A little booke of Iohn Caluines concernynge offences whereby at this daye diuers are feared, and many also quight withdrawen from the pure doctrine of the Gospell, a woorke very needefull and profitable. Translated out of Latine into Englishe by Arthur Goldinge.

The woorke of Iohn Caluine concerning Offences , whereby in these daies diuers are feared , & many also quight withdrawen from the pure Doctrine of the Gospell .

AFter that the Lord hadde by many arguments proued him self to bée the very same that shoulde come to saue the Godly , he did not without cause knit vp his saiyng with this sentence : Blessed is he that is not offended in me . Certainly , he not onely knew , that many things were conteined in the profession of his Gospel , from which mannes nature dooth vtterly abhorre , but also he foresawe , that foorthwith by the subtile woorking of Sathan , should spring vp all kinde of lettes and hinderances , that might bringe it either in hatred or suspition of the worlde . And surely it muste néedes be fulfilled which the holy Ghost hath spoken of him , that he should bée the rocke of offence and the stone to stumble at : Not bicause there is in him any iuste cause to be offended at , as wée shall anon sée . But what skilles it ? For this is ( as it were ) his fatall condition , that as often as he offereth him selfe to men , many of them doo stumble at him . The whiche thinge if euer it happened heretofore , we finde at this daye to be trew , by examples almost innumerable . Wherefore we ought so much the rather to call continually to our remembrance , his former warninge , to th intent it may sticke faste in our mindes : least through the stoppes which the Deuill will cast in our waye , we beynge turned from him , might also be depriued of that blessednes which he promiseth to those that are his . But how fewe are there that thinke hervppon ? And on the contrarie parte , how many are to be founde , whiche vnder the colour of offences , doo eyther shonne the Gospel altogether as it were some rocke : or after they haue embraced it , yea and somewhat profited in it , doo afterwarde turne backe againe ? Forasmuch then , as there was no one matter ( in my iudgement , ) wheraboutes I might bestow my labour more profitably , I was not vnwillinge to take vppon me the handlyng hereof : specially seinge I had bounde my selfe by promisse vnto certaine good men so to doo : who cease not to exact my promisse as a dewe dette . Peraduenture it ought to haue bene performed sooner : but in asmuch as hitherto , partly other wrytinges no lesse necessarie , and partely diuers weightie affayres haue helde me occupied , this is soone inough , if it be well inough .

Moreouer , before wée enter into the matter it selfe , we must sée how this title will agrée to Christ , who assuredly is the doore of eternall life , that he should be the stone of Offence , & the rocke to stumble at : & likewise howe it may come to passe , that the doctrine of the Gospel , beyng the onely way to saluation , should continually be matched with so many offences . This shal be made the more euident , if we take our beginninge at the definition of an Offence . And now wheras the maner of liuing appointed to vs by God , is likened to a waie , or a race , which it behoueth vs to followe , hereuppon riseth another Metaphor , that Offences should be called what lettes so euer doo either leade vs awrie from our right course , or stoppe vs by lyinge in the way , or giue occasion of fallinge . Surely of all these , nothing can be imputed vnto Christe , nor to his Gospell . It is the office of Christe to leade vs by the hande , the right way to his Father . Also he is the light of the world , by which we are guided thither : the pathe whereby we come thither : and the doore by whiche we enter . It is the nature of the Gospel , by taking away al maner of lettes , to set vs open an easie accesse into the kingdome of God . Nothinge therefore is more disagreable to Christ or his Gospell , than the name of Offence . This is an infallible rule , that if Christe be estéemed as he is in déede , nothing is more contrary to his nature , than Offence . In likewise is to be thought of the Gospell . But this happeneth through the lewdnesse of men , that assoone as Christe appéereth a farre of , by & by they are wrapped in with Offences , or rather of them selues runne hedlonge into them . Thus is he the stone to stumble at , not bicause he giueth cause of stumbling , but bicause occasion is wilfully taken . Like as the Gospell beynge the doctrine of peace and vnitie , is not withstandinge , the occasion of great troubles and turmoyles , bicause the wicked gréedely take occasion thereof to set all thinges in a broyle . Now it were to much wronge to burden Christ with other mens faultes , as if they were his owne , and to laye all the blame thereof on his necke , as if he were the offender . And that is it that Peter sayeth : Be ye builded into a spirituall house , whiche is a liuely stone , reiected of men but chosen of God , and precious also to you that beléeue : But vnto them that beléeue not , he is the stone whiche the builders refused , the stone for them to stumble at , and the rocke for them to fall against . Behold how Christe offreth him selfe to al men , for a foundation to builde them selues vppon , that they may be the temple of God . Surely here is none Offence . Wherefore then should they be offended ? forsooth bicause like a sort of blind Bayardes , they rushe wilfully againste that thinge , whereon they ought gently to staye them selues .

Yet we sée the malice , or at leastwise the corruption of men is suche , that that thinge which happeneth extraordinarily vnto Christe , followeth as customably , as if it were moste of all pertinent to his Office . Now come I vnto them , who otherwise refusinge not to embrace the Gospell of Christe , woulde neuerthelesse haue it without Offences . I haue to doo with such as are Christians : Would they haue Christe frée from all Offence ? then must they goe forge thée a newe one : For the sonne of God cannot be any other , than of such sorte as he is preached in the Scriptures . Or els they muste alter all mens natures and dispositions , and goe make all the worlde newe agayne . We heare what the Scripture saieth : This is incident , not onely to the person of Christ , but also to all the whole doctrine : neither is it lastinge for a time onely , but it shall continew through the whole course of the doctrine . Howe preposterous then are thei , who in these daies reiect the doctrine of the Gospell now springing vp againe , onely in this respecte , bicause they finde therein the selfe same thinge , that was tolde of before by the Prophetes and the Apostles . And yet for all that , they wil be counted Christians : what if they had chaunced to haue bene in those daies , when the Gospell was first of al newly preached , at which time there was almost no kinde of Offence but it swarmed out of the Gospell ? How soone would they haue seperated them selues from Christ ? how would they haue quaked for feare , least of neuer so slight a touche they mighte haue bene blasted with some infection ? If they saie they woulde not haue done so then : why are they so spicec●scienced in these daies ? why doo they not now also acknowledge the same markes in Christe ? But an Offence is an odious thyng , & to modest natures horrible . Who denieth that ? Neither doo I say that Offences are willingly to be sought after . Let vs shunne them as much as may be . But a Christen mans hart ought to be fortified in suche wise , that what Offences so euer breake out vpon him , he neuer forsake his place , nor swarue from Christe one heare bredth . Who so euer is not furnished with this constancie that he may wade through all Offences vnuanquished , vnderstandeth not yet what his Christendome auayleth him . But it is a harde matter to resiste Offences , specially consideringe our feblenesse & imbecillitie . I graunt it surely : how be it to desire to be priuiledged from that incommoditie , whereunto we sée the moste holy name of Christe & his Gospell subiect , that is vtterly against all reason . Therfore they that at this daye alledge , that Offences are the cause why they dare not giue their consent to the pure doctrine of the Gospell which we professe , but are rather horribly afrayde to come at it , I woulde warne all such to take héede , that in stéede of Christe they set not them selues vp an Idoll . For this must be taken for a sure grounde , that if we will shunne all Offences , we must therewithall also vtterly renounce Christe , who if he were not the stone of Offence , were not the trewe Christe .

Howbeit I know there be fower sortes of men whome Offences withholde from Christe , or at least whiche vnder this colour are enemies to the Gospell . The feare of Offences holdeth many backe conceyued of a certaine naturall modestie , in so much that they dare not ones take a taste of the Gospell . Other some beynge more slouthful and vnapt to be taught , doo hinder them selues rather by dulnesse than by wilfulnes . And there are very many , who beyng sotted with pryde & the vaine opinion of that wisedome which they are farre from , are to themselues an occasion of Offence through their owne arrogancie . There are also which malitiously and of set purpose doo gather togither all Offences , and inuent many newe of theyr owne braynes , and that not so muche for ill will they beare towarde Offences , as for hate of the Gospell , to the intent they maye by some meanes or other rayse a slaunder of it . Yea rather whereas they themselues are the Authours of Offences , of very spight most impudently thei turne the blame thereof al together vppon the Gospell . With such slaunders the bookes of Sadolet , Eckius , Pyghius , Cochlaeus , and such like , ar to be séene throughly fraughted . The first and seconde sorte are to be dealt withall somwhat more gently : but the thirde and fourth sorte are to be entreated more sharply . For what point is it , I say not of humanitie , ( for what humanitie can ye looke for at this cruell beastes handes ? ) but of honestie , to obiect reprochefully against the sonne of God , the thinges for whiche they them selues are altogether to blame ? But wee will looke better vpon these things afterward , my minde was onely at the beginninge , to admonishe my readers what kinde of men I purposed to deale with : to th intent they might thereby iudge , what they had to looke for in this litle booke . The weake and vnskilfull shall finde here , wherwith to arme them selues for the ouercomyng of all Offences . The wicked shal finde as much as shall suffice to disproue their abhominable slaunders . It is a greate matter that I promisse , but I trust I shall satisfie indifferent Iudges . For it is not to be hoped that I shoulde heale the diseases of all men . And I haue alreadye condemned him of greate folly , if any man will endeuer to bringe to passe , that Christe shoulde not be a stumblyng blocke to the wicked . The Scripture muste néedes be fulfilled , which hath tolde before that it shuld come so to passe . And I doo not looke that this my trauell shoulde woorke any other effect , than that their rage shoulde be more and more inflamed . But I haue respect to the weakelings , whose faith , as the wicked sort goe about to shake down . so it behoueth vs ( as it were by puttinge vnder our handes ) to stay it vp . As concerninge them that be desperate , it sufficeth me if I may represse their malapertnesse , or at leastwise if I may brynge to passe , that the infection of their poyson maye spred it selfe no further .

And for asmuch as what matter so euer a man entreateth of , distinctions are wonte to giue great light vnto it , I will here make a briefe distinction betwéene the chiefe kindes of Offences , which haue bothe troubled the course of the Gospell from the beginninge , and also doo hinder it at this day . Therfore of Offences , ( if it séeme good ) let vs cal some inward , which ( at leastwise as men suppose ) springe of the Gospell it self : or although they grow otherwise , yet are they almoste euer annexed vnto it . And let vs call other some outwarde , as springing out of heades altogether straunge and remoued from the Gospell . Of the first kinde are those , that haue their beginning as it were enclosed in the very doctrine of the Gospel . Paule saieth , that the Gospell is foolishnesse to the worldely wisemen . The whiche is trewe : not onely bicause the homely and vnpainted simplicitie therof is had in derision by them , but also bicause many thinges are therein conteined , whiche to mans iudgement are not onely very absurde , but also very toyes to laughe at . For wheras it is preached that the sonne of God , who is eternall life , did take our fleshe vpon him , & became a mortall man : and that by his death was purchaced vnto vs life , by his condemnation our rightuousenesse , by his curse our saluation : it abhorreth so muche from the common sense of men , that the sharper witted any man is , the sooner he casteth it of . And now seinge the Gospell spoyleth vs of all prayse of wisedome , vertue , and rightuousnes , leauinge nothinge to vs of our owne but vtter shame , it cannot otherwise be , but it muste greatly offende vs . For suche is the pryde of our fleshe , that no man will willingly suffer those thinges to be wrested from him , with the vaine imagination whereof we are all puffed vp . Herevpon riseth a most sharpe conflicte . These thinges also touchyng the deniyng of our selues , the crucifiyng of the olde man , the despisinge of the world , the embracing of the Crosse , howe sore doo they with their sharpnesse Offende vs ? But the experience hereof is yet farre harder , when the faith is tried by persecutions and other calamities . Besides these , there are other thinges also , whiche partely séeme vnto mans reason Paradoxes and thinges full of absurditie , as the thinges we spake of first : and specially doo minister occasion of crabbed questions , whiche anon after doo also hatche as many Offences , that is to say , innumerable . Such is the doctrine of Predestination and other like .

Of the seconde sorte are these : that as soone as the Gospell springeth vp , by and by followe turmoyles and seditions : the wickednesse of many whiche before was hidden , is discouered : many sectes and monstruous heresies vnhearde of before , doo swarme vp : many doo proudly take occasion of more licentious libertie : many of the professors , by the filthie example of their life , doo shame the doctrine it selfe : some whiche for a time séemed very feruent , doo not onely waxe lazie , but like most horrible rebelles doo vtterly fall from Christe . Moreouer the Deuill by wonderfull craftes , setteth together by the eares , good & otherwise sincere , teachers of the truth , to the intent through their infirmitie to caste some slaunder vppon the doctrine . Furthermore bicause that of the very newnesse thereof , others take libertie to be bolder than they should be , it is ordinarie also in new matters beyng , yet scarsly settled in dewe order , to marke whatsoeuer is done amisse . In this forme let these and such like be .

The third sorte doth partly consiste of surmised slaunders , and partly springeth of the vnthankfulnesse of men : while they fetche from a farre sundry accusations , whiche they malitiously and falsly charge the Gospell with , to the intent therby to make it hated . Many also of them that are counted faithfull , beyng intangled with men of an other , and almoste cleane contrary profession , while they séeke meanes to nourishe fréendshippe , are caried away with ambition , as with a tempest , that they had rather caste of the Gospell , than dissent from the common trade of liuing . Seinge therfore , that I muste encounter with so many and so sundrie monsters , it was néedeful to make this said distinction , before & it had bene for none other cause but this : that if the infinitenesse of the matter would not suffer all thinges to be rehersed particularly , the Readers might yet haue recourse to the generall . Therfore to the intent I may beginne to entreate of the firste sorte , it falleth ill out for the highstomacked men and suche as are giuen to statelinesse , that the holy Ghost vseth a homely and base kinde of speakyng in the Scriptures . And such as are accustomed to elegancie and finenesse , doo either refuse or lothe this rude style cladde with no colours of Rhetoricke . In this behalfe I like not to make the defence whiche other haue intreated of : namely that such disdeine riseth of vnskilfulnes , for asmuche as Moyses and diuers of the Prophetes were as fine in their owne language , as the Philosophers and Orators which are with high commendation and best likinge red amonge the Gréekes and Latines . For although it be knowen to be so in déede , to suche as are skilfull in the Hebrew tongue , yet notwithstanding in asmuch as Amos is no lesse a Prophet than Esay , & that Ieremie obteined the same degrée that Dauid had , of whome not withstandinge , the enditinge is not a like eligant , but rather the stile of Ieremie sauoreth of a Townesman , and the stile of Amos hath a smatch of a Herdman : I willingly confesse , that the holy Scriptures wherin the heauenly Philosophie is wholly conteined , are voide , not onely of the florishinges of Rhetoricians , but also of such meane garnishynge , as euen the meaner learned sort doo looke for . But they are ouer squeymishe , that finde the lesse sauour in them for that . And such as vnder this pretext doo abase the authoritie of them , are to vnequall and malitious . Paule doth not onely graunt that he wanteth eloquence , but also preacheth it openly and glorieth in it , ought his doctrine doctrine therfore to be the lesse set by ? Nay , rather , wheras is no floorishing of woords to bleare the eies withall , there he warranteth the strength of the heauenly wisedome to shine the better . Neyther dothe he teache any other thinge vnto the .iiij. chapter of the firste Epistle to the Corinthians , than that the faith is then verely , dewly founded in the wisedome & poure of the holy Ghoste , when the mindes are not seduced with finenesse of enditinge & wittie handlinge of the matter . And this doth euery one of vs know for a certentie , by the assured experience of our faith . Surely if the doctrine of Iohn or Paule were painted with the colours of Demosthenes or Cicero , it might peraduenture haue more grace to allure the Readers , but of weight to moue the consciences , and of woorthinesse to purchace it self authoritie , it should not haue the hundreth part that it hath . For the Maiestie of God vttereth it selfe there liuely : in so muche that they are compelled , who so euer readeth it , ( onlesse it be suche whose mindes the Deuill hath astonied , ) to thinke that it is euen God that speaketh vnto them . And therefore they are to dullwitted , which take no taste nor sauour in the Scriptures , bicause thei finde there no enticementes of speach . But what if God will perce the hart through & through , rather than with pleasant tinclinge , delight the eares ? For wheras Paule , saith that the treasure of the Gospell is bestowed in earthen vessels , to the intent the power of God maye more cléerely appeare in the weaknesse of men , it agreeth very wel to our present purpose . Thus much I may lawfully take vpon me to say : that there are no disputations of the Philosophers so suttle , whiche are able more strongly to perswade : no thunderinges of the Oratours , that are able more vehemently to moue affections : than is the simple & rude stile of the scripture . For who seeth not , how by the wonderfull prouidence of God it is so prouided , the in a base kinde of speaking , the effectuall woorkyng of the spirit should nakedly much better shew it self . They wil néedes haue their eares delighted with the swéetenesse of Eloquence : But God who formed mans tunge , will stammer with vs . Howbeit in his stammering he thundereth : and beareth him selfe with as hault & stately a grauitie , to subdewe mens mindes , as if the cunningest of all Oratours , should out of the treasorie of his arte , put foorth of his best stuffe , what so euer he had there in store . This way Paule teacheth spirituall thinges to be applied to spirituall thinges : and we our selues doo cléerely sée , how mightie , Gods playne and simple truthe is of it selfe . Men are then to stately , if for so small a matter as this is , they disdaine to Reade the Scriptures , or thinke the authoritie of the heauenly doctrine , to be therefore of lesse importance . But let vs suffer than to haue stil their owne delight . And as for our owne selues , if with the eares of our harte we harken to God when he speaketh , the rude & vnpainted speache shall so little offende vs , that it shall rather lifte vs vp to consider the maiestie of the spirite , appearinge in the same . For so ar the treasures of wisdome to be digged vp , whiche Paule admonisheth vs to be hidden in Christe . And hereof ( if any man will ) he maye finde somewhat in the firste Chaptre of mine Institutions , where I dispute of the authoritie of the Scripture .

Now , to the intent we may procéede to the curing of Offences of this sorte , is it méete I should frame a newe prouinge from point to point , of the opinions which are not delightfull to mans reason ? In good faith that were an endlesse matter , seinge those thinges may be fetched both out of mine and out of other mens trauels . And besides that , it were an vnprofitable labour , to alledge the testimonies of the Scriptures for this purpose . For what shall it auayle me to declare the diuinitie of Christe plainely out of the Scripture , to suche kinde of men . Uerely they will boldely reiect what so euer I shall bryng . Yea rather this is a cause why they reiect all the whole Scripture , by reason that in their opinion , it semeth to be an absurditie , as often as they méete with any thinge that liketh them not . And therfore they séeme then moste wise in their owne conceites , when they laughe our simplicitie to skorne , in that by assured faith we embrace those thinges , whiche not onely wante proofe to the outwarde senses , but are also to mans iudgement incredible . What idiot ( say they ) would suffer himselfe to be perswaded , where he seeth no reason to leade him . To foolish were I , if I would stande in contention with them , by such reasons as the sharpenesse of mans witte atteyneth too . For wheras we beléeue that Christe was manifested to be God in the fleshe : Paule confesseth the same to be a misterie , farre remoued from all perceiuerance of man . What then if they would obiect vnto vs that it were an absurditie , and that we out of hande did readely wash our hands of it , in such sort that they should be compelled to stande dombe , onlesse they wold impudently barke against vs : yet coulde I not bring to passe , but that they would counte vs more dulheaded than any Idiotes , that would hange onely vppon the bare Scriptures , in the debatinge of so weightie matters . Wherefore I will turne me to those that are tempted with such kinde of stumblinge blockes , but are neuerthelesse as yet curable .

Unto such I will minister none other Medicine , than that whiche Paule hath prescribed , namely that they learne to be foolish to the worldwarde , to the entent thei may be able to conceiue the heauenly wisedome . We meane not by this foolishnesse , that men should haue their wittes altogether dulled or amazed , neither do we bid , that such as are learned in liberal sciences , should cast away the knowledge of them : or that suche as are endewed with handsomnesse of witte , shoulde become brutish , as though he could not be a Christian onlesse he were liker a beast than a man . The Christian profession requireth vs to be children , not in vnderstandinge , but in malice . Howbeit least any man shoulde brynge into the schoole of Christe , an affiaunce either in his owne witte , or in his owne learnyng : least any man either swellyng in pride , or ouercome with lothsomnesse , should by and by put from him that which is laide before him , before he haue throughly tasted of it , if we doo but offer our selues willinge to be taught , we shall finde here no let at all . But they that are wise ( I saye in their owne conceites only ) to them their owne pryde is cause of fallinge . And why so ? Bicause the sonne of God hath so muche abased him selfe , as to become thy brother , and ioyne his eternall Godhead to thy mortall fleash , shall that be a lette to thée , that thou shouldest not come vnto him ? wilt thou withdrawe thy selfe the further from God , bicause from his vnmeasurable heighte he hath humbled him selfe to come downe to thée ? what if he shoulde call thée vp into the heighth of heauen , whereto there is no accesse for thée of thy selfe ? how couldest thou make waye to him so farre of , that arte offended at hym beynge so néere hande ? But thou sayest , it is a monstruous thinge to thée , when thou hearest that God is become mortall . And what other thing is that else , than that God beynge immortall dwelled in our mortall fleashe ? For the matter itselfe crieth out , that this thinge was not in vayne preached of Iohn , howe there was séene in him suche glory , bothe as was méete for the Sonne of God , & also as shewed no darke token of his owne Godhead : onlesse it were thy pleasure to deuise monsters , thou couldest surely finde no monsters here . Our faith hath , that God tooke vpon him a bodie subiect to death . Here thou hearest a Misterie whiche thou oughtest to honour , and not a tale to scoffe at : nor a Monster to starcle at . Rather impute it to thine owne vnthankefulnesse , that thy wonderinge at so inestimable a grace , swalloweth not vp all thoughtes repugnant vnto it . I know these thinges are spoken in vaine vnto many . Neither is it hidden from me , what a laughynge they make at vs , bicause we séeke for life in the death of Christe , grace in his curse , and rightuousnesse in his condemnation . Uerely ( say they ) so floweth colde water out of a burninge fornace , & light springeth so out of darknesse . And hereuppon they conclude : that nothinge is more foolish than we , which hope for life at a dead mans hande , whiche aske forgiuenesse of a condemned person , whiche fetch the grace of God out of one that was cursed , & flie for refuge to the Crosse , as to the onely authour of euerlastinge saluation . And therewithall laughyng at our simplicitie , they thinke them selues very sharpewitted . But I say , they wante the thinge which is chiefest in trew wisedome : that is to witte , the féelinge of the conscience . For what maner of wisedome , what maner of Reason , what maner of Iudgement is it , where the conscience is dulled ? But whereof cometh all this , that they should so abhorre the principels of Christian Religion ? but that the Deuill hath altogether so sotted them , that they are touched with no feare of Goddes iudgement , nor conscience of sinne ? I said a little before , that there was none other way for vs to come to the wisedome of God , than by becomminge fooles to the worlde . But of this humblenesse , like as of all the rest of our Religion , the foundation is conscience and the feare of the Lorde : the whiche beinge taken away , in vaine thou endeuorest to make vp the buildinge . Therfore , who so euer will easely vanquishe all the kindes of Offences by me mentioned , let him no more but enter déepely into him selfe . For assoone as he shall acknowledge his owne wretchednesse , the way as well for him vnto Christ , as for Christ vnto him , shal by and by be paued & made leuell . The voice of the Prophet crieth , prepare yée the waies of the Lorde . And what other thing is meant by preparyng of this way ? but that men knowinge in how great distresse they were , should beginne to long after Christ , whome heretofore they lothed standynge in theyr owne conceite . By the same meanes also we prepare vs a way vnto Christ : yea rather , that same godly longynge of ours , shal be to vs in stéede of horses & shippes , to carie vs saufely ouer al letts . For like as to the atteininge of the higher sciences , is requisite a fine & well furnished witte , so to this heauenly Philosophie , is requisite a subdewed minde . For what taste can there be , where as is lothinge ? what accesse can there be , where the hart is enclosed & locked vp with yronly hardnesse ? In vayne therefore shalte thou talke of Christe , sauing vnto such as being vnfeinedly humbled , doo féele how great néede thei haue of a redéemer , by whose benefite they may escape the destruction of eternall death . As many therfore as will not wilfully be deceiued and so perishe , let them learne to begin with this lesson , to know that thei haue to do with God , to whome they must ones giue an accompt : Let them also set before their eies that iudgement seate whiche maketh euen the Angels to tremble . Let them thinke that the Deuil is harde at hande to accuse them . Let them herken to their owne conscience bearyng witnes against them . Let them not harden their hartes against the prickes of sinne , & then there shal be no daunger for them at all , of finding any thing to be ashamed at in the death of Christ , or to scare them from him with the slaunder of his crosse , or finally to withdraw them selues from him for any let . Of this thinge ye may behold a very goodly image in the woman of Samaria . Who as longe as Christ disputed with her of the misticall drawinge of the water of life , was pleasantly disposed to prattle with him & to ouerthwart him , & was pretely bold to dally & iest with him : but assoone as he had ones touched her conscience , by casting her in the téeth with her whoredome , by & by forgetting her merie conceites , she reuerently acknowledged him for a Prophete , whom newly before , she sticked not to disquiet with her taunts . Therfore whosoeuer is offended by Christ , for ioyninge his Godhead in one persone with the Manhood , or whosoeuer thinketh it an absurde thinge , to séeke lyfe at him that was dead , and to call the cursed Crosse the wellspringe of all grace and saluation , lette vs assure our selues , that they are therefore offended , bicause that beynge vtterly voide of the feare of God , they haue no taste at all of the spirituall doctrine . Wherefore let not their astonishment be a stumblinge blocke to vs , but rather let vs be carried from the humaine nature of Christe , to the glorie of his Godhead , whiche maye turne all curious questions into admiration : let vs de directed from the death of Christe , to his glorious Resurrection , whiche may wipe away all the slaunder of his Crosse : lette vs passe from the weakenesse of the fleshe to the poure of the Spirite , whiche may swallow vp all foolishe thoughtes . Sure it is that Paule was endewed with suche an vnderstandinge , when he saide thus : I am not ashamed of the Gospell of Christe , for it is the poure of God to the saluation of them that beléeue . For by these woordes he meaneth that none are ashamed of the Gospell , but suche as take not holde of the healthfull power thereof : moreouer he declareth by and by after , that it cannot otherwise be taken holde of , than when the wrath of God is made manifest to our destruction . Who can now maruell , that meate hath no fauour with them , that haue no taste ? For who so euer is so astonied , the he sléepeth soundly beyng touched with no reuelation of the wrath of God , he differeth nothing in the acknowledginge of Christe , from such as in discerning of sauours , haue their taste taken from them . As for suche men , we are not wonte to passe so muche of them , that any of vs would therefore lothe our meate , bicause they refuse it . But this kinde of Offence , which riseth likewise out of the doctrine , is more violent and more common : bicause that whereas of Nature we like well of our selues , and woulde haue all our owne thinges to be had in high estimacion : we finde nothing left vnto vs there , sauyng vtter pouertie of all good thinges . For there al the wisedome of men is condemned of follie , and their rightuousnesse & vertue is brought to a thing of naught . Now this thing seemeth so intollerable to our proude fleshe , that for very spight they gnashe their téeth , as many as haue not learned to denie them selues . For men are euer desirous to kéepe somewhat of their owne : & albeit that in some behalf , thei giue place to God against their willes , yet they can by no meanes abide , that al should be taken from them at ones . At the beginning they séeme very wise : they are puffed vp with trust in their owne power : & they like well of their owne rightuousnesse . Afterwarde beinge admonished by God : & partly also conuicted by experience , they finde that their wisedome stackereth , and that their power and rightuousnesse halteth . And yet they cannot by any meanes be perswaded to beléeue , that they are vtterly destitute of al wisedome & rightuousnes . And what other thinge is this , than as it were by composition to parte stake with God ? Now the Gospell pronounceth that light whiche we imagine our selues to haue , to be vtter darknesse : and it in such sorte leaueth vnto vs no droppe at all of rightuousnes , that is pronounceth it to be stinkinge filthinesse before God , what so euer we bringe of our selues . Hereat the worldly wisemen begin to chause , & the hipocrites become madde . And this was the chiefe cause , why at the beginning of Christes kingdome , all the sectes of the Philosophers , together with al the politicke gouernours , did set themselues so earnestly against the Gospell . For they might not endure to haue their owne wisedome defaced , which thei themselues honored as an Idoll , & for the which thei knew themselues to be had in great reputacion . Wold God the auncient Doctors had made lesse curtesie to offende suche kinde of men . For while they studied to make medicines to asswage their maladie , thei left vnto vs a watrish and vnkindly péece of diuinitie . Origen , Tertullian , Cyprian , Basill , Chrysostome , and the reste of that order , would neuer haue spoken so of their owne frée motion : but whiles they sought a mitigation to appease the worldly wisemen , or to auoide their displeasure , thei confounded heauen and earth togither . To bring man altogither vnder foote , was a hatefull thing , & repugnant to common reason : & therfore they séeke a mitigation approchyng nearer to the fleshly vnderstadinge : but in the meane time , the purenesse of the doctrine is prophaned . Nothing then had bene better , than to haue crushed the byle harde , to the intent iudgement might be giuen by the filthinesse of the matter . But nothinge is more euident , than that men haue alwayes bene stirred vp with outragious pryde , to make adoo agaynst the Gospell . The same cause also moued the Iewes to that beastly rage , wherewith the Euangelistes , & specially Luke and Paule , doo witnes them to haue ben caried . For they stroue in defence of their rightuousenesse , whiche was nothinge els than smoke , and yet it séemed to them more precious than Christe . Both of them ranne with might and mayne to assaulte the Gospell : but the Iewes ranne more furiously : whereby it might manifestly appere , that nothinge is more spightfull than the Hypocrites . Of this Offence Christ him selfe speaketh generally : when he saieth , that the children of this world doo hate the light of the Gospell , least their euill woorkes should appere . For were the Gospell put awaye , then as though the light were cléerely quenched , the deceitful and transitorie wisedome of the fleash shineth in darkenesse , and reigneth like a Prince : and counterfeite holinesse spreadeth her winges proudely euery way about her . But assoone as Christe the onely Sonne of rightuousnesse , with the brightnesse of his Gospell sheweth him selfe , those thinges which heretofore occupied the chiefe roume of honour , doo not onely vanishe away , but are as little sette by as dunge . This verely is the grounde of all their griefe : This is that stumblinge blocke , whereof Paule speaketh in another place , that goynge about to stablish their owne rightuousnes , they haue not bene subiect to the rightuousnesse of God . Whiche thinge also we sée this day by experience . For ye shall see fewe that are puffed vp with the perswasion of their owne rightuousnesse , but they be obstinate enemies of the truth . As for the Hypocrites , they rage against it like madde dogges , euen to the death . And what other cause had Bunell to turne from the Gospell , but that beyng a man borne to ostentation , and standinge to much in his owne conceite , he coulde ill abide to be made fellowlike with his inferiours ? This one man I haue named for examples sake , woulde God he had not many like vnto him . But what is there for vs to doo ? Let vs suffer them to fall against the stumblynge stone , that the like may happen to them , that happened in times paste to the Iewes : whyle they endeuour to stablishe their owne rightuousnesse ( saith S. Paule ) they are exempted from the rightuousnesse of God , and so it commeth to passe , that they perishe in their owne blindenesse . Lette vs , I saye , offer our selues emptie and naked vnto Christe willingely , to the entent he may fill vs with his goodnesse , and clothe vs with his glorie , & then shall this kinde of stumblynge blocke be abolished .

