A68658:26
A brief declaration of the Lords Supper, writtenA brief declaracion of the Lordes Supper, written
A brief declaration of the Lords Supper, written by the singular learned man, and most constant martyr of Jesus Christ, Nicholas Ridley Bishop of London prisoner in Oxford, a little before he suffered death for the true testimony of ChristA brief declaracion of the Lordes Supper, written by the syngular learned man, and most constaunt martir of Iesus Christ, Nicholas Ridley Bishop of London prisoner in Oxforde, a litel before he suffred deathe for the true testimonie of Christ
Emden: printed by E. van der Erve, 1555
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Thus haste thou heard, of what sort or sect so ever thou be, wherein doth stand the principal state and chief point of all the controversies, which do properly pertain unto the nature of this Sacrament. As for the use thereof, I grant there be many other things, whereof here I have spoken nothing at all. And now least thou justly mightest complain, and say, that I have in opening of this matter done nothing else, but digged a pit, and have not shut it up again: or broken a gap, & have not made it up again: or opened the book, & have not closed it again: or else to call me what thou lustest, as neutral, dissembler, or what so ever else thy lust & learning shall serve to thee to name me worse. ⟨image 11⟩Therefore here now I will (by God's grace) not only shortly but so clearly▪ plainly as I can, make thee to know, whether or the aforesaid two answers to the former principal state & chief point doth like me best: yea and also I will hold all those accursed, which in this matter (that now so troubleth the church of Christ) have of God received the key of knowledge, & yet goo about to shut up the doors so, that they them selves will not enter in, nor suffer other that would. And as for mine own part, I consider, both of late what charge & cure of soul hath ben committed unto me, whereof God knoweth, how soon I shall be called to give account: & also now in this world, what peril & danger of the laws (concerning my life) I am now in at this present time. What folly where it than for me, now to dissemble with God, of whom assuredly I look & hope by Christ to have everlasting life? Seeing that such charge & danger (both before God & man) do compass me in round about on every side: therefore (God willing) I will frankly & freely utter my mind, & though my body be captive, yet my tongue & my pen (as long as I may) shall freely set forth, ⟨image 12⟩that which undoubtedly I am persuaded to be the truth of God's word. And yet I will do it under this protestation, call me protestant who justeth. I pass not thereof. My protestation shall be thus: that my mind is & ever shall be (God willing) to set forth sincerely the true sense and meaning (to the best of my understanding) of God's most holy word, & not to decline from the same, either for fear of worldly danger, or else for hope of gain
Thus haste thou hearde, of what sorte or secte so euer thou be, wherin dothe stande the principall state and chiefe point of all the controuersies, which do ꝓprely perteyne vnto the nature of this Sacramēt. As for the vse therof, I graunt ther be many other thinges, wherof here I haue spoken nothyng at all. And now least thou iustly mightest complayne, and say, that I haue in opening of this mater done nothyng elles, but digged a pitte, and haue not shut it vp again: or broken a gap, & haue not made it vp agayne: or opened ye boke, & haue not closed it agayne: or elles to cal me what thou lustest, as neutrall, dissembler, or what so euer elles thy lust & learnyng shall serue to thee to name me worse.