The copie of a letter sente to one maister Chrispyne chanon of Exceter for that he denied ye scripture to be the touche stone or trial of al other doctrines whereunto is added an appologie and a bulworke, in defe[n]ce of the same letter.

The copie of a letter sente to one maister Chrispyne chanon of Exceter for that he denied the scripture to be the touche stone or trial of al other doctrines wherunto is added an appologie and a bulworke , in defence of the same letter .

¶ To the right worshipfull and his syngular good Maister syr Peter Carewe : Philip Nicolles wysheth the continuall fauoure of God .

GReate conforte is it to Christes pore floceke ( right worshipful syr ) among so manie hudge Rockes and wylde seas , as oure weste partes are compassed with all : to haue some porte or hauen wher Christes shippes mought cast ancre , and for a space haue succoure , tyl the stormes be paste . This fatherlie prouision maketh the al myghtie and most mercifull Lorde al waies to helpe them that be hys . And though Ionas sincke yet is the whale redie to kepe him from perishing & to brynge hym to land , as amonge so manye greate stormes , no meruaile thoughe some haue ben pluged vnder the water but of suche , gloriouse shall the resurrection be . But in my contrey ( my right deare sir ) where most daynger appeareth to be : scantly hath ther any wette their feete , praysed may the name of God be therfore , that so prouideth for yong suckelinges whiche else shoulde be ouer whelmed before they were weaned from their milke . Your pure and yernest zeale toward gods truth and paynefull laboures infendeynge innocentes is not vnknowne to a great menye . But would to God it were farther knowne , euen tho rowe out . Not that you shoulde haue the prayses of men for your laboure , for they belonge to God and it is wickednesse to seke them from hym , but that it myght prouoke other men of worship , and honour also in all places , to so feruent and godlye desire of Christes doctrine , to be publisshed among vs , Namely the whole bible , the scriptures of God , the newe and olde testament . Which onely doctrine is alone sufficient to teache vs the true worship of God , fayeth in his promises , and in all good workes , to walke the waye to euerlastinge lyfe . To the defence of thys heauenly doctrine ( I saye ) woulde I prouoke all men of honour and worshipe , by your ensample , if wit and learneing failed not . Your gentlenesse and liberalitye , towardes me and al those that longe for that heauenly doctrine : I passe ouer with silence , to cut awaye occasions from iuell tonges , althoughe the example be greatly to be desired , in all men of worshippe , yea in all them that professe Christe accordinge to theyr power .

Al these thinges nowe considered , besyde the manyfolde labours and daylye trauaile that you take diuers waies to haue the veritye knowne , to bannyshe lieinge and cloked holinesse , to haue the Lorde truly worshiped , and to rote cut Idolatrie . Consideringe also your yerneste desier to thys my smal laboure in writing to maister Chrispyne a simple letter , for asmuch as I perceyued that you were determinatly mynded to put it in print I thought I coulde not bestowe my laboure better , then to set it furthe in your name chiefely to purg me from that euel suspicion that is lyke to ensue the printinge of it . For seinge they begin to byte me priuilye all redye , for exhibitynge certayne Articles preached of oure learned men , and woulde perswade men that I dyd it of a pretenced malice , sekeinge their destruction : I knowe well they shall saye much rather , that it was my suite to haue this my letter spread a broad , and that I dyd it to seeke prayse , as they alwayes seeke most preise to them selfe , the least deserue it , or that I stand in mine owne conceite as to thinke that I haue done a great acte , wheras I acknoweledge it in deede to be but counterfaite , in comparison of a great numbre that be wel leraned . Which if they had the matter in handlyng : these men myght haue been a shamed to shew their faces in a pulpit , to declare any suche matter agayne Nowe to preuente these biteinge serpentes of thys poisone the lord knoweth whether it be my faute or no to haue it printed , and you partly can testifie . Notwithstandynge ▪ it shal not greue me to haue it prynted , but rathere I shal be glad of it thoughe it were but for thys cause onelie . To declare vnto all other contreis , that deuensher lacketh not some well wyllers ( at the leaste ) as well amonge the pore creatures , as the riche and worshipfull , the desier the glorye of God and furdraunce of hys word . As touchinge the articles offerred to the visitours , which they say to be done of malice , hatered , and manie other good morowes , let suche men knowe that I hate theyr doctrine in dede . As for any malice that I owe to the men : I axe no more grace and fauour of the Lorde , to be geuen to my selfe , then I wysh to the vilest of them all , if it might so come to passe and please God . For I knowe there can no suche ranckor and malice dwell in any christen herte , as they iudge other men by them selues .

And thys I saye more ouer , that I am assured of these ministers and of the kynges counsayle also : that they be no suche bloude thurstye tirantes , as haue pleasur in shedynge of bloude . For if they were but as cruell in punisheinge the blynde wycked and sediciouse . I nought saye , preachers , as the popes ministers haue beene in tormentyng innocentes : I take God to wytnesse , I woulde neuer haue declared so muche as I haue vnto them , though I should haue smarted for it . This much haue I sayde , to declare vnto all honeste hertes myne innocencie in suche thynges as they begin to laye to my charge : and to stope the mouthes of them , that can do naught elles but slander , flatter , and dissemble , euen with theyr frindes , that they mought holde theyr tongues lest if they passe theyr boundes . I open them to theyr shame let them take thys for a warning . Neithere let them thynke this spoken of malice , for I spake it for theyr honestie and quietnesse , as wel as mine owne commoditie .

Now , to conclude in fewe wordes I haue added to thys my letter , a little appologie or defence , the better to wythstande theyr cruel and subtyle deceite . And because , they lye alwaye lurckynge in bulworkes and wyll not come furth into the open fielde , I haue in the ende made a little bulworke , out of the whyche I haue shotte a fewe of theyr owne pellettes . Not that I thinke them necessarie to confound them wyth all : but euen to shame them when they shal se them selues striken with theyr owne weapons

Esai . xxix . Beholde , nowe appeare those meruailouse thynges that Esaye speaketh of so ernestlie , in so much that he repeteth it agayne . Yea euen meruailouse thynges and a wonder , sayth he , and what is it ? It foloweth . For the wysdome of the wyse shal perishe , & the vnderstandeinge of the wyttye , shal hide it selfe . But wherefore happeneth thys ? Loke you a little before and you shal easelye perceiue the cause No man can open it more playne , then the prophet doeth hym selfe . Read the place .

After this will I poure out my spirite ( saieth Ioel ) vpon all fleshe , Ioel. ii . and your sonnes and daughters shal prophecie your olde m●n shal dreame dreames , and , your yonge men shall se visions . Yea in those dayes I wil poure out my spirite vpon maidens and seruauntes . & ct

Nowe therefore , i. Pet. ● . seynge that S Peter affirmeth after the Prophete Esay , that al fleshe is grasse , Esaie . xi . and al the glorye of man is as the floure of grasse , the grasse withereth and the flower falleth a waye , but the worde of oure God abydeth for euer : I woulde exhorte in you ( ryght worshippefull syr ) all men frome the hygheste to the loweste , to cleaue faste to the word of god . For it wyl come to passe , that who soeu●r calleth vpon the name of the Lorde shall be saued . Who eeuer defende you Amen

☞ Your humble and fayethful at your commaundement Phillip Nicolles .

¶ Here foloweth the copie of a letter writtyn to master Chrispyn chanone of Excester concernynge thre questians put furth in hys sermon , wherby he entended to declare all them heretickes , that would Gods word to be the touch stone :

IT chaunced me , worshipful maister Chrispen , to be at your sermon preached at Marledon , the .xxiiii. Daye of marche laste paste , at the monethes mynde of maister Otes Gylberd . In whiche sermon , amonge other thynges , I remembre you enuied Luther verie sore , onelye because he woulde haue the scripture to be the touch stone , or triall of al other doctrines . And calling Luther , as it were , into disputacions wyth al his disciples , you put furth three questians whyche be these .

Fyrst , if ther rose any heresies or dissentions before the Gospel was written ( as ther dyd in dede , betwene Simon Magus and Simon Peter , and ouer the circumsicion ) aske Luther & hys disciples , whoe nowe shall discusse the matter , and whoe shoulde be the touche stone to trie the mattier . The Gospell , can not , for it was not then wrytten .

