OF THE CHVRCHE and Busshops .

FROM the leuenth leafe vntyll the eightenth is saide , what the Churche of God is , & of the order and power of the Bushops , & there be many pointes patched in , which wyll and rightfully maye be spoken against and withstanded of godly and learned men .

But in as moche as these sayeinges , almoste to the ende of the article , be general , moche contaynyng , doubtfull and hastie sayinges , we wyll not counsell that our most gracyous * * Unde●stande , b●cause y● la●mē can n●… so well a●swer to these ma●ters of B●shops powers whi●● be craftel set out in boke : He must be b●ter learne them that lord● commenly 〈◊〉 that shall sto● theyr mo●thes . Prynce meddle moche in this Article . It is truthe that the churche is a congregacion or company gatherd together of the right beleuing , and that no man shal deuide and disseuer him selfe from the Churche . But than is this the question , which be those right beleuing ?

And because the disseueryng and parting from the church is made an heuy and highe faute ( to our dispise and shame , be ye suer ) is this our answere for neade theragaynst , which the boke it self acknowledgeth , that the teachers muste fynde faute with false learning , and false Godsseruyces . Nowe yf the withstanders of the trueth wyll not geue place , and that so discorde and debate folowe therevppon , so be the pesecuters of the trueth , & specially in needy weighty matters , fauty before God , and not the poare Godly people that preach or receyue the trueth . This is plain , and the saying of S. Paul is knowen to many . If an Aungell in heauen preache any other ghospell , holde hym accursed . But that there be many great erroures and mysvses defended of the Rome bushop and his , nowe at this tyme , that is playne : And the boke it selfe hath founde fawte at some erroures , whiche yet the Counsels holden at Trident and Bono●y haue strengthened .

Let this be ynoughe for the excuse of our churches at this tyme

We beseche also our moste graciouse Prynce and his prayse worthy lande , that yf the Byshoppes wil haue vs to be obedient to them , that that maye be done with thys condycyon and after this facion , that they persecute not the trueth , and sette not vp agayne vngodly ceremonyes in the lande .

Furthermore , thys muste also be shewed , neede dryuyng vs therto : Although we wyll charge no manne to take in hande all these dispuracions whiche stycke in this Artycle , for they be not all a lyke nedefull , and some thynges there be whereto the suer and stedfaste wytnesses of the olde churche be neadefull , whiche euery man can not seake out , and we kepe this laboure for our self & some other : the euery man make his owne christen & profitabe acknowledgyng & declaracion for himself vpōhis owne ieoperdy as touching these & other matters : for that that the boke saith in this point of the Councels and de potestate Interpretationis , that is , of the power to expound the Scripture , there are many thynges to be spoken of .

God hath gracyously opened hys mynde and wil , those must we heare and receiue , and not , as in worldly kyngdomes , geue one certen person power to make exposicions at hys pleasure .

Of the sacramentes .

OF Chrystenyng there is no strife , and our churches haue christenly and with profet striuen as touchyng the chrystenyng of chyldren , and other articles belongyng thereto : and shewed good and sure ground agaynst many errours of the Anabaptistes or Againechristeners or twisechristeners , & this our labour hath profitably holpen to the declaring of manye Artycles .

Of Confirmacion and anoyn ▪ tyng .

OF these thynges I councell also that we stryue not , but so muche as belongeth to the callyng vpon or praying vnto saintes , wherof we will hereafter speake . And although it displease vs that men so praise both these workes , Confirmacion , & anoynting , that they make them like thother Sacramentes , & bynde the working of the holy ghost therto , wheras it is yet plaine , that thei be so painted out but for a shew : yet wyl we not at this time dispute therof , and commyt it also to euery mans owne acknowledgyng .

But we cannot agree vnto this blasphemyng of God , that men should charge our priestes to receaue and reache out suche Anoyntinges and vngodly consecracions , wherof they falsly crake and boast in Póntificalibꝭ & Agenden , the the holy ghost , forgeuenes of sinnes , & other giftes of god and defence agaynst the deuell , is geuen therby , and that they should serue for the helthe of bodye and soule . &c.

Of Repentaunce .

