❧ A briefe and cleare Confession of the Christian Fayth.

Containing An hundreth Articles, af­ter the order of the Creede of the Apostles.

Made and declared by Iohn Gardiner.

Translated out of French into Eng­lish by Iohn Brooke of Asshe, next Sandwitch. An. 1577.

Rom. 10.

¶ The beliefe of the hart iustifieth, but to confesse with the mouth maketh a man safe.

Imprinted at London for Edward Wight, and are to be sold at his shop at the litle North doore of Paules, at the signe of the Gun. 1579.

❧ To the Right Honora­ble Syr William Cecill Knight, Ba­ron of Burgley, Knight of the Ho­norable order of the Garter, Master of her Highnesse Wardes and Liue­ries, one of the Lordes of her Maiesties priuy Counsell, and Lorde high Treasoror of England.

REading this small litle Volume, fyrst writ­ten in French, and collec­ted by Maister Iohn Gar­diner (right honorable) and perceiuing the same in my simple iudgement, vn­der a poore habite and litle showe, to beare and importe great and waigh­ty effect, finding also therin such singu­ler ground of profound learning and rare wisdome, and therewithall such firme approbations and inexpugna­ble [Page] defences, with authorities of holy writ, I thought it no lesse then neede­full, and nothing more then necessary to doo what in me mightlye, to make the same, obuious, vsuall and familyer vnto my brethren of this Realme, by translating the same into our mother tongue. The which thing hauing once perfourmed and finished, according to my poore talent, and sclender skill: al­though I doo not doubt to haue fol­lowed myne Authour directlye and truly in sence and exposition, without corruption or abuse: yet finding in my selfe such imperfections of learning, such barrennes and want of fine Phrase and choise wordes wherwith to haue garnished the same, vnneathes I durst of my selfe, or in myne owne name, launch foorth my silly barke into the troublesom waues, not doubting (saile she neuer so sure & true) but somtimes shee shalbe countermet with churlishe [Page] byllowes, and puffed at with outragi­ous blastes and violent tempestes. The force wherof more safely to defend and withstand, being loth to leaue the same in such obscurenesse and secrecy, as I found it, whereof no Christian man ought to be ignorant, I imagined with my selfe to seeke to ancor in your har­borough, being very desirous that this my vnsmoothed and roughe hewen workemanshippe might haue free pas­sage and safe conduct vnder your Ho­nors fauorable protection and defēce. In which purpose and pretence, being abashed and more then halfe dismaied, by the occasions aforesaid: yet grewe I in double hart and tooke treble encou­ragement, that the authoritye of the matter it selfe would more then coun­teruaile the rest in your Honors fauo­rable acceptaunce. But when I further considered, wherof I should craue you to be a supporter, namely of the Chris­tian [Page] fayth (for so the Booke is intitu­led, and contayneth an hundreth Ar­ticles of the Christian fayth) all feare­full doubtes expelled, assured truste willed mee to abyde constant in my purpose. For as to your Honorable tytle, Wisdome hath annexed her en­largement of Authoritye: so to that Authoritye, godlye zeale hauing ad­ioined a feruencie of true fayth, and to these also humilitye of spirite, hauing coupled franke curtesye and beneuo­lence towardes all: These I saye, right Honorable haue made me so bolde to craue that this my small peece of tra­uaile, whatsoeuer, maye receyue that hope hath promysed, and with my good will would gladlye deserue be­ing no wayes able, excepte by prayer to almyghtye GOD, on whome as dutye byndeth I shall not cease con­tynually to call for your Lordshippes [Page] long preseruation of lyfe, and much encrease of his moste comfor­table blessinges.

Your Honors day­ly Orator Iohn Brooke.

❧ Iohn Gardiner vnto all the litle French Church of Strasburg, assembled together for the Gospell, in the name of Iesus Christ: grace, peace and mercie of the Father through Iesus Christe our Lorde, onely Sauior and redéemer, in the vertue of the holy Spirite, be geuen vnto you eter­nally. Amen.

WHen I consider the cleare lightes, the great ingenyous and sharpe wittes, which the Lorde in our time hath placed in his Church (déerely beloued brethren and welbeloued in Iesus Christe) who neuer cease day nor night to aduaunce the glorye of God, and to promote the kingdome of Iesus Christe his sonne, aswell by their wordes, as writing, of whome I am not worthy to be a Dis­ciple. I am ashamed and feare lest I be iudged raish to put my hand to the pen after them, and chiefly for to entreat of [Page] thinges so litle and common, the which they haue entreated of in theyr Cate­chismes from the beginning. But the holy desire of you and of manye other good brethren, who hauing heard open­ly the reading of this litle Treatise, in­stantly requiring to be pertakers haue incited, yea constrained mee to do it, with the great desire that I haue of the aduauncement of the glory of God and of the health of all my brethren: Know­ing that God would haue al the world to come vnto the knowledg of ye trueth,1. Tim. 2. and by that meanes to be saued. I know also that for the building of the Lordes tabernacle made by Moyses, S. Ierom. Exo. 25. euery one brought that he had, some golde and sil­uer, others precious stones, others lin­nen cloth, goates and buckes skinnes, others wood, and common stones, and all of it was set a worke: So I estéeme, for the building of this house of the Lorde,1. Cor. 3. Ephe. 4. which is his Church, euery one may and ought to bring that yt he hath, some more, some lesse, according to the tallentes which the Lorde of the house hath geuen them, I wil content my self to carry litle common stones for this [Page] building, and do hope that the Master worke men will not reiect my seruice, nor my litle stones, so that they be fitte for the building (as I hope they shalbe, God ayding me.Math. [...]. Luke. 21.) The poore wydowe which did put into the box but two litle peeces of siluer, was not reiected nor de­spised of the Lorde, but was as much praysed as the great ritch men which gaue a great deale more then she. All that being well considered hath mooued me to set forth this litle treatise in this tyme chiefly, in which the Lorde hath the siue in his hand to sifte, examine, and repurge his Church, in which it should be verye good (in my iudgment) that euerye mans fayth should be kno­wen, and chieflye of those which make profession of the Gospell, for to teach o­thers, as are the Doctors and Minist­ers of the word, that the false Prophets and Hypocrites which doo bowe theyr shoulders and leane theyr eares vnto false papisticall doctrine of Antechriste should be knowne, driued and chased a way from the good & faythful. For that cause I am contēt, yt my faith, in which I will lyue and dye thorow the grace [Page] of the Lord be knowen of al the world.

Now this litle Treatise shall haue much neede of a second which shal geue the reason of that that this here confes­seth, for it is one thing to confesse the fayth, and another to geue a reason of the fayth. To confesse the fayth, that is purely, symply, and clearely, to say, and confesse with hart and mouth, or by writing that that one beléeueth of God and [...] [...]is word. But to geue a reason of the fayth is to prooue and openly to shew by teres of the holy scripture, and manifest reasons groūded in the same, what one beléeueth, and wherfore one beléeueth, as Saint Peter 1. Peter. 3. the Apostle commaundeth. The which I haue made in tymes past, in the time of the faires, (as you haue heard and vnder­stood) in declaring that confession by Articles, for to geue some lytle taste of the Gospell vnto the straingers which came hether, and to make them to vn­derstand, what is our faith and religiō in which we wil liue and dye, and that we are not heretickes, seditious nor blasphemers (as many do estéeme vs to be) but faithfull and true Christians, [Page] hauing and receyuing one onely Iesus Christ for our Lord, Sauiour, Media­tour and Aduocate, beleeuing & hoping in him only, and not in any other, for which also we wil venter and ieopard not onely our externall goods, but also our bodyes vnto the last droppe of our bloud.Mat. 10.16 Mark. 8. Luke. 9.17. Knowing that whosoeuer shall loose his life for the loue of him, shall fynde it, and he that will kéepe it in re­nouncing and forsaking him, he shall loose it eternally. This hath beene my marke and principall end, all that time there, in which I had not (nor haue yet at this present) the leisure to collect and put in wryting all the probation argu­ments & reasons, which I haue vsed as­wel of the holy scriptures as of the aun­ciēt fathers for to yeeld a reason of my faith, & to shew the truth of the articles therof therein contained. But if ye Lord do geue vs good peace, and keepe vs yet stil in this place (as I hope yt he will do thorowe his mercy, although we haue not merited it) I promise to geue vnto you ye second treatise correspondāt vnto this here, in which I wil geue ye reason of my faith, as in this I wil declare and [Page] confesse (with the helpe of the Lord (the verity of all these Articles which are in number an hundreth, aswell by the word of God, as by the writings of the auncient Fathers, according to my li­tle faculty & the grace which the Lord shall geue me, and then I will content my self that I haue liued in this world. In the meane time deere brethren, I praye you to receyue and take in good part this litle gifte and present, of the hand of your lawful brother and faith­full friend, hoping to receiue a greater. I assure you that the onely word of the Lord is the fayre and large garden of pleasure, within which I putting my selfe, haue gathered these goodly swéete smelling flowers, and made this fayre garlande of triumphe, for to put it vp­on the heads of the true faithfull Chris­tians (such as now are.) And I haue ta­ken nothing from the sinke, puddle and takes of Luiterim, nor from other such like papisticall doctrines, Antechristi­ans and inuentions of men. For out of such sinkes puddles and infections such flowers spring not forth, but rather thornes bryers and thystles for to fede [Page] and crowne the Asses of Antechriste.

I may boldlye saye, that there is no­thing in this litle Treatise, but that I can shew and prooue it by the worde of God, the which I haue folowed and not the diuers opinions of men: For I haue not sworne in any mans word, but in that same of Iesus Christe, vpon which my fayth is builded, and not vpon the opinion of men: therfore I haue spoken here and written freelye that which I féele in my harte, without hauing re­gard vnto any other then vnto my on­ly Lord and Master Iesus Christe.

This may serue at all tymes for a paterne & rule of the confession of faith, to all those which wyll declare them selues to be of the number of our assem­bly following the holye custome & most allowable, of this litle Church, that all those which will perticipate or commu­nicate with vs in the holye table of the Lorde, firste of all ought to make pub­like confession of their fayth, that is to saye: to declare before the assembly the fayth and knowledge, which the Lorde hath geuen vnto them of the word and Gospell of his sonne Iesus Christ, that [Page] they may be knowen and manyfested vnto all the congregation, to be of the number of the faithfull and true mem­bers of Christ, worthy to perticipat of the giftes, graces and benefits of the Lord with the brethren. As also of late vnder the lawe all straungers which would communicate or perticipate the pascall Lambe with the people of Isra­ell,Exo. 12. ought first to renounce all Idolatry to receiue circumcision, & to make pro­fession of all the lawe, and religion of God, geuen by Moyses, promising to liue and walk in the same all the daies of their life: And by that meanes were admitted to the Passeouer, to eate and communicate with the other, and not otherwise.Exo. 12. As it is written in the booke of the lawe. Truly it is more to perti­cipat in the holy table of the Lord (that is to say in the holy Sacrament of the Supper) thē to eat the pascall Lambe: for somuch as the cleerenesse is more then the shadow,Heb. 10. Collos. 2. and the verity more then the figure: For the lawe was but the shadow and figure of the verity, the which we haue present before vs. If thē there were vnder the law obserued [Page] and kept such discipline in the Churche of God, among the faithfull, how much more ought it to be obserued vnder the verety in the shéepfold of Iesus Christ, which is his Church?Ioh. 10. Exo. 20. 1. Pet. 5. Math. 7.15 who commaun­deth the shepheardes thereof to knowe the sheepe, and call them by their name, and diligently to consider theyr estate, lest they should geue ye childrens bread vnto dogs, and the pearles vnto hogs. Then as Moyses the seruaunt of God did not admit vnto the Passeouer anye straungers, before they firste declared their faith: so the good & faythfull eccle­siastical pastor, ought not to admit (ac­cording to my aduise, saued alwayes a better iudgement) vnto the holy table any straungers, whose fayth is vnto him vnknowē, but to endeuor him self firste to knowe their fayth and religi­on by all meanes priuately and perti­culerly, if he cannot publikelye before the Churche and Congregation, that he maye witnesse of theyr fayth before all the brethren: And by that meanes to admytte them with the other.

This pollycye and lowable dis­ciplyne, was kepte and obserued in [Page] this our litle Church (as you knowe) from the beginning, vnto this daye: The Lorde thorowe his grace, graunt that it may long continue, to the praise of his name: For by the same many ig­noraunt are taught, in the rudimentes of the Christian faith: And there know­ledge is alwaies augmented, and there is none of vs but receiueth great profit. To this then this litle Treatise maye well serue for a patterne and rule (as it is sayd) for the young ones, simple and ignoraunt, who maye take what they thinke good and leaue the rest for to a­uoyd prolixity: therfore I haue deuided and distinguished it by Articles. Fur­thermore, this Confession is deuided in to foure principall poyntes: In the first I shew what I beleeue of the holy Tri­nitie, chiefly of the eternall Father and of the thinges made by him, of the first creation of man, and of his fall: In the second what I beléeue of the Sonne which is the second person, and of the thinges by him made, chiefly of the re­payring and restoring of man: In the third, what I beléeue of the holy ghost, which is the thirde person of the holye [Page] Trynitie by whom man (made by the Father, and restored by the Sonne) is mayntained and kept in his being: In the fourth, what I beléeue of the holy Catholike Church, and of the thinges concerning the same. That doon, I shew and declare the great frutes proceeding and comming from that fayth, whiche are thrée in number, as you may see to­wardes the ende: And all of it is made after the order of the simbole or creede, which we call commonly the Apostles creede, which hath bene receiued at all tymes without any contraduction in the Catholike Church. And let no man maruaile, although I multiplye these Articles vnto an hundreth, although that the Créede containeth but twelue: For euery one of the twelue, contay­neth other twelue and more. Doo then as the honnye Bées, who of all flowers doo gather profit: By that meanes you shall augment more and more in fayth and knowledg of the Lord, & in charity and loue towardes your neyghbours, for therein dependeth all the lawe and the Prophets. I beséeche that good God and celestiall father which hath deliue­red [Page] you from the tirraunye of Ante­christe, and hath drawne you from darknesse, error and ignorance, open­ing your inward eyes, declaring him selfe vnto you by his Gospell, that it would please him to augment alwaies his giftes, graces and benedictions in you, to direct and keepe you by his holy spirite. Vnto eternall life, in the name of his sonne Iesus Christe our Lord and one-Sauiour. Amen.

From Strasburg. 24. Iuly. 1549.

¶ Iohn Brooke to the Christian Reader.

THis litle Pamph­let (gentle Reader) may seeme vnto thee a thing of small value and lesse importance, if thou make thy estima­tion thereof by the small outwarde showe and feeling: But if in this litle and light worke to the eye, be enclu­ded great and waighty matter, if in this briefe and short Treatise be wrap­ped and sufficiently set forth long and manifold causes, how much the more then is it to be imbraced and estemed. I promyse thee nothing, but for gra­mrecye, offer thee my good wyll and trauaile, I red it in French, written by master Iohn Gardiner: and finding it pithy, profitable and necessary to bee red of all Christians, for thine onelye commodity and comfort I haue tran­slated him into thy mother tongue. If [Page] in this translation thou finde any im­perfection, let my zeale & good mea­ning towardes thee, counteruaile or rather preuaile to gaine thy friendly acceptaunce, and do not therein con­demne the thing or the Authour, who vndoubtedly needeth no supporter or defender, but bringeth with him mu­nition and defence sufficient. But ad­uenture (I say) the reading as I did at the firste, if thou finde him worthye, make it a Iewell vnto thee, beare him daily in thy hand, or button him nere thy hart in thy bosō, he is neither hea­uy nor cūbrous, nor wil be vnto thee very chargeable. Gods holy spirite be thy guide in reading and vn­derstanding, to the establish­ment and confirmati­on of thy Christi­an faith. Fare­well.

❧ A briefe and cleare Confession, of the Christi­an Fayth: contayning a hun­dreth Articles, after the order of the Apostles Creede.

I beleeue in GOD, the Father almightye, maker of Heauen and Earth.

The .1. Article.

