To Sir William Bowes: Epistle Dedicatory

Right Worshipful, it is a notable policy of the devil, which he has put into the heads of sundry men in this age, to think that our religion and the religion of the present Church of Rome are all one for substance; and that they may be reunited as (in their opinion) they were before. Writings to this effect, are spread abroad in the French tongue, and respected of English Protestants more than is proper, or ought to be. For, let men in show of moderation, pretend the peace and good estate of the Catholic Church as long as they will; this union of the two religions can never be made, more than the union of light and darkness. And this shall appear, if we do but a little consider, how they of the Roman church have razed the foundation. For, though in words they honor Christ, yet in deed they turn him into a Pseudo-Christ and an Idol of their own brain. They call him our Lord, but with this condition that the Servant of Servants of this Lord may change and add to his commandments: having so great a power, that he may open and shut heaven to whom he will; and bind the very conscience with his own laws, and consequently be partaker of the spiritual kingdom of Christ. Again they call him a Savior, but yet in us: in that he gives this grace to us, that by our merits we may be our own Saviors: and in the want of our own merits, we may partake in the merits of the Saints. And they acknowledge that he died and suffered for us, but with this caveat, that the fault being pardoned, we must satisfy for the temporal punishment either in this world or in Purgatory. In a word, they make him our Mediator of Intercession to God; but withal, his Mother must be the Queen of heaven, and by the right of a mother command him there. Thus, in word they cry Hosanna, but in deed they crucify Christ. Therefore we have good cause to bless the name of God, that has freed us from the yoke of this Roman bondage, and has brought us to the true light and liberty of the gospel. And it should be a great height of unthankfulness in us, not to stand out against the present church of Rome, but to yield ourselves to plots of reconciliation. To this effect and purpose I have penned this little Treatise, which I present to your Worship, desiring it might be some token of a thankful mind, for undeserved love. And I crave withal, not only your Worshipful (which is more common) but also your Learned protection; being well assured, that by skill and art you are able to justify whatever I have truly taught. Thus wishing to you and yours the continuance and the increase of faith and good conscience, I take my leave. Cambridge, June 28, 1597.

Your Worship's in the Lord, William Perkins.

Right Worshipful, it is a remarkable strategy of the devil — one he has planted in the minds of many people in this age — to believe that our religion and the religion of the present Church of Rome are essentially the same, and that the two can be reunited as, in their opinion, they once were. Writings promoting this view have spread widely in the French language and have received more respect from English Protestants than is proper or warranted. Let men claim moderation and pretend to seek the peace and good estate of the Catholic Church for as long as they like — this union of the two religions can no more be made than the union of light and darkness. This becomes clear when we consider how the Roman church has torn out the foundation. Though in words they honor Christ, in practice they turn him into a counterfeit Christ — an idol of their own making. They call him our Lord, but with this condition: that the Servant of Servants of this Lord may change and add to his commandments, claiming such great power that he may open and shut heaven to whomever he wishes, and bind the very conscience by his own laws — thereby sharing in the spiritual kingdom of Christ. They also call him a Savior, but only in the sense that he gives us the grace to become our own saviors by our merits, and when our own merits fall short, we may draw on the merits of the saints. They acknowledge that he died and suffered for us, but with this qualification: that once the fault is pardoned, we must still satisfy for the temporal punishment, either in this world or in purgatory. In short, they make him our Mediator of intercession to God, but alongside that, his mother must be the Queen of heaven who, by a mother's right, commands him there. In word they cry Hosanna, but in deed they crucify Christ. Therefore we have every reason to bless the name of God, who has freed us from the yoke of this Roman bondage and brought us to the true light and liberty of the gospel. It would be the height of ingratitude for us to fail to stand against the present church of Rome and instead yield to schemes of reconciliation. To this end I have written this little treatise, which I present to your Worship as a token of a thankful heart for undeserved kindness. I request not only your Worship's protection — which is the more common thing — but also your learned protection, being fully confident that by skill and knowledge you are able to defend whatever I have truly taught. Wishing to you and yours the continuance and increase of faith and good conscience, I take my leave. Cambridge, June 28, 1597.

Your Worship's in the Lord, William Perkins.