in hist Barl. cap. 19. l. 3. Parall c. 45. Amb. iib. 4. sacr cap. 4. 5. Cyril l. 4. in Ioan. cap. 13. Pet. Clun lib. 1. ep 2. spake and they were made he commaunded and they were created And he saide in that supper which was prepared the daye before his passion when he had taken the breade first and then the (e) Luc. 22 Mar. 14 Mat. 26 1 Cor. 11 Iust Apol. 2. Iren. l. 4. cap. 32. 34. Iuuenc li. 4. Euang. hist Tert. l. 5. cōt Marc. cap. 8. Chalice into his hands when his meaning was to assure euery mā both of the institution of this Sacrament also of the trueth therof he I say most plainly and expresly said (f Luc. 22 This is my bodye which is giuen for you he saide This (g) Mar. 14 Mat. 26. is my blood that shall be shed for many Concerning which institution he saide also before (h) Ioan. 6 vide Hil. 8. de Trin. Cyr. in Io. l. 4. c. 16. Orig. ho. 8. in Nū Emis ho. 5. de Pasc Leo. ser 6. de ieiun sept mens Cabil 2. c. 46. My fleshe is meate indeede and my bloode is drinke indeede he saide I am the (i) Ibid. vide Cyril lib. 4. in Io. ca. 15. liuing breade that came downe from heauen If any man eate of this breade he shall liue for euer (k) Ibidem vide Cyril l. 4. c. 12. Theoph. in cap. 6. Io. in 14. Mar. Pet. Clun l. 1. ep 2. and the bread which I will giue is my fleshe for the life of the worlde Neither are other testimonies of the Euangelists the Apostle S. PAVL (l) 1. Cor. 10 16. 11 13 obscure or harde to be known which do euidently auouch this faith vnto vs that no mā may doubt (m) Epip in Ancorato Cyr. catech 4. myst Chry. ho. 83 in Mat. Leo. ser 6. de ieiun septimi mensis but that Christ according both to his diuine and humane nature is wholly in the Eucharist and doth remaine with vs euen to the end of the (n) Mat. 28. Conc. Vien in Clem. tit de relig vener sanct world Therfore (o) Aug. in Ps 98. 33. Pros de promis p. 2. c. 25 we haue and doe receiue in the Churches the very same fleshe of Christ that was (p) Chrys ho. 2. in 2. Tim. 24. in 1. Cor. apud Damasc lib. 2. Parall c. 50. Presbyteri Achaiae in hist S. Andr. seene in times past in Palestine present with men But the same heere in this place is neither apparant vnto the senses nor subiecte to any transmutation and corruption as being inuisible impassible immortall shining with most excellente diuine glory which at this time we can not any otherwise beholde then with the eies of faith but the Saintes in heauen doe clearely see with wonderful delight pleasure And notwithstanding this there be yet certaine sacramentaries O horrible often (q) Synod 2 Nicen. act 6. tom 3. Rom. Vercell sub Leone 9. Turon sub Victor 2. Rom. sub Nicolao 2. Rom. sub Gregor 7. Constant sess 8. in artic 3. Ioannis Wicleff Trid. ses 13. can 1. condemned impietie who whilest they can not reach with their senses this mysterie more to be adored then searched they dare euen to deny the same marueilously deprauing the wordes of the Gospell although most plaine and euident Which indeed is nothing else but euen as it were to take the sunne out of the worlde and to spoile Gods spouse the Church of the moste pretious treasure of her true louer and to bereaue the faithfull of the breade of life that there may be nothing at all wherby their poore banished soules may be fedde and sustained in the deserte of this worlde 5 And what is to be thought touching Transubstantiation TWo thinges are heere principally to be considered plainlie professed the one is that the Prieste who consecrateth (a) Con. Later cap. 1. Chrys lib. 3. de sacerd Hier. ad Heliod ep 1. ca. 7. 85. ad Euag. the Eucharist must bee lawfully ordered the other is that there is so much force and efficacie in those mystical consecratory (b) Iust Apo 2. Iren. l. 5. c. 2. Amb. li. 4. de sacr ca. 4. de iis qui mysteriis initiantur c. 9. Aug. ser 28. de verb. Do. Cypr. de caena Dom. Chrys ho. 2. in 2. Tim. de prod Iudae vide Bessarionem hac de re Nyss in orat catech cap. 37. orat de Bapt. Prosp de consid distinct 2. cap. Nos autem words whereby such a Priest doeth in Christs roome cōsecrate the bread and wine vpon the Aultar that the bread is sodainly (c) Euseb Emiss ho. 5. de Pasc Cypr. ser de caena Do. Cyr. Hieros Catec myst 1. 3. 4. Amb. l. 5. de sacr cap. 4. li. 4. cap. 4. 5. li. 4. de fide c. 5. Chry. in Mat. ho. 83. de Encaen Damasc lib 4. cap. 14. Pet. Clun lib. 1. ep 2. changed into the body and the wine into the blood of our Lorde A very wonderfull transmutation indeede to be measured onlie by faith which is broughte to passe by the omnipotent power of Christ working by those verye words it is not without cause called by the holy Catholike Church Transubstantiation (d) Con. Later c. 1. Trid. ses 13. c. 4. can 2. Rom. sub Greg. 7. Const ses 8. artic 1. 2. Item Flor. Conc. Lanfranc because the substance of breade wine is most certainly conuerted into the body and blood of Christ For if the speach of ELIAS were of such force to cause fier to come from heauen shall not the speach of Christ for this collection hath S. AMBROSE (e) Ambr. de iis qui myst init c. 9. l. 4. de sac c. 4. made be of force to change the substance of the Elements of the works of the wholl worlde thou hast reade he (f) Ps 148 5. spake and they were made he cōmanded and they were created The speach therfore of Christ which was able to make of nothing that which was not before is it not able to change those thinges which are already into that which they were not for it is no lesse to giue new natures to thinges then to change natures And ther is nothing more euident then the speach of Christ saying (g) Mat. 26 26. Mar. 14 22. ibid. Theoph. in 6. cap. Ioan. Greg. Nyss orat catech c. 37. Guit. mund lib. 3. this is my body this is my blood in so much as there is no place at all lefte of suspition that after consecration ther is bread wine remaining in the Eucharist 6 Ought we to reuerence and adore this Sacrament YEa (a) Aug. in Ps 98. Amb. lib. 3. de spir san cap. 12. Mat. 4 10. Ap. 14 7. 19 10. 22 9.