FIrst of al, Deut. 6. Esa. 6.45. Mala. 2. Gene. 1. Ps. 33.101. Esa. 64. Iere. 23. Actes. 4.17 I beleue in one GOD, onely in essence and substaunce, thrée in person, the Fa­ther, the Sonne and the holy Ghost. The Father as the Ori­ginall and beginning of all thinges, aswell visible as inuisible: Of whome also they depende, aswell in their be­ing as conseruation. And he dependeth not but of him selfe, eternall, without ende and without beginning.Psa. 2.110, Iohn. 1.3, 5, 14. The Sonne, as the heauenly worde, the [Page] sapience and wisdome of the Father,Math. 3.17 Luke. 3. which is eternally & before al worlds, begotten of the Father of his proper substaunce and nature: Because that in him shineth his proper carecter & I­mage, otherwise inuisible vnto ye mor­tall man.2. Cor. 4. Colos. 1. Hebre. 1. Ps. 51.143 Ioh. 3.14.15.16. The holy Ghost, as the ver­tue and eternall power, which is ney­ther made nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding from the father and the Sonne eternally, as alone proceeding of two persons.

Deut. 4.23 Esa. 44.45. Ioh. 1.5.10 Exod 20. Deut 6.32. M [...]la. 2. Ioh. 10.17. P [...]a. 24.50. Roma. 11. Iob. 9.The 2 Article.

I Beléeue that these three persons, are of one essence and substance, na­ture. Authoritie, power, will, good­nesse, wisdome and eternitie. And that these three are but one spirituall sub­staunce, eternall, without ende and beginning, true, good, iust, mercifull, of soueraigne power and wisdome, ha­uing and containing in him selfe all goodnes, hauing no neede of any thing.

The 3. Article.

Deut. 6.30 Math. 4. I Beleeue that GOD being so one­ly one in essence and three in person [Page 2] ought onely to be serued, honored,1. Timo. 1. Apoca. 14. fea­red, loued, adored and inuocated in all our necessities, as he which can and wil prouide for them and none other: And therefore I say and confesse,Esay. 55. Iere. 2. Psalm. 50. Math. 6.7. that I beleeue in one God, that is to saye: I acknowledge and receyue him for one onely Lorde, Mayster and Saui­our, of whome proceedeth all my good­nesse, with whom I can do all things, Without whom I can do nothing.Iohn. 15. Phil. [...]. Psalm. 91. Gen. 17. Leuit. 26. Deut. 28. Psa. 37.55. Esai. 49.99 Math. 6.7. 1. Peter. 5. In him alone I doe trust and fixe all my harte, hoping that he will take my parte against all men: assisting me al­wayes through his holye spirite, and deliuering me from all perilles and daungers, through his grace and mer­cye without my merits, administring vnto me all thinges necessary, aswell for the soule as body: as a good father, as he promised me by his word.

The .4. Article.

I Beleeue that he being altogether puissant,Gene. 1. Psa 33.101 hath of nothing from the beginning, created Heauen and Earth, and all things that are therin. [Page] That is to saye:Iere. 32. Mala. 2. Iob. 1.2. Lament. 3. Actes. 17. Hebre. 1. all thinges aswell ce­lestiall as terrestriall, visible as inui­sible, reasonable as vnreasonable, sen­sible as insensible: Whome he kée­peth, guideth, ruleth and gouerneth, through his diuine wisdome, without whose prouidence nothing commeth to passe, neyther in this world, nor in the other.

The .v. Article.

Gē. 1.2.5.9 Ephe. 4. Colos. 3. Sapient. 2. Eccle. 17. I Beléeue that the same God the fa­ther, Sonne and holye Ghost, after hauing created all thinges, created and made man, after his owne Image and likenesse, that is to saye: immor­tall, good, iust, true, sage, wise, merci­full and perfit in all thinges, pertici­pating vnto him his goodnesse, righte­ousnesse and other perfections of God, hauing a will that can accorde and a­grée in all and by all vnto the will of his Lorde,Eccle. 15. and that altogether by grace, without any merit.

The .vi. Article.

I Do also beléeue that as the Lorde hath created all things celestiall and terrestiall, for the seruice of man,Gene. 1. Psalm. 19. 1. Cor. 3. Sapien. 13. Roma. 1. & to the ende that by his creatures, he should come vnto the knowledg of the Creator,Gene. 2. that also he hath made & fash­oned Mā for him selfe, that of him and by him, he shoulde be knowne, loued, feared, serued and honored: (this is the soueraigne goodnesse of man) and that in him shoulde shine the Image of the heauenlye vertues and perfections in al good works,1. Cor. 6. 1. Thes. 4. Iohn. 17. Ephe. 2. Colos. 1. 2. Peter. 2. Iude. 1. Apoca. 12. Math. 25. the which GOD hath prepared that we should walke in thē, vnto his honor and glorye, and to the confusiō of the aduersary, and by that meanes the ruine of the Angels was restored and man possessed the eternal kingdome made and prepared for him before the constitution of the worlde.

The .vii. Article.

I Beléeue the same man to haue byn constituted by the Lorde God,Gene. 1. Psalm. 8. Gene. 3. Roma. 5. Dani. 7. Mat. 11.2 [...] may­ster and ruler ouer al creatures, the which he did loose by his sinne, aswell for him selfe as for all his posteritie: [Page] the which domination and segniory,Iohn. 8.13 Phil. 2. I beléeue nowe to appertaine vnto one onely Iesus Christ very GOD and man, and vnto those to whome he wil bestow it, as are the faythfull and not vnto the infidels and reprobate.

The .viii. Article.

Gene. 3. Psalm. 49. I Beleue, the first mā thorow the subtilty and craft of Sathan to be fallē from the excellentnesse, in whiche God created him, agreeing thorow his free wil (which then he had) to the can­teloas suggestion of the Serpent,Eccle. 15. wherby he hath lost the benefits which the Lord gaue vnto him.Ps. [...].13.52 Eccle. 17. Oseas. 13. In so much that of wise he became foolish, of iust, vniust: of true, a lyer: of perfect, alto­gether vnperfect: hauing afterwarde a will altogether depraued,Rom. 3.5.7 Phil. 2. 1. Cor. 2 Iohn. [...].15 which can not, nor will not agrée with the will of GOD: but altogether vnto the will of the Deuil, the world, the flesh and of sinne: not able to do anye thing of him selfe, but euill, for that he is altogea­ther carnall, captiue, bonde and sould vnder sin:Roma. 7. Beholde the free (or rather) [Page 4] the bonde will of man for the estate of of this present lyfe.

The .ix. Article.

I Beléeue that that discorde and cor­ruption of nature,Gene. 8. Ps. 14, 140 Esay. 59. Iohn. 8. Roma. 3.5, 1. Cor. 15. was not onely in Adam because of his sin: but also in all men generally which descend from him (one onelye Iesus Christ except) insomuch that they are all according to theyr nature corrupted, vnrighte­ous, lyers, ignoraunt,Iere. 10. Iohn. 15. Roma. 7. 1. Cor. 3. Iohn. 3. Titus. 3. ingratefull and vnperfect altogether: Not being able according to their nature, to do, think, speake nor will any thing which plea­seth God, vntyll such time as they are regenerated and renewed by the spi­rite of God.

The .x. Article.

I Beléeue that this corruption of na­ture (otherwise called,Psalm. 51. Ephe. 2. Roma. 7. Gene. 2. Iob. 4.5. Iohn. 5. Roma. 5. Roma. 6 originall sin) is the beginning & roote of all other sins, by which do come vnto vs, all the miseries, calamities and aduersities whiche we suffer in this lyfe, aswell in bodye as in spirite, and in the ende double death, to wit of body and soule. [Page] These are the fruites and rewardes for sinne:3. Reg. 19. Roma. 11. Iohn. 10. Roma. 8. 1. Timo. 2. But although that the same is due and common vnto all men ge­nerallye, yet neuerthelesse the Lorde through his mercye, hath reserued a certaine number, (to him only know­en) whome he hath drawne from this corrupted masse, & hath sanctified and clensed them in the blood of his Sonne Iesus Christ. And by that meanes hath made the vessels of election to ho­nor,Rama. 9. 1. Timo. 2. apt and fit to all good workes. And therfore.

The .xi. Article.

Math. 25. Ephe. 1. 2. Timot. 1. Titus. 1.3. Roma. 8. Galath. 4. Esay. 49. Psal. 113. Math. 7. I Beléeue that the Father in Iesus Christ his Son, by the holy Ghost, hath elected and chosen those that be his, according to his good wil, before ye foundation & constitution of ye world, whome he hath predestinated to eter­nall lyfe, because they were his Chil­dren by adoption, hauing greater care of them,Iob. 1.2.21 without any comparisō, then the best Father could haue, of the best childe of this world, not suffering that any thing should come frō the heauens [Page 5] aboue, or from the earth beneath,Psal. 94.73 Math. 8.1 [...] but it shoulde be for theyr vtilitye and great profit.

The .xii. Article.

I Beléeue that the father by his Son with the holy Ghost from the begin­ning,Iere. 31. Ephe. 1.2.3 1. Peter. 1. Gene 1.22. Galath. 3. Deut. 18. Esay. 40. hath alwaies seene to the re­storing of man, to whom he manifest­ed him selfe, yea after the sinne, ma­king vnto him a promise of the blessed seede, by which ye Serpents head must be broken, and the faythfull ought to receyue blessing by that promise,Gen. 17.21 2. Reg. 7. Psal. 132. Luke. 1. Gala 4. (af­terwardes oftentymes confirmed and ratefyed to the holye fathers) the man (otherwise in despaire in his sinne) be­ing releued, ayded and comforted, hath lyued in hope vnto the exhibiting and accomplishing of the same.

The xiii. Article.

I Do also beléeue that after this pro­mise,Exod. 19. Leuit. 18. Ezech. 20. Roma. 10. Galath. 3. the Lorde hath prescribed and geuen the lawe of the commaunde­mentes to man, promising life vnto [Page] those that kéepe them, and death vnto those that transgresse them,Baru 4. and he ge­ueth them not that man shoulde seeke iustification,Exo. 20.21 22.23. Ezech. 20. 1. Timo. 1, health or lyfe in them: but for the pollicie, peace and tranqui­litie of his people: for to defende the good, and to chastice & correct the wic­ked, and to houlde and kéepe euery one in his office:Rom. 3.5.7 1. Cor. 15. Galath. 3. And chiefly yt by the same, man should better know him selfe, his disease, poorenesse and imperfection. And by that meanes should haue occa­sion to humble him selfe before the law geuer, and to seeke remedy, health and lyfe, otherwise, to wit, in the holy seede promised, which is Iesus Christ. For that cause it is called a Scoole­mayster,Gene 3.17. Deut. 18. Actes. 3. Galath. 3. Rom. 3.5.7 Galath. 3. Iohn. 5. Leuit. 26. Deu. 27.28 Gala 3. 2. Cor. 3. Gene. [...]. Math. 27. Luke. 22. Iohn. 18. Galath. 3. for to come vnto Christ: the which also serueth vs as a glasse for to knowe our vices, our spirituall lepro­sie, and to augment that knowledge. In like manner it serueth vs for an accuser, to accuse vs before the Lorde: and instéede of a seuere & cruell Iudge, for to declare the wrath & iudgement of GOD vpon vs, the condemnation and eternal death, & by that meanes to feare vs, and to make vs in dispayre, [Page 6] vntyll such tyme as we be comforted by the Gospel, which is the faith in Ie­sus Christ, by ye which we are exempt and deliuered from all those maledic­tious. These are the Offices of the lawe, the which are tourned to vs in goodnesse, by the sayth of the Gospell, the which hath oppositiue offices and altogether contrary. Furthermore,Psalm. 19. Roma. 7. 1. Timo. 1. Hebre. 7. Rom. 1.7.8. Actes. 15. I confesse yt the law of God is good, right, holy and perfect, and wheras it bring­eth nothing to perfection, the faulte is not in it, but in vs: which are altoge­ther imperfecte, nor we can not anye thing at all accomplish it, not to touch it with the least finger: And therfore.

The .xiiii. Article.

I Beléeue and confesse Iesus Christ to be the fulnesse,Rom. 10. Galath. 3. 1. Cor. 1. Math. 5. Roma. 8. Psa. 18.32. 130 143. Exod. 34. D [...]niel 9. Actes. 15. the ende and con­sūmation of the lawe, to the righte­ousnesse of all beleeuers, to whom & by whom onely, al the promises of the fa­ther are fulfilled, whoe also alone hath perfectly satisfied the lawe, the which none among men could do, for somuch as the lawe commaundeth impossible [Page] thinges to the corruptible man, the which neuerthelesse he shall fulfill, not in working:Rom. 8.11. Galath. 3. but in beleeuing, as also ye lawe is fulfilled by fayth and not by workes, and by that meanes he shall finde the righteousnesse of fayth auai­lable before the Lorde, and not those of workes,Rom. 10. Phil. 3. Hebre. [...]. the which bringeth nothing vnto perfection.

BEholde as touching the first poynt of my faith, what I beleue of the Father & of the thinges made by him, and consequently of the holy Trinitie, with the fall of man.

Let vs now come vnto the second point, which is of the Sonne of GOD, and of the things done by h [...]m, chiefly of the resto­ring and reparing of man.

I beleeue in Iesus Christ his onely Sonne our Lorde, which was conceaued by the holye Ghost, borne of the Virgin MARY: suffered vnder PONCE PI­LATE, was crucified dead & buried, descended into Hell: the thirde day he arose againe from [Page 7] death. He ascended into Heauē, there he sitteth at the right hand of GOD the Father almighty. From thence shall he come to iudge the quicke and the deade.

The .xv. Article.

I Beléeue yt Iesus Christ is verye God and ve­ry man,Esay. 7.9. Math. 1. Iohn. 1.3. Psal. 2.110 Roma. 1.9. Heb. 1.2.3. 1. Iohn. 4.5. Hebre. 2.4. hauing two na­tures inte [...]mixts in one person, ye diuine nature according to whiche he is the naturall Son of God, equall to the Father in al & through al. And humaine nature, ac­cording to the which he is verye man in all and by al, lyke vnto vs, sin onely excepted.

The .xvi. Article.

I Beléeue that Iesus Christ the Son of GOD in the fulnesse of tyme prefixed and preordained of the Fa­ther from euerlasting,Roma. 8. Galath. 4. Phil. 2. Esay. 7. Math. 1. was sent into the world by the Father, & was made [Page] very mā,Luke. 1. Galath. 4. Gene. 3.22. 2. Reg. 7. Psalm. 132 conceaued within the womb of a Virgin called Mary, of the proper substaunce and of pure blood purifyed of her: because that he was found very Man, descending from the séede of A­dam, Noe, Abraham, Isaac, Iacob, Da­uid, and of the other fathers, to whom the promise was made.

The .xvii. Article.

Math. 1. Luke. 1, Iob. 14. Psalm. 51. I Do also beleeue all that to be done by the operation of the holy Ghost, without the worke of man, to the ende that all should be holy, vndefiled, pure and cleane, and by that meanes our conception was purified and sanc­tifyed, the which of it selfe was mar­red and defyled with sinne.

The .xviii. Article.

Math. 1. Luke. 2. Esay. 7.9. Ezech. 44. I Beleeue the same Iesus Christ to be borne of the Virgin Mary, with­out anye sin, and without breaking of her virginitie: because that by his pure and holye natiuitie, he purifyeth and sanctifyeth ours, the which of it [Page 8] selfe is altogether marred and defiled with sinne.Iohn. 3. Ephe. 2. Gene. 1.2.3 Math. 9. 1. Tim. 1. Esay. 9. Iohn. 3. Roma. 8. In that natiuitie of Christ I see and consider the firste estate and condition of man: with his fall which was the cause of ye comming of Christe into this world, likewise the grace and beneuolence of GOD the Father: who hath represented and geuen vnto vs his onely begottē sonne for to serue vs: And the loue of the son,Phil. 2. 2. Cor. 8. Gala. 4. Rome. 8. who hath aba­sed and humbled him self for to eleuate and exalte vs, hath made him selfe poore for to enrich vs, and hath him self sub­iected for to affranchise vs, and he is made the sonne of man, for to make vs the children of God and possessors of e­ternall life:Iohn. 1. Ephe. 5. Iere. 18. Luke 15. Roma. 5. by whose comming mans nature was restored and made noble, and the man that was lost, broken and destroyed, was raysed vp againe, & set agayne in his first place, and hath reco­uered all that which he lost throwe sin and more:Roma. 8. Colos. 2. Ephe. 2. Titus. 3. For by that meanes all the treasures, graces and benedictions of the Lord are geuen and bestowed vpon him, and that altogether thorow grace without any merites.