ALL menne of vnderstandyng knowe that before these our dayes the Monkes & Freers learning in this Article of Repentaunce was full of great errours & blyndnesse . They could shew no sure coūforth , yee they taught rather theragaynst , that we shoulde alwayes abyde in doubte of the forgeuenes of synnes . They haue also loaded the conscyences with th unpossible tellyng of our synnes , and afterwarde with the erroures of Satisfaccions , with pardons and manye supersticions and misbelefes .

These selfe same erroures and mysuses did first raise this strife of the learnyng . For Godly preachers which were men of vnderstanding muste nedes finde faute at suche erroures and blaspheinyes of God .

And the learnyng of Repentaunce is through goddes grace so well and surely declared , that all men of vnderstandyng , acknoweledge that the same christen declaracion taught in our churches is right true and coūfortable , and also profitable to the righte praying and callyng vnto god , and to the knowledge of the gospell .

OF CONFESSION .

COnfession is also diligentlye kept in our Churches with a good exposicion therof , that the absolucion shall be sought therin , for we iudge that the priuy absolucion is nedefull to be kept , for great and weyghtye causes , in asmuche as it is a witnesse , that there is forgeuenes of sinnes in the Churche , and that they that be fallen after theyr Christenyng maye be agayne receaued . It is also very good that ther be some certeyne acknowledgyng and pullyng downe or lowlines of the herte , so that they that desyre absolucion shewe themselues repentaunt and sorowful , and acknowledge that they be synners and trespacers before God .

But yet we wyl not loade the conscyences with this perlouse and vnneadful burthen , that they should thynke it were nedefull to tell all and euery of the synnes that they haue done .

And forasmuche as this Article belongeth to al mennes consciences , we counsell not that all men agre to this poynt .

OF satisfaccion .

OF Satisfaccionis muche easlyer and Jentlyer spoken in the boke , then before tymes in the learnyng of the Monckes and Freers . But the sayinges contayne many thinges in them whiche haue neade of much declaryng . Therfore we also comit this Artycle to euery mans owne declaracyon and acknowledgyng .

OF THE SACRAment of christes body and bloudde .

In this matter are not oure Churches agaynste the boke : But yf ther be any further declaracyon demaunded of any man as touching this Article , him we suffer to speake thereof through his owne confessyon and acknowledgyng .

OF makyng or annoynting of prystes .

It displeaseth not vs , that this is reckened in the noumbre of the Sacramentes , if it be ryghte and Chrystenly kepte and holden : And we wyshe that it might be so kepte in all maner of landes & countreyes with great dylygence that it were not onely a ceremonye or a dysguysyng & playe , but that they that be ordeyned be well heard and instruct or taught , and that there were an erneste commaundement geuen with the ceremony , and also that there wer afterwarde diligent heede taken to the learnyng and to the maners of the priestes .

OF MARIAGE .

This Artycle is neadfull , that in the dyuorcyng of the fautelesse person , the second maryage be graunted .

Therefore is that poynt in the boke as touchyng this matter , that there maye no further dyuorcemente be made then from bedde and bourde , not to be agreed vnto .

OF THE MASSE .

The booke acknoweledgeth , that the Masse deserueth not forgeuenesse of synnes . That is true . But that they afterward further alleage sayinges out of the olde & new teachers as touchyng the oblacion & offeryng to strengthen theyr preuy Masse , those be sayinges that contain many thynges in them , and it were very easy to shew good suer ground out of . S. Austen and other theragaynst , that the same sayinges belong not to theyr preuy Masse and oblacion or offeryng , for althoughe they call it an offeryng , yet declare they them selues thus , that it deseruethe not forgeuenes of Synnes . And also that they them selues offer not the Sonne to God the father , for that is the owne & onely worcke of the onely begotten sonne , that he offereth himselfe , as the texte speaketh Heb: 9 , He is gone into the holy place throughe his owne bloude , he standeth before the father as a peacemaker for euer , and prayeth for vs , in the same moste preuy councel , whiche is the holy place .

But of the offeryng that men offer , they say it is a thancksgeuing and a rememberaunce , that is , therwith we throughe belefe praye for and receaue the forgeuenesse that is obtayned and gotten for the sonnes sake . And this prayer and thankesgeuyng shall be made in the dealing out and in the vse of the sacrament , * * Not of Masse . as it is commaunded and instituted . And the * * This is the Masse of it selfe . ceremony of it selfe withoute this worck in the herte , in belefe , prayer and thankesgeuyng , is no offeryng .