name of (g) in sentētiis Prosper 342. ex Aug tract 33. in Io. ser 47. de verb. Do. Rab. l 1 c. 30 Isid l. 2. c. 25 Chrisme and then in like sort al Christians Whereupō (h) l. de carnis resurrectione c. 8. Item in lib. de Bapt. Theod. in c. 1. Cantic Dionys Clemens Tert. Fabiā Cornel Cypr. Cyrill vterque Basil Paciā Amphiloc Optat c. Cōcil Rom. sub Siluest Itē 2. 3. 4. Carthag 2. Tol. 1. Vasinse Trid. TERTVLLIAN very fitly alluding as it were to the nature of Oile hath written of this Sacrament in this manner The fleshe is annointed that the Soule may bee consecrated the fleshe is signed that the Soule may bee fensed the fleshe by imposition of hands is ouershadowed that the Soule by the spirite may bee illuminated By which it is euident that they which reiect holy Chrisme doe greatly bewray their owne ignorance and folly as manifestly denying the most auncient ordinance of the Apostles rashely condemning the continuall custome Tradition of the Church 5 What is the vse and commodity of this Sacrament IN Baptisme we are (a) Io. 3 5. Melch. ad Hisp Episc Conc. Flor. Petr. Clun lib. 6. ep 1. regenerate vnto life after Baptisme in this Sacrament we are strengthned vnto combate In Baptisme wee are washed by this after Baptisme we are strengthned that the holy-Ghost may be alwaies present with the regenerate as a keeper and a comforter a tutor This is the Doctrine of that holie high Bishop Martyr MELCHIADES And hereunto agreeth that which (b) Ep. 4. ad Iulium Amb. l. 3. de Sacram. c. 2. de iis qui initiant mysteriis cap. 7. S. CLEMENT testifieth hee receiued of the Apostles themselues When any man hath beene regenerate by water let him be afterwarde confirmed by a Bishoppe with the seauenfoulde grace of the holy-Ghost because otherwise he can neuer be a perfect Christian This (c) Dion de Eccles hierarc cap. 2. Sacrament therefore profiteth in maruelous manner that they which are by regeneration entered in the mysteries of Faith as (d) 1. Pet. 2 2 Infants newe-borne and as yet weake feeble may waxe greater in groweth and be strengthned in Christ These as it were nouices in christian warfare the Bishop admonisheth in annointing that against so many enemies daily dangers they must be confirmed (e) Psal 50 14. Spiritu principali with a principall Spirite He signeth with the Crosse (f) Aug. in Psal 141. Luc. 9.26 Mat. 10 33. 1. Pet. 2 20. Luc. 21.15 Mat. 5 39. Act. 4 13.31 5 29.41 their foreheade which is the seate of shamefastnesse that they may constantly and without feare confesse the name of our Lord. Hee giueth them also a blowe on the cheeke that they may alwaies remember how they must with inuincible patience performe and finishe their Christian warfare OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE EVCHARIST 1 What doth the name of the Eucharist signifie THis one name doth betoken that high and (a) Dion Eccles hier cap. 2. 3. Conc. Trid. sess 13. cap. 2. 3. most blessed Sacramente than the which the Church hath nothing more honorable more woonderfull more effectuall or holesome And it is doubtlesse very worthelie called the Eucharist that is (b) Amb. l. 5 de sacra c. 3. Cyp. de lapsis Orig. cō Cels lib. 8. good grace or thankes-giuing because it containeth the principall greatest (c) Chry. ho. 6◠ad pop 83. in Mat. 45. in Io 61. ad pop Ant gifte of God yea the very fountaine and author himselfe of al grace and it admonisheth vs of those speciall good thinges for the receit whereof we do owe thankesgiuing praise and most soueraigne glory to the supreame maiesty of almightie God For we coulde not haue wished a greater benefit than that Christ Iesus our Lord borne of the Virgine MARY Crucified and (d) Chry. l. 3. de sacerd ho. 2. ad pop Ant. ho. 3. ad Ephes assumpted into glory should so giue himselfe wholly vnto vs that euen nowe at this present we truely receiue his Body Bloude and are wholly (e) Cyril in Io. li 4. c. 16. 17. lib. 10. c. 13. l. 11 ca. 26. 27. Hil. de Trin. l. 8. Iren. l. 5. c. 2. Cyr. Hieros catech 4. mystag Chry. ho. 45. in Io. 61. ad pop Ant. incorporated vnto him by this diuine Sacrament 2 What thinges are speacially contained in this Sacrament THree (a) Cyr. Hieros cat 4. myst thinges are comprehended in the holy Eucharist the visible formes the trueth (b) Mat. 26 26. Mar. 14.22 Luc. 22.19 1 Cor. 11 24 of the body and bloode of our Lorde and the effecte of spirituall grace For that which appeareth vnto our eies are (c) Theoph. in 14. Mat. in Mat. 26. in Io. 6. Cyril ad Calos Amb l. 4. de sacr c. 4. li. 6. c. 1. visible formes to wit of breade and wine But that which vnder those fourmes our faith not (d) Damasc li. 4. cap. 14. our sense reason doth apprehend that is the true body blood of Christ our Sauiour And that which by participation of this Sacrament we get is a certaine (e) Aug. tr◠26. in Io. alii postea citandi singular grace of the holy Ghost to wit the wholsome fruite and effecte of the Eucharist as we will shew heerafter 3 Which are the chiefe pointes necessary to be knowne touching this Sacrament THere are fiue that doe principally require the handling The first concerning the trueth of the Eucharist The second touching the transubstantiation of bread and wine The third of the worship and adoration of the same The fourth of the ohlation and Sacrifice thereof The last of the receiuing of the same vnder one or both kinde For of these inspeacial it is very profitable in these our daies to haue perfecte knowledge vnderstanding 4 What therfore is to bee beleeued touching the verity of the Eucharist THis surely that against all (a) Ioā 6. ibidē Cyril Aug. tract 27. in Ioan. Cypr. de caena Do. Pet. Clū l. 1. ep 2 Capharnaites we doe with the wholl Church assuredly beleeue that vnder the formes of bread and wine the very true (b) Conc. Eph. Nic. 2. act 6. Later c 1. Const ses 8. Flor. Trid. ses 11. cap. 1. 3. Ignat. ad smir teste Theod. in dial 3. Tert. de resur car cap. 8. de idol cap. 7. Cyp. de lapsis Hesich in cap. 22. Leuit. Opt. lib. 6. Leo. ser 7. de pas ep 23. Theod. dial 2 fleshe of Iesus Christ his true blood is giuen in the Eucharist by the ministery certes of the Priest but by the power and omnipotencie of our Lorde Iesus Christ with whom any word is not (c) Luc. 1. Mar. 10. impossible He (d Psal 148. Damasc l. 4. cap. 14.
