MarginaliaThe copy of Sir Edward Bayntons letter to M. Latymer.MAster Latymer, after harty recommendations, I haue communicated the effect of your letters to diuers of my frendes,MarginaliaThese friendes of Master Baynton seme to be some popishe priestes and enemies to the Gospel, as Pinel, Wilson, Sherewood, Hubberdine, etc. such as for Christen charitie (as they say) rather desire in you a reformation, either in your opinion (if it swarue from the truth) or at the least in your maner and behauiour, in asmuch as it geueth occasion of sclaunder and trouble in let of your good purposes, then any other inconuenience to your person or good name. And for asmuch as your sayd letter misliked them in some part, and that I haue such confidence in your Christen breste, as in my iudgement ye will conformably and gladly, both heare that may be reformed in you, and also (as it is worthy) so knowledge and cōfesse the same: I haue therfore desired them to take the payne to note their myndes in this letter which I send to you, as aggregate of theyr sayinges, and sent from me your assured frend and fauourer, in that that is the very truth of Gods word, wherein neuertheles, as I trust ye your selfe will temper your owne iudgement, and in a sobernes affirme no truth of your selfe, which shoulde diuide the vnitie of the congregation in CHRIST,MarginaliaThe Papistes will not haue vnitie disturbed. and the receiued truth agreed vppon by holy fathers of the Church,MarginaliaPapistrie coloured with authority of holy Fathers. consonant to the Scripture of God, euen so what so euer ye will do therein (as I thinke ye will not otherwise then ye should do) I beyng vnlearned, and not of the knowledge to geue sentence in this altercation and contention, must rather of good congruence shewe my selfe in that you disagree with thē, readyer to folow their doctrine in truth, then yours, MarginaliaM. Baynton will folow the most nūber.vnles it may please almighty God to inspire and confirme the hartes of such people to testifie the same in some honest number as ought to induce me to geue credence vnto them.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaNote the proceding of the Popes church, which would not haue the people certeine of Gods truth and religion.Onely God knoweth the certaine truth, which is cōmunicate vnto vs, as our capacitie may comprehende it by fayth, but that is per speculū in enigmate.
per speculum in enigmate ... qui zelum Dei habuerunt, sed non secundum scientiam Not translated. through a mirror on a mystery ... those who had a zeal for God, but not in accordance with their understanding videmus nunc per speculum in enigmate ... [testimonium enim perhibeo] illis [quod] aemulationem Dei habent sed non secundum scientiam. per speculum in enigmate ... qui zelum Dei habuerunt, sed non secundum scientiam Not translated. through a mirror on a mystery ... those who had a zeal for God, but not in accordance with their understanding videmus nunc per speculum in enigmate ... [testimonium enim perhibeo] illis [quod] aemulationem Dei habent sed non secundum scientiam.
sensus exercitatos ... ad discernendum bonum & malum
Not translated.
feelings roused to distinguish between good and evil.
eorum qui pro consuetudine exercitatos habent sensus ad discretionem boni ac mali.
sensus exercitatos ... ad discernendum bonum & malum
Not translated.
feelings roused to distinguish between good and evil.
eorum qui pro consuetudine exercitatos habent sensus ad discretionem boni ac mali.
Omnis qui confitetur Christum in carne &c. ex Deo est.
Not translated.
Everyone who confesses Christ in the flesh ... is of God.
omnis spiritus qui confitetur Iesum Christum in carne venisse ex Deo est.
[Accurate citation except for the omission ofspiritusin line 1 and ofvenissein line 2.]
In vno Domino, vno Baptismate, & vna fide
Not translated.
In one lord, one baptism and in one faith
unus Dominus una fides unum baptisma
[Clearly this passage in Ephesians is indicated, although the original text is all in the nominative case.
See below, page 1915, column 1, line 46 for a repetition of this citation.]
