IF I were not led ( O yee MASSING Priests ) with a naturall and fervent affection toward this our common country , which as a most tender mother , hath tenderly brought me forth , and as a most loving nurse , hath hitherto sweetly embraced , kindly fostered and carefully kept me up , whose destruction and utter desolation ( if provision betimes be not made ) I see unfainedly to be at hand : againe , if I were not moved with very pitie and tender compassion towards you my country-men , greatly lamenting and even from the very heart bewailing the miserable and wretched state wherein at this present yee stand , perceiving also your dreadfull damnation , besides the corporall plagues , which with other ye shall suffer , not to be farre off , except yee shortly repent , turne unto the Lord our God , and leave your abominable Idoll service : I would chuse rather quietly to goe forth in giving my minde to the studie of the holy Scriptures according to my profession , and in calling on the Name of God by fervent prayer for the redresse of the great abominations , which now of late dayes as most fierce & outragious flouds have violently burst in , overflowed and utterly deformed the Christian Common-weale of this our Realme of England , than breaking off my present studies to take upon me at this time to write unto you , and especially of such a matter as some brainsicke persons straightwayes will condemne as hereticall , but all wil judge it superfluous , seeing the matter whereof I entend to write , doth but a little agree with the common opinion of religion , yea rather superstition , that is now received among us against the which to strive , who will not count it a thing of great folly , being so defenced not onely with Lawes and Statutes , but also with the power of the head rulers , with the wily subtilties of the fleshly hypocrites , and with the consent of the grosse multitude : as I may speake nothing of the untowardnesse , yea , rather frowardnesse and malicious madnesse of a number of you Masse-mongers , to whom these my Letters bee directed , which have been so rooted from the beginning of your greasie Priest-hood in this wicked kinde of massing , taking it for most perfect , pure , true , sound , godly and Christian Religion , and have found so great ease , quietnesse , lucre , gaine and advantage in it , that it shall be more easie , except God setteth to his helping hand , to make a man of Inde white , than to plucke many of you from your old accustomed and cankered trade , so hard a thing is it to use an old dogge to the reine , or to cure that disease that is bred in the bone . But notwithstanding , having a good opinion , although not of all , yet of some of you , which sinne not of obstinate malice against the truth , but of simplicitie , ignorance and blindnesse , offend for lacke of better knowledge , whom also peradventure God hitherto hath suffered to remaine in errour , that he now at the last thorow the riches of his mercy , might bring you into the glorious light of his blessed Gospell , and make you of Sauls , Pauls ; of ravening wolves , faithfull Shepheards ; of cruell persecutors ; Christian Preachers , of abominable Idolaters , true worshippers of God : that by this meanes ye may beleeve and be saved : I will attempt even for your sakes , even to the uttermost of my power , as time shall serve , to declare unto you my minde concerning the great abuse , yea , the abominable Idolatry , which ye commit in the most wicked and Divellish Masse , The Abomination of the Popish Masse . while yee take upon you contrary to the Word of God , to defile the blessed Sacrament of Christs body and bloud , to minister it in your Masses unto your selfe alone ; contrary to Christs institution , to offer it for a sacrifice unto God for the sinnes of the quicke and dead , to avouch it to bee of no lesse excellencie , price , dignitie , efficacie , might , vertue and power , than the sacrifice , which our Saviour Christ offered on the altar of the Crosse , and to make a shew of it to the people , that they may fall downe and worshippe it as a god , yea , God himselfe Creator and maker of all things , that yee having the knowledge of these your errors may from henceforth cease to offend the Lord our God , give over your Idolatrous massing , repent you of your former life , and become godly Ministers in the Church of Christ unto the glory of God , and the profit of his holy Congregation . And that wee may the better discerne the truth from the falsehood and the prophanation of the Sacrament from the true ministration thereof , I will compare Christs doing in this behalfe and yours together , that when ye shall perceive how farre ye dissent and swarve from the truth , ye may forsake your errour , and follow no more the trifling traditions of Antichrist , the Bishop of Rome , and of his adherents , but rather embrace that Godly and faithfull order , which our Saviour Christ hath set and appointed in his holy Word for the due Ministration of his blessed Communion .

