A04924:79
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.
They say, it is sacrificiū applicatorium. A sacrifice, whereby they may and do apply the merits of Christs passion unto sinners. They will be layers too of plasters, but I fear the wound be not well ripped, and therefore y• the plaster be unprofitable. Ye say•, ye may apply the merits of Christs passion, to whom ye list▪ This is proudly spoken. Then may ye make peace with God at your pleasure. But the contrary speaketh he in these words: who1 ⟨image 47⟩may make. Here God sayeth ye, as none may move his wrath against his chosen (& here of ought ye to rejoice brethren, the Pope nor his priests, nor bishops, what soever may not cause God to be angry against you, albeit they curse you, with cross, belle and candle) so may no man compel him too love nor receive in favour, but whom it pleaseth his infinite goodness. Moses, I confess, prayed for the people, when God was displeased with them. But he speaketh not so proudly as you do. But either desireth God to remit the offence of the people, or else to destroy him together With them, I fear that your love be not so fervent, he obtained his petition of God. But will ye say so it was determinate before in the counsel of God? Advise you well. The nature of God is to be free & thrall unto nothing. ⟨image 47⟩For although he is bound & obliged to fulfil all that his word promitteth to the faithful believers, yet is it neither subjection nor thrall dome: for freely he made his promise, & freely he doeth fulfil the same. I desire to be certified, where God made his promise unto you papist priests: that ye should have power to apply (as ye speak) the merits of Christs passion, to all & sundry, who told or numbered money to you for that purpose. Taketh God any part of the profit that ye receive? Alas, I have compassion upon your vanity: but more upon the simple people, that hath ben deceived by you & your false doctrine. Are ye better heard with god then Samuel was? He prayed for king Saul, and that most fervently, & yet obtained not his petition, nor might not apply any merits or holiness unto him.
They saye, it is sacrificiū applicatorium. A sacrifice, whereby they may and do applye the merites of Christes passion vnto synners. They will be layars too of plaisters, but I feare the wounde be not well ryped, and therfore y the playster be vnprofitable. Ye say, ye maye applye the merytes of Christes passion, to whome ye list This is proudly spokē. Then may ye make peace with God at youre pleasure. But the contrarye speaketh he in these wordes: who