A68831:836
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,…
The whole works of W. Tyndall, John Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs, and principal teachers of this Church of England collected and compiled in one tome together, being before scattered, [and] now in print here exhibited to the Church. To the praise of God, and profit of all good Christian readers.The vvhole workes of W. Tyndall, Iohn Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs, and principall teachers of this Churche of England collected and compiled in one tome togither, beyng before scattered, [and] now in print here exhibited to the Church. To the prayse of God, and profite of all good Christian readers.
London: printed by John Daye, 1573London: printed by Iohn Daye, 1573
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.
Woe be to you Lawyers, for ye lade men with burdens, which they are not able to bear, & ye yours selves touch not the packs with one of your fingers saith Christ Luke. xj. Our Lawyers ⟨p. 140⟩verily have laden us a thousand 1times more. What spiritual kindred have they made in baptism, to let matrimony, besides that they have added certain degrees unto the law natural for the same purpose. What an unbearable burden of chastity do they violently thrust on other mens backs, and how easily bear they it themselves? How sore a burden? How cruel a hangman? How grievous a torment? yea & 2how painful an hell is this ear confession unto mens consciences. For the people are brought in belief, that with out that they can not be saved. In so much that some fast certain days in the year, and pray certain superstitious prayers all their lives long, that they may not die without confession. In peril of death, if the Priest be not by, the shipmen shrive themselves unto the Mast. If any be present, they run then every man into his ear, but to gods promises fly they not: for they know them not. If any man have a deaths wound, he crieth immediately for a Priest. If a man die without shrift many take it for a sign of damnation. Many by reason of that false belief die in desperation. Many for shame keep back of their confession xx. xxx. years, and think all the while that they be damned. I knew a poor woman with child which longed, and being overcome of her passion, eat flesh on a Friday, which thing she durst not confess in the space of xviij. years, and thought all that while that she had ben damned, and yet sinned she not at all. Is not this a sore burden that so weigheth down the soul unto the bottom of hell? What should I say? A great book were not sufficient to rehearse y• snares which they have laid to rob men both of their goods, and also of the trust which they should have in Gods word.
Wo be to you Lawyers, for ye lade men wyth burdēs, which they are not able to beare, & ye yours selues touch not the packes wyth one of your fingers saith Christ Luke. xj. Our Lawyers ⟨p. 140⟩