Prologe .

CYprian & Ruffyn be of thys opinion , mat . xvi that the Apostles ( whan Christ had commaunded the gospell vniuersally in the worlde to be preached ) before theyr departynge the one from the other haue agreed and haue made a summe of all theyr predications to come , what euery one dyd holde , to th intent that they myght preache the Godly doctryne of Christe to all creatures with one accorde . And that shoulde be the twelue articles of oure beleue , as euery man speketh them dayly . Nowe be it as it wyll , whether the Apostles or likewise their successours haue extracted it moost briefly , The scripture ought men to reade them selues . rom. xv . What we beleue , is not all comprehended in the Crede . it is good in myne opynyon , notwithstandynge . Let euery man also heare or reade the treasure of wysedome , the Byble , as the ryght well and springe , where that , and other thynges more for our instruccyon is written .

We beleue , that in the Sacrament of the aulter is the body and blode of Christe . That standeth not in these twelue articles , and yet is an artycle of faythe , therfore must men reade the scripture also . In the twelue chiefe articles of faithe , is the chiefest , comprehended , what to a christen man is necessary to beleue for hys saluacyon . For as muche now , that faythe is to vs so necessary , mar cxvi Ebre . xi Iohan iij that no man withoute fayth can be saued , as Christe sayeth , He that beleueth not , is dampned .

Item , he that beleueth not , is condempned all ready .

Verely the wicked spirite our enemy laboureth with many craftes to put vs awaye from the faythe of these articles , wherfore it is necessarye , that oure herte be very sure bound to these articles with a strong stedfast faithe , which in the felde of heauy temptacion may resiste . Matth. iiij . Deute . viij . Psa. xci Ioh. viij

Christe dyde set him selfe agaynste the deuyls temptacion with the scripture , castynge before hym the saynges out of the scripture : euen so shoulde we do also . The wicked spirit feareth the scripture . For as muche as he is a father of lyes , Gen. iij Iho. viij he can not abyde the wordes of the euerlastynge veryte . He is a Prynce of darkenes , therfore flyeth he from the wordes of lyfe .

Therfore shall euery Christian surely walle rounde aboute and make stronge with saynges of the holye Scripture , these twelue articles , that the Deuyll be not able to ouercome hym .

¶ The holy Scripture is here oure wall and refuge where vpon the hert may and shall surely truste whereout cometh confirmation of oure faythe , Profyte of the holy scripture . whatsoeuer she teacheth and biddeth vs the same is right and Goddes wille She is oure lyght and waye , she cometh of God the holy gooste , teacheth vs what is necessary for vs to oure saluacyon conforteth vs in all temptacions , refourmeth vs in all errours illumineth vs in the darknes of oure ignoraunce . rom. xv Therfore sayth s . Paule whatsoeuer is written afore tyme , is written for our learnynge , that we through pacience and comforte of the scripture myght haue hope . And to Timothee , ij . tim . iij all scripture geuen by inspiration of god , is profitable to teache , to improue , to amende , and to instructe in righteousnes , that the man of God be perfect and prepared vnto all good workes .

god speketh through men . ij . Pet. i. Laudable perseueraunce , vertue & honoure of the godly scripture of the old and newe testament , testifyeth to vs , sufficiently , that menne haue not of them selues , but God hath spoken through the men . Exo , iiij They be not mennes , but Goddes wordes . Euen thus spake God vnto Moyses . Goo to , I wyll be in thy mouthe , and wil teache the , what thou shalt speake . Christe asscrybeth hys doctryne to the father , Iohan . vij and .xiiij mat . xvi . as stondeth in Iohn . God the father hath geuen hym vnto the congregacion , as theyr ryght true doctour , whome men should beleue as he sayth him selfe .

In the articles of oure holy faythe standeth thys worde , beleue , Ebr. xi . before in the beginnyng . For as saynt Paule sayth , withoute fayth it is impossible , to please God , for he that cometh to God , must beleue , that God is , and that he is a rewarder of them that seke hym .

