Sin theoni en christoni the answer to the preface of the Rhemish Testament. By…Syn theōi en christōi the ansvvere to the preface of the Rhemish Testament. By…

To the three next sections, pag. 7. and 8.

We are well content that our Religion should be condemned of them, ⟨p. 53⟩that condemn the reading of the Scriptures: and as if they had to do with a hand or foot ball, delight in the taunting terms of tossing and tumbling of them. And we wait patiently¹ until the Lord come to give judgement of all these blasphemous speeches, which wicked sinners speak against him, in his word. The trial of the cause by th' outward fruits, receiveth many exceptions. First, of four sorts of grounds sown by the seed of the Gospel, there is but one fruitful; the rest being not bettered by the preaching thereof, are worse then when they remained in their Popish ignorance, or other fallings from the truth Wherefore to prejudice the fruit that the good ground yieldeth, by the barrenness & unprofitableness of th' other three sorts which have received the seed aswell as it: is not equal, nor upright judgement. Secondly, this offensive and apparent wickedness, even in the hypocritical profession of the Gospel, proceedeth of the negligence of the governors of the Church ⟨p. 54⟩and common-wealth, which loosing the cord of both Church and common-wealth discipline, suffer wicked men to spit out the poison of their hearts, which the wholesome severity of commanded correction, would keep sealed up in them. And therefore our Saviour Christ, is not afraid² to confess frankly that for th' abundance of iniquity appearing in them that made profession of the Gospel: the love or zeal of many, even of those which sometimes were forward in the same, should wax cold. Now, to lay that fault upon the Religion, which cleaveth unto the governors: is likewise an un-equal and un-even judgement. When in the commonwealth and Church of Israel, every man did what he lusted: who knoweth