ verities as they would have them called: made by Thomas Cranmer/ late archbishop of Cantorburie/ Martyr of god/ and burned at Oxford for the defence of the true doctrine of our saviour Christ/ translated and set forth/ by E. P.  
¶ The contents whereof/ thou shalt find in the next side following.   

The contents.  

FIrste/ the preface of the translator to his country men and brethren of England.  
Ca i. That the word of god/ written and contained within the Cannon of the Bible/ is a true/ sound/ perfect/ and whole doctrine/ containing in itself fully all things needful for our salvation.  
two. That the writings of the old father's/ without the written word of God/ are not able to prove any doctrine in religion.  
iii. That general counsels have no authority to make new Articles of our faith.  
iiii. That nothing can be proved by oracles of Angles/ touching religion.  
v. That apparitions be unsufficient to that purpose.  
vi. Neither at miracles able to prove the same.  
seven. Custom also is of no strength in this case.  
viii. Reasons against unwritten verities.  
ix. Scriptures alleged by the papists for unwritten verities/ with answers to the same.  
x. Doctors to the same purpose/ with their answers.  
The papists objections with answers unto them.    

¶ The Preface.  
WHat christian heart (dearly beloved contremen and brethren/ in our saviour christ) can abstain from deep sobs and sorrowful sighings? What natural and kind hearted man can forbear weeping/ so often as he calleth to remembrance the lords vineyard within the 
isaiah. v. ●.  realm of England (which he himself had of late so strongly hedged/ walled and fenced round about/ by the princes of most famous memory/ 
Kings & rulers, ought to be aiders and not invaders, helpers and not hurters, defences and not offences to gods people.  King Henry the eight/ and Edward the sixth/ and planted therein the pure vine of his own blessed word/ by Godly preachers his gardeners) to be so suddenly broken down/ destroyed/ wasted and wrooted up by the roots/ by the wild bore of the wood/ and the beasts of the field/ that is/ by the romish 
Psal, lxxx.  Bishop and his bloody ministers: and now in the same vineiard to see planted/ take root and prosper brambles/ briars/ and henlockes/ that is/ gross ignorance/ naughty doctrines false worship of God/ and such other kinds of most stinking/ vile and filthy weeds. 
God's word is a sweet & pleasant grape and comforteth the heart of man to everlasting salvation. psa. ciiii. b  Oh what a sweet and pleasant grape of godly doctrine was then gathered in England/ to the great comfort and rejoicing of all them/ that lovingly tasted thereof? Then was gods word (for that is the sweet and pleasant grape/ that maketh glad the heart of man) with great freedom preached/ earnestly embraced/ and with greedy hearts in all places received.  
Then was Gods great glory marvelously advanced. Then the only merits of christ/ then true repentance for our former sins/ then trust in god's mercy through the death of our saviour Christ/ with a new Christian life/ was truly published/ & preached every where. Then was there the common prayer rightly used/ and the Sacraments (Baptism I mean and the holy Communion) in such a tongue and language set forth/ that all people might understand them. Then were they plainly ministered without any juggling or sorcery/ according to Christ's institution and the rule of his holy word. Which word/ at that time/ had the price & bore the bell away through out the whole land.  
With that were all pulpits filled/ Church's garnished/ printers shops furnished/ and every man's house decked. 
〈◊〉 ●●tes of the most part were naked, bare & empty, as the proof now, alas to well declareth. Sin is the cause wh● god taketh his word from any people.  With god's word was every man's mouth occupied/ of that were all songs, interludes/ and plays made. But (alas) so long/ till all was played under the board. But what was the cause of all this? Truly none other thing/ but our own sins and wickedness. For we were talkers only and not walkers/ lip gospelers, from the mouth outward and no farther. We were even such/ as the prophet speaketh of/ saying: 
isaiah. xxix.  this people honoureth me with their lips/ but are far from me with their hearts. We could speak of god's word/ and talk gloriously thereof: but in our hearts we were full of pride/ malice/ envy/ covetousness/ backebiting/ riosing/ harlot haunting/ no whit bettered at all/ than we were before/ under the Pope's kingdom. Nothing was in us amended but only our tongues/ no nor they neither/ if I shall speak rightly and as the truth was in deed. For besides our communication of scripture/ we used detraction of our neighbour/ filthy talk/ with many proud brags of ourselves. We read not the scriptures/ neither hard them for any amendment of our own wicked lives: but only to make a brag and a show thereof/ to check and to taunt others/ yea and to spy small motes in other men's eyes/ but nothing desirous to see the great beams in our own. 
Math. seven. a.  This I say (to talk and not to walk/ to say & not to do) was not only amongst the unlearned sort: but also amongst the great clerks and chief preachers of gods word.  
Which thing (as I judge) was the only cause/ why god/ by his just judgement/ suffered his elect and chosen vynclarde to be thus trodden down/ wroeted up/ and miserably afflicted by this bloody Boar of Rome/ and the fa●te Bulls of Basan/ his cruel officers. 
Psalm. xxii.  This is the cause/ why God hath suffered this great antichrist to disgrace the merits of Christ's passion/ and in place thereof/ to set up men's merits/ and in stead of his sufficient satisfaction upon the cross once for all/ to set up his masses satisfactory for the sins/ both of the quick and dead. 
The Pope giveth lies for truth, poison for nourishing sustenance, and ministereth death for life.   
This is the cause/ that this monstruous beast hath taught the invocation of saints/ and the same to be our medyators to God/ and satysfyers for our sins. Where as before/ in the forenamed vineyard/ was planted christ jesus the true bread/ that came down from heaven/ and that 
john. vi. c,  most pure well of the water of life: 
john. iiii. b.  now/ after the wrooting of this monstruous and ravenous Bore/ are up sprung conjured bread/ conjured water/ to drive away evil spirits/ and to purge our sins.  
This bloody Bore/ besides all mischiefs that he hath done to the vinyeard/ yet ceaseth he not/ with faggotfier/ and all other cruel torments/ to constrain and compel men to worship Images/ the work of men's hands/ to kneel to them/ to reverence them/ to bow them/ and with all manner of obe●saunce to honour them/ clean contrary to god's commandment/ who saith: 
psal. cxv. Hierm. x.  thou walte not make to thyself (much less than to honour/ reverence/ and worship them) any graven Image/ nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above/ or in the earth beneath/ or in the water under the earth/ thou shalt not bow down to them/ nor worship them. 
Exo. xx. a.  But yet these shameless wretches be not abashed to say/ that Images are necessary/ because they be lay men's books/ teaching them/ instructing them/ and leading them to the true worship of god. Oh great blasphemy/ Oh sacrilege/ Oh spitful robbery. What is blasphemy/ what is sacrilege/ what is robberi/ if this be none? 
God's word is sufficient to instruct all men in the true worship of god, without images.  god giveth his word written to be every man's book/ and his pure/ everlasting and underfiled commandments/ as sufficient instructions for all men/ to the true worship of him. But these earthly wroters (the Pope/ I mean/ and his prelate's) as though they were wiser than God/ will teach men to worship him with Images/ although the same be utterly forbidden by god/ through out the whole course of his holy scriptures. 
priests th●● them selue● wiser the god.   
These/ and such other false and feigned doctrines/ contrary to the scriptures of God/ contained in his holy Bible/ are now blown out/ biustered and yelled forth in every pulpit. Every street soundeth of these/ yea every printers house is filled with such ungodly baggage/ yea and the same are commanded by public authority (which is much to be lamented) to be set forth/ and the sincere doctrine of Christ's holy word/ clean put to silence/ and utterly condemned. Neither may any man reason/ or once doubt of their doctrine/ under pain of excommunication/ nay rather under pain of burning.  
And when the● be able (as they are not able at any time in deed) to prove any of these doctrines by the word of god written/ then they fly to their unwritten verities/ that is/ to certain things delivered (as they say) from the Apostles by word of mouth without writing. 
The Pepe maintaineth his doctrine by fire and faggot, and not by the holy scriptures.  Which things are to all men uncertain: 
A weak refuge, if they were not obstinate and shameless.  for no man knoweth certainly/ what they are. But whatsoever pleaseth them/ and maketh for their purpose/ profit/ and Lordly ambition: that is an unwritten verity/ not to be gain said/ or denied. This is their shoot anchor/ bulwark/ and extreme refuge/ whereunto to they fly/ whensoever they are forced/ and constrained by god's word. These they make their foundation/ whereupon they build/ and maintain all their superstitions/ Idolatries and heresies. Which foundations I trust by god's grace and help so to shake/ both by the open scriptures/ by the full consent of all the most ancient writers/ and by probable reasons/ that the building thereupon shall have a fall.  
For this is most true/ that no unwritten verity is/ or can be necessary for our salvation. 
If unwritten verities were necessary to salvation, than gods word were not sufficient thereunto.  For than should the sacred and holy scriptures/ written by the Apostles in the spirit of god/ and sealed with their bloods/ seem to be insufficient/ and not able to bring v● unto salvation. But what a great blasphemy that should be to God and his most holy spirit/ all men (I trust) that list to read the same scriptures/ easily shall perceive. But when these unshame fast robbers are put to their shifts/ urged and forced herein/ by the open and manifest word written/ then have they another starting hole to creep out at/ crying and yelling: 
●her●. seven. a. yea this is their strong tower and bulwark of defence: and yet weak enough, not being walled about with god's word gods true church, because it is grounded upon the word of grace, can not err in matters of salvation.  templum domini/ templum domini/ templum domini etc. the church/ the church/ the church/ affirming in plain words/ that the church can in no wise err/ or be deceived. And hear they deceive themselves/ because they make no distinctyon or difference of the church. For there are two manner of churches/ one true/ perfect and holy in the sight of god/ and another false/ imperfect and ungodly. Truth it is/ that the true church of God/ being grounded/ and set upon his holy word/ (I mean the gospel of grace) can not err unto damnation. But the other/ how shining and glorious so ever it appear/ if it wander abroad/ and be not contained within the compass/ and lymets of the word written/ is no true/ but a feigned and forged church. 
The church that wandereth from god's word written, may & doth err in matters of faith and salvation. galathi. i b.  That Church/ as it is without the compass of God's promises made in truth/ not only may but also doth commonli/ yea continuallyer●e and go astray: for they are not c●uppeled to the head christ/ which is the life/ the way & the truth. Paul the Apostle of god/ and elect vessel of salvation/ writing to the Galathians/ hath these words: if we (saith he) or an Angel from heaven/ preach any other gospel unto you/ than that we have preached/ hold him a curse●: and yet the papists/ not fearing the curse of God/ ●are be bold to teach things/ which Paul never knew/ yea things clean contrary to his evident and manifest teaching. 
The papists fear not gods curse.  Such gross Ignorance (I would to God it were but Ignorance in deed) ●s entered into their heads/ and such arrogant boldness possesseth their heart's/ that they are bold to affirm no church to be the true church of god/ but that which standeth by ordinary succession of Bishops/ in such pompous and glorious sort/ as now is seen. For if there be (say they) no such outward and visible church/ how shall any man know/ whether he be of the church of christ/ and in the right belief/ or no● To this I answer/ that if our faith should be stayed upon the outward/ glistering/ and pompous church/ not ruled/ nor governed by the determinate counsel of God in his word written: we should never be certain thereof/ but ever wavering and doubting/ which is the gate and ready path way to desperation/ from which god defend his chosen flock. Cursed is he (saith the scripture) that putteth his trust in man. 
jerem. xvii.  And why? 
Psal. cxvi▪ ●  for all men (as the kingly Prophet David saith) are liars in their words/ and sinners in their works.  
By which words it appeareth plain/ that there was never man so virtuous/ so holy/ nor so well learned/ only the writers of the holy scriptures excepted/ but either of Ignorance/ or of negligence/ there escaped some faults in his writings and doings. Yea the general counsels themselves also/ that they make so much of/ have notably erred/ as hereafter shallbe declared. 
The general counsels have erred and that in no small trifles.  Yea such hath been the truth of those seen churches/ that one general counsel hath condemned another of heresy. Moreover/ the outward seen church/ whereof they brag not a little/ hath never since the beginning/ any space continued in the true doctrine of god. Let us begin at Moses/ who was the first law giver/ and we shall see the state of this outward church/ which consisteth in the ordinary succession of Bishops/ whether it be so as I have said or no. When Moses was gone up to the mount Sinai/ to talk with God/ and to receive the law at his hands: 
Exodus. xxxii. a.  did not Aaron/ the hiegh Priest and Bishop/ with all the people/ in the mean space worship the golden Calf? read the book of judges/ and you shall see how the whole outward & visible church fell to Idolatry and worshipping of strange gods: as Baal/ Astaroth/ god's of the Edomites/ Moabites/ Philistines/ and the Syrians. After the reign of king David/ how many kings were there (I pray you) in whose time false gods were not openly worshipped? All the kings of Israel served strange gods with the consent of the bishops/ priests/ & the hole people. And in juda/ there passed not iii or four kings after david/ in whose days open idolatry was not allowed and practised/ by the consent of the kings/ bishops/ hyegh priests/ scribes & Pharisees. Which of the Prophets did not the open & visible church persecute? Where was the visible church in the time of Elias? Were not all/ that were known and thought to be of the church/ worshippers of Baal: in somuch that Elias thought there had been left alive of gods true church/ but himself only? And yet not withstanding God had preserved his church/ known but only to himself/ for he knoweth who are his. 
2. Tim. 2.  Who smote Micheas the true Prophet of God/ but the chief Priest and Bishop Zedechias? 
3. Reg. 22.  And he/ with four hundred priests more of his own mind and religion/ deceived Achab/ and promised him victory over the Assyrians/ although God had made them no such promise/ but rather had pomted the contrary/ as it came to pass. 
Heir. 20  Who commanded jeremy to be beaten for his true prophesyeng/ but Phashur the archbishop? Who persuaded with the king/ that jeremy/ the true Prophet of God/ was a seditious fellow/ and went about to discourage the people in jerusalem that they should not resist Nabuchodonozor king of Babylon/ but the priests? 
This and such like, is the reward of all true preachers and faithful servants of god.  Yea/ and when the king delivered him out of prison/ who but these holy men of the Church/ procured him to be cast again into a deep doungyon where they would have famished him/ if God had not put in the kings heart to take him out and deliver him? These be the fruits and practises of the visible and seen Church/ which/ if it be true that the papists say/ cannot err. But what so ever they say it forceth not: for we know what the spiritualty/ as they call themselves/ have been since the beginning/ the very expressed image whereof is set forth and declared in the Machabies/ as they that read the story shall perceive it well enough/ by Alcinus/ Simon/ jason/ and Menelaus. 
1. 〈◊〉. seven. et. two. Machabeorum. iiii.  Now let us come to the new testament and see what the visible and known church was under it. Who was the true church/ or how was it known to the people in Christ's time? The hiegh Priests/ bishops/ Scribes/ Pharisees/ and Saducees/ which appeared outwardly and boasted themselves to be the church of god: were in deed/ as Christ called them/ serpents/ the generations of vipers/ hypocrites/ children of hell/ painted tombs/ pierce cuters of true religion/ and murderers of the prophets/ yea of himself and his Apostles: 
Math. iii. b. xii. c. xxiii. d.  men that shut up the kingdom of heaven/ so that neither they would enter therein themselves/ nor suffer the poor simple/ that were desirous to know the truth/ to enter: but excommunicated/ and thrust them out of the church/ as men cast away/ as heretics/ and forsaken of God/ whosoever believed on christ. Who commanded the Apostles that they should preach no more in Christ's name? 
Act. iiii. d Acts. seven. g. Euse. ecc. his. lib. two. cap. xxii. Act. ix. Acts. xxiii.  Who caused Steven to be stoned? And james to be thrown of the pinnacle? who gave authority to Paul to bind/ and bring before them/ all that professed christ? Who commanded him to be buffeted? Who accused him before Festus and Agrippa? Who stirred the Gentiles against him in all country's/ where he went to preach/ but the church? If you will then needs judge the outward visible church/ that sitteth in Moses chair (though they do not as the chair requireth) to be the true church of god: I pray you then tell me/ who caused Constantinus the Emperor to banish Athanasius? 
Ruffini. lib. i. cap xvii.  Who exiled chrysostom/ and many other more godly and well learned Bishops/ & slew a great number of godly & well learned me/ but the priests/ by seducing the Empris Eudoria? 
Socratis. Lib. 6. cap. 18.  who put out the eyes of Constantyne the forth Emperor & caused him to be slain/ because he pulled the Images out of the church/ being worshipped contrari to gods holy will & commandment/ but his own mother/ by the counsel of the Pope & the bishops/ being then taken for the Church? 
Mark well the fruits of this outward church: and by them ye shall know what they be.  Who deposed Henry the fourth Emperor/ causing his own son to rebel against him? Who deposed Childeri●us the french king/ assoiling his subjects from their obedience to him & made Pipine king in his stead/ but the Pope and his Church men? Let us come to our own realm and speak of things done in our own memory. Who procured king Henry the eight in the beginning of his reign to war against the french king/ where besides the murder committed/ adultery was learned/ theft & sacrilege practised/ lying/ swearing/ yea and for swearing with all other kinds of vices used/ which be the very fruits of war/ but the clergy? For the pope/ them being in war with the French king/ to make his part good & the stronger/ procured the Bishops of the church of England/ being the Pope's dear darlynges/ & chief of the kings counsel/ to entytle the king to his right of the realm & crown of France: & to encourage the young king thereto/ the Pope accursed the king of France & all his aiders & succurrers. Then free pardons slew abroad as thick/ as butter flies in summer: 
the Pope maketh himself equal to God, yea rather above him in this his promise.  but so free/ that the realm thereby and the said wars was rob of a grate deal of our treasure/ and in manner half undone. There was full remission a pena & culpa/ preached at paul's cross/ & almost in every sermon/ through all England: promising that whoso ever died in the Pope's quarrel/ his soul should be in heaven before his bones were cold. After when the same king henry had justly/ by the authority of GODS word/ and the full consent both of the parliament/ and convocation/ abolished the usurped power of the Bishop of Rome: then the Pope enterdyted the whole Realm/ and sent Cardinal Poole from prince to prince/ to excite and move them (if he could have brought it to pass) to make open war against the king and the realm/ as it appeareth in a Sermon preached by Tonstall now Bishop of Durham/ and set out in print openly. 
This is one of the practices of prelate's.   
Which sermon & all other tell truths/ opening the abuses and tyranny of the Bishop of Rome/ are now put to silence. Who were the workers of all these mischiefs? who these iii years paste/ hath persecuted/ prisoned/ and burned so many learned and Godly men/ only for their true faiths sake grounded upon gods most holy word (men worthy to be compared with the old martyrs of the primitive church/ as well for the constancy of their faith/ as also for patience and charity showed at their deaths) but the church/ as they call themselves? 
The spiritual man never persecuteth the carnal man, but forgiveth him.  who/ by their cruel tyranny/ hath enforced so many notable members of Christ/ (leaving wife/ children/ kinsfolk/ Lands and goods) either to fly into strange realms/ or else from town to town/ from City to City: only because they would not drink of the venomous cup of the whore of Babylon? 
Hier. ad Gala. iiii.  who hath wrought all these wickednesses/ but only the mitered prelate's and their popish priests? If we shall allow them for the true church of god/ that appear to be the visible and outward church/ consisting of the ordinary succession of Bishops: then shall we make Christ/ which is an innocent lamb without spot/ and in whom is found no guile/ to be the head of ungodly and disobedient members. 
Exo. xii. i Pet. two. d  Which thing is as impossible/ as to make god/ which is onli good/ and nothing but goodness itself/ to be the author/ original/ and cause of all evil. For christ/ as he is pure/ holy and perfit: even so must his church and members be/ to whom he (as the head) is adjoined and coupled. 
Eph. 1. d. Collos. 1.  But if we allow the Pope/ his Cardinals'/ Bishops/ priests/ Monks/ Canons'/ friars/ and the whole rabble of the clergy/ to be this perfect church of god/ whose doings are clean contrary (for the most part) to the will/ and commandment of christ/ left and expressed in his word written: then make we him a sinner/ and his word of none effect. For as sweet agreeth with sour/ black with white/ darkness with light/ and evil with good: even so this outward/ seen and visible church/ consisting of the ordinari succession of Bishops/ agreeth with Christ. But there they will ask me/ how shall a man know whether he be in the right faith/ but by this church? To this Christ shall make answer himself/ saying in the gospel of john/ my sheep hear my voice/ and shall not hear a stranger. 
