Gregorie of Valentia being compared with by gone tymes it may bee found that the Church was not with the multitude c. Greg. de Valen. analys lib. 6. c. 4. § probatio 4. §. 8. That outward glorie and vvorldlie prosperitie whereby a Church is visiblie conspicuous to all is not a marke of the true Church 1. Authoritie of Scripture ZEph 3.12 I vvill leaue in the midst of thee an afflicted and poore people that shall trust in the Name of the Lord. Note then That Gods Church oft times like the 7000. reserved in Israel or Gods people preserved till their evocation in the midst of Babell or rather a poore and afflicted companie compelled oft times to lurke as the woman in the Desart than to bee ever gloriouslie conspicuous and visible to all Isai 54.11 Oh thou afflicted tossed vvith tempest and not comforted behold I vvill lay thy stones vvith faire colours and thy foundation vvith Saphyrs Mat. 24.9 Then shall they deliver you into tribulation and shall kill you and you shall be odious to all Nations for my Names sake Iohn 15.20 Remember my vvord that I said to you The servant is not greater than his master if they haue persecuted mee they vvill also persecute you c. 2. Tim. 3.12 And all that will liue godlie in Christ Iesus shall suffer persecution Acts 14.21 Confirming the hearts of the Disciples they exhorted them to continue in the fayth that we must vvith much tribulatioÌ„ enter into the Kingdome of God Note then Out of all the former that persecution rather which maketh men lurke is a note of the true professours of Christ than worldlie prosperitie which maketh men to be gloriouslie visible and outwardlie conspicuous and that the one estate happeneth farre ofter than the other to the Church of God 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie WHile Antichrist shall reigne sayeth Ierome the Church shall be driven to the Desart and given to Beasts and suffer what-so-ever the Prophet descrybeth In c. 2. Sophoniae in finc 3. Confession of Partie WEE say not sayth Gregorie of Valentia that the Church shall be ever conspicuous as if wee would haue her ever alike easilie knowne for wee know that shee is so tossed whiles with the waues of Errours and Schismes and whiles of persecution that shee is hard to bee knowne to the vnskilfull that are not prudent to consider of tymes and circumstances of thinges Valentia analys lib. 6. c. 4. § propositio 4. §. 9. That Miracles are no note of the true Church neyther personall succession nor Antiquitie 1. Authoritie of Scripture DEut. 13.1.2 And if there arise amongst you a Prophet or a dreamer of Dreames and giveth thee a signe or a vvonder and the signe or vvonder come to passe vvhereof hee spake vnto thee saying Let vs goe after other gods vvhich thou hast not knowne and let vs serue them Thou shalt not hearken to the words of that Prophet Note then That miracles cannot authorize false doctrine nor bee any sure note of a true Church or true teachers therein Mat. 24.24 For there shall arise false christs and false prophets and shall show great signes and wonders in so much if it vvere possible that they should deceiue the verie Elect. 2. Thess 2.9 Whose comming to wit Antichrists is after the working of Satan with all power and signes and lying wonders Note then That Antichristianisme is advanced by miracles in the latter times and therefore they can bee no sure note of the true Church but rather a cleare note of the false Church in the latter tymes As for Succession it is alreadie spoken of § 4 That it can bee no note except it were in true doctrine For so the high Priest and erronious Pharisees who persecuted Christ and His Apostles should haue bene the true Church having their succession from Aaron and sitting them-selues in Moses Chaire Neyther can Antiquitie nor Duration bee a note of the true Church for with the verie first Preaching of the Gospell the misterie of iniquitie began to worke 2. Thess 2.7 And for Duration it shall last to the ende of the worlde and haue some beeing for so the Apostle testifieth 2. Thess 2.8 That that man of sinne Antichrist shall piece and piece bee consumed by the breath of the LORDES Mouth but shall bee vtterlie destroyed with the brightnesse of His comming onelie 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THe Church is not made manifest to bee Catholicke sayeth Augustine because miracles are done in her de vnit Eccles cap. 16. Yea they are more to be found amongst them who are false Christians sayeth Chrysostome beeing lying wonders hom 19. in Matth. operis imperf 3. Confession of Partie They would bee rather an hinderance now-a-dayes sayth the Iesuit Stella than anie wayes an helpe to adduce men to the trueth in Luc. 11. p. 64. So also sayeth Stapleton prompt morale in dominic 24. post Pentecosten Not onelie for the greater try all of the faythfull may Antichrist his nearest fore-runners worke true miracles But what-so-ever other Heretickes sayeth hee as inchanters also doe by Gods permission And therefore he showeth that in the Ecclesiasticall Historie wee reade that the Novatian Heretickes wrought miracles in Christes Name And the Donatistes vaunted greatlie of their miracles against Augustine to whome hee answered de vnit Eccles cap. 16. CHAP. III. OF PETER AND THE Popes Supremacie §. 1. That Peter had no supremacie of power over the rest of the Apostles and consequentlie that his pretended successour should claime none over their successours anie vvhere 1. Authoritie of Scripture MARKE 9.35 And hee sate downe and called the twelue and sayeth vnto them If anie man desire to bee first the same shall bee last of all and servant of all Mat. 20.25 Yee know that the Princes of the Nations exercise dominion over them and they that are great exercise authorîtie vpon them but it shall not bee so amongst you but vvhosoever vvill bee great amongst you let him be your servant Note then That Christ decydeth not the controversie in Peter's favours telling that hee had made him chiefe or was to make him but forbiddeth anie supremacie of jurisdiction one over an other vnto them all alike In like manner Mat. 19.28 In the regeneration vvhen the Sonne of Man shall sit in the Throne of His glorie yee shall also sit sayeth Christ vpon twelue Thrones judging the twelue Tribes of Israel Note then That there is not a word heere of one throne for Peter aboue the rest but twelue thrones and equall judging designing equall authoritie even as they are all alike called the foundation of the Church Ephes 2.20 and so not Peter alone nor anie pretended successour 1. Pet. 5.1 The Elders which â—…re amongst you I exhort vvho am â—…lso a fellow-elder and a vvitâ—…esse of the sufferings of Christ c. Remarke then That these humble stiles â—…nd manner of exhorting others is farre â—…om the prowde claime of Papall jurisâ—…iction over all men and these haughtie â—…tles
sayde Act. 17.2 And Paul as his manner was went in vnto them and three Sabbath dâ—yes reasoned with them out oâ—… the Scriptures No word of Tradition See Apollo's lyke practise Act. 18.28 just conforme heereto In lyke manner for believing Act. 24.14 This I confesse sayeth Paul that after the way which they call Heresie so worship I the GOD of my Fathers believing all thinges which are written in the Law and Prophets No word then of vnwritten Traditions which he made a ground of his Fayth So Act. 17.11 The Bereans searched the Scriptures daylie whether these things were so to wit as Paul taught therefore manie believed Note then That it was not for anie warrand of traditions that they believed but vpon warrand of Scripture onlie that they grounded their fayth 2. Witnessing of Antiquiâ—ie THe holie and divine inspired Scriptures are all sufficient sayeth Athanasius for the full instruction of trueth Athan. lib. contra Gentes Whence also sayeth Tertullian Take from Heretickes wherein they agree with Heathens that by Scripture onelie they may debate their questions and they cannot stand Tertull lib. de resurr carn cap. 3. 3. Confession of Partie ALL Doctrines of Fayth and Manners sayeth Bellarmine which is simplie necessarie for all men are plainlie set downe in Scripture Bell. lib. 4. de verbo cap. 11. § vltimo §. 