Grace mercy and peace of conscience be vnto all them from god the father , thorow our lord Iesus Christ , which faythfull ye wythout colour obeye the truth in setting forthe goddes glory . Amen .

BRother , for asmoch as our heauenvly father by the mouthe of his true seruaunt Paule , hath commanded al his adoptiue heyres planted in him by y●p̄cious death & crosse of our sauiour christ , to exercise theyr tonge ( whom God hath created to magnyfie hys name ) in Gods holy & most sacred word , willing vs the no other word shuld procede out of our mouth , but that which shal edifye whan neade is to geue grace to thee hearers , & greue not the holy sperite of god by whom we ar sealed in the daye of redemption : Our disobedience can not Ephe , iiii , be hydde from the ryghtuous iudge , which wayeth the thoughtes , & sercheth the reynes of mans hart , yf we which couet this felowshyp & societie of the eternall testament of god , go about not onlye to burden weakelinges wyth errours dampnable , but also to greue the holy spirite of god thorow our vayn dreames or Imaginacions , beleuinge creatures before the creator , wherefore good brethren dyligently marke you my wordes and not myne , but the wordes of the lyuyng god , whych are not sente to you at thys tyme for rebuke rebuke or occasion ( God I take to wytnes ) but for loue , that you shulde not be pertakers wythe the Ipocrites whose porcyon is Apoc , xxli leyed vp in the lake of hel , burning with fyer and brymstone , but for this cause they are sent vnto you assuredlye , the lyke as you whyche entende to leue in goddes feare haue sought a redemye for the imperfectyon of the fleshe , & frayle nature of goddes word , yf ye haue learned to satisfye it according to his wil without synne : euen so to helpe your weake iudgementes , and your vnperfight sperit ( as touching the sacrament of the blessed body & blood of Christ our sauiour , you may repayre vnto his word of him seking & prayenge with the prophete , that he wyl establyshe your iudgementes in hys truth & make your pathes saue from wycked men , that they ouerthrowe them not . For whan ye sought a phecision to ease your sycke flesshe , & to dischardge you of a carefull burden & paynful yocke , that a law papistical had layed vpon your necke , you councelled not thee chyldren of the world were they neuer so famous , no not marten Luther , whom to be nothing elles , of themself , but vanitie & lyes the prophete beareth you witnesse saying . Man is vpon the waughtes lyghter than vanitie it selfe . And in another place . All men ar lyars , but you councelled him whom you knew could not lye , because it is truthe it selfe , & condempneth lyars saying . I wyl destroy all them Psalm. v that speake lyes , & therfore you were sure that the libertie which ye now possesse , was good , because he graunted it that could not be reproued : Nowe moche more ought ye , for the disceate that troubleth your soule , namely false iudgement & erroure which is the best part of you , vnto whom your bodi must both obey and serue not to sticke to flesh & blood , which by vngodly lyuing ar robbed of true iudgement in the misterye of goddes truth , but as the sperit being the best parte of youre bodye , who beyng lyghtened , your body can perseuer in darkenes : Euen so goo ye vnto him , which is moost chiefeste & myghty in operacion able to make the blind to see , the deffe to heare , the don me to speke , & to heale the woundes that errour hath maymed you withal , nameli goddes word , for hit al thinges were created , & without it nothing was created no not luther , whom al though gods sperit ruled to speke som thinges right , yet whan he began to loue hym self & set forth hys owne dreames not ruled by the sperit of god , he erred as some other of hys forefathers hathe done , so that this sower leuen being but litle in quantity , yet in qualitie poyson sharpe , hath as the scripture saith , sowred his hole lompe of dowe . But good brethren syns ye stand fre , as touching the fleshe , & that by goddes word , be ye not bound in the sperite to the iudgement of men , call rather to your remembraunce , that as the potter excedeth the pot , the workeman the worke , & thee creator thee creature : Euen so the wysdom of god our creator & not only ours but luthers also excedeth our wysdo & Luthers too . Whose folyshnes is more wyser than the wysdom of men . Wherfore as wisdom wold let vs repayre vnto him whych is hole wyse , hoole good , & truth it self , that he may by his word open your eyes , that you may knowe your disceate & be healed by the Gospell , Whyche as paule sayth is the power of god i , Corin , i. vnto saluacyon to all them that beleue it . And who so denyethe Iohan , iii it , he is already condempned for therfore are we called the sonnes of god because we haue beleued Gala. iii in Christe Iesus , whom god the father hath by his holy sperite sealed as wytnesseth Esaye the prophete to preache Esaye . li. vnto this gospel namely deliuerance vnto the captiue & healinge of the sycke mens woundes , only that al they which beleue thys moost sacred word denying vngodlines shuld be made a rightuous plantinge wherein god shuld reioyse . For god hath called vs by his mooste glorious gospell not to allowe the Imaginacion of fleshe eyther to acquyet our conscience according to theyr opinion , polluting our faith whom hathe chosen to be his spouse with the adulterynne dregges of carnall wysdom whom we knowe leadeth vnto death . For Paule saith to be carnally Rom , viii mynded is death : but to be spirituallye mynded is lyfe : For carnall wisdom sauoureth not of god which is a sperit & worshipped in speryte & truth , and therfore it is vnable to iudge of the word whych is sperite & lyfe to them that sticke therunto with fayth vnfaynedly , and therfore let it not defyle oure sainctuarie & faythfull sperite vnto whom god wyl declare these mysteryes that are aboue the grype of fleshe , for as a louing husband possessing a faythful wyfe , whose propertye is to be silent , doubteth not to communicate hys secretes vnto her , because his loue shuld appere Euen so our messias hath not feared to communicate the misteries of his truth vnto a lowlie sperit & symple hart , whom he hath maryed vnto him self , by the lyuely fayth whych we haue in the merites bloud & woundes of the anointed sauiour to this witnessing the prophet Ose as , saith in the person of god I Osee . ii wyl marrie the to me in fayth , and thou shalt knowe , the I wyl be the lorde , Wythoute fayth , therfore as it is vnpossyble to Esay , vii . Hebre. xi please god , as Paule wryteth : so is it vnpossible without it , to enter , to enter the depth of gods truth . And therfore sayth the prophet . The wrath of the lord came vpon Israel , because they beleued psal , xviii not in God , nor trusted in hys sauing helth . Agayn wo be to the dissolute harte , the beleueth not god , nor trusted in his sauing helth , & therfore , shalt thou not be defended of hym : But vnto the apostels whych in faythe were moued to him , he sayd with his own mouth . It is geuen vnto you to know the secretes , misteries of the gospel . Why ? because ye haue not taken the wysdom of men to be your scholemaster , but by a symple hart , forsaking syn , haue taken the sperite of god to be your guyde . As for an example what scholemaster had Nathaniel whan at the fyrst syght he said Rabbi , tu es ille filius dei , tu es ille Iohan , i . Rex Israel , that is to say . Good mayster , thou art that sonne of god , thou art that kyng of Israell . What moued Peter to confesse Christ to be the sonne of the lyuing god , contrary to the opinion of fleshe & bloud , sondrye wayes Prophesyinge of hym . Doubteles men taughte them not thys doctryne , but the sperite of God , whyche spake in them , and to thys Christe hym selfe beareth wytnes sayinge . Blessed arte thou Symon Peter . Quia caro et sanguis non math. ●●i . reuelauit tibi , sed pater meus qui est meus qui est in celis . For fleshe & bloude hath not reueiled vnto the : but my father whiche is in heauen ▪ Contrary wyse what in structour had the high prestes and Pharisies whan they called hym Carpenters sonne Samaritan & Beelzabub , sayinge in thee name of Beelzabub he dyd cast forth deuyls . Doubtles fleshe and blood , which possesse not ( as Paule saythe ) thee Kyngdom of God . Quia carnalibus ad est zelus & contentio & ambulare secundum hominem . Because flesshiynges ar ful of i. Cor. xv . i , Cor. iii. contention & stryfe , to walke after mans doctryne ▪ Therfore say I that god hath not called vs by his holy Euangelion to determyne our fayth vpon the dreames of men , for fayth is a perfecte gyfte , & al gyftes that are perfect & good done , come from god whych is perfyghte , and therfore they are not to be establyshed vpon men , which ar without the grace of our heauenly father al vnperfect and synne , but rather vpon goddes truthe . For what a blyndenes were it ( good brethren ) to perswade our conscyens to know the mysteryes of gods truthe , thinking that we possesse a veritie infallible : whan we so openly sticking vnto the iudgements of earnall men , blaspheme the truthe , what greater blasphemye , I pray you can there be more , than whan the opynions of men which be for the most part with the sperite of god more lyes & fables , shall out of the bosome of his creatures , shutt out the truth of our moost hye god , in whose lippes Dauid fayth , there was neuer foundgile , & seale vp theyr eares lest thei shuld heare the comfortable embassage of peace whom Paule calleth in the epystel vnto Tim. profitable doctryne , saying . gloria dei , quod creditum est Timo. 1 mihi sana doctrina est . The Euāgelions of thee glorie of God , whyche is delyuered vnto me , is an holesome doctryne . And also vnto the Thessalonians he wryteth Verbum accepistis a nobis , non vt verbum hominem , sed si Thessa , 1. cut est Vere verbum dei . ( that is to say ) Ye haue receaued of vs the word , not as the word of men but as it is in dede , the word of god . Agayn vnto Tite he wryteth thus , encoraginge hym in his endeuor . Verbum sanum , irreprehensible loquere , quod non blasphemetur omnia , that is to say , Titum . 2. Speake the holesome & faurelesse word which wyl not blaspheme at al. Now brethren derely beloued , yf ye obey vnto the truthe , Euen as Ezechiel was moued of god , notwithstanding the stubbernes of the Israelites , to preach & teache this his word , & sharpely to reproue them of theyr frowardnes , in that they sawe hys wonderfull worke , & yet beleued not , neyther tourned from theyr wyckednes , to declare hys vnmesurable mercye that he wolde all to knowe and noo man to perysshe thoroughe erroure , saythe . Verba mea loqueris ad eos , si forte audiant & quiescant , quoniam irritarores sunt , ( That is to saye ) . Ezeche . 2 , Thou shalt speake my wordes vnto them , that yf it wyl be , they Ezech. ii . may geue eare , for they ar men that prouoke me Euen so moued by the sperit , I wyl yf god be pleased , set hys word before your eyes , that thereby you maye perceaue the mercye & grace of our heauenly father , that he is not wylling to se you perysshe thorowe thys your abhominable errour , euen the word that is of power able to saue youre soule . Cast away therfore thes mystes and cloudie phantasyes of carnal iudgemente , as touching this word ( For god hath sayde , my thoughtes are not your thoughtes , nether yours ar myne , ) And desyre hartelye with me that the holy on of Israell may open your gates , that the kyng of glory may enter in ther at to discusse by hys holye spirite the truth of thys youre doubte , that your weake conscyens may no longer wauer and be compelled to hange vpon imperfection . But that you maye not only haue vnderstanding in thys , but to seke hys glorye whych hath to al them that beleue the gospell reueled lyfe , & ii , Tim , i. immortalitie , the power of Satan , hell & death , beyng vaunquyshed , yf you shal se for hys truth sake both confute youre errour , & breake in sonder thee basteliō , whose walles ar built with vntempered claye , and therfore as a tottering wall muste come to nought : Frayte not your hartes wyth disdayn , willingly thorowe malice procuring your own destruciton , but as the word louingly exhorteth you , be meke and lowlye to heare thee worde of God , that you Eccle , v. maye vnderstande , and brynge forth a wyse and true answere . For euery worde of God is pure ( as the wyseman saythe , and Prou , xxx a shyld of defence to them that put theyr truste in hit . For assure thy selfe that he cannot be of God , whych preferreth the durtye dregges of mens braynes , before goddes word , for as Iohan sayth , euery one that is of Iohan , 19 God , heareth the truth , and euerye one that heareth truthe , heareth god . For my shepe heare my voyce , and I knowe them and they folow me , nether shal any of them perysshe , nor noo man shall take them out of my hande . Ieremy the prophet , because he wolde not haue vs seduced by anye fonde Imaginacion , forbiddeth not only to Ierem. 23 heare those prophetes , that prophesye theyr own dreames , but also sayth in the voyce of oure heauenlye father , Take hede , Ierem , 7 that ye herken not to councels which indeuour to disceaue you , and to do you no good . Nowe yf you wyll trye your selues to be as ye wold be reported , abyde in the word , and then shal ye be partakers of the promes that god hath made by hys worde , that is , ye shal know the truth and it shal make you fre , for he Iohan , 8 , that is of God , heareth his word .