And let this be ynough spoken of the olde teachers , whereof we offer oure selues to geue furher declaracyon at all tymes .

And because ther lyeth muche of this matter , in that that it belongeth to all chrystendome , and for that that the Masse is through many erroures comen in to great misuse : for whiche God vndoutedly punysheth the worlde , as it is wrytten , whoso vnworthely vseth the Sacrament , maketh hymselfe gylty of the Body and bloud of Chryste : ought men with great earnest to seke and helpe to kepe , mayntayne , and vpholde , the trueth of this Artycle , to the honoure of God and saluacyon of menne .

And this is also one of th artycles whiche belongeth in generall to all menue bothe learned and vnlearned . Wherefore thortely to aunswere to this question .

Whether the preuy Masse , or the Masse without a companye takyng it to gether be to be set vp agayne ? This is oure answere . That we with true meanyng , counsel that we sette not vp the Masse agayne that is done without a company receanyng it together . And the piayne reason why , is this .

There shall no Gods seruyce be ordened or done in the Churche , that is not ordeyned and commaunded in the worde of God . And the vse of the Sacramente is so ordeyned and not otherwyse , that the dealyng oute and the vse be kepte and done , as the sonne of God sayeth . Take it and eate it . &c. And drynke all thereof . &c. And , doe this in my remembraunce . And it was also thus holden many hundreth yeares in the fyrste churche .

Therefore is this fyrst vse agreyng with the wordes of Chryste , suerly the ryght and true vse , and shal be mayntened vpholden and kepte , and there shall no other worckes be set vp therein , whiche are not commaunded .

There haue not been also alwayes in tymes paste dayly Masses . But at Alexaundria , whiche was a great cytye , was the Communion holden three tymes a weke , on sonday , wensdaye and fridaye , and in many other Cities onely vpon the Sondaye and holy daye .

This olde goodly and godly custome , is throughe goddes grace with all reuerence , with sermons , Leassons , commaundementes and thanckesgeuynges , orderly holden in our Churches .

And yf there be any other worck sette vp in the stede of these , that offence wyll wounde many hertes , and feare them wholly from the communyon .

There are also mo burthens hangyng vpon this artycle of the Masse , as to saye , of the Canon , prayer to Saynctes , and Soull Masses .

The Canon sayth playnly that this worke is holden for the redempcion & raunsoming of the soules . &c. Whereby all the vnlearned haue vnderstanded , that this worke deserueth forgeuenes of sines , which meanyng is also against the booke .

There be also other vnmete sayinges in the Canon , as when the priest prayeth that God will take in good worth that offeryng , as he did Abels offeryng , where they yet vnderstand the offeryng of the sone of God .

To be shorte , there be so manye horrible misuses in the popishe custome and facyon , that we shrynke and quake for feare when we speake of them , and praye therfore that no man may be loaden with the setting vp of suche thynges .

Of the praying to Sayntes .

THe praying to a substaunce that cannot be seen , which is not by vs , geueth to the same substaunce this honour , that it knoweth and can iudge all mennes hertes and al their thoughtes and sighes .

This honour belongeth onely to the substaunce of God , wherfore the praying to Saynctes is not right nor lawfull .

And although they haue fayned here agaynst that god geueth them a seuerall reuelacyon of suche praier as is made vnto them , that is spoken without the booke . * * For the ●●ripture ●…taketh of 〈◊〉 suche ●…ng , they ●…ne this 〈◊〉 their ●…ne bray●… . And we set theragainst , this highe saying : Thou shalt cal vpon or praie vnto thy lord God , & serue hym alone .

And where as they also saye , that they be prayed vnto as seruauntes and aduocates : This answere also is not ynough : For the praying vnto them is of it selfe a wytnesse and token , that they that be not seen , are made almightye , the whyle the propertie whiche belongeth to god almyghty , is geuen vnto them .

Secondarily , we maye not haue other mediatours , annexed & sette vnto Christ , to be in iointer with him .

Thirdly , it is also openly knowen to all the world , that men haue not onely sought to make the Saintes mediatours , but that they haue also sought a sondry helpe by euery one of them .

This great Idolatrie shoulde be strengthened if that beginnyng , and praier to them , of which the booke speaketh , be kept and holden .

