Fourthly, for the confutation, first, of the Popish service in a strange language, wherein the simple people be so far §4from receiving any comfort by the matter that is uttered, as ⟨p. 13⟩that they understand not the very words that are spoken, and therefore God never ordained it for the use of his Church. Whereupon also followeth, that those priests be none of wisdoms attendants, being neither fit to be messengers abroad to call the guests, nor to be officers at home to give them entertainment. Secondly, of such as make ignorance their apology for persistence in ignorance. It is, say they, for scholars, and men of judgement to hear sermons, and not for the unlearned. Here is that excuse taken away, and so hath this text hitherto met with many other shifts and evasions which men have devised to exempt their necks from Christ his yoke. First say they, this preaching and other exercises of religion be foolish and ridiculous: but wisdom is the author thereof. Secondly, they be dangerous to deal with: but she hath hewen out seven pillars. Thirdly, they be tedious and unpleasant: but she hath made a banquet. Fourthly, we can learn as much by reading good books, as the best Preacher can teach us: but she hath sent forth her maids. Fifthly, sermons are hard to come by, where should we have them? She crieth upon the high places. Sixthly, we are simple men and want understanding: but she saith: Who so is simple let him come hither, and he that is destitute of understanding &c.
Fourthly, for the confutation, first, of the Popish seruice in a strange language, wherein the simple people bee so farre §4from receiuing any comfort by the matter that is vttered, as ⟨p. 13⟩that they vnderstand not the very woordes that are spoken, and therfore God neuer ordained it for the vse of his Church. Wherupon also followeth, that those priests bee none of wisedomes attendants, beeing neither fit to bee messengers abroad to call the guests, nor to bee officers at home to giue them entertainment. Secondlie, of such as make ignoraunce their appologie for persistance in ignoraunce. It is, say they, for schollers, and men of iudgement to heare sermons, and not for the vnlearned. Here is that excuse taken away, and so hath this text hetherto mette with many other shifts and euasions which men haue deuised to exempt their necks from Christ his yoke. First say they, this preaching and other exercises of religion be foolish and rediculus: but wisedome is the authour thereof. Secondlie, they be dangerous to deale with: but she hath hewen out seauen pillars. Thirdlie, they bee tedious and vnpleasant: but she hath made a banquet. Fourthlie, wee can learne as much by reading good bookes, as the best Preacher can teach vs: but she hath sent foorth her maides. Fiftly, sermons are hard to come by, where should wee haue them? She cryeth vpon the hye places. Sixtly, wee are simple men and want vnderstanding: but she saith: Who so is simple let him come hether, and he that is destitute of vnderstanding &c.