john. 10.  And where (I pray you) hath Christ left any voice to be heard or followed/ but in his word written? Search the scriptures/ saith he: 
john. 5.  for they bear witness of me. Where he biddeth you not search unwritten verities/ such as the outward/ seen and pompous church shall of their own heads show you/ but the written verities/ contained in the holy scriptures/ which are profitable to teach/ to improve/ to amend/ and to instruct in righteousness/ that the man of god may be perfect/ and prepared unto all good works. 
2. Tim. 3.   
If thou therefore be desirous to know whether thou be in the right faith or no/ seek it not at man's mouth: 
Psa. 116. c Goddess word only certifyeth a man whether his faith be good or no.  for all men be liars. Seek it not (I say) at a proud/ glorious/ and wave ring sort of Bishops/ & priests: but at gods own mouth/ which is his holy word written/ which can neither lie/ deceive/ nor be deceived. As 〈◊〉 (I say) seek/ and knock by diligent study/ & earnest prayer unto god/ who hath promised to give to all them/ that ask faithfulli of him the certainti of good faith in their conscience/ taught & confirmed by the holy scriptures of the old and new testament. And here I forbidden no man as though they should not ask and learn of the learned: for that is good and necessary/ yea and allowed by god's truth/ but this would I have all men to do/ to use discretion/ and wisdom in this matter: 
Try every spirit but allow none further than they agree with the written scriptures.  and to know whether they be learned/ godly minded/ and able to instruct by the scriptures or no. And yet if they be/ believe them no further/ then they can show their doctrine and exhortation to be agreeable with the true word of god written. For that is the very touch stone/ which must/ yea and also will/ try all doctrine or learning whatsoever it be/ whether it be good or evil/ true or false. 
God's word trieth all things whether they be good or bad.  And let not men of small learning be to curious in asking or moving dark and doubtful questions/ which breed contention rather than godly edyfieng but let them be content with the plain and open places of the scriptures. Let them rather be earnest to observe the commandments of faith and love/ which are plainly set forth in God's book/ then to trouble themselves/ and busy their heads with dark places: for that is a thing that hath done/ and also doth displease god very greatly. Yea I think surely/ that these heavy plagues/ where with god most justly punisheth now this realm of England (which I beseech him of his infinite mercy either to take clean away/ or else to mitigate them for his elect sake) cometh not so much for the simple/ innocent/ and unlearned sort/ which being beguiled through their simplicity/ by the craft and subtlety of the wily papists/ do still continued in superstition and idolatry: but rather for the curious sort/ which preach strange & far fetched doctrines/ nothing so much to edyfieng as to contentious brawling. Yea I would to god there were not a great number of them/ that were and are counted learned/ which preach and defend doctrines/ which themselves know to be untrue/ & contrary to the evident scriptures. Would god there were not many hundreds of great gospelers sometimes/ that had not subscribed with their own hands & confirmed by their open & public sermons, the contrary of that/ which they once builded in Chryst. And some of such (I know) in persuading privately with their old friends, & acquaintance/ have confessed no less/ but that they have done contrary to the truth/ & the good persuasion of their own conscience: 
Their consciences shall therefore cnodenne them for so doing, if they repent not in time.  & yet the same men counsel their friends for unity & peace sake (as they term it) but rather there maisai for fear of loss of goods & life to obey wicked superstitions/ naughty rites and damnable laws. But what peace/ or what unity is that/ that is a 'gainst god & his Christ? And what profiteth it a man to win all the world & lose his own soul? For he that loveth his own life more than me (saith christ) is not worthy of me. 
Math. 16  For these men's sakes therefore/ that is to say/ the stubborn papistes/ that lead the world in blindness/ contrary to their own consciences: 
the wit and virtue of delicate gospelers is in their tongues.  & specially for delicate gospelers sakes/ whose wit & virtue is in their tongues/ hot disputers/ busi talkers/ taunters & fault finders with others/ rather than menders of themselves: for these two sorts sakes chiefly (I say) god heapeth these great plagues/ that is persecution of his word/ dearth/ danger of war/ & people of strange nations/ likely to subdue & utterly destroy that our realm/ except they repent/ & amend their lives in time/ & become not onli forgetful of their former evils: but also diligent workers & true followers of the word/ that they have so lightly condemned/ and refused. Which if they do not/ let them be sure/ that all the plagues which are written in the book of god/ & all the blood of his saints/ which hath been shed from just Abel unto this present time/ shallbe poured upon them. 
Math. 23.  But howsoever these men do/ let us (dear brethren) whose hearts god of his goodness hath more mercyfulli touched/ repent & amend our former lives/ & cease from all dead works/ lest we be partakers of the same plagues with them. But thanks be unto our god/ that hath so gently ordered us/ for this we know/ that god suffereth not his people long to follow their own mynder: but shortly punisheth them/ which is a token of his great loving kindness toward them. 
two. Mach. vi. b.  For this grace have we of God more than other people (as it is written) that he suffereth not us long to sin unpunished like other nations/ that when the day of judgement cometh/ he may punish them in the fullness of their sins.  
If we sin he correcteth us/ but he never withdraweth his mercy from us/ and though he punish us with adversity/ yet doth he never forsake his people. 
Ebru. xii  For whom (as Paul saith) the Lord loveth/ him he chasteneth: yea and he scourgeth every son/ whom he receiveth. But to leave this digression and come to our purpose again: I will briefly show you/ what the outward face of the church and religion hath been in all ages/ even such as hath pleased the mighty king's Emperors/ and rulers of the world When jeroboam set up golden Calves at Bethel and Da●/ the priests and levites consented thereto/ and all Israel worshipped them contrary to god's commandment. 
●. Para. 13  When jesabel had persuaded with her husband about murder/ he fulfilled her mind and slew all the Prophets of God that he could come by/ only Elyas remained/ that was known to be the true Church/ whereas the priests of Baal were four M▪ and fi●tie in ●omber. 
The will of a woman must be followed, or else all the 〈◊〉 is in the fier●. 3 Re. 19 c 3. Re. 18. 4 Re. 18. 4. Re. 21.  Ezechias destroyed the brazen serpent, and restored the true religion & worship of 〈◊〉 Manasses/ his son, set up Idolatry/ maintained wicked religion/ and slew them/ that were good.  
josias restored right religion: but jehoas and jehoathim/ his sons forsook it/ and all their Priests and subjects with them committed Idolatry. 
4. Re. 23. 4. Re. 24.  And generally/ what religion so ever the king would have/ that was stablished for his time: 
As princes would, so all things were done.  so that (as Solomon saith of the judges) so main we say of the Cleargy●: whatsoever saith the prince/ that sayeth the priest. But let us once again come to the new testament. Did not the head rulers of the church/ with the authority of Herode and Pilate/ condemn christ and his doctrine as erroneous and seditious: 
Math. 26 Math. 27  & all the people followed and cried Crucifige? Did not all the Emperors before Constantine/ being seduced by their bishops and priests/ condemn Christian religion as heretical/ seditious/ & traitorous/ & for the same murdered many thou sands of martyrs? When Constantyne was christened/ the was the true religion first set forth and openly preached by public authority: and yet in the space between christ and this Godly Emperor/ God was not without his church/ though it were not known/ seen and so accepted of the world. In this princes time/ and by his authority/ was kept the first and best general counsel of Nice: where was set forth our common Crede/ containing shortly the chief and most necessary articles of our belief. This constantinus son Constantius/ favouring the error of the Arrians/ in the counsel of Arimine/ decreed that christ was not GOD/ but man only. 
Theodoriti. lib. 2 cap. 18.   
And then to call christ the son of God/ was by the outward known church and by a general counsel/ condemned for an heinous heresy. From that time forth when Panim princes reigned/ idolatry and worshipping of false gods was the public doctrine When heretics reigned and bore the rule heresy was openly preached for god's truth. 
The priests for the most part were double faced, turn tippettes and flatteres.  When the Emperors were Catholic/ then was the true doctrine of the gospel openli preached. And generally/ such as was the faith of the Emperors/ kings/ or other rulers such did the priests preach. And if anibi the authority of god's word preached them contrary, or withstood their corrupt teachings/ strait way he was either deposed from his office/ condemned for an heretic/ banished/ brent/ or put to some other cruel death After all these sprung up the Pope/ that triple crowned monster & great Antichrist/ which took upon him authority/ not only over the Clergy/ but also climbed above kings and Emperors/ deposing them at his pleasure/ and settled himself in the temple of god/ that is/ in the conseyences of men/ exrolling himself above God/ dispensing with gods laws/ and giving men leave to break them/ and to regard more his decrees/ than the everlasting commandments of god. And so it came to pass in time/ that to eat flesh on the friday/ or fasting day/ was counted greater sin than bronkenes/ adultery or perjury. And why/ because his laws were diligentlyer and more straightly looked to/ and the offenders thereof sorer punished/ then God's laws. Sense this Antichrist of Rome (I say) was established in his full power/ what soever pleased him/ that was taken for god's law/ and that was decreed upon by general counsel/ confirmed/ and ratified by whole heaps of clerk. To speak against that was/ and also now is/ detestable heresy/ and so heinous a crime against the holy ghost (if it were true that they say) that it can not be forgiven/ either in this world/ or in the world to come. He that speaketh against any of his decrees/ must utterly be condemned for an heretic/ accursed of god/ and damned into hell for ever without redemption: 
These be the Pope's thunder bolts wherewith he feareth the people, and maketh them to incline to his ways.  except he recant/ abjure/ and de/ ny the truth/ and set forth error and false doctrine/ and promise with a solemn Oath/ that he shall never preach teach/ nor defend the truth hereafter. Now let us come to our days. When king Henry the viii was (as he ought to be by god's law) made supreme head/ as well of the clergy as of the Laite: he/ by the consent of the parliament and convocation/ set forth in print a godly book of religion/ not much varying from that/ which was enacted in his sons time Edward the sixth.  
But when he took displeasure with certain Bishops as they term them) of the new learning because they would not give their consent in the parliament/ that the king should have all Abbye lands to his own use: 
It was a small matter at that time to be displeased with such men, and so much the more for that they withstod private commodity.  but only such lands/ as were given by his Aunceters'/ kings of England/ and that the residue of those lands should have been bestowed to Augment the number of learned men in the universities: to the founding also, of Grammar schools in every shire of England/ where children (most apt to learning) should have been brought up freely/ and without great roost to their friends/ and kyns/ folke●: to the founding of hospitales where poor and impotent people should have been sufficiently provided for/ with physicians and surgeons/ which should have ministered both physic and surgenrye freely/ not only to them/ but also to all other poor folk within this Realm: and also in every shire town/ & other market towns/ where should be thought most meet and fit to set up divers occupations (most profitable for the common wealth) where all valiant and sturdy beggars should have been set to work/ and if they refused to labour/ then to force them there to by whipping/ stocking/ and hunger: and the residue of the Abbye lands above these/ should have been reserved in the Common treasuries/ to aid the king in his wars or other affairs of his Realm/ and thereby to have favoured and eased the more his subjects/ intares/ subsidies/ fiftenes/ & lones/ & such other like things: 
Private commodity, and Popish suit Itie overcame good public policy and brought in tyranny.  king Henry/ as I said before) upon the displeasure taken/ & by the incitation of the old popish bishops/ shortli after (by consent of the same/ or the most part of them/ that were makers of the first book of religion) set forth by open parliament & convocation the vi articles▪ as well agreeing with the former parlyament● and the word of god/ as black with white/ light with darkness/ christ with Belial/ or with Antichrist. But after/ when he was pacified with these foresaid bishops/ considering that they spoke against the kings profit not of malice/ but of good conscience and zeal to god's glory and the common wealth/ he mitigated the vi articles/ and from that time forth/ more and more/ restored true religion/ and I doubt not but if he had lived he would have brought all things to a better state/ than he left it. But Edward the ●irte his son, succeeding in his sa●d father's place/ by the advice of his uncle the duke of Somersette/ the lords of his counsel/ bishops and the Clergy: ●et forth such a book of religion/ as (without boast or dispraise of other be it spoken) was never a better set forth since the Apostles time.  
Now/ after that god had plagued this realm with the most grievous plague that ever came to it/ in taking away from it so godly a king as he was/ yea such an one as hath not been read of/ of his age/ in any realm/ both for wit/ learning/ soberness and godliness: 
They are all perjured, so many as gave their consent to the bringing in of the Bishop of rome. The bishops, I warrant you were none of those: for they can not err. these are waverig reeds, ct perfect wether cocks, that turn with every wind.  in his stead he hath set up Queen mary/ who in wort time hath pulled down/ that was not builded in many years/ and brought in the bishop of Rome (before justly and by law of parliament abolished) with open perjury of so many/ as gave their voices and consent to the same. For they had all made a solemn oath before/ never to receive his unjust usurped power into the realm again.  
Hath he not (being seduced by the perjured prelate's) revoked and made of none effect/ so many godly laws enacted by parliament/ that is/ by the consent of the lords both spiritual & temporal the Clergy and common house: yea and by them/ that were the thief of king Henry her father's privy counsel/ and setters one of him in the abolishing of the Bishop of Rome/ ●uen op●n preachers/ and writers/ against the Pope's tyranny/ with so pithy reasons and strong arguments: as neither they themselves/ nor any other after them, shall be able at any time rightly to assoil and answer? Yet these men were chief of counsel/ and procurers of the Queen/ and first workers in the parliament to aluer the lords and commons/ to receive the Bishop of Rome again for the supreme head of this realm, contrari to God's law/ the laws of this realm/ and their own solemn oaths. 
By their deeds ye shall know them, what they be.  And not only this/ but they have taken away the acts of mortmain/ and praemunire/ and diverse other statutes that did bridle the unsatiable covetousness and licentious liberty of the Popish priests/ and restored the all ex officio. Which thing if it should long continue in this state that it is in/ the great treasure of this realm should come into the Clergies hands/ and a great part thereof should fly to Rome for. Bishope●ickes/ Benefits/ appellations/ pardons/ dispensations and such other baggage. But (say the papists) when scriptures be hard and doubtful/ and seem to be contrary one to another by mistaking and wrong understanding/ whereof diverse heresies do arise: how shall a man know the truth in such diversity of opinions both parties grounding themselves upon the scriptures/ but only by the church/ which (as they say) cannot er●e? Saint Augustine shall make answer herein for me/ saying on this wise: 
In his .3. book of Christian doctrine cap 28.  dark places are to be expounded by more plain places/ for that is the surest way of declaring the scriptures to expound one scripture by another. 
In his ●. book of Christian doctrine. cap 9  And again he saith that in things openly contained in the scriptures/ are found all things that concern faith good stuing & charity. 
In his ●▪ book of m●●●es and forgiveness of sins tom. 7. cap. v●●i.  And if any thing cannot be tried by the certain & ciencare places of the Scriptures/ let man's presumption (saith he) stay itself/ not leaning to either part: for this I am sure of/ that if it were requisite to be known upon pain of damnation/ their should not lack most plain and clear aucthorites of the same in the scriptures. But in seeking of the scriptures/ let us seek no farther then is left in writing by god our saviour/ lest in desiring to much/ we ●ese al. Saint Chrysostom also sayeth: it is not possible/ that he/ which with earnest study/ and fervent desire/ applieth him to the scriptures of god/ should ever be neglected of god/ but although we lack a master to teach us: 
Upon Genesis. cap 14. hom. 35.  yet the Lord himself/ entering our hearts from above/ shall give light into our minds/ and pour his bright beams into our reason and understanding/ and open the things that be hid/ and teach us those things whereof we be ignorant. Therefore (saith the same chrysostom) if thou wilt enter into the truth of the scriptures/ now ask by prayers/ now knock by good works/ and search the old ancient writers/ and ask diverse priests/ to know which be the true key keepers/ and which are 
In his unperfect work cap. 23.  the false. For all things (sayeth he) are plain/ and manifest in the divine scriptures/ what soever things are needful thereto be opened. But if these authors will not satisfy them/ then let them use saint james counsel/ saying: 
jacob. 1. ●  he that lacketh wisdom/ let him ask it of god/ which giveth to all men indifferently/ and casteth no man in the teeth/ and it shallbe given him. For God is not partial/ nor regardeth any more a Pope then a Potter/ a Cardinal than a Carter/ a bishop then a Boucher/ a Priest then a peddler/ except his faith and life be agreeable to gods wil  
Whether should a man (desiring to know the truth/ and right under standing and worshipping of God) have resorted in Elias his time/ when there was no more of the true outward church/ but he alone? To whom should a man have resorted for counsel of the truth/ in the time of jeremy? Of whom should a man have learned the truth in Christ's time/ when there was no ordinary succession of Bishops in the truth? Should they have learned (think you) the truth of God of the head priests/ Scribes and Pharisees? Then you know/ what a learning they should have had/ and how much christ should have profited them. How should a man have been satisfied of his salvation at Annas/ Cayphas and the test of the Pharisees hands? Even so no doubt would they have taught and instructed him/ that if he had believed & followed their sayings/ Christ and he should never have met. And yet those men bore the Image and name of the known church at that time/ yea and the same men condemned him of whom our faith and salvation dependeth/ as a seditious fellow/ as a traitor to Cesar/ as an heretic/ and a blasphemer of god. Christ therefore/ to teach us what we should do in matters pertaining to his glory and our own commodity/ sendeth his hearers to the scriptures/ & not to the church? he sainedal so to the Saducees/ ye err/ because ye know not the scriptures/ & not because ye believe not the church. 
Math. 22.  He also promiseth his elect/ that they shall hear his voice and not a strangers voice. 
Mark. 12.  If ye be doubtful therefore in any point/ resort to the Scriptures given from GOD/ 
joan. 10. ●  and out of them search for the thing whereof thou art ignorant/ and above all things be not to rash in judgement/ neither trust to much in thine own wit.  
Ask also counsel of such men/ whom thou knowest to be well learned and exercised in the same Scriptures/ and whose conversation thou seest to be agreeable to their words: and yet believe them no farther/ then they can prove their doctrines and exhortations to answer/ and agree with GODS mosre holy word. Seek/ ask/ cry/ call/ knock/ fast/ and pray with a constant faith/ joining thereto a christian/ sober and a charitable ●iuing: and th● he/ that hath the key of David/ who openeth and no man shutteth/ shall (according to his promise) give unto you all that you ask of his father in his name/ and shall send his holy spirit into your hearts: 
Apo. 3. b  who shall lead you into all truth/ and put you in remembrance of all those things/ which Christ hath commanded/ needful & necessary for your salvation. 
john. 15.  What so ever therefore the church teacheth you out of the canonical books of the Bible/ believe that: but if they teach any thing beside that (I mean/ which is not agreeing with the same) believe neither that/ nor them. For than they are not the Church of christ but the synagogue of Satan and antichrist. For the Church of God (as Saint Paul witnesseth) ●s builded upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prephetes/ not upon the Apostles/ but upon the same foundation/ which they laid/ that is/ Christ jesus/ and his holy● word. 
Ephe. 2. d  And all such unwritten verities/ as the Papists have in their mouths/ though they seem never so glorious a church to the face of the world/ if they be not agreeing (as they are not in deed) to the very word of god/ suspect them: yea rather I bid you utterly to abhor and reject them. For their outward and seen church may and doth (as is before proved) commonly err in great and weighty matters. Stand fast therefore to sound & good doctrine/ and waver not. 
2. john. epistle. c.  And if any man come unto you and bring not this doctrine with him/ receive him not into your house: bid him not god speed: nor have aught to do with him: but count him as an abject from god and Christ. But cleave ye fast to the sound & certain doctrine of gods infallible word/ written in the canonical books of the new & old testament/ which is able sufficiently to instruct you to eternal salvation/ through jesus Christ our lord. To whom with the father/ and the holy ghost/ be all honour and praise for ever & ever. Amen.   