Fourthly . There maye no godsseruice be brought into the churche which god hath not ordened in his word : and as for prayig to saintes hath no commaundement of God , as is openly knowen .

Fyfthly . Mans herte may not , nor cannot praye , when it knoweth not whether suche a forme of prayer please god or not . And there is no word of god that teacheth vs so to praye . Yee there be theragaynst strong commaundementes , which teache that onely the one godly substaunce ought to be prayed vnto , & that thorowe the mediatour . And this saying must abide fast & suer , what souer ye aske of the Father in my name , he will geue it you . This onely begotten sonne is sette before vs for our Mediatour , peacemaker and speaker for .

Hereagaynst sayeth the Booke not onelye of the speakyng for vs , but also of the deseruinges of the Saynctes , whiche is yet more to be rebuked .

And this is a shamefull lye , that it saith , that Jacob taught his children to praye vnto Abraham , to Isaac , and to him , and expoundeth the saying Gene. 48. They shall be called myne and Abrahams and Jsaacs chyldren , that is , I wytnesse that the promyses whiche be promysed me and Abraham & Isaac , shall inheret vpon them , as vpon our aftercomers , that is to saye , that they shall suerly haue one churche and ordre , and that many of them shal be inheritoures of euerlastyng lyfe .

This true vnderstanding of the texte leaueth the boke out , and fayneth a false of praying to Saynetes .

There be also other mo sayinges in the Booke that are wrong expounded . Hereby it is playne , that no manne maye agree or consent to these Articles of the boke , in which the prayer to Saynctes is commaunded and strengthened .

Howbeit it is profitable for many thinges to know the whole story of the churche from the beginning to the ending , to take witnesse therof , that god vpholdeth his churche alwaies , and that god be thanked , that he hath opened and shewed himself in the Saynctes .

And also that we teache and strengthen our selues with th insāple of the Saynctes .

The true storyes of the Saynctes are also often alleged of vs in Sermons , and shewed to the people , whiche thyng we wyll also from henceforth do .

OF Souse Masses .

THese Masses are almoste the moste commen Ceremonies in Abbayes and in other churches in maner in all Countreyes and landes , for they bryng moneye . And there be many erroures comen into the world through Soulemasses , wherof it is to long to speake at this tyme .

But it is also a peruertig of the Sacrament , the it is applyed for the deed . For the Sacrament was instituted to stirre vp & strengthen the belefe of the liuing , and also for a remembraunce .

Now are not the dead present at it : And it is saide without any ground , that the priest deserueth them anye thyng through these Ceremonyes .

Therefore maye not this Article in the boke be consented vnto in anywyse , and the saying of . S. Denise whiche is alleged as touchyng the burying , speaketh no whit of the Masse . Where as some also haue praied for the dead , that maketh nothyng at all for the Masse . Let this also be ynough therof at this tyme .

Of Ceremonyes .

IN our Churches are the chiefe Ceremonyes belonging to good ordre , as Sondaye , & holy dayes with vsed and accustomed synging and readyng , not muche chaunged .

We wyll also kepe and hold the same with diligence . And if any man shall ymagyn anye thyng in suche meane and indifferent thynges , with the good Counsell of them that ought to rule the Churche , whiche shoulde serue for more vnyformitie and good and manerly ordre , we will gladly helpe to vpholde it . For we wyll not stryue or braule for suche meane thynges , so ferre as the christen vse therof stretcheth .

We care not also whether men eate fleshe or fishe . And yet we maie not let the learnyng of the difference of meates and of the true godsseruyce , in suche meane vnneady thynges be quenched out , as they were almoste before these dayes cleane quenched out . As S. Austen at his tyme , and an C. yeare agone Gerson , yee and fyftye yeare agone Wessasus at Bastil , Wesell and Meyntz , and certen other , haue sore complayned . For although ther be alwaies great heapes of errours in the Churche from the begynnyng to the ending , yet abydeth there in some , the true knowledge of God , true prayer , and better vnderstanding of the Godly learnyng , then in the great muititude , and it is Gods wyll that euery manne be instructed and taughte truely and rightly of the true seruice of God .

But as touchyng the songes belonging to the Saynctes , therof haue I sayde , that the praying to them is not to be receaued .

