from Bishops Neque laico permiâ—uâ—ous facere opus aliquod Sacerdotale vt sacrificium aut Baptismum aut impositionem man us aut benedictionem siue paruam siue magnam Nemo enim sibi sumit honorem sed qui vocatur a Domine huiusmodi namque gratia per impositionem manuum Episcopi datur Neque Presbyteris potestatem damus ordinandi Diaconos aut Lectores aut Ministros sed Episcopis tantum Hic enim est Ecclesiasticus ordo Cum à Deo consequenâ—iam rerum didicerimus Episcopis quidem assignauimus aâ—tribuimus quae ad principatum Sacerdotij pertinâ—nt Presbyteris vero quae ad Sacerdotium Deinde Diaconis quae ad ministrandum vtriusque vt puâ—è castè fiant quae ad Religionem pertinent Neque enim sas est Diacono sacrificium offerre aut baptizare aut benedictionem fiue paruam siue magnam facere neque Presbytero ordinationem ClericoruÌ„facere Ostensum est Anâ—istitum Ordinem perficientem esse perfectionis authorem Non licet sine Episcopo baptizâ—â—e neque dothen celebrare Neither doe we permit â—he Laeâ—ie to doe any Priestly functiâ—n as to offer Sacrifice baptize impose hands or to giue any Benediction either litle or great For no man taketh this honour to himselfe but â—e who is called by God Because this grace is giuen by the imposition of the Bishops hands Neither doe we giue vnto Priestes the power of ordaining Deacons or Lectours or Ministers but onely to Bishops This is the order of the Church When we did lerne the sequell of things from God indeede what appertained to the principalitie of Pâ—iestes we assigned and gaue it to Bishops and to Priestes what belonged to Priestehoode afterward to Deacons what appertained to the assistance of both that these things which concerned Religion might be performed chastly and cleanely Neither is it lawfull for a Deacon to offer Sacrifice or to baptize or to make any Benediction either litle or great neither for Priestes to ordaine Clergie-men It is declared the Order of the Bishops is the perfecting Order and authour of perfection It is not lawfull without a Bishop to baptize nor to offer Sacrifice nor to saie Masse 6. Wherevppon the English Protestants in their most publicke and authorised proceedings thus acknowledge It is euident vnto all men diligently reading holy Scripturs and auntient authors that from the Apostles time there hath beene these orders of ministers in Christ Church Bishops Priests and DeacoÌ„s which offices were euermore had in such reuerent estimation that no man might presume to execute any of them except he were first by publike praier and imposition of hands approued and admitted therevnto And these orders should be continued and reuerently vsed and esteemed in this Church of England And in this both their booke intituled Of Consecration of Archbishops Bishops Priests as their Articles of Religion and coÌ„mon practise doe onely allowe and commit such thinges to them whome they call and apprehend to be Bishops saying Allmightie God giuer of all good things by his holy spirit hath appointed them in the Church Episcopall Order is of diuine Ordination and by law diuine Christ acted it by the hands of the Apostles It is an ordinance Apostolicall He hath enacted it for succeding posteritie and so it is a Canon or Constitution of the whole Trinitie Wherevpon the Protestant PuritaÌ„s conclude If prelacie be de Iure diuino by the lawe of God it receiueth both breath and life from the Religion of Rome And this they offer Publikly to defend and the Parlament Protestants so grauÌ„te claiming that Ministrie they haue by ordination from Rome Wherevpon these Puritans with generall assent haue thus concluded They cannot see how possibly by the Rules of Diuinitie the separation of our Chuâ—ches from the Church of Rome and from the Pope head thereof can be iustified They protest to all the worlde that the Pope and the Church of Rome and in theÌ„ God and Christ Iesus himselfe haue had great wronge and Indignitie offered vnto them and that the Protestant Churches are scismaticall in forsaking the vnitie and communion with them If the English Protestant opinion he maintained That Bishops Iurisdiction is de Iure diuino by the lawe of God his Magestie and all the Nobilite ought to be Subâ—ect to Excommunication 7. Which neither king Nobles or vnnoble no meanest Protestants of England can â—oubt feare or pretend against the Bishop of Chalcedon he neither hauing or claiming the â—easte spirituall power or Iurisdiction ouer â—ny one great or little highe or lowest Protestant in EnglaÌ„d His Episcopall both Order â—nd Iurisdiction which as he construeth beâ—ongeth vnto it extending onely to Cathoâ—iks of this kingedome to keepe them in good order and loyall dutie both to God and â—heir king as good Catholik Bishops doe â—nd are bounde to doe Which must needs be an helpe and no hurt or offence to any Common-wealth Bishops learned louing and knowing their dutie and hauing charge whereof they must render a seuere accompt to God attended with watchfull and reuengfull eyes vpon them for loue will not or feare dare not concurre vnto or suffer vnder them disobedieÌ„ce to heauenly or earthly Prince They which cannot endure spirituall dutie are in most daunger of lapse into temporall disobedience hauing reiected spirituall power keeping them in awe and dutie to temporall VVhich perhaps caused Constantine our wise king and Emperour to saie vpon experience as he did of staggerers in Religion and faithfulnesse to God No doubt but both the Pope of Rome and Rich of Chalcedon know their offices sufficiently without any admonishments They are not ignorant who said and how it concerned them Non possumus aliquid aduersus veritatem sed pro veritate VVe cannot any thing against 2. Cor. 13. the truth but for the truth and potestatem quam Dominus dedit mihi in aedificationâ—m non destructionem The power which our Lord hath giuen me vnto edification and not vnto destruction 8. There is great difference in hauing and exercising power from Rome The first should not feare them which would feare without cause of feare neither secret and prudent exercise in necessitie to redesse or preuent euills Greater meetings and assemblies be often made by some in and of as great daunger and to lesse purpose then would serue priuately to examine witnesses or so to giue a sentence where the litigants be and ought to be secret To doe many vsuall and necessarie actâ— of Religion be as daungerous and require as great and greater assemblies A publike setled Consistoâ—ie in any place or â—laces to be set vp could not but with â—onde â—maginations be thought vpon were the Iudg â—ad not vbi reclinet caput suum Probate of puâ—like wills administrations Tithes Conâ—racts Marriages Diuorces Alimonie Basâ—erdie and publike slanders among ProtestaÌ„ts â—aue publike Protestant Courts and all or â—any mixt with our temporall lawes Many â—f the remembred instances as Tithes and â—asterdies concerning inheriting
