the commaundemente of God by your tradition Hâ—e applyeth vnto them the complaint of olde made by the Propet Esay In vaine they worshippe me teaching for doctrines mens preceptes The shéepe of Christ will follow him A stranger they will not follow for they are commaunded the contrary Ye shall put nothing vnto the worde which I commaund you neyther shall ye take ought there from Againe Take heede that yee doe as the Lord your God hath commanded you turne not aside to the right hand nor to the left Again ye shall not doe after al the things that ye doe heere this day that is euery man what seemeth him good in his owne eyes Put nothing saieth Solomon vnto his wordes least hee reproue thee and thou be found a lyer A mans will or couenaunt saith S. Paule when it is confirmed no man doth abrogate it or adde any thing thereto Much lesse may the will of God be abrogated or adde any thing thereto The coâ—â—â—ation is terrible in the end of the Reuelation where Iohn saieth I proteste vnto euery man that heareth the wordes of the prophecie of this booke if any man shal adde vnto these thinges GOD shall adde vnto him the plagues that are written in this booke and if any man shall diminish of the wordes of the booke of this prophecie God shall take away his parte out of the booke of lyfe and out of the holy citie and from those things which are written in this booke Who then dareth offer straunge fire before the Lord with Nadab and Abihu which the Lorde hath not commaunded I dare not saieth S. Paule speake of any thing which Christ hath not commaunded I dare not saith Saint Paule speake of any thing which Christ hath not wrought by me Ha protesteth vnto the Galathians that hée preached not the doctrine of man neither the Gospell of Jesus Christ after the manner of man that is as it may be gathered by mingling the same with traditions To be short the holy Ghost hath commaunded vs to lay aside traditions with the leauen of the Pharises God hath threatned plagues to light vpon them that adde or diminish his word the Apostles and Saintes of God durst not presume to doe it the word of God is perfect and néedeth no péeceing the Authour is omnipotent and his word mightie in operation then is the Romish opinion to be reiected and the trueth as it appeareth in the premisses in humility of spirit to be embraced 3. The Iesuites doctrine ALl and euery the thinges contayned in holy scripture are so wrapped in obscurities that the best learned can gather thence no certeine knowledge wherefore for the preseruation of religion they must altogether and that in the whole forbidde the laitie the reading of Gods word Censur Colon. That this is the generall opinion of that societie I reporte mée to Andradius the Iesuite who saieth The Iesuites of Colen doeth shew that the holy scripture containeth so many and so great difficulties that it may euidently appeare not to be the wisest way to admit al sorts to the reading therof Orthod expliâ— Lib. 2. pag. 12. His owne iudgement is this Many places of the holy scripture written in the vulgar tongue are no lesse obscure vnto vs then the Hebrew vnto the ignoraunt in the same Pag. 128. Againe Many hauing tyred themselues through continual laboures in the studie of holy scripture coulde neuer attaine vnto certaine misteries of the holy Ghost the which are liuely seene to be painted out in the life of holy men pag. 58. His discourse tendeth to perswade men that by the working of miracles visions and reuelations there is more good done then by the reading of the worde where in mine opinion hée shaketh handes with the Anabaptists who wilbe fedde from aboue by the spirite as they say and not by direction of the written word Againe least any doe denie the latter parte of the former opinion to bée Jesuiticall hée saieth The Iesuites of Colen doe forbid the vnlearned laitie the reading of holy scripture I doe confesse it pag. 125. They nouzell vp in ignoraunce this sorte of people and defende with Cardinall Caietan that if an ignoraunt man bée an Heretike and haue learned that opinion of such as hée thought to bée catholike hée is not to be charged with heresie for the fayth of the church doeth saue him pag. 149. Caietan 2 a. 2 a. quast 2. artic 3. 3. The Catholikes doctrine ALl and euerie the thinges contained in holy scripture are so vnfolded and opened by the comming of Iesus christ that the simplest christian may finde there sure and certein knowledge for the edifying of his soule and therfore for the preseruation of religion and enlarging of Gods kingdome the laitie must not be barred from reading the same if our Gospell be hidde saieth S. Paule it is hidde to them that are lost in whome the GOD of this world hath blinded the eies of the infidelles that the light of the glorious gospell of Christ which is the image of GOD shoulde not shine vnto them Againe It is the power of God to saluation to euery one that beleeueth To them that perish it is foolishnes but vnto vs that are saued it is the power of God In another place Seeing then that we haue such trust we vse great boldnes of