The second questian is . If one shoulde denye Mathewes Gospel or say Mathewe wrote it not : how can it be proued by scripture ? It can not you say , for scripture speaketh not of it ,

The thyrd questian dyd deceiue the ignorante people , which haue litle or no knowledge , which is . If ther be dissension or strife aboute the vnderstandeynge of the scriptures , and both alledge scripture , as the Areans dyd , whoe brought to places of scripture for the defence of theire errour , in suche case you aske whoe shal be iudge : or by whom shall this be determined . Or rather to vse your veri wordes : wher is Luthers touch ston ? The scripture can not be touche stone you saye , for boeth bringe forth scripture . Wherefore ther must nedes be an other touch stone . Where is Luthers now ? quoth you .. What answer can be made to these questians ? For Luthers touch ston wyll not serue . Your answer was therfore , that Luther must gyue place and saye wyth you , that it is the holye gost that must be touchston .

Thus you triumphed vpon Luther and hys disciples , meaneinge by Luthers disciples , suche , ( I suppose ) as holde thys , opinion as though you had ouer come them that they coulde answere nothing

Thys is easye to do , when a man hath all the talke hym selfe . But for as muche as you wyshed Luther there at your sermon or some of his disciples , to answere to your questians ? I thynke verelye you wyl be contented to heare a pore man answere , though yet but simplye . But I do you to wyt , that I am none of Luthers disciples , for I knowe not Luther . But that I thynke hym to be a man as you be and therefore of hym selfe a lyer . But if Luther spake the truth , I woulde beleue him as sone as you or any other that speake the truth For the trueth , by the whiche I meane gods worde , can not be spoken wyth out holye gooste , if it be spoken to the glorye of God . But in dede , you or any other maye wyckedlye alledge the scripture of your selfe wythout the spirite , to the defaceinge of the glorie of god and hinderaunce of hys worde , as the deuyll dyd to Christe Mathe. iiii . But I wyl resorte to the questians ▪ wyth thys protestacion , that if I haue by any meanes mysse reported your wordes , or other wyse vnderstanded them , then you ment : I hertelye desire you that you wyll charitably infourme me what were your questians , what ye ment in them , and howe you lyke thys my rude answere . In so doinge ▪ I wyll be confirmable to your counsayle , or else I wyll shewe you my mynde why I ought not .

Nowe to your fyrste questian , whyche is thys . If ther arose any dissention of heresie before the gospell was writen , as it happened in dede betwene Simon Magus and Simon Peter . Also ouer the circumsicion , where had ben then the touche stone ?

To this questian . by your leaue mayster Chripyne , I wyll in this maner answer , wyth Luther , and say the scripture must be the touch stone . If you saye it was not written : I answer . The worde was in the begyninge . You wyl saye that Christe came accordynge to the scripture , to finishe a newe testament , whiche he confirmed and sealed wyth his bloude and when the newe was come , the olde vanished awaye as Saynte Paule affirmeth to the Hebrues . And you wyll saye peraduenture , that Luther also meaneth the newe testa : mente , whiche was not written , when the questian of circumsicion was moued , wherefore it coulde not be the touche stone . To make many wordes about this questian in my conceyt , wer but losse of time . But I aske you , Maister Chrispine , what difference is betwene scripture written and scripture spoken , if boeth be scripture ? You wyl graunte I am sure , that Peter , Paul and Iames wordes wer scripture , when they preached or taughte the Gospell .

Then if anie man had asked for scripture it mought haue ben answerd . Go to Peter , Paul , & Iohn wyth thother Apostles . For theyr preaching and counsayle was scripture . So lacked not at that tyme Luthers tuchestone , for the Apostles wryttinges and preachinges agreed , and all was scripture . Wherefore thys questian is sufficientlye answered to the worthynesse of it

To your second questian which is . It any man should denye Mathwes Gospell , you aske howe it coulde be proued by scripture , that Mathew wrote it . To this I answere , that if it be agreinge to the other scriptures , and dissent in nothinge from it : what daynger is it to call it Mathewes Gospell , who so euer wrote it ? And though you coulde denye Mathewes Gospell to be Scripture : yet there is Scripture . For Marke , Luke and Iohns Gospell , Peter , Paule and Iohns Epistles , be scripture But I doubt not you wyll graunt Mathewes Gospel to be scripture . But you wil aske me how I know it . I answere , by the reporte of the elders , holye fathers , mother holye churche . Howe saye you nowe ? Haue I answered you wel ? Doth not thys answere please you ? I thynke yes . But if I shoulde are the turkes howe they knowe that Mahomete was an holye prophet whoe deuised and caused to be deuised , the Alcaron , what answere suppose you they coulde make ? I thynke none other but as I haue made you before . That is we knowe it by oure elders or holye prophetes and fathers before vs . Nowe I wyll aske you a questian whiche shall not be impossible , nor verie vnlyke . If it pleased God to moue the herte of a Iewe whiche wer neither christian nor turke , to seke in the worlde here , the moste perfecte religion . He goeth to the Turkes and cometh to the christians . Wherwyth woulde you perswad hym to thys perfect religion ? Woulde you preache to hym constitutions , counselles and customes of the elders ? He mought then as well beleue the turkes as you . For they haue many thynges in their lawe , that seme to be verie godlye . And theyre authoritie , wythout authoritie of scripture , is euen as good as yours . But I knowe you wyl saye , what so euer you thinke , that you woulde preache the Gospell vnto hym . Then must you nedes graunte , that the scripture is of greater efficacie and strength , them oure fathers elleders and counsayles . If you wyll yet wyth your questians affirme , that the fathers whyche descended frome tyme to tyme frome the Apostles hither to : haue greater authoritye then the scripture : I wyl axe you an other questian .

The Apostles of Christ , forsoke the ceremonies , customes and constitutions of theyr elders , forefathers , and of as holye mother holye churche in the iudgemente of the worlde at that tyme , as yours is with the world at thys houre , and of as longe continuaunce of tyme . Yet folowed they Christes doctrine , who was named of those holye fathers , a sediciouse felowe , a newe tidinges bringer and an heretike . Answere me nowe , what touchstone had they to trye Christes doctrine wyth that they so ernestlye folowed hym , and refused theyr forefathers , olde holye doctours , proceadynge from Moyses to Christ ? Ther were at that tyme auncient fathers which had great learneing , both byshopes and priestes . The tradions , ordinaunces and ceremonies whiche they vsed , receyued they of theyr elders , lyke as you woulde haue vs to receiue the constitucions of oure elders . Tell me nowe , how can you excuse the Apostles ? They were but pore fisher men and net makers , they wer not brought vp in the scholes , they hadde not the leisure toturne and tosse those greate volumes to be made doctours of deuinitie nor law .

And yet within a whyle , they toke vpon them to teach the great doctours , and what mought those holye fathers haue sayed to these fishers ? Take hede to your fysheynge . What haue you to do wyth the scripture ? It is not mete for euerie coblarde to be talkeynge of scripture . Howe were these men so lyghtlye perswaded ?

What touchestone I saye had they ? But seynge you woulde so fayne haue the name of the holye fathers and holye churche . I axe you thys questian .

Those Apostles and Disciples of Christe whyche were in hys tyme wyth hym presente , whyche preached and wrote the scripture : were holy fathers and of the perfecte true churche .

If the fathers syeth theyr tyme haue dissented frome them in doctryne , maners , custome , lawes , or in anye thynge partayneynge to Christes relygion : whyche fathers woulde you folowe ? If you denye that the fathers haue dessented , as is afore sayed , I refer the proue of it tyll a tyme of more leasure . Partely because I thynke you wyll not denye it , but chiefelye because my letter woulde be to longe .

Wherfore I wyl come to your thyrde question , whyche in dede includeth the matter of all the reste whiche is thys .

If ther aryse anye contention in vnderstandeynge the Scriptures wherein , boeth the parties bringe scripture for them : whoe shall nowe discusse the matter ? Where is nowe the toucheston ? The scriptures can not . For boeth bring scripture . And the scripture you meane causeth the controuersye . But I aske you whether the scriptures be deuided or no ? If they be deuided : then accordinge to Christes worde , they muste be confounded . But that is an inconvenience and I knowe well you wyll not graunt that If the scriptures be not deuided , but agre in one , as they do in deede , for one place cannot be repugnaunte to an other , thoughe it so seme : then haue not boeth parties scripture for them , but the one partie must nedes falsely alledge scripture .