THe disciple the fyrst Exodi , 12 , day of swete bread came vnto Christe sayinge , where wilt thou that wee prepare for the , the easter or passouer lambe to eate , for it was accostumed amongest the Israelites , that they the fyrst moneth & . xiiii . day of the same at nyght the houshold of thee Isralites shulde thorowe oute all theyr costes & borders eate no leuened bread , but vnleuened vntyl seuen dayes were clerely expired ? And further that in the daye of swete bread a lambe necessarely shuld be kylled , whom they eate , the nyght luke , xxii , Exodi , xii before theyr delyueraunce out of bondage , which being a perpetual sygne & token of theyr deliueraunce was continuallye obserued among them whych in verye dede was a shadowe and fygure of gods mercy & fauoure toowardes hys creatures , whan we were yet his enemies , that lyke as they whych were sealed wyth the blood of the lambe were preserued from daungerous plages y● ouerwhelmed the fyrst borne of Egipt , & were couerd wyth the mercyful wynges of god , and set theyr fleshe , whych serued in most vyle seruitude , or cruel bondage , vnder the vnbeleuing kyng Pharao , in fredom , wherof to assure them he gaue the land of Canaan for theyr habitacion vtterli , therout expelling the enemies of his people , that frely wythout checke , they myght possesse the promysed land , that floweth wyth milke & hony : Euen so that al soules which were in the yron cheynes of damnation bondaged to deth , & perpetual darkenes thorowe Adams transgression , shuld by the meanes of thys annoynted sauiour , appoynted of god the father before the foundacion of the worlde was leyed , be made fre from dampnacion which vnfaynedlye trusted in hym . For thys was the symple lambe , of whom Esay the Prophet speaketh , Esay , liii . sayinge , that he shuld not stryue for hys flesshe . Yea , thee very same , that the Euangelist hathe appoynted all burdened consciences to go vnto , for a dischardge , sayinge . Ecce agnus dei Christus qui tollit peccata mundi . That is to saye . Beholde the Iohan , i , . lambe of god . Christ that taketh awaye the synnes of the world . Wherfore that thou mayest by thee scripture be assured that the passouer lambe eaten at the deliueraunce of theyr bodyes , from a temporall bondage preached the death , and passyon of christ our lambe , that made hym selfe obedient to the moost reprochefull death of the crosse , by whose strypes as the Prophete saithe we were healed , and also the eternall delyueraunce of oure soules from death , marke well what is wrytten in the scripture . Agni statuuntur in testimonium veritatis & federis promis . that is Gene , xxi , to saye . Lambes ar appoynted for a wytnes of the truth , & the couenaunt promysed . And therfore Iohan sayth . Agnus occisus ab origine mundi habet librum feder is , in quo scripta sunt nomina Apoc. xiii . sanctorum , That is to say . The lambe that was kylled from the begynnynge of the world : hath the boke of couenaunt , wherin be wrytten the names of the sayntes . Nowe to make his disciples to be more apte to receyue thys mysterie , & to open theyr eyes to perceaue the peace offeringe promysed by the prophetes , and now come to do the wil of hys father that sente hym , a lambe to be slayne , to appease his wrath , conceyued thorow Adans fal . That , as Adam couered al fleshe by his disobedience with damnacion , euen so the obedience that was in christ , shulde couer it wyth saluacion : He sayd vnto them , go ye into the cytye to a certayn man whom ye shal mete , and say you vnto him . Magister vicit , tempus meum prope est Math , 24 apud te facio pasca cum discipulis meis , that is to say . The Mayster sayth , my tyme is at hande , I wyl kepe myne easter at thyne house with my disciples . As who shuld saye , the tyme is come that the heauenly wil of my father shulde be fulfylled , & by my passion wrought for the confort and consolation of Adam , & his posteritie , whos frowardnes , in that he disobeyed hys wyl , plucked hys indignatyon and wrathful vengeaunce vpon his head . But now beholde the acceptable tyme that god my father thorow loue , longeth for an attonemente , & as a louing father glad to receyue the shepe , that were loste for synne , hathe not spared me , his onli begotten sonne to throwe me from hys imperiall trone , into the bottome of the earth , that whosoeuer beleueth in me shuld haue lyfe euerlastyng , I am he , promysed by the prophetes to make thys agrement of whom Esay speaketh . Ecce virgo concipiet & pari Esaye . vii et filium & vocabitur nomen eius Emanuel , that is to say . Behold a byrgyn shal conceyue & brynge forthe a sonne , and hys name Math. i. shal be called Emanuel . And as mathew sayth . Qui saluum faciet populum suum Israel , that is to saye . Whych shal make false hys people Israel . I am the sacrifice , yea , the onely sacryfyce that must in my bloud washe away mannes iniquitie and dregges of corruption , and none but I alone . For where the priest & leuite hath passed by the wounded man , vnable to helpe him I am come to bynde vp hys woundes , yea to make him hoole , I am the mediator appoynted betwene god and man , euen the man Iesus Timo. 2 christ , for this purpose chosen of God my father to heale the sycke that nede a phesyssyon , and preache beliueraūce vnto the captiue , wythout me ther is no mediator , for I am come into the world for no other purpose , but to saue synners . I am that spirituall rocke sente into i , Corin , ● thys wyldernes , of whom your fathers haue dronke , & so must you or els ye perysshe for thyrst I am that pure and liuely vyne , whos leaues neuer wyther Iohan , 1● nor fal away : whoso is not planted in me , my father wil plucke him vp by the rootes . I am the Iohan , vi bread sent downe from heauen who so is replenyshed wyth me shal neuer tast of death , I am the Iohan , x. dore an open entre to my father , vnto whom no man cometh but by me . For he that clymmeth ouer the walles is as the scripture saythe , a thefe or a robber . I onelye do geue lyfe vnto my shepe . I am the God of Abraham , Abraham Isaac and Iacob , euen theyr sauegarde & mercy seate ▪ Math , xxii , I am he , whych putteth a waye your iniquities euen for myne owne sake , and beyng the lorde your creator , for loue wyl remember them no more , for I am the Lord , and wythout me there is no sauiour , the pathe truly haue I troden to god my father , Esaye , 43 that you seynge my foote steppes shulde at noo tyme erre .

Thus good brethren , whan he had by preachyng of his death and merites , instilled into hys disciples hartes , understanding that they might perceaue theyr saluation , and not theyrs alone , but also of the hole worlde , because he had euen from the begynning chose them witnesses of hys afflictyons , that after thee thing was fynished which they personallye behelde wyth more fyrme & stable faith , they might preache this desyre syght & vnmesurable comforte of al fleshe among the gentyles and vnbeleuing nacions : He dyd not only wyth expresse wordes declare hys goinge into Ierusalem , hys euel intreature amongeste the hyghe prestes , Pharisies & cruel bloud suckers , and fynally his death , that they hearing these wordes myght with more diligens attende to marke the experiens therof : but also whan the passouer lambe shuld be eaten , whyche as I before sayde , was the token of theyr delyueraunce out of Egypt , and of the fredom of theyr fleshe , by the whiche delyueraunce theyr soules were not exempted from the tyrannos gulffe of hell , synne , & death , neyther the fathers wrath pacyfied dewe vnto them for transgression , but continually hanged , moost terryblie ouer theyr heades , so that they yet were the subiectes yf death , and dampnation : he therfore to preache vnto them a perfect delyueraunce or fredom of both body and soule , to be nomore vnder the banners of deathe , but of lyfe and saluacion , at this hys last supper , whan the token of this body ly delyueraunce shuld be eaten which was but the sygnification of thys lambe , that was nowe present amonge them , by whose death al mankynd shuld be lowsed from vtter darkenes , & vnquencheable fyer , to satisfie this mysterye , & to make it euydent , he toke bread & after he had geuen thankes to God hys father , he brake it , saying . Take , eate , math , 26. Luk. xiiii this is my bodye whych shal be broken for you , lykewyse he toke the cup , sayinge , thys is my bloud of the new testament , whiche shal be shed for many in the remission of theyr synnes , For yf the arme of god and hys myghty power was so hyghlye estemed in the delyueraunce of theyr mortal bodyes , from a mortall tyraunt , that it vouchsaued him to establyshe it wyth thys sygne or token , for a memoriall of hys grace towardes them , being yet not taken out of the cheynes of darkenes , than whan soeuer the deuyll assaulted them captyuating theyr wyttes with sensualitie , to make them forget the lorde , that the wytnes of his benignite shulde alwayes accuse theyr ingratitude , & moue them to repent , how moch more ought this signe or sacramente of the Lordes death to be hyghly reregarded amonges vs Christians , whych preacheth vnto vs a thyng farre better than a bodyly deliueraunce , from a bodely tyraunt , namely the delyueraunce from eternal dampnacion & the kyngdom of darkenes , than whansoeuer the ramping lyon Sathan seketh to deuour our soules , by the enti●arg vnto syn , and desperacion , we by this holy sacrament ar put in remembraunce that our sauiour Christ was the promysed sede of the woman whych shuld breake the serpentes head , whych moued our father to bannisshe vs from hys syght , and hath in hys death , & bloudsheding , slayne the leuia than that had power ouer deth Wherfore as the lambe was the sygne appointed to continue tyl the euerlastinge sauiour , euen Christe our lambe came , to preache the deliueraunce of theyr body from the paynefull seruitude , of the Egiptians : Euen so this bread & wyne is the sacrament , appointed by christ to preach his most precious death , our redemption tyl he come to iudge the quicke and the dead . And therfore good brethren after the immolacion of Christe Iesus , our passouer lambe the Israelites sygne ceassed , because the innocent lambe in very dede , appoynted of god before the creation of the world ( to be slayne ) was come , whome it sygnified and hath to assure vs of his death , and commyng agayne , left vnto vs bread and wyne , as a sygne and token to confyrme vs weakelynges in fayth , that he hath died for our synnes to pacifye the wrath of hys father , and is rysen for ou● iustification , thee yron bandes of death , brast in sonder , and he wyth triumphante victorye , by the power of god , hath penetrated the cloudes to geue saluacion . So that the ryghtuousnes ( as Paule saythe ) that pleased Roma , iii god was the redemption that is in christe Iesus , thorough whom the terrible vengeaunce of god is passed ouer vs , and wee sealed into redemptyon , and that ye shuld not doubt , but that God by hym is wonne to be our frende , marke wel thys his own testimony . Hic est filius meus dilectus in quo mihi bene complacui , ipsum audite , that is to say : This math. iii , marke , ix is my beloued sonne , in whom I am well pleased , heare hym . As the lambe therefore was appoynted by Moyses theyr leader chosen of god , a memoriall or sygne of goddes goodnes , in that he made them fre men , as touchynge theyr bodyes from pharaos yocke the nyght before , it came to passe : Euen so this bread and wyne was assigned , a perpetual sygne by our Moyses , chosen of god by hys precious bloude to leade vs from euerlasting death , and dampnacion as a sygne of goddes mercy towardes vs , in that he hath sent hys only begotten sonne Iesus , in the shape of synfull flesshe beyng without syn , to condempne syn in the fleshe , & to conquere death for theyr sake , that of a pure loue trusted in him , euen the nyghte before his deth , now by this signe bread & wyne , christ to instructe hys Apostles whom he had chosen to support stedfastlie amonge the Iewes , the delyueraunce of our soules from death exhibited playnely before they eyes , that , that followed , namely hys passion , and the conforte of the same , saying . Take eate , this is my bodye whych shal be geuen for you , do this in remembraunce of me . That is to saye , euen as ye se this bread broken for the confort of your outward man , and thys wyne dronke for the consolation of the same , being so necessary , that wythout it your outward man perisheth , for honger , and hauing it , the body is defended from staruing . Euen so I , myne own self personally whom ye se , fele & know , beyng the mynyster of thys whych ye do receaue , euen as surely as ye behold the brekyng hereof and know kyng hereof , and know that ye haue receyued hit , so sureli shal be crucified , rent , and broken for your synnes , and in hit shal deserue fre remyssyon of al youre iniquyties by whose merytes , thy vnryghtuous soule is made rightuous , for euer , yf thou forsakest synne : for this was geuen for the comfort of your inward man , whom god hated for synne , for to reconcyle it to thee fathers fauour agayn , & to defend it from death eternal . Therfore , for asmoch as by necessitie we are enforced dayly to confort our bodye , with bread & drinke Euen so are we dayly enforced to comfort our soule with the eternal Testamente in Christes bloude , so that now whan soeuer our sperit , beginneth to faynte for honger , that it behoueth vs to breake thys bread , & drynke thys wyne in the remembraunce of christes death and of hys comfortable testamente to feade our soule withall . Hoc enim est bibere de plenitudine misericordie sue that is to say . For this is to drinke of the fulnes of his mercy . And thys opened theyr eyes & confyrmed theyr fayth to perfection to preache that whyche they afterwarde sawe come to passe , according as the bread was broken . Paul therfore instructed by the sperit of god to vnderstand this misterie , sayde , the whych I receaued I deliuer vnto you , o ye Corinthians , The nyght before he was betrayed , he toke bread , & brake it , saying , this is 1 , Cori. 11 , my bodye , whych is broken for you , also by the cup he sayd , thys is the new testament in my bloud , as ofte as ye eate of this bread and drinke of this cup ye shall preache the lordes death tyl he come : Yf now the the personal bodi of christ , fleshe & bloud had ben ther ( as ye dreame ) than wolde not paul haue said , ye shal preache the lordes death til he come But rather he wold haue sayd , behold corinthes , here is christ personal bodye amonges you , but paule assuredly taught by the holy ghost the this was not the body , but the sacrament of the body , therfore he sayd , as oft as ye eate & drynke of this bread & wyne , ye shal preache his deth , whych is exalted aboue the cloudes , tyl he come agayn , for he is departed hens to be oure attorney before the trone of Maiestye of the of the which departure the scripture beareth vs wytnes , spoken by hys own mouth , saying . Vado ad patrem paraturus vobis locum , that is to saye , I go to my father , to prepare you a place . And agayn . Veritatem dico , expedit vobis vt abeam , Si non abiero consolator ille non veniet ad vos , Sin abiero , mitta ad vos , that is to saye , I say for truth . It is nedeful that I go hence , yf I goo not hence that comforter shall not come vnto you , but yf I go hence , I wil send him vnto you Whyche sperite is not sente to cloke our wyckednes , or to suffer vs to dwel in darkenes and in errour , but as Iohan sayth , to reproue the worlde of syn , of vnryghtuousnes and of iudgement . De peccato , quia non credidit Ioh , viii in me . De iustitia , quia ad patrem vado & post hac non videbitis me . De iudicio quia princeps huius mundi iam iudicatus est .

