the doctrine and opinion touching the substaunce and fayth of this sacrament was then in that olde auncient age amongest those Catholike and godly auncient fathers and howe farre this your newe vpstart chaungeling of â—raÌ„substantiation doth differre not only from al auncient antiquity but also from the trueth of the scripture it selfe which many of your own frateâ—ny Impes of this later age did not onely very wisely forsee but very frankely confesse as your selfe do know wel ynough For I suppose the name of the Author or the wordes of the Author at the least bee not vnknowen vnto you who albeit neuer durst deny transubstantiation himselfe yet feared nothing â—o vâ—ter his iudgement thereof freely The Churche saieth hee did but very lately set down the determination touching transubstantiation for before that it was thought sufficient that the true body of Christ was conteined really either vnder consecrated bread or by any meanes els but afterwardes when the churche began to looke more narrowly into the substaunce of the matter and to enter into more exact consideration therof it gaue foorth a more resolute determinatioÌ„ of the same c. To the same effect almost writeth also Iohn Fisher bishop of Rochester not the least Apostle of the Romish church who in his booke entituled A Defeâ—ce for the King of England discoursing vppon transubstantiation and the vse of the sacrament commeth at the last to this conclusion to wit that TraÌ„substantiation is grouÌ„ded more vpoÌ„ the authoritie aud determination of the church then can be iustifiable by the scriptures of God the Gospel Wherein he did not amisse For who doth not know that in that first nourcery of the Primitiue Churche yea and many hundred yeeres after whenas Bede Bertram and Rabanus Maurus were liuing in the world euen vnto that vnlucky hatching of Hildebrande and Innocent the thiâ—de not so much as this name Transubstantiation was euer hearde of vntill at the length in a Councell holdâ—n at Laterane in Rome the solemne edicte was established of banishing the substaunce of bread quytâ— out of the sacrament For if at any tyme before that councel the church had defyned any certain and grounded docâ—rine touching the same how falleth it out theÌ„ that there is such a continual falling â—ut amongest theÌ„ that folowed after in diuersities of opinion and iudgement about that transubstantiatiâ—n which some of them do stoutly maintaine some do vtterly deny it some do by coniecture think that others wil not graunt vnto some others haue supposed some doo so deliuer out that the substaunce of bread wyne doth remaine Lombarde himselfe doth think that there is a certain enterchaunge but what manner of enterchanuge that is whether formal or substantial or of some other fashion hee dareth not of himselfe determine any certainty Likewyse Gabriel Biel sticking fast in the same quauemyre vnable too vnwelde him selfe cleane from out the same is faine at the length too set downe by a plaine denial that in the whole Canonical scriptures can not possibly be founde in expresse woordes whether this transubstantiation dooth beginne by enterchaunging of any somwhat into the body or do without enterchaunging beginne too bee the body with the bread the substaunce and accidentes of bread remaining still What shall wee say to this that euen by the testimony of Pope Innocent the thirde his owne mouth were some persons knowen that did affirme that as the very accidentes of bread did remaine after consecration so also did the very substaunce of bread remaine withal Whereby appeareth manifestly that before that late councel of Laterane was no certaine doctryne established touching transubstantiation To the lyke effect wryteth Nicholas Cusanus Some of the auncient fathers saieth hee are founde too haue beene of this minde that the bread is not transubstantiated but is inuested with a certain substauÌ„â—e of more high valour O notable groundwoorke of transubstantiation perdy builded vppon none other platte fourme then vppon so brittle a fundation as that ridiculous decree of the Romish Church being so late an vpstarte as the which was not so much as by name onely euer hearde of or knowen which neuer peeped abroade into the worlde before Satan being let loose out of Hell after the thousande yeeres of his captiuitie was permitted too raunge openly abroade and too defile all