A Christian instruction, containing the law and the Gospel Also a summary of the…

How that none other advocate nor mediator may be joined to Jesus christ, without greatly dishonouring of him.

Hovv that none other aduocate nor mediator may be ioyned to Iesus christ, vvithout greatly dishonoring of him.

M. But what inconvenient is it if that we take Jesus Christ for the principal mediator and advocate by whom we are made at one with the Father, and that then we take either man saint or woman saint, which reign already in Heaven with him concerning their souls and spirits, to be also our mediators and advocates with him, or else towards himself because of our unworthiness?

M. BVt what inconuenient is it if that we take Iesus Christ for the principall mediator and aduocate by whome we are made at one with the Father, and that then we take either mā saint or womā saint, which raigne alredy in Heauen with him concerning their soules and spirites, to be also our mediators and aduocates with him, or else towards himselfe bycause of our vnworthinesse?

Pet. The same cannot be done without taking from him the office which belongeth only to him.

Pet. The same cannot be done without taking frō him the office whiche belongeth onely to him.

M. Why so?

P. Forsomuch as either he is sufficient for the office which the father hath appointed him, or else he is not sufficient: if he be sufficient, then needeth it not to appoint him a fellow: if he be not sufficient, he is not then the true anointed of the Lord, and the office which is appointed unto him, belongeth not to him at all.

P. Forsomuch as either he is sufficient for the office which the father hath appointed him, or else he is not sufficient: if he be sufficient, then néedeth it not to appointe him a fellowe: if he be not sufficiente, he is not then the true annoynted of the Lord, and the office which is appointed vnto hym, belongeth not to him at all.

Mat. This were an horrible blasphemy, not only to speak such words, but to think them.

Mat. This were an horrible blasphemie, not onely to speake suche wordes, but to thinke them.

P. And therefore if we had none other reason but that that we have not in all the holy Scriptures neither commandment nor example, ⟨p. 398⟩which doth command and teach us, we ought to take any other mediator and advocate than Jesus Christ toward the father, but it is forbidden us expressedly to take any other: that same should suffice us, seeing that there is neither invocation nor prayer that can please god, if it be not made in faith. Now there can be no faith where there is no certain word of God, nor commandment, nor promise of the same to ground it upon.

P. And therfore if we had none other reason but that that we haue not in all the holy Scriptures neyther commaundement nor example, ⟨p. 398⟩which doth commaund and teache vs, we ought to take any other mediator and aduocate than Iesus Christ towarde the father, but it is forbidden vs expressedly to take any other: that same shoulde suffise vs, seing that there is neither inuocation nor prayer that can please god, if it be not made in faith. Now there can be no faithe where there is no certayne word of God, nor commaundemente, nor promise of the same to ground it vppon.

Of the commandment which the faithful have to pray one for another, but not to address them selves to any dead saint.

Of the commaundemente vvhiche the faithfull haue to pray one for another, but not to addresse them selues to any dead sainte.

M. IF it be so as thou sayest, it shall not then be lawful to require that any man pray for us, not in deed among the living. For so much as we take as for advocates and mediators those same unto whom we give such charge to pray for us.

M. IF it be so as thou sayst, it shall not then be lawfull to require that any man pray for vs, not in déede among the liuing. For somuch as we take as for aduocates and mediators those same vnto whome we giue suche charge to pray for vs.

P. Thou must in this put difference between the living saints and those that are dead. For we have expressed commandment of God to pray in this life the one for the others, and sure promise that our ⟨p. 399⟩prayers shall be heard, not only when we shall pray for our selves, but also for our brethren.

P. Thou must in this put difference betwene the liuing saints and those that are dead. For we haue expressed cōmandement of God to pray in this life the one for the others, and sure promise that our ⟨p. 399⟩prayers shall be heard, not only when we shall pray for our selues, but also for our brethren.

M. Have we no such commandment nor promise touching the prayers of dead saints?

M. Haue we no such commandement nor promise touching the praiers of dead saints?

P. Not at all in all the holy scriptures which are given unto us for a rule in all things which concern the service of God. Wherefore we may not address us to dead men or women saints to call upon them or to pray unto them, to the end they may be our intercessors, and that they may pray for us, as we may address us to the living, and require their prayers for us.

P. Not at all in all the holy scriptures which are giuen vnto vs for a rule in all thinges whiche concerne the seruice of God. Wherefore we may not addresse vs to dead men or women saints to call vppon them or to pray vnto them, to the end they may be our intercessors, and that they maye praye for vs, as we may addresse vs to the liuing, and require their prayers for vs.

What regard the faithful have the one for the others in their prayers.

VVhat regard the faithfull haue the one for the others in their prayers.