Mirrovr of new reformation wherein reformers, by their owne acknowledgement, are represented ad viuum. The beauty also of their handy-worke is displayed |
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XXV. The Minister's Answer to the former letter.
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 | Mirrovr of new reformation |  |
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XXV. The Minister's Answer to the former letter.
Dearely beloued,
I haue read your lines,
Wherein aboue the common course of youth
As in a spotlesse mirrour clearly shines
A perfect zeale to search & find the truth.
Wherein aboue the common course of youth
As in a spotlesse mirrour clearly shines
A perfect zeale to search & find the truth.
Now as concerning briefely your demand,
Of Hippo's Austins so much vrged fayth:
Why's al he writes pure Ghospel? what command
Haue we to credit whatsoe're he sayth?
Of Hippo's Austins so much vrged fayth:
Why's al he writes pure Ghospel? what command
Haue we to credit whatsoe're he sayth?
I but, say you, some doe him much commend,
And vnto him as a sure ground appeale.
I answer, such appeales too farre extend,
They hurt themselues and the true Churche's weale.
And vnto him as a sure ground appeale.
I answer, such appeales too farre extend,
They hurt themselues and the true Churche's weale.
They giue too great a scope, themselues they shew
Too much obsequibus to Rom's Popish brood,
Their cause they iniurie: what haue we to doe
With man's inuentions now, with flesh or bloud?
For though some praise him, some there also are,
Perhaps as zealous of the Word as they,
Who wil not doubt, before they doe impare.
The grounds of truth, his errours to display.
Too much obsequibus to Rom's Popish brood,
Their cause they iniurie: what haue we to doe
With man's inuentions now, with flesh or bloud?
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Perhaps as zealous of the Word as they,
Who wil not doubt, before they doe impare.
The grounds of truth, his errours to display.
Be there not many of our learnd'st Diuines
Who in some places of his workes suspect
His sincere dealing, & by diuers signes
His contradicting of himself detect?
One you shal find his reasons disallowes,
Another markes his grosse absurdity,
Another his vngrounded speaches shewes
And some his furthring of Idolatry.
Nor want there some who dare affirme, he erres
And is corrupt, & vseth quircks; & some
Auouch that to belieue what he auerres,
Were to set vp the faith againe of Rome.
Who in some places of his workes suspect
His sincere dealing, & by diuers signes
His contradicting of himself detect?
One you shal find his reasons disallowes,
Another markes his grosse absurdity,
Another his vngrounded speaches shewes
And some his furthring of Idolatry.
Nor want there some who dare affirme, he erres
And is corrupt, & vseth quircks; & some
Auouch that to belieue what he auerres,
Were to set vp the faith againe of Rome.
What should I say? how many doe
oppose
Against him, his authoritie despise,
And doubt not on him this foule taint t'impose,
That leauing Scripture he doth temporize?
Against him, his authoritie despise,
And doubt not on him this foule taint t'impose,
That leauing Scripture he doth temporize?
Nay more then that, some wil not stick to say,
His words repugnant to the Scripture be,
And on his back the imputations lay
Of rashnes, boldnes, and imprudencie.
His words repugnant to the Scripture be,
And on his back the imputations lay
Of rashnes, boldnes, and imprudencie.
The sower,
or increaser some him cal
Of seeds not grateful in the Almighty's sight;
Some stile him foole and dolt, and not at al
Inspired with the Lord's al-guiding Sp'rit.
Of seeds not grateful in the Almighty's sight;
Some stile him foole and dolt, and not at al
Inspired with the Lord's al-guiding Sp'rit.
If so, why should we on his words relye
To find that truth which only Scriptures shew?
No, let vs this pernicious custome flye
If e're we meane th'vndoubted truth to know.
To find that truth which only Scriptures shew?
No, let vs this pernicious custome flye
If e're we meane th'vndoubted truth to know.
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Nor would I haue you from this man alone
But from al other Fathers to refraine,
For 'mongst them al scarce can you find me one
But doth maine points of Papistry maintayne.
But from al other Fathers to refraine,
For 'mongst them al scarce can you find me one
But doth maine points of Papistry maintayne.
So that as long as we on them insist
Stil in the self-same errours shal we stay:
God's onely Word can onely chase this mist,
No Sunne but that, that onely shewes the way.
Stil in the self-same errours shal we stay:
God's onely Word can onely chase this mist,
No Sunne but that, that onely shewes the way.
Now to your last demand; make answer stil
Your faith's not tyed vnto each man's tongue,
T'Austin y' are ready to resigne your wil,
As long as he doth to the Word no wrong.
Say thus and they are mute: be not intic't
To leaue this n'ere-forc't hold: farewel in Christ.
Your faith's not tyed vnto each man's tongue,
T'Austin y' are ready to resigne your wil,
As long as he doth to the Word no wrong.
Say thus and they are mute: be not intic't
To leaue this n'ere-forc't hold: farewel in Christ.
M. Brightman hauing named among other Fathers S. Austine, saith that they were in words condemning Idolatry, but in deeds establishing it, by inuocation of SS. worshiping of Relikes, and such other like wicked superstitions, in Apoc. in c. 14. p. 382.
Lay aside al such weapons as the ancient orthodoxal Fathers, Scholes of Diuines, authority of Councels and Popes, the consent of so many Ages & of al Christian people doth afford: we receaue nothing but Scriptures; but so, that we alone may haue the approued authority of interpreting them &c. Luther l. de seru. arbitr. contra Erasm. edit. prima.
| Mirrovr of new reformation | |