MarginaliaAnswer of Master Latymer to Master Bayntons letter.RIght worshipful Syr, and my singular good master, salutem in Christ Iesu, with dewe commendation and also thankes for your great goodnes towardes me &c. And where as you haue communicate my last letters to certayne of your frendes, which rather desire this or that in me &c. what I thinke therein I will not now say, not for that there coulde be any perill or daunger in the sayde letters (well taken) as farre as I can iudge, but for that they were rashly and vndeuisedly scrybled, as ye might well know both by my excuse, and by them selues also, though none excuse had bene made. And besides that, ye know right well, that where as the Bee gathereth hony,MarginaliaThe Bee. euen there the Spinner gathereth venome,MarginaliaThe Spinner. not for any diuersity of the flower, but for diuerse natures in them that sucketh the flower: MarginaliaEuery thing is as it is taken.As in times past, and in the beginning, the very truth, and one thing in it selfe was to some, offence, to some foolishnes, to other otherwise disposed, the wysdome of God. Such diuersitie was in the redresse of hearers thereof.
[Back to Top]But this notwithstanding, there is no more but either my writing is good, or bad: if it be good, the communicating thereof to your friendes can not be hurtful to me: if it be otherwise, why should you not communicate it to them, which both coulde and woulde instruct you in the truth, and reforme my errour. Let this passe, I wyll not contend: MarginaliaHad I wist.had I wyst commeth euer out of season. Truly I were not wel aduised if I would not eyther be glad of your instructiō, or yet refuse myne owne reformation, but
[Back to Top]yet it is good for a man to looke or he leapeth: and God forbyd that you shoulde bee addict and sworne to me so wretched a foole, that you should not rather follow the doctrine of your frendes in truth, so great learned mē as they appeare to be, then the opinions of me, hauyng neuer so Christen a brest.
[Back to Top]Wherefore do as you will: for as I would not if could, so can I not if I would, be noysome vnto you: but yet I say, I would my letters had bene vnwritten, if for none other cause, at lest way, in asmuch as they cause me to more writyng, an occupation nothyng meete for my mad head: and as touching pointes which in my foresaid letters mislike your frendes, I haue now litle laysure to make an aunswere thereto for the great busines that I haue in my litle cure.MarginaliaExample of a true diligent pastor. I know not what other mē haue in their great cures, seing þt I am alone without any priest to serue my cure, without my scholer to read vnto me, without any booke necessary to be loked vpon, without learned men to come and counsell withall.MarginaliaM. Latymer vnfurnished with outward helpes. All which thinges other haue at hand abundantly: but some thyng must be done, how so euer it be. I pray you take it in good worth, as long I temper mine owne iudgement, affirming nothing with preiudice of better. First ye mislike, that I say I am sure that I preach the truth,MarginaliaM. Latymer blamed for saying: he was sure of the truth which he preached. saying in reprofe of the same, that God knoweth certaine truth. In deede alonely God knoweth all certaine truth, & alonely God knoweth it as of him selfe, & none knoweth certaine truth but God, & those which be taught of God, as saith S. Paul: Deus enim illis patefecit
Deus enim illis patefecit Not translated. For God revealed to them Deus enim illis manifestavit. erunt omnes docti a deo Not translated. They will all have been taught by God Cum quicquid non est ex fide, peccatum sit? [As in1563,except for the subjunctivesitreplacing the indicativeest] Not translated. Whenever what is not of faith is a sin? quia non ex fide omne autem quod non ex fide peccatum est. per speculum in aenigmate ... qui zelum dei habuerunt, sed non secundum scientiam [See above page 1913, column 1, line 32] per speculum in aenigmate ... qui zelum dei habuerunt, sed non secundum scientiam [See above page 1913, column 1, line 32] sensus exercitatos ... ad discernendum bonum & malum [See above page 1913, column 1, line 36] sensus exercitatos ... ad discernendum bonum & malum [See above page 1913, column 1, line 36] omni vento doctrinae Not translated. with every wind of teaching et circumferamur omni vento doctrinae. [Accurate citation]
MarginaliaAnswere.I deny your argumēt by your leaue: yea if it be by faith, as ye say, it is much sure, quia certitudo fidei est maxima certitudo,
quia certitudo fidei est maxima certitudo The certenty of faith is the most surest certayntie[marginal note]. [Not in Migne, PL] qui zelum dei habuerunt, sed non secundum scientiam. [See above page 1913, volumn 1, line 32]