3. That the Scripture is plaine in all thinges necessarie for salvation to know altho in all places generallie it be not alyke perspicuous 1. Authoritie of Scripture PSalme 19.8 The Commandement of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes Psal 119.105 Thy word is a lampe vnto my feet and a light vnto my path Vers 130. The entrance of thy word giveth light and it giveth vnderstanding even vnto the simple Note then If that the verie entrance giveth light and vnderstanding to the simple then what doeth a daylie progresse And if the simple get vnderstanding thereby how can it bee so obscure that the learned onelie should reade the same allanerlie 2. Tim. 3.15 From a child thou hast knowne the Scripture Note If children then may attaine to the knowledge of Scripture then it is not so obscure that those of perfect age cannot know the same 2. Pet. 1.19 We haue also a more sure word of Prophecie whereto ye doe well in taking heed as to a light that shineth in a darke place c. Note then That as a shyning light can not bee called darke it selfe which illuminateth darke places so neyther can Gods worde which illuminateth our darke vnderstandinges 2. Cor. 4.3 But if our Gospell be hid it is to them that are lost in whom the god of this worlde hath blynded their myndes that belieue not c. Note then That it is not the fault of Scripture that it is hid to anie more than it is the fault of the cleare Sunne that a blinde man seeth it not 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie IN those places which are clearlie set downe in Scripture sayeth Augustine all those thinges are to bee found which contayne both Fayth and Manners Aug. lib. 2. de doct Christiana cap. 9. Which Chrysostome lykewyse avoweth saying no lesse Homil. 3. in 2. ad Thess 3. Confession of Partie BEllarmine affirmeth that all doctrines of Fayth and Manners which are simplie necessarie for all men are plainlie set downe in Scripture Bell. lib. 4. de verbo c. 11. § vltimo §. 4. That the Scripture is to bee read by the People and therefore that the same for that ende should be translated in their vulgar language 1. Authoritie of Scripture DEuter 6.6.7 And these thinges which I command thee this day shall bee in thine heart and thou shalt teach them diligentlie to thy Children and shalt talke of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou lyest downe and when thou rysest vp c. Deuter. 29.29 The secret thinges belong to the Lord our God but these thinges which are revealed belong to vs and to our children for over that we may doe all the words of this Law Note then That the People are bound to know Gods worde because they are bound to obey Gods word See in lyke manner Deut. 17.18.19 c. the booke of the Law commanded to bee read by the King for the same ende that hee may learne to obey the same As also Ioshua 1.8 by the Iudge of the people And last of all by all sort of people as is cleare Deut. 6.6.7.9 And by this subsequent testimonie to wit Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them yee thinke to haue eternall lyfe and they are these that testifie of mee Those of Baerea therefore Act. 17.11 They searched the Scriptures daylie whether those things were so teaching all people to follow their example Ephes 6.17 Take the sword of the spirit which is the word of GOD. Note then That all Christians whatsoever because all are spirituall warriours are bidden arme themselues with the Scripture so that who forbids them the knowledge thereof they make them naked before their spirituall enemie Col. 3.16 Let the word dwell in you plenteouslie that thereby yee may teach one another and be ye filled with Knowledge Col. 1.9 Note then That this is farre from popish ignorance and their forbidding the people to reade the Word of GOD for â—…o how can it dwell in them plenteouslie and they bee filled with the knowledge thereof 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie CHrysostome speaking thus of the forbidding thereof It is sayeth hee the working of the inspiration of the Divell not suffering to looke in the treasure lest wee should attaine to the ritches thereof What a Pest then is it to thinke that the reading of the Scriptures belongeth only to Clergie men Chrys hom 2. in Matth. Whence hee sayeth then I beseech you all that are seculare men to get Bibles to your selues the medicine of the soule and if ye will not get more get the New Testament Chrys hom 9. ad Coloss Heere-vnto witnesseth also Theodoret. lib. 5. de curand graec affect 3. Confession of Partie IT is manifest sayth Bishop Espenseus by the Apostles doctrine Col. 3.16 and by the practise of the Church that of olde the publicke vse of scripture was permitted to people And so sayth Alphonsus de castro verbo scriptura §. 5. That the Scripture is the perfect rule of Fayth and Manners and the infallible supreame Iudge in controversies of Religion 1. Authoritie of Scripture ISai. 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimonie if they speake not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Note then That in Gods worde is the last supreame and onlie infallible decision to bee had concerning eyther Fayth or Manners and therefore the sentence of all men whatsoever is to bee tryed â—…hereby and reduced therevnto The Bareans therefore Act. 17.11 searched the Scriptures whether those things were so that Paul taught vnto them altho an Apostle and famous for manie miracles also Deut.
12.8.32 And yee shall not doe everie man what is right in his owne eyes but whatsoever I command you obserue to doe it Thou shalt not adde thereto nor diminish from it Ezek. 20.18.19 But I sayd vnto their Children in the Wildernesse Walke yee not in the statutes of your Fathers neither obserue their judgementes nor defile your selues with their Idols I am the Lord your God walke in my statutes and keepe my judgements to doe them Note then That mens traditions nor ancient custome is not the rule of faith nor manners but onlie the Lords Word Mark 7.7.8 In vaine doe they worship mee teaching for doctrines the traditions of men For laying aside the Commandement of God yee holde the traditions of men Matth. 22.29 Therefore doe yee erre not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God Note then that Scripture is the entire rule of trueth the ignorance whereof is the cause of errour amongst the seduced people 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THis cause sayth Augustine requireth a judge and who shal be judge let the Apostle bee iudge because by the Apostle Christ speaketh Aug. de gratia lib. arb cap. 18. Let vs stand therefore to the iudgement of the holie inspyred scriptures sayth Basill which God hath set over vs. Epist 80. ad Eustathium 3. Confession of Partie BAsill sayeth Bellarmine willeth that both parties stand to the judgement of Scripture which none can reiect §. 6. That the Scripture is not a dumbe Iudge but that GOD by it speaketh to His Church 1. Authoritie of Scripture IOhn 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them yee thinke to haue eternall life and these are they that testifie of mee Note then That in the same sense that Christ calleth the Scripture a witnesse it may bee called a judg and in the same manner to pronounce judgement in controversies as it beareth witnesse Seeing then a witnesse must haue speach else hee can bee no witnesse in that the Scripture then is saide to beare witnesse it followeth also that the Scripture after a sort speaketh Iohn 7.42 Hath not the Scripture sayde that Christ commeth of the seed of David c. Loe speach expresly attributed to Scripâ—…ure Againe Heb. 12.5 And yee haue forgotten the exhortation that speaketh to you as vnto Children c. In lyke manner Luke 16.29 Abraham saith vnto him They haue Moses the Prophets let them heare them Ergo It implyeth that their writs doe â—…n a manner speake seeing that wee are â—…idden hâ—are them Heb. 11.4 By faith Abell offered vnto God a more excellent sacrifice than Kain by which he obtained witnes that he was righteous God testifying of his gifts and by it hee being dead yet speaketh If Abell then being dead is saide yeâ—… to speake by that record of his fayth which is set downe in Scripture eveâ—… so may the Prophets and Apostleâ—… beeing dead bee saide lykewise yet to speake by these records of their doctrine of fayth which is set downe in Scripture and which is the Christian foundation whereon the Church is built Ephes 2.20 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie GOD himselfe speaketh to vs by the Scripture sayeth Cyrillus Alex. lib. 11. in Iohn c. 21. And even Christ himselfe this verie day is crying vnto vs in his Gospels sayth Chrysostom homil in Psal 95. 3. Consent of Partie THE Scripture therefore sayeth Bellarmine both by wordes and similitudes everie where cryeth that a sinner in no sort can dispose himselfe to receiue grace Bell. lib. 6. de lib. arb c. 5. § huc denique CHAP. II. OF THE CHVRCH §. 