It is not unknowne to you , What Christ did when hee ordained his holy Supper . that the Lord Iesus after he had eaten the Paschall Lambe , with his Disciples , according to the Law of Moses , that same night wherein hee was betrayed , knowing that the time appointed of his heavenly Father from everlasting , wherein he should offer himselfe a sweet smelling sacrifice to God for the sinnes of the world , was at hand , and willing to leave behinde him a memoriall of his glorious Passion and precious death to his holy Congregation , that the fruits , commodities and benefits , which the faithfull penitent sinners have by the offering up of his blessed bodie , should not be forgotten , but had in an everlasting remembrance , first of all preached a most fruitfull and comfortable Matth 26. Sermon to his Matth. 14. Disciples , Luke 22. and afterward 1 Cor. 11. as he sate at the table with them , hee tooke bread into his hands , and after he had given thankes to his heavenly Father ( as his manner was ) for his corporall gifts , but specially for the deare love , that hee of his owne meere mercie and free heartie good will bare toward mankind , he brake bread , and gave bread unto his disciples , saying : Take yee , eat yee , this is my body , which is betrayed for you . Doe this in remembrance of me . And as hee tooke the bread and made it a Sacrament , that is to say , an holy signe , figure , token , and Memoriall of his Body breaking , so likewise he took the wine , and made that a Sacrament , holy signe , figure , token , and Memoriall of his bloud shedding , and after thankesgiving to his heavenly Father for the benefits aforesaid , he delivered the Cup unto his Disciples , saying : Drinke of this all ye . This Cup is a new Testament in my bloud , which is shed for many for the remission of sins . Doe this so oft as yee shall drinke it , in the remembrance of me . And this heavenly banket once done , they said grace , that is to say , they praised God , by saying either certaine Psalmes of David , or some other thankesgivings , and so departed . Here is the whole institution of the Lords Supper . Now let us compare Christs Supper with your Popish and Idolatrous Masse , and see how well Christs doings and yours agree together . If ye be the Ministers of Christ , and not of Antichtist , the servants of God , and not of the Divell , then will you follow your Master Christ , which saith , Iohn 13. I have given you an example , that as I have done , so likewise yee should doe . Let us now then goe in hand with the matter .

First , we reade , that Christ before hee fed his Disciples , with the mysticall food of his body and bloud , made a Sermon unto them , Christ preached before his Supper . wherewith , as with a certaine most wholesome preparative , hee made meet the minds of his Disciples , unto so worthy a banket , giving all faithfull Ministers an example , that whensoever they with the congregation doe come together to celebrate the Lords Supper , there should be some Sermon or exhortation made unto the people , that they might the better examine themselves , and the more deepely consider the thing that they goe about . And according to the example of Christ , not only the Apostle , but all the holy Fathers also of the Primitive church used the trade , and so did it continue in the Church of Christ , till Antichrist , the Bishop of Rome , had driven Christ out of place , and set up himselfe as God : Againe , till hee had expulsed the Supper of the Lord , and set up his owne peevish , yea theevish Idolatrous Masse , as wee may see in the monuments of the ancient Writers . They continued , saith blessed Luke , Acts 2. in the Apostles doctrine and fellowshippe , and in breaking of bread , and in prayers . And Saint Paul saith , 1 Cor. 11. As often as ye shall eat this bread , and drinke of the cup , shew , set forth , declare and preach the Lords death till he come . A practise hereof have we in the Acts of the Apostles , Acts 20. where wee reade ; That upon one of the Sabbath dayes , when the Disciples , came together for to breake bread ( so termeth S. Luke the receiving of the Sacrament of Christs body and blood ) blessed Paul preached unto them , and continued the preaching unto midnight . And the Sermon ended , they brake bread , ate , thanked God and departed . Note . For if the Sacrament of Christ be never so comfortable , yet if they bee not known what they are , to what use they were instituted , what joyfull promises are annexed unto them ; what they signifie and preach unto the faithfull receivers , &c. What other things are they to us , than the pretious stone was to Aesops Cock ? A Sacrament ministred without preaching of the word is but a dumb ceremony , a glasse offered to a blind man , and a tale told to one that is deafe . Ma●● 3. The Apostles before the ministration of any Sacrament preached , and so did the holy Fathers of the primitive Church . Saint Iohn Baptist the sonne of the Priest Zachary , preached unto the people before hee baptized them . Our Saviour Christ a little before his ascension , Mat. 28. said to his Apostles ; Iohn 13. 14. 15. 16. ●oe and teach all nations , 1 Cor. 11. baptizing them in the name of the Father , and of the Sonne , and of the holy Ghost . Here is Baptism & the preaching of the word joyned together . And as concerning the blessed Sacrament of Christs body and blood did not our Saviour Christ preach at the institution and ministration of it ? Are we not also commanded by the holy Apostle , that whensoever wee come to receive the blessed Communion , the death of the Lord should be preached , declared , and set forth ? Ministration of the Sacraments without preaching , profiteth little . Did not the Apostles of Christ , and all the godly Bishops of the primitive Church , observe the same order ? They considered right well how little the ministration of the Sacraments availeth , without the preaching of the Word : For as S. Paul saith , how shall they believe without a Preacher ? Faith commeth by hearing , and hearing commeth by the Word of God . None therefore of the Lords Sacraments ought publickely to be administred without preaching of the word ; yea , & that not in a strange tongue , In Ioan tract. 