vnto vs for whose (h) Ephes 5 26. RedeÌ„ption clensing Sanctification gathering together (i) Io. 11 52. Col. 1 18.24 Eph. 4 12. 1 22. wholy vniting vnto himselfe the Sonne of God did and suffered all thinges in so much as he doubted not to geue his most holy body and blood for the loue of her For Her he asked (k) Io. 17 21 Luc. 22 31. Mat. 16 18. obtained that Her faith vnity stedfastnesse might neuer faile To her (l) Io. 14 15.26 et 15 26. 16 12. he hath promised and faithfully (m) Act. 2 4 sent downe and lefte a teacher president and gouernour and the holy Ghost Hee (n) Io. 14 26 saieth he shall teach you all thinges and suggest vnto you all thinges whatsoeuer I shall say to you hee (o) Ibidem 16. shall abide with you for euer He shall (p) Io. 16 13 Aug. tract 97. in Mat. teach you all truth to witte whatsoeuer is necessarie to be knowne and beleeued 11 By whom I pray you dothe the holy Ghost teach vs the trueth in the Church Act. 20 28. 1. Tim. 3 2. Heb. 13 17. Ephes 4 12. 1. Cor. 12 28. BY those vndoubtedlye whom the Apostle witnesseth to be ordained by the holy Ghost to gouerne the Church whom he calleth Bishops Prelats Pastours also and Doctours And these (a) Aug. in Psal 44. after the Apostles haue bene euer yet are the chiefe Ministers of God of the Church high Stewardes and Dispensors (b) 1. Cor. 4 1. of the mysteries of Almightie God The authority of whom both in many other thinges and espeacially in the Sacred (c) Can. Apost 38. Conc. 1. Nic. Soz. l. 6. c. 7. Theodos imper apud Cyrillum ep 4. Basil imperat in 8. Synod act 10. Atha in ep ad solit vitaÌ„ agentes Ruff. lib. 1. hist ca. 5. Synods may euidently be seene where they haue not only power to determine certaine thinges of Faith Religion but also by their owne right and Apostolike auctority to proteste and say It hath seemed good to the holye Ghost and vs as it appeareth by the actes of the first Councell holden (d) Act. 15 28. at Hierusalem It was certes of olde a very heinous crime such a one as was punished by (e) Deut. 17 12. death if any man had not obeied the iudgemente of the Highe-Prieste that gouerned the (f) Mat. 23.2 chaire of MOYSES And yet the (g) Cypr. ep 55. ad Corn. ep 62. ad Pomp. Church hath now autority in gouerning iudgeing and decreeing no whitte inferiour to that which then the Synagog had That Lawe of obedience that was amongest the Iewes standeth also in force amongst the Christian that the iudgementes of the Highe-Preists whose dignity and authority is most excellent about (h) Greg. l. 1. ep 24. ad Patriar et l. 2. indict 11. ep 10. ad Sauin Niceph. l. 16. ca. 33. all such matters as doe belong vnto Religion bee receiued approoued and obserued And therefore they do incur the guilte of an enormous crime who are so far off from yeelding anie authority obedience vnto the Magistrates of the Church that they presume euen openly to oppugne abolishe sometime the holy (i) 3. Conc. Tol. c. 1. dist 19. et 9. qu. 1 Patet et seq Laws of the High-Bishoppes who haue alwaies hadde (k) Hier. ad Damas ep 57. et 58. Chalc. Syn. act 3. in epi. ad Leon. 6. Syn. act 4. supreame power and authority to determine of holy things And sometime the reuerend decrees of general Counsails whose autority in the Church as S. AVGVSTINE (l) ep 118. c. 1. et l 1. con Donat. c. 18. Greg. vt supra speaketh is most holesome Finally sometime the vndoubted sentences of the Fathers about matters of faith whose general iudgemeÌ„t (m) Vin. Lirinens cont Nouat Aug. l. 1. 2. contr Iul. PaciaÌ„ ep 1. ad SymproÌ„ coÌ„sent in one matter is a firme testimonie of Christian verity It was very notablely spoken of good and deuoute Emperors He doth (n) Actio 3. Con. Chalc. Gelas in ep ad Epi. Dar. Leo. ep 43. 50. ad Mart. 78. ad Leonem Augustum iniurie to the iudgement of the Counsaile whosoeuer goeth about to call into question publike disputation those thinges that are once iudged and rightlie disposed 12 To what end is this diuine ordinance and appointment that there bee alwaies Pastours Doctours in the Churcb THis ordinance of God is not a little profitable and holesome for vs by which the power and holie gouernemente of the Church doth (a) Chrys l. 3 de sacerd ho. 4. 5. de verb. Isa Ignat. ad Smyrnenses Ambr. in exhort ad Virgines l. 2. de dignit sacerd cap 2. farre excell all Ciuil autoritie For this is a spirituall power by which the Christian people is singularly furthered in the atcheiuing of spirituall and eternall good thinges And first It profiteth that wee may vse the wordes of (b) Eph. 4 12 S. PAVL to the consummation of the Saints that is to say that they which doe exercise that power may exhibite euery (c) Col. 1.28 man perfite in Christ as the same Apostle speaketh in an other place and by their diligence bring the faithfull to that perfection of holinesse (d) 1. Thes 4 7. 2. Tim 3 17. 2. Câ—r 13 11. to which they haue bene called It profiteth also to the worke of the ministerie that they which are called and are in deede the chiefe ministers of the Church may be alwaies (e) Act. 20 28. Heb. 13 17. Cypr ep 66. ad Furn. vigilant and carefull according to the great and highe function coÌ„mitted vnto their charge It profiteth besides * Eph. 4 12. vnto the edifying of the body of Christ that these spirituall and wise Architectes (f) 1. Cor. 3 10. may knowe that about the (g) Eph. 1 23. Col. 1 18.24 Eph. 2 21. misticall body of Christ which requireth a singuler industrie in the building they must be continually occupied sometime to lay and fortifie the foundations of true faith sometime to builde (h) 1. Cor. 3 12. vp other things necessarie to the perfit righteousnesse of the faithfull It profiteth finally (i) Eph. 4 14 1. Cor. 14 20. Ro. 15 1 Act. 14 21. 1. Thess 3 2 4 1. Ezech. 34 2. that we be not children wauering and caried about with euery winde of doctrine in the wickednesse of men that is to say for the weaker sorte which are alwaies in the Church very many in number the function of Ecclesiasticall Prelates is very necessary espeacially at such time as the tempestes of heresies and the stormes of (k) Mat. 7 25. persecutions doe beate into the house of the Church For then there is need of the present helpe of those who according to their authoritie both
