Here is the fyrst and Chiefe Article .

THat Iesus Christe oure God and Lorde , suffered death for oure synnes , and rose agayne for oure Iustification . Roma . iiij .

And that he onely is the lambe of God , which beareth the synnes of the worlde , Iohan .i.

And that God hath layde all oure synnes vpon hym . Isaie . liij .

Item , They are all Synners , and are iustifyed frelye withoute deseruing , by his grace through the redemption of Iesu Christe in his blonde , &c. Roma . iij.

For as muche nowe , as this must be beleued , and otherwyse can not be obteyned or comprehended , by no worke , lawe , nor deseruinge , So is it cleare euident and sure , that onely suche faith maketh vs righteous .

As Roman .iij. S. Paull sayth . We suppose that a man is iustifyed by faith , withoute the dedes of the lawe . Item , That he onely be counted iuste , and a iustifyer of hym that beleueth on Iesus .

From these Articles may noman shrynke nor geue backe any thinge , yea though heauen and earthe shoulde fall , and what soeuer will not abyde for there is none other . Name geuen vnto men , were in we maye be saued , sayeth S. Peter Acto . iiij . And by his strypes we are healed . Isaie . liij ,

And vpon this Article standeth all whatsoeuer we teache and lyue agaynst the Pope , deuill and worlde . Wherfore we must be very sure thereof & doubte nothinge , Or elles all is lost , and the Pope and the deuill must obteyne the victory and right against vs .

The ●… . Article .

Masse in the Papacye . That the masse in the Papacye is the greatest , and mooste horrible Abhomination , as that whiche directely and vyolently stryueth against this Chiefe Article . And yet aboue and before all other Papisticall Idolatries , hath ben moost hyest and fayrest . For it is supposed , That suche an offer , or worke of the Masse ( done also by a leaude Person ) doth delyuer man from synne , bothe here in this lyfe , and yonder in Purgatorie . Which onely belongeth to the lambe of God , as is aboue saide .

From this Article also may no man swarne or geue backe . For the fyrst Article wil not suffer it .

And yf there were any Papistes of descretion , any where , men might common with them measurably , and reasone with them after a gentle fasshion . Namely wherfore they didde sticke so fast to the Masse ? Seynge it is nothinge but mannes inuention , not commaunded of God . And inuentions of man may we lette fall , As Christe sayeth matthei .xv. In vayne do they worshippe me with preceptes of men .

Secondarely is it a thinge not necessary , which withoute synne or feare may well be lefte .

Thirdely , maye the Sacrament be had after a godlier and better waye ( yea onely after a Godlyer fasshson ) after Christes institution . What is it then , that for an inuented and on necessarye thinge , which otherwyse may be had well , and muche godlyer , men wyl compelle the worlde to miserye and necessitie ?

Let it be openly preached vnto the people , howe that the masse , as a thynge inuented by man , may withoute synne be omitted , and that noman is damned , because he doth not regarde it . But maye wel withoute masse , and by a bolde meane be saued . What wyl ye laye , yf the masse as then do not fall by her selfe , not onely among the folysshe people , but also amonge all ryghteous , godly , discrete , God fearynge hertes ? Moche more yf they heare , that it is a daungerous thynge withoute Goddes worde , and wyll , imagyned and inuented .

Fourthely , Seynge suche innumerable , and ineffable abuses , in all the worlde , by byenge and sellinge of the masse are rysen , ought men by reason to let her go , and euen to resiste , onely suche abuses , althoughe she hadde in her selfe some good and commodious thynge .

Howe muche more oughte men to let her go , for to auoyde suche abuses for euermore , seynge that she is hole vnnecessary , vnprofitable , and daungerous , and that men maye haue all thynges more necessarye , profitabler , and surer withoute the masse .

Fyftely , for as muche nowe as the masse is , or can be none other ( as the Canon and al Bokes saye ) but a worke of menne ( also of a leawde person ) whereby one wyll reconcyle hym self and other with hym to God , obteyne and deserue grace and remission of synnes ( for so is she kepte , whan she is kepte most holyest , what shoulde she do elles ? ) Then ought and must she be condemned and reiected , for thys is directly agaynst the chief article , whiche sayeth , that not a wicked or good masse seruaunt , but the lambe of god , and sonne of god beareth our synnes .