speech And not as Moses which put a vaile vpon his face that the children of Israel should not looke vnto the ende of that which shoulde be abolished Therfore their mindes are hardened for vntill this day remaineth the same couering vntaken away in the reading of the olde Testament which vayle in Christ is put away But nowe in Christ Iesus ye which once were farre off are made neere by the blood of Christ For he is our peace which hath made of both one and hath broken the stop of the partition wall S. Danle had to deale with wauererâ— and scrupulous people and such as depended vpon treditions and the woorkes of the law and were loth to admit the light burthen and caste yoke of Christ where hee writeth The righteousnes which commeth by fayth speaketh on this wise say not in thine hearte who shall ascend into heauen that is to bring Christ from aboue or who shall descend into the deepe that is to bring Christ again from the dead but what sayth it the word is neer thee euen in thy mouth and in thine heart this is the woord of faith which we preach We haue saith S. Peter a most sure woord of the Prophets to the which yee doe well that ye take heede as vnto a light that shineth in a darke place Wisedome standeth in the streeses to receiue all those that will embrace her Christ would haue all them that are loden to come vnto him here the yong man is to learne his way héere is milke for the yongling and sound meat for the strong Into such as the
The Iesuites Banner Displaying their original and successe their vow and othe their hypocrisie and superstition their doctrine and positions with A Confutation of a late Pamphlet secretly imprinted and entituled A Briefe Censure vpon two bookes written in answeare to M. Campions offer of disputation c. Compiled by Meredith Hanmer M. of Arte and Student in Diuinity ¶ Imprinted at London by Thomas Dawson and Richard Vernon and are to be solde in Paules Churchyard at the Brazen Serpent 1581. ¶ To the Right honorable Sir Thomas Bromley knight Lorde Chanceller of Englande William Lorde Burleigh and Lorde Treasorer Robert Earle of Leicester Edward Earle of Lyncolne with the rest of her Maiesties most Honorable counsell continuance of health increase of honour and all heauenly wisedome IT is not long sithence Right honorable there was a great brag or chalenge directed to your Lordships from M. Campion a Iesuite lately arriued heere in Englande with other his complices and confederates of the Romish religion where he declaring his estate condition craued with shewe of great humilitie such things as were not to be grauÌ„ted the which petitions falling into my hands were scanned perused answered in so modest a sort as I might submitting my selfe the whole to your Honorable Censure fauourable interpretation Since which time there hath byn a Pamphlet secretly imprinted no doubt in England though without name yet hauing this Title A Briefe Censure vpon two books made in answere to M. Campions offer of disputation containing very daÌ„gerous doctrine vnreuereÌ„t speaches against particular persons tending therby as much as in the Author lay to discredite the Gospel and the professors thereof As hereto fore in mine aunswere to the chalenge so now also with all humilitie I thought good to direct vnto your honours a further viewe of this Iesuiticall sect and wandering Romanistes displaying in their Banner as the Title prefixed to the Booke geueth to vnderstand their original and successe their vowe and othe their hypocrisie and superstition with their doctrines and positions beyng the rather moued therevnto by this late Pamphlet heere inserted as occasion hath beene geuen also largely confuted And seeing it falleth out that with singlenesse of hearte they seeke not after peace with humblenesse of submission they yeelde not vnto her Maiesties proceedinges neither with penitent mindes they imbrace the Gospel and the trueth of Gods worde let there continue as Augustine faith betweene vs and them the rather a conflict for the defence of the trueth then with them in falshood a concorde But it is greatly to be wished and my selfe with the rest of my fellow labourers we I say are most instantly agayne and againe to desire your Lordships to bee a meane vnto the Queenes most excellent Maiestie that at this present summons and noble assembly in the most honorable and high court of parliament there be a vew had of this dangerous sort of people that their rouing bee restrained that their religion be reformed if the word cannot take place in some other sort as shall seeme best to her most Royall mynde and the holie Ghost the guide and leader of you all Although Eusebiâ—s in the life of Constantine the Emperour reporteth that the great clemencie of that most noble Prince was misliked and that the libertie and fauour then shewed grew to loosenesse Yet am not I so straight laced but that I coulde wishe all kinde of fayre meanes clemencie curtesie libertie conference long suffering to be vsed and shewed to such as are to be woon especially in matters of religion The Prophete Dauid speaking