knowne want thereof or â—rosse Ignorance in Antiquities and Eccleâ—asticall Veremun â—â— hist Boâ—th Scotor histor in Maximo Holinsh. histor of Scotl. Io. Bal. l. de Scripto rib centur 2. in Coil Sedul Sigeâ—ert 〈◊〉 ibid. affaires haue blinded them with this â—arknesse because long before that time in â—he daies of DioclesiaÌ„ Scotland had Bishops â—nd Saint Amphibolus was Bishop in the I le â—f Man In the time of Maximus Scotland had â—iuerâ— Bishop bannished by him And Hildeâ—ertus and Coilus Sedulius Scots by Naâ—on and renowned Bishops are honoured in â—stories before Saint Palladius came thiâ—er as both these Protestants and sarre â—etter Antiquaries deliuer for vndoubted â—uthes 2. But if we should not onely as we must â—teeme Priests inferiours to Bishops but which we may not nor cannot eâ—eÌ„ to themâ—lues and make them but Deacons yet â—oth diuine and best human authoritie asâ—reth vs that by that calling they are to be â—onoured and not dishonorably persecuâ—d The holy Scripture honoureth theÌ„ with â— much true consecration as our Protestants â—estowe vpon their pretended Bishops publike and solemne prayer and imposition of the Apostles the chiefest Bishops hands Orantes imposuerunt eis manus Praying they imposed Act. â— hands vpon them And declareth them Virâ—â— boni testimonij plenos spiritu sancto Men of good testimonie full of the holy Ghost The Apostolike Fathers commaund all laie persons to bâ— subiect vnto and reuerence them Saint Ignatius 〈◊〉 Epist ad Smyrnensis Epist. ad â—phesios saieth Diaconos reuereamini vt ex Dei praecepto ministrantes Honour yea the Deacons as ministrinâ— by the precept of God And Enitimini charissimi subiecti esse Episcopo Presbyteris Diaconis Qâ— enim his obedit ob die Christo My dearest doe yoâ— best to be subiect to the Bishop and Priests and Deacons for he that obeyeth these obeyeth Christ Anâ— other where Oporter Diaconis mysterioruÌ„ Chrâ—sti â—pist ad Tâ—allian ministris per omnia placere Sunt Ecclesiae Dei admâ—nistratores Ipsi itaque tales sunt vos reueremiâ— illos vt Christum Iesum cuius vicarij sunt Quâ— Diaconi quam Imitatores angelicarum virtuâ—um qâ—â— puâ—um inâ—ulpatum ministerium illi Episcopo exhibent vt Sanctus Stephanus Beato Iacobo Tâ— motheus Linus Paulo Anacletus Clemens Pâ—tro Qui igitur his non obedit sine Deo prorsus â—â—mpurus est Christian contemnit constitutionâ—â— eius imâ—inuit And it is expedient to please Deacon the ministers of the mysteries of Christ in all things They are the Administratours of the Church of Goâ— And tâ—ey are such and you should reuereÌ„ce theÌ„ as Iesâ— Christ whose Vicars they are What are Deacons bâ— the followers of Angelicall vertues who presenteth tâ—â—â—e Bishop a pure and perfect mysterie as S. Secuâ— did to Saint Iames Timothie and Linus to Paule Anacletus and Clement to Peter whosoeuer therfore obeyeth not these is altogether without God and impure and doth contemne Christ and doth distroy his Constitution Saint Polycarp saieth subiecti estote S. Policaâ— epist. ad Philip. Presbyteris Diaconis sicut Deo Câ—risto Be yea subiect vnto the Priests and Deacons as to God and Christ Our Protestants themselues in their publike booke named The forme and manner of making and consecrating Bishops Priests and Deaâ—ons Saie that from the Apostles time they haue â—ene in Christs Church euermore had in reuerent estimation Therefore if the Deacons and Ministers to Priests in the holy Sacrifice of Masse their highest dignitie are thus by all testimonies to be reuerenced honoured and obeyed then the sacred Sacrificing Priests to whom they thus minister and serue may not be dishonoured much lesse persecuted with most barbarous and vnchristian contumeâ—ies disgraces and deaths for that their so eminent Order and dignitie 3. The holy Sripturs testifie that in their Consecration they receiue grace the holy Ghost power to bind and loose to retaine â—nd forgiue sinnes to offer Sacrifice to God â—nd to doe what Christ himselfe did in that â—ind So the holy Fathers expound these Scripturs and teach from thâ—m and our most â—untient renowned British writer thus affirmeth Gâ—laâ—◠〈◊〉 â—xâ—id câ—xq 〈◊〉 Omni sancto Sacerdoti promittitur Quaecunque â—oluer is super terram â—runt soluta in â—oelis quaecunque liganeris super terram erunt ligata in câ—â—â— Verò Sacerdoti dicitur tu â—s Petrus super hane 〈…〉 16 petram aedisicaho Ecclesiam meam It iâ— promised to euery holy Priest Whatsoeuer thou â—haâ—t loose in earth it shall be loosed also in the heauens and whatsoeuer thou shalt binde vpon earth it shall he bound also in the heauens To a true Priest it is saied thou art Peter and vpon this Rocke I will build my Church The Scripture saith to and concerning such pascite qui in vobis est gregem Dei Feede the flocke of God 〈…〉 â— which is among you Qui benè praesunt Praesbyteri displici honore digni habeantur maximè qui laborant iâ— verâ—o doctrinà The Priests that rule well let them be esteemed worthie of double honour especially they that labour in the word and doctrine The Apostles Successours giue them as much Presbyteriâ— Saieth Saint Câ—ement si assiduè in studio docendiâ— verbum Dei laborauerint seponatur dupla etiam Clem. Const Apost lib. 2. c. â— periâ—o in gratiam Apostolorum Christi quorum locum tenent â—â—nquam Consilarij Episcopi Ecclesiae coronâ—â—unt enim Cousilia Senatus Ecclesiae Si de parentiâ—us secundum carnem ait diuina Scriptura Honorâ— patrem matrem vt benè tibi sit Eâ— qui malediciâ— c. 35. patriaut matri morte mortatur quanto magis de patribus spiritualibus verbis Dei moneamur honore charitate eos prosequi vt beneficos ad DeuÌ„ Legatos â— 3â— Quanto anima corpore praestanâ—â—or est tanto est Sacerâ—â—tium regno excellentius Let there be a double portiâ— reserued for the Priests in honour of the Apostles of Christ which shall haue labored in teaching of the word of God diligently Whose places they enioye as Counsellours of the Bishop and the Crownâ— of the Church They are the Councell and Senat of the Church If the holy Scripture saieth of carnall parents honour thy father and thy mother that it may be well with thee And whosoeuer doth curse his father or his mother shall die how much more shall we be admonished by the words of God of our Spirituall fathers to respect â—hem with honour and charitie as beneficiall to vs and Legates to God How much more noble the soule is then the bodie so much more excellent is Priesthood before a Kingdome And Saint Ignatius addeth Ignatius epist. ad Smyâ—â—â— Sacerdotium est omnium bonorum quae in hominibus sunt apex qui aduersus illud furit non hominem ignâ—miniâ afficit sed Deum Christum Iesum
and best estate Wherfore as â—he Bishop oâ— Chalcedon and Catholiks oâ— England may not depart from the Church of Rome in this question So it will be a great wonder if King Charles and his Councell should thus persecute that which to them and all should be so honourable They may not persecute him for his Episcopall Order for that likewise is prooued the most glorious calling in the Church of Christ All English Parlamentarie Protestants confesse the Bishop of Chalchedon and all consâ—crated as he was by the Roman Order containing all and more then they vse and by most true and lawfull Consecratours to be an vndoubted true and lawfull Bishop And so it must needs be for whether we will follow the present Roman Order euer vsed here since Saint Augustins time before their new deuised forme of so called Consecration made by King Edward the Sixth a child and altered by his Sister Elizabeth Queene a woman or that which the Britans Scots and Irish vsed long before â—t is out of question by all that the Bishop of Chalcedon and euery one such is a true and most vndoubted lawfull Bishop hauing by due and true Consecratours whatsoeuer is contained or prescribed to be done in either of both which the new Protestant forme if they had true Consecâ—atours cometh short and wanteth euen in things essentiall both by all others and their owne iudgment and practise 18. The present Roman Order hath more though Ceremoniall then that of our BritaÌ„s Scots and Irish therefore I exemplifie onely in this and the rather to giue Satisfaction to our Protestants so extolling them for their Apostolik Religion neuer changed or altered as they saie Before S. Kentegern was consecrated Bishop all most 1200. yeares since this was their old vse and maÌ„ner herein as Saint Asaph his Scholler a Bishop and others prooue Mos in Britannia inoleuerat in Consecratione Pontificum tantummodo capita corum sacri Cbrismatis infusione perungere cum inuocatione Sancti Spiritus benedictione manus impositione It was an auntient custome among the Britans that in the Consecration of Bishops they onely annoynted them on their heads with