And yf for a good intent , one would pretende to husel or communicate him selfe , that is not right , for yf he wil communicate a right , so hath he it most surest & best in the Sacrament , ministred after the institution of Christe . But to communicate hym selfe is a mannes To communicate hym selfe . phantasy , vnsure , and not necessary , and also forbidden . Neyther doth he knowe , what he doth , whylest he withoute the word of God , followeth mennes imaginations and inuentions .

Euen so is it not laufull ( although all were wel besydes ) that any man wyl vse the commune Sacramente of the churche after hys owne deuotion , and playe there with , withoute the felloweshyppe of the Churche , after hys pleasure , without Goddes word .

Thys article of the masse shal be al the hole matter in the Counsayll . For yf it were possyble that they shoulde graunte and geue ouer vnto vs all other Articles , yet can they not graunt nor geue ouer thys Article . Campegius . Euen as Campegius sayd at Augspurgh , that he woulde rather be torne in peeces , than he would forsake the masse . Euen so wyll I also , by the helpe of God , be resolued into asshes rather then I wil graunte any masse seruaunt , with hys workes , be he good or euill , to be equall with my Lorde and Sauyour Iesu Christe or aboue hym . And thus are we parted , and remayne one agaynst another for euer . Thei perceyue fulwell , that yf the masse do fayll , the popysshe kyngdome is layd . Wherfore rather than they will suffer the same , they will kyll vs all yf they maye .

Besydes all thys , hath this dragons tayll , the masse , caused and brought in muche poyson and dregges of dyuers kyndes of Idolatrye .

Purgatory . Fyrste Purgatory . There haue men handeled and made market with soule masses , dirges , seuenthes , trentalles , monethes myndes and yeres myndes , and at the last with the common weakes mynde and all Soulen daye , and beaderolles . In so muche that the masse almost is vsed onely for the dead . Notwithstandyng that Christe dyd institute the Sacrament onely for the liuynge .

Therfore is Purgatorye with all the pomp of Goddes seruice & pourchace of the same to be counted for a mere diabolicall illusion . For it is also against the Chiefe and principal Article , that onely Christe , and not mannes workes must helpe the Soules . Besydes that also we haue no charge nor commandement geuen vnto vs concernynge the deade . Wherfore it maye well be left , and omitted althoughe it were neyther heresye errour nor Idolatrye . Augustyne . The Papistes alledge here Austyne & certayne Fathers , that should haue written of the Purgatorye , thin king that we do not see , for what purpose , or to what intent they vse suche sayenges . S. Austen doth not writte , that there is a purgatorie , neither hath he any Scripture mouynge him therto : but he doth leaue it in dubitation , whether there be any or not & sayth , That his mother desyred , That she might be remembred at the aulter or Sacrament . Nowe all these thinges are nothinge but mannes deuotion , of one symple person alone , which make no Article of our faith , for that belongeth onely to God .

But oure Papistes , do wreste such saynges of menne and alledge them for this purpose that men shoulde beleue , theyr shameful , blasphemous , accursed yeare markettes , of soule masses to be offred in purgatorye &c. It wil be long , or they shal proue this oute of Austen . When they nowe shal haue put awaye the yeare markett of Purgatory masses , whereof s . Austen neuer dreamed . Then wil we commoue with them , whether S. Austens wordes , without scripture , ought to be allowed or not , & a memoriall to be kept of the deade at the Sacrament or not .

It can not be allowed , that of the workes or wordes of holy fathers men wil make Articles of the faith For elles it must also become an Article of faith , whatsoeuer they had , of meates , apparel , houses , &c , as hath ben done with the pardons & reliques . But the worde of God must make Articles of fayth , & no man , neyther also any angel

Rumblynge spirites Secondarely is therof ensued , that the euill spirites haue vsed much knauerie , that they as mennes soules haue apeared , requiryng masses , dirreges , pylgrymages & other almose dedes with vnspeakeable lyes & subtelties . Al which thynges we haue been compelled to take for articles of our fayth , & to lyue thereafter . And the pope confirmed the same , as also the masse and all other abhominations . Here may also be no shrynkyng , or geuing ouer .