But I should take in hande as it were to lade out the Sea , if I woulde searche out and reherse in order , all causes of Offences , whiche wretched men make to them selues out of the doctrine of the Scripture , to their owne destruction . For they stumble , not onely throughe rashnesse when they méete with any difficulte thinge , but they make their vagaries wilfully and of set purpose through all the rough places , as though they had none other pleasure , but to wearie their witte about crabbed questions . What so euer hath any likelihode of absurditie be it neuer so little , that gather they busilie and sifte it narrowly , least they shoulde séeme ouer light of credite . Also if there be any likelihoode of disagreement & contrarietie , as there semeth to be in many places of Scripture , that catch they holde on gréedely , and heapinge together all suche maner of testimonies , they make a boastinge of their owne sharpe witte . This kinde of men are troubled with a disease almost incurable . For wheras they are ashamed to be ignorant in any thing , yet may they find in their harts to learne nothinge . But forasmuche as with their braggyng they many times wounde the consciences of the simple , & suche as otherwise would be apte inough to be taught , it is néedefull to touche this parte of offendinge lightly in fewe woordes : not bicause they can be remoued with fewe woordes , against whome a longe volume would not fuffise . But first & formest we are all to be warned , that in readynge of Scriptures we kéepe that waye , whiche the spirite of God sheweth : whiche assuredly shal be plaine and leuell vnto suche as aspire to Christewarde . Secondly that we couet not to be , or to séeme to be wittie , in writinge knottes of questions . Lastly , that we doo not by and by caste it vp , if we finde any thinge vnknowen or darke to vs . This is a vice woorthie no small rebuke , that the ignoraunce of many , makes them by and by to burste out into lothinge . But surely he giueth small reuerence vnto God , whiche denieth that to be his woorde , whatsoeuer his witte doth not reache vnto . For what else is this ? than to measure Gods infinite wisedome by our small capacitie of vnderstanding , whiche were as muche as to measure the whole worlde with one fingar . But if we graunt the Scripture to haue procéeded from God , lette vs not maruell that many things are conteined therein , which are farre aboue our capacitie . Finally in Godlinesse , this is the meane & order of beyng wise : to striue to get right vnderstandinge through the obedience of faith .

Of the Offence that springeth of the sharpenesse & painefulnesse of the Crosse , and the seueritie of the doctrine , our Lord speaketh in the Parable , where he likeneth the Gospell vnto sowynge of corne . For , suche as fayle when persecution approcheth , he likeneth to the corne that sprange vp , but had no roote . And those in whome the doctrine is choked with cares of this worlde , he likened to corne growen vp amonge thornes , whiche hinder his fruitefulnesse and ripinge . These kindes of Offences doo somewhat differ : howbeit for auoiding tediousnes , I comprehende them both vnder one kinde . We heare Christe tell all his Disciples , that euery of them must take vp his crosse . We heare him exhortinge them to abide all kinde of hatred , daungers , and reproches for his names sake : We heare him giue warninge , that it cannot otherwise come to passe , but that we shal be hated of the vngodly , and that afflictions muste follow vs continually in this world . We heare him declaryng , that all they are blissed , which suffer persecution for the truthes sake . This is the greatest stumblinge blocke that maye be to fleashe and bloud . For of nature , we feare the Crosse all of vs . And therefore many for this cause doo starte backe , who else woulde willingly embrace the Sonne of God , yf they coulde seuer him from the Crosse. But whereof commeth this Offence , but of our owne tendernesse ? Christe commaundeth vs to die with hym , that we mighte be partakers of his life : by accompaniynge him in his Passions , he is minded to brynge vs to his glorie . It is no vnequall condition , if there were any equitie in vs . But many woulde fayne haue Christe , to bée a gloriouse Christe , buriynge the mention of his Crosse , whiche cannot be . And yet not contented therewith , they laie the faulte whiche is in them selues , vppon the pure Doctrine . So in times paste , the Capernaites cried out that the sayinge of Christe was harde , when the hardenesse was in themselues and not in the sayinge : Doo we maruell if the Sonne of God woulde haue his Disciples hartie , and not meycockes and womanlike ? Doo we maruell if he woulde haue his Antesignes caried by them , and commaunde them to fighte vnder his banner ? Nexte cousin vnto this disease , is that other whereof I haue spoken . For deniynge of the fleashe is so troublesome a thinge , that it feareth many from enteringe into Christes schoole , and thrusteth othersome quite out of doores , that were alreadie entered . They will metely well endure to heare original sinne , and the common vices of nature disputed vpon : Thet can well finde in their hartes , that the grace of God and the benefites of Christe should be set foorth with dewe prayse : but when it commeth to healing of euery seuerall mans diseases , bicause the medicine is sharpe , they stubbornly refuse it : so ye may sée many , to whome the Gospel was pleasant at the firste taste , whiche thinke it too too bitter assoone as it hath pricked theyr consciences . Uerely , seing the woorde of God is a sharpe twoo edged swoorde , and seynge the properties thereof is , not onely to reproue and reprehende by outwarde meanes , but also to searche to the bottome of the harte , to perce thorowe all the marye , to discerne betwéene affections and thoughtes , and finally to sacrifice the whole man vnto God : these folke cannot abide to haue their woundes touched : Some desire to haue libertie left them to steale : some to get by extortion : some to follow whoredome : and some to haunt riottynge and excesse . All couet to runne the race of their vanitie without checke . What wonder then is it , if they turne themselues from Christ ? But some man will say , this is to shewe the cause of Offence , but not to take it away . I answeare , that the disease was first to be declared , to the entent that remedie might afterwarde be sought . The nicenesse of mennes mindes was to be corrected , rather than clokinges thereof to be sought , whiche coulde nothinge further vs , and yet nourishe vice . But it is a high matter . Who denies that ? notwithstanding we must striue , and that not by our owne strength , but by the strength of Christe : who as he sendeth vs out to the battell , so also he furnisheth vs with armour and weapon to winne victorie . O , if we vnderstood what auaileth this saying : Blessed are they that suffer persecution for rightuousnesse sake : how easie were it for vs to winde our selues , not onely out of this Offence , but also of all other , whatsoeuer the worlde and the fleshe séeke to enforce vpon vs . Persecution is so troublesome to thée , that thou startest from Christe . And why ? Forsooth bicause thou knowest not what Christe maye auaile thée . The care of this present worlde carrieth thée away : and that is bicause thou hast no taste of the worlde to come . Couetousnesse burneth thée : verely bicause thou knowest not yet , which are the true riches . Thou arte drowned with ambition : bicause vndoubtedly thou knowest not to glorie in the Lorde . Gluttonie , fleashly luste , pompe , or other vaine delightes entice thée to forget thy God : and that cometh to passe , bicause as yet thou art ignorant of that swéetenesse , whiche the Prophete testifieth to be layed vp for them that feare God . Finally , it is no maruell though there be fewe true Christians to be founde , bicause there are few that haue learned that Christe is so much woorthe , that all thinges els are to be counted as dunge . But another place will serue better for exhortations . Here I muste so intreate of Offences , that it maye appeare to whome they ought of righte to be imputed . But why doo I make such a disputinge of euery mannes priuate miseries , seynge the state of the vniuersall Churche dothe containe in it farre greater occasion of Offence ? First , it neuer shineth with suche outwarde beautie , that the senses of men may discerne therein the kingdome of God . Secondely , if it happen at any time to grow to some meane state , by and by it is either oppressed with the violence of Tyrantes , or it decayeth of the owne accorde : so that it continueth but a very small time . Herupon it commeth to passe , that in all ages proude men did either despise , or slaunderously misreporte the true Religion . We sée howe arrogantly Cicero taunteth the lawe of God , bicause the Iewes had so ill successe . By this one man ye may giue iudgement at all . And to the intent I digresse not to farre , what is the cause that many at this day abhorre the sincere profession of the Gospell ? but that they sée vs to be fewe in number , and of small authoritie , and of no power at all : wheras they wonder to sée all thinges contrarie on the behalfe of our aduersaries . And surely as the worlde goeth nowe a daies , it is no maruell though the state of the Churche beynge so misordred as it is , doo feare them awaye : and that the gloriousnesse that shyneth in our aduersaries doo dazle theyr eyes . But none other doo stumble at this Stone , neyther doothe this stumblynge blocke kéepe any backe , sauing suche as acknowledge not the kingedome of Christe to be Spirituall . For suche vnto whome neyther the stable wherein Christe was borne , nor the Crosse whereon he hunge , is a lette to woorshippe him as their Kinge : they shall neuer despise the lowly state of his Churche . All menne confesse in woorde , and of necessitie muste confesse , that it is moste agreable to reason , that in the forme of the Churche , as it were in a Glasse , shoulde appeare the liuelie Image of Christe . And when Paule reasoneth of the similitude of the head and the members in the sufferance of the Crosse , all men agrée therto . When he saieth we muste all die with Christe , that we may be partakers of his life , no man speaketh against him . When all the whole Scripture compareth this present life to a warrefare , and teacheth that it is full of diuers sortes of conflictes , they consente that all this is trewe and right : and therefore the name of the Militant Churche is so commonly knowen , that ye shall heare it euen in childrens mouthes . But assoone as it commeth to the pith of the matter , as though thei had forgotten all thinges , thei shunne the image of Christe , as it were some monster that they neuer hearde of . Howbeit , if their longyng should be graunted them , that the Churche shoulde by all meanes enioye prosperitie , that it should florish in welth and power , that it should haue continuall peace , and finally that it should wante nothinge that might make the state thereof most fortunate and happie , should it not appéere to be an earthly kingedome ? And then the Spirituall kingedome of Christe were to be sought for els where . Or rather the Churche should be vtterly separated from the head . But let vs remember , that the outwarde shewe of the Churche is so contemptible , to the intent her beautie should shine inwardely : & that it wauereth so on earth , to the entent it shoulde haue a stedfaste seate in Heauen : and that it lieth so torne and ruinouse before the world , to the entent it shoulde stande sounde and florishe before God and his Angels : and that it is so miserable in the fleshe , to the entent it should the rather haue her felicitie layed vp in the spirit . In this wise when Christ laye despised in the Oxestall , the Angels songe his excellencie in the cloudes : the Starre in Heauen bare witnesse of his glory : the wisemen perceiued his power in a countrey farre of . When he hungred in the desert , when he stroue against the illusions of the Deuill , when he sweate droppes of bloud , the Angels agayne did minister vnto him : when he was nowe readie to be bounde , he compelled his enemies to fall backewarde with the only woorde of his mouthe . When he hunge vppon the Crosse , the Sunne by loosinge his lighte , shewed openly that he was Kinge of the worlde . The sepulchers openinge , confessed him to be Lorde of life and death . Nowe if we sée Christe throughe the despightes of the wicked , proudely dealte with all in his bodie , oppressed with cruell Tyrannie , made a laughynge stocke , drawen violently hither and thither , none of these thinges as vnaccustomed ought to abashe vs : but rather we ought to call to minde , that the Churche was ordeined for this purpose , that it should continually goe a warfare vnder the Crosse , as longe as it wandereth in this worlde .

But if we were handsome and indifferente interpreters of the woorkes of God , the thinge whereat we take occasion to be offended , shoulde be the beste comfort for vs that coulde be . For wheras the state of the Churche is for the most parte miserable , and alwayes vnstable , or rather for asmuche as it is continually tossed with diuers stormes as it were in a roughe sea : firste the Lorde giueth an euident token of his wonderfull prouidence : and secondely it is a profitable and as muche necessarie exercise , for the triall of our faithe and patience . If the Churche were so founded , and altogither fortified , that it might staye vppon the owne power , it shoulde differ nothinge from an earthly kingedome : neither would any man doubte that it were gouerned by mans pollicie , if it had stoode all at one ordinarie stay vnto this daye . But when we sée that through ( as it were ) innumerable deathes , it hath neuerthelesse continued aliue so many hundred yéeres , it can none otherwise be , but we muste néedes gather , that it was preserued by the power of God . This greate power of God , other circumstances doo make more manifeste : in that when it was assaulted on all sides with deadly daungers , wherwith oftentimes it might haue bene ouerwhelmed , maugre welnéere the whole worlde whiche wrought the worste it coulde againste it , it alwaies scaped as it had béene from shipwrecke . I say nothinge herein whiche any manne may not easely acknowledge in him selfe , who so euer will sette before his eyes the Histories of all times . This is an olde complainte of the Church , that it hath béene assaulted oftentimes from her youth vp , and hath had the vngodly her vtter enemies : that they haue ploughed vppon her backe , and drawen longe furrowes vpon her . By this voice , the spirit of God would rayse vp the godly sorte , that lie gronynge vnder moste greuous miseries , to the entent that runninge through all degrées of ages from the beginnyng of the worlde , thei should know that the Churche hath alwayes ouercome by sufferance . Heruppon ought we to set our mindes continually : to the entent that if at any time the present state of our time doo trouble vs , the remembraunce of those thinges whiche our fathers haue suffered in time past , may refreshe vs . And therefore it shal be expedient , to haue a description of all times gathered togither , to the entent that euery one of vs may from thence set before our eyes , examples méete to asswage our miseries , as often as the race and néede shall require .

Howbeit ere I procéede any further , it is néedefull to note wherupon so many and so sundrie chaunges whereby the Church of God is oftentimes turned and as it were whéeled about , doo arise . The knowledge of this thinge is not to be fetched from farre & obscure coniectures , seinge the continuall starting of men from God , hath broken the course of his grace , whiche otherwise had bene continuall : whiche thing ye may vnderstande almost from the beginnyng of the world . When Moyses speaketh of Seth and his sonne Enos , it is there recited that at the same time , the name of God was begonne to be called vpon . Whereby we vnderstande , that the true worshipping of God , ( which in the cursed ofspringe of Cain was in maner vtterly decayed ) was restored anew againe , that it might thriue & florish in the world . Scarce eight generations passed , when all the posteritie of them whom God had segregated to himself for his owne children , had throwen themselues in such wise into all kinde of wickednesse , that with themselues they destroyed by floud of water , all the whole world defiled with their abhominations . At such time as the Church was brought to eight persones , it séemed then at leastwise so purged , that the little séede whiche remayned , should of it selfe bringe foorth nothinge but pure holinesse . And yet anon after , it diminished almoste by the fourthe parte . The posteritie of Iaphet also , within a while after fléeted awaye . There remained no more but the householde of Sem , the whiche it selfe ere it was any longe time , grewe out of kinde also : so that God did worthely exclude from him a greate parte of it . When the Ofspringe of Abraham , beynge by wonderful power brought out of Egipt , had passed the redde Sea , and was goynge towarde the lande of Promisse , who would not of luckie beginninges haue iudged that there shoulde haue ensewed a continuance of a happie state ? Notwithstandinge , euen the very same , in whose deliuerance God had shewed so manifest a proufe of his power , made no ende of sinninge , vntill suche time as by horrible meanes , they were all destroyed in the wildernesse . At length the children of them toke possession of the said lande : but yet suche a possession , as wel néere in sixe hundred yéeres after , had no stabilitie , bicause they themselues throughe their owne falsenesse and vnconstancie , did eftsoones trouble it . Neuerthelesse the Lord did diuers times restore them to a tollerable order . All the which notwithstandinge , neither the remembrance of their first deliuerance , nor the rodde that was laide vpon them , so oftentimes to chasten them , nor the present féelinge of punishments , nor the often pardoning of them , could kéepe them in awe , but that by shakinge of the yoke of God , they procured newe mischiefes to themselues . Moyses had tolde them before how it would come to passe , that when they were fatte and well fedde , they would kicke againe : but the thing in déede was farre woorse , what doth the storie of the Iudges reherse , but continuall backeslidinges ? Wherefore if any be offended at the sundry shakinges , wherunto they sée the Churche subiect in this worlde , let them caste their eyes vppon that Glasse , and they shall leaue wonderinge to sée them haue vncertayne abidynge vppon Earthe , who with so great vnconstantnesse of faithe doo wauer before God . After that the Kingedome of Dauid was erected , there séemed a more certaine & grounded kinde of a state like to continewe , to haue bene stablished . But that lamentable slaughter of the Pestilence , which by the space of thrée daies after a monstruous maner raged in the worlde , abated greatly that felicitie . By and by after the death of Salomon , the bodie of the Realme was deuided , and the torne members ceased not afterward to byte one another . And moreouer both Kingdomes were miserably turmoyled by forraine warres . Shall we say their destenie drane them thereunto ? Nay rather they themselues through their sinnes enforced and hastened the vengeance of God . For euen wherein they séemed most innocent , namely whyle Dauid goeth through with numberynge of them , bicause it was the peculiar faulte of one man : yet the holy Historie saieth plainely that God was wrothe with them all . At length followed that greate conuersion little differinge from vtter destruction , when all the whole Nation was led captiue to Babilon . But surely if their owne desperate stubbornnesse had not driuen them hedlonges , they had neuer come to this point of miserie . Their returne after thréescore and tenne yeres , was vnto them another birthe . Notwithstandinge , as soone as they were returned home , streight waies forgettinge so greate a benefite , they degenerate againe into sundrie kindes of naughtines . Some defiled themselues with Heathen mariages : some ( to vnworthely to speake of ) defrauded God of his tenthes and first fruites . Other some settinge light , and neglectyng the buildinge of the Temple , were wholy occupied in makinge gaye houses , & bestowed excessiue costes thereabout . This was too to foule an vnthankfulnesse , and suche a one as euery man must confesse ought not to scape vnpunished . And therfore , that they enioyed not tranquillitie and prosperous fortune any longe time togither , they themselues are in the faulte . Nowe since the time that Christe the author of peace and of all good thinges shewed himselfe to the worlde , men might assuredly haue felte how certaine and well fownded the felicitie of his eternall Kingedome is , if they would haue suffred him to reste amonge them . But the worlde was neuer shaken with more cruell tempestes of warre , nor neuer drowned in so manifold & déepe a sinke of euils . The cause wherof is not hidden in such darkenesse , but that by searchyng it may easely be founde out . At the time that Christe was borne , there was peace and singular quietnesse euerywhere . Fortie yeres after , or theraboutes , his Gospell was spred through diuers coastes of the worlde . After it was published farre and néere , sodainly as though fortune had chaunged her copie , thinges beganne to be on a turmoile euerywhere . And wherof came so sodeine alteration , but that God for the contempt and refusall of his Gospell , how muche the sooner , so muche also the more manifestly , reuenged so great vnthankefulnesse . Therefore , when lewde men charged the name of Christe with whatsoeuer euill happened in those daies , it was an easie matter for the godly teachers of the Churche , to disproue their so tryflinge slaunders . And why not ? For when Kinges and their people had despised the peace whiche God offred them , was it not righte and reason , that they shoulde be sette together by the eares , that one of them mighte wounde another to the death ? And what can continewe in order amonge them , who refuse to submitte themselues to God ? I speake not onely of the open enemies , which haue wilfully striued against the wholesome doctrine of Godlinesse , but also of them that haue professed them selues Christians , howe coldly and disdainefully many of them , and with how false dissimulation othersome haue kissed Christe . Suche as are offended at the examples of Gods seueritie in this behalfe , woulde be as readie to finde faulte with him , if he shoulde holde his hande . But onlesse it grieue vs to open our eies , to whomesoeuer God at any time manifested himselfe , we shall sée that they onely were the let that their own felicitie was not placed in saulftie to endure a longe time and of great continuance : and that they became miserable through no other meanes , saue their owne faulte . We knowe that Ierusalem was the Fountaine from whence Saluation flowed into the vttermoste boundes of the Earth . All the sayinges of the Prophetes had promised to it full instrauration at the cominge of Christe . Neuerthelesse it fell out farre otherwise . For whereas it retained scarce a thinne shadow of the auncient woorthinesse , it not onely within a while after loste that that remained , but was vtterly caste downe also and made a waste wildernesse . What is the reason that no man trauelleth in séekinge the cause of so monstruous a ruine , but that the desperate wickednesse of that nation , dothe openly crie out that the same was the cause thereof ? Rome was neuer plagued with so many cruel slaughters in so shorte a time , as it hath bene since the Gospell came thither . Howe came it to passe that the kingedome of Christe could haue no stedfaste continuaunce in that Citie , wherein the lawlesse luste of the commonaltie had borne swinge so longe time ? wherein wicked parttakinges had reigned ? and at length also intollerable Tirantes had borne authoritie ? Undoubtedly bicause that when God brought the Medicine of his Gospel thither , as the vttermost remedie against so many deadly diseases , they like persones that had sworne their owne destruction , prowdely reiectinge it , ceased not to fall from woorse to woorse . The very selfe same thinge , we may marke in this our age . Within these fewe yeres when the Churche beynge as it were new borne againe , had had a glorious beginninge , we sawe it soone after slide downe and carried backe againe . Howbeit before the Lorde laide this punishment vppon vs , we saw the Gospell diuers and sundry waies euerywhere filthely abused : in so muche that the sodaine turninge vp of thinges that happened , is not so greately to be wondered at , as Gods longe sufferance in bearinge with the prodigious wickednesse of our time . Amonge so many thousande men as to outward appearance had very gladly denied the Pope , and professed themselues Gospellers : how fewe I beseche you , fell to amendement of their vices ? Nay rather what did the greater part pretende , but that when the yoke of superstition was shaken of , they might more licentiously giue themselues to all carnall libertie ? Albeit therefore that they confessed the doctrine of the Gospell to be trew , yet where was there one amonge a number , that submitted his necke vnder the awe thereof ? Was not this as muche in effecte , as to treade vnder foote the inestimable treasure of our Saluation ? And surely the sharpnesse of the punishement that ensued so wicked a contempt , ought rather to put vs in remembraunce of the preciousnesse thereof , than to engendre in our mindes absurde opinions of the casuall afflictions of the Churche . But rather it is to be wondered at , considerynge our so great vnthankfulnesse , that any parte of the woorke remaineth which God hath begonne .

