The first part of the Christian instruction, and general so[m]me of the doctrine, contained…The firste parte of the Christian instruction, and generall so[m]me of the doctrine, conteyned…

¶ What Counsel the true Christians ought to follow, in waiting for the general Council.

¶ VVhat Councell the true Christians ought to folovve, in wayting for the generall Councell.

1. 1Mat. 24. 25. Luke. 12.

¶ Of those which would agree the doctrine of Jesus Christ, and that of Antichrist together, and of the form of doctrine, compounded to such an end, called Interim, and of the vanity of the authors of the same.

¶ Of those vvhiche vvould agree the doctrine of Iesus Christ, and that of Antichrist together, and of the forme of doctrine, compounded to such an ende, called Interum, and of the vanitie of the authors of the same.

T. IN deed it is the most sure, but in the mean time it is a hard matter, to find any kind of Religion, wherein a man may so well continue in waiting for the general Council, as that which men call at this day the Interim D. Thou hast now put us into a very large field. I would gladly that these forgers of Interim, should declare unto me the very cause why, they do call this new form of Religion, which they have forged, by the name of Interim T. Thou doest well understand y• Interim, signifieth in the Latin tongue, in the mean time, or whilst. D. I do know that very well: yet notwithstanding I would gladly know what they mean by this word, in the mean time, or whilst. T. They mean as I think, y• that manner of life hath ben set forth only to that end, that men should live according to the same, in matter of Religion: whilst they away• for a Council, in the which more ample and more certain determination in matter of Religion, or else an other reformation, more perfect shall be had. D. Is not that a very wise Counsel? I would desire no more, but the title of this worthy manner of reformation, to declare the great vanity of the authors of the same. For either it is builded upon the word of God: or else it is against it. If it be agreeable to Gods word, there needeth not, either whilst, or until, for it shall be always good and holy, If it be against it, and if it endure but one hour, it shall continue over long, for so much as what so ever thing it be, that is against God, the same ought to have no place, neither for short, nor long time. ⟨p. 85⟩For it fareth not with gods kingdom as it doth with worldly kingdoms, neither with Gods laws over the which we have no power, as it doth with mans laws. For when a king is dead, there is a certain time between the decease of the dead king, and the creation of the new king, which is called enter reign, which is a time between both, which is properly called neither reign nor kingdom, for so much as there is, as yet no king chosen as head of the same, and men can not say, that there is utterly no reign or kingdom, for so much as the laws, and country stand in their full power and effect, saving only that they have not, as yet their king appointed & chosen. And the like is when a chief Magistrate dyeth in a Seigniory. Now this can have no place in the kingdom of God:

for the king thereof never dyeth. Wherefore as he is eternal, so are his laws eternal, and the order of life, which he hath given to his subjects. T. For so much as it is so, there needeth then nother other reign nor other law, nor yet Interim, as these men would have.

for the king thereof neuer dyeth. Wherfore as he is eternal, so are his lawes eternal, and the order of lyfe, whiche he hath gyuen to his subiectes. T. For so much as it is so, there needeth then nother other raygne nor other lawe, nor yet Interim, as these men woulde haue.

¶ For what cause and reason, the doctrine of the Interim, can not be re•eived neither into the Church of Christ, ne yet into the Popes Church.

¶ For vvhat cause and reason, the doctrine of the Interim, can not be re•eiued neither into the Churche of Christ, ne yet into the Popes Churche.

