For ye haue heard of my conuersacion in tyme paste, in the Iewes waye, how that beyond measure, I persecuted the congregacion of god, and spoyled it, and preuayled in the Iewes waye, aboute many of my companions in myne owne nacion, beyng a very seruent mainteiner of the tradicions of the elders.
Of this my tale I thynke you not ignoraunt, who of lykelyhod by re∣port knowe, after what sorte I vsed my selfe vnder the Iewes lawe, for loue borne therto so greatly abhorryng the gospell of Christ, whose secret knowledge I had not yet receyued, that by all the meanes I could. I per∣secuted the new congregacion, which at that tyme by the spirite of god be∣gan to be gathered to the doctrine of the gospell, and with the moste tyrā∣nie I could, destroyed them, thinking in the meane season, that I dyd a noble acte & suche an acte as hyghlye pleased god, whyles in dede lyke a foole ignorauntly I fought agaynst god.