80. but in such a speech as the people understand or else it were as good to speake the words unto a s●rt of sheepe or geese as unto them that are gathered together at the ministration of any Sacrament . And this meant Saint Augustine , when hee said , Take away the Word , and what is Water but water ? But let the word bee added to the Element , & it is made a Sacrament . Whence hath the water such a power that it should touch body , and wash the heart ? but by the vertue of working of the word , not because it is spoken , but because it is beleeved . The word signifyeth here not only the speaking of Ego baptizote , &c. or Hoc est corpus meum , &c. pronounced by the Priest in a strange tongue , but the preaching of the word of God uttered by the mouth of the Ministers in such a language as the people understand , or else how shall they beleeve ? It is not the utterance of Gods word in an unknowne speech that bringeth faith , but when it is so spoken , that it is understood of them that heare it , and that faith through the operation of the holy Ghost ensueth , which otherwise is cold , lyeth idle , and worketh nothing in the heart of the hearer : for as S. Augustine saith , Take away the Word , and what is Water but water ? that is to say , take away the preaching of Gods word from the Sacrament of Baptism , which declareth what Baptisme is , who instituted it , to what use it was ordained , what fruits and commodities wee receive by it , &c. And what doth the water of Baptisme profit , I speake concerning such as are come to the use of reason , or such as are present at the ministration of Baptisme . And so likewise may wee say of the Sacrament of Christs body and bloud . Take away the word , and what is Bread but Bread ? What is wine but wine ? that is to say , Take away the preaching of the Lords death from the holy Communion , and what doth it profit to eat & drinke the Sacramentall bread and wine ? seeing the mystery is not knowne nor understood . But put the preaching of the word to the Elements , water , bread , and wine , and so are they made holy and honourable Sacraments , full of singular joy and great comfort , as Saint Augustine saith , Let the word be added to the Element , and it is made a Sacrament . Therefore where the Lords Supper is rightly ministred , What things ought to be preached at the ministration of the Lords Supper . there is declared the death and passion of Christ , there is shewed forth the misery of man , from the which hee could have beene no otherwise released , but only by the death of Christ ; there is taught what the Sacrament is , what it signifyeth , and to what use Christ our Saviour did institute it , there are the people exhorted not rashly , nor with unwashed feet , as they use to say , to come unto the Lords Table , but to prove , trie , and examin themselves , whether they come with such faith and love unto that most worthy mystery , as they ought , least they eat and drinke their own damnation , there are they stored up unto the workes of mercie toward the poore , and unto hearty thankesgiving to God the Father for the death of his Son Christ , there also are they put in remembrance that after they have tasted those heavenly mysteries , & have spiritually fed upon the body & bloud of Christ , which through faith are present , and truly received in spirit of faithful Communicants , and are become one body with Christ , they ought no more to returne unto their old sinfull & wicked conversation , but from henceforth to serve their Lord God in holines & righteousnes all the daies of their life . Luke 1. Is there any such thing done in the popish Masse ? The popish Masse hath no preaching . Who preacheth ? No goodnes is learned at the popish Masse . Who maketh the exhortation ? Who moveth the people to repentance , faith , love , and amendment of life , mutuall reconciliation , workes of mercie , or unto thankesgiving to God the Father for the death of his Sonne Christ ? Who playeth the Schoolmaster , and giveth the people such exhortations , that they goe home from your Masses The Masse is the nurse of all vice . better learned than they came thither ? What theese ever lest his theft ? What false lawyer gave over his bribing ? what whore forsooke her whordome ? what wicked man at any time repented him of his wickednesse , by comming unto your Masse ? Yea , rather they goe from your Masse so well instructed , that they thinke that now they have heard a Masse , they may doe all the day after what they will . Amends is made beforehand If they bribe , poll , pill , steale , lye , slander , blaspheme , kill , murder , runne on whoring , play the harlot , fall to drunkennesse , to dicing , to carding , and doe all other unlawfull things ; it maketh no matter , for they have heard Masse . They have satisfyed Esay . 58. Marke 16. for the sinne , before it be committed . The hearing of masse hath dispatcht al the matter aforehand . And what marvaile is it , though such abomination followeth of your massing , seeing the people heareth no goodnesse at it , but rather are confirmed in all kind of ungodlinesse ? The chiefest jewell of all , I meane the preaching of Gods word , is utterly exiled from your Masse , as all goodnesse is besides . There is none of you all , that stand up in the pulpit , that lift up your voice to declare unto the people either their wickednesse , or preach unto them the most joyfull , pleasant , and comfortable Gospel of our Saviour Christ . If there bee any preaching at all , the Bells make it , The Bells are better preachers than the Massers . when the popish Clark ringeth to Masse . The Bells being hanged up tell the people somewhat which they understand , namely , that there is a popish masse ready at hand , come heare it who list , and be never the better when yee have done . But ye speake nothing at all that the people understand , and so are yee worse than the Bells . What goodnesse followed the ministration of the holy Communion Oh how often have I seene here in England at the ministration of the holy Communion , people sitting at the Lords table , after they have heard the sermon , or the godly exhortation set forth in the Booke of Common prayer , read unto them by the minister , bitterly weep , heartily repent , and sorrowfully lament their too much unkindnesse and unthankfulnesse toward the Lord God for the death of his Sonne Christ , and for his other benefits ; againe , their negligence in doing their duty toward their poore neighbours ? what free and large gifts also have I seene given to the poore mens boxe ? what laying aside of al enmity , and renewing of unfained mutuall reconciliation ? what loving