1. That the estate of the true Church is not ever visible to all men and chieflie to the enemies thereof 1. Authoritie of Scripture I. KIngs 19.10 And Eliah sayde I haue bene very zealous for the LORD of Hoasts for the children of Israel haue forsaken thy covenant throwne downe thine Altars and slaine thy Prophets and I onlie am left and they seeke my life I aske Where was then a visible companie of true and publicke worshippers at this time in Israel And that the like estate of true professours was at one time both in Israel and Iudah is evident out of 2. Chron. 15. 8. and 1. King 15.9 the whole Kingdome of Iudah beeing idolatrous in Abiiam's latter reigne and at the same tyme whole Israel being idolatrous vnder Ieroboam Againe 2. Chron. 28.24 it is recorded how at once both Iudah was altogether idolatrous vnder King Ahaz and the Lords publicke worship vtterlie was abrogated and at the same tyme Israel was even so vnder their Kinges Pekah and Hoshea Of this tyme it is sayde in Historie 2 King 17.16 And Israel left all the Commandementes of the Lord their God and made them molten Images even two calues and made a groue and worshipped all the hoste of Heaven and served Baal Vers 18. So there was none left but the tribe of Iudah onlie and Iudah kept not the Commandementes of the Lord their God but walked also in the statutes of Israel which they made And so the Lord reiected all the seede of Israel and afflicted them c. And of this tyme also it is sayde in prophecie by Ieremie Ier. 5.11 For the house of Israel and the house of Iudah haue dealt verie treacherouslie against mee sayeth the Lord. And by Ezechiel 23.13 it is sayde that these two sisters in their spirituall whoredomes tooke both one way Note then When both this people which onelie were then counted Gods Church made defection with their Kings â—…n common to the publicke practise of â—…dolatrie onlie and abrogated the publicke worship of the true God alluterlie where was then the face of a visible companie of true professours having a pubâ—…icke worship Therefore Zeph. 3.12 the Lord sayeth of his true Church Then I will leaue in the midst of thee an afflicted and poore people that shall trust in the Name of the Lord. Which is farre from an outward pompous and a glorious visibilitie to all Marke 14.27 And Iesus saide vnto them All yee shal be offended because of mee this Night for it is written I will smyte the Shepheard and the Sheepe shall bee scattered I aske then when this was done Where was a visible companie to all of true professours to be pointed at Revel 12.14 And to the Woman were given two Winges of a great Eagle that shee might flie into the Wildernesse vnto her place vvhere shee is nowrished for a time and times and halfe a time from the face of the Serpent This womâ—… the Romanists themselues as Lyra andâ—…thers interprete to be the true Churcâ—… lurking vnder persecution as Elias dâ—… three yeares and an halfe in the Wâ—…dernesse where hee was miraculousâ—… fed I aske then at this same time shee could lurke vnder persecution aâ—… yet bee gloriouslie and conspicuousâ—… visible to all Or Rev. 13.3 When the time of Antichrists prevailiâ—g the Earth shall follow the Beast whâ—… shall such visibilitie be Even no wheâ—… as the Rhemists on the 2.
Thess 2. grant but a communion in heart onlâ—… and a practise of worship in secret 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie SOmetimes the Church is not appâ—…rent sayeth Augustine to wâ—… when wicked persecuters aboue measuâ—…rage against her Aug. epist. 80. ad Hesâ—…chium Therefore the Church lookinâ—… foorth as the Moone hath oft times hâ—… eclypses saith Ambrose lib. 4. hexam c. 〈…〉 3. Confession of Partie THE confession of our Adversariâ—… is likewise thus that in the time oâ—… Antichrist the communion of Christian in the true Church shal be onlie in hearâ—… and their worship onlie in secret for sâ—… sayeth the Rhemists on 2. Thess 2.3 So that our difference is not so much in the â—…sition of invisibilitie as in the appliâ—…tion vnto persons and tymes 〈…〉 2. That the visible Church of Christian professours may erre from the trueth in common both Pastours people altho not all and everie one 1. Authoritie of Scripture ISai. 1.21 How is the faithfull citie become an Harlot Ier. 5.11 For the House of Israel and the House of Iudah â—…aue dealt verie treacherouslie â—…gainst mee sayth the Lord. Ier. 2.8 The Priests said not Where is the Lord and they that handle the Law knew me not the Pastours also transgressed against mee and the Prophets prophesied by Baall and vvalked after thinges â—…hat doe not profit Loe then what a generall Apostasie of all sorts is set downe heere Againe v. 26. As the Thiefe is ashamed vvhen he is found so is the House of Israel ashamed they their Kinges their Princes and their Priestes and their Prophets saying to a stocke Thou art my Father c. Beholde then againe no sort excepted Isai 9.16 The leaders of this people cause them to erre and they that are led of them are destroyed Note then that the leaders in a Church and people that are led may both make defection and so a whole Church which consisteth of both Isai 56.10 His watch-men are blinde they are all ignorant they are all dumbe Dogs c. Note then howe generall a defection may be amongst Teachers in the Church of God and howe the chiefe Pastoures haue first made Apostasie let these examples verifie 2. King 16.11 And Vriah the Priest built an Altar according to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus c. Againe Matth. 26.65 Then the High Priest rent his garments saying Hee hath blasphemed what neede wee Witnesses anie farder c. Marke 14.64 Yee haue heard â—…is blasphemie How thinke ye vvho â—…ll condemned him to bee guiltie of â—…eath Note then howe grosselie also the â—…erie hie-priests vnder the Law erred â—…nd the chiefe Pastor that sate in Moses haire erroniouslie decreeted with his â—…hole counsell the one in making an â—…olatrous Altar and erecting idolatrous â—…orship and the other pronouncing â—…e trueth in Christs owne mouth to bee â—…asphemie and himselfe worthie to â—…e And therefore how groslie hee â—…d his Church may erre who pretenâ—…eth nowe to bee the Christian High-â—…riest see § 5. 2. Thess 2.3 Let no man deâ—…iue you by anie meanes for that â—…ay shall not come except there come 〈…〉 falling away first and that man 〈…〉 sinne bee revealed the sonne of â—…rdition Note then that in the Christian Church 〈…〉 great Apostasie from the Trueth is â—…re-tolde before that by the preaching â—…gaine of the same clearlie Antichrist be â—…vealed and made knowne So that in the tyme of his prevayling no publicâ—… exercise shall bee of the true Christiâ—… worship but in secret onlie and this 〈…〉 verie Rhemists on this place confesse 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie ANd the poyson of Arrius sayeâ—… Lyrinensis did not onlie infect a pâ—… of the Church but almost the whole woâ—… Vnic. Lyrin adu hereses c. 6. So thâ—… the whole world sobbed and admired tâ—… it was made Arrian as testifieth S. Ieroâ—… 3. Confession of Partie OF that time when the Arrian herâ—… domined over the whole world S. â—…rome wrote that the ship of the Chuâ—… was almost sunke sayth Gregorie of Vaâ—…tia analys lib. 6. c. 4. § probatio 4. §. 3. That the Church of Rome in pâ—…cular may erre and as shall 〈…〉 proven hath erred by all the pâ—…ticulars ensuing 1. Authoritie of Scripture ROm. 11.20 Because of vâ—…beliefe they vvere broken oâ—… and thou standest by faith Be nâ—… high minded but feare Note Now then what greater hiâ—… mindednesse can the Romane Churâ—… show than to say shee cannot erre and if this were true what needed her to feare and yet I hope shee cannot exeeme her selfe from this Apostolicke exhortation which is so expreslie written to her and biddeth her feare Againe ver 21.22 For if God spared not the naturall branches take heede lest hee spare not thee Beholde therefore the goodnesse and severitie of God on them which fell severitie but towards thee goodnesse if thou continue in his goodnesse otherwise thou also shalt bee cut off Note then that the Apostle showeth that the Church of Rome as well as other Churches of the Gentiles may fall away from the trueth and bee cut off from being a true Church otherwise if shee had infallibilitie this his exhortation should haue beene altogether needlesse neither should hee haue spoken doubtinglie after this manner saying if thou continue but particularlie excepted her as one that could not but continue 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THey haue not Peters heritage saith Ambrose who haue not Peters faith §. 