Sermons upon Deuteronomy

But the Popish Religion tendeth to none other end, than to put Jesus Christ to silence. The Pope boasteth himself to be his vicar. But howsoever the case stand, he will needs make laws at his own pleasure: he will needs make new articles of faith: to be short, the Gospel is but an Absey, if we believe the Pope: and the dotages that he hath devised, are the full perfection of all. For behold, they have not bin ashamed to say, that the things which the Popes and their Councils have decreed, and all their gewgaws, filth, and pelting trash, (which yet notwithstanding are but devilish abominations to pervert the service of God:) are the things which the Apostles could not bear away, when Jesus Christ said unto them, I have many things to say unto you,¹ but ye cannot carry them away as now. And what things be they? O they be the high Mysteries which the Pope devised above the Gospel. Like as Mahomet saith that his Alcoran is the sovereign wisdom: so saith the Pope of his own decrees: For they be the two horns of Antichrist. Sith it is so, do we not see that we cannot in any wise cleave to the Pope but by renouncing Jesus Christ? Then let us bear well in mind, that seeing it is Gods will to exalt his only son after that fashion: surely he will have us to look unto him, and that all doctrine be referred unto him, and do concern him, so as we must conclude that all such as will not speak in the Church, must utter nothing but that which they have learned in the school of this great schoolmaster. According whereunto he hath given this commission to his Apostles, Preach the things which ye have learned of me.² Again, when he promiseth them the holy Ghost, he saith, he shall teach ye all the things which ye have hard of me. He sendeth them not there to a new doctrine; but saith that they shall have understanding of the things which they knew not by reason of their rudeness. That is the thing which we have to remember in that God attributeth the sovereign authority to his son by name, and will have all Prophets to be under that head, as well whom he had raised up afore, as those whom he hath set up in these days in his Church, so as this order must be kept, that he only do speak, and that all others which open their mouths, serve but to deal forth the things purely which they shall have received at his hand.

But the Popish Religion tendeth to none other end, than to put Iesus Christ to silence. The Pope boasteth himselfe to be his vicar. But howsoeuer the case stand, he will needes make lawes at his owne pleasure: he will needes make newe articles of faith: to be short, the Gospell is but an Apsie, if we beleeue the Pope: and the dotages yt he hath deuised, are the ful perfection of all. For behold, they haue not bin ashamed to say, that the thinges which the Popes and their Councels haue decreed, and all their gewgawes, filth, and pelting trash, (which yet notwtstanding are but diuelish abhominations to peruert the seruice of God:) are the thinges which the Apostles could not beare away, when Iesus Christ said vnto thē, I haue many things to say vnto you,