The firste parte of the Christian Instruction , and generall some of the doctrine , conteyned in the holy Scriptures , wherein the principall pointes of the Religion are familiarly handled by Dialogues , very necessary to be read of all Christians . Translated into Englishe , by Iohn Shute , accordyng to the late Copy set forth , by th' author Maister Peter Viret .

1565.

¶ Imprinted at London , by Iohn Day , dwellyng ouer Aldersgate , beneath Saint Martins .

WHen Hanniball a manifold wintered souldiour , a Generall of meruelous iudgement and worthines had giuen eare a while to Phormion the Philosopher , discoursing before him of martiall matters , the duty of a Generall and office of ech man that commeth to field : beyng demaunded at length what he thought of him , whome the Lippewise men estemed the wysest and learnedst of the worlde , aunswered : that fooles he had heard many , but a more dotyng foole then this Phormion was , he neuer heard . It semed to him very straunge , that he whiche neuer went further then the scoole , neuer fought but with the rod , shoulde giue preceptes to hym that had spent all his life in martiall affaires , obtained moe vistories then he had red ouerthrowes . And may it not ( right honorable ) seme as straunge to your good Lordship , and be deemed of some others , as greate dotage for me a simple souldior better practised abrode in martiall matters , then furnished at home with cunnyng of the scoole : to deale with matters of hie diuinitie ? But I take not vpon me to teache of my selfe : but to translate out of others , nor do I meane to bragge of any skill , but to testifie my good will employed to profite others : yet do I not thincke it a matter vnmeete for my profession and callyng , to knowe the truthe of Gods holy worde , and to further in the same as many as I may . For requisite it is ( as your honor and wisedome right well vnderstandeth ) all Christians to knowe their God : further if they will be the children of his kingdome to worcke through obedience to his will as the Apostle sayth : their owne saluation with trembling and with feare . A souldior is not excluded from this band , he must needes in this battell keepe his order ●hil . ● and do ( by grace ) his vttermost endeuoure : leaste the muster maister , Christe do casse him , and so ●osuc , 7 with great reproche deualize hym . We read that for a litle pilfering of a common souldior , the whole armie of the Lorde was in daunger and lyke to haue ben defeacted , But the blasphemie , incontinency , outrage , and suche lyke that in many countreis , in the warres in our dayes are vsed : are in deede a great occasion to procure and purchase those dreadfull plagues , whiche we often see light vpon nations . Wherfore that we may continew in quiet peace , & when occasion shall require , obtaine Godly victories , expedient it wer , and for my countreys sake I wish , that our souldiors may be well instructed , in the knowledge and feare of God : so much the rather , for that their lyfe is doubly incertaine . Anacharsis thought saylers and such as trauayle by sea , to be rather of the nomber of the dead , then of the liuing : by cause that he which is in most assuraunce , is alwaye within eight or ten ynches of his death . And is not a souldior euery moment of an houre more nere his bane , amyd so many great shotte , samll shot and other weapons ? Wherfore it were good , not onely for the parties them selues , but also for all Christian common wealthes , if they whiche are called to serue in warres , were well instructed in the knowledge & fear of God , as god be thanked some of them are , I would thinck my self surerer in the company of fiue hundred well trayned souldiors , whiche were instructed in the feare and loue of God : then in that of xv . hundred whiche are as well trayned and exercised in the vse of their weapons as they , and doe want the other chief instruction . And for my parte beyng a simple one , am not ashamed to be exercised in the study of Gods booke : no more , then to be in the fielde exercised , in the vse of any weapon or order , although my studie in it be not such as I wish it to be : yet hauyng receiued great profite & confort of conscience , by reding of sondrie workes of diuinitie : and namely by the readyng of a worcke of Maister Peter Viret , intituled the Christian instruction , I would not bereaue my countrey men the commoditie of the same : but thought my selfe bounde in conscience to make them partakers therof . Wherfore hauing translated the first parte of it into our tounge with boystrous and rude termes , as a man vtterly voyde of eloquence : I haue committed the same to the printe , and so farre presumed vpon your honours goodnes , as vnder your Lordshippes name to suffer it to come to the sight of others . May it please you , to accepte this simple token of my trauaile & poore good will towardes your honor . I dout not but some shall receiue such fruite of it , as they shall like well my labour , and pray for your Lordship , vnder whose name it is published . And so shall my desire in Christ be satisfied . God prosper your honor in health and high estate . God encrease his faith and his feare , in you . Right honorable I haue added in the end of this worke , a table contayning the principall matters , that are entreated of , in this worke , to the end that men may the more easily find them . God defend you and preserue you .

COnsiderynge that God requireth no more of man , for his innumerable benefites ( which he hath & doth from time to tyme bestow vpon him ) but onely franck obedience , the whiche he can no wise yelde duely vnto him , except he knowe him , and he can not know him but by his word , and for that ther be many aduersaries at this day , who will not haue men to deale with the word of God , nor to receiue any Religion , but such as shall be giuen vnto them by generall Councels : I haue thoght good to turn into the English toung this litle worke , framed by the right famous , worthy & godly learned man , M. Peter Viret : wherin you may see what commoditie the Church of God , hath reapt from time to time , of the Decrees and determinations of generall Councels , & of the ordinaunces & decretalles of Popes . And bycause that a number of these whiche so greatly reuerence Councels are Atheistes and Epicuriens , saying in their hartes there is no God , and do scoffe and fleere at the word of God , being ouer well sene in the principles of the Popes diuinitie , which say that there is no God , and that all that euer is spoken of Iesus Christ is but fables , and the whole Scriptures lyes , as by their lyues right well they do declare . And least that any should thincke that I speake this of malice and without prouing any thing , I thincke it not amisse somwhat to say of the vertuous actes of these worthy fathers , who haue bene the heades of a nomber of general Councels , & haue there ruled the roste , by their holy Ghost , whom they haue there had at theyr owne will and pleasure . The Pope Alexander the vi . deuising on a tyme with the French kings Ambassadour sayd Note the good actes of Popes , Reade the life of this Alexander in Io. ba , act Romanorum ▪ Pontificum . vnto him these wordes : That fable of Iesus Chryste hath brought to vs great riches . Besides this H●eronimus Marius , in hys worcke intituled Eusebius Captiuus , speakynge of this Pope Alexander the vi . sayth of him among other thynges : what nedeth it to recite the abominable and detestable actes of Alexander the vi . This Alexander when he had made an aliaunce with deuils , he gaue him selfe wholly vnto them and became their subiect , to the end that by their meane he might attaine to the Papall dignitie , whiche