The .xix. Article.

Esay. 26 Math. 2 Marke. 3. Luke. 8. Iohn. 1. 1. Cor. 4. Galath. 4. Roma. 10. Math. 10.I Do also beléeue and knowe by the holy scriptures an other conception and natiuitie of Christe, which is spirituall, the which I saye to be of no lesser dignitie, then the first. That is, that euerye faythfull man, ought to conceaue in his hart and minde Iesus Christ, thorow a liuely and true faith, and to bring him foorth thorowe the manifest confession of the mouth, as often as néede shal require.S. August. I estéeme that conception and natiuitie to be so necessarye vnto saluation, that if the Virgin Marye had not more blessedly borne Iesus Christ in her hart & mind, then in her womb, ye carnal maternity would not haue much profited her. By that meanes we are called,Psalm. 27. Math. 12. Iohn. 20. ye mothers, brethren and sisters of Iesus Christ.

The .xx. Article.

I Beleeue that the same Iesus Christ is verely the Christ,Psal. 110. Esay. 61. Mat. 1.16. Luke. 2. Ioh. 1.4.6. Heb. 7.9. Deut. 18. Actes. 3. 1. Reg. 10.16. 3. Reg. 1.19 Leuit. 8. Psal. 45. Esai. 61. Luke. 4. that is to saye: the Messias, the annoynted by the [Page 9] holy Ghost, because that he shoulde be the true Kyng, Prophete: and great Priest of all the beléeuers, the which was promised in the Lawe, of whom also haue spoken all the Prophetes. This annoynting of Christ was not corporall with a materiall and visible oyle: as the same of Kyngs, Priestes and Prophets in times past: But spi­ritual with an inuisible oyle, which is the grace & gyftes of the holy Ghost, of which he was filled aboue al other,Psal. 133. Iohn. 1. Ephe. 4. Actes. 11. insomuch that that oyntment is des­cended vnto vs, which haue felt and prooued the sauour thereof, whereby also we beare the name of a Christi­an, that is to say annoynted.

The xxi. Article.

I Beléeue that that Sacrifisor Iesus Christ,Heb. 7.9.10 not to haue bene Leuiticall or carnall,Leuit. 1.2.4.7.8. Heb. 10. 1. Iohn. 2. for to offer vp and sacri­fice, bullocks, kyne, or such like things, as Aaron did and al his successors: but spirituall, (yet neuerthelesse reall and true) for to offer and sacrifice him self, that is to say: his body and his blood [Page] for the remission of the sinnes of all the worlde,Dani. 7. Iohn. 19. Luke. 17. Rom. 8. as also his kyngdome is not of this carnall worlde, but spi­rituall, the which consisteth in the guyding and gouerning of his by his holy spirite, ouer whom he raigneth by his word,1. Cor. 4. 2. Cor. 10. and to the vtter destruc­tion of all his aduersaries, which are sinne, death, hell, Satan and all infi­dels, wicked and reprobate, which re­bell against the word of the Gospel.

The .xxii. Article.

Mat. 5.6.7.24.27. Luke. 21.23 Ioh. 17.19. I beléeue that Iesus Christ hath tru­lye exercised these thrée offices, to wete, Prophet, Kyng, and Priest, not onely in this worlde, he being a mortall man as we are:Rom. 8. Heb. 9. Act. 7. But also that he yet doth exercise them daily in hea­uen before ye face of his father, where he standeth and appeareth continual­ly for vs, and thereof being taught by his spirit, aydeth, maynteyneth, and defendeth those that are his, and ther­fore he is called Prophet,Gen. 13. Psal. 110. Heb. 7. Kyng, and high Priest after the order of Mel­chisedech, which is eternall, and not [Page 10] after the order of Aaron which ended with the Lawe.

The .xxiii. Article.

I Beléeue that the same Iesus Christ after that he had preached the Gos­pel in the countrey of Iudea & Ga­lile by the space of thrée yeres or there abouts,Math. 4.9. Luke. 4. Ephe. 2. Iohn. 5.6.7.8.9.10.11 12. declaring him selfe the natu­rall sonne of God, aswel by his mira­culous workes, as by the words, and wrytings of the Prophetes,Math. 26. Mark. 14. Luke. 22. Iohn. 18. Act. 2.4. Mat. 27. Mark. 15. Luke. 23. Iohn. 19. that he hath bene vniustly and falsely accu­sed by the Priestes, who when that they had taken him, in their counsell did vniustly condemne him to death, being bounde and chayned, brought hym before Pilate, Prouost at that tyme in Ierusalem, who at the in­stance and request of the said Priests, hath vniustly and without any cause condemned hym to death, the most horrible and ignominious that one can thinke or excogitate: That is to be put on the crosse and to be crucified betwéene two théeues, as though [Page] he had bene the prince and captaine of them,Esai. 53. Sapi. 2. Gala. 3. Philip. 2. the which he endured and suf­fred willingly, and innocently with­out deseruing it: for otherwise he had not satisfied for vs, and his crosse had profited vs nothing at all.

The .xxiiii. Article.

I Beléeue also that he beyng on the same crosse,Luke. 23. Iohn. 19. Psal. 16.18 Actes. 2. dying and yéelding vp his spirit to God his father, that he descended into hell, that is to say: that he verely felte and experimented the great distresse and payne of death, with the paynes & flames of hell,Esai. 53. 2. Cor. 5. Gala. 3. 1. Pet. 2. that is to say, the great furor, ire, and the seuere iudgement of God vpon hym, as though he had bene man and halfe damned, insomuch that he was con­strayned to crye with a loude voyce: My God,Psal. 22. Math. 2. Mark. 15. my God, why hast thou for­saken me. Beholde simplie what I vnderstand by ye descending of Christ into hell. Furthermore, I know that this Article was not at the first in the Créede, and that many haue vnder­standed and interpreted it otherwyse, [Page 11] and haue thought Christ verely and in very deede to haue descended into hell into the place of the dampned, aleadging the text of Saint Peter, 1. Pet. 3.4. the which I confesse to be couered and hyd frō me at this present. The Lord graunt vs to open the gate and giue vs entrance into those mysteries.

The .xxv. Article.

I Beléeue all that to haue bene done, not for hym which neuer dyd any sinne,Esai. 53. Iohn 8.14. 1. Pet. 2. 1. Iohn. 3. Esai. 53. Iohn. 3. Rom. 5.6. 2. Cor. 5. Gala. 3. Colos. 1. 1. Iohn. 2. Gene. 2. Leuit. 26. Deut. 28. Eze. 18.33. Rom. 5.6. Ephe. 2. Colos. 2. 1. Thes. 5. Hebr. 9.10. 1. Pet. 2.3. in whose mouth there was neuer found any fraude nor lying: but for vs poore and miserable sinners, whose place he helde in the crosse as a pledge, where he represented the per­son of al the sinners, which euer haue bene, are or shalbe vntil the end of the worlde. And because that those haue by their sinnes deserued to féele and trye the extreme dolours of death, to be forsaken of God, and of all crea­tures, to féele the furor, yre and se­uere iudgement of God vpon them: Christ who was their pledge dyd sa­tisfie for them in the crosse, & did feele [Page] all that same and that to affranchise vs & delyuer vs from all these paynes from the furor, yre, and iudgement of God, from condemnation and eternal death. Herein I reiect and estéeme as fables al the lymbe of the fathers and of litle children, purgatorie and other suche follyes, dreames and abuses, which men inuented and founde out, without the word of God.Act. 11. Mat. 25. Luke. 16. Math. 7. For I be­léeue and receaue but two places in the other worlde, to wit, paradise for the faythfull & elect with the Angels, and hel for the Infidels and reprobate with the dyuels.

The .xxvi. Article.

I Beléeue & consider that death and passion (as also al other mysteries) of Iesus Christ,Math. 14. Actes. 7.12. 1. Pet. 2. Esai. 53. Iohn. 3. Rom. 5.6.8 2. Cor. 5. Gala. 3. Colos. 1. Heb. 2. not onely as tou­ching the historie as a patrone and ex­ample for to imitate and folow, as the same of holy men which haue died for the Lordes quarrel: But also chiefly touching the cause, fruites and vse of the same, thereby to knowe the graui­tie & burthen of my synnes, the grace [Page 12] and mercie of the father and the loue of the sonne,1. Iohn. 2. 1. Pet. 2. by which we are recon­ciled with God, deliuered from the ti­rannie of the deuil, released and resto­red into the libertie of the spirit. That is the glasse without spot for to make vs know our fylthines:Iohn. 13. Heb. 9.10. Apoc. 1. Rom. 8. 2. Cor. 5. Gala. 4. 1. Tim. 2. 1. Ioh. 2. The lauer or cleare fountaine, for to washe & clense vs, and the infinite treasure for to sa­tisfie and content our creditors. Of whom and by whom onely, Gods de­uine iustice hath bene fully satisfied, for all the synnes of all those which haue bene, are and shalbe vntill the end of the world.Gala. 3. Ephe. 2. Colos. 2. Iohn. 14. Rom. 3.5. Ephe. 1. Hebr. 1. Apoc. 1. And therefore I be­léeue and confesse the condemnation of Iesus Christ to be my absolution: his crucifiyng to be my deliueraunce: his descending into hell, to be my as­cending into heauen: his death, to be my lyfe: his blood, to be my washyng and purgatorie, by whom onely I am washed, purified & made cleane from all my sinnes, so that I neither re­ceaue nor beléeue that there is any other purgatorie, neither in this worlde, nor in the worlde to come, by which I may be purged, but the onely [Page] blood of Iesus Christ,Heb. 9. by which all is purged and made cleane for euer.

The .xxvii. Article.

Apoc. 20. Rom. 6. Colos. 3. 2. Tim. 1. Hebr. 2. Esai. 53. Iohn. 19. Rom. 5. I Beléeue that Iesus Christ by the sacrifice of his body, that he offred vpon the trée of the crosse, hath de­faced and destroyed sinne, death and Sathan, with al his kingdome, & hath altogether consummated and finished the worke of our redemption, & hath ended and abolished all other sacrifi­ces: insomuch that from hencefoorth we must not looke nor séeke for any other propiciatorie sacrifice then this, neither for the lyuing nor for ye dead. For if we sinne wyllingly,Heb. 10. after that we haue receyued the knowledge of the trueth, there remayneth no other sacrifice for the remission of synnes, then this here, by which Christ alone, hath consecrated for euer all those which are sanctified. And therefore.

The xxviii. Article.

Mat. 26. Mar. 14. Luke. 22. 1. Cor. 11. I Beléeue the holye Supper of the Lord, not to be a sacrifice: but one­ly a remembrance and commemo­ration [Page 13] of that holy sacrifice of Iesus Christ. Therefore,Iohn. 6. Colos. 3. it ought not to be adored and woorshipped as God, nor Christ to be in the same: but onely in him selfe out of all corruptible ele­ments. In like maner I beleeue and confesse, that the papisticall MasseThe Masse is an inuention and ordinance of man, a sacrifice of Antichrist,Heb. 10. and a forsa­king of the sacrifice of Iesus Christ, that is to say: of his death and passion,Mat. 23. that it is a stynking and infectious sepulchre which couereth and hydeth the merite of the blood of Christ. And therefore it ought to be abolished, and the holy Supper of the Lord restored and set agayne in his fyrst estate.

The .xxix. Article.

I Also doo beleue that as the Prophet Ionas Ionas. 1.2. was in the Whales bellye (which is a place of corruption) thrée dayes and three nightes,Mat. 22. with­out being any thyng at all corrupted, from whome he came out the thyrde day, without any hurt, safe & sounde: that euen so Iesus Christ after his [Page] death,Mat. 27. Mark. 15. Luke. 23. Iohn. 19. was put into a newe sepulchre (which is a place of corruption) with­in which he was thrée dayes and thrée nightes, not being touched with any infection,Psal. 16.30 Actes. 2. stynking or corruption, but alwayes abode safe and sound, for to declare the vertue of his blood, for to accomplishe the writing of the ho­ly Prophets,Esai. 11. and for to verefie the ve­ritie aswel of his body as of his death, with which I beléeue the lawe to be buryed,2. Cor. 3. Gala. 4. Ephe. 2. 1. Tim. 1. abrogated, and abolished to the faythfull, not as touching the ob­ligation that they shoulde be no more bounde to lyue and walke after the same:Iohn. 3.8. Rom. 8. 1. Iohn. 3. but onely as touching the con­demnation, that is to say, that the transgression of the same, doeth not condemne them at the iudgement of God, through the faith that they haue in Christ. And therefore within one sepulchre, I comprehend thrée things buryed,Rom. 6. Gala. 5.6. Colos. 3. that is to say, Christ, the law, and all the faythfull, which ought to be crucified and buryed with Christ through the mortification of theyr fleshe.

The .xxx. Article.

I Beléeue that euen as Iesus Christ was delyuered to death for our sinnes,Rom. 4.6. 1. Cor. 15. Mat. 28. Iohn. 20. Rom. 1. Iohn. 2. Oseas. 13. Ioh. 12.16. Luke. 11. Heb. 2. that so he arose agayne the thirde day for our iustification to im­mortall lyfe: wherein hee declared hym selfe openly to be very God and very man, triumphing ouer all his e­nemies, hauing confounded and bea­ten downe all his enemies, that is to say, the worlde, sinne, death, hell, and Satan: not so much for him selfe, as for vs which beléeue in him, knowing his victorie to be ours, & that in hym and through him we vanquishe those same enemies hauyng victorie ouer them, to the honour of God and our great profite.

The .xxxi. Article.

I Beléeue & consider that resurrecti­on of Iesus Christ not only as tou­ching the storie,Iohn. 11. Mat. 27. Luke. 7. as the same of La­zarus, or other lyke which haue bene miraculoslye raysed vp through the [Page] vertue and power of the Lord,Ose. 6. 1. Cor. 15. Phil. 3. Colos. 1. 1. Pet. 1.3. but al­so as the example and efficient cause thereof, as the seales and markes of the general resurrection of al the be­léeuers: for as Christ is raysed the thirde day after his death, through his diuine vertue, into immortal lyfe: so by the vertue of the same, I hope to ryse one day,1. Thes. 4. in body and soule, into eternall lyfe, afterwards to be here in this world raysed in spirit through a newe and true fayth, in newnes of lyfe,Rom. 6. Colos. 3. Gala. 5.6. mortifying and crucifiyng the fleshe with the affections and concu­piscences of worlde, the which ought to be dead and crucified vnto vs, and we vnto it:Rom. 6. for we are buryed with Christ in his death, by the baptisme, that as he rose agayne from death by the glory of the father without euer dying any more: that so we shoulde walke in newnes of life without euer seruing any more sinne,Colos. 3. seekyng al­wayes chiefly the things aboue, cele­stiall & eternall: Forsaking the earth­ly & transitorie thinges of this world, knowyng that we haue not here a continuall Citie:Hebr. 13. but let vs séeke that [Page 15] which is to come.

The xxxii. Article.

I Beléeue also and confesse,Mark. 16. Luke. 24. Act. 1. Psal. 68. Ephe. 4. Iohn. 3.17. that Ie­sus Christ the fourty day after his resurrection, visibly, and before all his Apostles eyes went vp into hea­uen, that is to say: in the maiestie of God his father, in glory and eternall felicitie, in which he was before, he came into this miserable world, for to be made man, yea before the constitu­tion of the world, that is to say: from euerlasting.

The xxxiii. Article.

I Beléeue that he ascended in heauen for to accomplishe and fulfill,Ephe. 4. Iohn. 16. and to make an end of his pilgrimage:Iohn. 14. Heb. 10. al­so for to prepare vs the place, and to open the way for vs in heauen, that we may there ascend after hym,Iohn. 17. Ephe. 12. and folow hym as our head, for to be eter­nally vnited with him in glory. The which we begin here through fayth:1. Cor. 12. Ephe. 4. in like maner because, that of ye same [Page] he beautifieth his Church, in sending the Comforter vnto his Apostles (as hee promised them) by which they should be comforted,Ioh. 14.16. Actes. 1.2. instructed, and directed in all trueth: and the Church susteyned, mainteyned, and defended, against the wynds of Satan and all the gates of hell.Mat. 16.