embracing and holy kissing of one another ? What assurance of heartytty friendship for ever to continue , where immortall hatred was before ? what godlinesse also of life have I seen afterward practised by them , that were the Communicants ? what alteration of manners ? What newnesse of conversation ? The covetous man to abhorre his covetousnesse , the Adulterer to leave his adultery , the Whore to defie her whoredom , the Proud man to detest his pride , the Vsurer to give over his usury , and so forth , by hearing the word of God preached , and by the worthy receiving of the holy Communion , hath full oft bin seen in England , when the doctrine of the Gospell flourished among us . No man better for hearing Masse . Never saw I one point of like godlinesse practised of any man by hearing your popish Masses , but as they have come thither wicked and ungodly , so have they departed againe with the same ungodlines , and wickednes , rather being the worse than the better by hearing that your Idolatrous masse , and yet ( Oh God be mercifull unto us , and forgive us our sinnes ) the glorious and blessed Communion is now through the craft and subtilty of the devil , and through the wilinesse of his sturdy & stout champions , that filthy Synagogue of Sathan , utterly banished out of this Realme , unto the great dishonour of God , and unspeakable sorrow of all true Christians , and that most vile , most stinking , most pestiferous , most abominable , most wicked , most devillish & most idolatrous popish private Masse received again , set up , and magnifyed above the starres , yea , and above God and his holy ordinance , when indeed of all Idols , The Masse is to be abhorred of all good men . the Masse is most to be abhorred of such as feare and love God . But though your Masse were never so good , as indeed it is starke naught without comparison , yet forasmuch as it is done without the preaching of the word , and in a strange it is altogether unprofitable , yea , and abominable . Notwithstanding , behold the hypocrisie and counterfeit holinesse , yea , rather your double dissimulation and devillish deceiving of the simple people : when yee have stood awhile pattering , like a sort of asses , yee know not what at the lower end of the Altar , saying the Introite or office of the Masse , as they call it the Kyrrys , the Gloria in Excelsis the Collects ; the Epistle , the Graduall the Allelujah , the Tract , or the Sequence , and all in Latine , because such as are there present should keepe counsell , and not bewray your subtill secrets ; yee remove , as men soone weary of a place , from the one end of the Altar to the other , and like prettie fellowes , you take up the Masse-booke in your hands , making the people beleeve that now yee will speake somewhat whereby they shall greatly be edified , and well grounded in the knowledge of Christ . And because like politicke and wise men , ye will not stumble in your doings but the better see what ye shal speake , ye have a candle lighted , though the day bee never so faire , and the Sunne shine never so bright . Besides this , that yee may bee in the better readinesse to doe some great nothing , yee pray to God or I know not to whom , in this manner : I 〈◊〉 Domine benedicere . O Lord command me to speak well . A prayer very necessary for your selves , which very seldome speake well , but nothing meet for the purpose that you goe about . For ye intend to speake nothing to the people , whereby they shal take any profit . Neither purpose yee , for all your bragging , any more to preach to your Masse-hunters , than yee intend with your bird bolt to shoot downe the weather-cocke of Pauls steeple . And because God is not at hand , but far enough from your elbow , and very s●ldom commeth at such mens callings , ye your selves take the paines to answer on this manner : Dominus sit in corde meo , & in ●re meo , ad annunciandum populo sanctum Evangelium De● . That is to say , the Lord might be in my heart and in my mouth , to set forth , preach , and declare to the people the holy Gospell of God . Oh most vaine prayer . O wicked dissemblers both with God and man . The Masse-mongers are double dissemblers . Ye wished that the Lord God might be both in your heart , and in your mouth to set forth , preach and declare to the people the holy Gospell of God , and yee intend nothing lesse . For as God is neither in your heart , nor in your mouth ; so doe ye not preach the holy Gospell of God to the people , but onely yee rehearse a few Latine sentences out of the Gospel , which neither ye your selves , for the most part , nor yet the simple people understand . The people are mocked at the popish Masse . And notwithstanding , the silly sheepish simple soules solemnely stand up and give good eare , as though they should heare some notable thing , and goe home the better instructed , but all in vaine : For they learne nothing . Onely when yee rehearse the Name of Iesus , they learne to make solemne courtesie , and so a peece of the Gospell being once read , they stroke themselves on the head , and kisse the naile of their right thumbe , and sit down againe as wife as they were afore . And yee your selves , in the ste●d of your Petronilla , kisse the book , and turne yee to the people and say , Dominus vobiscum , God be with you , as though you could tarry no longer , but had some great journey to goe , and yet doe vee tarry there still till all good people be weary both of you , and of your popish Masse . Here is all your preaching . Here is the whole summe of your exhortations . Are not the people well taught ? Have yee not played the good Schoole-masters ? Have ye not wel deserved your Dirge groat and your dinner ? Have ye not followed Christ aright ? Tell mee of goodfellowship , whose disciples are ye masse-mongers ? Christs that preached , or Antichrists that preach not ? Looke whose order yee follow , his disciples are yee . But Christs order follow yee not , therefore are ye not the disciples of Christ , but the vile slaves of Antichrist . Here see yee then one foule fault , which you Masse-mongers commit in your wicked Masses . The best part ye utterly leave out , I meane the preaching of the Gospell , which our Saviour Christ his Apostles , and all true Ministers in all ages , chiefly practised at the ministration of the holy Communion . And in this behalfe yee agree not with Christ , neither is your Masse any thing like the LORDS Supper .

