For th●y , when they feele them selues pressed with moste strong reasons , and ouercome with expresse places of scripture , they runne to cauills and slaunders , as to the onelie refuge of their errours . They say wee haue reuolted from the Catholique Church ▪ that we might follow the diuers imaginations of men : they cr●e aloud that we are heretikes , schis●atiques , and sectaries , and they oft times in mockage cal vs Confessionists : and moreouer they la●e in our dish , that wee neither agree with our selues , nor with others , whoe detest the bishoppe of Rome : but there are as many Religions among vs , as there are Confessions of Faith . And that they may seeme to procure credit to themselues , and to giue a check to the Germane Churches especiallie , they bring forth both certeine other writings , and especiallie that Forme of Agreement , of late published in Germanie , in which there are certaine things to be seene farre differing from those auncient Confessions of Faith , which the Churches of the Gospell haue euen since the beginning giuen out . But let them so thinke , that the fault of heresie is not to be laide vpon those , whose faith altogether relieth on moste sure grounds of scripture : that they are no schismatiques who intierly cleaue to Gods Church such an one as the Prophets & Apostles doe describe vnto vs : nor to be accounted sectaries , who embrace the truth of God , which is one and alwaies like it selfe . What doe they mean , I praie you , by the name of Confessionists so often repeated ? For if euerie man be commaunded to make confession of his Faith so often as Gods glorie , and the edifying of the Church shall require ; what a wonderfull or strange thing ought it to seeme , if Cities , if Prouinces , if wholl kingdomes haue made profession of their faith , when they were falsely charged by the Popish sorte , that they had gone from the doctrine of the true beleeuing Church ? but they will saie , there ought to be one confession of faith and no moe : as though forsooth , a confession of faith were to be valued rather by the words , then by the thing it selfe . What therefore will they saie to our ancetours , who when they had the Apostles Creede , yet for all that set out the Nicene , Chalcedonian , and manie moe such like Creedes ? Those Creedes , saie you , were generall . Yea surelie , but so generall ▪ that a great part of the world in those elder times followed the frantique heresies of the Arrians , whom the godlie forefathers by setting forth those Creedes desired to bring home into the Church againe . The trueth , saith Hilarie , was by the aduise and opinions of Bishops many waies sought , & a reason of that which was meant was rendered by seuerall confessions of faith set downe in writing : And a litle after . It ought to seeme no maruell right welbeloued breethren , that mens faiths began to be declared so thick : the outrage of heretiques laieth this necessitie vpon vs . Thus much saide Hilarie . What that Athanasius , Augustine , and many other auncients set forth their Creedes also , that the puritie of Christian faith might more and more shine sorth . Therefore if Kingdoms , Cities , & and whole prouinces haue priuatelie made confession of their faith , this was the cause therof , for that hitherto the state of times hath not suffered , that a generall Councell of all those , who professe the reformed religion , might be holden . But if it once come to passe ( and the Lord graunt that the Churches maie at length inioy so great a benefit ) then there may be one onelie confession of faith extant , conceiued in the same wordes , if the state of the Churches shal seeme to require it . Let them therefore leaue of in mockage to terme vs Confessionistes , vnles perhaps they looke for this answere at our hands , that it is a farre more excellent thing to beare a name of confessing the faith , then of denying the trueth . For euen as moe smal streames may flow from one spring , so moe confessions of faith , may issue out from one and the same truth of faith .

Now to speake somewhat also of those , who while they will seeme to embrace the trueth of the Gospell , and renounce popish errours , shew themselues more vniust towards vs , then was meet they should , we are compelled to finde want of Christian charitie inthem . This one thing in deed was remaining , that after so many daungers , losses , banishments , downefalles , woes without number , griefes and torments , we should also be euill intreated by those , of whome some comforte was rather to be looked for . But that ancient enimie of the Church is farre deceiued ( by whose subtilties this euil is also wrought for vs ) while he hopeth that we ma●e by his craftes be ouerwhelmed . But bearing our selues bolde on that loue , which the mercifull God through Iesus Christ our Lord beareth vnto vs , and whoe hath planted a loue and feare of him in our mindes , we leape for ioye in these verie thinges , and boast with the Apostle , that it will neuer be , ( the same grace of God alwaies preuenting vs ) that tribulation , anguish , hunger , nakednes , the sword , false accusation , or cursed speaking shall withdraw vs from the trueth once knowne and vndertaken . For we knowe that saying of Chrysostome to be true , It is not euill , to suffer ; but to doe euill . Neither are we anie whit disgraced hereby , but they whom I know not what distemperature whetteth against vs hauing deserued nothing , & to repaie them like for like , quitting rayling with rayling , far be it from vs , whom God vouchsafeth this honour , that being fashioned like to the image of his Sonne we might through good reporte and euill reporte walke on , vpholden with the staie of a good conscience , yea we haue resolued with our selues not only to abide the open wronges of our enimies , but euen the disdaine of our bretheren , although neuer so vniust .