4. That personall succession to the Chaires of true Teachers priviledgeth not their successours from errour 1. Authoritie of Scripture EXod 32.21 And Moses saide to Aaron What did this people vnto thee that thou hast brought so great a sinne vpon them Loe then How the verie first sitter in the high priest's chaire falleth filthilie in grossest idolatrie 2. Kings 16.11.16 And Vriah the Priest built an Altar according to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus c. Thus did Vriah the Priest according to all that King Ahaz commanded Note then That notwithstanding of his succeeding personallie to the office of the high priest-hood hee performeth all the idolatrous King's commandements and so foullie erreth Mat. 26.65 Then the high Priest rent his garments saying Hee hath blaspemed Note then That the high Priests succession nor place freeth him not from erring in calling CHRISTES trueth blasphemie Mat. 23.2 The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses chaire But yet Iohn 7.48 Haue anie of the Rulers and Pharisees believed in him Yea more-over Mat. 16.6 Then Iesus said vnto them Take heede and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadduces Verse 12. Then they vnderstood that hee bade them not beware of the leaven of the Pharisees but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadduces Note then That notwithstanding of their sitting in Moses chaire they both rejected Christ and his trueth and taught contrarie falsehood neither believing in the Sonne of God themselues nor yet truelie teaching the people of God concerning their MESSIAS 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie NIcephorus doeth testifie
that Nestorius Macedonius arch-hereticks succeeded to S. Andrew the Apostle in the Church of Constantinople called before Byzantium Niceph. lib. 8. chronol cap. 6. 3. Confession of Partie THat almost all Arch-hereticks were eyther Bishops or Priestes sayeth Belarmine Lib. 1. de Pont. Cap. 8. § 4. §. 5. That the Iewish Church pretended nâ—… lesse infallibilitie than the Romane doeth and had farre greater and more particular promises and yeâ—… erred 1. Authoritie of Scripture AS for the pretence wee see it seâ—… downe Ierem. 18.18 in these wordes Come let vs devise devices against Ieremie for the Law shall not perish from the Priest nor Counsell from the Wise nor the â—…ord from the Prophet And thereâ—…re from the lyke words in Malachie 2. 〈…〉 which the Papists would haue thus The Priests lips shall preserue knowledge and they shall seeke the Law â—…t his mouth they gather the High â—…riests infallibilitie vnder the Law ex â—…acto and conclude the Popes infallibiâ—…tie vnder the Gospell ex aequo alleadâ—…ing to the same purpose that of Deuterâ—…omie 7.10 In lyke manner As for Promises it is saide Psal â—…32 14 The Lord hath chosen Sion for an habitation and hath said This is my rest for ever And againe Isai 33.20 Looke vpon Sion the citie of our solemnities â—…hine eyes shall beholde Ierusalem 〈…〉 quyet habitation a Tabernacle that shall not bee taken downe not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed neither shall anie of the cords â—…hereof bee broken Note then And aske where ever anie such promises are made vnto Rome but in the contrarie a fearfull destruction foâ—… her grosse idolatrie is clearlie fore-told Revelation 18. And last of all for praises it is said of Ierusalem and Gods Church there Psal 87.3 Glorious things are spoken of thee O Citie of God But of Rome the most glorious thing that is spokeâ—… of her is That shee should bee a gloriouâ—… Harlot Revel 17.4.18 And Thessalonieâ—… equalleth her in that which the Apostle spake of the faythfull onelie of his tymâ—… in her and where-of the Papists so much glorie which by collation inspection of the places is moste cleare and evident Rom. 1.8 2. Thes 1.4 §. 6. That the VVord of GOD purelie preached vnder which the due administration of the Sacraments is comprehended is the onely cleare and truest note of a true Church 1. Authoritie of Scripture DEut. 4.8 And vvhat Nation is there so great that hath statutes and judgements so righteous as all this Law vvhich I set before you this day Psal 147.19 He sheweth His Word to Iacob His statutes and His judgements to Israel Hee hath not dealt so with anie Nation c. Wee see then that Gods people was ever differenced from all other nations and knowne by his word and ordinances to bee his peculiar Church Iohn 10.27 My Sheepe heare my voyce and I know them and they follow Mee Note then Where Christs voyce soundeth and is believed and obeyed there is his Church Iohn 8.31 If yee continue in My Word then are yee My Disciples indeede Act. 2.42 And they continued stedfastlie in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers Note then That continuance in Christs trueth and apostolicke doctrine with the holie exercise of prayer and participation of Sacraments is a cleare note to know a true Church 1. Tim. 3.15 Which is the Church of the living God the Pillar and ground of trueth The meaning whereof the Apostle giveth Heb. 3.6 saying Whose house are vvee if vvee keepe fast the confidence and the rejoycing of the hope firme to the ende Note therefore That the Church is so called and knowne to be such by keeping fast and firme the trueth of Gods Word in profession and that confidence and hope that it breedeth in our hearts sure to the ende 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THe Church consisteth not in Walles but in the trueth of doctrine sayth Ierome so that there is the Church where â—…rue fayth is Hierom in Psal 133. and â—…hey are good Catholicks onelie who â—…ollow the right fayth sayth Augustine lib. de vera religione cap. 5. 3. Confession of Partie THe confession lykewyse of our Adversaries is thus The Church consisteth not in men sayth Lyra in respect of their power or dignitie Ecclesiasticke ☜ or Civill because manie Princes and Popes too haue beene found to haue made defection from the faith Therefore the Church consisteth in those in whome is true knowledge and the confession of faith and the trueth of God Lyra in Matth. cap. 16. §. 7. That multitude is no note of a true Church 1. Authoritie of Scripture 1. KIngs 19.10 And Elias saide I haue beene verie zealous for the LORD of Hoasts for the children of Israel haue forsaken thy covenant cast downe thine Altars and slaine thy Prophets and I even I onlie am left and they seeke my life I aske then If a visible multitude was a note here of the true Church in Israel or the two tribes of Iudah being compared with these ten which of them was the greater multitude or the whole twelue compared with the whole worlde beside which of these were maniest and consequentlie by the note of multitude who was the true Church Isai 1.9 Except the Lord of Hoastes had left to vs a verie small remnant wee should haue beene like Sodome and like vnto Gomorrah Note then That the true professours are called a verie small remnant which is farre from being the greatest multitude of men Ier. 3.14 I vvill take one of a Citie and two of a Familie and bring you to Sion Note then That one of a Citie being the fewest that can bee that the greater multitude is left vncalled to the trueth effectualie Mat. 7.13 Enter in at the strait gate for vvide is the gate and broad is the vvay that leadeth to destruction and manie there bee vvho enter in thereat Note then If few enter in at the strait gate that leadeth to salvation and manie at the wide gate that leadeth to damnation then paucitie should bee rather a note of the true Church than anie wise multitude seeing Rev. 13. the whole World is saide to follow the beast Luke 12.32 Feare not little Flocke for it is your Fathers pleasure to giue to you a Kingdome Note then If Christs Flocke bee little then multitude is no good note to know the same thereby Examples of the paucitie of Gods true Church in the house of Abraham compared with the rest of the world and of the true professours at Christs Passion verefie this point 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THe multitude of Associates shall no wise show thee to bee a Catholicke but an Hareticke sayeth Ierome dialog contra Pelag. lib. 3. Therefore where are they that define the Church by multitudes sayeth Gregorie Nazienzen and contemneth so the little Flocke of Christ Oratione de seipso contra Arrianos 3. Confession of Partie THat time when the Church seemed to lurke sayeth