D. Therefore let us leave of this Interim, which doth so much confound it self, as ever did any thing: for it is made by such understanding and judgement, that no man may by reason approve it: for so much as in every respect, it is but a very Papistry, somewhat disguised, published, and covered with a mask, being finally different from the first. And therefore no man may follow the doctrine thereof, unless that he renounce the doctrine of Jesus Christ, and make a new alliance with that of Antichrist. T. Yea and it was not framed, but to the end it might by little & little, pluck back from the Gospel, such as had already professed it, and to bring them wholly in the end to Papistry again. D. In deed ⟨p. 86⟩it is accepted of none but of such men, for the papists will none of it, & that not without cause: for if they should receive it, they should condemn themselves, for so much as the Interim doth permit things which they do utterly condemn. Wherefore as soon as they shall have received & allowed it, their traditions are clean gone: for they have embraced this foundation to build their kingdom upon, that their Church can not err: because it is alway governed by the holy ghost. Wherefore if it should once by them be admitted which they have condemned: behold all their doctrine scattered & spilled, & consequently their kingdom overthrown. Afterward it will fare with them as it doth with a piece of work made of woollen third without any seam: which being once broken in any place, & that there be one third plucked out of it, all the rest follow after in order easily. For, if that they once do that, then must they needs confess ye either their Church hath not been governed by the holy Ghost, or else that they have an holy Ghost that may err. Wherefore, to avoid this inconveniency, they will leave no kind of thing which they have invented: they will never acknowledge their faults what or how many soever they be: notwithstanding that they know them apparently, & that they be enforced to condemn them in their own conscience, & that they be so foul, that the very beasts may judge of them. T. I have often times marvelled at that which thou now sayest: but now I do well see what it is that letteth them.

D. THerefore let vs leaue of this Interim, whiche doth so much confounde it selfe, as euer did any thyng: for it is made by such vnderstādyng and iudgement, that no mā may by reason approue it: for so much as in euery respect, it is but a very Papistrie, somewhat disguised, published, and couered with a maske, being finally different from the first. And therfore no mā may folowe the doctrine therof, vnlesse that he renounce the doctrine of Iesus Christe, and make a new aliance with that of Antechrist. T. Yea and it was not framed, but to the end it myght by litle & litle, plucke backe from the Gospell, suche as had already professed it, and to bryng thē wholly in the end to Papistrie agayn. D. In dede

¶ Of such Christians as be Neuters and indifferent, which follow the doctrine of the Interim: and of the mixture of the true & false doctrine, & how much it displeaseth god.

¶ Of such Christians as be Nevvters and indifferent, vvhiche folovv the doctrine of the Interim: and of the mixture of the true & false doctrine, & hovv much it displeaseth god.

D. For so much as it is so, we have no just occasion to dwell at all upon these Interimists, ne yet upon their Interim, which is a name whereunto men may join whatsoever they will. It is a beast that hath a very strong and a ⟨p. 87⟩mighty back, which will bear what soever men will lay on him. It is a name made of an adverb, which doth very well agree with the Grammar, of those Grammarians, which have forged it. For even as their Grammar. (I mean their divinity) is strange and different from all other doctrines, and especially from the true divinity of the sacred Scriptures, even so his language is very new, and strange, and hath his rules utterly different. The Greek and Latin Grammar, have the Masculine, Feminine, and Neuter Gender, the Hebrew hath but the two first, and wanteth the Neuter. And contrarily the Interim, hath neither Masculine nor Feminine, for he is neither Male nor Female: but is Neuter, or at the least compounded of Male and Female: and so must needs by common, and must needs be Male and Female, both together, or else he can be neither the one, ne yet the other. T. Then shall he be a Monster. D. Yea in deed very monstrous, and so contrary to the word of God, as nothing more: for his Grammar is like to the Hebrew Grammar. It alloweth no Neuter ¹Gender, and hardly doth it any common. It doth not permit to couple the Ox, and the Ass together in the plough, no more doth it permit to sow a field, with sundry kinds of grain, ne yet to make a cloth, of sundry stuffs and substances. It condemneth also the confusion of seed, of nature in beasts, and other living creatures, & holdeth those beasts for unclean, that are engendered by beasts of sundry kinds, as are Mullets, and Mules, and such other like, In the which it is plain, that the Lord hath had a further regard then to those things, when he gave such laws: & that he would admonish his people by those same, to observe good order in all things, & to eschew & avoid all confusion and disorder. Then if the mixture and confusion of sundry things do displease him, it must needs then displease him more, when that the greater part is the worst, as it is in the Interim. For there is very little pure ⟨p. 88⟩doctrine in it: and that which is, is so darkened and corrupted, that nothing is more.

