hrist saith, "seeketh darkness, and hateth the light." A
conscience that knoweth itself clear cometh willingly into open show,
that the works which proceed of God may be seen. Neither be they so very
blind but they see this well enough, that their own kingdom straightway
is at a point if the Scriptures once have the upper hand: and that, like
as men say, the idols of devils in times past, of whom men in doubtful
matters were then wont to receive answers, were suddenly stricken dumb at
the sight of Christ, when He was born and came into the world: even so
they see that now all their subtle practices will soon fall down headlong
upon the sight of the Gospel. For Antichrist is not overthrown but by
the brightness of Christ's coming.

As for us, we run not for succour to the fire, as these men's guise is,
but we run to the Scriptures; neither do we reason with the sword, but
with the Word of God: and therewith, as saith Tertullian "do we feed our
faith; by it do we stir up our hope, and strengthen our confidence." For
we know that the "Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto
salvation;" and that therein consisteth eternal life. And as Paul
warneth us, "We do not hear, no, not an Angel of God coming from Heaven,
if he go about to pull us from any part of this doctrine." Yea, more
than this, as the holy martyr Justin speaketh of himself, we would give
no credence to God Himself, if He should teach us any other Gospel.

For where these men bid the Holy Scriptures away, as dumb and fruitless,
and procure us to come to God Himself rather, who speaketh in the Church
and in councils, which is to say, to believe their fancies and opinions;
this way of finding out the truth is very uncertain and exceeding
dangerous, and in manner a fantastical and mad way, and by no means
allowed of the holy fathers. Chrysostom saith, "There be many oftentimes
which boast themselves of the Holy Ghost; but truly whoso speak of their
own head do falsely boast they have the Spirit of God. For like as
(saith he) Christ denied He spake of Himself, when He spake out of the
law and Prophets, even so now, if anything be pressed upon us in the Name
of the Holy Ghost, save the Gospel, we ought not to believe it. For as
Christ is the fulfilling of the law and Prophets, so is the Holy Ghost
the fulfilling of the Gospel." Thus far goeth Chrysostom.

PART V.

But here I look they will say, though they have not the Scriptures, yet
may ch