The book to the Reader.  

judge not before  
Thou know mine intent/  
But read me throughout/  
And than say thy fill:  
As thou in opinion  
Art minded and bend/  
Vhether it be  
either good orill.   

I care not for praise/  
Nor slander untrue/  
Of man nor of child/  
What ever he be:  
Truth need not to fear  
Who doth it pursue/  
With praise or dispraise  
In any degree.   

For truth is not bettered  
By praises at all/  
Nor harmed by dispraise  
Of any wight:  
But goodness or hurt  
Most surely come shall/  
To him that doth judge  
Either wrong or right.   

Read me/ then judge me/  
Therefore I thee pray/  
Nothing for my cause  
But only thine own:  
For I shall endure  
Who soever say nay/  
When unwritten truths  
Shallbe over thrown.    

❧ A Confutation of unwritten verities/ by diverse authorities diligently and truly gathered together out of the holy scriptures and ancient fathers.  
¶ That the word of god written/ contained within the Canon of the Bible/ is a true/ sound/ perfect and whole doctrine/ containing in itself fully/ all things needful for our salvation.  

¶ The i Chapter.  
YE shall put nothing to the word/ which I command you/ neither take aught therefrom: 
Deu. 4.  that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your god/ which I command you.  
You shall not do any thing/ that 
Deu. 12.  we do here this day/ every man what seemeth him good in his own eyes.  
What soever I command you/ that take ●eade you do only to the Lord/ and put nothing thereto/ nor take aught therefrom. 
Ibid. in fine.   
The Prophet/ which shall presume to speak a word in my name/ which I have not commanded him to speak/ or that speakth in the name of strange gods/ that prophet shall die. 
Deu. 18.   
All the words of god are pure and clean: 
Pro. 30.  for he is a 〈◊〉 unto all them/ that put these trust in him. Put thou nothing unto his words/ least he reprove the and thou be found a liar.  
Hear not the words of the Prophets/ that preach unto you and believe you: 
lere. 23.  for they speak the me●nyng of their own hearts/ and not out of the mouth of the lord.  
Whosoever teacheth and keepeth the same (speaking of his command dementes) shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 
Math. 5.   
Whosoever heareth these my words/ 
Math. 7.  and doth the same/ shallbe likened unto a wise man/ that buildeth his house upon a rock: and abundance of rain fell/ the floods came/ the wind blew/ and bet upon the same house/ and it fell not/ because it was grounded an the sure rock.  
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth and honoureth me with lips/ howbeit their hearts be far from me/ but in vain do they serve me/ teaching the doctrines and precepts of men. 
Math. 15.   
Go ye/ and teachen all 〈◊〉/ baptysing them/ in the name of 〈…〉 &c: 
Math. 28  teaching them to 〈…〉 what so ever I have 〈…〉.  
Go ye into all the 〈◊〉/ and preach my gospel to all creatures. 
Mark. 16.   
He that heareth mi word/ & believeth in him that sent me/ hath everlasting life/ and shall not come into damnation: but is escaped from death to life. 
john. 5.   
Search the scriptures/ for in them ye think ye have eternal life/ and they art they/ which testify of me. 
john. 5.   
These are written/ that you might believe/ that jesus is Christ the son of god/ and that (in believing) ye might have life thorough his name. 
john. 20.   
I have spared no labour/ but I have showed all the counsel of god. 
Acts. 20.   
I have obtained help of God/ and continue unto this day/ witnessing both to the small and to the great/ saying none other things/ then those which the prophets and Moses did say should come. 
Act. 26.   
Faith cometh by hearing/ hearing cometh by the word of god. 
Rom. 10.   
What soever is not of faith/ the same is sin. 
Rom. 14.   
We be not lords over your faith: 
2. Cor. 1.  but helpers of your joy.  
Though we ourselves/ or an angel from heaven/ preach any other gospel unto you/ than that which we have preached/ let him be accursed. 
Gala. 1.   
continue thou in the things/ 
2. Tim. 3.  which thou hast learned/ which also were committed unto thee/ knowing of whom thou hast learned them/ and for as much also as thou haste known the holy scriptures of a child/ which are able to make the learned unto salvation/ through the faith/ which is in christ jesu. For all scripture/ given by inspiration of God/ is profitable to teach/ to improve/ to amend/ to instruct in righteousness/ that the man of god may be perfect/ & prepared to all good works.  
If any man speak/ let him speak as the words of god. 
1. Pete. 4.   
If any man come unto you/ and bring not this learning/ receive him not into your house/ neither bid him God speed. 
2. john epistle.  For he/ that biddeth him God speed/ is partaker of his evil deeds.  
If any man shall add unto these things/ god shall add unto him the plagues/ that are written in this book. 
Apo. 22.  And if any man shall minish of the words of this prophesy/ God shall take away his part out of the book of life/ and out of the holy city/ and from those things/ which are written in this book.   

¶ That the writings of the old father's/ without the written word of god/ are not able to prove any doctrine in religion.  
¶ The ii Chapter.  
IReneus libro ii Cap. 46. 
Doctrine in religion, must be grounded upon the scriptures only.  To le●̄e to the scriptures of god (which is the certain and undoubted truth) is to build a man's house upon a sure and strong rock: But to leave that/ and leave to any other doctrines (what so ever they be) is to build a curious house upon the ●hatteringe gravel/ whereof the overthrow is easy.  
IDem in Epistola .72. 
we may not build our faith upon men's traditions  Happy is he that soweth upon the wat●r● where the Ox and the Ass treadeth/ that is/ upon that people which only followeth the doctrine of both the testaments/ and not upon the vain traditions of men.  
tertullian in the prescryptions of heretics. pa. 95. It is not lawful for us to favour any doctrine at our pleasure/ nor yet to choose what any man hath brought in of his own mind.  
We have the Apostles of the Lord for our author's/ which did not elect any thing (that they would bring in) of their own heads: 
The Apostles taught nothing but that, which they learned of.  but taught/ faithfully to all nations/ that doctrine/ that they had received of christ.  
Therefore although an Angel from heaven/ should preach any other thing/ let us hold him accursed. 
Christ.   
ANd a little after he sayeth. 
The first point of belief is, that after the gospel none other thing is to be believed. There is no certainty in that the scripture defineth not. The law, the Prophets, and the gospel, are the first doctrines, ct therefore true.  We need to use no curiosity after jesus christ/ nor make further search after the gospel: for when we believe/ we desire to believe no more For first we believe this/ that there is nothing else/ that we ought to believe.  
IDem of the flesh of christ pa. 20. against Apelles'/ which said that the Angels had a bodily substance/ which they took of the ●●●tres. Tertallian answereth/ that there is no certainty in this matter/ because the scripture declareth it not.  
THe sae to Praxeas. Let this be a general rule/ indifferently determined before hand against all heresies/ that that is true/ what so ever is first: & that to be forged/ what soever cometh after. pa. 418.  
Origin in his first homily upon jeremy. Vle must needs call the holy scriptures to witness: for our judgements and exposicious/ with out these witnesses/ be worthy no credit. 
Our words, with out gods words, are not to be believed.   
IDem vpon Leviticus/ in his fift homily. If the holy scripture do not determine any thing/ we ought not to admit any other writing for the stablyshinge of our doctrine: 
That, which can not be proved by the scripture, leave to god.  but as for the rest/ let us leave it to god.  
THe same upon the third chapter to the Romans. After these as his custom is (meaning by saint Paul) he doth confirm/ that he had said by the scriptures, giving also an example to the preachers of the church/ that those things/ which they speak to the people/ should be armed and maintained by the holy scriptures/ and not spoken out of their own judgements. 
If Paul thought his authority  For if he/ being such and so great an Apostle/ thought not the authority of his own words to be sufficient/ except be teach those things, which he saith/ to be written in the law and the prophets: ho● much more ought we little ones to take head/ that when we teach/ we utter not our own minds, but the sentences of the holy ghost.  
THe same upon Matthew/ in his 26. homily no man ought (for the stablyshing of doctrine) to use any books/ that be without the canonical scriptures.  
CIprian in the exposition of the Crede/ after that he hath rehearsed the canonical books of the Bible/ he sayeth. 
All books which be not in the Canon of the Bible, are called Apocrypha, and are not sufficient to prove any Articles of our saith.  These be they/ which our fathers have included within the Canon/ out of the which our fathers would the doctrine of our faith to be certain: nevertheless there be other books/ which of our elders/ were not called canonical/ but Ecclesiastical: as the book of wisdom/ the books of Sirach/ Toby/ Judith/ Maccabees/ and other. All which books/ they would have to be red in th● church/ but not alleged as of authority to confirm any article of our faith. All other writings they called Apocryphas/ which they would in no wise to be red in the church.  
AThanasius against the gentiles. The holy Scriptures/ being in spired from god/ be sufficient to all instruction of the truth.  
BAsilius in his book of ethics/ of his short definitions the. 26. Every word and deed/ that maketh for the certainty and surety of good men/ and the confusion of them that be evil/ must be confirmed by the testimony of God's scriptures. And those things/ which either in our nature/ or in the custom and manner of our life/ are manifestly known/ must we use/ to confirm those things/ which we do and say.  
THe same in his short definitions the first question. Whether it be lawful or expedient for a man to permit himself to do what he thinketh good/ without the testimony of the holy scriptures▪ 〈◊〉 answer. Seeing that our saviour saith of the holy ghost: he shall not speak of himself, but what soever he hath heard/ that shall he speak: And of himself he sayeth the son can do nothing of himself: And again/ I have not spoken of myself/ but he which sent me gave me commandment/ what I should say/ and what I should speak/ and I know that his commandment is eternal life: therefore those things/ that I speak I speak as the father said unto me: who is he then/ that will run into such madness/ that he dare once think only any thing of himself/ seeing that he hath need of the holy ghost for his aid/ so that both in mind/ word and work/ he may be gided in the way of truth/ and that he must needs walk in darkness/ except he be lightened with the son of righteousness/ our lord jesus christ/ which shineth upon us with his commandments/ as with bright beams? For the commandment of the lord is clear/ and giveth light to the eyes. For of those things that are done/ and commonly used among us, some are by god's commandment determined/ and plainly set forth in the holyscriptures/ and some not expressed. 
No man can dispense with god's law.  Of those that be expressed by the scriptures/ there is utterly no power given to any man (what so ever he be in the hole world) either to do any thing of those that be forbidden/ or else to leave undone any thing of them that be commanded: 
Things, that be not commanded, be indifferent to be used, or not used: but yet as charity requireth.  seeing that the lord hath once commanded & said, whatsoever I command you/ that take head ye do etc. But of those things that are not expressed/ the Apostle Paul hath given us a rule/ saying: I may do all things/ but all things are not expedient. I may do all things/ but all things edify not.  
ISychius upon Leviticus. lib. 5. cap. 16. 
Search no further than the gospel.  Let us/ which would have any thing observed of god, search no more but that/ which the gospel doth give unto us.  
chrysostom upon the. 24. cap. of Math. Homilia. 49. When you shall set the abominable desolation stand in the holy place (that is) when you shall see ungodly heresy (which is the army of Antichrist) stand in the holy places of the church: 
In time of here●ie, there is no means to try the truth and the true church of Christ from Antichrists church, but only by the scriptures  in that time let th●/ which are in jury ●●ye unto the hills (that is) let them/ that be in Christendom/ resort unto the scriptures. For like as the true jew i● a Christian (as the Apostle saith/ he is not a jew/ which is outward etc.) in like manner the very jury is Christianity/ the hills are the scriptures of the Apostles and prophets. And why doth he command all Christians at that time to resort to the scriptures? for in this time/ since heresy hath prevailed in the church/ there can be none other proof of true Christianite/ neither can there be any other refuge for Christian men/ (willing to know the truth of the right faith) but only unto the holy scriptures. Before time/ it was showed by many other means/ which was the true church of christ, & which Gentilite: but now there is no way to know it. And why? for all those things/ which pertain to christ in deed/ have the heretics in their Schism: likewise churches/ likewise the scriptures of god/ likewise Bishop's/ and other orders of clerks/ and likewise Baptism/ and the Sacrament of thanks giving/ and (to conclude) christ himself. Wherefore/ he that will know which is the true church of christ in this so great a confusion of things being so like: how shall he know it but only by the scriptures? It was also known/ which was the true church of christ/ by their manners/ when the conversation of christian men (either of all or many/ was holy/ which was not among the heathen. 
An heavy saying but ala● to true.   
But now CHRISTIAN men are become like/ or worse than the gentiles or heret●kes: yea and there is more continency found amongst them/ than amongst Chrystyans. Therefore he/ that will know which is the true church of christ/ whereby shall he know it/ but only by the scriptures? The lord therefore/ knowing that so great a confusion of things should come in the later time/ commandeth that christian men/ that be willing to know the right faith/ should fly to none other things/ but only to the scriptures. For if the● look upon any other thing but only the scriptures/ they shallbe offended & perish/ not perceiving which is the true church: and so fall into the abominable desolation/ which standeth in the holy places of the church.  
THe same in the unperfect work▪ Hath. cap. 7. 
preachers most neither add nor take 〈◊〉 from god's law.  Every preacher is a servant of the law/ which may neither add any thing abou● the law of his own mind/ nor withdraw any thing after his ow●e understanding: but preach that thing only/ that is had in the law/ as Solomon sateth/ thou shalt add nothing to the word of god/ nor take aught therefrom.  
THe same of the holy ghost/ tom. 
They, that host themselves of the holy ghost with out scripture, be void of the holy ghost.  3 If you see any man saying that I have the holy ghost/ and not speaking the gospel/ but his own: that man speaketh of himself/ and the holy ghost is not in him. And after. If any of them therefore/ which sayeth he hath the holy ghost/ and speaketh any thing of himself/ and not forth of the gospel/ say: follow my counsel/ believe him not.  
THe same in the. 7. of Math. Homily. 19 Upon this text: by their fruits ye shall know them. The fruits of man is the confession of his faith/ and the works of his conversation. If thou/ therefore▪ shalt see a Christian man/ forth with consider if his confession agree with the scriptures/ he is a true Christian: but if not/ he is (as christ said) false. For so john/ when he wrote his epistle of the heretics/ said: not if any come unto you/ not having the name of christ/ bid him not God speed: but if any bring not this doctrine.  
THe same in the same place/ the. 22. Cap. and▪ 42. Homily. 
Heretics ought first to be convinced by the scriptures and after by reason.  Let us first allege the authority of the scriptures to the false forgers/ afterward let us show them reasons: and to them/ that ask for any manner of purpose/ first let us declare unto them the reason/ and afterward the authority/ that we may pacify them with reason/ and establish them with authority. For we ought to confute false interpreters/ and instruct them that search.  
THe same upon the last of the Romans/ upon this text. 
To preach any thing besides god's word, is to sow sedition and heresy.  I beseech you brethren. He saith that dissensions and slanders/ that is to say/ heresies/ are brought in of those/ which bring any thing be●sydes the doctrine and learning of the Apostles.  
THe same upon the latter Epistle to Timothe/ the. 3. Cap. 
All things may be determined by the scripture.  There is nothing that can not be determined by the scriptures/ to reprove/ if it be to be reproved (that is to say) lies: to correct/ and to teach in righteousness. If it be needful (saith he) that any thing should be corrected or instructed/ that is to be made continent and sober unto righteousness/ & to execute those things that be just: all that shall be given by the scripture/ that the man of god may be perfect: the amendment (sayeth he) is prepared by the scriptures/ that nothing may be lacking to that man/ that walketh after god. 
The holy scripture containeth all things needful for our salvation   
THe same upon math. 22. Cap. Homily. 4. Whatso ever is required for our salvation/ is already contamed in the holy scriptures. He that is ignorant/ shall find there what he may learn. He that is stubborn & a sinner/ may find there scourges of the judgements to come/ the which he may fear: he/ that is troubled/ may find there the joys and promises of everlasting life/ through the beholding of the which/ he may be stirred to good works.  
THe same upon the. 2. of the Thessalo. 2. cap. All things be plain and clear in the scriptures/ & what things so ever be needful/ be manifest there.  
THe same upon the. 2. to Timo●the. 3. ch. If there be any thing needful to be known/ or not to be known/ we shall learn it by the holy scriptures: if we shall need to reprove a falsed/ we shall fetch it from thence: if to be corrected/ to be chastened/ to be exhorted/ or comforted/ to be short/ if aught lack that ought to be taught or learned/ we shall also learn it out of the same scriptures.  
The same/ Homily. 1. Titum. Like as the bedell crieth openly to all them that be in the court/ so due we preach openly: 
A preacher must speak nothing but out of god's mouth.  but on that condition/ that we add nothing/ but preach only that thing/ that we have heard. For the office of a crier is to speak out those things that be committed to him/ and not to add/ change or take away any thing.  
THe same upon the latter Epistle to Timothe/ the. 3. cap. 
Believe him not, that speaketh without the scripture.  Therefore/ neither aught there to be believed at all/ except they speak those things which be agreeable to the scriptures.  
THe same upon the. 20. cap. of john Homilia. 89. 
He, that believeth the gospel written, needeth believe no more.  But why did not the Apostles write all things? Chiefly/ because of the multitude of them. More over they did consider/ that he/ which would not believe these/ would not believe more: but he that beseveth these/ need no more to attain faith.  
THe same upon Genesis the. 12. Homily. The holy scripture expoundeth itself/ and suffereth not the hearer to err.  
THe same in the same book/ the 21. Homily. 
Not man's wisdom but the holy ghost is the true expositor of the scripture  Neither hath the scripture of God any need of man's wisdom that it may be understand/ but the revelation of the holy ghost: that/ the true meaning being sucked thereout/ great advantage may grow to us thereby.  
HIeronymus in the prologue of the bible to Palm. 
nothing is of like authority with the holy scripture  After he had recited the books of the new testament and the old/ he saith: I pray thee dear brother/ among these live/ muse upon these/ know nothing else/ seek for none other thing.  
Again upon the books of the old and new testament: These writings be holy/ these books be sound both in number and authority/ there is none other to be compared to these/ whatsoever is besides these may in no wise be received among these holy things. 
God's word cutteth of all traditions apostolic as they call them, which be beside the same word. we ought not to allow any man's doctrine without god's word. the Apostles grounded all their doctrine upon the law and Prophets.   
Again upon the first. Cap. of Agge. All other things which they seek out/ and invent at their own pleasure without the authority & testimony of the scriptures/ (as though they were the traditions of the Apostles) the sword of god cutteth of.  
Again in his little commentaries to the Galathians/ upon this place: condescend to no man/ this persuasion is not of god/ which hath called you: thus he interpreteth it: ye ought neither to consent to them/ nor to me/ without the word of god.  
Again upon Math. the. 13. cap. upon this place: every learned scribe. What so ever the Apostles preached/ they confirmed it by the Oracles of the law and prophets.  
THe same to Minerius & Alexander. 
To build upon any doctors saying without scripture or reason agreeing to scripture, were to follow Pythagoras, rather than Christ.  Not according to Pythagoras disciples/ the opinion/ given sentence upon afore hand by the doctors/ but the reason of the doctrine is to be weighed: but if any man/ that is of a contrary sect/ do murmur why I read their expositions/ unto whose doctrines I do not consent: let him know/ that I willingly hear this of the Apostle: prove all things/ but clean to that which is good/ and the words of our saviour/ saying: be ye tried bankers/ and if any money be counterfeited/ & have not the Emporours' stamp/ nor be currant money/ refuse it/ but that/ that showeth the face of christ in the clear light bestow it in the purse of your heart.  
THe same upon Math. 23 cap. That which hath none authority of the scriptures/ may as easily be rejected/ as proved.  
THe same in the Psalm. 98. All ●hat ever we speak/ we aught to prove it by the scriptures.  
THe same in the Psalm. 86. 
Be a man never so holy, and never so learned after the apostles, yet his words, without god's word, are of none authority.  The lord shall speak in the scriptures of the people etc. & how shall he speak/ not with words/ but with scriptures of those princes that were in it/ that is/ of the Apostles and Evangelists. And mark what he saith: of those princes that were in it/ & not which are. So that (the Apostles except) what soever shallbe spoken afterward/ let it be cut of/ and have none authority. Be a man therefore never so holy/ be he never so well learned/ after the Apostles he hath none authority: for the Lord speaketh in the scriptures of those princes/ that were in it.  
AMbrosius of virgins lib. 3. ca 1 We justly do condemn all new things/ which christ hath 
To teach that, as needful to salvation which C●●yst ●ath not taught, is damnable.  not taught: for christ is the way to the faithful. If therefore we ourselves preach any thing/ that christ hath not taught/ judge that abominable.  
THe same in the psalm. 118. The word of god is the lively meat of our souls/ with the which it is nourished/ fed and governed: 
the soul liveth only by the word of god.  neither is there any thing else/ that maketh a reasonable soul to live, but the word of god.  
THe same in his book of Paradise/ Cap. 12. By that/ which Eva added to the word of god (thou shalt not touch etc.) we do learn how much this present lesson putteth us in remembrance/ that we ought to add nothing to the word of god/ yea though it be for a good purpose. 
nothing is to be added to the word of god although it be for a good purpose.  For if thou put to/ or take away any thing/ it appeareth to be a transgression of the commandment: for there ought nothing to be added/ although it seen good.  
THe same in the Epistle to the Galathians. Capit. i. 
As well, who preacheth beside the gospel as against it is accursed.  Neither (saith the Apostle) if they preach contrary: but if they preach any thing besides that/ that we have preached/ that is/ if they add any thing to it at all/ ●olde them accursed. Neither do I except myself/ if I put to any thing beside that/ which was preached afore.  
THe same/ in the same place. 
Even the Apostles preaching besides the gospel are not to be believed.  He doth affirm the gospel/ which he had preached unto them/ to be so firm and true: that although it should chance themselves (that is to say/ the Apostles) being changed/ to preach any other thing/ he teacheth that they ought not to be heard.  
AVgustine of the consent of the evangelists. 
Christ made all to be written, that he would we should read.  He that sent the Prophets before his incarnation/ the same sent also his Apostles after his ascension/ yea & by that manhood/ which he took upon him/ he is the head of all his discipls/ which are members of his body: therefore forasmuch as they wrote those things/ which he showed & taught them/ it ought not to be said that he wrote them not/ saying that his members wrote that/ which they knew by their head teaching them. 
we are as well bound to believe that, which the Apostles wrote: as though christ had written it with his own hand  For what so ever he would have us to read/ both of his deeds and words/ that commanded he them to write/ as his hands of his body. Whoso ever doth perceive this fellowship of unite and agreement of members/ ministering under one head in diverse offices: he shall none other ways take that/ that he readeth in the gospel (the disciples declaring it) then if he had seen the very hand of the lord/ which he bore in his own body/ writing it.  
THe same to Vincent against the Donatists the .6. tom. pag. 116. Epistola. 48. 
The church is known by the scripture  We therefore for this cause are certain and sure/ that no man ought to withdraw himself from the communion of all men. And let none of us seek the church in our own righteousness/ but in the holy scripture.  
THe same to the Mandarens Epistle. 42. 
All that concerneth true religion, is contained in the scripture.  All that ever our elders made mention of to be done towards mankind in times past/ and delivered to us: all things also which we see/ and deliver to our posterity/ which do appertain to getting and maintaining of true religion/ the scripture of god did not pass with silence.  
Again to the brethren in the wilderness. 
The word written is enough for our salvation  Read the holy scripture/ wherein ye shall find fulli what is to be followed/ and what to be avoided.  
THe same of nature and grace. lib. 1. Cap. 61. I own my consent to the Canonical scriptures/ without any refusal.  
THe same upon john .49. treatise. Cap. 11. Not all things that the Lord jesus did/ are written/ as the same Evangelist witnesseth: for the lord both did and said many things/ that are not written: but things were chosen out to be written/ which seemed sufficient for the salvation of the believers.  
THe same against Faustus the 23. lib. ca 9 
No man is bound to believe farther than the holy scriptures teach.  That which Faustus putteth forth upon the birth of marry/ that she had a certain priest to her father of the tribe of levy named joachim: because it is not canonical/ it doth not bind me.  
THe same of Baptism against the Anabaptists. li. 2. cap. 6. Let us not bring deceitful balances/ wherein we may weigh what we will after our own pleasure/ saying this is heavy/ this is light: 
The balance to try the truth is the holy scripture  but let us bring the divine balances of the holy scriptures/ as of the treasures of the lord/ and in it let us weigh what is heavy/ yea let us not weigh/ but rather acknowledge the things/ that ar● weighed of the lord.  
Again upon john the .46. treats. 
They that sit on Moses' seat, and teach their own doctrine, are not to be believed.  Sitting upon the chair of Moses/ they teach the law of god: therefore god teacheth by them. But if they will teach their own/ hear them not/ do not after them: for truli such men search their own/ but not these things/ which are of jesus christ.  
Again in the .3. lib of the Christian doctrine. Cap. Vlt. how much less the abundance of gold/ silver/ and clothing/ which that people brought with them for the of Egypt/ is in comparison of the riches/ which afterward they had at Jerusalem/ which above all other was showed in king Solomon: so let all knowledge (which is in deed profitably gathered out of the books of the Gentiles) be such/ if it be compared to the knowledge of gods scriptures. 
All evil is condemned by the scripture, and all good things are there found.  For what soever man learneth without them/ if it be evil/ there it is condemned: if it be profitable/ there it is found. And seeing then every man shall find all things there/ which he hath profitably learned other where: much more abundantly shall he find those things there/ which can no where at all else be learned/ but only in the marvelous dep●es/ and wonderful humility of those scriptures.  
THe same in his book of nature and Grace/ the 61. Cap. 
We may lawefulli dissent from all doctrine, except the scriptures only.  We may lawfully sometime dissent from other learning: but to the catholic learning every man must give place/ every man must subscribe/ whether he be lay mannne/ Priest/ King/ or Emperor.  
THe same in his .2. lib. of the Christian doctrine the .9. Cap. After that he hath numbered the Canonical books/ he sayeth thus. In all these books they/ that fear god and are tamed through godliness/ do search the will of god. The first note of which labour and travail (as we said) is to know these books/ and if as yet we can not understand them/ yet let us by reading get them in memory/ or not to be altogether ignorant in them. 
all things that concern faith, hope, love, and good manners: are contained in the scripture  Further more those things which be plainly contained therein/ whether they be precepts of living/ or else of believing/ are earnestly and diligently to be searched: which/ how many the more every man findeth/ so much the more is he apt in his understanding. In these therefore/ which are evidently contained in the scripture/ are found all things/ which contain faith/ manners of living/ hope and love.  
THe same of the unite of the church .3. cap. 
not what we say, but what the lord, that must be heard.  Let us not hear: I say/ thou sayest: but let us hear: thus sayeth the Lord. There are/ out of doubt/ the lords books/ to the authority whereof we both consent/ we both believe/ we both serve. 
The church is known by the scriptures  Let us search the church there/ let us discuss our cause there.  
Again in his second book of Baptism/ against the Donatists the .3. Ca Who is he/ that knoweth not/ that the scripture canonical is so contained within his certain bonds of the new and old testament/ and is so to be preferred above all latter writings of Bishops/ that a man may not at all either doubt or dispute of it/ whether any thing be true or right/ that he is sure is written in it: 
We may doubt of all men's doctrine but not of holy scriptures.  but the letters of all other Bishops/ which are/ or shallbe hereafter written besides the Canonical scriptures/ already confirmed/ may be reproved/ either by more grave authority of other Bishops or learned men/ and by the words of every man/ that is better seen in the matter.  
Again in his second book of the merits and forgiveness of sins. ca Vlt. tom. 7. 
If gods scriptures can not discuss a matter in doubt let man never go about to discuss it  Where disputation is had of a doubtful matter/ if the certain and clear doctrine of the scriptures of god do not help i●: man's reason ought to stay itself/ no thing leaning to either part. For though I know not how to express every one of these things: yet I believe suerli/ that the scriptures of god should be most plain herein/ if a man might not be ignorant hereof without the loss of that salvation/ that is promised him.  
Again in his book of pastors. 
Who feedeth with the scriptures, feedeth safely. Other therefore with unwritten verities feed untruely.  He appointed the hills of Israel the authors of the scriptures of god/ fede there that you may feed safely. What so ever you hear out of that/ let it savour well to you/ what so ever is besides that/ refuse it/ lest you wander into clouds.  
Get you to the hills of the Scriptures/ there be the pleasures of your hearts/ there is no noysone/ hurtful or venomous things/ no inconuenyente things/ there be most plentiful pastures.  
Again of Christian doctrine. 2. lib. Cap. 9 
In the scripture are all things necessary for faith and good life, which two suffice for salvation  In these things that be plainly set forth in the scriptures/ are found all things/ that contain faith and manners of living/ that is to wit/ hope and charity. Then after a certain familiarity had with the speech of the scripture of god/ we must go to expound/ and discus those things that be dark/ that (to give light to dark speeches) examples may be taken out of the more plain places/ and some testimonies of places/ being certain/ may take a way the doubt of the uncertain sentences.  
Again of the Christian doctrine the .3. lib. Cap. 26. Dark places are to be expounded by plainer places. That is the surest way/ to expound one scripture by another.  
Again to Vincente the Donatist Epistola .48. This kind of learning (speaking of the old writers doings) is not to be red with necessity of belief/ but with liberty of judgement. And after. There (that is) in the holy scriptures/ it is not lawful to say/ the author of this book perceived not the truth: 
If any man's saying or writing cannot be proved by plain scripture or good reason, gathered of the same a man may allow or refuse it, as him liketh.  but either that the book is false/ or the interpreter hath erred/ or thou understandest it not. But in the works of all them that come after/ (which be contained in innumerable books/ yet in no wise to be compared to the most holy excellency of the Canonical scriptures) although in some of them be found the same truth/ yet the authority is far unlike.  
Therefore/ if it fortune any thing in them to be thought to dissent from the truth/ because they are not so understand as they be spoken: yet the reader or hearer/ hath his free judgement/ so that either he may allow that/ that pleaseth him/ or reject that/ which offendeth him. And therefore all such like (except they may be defended either by good reason/ or by them canonical authority/ that it may be proved that they are so in deed/ or may be so/ because either it is there disputed/ or declared) if it displease any man/ or if he will not believe it/ he is not to be blamed therefore.  
THe same in the same place Epistola. 48. Gather not (my brother) against so many/ so clear/ & so undoubted witnesses of the scriptures/ sentences misunderstanded/ out of the writings of bishops/ either of ours/ or of Hilary/ or Cyprian Bishop and martyr of the church: for we must put a diversity betwixt this kind of writing and the Canonical scriptures. 
The old writers are not of such authority, but that we may deni them, if they descent from the holy scriptures.  For these are not so to be red/ as though a witness might be alleged out of them so/ that no man might think otherwise/ if they fortune to judge otherwise/ then the truth requireth.  
THe same to Jerome. I have learned to give this reverence and honour to those only writers/ which be now called Canonical/ that I dare be bold to believe/ that none of them did err any thing at all in writing? But if I find any thing in those Scriptures/ that seemeth contrary to the truth: I doubt not/ but that either the book is false/ or the interpreter did not attain the thing that was spoken/ or else I understand it not.  
But all other authors/ (be they never so excellent both in virtue and learning) I do so read them/ nor that I think it true that they wrote/ because they thought so: 
We may not think all, that the old fathers did write, to be true.  but because they could persuade me either by other canonical Scriptures/ or by some probable reasons/ a thing not altogether abhorring from the truth.  
THe same against Cresconium agramarien. lib. 2. Capit. 32. 
All men's writings ought to be weighed by the canonical scriptures.  I am not bound to his authority. For I do not account Cyprian'S writings as Canonical/ but weyghe them by the Canonical scriptures: & that in them/ which agreeth with the Canonical scriptures/ I allow to his praise/ but that/ that agreeth not/ by his favour I refuse.  
THe same to Vincent Victor. 
He confesseth many errors in his own books 〈◊〉 others also.  I cannot/ nor ought not to deny/ that like as in mine elders/ so also in my so many books/ be many things: that by just judgement/ (without rashness) may be reproved.  
THe same in the prologue of his book of the trinity. 
Believe not his writings except thou be sure of them by the scriptures.  Be not bound to my writings/ as to the Canonical scriptures: but if thou find any thing in them/ which thou didst not believe/ straight way believe it: in these that thou art not sure of/ except thou certainly understand it/ believe it not certainly.  
THe same to Fortunate Epistola. 198. 
we ought not to esteem man's writings further, than they agree with the scriptures: but may refuse them at our pleasures.  Neither ought we to allow the reasonings of any men/ what soever they be/ (although there be catholic and laudable men) as the canonical scriptures/ so that it shall not be lawful for us (saving the reverence that is due to those men) to reprove/ and refuse any thing in their writings/ if it chance that they have judged otherwise then truth is: the same truth/ by god's help/ being understand either of other men/ or of us. For I am even such an one in other men's writings/ as I would men should be in mine.  
THe same in the same place. Let us seek no further/ than is written of god our saviour/ lest a man would know more/ than the scriptures witness.  
CIrille lib. 6. 
Understand the word written, for they that learn of it, learn of god.  Upon Leuitie●s. There be two offices of a bishop/ to learn the scriptures of god/ and by oft reading to digest the same/ or else to teach/ the people: but let him teach those things which he hath learned of god/ and not of his own heart or by man's understanding/ but those things which the holy ghost teacheth.  
THe same in john. Cap. 6. He sayeth/ by this we learn/ that only christ ought to be followed as a master/ and we must clean unto him only.  
THe same in john. cap. 20. 
all things pertaining to doctrine and good manners, are in the word written, which is sufficient  Not all things/ that the lord did/ are written: but those things that the writers thought sufficient/ as well to good manners as to doctrine/ that we/ shining with a constant faith/ good works and virtues/ may come to the kingdom of heaven.  
FVlgence in his sermon of the confessors. In the word of god is plenty for the strong man to eat/ there is enough for the child to suck/ there is also milk to drink/ wherewith the tender infancy of the faithful may be nourished/ and strong meat/ wherewith the lusty youth of them/ that be perfect/ may receive the spiritual encresment of holy virtue. 
Note this holy father's words, and print them in your hearts for ever.  There/ provision is made for the salvation of all men/ whom the lord doth vouchsafe to save: there is that/ that is agreeable to all ages: there is also that/ which is meet for all states. There we learn the commandments/ which we ought to do: there we know the rewards/ which we hope for.  
GRegory in job. lib. 16. Cap. 28. He that prepareth himself to the office of a true preacher/ must neds fetchè the foundation of his matters out of the holy scriptures. 
If preachers ought so then so ought all others: for they all are prepared to come to one end by one ordinary rule.  So that all that he sayeth/ he must reduce it to the first beginning of god's authority/ and in that stay the effect of his sayings. For as I have said many times afore: heretics when they study to maintain their froward doctrine surely they bring forth those things/ that are not contained in the holy scriptures.  
THeophilactus upon this place of Paul/ the last to the Romans: I beseech you brethren/ mark them which cause division & give occasion of evil/ contrary to the doctrine which you have learned and avoid them: for they that are such serve not the Lord jesus christ/ but their own bellies/ and with sweet preachings and flattering words deceive the hearts of the innocents: Here saith Theophilactus that they bring in divisions and occasions of evil/ which bring forth any thing beside the doctrine and learning of the Apostles.  
DAmascenus. lib. 1. cap. 1. All that ever was delivered by the law/ the Prophet's/ the Apostles and the Evangelists: we receive/ acknowledge/ and give reverence unto them/ searching nothing besides them.  
BRuno the in second to Timothe doubtless the holy Scriptures are able to instruct thee to salvation. For every scripture being inspired from god/ that is to say/ spiritually understand after the will of God/ is profitable to teach them that be ignorant/ to reprove (that is) to convince them that speak against the faith/ to correct sinners/ such as deny not themselves to be sinners: 
The scriptures only are sufficient for matter of salvation.  to instruct those that be yet rude and simple/ to instruct (I say) in righteousness/ that they may be made righteous by putting away their former instructions of infidelity (I say) that he may be so taught/ that/ as much as in the teacher lieth/ he/ that is taught/ may be the perfect man of god: so perfect/ that he may be instruct to do every good work.  
BEda in the. 1. Epistle of Peter. Cap. 5. If any man speak/ let him speak as the words of god/ fearing lest he say or command any thing besides the will of god/ or besides that/ which is manifestly commanded in the holy scriptures/ and be found as a false witness of god/ or acommitter of sacrilege/ or a bringer in of any strange thing from the lords doctrine/ or else leave out or pass over any thing that pleaseth god/ seeing that christ most plainly commandeth the preachers of the truth/ concerning them whom they had taught/ saying: 
If any man speak, let him speak according to the word of god: except he will be called by these names here expressed.  teach them to keep all things/ that I have commanded you. Yea even the same/ which he had commanded and none other/ and he commanded his preachers to command their hearers to keep not some of these/ but all.  
ANselmus Bishop in his book of virginity. 24. Cap. 
We may not believe the general faith, except the same agre with god's word.  God's law forbiddeth to follow the steps of the catholic or universal faith any more/ than the judgement of the canonical truth commandeth to believe. And all other Apocryphal lies/ the good policies of the best learned father's/ have established in their decrees/ utterly to reject and to banish them clean/ as horrible thoundringes of words.  
Lyrate upon the last Ca of the proverbs. Like as in a merchants ship are carried diverse things/ necessary for man's life: so in the scripture are contained all things/ needful to salvation.  
THomas of Aquine. The holy Scripture is the rule of our faith/ whereunto it is neither lawful to add/ nor take any thing away. 
the truth of our faith is contained in the word written.  But the truth of our faith is contained in the holy scriptures diffusely and diverse ways/ in some places darkly/ and to try out the truth of our faith by the scriptures/ is required long study and exercise: to the which all they cannot come/ that need to know the truth of the faith/ the more part whereof/ being occupied with other business/ cannot attend to study. And therefore it was needful out of the sentences of holy scripture to gather some thing into a short some/ which should be set forth for all men to believe/ which is not added to the scriptures/ but rather taken out of the scriptures.  
SCotus in the prologue of sentences que. 2. Question. Whether knowledge about nature/ sufficient for a man in this life/ be sufficiently set forth in the holy scripture. The Question is not whether any things be true that are not written/ or whether god/ sense the creation and redemption of the world/ hath done or said any thing/ that is not written/ and received of the Church for the holy scripture: but this is the question/ whether the word of god written be sufficient for our salvation: or whether a Christian man be bound to believe any thing/ that cannot he proved by the holy scripture. And this granted/ that all things that may be gathered out of the scripture/ and every thing that upon any truth granted may b● proved by a good argument of the scripture/ doth pertain to the holy scripture: this granted I say/ he concludeth that all things/ necessary for our salvation/ are fully contained in the holy scripture. ¶ The school authors call the stay of our faith/ the truth showed of God/ and contained in the Canon of the Bible.   