That is to saye . Of syn , because it beleued not in me . Of iustice , because I go to my father , & after thys you shall not see me . Of iudgement , because the prince of this world is now iudged . And therfore sayth christ I haue manye thynges to tell you , but ye are as yet vnable to beare them awaye , But I go vnto my father whych hath sent me , that according to my promes I may send you , the sperit of truth which shal without doubte leade you into all truthe , to do the wyll of my father . The sperite receaued Paule whan his eyes were opened , Whyche moued hym to testyfye in thys wyse of our mediator , saying . Christ is the bishop of our soules , which wyth an oblation of hys owne Hebre. 10 , precious body , hath offered vp hym selfe ones for all on the altare of the crosse , wheron he hath made them perfecte for euer whom he hath sanctified , beyng soche an hygh byshoppe whych hath gone thorowe the heauens and sytteth on the right hand of the trone of Maiestie , there beyng the admynystrator of the euerlasting tabernacle , whom god hath made and not man : Whose sperite hath taught paule thys doctrine , that so farre differeth from yours . Did not the sperit of god , whom christe promysed to lede al his , in al truth ? Who taught you then this doctryne that thus rebellethe agaynste truthe ? the contrarye vnto thee truth ? Which is a lye of whom the deuyll is father as wytnesseth the scripture . Come hether all ye ▪ that so stoutlye stande in this Lutherian errour , and reproue ( as ye are shameles ) thee sperit of truth , which speaketh in Paule . Debate the matter with him . Trye your selues , as ye most fondely endeuor , to be more wyser than the sperite of God , which hath manifest sayd that christ sytteth on the ryght hande of the trone of maiestie , to be an aduocate for mannes imperfection , you saye that his bodye is in the sacrament , vnder forme of breade , flesshe and bloud euen as he was borne of the byrgyn Marye : O good brethren hit wolde pytye anye Christian hart to see , how with out shame ye goo about wythe your deuylyshe sophistrye and deceauable dreames to dysorder the workes of thee lyuynge god , who hath commaunded hys sonne to sytte vpon hys ryghthand , according to the testimonies of the prophet Dauid , sayinge , Dixit dominus domino meo sede a dextris meis , donec posuero inimicos tuos scabellum pedum tuorum , that is to say . The lord sayd vnto my Lorde , syt at my ryght hande , vntyl I shal make thyne enemies thy fote stole Alas what meane you thus willinglye to reioyse in darkenes , syns gods word , beyng the lyght of our feete , hath openly shewed vs that no iote of the law or testymonyes of the ꝓphetes , shuld escape vndone in christ , the end mathe , v : of the lawe , & prophetes , whose mouthes were not open to speake thinges in vayne , wherfore , syns theyr testimonies ar true , whych of necessytie must be fulfylled by Christ , for asmoch as god had so ordeyned hit , howe dare ye agayne saye the sperite of truth , whych affyrmeth hym not only to be ther personallye on the right hand of his father , but also hathe appoynted hym to come agayn , in the confyrmation of the hole worlde , euen in the same , from that he departed to gather the corne into the barne , & burne the chaffe wyth vnquencheable fyere , and yet saye you that he is here in the sacrament , horribly wyth your lyes , blasphemyng the sacred Testament , sanctifyinge in the bloud of thee lambe , beynge the lawe in dede , whom he hath delyuered vnto his people , to directe them in theyr waye to perfection nomore wrytten in the table of stone , but in hys beloued temple the symple hartes of the faythfull , as he hym selfe affyrmeth , sayinge . I wyl geue my lawes Hebre , 8 in theyr mynde , & in theyr hertes wyl I wryte them , I wyl be theyr god and they shall be my people , euen this law vnadvisedly as I suppose , ye despyce , and frowardly deny this truth whom the sperit of truth hathe therin wrytten , beyng sealed with the precious blood of christ Iesus , but it is manyfeste in thee scripture , that he whych dispyseth Moyses lawe , dyeth without mercye vnder twoo or thre wytnesses : Of how moch more sorer punyshment ( suppose ye ) shal he be counted worthy , whyche treadeth vnder fote the sonne of god , & counteth the bloud Hebre , 10. of the newe testament ( whereby we are sanctified ) and vngodly thing , and doth dishonour the sperit of grace . Alas what dishonour can ther be more to the most hiest , that of mercy and of faythfulnes hathe sende vnto vs selye wretches his holy sperite to guide the starne of oure sences that at no tyme they shuld fal vpon the dangerous rockes of erroure and false doctryne : than lytle regardyng his mercyful kindnes , not only to speake manyfeste heresye agaynste this truth , but also moost arrogantly to iudge our weake sperite able to confounde the wysedom of God mynistered vnto vs by hys blessed worde and mooste stoutlye dysdayne to be ruled thereby ▪ Coulde a shyppe beynge tossed hether and hether & thether in the tempestuous sea , & ready of the vnmercyfull water to be ouerwhelmed , be scotfre from danger , yf the rude and vnlerned marynors shuld agayn say , the wysdom of theyr pilate vnto whom god hath reueled the craft & polycye through his gracious ayde to leade her from perels ? No truly . Verely nomore is your wysdom able , in these troubelous opynyons or disceatfull gynnes of Sathan where wyth he purposethe to ouerthrowe the shyppe of youre understanding , to rule her dangerles , yf ye agayn say the wisdom of your lodesman or sterer , whom God by hys almyghtye power hath instructed to leade you from errour to knowledge , from darkenes to light , & fynally from a lye to infallible truth Therfore as the willing marynors that couet the sauegarde of the shyp ( partely for the owner sake , whom they loue , & chieflye for theyr lyues sake whych stand vpon the shyppe ) diligently do marke , and obediently do folow the counsel of theyr pylate , neyther adde they , or dymynysshe they any iote of his wil , lest the shyppe perysshe . Euen so good brethren , yf ye loue god whych is the owner of your soules , yf they be faythfull , or yf ye haue any respect to your own lyues , whych standeth in the fulfyllinge of hys commaundementes , diligently bothe heare and folowe gods worde , whom he hath geuen the to leade thy understanding into al truth , to whom nether adde thou or dymynysshe any thyng , lest thy vnderstanding perysshe by errour . For it is wrytten in the scripture . Yf any man adde any thing to the worde of prophecye , I wyl adde vnto him the plages that ar wrytten in thys worde . And yf apoc. xxii any man shal dimynysh any iote of this word , god shal take hys part out of the boke of life and out of the holy cytie . Alas why then runne ye this hedlong into your own confucion , louing your owne fantacyes so well that in comparison vnto them , ye moost vnkyndely vylypend the truth of thys his moost sacred word , whych teacheth vs that Christes natural bodye , accordynge to the prophetual testimonye , was crucified , dead , & buryed , and the thyrde daye rose frome death to lyfe , and assended into heauen ther sytting on the right hand of god his father , and yet contrarye to thys truth : ye haue added your opinion , euen poyson vnto your owne soules , except ye repent , that thys natural body , whom the holy ghost affyrmeth to syt on the hand of god , hath transubstanciat it self into bread & wyne . Thus philantia hath bewytched you in soche sort that ye thynke truth to be a lye , and your abhominable lye , truth , but I wyl tel you one thing , which the holy goost wold in no cause shulde be forgotten . That Christe came not to do his own wyl , but the wyl of hys father , whych sent hym ▪ But hys fathers wil was that the natural body of christ , whiche was crucified dead and buryed , after hys resurrection shulde assende into heauen and syt on hys ryghthande , therfore must it be graunted ( yf your lye shuld be the truth , as ye suppose it ) that christ hath not onely preuaricate his fathers wil , for that he hathe , ( as you saye ) disobediently forsaken hys fathers syde , and trone of celestial blesse & transubstanciat him selfe , beynge of a nature incorruptyble , into bread and wyne that shal peryshe , ( For the scripture sayth ) that all thynge sene wyth our eye , shal consume , peryshe , & wyther a way , and that nothing is for euer but the word whyche continually preacheth christ oure sauiour , but also he hath ( as youre truth testyfieth of hym ) openlye dissembled in that he sayd he came to satisfye the wyl of hys father and that he hadde sente vs the sperite of truth , and now your truth hath both accused him of disobediens for transubstanciatinge of hys natural body into bread & wyne contrary to hys fathers wyll , and also proued the holy ghost a lyar , whyche hath testified all flesshe , that faythfully beleued in the sonne of god to be saued by the obediens of Christ Iesu in whom god almyghtye is satysfied . But suppose you ( good brethren ) that god can suffer his sonne this to be reported of you of whom he hath so wel disserued or hys word thus to be sclaundered which is pure and truth , and that wythout any cohercion or tellyng you of your fault , no no , iudge not him to be a shrinking god , or one that setteth pryce , by youre stoute lookes that therby he shulde feare any fote at al to stand in trial of his truth and tell you of your heresy : for hys longe sufferans whych lusteth for repentans that his kyndnes myght apere , is not so slender towardes you , that he wyll thus see you peryshe by erroure Whose conspiracie busylye seketh your dampnation , all though to you his most wicked purpose is vnknowen , yet hath gods mercy espyed hit , & reioyseth not in your deth , wherfore behold the grace the it offered vnto you by the holy goost which entendinge to stand in trial of goddes truth , by gradacion refuteth your dampnable errour & disordering of gods wil , & proueth the natural bodi of christ our sauiour after hys resurrection to syt on the righthand of god hys father , & for the proffe of thys matter we call Luke th●ee Euangelist to wytnesse , where he wryteth that the Maries yearly in the sabothe daye came , accordynge to the costume to embrace the body of Christ , but whan they came to the monument , they founde the stone rolled a waye , whan they entered to se , the body was away wherwith they were maruelously astonished , but in this sodayne traunse & fayntynes of hart , two men in whyt aparel apered vnto them saying . Quid queris viuentem in mortuis surrexit non est hic . That is to say Why seeke you him that liueth among the dead ? He is rysen , he is not here . And also accusing them of forgetfulnes , sayd vnto them , haue ye forgotten what he tolde you in Galilie , that it was expedient for the son of man , to be vnder thee poore of synners , to be crucified , and ryse agayn the thyrd daye , and so to enter into glorye , Yea , & because he wold not haue hys dyscyples vnexpert of thys hys resurrection & what shuld become of this hys body , a litle before his death to reuele vnto them the mysery of his impassible body now glorifyed , he toke certayn of them , with him , and sayd some of you shal math 17 , marke . ix Luk. ix . not se death , vntyl ye se the son of man in hys glorie , and forth with vpon the hyl thabor in the presens of Peter , Iames , & Iohan , he transfigurated his natural body by the power of his godhead , not as ye dreame into bread and wyne which shal putrifie , but into an immortal shape , the phisnamy of a māremaynyng , Apoc. i. Dan , xvii commaundynge them that it shuld be vnknowen , tyl after the testymonye of the prophete , were fulfylled whyche spake in Christe to hys father , sayinge . Thou hast taken my soule out of hel , and hast not suffered thy sayncte to se corruption . And after thys , they were called to testifie of Christ crucified & preache euen vpon the howse toppe the resurrection of our sauiour being the fyrst fruytes of them i : corin : 15 : that slepte in hym , of the whych resurrection Paule speaketh in thys wyse , sayinge . Resurrexit Christus a mortuis per gloriam patris Roma , vi iam non moritur mors illi vltra non dominatur , that is to say Christ is rysen from amonge the deade , through the glory of the father . Now dyeth he not , deth shall hence forth haue nomore power ouer hym . Now good brethren syns that the sperite of truth hath assuredly taughte , that the same body which was crucified , dead , & is rysen agayn according as the apostels haue witnessed of hym , yf you diligentely attend , & awake out of your slepe he wyll also reueyle vnto you , what bodi this was after his resurrection , & what became therof so euidently that except thou repent , & turne from your wycked Imaginacion , & all other of your faction of the clergye , whych thus spurneth agaynste gods