2. Cor. 11. 13.
The text.
For such Apostles are ∴ craftie workers, transfiguring them∣selues into Apostles of Christ.
The note.
A proper terme for heretikes, that shape themselues into the habit of true teachers, specially by often allegation and commendation of the scriptures. Read the notable admonition of the ancient writer Vincen∣tius Lirinensis in his golden booke, against the prophane nouelties of all heresies.
The answer.
It is indéed a proper terme, and no heretike euer did beare a more glorious shew than the papist. Uincentius Lirinensis was carefull both to auoid all heresies himselfe, and also to admonish others to take héed thereof. His lessons be good, such as we prac∣tise, and you refuse. For first he alloweth the canonical scriptures as perfect and sufficient to determine al controuersies, which you refuse. Secondly, to auoid the wrangling of heretikes about the true interpretation of them, he adioineth tradition: which he doth not take to be vnwritten verities not spoken of in the scrip∣tures (as you do) but for the sense and interpretation of them, which was held and beléeued in the first churches planted by the Apostles, by the Apostles I say, and their coadiutors direction. Thirdly, he thinketh that not only the men of greatest fame and estimation in the church might erre, but also that the whole or greatest part of the visible church might erre (contrarie to your assertion) which hold that the church cannot erre, and that in that case he that will not be caried into error with multitude and companie, must repaire vnto antiquitie, which is far from suspi∣tion of prophane noueltie, euen as we at this day appeale to the scriptures, and primitiue church. Now then if you will be iudged by his rules, it will appéere that papists are craftie workers, and so consequently heretikes, and bringers in of profane nouelties.