But you will aske me who shal geue sentence , or by whom the controuersye shal be appeased , and where is Luthers touchstone ? In dede at your sermon , no man made answer . Wherefore you made answere and sayde , the holye gooste must be tuchstone . As who should saye , Luthers answere were not the very same . When he sayeth gods worde must be the touchston as you reporte of hym . And I praye you maister Chrispyn , what difference is betwene gods worde and godes spirite ? Is not goddes worde the breath of gods mouthe ? And call you not that the holye goste ? Howe be it , it is easilye perceyued what ye meane . Ye put in the holye gost for a cloke to deceiue vs wyth albeit ye meane nothing lesse then the holye gooste If you aske me how I proue it : I answer thus I proue it . Wythout fayeth it is not possible to please God , but fayeth cometh by the word of god Ergo , wythout the worde of God nothyng can please God . But you exclude the word of God from the spirite of God , and in stead of that ioyne vnto it , fathers , counsayles , and oure mother holy churche for you saye the worde of God can not be touchston ▪ but onelie beare wytnesse , but the holye gooste is the touch stone , whoe was and is in the holye fathers , that haue alwayes gathered counsayles by whyche all thynges muste be iudged and dermined . To proue thys ye alledge these wordes .

Where so euer two or three be gathered together &c. These holye fathers , you affirme to be the byshopes and prelates . But thus to include the holye gooste into byshopes , you exclude the word of god .

If this be not to be disceiued , sure I am deceyued . But it were necessarie for you to proue the chur , that you speake of to be the true-holye , and catholyke churche , before you perswade men so ernestye to belyeue and stycke vnto it . But I saye , the churche that taketh awaye the authoritye of goddes worde , or diminisheth it by anye meanes , is not of Christe .

But you mayster Chrispyne , graunte youre selfe to be of thys churche , Ergo etc. And in myne opinion , you do naught to say that all holy fathers from Christ to thys time , wer of the same opinion that you be of concernynge goddes worde . For I dare saye Augustine ( whome you admytte to be of the verye holye church wyll not hold wyth you in thys matter .

But if he woulde , the authoritye of Christe is greater . Whoe is it that wyll not suspecte your churche , seynge you set it so high in Lucifers place aboue Christe , and separate the hollye goste from Christe , where as Christe sayeth , I am that I say vnto you ? What is that he spake vnto vs ? Is it not his word ? He saith moreouer , the wordes that I speake , are spirite & lyfe . I praye you , master Chrispine , what spirite ment Christe here ? What lyfe speaketh he of ? Can ther any man bring out of hys breast , either by writting , preachinge or otherwise teacheinge , or speakeinge , the sentence of the holie spirite wythout goddes worde ? Is not the sentence or worde of the holye gooste the worde of God ? Is it not to be vnsterstand of the lyueynge fayth that the holy goste worketh in the soule of man in beleuing the word Is not the scriptur called the two edged sworde ? Is it not also called the sworde of the spirite ? Maye ye separate the spirite from the wordes , seynge he calleth them spirit and lyfe ? I thynke not ▪ No more than heate can be separated from fire . Why then in the name of the holye gooste , do you vndermine Christe ? The churche , you saye , must be iudge , and the scripture muste be wytnesse onlye . So must Christe be inferioure to men . For I am sure you wyll not denye but these holye fathers , which you cal the church , were & be men . And those you saye must be the iudges . And Christe to be the worde and promise of the father , he hymselfe wytnesseth sayeinge . I am that I saye vnto you , and hym you make but a witnesse or iudge . Therefore I saye your churche is to be suspected . As toucheynge the true spose and catholyke , churche of Christe , which are verye membres of hys bodye , and he the head : this churche hath so muche authoritie as the scripture geueth them , and take vpon them no more for the scripture and they are one , and for the scripture they ieoparde theyr liues , as many haue done , whome you and your forfathers , bishopes and prelates haue alwayes put to dath . Who persecuted the prophets and put them to death . Who procured Christe to the crosse ? Whoe the Apostles wyth manye othere holy men ? Were they not byshops and prelates of the churche ? Howe manye godlye preachers wyth other good soules , hath the byshop of Rome put to death by the helpe of prelates in diuers contries syth he came to the supremitye , and beareynge a rule ouer kynges and emperours ? Hath there not ben some put to death here in England wythin these .xx. yeres , for speakeynge agaynste the Pops pardons and pylgrymages , wyth suche lyke abuses ? Was not the Pope chiefe of these holye fathers , whom you cal holye churche , and woulde haue them iudges ? But I knowe what you meane . You would perswad the multitude , that you and youre churche , be the verye true churche , and haue the holye gooste and that what so euer you do is well . But whereby do ye perswad them ? By olde custome ( for you haue nothynge else ) and longe continuaunce of tyme , the whyche if you coulde beate in to the heades of the communaltye : your reformacion of thynges that are amysse , shoulde be as you luste . But maister Chrispyne , if you were not in darckenesse you coulde not refuse the light . Christ sayth , if you continue in my worde : then are you mi verye Disciples , and ye may know the trueth , and the trueth shall make you fre .

But he that refuseth me , and receyueth not my wordes hath one alredye that iudgeth hym the worde that I haue spoken , shall iudge hym in the laste daye . Beholde , Christe sayeth hys worde shal be iudge . All that be of Christ , heare Christes wordes .

Mayster Chrispyne , my lettere is longer then I thoughe it should haue ben , howe it shal lyke you I can not tell , but hertily desire you , if you loue the truth and desire the glorye of God : answere wyth the trueth and defende the trueth , and do not wyllfully resist the truth . But defend it not with the authoritye of men , but wyth the power of God , and that wyth charitie , For if I haue by any meanes spoken any thynge in this letter more rigorously then charitye requireth whereby you myght be offended at me iustlye : I am redie in such case wyth all myne herte to be reformed . Wherfore I eftsones desire you to answere me , as it becometh a true preacher , for quietynge of my conscience . And so doynge I comitte you to Christ and hys worde . Amen .

¶ Yours lokinge for an answer . Philip Nicolles . Written , xxiii . of Aprile . MDxlvii .

HEre haste thou my letter ( gentle reader ) euen worde for worde as it was deliuered to mayster Chrispyne . And trueth it is , I wrote it inmediately after my retoune frome hys sermon , euen whyle it was hotte . For it greued me that it had not been lawful for me to haue answered him euen incontinente before all the audience .

For he perswaded them al , for the mooste parte , that nothynge coulde be sayde to the contrarie . Which greued me to heare . Not wythstandynge , when I hadde written my letter : I dyd not sende it furth with , but paused a whyle , partelye , seeinge ther was suche a greate audience , to se whether any man of woship , or some better learned then I woulde take the mattier in hande . But after I had rested vpon thys a moneth or .vi. weakes and perceiued that no man busied hym selfe in it ( al though ther were present men of worship pretending to haue knowledg ) I sent furth my letter , the laste daie of Apriel or nere there aboute . And because the mesenger dyd not in all thynges fulfyl my request , I wrote agayne to maister Chrispyne , desireinge hym to sende me an answere by the sayede bearer of my letter , to whom he gaue thys answer . That he would not writ , but commune wyth me him selfe . I lefte him not thus , but within a while after he cam to a benefice that he hath called Herbertō , besyd Totnes , and preached there the sunday after corpus Christi day , as they cal it , & the mundaie in the morning : I wente to him and communed with hym , and spent wel most the whole day . In which communicacion , we swarued not from these .iii. questians . I I resorted vnto him againe , not long after the , and had much talke with him , al which communicacion , I haue not : nor wyll babble out , al thought it be reported that I came to him for non other purpose , but to haue matter to talk of , and to accuse him . But yet they be to blame so to reporte of me . For if Maister Chrispine , or other that be more busie peraduenture in talking then he him selfe , can say ▪ that I haue accused him of any such priuat communication : let them lay it to my charge , else let them for shame hold theyr peace , and say the thing they knowe . As for the wordes that he or any other shal speake in a pulpyt or any suche like audience . I am sure they wil be contented to heare of them againe . If not let them hence forth desire their audience to kepe counsel or else truly , if I be presente , & heare any thing spoken againste god or my prince especially agaynste the doctrine of Christe : I muste needes disclose it . If they wyll blame me for this : I am contented to beare it , howe be it vnworthye in my owne conceyte , let other iudge .