internall benefite of the Sacrament yea Christ himselfe altogether so that it were farre better for them to abstaine froÌ„ any vse of the Sacrament at all Forsomuch as neither faith (b) Aug. de vnit Eccles cap. 4. nor Sacramentes are profitable to any but to those onlye who persist in the vnitie of the Church So that hereupon Sainte AVGVSTINE hath (c) Lib. 3. cont lit Petil cap. 40. said All the Sacramentes of Christ are receiued not to saluation but to iudgement without the charity of vnity And again (d) De bapt cont Don. lib. 1. cap. 8. what doth either sound faith or happely the sound Sacrament of faith profite a man where by the deadly wound of Schisme the sound health of charitie is destroied And truely there is no doubt but that they doe greuously sinne against Christ himselfe who presume to abuse this most holy (e) Aug. lib. 21. ciu c. 25. Trid. ses 13. cap. 2. 8. badge of vnity to make it as a badge of Schismaticall diuision 9 What profite commeth by the Eucharist being receiued as it ought to be VErie much doubtlesse and exceeding great For this is the holy banquet wherein Christ is receiued the memory of his Passion * Basil ser 1. de bapt c. 3. is solemnised the minde is (a) Ambr. in Psa 118. ser 15. vers 4. Conc. Trid. sess 13. ca. 2. replenished with grace a pleadge of future glory is giuen vs As the Church mooued by the feeling and experience of these fruites doth notablely sing This is the (b) Io. 6 32.35.48.51.58 ibi Theo. Cyril Bread that descended from heauen and giueth life to the worlde vpholdeth strengtheneth our mindes in spiritual life This is that holy Synaxis or CoÌ„munioÌ„ (c) 1. Cor. 10 17. Conc. Flor. which signifieth causeth also the faithful to be linked together amongst theÌ„selues as meÌ„bers of one the same body and to bee associated vnto the merites of all Saintes and deuout persons moreouer which is a more blessed and happy thing it vniteth theÌ„ (d) Chry. ho. 45. in Io. 61. ad pop Hil. lib. 8. de Trin. Leo. serm 14. de Pas Cyr. li. 1 in Io. ca. 26. l. 20. c. 13 l 4. ca. 17 Nyss cra catech cap. 37. fast vnto Christ their heade that they may (e) Io. 6 56. abide in him he in them so by that meanes they may obtaine life euerlasting This is that voiage (f) Conc. 1. Nic. cap. 12. Aurel. ca. 12 Aure. 3. c. 24 Chrys l. 6. de sacer Paulin in vita Ambros Euseb l. 6. hist c. 36. Niceph. li. 8. c 31. l. 13. c. 37. CedreÌ„ in Maur. Phocâ—e imp Greg. ho. 40. in Euang. prouision of our peregrination which as the Manna giuen vnto the (g) Exod. 16 13. Deut. 8 16. Sap. 16 20. Io. 6 48. Alcimus l. 5. c. 20. Fathers bringeth comforte delight vertue and grace most effectuall without all comparison vnto those that are wandring in the deserte warfare of this life traueling from hence vnto the heauenly Hierusalem And two effects principally as most excellently teacheth S. BERNARD (h) Ser. de caena Do. lege Cyril l. 4. in Io. c. 17. l. 3. c. 37. Cassia Coll. 22. c. 6. doth this Sacrament worke in vs For in the leaste sinnes it diminisheth our feeling in the greater sinnes it cutteth off consent If any of you do not feele neither so often nor such vehement motions of Anger Enuie Lecherie or such other like let him giue thankes to the body blood of our Lord because the vertue of the Sacrament worketh in him and let him be glad that a most festered sore doth now drawe neere to perfite soundnesse And the same (i) Citatura B. Thoma opusc 59. ca. 5. vid. Chry. hom 24 in 1. Cor. 51 in Mat. Pet. Clun lib. 1. ep 2. againe in an other place This body of Christ is a medicine vnto the sicke a way to the waifaring pilgrimes which strengtheneth the weake delighteth the strong cureth languishing faintnesse By this a man is made more meeke to take correction more patient to abide labour more feruent in loue in taking heede more circumspect more prompte in obedience more deuoute in thankesgiuing No meruaile therfore that great (k) Ad Eph. vid. Basil ad Caes Amb. l. 5. de Sacra cap. 4. Chry. hom 61. ad Antioch Cypr. ser 6. de orat Do. Hier. ad Lucin ep 28. Cyr. lib. 3. in Ioan. cap. 37 Cassia Col. 23. cap. 21. IONATIVS hath written willing vs to co come often and speedely vnto the Eucharist as he calleth it to the glory of God For when this is continually donne the powers of Satan are expelled who bendeth all his endeuours in to fiery dartes to sinne This bread is a medicine causing immortallitie a preseruatiue neuer to die but to liue in God through Iesus Christ 10 What thinges are required for the worthy receiuing of the Eucharist and reaping the fruites commodities therof THe answere is easie of the Apostle himselfe Let a man proue (a) 1. Cor. 11 28. ibid. Theoph. Ansel Greg. in 1. Reg l. 2 c. 1. Nyss de perf Christ forma himselfe so let him eate of that bread As also S. AVGVSTINE (b) Ser. 1. de temp hath saide In the body of Christ our life doth consist let him therfore change his life who meaneth to receiue life And this prouing of a mans selfe and change of life consisteth speacially in fower things to wit there must be faith penance attention of minde and a decent composition of the Christian man Faith requireth thus much that thou doest not doubt any whit at all of (c) Bas quaest 172. in reg breu those thinges that we haue saide and other the like appertaining vnto this misterie And that thou shalt accomplishe in case thou rest wholly and simply vpon the faith and sentence of the Church as doubtlesse it is most (d) 1. Tim. 3 15. necessary Penance (e) Bas ser 1. de Bapt. c. 3. ser 2. c. 3. Cyp. de laps Conc. Trid. ses 13. ca. 7. Hesych in c. 26. Leuit. Chry. ho. 30 in Gen. hom 10. in Mat. Pet. Clun lib. 1. mirac cap. 2. 3. 5. whereof we will speake hereafter more at large requireth a detestatioÌ„ of sin a plain and sincere confession vnto a Priest absolutioÌ„ obtained for the same Then must the minde of necessity be (f) Chry. ho. 83. in Mat. 3. ad Eph. 60. 61. ad Antioch present seriously conuerting it selfe by meditations and deuoute praiers (g) Amb. in orat ante Mâ—ssam vnto this so greate a Sacrament Last of al the decent demeanour and composition I spake of doth require that no man come vnto this holy Communion but (h) Aug. ser 2. 252. de teÌ„p Cassia Coll. 22. c. 5.