We saye not , I see or I knowe , Ebr. xi . but I beleue Paule sayth : Faythe is a sure confidence of thynges whiche are hoped for , and a certaynte of thinges whiche are not sene . For these articles be wonderfull secretes of God , which thorough mennes witte can not be obtayned and vnderstonde , but onely with the eyes of fayth . Mannes wysedome can not vnderstonde that god is become man , and from death rysen agayne , and rayseth also the dead in Christe , that he ascended into heauen sitteth on the ryghte hand of God his father . Item that Goddes naturall sonne be borne of a virgyn and suche lyke .

Wisedome of the crosse . The wysedome of the crosse is hyden from al eyes of worldly wysedome it is a mistery , which is knowen by fayth . All worldly policye knoweth nothynge of it . i. Cor. i. Euen thus sayth Paul we preache Christ crucifyed , vnto the Iewes an occasion of fallyng , and vnto the Grekes folisshnes , but vnto them whiche are called bothe of Iewes and Grekes , we preache Christe the power of God , and the wysedome of God . It semeth vnto the Gentiles to be a folissh thyng , that God shoulde dye , beyng the incomprehensible maiestye . They knowe nothynge of the mistery of the blessed manhode , whiche God toke vpon hym for oure saluacyon from the beginnynge prouyded Ephes. i and ordeyned .

Saynt Paul speaketh vnto the Corinthians .

When the world through their wisedome knowe not God in hys wysedome , i. Cor. i it pleased God through folyshnes of preachynge to saue them that beleue thereon . Luce. ij Here is set and erected the signe which is spoken agaynst , and whiche is the fall and resurrection of many in Israel . Esay . xxviij Here is set the stone of stomblynge , and rocke of offence , as Esay sayth . Whereon many shall be brused . That is the wisedome of Christen men , whiche saued vs . As for all the wysedome of the Gentiles was not able to comforte her teachers effectually in their smalest grefe . Mat. xi The wysedom hath God hyd from the wyse and prudent , and hath opened it vnto babes .

The Iewes wente about , Rom. xi to be made , and to come ryghteous to God , throughe the lawe , and throughe the dedes of the lawe , but so coulde coulde they not be ryghteous . Roma . x They haue reiected Christe the precious corner stone , which is the ende of the lawe , in whome is made righteous , he that beleueth . Rom. ix But there is another ryghteousnes , whereof the Iewes knowe not , whiche is called the ryghteousnes of God , that is no thynge elles , then to beleue in hym , that iustifyeth the synner , accordynge as saynte Paul witnesseth , Rom iiij If I beleue truely in Christe , as in the very some of God , & myne onely redemer and saueour , truely then shall thys fayth and truste be counted vnto me for ryghteousnes before God .

Fayth is not a slyght thynge , whiche a man may geue vnto hym selfe , or make it , when he wyll . But it is a great myghtye thynge , whiche renueth man , and leaueth hym not in hys olde opinyon , What is fayth and in hys , olde skynne , and desyres . To beleue is stedfastly to cleaue vnto the worde sf God , whether it be wordes of threatenynges or of promyse , that thou doest truste there vpon . That can no man do of hym selfe , Act. iiij . the spirite of God must renue & illumyne hys herte before . A man maye make to hymfelfe , an opinyon of God , that he is good and merciful , but it hath no efficacye , for as sone as the earnest & nede cometh , it vanissheth awaye as a dreame . A right fayth .

It is not ynowgh , that we speake the articles of oure fayth euery daye , fyue , sixe , or seuen tymes after the pater noster . Thei must be written in the herte , & that lyuely , & not onely mumbled with the tong , that when the affliction beginneth that it be then , euen as thou speakest . Thou sayest , I beleue the forgeuenes of synnes , & when the deuyll doth assayle the in necessyte of death , for thy manyfolde synnes sake , then arte thou abasshed , and wylt dispayre . Thereby do I see , that thou spekest this article with thy mouthe , but thy herte knoweth nothynge thereof . Thou beleuest it not truely . Thou saakest , I beleue the resurrection of the body , and the lyfe euerlastynge , but whan death breaketh in , and body & soule must parte , than arte thou so afrayde , as though body and soule dyed altogether , & as yf it were cleane done with the : Se , yf there were a right fayth in the of this article , that there were no doubtefulnes with the in it , that thy body and soule , woulde sone come together agayne , thou shouldest not be so fearefull . For fayth is kepte in necessite euen as golde in the fyre . dayly prayer Thy daily and moost diligent prayer allwayes to god shal be . O Lorde euerlastyng almighty God geue me the ryght true faythe loue , and hope , that I maye serue my neyghboure accordynge to thy pleasure . AMEN .

¶ The fyrste Artycle .

I Beleue in God , the father almighty maker of heauen and earth .

Here marke fyrste , One god thre persons that there is but one God , but they be thre personnes . The father and the sonne and the holy goost , as the scripture testifyeth . The thre personnes be lyke euerlastyng , lyke myghtye , of one maiestye and beynge .

The sonne in the holy trinitye is sent vnto vs in the last tyme , hath tagen vpon him humayne nature to th intent that he shoulde fulfylle the scripture , and redeme vs , accordynge to the good wyll of hys father . And he hath also created all thynges with the father and the hooly goost ( after the Godheade ) in the beginnynge . Deu. vi Thus sayth the scripture . Heare Israel . The Lorde oure God is an onely Lorde , And thou shalt loue the Lord thy god with all thy herte , with all thy soule , with all thy mighte .

the nature beleueth not that there is one God . The nature of mankynde is so euel & so sore blynded through synne , that she of her owne power and strengthe can not well comprehende thys article , that there is one God , yea althoughe she thynke , there be somewhat , that is God , as the gentyle Cicero maketh mencion , yet knoweth she nothyng sure of hym , of hys power and wille . It is easy to perceyue how littel the gentyls haue knowen of god thorough theyr own wittes , thei haue made many Goddes , Roma . i and haue waxed ful of vanities in theyr imaginacions , and haue knowen nothynge truely of the almyghtynes of God . The lyght of nature is to weake for suche hyghe matters . The lyght of grace must shyne here in darkenes , elles is it errour and ignoraunce .

God oure father God is called oure father , that is a confortable thynge to the faythfull , is he our father , so be we hys children and heyres of hys kyngdome . Euen so doeth also Esay calle hym , Lord , thou atre our father , oure redemer . And in another place , Lorde oure father arte thou , thou arte the worke mayster we all be workes of thy handes . Mat. vi Therfore pray we . Our father which arte in heuen .

Father almyghtye , God is almighty . God is omnipotent , all thynges are possyble vnto hym , all thynges be in hys hande , his power , domynyon , and beyng is euer lastynge and endles . Therfore calle hym the Prophetes so often Dominum Zabaoth , or exercituum , a Lorde of hostes , Item Baruch speaketh . Bar. iij. Ge. xvij Exo. xv and .vi Iudith xvi . Iob. viij Luc. i. Apo. iiij Thou Lorde almightye God of Israel , In the fyrst boke of Moyses . I am the almighty God . In the second boke of Moyses , Almighty in hys name . Item in the boke of Iudyth , The almightye Lorde had hyndered hym . In Iob , Yf thou wouldest pray to the almightye . Item Iohan . v. xiij . xxi . xxij . xxiiij . xxvij . The Angel sayde Luce. i. with God is nothyng vnpossyble . Item in the Reuelacions of saynt Ihon. Holy , holy , holy , is the Lorde almighty , whiche was , and is , and is to come . Item in the .xi , Gen. i Esaye xxxij . xlvij . lxv . Chap. The Lorde the almighty God is theyr tempel .

Maker , that hast thou in the firste boke of Moyses . In the beginnynge made God heauen and earthe . Reade thereof , the xxxvij . xl . and xlv . Chapit . of Esay . The scripture is full therof .