After the Sermon Christ ministred his Supper at a Table . Christ came to the Table , where he ministred the Sacrament of his Body and Bloud to his Disciples . Now compare your doings with Christs . Christ came to a Table to minister his holy Supper . You come to an Altar for to say your popish and Idolatrous Masse . Christ tabled the matter , and yee alter it . Oh , how well-favouredly ye agree ? even as Christ and Belial . God and the Divell , light and darkenesse , or as the use to say , Like Haroe and Harrow . Christ ministred his Supper at a Table , and so did it continue certaine The Primative Church used no Altars , but Tables at the Lords Supper . hundred yeares after in the Church of Christ , who used no Altar at all , Why Christ ministred at a Table rather than at an Altar . but at a Table at the ministration of the Lords Supper , following the example of Christ , which is the selfe truth , and example giver of all perfection and righteousnesse . But if you , following the example of Antichrist , like bloudie sacrificers , fall in hand with Altars , as though ye had sheepe and oxen to kil . Christ willing to declare that all bloudie offerings and sacrifices were come to an end , which were but signes , figures , and shadowes of him , being the true and alone acceptable sacrifice for the sinnes of the world , came not unto an Altar , but unto a Table , and there ordained & ministed his holy Supper , shewing thereby , that not onely the bloudie sacrifices , but also all Altars which were built for bloudie sacrifices sake , doe now cease , and are utterly abolished . But yee whose desire alwayes is to come as neere unto Christ , or unto his holy ordinance , as the Hare covets to come nigh unto a Tabret , refuse Christs order , and dispise the table , spitefully calling it an Oyster-board , and like heathenish and Iewish Priests , yee build Altars , and upon them you offer your vile and stinking sacrifice , not unto God , but unto the Divell , and unto Antichrist . Christ and his Apostles , with all the holy Bishops and reverend Fathers of the Primitive Church ministred the Lords Supper at a Table , and dare ye , O yee Massemongers , contrarie to Christs order , whose example in this behalf is , as it were , a commandement , and contrary to the practise of Christs Apostles , and of the Primative Church , minister it at an Altar ? The holy Scripture makes mention 1 Cor. 10. Christ alone is our Altar . of eating the Lords Supper at the Lords Table , Heb. 13. but at an Altar to have it ministred , Rom. 8. not one word . 1 T●m 2. Wee have none Altar but one , 1 Iohn 2. which is Iesus Christ the Lord , and he is in heaven onely concerning his humamanitie , and not here in earth ( as the idle brained Papists dreame ) upon whom , and by whom we doe offer sacrifice of praise alwayes to God , that is to say , the fruit of those lips , which confesse his Name . For he is our alone Intercessour , our alone Mediatour , and our alone Advocate . Besides this Altar ( CHRIST ) the faithfull congregation knoweth none , neither in heaven nor in earth . All other Altars , therefore , which ye have in your Churches , Chappels and Oratories , are Idolatrous and abominable , and by no meanes to be suffered , where God is truely honoured , and his holy Name faithfully called upon . And what other thing doe yee by maintaining your Altars , than shew your selves very Antichrists , and adversaries to GODS holy ordinance , and as much as in you is , declare that CHRIST is not yet come , or at the least have not offered himselfe a sacrifice to God the Father for the sins of the people ? All bloudie sacrifice for sinne , cease now in the New Testament , for the which Altars served , therefore Christ ministred unto his Disciples the Sacrament of his body and bloud , not at an Altar , but at a Table . But you , Abomination . as though all bloudie sacrifices for sinne were not yet gone , have still your Altars , and offer sacrifice upon them , as the Heathenish and Iewish Priests did . They killed and sacrificed bruit beasts upon their Altars , and you take upon you to sacrifice the Sonne of God , and to make him me●t when it pleaseth you , If yee bee perswaded , The communion of the bodie and bloud of Christ ought to be ministred at a Table . that whatsoever Christ did at the ministration of the holy Communion , is best and most perfect , why then doe yee not follow him , and minister at a Table as hee did , are yee wiser than Christ ? Are yee better learned than the Wisedome of God ? Have ye gone so long to Schoole with that Romish Antichrist , that you dare take upon you to teach Christ the Master of all perfection ? And to find fault in his worke , as the Cobler played with Apelles picture ? I would have you to remember Apelles answer . Ne sutor ultra crepidam . Againe , if ye beleeve that all bloudy sacrifices be ceased , and that the LORD CHRIST by the once offering up of his bodie , hath paid a full , suffic●ent and perfect ransome for the sinnes of all them that repent and beleeve , why then doe ye stand at the Altars like Baals Priests , and take upon you to offer sacrifice for the sinnes of the people , as though all such things were not perfectly ended in the passion and death of Christ ? If your Altars be of God , shew it by the holy Scriptures . But this can you not doe , therfore are your Altars not of God , but of the Divell ; not of Christ , but of Antichrist . Is this to walke as Christ hath walked ? Is this to doe as Christ hath given example ? Is this to bee Christs Minister , or rather Christs controller ? God amend you , and once againe destroy those your Idolatrous and bominable altars .

When Christ came Christ ministred without Copt or Vestment . to the Table to minister the holy Communion , he came in such comely apparell , as he used daily to weare . But how come yee in the name of God , that we may see how well yee follow Christ in this behalfe also ? Yee come unto your altars , as a game-player unto his stage . And as though your own apparell , A Surplesse tollerable without the rest of massing apparel . or else a faire white Surplesse were not seemely enough for the due administration of the Sacrament , ye first put upon your head , an head-peece , called an Amice , to keepe your braines in temper , as I thinke , then put yee on also a linnen Albe in stead of a smocke , to declare how well ye love women , specially other mens wives , and that Albe you gird unto you for catching of cold , though it bee in the middest of Summer . After this you cast a Stoale about your necke in stead of an halter , which signifieth that ye wil persecute and strangle with an halter , or else burne with fire so many as speake against your abhominable apish Masse , and such other wicked traditions . Againe , upon your left arme ye put on a Fannell , much like to a manacle , or a fetter . And this hath also a solemne mysterie . For it preacheth , Fannell . that so many as yee can come by , that unfainedly favour the truth of Christs Gospell , yee will man●cle , fetter , locke , stock , imprison , chaine , and doe them all the mischiefe you can . Last of all , Fools coat , otherwise called a vestment . come on your fooles coat , which is called a Vestment , lacking nothing but a coxcombe . this is diversly daubed . Some have Angels , some the blasphemous Image of the Trinity , some flowers , some Pecockes , some Owls , some cats , some dogs , some hares , some one thing , some another , and some nothing at all● but a crosse upon the backe to 〈◊〉 away spirits . This your fooles coat gayly gawded ▪ signifyeth your pleasant finenesse and womanly nicenesse , and your delectation in the varietie , or change of Venus pastimes , because ye will not be cumbred with one lawfull wife . Thus as men well harnessed for an Interlude , yee come forth to play Hickesc●rners part with your shamelesse , smooth , smi●ling faces , and with your lustie broad , bald , shaven crownes , Shaven crowne . Antichrists brood of Rome , to signifie unto such nice Nymphs as know your secret subtilties , and jolly juglings , that yee are beasts of that marke that will never faile Lady Venus , Never none evill of that marke for Lady Venus pastime . nor none of her kind kitlings ; but above all other , both for your idlenesse and belly-cheere , are most meet at all times , like stout , sturdie , stowre , strong stalents to play Priapu● part , and to furnish the place , Per alium , when Perse is out of the way , such is your unchast chastitie , O yee filthy haters of godly matr●monie .

