The whole-armour of GodThe vvhole-armor of God

Thus by the very nature of blasphemy, as also by the temporal, spiritual, and eternal punishment of it (all expressly noted in the Scripture) we see that it is a most heinous sin: so as Christ might well bring this as a pregnant proof of the riches of Gods mercy in pardoning all manner of sin. For if blasphemy be pardoned, what sin may not be pardoned?

Thus by the very nature of blasphemie, as also by the temporall, spirituall, and eternall punishment of it (all expresly noted in the Scripture) we see that it is a most haynous sinne: so as Christ might well bring this as a pregnant proofe of the riches of Gods mercy in pardoning al manner of sinne. For if blasphemie be pardoned, what sinne may not be pardoned?

By the heinousness of this sin,¹ learn to judge of that supposed Vicar of Christ, or rather plain Antichrist, the Pope of Rome, and his parasites. If ever the name of Blasphemy might be written on the fore-head of any, it may be written on the fore-head of that Seven-headed scarlet-coloured Beast, which hath opened her black-mouth to blaspheme the God of heaven, and the Saviour of the world, more then ever any Pagan. What a blasphemous speech was that of Julius the third, to say, If God were angry with ADAM for eating an apple, might not he be angry with his Cooke for eating his Peacock? And at another time, when his Physician kept away from him a dish which he liked well, but was hurtful to his health, he said, Bring me my dish in despite of God. The blasphemy of Leo the tenth was more odious, because it seemeth to be more serious, for when Bembo his Cardinal was speaking of the glad tidings of the Gospel, he answered, What profit doth that fable of Christ bring us? O intolerable blasphemy! But not to insist on particular speeches of particular men, many of the Decrees made of their Popes are very blasphemous, whereof take for a taste these particulars.

By the hainousnesse of this sin,¹