truth , it wil plucke a hoode ouer your heades furred with fearful iudgemente & vnquencheable fyer , Wherfore geue eare vnto thee Euangelist whych more playne lyer expresseth thys bodye than ye haue cause to doubte . After these women had thus talked among the disciples , that at theyr commyng his body was absent out of the monument ther arose among them a sodayne wonderyng how thys myght be , & behold . ii . of the company that thus talked of Iesus , went from Ierusalem vntyl a certayn vyllage , called Emaus , vnto whom Christ apered beyng euen the last man they talked of , asking them what communication this was , &c , as followeth in the text . Reade & iudge In conclusion nyght drewe on , they compelling hym to tarrye wyth them . And it came to passe as he sate at thee table wyth them personally he toke bread brake it , and gaue it them , wher vpon they knew hym , and so he vanisshed away , here note good frendes , that the scripture speaketh as yet of no transubstantiation , For the body that brake thys bread was a personal body , hauing flesshe and bones ; & the sences of a naturall bodye . As you shal manyfeste perceaue hereafter , appoynted wythout any alteration to enter into glory . They here vpon callyng to mynde thys sygne , wherein before his deth he vouchsaued to preache his precious death , the delyueraunce of our soules from eternal captiuitie , strayte forth they knewe hym , sayinge . Dyd not our hartes burne within vs , whan he thus talked wyth vs of the scripture . Now good brethren , because the subtyle serpent shal not by errour deceaue youre wyttes , to surmyce that whych is not , bryngynge vpon your selues swyfte dampnation , it hath to confyrme you in thys truth made playne what bodye thys was , farre otherwyse than ye dreame , noo soche body that was willing to trāsubstancy at it selfe into a dead thyng , whyche could nether fele , tast , se , go nor speake , in whom ther is nether lyfe , nor soule , marke therfore how the holy ghost handeleth thys matter , by hys holye Euangelyon . After these twoo men , that were at Emaus , knew hym by the breakyng of bread , they returned vnto Ierusalem from whense they came , where ther were gathered together of the disciples aleuen in nomber comming & talkinge of theyr Mayster christe , lately rysed from the dead and seyn of Peter , whose talke to confirme , these two began to declare what hadde be fallen them in theyr iorney to Emaus as touchinge hys resurrection . And whyle they thus talked of him , he apered agayne amongest them , saying . Peace be with you : But thei somwhat fearful with thys straunge syghte , supposed hym to be some sperit , whom to put oute of doubte , he spake in thys wyse , sayinge . Why are ye thus troubled or what moueth your hartes thus foundly to Imagyne fantasyes , be holde my handes , my feate , am I not euen he , that hath cast your accompt & dischardged youre det betwene my father & you , as my sperit at the houre of my most bytter affliction , vttered sayinge . Cōsummatum est , &c. Man thy matter is at issue , thy saluacion is made perfecte , yf thou abyde in me . Yf you mystruste me proue handell me , and ye shall no lesse doo but confesse my body far to dissent from a sperite , whych hath neyther flesshe , and bones as ye se me haue , whan he hadde thus destorbed hys natural body vnto them to confyrme theyr faith he shewed them both feate & handes : Yet not wythstanding this manyfest demonstratyon , some of them doubted , partly for ioy and partly for the straunge sight whom to set fre wythout suspytion , he demaunded of them , we ther they had any meat to eate , vnto whom , sone after hys demaunde , they offered parte of a broyled fysshe and an honycombe , and in presens before theyr eyes he eate it . Thus you see that he hadde not onelye fleshe , bones , and a personall bodye , lyke vnto them , but also all the sences of a naturall bodye namely felyng , seyng , hearyng , tastynge , & goyinge . Et hec omnia que scripta sunt ad nostram doctrinam fo , 15 , scripta sunt vt per patientiam scripturarum spem habeamus that is to say , Al these thynges that are wrytten , are wrytten for our learnyng , that through the pacience of thee scriptures , we shulde haue hope . Whyche alwaye wyl be of force stronge ynough to confute thys errour , whych by enchauntement wold haue ther a phantastical body , that is a bodye by coniecture whom ye saye , can nether be felt wyth hand neyther seyn with eyes of the body , but only wyth the eyes of your faythe . O good brethren how longe wyl ye play the part of Iamnes and Iambres whiche wyth moost disceatful sorcerye haue resysted the wil of god thynke you that the wrathfull vengeaunce of god , whych fell vpon them , can mysse you playinge the same part , no truly , for agaynst soch thar stouburnely wythstande the truth wythout repentaunce , god sharpeth his sworde and bendeth his lawe , & shal loke narowly with hys eyes , that he mysse not hys marke , but that he may hit them a ryght for I am sure that ye ar not ignoraunt , How that moyses rodde Psal , viii hath deuoured theyr feyned serpent and that dangerles , euen so shal truth vaunquishe your errour and condempne your folly , in that ye loue youre wyttes so wel , that shameles ye wythstande the glorious gospel and openly accuse truth of a lie , hath not Christ euen wyth his owne mouth , lynyally descrybed hys body to be fleshe & bloud , & also to possesse al the sences of a natural body & that to the eyes of hys disciples , yet contrarye to thys truth , say you , that his body is in forme of bread , whyche is dead , and vade of sences , also he shewed hym selfe after his resurrection in the shape & stature of a man , and yet agaynst hys own wyl , ye wyl compel hym to transubstanciat him self , into a new shape , brynging a man with all hys members into the strayte roume of a pece of bread , or synging cake ( as ye better allow it ) Iudge you now how your Sophistrie , and the sperite of truth agreeth ▪ But with your paciens suffer me , ( I pray you ) to reason wyth your fātacye , that ye may perceaue the buylding of youre opinion vnable to stand in trial with the scripture because it lacketh a groundfyll . Answere me therfore Luther & your adherentes , wold ye that Christes naturall body , borne of the vyrgyn Mary very fleshe & bloud shuld be transubstanciate into thys bread or no ? yf ye so wold , manifest vnto me , I pray you the tyme of this alteracion , for asmoch as nothing can be without instance of time . Yf ye saye it was done at thys his laste supper , whan he instituted thys sacrament by this text . Hoc est corpus meum , quod pro vobis traditurum . That is to say . This is my body which shal be geuen for you . Than the scripture blanketh you , for it teachethe vs that the natural body of Christ whiche brake this bread , afterward to be slain vpon the crosse , & buried Agayn , if ye affirme this alteration of his bodi to haue chanced after his resurrection , than the scripture replyeth agayn geuinge you a fayre checkmate , sayinge , that after he was rysen , he bracke bread amongeste hys apostels , in the forme of the crucified body , hauing nothyng thereof altered , sauing that nowe it was immortall nomore subdued to our carnall passyons . Then to conclude yf neyther before hys death , nor after his resurrection he entered into thys bread , than is youre Imaginacion false , But now paraduenture ye wyl demaunde of me , whyche haue disproued thys magicall transubstanciation , What became of this body thus rysen , the scripture maketh you thys answere After he hath continued in the yearth . xl . dayes whan he was rysen , the disciples , but then gathered together at Ierusalem , abyding as they were appoynted , the coming of the promised conforter , assone as he had repeted vnto them the confortable promyse of the Testament , sodeynly , euen in theyr syght he entered into hys glorye , a cloud taking hym out of theyr eyes . And whyle they yet stode wondering at the mighty arme , and incomprehensible power of god : to take from them all occasyons of doubtynge or supposal what shuld folowe of Christ thus taken from theyr eyes Beholde an angel apered vnto them , instructing theyr sperit with this consolation , saying , Ye men of galilie , why stand ye here gasing , the same christ which is nowtaken from you , into heauen , shal in the same manner apere agayn , wherfore what is he y● dare boldelye vsurpe the name of a Christian & hateth to be reformed by the holy goost , whom god hath left vnto vs to instructe vs in Christ , by whom we heare openly that his body is not onely in glorye w●●he his father , in the euerlasting kingdom , exempt from trouble & mysery , in whom reygneth nothinge but ryghtuousnes & peace , where it shall reygne in power and glory vntyl he hath brought all hys enemies into subiection , whiche stouburnly vpon a froward spyte , wyth holde hys truthe in vnrightuousnes , but also according to the scripture shall come agayne , to iudge the quycke , & the dead , as dayly we lay in our crede , of whom the prophet dauid thus speaketh ▪ Deus manifeste veniet deus noster & non silebit , Ignisin conspectu eius exaudestet & in circuitu eius tempestas valida quia deus iudex est . That is to say Psal. 49 . The god that is oure god , shal come openly , and shall not kepe sylence . In his syght shal fyere consume , & round about him shal be a myghty tempest : because god is a iudge . And Paule sayth also in this wyse testifying of hys coming . Ipse dominus cum hortatu & voce archangeli , ac turba dei , descendet Math , ●● Iohan. 5 Thessa : 4 2 : Thes: ● de celo & mortui in Christo resurgē● &c. That is to say . The lord him self shal descend from heauen , in the encoraging & voyce of an Archangell , & wyth the trumpe of God , and the dead in Christ shal ryse . &c. And thys comyng was also reueled vnto daniel the prophete in a vysion by nyght where he sawe one like to the son of man comyng out of the cloudes , vnto whom the aged man gaue power and dignitie regall , that all people , trybes & Dani. vii apoca , i. Philip , ii tonges shuld serue hym , whose power is an euerlasting power which shal neuer be put down , and hys kyndgom endureth in corrupt . Because therfore that we shuld assuredlye pronounce hym to be the ende of the lawe , and of the Prophetes , that nothynge testified in them shulde be lefte vndone , but fulfylled by him , to assure vs that he wolde come , that we myght at no tyme be careles , and vnprouyded as were the foolysshe vyrgyns , and so thorowe oure negligens be shutte oute , he gaue vs certayne sygnes , and tokens that Ioel , xxxii Math , 24 Ierem 25 , Esay , xiii marke , 13 , luke . 21 , shulde come to passe , before the daye of hys commyng euydently testifyed by thee prophetes & the Euangelist as the alteracion of the sonne and moone , and the decaye of the bryghtnes of the starres wyth soch lyke , many testified in the Scriptures : For lyke as the lyghtening goeth from the East , and shyneth math , 24 into the West , so shall the commynge of thee sonne of man be , and whan be cometh , he wyl not tarrie . Quem quidem aduentum ( vt refert Paulus ) narret temporibus suis beatus & solus potens Rex regum & Timo. dominus dominantium , qui solus habet immortalitatem & lucem habitat in accessibilem , quem nullus videt . That is to say , Whych coming ( as Paule declareth ) the kyng of kynges , & Lordes of rulers , who onely hath immortalitie & dwelleth in lyght , that noman can come to , whom noman seeth . Paul therfore seynge the imperfection of our flesh , which is geuen to feade that lust of our corrupt afflictions , exhorteth to loke diligentli for his coming of our sauioure saying ▪ Conuarsatio vestra erit in Celo celis vnde faluatorem aduenturum spectatis . That is to say . Youre conuersation therfore shal be in heauen , whence ye loke for a sauiour to come , If he be to come , he is not yet come , for whan he cometh he wyl not tarrye , Yf he be not yet come , he is not here , Yf he be not here , than it foloweth that his body is not reallye in the sacrament . Now good brethren ye haue hero the doctrine of gods sperit , what it hath taught of the natural body of christ Iesu , how it was not only crucified dead & buried , & rose agayn the . iii. day , but also that ye shulde fantasye nothing of thys body wyth your groose carnalitie it hath expressiuelye shewed , what bodye thys was , wether it went , where it is & from whens it shal come , for as moch therfore as this is the sperit of truth , whom christ at his departure promysed to hys faythfull folowers as a gouernour to leade them into al truth , we the couet to be called Christians , must of necessite beleue it , yf wyth christ we do entend , to haue any societye , for who so beleueth not this his soule shal not prosper , but the a●at . ●● Gal. ●3 Roma . ●● iust shall lyue by fayth . Christe therfore thus speaketh in Iohan Verely , verely I saye vnto you , whoso heareth my word & beleueth him that sene me , hath euerlasting life , and cometh not into damnation , but is passed thorow deth vnto lyfe . Iudge you now what shal become of those whych dispyce , and beleaueth not this truth . Now as touchinge Luthers errour , yf that vnder the forme of bread the natural body of christ shuld be , it apereth hys ciuilitie to be very slender for as moch as he hath so vnreuerentlye handeled thys bodye not according vnto hys worthines , but vnkyndly robbed hym of hys honour whych is his , as natiuelye , as the bryghtenes is the son , and as daungerous to be disceuered , Quia ipse est glorie Hebre , i splendor & figura substancia patris , That is to saye . For he is thee bryghtnes of the glory , and the Image of the fathers substance What is he therfore that wyll say Christes body to be inglorious lyns he is the brightnes of his fathers glorie , for in the scripture it is called the glorious day starre , and therfore Peter knowing assuredly , glory to belonge vnto thys body sayd . Gloria 2. Pet. 3. Christo , nunc & in diem eternitatis . That is to saye , Glorye be to Christ , now and euer . Agayne Iohan not entending to wythdrawe any thynge from thys body sayd . Gloriam honorem & virtutem dignus es accipere insecula , apoca . 