the loynes of our forefather Adam to whom he was promised immediatly after his offence but opened vnto the worlde whan he became incarnate So that this felowship was entred with vs in that parte whyche was properli ours In respect wherof the father of heauen through fayth operation of his holy spirit vouchsafe to make vs partakers of that whiche was properly his namely the breade that came downe from heauen which is lyfe it self optained by Christes death whereby his merites are become ours So that then was this felloweship fully ioyned whan the heauenly mariage betwene our nature and his was made in the vnitie of persone in him not by coÌ„fusiuÌ„ of substance no more theÌ„ ether his deuine or humayn nature is confounded thoughe he be both very God and very man Thus thorow faith wherunto this heauenly matter is offered and by the workyng of the holy gost we haue our felowship with euerlastynge life in his body and bloud which he tooke of vs and which now sitteth in glory wher also our soule is present through faith so that we be one with him The fruitful knowledge and vnderstandyng of this heauenly mistery is euidently setfurth to the eyes of faith â–ª not onely by the fyrst institution and practise of y e Lordes holy Supper but also by his most comfortable wordes afore in the Gospel where he sayth it is God the father that doth grauÌ„t vs his true bread namely his owne soÌ„ne which came downe from heauen and geueth life vnto the world For he only deserued that the father should geue vs agayne this lyfe that was loste And like as the sonne sayth that the father should geue vs the breade that came from heauen that is to saye his owne sonne whoÌ„ he also calleth lyfe because he is the life it selfe Euen so the soÌ„ne saith that the bread which he wold geue shuld be his flesh which he would geue and offre to the father for the lyfe of the worlde Namely that the worlde by his death myght haue that lyfe whyche he sayde the father woulde geue and that is euen the very true breade that came downe from heauen So y t in the Gospel the soÌ„ne touchynge his deuinitie which came from heauen is called bread And like wyse his vmanitie whiche he offered vp vpon the crosse he calleth bread Thus through faythe we haue the perfourmaunce of that whiche was promised namely of y e deuine nature which is life after a more aboundauÌ„t sort then it was lost in Adam So that this is and may wel be called a verye felowship and so in dede both Saynt Iohn and S. Paule termeth it The worthy Sacrament of the body and bloude of the Lorde was instituted only by himselfe in the Parler wher thei did eate the Easter lambe the same night wherin he was betraied And as coÌ„cernyng the maner how the Lord and thei that receiued it with him did vse it Howe he also himselfe willed others his deputies and ministers of his congregation and church to do the same for whom like wyse for what intent and purpose he did institute ordayne it it is sufficientlye mencioned by the thre Euangelistes and by the Apostle Paule Touching the which we must consider that forasmuch as Christ did institute this to be a Sacramente and taughte by his most worthy worde and practife a ceâ—taine ordre in the ministration therof Therfore as the thynges therein contained ought Sacramentally to be vnderstand without anye absurditie or interruptynge either of the action or mistery So if the ordre and fourme by him prescribed and commaunded to be vsed by suche as are appoynted for the ministratioÌ„ therof be omitted Then is that no Sacrament of his For Sacramentes are as substancial couenauntes agremeÌ„tes whose nature is to declare vnto vs some righte title priuiledge or gifte that we haue or shal receiue thereby whether thei be grounded vpon a commen custome or commauÌ„ded to be obserued by such as haue authoritie to make a lawe or ordinaunce for the same For whi should the ordre prescribed in this holy SacrameÌ„t be worse kept or lesse obserued then was the rule that God appoynted in the Sacramentes of the olde lawe Their sacramentes had orders which wer kept and whi should not the rules of our Sacramentes be obserued likewyse Circumcision had a prescribed day what persons should be Circumcised and what part of the fleshe shoulde be cutte away c. The Lorde callinge it both his couenaunt and the token of his couenaunt The celebration of Easter had like wise of the Lorde a time appointed in the which euery houshold hauynge a lambe or a kydde of one year olde being a Male without blemishe should slaye him And not onely take strike the bloude of him vpon the two syde postes and on the vpper doorepost of the house but also eate the lambe or kydde the same nyght with