holy Chrisme inuocation of the Holy Ghost Benediction and imposiâ—ion of â—ands This was done by consecrating Bisâ—ops And this was Mos Britonum Scotorum â— Hibernia The Custome of the Britans Scots and in â—eland In those times when Canons of Counâ—ells were not made of this matter or not â—nowne here by reason of great troubles in â—ese parts as our Antiquaries write and yet â—ey were excused as hauing true and essenâ—ally needfull Consecration Insulam enim quasi â—ira orbem positi emergentibus Paganorum infestaâ—onibus Canonum erantignari Ecclesiastica ideo Cenâ—ra ipsis condiscendens excusationem illorum admit tit â—haâ—â—arte Foâ— the inhabitants of the Iland being as were placed out of the world were ignorant of the anons by reason of the Continuall inuasions of the Paâ—ans and therfore the Ecclesiasticall Censure yelding â—nto them in this parte admâ—â—ted their excusation But â—ur Protestants cannot be excused being not â—gnorant but CoÌ„temners of the Canons and â—ot this onely but omitting that which by â—he custome of the Britans Scots and Irish â—he old Roman Order in that time as Alâ—uinus Amalarius and others 800. yeares â—nce terme it in their dayes was vsed then and is now all of them deliuering that â—oly vnction by true Bishops to be necessaâ—ie and essentiall euer naming the man to be â—onsecrated Bishop Bishop elect onely vntill Dienyâ—â—us Aâ—eop l. de Ecclâ—siaâ—t Hâ—erarchia â—hat vnctioÌ„ be ended and then Bishop coÌ„secrated â—piscopus consecratus Our Protestants tâ—eÌ„selues â—ublickly haue written ad warranted that â—aint Denys the Areopagite Vnctionem ponit expressè Doth expresely put vnction Anacletâ— wrote Bishopâ— are to be made by imposition of hanâ— Anacletus Epist 2. §. â— of Bishops and â—oly â—uction by the exampse of the Apostles because all saâ—ctification consisteth in the hoâ— ghoste whose muâ—â—â—ble power is mixed with hoâ— Chrisme and by this Râ—â—e sâ—lemne ordination is to â— celebrated Oâ—â— Protestants a â—o confesâ—e thâ— the holy Fathers both of the Greeke and Lâ—tine Church were thus coâ—ecrated Of Sainâ— Basile Vnâ—â—ionâ— sâ—câ—a adhâ—bâ—ta est â—â—dinatus He wâ— ordained by applying holy â—nnointing Of S. Gâ—â—gorie Nazianzen Me â—ontifiâ—em vngis So of â— Iohn Chrysostome and Saint Seuerus So â— Augustine Viâ—arius Christi Pontifex efficitur iâ— in capite vngitur imitaÌ„do illuÌ„ qui caput est toâ—iuâ— Ecclâ—siae per vnctionis gratiâ— sit ipse caput Ecclâ—siae sibi â—missae The Vicare of Christ is made Bishop aÌ„d therfâ— he is annointed on the head in imitatioÌ„ of him who the head of the whole Church and he by the grace the â—nnointing is made the head of the Chuâ—â— committed vnto him So Saint Gregorie Qui S. Gregor mag in c. 10. l. 1. Regum culmine ponitur Sacramenta susâ—ipit vnctionis quâ— ve ò ipsa vnctio Sacramentum est is qui prâ—mouâ—â—â— benè soris vngiâ—ur sâ—â—ntus virtute Saâ—raâ—eÌ„â—â— robâ—reâ—â— He that is pâ—aâ—ed in the top taâ—eth the Sacraments â— annointing bâ—causâ— the annointing it selfe is a Sacramâ— he that is to be promoted is to be â—nnointed well wiâ—l â—â— if he would be strâ—ngâ—hned within with the â—eâ—tue â— the Sacrament Anâ—â—â— this Tâ—â—e he adiudge the Epiâ—copaâ—l câ—nâ—â—â—â—ation of the Britanâ— Scots aâ—d Iâ—iâ—h â—â— be essentially valiâ—e S Saint Bede Amalâ—â—â—â—s S. Iuo Stephant Eduensis and other auntient writers and Expositours of holy mysteries 19. Concerning the Ceremonie of the Booke of Gospels laied vpon the Consecrated though Alcuinus saieth Non reperitur in Alcuinus lâ—b d◠〈…〉 c. â—â— â—uthoritate veteri neque nouâ sed neque in Romanâ â—raditione It is not found in authoritie either auncient â—â— newe yea not in the Roman tradition And Amaâ—arius Neque vetuâ— authoritas intimat neque Apostolica traditio neque Canoniâ—a authoritas Neither auncient authoritie neither Aposteliâ—all tradition nor Canonicall authoritie doth intimate â—ny such thing Yet we find this Ceremâ—nie to â—aue bene obserued in the time of S. Denis for â—n his booke of the Ecclesiasticall Hieraâ—chie â—e hath these words Pontifex quidem qui ad perfeâ—ionem Dionisiu◠〈…〉 virtutemque pontifice dignam euâ—â—iâ—ur vtâ—oâ—e genu flexo ante altare supra caput habet libros à to traditos manumque pontifiâ—is The Bishop indeede â—hich is eleuated to worthy perfection and vertue of a â—iâ—hop kneling on both knees before the Altar hath â—on his head the bookes giuen from God and the hand â— the Bishop Which Ceremonie is also vsed â—ily in the Catholike Church as is to be â—ene in the Rubâ—iks of the Roman Pontifiâ—ll for after the ring is put on the finger of â—e newe Consecrated Bishop this direction â—â—ntificale â—omanum de Consâ—cratione Elâ—cti â—n Episcâ—â—â—â— giuen Tum Consecrator accipit librum Euangelioâ—â— de spatulis Consecrati Then the Consecratour taâ—h the booke of the
cernereÌ„t VVhat honour our Emperâ—â— Constantine the great Saint Helena and oâ— other Britans then vsed to such signes â— man can be ignorant off nor of the deuotiâ— of S. Patrick vnto them He neuer passed â— â—he Crosse but he praied there and signed himselfe 100. times in the day and night with that holy signe King Conual euer had it Hector Boet. Scot Histor. l. 9. Holinsh. Hist. Scoâ—â— Buchan l. 5. c. 47. Gul. mal Henr. hunting Bed de locis sanctis cap. 5. Hect. Boet. l. 10. Hist. Scotor Holinsh Hist. Scot. pag. 134. c. of lawes Girald Cambren de script Camb. c. 18. Io. Damascen Orat. 2. de dormitione Deiparae Bonifac. Papa Epist Th. Wal-Singham in Edouardo 1. â—orne before him King Arthur vsed the Image of the blessed Virgin with great reueâ—ence Our Britans went long Pilgrimages â—ea euen to Hierusalem there to reuerence â—he holy Relicks and the cloath supposed to â—e made by â—he blessed Virgin containing â—he Images of Christ and his 12. Apostles Saint â—â—de and others more auntient so relating This was here so pubâ—ike that it was thus by â—awe decreed Aras â—empla Diuorum statuas Oâ—atoria Sacâ—lla Saâ—â—â—dotes omnesque sacrae familiae â—iros ex animo venerantor Lett all the Altars â—hurcheâ— statues of Saints Oratories Chapells Priests â—nd all men appertaâ—ning to the Church be reuerenced â—om the heart 10. Concerning holy Relicks the learned â—ritish Bâ—shop saieth of his CouÌ„trie old Chriâ—ian Britans that they gaue more reuerence â—nto such then any other Nation Sanctorum â—eliquijs longè â—agis quam vlâ—â—m gentem honoreÌ„ deâ—rre videmuâ—â—â— Iosâ—ph of â—rimathae a brought â—oly Relicks with him hâ—â—â—er and vsed them â—ith reuerence during thâ—ir liues and Saint â—oseph being presenâ— witâ— the Apostles at the â—eath of the blessed Vâ—â—gin worshipping her â—cred bodie as Saint Iohn Damascen witnesâ—th by so great warrant vsed and left such â—euerence here The holy Relicks of S. Peter â— Saint Bonifacius writeth were occasion or motiue of the Scots Conuersion All our Histories are full how in all PersecutioÌ„s by Pagans one of the greatest cares of our Christian Britans was to preserue their holy Relicks Churches were founded and dedicated to our Martyrs in all places and their Relicks were there preserued with great veneration Our greatest Apostolike men as Saint Germanus and his holy companie went on Pilgrimage vnto them No noble person in the world shewed more reuerence vnto such then our most noble couÌ„trie womâ— Empresse and Queene S. Helena by all Antiquities Veremund Hect. Boet. Scot. hist The reuerence which was giuen to the Relicks of Saint Andrew the Apostle in the yeare 360. which were brought from Patras in Achaia by King Heiâ—gustus his Nobles and others with geneflexions or more and greatest reuerences doe not giue place to any now vsed by Catholikes It was a thinge vsuall in those daies for our Christian Britans to goe on Pilgrimage to Rome and Hierusalem to render such reuereâ—â—â— there Saint Dauid S. Paternus