4. seculorum . That is to say , Thou art worthy to haue glorye , honoure , & power for euer . Christ also hath sayd by the mouth of hys Euangelyste , that who so honoureth not the sonne , the same honourethe not thee father , for thys cause verely hath god geuen al iudgement to hys son mathe , 11 luke . 10 , Iohan. 5. that all men might honour the son , euen as they honoured the father . Syns then that ye dreame christes natural body to be here presently ●n the Sacrament , why shal we not then fall down , and worshyp it . For yf at the name of Iesus al knyes shal bowe ( as sayth the scripture ) both in heauen and in yearth , how moch more ought they to bowe , yf they se hys body ( as ye say ) in the sacrament . for thys we se euen among vs mortal creatures dayly in experience , that whan the name of a prynce or emperour in any ciuile matters apperteyning to a common weale is named among his subiectes , they al vncouet theyr heades : But whan the person or body of the kyng is presente , they fall down vpon theyr knies and honoure him ? Howe moche more oughte we , yf it were true as ye saye , Whych as is a very lye in dede , to fall downe & worshyppe the euerlasting prynce & immortal body of Christ Iesus But Luther hym selfe hath forbid the worshippyng of this body , ergo , he must of force eyther deny the bodely presens of christ not to be in the sacrament or elles robbed the bodye of hys nature and dishonour the sperit of grace , for glorye doth wyllingly folowe thys symple and innocent body of Christ , because he humbled hym self to death , for the sauegarde of hys , as it becometh a good shepeherd , wherof the wyseman hath thus testified saying Gloriam precedet humilitas . That Proue-15 is to saye , Humilitie goeth before glyrye , Towhom subscribeth the prophet in thys wyse saying Gloria dominum magna est , quia Psa , xviii Prou-15 - excelsus dominus . That is to saye ▪ Thee glorye of the Lorde , is great , because he is high ▪ For hys body now is a glorified body , reuerently to be worshypped of Christians . Therfore to conclude , it were very absurde and out of frame to saye , that there is his bodi , and deny him that , that his body hath deserued of vs vnto whom belongeth thee kyngdom , power and glory for euer , and euer . Amen . Agayne Luther wold haue the letter to be symplye vnderstande , wythout any interpretacion or troope , that because Christe sayde . Hocest corpus meum , That is to say . Thys is my body . Therfore it is hys body . Surely yf the wyl of God had refuced the interpretacion of hys worde : than was he moch to blame to send hys hooly sperit to mynyster soch gyftes vnto men . But who is he that accuseth the maiestie of god , or reproueth hym in hys doyinges , therfore they are not al fautlesse that reproueth the interpretacion whych agreeth wyth the wyll of God , For yf ye stand vpon thys narowe ebbe , that otherwyse than the letter , there shulde be no interpretacion , ye shuld not only accuse christ him self , whych to hys discyples mystically speaking many thinges very hard , for them to vnderstande according to the letter , to make it playn vnto them dyuerse times and oft expounded vnto them : But also the sperit of truthe , for we rede that where as Mathew & Marke the Euangelistes haue wrytten of thys Sacrament in this wyse . Drynke hereof al , thys is my bloud of the newe testament , Luke and Paule are so bold by the same sperit to enterpret and make playner the same wordes saying , this is the new testament in my bloude , not that the sense differeth , but too interpret thee wordes more playner , to the fleshe & bloud which alwayes not led by the speryt of God , by false iudgement is a stombling stock to hir self . If thou by the same speryt hath manifestly declared the same body , beyng now in glorye wyth hys eternal father , not to he in the sacrament , but hathe by hys chosen mynister paul , interpreted the wordes of the euangelistes saying , as ofte as ye eate of thys bread & drynke of thys cup , preache ye the lordes death , tyl he come , why rebelleth Luther & hys adherentes agaynst the wil of god , or why preferre they theyr Imaginacions , before the the purpose of our heauenly father , seyng that he vnsealed Paules lippes , for this cause to preche this sayinge , vnto the rude corinthians , the therby thei might vnderstand , for what consideracion this visible signe bread & wyne , was instituted of christ our sauiour , namelye to preache thys inuisyble grace that the breaking of Christes body & shedinge of hys precious bloud , hath pacified the vengeance of hys father which was deuised agaynst Adam Iohan. ● . & his of spryng , & clensed vs from our synnes , so the to them the with assured affiance without wauering are planted in thys hys bodye , Rom , viii ther remayneth no damnation , for he came to seke , and saue that was loste , that all that beleued ●uke . ix . in him , shuld haue lyfe euerlastynge , accordynge to the testy Iohan. 3. to the testymony of the prophet Oseas . Thy dampnation o Israel , came of thi self ▪ but thy saluacion of our lord Iesus christ Yf the letter , good brethren , shulde be symple vnderstand . Alas what shuld our carnal wysedom and dulle sences , make of christ our mercy seate and lyuing sauiour whych dayly noryssheth vs wyth hys aboundant grace hath he not called hym selfe in the letter , a dore , a vyne and awaye wyth soche lyke phrases , in the scripture , ye truly I pray the then good congregation , Answere me , Wherfore hathe he thus called hym self . Because thou shuldest iudge him a material dore , a vyne or waye ? no truelye , wherfore than ? doubtlesse Osee . 14 : because thy mortal eye perceaueth that the propertie of a dore is to open the waye into the mansyon place , & wythoute the dore noman can enter dangerles Euen so it vouchsaued Christe by hys holy sperit to instructe the immortall eye of thy soule , namely thy fayth , that christ is the onelye dore that leadeth vs vnto god his father , wyth whom as many as beleueth in hys only sonne shal ●ātifye the euerlasting sabaoth of endles ioy , for he alone hathe made thys entre by whom al christians must enter , and who so clymmeth ouer the walles , and goeth not thorow the dore , surely he is a thefe and a robber , and as a thefe or robber , for his transgressyon is subiect vnto iudgement . Euen so shal that soule be endangered in iudgement that seaketh in any otherway to god the father that christ Iesus , for by him we haue knowledge of god , & without hym we shall neuer knowe god , veryly thus hath he spoken with hys owne mouth . Yf any man knoweth me , the same knoweth him that sent me , wherfore as the dore is the entery to the mansion place . Euen so Christe is our dore to the father , agayn : as thou dayly by experience seeste the branches of the vyne which taketh moosture of the body out of whom they issue neuer to dye , but continually according to his nature , growe grene , & floryshe bryngyng forth the frute of the vyne . Euen so as many as ar vnfaynedly graffed in the precious body of christ our sauiour shall neuer taste of death , but perpetuallye by hys aboundant grace growe and florysshe in vertu and brynge forth frute in hym , agreing to his nature , that is , the denyinge of vngodlynes & doinge good , as the prophet wryteth , Declina a malo & fac bonum That is to saye . Declyne from euyl , and do good . Last of al , as the way leadeth the pylgryme or wayfaring man to his iorneys ende that he may ther rest from werines : so doth this our aduocate & mediator christ Iesu leade vs which here ar but pylgrymes in this straunge lande compassed aboute wythe all myseryes and deathe to oure owne countrie whom he hath purchased , for his faythful flocke with hys holy and santyfyed bodye , offered ones for al , for the remissyon of our synnes , which countrie endureth for euer exempt from all trouble , wherein reynethe the peace of god for euer . wher we shal enioy the fruyte of our laboure , and atteyne the goole whereat al the faythful euen from the begynning that hath bene , are , and shal be to the confyrmation of the whole world hathe wyllingly directed thee course of theyr lyfe , namely lyfe euerlasting , the port of christian , traueyle wythoute werynes thorowe Christ our lorde as saithe the euangelist Iohan. Hec scrip si vobis qui creditis in nomine filii Iohan , v , dei , vt sciatis , quod vitam habetis eternam . That is to say . These thynges haue I wrytten vnto you that beleue in the name of the son of god : that ye maye know that ye haue euerlasting lyfe . Now to conclude christ is not a material dore , way , or vyne but hath in hym the qualities of these vicible thinges , & thus it pleased his mooste glorious Maiestie to enforme vs in the knowledge of the vertue of his most precious body by thys visyble sygnes to augment oure hope to saluacion . Euen so hath he done in thys hys sacrament sayinge . Hoc est corpus meum , That is to say . Thys is my body , not that hyt is his personal body , nomore than hit is a dore or vyne , but as he hath the qualytye of a dore or vyne , so lyke casē hath he the propertie of thys bread , for bread by nature norisheth the body , so christ by nature norysheth the soule . Yf therfore the letter shuld be symplye vnderstande without interpretacion , how moch shulde it abhorre the sperit of god , whyche teacheth vs that Christ is our euerlasting priest , according to the order of melchisedeck , without begynning , & without end Alpha , & Omega , yea how moche shuld it make faynt oure hope to beleue the incorruptible bodie of christ our sauiour to be transubstanciat into a massie peace , of bread without lyfe or soule and made of corruptible elementes But here may you se good brethren as it were in a myrror or glasse the groose capacitie of our indocible iudgement of froward fleshe which seketh not hartely to be instructed in the truth or sauour of the light , but rather to be wyse in hys own conceyt and worder at the wysdom of god , namely the truth of hys word . As the malicious pharaces or stubborne Iewes among them selues wondred at the confortable wordes of christ , whāhe said his flesh was meate & his bloud drinke & that it gaue lyfe euerlasting , groosely pondering the letter & not the spiritual entent of christ , entending to preach remission of theyr syns by the offering vp of his precious body , wherby the tyrannous workes of cruel sathan were lowsed & hel syn & deth clerely vanquished : sayd how can thys man geue his fleshe to eat & his bloude to drinke supposing as Luther & his adherentes that they with theyr teth shuld eate the flesh of christe , & drinke hys bloud esteming it only meate to feade the bely withal , but christ to condempne theyr fonde suspicion & to make playne his meaning as touching the eating of his precious body being the foread sent down from heuen to geue lyfe vnto al the worlde , sayd . Spiritus est qui qui viuificat , caro non prodest quic quam verba que loquor spiritus & vita sunt . That is to saye . It is Iohan. vi the sperite that quickeneth , the fleshe profyteth nothinge . The wordes that I speke vnto you are speryt & lyfe . As who shuld say it is a spiritual matter that I speake of , nothyng apperteyning vnto the fleshe , for the sperite of god of nature endeuoureth to instructe the selye poore and faynt speryte of man , to be apt to comprehende the wyl of hys creator , for thys speryt feadeth the soule , and maketh the hart of man ioyful , and therfore maye it very well be assembled vnto thys worde meate , for as an hungrye stomack beyng by longe fastynge febled