But if he were able to defend it that he hadde preached , whye shoulde he feare to wryte to the defence of the same ? Wherfore , seinge he hath receyued my letter , kepeth it , and wyl not write agayne , and yet blameth and fyndeth diuers fautes in it : why shoulde he be greued wyth me , for spreadeynge a broode myne owne doynges , to vtter myne owne secretes . And where as he was offended wyth me ( although I haue not , nor wyll laye anye such priuate communicacion to anye mans charge , specially of myne owne seekynge ) yet I saye I muste declare my meaneinge more playnely , in those thynges whyche he is so muche offended wythall , to th entente that no stublynge stocke be purposely layed in my brothers waye , that he shoulde not vnderstande the trueth and prayse God . For although I found mayster Chrispyne verye gentle and charitable to talke wythal ( for that which thynge I haue and wyll gyue him prayse yet disputeth he subtlelye , and especially when he thynketh to haue yonge scholars in handelynge , as he dyd wyth me . For in thys he put me to my trumpe , because I asked him in my letter what difference was betwene scripture wrytten , and scripture spoken . Nowe truth it is , that accordyng to the Etimologie of the word , which cometh of Scribo , and so to Scriptura : it can not be called Scripture , vnlesse it be written . And so euerye thynge written , maye be called scripture . And in that sentence , we shall fynde no difference betwene the bible and Robyn hod , by this name scripture , for both maye be called scripture I saye , after the verie nature of the word Lo heare haue you an example of sophistri . Let yong scholars take hede by me , howe they meddell wyth them . For whereas I mente symply after the commone vsage and phrase of ourespeache , meaneinge by Scripture written and spoken : the prophecie of the olde and newe testament the doctrine of Christe euen the verie worde of God , as well beynge opened by the mouth of the Apostles vnto the heares in those dayes , as written wyth theyr owne handes , and reade vnto vs nowe in our time : he nowe takeinge hys aduauntage at the nature of the latine word Scriptura , out of whiche this englishe worde scripture is diriued : denieth that it maye be called scripture , vnlesse it be written What other thynge is thys then a mere sophisticall cauillacion ? The scribes and pharises in Christes tyme ( by lyke ) had not learned their sophistrie or els thei wer not so curiouse as our men be . For if thei had , thei mought haue asked Christ , when he bad them serch the scriptures , what scripture he ment . ii . Tim. iii. But Paule therfore preuenting such subtile disputing calleth it holy scriptur geuen by inspiracion . Thus you se , a man had nede ( as the prouerbe goeth ) to haue a long spone that shal eate with the deuill . It is no maruaile , though master . Chrispin in his lesson not long sence , dyd so much commend distinctions , & proued them so necessarie that we could not be without them . For he that shal haue to do with such sophisters had nede to make diffinicions , & premeditat his words before pretacion . For the prophecie was neuer brought in by the wyll of man , but the holy men of god spake as they were moued of the holye gost . Nowe if I shoulde aske . S. Peter what he meaneth by scripture here , I thynke he woulde say the word of god . But it is the word of god writtine would you say , yet doth . s . Peter say it of the same written worde the the holye men of God spake , as they were moued by the holy goste . But trulye I thinke it but a vaine thing and euen a losse of tyme to trifle in suche questians which can no waye edifye , especially , seynge S. Paule doth so often diswade Timoth frome such foleishe questians : i. Ti. vt . & exhorteth him to cleaue faste to the word of God If anye man sayth he , teache other wyse and agreeth not to the holesome wordes of our lord Iesus Christ and to the doctrine of godlinesse : he is puffed vp , and knoweth no-nothing , but wasteth his braines about questians and striueing of words , wherof springeth enuie &c.

After a like maner also he toke me vp ( how be it more ernestlye for that I sayde , Iohn . i. Iohn . viii . the worde was in the beginning and for alledging , Christes wordes , I am that I say vnto you . Or euen the same thinge that I speake vnto you As thoughe I wente aboute to proue that Christe was but a voice only , or a written letter in paper . Thus he dalyed with me & was in with his distinctions , whether I ment bi the word the voice , the breath , or the written word , with manie double doubtes . For mi words ( he saied ) as they stode in my letter , were heresie . But I told him that I ment it by the same word that the lord Iesus christ taught , as Christ hym selfe wittnesseth . I am euen the very same thinge that I speake vnto you . He saied that the words were not as I alledged them them . For the latyne hath ( saied he ) Ego sum qui loquor vobis . Now as for the alledgeinge of those wordes ? I folow the English translatours , whose lerneynge I can not correcte . If he can amende theyr doinges : he shal haue good leaue for me . Notwythstanding seinge that , he maketh my wordes to dayngerouse : I cannot but say more in it , although they can not be spoken ( in my conceyt ) more playne to be vnderstand , than they be alredi written . For. s ▪ Iohn sayeth . The worde was in the beginning & the word was with god and God was the worde . Nowe , to denye that Christe is the worde of God , by whiche all thinges were made : I say is anheresie in dead . Therfore it must nedes be graunted that Christe was and is the worde of God .

Psal. Cxviii Thy worde Lorde ( sayeth the prophete ) is a lanterne to my fet and a light to my pathes . Again he sayeth . Idem . Cxiii . When thy worde goeth forth , it geueth lyght and vnderstandeynge euen to babes . Nowe what meaneth he by this worde that geueth thys lyghte ? Christe sayth , I am come a light into the world , that who so euer be leueth in me should not abyd in darknes By these & many other it wyll appeare , Christe to be the true worde of God . But nowe wyll they graunte that Christe is the worde that came from the father , the lyghte of the worlde the life of the worlde , Deute . xxxii . as Moyses saith : set your hertes on the words that I testifie , sayeth he , for it is no vayne worde but your lyfe . I am sure I say , they wyl graunt Christe to be the worde , but not the worde wryttyn whyche we reade in the boke . In dede , to say that Christe maye be written in paper , or that the letters whiche be made of incke & paper should be Christe : were a fonde opinion and suche as I neuer harde of . But the wordes written in the boke , which we cal the scripture . As the prophetes from Moyses to Christ , and the doctrine of the apostles , which is written we cal it the Gospel , we call it the scriptures we cal it the newe testament and the olde these wordes written in a boke , beinge reade vnto the people , to enstruction & edifying of the congregation is the word of god , yea Christ the breade of life which came from heauen so the whoso eateth therof , Io. vi . shal liue euer . The words that Moyses dyd testifie vnto the children of Israell , and sayed vnto them it is no vayne word but your life : be they not written ? And be they not our life as wel as theyrs ? But what life can thei be vnto vs , if thei be kept from vs so that we know them not ? Dyd Moyses hyde them away , and say they would make men heretykes ? But all suche as do euil hate the lyght , Iohn . iii. and come not to it that theyr dedes should not be reproued but he that doeth the trueth cometh to the lyght , that his workes maye be knowen , for they be done in God .

Agayne , I am the lyghte of the world sayeth Christe . Whye shoulde these men refuse goddes word to be their light , if they wer of god : whie should they feare to saye the Christes worde is Christe the worde of the father , Esai . viii . the light that lyghneth al men that come vnto hym ? Esaye sayth . If anye man want light , let him loke vpon the lawe and testimonies . What meaneth he by the lawe and testimonies ? meaneth he not the scripture or written word of God , shall we not ther fynde the lighte ? I woulde aske these disputers of the worlde . Whether the Gospell be written or no ? I thyncke they wyll graunte that it is written . Rom. i Well Saynct Paulle sayth , he is not a shamed of the Gospell of Christe , for it is the powre of God , whiche saueth all that beleue . Nowe is this gospel written for our learneing , & saueth as many as beleue . Marke wel the beleuers are not saued because it is written but they be saued , because they beleue the which is writen . I aske these philosophers , whether the wordes that Christe speake be written or no ? I trowe the Euangelistes haue written the moste necessarye thynges , yea the verie secretes & hyd thynges . If Christes wordes which he spake be written , then the word that is written shal iudge these vnbeleauers in the laste daye . For thus sayth Christe . Iohn . xii He that refuseth me and receyueth not my wordes : hath one alredye that iudgeth hym . The word ( sayth he ) that I haue spoken , shal iudge him in the last day . Vnderstand nowe gentle reader , that these fathers , would vnder colours plucke a waye the great authoritie of the scriptures , and diminishe ( thorowe subtyle disputinge ) the efficatie and strength of the gospell . Whether they do of hatred to gods word , or blindnes and ignoraunce in the same , or else for lucers sake , I can not tell But to far wander they out of the waye . But I exhorte the though they be to far on the left hand , rune not thou to far on the rigt hande . Enter in at the strayte gate , for wyde is the gate , and brode is the way that leadeth to destruction , & many ther be the , Math. vii . go in ther at . But strayte is the gate and narrowe is the waye that leadeth vnto lyfe and fewe ther be the fynd it . Thys is therfore the sume of thys disputacion that Christ is the word and wisedome of the father , in whom who so beleueth hath euerlasteinge lyfe . Ioh. viii . Thys same word did he him self preach and sayeth . Iohn . xv . If you abyde in me any my wordes abyde in you : ye shall axe what you wyll , and it shal be done vnto you . Beholde wheras he sayde before . If you continue in my wordes : nowe he sayeth . If you byd in me and my wordes abid in you . By this it is euident , that Christe is the worde , euen that worde whiche was preached from the beginning is preached nowe , and shal be to the ende . And although Christe be not , as is sayde , incke and paper , or a worde closed in a boke as thought we mought saye , looe , here in thys boke is Christe , or in that boke is Christe : yet was it the wyll of God that thys heauenly doctrine shoulde be written , and that it shoulde remaine wyth vs , and also that these wordes written beinge reade vnto vs , shoulde be vnto vs , euen that same worde that Christe spake when he sayed . He that is of god heareth gods worde . And euen the verie same ( to them that beleue ) that he speaketh of sayeing If anye man kepe my worde , he shal neuer se death . And to them that beleue not : the same that he sayeth shall iudge the vnbeleuers in the last daye .