thinges with abhominable stenche and corruption For on this wyse dyd Satan after hee was let loose beginne his first practises very neere the tyme wherein Hildebrande or not long after him Innocent the thyrd began too prop vp theyr Ierarchie ouer the worlde O Sacred and Catholike doctrine of Transubstantiation issuing from so gracious a stocke forsooth and grafted in suche an holy and seasonable a time O neate and fine forgers of fraude of whom notwithstanding if any man will demaunde for the firste Originall of y â— theyr doctrine they wyll not be ashamed to fetche the pedigree thereof euen from the very Apostles themselues and too deduce the auncientie of this theyr transubstantiation euen vnto Melchisedech not much vnlike too theyr neere Cozens the Gebaonites which too colour theyr falshoode shewed foorth theyr olde shoes so do these Romanists make a shew of the auctoritie of theyr owne Churche and the same aduaunce alofâ— as it were Gorgones heade before the eyes and eares of the vnlettered multitude with very solemne protestations Wherein theyr fraudulent guâ—le had not beene altogeather amisse if that the holy Scriptures had not long before discouered vntoo vs that same gracious Church of theirs which they glorifie with the title of Catholike to bee none other then that abhominable strumpet of Babylon And yet for all this these Gentlemen spare not too claime holde of Christe himselfe also as an especiall Patrone of theyr error but not muche vnlike their owne great graundsire Satan who long sithens gaue assaulte vpon the same Christ in his owne person with the words of Scripture synisterly wrest after the bare sense of the letter and as the Iewes doe at this present hacke the Propheticall Scriptures of the old Testament of whom Ierome maketh mention Who following the bare construction of the letter sayeth hee slew the sonne of God The selfe same almost may seeme very aptly appliable vnto them who following the bare letter of the newe Testament doe change the Sacramentes into Idolles doe extinguishe the spirite of the Scripture and doe crucifie Christe with the Iewes a frâ—she in his members againe besides this also because they doe not perceiue sufficient sauetie enough set downe for them in the scriptures they runne by heapes to the chiefe Fortresse of Gods omnipotent power What say they did not Christe affirme in plaine woordes This is my body shall wee doubt that hee was not able to perfourme that which hee spake If Christe woulde vouchsafe vpon his departure from hence to leaue behind him too his dearely beloued Spouse some speciall token or remembrance of him selfe
whereat I may woonder sâ—fficienâ—ly whether at the prodigious insolencie of the Popes or the too much drowsie carelessenesse of the other Bishoppes who contrarie to all equitie and right contrarie to all authoritie of most sacred Scriptures contrarie to the approued custome of their ancient predecessours and prescript orders of the Primitiue Church woulde so wilfully admit this so manifest an iniurie agaynst themselues and so perâ—icious a plague agaynst Christes Church And but that our Sauiour himselfe not onely by most plaine president of his owne life but also by expresse commaundement had restrayned his Apostles from this profaâ—e desire of Lordlinesse and had called them backe to an vtter detestation of this worldly pompe and most humble abacement of minde with incredible loathsomnesse alwayes abhorring the things which were accounted mightie and gloriouse in this worlde Certes I should lesse haue wondered at this your greedy grasping you men of Rome afâ—er this vniuersal title of vniuersal regiment But now what is there I pray you vnder the Sunne more repugnant to the rules and preâ—eptes of Euangelicall doctrine more coÌ„trarie to the perpetual couâ—se of Chriâ—ts meaning and directorie leuell of Christes Religion more odious to the mildenesse of the spiriâ—e whose voyce vttered in the most holy Bookes of the Gospel if may not obtaine any credite and authoritie with you let vs at the least â—rie tâ—e matter by the testimonie and iudgement of the graue Fathers and learned Docâ—ours of the primitiâ—e Churche Amongeâ—t al the which what one did euer eâ—dewe you Sir Pope of Rome with this aâ—hominable I woulâ—e say honourable tytle of the vniuersall heade of all Christians wheresoeuer vpon earth who euer did yeeld vnto