l. 6. instit cap. 8. chaste (i) Aug. ad Ian. ep 118. cap. 6. fasting modest humble with (k) Orig. ho. 5. in diuers Cass Coll. 22. cap. 7. submission and without all indecencie But they that receiue the holy Eucharist vnworthely do not receiue life but iudgement vnto themselues and are (l) 1. Cor. 11 27. Chr. ho. 45. in Io. 61. ad Anti. Bas ser 2. de Bapt. cap. 3. Theodor. in 1. Cor. 11. Cassia Coll 22. c. 5. Pet. Clun lib. 1. mirac c. 25. guilty of the body and bloude of our Lorde as witnesseth the Apostle and shal be grieuosly condemned with Iudas the Iewes the blouddy enimies of Christ our Sauiour OF THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE 1 What is the Sacrament of Penance Trid. ses 14. c. 1. can 1 ses 6. c. 14. can 29. Flor. Cōst ses 15. Nyss in vita Moisis Bern. in vita Malach. IT is that in which is giuen the absolution of a Prieste from sinnes which a man hath truely detested rightly confessed Which power of absoluing to the intent that wee might haue certaine in the Church this diuine promise was made vnto (a) Trid. ses 14. c. 6. cā 10. Amb. l. 1 de poenit c. 2. 7. lib 2. cap. 2. Priests Receiue (b) Io. 20 23 ibid. Cyr. lib 12. cap. 56. Greg. ho. 26. in Euang. Chry. ho. 85 in Ioan. yee the holy-Ghost whose sinnes you shall forgiue they are forgiuen them and whose you shall reteine they are reteined Then in an other place Amen I say to you saith our (c) Mat. 18 18. Cyp. ep 54. ad Corn. Hila. can 16 in Mat. Pacia ep 1. ad Sympr Hier ad Heliod ep 1. cap. 7. Aug. lib. 20. ciuit cap. 9. Chrys ho. 5. de ver Esaiae vidi Dominum Lorde Whatsoeuer you shall binde vpon earth shall be bounde also in heauen and whatsoeuer you shall loose vpon earth shal be loosed also in heauen By which it plainly apeareth that the effecte of this Sacrament is excellent and ful of comforte as being the meanes whereby are remitted all manner of sinnes though neuer so foule and abominable and they absolued without anie difference that haue guiltie consciences in the sight of Almightie God and this by the Ministery of a Prieste through the diuine ordinance of Christ And therefore the power and authority of Priestes is nowe farre more excellent and more to be accounted of than of (d) Leuit. 4 22.27 5 4 15. 6 2. 13 2.17 37. 14 2.18 Mat. 8 4 Luc. 17 14. olde it was as beeing those persons vnto whom it is granted I doe not say to allowe as already purged but altogether to purge not the leprosie of the body but the filthes of the soul as witnesseth (e) Chrys l. 3. de sacerd Saint CHRYSOSTOME And (f) Aug. de Verb. Dom. ser 8. ca. 1. 2. ser 44 in Io. tra 49. ho. 27 ex 50. in Psal 101. Conc. 2. S. AVGVSTINE What other thing doth the Church saith hee vnto whom it is saide what thinges you shall loose shall be loosed But that which our Lord said to his Disciples loose him (g) Io. 11 44. let him goe Amb. lib. de paenit 1. 2. Aug. lib. de adult coniug c. 28. lib. 2. ca. 16. Con. Later can 1. Trid. cap. 2. ses 14. Flor. Hier. li. 2. adu Pelag 2 Wherefore is this Sacrament of Penance needfull THat a man hauing fallen after Baptisme become the enemy of God obtaining by means of this Sacrament remission of sinnes may be reconciled vnto God and of a deade man bee made aliue and of wicked become iust For which cause the Fathers doe not vnaduisedly cal (a) Pacia ep 1. ad Sympr Hier. in ca. 3. Esa ep 8. ad Demetr de seruand Virg. cap. 6. Ambros ad Virg. laps c. 8. Trid. ses 6 c. 14. ses 14. can 2. Tert. de paenit c. 7. Ezech. 18 30. 33 11 Penance the second table after shipwracke to wit by the which euery man may be transported out of the whirle-poole of mortal sinne as out of a shipwracke into the grace fauor of almighty God though loaden pestered with manie and those very heinous sinnes 3 When is this Sacrament taken as it ought to be worketh effectually VVHhen he that sueth for remission of his sinnes Conc. Flor. Trid. ses 14. cap. 3. can 4. doth vse these three partes or actes Contrition Confession Satisfaction which do comprehend the ful conuersion of a man vnto God the duty of a penitent and his perfecte renuing Of which (a) Ser. de paenit 2. Reg. 16 5. Ps 50 19.5 6 7. 37 7.18 101 4.10 2. Reg. 12 13. 24 10 3. Reg. 21 25. Ionae 3 7 S. CHRYSOSTOME speaketh in this manner Perfect Penance doth constraine the sinner to suffer all thinges willingly Contritrition in his hearte Confession in his mouth and in his actions nothing but humility This to be holesome Penance S. CHRYSOSTOME affirmeth that by those very means that we offende God which certes we doe by heart worde and deede by the same we may be reconciled vnto God in hearte by Contrition in mouth by Confession in deede by Satisfaction To Contrition appertaineth that place A troubled spirit is a (b) Psal 50 19. sacrifice to God a contrite and humble hearte O God thou wilt not despise Confession S. LVKE doth notifie in these wordes (c) Act. 19 18. Num. 5 6. Manie of them that beleeued came confessing and declaring their deeds And the (d) Iac. 5 16. ibid. Be◠Apostle S. IAMES teacheth Confesse your sinnes one to another And to Satisfaction doe belong those woorthie fruites of Penance which (e) Mat. 3 2. Luc. 3 8. Act. 26 20. S. IHON Baptist requireth amongst them Almes is accounted Of these DANIEL the Prophet saith thus Redeeme (f) Dan. 4 24. thy sinnes with Almes thy iniquities with mercie towardes the poore A great offence hath neede of great Satisfaction saith (g) Amb. ad Virg. lap c. 8 S. AMBROSE And hereūto also is referred that which S. PAVL saith of mourning for those (h) 2. Cor. 12 21. Corinthians because they had not as yet doone Penance for the vncleannesse fornication and incontinency which they had committed Trid. ses 14. cap. 4. Flor. Aug. ser 3. in Nat. Do. c. 2. de paenit medicin seu ho. 50. ex 50. cap 15. Fulg. li. 1. de remiss pec c. 12. 4 What is Contrition IT is a griefe of minde and a detestation conceiued for sinne because Almighty God is therewith displeased ioined with a full purpose of amendment of life This Contrition is (a) Chrys in Ps 50. de compunct l. 1. 2. Aug. de paenit medic c. 9. Amb. c. 8. ad Virg. laps Trid. ses