The .xxxiiii. Article.

Ioh. 14. Rom. 8. Heb. 9. I Also beléeue that he is ascended in­to heauen, for to be there our Pa­trone, Intercessor, Mediator, and Aduocate, because that nowe he ap­peareth for vs, before his fathers face obteyning for vs grace & abundance of all goodnes.Mat. 11. Actes. 4. 1. Tim. 2. 1. Iohn. 2. In so much that I knowe nor receyue any other Medi­ator betwene God and men, nor any other Aduocate, nor Intercessor be­fore GOD the father then his onely sonne Iesus Christ our Lorde. Vnto him I drawe my selfe, of him I con­tent my selfe, and any other I wyll not séeke nor looke for, fearing to blas­pheme the name of God, giuing vnto the creature that which belongeth [Page 15] vnto the Creator, or vnto the seruant that which apperteyneth vnto the maister.

The .xxxv. Article.

I Beléeue that all those which de­maunde, search,Esai. 55. Iere. 2. Math. 11. Ioh. 14.16. 1. Tim. 2. 1. Iohn. 3. or receyue any o­ther Mediator, Intercessor, or Ad­uocate, towards God the father then Iesus Christ his sonne, doe abuse and dreame them selues greatly, yea doe blaspheme against God, and doe dis­honour vnto Iesus Christ, and to the Saintes by which they pray.Mat. 3.11.17. Luke. 3.9. Iohn. 1.3.6. 2. Cor. 4. Colos. 1. Heb. 1. For as God the father woulde be knowen, serued, loued, feared, and honoured in his sonne Iesus Christ & not by any other meanes, so would he be prayed vnto and called vpon in his sonne and by the onely name of his sonne, & not otherwise. For besides Iesus Christ there is no other God. Herein I think not nor will not speake euil of ye bles­sed SaintsThe saints. which are in heauen with the Lord, but wyl honour and reue­rence them, as lawful & faythfull ser­uants of the Lord,1. Cor. 3.6. Rom. 12. Ephe. 4.5. as the Temple of the holy Ghost and true members of [Page] Christ,1. Cor. 4.11 Phil. 3. 2. Thes. 3. Heb. 6.11.15 and wyll haue them as myr­rours and examples before my eyes, for to folowe them aswel in their good lyfe & conuersation: as in their fayth and holy doctrine. Furthermore of them or by them, I look for none other thing, knowing that all my goodnes, ayde and helpe, procéedeth from one onely God,Psal. 121. Esai. 45. Iere. 2. Oseas. 13. Rom. 11. Iam. 1. Colos. 1. 2. Thes. 1. by the meanes of one one­ly Iesus Christ, who hath made the Saintes worthie of his glory by his free grace, by which also (as I beleeue) he wyl make me worthie with them for to be their companion in glory, be­cause that al together doe giue honor, prayse and glory vnto him alone,Apoc. 4.19. for euer and euer.

The .xxxvi. Article.

Psal. 110. Colos. 3. Heb 8.10.12 Mat. 8. Iob. 1.2.21 Psal. 37.94 Iohn. 1.10. Heb. 1. I Beléeue that the same Iesus Christ is set downe at the ryght hande of God the father almightie. That is to say, that he raigneth in one selfe maiestie and equall power with God his father, by whom he so gouerneth his vntill the consummation of the world, that no power of the aduersary [Page 17] can hurt them without his permissi­on and wil:Psalm. 8. Mat. 11.28 Ioh. 13.17. Also the father hath made and constituted him Lord and Ruler ouer all creatures, celestiall and ter­restriall, geuing him all power ouer heauen and earth,Ephe. 1. Philip. 2. Heb. 2. when he eleuated him aboue all principallitie and po­wer, vertue and seignory, and aboue euery name which is named, not one­lye in this worlde:Esai. 42. Rom. 12. 1. Cor. 12. Ephe. 1. Colos. 1. Math. 16. Ephe. 5. but also in that to come. And hath assubiected all thin­ges, vnder his feete: Constituting him aboue all thinges to be the head of the Church, the which is his body. And therefore I receiue not nor acknow­ledge anye other to be the head of the church: but one only Christ, who hath geuen his bloud for to wash her from her filthinesse, and to heale her of her woundes, who keepeth, nurrisheth,Iohn. 14.16 Mar. 21. 1. Cor. 3. Ephe. 2. 1. Pet. 2. defendeth and gouerneth her by his spirite. He is the only head and foun­dation of the Church, vpon whome e­uery one ought to builde according to his vocation.

The .xxxvii. Article.

Mark. 16. Iohn. 20. Actes. 1.3. Irene. Turtul. S. Ierom. S. August. Virgil. Flugence. I Beléeue that Iesus Christe is as­cended into heauen, and that hee is there corporallye: that is to say, in flesh, bone, body and soule. So that he is not, nor cannot be (by such meanes and fashion) here below on the earth with vs, for asmuch as his body (al­though that it be glorious) cannot be in diuerse places, nor in many places at one very tyme: but so in one (accor­ding to the nature of his glorious bo­dy) that then hee cannot be in anye o­ther:Math. 14. Mark. 6. Luke. 24. Iohn. 20. otherwise he should not be a true and naturall body, but a shadow: that is to saye: a thing appearing and not being, the which is false, and altoge­ther against our faith. And therfore I say and confesse the true and naturall body of Christe,Actes. 3. 1. Cor. 15. Ephe. 1. to be in heauen, and that from thence he shall not departe, vntyll he hath put all his enemies vn­der his féete, and come for to iudge both the quick and the dead.

The .xxxviii. Article.

Ma. 24.25. Acts. 3. I Beléeue when the number of the e­lect children of God shalbe accom­plished, [Page 18] the Lorde Iesus in that same bodye, with which hee suffered,2. Thes. 3. Psal. 50.97 Esai. 65.66 Dani. 7. Malac. 3. 2. Pet. 3. Iohn. 5. Rom. 2. 2. Tim. 2. with which he roase and ascended into hea­uen, shall come with great power and maiestie, visibly in a clowde, euen as he ascended, and that shalbe to iudge the quick and the dead, and shall geue vnto euery one according to Iustice, vnto the good which shalbe founde a­mong them, after theyr goodnesse, and to the wicked after their naughtines. That iudgement shalbe general:Esai. 45. Mat. 24.2 [...] Iohn. 5. Rom. 14. 1. Thes. 4. 1. Cor. 15. that is to say, all shalbe called and summo­ned to appeare personally, by ye voice of the Aungell, to which, all shall ap­peare, aswell the good as euyll, the e­lect, as reprobate, that euery one doo make and render vp his accompt and reckoning before the iudiciall seate of Christe,2. Cor. 5. of all thinges done by them in this world, be it good or ill: yea,Math. 12. Dani. 12. Apoc. 20. for euery idle worde, the which the world doth not thinke to be sin. Then shall all those be saued, which shalbe found written in the booke of lyfe.

The .xxxix. Article.

Mat. 25. Mark. 4. Math. 13. I Beleeue that then shalbe made the totall and last seperation of the good from the wicked, of the elect from the reprobate, the which nowe are mingled together, as the good fishes and badde in the nettes, the chaffe with the corne, and the darnell with the wheate:Math. 5. Luke. 3. But when the haruest commeth, he which hath the fanne in his handes will make the seperation, and wil put the corne aside in his gar­ner: but the chaf and tares shalbe cast into the fyre, for to burne eternally. Then shalbe perfectlye declared and knowen the iustice and mercy of the Lorde,Math. 25. Rom. 2.16. 1. Cor. 4. 2. Thes. 3. with the fruite of the Crosse and blood of Iesus Christe: the which now wee know onely but in parte. Then the good and elect shal know the stone,2. Pet. 3. Psal. 118. Esai. 28. Math. 21. Luke. 2. Actes. 4. 1. Peter. 2. vpon which they builded theyr fayth and hope, and shall not be con­founded: And the wicked shall also knowe the stone, vpon which they stumbled, the which they reiected, cō ­temned and despised, and shalbe con­founded. Then the Lorde Iesus shall make an ende of his office and ministrie,Sopho. 3. 1. Cor. 15. Ephe. 4. for his mistical body shalbe [Page 19] altogether accomplished with all his members, and shall render the king­dome and his spowse (which is the Church) vnto God his father, al faire,Ephe. 5. glorious, erreprehensible and accep­table, without spot or wrinckle, or a­ny such thing.1. Cor. 15. Heb. 2. Then shalbe perfectly vanquished and confounded Sathan, hell, sinne and death, and all the other aduersaries of Christe, whoe at this present do exercise yet tirrany ouer all his members,Rom. 8. holding them vnder their griefes, bondes and snares: But then wee as people rauished for Ioy,Oseas. 13. 1. Cor. 15. 1. Ioh. 5. will reherse the words that are writ­ten, O Death where is thy stinge? O Hel where is thy victory? But thanks be vnto GOD, which hath geuen vs victorye through Iesus Christe our Lorde.

The xl. Article.

I Beléeue that that Iudgement be­ing meruelous,Ioel. 2. Heb. 10. Math. 24. Luke 21. Roma. 8. terrible and feare­ful vnto the wicked and reprobate, is much to be desired, and of great consolation vnto the good, faythfull [Page] and elect, for asmuch as thē their total redemption (to wéete of body) shalbe ended,Psal. 127. Mat. 25. Luke. 14. Sapience. 5 Exo. 32. Mat. 10. and that they shall receiue the fruit of their labors: Their Innocen­cie shalbe openly declared and known of all the worlde, and they shall sée the vengaunce and condemnation of the wicked, which haue tirrannously af­flicted and tormented them in this world,Rom. 2. 1. Cor. 4. whose iniquitye and wicked­nesse shalbe manifested by the Lorde, and cleerely knowen of all, to theyr great confusion, and to the honor and glory of the iust children of God, the which shalbe in perfect peace and trā ­quillitie,Sapience. 5 Esai. 25.66 Apoc. 7.21. and shall haue full ioye and fruition of all that, which the Lorde hath promised and prepared for them that loue him.Esai. 64. 1. Cor. 2. 1. Iohn. 3. Which the eye hath not séene, nor the eare hath heard, nei­ther hath it entered into mans harte. Therefore I tarry and looke for that great day of retribution,Rom. 8. 1. Cor. 5. with a great desire, as the same which bringeth and declareth vnto me my chiefest goodnesse.

The .xli. Article.

I Beléeue that wee shall not all dye,1. Cor. 15. 1. Thes. 4. S. August, but we shalbe all changed in a mo­ment: that is to say, that in that lat­ter day and general iudgement, some shalbe found lyuing, which shal neuer dye by seperation of ye body and soule: but shall abide so alyue eternally, that Christe maye be knowen Lorde and Iudge of the quick and the dead,Dan. 7. 1. Pet. 4. Iohn. 5. Act. 10. Rom. 14. 2. Tim. 4. Rom. 5. Gala. 3. and his grace and merite may be founde greater then the sinne of Adam. For as sin hath raigned to death: In like-maner must grace raign through Ie­sus Christ to eternall lyfe. Neuerthe­lesse they shalbe chaunged and trans­formed from corruption into incor­ruption, from mortallity to immor­tallity, from despising into glory: in­somuch that they shalbe the chiefest of of all the giftes, graces and benefites which the Lorde shall geue vnto those which before were dead, whome they shall not go before:1. Thes. 4. but all together shalbe rauished in the clowdes before in the ayre, and also they shall be al­wayes together with the Lorde.

BEholde for the seconde point of my faith, touching Iesus Christe, the se­cond person of the Trinitie, and of the restoration and repairing of man, don by him.

Let vs now come vnto the third point, which is of the holie Ghoste, by whome man is restored, maintained and keept in his being.

I beleeue in the holy Ghoste.

The .xlii. Article.

Gene. 1.6 Psa. 51.143 Esa. 59 63. Math. 3.28 Iohn 14.16 1. Iohn. 5. 1. Cor. 12. I Beléeue that the holy Ghost, is one diuine persō distinct from the father and the son pro­céeding of them both, equall in all & thorow all, and coeter­nall with them, by whom the Church hath byn alwayes, is yet and shalbe ruled, conducted, direct [...]d and gouer­ned, vntill the consumation of this world: by whome also haue spoken al the holy Patriarkes, Prophetes and [Page 21] Apostles of our Lorde Iesus Christe. Therefore I beléeue nor receiue any other Vicar or Lieuetenant of Christ in earth, within his Church:Iohn. 14. but the holy Ghost, which cannot be receiued of the wicked.

The .xliii. Article.

I Beléeue that the holy Ghost,1. Cor. 1.5. Ephe. 1. [...] Iohn. 1.3. Rom. 8. Gala. 4. is the wages and ernest of our celestiall enheritance, by whom we are assu­red, assertained and liuely perswaded in our consciences, that wee are the children of God, and adoptiue brethrē of Iesus Christe,Exo. 8.31. Luke. 11. Iohn. 1 [...]. Actes. 2. Rom. 5. 1. Cor. 2. 2. Cor. 1. and consequentlye Coheyres of eternall lyfe. That is al­so the finger of God, the which prin­teth in our mindes the fayth of those thinges, sealeth and confirmeth the promises of the Lorde within our hartes, through his goodnesse and grace, that we néede not to doubt any thing at all.

The .xliiii. Article.

I Beléeue that that holy Ghost,1. Reg. 10. Psal. 104. dwel­ling in vs, doth regenerate vs tho­row [Page] his grace and vertue,Iohn. 3. Rom. 6.8. Ephe. 4. Colos. 3. Titus. 3. into a re­nouation and chaunging of life, mor­tifiyng in vs, all that which is of vs and of the olde man, the flesh and the world, and quickning all that which is his, that wee should liue no more to our selues: but to Christe, who also doth and worketh in vs al good works agréeable to the father,Esai. 26. Prouer. 16. 2. Cor. 3. Phil. 2. Iohn. 16. and rebuketh, checketh and vanquisheth the world of sinne, righteousnesse and iudge­ment.

The .xlv. Article.

Math. 10. Luk. 12.21. Iohn. 14. 1. Cor. 2. 1. Iohn. 2. Esai. 51.66 Iob. 1.2. Iohn. 14. Actes. 6. Rom. 8. 2. Cor. 1. I Beleeue that the holy Ghost is the Doctor of the Ignorant, who tea­cheth, directeth and leadeth vs into the knowledg of the trueth, by which we are deliuered from darknesse and set into life. Also he is the comforter of the poore afflicted: for to ayde, fortifie, comfort and assist them in al troubles and aduersities, that they shoulde not dispaire in them, as the wicked and reprobate doo: but that they shoulde taste and féele,Acte. 14. Heb. 12. 1. Pet. 14. the gentlenesse, benig­nitie and mercifulnesse of the father, [Page 22] who thorow crosse and diuerse trybu­lations doth bring his into eternall glory.

The .xlvi. Article.

I Beléeue that that holy Ghost,Gene. 2. Act. 17. Esai. 57. Iohn. 7.20. Rom. 8. is the spirite of lyfe, quickening all other spirites, aswell celestiall as terres­triall, and that he is only holy in him selfe, by whome all other are sanctifi­ed: so that, if any spirites are holy (as they are) either in heauen or in earth, it is not but thorow the sanctitie of that holy spirite,Exo. 31. Iere. 1. Eze. 20.3 [...] Iohn. 17. 1. Thes. 5. Heb. 9. which is the cause wherfore I beléeue in him: that is to say, that in him I hope and put al my affiance, assurance and truste, as I haue spoken before of the Father and the Sonne.

Behold the third point of my faith, which is touching the holie Ghost the thirde persō of the holy Trinitie, by whom (after that we are made by the father and re­stored by the sonne) we are kept and go­uerned vnto the ende. Now it remaineth [Page] to intreat of the fourth point of my faith, which is touching the Church and the thinges concerning the same.

I beleeue the holye catholike Church, the Communion of Saintes.

The .xlvii. Article.