Now marke well , Iohn . x● I besech the and consider wyth thy selfe , the mischiefe of these subtyle sophisters . They make it wounderfull dayngerouse , to call the scriptur Christe . They be verye carefull to haue the true worship of god preserued and kepte . And they feeare leaste we wyll fall to worshipynge of the verie boke wherin the testimonies of Christe be wrytten . And therfore do they withdrawe all men from readeinge and heareing it as much as they can . But alas , why be they not so ware and dayngerous in theyr laye mens bokes ( as they cal them ) whiche al the scripturs crie out vpon , euen from the begininge of the olde testament to the later ende of the new . By the which bokes ( or rather abominable Idoles ) it is open and manifest , that muche Idolatrie hath ben committed , yea & wil be stil , so longe as ther is one left standing in the temples .

The word of god , the doctrine of Christe , whiche he and his Aposteles so ernestlye taught , exhorted & commaunded to harken vnto , to beleaue and folowe ( almost al the bible is nothing else ) this I say , they cannot suffer any man to haue to do with al. Thei haue burned it from tyme to tyme they burned the readars of it , as al the worlde can testifie . It is manifeste , that they beare little good wyll to it vnto thys daye . But these mahomets puppetes & veri Idolles , which haue not one word in al scriptur for them , but contrarie , to the vtter abolishinge of them , these they can suffer to be called Christe saynte sauioure , saynte Sundaye , the holye trinitie , oure ladye of Pitye our ladye of grace , oure ladye I can not tell wherof . Alhallowes wyth a thousand like names . Yea they can abyde that the people should worship those stil , for they neuer preach agaynste them , but rather defende them , to kepe the vnlerned in their blindnesse styl . Alas , to open is your doynge nowe ( O you catholyke fathers ) euerye chylde maye perceyue your blinde doctrine .

Yet wyl not you cease to exalt this false church & congregacion of deceyceyuers , euen aboue god him selfe For God was the worde , ii . 〈◊〉 . ii . and aboue the rule of thys worde , sete ye your owne tradicions , in the name of Christes church . Thus dyd Christe prophecie that you shoulde come , Math. xxiiii . & that you shoulde dooe miracles and wonders . In so muche that euen the verie elect ( if it were possible ) should be brought into errowre . And saint Paule sayth you shal come with lieinge signes and wonders , ii . These . ii . i. Timoth. iiii . and wyth al deceyueablenesse of vnrightuousnesse . And to Timoth he sayeth , you shall forbyde mariage and meates .

So playne is it in al the scripture , that thei that read it must neades vnderstand it . Most euident and playne it is , that ye be euen of the same sinful sinagoge For trulye the spouse of Christe is obedient to hir bridgrome . The disciples of Christe , herken to theyr Maister . And doubtles we can not be Christes verie disciples , vnlesse we continue in his doctrine . He that is of God heareth goddes worde . and he that kepeeth thys worde , shall neuer se deathe .

Moyses sayeth . Deut. iiii . You shall put nothinge to the worde whiche I commaunde you , neyther take ought ther from etc. Agayne . Iosue . i. You shall turne neyther to the ryght hande , neither to the lefte but in the waye which your lord god commaundeth , shal ye walke . What more playne commaundement can ther before the establishment of the authoritie of the word of god ? Moises had , Deut. vi . xxxii . the children of Israel shoulde write them vpon the postes of ther dores , & bynde them vpon theyr handes to teach their children . He sayeth they be oure lyfe . Iohn . vi . And Christe sayth his wordes be spirit and life . Saint Peter saith we haue a sure word of prophecie , & ye do well to take hede ther vnto , as vnto the light that shineth in a darcke place &c

If this worde were not wrytten , that we myght knowe whyther to resorte for al thys : what should it auaile al these wordes ? What were we the nere for all these testimonies , if the sume of Christes doctrine were not written , and the certaynetie vnkowen ? Whoe should be certayne of hys fayeth , if we had not a prescripte and certayne doctryne whereunto wee moughte resorte to haue thys in fallible veritye . Math. vii . Howe shoulde we knowe these false prophetes to come in shipes clothing outwardly , & inwardly be rauenynge woulfes : if we had not a sure touche stone to trye theyr doctrine wyth all ? Galath. 1. If anye man preache vnto you ( sayeth Paul ) other then the which is preached alredye , althoughe it were an angell frome heauen : let it be accurssed . What be we the nere of these wordes : if we be in doubte wher to fynde this Gospell ? Apoc. xxii . But I testifie vnto euerie man ( sayth saynte Iohn ) that heareth the wordes of prophesie of thys boke If any man shal adde vnto these thynges : God shall ad vnto hym the plages that are wrytten in thys boke . And if anye man shal mynishe of the wordes of the boke of thys prophesie : God shall take a waye his parte out of the boke of lyfe . etc. To conclude therfore I saye playnelye , that to denye the scripture , the Prophetes and Apostles , whose prophesies are wrytten in the Byble , to be a sufficiente doctryne and enstruction necessarye for oure saluacion , or to saye that it oughte not to be the touche stonne and trial of al other doctrines aboue all other doctrines of anye other men , aboue theyr lawes , decres and customes or ceremonies ( beside thys boke ) whether it be of men or angelles : it is not only heresie , but also a diuellishe and damnable doctrine . Nowe to our bulwarcke .

¶ The bulwarke for defence .

THis is chiefly to be noted , that gods worde is neuer spred abrode , wythout contencion , strife , and much troble , as Christe himselfe affirmeth sayeynge . Thinke you not that I come to sende peace , Math. x. but a sworde . For I am come to set variance betwene the father and the sonne , the mothere and the daughter etc. For what agrement can there be betwene a beleuinge sonne and vnbeleueinge father and so contrarye . Nowe sayeth Christ . He that loueth father and mother more then me : is not mete for me etc. He that findeth his lyfe shall lose it . And he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it . Marcke thys also , that by no thyng do these false deceiuers , be gilde the simplicite of the multitude so muche as by the name of our fathers , by custome & longe continuaunce of tyme , by whyche thynges they confirme their church . For loke what hath bene done of our elders and forfathers that is theyr gospell . To breake these tradicions and customes : is to breake theyr whole religion . The scribes and phariseis , axed Christe why walke not thy disciples after the tradicions of the elders , Math. vii . but eate breade wyth vnwashen handes ? &c. Lykewyse these Hypocrites , when they se anye man breake an olde custom , thoughe it be but eateyng of an egge vpon a frydaye , howe greouslye take they the mattier ? But euen as Christe answered the phariseis and scribes : so may I ryghte well answere these fathers sayinge . Esai . xxix . Full wel hath Esai prophecied of you Hypocrites as it is written ( marke here , that Christe goeth to the scripture ) Thys people drawe nere me with theyr lippes : Colos. ii . but theyr herte is fare frome me . But in vayne do they serue me whylse they teache suche doctrines as are nothynge but the commaundementes of men . Ye leaue the commaundement of god : & kepe the tradicions of men . In the stead of washing of cuppes & cruses : what a sort of ceremonies haue we ? what is holye breade ? what is holye water ? What be holye candeles ? What are holye bowes ? Touche not the water in the fonte , handle not the chalise nor the corporace . Good lorde what a sorte of suche commaundementes haue we of oure fore fatheres ? Oh , howe goodlye haue you caste asyde the commaundementes of God to maynetayne your owne tradicions ? I besech the ( good christian reader ) marke how vehemente the Lorde Iesus is hym selfe agaynste the beggarly tradicions of men to bringe vs to the wyll and commaundemente of God . What can the grateste doctour of them all , say vnto this ? Is it not open and manifeste to all the worlde that for breakeing of these triflinge and foleishe tradicions , thei haue punished men greuouselye , euen wyth death ? And haue we not sene the breakars of goodes commaundementes vnpunished at all ? As swerars drunckardes , whoredome , and auoutrie with all the reste ? Beholde , all christendome knoweth , that thys is no lye . My truste is therfore , that the magistrates wyll nowe loke vpon this gear . For these felowes neuer go about any suche thynge . But because they blinde the ignoraunt soules wyth holye doctours , holy fathers , and holye churche from Christes tyme hytherto : you shal se what the holye doctours say , euen such as be most auncient and best learned , as they them selues will graunte .