but also to couer his faultes with more reformed actions that sinne may not bee imputed vnto him And againe in another place For a great (f) Ad Virg. laps ca. 8. lib. 1. de paenit cap. 2. wound a deepe long medicine is necessarie Great wickednesse must of necessity haue great Satisfactiō Finally so saith S. GREGORY It is to be (g) Hom. 34. in Euan. vide Emis ad mon. ho. 5. 10. Theod. in epit diuinor decret ca. de paenit l. 4 haeret fab de Audianis seriously thought considered that he which knoweth himselfe to haue committed things vnlawefull must endeuour to abstaine from some things that are lawefull that thereby he may make Satisfaction vnto his Creatour 9 Is there any place for Satisfaction after Death FOr the explication of this point wee must consider the diuerse estates of them that die For some of them do keepe the grace of God and innocency of life euen to their end Vnto whom appertaineth that saying of (a) In orat Manassis MANASSES That Vnto iust persons and those which haue not sinned as ABRAHAM ISAAC and IACOB Penance was not ordained Others haue sinned indeed fallen from the grace of God which once they receiued but they haue purged in this life the filthe of their sinnes with the woorthy workes of Penance as (b) 2. Reg. 12 13. Psal 6 7. DAVID (c) Esa 38 15 EZECHIAS (d) Mat. 26 57. S. PETER (e) Luc. 7 37 S. MARY MAGDALEN Bothe these kindes haue no neede of Satisfaction after death but are altogether free from all bonde thereof But far more in number are those of a middle sorte and yet not verie euil as (f) Ench. ca. 11◠Beda in cap. 11. Pro. S. AVGVSTINE sheweth who haue not performed perfite Penance for their sinnes in their life time and therefore are to be saued (g) 1. Cor. 3 15. So doth Saint Augustine expoūd this place in Psal 37. l. 21. de ciuit c. 26. de fide oper cap. 16. in Psal 80. So doth also Origen ho. 12. 13. in Hier. 25. in Num. 6. in Exod. Amb. in 1. Cor. 3. ser 20. in Psal 118. Hieron in cap. 4. Amos. in fine vlt. libri in Esa lib. 2. in Iouin cap. 1◠Also Saint Gregory li 4. Dial. cap. 39. Beda in 3. cap. Luc. by fire that whatsoeuer was wanting of conuenient Satisfaction in this life may be paide vnto Gods Iustice in another For there (h) Apoc. 21 27. Psal 14 1. 23 3. shal not enter any polluted thing into that Cittie Therefore that we may aunswer to the question proposed such kind of persons departed must abide some Satisfaction yea that most painfull after their death Which yet neuerthelesse (i) Aug. vt supra li 21. ciu c. 24. ho. 16. ex 50. ser 41. de sāctis Greg. 4. Dial. cap. 39 Ber. de obitu Humb. Damasc in orat de def Conc. Flor. Trid. ses 6. can 30. ses 25. part 1 God of his great mercie is wonte to release by the deuout intercession of those that are aliue that so they which are depated being holpen in the Church by the Suffrages of their brethren and members may bee lightned of their sinnes of the terrible paines due vnto the same And hereunto belongeth that which the authority of holy Scripture deliuereth It (k) 2. Mach. 12 43. 1. Reg 31 13 Bedā ib. 2. Reg 1 12. 3 31 Tob. 4 18. Eccli 7 37. 17 18. 38 14. Hier. 16 6. 2. Tim. 1 17 1. Io. 5 16. is a holy and holesome cogitation to pray for the dead that they may bee loosened from their sinnes Whereupon IVDAS the Machabee was commended for that beeing mooued with a singular religious zeale he did with great care and sumptuosenesse procure that not only praiers but also (l) Ibidem sacrifice should be offered for the sinnes of the souls departed In this Doctrine doe agree the Reuerende (m) Conc. 4. Cart. ca. 79. 95. Tolet. 11. cap. 31. Bra. 1. c 34. Flor. Trid ses 25. ses 22. cap. 2. can 3. Councels and Fathers which haue deliuered the true Doctrine of the Church Of whō to alleadg one in steede of many him a witnesse most worthie of credite (n) Li. de cura mor. ca. 1. S. AVGVSTINE writeth thus In the bookes of the Machabees we reade Sacrifice to haue been offered for the dead But although it were no where extant in the olde Scriptures yet is the authority of the Vniuersall Church not small whose practise in this behalfe is most euident where in the praiers of the Priests which are made vnto our Lorde at his Altar the commendation also of those that are departed hath a peculiar place And againe It is to be thought saith hee that there shall bee no Purgatorie (o) Lib. 21. ciu ca. 16. vide Mat. 12 32. Which place is expounded of remission of sinnes in the other world by praiers of the Church By S. Aug. l. 21. ciu c. 24. l. 6. in Iul. c. 5. Greg. l. 4 Dial. ca. 39. Beda in c. 3. Mar. Bern. hom 66. in Cant. Pet. Clun in ep cōt Pet. Bru. Raban lib. 2 de inst cler cap. 44. vide etiam Mat. 5 26 Which place also is expoūded of Purgatorie By Tert. l. deanima cap. 17. Cypr. lib. 4. ep 2. Orig. ho. 35. in Luc. in ep ad Ro. Emis ho. 5. de Epiph. Amb. in Luc. 12. Hier. in Mat. 5. Bern. ser de obitu Humbert vide Mal. 3 3. Phil. 2 10. Apoc. 5 3.13 paines after that last and terrible iudgement And what can bee more plainelye spoken than those wordes It is not to bee doubted but that by the praiers of the (p) Aug. de verb. Apo. ser 32. cap. 1. 2. vide Isid lib. 1. de offic cap. 18. Raban lib. 2. de instit Cler. cap. 44. holy Church and by the most holesome Sacrifice by Almes which are bestowed for their soules those which are departed be holpen that our Lord may deal more mercifully with them than their sinnes haue deserued For this hath beene deliuered by the Fathers and the vniuersall Church obserueth that for those which are departed in the Communion of the Body and Bloode of Christ when their memory is made at the Sacrifice in the due place Praiers also are powred out vnto God it is expressely mentioned that the Sacrifice is offered for them And whē for the helping of them works of mercy are exercised who may doubt but that they are auaileable vnto them for whom praiers are not in vaine offered It is not at al to be doubted but these things doe profite the dead yet such only who liued so before death that these thinges might be profitable to them after death Thus writeth Saint AVGVSTINE aboue 1200. yeeres agone to omitte many also