Gal. 4. Numb. 20. 1. Cor. 12.14 Ephe. 5. Iohn. 10. Heb. 12. Roma. 8. Ephe. 1. 2. Timo. 1. Titus. 1.3.I Beléeue and confesse one one­lye catholike and vniuersall Church, which is a holy Con­gregation and assembly of all the faythfull beléeuers, chosen and predestinated to eternall life, before the constitutiō of the world: of whose number I accompte and beléeue my selfe to be one, thorow the only grace and mercy of the Father, hauing the merite of my good Lorde and Maister Iesus Christe, and not by my good workes or merites, which are none at all.

The .xlviii. Article.

I Beléeue that Church to be inuisi­ble to mans sight,1. Reg. 19. Rom. 11. 2. Tim. 2. Gene. 22. Psal. 2.86. Esai. 21.49 Iere. 3. Ephe. 4. and vnto God a­lone knowen, the which is not set, tyed, or limited in a certaine place, or to certaine men, but dispersed and se­perated abroad thorow out the world: Neuerthelesse ioygned together in harte, wil and minde thorow the band of fayth and loue, acknowledging all of them one onely God,1. Cor. 10.11 one only head and mediator Iesus Christ, one faith, one law, one baptisme, one spirituall table, in which one onely meate and one onely spirituall drinke is admi­nistred vnto them, vntil the consuma­tion of this world.Math. 23. Iohn. 10. Heb. 11. That Church com­prehendeth in it all the iust and elect, from the first iust Abell vnto the last, which shalbe [...]ound in the ende of the world,Math. 23. and therfore I call it vniuer­sall. For touching the visible Church, which is the congregation of the good and of the wicked, the elect and repro­bate,Rom. 10. Hebr. 11. and generally of all those which say that they beléeue in Christe, I be­léeue [Page] it not, because I see it with my eye, and fayth is of inuisible thinges.

The .xlix. Article.

Esai. 2.4.5. Mat. 13.21 1 Tim. 3. 2. Thes. 2. Heb. 3. I Beléeue that that inuisible Church is the Lordes fielde, within which there is neither cockle nor darnell: but that it is the house and habitacle of the holy Ghost, within which there is neither Caim, Iudas, nor the wicked rich man.Iohn. 10. Math. 25. Ezec. 34. Zach. 10. That it is also the sheepe­folde of Christe, within which there commeth no stincking nor infected goates: but all shéepe, lambes and do­mesticall ewes, bearing fruit in theyr tymes and seasons.Rom. 12. 1. Cor. 12. Ephe. 4. Psal. 45. Cant. 2.4. Ephe. 5. That it is the bo­dy of Christ, in which theyr is no rot­ten or corrupt member. That is also the spowse of Christ, pure and cleane, without spot or wrincle or anye such like thing, holy and erreprehensible, purified and sanctified in the bloud, and by the word of his head and wel-beloued spowse Iesus Christe,Iohn. 10. Roma. 8. wher­fore those which are grafted in her through liuely fayth cannot perish.

The .l. Article.

I Beléeue that the giftes and graces of the holy Ghost,Rom. 12. 1. Cor. 12. Ephe. 4. are dispersed and geuen vnto euery one of the mem­bers of that Church, not so much for the perticuler profit & vtility of them, as for the generall profit and vtilitye of al the assemble, or Church,1. Cor. 14. Ephe. 2. Titus. 3. and that altogether through grace, without a­ny merite, according to the good will and prouidence of God, to some more,Math. 25. Luke. 19. Rom. 12.15 1. Cor. 12. Colos. 2. Gala. 6. and to some lesse, that we may know the one to haue néede of the other, and maye ayde and helpe the one the o­ther, in all necessities, aswell corpo­rall as spirituall, as members of one body.

The .li. Article.

I Beléeue the communion of Sain­tes: that is to saye,Math. 25. Ephe. 4. Rom. 12. 1. Cor. 12. that all that whiche the Lorde geueth vs in this worlde, whether they bee goodes concerning the body of the spi­rite, that he geueth them chiefly to the profit and vtillitie of all the Church, [Page] and therfore ought to be distributed and bestowed vnto all the faythfull,Math. 5. Acts. 4. 1. Pet. 4. 1. Iohn. 3. chiefly in necessity: Insomuch, that as we do al communicate in one GOD, in one fayth,Ephe. 4. 1. Cor. 11. in one law, in one bap­tisme, and in one spiritual table, that also we may communicate in all that which proceedeth and commeth vnto vs by the meanes of all those things:Math. 25. 1. Cor. 4. Iames. 5. for otherwise we are not Christians, nor faythfull dispensators of Christe: I alwaies reiect the Anabaptisticall Communalty of goodes, wiues and o­ther like things,Math. 14. Iohn. 12.13 Acts. 2.4. receiuing the Apost­olicall communaltie, which hauing and possessing some goodes perticu­lerly, deuideth and distributeth vnto euery one, as he shall haue neede, and as necessity requireth.

The lii. Article

I Beléeue that that Church is as the Arke of Noe, within which there was health and lyfe, and out of which there was but death, ruine and per­dition. For as Christ is, and raigneth in his Church: so Sathan is and raig­neth [Page 25] altogether out of the same,Math. 28. Iohn. 14. Psal. 119. Mat. 8.14. Mark. 4. Luke. 8. the which also is kept thorow the spirite of Christe, directed and guided by his worde, and nurrished by the Sacra­mentes. She shall haue alwayes ad­uersaries,Esai. 59.63 Zach. 7. Math. 16. and shalbe alwaies tormē ­ted in that sea, by the thunders of An­techriste, and by the windes and tem­pestes of Sathan.Esay. 40. For all the gates of Hell do arme and set themselues a­gainst it.1. Cor. 3. Ephe. 2. 1. Iohn. 2. Esai. 25. Apoc. 19. But she shal not be drowned in the waters, but shall abyde eter­nally: For somuch as she hath a good Patron and foundation, which is Ie­sus Christe the righteous. Therfore I call it myllitant, looking for the tri­umphant of the blessed, where there shalbe but peace, i [...]ie and eternall sal­uation.

The .liii. Article

I Beléeue that the Lorde hath geuen vnto vs three signes or principall markes,Math. 28. Mark. 16. Iohn. 8.10. by which we may knowe that Church, that is to say: the word,2. Pet. 1. Iohn. 5. the Sacramentes, and the disciplyne. I call the word, onely that which was [Page] reuealed by the holy Ghost; vnto the holye Patriarkes, Prophetes, and A­postles of Iesus Christe, the which is contained in the cononicall bookes of the olde and new testament,Iohn. 15. Ioh. 1.3.6. by which we are mundified and receiue the ve­ry same, and altogether asmuch as by the Sacraments: That is to say, that Iesus Christe geueth and communi­cateth himselfe vnto vs by the word of faith,Rom. 12. Ephe. 3. aswell (without saying better) as by the Sacraments, although it be after another manner and fashion.

The .liiii. Article.

Iohn. 5. Gala. 1. 2. Tim. 3. Esai. 28. Deut. 4.12.28. Pro. 30. Apoc. 22. I Beléeue that word of God to be of more greater authoritie then the Church, the which alone sufficient­ly declareth and teacheth vnto vs all thinges concerning our saluation, what we must doo or not doo. That is the true patron, and perfect rule, after which al the faithful ought to gouern and direct their life, without declining either to the right hand or left, with­out chainging anye thing or dimini­shing,Gene. 1. Deut. 31. Eccle. 1. knowing that all the workes of [Page 26] God are perfect, and chiefly his word.

The lv. Article.

I Beléeue that as one onely Iesus Christ amongst al men is holy and true,Esai. 53. Iohn. 8. 1. Pet. 2. Psal. 16. Iohn. 8.14.17. Rom. 3. 2 Cor. 1. Esa. 12.40 55. Iohn. 7. Exo. 13. Psal. 119. Deut. 8. Math. 4. Iohn. 6. Rom. 1. Phil. 1. 2. Timo. 4. and all other are sinners and lyers, that also amongst al doctrines, his onelye doctrine is holye and true, and all other are vncleane, and full of lyinges. That doctrine is the foun­taine of life, the lampe and pyller of fyre, for to guide vs: The bread of the soule, and the vertue of GOD, to the saluation of all beléeuers. Therefore the same onely for all occasion ought to be aduaunced, preached, heard, vn­derstanded, and receiued thorow out the whole worlde: to the consolation and health of the beléeuers, and to the greatest condempnation of the vnbe­leeuers, wicked and reprobate.Exo. 16. Mat. 21. Luke. 2. Iohn. 9. 1. Pet. 2. For as the Manna in the wildernesse gaue vnto some wormes, and to other some good meate, and Christe was set and geuen as a stone of offence, to the ru­ine of the wicked, and resurrection of the good: So the word of the Gospell, [Page] is vnto some a sauor of death in death and vnto other a sauor of lyfe in lyfe,Cor. 2. the which onely I receiue and take, [...] Iosua. 1. for my guide, after which I will liue and dye.

The .lvi. Article.

Leuit. 19. Deut. 11. Iohn. 5. I Beléeue yt the reading of that word or Gospell, ought not nor can not be forbidden or prohibited anye man whatsoeuer, of what estate or cōdition soeuer he be:Ma. 24.28. Mark. 6.16 Actes. 1. But ought to be commō vnto all the world, aswell men as wo­mē: yea also in a vulgar & cōmon lan­guag vnderstād of al, for asmuch as to al generally it is directed, & the promises of the Lord contained in the same appertaineth vnto all,Roma. 13. Luke. 24. whereby An­techrist with all his do exercise great and cruell tiranny vpon all the faith­full children of God,1. Timo. 4. 2. Timo. 3. 2. Pet. 3. aswell for that he taketh from them and forbiddeth them the reading thereof, setting be­fore them his dreames, cannons, and damnable traditions in stéede of the same. But also for that he forbiddeth and commaundeth in any indifferent [Page 27] things, vpon paine of deadly sin and eternall condempnation, which is a true note and marke of Antechrist.

The .lvii. Article.

I Beléeue that holy euangelical doc­trine,Heb. 2. Ioh. 5.10. Math. 8.9.10.27. Luke. 9.10. Ac. 3.4.5.9 13.14.19.20 to haue byn confirmed in his time by diuine miracles, aswell by Iesus Christ, the prophets & Apostls, as by other faythfull and good mini­sters of the same: So that it is not neede now to haue, or demaūd other: but to content our selues with that which hath byn made, and to beléeue simply in the onely worde, without séeking any further. Watching and alwayes taking héede that we be not deceiued by the false myracles of An­techriste (of which the worlde is at this daye full) whiche are doon and wrought by the opperation of sathan for to conforme all idolatries, errors,Math. 24. Mark. 13. 2. Thes. 2. Apo. 13.16. abuses and iniquities, in blinding the poore ignoraunt people. The Lorde doth permit the same iustlye,3. Reg. 23. 2. Thess. 2. because they well not receiue the spirite of trueth for to be saued. He permitteth [Page] that they should receiue the spirite of lyinges with the effecacie of abusion for to be condempned, for that they haue allowed lying and iniquitie. And haue reiected righteousnesse and trueth.Math. 27. Mark. 16. Ioh. 10.21. Act. 3.5.19. 1. Cor. 12. 1. Cor. 14. Then the true myracles are done by the onely vertue of God, for the confirmation of his doctrine, and are geuen vnto the Infidelles, and not vnto the beleeuers: but the pro­phesie, that is to saye, the worde is geuen vnto the faythfull and belée­uers.

The .lviii. Article.

Gene. 17. Roma. 4. Math. 28. Mark. 16. Luk. 3. I Do also beléeue the holy Sacra­ments (which are the second mark of the true Church (to be the signes of the Alliance made betwéene God and vs, by Iesus Christ, seales of the Lordes promise and externe and vi­sible Symboles of the inwarde faith,S. August the which are onely two in number: to weete.Luk. 22. Iohn. 1.3. Titus. 3. Act. 19. Baptisme, and the holye Supper of the Lorde: These are not voyde and emptye signes, but full: [Page 28] That is to saye, not onely significa­tiue signes, but also exhibitiue, of the thinge they signify indeede (as wee wyll declare hereafter GOD wylling.) Touching the other fyue, whiche are receaued and exercised with great abuse and superstition in the papisticall Church: to wéete,Math. 19. 1. Tim. 5. 2. Timo. 1. Mark. 8. Ieam. 5. Confyrmation, Confession, Mary­age, laying on of handes, otherwise called, order and vnction. I saye all those to haue beene ecclesiasticall ce­remonies, whiche the holy Fathers, haue vsed in their tyme holyly, with­out anye superstition, whiche also we may at this daye vse after theyr example,2. Cor. 3. Gala. 3.4. Ephe. 2. Coloss. 2. Hebr. 9.10. so that it be doon without error, abuse and superstition: Al­wayes saued the christian and euan­gellicall lybertye, the whiche de­lyuereth our consciences from all externall Ceremonies instituted by menne, wythout the woorde of God.

The .lix. Article.

Mat. 28. Mark. 16. Gene. 17. Coloss. 2. I Beléeue that the Baptisme, is the signe of the new alliance betwéene god and vs, made by Iesus Christ, and the marke of the Christians in the Gospell, as of late the Circumci­sion was the mark of the Iewes vn­der the law.Iohn. 3. Ephe. 5. Titus. 3. That it is also an exteri­or washing doon by water, signifi­ing an interior washing in the spirit, don by the blood of Christe: the which ought to be geuen and bestowed,Mat. 19.28 Mar. 10.16 Heb. 6. Ephe. 4. as­well to the litle Children, as to the olde ones, according to the ordinance of Iesus Christe, and that once only, without reiterating it.Exo. 14. That is the red Sea, within which, Pharao (that is to saye the Diuell) with his pro­uokementes of sinne,1. Cor. 10. is altogether drowned, and the Israelites passed thorow the middes safe.Acts. 4. And after­wardes walked thorow the wilder­nesse of this worlde, with great an­guish,Iohn. 6. werynesse and troubles, vsed daylye the celestiall Manna, which is the holye worde of the Lorde, vn­tyll they entred by death, into the Lande of the celestiall promise.

The lx. Article.

I Beléeue also that the Baptisme is the entrance of the Church,Acts. 2. Iohn. 3. Ephe. 5. Titus. 3. a wash­ing of regeneration and a renewing in the holye Ghost, by which we re­nownce our selues, Sathan, the flesh, sinne and the worlde,Rom. 13. Ephe. 4. C [...]lo. 3. for hauing layd away the olde man with all his con­cupicences, we put on the newe man, which is Iesus Christe in righteous­nesse and holinesse,Rom. 6. Colo. 2. Gala. 3. 2. Cor. 5. Colo. 3. with whome we dye, and are buried in his death, that as Christe is rysen from death, by the glorye of the Father: so should we walke in newnesse of life, mortifiyng alwayes that which is of vs in vs, for to destroy and roote out the body of sinne.

The .lxi. Article.

I Beléeue that that baptisme ought to be administred (not with oyle,Mat. 3.28. Mark. 1. Luk. 3. Iohn. 1.3. Act. 13.8.9 salt, spittle, or such like things) but only in pure and cleane water, in the name of the Father, the sonne and of [Page] the holye Ghoste: after the ordi­nance and institution of God, with­out chaunging any thing, adding or diminishing, and that altogether in a vulgare and common language, vnderstanded of all: forasmuch as all that which is doon or sayde in the Churche of Christe,1. Cor. 14. ought to be vn­derstanded and knowen of all the faythfull.Math. 16. Iohn. 3. Gala. 3. Acts. 2.22 1. Pet. 3. Rom. 8. Gala. 4. Math. 28. Titus. 3. By that Baptisme wee are chaunged, and transformed from the Children of wrath, sinne, dyuell and perdition, into ye children of God of grace and saluation: For to bee heyres of GOD, and coheyres with Christe in eternall lyfe. And there­fore it ought to be geuen and besto­wed onely to reasonable creatures, which are capable of those thinges, and not vnto vels, or such like things whiche cannot receyue it, nor exer­cyse the thinges sygnifyed by the same.

The .lxii. Article.

Mark. 16. Rom. 2. Act. 8.9.10 I Beléeue that Baptisme of water not to bee so necessary vnto salua­tion [Page 30] that man cannot be saued with­out it, in case of necessitye:Mat. 19. 1. Cor. 7. Also I doubt not of the saluation of the litle Infanntes which dye without Bap­tisme, but that they are saued in the fayth of theyr parentes, aswell as if they were baptised, as also in tymes past the litle Chyldren vnder the lawe whiche dyed without Cir­cumcision,2. Reg. 12. were saued in the fayth of theyr parentes. I vnderstande that onely of the children of the faythfull,Gen. 17. Rom. 4. to whome the promyses of the Lorde appertayned, and not to the Infidels and reprobate.