Pilgrimage . Thirdely , pilgrymages . There was also sought , masses , remission of synnes & Goddes fauour , for the masse did rule al. Nowe is this sure , that such pylgrimages , are without Gods worde , not commaunded vnto vs , also not necessary , for as much as we maye haue it better , & may leaue than without anye synne or daunger . Why do men leaue at home their own parysshe , Goddes word , wyfe & child , etc : whiche are necessary & commaunded , & runne after , the vnnecessary , vncertayne , damnable , deuelysh errours & superstious ? But that the deuil hath ryden the pope to prayse and confirme such thinges , whereby the people by heapes did fal from Christ vnto theyr own workes , & became Idolatrers , which is worst of al. Besydes that , that it is a thing not necessary , not commaunded not counsaylled vncertain , & also perillous : therfore is here also no shrynkyng , or geuyng ouer . And let thys be preached , that it is vnnecessary and also daungerous , and see then where Pilgrimages thal become .

Fraternities . Fourthely the fraternities , where as the monasteries , minysters , also Vicaryes haue , bequethed , and dealt aboute ( for a meane and reasonable pryce ) all maner of masses . Good workes &c. both for the quicke and the deade . Whiche is not onely mere inuention of man , withoute Goddes worde very vnnecessary , and not commaunded . But also agaynst the fyrste Article of the redemption , & therfore in no wyse to be suffered .

Reliques . Fyfthely , The relyques , wherein so many manyfest lyes , and foolysthenes hath ben found , of dogges bones and horse legges , that also because of suche knauery , whereat the deuyll dyd laugh , they ought to haue ben condemned long a gone , although there were any goodnes in them . And helpdes this also it is a thinge , withoute Goddes worde , neither commaunded nor counseilled , hole vnnecessary & vnprofitable , & that which is worste of al it must worke Pardon & remission of synnes , as a good worke , and a Goddes seruice , as also the masse &c.

Pardon Sexthely here vnto belongeth that louely Pardon , which is geuen bothe for quicke and deade ( but yet for money ) and that arraunt Iudas or Pope , therein doth selle the merites of Christe with the superfluous merites of all Saynctes , and the vniuersal Churche and all whiche thinges are not to be suffered . And also are not onely withoute Boddes worde , nedeles and not commaunded . But also against the fyrst Article , For the merites of Christen men are not obteyned , by oure workes or money . But by faith through grace , withoute any money or deseruinge . Not by the Dopes authorite but by the preachinge , of Goddes worde .

Of worshippinge of Saynctes .

Worshipping of Saynctes . Worshippinge of Saynctes is also one of the abuses of Antichriste , repugnaunt against the fyrst Chief Article , and taketh awaye the knoweledge of Christe . Also it is not commaunded , nor counseylled , neither hath it any example of the scripture . And we haue it al , a thousande tymes better in Christ , although it were of lyke goodnes , as it is not .

And although the Angels in heauen do pray for vs ( as Christ hym selfe doth also ) Lykewyse also the saynctes in earth , or parauenture also in heauen , yet doth it not followe thereout that we shoulde worshyppe the Angelles and saynctes , praye vnto them , faste , and kepe holye day for them , kepe masses and offerynges institute Churches , aulters , goddes seruyces , and serue them more other waies , and take them for helpers in our necessities , and diuyde all maner of helpe amonge them , and appropriate vnto euery one a synguler & peculiar thinge as the papistes teache & do , for that is Idolatry , and suche honour belongeth onely to God . For thou canst as a Christian & saincte in earthe praye for me , not in one , but in all maner of necessities . Howe be it , therfore may not I worshyppe , adore , kepe holy faste , offce , kepe masse , to thy glory & honoure , and sette vpon the my fayth , concernynge saluation , for I may fulwel honoure , loue , & thanke the otherwayes in Christ .

When nowe suche Idolatrous honour of the Angelles and dead saynctes shal be done awaye , then shal the other honour be withoute hurte or damage , yea sone forgotten . For yf the commoditie and helpe , bothe , bodely , and ghoostely , be no more to be hoped for , then shal they leaue the Saynctes in rest fulwel , bothe in the sepulchres and also in heauen . For noman wyll greatly remember , extime , nor honoure them for naught , or for loue .

And in summa , whatsoeuer the masse is , whatsoeuer commeth therof , or soeuer what dependeth thereon , the same can not we abyde , and must nedes condemne it , that we may kepe the holye Sacramente , purely and surely after the institution of Christe , vsed and receyued thorough fayth .

