A68831:909
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.
¶ Confirmation.
IF confirmation have a promise, then it justifieth, as far as the promise extendeth. If it have no promise, then is it not of GOD as the Bishops be not. The Apostles and Ministers of 1God preach Gods word: and Gods signs or Sacraments signify Gods word also, and put us in remembrance of the promises which God hath made unto us in Christ. Contrariwise Antichrists 2Bishops preach not & their Sacraments speak not, but as the disguised Bishops mum, so are their superstitious Sacraments dumb. After that the Bishops had left preaching, then feigned they this dumb ceremony of confirmation to have somewhat at the lest way, whereby they might reign over their Dioceses. They reserved unto them selves, also the Christening of Belles and conjuring 3or hallowing of Churches and Churchyards, and of Altars and superaltars, and hollowing of Chalices and so forth, what soever is of honour or profit. Which confirmation and the other conjurations, also they have now committed to their Suffragans: because 4they them selves have no leisure to minister such things, for their lusts and pleasures and abundance of all things, and for the cumbrance that they have in the kings matters and business of the Realm. One keepeth 5the privy seal, an other y• great seal, the third is confessor, that is to say, a privy traitor and a secret Judas, he is President of the Princes Counsel, he is an Ambassador, an other sort of the Kings secret Counsel. Woe is unto the Realms where they are of yt counsel. As profitable are they verily unto the Realms with their Counsel, as the Wolves unto the Sheep, or the Foxes unto the Geese.