Wherefore this common kind, by which he will be as a mean between the doctrine of Jesus Christ, and y• of Antichrist, doth right well be seem him. For common in the Scripture, is as much to say as polluted and defiled, as witnesseth Saint Mark in his. 7. chap. and Saint Peter in the Acts of the Apostles the. 10. chapi. And in our language, a common woman, is a whore. This Interim in like manner, maketh us common Christians, and Neuters, like unto the Samaritans. For even as the Samaritans were properly neither Jews, ne Pagans, but were made of them both: even so are these men properly neither Evangelic Christians, ne yet Papists, but a certain confusion, and mingle mangle of both together. T. Albeit that the doctrine of this Interim, be not in all respects so pure and perfect, as we would have it, is it not yet better to have it so, then to have it more corrupted, and to be such as is the doctrine of the Papists. D. In deed in one thing it is to be preferred, before the Popish doctrine, whereof thou speakest: which is that the poison that therein is, is more hidden. Wherefore it is the more dangerous, and the more to be feared and rejected. T. It is very true.

Wherefore this common kynde, by whiche he wil be as a meane betwene the doctrine of Iesus Christ, and y• of Antichrist, doth right wel be seeme hym. For common in the Scripture, is as much to say as polluted and defiled, as witnesseth Saint Marcke in his. 7. chap. and Saint Peter in the Actes of the Apostles the. 10. chapi. And in our language, a common woman, is a whore. This Interim in like maner, maketh vs common Christians, and Newters, like vnto the Samaritanes. For euen as the Samaritanes were properly neither Iewes, ne Paganes, but were made of them both: euen so are these men properly neither Euangelique Christians, ne yet Papistes, but a certayne confusion, and mingle mangle of both together. T. Albeit that ye doctrine of this Interim, be not in all respectes so pure and perfect, as we would haue it, is it not yet better to haue it so, then to haue it more corrupted, and to be such as is the doctrine of the Papistes. D. In dede in one thinge it is to be preferred, before the Popish doctrine, wherof thou speakest: which is that the poison that therin is, is more hidden. Wherfore it is the more daungerous, and the more to be feared and reiected. T. It is very true.

¶ For what cause the Interim hath taken his name of an adverb, and how in sundry wise he may be applied.

¶ For vvhat cause the Interim hath taken his name of an aduerbe, and hovve in sondry vvise he may be applied.

D. WE may judge of all those doctrines & Religions, which are so confounded and mingled, as of the law & Religion of Mahomet: for is it any thing better then that, of the Jews and Pagans, for that it hath many things, taken out of the Christian Religion, mixed with that, that it hath of the Jews and Pagans? And more over, it cometh very aptly to pass, that these forgers of Interim, have made him a name of an adverb: for as an adverb is a word joined to a verb, even so the doctrine of the Interim, is an adjunction to the word of God, not to open and declare it, as ⟨p. 89⟩the adverb doth the Verb, but to darken and corrupt it. T. It is then like to the gloss of Orleans, which marreth the text. D. It is a very dangerous gloss, and seeing then it is an adverb, and that it signifieth, in the mean time, or whilst, or until, if they will interpret that word in the mean time even as thou hast said, we may also take him in this signification: In the mean time we die and shall be in danger of going to hell: In the mean time Antichrist shall reign, and the Gospel shall be persecuted: In the mean time they shall seek all the means possible to suppress and banish the word of God, and more strongly to establish the siege of Antichrist. And to be short, put to it all that ever thou wilt, and all the evil that may happen in the world, in the mean time, whilst, or until, will receive it all.