¶ Here agayne marke the light of nature . For nature can not vnderstonde the great wonderful workes of creation , she can not comprehende howe oute of nought should become ought , but the lyght of faythe vnderstondeth the creation , Ebr. xi . as saynt Paule witnesseth . Nowe see , howe blynde all sciences of the gentyls be . Theyr chiefe poyntes be . Of nothynge becometh nothynge . The worlde hath lasted euer and alwayes . The course of heauen hath nether begynnynge nor endynge . The fyrste man neuer was , & the laste shal neuer be . Gendryng and dyenge endureth for euer . The soule hath no propre worke , wherin she hath no nede of the body , whatsoeuer dyeth ones , that same thyng can no more come agayne . Here doest thou see what an errouious & vntrue thing Philosophie is , for all the same is vntrewe , and yet it is the chiefest , that men learne oute of Aristotell . Therfore is an old woman whiche beleueth hygher in the ryght Philosophye than Aristotell . She hath by her faythe . That God hath created the worlde : that Adam was the firste man : that euen her owne body in the laste daye shal be raysed agayne : that the soul of man as a cleare brightnes of the euerlastyng sonne which shall neuer ceasse to be , but is immortall , That the bodely dyeng & beyng shal ceasse at the day of dome . Therfore ought a yong christen man to be brought vp not in bokes of the gentylls , but in oure boke of the Byble , men learne nothyng in the heathen bokes , but vngodly thynges , whiche be cleane contrary to the scripture , and the faythe , and make vs erronious .

the sonne of god . ❧ The second Article . ☞ And in Iesu Christe hys onely sonne oure Lorde .

God hath but one naturall sonne , of one beynge , with the father , in incomprehensyble wyse borne of the father from the eternyte . Gal. iiij The father hathe not ben before the sonne , they be coeternall : The same sonne is sent in the fulfyllyng of the tyme , Roma . i and also temporally borne of a woman . He was promysed by the Prophetes long before . And euen by the eternall wysedome by the which God hathe fulmade the worlde , Hebre. i by the same hath he brought her agayne from her heauy fall . He is the ryght Messias , redemer of the world , whereof al the Prophetes haue written , as he sayd vnto the woman of Samaria . Ioh. iiij . whan he said . I knowe , that Messyas shall come , which is called Christe . Then answered Iesus , and sayde . I that speake vnto the , am he , And the Samaritanes dyd also knowledge hym , and sayde , we knowe , that thys is euen in dede Christ the sauyoure of the worlde .

Euen so doeth Peter and the other Apostles knowlege hym . mat . xvi Thou arte Christe the sonne of the lyuynge god , he is that blessed sede of Abraham , wherein God hath promysed to oure father Abraham to blesse al the nations of the earth . Ge. xxij Gen. iij He is the seede of the woman , that shoulde treade downe the heade of the infernall worme . Onely by hym are we reconsyled to God , As Paule sayth . Rom. v. Through the fayth in Christe be we made ryghteous and saued , Ebre . vi i , timo . i Ebre . ix i. Cor. i. Ioha . iiij Ioh. xiiij Ioha . iij Matth. xxvi . he is oure Kyng and prieste for euer , by whome we haue a sure intraunce vnto God , he is oure onely mediatoure . A mediatour of the newe testament . Oure hope and oure redemption . No man cometh vnto the father , but by hym . For he is the waye , the trueth , and the lyfe , God hath therfore sent hym into the worlde , that he shoulde saue vs , whosoeuer beleueth in hym , shall not be dampned . He hath geuen hys lyfe for the redemption of many .

Withoute fayth in the mediatoure Christ could no man be saued . The fathers before hys byrthe beleued in hym , that was to come . We beleue in hym that is present , hys name is Iesus , Zach. ix Esa. lxii Ebre. v. vi . & vij that is sauioure , And Christus that is anoynted . He is oure Kynge & Bysshop , as Zacharie sayth . Lo , thy Kynge cometh vnto the lowely , Hys Priestly offyce ( withoute the whiche we come not vnto God ) declareth vnto vs Paul very connyngly , The kynges of the worlde be annoynted with bodely oyle , Esa. lxi . Luce. iiij Act. x but Christe oure Kynge ( whose kyngdome is not of thys worlde ) is annoynted of God through the holy Ghoste , as stondeth in Esaye .