you the iurisâ—iction of both sâ—ordes who euer graunted vnto you that speciall prerogatiue of summoning Councels who euer limitted all the worâ—de to bee your peculiar Diocesse who euer subscribed to that fulnes of your absolute power ouer al other Bishops who did euer pronounce or so much as dreame that you shoulde not onely be greater and better than all other Patriarches and Kings and all and euerie humane creature but also farre aboue all councels who euer so much as in woorde hath vttered that the higher powers of all Emperours kings vnto whom the heauenly Oracle hath commaunded all and euerie soule to bee subiect should begge their estate to be authorised at your handes who assigned you to be arbiters iudges of purgatorie who hath euer at any time loâ—ked fast within the cubbard of your breast all maner of iurisdiction or euer admitted you only expositor of Scripture and Lord of our fayth From amongest the whole antiquitie of those reuerende fathers before mentioned if you can vouche one credible person besides them that eyther haue beene Bishoppes of Rome or such as bee mates of your owne marke ye shall winne the garlande But if you cannot as hitherto you haue not then eyther must you of necessitie relent of your claime or wholy relinquishe that tiâ—le and vtterly disclaime from this chalenge of antiquitie And bycause I will not ouerwhelme you with multitude of testimonies which I might lawfully vrge agaynst you one after another let it not bee yrkesome vnto you Romanes from amongest a great number to hearken vnto one to witte your owne onely Bishoppe of Rome Gregorie for I suppose none of you to bee ignoraunt of that which hee wrote vnto Iohn Bishop of Constantinople and to other Bishoppes concerning the same matter whereof you mainteyne so hoate a contention and if I be not deceyued you contende about the onely and vniuersall prerogatiue of ecclesiasticall iurisâ—iction which you doe so vnseparably glew fast to that Romish Chaire that whosoeuer sit therein must of necessitie beare soueraigâ—tie ouer all other Bishops and must be reputed and taken for the highest heade of the vniuersall Churche Wherein I pray you beholde yee gentle companions howe iniuriously and vnhonestly you abuse both the name of Christ and the simplicitie of Christians when as you require vs to that which we can neither with safe conscience yelde vnto you nor if wee did so you could accept without great iniury to others and your farre greater infamy and shame as shall appeare by this one wytnesse whome I haue cyted to wytte Pope Gregorye Who beyng on a tyme in a Letter sent vnto him from Eulogius Archbishopp saluted by the name of vniuersall Pope with great iâ—dignation reiecting that glorious greetyng of proude Prelacy dyd so not accept of that which was offred as that he woulde not admyt the worde of commaundyng very earnestly requiryng him that from thencefoorth hee shoulde neuer vse any suche voyce of commaunde nor any other surname of glorious vniuersalitie in any his wrytings Because sayth hee I knowe what I am and what you bee for in function you bee my brethren in conuersation my fathers And so lykewyse annexeth this sentence touchyng the title on this wyse which I doe in this place more willingly set downe because not only the proceâ—dyng of Gregory herein might appeare but also the cause and consideration that mooued him theretoo Because sayeth hee so much is derogated from your dignitie as is more then reasonably yelded to any other I doe not desire to bee honoured in wordes but in good lyfe neyther doe I accompt that to be honour wherein I doe knowe my brethren to bee any iotte abridged of their honour c. I would wishe therfore all such as with so gaye a countenaunce of religion doe striue so lustely about the prerogatiue of the Romish Sea to haue an especiall regard and consideration of the wordes of Gregory in this place My honour sayth he is the honour of the vniuersal Church my honour is the flourishing honour of my brethren then am I honoured aright when due honour is not denied to euerie particular brother For if your holinesse do cal me vniuersall Pope you renounce your sâ—lues to be the selfe same which you yeeld vnto me in name of vniuâ—rsalitie But God forbid Let speeches that puffe vp to arrogancie and empaire Christian chaâ—itie be abandoned c. And againe in another place writing to the