Item in asmuche as we deuyde the Sacrament in our Churches , must those Processions be lefte out wherin the one parte is caryed aboute .

It is also true and suer , that the Sacramentes in their vse , as they be ordened in gods worde , are right Sacramentes : & not when they be turned to other straunge workes to which they be not ordened or institute . Therfore is that spectacle in the Procession vnright , and ought not to be strengthened or set vp againe .

Moreouer , This is well knowen to the withstanders , that the preuy Masse , prayig to sainctes , soule-masses , and the Procession , and certein other suche vses , although they might be excused , be yet neadelesse and ieopardouse : And that that example of settyng them vp agayne , strengtheneth the great erroures and misuses among the * * Understand , the withstanders of the truth . other , & bryngeth them in agayne into these Churches . They knowe also that that offence wyll sore greue manye godly men , and that muche persecucion wyll be sought , and manye priestes and other persons banisshed , prysoned and happely kylled .

And these Countreyes are now through gods grace furnished with many gyftes of God , more then other Coutreies be , with Churches , with metely good manerly order , lawe , a good trade of lyuing , and with prayseworthy scyences : therfore can we not counsell that we oure selues shoulde destroye this metely good estate and degree , and that agaynste Gods commaundement .

And in asmuche as it is written , That that whiche is of God , abydeth , it wyll be so found in very dede that although a chaunge shoulde be begonne in the Churche in some places , that yet this learning which we preache , wyll abyde in other landes , so that that Interim wyll make but small vnitie .

And where as warre is feared herefore , thereof we wyll shewe ourlowly and obedient meanyng : That the powers & rulers knowe what they shall do in this matter , and what they ought or can do for the defence of the Churche . And as for my person I am through gods grace ready to departe from hence , or if nede be , to suffre .

But yet we do it not of wranglynge or pryde , that we councell not easelyer and handsomlyer in this matter . But Gods commaundement byndeth vs , not to forsake nor to persecute the knowentrueth . We truste also that this wrytyng wyll declare and shewe it selfe , that we striue not , for dignite , honour , or riches , but that we onely speake of neadfull learnyng and true Godsseruyces .

We wyllnot also loade the hygher powers or other men with suche seueral disputacyons as may not be well knowen of all menne , but wyll kepe that for vs & other , to whose calling it belongeth to teach other men , that euery one of vs aunswere and acknowledge his owne confession , vpon his owne Jeoperdie .

It is not also oure mynde to teache any newe or other thing , but onely this one and true learnyng whiche throughe Godes grace is vniformely preached of the Godlye and menne of vnderstandyng in the Churches of these landes and countreies , and is acknowledged and approued in bothe the vniuersytyes Lypsg and wyttenberg : which we These two ●●iuersiti●●● be bothe 〈◊〉 Duke ●…oris land , this time . know is the true learnyng and true vnderstandyng of the euerlastyng Catholick Church from the begynnyng of the worlde vnto this daye . And this is the meaning of our consyderacion , that these Churches bee not brought out of reast and peace , but that they may abyde in praying vnto God , and in the true Godsseruices . For if the consciences be ones wounded with offence , prayer wyll be sore weakened , and many synnes wyll folowe , as dispise and anger against al religions , from whiche synnes God graciousely saue vs .

And in as much as it was of late wryten vnto vs , that it is highly forbydden in the prologe , to preache , teache , or write agaynst this Interim nede dryuethe vs with lowlynesse to saye thus muche , that we wyll not chaunge the true learnyng whiche we haue hytherto preached in oure Churches . For no creature hath power or authority to chaunge Gods trueth . And no man maye also deny or for sake the knowen trueth . Seig therefore that this Interim is against the true learnyng in many Articles , whiche we haue declared , we muste neades shewe a true declaracyon & aunswere thereto , whiche thyng we wyll also do with chrysten measure : and wyll commit the ieoperdye to the Almighty and euerlasting God , and father of oure Lorde Jesus Christ . And forasmuche as God of his vnspeakable goodnes geathereth him selfe an euerlastyng Churche , and hath opened his wounderfull counsel thereof , aboue all mens wysdome and thoughtes , we pray vnto hym , that he himselfe wyll alwayse vpholde maintayne and kepe the same his learning , and also gather hymselfe an euerlastyng Church in these Landes and countreis , & graunt vs therto good gouernaunce and rule . Amen .