Now wil I returne to my purpose , from whence I haue by little and little made digression : That God is hereby better knowen to be the kéeper of this Churche , bicause it hath alwayes bene miserably vexed , than if it had florished amonge the greatest commodities , in peaceable ioye and tranquillitie . At suche time as the name of God was begonne to be called vppon in the householde of Seth , ( as Moyses declareth ) no doubte but the Ofspringe of Cain , like as they were mo in number and bolder in al mischiefe , so also they vaunted themselues ouer proudely against them , beinge both few and giuen to méekenesse . How then could the Lambes haue any while continued saulfe amonge the Woulues , if they had not bene shielded with the helpinge hande of God ? Afterwarde also , continually from time to time , as the wicked sort grew in malice , so grew they in power & abilitie to hurte : shall we say they stoode by mans power & policie , who liued like persons ouerwhelmed amonge so many outragious beastes ? Onlesse peraduenture any man will surmise , that the Giantes were of modestie restrained from doinge harme to the godly that were in their daunger , of whome they knewe themselues abhorred , as an adulterous ofspring . At length remained but one man with a smal household , who beyng commaunded by the Lorde to builde the Arke , by the space of a hundred and twentie yeres together , prouoked against himselfe the ragynge madnesse of them , that were altogether out of their wittes against God . For in séekyng a new kinde of Sanctuarie to saue his owne life , he threatened destruction openly to them all . How often ( may we thinke ) that he , beynge prouoked with their raylinge and lewde behauiour , did earnestly stande in contention with them on the behalfe of Goddes rightuousnesse ? nowe in suche a number of cruell enemies , muste he not haue stande to the hazarde of as many deathes , onlesse he had bene deliuered by the hande of God ? Recken hereunto that if he had not bene sustained by the power of God , he had of himselfe a thousande times euery yéere come to nothinge . Afterwarde ensueth a greater and more heauenly miracle in the Arke , that being depriued of skie and ayre , he founde lyfe no where but as it were in the graue : he had not where to draw the breath of life , but where it was vnlike but he should be stifled to death : and finally that he coulde not otherwise abide in the worlde aliue , except he departed out of the worlde . When God had after a sort renewed the worlde , nowe putting vp the head out of the floud , there followed within a while after a greater and more noysome floud of vngodlinesse , which ouerwhelmed all Nations . Neither was this of tenne monethes : but raginge a longe continuance of yeres , it gathered such strength , that the very household of Sem the holy treasurehouse of God , had like to haue béene swallowed vp , but that Melchisedecke with a fewe other retayninge the pure worshippynge of God , stoode vprighte and not disceaued amonge innumerable waues : whiche was the onely waye for him to swimme to lande . God to the entent to saue Abraham , was fayne to leade him out of the déepe whorlepoole of Idolatrie . Moreouer beinge brought into the lande whiche was appointed for his inheritance , he so wandred in it , that one whyle he was driuen to make contention for water , and another while he was faine to remoue otherwhere for the famine . In the Courtes of two Kinges , he could finde none other shift to auoide the daunger of death , than by settinge as it were to the spoile , his owne wife more deare to him than his life . The same , and also more sharpe troubles , did his Sonne and his Sonnes Sonne endure daylye amonge cruell and sauage people , as it were among wilde beastes , not without perill of their liues . Certainely he muste be woorse than starke blinde , that dothe not plainly beholde the hande of God , in the defence of their welfare . And it is not without cause , that Dauid giueth a singular commendation to this ayde of God , whereby they were in faulfgarde : when he saithe , that Kinges were forbidden to hurte the Lordes anoynted , or to trouble his Prophetes . They were few in number : they were aliantes and vnknowen men : they wandred like Pilgrimes from place to place , they were enuironed rounde aboute with falseharted and outrageous people : they had no moment of time frée from some newe kinde of daunger . I confesse this was a disdeinfull sight for prowde men , and almoste shamefull to . How be it as I saide before , In this disdainefulnesse as it had bene in a Glasse , did better appeare Goddes extraordinarie defendinge his Churche . Yea rather it is more euidently to be séene , that the Churche hath not béene saued out of one floudde onely , but that it hath also neuerthelesse continued many ages , floting from time to time in continuall waues of euilles .

Anon after followed the bondage in Egipt , whiche had smally differed from an vniuersall shipwrecke , but that God put too his helpinge hande in time . I will omitte the reproche & ouer grieuous burdens that were layed vppon them , in that they were kepte like slaues to moste vile and filthie woorkes : and that they were oppressed with suche excessiue miseries , that they had muche adoo to take breathe . But when Pharao had commaunded all that issue male to be vtterly destroyed , who would not haue saide that the matter lay a bléeding ? The Midwiues lied , to the entent they would not become furtherers of the kinges crueltie . Finally Moyses himself who afterwarde should be the deliuerer of the people , was put in a wicker basket , and cast at the banke of the riuer . The welfare of the whole Nation lay in despayre , and the very name of them séemed to be vtterly blotted out . Howe wonderfull then shall we iudge this miracle of God , that they which might haue bene tenne times consumed , doo not only remaine saulfe , but also doo accomplishe those incredible procéedings wherof Moises maketh report . But here the lewdnes of man sheweth it selfe to malicious , in regardinge the woorkes of God . For if they heare of any thing greater than thei can conceiue , done by God for the helpe of his Churche , they reiect it as a Fable . What so euer is common and otherwise customable , they despise it , affirminge it either to haue happened by chaunce , or at leastwise to haue bene brought to passe by mans power and pollicie . If the state of the Churche be lesse prosperous & ioyfull than they looke for , by & by they take occasion thereat to be offended . And therfore bicause Moyses reporteth that the gréeuous and slauish worke of brickemakinge was laide vpon the wretched Iewes as it had bene vppon brute beastes : that their issue male was from the mothers wombe deliuered , cruelly called for to be slaine to death : that thei fledde priuely away by 〈◊〉 out of order with Iewels that they had borrowed , like a sorte of rascalles : all this séemeth vnto many an vncomely thyng and against the honour of the Churche . Yea wheras he reporteth Iacob and his householde to haue bene courteously entertained of Pharao , and that he was gently vsed , and placed in the best pasture countrie , they impute it wholy to good fortune , whereas the same one householde is saide to haue growen to a greate people ere it was any longe time after : whereas the same Moyses declareth , that so many Miracles were wrought by God , for the deliuerance of the outcaste and forlorne Israelites : bicause it was more than coulde be beleued they scoffe at it as a feigned thinge . To the entent therefore we may bringe pure mindes to the consideringe of Goddes woorkes , we muste firste purge them of this leudnesse borne and bredde in them of Nature .

Least I may séeme to frame an historie , ( which is no parte of my present purpose ) it suffiseth me lightly , & as it were by the way to touch the examples of Gods prouidence in preseruinge his Churche , whiche are woorthie to be decked and set out with glorious enditinge . Albeit ( to saye the trueth ) the order of this woorke , suffereth me not to touche the tenthe parte of them , neyther is it a matter so greatly requisite : so be it that the Readers maye by these fewe knowe this one thinge whiche I intende : namely that howe muche the Churche was more oppressed vnder the Crosse , so muche the more notable was the power of God in liftinge it vp . From the first enteringe of the people into the lande of Chanaan , their owne vnbeliefe was the onely let why they possessed it not frée from enemies and in quietnesse . Afterwarde it was assaulted with continuall inuasions of enemies . Furthermore , when their power was decayed and brought vnder foote , it laye open to the spoyle and to be wasted . Moreouer it oftentimes chaunged maisters , whiche neuerthelesse conspired all in one , who might make moste hauocke of it . In so muche that it maye be a wonder how in so many and so cruel destructions hanginge ouer it , it remained vndestroyed . Surely after the Arke of the Lorde was taken , there was not an inche bredth betwene it and vtter despayre : it was scorged with an excéedyng greate slaughter : almoste all the flowre of their manhood perished : beynge scattered and dispersed , they minded nothinge in the worlde but weepinge and lamentinge . Howbeit , while , for the grieuousnesse of their euilles , they sought not any remedie , firste was giuen them a little breathinge time : afterwarde vpon the sodaine beyonde all hope or expectation , helpe shone vppon them from Heauen . At suche time as Saule was slaine , the like destruction honge ouer their heads , when Dauid in the twinclinge of an eye restored thinges decayed . If continuall successe of peace and prosperitie had followed them , the rare felicitie of that people mighte haue bene sette out with greater commendations , but so many helpes which God wonderfully sent them , coulde not so well haue bene knowen . Afterward when tenne Tribes had rent themselues from the bodie , such a breake , specially amonge many enemies lyinge continually in the winde , to hurte them whensoeuer occasion serued , séemed to threaten present destruction . Anon after the Israelites degenerated into straunge customes , and for the same cause they were after a sorte banished from the householde of God : as for the remnant whiche is counted the Churche of God , no man woulde thinke it shoulde stande longe . And surely that people was oftentimes brought to such an afterdeale , that beyng paste all hope of recouerie , it stoode in a maze lookinge for vtter destruction . In the time of Achaz when twoo moste puisant Kinges assayled euen Hierusalem it selfe , all the Countrie was turmoyled , as it had bene burninge with twoo fires at ones . Achaz beynge beside himselfe for feare , was like enough to haue bene confounded at the first assault of his enemies . But sodeinly without mans helpe that greate fire was quenched and the smoke alayed . Did not ( thinke you ) the glory of God shew it selfe with full blaze in this deliuerance ? At what time Seanacherih had inuaded the kingdome destitute of defence , he furiously set vppon the fearfull Citie , nothinge furnished to make resistence : Ezechias the Kinge was in maner like a prysoner , there was no way to escape out , there was no helpe within , there was no succour to come from els where : now , while the enemie vauntinge himselfe ouer arrogantly is drawen another way , dothe not this so sodeine alteration contrary to all hope , shewe that it is true whiche was spoken before by the Prophet Esay ? that God had in a readinesse a waye eyther to tame that cruell beast , or to holde him shorte ? But wheras anon after puffed vp with a new victorie he returneth againe , the Lorde shewed another manner of proufe than this of his grace and power in raysinge the siege . For he calleth him not from thence by men , either withstandeth his assaultes , and cutteth of his attemptes in the middes by ordinarie meanes : But with suche a slaughter as neuer was hearde of by the hande of an Angell , takinge his army from him in one night , he driueth him naked & despoyled by shamefull flight farre out of Iewrie , whiche he helde with a great Hoste like a conquerour . Assuredly this one déede is a sufficient example , that nothyng sometime is more expedient , than that the Churche should be pinched with vtter distresse , that it may learne to thanke the wonderfull power of God for her saulfe deliuerance . And double vnthankfull were we , if we put a veyle wilfully before our faces , to blemish the sight of Gods fauour toward his Church , when as God himselfe setteth a cléere mirrour thereof before our eyes .

Now there cannot almost any deformitie of the Churche be fained so vgly to the sight of the worlde , as the banishment of Babilon . The cruell sackynge of all thinges , the foule destroying & wastinge of the Countrey , the castinge downe and defacinge of the Citie by fire and furie of the enemie , the horrible ouerthrow of the Temple , the vnwoorthie spoylinge of the holy furniture thereof , how great libertie of vauntinge might they giue to the enemies ? And the thinges that I haue now reckened , doo shewe how arrogantly the Chaldies behaued themselues . By all likelihoode the worshippinge of God was euerywhere rayled and scoffed at in al mens mouthes . Howbeit these things were but as certaine preparatiues . The people beynge ledde to Babilon , was like a dead carkesse as it were laide into the graue : sauinge that this difference there was , that the torne members were scattered asunder , leaste they shoulde growe together agayne . There was no house of God any more , there was no Sanctuarie , no inklinge of Goddes seruice , no solemne assemblies , no nor so muche as the name of a Churche . And to the entent there shoulde wante no spight that might be deuised , the holy vesselles were set out for a show in their proude and vnpure feastes . Yea and the crueltie was so outragious , that it became treason to call vppon God . But this so excessiue heapinge togither of all mischiefes , maketh the power of God to appéere more manifest in restoringe the welfare of his people . First of all , in that Daniell and his felowes were from bondage aduaunced to such preheminence , as hath seldome bene séene , to the entent they might somewhat relieue their miserable oppressed brethren : It is by this example apparant , that the Church euen when it séemeth vtterly abandoned , is neuerthelesse cared for of God . In that the thrée holy men whiche were cast into the fornace , scaped saulfe and sounde againe out , there appeared a token very woorthie to be had in remembraunce , of the deliuerance of the people , which shortly after should ensue . As for the returninge it selfe of the people , it was no lesse to be wondered at , than a certaine rising agayne from death whiche had neuer bene hearde of : so that the faithfull might iustely boaste in the Psalme , how they were at that time like men in a dreame . Nowe , in that saulfe-conduct is giuen by the Kinge , that the Temple is builded againe at the Kinges coste , that men were forbidden to doo the Iewes wronge by proclamacions vnder greuous penalties , we may be ashamed not to acknowledge God the authour of these thinges , seinge they were miracles to so many vnbeleuers . It is not to be saide how much the consideration hereof may auaile to the furtherance & encrease of our Faith . Wherby is conuinced the vnthankefulnesse of them , that in so well ordered a Theatre of the glorie of God , doo make to themselues a stumblingblocke to pitch vpon . Moreouer at their returne into their countrie , sodainely they were increased by wonderfull meanes , as wel in number of menne as also in Riches . This also is no obscure miracle of Gods power , specially forasmuch as their enemies gaue them no respite to recouer . For we knowe they were beséeged with so many enemylike hostes , as there were nations borderinge rounde about them . But to the entent that vnder the Crosse the extraordinarie defence of God might shine the brighter , within a while after they were so troden vnderfoote and forworne with continuall mischieues one in anothers necke , that their vtter destruction was apparant . Under the Empyre of the Persians , albeit that their state was tollerable , yet notwithstandinge like shéepe appoynted to the slaughter , they were now and then at the pointe to goe to the shambles . Least Alexander should powre out his outrageous wrath vppon them , he was restrayned by warninge from Heauen . But when he was dead , & the Kinges of Syrie and Egipte , like sauage beastes burnyng in madnesse tare one another a péeces , and that there was no end of their outrage and crueltie one against another , who woulde haue hoped that a nation lying in the middes betwene them , & set open to the lust of them both , should haue continued longe ? And surely it coulde not haue stande , beynge brought vnderfoote with so many and so great mischaunces , onlesse it had had God to kéepe it , & had bene stayed vp with his hand . At length vnder the cursed tirannie of Antiochus , beyng as it were drowned into a déepe whorlepoole , it had not so much as a sparcle more of lighte in al the whole world . All the countrey swimmed in innocent bloud : Hierusalem was couered with horrible heapes of Carkesses , as it had bene with pauement : In the temple was placed an abhominable Idoll : The ordinances of God beyng abolished , the Heathenish & vnkindely ceremonies & customes of the Gentiles vsurped the Soueraintie : al the holy bookes were throwen into the fire , to the intent that the truth of God should vtterly passe out of the remembraunce of men . Who durste ones open his lippes ? Nay , whosoeuer did but sigh for sorrow , and not rather defile himself with traiterous dissimulation , he was foorthwith drawen to the Butcherie . The Machabies with a handfull that they had gathered together of themselues , lurked in caues of mountaines , wanderyng in penury among the wilde beastes . Notwithstandyng , in that in so great an afterdeale , there remayned yet a remnant of godly men whiche should afterwarde come abroade againe , who can say but that thei were preserued by the wonderfull prouidence of God . In that the bookes of Moyses & the Prophets escaped vnhurte out of those flames , who can impute it to mans kéepinge ? Finally the Historie of those times dothe muche more certainely testifie vnto vs the prouidence of God in defendinge his Church , than if he had gloriously & stoutely triumphed ouer all people in the world . Other turmoiles also that happened afterward , doo set the same thinge before our eyes to beholde . For although that euen to the comminge of Christe , sometime by outward warres , sometime by inwarde discorde , and sometime by the wickednesse of Barbarous Princes , the Iewes were continually vexed and racked as it had bene vppon a whéele : Yet notwithstandinge it came to passe through the singular benefite of God , that the Church held her owne still amonge these troublous turninges . Here may come to our rememberance so many holy men , yea and women , who were fayne to swallow vp the vnwoorthie miseries that I haue reckened . Some that liued till they were very olde , were driuen of necessitie to trace the longe and manifolde mazes of euils , and at the laste to die sorowfully , when they sawe no ende of them . Surely these were stumblingblockes that mighte put them out of the right race , and yet trauelinge through by faith , they followed constantly their vocation . Nowe therefore ought their hartie courage to be vnto vs not onely as a wagon to ease vs of our wearinesse , but also in stéede of winges wherewith wée maye flie ouer the highe rockes , and the busshie and combersome wooddes , and also all other stéepe & rough places . And the ioyfull fallinge out of these thinges , which are witnesses to vs of Gods faithfull carefulnesse in preseruinge his Churche , if they take not from vs all sence of offendinge , we are more nice and squeymish than we ought to be . Yea rather this kinde of lothinge is not tollerable , if in the plaine path we through our owne leude imagination , doo caste stumblingblockes in our way .

But if in his olde people the misfortunes and calamities of the Churche had alwaies this goodnesse in them , to bringe the helpe of God out of hand with them , and the greuouslyer they were pressed with the Crosse , so muche the more euidently God shewed that the Church was raised by his hande , and vphelde when it was raysed : we may much more plainely sée the same vnder the reigne of Christe . If the Churche through continuall successe in peace had enioyed a florishinge and pleasant state , since the Gospell beganne to be published to the worlde , vndoubtedly this had bene an vsuall order after the maner of man , whiche all men would haue passed ouer in disdaine . But seynge that against so small and contemned a handfull , by and by boyled out the hatred of all nations and al states : seyng the name of a Christian was of longe time euerywhere so hated and detested , that euery minute of an howre it was in all places at the point of destruction : seynge crueltie was euery where by sundrie meanes executed against al them the durst giue neuer so light & slender an inclinge of Christianitie : seyng the whole world conspired to put out the remembrance of them from the earth : and that the Churche neuerthelesse after a sorte continued from time to time : here doth appéere a certaine vnwonted power , and a certaine secrete woorkinge , whiche cannot be expressed . This I saye : when the dennes of wilde beastes in forestes and mountaines were Christian mennes Churches : when they coulde no where dwell in saulftie , and that they were vtterly slaundered and hated of all men : who would not haue bene afraide to haue professed the Gospell , excepte he had bene stirred thereto by the spirite of God ? And yet from time to time , many , euen with strife of set purpose to take vppon them suche dispight , flocked willingly into that miserable & slauishe feare . Assoone as any one had professed Christ , he was not onely caught to be put to death , but cruell tormentes were also sette before him : there was no pitie of sex , there was no pitie of age . Was it not more than wonderfull , that any were found , whiche would be Christians of the price ? Assoone as any one was taken , he was streightly examined if he had any fellowes . If at any time whyle he was in tormentes the partie that had with others conspired the death of the Tyranne , helde his peace , because he would not bewraye his fellowes , all menne wondered at his constancie . In so many prouinces , in so many Cities , doo not the innumerable examples of kéepynge promisse to the vttermoste , witnesse that their tounges were gouerned by God ? And whereas in euery man seuerally , yea and oftetimes in weake women too , the whole welfare of the Churche laye in ieoperdie , surely therein was a notable Miracle , that all had not within a while bene vtterly rooted out . And yet amonge so many abatementes , not muche vnlike to destructions , it ceased not algates to spreade further . And that was truely to triumphe vnder the slaunder of the Crosse. Yea rather he that shall wey all circumstances indifferently as he ought to doo , shal confesse that amonge innumerable deathes , there was a continuall race of many resurrections . That thinge whiche for the difficultnesse thereof might séeme incredible to vs , if any man would tell vs that the like shoulde happen hereafter : Now when the same is come to passe , not onely to despise it , but also to count it a thinge to be offended at , is not a point of wisedome , but of a malicious wilfulnesse . Those were in déede the moste violent bruntes , howbeit , other ages also were not exempted from the same warfare of the Crosse , but that they tasted of harder encounters , whiche woulde at that time serue God sincerely and faithfully . The Romaine Empyre had submitted it selfe to the kingdome of Christe . The Church might séeme to be placed in a happie seate of quietnesse and glorie . The barbarous nations also had yelded to the profession of Christe . But in the meane while , Heretiques and vnbeleuinge men helde the Soueraintie , in so much that good & true shepeherdes beinge chaced by violence ( & not without reproch ) from their Churches , liued like banished persones in vnknowen countreis : Yea and they had not bene suffered to haue liued in exile , had they not hidden themselues from the Tirannie of their enemies . In that the Churche hath often bene left to the violence of so cruell persecutions , in that it hath lien welnere ouerthrowen to be frodē vnder foote of the enemies , this is farre from any likelihood of worldly dignitie . But in that a small number of the Godly , with inuincible constancie of faith , hath ouercome so great waues of persecutions , that the Churche hath out stoode all the Tyrannes and Heretikes ▪ and lefte vnto posteritie the true doctrine of the faith : this is surely a plaine witnesse of the power of God , which excelleth all the glories of the worlde . So in the present calamitie of the Churche , there shineth no suche dignitie as may represent to mennes eyes the heauenly kingedome of God : For the vtterest enemies therof oppressinge it in very déede , and yet garnishinge themselues with the title of it as it were with a spoile , doo no lesse cruelly than proudely treade it vnder foote . If any man dare be so bolde neuer so little to stirre againste their wickednesse , by and by like terrible tormentours , with fire , swoorde , and all kinde of tormentes they goe nie to chace the true Church out of the Earth . And if it chaunce to finde any lurkinge holes , somewhile it is so assaulted with force of armes , another while so vexed with reproches , & another while so tossed & turmoiled with threatninges , and dreadfull attempts : that it representeth nothyng lesse than that kinglike beautie of Christe so greatly commended of the Prophetes . But seinge that by this their dreadful threatninge , & outrageous cruell dealinge , the vngodly cannot so much preuaile , but that the Churche of God vnder the lowlinesse of the Crosse standeth stedfastly vpright : why doo we not in this wonderfull preseruation of God , willingly embrace his glorie ? If any skilfull man woulde consider with himself , how many things the wicked sort haue practised these thirtie yeres togither , to destroy it , he shal be compelled to wonder that it was not a hundred times vtterly destroied . And now , wheras with in these twoo yéeres it hath bene pitifully rent , & the torne pieces therof are yet almost in the Lions mouth , although it breaketh the hartes of many , yet the faithfull shall in the ende perceiue , that God doth it to a right good purpose , to the entent he may stretch out his hande more manifestly in deliueryng it . For we are not wont to acknowledge it to be preserued by him vnlesse he deliuer it out of very death .