Bishop of Constantinople requireth him to be well aduised what he enter vpon bycause in that presumptuous rashnesse the vnitie of the whole Church is peruerted vpside downe and thereby aryseth a flat denyall of the generall grace powred vpon all indifferently And forthwith after For what else be your Bishoppes of the vniuersall Church but the Starres of heauen aboue whome whilest thou presumest to exalt thy selfe by prowde title of stately souereigntie what emplie these woordes else but that I will ascende into heauen and will exalt my Seate aboue the Starres of heauen c. Adding moreouer in the same epistle no lesse wisely then considerately an admonition both to himselfe and the other Bishoppes Let vs bee afrayed sayeth hee to bee recounted of that number which prowle for the highest Seates
17. Gregâ—ry in his 4 booke the 38 Epiâ—tlâ— to Luâ—oâ— Peter was neither head of the Church nor vniuersall Apoâ—â—lâ— Galat. 2. Chrysâ—st vpon Paules Epâ—stle to the Romanâ—s The vniuersall Iurisdiction of the Pope confuted Iohn .6 Luke .14 Iohn .13 Matth. 23. Luke .16 Matth. 5. In what sense Peter was calleâ— prince of the Apostles Peter called prince of the Apostles as Cicero was called prince of eloquence in reâ—pect of eâ—cellencie not of superâ—oritie Mat. 4. Luke 5. Iohn 21. Peter made fisher of men not prince of men Actes .8 Pope Alexander the 3. Hâ—stiensis Extrauagan dâ— eâ—ectâ— electi poâ—â—state Hadriâ—n Clâ—mâ—nt 5â— Honâ—rius 3. Gregory 9. Vrbanus 4. Innocent 4. Clement 4. All the French in Sicile yong and olde were slaine at the sound of a bell Martin 4â— Honorius 4. Nicholâ—s 4. Boniface 8. Clement .5 Iohn .22 Vrbane .6 Clement Martine .5 Pius .2 Sixtus .4 Iulius .2 Paulus .3 The succession of the Pope discouered and confuted 2. Quest. 7. Omnes Dist. 40. â—erome writing to Helyodore The councel of Constance The ordinary succession prefiteth nothing in the sight of God Maâ—asses Caiaphas The Iâ—wes Iohn .9 Mat. 3. Luâ—e 2. Mat. 23. Iames .1 Ephe. 5. No resemblaÌ„ce betwixt Peter and the Pope The state of the chayre of the Romish Monarchyâ— Betwixt the Pope and Peter Esay 5. 2. Ezechiel .34 It is not the chayre but the good life that maketh a man Apostolical Neanthus sonnâ— of Pittacus The continuance of succeeding Bishops in the Church is no sufficient cloke to coulor error The ordinary succession of popeâ— hath bin discontinued broken of The light of doctrine and trueth restoreâ— The Popâ—s Bullâ—s against the faithfâ—l sâ—ruants of Christâ— The slaunders of the Pope against the Queene of Englandâ— The Oration of Queene Elizabeth to the Pope Matth. 5. Lâ—â—ius The cause of the Popes malice against Elâ—zabeâ—h Queene of England How this saying without the Churche is no hope of saluation must be conâ—trued The Câ—tholâ—kâ— fayâ—h Athanasius Creede The Nycene Creede The Romish fayth Bâ—â—â—â— in his 78. Epiâ—â—le The Catholike church amongst the Grecians eâ—empt from the Church of Rome We read in our Creeâ— the holy and Catholike Church but not the Romain Church The onely faiâ—h and doâ—trine of Christ doth vnite Câ—ristiâ—â—s to the Câ—uâ—châ— Three Tabernacles â— Thessal 2. Luke â—2â— Matâ— 20. 2â—â— Luke 18. A compaâ—ison betwixt the auncieÌ„t church of Rome and the Romish prelates nowe The life and conuâ—rsation of the auncient aâ—d Apostolical â—hurche Great differeÌ„ce betwixt the biâ—hops of the ancâ—ent and the new churche of Rome Bernard in his Epistle to Eâ—genius â— The life of the Bishoppes of Rome may seeme lesse Apostolike then Apostatique The Popes doctrine conninced in nouelty The nouâ—lâ—y of the Popes docâ—ryne was in many things vnknown to the auncieÌ„t fathers In howe many how weighty matters the Apostolicke doctryne varyeth from the popes Tertullianusâ— Apocal. 2. Apoca. â—3 Cicero in his Tusculanes the 3. booke Apoc. 13. Though the Pope with his crew be part of the church yet be they not the vniuersall church The Popes arguments deducted from the vniuersalitie The Papiâ—â—â—â— obiection Two sortes of men in the visible Church A disagreement not a departure bâ—twiâ—t the protestantes and the Papistes Osâ—c â— The errours filthines of the Popes doctryâ—e A comparison betwixt the Iewes and the Romish catholikes The persecution of Christians by the pope and his papâ—sts The ceremonies of the Iewes and the Papistes compared together The superstitioÌ„ of the Romanists in defending their traditions is more than Iewish As the Iewes do looke for a worldly Messiâ—as so the Papists doe expect a worldly vicar Like Pope like Church The very pattâ—â—â—e â—â—age of the Romish Church The Papists do play the Iewes in establishing the doctrine of rightuousnesse by workes â—om 9 10â— How fayth is esteemed with the Papistes Only faith with out works â—oâ—h accomplish the whole worke of our iusâ—iâ—icatioâ— Oâ—orâ— agaynst Haddon pagâ— 94. Oâ—or in his Epistle to the Queene of England pag. 27. 