I answer that there is no greater commodity then to observe the true and perfect religion:1 there is no commodity more greater than the glory of Christ, and the salvation of our brethren. For we may in no wise do evil,2 how little soever it be (as witnesseth S. Paul) to the end that good may come thereof: nether hath God any need of our lies, and dissimulations. It seemeth that the Apostles have sometime dissembled, but in very deed they did not dissemble, but unfeignedly for a time they did observe that which was contained in the law, to the end that by that means they might allure and win the Jews unto the knowledge of Christ: wherein they did nothing against their consciences, forasmuch as the ceremonies then used were first established by the word of god. But we contrary wise, nothing regarding the premises, do those things not only, not permitted of God, but also vehemently reproved by his holy word.3 And first, as touching the form & order of Baptism, the which the papistical priests do now use, although it be true that the same be available and effectual unto young children being baptised therewith, whom the prophenaciō of the sacrament cannot annoy: yet ⟨image 62⟩not withstanding unto the aged, & unto those that are sufficiently instructed by the word of God of the impiety of the same, it is unto them nothing else, but the mark & token of the Babilonicall army, whereby they join them selves unto Antichrist, & protest to serve him in his wars.4 If any question be of the sacrament of the altar,5 to the which the people ones in the year at least, do run so fast? what other thing is it, but a general muster day, of the garrison & soldiers of Antichrist?6 If any do ask our advise of the mass? what other answer can we render, but that it is the great ensign & standard of Antichrist, elevated and erected up against Christ & his merits, under the which all the soldiers of Antichrist do assemble them selves:7 or else it is the great Image of gold erected by Nebuchadnezzar, to the dedication & worshipping whereof all the Babylonians do assemble & come together: the which also contrariwise all the Israelites of God do flee & abhor. If any man ask our advise of their Canonical hours,8 of their latin Matins and Evensong, and of their solemn singing and Ceremonies?
I aunswere that there is no greater comoditie then to obserue the trew and perfect religion:1 there is no comodite more greater thē the glorie of Christ, and the saluacion of oure brethren. For we may in no wyse do euyl,2 how little soeuer it be (as witnesseth S. Paule) to the ende that good may come thereof: nether hath God any nede of our lyes, and dissimulaciōs. It semeth that the Apostles haue sometyme dissembled, but in very dede they dyd not dissemble, but vnfaynedly for a time thei did obserue that which was conteyned in the law, to the ende that by that meanes they might alure and winne the Iewes vnto the knowledge of Christ: wherin they dyd nothing against their consciences, for asmuch as the ceremonies thē vsed were first established by the word of god. But we contrary wyse, nothing regarding the premyses, do those thinges not onely, not permitted of God, but also vehemently reproued by his holy word.3 And fyrst, as touchinge the forme & order of Baptisme, the which the papistical prestes do now vse, although it be true that the same be auayleable and effectual vnto young childrē beyng baptysed therwt, whō the prophenaciō of the sacramēt cannot anoye: yet ⟨image 62⟩not withstanding vnto the aged, & vnto those that are sufficiently instructed by the word of God of the impiete of the same, it is vnto them nothing els, but the marke & token of the Babilonicall armye, whereby they ioyne thē selues vnto Antechrist, & proteste to serue him in hys warres.4 Yf any questiō be of the sacramēt of ye aulter,5 to the which the people ones in the yere at least, do runne so fast? what other thinge is it, but a general monsterday, of the garrison & souldiors of Anthechrist?6 Yf any do aske oure aduyse of the masse? what other aunswere can we rendre, but yt it is the great ensigne & standart of Antechrist, eleuated and erected vp against Christ & his merites, vnder the which al the soldiours of Antichrist doe assemble them selues:7 or els it is the great Image of gold erected by Nabuchodonosor, to the dedicacion & worshipping wherof al the Babiloniās do assemble & come together: the which also contrarywyse al the Israelites of God doe flee & abhorre. Yf any mā aske our aduyse of theyr Canonicall howres,
- 1Answer.Aūswere.
- 2Roma. iij
- 3Math. 28
- 4Luke. xxij
- 5i. Corin. 11
- 6Ebre. ix.
- 7Canti. iij. Danie. iij
- 8Collo. iij.