that the Bishop of Rome presumpâ—…uouslie vsurpeth Acts 8.14 Now vvhen the Apostles that vvere at Ierusalem â—…eard that Samaria had received â—…he Word of GOD they sent vnto â—…hem Peter and Iohn Note then Peter's submission to his â—…ellow-brethren pleading no exemption â—…r priviledge of supremacie nor impuâ—…ng to them anie saucinesse as the Pope â—…ould doe to other Bishops if they preâ—…med to send him in lyke sort to preach â—…n anie forraigne Countrey Gal. 1.1 Paul an Apostle â—…either of men nor by man Note then That hee disclaimeth the â—…aving of his Apostolicke power anie â—…ayes of Peter as Superiour nor anie â—…ther power as the following words â—…stifie Gal. 2.6.11 They that seemed to bee somewhat in conferencâ—… added nothing to mee buâ—… vvhen Peter vvas come to Antioch I vvithstood him to the faceâ—… Remarke then How farre this fact oâ—… Pauls crosseth the supremacie and if 〈…〉 Bishop would bee well intreated thaâ—… now so publicklie would with-stand thâ—… Pope to his face in lyke manner Verse 9. And vvhen Iameâ—… Cephas and Iohn who seemeâ—… to bee pillars perceived the graâ—… vvhich vvas given to mee they gaâ—… to mee and Barnabas the rigâ—… hand of fellowship Note then That Peter is heere rankeâ—… after Iames and all three are equallâ—… called pillars and receiveth Paul anâ—… Barnabas as companions alway Paâ—… witnessing elsewhere that hee was râ—… inferiour to none of the Apostles 〈…〉 which maketh plainlie against Peter's sâ—…premacie aboue all the rest as their heâ—… in authoritie Remarke then by all the former plâ—…ces First That Christ never gaue anâ—… supremacie of jurisdiction to Peter â—…boue the rest of the Apostles but a-lykâ—… forbad it to all Secondlie That Peter never claymed anie such as both his Scripturall Titles and his actions make cleare And thirdlie That the rest of the Apostles never acknowledged anie such which as well their speaches as their deedes make manifest And so consequentlie That his pretended Successours wrongfullie vsurpe the same And if anie might challenge the largest charge or jurisdiction to bee called Vniversall Bishop it was Paul vnto whom was committed the Gentiles and who sayeth 2. Cor. 11.28 that hee had comming vpon him daylie the care of all the Churches 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie TO this our doctrine against Peter's supremacie over the rest of the Apostles Antiquitie thus witnesseth The rest of the Apostles sayeth Cyprian were the selfe-same that Peter was endewed with a-lyke fellowship both of honour and power lib. de vnit Eccles 3. Confession of Partie CHRIST would not haue the rest of the Apostles subject to Peter sayth Caietan but all a-lyke as Brethren comment p. 278. cited in judice errarum Cajetani a Catharin◠§. 2. That the Pope is not the Head or husband and foundation of the Church as the Papists holde Bellarm. lib. 2. de pontif cap. 31. and therefore that all men are not bound to bee subject to him 1. Authoritie of Scripture EPhes 5.23 For the Husband is the Head of the Wife even as Christ is the Head of the Church and is the Saviour of the Bodie Note then That as an Husband will bee onlie Head and haue no substitute in his place with his wife vnder him no more will Christ who is a jealous God haue anie other Head or Husband over His Church vnder Himselfe Note also That hee that is the head of his Church is the saviour of the bodie which seeing the Pope dare not take vpon him neither should he the stile of head that doth import the same Eph. 4.4 There is but one bodie Therefore but one head Where note That the Church is not a perfect bodie having an head of its own beside Christ but Christ and His Church maketh vp a perfect bodie Hee beeing the onelie Head and the Church His Members 2. Cor. 11.2 For I haue espoused you to one Husband that I may present you as a chaste Virgine to Christ. Note That hee sayeth to one and not to two for so the Church should not bee thought a chaste spouse to Christ onelie Iohn 3. 29. Hee that hath the Bryde is the Brydegrome but the friend of the Brydegrome who standeth and hâ—areth him rejoyceth with â—…oy for the voyce of the Brydegrome Note That Iohn maketh one onelie Brydegrome as there is one onelie Bryde and that none can bee called Brydegrome but that one who oweth the Bâ—yde hee him-selfe altho the greaâ—…est amongst the sonnes of women and â—…ll others beeing but friendes onelie of â—…he Brydegromes but not having right â—…o the Bryde her-selfe 1. Cor. 3.11 For other Foundation can no man lay beside that which is layde which is CHRIST IESVS Ephes 2.20 Built vpon the foundations of the Apostles Prophets Iesus Christ Himselfe being the chiefe corner stone Note then That anie one can never be called the foundation of the Church but Christ alone and as for others the whole Prophets and Apostles are called so in common in respect of their doctrine and not of their persons and they onlie themselues are so but neither one of them aboue the rest nor yet anie successour 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie TO this our doctrine that the Pope is not the head husband and foundation of the Church testifieth Antiquitie It is Satanicall pryde sayeth Gregorie by an arrogant title of Head to subject so all Christs members to one man which doe coheyre to one onelie head Christ Iesus allanerlie lib. 4. ep 36. where hee showeth also the stile of Vniversall Bishop to bee alyke Satanicallie prowde and altogether Antichristianâ—… which he nor none of his predecessours would ever accept nor vse Adde heerevnto likewise the decree of that famouâ—… Councell of Chalcedon against vniversall supremacie Concil Chalc. Act. 16. Next for the title of Husband if thou bee the friend of the Brydegroome sayeth Bernard Epist 237. call not his beloved spouse thy chiefe one but his challenging nothing as proper to thee over her except it bee that if necessitie so require thou oughtest to giue thy lyfe for her and if Christ haue sent thee thinke that thou art not come to bee served but to serue 3. Confession of Partie ANd last for the stile of Foundation When in holie Scripture sayth Pope Gregorie in the singular number a foundation is spoken of there is none other designed to be such but Christ Himselfe allanerlie in 38. Iob. cap. 9. CHAP. IIII. OF THE CHVRCHES Right Worship §. I. That Prayers and all publicke woâ—ship should bee in a language knowne to the people 1. Authoritie of Scripture 1. COrint 14.7 And even things vvithout life giving sound whether pipe or Harpe except they giue a distinction in the soundes how shall it bee knowne vvhat is piped or harped Verse 9. So likewise you except yee vtter by the tongue vvords easie to bee vnderstood how shall it bee knowne vvhat is spoken for yee shall speake into the Aire Verse 11. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voyce I shall be vnâ—o him that speaketh
what things are done or befalleth in this lyfe to men And againe the Prophet saith Thou art our Father for Abraham hath not knowne vs and Israel hath bene ignorant of vs. If so great Patriarchs then sayth hee knew not what befell this people begotten of themselues c. How are the dead mixed in now to know the effairs and actions of the living to helpe them there-in Aug. de cura pro mortuis 3 Confession of Partie NOthing of th s wâ—s delivered or taught sâ—y h Eâ—kius in the Scriptures of the Olde Testament and in the New Testament also the Apostlâ—s nor Evangâ—lists nâ—â—ther by word nor writ tradition â—or Scripture lâ—fe anie such thing behinde them thâ— the Sainctâ—s should bâ—e prayed vnto Eckius in encâ—irtâ—â—o de vâ—â—er 〈◊〉 sâ—nâ—s So that for An 〈◊〉 from the beginning it was not so Matth. 19.8 for Auâ—â—oritie it is not requyred by God at our handes Is i. 1.12 and for Sâ—â—uritie it is not of faâ—th as is preseryâ—ed Iames 1.6 §. 