in streyneth & out of corage , reioyseth whan it is satisfied with meate Euen so the harte , and soule of man , beyng long febled wyth the wrathfull displeasure of God , vnto whom it was subiecte by disobedience : after the aboundant mercy of Christ frely offered hir selfe , to appease thys wrathful indignacion , by whom it was noryshed , it ioyfully loked vp , & praysed hys sauiour . And therfore it is a spyrytuall meate whych I speake of , geuen only of the sperit , whych feadeth nothing but mannes mind . And thus answered he the errour of the Iewes , whyche vnderstode hym to speake of hys personall bodi , because we shuld not dreame , as Luther hathe done any thyng of thys corporal presens to be in the sacrament . But in thys opynyon , Luther , & you all whych moost vnaduysedlye haue subscrybed vnto hys errour , haue with your carnal wisedom exceded the policie of the wicked worldlinges , which put christ to deth . For yf thei eyther by power or persuacion could haue the multitude or commen sort of people beleue that his bodi had bene amongest them in form of bread they wold neuer haue brybed the knyghtes of the sepulture with money , to say that his body was stolen awaye by hys discyples in thee night : but bicause they were vnable to proue hys body to be in theyr possession : therfore they fyed them with largition to bleare the peoples eyes that they myght neuer se but styl stand in vnbeliefe . Euen so you with might & mayn haue endeuoured to saue theyr eyes from the lighte of goddes worde , leste paraduenture they myght happely see & condempne your heresy & for this ye thinke it no shame to set thys detestable errour as a curtayn betwen the peoples eyes , & the spiritual eating of this bodye , wherfore vnderstand you al that labour of this phrenesy so that ye waxe wroth with the sperit of the moste hyest , for speakinge truthe , vnderstand I say , what is meante by the eating of this spirituall bodye , verely not thee tearynge wythe the teth , nor dysmēbring of Christes body , but only that we shulde assuredlye trust that by hys owne bloude he entered ones for all into the holy place & hath found eternal redemption & also being perfect , became the cause of euerlasting saluation vnto al them , that obeye him by the sacrifice of hys precious bloud thorow the sperite offered without spot , vnto god , he hath geuen remissyon of al our synnes yf we repent , hatyng vngodlynes , & holy trust vnto this anker of our soule , sure & sted fast by hoope whyche leadeth vs to take thys holde , that where as our vnperfecte fleshe was vnable to do or satysfie the wyll of god the father , he hathe by hys precious death & crosse , not only fulfylled the wyl of god , appeased hys wrath , and become lyfe euerlasting to them that trust in hym , but also is become the entrye of the eternal kyngdom of endles tranquillitie , the place dayly receaued of them that ar santified in him , for here on standeth the lawe & thee prophetes , Wherfore whan soeuer ye breake thys bread & eate it , wherwyth ye assure your consciens the being turned into your substaunce , it norysheth your bodye , so at the breaking hereof ye must assure your conscience , that yf ye forsake synne & vnfaynedly beleue that thee breakynge of hys body hath pourged away our syn by the whych we haue possessed all the merytes of his precious bodye , namely remyssyon of al our synnes and life euerlasting , He is turned into the immortal incorruptyble and impassyble substaunce of soche a faythfull soule and wythout dout continually norysheth it . Quicumque ergo panem hunc commederit & ex nouo testamento in sanguine suo sanctificatio , hoc exhanserit , morte non morietur sed viuent in aeternum , That is to saye . Who soeuer therfore shal eate thys bread , & shal drynke of thys newe testament , sanctifyed in hys bloud : the same shal not dye the death but shal lyue for euer . For whan he sayth whoso eateth my flesshe & drinke my bloud hath life euerlasting . And whoso beleueth in me hath lyfe euerlasting . What dullard is ther that perteyneth not the eatyng of thys bodye , & fayth in hys bloud sheding to be both one , except he wold moost wickedly appoynt vs . ii . wayes vnto saluacyon one by eatyng of the Sacramente , another by fayth , but yf by eatynge alone the dyscyples shulde haue had lyfe euerlasting , assone as they hadde receaued thys body at the supper , what hadde the crosse and death of Christe auayled , But god forbyd that the myndes of godly men shuld at any tyme be entankeled wyth soche straunge lerninge & comberous doctryne : which I feare me wolde sone come to passe , yf the wordes of our redemer shulde carnally according to the letter be vnderstand , but Christ calleth hym selfe both helth & lyfe to al them that trust in the consummate sacrifice of hys body ones offered for al synne & vnto them wil Hebre. ix apeare agayn without syn vnto saluation sendinge vnto them by hys bountuous grace the only & most beautiful ambacetor of peace , the importible crowne of euerlasting glory which with a sure hope dylygentely loke for the aperaunce of hys most gloryous face , Who wil drawe vs with him to the immutable kyngdom of hys father wyth whom we shal with ioye inexplicable liue eternally , for he hath sayd thys worde , whyche retourneth not vnto hym emptye . Vbi ego sum ibi erit minister meus That is to saye . Where I am , there shall my mynister be , for he enioyeth glory , and lyueth for euer , and so shall we do that trust in hym for thys is the wyl of God , As Iohan sayth . Vt qui vidit filium et credit în eum habeat vitam aeternam & Christes resuscitabit eum in nouissimo die . That is to say That he that seeth the sonne & beleueth in hym , maye haue eternall lyfe , and christ shal rayse hym in the last day , Christes flesshe therfore , that it was deliuered vnto death for oure fredom , is called the meat of oure soule & hys bloud , forasmoche as it was shedde vpon the crosse is called therfore thee dryncke most helthful and necessarie of our soule , without whom our soule could not haue bene saued , but in this doctryne of the sperit of truth is found no transubstanciation into bread nor wyne , nether yet a personal body , therfore ye must nedes grant al though it before against your wylles that your Imaginacion cometh of your selues , and not of god , therfore it must be vntrue . Nam omnis homo mendax , deus verus est in cuius labiis nuncquam inventus erat dolus . That is to say . For euery man is a lyar , but God is true , in whose lippes was neuer found deceit . Good brethren yet ones agayn paciently suffer me to aske you a litle question the knowlege of whom can by no meanes hinder you , proffer you it may , to discerne your grief & be healed by the gospel , Haue ye forgotten good brethren how that our sauiour christe in his perigrinacion in the erth to certify his faithful disciples of the wil of his father & of his fauour towardes them in that he had sent the promised saluacion to al them that wold receaue him & beleue in his name , left , if . sacramentes to preache his precious deth the lauacre of our soules , by whom alone we were purged from syns , nameli baptyme , & the sacrament of his body , for this case only that we alwayes shuld haue before our eyes and firmely print in our hartes his deth & passion by whom we were sealed into redemption noo more vnder the danger of the law whych offered vnto our consciens for transgression , nothing but dāpnatyō but vnder libertie & grace , leste paraduenture the ramping lyon whiche buseli seketh our destruction shuld at any tyme , snatche this christ out of our remembraunce ( as he is alwaies redi ) by sondry inchynes that he leyeth to snare oure myndes wherebye they myghte forget theyr saluacion , therfore of , ii . necessarie thinges he made them of whom we haue in this our mortal lyfe , soch necessarie vse , that without them we cannot susteyne our mortal bodies nameli water & bread , whereby he shewed vs that as oft as we soughte by this outward thinges to confort our body to maynteyn life & the vital sperites therof , euen sowe ought by seing of this to preche vnto our soules the most glorious deth & passion of christ our sauiour which susteyneth , conforteth , & continualli causeth it to lyue , Wherfore for asmoch as he before his deth istituted thes , ii sacraments , I demand of you whiche of them ye thinke most honorable or metest to be preferred before thother paraduenture ye wold saye , the sacrament of the bodye is moost hiest to be estemed , but yf ye stand to that , ye ar lyke to haue a sodayn fall , for the scripture affyrmeth them to be equall in this wise saying , theyr endes are one , and the promes annexed vnto them bothe , is one and therfore the sacramentes ar of equall forse , that they ar of one strenght the scripture proueth in thys wyse , saying , Quicun● credit & baptizatus fuerit saluus erit . That is to saye , He that beleued and shal be baptised : shal be Iohan. 6 safe . Agayn Qui manducauerit carnem meam & bibit meum sanguinem habebit vitam eternam . That is to saye . He that shall eate my flesshe , and drynke my bloud : shall haue euerlastynge lyfe . Now ye see the lyfe euerlastyng , is the ende of them bothe , therfore they are of one strength , and differ no iote , as touching theyr end . Yf ye grant them both to geue one gyfte , & to preache one thyng , whereby accordyng to the doctryne of the scripture to be equal , than I demaunde of you , why bit standeth not wyth truth to cal the water bloud , aswell as the bread thee bodye , but that ye iudge to be farre out of frame , and very absurde to be spoken and no meruel at al though ye so iudge , forasmoche as ye vnderstande the one , and not the other , for yf ye vnderstode the breaking of bread to be thee sygne that preacheth to our conscience the breakyng of hys body , as ye vnderstand the water to be a sygne that we ar washed in christes bloud , then wold ye not thus ymagine , but because ye wil not admyt the sacrament of the body to be a signe or token of the crucified body of christ but rather the very body it self makyng the signe to be the thing signified , therfore the mysvnderstanding of thys word sacrament is the cause of this youre forged lesynge , fauoure not so moch your enemy whyche more deliteth at your death , than to so you lyue & enioye good dayes , suffer him not thus to corrupte both your ground & the good sede offered thervnto with his most pestilent & infectuous tares of vnbeliefe his treasure that furnissheth the stynking gulffe of hel , hys inheritaunce , lest ye at the coming of the husbandman , whose entent is to purge hys corne & gather it together into the garnard be with chaffe & weed burned in vnquencheable fyer , Receyue the lyghte that ye maye walke therein , for he that walkethe in darkenes knoweth not wyther to goo . S. Austyne hath geuen you thys glasse to plucke oute the moote out of youre eyes , tha● causeth you to wynke at truth , & thus craftely to shut it vppe in hoodymocke , because the perel shuld not so ouergrow your eyes , that whan shame compelleth you to see , ye cannot see , so moch is thys godly father and auncient wryter your frend , saying . Sacramentum est visibile sign um inuisibilis gratiae . That is to say A sacrament is a vilible signe , of an inuisible grace , that is , a sacrament is visyble , a signe of an inuisible grace & in another place he calleth it Signum sancti rei . That is to saye . A sygne of an holy thyng , the sygne of an holy thyng . As for an example water is a visible thyng subiected to the senses of man to see , fele , and taste , whose propertie is to mundify and scoure the corruption , and froth that hangeth vpon our visyble fleshe , & to make pure oure outward man , so that our eye beyng iudge thereof is certifyed that it is cleane & with oute spotte , which water for these natiue qualities , being a thing sene with our eye is instituted of god to be a sacrament or sygne to preach an inuisible grace not sene with our bodely eyes , nameli the propertie of christes precious bloudshed for our redemption , & saluacion , that only lauacre of our soule by whom it is escoured from syn that so hath festered it to deth ? our only hyloe which hath clensed our leprosy that had so enfebled our weake sperit so that we ar now regenerate into the lyuely hope of lyfe euerlastyng by the bloud of this vndefiled lambe in soch sort now , that yf the deuyl wold lay assault vnto our conscience with his instrumentes of disperacion to make oure hope faynte that we haue broken the lawe , & therfore must of force be condempned , or that god is vnable to remyt our iniquities yf we repent neuer so sore , we haue to vanquishe hys tyrannous persuacions this promyses annexed vnto these visyble sygnes or sacramentes , which ar only sene with the eyes of our faith & tasted with soule , nameli that Roma. x . christ is the fulfilling of the law