18. ho. 39. in Euang. Clim grad 6. Eus Emis ho. 1. ad monac Seuer Sulp de uaÌ„s S. Mart. dying man must haue very sore conflictes both with most bitter paines also with most horrible feendes Wherefore although bodily health bee not alwaies hereby restored vnto the sicke person who often chaunceth to die after this vnction receiued yet a peculiar grace is giuen in this Sacrament to beare the force troublesomnesse of the disease more coÌ„stantly to take death it selfe more easily And this is it that by his Apostles God hath promised (d) Iac. 5 15. The praier of faith shall saue the sicke And our Lorde shall lift him vp And if he be in sinnes they shal be remitted him To the signifieng certes of which effects euen the nature and natiue force of oile doth fitlie agree as (e) In cap. 6. Mar. THEOPHILACTE sheweth Wherfore it behoueth vs exactly to obserue that which (f) Ser. 215. de temp vide etiam de rect Cath. câ—nuers de visit insir lib. 2. c. 4. iteÌ„ in speculo S. AVGVSTINE doth most holesomelie admonishe So often as anie infirmitye chaunceth let him that is sicke receiue the Body and Bloode of Christ and after that let him annoint his body that that which is written may be accomplished in him Is (g) Iac. 5 14. any man sicke Let him bring in the Priests and let them praie ouer him annoiling him with oile in the name of our Lord. And the praier of faith shall saue the sicke And our Lorde shall lifte him vp And if he be in sinnes they shall be remitted him OF THE SACRAMENT OF ORDERS 1 What is the Sacrament of holy Orders Aug. lib. 2. cont ep Parmen c. 13. et de bono coÌ„iug c. 24 li. 1. coÌ„t DoÌ„ cap. 1. Leo. ep 81. ad Diosc Greg. in cap 10. 16 lib. 1. reg Nyss orat de sanct Bapt. Conc. Flor. Trid. ses 23. Amb. in 12. cap. 1. ad Cor. Theoph. in cap. 19. Luc. Pet Clun lib. 6. ep 1. IT is that whereby a singular grace and spirituall power is giuen to some that they may by open profession beare office in the Church This is the Sacrament by which as by a dore do necessarily enter the lawful dispensers of the (a) 1. Cor. 4 1. Mal. 2 7. 1. Tim. 3 1. 5 17. Ephes 4 11. 1. Cor. 14 2.19 12 28 mysteries and of the worde of God the Ministers of Christ his Church as Bishops Priestes Deacons Finallie all those whosoeuer they be that do exercise functions in the Church orderly and with authority For no man as the (b) Heb. 5 4. Act. 1 24. Cypr. ep 52. Tert de praescript ca. 41. Conc. l. at c. 3. Innoc. 3. ad Metens cap. cum ex iniuncto Tit. de haer Scripture testifieth Taketh or ought to take the honor to himselfe to witte of exercising the functions of the Church But he that is called of God as AARON that is vnlesse he be consecrated by the Sacrament of visible ordinatioÌ„ bee by a (c) Mat. 10 1 Luc. 9 1. Mar. 16 15. Io 20 21. 17 18. Act. 13 2. Tit. 1 5. Bishop lawefully ordered sent to the worke of some certaine Ministery which in his degree he may exercise in the Church according to the Lawes of Diuine and Apostolicall Tradition 2 Are not all Christians Priests a-like THey may surely be (a) Apo. 1 6. 5 10. 1. Pet. 2 9. so called in this sense that as Priests were wonte to exercise certaine externall Sacrifices sacred functions so as many are regenerated in Christ may and ought daily to offer and diligently to exercise certaine spirituall (b) 1. Pet. 2 5 Rom. 12 1. Psal 49 23. 50 19. Phil. 4 18. Heb. 13 15.16 vide â—as ser 2. de Fap cap 8. Aug. 20. ciu c. 10. Leo. ser 3. in anniuers Amb. lib. 4. Sacr. cap. 1. sacrifices to witte Praier Praises Thankes-giuings mortifying of the Fleshe and others of like sorte So that for this cause they are saide in holy Scripture to be spiritual Priests before God and to offer vp spirituall Sacrifices But if we take this name of Priesthoode properly all indifferentlie are not Priests but those only vnto whom the authority of the Church hath committed to be proper ministers (c) Ignat. ad Her Chry. â—i 3. 6. de sacerd ho. 60. ad pop Hier ad Heliod ep 1. ca. 7. aduers Lucif c. 8 ep 85. ad Euag Victor l 2 de persec Cypr. ep 54. of Sacramentes and hath granted power and right to consecrate offer and distribute the holy Euchariste and both to remitte and to retaine the sinnes of men And of these priests prelates of the new Lawe thus writeth S. PAVL The Priestes that rule (d) 1. Tim. 5 17. well let them be esteemed woorthy of double honour especially they that labour in the worde and Doctrine And this doubtlesse cannot appartaine to women whome (e) 1. Tim. 2 11. 1. Cor. 14 34 Tert. de praescrip cap. 41. Epiph. haer 42 40. the same Apostle forbiddeth to teach in the Church biddeth to be silent neither can it concern the (f) Leo. ep c 2. ad Maxi. Laity at all whose part it is after the manner of sheepe to be fedde (g) Io. 10 11 21 15. 1. Pet. 5 2. 2 13. Heb. 13 17. Rom. 13 1. Mat. 23 2. Luc. 10 16. 1. Io. 4 6. not to feede to be gouerned not to gouerne not to preferre but to submitte and humble themselues vnto their Prelates to heare obserue and doe whatsoeuer they sitting in the chaire shall say whether they be good or euill according as wee reade it commaunded by the worde of God Wherfore as in the Church Triumphant there are Angels different (h Eph. 1 2â— Col. 1 16. Dan. 7 10. Dion de caelest hier ca. 10. in order and power who with decent disposition doe faithfullie execute and fulfill the offices imposed vpon them So also the Church (i) 1. Tim. 3 15. Cant. 6 9. Anacl ep 1. 2. 3. Isid lib. 2. de offic ca. 5. sequ Militant which is the house of God as it were a certaine campe set in battle a-ray hath her peculiar Ministers distinct from other Christians and disposed in Godly order amongest themselues for the prosecuting of the publike common sunctions of the Church vpoÌ„ earth to witte that for the benefite of the Christian people they maie euen by publike profession and with due Comelinesse and Maiesty bestowe their labours in those (k) Heb. 5 1. 8 3. 13 17. 2. Cor. 5 20. thinges which belong vnto God and the health of soules 3 In what place doth the Scripture giue testimony vnto this Sacrament Tit. 1 5. THere truly where it teacheth of the Apostles that in choosing appointing ordering of the Ministers of the
