A10781:13
A piteous lamentation of the miserable estate of the church of Christ in England…A pituous lamentation of the miserable estate of the churche of Christ in Englande…
A piteous lamentation of the miserable estate of the church of Christ in England in the time of the late revolt from the gospel, wherein is contained a learned comparison between the comfortable doctrine of the gospel, [and] the traditions of the popish religion: with an instruction how the true Christian ought to behave himself in the time of trial. Written by that worthy martyr of god Nicolas Ridley, late Bishop of London. Never before this time imprinted. Whereunto are also annexed certain letters of John Careless, written in the time of his imprisonment. Perused and allowed according to the Queens Majesties injunctions.A pituous lamentation of the miserable estate of the churche of Christ in Englande in the time of the late reuolt from the gospel, wherin is conteyned a learned comparison betwene the comfortable doctrine of the gospell, [and] the traditions of the popish religion: with an instruction how the true Christian ought to behaue himself in the tyme of tryall. Wrytten by that worthy martyr of god Nicolas Rydley, late Bysshoppe of London. Neuer before this tyme imprynted. Wherevnto are also annexed certayne letters of Iohn Careles, written in the tyme of his imprisonment. Perused and allowed according to the Quenes Maiesties iniunctions.
London: printed by William Powell, 1566London: printed by VVillyam Powell, 1566
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.
Of late the lords supper was duly ministered and taught to be made common to all that were true Christians, with thanks giving and setting forth of the Lords death and passion, until his returning again to judge both quick and dead: But now alas, the Lords table is quite overthrown, and that which ought to be common to all godly, is made private to a few ungodly, with out any kind of thanksgiving, or any setting forth of the lords death at all, that the people is able to understand.
Of late the lordes supper was duely ministred and taughte to be made common to all that were true Chrystians, with thankes geuing and settinge forthe of the Lordes death and passion, vntil his returninge agayne to iudge bothe quicke and deadde: But nowe alas, the Lordes table is quyte ouerthrowen, and that whych ought to be common to all godly, is made priuate to a few vngodly, with out any kinde of thankesgeuinge, or any settinge forth of the lords death at all, that the people is able to vnderstande.
Of late all that were endued with the light and grace of understanding of God's holy mysteries, did bless god which had brought them out of that horrible blindness and ignorance, whereby in times paste being ⟨image 5⟩seduced by Satan's subtleties, they believed that the sacrament was not the sacrament, but the thing it self, whereof it is a sacrament: that the creature was the creator, and that the thing which hath neither life nor sense (alas such was the horrible blindness) was the Lord him self, which made the eye to see, and hath given all senses and understanding unto man. But now alas, England is returned again like a dog to her own vomit and spewing, and is in worse case then ever she was: for it had ben better never to have known the truth then to forsake the truth once received and known. And now, not only that light is turned into darkness, and God's grace is received in vain, but also laws of death are made by high court of parliament masterfully to maintain by sword fire and all kind of violence that heinous Idolatry wherein that adoration is given unto the lifeless and dumb creature, which is only dew unto ⟨image 5⟩