S. Teliaâ—us and others our most renowned ad learned did so All places in Britanie where such Relicks were preserued as Glastenburie 〈…〉 London CaerlegioÌ„ winchester and others were thus frequented and visited 11. For Inuocation of Saints it was the Religion of our Britans from their first faith in Christ Saint Ioseph and his companie praieâ— vnto the blessed Virgin and by her were coÌ„forted Antiquiâ—â— glaston tabulis fix Gultel malm l. Antiquit. Coenâ—b glaston Io. Capgrau in Iosepho with her help in all their needs Virgiâ—is Dei genetricis auxilio in necessitatibus suis refocilâ—â—bantur Saint Phaganus and Damianus builâ—ed a Chapell by Glastenburie in honour of Saint Michael the ArchaÌ„gell to be honoured â—here Oratorium aedificauerunt in honore S. Mihaclis Archangeli quatenus ibi ab hominibus habeâ—â— honorem qui homines in perpetues honores iubente â—eo est introducturus They builded an Oratorie in â—onour of S. Michaell the Archangell to the end he â—ight there be honoured by men who by God his apâ—intment is to lead men vnto perpetuall hoâ—ours So in our first generall Conuersion all Churches were founded vnto God and his Antiquit Anonym Britan. Scripror in vit S. Amphibali Iacob Gennuen Io. Capgrau in eod Matth. Westm an 520. Holinsh. Engl hist pag. 103. Gildas l. de exciâ— Conq. Brit. c. 2â— â—aints Vni Deo eiusque Sanctis Saint Amphibaâ—s that conucrted S. Alban after his martyrâ—ome goeing himselfe to be martyred prated â—to him and his praier was heard and miâ—culously proued to be holy good and â—aunted The examples of our Emperour â—d Empresse Constantine and Saint Helena â—e very many and honourable in this kinde â—ith auntient approued writers S. German â—ur Apostle praied to our Saints here and asâ—ribed great effects vnto it So King Arthur â—o speake in Protestants words He commitâ—d himselfe and his whole armie to the Tuition of â—rist and his Mother the Virgin In the publick â—asse they vsed there was publicke memorie â—d Inuocation of all Saints And in their puâ—icke Oathes as S. Gildas witnesseth they solemnly called the blessed Virgin and all Saints to witnesse So the kings themselues at their Inthroning 12. Their Article intituled Of ministring in the Congregation and whatsoeuer concerning Bishops Priests and Clergie men shall be handled hereafter in the particular defence and honour beloÌ„ging to Bishops and Priests where our Auntient Britans shall with others be made Iudges and Condemners of Protestants and witnesses for Catholiks in this question in the meane time I haue said sufficiently before 13. Their Article superscribed Of speaking in the Congregation in such a tongue as the people vnderstand not Which was made against the publike Sacrifice and Seruice of the Church iâ— the latine tongue is plainely condemned by our Christian Britans their Apostle Bishopâ— and Priests from the beginning of their Conuerssion For neither â—aint Ioseph nor anâ— of his companie nor Saint Damianus Phaganus Germanus Lupus Seuerus PalIadius our Apostles or any such other noâ— Britans did vnderstand the British languagâ— to vse it themselues or translate the publicâ— seruice into it for the vse of others Yet alâ— doe and must needs confesse such publicâ— ProtestaÌ„t in Franc. Godwin coâ—uers of Brit. cap. 3. pag. 36. meÌ„ vsed publick Church seruice which muâ— needs be that of the latine Church the latiâ— seruice therof Our Protestants themseluâ— acknowledge they were vttery ignorant of tâ— British language and that they preached by Interpreters And as it was proued and iustified by the renowned Abbot D. Fecknam publickly in the first Parlament of Queene Elizabeth The auntient Historiographer D. Gildas witnesseth in the Prologue and begâ—nning of his booke of the Britan histories that Damianus and Fugatius Phaganus sent hither from Pope Elutherius brought hither thâ— seruice Church bookes of their Religion in the latine tongue And though the Protestants haue suppressed this historie or Prologue thereof yet they graunt vnto vs that Gildas citeth diuers passages
Gospells from the shoulders of the â—nsecrated But this maketh not much to the â—rpose it being onely as I haue saied a Ceremonie and not essentiall to the Consecration of a Bishop and that true and vndouted Bishops were made before the Gospells were written Otherwise the wholâ— Church then euer after and now and eueâ— had wanted it and had no Ecclesiastical Order at all Which is the lamentable and desperate condition of such as persecute a truâ— Bishop and Priest for their Order and power thereby confessing their want both of thaâ— which is essentiall in this high office as alsâ— consecratours to performe it consecrat truâ— Priests or confer any Ecclesiasticall Ordeâ— or degree at all not the meanest in that kinâ— to any person 20. All Authors agree euen Protestants iâ— their Catalogues of British and English Biâ—hops that we had continuall succession oâ— such here in great numbers vntill Queen Elizabeth by her supreamacie depriued anâ— deposed them And to keepe it farre from thâ—â—â—me of an Innouation to haue one such Bishop Successour to so many if we haue thaâ— libertie in time of Persecution when Bishop are driuen from their Sees vsuall in histories to remember and honour them in Exiâ— and Persecution we haue still kept a Succesion of Bishops in or of this nation Of thoâ—â— which were depriued of their Bishop pricke we haue Richard Pates Bishop of worcheste who subscribed to the Councell of Trent hâ— being there present by this Title Richardâ— Patus wigornieÌ„sis Episcopus Thomas Goldwell Bishop Godw. Catal. of Bish. in Worcest in Ric. Pates in S. Asaph in Thom. Goldwell of Asaph liued at Rome 20. yeares after that deposing Thomas watson Bishop of Lincolne was committed to prison in the I le of Elie and died about the yeare 1584. Thus the Protestants themselues deliuer and moreouer they deliuer much praise and commendatioÌ„s of theÌ„ and all others our renowned Bishops 14. or more in number who were deposed and persecuted by Queene Elizabeth yea far more and greater theÌ„ they doe of those which were intruded into their places Before or soone after the death of Bishop Waâ—son of Lincolne Owen Lew is of this our Nation was consecrated Bishop of Cassan in whose life-time our most Illustrious Cardinall William Allan was honoured with that dignitie and consecrated Archbishop of Maâ—kâ—en who liued with these honours vntill the 16. day of October in the yeare of Christ 1594. â—n his time William Gifford was by Pope Clement the eight made Deane Ecclesiae Diui Petri Insulensis Of Saint Peters Church at Lile And afterward he was ordained Archbishop of Rhemes in Champaine in France where he lately liued And whilst he liued Archbishop both VVilliam of Chalcedon and Richard also who is now so persecuted were by highest Papall authoritie coÌ„secrated ad sent into England And what man of ordinarie knowledge Iudgement or vnderstanding will aduenture to saie but all these were renowned men as also diuerse of our renowned Priests most worthie of Episcopall honour aÌ„d dignitie in equall times honourably stiled and registred for all posteritie not onely as great glories of their CouÌ„trie England but the whole Church of Christ Therefore to haue one of such worthie men a Bishop in his natiue Countrie bearing for auoyding offence his Title of a place so farre hence which froÌ„ the first Conuersion thereof to Christ had 3. Archbishops aÌ„d many Bishops aboue 1400. yeares past should not in the new English Religion teaching the Church of God neuer wanted Bishops and acknowledging both him and all Catholikely consecrated Bishops and Priests to be true and lawfull Bishops and Priests vndoubtedly by right ordination be offensiue but desired such Order Function and dignitie being by their publike testimonies most needefull excelleÌ„t and