Lastly to the furtherance hereof also maketh another reason , namely that it is a thyng more than necessarie , that wildernesse should be tamed and subdued by the discipline of the Crosse. We sée howe the Churche , which in the middes of persecution had florished with spirituall cherefulnesse , hath through to ioyfull quietnesse growen out of order . At this daye , when the Lorde reyneth vs in with a harde and rough bit , we sée how all men in all places almoste doo waxe wanton , and what would they doo then if they had frée scope to runne at rouers ? when the profession of the Gospell reigned farre & nere in Germanie , and that as yet the power was vnappalled of such as séemed stoute in defence of the good case , and that vpon confidence therof this lamentable warre was taken in hande , whiche fell out vnluckely in the ende : at suche time as the hartes of our part were encouraged with great hope , I saide vppon a time openly , that there was more daunger for vs in our owne victorie , than in the victorie of our enemies . For there was no misfortune so greatly to be feared , as the Gospell to much triumphant ( if I may so terme it ) whiche might puffe vs vp with pryde . Neither doth it repent me of this saying to this daye . For if the Lorde had not in time preuented that Heathenish libertie , in processe of time the maladie woulde haue bene almost incurable . Godly doctrine and wholesome admonishmentes should haue bene nothinge set by . Suche as coulde not abide to admitt any meane discipline , would like vnruly beasts with violent rage haue broken all yoke . So great a blotte of slaunder could not haue bene wiped from the Gospell , vnlesse they had bene compelled by force and affliction to a modestie of liuing , which heretofore they would not learne of their owne accorde . Againe in this balance God shewed how euery man was minded . All men vaunted themselues gloriously vnder shadowe of the Gospell . Wicked Hipocrites bare most swinge in many places . But after that this foyle was taken , many Princes of greate name were by and by out of hart : the noblemen of the common welth ( which was benommed with feare I cannot tell how , ) quayled of their own accorde . Here their ouer womanly feinthartednesse , or rather traitourly cowardnesse , did openly bewray it self . We haue seene in one nation mo vngodly and wicked backeslidinges from Christe , within two yéeres space , than the histories of all times and all nations make mention of els where . How vnuincible the strength of faith is where the hartes are susteined by the vertue of the spirit , it is made manifest in others . The Heroicall haultenesse of harte whiche the Lorde hath set foorth to be séene of all ages in one man beynge vanquished and taken prisoner , woulde neuer haue bene beleued but by such triall of the Crosse. Certaine other notable examples of the same sorte which I coulde readely reherse , I passe ouer for the nonce . But let euery man wey with himselfe these and innumerable suche others . They saye that nowe women are ledde vnto death , to the entent that not onely men , but also whole peoples should haue the lesse pardon , who for the gayne of a small interest of transitorie peace in the worlde , haue not sticked to denie the Sonne of God the author of eternall life , and to depriue themselues of his heauenly kingedome . Finally , the Lord himselfe knowes beste howe muche those thinges shall profite them , whiche nowe are commonly counted for great euilles . It is our duetie to take with stoute courages what so euer calamities happen , hopynge for suche issue as is to be wisthed for at the Lordes hande : and alwaies to grounde our selues vppon this pointe , that how so euer the Churche is pressed for a time , our moste deare Father whiche taketh singular care thereof , will neuer suffer that it be ouerwhelmed and decaye . If Christe muste beare rule in the middes of his enemies , ( as by the witnesse of the holy Ghoste is testified longe agoe , ) his kingedome cannot be amonge vs without a kinde of warfare and continuall strife . If we be like shéepe , appointed to the slaughter , and that our aduersaries burne in woodnesse like Wolues : Lette that precepte of the Lorde come to our remembraunce , that we muste possesse our soules in patience , vntill suche time as he may make perfect his strength in our weakenesse . Surely the Apostles were in no happier cace , when they cried out boldlie , why doo the Heathen so furiously rage , and why doo the people imagine vaine thinges ? We also if we vnderstoode what that sayinge meaneth , to sée God in Heauen , whensoeuer he giueth the vngodly bridle , we beinge furnished with the same confidence that the Apostles were , shall carelesly laugh all the worlde to scorne , although they were in harnesse .

There follow Offences which the common people beléeue agayne to procéede of the doctrine : but in very déede are the propre & naturall issue , eyther of lewdnesse , or of vnskilfulnes , or els of curiousnesse . The Scripture teacheth vs in this wise of the corruption of our nature , that we bringe with vs a natiue viciousnesse and malice from our mothers wombe : wherby it commeth to passe , that an euill trée cannot bring foorth other than euill fruite , vntill we be newe graffed agayne by the grace of Christe . Here mans reason gathereth , that men themselues are not only faultlesse while they sinne , but also that the faulte is iustly to be ascribed to God , who createth them suche , that they séeme to be borne to sinne . Let euery man examine his owne conscience , and he shall out of hande holde his peace . For there we shall finde that whiche the Scripture so often testifieth , how that the leudnesse which cleaueth in vs , is the welspryng of all vices : and that we therfore committe all euilles , bicause we doo couet that whiche displeaseth God . How cometh it then to passe that they whome their owne conscience findeth giltie within , doo busilie séeke here and there for vaine excuses to acquite themselues and others from the gilte ? & not so content neither , doo make God also accessarie to their offence ? If they were not minded to deceiue themselues wilfully to their owne destruction , would they not condemne the vice which they sée in themselues , rather than laye the faulte thereof vppon another bodie ? But goe to : for asmuch as thei séeke after a sorte to haue some cloke ( such as it is ) to hide their blasphemies with , let vs shew them at one woorde that they doo shamelessely without any colour say euil . Shal he boast himselfe to be innocent , whome it is manifest to sinne with his good wil ? when they haue saide all that they can , in the ende we come to this pointe , that nothinge is imputed vnto them of God , saue that whiche they doo willingly . And what man vnder the Sunne would quitte them in wilfull misdéedes . Now shall it not be frée for God to condemne , that whiche men doo lawfully condemne ? But they stande in altercation with God , bicause he hath not giuen them a better minde & a vprighter hart : as who should say he had not giuen them so at the beginninge . For the lewdenesse that reigneth in vs , our learnynge imputeth not to Gods creation , but to the corruption of nature . They make exception againe , that it is against equitie for them to suffer for another mans faulte . This exception might peraduenture haue some colour , if they beyng frée from their owne sinne , coulde shewe that they were burdened with an other mannes faulte . But seinge they haue in such wise lost their rightuous nature in their first father Adam , that they are of their owne selues become sinfull , why doo they complayne of wronge done vnto them , as if they were giltlesse ? Uerely they doo as ranke théeues are wont , who , while they are caried to punnishment , doo fall a reuilinge and slaunderinge the Iudge . And suche kinde of men commonly as they are readie to committe mischiefe : so also haue they their tounges at will in raylinge . But what winne they by their malapert raylinge in this wise ? For neither is their owne shame made lesse thereby , nor the iudge any thinge stayned , and that they themselues knowe well inough , but that beinge blinded with despayre , they take a miserable comforte of a foolishe reuengement . Hitherto I haue answeared their blasphemies whiche bewray their owne wickednesse openly . Howbeit as yet remayne the slaunders of Sadolet , Pighius and such like , whereby they misreporte our doctrine , as though it brought with it diuers and almost infinite absurdities . If there rise thereof any Offence , it is bicause our writinges are not perused , what shoulde I then doo , but onely exhorte all those whiche beinge carried away with preposterous Offence , doo eschew the vnknowen truth , that thei procure not to themselues a double punishment of their rashnesse . For they doo bothe defraude themselues of saluation offered vnto them : and besides that , they shall not scape vnpunished for giuinge hastie iudgement with a lie , the cause beinge not hearde .

Nowe that Predestination is a sea of Offences , howe happeneth that ? but onely by our owne , either curiousnesse or malapertnesse ? Here is meante of the secrete Iudgement of God , thorowe the brightnesse whereof , mennes mindes if they approche ouer nie , muste néedes be not onely dazeled and dimned , but also vtterly swallowed vp . And yet as much as our capacitie could beare , and as much as was for our behoofe , our Lord hath declared in his Scriptures : namely that we are all forlorne , sauinge suche as he chosinge from death hath redéemed to life : and that the grace of Christe cometh onely vnto them , who by frée election before they were borne , were predestinate to saluation : and that others , like as they be ordeyned before to euerlastinge damnation , so also thei continue in their sinnes . To procéede any further if it were lawfull , yet were it not expedient . But now seinge it were no lesse wicked than hurtfull , to rushe thorough from whence the Lorde kéepeth vs , as it were by holdinge ouer his owne hande : it were our duetie to embrace reuerently that whiche the Lord deliuereth vs , & to holde our selues contented ther withall , without makyng any further inquisition . For the right rule of beinge wise in this behalfe , is suche a sobernesse as coueteth to knowe no more than is reuealed in the Scriptures . Certainely God would that nothinge should be hidden from vs , but such as the knowledge thereof were superfluous , or more darke than that our capacitie could atteine to the vnderstandinge of it . Wherefore we are the more vnthankefull , but if we temper our desire of searching , according to the meane which himselfe obserued in teachynge vs , why maruell we then , if they throwe themselues headlonge into the bottomlesse pitte , or dash themselues against the rockes , who after the maner of madmen rushe violently against God . They accuse God of crueltie , bicause he adiudgeth to damnation suche as are yet vnborne . But they shall one daye féele him a iuste iudge : or rather they féele him so alreadie inwardly , although they acknowledge it not . They cauill that preceptes are giuen in vayne concerninge maners , that lawes are made in vaine , and that iudgementes are vniustly executed in punishinge euill dooers , seing all thinges are ruled or rather rolled by destinies . As who should say God did not so gouerne his elect with his holy spirite , & giue ouer the castawaies to be troubled by the Deuil , that he maketh the doctrine of Godlinesse and exhortacions fruiteful vnto the one , and holdeth the other as conuicte of wilfulnesse and vnexcusable , bicause they obeyed not his warninge . I omitte how little they profite by diffaminge the Prouidence of God with the slaunderous name of destinie . For we neither dreame of intricate knottes of causes with the Stoikes , nor submit the gouernance of the worlde to the Starres , nor imagine a necessitie of thinges in the very nature of thinges it selfe . Howbeit the same is it that Heathen men call fatal . The predestination of God therefore is far another thing than the Heathen destenie , but let this brawlyng about woordes cease in this cace . If ( say they ) that necessitie of thinges be prefixed by the eternal decrée of God , it is superfluous to teache what euery mans duetie is . For teachinge shall alter nothyng of that which is alreadie determined . But they ought to haue considered by the way , that doctrine was by God himself ordeined to this end , that it should be an vnderseruaunt to his secret determinations . Whome by his eternal adoption he hath predestinated to life , doth he not by doctrine as it were by the hande stretched out , leade them thither as he had predestinated them ? For what els is an effectual vocation , than an accomplishment of the election which before was hidden . He may by sundrie threates compell the reprobates ( to no purpose as it semeth ) howbeit in asmuch as by this meanes he maketh them vnexcusable , herein also appeareth some strength of the doctrine . Foolish men perceiue not in how goodly order , the woorkes of God agrée amonge themselues . Herupon it commeth to passe , the thei rashly set at variance with the will , the doctrine which is nothing els than the minister of his eternall will . Let vs learne therfore that God speaketh not to men , to th entent to reueale vnto them , or to correct those things which he had determined with himself long before , but rather that he might teach them by triall , how firme & stedfast they be . It cannot come to passe that they should perish , whom he hath ones chosen from the beginning : & bicause he will not haue them perish , he committeth them to the trustie tuition of Christ . Moreouer to the entent thei may haue Christ , to their shepeherd , it behoueth that they be gathereded into his folde . Therfore when by giuyng eare to the voice of their shepeherde , the elect doo atteine saluation , it is nothinge else but a bringyng of their election vnto his appointed ende , by the outwarde preachynge of the Gospell . He commaundeth the same doctrine also to be set before the reprobates : and why ? is it to the entent to disanull that that he had determined of their damnation ? Nay , rather that their wilful vnbeliefe should make more apparant , what auaileth the grace of the secrete election ? For what brighter mirrour can there be made wherin this grace may cléerely appeare , than when in the common doctrine , by the same callinge of God , by the like instrument of callinge , there is so great difference of men , that some obstinately refuse that , whiche othersome obediently embrace ? Yet we sée in the meane while , howe the woorde whiche is spoken by the mouth of a man , although it amende not the hartes of the wicked , yet it striketh their consciences , and restraineth their malapartnesse as it were a bridle .

Now we must intreate of the Offences whiche we haue assigned to the seconde sorte . Many complaine that the Gospell is the fountaine of discorde : bicause that assone as it springeth vp , there bud out debates with it : or rather as if a trumpet were blowen to some battell , men arme themselues one against another . It is surely to be confessed that Christe hath pronounced , that debate and fightinge should sprynge vp with the Gospell : but it is to be weyed vpon what occasion it cometh so to passe . First if men rise wilfully against God , when he goeth about to bringe them to conformitie , we haue tolde you before by what meanes that happeneth . It is a harde matter that thei that stande to much vpon the reputation of their owne wisedome , shoulde yelde themselues willing to be taught of Christ . But nowe when the lustes of the fleash , whiche reigne in men are so many , and like a sorte of fierce and vnruly beastes , doo we maruell if they make a tramplyng and stirringe agaynst the yoke and the brydle ? But it is to much wronge to lay the blame of that euill vpon the Gospell , the cause whereof is in our selues . They doo euen as vprightly , who for feare of trouble and for hate of discorde , abhorre from the doctrine of peace . They thinke nothinge to be better than a quiet state : what then if some Tyranne should by his horrible and outragious crueltie obteine thus much , that whiles he rauisheth maidens and honest wiues , whiles he spoyleth euery good man of his goodes , whiles he murthereth the giltlesse like a cutthrote , all men amazed for feare , shoulde holde their peace : shall tyrannie vnder this pretence deserue prayse ? now if it be demaunded what maner of peace this is , whiche many sticke not to purchace with the losse of the Gospell ? this surely shal be the manifest truthe , namely to obteyne sinfull and peruerse Religions quietly & without stirre , bicause Sathan the worst of all Tyrannes , dothe without checke take his pleasure of men halfe dead . Notwithstandinge as to the outwarde bondage of the bodie , peraduenture it were expedient rather to suffer sometime , than for the recouery of libertie , to make insurrection whiche maye burste out into slaughter and confused wastinge . But when the matter toucheth the eternall destruction of the soule , nothinge ought to be so muche set by , that we shoulde either desire or wilfully embrace deadly peace . Moreouer hereby we defraude the sonne of God of his preheminence . But better it is that Heauen & Earth shoulde be cofounded together , than that the honour whiche his father hath giuen him should be diminished , and much lesse then be taken quite awaye from him , and he made Iacke out of Office . Shall we then liue at debate with the prince of life , to the entent we may enioye peace amonge men ? shall we make open warre against God , to the entent we would not be compelled to be at variance with naughtypackes ? shall we willingly stande at defiance with Christe , by whome we are with the Angels reconciled to God ? It is surely to vnwoorthie a rewarde . And when Christe describeth the peaceable kingedome of Sathan , he doth not teach vs that it is therefore to be coueted : but rather he promiseth it as a greate rewarde , that a stronger than he encounteringe with him , shoulde bereue him of his vsurped authoritie . For if we sée them so couragious , whiche ambitiously fight for soueraintie or for their libertie , that they woulde not passe to abide any troubles : with how muche more valiant courage , ought we to set our selues against the tempestuous troubles , which Satan stirreth vp to disquiet the kingdome of Christe ? the Sonne shall rise against his father : the father shall not spare the life of his sonne : one brother shall lay waite for another . Are these thinges tolde before , to the entent that men should shunne the Gospell ? and not rather that beynge warned in time , they might not conceiue any feare at the straungenesse of the matter ? For I haue not to doo with any other , than suche as abuse the name of Christe , to colour theyr painted peace . And yet I am not ignorant that troublesome persones in mouinge seditions , are the bellowes of Sathan wherewith he kindleth men ( otherwise quiet of themselues , ) in hatred against the Gospell . So in our age about the beginnynge of the Gospell springyng vp againe , he armed barbarous men to proclayme open warre against lawes , iudgementes , and all kinde of ciuill pollicie . But as it is not vnknowen to vs , what such kinde of packing meanes , so if we do aske peace from the bottome of our harte , we shall by assured tryall , feele it offred vnto vs of God by his Gospell , in such wise that we shall haue it stedfastly also amonge men . To swarue from the Gospell , to the intent to preuent sedition , is a poinct of to much peruersnesse .

To outwarde appearance , this that foloweth is a iuster cause of Offence : that as soone as the doctrine of the Gospell began to bee published , as though the veyne of some springe had bene opened , the wickednesse of many spowted foorth , which had before semed holy men . Howbeit it had bene muche more méete , that this shoulde avayle to the confirmation of the Faith . When Simeon assigneth this duetie to Christe , to disclose the thoughtes of many hartes , so little dooth any man or none stand in deniall therof , that the sentence is to be reioysed at . What absurditie then is founde in the matter ? Let vs suppose it had neuer bene spoken , to the intent that without preiudice , the thinge that appéereth , maye be estéemed so to be in déede . Whereas about thirtie yéeres agoe , religion flourished euery where , and all men without gaine saiynge consented in the woorshippe of God , which was then commonly receyued : now vngodlinesse and contempt of God gusheth foorth euerywhere . First and formest I say , it is no maruell if light doo chace away darknesse : for it is a common prouerbe of olde time , that the dungeons of mans harte are so déepe , & the nookes thereof so windynge , that it surmounteth almost al bottomlesse pittes : now if mans dessemblynge be deceitfull in any cace , he dalieth with wonderfull leudnesse toward God , where he ought to doo it least . To the furtherance hereof commeth the wilinesse of Sathan : who partly by castinge a miste of ignorance , and partly by disguisinge the seruice of God with visers of ceremonies , maketh a wonderfull showe of Religion where none is . All men that haue eyes doo sée that it hath béene so vnder the Poperie . For there the consciences as it were bewitched with the poysons of Circe , are brought in a maze by their longe windlasses . fléeting from the earnest meaning of God . For that same vnmeasurable heape of Ceremonies , is assuredly the denne of théeues : bycause the hypocrites beynge wrapped in those disguysinges , thinke they may doo what they list without checke . If suche securitie doo take away the difference betwene true and feined Religion , it is no maruell . And if at any time thei séeme to approch any thing nere God , they doo not to any other ende so much weary and disquiet themselues , than that the inward wickednesse of the harte beyng by such remedies appeased , shoulde be at rest inwardly . Now , if by bringyng in the light of the Gospell , hypocrisie be put to flight , and wickednesse openly discouered , the offence thereupon taken , is vnrightfull and peruerse . In old time amonge heathen men , no man was counted a dispiser of God , except he were a manifest murtherer , or a forger of Testamentes , or a forsworne persone , and wrapped in all kinde of leudnesse . For in asmuch as they had made to them selues carnall Gods , nothyng was more easie than to be religious . But we see how sharply the Prophetes doo inuey against skorners : the which thinge out of all doubt , they doo not without weightie causes . So the vngodlinesse which shewed it selfe in the Churche of God , appeared to be none at all in maner amonge the vnbeleuers : shall we therefore saye that the lawe and the Prophetes were bellowes to styrre the same vp ? shall the pure Religion therefore , whiche drewe that Serpent to light , be made the lesse accompte of ? Yea verely euen in the Church of God , Ismaell vttered not himselfe to be a scorner , but after that Isaac was borne . He whiche before was nexte vnto holy Abraham , did sodainly burste out into wicked skornynge the grace of God , wherby he deserued to be banished his fathers house . Ought such an example to haue alienated the householde of Abraham from his holy Ofspringe ? Furthermore , that whiche was lightly shadowed in Isaac , was néedeful to be more clerely expressed in Christe , and the Historie of the Gospell beareth witnesse that it was so done . For we know that since he was brought into the worlde , howe muche the madnesse of them hath boyled , whiche before times did bragge them selues of the title of Religion . Wherfore let this malicious opinion take his leaue and be packinge , that libertie to doo naughtely springeth out of the doctrine of the Gospell , bycause it draweth wickednesse out of his lurkyng holes into the open light . And rather let vs be glad of this , that the thoughtes are discouered out of the hartes of many : howbeit , of this matter there is another reason also to be marked : namely when some vtterly refuse the grace of the Gospel offred vnto them : & some disdeinfully sippe of it a little with their lippes : and othersome proudely caste it of from them hauinge receiued it before : doth not the vnthankfulnesse of them all deserue , that God should punish it sore ? And vndoubtedly he punisheth sore in déede , when takynge away the fealinge of Religion , he casteth them headlong into this horrible blindnesse . As many men therefore as we sée at this day like Lucian , scoffe and iest at the whole Religion of Christe : as many also as we sée like Epycures , set themselues to sale to all kinde of naughtinesse without the feare of God : so many examples of Goddes vengeance , let vs know to be set before our eyes , which may commende vnto vs the woorthinesse and preciousnesse of the Gospell . Paule sayeth , that they were woorthely giuen ouer to a reprobate minde , and to filthie and shamefull lustes , who vniustly suppressed such knowledge of God , as may be conceiued by the onely beholdynge of the worlde : to the entent that they which had defrauded God of his honour , beyng subiect to vtter reproche , mighte receiue the deserued hyre of their vnthankefulnesse . The greater sacriledge that the contempt of the Gospell is , so much the lesse maruell it is , if crueller punishment be taken thereof . And why so ? For shall we confesse that they deserued to be punished , who through theyr slouthfulnesse suffered the little sparkes to be quenched , whiche appeared in the framynge of the worlde ? and would we haue them fréely mocke God , who of wilfull malice doo ouerwhelme & extinguish the full brightnesse of the glory of God , shinyng in his Gospell ? But if it bée very good Iustice , that God punishe grieuously the contempt and castyng away of his grace , why are we offended to sée the same punishment ( whiche is commendable ) put in execution ? nay rather it would become vs ( as I haue sayd alreadie ) that like as by this meanes God auoucheth the maiestie of his Gospell , so the reuerence thereof shoulde be stablished in our mindes : howe can the Gospell be entertained as it is woorthie , whereby he offereth and giueth him selfe to vs in the person of his sonne ? And yet many doo scarce vouchsaufe the common honour vpon this incomparable threasure : some treade it vnderfoote : some without remorse of conscience preferre the vayne pleasures of the world before it : and many ( as though it were some maygame , ) doo turne it in iestynge to a heathenishe pastime : but what followed theruppon ? whereas before was at leaste yet some feare of God settled in their mindes , now like a sorte of dogges they barke agaynst God . And in this their sharpnes of witte they greatly delight them selues , or rather take themselues for halfe Goddes , bicause they dare turne vp their tayles against the cloudes . But if it be a monstruous thyng for a man to be turned into a beast , they are so muche the more to be lamented , in that thei are not touched with any sorrowe for their euill : they laugh smoothely at the foolish toyes of the Papistes : but themselues are vnwoorthie that euer they shoulde returne to the papistrie : for it is not conuenient that their ende should be like other mennes , who haue partly had in derision , and partly in contempt the holy bloud of Christe , the euerlastyng truth of God , and the light of life . And assuredly the contempte of the Gospell whiche nowe reigneth , is a certaine foretoken of some beastly kinde of life . For , seinge that this is the laste remedie to cure mens vices , namely when God shineth vpon them with his Gospel , whome soeuer this remedie helpeth not , it is most certaine that they are incurable : and they whiche wittingly and willingly doo either iest away or driue away their Phisicion , doo wilfully procure themselues any death . Nowe to conclude this title , suche as déeme vngodlinesse a heynous mischief ( as it is in déede ) thei iudge by the grieuousnesse of the punishment , in how ill parte the Lord taketh the contempt of his Gospell : and by warnynge therof are confirmed in faith & obedience to him . It is knowen to euery man , that Agrippa , Villanouan , Delet and suche like , did like Giauntes with one eye in theyr forehead fearyng neither God nor manne , euer presumptuously despise the Gospell : at the last they fell to suche madnesse & outrage , that they not onely spewed out moste abhominable blasphemies against the sonne of God , but ( as much as perteineth to the life of the soule , ) did thinke themselues to differ nothinge from Dogges and Hogges . Othersome , ( as Rabelayse , Deper , and Gouean ) after they had tasted of the Gospell , were striken with the same blindnesse . And why happened this , but bicause they had by their wicked malapertnesse of iestynge & scoffynge , heretofore profaned that holy pledge of eternall life ? I name a fewe , whosoeuer are of the same stampe , let vs know that the Lord doth as it were with his finger pointe them out to vs for an example , to the entent we shoulde carefully continew in the race of our vocation , least the like happen vnto vs .

Furthermore forasmuch as these forlorne men by theyr slidynge , or rather by their headlong fallynge downe , doo not onely offende the weake , but also doo shead abroade the poyson of their vngodlines , to the entent to bring al the world in beliefe that there is no God : I muste set my selfe at defence against this stumblyng blocke also . And that doth the holy Ghost , while he warneth vs that there shall come mockers whiche shall trouble our hope with skoffinges : but the same spirite affirmeth that vnstable soules shal be in daunger of theyr enticements . To the entent therfore that we maye be out of perill , we must gather strength in Christe . It is a solemne custome amonge these vnpure Dogges , that the more libertie thei haue to belk out blasphemies , the more they playe the scoffers . So by their mery iestyng in talkynge at the table , they girde at all the principles of Religion . And first of all they winde themselues into their matter by ouerthwart nippes , or couert conceytes : howbeit all tendeth to this end , to blurre out of mens mindes all feare of God : for at length they burst out into this opinion , that all Religions are deuised of mans brayne : that there is a God , bicause men liste to beleue so : that the hope of the life to come was inuented to foode foorth the simple withall : and that the dread of doomes day is but a bug to feare children with . These songes of the Meremaydes are to apt to delight the eares of many men , but it is suche eares as are alreadie tickled with the same itch of themselues . For we sée some so greedely snatch at , and hunte for those thinges that make to the takynge away of the féelinge of godlinesse , that hauinge in maner scarce perceiued the sounde of a fewe woordes , by and by they raunge from the eternall and vnchaungeable truth of God . And surely whosoeuer hath but meanly traueled in the woorde of God , when he shall haue tried that our faith is farre otherwise grounded than vpon opinion , he shal not so easly wauer . And they that beare the seale of the spirite printed in their hartes , it is farre vnlike that they should be ouerthrowen with the assaultes of these engines . But this is it that Paule meaneth where he sayeth : That men make shipwrecke in the faith , after the time that they haue fallen from a good conscience : whereby he meaneth bothe that this is the keper of right vnderstandynge , and that it is no wonder though they haue nothinge stedfaste emong them , whiche are tossed amonge the sundry waues of their lustes . There is no cause therefore why we should be troubled with this Godlesnesse , whiche now partly rageth euerywhere through the whole worlde , but specially reigneth in the Courtes of Kinges and Princes , in iudgement places , and in other glorious trades of liuyng : for if I shoulde demaunde of one that had skill in thinges , ( yea and it were euen of those , who cannot ridde themselues from this temptacion , ) whiche of them all there did harborow a good conscience , their answeare would be in a readinesse , that it is bannished a great way of : wherefore then doo we wonder at that shipwrecke of Faith , whiche Paule teacheth must néedes followe ? Moreouer if they so warely kéepe money bestowed in coffers , as many as are any thyng smitten with the loue therof , what excuse shall he lay for him selfe , whiche beynge fenced with no garde of God , doth set him selfe foorth wilfully to the spoyle , if he be robbed of the heauenly treasure ? specially considering we know that nothinge is so hurtfull as these copwebbes of the wicked . For it is not my minde to extenuate the perill that maye come by them , but rather I admonish and testifie , that no Serpent hath so venemous a blast as they , and therfore it behoueth vs to be so much the more waker & carefull to beware of them . By the waye , I say that al such shal be frée from this contagion ( be it neuer so pestiferous ) as haue not forslowed to roote themselues déepe in Christe . Neither is this my sayinge , but the sayinge of Paule : that we ought to growe in Christe vntill we come to be perfect men : least we be any more subiect to the subteltie of men , which goe about to deceiue vs . Notwithstanding , we must harken also to another exhortation of Paule : namely that forasmuch as we are ensured to the Sonne of God vpon this condition , that we should kéepe our promisse of mariage vnto him vnuiolate , we ought in especially to beware that the Deuil corrupt vs not with his flattering enticementes . For if the woman whiche hath giuen eare to allurementes of baudrie , séemeth to haue giuen alreadie some signe of vnchastnesse , it appeareth that those soules are scarce chaste , whiche delight to be moued to false forsaking their obedience to God .

