96 A l,evclataonofthe Apoca.Iypfe. \sA P. 3: Hypocri- above and before the reft , that Confubftantiating of the Body of ticall Chrift inthe Sacrament of the Supper upon the which, many other rdis. abfurdities do follow,whichcreep like a leprofe,anddo utterly take away the life of thofe members,that inthemfelves were alive.Yet are not thefe things tobe underftood of the feverall men,one by one;but of the whole government,and formofthe Church, whichwas tobe feen of the world, a draught whereofthe Holy Ghoft doth pourtray untons ; which is alfo to be obferved in the reft of theChurches. 2. Be thouvigilant, andftrengthen the things that are ready to die.. Here- is the firft remedy of diligence, in confirmingthe relt; who unleffe there were care had of them in time, were ready to rufh into deadly deftruttion. By which words we are taught , that if the Teachers wouldbeftow their pains faithfully , . and diligently inpur- ging through the whole Doctrine, and Piety , they might take from many an occafion of falling ; but if they should carry themfelves more negligently in this matter, the ruine of many would be lamen- table. In theCounterpain the matter is fo clear , that a man might dobetter toprofecute it with tears, then with words. For how: many excellent men hath that monfter of Vbiguiry tumbled head-- long into death? the feeds whereof indeed Luther fowed in the yeer, 1526. and 28. in his difputation againft Zuingliva and Oeco lampadius : But they fhould have been plucked up again by the roots out of his books , at leafs after the controverfie was ftilled, that fo they might not there lye hidden,as it were in thefurrows,and fo break forth at laft into deadly Hemlock. But Luther him- felfe was careleffe in it, rather providing perhaps by humane frailty for his own eftimation, then for the fafetyof his brethren, as it was meet he fhould. Yea, and here I find wanting thy faithfulnef a and diligence (oh holy ?hilip) that thou didft not flab this foule, and mifchievous errour at the heart , as it deferved. Thou thoughteft perhaps it was to be handled more nicely and gently; partly for the love thou bareft to thy friend,partly becaufe thou hadit a conceit,that it might more eafily be buried with filence, then with any fharpe in- vective of bitter words. But errours,Which are not confuted, andre- proved asfalfe,fecm to beapproved; and fomuch the more doth their authority grow,by how much more mildly, and moderately they are dealt with. For they are Gangrenes,whichthe more gentle the reme- dies be , the more do they f}ir and increafe them,rather thencure ,them.Therfore while neither ofyou watcheth,& doth his duty,many die;and thofe how many, &what worthy men are they I pray you? Truly
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