32. Tridâ—â—â—in Conc. Ses. 6. cap. 7. How fayth dotâ— beget good workes Faith as oportunitie is offred can neuer cease from doing good working alwayes throâ—â— loue Fayth in iustification is onely and alone but in working is not alone Tridentin Conc. Ses. 6. cap. 16. The infallible doâ—trine of the Tridâ—ntine Councâ—ll Sâ—ssiâ— 6 Cap. 7 Ephesians 2. Iohn .6 Iohn .11 Euerlasting life promised to the beleeuers The diffeâ—ence betwixt the law and the Gospel The vse and duetie of the lawe Wherein the vse of the law consisteth properly The Euangelicall faith The preaching of faith * 2. Cor 3. Who hath made vs able ministâ—rs of tâ—e new Testament not of the letter but of the spirite The fruite and prayse of good workes Psalm â—5 In what respect good workes be auayleable and what they bring to passe Ianuensis is his booke called Cathoâ—ico Psal. 1â—â— From whence ariseth the welâ—spring of eternal life Iustificaâ—ion is proper to faith only Mark .9 Good woorkes do not procure a man to be iustâ—fiâ—d but bee fruites and effectes of him that is iustified alâ—eady August de graâ—ia 〈◊〉 Cap. 3. Romans 4â— Titus .3 Obiection The answeres of the Apostle Howe faith and good woorkes doe agree and disagree ech with other Tully in his orâ—tion for Milo The obiectioâ— is confuted Eâ—he 5. A brief Catalogue of the popish doctrine Osor. in his 7. booke de Iustitia â—ala 3. A comparison betwixt the preachers of the lawe and the Gospel and betwixt theÌ„ which plod vpon nothing els then the rightâ—ousnes of the lawe and workes The supremacâ— of the Pâ—pe confuted Luke 22.26 Inuocation of saintes confuted Hebr. 7. Pictures and images of saintes Uowes of vâ—maried life Masses and sâ—â—rifices Satisfactions â—or â—iâ—nes 1. Iohn 2â— Actes 1â— Osor. In his Epistle to the Queene of Englande Rightuousnes by faith Iustification free One only oblation The Papistes suppâ—r without wyne The holy ghost the vicar of Christ. Tertullian de praescrip aduersus Haereticos Being taken hence into heauen to the right hande of the father hee sent his vicar power of the holy Ghoste which might comfort the faithful Christ the ende of the lawe The ende and mark of romish doctryne Iohn .5 An vnknowne toung doth not edifie Mat. 24. Idolatroâ—s pilgrimages Peter the Apostle is denied to haue beene bishop of Rome The functions of Apostles and Bishoppes bee diuerse The Pope of Rome is falsely supposed to bee Peteâ—s successor How much the popes doctryne is swarued froÌ„ the disciplyne Apostolique 1. Peter .2 Of the sacramentes The abhominable corruptions of the papists in the Lordes supâ—er * Aug. ad Infantes is cyted by Bedâ— 1. Cor. 10. That which you see is bread and wine which also your eyes do declare maniâ—eâ—â—ly * Augustâ— de trinitate 3. booke cap. â— Myracles are properly applyed too declare to our senses some supernatural and heauenly power In the sacrament nothing
times seuen He was accounted the only fountaine of all iurisdictions from whose fulnesse behooued all Bishops to drawe their authoritie without all question What needeth any long processe Assoone as the Church began to chaunge his head and the Pope ganne too take vppon hym the place of Christe foorthwith came to passe that togeather with this newe heade vpstart suche a femshapen visour of religion as scarse any one iotte of the auncient discipline remained vnpolluted For the Scriptures beeyng now commaunded too silence nothing coulde be heard nothing coulde bee deliuered too feede the humours of suche as woulde haue beene learned but Canons Lawes Decrees and Decretalles of the Pope vppon these were the nymblest and finest wittes employed By these were all causes Politikeâ— Ciuill and Ecclesiasticall both publique and priuate determined in churches in Iudgementes in Consistories common pleadings Councels Godlines which tofore was enstalled in the spirituall enstruction