thyng they promised & did fulfill : after that he gouerned him selfe in so holy a sorte that afterwarde durynge his lyfe he neuer entreprised any thynge , without their counsell . There are manye thinges in writyng , whiche are very notable , and worthy of a Pope of Rome and successor of S. Peter : for there are in the Latin certaine excellent verses and very worthy to be noted , which set forth very well the prayses of this most holy father , the sence wherof doth folow here . Alexander selleth Crosses , altares yea & Iesus Christ him self : first he bought them , wherfore , he may well sell them . Rome passeth on from one vice to an other , and from the flame to the fire vnder the gouernement of this Spaniarde , Tarquinius , was the vi . kyng of the Romanes , Nero the vi . Emperour . And this the sixte of his name . Rome hath euer ben plagued vnder those sixtes : this Alexander caused Gemma ( who was fled to Rome for succor , beyng brother to Baiazet Emperor of Turckie ) to be poisoned for the som of CC. M. Ducates , whiche he receiued of the sayd Baiazet . This Alexander to maintayne his tyranny , called to his ayde Baiazet Emperour of the Turckes agaynst the French kyng Charles the viii & enforced hym self by al meanes possible to make the realm of Naples , yea and the very Citie of Rome it self , the frontieres of the Turckysh Empire : he caused the toong● and hands of Antonie Manciuell , a man meruelously well learned to be cut of , bycause he had writen an Oration , very elegantly agaynst the wicked maners & most abhominable and villanous lyfe of the sayde Pope . On a time this pope made a very sumptuous banquet , in the whiche he had commaunded to gyue to drinke , to certaine riche Senators and Cardinals , whom he had conuited thyther , of a flagon tempered with poyson , & his taster mistakyng the flagon : gaue hym to drincke of the same flagon , whereof he dyed with those Senators and Cardinals , thys Alexander , as soone as he was Cardinal , became a Negromancer , counselled with deuils whom he had familiar , if they wold be so gratious vnto him ( who was their obedient vassal & humble disciple ) as to help hym in his practise & sute which he made for the Papal dignitie : wherunto they franckly graunted , conditionally that he should make solemne othe in the preseuce of the prince of darcknes , that he should shew hym selfe an assured protectour of Satan , & hys infernall common wealth : whereunto the Cardinall assented . Onely requiryng that when this homage and othe should be gyuen : it would please the deuill not to appeare vnto hym in his hydeous and feare full forme , but rather in mans shape in the likenes of a Prothonotarie , whiche thyng beyng graunted , at a day appointed : in the sommer tyme , the Cardinall conueyed him selfe secretly alon● into a chamber in a certayne place called mount Cauallus , and there came vnto him my Lord the Prothonotarie , beyng a man of a meane age very honorably apparelled , who after certayne deuise and discourse hadde , assured him , that he should be Pope , who beyng then full of ioy enquired of the tyme , and how long he should raygne . This reuerend prothonotarie made hym a deceptiue aunswere , full of doubtfulnes , to wit that he should raigne xi . and viii . the Cardinal foolishly persuaded him self that he should raygne in the Papall dignitie . 19. yeares , albeit that the promes was but for xi . yeares and. 8. monethes when Innocent the. 8. was dead Rodericke Borgia was created and established Pope , who forthwith named hym selfe Alexander the vi . now he did for the space of . 11. yeares and 8. monethes meruelously trouble and oppresse Italie , he beyng old began to be diseased & sicke wherupon he kept his bed , and commaunded one of his seruauntes named Modena ( who was most priuy and familiar with hym of al those of hys Court ) to go into his garde robe and to bryng hym a litle booke richly set , with gold and precious stones : which was in a certaine boxe or drawer , which he appointed hym vnto . This litle booke contayned all the sortes and kyndes of illusions and enchauntements of Negromancie , where at , this old man determined to enquire & to assertaine him selfe , of the ende and closyng vp of his lyfe : this seruaunt accordyng to the commaundement of his maister , went to the place , and as he was entryng in at the dore of the chamber , he saw one fit in the Popes chaire , who was very lyke vnto hys maister , which when he saw ( beyng horribly affrayd ) returned and ran to his maister , without bringyng the boke with hym , to whom he declared what he had sene : which thyng when the Pope vnderstood fully , and saw his seruaunt so affrayed : he let hym alone for a tyme , afterwarde he so wrought with hym , that he caused hym to go agayne to hys garde robe , to see if he could espie the aforesayd Pope : & whether he would say any thyng to hym or no. The seruaunt beyng entred into the chamber agayne , found there hym whom he had sene there before but he was far greater : he that sat asked hym , why he came thyther , and what he had to do there : who beynge excedyngly affrayde & in maner out of breath , aunswered , that he came for a certayne garment for the Pope , Then the deuill cast forth an horrible grone , & sayd to hym , what Pope ? I am Pepe my self . when Alexander vnderstood this , hys maladie encreased , & his death approched . Shortly after one appareled lyke a courtier , came to the chamber where the Pope laye , and knocked very lowdly , saying that he must nedes speake with hym . The doore beyng opened vnto hym , he came and spake with the Pope , all others wer retired from them . The Pope and he talked very secretly , but men might se be their countenances , that they wer very earnest and in great contention betwene them selues , & that the Pope was not well content , for he sayd to hym : how may this be ? my tyme is not yet expired , thou knowst that I had 19. yeares , wherof I haue passed but. 11. & 8. monethes . wher upon they heard the courtier aunswere hym boldly , you dyd mistake that worde , for I sayd not . 19. yeares , but I ment . 11. yeares and 8. monethes , should be the raigns of thy Papacy , and therfore thou must needes dye . Now albeit the Pope requested instantly , that he would haue consideration of hys lyfe , and terme of yeares concernyng hys Papacy : it was as if he had spoken to a deafe man , for al hys exceptions , requestes and allegations could stand hym in no stede : for al that were in the chamber might well see , that the deuill was more perfect in Arithmetique , then was the Pope , and in the ende it was easyly concluded that Alexander had erred in hys accomptes . Finally to conclude the matter , when Satan departed from thence , forthwith the soule of the Pope : most miserably departed from hys body , with horrible cryes and feareful gronyngs and bewaylyngs . And in this sort most miserably , wretchedly and wickedly , dyed the Pope Alexander , surnamed the 6. leauyng to hys sonne his patrimonie , greatly engayged and encombred , & the Italians theyr Romane common wealth , wholly confused disordered and spoyled , to the end he might be an example , to all ages to declare how that thynges euyll goten are consumed & spent miserably & wickedly , ●ontanus writeth that thy● Pope , had a daughter whom hys sonne dyd vse and so dyd the Pope hym selfe , her name was Lucresse , Sanazarius , the Italian Poete , in hys Epigrames and 2. boke speakyng of this Pope Alexander & notyng hys incest , sayth thus . O Lucresse , will Alexander yet still couet thee ? O horrible case , he is thy father . In the worcke intituled l'Estat do l'Eglise , it is writen of this Pope Alexander , that not only he dyd vse hys daughter Lucresse , but hys sonne dyd the lyke , wherupon she is called his wife , his daughter , and daughter in law . &c. Vrspergensis noteth of Bregory the. 7. otherwise named Hildebrand , that the common wealth of Rome , and the Churche was in great daunger vnder him , by meanes of errors and new Scismes , whiche were neuer heard of before , & that he dyd vsurpe the Papall seat by tyranny , & not be lawfull election . The Councell holden at wormes , in the yeare . 