The iij. Article .

Mynsters & cloysters . That the mynsters & monasteries in tymes past edifyed for a good intent for to educate menne of erudition , and honest discrete women , shoulde be sette agayne in suche and ordre , where by men might haue , Pastours , Preachers and other ministers of the Churche . Also other necessary Persones for the temporall Gouernaunce , in Cities and Countrees . Also well taught ladyes , brought vp for housewyues and house kepers , &c.

Yf they will not serue for this so is it better , that men lette them lye voyde , or breake them downe there that they with their blasphemous Goddes seruice inuented by man , shoulde be kepte and taken , as a thinge somewhat better , then the Common Christen state & Offices and Ordinaunces of God instituted . For all the same is also agaynst the fyrst Chief Article of the Redemption , of Iesus Christe .

Besydes that , that they also ( euen as all other inuentions of menne ) are not commaunded , not necessary , not profitable , and also make daungerous and vayne laboures . Euen as the Prophetes do call suche Goddes seruice . Auen , that is , laboure .

The .iiij. Article .

The Pope is not the heade of the Church That the Pope is not , Iure diuino , or by Goddes word , the supreme head of the whole Christianite ( for that pertayneth to one alone , whiche is called Iesus Christe ) But onely . Bysshop or Curate of the Churche of Rome . And of suche as willingly , or by mannes Creation , or temporall power haue geuen them selues vnder his . Cure & gouernaunce , Not vnder hym , as vnder a Lorde , but by hym as Brethern and fellowes in Christ . As also the olde Counsaylles , and the tyme of S. Ciprian do declare .

But nowe a dayes , dare no Bysshop presume to call the Pope Brother , as in those dayes , but must call hym his mooste gratious Lorde , yea though it were a kynge or Emperour . This will , maye or can we not take on oure Consciences . But they that will , may do it with oute vs .

Oute of this followeth . That what soeuer the pope , by suche false , frowarde , blasphemous , vsurped power , hath done and pretended , hath been nothyng , but a deuelysshe acte , and dede , and yet is , ( except that , whiche belongeth to the temporal gouernaunce , wherein also God permitteth oftentymes much good to be done vnto the people by a tyraunt , and euyll person ) to the destruction of the vniuersal Catholike church ( as much as lyeth in hym ) and for to distourbe the fyrst chief Article of the redemption by Iesus Christe .

Popysh bulles and bokes . For there be al hys bulles & bokes , wherein he roareth , lyke a lyon ( as the Angel Apocalipsis .xij. doth prefigurate ) that no christian can be saued , except he be obedient & subiect vnto hym in al thinges , what soeuer he wyl , sayeth and doth , which is none other , but thus much to saye . Though thou beleue neuer so wel in Christ , and haue al thynges in hym , whiche are necessary to saluation , yet for al that is it all in vayne , yf thou takest not me for thy God , and be obedient and subiect vnto me . Notwithstondynge that it is manifest that the holy Churche was withoute Pope at the least aboue fyue hundred yeres . And vnto this day the churches of the Grecians , and of many other languages , were neuer vnder the pope , nor be not as yet . So is it then ( as often hath ben sayd ) an inuention of man , not commaunded , nedeles , and in vayne , in so much that as the holy Catholike churche , maye forbeare suche a head wel ynough , & myght haue continued better , yf such a head had not ben reared by the Deuyll . And also the papacye is not commodious in the churche , for it vseth no Christen office , wherfore the Churche ought to remayne and continue without a Pope .

And I put case , that the pope woulde graunte , that he , not Iure diuino , or by the commaundement of God , were superiour : but to the intent that thereby the vnitie of the Christianite , againste sectes & heresyes , so much the better myght be entertayned , & that therfore must be a head , whereby all the reste myght take hold , and that such a head ought to be chosen of men , and stode , in mannes power and authorite , the same heade , to chaunge , and to degrate as the Counsayll of Constaunce kept and vsed euen the same trade , with the Popes , for they deposed thre , and elected the fourthe . I put case now , ( I saye ) that the Pope , and the see of Rome , woulde graunte and accepte suche thinges , which neuertheles is impossible . For he must suffre his whole dignitie , state & gouernaunce to be turned and chaunged with all his lawes and Bokes , Summa , he kan not do it .