5. That no reliâ—ious servicâ— which the Papists câ—ll Duliâ— should â—e giâ—â—â— to 〈…〉 â—â—â—â—hâ—r Sainct or Aâ—gâ—ll but to God only 1. Authoritie of Scripture 1. SAMUEL 7.3 Prepare your heartes vnto the Lord and serue Him onlie Note then That all religious service is proper to God onelie as His prerogatiue Royall and due to no â—reature Rom. 7.6 But now wee are d livered from the Law that being dead wherein we were held that wee should serue Him in newnesse of spirit Note heere That our whole worship of God and duâ—tie to Hâ—m is called Service or a Religious Dulia due onelie to the holie Trinitie Coloss 2.18 Let no man beguile you of your rewarde in a voluntarie humilitie and worshipping of Angels intruding in those thinges which hee hath not seene vaynlie puft vp with his fleshlie mynde Note then That anie worshipping of Angels is expresselie forbidden as an idolatrous practize able to depryue vs of our rewarde of eternall lyfe and where-of there is neyther example to be seene in the godlie nor warrand in God's worde but which is a doctrine proceeding from a vayne and puft vp fleshlie mynde that thinketh everie thing good in God's worship that it selfe devyseth having a show of wisedome and humilitie Revel 22.8 And I Iohn saw these thinges and heard them and when I had heard and seene I fell downe to worship before the feete of the Angell which shewed mee these things Vers 9. Then sayeth hee vnto mee Doe it not for I am thy fellow-servant and of thy Brethren the Prophets and of them which keepe the sayinges of this Booke Worship God Note then That the Angell refuseth all religious service and worship because such is not due to bee given by one servant to another but by all the fellow-servantes to their common Master to whom therefore the Angell directeth it saying VVorship GOD. 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie WEE honour the Saincts with Loue but not with Service sayeth Aug. de vera relig c. 55. therfore he truely keepes the truth who worshippeth not the creature but the Creator sayeth Cyrillus and serveth Him onlie Cyrill Alex. lib. 1. 2. Thess c. 1. lib. 2. c. 1. 3. Confession of Partie MAnie Christians sayeth L. Vives worship no otherwise the hee and shee Saincts than they doe Goâ— himselfe neither see I sayth he in manie things what difference there is betweene their opinion of the Saincts that which the verie Heathen had of their gods Vives iâ—… August de civit Dei liâ— 8. c. vlt. §. 6. That no religious worsâ—ip is dâ—â— to the Virgine Marie which the Papistes call Hyperdulâ—a 1. Authoritie of Scâ—ipture IErem 44.17 But wee will doe certaynlie what-so-ever goeth foorth of our owne mouth to burne Incense to the Queene of Heaven and to poâ—re out drinke offeringes to her as wee haue done wee and our Fathers c. For then wee had plentie of Victuals and were well and saw no evill Remarke then If this oâ—de idolatrous fashion bee not the verie alyke as the practize of Poperie and their prâ—tence now who contâ—â—rie to God's worde will worship the Vâ—rgâ—ne Mâ—â—ie as Queene of Hâ—avâ—n and make offeringes to her beâ—ause heir fore-fathers â—nd so and that then it was a good worlde wâ—th them and therefore are guiltie of alyke Idolatrie Matth. 2.11 And when they were come into the house they saw the Chylde with Marie his Mother and fell downe and worshipped him Note then That no word is that those wise men worshipped her lykewyse being moved by the Spirit of God to doe what they did and by the same Spirit to omit what they omitted 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie IF God will haue the Angels not to bee worshipped how much lesse her that was borne of Anna c. And againe Al-bee-it the tree bee pleasant to the fight sayâ—h the same Epiphanius yet it is not for meat and al-be-it Marie be most faire and pleasant and holie and honoured yet not to bee worshipped therefore let her bee had in honour but let the Lord onlie be worshipped Epiph. lib. 3. heres 79. 3. Confession of Partie IT is come to that sayeth Cassander that Chrâ—st now reigâ—ing in heaven is made subject to the Virgine Marie as it is sung in some Churches O happie Mother who expiateth our sinnes by the authoritie of a Mother command thy Sonne Cassand consult art 21. CHAP. V. OF IMAGES §. 1. That it is not lawfull to represent GOD by anie Image as the Papists doe by the image of an olde man 1. Authoritie of Scripture EXod 20.4 Thou shalt not make to thy selfe anie graveÌ„ image nor the lykenesse of anie thing that is in Heaven aboue nor in the earth beneath nor in the waters vnder the earth Note then That whâ—n they make God lyke an olde man they liken Him to that which is in the earth beneath against God's Commandement Deut. 4.15.16 Take therefore good heede to your selues for yee saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake to you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire Lest yee should corrupt your selues and make you a graven Image the similitude of anie figure the lykenesse of a male or female Loe then how carefull the Lord was for preventing this error Isai 40.18 To whom will yee liken GOD or what likenesse will yee compare vnto Him The Papist would answere We will liken Him to an Olde Man Rom. 1.23 And they changed the glorie of the incorruptible GOD into the similitude of a corruptible man Râ—mâ— kâ— then how the Olde Idolaters â—nd the newe Romanists jumpe heere in one 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie IT is not to bee passed by saith Origen that the Apostles speach not onlie rebuketh them who worship Idoles but that they aâ—e to bee accounted amongst the Heretiâ—kes â—alled Anthropomorphiâ—a who â—etting vp in the Church the bodilie image of a man calleth that the image of God Origâ—n in Rom. 1.23 yea it is extreame follie and wiâ—kednâ—sse sayeth
Damasâ—en to represent that which is invisible and incorporeall and can neither bee circumscryb d nor figured Dâ—mas lib 4. de orthod fide c. 17. 3. Consession of Partie BVt vnto the true Goâ— who is incorporâ—all no corporâ—all image can bee formed as sayeth Dâ—mâ—scen c. Thus speaketh Aquinas part 3. quaest 25. art 3. §. 2. That no Adoration is to bee given to Images as the Papists teach Sâ—e Bellarmine lib. 2. de reliq c. 21. nor no signe there-of 1. Authoritie of Scripture EXod 20.5 Thou shalt not bow downe to them neither worship them Note then That bowing downe is forbidden as well as woâ—shipping Levit. 26.1 Neither shall yee set vp anie image of stone in your land to bow downe to it for I am the Lord your God Note thâ—refore That as all religious worshâ—p is due onlie to God so all religious bowing of the knee as a token of th t woâ—shâ—p is onelie due to God and therefore forbidden to bee given to images Rom. 11.4 I haue reserved vnto My selfe seaven thousand men who haue not bowed the knee to the image of Baal Note then That the Lords true worshippers will not bow their knee to an image for to doe so except to God onlie is palpable idolatrie Rom. 14.11 For it is written Everie knee shall bow to Me and everie tongue shall confesse to God If prayer then belong not to deafe images nor confession of sinnes so neither doeth religious kneeling but onlie to God alone and so not to blind idoles Eph. 3.14 For this cause sayeth Sainct Paul I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ. Note then That hee exhibiteth religious kneeling as due onlie to God 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie BY Scripture testimonies it is to bee showne sayth Gregorie that it is not lawfull to worship what-so-ever is made by the hand of man and thereafter hee sayeth and therefore eschew by all meanes the adoration of images Greg. lib. 9. Epist. 9. ad serenum 3 Confession of Partie AS for the worship of images sayth Polydorus not onlie those that are not of our religion but as Sainct Ierome testifieth all the ancient Fathers almost condemned the same for feare of idolatrie Polyd. virg lib. 6. de invent rerum c. 13. Neither is that a reason worthie which is obtruded by some sayth their owne Cassander that they giue that honour not to the images but to those whom they represent for this colour of excuse the verie Pagans had Cassand consult art 21. §. 3. That the practise of the olde Idolaters and new Romanists jumplie agree 1. Authoritie of Scripture DEut. 27.15 Cursed bee the man that maketh anie graven or molten image an abhomination to the Lord the worke of the hands of the crafts man and putteth it in a secret place and all the people shall say So bee it Now How manie such are made and set vp in secret corners amongst the Papists no man but knoweth Ierem. 