1080. sayth of Gregory the. 7. that it is certayne that he was not chosen of God , but that he dyd shamefully thrust him self in by disceate and money , and did turne vp syde downe the order of the Churche , and troubled the state of the Christian Empire , and framed the destruction of both the body & soule of the Catholicke kyng , and dyd defend the periured kyng , & dyd sow discord among such as did accord , and strife among the quiet , offences among the brethren , diuorce among the maried , and sturred vp and chaunged all thinges that might tend to quietnes among such as were of honest lyfe . we therfore beyng gathered together by God agaynst the sayd Hildebrand , who preached nothyng but sacrileges & fires , main tayned the periured and murderers , and brought the vniuer fall and Apostolicke fayth of the body and bloud of the Lord into doubt , being an obseruer of diuinations and dreames , & an open Nigromancer , hauing a familiar spirit , and leauing in this sorte the true fayth , we iudge that he ought by lawful auctoritie to be deposed , driuen from his seat , and perpetually condempned , if he leaue not hys seat when he shal vnderstand these thyngs . I refer such as wil vnderstand more of the said Gregory to the readyng of the Cardinal Benno , hys worcke , wherin the lyfe of the sayd Gregory is set forth . Moreouer I wish them in Platina . to consider the lyues of Iohn the. 8. Siluester , Bennet the. 8. with many others . Also in Sabellicus , in hys . 9. Eneide and first and 2. booke , where they shall see of the Popes afore writen . Also in the Commentaries of that worthy man Iohn Sleydan in hys . 21. boke , where he mencioneth of an Italian , whiche wrote a booke very sharpely agaynste Paul the. 3. namyng hym therin Antechrist , declaring that in the tyme of Innocent the Pope he was committed to prison beyng a wicked prelat for if murders , and for the poysoning of his mother , & his nephew , wherby the inheritaunce might come to hym further , after that he was deliuered out of prison he made great fute for a Hatte of a Cardinall , and was three tymes refused by the Cardinals : in the end his sister Iulia Fernese , obtayned it . For she threatned the Pope Alexander the. 6. that from that time forth , she would neuer be at his commaundment , the Pope fearing her displeasure accepted him into the troupe of Cardinals : further , that he poysoned an other sister of hys , and vsed an other of them , and also his nee●e and hys own daughter , and for that that he would the more liberally enioye her , he found the meane to poyson her husband Bose Sforce : he was also a great Nigromancer , as witnesseth Sleidan in his Commentaries and. 19. booke , & Iohn Bale , in the lyfe of the said Paul the 3. in his act. Roma Pontificum , wher he fully declareth the vertues of him . Let vs see one mo among a great nomber of these reuerend fathers , Clement the. 8. of that name borne in Florence , bastarde to Leo the. 10. ( his nephew I should say ) named before Iulius , Cardinal Priest of the title of S. Laurence in Damase . &c. It is writen of him in certaine Commentaries vpon the articles of the Doctors of Paris , that this Clement was a bastard , empoysoner , homicide , bawd , simoniaque , Sodomit , periured , whoremaster , negromancer . Church robber , and a worker of all wickednes . &c. Such as wil vnderstand more of the goodnes & of the lyues of such holy fathers , I referre them to the readyng of the Florentine hystory of Machiauell , let them read Volateran . Sabellicus , Platina Iohn Bale act. Rom. pont . Iohn le Maire in hys woorke of Scismes , the sea of histories . Fascicul . temp. Naucle . suppliment . chro . with a nomber of others , whom for briefty I do omitte . Truly these fathers ar iolly folowers of Christ , who ought chiefly to be folowed , he sent his Apostles abrode into the world commaundyng them to preache the Gospell to all men , and to A comparison betwene Christ & the Pope baptize in the name of the father , the sonne & the holy ghost , &c. the Pope commaundeth hys to hallow Churches , water , bread , oyle , belles , chalices , grene bowghes , candles with such lyke traishe , & to sing Masses for the liuyng , and for the dead , and to apply them to sondry vses , but the pulpit is not greatly encumbred with them , and when they do preach , they preach nothyng els but lyes , as their owne dreames , phautasies , Legenda aurea , a Scripture of their owne inspiration , & theyr owne traditions , decrees , and ordinaunces . Christ ordeined onely two Sacramentes , which two they haue corrupted and added to them fiue , bycause that Christ did not so well know what is meete for his Church as they do , O horrible Gene , 2 presumption . God him selfe when he had created man in Paradise , sayd : It is not good that man be alone , we will make i , Cor , 7 hym a helper . The Apostle s . Paul saith : It is good for a man not to touche a woman , yet to auoyde fornication , let euery man haue his owne wife , & euery woman her own husband . Heb , 13 , ● The Apostle saith , mariage is honorable among al men & the bed vndefiled : but God will iudge the whore masters and adulterers , these wordes are generall and haue regarde to all men and to all estates . Iesus Christ did not onely alow mariage : but did also honor it with his presence In Cana of Galilee . S. Augustine in hys treatise of the goodnes of mariage sayth , in his . 21. Chap. that he dare not preferre the virginity of S. Iohn , before the mariage of Abraham . S. Ambrose in hys first booke sayth . Touching virgins S. Paule sayth . I haue no commaundment of the Lord , but I do counsel or aduise , if the doctor of the Gentils had no commaundement , who is he that might haue any ? And truly he had no commaundment , but he did counsell therunto , for virginitie can not be commaunded , it may wel be desired , for that which is not in our power is not to be commaunded , but it is to be wished for . Origens vpon S. Mathew in his . 24. Homelie sayth . That they which do forbid men to marry , do enforce them to a licentious villeni forbiddyng that which is expedient . The like he sayth of those that commaund abstinence from meates , and such lyke , where vnto the faithfull may in no wise be constrained , he sayth that they lay he any burdens , on the shoulders of men contrary to the wil of Christ : who sayth , My yoke is pleasant & my burthen light & easy . &c. Eusebius in hys Ecclesiasticall historie . 3. boke . 30. cha. reciteth , that S. Clement writyng against such as did condempne mariage , among other thynges sayth , wil they reproue the Apostles : S. Peter had a wife . So had Philippe , Paul also had a wife , as appeareth by one of hys Epistles , in the whiche he is not ashamed , to send salutations to her : whom he sayth he would not carry about the countrey with him , bycause he would be the more ready to preach the Gospell . Many of the auncient fathers were maried as Patriarkes , Prophetes , and Bishops of the primitiue Church . Yet is not the Pope affrayde to say ( and stand agaynst God and Christ ) that mariage is vnclennes , pollution and carnal filthynes , as it is said in the. 4. of the sentences . Dist c. 17. chap. 4. and his decret . 27. Quest. 