to iustify al that beleue , agayn , christ hath put out the handwryting that was agaynst vs conceaued in the lawe written , & that hath he taken out of the way , & hath fastened it to the crosse , & hath spoyled rule C●l● , ii & power , & hathe triumphed ouer them in his own person . And last of al paul sayth , that we ar Roma , vi not now vnder the law but vnder grace , for it is wrytten , to the only consolation & comfort of al afflicted consciences , that willingly repent them of theyr wickednes That christ for no other purpose i , Timo. i came into thys world but to saue synners . For he hath confessed hym self to be soch a god , so mercyful so kynd , & louinge to them that repent theyr wickednes , that he wyl not remember theyr iniquities which they haue wroughte but they shal lyue because of the ryghtuousnesse that he hathe wroughte . And therfore , thus wryteth Ezechiel the prophet of of him euen in hys own person speaking . As truly as I liue , I Ezech , 33 haue no pleasure in the deth of a synner , but moch rather y● the wicked turne from his way & lyue , & to declare his mercy how it lusteth to see al men saued beholde how frendely he speaketh vnto Ierem. ● , Israel saying . Returne o thou rebel from syn , & I wyl not turne my face from the , for I wyl not then be angry wyth the for euer . Thus ye se good brethren , howe mercifully the almyghtyest hath wrought wyth vs mortal creatures ▪ beyng but dust & asshes , that it hath pleased his diuyne maiestie , so moch to tender oure weake sperites compassed about wythe the pryson & infectuous dongion of flesshe and bloude , that in the receyte of thys vysyble sygnes , we haue wherwyth to comfort strengthen & augment augment our hope to saluacion , namely the promises of his most sacred worde , which neuer fayleth the faythful that assuredly trusteth therin , for god is the word , & the word is god , And as god is an euerlasting god without beginnyng & without end , euen so this word is a perpetual word , & endureth for euer : For he hath sayd the heauen & earth shal perisshe & come to ruynne , but the worde of the lorde endureth for euer Wherfore as the lord in this visible sacramentes hath preached vnto vs the inuisible grace mercy & fauour of his sperit , euen so with his spiritual consolacion vnsene with our flesheli eyes hath he confyrmed the hope of our forefathers in the promyses of hys holy word by visyble signes or sacramentes . As for an example it pleased our heuenly father to leaue vnto Abraham & his posteritie circūsition with certayn sacrifices in moyses law to be sacramentes & tokens , by whom they shuld be led , as it were by the hand to Christ of al fleshe , thou trusteth in him that only sauiour . That as the sacrifices of the Iewes done with bloud wherwyth al thynges in the temple was sprinkeled being a visyble sacrament vnto theyr mortal eyes , preached the inuisible grace of the promes that Esaye prophesied , namely that god wold send a lambe so pure , innocent & symple into the earth that butter shuld not melt in his mouth , neyther yet he shuld be able to breake a rede , whom hys wyl was to be slayne , a satisfactorye & perfyghte sacrifyce , for mans transgression & remyssion of his syns . Euen so circumsytion was a visible sacrament to confyrme them in this inuisyble grace . That god the father had prepared for them an instrument to cut away the froth & corruption of Adam , & of them al that issued out of hys loynes , which instrument is Rom. iiii Christ the promysed seede to Abraham in whome all nacyons be blessed . Therfore as it is euydent by the scripture theyr sacramentes were of equal force with ours , sauing that theyrs preached vnto them the commynge of Christe , and ours , that christ is all ready come and is assended aboue the cloudes to geue saluacion vnto men , but all accordynge to truth hath taught Iesus to be our peace offeryng and satisfaction . Thus is marten Luthers opynyon wyth all hys scholers in this poynt chieffely reproued that yf the bodye of Christ shulde really be in the sacrament of the alter ▪ as featly ye name it , then were not the sacramentes of equal force , But we only possesse thys Christe of whom theyr sacramentes testyfyed and not they , & consequently that we only ar saued , because we ar only pertakers of this body , and not they , for theyr sacramentes ledde vnto christ , and our Sacrament is ( as ye saye ) Christ hym self , O blasphemye most horrible , that the precious bloude of Christe oure sauiour vnyuersallye shedde for all flesshe , shall thus by youre mooste deuylysshe Imagynacyon , be made insuffycyente ? Thynke you that truethe can thus be thus be outfaced of your heresye , no it wyl condempne your wickednes iustely & proue you as ye ar vntrue in dede . And for the proffe of thys . What meaneth the mercye seate to be placed vpon the arke , & the two cherubins to be set vpon this mercy seate one agaynst another , & both loking down into the mercyseate But that our forefathers , abraham , Isaac , & Iacob , which slepte many a daye before christes incarnation by fayth assured themselues to be purifyed in the precious deth & crosse of christ our sauiour & of theyr wretchednes , in him to haue fre remission , so that ther by euydently it is declared , that theyr sacramentes & ours are of one force , & as touching theyr end they dyffer not for aswel theyr sacramentes as ours preache Christ crucifyed , whych wyth the onely sacrifyce of hys body hath made al them perfecte for euer , whom he hath sanctified . That ye may therfore vnderstande this example of the lawe , marke diligently what it signifieth that thereby youre hartes maye be opened to beleue thee mooste sacred worde of God thee ioyefull tydynges of youre delyueraunce from deth thorowe . Christ Iesus . The arke fygured the law , which withoute parcialitie condempnethe all flesshe for synne , so that therby could no man be made ryghtuous , nether yet safe from the vyalles of Goddes wrathefull indignacion whome he powred as a iuste rewarde , vpon Adans dysobedyence for after that he hadde preuaricate thys lawe . Eate of all the frute wythin this garden , only excepted the frute of knowledge , of good & euell , straythforth wyth the appel , he deuoured death and dampnacion , and coulde noo longer be herbored vnder the plesant shadow of the fruteful trees of Eden , but was bannysshed thee presens of the lord his god with glistering swordes of flaminge fyer as a traytour most rebellious , & disobedient agaynste hys law . Now whan the law beyng by nature an exacte iudge & one that vseth noo percialitye in rewarding euery one according to his desertes , had for syn dishereted Adam , & throwen hym into thys moost wretched vale of all mysery , wher the curse of god with oute all resystaunce came vpon hys head , he coulde not for shame seke frendshyp of the lawe ▪ whose straytenes he had tasted and so well knewe to abhorre , hate , and condempne synne , for the lawe entreateth no man frendely , but hym which diligently obserueth all thing wrytten therin , to whom it hath made thys promes , that yf he shall doo all thynges conteyned therein he shall lyue in them and see good daies , but yf he breake this law and let the couenauntes therof be vndone , then wyll the Lorde beuyse agaynste hym thys plages followynge for the abbreache thereof , he wyll vysyte hym shortely with feuers & swellinges which shal destroy the eyes & ●etif , xvi●● and , xxvi Ez●● : xviii Deut● . 28. consume away the hart ( that is to say ) the soule which hath sinned against this law , shal dye the deth , Adam therfore for asmoche as he dysobeyed the statutes of thys lawe was nowe ouerwhelmed wyth deathe , and darkenes hauynge no frynde that wolde or coulde be found that was able to bruste thee intollerable and mooste paynefull yocke of thee lawe , whych hadde so greuouslye wounded his conscyence , vntyll soche tyme that God of his mere benygnytye , ( not wylling that the adueysarye shuld possesse the creature , whom he had made to magnifye hys name , ) spared not hys onely begotten sonne Iesus Christe , to make hym partaker of oure vyle flesshe and all naturall infyrmyties therof synne excepte , that by hys gloryous death and resurrectyon , he myghte treade hym vnder fote which hadde power ouer deathe , and delyuer them that sate in darkenes & in thee shadowe of death from this terryble captyuyte , and bynde vp the woundes of Adam and hys posteritie because therfore that the lawe by the meane of disobedience hadde couered all mankynde wyth dampnation , he came as a lambe moost innocente and by hys obedience vnto the death of the crosse he exempted not onely al men from the cursse of the lawe , but also he couered them wythe saluacyon that wythout wauerynge trusted in hym , and therefore he is called the mediator of God and man in thee holye scripture , because he beyng bothe God and man not onely satisfied the lawe , but also mollyfyed the anger of God hys father , conceyued agaynste Adam for thee trangressyon of the law , for it was not one nature I meane man , that was able and of power too obserue thys law of hys proper strength , syns that the lawe hathe cofounded synne from the begynning , vnder whom Adam an al fleshe that issued oute of hys loynes , was shutte in , but of necessitie there must some soch one be founde , whych beyng coupled together two natures & wythout spot of synne , shuld satisfye for synne & please god for transgression . Mercy therfore pytyfully lamenting the fal of Adam and very Loth to see thee Image of God thus bondaged to death , by the subtyll entycemente of thee cruell serpente , and an outcaste by the lawe , for asmoche as it perceaued in earthe , thee impotencye of fleshe and bloud , how weake & vnable it was to breake thys serpentes head , it anoynted euen Christe Iesus to preache good tydynges vnto thee poore , healynge vppe the wounded hartes and delyuer thee captyues from Esaye , 61 , deth destroyng that had power ouer death , that mankynd might be made a ryghtuous planting of the Lorde for hym to reioyse in . Christ therfore nothinge rebellious vnto the wyl of hys father , who thorow hys fauourable mercy had apoynted hym a sauiour before the foundacion of the world were leyed , came and was incarnate for our sake subiected vnto all oure myseryes wythoute synne that by the sacrifyce of hys most precious body myght become a refuge and bastilion vnto al faythfull & penitent synners , that beleued in him so sure and stronge , that the deuyce of the lawe shuld not hurt them , that were marked wythe hys bloude , neyther yet the locustes whom the starre let out of the botomles pyt , shuld worke theyr commyssyon vpon them nor spue out the deuysed vengeaunce of thee God of Iacob agaynst Apoca , ix . them , which he hath deuised to fall vpon al fleshe that hadde not the seale of this lambe in theyr fore headdes . Therfore is he called in the holy scripture , our mercyseat for asmoch as all they that beleue in hym , are defended by hys bloudsheddynge , Nowe is christe become oure peace offering and perfect sacryfyce : our mediator and onlye aduocate , whych hath delyuered vs from vnder the lawe , and graffed vs in lybertye and grace , beynge so fyrmely & stable a mersyate , that he not onely standeth betwene vs and the lawe , but also assureth the Cherubyns of an euerlastyng seate whych neuer shal decaye because they haue hooped in hym , for these Cherubyns sat face to face vpon the mercyseate , sygnyfyeth the fathers , and theyr ofspryng that haue slept from the creacion of the world vntyl the mooste gloryous death of christe Iesus . And all these that shall slepe tyll the apperaunce of the sonne of man in hys glorye at the consummation . And theyr lokynge downe into thee mercyseat , sygnifieth the confessyon of theyr fayth , that they in hym are both holye and ryghtuouse for asmoch as vnfaynedly they beleued that , that the prophetes haue testyfyed , that as ●e●u , 13 many as trust in him shal haue remission of theyr syn , for ther is no helth in any other , nether is ther any other name geuen vnder heuen vnto men , wherby they myght be saued , but only the name of Iesu Christ , In conclusion the fathers & we , hooly cleue vnto this christ , for asmoche as in him we haue life euerlasting & without hym ther can come no saluacion vnto men , for he is the geuer thereof as wytnessethe hys owne sperit , saying . Ego do vitam ouibus meis . That is to say , I geue lyfe to my shepe . Wherfore paul to declare that the fathers which slepe in the lord , to haue eaten the same body & haue dronke of the same cup which is preached vnto vs in thys Sacramente whereof we also are partakers sayeth , we haue al dronke of one spyrytuall rocke , and ar partakers of one bread , by whom we ar made one body . Et hic erat ille panis qui de celo descendit ex quo , Si quis ederit viuet in aeternum . That is to saye . And this was that