The Church was the congregation of good men, and prayer was of the same efficacy in the air as in a church or chapel. The building called the church was made to keep the people from the rain and wind, a place where they might assemble to hear the Word of God. Mass and matins were but a fraud. The saints had no power to help departed souls. To pray to them, or to burn candles before their images, was mere idolatry. The saints could not be mediators. There was one Mediator, Christ. Our Lady was but a woman, "like a bag of saffron or pepper when the spice was out."[65] It was as much available to pray to saints "as to whirl a stone against the wind." "Hallowed water, hallowed bread, hallowed candles, hallowed ashes, were but vanities. Priests were like other men, and might marry and have wives like other men."[66] "The saying and singing of mass, matins, and evensong, was but roaring, howling, whistling, mumming, conjuring, and juggling," and "the playing of the organs a foolish vanity." It was enough for a man to believe what was written in the Gospel--Christ's blood was shed for man's redemption, let every man believe in Christ and repent of his sins. Finally, as a special charge against Cromwell, the convocation declared that these heresies were not only taught by word of mouth, but were set out in books which were printed and published _cum privilegio_, under the apparent sanction of the crown. [Sidenote: Difficulty of toleration.] [Sidenote: Toleration a principle unknown to rulers or subjects.] [Sidenote: Obligation of the magistrates to maintain truth.] [Sidenote: Peculiar disposition of the king.]