2. chap. whiche begynneth . Cum societas Tertulian in his prescriptions agaynst the heretikes , sayth . It is not in our power or choise lawful ▪ to bring in , to chuse or alledge for authoritie , that whiche any other hath brought in , or alledged for hys own pleasure : for we haue the Apostles of the Lord for our authors , who haue brought in nothing for theyr own pleasure ▪ nor any new thing , but haue faithfully preached and taught to the nations , that discipline which they receyued of Christ S. Augustine vpon S. Iohn in the. 46. treatise and. 10. chap. sayth , if they whiche sit in the chaire of Moses do teache the lawe of God , it doth then folowe that God teacheth by them : but if they will teache any thyng of theyr owne , heare them not , nor yet do it . &c. And in the. 6. against Faustus . chap. 16. & in the. 18. booke . chap. 12. doth cal by the wordes of Christ ( not onely false Prophetes but also theeues and murderers ) all such as dare preach any other thing to the people of God , them the Canonical Scriptures : & against such he alledgeth the saying of Christ , al those that came before me , are theeues & murderers , S. Paul in his . 1. Epistle to the Galathians doth accurs●e him , that bringeth any other doctrine than that which he hath taught , yea if it wer an Aungell of heauen . Further in hys Epistle he sayth , that whiche I receyued of the Lord , the same also deliuer I vnto you . &c. It is not so with these men , of whom we haue alreadie spoken , they deliuer vnto vs their own traditions , inuentions and dreames in the stead of the worde of God . And I doubt not ( although these men haue nothing in their mouthes but the fathers , the fathers which must authorise the scriptures vnto them ) if the fathers liued in these daies , but they wold be as readye to persecute them as they are to persecute those which in these dayes do professe Christ . Let it be seene , how many of them were which suffered in the late tyme of theyr late persecution that did denie any one article of the Christian fayth , but they did by Gods grace most costantly affirme them , euen sealing them vp with their bloud : examine Theodoret , Epiphanius and Augustine , Fathers of great holynes and doctrine , who haue largely written of heresyes , and let it be seene whether they maintained any one of those which they cite , no not one : let vs see how many Arrians , Anabaptistes Pelagians , Marcionistes , Nestorians , Ebionistes , or any other kind of heretikes they did then execute . I suppose the number wil appeare very smal , for they are al in leage with Sathan . I doubt , not but ( if the Gospell had as fatte a smoking kitchin tyed vnto it , as haue the Romyshe rytes ) we should haue a great number of Gospellers : for this kitchin Seducers of the people is of great effecte among the Romanistes . S. Chrisostome vpon S. Mathew in his . 48. Homelie . chap. 24. sayth thus : There are some which do greatly seduce through lyes & vntrouthes , they preach Christ , they teach the fayth , they haue also churches , orders and elders as the faythfull haue . They do also read the Scriptures of God , it semeth that they geue the same baptisme and the sacrament of the bodye and bloud of Iesus Christ , likewise they honour the Apostles & Martyrs , and by these meanes they do greatly abuse the vnderstanding , not only of the simple , but also of such as are wise . who shall he be that Antichrist shall not be able to shake or moue ? partlye doing the workes of Christ , and the antichristians , fulfilling in a sorte the dueties of christians , vnlesse it be peraduenture such an one as doth consider that which the Apostle sayth : if Sathan can transforme himself into an Angell of lyght , is it then a greate matter for hys ministers to be transformed lyke to the minister of iustice ? whose end shal be according to their workes and not according to their fayned show of Christianitie . S. Hierom vpon the. 9 cha. of the Prophet Osee fayth : I do no● fynde by the auncient hystories that any other haue deuided the Church , and seduced the people of the houshould of God , but onely the Priestes and Prelates , whom God hath appoynted to be the spialles & watch men for the Christians against the enemies of the church S. Bernard in hys Appologie , to william the Abbot sayth . The wals of the Church do shyne , but the pore are in distresse , the stone Wherof the church cons●steth . workes of her , are clothed with gold , but she leaueth her children naked . Isichius vpon Leuiticus . boke . 4. chap. the. 14. sayth They may well bee called the deckyng of the house that doo maintaine it : to witte those orders of men , whiche teach godlynes or godly thynges , for of suche is the Churche made in dede , and not ( as many do thinck● ) of wood and stones . And therfore when in the olde tyme it was commaunded to assemble the church , Moyses did not bring together tymber , stones and such like , but the people , the elders & the Leuits . Saint Chrysostome of his resignation or banishment , Hom. 20 sayth . The church consisteth not of walles , but of the multitude of good people . S. Bernard vpon the Cantique● in his 33. sermon sayth : Now , from whom shal the church hyde her The complaint of Bernard . self , all are frendes and all are enemyes , all are allies and all are aduersaries , al are of the houshold , and none is at quiet , al are neighbours , and euery man seketh his own profit , they are the ministers of Christ & serue Antichrist , they walke in honour with the goods of the Lorde , & yet they honour not the Lord , from thence commeth that beautie of the whore which thou dayly doest see , clothed as players of staige playes , apparelled as a king : of this thou seest the golde vpon their brydles , fadles and spurres , of this are the tables furnyshed with meates and vessells , of this are the dronkennesies and gluttonies , of this proceedeth the harpe & viall , from thence are the flowing wine presses , & the ful sellers : the one equall with the other , of this are the litle boxes and pottes full of swete oyntmentes and sauours , of this are their pursses filled , for this cause wil they be , & ar the princes of the Church , the Prouostes , the Deanes , the Archdeacons , the Byshops and the Archbishops , and such things come not lawfully to passe , but because they walke in the affaires of darknes , heretofore it hath bene spoken of and nowe is the time come and fulfilled . Beholde in peace my bitternes is very bitter . It Esay , 38. d hath beene heretofore bitter in the death of the Martyrs , after that more bitter in the controuersies of the heretiques , & now it is most bitter in the maners of the seruauntes of the housholde : they can neyther be driuen awaye nor auoyded , they are so strong and so infinitely encreased . The wound of the Church is in her entrayles and bowells , and it is incurable , and therfore is her bitternes very bitter , &c. S. Hillarie writing against Aurentius sayth these wordes : I warne Admonition of Hillary , you to beware of Antichrist , you doe to much esteeme the walles , seeking the Church of God in the gorgiousnes of buildinges , thinking that the vnitie of the faythfull is there conteyned , doe we doubt whether Antichrist haue hys seate there or no. The mountaines , the woodes , the lakes , prisons and wildernesses are more assured vnto ●e and more safe , for the Prophets being in them hidden did prophecie . Saint Bernard vpon the. 90. Psalme , and verse 6. sayeth , in maner al the Christians seke their own gayn , & not the gaine of Iesus Christ . And they haue turned ouer the very offices of the ecclesiasticall dignitie , into shamefull and dishonest gayne , and into affaires of darknes , and do not in these things seke the saluation of soules but the pleasures of riches . For thys cause are they rounded , for this cause do they haunt the churches , say Masses an● sing Psalmes . At this daye they striue by proces & go to lawe for Bishoprikes & Archbishoprikes , in such sorte that the reuenues of the Church are vestowed in superfluities and vaine vsages : there resteth no more but that the man of sinne the sonne of perdition be reueled , &c. Saint Bernard in his sermon of the conuersion of S. Paul sayth , O Lord God , those whom we see to couet the chiefe places in thy church and possesse the principalitie : they are euen the first that persecute thee . They haue taken the Arke of Sion , and they haue possessed the castle , and afterward haue frely through the power therof set the whole ci●ie on fyre : their conuersation is miserable , the subuersion of thy people is lamentable . S. Bernard in his boke de consid●r ad Eugenium , toward the ende of his . 