bread that came from heauen , wherof , yf any man shal eate , he shall lyue for euer . Whyche is the head of the faythfull congregacion , Euen Christ the mediator betwene god and man , in whom as many as faythfully beleue ar buryed from theyr synnes , and rysen agayne wyth hym in newnes of lyfe , and he that doubte the not thys , but wythe an assured affyaunce hopeth thereafter , hathe alreadye eaten hys body and dronke hys bloude and hath in hym lyfe euerlastynge . Contrarye he that beleueth not the mooste sacred and eternall Testament , sanctifyed in hys most precious bloude , but castethe it behynde hys backe as a word doubteful and not to bee trusted , let hym eate thys sacrament fyue thousand tymes where in ye fayne more lyke infydels than faythful christians the body of christ our sauiour to be conteyned really , it shall asmoche auaylle hym to saluatyon as a dyrgies peny or a masse of requiem , for it is not thee sacramentall eatynge that geueth the saluation , but to beleue goddes worde , that is the sauegarde of the soule , neyther is it the Sacramental eatynge that condempnethe thy soule , but the vnbeliefe of gods word couereth the wythe death . For the eatynge of the Sacrament wythout fayth in the promesse aduexet there vnto , profytethe nothyng , but to eate the sacramente and stedfastlye to beleue the promes , he receaueth not only the Sacrament , worthelye , but hath also lyfe euerlastynge not for eatynge the Sacrament but because he beleueth in hym whom the sacrament fygureth , who is lyfe euerlastynge as Iohan wytnesseth sayinge . God hath geuen vs lyfe euerlasting and thys lyfe is in hys son , he that hathe the sonne , hath lyfe , and he that hathe not the sonne of God , hathe not lyfe in hym , Wherfore to eate thys Sacrament i , Ioh , v. reuerently accordynge to the holye scripture , is in breakynge of the breade to preache , vnto our conscyence the lordes deathe , by whom we are sealed vnto redemption , And in drinkyng of the cuppe , that is in obeyng to hys worde , to haue remyssyon of all oure iniquities , and lyfe euerlasting . Now good brethren , because I wyll not be tedious , I hartelye desyre you in the Lord Iesus , & yf by hys death & bloudshedinge ye haue receyued the hope of saluacyon do also requyre you not , as one hauyng any auctorytye of hym self , but as an instrument nowstered by the louynge kindnes of god to cal you from your heresye , to consyder the Embacetour & hye prest of our profession christ Iesus beyng the brightnes of gods glory & the very Image of his substance , bearyng vp al thinges with the word of his power how he hath in his own person purged our synnes & is set on the righthand of the maiestie on hye , being euen as moch more excellent than the angels , & also howe he hath sanctified the testament in his precious bloud to the confortable helth & spiritual reioysinge of al these that couet the immutable or euerlastyng heritage attayned by christ , for them whom stedfaste fayth in his bloud hath made the adoptiue heyres of god , in the whych testament ye may euydently perceaue , yf the burden of syn hath not seduced you from the grace of god , how this adulterian lerning , I wold saye , Lutherian doctryne is reproued therby , beinge the promysed sperite of truth sent of god to the consolation of them that trust in his name , the dispicing of whom killeth the soules drawing vpon them the curses of god & hys hateful vengeaunce as is manyfest in the holy scripture spoken , both in the lawe and by the holy prophetes , for what a grieffe was it vnto Moyses , whan the chyldren of Israel wolde not heare hym , neyther beleue the m●ssiage from thee Lorde theyr God , whych he brought , thynke you that it petyed hym not to se the worde of hys maiestie in so litle regarde , yea trulye but howe moche more shall it greue thee lyuynge God whych of fauour humbled his onely sonne christ Iesus vnto death , for the sauegarde of mankynd to se the blessed Testament of hys kyndnes towardes vs , and moost heauenvly speryt so lytle estemed pronunced by hym , whych far excedeth Moyses in worthynes and honour euen Iesus Christ . Thinke you that he ▪ can suffer truth thus to loose his honour and be euel entreated at the handes of flesshe & bloud , no truly he can , for it abhorreth hys nature , & therfore he withdraweth not his indignacion , but suffereth it , roote them out of the earth that dispyse it . And to thys deareth the Prophete Esay . ii●● Esaye wytnes , sayinge . Because they haue offended the law , chaunged the ordynaunce & made the euerlasting Testament of none effecte . Therfore shal the curse deuoure the earth for they that dwel theron haue synned & kyndled the wrath of the holye one of Israel , which shal so smyte the hylles that the karcases of the vngodly shal lye in the strete for because thei haue neglected this worde ( sayth Ieremye ) the Lord wyl send vpon the sword , honger & pestilens for he hath already prepared hym self against Ierem , 29 them to battaile , & set vp the power of his voyce to declare hys terrible arme , with his angry countenan e , yea & the flamme of the consumyng fyer , whom he hath made both large wide and depe the noryshing wherof is wodde innumerable , whom the breath of the almyghtyest shal kyndle as Esay , 30 , a smatche of brymstone , what moued the lorde to threaten the vngodlye that he wolde make heauen vnto them as Iron , and the earth as brasse that it shuld not bryng forth her encrease to theyr sustentacion ? thee dispysyng of hys worde , what prouoked hym to sende wylde beastes to deuoure them , & make wayst theyr landes ? the despysynge of hys worde , what caused him to to send a sword , & a consuming pestylens vpon thee stubburne to auenge hys Testament , the contempt of it , what drewe the wonderfull plage of penure vpon them , so that they eate the fleshe of theyr sonnes and doughters and causeth the soule of the lorde to abhorre them , The despysyng of goddes word : wherfore as Paule sayth , we ought to geue the more hede vnto thynges whych we haue herde , lest we perysshe , for yf the worde whyche was spoken by angels was stedfast , & euery trangression & disobediens receaued a iust recompence , how shal we escape yf we despyse so great a saluacion , whiche ( after it was begonne of the Lorde hym selfe to be preached ) was confyrmed vpon vs by them that herd it , god hearing witnes thervnto , wythe tokens wonders & diuerse powers & gyftes of the holy ghoste accordynge to hys owne wyl , forget not good brethers , how sore the lorde was but to reueng the disobediens of the cruel Pharao , & the wonderful plages that his soule had dyuised agaynste hym soo heynous they were & intollerable , that the poore beastes of the fylde & fysshes of the see , yea the hole land was layd wast & became a wyldernes , for the syn of thys kynge Egypt most horrible in the syght of god , namely the despycynge of hys worde . Cal to your remembraunce the continuall captiuytie & most fylthy deth that happened to passure the son of Emmerchief in the house of the lorde for the contempt of gods word Ierem , xx preached of Ieremy the lordes Prophete , where Iosyas , Iconias , & the false prophet Hana●nas which wyth soch vyolence reproued the prophet , & cast the word of the lord behynde theyr backes preserued from perell , no truely , for the lord commaunded the earth by the mouthe of hys prophet that theyr names shuld be wrytten among the outlawes that in theyr life they might haue no prosperite , & that none of theyr seede shuld be so happy as to syt vpon the seate of dauid , or beare rule in Iuda , but shulde most shamefully dye among the Babylonians . Syns therfore god of his mere benignite hath left in hys most blessed word , the intreature of soch rebellions the hath so frowardli despised their own saluacion , & wyllingly for saken theyr lord , & creator in that they haue presumptuously set the wytles Imaginacion of dust & ashes to contempne the wysdom of the god of Iacob , the creator of the whole world , in whose handes standeth the borders & coostes therof to rule it as his moste godly wyll is : only for loue sake , that we therof shuldbe nortered , & take a dissiplyne not to commyt any soch offence against Christ our sauiour , lest as they came to naught , so we perysshe in our giltines , Turne therfore good brethren from your stubburnes & resyst not hys holy word , whych is of power so myghty & strong that he is able wyth the breath therof to consume you as lyghtly as fyer dothe drye kyckes or stubble but rent and teare your hartes & dayly bewayle your syn , magnifieng the liuinge God thorowe your aduocate & mediator Iesus christ that hys longe sufferance whiche loueth not to see your destruction , but rather that ye repent , and lyue hath so long wythhold the violent arme & wrathful , displeasure of our heauenly father from you that sodayn destruction had not deuoured you in your wyckednes , suffer not this hys mercyfull fauoure to cause you to be more careles than the foules of the ayre for the storke knowethe hys apyoynted tyme , the Turtyl , the swalowe , and thee crane , consyder the tyme of theyr trauell , shulde not then the people of God , both know & feare the tyme of the lordes vengeaunce ? Now therfore yf ye wyl be thee shepe of hys pasture , and bee be fed of hys plenteousnes , harden not your hartes as the heddi people dyd in the wyldernes prouokynge thorowe your disobediens the God of al mekenes in hys heauy displeasure to swere vnto you as he dyd vnto them , whych there were ouerthrowen for theyr synnes , ye shal not enter into my reste , but gentyllye heare the voyce of your sheperde , ( as is thee prophecie of hys chosen shepe ) so louingly speakynge thus vnto your conscience . Chyldren yf ye wyll receaue my wordes & kepe my commaundementes , them shal you vnderstand the feare of the lord & fynd out the knowledge of god , them shalt thou vnderstand rightuousnes iudgement & equitie and euery good pathe , for therby wysedom entereth into your hartes , who Proue , ii , by counsel , & understanding preserueth you from the euyl way & from the man that speaketh froward thynges . And therfore the prophet dauid saythe , Blessed is y● man whych seketh after the testymonyes of the lord & diligently obeyeth the word of god , whom he hath sente to heale them & to Psal , 17 , delyuer them from destruction that delyghteth therin . To this staf dyd Abraham & al hys posteritie , ( than were sanctified in the promysed seede euen Christ Iesus ) leue vnto , in al aduersytye , and neuer were dysceaued of theyr hope , nor forsaken of the lorde in tyme of trouble , for thys worde causeth a fountayne of lyuing water to flowe out of theyr bellyes that trust therin & for this haue many taysted of mockynges scorgynges , of bondes of of prysonment were stoned , were hewen a sonder , were tempted , were stayne wythe thee sworde , And these all thorowe faythe in thys eternall testament , attayned in this lyfe not only a good report but haue receyued the promes of the word , life euerlasting Wherfore denye synne and all vngodlynes , & wythout doute ye shall not onely haue the vnderstanding of thys word wherby ye shal be able to vanquishe all assaultes of our mortal enemye the deuyll , but also shal be able by it to dyscerne this your wycked errour and condempne it & wyth a pure hart magnifye the truth of our heauenvly father whych thorowe hys sonne Christe oure lorde hath perdoned al oure synnes and in hym geuen all them that faythfully beleue the breakynge of hys precious bodye , and mooste gloryous bloudsheddyng vpon the crosse to be the perfyghte sacryfyce of oure redemptyon , and the onlye attonemente betwene God the father and mannes consciences thee importyble crowne of euerlastynge glorye , wythe hym to reioyse in thee heauenly Kyngdome contynuallye , and thys is thee true and infallyble eatynge of hys body and brynkynge of hys mooste precyous bloude thee endeles comforte of oure soules , whyche wyll neuer suffer them to see death neyther corruption , but to be incorruptible and of the same immortall substaunce that christ oure sauyoure is , not wythstanding Luthers errour , whom he hath alreadye condempned wyth the promysed brethe of hys mouth , namelye the sperit of truth , whom he promysed all hys faytheful , to leade them into all truth beyng the Testament sanctifyed in hys precious bloud the soule & only effecte of our redemptyon .

¶ Wherfore the God of peace that brought agayn from the dead our lord Iesus Christ the greate sheperde of the shepe thorowe the bloud of the euerlastynge testamente , make you perfecte in all good workes , to doo hys wyl , workynge in you , that whyche is pleasaunt in hys syght thorowe Iesus Christ our lord , to whom be prayse , honour & glorye foreuer and euer . Lette all people saye . Amen . Amen .

¶ God saue the Kynge .

☞ Grace be wyth you .

¶ Yours as charytye byndeth . T. C :