Certain sermons preached before the Queens Majesty, and at Pauls crossCertaine sermons preached before the Queenes Maiestie, and at Paules crosse

This matter these two or three hundred years late past, hath been encumbered with many questions and much controversy. Some say, the words are plain. Christ him self spake them: he is almighty, and can do what soever he will: he hath not spoken otherwise then he meant: If we expound them by signs and figures, we take away the force of the holy mystery, and make nothing of it: the words must be taken even as they lye, they must not have any other construction. Therefore at this day, many wise men, which yield from other points of superstition, and in many other things receive the truth, stand here, and stick at this, and cannot yield.

This matter these two or three hundreth yeeres late past, hath beene encumbred with manie questions and much controuersie. Some saie, the woordes are plaine. Christe him selfe spake them: hee is almightte, and can doe what soeuer hee will: hee hath not spoken otherwise then hee meant: If wee expounde them by signes and figures, wee take away the force of the holy mysterie, and make nothing of it: the woordes muste bee taken euen as they lye, they must not haue any other construction. Therefore at this day, many wise men, which yeelde from other pointes of superstition, and in many other thinges receiue the truth, stand here, and sticke at this, and cannot yeeld.

I will declare the whole matter simply, and plainly, and submit my self to the understanding ⟨image 146⟩and capacity of all men. That which I will utter herein shall not be of my self, but of the Fathers of the Church: not of those which have been of later years: but of the most ancient: not of the Heretiques•: but of the most Catholic, which ever have been the enemies and confounders of Heretics. I will show the use, and order, and faith of the Primitive Church which was in the times of the Apostles, and of Tertullian, Cyprian, Basil, Nazianzene, Hierome, Augustine, Chrysostom, and others Catholic and godly learned Fathers. Let no man regard me, or my speech: I am only a finger: these are clear and bright stars. I do but show them unto you, and point them, that you may behold them. God give us grace that we may see them truly, and by them be able to guide, and to direct our way. let us lay aside all contention, and quietly hear that shall be spoken. Whatsoever shall be said, if it be true, if it be ancient, if it be Catholic, if it be so clear, as the sun beams, let us humble our hearts, and believe it. There is no trueth, but of God. Whosoever resisteth the truth, resisteth God.