Notwitstondinge all the premisses coulde not helpe the Christianite , and there shoulde ryse many more sectes than before . For seynge men sholde not be bounde to obey suche a heade by the commandement of God , But of mannes good will , it shoulde very lightely and sone be despised , & at the last not be estemed as a membre . And also it must not allwayes be at rome or in any other place . But whersoeuer , and in what Churche , God had geuen suche a man as shoulde be mete for the same . O what a wylde and dissolute thinge shoulde that be .

Therfore can the Churche be neuer better gouerned and mayntayned . Than that we all lyue vnder one heade Christe . And that the Bysshoppes lyke in office ( although they be vnlyke in gyftes ) earnestly agree and holde together , in vnitie of doctrine , Faythe , Sacramentes , Prayers , and workes of loue . According to the writtinge of S. Ierome . That the Priestes of Alexandria together & in commune did gouerne the Churches , As the Apostles did also . And after them all Bysshoppes in the whole Christianite , vntill the tyme that the Pope did exalte his heade aboue all .

To sette hymselfe aboue & agaynst God . This part sheweth euidently , that he is the right Antichrist , which hath set & exalted hym selfe , aboue and agaynst Christe , whylest he will not suffer the Christians to be saued , withoute his iurisdiction whiche notwithstondinge is vayne , not ordeyned of God , nor commaunded , This is called properly to sette hym selfe aboue God , & agaynst God , as saynt Paul sayth . Such thynges doth neyther Turk nor Tatter , be they neuer so greate enemyes to the Christians . But permitte to beleue in Christ , whosoeuer wil , takyng bodely tribute & obedience of the Christians .

But the Pope wyl not suffer to beleue , but sayth , men ought to obey him , and so doynge , they shoulde be saued . Howe be it , Thys wyl we not do , but rather dye therfore in the name of god . Thys cometh al thereby , that he Iure diuino would be called the superiour ouer the Christen Church . Therfore hath he made him self equal with Christ , & hath set him self aboue Christe , as the head . After that a Lorde of the Churche , and laste of all hath suffred hym selfe to be boasted Lorde of all the worlde , and euen a GOD in earth . In so much , that he presumed also to commaunde the Angels in heauen .

Popysh doctryne . And whan a distinction is made betwene the Papisticall doctryne , & the holy scripture , or an egal comparyson it apereth euidently , that the popyshe doctryne , euen where as it is beste , is taken oute of the ciuile and Heathen lawes , and teacheth worldly busynes and iudgementes , decrees as hys decrees declare . After that doth she teache ceremonyes of Churches , rayment , meates , Personnes , and of suche chyldren games , vysers , and fowles babels innumerable . But in all these not one worde of Christe , faythe , and Goddes commaundementes .

Tast of all is it nothynge but al deuelysshe , wheras he setteth furthe hys lyes of masses , purgatory , Cloysteringes , propre workes and Goddes seruyces ( whiche is euen the ryght Papacye ) ouer and aboue god , condemneth slayeth & punyshed al Christians , that do not exaite and worshyp suche hys abhomination aboue all thynges .

Papistcal gouernaunce . Therfore , as littel as we may worshyppe the deuyl hym selfe , for a Lord or God , euen so lyttel may we also suffer hys Apostle the Pope or Antichrist in his iurisdiction , to be our Lorde or head , for lyes and murther , destruction of body & soule euerlastingly , thys is proprely his papistical gouernaunce . Euen as I haue declared the same in many bookes .

In these foure Articles shall they haue ynough to condemne in the Counsayll . For they can nor will not leaue or graunte vnto vs , the least membre of any of the sayde Articles , wherfore we must be sure of this , and stedfastely truste , that God hath apprehended his aduersary , and shall suppresse hym bothe by his spirite and also by his comynge . Amen .

For in the Counsayll shall we not stande before the Emperour or temporall powers ( as at Augspurg ) which made a very gracious Proclamation , and caused the matter to be heard fauourably . But we shall stande there before the Pope & the deuill hym selfe whiche intendeth not to heare . But euen to condemne , murther , and to compelle to Idolatrye . Wherfore here we may not kysse his fete , or saye , ye are my souereique Lorde . But euen as in Dachary the Angell said to the deuill God reproue the Datan .