The Institution of Christian Religion

But it hath been received of the Church not unprofitably, if it be soberly red or heard.¹ And Hierome teacheth without any doubting, that the authority thereof is of no force to proving of doctrines. And it evidently appeareth by that old book, which is entitled under the name of Cyprian, concerning the exposition of the Creed, that it had no place at all in the old Church. But why do I here strive without cause?² As though the author him self doeth not sufficiently show, how much he is to be credited, when in the end he craveth pardon, […] he have spoken any thing not well. Truly he that confesseth his writings to need pardon, sayeth plainly that they are not the oracles of ⟨p. 159⟩the holy Ghost. Beside that, the godliness of Judas is praised for none other cause, but for that he had an assured hope of the last resurrection, when he sent an offering for the dead to Jerusalem. Neither doth the writer of that history refer that which Judas did to be a price of redemption, but that they might be partakers of the eternal life with the other faithful, that had died for their country and religion. This doing was in deed not without superstition and preposterous zeal, but they are more than fools, that draw a sacrifice of the law so far as unto us: for as much as we know that things do cease by the coming of Christ, that then were in use.

But it hathe bene receiued of the Churche not vnprofitably, if it be soberly red or heard.¹ And Hierome teacheth without any doubtinge, that the authori•ie therof is of no force to prouing of doctrines. And it euidently appeareth by that olde booke, whiche is entituled vnder the name of Cypriane, concerning the exposition of the Crede, that it had no place at all in the olde Churche. But why doe I here stryue without cause?² As though the author hym selfe doeth not sufficiently shew, how muche he is to be credited, when in the ende he craueth pardon, 〈…〉 he haue spoken any thyng not well. Truely he that confesseth his writynges to nede pardon, sayeth plainly that they are not the oracles of