vndirstode and meened the writing of the Newe Tes|tament, is not dewe ther to vndirstonding, y proue thus: Whanne Poul wroot thilk ije. text to the Co|rinthies, seiyng thus, If oure Euangelie be couered or be hid, it is couered to hem that perischen, the Euangelie of which he spekith in thilk text was had thanne presentli. Forwhi the text speking of thilk Euangelie spekith of it presentli, and not as of a thing aftir thanne to come. But the hool writing of the Newe Testament was not thanne had, as it is schewid now bifore in arguyng aȝens the mis vndir|stonding of the firste text. Wherfore by thilk Euan|gelie, of which Poul spekith in the seid ije. text, he vnderstode not the hool writing which is now had of the Newe Testament.
Also thus: Bifore and eer than eny word was writen of the Newe Testament, the Euangelie of God was, which to alle men ouȝte be denouncid, and whiche alle men ouȝten receyue, whanne it schulde be to hem denouncid. Wherfore the Euangelie of God is not the writing of the Newe Testament, for thanne the same thing had be bifore him silf, and eer than he was him silf, which includith repugnaunce. That the Euangeli of God was, bifore and eer than eny word was writen of the Newe Testament, y proue thus: The Euangelie of God which was to be denouncid to alle peple was in the dai in which Crist stied up into heuen: forwhi he seide thanne to hise disciplis: Go ȝe, and preche ȝe the Euangelie to ech creature. And open it is that he thanne bade not to hem forto preche any Euangelie which thanne was not and which thei thanne not knewen, but which thanne was and which thei thanne knewen; and as thanne no word was writen of the Newe Testament, as it is open ynouȝ. Wherfore folew|ith needis that the Euangelie which alle men schulden aftirward receyue into her saluacioun was, eer eny word was writun of the Newe Testament.