Augustine in an epistle to Fortunatus , hath these wordes . Epist. clxxxxviii . We ought not to regarde and esteme the disputacions of any , thoughe they be neuer so catholyke and well praysed , as cannonicall scripture , but that we may saueing the reuerence that ought to be geuen vnto suche men , reproue and spue out agayne , any thynge in theyr wryttynges , if perchaunce we fynde that they vnderstande ought in theyr writinges , otherwyse then the truth hath , whiche is perceyued by the helpe of God , nether by oure selues or other . &c.

Suche a one am I in other mens writtinges : as I would other men should be in myne .

If we had no moe sayeinges of the doctours , but thys one , consideringe the estimacion Augustine is in : it were inoughe to ouerthrowe all the confidence that they woulde teach vs to haue in mens writinges , besyde gods worde . But heare an other He writeth vnto Hierome and sayeth . Libr. iii. Fol. clxi . I haue learned to geue this feare and honoure onlye , vnto the writters whiche be called canonicall : that I stedfastly beleue that none of them haue erred in writtinge . For if I finde anye thinge in those letters that semeth contrary to the trueth : either I thinke the boke not to be true , or the translater hath not truelye folowed his copie , or else I think verilye I do not vnderstande it . But I read al other writers , saieth he , after this maner , that I thinke , be they neuer so holy and well learned , that it whiche they haue written is not strayte way true because they haue thought so : but because they coulde make me beleue it either by those canonical authoures , or else by some probable and sure reasone , which dissenteth not from the trueth . Libro . ii . Cap. xxiii . He writeth agaynste one Cresonius the grammarian sayinge . I am not bound by the authoritie of this Epistle , because I do not compt and esteme Ciprians letters as canonicall & of lyke authoritie with the scripturs , but I way them & ponder them by the scripture . If I finde any thing in them agreinge with the authoritie of holy scripture : I receyue it with his praise . But if it agre not bi his leaue & fauour I refuse & for sake it . Againe in his treatise of shepherdes . Tractatu postorum . He hath ordeined the hilles of Israel ( sayth he ) the authours of holy scripturs There feade ye , that you maye feade salfelye . What so euer ye heare of that : let it sauoure well wyth you , whatsoeuer is besides that , spite it out agayne , leste ye erre in the clowde . Addict youre selues to the meaneynge of the scripture .

There is the deyntie of the hert there is no poysen , no straynge thynge , ther onelye is the moste holesome feadeyng . Beholde the mynde of this great doctour , named to be one of the greateste clarkes that wrot sence the aposteles tyme . He woulde haue no mans doctryne , what soeuer he be , to be compared to the holye scriptures . Augustinus in prologo tertu . lib. De Trinitate . In hys owne wryttynges he warneth vs , that we shoulde not geue ouer much credence , in the thynges , sayeth he , that you thynke yourselfe suer , vnles ye surely vnderstande it : beleue it not so stidfastely . And writyng to Vincentius , he graunteth that he hath wryten some thynges worthye to be blamed , Idem ad Vincentium . and therefore sayth that he hath made a boke of retractacions , reuoking and casting agayne that which he had made before , that the readers thereby maye learne that al his writinges in al points dyd not please hym . Thys diffidence had Augustine in his writynges , that in no case he would compare them wyth the scripture . And loke what opinion he had of his owne writinges : euen the same had he in al other mens besides the canonicall scriptures For he sayth in his boke of retractacions , I can not nor ought to denie sayth he , but , lyke as in myne elders so are many thynges in so many seuerall workes that I haue made , whyche maye be blamed wythout rayshnes , & with good iudgment .

If Austen wyl haue no credence geuen to mens writinges , whether they be byshops , Epist. xlviii . or what so euer they be onlesse they bringe the authorite of scripture with them as he writteth to Vincentius . We must make a difference ( sayth he ) betwene mens wryttinges He nameth Hilarie , Ciprian , and Agrippie , which be lyke were byshopes , and the canonicall scriptures . For they ought not so to be reade ( sayth he ) as though we might geuefurth suche testimonies of them that it shoulde not be lawefull to thinke other wyse then they affirme . For peraduenture , they vnderstande it otherwyse than the truth requireth . He that lusteth to searche Austens workes shal find many thinges contrarie to their proud doctrine & kycking against the scriptures , yea contrarie almost , to al theyr blind erroures In so muche that I haue meruayled , that they haue had him so longe in such estimacion , and had not rather condemned hym for an heretike . As for the authoritie of mens doctrine besyde the scripture , he can not abyd . But in all thynges he wylleth vs to haue respect to the scripture euen in prayseing god ( sayeth he ) let it be done as he hath appoynted , lest in steppinge a syde , we offend him that we would prayse . Austinus super Ssal . cxlxii . Libr. vi . Cap xiiii . And agaynste fanstus , be writeth euen the same we must not tourne , either to the right hand , neither to the lifte , no not in the prayse that we geue to god . But euen the same praises , sayeth he , must we frame according to the wil of the scriptur . And in the xvi , Cha. he sayth , that they which would teach the people any other thing than the canonical scriptures are not only false prophets but theaues & robbars euen of our sauioure . How can our olde catholike fathers abyde thys felowe ? He calleth them false prophetes , theaues and robbars . It is tyme the popes excommunication were out for hym . He writeth agaynste the Maniches and sayeth . Dispise you the scriptures , whiche are commaunded and established with so great authoritye ? You do no miracles , whiche if you dyd , yet we would be ware of them in you , because the Lorde teacheth vs to beware of suche saynge . Ther shall aryse many false Christes etc. Many mo places maye there be founde in this mans workes , which thei maye be a shamed to heare , if it were nedfull . But because they shall not conceyue al ther malise against Austen , and parauenture haue hym in examinacion , for slanderinge these holye fathers ye shal heare what Hierome sayeth . He declareth . that Christ speaketh in Peter , in Paule , and that of the people and princes , the scripture is to be vnderstanded of the doctrine of the Apostls . Of those sayeth he , which were in it , & not of those which we beholde nowe .

And marke what he sayeth Those that were , and not those that be , that ye moughte vnderstande that what so euer shal be sayed after the Apostles tyme : let it be cut a way sayth he , for it hath none authoritie afterward . Therfore , if ther be any S. after the Apostles tyme he hath none authorite , for thei come to late to be alowed , quia non fuerunt in ea , sayeth he . If the saints must geue place to the holie scripture , and haue none authoritye besydes that : than what are they that make articles of our fayth ? or at least condemne them for heretikes that wyl not receyue that doctrine that hath none authoritie of the scripture , but rather against the scripture . The same Ierome vpon Ieremie sayth . And they haue gone after straing gods , as theyr fathers taught them . etc. Therefore ( sayeth he ) neither of our forefathers nor of our elders is the erroure to be folowed , but the authoritie of the scripture and the commaundemente of God which teacheth vs . The same Ierome vpon Ezechiel , sayth also that we maye sinne as muche when we think in our owne opinion that we do wel : as when we willinglye do naught . He writeth vpon the prophet Nahum , & sayth , that against the coming of Christ : the people shall fle to the scripture , & their studie shal be allowed , because they shal not find anye to teach them , and the slouthfulnesse of their teachchars shal be rebuked . Marcke wel thys propheci , for suerelye it byteth . He writeth vpon Math. and sayth . Anye thing that hath not authoritie of the scriptur may as sone be reiected & despiced , as approued and alowed . Tomo . v. Againe to Ctesiphon he sayth . What soeuer we affirme we must do it by the testimonies of holie scripture . What soeuer is done without these bokes , is in nowyse to be receyued . Do these doctours set so little by the authoritie of goddes worde , Capit. xlv . as oure men woulde perswade vs ?

Do they not rather attribute al together to the scripture ? Ambrose also in the boke of paradise vpon this that Eue added to the wordes of the Lorde ( Neythere shall ye touche the trye ) We do learne by this present lessone , Tomo . xi . Ca. pite . iii. sayeth he , that wee ought to ad nothynge to the worde of God , Capit. xxiii . no thoughe wee do of it good intent or warines .

