As not only Prophets, but also False-prophets were in the old Testament, so now likewise there
shal be Masters of Heresie, to the damnation of themselues, and of their followers. 4. And of their
damnation he pronounceth by examples (as he comforteth the vertuous Catholikes or true beleeuers
with the example of Lot) because of their railing at their Superiours and Prelates, their
blaspheming of Catholike doctrine, their voluptuous liuing, their lecherie, their couetousnes, their
manner of seducing, and the persons seduced, 20. for whom it had been lesse damnable, if they had neuer
been Christians.
1. BVT there were also False-prophets in the people, as also in you there
*
1 Tim. 4.
Iude.
shal be
lying maisters which shal bring in Sects of perdition, and denie him that hath bought them,
✟
δεσκοτιν.
the Lord: bringing vpon themselues speedie perdition.
2. And many
✟
Heretikes (of whom he prophecieth here doe gaine scholers, by preaching libertie, and by their
owne licentious life, which is specially ioyned to the heresie of these daies.
shal follow their riotousnesses, by whom the way of truth shal be
blasphemed.
3. And in auarice shal they
✟
Al the sweet words of heretikes, speaking much of the word of the Lord, the Ghospel, Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ
CHRIST &c. are but termes of art to buie and fel poore mens soules.
with feined words make merchandise of you. Vnto whom
the iudgement now long since ceaseth not: and their perdition slumbereth not.
4. For if God spared not Angels sinning: but with the ropes of Hel being drawen
downe into Hel deliuered them to be tormented, that they should be reserued vnto iudgement:
5. and he spared not the original world, but
*
Gen. 7.
kept the eight, Noe, the Preacher of
iustice, bringing in the deluge vpon the world of the impious.
6. And
*
Gen. 19.
bringing the cities of the Sodomites & of the Gomorrheites into ashes, he
damned them with subuersion, putting an example of them that shal doe impiously:
7. and deliuered iust Lot oppressed by the iniurie and luxurious conuersation of the
abominable men.
8. For in sight and
*
Gen. 19,16.
hearing he was iust: dwelling with them who from day to day vexed
the iust soule with vniust workes.
9. Our Lord knoweth to deliuer the godly from tentation, but to reserue the vniust
vnto the day of iudgement to be tormented:
10.
✟
The special properties of Heretikes,
and especially them which walke after the flesh in concupiscence of vncleanesse,
and contemne dominion, bold, self-pleasers: they feare not to bring in Sects, blaspheming.
11. Whereas Angels being greater in strength and power, beare not the execrable
iudgement against them.
12. But these men as vnreasonable beasts, naturally tending to the snare and into
destruction,
✟
So heretikes blaspheme the highest mysteries of our faith through ignorance.
in those things which they know not, blaspheming, shal perish in their corruption,
13. receiuing the reward of iniustice, esteeming for a pleasure the delights of a day:
✟
Coinquinationes & maculæ.
coinquinations and spots, flowing in delicacies, in their feastings rioting with you,
14. hauing eyes ful of adulterie and incessant sinne: alluring vnstable soules,
hauing their hart exercised with auarice, the children of malediction:
15. leauing the right way they haue erred, hauing followed the way of Balaam of Bosor,
which loued the reward of iniquitie,
16. but
*
Nu. 22,23.
had a check of his madnesse, the dumme beast vnder the yoke, speaking with
man's voice, prohibited the foolishnes of the Prophet.
17. These are fountaines without water, and clouds, tossed with whirle-winds, to
whom the mist of darkenesse is reserued.
18. For speaking the proud things of vanitie, they allure in the desires of fleshly
riotousnes, those that escape a litle, which conuerse in errour,
19.
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Who euer promised more libertie to their followers then Luther, Caluin, and the like, taking
away penance, fasting, continencie or chastitie, keeping of vowes, necessitie of good
workes (because faith doeth al) obedience to Ecclesiastical Pastours and Councels, and such
like?
promising them libertie, whereas themselues are the slaues of corruption.
*
Io. 8,34.
Ro. 6,16.
For
wherewith a man is ouercome, of that he is the slaue also.
20. For if flying from the coinquinations of the world in the knowledge of our Lord
and Sauiour Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ Christ, they againe intangled with the same be ouercome:
*
Mt. 12,45.
the later
things are become vnto them worse then the former.
21. For it was better for them not to know the way of iustice, then after the knowledge,
to turne backe from that holy commandement which was deliuered to them.
22. For, that of the true prouerb is chanced to them,
*
Pro. 26,11.
The dogge returned to his vomit:
and, The sow washed
✟
εἰς κύλισμα.
into her wallowing in the mire.