The spirite of the Lorde is vppon me for he hath annoynted me , he hath sent me to preache the Gospell vnto the poore . &c.

Iesus the sonne of Naue . Lyke as Iesus the sonne of naue , was an electe Lorde and Capitayne of the people of Israel , whan they ware brought oute of Egypte , that he shoulde brynge them into the lande promysed vnto them .

Euen so is oure Lorde Iesus Christe , geuen of God and ordeyned , that he brynge vs oute of the thicke Egiptysshe darkenes of oure lyfe , oute of all erroure of thys worlde into the lande of the lyuinge , as the Angell sayth .

Mathei . i.

He shal saue hys people from their synnes . Therfore calleth hym the scripture in the newe Testament so often oure Lorde , as the Epistles of Paule manifestly shewe .

That is the onely sonne of god , wherevpon the hole scripture doth poynte and leade vs , as vpon oure onely sauioure , as Symeon nameth hym . Luce. ij .

But wheras the scripture doth calle vs Christen beleuers also the sonnes of god .

That is spoken after another maner . Christe is alone the ryght natura sonne of god . from the eternite , as the scripture testifyeth . Our herte muste haue suche a myghtye Lord , where vpon it may surely truste which is able , to defende vs from synne , death , deuil hel , He that shall do the same , must nedes be God .

❧ Witnesse out of bothe Testamentes .

Esa. vij Iohan. i ¶ In Esay is Christ named Emanuell , that is , God with vs .

Ihon begynneth hys gospell on thys wyse . In the beginnyng was the worde , and the worde was with God , and God was the worde . The same was in the begynnyng with God . Al thynges were made by it . And the worde became flesshe . For as muche now , as he is not made , but he is the maker hymselfe , so must he nedes be God .

Ioh. xxi Act. x Iohannis in the laste saith Thomas , My Lorde , my God . In the Actes of the Apostles sayth Paule , that god hath purchased the Churche with hys owne bloude . That speaketh he of the agreynge of Persons in two natures of Iesu Christe .

To the Romaynes sayth s . Paule , Rom. ix which Christe is god ouer al thinges , blessed for euer . Phili. ij . And to the Philippians . Let euery man be mynded as Iesus Christe was , whiche beyng in the shape of god : thought it not robbery , Colos. ij to be equall with God . To the Colossyans . In hym dwelleth all the fulnes of the Godheade bodyly .

Vnto Titus sayth Paule : Tit. ij . that we shoulde loke for that blessed hope , and gloryous appearynge , Ebre . i of the myghty god & of our sauyour Iesu Christ . To the Ebrewes speketh he vnto the sonne . God thy seate shal be for euer and euer . And Ihon in hys Epistel . i. Ioh. v In hys sonne Iesu Christe , this is the true God and eternall lyfe . Psa. viij In the Psalm standeth of Christe , what is thys man that thou arte myndefull of hym , and the sonne of man , that thou regardest hym . Thou madest hym lower , than the Angels , to crowne hym with glory and worshyppe . Thou makest him to haue dummyon ouer the workes of thy handes : the declaracyon of thys saynge seke in Saynt Paules Epist. To the Ephesians and Colossyans , & to the Hebrewes .

Now yf god haue set Christ on his ryght hande , and hathe made hym Lorde ouer all thynges in heauen & earth then must he be god . For it is not mete in no wyse , that one shoulde be sett on the ryght hande of god , and in lyke power with god the Father , yf he were no god , for as muche as god wil geue hys honoure to none other , as Esay sayth . Esa. xlij xlvi and xlviij God speaketh in Osea . Osee . xiij . Thou shalt knowe none other god but me . There is none other saueour besydes me . Euen so is it also written in Esaye , esa. xliij . xliiij . & xlv . Exo. x● . & xxxiiij Deu. v vi . Ioha . v. and in the second & fyfth boke of Moyses . There wil he , that men worshyp none other or straun goddes , nowe it standeth in Ihon , god wyl haue that men shall honoure the sonne , euen with the honour , wherwith the father is honoured , that is , gods honour . Euen so wyl god , that men shall haue one God , and geue the honour of god to no creature . For as much as he geueth it here to Christe , truely so is he god also . As also witnesseth Paule , Rom. i to the Romaynes in the first Chap. sayng . After the flesshe is he the sonne of Dauid , but after the spirite he is declared to be the sonne of god with power . The scripture somtyme calleth Christ , God : & somtyme by other wordes . Wherfore infallybly it is concluded that Iesus Christ is very god & what nedeth it many witnesses . Reade the gospel of s . Ihon , that is almoste nothynge elles than a witnes of the very godheade of Christe . Therfor erred the Cherintians Ebionytes and Arrianes for they weaned , Christ were but onely a man & no god .