The .lxiii. Article.

I Beléeue that the holye Sacra­ment of the Supper,Math. 26. Mark. 14. Luk. 22. 1. Cor. 12. is a holye and externe Ceremonye, insti­tuted by Iesus Christe in his Gos­pell, one day ebefore his death, vn­der the likenesse of breade and wine, in remembrance and recordation of his death and passion, hauyng and contayning in it the promyse of the forgeuenesse of synnes, by whych we [Page] perticipate truly the body and blood of Iesus Christe,1. Cor. 10. and are nurrished and fed in the Lordes house (which is his Church) after that we are entred in the same by the Baptisme. That also ought to be geuen and bestowed vnto all vnder both kindes,Math. 26. 1. Cor. 11. after the ordi­nance & commaundement of Christe, against which it is not lawfull to at­tempt any thing.

The .lxiiii. Article.

1. Cor. 11. Iereneus. S. Ambro. S. August. s. Chrisost. Tertulian. I Beléeue that in that holye Sacra­ment, the signes or Symboles are not in any wise chainged: but that they abide wholye in theyr nature. That is to say, that the bread is not changed nor transubstantiated (as the Caphardes and false Doctors haue taught, deceiuing the poore people) into the body of Iesus Christ, neither the wine transustantiated into hys blood.Math. 26. Luk. 22. Gen. 17. Exo. 12.19. Oseas. 4. Rom. 8. 2. Cor. 3. But that the bread abydeth al­wayes bread, and the wine, wine, e­uerye one in his proper and first na­ture. For the wordes which Christe spake vnto his Apostles in geuing [Page 31] the bread, saying: This is my body, I do vnderstand and beléeue it to be spoken by a figure called Metonimia, whiche is a kinde of speaking verye common in the holye scriptures, as the holy scriptures and ecclesiasticall Doctors, Ireneus, Cyprian, Tertu­lian, Ambrose, Augustine, Chrysos­tome and such other, haue vnderstan­ded and declared by theyr writinges, who lyued before the Counsell of La­teran, in which was concluded ye tran­substantiation of the bread into the body of Christe and the wine into his blood,De sum. Trin. tit. 1. Cap. 1. and geuen for an article of faith to the great dishonor of God, and of­fence of all the Church, in the yeere of our Lorde .1050. by pope Leo the ninth, in whiche tyme Sathan was then let loose, as was foreshewed in the Apocalips,Apo. 20. & troubled the Church of Christe more, then it was before.

The .lxv. Article.

I Beléeue that all that Sacrament lieth and consisteth in vsing,Act. 2.20. Luk. 22. 1. Cor. 11. so that in not vsing, that bread and that [Page] wine do differ nothing from other cō ­mon bread and wine,S. August Origine. which men vse commonly in their houses, & therfore I beléeue not, that the body of Christ is contayned, tyed, or enclosed, in that bread, vnder that bread, or with that bread: neither the blood, in that wine, vnder that wine, or with that wine. But I beleeue and confesse his body to be in heauen at the right hande of the Father (as we haue declared be­fore) and that as often and when we vse that bread and that wine,Article. 37. accor­ding to the ordinance and institution of Christ, that truly and indéede, we receyue his body and his blood.

The .lxvi. Article.

Iob. 6. 1. Cor. 10. I Beleeue that that receyuing is doone not carnallye or corporally, but in spyrite, thorow a lyuelye and true fayth.S. August That is to saye, that the body and blood of Christe, are not geuen to the mouth, or belly, for the nurrishing of the bodye, but to our fayth, for nurrishing of the spirite, and inwarde manne to eternall lyfe. [Page 32] And for to doo that, it is not neede­full that Christe descende from hea­uen for to come vnto vs: but that we ascende vnto him,Phil. 3. Colos. 3. addressing our hartes thorow lyuely fayth an hygh to the right hand of the father, where he sitteth, from whence we looke for our redemption: and not to séeke it in these corruptible elementes.

The .lxvii. Article.

I Beléeue that that holye Supper,1. Cor. 11. Rom. 8. is a Sacrament of fayth vnto the faythfull onely, and not for the in­fidelles: in which one fyndeth and re­ceyueth,S. August that that one bringeth thy­ther, and no more, except it be per­aduenture augmentation of fayth, grace and vertue, and therfore in the same,Iohn. 6. 1. Cor. 10. those onelye doo receyue and finde Iesus Christ to saluatiō which bringe it with them thorow a lyuely and true fayth.Iohn. 13. 1. Cor. 11. But others doo finde and receyue there onely the externe and visible Symboles, and that to their condempnation, as Iudas and o­ther such wicked and reprobate.

The .lxviii. Article.

Luk. 22. 1. Cor. 11. Iereneus. I Beléeue that that Sacrament con­taineth two thinges, one which is terrestriall, carnall and vsible, ano­ther which is celestiall, spirituall and inuisible: and I do confesse that as our body and inward man receyueth the terrestriall and visible thing which is the bread and the wine, by which it is alymented and nurrished, that also verely our spirit and inward man receiued the celestiall & spirituall thing, signified by the bread & wine,Ephe. 5. to wete, the body and blood of Christe: So that we are made one with him, bone of his bones, flesh of his flesh, perticipa­ting with him in all righteousnesse and other vertues, gifts and goodnes, which the eternall father hath put in him.

The .lxix. Article.

1. Cor. 10. Exo. 1.2.6.17. I Beléeue that the holy Fathers, Pa­triarkes, Prophetes and all other faythfull and good people, which haue [Page 33] gone before vs and are dead in faith, dyd knowe farre of him that shoulde come, to wete, Christe,Hebr. 11. Ioh. 6.14. Ephe. 3. Rom. 1.3. Gala. 3. Ephe. 4. 1. Cor. 10. Num. 20. by the worde and fayth: and did receyue asmuch, and the verie same, which wee re­ceyue nowe by the Sacramentes: who also were of the verye same Churche, fayth and lawe, of which we are: Christians as wee are, and haue vsed the same Sacramentes in figure, which we vse in déede.

The .lxx. Article.

I Beléeue that vnto that holy Table ought to be admytted,1. Cor. 5.10.11. 2. Thes. 3. but onelie the faythfull, the true contryte and penitent, and all that are vnworthy to be reiected, for feare least they de­fyle & contamynate the holy meates, which the Lorde geueth not,Math. 7.15 but vn­to this domesticall and faithfull. I call vnworthy, all Infydels, Idola­ters, blasphemers, contempners of God, Heretikes, and all people which make sectes, for to breake the vnitie of the Churche: all periured persones, all those which are rebel­lious [Page] against their fathers and mo­thers, and their superiors, all sediti­ous persons, quarrellers, fighters, whoremongers, théeues, rauishers, couetous, droonkerdes, gluttons, and generallye, all those which leade a slaunderous and dyssolute lyfe. Such manner of people haue no parte nor portion in the kingdom of God,Gala. 5. Ephe. 5. ther­fore they ought to be reiected and put out of the Church:Rom. 16. 1. Cor. 5.6. 2. Cor. 2.6 2. Thes. 3. with whome it is not lawfull to frequent, eate, drinke, or contract allyaunce, except it bee peraduenture to win and leade them to repentaunce.

The .lxxi. Article.

I Beléeue that the popishe MasseThe Masse is not, nor can not be the holy Sup­per of the Lorde. But a méere inuention of lying and wicked men: altogether contrarie vnto the same, as the nyght to the daye, Beliall to Christe: The which shall be knowen of all men, more clearelie then the noone day, by the conference and col­lation made betwéene the institution [Page 34] of that Supper, recyted and written by the Euangelistes,Math. 26. Mark. 14. Luk. 22. 1. Cor. 11. and chieflye by the Apostle Saint Paul, and the cele­bration of the Masse. Therefore it is not a remembraunce of the true sa­crifice, that is to saye, of the death and Passion of Christe, as the holye Supper is.Psal. 115. Rom. 3.5. Colo. 1. Hebr. 9.10.12.13. 1. Pete. 1. 1. Iohn. 2. Apos. 1.15. But a renouncing of the same, for so much as it attrybuteth that which belongeth vnto the onelie blood of Christ shedde vpon the crosse, to wete, satisfaction, purgation, and remission of sinnes, with collation of grace: and maketh vs to worship the creature, in steede of the Creator, a péece of breade in stéede of Iesus Christe our onely Lord, sauiour, and redéemer.

The .lxxii. Article.

I Beléeue the thirde marke of the Church (which is the Ecclesiastical discipline) to be greatly profitable,Math. 28. Luke. 17. Iohn. 20. 1. Cor. 5.10.14. yea, necessary in ye Catholike church, for ye consolatiō of the good, & correctio of the wicked:Acts. 5.8. 1. Cor. 5. The which also I re­ceyue, & submyt my selfe to the same, [Page] knowing that it is the ordinaunce of Christe in the Gospell:1. Cor. 2. 1. Timo. 1. 1. Cor. 14. The which also was practised by the Apostles in the primatiue Church, that all might be done honestlie and in good order: which is an honest and neces­sarie thing in euery Congregation.

The .lxxiii. Article.

Math. 16. I Beléeue the power to bynde and loose, excommunicate, and absolue, which we call commonly the keies of the Churche,Math. 18. Iohn 20. to bee geuen of God, not vnto one man or two, or to any particularly, but vnto al the Church, that is to saye, to all the faythfull and beléeuing in Christe, not for to destroye,1. Cor. 10. 2. Cor. 6. waste or consume, but for to buylde vp and aduaunce it altoge­ther. Therefore I saye and con­fesse that the excommunication or ab­solution of the same, ought not, nor can not be geuen at the appetyte, or wyll of some perticularlie, but by the consent of all the Churche, or at least of the greatest, best, and holyest parte [Page 35] of the same, congregated, and assem­bled in the name of Christ with pray­ers.

The .lxxiiii. Article.

I Beléeue that excōmunication exe­cuted duelye,Math. 18. Iohn. 20. Math. 16. Acts. 5.8. 1. Cor. 5. according as Iesus Christe hath declared, and com­maunded in his Gospell, to bee of so great aucthoritie, power & strength, that it can shutte men out of heauen. So that all those which are by law­full excommunication reiected, and put out of the Church mylitant, they shall be also reiected and put from the Church tryumphant,2▪ Cor. 2. Math. 18. 1. Tim. 1. which is in heauen (except they repent) that is a sharpe sworde for to c [...]tte away the rotten members of the mysticall bo­dy of Christe, which is his Churche.Math. 16. Acts. 5.8. 1. Cor. 5. 2. Thes. 3. A key for to shutte vp the heauens a­gainst the wicked, and a rodde to chastice & correct them: The which yet neuerthelesse, is not made for to confounde them, but as a spyrituall medicine for to amend, relieue, heale, [Page] and to set them vp againe, frō which they are fallen.

The .lxxv. Article.

Math. 18. I Beléeue that that excommunica­on (which is the last staffe of the Churche) ought not, nor can not be cast against any person,1. Cor. 5. which first hath not receyued and made pro­fession of the faith and christian Re­ligion. As also it cannot be pronoun­ced for euerie small thing,2. Thess. 3. as are, debtes, or other lyke thinges. Nor also be executed against all sinners,Acts. 5.8. 1. Tim. 1. 2. Iohn. 1. Math. 18. Luke. 17. but onely against publycke, rebelli­ous, and obstynate sinners, towards whome the worde of God, and the brotherly correction, commaūded by Christ in the Gospel, taketh no place. Wherfore all those do greatly abuse that staffe which do excommunicate the Christians,Iohn. 9.12.16. for smal things, with out hauing suffred the brotherly cor­rection. In lyke manner also, those which do excommunicate the Iewes, Turkes, Heathens, & other Infidels: yea, also the Flyes, and other brute [Page 36] beastes, wylling to cast & put out of the christian Church, all that which neuer was in it.

The .lxxvi. Article.

I Beléeue besides the same,Ephe. 4. Ioh. 13.15. Roma. 12.13.15. Gala. 6. Ioh. 2.3.4. that the vnitie of spyrite & wyll, peace con­corde and loue, that is to saye, true loue and brotherly delection, amiable & the mutuall supporting the one to­wardes the other, is also one of the markes and signes of the true calho­lyke Church, & of the faithfull childrē of God, by which they are known to be of the schoole, & number of the Dis­ciples of Iesus Christ:Iere. 7. Math. 7.21 25. Luke. 6.13. Rom. 2. 1. Cor. 13. And we must not glory of the tytle of Christian, or of the fayth, saying: I beléeue, I be­léeue: except we haue that loue, peace, charitie, and true vnitie of the harte together, agréeing the one with the other in all good works:Iames. 2. Iohn. 8.14. 1. Ioh. 2.3.4. For the true faith neuer goeth wtout these things, by which also, it declareth & manife­steth it self vnto al. These are ye signs & marks of the true christian church, to which she is bound & tyed, and not [Page] to a certaine place,S. August. tyme or persons. And there she is perfect, where these markes are founde and exercised: and not otherwise, that if one of that fayle, then it is not perfect. And al­though that, that total perfection can be founde for the estate of this pre­sent world, in the Church myllytant, yet the faulte ought to be acknowled­ged before the Lorde, and to endeuor to remedy and set it in good order.

The .lxxvii. Article.

Luke. 22. Math. 28. Mark. 16. Luke. 24. Math. 10. Mark. 6. Luke. 9.10. Ephe. 6. I Beléeue & receyue in that Church two swordes, that is to saye, two powers, the one Ecclesiastical and Spyrituall, the which consisteth in the onely administration of the word and Sacramentes, she caryeth, ney­ther rodde, nor staffe, other then the tongue, & she vseth none other knyfe then the sworde of the spyrite,Leuit. 21. Iere. 23. Ezec. 34. 3. Reg. 2. 1. Tim. 3. Titus. 1. which is the worde of God. In lyke manner I confesse that all those which haue that sworde betwéene their handes, ought to be irreprehensible, aswel in [Page 37] their lyfe as doctrine: Otherwise, one ought to depose & put them from their offices, and to put and substy­tute other better, in their places. The other power is pollitike,Rom. 11. to wete, the Magistrate, as touching externe and ciuill things, for to geue according to Iustice vnto euerie one that appertaineth vnto him.1. Pet. 2.

The .lxxviii. Article.

I Beléeue that the Magistrate,Exo. 18.2 [...]. Deu. 16.17. Prou. 8. Esai. 1. Dam. 2. Roma. 13. 1. Peter. 2. Mat. 17.22. is one ordained of God in his church for to defende the good people, and to chastice and punishe the wicked: To whome also we must render and geue the tribute, honour and reue­rence, and obey him in all thinges, which are not against the worde of God.Mark. 12. Luke. 26. Iohn. 18. Ephe. 6. Colos. 3. 1. Peter. 2. And I do vnderstande that not onelye of the faythfull Magistrate: But also of the vnfaithfull, wicked and Tyrant: to whome also we must obey as to the Lorde, in all thinges: so that hee commaunde nothing a­gainst the worde of the Lorde: For then wee ought rather to obey God [Page] then men, after the example of the A­postles Peter and Iohn.

The .lxxix. Article.

Rom. 13. Deut. 7.12.17. 3. Reg. 15. 4. Reg. 18.23. Nehemias. Esai. 49. 4. Reg 23. Nehem. 8. I Beléeue that vnto the Magistrate belongeth not onely to haue regard ouer pollityke thinges, but also o­uer the Ecclesiasticall thinges, for to take away and put downe all Idola­trie, and all false seruing of God. For to destroy the kingdom of Antichrist, and all false doctrine: and to promote the glorie of God, and to aduance the kingdome of Christe: to cause the worde of the Gospell to be preached euery where, and to maintayne the same euē vnto death:Deut. 13. Also to chastice and punish the false Prophets, which leade the poore people after Idolles and straunge Gods: and which in stéede of the Gospell, do preache and teach the fables & traditions of men, to the dishonor of God, and of Iesus Christe his sonne, to the great euyll and offence of the hearers, and to the ruyne of all the Church.Roma. 13. 1. Pete. 2. Vnto that Magistrate, euerie person of what [Page 38] estate or conditiō so euer he be,Exod. 22. Prou. 16.19.20. Baruc. 2. 2. Cro. 20. Psal. 82. Esai. 45. Roma. 14. Ierem. 29. 1. Tim. 2. ought to be subiect & obeye him in all honest and reasonable things, for that he re­presēteth the person of ye great Lord, before whome euerye knée ought to bowe: Therefore he ought not to be forgotten in our prayers, for that the Lord wil dyrect him in al his wayes, and that we maye ioyne together in good peace and trāquilitie vnder him.