4. booke speaketh to the Pope in this sorte : what is it that thy flatterers saye vnto thee , goe to hardely The description of the Romish Court. thou byest them with the spoyle of the churches : The lyfe of the poore is sowen in the gates of the riche . The siluer shyneth in the dirte , men runne thither out of al par●es , the poorest caryeth it not awaye , but he that is strongest , or ells hee that runneth moste spedelye : this custome , or rather deadlye corruption , began not in thy time , God would it might end in the same . In the meane time thou art adourned & decked preciously , if I durst say it , thy seate is rather a close of deuils then of shepe . Dyd S. Peter so : Did S. Paul so mocke ? Thy court doth vse rather to receaue the good , then to make any good , for such as are euill do not amend in thy court , but the good do there waxe worse . Bernard also sayth : Beholde the Ad E●gen . l●b . ●e●tio . common murmure and complaint of all the Churches , they crye out that they are wounded and corne in peeces . There are very fewe or none ar all , who feare not that wound : doest thou aske what wound it is ? The Abbotes are robbed and spoyled by their bishops , the Bishops by their Archbishops . It is a maruell if any man be able to excuse it . In so doing , you do very wel declare that you haue plentie of power , but not of iustice , you do it because you are able to doe it : but the question is , if you ought to doe it . You are ordayned to conserue to euery man his honour , and degree ; & not to be enuious toward him . &c. S. Paule doth rightwell setforth in his colours this Romishe prelate ( whiche will be called Sanctissimus , or most holy ) in his second Epistle to the Thessalonians and. 2. chap. naming him the sonne of perdition , the man of sinne . &c. S. Peter also in his . 2. Epistle and. 2. chap. doth most liuely paynt out the maners and life of this Romyshe rabble of Prelacy . Furthermore in the distinctions . distinct , 34 cap , Lector , glose & distinct , 82 , chap , prisbit . and in the Canon of the Apostles . 17. quest , 4 , chap , Si quis , distinct , 40 , chap , Si papa , distinct , 96 chap , Satis , chap , Simplici , & Incipitis . It is written in these canons , that the power and authority of the Popes is such , that they are able to dispense against the doctrine of the Apostles , agaynst the right of nature , & consequently against the Gospell and woorde of God . &c. O horrible blasphemy . Christ commaunded that none should adde , or diminish from his word , his word must be our guide or Scholemaster and instructor , and yet in these dayes the number will saye , it is not for vs to read the Scriptures , it appertayneth onely to priests , Fryers and Monkes to read & vnderstand the scriptures , as though the kingdome of heauen belonged only to such : truly if that thei which liue as it were in solitary life haue nede to be armed with the understanding of the Scriptures , to heale their wounds which thei daily receiue in the battail of this mortall lyfe , being ●isburdened of a great number of cares , which he is charged with that is burdened with office of Magistrate or of rule in the common welth , and also that he is charged with , that is burdened wyth wyfe , children & familye : he that is in thys sorte burdened shall haue more often occasion to offend the maiesty of God , then he that is not so burdened , wherefore it is the more nedefull that he haue his medicine prepared wherewith to heale his deadelye woundes which he dayly receaueth by meane of sundry occasions geuen vnto him : which medicine is the vnderstandyng of gods word , wherewith he mai assuredly furnish himself against al temptations , as witnesseth the Psalmist saying : The words of the Lord are pure , euen as the siluer which from the earth is seuen times tryed & purified . Eusebius in his ecclesiasticall historye Psal. 12 6. boke . 15. chap. alledgeth the Epistle of Alexander bishop of Ierusalem , against Demetrius , & doth reproue him saying : That which thou sayest in thy letters , affyrmyng that it was neuer sene , nor knowen , that secular & lay men should dispute of the The scripture ought to be had in the vulgarae tounge . fayth in the presence of Byshops : I know not what hath moued thee to affyrme so manifest a lye , for so much as when so euer any is found sufficient & meete to instruct and teach the people , the bishops haue accustomed to desyre them to take the matter in hand , So dyd our brother Neon Byshop , to Euelp● ' in the citye Larande , & the Byshoppe Celsus to Paulin in the citye Iconie , & the Byshop Atticus to Theodore in the city Synnade : and there is no doubt but other byshops do the lyke in their dioces : when they fynde any man mete to profyt the people . Iohn Gerson , a greate pyller of the papacie , in the fyrst parte of hys examination of doctrynes sayth , that the fyrst veritye is so sure , that any symple man not beyng authorised may be so excellently sene & instructed in the holy Scriptures , that men ought to geue more credyte to hys affyrmation in matter of teaching , them to the doctryne of the Pope : for it is playn that we ought to geue greater credyte to the Gospell , then to the Pope : & within fewe wordes after he sayth , that if a generall Councell should be holden , & that such a wel instructed man were present there , if that the greatest number should through malice or ignoraunce declyne and decree anye thyng agaynst the Gospel , such a lay man myght lawfully stand agaynst the whole generall Councell . Panormitan , albeit he were a greate Idolater of papacie , in the chap. significasti , extra , de electronibus sayth these woordes : In matters concernyng the fayth , the saying of a laye man oughte to haue place , before the saying of the Pope , if hys saying bee more probable , and better authorysed by the olde and newe Testament . Sainte Hierome in hys fyrste tome writyng to Marcelle , encouragyng her to goe to Bethleem sayeth : In the vyllage of Iesus Christ there are none but rusticall men , there is nothynge heard on anye syde , but Psalmes : The plowe man holdynge the plow by the tayle , doth singe Alleluya : the haruest man beyng at his labour sweating , doth passe the time in singyng of Psalmes : and the laborer in the vineyard with hys hooke cutting the vynes , doth syng some thynge of Dauid : such are the songes of that countrey , such are ( as men commonly say ) theyr songes of loue . S. Hierome in the proem of his 1. booke of his exposition vpon the Epistle to the Ephesians in the. 9. Tome sayth : All words and al sentences are conteyned in the boke of God , by the which also we know God , & are not ignorant of the cause of our creation . I do not a litle maruell that some haue ben so gyuen to folly and sluggishnes that they would not learne those things which are excellent , but haue thought , & do thinck worthy of blame , al those that are gyuen to such studies : to whom albeit I could make more stricte aunswer , & soone leaue them offended or pleased , I say that it is much better to read the Scriptures , then to be gredy and to fish for riches , and to gather & heay them together . S. Hierome vpon the. 6. chap. to the Ephesians sayth if he commaund the lay men of the Ephesians , & such as be occupyed in the affayres and busines of this life ( as men see among the common people ) to instruct and bryng vp theyr children in all godly discipline and learnyng , what may men then thincke of Ministers and elders ? of whose order and maner of lyfe he wrote to his disciple Timothe saying , hauyng theyr children subiect in all reuerence . &c. Primase Byshop of Vtica , in the countrey of Affricke , & disciple to S. Augustin , writing vpon the. 3. chap. of the Epistle to the Collosians sayth : let the word of God dwel plentuously in you . &c. Hereit it is playnly declared , that the lay people ought also to haue the word of God , not onely slenderly , but also aboundantly , and also that they ought to admonish & teach one an other . Theophilacte vpon the Epistle to the Ephesians the. 6. chap. shewyng fathers & mothers , by what meanes they shal make their children obedient and ready to do theyr commaundement , declareth the cause of theyr obedience , to the commaundement of theyr father saying : fathers prouoke not your children . &c. If thou wilt haue thy children obedient , bryng them vp and exercise them in Gods worde , accustome them to sermons , and say not that it belongeth to Monckes onely to read the holy Scriptures : for truly it is rather the office of euery Christian man , & namely of hym that is occupyed in the affayres and busines of thys world . And the more that he nedeth help , so much the more nedeth he to vnderstand , for he is the more tossed with the sourges and assaultes of this worlde . It shall be much for thy profite , that thy children do heare and read the holy Scriptures : for out of them they shall learne , honor thy father & thy mother , but thou doest the contrary . Thou bringest them vp in the study of the writynges of the heathens and Gentils , out of the whiche they learne very noughty thyngs : which happen not vnto them , if they be instructed in the holy Scriptures . &c. S. Chrisostome vpon Genesis , in his . 5. Homelie . 6. chap. and. 1. Tome sayth : I besech you that we be not negligent as concerning our health , but rather that our talke be of spiritual thigs , and that some one take in his hand the boke of God , and callyng hys neighbours to hym , he do water his owne soule , & theyrs with godly sentences , to the end that we may chase from vs the treasons , and awaytes of the deuil . S. Chrisostome in his . 3. sermon of Lazar saith : I do alwais exhort you , & wil not cease but stil exhorte you to gyue heede , not onely to what is said here , but also when you come home into your houses , that you be continually occupyed in the readyng of the Scriptures : whiche I haue not left to vrge them with in particular , that haue ben conuersaunt with me , and let no man say vnto me ( these wordes are cold and of smal effect ) I am an aduocate or lawyer , I am occupyed in the affayres of the common-wealth : I am a man of occupation . I haue a wife , I haue a charge of children . I am burdened with house kepyng , I am a man of the world , it is not for me to read the Scriptures , but it is for those that haue forsaken the worlde , which dwel in mountaines , & lead a continent & solitarie life . Man , what sayst thou ? hast not thou to do with the readyng of the Scriptures , bycause thou art occupyed with many cares and businesses ? But thou hast greater neede of it then they haue . For they haue not so great neede of the helpe of the Scriptures , as you haue , whiche are tossed & turmoyled among the sourges and wanes of wordly busines : for truly , the Monckes and so litarie men , which dwell in the desertes , are without proces and wordly cares , & haue none acquaintaunce with any , but do Philosophe & study for knowledge in peaceable quietnes and sucetie : and as they were in a sure hauen , haue fruition of things permanent & certaine : and contrarily we ( beyng tossed with infinite wordly cares and busines , as it wer in the middest of the sea ) haue alwayes nede of continual solace and conforte of the Scriptures . They are farre of from the combatte , but thou art dayly in the battayle , bycause thou receyuest many woundes : therfore hast thou greater nede of remedy . S. Hierome writyng to a Lady named Gaudence , of the bringyng Education of youth vp of her daughter ●acatulla sayth : when the litle & yong mayden shall come to the. 7. yeare of her age , and that she begynneth to haue shame , and to know wherof she ought to be silent , & to doubt of that which she should speak , let her then learne the Psalter , by hart , vntyll she come to the. 12. yeare of her age , that she lay vp a treasure in her harte of the bookes of Salomon , of the writinges of the Apostles & Prophetes , writing also to an other good Ladye named Leta , exhorting her to instruct her daughter in the holy Scripture , euen from the cradle , saying thus : let her embrace the booke of God , in the stede of precious stones & sylke , in the which bookes let her delight , not in their goodly couerings of sondry colours , but in the distinct erudicion , being corrected according to the fayth : let her first learne the Psalter , & by such songes let her withdraw her selfe from the world . Let her learn out of the Prouerbes of Salomon to liue vertuously , let her learne out of Ecclesiastes to tread worldly things vnder fee●e , & out of Iob example of vertue and pacience : let the Gospel be continually in her handes , let her thorowlye learne the actes and Epistles of the Apostles . And when shee hathe in thys sorte enriched the Cabinet of her harte with such treasures , let her learne by harte the Prophetes , the bookes of Moses , of the kings , the Paralipomenon , Esoras , and also Hester , & last of al the song of songes , called in latin Canticum Canticorum ; for if she shuld read it first she might be hurt by it , not understanding the holy songes of spirituall mariages , by those carnal phrases : let her auoyd al the Apocripho bokes , let her haue also continuall excercise in the workes of Ciprian , Athanase & Hillary . S. Chrisostom in his . 31. Homeli vpon s. Iohn the. 4. chap. sayth : who is he of vs I pray you , who when he is returned home to his house doth any thing belonging to a Christian ? who is he that searcheth & soundeth the meanyng of the Scriptures : Truly not one , but we finde oftentymes tables and dice , but very seldome bokes , & if any haue bokes , they kepe them shutte vp , as thoughe they had none , or els they employ theyr time in beholdyng theyr braue painted coueringes or fayre figures & letters . &c. S. Chrisostome vpon S. Iohn in hys . 10. Homely . 5. Tome and. 1. chap. sayth : And Gōmoditie of the scripture . you shall be much more sharpe & subtil , not onely to heare & vnderstand , but also to teache others . &c. And within fewe lines after in the same Homelie he sayth , they which ar negligent haue yet an other excuse verye vnapt , to wit that they haue no bookes . This were a very vayne aunswere for the riche to make , but for so much as many poore men do often tymes make this excuse , I will some thyng say to them : and Carelessenesse of the Christians will aske them , if they haue not al theyr tooles & instrumentes , which do belong to theyr occupations & craftes not withstandyng theyr pouertie . Is not this then a great foly to excuse them by theyr pouertie , & yet they so prouide that they want nothing belongyng to theyr occupations , & yet they excuse them selues vpon theyr pouertie & occupations , in a matter which is so commodious vnto them . S. Chrisosto . in his . 