A68831:986
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.
And as I have said of allegories, 1even so it is of worldly similitudes which we make either when we preach either when we expound the Scripture. The similitudes prove nothing, but are made to express more plainly that which is contained in the Scripture and to lead thee into the spiritual understanding of the text. As the similitude of Matrimony is taken to express the Marriage that is between Christ and our souls and what exceeding mercy we have there, whereof all the Scriptures make mention. And the similitude of the members, how every one of them careth for other is taken to make thee feel what it is to love thy neighbour as thy self. That 2preacher therefore that bringeth a naked similitude to prove that which is contained in no text of Scripture nor followeth of a text, count a deceiver, a leader out of the way and a false Prophet, and beware of his Philosophy and persuasions of mans wisdom as Paul. i. Corinth. ij. saith: my words 3and my preaching were not with enticing words & persuasions of mans wisdom but in showing of the spirit and power, that is, he preached not dreams confirming them with similitudes: but Gods word confirming it with miracles and with working of the spirit the which made them feel every thing in their hearts. That your faith, saith he, should not stand in the wisdom of man: but in the power of God. For the reasons and similitudes 4of mans wisdom make no faith, but wavering & uncertain opinions only: one draweth me this way with his argument, another that way, & of what principle thou provest black an other proveth white, and so am I ever uncertain, as if thou tell me of a thing done in a far land and an other tell me the contrary, I wot not what to believe. But faith is wrought by the 5power of God, that is, when Gods word is preached, the spirit entereth thine hart and maketh thy soul feel it and maketh thee so sure of it, that neither adversity nor persecution, nor death, neither hell, nor the powers of hell, neither yet all the pains of hell could ones prevail against thee or move thee from the sure rock of Gods word, that thou shouldest not believe that which God hath sworn.