The judgment of Archbishop Cranmer concerning the peoples right to, and discreet use of…

Yet we see daily great harm and much mischief done by every one of these, aswell for lack of wisdom and providence of them that suffer evil, as by the malice of them that work the evil. Thus to them that be evil of themselves, every thing setteth forward and increaseth their evil, be it of his own nature a thing never so good: like as contrarily, to them that study and endeavour themselves to goodness, every thing prevaileth them, and profiteth unto good, be it of his own nature a thing never so bad, as Saint Paul saith, His qui diligunt Deum, omnia cooperantur in bonum. All things do bring good success, to such as do love God, even as out of most venomous worms is made treacle, the most sovereign medicine for the preservation of mans health in time of danger. Wherefore I would advise you all that come to the reading or hearing of this Book, which is the Word of God, the most precious jewel, and most holy relic that remaineth upon earth, that ye bring with you ⟨p. 11⟩the fear of God, and that ye do it with all due reverence, and use your knowledge thereof, not to vainglory of frivolous disputation: but to the honour of God, increase of virtue, and edification both of your selves and others. And to the intent that my words may be the more regarded, I will use in this part the authority of S. Gregory Nazianzene, like as in the other I did of S.John Chrysostom. It appeareth that in his time there were some (as I fear me there be also now at these days a great number) which were idle brabblers, and talkers of the Scripture out of season and all good order, and without any increase of virtue, or example of good living: to them he writeth all his first Book de Theologia. Wherefore I shall briefly gather the whole effect, and recite it here unto you. There be some (saith he) whose not only ears and tongues, but also their fists be whetted and ready bent all to contention and unprofitable disputation, whom I would wish as they be vehement and earnest to reason the matter with tongue, so they were all ready and practive to do good deeds. But for as much as they subverting the order of all godliness, have respect only to this thing, how they may bind and loose subtle questions, so that now every marketplace, every alehouse and tavern, every feast house, briefly every company of men, every assembly of women, is filled with such talk:

Yet we see dayly great harme and much mischiefe done by euery one of these, aswell for lacke of wisdome and prouidence of them that suffer euill, as by the malice of them that worke the euill. Thus to them that be euill of themselues, euery thing setteth forwarde and encreaseth their euill, be it of his owne nature a thing neuer so good: like as contrarily, to them that studie and endeuour themselues to goodnesse, euery thing preuaileth them, and profiteth vnto good, be it of his owne nature a thing neuer so bad, as Saint Paul saith, His qui diligunt Deum, omnia cooperantur in bonum. All thinges do bring good successe, to such as do loue God, euen as out of most venemous wormes is made triacle, the most soueraigne medicine for the preferuation of mans health in time of danger. Wherefore I woulde aduise you all that come to the reading or hearing of this Booke, which is the Word of God, the most precious iewell, and most holy relique that remaineth vpon earth, that ye bring with you