A04924:41
The copy of a letter, sent to the lady Mary dowager, Regent of Scotland,…The copie of a letter, sent to the ladye Mary dowagire, Regent of Scotland,…
The copy of a letter, sent to the lady Mary dowager, Regent of Scotland, by John Knox in the year. 1556. Here is also a notable sermon, made by the said John Knox, wherein is evidently proved that the mass is and always hath ben abominable before God and idolatryThe copie of a letter, sent to the ladye Mary dowagire, Regent of Scotland, by Iohn Knox in the yeare. 1556. Here is also a notable sermon, made by the sayde Iohn Knox, wherin is euydentlye proued that the masse is and alwayes hath ben abhominable before God and idolatrye
printed by H. Singleton?, 1556
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
O God eternal, hast thou laid none other burdens upon our backs, then Jesus Christ laid by his word? Than who hath burdened us with all these ceremonies, prescribed fasting, compelled chastity, unlawful vows, invocation of saints, and with y• Idolatry of the mass? The devil, the devil, brethren, invented all these burdens to depress imprudent men to perdition. 9. Paul writing of y• lords supper sayeth: Ego accepi a Domino, quod & tradidi vobis, I have received and learned of the Lord, that which I have taught you. And consider if one ceremony he addeth or permitteth too be used other, then Christ did use him self: But commandeth them to use with reverence the Lords institution, until his returning too judgement.
O God eternal, hast thou laied none other burthens vpon oure backes, then Iesus Christe layed by his worde? Than who hath burthened vs with all these ceremonies, prescribed fasting, cōpelled chastitie, vnlawful voues, inuocation of sainctes, and with y• Idolatry of the masse? The deuil, the deuill, brethren, inuented all these burthens to depresse imprudent men to perdition. 9. Paule writing of y• lordes supper saieth: Ego accepi a Domino, quod & tradidi vobis, I haue receyued and learned of the Lord, that whiche I haue taught you. And consider if one ceremony he addeth or permitteth too be vsed other, then Christe did vse hym selfe: But commaundeth them to vse with reuerence the Lordes institution, vntill his returninge too iudgement.
10. Albeit Moses was replenished with the sprite of wisdom, •• was more familiar with God then ever was any mortal man: yet was there •ot of all the ceremonies referred to his wisdom one jot: but all was commanded to him to be made, according to the similitude shown unto him, and according as y• word expressed. Of the which precedents I think it is plain, that all, which is added to the religion of God, without his own express word, is Idolatry. 11. Yet must I an swer to an objection objected by the papists: for never may they abide to be subject unto God's word. The apostles (say they) in