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TO THE ENGLISH READER. God. This ground worke therfore of our creation in Christ

by true faith, S. Paul labored most seriously by word

and writing, to establish in the hartes of al men. In this he confirmed

the Romanes by his Epistle, cōmending their faith,

as already receiued, and renowmed in the whole world. He

preached the same faith to manie Nations. Amongst others

to the lerned Athenians. VVhere it semed to some, as

absurde, as strange; in so much that they scornfully called

him avvord-sovver, and Preacher of new gods. But S. Augustin

alloweth the terme for good, which was reprochfully

spoken of the ignorant. And so distinguishing betwen

Reapers, and Sovvers in Gods Church, he teacheth, that

wheras the other Apostles reaped in the Iewes, that which

their Patriarches and Prophetes had sowne; S. Paul sowed

the seede of Christian Religion in the Gentiles. And so in

respect of the Israelites, to whom they were first sent, calleth

the other Apostles Messores, Reapers, and S. Paul, being

specially sent to the Gentiles, Seminatorem a Sovver, or Seminarie

Apostle. Which two sortes of Gods workmen are stil

in the Church, with distinct offices of Pastoral cures, and

Apostolical missions; the one for perpetual gouernment of

Catholique countries: the other for conuersion of such, as

either haue not receiued Christian Religion, or are relapsed.

As at this time in our country, for the diuers sortes of

pretended religions, these diuers spiritual workes are necessary,

to teach and feede al Britan people. Because some

in error of opinions preach an other Gospel, wheras in veritie

there is no other Gospel. They preach in dede new doctrines,

which can not saue. Others folow them beleuing

falshood. But vvhen the blinde lead the blinde (not the one

only, but) both fal into the ditch. Others conforme themselues,

in external shew, fearing them that can punish, and

kil the bodie. But our Lord vvil bring such as decline into (vniust)

obligations, vvith them that vvorke iniquitie. The Reliques

and smal flock of Catholiques in our country, haue