A15880:27
The account reckoning and confession of the faith of Huldrik Zwinglius bishop of Zuryk…The accompt rekenynge and confession of the faith of Huldrik Zwinglius byshop of Zuryk…
The account reckoning and confession of the faith of Huldrik Zwinglius bishop of Zuryk the chief town of Helvetia sent unto Charles the fifth now Emperor of Rome, holding a counsel with the most noble princes, estates and learned men of Germany assembled together at Augsburg. 1530. in the month of July. Translated out of latin by Thomas Cotsforde. And imprinted at Geneva. In April. 1555.The accompt rekenynge and confession of the faith of Huldrik Zwinglius byshop of Zuryk the chief towne of Heluetia sent vnto Charles the fyfte nowe Emperoure of Rome, holdynge a counsel wyth the moost noble princes, estates and learned men of Germany assembled together at Ausburgh. 1530. in the moneth of Iuly. Translated out of latyn by Thomas Cotsforde. And imprinted at Geneua. In April. 1555.
printed by Egidius Van der Erve, 1555
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.
Again, let them remember this saying of the prophet Elijah:1 Why halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be the true God follow him? But if Baal be he, than follow him.2 But many excuse them selves by a book made and compiled by a great clerk that dyed with in these five years past: which book (as they say) maketh much for their purpose, that is, for going to the wicked Mass. &c. But surely, if they weigh that book well, it maketh nothing for them at all: for he wrote that part of his book for them that were but younglings in the true knowledge and understanding of the mysteries of Christs religion, and dwelt in such a realm or country that were clean overwhelmed with Papistry, and not well reformed as was England. He wrote not that for them that had ben already well nuzzled and exercised ⟨image 7⟩in true religion many years (as some of these excusers have) and are fully persuaded already in the greatest mysteries of pure religion. I dare say, if he were alive he would not justify, neither bear with these men, to whom God hath given so plenty of true knowledge, and that so many years ago, but would most sharply rebuke them and tell them plainly, that their accompanying and fellowship in false worshipping with idolaters should §1most manifestly extend: First to the great dishonour of the omnipotent §2Lord their God. Secondarily to the accusation and condemnation of their own consciences, having so manifest places of holy §3scripture against them: Thirdly, to the great offence of their young and weak christen brethren, which have many years known their opinion §4touching religion. And finally, to the confirmation of the old can cred and rusty Papists in their gross errors and blindness.
Againe, let them remembre this sayeng of the prophete Elias:1 Why halt ye betwene two opinions? Yf the Lorde be the true God folowe hym? But yf Baal be he, than folow hym.