D. WE may iudge of al those doctrines & Religions, which are so confounded and mingled, as of the lawe & Religion of Mahomet: for is it any thynge better then that, of the Iewes and Paganes, for that it hath many thinges, taken out of the Christian Religion, mixed with that, that it hath of the Iewes and Paganes? And more ouer, it cōmeth very aptely to passe, yt these forgers of Interim, haue made him a name of an aduerbe: for as an aduerbe is a woorde ioyned to a verbe, euen so the doctrine of the Interim, is an adiunction to the worde of God, not to opē and declare it, as ⟨p. 89⟩the aduerbe doth the Verbe, but to darken and corrupte it. T. It is then lyke to the glose of Orleance, which marreth the text. D. It is a very daungerous glose, and seing then it is an aduerbe, and that it signifieth, in the meane time, or whilest, or vntill, if they will interprete that woorde in the meane time euen as thou hast sayd, we maye also take him in this signification: In the meane tyme we die and shall be in daunger of going to hell: In the meane tyme Antichrist shall reigne, and the Gospell shall bee persecuted: In the meane tyme they shall seeke all the meanes possible to suppresse and banyshe the worde of God, and more strongly to establyshe the siege of Antichrist. And to be shorte, put to it all that euer thou wilte, and al the euill that may happen in the worlde, in the meane time, whilest, or vntyll, will receaue it all.

¶ What profit they which have been instructed in the word of God, may receive by the Councils: and what virtue and authority they have to bring men to the faith.

¶ VVhat profitte they vvhich haue beene instructed in the vvorde of God, may receaue by the Councells: and vvhat vertue and authoritie they haue to bring men to the fayth.

T. I Agree well with that that thou haste said: but if there be a Council holden, and if it serve nothing at all for such as shall dye looking for it, yet notwithstanding it shall profit such as may live unto it. D. And yet shalt thou not find there, by that mean, all that y• thou thinkest to find: for if one be holden, either it will conclude for Jesus Christ, or against Jesus Christ. If they do conclude for Jesus Christ, and I have been well instructed in the word of God before hand, it shall not hurt me at all that I was instructed before hand. It hindereth not the commodity that I may receive of the Council, but doth increase it the more: for I shall be so much the more glad, when I shall see that doctrine approved wherein I have already been resolved, and have believed it, not only because it is approved by the Council, and by men, but for that it is the pure word of God, and that it alloweth it self, and that the holy Ghost beareth me ⟨p. 90⟩witness: If I have not already been instructed nor resolved, either I will credit the determination which shall have been made by the Council, or ells I will not credit it. For it is not a thing that of necessity must betide that every man must believe the determination of the Councils, as soon as they have concluded: although the Council were lawful. For it is not in the power of men which shall hold it, to make all that please them to believe it. It is a work that is only proper to God, which giveth faith. And to seek to make men believe of force, that may not be: for faith may not be enforced. Wherefore if I make it seem that I do believe it, and do not believe it, I shall then be an hypocrite: if I do believe it, it is greatly to be feared least that I do believe only upon the credit of others, being moved by the authority of men, rather than by the true persuasion of the word and of the spirit of God. And so, my faith shall be builded upon men, and upon their opinions, & not upon God and his word. It shall be then no faith, but only an opinion ready, to change as men shall change. T. It shall be as firm as shall the foundation whereupon it shall be builded.

T. I Agree well with that that thou haste sayd: but if there be a Councell holden, and if it serue nothing at all for such as shall dye looking for it, yet notwithstanding it shall profitte such as may liue vnto it. D. And yet shalt thou not finde there, by that meane, all that y• thou thinkest to fynde: for if one be holden, either it wil conclude for Iesus Christ, or against Iesus Christ. If they doe conclude for Iesus Christ, and I haue bene well instructed in the word of God before hand, it shall not hurte me at all that I was instructed before hand. It hindreth not the cōmoditie that I maye receaue of the Councell, but doth encrease it the more: for I shall be so much the more glad, whē I shall see that doctrine approued wherin I haue alreadye bene resolued, and haue beleued it, not onely because it is approued by the Councel, and by men, but for that it is the pure worde of God, and that it alloweth it selfe, and that the holy Ghost beareth me