For if thou either ad any thing or take ought frome it : thou semeste to be a trangressour of the commaundemente . Heare haue you Ambrose also , which can not in any wyse suffer the wysdome of man to be equale with the scripture , but that in all thynges we should leane to that .

For though our meaneing be neuer so good : yet muste we not truste oure owne wyttes . Thus he writeth vpon these wordes of the Epistle to the Romaynes , be ye all of one mynde , thys may be by God , Capt. i. sayeth he , but by mans wysdome can it neuer be . And vpon the beginnynge of the fyrste Epistle to the Corhinthyans he sayth that the philosophers , when they first began to preach Christ they preached hym by the wysdome of the worlde , and reiected the lawe and prophetes . And agayne writing to Gratianus Augustus , he sayeth , that the Arrians gate all the colour of theyr wyckednesse out of philosopheie . De fide . ca. v. Yet woulde oure diuines perswade vs , that they gote it by readyng of scripture , and expoundeinge it after theyr owne sence . And therefore ther was no remedy to ouer come them , but wyth some other learneinge for they were perfecte in the scriptures . Notwithstandinge . Gregorie , wryttynge vpon Iob sayeth This canonicall scripture passeth all science , all doctrine wythout comparisone . Thys onely preacheth the trueth , calleth to the heauen lye contrey , it entiseth the herte of the reader from earthly desires to heauenly thinges . Beholde , gentle reader , they boast them selues of the old holy doctours from Christes tyme hythereto and yet the doctoures them selues make cleane agaynste them . Originne wryttinge vpon the prophet Ieremy sayeth It is nedfull & necessary for vs to cal the holy scriptures to witnes . For our senses & our expositions ( sayth he ) without these witnesses , are not to beleued . After this sorte also he expoundeth this saying , vnder .ii. or iii. witnesses vnder .ii that is the newe & old testament , vnder thre that is , the gospel , the prophetes & apostles . Againe vpon the Ro. he sayth . Paul gaue the doctours an ensample to speake no thyng but they could proue it by the scripture . For if he beinge so great & such an apostle , did not beleue his sayinges sufficiently except he taught it to be written in the law & prophetes that he speake how much more ought we which be far inferiours to him to obseue these thinges that we do not bringe forth our owne doctrine when we preache , sayth he , but the sentence of the holy gost . Here haue you also the mind of Origen , a great clark whom they alledge verie often . Cyprian writeth to one Cecilius noting vpon these wordes of Christ . Libr. iii. Epist. iii. If ye do that I commaund you then are ye my frendes . And the Christ onely ought to be harde : the father witnesseth from heauen saying . This is my welbeloued son , in whom I am wel pleased , heare him . Wherfor if onely Christ must be heard we ought not take hed what ani man hath thought good to be done before vs , but what christ hath first done which was before al men . Neither ought we to folow the custom of man : but the truth of god . Seing god spaketh bi his prophet Esa , & sayth . Thei worship me in vaine teaching the commaundementes & preceptes of men . And againe in the gospel . Ye cast away the commaundementes of god , that ye mought establishe your owne tradicions . And therfore , deare brother If any of our fathers , other by ignoraunce or simplicitie , haue not obserued this & kept that the lord hath taught vs to do by his example and gouernaunce : pardone and forgeuenesse thorowe the goodnesse of the Lorde maye be graunted to theyr simplisitie . But vnto vs it can not be so graunted , which be admonished and enstructed of the Lorde &c. He that lusteth to se more of thys , let hym loke the place and reade farther , and he shall fynde lyke wordes in hys thyrde treatise of the simplicitie of prelates . And whereas men be so muche addycte to theyr customes , the same Ciprian sayth . Nether the custome whiche hath crept in among some , ought to be a let whereby the trueth shoulde not preuayle and ouercome . For the custome wythout the truth is an old errour . Therfore , let vs leaue the erroure and folow the truth All the doctours agree wholelye in thys , that the scripture is the touchstone , a recoursse for al christen men to seke vnto , to be sure of theyr fayeth , and to haue quietnes of conscience . And what exhortacions Chrisostom geueth to all men for the studye of holye scriptures : appeareth in hys thred sermon De Lazaro . And vpon Iohn the .xvi. Homelye , in the end . Also vpon Iohn the .iii. Homelie and .iiii. Chapi , and in diuers other places . Nothinge doeth he so ernestlye beate into oure heades as the study of scripture . And I thynke there is no doctoure that writeth vpon the scripture : that doeth not lykewise and geueth it euen suche a rowme and preheminence , that all other doctrines muste geue place . Ireneus sayeth . Libr. i. Cap. l vi . To go about wyth the diuine scriptures , whiche is the vndoubted trueth is to build an house vpon a strong rocke : but all other doctryne what so euer it be : is to builde a weake house vpon an vncertaine place of quicke sand , which wil be lightli ouer throwen . Now if these authorities be not sufficient to stope theyr mouthes : I thynke they wyll neuer be answered . For where as the scripture is so hard to be vnderstand and therefore loke vpon the doctours ( saye they ) and beleue the catholyke churche whiche hath continued frome Christes tyme hitherto , we can shewe ( say they bi auncient writers from tyme to tyme sence Christs ascention . But what can these men shewe ? Be not these writters whiche I haue rehersed , of the chieffest of them ? And al thes agre that their wrytinges must be tried by the scripture , and if that allowe them not they would not in any wise that we should beleue them .

This is a wonderfull thynge that they would haue vs geue such credite to the doctours whiche thynge the docters them selues forbyd But they haue alwayes this sayeinge of Augustine in their mouthes . I would not beleue the gospel , except the authoritie of the c●urch did moue me . Nowe as sone as they haue caught thys in theyr sermons : thei triumph . Lo ( say they ) what authorite did this g●eat doctour attribute to the church in so much that the gospel is and must be iudged by the church . For without the church , he would not beleue christes gospel manye wordes haue they which I can not remembre . But me think , these men mought be answered out of Augustines owne wordes before rehersed . For he wil geue no such credit to any mans writtinges what so euer he be as he doth to the scripture neither would he that any man woulde he that any man should so esteme his writtynges . For al hys wryttynges dooe not please hym . Therefore if they wil haue me beleue Augustines wordes : they muste proue them true bye the scripture or else by some other probable and sure reasone that dissenteth not frome the truethe , else maye not I beleue Austens wordes . For thys he counselleth hym selfe . But admytte Austens wordes to be true wythout anye contradicion . What moughte then be sayed to it ? These be Augustines wordes , I shoulde not beleue the Gospell , onlesse the authoritye of the churche moued me . Nowe I aske you what the authority of the churche is . What cal you the authorite of the church ? Is it long continuance of time ? Then was christes doctrine doubtful . For the scribes and phariseis had that on theyr syde . Or is it the greater number ? With lyke reasone we maye refuse Christes Gospell .

For many be called , sayeth he , and fewe elected . Or else was it the consent of learned wise men ? All thys had the great byshopes and high pristes in christes time . For they were great learned and wyse men . Corh. i. But saynt Paule axeth , wher be the wyse ? Wher are the scribes ? where are the disputers of the worlde ? Hath not god made the wysdome of the worlde foleishenesse ? Therfore let them declare vnto me the verie true authoritye of the churche . And I make heare distinction of churches . For Christe and the Apostles haue prophicied that theyr shal come false prophetes in Christes name , and shal rise euen from amonge our selues & shall speake peruerse doctryne . These men come in Christes name and saye they be christes chruch . But I am assured , they be not Christes true spouse . Math. xix . For Lira writinge vpon Mathe sayth . The church standeth not in men , by the reason of spirituall powre or secular dignitie . For many princes and many popes and other inferiour persones , haue swarued frome the fayth . Wherfore the church doth stande in those persones , in whom is the true knowledge and confession of fayth and veritie . Therefore it must nedes by Lira his wordes consiste in the scriptures . For the gyfte of fayeth and vnderstandeynge the veritye , is the worckeynge of the holye spirite , that confortour which the Lorde promised to those that beleue hys worde . But because they alledge me Austens wordes I wyl answere them with Austen him selfe , wrytinge vpon the .lvii. Psal. Wee speake true thynges ( sayth he ) which haue heard true thinges that the lorde sayth , not that man sayth . It may be that man may lie , it can not be that god should lye . By the worde of trueth do I knowe Christe the same verie trueth . By the worde of trueth do I knowe the church to be partaker of the trueth .