of the Lorde saith that hee is mercifull long suffering pacient yet if the sinner will not turne he will bend his bowe he will gird himselfe he will whet his sword shaue the hearie scalpe of the enimie I am not to procure this Iesuiticall sect displeasure neither work theÌ„ discredit in respect of their persons whom in teÌ„der loue I do heartely imbrace but it is their religion that I desire reformed and their Romish practises detefted and abhorred How they preuayle in other Countries with the children of vnbeliefe wee heare daily What trasshes they bring in their Fardels from Rome we see they be not woorth the taking vp how slylie they inueigle the simple and snare theÌ„ in error experience doâ—th daily teach vs and what treachery they woorke in corners against the state of the Realme the Crowne and dignity we are vehemeÌ„tly to suspect They lay fables visions and fonde miracles before the people and keepe the woorde of GOD vnpreached from them they sweare obedience vnto the Pope and barre Princes of the loyaltie and subiection due vnto them and they prostrate themselues before Idols images robbe God of his honor In tender consideration wherof may it please your good Lordships being of her Maiesties most honorable counsell endued with the spirite of wisedome and counsell froÌ„ aboue that by your fauourable countenance religion and the preaching of the Gospel may be furthered in this flourishing common weale and most Christian Realme of England that sects schismes and heresies may be rooted out that as there is one God one faith one baptisme one hope of our calling so we may vnâ—aiâ—â—dly honour the same God imbrace the same faith performe the vow made in the same baptisme and rest in the same hope louing one another praising God obeying our Prince whom the Lord blesse and preserue long to raygne ouer vs. AndIo I cease presently further to trouble your Lordships but with remembraunce of my humble duetie I desire the Lorde long to blesse and preserue your Honours From London the 3. of March 1580. Your Lordships most humble at commaundement Meredith Hanmer Iesuitis Seminarijs sacrificulis alijsque omnibus qui Pontificij erroris caligine obducti tenentur Meredithus Hanmerus Anglo Brytannus salutem misericordiam in Domino sempiternam DVRVM EST MI FRATRES CONTRA stimulum calcitrâ—re Opus est câ—â—m prudenti aliqua moderatione quae ita studet ornandae gloriae Christi vt simul dignitati ecclesiastici ordinis â—â—anqâ—â—litati publicae consultum 〈…〉 volutate gloriosius nihil christiâ—â—â—â— postore diguius excogitari potest Quorsum igitur modeâ—ti 〈…〉 of Euangelij precones tam anâ—citer impetere soletis Quid toties hâ—ereseâ—â—s immane â—rimen faedoâ— errores seductiones imposturas vafrities in maledictis veftris scriptis innocentibus obijcitis Quid istis tragaedijs opâ—â—sfiritâ— Num vllam immoderatam opinionem aut quaâ— diuinâ—â— maiâ—â—tâ—â—is gloriae deroget aut quae sanctissimum ecclestae ordinem labâ—â—â—â—ter in nostris sermonibus homilijs opusculis vel libris deprehendere potuiftis Immo dum sacraslitteras vt Dâ—dalâ— labyrinâ—hum in quo aberremus vt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 omnium seminarium vt incertas manoas mutilas laicis intordicendas vt flexilâ—quas instat caerei nasi Leshia â—â—lificationis plumbeae regâ—lae nec ad institrtionem pietatis sufficientes sed assuâ—â—â—â—â—
to improue to correct and to instruct in righteousnesse that the man of God may be absolute being made perfect vnto all good workes Search the scriptures sayeth Christ for in them ye thinke to haue eternall lyfe What soeuer thinges are written before time are written for our learning that we through patience comfort of the scriptures might haue hope Iohn the Euangelist closeth vp y â— whole where he seaseth to write saying Many other signes also did Iesus in the presence of his disciples which are not writâ—eÌ„ in this booke but these things are written that ye myght beleeue that Iesus is the Christ the sonne of God and that in beleeuing ye might haue lyfe thorow his name As much to say though other miracles were wrought by Christ and not here layd down yet as much as is thought necessarie for yée to beléeue is here written Whereby wée gather the sufficiencie of holy scripture to saluation And whereas the woman of Samaria confessed the opinion then generally receiued saying I knowe well that Messias shall come which is called Christ when he is come he will tell vs all thinges Iesus sayd vnto her I am he that speake vnto thee In an other place to his Disciples hée saide All thinges that I haue heard of my Father haue I made knowne vnto you Againe where hée promiseth his Disciples to sende them an other comforter which shoulde teach them all thinges and shoulde bring all thinges to their remembraunce that hée had tolde them the same after the the ascention of Christ rested vppon the Apostles in the forme of fire tongues and was plentifully shed in the heartes of the faythful and continueth vnto the end assuring the children of God that they are his and dayly opening lighting vnto them