of the minde and in the true conuersation of Christe was nowe posted ouer too other gewgawes which should hold mens senses captiue and not edifie theyr consciences whereby neglecting the thyngs which only auayled to the obteining of saluation the vnlettered multitude was carried away into I know not what newfangled mysteries too Oyle too Waxe Salte Water to the Moone shining in the water to Cowles to Belles to Chaliâ—es Temples and Aultars coÌ„secrated with the Popes blessing to Iubiles Immunities to Graces to Expectaâ—ioÌ„s to PreuentioÌ„s yeerely Pentionsâ— Palles Indulgeâ—ces Bulles Pardons and to surceasse heere too reckon vpp the infinite rabble of the remayning ragges wherewith they had peruerted all things cleane contrary to Chriâ—tes institution Sacraments gelded newe chopt in place one parte of the Sacrament craftily conueied from the vse of the Layitie praiers pattered and mumbled in an vnknown language priuate Masses in steede of the holy Communion iumbled vp in all corners of Churches where the Priest not imparting any portion to the people but vttering it too the gaze to bee tooted vpon and worshipped first lifteth it aboue his Crowne then swalowes it downe alone not in remembraunce of the Lordes death and passion but whole Christe fleshe blood and bone to the saluation of body and soule For this Article was the very sinowes bones and marrow of most absolute religion couple here with satisfactions Purgatorie pickpurse the vnblooddy sacrifice of the Masse assurednesse of saluation not depending vpon Christe only and faith in him but to bee purchased with righteousnesse of workes redeeminges of merites and pardons for siluer and coyne For reformation therefore of these so many and so horrible outrages seeing they seemed nowe in no case tollerable it seemed good to the Almightie Maiestie too yeelde his mercifull countenance at the length For albeit Antichriste must of necessitie haue his time to play his Pageant in yet coulde not the mercy of the father deny y e gracious coÌ„solatioÌ„ to his church vnto y â— which it had obliged it selfe with an euerlasting couenant but that it must releeue her necessities beyng surprised now with suche miserable and almost vnrecouerable calamities And to the ende he might bring the same too passe most commodiously without any vproare hee stirred not vp Princes to armes neyther prouoked he to blooddy battell but as I sayde before sent downe from aboue this inestimable Iewell of Printing intoo the earth which shoulde first disclose the liuely welspringes of purest doctrine and publishe abroade too the worlde the auncient authours of learned antiquitie and withall shoulde deliuer at large to the open viewe of all men the bookes of holy Scriptures and the purest and grauest Fathers of the Primitiue Churche and those also in suche great abundaunce and at so reasonable prices as that no man coulde be of so poore abilitie not to bee able too buye for a fewe pence whatsoeuer booke him listed and to peruse them for his instruction By this meanes Maugre the Pope and his Cardinalles began Christe by little and little too bee made familiar to the worlde the Prophetes and Euangelisâ—es sounded into mens eares euery where Paule Peter and other Doctours Expositours of soundest and purest Diuinitie were conuersaunt dayly in the eyes and handes of the people which beeyng aduisedly read ouer and growne at length to some acquaintaunce is almost incredible to beleeue howe woonderfull a light of doctrine howe vnsatiable a greedinesse to learne and to reade what a sodaine enterchange of maners what a beautifull countenance of all thinges ensued and floorished euen vppon the sodaine Heere loe that infinite number of Painters whereof I made mention before out of the dreame of Iohn Hus. Heere loâ— those painted Images in the temple of God spoken of before ingrauen nowe in the mindes and harts of Christians being not of any new inuention notw tstanding neither forged vpon any newe Anvyle as you are wont to slaunder vs but euen the selfe same which were by you yea by your owne selues scraped and blotted out were nowe restored againe to theyr former integritie against the which from hencefoorth all the whole broode of Papistes shall neuer bee able too preuaile againe Moreouer after these Painters before rehearsed sprange vp many others the number whereof encreaseth dayly which