¶ That the general counsels/ without the word of god/ are not sufficient to make articles of our faith.  
¶ The iii Chapter.  
EVsebius in his ecclesiastical history. 
They were gathered in the spirit of pride and envy, and not in the spirit of meekness and love.  lib. 1. Cap. 8. The head rulers of the church/ forgetting god's commandments/ were inflamed one against another with contention/ zeal/ envy/ pride/ malice and hatred: so that they thought rather that they occupied the room of tyrants then of priests. And also/ forgetting Christian humility and sincerite/ they did celebrate the holy mysteries with unholy hands.  
GRegorye Nazianzen to Procopius. 
Note these words diligently and forget them not.  Vndoubtedli I think thus if I must needs writ the truth/ that all assembles of bishops are to be eschewed. For I never saw good end of any synod/ that did not rather bring in evils/ then put them away: for the lusts of strife and desire/ and of lordship reign there.  
AVgustine in his lib. 2. Capit. 3. against the Donatists. 
Counsels are not of such authority, that what so ever they decree must be held for truth  The counsels/ which are kept through every region or province/ without all clokinges/ aught to give place to the general counsels/ which are made of all Christendom: yea and the former general counsels/ ought ofttimes to be reform by the latter counsels/ if any thing in them do chance to err from the truth.  
AVgustine against Maximinum the bishop of the Arrians. lib. 3 Ca 4. But now neither aught I to allege the counsel of Nice/ nor thou the counsel of Arimine/ to take advantage thereby: 
The scripture must try all.  for neither am I bound nor held by the authority of this/ nor thou of that. Let matter with matter/ cause with cause or reason with reason/ try the matter by the authority of scriptures/ not proper witnesses to any of us/ but indifferent witnesses for us both.  
GErson. 
Mark this.  We ought rather believe the saying of any teacher/ armed with the canonical scripture/ then the Pope's determination.  
THe same. 
Read ye Papists and be no longer ignorant  More tredite is to be given to a man/ that is singularly learned in the Scripture/ bryngying forth catholic authority/ than to the general counsel.  
PAnormitan in cap. 
Counsels may and do err oftimes.  Significasti. A simple lay man/ bringing forth the scriptures/ is to be believed/ rather than an hole counsel. For a counsel may err/ as it hath afore times erred/ as did the counsel of Melchildense and Aquisgranum of contracting of Matrimony. The council of Constance among other articles of john Husband Jerome of prague/ unjustly condemned/ condemned also this article for heresy: that the two natures (that is) the divinity and humanity be one christ/ which is a necessary article of our faith/ expressed in the Crede of Athanasius called qui cunque vult/ where it is red: 
Read the Psalm.  the right faith is/ that we believe and confess/ that our Lord jesus christ the son of god is god and man/ and a little after: like as the reasonable soul and the flesh is one man/ so god and man is one Christ: the same is also decreed by the counsel of Nice and diverse other catholic counsels/ and it is the doctrine of the church at this time. Finally it may be proved by the express word of god/ and yet these malicious clergy were not ashamed to condemn the same for an heresy. Note here gentle reader/ unto what shameless and detestable heresies their Popish/ yea Antichristian general counsels have fallen/ of the which they boast so much/ that they cannot err/ and whereupon chenfely they build all their errors and heresies. Moreover the most part of the good laws and Canons be in manner altogether abrogated and no where kept: part whereof I shall express.  