And what we furthermore think of the doctrine of our Lord Iesus Christ , the confession of our faith , set forth manie yeares agoe , hath made it knowen to the wholl world : and we haue God , and Angells , together with men , witnesses of that sincere endeuour , by which we laboured , and doe as yet , to the vttermoste of our power , labour to set vp againe and maintaine the pure worshipe of God among vs out of Gods word .

And , euen as we shewed our selues to be readie at all times to render a reason of the hope that is in vs : so we thought it a matter worth the paines , to make all men priuie to that bonde which one our parte is verie straight with the holie and truelie Catholike Church of God , with euerie Saint and sounde member thereof , that so farre as we c●n , we might deliuer , partlie our selues , partly the Churches ioyned with vs from those moste greeuous crimes , by which some mens speaches & bookes are laid to our charge . And when we be thought our selues by what means it might best be done , this especiallie for the present time seemed a meet waie vnto vs , which would giue offence to no man , & might satisfie al that would yeald vnto reason , namelie to publish this Harmonie of confessions , whereby it might sufficientlie be vnderstood , howe falselie we are charged , as though we , that haue reiected popish errors , agreed not at al among our selues . For ( to beginne with those stout maintainers of the Romish tyranny , who wil yet seeme to be defenders of the truth , this conference of confessions will plucke euery visard from their faces , when as itshal plainely appeere , that al the opinions in these confessions of faith were in other sondrie words so laid down , that yet the same truth alwaies abideth , & there is none at al , or very litle difference in the thinges themselues . And how narrow must they needs perceiue the boundes of that their Catholique Churche to be , when it shal be openlie knowen , that so many kingdomes , prouinces , cities , peoples , & nations professing the truth of the Gospell , doe with common consent renounce the abuses and orders of the Romish Church ? As for those whome ( without anie desert ) it pleaseth to count vs among the Arrians and Turkes , they shal see also how farre through the benefit of God we be from such hainous and wicked errours . And they also , who accuse vs of sedition shall perceiue how reuerentlie we thinke of the dignitie of kings , and the Magistrates authoritie , and they to conclude that not being content with those publique confessions of the Churches of Germanie , may by laying against vs that forme of new agreement seem worthelie more and more to seuer them selues from vs , and who haue alreadie very pithilie been refuted by moste learned writings , they also shall , if true agreement be earnestlie sought , be satisfied with this Harmonie . For ( that we maie freelie saie as it is in deede ) that long rancke of names sealed and written at that booke is such , that it seemeth rather to stand idlelie in the field , then to fight manfullie .

And if it had pleased vs to followe this pollicie , we might haue set downe the names not of seuen or eight thousand meane men ( most famous Princes and some other excepted ) of whome it maie worthelie be doubted , whether there euer were anie such , or what they were , but also the names of farre moe Churches . And this our diligence had beene farre more commendable , namele , beeing bestowed , not in wringing out and begging from village to village some hundreds of names , but in laying out the opinions of moste gracious Kinges , moste renoumed Princes , of noble nations , and peoples , of moste mightie common wealthes and Cities : of which a great parte hath not bin vsed to dispute in corners , or to trifle , but hath knowen these manie yeares how euen vnto bloode to suffer manie and greeuous thinges for Gods trueth sake . But we know that the truth hath not it warrant from men , nor by men : it is simple , it wil be simplie published and taught . Therfore we are purposed for this time not to deale by any long disputation with anie man , but bar●lie to open the meaning of the reformed Churches , to knit all the Churches of Christ together with one bond of brotherlie loue , to keepe peace with all men , and so farre as it ought to be done , to iudge well of all men : yea and to intreat those , whoe thinke somwhat too hardlie of vs , that if we disagree from the confession of no Church that doth truelie beleeue , they would themselues also beginne to be of the same minde with vs , and quietlie , and soberlie conferre with their bretheren , of what thinges they shall thinke good , rather then themselues to slaunder & giue the aduersaries occcasion to rayle vpon the Gospell . But if they will not doe it , let this publique and euerlasting monument witnes to all that come after , that we and all of our side are & shall be free not onelie from the grieuous reproches , with which wee are vndeseruedlie laden , but also without blame of all the hurlie burlies and dissentions that haue beene hitherto and that ( which God forbid ) are peraduenture like tobe more greeuous , vnles it be speedelie preuented on both sides .

