Answere.

WHen you had séene dissen∣tion, vprores, contentiō &c. in the world, then the Lord (you say) moued you to minister the seruice of loue vnto others, you toke the afore∣sayd •robles as a fit occasion geuē you to begin your doctrine, surely you be∣w•ay your selfe in your speach: You thought it was good fishing when the waters were troubled, and tooke occa∣sion to teach false doctrine when you saw great broiles, and tumults in the world. But where you affirme that the Lord moued you to do this▪ wher∣by shall we know that this your bare Page  [unnumbered] affirmation is true, onely because you say so, but the holy Ghost hath warned vs not to geue credit to such. Ier. 14. ver. 14. sayth, The Prophetes prophesie l•es in my name, I haue not sent them, ne∣ther did I commaund them, nether did I speake to them, but they prophesie to you a fal•e vision, diuination, vanity, and de∣•eitf•lnes of their own harts. Also Eze. 13. ver. 3. Wo be to the foolish Prophets that follow their own spirit & haue seene nothing. We may not beleue euery spirit, but try the spirit whether he be of God Iohn. 4.1.

The Lord moued you not to leue your arte & calling, and to minister a strange doctrine to the people: but the spirit of pride and vaynglory, and a de∣sire of singularity pu•t vp your mind. Like as in time past you did as eager∣ly maintayn other strange, & monste∣rous opinions.

The causes that moued you to spred your doctrine, are not sufficient, you haue thrust in your selfe into a functi∣on and calling, nether allowed of god, Page  [unnumbered] nor ordayned by m•n, and thi• your ministery is disobedience to God and the publick magistrate, neither h•ue you herein fought the honor of God▪ & saluation of al people, as you af•irm•. If you had sought God his honor your voice should publickly haue been heard and not in corners.

In that you haue met with certayn good willing ones, which haue submit∣ted themselues &c. therin we beshrew you, & lament that any simple soules are deceiued by your perswasions, and in deede it seemeth some such there are that geue eare to your sugred wordes, For, the poyson of aspes is vnder youre tongue. Psal. 14.

Why come you not •orth to mayn∣tayn such doctrine as you haue taught? why proue you not your doctrin by the holy Scripture? Why suffer you your schollers to be troubled and impryso∣ned? but for your selfe you are sa•e i∣nough, and when they should render a reason of their hope and faith, then they vtterly deny your doctrine. It Page  [unnumbered] séemeth that such a principle you haue taught thē, to affirme and to deny, only keeping their conscience secret.

Now where you say that your good willing ones, or schollers, their light hath shone before men, wher•by you would heare vs in hand, that your pu∣pil• be men of excellent life, & as you set them out, so do they your life as ap∣peares by their letters: so one of you commēdeth and prayseth another, an• so must you •éedes do, when you want good neighbor•, y^• best way i• to praise your selues.