honourable with all true Professours of Christian Religion 21. Thus we see a Succession of English Bishops though not all in England but in other CouÌ„tries some of them consecrated and remaining a thing not vnusuall in times of Persecution and bannishment of Bishops as in the great lights in their time of Gods Church S. Hilarius S. Athanasius S. Chrysostome and others loÌ„g time exiled yet thereby did not interrupt a continuall Succession in their Sees What least exception then can be taken against our renowned Bishop of Chalcedon for Order and degree so honourable and eminent by all testimonies for his owne worthines and worthily therefore to be had in high reuerence euen with his Persecutours he bringeth able witnesses with him his knowne loue aÌ„d honour to our king Queene and CouÌ„trie his owne holy life and conuersation his learned works and writings with all at home and abroad he hath euer piously and gratefully conuersed and with honour defended and iustified himselfe against Maleâ—olants Among all English Catholickâ— oâ— Protestants few are to be found which haue more defeÌ„ded the honour of our Soueraigne â—one more acceptable to his Maiesties frieds â—nd Allyes in marriage no maÌ„ among so maâ—y renowned Priests of England worthie of â—reatest honour in equall times adiudged so â—t to supply such place by that highest Paâ—or which hath shewed great care and loue four king Queene and hoped Posteritie â—nd Countrie And since Persecution and â—roclamation against him what could such a â—an in Persecution doe more then he hath â—one in decreeing and Ordering that all â—riests and Catholiks should daily with deâ—otion praie for our king Queene State and Countrie And both since the comming in of â—im and VVilliam of Chalcedon of happie â—emorie his Predecessour as likewise before â—e Catholiks of England haue bene and now â—e knowne to be the most loyall dutifull and liuing Subiects in our dearest Countrie of England THE VI. CHAPTER That our English Priests who teach alâ— things with the Apostolicall Religioâ— are truely coÌ„secrated worthie men anâ— are to be honoured and not persecuted 1. Hauing redeemed Episcopall Ordâ—â— and dignitie conferred by the Sâ— of Rome from all Imputation of wickâ— obloquies and made it knowne to be so higâ— and honourable we might spare all furthâ— labour for exemption and defence of Prieâ—â—lie Function seeing euery Bishop of neceâ—sitie must be a Priest and whatsoeuer of thâ— calling is noble and glorious in a Bishop must needs be such in Priests Episcopal hâ—nour and consecration addeth an higher aâ— greater worthinesse to him that was beforâ— Priest but cannot take away or diminish aâ— excellencie or renowne he had before Tâ— Protestants of Scotland doe confesse whiâ—â— all knowe that after Catholike ReligioÌ„ wâ— ouerthrowne there they had not any preteâ—ded Bishops before King Iames accordiâ—â— to his manner of making such gaue suâ— Titles to them And their Knoxe Buchanan Forbs Bale and others both of England â—nd Scotland are not ashamed to saie that â—efore the sending of Saint Palladius thither â—y Saint Celestine Pope about the yeare 430. â—lonckes who were onely Priests supplied â—he place of that dignitie with that People â—ut malice to Episcopall worthinesse and â—ower their owne
in such or any like affaires â—â— Priestlie office and function in that holy â—â—d vnspotted time of ReligioÌ„ by all coÌ„sents And the chiefest Protestants euen Matthew Parker their first new fashioned Archbishop of Canterburie with others both acknowledge that Saint Peter and Saint Iames said Masse and that the Order of Sacrifice or Masse Missa siâ— dictâ continued from Christs Institution thereof â—n the Primatiue Church aboue two hundreds of yeares vnto Pope â—epherine his time and then â—e alâ—ered iâ— to a more excellent matter and forme A Christi â—rimo iâ—sâ—ituto ducentis amplius annis in primitiâ—â— Ecclesia durauit done eam Zâ—pherinus 16. Romanus Pontisâ—x quorundans suasionibus ad pulchriorem materiam formaÌ„que mutare voluit This Pope S. Zepherine was after Pope Eleutherius and Pope Victor by whose meanes and holy saâ—rificing Bishops and Priests sent hither by there authoritie this Kingdome of Britanie wholy and generally was conuerted And these Persecutours of holy Masse and Priesthood consesse that the very same Masse and celebration thereof which Christ instituted and hiâ— higâ—e Priests and Apostles vsed was still pracâ—â—â—ed without chang and alteration And the â—hang aÌ„d mutation then in the â—â—â—e of Saint Zepherine made was for the more perâ—ectioÌ„ thereof For comming to set downe what this changing was they finde it to be no other but that he decreâ—d Christ blood should not be consecrated in Chalices made of wood but better matter Christi sanâ—uinâ—â— ConsecrationeÌ„ in vitreo Calice non ligneo vt antea sinâ— debere flatuit He decreed that the Consecration of the blood of Christ ought to be done in a Chalice of glasse not of woode as it was done before And aâ—ter Vibanâ— the first of that name immediate except Calixtus Succesâ—or to the same Saint Zâ—pherinus by these Protestanâ—s them 〈◊〉 thus declared and ordained that 〈◊〉 should be of Gold or siluer 〈…〉 in poâ—ter Churches Nè vasa 〈…〉 auâ— auâ—ea â—ut argeÌ„ ea aut stannea in 〈…〉 gem dixit We are assured bâ—th by 〈◊〉 all and particular Testimonies that 〈…〉 Priests came hither and that the 〈◊〉 Church serâ—ice was Maâ—â—e and â—o the Laâ—ine tongue So had our old 〈…〉 by Protestants suppressed in the 〈◊〉 of his booke as Abbo◠〈…〉 in publiâ—â— Parliament in the first yeare of Queene Elizabeth Saint 〈…〉 Protestants so also consessing witenâ—sseth that â—â—r â—â—itans in this their CoÌ„uersion had 〈◊〉 Aâ—â—ars for Masse in their Churches aâ—d suâ—â—â—â—â—ests 8. The Protestanes also propose vnto vs an Author so Reuâ—rend and auâ—â—â—nt in this our Britanie that â—n the yeare of Christ 366. his Homâ—â—ies or Sermons were vsually and publickly reade in thâ— Churches here whereâ—n is most manifestly and particularly proâ—ed that the publick seruice was the same Masse which is now vsed the Priests suâ—â— Priests and Christ really present â—â—â—ereâ— worshiped and praied vnto there as by the same antiquiâ—ie is â—uident in these words thereof In the old lawe faithfull men offered to God diuers Sacrifices that had foresignification of Christs bodie which for our sinnes he himselfe to his heauenly Father hath since offered to Sacrifice Certainely this Housell which we doe now hallow at Gods Altar is a remembrance of Christs bodie which he offâ—red for vs and of his blood which he shed for vs So â—e himselfe commaundeâ—â— doe this in my remembrance Once suffered Christ by himselfe but yet neuerthelesse his suffâ—ring is dayly renewed at this Supper through mysterie of the holy Housâ—ll In that holy Housell 〈◊〉 â— one thing in it seene and an other vnderstoode That which is there seene hath bodilie shape and that we doe there vndeâ—â—stand hath ghostly might The Houseâ— is dealed into sondrie parts â—hewed betweene teach and sent into the bodlie Howbeit neuerthelesse afteâ— ghostlie might it is all in euery part Many receiue thaâ— holy bodie and yet notwithstanding it is so all in euery part after ghostlie mysterie That innocent lambe which the old Israelits did then kill had signification after ghostlie vnderstanding of Christs suffering who vnguiltie shed his blood for our redemption Hereof 〈◊〉 Gods seruants at euery Masse Agnus Deâ— qui â—ollis 〈◊〉 mundi Miserere nobis Where we finde a mosâ— plaine and generall concordance between the old Primatiue Christian Britans and thâ— Priests of the Roman Church at this time â—â— this holy sacrificing Massing Priesthood and Masse by this most auntient and venerable authoritie euen as it pleaseth Protestantâ— to publish and translate it For wereas they 〈◊〉 that