A short instruction for to arm all good Christian people against the pestiferous errors…A short instruction for to arme all good Christian people agaynst the pestiferous errours…

This being noted let us see whether the soul of man have an essential being of her own, which is given to her of God. And let us begin at the creation of man, which will help much to this matter, Touching Beasts and other living creatures, God doeth command them to be made simply. When he cometh to the making of man, be entereth into consultation, saying. Let us make man to our Image and likeness. Now where shall we find this Image of God, except there be a spiritual essence in man, in which it is imprinted.

Thys beynge noted let vs se whether the soule of man haue an essensuall beyng of hir owne, whiche is geuen to hyr of God. And let vs beginne at the creation of man, which wyll helpe muche to thys marter, Touching Beastes and other lyuynge creatures, God doeth commaunde them to be made symplye. When he commeth to the makynge of man, be entreth into consultation, sayinge. Let vs make mā to our Image and lykenes. Nowe where shall we fynde thys Image of God, excepte there be a spirituall essence in man, in whyche it is imprynted.

For the body is not that thing, wherein the Image of God is resident. It is true, that Moses by and by addeth, that man was made a living soul, which thing he doeth say also of Beasts. But to declare a special excellency, he saith. That God hath ⟨image 57⟩inspired the virtue of life in the body which he made of the earth. Therefore though the soul of man have certain qualities commune with those of beasts: yet for as much as she beareth the Image & likeness of God, she is of condition different from the other, And for as much also as she hath her beginning apart, she is of an other preeminence, and this is it that Solomon meaneth, where he sayeth, that in death, the body returneth unto the earth, whence it was taken and the soul returneth to God, which gave it. And therefore it is said in the book of Sapience. That man is immortal, in that he is created to the Image of God. It is no autē tyke book of the scripture, but yet is there no inconvenience, that we use the testimony thereof, as we may do of an ancient doctor, how be it, this only reason ought to suffice us, that the same image of God which was set in man, can not be but in a spirit immortal, if we mark well what it doeth contain after saint Pauls exposition: that is, that we do resemble God in righteousness and true holiness. This much is said touching the creation.