A10777:52
Certe[n] godly, learned, and comfortable conferences, between the two reverend fathers, and holy martyrs…Certe[n] godly, learned, and comfortable conferences, betwene the two reuerende fathers, and holye martyrs…
Certe[n] godly, learned, and comfortable conferences, between the two reverend fathers, and holy martyrs of Christ, D. Nicolas Ridley late Bishop of London, and M. Hugh Latimer sometime Bishop of Worcester, during the time of their imprisonments. Whereunto is added. A treatise against the error of transubstantiation, made by the said reverend father D. Nicolas Ridley. M.D.LVI.Certe[n] godly, learned, and comfortable conferences, betwene the two reuerende fathers, and holye martyrs of Christe, D. Nicolas Rydley late Bysshoppe of London, and M. Hughe Latymer sometyme Bysshoppe of Worcester, during the tyme of their emprysonmentes. Whereunto is added. A treatise agaynst the errour of transubstantiation, made by the sayd reuerende father D. Nicolas Rydley. M.D.LVI.
Strasbourg: printed by the heirs of W. Rihel, 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.
Al popish things for the most part are mans inventions where as they ought to have the holy scripture for the only rule of faith. When Paul made allegation for him self before Felix the high deputy / he did not extend his faith beyond the word of god written believing all things (sayeth he) which are written in the law / 1and the prophets / making no mention of the Rabbins. Moreover they have Moses and the prophets (sayeth Abraham in the parable) not their persons / 2but their writings. Also faith cometh by hearing / and hearing / by the word of god.3 And again: blessed are they which hear the word of god / &c. The things which have not their authority out of the scriptures / may as easily be despised / as allowed / sayeth S. Hierome. Therefore whether it be of Christ / or of his church / or of any other manner of thing which belongeth to our faith / and life / I will not say / If we (sayeth S. Augustine) which are not worthy to be compared to him that said: If we / 4butt that also which forthwith he addeth / If an Angel from heaven shall teach any thing besides that ye have received in the scriptures of the law and gospel / accursed be he.5 Our Diotrephes / with his papists are under this Curse. But how are the scriptures (say they) ⟨image 13⟩to be understanded?6 S. Augustine answereth giving this rule. The Circumstances of the scriptures (sayeth he) lighten the scriptures / and so on scripture doth expound another / 7to a man that is studious / well willing and often calling upon god in continual prayer / who giveth his holy spirit to them that desire it of him.8 So that the scripture is not of any private interpretation at any time. For such a one though he be a lay man / fearing god / is much more fit to understand holy scriptures / then any arrogant and proud priest / yea / then the bishop himself / be he never so great / and glistering in all his Pontificals. But what is to be said of the Fathers? How are they to be esteemed? S. Augustine answereth giving this rule also / that we should not therefore think it true because they say so / do they never so much excel in holiness / or learning: but if they be able to prove their saying by the canonical scriptures or by good probable reason: