They praye that they may be deliuered from thundring and tempest when no daunger is nigh: that they syng, Benedictus, Nunc dimittis and Magnificat, we knowe not to what purpose, except〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 some of them were ready to die, or except they would celebrate the memorie of the Uirgin, & Iohn 〈◊〉〈◊〉. &c. Thus they prophane the holy scripture.
You mislike also that we should praye to be deliuered from thundring and* 1.1 tempest, when there is no daunger nighe. You broch many straunge opinions, may not we praye to be deliuered from perilles and daungers, except they be present, and knowen to be at hande? where finde you that Christ teacheth vs to saye in our daily prayer libera nos à malo, deliuer vs from euil? VVhat knovve vve vvhen there is any daunger of thundring and light∣ning: haue vve not examples of diuers that haue sodainly perished vvith the same? Is it not therefore necessary to praye for deliueraunce from thunder and lightning, as wel as from other daungers, though they be not present? well, men may see wherevnto this geare tendeth, if* 1.2 they be not blinde. Benedictus also, Nunc dimi〈1 line〉〈1 line〉tis and Magnificat, be great motes in your eyes, but you shewe no reason worthy to be answered: only in derision you saye, except some of them were ready to die, or would celebrate the me∣morie of the Virgine, or Iohn Baptiste. As though these Hymnes or Psalmes were not profitable for all men, as the reste of the holy scripture is, but these especially, bicause they conteine the misterie of our salua∣tion, and the praise of God for the same. By this your reason we may not vse any of the Psalmes, vntill we be in lyke case as Dauid was, or other, when they were first made. But I thinke nowe the time is come, when those shall correcte Magnificat, Qui nesciunt quid significat. Truly this your doing is a mere prophanation of holy scriptures.