10.4.5 They decke it with Silver and Golde they fasten it with Nayles and Hammers that it move not Even as the Papists doe their rich Images aboue their Altars and Church doores Verse 5. They are vpright as the Palme tree but speake not they must needs be borne because they cannot goe c. Even as the Papists Images and Reliques are borne in thâ—ir solemne Processions Verse 5. Feare them not for they cannot doe evill nor is it in them to doe good A Papist would hardly belieue this that will goe so farre in pilgrimage to the Image of our Ladie of Loretto which as they say hath done so much good and so manie Mâ—racles Ier. 11.13 According to the number of thy Cities were thy gods O Iudah according to the number of the streets of Ierusalem haue yee set vp Altars to the shamefull thing c. Note then How justlie this may bee â—…aide of Poperie who appoint to everie Citie a patron Sainct whom they worâ—…hip as the tutelar gods were worshipâ—…ed of old according yea be-yond the â—…umber of their streets they haue Altars â—…nd altarages erected to the creature 〈…〉 4. That Images are not fit Bookes for instruction of the people but onelie Gods VVord preached 1. Authoritie of Scripture IErem 10.8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish be stocke is a doctrine of vanitie Verse 15. They are vanitie â—…he worke of errours in the tyme â—…f their visitatioÌ„ they shal perish Note then That that which is the â—…orke of errour cannot bee the teacher â—…f trueth Zech. 10.2 For the Idoles haue spoken vanitie and the diviners haue seene a lie c. Habak 2.18 What profiteth the graven Image that the maker hath graven it the molten Image and a teacher of lies c. The Papist would say that it profiteth to bee a booke to the Laicks but Gods Mouth sayeth that it is a teacher of lies a doctrine of vanitie and a worke of errours Now lies and vanitie and errour is no good instruction g O foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the trueth before whose eyes Iesus Christ hath beene evidentlie set foorth crucified amongst you Note then That the preaching of Christs trueth and the knowledge thereof in the word is recommended as the vivest picture of Christ and the most precious and hallowed crucifixe that we can set before our eyes daylie or lay vp in our breast Two pointes of doctrine 1. Tim. 4.3 where-by the Scripture pointeth out clearelie the Apostaticke Church of false and impure worshippers CHAP. VI. THAT NO MEATES are to bee abstained from for Conscience sake 1. Authoritie of Scripture 1. COr 10.25 All that is solde in the Shambles eate asking no question for conscience sake Verse 27. If anie of them that belieue not bid you to feast and yee bee disposed to goe whatsoever is set before you eate asking no question for conscience sake Rom. 14.17 For the kingdome of God is not Meate and Drinke but Righteousnesse and Peace and joy in the holy Ghost Matth. 15.11 Nor doeth that which entereth in at the mouth defile a man but that which proceedeth out of the mouth that defileth a man 1. Tim. 4.1 And the Spirit manifestlie sayeth that in the latter tymes some shall depart from the fayth giving heede to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils Verse 2. Speaking lies in hypocrisie having their conscience seared with an hote yron Verse 3. Forbidding to marrie and commanding to abstaine from meates which God hath created to bee received vvith thanksgiving of them which belieue and know the trueth Verse 4. For everie creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if it bee received with thanksgiving Note then That it is a manifest badge of Antichrist's doctrine the forbidding of meates for conscience sake and therefore it is evident That Poperie is Antichristianisme 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie WHere wee learne sayth Augustine that in eating it is not in the sort of meat but. in the immoderate gluttonie
bee the treasurie of the Church for the helpe of others to Heaven that vvant merits to bee disposed of onlie and dispensed by papall indulgences as the the Romanists teach 1. Authoritie of Scripture THIS errour might seeme alreadie sufficientlie convinced while as it is clearlie proven that no Sainct was ever yet able for them-selues eyther by their workes or sufferinges to merite Eternall lyfe Yet for farder conviction let these places of Scripture raze the foundation of this loftie Errour Isai 43.11 I even I am the Lord and beside Mee there is no Saviour But the Doctors of Rome say That it is no absurditie to say that beside Him there are Saincts also who may bee called our saviours in a part for so sayeth Bellarmine Lib. 1. de Indulg Cap. 4. § sexta and that by the great heape sayth hee cap. 2. § tamen of their super-aboundant sufferings they are able to expiate exceeding manie and great sinnes of other men and so by this doctrine of theirs ye see they giue the Lord flatlie the lie Ezek. 18.20 The righteousnesse of the righteous shall bee vpon him and the vvickednesse of the vvicked shall bee vpon him Remarke then that it shall not bee vpon another but vpon him-selfe and that it is a straâ—ge madnesse in Poperie that so stiffelie they will deny that the righteousnesse of Christ can bee imputed to vs or made ours in justification but will affirme that the righteousnesse of Saincts and her men may bee made ours by their Pope's Indulgences Act. 4.12 Neither is there salvation in anie other for there is none other Name vnder Heaven given amongst men where-by wee must bee saved Loe heere Full salvation attributed to Christ onlie excluding all others vnder Heaven from having anie part in the glorie of that worke 1. Cor. 1.13 Is Christ divyded was Paul crucified for you or were yee baptized in the name of Paul Note therefore That to make Christ's merit and sufferings to expiate some sins and punishments and the merites and sufferinges of Saincts to expiate other sinnes both manie and great and other punishments if this bee not to divide Christ and to divide the worke of man's salvation betweene the Creator and the creature Of whome wee may lyke-wyse inquire at them Were these Saincts crucified for man-kynde or was ever anie man baptized in their name And if not then their sufferings can-not bee our satisfactions nor can anie thing super-abound in them to expiate the sinnes of other men for for this ende onlie Christ was crucified and for this cause are wee in Christ's Name also baptized professing by his blood-shed and sufferings alone that wee haue full ablution and expiation of our sinnes therefore is it sayde by him-selfe I haue troden the wine-presse alone and of the people there was none with mee Isai 63.3 Heb. 10.14 By one offering hee hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified That is as is sayde Heb. 7.25 Hee hath perfectlie saved them Note therefore That he hath left no supplement to bee made by others Coloss 1.19.20 In him all fulnesse dwelleth there is no defect then in his sufferinges nor no neede on our part to goe anie-where else and by him and not by others even by the blood of his Crosse and not by the sufferinges of Saincts are all things reconciled sayth the Apostle Matth. 25.9 But the vvise answered saying Not so lest there bee not eneugh for vs and you Remarke then That the Elect Saincts figured by the wise Virgines haue no more sanctification than will bee found eneugh to them-selues onlie and therefore that the same is not so super-aboundant that they may spare to others 2. Cor. 5.10 For vve must all appeare before the judgement seate of Christ that everie one may receiue the things done in his bodie not then in the bodies of others according to that vvhich him-selfe hath done vvhether it bee good or bad Therefore not according to the good which another hath done and which thorow super-aboundance hath beene left in the treasure of the Church to helpe others to Heaven Revel 14.13 And I heard a voyce from Heaven saying to me Write Blessed are the dead vvhich die in the Lord from hence-foorth yea sayeth the Spirit that they may rest from their labours and their works follow them Remarke then That their works byde not behinde them-selues to bee applyed or imployed for the helpe of others but they follow them for the witnessing of their fayth and the increase of glorie to them-selues CHAP. XIIII OF PVRGATORIE §. 