A04924:54
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.
It will not satisfy the hearts of all godly to say S. James and S. Peter celebrated the first Mass in Jerusalem or Antioch. If it so were, one of y• two celebrated first ⟨image 33⟩and the other after: but neither of • two can be proved by scripture. Great marvel it is, that so manifestly men shame not to lie. Peter and James (say the papists) celebrated the first mass. But I shall prove that pope Sixtus was •he first, that did institute y• Altars. •elix the first of that name did consecrate them, and the temples both. Bonifacius commaū dead1 the altars to be covered with clean clothes. Gregorius Magnus commanded the candles to be lighted at the Evangel: & did institute certain clothes. Pontianus commanded Confiteor to be said. And wherefore should I trouble you & myself both, in reciting what every Pope added? ye may for two pence have the knowledge what every pope added, until at last was compact & set up the hole body of y• blasphemous Idol and ⟨image 34⟩yet shame they not to say S. Peter said the first mass, although that many hundred years after him, no such abominable ceremonies were invented.2 But they say: all thy ceremonies are not of the substance of the mass but are added for good causes. What commandment have they received to add any thing to the ordinance of God, for any cause appearing to them? But let them certify me what is the mass. The Canon, will they answer, with the words of consecration. Who is a[…] or of the Canon, can they precisely tell? Be well advised before the answer, lest by neglecting yourself, ye be proved liars. Will ye say that the apostles used your Canon▪ so ye have affirmed in times past.3