Although in deed it is very true, that certain godly honest men were a great while sithence earnestly in hand with me, to write somewhat for the confuting, and repressing of the foolish, and confused opinion of some, who at this day go about to maintain the sleep and death of the souls, yet could they not hitherto win me to yield unto their petitions and requests, because it is clean contrary to my nature to thrust my self in, to deal with matters of controversy and debate. And surely, I had at that time great reason to excuse me, partly, because I thought that in short time, this fond opinion would find no companions, and therefore be soon forgotten: or else that a few Cockbrayned and lightheaded fellows would only keep it in hugger mugger: and partly also, because I had no liking to deal against such adversaries, with ⟨image 6⟩whose power, weapons, and Ambushes I was no whit acquainted. For, as yet, I had never hard any speech of them, save only a confused kind of buzzing of a thing, so that if I should have had to do with such as were not yet entered into the open plains, I must needs have played the part of one beating the bush (as we say) on the blind side. Nevertheless, in the end it grew afterward to another manner of matter then I thought it would have done: For, these Janglers were so busy and careful to maintain and increase their faction, as that they had already drawn into their error, I know not how many thousands of people. And in deed to say truly, so far as I can see this mischief waxeth worse & worse. For at the first beginning, there were but a few that made a confused kind of prattle of the sleeping of the souls: and therewith they would never let it be understood what they meant by this sleep. Now, sithence that time have stepped out these butcherly soul-sleepers, who at the first blow cut their ⟨image 6⟩throats, and yet (thanks be to God) do them no hurt at all. Notwithstanding, I verily think, that the error of the first sort is not to be borne withal, and besides, that this second kind of them, is lively to be repressed: For, neither of both sorts, have any foundation, either of reason, or yet of Judgement.
ALthough in deede it is very true, that certen godly honest men were a great while sithence earnestly in hand with me, to write somewhat for the confuting, and repressing of the foolishe, and confused opinion of some, who at this day goe about to mainteine the sleape and death of the soules, yet could they not hitherto winne me to yelde vnto their petitions and requestes, because it is cleane contrary to my nature to thrust my selfe in, to deale with matters of controuersie and debate. And surely, I had at that tyme great reason to excuse me, partely, because I thought that in short time, this fond opinion would finde no companions, and therefore be soone forgotten: or els that a few Cockbrayned and lightheadded fellowes would onely keepe it in hugger mugger: and partely also, because I had no lyking to deale agaynst such aduersaries, with ⟨image 6⟩whose power, weapons, and Ambushes I was no whit acquainted. For, as yet, I had neuer hard any speach of them, saue onely a confused kinde of buzzing of a thing, so that if I should haue had to doe with such as were not yet entred into the open playnes, I must needes haue played the part of one beating the bush (as we say) on the blinde side. Neuertheles, in the end it grewe afterward to another manner of matter then I thought it would haue done: For, these Ianglers were so busy and carefull to maintayne and encrease their faction, as that they had already drawne into their error, I know not how many thowsands of people. And in deed to say truly, so far as I cā se this mischiefe waxeth worse & worse. For at the first beginning, there were but a few that made a confused kinde of prattle of the sleaping of the soules: and therewith they would neuer let it be vnderstoode what they meant by this sleape. Now, sithence that tyme haue stept out these boucherly soule-sleaers, who at the first blow cut their ⟨image 6⟩throates, and yet (thankes be to God) doe them no hurt at all. Notwithstanding, I verely thinke, that the error of the first sort is not to be borne withall, and besides, that this second kinde of them, is liuely to be repressed: For, neither of both sortes, haue any foundatiō, either of reason, or yet of Iudgement.