The .lxxx. Article.

I Beléeue that that Magistrate (as also the sacraments and other lyke things) was ordayned of the Lord for to ayde the imperfection of man in the corrupt nature after the sinne,Deut. 17. 1. Reg. 8. whome the faythfull (after he hath proued all other meanes) may holyly and iustlye vse in all controuersies,1. Cor. 6. Rom. 13. which maye happen betwéene him and his neighbor, and for to make an ende and peace in all things. Wher­fore hee which in necessitie wyll not vse him, ought rather to bee iudged an Annabaptist, then a Christian.

The .lxxxi. Article.

Exod. 22. 4. Reg. 23. 2. Cron. 15. 1. Esdr. 10. Hebr. 6. Deut. 6.10. Leuit. 19. Exo. 20.23. Math. 5. I Beléeue that the Magistrate, ho­lylie maye geue the oathe vnto the faithful in iudgement, for to know the trueth, and to make an ende of all controuersies and dyfferences be­twéene men, the which ought to bée done by the onely name of the lyuing God: for asmuch as it is the thyrde commaundement of the fyrst Table. And although that the Christian per­fection be,Iam. 5. to saye simply, yea, yea: nay, nay: without swearing any thing at all.Iere. 4.12. Esay. 9. Gene. 22. Yet neuerthelesse, the faithfull maye holylie vse an oath in place and tyme, with discretion, in the feare of God, for honest, iust and true thinges,Hebr. 6. Rom. 1.9. 2. Cor. 1. Gala. 1. Eccle. 23.27 for to confyrme the trueth, when the honour of God, or the health of our neyghbour depen­deth on it, and not otherwyse. For the man that accustometh him selfe to swearing shall be filled with ini­quitie, and the plague shall neuer de­part from his house.Deut. 23. Iosua. 4. Psalm. 76. Eccle. 5. Malac. 1. Math. 5.23 I do also con­fesse, that as all oathes, vowes and [Page 39] promyses (made accordinge to the Lordes worde) be it vnto God, or to men, are obligatorie, and ought to be kepte and obserued inuyolablie. Also that those which are made without,Iudges. 11. Math. 14. Acts. 23. or against the worde and commaun­dement of God (as are the monasti­call vowes and other such like, which promise impossible thinges and alto­gether against the word of the Lord) do bynde nothing at all: but maye be holylie broken and vyolated:1. Reg. 25. For in wicked promises, and in foolishe and indiscrete vowes, the faithfull, pru­dent and wyse man maye change his mynde.

The .lxxxii. Article.

I Beléeue & confesse that the estate of mariage is honorable amongst all men, and the bed vndefiled,Hebr. 13. Gene. 2. Math. 19. 1. Cor. 7. 1. Tim. 3. Titus. 1. ho­ly and cleane, ordayned and institu­ted of God for generation, and for to auoyde fornication, from which none ought nor can not be reiected (except there be some iust and lawfull let by the worde of God,Leuit. 18. Gen. 1.8.9. 1. Cor. 7. Sapi. 8. Math. 19.) but ought to be [Page] free for al men of what estate or con­dition soeuer he be. For it is a great deale better to marie then to burne. And therefore those which haue not the gyft of contynencie,1. Cor. 7. Sapi. 8. Mat. 19. 1. Cor. 7. are bound to marie: least the temple of the holye Ghost, that is to saye our bodyes, be polluted or prophaned.1. Cor. 3.6.

The .lxxxiii. Article.

1. Tim. 4. 1. Tim. 3. Rom. 14. I Do also beléeue that the forbidding of mariage to certaine persons, as also the forbidding of meates, the difference of daies, apparel, and all such lyke thinges,Malac. 1.2. Baruc. 2. Esai. 1.9. Iere. 6.13. Oseas. 6. Amos. 5. Gala. 4. Collos. 2. Roma. 14. 1. Cor. 8. 1. Tim. 4. is the diuellysh doctrine of Antechriste, altogether contrary to the christian and euangelicall lyber­tie, geuen by Iesus Christ, the which deliuereth vs from all those legalles, & externall ceremonies, and putteth vs at lybertie to vse all things (with­out offēce neuerthelesse of our neigh­bour) with geuing of thankes vnto God. For all thinges are made holy by the word and praier, to him which [Page 40] hath known and receiued the trueth. Wherfore to compel and constraine the christians to such things, that is, to take from them, & rob them of the christian liberty, to tyrannyse them,Apo. 13.17. Gala. 3. and bring thē vnder againe the curse of the lawe, of which Christe by his death and passiō hath deliuered them. And it is a true marke and note of antechrist.

The .lxxxiiii. Article.

I Beléeue yt the pure and true ser­uing of God consisteth not in those ceremonies & outward things,Esai. 1. Iere. 6. Math. 6.23 Luke. 17. 3. Reg. 18. nor in much babling, and mumbling of long prayers, nor in crying and how­ling in the Temple, lyke vnto Asses, or the Priestes of Baall. Iohn. 5.6. Rom. 14. Acte. 7.17. Gala. 5. But in spi­rituall thinges, as are the liuely and true faith in God, and in his word by his Sonne Iesus Christe, working by charity towardes their neyghbor, in true and perfect inuocation of his name,Gene. 4.12.21. Psalm. 50. Ioel. 2. with obedyence to his com­maundementes, and humility of spi­rite according to his worde. For as [Page] God is a spyrite,Iohn. 4. 2. Cor. 3. so woulde he be ser­ued in spyrite and trueth.

The .lxxxv. Article.

Esai. 1. Ierem. 6. Amos. 5. Esai. 37. Iere. 2.7.9.32. Eze. 5.6.16. I Beléeue that all the seruyng of GOD which is done without hys worde and commaundement to be Idolatrie and wickednesse. I call I­dolatry (after the fashion of the Pro­phetes) not onely that which is done to the honor of an Idoll, or of strange Gods. But also that which is done for the honor of the liuing God, with­out his worde and commaundement. Therefore Idolaters are not onelie those which do worshyp and serue I­dols and straunge Gods,3. Reg. 3.12 15.22. 4. Reg. 12.14.18.23. Esai. 29. Math. 15. as the Eth­nickes, Panymes and such lyke: But also all those, which worshyppe and serue the true God of heauen, after their fantasie, or traditions of men, without fayth, without the worde, and otherwise then God commaūded. And on the other syde, I call those faithfull which do acknowledge and serue one onely God of heauen, after his worde and commaundement,1. Cor. 10. Gala. 2. of [Page 41] whome all the works aswell externall and internall, corporall as spyrituall,Collos. 3. Rom. 12. 1. Cor. 7. Ephe. 4. are the true seruing of the Lorde, for that they are done in the fayth of the sonne of God, and according to the vo­cation of the Lord, according to which euery faithfull person ought to walk.

The .lxxxvi. Article.

I Beléeue and confesse,Deut. 13. Esai. 52. 1. Cor. 10. 2. Cor. 6. that it is not lawfull for any Christian, to be as­sistant, neither in spirite nor body, to the sacrifices of Idolaters, nor also to enter into their Temples, whylest they are doing their Idolatries & Sa­crifices: except it be for to rebuke thē,3. Reg. 13. 4. Reg. 10. Actes. 3.9.17.19. Gene. 2. Iob. 10. 1. Cor. 3.6. Ephe. 5. 1. Cor. 15. Iohn. 5.11. 1. Thes. 4. in shewing them their abuse, and to teach them ye trueth, as the holy Pro­phets and Apostles haue done, and not for to dyssemble as Hypocrites. For if the body be a creature of God (as it is) as the soule is the Temple of the holy Ghost, and member of the misti­call body of Christe: If it must one day ryse againe, and possesse the eternall lyfe with the soule, it must also neces­sarily be, that it be altogether geuen [Page] vnto the seruing of God in this world with the soule and spyrite: Otherwise they cannot be ioygned together after the generall resurrection: but being seperated, the one should be in heauen with God whome be loued, and the o­ther in hell with the diuell whome hee serued:Math. 10. Rom. 10. Luke. 12. the which is an impossyble thing. Therefore I saye, that all those dissymulations to bee a verie renoun­cing of Christe and of his Gospel.Gala. 2. 2. Math. 6. In lyke manner I beleeue & confesse that all those fayninges and false shewes, by which the veritie of the Gospell is hidden, and the word of God despised, or by which the ignoraunt and Infidel is confirmed in his error, or by which the weake is offended, are not of God, but of Satan, altogether contrary vn­to the truth of the word.1. Reg. 18. Therfore we must not halt on both sides, but go vp­rightly before that great God, which séeth,Dan. 13. Heb. 4. beholdeth, & knoweth all things: yea, before they are begun.

The .lxxxvii. Article.

Sap. 14. Psalm. 97. I Do also beléeue that the beginning of all Idolatryes, was the excogita­tion [Page 42] and fyrst inuention of Images,Esai. 40. Osc. 10. Baruc. 6. the which also were made to the abho­mination and offence of the Soules of men, and are as snares and nettes to the féete of the ignoraunt, for to make them stumble. Therefore they ought not to be honoured, serued, adored,Psalm. 114. nor suffred in the Temples or Churches,Deut. 7.16.27, 29. nor in the places where the Christiās doo assemble them selues together for to heare and vnderstand the word, but altogether to be taken away & destroi­ed,Exo. 20.23. Deut. 7. 4. Reg. 18.23. as the seconde commaundement of God doth well declare, and that by the publyke authoritie of the Magistrate, and not by the priuate authoritie of one perticular man.Deut. 17. Sapi. 14. Psal. 114. 1. Iohn. 5. For the woodde of the gybbit by which one doth Iustice, is blessed of God: But the Image made with mans hande, is curssed of God, and he that maketh it with it. Therefore we ought to kéepe our sel­ues from Images aboue all thinges.

BEholde what I beleeue of the catholike Church, and of the thinges concerning the same: and that is for the fourth point [Page] of my faith. Nowe remaineth to speake of the fruites proceeding from it, and what I receyue by that faith, which are three in number. VVherof the first is.

The forgeuenesse of sinnes.

The .lxxxviii. Article.

Iob 15.25. Psal. 14.15. Roma. 3. 1. Iohn. 1. Esai. 53. 1. Peter. 2. Gene 8.9. Pro. 20. Ephe. 2. Iohn. 8. Rom. 3. I Beléeue yt all those which are come, and which shall come of the race or lyne of Adam, generallye are con­ceiued and borne in iniquity & corrup­tion (except one onely Iesus Christe) and that they are all sinners & trans­gressors of the lawe and wyll of God: And according to their nature, corrup­ted, the chyldren of wrath, worthy of Gods iudgemēt, of condempnation & eternall death,Iohn. 3. hauing all néede of the grace & mercy of God, and of the blood of Christe to be shead. For God hath enclosed all men vnder sinne,Rom. 11. Gala. 3. that hée shoulde shewe mercie vnto all thorow Iesus Christ our Lorde.

The .lxxxix. Article.

I Beléeue that the knowledge of sin,Rom. 3.7. Ierem. 31. Mich. 7. Ioh. 3.5.10. Act. 4.5.10 Ro. 4.5.10. Ephe. 2. Titus. 3. procéedeth from the law, but the for­geuenes & pardon of the same com­meth from the Gospell, and is geuen vnto vs thorow the only grace & mer­cie of God, in the blood of Iesus Christ, kéeping the faith that we haue in him, by which wee are reputed righteous before God: and not thorowe our good works or merites, nor by the merites of ye purest creature celestiall or terre­stiall: For I do not know,Esai. 53. Rom. 5.6. Ephe. 5. Hebr. 9.10. nor receyue any other merites thē those of my good Lord, master and onely sauiour Iesus Christe, who hath merited & satisfied aboundantly for vs, and hath payd the debt, for all his,1. Peter. 2. 1. Iohn. 2. Colos. 2. in cancelating ye hand wryting and obligation which was a­gainst vs, and taking it away frō the midst of vs, hath fixed it in the Crosse.

The .lxxxx. Article.

I Beléeue that that iustifying fayth,Math. 16. Iohn. 6. is a pure & singuler gyft of God, the [Page] which is commonly geuen by the hea­ring of the word,Ephe. 2. Roma. 10. Hebr. 12. vpon which onely it is builded, and not vpon the doctrines and traditions of men.Fayth. Roma 8. Gala. 4. Iohn. 3. Math. 7. Roma. 5. Ezech. 18. 1. Timo. 1. Iohn. 1.3. Gala. 3. I call the iusti­fying faith, a certayne assuraunce and sure peswasion of the good wyll, loue, grace, goodnes and mercy of God to­wardes vs, by which we are assured and verely perswaded in our harts, of the mercy, fauour and beneuolence of God the Father, that he is for vs, to­wards vs, & against vs, and wil be vn­to vs a mercifull father,Ephe. 2. 2. Timo. 1. Titus. 3. to pardon our sinnes, & to geue grace to adopt vs for his children, and to constitute vs to be his heyres in the eternall life, and that altogether fréely,Mat. 17.21. Luke. 17. Mark. 9. Philip. 4. in his sonne, and tho­row his onely sonne Iesus Christ our Lorde, and not thorow our merites or good workes. That faith can doo all thinges,Luke. 17. Marke. 9. Philip. 4. and nothing is impossible to it: the which is neuer perfect nor great inough in vs, therefore we ought al­wayes to pray with the Apostles, say­ing: Lord encrease our faith, helpe our vnbeléefe.Luke. 17. Iohn. 1.36.20. Acts. 10.15. For that onely doth comfort vs, maketh vs holy, righteous, and a­greeable before the Lorde, doth make [Page 44] and declare vs to bee the chyldren of God, and heyres of eternall life.Rom. 1.14. Gala. 3.4. Hebr. 11. The which also is the mother, the begyn­ning and roote of all good workes,Roma. 14 as infydelitie is the fountayne and roote of all euylles.

The .lxxxxi. Article.

I Beléeue moreouer,Math. 7.19 21.25. Ioh. 3.8.10 13.14. Roma. 2.12 1. Cor. 13. Gala. 5.6. Woorkes. that the good workes are not superfluous, vaine nor vnprofitable, but necessarie to saluation: I call good works, not those which are done after the fantasie or commaundement of men, but those only which God hath cōmaunded to be be done, by his worde,Roma. 14. Luke. 17. Esai. 64. Gala. 5. the which ought to be done, not for to merite any thing towardes the Lorde, or for to auoyde eternall condempnation: But onelye, because that God hath commaunded them:Exo. 20. 1. Thes. 4. Ioh. 14.15. Math. 5. Ezech. 16. Roma. 2. And for to testifie the loue which we haue vnto the Lord, and the obedi­ence vnto his worde and commaunde­ment: And to the ende that in vs and by vs hee be glorifyed, and our neigh­bours, aswell faithfull as vnfaithfull, [Page] maye be edifyed.1. Pete. 2. Iam. 2. Lykewise to shewe and manifest the faith which we haue in God and in his worde, as the good tree declareth him selfe,Math. 7. and is known by his fruite, and for to render certain and sure our vocation,2. Pete. 1. election, and Predestination. These are the endes of good workes commaunded of God, and who so euer dooth them to any o­ther ende,Gala. 2.5. hee abuseth, sinneth, dooth wrong and dishonor vnto the blood of Christe, and dishonoreth God and his worde. For by his doings he declareth Christe to haue dyed in vaine.

The .lxxxxii. Article.

