A10777:56
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.
In all ages the devil hath stirred up some light heads to esteem the sacraments butt lightly / as to be empty and bare signs / whom the fathers have resisted so fiercely / that in their fervour they seem in sound off words to run to far the other way / and to give to much to the sacraments / when they did think more measurably. And therefore they are to be read warily / with sound judgement. But our papists / and they seem but a little sounding to their purpose / they will out face / brace / and brag all men / it must needs be as they will have it. Therefore there is no remedy / namely now when they have the master bowl in their hand / and rule the roast / but patience. ⟨image 14⟩Better it is to suffer what cruelty they will put unto us / then to incur God's high indignation.
In all aeges the deuel hath styrred vp some lyghte heades to esteme the sacramentes butt lyghtly / as to be emptie and bare signes / whome the fathers haue resisted so fearsely / that in theyr feruour they seme in sownde off wordes to runne to farre the other waye / and to geue to moche to the sacramentes / when they dyd thynke more mesurably. And therfore they are to be redde warely / with sownde iudgement. But our papistes / and they seme but a litle soundinge to their purpose / they will owte face / brace / and bragge all mē / it must nedes be as they will haue it. Therfore ther is no remedie / namely now when they haue the mayster bowle in theyr hande / and rule the roste / but patience. ⟨image 14⟩Better it is to suffer what crueltye they will putte vnto vs / then to incurre goddes hyghe indignation.
Wherefore good my Lord be of good cheer in the Lord: with dew consideration what he requireth of you / and what he doth promise you. Our common enemy shall do no more then god will permit him.1 God is faithful which will not suffer us to be tempted above our strength / &c. Be at a point what ye will stand unto / stick unto that / and let them both say and do what they list. They can butt kill the body / which otherwise is off it self mortal. Neither yet shall they do that when they list / but when god will suffer them / when the hour appointed is come. To use many words with them / it shall be but in vain / now that they have a bloody and deadly law prepared for them. But it is very requisite that ye give a reasonable account off your faith / if they will quietly hear you Else ye know in a wicked place off Judgement a man may keep silence /