But we beleuers be the sonnes of God onely of grace through election and adoption , not of very nature . Christians be the children of God . Gal. iiij Ro. viij . Ephe. i Of the same childhode , reade the Epistle of Paul vnto the Galath . Romayns , & Ephesians . There findest thou , how that we through Christ the ryght natural sonne of God , of grace be accepted for the sonnes of god , & heyres annexed with Iesu Christ our lord . The fayth in Iesu bringeth vs vnto suche hygh worthy childhode , and to hys Lordely heritage , and Iohan sayth . As many as receyued hym , Iohan. i to them he gaue power to be the sonnes of God , in that they beleued on hys name .

❧ The thyrde article . Whiche was conceyued by the holy gooste , borne of the virgyn Marye .

Thys article hath two partes . The firste , Christe is not of a man after the commune course of nature , but of the holy gost , yet naturally born . The seconde . The mother of Christe , was not defyled , as another woman , that conceyueth a chyldee with hurt of her bodyly and goostly virginite , but she is a virginall mother , a virgyn before the byrthe , in the byrthe and after the byrthe .

The wonderfull conceyuyng and byrthe , hath the holy gost prophecyed through the Prophetes , Math. i & by the Euangelistes descrybed and proued . For thus sayth the Angell vnto Ioseph . That whiche is conceyued in her , is of the holy gost . For when the blessed virgyn Mary heard the salutacion angelical , that she shoulde become a mother of so mightye a Lorde , which was the sonne of the moost hyghest , and that hys princely kyngdome shoulde endure for euer , she asked th archangel Gabriell with a virginal comlynesse , howe that shoulde be , seynge she knewe of no man . Luc. i Then answered th archangel . The holy gost shal come vpon the , and the power of the hyest shall ouershadowe the. Therfore also , that holy thyng , which shal be borne , shal be called the sonne of god .

Here was necessary that a specyall newe man shoulde be borne , Christe most be borne pure . that might take away , and wash awai the corruption and disease of the fyrst synne of oure damnable byrthe of Adam with hys purenes . Therfor was it here necessary to be a virginal pure birth , were in were no spot of sinne , nor yet malediction . The holy ghost was the worke mayster in the workynge place of the pure immaculate body of Mary , her pure flesshe and bloude was the natural sede , whereout God the holy gost hath shapen the noble pure body of Christ . And the wonderful holy virginite of Marye the electe virgyn is descrybed in the Prophetes and Euangelistes with inuincyble argumentes .

The scripture geueth to vnderstonde , Gen. iij. that Christ the blessed fruyt of Marye must be a natural childe of a woman , for he is called the sede of a woman . Item he must be a man of an excellent frydom aboue all men , that he be aboue all synne . For he shal treade downe the heade of the serpent , that is , synne , death , & hel , yf he were borne in synne , then shoulde the deuyll also haue power ouer hym , as ouer other children of wrath . But he hathe no power ouer him .

For Christ sayth thus .

Ioh. xiiij The Prynce of thys worlde cometh , and hath nought in me . And so muste Christe nedes be a right natural sonne of a woman ( but with a supernaturall wyse be borne , then the children of Adam ) of whome all the virginyte is clearly and vndoubtedly kept .