vnleauened bread and with sower herbes nether rawe nor sodden in water but rosted at the fyre the head the feete and purtenaunce together with theyr loynes gyrded shooes on theyr feete staâ—es in theyr handes and to eate it in haist nothing remainyng ouer vntyll the mornyng The scripture callynge it the Passouer and the sacrifice of the Lordes Passoeuer And diligently is this to be noted Namely that lyke as y e fathers in olde time did faythfully obserue and kepe the sayde rules nether omyttyng any of them nor minishyng theim nether addyng ought vnto theÌ„ that the Lord himself had not appoynted Euen so albeit that the cuttynge awaye of the foresâ—ynne of the fleshe in Circumcision had the name of the Lordes couenaunt and though the other sacrameÌ„t was called the passeouer of the Lorde Yet were they neuer the lesse without any strife brawlyng or contention about the names obediently and thaÌ„kfulli in godli quietnes vsed obserued The Sacrament of Baptisme also hath his ceremonies and rule appointed of the Lorde as to putte water vpoÌ„ the childe or to dyâ—pâ— him in water to pronouÌ„ce him baptised in the name of â—he father the sonne and the holye gost c. The scripture namynge it the newe byrth the baptisme of remission of sinnes the fountayne of the newe byrth c. Where as is likewise to be noted that thei do horribly abuse the Sacrament of baptisme that ether mynishe from it anye of the rules prescribed by the Lord himselfe or adde ther vnto their owne rites and supersticions whether it be salt spittle creme oyle or any such thinges as may deface the worthines of Christ. Yet hath there no suche mischaunce happened vnto this holy sacrament as ether to teach or beleue that ther is any transsubstanciatioÌ„ of the water in baptism or that it looseth the nature of water though it be appointed and turned to a very holy vse Nowe to returne agayn to our purpose The worthy Sacrament of the â—ordes body and bloud hath his
⧠THE HVMBLE and vnfained confessioÌ„ of the belefe of certain poore banished men grounded vpon the holy Scriptures of God and vpoÌ„ the Articles of that vndefiled and onlye vndoubted true Christian faith which the holy Catholicke that is to say vniuersal Churche of Christ professeth ¶ Specially concerning not only the worde of God and the ministerye of the same but also the Church and Sacramentes thereof Which we send moost humbly vnto the Lordes of EnglaÌ„d and al the commons of the same Rom. x. ¶ To beleue wyth the hart iustifieth and to coÌ„fesse with the mouth saueth Lorde increase our faith ⧠Grace and peace in our sauior Iesus Christe be with you euer strengthen and preserue you in the stedfastnes of Christes worde and bringe to luckie and blessed ende that gracious worke y t he hath begunne in you I Must needes with Saint Paule knowledge my selfe debter to all y t cal vpon the name of our Lorde Iesus Christ but to non more theÌ„ to you most dearly beloued both because of such louynge frendship as I haue found in you and most of al for the Christian loue that some time beyng your Curate I founde amonge you that I trust continueth among you stil not onely toward me but to al that love the Lorde Iesus Christe wherfore now consideryng the tyme of trial to be come that both our Sauâ—or Christ and al his holy Apostles warned vs of I haue thought it my part w t this Epistle to coÌ„sort you not mistrusting but you al are strengthened and comforted dayly with the coÌ„fort that is of God and do nowe earnestlye accompt with your selues the price of the buylding of your tower least if the foundation and beginning be layde and the worcke not finished your enemies beginne to laugh you to skorne and to sai these men began to builde but thei were not able to finishe I trust you are not builte vpon the slippery sandes or grauels where euerye waue that beateth shall shake the foundation and cause it to fal but you are built vpon a sure grouÌ„d depe digged and your fouÌ„dation layde vppon the fouÌ„dation of the Apostles Prophetes vpon the corner stone Iesus Christ in whom euery buildinge knitt and coupled together groweth vnto an holye Temple for the Lorde For al though the builders refuse and cast away as a thyng of nought this stone Christ whiche at this daye thei do puttinge out of the Temples Gods holi word in the mother touÌ„g to set vp a Latine vnknowne tounge and in it to maintaine their olde Romyshe beggery Yet shal that stone be the principal corner stone to you that beleue elect and precious And whosoeuer beleueth in him shall not be ashamed And doubtlesse the vnbeleuers and vnfaithful must nedes fal stomble vpon this stoone be broused and vtterlye destroyed at the laste although for a time the