Now then we see that all they which have forged new devises after that sort, have utterly corrupted and falsified the Gospel, and have tied towels and napkins before mens eyes, too keep them from the seeing and knowing of Jesus Christ, as they ought to have done, and as was requisite for their salvation. And therefore it is certain that all they which busy them selves about such gewgaws, do in stead of seeking Christ, throw them selves headlong into damnation by following so their own brain. They be so given too it, as they can not be plucked from it: they play the little children that are building of some house of oyste •••els, who are so earnest at ⟨image 205⟩their work, that they forget to eat or drink, and are contented to suffer heat and cold, hunger and thirst. And why so? Because their fondness carieth them away. Again they remove their stuff too and fro, and bring in this and that, and when they once begin to set them selves to it, they can never make an end. Even so is it with men when they will needs serve God after their own liking. Ye see then that we had need to be sober in that behalf, and to content our selves with the helps & means that are ordained already to bring us to our Lord Jesus Christ. We have Baptism & the Lords supper: let us hold our selves contented with them, for our curiosity will always draw us unto evil, unless we yield to Gods appointment, and give over all our own speculations and fancies. Yea and let us understand that it is a blasphemy against God, when men say [of their own heads] this or that is good for us. I tell you plainly, when soever men say, we must have this, and we must have that, or we must have our Church or religion of this fashion or that fashion: It is as much as if he should say, God was not well advised how we should be governed, he wist not what was meet for us. As for example, it seemeth to them to be too slender a matter that there should be no more but only water in Baptism: and they must have somewhat else to give it a greater grace and majesty. Therefore they have tapers, and salt, and cream, and all the rest of the pomps of their own making. Lo how men will always be adding of somewhat unto Gods commandment: which doing is a cursed blasphemy, as I said afore.
Now then wee see that all they which haue forged new deuises after that sort, haue vtterly corrupted and falsified the Gospell, and haue tied towels and napkins before mens eyes, too keepe them from the seeing and knowing of Iesus Christ, as they ought to haue done, and as was requisite for their saluation. And therfore it is certayne that all they which busie them selues about such gewgawes, do in steade of seeking Christ, throwe them selues headlong into damnation by following so their owne brayne. They bee so giuen too it, as they can not be plucked from it: they play the little children that are buylding of some house of oyste •••els, who are so earnest at ⟨image 205⟩their work, that they forget to eate or drinke, and are contented to suffer heate and colde, hunger and thirst. And why so? Bicause their fondnesse carieth them away. Agayne they remoue their stuffe too and fro, and bring in this and that, and when they once begin to set them selues to it, they can neuer make an ende. Euen so is it with men when they will needes serue God after their owne liking. Yee see then that we had neede to be sober in that behalfe, and to content our selues with the helpes & meanes that are ordeyned already to bring vs to our Lord Iesus Christ. VVe haue Baptisme & the Lords supper: let vs hold our selues contented with them, for our curiositie will always draw vs vnto euill, vnlesse we yeeld to Gods appoyntment, and giue ouer al our owne speculations and fancies. Yea and let vs vnderstande that it is a blasphemie agaynst God, when men say [of their owne heads] this or that is good for vs. I tell you playnly, when soeuer men say, we must haue this, and we must haue that, or we must haue our Church or religion of this fashion or that fashion: It is as much as if he should say, God was not well aduised how wee should bee gouerned, he wiste not what was meete for vs. As for example, it seemeth to them to be too slender a matter that there should be no more but only water in Baptisme: and they must haue somewhat else to giue it a greater grace and maiestie. Therfore they haue tapers, and salte, and creame, and all the rest of the pompes of their owne making. Lo how men wyll alwayes bee adding of somewhat vnto Gods commaundement: which doing is a cursed blasphemie, as I sayde afore.