Nowe lette them scan these wordes and tell me where the true touchestonne is . Then alledge they these wordes of Christe . Math. xx .

I haue yet muche to saye vnto you , but you can not nowe beare it a waye . Nowe be it , when the spirite of the trueth commeth : he shall leade you into all trueth . & etc.

And agayne . Manye other tokens dyd Iesus before hys his disciples . Which are not writen , Iohn . xx . in this boke . Here staye they and go no farder , for it foloweth . But these are written , that you shoulde beleue . etc. But seynge we haue begone wyth Saynte Augustine , we wyll ende wyth him . He wryteth vpon this same place of Iohn and sayeth . Tractatu . xlix Capit. ix . They were chosen and pycked out , as many as were thought necessarie and sufficient for the saluacion of the faythfull . Sup●r Iohn Capit. xii . Cirillus also affirmeth the same , and sayeth more ouer , that althynges that the wrytters thought sufficient , boeth for the fayeth and beleue , and also for the conuersacion of men that wee myghte shyne wyth a ryghte and perfecte fayeth , and wyth true workes and vertues , and so come to the Kyngdome of heauen thorowe oure Lorde Christe be wryten sayeth he , and therefore it is a newelye , inuented in the diuilles shop , to saye that all the articles of oure christian fayeth can not be proued by scripture , and mens tradicions bysyde the scripture be goode workes and please God These be Cyrillus workes . And therefore sayeth Saynte Ambros , in hys fourth boke of virgines . All newe thynges that Christe hath not tought we lawfully condemne . For vnto faythful men sayeth he Christe is the waye . If Christe therefore haue not taught that we teache ( sayeth he ) we iudge it to be detestable . Nowe let these holye fathers turne and tosse these olde holye doctours , and let them fynde me out a touchston some other wher For these doctours say playnely the worde of God the holy scripture , the word of truth is the rule wherby Christes true church is ordered , gouerned & enstructed . For whosoeuer sercheth findeth The holy gost faileth not such as seke him ther but to seke him in anye other , place : is no promise made . As for theyr general counsayles that they sticke so muche vnto : is but a weake foundacion For saynt Austine writtynge agaynst the donatistes sayeth . Capi. iii. Who is it that knoweth not the holy canonical scriptures , boeth of the olde and newe testamente to be conteined within certayne limettes and boundes ? And that they be so put before al the wrytinges of bishopes that shal come afterward , that it can not be doubted at all neyther can we be , deceyued of the whether it be true or whether it be ryght and good or not what soeuer is knowen to be writen in them . But al other wrytynges of byshopes or else , which either haue written or shal write , after the confirmacion of the cananicall wrytynges , maye be reprehended , both by the wordes or wyse sentence of some more knoweynge man in that matter as well as by the sage authorite of their bishopes , and by the prudence and learneinge of learned teachers , and by counsayles , if bi chaunce anye thynge be strayed from the trueth . And those counselles , sayeth he , that be done in euerie prouince or region , ought to geue place without any doubtes , to the authoritie of the full counsayles , whiche are done of the whole companie of Christian men . And those generall counsayles that go before , maye often tymes be amended by those that folowe after , when soeuer anye thynge shall appere by anye experience , whiche was before shet vp , when so euer anye thynge , is knowen that before was hyde wythout anye coloure of false holy pryde , wythout anyē puffed vp spice of Arrogancie , without anye ▪ condemnacion of enuye or malice wyth pure humilitye , wyth vniuersall peace and quietnes , and wyth Christian charitie . These be Augustines worde , whiche beinge charitably vnderstande are surelye goode and profitable . For the fyrste he setteth goddes worde , euen the canonicall scriptures , to be the very perfect and vndoubted touchstone . As it were an euerlasting trueth , agaynste the whiche no man maye repyne or stande . Then of mens writtinges he declareth , what the nature is , and howe they ought to be vsed . After that , of generall counsayles to whyche thoughe he attribute much : yet layeth he ther no suer foundacion , but they maye conclude vpon matters , that maye be afterwarde reformed . But aalas , when was ther any suche generall counsayle , as Saynte Augustine here speaketh of ? But what shoulde we doubt of suche perilouse tymes spoken of in so manye places of the scripture to be euen nowe , wherein that aduersarye is opened ? Whyche hath so longe tyme sate in the steade of God , aboue all that is called God or goddes seruice . The abhominacion of desolacion , stode in the holye place . That gallant whore trimmed with purpel hath ben drunke with the bloude of the Sayntes , but the Lord hath shortened those daies for hys electedes sake , and hath destroyed this wycked wyth the bryghtnesse of his comeing , with the spirite of hys mouth . For the Gospell is preached . Blessed are they , which are called to the lambes supper .

Among so manye fine and captiouse wyttes , among so many swifte and diuers iudgmentes of men as are nowe regninge in the worlde : harde shall it be for a right wel learned man , to please the multitude of them that be learned . Wherefore I maye not nor wyl not , loke for it . But vnto you , dearlie beloued brethern , which onely desyre the glorie of God and the lorde Iesus , and in the same lorde , the must charitable reformacion and retourne of his elect from blindnes & errour vnto the perfite knoweledge of the lordes heauenly doctrine : to you bretherne I saye , I make thys declaraion concerninge this my simple labour , in thys wyse . As touchynge my letter , I dyd it , God is my wytnes , euen of a feruente zeale , knowyng for a suretye , that thought Maister Chripyne be learned , and a greate sorte more which haue & do hold the same opinion that he doeth yet am I certen that none of them is able to defend it , either by scripture or doctours . As concerneing the authoritye of the doctours : I take them euen as thei that selues desier . That is If they expounde anye place of scripture , declareynge to be so wyth the helpe of other manyfeste places of scripture , or wyth a sure and probable reasone , whiche is not contrarye to anye places of the scripture : then I accepte it and prayse God for hys gyftes in them .

If not : I let them passe as I fynde them . For I haue not alledged them here to th entente that anye man shoulde thynke that the scripture is the more established thorow theyr learnenyge ( For all men are vayne and cursed is he that putteth hys trust in them ) But because these men sticke so muche to them that in thys poynte are theyr enimies If they thinke I haue ben to quicke wyth them in any thinge : let them knowe that the Lorde hath opened his wysdome euen vnto babes And in those thynges , we maye not nor wyll geue place to such wyse and prudente , from whome they be hyd . If they can finde in their hertes to geue place to the infallible veritye of Christes doctrine . If they can be contented to caste awaye the hye estimacion that thei haue in theyr muche readynge and longe continuance of tyme wyth the titles of honoure geue them by men . If they can thorowe pure charitye and desyre of vnitie , caste them selues into suche an humilitie , as to thynke that God hath opened that vnto simple men , whiche thorowe theyr hante mynde is kept from them : If they woulde I saye , haue theyr whole respecte to the laste wyll and testamente of the lorde Iesus Christe in so muche that if it were an asse that speake vnto them any of those wordes they woulde yet here hyr and regarde the wordes for hys sake , who so they be if they were thus minded : I would wyshe to spend a greate parte of my lyfe wyth them , I woulde reuerence theyr learneinge , and geue them as much honoure as appartayneth vnto suche men . But beinge other wyse puft vp contrarye to ryght charitye and in a wronge estimacion of them selues , and despyceing Christes simplicitie : the Lorde cut ther combes And therfor I hertely exhort al faithfull bretherne , to lyfte vp theyr hertes wyth me vnto the lyueinge God , in pure fayeth , geueing hym most ernest , hertie , and humble thankes , for that he of his tender mercie , hath geuen vs so towardelie a yonge kynge so graciouse a gouernour , so vertuouse a counsayle , by whose meanes all cruell tirannye and murderinge of innocentes is banished , pure christian charitye put in vre and practise , the lordes doctrine brought in agayne into the seate a poynted , straunge learneinge banished and put awaye , the true worship and seruice of God founde out , the Idole seruice and false worshippynge driuen out of the church of God . Thys waye shall the filthy and vncleane conuersacion of men be purified , and the vncharitable and vnfayethfull dealynge of neyghbours shal be reduced into vnitye fayethfulnes , and immutable loue whiche alwayes shal continue in the lyueynge God throughe Iesus Christe . Whose name be magnified , praysed and exalted for euer . Amen .

☞ Written the .vii. of Nouembre Anno Domini . M.D.xlvii . P. N

Imprinted at London by Iohn Day and Wyllyam Seres , dwellynge in Sepulchres Parish at the signe of the Resurrection a litle aboue Holbourne Conduite .

Cum gratia & priuilegio ad imprimendum solum .

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