Lorde vseth theÌ„ as the rodde of his furye to chasten our waÌ„ton and tomuch worldly vain liuing which in a manner had forgotten God and mere to muche cooled from that ardent loue that Christ willed to be among his Wherfore oure heauenly father doth mercifully call vs again to suffre afflictions with his sonne Christ and so to tri and examin our fayth that it beynge fouÌ„de more precious theÌ„ gold or siluer myght be to the praise and honour of his name Let vs therfore take this correction with al mekenes of heart and submission vnder the hand of God that he may exalte vs when it shalbe his godly pleasure We cal him our father our sauior Christ hath warranted vs so to do wherfore let vs knowe hym to be in deede a father not onelye in king Edwardes daies when we had al welth quiet with his holye word but also now in these perillous daies when the angels of the depe holde stoppe the windes of Christes Gospel that they should not blowe vpon the earth to make it fruitful nor vpoÌ„ the seas to make them aboundaunte with fishe for the Apostles to catche nor vpoÌ„ the trees to make theÌ„ bryng furth their fruites in due season I saâ— euen now the Lord is our father and y â— he correcteth vs it is of very loue and not of crueltie of mercie and pytie and not of seuere iudgement We are corrected saith Saint Paul of the Lord that we should not be damned with the world Wherefore as obedient children we must submit our selues and sai with Dauid O Lord thou art righteous and righteous are thy iudgementes It is good to me that thou hast huÌ„bled me y t I may learne thy iudgementes The lawe of thy mouth is more dearer to me theÌ„ thou sandes of gold and siluer I trust dear brethren that you al do nowe studie how to stand stedfast in Gods word vnto the ende that you may optaine the promisse as the Lord sayth Thus sayth the first and the last which was dead and liueth I knowe thy works and tribulation pouertie but thou art rich and I knowe the blasphemy of those that cal them selues Iewes and are none but are the sinagoge of Sathanas The Lord calleth theÌ„ rich that habounde in the ritche spirit of God in al good workes that gods spirite moued theim vnto as stedfast fayth sure hope ardent loue and charitie diligent often and feruent praier tamyng of the flesh with his lustes and appetites which you may reade Galath v. liberal almes to the poore and nedie especial to the houshoulde of faith and al other good dedes commaunded of God But the other although thei bost neuer so much y t thei ar Iewes y t is confessors of the Lordes name men of the church spiritualtie yea Gospellers if thei wil to yet the Lorde calleth theim blasphemers and of the sinagoge of Sathan Be not a bashed therefore wyth names titles or dignities as Lorde Duke c. or byshop doctor c. for eâ—cept he bring the worde of God and Christes CommunioÌ„ with the maintenaunce of it doubte not but by the fruites knowe him and geue him his name that y e Lorde geueth him A blasphemer of the Sinagoge of Sathanas And though persecutioÌ„ com vpoÌ„ the yet remeÌ„ber what he saith that is first last wheÌ„ no tirauÌ„t shal remain Be not afraied of none of those thinges that thou shalt suffre Behold the deuil wil cast some of you into prison that you mai be proued You se dearly beloued that it is the deuil that raiseth vp these stormes against vs but doubtles at Gods permission and sufferaunce y t we may be proued whether we be Christians in dede as we confesse in word Manye of vs thinketh our selues strong but tempcation declareth that we are but weake Euen as Peter saide Lorde I wil go with the into prison and death But the knower searcher of hertes sayd Truly or the cocke crowe thou shalt deny
me And so it came to passe Neuertheles after he waâ—ed strong and ouer came that infirmitie and knewe y t to fal we haue of our selues to staÌ„d we haue onely of God So is tribulation profitable to the stroÌ„g and mightie for it bringeth them to the crown of glory it profiteth the weake for it openeth their minde and maketh theÌ„ to seke to the Phisition and curer of our soules and to cry with Dauid O Lord heale my soule for I haue sinned against the. Let vs therfore labour to ouercome our weakenes to accomplishe that the Lorde commaundeth Be faithful vnto the death and I wil geue the a crowne of life You se the Lorde requireth faithfulnesse both in the stewardes that preach his worde and in the seruâ—intes that heare it Death is the ende of al fleshe as well of Kinges and Quenes Dukes and bishops as of poore men For al flesh is grasse and al the glory of fleshe as the flower of grasse WheÌ„ the winde of the Lorde goeth ouer it it falleth fadeth but the Lordes word abydeth for euer and those that doth the wyll of the Lorde abide also for euer Happye are those to whom the Lorde geueth that crowne of lyfe and to loose it is a greater losse then either Emperour King or Quene or an Angel from heauen can either restore or recompence Stand therfore faithfullye to gods word beleue his promis He that hath eares to heare let him hear what the holy Gost saith to the churches He that ouercoÌ„meth shal not be hurt by the seconde death The fyrste death is of the body as the Lord sayd to sinful Adam Earthe thou art and into earth thou shalt returne agayne But the secoÌ„d death is it that Christ admonished vs to flie saying I sai to you my frendes be not afraid of theÌ„ which withe body and after that thei haue nothing more that they can do I wil shew you whom you ought to feare Feare hym that after he hathe slaine the body hath power to cast into hel fyre Trulye I say to you feare him Let not the feare of man so ouercome vâ— but that the fear of god may alway be ruler in our hartes so shall we attaine the croune of life prepared for those that loue the Lorde and hys word vnfeinedly I haue not written this as to those that are ignoraunt of theyr dutye or vnable to streÌ„gthen both them selues and others but as to my moste deare brethren in the Lord trusting y â— Gods spirit that is among you doth dayly moue your harts now to the highest perfeccion of godlines euen to denie your liues for Christes sake to take vp your crosse and to folow him Yf any haue in times past bene negligeÌ„t in the wai of godlynes I prai besech and exhort the same in the Lord Iesu to turn vnto the Lord with his whole hart and not by his euyl and wicked liuing prouoke the Lordes wrath any longer nor to bring plages vpon the whole congregacion for his wickednes Brethren fal to praier dayly euery man for him selfe and for his Christian brethren Fal to weeping wyth Nehemias Ieremye to see the wall of Ierusalem broken the city destroied with sweard and fire and the temple burned Fal to fasting for now y e daies are come that our swete deare Bridegrome Christ is taken from vs. I certeinli beleue that our to to much negligence in praier and our sloutheful and seldome coÌ„myng to the holye Supper of the Lorde are twoo of the great causes why the Lord hath thus plaged vs. Let vs therfore earnestlye turne vnto the Lord that he mai turn to vs cal that he may hear aske that he may giue seke that we may finde knocke that the Lord may open vnto vs. If euer we shewed our selues true ChristiaÌ„s let vs now shew it in godlines of conuersacion and lyuinge in quietnes in patieÌ„t suffering in meeke bearing of wronges doing of none to other in forgeueing our enemyes and praying for them in feedyng the poore and needy Saintes of God in pitying al men and in praying for all men And dearelye beloued praye for vs that God of his mercy strengthen and coÌ„forte vs in these troubles that he nowe layeth vpon vs and that the Lorde leaue vs not to our seluâ—s but â—uer hold his handouer vs and kepe vs vnto the ende For truly I know without his grace and mercyful help no man is able to withsâ—and SathaÌ„s vyolence therefore for Christes loue pray for vs as we shal not faile dayly to do for you Here haue I geÌ„tle Reader setforth the Confession and Faith of certaine learned men that as they haue writteÌ„ it in theyr exile for thy coÌ„fort so maiest thou giue god the praise and helpe to stop the mouthes of suche blasphemers as haue nothing in theyr mouthes but Heretickes Heretickes But I dout not that when thou hast read it with iudgement and coÌ„ferd it with theyr doctrine that they now preach to thee thou shalt se which sort ar the Heretickes Thou mayest see that all theyr struglynge is to brynge thee to theyr stynckyng Romyshe puddels agayne Thus I commende you all dearelye beloued in the tender mercies of Iesu Christ vnto the tuitioÌ„ of the liuing god which is the father of our Lord Iesus Christ beseching him to send his holy Gost among you to bestow his ritch grace and blessing vpon you that you al may be coÌ„stant and perfect in Gods wayes and vnmoueable in Christes faith constantlye perâ—euering vnto the end Amen Grace be with you peace froÌ„ God our Father and from our Lord Iesus Christe who tread down Sathan vnder our fete shortly Amen ⧠To all suche as loue to feare God to serue and worshippe him in spirit and truth and to lyue in charitie and vertue amoÌ„g their neighbours within the Realme of England Grace mercye and peace be multipled with you from God the father through Iesus Christ his only soÌ„ne our Lord and only Sauiour BEcause we are assured that the Deuil not onely as an anucient murtherer proceadeth stil in cruel tirannye and extremities but also as the olde liar from the beginning and father of falsholde in misreporting slaundring and beliynge the moost sacred veritie of Goddes holy worde and vs poore men that haue bene minisâ—ers of the same specially now that we are absent and gone far from our natiue couÌ„try of England Therfor partly to certifie such of you as knowe vs that we shute styl at the olde marke of Gods worde neither recanting nor reuokyng that whiche we haue learned in the â—chole of Goâ— and taught amongst you and partly to signifi to as many of you as know vs not and yet do hear howe our aduersaries raile vpon vs behynde oure backes callyng vs Heretyckes Sâ—â—smatickes c. that we are not as they reporte but better framed bothe in thought word and deede
duties one towardes another Wherfore beynge fullye perswaded that the eternal God hath appoynted the ministery of his worde to be continued in his churche or congregation and hath geuen giftes vnto meÌ„ to edifie it withal aswel bi teachyng of true doctrine and improuiÌ„g of false aswel bi planting of godlines and al vertues as by instructyng of the ignoraunt rebukyng of the â—uyll and refourmynge of thinges that be a misse We mynde therfore nowe to confesse what oure beliefe is consernyng the Church of Christ. Of the Churche THough this word church betakeÌ„ in diuers significatioÌ„s as for a perticuler congregation somtime of the good somtime of the wicked sometime for an assemble of both good and euyll together And other wise vsurped partly for an house of commen resorte and partly for the only state of the Cicargie yeâ— are we fullye perswaded and do stedfastly beleue that there is but oneonly Apostolicke and holy Catholicke or vniuersal Church and congregation of God which being moued â—aught and gathered together froÌ„ among al nations of the whole world by the operation of the holy ghost into the vnitie and truth of the faith and vndefiled Religion of the Apostles Is not onely sanctified clensed and purified in the bloud of our sauior Christ but specialli also endued with vnfained holines of life This Church hath the Lord Iesus builded vpon the sure stedfast and hard stony rocke that is to say vpon him self against whom the gates of hel cannot preuayle Nether hath this Church any other foundaâ—ion theÌ„ that which as the prophet sayth Almyghti God the father hath â—ayde alredy which the Apostle declareth to be euen Iesus Christ. This Churche is the house the dwellynge place and congregation of the liuing God the piller and ground that is to say the mayntainer and defendor the â—ure staye and vpholder of the truth This Church is the mistical bodye and beloued Spouse of Christe who is the head and Sauiour therof who also for the entire loue that he beareth therunto not only gaue him selfe for it to sanctifie it clensed it in the fouÌ„taine of water thorow the woorde to make it vnto him selfe a glorious coÌ„gregacion or church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing y t it should be holy and without blame But also after his ascencion when he led captiuitie captiue prouided ritchlye for it aswel with a most bewtiful diuersitye of offices and ministrations as wyth his owne worthy giftes meete conuenient for the same in a moste eccellent order vnitie agreement â–ª to the intent that his said church louinglye â—olowing his truth and in al thynges growyng in hym as an whole bodye coupled and knyt together in euerye ioynt wâ—erwyth one member ministreth vnto a nother according to the measure of his gift may helpe edify it selfe coÌ„stantly to increase in al godlynes and not to wauer therfroÌ„ neyther to be caried with euery winde of doctrine by the wilynes subtelty of men Of this Church are they whom the Apostle calleth Citizens wyth the Saints and of the houshold of God Which being built together vpon the same foundation that the Prophetes and Apostles were builded vpon are made an habitacioÌ„ of God in the spirite This Church and CongregacioÌ„ is the CoÌ„munion of Saintes the heauenly felowship and blessed compani of al Gods elect and chosen children that euer were from the beginning of the world be now or shalbe hereafter euen aâ—l true worshyppers that serue him in the spirit and in the veritye in such holynes righteousnes as is alowed in his â—ight they that vnfainedly feare y t Lord that walke not on styl in the counsaile of the vngodlye that stand not in the way of wycked synners and that remain not among the spiteful scorners but euer delite in the law of the Lorde alway study to obserue and kepe his coÌ„maundements his rules his ordinaunces hys actes and statutes Of this Churche are the poore in spirite the true penitent the meeke harted the mercifull the pure and cleane minded the peacemakers Here are they that being hongry and thyrsti for righteousnes do suffer persecution for the same and be reuyled troubled and falsly belied of men for the Lordes sake Of this Churche are they whom the Lord calleth the salte and seasoners of the earth the light of the world which so shine before men that they seing theyr good woorkes godly liuing do glorify praise theyr father whyche is in heauen Of thys Church are thei that both obserue the coÌ„maundements of Christ theÌ„ selues and teache others also to do the lyke who vnderstanding the law spiritually accordyng to the Lordes interpretacion declare them selues to be the perfect childreÌ„ of God in louing their enemies blessing those that cursse theÌ„ â–ª doing good to such as hate theÌ„ praying for those that do them wrong and persecute them Of thys Churche are they y t when they do almes let not y e left hand know what the right hande doth seke no vaine glory or to be sene of men And when they pray they enter into the priuye chamber of theyr conscience shutting the dore to them and praying to theyr heauenly father which is in secret And thoughe they babble not much in theyr prayers as the Hethen doo and are assured that theyr heauenly Father dothe knowe what thinges thei haue nede of afore they aske of him Yet being taught of the Lord how vnto whom and what to pray they most obediently folowe his order forgiuing others theyr offeÌ„ces as they them selues haue forgiuenes and desyre styll to be forgeuen of God These when they fast do it not to be sene of men but of theyr father which seeth in secret Of thys Church are they that gather them selues treasure together not vpon earthe but in heauen wher neither rust nor mothes corrupt wher theues nether breake vp nor steale These dependyng vpon the only prouidence of God though they â–ª abhorring idelnes do faithfully labour and trauaile euery one in their vocation the haÌ„des working the eies looking the mouth speaking the fote going c. yet take they no vnlawfull care or thought for this life but fyrste seke the kingdom of God the righteousnes therof and so enioye at his hand the rich prouision of al necessary thinges with a good conscience Of this Church are thei that geue not that which is holy vnto dogges nether cast their pearles before swyne These aske and haue Seke and fynde knocke and the dore is opened vnto them These doynge vnto others as thei would be done vnto them selues entre in at the streight gate and bi the narrow way which ledeth vnto lyfe Of this Churche are the good trees â–ª that oute of the good treasure of the heart bring furth good fruitfull thinges As thei that beynge ware of false prophetes and herkening onely
vnto Christes wordes do also practise the same in their life and cōuersaciō plaiing the partes of wisemen whiche against stormes for to come build their house vpon the rocke and sure foundation Of this blessed felowship are thei that endurynge stedfast vnto the ende and fearyng God more thē mē take vp theyr crosse and follow Christ beyng wel content to ieopard all that thei haue their life also for his sake These in al their aduersitie resorte vnto the Lorde takyng his yoke vppon them and lernyng of him to be meke and lowly in heart fynd ease and rest vnto their soules Of thys holy congregation and Churche are thei vnto whom it is geuen to knowe the misteries of the kyngdom of heauē whose eyes are blessed for they se and lykewyse their cares for thei beynge children of Gods kyngdome the good seede sowne in the fortunate grounde do not onely heare the word of God but also vnderstand it and bring furth plentiful fruit some more some lesse accordyng to the measure of such giftes as he hath geuen them These are the Lordes owne shepe whych knowing Hom their shepherd his voice folowe not a straunger but flye from him for thei knowe not the voice of strangers It is the Lordes only voice that thei herken vnto and hym they followe who knoweth them and geueth them eternal life so tha they shal neuer perish neither shal any manne plucke them out of his hand The father of heauen who hath geuen this holye flocke and Congregation vnto Christ his sone is greater then al and no man is able to plucke them out of his heauenly fathers hande Nowe is God the father and Christ his sonne all one to the endles comforte of this his vniuersal Church This flocke of Christ this holy congregation is that blessed Church whose vnrightousnes is forgeuen and whose sinnes are couered and not imputed Yea in this Church hath the Lord himself ordayned appointed the heauēly ministracion of continuall remission and forgeuenes of sinnes