An answer to a certain book, writtenAn answere to a certeine booke, written

Where you say, my reasons make most against my self,¹ I know not how I could ⟨p. 31⟩have written more plainly, & more consonantly to my self, then I have done. But some are so froward, that though it be beaten into them with hammer, yet they will not seem to understand. I say Luther followed the judgement of the ancient Church, in refusing Saint James Epistle. what maketh this against my self? Can you deny but some of the ancient Churches refused it? Doth not Eusebius prove it, when he saith, it was received in most Churches? Then it followeth, not in all Churches. And would Eusebius have called it a Bastard, if some Churches had not so accounted of it? But what if some refused it? doth it follow therefore that the whole Church did so? you may not think, M. Rainolds, to cast upon us such a mist, but that we shall be able to espy your walking along. Saint James epistle was never refused of all Churches generally, it was refused only by some: Luther in refusing it agreed with the ancient Churches, not with all, but some, as many as refused it. But the greater number of Churches received it, as Eusebius witnesseth, and our Church is led by Gods spirit, and true learning, to follow them. ⟨p. 32⟩But for the Apocryphal books of the old Testament, I have proved sufficiently, and can further declare, if need require, that both the greatest part of the Church, and the whole Church hath reproved them. As for that Jerome saith, The Church readeth them, it maketh little for their credit,² seeing he addeth immediately, it was, to edify the people, not to confirm the authority of Ecclesiastical doctrine: and that though the Church read them, yet it receiveth them not among the canonical scriptures: wherein he hath plainly cast them down from that height of authority and majesty, whereunto you would so fain lift them up.

Where you say, my reasons make moste against my selfe,¹ I know not how I could ⟨p. 31⟩