Aelfricus in the yeare of Christ 〈◊〉 translated this Authour out of latine into the Saxon language it is a thing most certaine and vnquestionable with all men that know antiquities that these words which I haue cited from these Protestants be not the SaxoÌ„ and old English speach in that time 9. Our old Cildas also as the Protestants propose and recommeÌ„d him vnto vs teaching as they also hold that our Christian Britans neuer changed or forsoâ—ke the Apostolâ—ke Christian Religion which they receiued from Rome by Massing Priests and Prelatsâ— their Priests from the beginning saied Massâ— and offered sacrifice on holy Altars and their Altars were the seate of the 〈◊〉 sacrifice Sacramundo corde â—reque consiciâ—â—â— Sacrificâ—â—â—es inter altaria staâ—tes Sacrificium â—â—â—erences alâ—aâ—â— adsistunt sacra altaria Sacresanâ—ta 〈…〉 coelâ—stis sedes And their Priests thâ—n were consecrated to such holy function as now they are Benedictione initiantur Sacerdoâ—um manâ—â— Theâ—â—â—ands were consecrated and they which did daily offer the holy and heaueÌ„ly sacrifice of Christâ— blessed bodie and blood at and vpon the sacred Altars consecrating it by conseâ—rating words Mundo ore conâ—leiunt must needes haue such Priestlie power giuen vnto them in their Consecration not hauing any such before to consecrate and offer Christs most Sacred bodie and blood in the holy Masse as is contained in the most old and auntient orders of Consecration in those times and these wordâ— of Bishops consecrating Priests first praying for them that are to be ordered Priests â—â—runâ— atque unmaâ—uâ—â—uÌ„ mâ—nisterij tuâ— donum custodiant Poâ—â—â—le Romanum in consecratione Presbyterorum per obsequium pleâ—â—s tuae panem vinum in corpuâ— sanguinem Filij tâ—â—immaculatâ benâ—dictione transforment That they may obserue the pure and immaâ—â—lâ— guift of thy mysterie and tâ—rough the obedience of thy people they may transforme bread and wine by the â—â— maculat benediction into the bodie and blood of thy sonne VVhich prayer being ended the consecrating Bishop this proceedeth Expletâ auteâ— oratione accâ—pâ—â—ns oleum sanâ—â—um faâ—â—at crucem suâ—â— ambas manus eorum dicensâ— Consecrare sanctifiâ—â—re digneris Domine manâ—â— istas per istam vnctionem nostram benedictionem vt quecumque consecrauerint consecrentur quâ—cunque benedixerint benedicantur sanctificontur in nomine Domini Iesu Christi Hoc â—acto acciâ—â— patenam cum oblaâ—â— Calicem cum vino deâ—â—â— dicens Accipite potestatem offerre Sacrificium Deo
oblation anâ— Sacrifice it offereth vnto God omnipotent the highest king and king of kings of heaâ— and the vniuersall created for the liuing anâ— deceased is most certainely and without a doubt or question so great and glorious â—â— dare not least we should be Traitours â—â— God harken vnto theÌ„ but lament their dolefull estate who declare and persecute it as a traiterous estate to Princes on earth which â—hould subiect their wills and lawes to the will and lawe of God reuerence and honour and not so vâ—ly vse his dearest seruants for as Iùstin Dial. cuâ—â—riphon Saint Iustine with all others affirme Neque à quoquam Deus hostiaes accipit nisi à suis Sacerdotibus God accepteth Sacrifices of none except of his Priests oÌ„ potestas saith Saint Ephrem inâ—ffaeâ—ilis quae Ephrem de Sacerdot in nobis dignâ—â—ae est habitare per impositionem manuuÌ„ SacroruÌ„ Sacerdotum ô quam magnam in se continet profunditatem formidabile admiâ—aâ—ile SaecerdotiuÌ„ O inessabile power which vouchsafest to dwell in vs by the imposition of the hands of the holy Priests O what great profunditie doth the dreadfull anâ— admirable Priesthoode containe Sacerdotium saith Saint Chrysost hom 5. de verb. Isaiae vidâ— Dom. Engl. Protest Pref. booke of consâ—cr apud Goâ—ell Defens of Hook pag. 87. 88. 89. Exam. pag. 1â—5 Deâ—ens â—upr pag. â—16 117. 276. Chrysostome principatus est ipso etiam regno venerabilius ac maius Priesthood is a principalitie greater and worthier then a Kinâ—ome it selfe Protestats before by publike regall and all power they contend to haue declared that these Priests were euer in Christes Church and were euermore had in reuerent estimation To which they adde of Priesthood with like allowance It is a power which no Prince or Potentate King or Cesar on earth can giue By blessing visible elements it maketh them inuisible grace It hath to dispose of that â—â—esh which was giuen for the life of the world and that blood which was powred out to redeeme fâ—â—â—es To these Persons God imparteth power ouer his mysticall bodie which is the societie of soules and ouer that naturall which is himselfe a worke which antiquitie calleth the making of Christs bodie 15. And this wiâ—l be sufficient to excuse sacred Sacrificing Priests peâ—secuted for iustice and laâ—e the guilt and offence vpon their vniust Accusers and Persecutours For besides this most honourable sacrificing office and ministring to the sicke in daunger to die the Sacrament of Extâ—â—me vnction deliuered in holy Scripture and euer vsed â—n the Church of Christ and Protestants neuer question it aâ— a matter of State there is nothing in Priestly Oâ—der but these men in some sense or other would haue vsed by therâ— Ministers who vse preaching baptizing marriage euen of themselues forgiuing of sinnes in personall absolution euen without any penance at all â—â—ther by them enioyâ—ed or their Conâ—itents performed or vsed VVhich power they 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 and â—â—â—secrating 〈◊〉 â—riâ—sts aÌ„d Deaâ—ons i◠〈◊〉 Priestâ— â—laime aâ— giuâ—n vnto them by their Protestat Bishops in their admiâ—â—ance to their ministrie in these his words Receiue the holy Ghost whose sâ—nnes thou dost forgiue they are forgiuen and whose sinnâ—â— thou dost retaiâ—e they are retained Take thou autâ—oritie to preach the word of God and to ministeâ— the â—oly Sacraments in this Congregation where thou â—halt be so appointed And they aâ— confidenâ—ly vâ—e it with this further publike warrant and direâ—tion Proâ—eâ—â— comâ—un 〈◊〉 Tâ—tul visit of the sicke in their Communion booke in this manner The sickâ— person shall make a speciall Conâ—â—ssion if he feele his conscience troubled with any weightie matter after which Confession the Priest shall absolue him after tâ—is sorte Our Lord Iesus Christ who hath lefâ— power in â—is Church to al solue all sâ—â—ners which truely repâ—nt and beleeue iâ— him of his great mercie forgiue thee thine offences and by his authoritie committed to me I absolâ—e thee from all thy sâ—nnes in the name of the Father and of the sonne and of the holy ghost Amâ—n All this is or should be vsed by Protestant Ministers by their most publike Regaâ—l ParlameÌ„tall and whatâ—oeuer authoâ—itie their Religion is set out and supported by So not onely permitting tollerating and allowing but directing and commaundâ—ng to be done and practised much more then any Priest presumeth or Pope licencetâ— oâ— euer licenced to be vsed or attempted yea more theâ— any Papall power can so warrant no penance enioyned how many or greuous soeuer the sinnes committed and confessed be no satisfaction or restâ—â—ntion once thought vpon how great and manifold soeuer the offences Iniuries damages and wrongs were Felonyes Rebellions Treasons and all things else how vile soeuer they be are quitted and freed both by ministeriall and legall allonance and are so iudged and ended as if they had beene not the least punishable offence 16. We must free Catholike Priests and all others of their Religion from such presumption practise consenting vnto or approuing sinne No absolution without penance and satisfaction with vs. And yet we with the Church of Christ and holy Fathers saie of holy Priesthood euen in this respect Nè mihi Chrysost Hom. 5. de verb. Isaiae vidi Dominum Ephrom l. de Sacâ—rdorio