But whence have ye your game-players garments ? What the garments of the Priests in the old Law signified . Of the heathen and idolatrous Priests ? But with such have the Christians nothing to doe ? Of the Iewish Ministers ? But that law is abrogated by Christs comming , of whose vertues the garments of the Priests were figures & signes , whereof ye have none at all . Had yee them of the Divell , and of Antichrist of Rome ? Send them thither againe betimes , lest ye goe to the Divell with them for company . Wheresoever yee had them , certaine am I that yee have them not of the authoritie of the holy Scripture . Christ and his Apostles used no such ●ond Coats at the administration of the Sacrament , Christ alloweth no pompe nor pride , but all simplicitie and plainenesse ▪ Therefore plainly and simply , without any such Hickescorners apparell , did Christ deliver the Sacramentall bread and wine to his Disciples . The more simply , so that it bee comely , the Sacrament is ministred , the neerer is it unto Christs institution . But I know not whether your gay , gawdie , gallant , gorgious game-players garments , which ye weare at the Masse , are more to bee disallowed , than your blind and corrupt judgement is to bee lamented in the wearing of them . For the most part of you have such spiced Spiced consciences . & nice consciences in the use of them , that if ye lacke but the least of these fooles bables , ye dare not presume to say Masse for a thousand pound . The laudable order of our mother holy Church is broken . Yee cannot consecrate aright . Yee have not al your tools . Therefore can ye not play Cole under candlesticke cleanely , nor whip Master Winchard above the boord , as ye should doe . And gratiously considered . For what is a worke-man without his tooles ? God have mercie on you , and give you grace to bee better minded , and to lay aside such apish toyes , and to put on the Lord Iesus Christ , that yee may know him to be your alone Saviour , Rom. 13. and garnish your life with his most godly vertues , practising that in your ministration , whereof ye have him a president in his conversation .

And this is also to bee noted , that when CHRIST came in his owne usuall apparell unto the Table , he did not kneele as the Papists doe , nor yet stand as the Iewes did in the old Law , Christ sate at his Supper . but hee sate downe at the Table . How do ye agree with Christ at your Masse in this behalfe ? Christ sate , yee sometime stand upright , sometime leane upon your elbowes , sometime crouch downeward , sometime kneele , but sit doe yee never , because ye will still contrary Christ , and bee one ace above him . And although gestures in this behalfe in some mens judgements seeme to be indifferent ; Gestures . yet the nearer we come to Christs order , the better it is . For who can prescribe a more perfect trade for all things to bee done at and about the ministration of the Lords Supper , than the which Christ used himselfe ? Indeed , Why the Iewes stood at the eating of the Paschal Lamb. the Iewes when they received their Sacrament , I meane the Paschal Lambe , which was also a figure of Christ to come and to be slaine , as ours is a signe and token that hee is alreadie come , slaine and gone , stood upon their feet , with their loynes girded , and staves in their hands , to signifie not onely that they were strangers and pilgrims in this world , Psal. 39. and had here no dwelling Citie , Heb. 13. but also that there was a further journey yet to goe in the religion of God , 1 Pet. 3. and that other Sacraments were to be looked for . Why Christ with his Disciples sate at his Supper . But Christ and his Disciples did sit at their Supper to declare that all things afore figured Apoc. 13. in the Law , are now perfectly fulfilled in Christ , that Lambe of God , which was slaine from the beginning of the world , and there are no more Sacraments to bee looked for , nor none other doctrine to bee enquired for , neither the Iewes Talmuth , nor Mahomets Alkaron , nor the Popes Decretals , nor yet the Emperours Interim , but the doctrine onely , which Christ hath alreadie taught , and left in writing by the hands of his Apostles . The Christian religion both concerning Sacraments and Doctrine , The doctrine of Christ is perfect and sufficient for our salvation . is now by Christ brought to such a consummate perfection and perfect consummation , that nothing ought to be added as necessarie also for our salvation . Therfore doth Christ with his Apostles sit at the receiving of the Sacrament , and not stand ; after the manner of the Iewes , even as they , which travelling by the way , are come unto their journeyes end , are wont to sit downe and to take their rest . Here have wee an example of Christ to sit at the Lords Table , when wee receive the holy Communion , and not to kneele . But this doe ye Papists neither observe your selves , nor suffer other so to doe . Ye are like those lewd Lawyers , subtill Scribes , boysterous Bishops , sawcie Sadduces , fine Pharisees , pratling Priests , and hollow Hypocrites , against whom our Saviour Christ thundereth on this manner . Woe unto ye Scribes and Pharisees , Matth 23. ye Hypocrites , for yee shut up the Kingdome of heaven before men , ye neither goe in your selves , neither suffer ye them that come , to enter in . There may bee no sitting at your ministration , though wee have Christ for a president never so much . The servant may not follow his Lord , nor the Disciple his Master . Whatsoever Christ practised , we may not doe , but what Antichrist deviseth , that must we needs doe . Therefore doe ye Papists , which be alwayes enemies to Christ and to his holy ordinances , binde all your captives to kneel at the receiving of the Sacrament , and so makes them plain Idolaters in worshipping the bread for a god . O wicked