1. That the godlie are purged from all sinnes what-so-ever heere and that by Christ's blood allanerlie so that there remaineth no sort of sinnes to bee purged after this lyfe in anie fyerie Purgatorie 1. Authoritie of Scripture EZek 18.22 If a sinner turne I will forget all his iniquities Note then At the verie instaÌ„t of our conversion that wee are purged from all our sinnes what-so-ever and so no veniall sinnes are left to bee purged else-where Isai 38.17 Thou bast in louâ—… delivered my soule from the pit oâ—… corruption for thou hast cast aâ—… my sinnes behinde thy backe Note then That none are reserved to bee satisfied for by man him-selfe in anie imagined Purgatorie but all are casten behind the Lord's backe Psal 51.7.9 Wash mee and I shall bee vvhiter than the Snow hide thy face from my sinnes and blot out all mine iniquities Remarke therefore That where God purgeth the partie purged is made so cleane that there remaineth not the least spot behinde to bee taken away by anie after Purgatorie and it is not some of our greater sinnes onelie but hee blotteth out all our iniquities what-so-ever where hee showeth mercie so that the partie is made whyter than the Snow Col. 2.13 And yee being dead in your sinnes and in the vncircumcision of your flesh he hath quickened together vvith him having forgiven all your trespasses Note then That none are excepted Heb. 10.14 By one offering hath hee perfected for ever them that are sanctified That is as Heb. 7.25 is sayde Hee hath perfectlie saved them And if this bee it followeth that hee hath left no sinne nor no punishment heere-after for sinne vntaken away and so no supplement to bee made to his satisfaction by any sufferinges of ours in an imagined Purgatorie 1. Iohn 1.7 And the Blood of Iesus Christ his Sonne purgeth vs from all sinne Note then How clearlie this errour of Poperie is heere-by convinced that sayeth that his blood purgeth vs onlie from mortall sinne and that there is a fire after this life that purgeth vs from veniall sinnes and temporall punishments where-as the Spirit of God sayeth that Christ's blood purgeth vs from all sinne and so giveth flatlie this spirit of errour the lie Rom. 8.33 Who shall lay anie thing to the charge of God's Elect It is God that justifieth Or who shall condemne seeing Christ hath died Note If Christ's death then and the merite there-of hath abrogated all
the earth nor according to the flesh must wee seeke Thee if wee would finde Thee Ambr. lib. 10. in Luc. c. 24. 3. Confession of Partie HEE expoundeth sayeth Lyra that which Hee sayde before and what it is to eate His Flesh and drinke His Blood that it is to abyde in Christ and Christ in him Now Christ abydeth in our heartes and that by fayth sayeth the Apostle Ephes 3.17 §. 5. That CHRIST IESVS is not received by the VVicked 1. Authoritie of Scripture IOhn 6.51 I am that Bread of Lyfe which came downe from Heaven if anie man eate of this Bread he shall liue for ever Note therefore That in respect the Wicked get not Eternall lyfe that therefore they no-wise participate of Christ Verse 56. Hee that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abydeth in mee and I in him But the Wicked neyther are in Christ as Members nor is Christ in them by his Spirit but the spirite of Satan onelie whose members they are and therefore they no-wise are partakers of CHRIST IESVS 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie HEe who disagreeth from Christ hee neyther eateth his bodie nor drinketh his blood sayeth Augustine altho hee daylie receiue the Sacrament of so great a thing to his condemnation August 3. Tom. Sent. 339. Et Lib. 21. de Civit Dei Cap. 25. And hee that remayneth not in Mee and I in him let him not say or thinke sayeth Bernard in the person of Christ that hee eateth my bodie or drinketh my blood Bern. Epist ad Fratres de monte 3. Confession of Partie HEe that abydeth not in Christ sayth Lyra and Christ in him hee eateth not Christ spirituallie altho hee participate of the Sacrament corporallie And a little after For the Sacrament it selfe is taken by some vnto lyfe and by some vnto death but the matter of this Sacrament is by all vnto lyfe and by none taken vnto death Lyra in Ioan. 6. §. 6. That Christian People for whom Christ shed His Blood should not be defrauded of the Cup which is called The Communion there-of 1. Authoritie of Scripture MAtth. 26.27 And taking the Cup he gaue thanks and gaue it to them saying Drinke ye all of this Note That where-as Hee sayeth onlie of the Bread Eate yee Hee speaketh more expresselie of the Cuppe saying Drinke yee all that none should bee excepted 1. Cor. 10.16 The Cuppe of Blessing which wee blesse is it not the communion of the Bloode of Christ I aske then Where-fore hinder the Popish Clergie their People from so comfortable a Communion seeing the Precept of Drinking must belong to them to whom the reason of the Precept most belongeth which is the comfort of remission of sinnes and the remembrance of Christ Iesus passion 1. Cor. 11.25 If therefore people should apply the one and remember the other then surelie they should participate of the Cup. 1. Cor. 11.28 But let a man examine him-selfe and so let him eate of that Bread and drinke of that Cap. Noâ— then That as all faythfull Christiaâ—s are bound to prooue and examine tâ—eir owne conscience before communicating so are they ordayned to drinke of the Cup. Therefore yee see that in the two preceeding verses and in the subsequent both Eating and Drinking are ever joyned together and injoyned to all 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie ONe Cuppe is distributed amongst vs all sayeth Ignatius Epist 6. ad Philadelph And to everie one of those that are present the Deacons distribute Wine and Water sayeth Iustin Martyr Apol. 2. And vnto all men what-so-ever is one Bodie and one Cuppe presented sayeth Chrysostome Hom. 18. in 2. Cor. Cap. 8. 3. Confession of Partie OF olde that the Eucharist was given vnto Laicks vnder both kynds for manie ages sayeth Alphonsus wee are instructed by the Writs of manie holie Fathers Alphon. de Castro contra heres verbo Eucharistia And more particularlie sayeth Cassander thus It is evident that the Vniversall Church to this day sayeth hee and the Occidentall or Romane a thousand yeares and moe after Christ in the solemne and ordinarie administration of this Sacrament did exhibite to all the members of Christes Church both the sortes of Bread and Wine Cass consult art 22. CHAP. XIX OF THE MASSE §. I. That the Popish Priests haue no calling to sacrifice Christ's Bodie in the Masse 1. Authoritie of Scripture HEb 5.4 No man taketh this honour to himselfe but he that is called of God as vvas Aaron Now let vs see then where Christ anie-where called or ordained anie to sacrifice his bodie againe which himselfe did once for ever vp-on the Crosse Luke 22.19 Doe this in remembrance of mee 1. Cor. 11.26 Yee shall declare the Lord's death till hee come Note then That the Lord's Supper was ordained that all Christians should remember his suffering and sacrifice on the crosse and should declare his death till him-selfe come to judgement againe but not that anie should sacrifice Him vp againe daylie as tho hee were alreadie come and were bodilie present amongst the Priests fingers daylie to offer vp Heb. 7.23 And they truelie vvere manie Priests because they vvere not suffered to continue by reason of death but this man because hee continueth for ever hath an vnchangeable Priesthood Note then It being vnchangeable or perpetuall that it admitteth no succession of a subordinate Priest-hood Verse 25. Wherefore hee is able also to saue them to the vttermost that come to GOD by him seeing hee ever liveth to make intercession for them Note then That the Priesthood of Christ consisteth not onlie in that oblation of him-selfe once vp-on Earth but in his continuall intercession for vs ever in Heaven which seeing hee performeth that by him-selfe and therefore admitteth no sort of successour there-in so lyke-wyse by that once oblation of himselfe and the perpetuall recent vertue there-of hee saveth all them to the vtter-most that come to God by him and therefore neither in that part of his Priesthood which hee will haue intire admitteth hee anie suffragan or successour what-so-ever Verse 17. For hee testifieth Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek Note then That as there was no Priesthood secundarie or successiue vnto Melchisedek's which was typicall so there is none secundarie or successiue vnto Christ's which is true and eternall else they could not bee saide through their difference to bee of one order Verse 26. For such an High-Priest became vs vvho is holie harmlesse vndefiled separate from sinners and made higher than the Heavens who needed not daylie as those High-priests to offer vp sacrifice first for his owne sinnes and then for the peoples Note then That if the popish sacrificers succeede to Christ it must bee in his high-priesthood for such a one onlie the Gospell acknowledgeth and to doe that which hee did is an act of the high-priest of the Gospell onelie Now the Gospell requireth the high-priest there-of to haue such qualities as are heere set downe which if the Popish sacrificers dare