¶ Canons of the Apostles and counsels not kept nor used.  
CAnone .3. Let not a bishop/ priest or deacon/ by any means put away his own wife under pretence of religion: but if he do/ let him be excommunicated: and if he so continue/ let him be deposed.  
CAnone. 4. Let no bishop/ priest or deacon be received in to another bishops diocese/ without a testymoniall of his good behaviour: and when they have delivered their writings/ let them be diligently examined if they be godly preachers. ¶ If these ii laws were thoroughly executed by indifferent judges/ being no Priests/ the realm of England should not swarm so full of runagates/ adulterous and sodomicall priests. For in wales/ for their cradle crowns paid to the ordinary/ they kept their concubines or harlots openly: and in England many great beneficed men keep their harlettes at rack and manger without any punishment/ except it be by bribing of the ordinaries privily: and all shame set aside/ they have their own known bastards waiting upon them in sight of the whole world. But the poor purgatory priests/ when they be taken in open adultery/ flee from east to west/ from north to south/ from diocese to diocese/ and there be received without any letters testimonial at all: where they be taken for honest and chaste Priests. But if the rich Priests were deprived of all their promotions/ so oft as they be known to be fornicators (as they ought to be) and the poor priests not received into any strange diocese/ without testimony of his honest demeanour/ from his former ordinary: you should scarcely find Priests for every third benefice of England/ and the priests themselves would be the first earnest suitors/ that they might have their lawful wives of their own: but as long as they be their own judges (according to the old proverb/ one scabbed horse gnappeth an other) what for favour and friendship/ what for moeny and for slandering of their order: they wink one at another's faults/ and help to cloak the same in so much/ that within my memory/ which is above. thirty. years/ and also by information of other/ that be twenty years elder than I: 
O what a court is this, that in suspicion of heresy acquitteth no man, and in cause of adultery condemneth no priest, be his crime never so openly known  I could never perceive or learn/ that any one Priest/ under the Pope's kingdom/ was ever punished for adultery by his ordinary. And yet not long ago/ a Petye canon of a Cathedral church in England was accused of buggery/ by iii boys of the graner school/ to the vicedeane or subdeane of the same church/ a man not unlike to a monk called jodocus: of whom Erasmus maketh mention/ that he were worthy to walk openly with a bell and a cocks comb/ if he were not set forth under the holy habit of a monk. But when he perceived/ that the said Pryest could not purge himself of the foresaid crime/ he privily paid him his quarter's wages before hand/ and suffered him to depart without farther trial of the said crime: and now he jetteth in london/ with side gown and sarsenet typet/ as good a virgin priest as the best. If I should but briefly touch all the histories/ that I have known of the incontinency of Pryests/ it would grow to a work thrice greater/ then all my whole book/ and it would make some of the proudest of them to blush/ if they be not past all shame: but I will not blot my good paper with so evil matter: although they be not ashamed openly to blot and stain their own good names with crimes/ worthy of such reproach and ignominy.  
LEt not any bishop/ priest or Deacone/ in any wise take upon him any secular business: 
Cano. 7.  but if he do/ let him be excommunicated. ¶ But now such shameless contemners they be of their own laws/ which they so greatly extol and bind all ●ther to keep: that they be hunter's/ faukon●ors, stewards/ surueyars and receivers to all great men/ yea and to the bishops themselves.  
IF any priest or Deacone/ or any other of the number of Priesthood/ do not receive at the Communion/ let him show his cause: 
Cano. 9  if it he reasonable/ let him be pardoned: if not/ let him be deprived from the Communion.  
IT is meet to put of from them Communion all Christian men (which enter into the church/ and hear the scriptures/ but continue not in prayer until mass be done: 
Canon. 10.  nor receive there the holy Communion:) as disturbers/ of the quietness of the church. ¶ By these ii Canons be subverted/ and utterly over thrown/ all private masses/ where the priest only receiveth.  
LEt the old custom continue still in Egypt/ Libya and Pentapoli/ that the bishop of Alexandrie have power over all these: 
The counsel of nice Cano. 6.  forasmuch as the bishop of Rome hath a like custom. At Antioch also/ & other provinces: let their honour be reserved to every church. 
The council of nice cano. 20.  Because there be some that kneel at their prayers on the Sunday and in Whitsun week: be it therefore ordained by this holy counsel/ that all men stand at their prayers/ for so much as it is a convenient custom/ fit to be kept in all churches.  
¶ But now antichrist of Rome/ contrary to this decree/ hath extolled himself above his fellow bishops/ as god's vicar/ yea rather as god himself: and taketh upon him authority over kings and Emperors/ and sitteth in the temple of God, that is/ in the consciences of men/ and causeth his decrees to be more regarded/ then god's laws: yea and for money he dispenseth with gods laws and all other/ giving men licence to break them.  
IF any Pryest be found eating in a common ale house/ let him be excommunicated. 
The council of Nice. 6.   
IF any man judge/ that a married priest ought not to offer/ as it were for his marriage sake: 
The council of Gangrense  and for that cause do abstain from his oblation/ let him be excommunicated.  
¶ But now married priests be excommunicated/ and except they will forsake their lawful wives/ they shall be burned therefore.  
FOr asmuch as there are some/ which pray standing both on the Sunday & in whitsone we●●: 
Ibidem. 7.  it is therefore ordained/ by this holy/ counsel/ that because it is a convenient custom/ and agreeable throughout all churches/ that men should make their prayers to god standing. ¶ This law is no where kept.  
LEt no priest be made before 
The counsel of Neocesario. . 30. years/ yea though he be of an honest life/ but let him tarry to the time appointed: for the lord was baptized at .30. years & then preached.  
¶ How this law is kept/ the whole world may judge/ for the cardinal of Loreyn was made about the .12. year of his age. And Pope Clemence made ii of his nephew's cardinals/ being veri boys. And of late in the pope's kingdom children have been made Archedeacons'/ & denes of Cathedral churches.  
NO man may be received to baptism in lente/ after 
The council of Laodicia.  two. weeks.  
Bread ought not to be offered in lent but in the saturday & sunday. 
Ibidem.  ¶ He speaketh of the bread of the holy Communion. But who keepeth these laws?  
LAy men ought not to sing any made & commonly used songs in the church/ nor read any book beside the canon: 
Ibidem.  but only the canonical books of the new & old testament/ those books which ought to be red and received for authority/ those books/ which be divided from the books called apocrypha/ in the great bible. Unto the which S. Cyprian/ Hieron/ Austen/ with all the old writers/ agre. ¶ But the .3. council of carthage added to these the books of wisdom/ Ecclesiasticus/ Toby/ judith/ Hester/ & the books of the Maccabees/ unto which latter counsel the papists cleave with tooth & nail/ and there upon stay their purgatory/ praying to saints/ with diverse other errors and heresies: contrary to the elder & better counsels. Herby you may most easily perceive/ how shamefully their general counsels have erred/ as well in the judgement of the scriptures/ as also in necessary articles of our faith & good manners. Yea & the chiefest and oldest counsels be (as Anacharsis said of the laws/ made by Solon for the athenians) like to cobwebs/ wherein small flies/ gnats and Miges be taken/ and devoured of the spiders: but great hornets and hombellbees fly through and break them/ without any danger or hurt. And generally there is no laws regarded/ kept or maintained among them: but such as make/ (as they turn them) pro pane lucrando/ that is/ for their dignities/ immunites or libertes and prophets. Wherefore the words of our saviour Christ may be rightly verified of them: 
Mat. 23.  they lay heavy & importable burdens on other men's shoulders/ but will not once move them with their finger. For all their laws be but nets to take/ & kill the poor fishes/ and to fill their own paunches.    

¶ That nothing can be proved by oracles of Angels/ touching religion.  
¶ The. iiii. Chapter.  
GEnesis .3. Satan/ being changed into a serpent/ deceived our first parents: & in them cast all mankind headlong into damnation.  
REgum .3. Vlti. I will go forth/ and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his Prophets. ¶ Read the whole Chapter.  
GAlat. 1. Though an angel from heaven preach any other gospel. etc.  
THe .2. to the. Cor. ca 11. Satan himself is changed into an Angel of light.  
COlossi .2. Let no man make you hot at a wrong mark/ by the humbleness and holiness of Angels.  
THe same .4. Cap. The spirit speaketh evidently/ that in the latter times some shall departed from the faith/ and shall give heed unto spirits of error and devilish doctrine/  
IOhn .4. Believe not every spirit: but prove the spirits/ whether they are of god or not.  
Acts .16. A certain damsel/ possessed with a spirit that prophesied met us: which brought her master and mistress much vantage with prophesying. The same followed Paul and us and cried/ saying: these are the servants of the most high god: which show unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days: but Paul/ not content/ turned about/ and said to the spirit: I command thee/ in the name of jesus christ/ that thou come out of her. And he came out the same hour.  
CIprian of the simpleness of prelate's. The enemy (after the words of the Apostle) changeth himself into an Angel of light/ and setteth forth his servants/ as ministers of righteousness/ affirming night for day/ death for health/ desperation under the cooler of hope/ false faith under the pretence of faith/ Antichrist under the name of christ: 
The devil deceiveth man, because he wandereth from the word written, and is not content therewith.  so that whiles they counterfete the like things/ they make void the truth with subtlety. This (dearly beloved brethren) cometh to pass by this means/ that we resort not to the original of the truth/ nor seek the head christ/ nor keep the doctrine of our heavenly master.  
CIprianus in his .4. treatesse of the vanity of Idols. Filthy spirits wandering abroad/ being drowned in worldly vices● after they have shrunken from heavenly virtue through worldly corruption/ being themselves destroyed/ cease not to destroy other/ and being infect with evil/ infect other with the same. 
Spirits work no good but evil.  These inspire the hearts of the Prophets/ ever lapping up lies with the truth/ they trouble men's lives/ dysquiet their sleeps/ drawing their members awry/ hurt their health/ provoke diseases/ to force men to worshipping of them: 
The devils miracles ar● to work mischief.  & this is the remedy of them when they cease to hurt: 
They hurt most of all, when they cease from hurting.  neither have they any other study but to call men back from god/ and turn them from the perceiving of true religion/ to their superstition/ & seeing they be in pain themself/ to seek those to be companions of their pain/ whom they have made/ through their error/ partakers of their sin.  
Lactantius institucionun li. 2. ca 15. corrupt & damned spirits stray over all the world/ & seek for ease of their destruction/ through the destruction of men. 
The devils vex both body ct soul, to cause men to seek to them for help, and so to be worshipped as god.  They therefore fill all the world with snares/ frauds/ and errors/ the which because they be fine spirits/ and can not be perceived/ convey themselves into men's bodies/ and being secretly hid within the body● trouble health/ bring sickness/ fray men with dreams/ vex men's minds with sweat/ that thorough these harms they may force men to run to them for help. The cause of all which discea●es/ is dark to them that be ignorant in the truth: for they think they profit when they cease from hurting/ which can do nothing but hurt. But they/ which have shrunken back from gods service/ because they be enemies and transgressors of the truth/ go about to challenge to themselves the name and honour of god: not because they desire any honor● (for what honour can the damned have) nor that they should hurt god/ who cannot be hurt: but to hurt men/ whom they go about to draw away from the worship and knowledge of gods true majesty/ least they should attain immortality/ which they have lost thorough their own malice. So they cover all with darkness/ and compass the truth with claudes: 
Satan worketh miracles by Images, and hereof springeth the worshipping of Images.  so that they can not know their lord/ nor their father. And that they may easily allure men/ they hide themselves in the churches/ and are at hand in all sacrifices. Yea many tims they work miracles/ through which men/ being astonied/ do give to Images the faith of the godhead. Here of it cometh/ that a stone was cut in sander with a rasure by a sorcerer: and that juno of Ve●a answered/ that she would go to Rome: & that a ship followed the hand of Claudia: and that juno being rob/ and Proserpina of Locrense/ and Ceres of Milet/ took vengeance of those/ that had committed sacrilege: and Hercules of Appius/ and jupiter of Atimus and Minerva of Cesar. Hereof also it cometh/ that a serpent delivered the City of Rome from the pestilence/ being brought from Epidaure. 
The devils speak in Imags as though they were gods.  But chiefly they deceive men in their oracles and answers/ whose juglynges ungodly men cannot discern from the truth. Therefore they think/ that empires and victories/ riches and lucky chances of things/ are given of them: 
though devils prophecy truly of things to come, yet all is but dysceite, to make men to worship them.  and to be short/ oft times common wealths to be delivered from present dangers at their beck/ which dangers they both declared by their answers/ and being pacified with sacrifice/ turned away. But all these be but deceits: for seeing they know before the disposition of god/ because they were his ministers/ they thrust themselves into these businesses/ so that what so ever things either be done/ or have been done of God/ they might seem chiefly to do or have done it.  
And so oft as any goodness is coming at hand to any people or City/ according to God's appointment/ they promise that they will do it/ either by miracles/ dreams or revelations: if churches/ if honour's/ if sacrifices/ be given to them. The which things being given/ when that chanceth that needs must be: 
Satan under pretence of dead men's souls deceiveth them, that live: and leadeth them into idolatry.  they get to themselves great worship. For this cause be temples vowed/ for this cause be new Images hallowed. And so oft as perils be at hand/ for some foolish and light cause/ they fain themselves angry: as juno toward Varre. But these be the deceits of them/ that lurking under the names of the dead/ intend to plague them that be alive. Wherefore/ whereas that danger/ that is at hand/ may be avoided: they would seem that they/ being pacified/ have turned it away.  
And if it cannot be eschewed/ this they do/ that it might appear to chance for the contempt of them: and so they purchase to themselves great authority, & fear among men that know them not. Some men will say/ why doth god then suffer these things/ neither doth he succour so evil errors? That evil things may fight with good/ that vices may be contrari to virtues/ that he may have some/ whom he may punish/ and some whom he may honour.  
STapulensis upon the .2. epistle to the Thessa. 2. Ca Marvel not of counterfeit Angels/ and of the subtlety of Satan/ resembling himself to Christ: 
Subtle Satan sayneth himself to be Christ ct worshipped as god.  seeing we read a like thing in the history of Heraclides/ of a Moonke called Valent. The devil (saith he) changing himself into the likeness of our saviour/ came to him by night with a company (as he feigned) of a. M. Angels: holding burning lamps in their hands/ and with a frery chariot/ in the which he feigned our saviour to sit. 
How shall we then know any certain truth by apparitions.  Then one of them stepped forth and said thus unto him: come forth out of thy ●ell now/ and do nothing else but when thou seest him come a far of/ make hast to bow down thyself and worship him/ and so straight way return again to thine own house. Then he went forth out of his house/ and believing that he had seen that godly offices of heavenly ministers/ and all shining with fiery lamps/ and christ (as he thought) himself not past a furlong of/ fell flat upon the ground/ and worshipped him/ whom he believed to be the lord. 
They that believe visions often worship Satan for Christ.  See here how this fearful and foolish monk Valent/ leaving very christ/ worshipped Christ'S enemy: and in stead of the truth/ a counterfeit antichrist and Satan.   

¶ That apparitions of the dead be unsuffycyente to prove truth.  
¶ The .v. Chapter.  
DEuteronomyum .18. When thou art come into the land/ which the lord thy god giveth thee/ see that thou follow not the abominations of those nations: let there not be found among you any one/ that maketh his son or daughter to go through the fire/ or that useth witchcraft/ or a chooser of days, and that regardeth the flying of fowls/ or a sorcerer or a charmer/ or that counseleth with spirits/ or a sothesayer/ or that asketh the truth at them/ that be dead. For the lord abhorreth all these: & for such abominations/ the lord thy god doth cast them out/ before thee. But the lord/ thy god, hath not suffered the so to do.  
ESai. 8. And if they say to you/ axe counsel at the soothsayers/ witch's/ charmers & coniurat●: then make them this answer: is there a people any where/ that asketh not counsel at his God? 
Read the place.  should men roonne unto the dead for the living? If any man want light/ let him look upon the law/ and the testimony/ whether they speak after this meaning.  
LVke .16. 
Read the Chapter  If they hear not Moses and the Prophets/ neither will they believe/ if one arise from death.  
LActancius in his institutions lib. 2. Cap. 2. 
He laugheth their foolishness to scorn.  The rude sort think that men's souls walk about the graves/ and relics of their bodies.  
chrysostom in his .4. Homily of Lazarus. That thou mayest know/ that the doctrines of the scriptures/ and prophets/ be of more force/ than if they that be raised from death should tell any thing: 
the scripture ought to be believed rather than the testimony of the dead: for it is gods own word, and the other oft times the devils.  consider this/ that whosoever is dead/ is a servant. But what the scriptures speak/ the lord himself speaketh: therefore though a dead man arise/ yea although an angel come down from heaven/ yet chief we ought to believe the scriptures. For he/ that is master of Angels/ and lord of the quick and the dead made them. If dead men should come again from thence unto us/ the devil might have brought to us false doctrines: and that very easily. For he might have showed of ten times ghosts/ and have subornated men/ that should counterfeit death and burial/ and within a while after show themselves/ as though they were raised again from death/ and through them to persuade the people so beguiled/ what so ever him list. For if now● when no such thing is done in deed/ yet dreams seen of many men in their sleep/ as though it were of them that are departed hence/ have deceived/ destroyed/ and over thrown many men: much more it should have chanced/ if the thing had been done in deed/ and gotten credit in men's minds/ (that is to say) if many of the dead had returned again to life/ that wicked devil would have wrought innumerable deceits/ and brought much fraud into the life of men. 
The dead never return after the death to tell their state that be dead.  And for that cause God hath shut up that way/ neither doth he suffer any of the dead to come again hither to tell what is done there: lest he by that means should bring in all his wiles and subtleties. For when there were Prophets/ he stirred up false Prophets: when the Apostles were/ false Apostles: when Christ appeared/ he raised false Christ'S: whā●ounde doctrine was brought in/ he brought in corrupt doctrine/ sowing ●ockle every where. But God/ from whom nothing is hid/ hath ●ropped his way to those snares/ and he favouring us hath not suffered that any some at any time should come from thence hither/ to tell what is there done to any men living/ teaching us that we should rather believe the scriptures/ than all other things. 
The scripture is to ●e believed above all things.   
THe same in Math. Cap. 8. Homily .2.9. I will not deny/ but that men have been killed of cursed charmers and sorcerers: 
It is not the soul of the dead that saith I am such a man's soul, but the devyl counterfeiteth the dead to deceive the living: for souls departed the body can not walk her on earth.  but that dead men's souls work with them/ how shall they make me believe that? because thou haste heard dead men's souls many times cry/ I am the soul of such a one. Yea but these words proceed out of the fraud and deceit of the devil. For it is not the dead man's soul/ that saith this/ but the devil that sayneth this/ that he may deceive the hearers. For these aught to be taken as old wives fables/ the words of liars/ and fray bugs of children: neither can the soul/ being departed from the body/ walk in this earth. For the souls of the righteous are in the hand of god/ and the souls of sinners are straight/ after their death/ carried away. Which is manifest by Lazarus and the rich man. The lord saith also in another place: this day shall they fetch away thy soul. The soul therefore/ after it be departed from the body/ cannot wander here amongst us. It may be proved by maniscripturs/ that the souls of the righteous cannot wander here after their death.  
For Steven said/ Lord receive my spirit. And Paul desired to be loosed from the body/ and to be with CHRIST. Of the patriarchs also the Scripture saith/ he was laid up with his father's/ he died in a good age. And that the souls of sinners can not tarry here with us/ hearken to the rich man/ what he sayeth: consider what he asketh/ and obtaineth not. But if men's souls might be conversant here/ he would have come as he desired/ and have certified his brethren of the torments in hell.  
Of the which place of Scripture it is manifest/ that after the departing from the body. the souls are carried into a certain place, from whence they cannot return at their pleasure: but look for that terrible day of judgement.  
Jerome in the .8. Ca of jeremy. If you doubt of any thing (sayeth the prophet) know that it is written/ that those nations/ which the lord shall scatter before thy face/ shall hearken to dreams and soothsayers: but the Lord thy god hath commanded thee not so to do/ but if you will know things that be doubtful/ give yourselves rather to the testimonies of the law & the scriptures. But if your congregation will not search the word of the lord: they shall not have the light of the truth but shall wander in darkness of errors. You ought to know this/ that every nation asketh counsel at their own gods/ and inquireth of the dead for the health of the quick: but god hath given you the law for your help/ so that you may say/ the soothsaying of the heathen/ which deceive their worshippers/ is not like ours: which is spoken out of the law/ without any cost.  
Saint Augustine also saith/ that the spirit of Samuel/ which the woman sorcerer raised to Saul/ was not the soul of Samuel/ but the devil/ which appeared in samuel's likeness/ for to deceive Saul: this doth he prove both by evident scriptures/ and strong reasons.   