The reason of all errours is not much vnlike herunto . The faith of many quayleth : and some doo vtterly fall from the Gospell , bicause they coniecture it to be the séede of errour . As though any man should giue ouer tillage and sowinge of the grounde , bicause the pure séede doth oftentimes degenerate into cockle . To the entent the straungenesse of the matter shoulde not abashe any man , Christe warned vs that it shuld come so to passe . For albeit that in that place he compareth Hypocrites to darnell , and the true and naturall Sonnes of God to wheate : yet he sheweth howe this is the accustomed fraude of Sathan , to corrupte and defile the heauenly séede of God by al the meanes he can , to the entent it shoulde not come to fruitfulnesse : we know that the world lay a longe time barreyne like a waste and vntilled grounde . Nowe hath God sowed the doctrine of his Gospell by his Ministers : doo we maruell if Sathan doo intermedle as many corrupt errours as he can ? For what whole wayne loades of false opinions hath he not brought in immediatly with the first springynge vp of the Gospell ? I doo omit the innumerable multitude . But what can be deuised more prodigious than the dotinges of Valentine , of Montane , and of the Manichees ? Now it is to much folly , that they which counte it for a miracle that the light of the Gospell was not quenched in so thicke darknesse , or whiche hartely reioyce to heare , that the strength therof hath continued vnappalled againste so many assaults , should be offended at the doctrine of the Gospell , bicause now also Sathan sullieth it with the darknesse of his lies . Howbeit , forasmuche as men doo sundry waies stumble at this rocke , I will briefly shewe , that there is no kinde of Offence , the which they incurre not of their owne accorde , either through their slouthfulnesse , or els some other singular vice of theyr owne . They whiche simplie make this one obiection , that sectes doo bud out of the doctrine of the Gospell , partly are glad to séeke startingholes , and partly , through ouermuch lightnesse doo lay the cause of euill vpon the Gospell , whiche resteth otherwhere . Who so euer will vouchsaufe to open his eyes , he shall plainely sée that the Gospell is not onely the pure and cléere truthe of God , but also the best bonde of holy vnitie . Nowe if Sathan rise vp against it , to the entent he may darken this light with the cloudes of errours , and rende the vnitie asunder , wherein the sonnes of God doo knit themselues together , he dothe but his office . For he is bothe the father of lies , and also the authour and craftesmaister of all debate . It were our duetie therefore , so muche the more earnestly to labour in searchinge out the truth , and to embrace it the more constantly when we haue founde it . These men doo not onely absteine from all such endeuour and flie from it , but also doo set this as a shielde of defence against God , that they be not compelled to obeye his commaundement . Othersome , al be it that they séeke not meanes for the nonce howe they may reiect the wholesome doctrine , yet bicause they take occasion at euery light blast to starte backe , they haue nothinge whiche they may iustly alledge for their excuse . But you will say , thei feare not without cause , least if beyng vncertaine whiche way to goe they should yelde themselues pliable , they might through this pliablenesse , be snarled in the snares of errours . This is in déede somwhat : but there was a better prouiso than this , for that daunger : namely to submitte themselues to God by godly humilitie , modestie , sobernesse , and reuerence . For Christe hath not for nothinge promised that the doore shal be opened to them that knocke : neyther is he endewed with the spirite of iudgement and discretion from the Father for nothinge . Also it is not for nothinge that the Lorde promiseth by the mouth of his prophete Esay to become an attendant scholemaister to his people , alwaies readie at their backe , to direct their steppes . Finally , neither to deceiue nor to beguile vs , doth he say that the waye of life is shewed to vs in his woorde . Whereby it appeareth , that a great parte of men doo wittely couet this thinge , to despise remedies , and to waxe numme in their owne euils .

And whereas we sée many , which beyng intangled with this or that errour , are led astray from the right way : it neuer happeneth but by the iust vengeance of God . First Augustine truely nameth pryde the mother of all Heresies . For there was neuer yet any maister of errour , whome leude desire of vaineglory puffed not vp to his owne hedlonge fallynge . We know that God is a faithfull teacher to the little ones : we know that Christe calleth the humble and méeke to him to be his disciples : wherefore such as swell with pride , it is no maruell though they be driuen out of this schoole , and be carried vp and downe with their owne wauerynge speculations . As many as in this our age fallynge from the pure doctrine of the Gospell , haue begonne to be teachers of false opinions , we shall finde that al of them beyng taken with the disease of pride , haue forged punishment of the witte , bothe to themselues and to others . In stéede of many let the onely example of Seruet suffice . For he beynge puffed vp with Spanish pryde , and swellyng moreouer with his owne arrogancie , determined this to be the best waye for him to get him a name , if he snapped at all the principles of Religion . Whatsoeuer therefore hath of antiquitie from the very time of the Apostles bene by the Fathers lefte , concerning the thrée persones in God , and receiued from time to time continually by the godly , he not onely reiecteth as vnsauerie , but also with to outragious rayling , tosseth and turmoyleth it : now that same currish rage of bityng and barkyng , which all the writers of that rable doo vtter , dothe sufficiently testifie what maner of spirite stirreth the man . But if ye come to the matter , ye shall cléerely perceyue , that their gréedie hunger , being inflamed with vnstaunched thirste of vaineglorie , hath caused them to quaffe vp all kinde of most absurde dotages so desirously , that they haue made themselues dronken therwithal . He surmiseth that the woorde of God was not , before suche time as Moyses bringeth in God speakyng in the beginnynge of the world . As who should say , that then first of all he beganne to be , when he shewed plainly his so great power : & not rather that he declared a proufe of his eternall beyng . He in such wise Deifieth Christes fleash , that abolishynge the truth of his manhoode , he maketh his Godhead which is spirituall , to be palpable . And yet callinge Christe God with full mouthe , he deuiseth vs , I cannot tell what maner of shadowye Ghost : as if ye would saye he had from the beginnynge bene nothyng but an Idaea of Plato : and that of any other right he was not the sonne of God , but bycause he was conceiued by the holy Ghost in the wombe of the Uirgin . In the meane while , he heapeth togither many cartloades of speculations , whiche haue so litle colour or none at all , that any man beyng in his right wittes may easly perceiue , that none could not so play the dizard , but he that is bewitched with the loue of him selfe . But if that as soone as the truthe of God hath put vp her head , proude wittes are bothe by their owne ambition moued , & by the Deuill driuen , either to darken , or els to peruert it with theyr leude gloses and frantike opinions , there is no cause why we should be troubled as with a straunge matter . Wherefore as we haue saide before , that pryde is the mother of al Heresies : so the vainenesse of them that make themselues disciples of such maisters , is the continuall nource to cherishe the same . As often as any errour is spred by the false prophet , Moyses affirmeth vs to be tried whither we loue God from the hart . To what ende is that , but that we may know , that none other are ledde away from the pure doctrine , but such as vnder a false profession did counterfaite holinesse ? As for the faith whiche is stedfastly rooted , these engines can so little ouerthrow , that they doo rather make manifest the firmnesse therof : like as Paule writeth , that when sectes doo reigne in the Church , those which are tried be made manifest . Wherby it is the lesse wonder , that assoone as any blast of a newe sect bloweth , many slide aside hither and thither , seinge very fewe haue the feare of God imprinted in their hartes . So much the lesse becometh it vs to stagger with the multitude .

To take occasion of leude behauiour of the Gospell , hath now from olde time bene customable to many . Not without cause doo the Apostles so oftentimes giue warning of bridelyng our libertie , least it should be turned into a fleashly licentiousnesse . For euermore the fleash at euery light occasion , doth by and by auaunce it selfe . But as bondage is a harde thing and contrary to mans nature : a greate sorte ( by what meanes so euer they may shake of the yoke ) doo déeme that the blessed life consisteth therin . Under this pretence the bondmen in old time , ( as though by proclamation of the Gospell they had bene called to libertie , ) were puffed vp with stubburnnesse : in so much that some of them wrested themselues from subiection of the Kinges and Magistrates . Likewise at this daye many of the rascall sorte , hauyng taken a smatch of the Gospell , doo boaste themselues arrogantly : householde seruauntes doo take hault and stoute stomackes to them : very many forgetting al shame and modestie , dare presume any thing . But this is worst of all , that many doo in suche wise set themselues frée from the obedience of God him selfe , as if by adoptinge vs to be his sonnes , he had abrogated from him selfe all fatherly right and authoritie ouer vs . Surely it is a foule leudnesse , & with the vnwoorthinesse therof might grieuously wounde all godly mindes . But lette the wronge done to God burne vs , rather than we shoulde double it . We heare what Esay hath testified of the méekenesse of Christ : we heare what Christe preacheth of him selfe : Learne of me ( sayth he ) bicause I am méeke and lowly of hart . And for this cause ( as Paule admonisheth , ) when he was in the shape of God , he abased him selfe , to the entent we should learne humblenesse of him . Seynge that the Sonne of God descended from the heauenly throne of his maiestie downe hither , that beyng cladde with our fleash , he might abide not onely the state of a seruaunt , but also the vtter reproche of the Crosse , whiche of vs may not be a shamed of our selues to looke so loftely , that we shoulde either be , or séeme to be any thing at all . Those that excell in great riches and honours , to the entent they may make themselues conformable to the example of their maister , must néedes ( as it were forgettinge their owne greatnes ) come downe to the baser state . It is therfore to preposterous an arrogancie of the lower sorte , if they begin to take highly vpon them vnder pretence of the Gospell . For greate men are not commaunded to departe with their right , to the entent that men otherwise being abiectes , should vsurpe the right of other men . But this doctrine doth not onely prescribe vnto any seuerall person the boundes of his duetie : but also ministreth chastisementes vnto vs , wherwith to rebate the malapartnesse of lustie mates , and by the way it turneth the enuie & blame of this euill from the Gospel . It cannot lightly otherwise be , when miserly wretches endewed with no riches , no authoritie , no wit , nor no estimacion , as soone as they haue learned to prate of the Gospell , doo steppe stoutely in , not without contempt of others , but that so great an vnwoorthinesse shall make men of good nature and that haue any hart , to stomacke the matter . Howbeit the foly of a great sorte is so childishe , that it ought rather to moue vs to pitie them , than prouoke vs to stomacke against them . Notwithstandynge , let vs graunt there is that greatly offendeth vs : shall our stomackyng against so foolishe a pryde , light altogether vpon the very authour of all modestie ?

Behold on the other parte , many defilinge ( as much as in them is ) the profession of the Gospell with their dissolute and filthie life : wherupon riseth another stumblingblocke , next cousin to that which went before . And surely seinge that we ( as Paule testifieth ) by liuynge holyly & honestly , doo adorne the Gospell , looke how many doo cocker themselues with a licentiousnesse of liuynge , so many reproches and spottes of Christendome are there . And it is not to be doubted but that the horrible vengeance of God hangeth ouer the heades of all suche , as by their leude behauiour doo diffame the doctrine of godlinesse , and make the holy name of God a laughynge stocke to others . They shal one day féele how intollerable a crime it is , to haue prophaned the holy threasure of the Gospell : & howe it was not spoken in vayne , that they should not escape vnpunished that abuse the name of God . They shall féele howe precious the soules are to God , to whom through their euill example they haue foreclosed the way of Saluation . First it is a pointe of to muche lewdnesse , to confesse God with their mouthe , whome they denie in their déedes , as Paule sayeth : and to pretend to be the Disciples of the heauenly wisedome , when theyr whole life argueth a manifest contempt of God . But this is more than an heynous wickednesse , to abuse the Gospell to the clokyng of our naughtinesse . I speake now of the common practise , wherewith false and naughtie men doo winde themselues in , to deceiue , to defraude , and by all meanes to hurte . I haue séene some ere this , that were not ashamed to colour their baudrie and vnpure bargayninges vnder the shadow of the Gospell . Othersome that are lesse wicked , doo not withstandyng by their dissolute liuing , bothe defile the Churche with the filth of theyr vices , and also stayne the Gospell . Moreouer it is a thinge miserable and to be lamented at , that the wickednesse of men shoulde not onely be imputed to the doctrine of holinesse , but also that the same shoulde be shamefully slaundred in their persone . But there is another byle of the Churche more to be lamented , that the sheapeheardes , ( I say ) the sheapeheardes themselues ( who mount into the pulpit , that is to say the holy iudgement seate of God , to the entent they should excell all other men in purenesse of life , ) are nowe and then most filthie examples , either of naughtinesse , or of al other euils . Wherby it cometh to passe , that their sermons obteine no more credite or estimation , than if a player shoulde playe an enterlude vpon a stage . And yet such men make complainte , that they are had in contempt amonge the common people , or els in scorne pointed at with the fingar . I doo rather wonder at the sufferance of the people , that women and children bedaube them , not with dirte and dunge . They extoll the woorthinesse of the ministerie with full mouth : but they remember not that the cause why no honour is giuen to their ministerie , is by reason that they themselues defile it with their filthy liuinge . For as it was truely saide of one in olde time : be amiable to the entent thou may be beloued : so it behoueth them that will be had in estimacion , that they purchace them reuerence by their grauitie and holy conuersacion . And would God the Church might be purged and disburdened of such a sorte of rakehelles . But it falleth out farre otherwise for the most parte . For whereas they kuow themselues to be woorthely despised , their euill conscience may abridge their libertie . Finally , forasmuche as they may perceiue that for the shamefulnesse of their euil liuing , they are vnderlinges to all men , eyther shame and feare restraineth them that they dare not hisse , at such times as they ought earnestly to exact that whiche they performe not themselues : or els they are compelled to beare with offenders & to flatter them . Besides this , they are slouthfull bellies , who to the entent that hauing taken their farewell of all peinfulnesse , they maye settle themselues to idlenesse and pleasures , could finde in their hartes to let Heauen & Earth to be confounded together . Many of them also for hatred of vertue , doo willingly beare with the vices , as wel of themselues as of other men . And the people to requite them with the like good turne , doo loue , embrace , & cherishe them and none other , and to the entent to haue them as patrones of theyr faultes , mainteine them with their defence . Notwithstandinge they cease not to obiect , that the corrupt liuinge of the pastours , is a stumbling blocke that they come not to Christe . Surely it is to frowardly and impudently : neyther is any man woorthie to be excused , whome other mens sinnes withholde from comminge vnto Christe . Whiche is no more to say , than if a man would refuse to drinke of a fountaine , bicause he would alledge it to be growen about with briers & thornes , whereas neuerthelesse he mighte with small labour and lesse daunger ouerpasse the lettes . Bicause thei sée diuers hauing the Gospell in their mouth , liue wickedly and naughtely : behold the Gospell say they . How muche more of right shoulde they with sorrowe acknowledge , that greate wronge is done vnto God , when the liuyng answereth so euill to the doctrine . If the cloudes cast a miste vpon the earth , no man is so mad or so leude , to cal the Sunne mistie . But great is the difference betwene the clerenesse of the sunne , and the clerenesse of the Gospell . For although mistes maye darken the Sunne , yet the leudnesse of men can not bryng to passe , but that the brightnesse of the wholesome and godly doctrine , maye shine through , whereby our life ( all darkenesse being wiped away ) is reformed into true rightuousnesse : shall we then confesse the Sunne to be cléere , euen when it is hidden ? and shall the sinnes of men , ( what sorte soeuer they be of , ) dazle our eyes , when we see the bright lighte of the Gospell , and the glorie of Christe shininge therein ?

As concernyng the Guides themselues , Christe knew alreadie , that it redounded moste to the slaunder of the doctrine , if they liue filthely . To the entent to turne away this stumbling blocke , he exhorteth men to obscrue that whiche they commaunde , although they doo not with the least of their fingers touche the burdens , whiche they lay vpon othermens shoulders . It was at that time the office of the Scribes , to instruct the people in the law of God , as longe as thei were in the chayre of Moyses , they were the interpreters of Gods lawe : and at home or in place of open assemblie , they were full of fraude , pryde , crueltie , periurie , and aduentured licentiously vpon all thinges . Neuerthelesse Christ willeth , that the authoritie of the woorde of God , remaine vnto it vntouched . This admonition was not peculiar to one age , but rather at this day also the heauenly voice cryeth in our eares , that howsoeuer the pastours leade a life not altogither agreable to their profession , yet it is lewdly done , to misreport the Gospell any whit therefore . As surely , it is an vnséemely matter , to measure by the peruerse liuinge of men , the rule which God hath prescribed for vs to liue well by . Uerely they shal one day come to reckning , and they shall féele how that saying was not denounced for nothinge : that it should now be better for a man to be drownd in the bottome of the sea , with a milstone about his necke , than to offende any one of the least . Howbeit , in the meane while it behoueth vs to hie vs towarde the marke , the same waye whiche the Lorde hath paued .

Neuerthelesse the Offence in this behalfe is doubled , when the heynousnesse of the mischiefes is increased with priuate hurte . Some beyng gently enterteined as guestwise , doo either priuely goe awaye loaden with theft , or els beguile theyr Hoste and Hostesse by some other meanes , or els allure the maide seruants to whoredome , and sometime also aduenture to trie the wiues themselues . Some being their craftes maisters in catching , doo leaue them starke naked , to whome they had promised mountaynes of Golde : some deceiue in lendinge : some denie restitution of thinges laide to gage : some are vnfaithfull in felowship : some spende the money wastfully , which they had receyued of almesse of good and thriuinge men , either in whorehuntyng , or dicing , or other riottous excesses : some lash out in idle expenses that which was lente them to further their industrie with . And vnto these wickednesses many haue the companie of their wiues . Some sticke not to breake the most holy bonde of wedlocke , deceiuing their wiues , and casting away their children . There are mo examples of suche wickednesses , than that a shorte beaderoll can comprehende them . Certeinly it cannot be , but that the leudnesse of these men , must strike a sore and greuous wound in honest natured mindes . And specially it must néedes be , that good men are dismayed , when hauinge but a slender piece of money , they sée themselues spoyled thereof and brought to vtter pouertie , vnder pretence of the Gospell , as if they had fallen into the handes of robbers . And this is to be registred amonge the harder sorte of our exercises , that we are compelled to looke vpon them , whiche so without checke make their game of the Gospell . But if God , by the mouthe of Paule , doo woorthely forefede vs , that albeit we finde many vnthankefull and lewde persones , yet we shoulde not be weary of doynge well : and that he doo it to the entent that if any good man should haue néede , our duetie should not be vnperformed : howe muche more diligently ought we to take héede , that the leudnesse of men bryng vs not to such a waywardnesse , that we become vnthankfull and impious towarde God . And therfore like as it becometh vs to watche earnestly , that no doore be left open to such varlets to doo harme , by preuenting their secrete practises in time , and by endeuoryng ( as much as in vs lieth ) that deceites and euill doynges be punished streightly by the Magistrate , to the entent that suche as make a mockage of Gods woorde , and such as reprochfully scoffe at the Church , may accordyng to their desertes haue the hangman for their maister , and the gallowes for their schoole : so must we againe somewhat more diligently take héede of the craftes of Sathan , least by castyng in our waye the losse of a little transitorie money , he shake vs quite from our heauenly treasure . For that is it that he goeth about , and it is more pernicious vnto vs . Whosoeuer hath faithe in Christe ( saieth Iohn ) he sanctifieth him selfe . Those that aspire not to this sanctifiyng , forasmuch as we know they falsely pretende the name of Christ , what reason is there , that thei should trouble and hinder vs with theyr lewdenesse ? The Gospell is the bread of lyfe : and yet it is a harde matter to brynge to passe , that all men shoulde digest it , when as of many that séeme to swallowe it gréedely , fewe doo take the taste of it throughly . Finally , when Christe compareth his Churche to a barnefloore , where the wheate is so mingled with the chaffe , that for the moste parte it lieth hidde vnder it , he likeneth not straungers to the chaffe , but such as vnder profession of the Gospell , kéepe place amonge the godly . To what purpose also shoulde he haue testified that he will not know many in the last daye , whiche shall boast themselues to haue bene preachers of his Gospell , and obiect that they haue wrought miracles : but that there muste néedes be some suche in all ages ? Sometime also it commeth to passe , that they which otherwise feare God from their harte , or at leastwise are not altogither reprobates , doo by fallinge into some filthie faulte , shame bothe themselues , and the pure Religion whiche they followe . How great was that trespasse of Dauid , when followyng his owne lust , in rauishyng another mannes wife , he not onely shed the giltlesse bloud of one man that had deserued well at his hande , but also as much as in him laye , deliuered all the people of God to destruction ? If I listed to gather togither Offences of this sort , which were able to peruert euen the Heroicall men , what monstruous wickednesses sawe the holy Patriarch Iacob at home in his owne house ? After that his daughter was forced , Simeon and Leui through as outrageous crueltie , as vnspeakable trayterousnesse , murdered the Sichimites . His sonnes beyng thus embrewed with slaughter , conspired the murder of their Brother . At length to encrease the heape of mischieues , it came to passe that his first begotten sonne committed incest , in companiynge with his stepmother . And yet the Churche of God was at the time inclosed within one house : I absteine from recitinge any moe examples . But at this daye diuers doo searche out a fewe Offences with Linxes eyes , to the entent thei may not haue ought at all to doo with the whole Church of God , as farre as it stretcheth eueryway , with this one example I am content to haue admonished my Readers , that the faith shal be to vnstable , if at the seuerall ruines of men , it doo from time to time waxe faint . In the meane while , this is to be helde for an infallible rule : that it commeth to passe by the determinate counsell of God , that euill men are euermore mixed with the good . By this meanes bothe the constantnesse of the faith is tried , and we be exercised to patience , & the desire to pray is quickned , & the stingyng of the prickes doo moue vs earnestly , to walke warely and wisely , and the contempt of the world riseth thereupon , and togither with desire of departyng hence , mindfulnesse of the heauenly life encreaseth . But if the cause lie hidde , yet let vs knowe that a parte of our warfare , which we must followe duryng all the race of our lyfe , doth consist in these exercises .

