43 I came. Christ proveth by this argument that the Jews do neither love nor reverence God, because they will greedily receive false prophets, when as they refuse to submit themselves unto God. For he taketh this for a thing which all men do grant, that this is a sign of a ⟨p. 130⟩froward and wicked mind, when men do subscribe willingly unto lies, setting apart the truth. If any man do object that this doth come to pass for the most part rather through error then malice: we may easily answer, that no man is subject to the deceits of Satan, save only so far forth as he preferreth lies before the truth, through a certain perverse greediness. For how cometh it to pass that God speaketh to us as unto deaf men, and Satan findeth us ready and willing to hear, save only because being turned away from righteousness we desire unrighteousness of our own accord? Although we must note that Christ speaketh properly of those, whom God hath illuminated peculiarly: as he vouchsafed to grant this privilege unto the Jews, that being instructed in his law, they might keep the right way of salvation. It is certain that such do not give ear to false teachers, unless it be because they desire to be deceived, Therefore Moses saith, when false prophets arise, the people is tried & examined by this means,1 whether they love the Lord their God or no. There seemeth to be in many, innocent simplicity: but without doubt it is hypocrisy that blindeth their eyes, which lurketh within in their minds. For it is certain that God doth never shut the gate against those who knock, that they are never deceived who seek him sincerely.2 Therefore doth Paul truly ascribe this unto the vengeance of God, when as the power of deluding is granted to Satan, that they may believe lies, who having rejected the truth did approve unrighteousness: and he saith that those men do perish, who have not received the love of the truth, that they might be saved. So at this day the dissimulation of many is discovered, who being addicted unto the Popes deceit and wicked superstition, do fret and fume against the Gospel with poisoned fury. For if they had their minds framed unto the fear of God, that fear should also beget obedience. In the name of the father. The false prophets do boast of this title as at this day the Pope doth with full mouth boast, that he is Christ his vicar.
43 I came. Christ proueth by this argument that the Iewes do neither loue nor reuerence God, because they wil greedily receiue false prophetes, when as they refuse to submit themselues vnto God. For hee taketh this for a thing which all men do graunt, that this is a signe of a ⟨p. 130⟩froward and wicked minde, when men doe subscribe willingly vnto lyes, setting apart the truth. If any man doe obiect that this doth come to passe for the most part rather through errour then malice: wee may easily answere, that no man is subiect to the deceits of Satan, saue only so far foorth as he preferreth lyes before ye truth, through a certain peruers greedinesse. For how commeth it to passe that God speaketh to vs as vnto deafe men, and Satan findeth vs redie and willing to heare, saue only because being turned away from righteousnesse we desire vnrighteousnes of our owne accord? Although we must note that Christ speaketh properly of those, whom God hath illuminated peculiarly: as hee vouchsafed to graunt this priuiledge vnto the Iewes, that being instructed in his law, they might keepe the right way of saluation. It is certain that such do not giue eare to false teachers, vnlesse it be because they desire to be deceiued, Therefore Moses saith, when false prophetes arise, the people is tryed & examined by this meanes,1 whether they loue the Lord their God or no. There seemeth to be in many, innocent simplicitie: but without doubt it is hypocrisie that blindeth their eyes, which lurketh within in their minds. For it is certaine yt God doth neuer shut the gate against those who knocke, that they are neuer deceiued who seeke him sincerely.2 Therefore doth Paule truly ascribe this vnto the vengeance of God, when as the power of deluding is graunted to Satan, that they may beleeue lyes, who hauing reiected the truth did approue vnrighteousnesse: and he saith that those men doe perish, who haue not receiued the loue of the truth, that they might be saued. So at this day the dissimulatiō of many is discouered, who being addicted vnto the Popes deceite and wicked superstition, do fret and fume against the Gospel with poysoned furie. For if they had their mindes framed vnto the feare of God, that feare should also beget obedience. In the name of the father. The false prophetes do boast of this title as at this day the Pope doth with full mouth boast, that he is Christ his vicar.
- 1deut. 13. 3•eut. 13. 3
- 22. Th. 2. 10