Gregor Nyssâ—n orat de Baptism orat â—n â—os â—ui alios acerb iâ—dicant Gild. l. de Exci Briâ—an Isichius in Leuiâ—â— l. 6. â— 12. Victor Vtâ—con de persec Vandâ—liâ—a â—â— narres purpuram neque Diadema neque vestes aureas vmbrae sunt isthac omnia vernisque floâ—â—ulis leuiora Nè inquam mihi narres ista sed si vis videre discrimen quantum absit Rex à Sacerdote expende modum potestatis vtrique traditae videbis Sacerdotem multo sublimius Rege sedentem Regiue thrâ—nus rerum terrenarum administrationem sortitus est nec vltra potestatem hanc praeterea quicquam habet authoritatis verùm Sacerdoti thronus in coelis collocatus est de coelestibuâ— negoâ—ijs pronuÌ„tiandi habet authoritatem Quis haec dâ—â—â— ipse coelorum Rex Quaecunque ligaueritis super terram â—runt ligata in coelis quaeâ—unque solueritis super terram erunt selâ—ta in coelis Deuâ— ipsum Regule caput Sacerdotis manibus subiecit nos erudiens quod hic Princeps est illo maior speake not to me of the purple or Diademâ— and gâ—â—lden robes all these are but shadowes and more vaine then spring fâ—owers Speake not to me of these things buâ— if thou wilâ— see the power giuen to them boâ—h thou shall see the Priest sitting much higher in â—igâ—itie theâ— the King The throne of a King is chosen for the administration of earthlie things neither hath he any other authoritie besides this but to a Prieste a throne is placed in heauen and he hath authoritie to iudge of heauenly businesse who saieth this The King of heauenâ— himselfe Whatsoeuer yee shall â—nd vpon earth shall be bound also
in the heauens and â—hatsoeuer yee shall loose on earth shal be loosed in â—e heauens God hath subiected to the hands of the â—riests the Regall head theaâ—hing vs that this Prince greater theÌ„ that The thronâ— power authoritie â—nd dignitie of Priests is aboue Regall this â—leth onely in things temporall the Priest â— heauenly The king of heauen hath giuen his power to his Priests and hath subiected â—e Regall head to thâ— hands of the Priests â—eclaring vnto vs that this is a greater Prince â—en he Neither hath he giueÌ„ such power vnto â—ngels or Archangels as to Priâ—sts Saâ—erdotibâ—â—â—â—um est vt potestatem habâ—ant quam Deus neque Chrysâ—st lib. 3. de Sacerdotio â—ngelis neque Archangelâ—s datam esse voluit Neque â—im ad illos dictum est Quaeâ—unque alligaueritis in â—rrâ erunt alligata in coelo Et quaecunque solueretiâ—â— terrâ erunt soluta in â—oelâ— It is giuen to Priests â—at they shall haue power which God would haue â—uen neither to Angells nor Arâ—hangeâ—â—s For it is not â—ed to them Whatsoeuer you â—hall bind vpon earth â—all be bound also in heauen and whatsoeuer you shall â—ose on earth shall be loosed in heauen The power â—f binding which is in Princes is onely ouer â—odies that of Priests ouer soules and extenâ—eth to heauen Habent terrestres Principes vinâ—li potestatem verum corpâ—rum solum Id autem quod Chrysoâ—â— ibideâ— â—â—o Sacordotum vinculum ipsam eâ—iam animam conâ—ngitatque ad coelos vsque peruadit Terreane Princes â—lso haue the power of fetters but of the bodie onely â—ut that which I saie the bonds of Priests toucheth the â—ule it selfe and passeth vnto the heauens This is the doctrine deliuered by Christ so expâ—â—nded both by the Grâ—â—ke and â—â—â—ine Church in Britaniâ— and all places with all persons all good Emperours Kinges and Princeâ— of England and which the whole Christian worlde haâ—e euer profâ—ssed and declared 17. And the world will witnesse euery where against persecuting England that the Cathâ—likâ— Pâ—iest and Clergie thereof be as leâ—â—ned â—â—ly religious and as saâ—â— fâ—â—m exception and eueâ— haue bene since they were persecuted â—â—mber for number as any â—â—â—giâ—â—â— all Châ—â—stian reâ—owned Naâ—ions And of all Engâ—â—â—h people they haâ—e most â—oâ—oâ—red â—nâ—â—east 〈…〉 offended their Pâ—inces or 〈…〉 Câ—â—â—crie Most of them be and 〈…〉 of noble or 〈◊〉 familiâ—â— and alâ—â—â—bred â—â— and discended that thâ—y haâ—e 〈◊〉 at home and abroad without 〈…〉 or huâ—e They 〈◊〉 left 〈…〉 places i◠〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Englâ—â—d 〈…〉 and all They 〈…〉 Bâ—shoprâ—cks 〈◊〉 or 〈…〉 but leaue 〈◊〉 to thâ—â—â—r 〈…〉 any 〈◊〉 Tribâ—â—es or 〈…〉 From their Aduersaâ—ies The Catholikeâ— of â—nglan◠〈◊〉 these â—o 〈…〉 more the Protestants doe 〈…〉 or many 〈◊〉 Presentations and 〈◊〉 which beâ—oâ—ged 〈◊〉 their â—o â—â—ll into the lapse for the Protestant Bishops to bestowe as thâ—y will Ouâ— Catholikâ— Priests haue no wiues or children to trouble the CoÌ„mon â—ealth withâ—ll Pariâ—heâ—â—nd pâ—aces of birth be not postered or charged with any â—uâ—h nâ—r Schoâ—â—erships or Felâ—owships in Vnâ—uersitieâ— which are not orâ—ained for Ministerâ— childrenâ— Tenanâ—s are â—ot put out of their liuings nor the Church Riâ—ches and liuings horded vp beggars made â—ut not releeued for any 〈◊〉 of Priests â—r Priests fauourers All that be of their acâ—uintance in Religion are instructed in dutie â—o God and Prince and be most true and â—utifull Subiectâ— to â—heir king â—n all occasioÌ„s â—hâ—se caÌ„not be the 〈◊〉 of a bad Religion 18. Their Religion vnder preâ—enâ—e whereâ—f they are presecuted they haue ofâ—eÌ„ in pubâ—shed bookes proued in euery point and â—rticle to be onely true and now doe coÌ„â—â— it â—â—t to pâ—eâ—se which will so demonstrate 〈◊〉 euery Article of thâ— Pâ—â—seâ—utours Reâ—ion euen by the Apostleâ— and Apoâ—olike men and Fathers of that age in â—hich they liued holy Scripturs and Proâ—stants themselueâ— and they haue often â—ade most earnest and huÌ„bâ—e petitions lateâ— pâ—blished in print to the Parlament 〈◊〉 publickly euen with vnequall condiâ—ons to themselues and their causâ—â—â— dispute â—d mâ—intainâ— all and euery part of the doâ—ine they hold and 〈◊〉 against the best â—arned Protestant Bishops or 〈◊〉 their Persecutours And yet if meÌ„ would or should speake doe and proceede consequently as they which takâ—â—pon them to be teachers instructours and Reformers in Religion of all men in all times and places ought and without vtterly disabling themselues therein are bound A Prieste or Bishop that saieth Maâ—se absolueth penitents or reconciâ—eth men to the Catholike faith by power authoritie or Iurisdiction from Rome is no more guiltie of so â—ermed treason by the ParlameÌ„t Protestant Acts and lawes then all other Ecclesiasticall ParlameÌ„t an 〈◊〉 Elizab. Statute 2. Parlam 1. Iacob Parlam â— Carâ—li personâ— dâ—acons or others inferiours Religious of what name title or degree soeuer as SubdeacoÌ„s Acolythists Exorcists or others wanting all such power as is euident by that oâ— Queene Elizabeth receiued and prosecuteâ— by king Iames aÌ„d king Charles Priests therefore are not or should not be so prosecuteâ— for their Priestlie functions God forbyd any English minded man or louer of Englanâ— should thinke or wish it a thing so penall anâ— capitall for any InhabitaÌ„t of England or English man to be borne abid or remaine in hiâ— beloued natiue Countrie of England thougâ— he weâ—e a meaner and more vnworthie maâ— then any meanest Priest of England is 19. The Protestants thus deriue our Clergâ—â— Succession Thâ— first Parlament of Qâ— Câ—mbd Annal pag 36. â—â—izabeth being ended the Oath of thâ— Queens supreamacie was proposed to the Catholike Bishops and Ecclesiasticall Persons many as refused to sweare were depriued their benefices dignities and Bishopriks â— Rulers of Churches 50. Prebendaries 5. â—isters of Colledges 12 Archdeacons 12. â—anes and 14. Bishops all that then â—emaiâ— except one Anthonie Bishop of Landaffe â— calamitie of his See and â—ome commitâ—ed prison in the Tower Fleete Marshallea â— kings Bench. How reuerend and learned â—n those of our Clergie then weâ—e and they â—ch immediately ioyned with the and coÌ„tiâ—d a SuccessioÌ„ of renowned Clergie Priests â— memorable bookes and writings of very â—y of them in defence of Catholike Reliâ—n ther honour therby registred among â— must worthie writers and their glorie in whole Church of Christ are warrant to posteritie I am an vnworthie witnesse â— many older and of more frequeÌ„t conuersaâ— with Priests then I can better testifie that â—hin 25 yeares of the Reigne of Queene Eâ—beth when so many from our Seminaries â— come hither that at one time there were â— of them Prisoners in the Marshallea and â—y of them put to death There were then â—y of Queene Maries Priests depriued and â—secuted by Queene Elizabeth still liuing â— labouring here in this holy cauâ—e and â—st of them were very learned as they were â— which were sent from our Seminaries to â—plie their number and ioyne with them as â—ers published bookes from them their