¶ Neither are miracles able to prove our faith  
¶ The vi Chapter.  
EXodus .7. 8. The wise men/ and enchanters of Pharaoh/ turned their rods into serpent's/ and the waters of Egypt into blood: and made all the whole land to swarm with frogs/ through their sorceries.  
DEuteronum .13. If there arise among you/ a Prophet/ or a dreamer of dreams/ and give thee a sign or a wonder/ and that sign or wonder/ which he hath said/ come to pass/ and then say: let us got after strange gods/ which thou hast not known/ and let us serve them: hearken not unto the words of that Prophet/ or dreamer of dreams. For the lord thy god tempteth thee/ to wit whether ye love the lord your God/ with all your hearts/ and all your souls.  
IEremye .23. Behold here am I▪ sayeth the LORD/ against those Prophets that dare prophesy lies/ and deceive my people with their vanities and miracles▪ whom I never sent/ nor commanded.  
MAth. 7. Many shall say to me in those days/ LORD/ have we not prophesied in thy name? have we not cast out devils in thy name? and than it shall be answered them: I never knew you/ depart from me you children of iniquity.  
MAth. 12. An evil and froward generation saketh a sign/ and there shall no sign be given to them/ but the sign of jonas the Prophet.  
matthew .24. There shall a/ rise false CHRIST'S/ and false Prophets/ and shall show great miracles/ and wonders/ in so much that/ if it were possible/ even the very elect should be deceived: 
Mar. 13.  but take you heed/ behold/ I have showed you all things before.  
THessa .2. The coming of that wicked one (meaning Antichrist) shallbe after the working of S●than/ with all dying power/ signs and wonders/ and with all deceit of unrighteousness of them/ that shall perish: because they received not the love of the truth/ that they might be saved. And therefore God shall send them strong delusyons/ that they might believe lies: that all they might be damned/ which believed not the truth/ but had pleasure in unrighteousness.  
Acts .8. Simon Magus/ a in chanter/ by his wonders bewitched the Samaritans.  
Acts .13. Elimas' the sorcerer had of long time deceived the Antiochians. Read the stories.  
IRene lib. 1. Telleth of a certain juggler/ called Mark/ which in the sacrament of thanks giving wonderfully deceived the simple people. For he so changed the colour of wine/ that it appeared utterly to be blood: and a little wine so increased through his juggling/ that the chalice was filled/ and ran over. 
By this example ye may judge of the popish miracles.  By this juggling it is plain enough/ that those miracles/ that be alleged of many men for the real presence in the sacrament of the altar/ do not confirm their error/ but be very delusions of the devil or of his juggling ministers.  
chrysostom in his .4. 9 Homily upon the .24. of Math. 
True Christians work miracls profitable to the seers: but the wicked without profit at all  Afore time it was known which were true Christian men and which false by miracles. but how were the false known? Because they could not work. such or like miracles/ as true Christian men did: but they wrought vain things/ making men to wonder/ but bringing no profit at al. But the Christians did miracles/ which not only brought wonders/ but also profit: & by these they were known/ which were true Christians/ and which false. But now working of miracles is utterly taken away. Yea counterfeit miracles are rather found among them/ that be false Christians: as Peter declareth in Clement. antichrist shall have full power given him/ to work great miracles.  
THe same in his first oration against the jews/ upon this place of Deutero .13. If there a rise among you a Prophet or a dreamer of dreams etc. That/ that he saith (sayeth chrysostom) is this: if any Prophet say/ I can raise a dead man and give sight to a blind man/ obey me/ let us worship devils/ let us do sacrifice to Idols: 
God sufferth wicked men to work miracles for the trial of the faithful  moreover if a man speak thus/ that he can give the blind his sight/ raise the dead● yea though he do these things: believe him not. for the Lord trying thee suffereth him to do them/ not that he knew not thy mind/ but to give thee occasion of trial whether thou love God in deed.  
THe same in john Cap. 2. 
The faithful need no miracles. for signs are given to the unbelevers .1. Corin .14.  In the end of the .22. Homily. There be some doubtless now a days/ that ask why men work no miracles now. If thou be faithful/ as thou oughtest to be/ if thou love Christ/ as he should be loved/ thou needest no miracles: for signs are given to unbelievers and not to the faithful.  
AVgustyne against faustus the Manachee. lib. 15. Cap. 5. The Scriptures/ that be stablished and set forth by so great authority/ ye despice: miracles you work none: which though you did/ yet we would beware of you/ by the Lord instructing and teaching us/ saying: there shall arise false Christ'S etc.  
THe same of the city of god li. 20. Cap. 19 The presence of Antichrist shallbe after the working of Satan/ with all lying powers/ as afore. For than shall Satan be let lose/ and by him Antichrist/ with all his power/ shall work marvelously but lyingly: of the which miracles it was wont to be doubted/ whether they be called lying signs and wonders for this cause/ that he shall deceive man's senses with visions/ so that he seemeth to do the thing that he doth not in deed/ or else because the same/ although they be true miracles and not counterfeit/ yet they draw men to believe that they can not be done/ but by the power of god: whereas me●ne know not the power of the devil: chiefly seeing that how great soever power he hath/ he hath received it. For when fire fell down from heaven/ and with one dash destroyed s● great a-familie with so many herds of cattayll of holy job/ & a sudden whirl wind/ overthrowing his house/ slew his children: these were no deceivable visions/ but for every one of these it is said: they shall be beegiled with signs and wonders/ that shall deserve to be beguiled/ for so much as they have not received the love of the truth/ that they might be saved. Neither did the Apostle/ fear to say and add: god shall send them strong delusyons/ that they should believe lies. For god doth send these things/ because he suffereth the devil to do them: he in deed by his just judgement/ although the devil doth it of a wicked and malicious purpose.  
THe same of the unite of the church. Cap. 16. Let them show their church/ if they can/ not in the sayings and in the fame of the africans/ not in the determinations of their bishops/ not in any man's reasonings/ not in false signs and wonders (for against all this we be warned and armed by god's word) but in the things appointed in the law/ spoken afore by the prophets/ in the songs of the Psalms/ in the voice of the shepherd himself/ and the prea things and painfulness of the Euāgelys●s/ that is in the authority of the books Canenical: 
All doctrine ought to be tried by the canonical in plain sense: and not by words, that be dark, doubtful or figurative.  but not so that they may gather and rehearse those things/ that be spoken darkly and doubtfully and figuratively, which every man may understand as he list after his own mind. For such things cannot be understanded and expounded rightly/ except those things/ that be very plainly spoken/ be perceived before with a constant faith. Let him not say this is true/ because I say it/ or because my companion saith thus/ or these my companions/ or these our bishops/ Clerks/ or lay men: 
Miracles showed at the tombs of saints prove no doctrine.  or else/ it is true/ because such miracles did Donatus/ Pontius/ or what soever other: or else because men pray at the tombs of our dead men/ and be heard: or because these and these things chanced there: or that this brother of ours/ or this sister of ours saw such a vision: either waking/ or sleeping in his dream/ saw such a vision or sight: 
Visions seen either in dreame● or being awake cannot make any doctrine  away with these. Either they be faynyngs of lying men/ or the wonders of deceitful devils. For either they are not true/ that are spoken: or if any miracles be done among Heretics/ we ought the more to take heed of them/ because that when the Lord had said there should come some/ that by working diverse miracles should deceive/ if it were possible/ the very elect: he added/ and earnestly setting forth the thing said: behold/ I have told you before.  
Whereof the Apostle/ admonishing them/ speaketh plainly: that in the latter times men should depart from the faith/ giving heed to spirits of error/ and doctrines of devils. Further more if any man be heard praying at the tombs of heretics he receiveth/ whether it be good or evil not for the merit of the place/ but for the merit of his desire. 
Men be heard at the tombs of heretics and yet is not their doctrine true.  For the spirit of the lord/ as it is written/ filleth the whole world/ and the earnest ear heareth all things/ and many be heard of god when he is angry/ of whom the Apostle saith: he had given them up to their hearts desire. And god to many/ whom he favoureth/ giveth not what they would/ that he may give them that which is profitable: wherefore saith the same Apostle of the sting of his flesh/ the messenger of Satan (which he said was given him to buffet him lest he should be exalted above measure by the greatness of revelations) for the which I prayed the lord thrice/ that he would take it away from me/ and he said unto me: my grace is sufficient for thee/ for my strength is made perfect through weakness. Do we not read that many men were hard of god himself in the high places of jury? which high places nevertheless so displeased god/ that kings which destroyed them not were blamed/ and kings that destroyed them were praised. But this aught to be understand/ that the desire of him/ that prayeth/ is more worthy or of more strength/ than the place of prayer: 
The devil worketh miracles in the temples and Idols of the gentiles although their religion be false an detestable.  but of false vysions let them read what is written/ both that Satan doth change himself into an Angel of light/ and that their dreams have deceived many men: let them also hear what the heathen tel of their temples and gods/ wonderfully either done or seen/ and yet nevertheless the gods of the heathen be devils/ but the Lord made the heavens. Therefore many men be heard and after many diverse sorts/ not only catholic Christians but also panimes/ and jews and heretics given to diverse errors & superstitions: doubtless they are heard either of deceitful spirits/ which nevertheless do nothing except they be permitted of god highly and unspeakably/ judging what is meet to be given to every man/ or else of god himself either for the punishment of malice/ or the comfort of miseri/ or for the admonishment of eternal salvation. 
men ought to prou● themselves to be the true church by none other me●nes, but by the scriptures only. Neither miracles nor agreement of Bishops in doctrine prove any thing in religion.  But to that eternal salvation cometh no man/ but he that hath the head christ Yea & no man can have the head Christ/ which is not in his body the church. which church/ like as the head itself/ we must know in the canonical scriptures/ & not to seek it in divers rumours & opinions of men/ not in facts, sayings & sights etc. Let all this sort of them be chaff/ & not give sentence afore hand against the wheat/ if they be the church▪ but whether they be the church/ let them show none other ways but by the canonical books of the holy scriptures. For neither do we say that men ought to believe us/ because we are in the catholic church of Christ/ or because Optaius bishop of Milivet/ or Ambrose bishop of Miliane/ or that innumerable other bishops of our congregation do a low this doctrine that we keep/ or be cause in churches of our companions it is preached or else because that through the whole world in those holy places/ where our congregations resort/ so many wonders either of hearings/ or of healynges be done: so that bodies of martyrs/ being hid so many years/ (which if they will ask/ they may learn of many) were showed to Ambroser or that at those bodies a certain man/ being many years blind/ well known to the whole city of Miliane/ received his eyes & his sight: or because he being in a dream did ●ee/ or he being rapt in spirit did hear/ either that he ●old not go to the part of the Donatists/ or that he should departed from their opinion. What so ever such things be done in the catholic church/ the church is not therefore proved catholic because these be done in it. The lord jesus himself/ when he was risen from death/ & offered his own body to be see with the eyes/ & handled with the hands of his Apostles/ lest they should then think themselves to be deceived/ he rather judged that they ought to be stablished by the witnesses of the law/ prophet's & psalms shewinng those things to be fulfilled in him/ that were spoken so long before: so he set forth his church/ biding repentance and forgiveness of sins to be preached in his name/ through all nations/ beginning at jerusalem. That these things be written in the law and Prophets/ himself witnesseth: this is set out by word of mouth. These are the doctrines/ these are the stays of our cause. we read written in the Acts of the Apostles of some faithful men/ that they searched the scriptures whether they were so. What Scriptures I pray you/ but the Canonical of the law & the Prophets? to these are joined the gospels/ the Apostles Epistles/ the Acts of the Apostles/ and the Apocalypsis of saint john. Search all these/ bring forth some plain thing/ wherbi you may declare that the church hath remained only in Africa: or that this (which the Lord sayeth shall come to pass: This gospel shallbe preached to all the world for a testimony to all nations) shallbe verified of Africa. But bring out some what/ that needeth none interpreter: you may not be convinced that the things/ which is spoken of another matter/ you go about to wrest to your purpose.  
chrysostom of the contrition of the heart. 
Not miracle workers but the commandment keepers, are called blessed of christ.  Christ promised not that he would reward at the latter day them/ that work signs & wonders/ but them that keep his commandments/ saying: come you blessed children of my father/ receive that kingdom/ which was prepared for you from the beginning of the world He said not because you did miracles/ but because I was hungry etc. he shall also call them blessed/ not that wrought miracles, but the humble and meek in heart.  
LIril in john lib. 7. Cap. 13. 
To work miracles maketh no man holy: nor to work no miracles hindereth his holiness,  To work miracles maketh not a man one whit more holy/ s●inge that it is also common to evil men & abjects/ as the Lord himself also witnesseth: many shall say to me in that day etc. And contrary wise working of no miracles hindereth not a man's holiness. For john wrought neither sign nor miracle: and yet was this no derogation to his holiness. For among the children of women there was none greater than he.  
SAbellic upon the life of Celestine. 
This would be put among the apparitions of the dead. Satan counterfeiteth Moses.  Almost five hundredth years after christ the devil/ taking upon him the person of Moses'/ showed himself visibly in the sight of the jews/ that dwelled at Candie: promising that he would bring them again into the land of promise/ where jerusalem standeth/ dry footed/ the waters standing on either side in manner of a wall/ as when the children of Israel were brought out of the land of Egypt. Many of the jews rashli giving credit to these jugglings/ and entering into the sea/ were overwhelmed with the waves thereof: except a few/ the which at last/ being warned of their vanity/ became Christians.   

¶ Custom also is of no strength in this case of proving a religion.  
¶ The vii Chapter.  
EXodi .23. Follow not the multitude to do evil.  
Leviticus .18. The Lord commmaundeth the israelites not to follow the custom of the Egyptians nor the Canaanites. Read the chapter.  
EZechyell .20. Walk not in the statutes of your forefathers/ and keep not their ordinances: and defile not yourselves with their Idols.  
REgum .4. ca 17. Unto this day they keep their old customs/ they fear not God nor do after his customs/ ordinances and laws.  
THe same. They did not hearken unto the Lord: but did after their old custom.  
I Eremye .9. They followed them wickedness of their own hearts/ and served strange gods/ as their fathers taught them.  
TErtullian of virginity or praises. Custom for the most part/ taking his beginning either of ignorance or simplicity/ in process of time waxeth strong by use: and so it is alleged against the truth. Whatsoever smelleth against the truth/ that is heresy/ yea though it be old custom.  
CIprian unto Cicilie lib. 2. Epistola .3. There is no cause/ why (dear brother) that any man should think the custom of some men ought to be followed. If any man have thought that only water ought to be offered in the chalice: we must first ask whom they followed: and that christ only ought to be heard the father witnesseth from heaven/ saying: this is my well beloved son/ hear him. Wherefore if only christ ought to be heard/ we ought not to regard what any man afore us thought to be done/ but what Christ/ which is before/ did first: neither ought we to follow the custom of man/ but the truth of god.  
THe same to julian. of the baptizing of heretics in vain do some men/ when they be overcome with the truth/ allege custom against us: as though custom were greater/ then the truth. Saint Augustine hath the same.  
THe same to Pompus against Steuens epistle. custom/ with out truth/ is an old error: for the which cause/ let us leave custom and follow the truth.  
chrysostom upon Genesis .29. Homily .59. For if the counsel be good and profitable/ yea though it be not custom/ keep it: but if it be hurtful and noisome/ caste it away. For if we will be wise and care for our salvation/ we may leave of an evil custom and bring in a good custom: and so shall we give no small occasion to them/ that come after us/ to change the same/ & have the reward of those things/ that be done of them.  
IErome in his preface to job. Old custom is of such force/ that vices/ which many men themselves confess/ please them through it.  
THe same the .9. Cap. Neither are the errors of our father's/ nor out elders/ to be followed: but the authority of the Scriptures: and the commandments of god/ that teacheth us.  
AVgustine of one only Baptism lib. 2. Distinc .8. Cap. when the truth is once known/ let custom give place to the truth. For who doubteth, but custom aught to give place to the manifest truth?  
THe same in the sameplace. Let no man prefer custom above truth & reason. For truth and reason do ever exclude custom.  
GRegorius to Guelmunde the bishop .2. Distinct. Siconsuetudo. If thou chance to lay custom against me/ thou must take heed what the lord sayeth: I am the way/ the truth and the life. He did not say: I am custom/ but the truth.  
NIcolas the Pope to Ignatyus the revereute bishop .8. Distinc. An evil custom is no les to be avoided/ then an hurtful corruption: which except it be plucked up the sooner by the roots: it will be taken of the ungodly for a law.   

¶ Reasons against unwritten verities.  
¶ The viii Chapter.  
THe old testament was sufficient for the jews: and why shall not both the new and old suffice us?  
christ and the Apostles proved all their doctrines/ by the law and Prophets. What an arrogancy is it then in us/ to teach anyething/ which we can neither prove by the law/ the prophets/ the Apostles/ nor the Evangelists.  
THe devil/ when he tempted christ/ was not so far past all shame to persuade any thing without the testimony of the scriptures: although he did (as his dear children/ the papists/ do) falsely allege them/ wrest them from their true meaning to a contrary sense/ and also cut of that/ which should make against him/ or declare the true meaning of the scriptures.  
THis word (unwritten verities) is a new term lately invented/ & now here heard or read among the old writers: of which they could not have been ignorant/ if there had been any such thing/ needful to salvation.  
ALL contention/ which the old fathers had with heretics/ was for the scriptures: which heretics partly denied/ as Martion/ Manlcheus & Faustus: partly they wrongly expunded: but for things/ which are not contained in the scriptures/ they never accused any man of heresy.  
IF there were any word of god beside the scripture/ we could never be certain of god's word: and if we be incertain of god's word/ the devil might bring in among us a new word/ a new doctrine/ a new faith/ a new church/ a new god/ yea himself to be god/ as he hath already done in the popish kingdom. For this is the foundation of Antichristes' kingdom/ to settle himself in gods temple/ which is the heart and conscience of man: of him to be feared and worshipped/ as though he were god himself.  
If the church and the Christian faith did not stay itself upon them word of god certain/ as upon a sure and strong foundation: no man could know whether he had a right faith/ and whether he were in the true church of christ/ or in the synagogue of Satan.  
IF we be bound to believe certain things/ delivered from the Apostles by word of mouth only/ without writing/ as they would make us believe (but what those things be no man can tell): It should hereof follow/ that we are bound to believe we wot not what  
Without faith it is not possible to please god: and faith cometh by hearing of gods word. Ergo where gods word lacketh/ there can be no faith.  
Almighty god/ a fore he gave to Moses the law written of the x commandments) wherein he fully taught the true worshipping of him) as it were a preservatyve against a plague or a poison to come: gave them this no table lesson, worthy always to be had in memory: you shall add nothing to the words etc. and again he often times repeateth the same sentence both in the law and the Prophets/ in the gospels/ & the Epistles of the Apostles. And because his people should never forget it saint john commandeth the same in the last words of all the new testament/ threatening terrible plagues (that is) the loss of his everlasting joys of heaven/ and the pain of eternal fire of hell/ to all them/ that either put to or take aught from the word of God.   

¶ Scriptures alleged by the papists for unwritten verities/ with answers to the same.  
¶ The ix Chapter.  
WHere ii or iii be gathered in my name there am I in the midst of them. 
Math. 18.  But Christ can not err: 
Argument.  for he is the truth itself: ergo they cannot err in their Synods/ convocations/ and general counsels/ being gathered together in his name.  
CHrist said/ when ii or iii 
Answer  be gathered in my name etc. and to be gathered in his name/ is in our assembles to seek his only glory and not ours/ to do all things by his prescript word. 
Math. 7.  For not every one that sayeth unto me/ Lord Lord/ shall enter etc. As witches/ charmers/ necromansers/ and coniurars/ use their wicked arts/ all in the name of God and Christ: 
Acres. 19  and yet is not Christ with them. For the vii sons of Sceva/ the chief Priest of the jews/ went about to cast out evil spirited in the name of jesus/ whom Paul preached: but yet christ was not with them/ but the wicked spirit/ which wounded them/ and drove them away naked. Moreover all forgers of wiles/ counterfetters of false instruments/ and judges giving false sentences/ in the ecclesiastical law/ they begin with this glorious titel: in the name of god/ Amen. Therefore sprang this old proverb/ in the name of God beginneth all mischief: and yet Christ is with none of these/ though they pretend to do all these things in his name. Christ saith also/ many shall prophesy in my name/ and cast out devils & work miracles in my name/ and than will I confess to them/ that I never knew you● read Euscbius and Athanasius/ and you shall there see/ what pride/ contention/ hatred/ malice/ envy/ and desrer to bear rule/ reigned in the counsels of the cleargi at those days/ not much past four C. 
Math. 7.  years after Chryst. What think you they would say/ if they saw our counsels/ where the Romish Antichrist triumpheth? no doubt/ that though an Angel from heaven preach any other etc. 
A replication.  Here you will reply again: Christ saith where ii or iii are gathered etc. Now in every counsel are not only ii or iii learned and godly men/ but many. Ergo they cannot err. 
Answer  I grant that in every general counsel be many good men/ which do not err/ nor are deceived: and yet it followeth not that the whole council cannot err.  
For in counsels the more part is taken for the whole/ & shynges be there determined and ordered/ not by reason/ learning/ and authority of the word of god: but by sioutnes/ wisfulnes and consent of the more part. In those counsels/ where be more evil and wicked men/ then good & godly/ it cometh often times to pass/ that iniquity having the upper hand/ the greater part overcometh the better: & yet the good men nothererre/ nor consent to these errors concluded by the wicked and the more part/ but resist and speak against them to the utmost of their power not without great danger of their lives/ yea & sometimes it costeth them their lives in deed/ as it is now daily seen.  
THe Scribes & the Pharisees sit upon Moses seat/ 
Math. 23. The. 2. argument  what soever they bid you do/ that do/ but after their works do not: for they say and do not. Here (they say) it appeareth plainly/ that christ commandeth us to obey the heads of the church/ how evil soever their lives be.  
FIrst let them look well what manner men they make themselves/ that is/ Scribes and Pharisees the greatest enemies of god/ persecutors and murderers of his Prophets/ of the Apostles/ and of Christ himself/ and so Antichristes'. 
The first answer.  Secondly Moses seat is not his office or authority/ but his doctrine: & therefore saith S. Augustine/ that seat/ which is his doctrine/ suffereth them not to err: 
The second answer.  and in another place/ they sitting in Moses scate teach the law of god/ therefore god teacheth by them. But if they will teach their own doctrine/ believe them not: for such seek their own and not jesus Christ'S: & christ hiddeth us beware of the leaven of the Pharisees/ and then the disciples knew that the spoke not of the leaven of bread but of their doctrines/ although they sat in Moses seat/ if they will needs contend/ the dignity or office of Moses/ to be Moses seat/ and yet erred shamefully in their doctrine.  
Behold/ I am with you all the days unto the worlds end: 
the forth argument Math. 28  this promise was not made to the Apostles only (for they died shortly after christ) but to the church. Ergo the church cannot err.  
I Beseech them to begin a little afore/ and they shall plainly hear christ himself unlose this knot. 
Answer  The words before are these in Mark: go and preach my gospel to every creature/ and in matthew: go and teach all people/ baptysinge them in the name of the father/ of the son etc. teaching them to observe all things/ what soever I have commanded you: and lo/ I will be with you unto the worlds end. Here you may see this promise of christ/ I willbe with you etc. is not absolute or universal/ but given under a condition (that is) if you preach my gospel truly/ if you baptize rightly/ if you teach the baptized to do all things/ that I have commanded you: lo/ then I will be with you unto the worlds end. But if you teach any other gospel/ or baptize otherwise/ or bid them do any other thing/ above that which I have commanded you: you have no promise of god/ but the curse/ that Paul threateneth: though we or an Angel from heaven preach etc.  
I Have yet many mooe things to say unto you/ but you cannot bear them away now: 
The. 5. argument john. 16.  howbeit when he is come/ which is the spirit of truth/ he will lead you into all truth, Here you may see/ (say the enemies of gods truth) that christ taught not all things himself/ but left many things to be taught to the disciples/ by the holy ghost after his death.  
christ said not/ I have many things to say/ which I will not tell you now/ but which you can not bear now. 
Answer  That is/ you can not perceive or understand them now: and thus Christ himself expoundeth these words/ the comforter/ which is the holy ghost/ whom my father will sand in my name: 
john. 14.  he shall teach you all things/ & put you in remembrance of all things/ that I have said unto you/ & no new or other things. For christ sayeth plainly that he himself had taught them all before/ saying: 
john. 15.  all things/ that I have heard of my father/ have I opened unto you.  
Moreover our Saviour in plain words showeth what things those were/ that his disciples could not understand/ although he many times told them the same before. Behold/ sayeth he/ we gooe up to jerusalem/ 
Luke. 18.  and all shallbe fulfilled/ that are wryt te● by the Prophets of the son of man. For he shallbe delivered to the gentles and shallbe mocked/ and despitefully entreated/ and spitted on/ & when they have scourged him/ they will put him to death/ and the third day he will rise again: and they understood none of these things. For these sayings we hide from them so/ that they perceived none of the things/ that were spoken: although he spoke to them in most plain teruis. And the cause/ why they perceived not his so plain speech/ was this. They were yet carnal/ and understood the prophecies of Chrysts kingdom carnally/ thinking that christ should reign at jerusalem like a mighty conqueror/ and subdue all the gentiles under the yoke of bondage to the jews/ so that the jews should be Lords and rulers over all the world for ever. 
Math. 20  And therefore james and john asked a petition of jesus by their mother/ that they/ her two sons/ might sit the one on his right hand/ and the other on his left hand/ in his kingdom: and when he spoke of his death/ Peter took him aside and rebuked him saying: Master favour thyself/ this shall not hap unto thee/ to whom christ said/ go after me Satan. 
Math. 16  These be the things/ that the disciples could not then bear or understand/ but thought that he had spoken some allegory/ riddle or dark speech unto them: but after his resurrection/ he opened their wits that they might understand the Scriptures/ and said unto them: thus it is written/ and thus it behoved christ to suffer. And to the two/ discipls going to Emaus/ he expounded Moses/ the Prophets and all the scriptures/ that were written of him. And after the ascension the holy ghost appeared to them in fiery tongues/ and filled them with all knowledge/ & they began to speak with sundry tongues/ as the holy ghost gave them utterance: and then they understood the Scriptures perfectly.  
Many other tokens did jesus/ which are not written in this book. 
The. 6. argument john. 20.  Again/ there are many other things/ that jesus did/ which/ if they were written/ I suppose/ the world should not be able to contain the books/ that should be written.  
Saint john speaketh not here of faith and charity but of miracles/ the knowledge whereof is not necessary for our salvation/ as his words following do declare: 
Answer  these are written/ that you might believe/ that jesus is christ/ the son of God/ and in believing may have life in his name. And what is more required or desired of a Christian/ then to enjoy everlasting life? that aught to be our whole study and endeavour/ to that end ought we to apply all our minds/ words and works and prayers.  
Stand fast brethren/ and keep the ordinances/ that ye have 
2. Thess. 2 argument  learned either by our preaching or by our Epistle. Of these words they gather/ that Paul taught diverse things to the Thessalonians by word of mouth/ without writing: which nevertheless he commanded them to observe and do.  
I Grant that Paul taught many things by word of mouth which he wrought not in his Epistles to the Thessalonians. 
Answer.  But how that they prove/ that the same things be neither written by him in any other of his Epistles/ nor in any other place of the hole Bible? For what argument is this? it is not written in this place or to those persons/ ergo it is not written in the scripture at al. For the shortness of one Epistle/ or of one sermon/ cannot sufficiently contain all things necessary for our salvation: & therefore be there so many books of the scripture that what so is omitted and not spok● of in one place/ or else darkly spoken of/ might be written plainly in another place. And for this cause S. Paul writeth to the Colossians▪ saying: when this letter is red with you/ cause it also to be red to the Laodicians. And read you also the Epistle written from Laodicia. And Saint Paul writeth of himself/ such as we are in our absence by letters/ such are we in deed being present. 
2. Cor. 10  Moreover Paul speaketh not here of doctrines of faith and charity/ which ever continue without changing/ adding or minishing/ but of certain traditions/ obseruacyous/ ceremonies and outward rites and bodily exercyces/ which (as he sayeth) is little worth to god ward/ but to be used for comeliness/ decent order and uniformite in the church/ & to avoid schism: which ceremonies every good man is bound to keep/ lest he trouble the common order/ and so break the order of charity in offending his weak brethren/ so long as they be approved/ received/ and used by the heads and common consent. But they and every one of such ceremonies/ as be neither sacraments/ nor commandments of faith and charity/ may be altered and changed/ and other set in their places/ or else utterly taken away by the authority of princes/ and other their rulers and subjects in the church. Yea also the traditions/ made by the Apostles in full counsel at jerusalem/ may be/ and already are/ taken away: 
Acts. 1●  as to abstain from things offered unto Images/ from blood and strangled/ are no where kept. And this of Paul/ that a man should neither pray nor preach capped/ or with his head covered/ is also clean abolished.   