Greatly also anoyeth the lightnesse which is commonly séene in diuers , wheras at the beginnyng they shew a maruelous feruentnesse , that flame within a while so vanisheth away , that ye woulde say it was kindled of strawe . Othersome , although they stande furthermore somewhat better to theyr tacklyng , yet by little and little thei waxe colde . That thing which commeth to passe , partly of vainenesse , partly of slouthfulnesse , and partly of earthly cares : the vnskilfull impute it to repentance . And therfore least it might repent them to late of proceding to farre , they leape backe againe betimes . If any beynge dismayde , with feare of death or persecutions ( which , the more pitie , happeneth to many ) doo fall from the Gospel , vpon their inconstancie is framed a foundacion of Offence . Foule surely is theyr fall : but in what sorte so euer we denie Christe all of vs , shall he therefore denie him selfe ? Nay rather he shall euermore remayne perfect , and alwaies from time to time neuerthelesse be like him selfe , as Paule also admonisheth . Farre otherwise it woulde become vs , to be reformed by suche examples as these be : namely , that beynge warned of our weakenesse , we might carefully take hede , that the same happened not to vs . After the time that Paule had declared the Iewes to haue fallen from the fauour of God , he sheweth theyr fall to be so dreadful , that he exhorteth and warneth others to beware . If then the fallyng away of one man or twoo , doo vtterly dismaie them , whose carefulnesse ought to be quickened , when whole nations doo fayle , who would not impute the faulte to their peruerse iudgement ? Notwithstandynge it is not my purpose to extenuate their fault , whiche as much as in them lieth doo make féeble the weake soules . Onely I would admonish such as wauer when other fall , howe malicious this amazednesse is : he hath denied Christ who would haue thought it ? He hath taken his leaue of the Gospell , whome all men beleued to haue bene more firme than a rocke . That man is nowe luke warme : & another is colder than Ise , when bothe of them were so feruent , that it was a wonder to sée . But they that so speake , doo not consider that some are therefore vanquished with feare of death , bicause they haue not as yet conceiued an assured hope of the life to come : & that othersome are stiffe for colde , bicause worldly cares doo alaye the heate of the spirite in them . But what booteth it vs to drawe vnto vs wilfully the infection of other mens diseases , seyng remedie is at hande , if it be not refused ? why doo they not rather settle themselues in that so wholesome admonishment of Paule ? For when he had spoken of Hymenaeus and Philetus , whose falling might haue striken great fearfulnesse into all the godly , by and by he addeth that , which was able to assure them vp . This seale remayneth : The Lorde knoweth who are his . Therefore let him depart from iniquitie , whosoeuer calleth vpon the name of the Lorde . For asmuch as those twayne were knowen and notable persones : Paule sawe it coulde not be , but that they by their headlonge fallyng , should compell some at least wise to wauer . Notwithstandinge , he exhorteth the chosen , to leane quietly vppon the defence of God : and he denieth , that there was any daunger of frettynge out the marke of saluation , which he had grauen in them : warnyng them by the way , that no man prophane the holy name of God , by counterfaite inuocation . Iohn also saw this stumblingblocke , to come through them , which by sheading abroade the venim of their wicked doctrine , did at that time greatly anoye the Churche . But while he testifieth it so to come to passe , to the entent it shoulde be manifest that all are not of the companie of the Godly which take the name vpon them , he sheweth therewithal a meane to ouercome the same stumblyngblocke , whiche mighte trouble many . What shall a man saye of Alexander the Copper smith ? when of a noble disciple of Christe , he became first a renegate , and afterwarde a most deadly enemie , is he not set foorth for an example to others ? What thinke ye of Demas ? when he embracyng this world did shamefully forsake the Gospell , ought he to drawe the reste with him into the same Labyrinth ? when in another place Paule maketh mention that he was forsaken of all men , doth he giue libertie to betraye the Gospel ? when he complaineth that he was reiected of Phigelus , Hermogenes , and all the men of Asia , dothe he open a window of so wicked a departinge , vnto others ? Nay rather , by such instructions all the Godly are awaked , to the entent their securitie shoulde not be in daunger of the Deuils deceites . They are commanded to set before them , that euerlastynge signe of Gods election , in steade of a buklar against all assaultes , in such wise that they seale vp theyr faith also with a good conscience . For asmuch as I haue to doo with such kinde of men , as wil be counted Christians , to the entent I stande not ouerlonge talkyng of the matter , let them reade the twoo Epistles of Paule to Timothie : the which I suppose wil suffice to appease theyr mindes : onlesse peraduenture they will either turmoyle with themselues for the nonce , or els séeke vaine pretences to fall from Christe wilfully . And surely with sounde & wise men this one thing wil be able to vpholde theyr faith , the it were lewdly done to measure the eternall truth of God by the swimmyng inconstancie of men . But thei that are so wittie to take libertie of sinnyng by euill examples , why doo thei not obserue so many wonderful examples of vnuincible constancie , which might woorthely stablish their faith among whatsoeuer stormes of temptations . This our age hath séene good store of martyrs goe chierfully & vnfearfully to death . Neither might men onely boaste themselues hereof , but in the womankinde also did God shew a strength surmountyng the strength of man . Surely the old stories doo not make reporte of any hartie women , whiche the women that Flaunders & the Countie of Arthoys hath brought foorth a tenne yéeres agoe , doo not matche . Shall then the false forsakyng of a few , ouerthrow our faith ? shall that same holy bloud ( whereof euery droppe are seales to as many godly hartes , ) vanish away without estimation or strength ? Although it be so vile to them , yet shall it not be without glorie before God . Neyther shall they scape vnpunisshed for accompaniyng themselues wilfully to their owne decaye , the miserable forsakers of Christe : and for neglectynge them that with stretched out handes call vs vnto Heauen .

I come to that let , which in our time hath kept many from commyng any thing neare to Christe . For they haue séene the chiefe Doctors of the newespringynge Churhe , not onely disagrée among themselues in contrarie opinions , but also sharpely encounter one against another . Here a doubt entered into their mindes , how much thei were to be beleued that at the first beginnynge dissented . Yea and feare came vpon them , least they shoulde vnaduisedly leape so farre , as from whence they mighte not retyre . Specially that same vnhappie contention as touchynge the Sacramentes , it can scarsly be expressed how many mens mindes it troubled . Howe singular a practise of Sathan this was to caste a chokepeare into fearefull consciences , I my selfe haue proued to mine owne harme . But like as I afterwarde perceiued my selfe to haue bene rather hindred by mine owne fault , than withhelde by any iust cause , so I am not afraide to giue the same iudgement vpon all other men . I confesse there is in suche disagréements , that whiche maye perce those that be alreadie méetely well confirmed : and much more those that be vnskilful and nouices . But I say : men ought to gather their wittes about them , that thei may continewe in goyng towarde him , who is neuer sought in vaine . For it was not to the entent to deceiue vs , that he promised , that if we knocke it shal be opened vnto vs : & that if we aske , it shall be giuen vnto vs . They whiche boaste themselues to be deteined still in Papistrie , for the hatred they beare to the dissensions which they sée in our parte : haue no colour of excuse . I speake of a thyng to well knowen . There is no point of Religion wherof their schoole diuines doo not dayly contende . How contrarie their opinions be , howe hatefully they sometime carpe , and sometime gyrde one another , theyr owne bookes beare witnesse . Yea rather they count it a glorious matter to professe diuerse sectes . And therefore the innumerable brawlinges and bickerings of the Papistes , doo nothing offende these good men : and yet one siely disagréement amonge vs , so woundeth them , that they vtterly abhorre from al the whole doctrine . Surely in one thinge the Papistes are to agréeable , that is in bablynge who may bable moste against the Gospell , no lesse leudly than stubburnely mainteyninge theyr owne wicked superstitions . But when they come amonge themselues againe , they doo nothynge els than striue one against another with hoarce and confused chattering . I know that the Monkes and other bablers of the same heare , are so brazen faced , and so farre paste all shame , that they scarre the siely people from takyng any tast of the Gospell , chiefly by this reason , bicause we are not fully agreed amonge our selues . As though the walles of schooles did not sounde agayne of theyr contentions . As though all their bookes ( as is aforesaide ) were not stuffed with repugnant sentences . But I maruell not that they doo so malapertly , who take lamentable wickednesse for vertue . But howe commeth it to passe , that well sighted men , ( to whome none of these thinges that I speake of is vnknowen , ) doo pretende themselues to be moued with this Argument ? Is not this as muche as to shunne the light of set purpose ? And in so doyng they vaunt of their owne wisedome , that they entangle not themselues in daungerous dissentions : deridyng them as takinge no héede , who neuerthelesse dare séeke the way of Saluation . But , in asmuch as I sée no better remedie to correct theyr pryde with , than to set them lighte : I turne me to the simple , who knowyng their owne vnskilfulnesse , had rather absteyne from desire of scarchyng out the truthe , than to put themselues in perill of errynge . When on the one side Luther , and on the other side Oecolampadius & Zwinglius , employed theyr labour earnestly to restore Christes kingdome , that same vnhappie contention , concernynge the holy Supper of the Lorde , rose priuely vp , into the societie wherof many others were drawen . That from the conflict of these graunde Capitaynes , there came fearfulnesse into the hartes of the rawe Souldiers , it is more to be lamented than to be wondered at , notwithstandinge the rawe Souldiers are to be admonished , that they be not troubled out of measure , in asmuche as it is an auncient pollicie of Sathan , to drawe the seruants of God ( otherwise well minded , ) to strife amonge them selues , to the entent he may hinder the course of the wholesome doctrine : who would willingly yéelde to the snares of the Deuill ? So the dissension betwene Paule & Barnabas , procéeded euen to open defiance . So the dissention betwene the same Paule and Peter , did burst out into manifest conflict . In these thrée , al men acknowledge ( as I sayd ) the pollicie of Sathan : and why then are they blinde in this present businesse , where theyr owne saluation is handled ? Some 〈◊〉 will make exceptions , that those contentions were not touching the doctrine . What ? when some woulde néedes haue the Ceremonies of Moyses lawe kepte still , did not the doctrine come in question ? But the Scisme procéeded so farre foorth , that it deuided in maner al the Churches : will thei say it had bene méete the Gospel should haue bene reiected , for that dissentions sake ? It is well knowen that Luther , and they that stoode in contention with him , were wise men , and garnished with singular giftes of God . In the whole summe of godlinesse thei agreed wonderfull well . They taught , as it were with one mouth , which was the right and sincere woorshippe of God : to purge the same from innumerable superstitions & Idolatries , & to set it from mens leude gloses , was theyr whole endeuour . Ouerthrowyng the affiance in woorkes , wherewith miserable men were made dronken and altogither bewitched , they taught that al Saluation was layde vp in the grace of Christe . The powre of Christe which eyther had bene cast vnder foote , or els laye drowned , they nobly aduaunced againe . Which is the true order of callynge vpon God , what is the operacion and nature of Repentance , wherof faith springeth , and what fruites it bringeth foorth , whiche is the lawfull gouernement of the Church , they teache without any variablenesse at all . Onely in the Sacraments there was some disagreement . And yet I dare auouch this without rashnesse , that vnlesse theyr mindes had bene partly exasperate with ouermuch earnestnesse of the contentions , and partly filled with wronge suspitions , the controuersie was not so greate , but that it might easely haue bene reconciled . But if in that heate of disputation , the controuersie could not be discussed orderly as it shoulde be , what letteth nowe at leastwise , but that the turmoyle beynge pacified , the simple truth should be heard ? We agrée very well amonge vs vpon the true vse of the Sacramentes . We doo all in generall affirme that the Sacraments were for this purpose instituted , to seale vp the promises of God in our hartes , to be furtherers of our fayth , and to be witnesse of Goddes grace : we aduisedly shew that they are not emptie or naked & dead figures : seyng that the vse of them through the power of the holy Ghost is effectuall , and that God by the secrete woorkyng of the same holy Ghost , doth truly performe whatsoeuer he thereby declareth . And therefore we confesse that the Bread and Wine in the Supper of our Lorde , are not emptie pawnes or tokens of the Communion , whiche the faithfull haue with Christe theyr head : bicause our soules enioye him as their spirituall foode . Of all these the doctrine is agreable in all places . What so great stumblingblocke doo prouds men finde in this behalfe , that shoulde stoppe vp the way of the Gospell ? But in definyng the way , the maner is somwhat diuers . I confesse surely that all men speake not so distinctly as were to be wisshed : either bicause euery man hath not the like gifte to dispute plainely and cléerely , or els bicause that all haue not atteined one measure of faith . Whereas there remayneth as yet much of the thicke darkenesse of the Papistrie , if it be troublesome to any man to haue it narrowly and plainely set foorth , whatsoeuer maketh to the discussing of the darknesse of theyr errours , he bewrayeth him selfe to be a malitious shunner of the light . Now whiles we lift men from the earth to heauen : while we carry them from dead elementes to Christ , bicause we ascribe the cause of rightuousnesse , saluation , and all good thinges to his mere grace : while we ascribe to the holy Ghost al the efficacie of the signes or Sacramentes : & like as God is the onely authour and performer of spirituall life , we chalenge wholy vnto him that which is his owne : while we reiect al grosse gloses , wherewith it is manifest that the worlde hath bene deluded : while we take away the carnall maner of Christes presence , and the peruerse woorshippyng of him in the Sacrament : They that make a stumblyng blocke thereof , for asmuch as they wittingly and willingly stumble at Christe , they are woorthie to crush themselues togither . I haue proued in this cace , that there are many which take delight to pretende Offences , bicause it pleaseth them to be blinde in the light .

Moreouer , that whiche I haue briefly touched before , is to be called to remembrance , that although alteration of things doo minister occasion of many faultes : yet euery thinge is wonte to be noted more narrowly , and to be founde faulte with more streightly , if ought be then amisse : than if no alteration had happened at all . How déepe a goulfe of ignorance was in the Papistrie , howe horrible the miste of their errours was , it maketh vs astonied to remember . It was a great miracle of God , that Luther and others that labored with him in restorynge the doctrine of godlinesse , could by little and little wade out of it . Diuers doo cauill that they are offended , and come not to the Gospell , or els procéede not in theyr race already begonne , bicause they haue not séene all thinges at one instant : and bicause so high a piece of woorke was not polisshed euery inche of it at the first daye , who seeth not howe excessiue this deintinesse is ? For thei doo in likewise , as if a man should accuse vs , that at the first dawnynge of the day , we doo not yet sée the noone Sunne . Nothyng is more common than these complaintes , why was not exactly prescribed vnto vs by and by , what it behoued vs to followe ? why was this hidden more than other thinges ? shall there be any ende at all , if it be suffred from time to time to procéede any further ? Undoubtedly they that talke so , doo either enuie that the seruauntes of God shoulde profite , or els it grieueth them that the kingdome of Christe is promooted to better & better . The same waywardnesse appeareth in euery small trifle : whiche although they deserue not to be so lightly pardoned : yet they ought not to exasperate vs in such sorte that we should lothe the Gospell . Let the Monkes & other Maisters of the popish Synagoge bable neuer so vnsauerie old wiues tales , let them deforme the Scripture with neuer so absurde gloses : and these good men can finde in their hartes to beare with all this . But if any thinge happen to passe from any of our sort not so aptly applied , they alledge that they are kept from hearyng vs , as it were by some heynous Offence , odious to God and man . They patiently beare with wrestinge the testimonies of the Scriptures , with sentences ilfauoredly hangynge togither , and with friuolous reasons in their olde writers : But if they finde the hundreth parte in the writynges of our men , they will not onely condemne vs all which shal be giltlesse , but also they will counte the whole doctrine to be woorthie to be absteyned fro . Neuerthelesse I doo not here take vpon me the cace of such as by scriblynge doo alaye their owne itche . For it is to be wisshed , that such as are of that sorte , should giue ouer blurryng of paper . But euen as I graunt not that the foolishe toyes of a fewe are parcially to be cherisshed : euen so all men sée how vnrightful a thinge it is , that for wearinesse hereof , all the whole doctrine of the Gospel should be made vnsauerie . It is vndoubtedly true that I haue saide before , that in the middes of the light of the Gospell , are more cléerely perceiued the thinges that erst lay hidde in the darke night . But to winke willingly & carelesly at all maner of faultes in the one partie , whereas in the other ye searche ouer narrowly for thinges to carpe at : I say is the propertie of one that desirously coueteth & forgeth to him selfe stumblingblockes . For the Offence whiche is ministred to them by the liuinge of some not correspondent to theyr profession , groweth not vpon any other grounde . If the life of them onely which boaste themselues to be folowers of the Gospel were corrupt and dissolute , the cause of their Offence might be déemed more beautifull . But seyng that wickednesse floweth generally , almoste through the whole worlde , what shall we saye , but that that olde complainte of the Poete dothe well agrée to our age also . The age of our parentes worse than the time of our graundfathers , hath engendred vs lewder than themselues , who ere it be longe shall leaue a more sinfull ofspringe after vs . And to what purpose pertaineth that warnynge of Christe : that the latter age shal be like the time of Noe , and that there shal be an horrible floudde of iniquitie , wherewith the earth shoulde be ouerwhelmed , but that such a poole of wickednesses , shoulde sharpen the desire of hastinge , to suche as of theyr owne accorde are makinge haste towarde Christe ? For this purpose maketh also ( as I saide before ) the iuste punishment for despisinge the Gospell . For they that haue abused so holy a treasure , who can denie but they haue deserued , that the Lorde should cast them into a reprobate minde , to geue ouer themselues to all kinde of wickednesse . And it is not otherwise to be hoped , but that men should euerywhere more & more waxe Heathen like , of whome we sée fewe frée from this sacriledge . Howbeit , I adde another cause to these causes aboue sayd : namely , that they are malicious and wrongefull iudges , whome the vices of men doo driue from the Gospell . They say howe diuers doo behaue themselues neither godly nor honestly , whiche glory in the Gospell . But this question shoulde haue bene demaunded of them first , whither the Gospell chaunged them to the worse ? He that was a whoremonger ( say they ) or a dicer , or otherwise dissolute of liuynge , is the same man he was still at this daye . Uerely the vices which in Papistrie thei beare with , they beginne to detest so sodeinly , that for hatred of them they abhorre the very doctrine of holynesse and innocencie . I feare not , that they whiche by their filthie & wicked life , doo dishonour the Gospel , should thinke me to be their patrone . And therefore ( I suppose ) I shall haue the more libertie to rebuke them , that impute all the corruptnesse of the Papacie to the Gospell . If there be any holinesse there , the Monkes , by consent of them all , doo chalenge it to them without all controuersie . And why shoulde they not ? when in their Cloysters is resident an angelicall perfection ? But for all that , we haue not from any other place a more filthie puddle of all vices . If any man will replie , that since from thence onely come impostumes , it is no maruell if they sende foorth their stinche wheresoeuer they become : it is an easie matter for me to wash away such a friuolous slaunder . For first and formest if any goodnesse were there , it is most certaine , that by the wonderful prouidence of God it was brought out , as golde should be brought out of a dunghill . What Monkes had Germanie in our age , that eyther in doctrine or holinesse , may be bolde to compare themselues with Luther , Bucer , Oecolampadius and suche like , onlesse they doo it without all respect of shame ? whome shall the Italians set agaynst Bernardine Ochine , or Peter Vermill ? Also out of the Cloisters of Fraunce there issewed diuers , who with their brightnesse might haue shadowed many reproches and shames of their order . I confesse there were but fewe that turned from their Monkerie vnto vs , who are woorthie to be named for honours sake . And what wonder is it though many Angels come not out of Hell . In that onely Loth of all the Sodomites escaped aliue , we doo woorthely attribute it to the excellent power of God . But what Sodom euer was there fraughted with so many monsters of filthinesse , as swarme at this day in the dennes of Monkes ? And therfore am I wonte to say : if the tenth parte of them that fléete thence vnder the name of Christianitie , doo giue themselues truly to Christe , the world goeth very well on our side . But rather we dayly sée Christe defrauded of his tenthes : in so much that scarce the twentie parte commeth to his share . Suche of them as giue occasion of Offence , I say not that they are so muche lewde of nature , and ill spoken of for their owne faultes , as hated for their filthie & wicked trayninge vp in Monkerie . For in that thei be slouthful bellies , & scoldes , and falseharted , and vnthankefull , and vnnurtred , and busibodies , and filchers , and of slauishe nature , and lecherous , doo not all these thinges smell of their Cloyster trade of liuing ? Euery seuerall order hath seueral rules sequestred and distinct one from another : howbeit the common rule well néere of them all , is patched togither of those vertues whiche I haue rehersed . For if the best whiche God hath drawen out of that myre , doo acknowledge the skurfe that they haue there taken , to sticke so faste by them , that they must labour from daye to daye in wipinge away the reffuse : a man may iudge how sore the the infection reigneth amonge the common sorte . Then let those , whome suche kinde of Offences hinder , receiue that is their owne , and they shal finde the way plaine & leuell . Surely if I were a magistrate , and that I had sufficient goodes to mainteine the charges thereof , I would neuer set at libertie a Monke new crepte out of his denne , vnder halfe a yéeres triall at the least , and that shoulde be thorowly done to , ere he should vse the common trade of liuyng and societie of men : and as many as I sawe clad still in their Monkishe wéede , I woulde either shut them vp in prisons , or els sende them away as vnruly beastes into some wilde forest . Moreouer to washe from the Papacie , the filthinesse whiche is knowen to be proper vnto it , and to laye them vpon the name of the Gospell , is a point of to much slaunderousnes . But why doo I dispute of one kinde ? For if the Papists obiect to vs the dissolute liuynge and scarce honest behauiour of a fewe men , we maye of as good righte and better , returne the same and greater reproches by double vpon them . Would God they gaue vs not so plentiful matter . It is to no purpose to tel how fréely whoredome reigneth among them without punishment : what libertie there is of scoldynge and quarrelyng : howe all kinde of wantonnesse is permitted commonly : with how great reioycement reigne amonge them lawlesse pompes , vnchaste dauncinges , and other thinges of the same sorte . Surely there is none of all these thinges , whiche ( that I may glory after a sober maner ) is not prohibited among vs by publicke proclamacions , & restreined by some discipline . Wherefore it is not to be feared , if we be compared with the Papistes , that we should be founde fully as ilfauored as they . When we remember our euill doynges , there is cause why we should be greatly ashamed . But ( which is a thinge to be lamented , ) theyr extreame filthinesse maketh vs to séeme almost good and vndefiled men . It is a wonder therefore that they , who are so coye in bearing with the vices of our men , should be steeleharted in sufferynge the wickednesses of the contrarie part . Wherin they not onely doo vs wronge , but also are most vnthankfull to God . For in the meane time they passe ouer very many examples of rare godlinesse , holinesse , & all other vertues : whereby it became them rather to be prouoked to the loue and reuerent feare of the Gospell , than for the faultes of some to be moued to hatred or contempt of it . They alledge that not many amended , since they professed the Gospell . But I pray you , how many may we bring foorth of the contrarie parte , whose wonderfull conuersion dothe beautifie our Gospell ? And seynge they enforce vs to gloriyng , which so maliciously doo darken the glory of the Gospell , there is no region whiche doth not dayly beholde princely triumphes of our doctrine in this behalf . The aduersaries themselues also , although they dissemble it , yet are they ready to burste for madnesse , bicause they sée men , who heretofore were giuen to riotte , wantonnesse , vnchastnesse , vaine pompes of the world , couetousnesse , & rauin , nowe wholy framed to sobernesse , temperance , chastitie , modestie , and vpright dealynge . And if they séeke at our handes for such as haue ledde the whole processe of theyr life continually in vertue and glorious fame , we are not destitute of a very great number of suche . I could name a great sorte , who excellinge sometime with high commendacion in the Papistrie , doo now sithens they were endewed by God with pure knowledge of his Gospell , by expressinge the liuely image of vertue in their life , shewe themselues to haue had no more but a shadow of it before . But least this talke may for some appearance of boastynge be odious , I will conclude shortly . If the examples both of men & women doo throughly moue any bodie : singular godlynesse testified as well in death as life , vprightnesse , chastitie , and temperance , ought to be much more auaileable towarde the confirmacion of the faith , than it were méete that the disordered life of other men should anoye it .

Now let vs passe to the laste sorte of Offences : which I saide to consiste partly of surmised slaunders , & partly to spryng of malicious cauillations , which frowarde men fetchyng a farre of , doo vniustly wrest vpon the Gospell . Of slaunders I purpose to speake this before : that is no maruell if lewde persones by spreadyng them farre abroade , endeauour to ouerthrowe the credite of our doctrine amonge the simple . For it is not conuenient that we shoulde be exempted from the common law of the seruauntes of God . Surely Paule was not so waywarde to make those complaintes for nothinge , whiche are to be séene euerywhere in his wrytinges . Many things , of his wisedome he suppressed with silence : many thinges , of his modestie he did forgiue : many thinges , of his noble courage he swallowed vp and sayd nothyng : and yet we sée how often he complayneth that he was spightfully slaundered through the congregacions . I speake of sinistre backebitinges , wherewith malicious persones did burthen him , beyng absent & knowynge not of it , before persones to light of credite , vnskilfull of all thinges , and ignorant of the truthe . For it is to well knowen how the seruauntes of God , yea & the Sonne of God too , haue with open slaunders bene openly assaulted . But the Deuill when he seeth he can profite nothing by open assault , assayleth the good name of the godly priuely , as it were by mynes . Therefore when Paule was goynge of his harde souldierfare in countries farre of : when through a thousande daungers he endeuored to enlarge the kingdome of Christe : hauinge continuall conflictes with sundry enemies , runnynge hither and thither of purpose & desire to gather nations farre distant asunder , into the vnitie of the faith : cowardly and currish whisperers burdened him behinde his backe with vndeserued slaunders . Whiche of vs maye require to haue his good name vntouched of all the snatchynges of wicked men , seyng that Paules purenesse of liuinge was not able to defende him ? Yea rather ( as he witnesseth him selfe to haue done ) let vs goe through with vnapalled courage by infamie or good name . For it is no lesse behouefull for the seruauntes of Christe , to set light by slaunderous reportes : than to be frée from the enticementes of vaineglorie . For Sathan by burthenyng them with wrongfull misdéemynges , séeketh eyther to breake , or ( at leastwise ) to hinder their chéerefulnesse in doynge well . But like as it is nothinge conuenient the we should be moued out of our standynge , as often as we are ill spoken of for doynge well : so they are not troubled but by their own faulte , who in admittynge whisperinges and false accusations doo shewe themselues to light of beliefe . Howe many thinges did the enemies of Luther surmise & inuent vpon him , bothe in sermons & bookes that they put foorth , by the space of whole fiue & twentie yéeres togither ? There are nolies so prodigious which thei durst not forge and blaste out against vs . Picart a doctor of Paris , a man of a troublesome brayne , and therewithall frentike , ( but yet of suche estimacion amonge his owne sort , that al his olde wiues tales are counted for Oracles , ) as he playde the dronken bedlem , accordynge to his custome in the pulpit , was so bolde to say , that we vtterly denied there was any God . Undoubtedly he is not ignorant that he lieth shamefully : but for asmuche as such men are purposed and bente to assaulte vs by any meanes that may be , they thinke the law in their owne handes , to blab out against vs , whatsoeuer may cause vs to be behated . And surely seyng they know as well as maye be , that they are destitute of all reason , ( but if they make the miserable people as very doltes as themselues : ) it is no maruell that they are compelled of necessitie to abuse that for a shifte . Howbeit whatsoeuer it pleaseth them to surmise , yea euen without colour , ought not foorthwith to obteine so greate credite . But it is so ordinarie , that it is counted for lawfull . If I shoulde make rehersall how many absurde & childishe toyes they haue deuised of me : it were daunger least I should wrappe my selfe in theyr folies . I saye no more but this : if there be suche lawe determined against vs , that the more vnbrydled and vnshamefast our enemies be to belie vs , so much shoulde the cace of the Gospell be the worse , and so muche of the credite thereof should be abated : there is no cause why so wrongful iudges may complaine , that stumblingblockes are caste in their waye , whiche they shewe to be a thinge of their owne voluntarie séekyng : and we may saufely saye with Paule : he that is ignorant , let him be ignorant still .

