This argument even at this day is not a little prejudicial to our cause. For if we may neither believe the Pope, nor the Fathers, nor Luther, nor any other, except they teach us the pure word of God, whom shall we then believe? Who in the mean while shall certify our consciences which part teacheth the pure word of God, we or our adversaries? For they brag, that they also have the pure word of God and teach it. Again, we believe not the Papists, because they teach not the word of God, neither can they teach it. Contrariwise, they hate us most bitterly, and persecute us, as most pestilent heretics and seducers of the people. What is to be done in this case? Shall it be lawful for every fantastical spirit, to teach what him self listeth, seeing the world can neither hear nor abide our doctrine? For although we glory with Paul, that we teach the pure Gospel of Christ (unto which, not only the Emperor, Pope, and the whole world ought to give credit, but also ought gladly and thankfully to receive and embrace it, yea, and diligently to provide, that it be taught in every place: and if any should teach the contrary, were he the Pope, an Apostle, or an Angel from heaven, to hold him accursed together with his Gospel), yet for all that, we profit nothing, but are compelled to hear, that this our glorying is not only vain, rash, and arrogant, but also Devilish and full of blasphemy. But if we abase our selves, and give place to the rage of our adversaries, then both the Papists and Anabaptists wax proud. The Anabaptists will vaunt ye they bring and teach us some strange thing which the world never heard of before. The Papists will set up again and stablish their old abominations. Let every man therefore ⟨image 42⟩take heed,1 that he be most sure of his calling and doctrine, that he may boldly say with Paul: Although we or an Angel from heaven preach unto you otherwise, then that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
This argument euen at this day is not a little preiudiciall to our cause. For if we may neither beleeue the Pope, nor the Fathers, nor Luther, nor any other, except they teach vs ye pure word of God, whom shall we then beleeue? Who in the meane while shall certefie our consciences which part teacheth the pure word of God, we or our aduersaries? For they bragge, that they also haue the pure worde of God and teach it. Againe, we beleue not the Papistes, because they teach not the word of God, neither can they teach it. Contrariwise, they hate vs most bitterly, and persecute vs, as most pestilent heretikes and seducers of the people. What is to be done in this case? Shall it be lawfull for euery fantasticall spirite, to teach what him selfe listeth, seeing the world can neither heare nor abide our doctrine? For although we glory with Paule, that we teach the pure Gospell of Christ (vnto which, not onely the Emperour, Pope, and the whole world ought to geue credite, but also ought gladly and thankfully to receaue and embrace it, yea, and diligently to prouide, that it be taught in euery place: and if any should teach the contrary, were he the Pope, an Apostle, or an Angell from heauen, to holde him accurssed together with his Gospell), yet for all that, we profite nothing, but are compelled to heare, that this our glorying is not onely vaine, rash, and arrogant, but also Deuilish and full of blasphemie. But if we abase our selues, and geue place to the rage of our aduersaries, then both the Papists and Anabaptists waxe proud. The Anabaptists wil vaunt ye they bring and teach vs some straunge thing which the world neuer heard of before. The Papistes will set vp againe and stablishe their olde abhominations. Let euery man therfore ⟨image 42⟩take hede,1 that he be most sure of his calling and doctrine, that he may boldly say with Paule: Although vve or an Angell from heauen preach vnto you othervvise, then that vvhich vve haue preached vnto you, let him be accursed.
- 1A preacher must be sure of his calling and doctrine. Galat. 1.8.
