JOHN FRITH

UNTO

THE CHRISTIAN READER.

Not who speaketh, but that which is

spoken,

is to be

weighed

most.

GRACE and peace be with thee, Christian reader. I am sure there are many that will much marvel and count it a great presumption, that I, being so young and of so small learning, dare attempt to dispute this matter against these three personages, of the which number two, that is to say, my Lord of Rochester and Sir Thomas More, are ancient men, both of great wit and dignity. Notwithstanding, I will desire them patiently to hear mine answer, not advertising who speaketh the words, but rather what is said. And as concerning mine youth, let them remember what Paul monisheth 1 Tim. iv. willing that 1 Tim. iv. Timotheus should instruct the congregation, and that no man should despise his youth; for as the Spirit of God is bound to no place, even so is he not addicted to any age or person, but inspireth when he will and where he will, making the young to see visions and espy the truth, and the elders to dream dreams, and to wander in phantasies. (Acts ii. Joel ii.)

The Holy spireth when, and

Ghost in

where,

he pleaseth.

on whom

Acts ii.

And as touching my learning, I must needs acknowledge (as the truth is,) that it is very small, nevertheless that little (as I am bound,) have I de- 1 Cor. xii

The talent learning

of our

to be employed to the edifying of Christ's

congregation.

is

termined by God's grace, to bestow to the edifying of Christ's congregation, which I pray God to increase in the knowledge of his word.

I would not that any man should admit my words or learning, except they will stand with the Scripture, and be approved thereby. Lay them to the touchstone, and try them with God's word. If they be found false and counterfeit, then damn them, and I shall also revoke them with all mine heart; but if the Scripture allow them, that you cannot deny but it so is, then resist not the doctrine of God, but acknowledge your ignorance and seduction, and return gladly into the right Wilfully to way; for if you cannot improve it by God's word, word is sin and yet of an hate and malicious mind that you against the bear to the truth, labour to resist it, and condemn Holy that it should not spread, I insure you your sin is irremissible, and even against the Holy Ghost, Eze. xxxiii. and the blood of them that perish for fault of instruction, shall be required on your hands.

resist God's

Ghost.

Objection.

Answer.

Peradventure some of you will say, your fathers and old progenitors, with many holy men and doctors, have so believed, and that therefore you will abide by the old. I answer: the ways and judgments of God are marvellous. Who knoweth whether God have suffered his elect to err and be seduced for a season, to the intent that the unfaithful, which would not believe the truth, but had pleasure in iniquity, might stumble at their error Our imper- into their utter confusion and ruin? Although a man be never so faithful and holy, yet is there much imperfection in him as long as he is included in this mortal body; howbeit, it is not imputed

1 Thess.

fection for

given through faith in Christ's blood.

unto him, but through the faith in Christ's blood, wholly pacified and forgiven. And therefore it is not sure that we follow their exterior works or other imaginations, but let us ever confer them unto the pure word of God, and as the Scripture testifieth, so let us receive them.

The Bishop ter's own

of Roches

opinion

the under-
standing of

the scrip

tures in his

time, and
long afore

that.

My Lord of Rochester doth testify himself, writing upon the 18th Article, that there are many points both of the Gospels and other Scriptures, concerning which are now discussed more diligently, and more the clearly understood than they have been in times past. And addeth furthermore, that there are divers places in Scripture yet some deal dark, which he doubteth not but that they shall be more open and light unto our posterity; for why shall we despair of that, (saith he) since that the Scripture is for that intent left with us, that it may be understood of us exactly, and to the uttermost point? Of this may you evidently perceive, that the old fathers and holy doctors have not seen all the truth; but somewhat is also left, through the high provision of God, to be discussed of their successors; and therefore is it not meet that we straightways cleave unto their words, without any farther ensearching the Scriptures. But we must examine all things by the Scriptures, although St. Paul or Peter should preach it unto us, as we see experience, (Acts xvii.) that when Paul preached, Acts xvii. the audience daily searched the Scriptures, whether it were as he said.

of our

But you have been of long continuance secluded The cause from the Scriptures, which is the cause of such blindness gross errors as ye are now fallen in, so that ye could

and gross

errors.

neither search them, nor yet once look on them. Alas! what blindness doth occupy our eyes! Are ye so childish to believe that the same word which hath made the unfaithful and heretics faithful and Christian in times past, is now so far altered, that it should cause the faithful and Christian to be

come heretics? I pray God open your eyes. Howbeit we may now well taste at our fingers' ends that we have long been in that miserable case that 2 Thess. ii. Paul prophesied upon us, (2 Thes. ii.) that God hath sent us strong delusions, because we would not receive the knowledge of the truth. What greater delusion can we have than to think that the very word of God, which was written for our comfort, which is the very food and sustenance of our souls, which is the sure meteyard and perfect touchstone that judgeth and examineth all things; to think (I say) that this wholesome word should be our poison and condemnation ?

Rom. xv.

And albeit our forefathers have lived without it, and received all for truth that our prelates' bellies have imagined, yet is not their fault and ours alike, (although I cannot excuse their ignorance, but that it is sin before the face of God,) for they had not the light of God's word opened unto them. Voluntary Now since we have the light declared unto us, and yet will proceed in blind ignorance, and not confer and examine these juggling mists with the light of God's word, our ignorance is wilful and without excuse.

ignorance not to be excused.

Suffer therefore all things, whatsoever they be, to be tried and examined by the Scripture. they be true, then shall the Scripture do them no

If