¶ Doctor's to the same purpose with their answers/  
¶ The ten Chapter.  
TErtullian of the crown of a soldier. 
Argument.  He reciting many traditions (as to reneunce the devil/ his pomp and his Angels afore Baptism/ to dip the children thrice in the fount/ to give it pap of honey and milk first thing after baptism/ and not to wa●●e it in a whole week after/ to offer both at the day of the burial and birth/ on the sunday neither to fast neither to pray kneeling/ nor also from Easter to whitsuntide/ crossing of our foreheads/ with diverse such like) saith: If thou require a law of these and other such disciplines/ there can be no pretence of a law for them out of the scriptures. But thou shalt either perceive by thyself/ or learn of some other/ that perceiveth it: that custom being author/ confirmer/ conserver and observer of faith/ shall maintain and defend the cause of this tradition and custom of faith.  
BY the scriptures before alleged 
Answer  it is evidently proved/ that all things/ requisite for out salvation/ be set forth in the holy books of the bible/ and that it is not lawful to put any thing thereto/ under pain of everlastying damnation. The same Tertullian also/ as it is afore rehearsed/ saith that there is nothing else/ that ought to be believed after Chrysts gospel once published. 
Understand here as necessary to salvation.  Yea all the old authors/ a thousand year after Christ/ and likewise/ almost/ all the new/ affirm the same: and would not have us credit their sayings without the proof of god's word.  
Why should we then believe Tertullian against so plain Scriptures/ against the old fathers of the church/ and also contrary to his own sayings? Yet here will I gently interpret him/ so as he may both agree with the Scriptures/ with the old authors/ and also with himself. Tertullyan speaketh here/ not of doctrines of faith/ hope/ and charity: but of traditions/ outward gestures/ rites & ceremonies/ which he not necessary for our salvation: but be ordained for a decente order/ and conformite in the church/ as is plainly showed in the answer to Saint Paul in the epistle to the Thessalonians. And that he speaketh of such rites and ceremonies it is evident. For all those that he rehearseth be mere ceremonies/ and few of them kept at this day: which noman might have altered or abolished/ if they had been necessarily to be kept/ under pain of damnation.  
CIprian to Pompeius against Steuens Epistle. 
Argument.  It is of no less authority that the Apostles delivered by the instruction of the holy ghost/ then that which Christe● himself delivered.  
CIprian speaketh not here of traditions unwritten/ but of such things/ as the Apostles delivered in their writings: 
Answer  as the gospels and Epistles/ like as Paul sayeth: I delivered you that I received of the Lorde● which thing he wrote to them. But if they will needs understand him of things delivered by the Apostles without writing: then answer him as Tertullian.  
Origin. 
Argument.  In observances of the church/ there be diverse things which all men must needs do/ and yet the reason of them is unknown to all men. And he reciteth in manner the observances that tertulyan doth/ and after he concludeth: Who can certainly tell the cause of all these things?  
THe answer/ made to Tertullian/ will serve Origen here. 
Answer   
A Thanasius upon the .2. Epistle to the Thessa. Cap. 2. upon this place: 
Argument.  State et tenete. Hereby it is plain/ that Paul delivered many things without the scripture/ not written in his Epistles/ but by word of mouth only. And these are worthy no less faith/ then the other. Therefore I do judge the tradition of the church to be a thing/ worthy to be credited: so that if any thing be delivered by it/ make no farther searche●.  
Chrisostomus in the .2. Epistle to the Thessa. Cap. 2. 
argument  Stand fast brethren/ and keep the traditions etc. Hereof (sayeth chrysostom) it is plain/ that Paul delivered not all things in his Epistles/ but also many things without writing: and as well those/ as these/ are worthy of like faith. Wherefore we judge the tradition of the church worthy of credit: it is a tradition/ search no farther.  
Epiphanius against heresies. 
argument  li. 2 to more .1. Against those that call themselves Apostles .1. cor. 11. 14. 15 We must (saith he) use traditions: for all things can not be perceived by the holy scripture. Wherefore the holy Apostles have set forth unto us some things by the word of god/ and some things by traditions/ as the Apostle saith: as I have delivered unto you/ thus I teach/ and thus I have delivered in all churches/ and thus you remember by what means I have preached unto you/ except you have believed in vain.  
Answer these iii authors like as tertulyan is answered: 
Answer  saving that they allege S. Paul for their purpose/ but clearly wrested from his true meaning/ as it shall easily appear to every indifferent reader/ that is not blinded of malice to resist the truth/ as they may plainly perceive by the answer made to S. Paul afore. And whereas they say/ that things/ given by word of mouth/ are as well to be believed/ as those/ that be written: they mean that they are worthy of like credit with traditions written. For neither of both are of necessity to salvation: but may be changed/ and taken away by common consent/ as it is afore said.  
BAsile of the holy ghost. Cap. 27. Of those doctrines/ that are preached in the church/ we have some delivered us by writing/ and again/ some we have received by the traditions of the Apostles in mystery that is in secret: both have like strength to godliness/ neither doth any man speak against these/ whatsoever he be/ that hath but mean experience what the authority of the church is. For if we (like fools) go about to reject the customs of the church/ which are not written/ as things of small weight: we shall condemn those things/ that be needful for our salvation in the gospel. Yea we shall rather cut short the true preaching of faith to bare name. and he rehearseth like traditions/ as Tertullian did.  
IErome against the Luciferians. Although there were no authority of the scriptures at all/ yet the consent of the whole world/ in this matter/ should have the force of a law. For many other things/ which are observed in the Church by tradition/ have obtained the authority of a law written: as to dip the head thrice in baptism: and when they are chrystened/ to give them first pap made of milk with honey/ for a signification of their infancy: on the sunday/ and all Whytsone weak/ not to kneel at their prayers.  
AVgustine upon the words of Basile. Some of the ecclesiastical institutions we have received by writings: some through traditions from the Apostles/ approved by successiosn: and some use hath allowed/ being strengthened by custom. Unto all which like usage and like affectyons of godliness is due. of which who will doubt/ though he have but small experiences in the scriptures? For if we set out mind to regard light lycustomes of the church/ delivered us from our elders without the scriptures: it shall easily appear to them that look earnestly thereon/ how great loss Christian religion shall suffer. And he reciteth the same that Jerome doth/ with diverse other.  
THese iii 
Answer  authors/ and all that make for the same purpose/ be answered before in Tertullian. For not one of those things/ that they make mention of/ be necessary for our salvation: and many of them are now taken away: and the rest/ which yet remain (as to dip the child thrice wholly in the water: to hallow the water/ oil/ and cream: or to cross it in the forthead) are not of necessity to salvation. For john baptized in jordan and the Chamberlain of the Queen of Ethiopia was Christened in the common stream/ & children in danger of life are Christened of the midwife/ or some other woman/ without any of these ceremonies: & yet they will not deni that all these baptisms be good/ & allowed of god. In Spain also they dip the child but once/ as it was decreed in the council of Tollet. And I am sure/ they will not say that all the Spaniards/ so many years/ have wanted a thing necessary to salvation in their baptism. God also regardeth not our outward bodily gesture in our prayers: but he beholdeth the faith/ & earnest desire of the heart of him that prayeth/ where soever he prayeth/ & what soever his outward bodily gesture be.  
THe same against Cresconi a gramarien li. 1. c. 33. to. 7. 
argument  Although we have no certain example of this matter in the Canonical scripture: yet nevertheless/ the truth of the same scriptures in this matter is retained of us/ when we do that/ that the hole church alloweth. Which church the authority of the scriptures commend. And for as much/ as the holy scripture can deceive no man: whoso feareth to be deceived with any dark speaking of it/ let him ask counsel at the church there in/ which without any doubt the holy scripture doth show.  
THe answer is easy. 
Answer.  Austen was more circumspect. than to think that any doctrine might be proved by use and custom without the scripture. For baptism of infants he bringeth in this text, except a man be borne again of water and the holy ghost/ he cannot be my disciple. And because the Donatists (like as the Anabaptists do now) wrist this to them/ that be of ●eres of discretion: against this exposition/ he allegeth the manner of the church in christening of Infants.  
By the which he proveth/ that the church hath all way taken this sentence: except a man be borne again/ to be spoken also of infants. What manner of argument should this be of Austen● The exposition of the scripture/ and the use of the Sacraments/ may be judged by the custom used in the holy church alway: ergo the church may make a new sacrament/ and ordain any new Article of our faith without the scripture. By the sentences before cited of Austen himself/ it may be easily judged. I also grant that every exposition of the scripture/ wherein soever the old/ hole & true church did agree is necessary to be believed. But our controversy here is/ whether any thing ought to be believed of necessity/ without the scripture.  
THe same against the Epistle of Fundament Cap. 5. tomo. 6. 
argument  I would not believe the gospel/ but that the authority of the church moveth me. Ergo (say they) what soever the church saith/ we must needs believe them/ as well as the gospel. This argument is naught. For the testimony of the church is but as a public office of a record/ as the exchequer/ the court of the rolls/ the office of a recorder/ or a register of all Christendom: in which office men may search and have/ of the keepers of such offices/ the true copies of such lands/ or other movables/ as be due to them by the law. And yet may neither the registers/ Recorders/ Stcwardes of courts/ or town clerks put to/ or take away any thing from the first original writings/ no nor the judge himself.  
But all things ought to be judged by those writings. So likewise we believe the holy Canon of the bible/ because that the Primitive church of the Apostles/ and eldest writers/ & next to their time/ approved them in their register: that is/ in their writings/ which partly saw them/ & partly heard them of the Apostles. And more receive we not/ because these old fathers of the first church testify in their books/ that there was no more than these required to be believed as the scripture of god. And yet were these writings no less true/ afore they were allowed by them/ then sense/ Christ witnessing and saying: I seek no witness of man.  
AVstine to Cassulane. 
argument  In these things/ wherein the scripture of god hath determined nothing/ the custom of the people/ and our elders ordinances/ ought to be holden as a law: and the transgressors of the customs of the church at like wise to be punished/ as the breakers of gods law.  
Of which things if thou wilt dispute/ and reprove one custom by another: there shall arise an endless strife. He repeateth also this sentence many times: that what so ever is universally observed & not written in the scripture/ nor ordained by general counsels: is a tradition come from the Apostles.  
Answer him as tertulyan: & yet of all other authors he is most plain/ that nothing is of necessity to salvation/ besides the Scriptures of God. 
Answer  But let us grant for their pleasures/ that those customs/ which they speak of/ be traditions apostolic: yet they be no longer nor other ways to be observed/ then the traditions Apostolic written. Which/ as is before fully proved/ may (and are already) be both changed/ & clearly taken away. And as concerning custom it is plainly proved/ that it is not to be received against the scripture/ truth/ or reason.  
THey say moreover that the perpetual virginity of our Lady is to be believed of necessity/ as Cyprian/ chrysostom/ Jerome/ Ambrose/ Austen/ and all other speaking thereof say. But this is not found in the scripture: ergo there is some thing to be believed that is not written in the Scripture.  
THe minor/ that is to say/ that this is not written in the scripture/ is false. 
Answer  For first none of the old authors/ that rehearse traditions of the Apostles unwritten/ make mention of the perpetual virginity of our lady/ to be one of them: but they rehearse only diverse ceremonies/ or bodily gestures/ and such rites used in Baptism/ prayers/ holy days and fastings/ which (as I have manifestly declared) are not necessary to salvation. But the most part of them are clean taken away/ and the contrary commanded/ and used by the universal church. Moreover all the said authors prove her perpetual virginity by this text of Scripture.  
ezechiel. 44. This door shallbe still shut/ and not opened for any man to go thorough it: but only for the Lord god of Israel/ yea he shall go thorough it/ else shall it be shut still. For if these/ and such other fathers/ had not judged her perpetual virginity to have been written in the scriptures: they would never have judged it to have been a thing to be believed under pain of damnation.  
Saint Jerome also calleth Heluidium a rash/ and an ungodly man: because that he taught/ that our Lady had other children by joseph after Christ's birth/ which doctrine he could not prove by the scriptures of god. In like manner we call all them/ that preach a ny doctrine in the church without the authority of god's word/ both ungodly/ rash and wicked members of Antichrist.  
ARgument. 
argument  Yet they bring forth to maintain their error the Baptism of infantee/ which (they say) is not contained in the scriptures: and yet this is to be observed upon pain of damnation/ of the said children Ergo there is some thing to be done of necessity to our salvation/ that is not contained in the scriptures.  
ON what a gap these men open both to the Donatists & to the Anabaptists/ that deny the baptizing of infants. 
Answer  For if it were not written in the word of god/ no man ought to believe it or use it. And so the Donatists & Anabaptistes' doctrine were true/ & outs false. But in deed the baptism of infants is proved by the plain scriptures. first by the figure of the old law/ which was circumcision. Infants in the old law were circumcised: Ergo in the new law they ought to be baptized. Again: Infants pertain to god/ as it is said to Abraham I will be thy god/ & the god of thy seed after thee. 
Gene. 17  Christ saith also: suffer children to come to me/ for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 
Math. 19  And again: see that ye despice not one of these little ones: 
Luke. 19  for their Angels in heaven always behold the face of my father/ which is in heaven: for the son of maniscome to save that/ that is lost. And again Paul saith/ that your children art holy now. 
1. Cor. 7.  By these and many other plain words of Scripture it is evident/ that the baptism of infants is grounded upon the holy scriptures.  
furthermore the church/ say they/ hath changed the Sabbath day into the sunday/ which Sabbath was commanded by God/ and never man found fault there at. 
argument  Seeing then that the church hath authority to change God's laws: much more it hath authority to make new laws necessary to salvation.  
THere be. 2. parts of the Sabbath day. One is the outward bodily rest from all manner of labour and work: and this is were ceremonial/ and was taken away with other sacrifices and ceremonies by Christ at the preaching of the gospel. The other part of the Sabbath day is the inward rest or ceasing from sin/ from our own wills and lusts/ and to do only gods will and commandments.  
Of this part speaketh the Prophet isaiah. 
isaiah. 56.  He/ that taketh heed that he unhallow not the sabbath day/ is he/ that keepeth himself that he do no evil: and they that hold greatly of the thing that pleaseth me/ and keep my covenant/ unto them will I give an everlasting name/ that shall not peryuse. And moreover the same Prophet sayeth. 
isaiah. 58.  If thou turn thy feet from the sabbath/ so that thou do not the thing/ which pleaseth thyself/ in my holy day: Then shalt thou be called unto the pleasant/ holy and glorious sabbath of the Lord/ where thou shalt be in honour/ so that thou do not after thine own imaginations/ neither seek thine own will/ nor speak thine own words. Then shalt thou have thy pleasure in the Lord, which shall carry the high above the earth/ and fede thee with the heritage of jacob thy father: for the Lords own mouth hath spoken it. This spiritual Sabbath/ that is/ to abstain from sin and to do good/ are all men bound to keep all the days of their life/ and not only on the sabbath day. And this spiritual sabbath may no man alter nor change/ no not the whole church. That the utter observing of the sabbath is mere cerimonial/ saint Paul writeth plainly: as that the holy days of the new moan and of the sabbath days are nothing but shadows of things to come. 
To lanuarye epist. 119. The bodily rest on the sabbath day is figuratively to be kept.   
And that the outward bodily rest is a mere cerimoniall precept S. Austin also affirmeth/ saying that among all the ten commandments/ this only/ that is spoken of the sabbath/ is commanded figuratively: but all the other commandments we must observe plainly/ as they be commanded/ with out any figurative speech.  
IErome also to the Galathians. 4. according to the same/ sayeth: lest the congregation of the people/ with out good order/ should dimmishe the faith in Christ: therefore certain days were appointed/ wherein we should come together/ not that that day is holier/ then the other/ in which we come together: but that what soever day we assemble in/ there might arise greater joy by the sight of one of us to another. 
To the perfit Ghristian all days be like and every day is good friday, every day is Easter day, and we eat● his flesh always.   
But he/ that will answer wittily to the question propounded/ affirmeth all the days to be like/ and not that Christ is crucified only on good fridai and riseth only on the sunday: but that every day is the day of the lords resurrection/ & we eat his flesh always. But fastings and comings together/ were ordained of wise men for them that give themselves rather to the world then to God: that cannot/ yea for them/ that will not come there at all/ there to make their sacrifice of prayers to god/ in the face of all the people.  
Herby you may easily perceive/ that the church hath not changed the special part of the sabbath/ which is to cease from vice and sin: but the cerimoniall part of the Sabbath only/ which was abrogate/ and taken away/ with other ceremonies of Moses law/ by christ at the full preaching of the gospel. In place whereof the church hath ordained the sunday for causes afore said.   