And seeing in this Harmonie we speake not onlie with our owne , but euen with the mouth of all those nations , whose confessions we haue brought into one forme of one and the same doctrine ; we hope it will come to passe that not so much the seuerall names of the French , Belgia , and other Confessions shal hereafter be heard , as that one onlie vniuersall , simple , plaine , and absolute Confession of all Churches ( speaking as it were with one & the same tongue of Chanaan ) shall be seene ▪ and that they who were thought to be farre wide ( as hath hitherto not altogether without desert by reason of ouer many mens priuate writings beene thought of vs and the brethren of the Confession of Auspurge ) if so be that men keepe within the boundes of the Confessions , and all cauilling and sophistrie be laide aside and as well faithfull as fauourable exposition be admitted , shall be thought very neerelie to agree in al things . And this was the cause why we desired to put the confession of Auspurge , together also with that of Saxony , & Wirtemberge , in this Harmonie , that it might be the more easilie known , that both we agree with them in all particular points of faith , and that there are verie few matters hanging in controuersie betweene vs . For concerning that doubt about the Lords Supper , in the , thing and of the thing i● selfe , there is no strife , we differ in certaine adiuncts and circumstances of the thing . In the thing it selfe , I saie , we agree : although as the gifts of God are diuers , so some do more plainly , some do not so plain lie , and perhaps not so fitlie , vtter that which they thinke . For we all acknowledge that the holie signes , haue not a bare signification , but that by the ordinance of God they assure our consciences that the things themselues are as truelie and certainlie giuen of God to all that come , as the signes themselues are giuen by Gods minister . But this question remaineth , whether as the signe , so also the present thing it selfe be giuen to the body , or rather the present signe be giuen to the bodie , but the present thing giuen onelie to the minde and faith ▪ Againe , whether as both be giuen to al , so both be receiued of al , of some vnto life , and of other some vnto death . In like sort , we all beleeue the true Communication of the true bodie and the true bloode of our Lord Iesus Christ . The controuersie standeth in the manner of communicating , but who may therefore of right thinke , that the holie vnitie of the Churches is to be plucked a sunder ? That they of our side were alwaies desirous of peace and agreement , the historie of the conference at Marpurge , and such things as were afterward done in the yeare 1536. doe sufficientlie witnes .

Moreouer , so often as there appeared any hope of agreement , it is cleare , that there was no other cause , but the importunitie of some certaine men , why new and sudden braules beeing raised , the matter could not come or long continue in that agreement which was hoped for . For that we may let passe very many other things , although in the beginning it were openlie knowne among all , that there was no controuersie betweene vs ( no not so much as the verie Papists excepted ) in the opinion about worshipping the mysterie of the holie Trinitie ; loe about the latter end that vnhappie monster of Vbiquitie came forth , which if it be admitted , will quite ouerthrow the true doctrine of Christs person , and his natures . Hence then come the distractions of Churches , hence come so deadlie quarrellings . But seeing this wholl matter hath beene often handled by verie learned men , it is no time for vs to deale any farther therein . For it is sufficient for vs to shew in few wordes , that our men so farre as was possible , alwaies prouided for the peace of the Church .

Neither truelie hath any man cause after the example of certain moderators ( such as not long since haue beene ) why he should perswade himselfe that we would here of this hotch-potch of opinions make a certaine medlie as it were of contrarie qualities . But we leaue all thinges wholl , that euerie one may so know his owne words beeing compared with the sayings of others , that he shall finde nothing forged , nothing taken away , nothing put to , or wrested . And to conclude , the forme and drift of this wholl work , if it be more narrowlie vowed , shal not vnworthily be iudged a sound body of christian doctrine , framed and alowed by the writings , and as it were by ● common councell of the godlie Churches well nigh of all Europe . For here all the chiefe points of our Religion , beeing discussed and approoued , are by the publique authoritie of all the chiefe nations in Christendome with one consent published and knit together : yet we must confesse , as we afore touched , that through the manifolde and busie braulings of priuate persons , and glosses ( as men commonly speak ) the matter was brought farre from the groundes thereof to things cleane besides the purpose and impertinent . For first there beganne to be dealing onely about the supper : then it came to Christs Ascension and sitting in heauen : and within a while after to the personall vnion of both his natures , and what stay will there be in the ende ? for many , ( by all mens leaue be it spoken ) seeme to be delighted with this continual striuing , that howsoeuer , and whatsoeuer it might coste them , they might not be vnknowne . But it becommeth the Disciples of Christ to seeke peace , and to despise glorie . For as Bernard saith , They that despise peace , and seeke after glorie , they lose both peace and glorie . A way therefore with those speaches , I am of Paull , I am of Cephas , & let that one saying be heard , I am Christs , I am the Churches .