we learn that it is no superstition reuerently to esteeme of the very 4. Reg. 5 17. Lande which God honored with his promises wonders or to touch with deuotion Christes Mat. 9 20. garment or to impute any vertue to Act. 5 15. Peters shadowes or to Act. 19 12. S. Paules Napkins or Handkerchifes Al which nowe a daies woulde bee counted Idolatry the more is the pitty if vpon like opportunity offered the like deuotion should be vsed either to Christ or to his holy Saints For whatsoeuer is doone by their Relickes is doone by the Saints themselues Of which wee haue an euident testimony in the Actes of the Apostles where that is said to haue beene doone by the hande of Paul which it pleased God to shewe by the thinges brought from his body Nowe of the testimony of Fathers approuing and defending the honor of holy Relickes al books are so full that it were an infinite labor to Copy out their places We will bee content with a fewe of those which the Catholicke Doctors vse to alleadge Lib. 7. c. 15. Eusebius reporteth that the wodden Chaire of S. Iames was had in great veneration Euen as nowe Saint Peters Chaire at Rome S. Athanasius In vita Antonij as he saith himselfe hauing receiued Saint Anthonies threed-bare Cloake which the holy man dying bequeathed vnto him Did imbrace Anthony in Anthonies giftes and enriched as it were with a great inheritance ioyfully by the Vestiment remembereth the Image of his holinesse In Psal 115. in illud Pretiosa in conspectu Domini mors Sanctorum eius Vide orat in 40. Mart. Saint Basil When among the Iewes any did die their Corses were abhorred but when one dieth for Christ preciouse are the Relickes of his Saints Before it was saide to the Priestes persons dedicated vnto God He shall not be defiled with touching any deade body but nowe who toucheth the bones of a Martyr receiueth a certaine participation of holinesse from the grace remaining in the body Orat. in Theod. Gregory Nyssene after that he hath described the deuoute entrance vsed to be made by Christians into Martyrs Churches and the earnest beholding of the Buildings and Images saith thus When hee hath with these thinges delighted his eies he desireth to approche to the shrine it selfe esteeming the very touching thereof to be his Sanctification and benediction But if any man permitte him to carry away the dust which doth compasse about the shrine the dust is taken for a rewarde and as a thing of greate price is gathered vp As for touching the relickes themselues if at any time so good a chaunce doe happen that he may doe it how much that is to be desired and wished and with how manye intreaties it is graunted those which haue proued and enioyed theire desire doe know S. Gregory Nazianzen reprehending Iulian the Apostata Orat. 1. in Iulia. for his sacrilegious behauiour towardes the relicks of Gods holy Saintes Didst thou not reuerence those holy hostes slaine for Christ whose very bodies alone are able to worke the same which their holy soules whether they be touched with handes or honoured yea whose very droppes of blood and small signes of their passions are able to doe the same which their bodies Catech. 18. S. Cyrill Bishoppe of Hierusalem That not the soules onely of Saintes may be honoured and that we may beleeue that in their bodies also being dead there is vertue power a dead man lying in Heliseus his Sepulcher and touching the dead body of the Prophet was restored to life Ser. de SS Iuuent Maxim S. Chrysostome Wherefore lette vs often visitte them lette vs honor theire Tombes and with greate faith touch their relicks that thence we may receiue some benediction Lib. 8. ad Graecos Theodoretus shewing the generall custome of honouring relickes and the greate fruite receiued thereby hath this saying The soules of the triumphant Martyrs do now liue in their heauenly Countrey ioined with the quiers of Angells But their bodies are not euery one buried in seuerall graues but wholle citties townes countreys haue deuided them amongst them and ceasse not to acknowledge them very holsome to diseased mindes to sicke bodies For theire bodies being deuided their force and grace remaineth wholle But S. Ambrose most plainlye and effectually sheweth the honour due vnto relickes in these wordes Ser. 93. de SS Nazar Cels But if thou aske mee what doest thou honour in the fleshe now resolued consumed I honour in the flesh of the Martyr the scarres receiued for CHRIST his name I honour the memorie of one that liueth by the perpetuitie of his vertue I honour the ashes consecrated by the confession of our Lord I honour in the ashes the seedes of eternitie I honour the bodie which shewed me how to loue our Lorde which for our Lordes sake taught me not to feare death And why should not the faithfull honour that body which the Deuills doe feare which they afflicted in the torment and glorifie in the Sepulcher I honour therefore the body which honoured CHRIST in the sworde which with CHRIST shall raigne in heauen What S. Hierome thinketh of this pointe many of his workes doth testifie espeacially that which of this matter he wrotte against Vigilantius wherein against Vigilantius Eunomius Porphyrius he most earnestly disputeth of this matter Lib. 22. ciu cap. 8. But Saint Augustine reporteth so many miracles to haue bene wrought by Saint Steuens relickes that wholle bookes cannot conteine them Wherefore writing vnto Quintianus Epist 103. hee saith of those which caried his letters They bring the relickes of the most blessed glorious Martyr Steuen which your holinesse is not ignorant how conueniently yee ought to honour euen as we also haue done Vide Concil Nicen. 2. act 3. 7. Gang. can vlt. Carth. 5. cap. 14. Brac. 3. cap. 5. Epaun. c. 25. Mogūt tempore Caroli M. cap. 51. Later sub Innoc. 3. cap. 62. Emiss ho. d◠S. Bland Chrys ho. vlt. in ep ad Rom. hom 61. ad pop Damasc lib. 4. cap. 16. Maxim in serm de SS Octau Aduent Solut. Gaud. tract de dedic Eccles Paulin. Nat. 3. Prud in Hymno de S. Laur. Hier. in epist ad Marcellam Ruffin lib. 11. hist cap 28. de Eccles Dogmat. cap. 73. Leo in serm de S. Laur. Greg. lib. 5. ep 50. lib. 3. ep 30. Greg. Turon lib. de glor Martyr We haue bene longer in alleadging of Fathers than we purposed yet not without expectatiō of great fruite both because of the diuerse calumniations of this matter of relickes in these our daies also that the reader may hereafter rightly esteeme of our fidelitie whan for breuity sake being contented with marginall quotations wee shall not rehearse the Fathers places at large And thus much of the second title of PILGRIMAGE which is religiously to visitte the relickes of Saintes III Miracles at Relicks and Images Let vs now proceed to the third whiche is the singuler woonders