yeelde most commendable trauayle with as good successe partly too restore the auncietie sinceritie and puritie of good literature partly too reedifie the derayed crazes and ruines of the aunciente Churche of Christe On this wise new sound sciences cowpled with pure religion merueâ—lously floorishing in dayly encreasinges in very fit time and place stept foorth Martine Luther into the worlde and yet not hee onely and alone but a great number of worthie personages together with him excellent men both in faith and learning all which associated in one and vndertakiug so rightfull and necessary a patronage of the distressed Gospell where as they taught nothing else therein either to themselues or to othersâ— but the only glory of Christe iustifâ—yng theyr doctrine by the vndoubted and most pure fountaines of gods woorde There was no cause nowe why you shoulde so furiously rage against your own brethren the Christians yea and that without all deserte and like to troublesome Dauus in Terence turning and turmoyling all thinges vpside downe rayse vp suche monstrous tempestes and scorching whirlewindes of hot persecutions Nay rather it behooued you to haue yeelded most hartie thankes too the Lorde beeyng the husband of his most deare spouse the Churche and haue inforced all your aide helpe power and pollicie withall to the enlarging of his glory according to pietie and as the duetie of your function did exact and bind you vnto But what helhounde nowe what Beelzebub prince of darkenesse hath so bewitched you with madde frensie that you shoulde so monstruously with so horrible ouâ—rage rushe vpon the godly seruantes of Christe contrary to the expresse woorde of your God yea without all regard of charitie or shame and in steede of a christian
be preserued from the bloody butchery and broyling of Christians wheresoeuer the Pope is receiued neither can I discerne any end of all â—hese mischieues any where vnlesse these proude Prelates will content them selues within their owne limites and listes yelde ouer the royalties and all their authoritie of soueraintie to Monarches and kinges and them selues resume againe that which is their owne namely the function of preaching teaching not the things that are of men but which are of God seeking not the thinges which are their own but which are of Iesu Christe If this could be obteyned of them with their good willes nothing could be more honourable But for as much as we may not so much as hope for any such thing at their handes the remedy hereof reboundeth back vnto you chiefly and aboue others to you that are princes that euery of you according to your auncient generositie authoritie and pietie doe first pacifie this troubled estate of religion within your owne dominions restore that which is crazed and ruinous and reforme that which is defiled and corrupte Next it toucheth you that be Bishops and Pastours that euery of you direct your particular flock carefully soundly and godly towardes the kingdome of God Last of all it concerneth you that be subiectes that euery of you doe dutifully acknowledge your humble obedience to your owne Princes and Magistrates in the Lorde Heere then you see that you be forewarned and admonished who neuerthelesse for your singular and most excellent wisdomes neede not any our admonition Therefore I make an ende here both of speaking and admonishing if I may be so bolde to adde hereto this our protestation If any man be able to produce one word so much out of the authoritie Euangelicall whereby the Lorde Iesus did yelde any maner of soueraintie or preeminence to his disciples I do not gainsay but they may yelde theÌ„ seluâ—s to the Popes authoritie whosoeuer will But if there be nothing in the whole scriptures that the Lorde him selfe doth either more carefully aduise or more earnestly forbidde then that any of his disciples by seeking any preeminence at all should raise him selfe aboue any his fellowes restraining theÌ„ by all maner of meanes froÌ„ all maner of superioritie whatsoeuer prouoking them to the humble example of his owne humilitie Do you then deliberatly and maturely determine in your heartes now whether you will rather march vnder the standard of the Lambe him selfe your grand captaine to the goale of euerlasting felicitie or receiuing the marke of the beast throwe your selues headlong into vnrecouerable perdition together