There is something that may be misliked , yet there are verie manie things that may wel be liked : the same ground work of faith abideth , let therfore the same loue continue : and let vs not think much to take them for brethren , whome God vouchsafeth to take for sonnes : neither let vs despise those , for whome Christ despised him-selfe . That thing is assuredlie true , and very much liked of vs , that nothing in holy doctrine is to be thought of smal importance : but rather that euen in the least pointes thereof a certeine faith and full assurance is required , flat contrarie to the wauering of the Academikes : yet we can not like of too too much peeuishnes , through which some do straight waie vpon verie smal occasion cal their brethren heretikes , schismatikes , vngodlie , Mahumetanes : let these speeches be throwne out against Atheists , Epicures , Libertines , Arians , Anabaptists , and such like mischieuous persons , which desire to haue the Lords field vtterlie destroied : but let vs euerie daie grow in faith and loue : and let vs teach the flocks committed to our charge , to feare God , to hate vices , and follow after vertues , to denie the world and themselues : obeying the commaundement of our Lord & teacher Iesus Christ , who biddeth vs not tobraule but to loue each other . Whose example in gouerning the Church if we will follow , we shal raise vp those that are afflicted , take vp those that are fallen , comfort the feeble , waken the drousy , & not negligentlie denounce Gods wrath against sinnes , and shall draw out the sword of the same word which is no blunt one against hypocrites , wolues , dogges , swine , goates , and to conclude against all wicked ones which in our Churches mingle them-selues with the true sheepe , and which cause the word of God to be euill spoken of . It were a farre better thing surelie then that which some do , busying the sharpnes of their wit in making of certeine trifles , that forsooth the knowledge of such subtilties , may shake out of our mindes all conscience . It was iustlie said that the strength of the gospel was weakened through the thornie subtelties of schoole-questions : and we through our wayward disputations what els do we , then cause that the authority thereof be not strengthened , but rather weakned , and doe euen stagger among the wicked . We read it excellentlie written in Liuie , a verie graue writer , that not onelie grudges , ●ut also warres haue an end , and that oftentimes deadlie foes become faithfull confederates , yea and sometimes Citizens : & that by the same speeches of the people of Rome , very bitter or cruel enmities haue bene taken vp betweene men of great account . And that which these few wordes wrought with the heathen , shall not godlines toward God obteine at the hands of Christians , of deuines , and of Pastours of Churches ? yea if the trauell of reading & diligentlie examining & conferring of this booke shall not be irksome , if vpright and sincere iudgement , if not preiudicate opinions , but the loue of one truth shall beare swaie in al mens hearts , it will shortly obteine it . That olde contention about the celebrating of Easter very hotlie tossed to and fro for two hundred years , or there about , between the Greekes and the Latines , was long since by vs thought worthie of laughter : but we must take good heed , lest in a matter not altogether vnlike , we seeme to be wiser then both , if so be that we desire to haue the Church wholl , and not to leaue it rent vnto the posteritie , and would haue our selues be counted not foolish among men , and not stub born in the sight of god . There hath scarce beene anie age , which hath in such sort seen al Churches following altogether one thing in all points , so as there hath not alwaies been some difference , either in doctrine , or in ceremonies or in manners : and yet were not Christian Churches through the world therefore cut a sunder , vnles peraduenture then , when the Bishop of Rome brake of all agreement , & tyrannically ●ioyned to other Churches , not what ought to be done , but what him-selfe would haue obserued : but the Apostle did not so . Barnabas in deed departed from Paull , and Paull also withstood Peter , and surelie for no trifle : and yet the one became not more enemie or strange to the other , but the selfe same spirit , which had coupled them from the beginning , neuer suffred them to be disioyned from them-selues . It is the fashion of Romists to commaund , to enforce , to presse , to through out cursings , and thunder excommunications vpon the heades of those that whisper neuer so litle against them : but let vs , according to the doctrine of the holie Ghost , suffer , and gentlie admonish each other : that is , keeping the groundwork of faith , let vs build loue vpon it , and let vs ioyntlie repaire the walls of Sion lying in their ruines .