Firste sayth the Scripture , the sede of a woman . It sayth not . The sede of a man . It nameth onely the name of a woman . Therfore the mother of thys chylde whiche conceyueth without the helpe of a man , is a virgyn , & yet a ryght natural mother of the childe as also Paule witnesseth , Gal. iiij wher as he sayth . That the sonne of God is borne of a woman . Other children be borne of a man and a woman . Here sayth the Scripture Christe is onelye borne of a woman . A woman . A woman is not here taken , for a woman that knoweth a man , but it signifyeth the person of a woman , or the name of a woman , and geueth here to vnderstonde , that thys byrth is done without all addition of man , or helpe of man .

Secondarely , Ge. xxij whan God promysed to Abraham Christe the ryght Messias , he sayde .

In thy sede shall all the nations of the earthe be blessed . Marye cometh bodily of Abraham and Dauid . And Christe cometh of Mary bodily and is the same sede of Abraham , through the which al nations be blessed . Then it followeth , Gal. iij that Marye is a pure virgyn . For yf her sonne Christe be a blessed sede , whiche taketh awaye all male diction , truely than can not he be borne of a man , yf he were borne of a man , than were he borne after the course of nature , and were a chylde of Adam polluted with synnes . Now is he onely a fruyt of a womanes body , and not of a man : for the worke of the flesshe , and the blessyng stande not together .

Thirdely speaketh the spirite of god , through Esay . Esa. vij God hymselfe shal geue you a token . Beholde a virgyn shal conceyue , and beare a sonne &c. The Hebrewe texte hath Alma , that is a virgyn , not as a seruyng mayde , but a yonge woman person , which as yet hath no husbande , and weareth a garlonde , which is yet vndefyleth . And that is also nothynge elles , but a virgyn . And so do men call the mother of God a pure mayden , that is a virgyn as the Iewes them selues can not deny . And therfore is she a pure virgyn before the byrth , and in the byrth . Let the testimony of the Euangelistes Mathewe and Luke be sufficient for the , for they cal Mary a virgyn , Math. i Luc. i allegen the sayeng of the Prophete Esaye That she also dyd remayne alwayes a virgyn after the byrth , Marye a virgyn also after the byrthe . wyl I defend euen with the scripture . Wherewyth the heretyke Heluidius would proue the contrary parte , that she shoulde haue hadde children by Ioseph , after the fyrste borne sonne .

Mathewe sayth , Math. i Ioseph knewe her not , tyl she had brought forth her first sonne , hereout wille the folysshe that marke not the nature and propertye of the language , defyne , and conclude that she shoulde haue borne more children afterwardes . But I saye , loke better vpon the circumstaunce . The Euangelist setteth a great meruayll before oure eyes : namely that a virgin is with childe before the man taketh her into hys house and lyeth with her and before he knoweth her , for as moche as she hath a sonne before , whome not withstondyng she should haue , In case she were knowen of hym after the common course . And the wordes of saynt Mathewe , tende not vppon that , whiche is done after the byrth .

Ge. viij Item in the fyrst boke of Moyses , to speake after such lyke phrase . The Rauen flewe out and retourned not agayne vntyl the waters were dryed vp vppon the earth . Here wyl the texte that the Rauen is not come agayne at all . Euen so followeth not in the forsayde sayenge of Saint Mathewe , that Ioseph afterwardes hath lyen with Mary , or hath knowen her , but rather the contrary parte , that he neuer knewe her afterwarde .

Esay . ix The temporall byrth of Christe , hath Esaye prophecyed and notifyed . A childe is borne vnto vs , and a sonne is geuen vnto vs vpon hys shoulder doth hys kyngdome lye . And he is called with his own name wonderful , the mightye God , the Prince of peace , a father of the worlde to come . Beholde also the xi . Chap. of Esay .

The historye of the byrth of Christ reade Luc. ij , Howe Marie the virgyn was delyuered of her childe in Bethleem , Mich. v Matt. ij as the Prophete Micheas dyd say in spirite , oh which wordes saynte Mathewe maketh relation , sayng : & thou Bethlehem in the lande of Iuda , arte not the leaste amonge the Princes of Iuda , for oute of the shall there come vnto me , the Captayne , that shal gouerne me people Israel .