with this most arrogant popish Prelate The Lord Iesus euen the same supercelestiall peacemaker of heauen and earth enspire your hearts and mindes with the spirite of his grace in the things that belong to his peace vnto the glory of his name the preseruation of his church the same Lorde Iesus also encrease your honourable estates and preserue you in all the waye of truth for euer and euer Amen FINIS IMPRINTED AT LONDON AT THE three Cranes in the Vintree by Thomas Dawson for Richard Sergier 1580. The vniuersall Churche dooth complainâ— or expoâ—â—ulate with the Bishopp of Rome The beast mentioned in the Apocalipse the 13â— 14. Chap The pompe of the Pope Ciâ—eâ—o against Catilinâ— A defence of the Church of England against the seditious Bulles of the Pope Pope Pius â—â—e fifâ—h raging against Elizabeâ—h Queen of Englande Pope Gregoâ—ie 13. enflamed against England and the Queene of Englande A complaint against the Popes of Rome 2. Cor. 1â—â— What the power of the Church is and how farre it stretcheth The Pope cruelly raging against the godly without all cause or reason Philip. 1. Ioâ—â— .1 Luke â—â— Christ can not be receaued vnlesse the Pope be banished Iohn .3 Chap. Epâ—e 4. 2. Câ—r 1. 1. â—eter 1. Sauâ—ders in his Ierarchical Monarchyâ— How the charge of a Sheapeheardâ— is limited and howe it ought to be discharged Rom. 13. One onely vniuerâ—all head of the vniuersall Church The vniuersall Ierarchie of the Pope serueth to no vse in the Church of Chrâ—sâ—e Cyprian the first booke the third Epistle The Church in respect of soueraigntie is aboue Apostles and Ministers 1. Cor. 3. 〈◊〉 1â— â—â—th 5. Deut. â—2 Roma 12. Actes 3. How great anâ— incomparable the state of the Romish sea was by the space of 500. yeares Domitian a moÌ„struous tyraâ—t The happie inuenâ—ion of the â—rt of printing The proppes aâ—d â—ilâ—ers of the Romish religion It is proouâ—d by plaine demoÌ„stratioâ—s that the ouerthrowe of the pâ—pishe Sea came not of mâ—n but froÌ„ God the vâ—â—ye author thereof William conquerour Henry the fâ—â—ste king of EnglaÌ„d Henry the 2. king of EnglaÌ„d Iohn king of England Henry the 3. Mathevv of Pâ—ris a chroniclâ—â— Diuines put to silâ—nce As many as gâ—â—â— saide the Pope were mâ—râ—yred with â—â—râ— or tortures Out of the chronicles of Henry of Euforde The Chronicle of Iohn Auenâ—â—â—e 7. booke Iohn Hus. Iâ—â—oâ—â— â—â— â—rage â— The decay of Romishe Sea to bee imputâ—d not to men but God only 2. Thes. 2. The prophesie of Iohn Hus against the pope In the yeere of our Lord 141â— Iâ— the yeeâ—â— of our Lord 1517 The Prophetical dreame of Iohn Hus concerning the Romish Sea The Art of printing beganne in the yere 1440 By what meanes and occasions the Churche of Christe waâ—re couered Errors and confusion in the popes doctrine The meanes that God vsed to ouerthrowe the Pope By what meanes the noblest science began to be reuealed in this later age The champioÌ„s of the christian warfare were â—aised vp by God The first appeâ—â—ng of Luther The Pope being the scourge of the Gospell setteth himselfe against Christe and his â—ospel Iohn .15 God himselfe fighteth against the outrage of the Pope The Popâ—s vproares in France aâ—d Flaunders The popâ—s practises against EnglaÌ„d Ioâ—nâ— 16. Apoca. 17. The lambe a â—onquerour The double conquest of Câ—riâ—â— One in his own person alrâ—adie past the other in the Saintes yet to come Henry the freÌ„ch king being hurt in the eye with a shiuer of a launce died Queene Mary of England The Pope procureâ— warre agaâ—â—â—t 〈…〉 Eâ—pâ—rour Iuâ—ian the Cardinall Cisca Capteine of the Bohemyans The example oâ—â—odâ—â—â—ngeaâ—â—ce 〈◊〉 Iulian the Caâ—dinall The Councell of â—asâ—â— The state of 〈◊〉 oftentymâ—â—â—eliuerâ—d frâ—m â—he â—oâ—es trecheâ—â—â—â— The siege of Rochel The Citizens of Rochel defeÌ„ded Rochel defending it self was for the kings behoofe not against the kâ—ng Apoca. 17. Martine Luther Acts .12 Cocleus In the historie of the Hussians 11â— booke Ex Tomo 14. Conc. pag. 66â— The Popeâ— pride â—â— Quest. ◠〈◊〉 De Maâ—â—ritaâ—e â—na Ex Tomo Concil in oratione Stephan Patraâ—â—â—â—â—â—is Luke 1â—â— The ancient fathers agaynst the Popes suâ—remacie Gregories testimony against the Popes supremacie Gregory in his seuenth booke the 30. Epistle to Eulogius Gregorie in the same place Gregorie in the 4. booke the 38 Epistle to the Bishop of Constantinople Pro.