soule-slayers ! But why binde ye the people rather to kneel at the ministration of the Lords S●pper , than at the ministration of Baptisme , seeing Christ is no lesse present at the one , Christ is no lesse present at Baptisme than at the Supper . than at the other , and by his holy Spirit worketh no lesse effectually in Baptisme , than he doth in the Supper ? Why doe yee not also compell the people to kneele at the preaching of Gods Word seeing it is of no lesse authoritie , than the Sacrament of Christs bodie and bloud . But I know your subtilties right well . Ye will say , the Sacrament of the Altar ( I use your own tearmes ) is God and man in forme of bread , An error of the Papists . and therefore it cannot have too much reverence , worship and honour given unto it . I answer : It is sooner said , A comparison between the old Idolatrous Priests and ours . than proved . As the old Idolaters in times past had gods of their own making , and worshipped them , so have yee a god of your owne devising , which ye your selves worshippe , and compell other so to do likewise . And as the old Idolatrous Priests by boasting the dignitie of their feigned gods , whom they served , lived an idle and voluptuous life , and were fed of the painfull labours of other mens hands , so likewise ye new Idolaters and Priests of Baal advance , set forth , and blow out at Paul● Crosse , and in all other places , the majesty , excellencie , dignity and worthinesse of your new baken little great god , The God of the Papists . that by this meanes yee may bee had in admiration among the foolish simple Ideots , and bee nourished of the sweat of other mens browes , you your selves like idle , lazie , loytering lubbers , and very pestilences of the Common-wealth , onely borne to consume the good fruits of the earth , going idly up and downe swinging with your long gowns , sarsnet tippets , and shaven crowns , like very caterpillers of Aegypt . A wonderfull God it is that yee set forth to the people to be worshipped . Not many dayes past , it was corn in the plough-mans barne , afterward the Miller ground it to meale , then the Baker mingling a little water with it , made dough of it , and with a paire of hot printing irons , baked it . Now at the last come you blustering and blowing , and with a few words spoken over it , yee charme the bread in such sort that either it ●rudgeth straightwayes away beyond the moone , and a faire young childe above fifteen● hundred yeares old come in the place of the bread , or else , as the most part of you papists teach , of the little thinne cake , yee make the very same body of Christ that was borne of Marie the Virgin , and dyed for us upon the Altar of the crosse , the bread being turned into the natural flesh of Christ , and the accidents of the bread onely remaining , according to the doctrine of Pope Nicholas , and Pope Innocent . O wonderfull Creators and makers ! O marveilous fathers , which beget a childe elder than the father ! and after yee have made him , yee teare him in pieces , yee eat him , yee digest him , and send him downe by a very homely place . O cruell and unmercifull fathers , so to handle your poore young old child ! And this is the goodly God whom the people may not receive sitting nor standing , but kneeling upon their marrow-bones . O false and subtil hypocrits , right cousens to the Idolatrous priests of Babylon ; For as they made the King beleeve , and his Nobility , with all the Commons , that Bel was a living god , and that there must bee prepared for him every day twelve cakes , Dan. 14. forty sheepe , and sixe great pots of wine , to eate and drinke ; so doe yee make the Queene , her Counsell , the Nobility and commons of this Realme for the most part beleeve that the little thin round white cake , which ye hold up above your head , at your abominable Masse , after yee once said these five words over it , Hoc est corpus meum , and have blowed , blasted , and breathed over it , is straightwayes both a living God , and a very living man , even Christ God and man , as he was borne of Marie the Virgine . But full falsely doe ye lie , and dissemble with the Queene , with her Couunsell , and with the commons of this Realme , even as those Idolatrous priests of Babylon did with the King , and with hi● subjects . For as that Idol Bel was not a living god , but an Image made of clay within , and of metall without , so likewise for all your consecrating , blowing , blasting and breathing , your little Cake is neither a living God , nor a living man , but as it was bread before yee brought it to your Idolatrous Altar , so is it , when yee both hold it up and eat it . But as the Idolatrous priests of Babylon taught the people plainely , that Bel was a living God , that they by that meanes might live in wealth and idlenesse , so do ye likewise stoutly both at Pauls Crosse , and else where preach unto the people , that the Sacrament of the Altar is the true , naturall , reall , corporall , carnall , and substantiall body of Christ , God and man , even he was borne of Virgin Marie , & hung on the Altar of the crosse , flesh , bloud and bone , that ye by this meanes may maintaine your popish kingdome , and live idly and pleasantly of the labours of other mens hands . But if a Daniel might sit at the Queens Table , talke with the Nobility , and preach to the Commons of England , the jugling of the Papists should soone be espyed . God for his mercies sake & for the deare heart-bloud of his most deare Son , send us a Daniel , and open the eyes of the Queene , of her Councell , and of all the Inhabitants of this Realme , that they perceiving your subtle iugling and crafty daubing , may know you to be , as yee are , even very Antichrists , hisse you out of all honest company , and for ever after beware of your pestilent & damnable doctrine . Amen , Amen .