The whole works of W. Tyndall, John Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs,…The vvhole workes of W. Tyndall, Iohn Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs,…

Moreover, because the kingdom of heaven, which is the Scripture and word of GOD, may be so locked up, that he which readeth or heareth it, can not understand it: as Christ testifieth how that the Scribes, and Pharisees had so shut it up Math. xxiij. and had taken away the key of knowledge. Luke. xj. that yt Jews which thought ¹them selves within, were yet so locked out, and are to this day, that they can understand no sentence of the Scripture. unto their salvation though they can rehearse the texts every where and dispute thereof, as subtly as the Popish Doctors of Dunces dark learning, which with their sophistry served us, as the Pharisees did yt Jews. Therefore, that I might be found faith full to my father, and Lord in distributing unto my brethren and fellows of one faith, their due and necessary food: so dressing it and seasoning it, that the weak stomachs may receive it also, and be the better for it: I thought it my duty (most dear reader) to warn thee before, and to show thee, the right way in, and to give thee, the true key to open it with all, and to arm thee against false Prophets, and malicious hypocrites, whose perpetual study is to blind the scripture with glosses, and there to lock it up, where it should save thee soul, & to make us shoot at a wrong mark, to put our trust in those things that profit their bellies only, and slay our souls.

Moreouer, because the kyngdome of heauen, which is the Scripture and word of GOD, may be so locked vp, that he which readeth or heareth it, can not vnderstand it: as Christ testifieth how that the Scribes, and Phariseis had so shut it vp Math. xxiij. and had taken awaye the keye of knowledge. Luke. xj. that yt Iewes which thought ¹them selues within, were yet so locked out, and are to this day, that they can vnderstand no sentence of the Scripture. vnto their saluation though they cā rehearse the textes euery where and dispute therof, as subtely as the Popish Doctours of Dunces darke learnyng, whiche with their sophistry serned vs, as the Phariseis did yt Iewes. Therfore, that I might be found faith full to my father, and Lord in distributyng vnto my brethren and felowes of one faith, their due and necessary fode: so dressing it and seasonyng it, that the weake stomackes may receiue it also, and be the better for it: I thought it my dutie (most deare reader) to warne thee before, and to shew thee, the right way in, and to geue thee, the true keye to open it with all, and to arme thee agaynst false Prophetes, and malicious hypocrites, whose perpetuall studie is to blind the scripture with gloses, and there to locke it vp, where it should saue thee soule, & to make vs shoote at a wrōg marke, to put our trust in those thinges that profite their bellyes onely, and slea our soules.