3. sermon of Lazar sayth : Seest thou not the workers of metals , gold smythes , siluer smithes , & such like men of occupations , that they haue al theyr tooles redy which belong to their occupations ? & albeit that hunger pinch them , & pouertie afflict them , yet had they rather endure any kynde of these miseries , them to sel any instrument that belongeth to their occupation , by the whiche they liue . &c. S. Chrisostome in the same sermon sayth , that a man may get great holynes and perfection by reading of the holy Scriptures , and the holy Ghost hath so tempered them , that he would haue sinners and Publicans saued : yea & to the end that the Idiots and vnlerned should be without excuse touchyng the hardnes of the vnderstandyng therof , he hath willed that the thynges therin spoken , should be so easy euen at the first sight , that men of occupation & laborers , seruaunts , women , widowes , and such like that are most ignoraunt of all others , might by the readyng therof obtayne vnderstanding . &c. The Scripture is the power of God to saluation , by it we knowe God and Christ , by it we knowe our selues , by it we are taught our duety toward our neyghbour , by it we learn to obei our prince , by it we know the true Prophet from the false : the Scriptures ar to be preferred before al the writings of men , it is the touche stone wherby we ought to examine Ad Regina● derecta fide the doctrines of men . Cyril sayth , it is necessary for vs that we folow the holy Scriptures , & not to swarue in anye thyng that is commaunded in them . S. Ambrose vpon the. 1. Epistle to the Corinthes & . 4. chap. saith : what soeuer is not receiued from the handes of the Apostles is full of wickednes . Cyprian in Sermon ● de lapsis : And how dare they ordeyne and decree any thing without Christ , whose hope and fayth , vertue and glorye is whollye in hym ? Origine vpon Ezechiell Homili . 7. lette vs folowe no man , and if wee will folowe any , wee haue Christe set foorth to vs to followe . The actes of the Apostles are set forth vnto vs , & we know the doings of the Prophetes by the holy volumes , that is a sounde example to folow : & Theophilactus vpon the Epistle to the Romains the last chap. sayth : They whiche bryng any thyng beside the determinations and doctrine of the Apostles , they bryng in offences , heresies and dissensions , Ireneus aduersus Valentini & similium scripta lib. 2. cap. 56 ▪ Leane to the holy Scriptures , which is the sure and vndoubted truth : it is a sure stone wherwith to build : when ye leaue this & cleaue to any other doctrines . &c. S. Augustine in his prologue of his . 3. boke of the trinitie sayth : Obey not my writinges as thou wilte the Canonicall scriptures , for what so euer thou shalt finde in them , that thou beleuest not , the same beleue without douting : but in myne if Authority of the wryting● of the fathers . thou finde any thing wherin thou art not persuaded thorowly , beleue it not assuredly . Againe in his . 112. Epistle which he writeth to Paulm , he speaketh to the like end . Item in his . 2. boke of Baptisme against the Donatists . 3. chap. he saith : you alwayes alledge to vs the letters of Cyprian , the sayinges of Cyprian , why take you authoritie of Cyprian for your Scisme , & refuse his example , to trouble the church ? who is he that doth not well know that the Canonicall scriptures , as wel of the olde as of the new Testament , are conteined within limites which ar certain , & that the same is to be preferred to the writings of al the Bishops , that haue ben heretofore ? so that we may not in any thing doute or dispute of it , to wit whether that all that therin is be true or no , but it is lawfull to reprehend the writings of the Bishops , which were writen before , or which wer writen after the confirmation of the Canonical scriptures , either by word . &c. Moreouer Origene vpon the Prophet Ieremie in his . 1. Howelie sayth : we must needes call to witnesse the holy Scriptures , for without them no man ought to credite our sayings or writings . S. Hierom vpon s . Mathew fayth : That which is spoken without the authoritie of the scriptures , euen as it is spoken , so may it be reiected & contenned : & vpon Ieremie . 9. chap. sayth : The error of fathers & mothers & of auncesters ought not to be folowed , but the authoritie of the scriptures , & the commaundement of God , whiche he teacheth vs &c. And within fewe lynes after he sayth : Assuredly thorowe ignoraunce of the law , men shall receiue Antichrist for Christ . &c. S. Cyprian to Cecil in his . 3. boke of his Epistles & . 3. Epistle saith : yf you do that which I commaunde you . I will not cal you my seruauntes , but my frends . And also that Christ ought onely to be herd , the father hath borne witnes from heauen , saying : This is my welbeloued sonne , in whom I am well pleased , heare him : wherfore , if it be so the Christ onely ought to be herd , then ought we not to looke what any man before vs hath thought good to be done : but that which Christ , who is Christ and not custom is to be followed before all hath done : for we are not bound to folow the custome of men , but the truth of God , for so much as God sayth by his Prophet Esay , in the .29. chap : They honor me in vain , teaching the commaundements & doctrines of men . And again in the Gospel , Mathew . 15. you reiect the commaundement of God to establishe your own traditions . And therfore deare brother , if anye of our predecessors , eyther through ignoraunce or simplicitye , haue not obserued that which the Lord hath taught vs to do by his example or doctrine , that same may be refused , for the symplenes therof , & may through the mercies of the Lord be pardoned him . &c. And shortly after he sayth , if we be the elders & ministers of God & Christ , I fynd not that we ought to follow any but God & Christ , for somuch as he saith in the Gospel of Iohn chap. 8. I am the light of the world , he that followeth me shal not walke in darcknes , but shal haue the Diui●●●um institut . lib. 6. cap. 8 light of life . Lactāti' Firmian ' in his . 6. boke of his godly institutions . 8. chap. sayth : we ought not to follow men but god . The canons & decrees of the Popes in the. 9. distinct . ca. Noli . & cap. Ego , & cap. Negare . & dist. 24 & . 1. quest . ca. Non affermam ' say thus : Men must dwell vpon the holy Scriptures , & not vpon the sayings of men , how holy soeuer they be . &c. S. Chrisostome vpon S. Iohn , sayth in the end of the. 16. homelie : That men of occupation do seeke & striue to be excellent in their occupacions , Gredi desire of corporall things , and carelesnesse of spirituall things . but the christian can not render reason of his religion : & if these handy occupations were not knowen , it were but losse of money , but the contempt of the christian religion carieth with it destruction of the soule , & yet we tranayle in so great miserye & madnes that we bestow in them all our studie & care , but the things which are most necessary for vs , and are most sure fortes of our saluation , we esteme not at all . It is it that letteth the heathens from acknowledging their errour , and causeth them to scoffe at vs : for albeit they are grounded onely vpon lyes , to do al that which they do , & to defend the ignominie of their doctrine , we which serue the truth , dare not once open our mouthes to defend that which is ours : why should they not condemne our great imbecillitie , & haue vs in supicion to be crafty & disceitful ? why should they not speake euil of Christ as of a lyar , who by his fraud should haue abused the simplicitie of the multitude ? we are cause of this blasphemie : for S. Peter in his . i. epistle . 