A17085:41
The mind and exposition of that excellent learned man Martin Bucer, upon these words…The mynd and exposition of that excellente learned man Martyn Bucer, vppon these wordes…
The mind and exposition of that excellent learned man Martin Bucer, upon these words of S. Matthew: Woo be to the wordle [sic] because of offences. Math. xviij. Faithfully translated in to English, by a faithful brother, with certain objections [and] answers to the sameThe mynd and exposition of that excellente learned man Martyn Bucer, vppon these wordes of S. Mathew: Woo be to the wordle [sic] bycause of offences. Math. xviij. Faythfully translated in to Englishe, by a faythfull brother, with certayne obiections [and] answeres to the same
Emden: printed by E. van der Erve, 1566
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.
¶ Answer.
¶ Answeare.
¶ If all Bishops and Preachers respecting God, & the cause only have wished and persuaded not to use this apparel, as Joab not to number the people, and yet respecting the Princes commandment contrary to their formal wishing and persuading should yield in deeds as Joab did. Then were to be feared such sequel of plagues on the people with great grief to the Prince, now hear as was then there: and as the Ishmaelites destroying many of the Amorites according to God's commandment, yet leaving some relics of the same by their own negligence, or affection, or policy, were continually corrupted, polluted, & plagued with the Amorites, so is it to be feared in England, that the abolishing of much Papistry according to God's will revealed by his word, and by reserving of some relics of the same by human negligence, affection, and policy, should cause this realm continually to be polluted, corrupted, and plagued with Papistry: thes things well considered move many good preachers to be constant, zealous, and sincere, as in will and doctrine, so in conversation and manners, reproving and refusing all ⟨image 14⟩things proper & belonging to Papistry: especially to the Idolatrous blasphemous and traitorous priesthood, most pestilent enemy to all Christian authority, and princely dignity, and therefore many good preachers the rather disposed for the preservation of the Prince & the people, losing living, life to confirm their doctrine preached, then keeping livings with flattery, with danger of the Prince, & the people to build & bring again, that which by faithful preaching hath been destroyed, reproved & refused, so can no such preachers be put to silence, their deeds declaring & confirming their doctrine: nor such be thought to be left destitute of those preachers, by whose doctrine & manners also the church is taught as to know and embrace true doctrine, & sincere rites & manners, & so shall Godly & faithful doctrine confirmed with like deeds, by God's grace give no offence, butt unfeigned thankfulness to a godly Prince restoring & receiving true doctrine with sincere rites and manners to God's glory, to the Princes honour, & the people edification through Christ our Lord. Amen.