Esai. 43. Math. 9. Mark. 2. Luke. 5.7. Mat. 10.16.18. Mark. 16. Luk. 24. Iohn. 20. 1. Iohn. 1.2 I Beléeue ye there is no man in this worlde, nor in the other, neyther in heauen nor in the earth, which can forgeue and pardō my sinnes, but one onely God, who also hath geuen the power and authoritie vnto the Myni­sters of his worde, to declare vnto the faythfull that beleeue, and which are contrite and penitent, the remission of their sinnes to be done by grace freely,Acts. 2.3.5.10.15. in the blood of Christe shead for them. [Page 45] And to declare them to bee absolued from their sinnes,2. Cor. 3.5.10. and that altogether by the Minister of the worde, in the catholyke Church,1. Peter. 3. in which that for­geuenes is made and done, and not o­therwyse.Repentāce. But of our parte, is requy­red entyre and true repentaunce. The which hath two partes.Ezech. 18. Esai. 55. Acts. 3. Iere. 18. Gene 4. Math. 27. The first is contrition, that is to saye, know­ledge, with displeasure and detestati­on to sinne, the which is administred by the lawe, and causeth in vs a des­payre, if it be not ayded of the other parte,Math. 3. Iohn. 3.8. Roma. 5. Iere. 3. which is the lyuelie faith in the mercie of the father, by the blood of Ie­sus Christ, the which proceedeth from the Gospell, that doth comfort vs, and maketh vs to persyst and finde grace and fauour before the iudgement of God.

The .lxxxxiii. Article.

I Beléeue that the sinne abydeth al­wayes in man, yea,Iob. 3.6.7.9. Ierem. 20. Math. 6. Rom. 7.8. 1. Iohn. 3. vnto those that are sanctified, after the regenerati­on made by the baptisme and the holie spyrite, the which neuerthelesse is not [Page] imputed vnto them,Math. 21. 1. Iohn. 3. thorow the fayth that they haue in Iesus Christe: For as all the sinnes of the Infidels and re­probate are mortall and irremissyble, because of their infidelitie,Hebr. 11. Ioh. 3.5.6. Roma. 8.1 so all the sinnes of the faithfull and elect are ve­niable and remissible, because of their fayth:1. Ioh. 4.5. Mark. 6. Iohn. 3.8. Roma. 8. 1. Iohn. 3.5 And therfore I beléeue one one­lie sinne to be mortall & irremissyble, that is to saye, Infidelitie: That is to say, not to beleeue in the sonne of God, for where true faith in Iesus Christe is founde, all sinnes are hydden, coue­red and pardoned.

¶ I beleeue the resurrection of the fleshe, which is the seconde fruit of my fayth.

The .lxxxxiiii. Article.

Iob. 14.19. Esai. 26. Dan. 12. 1. Cor. 15. Apoc. 20. Iohn. 5.11. I Beléeue a resurrection to come, and generall vnto all the worlde, aswell to the good as euyll: The which shall be done at the ende and consum­mation of the worlde, by the vertue [Page 46] of Christe, and by the ministring of the Angels:Math. 24. 1. Thes. 4. the which with a lowde Trumpet shall call all the worlde be­fore the Lorde, and shall assemble all the elect, from the fowre windes, from the highest heauens, vnto the lowest part of the earth, and shall seperate the wicked from the middest of the righte­ous:Math. 13. and shall cast them in the fornace of fyre, where shall be wéeping & gna­shing of téethe.Dan. 12. Then the righteous shall shyne as the Sunne, in the king­dome of their Father. And shalbe lyke and companions with the Angelles of God. That is the seconde resurrection,Math. 22. 2. Timo. 2. Apoc. 20. and blessed is he that shall haue parte and portion in the same, for he shal ne­uer be touched with the second death.

The .lxxxxv. Article.

I Beléeue that that resurrection shall be done in fleshe, and not in spyrite.Ezech. 37. Sopho. 3. Philip. 3. Eccle. 12. Mat. 10.21 Iohn. 3.5. That is to saye, that the soule or spyrite of man shall not ryse againe, for so muche as it is immortall, and neuer dyeth. But the bodye, the [Page] which before (aswell according to his nature,2. Cor. 5. Gene. 3. Rom. 5.6. as thorow sin) was subiect vn­to death, corrpution, rotten & brought into dust and ashes, shall be raysed vp and vnited with his soule and proper spirite,1. Cor. 15. and set in a perfecter estate then that of the first man before sinne,Gene. 2. Eccle. 17. Roma. 8. Phil. 3. exempted from all corruption of sinne, and consequentlie from all other im­perfections, like vnto the gloryous bo­dye of Christe.

The .lxxxxvi. Article.

Iob. 19. Iohn. 5.11. Acts. 23.24. 2. Cor. 5. I Do also beléeue that I shall ryse a­gaine, not in the fleshe or body of a­nother mans, but in my very owne body, which I brought from my mo­thers wombe: with those same bones, with ye very body which I haue nowe: The same notwithstanding transfor­med and chaunged:1. Cor. 15. made of mortall, immortall: of corruptible, incorrup­tible: of vyle and contemptible, glo­rious.Phil. 3. And therefore I looke for my sa­uiour Iesus Christe: who thorow his vertue, shall transfigure my vile body: that it maye be lyke vnto his glorious [Page 47] body, according to ye power, by which hee can make all thinges subiect vnto himselfe.

¶ I beleeue the lyfe euerlastyng. VVhich is the thirde and laste fruite of my fayth.

The .lxxxxvii. Article.

I Beléeue that I shall ryse againe (as I haue sayde) with all the faithfull and electe, not for to dye againe,3. Reg. 17. 4. Re. 4.13. Math. 9.27 Luke. 7. Iohn. 11. Acts. 9.20. Iohn. 5.11. as those which were myraculouslye ray­sed, aswell by Christe, as by the Pro­phets and Apostles and such other, but into an immortal, eternall and perdu­rable lyfe, for to raigne eternallye with God in body and soule:Iohn. 3. Roma. 8. Gala. 3.4. Ephe. 1. And here­of I am very certayne and doubte no­thing at all of it: knowing that who­soeuer doubteth of his saluation made by Iesus Christe, he shall neuer bee saued. Wherefore,Roma. [...]. euen as I am sure and certaine, that Christe is dead and rose againe for mée, and doubt nothing [Page] at all therof, but am sure and certaine of my saluation made by him. And that infallibly I shalbe saued,Iohn. 3.5.6.8.10. and shal go into eternall lyfe by him.

The .lxxxxviii. Article.

1. Cor. 13. 1. Iohn. 3. I Beléeue that then I shall sée face to face, him whome I do nowe sée but by the glasse of fayth, & shall know him perfectly,Psalm. 110. 1. Cor. 15. whome I knowe nowe but partlye, who after that he hath destroyed and confounded all his ad­uersaries, putting them as his foote­stoole,Esa. 65.66. 2. Peter. 3. wyll make all thinges newe, for the glorie of his chosen. And shall be God all in all, and in all things: Then euery one shall not teache his brother,Apoc. 21. Ierem. 31. Hebr. 8. saying: Knowe the Lord: For all shall knowe him from the greatest to the least among them.

The .lxxxxix. Article.

Luke. 16. Numb. 16. I Doo also beléeue that as the soules and spyrites of the Infidels, wicked [Page 48] and reprobate,1. Peter. 3. 2. Peter. 2. Iude. 1. Apoc. 20. after they are departed from the body: that strayght way they descende into hell, in the eternall fyre of hell, their bodies remayning in the earth corrupted and rotten: So the spi­rites and soules of the faithfull,Luke. 23. Iohn. 5.6.8.11.17. 2. Cor. 5. Philip. 1. and e­lect children of God assoone as they de­part from their body, without tarying any whytte, doo go strayght way into heauen into glorye with the Lorde. And there doo looke for alwayes with great desyre,Roma. 1. Luke. 21. the comming and totall redemption of their bodyes, the which they haue left rotten and corrupted in the earth, the which they shall obtaine at the latter daye, and not before. Wherein I reiect the foolysh opinion,Collos. 3. Ierene [...]. S. Chriso. S. Barna [...]. of the dreamers (although there be of the auncients and excellent Authors) which affirme ye spirites of the Saints not to be yet in heauen, but to sléepe in a certaine place, to vs vnknowen, vn­tyll they hauing receyued theyr bo­dyes at the latter daye,Ephe. 4. in which the mysticall body of Christ being entyer, perfect and fulfilled, ought to enter in­to eternall glory.

The .C. Article.

FInally, I beléeue that as ye Saints and blessed (the Iudgement be­ing done) doo go with Christe triumphing in the ayre in body and soule, for to abyde eternally in glorie with him, and his Angelles. That so the wicked, myserable and dampned, shall go into hel in body and soule with the diuell and his angels, for to abyde there eternally, and to be tormen­ted with him in hell fire, which neuer goeth out, where is wéeping and gna­shing of teethe, where the woorme ne­uer dyeth. From which the Lorde preserue and kéepe vs thorowe his grace and mercie. Amen.

❧ The Conclusion.

BEholde (my déere and welbeloued brethren in Iesus Christ) briefly, the fayth & knowledge of the my­steries which the Lorde hath geuen and bestowed vppon mee thorowe his grace and mercy, vnworthy and poore sinner, which haue not meryted so much good­nesse towardes him, but rather his wrath and iudgement: And therfore I know and confesse all to haue procée­ded from him, vnto whom onely I ren­der eternall thankes, whome also I be­séeche in the name of his Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord, to preserue & kéepe me thorow his holy spirit, in that faith vn­to the ende, & to geue mee grace, vertue & power to confesse it with the hart and mouth, aswell before the Infidelles, as the faithfull, the tyrants and hangmen of Antechrist, & to mayntaine the same vnto the last drop of my blood: I desire greatly to lyue and dye in ye faith, kno­wing & being well assured, that it hath for her foūdation the only word of God, and that in ye same al the holy Fathers, Patriarkes, Prophets and Apostles of [Page] Iesus Christ haue liued and dyed in it. That is ye true knowledge of the Lord, the which consysteth in the beatytude and felicitie of man, as Christe sayth in the Gospell, This is lyfe eternall (O Father) that we acknowledge thée to be very God,Iohn. 17. and him whom thou hast sent Iesus Christe. This is the auncient doctrine nowe reuealed by the holy spy­rite, the which in our tyme was raysed vp againe, and as from the bottome of the depthes was restored vnto vs a­gaine, by the grace and mercye of God, and by the mynistring of good Doctors, and true faythfull Mynisters of the same. This is the hydden trueth, the which was buryed and kepte close by that Antechriste of Rome, and his false Prophets, these fiue hundreth yéeres or there about: who in stéede thereof dyd auaunce their dreaminges and mans traditions, and other lyke doctrine fry­uolous, vaine and vnprofitable, to the great dishonor of God, to the offending of the faythfull, and to the ruyne of all the Churche of Iesus Christe: As also they doo yet at this daye in many places thorowe out the world, persecuting that [Page] holy Euangelicall doctrine, in all places and by all meanes. Endeuoring them selues to burie it againe, to hyde and couer it, and altogether to destroye it, but they shall all perish in their enter­prises,Esai. 49. and the worde of the Gospell shall abyde eternally: For so hath hée promised,Luke. 1. who is onely true and can not lye, And heauen and earth shall sooner passe, then his promise shoulde not hée fulfilled.Math. 10. Wherefore blessed is hée that shall continue vnto the ende in that doc­trine. For he shall be partaker of all the promises of God: And on the con­trarie, wo be vnto him that shall con­tempne, despyse or reiecte it. For the wrath of God abydeth vpon him. Hée that beléeueth in mée (sayth Christe) hee shall not bée condempned.Iohn. 3. But hée that beléeueth not, hee is alreadye condempned, his parte and portion shall be with the peruerse and wycked Hypocrites, in eternall hell fyre.

Also I reiecte alwayes the doctryne of Luiterim, with whome I wyll haue neyther parte nor portion. And also I renownce all the doctryne [Page] of that Antechrist of Rome, with al his Idolatries, mans sectes, errors and pa­pisticall superstitions, in which, I haue bene some tyme plunged in it (to my great hurte) euen vp to the eares, abu­sing my selfe after the creatures, forsa­king my Creator, persecuting (yea, euē vnto death) those which dyd teache that same which I now beléeue and confes. But I haue obtained mercy of ye Lord,1. Tim. 1. because I dyd it thorow ignoraunce, in my vnbeléefe, as many do yet at this day thorowe out the worlde, being lead and conducted with a foolish & vndiscrete zeale: who in accusing, persecuting and putting to death the faithfull, and true members of Iesus Christe (which doo seeke nothing else but the honor of God, and the saluation of all the worlde,) doo thinke to doo things agréeable to God,Iohn. 16. and to offer vnto him great Sacrifices: whome I desire not to be so wylful and rash in iudgement, but to examine it neerer, and to searche and trye the mat­ter better, before they take any thing in hande. To the ende they be not one day constrained to say & confesse, that which I nowe confesse of my selfe, that they [Page] haue shamefully erred and sinned. (But thinking they dyd well, notwithstan­ding) in persecuting my good Lorde, maister, and onely sauior Iesus Christ. For that which I haue done vnto his members and faithfull (whome then I esteemed as Heretickes, seditious, and blasphemers of God and of his worde, where they were louers thereof,) I doo esteeme that I dyd it vnto him selfe. For hee sayth in the Gospell,Math. 25. that that which men do vnto those which beleeue in him, hee esteemeth it to be done vnto himselfe, be it good or euyll.Acts. 9. The which he hath afterwards confirmed to Paul, persecuting his Church after his ascen­cion. I then knowing the great errors, abuses, and superstitions, wherein I was plunged beforetyme. Nowe I re­nounce and forsake all Idolatryes and false doctrines, which are contrary and against the doctrine of my maister Ie­sus Christe, which is the holy and pure worde of God, contained in the canoni­call bookes of the olde and newe Testa­mēt, reuealed by the holy Ghost:2. Peter. 1. whom I take for my guide and leader, for to dyrect and leade me in this mortall life, [Page] as the pyller of fyre dyd leade the chyl­dren of Israell thorowe the wyldernes into the lande of promise.Exo. 12.. That shall be the Lanterne vnto my feete.Psal. 119. Fur­thermore, I promise from hencefoorth, and for the residue of my lyfe, to walke and lyue according to that doctrine, the best I can possyble: hauing the spirite of God, who shall assyst and dyrect mee in all my wayes, without whome I can doo nothing, with which I can doo all thinges,Philip. 4. insomuch that all shall be to the prayse of the Lorde, to the ad­uauncement of the kyngdome of his sonne, and to the edifycation of all the Churche, and to the saluation of my soule. The which most humbly & with all my harte I require,Math. 6. of that good fa­ther which is aboue in the heauens, that his name maye bee in vs and thorowe vs sanctified, as hee is holye in him selfe: And that his kingdome come, so that hee doo raygne perfectlie ouer vs, and we maye obey his worde, and com­maundement: That his wyll be done here belowe in earth, as it is done by the Angelles aboue in heauen. Be­seeching him also thorowe Iesus Christ [Page] his Sonne our Lorde, to geue and ad­mynister vnto mee in this mortall life, all thinges necessarie,Deut, 8. Math. 4. aswell to the Soule as body, admynistring vnto me euerie daye the daylye breade of his worde, without which my soule can not lyue.Prou. 24. Roma. 7. And because I am a syn­ner by nature, corrupte, solde vnder sinne, not able to doo none other thing but to sinne, and that I offende more then there be dayes, I beseeche him not to enter into iudgement with mee, ney­ther correcte and punishe me according to my merytes and desertes, but mer­cifullye pardon mee all my offences a­gainst him committed, as I doo pardon all those which haue offended mee: And looke vppon mee, not in mee, but in the face of his sonne Iesus Christe, thorow whose meanes I finde grace and mercy before him, and before his righteous iudgement: I beseech him alwayes to assist me thorowe his holye spirite, by which I may escape the assault and em­bushments of the world, the flesh and of Satan: to surmoūt alwayes & vanquish their assaults and temptations, without [Page] being broken or ouercome in any thing: That their snares and cords being bro­ken, I maye gloriously escape: and by that meanes I shall know plainly, that bee is the King of Kinges,Apoc. 19. and Lorde o­uer all Lordes, onely God, sage, im­mortal, and inuysible, altogether migh­tie, strong and glorious: vnto whom onelye appertayneth the kyng­dome, the power and the glorie, for euer and euer. Amen.

FINIS.
26. Februarie. 1577.

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