¶ The papists obiectyons with answers unto them.  
¶ The .11. Chapter.  
Moreover they boast themselves of the certainty of their doctrine and prove it to be true/ by the long continuance thereof and lucky prosperity of their kingdom: 
argument  and their adversaries doctrine to be false/ by the persecutions/ plagues/ miseries/ and afflictyons'/ which they daily suffer for their doctrines sake.  
IF the trial of true religion should rest upon antiquity of time/ or upon worldly prosperity: 
Answer  then should the gentiles/ and pagans/ have a great advantage of us Christians: and their religion should be better than ours/ by the restimonies of our own scriptures. For idolatry and worshipping of false gods and their imagery was used long before the law of god/ written and given to Moses/ in which errors and idolatry the heathen continue unto this day/ in great prosperity & wealth under most victorious Emperors and Princes: whereas the true church of christ hath been most miserably affllicted/ from time to time: first under the Egyptians/ after by the Philistines/ Canaanites/ Pheresites/ etc. then by the babylonians/ Assyrians/ Medes/ Persians'/ Syrians/ and Romans/ both subdued/ conquest and led away captives. And last of all (by the turk and the pope/ the ii horns of Antichrist; the true church of christ hath been mostcruelly persecuted unto death/ with prison/ famine/ water/ fire/ faggot/ and sword/ these vii or viii. years last past. Which Turk & Pope/ although they be mortal enemies the one to the other/ yet as Herode/ Pilate/ the Bishop's/ Scribes & Pharisees/ although they were utter foes each to other/ conspired against iunocent Christ/ causeless condemning him to death on the cross: In like manner/ I say/ the Pope and the Turk do fully agree in this one point/ to persecute and murder Christ in his faithful members. For as the son can not be without his brightness/ nor the fire without his heat: so cannot the true church of God/ be long without the cross of persecution/ as witnesseth S. Paul: all they that will live godly in jesus christ shall suffer persecution. And our saviour Christ sayeth plainly/ that his kingdom is not of this world.  
For if they persecute me (sayeth he) they shall also persecute you: 
Christ's bag.  & christ giveth not to his Apostles earthly peace in this world/ but peace and quietness of conscience/ joined with persecution. For if the wicked persecuted Christ himself/ shall they not also persecute his servants? And if they so handled Christ/ being the lively tre●/ what think you shall they do to us/ his withered branches? And as the true church of christ can never be long without persecution: in like manner can the false church of Satan/ and antichrist/ never cease from persecuting/ as it appeareth through out the Histories of the whole bible. Of the tyranny/ and cruelty of Antichrist in persecuting of Christ'S true church/ prophesied Daniel long before: 
Dani. 7.  speaking of the Empire and regiment of Rome. 
The mark to know antichrist by, is to prevail (by persecution) against gods elect saints Daniel. 8. And the mark of the true church is to be persecuted of antichrist.  The .4. beast (saith he) Shallbe the four kingdom/ which shall be greater than all other kingdoms: it shall devour/ tread down and destroy all other lands/ he shall speak words against the highest of all▪ he shall destroy the saints of the most highest/ and think that he can change times and laws: & again he saith of Antiochus/ which was a figure of Antichrist: there shall arise a king un shamefast of face/ he shallbe wise in dark speaking/ he shallbe mighty and strong/ but not in his own strength/ he shall destroy above measure/ and all that he goeth about shall prosper in his hand: his heart shall be proud/ he shall slay the strong and holy people/ and through his craftiness falsehood shall prosper in his hand/ and many one shall he put to death in his weal thynes: he shall stand up against the Prince of Princes/ but he shallbe slain without hand. Of the tyranny and prosperous success of antichrist in slaying of the sayuctes of god/ and the reward of them that be slain for the witness of god's truth/ speaketh also saint john in the vi Chapter of his apocalypse/ under the opening of the iiii. 
Read the places.  and .v. seals: and in the xvii chapter/ he lively setteth forth the Pope in his own colours/ under the person of the whore of Babylon/ being drunken with the blood of saints: pointing as it were with his finger who this whore of Babylon is/ and the place where she shall reign/ saying: the woman/ which thou sawest/ is that great city/ which reigneth over the kings of the earth. Now what other city reigned at that time or at any time since under the Christian kings of the earth/ but only Rome: Whereof it followeth Rome to be the seat of Antichrist/ and the Pope to be very Antichrist himself. I could prove the same by many other scriptures/ old writers & strong reasons. But for as much as Rodulphe Gualther hath written hereof a notable work in Latin/ & now of Latin translated into English by I. O. I remit the reader to his book/ wherein he may be fully satisfied hereof. Of the prosperity and security/ that the false church hath in worldly pleasures/ using the same with all greediness & voluptuousness of carnal lusts/ with the wicked devices of tyranny against Christ and his true members/ wherewith the ungodly daily persecute and murder gods elect for his truth/ with the reward also of them that suffer for the same truth sake: it is most plainly written in the two. 
Read the Chapters  and iii Chapters of the book of wisdom.  
By these scriptures now rehearsed it appeareth most plainly/ that worldly prosperity of the Pope and his clergy prove not the truth of their doctrine: nor yet persecution of God's true preachers/ and other faithful people/ argueth their doctrine to be false. But if thou wilt needs know where the true church of christ is & where the false/ and not be deceived: herein take this for a plain and full answer/ that wheresoever the word of god is truly preached without addition of man's doctrines and traditions/ and the sacraments duly ministered according to Christ's institution/ there is the true church/ the very spouse of god/ Christ benig the head thereof. But how many/ and who of that number/ that hear the word of god/ and receive the sacraments/ be gods elect and church and true members of christ/ is known to god only. For the Lord knoweth who he his/ and no man can tell/ of an other man/ whether he be worthy love or hatred/ although their works seem never so holy and glorious afore men/ so great a witch is hypocrisy.  
LAst of all/ to make all coke sure/ and to maintain their idolatry beside/ yea and also contrary to the word of GOD/ as itruocation and praying to saints/ worshipping of Images & relics/ with pilgrimages/ and offerings & 
argument  the sacrifice of the mass/ for the quick and the dead/ and pardons to deliver dead men's souls from purgatory/ holy bread/ holy water/ ashes/ palms and such other baggage: they allege revelations of Angels/ of our Lady and other saints/ and dead men's souls appearing to divers men and women/ bidding them to cause certain masses/ trentals/ pilgrimages/ and offering to Images and relics/ of this and that saint/ to be done for them/ and they should be delivered from the fire of purgatory/ where the pains be greater (say they) than man's wit can comprehend. And when such masses/ pilgrimages with offerings to such saints relics and images be done for them/ they appear to the same persons again/ saying/ that by such means they be delivered out of purgatory into the eternal joys of heaven: they tell also of many wonders and strange miracles/ to prove their doctrine/ in all these afore said things/ to be true. And because they have great profit and advantage thereby/ they (counting gains godliness) have filled all their books with such vanities and lies: of which some be so fond/ & so directly against gods glory/ that the most earnest papists (having either learning or wit) be ashamed of them. Yea and the pope himself hath clean put them out of god's service/ used in the church of Rome: and yet must we read them/ believe them as necessary articles of our faith/ or else burn therefore like heretics.  
BY them manifest and plain words of the Scriptures/ and the consent of the most ancient authors before written/ it is evident/ that neither the visions of Angels/ apparitions of the dead/ nor miracles nor all these together joined in one/ be able or sufficient to make any one new article of our faith/ or stablish any thing in religion/ without the express 
Answer  words of god: because that all such things (as is before proved) may be/ yea and have been (through gods permission for our sins and vubelefes sake) done by the power of the devil himself/ or feigned and counterfeited of his lively members/ Monks/ and friars/ with other such hypocrites.  
But what shall sathan need to tell oracles/ use visions/ show apparitions/ or work miracles now a days? what should he need to toil herein himself? or why should he not/ like a gentle man/ take his ease in his inn? seeing his subtle servants Monks/ friars/ nuns and other Pope holy hypocrites/ can and do counterfeit such things day lie/ and from their beginning hath done diligently: par●e whereof I shall rehearse. 
john sleidane.  About fourteen years passed at Orleans in France the Profestes wife died/ willing to beburied at the friars in the same city/ without pomp or other solemnite commonly used at burials. Wherefore the friars/ fearing to lease a great pray/ if this should be suffered to enter into the heads of the people/ caused a young friar to speak in a vault in a woman's voice/ many people hearing it: & said that she was the soul of the Profests wife condemned in hell for contemning of the suffrages of the holy church/ commanding also her body to be cast out of Christian burial. But the profeste so boolted out the matter/ that the young friar confessed the place and the manner of his speaking: and all the friars were openly punished for that fault/ in the common market at Orleans. But let us come home to our own realm of England. About xxx years paste in the borders of wales/ within a Priory called Lymster/ there was a young woman called the holy maid of Lymster: which/ as the fane was/ lived only by Angels food/ and was enclosed within a grate of Irone. Unto whom certain days/ when the Prior of the place say mass/ the third part of the host went hanging in the air (by miracle/ as it seemed) from the altar/ where the Prior massed/ into the maid's mouth: which thing brought the people into a great opinion of holiness in her/ and caused great pilgrimage to be there used. But when the Lord of Burgavenny, with his brother sir Edward ●euel and diverse other gentle men & gentle women/ came to try the truth her of: they caused the door to be opened/ and straight ways the dogs fought for bones/ that were under her bed. Whereupon they/ searching farther/ found a privy door/ whereby the Prior might resort to her and she to him/ at their pleasures. And then the confessed that she made (as it were) ii fine threads of her own hairs singly tied together with fine knots: and then made a big hole with a bed kin/ thorough the corner of a quarter of the host/ and fastened one end of the said here to the corporas/ where the said Prior said mass/ and the other end to her own bed/ wherein the lay: & tied the other here fast to the quarter of the host/ and wrapped the other end about her own finger. And when the Prior had received his portion of the host/ she wonde vy the thread (whereto the host was tied) upon her fingers/ and so conveyed the oft into her mouth. This both the Prior and she confessed/ and did open penance for the same. To Saint Albans/ about xxviii years past/ came a maid/ creeping upon her knees and lening upon ii short staves inquiring after Saint Albans bones/ affirming that she should be made whole and go upright/ so soon as she should come to the place/ where saint Albans bones were. In token whereof an Angel had delivered her a key/ whereby she should certainly know where his very bones were. And when she passed thus through the streets of Saint Albans creeping on her knees till she came to saint Albans shrine/ after she had made her prayers devoutly there/ she took out the key of her purse/ which she said an Angel had delivered to her: and then she stood upright & opened the shrine with the said key/ and then kneeled again to pray and to give thanks to god and saint Alban for her healing & giving her strength to walk/ which was borne lame. And by & the monks would have had it rung for a miracle: but some wiser men thought it meet to try the matter better & to examine her further/ before they tempted to ring a miracle openly. And upon her examination/ the said that she had been lame from her birth: declaring both her kindred and place/ where she was borne.  
Upon which confession she was committed to a nunnery called Sopwel/ there to ta●y until messengers/ which they straight way sent forth/ might return and testify the truth. And so she daily and holily visited saint Albans shrine. But the night before the return of the messengers she was conveyed away and never heard of nor seen after. And the messengers declared to be lies all that ever she had said: for there was never none borne lame/ nor of her name/ where she said she was borne.  
A strange thing it is/ to hear of the wonderful trances & visions of mistress A●ne Wentworth of Suffolk/ which told many men the secrets of their hearts/ which they thought no man could have told but god only: she cut stomagers in pieces & made them whole again/ & caused diverse men/ that spoke against her delusions/ to go star●e mad. All which things were proved and openly by her confessed to be done by necromancy & the deceit of the devil.  
But yet Elizabeth Barton/ telled the holy maid of Cou●top street in kent/ passed all other in devilish devices. 
Elizabeth Barton.  For she could (when she life) 
O devilish illusion.  feign herself to be in atraunce/ disfigure her face/ draw her mouth awry toward the one ear/ feigning that she was thus tormented of Satan for the sins of the people/ & delivered from his power by our blessed lady of Courtop street/ and by her led into heaven/ hell and purgatory: 
Read more of herein her book set forth in print and in halls chronicle.  and there saw all the joys and pains of those places/ and took upon her to prophesy of things to come/ and of the kings death. This instrument of the devil drew into her confederacy both of heresy and treason/ holy monks of the Charter house/ obstinate (they would be called) observant Friars of Grenwich/ nice nuns of Zion/ black monks (both of cowls and conditions) of Christ's church and saint Austyns of Canterbury/ knights/ Squires/ learned men Priests and many other: of which sort (whether they were blinded by her or else of their own mere malice and hypocrisy dissembled the matter) some/ by d●e proof made against them/ were justly condemned/ both of heresy and treason/ and suffered with the saict Elizabeth Barton/ according to their demerits: & some/ acknowledging their own offence/ were delivered by the kings pardon. This wicked woman caused a letter to be made by a monk of Saint Augustine's of Canterbury in golden letters/ feigning the same to be delivered to her by an Angel from heaven. 
A letter forged as though it had come from heaven.  This monster was convented both before William Warham/ archbishop of Canterbury/ and Thomas Wolsey/ Cardinal and archbishop of York. Who either because that generation of the clergy hath always defended idolatry and superstition/ or because she knew to much of their incontinency and other wickedness of living (for she threatened them with eternal damnation/ except they repented and amended their lives) 
Bishop's ever have been bolsterers of idolatry.  they clearly discharged her without finding of any fault in her at al. But when the matter came to be examined by Thomas Craumer/ archbishop of Canterbury/ and Thomas Cromwell/ then master of the rolls: they so handled the matter/ that they found out the whole nest of that conspiracy: wherein was disclosed the whole number of those confederates/ their books of heresy and treason/ the authors & writers of the same/ and of the letter feigned to be sent from heaven. Al whose detestable facts/ as well of idolatry/ heresy and also of treason/ were so wittily and learnedly by God's word convinced at canterbury by Doctor Hethe/ now chancellor of England/ (she being present and openly confessing the same) and also by another learned man at Paul's cross: that the most part of them/ which were before by her seduced/ did then utterly abhor her shameless and abominable facts. what a crafty point of legerdemain was played about the beginning of king Edward's reign by a Pryest? which being at mass pricked his own finger and caused it to drop upon the oft/ persuading the people that the host bled of itself by the miraculous working of god/ for to make the world believe the body of christ to be as really and naturally in the sacrament/ as he was born of the virgin Mari his mother. 
A notable miracle.  For the which heinous fact/ proved against him and also by him confessed/ he did open penance at Paul's cross. I will rehearse one sermon/ made in Queen mary's beginning by a momysh Monk/ & so leave of their vain & wicked lies. A new upstart preacher/ being some time a monk of Chrysts church in Canterbury/ stepped into the pulpit in saint Paul's church/ saying that the very body of christ is realli & naturally in the sacrament of the altar: 
Christ provedre alli in the host by 2. horses, the devil speaking in one of them.  yea by god's body is it/ quoth he: & because that neither oath nor perjury can prove a good argument/ he proved the same by three notable miracles. The first of an horse/ refusing to eat wafers so long/ as their cakye god was among them: the. 2. by the devil speaking in the likeness of an horse/ being conjured of a Priest by god's body to tell what he was: and the 3. a maid of Northgate parish in Canterburi/ who he said in pretence to wipe her mouth kept the oft in her handkerchief. And when she came home/ she put the same into a pot close covered & spitted in an other pot: and after a few days she/ looking in the one pot/ found a little young pretty babe/ about a shaftmond long/ and the other pot was full of gored blood. Here is goodly pulpit matters to prove new articles of our faith. For if the priests/ that told the stories of the 2. horses/ or the maid that said that the bread was turned into a little child/ or the monk/ that preached these shameful blasphemies/ or the devil himself/ who is father of lies/ could lie/ speaking in the horse or in any of them: then do all these foresaid miracles prove nothing his purpose, But O merciful God/ in what a miserable state were we thine afflicted members/ if it were true/ which they say/ being both enemies to thee and to us also for thy truths sake? For we should not only suffer extreme miseries/ as loss of our goods/ good names/ & the company of our dear friends in our native country: but also burn as heretics in this world/ if we came in their cruel handling/ & also burn eternally in the unquenchable fire of hell/ if their cruel curses might take effect. Wherefore we yield thee most hearty thanks/ O father of all mercies/ and to thy son jesus christ our saviour: which haste promised for his sake and in his name thy kingdom of heaven to all them/ which suffer persecution for thy righteousness sake. How shall we then know true visions of Angels from false/ true apparitions and miracles from counterfeit/ but by the scripture of god? which is the rule/ and true measure/ where with we must try all things as S. john sayeth: believe not every spirit/ but prove them/ whether they be of God. For many false Prophets are gone out into the world. Herby is the spirit of god known/ sayeth he: every spirit/ which confesseth that jesus christ is come in the flesh/ is of god etc. Whoso ever therefore sayeth/ that there is any thing/ that pacifieth the wrath of god or obtaineth his favour and forgiveness of sins/ but only Christ's death and passion: he denieth Christ to be come a saviour in the flesh. Wherefore these Angels/ saints/ souls of the dead/ and miracles/ tha● allow worshipping of saints by invocation and praying to them/ the sacrifice of the mass for the quick and the dead/ worshipping of images/ pilgrimages/ offeryng to holy relics/ to forgive sins or to deliver the dead out of purgatory: deny Christ to be come an only saviour by his flesh. For them make all these to be saviours from purgatory/ or at the least/ coadiutores to help him in that office of salvation and delivering those souls from sin and the pains due for the same: and so they cannot be of God but of Antichrist. Thus I have plainly/ fully and truly without fraud of cloaking or colour of rhetoric and dark speech/ to blind the eyes of the simple people/ answered to all (that I remember) which the Papists do or can allege/ either by writing/ preaching or reasoning/ for the defence of their unwritten verities/ whereupon they build so many detestable idolatries and heresies: and the same answers/ if they be aptly applied and placed by a discreet and witty reader/ will suffice for the answer to all that ever they have or can bring forth for the maintaining of their unwritten and uncertain verities.  
And yet I will not be so much wedded to mine own wit or will/ but that if they be able to answer so plainly and truly to the Scriptures/ author's and reasons rehearsed by me/ as I have done to theirs/ and to prove their doctrine of unwritten very●es by as plain consent both of scriptures/ ancient doctors/ and as pithy arguments/ as I have done mine/ and set it forth in print to the judgement of the whole world/ as mine i●: I shall not only acknowledge mine ignorance and error/ but I shall gladly return into England/ recant mine heresies/ openly submitting myself to such discipline & correction/ as they shall think meet fo: mine offences. But if they refuse to answer my book by writing/ & v●ing their old trade burn both my book and the readers thereof: let them know they shall do nothing but cut of the head of hibra. For for every heretic (as you call them) which you shall burn/ will arise many faithful and constant Christians. For except the grain or corn of wheat die/ it remaineth alone: but if it die/ it bringeth forth much fruit. Wherefore I most heartily beseech the father of heaven of his infinite mercy (if you be not indurat in your hearts with that sin/ which is irremissible and shall never be forgiven in this world nor in the world to come/ and resist the holy ghost impugning the truth of god of you known/ and defending & maintaining wicked doctrines/ which your consciences bear record to be idolatries and heresies) that he will mollify your stony hearts/ and give you fleshy hearts: yea rather spiritual and godly hearts to worship him truly in spirit/ according to his godly will/ expressed in his holy word written. And I exhort all you/ which fear god & be desirous to save your own souls/ to beat from this whore of Babylon and from all her detestable idolatries and heresies/ not builded upon the sure rock of gods infallible word written but upon the qualin●re of unwritten verities: 
Which is Rome.  whereupon whatsoever is builded forthwith either sinketh or quite overthroweth. And stand thou fast and stay thy faith/ whereupon thou shalt build all thy works/ upon the strong rock of god's word/ written and contained within the old testament and the new: which is able sufficiently to instruct thee in all things needful to thy salvation/ and to the attaimment of the kingdom of heaven. To the which I beseech the almighty father of heaven of his infinite mercy and goodness/ and by the merits of his only son/ our saviour & redeemer jesus Christ/ through his holy spirit in us/ bring us all.  
Amen.    

¶ Faults escaped in the printing.  
A. 2. pag. 1. line. 19 That apparitions of the dead. A. 2. pa. 2. li. 6. ca 11. the papists. C. 1. pa. 1. li. 15. were. cccc. C. 1. pa. 2. li. 18. martyrs/ and all the people said amen. C. 7. pag. 1. li. 4. are there opened. D. 4. pa. 2. li. 6. I have showed you. D. 5. pa. 2. li. 14. ruinus house. F 1. pa. i li. 18. scriptures only. F. 1. pa. 2. li. 15. Donatystes. G. 4. pa. 2. li. last. The counsel/ would be a capital/ T. G. 5. pa. 1. li. 22. before/ note/ put a ¶/ which noteth my saying and not the doctors. G. 8. pa. 2. li. 1. but now/ would follow the. 6. canon of ●ice. H. 1. pa. 2. li. 15. be those books. H. 2. pa. 1. li. 11. midges. li. 18. term. I. 1. pa. 1. li. 16. soul. I. 5. pa. 1. li. 7. put a ¶ before By this ●. 1. pa. 1. li. 24. blot out/ of. K. 3. pa. 1. li. 1. whereby you may. K. 3. pa. 2. li. 11. Christ● saith). The devil K. 5. pa. 2. li. 2. Pompey. N. 2. p. 2. li. 2. spiritual. N. 3. pag. 2. li. 8.. Dcc. or. Dccc. years. N. 5 pa. 1. li. 17. over. li. l●st. of late. N. 6. pa 〈…〉 10. be gods elect church.