y â— laÌ„tern caÌ„del of his word Lastly least any should surmisse any fradulent dealing or imperfection to rest after the departure of the Apostles that they spéed not their commissioÌ„ in so ample a maner as they were inioyned by our Sauiour saying Goe teach all nations c. Teach them to keepe all thinges that I haue commaunded you Their own protestations shall stand for sufficient euidences Paule for himselfe and his fellow labourers saieth The thinges which eye hath not seene neither eare hath heard neyther came into mans heart c. GOD hath reuealed them vnto vs by his spirite Againe wee haue the minde of Christ In an other place taking his leaue of the Elders of Ephesus hée saieth Ye know from the first day that I came into Asia after what manner I haue beene with you at all seasons and how I kept back nothing that was proffitable but haue shewed you and taught you openly and throughout euery house In a while after hée saieth Wherefore I take you to recorde this daye that I am cleare from the blood of all men For I haue kept nothing back but haue shewed you al the counsel of GOD. The conclusion is this Séeing that the holy scriptures of the olde and new testament which we imbrace are vndoubtedly the worde of GOD séeing the holy men of olde haue deliuered none other to the posteritie séeing that the sufficiencie thereof and euery parcell therein contayned is such as the premisses declare to make the man of GOD perfect séeing that the Messias is come and reuealed all things séeing that the promised comforter is become our guide and assureth the faythfull consciences séeing the Apostles and Disciples of Christ haue receiued the sense and meaning of Christ and deliuered the same simply and fully as their Euangelies and Epistles doe testifie wée are to reiect the Iesuiticall opinion receiued at Rome and to confesse in the trueth of Gods spirite that the holy scripture is no nose of ware no leaden rule no lame maimed neyther vnperfect doctrine but a perfect sounde sufficient absolute and contayning all thinges necessary to saluation I neede not stand confirming the same with testimonies of fathers the scriptures themselues are copious enough in this behalfe 2 The Iesuites doctrine THe want that is in holy scripture must be supplied by peecing therevnto traditions Censur Colon. This doeth Andradius the Iesuite defend allowing of the former sentence where hée writeth The brethren of the Societie of Iesu meaning the Censurers of Colen haue defined both godly and wisely that the traditions of the church are necessarily to bee annexed vnto the holye scripture Oâ—hod explic lib. 2. pag. 101. The late councell of Trent hath most blasphemously made traditions of equal authoritie with the scriptures Their wordes are these All the bookes of the old and new testament yea and also the traditions appertayning as well vnto fayth as manners as if they had beene vttered by Christ and endited by the holy Ghost conserued by continual succession in the catholike Church this Synode doeth receiue and honour with lyke affection of pietie and equall reuerence Sub. Paul 3. sess 4. cap. 1. The same also is found in the Censure of Colen and in the Catechisme of Canisius allowed in the councell of Trent 2. The Catholikes doctrine THe holy scriptures are perfect sufficieÌ„t of theÌ„selues and neede not to â—e pâ—â—ced with traditions This dependeth vpon that which goeth before therefore it requireth not so large a discourse There are too wayes to attaine vnto the knowledge of GODS worde the one inward by inspiration of the holy spirite the other outwarde by reading and hearing of the scriptures the thirâ— place I finde not for traditions toâ—â—â—d neyther may they bée ioyned as 〈…〉 to drawe in the viâ—â—eyarde of the Church Israel was charged not â—â— plâ—we with an Oxe and an Asse not to make their garmentes of linsie wolsie the Passoâ—er was to be eaten with swéet bread the leuen of the phariâ—aicall traditions being sayde aâ—â—â—â— The Prophet complayneth that the fountaine of the water of lyfe was leâ—t and that the people had dâ—gged them broken cesterâ—â—s Ieremy would haue the chaffe of mens dreames seuered from the wheat of Gods word S. Paule woulde not haue the faythfull ioyned with the infidell righteousnesse and vnrighteousnesse light and darkenesse Christ and Belial the temple of God and the groue of Idolles as much to say in the whole the worde of God may not bée linked with the traditions of man To this effect are the iniunctions of the holy Ghost so oft repeated in holy scripture Beware of false Prophetes beware of the leuen as the Disciples vnderstand it the doctrine of the Pharises and Saduces Become not the slaues of men O Tymothy keepe that which is committed vnto thee and auoyde prophane and vaine bablings Persistin those things which thou hast learned For other foundation can no man laye then that which is layde which is Iesus Christ Euery plant saieth Christ which my heauenly Father hath not planted shalbe rooted vp He turneth him vnto the forfathers of these Iesuites saying Why doeye transgresse