3. chap. commaundeth vs to be alwayes readye to render reason to all that shall demaund vs of the fayth & hope that we haue . And again S. Paul Colo. 3. chap. Pro● . 10. b let the word of God dwell plenteously in you , but what answere make they to that which are more folish then the very fooles in dede . Blessed is euery symple one & he that walketh surely . But that is the cause of all euills , for that : that many know not how to alledge aptly the testimonies of the scriptures : for in this place we may not vnderstand the symple for the foolyshe and for him that vnderstandeth nothing , but for him that is not craftye and melicious . For if it shoulde be so vnderstode , it should be superfluous to say , be ye wyse therefore Math. 10. b as serpentes and symple as doues . S. Ambrose vpon the 2. epistle to Tymothe . 3. chap. sayeth : All scripture geuen by inspiration from God , &c. It is manifest that all Scripture wherof God hath declared himselfe to be author , is profitable , For it is geuen to that end that it shoulde profite the ignoraunt , reforme the deformed , drawing the wicked into al good workes : for , by profiting a litle and litle in newnesse of lyfe , it maketh the man of God , &c. The law of the Lord is perfect , restoring or conuerting soules , the testimonye of the Lord is Collo. 3. b Psal. 19 Psal. 119 faythful and sure , it geueth wisedome to the ignoraunt . The statutes of the eternall are righteous , reioysing the hart , the commaundement of the Lord is pure and doth lighten the eyes . And againe : Thy word is alampe or lanterne to my fete & a light to my steppes . The Prophet Esay in his . 8. chap. sayth , is there any where a people that asketh not councell of hys God ? Should men turne from the liuing to the dead ? If any man want light let him loke vpon the law & the testimonie , whether they speake after this meaning . The lyght of the Ezech , 20. c morning shall not be geuen vnto them . Moreouer the Prophet sayth . Say to the children in the desert , walke not in the ordinaunces of your fathers , & obserue not al their statutes , & be not defyled with their idoles . I am the Lord your God walke in my ordinaunces and kepe my statutes and do them . Eccle. 1 , a Item the fountayne of wisedome is the word of the soueraign Lord God , & the entre into the same are his eternal commaundements . And agayn : Search the scriptures , for in them you thinke you haue eternall life , and they bee they which beare Iohn 5 Iohn , 20 g witnes of me . And Iesus did many other thinges that are not written in this boke , in the presence of his disciples , but these things ar written to the end that you should beleue that Iesus is the annoynted sonne of God , & that in so beleuing you may haue life thorow his name . The holy scriptures are In what recommendacion God hath his Word , full of the lyke sayings . The auncient fathers are full of the worthines of the scriptures . S. Augustine in his . 56. sermon made to the brethren that were in solitude sayth : he that maketh none accompt of the reading of the holy scriptures sent from heauen , ought not onely to feare that peraduenture he shall not receaue euerlasting rewards : but also that he shall not escape the euerlasting punyshmentes , for it is so daungerous vnto vs , not to read the deuine precepts , that the Prophets with great sorrowe exclame & cry out : for that cause haue Esay . 5. c Ose , 4. b 1 , Cor , 14 my people bene brought into captiuitie , because they had no knowledge : for he that is ignorant , shall be ignorant : out of all doubt he that in this world maketh none accompt to seke to know God by the holy Scriptures , God wil not vouchsafe to know him in the ioyes euerlasting , we ought to be a feard to heare ( after that the gates shall be shut ) with the folyshe virgins , I know you not , I haue none acquaintaunce Math , 25 , ● with you : you that worke iniquitie , depart you from me : what meaneth this ? I knowe you not ; I am not acquainted with you , how knoweth he not those that he sendeth to the fyre ? There is neyther of them spoken without cause , for as it hath bene already sayd , suche as woulde not in thys world seeke to knowe hym by reading the Scriptures , GOD will not acknowledge them at the day of iudgement . We ought also not to heare negligently ( but with attentiue eare & fear ) that which is written in Salomon , he that turneth ( sayth he ) his eare Prou , 18 , ● from the hearing of the lawe , his prayer shal be abhominable : wherefore he that will be heard at Gods hand , muste fyrste heare God . For how woulde he that God shoulde heare him when he doth so dyspyse hym , that he maketh none accompte of the readyng of hys commaundementes ? Saint Hierome in the proeme of his Commentaries vpon Esaye , to Eustochius , sayth : therfore I yelde vnto thee , and to hym by thee , that whiche I do owe , obeyng the commaundement of Iohn 5. f Math. 7 ● Christ , who fayth , searche diligently the Scriptures , Seeke and you shall finde : to the end that it be not sayd to me , as it was to the Iewes : ye erre , not knowyng the Scriptures , & the power of God & the wisedom of God : and truly after S. Paul , if Christ be the power and wisedom of God , & he that knoweth not the scriptures , the same knoweth not the power of God nor his wisedon . To be ignoraunt of the Scriptures , is not to know Christ . &c. S. Chrisostome in the Homelie . 29. vpon Benefis , sayeth : There is neyther griefe of body no● mynde in the nature of man , but it may haue medicine of the Scriptures . &c. These are sayinges of great importance , and are true . They are no Legend lyes . They are confirmed by the word of God , whiche is the infallible truth , Then if man know not God , as he ought to do , but by the Scriptures , & that none can be saued , but by the knowledge of God , and Christ : Then must it nedes folow , that ignoraunce of the Scriptures bryugeth with it damnation . I haue alledged here mo sayinges of the fathers , then I would haue done ( & nothyng so many in number as I could haue done ) but bycause the great swarme of aduersaries say , that it is not lawfull or expedient , that euery man should read the Scriptures , but rather that the people should be ignoraunt , affirmyng ignoraunce to be the mother of deuotion : I could haue aunswered it to the full by the woorde of God alone , whiche woorde I thincke to be most sufficient : but bycause these kynde of men before named , wil not accept Christ , to be a true man of hys word , except he haue some of the doctors & fathers for witnesses : Seyng nowe that it hath pleased our good God , in mercy so to deale with vs , as he hath in these our dayes , gyuyng vs such meanes & introductions to the true vnderstandyng of his most sacred worde , as he hath not of many ages done to any nation , let vs now therfore call vpon the name of our mercifull and mighty God , desiring him to strengthen vs , to searche out this truth , and then in dede to practise the same in our lyues : least that he should in his iustice take that excellent Iewell of his worde from vs , and gyue it to a nation that shall bryng forth the fruites therof . I humbly beseche that good God , in the bowelles of his mercy , for hys Christes sake : that he will so direct our lyues , that by our good example , such as he hath not as yet called to the true knowledge of his woorde , may embrace and receyue the same , and so profite therin , that in the ende we may be all of one sheepe folde , vnder the charge of our great shephearde Iesus Christe . So be it .