I come to another spice of backbityng , whiche not onely commeth out of the same woorkehouse of Sathan , but also is forged almost vpon the same stithie . This onely difference there is , that those former , of whome I haue spoken , beynge open and sworne enemies , doo diffame the Gospell in their ministers to the people : and these of whome I purpose to speake hereafter , doo so winde themselues in , vnder the name of the Gospell , that neuerthelesse by ouerthwart murmuringe , they withdrawe as many as thei can from Christe . These are partely hungerstoruen vagabondes , whiche will ouerwhelme thée with carteloades of slaunders , if thou cram not full theyr gorges : and partly naughtie lewde fellowes , who being dispatched from our companie for their owne fault , or els depriued of some office for ill doynge , hunte for a new liuyng in another corner : and yet bothe sortes of them haue theyr mindes and tongues in their bellie . Othersome , beinge a little more deintie , as not so much pinched with hunger , and yet shunnyng the Crosse , to the entent to haue a cloke for theyr cowardlinesse , doo ouerloade the pure doctrine of the Gospel with fables , feined by themselues . I sayd a little before howe there are a great number of Dranes that roue abroade , to gette somewhat by pilferie , or by deceite . Such beyng now so knowen by their owne packinges , that they can finde place no more to beguile folke in the Churches of Christe : departinge aside some otherwhere , doo power out any thinge they can imagine against vs impudently , to the entent to get themselues fauour , by bringynge vs in hatred with the vnskilfull . But what will those good men prescribe vs , whiche conceiue cause of Offence vpon their vanitie . We sée asseheaded Monkes , who yet were wont to stuffe the paunche , that if yée cram not meate into their mouthes , by and by they waxe firie to sanctifie battell ( as the Prophete termeth it . ) We sée others also not vnlike the Monkes . They promisse all to become halfe Angelles , so they may happen vpon a measurable trade of liuinge , sayinge they wil be contented with bread and water . But that same bragge of sufferance , anone after vanissheth into smooke . And they themselues after they haue within a while giuen a proofe of their slouthfulnesse , beinge weary of woorke , steale priuely awaye . I confesse , that many hauyng desired a state of liuinge in vaine , ( as it must néedes come to passe , where many come flockinge to aske at ones ) doo departe . And I am not harde to beleue , but that some are not so liberally helped , who notwithstandinge were more woorthy of reliefe : either bicause in men vnknowen so exact choyse can not be had , or els bicause those that be the bolder sorte in crauinge , take vp the place before the fearefull and shamefaste doo come : or bicause we doo not euer iudge rightly , or bicause that beyng néere spent with giuinge out , we are compelled to sende away either emptie , or at leastwise slenderly relieued , suche as come out of season . And yet such as should haue somwhat more colour , haue also come sieldomer , and speake more gently . The complaintes of the other sorte flie abroade euerywhere . And what maner of ones be they ? Bespred with most monstruous lies . Howbeit muche more lewdely doo they rayle , whiche beinge either driuen hence for their misbehauiour , or drawen hence by false reniyng , doo hauke for the fauour of richemen by slaunderous meanes , to the entent to fill their mawe with likkyng their disshes . For this is not hidden , that there are many founde which would desire to haue the Gospell quiet for them , and frée from all trouble : when as they are ashamed to confesse the truthe , howe the feare of the Crosse doth let them that thei cannot satisfie the Christian profession . If there be any vices in the Churches of Christe , they couet to enquyre them out , that they may not séeme tied to their nest without cause . Uerely ( saye they ) if in vs be reprehended clokinge of Idolatrie , in other places also is neuerthelesse committed offence diuers wayes . And still they séeke pretence by their lies , whiche it is moste certaine to be forged by suche varlettes , in fauour of them . It liketh me to alledge briefly two or thrée examples , to the entent that hereafter no man be deceiued , except it be wittingly & willingly . There was one Cortese minister of the woorde in the countie of Monsbergard : who beinge driuen from thence , went to Neoconium : where findyng colder entertainement than he hoped for , to the entent he might reuenge him selfe , beinge furthered with the helpe of certaine like him selfe , he did many and great displeasures to the godly brethren . Howbeit findinge him selfe at length discouraged , he craued forgiuenesse humbly ( which is an ordinarie with those foxes ) and through his deceitefull pretence of repentance , he not onely pacified the displeased brethren , but also at such time , as he fained him self to be doubtfull in certaine questions , obteyned their letters vnto me , wherein they desired me friendly , that I woulde goe about to resolue him . I entertainyng the man at mine owne table , hearde him patiently : in so muche that with aboundance of teares he affirmed al scruples to be nowe voyded from him . At his departure also I gaue him wherewith to beare his charges by the waye . From that time foorth gaddinge ouer all Fraunce , he ceased not to speake euill of me like a lewde fellow . Another I knowe not of what countrey ( who had giuen him self a name of the Cornell trée , ) beynge accused to haue done diuers thinges vnséemely for the seruaunt of Christ , was by the iudgement of the conuocation of Lausan , commaunded to suspende his ministerie , vntill his cace were tried better . Anone after as he carried letters to Berue , suspectinge they were not made as he woulde wish , he deliuered other of his owne counterfettinge : and vnderstandyng that his lewdenesse was founde out , bicause he coulde not washe his handes of the matter , he tooke his héeles into another quarter . And all these thinges were done in mine absence without my knowledge . Nowe he reporteth euery where that I draue him out by force , bicause he refused to subscribe to mine Heresies . Another who was to great a tauerne hunter , beinge sharply rebuked by me , neuer lefte feastyng and banquettinge by stelth , vntill he was runne very sore in dette : when leauinge his householde he crept priuely away . I was gone of a iourney to Argentine . There was betwene vs no variance , no suspition of Offence , but that I had a while bene a let that he cast not him selfe away . And bicause he had bene of the couent of the Austine Friers , he walked vp and downe before their denne , declaringe lamentably that he was banished , bicause that he also had withstood my Heresies . But I doo not so much passe for the lewdnesse of him & suche as he is , as this vnwoorthinesse grieueth me , that the good Fathers , who dayly learne out of our Bookes , doo not sticke in steade of rewardinge vs , to charge vs with the offences which thei haue drawen out of those their owne puddels . But I play the foole in busiynge both my selfe and the Readers , in gathering these huskes togither : but that it behooued as it were to be represented in the persones of a fewe , what is wonte to be done of most men euery where and dayly . Towarde some we are to rough & vnappeasable . But it were good to know what maner of Clemencie they require at our handes : we being wrongfully hurte doo forgiue , and take no reuengement , though it be in our hande to doo it . This is not inoughe for them : but they will moreouer be receiued into our bosoomes , none otherwise than if they had alwaies bene most faithfull vnto vs : what a thing is this ? That beinge deceiued , betrayed , and cruelly misused , we shoulde not be bolde to looke to our selues afterwarde . But it repenteth them . Uerely , being very Crocodiles , they will with one little teare purchace credite of goodnesse . This therfore , is that our vncourtuous rigour , that we doo not wilfully yéelde our selues to them to cut our throtes . But I let passe to speake of our priuate iniuries . God shal be greatly offended : an open faulte & of very ill example shal be commmitted , yea and some shall heape wickednesse vpon wickednesse : beinge conuicted they confesse tone halfe of the faulte themselues . And yet when they haue confessed , if all thinges be not in as good state with them as if they had neuer done amisse , they crie out , that by our rigorousnesse they are driuen to despayre . I say that repentance beyng so holy a thing , cannot be estéemed vpon colde signes . To goe further with them , what repentance boast they of , who are so smally humbled with the acknowledgyng of theyr faulte , that within thrée daies after they dare with a brasen face vaunt themselues in the pulpit ? It was the fasshion of Monkes to kéepe secrete what wickednesse so euer was in theyr fellowes for reuerence of their order . Many woulde wishe that this custome were brought into the Church of Christe . But I holde opinion that there can no better prouiso be made for the honour of the Christian name , than if the Temple of God be cleane purged from filthinesse .

But nowe I haue spente to many woordes in repeating the slaunders , wherwith suche varlets as are departed from amonge vs , doo through my sides ouerthwartly wounde the Gospell : I returne againe to the generall slaunders , wherewith the manifest and sworne enemies doo openly assault the doctrine . This is the slaunder most frequented amonge them : that we vnder pretence of Christian libertie , doo set frée all thinges at the luste of our selues and of other men : and that our doctrine tendeth to none other ende , but that men beinge loosened from lawe , & awe , shoulde take theyr pleasure without measure or modestie . What our doctrine conteineth , large volumes are able to shewe . But ye may vnderstand that it is as frée for our enemies to lie , before them that are kepte from readinge our writinges , as it is superfluous for vs to make excuse before the Readers . Neuerthelesse , first I woulde know what yoke of discipline it is a Gods name , that is so grieuous , that it compels vs to flie to this sanctuarie . For the rigorousnesse of the Papacie was neuer yet so great , but that it was lawfull there to goe a whorehuntinge , to daunce , to excéede vnmeasurably in all riottousnesse , to feast and banquet , to play at dice , and by all meanes to vse misbehauiour through the whole yéere : condicionally that once after yéerely pardon , those that had liued so lewdly , discharged their stomacke into the Massemongers eare , as it were by vomittinge after a surfet . To what purpose them was it , to séeke this last remedie of despayre , in suche dissolute licentiousnesse ? Certeinly if there were any , neuer so desirous of alteration , yet they neuer began to make a doo , before they were past all hope of compassinge theyr desire otherwise . Nowe there coulde not any vnruly or wanton desire haue tickled vs , whiche might not haue bene borne with , vnpunished vnder the Papacie . But the blowers abroade of the praise of the Papacie , are too too muche to be laughed at , while they preache their streight orders of discipline , as if they were the lawes of Sparta . For who wold beléeue a Monke with plumpe and ruddie chéekes , boasting of his fastinge ? who can thinke that they are sparinge , who are euerywhere knowen to be drowned in ruffianrie ? To conclude in one woorde , almoste all the popishe Clergie , is a wide sinke of all kindes of wickednesse , which doth not onely breath out his stinch farre and wide , but dothe also infect with his deadly venim all other orders or degrées of the worlde . But admit we graunt that all thinges are ordered holyly and chastly amonge them . Yet for that thei say we loosen and set at large the chastitie of maners , which men were streightly bounde vnto by their lawes : I will appeale to none other witnesses , for the disprouinge of this lie , than those whiche are dayly quarelynge with vs , complayninge that al their olde libertie is taken from them . I will saye nothinge but that whiche is throughly knowen to all men . As many amonge vs as being lecherous , riottouse , or lewde , couet to doo as they liste , ye should saye they be the very Souldiers of the Pope hyred to assaulte the Gospell . Neyther dissemble they the cause , that they cannot away with this auncient and sadde seueritie ( as they terme it , ) whiche earst lay hidde in olde forworne papers . The rage of these men at least wise were to be pacified , to the entent these good defenders of chastitie might perswade that we giue the fleashe as muche libertie as it will craue . But for asmuch as they kicke and spurne so much against our rigorousnesse , to whom the discipline of Papistrie was swéete and delectable , it may be easie for any man to gather hereby , that our doctrine is farre wide from that vnbridled parcialitie , whereof they accuse it . Naye rather many of the Papistes doo aggrauate this spight vpon our doctrine , that it taketh almost all mirth and gladnesse out of the worlde .

Thrée thinges specially they obiect against vs : wherin they accuse vs to couet a licentiousnesse of doynge what we list . Bicause we haue abrogated auricular confession : bicause forbiddinge of meates is condemned : & bicause we make frée vnto all men the vse of Mariage . Thei crie out that shamefastnesse is taken out of the worlde , but if the necessitie of confessinge bridle it . Uerely it is a wonderous thinge that the spirite of God , neither in the old Church , nor of many ages after Christes comminge , did vse this brydle . Shall we then say , that all that time wanted shamefastnesse , when holynesse , chastitie , and all vertues florisshed chiefly ? Albeit the rigour of discipline were at that time excéedinge sharpe , yet notwithstandynge there was not this bridle , without the whiche these good patrones of modestie thinke nothinge should be in sauftie . But it is most false whiche they boaste of , that the lustes of men are hereby restrayned . For who seeth not , that in like maner as dronken men doo ease themselues by vomit , to the entent that anone after , as if they were fresh and fastyng they may returne to glutting themselues new againe : Euen so the Papistes vtter their secreate whisperinges into the Priestes eare , to the entent that beyng lightened of theyr former fardell , they maye more boldely heape sinne vpon sinne . They pretende by their woordes , to confesse themselues to God . But I saye it is the common intent of them all , to disclose their priuities couertly to the Prieste , to the entent they may be hidden from God and man . And therefore we see that after they are dispatched of their théeuishe mumbling , thei follow theyr lustes farre more carelesly than before . But let vs graunt them that some are so kept in awe with that slauish feare , that they absteine from sinninge : yet inferre they slaunderously vppon vs , that we séeke fleashly libertie in this behalfe . We condemne the lawe of Innocent , whiche bindeth the consciences with the necessitie , from which God absolueth and setteth frée . Let them reason the matter with God , who so precisely forbiddeth that any man shoulde snarle him selfe in suche snares , or suffer the soules whiche Christe hath redéemed with his bloud , to be snarled . We say it procéeded of trayterous boldnesse , that the Remission of sinnes was bounde to the deuice of man . If we cannot auouche vnto Christe , his right & honour , otherwise than by takinge vpon vs this reproche whiche they charge vs with : it is verely the greatest honour to vs that maye be . Assuredly they are peruerse & lewde , which thereupon conceiue cause of Offence . For the takinge awaye of difference of meates , the excuse is readie and easie to make . They say that the raine is let lose to the fleash to waxe wanton intemperately , bicause it is permitted to eate fleash as well vpon the friday as the monday . As who would say , there were no riot or excesse , saue in eatinge of fleash . Furthermore , who knoweth not , that alwaies the deintiest fare hath euer bene of fishe ? and that at this day , the kitchens neuer smooke better , nor the tables are more busily laide , or furnished with more plentie and varietie , than vpon fishedaies ? Awaye with those toyes : that we allure simple soules with delicates . For the question in variance betwene vs is not of delicate meates . But the Papistes , whereas they can with al their hartes suffer the gull to be glutted vpon the friday with all superfluitie and swéetenesse of meates , ( fleash onely excepted : ) affirme it vnlawfull to touche porke or beofe : & we leaue to euery mans conscience the libertie that God hath graunted . Therefore we dare determine , that there is no more religion in vile inwardes of beastes , than in a fishe sumptuously sauced . Surely a spare and sober diet , as becommeth vs , we commende : neither shall any man finde that our wrytinges or sermons doo euen thus muche beare with excesse . But rather euery side of a leafe of our wrytings shall witnesse with vs , that we are somewhat aboue the Papistes in enforcinge men to temperance . And takinge away the superstition of the day , we teach that it is lawfull to vse sparely and thriftely , such things as by Gods benefite we haue in store . What swéetenesse of libertie is there so great herein , that it shoulde inforce vs to turne the world vpside downe ? Surely if I were minded to delight my mouth , I would for one halfe yéere , choose me other maner of meates rather than fleash . My acquaintance know I am very much delighted in fish , and certeine other thinges , from which I willingly absteine , least I shoulde bie my delicates with the losse of my health . I confesse it is a fondnesse , to confute suche slender slaunders . But my Readers must beare with me , if in settinge my selfe against Offences , I play the foole a little . Wherefore it néedeth not to tarrie any lengar , about these toyes . For this part of doctrine whiche I intreate of , consisteth of two members . We vpholde that it is vnlawfull for the consciences to be entangled with mans lawes , which should be ruled by the onely woorde of God . Although that nothing were more profitable than this kinde of exercise : yet not withstandynge we say it is a wicked boldnesse , when men make a lawe to binde the soules with an inward feare . For God chalengeth this right to him selfe alone , that he be our lawegiuer and our Iudge . Therwithal we say , that extréeme wronge is done vnto Christe , while the libertie purchaced with his bloud , is brought to nothinge . For by his benefite we are so muche in better cace than the people of the old lawe , in that we are set frée from obseruation of dayes & choyce of meates . Furthermore , with Paule we denie that the kingdome of God consisteth in meate and drinke : and therefore that men are deceiued by an euill superstition , when they take abstinence from fleash to be a part of holinesse . Finally , we doo nothinge but subscribe vnto Paule , who plainly affirmeth it to be a Diuelish doctrine , to forbidde meates as vncleane , whiche God hath hallowed to mans vse , that he maye eate fréely of them with thankes giuyng . Of no Offence ought to be had so great regarde , that it should be lawfull to hide in silence things so néedefull to be knowen .

But yet this crime is not altogither wasshed away , in asmuche as our aduersaries brag that we can abide no fastyng , the whiche our Lord euery where highly commendeth . Firste , for asmuche as our Bookes and sermons doo crie out against this slaunder , we néede to labour the lesse in confutinge the same . But they wil replie vpon vs , that we haue disanulled the decrées that were longe agoe stablisshed for fastinge . I confesse so , & that we were compelled thereto for very earnest and weightie causes , so that they deale very lewdely with vs , in imputinge to vs as a faulte , a thinge godlily and iustly taken in hande . It was beleued vpon an olde forworne opinion , that the Lenton fast procéeded of the institution of Christe . This errour is light to séemyng , but yet an errour in déede , and suche a one , as is in no wise to be borne withall . It is an easie matter to showe without any trouble , how foolishly and vnsauorly it was deuised , and how rashly it was beléeued . For if Christe would by his example allure vs to a yéerely faste , why did he it but ones in all his life , and not yéerely ? why did he not by & by stablishe the custome amonge his Disciples ? why did not the Apostles immediatly after his resurrection kéepe it as a rule prescribed of their maister ? And why should we more followe the faste of Christe , than the olde people the faste of Moyses ? which of the Prophetes or faithfull men , tooke example at Moyses to doo the like ? now put to that other parte : namely that it is suche an errour , as cannot be winked at , without great domage to our faith . No man doubteth but that the doctrine of the Gospell was sealed with that miracle , to the entent the authoritie therof should be the certeiner . And therfore the Euangelicall historie reporteth , that Christe was not a hungred by the space of .xl. daies . That which Christe did by the power of his Godhead , to the entent to exalt the reuerence of his doctrine aboue mans reache , while the Papistes counterfet the same as if it were subiect to theyr owne power , doo they not ( as much as in them lieth ) darken the wonderfull power of Christe , & cancell that holy seale wherwith the truthe of the Gospell was ratified ? In other fastings we easely showe , that when men thought they pleased God , they did exhibite a grosse woorshippe vnto Idols . In that daies are appointed in honour of whome they should faste . The Scripture condemneth it of wilfull superstition . That they stablishe a woorship of God therein , and imagine it a meritorious woorke , it is not onely a foolish and vaine truste , but also an vtter vngodlinesse . If we folow Paule as our Author , it shal be lawfull to vs to pronounce in generall , that suche outwarde exercises wherein the chiefe pointe of godlinesse consisteth not , doo little profite . And this cannot be spoken , but that that precise rigorousnesse of exactinge fast , which reigneth amonge the Papistes , may iustly be condemned , as longe as they permit to neglect necessarie dueties . Yea rather a man may crie vnto them out of the mouth of our mayster him selfe : O ye Hypocrites , ye haue made the commaundements of God of none effect , for your owne traditions sake : nowe although weightier caces doo moue vs to speake , yet sodeinly they make vs mainteyners of glottonie and all intemperance . And yet the lewdnesse of them , against whome I dispute , is vnwoorthie to haue so rightfull and earnest a defence made against it . For what lawe I beséeche you , doth the Pope forbid by his fastinges ? or rather make for his fastinges ? That a man shoulde no taste any meate before noone , and then absteine from fleash : and to be short that contenting him with his onely dinner , he should that day forbeare his Supper . Moreouer , this is the vsuall maner , that the fill themselues well the night afore , ere they goe to bedde , to the entent a two howres fastyng may be the more tolerable : that the same daye they faste , because they are allowed no more but onely their dinner , they cramme in as much as their croppes will holde : & that the next day after they take vp their pennyworthes with surfettinge . After they haue so carelesly dalied with God , as if it were with some boye , this also they adde to the heape of their lewdnesse , that the measurable and spare diet is broken by vs . But I saye , that although they be dissolute in al their whole life , yet they no where fall more grossely into a beastly intemperance , than in their fastinges .

Somewhat also remaineth to be spokeokē of Mariage . Our aduersaries surmise , that we for womens sakes haue moued as it were the warre of Troye . To the entent I omit others at this present , thei must néedes graunt , that I at least wise am frée from this slaunder . By meanes whereof I haue the more libertie to refell their vnsauorie chatteringe . Whereas vnder the Tirannie of the Pope I was alwaies frée to take a wife , since the time the Lorde tooke me out of it , I haue many yéeres liued a single life . After the death of my wife , a woman of singular example , it is now a yéere and a halfe , since I haue liued a single life againe . These thinges whiche shall perchaunce séeme to make little to the purpose , I haue for this consideration spoken by the way , partly that thereby the malicious vanitie of our aduersaries maye be reproued : and partly that all men may beare witnesse I doo not pleade a priuate cace . But what goodnesse then doo these mainteiners of chastitie bringe ? Marrie they say , that Luther and others beyng stirred thereto by the ticklyng of the fleash , haue both giuen themselfe libertie to marrie , and also drawen the common sorte of Priestes , Monkes , & Nonnes into the like allurementes . The thinges whiche might be truely declared of the chastitie of seueral persones , whom they falsely and maliciously diffame , I passe ouer of set purpose . For what were more foolishe , than for suche to flie out of the Papistrie as cannot liue chaste ? Ye maye well thinke there were no libertie for sacrifisinge Priestes , Monkes , and Nonnes , to fulfill their lustes , onlesse they sought than a new sanctuarie a great waye of , with theyr great trouble . As though all the Cloisters , Celles , & Fraytries , of the Monkes and Nonnes , did not stinke of all kinde of fornication and vncleannesse . Their prodigious lustes I doo not here touche . But to what purpose is it to dissemble a thinge knowen , as how that from those lurkinge holes , chastitie & shamefastnesse , for the most part , were so banished , that the greatest number of them had there some libertie at leastwise , to play the harlottes . What shall I say of the sacrifising Priestes , who are so little ashamed of their lecheries , that it is now a glorious matter for them to set vp remembraunces of them euery where . Surely , that I maye speake moste fauorably , there is no néede at all that muttonmongers should remoue out of the Papistrie . And yet I doo not vtterly denie , but that some Monkes flie out of their cages , to the entent they maye fréely amonge vs féede on the laced mutton , whiche there they doo but snatch at by stealth . But I dare take themselues to witnesse , howe great oddes there is betwene mariage , & the voluptuous life whiche they ledde in their lobbies . And therefore diuers , bicause they by and by smell howe muche streighter the chaste dwellinge togither of man and wife is , than the popish single life of wiuelesse wantonnesse , doo retyre betimes to theyr owne nestes . Othersome beynge more desperate , flie ouer to Rome or to some other place , whither fortune carrieth them . And this is one of the Angelicall vertues of the Cloysters .

Neuerthelesse , admitte that many doo peruersly abuse our doctrine : yet it ought to be séene how iuste cause there is of Offence . God hath created mankinde vnder this condition , that man should performe the office of a head to the woman , and the woman againe be an helper to the man : and so in a mutuall bonde he knitte bothe the sexes togither . Before man was corrupted , mariage was giuen and permitted to them for a greate benefite . This benefite of God to be wrested from man beyng mortal , I say is not to be suffered . Now vnto the first institution of God , is come a greater necessitie , by reason of incontinencie of the fleashe . For the holy Ghost hath not in vaine by the mouthe of Paule , appointed this remedie for the auoydinge of fornication , that euery man should haue his wife , and euery woman also haue her owne husband . Christe and the said Paule doo not in vaine giue warnyng , that all are not apte and méete for single life . And would God the disease of incontinencie were lesse knowen in this our nature growen out of kinde . God , to the entent to remedie this vice , hath not onely ordeined mariage , wherein man may lawfully dwell with woman , but also with lowde voice calleth vnto the lawful vse thereof , al that are burned of their owne fleash . The Apostles , Martyrs , and other chiefest of the Sainctes vsed this benefite . A wonderfull estimation of single life arose sodeinly , and put mariage quight out of conceit and reputation . Notwithstandynge , the abstinence from mariage was but at will for a time , vntill that superstition set open the gate to Tirannie . First therefore were the Priests prohibited mariage , at length the prohibition crepte to the Deacons too . The Monkes and Nonnes , beinge intangled in the snare of their Othe , gaue ouer the right that God had graunted them . Hereupon the worlde beganne to thinke none hallowed to God , but onely singlefolke . This cruell furie raged so farre , that thei noted the maried life to be very reprochfull as an vnholy kinde of life . First , although suche a chaunge had had good successe to sée to , yet we say it had his beginnyng of Diuelish audacitie . But the holier vertue that Chastitie is , so muche the wickedder and more detestable is forced singlenesse , whiche is most certaine to be replenished with all kinde of filthinesse and vncleannesse . The Papistes extolt virginitie with wonderfull commendations , to the entent they may séeme like the Angels , whosoeuer abhorreth mariage . As who should say , they had wonne at our handes , that out of mariage there were nothynge but all chaste and virginlyke . But they séeme to haue theyr beds voide of wiues of theyr owne , for this purpose onely , that they themselues may be occupied in defilynge other mens . For who knoweth not how it is a common saying amonge them , that seyng a Monke , or a Priest , is disbarred the right of takyng a wife as all other men doo , it is good right and reason he should helpe him selfe some other way . And to the entent there should be no default on their parte , almost all of them follow lustely this kinde of hunting . There is no fitter pursute for Bawdry than confession , as whereby they doo not onely wind into their owne clawes , such women as are giltie of any misbehauiour , but also doo assigne them ouer from one to another , and therefore nowe the matter is come to this point , that such as are contented with Lemans in theyr houses , are counted amonge the rest to be chaste and temperate . Theyr priuie filthinesse & vnspeakeable incest , I omit . And surely I would not meddle with these neyther , though they be commonly knowen , but that it is néedefull the Readers should be admonished by the waye , howe honestly the aduersaries of our doctrine deale with vs , while they accuse it of dissolute licentiousnesse , bicause it permitteth lawfull mariage for the amendment of so cruell mischieues . Though they burst , whiche cease not to adorne with forged prayses , the constreined singlenesse of the popishe Cleargie : yet it is moste certaine , that in most part of them is the bottomlesse pitte of all vncleannesse : & I saye that in them which séeme to be chaste , is neuerthelesse an vnpure puddle . With such partly priuie flames of lustes , & specially manifest abhominations , doth God ( as ye may perceiue ) reuenge that Diuelishe audacitie , for that despisinge the benefite of mariage , like Giauntes they buylde Babilonishe towres , wherewith to vanquish God and nature by plaine force . And so it behoued to come to passe , that at least wise men might learne , that , and none other , to be the true chastitie , whiche Gods rule prescribeth vnto vs . But bycause we restraine the beastly lasciuiousnesse , wherof there is no measure in the Papistrie , by the bridle of wedlocke : we are reported to disanull modestie by settinge carnall libertie at large . And what maruell is it ? seinge that Christe and Paule were vpbrayded with the like thinge : as if they had broken the yoke of the lawe for the nonce , to the entent that men might vse theyr willes in stéede of lawe . For they woulde not haue purged their doctrine , from slaunders so carefully , but if they had bene compelled by the lewdnesse & spightfull maliciousnesse of theyr enemies . But as many as be curable , I trust they wil be pacified with this shorte excuse , that they forge not a stumblynge blocke to themselues , of so light and friuolous a matter .