of the publick Church Office in latine So doe our Protestants themselues as Foxe and others prouing Foxe Act. and Mon. pag. 1142. Sermo seu homil Antiquit Saxoniâ—â— supr they were in latine before S. Germanus his comming hither And when S. Lupus and Saint German who both had beene MoÌ„ckes â—n the learned Monasterie in the Ireland Lyâ—ine by Marcells in Fraunce as an old Briâ—ish antiquitie with others witnesseth â—rought hither vsed and left here the Church â—etuice Vsed by Saint Marke the Euangelist after â—y S. Gregorie Nazianzen S. Basile S. Anthonie â—aulus Macharius Malchus Cassianus in the Monaâ—erie Lyrinum and after him S. Honoratus Abbaâ—â—here S. Cesaâ—ius S. Porâ—ariâ—s Abhot there by S. â—upus and Germanus both in that Monasterie and â—fter they were made Biâ—hops and in Britanie where â—hey preached and after them S. Wandiloâ—us and S. â—omogillus who had in their Monasterie about 3000. â—onâ—kes After Wandilocus sent to preach by Saint Gomogillus and Saint Columban into the parts of Gallia and the Monasterie Luxouium vsed there the same Ecclesiasticall Office ad the fame of their â—olinesse was spred in the whole world and of their Order many Monasteries both of men and women were founded Where is euident not onely that the latine Church seruice was vsed by our Britans and Scots but our Religious and those of that most learned and noble Monasterie of Lyrinum and others both in France and Italie ioyned together in these daies This British Author liued aÌ„d wrote before the VnioÌ„ of the Christian Saxons and Britanie here Neither our learned CouÌ„triman Alcuinus or Albinus Tutor to Charles the great Emperour most coÌ„uersant in such Antiquities nor Amalarius nor any other Expositour of old Ecclesiasticall seruice and Ceremonies doe finde any other but latine either in Britanie or any place of the latine Church taking that denomination chiefely therevpoÌ„ as the Greeke Church of their Greek Masse and other publick Offices Ecclesiasticall S. Bede also maketh this Bed Hist â—ccl Angl. l. 1. cap. 1. manifest for Britanie where he saith allthough there were diuers Nations and peoples English Britans Scots Picts and Latines yet onely the latine tongue was common to theÌ„ all in Scripture businesse Meditatione Scripturarum caeteris omnibus est facta communis Protest in Doue pag. 23. 2â— ca. of pâ—â—ier By the studying of Scripturs is made common tâ— all the rest And this is so manifestly true thaâ— our Protestants thus confesse it both of thâ— Latine and Greeke Church Vntill of late throughout the West part of the world publick praiers were in Latine in the East parte in Greeke Their Edw. SaÌ„d Relation of Relig. c. 53. or 54. of the Greeke Church Liâ—urgies be the same that were in the old time namely S. Basils S. Chrysostomes and Saiâ—t Gregories translated without any bending of theÌ„ to that change of languadge which their tongue hath suffered 14. Their Article which reiecteth fiue of â—he Seuen Sacraments Confirmation Peâ—ance Order Matrimonie and Extreme-â—nction is vtterly reiected by those our Primatiue Christian Britans And first for Conâ—rmation Girald Camâ—â—â—n dâ—script Cambr. cap. 18 their learned Bishop and Antiquaâ—ie defining it as Catholikes now doe to be â—n Vnction by a Bishop with holy Crisme by which â—race is giuen doth testifie that from their first â—onuersion all Britans desired and sought it â—ore then any people Episcopalem confirmatioâ—em chrismatis quâ gratia spiritus datur Inunâ—ionem Constant Magn. in priuelâ—g Rom. Ecclâ—s apud Isodor Iunior Tom. 1. Concil Hist Brit. l. 12. c. 18. Conc. l. Niâ—on 1. caÌ„ 55. art 6 Concil Arelaten can 8 prae alia gente totus populus magnoperè petit â—ll the people did more then any other nation greatly â—sire Eâ—iscopall Confirmation and the annointing of â—hrisme wherby the holy Ghoste is giuen Constanâ—ne our great Emperour as he himselfe witâ—esseth receiued this Sacrament of Saint Silâ—ster the Pope and king Cadwallader going â— Rome was there confirmed by Pope Serâ—us Our Britans receiued the first Generall â—ouncell of Nice and were present thereat â—d consented vnto the great Councell of â—les in both which it is sufficieÌ„tly acknowledged for a Sacrameâ— and signe giuing grace ConfereÌ„ce Hampton pag. 10. 11. Communion Booke tit confirmat Articl of Protest Relig. 25. And our Prâ—testantâ— publick authoritie more then in one place acknowledge it was both vsed by the Apostleâ— their tradition and giuing grace by application of an exâ—ernall signe which in this Article they desine tâ— be a Sacrament 15. Concerning the Sacrament of Hâ— Orders I shall speake more plentifully in thâ— defeÌ„ce and honour of Episcopall and Pâ—iest FunctioÌ„ And it is sufficeÌ„tly acknowledgeâ— when euen Protestants confesse there is nâ— teaching Preaching Ministring of SacrameÌ„t giuing and obtaining grace remission â— sinnes and euerlasting happinesse no trâ— Church on earth no comming to heauen oâ—dinarily without them Therefore of a people who ar Christians saie our Britiâ— Antiquaries Protestants thereto consentinâ— Girald Gambren descript Cambr. cap. 18. Dauid Powâ—ll Hâ—ct â—oeth hist Scotor l. 10. p. 208. Raphâ—el Holinsh. Histor of Sâ—ot pag. â— 4. or not denying it our British Christians gaâ— much more honour to such persons froâ— their first faith Ecclesiastiâ—is viris loÌ„gè magis quâ— vllam gâ—nteÌ„ honorem deserentes Yelding farre mâ— honour vnto Ecâ—lesiasticall men then any other coâ—trie And the old lawes of the Scots made iâ— deadly offence to hurt a Priest by word deede There were not of our persecutiâ— Protestants opinion Laedere Christi Sacerdâ—â— dicto sactouè â—xitiale sit Be it a deadly crime to â— a Priest of Christ either in word or deede It is â—â—taine in our Antiquities that the Britans all essentiall things had the same ordinatiâ— â—ith the Church of Rome that they had their â—hiefest consecrating Bishops from thence â—nd in some part of Britanie the custome was Manuser antiq Capgrau in â— Wyrone Episcopo â—hen one was to be chosen Bishop they sent â—im to Rome to be consecrated by the Pope â—here Moris erat apud Incoâ—as Pastorem à se electum Romam mambas Apostolicis ordinandum dirigere â—dinatumque sedem plebem reuisere It waâ— the â—stome amonge the Inhabitants to senâ— tâ—â—ir Pastour â—â— them elected to Rome to be ordained by Apostolicall â—nds and being ordained to returne to his seate and â—ocke 1. For Matrimonie the Sacramentall bond â—ere of was with them so strict and indissoâ—bâ—e Nennius Manuscâ— Histor in Guorthâ—gâ—â—n Rege Matth. Westin an 450. Matth. Parker antiquit Britan. pag. 7. 8. Protest annot in Matth. Westin an 454. Stows hist in Vortigern-Holinsh hist in eod that although before Christianitie â—ere especially in Scotland and towards that â—ountrie the wantonnesse had beene exceeâ—ing and not to be mentioned yet after â—race receiued and giuen by this Sacrament â— was a chaste and holy people and more â—rict Lawes and punishmeÌ„ts for incontineÌ„cie â—ere here prouided and duely executed