to al such as vnfainedly repente of their former wicked lyfe and truelye conuerte vnto hym ▪ For vnto this Church hath he geuen the keyes of heauen that whatsoeuer thei bynde vpon earth shalbe bounde in heauen and whatsoeuer they lose in earth shalbe losed in heauen Vnto this Church hath he geuen his holye gost ▪ so that whose synnes soeuer they forgeue the same are forgeuen And whose sinnes so euer thei retayne the same are retained In this church is the pure word of God and al the worthye exercises of his true Religion the holy Sacramētes praiers thankesgeuynge ecclesiasticall discipline c. duelye and faythfully ministred And thoughe the particuler members of this church maye erre as many both perticuler persons also perticuler churches haue erred and som do at this day while thei are compaced with fleshe and bloud Yet shall not one shepe perishe that is of this holy vniuersall flocke neither the fayth or foundation of this Catholike Churche fayle This holy vniuersall church as the sōne in brightnes hath beames of light whereof it commeth to passe that there be also particuler Churches or congregations Where thoughe there be but two or thre gathered together in y e name of Christe He is in the myddes amonge theim For thoughe we confesse and knowledge that the holy Catholike or vniuersal churche of Christ is inuisible suche as our Crede teacheth vs to beleue y t such a church there is Though no mortal man can se the regeneratiō of the spirit and the fayth of Christ in it selfe Yet a good tre mai be knowne by his fruts Like as the beames then that procede of the Sūne are testimonies and partakers of the lyght therof Euen so what church or congregation soeuer professeth the name Religiō of Christ hauyng and exercising the pure and sincere doctrine of hys Gospel of his Sacraments and of al his dissipline accordyng to his holye institutiō y e same do we take vndoutedly for Christs church For bi mās wordes and dedes we mai discerne to alowe or disalowe theim True Prophetes also from false may we know by their fruites The heart God only seeth and iudgeth Notwithstandyng to build vpon we are throwli perswaded that as the sayd blessed vniuersal Church and cōgregation of Christ is the pillor and ground of the truth for greate is the misterye of godlines that it teacheth Euen so in such wonderful deuersitie of doctrines sectes and sondry religions of the worlde we should neither haue com to the true knowledge and beliefe of the Gospel neither shoulde we be satisfied in our selues or surelye fixed to continewe and abyde still in in y e sayth therof as we be God haue the praise against al herisies and false opinions If the authoritie of the said holy vniuersal and catholike churche of Christ had not wholly fully moued stirred prouoked admonished and taught vs so to do But whan we considered with S. Augustine the estimation and dignitie the worthines and authoritie of the sayde vnyuersal church and howe vniformally the mēbers of that mistical body accordeth and consenteth together in the vnitie of the holy gost and in the ministracion of heauenly thinges our conscience with al thanful obedience with obedient thākfulnes doth most cherfully and gladli agree aswel to learne what the said church teacheth vs and to beleue gods word that it preacheth vnto vs. As to be warned by the coūsailes that it geueth vs and to folowe the instructions lessons and ensāples that it sheweth vs. For sure we be as we haue cōfessed alredy that the foūdation of this Church is fyrme fast Herein hath the Lord set vp his owne lyght that hath no darknes in it Here is the truth that desceiueth no man the lyfe that kylleth no man and the kynges hye way that bringeth euery man righte to his iourneies ende As for a perticuler mā a perticuler church or Congregation as we sayd before they maye erre thei may be disceiued in one thyng or other at one tyme or other The consideration wherof as it appeareth did moue S. Augustine to haue most prīcipal regard to y e church vnyuersall although the particuler churches of Aphrica in his time were not defiled and poysoned as they be nowe O that mē were so circumspect this day as to builde vppon so sure a ground For though we maye safely geue credence to ani perticuler church whan it followeth the wholesome doctrine wherin the holy gost by his Apostle did stablish the Churche of the Ephesians of the Philippians of the Colossians of the Tessalonians c. Yet if any such Church do shute at another marke we shall but loose oure game in doyng therafter As for ensample what sound doctrine what wholsome religion what good and vpright discipline is there at this present day in any of the said particular Churches