This also hath some colour : that our doctrine is disagreable to antiquitie and the consent of all ages . And therefore the Papistes bragge themselues most therein , specially when with blowynge of trumpettes they sounde those highe names of the Fathers , and the Church . Bicause it is knowen well inough , how odious and suspected a thynge newnesse in Religion is : vnder the same pretence they fray the vnskilfull from our doctrine . And I confesse surely , that if any newe thinge be brought , it is not to be heard . But of this crime there is no better or certainer purgation , than that we will nothinge to be admitted , onlesse it be proued by cléere & substantiall testimonies of the Scripture . And herein it appeareth that the Papistes are duller than Oxen & Asses , whiche at leastwise knowe theyr stall : who hauinge forged to themselues a newcome God , haue so forgotten the true and euerlastynge God , that they haue no sight at all in the antiquitie of the heauenly Oracles . Notwithstanding , they alledge that we pretende Scripture falsely , who endeuer to subuert all the consent of the auncient Church . It is a common old stale slaunder of theirs , but yet so foolishe , that I would be ashamed to bestow muche time in confutinge it : besides that , a longe volume were néedefull for the matter . And our bookes doo abundantly beare witnesse , that if the allegations of the olde men be sought , our cace is by them more furthered than hindered . Albeit it be manifest inough , that the doctrine of the auncient Fathers , is no more agréeable with the corruptions of Papistrie , than a shéepe is like a Woulfe , yet notwithstandyng they picke out certeine sayinges of theirs , and sometime also woordes , as peruersely as lewdly , wherewith to deceiue the rude , and suche as are not exercised in the readyng of them . As often as we obiect the testimonies of the Fathers against them : although they sée themselues ouerwhelmed with the weight and number of them : yet bicause they thinke themselues to be out of all daunger of gunne shot , they carelesly despise vs , and laugh at vs . For the Sea Apostolicke is so great , that it easely swalloweth vp all the Doctors that euer were . Neyther is any thing readier with them than this exception : that they passe nothinge for any determinations of the Fathers , as long as the holy sea of Rome hath decreed otherwise . Therefore among them , all the whole companie of the Fathers shal not be estéemed at a heare , onlesse they list themselues : but if any thinge perchaunce hath bene spoken by any one of them dnaduisedly , it muste by and by binde vs with so great deuotion , that it is vnlawfull to dissent from it neuer so little . I saye once againe that this prodigious & confused Chaos of the Papistrie , is so vnlike the auncient gouernement of the Church , as that there is not more difference betwene fire and water . But if we séeme to eger & full of clamour in condemnynge them , the Fathers woulde be much more vehement , if they liued at this day . Take this too , that these good sonnes , which tosse the name of the Fathers to & fro like a tennisball , séeme to choose al the grossest errours for the nonce , wherunto onlesse we giue our assent , they crie out vppon vs , that we are the enemies of all antiquitie . Melchisedech offered bread & wine to Abraham as he returned from battell . The olde doctors thinke it a sacrifice , which thyng they haue transferred to the holy supper of Christ . It is almost a childishe errour . And yet of theyr so famous wrytinges , nothinge liketh the Papistes so well . Now least I should stande to long vpon this parte , they that haue perused the writinges of the Fathers , and can iudge but meanely , shall sufficiently vnderstande , that we are furnisshed with theyr authoritie to assault the Papacie . And though they were layde as indifferent betwene bothe , yet will they drawe nearer vnto vs . Wherupon then is builded suche a pile of Offences ? But what if we graunt , that the pure veritie of God cannot by vs be auouched and restored , but that that same consent of many ages whiche they vaunt of , would aduaunce it selfe agaynst vs , ( as I confesse that a thousande yéeres since all thinge haue so decayed , that newe broodes of monstruous errours and superstitions haue crope out of the shell from time to time ) yet what finde they in suche dissentinge as this , woorthie to be offended at ? If comparison be made , certeinly those first vnder whome the Churche florished , eyther deserue to be counted lawfull Fathers alone , or at leastwise , doo chalenge of right the chiefe degree of honour amonge the Fathers . But the good Papistes ( such is theyr gentle nature ) doo celebrate the memoriall onely of that corrupted age , whiche had nowe muche declined from the auncient sinceritie . And at length all their complaintes come to this pointe , that we disanull at this day , the custome which hath bene receiued these eight hundred or these thousand yéeres . But if the old Prouerbe be to be beleued , whiche also hath bene commonly vsed amonge them : an euil custome is nothinge els , but the auncientnesse of errour . And we knowe that the longer of continuance an euill is , the more hurtfull it is . In times past this sentence of Cyprian was counted woorthie to be reioyced at : that we ought not to looke what other men had done or sayde before vs , but whatsoeuer Christ hath commaunded , who is the first of al , that is to be followed . No man also will denie , but this was well and aduisedly spoken of Augustine : that Christe attributeth not to him selfe the name of custome , but the name of truth . Now no man dare stirre though neuer so lightly , the stinkyng hearbe Camarina of corrupt custome , whiche hath rested a longe continuance of yéeres . Yea rather forebroken rigorousnesse in mainteyninge chiefe absurdities is waxed so stronge , that they not onely refuse the reprouynge of them , as comminge out of season , but also doo persecute it cruelly with fire and swoorde . That same Heathen man sayeth , that like as the custome of right speaking is to be fetched at learned mens handes : so the custome of well liuinge is to be fetched at the handes of good and honest men . Shal the lewde and corrupt custome of men , carrie vs away forcibly as some violent tempest without iudgement or choyce , who haue Christe to direct vs ? To the entent I maye conclude this place briefly , if that thinge may take place with vs , which out of all controuersie ought to be a grounded principle amonge all godly men : that the doctrine of Christe is not subiect to the prescription of yéeres , this surmised stumblingblocke shall hinder no man , at leastwise from the desire to searche . And when it shal be fully agreed vpon , that we haue from Christe that which we bryng foorth , who wil be so ouerthwart as wilfully to fléete vnto men , from the eternall wisdome of God , and the voyce of the heauenly Maister .

It offendeth many , bicause they sée almost the whole worlde to be against vs . Neither are the defenders of the euil cace negligent , or to séeke what they shoulde doo , but with the same engine doo stryke the rude and weake : sayinge it is against all reason , that a fewe men should be credited , and all Christendome beside welnere neglected ? And to treade these vnder their féete , they chiefly arme themselues with the holy title of the Churche as with a mace . But I wold faine know , howe suche as are enstraunged from the Gospell , by reason of our fewnesse , maye mainteine theyr faith against the Turkes ? As for our part , if we beyng but one man condemned all the men of his age by his faithe , there is no cause why the greate multitude of vnbeleuers should moue vs from our places . In the meane while affirme that cause of Offence to be not onely scarce probable , but also vniuste and shamefull , where the respectes of men are weyed before the woorde of God . And why ? shall not Gods truth stande sure , except it please menne to beleue it ? Rather ( as Paule sayeth ) let euery man remayne a lier , and let them acknowledge God to be true , vnto whome he vouchsaueth to manifest him selfe . And we haue alreadie in another place shewed , why the greater parte of men doth so hardly yéelde themselues seruiceable to God . So muche the lesse then is it conuenient that in so great stubburnnesse of the worlde , we shoulde direct our faith after example of the multitude . But Christe giueth a token , that whither the Egles resorte , there is the Carion . I denie not verely , but that if at any time all the Egles shal be gathered togither into one place , then the conuersion of the whole worlde is to be hoped for . But forasmuche as Christe meaneth not there all sortes of Egles , but suche as follow the liuely sente of his death : who seeth not , that that sayinge is to be restreined to a fewe , if any man wil perchaunce take exceptions that we are not excused by the example of Noe , if we withdrawe our selues from that congregation whiche holdeth the name of the Churche ? when Esay commaunded to leauynge the conspiracie of men and follow God onely , he meaned not straungers , but euen such as at that time moste gloried in the name of Gods people . And Peter when he maketh the Churche like the Arke , bicause when the worlde perisheth , a little handfull of men is saued as it were by a floud : giueth sufficient warnyng , that we ought not to hange vpon the multitude . Why then haue miserable men pleasure , to séeke occasion of wauerynge and staggeringe , amonge the variable blastes of the world , when God stayeth vs vppon the euerlastyng fundation of his woorde ? why had they rather waue amonge the stormes of opinions , than harbrough at ease in the sure hauen of certeine veritie , to whiche God calleth vs . But very great reuerence is dewe to the Church . I confesse so truely : and I willingly also put this more to it , that the vnderstanding of the Churche is so linked with the natiue doctrine of the lawe and the Gospell , that it is woorthely called the faithful kéeper and interpreter of the same . But betwene vs and the Papistes is the oddes : that they thinke the Churche not to be the pillar of truthe , otherwise than in sittynge as a iudge ouer the woorde of God . And we on the contrarie parte vphold , that bicause the Churche submitteth it selfe reuerently vnto the woorde of God , the truth is by it reteyned , and deliuered vnto others from hande to hande . And therfore the woorde of God hath no more authoritie amonge them , than the Churche as it were by intreatance graunteth vnto it : & they turne the interpretation of the whole Scripture to the iudgement of the Churche , euen after the same maner that the Lesbians in old time were want to make their mason woorke by theyr leaden rule , as the olde Prouerbe reporteth . There is therefore no place of the Scripture so cléere , whiche beyng bowed ( or to speake more properly ) writhed to this Lesbian rule , taketh not a straunge shape . And yet the chiefe contention betwene vs consisteth not vpon this pointe alone . But after the Papistes haue installed the Churche in Christes throne , to determine Religion at her owne pleasure , and to iudge of the Scripture without appealynge from her , by and by thei take the lawe ( such as it is ) into their owne handes . We on the otherside , bicause it is as easie a matter , as daungerous to be deceiued in , will haue it discussed whiche is the true Churche . Surely it is no newe thinge , that those are sometime cruell Wolues , which occupie the roomes of sheapeherdes : and that thei are wicked & ranke traytours to God & his Churche , in whose hande the ordinarie Souereintie is . What cause then is there why vaine hobgoblins shoulde make vs so afraide , that we shoulde not ( as becommeth ) trie whether the same that beareth the name of the Church , be the true Churche or no ? Paule affirmeth the Churche to be the piller of truthe : but yet the same Paule foretelleth both the fallynge away of the worlde nowe conuerted , and that Antichrist should reigne in the middes of Gods Temple . It is knowen well inough that he susteined the like encounters as we are exercised with at this daye , when the Iewes takinge pryde in the name of the Churche , cried out vpon him that he was a forsaker of his order , and an Author of Scismes and troubles . They report themselues to be descended from the very Apostles by continuall succession : verely after the same maner that Caligula & Nero succeded , Valerius Publicola , and Lucius Brutus . For they clinge vnto the Apostles , as if there were not an vnmeasurable Chaos put by them , whiche mighte breake all aliances betwixt them , if there were any . Bicause the dunghil of the popish Clergie is against vs , they wil haue vs no lesse pressed with the peruerse doome , than if the Angels condemned vs out of Heauen . Uerely with the same pryde , did the Scribes in olde time reiect Christ , bicause none of the Princes or Pharisies had beléeued in him . And forasmuche as they are determined to stande to theyr tacklynge with tooth and nayle , euen to the vtterance , for maintenance of theyr tyrannie , & yet are destitute of true reasons : it is no maruell though they rappe out vaine soundes . But I woulde desire all them , vnto whome the false vsurped name of the Church is an occasion of Offence , that they would ones finde in their hartes to open theyr eares and their eyes , least the deceitfull image of a body , pull them from their head : & a harlot disguised in the apparell of a bryde , carie them from theyr spouse Christe . For what markes I beséeche you haue they , whereby thei may know the Churche of Christe , in all the whole bande of the Romish Antichrist ? Onlesse peraduenture whyle they sée the Pope in his Awbe , with the crosse throwen at his féete , the Cardinalles in scarlet : the Bishops glitteryng with myters & croysiers : and the reste of the inferiour rable euery one with their seuerall cognisances , beinge contented with these tokens they desire none other Churche , than suche a one as appeareth in disguisinges like maskers and players of enterludes . For what els is there to be sayd to these trifelyng fellowes , when hauinge so often , so pitthely , and plentuously , bene by vs confuted , they persist still neuerthelesse in takinge vpon them the title of the Church ?

I sayd at the beginnyng that none almost were here deceiued , but suche as beyng lothe to come to Christe , doo procure lettes to themselues from a farre of . The time hath bene that this same scruple hath hindred many simple & godly soules : but at this day ( I say ) there are fewe that obiect the Offence , risinge vpon the name of the Churche , againste the wholesome doctrine , except it be suche as maliciously and proudely vaunt themselues against Christe . Like lewdnesse is it , that thei demaunde miracles at our hande , wherwith they beyng amazed , are at length compelled to yéelde vnto God speakynge by vs . And I saye , that seyng our doctrine beareth euident witnesse to it selfe , that it hath bene confirmed by all the miracles whiche haue bene since the worlde was made : these men whiche forgettynge the olde miracles gape after new , for asmuch as they are so astonied at the manifest power of God , and so blinde in the cléere light , are no lesse monsters themselues , than if we should sée a man turned into a beast . Bicause diuers are enriched with holy goods , and othersome haue méetely well appeased theyr hungar for a time , the enemies of the Gospell reporte , that we were ledde to alter thinges for desire of spoyle , than for any good zeale to Godwarde : and many which hawke for a pretence to put by the Gospell , giue theyr assent to these malicious sayinges . Surely for my parte , if there be any that haue spoyled the goodes of the Churche , to fill theyr owne pouches , I excuse them not . And my Bookes are manifest witnesses , how much I abhorre from such sacriledges . But as I am not minded to make my self a patrone or aduocate of the defaultes of our parte , if any be : so the slaunder is not to be borne with , that the malicious persones charge vs withall , howe we made our pray of all whatsoeuer was taken from those filthie Seagulles , that is to say , the chapleynes of Ball and the Monkes . Certeinly whereas the popishe impietie is abolished , there at leastwise parte of the reuenewes , whiche whores and baudes deuoured with the Priestes , is nowe bestowed vpon the poore . Somewhat more is bestowed vpon schooles than was wonte to be : true Pastours are founde , that minister the doctrine of Saluation to the people : expenses are allowed to maintained the state of the Churche , and those not small . Although this defence doo not acquite vs before God , ( whiche thinge I confesse with a good will : ) yet it declareth that Offence is maliciously gathered thereupon , against the doctrine of the Gospell . But they shewe howe it is manifest , for what purpose we haue bene moued to take this cause in hande , in asmuch as almost all beyng occupied about lookyng to theyr priuate affayres , are slouthfull in exactyng discipline , in correctinge vices , and in increasinge and mainteynyng the kingdome of Christe . Wherfore then doo not they rather warme vs with theyr heate , than they fryse vnto our coldnesse ? Let the complaintes of Aggaeus touchynge the neglectinge of the Temple be read . There a man maye beholde as it were painted in a table , the slouthfulnesse of our age , was not therfore the building of the temple againe a very holy woorke of God , bicause at that time euery man beyng busied aboute his owne house , cared not for the Temple of God ? Ought any man therefore to shrinke , bicause he sawe some not onely cease from so néedefull a duetie , but also wickedly defraude God of his first fruites and tenthes ? But this is surely the thing that I spake of before , anone after the beginnynge : that many beyng entangled with the vnholy friendshippes of the worlde , doo couet any Offences that may be against Christe , rather than to offende the wicked enemies of the healthful doctrine . This lewde ambition ministreth vnto them bothe wit to forge Offences , and eloquence to barke at the Gospell with currish maliciousnes . Besides that , beynge not content with snatchyng at the present euils , they séeke with like maliciousnesse for somewhat to gnawe vpon hereafter . For they surmise that they foresée at hande the desolation of the Churche , whiche hangeth ouer it by meanes of inwarde dissention . These forecastynge men , wonder that we be no more moued bereat : and to the entent to bringe vs in hatred , they gather that we are altogither carelesse , or that we would not passe though the earth were sette on fyre . So I remember , the bishop of Aquileia did ones reason with me in communication betwene vs two alone , how horrible a destruction was to be feared , if we did not shortly bringe our discordes to an ende . And all his whole talke tended to this ende , that it could not otherwise be , but that one time or other the matter must come to triall by the swoorde , if we were so stifly bente to maintaine our quarrell . Of the whiche warre , this woulde be the issue , that learnynge should be extinguisshed , barbarous confusion brought in , & humanitie it selfe in maner be taken out of the worlde , and as the faulte of these euilles sticked in vs , so were we like to abide al the blame . Yea ( ꝙ he ) and it must néedes come to passe , that this religion , in defence whereof ye stande so stoutly , must perishe togither with learninge . That whiche I answeared at that time to him alone , let them take it as spoken to them all . We surely , are neither so dulwitted but that we can call to minde whatsoeuer Sathan practiseth , nor yet so sauage and beastly to neglect it without regarde . As for peace & quietnesse , we not onely wish the continuance of them , but also ( as much as in vs lieth ) séeke to mainteyne them . Of good order and ciuill pollicie , we are as desirous as he that is most . How carefull we are for the maintenance of learnynge , it néedeth not to preache it in woordes . But seyng that Christ commaunded his Gospell to be preached without al exception : what sequele so euer ensewe thereon , we ought to obey this commaundement . Algates men take to much vppon them , if they hope for better successe by theyr owne deuises , than by the meane that God hath appointed . Why not ? Imagine they God to be blinde and vnaduised , to cast his Church in daunger without consideration ? Nay rather seynge he is the best orderer of things of all others , it is our duetie to ouercome al anguishes , be they neuer so troublesome , with this one sayinge of Abraham : the Lorde shall prouide : shall we thinke you be careful of this societie betwene man and man , and shall God the woorker thereof haue no minde at all of it : shall the Church beyng miserably forsaken of her onely soueraine and mainteiner of her welfare , leane vnto our prouidence ? But we are woorthie to be helde excused , if executinge obediently the office that God hath enioyned vs , we let God alone with his parte . And seyng Dauid declareth it to be his peculiar woorke , to asswage the troublesome waues of the Sea , to pacifie warres , & to breake the chariotes and the speares : this assurance ought to be inough to encourage vs in the auouchyng of that doctrine , whiche onely procureth vs his grace & blessynge . Notwithstanding , what issue so euer our attemptes in the ende haue , there shall neuer be any cause why it shoulde repent vs to haue performed , both godly and acceptable obedience vnto God : and ( which may comforte our heauinesse euen in our greatest afflictions , ) to haue faythfully furthered bothe the glorie of Christ , ( which is more to be estéemed than all the kingdomes of the worlde , ) and also our owne soules health , ( whiche is more precious than all the worlde . )

Now that I haue reckened vp the Offences in generall , which we finde by experience to be hurtfull , all the children of God are briefly to be admonished againe , that beynge armed with the remedies by me shewed , they rather kéepe Christe still for theyr foundation , than by their rashe and lewde runnyng vpon him , make him to themselues a stone to stumble at , and a rocke to dashe against . It cannot otherwise be but that in this worlde , many occasions of Offence must from time to time be fathered vpon the faithfull . From the which not euen Christe him selfe was frée . Yea rather it is scarsely to be hoped for , that they should steppe one pace , but that the Deuill cast some stumblingblocke in their waies . So must thei walke through innumerable Offences . But albeit the varietie of them be manifolde , and the heape thicke packed , yet shall none be a Christian , but he that wadeth through them with victorie . Christ sayth , that Peter him selfe was a stumblingblocke vnto him , when he assayed to call him backe from sufferyng death . But did he retyre backe when he was assaulted with occasion of Offence ? Nay rather perceyuinge Sathan in Peter , he badde him auaunt . To the entent we should know that we must abide the same encounter as wel as he , he telleth vs all in generall , it cannot otherwise be but Offences muste come . But euen as he assureth those whiche are his , that they shall neuer be frée from Offences : so excuseth he no cause of Offence . For when he biddeth the right eye should be put out , if it offende any man , he admonisheth vs that there is nothyng of so great valour , that in respect thereof we ought any whit to be led from the marke . If we were so diligent in auoydinge Offences , that none of vs woulde spare his owne eyes , I shoulde not haue néeded to spende so much labour in puttynge away Offences . I graunt it is a sore encounter and aboue our strength , but Christe saith not in vaine , that he hath warned his disciples they should not be Offended . For there is none other cause why we are vnable to vanquishe and put to flight Offences , sauynge that we harken not to Christe , when he speaketh to vs . Surely it is true that he speaketh in another place , how they that stumble doo stumble in the night . For wherefore serueth the light of the Gospell , but to set before our eyes the stumblynge blockes in shewynge vs the waye . But some man will say , that a let although it be séene , yet will it not cease to hinder our race . But I haue shewed alreadie , that if our owne nicenesse let vs not , Christe alone is sufficient to ouercome all Offences , seinge that by his heauenly power he lifteth vs vp aboue the worlde . And if we ought so valiantly to resist the Offence , whiche inuadeth vs against our willes , and fliyng from it , thei shall haue the lesse to lay for themselues , who thorough a certaine lewd disposition , are of themselues enclined to Offences . Paule putteth vs in remembrance , that the same thinge happened to the Iewes , who albeit they in no wise sought Offence of a set purpose , yet bicause in goynge about to stablishe their owne rightuousnesse , they were not subiect to the rightuousnesse of God , they stumbled at Christe : yea and with a deadly shipwrecke dashed againste him , as it had bene againste a rocke . But the peruersenesse , or péeuishnesse of suche as willingly take holde of Offences offered , or els desirously drawe vnto them those that are a farre of , is in no wise tolerable . And why so ? Seynge that Paule testifieth howe he forgetteth his former life , to the entent he may make spéede to atteine the higher vocation that is aboue , exhorting vs by his owne example to make the like haste : shall any man gather Offences a farre of , to hinder his owne race without punishment ? Now if God haue punisshed a preposterous zeale so sore in the Iewes , what thinke we shal be done to these that stumble wittingly & willingly , or rather which damme vp the way , otherwise plaine of it self , with stumblingblockes heaped togither on al sides ? but specially what pardon leaue they for themselues , who make themselues bucklars of the vices & wickednesses of men , to beate backe God withall ? For if euen the faithfull themselues be forbidden to looke one at another , least any thing should hinder theyr course : how should Christ pardon vs , if we stande gazing farre about vs , séeking of set purpose the thinge that maye stay vs ? Such we may truely & aptly compare vnto swine , vnto whome by reason of the natiue loue they haue to stinche , nothyng is more swéete than to wallow themselues in myre and durte . The cruell vengeance of God shall light vpon all swine that are so gréedie of Offences , whither they hunte for them , or whither they delight in that they are offred vnto them , so that theyr dayly offences heaped one in anothers necke , doo drowne them in euerlastyng destruction . For it is good iustice that thei which are wilfully blinde , shoulde be made so blinde in good earnest , that at length the disease be past al helpe . Let vs in the meane season , when we heare Christe cursing al those that giue occasion of Offence to the weake , looke aduisedly to our selues , that no Offence at al happen through our faulte . Neuerthelesse , seynge it behoueth that Christe be a stone for the reprobates , and for the faithlesse world to stumble at , onely let vs be blamelesse or faultlesse , to take vp the Offences vnfearfully as often as Sathan thrusteth them vpon vs , or els let vs be armed with the onely title of Christ . And therewithall let another sentence of Christ come to our minde . For when his Disciples obiected that the Phariseis were offended , he bade them not passe of them , bicause they were blinde themselues , and the guides of the blinde . He addeth also a notable saying : Euery plantyng that my Father hath not planted shal be pulled vp by the roote . Surely we muste deale in such sort , as we may seeke the soule health of all men so neare as we can : but for asmuch as it is not giuen vs of God , to saue them whome he hath condemned to destruction , let that perish whiche must perish , as is in the Prophet Zacharie . For if it had liked Paule to take awaye the Offence of the Crosse , it had bene an easie matter for him , to haue coined some awke and ouerthward reasons for the purpose . But he so muche abhorreth from this deuice , that he counteth it a great absurditie to haue it taken awaye . Yée may perceiue he kept well in minde that which he saieth in another place , that although vnto the reprobates we be a sauour of death vnto death , yet neuerthelesse we caste a swéete sauour vnto God . Finis .

Prayse be to God .